A bunch of rag-a-muffins

This is my life.

Filled with four of the cutest little blondes I've ever seen, and some days, we're just a mess. But that's not always a bad thing!

I know this photo is super blurry, but it was the only one I took last night. 

Kevin had left for mutual, I had to pick up Halli from swim practice and then we had to make a last minute, unexpected stop at the store. Hence the reason why JJ doesn't have shoes on. I thought we were staying in the car. 

So many things about this photo depict just how life is most days for us. Peytons completely mismatched outfit. She's holding a witch costume that she was wearing, but I think she got embarrassed and took it off in the store!:) 

Lexie in her princess dress, and both of them had on their princess dress up shoes. Those two were getting ready to go to a ball when we had to rush out of the house to go get Halli.  

Halli was only wearing her swimsuit, so I guess it's good thing that my car is a disaster cause we had a tshirt in there so she didn't have to go into the store with just her swimsuit on. But she looks like she's not wearing any pants, which I guess she's not!  She's also busted all of her flip-flops so she only has her tennis shoes. I'm forgetful and can't remember to get any new ones when I'm at the store, poor girl!

They were browsing all the fun stuff in the halloween section, and JJ was scared and burying his face in my massive belly, so when I backed up to take the picture he lost it. Poor kid, he'll be so happy once Halloween is over! 

The only thing that would have completed this picture is to include me and my humongous belly in it. 

I'm sure we looked like quite the site to anyone that saw us. A loud obnoxious group of five that looked totally disheveled, and I'm sure I'm walking birth control for anyone that sees me at this point! but I couldn't help but be overcome with happiness that these little people are in my life. I love them all so much and in totally different ways. Sometimes it just takes stepping back and seeing just how blessed we are, and soaking in that moment. As exhausted as I am, and as frustrated as I get at times with these cuties, I wouldn't change any of it for the world! I just can't wait to add one more crazy kiddo to the mix soon!!

Halli's 9th birthday

I'm behind, just like always! A month ago, our sweet girl turned 9. I can't believe she'll be in double digits soon!! Time is going way too fast with this sweet lady.  

We kept birthdays pretty low key this year. Just a couple presents in the morning with breakfast, dinner with the family that evening. She chose Olive Garden and Grandma & Grandpa Williams joined us for that, then it was home for cake and ice cream and of course more presents!

She is WAY into mermaids, and I found a company online that makes mermaid tails. So the picture may be blurry, but this was her FAVORITE gift, and she couldn't wait to try it out!

She is just growing up before our eyes. I'm constantly amazed by this girl and who she is becoming. Yes she has her moments when she's not the best little Halli ever, but she is still a kid.:) But for the most part she is so responsible, and smart, and talented, I just can't believe how lucky we are to have her in our family.  We're especially lucky to get to have her be such an amazing example to all her younger siblings, they will learn so much from her!

She requested a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting. I kinda had to make the frosting up as I went along, but the kids all seemed to like it, so I'll assume that means it worked!:) 

That's getting to be quite a few candles there! 

After we sang and sang some more the kids dove in to take out the candles and eat the strawberries. I love this little brood we have, and I love how much they really do love each other most days!:) 

Halli is in fourth grade this year, she's in the school choir which means she has to go to school early twice a week for rehearsals. She's joined year round swim this year, (her first meet is next weekend actually. I'm not sure if I would rather go being huge pregnant, or have this baby! I guess we'll just see what this baby decides to do!) her practices for that are three evenings a week, and she also has activity days, and homework, and she needs time to just play as well. This is one busy girl, but she loves every minute of all of it!

I can't believe we have a 9 year old, and especially this awesomely talented and beautiful one. We're some super lucky parents!