Super Daddy!!

This could quite possibly be the kids favorite thing to do when their Daddy gets home from work. I think Daddy would handle it better if they would take turns, but Oh No...they want to ride all at the same time.

Everyone load up...

Taking time to do a few push ups...101...102

 Just doesn't get any better than this...

 Uh Oh...I think Super Daddy needs a break...

That's enough "horsing" around...at least until tomorrow!

Still waiting...

...on Baby Stansell #4 to make his/her grand entrance.

I was having contractions last Friday, and since I've never had false labor(braxton hicks) before, my Mom and Sister drove all night to surprise me. They were hoping they would make it in time for the baby. Well, they did, but at this point I'm hoping they actually get to meet this little one before they have to go home. They have to return home on Sat whether we have a new baby or not.

Even though we haven't had the baby, the kids have been having a blast with O'ma, Aunt Anch, and Brooklyn. While I went to the Dr on Friday they all went to the park...it's was overcast and very cold, but of course the kids had a blast.

Queen of the monkey tower...

This is so much fun...

Even little Brooklyn was having a blast!

Weeeeee...

She was fearless, and all over the playground...

I see you...

Happy Boy! When he saw this picture he said I want to go back...right now!

Cheese!

This is great fun O'ma!

Let's do it again...

Time for a little break...

Oops...right off the end...

Told you...fearless!

Hello!

Cheese...

Zip...

4 happy kiddos...

Hang on...

How do you make this thing work?

Like this Bub...

These slides are the best!

I could do this all day!

On to the next slide...

Monkey see...Monkey do...

Taking time for a quick pic...

I think O'ma just told him they could go get ice cream...

They are definitely going to miss O'ma, Ang and Brooklyn when they go home...and so am I!!!

Quite Possibly...

...the worst birthday party in the history of parties. 

I feel like I will need to apologize to Miles and Sydney for years to come. I definitely will not be winning any Mom awards for their party this year. See, in an effort to make sure Sydney actually got a party, I decided to have her share a party with Miles. I will be the first to admit I did a horrible job planning this party. I didn't send out invites, book the church until the week of, and I even forgot to ask their little friends to come...I know...terrible! I would blame it on the impending arrival of newest little one, but I think I was just lazy this year about planning.

To top it off, their cake was ugly! But it tasted good, so I guess that trumps ugly...at least that's what I'm claiming. 

They didn't even get a themed party...just a polka dot table cloth...

Z-man!! I did manage tell Steph with enough warning which weekend I wanted to have the kids party, so she and Zachary were able to come. The kids were so excited to see him. They love and miss him so much since they moved to Lubbock.

"ohhhh...I can't wait to eat the cake!!!" You can't see the cake in the picture, but that is what she is looking at...and what a look she has on her face.

Birthday honorees...they were not cooperating for the photos...as usual! I gave up...the adults were all waiting for their cake and ice cream.

Birthday buddies...they share a birthday(just a few years apart). I'm ready for the years where she willingly smiles in these pictures with Uncle Rick.

Now you're talking, let's open gifts...

My big boy...so excited

I guess all in all it was an ok party...I mean there was cake, home made ice cream, presents, and family. What more do you need to make a great party?

Rachel, Luke, Kate, and Wade...I know y'all really wanted to be at the party, but because I was due in couple of weeks, y'all had been sick, and because your Mom and I didn't think sharing yucky germs was a good idea, y'all didn't get to come. I just want y'all to know that we missed y'all! I'm planning to make a birthday cake that the kids can share with y'all when you come see our newest little one. We love y'all!

Pretty Girls in Tutus...

Tenley LOVES to play dress up. She even asked for(and got) dress up clothes from Santa. So she is always excited when Aunt Teresa sends the latest tutus that she has found. Tenley was especially excited that her's and Rachel's tutus matched...I think she thought it meant she was a big girl. 

Thank you Aunt Teresa for the Tutus...the girls love them! I haven't been able to slow Syd down long enough to get her picture, but I will.

Oops we didn't again...

Terrible blog title I know, but it's what I keep thinking.

That's right...Cara and I are sporting our baby bumps again.

Honestly we don't plan this...we are just good, I guess. This is our third time around. We were pregnant with Miles(Jan 4th) & Ian(Feb 21st)...then Sydney(Feb 3rd) & Mac(Feb 8th)...and now Baby #4(any day now) & Tye(Feb 17th). Our Families are both so excited about these new little ones.

I didn't realize that we were both wearing gray until after I started looking through the pictures... 

"Work that baby bump!"

This is a picture of our Sydney and Mac baby bumps, taken Nov 2009. I guess we think alike when we are pregnant...notice the blue shirts this time.

I tried to find a picture of our Miles & Ian bumps, but I couldn't...makes me sad. I'm afraid they were lost when our last laptop died.

Cara, I have loved being pregnant with you each and every time. I think it's so special that our little ones are so close in age....I love it! It makes me sad to think if Goose and I have another one, I'll be going through it alone. Love you! Can't wait to hold our little ones!

Birthday Boy...

Four years ago today we were waiting for the most precious baby boy to arrive. Once he was here, he was the perfect addition to our little family. We have loved him and his sweet spirit ever since that day. He is my tenderhearted little cowboy. He loves wearing his boots, cowboy hats, and watching bull riding. He is a terrific big brother. He loves his sisters with his whole heart. He gives the best hugs and the sweetest smiles. He works with his Daddy and/or his Grampa every chance he gets. Sometimes I can't wait to see the man he will become, but then at the same time I want to keep him my little boy forever!

We took him out for a birthday lunch at Skeets. They sang Happy Birthday and he got a complimentary fried cheese cake. He wasn't real sure about the singing(he is so much like his Daddy), but he was all over the dessert(see...just like his Daddy).

He wanted steaks for his birthday supper, but I forgot to set the meat out...so I guess we'll have those tomorrow...oops! So we had leftovers..yum!

I did however, remember to make the birthday cake...and birthday cake makes everything better! 

I let Miles pick the colors he wanted on his cake...he picked Red and Blue. I was just about done decorating when I looked up at Goose(with a defeated look on my face)...it looks like a 4th of July cake...oh well, too late now. I wasn't making more icing!

Present time...

LeapPad(technically this one is Tenley's...Miles' didn't make it here in time, but it's on it's way. We wanted him to know it was coming)

 BOOTS!!! Trust me when I say he needed these. He is literally worn the heals off his other pair.

 I would say he is a pretty content little birthday boy! Looking all grown up in his new boots...

I love our little family birthday parties, such a sweet time. After he ate his cake he looked at me and asked if it was almost present time. I told him yes, and he put a big smile on his face and said I'm going to be soooo excited!!

We will be having a big family birthday party for him this Sat from 2-4 at Calvary. He has graciously said he will share his party with Syd. Since, we aren't sure what day the baby is actually coming, I didn't want to chance not feeling up to throwing her one, so she gets her big party early!

I'm trying to keep it simple. He loves puzzles and Syd loves to be read to, so puzzle gifts for him and books for Syd...plus they already have so many toys from Christmas, this will be a nice change.

Happy Birthday Bub, and many more!!! Wow, 4 years...where does the time go?

More Snow Fun!!!

We woke up Christmas morning to the most beautiful sight! As most of you know it is rare that we get snow ON Christmas day. But this year God blessed us...I like to think it had something to do with Christmas being on Sunday.

Another bonus for the kids was Goose was home this time so he was able to go out and play with them...I was pleasantly safe and warm behind my camera...

The first thing Miles did was fall in the snow...I am not sure anyone enjoys the snow more than him!

 So sweet of Syd to share her fresh snow with Ten...

 I'm pretty sure he has a mouth full of snow and is trying to decide if he wants to roll around in the snow some more or go start a snowball fight...

 Happy little girl...

 Snug as a bug...and oh so cute!

 My sweet babies...(yes, Carol I know there is a pole coming out of Tenley's head...elements 10 is kicking my butt!)

 And she's outta there...

 Goose of course wanted a picture with the Dairy sign...Dairying is in his blood!

 And she's outta there...yeah, she has a short attention span!

 Let's start a snowman...

 Seriously, the kid LOVES rolling in the snow!

 I'm starting to see it...can you?

 Yeah she didn't help much with the snowman...she did however eat as much snow as she could manage...

 Gggeee Momma, this is grrrreat fun...

 A little closer...

 The dogs were so sweet to help out...

 I've had enough snow...why are we still out here???

 And...the final product! So we really only got enough snow to build a kid size (slightly dirty) snowman, but the kids didn't care...they loved every minute of it!

 NO, seriously...why are we still out here? I want some hot chocolate...

As we were headed in, Goose decided to make the snow "avalanche" off the roof onto the kids...Syd got the biggest kick out of this. I wish I had thought to use the video feature, because she couldn't stop laughing...

 Do it again Daddy!

 Miles seemed to get the brunt of it, not that he minded...

 Tenley decided to try to eat it as it was coming down...

Lots of precious memories...I love it!!! Next time we get snow I'll have another little one to bundle up...