We're still alive

Yes, we're still alive. I know that I have been very negligent in posting pictures and updates since Madeline was born. What can I say? I'm posting some pictures that I took about a month ago and hopefully I'll get the more recent pictures off my camera sometime this century and post those as well. We leave for the beach this Friday so I won't be doing any posting next week. I do not open a computer while I'm at the beach.

Here's what you really want to see:

Here are some updated pictures from the last couple of months. It's been pretty uneventful, which is a good thing. Braden has lost his 3rd tooth; Madeline is sitting up, eating finger foods, and trying to crawl; Emma Kate is still being Emma Kate. I am still trying to learn how to balance 3 kids, a husband, exercise, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and having some quiet time. So, I have been terrible about taking pictures and especially uploading them to the computer. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Braden and Emma Kate posing for a picture.

Madeline enjoying her food. She is so proud that she can put food in her mouth by herself. She gets so excited.

Braden finished his 100 piece spiderman puzzle. He did most of it by himself with some minor help from mom and dad.

Madeline sitting up, enjoying the new view.

Bathing Beauty

Snow, snow, and more snow!

For those of you that don't know, we got about 6-8 inches of snow (depending on who you ask). The kids have been out of school the whole week. This is lots of fun for someone who is married to a teacher and coach! We have gotten an extra week of vacation! Can a get an AMEN! We have had a wonderful time "making memories" as my mother would say. These are the times you pray for! ( I know I've gone a little overboard the the exclamation points, but it really has been fun.)

I love the look on Emma Kate's face- a cross between pure terror and excitement!

This boy loves sledding! He stayed outside for hours at a time sledding with his dad. Thank you, Dad!

Yes, I did get out to sled. I actually would have loved to stay out longer but, duties called with the baby. (This also came in handy when mommy didn't want to go out)

A few Christmas photos

Here are just a few photos taken at my parents' house all courtesy of Ernie and Lynda Brown. I'll post some of my pictures from Christmas morning later.

(Sorry for the lengthy delay in blog posting...with three kids, I haven't had much time to sit down. I don't know how some of you mommies do it.)

The cutest little baby on the block

I know that I am biased, but she is really, really cute! Don't you agree?

What you've been missing Part 2

Enjoying a beautiful fall day eating a snack.

My rocker girl...she loves this guitar, and don't you love the tutu?

John serenading Madeline.

I'll give you 1 guess who did this. (hint: her picture is below)

Emma Kate smiling big for her princess birthday party. It was Very pink and Very princess!

What you've been missing Part 1 (or, Yes we're still alive Part 1)

I'm not going to spend a lot of time right now writing about everything that has gone on for the last 2 months because to be honest I'm just too tired. I'll be posting new pictures over the next several days. Here are a few to start:

Braden started at his new preschool. He's now going 3 days a week and absolutely loves it. He's already told a girl in his class that he's going to marry her. Really?!

Emma Kate,of course, had to get her picture taken too. She thought she was going to school with Braden...that was a fun conversation to have with her.

This picture of Madeline is over a month old and she's already changed so much. I'll post some more recent ones soon.

All I can say about the picture is, I'm SO blessed!

5 weeks old

Miss Madeline is 5 weeks old. It's so hard to believe, the time has flown by! Here are some pictures I've taken over the last few weeks. We are all enjoying having Madeline around, she is such a sweet baby and very happy. Her smile just melts my heart. Hope you enjoy the photos.

She's Here

Madeline Hodges Millard was born 2 weeks early on July 6th. She weighed 7lbs. 6 oz...my biggest baby. Here are some pictures from right after her birth, I'll put some more pictures up later.

Happy Birthday to John

Yesterday was John's birthday and we had a quiet celebration at home. John is not big on birthdays at all. If I didn't insist, he would just ignore it all together. Needless to say, he was not thrilled about me taking a picture, this was the only shot I got. And, yes, Braden is not wearing a shirt. This was a casual birthday. To celebrate, I made shrimp scampi for dinner and baked his favorite chocolate cake. He opened gifts before I could get any pictures (actually I was still in the kitchen cooking, when he decided to help himself). The kids made cards for him and we also made a card with their handprints and 5 things they love about Daddy. Here's the list:

1. He stays home sometimes. (He had just taken the day off the day before)

2. He plays with us

3. Daddy takes us out.

4. Watching t.v. with Daddy (this means usually, some type of sporting event)

5. Daddy kicks the ball with us

Really, Braden came up with all of these. Next year Emma Kate will probably be able to help contribute to the list.

Springtime Fun

Can I just say, I LOVE spring! Here's what we've been doing to enjoy the warmer days:

No, it's not Halloween, just Braden and Walker dressing up and fighting each other with foam swords. They stopped long enough to let me take a picture.

Emma Kate swinging, she loves to hang upside down.

Right side up long enough to pose for a picture. The next words out of her mouth were, "I want to see it." (referring to the picture on my camera; what did we do before the age of digital cameras?)

Braden playing soccer with John. I promise John and the soccer ball were there, just didn't make it into the picture.

Don't ask...this was his idea of posing for a picture.

Favorite Pics of the week

Here are all of my favorite pictures from this past week. Hope you enjoy!

This is where I found Emma Kate the other day. She took it upon herself to take her diaper off, use the potty, and wash her hands (bare bottom and all). We are going to be attempting potty training part 2 in the next couple of weeks.

Here is Braden posing for the camera with his newest train, Spencer, thanks to Papa. My dad took Braden to see Thomas the train and was under strict orders ( I won't mention any names here) not to buy any toys, but as you can see, my dad has NO will power. Braden told John, "Papa buys me everything."

As promised, a soccer picture. This was the only decent one that I took that day and his eyes are closed!! I think he had just scored a goal. May 1st is his last day of soccer and he is going to be so disappointed. I haven't broken the news to him yet...I don't have the heart to tell him that it supposed to rain that day too!

John home for a few minutes before heading out to yet another soccer game. The kids swarm him the minute he walks in the door. This is our life during soccer season. Hey, I'm not complaining, moments like these are priceless. It warms my heart to see the kids love all over John when he comes home.

The kids coloring while waiting on John to get home from, yep, you guessed it, a soccer game. We needed something constructive to do to pass the time.