Growing Roots: 2015

March was an unforgettable month. Our family had the stomach flu, not once, but twice. Thankfully God was merciful during it all and we made it through! And Noah was the last man standing both times never getting sick. I knew all those years he was eating dirt as a toddler would some how give him a super strength immune system!

Now onto our March photos. I opted to not include any flu photos....you're welcome.

Just a little indoor picnic going on here.

For some reason my children wrote on themselves more than usual this month, and oddly Noah always seemed to be involved with it.

Tons of snow and tons of fun!

Our little reader.

Kinetic sand....thanks Grandma. Oh and if you have little ones, you need to get some of this....seriously. They spend a whole lotta time playing with this stuff.

Guess who likes...I mean loves spaghetti?

Somebody is always in the mood for a game of UNO.

And they're never too young to learn.

Brotherly love?

Jared turned the big 37 in March. I am so very thankful to God for my husband. I couldn't imagine life without him.

I love watching him with our kids, loving on them in so many ways.

The kids and I are truly blessed to have Daddy as the head of our home. He cares for us in more ways than I can count.

A lovely drawing by Noah.

Here is a photo of Adam when he had the flu. This is actually the only photo I took during our bought with the flu....basically because it's not cool to be snapping photos of little people when they are sick with a stomach virus.

All Done!

Noah learned how to make a ninja mask from a T-shirt. This was sheer entertainment for the rest of us.

There is a little baby growing way too fast for this mama....and Noah's hair is growing way too fast for this mama too!

"Howdy Partner"

Notice the baby in the back ground trying to sneak up the stairs.

This is the face of naughtiness about to happen. We have since put up the gate to help keep the curiosity of this little guy at bay.

This photo makes me laugh because these two look absolutely thrilled to be doing a math lesson.

Leave it up to Noah for a comedic relief in any situation....even through math.

Luke is still at it with his puzzles.

Two peas in a pod....or two kids in a T-shirt.

Aaron is pulling himself up and cruising around. I am guessing that my baby will be walking before I know it. And I don't know if I am ready for that yet!

Daddy and some of the kids playing a Lego game. Of course Nate is the master builder during these games.

So fun to watch this little lady read to a couple of her brothers.

Just a little pretend play with Lauren's horsey stable and doll house.

Jared and the kids are enjoying soccer games in our side yard. They like to be outside any chance they get.

Jared's parents came for a visit. We had a wonderful time, and are so thankful for them. We all loved having Pap Pap and Mi Mi in our home. Fortunately, we were all healthy while they were here!

The kids had a blast playing baseball with Pap Pap.

Adam always enjoys riding the tractor. It was given to our kids several years ago. Such a special gift as it was Pap Pap Bruce's when he was a little boy.

Aaron loves to hang out in his pack-n-play on the porch watching the kids. His siblings stop to give him kisses.

The kids love playing games with Mi Mi, such a fun way to spend time together.

A couple of group shots before Mi Mi and Pap Pap headed home. We can't wait to see them again!

This is Lauren a few days before she lost her front tooth. In my opinion, kids' looks really change when they start getting their adult teeth in. This butterfly shirt is a favorite of both of us.

Never a shortage of helpers around her. So sweet how the boys always want to do what Daddy is doing. Adam saw Daddy fixing the door and went and got his little drill. A good reminder of how what we do as parents set an example and really matters to our children's growing character, even in the little things in life.

Nate's best friend, Josiah came over. It was Nate's very first sleepover and they had a blast! We all enjoy Josiah's company. And of course a lego game is a must. Nate loves having a buddy that loves Legos too.

Big brother has a fun sense of humor. The younger ones love it when Noah plays with them. This day they were Indians.....obviously.

Time with Daddy....always special.

Such a sweet little face this guy has, along with a bursting personality. He's always making the kids laugh with the little things he does.

Yes, Nate has a Beatle's haircut. He loves listening to the their music. It all started when he got the Beatles Rock Band for the Wii....life hasn't been quite the same since.

Not many words can describe what this does to my heart.

Here is Noah getting ready for a sale. He and Jared have a small woodworking business called, "Noah's Wooden Treasures." It is such a joy to see them enjoy working together making all sorts of wooden treasures. They have an etsy shop that is in the works. I will let you know when they get it finished.

This is a small sample of the items that they now have. I can't wait to share more photos of what they have built since these were taken. I will have lots to share next month!

They had to work hard after the first night of the sale as they sold out of an item and wanted to make more to take to the sale the next day.

Jared's grandfather enjoyed woodworking, so it is really cool seeing he and Noah love it so much. They use alot of his equipment.

They have a really good time doing it! The other kids even have little jobs like sweeping up the sawdust and handing stuff to Daddy.

Right now their shop is in our garage, but we are praying that down the road they will have more space to work from. All in God's timing.

On Palm Sunday, our small group from church had an Easter egg hunt in our back yard. I will have more photos of our hunt that we had on Easter in our photos for April.