Fields Landing

Who knew Fields Landing was such a cool place to visit?  On our way home from running errands in Eureka, we drove to the beach there and enjoyed some unexpected sunshine out by the water.  Our playtime doubled as school time, because we found some amazing things.  Nick saved a stranded crab that was missing two legs.  There was a washed up octopus/squid that we poked around at.  We played with the sea anemones and gathered shells.  Sometimes, I just love living in Humboldt.

The Rhody Parade

My dad came and picked us up to head to Eureka for the parade.  The girls chose to all wear dress up clothes, which is a little hard for this momma to handle.  Sigh... it was well worth the sacrifice to see their happy little faces as each float went past them and shouted out compliments for their hats and costumes.  Talullah was bat girl.  Berlyn was super girl.  And Havanna was wearing a My Little Pony dress.  They should have won an award for their undeniable adorableness.

Talent!

My dear friend Allisen brought over a gift for the newest baby girl growing in my belly.  She had made this sweet little rabbit, along with a cute certificate to go with it.  Raleigh Rabbit from Everspring Forest, coming to give soft cuddles and sweet dreams.  I'm in love.

Swim lessons

This is Talullah's second round of swim lessons up in Arcata, and the first for Berlyn.  Talullah is totally comfortable in the water and well on her way to learning how to swim.  Berlyn loves the water, but for some reason, after about lesson 4, she refused to get in the pool.  So, for the next few weeks, I spent an hour a week sitting on the edge of the water with her, coaxing her to at least put her legs in the water.  I'm guessing the day they jumped off the edge and dunked completely under was probably the last time she had any interest in learning to swim.  Now, she's more of a hot tub kind of girl.

How do YOU potty train your two year old?

Leap Pad and M&M's at our house.

"Normal"

After the sweet previous post, I must post the comparison.  This litter box fiasco would be the opposite kind of day living in a world of toddlers.  This morning, the girls had been so kind as to let me sleep in until 7.  I never, ever, ever (hardly) sleep once any of the girls are awake.  But I AM pretty pregnant, and I AM trying to survive on minimal sleep.  The one morning I lay in bed relaxing, I get up to THIS.  First, Talullah comes in and shakes my arm.  "Uhm... Mo-ooom.  Berlyn and Havanna are in the cat litter again."  My eyes bolt open and I'm at full attention.  Sure enough, there was hardly any litter left in the bin, and the disgusting sand was scattered from laundry room to kitchen.  In the cat food dish.  Water dish emptied out, creating a gooey mess of sandy goop.  From what I gather, they were trying to 'teach Sarah Sophia to use her potty box'.

Berlyn

Talk about sweet moments!  The girls were being so quiet, I just had to go check and see what was going on.  Usually this team is double trouble.  This particular moment was a moment to treasure.  Berlyn had picked out a book and was 'reading' to her baby sister.  *Heart melts*

Baby Cows

Mr. McCanless has been so kind as to let us drop in to visit his baby cows on occasion.  The girls absolutely love it, and I (not so secretly) love it, as well.  Looking at those huge brown eyes and long lashes... letting those big slobbery tongues lick your hand.... Nick won't let me get one (yet), but I'll keep working on it.

I shouldn't, but I will

I found these awesome photos on my cell.  Poor Nick is often subjected to photo updates like this on difficult days.  Poor Havanna was playing, started crying of a belly ache, then.... This.  How can I not want to share moments like this with my husband?

Love

Love this picture.  Do not love that they often still come to sleep in my bed.

Baby Shower for baby girl #4

What dear friends I have.  Kate and Dallass gave me the most beautiful baby shower that Rachel was gracious enough to let them host at her house.  The home was warm and welcoming, the decorations were adorable, and the food was superb.  It was a lovely tea/brunch, and there's not many things I enjoy more than sharing time with the wonderful women in my life.  How blessed to be celebrating the upcoming arrival of my fourth daughter, and still have friends who will join in the excitement with me.  Honestly, by the time you announce your pregnant with your fourth baby in five years, many people just nod and raise their eyebrows.  I've heard a sarcastic "Good luck." and a couple "Aren't you done yet?!".  Raising babies is no easy task, but it's the best thing I've ever done.  I wouldn't trade being a mother for anything in the world.  My daily prayer is that God give me the guidance to raise my girls well, and to help me instill qualities in them that reflect His love and light.  Every day is an opportunity to be a better mom, a better example, and to show and receive love.  It's an amazing thing!

The man of the house

These photos were also on Nicks cell.  However,  I truly felt like they deserved their own blog post.

Pics from Nicks phone

Yeah, it's true.

That's us

My little reindeer

Miss T and Vivian

Wiped out!

Who's that bird?!

A Little Mermaid pose

Ferndale Fair

Havanna was THRILLED to be holding baby Dallas

T and her furry friends

She liked the berries

Berlyn... feeding her chin ice cream

Wow!  A selfie?!

Havanna loves the  porch swing

And sometimes, this is how our family wakes up

Havanna listening to dad's music

Shelter Cove fun

We drove out to Shelter Cove with grammy to visit her dad, aka Great Grandpa McMahon.  He is one hard core dude.  A week away from having a valve replaced in his heart, and he takes off by himself for a 3 mile walk down the beach.  He also popped his teeth out, which was really, really impressive to Berlyn.  It was a gorgeous day, and we spent hours playing in the water and the sand.  Let me rephrase.  They all spent hours playing in the water and the sand.  I mostly just stood around or sat on the lounge chair being obtusely large with child and feeling like a petite whale.  It was still tons of fun, though.  Talullah could have waded in the water all day.  We had to drag her out of the waves.  Berlyn literally bathed in the mud.  Havanna freaked out when the cold water touched her toes, but she enjoyed getting filthy in the mud, too.  We were so glad to have taken the time to get down to visit Great Grandpa before his surgery, and we can't wait to go out there again.