The Six Pack

It was only a matter of time.  I'm surprised we got by this long with five boys and no stitches or broken bones (not counting the cracked sternum or the stitches for Zachy's and Alex's surgeries, since those were intentional.) With my hyperactive brood, I knew we had it coming. And last week the calmest of my five fell victim as he played on a stationary exercise bike. The pedal smacked him in just the right spot, and he hobbled around for nearly a week with unalarming complaints before we decided to have it checked. He even surprised the doctor, who suspected just a deep bruise but ordered an x-ray just in case. "It's broken!" he announced in disbelief, pointing to the film which indicated a deep gouge in Joseph's little tibia. So Joe wins the prize for the first of five to sport a cast, and I'm afraid there may be several more down the road before they all make it into adulthood. Fortunately Joseph's injury will heal and he will be fine. U...

These days, Zachary is without a doubt full of trouble!  He served his first couple of time-outs this week for smacking his older brother.  He arches his back and screams until he is blue in the face when he doesn't get his way.  He still crawls up and stands on our kitchen table and countertops, and when he is sternly corrected, he reaches to hug me and says in his sweetest, buttering-up little voice, "Mama, Mama..."  He doesn't seem to learn, after flipping and falling backwards off chairs, that they're not to be danced on.  He begs to play outside with the big boys while they ride bikes up and down the sidewalk.  And he didn't care too much when one neighbor boy accidentally ran him over.  He hops in his little Cozy Coupe, pushes off, and heads straight down the driveway towards the street.  My own heart skips a beat as I scream and run after him, just as he reaches the curb.  He won't sit patiently in the shopping cart, but stands up a...

Since we returned from vacation last month , we have been so caught up with school starting and real estate woes that we have hardly taken a look back on our great adventure.  Today I finally had a chance to browse our pictures and post just a few of my personal favorites (click on any of the pictures for a larger image): Zachy checks out the stream that ran behind our cabin The big boys were a bunch of boulder-climbing fools! David gazes out over God's beautiful creation Alex took an "unexpected swim" Daddy and Zachy check out a crystal mountain lake Joseph can find a jungle gym anywhere! Action shot--Don't fall in, Sammy! Window shopping in Estes Park. Zachy insisted on walking himself! What's Colorado without a campfire? Our cabin only had a shower, but Zachy wanted a bath... ...and so did Sam! Above timberline, but still pink and feisty! "The Chipmunk Whisperer" Even in the tundra, Zachy insists on walking by himself! Is there anything more preciou...