Trip to Columbus

Last week I took a get-a-way trip to Columbus to be with family...Quinn has been so busy at work that he said it would be good for me to go see my mom so he could work some 14 hour days. I took all 4 kids for the car trip by myself and I must say it went very well. The only rough spot was on our trip back, about 2 hours from home, Faith had had enough of her car seat and started thrashing and whining and being a stinker. I just kept saying to myself "Don't stop now...just keep going" Lol! Well, anyway, here are some pics from the 2nd half of our trip...a night at Kelli and Berner's house (which was so fun and enjoyable). I love my family and love every minute I get to spend with them since it's usually not very often. Earlier this same day we had gone to the Zoo, but I left those pics on my mom's computer at home, so I'll post maybe next week? Then we'll be back in Columbus for a trade show for Quinn's work, so it will be fun to see them all again! Only this time Quinn will be driving with us! (Whew!) I had asked Jason to take a pic of me and the kids, but didn't realize until I just put them on my computer that Tabby decided to have a little fun and jump in on the picture! I had a good laugh...the next few are Aunt Tab and Maddie...seriously, Maddie is a lot like Aunt Tab when she was that age...funny kid - a total crack-up...then comes Jackson and Jack (born only 3 months apart) - I hope they will grow up to be good buddies!

Mother/Daughter Banquet 2008

We had our Mother/Daughter Banquet at church back in the beginning of May. Here are a few pics of the girls and I, all the kids together, the girls and their friends, and my neighbor and friend nicole and her daughter Amber.

Jack's Dedication

Last month we had Jack dedicated at church during the Mother's Day service...Quinn's mom and dad were there, but also his sister and her family. It made it special that it was on Mother's Day...he is such a gift to us from the Lord!

Maddie's Preschool Graduation

Wow! Maddie is officially going to be a in Kindergarten next year...riding the bus with Grace and everything! Here are some pics I found from end of May...Gaith is missing because I left her with a friend so we could actually sit for the program and not chase her around!

Nana & Jack

My Mom came about a month ago to help me out here...I was feeling really overwhelmed and she was such a blessing to me. We did managae to sneak in a few pictures of her and Jack. I hope to take even more as I am headin to C-Bus this weekend with all the kids. I just realized that we haven't hardly put any pictures of Jack on here since he was born! He is such a good baby and a real sweetheart...we can't imagine life without him here...enjoy these pics!

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Wow! Maddie is five years old already!! I'll just make a quick apology for not blogging more often - things are busy and crazy and a bit overwhelming. My desire is to go back and catch up on our happenings, but I know not to promise because chances are it won't happen...maybe I will as time allows. But for now, I just had to post pictures of Maddie's Birthday Party last night. The weather was perfect...we met at a park and had a dinner of pulled pork sandwhiches, baked beans, grapes, veggies and dip, chips and ice cream and cake, of course! It was mainly a family party, but we also invited our good friend the Uminns and our neighbors Nicole and Amber. Maddie's friend Hayley came and then went home with us to spend the night...Maddie was so excited! This year she wanted a butterfly cake and I had so much fun making it special for her....I love doing caked for the girls! Maddie really made out on the presents...she got an I-Spy game, sparkly hair clips, Hannah Montana sunglasses (a favorite), some new shirts, a Hermie video and markers, a tee-ball mitt and balls in hot pink color with polka dots, a new outfit for her American Girl doll, a roller blading set for her American Girl doll and a book of stories about her American Girl doll and then a pair of Roller Skates (given to her on her actual birthday! Whew! Talk about a big haul!! She loved every minute of being the birthday girl! We just priase the Lord for such a sweet, loving, fun and adventurous girl like Maddie! Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!

Presents!!

That's Maddie

Here's a quick shot of Maddie as we rushed to get out the door Easter morning -- more on that later.

But last night, Sam took the girls to McDonalds with my parents. Maddie & Grace had to use the ladies room, and when they returned, Maddie said "you know what we saw, we saw blood in the toilet!!" and Sam said "oh, ok honey". Then Maddie said "maybe somebody lost a tooth!!"

Who knows. Maybe so. I'll let you figure it out. For now, we're content to let Maddie think it was a tooth issue.

Jack @ 3 weeks

Sorry for the lack of posts, but as you can imagine, it's been a bit difficult to find time for posting. We'll update you on Easter, and more later, but for now, here's Jack at 3 weeks old. He now weighs 10lbs 1oz and is 22 1/2" tall. So in 3 weeks time, he has gained almost 3 lbs and grown an inch. He is loved by his big sisters and is a great eater and sleeper. In fact, he will often sleep from 11pm until 4am.
Now, if I could just get Faith to stay in bed all night every night like she did before Jack was born...

WE'RE HOME!!

Home safe and sound, all is well.
-Quinn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Grandpa Bull

I HAD to post this. Uncle Dean printed off a shot from my post earlier and brought it to show my Grandpa where he noticed a striking resemblance. Thanks for passing this along!! And thanks for sharing it with grandpa.

Little Man

Love this one. What a sweet kid. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! I am so undeserving of the family the Lord has blessed me with... I am overwhelmed and humbled. Thank you Lord for Samantha, Grace, Maddie, Faith, & Jack. My cup runneth over.
-Q

THE FAM

WOW, I guess we now officially qualify as a "large" family. We only have 1 empty seat in our minivan, the middle seat between G & M in the back. The kids LOVED seeing their little brother for the first time! They were so excited!
Sam will be coming home on Monday, probably by early afternoon, a bit sooner than we first thought. Can't wait to all be together for good.
Heidi & Nita have been such a huge help watching the kids while Sam, Jack & I hang at the hospital. Thanks so much!!
Sam is doing very well, looks great and was able to rest most of the afternoon and evening today.

Video Starring Jack Wesley

Here's a quick video for those of you snowed in and unable to make the trek to MI to see this little guy!
Sorry about the band across the video, I'll pay for the upgrade soon and re-do the video to remove it.
-Quinn

Meet Jack Wesley

What a sweet content little guy. He's been so fun to hold, eyes open much of the time, just content to be with us. I'm so proud of Sam- she's a PRO, makes it look almost easy. There will be more photos coming, but I need to get to bed, with the time change tonight it's after 2:00am. Enjoy!! Post comments!!