8 months. potty training. the works.

Little to no rest in this house I tell yah!

Miss miss turned 8 months on the 27th. I cannot believe that 8 months have passed since our little lady arrived into the world. Sigh. Where on earth does the time go? The crawling has also begun...and she is haulin'. Its an "army" like crawl and I am hoping to capture it on video to share. Miss miss you have been an amazing addition to our lives and I cherish every moment.

Yes I am already planning her first birthday. Whats it to yah?

The man. Potty trained. HOLLA! So excited, for us and of course for his amazing accomplishment. My goal was "before three"! He is a dancing machine these days and has a new song...

"Twinkle, twinkle little star. How hi are you?" ha. Its LOUD and hilarious. Love it.

Thats the wee people update. Photos below. Hoping the larger children co-operate for some photos in the near future. Monkey's!

all about the teeth.

Look at those top teeth poking through...dont cha just love them to bits??

four tooth wonder.

How is it that this tiny little creature that arrived into our home only 7.5 months ago...is already a wee diva with mucho personality?? Its as if we woke up one morning and suddenly she was no longer a newborn. Were did it go?

Isla just cut teeth #3 & #4...she was not too keen on the idea, but now that they have arrived, I really think she is lovin' them. I will of course share pictures when they come in a little more. Now if only she would take an interest in crawling [honestly I have NO RUSH]....but possibly sitting might be up for some consideration? As I said...

DIVA!

a post isnt a post without photos!

to blog better.

My new years goal was simply...

To "BE" better. No real guidelines, just all around better.

Part of that goal is to keep up this blog. This is more of a personal journal really. I intend to print it as a book at years end and have all of our happenings printed and bound. I believe that is something that truly matters. Keeping these moments, everyday...simple...silly moments forever. Some of what you find here will likely be pulled over from my business blog...www.brookebowlandphotography.com

So, read...or dont read...but I will be here a little more this year. Just keeping life up to date.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We had a fantastic day which was spent at home with family. Of course Simon was all over the idea of presents and went into major "pressie overload"! Isla was pretty mellow and would have rather just eaten paper all day long...hehe. The older kids spent Christmas with their Mom in Vancouver and were very much missed...we will be having our own Christmas with them this weekend...YAY!! Can hardly wait...I am sure Simon will sleep for days when this is all over...

Thanks Santa for being so darn good to all of us. What a fortunate bunch we are! Missing all of the fam that was not able to spend the time with us and hoping that you are on the mend Dad...sick on Christmas is just no fun!

Lots of love to all...

life in the kid lane.

Its a crazy life, but I have to say...I love every minute of it. Okay, maybe not EVERY minute. The peeing on the bathroom floor recently simply for kicks I could have done without. It was Simon in case anyone was thinking otherwise!

We are moving quickly towards Christmas. I LOVE Christmas. The giving...yes the giving...LOVE IT! I always way overdue it, and although Mark is constantly trying to tighten the reins on my Christmas spending, I just cannot seem to help myself! Enough of that. Kids...that is what you are reading for...KIDS...

They are amazing. Each and everyone of them!

Isla has cut her first two teeth [she is growing far too fast]. She is rolling from back to front but has little to no interest in going the other way. Oh and she is a CHUNK! hehe. We have a docs appointment tomorrow, so we will see just how big this girl is!

Simon is excellent. He is loving his daycare time...a few 1/2 days per week seems to be just right for him. He enjoys the break from home and playing with his buds...which is awesome. To sum this little man up I would say "booty shakin' chatterbox". ha. He can talk non stop (wonder where that came from)? Oh and his dance skills? Off the hook!

Haley is awesome! The perfectly happy, although at times defient 10 year old. We adore every bit of her. Brought home a fantastic report card...all A's but one and is just all around kickin' butt. She has also started up with swimming again and is on the local team. She loves it and has already been to a meet. Keep it up Haley!!!

Trevor...the little pre-teen...just kidding. He is doing great. Working hard in school and brought home straight A's. How can we not be proud? Sports wise he is right into baseball and doing the indoor thing over the cold months. He also rocked volleyball and I believe he is going to give basketball a go as well...way to go Trev...you just dont know until you try!

Us? Ah...we are great. Busy. Getting ready for Christmas. I could go on...but I wont. Photos of the older kids should be coming soon. Had plans, then Trev fell ill.

Lots of photos below...ENJOY!

the fun of it all.

Being a mom that is! It is the most amazing and most difficult job this girl has ever had.

I love being a mommy to all of our amazing kids. I dont think that life could be any better. One day I will sleep...likely not the in the near future....

UPDATES:

Trev...this boy is growing up way too fast. He is starting to really do his own thing and we are loosing our "cool" status in a hurry. Sigh. If only we could turn back time! Doing awesome in school (yup, we are proud I tell yah). Oh and playing volleyball...which he said he would NEVER play, but now loves.

Haley...just joined the junior swim club and is a ROCKSTAR! This girl can swim! I am hoping to get down to the pool and take some photos of her doing her thing. She is loving school and doing amazing. Our little free spirit this one.

Si...busy being a boy. A loud, rough, wild little boy and we would not have it any other way. He is such a character and can shake his booty like no other. We really have to watch what we say these days i tell yah.

Isla...little miss giggles. This is one happy baby I tell yah! All smiles. She is perfectly precious. Has rolled a few times, pretty sure it was by fluke though. Other then that, she is still our little blob!

Mark & I...busy being parents. Loving every minute! Missing our family and often wishing they were closer...hint hint...

Now for the photos! The older kids photos are coming...they are a little less co-operative these days. ENJOY...