One of the big boys

Gray really wants to be a big kid. He loves to just be a part of whatever the other kids are doing. The other day they were all dancing and Gray just joins in. He actually almost did the splits. Well last night he reached big boy status as he tried to feed himself with a spoon. I have always broken his food up and he just eats with his hands. Last night he ate with a spoon! He was so proud of himself. I cannot believe how quickly he is growing up. I guess he had better grow up since there is another little guy coming! Way to go Gray!
*I tried to get so many pictures. He honestly refused to smile and look at the camera! Is he Joey Jr? I love that he holds the spoon in one hand and eats with the other!

Our attempt at a family picture

Joey's parents were over yesterday and I asked them to take a picture of our little family. After grandpa figured out the camera (I am certain he missed the best shot!) this is what we ended up with. Gray is upset and blocking most of Joey's face. Do you think he minds? I hope that someday I can get a picture of the whole group looking at the camera and smiling. Is this too much to ask? I am beginning to think so!

Two days of trying and no success

Day 1- Love this picture but it is too blurry


Day 2-


I really wanted a picture of the kids all together that I could have it made into a canvas. I borrowed a really nice camera from my friend, got the kids dressed up, and no luck! The next day I tried again. Did not have the energy to get them dressed up but I got them in coordinating colors and we tried again. Here are a couple of the attempts. Maybe in 5 years I will have the energy to try again and hopefully get them all smiling!

Gray's 18 month checkup

Wow- I survived his doctor's appointment with 2 other busy kids. It makes me a little embarrassed to be sporting this large belly when I barely can handle the kids I have. Oh well, we did it and Gray is doing great! Here are his stats:

Weight: 26.1 lbs - 75%
Height: 33 1/2 in - 75%

He is for sure our smallest kid. Our little runt! He is acting like a typical 18month old. Growing and developing just as he should be. Gray is so so busy but we just love him! He is keeping us young right? Love you Graby!
* I was trying so hard for two days to get him to smile in a picture. Here is one of the attempts. He is so stubborn! Wonder where he gets it? Here's a hint-starts with J ends with oey!

Our Super Mario's

Who knew how many hours of fun can come from a plastic nose and mustache! Luke found this in his room and they each took turns being Super Mario! Here are the results:
Luke Mario


Harlee Mario


Nash Mario


I love watching them be creative and play so well together!

True Love

If you have not heard already Joey and I are so not feet people. We both do not like our feet to be touched and prefer not to touch each other's feet! Today Joey was clipping all the fingernails and toes for the kids. Since my belly is growing by the minute I have not been able to clip my growing toe nails. So I asked Joey to do it and he did! What a great husband. He finished with only a couple dry heaves! Thanks Joey for helping me in every way! Love you bud!
*Someone definitely needs a pedicure!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So Thanksgiving is over and it is time to get ready for Christmas. Joey is always ready to get the tree up quickly and so ready to take it down on Christmas night! So last night while I got Gray to sleep Joey put all of the lights on with Nash's help. This morning we woke up and decorated the tree. I love this time. It is so fun to work on something as a family and then enjoy the finished product. I LOVE this time of year and look forward to many more moments of cherished family time!

*Gray loved helping and being one of the big kids!



*The finished product! I LOVE the clumps of ornaments. That is "Nash's" side and only he was allowed to work on it! Just ask him! Too cute!

Is Griddle Back?

Last night we got out the Christmas decorations and I am afraid with the decorations came the ghost of Christmas past! While Joey was putting the lights on the tree Nash kept saying "Look Dad! I see a person." I guess he said this several times and Joey thought that since it was dark he was seeing a reflection from the TV in the window. Well this morning when the kids were all awake, we decorated the tree. Nash said again. "Look! I see a person!" Where I asked? Right there he pointed. I asked him some questions and it is a boy that is happy. Could Luke's red-headed friend Griddle be back? Luke use to swear that "Griddle" was hanging around and wanting to be a part of whatever we were doing. Whatever it is it creeps me out! I am going to try to think that we are being visited by Poppie or Pa or Grandpa Gordon or maybe the new little one coming to this family is checking out the place. Hopefully the new friend does not stick around for too long. Makes it a little bit harder to get up in the middle of the night!

Thanksgiving Eve

Every year we switch off between Joey's family and mine. This year it was the Lovelace year. Tara had come into town to spend this holiday with us. We were so excited to see her and her family. She had to work on Friday in Oregon so we decided to do Thanksgiving on Wednesday night. We spent the whole day together and then when Joey, Cory, and Charity got off work we had dinner. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and the food was delicious. I cannot believe how much the family has grown. With what started with 2 has turned into 26.5! What a nice night that was! Since we did the dinner on Wednesday night we had our own little Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Nothing beats a yummy dinner in our pjs! We had ham, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls. The great meal was followed by naps and then games with Joey's family. What a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am overwhelmed with all of our many many blessings.

It's a .....BOY

Well looks like Gray and Nash were the winners! I should have known that we are more prone to a certain gender in our family! That is right, we are having another BOY! So the Childs family will consist of four boys and one girl! Good thing Harlee loves her brothers. We are so excited for this little guy to join our family!
*So sad about how large I look in this picture. I guess I am just supporting the "you get bigger/faster which each one" statement.

Movie Night

Last night we rented Cars 2! We all got our pillows and blankets and settled in to watch the movie. I was trying to rock Gray to sleep but he insisted on laying on the ground like the big kids. He cracks me up! It was not too long before Harlee was out for the count. Luke joined her a few minutes later. Gray was next and our little Nash made it through the whole show. That does not surprise me since he is our night owl! I seriously LOVE these family nights! I feel so blessed to have all these little ones! I LOVE my family and feel so lucky to have them.