Happy 4th of July! (and Julianna's birthday- she's EIGHT!)

All-Comers Track Meet

My children participated in an all-comers track meet the other night. Pretty fun!

Here's a little video of some of their races (our battery was getting low so we didn't get everything & some of it was cut short). Also:

1. We were on the ferry on the clip in the van so don't worry if you see unbuckled children. 

2. Yes, we need to work on Tessa's running form. She's only 2, people!

3. Yes, Tessa needs to learn to stay in her lane. 

4. Lucy needs to not run next to girls who want to socialize during the 200m dash. (that girl's super cute!)

5. When watching footage of Josiah running the 200m, Gabe says to him, “You got CREAMED, Josiah!” and Josiah replies, “Hey! Those boys had deeper voices than YOU!”

6. It was super fun to have a little relay team made up of my own children. We weren't sure if they'd let them run it- it was co-ed but we weren't sure about the ages. Josiah, Millie, Gabe & Gracie all ran it and we were pleasantly surprised that not only did they NOT get last place, they almost caught the 2nd place finishers! The first place team was a team of high school boys. They did great & finished with a time of 4:49 or so. Battery was dead so didn't get to record the race. Bummer.

Here are the events they did:

Tessa (2)- 50m & 200m dash

Lucy (newly 5)- 50m, 200m dash & long jump

Julianna (7)- 50m, 200m dash & long jump

Josiah (11)- high jump, shot put (practicing for pentathlon!), 200m dash, kids mile & 4x400m relay.

Emilia- (13)- high jump, shot put, 200m dash, kids mile & 4x400m relay.

Gabe- twisted his arm to join the Team Long 4x400m relay

Gracie- high jump, 1500m (5:07) & 4x400m relay

Tessa

Silly Tessa. She changes her clothes 5,483 times per day. This is one of her latest fashion creations. I think she's pretty cute. Even if she is in Lucy's pajamas and they're on backwards...and the sunglasses make the whole outfit.

Nine Kids!?

Easter Sunday! First picture of my NINE children!
It is REALLY hard to get a decent picture of NINE children!
Tessa's happiest when she's with her GABE.
See what I mean!?



Gracie told everyone to make a funny face. And then she didn't make a funny face.
Easter egg hunt at Freedom Farms... an egg hunt on HORSEBACK!! How fun is that!?
Tessa was not a bit afraid of these large animals!
Little Lu didn't mind either!
Julianna had fun! Anything involving candy and she's in!
And then another Easter egg hunt at Mima's house.
These two. :)
Tessa & Lucy, wearing their matching dresses their Aunt Kelly gave them for Christmas.
Tessa
Lucy
The lovely Miss Gracie
The stunning Miss Millie
Grandma & her youngest grandbaby, Lorelei.

She's HERE!!!!!!!!!

After an incredibly intense and super quick labor, Kenton and I are proud to announce the birth of our new daughter.
Lorelei Elizabeth Long
Arrived on 2/6/16 @ 9:53am
8#2oz, 20 1/4"
Sweet, content baby with a lot of dark hair
Adored by her older siblings
Possible dimple or two That HAIR!
We are in love.

Christmas Eve

A quick shot before heading to Grandma's for Christmas Eve!

Over the River and Through the Woods...

To Grandmother's house we go!
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Fun at the River

Lucy can't wait to get to the river!
Lucy & Tessa
Please, Mother! Don't leave me here! I shall use The Force to summon you back to me!
My girls + plus our little neighbor, Izzy (practically sisters!)
You've got to work on your form, Tessa!
GO!


Funny girls!
Girls with 'tude!
One is quite cold!
Millie
Love.
Really, Tessa!? Eating dirt!? :P

Celebrating Tessa's 2nd Birthday!

Tessa turned two in July but we finally had some free time to celebrate her birthday. I don't think she even noticed. :)
Tessa, oh Tessa. It's okay to be happy sometimes!
Julianna lost another tooth!
Plenty of help opening presents!
Messy!
Gracie & Lucy