Sam is home

Sam leaving the hospital; he hasn't had the pacifier since.  He loved the car ride home!
Olivia and Ben were happy to finally have Sam home with them.
We attempted to use these "mitts" so he wouldn't scratch his face--he found a way to take them off!  He has figured out he can suck on his fingers!
John is a pro at swaddling.  Sam loves to be held very close.
Sam didn't really enjoy his first bath, but he sure looked cute!

Sam has arrived!

I'm a bit late getting these pictures on our blog. . . . .

It has almost been a week since this picture was taken.  The kids wanted to feel my stomach before we left for the hospital on Thursday evening.  My new nickname was "Big Belly" and you can see why!
Introducing Samuel Michael--this was right after delivery, but no longer in his "birthday suit".
The three Amigos!  Olivia and Ben were pretty excited to meet their new baby brother.  Olivia's first comment was, "Oh, he's so cute!"  Ben's first comment was, "He's gorgeous!"
Olivia told us that she didn't think a baby brother could be this adorable.
Ben has been very sweet to Sam or as he likes to say, "Baby Sam".  More pictures to come!

Fireworks and Baseball

On Friday we went to our friends' house in Gretna to watch the Gretna Days Fireworks show from their driveway.  The fireworks were great, and when this picture was taken at 10:30, the kids still had LOTS of energy!

Olivia is playing coach-pitch baseball again this summer on a co-ed team every Saturday.  She got a couple of good hits in this game.

Ben likes to practice his baseball during Olivia's games, so he always brings his bat and glove.

Beating the heat

The kids and I went outside early this morning to beat the heat!  Olivia is getting better at riding her bike; we're hoping to eliminate the training wheels soon!  She loves to ride between our driveway and the neighbors' across the street.  Ben makes sure that Olivia "Stops, looks, and listens" before crossing the street.

Ben has a "big boy" bike, but he prefers to ride his tricycle.
Olivia got a hula hoop for her birthday from Ben; she has been practicing so she can be as good as her Uncle Tyler!
Olivia and Ben got Cubs shirts from their Aunt Angela and Uncle Tyler, who just got back from Chicago.  I knew Ben would want to wear his today, but I was surprised that Olivia chose to wear hers, too.  She usually wants to wear a dress---maybe her matching pink skirt had something to do with her choice. . . .
This is Ben's favorite player for the Cubs (for those of you who aren't  Cubs fans, it is not a phonetic pronunciation).  He likes to say, "My name is (Foo-ka-dome-ay)."

Afternoon at the Splash Pad

Carrie, our daycare provider, organized an outing to the new splash pad in Papillion.  These are all of Olivia and Ben's friends from daycare (some are in school now).  The kids had fun playing in the water and the sand--and of course, Carrie brought snacks!

Baby's Room

We chose animals for this baby's room.  The featured animals are an elephant, lion, turtle, and giraffe (on another small wall).  I ordered these decals, and my friend Dedra put them up!  She also made the picture boards you see in this picture and in another one below.  The main colors are orange, brown and green.

The shelves are wooden boxes that Dedra painted while she visited.  We still need a new lamp!
Olivia took this picture!
Since we took pictures of the baby's room, Olivia thought we should do the other two rooms (Ben happened to be taking a nap).
Olivia wanted to pose for her room picture.  

Busy Saturday!

My decorator, Dedra, was very busy on Saturday with the baby's room.  It's very cute---pictures will be included in my next blog! 

Olivia's 6th birthday party was at Papio Bay.  Owen and Ben agreed to quickly pose for a picture before getting in the water.
Olivia and her good friend Jackson from school--they first met at daycare when Olivia was two months old and Jackson was eight months old.
Olivia with her friend Tessa--they enjoyed going down the slides!
Owen and Ben taking a shower after playing in the sand!
The whole gang after swimming--they didn't sit for long!
The party goers posing for a picture in between bites!
John organized a game of Zingo Sunday morning!

We got a sitter!

Dedra and I had to spend at least one day shopping and meeting friends for lunch, so luckily, Katie was available to watch all four kids while we had a day out!  We met some friends from school for lunch at Old Chicago; everyone was glad to see Dedra (even baby Maureen who slept the entire time)!

When we got home, we could tell the kids had a great time with Katie.  She made them a snack and posed for a few pictures before she left.
Olivia enjoyed being Katie's "helper".
The kids had one more tennis lesson tonight--notice the sweaty faces!  We ate at Runza afterwards--the free ice cream cones were the best!

Tennis Lessons

My friend Dedra and her two boys, Owen (5) and Miles (2), came from Kansas today to stay for a few days.  They lucked out and got to come to tennis lessons with me tonight.  Owen took lessons with Olivia while Dedra had the fun job of entertaining Ben and Miles!  We're looking forward to a fun weekend!

Ben and Miles taking a break in the shade!

Olivia waiting for the return from Owen.
Owen following through with a nice forehand.
Ben trying to stay cool.
Miles is "King" of the court!
Miles and Ben getting a drink.