Sophia 2 weeks old

Sophia was two weeks last Friday, time seems to be going quickly even though it seems a little crazy right now. The kids are back in school today and the house seems quiet. Sophia had a hard weekend with a lot of crying but has been much calmer today with some good naps.

Spring Break 2008

We planned an afternoon this week to take the kids riding. Grant helped Jared change the oil in all the machines and get them ready.
Hailey is quit the rider - she is building up a lot of confidence.
Grace has grown so much that Jared had to lift up her handle bars on her bike. Soon she will be to big for the "Little 50".

Grant dreams of one day taking over one of the dirt bikes, but for now he likes starting the 4-wheeler and helping Jared drive.
And then there is Sweet Claire - she wants to go with Jared until he puts her on and then wants off. So she went on a few rides and then hung out with Sophia and I.

We enjoyed cleaning the house a little each day and finding a few activities that kept the kids sane and their Mom... We saw "Horton hears a Who", we took the kids swimming at the YMCA, which was super fun!! And the rest of the time was spent patiently waiting for Dad to return home from work so he could help us. The week went by fast, some afternoons where hard with all the kids home but they helped me out with Sophia. Looking forward to school starting in the morning. :)))))

Easter 2008

This is our group shot, we had trouble with Grant wanting to participate. So we did the best we could and this was the best picture I got of all five. The girls where very excited about their new Easter dresses all matching, and Grant with his Green tie to pull it all together.

This is the moment we lost Grant and decided to take one without him. So here's one of just the four girls
This is our precious girl, having her own photo shoot
Sophia Hill - 9 days old

My Little Helpers

Grandma came and helped for the weekend with the kids. Thanks Grandma, you're always a big help to us when we need you. I know that the kids enjoyed having you and Grandpa here for the weekend. We wish you were closer.
Grant and Claire have been my big helpers this first week.
We borrowed a swing and Claire loves to put herself in it and swing. She also helps Sophia swing when I put her in it. I always have my eye on her.
I am using my bed for a changing table for Sophia. When I need to change her diaper, Claire wants "up" to help. She leans in and gives her kisses and pokes her face and helps until I've had enough of her sweet helping.
I was taking some pictures of Sophia and Claire wanted her picture taken with her new sister.
Our Sweet Sophia, week one.

Birth Announcement

Grace, Hailey, Grant and Claire are

pleased to announce the birth of their new sister

Sophia Hill

born March 14, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.

She weighed 7.1 oz. and is 20 inches long

Sophia's Birth

Sophia getting dressed to go home
Didn't enjoy the changing of clothes
All bundled up to go home to see the family
Enjoying her first morning
Meeting her Brother and Sisters
Grace pleased to see dark hair
Hailey pleased to hold the baby
After her first bath
Mom admiring the good work she has done!

Sophie and I are both happy and healthy. The kids are having a great time holding her and she has brought a great spirit in the home.

THE BIG DAY

Hello, it's Thursday afternoon and I'm just getting those last minute items checked off my list before the big day tomorrow. I'm so excited to finally meet this new little one. Our biggest excitement will be the color of hair she will have. We have some votes for blonde and a few for red hair.

My Mom arrives tonight to help us with the kids for the weekend and also to keep the house from falling down while Jared and I are away. I really can't beleive I'm going to have another baby, and that it's number 5. I went Yesterday with a friend to get a Pedicure and the lady doing my feet asked if this was my first baby and of course I smiled and said "No, it's number five." And today I went into Gap to pick up some little socks and a sleeper and the lady asked if this was my first....."No, this is my 5th" I said, "Oh, you just look so young and so good for this to be your fifth." I don't know why I feel so embaressed when people ask me, maybe it's because it's not the norm these days. My sweet teacher from the Parenting class I go to told me - "Kim, God will give you the power to be able to handle these children." I truely beleive that. So - let the good times begin.

Kids Photo Shoot

Grant and Claire
Hailey

Grace and Claire

All the kids

This weekend was our last weekend with 4 kids, I can hardly beleive that by next Saturday we will have another sweet baby with us. On Friday I took the kids and we all went and got hair cuts so I wouldn't have to worry about that for awhile. I wanted to keep the girls hair long but they insisted on cutting it short. I think they all look really cute. Hailey's hair is always so tangled up and takes us awhile to comb through, and Grace pulls hers back everyday into a pony tail because she doesn't like it on her neck. So, we all left really happy.

Grant's 5th Birthday

I have never seen a kid so excited about his birthday. Grant woke up at 7:00 a.m. and asked if it was morning time. He also asked throughout the day if he was "5" the whole day. He was tickled to have it be his birthday. We met some friends at Chucky Cheese and celebrated for lunch and then when the girls got home he was able to take his new remote control boat over to the pond and test it out. He requested Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for his desert and Fetticinni for dinner.

Howard Family Winter 2003

This is dedicated to all the Howard's out there. Think of how we've grown over 5 yrs.

Looking back to 2003

This coming Tuesday Grant will turn 5 years old. I started looking at some old photo's and forgot how cute he was as a baby. Grant has always been a happy guy, always smiling. He was sure an easier baby than the girls. That or we just became better parents :)