Quading

Today the Quinn's and ourselves headed south to the WOBM mud pits with two, three and four wheeled vehicles in tow. The nine of us tooled around the pits and toured the trails for the better part of the day. A few us had to take the drive back home scandily clad, due to the amount of mud caked on our cloths. I'd love to say I was one of them, and that I tour it up thrashing through puddles, but alas.. it was my husband and Alex who really went for it. I wouldnt say I went without a set a balls, cause I did my fair share of shredding... I just managed to stay somewhat clean. We had a BLAST!

Lemonade Stand

We all remember doing it... the ole Lemonade stand. The kids were bored and were desperate for something to do, so we rigged them up a stand. We live on a dead end, so we relied on our kind neighbors to hook um up with some sales. They had a great time. They sold glasses of lemonade and sold hand painted sea shells.

Emma and James

Every once and awhile we straighten Emma's curls and we love it! She loves having smooth hair for the day and I love that she doesnt carry on about knots. I am absolutely in love with the picture of James on bottom. He rarely gives me a genuine smile. Click on the picture and get up close.. it will make you melt. So cute my babies!

Happy Halloween

This year we had a mixtures of superHalloween costumes. We had Emma as *Dorothy*.. James was a *Knight* (it was all about the sword) We had *Dr.* Syndey, and Payton rounded things out as a *Snowman* The kids really enjoyed themselves.

Bunny gets married!

September 15th of this year was a banner day. My best friend Bunny married her boyfriend Weezer and so began the fairy tale of two nicknames:) The ceremony was lovely and we had such a great time at the reception. Best wishes to my dear friends. Bring on the babies!

Not a fan of the camera

Now I know not every kid is gonna cooperate every time with the camera, but this was a particularly off day for James. He tends not to like the *set up* process of taking pictures, and this day he has zero patience for momma's requests for pictures. Even still, I think he is the cutest little monster I know!

James' 4th Birthday Party

Today we celebrated James' 4th Birthday at ~Twisters Gymnastics~ There was one activitiy after the next, and all the kids had a blast.... as can be seen on the smiling faces. Happy Birthday baby boy! Quit that growing up!

Tyler Michael Fox

With heavy hearts, family and friends came together to put Tyler to rest after passing on July 9th. He joins his big sister kali in the heavens to watch over us. His mass card read as follows:

God saw he was getting tired, a cure was not to be, so down he sent his sister and she whispered, "Come to me". With teary eyes we held him, and watched him fade away, And although we loved him so, so much, We could not make him stay. His golden heart stopped beating, His playing hands are at rest. God broke our hearts to prove that He only takes the best.

Family Fun

On a recent Sunday, the kids, Jim and I found an excellent sandbar that we pulled the boat up on and spent a long, lazy day in the sun and surf. The sand was soft and the water was shallow, perfect conditions for the little ones. They collected a ton of starfish, but we only took home a couple and let the other *patricks* go free. We had an awesome day.

Faces

Our New Addition

This is Molly. Sadly. Molly came to be with us about a month ago due to the death of Grandma Dar. She was the loving companion to Grandma Dar for nearly 10 years and with all the love she is getting in this house, we are hoping she isnt missing her too badly.

When it is good...

When it comes to Emma and James, as I am sure of many siblings.. they have their disagreements. But deep down they really adore one another and enjoy being playmates. The first picture shows just how well they get along !

Pool Fun

The Kern Family always opens their pool on Memorial Day weekend. This year was no exception, and as soon as it was open.. the chlorine was checked and *splash* all the kids went in. Crystal clear water and a clean bottom, who could ask for more??? Pictured above are clockwise, Payton, Sydney, James and Emma.

Emma and Claire

This is Emma and her cousin Claire. They are 9 months apart in age and very good friends.

Little Dino

James got this dinosaur get up for his birthday last year and we always get a kick out it. The head piece roars when he moves and as he stomps about, and the feet make crushing sounds.

Spring 2007

The Naked Brothers Band

The current rage in our household, is the The Naked Brother's Band. The kids each grabbed an instrument and jammed in the living room. Each one so completely into it, they didnt even notice I was watching... which surely would have led to red faces of embarrassment. I snapped a few pictures on the sly.

Happy 6th Birthday Sydney

April 18th was Sydney's official Birthday. She had her party at Ricky's Icecream and Candy Shop where the kids made candy picture frames and necklaces. All 15 seemed to have a fabulous time. Happy Birthday Sydney, and many many more.
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Leapster Fun

James and Payton play Leapster together all the time. They will sit almost on top of eachother and watch eachother play. Too cute!

Easter Bunny

It would'nt be Easter without a visit to the Bunny. The top photo is Emma and James and the bottom is of Sydney and Patyon. All had ready smiles for the camera, and hugs and kisses were given to the Bunny too!

Ice Pops

Nothing says spring, like the front stoop ice pop.

*Reel* Big Fish

Just like his daddy, James LOVES to fish. The water in the lagoon is too cold yet for fish, but Jim can always find a way to please his babies. He took a frozen bait fish out of the *fish freezer* and hooked it, then tossed it in the lagoon when James wasnt paying attention. Then, with a hollar.. called out to James that it looked like he had a hit. James hurried over and sure enough, reeled up a big one!

Nintendo DS

For at least the last six months or so, Emma has been begging for the Nintendo DS. I swore that I would never do the *video game thing*, but five year olds really know how to wear ya down. She was given the system when she first woke up, the morning of her birthday and has barely set it down since. We WILL modify that, to car rides and short intervals. In the second shot, James was peering over Emma's shoulder as she played the Cats game. They errupted in laughter each time that the kitten chased the ball of yarn. Very cute.

Emma's 6th Birthday

For Emma's 6th Birthday.. we went to Club Libby Lu with a few of her closest girlfriends. Emma, Sydney & Payton, Claire and Julianne all got *the works* which included.. hair, nails, makeup, sparkle face tattoos and dress up cloths. They giggled and danced their way through the entire process. We had an absolute blast watching them be the girlie girls they are.

Blast from the past

Jim and I have always enjoyed having all the kids overnight. This was James'first time participating. Pictured above are: Lacey, age 14, James I., age 12, Jordan, age 10, Emma, age 3 and James not yet 1., and of course *Unlce JK*

The Belly Crawl

This is one of many pictures that we recently retrieved from an old computer. This is at the time when James was learning to move around. He never actually crawled, until well after he started walking. He simply slithered about the house on his belly. He never seemed to mind, and he kept the floors clean! Every once in awhile we would pick him up and pull off the cat hair!

Lolipop

This is one of our all time favorite picture of Emma. She was two years old here, and a lolipop was a pretty big deal then. We love it so much, because of her *crazy curls*. There were days when it was so wild, I silently wished it would relax a little. Like the ole saying goes, careful what you wish for, as she has lost much of the spiral. On humid days, it springs back, but gone are the days where I could barely brush it. *pout*

Valentines Day 2007

For Valentine's Day.. Emma and James each got a giant kiss.. of the chocolate variety!

Emma and James

Ice Skating on the Lagoon

No sooner then the lagoon freezes.. Jim and Emma were out there. Jim took a test run first to ensure the ice was solid enough, but even still he tied rope to her ~just in case~ . After a few minutes she was off and skating on her own. She fell a few times, but that did not stop her. She came in with a cold bottom and rosey cheeks and a smile ear to ear.

The Blue Sweaters

MiMi made these sweaters for the kids for Christmas, so I dressed them identically and took some pictures to send her way. They sat for me as long as they could stand and I got a few good shots, but James' expression in the last shot, told me he was done. Talk about a forced smile!

Ski Trip 2007

Our annual ski trip took us to Stratton Mountain, Vermont. Seventeen of us piled into our cars and headed North to spend a four day weekend. We had fantastic accommodations and the conditions were marvellous. Fun was had by all!!