Anywhere but by a computer, apparently, since it's been far too long since my last update.
Here's a random shot of Roman giving me a "flower" aka weed. The boys love giving me flowers, and I love all of them, even though most are technically weeds and/or smashed and/or picked illegally from someone else's garden (sorry Carissa's neighbor!).
On his way to school to study for finals, Jeremiah got into a little accident. He made it sound awful, but we really just needed to get the bumper replaced. Luckily he wasn't injured during finals week! I personally think the guy hit Jage's car because he was offended by the color :)
Aubrey got herself some "baby legs". Aren't they adorable? Or is it just her? Thankfully I'm not biased. My nephew, Jack, wasn't a big fan and kept trying to take them off.
The kids and I spent a few days during Jeremiah's finals in Cleveland. He sort of kicked us out in the nicest way possible and I was more than happy to go because finals make Jeremiah a bit unpleasant to be around (but I love you anyway honey!). It was a good excuse to see my sister and her family before they moved to Washington.
This is her daughter, Madelynn. She's about half the size of Aubrey and I love her little face.
We went to Chagrin Falls for the evening. Those are the "falls" in the background, and although nothing spectacular, the kids enjoyed it. We went to a local ice cream shop where the kids picked birthday cake ice cream (which, for those of you who know me well, you know I hate ice cream and cake mixed together and I found this ice cream revolting) and I had chocolate peanut butter.
Roman had a hard time keeping the ice cream in his mouth...or maybe just saving it for later?
And if you thought Roman had a problem, take a look at poor Jack.
Carissa and Adam went to Washington for a week to find housing, taking Madelynn with them and leaving Jack and Olivia with us. It was busy and chaotic. And of course Jeremiah had to ensure a good night's rest for everyone by wrestling with them until they were good and tired (or until someone *coughOLIVIAcough* got hurt and refused to wrestle anymore).
Then to relax, Jeremiah read them all a book, using different accents for each page. Olivia was opposed to this at first, but warmed up when Jeremiah used his princess voice (which, no Celeste, isn't his normal voice).
Jack giving Aubrey a hug. I think if they weren't related Jack would try to marry Aubrey. He's sort of in love with her, but honestly who isn't?
ecause Jeremiah and I value ourselves on our crazyness, we took all five kids to Chuck E. Cheese. We ordered fries and soda (because their pizza is awful) and let the kids go wild. They even earned enough tickets from their games to pick out a candy and a small toy each.
Chuck E. Cheese himself came out to visit the kids. Roman was deathly afraid and hid behind me. Olivia and Hayden were shy but at least braved up for the camera. Jack was up playing in the slides, but later found Chuck E. Cheese and followed him around the whole restaurant like a star-struck teenager.
Aubrey's "perch" at the restaurant was on Jeremiah's lap. He was getting in his Daddy Time before he left for Utah.
Jeremiah left us on Thursday (May 14). His brother, Steve, flew out the night before to help Jeremiah drive across the country to Utah for a summer externship in American Fork. We are surviving. The morning he left I was crying, and as Jeremiah walked out the door, Roman burst into the saddest little cry I've ever seen. He ran out to Jeremiah and gave him one last hug. It was heartbreaking but they are counting down the days until we fly to Utah to see Daddy (June 17th here we come!).
A few days after Jeremiah's departure we drove to Cleveland to see my other sister, Celeste, and to help Carissa move. Adam graduated from dental school at Case Western and modeled his graduation cap for me (it looks ridiculous huh?).
We also went to Cedar Point, and lucky for us we went on "Senior Skip Day" and were surrounded by way too many teenagers. However, even with long lines we had a blast. We even dropped by Olive Garden for a nice dinner, and our waiter was weirded out to be serving triplets. It was a great day, my first non-kid day in a long time. Thanks, Adam, for watching all 7 kids and not losing any in the process!
My sister, Celeste, flew out from Washington with her 1-year-old Cole (or, as Roman puts it, Coat). He's always been quite shy around me, but this time he actually wanted me to hold him a few times, which I was more than okay with. He's such a cute kid!
This is how much Aubrey despises her Aunt Carissa :) Carissa put Aubrey's hair into piggy tails at my request. The end product was so worth the tears.
This is Aubrey's hair the next morning. I haven't mustered up the courage to try this on my own yet.
Aubrey and Madelynn have a very silent friendship but it's fun to watch them together. They usually stare at each other or grab each other's toes.
Luckily Madelynn is quiet patient since Aubrey is totally stealing her binky.
Roman found one of Olivia's hats and called it his "moving hat", grabbed a small box (which I think was the trash bags everyone was looking for) and put it in the truck.
Doesn't he totally look so manly? Jeremiah would be so proud!
While Roman moved things into the truck, Hayden was "helpful" by hiding under the truck. He was so unusually quiet under there, it took me 10 minutes to find him - luckily I found him before calling the cops, I seriously thought I'd lost him!
Aubrey with her Papa Rick. She was okay with him holding her as long as she didn't know it was him holding her. She's a little fearful of people she doesn't know.
Celeste and Roman. Celeste convinced Roman to go home with her and not me. He even told me goodbye, told me he'd miss me, and walked over to Celeste. Rough huh? Sadly he had to say goodbye to his aunts. My kids absolutely love their aunts and cousins and can't wait for Christmas to see everyone. It will be a blast having all the cousins together again!
Celester, me, and Carissa one last time. This will be my longest break between seeing my family...7 months! It was really hard to say goodbye and drive away. The kids and I pulled over on the way to the freeway and had ourselves a good cry. I love that my kids cry with me, it just makes it harder!
The weather is starting to warm up quite a bit here. With Jeremiah gone I try to keep myself busy throughout the day. I took the kids to the park on Saturday and gave Aubrey her first try at a swing. She loved it - up until the part that Hayden gave her an underdog.
One last photo of Aubrey, do you see her curls? It's quite curly when it's wet. She's also getting her first tooth in- not that I knew because she wasn't fussy or drooly or anything, she just likes to spit a lot, which makes the boys feel they are entitled to spit as well.
Celester, me, and Carissa one last time. This will be my longest break between seeing my family...7 months! It was really hard to say goodbye and drive away. The kids and I pulled over on the way to the freeway and had ourselves a good cry. I love that my kids cry with me, it just makes it harder!The weather is starting to warm up quite a bit here. With Jeremiah gone I try to keep myself busy throughout the day. I took the kids to the park on Saturday and gave Aubrey her first try at a swing. She loved it - up until the part that Hayden gave her an underdog.
One last photo of Aubrey, do you see her curls? It's quite curly when it's wet. She's also getting her first tooth in- not that I knew because she wasn't fussy or drooly or anything, she just likes to spit a lot, which makes the boys feel they are entitled to spit as well. 
