Swine

Conversation during family devotions:
Daddy: "And the demons were cast into the herd of swine. What are swine?"
Hero: "It's something that you drink, but it's bad for you."

I think it's time to have a talk with Hero's Sunday School teacher.

Kid Pictures

Here are some recent photos so you can keep up with our growing kiddos.

Role Model

The other day, while driving home from school, Hero and I were having a discussion about what she could be when she grew up. She wanted to be a police officer. I said that was fine, but reminded her that the Bible makes it clear that a mother's first responsibility is her home.
Jericho then piped in that he could be a police officer and a dad. Because... "when you're a dad you have to work and you don't have hair."

Couch Night

On Friday nights we like to do something out of the ordinary with the kiddos. Last night we let them sleep on the sofa bed, eat icecream, and watch a movie. I'm not sure how Hero and Jericho could sleep with "wiggle boy" in the middle, but they endured. All of them lasted on the sofa bed until the morning; much to my surprise.

My Boys

Jericho loved using tools and helping Mommy paint the hallway.

Yes, they look peaceful now...

Daredevil Extreme

Having conquered the challenge of climbing his sister's loft bed and the ladder to Jericho's bunk, Ransom set out on a new feat. The obstacle...the changing table. The goal...to reach forbidden objects on the shelf above it.
After tucking Ransom in his bed, I retreated to my own room. A few minutes later I heard toys tumbling against a wall and Ransom's little "Uh Oh!" in response. Supposing he had just dropped some toys off his bed, I was shocked to walk in and and find him sitting on his changing table reading a book that had been sitting on the shelf! I am afraid to find out what his next death-defying act will be.

Random Ransom Pics

Thanks for the Oreos, Grandma!

Under the horse is a good place to hide.

We believe in child labor.

Looks like he's ready to tackle the backyard jungle.

The Last of Sea World

One tired looking boy on the skyride with his handsome Daddy.

View from the skyride.

The end to a special day.

Still More Sea World

Hero is pretending to be a fish, while Jericho is just hamming it up.

Flamingos

Jericho and the flamingos.

Ransom watching the flamingos.

More Sea World Photos

At the tide pool.

Up close with the starfish.

Jericho endured touching the starfish for two seconds.

The kids loved all the different kinds of fish.

Sea World Photos

Our first stop...Penguins!

Some dapper looking critters.

Ransom got excited real fast.

Grandma and Ransom became penguins themselves.

Easter Photos

Herkimer

Today, my boys spent the morning with Grandma Wendell while I went to the doctor. Afterwards, when the boys were playing at home, Jericho called Ransom, "Herkimer." Recalling this name from my youth, I asked if Grandma had called him "Herkimer" today. When Jericho answered, "No," I jokingly asked if he thought it would be a good name for the new baby. Jericho looked at me like I was crazy (which I expected for suggesting such a silly name.) His reply however, "No, a 'Herkimer' is something you eat!" Didn't see that one coming.

Little Jumper

Ransom loves getting on the trampoline. He has been watching his big brother and sister, so now he is getting the hang of jumping instead of just running around.

It's a....

Girl!
At least, that's what the tech thinks. The baby did not cooperate too well, but she didn't see anything to prove otherwise. This baby is quite mellow compared to the other kids. Usually when I have an ultrasound, the babies flip all over. This one only kicked a little and seemed quite satisfied in the position that she was in. The good news is that we can now move the crib out of the boys' room and put it in Hero's. Ransom has started to sleep in his "big boy" bed. He is doing quite well. He likes to get out of bed in the morning and run in to our room to wake us up. I guess I can get rid of my alarm clock.

Making Money

Hero is becoming a world class tooth-puller-outer. You don't even know she has a loose tooth until she is in the bathroom working on it. Five minutes later she has yanked the tooth out. She has pulled out a total of four so far. We are slightly worried that she might be ripping them out to get money. Hero, of course, knows that Daddy is the one that puts money under her pillow. We have been completely upfront with our kids concerning things like this. However, Jericho doesn't seem to understand the whole tooth-under-the-pillow thing.
Sunday afternoon when I went to lay down for my nap, I found under my pillow a coffee scoop. I had no doubt who put it there (Jericho had been pretending it was a spaceship earlier) but I didn't know why it was there. When I asked my son about it, he replied shyly, "I was just trying to make you some money."

More from Jericho's Camera

These photos are of Aunt Heidi's last visit with us. She left for language school last night.

From Jericho's Camera

These photos were taken by Jericho's good buddy Drake when he came over to play. Coming soon to a gallery near you...