Catching a Breath

When asked what it was like welcoming a fourth baby into their home, Jim Gaffigan explained: "Imagine you're drowning. Then someone hands you a baby."

Yup, that pretty much sums it up! This blog has definitely suffered in the deluge of Wheeler family craziness. But hold onto your hats--I'm determined to come up for air, even if only for a moment.

For starters, here are some random pics that I missed in earlier posts.  Nothing too monumental, but since I'm not printing photos anymore, I try to post more online.

Sidewalk chalk!  How I love creativity.

Talia shows off her artistic side.

Eli adds his colorful marks.

Easter celebration at the YMCA:  Annika, Eli, and Brooklyn all visited the Easter bunny.

Talia preferred to become a bunny herself.

Pretty pictures in Papa K's coordinating Easter outfits.  Definitely precious!

The munchkins may look angelic, but we went through a lot of chaos to get there.  Look closely and you'll see both Annika and Talia standing on their heads in this photo.

Ooh, those pretty Easter dresses remind me of Papa K's pretty Christmas dresses.  Here are the gals all dressed in purple at the Winter Quarters visitor center.  Sorry we forgot your purple tie, Eli my man!

True to form, it wasn't all smooth sailing getting there.  Am I the only one who finds two year-old tantrums slightly amusing?  The poor tikes become so upset that they forget they were actually mad at you and all of the sudden come running over for a hug to help them feel better.


Speaking of two year-olds, we used a Groupon to have a few portraits taken at JCPenney for Annika's second birthday.  Now that she's nearly 2 1/2, I thought it timely to share.

Any suggestions on what to do with all that hair?

 

Annika was pretty challenging to pose, so we let Eli fill in for the final shots.  Love that 5 1/2 year-old smile!





As long as we're indulging in old photos here's a picture of Talia with her friends at Hummel Day Camp last August.  The girls are super excited to go back this August as well.
Can you spot Brooklyn in this photo?

How about now?  (She's bottom right.)  I think this year the girls are going to have to do all their own Hummel Camp laundry.

By hand.  Just like in the Pioneer Days.

Last but not least, some photos from the first day of school, 2014.  Here's Talia as a brand-new 2nd grader and Brooklyn as a 4th grader.

Our pretty blondes, ready to take on the world.

All that spunk served these two well--they had great years at Crestridge.

Hard to believe that the next time they board this bus, it will be as 3rd and 5th graders, along with Eli as a kindergartner.

When they grow so fast, it's no wonder I can't keep up!