Back in the Spring we had pictures done by the wonderful Leslie of Leslie Williams Photography.   It was Mary’s 7 year picture, Nathan’s 6 year and Lyra’s 1 year picture.  Savvy was 3 1/2 years old.   There was a snafu with the disc and then various things came up that kept Leslie & I from getting together.   Well, I finally have the pictures that were taken in April and they are wonderful.  Enjoy!

Mary, 7 years old

Nathan, 6 years old

Savannah, 3 1/2 years old

Lyra, 1 year

I had Leslie take a picture of Lyra’s chubs because who doesn’t love chubby baby legs???!?!

Blowing Dandelions

Tea Party in the Field

We’ve had lots of company lately & several family dinners.   Here are a few random pictures….

5/8/2011-  My brother with Mary, Papa James, Nathan & Alec

5/25/2011- Savannah, Nathan, Uncle Ron, Aunt Alice holding Lyra, Mary.   I just love having our extended family come & visit.  Aunt Alice is my Dad’s first cousin.    My Dad’s father, Samuel, and Alice’s father, Charlie, were brothers. 

My Brother came for a visit on New Years Eve!

I really, really enjoyed having my brother come for a visit- I can’t remember the last time I got to hang out with him without the entire family around.   Not that there’s anything wrong with having everyone around but it’s more difficult to have a nice visit in a large group of people.

Mike, reading stories to the three big kids.  (Roo was in bed already, sound asleep)

Nathan, showing off his battle axe & helmet.   Doesn’t he look FIERCE?!!?!

Tied Down

“They tie you down,” a woman said,
Whose cheeks should have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.

“When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For babies make a slave of you.”

I looked at her and said: “‘Tis true
That children make a slave of you,
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?

Do you not miss the greater joys
That come with little girls and boys?
“They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
To nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make your trouble all worth while.

They tie you fast to chubby feet,
And cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.
“They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso’er you roam,
Unto the little place called home;
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you to bring you back.
The happiest people in the town
Are those the babies have tied down.

“Oh, go your selfish way and free,
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown
I would be, what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth’s finest joy.”

by Edgar A. Guest