8 Kids and Counting

This weekend we had a get together with Dan's group of friends from high school.  There's six guys, Dan, John, Josh, Dan T, Chris, and Alex (who is currently in NC but coming back for good in July).  Then there's all the wives.  We don't get a chance to get together with everyone often but when we do, it's always a good time.  In just under six years we went from a childless group to having nine kids (with three of the wives pregnant - the ninth is Alex and Allison's and they weren't there).

I brought my camera along this time and look a ton of picture of all of the kids.  Take a peek -- 

Kate - John & Jess' second.

This slide was the hit of the party.  They got very inventive
and did a great job taking turns all day.

Colt - John & Jess' third child.

He may be one of the youngest but
it didn't stop him from being right in
there with the rest of them.  

Cade - Chris & Bethany's third. 

A picture of {almost} all the kids there.  Cade was
too little and Maggie (John & Jess' first) was at a birthday
party.
From left: Myles, Kate, Colt, Caylie, Brady, Nora
(Caylie and Brady are Chris & Bethany's oldest two)

Like I said, Colt would always try to
go down but wasn't always successful. 

This kid.  He got a hold of Chris' PBR, we immediately took
it away but get this.... he liked it! He kept asking for more.
Even signing it and saying please! So then he went
around looking for similar looking bottles.  Oh man, we're
in trouble.  

A very shy Caylie drawing with chalk. 

So very, very interested in the neighbor's motorcycle.
The man went around the block numerous times giving is
kids a ride and he'd stare every single time.  

He'd get closer and closer.  Then said "hi" over and over
again.  He was thrilled that the man waved back.

I'm not sure how the men got this idea
but there they all are.  Up in a tree.
I know you're thinking alcohol was the
reason for this but nope -- all sober. 

hmmm... to join in or not?

Josh, as relaxed as can be.  You know, for being in a tree.

My favorite part about this picture is
not the creativity of Kate's maneuver
but Nora knuckle deep in her nose
waiting her turn.  Oh, child.

Digging.

It really was a fun afternoon.  We assumed we'd be heading back home by three o'clock but we didn't end up leaving until five.  The weather was wonderful.  The kids were all getting along well.  And the company was even better.  I think we say this every time but we really shouldn't go nearly as long as we do in between visits.  Hoping for another one later this summer when Alex and Allison get back.

Spring Fever

Literally.

She woke up with a fever out of no where
this morning.  

Luckily, it was easily controlled with
medicine and didn't seem to effect her much.
Gone the next day.

Hangin' Around

This past weekend was the first nice weekend in what feels like over a month.  Like everywhere, it's been so rainy here and we finally got some relief so we headed outside for some much needed fresh air.

We didn't do anything special... just
hung around.  In trees.
(Don't worry -- Dan is hanging on very
tightly but hiding behind the trunk for
a funny picture)

I can see his mind thinking how can I
get higher?  Great, we gave him ideas.

Nora's turn.

She was a little nervous but also
thought it was pretty neat.

After a climb, we did some backyard exploring.

Looking for sprouts from the seeds
she planted with Dad using the
magnifying glass she got from the
Easter Bunny. 

Taking a peek too.

Nora is helping Myles put his boot back on.
It was so wet in the backyard -- Myles doesn't have
rain boots so he had to wear his winter ones... then
Nora had to wear hers too.

What's time outside without splashing
in the water??

"Come on, Myles.  Let's get out of the water."

I spy a cutie.

They were trying to roll in the grass like Rusty.

Lots of fresh air = watching Cinderella after dinner.

I know I sure am ready for more of these kinds of weekends.

C'mon, Spring!

This weather just can't quite decide what it wants to do.  Stay cold longer?  Finally get warm and save the people from the doom and gloom we've been all feeling?  Yes, please... option two!!

Anyway -- it was finally decent on the weekend so we tried to spend some time outside together.  

Dan taught Nora how to play tag which
really meant he chased her while she giggled.
In this moment, my heart was filled with joy
watching them play with their Dad who wanted
to play with them too.  

Flowers adding some color to our front
yard.

A nervous Nora won't ride her bike since the
first time - she's afraid she'll fall again.
Not even Myles on her bike would persuade
her to ride again.  Maybe sometime this summer.

Dan even got out his bike to show Nora that
he could ride a bike too.  They both chased
after him while he rode away and then started
screaming (excitedly) when he turned around
and started coming toward them again. 

Ah, spring.  We are ALL ready to spend more time outside again.  I know... I'm like a repeating record, but seriously, people!

Announcing...

Big Sister and Big Brother proudly
announce the third Guenther Baby is on its way!
Expected arrival is October 16!

We couldn't be happier. 

Say "Ahhhh"

Today, Nora had her first dentist appointment.  We've been talking about it a lot with her - explaining what will happen so she's somewhat prepared.  Plus, there's an advertisement before one of the Doc McStuffins episodes we have DVRed that shows a little boy in a dentist's chair brushing an alligator's teeth with an over-sized toothbrush.  Every time we see that I point out that the boy gets to sit in a very special chair when he goes to the dentist.  To add to it - Michelle, a friend of mine, just posted a picture of her son in the dentist's chair on Instagram, so I showed her that her friends go to the dentist too.

To say she did well is an understatement.  She was so excited and didn't even show any signs of apprehension.  I thought she'd do well but she did better than I expected.

She was obviously excited about the glasses.

They moved up and down!

She got to brush an animal's teeth while
the dentist wore really goofy glasses.

She loved that the chair moved up and down
and she almost layed down in it.

Oh... did I mention I had to bring Myles along?  I thought
Dan was working from home since it was a Friday but he
had to go downtown.  That's ok.... we did alright together.

I know this isn't that greatest picture
but what I love about it is he's
leaning on the door from trying to put off
a Mr. Cool vibe but if you look at his eyes,
he's thinking about jetting outta this joint.

I brought along the iPad to keep him
entertained but he didn't use it much. Too
many other things to explore.

Nora wasn't even scared when they had all
the tools in her mouth.  I was so impressed
with how well the dentist explained each and
every tool before putting it near her mouth
so she wasn't at all afraid.  She was the best.

All clean.

And NO CAVITIES!
Now it's time to pick a prize from the prize box
(a purple bracelet) to add to her goodie bag
(a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a dental mirror).

When sister was all done Myles even got to
test drive the chair.  The dentist even moved
it up and down for him.  Like I said, the best.

Believe it or not, she's already looking forward to going back in six months.  The appointment is scheduled a week before my due date so... we'll see!