We missed him.

Rick spent last week at Camp Bullis doing some combat casualty training. Sounds like he had fun pretending to rescue and treat injured soldiers. He also brought home some delicious MREs, which the kids are sort of fascinated with.

Before he left, I was feeling all military-wife tough and figured since we've had a few moth-long separations, a week was no big deal. (And maybe it was even a good thing; I wouldn't have to cook real dinners for a week!) It ended up being a really long week for me, and I missed him terribly! Further proof that sometimes it's better to keep my expectations low and then surprise myself. I am not that tough I guess!

The boys see their dad off.

And race him down the street.

While he was gone we kept busy, you know, working on our planks.

And studying up on our urology. (They put tumors in the bladder and then take them out.)

Snuggling our friends. (This was so funny, she woke up from a nap and ate, and then she laid on my friend Teri for about an hour. She would never lay down and snuggle me like that! Teri must have some baby whisperer magic.)

Making sure we can still fit into our 9-month size Santa suit.

More dressing up.

Partying it up at Chick-fil-A. There was one morning while he was gone (which was also Spring Break for Carson) when the kids woke up and quickly started bickering about one thing or another. I had had it I guess, because I announced that, if there were no fighting all day, we would have ice cream that night. You would not believe how sweet these kids were to each other! I just sort of stood there in awe most of the morning as the boys included Faye in their games, shared, spoke so sweetly to each other, etc. It was so amazing I took the ice cream to the next level and took them out to Chick-fil-A. (A dinner like this is unheard of in our family.) Still trying to figure out how to encourage them to act like that every day. Ice cream every night?

Isla started riding up in the cart sometimes. (Although the Moby wrap is still the preferred method.)

We enjoyed one of the library's monthly discovery times. Here Everett is telling me he made the color of Isla's poop.

I turn around and there's Isla, planking at the library.

And revving up to start moving, which I am feeling like she's way too little for!

Early morning reading.

Zonked after her four-month check up. (At five months. I am way behind in most things.) She was 15 pounds, about the 40th percentile I think.)

And then after seven sleepless nights, he finally came home! To celebrate, we had the most wonderful date night last night. We organized the pantry together. I know it's weird, but I would seriously prefer an evening of cleaning or organizing some area of the house together than go to a movie or something. The pantry got three times bigger! And I'm certain I would fall asleep during any movie anyway. Can't wait for our next date night: the craft room! I think it's a good thing I married Rick, who is more than happy to fill bins with flour for me on a Saturday night.

And who helps me with stuff like this.

I'll have to take a better picture, but what cute kids hanging out up there, right??

Monday morning.

I dislike Monday mornings. My heart hurts a little bit when Rick leaves for work at 4 a.m. and longs for another weekend day with him. But as soon as the kids wake up, there's no time for sadness anymore!

Sunday afternoon fun.

These past few weeks have been really beautiful here. Cold enough for a jacket in the morning, but beautifully warm in the afternoon.

She can't really sit by herself for very long yet, but apparently Carson set her up like this for a while.

She does scoot backwards though, and can sometimes be found under the furniture.

She started out on the rug.

Almost made it all the way under the bed this time.

Rescued her just in time.

Practicing sitting.

She loves the mirror!

How many kids can fit in one bath tub? (And when are kids too old to bathe together?) Notice Faye torturing Everett by pouring water over his head.

She did it over and over again until I made her stop. Faye's bath times usually end with her getting pulled out of the tub for some offense like this.

We make Isla do a set of push ups before bed to wear her out a little.

She loves it!

Brotherly love.

Carson is learning his first song with the piano pedal, but unfortunately our bench is too high for him to reach it. I could say Everett is just so sweet to hold the pedal down for Carson while he practices the piano, but this is usually what happens.