Mikey is 28!

Forgot about this post. 

Mikey had a birthday! 

Almost a month ago, but nonetheless! 

Our wonderful friends, the Weimer's, graciously hosted our shindig. 

Tev and Pot's families were there for the celebration.

For some reason I only got photos of the kids (but still managed to miss Bryce, Boston and Oren, blasted!)

Mikey was able to play board games with the menfolk, the gals got to visit and the kids ran wild. 

Perfect day. 

Aliyah and Mister Mabes

Valin, Aliyah, the Mabes

Annabelle, Valin, Aliyah, Adelaide, Mabes

Keaton, Annabelle, Adelaide, Mabin and Valin

Maël is FIVE months old!

These photos were taken at 10:30 pm last night, way past bedtime for Little Miss. 

(We always have too much fun at the Weimer's and keep our kiddos up way late. I know Mabin won't complain about it. He loves playing with Bryce and Keaton.)

But it meant that poor Mabes missed his chance to photobomb and we couldn't get Maël to smile because she was in awe of the super bright flash. 

Maël's favorites: SLEEPING through the night. (I figured out a wriggle proof way to swaddle her. Now she doesn't wake herself up when her arms break free, because they do not break free. Genius I tell ya.) Rolling from back to side more and more frequently, sitting in the Bumbo-watching her momma cook and clean, taking a bath by herself so she can kick and splash without Mabin squawking at her, standing (with my help, of course),  playing with her toes, and  being tickled (I have the most ticklish kids!). 

Does Not Like: being away from her momma. She gets worked up and will not calm down if she notices mom's not around. It's made for some very long times for Daddy when I've been out for girls' night and relief society parties. (Mikey is so sweet, he suffers through it instead of texting me so that I'll come home.)   

the Coombs girls came to visit (forever and a day ago)

My older sister drove all the way from southern Colorado to visit with her three girls. 

Both her boys are on missions right now and her hubs had to work. 

She was able to make it in time to be there when Stef received her endowments. 

Springe-a-ling and the girlies spent time with each sibling in our family expect our brother in Virginia. 

Most of us live in Oregon, Washington or Idaho. 

It meant lots of driving for them but we are so glad they did! 

We don't get to see those folks near enough and we all got to spend one-on-one time with them. 

The girls have grown up so much, they are such beautiful young women. 

Mabin was in heaven with the attention of three older cousins. 

I loved talking to my big sister. 

Mikey got to play games with them. 

We all had a great time. 

Mabin likes to share Maël's baby equipment, especially the Bumbo. 

Emmalee and Mabin

Playing Frisbee

Practicing my hair braiding skills on Hanna's thick hair. 

(L-R) Emmalee, Mabin, Oren, Valin, Kelcee and Boston, me and Hanna. 

I love this photo of Mikey kissing a howling Maël. 

She doesn't cry much but when she does it always seems to be when Daddy has her. 

She has to give him a run for his money.  

Maël is FOUR months old!

 Miss Maël's hair is getting lighter and lighter, looks like she's going to be a blondie like The Mabes. 

Maël's favorites: NOT sleeping through the night (I'm still not sure what happened but I hope it unhappens and soon!), laughing at Mabin when he's growling and screeching at her even though he is trying to scare her, reaching for things and being able to grab a hold (as pictured directly above), DROOLING-always drooling, rolling from her back to her side, and clicking her tongue. 

Does Not Like: sleeping through the night (mentioning it again because I'm just so sad).

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Mabes has to get in on the action, and I love that about him. 

That kid doesn't like to be left out, just like his Momma. 

He was busy drawing at the table when he realized photos were being taken, he grabbed his stuff and ran over.

All the cute noises Baby Girl makes. 

She talks way more than I remember Mabin doing at this age.

Seems like she's going to be a chatter box... no idea where that comes from... 

Please excuse my ridiculousness as I'm making a fool of myself to get my baby to laugh. 

That's pretty much the story of my life, doing silly things to make my kids happy. 

Reiah and Whisper

Two of my wonderful nieces were in charge of Mabin when the adults were at the temple for Stef's endowment session. 

I'm still trying to get used to the idea that those wonderful girls that I used to babysit are now babysitting my babies.

(Whisper was the one taking the photos, sadly she's not in any.) 

Reiah and the Mabes

Reiah and Mabin 

Mabes loves Grandma and Grandpa's back patio. 

He spends all his time out there if he's able. 

Reiah and Mabin

Oren and Mabin

Valin, Patxi and Oren, Tevye, Mabin, Boston and Summer

Maël

Oren, Reiah and Mabin

The weekend Stef received her Endowments:

Our pretty little princess liked to be up watching everyone at Grandma and Grandpa's. 

This is how Mabin was sharing his toys with Aliyah. 

It was completely wonderful to have the majority of my siblings at the temple together. 

We had three gals forget their temple clothes and Dad misplaced his recommend but thanks to very kind PR friends who helped us out with the clothes and answered prayers we made it in. I believe everyone was on time too, which is no small feat.  

And we are so glad Beth was able to be with us. 

She's always been a part of our family, even before Nicki and Dmitri got married. 

The temple is so very special.

 I'm grateful for eternal families.

I'm grateful for covenants and promises.

(L-R) Bridget, Dieter, Seren, Jess, Springe, Sara, Tevye, Stef, Dad, Mom, Christina, Liji, me, Mikey and Beth Schademan.

Because Springe lives so far away we always grab a sister photo when she's around. 

Thanks to high heels I look about the same height huh? 

And Springe wanted family photos so here is ours: 

And another...because I love my cute family. 

Maël and Mora Dene

These girlies are 3 months apart.

Dan is starting school in Corvallis this fall and I am so excited to be closer to Seren and have a cousin playmate for Maël. 

Mora is going to be a graceful little dancer when she grows up. 

Ryeland and Mora

Mabin was obsessed with this old school air mattress pump. 

Reiah and Whisper Sue babysat Mabin while we were in the temple and they did awesome! 

Maël is THREE months old!

Maël's favorites: sleeping through the night, watching Mabin, bath time, LAUGHING! (it melts my heart), reaching for things, sucking on her hands- mostly her thumbs, being swaddled, being outside, going on walks in the new Sit-n-Stand stroller, sitting up (with Momma's help), sitting in her Bumbo (without any help :) and her swing. 

Does Not Like: tummy time and being held when she is overly tired.

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Mabin wanted his photo taken too. 

He's sucking on his Jaw Breaker that Daddy bought him at the Oregon State Fair last September. 

I'd say it was worth the $1.75 we spent on it.