Baby #4!

The much anticipated post:

Baby Julia was born last Monday, the wee hour of 12:45am. Just missing her due date and Mother's day. Maybe we should have gotten to the hospital a little sooner to have made it? She was 7lb 15oz, 20" - the exact same as E (go figure, A & B were the exact same weight of 8lb 2oz, and only 1/2" different). She's home and healthy and so far being a good sleeper. Now just to make it predictable!
E meeting "baby" for the first time - such delight!
giving the little nose it's first poke
Daddy loves the newborns!
B even wanted to hold her and give her kisses - though didn't want to sit still too long
ready to head home
E is the one who begs to "hol" her the most, with arms held out and ready - even if J is screaming and upset it doesn't phase E - initially when you'd try to take J back, E would then grab J and say "no!"
loving kisses
A the big sister is a great help and loves holding her too!

Truck Stickers

Daddy brought his big truck home and worked on putting on his "stickers." Meanwhile A & B got out their own stickers to decorate B's lawn mower & the Little Tikes car.

New Big Truck!

Daddy's work got a new big truck! He'd told A & B about it and they immediately wanted to ride in Daddy's new big truck! So the day of the purchase he brought it home and gave each one a spin. Their eyes got really big and huge smiles on their faces as some big truck pulled up in front of the house....and they saw Daddy driving it!

Then after getting rides they got to run around in the back of it - where E got to join in the fun as well. They can't wait for the next time Daddy brings it home! And it seems Daddy's just as excited too!

Back Again

Can't say exactly why no recent posts.....pictures weren't downloaded from the camera? At least pictures were being taken, right? Check out the other pages for the starts of the past nearly 2 months. And here's a peek at what else the Lewis family has been occupying their free time with:


More to be coming - maybe next nap time?

New Church

No, the Lewis' haven't moved, or changed religions, but have been assigned to attend the Havanna Branch in their stake. A & B call it the "new" church with all their "new" friends. A & B make 5 in the Primary! It's quite different from the Peoria Ward, but they're excited to see what lies ahead! Taylor was called as the 2nd Counselor in the Branch Presidency, and Jacqie awaits to see how she'll be asked to help out.

Labor Day Ventures

The Lewis family took to the outdoors for the day off. First a stop at Apple Blossom Farm for their fun playground & petting zoo (too early for hay rack rides).

Chasing the loose billygoats
king of the monster truck
still following the goat
And his favorite: the train

Then to a hike they'd seen the start for on Grandview Drive and always wondered where it went.
Beautiful day to be outside on a hike
hiding behind the tree stump
A & B blazing the trail - they were so excited!
E getting her snacks from her perch
Heading back after a snack and fearing we still had to all make it back
A taking the shot - not bad
A showing off her balance beam skills - mom's so proud

high view! All the kids were such good sports. It wasn't until the very last minute that one of them actually said they were tired = perfect timing! They can't wait to go on another hike!

Outdoor Movie Night

The Lewis' made 80 flyers and invited the immediate neighbors and adjacent friends for a night under the stars watching Swiss Family Robinson. Weather forced them to push it to a rain date a week later, but then it was perfect weather! Either the neighbors thought the Lewis' were crazy to think it would be fun, or they just forgot with the raindate....so only a couple families showed up. But so enjoyable they're anxious to do it again, even if it's just them! Now just to coordinate the projector and popcorn popper for another night from friends....So if you're wanting to join them, let them know so they can tell you the next date!
Anxious for the show to begin

ready to start popping!

Cousins!

A & B's favorite words upon returning home from visiting all of them. They've often asked since, "Can we play with our cousins today? All of them?"


Find more (many more) pictures of the Lewis family trip on the Travel page.

Things Lost Now Found

First to mention is Thomas! B's much beloved Christmas present was MIA for about 3 weeks. Just when hopes were nearly gone and the house cleaned and searched high and low.... he was found tucked in between the ottoman & bed of mom and dad - right where anyone would put him, right? Welcome back Thomas! Needless to say A & B were anxiously giving him runs on his tracks with all sorts of tunnels and bridges of their own making.
Second to mention is the beloved family Yo-yo fish. Several fish have recently died and been fished out - mostly due to A taking it upon herself to feed them. However Yo-yo was never fished out and presumed to have possibly been eaten. Then today J cleaned the aquarium to find him in the aquarium cabinet.
Again, right where one would look? Apparently Yo-yo's love for jumping in the stream of water at the top was his demise. He must have gotten a little too carried away and jumped right out of the tank! Yo-yo, you are missed!

Roller Coaster Ride?

Uncertain exactly how this game came about. But going to downtown Peoria on the freeway there are multiple overpasses. Here's a clip of how they play

(excuse the poor lighting in the car)

It's Still July!

Yes, the 4th of July has come and gone, so here's what the Lewis' spent the day doing:

Playing with his buddy, Caleb at the ward breakfast They were trying to pretend they were helping Then a little wrestling match before parting The rain didn't deter the plans for the zoo - but not many animals were out And that evening rain did deter going to the fireworks, so sparklers were all the fireworks appreciated
Both were very cautious, holding them down as if it might "fall" on them otherwise

Then dad got crazy......first the lawn mower (which now has a permanent scar)...

....then the bicycle - made her very nervous to ride
All in all an ejoyable day!

Greatest Show on Earth!

That's right, Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus came to Peoria so the Lewis' joined in the fun. Turns out Jacqie was the only one that had been to a circus before! Taylor said he was impressed.....not only with the actual show and performances, but also with how cool contraptions were engineered to be put together... Never can escape from being an engineer!
Benjamin just sat wide-eyed hardly blinking through most of it with an occasional shout of excitement.
Abie thought everything was a bit loud and dramatic for the first half, but after intermission she'd accustomed herself and was able to be excited. Here are some glimpses of what they saw:
Cool, 4 motorcycles racing around....
Now there's 7! Good luck trying to count them!
Tigers! Benjamin let out a few good roars during this part
Simply amazing!The guy on the left isn't the typical "little" guy!
Elephants!
Not pictured were the horses, dogs (catching frisbees) and acrobats (good luck trying to catch them on film). Abie was quite intrigued with all their "swinging!"