The Barton Family Blog

This last week we got our first little vacation since being employeed at AT&T. It was so nice! We stayed at a beach house and enjoyed some much-needed downtime. I rarely get a pix with all my kiddos so this was great to have one snapped with my girlies. Thanks Naomi!!

They're going to have SO MUCH FUN growing up together!! Sure would be nice if we could get Brock to smile a little more - Koa's the charmer! Brock really does smile (:  He's just not quite sure what all the fuss is about. 8 1/2 months

Natalee had a very specific set of birthday request this year... She asked for binoculars, a watch, a jump rope, lotion, a barbie, and to quote her, "a stop sign, and, ya know, construction stuff!!" Where she came up with these ideas... I don't know... But Papa delivered: action=view&current=bc19b836.jpg" target="_blank"> action=view&current=a28370a6.jpg" target="_blank"> Thanks Papa! She wants to be just like you! :)

These were a shower gift from my friend Allison's mom. When i first got them, I couldn't imagine him ever fitting into them, but here he is!

Thank you Maga!!!!! We love our pj's!!!

5 years ago right now I was begging my nurse to send me home. I'd been in labor since 6 pm Wednesday night & was frustrated to learn I was barely dialated. O, and having horrible back labor. I was not a happy camper. but she was worth it. This little girl who lights up my days. She is a precious gem. God blessed me with my sweet, sweet Natalee Grace! Happy 5th birthday sweetie!!!

Here's a few better shots of the girls in the water.  Natalee & Shy graduated to level two - mid session and they were so proud! Hollie is super close (:   I think we will have to re-enroll them asap so they can keep what they've learned!

I bought Johnny this fire pit for Christmas this last year.  We finally had a cool, clear crisp night a few weeks back and the girls begged to have a fire.  It was so fun and as the nights get warmer, I'm thinking this will be a frequent event around our house! Love this pix of Hollie & Daddy. That grin... stinkin' cute! This pix w/ the flash makes it look like it's fairly light out... I had to at least try to capture the moment where the picture wasn't black! (Love Natls face in this one!) And here they all are, huddled around the campfire in the dark! Fun memories!!

I just realized that those "8 Month" pics I posted a few days ago weren't the 8 month pix.  They were more like one day shy of 7 month pictures... and THESE are the 8 month pictures! ha. o well... not much difference.  My editing was terrible in the 7 month pix - these are unedited, and probably for the best since it's not my strong suite! ha! (isn't this outfit from Nonnie ADORABLE!?) Love, love, love this one:    This is a typical face.  If he's not sucking in his lip, he's spitting and soaking his shirt with drool! (sorry so blurry - just had to remember this face!)

Allison convinced me to do "Insanity" workout with her these past few months. Natalee LOVES to do it with me.  She's so cute the way she begs me NOT to do it during her nap so she can workout too.  Of course she doesn't quite make it the full hour, but she gives each exercise her best effort! (: Note the hair in a pony tail:  Note the "workout" shoes: This girl takes INSANITY seriously!  My favorite is the push ups at the end. Check out that form!!

Sweet baby boy - he changes so fast! His 8th month has found him "scooching" as Natalee calls it, in a large circle, occasionally moving forward but mostly from side to side and backward. He got his first tooth a few weeks back and his second tooth two days after he turned 8 months. They are both on the bottom and just starting to be really obvious as they come further in. He is still drooling INSANELY, as evidence by the pictures & his sopping wet shirt.  The other day, a friend was holding him in church and thought we had spilled water on him, he was sooo wet! He loves his sisters, they are his biggest distraction/entertainment.  He follows them with his eyes whenever they enter a room.  They, of course, compete for his attention and affection!   He loves baby food so much and it amazes me his enthusiasm for such diverse tastes.  I think the only food he hasn't been a huge fan of, thus far, is avocado (?? how is this possible!?!?). Though he is...

On one of our recent outings, I decided to help the girls pass the time by looking for items that started with all the letters of the alphabet.  I promised myself if I went to all that trouble, I WOULD document our scavenger hunt on this blog. So here you have it.  Toward the end of a very long and busy day, we were too wiped to quite finish it off.... so I listed the last few, and ran out of ideas after the "x-hausted" kids hauled themselves home from the bus stop the final few blocks! Enjoy (: The girls were so creative in looking for each item that corresponded with the letter.  Their most creative one, was Shyanne proclaiming that she was a unicorn with her hand above her head as the horn! 

Love this little video!

... In 8 months old today!

My sweet sister Naomi did a little photo shoot of my kiddos today.  We were trying to get a horizontal shot for a giant frame over my fireplace but we didn't end up getting one we loved.  We got some cute vertical ones tho - a DARLING one of my sweet boy - and a sweet one of Nonnie & the boys.   Thanks Naomi! So sweet!

Brock got his first tooth yesterday (bottom right)! Doesn't he look proud?!? :) I won't be taking a picture of it any time soon since he clamps his mouth shut if he even things I'm going to look! :) Hi there, dnbarton just shared an Instagram photo with you: view full image "First tooth! 2/29/2012" Thanks, The Instagram Team