After Christmas

I'm still working on this years Christmas picture. We had a great Christmas. Auntie Mae Mae, Grandma and Grandpa, and Nana and Papa. The kids had a great time, even though they wanted to take a nap halfway during the gift opening. I forget how excited we all get about Christmas. Even though I am an adult, Christmas still holds a lot of magic for me. I never sleep good the night before, anticipating all of the surprises to come the next morning. I don't think any of us slept well. Now the only thing I have to get under control is my anxiety. I love the excitement, but my anxiety still puts me on edge with it. I wish I could just let go and embrace the mayhem and noise level.
Merry Christmas!

Piano Recital

Ashlynn's piano recital December 2008 from Kate Rober on Vimeo.

Christmas 2 years ago...

Christmas 5 years ago...

Christmas 7 years ago...

Christmas Crafting

Sunday Morning musings

On this rare Sunday morning, I find the children all still asleep and some things running through my mind.

• I must remind myself that I did not get my tonsils removed, thus negating the need for mass consumptions of ice cream(note the rounded hindquarters in the above picture).
  
• I'm reading a wonderful book by Jeanne Birdsall that is about a family with 4 daughters who live the most poetic life. If you are looking for a couple books that will just make your heart warm, read the Penderwick books.
• I feel like baking today. Maybe chocolate chip pumpkin bread for the neighbors.
• The house has been very quiet and devoid of bickering between the two eldest siblings. Ty has continued to voice his general distaste for life, but Ash and Briggs must find it too painful to be worth their while. Thank you Dr. Malotte.
• I think we will take the kids out for a drive tonight to see the lights. I don't want to get too stir crazy with them.
• Lately I've been thinking about my leanings towards unique names. Many people have asked me why I chose names like Ashlynn, Briggs and Tennyson. I've always explained that in my family, we are very fond of unique names. While Kate is pretty average now, it was not 30 years ago when my parents chose that name for me (at least "Kate" by itself, not Katherine or Katie). I've always liked my name and thought it sounded very sophisticated when I was young. My older sister's name is Annessa Solange, which I think is beautiful. It was always an option for me when naming my children. My father, Ivo Lynn, comes from a large family full of unique names. My grandparents were named Ivo and Neola and their six children are named Kay, Colleen, Monya, Laile, Larry, and Ivo Lynn. Those children, in turn, have a plethora of children with unique names as well. I'm sure my penchant come as a shock to my husbands family. I'm sorry Larry, Caroline, Brian, Lisa and Mark.

Tonsils. . . Out!

Both Briggs and Ashlynn had their tonsils and adenoids removed today. Everything went great. The kids were troopers. They didn't freak out before or after surgery. They cooperated very calmly and with maturity. When they came out of the anesthesia, there was a little grogginess and moaning. Mostly, they were indignant about the pain in their throats. "I just want to get that out!". They both were so over the surgery center and wanted to go home. Ashlynn bounced backed better than Briggs. Briggs refused to swallow until he got more pain meds, so he sat there drooling and gagging until Daddy came back with the Vicodin (thank you very much.) He then promptly fell asleep and Ashlynn asked to watch TV and eat a pb & j sandwich. For the first time in my lifeI said, "No. How 'bout some ice cream or an ice cream shake." Once she downed that, she wanted eggs. We opted for Ramen noodles.
I went to check on Briggs and he sat straight up, swallowed and said, "Can I play my DS now?"
So all is well at the moment.
The cutest thing all day was when they wheeled both of them out in an extra wide wheel chair. They sat there with their green hospital gowns and red rimmed eyes while they were wheeled side by side out to the car.
I'd like to give a shout out to Mae who watched Ty all day. Thanks, Mae. We couldn't do this with out you.

Merry Christmas 2008

Gingerbread House 2008 from Kate Rober on Vimeo.

Sunset

This time of year we get some pretty awesome sunsets. This is standing on our front porch. The camera really doesn't do it justice. When you are outside marveling at a sunset with your children and you look across the street and see your neighbors trickling out doing the same, that's when I imagine God saying, "It is good".

Family Pictures

So Melissa took some family pictures of us this last weekend. The picture above, pretty much sums up our family. Briggs is out in left field, Ashlynn is striking a pose, Ty is ready to pounce on something or somebody and Kate is being supported by the wall! And me of course. All in a days routine for the Rober home. Thanks Melissa.

"Now I Know not my ABC's..."

Ty sings the alphabet from Kate Rober on Vimeo.

Viewer Discretion is Advised!

If you are squeamish, please ignore this post. But... I had to include these pictures for posterity sake.
Briggs and Ashlynn are getting their tonsils taken out next Friday. We try not to talk about it too much with them, but every once in a while, it comes up. Like when I'm taking pictures of the kids and I happen to get a perfect tonsil shot. So here they are, in all of their glory (and aren't they glorious! That's why they are being taken out!).