Busy Days

These last few weeks have definitely been busy, and I can't imagine that they're going to be slowing down anytime soon! I'm learning that 4 kids ages 5 and under are a lot of work... fun work though (most of the time!). I managed (with the Lord's gracious help!) to get some "group" pictures of the girls when Rachel was only 4 days old...

Daniel likes to call these little "tic-tac-toes"

These following four pictures are something we see a lot of around here lately:

At home happenings:
Rachel helping with the laundry


Sleeping peacefully

I found Rachel like this after Lillian had stopped by to "swaddle" her.


Abigail's convert


16 days old

Cross-eyed but cute

The Polk County Fair
Looking at the baby goat


Rebecca's comment about the chickens, "Too noisy!"

Abigail wouldn't pet the horse but she rode him with no problem! This was her first time ever on a horse. Way to go Abigail!


This is Lillian's second year riding a horse at the fair... what a pro!

See ya next time partner!

FOUR Giggling Girls!

What an exciting weekend! Rachel Clara was born on Friday, July 17th (on her due date!) at 3:37pm. She weighed 7lbs, 7oz and was 19 inches long. The girls are absolutely in LOVE with her... almost to the point of obsession. I think she'll be able to sleep through anything! It really is fun having a little baby around... you forget just how small they are as newborns. Tiny miracles from God.

Enjoy the pictures of our FOUR miracles:

This was taken just a few hours after Rachel was born. The girls, especially Lillian, fell in love at first sight.

Rachel's "other" mommy.

My mom (aka: Grandma Lucy) with Rachel. She came and watched the girls while I was in the hospital. THANK YOU MOM! We couldn't have done it without you!

Abigail and Rachel checking each other out.

Look at all that fun dark hair!

A real life doll for Rebecca!

This was Rebecca's idea... she wanted to be like the baby. Hard to believe she used to fit in one of those!



Family of SIX!! Ooftah!



Getting ready to go home.



Lillian asked Daniel if they could wear dresses to the hospital today for when they came to pick me up. They all showed up looking so nice!

Rachel safe in her carseat for the long 2 block ride home from the hospital.



We love you Rachel!

Enjoying Summer

Here's a little of what we've been up to lately:

Staying cool with the slip 'n slide

This is the way Abigail goes down...





This is the way Lillian goes down...

Yes, these are my kids!








The girls and I met Daniel's cousin, Tressa, and her 3 girls, Grace, Cora, and Olivia, at a nearby park for a picnic. It was so fun to see them again and catch up! :)




Our girls with cousins, Mikayla, Serena, and Lydia picking peas and beans in Grandma Lucy's garden! Yum!



The girls and I took a day trip to my parents place to see my Grandpa Whyte (92) who was visiting from Illinois. All the Haglin grandkids are pictured here (except for the two babies on the way!).
Left to right: Delaney, Alan, Mikayla, Serena, Lillian, Abigail, Grandpa Whyte, Lydia and Rebecca.




Rebecca having fun in Grandpa Greg's corn field.

Fun Pictures

We haven't been up to too much lately, so I thought I'd post some pictures from last month and a few from this month. We are getting very excited about this new baby that's on the way... only about 2 1/2 more weeks!! If anyone has any great names they'd like to throw our way, we're all ears :)

Having a picnic at the park for my 28th birthday last month.

This picture makes me laugh. It reminds me of the introduction to the TV show, Little House on the Prairie, where the 3 girls are running down the hill and the youngest girl, Carrie, falls.

A little mermaid!

I see you!

Ready for church on Memorial weekend.

We tried our ice cream maker for the first time (which we received for our wedding 8 years ago!). It turned out pretty good and the girls thought it was fun.



Imaginations hard at work.

I had some left over flowers from a bridal shower at church. The girls (except Rebecca) wanted them in their hair so I just had to get some pictures!!



We went to a park for Father's Day and had a picnic lunch. I think the girls like their Daddy (and Daddy likes his girls!)!

Finally a picture of our finished garage. You can also see our growing garden!

Thanks for looking :)

Fun with Family

We enjoyed yet another fun and memorable Birx family camping trip in West Virginia. I really do LOVE spending time with family... even if that means being in the cold, rainy, and muddy outdoors (while 35 weeks pregnant!). We didn't have the best weather for camping this year. It ended up raining most of the time. I've decided though that it isn't the weather that makes the trip fun and memorable, it's the people you're with!! I know that sounds all gooey but it's true! We are so blessed to be a part of the Birx Bunch!

Beware! There are a lot of pictures posted below. It's hard to pick only a few!! Enjoy...

This was the first year we discovered these little orange guys -- maybe it's because it was so rainy? Lillian was very brave and kept this one as her friend. I think the little guy was very happy and relieved to see us go...

The three-year-old curly cues, Sarah Beth and Abigail.




A small glimpse into what mealtime is like...




Roasting marshmallows in the rain (notice ALL the mud).

Peek-a-boo, Becca-roo!!

The two Abigails.
Daniel's cousin, David, and wife, Hilary, join us every year for camping. They have Abigail who is three and Jonathan who is almost a year. David is like a brother to Daniel!! We love that they join us camping!!




The kids and dads took a ride on a nearby train, Cass Scenic Railroad. This has turned into a yearly adventure for the kids and dads (and a "quiet time/game time" for the moms back at camp!).

Enjoying the ride up the mountain.



Here are all the grandkids (minus baby Philip, plus cousin Abby!)




Here they all are again having Sunday School with Grandpa before we pack everything up and head out.




Here are pictures from our time at Tim & Phyllis' house in Maryland:

Enjoying a nice cold popsicle on Gpa & Gma's front step. It was hot and humid while at their place... I could have done without the humidity, yuck.



Here's cousin Hannah with some Glen Burnie wildlife. The kids sure had fun with him...



We visited the National Zoo in Washington D.C. The girls were very excited about seeing a real life elephant for the first time (they don't have elephants in any MN zoos!).

Sometimes it more fun to watch the people at the zoo :) ...

Lillian, Grandma, and Abigail taking a break.

Posing with the Panda.



Oh, and one more thing...

Happy Anniversary Grandpa & Grandma! We hope your day was a special one yesterday!

We can't wait for our next trip out east... all SIX of us!!