We hit up Mt. Rushmore on our way home. It was chilly that's for sure and if you look close enough you can see George still has snow on his head and a little water running down his face. At least we were almost the only ones there, right?OK, I know I'm a dork, but I made the kids pose like the presidents ( I love how serious Em is haha)

all the kids looking up at the mountain

Our trip to Alabama was as follows....

I absolutely love this picture

My mother helped Miles this week figuring out his tummy troubles. She and Miles really bonded both during the day and in the middle of the night. Thank you Mom!!
Mom and MacyAunt Stefani gave her fair share of help....with the body fluids especially :)
My Aunt Faye

Cirkle helped where she could of course and happily did so

My kids love sidewalk chalk and especially at Grandma's house where the driveway is an endless canvas for their art treasures

For Valentine's Day we had a treasure hunt with all the kids...explaining the rules
seeing as Morgan is the only good reader...she took over that job


we had them going all over the house and in the garage

they found the basket of goodies on the back porch

seven grandchildren

morning cartoon buddies

Matejka watching TV with Macy

the three new babies...yeah that was a busy house with three infants :)

bath time is especially fun since Grandma has the jacuzzi tub

so traveling with 5 kids isn't exactly easy, but it workedthis is Emily's way of traveling...side note story, on our way to Alabama my friend Shelly helped me with the kids. we had to run in Cincinnati and halfway through the airport Emily laid down and looked up at Shelly and said "I'm done running". so Shelly picked her up and kept on (mind you she already had one of the twins in a front pack). What a superhero, and we all felt like one after conquering this adventure!


babes were none too thrilled

miles & macy turned 4 mos in alabama

the lighting is bad, but i love this smiley miles picture


my smiley macy

i love it when babies get funny pictures

Matt's workout these days

as you can see, they don't mind

Ode to Sparky.....Sparky was our beloved family pet for almost 3 years. After a tragic encounter with a neighborhood Great Dane, Sparky made his final residence with Grandpa Backes in heaven. We will miss you, Sparky!

MILES & MACY...3 mos old on the 14th

wide open grin