Lizzie's blessing and other fun happenings for the month of July

My beautiful baby girl was blessed this last Sunday. I can't say that it was that super special and memorable experience that I was hoping for, but I have come to realize that with 5 kids nothing is ever the way I hope or plan. I just have to go with the flow. Picture the moment Steve takes Lizzie up to bless her Thomas gets mad about something and starts throwing his bag of gold fish crackers all over the place. In the process of trying to clean up that disaster he somehow manages to escape under the pews and makes it down to the front of the chapel where my friend Carrie grabbed him and takes him out screaming! Then I am trying to keep some of my other kids quiet. By this point the blessing is just about over. Then Thomas escapes from my friend and comes zooming down the aisles crying and looking for me. I quickly scoop him up and zoom out of the chapel. That was the end of the blessing. I'm sure it was very special. The spirit was there anyway. I love my sweet little family!!!

This is my attempt at getting a picture of all five (wow, I have 5 kids) kids on Lizzie's special day. Wasn't my most successful moment, but it is still cute and funny.

This is another "failed" attempt at a great picture of my kids. Katie was having non of the picture taking scene, as you can see Thomas was given no choice, and Nicholas thought that the entire situation was hilarious! This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Daddy and Lizzie. We didnt' get a shot of them on her blessing day because he was in meetings all day, but this is a sweet picture.

Grandma Burke and Lizzie. My mom got to come and stay with me for 5 whole weeks. It was so completely wonderful. She left today and I am trying to get a grip on myself as a lone mother of five. I miss you mom! Lucky for me Steve's mom will be here on Monday and I will have help and moral support for another two weeks. I am rather spoiled with my help and I love it!

Me and Lizzie on her blessing day.

My funny little Thomas. This boy is the most adorable little friend...and there is a reason. He is the biggest handful I have ever had!!! A newborn is cake compared to this little man that we love.

This picture is just cute to me. Lizzie is now 5 weeks old today.

After the Aquaman ride Nicholas and Matthew wanted to hang out over the ride where you get totally soaked. They weren't kidding when they said totally soaked either. Luckily it kept the boys cool on a HOT day. (look at the pics below. I got these pictures in the wrong order).

Because Nicholas read so much last year in school we got to spend the day at Six Flags while Grandma Burke stayed at home with the babies. It was so much fun! Thanks Grandma! We miss you!!! Daddy and the boys waiting in line for our first ride of the day.

I turned her on her tummy to see if she would wake up to eat, but instead I got this so sweet shot.

Nicholas joined the Rough Riders baseball team. He is just darn CUTE!

This boy loves hats. Captain Big Head fits into his 7 year old brothers hat just perfectly. I am sure his mass of curls helps a bit.

This picture is just cute. This is Katie after church.

Thomas is my wild child. We have come to find that we cannot leave any chairs in their correct position. I have started laying all the chairs in the kitchen on the floor so he won't climb, but I didn't think about the high chair...until this little incident. Doesn't he just look so innocent? Bless his adorably busy heart!

My kids and the Nicholas's best friend found the mud. This is one of those times when I wanted to yell, but instead had to find humor. They were filthy!!!

Nicholas turned 7 years old! We laugh to say that for one day we had 5 kids ages 6 and under! He is such the big boy! Happy Birthday Nickelby!

Matthew and his baby.