Park Day on St. Patty's Day

St. Patrick's day was almost a month ago... however I'm just now uploading pictures! Nice weather is VERY rare where we live so we HAVE to take advantage of it when it comes. It just so happened to arrive on St. Patrick's day... the kids where so psyched they didn't have to wear coats. This was one of our first trips back to the park since the fall. They were all full of smiles!









Carter spent most of his time chillin' in his carseat. Quite content so long as he could "sit up" and play with his toys.

Three Musketeers!

The Norton sister in laws tend to have our babies in rounds (3's or 4's). Here is the most recent "round" of babies- Emily, Joshua, and Carter.








And here is another group of "Three Musketeers" getting into some mischief!

I've been meaning to upload these pics for awhile now. Bella has hit the terrible twos a little late. She has been doing VERY stinky things... and has spent allot of time in the time out. This is the most recent "stinkiness"... Left her in the living room with Isaac to watch TV for maybe 10 minutes or so... and this is what I found. Orange dish soap... everywhere!







My guilt stricken daughter in time out...

For My Epileptic Niece, Sommer

I have a 7 year old niece who was diagnosed with epilepsy roughly one year ago in May of 2008. She is one of the most severe and complicated cases in the USA. I know I will never truley understand what my brother and sister in law are going through and I will never understand or comprehend what little Sommer is going through. There is not much I am able to do but this website that Rachael started finally gave me the opportunity to help them in a small way.

Just a few weeks ago the kids did not have school so Rachael decided she would bring everyone up to my house for a play day. All was well until I recieved a phone call that morning from Rachael to inform me that Sommer had two drop seizures, one of which was on the stairwell. This has become a way of life for Rachael and Brian but for me it is still so hard to comprehend. I'm in shock every time I hear of a seizure (which come in so many forms). Sleep is very vital for Sommer. If she doesn't get the amount of sleep she is in need of then the siezures are more likely to occur, even on medication. Sommer is an amazing little girl that deserves to have her childhood back. Please take the time to view this website and if you are unable to contribute financially then please contribute with your prayers.

http://www.firstgiving.com/rachaelnorton

Diesel's in Heaven...

Our bloodhound Diesel was hit and killed by a car late Saturday night. Just before Christmas we made the decision to move him to Doug's shop down the road. The drool and dog hair was getting to be allot with the new baby and other kiddos to take care of. He was also showing lots of aggression towards strangers. However, he was still a wonderful dog. He was so smart and always listened to us. He played with the kids so great and they loved him so much. At Dougs shop he had this amazing dog house that was just double insalated and about 8x4 feet with two rooms, along with LOTS of fenced in room to run and play. A great new home where we could still visit him and take him to the park for walks. In fact we had just visited him Saturday. We told the kids we'd come back on Sunday after church to take him for a walk at the park and they were so excited. However Sunday morning someone called the house to tell us they found him on the side of the road. I'll spare you the details, but I cried. I cried for my kids... I didn't want to see them cry. I continued to cry at church too because we hadn't told them yet. The thought of seeing Isaac cry just made me keep weeping. We finally told him after church when he asked if we were going to go get Diesel. At first he thought we were kidding and finally we saw him fighting back the tears. Once he saw tears in my eyes he decided to let go and started balling. We then talked about all the dogs we know that are in heaven with Diesel and it made him feel better. Diesel is up there playing with Earl, Maggie, Lance (Kristin & Brian's dogs), and Lovey (Meemee's dog). He was a lovable HUGE dog that we will really miss.

Baby Madilyn

On February 7th, 2009 little Madilyn Rose Leonard entered the world.

Talia & I have been friends since Kindergarden. She is currently the longest friend I've ever had outside of family (and Megan... of course). She got married just over 3 years ago and has been dying to have a baby ever since, however her career was not yet stable enough to do so. I was ecstatic when I found out she was pregnant (and with me none the less). I'm hopeful that Carter and Madilyn will be the best of friends one day just as Talia and I once were as children.

The Big Brother

Isaac is a great big brother... 90% of the time. However he LOVES to kiss Carter. You will not understand that sentence until you see him interact with Carter. Isaac loves to kiss Carter non stop... over and over and over... usually until Carter cries from being over stimulated or just plane scared. So usually we when Isaac is near Carter... there are tears. However I was able to capture a GREAT moment of the two of them smiling! A priceless moment.

Brotherly Love.... this is how it should be all the time.