Saturday in Sicily

On Saturday we drove to one of our favorite places in Sicily. In the Summer Taormina is packed with tourists. Today it was a ghost town. The weather was sunny and in the 60s. Beautiful!

This one is for Grandma Linda and Grandpa Frank. See, the sun really does shine in Taormina!

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Taormina with Mt. Etna in the background. I made Tom stop the car and pull over so I could take this picture. Isn't this view amazing?

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Am I the only one?

It seems like I'm constantly multi-tasking. I know most of you can relate, especially when you're parenting little ones, but have you ever done this?

Yesterday I put Max in the living room with several toys while DJ was at the kitchen table doing his homework. Noah and Lincoln were coming in and out from the backyard as they played. While all this was going on I was trying to wash and cut vegetables for a salad plus keep an eye on Max. I was doing this while answering questions from DJ and helping with the little guys' requests.

I continued to answer 3rd grade math questions and fix a sippy cup of milk. Then I peaked in the living room to check on Max. He was gone. I looked down the hallway. He wasn't there. My heart sunk. I had that panic feeling. Where did my scooting 6 month old go?

Then I realized.....he was in my arms. At some point I had picked him up!

A few pictures and a video....just for fun.

Lincoln and Max

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Lincoln

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Lincoln loves his baby brother.

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Tom was on a 10 day trip (TEN DAYS). I was putting Lincoln to bed and then walked into DJ and Noah's room. I found DJ reading the Bible to Noah. It was a sweet moment because nobody told them to do this. I had to take a picture.

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DJ and his friend Isaac were looking for ants in the backyard. They were making an ant farm. Noah and Lincoln helped too.

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It might not be the best choice but it works for us. Noah and Lincoln sit on the counter and watch DJ leave for school in the mornings. Sometimes they even eat breakfast here.

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DJ working hard on a science experiment.

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science experiment: floating ice boats

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Max and Lincoln hanging out together.

Max is 6 months old today!

I can't get over how much Noah and Max look alike.

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Picture from Max at 6 months old today.

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Video clip of Max in action from this morning.

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At Max's 6 month check-up, he weighed 16 pounds 8 ounces (23rd percentile). He was 26.18 inches (30th percentile). His head 44 cm (66th percentile).

Mt. Etna's erupts.

A view of Mt. Etna from our house this afternoon about 4pm. Another eruption!

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Last night Mt. Etna had a pretty spectacular eruption.

Unfortunately we had no clue and we were inside putting the kids to bed.

This morning our cars, outside toys and furniture were covered in ash.

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Some of the ash on our outside chairs.

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DJ sweeping up the ash. It was an exciting day for this nine year old.

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Two bags of ash!

Max is on the move!

Happy birthday Tom!

Dear Tom,

How did I get so lucky? You are the most amazing man I've ever known. Thank you for being a great husband and friend. You have taught me so much. Our boys are blessed beyond words to have a dad like you. You are INCREDIBLE. I love you! Happy birthday!

Love,

Carey

One of Tom's big gifts was the weekend to himself. I watched the kids all weekend and let him sneak off and relax, read books on his new Kindle, etc. He said it was one of the best birthdays ever. I guess when you have four kids, being able to relax at home is a rare gift.

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Noah picked this present out just for dad.

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DJ saw this jar of pickles and knew his dad had to have them.

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We ordered a big black cake. Can you tell?

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After everyone had a piece, I said I wanted the cake to be thrown away. I don't need any temptations around while I'm still trying to get off this baby weight, and while Tom is trying to eat healthy. We let the boys have fun and dig in before it got thrown in the dumpster. DJ said we should make that a tradition. He also said he had a stomach ache.

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