Zane carries this sword everywhere. Says he's a pirate.

Signe's pony tail.

Signe's pony tail

Chicken pox

Gunnar shows off his spots that have been multiplying since appearing yesterday. So far he's the only one with the pox. I'm hoping the little guys get it ASAP so we can get it over and done with soon.

Abby & Karsten, Moose Creek Reservoir, June 24, 2012.

At Moose Creek

Karsten enjoys a brief escape from the backpack.

Signe, Abby, Karsten, and Gunnar. Moose Creek Reservoir.

Moose Creek Reservoir - again

Nick wanted to show me the spot he found a few weeks ago, so this evening we all loaded up to check out the campground. A very pretty area. And about 10 miles further up the forest roads are some idyllic ponds known to locals as "the blue lagoons". Nick couldn't resist jumping off a diving platform, much to the kid's delight. Wearing street clothes was no hindrance. Earlier here he and Karsten tried their hands at fishing.

Abby n Karsten, Moose Creek Reservoir

South end of the Blue Lagoon near Moose Creek Reservoir, north Idaho.

Blue Lagoon near Moose Creek Reservoir, north Idaho

Picnic in the park

The last day of VBS at the local Nazarene Church, so we met up with Daddy at the "Triangle Park" on the bike ride home for PB&J and bananas, etc. Zane is ticked because he can't climb the tree. It's tough to be short.

Daddy the Rock Star

A couple weekends ago Nick was taking the older two kids out on a "date" for an A&W root beer float while the little boys napped. Signe woke up Zane while retrieving her shoes, and he refused to go back to sleep. Instead Zane wandered into the living room, sobbing inconsolably for his Daddy who was already gone. After fruitlessly crying at the window for awhile, he ventured outside and sat in the middle of the driveway, pathetically hollering "Daaad-deeeee" between sobs that I am sure carried to the park a block away. I was furiously texting Nick to get home NOW. When his Daddy finally showed up, having cut their A&W outing short, Zane hung on to him for dear life and wouldn't let go for quite awhile. Anyone who has spent anytime with that child knows how much he loves his Daddy. In the afternoon I endure Zane repeatedly asking me when Daddy will get home from work (mind you, Nick is usually home for lunch only a couple hours earlier). At the park a few days ago Zane kept informing the man pushing him on the swings that "My Daddy at work", which was obviously, to him, the only pertinent information worth sharing. When Nick is home Zane insists that his dad change his diapers, help dress him, brush his teeth, give him a drink of water, and engage in repeated sword fights and wrestling matches. Mommy need not apply. Nick is not afraid to do things that are sometimes, in my opinion, plum crazy. Which could be one reason the kids love to hang out with him. Last Sunday afternoon I went with a friend to see a movie, so he decided to take all 4 kids (including the baby) fishing at Moose Creek Reservoir, about 45 minutes away. By himself. And then he took them all shopping at WinCo with a lengthy grocery list. Bravery indeed. In fact, once when Signe was about a month old he took her to church by himself, a 1/2 hour drive away, so I could get some sleep. Some of the women were astounded he would bring a nursing baby to church without the mama. He didn't see it as a big deal, as long as he had a bottle of pumped milk with him. One thing I appreciate immensely about my husband is how he is "on" from the moment he reaches the driveway after work. For Nick there is no down time. He might crash on the floor, but that is just an invitation to be attacked by a mob of small children thrilled about their instant jungle gym. Even the littlest who can't quite walk yet tries to join in, often getting flattened in the process. Yet baby remains undeterred in his attempts to join his siblings in climbing Mt. Daddy. Nick is also bombarded with requests. "Daddy, help me practice riding my bike. I want to play catch. Look at the picture I made today. Can you please fix my toy. I want to go to the swimming pool. Bark Bark Bark Bark (translated: feed me dinner RIGHT NOW or let's play fetch outside)." Even baby gets excited. Last week when Karsten heard his Daddy's voice outside, he began chirping "Da-Da! Da-Da! Da-Da!" while bouncing eagerly on my knee. And often his wife's voice attempts to break through the cacophony as well with news of the day. Nick jokes that he feels like a rock star when he comes home. He is indeed, even if his fan base is tiny. I suppose I could be jealous about how much my kids want to be with their father. But I'm not. I know they like their Mommy too. I am blessed all day long with squishy hugs, kisses, giggles, cuddles, and "I love yous" (interspersed, of course, with bickering, moderating arguments, endless messes, whining, discipline, and constant parenting among the chaos). But that's just it. They see me all day. I'm not much of a novelty. Instead I am supremely grateful that I married a man who loves his children but loves his wife even more, and they know that. He's not perfect. He often loses his temper, especially at night when kids are constantly popping out of bed. But he models Christ for them, as he is quick to seek their forgiveness just as he expects them to do when they have sinned. I have been thinking of writing this for awhile as a "thank you" for my husband, but then Father's Day sneaked up and I thought today would be appropriate. And to be honest, he didn't get much else today in the way of gifts, aside from a large poster from Signe decorated mostly with glitter glue. So happy father's day, my husband. We are all very blessed to have you.

Signe found some living canvas.

Fishing at Moose Creek Reservoir, near Bovill, ID

Signe, Gunnar, n Karsten swing!

Signe n Karsten swing

Karsten swinging

Karsten's first time on a swing.

Bros