Football!

For some reason, our boys love to play football. This fall, Eli and Max have had the most fun playing in our back yard and adjoining pasture. Wayne joins in also and it's "boy against boy!" An extra special treat is when Poppie (my dad) comes out and throws the ball for Eli...

I got these first pictures one afternoon before the time change.




These next pictures were snapped at Clay's birthday party. Clay is a one of Max's best friends.
Of all the boys playing on the field, Max is the only one without shoes! I promise, I did raise him right!
Check out our Eli. He loves the game! I can't believe how big he's getting!

New Shoes

Oki's new shoes are old by now, but I couldn't help but share this....Picture this: Oki and me at Target...walking in the shoe department...She begged for these $10 shoes, insisting that if she had "tennis shoes" she could play on the monkey bars at school. She very plainly explained to me that you can't play on the monkey bars if you wear sandals, flip flops or Crocs! I must admit that I'm a little snobby when it comes to athletic shoes for my children. I don't think I've ever bought Eli or Max a pair from Target or Walmart. Usually, they get Nike, New Balance or Under Armour, so when Oki started begging...of course I thought "no way!" Then I started thinking, "It's just $10, if they tear up after one wear, I won't be out much money." Boy, was I in for a surprise!

I've never seen someone love a pair of shoes like this girl loves hers.


She even had to wear all pink to "match" on her first day wearing them to school! The very pleasant surprise is that they've held up so well. I will definitely buy another pair when she grows out of these.

Lots and Lots!

I have so many pictures and not enough time and motivation to get them on here! I am almost ashamed that I have not been keeping my blog up to date. When I take pictures, I have grand plans to upload them and I even have cute little blurbs to add, but I never seem to find the motivation to follow through! Well, by George, tonight I'm getting some pictures on!!!! ;-) I decided to create separate posts, so I can title them accordingly. Be patient, I have a lot of pictures to sort through.

Happy Birthday, Max!

It's so hard to believe that our sweet "Baby Max James" is eight years old! I can still close my eyes and see those sweet little blonde curls bouncing on the back of that toddling little head of his. The years are flying by and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Although he's growing up, there's not another with a smile like his...

We celebrated on his birthday with dinner at home and a "cookie" cake at his request. Dad did a little decorating with some extra chocolate chips.

Later in the week, Max celebrated with his friends at the Opp Skating Rink. This was his first big party. Lots of friends attended and everyone had a blast!

We love you, Max! You are a special little boy!

Bling!

I couldn't help but share this picture. A couple of weeks ago, a friend gave me a new set of Sorrelli. Oki has shown some interest in my jewelry lately and loves to try it on. Last week, after hearing me oooohhhh and ahhhh over these new earrings, she "had" to give them a try too...By the way, she said she wants some "relli" from Santa this Christmas! Don't worry, I already know...We're in big TROUBLE!!!

Labor Day 2009

I only have a minute or two before I go to bed, but I wanted to post a couple of pictures from today. I am so completely behind on posting! Hopefully, I'll get a few of the (literally one thousand or more) pictures that I have taken this summer on here soon.

Today, Oki and I stayed around the house and were pretty much bums. We did enjoy ourselves a good bit. The boys went to the hunting club around lunch and stayed until after dark...I'll save that story for later. Anyway, here's a picture of my little princess.

This is where Oki was playing when I was sewing this afternoon. Please excuse the mess of my sewing stuff all around. Note: Oki is playing "baby." She has a diaper bag, 2 baby Bibles, burp cloths, blankets and most important, A PISTOL! Don't worry, it is a non-working air-soft pistol that she confiscated from Eli or Max. It is just the thought that has me laughing. She's learned early the importance of packing some heat...A girl can never be too careful! We just need to get her a permit!

First Day of School '09

Since it's been FOREVER since I posted, I thought I'd take just a minute to put up a picture from our first day back. I have so much to share from the summer. I hope that I'll be able to get some more pictures up soon.

Both Eli and Max are going to new schools this year. Eli is a 5th grader at the middle school and Max is in the 2nd grade at the brand new OES! I can hardly believe my boys are so grown up. Before long, I'll be looking up to them.

Birthday Party Pictures

Here's a slideshow of the pictures from Oki's third birthday party. I'm sorry it's a little late! I was a little unsure of having a swimming party for a three year old, but it turned out pretty well.

Happy Birthday, America!

I wanted to take few minutes to post today. So many times, we get caught up in our holidays and forget the reason we have them. I didn't want to forget today. I'd like to remind everyone in the midst of our fun and family time: Our country and freedom was bought with a high price...the lives of many men and women that were willing to die for the chance at freedom. Just as Christ died for us so that we might have salvation and eternal life, our freedom in America was paid for with many, many lives. Our forefathers founded this nation on Christian principles. These days it seems that we have forgotten that our nation was formed because Christians were not free to worship and were being persecuted. After a few more than 200 years, we are almost back where we began. Our rights as Christians are being taken away. Please take a few minutes today and pray for our nation and her leaders. Yes, even our president! I can't imagine the stress he and our other leaders are under each day. Our country was founded on God, let's give America a great birthday present and turn back to Him, the true source of our freedom!

Wip Woss Anyone?

I just thought I'd share some pictures from this morning. Oki was applying her "wip woss." She's definitely a girly-girl!

Happy Birthday, Oki!

We celebrated Oki's third birthday on June 16th. I can hardly believe our little princess is three already! Where has the time gone? We will have her party on Saturday with her friends, but on her actual birthday, we had a little cake for her (compliments of Grammie) after supper. Here are some pictures that I took with my new camera.

Precious Boys

I'm sure some of you know, but when I am pregnant, we never find out the sex of the baby prior to delivery. Well, when I was preggo with Eli I wanted a boy. Mainly, because I thought that it was important to have a boy first so that there would always be a 'big brother'. So when I got pregnant with Max, I wanted to have a girl so much. I spent those nine months convinced I was carrying a girl; however, there was no time for disappointment when Dr. Butler delivered that precious little boy. Now I am so thankful that God knew what was best and gave us those boys, just 3 years apart. I have loved watching them grow. They share a bedroom, play together, do chores together and hopefully will continue to be close as they grow into the young men they will one day become. Those little boys make me laugh all of the time...don't get me wrong, they make me mad, too. It's then that I yell and fuss and lecture and spank and restrict and etc. haha! I wouldn't trade a minute of being their mommy for all of the riches in the world.

Tonight, I found myself at home with them alone. Wayne and Oki had gone to the grocery store. Eli and Max had been behaving really well because they were going to be allowed to play their PS2 if they completed their chores in an orderly fashion. We must include 'orderly fashion' because they often times will argue and take forever folding their laundry (which was the chore of the night). Once their tasks were completed I sent them to the bathroom to get a bath. That's when the trouble began! All of a sudden, I hear a slap and then wailing coming from the bathroom. In my laid back parenting style, I waited to hear what would happen next........the yelling, fussing, arguing continued. I wasn't at all pleased with what I heard as I approached the bathroom. I informed both of the boys that they would be treated equally: They should expect a spanking after their bath. To be kind I advised both of them to be sure to get dressed before they recieved their punishement. When they emerged from their room, I noticed that Max looked a little thick around the middle, but I didn't comment on it. I talked to them both about what happened and how it should have been handled, I made them apologize to each other and then hug. Next, I administered the corporal punishment. Max went away with a smile on his face. You see, although I did apply a good amount of force on his blessed assurance, he had padded it with clothing before coming out of his room! I pretended not to notice and Max thinks he pulled one over on his 'ole mom. What he doesn't know is that I hardly tapped Eli with the spoon because I knew Max hadn't had any pain. I couldn't help but smile...One day I will wish for these stressful days of raising these children. I am so blessed. I hope you enjoy some of these pictures from days gone by...

Ball Season

Baseball season is in full swing and with two boys playing, we're at the complex almost every night of the week! Eli is in his second year of little league and he's having a great season. His batting has picked up some and he's made some very nice plays. He plays second base and pitcher. Each night when he is finished playing, I am amazed at how dirty he is. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture below, but he was grubby dirty! When he got home from practice Saturday, I could hardly see him for all of the dirt. I guess it will just help him grow!

Max is having a great time, too. He is in his first year of Minor League. In typical Max fashion, he's having a ball! He is playing pitcher and loving every minute. His cute little attitude and hyperactivity is so much fun to watch! He's even managed to hit a few homers!

Oki is no fun for me at the ball park since she's such a little busy body, but she loves being there. I've included a few pictures...Hope to have more soon!

Dirty Boy!Max at the plate...and in the dugout...

Believe it or not, she was clean when we got to the ballgame. She "had" to have a ring pop...it ended up on her shirt!!!

Here, There, Everywhere!

That's where I've been! Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually looks at my blog. Now I know and I must say that I do feel quite special. Several of my friends have let me know (some more tactfully than others :-) Thank you Mary Lynn) that I need to update my blog. The plain and simple truth is that I've been EXTREMELY busy and stressed out! Then the whole overwhelmed/procrastination/too much to say/where do I start/overwhelmed, did I mention overwhelmed? Feelings came up. So here I am with some cute pictures and lots to say, but not knowing where to start.

I don't have many pictures from March since I lost my memory card for my camera. Those of you that know me well know that is typical "Samantha". Anyway, I did finally find it...on the floor right beside my bed!!!! Here are a few pictures from March...

The day I took these, Oki was sick and we were home alone because Wayne, Eli and Max had gone to church. I was working in the kitchen when I realized that Oki was quiet...this is what I found when I went to check on her...

She was sitting in her room rocking and singing "Holy, Holy" to her babies! She never stops amazing me with her "mothering". It is so foreign to me having boys first. These behaviors must be innate because I haven't taught her to do this...she just does it!
Here's one with her hair out of her face...and then one when she's wanting me to go away! She HATES the camera! Too bad!


That's all I have time for tonight, but check back...I still have more to share!

We're Still Here: An Update from the Russell Family

I know I'm way past due for an update! There is no excuse, just plain procrastination on my part! Don't get me wrong, I've been busy, too! Anyway, we've not had any real excitement around here since Christmas, but I did want to share a few pictures of my precious ones...

Kayla recently brought Oki some tap shoes. She has enjoyed tapping away. I guess we are going to let her take from Mrs. Sellers next year.

For months, Eli and Max have been building wooden cars during RAs at church on Wednesday nights. A few weeks ago they got their chance to see how fast their cars were at Ino's Pinewood Derby. Sadly, Max's car didn't win in his division, but we're so happy that Eli's got second place in his division. Since Eli's car will race again, his wasn't available for pictures...

These pictures were taken one afternoon recently while the children and Kayla were outside riding the golf cart.

When you have older children like our boys, Eli and Max, sometimes you get caught up in the busyness of their activities. Thankfully, we still have a little one around to remind us what it was like when they were 2...only she's a lot different...no bows and arrows, guns and knives for her...just lipstick, hair bows, and dresses!

This is what you get when a little girl has two older brothers...

A Ninja Princess!

We took this picture after decorating Valentine cookies...

Eli was only interested in eating them...Max and Oki did most of the decorating, with a little help from me!

I couldn't resist snapping this shot of Max and Oki sleeping with their puppies that Grammie gave them for Valentine's Day. It's a rare moment when these two are still!