Endless Fun in the Latta Home

I'm tellin ya...Oliver has a goooood time while we're doing school. In these first few pictures he is painfully making his way around with handy dandy tin can shoes...the fun is never ending in our home...

Now, these next few were not during school hours...even better...after supper while hangin out with Daddy...listening to music, dancing, and acting crazy...

These next eight pictures were taken in order to give you a little shot of Oliver's dance moves. I so wish we had a camcorder or something to record footage with sound of him dancing. He cracks us up! He does this thing with his head and really can bust a move. Love it! He loves music and can't help move when it's on...and you know his Daddy is way into music, so we listen to it often...

This is his newest move. My favorite now. Can't you see why?

Now for just some random shots taken throughout our school day a few days ago. Some days are just more entertaining than others. I try to catch them...but I'm not always successful.

Emma took a picture of Elise and I.

Look at Oliver's feet. Yes, you see correctly. He is wearing the girl's dress up heels. He initiated wearing them and really liked it....as you can see.

I don't normally wear wigs, but you'll see in a few pictures whose idea it was...

Look at that face! When he smiles, his whole face smiles. Very contagious.

Also have to say...I love those rolls on his neck. Avrie had the same thing when he was Oliver's age.

Our future wig wearing doctor.

I couldn't help but take pictures of each of the girl's reading from The Word during our devotion time. They are so eager and excited to participate and read...it's very encouraging. And their ability and excitement about memorizing Scripture is always an encouragement too.

Oliver is studying ancient history this year. He has very unique study techniques.

This is a big kiss for his G-ma & G-pa Jameson and G-ma Rosie & G-pa Mike.

And finally...the tub we got in the mail from Grandma Rosie. Had to share. It was full of no-bake cookies. Just read...it's very self explanatory...and true :o)

More Snapshots of His Gifts

Couldn't not share this one of him...he's just so stinkin cute.

Is this not just priceless! Can you see what they are doing? Yes, reading...I know, it's such a rare thing...NOT! They crack me up!

Here is a shot I took the other morning at the beginning of our devotional time. It just struck me that they were all sitting together on the couch listening...even Oliver...so I had to capture the moment of cushionless attentiveness. I'm simply overwhelmed by God's grace when I look at this picture...amazed...thankful...

Here's Daddy with his hat-head hair from a looonnng day at work sitting...watching closely as Oliver strategically places his little far animals on the cushionless couch...

A close-up of his careful work.

And another priceless picture. He LOVES playing with the girl's doll house. He's contemplating what to do right now considering he put everything in a place...now what to do.....

My handsome young man...growing up way too fast.

Where does the time go?

Dress Up Shots

Go ahead and say it...she looks like me when I was younger during that goofy phase when I had those great glasses with Ziggy on them and then every other pair after that that was too large for my face. She wears goofiness much better than I ever did.

She is so much fun and so beautiful. Love her!

Oliver...dressed in Elise's cardigan...he liked it till he couldn't use his hands anymore because the sleeves kept falling down. I wonder how many different pictures I will have of him tortured by the girls before he gets a clue :o) At the rate they're going, I'm sure I'll have a plethora.

Here's Emma in her fancy little outfit she came out with on during school the other day. Having some fun all be herself. I love watching them pretend. Wish I had a little more child likeness in me...especially when it comes to my faith. Do you notice Oliver sitting with NO cushion...strange boy...but oh so cute!

Just a shot of her having fun filling up her wallet with her play money.

There she is again...had to get a shot of her in the whole outfit...Grandma Rosie sent her this dress in the mail the other day and she decided to put it on over her pajamas and add the glasses as a charming accessory...right before bedtime...

A close up of her beautiful face...couldn't resist. I love it when they put wigs on.

Of course she had to get Oliver in on the action...he wanted a hat too and he loves to have his picture taken...

Okay...now this one will be worth some money some day...don't you think? :o) When you see the back of him walking away he looks like ET. I love the smiles and laughter my children bring into my life. They are such sweet blessings and gifts I am so undeserving of...thank you LORD that I am not ultimately their Keeper, but He is and He loves them far greater than I ever can or will. And I'm grateful that I don't have to do this parenting thing alone, but have the help of my husband and my gracious Father in Heaven who carries me through each day.

Belly Shot

Here is a belly shot. Travis took it his morning so we could update those of you asking for one... As of today, I am 31 weeks and 2 days. The midwife says things are great. I've only gained 12 pounds so far...after gaining 8 pounds in a five week period over the month of December, I thought I better make some changes...so I started working out at the beginning of January usually six days a week and began a Bible study called Uncommon Vessels by Elyse Fitzpatrick ~ A Program for Developing Godly Eating Habits. I've been successful in watching my calorie intake (with recommendations from my midwife), increasing my water intake and practicing portion control along with healthier choices! I've really enjoyed the study and have gained much encouragement through it. I love being fit and am loving the change the LORD has done in my heart towards food and self-control. I was very disciplined in working out during my last pregnancy and I believe that is why delivery was so quick and easy, I don't know if easy is a good word to use, but I was much stronger to bear the pain and push through the delivery. Those of you that don't know, from my first pain to delivering Oliver, it was less than 2 hours. That was quite different from the 5-9 hours of labor with all the others. I pray little Ira comes quickly too, but not so quick that I have him in the van on the way to the birthing center :o)

Sleepy Shots & Silly Shots of Oliver

Oh Oliver! He is so stinkin sweet! Do you notice the baby he is holding? Now how adorable is that? He likes to take different things to bed with him...like babies, sunglasses, blocks...you name it and he'll take it :o)

We found Oliver like this one morning when we went in to get him up.

Here's Oliver doing one of his favorite and frequent activities which is lining his toys up...this time he's working on his cars....and yes, those are our couch cushions...he loves having them off the couch to either sit on the couch or use them as a table.

Here's another thing he likes to use the cushions for...a slide!

Once again...standing up carefully each toy and strategically placing them on the floor...

Every night he goes through the routine of getting all his different types of building blocks out and dumping them in specific spots, then dumps his cars and lines them up strategically and then his little farm animals and miscellaneous toys...this must be a sign he is special :o) Love him!