Family of 6

More pictures of course. On Sunday, Tracy and Suzanne drove up from Dallas to meet Emorie for the first time. I took advantage and had them take pictures of the 6 of us all together. I don't know why but I didn't get one of these while I was in the hospital. It just so turned out that we all coordinated for church Sunday morning so the picture worked. It is amazing that here we are and everyone is looking at the camera!
We went inside and attempted to get one of the four kids together.


Last night, I attempted once again to take some pictures of Emorie for her birth announcement. These are 3 of my favorites.

Have a great day!

Newborn Pictures

On Saturday, I took Emorie to get her newborn pictures done. Here are the ones I like and am considering. Let me know what you think.

Emorie's First Sunday at Church

Yesterday was Emorie's first day to go to church. This is her picture right before we walked out the door. I love it when you capture these early grins that aren't really grins!



She was such a good girl, she slept all the way through church.
Just a close up.
After church just before I let the kids change clothes. I unfortunately didn't get a picture with all the kids looking and smiling, but I think this one is cute.

Introducing Emorie Elizabeth Castleman

Okay so it has taken all week to get these up! I didn't think it would take me that long but here you go. My doctor induced labor Monday, April 13. I got the pitocin about 8 o'clock Monday morning and had Emorie at 2:07 pm Monday afternoon. Overall, I would say it was the easiest labor and delivery of all of them. She weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 20 1/2" long! So far she isn't really a cryer...she squeaks a lot and every now and then has one cry out that sounds like a Raptor but beyond that she is pretty quiet. Much to our surprise, she does have dark hair, it is a brown color with red going through it so I am calling it auburn. She also is somewhat olive complected. It is neat to look at her because it is different. So get ready because here comes the roll of films worth of pictures!!!
Mommy and Emorie just after birth


Mommy, Daddy, and Emorie




Gram and Emorie

Papa came up for the evening on Monday and got to see her post bath!
Gram and Mommy had fun playing dress up late Monday night, but she was bright eyed and willing for the most part. ( I also had to include a picture of her with her eyes open for my nephew who wanted to see her not sleeping)
On Tuesday, Richard kept Michal Kate home from school and brought the kids up to the hospital to meet their sister. It was crazy in a small hospital room, but they all did very well with her, including Jack! We have been so surprised and touched by Noah's gentle spirit with her. He is super sweet, wants to hold her, he sings to her, shares with her, and gets most upset if she isn't happy.
Sweet sisters
Noah holding Emorie for the first time
Jack hanging out with Emorie for the fist time
Daddy and Emorie bonding.
Emorie on Wednesday in her coming home outfit.
Mommy and Emorie getting ready to leave the hospital

Emorie ready to go in her seat with her blanket that Aunt Tracy got her.
This is Thursday while we were getting ready for the doctor. Yes, I love the hair bows so get used to it!
Thursday night, Richard and I gave Emorie her first bath at home. She didn't care for it overall, and Richard said it was because I was too gentle because she loved her bath in the hospital where you feel like the nurses are going so fast that she is just in for a pit stop with the pit crew. We laugh about all the hair and when wet and ruffled with a towel it is even somewhat curly!

Baby Burrito.
See all the hair!
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. What a blessing she is! We love you!

Easter Sunday

Today was a great day. A little strange knowing it was the last day without Emorie so as a family of 5. The kids looked so cute in their outfits that Gram bought for them to wear today to celebrate Easter Sunday. Here we are before church. I don't know why I couldn't get Noah to look but 2 out of 3 isn't bad!


Again, 2 out of 3! Pretty good odds if you ask me.
Sometime tomorrow we will have Emorie Elizabeth and I look forward to sharing many pictures of her when we are home from the hospital! I hope you had a blessed Easter Sunday!

Easter Egg Hunt

Today was the day for our big egg hunt at church. The kids had a great time eating donuts, coloring pictures for a contest and then of course hunting hundreds of eggs. Jack, my only lefty we think, won a prize in his coloring contest!!!
Here is Jack taking a break from hunting. He was too funny.

Michal Kate and Noah after hunting their eggs.Jack and Cambri hamming it up before the hunt.


Cambri hunting her eggs inside because of her little leg. (She has a minor break but gets around so well.)
I will try to get pictures from tomorrow up tomorrow night. We are checking into the hospital to have Emorie Monday morning so we will see! Love you all and have a blessed Easter weekend.

Our Garden

Today was the big day. I joined something called the Garden Club in our area back in September but have yet to grow anything. I have tried to grown things before, from all types of flowers, watermelon, and pumpkins, but I haven't ever had success. Richard decided that a vegetable garden would be a great way to start and we would do it all together. With a lot of help from Gramma, many, many phone conversations we have green beans, corn, squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, pumpkins, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and okra (I think I got it all) out in our square foot garden that Richard built. The kids really enjoyed getting to help and each of them planted different things. Now we just have to watch it to make sure it grows!!!
Richard is explaining how they are going to plant the seeds in the hole.

Michal Kate and Daddy
Jack thought it was great, here he is planting pumpkin.

Noah looking very serious
The older two attempting to plant lettuce.

Hopefully we will have plenty to eat and more than enough to share! Our goal was to get it done before Emorie is born, and we did it. So, okay already, Emorie, you can come now!!

Weekend of Fun

This weekend was great! The kids and I drove to Dallas on Friday afternoon to go to Gram and Papa's. Friday night we had a small shower for Emorie at a friends house. It was a lot of fun and I got to eat my favorite...Cafe Max, yummy!! The best way to describe the shower is Emorie is going to be one decked out little girl for quite a while!
Mom and I
Tracy and I, doesn't she look amazing!

Me and Suzanne.
Me and several of Emorie's cute clothes.
Lesley and I with (Jack and Emorie in tow)
Megan and I ( with baby ? and Emorie)
Saturday was fun. Saturday morning the older two and I met Aunt Tracy at Firewheel so she could take them to Build a Bear for their birthdays. They had so much fun and really enjoyed building their animals. We then met mom and Jack for lunch. Before heading to the evening activities we went to a field in mom and dad's neighborhood to take bluebonnet pictures.
Michal Kate resting in the flowers.
Noah being coy
And Jack!!
I don't know what they are doing but I like the picture all the same.
After taking the pictures we went to Tracy and Jeff's for our family Easter celebration and to celebrate Noah's birthday. We ate a great dinner and then had two egg hunts. One for the younger kids and one for the older kids.
Michal Kate hunting her eggs.
Noah stopping to smile.

Jack showing off his find.
The King Kiddos. Austin, Aidan, and Allyson.
Carson striking a pose.

Noah opening his presents.
It was a great weekend and I am glad we went. Sunday I started having contractions and we ended up going to the hospital, though I was sent home. Not real sure what was going on, because it sure felt real to me. Emorie Elizabeth should be here sometime in the next two weeks so keep checking back, the first pictures will appear here!!!
I hope you have a blessed week rejoicing in our risen Savior.