We went out in the front yard yesterday and took family pictures, just like we did last October. We took pictures of everybody individually too, and will get them printed out nicely at Wal-Mart for $2.84 each. That saves us about $15 a pop over school pictures (saving us $60 for our school age kids this year, not to mention Emma who’s not even enrolled), and I think they’re much better quality.

This image will soon be replacing the one in our “About” page, as soon as I have time to figure it out. Meanwhile, this is us as of about 24 hours ago. Clockwise from left:

Katie (age 11) is our Swiss Miss. She reminds me a lot of my Grandma Fluckiger, except she has a wackezoid sense of humor—with a special aptitude for puns—and has a special skill in molding clay, She forms cartoonish figures that look straight out of Wallace and Gromit.

Emma (14) is our home-schooler. Like her sisters, she is alarmingly intelligent, intelligent, and polite; and she’s usually quite helpful with the little ones. She’s wrestling with some adolescent issues but is a very good girl. And she’s learning to drive (the subject of a future post; don’t tell the DMV).

What’s His Name (3) luckily doesn’t have to be handsome, since he has a happy life. I’ve heard he has a blog.

Becca (13) has always been our peacemaker child. She is quick to help whenever needed and the younger children cling to her. In fact, one of Jacob’s first words was “Becca, Becca!” Becca is developing her skills with cooking, housework, and playing piano. She is a delight to have around.

Abby (8) is smart as a whip and full of love. She loves to read; in fact, it’s hard to get her away from her books. She enjoys playing with her younger siblings and will even change messy diapers. She is a loving child, quick to throw her arms around either parental unit and give it a kiss.

Jacob (1) has manfully accepted the job of having six older sisters. He serves as their mascot, doll, and plaything; Emma filled his jammies full of plastic balls last night, and the girls love to load him in the laundry basket and scoot him around the floor. He loves his toy tractor, which he calls “Acko,” coincidentally the same name he has for “cracker.”

Natalie (5) is our little fireball. She is full of energy (most of which she drains from Mom) and imagination. Natalie started kindergarten this year; she is the only one of our children who didn’t know how to read when she got there, but she’s catching up rapidly and loves math.

Sarah (3) is our little “bug.” She loves running around, playing with Jacob, and watching movies, and falling down. She was recently potty trained so we only have one more in diapers, . She loves to climb up on Daddy’s lap and read books.

Super Ultra Mega Lightnin’ Babe (29) is the mortal star of her husband’s life. I love her sense of humor, her thoughtfulness, her constant labors, and especially her beautiful face. You name it, she can do it; with aplomb, skill, and efficiency. She’s the reason we can live here and the earthly focus of my happiness. I love you, Jess.