Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!

From our crazy house to yours. Happy New Year! May 2011 be the happiest of years for you and yours.


Yes Bennett, they are crazy.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Vacation

We've been out of school for 2 hours and already decorated a gingerbread house. What are we going to do with the next 12 days?



Do you see what I see?

Monday, December 20, 2010

Window

A certain little boy in this house has become a fan of climbing on the couch. Now that it's in front of the window he loves being up there and looking out at the world.

Such eyes of wonderment. Such curiosity. Such innocence.

And then this crazy hooligan showed up and wanted his picture taken. They absolutely adore each other.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

It's the most wonderful time....


Ho Ho Ho!

I mentioned in our Christmas letter that we keep this blog. I've done it every year so maybe it doesn't make a difference but I feel like I should maybe update it for those newcomers or those who just want to see what I do around here. Hi!! Welcome, I hope you stay for awhile. It's nothing spectacular but it helps me remember moments with my kids and helps keep family updated on our ongoings. And recently, we've had many.

Tis the season though, right? Just in the past week we've had the flu (all of us), a blizzard, insulation blown into the attic, a Christmas program and we've baked 4 dozens cookies for our teachers and friends. And I still have some shopping to do with the boys, all the wrapping, more baking and a Christmas dinner to plan. Where's my Coke?

The boys were thrilled to go outside after school the other day. Bennett wasn't really a fan of the snow pants and boots. So we didn't last long. In fact I can guarantee it took longer to get out the door then the amount of time we were outside.


A Christmas Program. There is nothing more entertaining then 40 three and four year olds belting out some Christmas songs. Declan was thrilled to have a green bell. He wasn't digging the red bell he had when they practiced.

He actually sang too! Unlike his brother who stood there in a stone cold silence at his first Christmas Program.

Guess who drew this?
Declan! Can you believe it? My little abstract artist actually drew something that actually resembles something. Any ideas what it is exactly?

This one is Carson's. Looks like the baby is laying in a manger (Hint).

You can add two rather large scratches on his nose to his nice scrape and bruise on his forehead. He looks fabulous and a little beat up!

Here's hoping your enjoying the Christmas season and during the rush of it all, you can take time to enjoy the reason for the season, your kids and your family!

Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas Memories.

We've cut down our own tree the past 3 years. It's been cold every year. And this year was no different. So we bundle up...

I prefer each layer to be a different blue, it adds depth, and makes him look like Ralphie's brother. But he was warm and he could still walk so that was a plus.

We brought a sled this year to help tow the hooligans. Cold weather usually brings out the inability to walk.

Somewhere along the way it also became hard to sit up. That many layers and a big belly can make that a difficult task.

We searched and found a tree. It was as far out as the tree farm went. We wouldn't want to pick a close one because we prefer to make things difficult.

We also had a few moments to have a snowball fight.

We are a fan of child labor.

But whose that I see coming?

It's Santa! And he's come to carry our tree. That Santa, he's useful for so many things.

Declan didn't want to ride with Santa.


No crying. No whining. Smiles all around. And little snowman who now have a tree that is as fat as it is tall! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

In honor of the Feast of St. Nicholas the boys left their shoes out on the front step last night. I was informed by a certain 5 year old that they had to be outside and that they should be filled with gold.

No gold but St. Nick did fill them with candy, books and a car. Oh and he brought them inside so they'd be nice and warm in the morning.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Tis the Season

We spent part of Thanksgiving weekend getting into the Christmas spirit which included a trip to see Santa.

This one...

and this one were not afraid

But this one was not impressed.

He was impressed with his new mittens though.

And his cute new shark hat.

And the snow.

We went on a sleigh ride.

And huddled close to stay warm.
(Psst...see how close this picture is? If I had a new zoom lens ((like say one similar to this)) I could fix that and you'd actually see that Bennett is on Trevor's lap...I'm just sayin)

We also pretended to be Santa's helpers.

I'd say they are the cutest elfs I've seen.

Merry Christmas! We hope your enjoying the Christmas season.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Toothless

We had a pretty big even over the weekend, besides Thanksgiving that is.

The Tooth Fairy came.

Because my baby lost his first tooth.
Excuse me while I go crawl under a rock and wonder where the last 5 years went.

Monday, November 22, 2010

I'm Thankful

Thanksgiving...how did you come so fast? This year we have so many things to be thankful for

I'm thankful for...

...my husband. You are my rock, my best friend and the best father of my children I could ask for. I can't imagine my days without you. Thank you for all your wonderful support and love.

....Carson. Your loving, kind hearted spirit brightens my days. I'm thankful for your cuddles, your love and your need to follow the rules.

....Declan. You make me laugh. I'm thankful for your happy-go-lucky spirit, your story-telling and your 10lbs of attitude. You bring a light to this family that I love.

...Bennett. Your the most laid back baby yet. I love your smiles, your kisses and your hair twirling.

....my parents. You have provided me with so much. From valuable lessons about love, family and marriage to clothes for the kids and their education. I'm so very grateful to have such loving and wonderful parents. Thank You.

...to my inlaws. For raising a man who knows how to love, support and cherish his wife and family. Thank you for all your support, for the gas, for the kids clothes and the Target trips.

...that I can be a stay-at-home mom. I'm grateful everyday that I get to be here with my kids, in the middle of this parenting thing, enjoying their milestones, teaching them new things and loving them along the way.

...my friends. My girlfriends are another rock. They've provided me with love, laughter, tears, advice and even a smack upside the head if its needed. Parenting is a tough job and I'm grateful to have a group of women who can help me through it and enjoy it with me.

...my house. It's warm, it's cozy and I'm so grateful that I have a roof over my head every night.

...our soliders. Thank you for your sacrifices. I'm so grateful for all you do in protecting our freedoms. May God Bless you always.

...my children's generous hearts. They are always willing and wanting to put more of their allowance in the church jar then in their toy jar. We just started donating food to the food pantry twice a month and they are eager to help out those who are less fortunate. They don't miss a beat.

...our mailman. He's so cheerful, loves Emily and is always friendly with the kids.

...our pets. They make me laugh, they make me want to throw them off the deck but they also make our family complete.

...the boys' teachers. Their patience, their kindness, their love and their wisdom is over the top.

...Trevor's new job. He works 5 minutes from home, can come home for lunch and is home early every night.

...Dave Ramsey. He's changed my life, my money and my marriage.

...for a 4 day weekend. For time with family and friends. For Black Friday.

From our family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Painters

One big boy is prim and proper, diligent and very careful in his coloring.

One big boy is carefree, abstract and wild in in his coloring.

One big boy does not care to be dirty in any way, shape or form.

One big boy could care less about dirt/paint and where it lands.
(He just likes to make it all black)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Time

My life is busy. Sometimes I don't even realize just how busy it is because well, I'm too busy to slow down and think about that stuff. On Thursday I was getting the two older boys out the door for school. Lunches packed, backpacks checked, coats and hats on and kisses before they headed out the door. As I kissed my husband goodbye and shut the door I stood in our entryway holding Bennett for a moment. It was quiet, I breathed a sigh of relief. At that moment I, had a moment, to realize how busy I/we are. I always have grand plans on Tuesday and Thursday mornings when its just me and Bennett. I want to do my grocery shopping, Target shopping, Sams club shopping, clothes shopping, shoe buying, etc whatever it may be because I have one kid. And we all know its MUCH easier to haul one kid to the store as opposed to 2 or even 3. But lately I've been staying home. Staying home to soak in the quietness, to maybe start a load of laundry, to enjoy some peace and quite while Bennett takes a morning nap and maybe even enjoy time with my sweet one year old.

But this time is short and before I know it we are off to get Declan from school, eating lunch, taking naps, going back to school, having a snack, making dinner, getting ready for bed, picking up from the tornado that my house constantly looks like and then somewhere in the darkness laying my head on my pillow trying to get some much needed rest before it starts all over again.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world. But its important to know that I don't have time for everything. And I need to learn that lesson. It's ok if the house is a mess, it's ok if the beds don't get made everyday, it's ok if there are crumbs on the floor, it's ok if I don't get to the grocery store, it's ok if I pop in a video so I can sit in peace and blog and it's ok if I run out of time, for there is always tomorrow.

I recently took all the pictures off my phone and looking through them makes me laugh and makes me realize just how busy and chaotic our life is. Let me show you....

It's much easier to cook a meal when little ones aren't allowed in the kitchen.

Goofing around on the soccer fields.

Mmm...lunch at Sams. (It's actually not that good, but it's cheap!)

Normal kitchen scene.

Boys staying busy while I cook dinner.

Little boy making a mess while I cook dinner.

More mess....

and more mess.

Shopping at Target.

Playing at the Children's Museum.

Painting windows at the Children's Museum.

Preschool Halloween.