Sunday Sunday

I wish I could say that today was a super Sunday but it's not. I guess our luck has run out. I have 4 children and 1 sick husband laying around today. We haven't had any major sickness this year so I guess it's our turn. I just pray that I don't get it. Joe and I have big plans all day Tuesday and I have waited to long for them. In case your wondering we got Joe's sister, Beth to watch the kids overnight and will be going to a concert with some super friends of ours. I don't remember the last time someone took all of our kids-overnight. I guess it's a big job:) I also have a friend visiting from Iowa that I haven't seen in like 13 years. So NO sickness for me PLEASE! My theory is that mom's don't get as many colds and flu stuff because we are on the front line of it all. We catch it, clean it and cure it so we are more immune to it. ?Right?
Anyway, I can't believe it's almost 2010. We all had a wonderful Christmas this year with Joe's family on Christmas eve and my family on Christmas day. It was a little stressful leading up to the occasions but both Christmas's were carefree and very peaceful. Thankfully, on Christmas day we brought all the kids snow gear with us. It could have been more hectic with all the kids in grandmas 2 bedroom house. Oh and we give thanks to uncle Tony for bringing the 4-wheeler with a plow on it to clear off the lake. I think he covered grandma's entire side! I'm not sure who was having more fun....Tony or the kids...or is Tony still one of the kids??

2010 should be a good year with many things in the making already. Joe and Isaac will be going to WWE in January then we are off to Grandma's in Arkansas. We are hoping to GeoCache in 10 different states on the way down and back. Also in January is Girl Scout Cookie Go Day. So get ready for Hannah to call all of you:) Plus the start of a new semester for me. February brings Joe's big 30th b-day and my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. WOW! Then in May my dad turns 50 and Hannah and I are going to see Taylor Swift. (her big Christmas present this year) We will also be continuing the parent taxi service as usual.

This picture is of what Joe does in his free time. He decided that the kids needed their own sledding hill in the yard. Oh- and he is making it look like he shoveled the whole thing- well he didn't he snow blowed the whole back yard into a pile.
So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We love and miss all of you that we couldn't be with this holiday season.

Random Pictures

I know it's been quite a while so I am just posting some random last month pictures for your enjoyment. Some are of the kids on Halloween, Isaac in gymnastics (his passion for the time being) and Hannah in "Alms for the poor" play (Hannah is in the pink).

Happiest Thanksgiving to everyone!

Today I am thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Many of you I don't talk to very often, yet you take the time to keep up with our family. We are so blessed!
I am thankful for my family that continues to love us unconditionally even when I can be a bit bratty. I thought Avril was our strongest willed in our house but I am beginning to think its me. (hehehe) I love everyone of you.
I am also thankful for the many friends I have met in the last 10 or so years. You are all my inspiration. All it takes is a smile from a friend and I know that even when life gets challenging your smiles keep me going. And it's those friendships that I know will last. Take it from me, friends have been pushed aside more times then not because we are more focused on raising our children. For that I am sorry but someday we be better connected.
Most of all I am thankful to my savior Jesus Christ. It sure would be lonely if I didn't have him to talk to 24/7.

So Happy Thanksgiving to all of you I can't be with today. Love you all!

Vacation Needed

With this darn cold, crabby kids, snow and like 2 weeks of gloomy weather- I think we need a vacation! I keep telling myself that we just need to make it though Christmas then we are out-a here. To grandma's house we go! (Arkansas Grandma) Not that I want time to move to quickly...I do enjoy the holidays but even those mean more work.Anyways....We had our annual pumpkin carving over at Joe's parents last Saturday and as you can see....we ROCK! I love the mini competitions we all have and the general togetherness that the atmosphere brings. Isaac and Hannah both did their own pumpkins from start to finish this year, which to me was very impressive. So the winner this year was Barb but only because her pumpkin had a green tint around all the parts she cut and it looked the scariest. Hers is the one on the bottom row, right in the middle. (The picture does it no justice) Matt's MN Twins one comes in 2nd because everyone wanted to take it home.
Well ta-ta for now.

Mommy's little Boy Scouts

Last week Isaac officially became a Boy Scout. He hasn't had his first Den meeting but he did get to go to a Pack meeting. I don't think he cares what the meeting was, I think he is just really soaking up this time with dad. However, their pack meetings are awesome....the first one of the year they brought in a Mad Scientist to show them how to make bottle caps shoot, mini-explosions and a lot of stuff overflowing. (Isaac isn't the best at explaining things back to me but his face tells me that it was great)

As you can see Joe has taken on the job of Committee Chair for the Pack. I am just so happy that he wants to be involved. He decided not to be his Den leader because of the possibility of that being a million year commitment because he just signed up to be an Official for the Sea Devils swim team. Our future Boy Scout, Owen is going to want his dad to be something anyways. So maybe in 5 more years he'll be a den leader.

So with all the Scouting, School and all other Extracurricular activities around here we ended up with 6 different fundraisers in this house. If you want ANYTHING from wreaths to chocolates to magazines to household goods...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE call me:) I must say that selling the wreaths is at the top of our list because it's for a new Pine Wood Derby Track and Isaac has been a very eager seller.

I just wanted to post 1 picture of Owen's new face. He does this anytime you give him an answer he dosen't like or if you make him wait to long for something.

Baby For Sale!

He's cute, cuddly, about 2 1/2 feet tall and incredibly busy!

Okay, so selling your baby is not appropriate but, this momma is getting tired. How is it that 19 months can be my favorite age and my least favorite at the same time.
Let me tell you why...
Almost a week ago, Owen decided to brave the outside world my climbing gracefully out of his crib during nap time. Since then he's been on the run. Mommy lays him down, Owen climbs out...he barely waits until I'm around the corner now. Well fine I can be mean mommy sometimes but even that doesn't work! Nap times now consists of 1 hour, where he wakes up extremely crabby and mornings start at about 6:15. The hardest part of it all is if you don't happen to hear him creep out of his room, because if he's loose for any amount of time unsupervised the house is in ruins. I'm also upset about this because I figure if your going to crawl out of the crib then we can get rid of it. Right? Well in Owens world that would be a No! He loves his crib, he loves his blankies, and he loves his nuk. That sure is a lot of baggage for a 19 month old!

But, why do I want to keep him all the same? Because when the older ones think I am lame, Owen thinks I'm funny. When I need to relax I have a lap partner and he doesn't care what I am doing as long as it's with him. When he gets excited he screams in joy and when he gets mad he shakes his head and says, "NO!" He loves doing dishes and laundry and never complains when I ask for his help.
What's not to love about this bundle of busy?

1st week down

1st week of school is in the past and we are coasting through the 2nd. Last week was so busy it came and went before I could blink. I am happy to report that all of the kids love their teachers and love school.Hannah loves being the oldest in her school. 4th graders are the big kids because 5th grade is now in Jr. High. I know it seems young but I have heard that they do just fine over there and the kids get to sleep in an extra hour. Anyways, she was a little disappointed on the 1st day that she didn't get to cart Isaac all around because the teachers helped the 1st graders. I'm just happy that she doesn't mind having her little brother around. She is actually quite protective over him and loves showing him new things. This however puts a little tension on Hannah when he starts joining the same sports that she is in or has done. (More to come in a minute) Keep in mind that Hannah is more of a social butterfly then a competitor so when her brother is around I don't think it will take him as much effort to be better then Hannah. I'm not saying this negatively, I just don't think it's going to go well when it happens.Isaac loves being in 1st grade. He walked off the bus on the 1st day with his chest puffed up like he just completed the most important day of his life. He couldn't have gotten a better teacher either. Mrs. Griffin, Joe and I all went to school together so we know each other quite well. Mrs. Griffin has reported to me that she loves having Isaac in her class and that he is always a good listener and is usually the 1st one ready for instruction. I can't say enough how proud of my kids I am. I am happy that I (so far) have had very respectful kids. Isaac also loves doing his homework as long as it doesn't involve coloring.And finally how was Avril's 1st day.....GREAT! WooHoo, am I glad this went well. She could have been a disaster but isn't it funny how kids surprise you sometimes. When I dropped her off last Wednesday she asked me if I could stay and I told her no and started walking towards the door. She was clinging to my leg a little but was soon distracted by a toy telephone. With the distraction I took it on myself to leave. So I pulled Mrs. Tara aside, instructing her to keep an eye out for Avril and I ran for the door. Mrs. Tara later notified me that Avril looked up for me but was once again distracted by the coloring station. When I showed up I got a great big smile from Avril and she said, "Oh- mommy you came back for me." I think that was all she needed...I think most of her fear was that I wasn't coming back. So, yesterday we walked in and went to the play dough table, I gave her a kiss and she let me go. That probably made me more emotional then the 1st day because it's a small sign that she is letting me go. ;(
With school off and running again so has the busyness...Hannah is now back on Sea Devils swim team, Girl Scouts and tonight will be joining the fall play "Alms for the Poor". Isaac has joined Boy Scouts and Gymnastics after we saw how good he is with the monkey bars at the playground. This is the sport that I think Isaac will surpass Hannah in. Isaac just doesn't have any fear in him! He is also very small so he can move quickly. Now, is Hannah very impressed? NO! She was in gymnastics for 4 years before giving it up for swimming and I think Isaac will be at the same level in a year. The boys program is a bit different, which I think may help Hannah's ego. The boys do mostly bars and rings where the girls focus on floor and beam.
All in all we are doing well. Busy but well! I will be doing a parent/child class starting next week with Owen to ease the separation anxiety that we might come across in the future.
I also want to mention that we have a new addition to the family......nope no a baby, it's a bird! Yep, we have added yet another living creature to our household. I can't keep a plant alive, but God has trusted me with all these little lives. I think I have found out what God's plan is for me; I am a test subject for stress. Just kidding....I wouldn't change this life for any other.