Heeeelllloooo-hello-hello

You have requested and I have listened....Hello to all of you. I know it's been a while but this is considered leisure and I don't get too much of that anymore.

I know I've written it before but geesh, life lets take this a little slower. Why doesn't that statement work like a new relationship.

So exactly 1 week ago we returned from our 8 day, 2229 mile, 35 hours 25 minute road trip to Arkansas and back. I know that's a long way for 4 children in a mini van for a week but we all survived. Our belief is that if you start them young they learn that we are a crazy family that will do this time and time again so you might as well adjust real quick. I'd like to announce that our trip brought us closer together but as you can see Hannah had music, Isaac had a video game, Avril had a movie and Owen had endless books handed to him. The only talking we did in the van was reading out of our states facts book and for one of the kids to announce that they were in need of a bathroom break. However, we proved that we can spend quality time amongst each other and no one was dropped of in Oklahoma.
But for real- our trip was great. We drove into 9 states and saw some of our country's finest landmarks. We also learned that in order to actually go into these landmarks you need: A. No small children, B. More money then we budgeted for and C. Naps ahead of time. But it was just fine for Joe and I to see the outside of Graceland, The lobby of the Gateway Arch and the outside of Lincoln's Home in Springfield. We know what we are doing when the kids are gone and we aren't upset because what kid cares where Lincoln lived with his family for over 15 years. I don't think it's worth 60 bucks for them to say, "that was so boring!" We did what we wanted to do on that trip and that was to spend time with grandma Nelson and visit my aunt Marlene. I know how much grandma loves to see the kids grow and the kids love her care free attitude. They can't jump on my beds or coffee table but at grandma Nelson's they can. And if grandma's not gonna come here because it's too cold then by golly we'll just have to go to her.
The last little leg of our trip was spent at a hotel in Chicago. I am such a huge fan of big cities! We met up with Auntie Barb and her beau Mark and took the train over to the Shedd Aquarium. Well worth the money....if you don't have a crabby toddler to carry around all day because some stupid mother decided not to bring the stroller on the train because she figured they would have them to rent when we got there. WRONG! So we had to cut that adventure a little short because Joe and I couldn't carry him for another second. But again- oh well...We have a lifetime to go again sometime. I am just thankful that we all got a much needed vacation, got to see grandma and made it home before the big ice storms that are now hitting the south.
Now we are home and back to the every day hustle and bustle of things. I don't know if Joe and I were together for a whole evening last week but I suppose there will be time for that in 20 or so years. Now we have to care for poor baby Owen and his terrible cough & teething at the same time. Avril turned "4" yesterday and I just got the notice in the mail today that she was picked to attend preschool for 4 days a week next year. Isaac had his 1st Pinewood derby race as a Tiger Cub Scout and Hannah got her 2nd "C" time at her swim meet today.
As fast as life is going I am afraid I am going to blink and it will be all gone. All my worries about what I don't get to do because of kids will be gone and I'll think, "what was I so worried about, it's not that big of a deal anyways. I sure wish the kids were with us to see this." Right?

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?