Friday

On Friday Bob and Shirley took my kids. Amy, Mom, and I headed down to Green Bay. It always gets a little crazy with the 3 of us. We met "Auntie" Colleen at Margaritas. Too fun. Its been 23 years since we've really seen each other! The memories flood back....I was only Alaina's age when she was around. She taught me to cross stitch and she was always so creative. I remember hanging out with her while mom and dad were in Mexico pleading with her to stop sewing! I would love to have her abilities! Maybe when my kids are a little older my sewing machine will come back from hiding in the back of my closet. I have missed her so much over the years, so a night out was fun.

I hope I posted the right one! The others with Mom in Amy did not look good (so she thought) so I was told not to post them!

After dinner we headed back to MI. Leave it to mom to get crazy on us. When I picked her up it was kind of rushed to get to Amy's on time, so I just had her bring me a snack so I wouldn't pass out on the way down! She brought many. On our way home, she was missing out sitting in the WAY back of Amy's van. There was so seat, except Vincenzo's, in the middle so she just sat on the floor. Well, she sat on my snack bag. Oh the laughs and giggles started. If you know my mom you can probably hear her through the computer!

We're back....

I know....its been awhile. People have been reminding me! But, I'm back now. Do you ever feel like you are just going and going and going but not getting anywhere? It seems to me that it is always Monday and Friday. The weeks fly by so fast that it is almost scary! Oh if the days could just slow down a little bit! So, I'll just begin where I left off.

We had a really fun time in Michigan last week for Spring Break. A little bit chilly, but it was just too fun. And, I do need to say that it was a very easy week. The kids were so good and just went with the flow. We were all together everyday, except Friday when they all went to Papa Bob and Nana Shirley's. They swam in the hot tub pretty much every day, played games, colored, and played with Ben. Ben is the new "outside" puppy at my mom's. He is WAY TOO CUTE and FUN! I'm not really a dog person, but I just really like him. And, the older Erik gets the more I realize he is a country boy. All he needs is a place to run and a dog to run with him!






Along with Ben, the kids got to talk to the horses. They were all sleeping in the far corner of the pasture. My mom whistled and they got up and came trotting. Erik ran out to meet them and some how got them all in a line. It was too funny. The kids loved on them for a little while and the horses were in heaven. They love the attention and the kids just laugh!

Line 'em up! Nice job, E!


We always laugh at Erik....he can never just sit by you, he has to be on you! He lays on Issy...she gets mad. But, he found two "things" that do not get mad when he lays on them! Buck and Ben. See...he is SOOO country!



Chuck and Annika were bonding.

And, more bonding!

Can you hear the giggles through the computer?!


Buck...what a sweetie!


Annika was loving it!


We had a fun few days. I'll write more later....promise! I have all the picture number written down so I can easily download. But, for now, I have to go watch Fireproof with Tim. This week is HUGE. Tuesday we pick up Ryan in Gurnee, Wednesday we pick up Auntie Shirley and Uncle Jaan at the airport (!!!!), Thursday the Speziale van drives down FULL of people (Pupsi, Nana Bev, Amy, Vince, Caleb, Vincenzo, and Chloe! But, the best part is Tim, me, Amy, and Vince are heading out on Friday for the Weekend to Remember Marriage conference here in Chicago. We are leaving all 7 kids behind! :) I have been wanting to go to this conference for about 7 years. And, FINALLY!! I am so excited. I can say that Tim is not so much...especially now that he realized he is going to miss the big Basketball game on Saturday, but he'll get over it!

Alaina's tooth.

Yay! Its out! Well, its been out for a little while, but I'm just now getting these online! What an ordeal....but its done. :)

Birthday cake

We had a fun filled day for Erik's birthday. It was great having Pupsi and Nana here! As you can see from the pictures below we went to Pump it Up and he wanted a Pump it Up cake. Well, its not exactly what he wanted because to get that exact one you have to buy it from the place! But, this worked out good and he liked it. It just has the logo man on it! And, with Pupsi around even blowing out your candles can be challenging!

Pump it Up!

Erik turned 6 on Januray 19th. 6 already??! But, its exciting to see him grow up and mature each year. :) He wanted nothing more than to go to Pump it Up for his birthday. But, a party there is $300 plus and I just could not do that! But, I did find a sweet deal where we could have 10 kids for $100. That would give us the place to ourselves for 1 hour....1/2 hour in each jumping room. And, hey, if we get the rooms to ourselves them I get to jump! Oh yeah, and Nana, too. :)


Nana in her element! All Erik's friends thought she was pretty cool!!


Alaina hoola hoopin'.


Nana heading down the slide!


WHhoop! Slide gave Nana a wedgie!!


Issy slide! She didn't like it very much. I guess she is not as adventurous as Annika at this age!


Alaina heading down!


There goes Annika!


And, the birthday boy!


And the MAMA!


Here's the whole party. What a fun time. :) I know we will be doing this again.

Pancakes

Here she is taking Girl Scout Cookie orders from Papa Bob. She had originally had him down for 4 boxes of each cookie, but after some clarification it was 4 boxes total and Alaina could pick which ones!

Alaina has really grown a lot the past few months. She got a new Paula Deen cookbook from my sister for Christmas and she LOVES it. She loves to cook and bake. I just wish I had more time and patience to do it with her more often! I was her age when I'd go to Grandma Berniece's and we would bake up a storm all day and play Skipbo or other games when the cookies were baking! She would have so much fun with her right now!! But, I guess its up to me.

Alaina has really been into making pancakes. She does it by herself from start to finish...and they turn out perfect! Erik is excited because he could eat pancakes for every meal!!

Crackers Anyone?

Sometimes I don't think I am going to make it. Ever feel that way? Right now I would consider myself in survival mode. I love the kids ages....they really are fun, but Issy's age is the most challenging. When the other kids were this age I felt the same way. Will they ever be able to talk? Or, is it always going to be point and scream? And, into everything. It seems I am always telling the kids to shut doors!! Ahhh!! But, this season will pass soon enough, right? I've been through it 3 times. Surely I can do it once more!

But, they are cute. I walked into the kitchen the other day to this. She was having a good time and wasn't making a "hard" mess, so I just let her continue.