I know, I'm letting this blogging-thing slide a bit! I cannot keep up with "life" at the moment! It seems that the weeks just come and go to quickly! I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
We just got back from a week in MI. Too fun. :) I love going up there...yes, I do with we were closer yet! But, I do like it here, too. It wasn't such a long drive. Last Sunday I packed up the kids and headed north. We made a stop in Racine, WI, and picked up Ryan. So, at 6:15 pm we were all buckled up. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw 5 heads. YES, 5!! It was dark and we were still in Racine. For a moment I did wonder what I was doing, but that thought quickly faded and we headed north. Ryan kept asking, "what town are we in?" Finally, about the 10th time asking I said, "Oconto." "Oh, Oconto," he said. And, Erik pipes up, "Squanto?!" So, that led into some giggles and a big talk on Thanksgiving and the Indians, which, I was not a part of. It was fun listening to all the little voices in the back! We made it in record timing. We dropped Ryan off at 9:18...safe and sound. We didn't have to make any potty stops! Its amazing how short the trip gets when you can just drive!
We had a great week. I love Thanksgiving. I love being reminded of ALL the many blessings in my life! To name a few:
My family. I love my family. Both sides and all of them. :) I could not ask for better. :)
I am Thankful for the 10 miles my dad and I got to run on the roads in Wallace! I am so Thankful for Nathan and Kelli and if it weren't for them, I don't think my dad would be running anymore and I can tell you that we would not have been in Wallace! Its so great to have my dad back! :)
I'm thankful for 2 sets of Papas and Nanas that LOVE my kids! Too many kids do not know their grandparents and that breaks my heart. I had 2 sets growing up and I am SO thankful that my kids do to! There is nothing more important in a child's life than their Grandparents....that's what I think! :)
I'm thankful for a GREAT husband and 4 Healthy and Beautiful kids! Each one is so unique and different....they are each so very special and sweet! God has RICHLY blessed us! Why stop at 4, right?!! Well, 4 is good. :)
I'm thankful for a wonderful church that has welcomed us in this past year! I love our church and the friendships that I am making are priceless. God is so good to us!
The list goes on and on and on.
Now its time for Christmas. We walked in the door this afternoon, unpacked a little bit and I headed to Costco for some groceries. When I returned the Christmas decorations were out and for the first time in our family's history, I did not decorate the tree. :) I just watched as the kids did it themselves. Annika only broke 2 ornaments. One was mine from when I was little and one was Tim's. What can you do??!! They aren't going to last forever. The tree looks beautiful and I'm excited to have a few hours tomorrow by myself when Issy is sleeping and the rest are at school to finish up and get the Fall stuff put away! Mr. Turkey looks a little goofy on the mantel next to the tree! It seems like I just put him up there!
So, it will be another busy week. But, a good one. :) It snowed today, so I have the kids snow gear all bagged up and ready for school. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a smooth running morning! After a week of easy-going, I'm afraid there will be some tired little bums!
I'll try to post some pictures soon. And, I'll try to keep up a little better!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thursday night...
Has it really been this long?? Where is November going? I guess a lot has happened in the past couple of weeks! We've been busy just doing normal "stuff"....
Annika's been battling a cough. She'd cough all night long, so that means she is up and wanting to come in our room just to lay by us and cough! Poor thing! So, all day she is just exhausted and this is my girl who WILL NOT take a nap. If you want to get on her bad side, make her take one! Well, yesterday I MADE her take one. It was not pleasant, well, it was after she fell asleep! So, last night I tried the HOTTEST cough remedy on the market today. Vick's Vapor Rub! But, not on your chest, on your FEET! Just lather it up good, put some socks on, and go to bed. That child slept the WHOLE night without a cough. :) Thanks, Amy! Now, I know you are all going to try it next time! Tonight all FOUR of my kids have Vick's on their feet...and freshly cut toe nails.
The past few months I've been dabbling with possibly getting a new van. We talked about it in the spring before putting a couple thousand into our old van....but we just kept our van. Jason, my new best friend and car salesman, has been calling me every couple of months wondering how we are in our mission to find a van. I kept putting him off telling him we are not ready yet. Until, a few weeks ago when he called, then called again a few days later and then again a few days later. He's a very nice guy....you can't help but like him and was never pushy or shady like MOST car salesmen are! I always answered and chatted. Finally I just asked how much "my" new van could be mine for. I was really shocked when he told me the answer! So, passed it along to Tim. This went on for a couple weeks and some days Tim was going to get a new one and some days he wasn't. It was funny, we knew we were getting a good deal, but just wanted to make sure. I called the Toyota place on Tuesday and told him what I was in the market for and just had to see how comparable the prices were between the Odyssey and Sienna b/c they are both nice vans. Well, we were talking about prices and features and finally he said at the end, "yeah...that's a really good deal. Almost a too good to be true deal. I would love to earn your business, but I think I just sold you an Odyssey!" That was funny. So, I told Tim and he said we should just get it being we'd have to get a new one in the spring anyway! So, Mama has a new van. :) And, Mama did it all by herself! Tim just drove by it on Sunday to look at it being the dealership was closed! He's not a fan of buying new cars or anything for that matter......and even said the next house we buy is my department, as well. I welcome the challenge. He does have to go in tomorrow and sign some paperwork. But, Tim has a hard time with change (grin!) and is keeping our Silver van. Its funny, I've been driving my old van for almost 3 months with no driver side mirror. I've gotten so used to not using it that yesterday and today I am just trying to get back into the habit of using one! Its been interesting.
We have had some funny moments in our house. Issy's been a little character, as always, and started picking up objects and putting them behind her ear and saying, "doh!" She is just too fun. :)
Annika was crying yesterday on the way to get our new van and through her tears says, "Mommy, why did Grandma Berniece have to die?" Break my heart, child! Not a good moment to bring that up.
Erik had to excuse himself from dinner the other night because Alaina made him laugh so hard he peed in his pants.
Last night I picked the kids up from AWANA. Erik had blood on his shirt and an accident report in his hand. Apparently another child ran into him during game time and hit him pretty hard in the nose. He held it together until we go home and he just got really angry that someone would do that to him. I think it was an accident!
The kids completely emptied their closets on Tuesday. I had a wholegrain 101/pressure cooker class here, so I was not upstairs with them. But, their Dad was. Annika welcomed people at the door with a princess dress on, a really long blond wig, high heels and a tiera. They kept coming down with CRAZY stuff on all excited that they FOUND this and that. OH DEAR! I know that all that is there....there is nothing to be found. If I wanted you to have that I wouldn't have put it high up in your closets! So, I have a mess to pick up. Too bad for them, because when they pull stuff like this (emptying places onto their floors) most of the stuff goes to goodwill and not back in a "spot!"
That's it for tonight. I have to get to bed! There's more to write, but I'm too tired!
Annika's been battling a cough. She'd cough all night long, so that means she is up and wanting to come in our room just to lay by us and cough! Poor thing! So, all day she is just exhausted and this is my girl who WILL NOT take a nap. If you want to get on her bad side, make her take one! Well, yesterday I MADE her take one. It was not pleasant, well, it was after she fell asleep! So, last night I tried the HOTTEST cough remedy on the market today. Vick's Vapor Rub! But, not on your chest, on your FEET! Just lather it up good, put some socks on, and go to bed. That child slept the WHOLE night without a cough. :) Thanks, Amy! Now, I know you are all going to try it next time! Tonight all FOUR of my kids have Vick's on their feet...and freshly cut toe nails.
The past few months I've been dabbling with possibly getting a new van. We talked about it in the spring before putting a couple thousand into our old van....but we just kept our van. Jason, my new best friend and car salesman, has been calling me every couple of months wondering how we are in our mission to find a van. I kept putting him off telling him we are not ready yet. Until, a few weeks ago when he called, then called again a few days later and then again a few days later. He's a very nice guy....you can't help but like him and was never pushy or shady like MOST car salesmen are! I always answered and chatted. Finally I just asked how much "my" new van could be mine for. I was really shocked when he told me the answer! So, passed it along to Tim. This went on for a couple weeks and some days Tim was going to get a new one and some days he wasn't. It was funny, we knew we were getting a good deal, but just wanted to make sure. I called the Toyota place on Tuesday and told him what I was in the market for and just had to see how comparable the prices were between the Odyssey and Sienna b/c they are both nice vans. Well, we were talking about prices and features and finally he said at the end, "yeah...that's a really good deal. Almost a too good to be true deal. I would love to earn your business, but I think I just sold you an Odyssey!" That was funny. So, I told Tim and he said we should just get it being we'd have to get a new one in the spring anyway! So, Mama has a new van. :) And, Mama did it all by herself! Tim just drove by it on Sunday to look at it being the dealership was closed! He's not a fan of buying new cars or anything for that matter......and even said the next house we buy is my department, as well. I welcome the challenge. He does have to go in tomorrow and sign some paperwork. But, Tim has a hard time with change (grin!) and is keeping our Silver van. Its funny, I've been driving my old van for almost 3 months with no driver side mirror. I've gotten so used to not using it that yesterday and today I am just trying to get back into the habit of using one! Its been interesting.
We have had some funny moments in our house. Issy's been a little character, as always, and started picking up objects and putting them behind her ear and saying, "doh!" She is just too fun. :)
Annika was crying yesterday on the way to get our new van and through her tears says, "Mommy, why did Grandma Berniece have to die?" Break my heart, child! Not a good moment to bring that up.
Erik had to excuse himself from dinner the other night because Alaina made him laugh so hard he peed in his pants.
Last night I picked the kids up from AWANA. Erik had blood on his shirt and an accident report in his hand. Apparently another child ran into him during game time and hit him pretty hard in the nose. He held it together until we go home and he just got really angry that someone would do that to him. I think it was an accident!
The kids completely emptied their closets on Tuesday. I had a wholegrain 101/pressure cooker class here, so I was not upstairs with them. But, their Dad was. Annika welcomed people at the door with a princess dress on, a really long blond wig, high heels and a tiera. They kept coming down with CRAZY stuff on all excited that they FOUND this and that. OH DEAR! I know that all that is there....there is nothing to be found. If I wanted you to have that I wouldn't have put it high up in your closets! So, I have a mess to pick up. Too bad for them, because when they pull stuff like this (emptying places onto their floors) most of the stuff goes to goodwill and not back in a "spot!"
That's it for tonight. I have to get to bed! There's more to write, but I'm too tired!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Haloween
I'm not a real big fan of carving pumpkins. But, its something that I have to do as a mom!! I'd rather paint them and put wigs on them like my mom did sometimes when we were little. Its funny.....Alaina drew a face on hers that she wanted us to carve out. Ummm.....it was a little tiny "girl" face! But, with the hair she drew it still looked like a girl. They had fun and yes, I did carve them in my kitchen! It was a pretty easy clean-up!
Happy November 1st!
What a good Halloween!! The kids looked cute. We mastered the art of making bunny ears, and I didn't have to buy Annika, Erik, or Issy's costumes. :) So, we came off pretty easy this year. :)
Erik DID NOT like his eyebrows and mustache. I, personally, thought it made his whole costume. But, I guess he felt a little self conscience. He did wear them to the little party we went to on Thursday (and won an award for the funniest costume!) but would not for school! I made him have them for my pictures! Then I took them off before trick-or-treating, he cheered up after they came off.
They got so much candy. Its crazy. I'm so glad the candy fairy comes and takes it all away!! But, that means Mom still has it around....its just hiding! The fairy came and left books for the little people and dance lessons for Alaina. She's been wanting to go for so long, but I've been putting it off! She went on Wednesday to "bring a friend" night and LOVED it. She and her friend, Sara, would be in the same class on Saturdays, so I thought it would be a good time for her to go. Alaina was not as excited as I thought she'd be. She wanted this new Barbie and just new the Candy Fairy would bring it. So, there was no jumping up and down about dance. It was just a letter in her bag and the others got real books! But, after a few talks from me and her dad, she realized that it was pretty cool. She just came in with a Thank You letter for the fairy and is a very happy little girl dancing around. I guess its a hard lesson to learn when you are 7. How exciting. :)
Issy didn't get any candy this year. She just rode in the wagon and looked adorable. Her costume was too small and wouldn't button under her bum, but she didn't care. She was loving it. :)
Next year I'm dressing up. I have to plan ahead though, because Halloween just seems to sneak up on me! Boom, its tomorrow!!
Its another mystery in my house! I started off with 3 of these. One broke a year ago by a flying dog. I just came across this yesterday.....Annika said Erik did it and Erik said Annika did it. Is that normal??!! We did get to the bottom of it, though. The rule is the kids are NOT allowed to play in the carpet...meaning the dining room and living room. Everytime they do something gets broke or someone gets hurt. It true....why is it so hard to understand! I mean, Ebony, the dog we had growing up figured it out really fast that she couldn't go on the carpet!
Happy November 1st!
What a good Halloween!! The kids looked cute. We mastered the art of making bunny ears, and I didn't have to buy Annika, Erik, or Issy's costumes. :) So, we came off pretty easy this year. :)
Erik DID NOT like his eyebrows and mustache. I, personally, thought it made his whole costume. But, I guess he felt a little self conscience. He did wear them to the little party we went to on Thursday (and won an award for the funniest costume!) but would not for school! I made him have them for my pictures! Then I took them off before trick-or-treating, he cheered up after they came off.
They got so much candy. Its crazy. I'm so glad the candy fairy comes and takes it all away!! But, that means Mom still has it around....its just hiding! The fairy came and left books for the little people and dance lessons for Alaina. She's been wanting to go for so long, but I've been putting it off! She went on Wednesday to "bring a friend" night and LOVED it. She and her friend, Sara, would be in the same class on Saturdays, so I thought it would be a good time for her to go. Alaina was not as excited as I thought she'd be. She wanted this new Barbie and just new the Candy Fairy would bring it. So, there was no jumping up and down about dance. It was just a letter in her bag and the others got real books! But, after a few talks from me and her dad, she realized that it was pretty cool. She just came in with a Thank You letter for the fairy and is a very happy little girl dancing around. I guess its a hard lesson to learn when you are 7. How exciting. :)
Issy didn't get any candy this year. She just rode in the wagon and looked adorable. Her costume was too small and wouldn't button under her bum, but she didn't care. She was loving it. :)
Next year I'm dressing up. I have to plan ahead though, because Halloween just seems to sneak up on me! Boom, its tomorrow!!
Its another mystery in my house! I started off with 3 of these. One broke a year ago by a flying dog. I just came across this yesterday.....Annika said Erik did it and Erik said Annika did it. Is that normal??!! We did get to the bottom of it, though. The rule is the kids are NOT allowed to play in the carpet...meaning the dining room and living room. Everytime they do something gets broke or someone gets hurt. It true....why is it so hard to understand! I mean, Ebony, the dog we had growing up figured it out really fast that she couldn't go on the carpet!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Canada, finally!
Finally, after about 5 times of sitting and trying to get these downloaded....I succeeded!
This is how we left Isabel. Am I a bad mother, or what?! And, it was my fault. I was cleaning out the back of the van, so I had the middle seats leaning forward. I put the seat back, buckled her in and took off. At the stopsign at the end our our street, I put the brakes on and Issy's whole seat crashed forward, smashing her into the seat in front of her. I jumped out and got her out....I felt SO bad. The bottom of her seat was not latched tightly into the floor! Luckily we were on our way to the doctor, and he assured me that everything would be fine. It would just look pretty bad for awhile!
Did I say "tomorrow" in my last post??! I guess I meant next week! Fheww! Life goes by pretty fast! But, a really good week-and-a-half. Now I get to remember the good times we had in Canada. Tim was in his element. I guess when most husbands surprise their wives with a trip it usually involves a beach somewhere! Nope, not Tim....he'd burn! He is SOOO a Mountain Guy....but I encourage that because I LOVE the mountains! And, most husbands would be thrilled to get a cool, little, sporty car or SUV as a rental. Not Tim! He was SO EXCITED when we walked up to our car and it was a GRAND MARQUIS! Yes, a boat of a car. But, it did have leather and a sunroof, so all was good. They do ride nice, but they certainly don't make you feel cool!!
We had so much fun. Papa Bob and Nana Shirley picked up the kids in Green Bay. They sure were not sad to see us leave! And, we blasted off and they bombed back to MI. We were really on our own! I haven't flown alone with Tim since before Alaina was born. Let me tell you, it was really nice. :)
Canada was COLD. Tim kept telling me a high of 58....that wasn't so bad. But, that wasn't true. The first thing we did in Calgary was hit the Mountain Equipment Co op and buy head warmers and gloves! I'm so glad I did. SO, all these pictures....yes, I am pretty much wearing the same thing everyday! I layered all I had and even had to hit up the Gap for more long tees! But, it was still so much fun. Hiking and just being in the mountains was too good. :)
These pictures are all messed up in order-wise. I thought I had a system down so when I download they come up in the order they are suppose to be, but not this time. And, you probably wouldn't know the difference anyway! So, here's our fun weekend away. :)
Tim would get irritated with me because I'd move too slow. Not so much hiking slow, but just in general. Or, I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to do. I just kept saying that I have to keep 4 kids moving all the time and I have to decide pretty much everything for them all day, so it was nice to have someone tell me what to do! But, even when I did suggest what I wanted to do, like the mountain zipline!! Tim didn't go for it anyway. He had a better idea! I just think he was too scared!
Just have a look. I highly recommend Calgary and Banff. It is so beautiful up there!!
Here we are at the entrance! I had the camera propped up on the open door and rolled down window of the car.....it only took a few shots!
Our first hike. VERY COLD, but we made it. :) We went to the top of Tunnel Mountain. Its funny, Banff is a very touristy place, esp for Japanese people. So, everytime we would get to the top of somewhere, a group would always follow!!
Tim calling his mom to check on the kids...they sure weren't missing us!
I remember a tree like this on one of my big hikes through the Colorado Rockies (14 years ago). But, that time I pretended to ride on it. There was no way I was going to get my buns up there!
The famous Lake Louise. GORGEOUS!
More Lake Louise...
Further up this trail we hit snow and ice! It was so slippery that we both could not stop laughing! But, at the top was a little tea cabin. So, it made it all worth it. This was on our way to Lake Agnes, just a hike up from Lake Louise.
The tea cabin on Lake Agnes. Tim was really enjoying his pink Angel Mist tea!
Just a shot from the sun roof in the car. Breathtaking!
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Here we are in a cave that takes you to a hot spring. We didn't get to go in this one, but we did go in Hot Springs on Friday. I didn't take my camera in, though, and wish I would have! I forgot my swimsuit (along with ALL my undies!) on this trip, but you could rent swimsuits for $1.90. They were the "old" style suits from the 20's!! Very funny, too. Tim assured me that there would be other people there that would have the rented suits on, but when we got into the spring, there were just a lot of stylish bikinis! But, who cares. It was warm and the Springs were wonderful!
Our last hike was just around aJohnson Lake. No elevation...just a walk. :) It was nice...and easy! Just what we both needed. Although, Mr. Big Hike did get pretty wiped out from the 3 we did the day before!
I was hoping to see more wildlife, but we just saw this little beauty!
We ate out every meal, but breakfast....talked a lot (and sometimes just sat!), did a lot of window shopping and walking in downtown Banff. We stayed right downtown in a lodge this time rather than off in a cabin like we did our honeymoon. It was just too fun to just have to think about each other and know that the kids were well taken care of!
But, this is what Issy looked like when we picked her up! We had to cancel our family photo session due to this black eye, but all is well now. She's back to normal and as beautiful as ever. :)
This is how we left Isabel. Am I a bad mother, or what?! And, it was my fault. I was cleaning out the back of the van, so I had the middle seats leaning forward. I put the seat back, buckled her in and took off. At the stopsign at the end our our street, I put the brakes on and Issy's whole seat crashed forward, smashing her into the seat in front of her. I jumped out and got her out....I felt SO bad. The bottom of her seat was not latched tightly into the floor! Luckily we were on our way to the doctor, and he assured me that everything would be fine. It would just look pretty bad for awhile!
Did I say "tomorrow" in my last post??! I guess I meant next week! Fheww! Life goes by pretty fast! But, a really good week-and-a-half. Now I get to remember the good times we had in Canada. Tim was in his element. I guess when most husbands surprise their wives with a trip it usually involves a beach somewhere! Nope, not Tim....he'd burn! He is SOOO a Mountain Guy....but I encourage that because I LOVE the mountains! And, most husbands would be thrilled to get a cool, little, sporty car or SUV as a rental. Not Tim! He was SO EXCITED when we walked up to our car and it was a GRAND MARQUIS! Yes, a boat of a car. But, it did have leather and a sunroof, so all was good. They do ride nice, but they certainly don't make you feel cool!!
We had so much fun. Papa Bob and Nana Shirley picked up the kids in Green Bay. They sure were not sad to see us leave! And, we blasted off and they bombed back to MI. We were really on our own! I haven't flown alone with Tim since before Alaina was born. Let me tell you, it was really nice. :)
Canada was COLD. Tim kept telling me a high of 58....that wasn't so bad. But, that wasn't true. The first thing we did in Calgary was hit the Mountain Equipment Co op and buy head warmers and gloves! I'm so glad I did. SO, all these pictures....yes, I am pretty much wearing the same thing everyday! I layered all I had and even had to hit up the Gap for more long tees! But, it was still so much fun. Hiking and just being in the mountains was too good. :)
These pictures are all messed up in order-wise. I thought I had a system down so when I download they come up in the order they are suppose to be, but not this time. And, you probably wouldn't know the difference anyway! So, here's our fun weekend away. :)
Tim would get irritated with me because I'd move too slow. Not so much hiking slow, but just in general. Or, I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to do. I just kept saying that I have to keep 4 kids moving all the time and I have to decide pretty much everything for them all day, so it was nice to have someone tell me what to do! But, even when I did suggest what I wanted to do, like the mountain zipline!! Tim didn't go for it anyway. He had a better idea! I just think he was too scared!
Just have a look. I highly recommend Calgary and Banff. It is so beautiful up there!!
Here we are at the entrance! I had the camera propped up on the open door and rolled down window of the car.....it only took a few shots!
Our first hike. VERY COLD, but we made it. :) We went to the top of Tunnel Mountain. Its funny, Banff is a very touristy place, esp for Japanese people. So, everytime we would get to the top of somewhere, a group would always follow!!
Tim calling his mom to check on the kids...they sure weren't missing us!
I remember a tree like this on one of my big hikes through the Colorado Rockies (14 years ago). But, that time I pretended to ride on it. There was no way I was going to get my buns up there!
The famous Lake Louise. GORGEOUS!
More Lake Louise...
Further up this trail we hit snow and ice! It was so slippery that we both could not stop laughing! But, at the top was a little tea cabin. So, it made it all worth it. This was on our way to Lake Agnes, just a hike up from Lake Louise.
The tea cabin on Lake Agnes. Tim was really enjoying his pink Angel Mist tea!
Just a shot from the sun roof in the car. Breathtaking!
/s1600-h/IMG_3790.JPG">
Here we are in a cave that takes you to a hot spring. We didn't get to go in this one, but we did go in Hot Springs on Friday. I didn't take my camera in, though, and wish I would have! I forgot my swimsuit (along with ALL my undies!) on this trip, but you could rent swimsuits for $1.90. They were the "old" style suits from the 20's!! Very funny, too. Tim assured me that there would be other people there that would have the rented suits on, but when we got into the spring, there were just a lot of stylish bikinis! But, who cares. It was warm and the Springs were wonderful!
Our last hike was just around aJohnson Lake. No elevation...just a walk. :) It was nice...and easy! Just what we both needed. Although, Mr. Big Hike did get pretty wiped out from the 3 we did the day before!
I was hoping to see more wildlife, but we just saw this little beauty!
We ate out every meal, but breakfast....talked a lot (and sometimes just sat!), did a lot of window shopping and walking in downtown Banff. We stayed right downtown in a lodge this time rather than off in a cabin like we did our honeymoon. It was just too fun to just have to think about each other and know that the kids were well taken care of!
But, this is what Issy looked like when we picked her up! We had to cancel our family photo session due to this black eye, but all is well now. She's back to normal and as beautiful as ever. :)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Big Birthday Weekend....
What a big weekend. We had so much fun with the Papas and the Nanas! Even Ryan and Grape Grandma came! Lots of people, lots of food, and lots of fun. :) I usually like to go in order of how events happened, but I'm jumping ahead now to Issy's birthday....so Canada and Is's black eye will come tomorrow! She had her tubes put in her ears on Friday morning. That went super. I think she turned into a different kid! She's always been pleasant and happy, but she just turned into Miss Personality this weekend!! What a super little girl....so fun and easy going.
On Saturday our friends from Sartell, MN stopped by. It was fun to see them again! We just saw them in July....so its been twice in just a few months! The big girls had fun dressing Isabel up as Snow White. I think Issy liked it, too! So, here's all the kids....plus Ryan. :)
For the first time we had to have a "kids" table! Our big table was full! The kids thought it was just great! It got a little crazy over there, but I remember us when we were little. There was never a dull moment at our kids' tables!
We had muffins with candles in for breakfast on Sunday morning. Issy wasn't too sure about hers, but the big kids liked the candles! Then off to church for her dedication! I do have pictures, but I'm running out of time! I almost made it through with no tears. But, how could I not?!! God has blessed us with FOUR great kids!!
Just checking out the candle! She just started blowing on things Saturday! Just in time!
I guess its a challenge for me to make the birthday cakes.....this one turned out okay....not my favorite, though! Its suppose to be a fluffy, white cat stalking the mouse sitting on a hunk of cheese. The "cheese" cake is the one that we let her "dig" into. And, mom made that one.....without following the directions! So, it turned out a little more creative than the picture! Although, you can tell from the pictures that "digging" into a cake is just not her thing. She preferred to just stick her finger in it and lick her finger. There was no mess with this child!
Finally we just cut her cake! The kids wanted the "yellow" frosting and not the coconut!
And, she didn't get much chance to open her presents.....she had too much help!
Tomorrow I should have diaper picture. Has it really been a year? Time goes so fast. I cannot imagine our lives without this little redhead. God has truly blessed us! Happy Birthday Little Punkin!
How many Papas and Nanas does it take to fix a garage door?? Was this funny.....I haven't had an opening garage door for a few weeks. The "people" were suppose to come fix it the day we left for Canada, but they didn't come. Good deal, though, because just having Bob in town saved us $350! Tim always seems to get projects done when he's here. :) So, anyway, as you can see my Dad has the biggest shovel, so he thought he was the most important and, my mom just wanted to get in the picture.....a Swiffer is not going to do much good! It was just funny.....and now it works. Thank you garage door fixer helpers and most importantly, TIM!! And, I also have a mailbox with a door on it now! Its only been since February! Thanks Papa and Nana for that! I love it. :)
After everyone left this morning it was so quiet around here! It was just Issy and me and we were both wiped out. So, a little Baby Einstein was in order. She sat just like a big girl and watched the whole thing. What a little sweetie.
On Saturday our friends from Sartell, MN stopped by. It was fun to see them again! We just saw them in July....so its been twice in just a few months! The big girls had fun dressing Isabel up as Snow White. I think Issy liked it, too! So, here's all the kids....plus Ryan. :)
For the first time we had to have a "kids" table! Our big table was full! The kids thought it was just great! It got a little crazy over there, but I remember us when we were little. There was never a dull moment at our kids' tables!
We had muffins with candles in for breakfast on Sunday morning. Issy wasn't too sure about hers, but the big kids liked the candles! Then off to church for her dedication! I do have pictures, but I'm running out of time! I almost made it through with no tears. But, how could I not?!! God has blessed us with FOUR great kids!!
Just checking out the candle! She just started blowing on things Saturday! Just in time!
I guess its a challenge for me to make the birthday cakes.....this one turned out okay....not my favorite, though! Its suppose to be a fluffy, white cat stalking the mouse sitting on a hunk of cheese. The "cheese" cake is the one that we let her "dig" into. And, mom made that one.....without following the directions! So, it turned out a little more creative than the picture! Although, you can tell from the pictures that "digging" into a cake is just not her thing. She preferred to just stick her finger in it and lick her finger. There was no mess with this child!
Finally we just cut her cake! The kids wanted the "yellow" frosting and not the coconut!
And, she didn't get much chance to open her presents.....she had too much help!
Tomorrow I should have diaper picture. Has it really been a year? Time goes so fast. I cannot imagine our lives without this little redhead. God has truly blessed us! Happy Birthday Little Punkin!
How many Papas and Nanas does it take to fix a garage door?? Was this funny.....I haven't had an opening garage door for a few weeks. The "people" were suppose to come fix it the day we left for Canada, but they didn't come. Good deal, though, because just having Bob in town saved us $350! Tim always seems to get projects done when he's here. :) So, anyway, as you can see my Dad has the biggest shovel, so he thought he was the most important and, my mom just wanted to get in the picture.....a Swiffer is not going to do much good! It was just funny.....and now it works. Thank you garage door fixer helpers and most importantly, TIM!! And, I also have a mailbox with a door on it now! Its only been since February! Thanks Papa and Nana for that! I love it. :)
After everyone left this morning it was so quiet around here! It was just Issy and me and we were both wiped out. So, a little Baby Einstein was in order. She sat just like a big girl and watched the whole thing. What a little sweetie.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sunday...
I'm sorry I've been slacking!! It's Issy's birthday today.....Pupsi, Nana, Grandma Marlyce, Ryan, Papa Bob, and Nana Shirley are here! We've had a fun weekend! So, I'll be posting pictures of the big birthday & dedication and also of our WONDERFUL and QUIET trip to Canada soon. It's cake time. :)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Amazing Grace
Today has been a really good day. Getting ready for church went well....no problems like there usually are! I had my running clothes laid out by the bed so I could just get up and go, but after I went to bed I decided not to go. I thought I could use a rest day! So, it was not fun to hear Issy at 6:15! But, as I was getting up Tim sprung up and said he'd take her. WOW! I slept in until 7:45! Apparently, Issy had leaked through her diaper, so she was all wet. He took care of it all. :) Thanks, Tim!
We got to church on time and the kids went to their Sunday School classes as usual. After Sunday School, we picked up Erik and Alaina. They sit with us during the worship music before heading down to Jr. church. They have a hard time sitting, standing, singing, and listening for those 25 minutes. Today was different. There was no fight over pens and Erik actually sat still and quiet! They were writing in their children's bulletins when we started singing Amazing Grace (the Chris Tomblen version). Alaina stood up on the pew, put her arms around my shoulders and sang the song word for word right in my ear. I could not hold back the tears! The kids are singing all the time, but this time it was different! We pray so hard that our kids will grow up to love and honor God, and this was just a confirmation that we are on the right track.
Alaina had the best day, too. During lunch she told us, "God is incomprehensible." She is so right! It was cute to hear that big word come out of her! It's fun to talk to her about God and what it means to be a Christian. She understands a lot more than we think she does. She knows now what it really means to follow Jesus. She's concerned about the people in her life that do not follow Jesus. We struggle with her attitude and "the spunks," as we call them. She has a look that would kill you if looks could kill! But, today her smile shone brightly all day. And, the more we praised her the bigger the smile became. Thank you, God, for this beautiful 7 year-old that loves You!!
We got to church on time and the kids went to their Sunday School classes as usual. After Sunday School, we picked up Erik and Alaina. They sit with us during the worship music before heading down to Jr. church. They have a hard time sitting, standing, singing, and listening for those 25 minutes. Today was different. There was no fight over pens and Erik actually sat still and quiet! They were writing in their children's bulletins when we started singing Amazing Grace (the Chris Tomblen version). Alaina stood up on the pew, put her arms around my shoulders and sang the song word for word right in my ear. I could not hold back the tears! The kids are singing all the time, but this time it was different! We pray so hard that our kids will grow up to love and honor God, and this was just a confirmation that we are on the right track.
Alaina had the best day, too. During lunch she told us, "God is incomprehensible." She is so right! It was cute to hear that big word come out of her! It's fun to talk to her about God and what it means to be a Christian. She understands a lot more than we think she does. She knows now what it really means to follow Jesus. She's concerned about the people in her life that do not follow Jesus. We struggle with her attitude and "the spunks," as we call them. She has a look that would kill you if looks could kill! But, today her smile shone brightly all day. And, the more we praised her the bigger the smile became. Thank you, God, for this beautiful 7 year-old that loves You!!
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