All Boy!!!! Oh boy

I came into the kitchen today to look for my Joseph. This is where I found him!!!!! Yikes, is he ever a climber. Then later today he climbed up to the top bunk in the girls' room. He is only 18 months old. I want my baby to be a baby a little bit longer :(

I also want to brag on my wonderful husband. Last night I had a meeting at church and then had to get a couple of projects done. I came home to the house being completely clean, the kids fed, jammies on and ready for bed. Then I found out that the last load of laundry was in the dryer! He is a better stay at home mom than I! It was such a huge blessing.

Then tonight we ate dinner in the livingroom by Christmas tree light and watched Polar Express on the couch as a family. It was so wonderful! Great start to the holiday season.

I am so very blessed.

Saturday

I couldn't resist these adorable matching shirts for my babies. They did such a good job posing for me. By the time they are 10 they will be more comfortable in front of a camera than a professional model :)

We had a Sunday School decorating party to go to in the afternoon, so we were going to drop our kids by Allen's parents so they could play with their cousin and would help us watch the other kids.

On the way we could have been on COPS. We were going straight on Rt 3 but were stopped at the light. A truck was next to us turning right. All of a sudden I heard brakes, a door slam and before we could get off the line a guy from the vehicle that was on the other side of the truck on the shoulder got out and started beating the guy in the truck yelling like a lunatic "what is your problem buddy". He was the one with the problem. I don't know what he was doing on the shoulder. I think he was trying to cut off the guy in the truck turning right. We went through the intersection. I called 911 right away. Allen got out but didn't want to get near the guy as who knew what he would do. He was yelling at him to stop. This went on for a good 2-3 minutes. One of the guys teenage daughters got out of the car and was yelling at her dad to stop and get back in the car. Finally the guy in the truck had enough (I think he was just in shock that this was happening) threw a punch at the psycho and when the guy reeled back he took off! It was so gross to be witnessing. Allen tried to get the license plate of the crazied man but unfortunately it was a temporary tag!!!

I felt so helpless. I couldn't leave my kids, nor did I really want them to know what was going on. I also didn't want Allen to get hurt. But what do you do in a situation like this? There were about 4 cars of witnesses. All had called the cops, but no one but Allen got out and no one stopped the man. This has really bothered me. What was the "right" thing to do???

We had three kids out of our normal 5-6 from our Sunday School class come to help decorate our classroom for Christmas. They did such a super job. I was so proud of them. It looks like a Christmas explosion in our room...very festive and very sweet!

This is Cody plugging in and unplugging the lights while we all wonder what is wrong with that stupid strand of lights. Finally Karen caught him :)

Kyle and Karen laughing and decorating!

Beth and Carrie taking a much needed break from their vehicle. They stopped by to say hi on their way back to TN from CO. It was SO good to see them all!!!

Kathleen working on the garland in the hallway. Notice her tail :)

So, thankfully the day ended better than it began!

Our Thanksgiving!!!

This year was our year to stay in IL for Thanksgiving. Allen's sister, Michelle, and her husband Alan and their 14 month old Julianna came to visit. The kids loved playing with their cousin. Julianna actually loved all the action and was sad to see her cousins take a nap (she is a little insomniac so there were times when my kids were sleeping and she wasn't...poor Michelle!). They all got along GREAT!

Papa and MawMaw brought up the horse for the kids to ride. That was quite a hit!

MawMaw and the girls working on the chocolate cream pies. Yum!

Papa carving up one of two turkeys he cooked. MawMaw and Papa were up before five to get all the birds ready to cook. Thank you so much! They were wonderful :)

Alan making his yummy rice dressing. Hmm...has anyone noticed that I am not pictured in any of these cooking pictures? It is no coincidence??? What was I doing?

You got it!!!! Watching my Packers feast on the Lions :) It was so much fun to watch. I was supposed to be on clean up duty, but we ended up eating at half time. I was excused from that as well. How spoiled am I? What did I do to contribute? I am afraid not much...perhaps it was just gracing everyone with my presence.....nope that can't be it!



Uncle Gary and Aunt Carlma enjoying the Packer game with me.

Alan's aunt Kathy came with Alan and Michelle as well. She told us all about her boyfriend :) We enjoyed teasing and scaring each other the whole holiday! She helped me cheer for the Packers as well :)

Joseph enjoyed the freedom of growing taller. He is now able to get himself up on a lot more things.I love that smile!
Miss Julianna decided this weekend that walking would be much more efficient. I am not sure if it was cousin peer pressure or the desire to keep her fingers out of harms way that inspired her to walk. Way to go, Julianna! Here is Uncle Allen helping her get started.
This was so sweet. Julianna was getting fussy and was crying. Joseph came in a gave her his blanket. Now you have to understand this was quite the sacrifice for this little guy. He has become quite a little Linus these days minus the thumb sucking. He won't even let his sisters have his blanket. So, it did my mommy heart good to see him ministering to his cousin! Notice Julianna has found a new place to put her finger. Too funny!


There was not much that Hannah liked better than holding "her Julianna". She enjoys being the biggest cousin and loves Julianna to pieces.

MawMaw and Papa with their five grandkids. The sixth is to be here in June. No, no...Michelle is expecting not me. I am not allowed :(

A Weekend in Review

This weekend we were able to have a visit from Troy and Sherry. We had such a good time, though we didn't do much. We had to decorate for Christmas on Saturday as our town was having a Christmas walk on Sunday. Thankfully we are such good friends that they say we don't have to entertain them :) Phew! Can you believe, Sherry, we have been friends since the summer of '94.....13 years!

Sunday afternoon after watching the incredibly awesome Packers game we walked downtown to see the winter wonderland and sit on Santa's lap. We have been teaching our kids that Santa represents St. Nick who was a wonderful Christian man who ministered to needy kids. We don't tell them that he is a real person or that he will give them gifts, but I know some families do. What are your family philosophies on Santa?

Later that night Auntie Karen came by. She brought cupcake treats left over from our Sunday School party. Wow! Do you think he enjoyed it???

Sick of It!

I know that it is just the beginning of the cold and flu season, but I am already really sick of it! My kids have been giving it to each other for weeks already. They share everything which is normally a blessing, but when it comes to coughed on toys, sneezed on books or used cups I wish they woudn't. Any helpful thoughts for getting over this? My pediatrician gave us some Rx cough medicine and said Mucinex for kids is really good. So we are trying that today.

Yesterday was Joseph's 18 month check up. Boy it he have a growth spurt! He is 33.75 inches, weighs 26 pounds 15 ounces. So he is in the 85% for height and the 75% for weight. Dr. Ortiz was very impressed with him. He is also saying about 60-75 words. Thankfully that is right on target for where the girls were at this age. She took one look at his bruised shins and said he Must be a big climber huh? You got it. He is boy through and through. In fact, he is now trying to get up the girls bunk beds. Thankfully he gets one leg up but can't figure out how to pull himself up to the next rung :) She also commented on him being such a sweet boy. He really is. I am so blessed with a boy who is not whimpy but yet is sweet. God is good!

Taking Christmas Pictures

Yikes, the most stressful time of the weekend was trying to take family Christmas pictures. Can I hear an amen from anyone??? It usually takes about 43 pictures to get one we would even consider using.....much less finding one I actually like! This is how the majority of ours turn out. Was I pooping?! Is Allen scared of Hannah cooties? Emily is still smiling. I lost Joseph's black socks....will we be able to crop that out....YIKES......

Our Weekend in the Land of Favre & Cheese

This weekend we went up to WI. We aren't coming up for Thanksgiving as it is our turn in IL, so we decided to come up in time for Allison's golden birthday. I can't believe she is 9 already! She decided she wanted us to go to the Golden Corral for lunch. I thought that was quite clever of her :) She is such a sweetheart. Happy Birthday, Miss Allison. We love you!

After lunch we went back to my parents' house for the party. She had four of her friends, her brothers and my kids there...quite the crew. We did a pinata. It was hilarious.

My sweet Allison getting sung to before blowing our the candals for her golden birthday cake!

Joseph is so All boy!

Joseph climbed into bed with Bumpa for some early Sunday morning snuggles. I don't know who enjoyed it more :)

Then Sunday afternoon we got to have a awesome Pcker party! It was sooo much fun. There were 14 of us cheering our faces off. We had lots and lots to cheer about in the Packers 34-0 win over the pitiful Vikings. I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable afternoon. Even the kids stayed upstairs and cheered along!

Yet another awesome touchdown to cheer about!

My mom got out a bunch of tshirts of Aunt Annies. It was neat that the kids got to wear her shirts. She was such a huge Packers fan :)

During the game Emily wanted to do my mom's hair. Oops we weren't paying attention and as you can see the comb got stuck!! EEk....thankfully we didn't have to cut it out!

Gavin and Hannah are the best of buddies....yet they have their moments of tattling on each other :)

Dakota is so great with the kids. He plays so selflessly with them. He is the perfect big cousin. Emily loves roughhousing with him!

Tada! Sunday afternoon Joseph slept in a big boy bed for the first time. I was so amazed he didn't get out of bed! It actually was Hannah's side of the bed...hence the pink sleeping bag.

It was such a super weekend. I was so sad to have it end.

It'll Turn Your Stomach

WARNING: The following is graphic evidence of why you should not allow kids to climb with forks in their hands.

I looked this up on snopes.com and this infact is TRUE! They even contacted the mom. The boy did this while climbing into a booth at a Chinese restaurant.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS. Show your kids, show your neighbor's kids. Mommy and Daddy are NOT kidding when they say "NEVER run with sharp objects!" See, this is what happens when you run with a fork! I know, you're thinking the tip of the fork came DOWN on his nose, right? Well, you won't believe the next picture . . . .I bet the kid switches to a spoon!!!

Shopping Spree

Ok...I have a game for all of you. Now be a sport and participate :) I went to pick up our van last night from the shop. On my way home I needed a little more "quiet mommy time". So, I stopped at the Dollar General....I know, I know. I live in Red Bud and don't have many options! I found all these things. I eneded up buying 28 pairs of shoes, 2 shirts w/sandals, 5 shirts, 4 pants, and 13 dresses. I will have sandals for my kids for several summers to come. Also, don't be surprised if you get something out of this loot :) Now I want you to guess how much I got all this for. Of course it was all on clearance. I rarely shop anything else but the clearance section!

Miscellaneous

Today the girls and I made oatmeal craisin cookies. Yum....fresh out of the oven with coffee was quite a treat!

Last week we had a fieldtrip outside our front window. Our town decorates all the trees along the road with white Christmas lights. It is SO pretty. They worked on our tree with all tree of my kids watching the cherry picker :)

Nothing beats special time with Dad especially when it involves a train magazine. Allen has made all my kids train fanatics!

A Mom of Four

I would like to introduce you to our newest member of our family. His name is Negueba (Emily calls him Guba...that will work :P). He lives in Mali, W. Africa. We are now his American family. We are "adopting"/sponsoring him through World Vision. We are very excited about missions becoming real to our family!!!! Please pray with us for him. When I learn more about him, I will update you all. He is 9 years old. His birthday is August 1st. We hand-picked him. In fact, I looked through piles and piles of pictures. We wanted an African boy because I LOVE Africa and then we will have two girls and two boys. We also wanted his birthday in August as we have two May birthdays and now we will have two August birthdays :)

Trunk or Treat

Wow, I can't believe how long it has been. We have had lots of things going. Michelle and Julianna came to visit. We loved spending time with them. Then the kids got sick :( Allen's job is going extremely well. In fact, we just bought a Honda this weekend that his work is almost completely paying for the payment! God is so good. He is like a new man. I am so grateful for God's favor on Allen's career. I am keeping very busy with our family and our ministries. Please keep praying for our church.

Last night we had Trunk or Treat at our church. I was the photographer wannabe :)

My crazy cat Hannah!!!!

My kids. Joseph is a cow, Emily a dog and Hannah a cheetah!

A girl from Emily's SS class

Our family. Allen and I decided to be utility workers. Cop out I know :)

Gampa Bob and Gamma Vella stopped by to see us. The kids loved having them come to their activity!