Meowy Christmas!

That's what we had!!!

We've all missed Willie over the past year, but just hadn't taken the initiative to get a new cat, so Santa decided to change that. The kids were absolutely thrilled Christmas morning to find one last surprise awaiting them in the basement: their very own kitten!!! They were slightly bummed that he came with a name ("Maximus".....but Max & Maxi have stuck)....cause they wanted to name him "Fluffy" (precisely what Santa was hoping to avoid!)! Jed was a little afraid for the cats life, at first, cause he was so tiny.....but he's growing fast and puts up with the kids and all their shenanigans, just like Willie did :) He's just the kitty we needed....I couldn't have picked him better myself :)

Pookie enjoyed his first Christmas....or should I say his Christmas treats! The funniest thing was when he disappeared...only to be found enhaling the cookies Santa had left behind! He didn't mind the candy canes either :) Ty found a few more tractors this Christmas, Ella loved her running shoes (I may have a running partner!!!!) and the Girls were given a special handmade gift from Aunt Amy....the cutest matching skirts you ever did see!!!

Lights on the Lake

Last December, we came to this place for the first time, with Lara and Jeff, and it really got us into the holiday spirit....we loved it so much we had to come back again this year!!! Jed, Luke, and Grant enjoyed their first trip here...the trains were big for the boys! It's definitely become tradition! It has everything you could imagine, including the cutest little santa's gift shop, the best kettle corn, and about an hours wait to enjoy it all (if your lucky)!!!

(note to self: next year, go mid-week)

All I want for Christmas....

....is a box of wipes, a box of wipes, a box of wipes!!!!



I know it's wierd, but he's nuts over them :)

Jolly happy souls

We're giddy over Grant!

Isn't he wonderful?



Congratulations Lara & Jeff!!!!! We are so happy for you!!!

We love you lots!!!!

My apologies, Jed....

....I just can't resist those piggies!!!

And HE'S off too...

Yesterday, I had just laid Luke down for a nap and was changing Ty, when Jed got home from work & walked into their room...only to notice Pookie doing this:

And she's off...

Anna has been determined to learn to ride her bike, ever since Emma learned over the summer. With a slight push, she could balance & pedal, but it was the 'getting started' part that was tricky. We were busy cleaning the yard on Wednesday when all of the sudden (as she's biking towards me) she yells "Hey Mom, LOOK....Emma taught me!"

Adventures in Cheerios

Chase them.

Smack them.

Snagged one!

So Close!

Almost!

YIPPEE, I did it!!!



Chew, chomp, munch.



Yum! Yum! Yum!

What's so funny?

OOOPS!!! I'm new at this!!!

CHEESE for Cheerios...that I can feed myself :)

TRIPLE TROUBLE =

Ty + Nate + A jar of vaseline

This is where the fun ended for them :)

FYI: The internet tip that saved the day: Cornstarch!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

The kids were so excited for Halloween this year! The girls were trying on their costumes 1st thing in the morning! Again, Ty didn't have too much interest in the Halloween fun....until he learned all about what dressing up got him! He ate candy till he was sick. I think "tick er teatin" is his new favorite phrase!!! Oh, and my precious Pookie....his greatest asset was the inspiration behind his costume.....I think it's my all time favorite to date :)





We all enjoyed a chilly Halloween night, trick or treating in Sigel! It was hilarious to watch them all in hot pursuit of candy!!!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!!!! We love you!!!

The next Poker King!

We played a little poker Friday night & Pookie decided it was more fun at the table than in his crib!!!!



Bon, if this doesn't push you over the edge for a #5, I don't know what will!!! HA!

Pumpkin pictures!

The Girls thoroughly enjoyed getting messy in an effort to carve pumpkins.......Ty was hilarious, he wanted NOTHING to do with it & just kept saying "yuck" as Anna tried to show him how fun it was (although he did love his "tra-tor punkin").....and Pookie, well, it was only his first year, but he got right into it....literally :) :) :)

What?

Somehow I got the kids to cooperate for this picture (by "somehow" I mean an m&m bribe....but I was shocked it finally worked)!

Anyhow, I love it & I think it may be the only picture I have of just the 5 of them!

Two cute!

A marathon of a weekend!

We debated this quote found on a sign along the marathon course:

"The miracle is not that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to begin"

Thanks to everyone who came to cheer me on, that really meant a lot! And a huge thanks to Colleen for being an awesome training partner via telephone :) Congratulations on your amazing race (3:35) & qualifying for Boston!!!!

Despite a slower time than I'd hoped for (3:42) & just missing Boston, it was a great 1st marathon experience and I really learned a lot about myself. I will definitely be doing it again!!!

Showers of Love....

For Baby Law!!!!
We all love you & can't wait to meet you!!!

Back to School!

Emma is off to First Grade!!!




We'll sure miss her...

.....but she's home before we know it!!!!