My Amazing Offspring

I'm a blogger?

2012-01-31T19:05:00.000-08:00

Oh look! I have a blog....who knew?

Sorry folks, I have been slacking! I will be back soon, promise! (I know all thousands of my readers miss me SO much......right...I have not had one person ask where I have been...so, there you have it!)

Recent happenings in my life...

Christmas in January!

Beginning stages of potty training my last baby?

Friends trip to Colorado-PERFECTLY FABULOUS

Oh, and the Super Bowl is in town!

December fun with the Manns!

2011-12-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

Had a super duper busy December with Christmas outings and two birthdays in our house. It was such a great time though and got to spend serious time w/ family and friends! I copied this format from my friend Jiffy's blog.

Dec 2: Polar Express train ride. We took the kids to ride the train to the North Pole, meet w/ Santa on the train and have hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the story and Christmas music.

Dec 3: Adopt a Family Christmas Party at the Wollenburgs. My amazing group of friends got together over $800 and purchased presents for a family at the Julian Center (women escaping domestic abuse situations). We went shopping and came back to their house to wrap--all while celebrating w/ a few adult beverages of course! I am going to brag on Target real fast because they were able to give us 10% our entire purchase because it was for charity and then of course we got to shop tax free for the same reason.

Dec 7: Taylor's 8th birthday. We went to BW3s for dinner because that is where he chose. (which was a milestone b/c it was the first time he didn't choose McDonald's!!)

Dec 9: Celebrated Todd's 38th birthday by having friends over for dinner and to play a few games.

Dec 10: Our friend Matt hosted a "Haunted Holiday Party". He lives in a restored 1880's home downtown Indy. The home itself is gorgeous and a good excuse to party, but he hired a medium to "read" the ghosts of the house. It was a blast.

Dec 16: Taylor's friend birthday party. Took 5 boys to the Pacers game and then back to our house for a sleepover. I personally do not enjoy the NBA; I will take college bball any day. But the boys had fun!

Dec 17: Tried to go to Christmas at the Zoo but it was so crowded we had to divert and go downtown to look at Christmas lights on the circle, go to the top of the monument and get hot chocolate at South Bend Chocolate Co.

Dec 18: Baked cookies with my mom and sister (our annual tradition) ALL DAY for 12 hours. We made almost 1200 cookies-and passed them out to friends and family!

Dec 23: Friend outing with Turners and Josephs. My mom and Derrick watched the kids for the night while Todd and I went out with friends to BW3s and then back to their place to soak in the hot tub with adult beverages.

Dec 24: Spent the entire day at my mom and Derrick's celebrating Christmas. We had breakfast (lots of yummy food), opened presents, played with our presents.....laid around, snacked, enjoyed each others company and then had dinner and left for the evening around 7:00. We got lots of great stuff including my first ever COACH accessory (a wristlet). Came home and set out cookies and milk for Santa and spread our reindeer food on the lawn so the reindeer could find us easily.

Dec 25: Jesus' birthday (Christmas)! We woke up, read about Jesus' birth from the children's Bible and went downstairs to find presents EVERYWHERE! The kids loved everything, especially the Xbox 360 Kinnect that Santa brought for the entire family. Santa and mommy and daddy spoiled them. Then off to my dad & Carla's for more spoiling. The boys got a boxing bag on a stand to use w/ their punching gloves. Currently they try to beat each other with them...I am going to direct them towards the bag now. Then off to Ft. Wayne to have Christmas dinner and celebrate with Todd's family. A great meal and good time with family.

Dec 26 Up to Goshen to celebrate with Todd's extended family with lots of food and talking. It was warm so the kids ran around outside, rode on the 4 wheeler at Tom & Sharon's and played football. The adults went back to the shooting range and shot clay targets. This too is a Christmas tradition :)

Dec 28 We finally made it to Christmas at the Zoo with our friends, The Turners. Then we tried to go out to eat and watch the IU game but it was shacked so we went back to the Turner's house for pizza and watched the game.

Time to start 2012 and make many more memories!

EIGHT FRICKIN FRACKIN YEARS OLD!

2011-12-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

I am not sure when or how, but my little 7 lb 10 oz firstborn baby boy turned 8 years old this month. 8 as in E-I-G-H-T. As in "where in the world did the last 8 years of my life go"! This has me a bit emotional, as every year that my kids age always does, but he is just getting so stinkin' old. I know we can't keep kids young forever...our jobs as parents are to raise them to be fully functional adults and set them free in the world to thrive on their own. But I have always told my kids they will always be my babies no matter how old they are.

We had family over for lunch and cupcakes closer to his actual birthday. On his actual birthday we let him choose where he wanted to eat. He started to say McDonals but changed his mind to BW3s. My baby really is growing up-no McDonalds?? Then for his friend bday party we took him and 4 of his friends to see the local NBA game and the boys spent the night. They had a blast!

Taylor, you are a good kid, you do well in school and I am proud of you!! You are very competitive and love playing any sport. Right now you want to be a professional football player with professional basketball player as your back up plan. Okay, we need to work on your back up, back up plan. You know, just in case you aren't famous.....You have recently developed a bit of an attitude and I see myself in you (and fight the urge to call my parents on an hourly basis and apologize). I am saddened at the upcoming challenge we may have with this attitude, but I know you have a good heart and are a good kid, so I know that will come out in the end. But please do not threaten to run away any more this week...I need a break! You are so smart and I am proud of your progress in school. You do especially well in math (like your momma!) and are competitive in the classroom too. Which is good, because it makes you strive to do well. I love you more than words can tell you-you are my world!!!! Love, your mommy.

Is 2 too young for mascara?

2011-12-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

Hmm...I don't know...she at least knew WHERE To apply it (except for the nose smudge)...although didn't do such a great job.....

Polar Express (and the Wild Wild West).....

2011-12-06T12:08:00.001-08:00

Okay, so those aren't exactly the lyrics to George Strait's song Overnight Male ....they are more like....

"Like a pony express in the wild, wild west. I'll ride hard all night long. And I can saddle up fast, get you there first class"

BUT if you know me, you know I screw up lyrics all the time....basically I don't know the true lyrics to any song...I just sing it the way my brain thinks it is supposed to be and then make stuff up if I forget. That paired with my amazing singing abilities would make me an awesome entertainer. Really. You should line up for tickets if I ever make it big.

We took the kiddos on the Polar Express train to the North Pole last weekend. We met up with friends of ours and their kiddos and it was a great time! They serve cookies and hot chocolate on the train and read the Polar Express book. There are chefs that work the train cars (like the movie), a singing, bouncing, annoying, I-wanted-to-stuff-a-sock-down-her-mouth elf, a conductor type like Tom Hanks that comes by and stamps the B for Believe in all of the kids golden tickets. They play Christmas music and eventually stop at the North Pole where the town is decorated in a huge light display and Santa exits his make-shift workshop to board the train. They then head back while Santa visits each and every child on the train. The kids get to sit on his lap one at a time and he gives them a bell to take with them. It was about a two hour ride and the kids wore their pajamas on the train (like the kids from the book/movie). Taylor asked for an Xbox 360 (and Santa told him to get a job...) Okay, Santa didn't say that...but he may have been thinking it. Connor asked for a Leapster handheld device and Claire just sat there smiling not knowing what to do.

We went with our friends, the Turners, for pizza aftewards and then headed home.....It was a great time and definiltely worth the shocking sticker price for the event. We have been wanting to do this for a few years, but had to wait until we could sell off some of assets in order to afford 5 tickets to attend.

Golden Ticket

Jacob & McKenzie

I love this pic, I am not sure why they are looking at each other like that though!

Could my daughter get any cuter?

Waiting for the train

I am thankful....FINAL installment (THANKFULLY...ha ha)

2011-11-30T14:30:00.001-08:00

So, hello, it's December tomorrow and I haven't finished up by days of thankfulness. So, this is my final installment (you can now do a happy dance :))

Nov. 24 Even though I try to pretend like it is annoying, and sometimes it is, secretly I love that my kids still like to sleep in bed with me at night. We usually let them do it about once every three weeks. Taylor has spent the night in my bed every night that daddy has been out of town since he was born. I love that tradition and I LOVE snuggling!
Nov. 25 I am thankful that I have a network of friends and acquaintances that have opened many doors, such as every job I have ever had was because of someone I know.
Nov. 26 I am thankful for change. Sometimes I resist it, sometimes I hate it and sometimes I love it. But it is inevitable so I might as well embrace it!
Nov. 27 I am thankful that my mom is Betty Crocker/Martha Stewart, because frankly, I am not. Those fine genes skipped me. I am glad to have her a phone call away. Ask her how many times I have called her with a simple question-she'll probably roll her eyes :)
Nov. 28 I am thankful that my parents paid for 98% of my college education. I was at least given the opportunity to live debt free, even if I chose to screw that up by going back to school for two more degrees and open a few credit cards here and there. We will now be paying student loans until....well, forever. What was I thankful for again?
Nov. 29 I am thankful for laughter. I love to laugh. A sign of a good time is when your cheeks hurt from grinning or your side hurts from laughing.
Nov. 30 I am thankful that I have had at least one reader that cares enough to have read all of the entries this month! Now folks, back to our regular programming........

Not so serious:
I am thankful for......
1. A husband that won't divorce me after I have lost my second pair of diamond earrings that he bought me.
2. Rain boots. Because my 4 year old can put them on himself and I never have to help him put his shoes on.
3. McDonald's. Because you can be your child's hero AND give yourself a night off from cooking. Score.
4. Blogs. Because I like to talk so much I have an outlet for my thoughts that no one is forced to listen to. It's completely optional!
5. A sense of humor. I can't imagine life without being able to enjoy the endless opportunities of humor that everyday living provides.
6. Coworkers that make me look good just by existing.
7. I actually finished something I started! That's a rarity!

Thanks ya'all (or maybe just Jiffy?)

I am thankful (#485 right?)

2011-11-22T13:00:00.001-08:00

I got a little crazy and switched the format of this blog entry up..I put the Not So Serious things first (GASP)....I'm a rebel, I know.

Not so serious.....

Ugly vinyl floors so that when my kids spill food and drink on it 800 times a day I don't care that much.
Gloomy, rainy, cold days so when I do nothing of worth all day, I don't feel so bad.
That one of my three kids can wipe their own butt. That's a start right?
Snacks. Because my kids would shrivel up without them. Really, ask them. Life would have no meaning.

November 20 I am thankful for alone time. My husband is gracious enough to give me time to run errands by myself, work out by myself or just go upstairs and sit in the closet by myself. (I am okay with this and don't feel weird about it at all) This allows me to function as a person.

November 21 I am thankful for the busy holiday season and all that comes with it. I wouldn't trade a relaxing empty calendar for the one I have.

November 22 I am thankful for hand me down clothes. My boys have always had tons of clothes thanks to Todd's cousin's hand-me-downs. Claire has had some too from various friends and even I have enjoyed clothes given to me by friends and we are so appreciative of this that we make sure to hand down all of our clothes to those in need.

November 23 Food. All of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. (maybe a little more thankful for the good)

Happy Thanksgiving You'all! Gobble Gobble

I am thankful #4 (are you over this yet?)

2011-11-17T16:11:00.001-08:00

November 15 I am thankful for naptime.. Because if it didn't exist, I wouldn't be able to be a stay at home mom and I would have run away from home already. I would have put this in the not so serious section, but I am serious.

November 16 Family get-togethers during the week to break up our weekday monotony and visit with family.

November 17 I am thankful for music. I have never been a huge music person. I didn't go to too many concerts-just the ones that my friends were going to or that would be lots of fun...didn't buy a whole lot of CDS, etc. But I still appreciate the way a song can take you away and allows the opportunity to let your emotions fly by belting out a tune that you either connect with somehow or just love to sing at the top of your lungs. I like all kinds of music from classical to hip hop....I listen to country a lot.

November 18 I am thankful for great neighbors. It really makes a difference in enjoying where you live when you love the people that surround you. Our kids enjoy long summer nights outside at the pond or in one anothers back yards. We look out for each other and are always borrowing something from each other. Great conversations and friendships.

November 19 I am thankful for books. I am such a big reader....it has provided many hours of entertainment for me and it is one of my favorite things to do. I would pick reading a book over TV any day. My all time favorite is Gone With the Wind..I like historical fiction where I learn a little something real while I am reading. But then again, I also like teen fiction...(Twilight and Harry Potter)......I hope at least one of my kids inherits this love of reading.......

Not so serious:

Lunchables...b/c who wants to make your kid lunch every morning?
The ability to tune out any sound I want to at any time. Baby crying, where? Boys fighting and screaming at the top of their lungs...are you sure? I have the super natural ability to tune this out and go to my happy place....at least for a few minutes at a time.
Lots of clothes. I only have to do laundry once a day instead of 520 times a day. Score.
8:00am Saturday morning basketball games. No really, I mean it..... (or not)
That Taylor's basketball team this year is the Hoosiers and not the Boilermakers....I might cry if I have to root for Purdue.

I am thankful #3

2011-11-12T11:27:00.001-08:00

Nov. 10 I am thankful for living in a place with all types of weather! I love long summer days and nights....I love listening to thunderstorms while sleeping....I love cool, crisp fall days when the leaves are different colors and the sun is shining....I love romping in inches of snow and seeing trees covered in fluffy white flakes...I love it all and wouldn't want to do without any of them.

Nov. 11 I am thankful for girls nights where I can laugh and let go. There are just some things that only girls get and time with girlfriends is good for the soul. I am thankful that I have girls in my life to do this with.

Nov. 12 I am thankful for weekend days when I don't get out of my pajamas until the afternoon...or ever. Lazy? Maybe.....awesome when done only once in a while? For sure!

Nov. 13 I am thankful for my extended family as each person has an important place in my life. Visiting my aunt and uncle at their lake in the summer and catching up on all that is new.....family get togethers with all of the 2nd cousins running around...for the friendship and opportunity I had to teach side by side with one of my cousins.....for the time, even tough minimal, that we spend together enjoying each others company.

Nov. 14 I am thankful for my Nana, my last living grandparent and that she is still part of our lives. I am also thankful for the time I had with my other grandparents. They were a huge part of my life growing up and there were times when I wasn't sure what I would do without them. I only wish they could have met all of my children.

Nana and all her great grand kids-Always Missing Poppy

Grandma and Grandpa Morris-miss them to PIECES

Not so serious:

Nov. 10 Sports Bars with beer, TV and college basketball, specifically IU
Nov. 11 Tailgating-seriously, whoever came up with this idea is great!
Nov. 12 Dora Spaghettios....I get to be the superstar of the day with my kids, just for opening a can!
Nov. 13 The one morning a week that my boys wake up with a smile instead of kicking and screaming....
Nov. 14 Tom Crean and Cody Zoeller......I am ready to watch some winning IU basketball!!!

I am thankful #2 (Oops, got a bit behind)

2011-11-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

Let me specify that these aren't necessarily in order of how much I am thankful for them....and that this is long....so short attention spans may want to skim :)

Nov. 4 My siblings: my sister who has accompanied me on our crazy life ride for the last 31 years and will always be my unconditional loving sister through it all! My stepbrother who is so close in age I enjoy sharing friends with him and hanging out with him for the past 20+ years! My stepsister whom we are finally getting along and forming a relationship as siblings after many years of not.

Nov. 5 My amazing friends: I have the most amazing friends. I know everyone thinks they have the most amazing friends, but I am pretty sure I would win an essay contest if I had to write one about mine! I have a group of friends from high school (most I have known since 6 or 7th grade) and a group of friends from college that life just wouldn't be what it is without them. They are fun, hilarious (you have to have a sense of humor and a need to have fun to be my friend), supportive, generous, loving, caring and most importantly CRAZY like me. As I move through life and meet new people I continue to be blessed with good friends and for that I am thankful.

Cheryl, Emily, Jiffy and me have been friends since 6th/7th grade and we picked up Jeni in 10th grade! Carrie is a good friend and was with us on this outing

I have to note that I couldn't find one that included my other friend Nicole b/c she couldn't go on this trip and Kim, Sara, Becca and Nicole's husbands are also part of our college crew.

Nov. 6 A job that allows me to mostly be a stay-at-home mom except for one day a week where I still get to interact and teach kids, which I love to do!

Nov. 7 My health. In the same sense that I am thankful for being mostly healthy, I am thankful for the days that I am sick and feel like dying would be a good option. These days remind me of how lucky I am to be healthy and general and to empathize with many who are not.

Nov. 8 Exercise! I am thankful for the resources and time that I get to sneak in for exercise. I feel refreshed, energetic and more confident when I fit in regular workout sessions.

Nov. 9 My education. College was one of the most awesome experiences of my life! I got to experience what it was like to be a pseudo-grown up while still being mostly supported by my parents. I gained friends and memories for a lifetime! Oh ya, and got my BS in Business Management. Then for my 2nd and 3rd degree.....I am thankful for the resources and ability to get a degree in something I love to do. And to complete my education with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education so that I can make the big bucks when I go back to teaching (okay, not BIG bucks, but BIGGER bucks). I really am a lifelong learner and would like to keep taking classes once I've raised babies!

My not-so-serious list:

Nov. 4 Texting-how did I live without this before? This is my perfect tool of communication-I am not a phone talker and love to communicate by email, but I also like more immediate responses. Texting = perfect for me!

Nov. 5 Family who shares their Colts tickets (even if we left 3rd quarter to go back to tailgating)
Nov. 6 Adult beverages

Nov. 7 Excedrin

Nov. 8 A DVD player in the van (seriously if there is not a movie playing and all three kids are in the car, World War III inevitably breaks out)

Nov. 9 A maid (oh wait, that's me, never mind-wishful thinking)

I am thankful #1

2011-11-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

This post will cover days 1-3 that I have already missed. I decided I liked reading others so much I would do my own. Not for anyone in particular to read, but for me, to put things in perspective and to remind me of all I have to be thankful for! I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted to do serious or not serious things, but I think I want both....so here is #1-3:

I am thankful for......
Nov. 1-A great husband who is an amazing father to our three kids. Those kids are SPOILED with how much attention he gives each one of them. He goes to work everyday to bring home the bacon to support us. My one day a week job doesn't bring home much bacon :)

Nov. 2-Three healthy kids that make my life complete. I wanted to be a mom more than I wanted anything for my life and I have been blessed with these three babes that although drive me crazy on a daily (hourly?) basis are my heart and soul and I wouldn't change anything about them (except how many times they whine a day).

Nov. 3- Amazing parents (mom, step dad, dad, step mom) and in-laws! My parents were married for 15 years, then divorced and have now been re-married for over 20 years each. My parents are close with each other and hang out often, which makes life with divorced parents so much easier for everyone! And my kids gained extra grandparents to spoil them! My parents have been supportive in every step of my life and I am lucky enough to live close by and see them often. My in-laws are amazing people whom I also love to pieces! (YES, I REALLY DO DIG MY IN-LAWS!)

In-laws (Grandma & Grandpa)

Dad & step mom (Grandma & Grandpa)

Mom and step dad (Mamaw and Papaw)

Now for the not-so-serious:

1. I am thankful for coffee. Seriously. I cannot make it through the morning without my coffee. My favorite part of each morning is sitting in my chair drinking my cup of ~~dessert~~ coffee.

2. I am thankful for TV. Otherwise I would have to entertain my kids all day on my own. And that is a feat I refuse to tackle. Go ahead and nominate me for Mother of the Year, I already have one heck of a resume!

3. Right now, I am thankful for Capri Suns that Connor and Claire are blowing up with air and then squeezing it out and doing it again. It is extending lunch so that I can type this post.......

Happy Halloween

2011-10-28T07:37:00.001-07:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Perfect Fall Weekend

2011-10-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

We had the perfect fall weekend as a family! We went to a Halloween Festival with a sorta spooky hayride, to the pumpkin patch, had family pictures downtown, had a chili dinner get together with friends and then went to a Halloween celebration at the zoo! The weather was awesome too! Now if it could only be so great this coming weekend as we host an outdoor Halloween party. I'll settle for no rain!

Cream and Crimson

2011-10-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

College was an experience that everyone should have! I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I got to find out what it was like to live on my own, without actually living on my own because my parents were still supporting me, I was still on their health insurance, etc. I also had the opportunity to pick ANYTHING I wanted to study in college and declare a major. I changed my mind a few times and still ended up graduating with a degree that I don't use. Even though my business degree may not be the job I work in forever, the education I received from the Kelly School of Business will help me in life in general (finance, marketing, management, accounting-all life skill if you ask me). Along with studying and going to school I had more fun than I can even explain. And of course met best friends that I still have today; whom I had all that fun with back in the day. One of the things we still have in common is our love of having fun (and laughing until our faces and sides hurt!) So, what is a great way to HAVE FUN and LAUGH till you cry with old college friends? Plan a tailgate and campus visit together during football season, which my friend Jiffy originated a plan for 6 months ago!!! It was a beautiful day, college friends and my hubby, food and drinks, lots of trips to the port-o-potty that got progressively more disgusting, I got to see the stadium, watch half time, hear the fight song once, play Sink the Biz and eat yummy food at Nicks and take a stroll down Kirkwood. We watched replicas of ourselves a short few (okay, not so few) years ago, saw replicas of ourselves 10 years from now, reminisced, made fun of each other, took lots of pictures , were loud and annoying at a bar, dared each other to do silly things and thought we were the funniest people ever and did I mentioned we laughed a lot??? I have no idea who won the football game, but really don't care. I had so much fun and fully plan to do it again next week....I mean next year. Guess I'm not really in college anymore! But that's okay, I have enough memories and an ongoing relationship with my college BFF's. That's good stuff.

Kim couldn't make it so I copy and pasted her in :)

Me and the Mr.

Just a hanging...

Super cheese-a-listic

Silly boys

Stopped by the game

Mr. Moms

There is a story here....... :)

Woot Woot Sink the Biz

This is serious business, it takes complete concentration!

And the official loser is Will with 5+ rounds lost....

Claire Annalise is 2!

2011-10-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby girl Claire,
Oh how I can't believe that 2 years has come and gone since you were born! You have been such a gift to our family! You just add a dynamic that our family needed and has completed our family of five! Even though mommy says she wants another baby, I know that the three of you have blessed me more than I could have asked and am completely happy with you as my children! You are so full of energy and talking up a storm these days. I can't believe I was ever worried that you weren't going to talk-now we can't stop you! You are at the age where everything out of our mouth is so cute, so even when you say NO with a pouty face I still smile because it is so cute. The screaming fits, not so cute....and you are starting to have more and more of those lately. LOVE THOSE terrible twos. I am hoping you defy the name and create your own tremendous twos! Your personality is growing by the day...excited for everything, especially food! Oh my gosh, if you could sit and eat all day long, you would. Well except for vegetables. You dislike everything vegetable. That's going to be a fun battle! You love your daddy and ask for him every morning and I have to tell you he is at work. You are such a big helper, you want to help me clean, cook, even help change your own diaper! When you are asked to throw something away for us you RUN to the trashcan and come back grinning with pride. Priceless! Now, I fully expect this to not carry into your teenage years, but if in fact it does, you will for sure get more allowance than your brothers who want to do NOTHING that involves work!

You love playing with your kitchen and babydolls! In fact your grandparents and mommy and daddy got you a new kitchen for your birthday because you play in the tiny one we have all the time! You have 6 or 7 baby dolls and got a stroller for them for your birthday that you have basically pushed around the house since you got it. You sleep with at least 2 babydolls every night and like them to ride in the car with you and feed them when you eat. Nana got you a Barbie jeep for your birthday and you screamed in delight when you saw it and no longer wanted to open any more gifts! I love seeing all the girl gifts in our house-the nostalgia of my childhood is overwhelming! You LOVE your Papaw and everytime he is around, the rest of us are minced meat.....Your like to say the color yellow and everything is yellow! You love animals, especially dogs and I have a feeling we are going to have to break down and get you one soon! You love to give hugs and kisses; in fact we just shared a kissing session of about 25 kisses. I love watching you run because it is a waddle/run that is so adorable! You have to say good night to your brothers every night and give them hugs and kisses or you cry. You went from calling them Tay and Co over night to calling them Co-er and Ta-er. You still suck your fingers and put your hand in my mouth, especially when you are tired. Even though I seem to be upset when you get clingy and want me to hold you all the time, I actually enjoy every second of your neediness because we get to cuddle. You do not like brushing your teeth, you just like to put the brush in your mouth for 1 second and take it back out and spit. You still have to be on your breathing machine and see a pulmonologist-we are on 2 a day breathing treatments right now, but I am confident that this will cease eventually. I could go on about how awesome you are, but you are MY daugher so why wouldn't you be? LOL We love you so much and can't wait to see what year 3 has to bring for you and us! Thank you God for bring you into our lives!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, Taylor and Connor

Claire and Cousin Quinn

Birthday Cake Pops (don't EVER make them, unless you have a spare 8 hours to kill!)

Opening gifts

Playing with new kitchen, table and food

Blowing out the candle that we had no where to put so I just held it!

Grandpa and Claire-cake pop time!

Mommy and daughter!

Football!

2011-09-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Taylor is playing tackle football this year. (versus SAFE flag football last year) He loves it. I actually think he likes it better than baseball, but don't tell Todd b/c he will FREAK! His dream is for Taylor to breathe baseball like he did. Now, don't get me wrong, he loves baseball too-actually he loves any sport....but he gets especially enthusiastic about footbal, especiallly when they are 5 games in and are yet to win a game. He gets frustrated with the no win thing, but he loves playing it so much and he usually does really well, that he doesn't even care that he isn't winning. He plays quarterback on offense and I have absolutely no idea what on defense. He thinks he is Peyton Manning (pre neck surgery) on the field. I love watching him. Well, except when he gets tackled or limps after a play..then I just want to run out and dote on him. But how embarassing would that be?? The kids don't call me "Safe Mommy" for nothing... I love watching everything my kids do. Love my little Spartan! He is number 21 below.

Go IU! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

2011-09-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

We try to take in one IU game a year with the kids because they get a kick out of it. Well, Claire is just along for the ride and likes doing what everyone else is doing. Taylor gets in to the actual game and loves watching it, and Connor has a million things to look at and we only lose him 42 times when we are there because he runs off. This time we went with friends of ours and their two kids. We tailgated first and the kids got a kick out of that too-it was the first time they have tailgated. We spent the first half actually watching the game (well, I did a lot of people watching-and sorta paid attention to the game). Then went down to the Knot Hole area where the kids can pass footballs, run around and scream and no one even notices. Perfect for my crew! I love visiting campus and feeling the memories come back to me of being there as a student. Husband and I will be headed down there in a few weeks for a game with all my college BFF's and I am so excited for that. We will pretend like we are 22 again and then the next day feel every bit of our age plus some, but it will be worth every minute!

Girls weekend! Can I get a what-what?

2011-09-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

Last weekend (after my husband was away on business for 4 days so the timing could not have been better!) I go to run away with 4 of my best friends! Jiffy and I go way back to 6th grade and were college roomates all four years in college (thankfully she dragged me around with her wherever she lived) :) College was where I met my other 3 girlies and now lifelong friends. Jiffy and I lived with Sara Junior year and all five of us lived together senior year. Which was, by far, the best year ever in college. For one, I FINALLY turned 21 (I was the last one and looked way too young to ever even attempt a fake ID). And for two, I formed a bond and friendship with these girls that would continue after graduation, traveling all over the US to visit each other (Nashville, TN, Houstin, TX, Chicago, IL and boring me that never left home :)). We are all now living in the same city but busy jobs and raising families get in the way of seeing each other as often as we would like. And when we get together w/ the kids we barely get to catch up or discuss our lives as we are busy feeding mouths, changing diapers or disciplining naughty children (well that is mostly me since I have the naughty ones). But at least our children get to play as they will certainly grow up stuck w/ each other as friends whether they like it or not because their mommies will always be friends! I shouldn't leave out the daddies, as we also went to college with some of the husbands; only Jiffy and I brought in outsiders :) Good thing we know how to pick 'em because they fit in great-which makes for fun couples nights out too! Point is, these girls are amazing and I am thankful to have them in my life! Having great friends makes any of life's ups and downs and just the everyday in between better to have them to share it with! (okay, those non-sentimentals out there may now go vomit from my sickly sweet moment :))

Bringing friends to the lake!

2011-08-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

I speak of the lake to people I know often, but we have never had any friends down with us. Mostly because it is a family thing and there is usually only room for family. However, my sister an her family weren't coming for the weekend so my parents were gracious enough to let us invite friends of ours to join us! We had a blast-I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story!

Papaw threw the boys of the boat-they loved it!

Mamaw and Bear swimming

Boys skipping rocks

The pirate boys!

Derrick trying to flip Vickie and I off the tube!

Captain Matthew driving the boat!

Gina Grace

Waterfall exlporers!

Sneaky girl-not sure what she is trying :)

Boys about to take a whilr on the tube

Bill and GiGi taking a cruise

Taking pictures of Claire sleeping in her life jacket never gets old!

Laying down on the boat admiring the sky

I had more than enough sun for the day-cover me up!

2nd grader

2011-08-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

I am pretty much in denial that I have a 2nd grader. I actually choke a little when I type in the "2"....Therefore I am not going to go on and on about it because I will full out cry like a baby about my baby not being a baby anymore. Oh wait, he's always my baby. And I will continue to treat him as such forever. Yes, that means kissing and hugging in public. And when he wipes off my kiss, I will be quick to plant another one on him, even if it means tackling him to do it. Is that going overboard?

This year our township got rid of bussing because of a failed referendum/financial reasons. Although it seems ridiculous, I side w/ the township on this and think they did the right thing. They chose to use the money they have to save teacher's jobs so that the classroom size will not be out of control and to also save specials classes (music, gym, art, etc.) Taylor has never ridden the bus anyway (I am too overprotective to let him) and have thankfully been able to take him myself. The reason for mentioning it though is that the traffic now to drop him off and pick him up is quite substantial. But the school has done a GREAT job getting procedures that work together and it is actually working out quite well. Plus, I carpool, so that helps too-I only take him and pick him up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am so not sure where I was going with this.......it has something to do with 2nd grade surely right? Or it could be that small problem I have with wordiness.....

Here's hoping for a sensational second grade year!

We do a cake the day before school starts and say a special prayer the night before the new school year.

I gave up trying to make him dress "nice" the first day a school. He detests collared shirts, which I would totally put him in, so I figured 2nd grade is the year to give him control over something; we'll start with the shirt on the first day of school :)

My loves

Taylor and one of his BFF's Matthew! His mom and I are friends so we rode together the first day so we could be miserable in traffic together and have someone to talk to about it :)

Matt Morrison (I mean NKOTB) concert

2011-08-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

So back in the day (7th-8th grade?) I was OBSESSED with NKOTB (New Kids on the Block for those of you foolish enough to not know :)). Me and my friends would work at it until we had the dances memorized, we would watch videos and pause it on their butts (oh yes, we were that immature) and I swore I was going to marry Joey. I mean why not? Why wouldn't he be interested in some average (okay, shorter than average) girl from Indianapolis. It made total sense :)

So, fast forward 20+ years and they are on a reunion tour with Backstreet Boys (whom I really never got into, but the friends I went with did). How lucky am I to still be friends with the same girls that obsessed over them with me back in the 90's? (minus Jeni; we picked her up in high school, but STILL, that is 18 years later!)

To our wonderful surprise, the opening act was Matt Morrison (Mr. Schu from Glee). HE WAS AMAZING! He can sing, he can dance, and my is he pretty to look at! :) Ahhh....all in all it was a great, fun, fabulous night with some of the best friends a girl could ask for!

YUMMY

THE GIRLS, they got the "Right Stuff"

ON OUR WAY "Step by Step"

The boys.....Joey....ah....okay, back to my 33 year old self-it was a fun trip down memory lane, but I am not really obsessed anymore :)

We HEART Vacation!

2011-08-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

We recently vacationed in St. George Island, FL. This is our 4th time there and we went with my in-laws. We rented a house across the street from the beach with unobstructed views of the ocean. There is just something so peaceful and therapeutic about the beach. We had a relaxing week of riding bikes, eating ice cream, going to the beach and swimming in the pool at the house. The 15 hour car ride with 4 adults, 3 whiney kids and 3 dogs was not as relaxing, as you can imagine! Click to see All Florida Pictures

Below are a few highligts of pics.

Yes, the whole car ride was this happy (haaaa!)

View from the balcony of the house

Claire LOVED walking the dogs

In town at Apalachicola

Grandpa and Taylor chest bumping after winning Sorry

My baby boys showing me some love

Alligator built and colored by Taylor, daddy, Gma and Gpa

My baby girl

At the park waiting for the movie to start

Taylor caught a SHARK!!! (and it is still in my freezer at home...WHY???)

Our family of five!

Grandpa, Grandma, kids and dogs

Cheese

Swimming in the pool at the house was refreshing after being at the beach!

Life doesn't get any better than seeing these 3 beautiful faces everyday!

So much to blog about, so little time.....

2011-07-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am SLACKING on my posts lately...oh wait, I have been. Summer has just been so full of fun and activities that time is lacking. What will I post about next?

Vacation to Florida?
NKOTB concert with my girls?
Weekend at the lake?
School starting soon?
My new job?
The upcoming football/fall baseball season that includes 4 practices in one week? (WHAT WERE WE THINKING?)

Oh I know, it's all so exciting and I know my readers will all be on pins and needles to see what is next!!!

Go America! It's Your Birthday!

2011-07-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

We had a super fun 4th of July weekend! We are usually at the lake (Dale Hollow) for the weekend but my stepdad's family had a reunion here in town so we couldn't go this year. Instead we packed the weekend full of events with family and friends!

Friday we took our kids to gamble for the first time. What a memorable moment......when we first let our kids bet on horses. Before you freak out, we just let the oldest (7 years old) bet....that's better right?

Saturday we had a cookout at my house with a friend we haven't seen in A REALLY LONG TIME...years..decades....okay not decades, but years. It was actually a group that brought Todd and I together, and how we met. If I remember that at the time, I could have made a toast. Okay, not really.

Sunday we went to Benny's 5th birthday party at a splash park. The boys had a great time-they played a really fun alien game that Ben's family (Aunt, Uncle and Grandpa) dressed up as aliens. AWESOME. Then friends of ours invited us to their culd-e-sac party. Food, drinks, fireworks (LOTS of fireworks), friends. Can't beat it!

Monday (the 4th) we went to the local minor league baseball game that ended in fireworks. We went with a couple of friends and their families and camped out on the lawn. The kids played, the adults talked and enjoyed ice cold draft beer and we may have watched the game. Wait, there was a game?

All around, the weekend rocked! However, it took me days to get over so much activity...does that mean I am getting old?

Don't you wish YOUR husband had this AWESOME outfit? It was even better when he was bending over to put the pools together in the yard. W-O-W

I wish Emily had made it into this picture a littele better, but here we are hanging together after seriously 6 years of seeing Ben. Good times.

Oh ya, I made Gigi and Claire matching dresses for 4th of July.

Claire was cheering for the fireworks, it was great!

Ya, they weren't messing around when it came to fireworks. They were there to play.

Another shot of Bear and her cute dress. Wonder who made that??

My babes at the game!

Marc & Dawn

Mark & Matt

Dee & MaKayla

F bomb on the playground!!!

2011-07-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if this is one for the "baby book" but my 7-year-old learned the "F" word this week. It would have happened sooner or later. You can't keep them from learning that information, I was just hoping that once he had the information, he would make good choices with it. But no, not so much.

Tay was at the playground with friends and there was a 4th grader with him. He saw the word on the slide and told Taylor to say it. So, Taylor read what it said but didn't know it was a real word, so was confused. Then the boy said "aww, you said a bad word". So, Taylor tells me later that he learned a bad word today and can he whisper it in my ear. So, I let him. Trust me people, hearing the innocent voice of your 7-year-old say that "F" word in your ear is not pleasant. It made me cringe. I proceeded to calmly tell him that is a bad word, it is not to be said and I don't ever want to hear him say it again. He says "I didn't even know that was a word. Do normal people like you and daddy say that word?" Ahem. No. I've never said that word. Ever. Ahem. Or something like that.......Which is the truth, I don't say that word. Unless I am going for "extra classy".

So fast forward to today while a friend is watching the kids while I am at the Dr. I come home to find out that Taylor decided this new naughty word was just too much for him to keep a secret. He had to make his friend say it too. So, he did the same thing to his friend as the older boy did to him; told him to say the "F" word and then told him it was a bad word. My nephew, whom I am sure has heard that word more than his fair share of times, came screaming outside that this horrible word was said. And he did not censor himself, he was screaming F...F...F...F....like somehow it is okay to say if he is tattling. It was like a dream come true that he was able to tattle on someone for saying this.....

Needless to say, Taylor got to experience the taste of soap in his mouth as I made him hold soap on his tongue for a minute. When he was finished....he said "That was so painful! Next time, can you please just ground me from Wii for a week?".

No, because there won't be a next time!!!! Next time, you get to eat the whole bottle of soap.

Rookie League Champions!

2011-06-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

Taylor has been fortunate to play with the same handful of kids for the last three years. This year was his first year in the Majors division of Rookie League. It's what we like to call "real baseball". Three strikes, you're out, not everyone hits and GASP, THEY KEEP SCORE! He was on the Reds this year and had great coaches that are just full of positive energy, yet teach the kids so much! They were undefeated and then won the single elmination tournament at the end of the season. Even though he is only 7, this was a very proud time for him and his team and I am so happy for him. His football and basketball teams didn't make it past the 1st round in the tournament, so this was a good change for all! Plus, daddy would be really happy if baseball is Taylor's favorite sport :) I think daddy got as big a kick out of all of this as the kids. He helped assistant coach a bit this season by filling in for other coaches if they were out. The parents, who have been together for three years now as team parents, have had a blast getting to know each and hanging out too!

Meet Evelyn!

2011-06-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I have not introduced the newest little bundle of joy in my life! NO, NOT MINE! One of my besties (yes, I just used the word besties) Jennifer just had her second little red headed baby girl, Evelyn Belle. How stinkin' cute is that name? Not near as cute as she is! Evelyn Belle was born May 28th at 8 lbs something ounces. (don't remember and don't feel like looking it up :))

Jennifer (aka Jiffy) a couple of weeks before Evelyn made an entrance

Look at her hammin' it up for the camera already!

Evelyn and big sister Ellie (what is not to love about this pic?)

Hands are for Painting!!

2011-06-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Finger painting makes me cringe....a little. The idea of all that paint on the hands of children who can't eat a snack without making a mess bigger than themselves. Add in a few extra kids and painting is daunting. When I taught Kindergarten, as fun as painting was, I rarely attempted it. Just imagine, 24-28 kids, one teacher and lots and lots of paint! After the first time it took me so long to recover that it was months before we attempted it again. You would think this wouldn't bother me because I thrive on chaos, and live a somewhat (sarcasm) unorganized life. But a paint mess just seems overwhelming. Although I do kinda want to dig in an roll in it myself. I got some finger paint on sale at the store the other day and as messy as it is, it is also FUN! And since that is what kids like and summer is all about FUN-why not? It took way longer to get ready and pick up than it did for the kids to actually paint, but did I mention it was FUN? Thanks to my neighbor, Michelle, for helping me!

Dear 16-year-old me

2011-06-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to my friend, Vickie, who was diagnosed with melanoma a few years ago. Her general practitioner had dismissed a spot on the bottom of her heel as a callous. He referred her to a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis and told her the podiatrist would be able to scrape it off for her. While he was examining her foot, she asked the podiatrist if he could take care of the callous for her. Low and behold it was melanoma (a malignant tumor) READ...CANCER! With two young children (ages 4 and 2) she had the spot removed and still sees an oncologist and dermatologist every 6 months. HOW SCARY!

Today, my cousin Kate, posted this video to her facebook page. It is a well done, interesting video on awareness of melanoma. Take a moment to view it and pass it on. You could make a difference! :)

http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/dear_16yearold_me

Here is a picture of Vickie's precious babies that thankfully still have her as their mommy because of catching the melanoma early.

Revisiting New Year's Resolutions

2011-06-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Anyone remember my New Year's "More or Less" Resolutions? I wanted to take the 6 month mark to revisint them and see how I've done and try to renew my motivation for accomplishment!

exercise MORE-FAILURE so far.......I am averaging once every few weeks....I am such a sporadic exerciser! I need motivation....actually I need someone to phsically pick me up and take me to an exercise class where I am forced to move or look dumb.

organize MORE (this is by far my greatest weakness in life)-EPIC FAILURE! I seriously might need to be committed to the institution for "non-organized clutter creators". Try as I might, I can't do it captain!
purge MORE I am doing better at getting rid of things that I would otherwise have kept "just in case I need it when I'm 80". SUCCESS

cook MORE I really have been more conscious of this and think I am doing better! SUCCESS

clean MORE Haaaa Haaaa Haaaa-that's all I can muster for this one.

read MORE (It's one of my favorite things to do but I need to find good books that can be checked out from the library) SUCCESS!!!

finish MORE (If I start folding the laundry at 8:00am, I should probably finish it before 5:00pm. Or if I start cleaning out a closet, it is probably a good idea to finish it instead of leaving everything sitting outside the closet to do "later") Baby steps

individualize MORE (spend more time with each child and husband by themselves!) FAIL AGAIN

Play MORE Summertime has helped with this one!

And last, but not least, in order to accomplish MORE of anything I will also need MORE caffeine! So while most are cutting caffeine out of their diets as the new year begins, I will be adding MORE, without guilt-because I will need it! SUCCESS! Lucky for Dunkin Donuts the amount of money I spend on coffee has drastically increased!

This year I would like to:

Worry LESS (thanks to happy pills I am already leaps and bounds ahead of the game!) SUCCESS

Eat LESS Depends on the day.....we'll categorize this as a minor success?

Get frustrated LESS Uh...ya...

Yell LESS (okay, I admit it-I am not the perfect parent! Wew, glad I got that off my chest!) I have read the book "Scream Free Parenting" thanks to my friend Nicole, and I am trying better not to, so I would consider this a SUCCESS!

Pay LESS (this is where my new fascination with extreme couponing comes in!) Consider my last trip to the grocery store where I used one measly coupon due to not spending the time to find the coupons I would say FAIL, BUT I have started using the Target Red card so I get 5% off every purchase, which really adds up, so that would be a SUCCESS.

And last buy not least, Plan LESS and Do MORE! FAIL-I love making lists and I just can't break the habit. Oh well.

9 SUCCESSES and 7 FAILS.....better than the other way around! I am really going to concentrate on the cleaning/organizing aspect as well as the frustration aspect for the next 6 months!

PEACE OUT YA'LL

Proud Momma (Keep on Rollin')

2011-06-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

If I can't brag about my kids on my blog...where else can I brag about them? So, that being said...my oldest finished 1st grade this year. I am not sure how he is that old, but somehow 7 years has passed without my permission AND time refuses to slow down. My "baby" boy (which I am sure he LOVES me calling him that) got an award for Academic Excellence (he made straight A's all year-SO PROUD), a PE (gym) award and then for class awards he got "Most Responsible". Typical first child huh? His teacher said he is more responsible than her (jokingly) but I am not jokingly saying that he may be more responsible than me. Not REALLY, but I am slightly scatter brained and unorganized and I am not sure how I ever made it as a teacher. :) Taylor is always telling me "mommy, you always forget". But I defend this statement by saying that anyone with multiple children has "mommy brain". It's due to the fact that there is no way humanly possible to process all of the associated tasks. If you are, pat yourself on the back and toot your horn to the world, because you deserve recognition!

So back to the title of the blog.....PROUD MOMMA!

Academic Excellence

PE Award

Claire making herself at home during the classroom awards

One of Taylor's BFF's

Tay's teacher was on maternity leave but came for the last 3 days of school!

Most Responsible

Claire Annalise Boutique (C.A.B)

2011-05-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

I don't really have a shop, but if I did, I might name it C.A.B.....Here are some of my creations!

Poop Deck

2011-05-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, really this post isn't as interesting or gross as the title. But it is what my Mother's Day card was about. Thanks to my sweet, sentimental boys (eye roll). It was a sweet morning. Everyone let me sleep in and they made me pancakes and served me breakfast in bed. Then they presented me with their gifts. My favorites of course were the homemade gifts they each made in school. I was also excited to get new workout clothes so I don't have to keep wearing my scrubbed-out duds to Zumba. (although I haven't been to Zumba since Mother's Day....I like my exercise inconsistent like that)

Nothing has brought me more joy in life than to be a Mother to my three amazing children. Sometimes I think my heart might burst with the amount of love I have for them. Although they are not perfect children, they are perfect for me and I wouldn't change anything about them....(ask me again tommorrow when one of them is throwing a fit or disobeying and I might change my mind)

Letter Taylor wrote at school

Flower Taylor planted

Connor's preschool project

Yes, a card about poop.

Connor had his own special card that my mom found and thought would be appropriate for him. If you know him-don't you agree? :)

The Birds and the Bees-an appropriate conversation for Mother's Day

2011-05-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Soooo.....my seven-year-old was missing his teacher that is out on maternity leave the other day. He sighed and said, "why did she have to have a baby?"...then he looked at me and said, "mommy, is there something you can do to TRY to have a baby?". I thought about it for a brief minute. Do I say no, totally up to God or do I get all technical on him? I wasn't feeling well at the time so I said God gets to decide if we have babies or not, but yes there is something mommies and daddies can do to try to have babies. Please let him just say okay and be done with it. Nope. "Well, what can you do? Tell me." What do I do? What do I say???? I am not ready for this conversation. Delay. Delay. Delay.

I remember reading somewhere in 1 of the 5,000 parenting books, blogs or articles that I have read (parenting is hard ya'll) that you are supposed to always provide an accurate answer to any question your child asks. This is so they will always feel like they can come to you with questions and keeps the lines of communication open. Sooooo, I did a little research on what to say to a 7 year old that wasn't TMI but would be enough for his curiosity.

I called him over and put him on my lap and this is what transpired:

M: Earlier you asked me if you could do something to try to have babies. I didn't answer because I wasn't feeling well, but now I am ready to answer. I want you to know that you can ask me anything and I will always have an answer for you.

God decides if and when you get to have a baby. But there is something you can do to try to have a baby. Mommy has eggs, like animals do; like snakes and birds, but mine are inside my belly. Daddy mixes stuff from his penis with mommy's eggs and a baby starts to grow. Mommy grows the baby in her belly for 9 months and then the baby is born.

T: Oh, so you really have to have daddy to have a baby.
M: Yes, there has to be a mommy and a daddy.
T: Because you would have another baby if you didn't need daddy.
M: (laughing) Yes, probably.
T: Okay. Thank you. (he hugged me and kissed me and went back to watching sports on TV)

Oh my gosh! I survived that conversation and he didn't even ask me how the stuff gets from the penis to mommy's eggs. AWESOME!!! What would I have said if he did ask that? I HAVE NO IDEA. I hadn't thought that far ahead.

I can't believe my baby has gone from being a newborn to asking how babies are made in what seems like such a short time ago. It's true, don't blink! Before I know it he'll be making his own babies....

Just call me Reverend Jade

2011-05-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 30th, I had the honor of officiating my sister's wedding. I have never done anything like that before, no I am not actually a Reverend or Pastor of any kind. Unfortunately (because I don't necessarily agree that it should be so easy to be "ordained") it is easy as filling out a form on the internet and submitting with the Universal Life Church. No fees, no background check, no proof of ID. And, when you are ordained, you are given the power (and legality) to:

•Perform marriages, funerals, baptisms, ceremonial rites, and last rites.

•Start your own church, be it brick & mortar or online.

•Absolve others of their sins.

•Use the title Reverend, Minister, Healer, Educator, and more.

Now, there are many people that should not have this knowledge. But my only intent was so that I could legally "marry" my sister and her husband, as they wished. I do not believe I have the expertise or should have any part of starting a church, absolving anyone of their sins or using a title that should be reserved for such with better credentials and intent and have sworn this as their duty led by God. However, it was handy to be able to get for my purposes, which were to join my sister and her husband together in marriage based on their beliefs. Included is a picture of the lovely couple and me "marrying" them. Stay tuned for a post on their actual wedding.

Easter Weekend

2011-05-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Cousins

Easter tutu (from now on she will have one for every holiday :))

The boys made boats out of spare wood and had a "boat race" down the creek. Why not?

Easter Morning beauties

Family Photo Op

Post Easter Egg hunt pose at Mamaw & Papaws

Taylor adding up his loot

We had a great Easter Weekend! Went to Good Friday service with our friends, Emily & Andy and their kiddos. Then we had a soccer game Saturday morning with soccer pictures after the game. Then we hopped in the already packed car and drove straight to visit Todd's folks. We had an Easter egg hunt and dinner and then church service Sunday morning followed my lunch. Another road trip back home to my moms for another Easter Egg hunt for the kids and Easter dinner. Great family time and awesome worship services! (PS, I made Claire's Easter dress and I was really happy with the results! It didn't hurt that she is so stinkin' cute) :)

Welcome to my home new decor!

2011-04-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have recently become obsessed with sewing. When I say obsessed, I mean everything I see, I think "can I make that?" and may or may not attempt to do so. It is AMAZING what you can do when you put your mind to it! I have wanted to add color to our living room forever by curatins or something and I have always disliked my toss pillows, so I decided to make valances (the fabric I liked and that matches is a very busy fabris and thought it would be overwhelming as full curtains) and matching pillow covers. It is difficult because I have burgundy/red furniture and sorta light moss colored walls so not much matches well. My husband is not a huge fan of the fabric I picked out because it is flowers, and it is colorful. BUT, I LOVE it! And, even though it was a lot of sweat equity involved, the total price of making the valances and pillow covers was somewhere around $25-ish. SO, they can be changed and I will have not lost much in terms of money. Anyway, just thought I would share the finished products. Please note that the wooden shelves hanging above the TV aren't there to stay-we got a new TV and moved furniture around and haven't moved those yet. I think what I will be hanging above the TV is a collage of family pics. Anyone want to put an over/under on how long that will take?

It's raining Cheez-its!

2011-04-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Surely you can leave two 4-year-olds downstairs eating a snack while you go upstairs and change right?

Apparently not. I came down to this MESS. The kiddos proceeded to tell me that they were pretending like it was raining with their snack. AS IN throwing the crackers up into the air so that they would fall down like rain. WHAT? IS THIS FOR REAL? All in a days work.

Lake Season has begun!

2011-04-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

Do you ever think about the words begin, began and begun too hard when you write them? I am in constant "edit" mode so I always do....the only thing that sounded right was begun but now I am questioning it. Oh well! Over Spring Break we went to the lake (Dale Hollow) for the first time this season! Yay! The 'rents have a place down there, which is great for us. Family time and a way to get away for a mini-vacation. It was chilly but we still managed to get some fun in! Four wheeling, hiking/walking, visiting the cave, bonfire, playing outside for endless hours, fishing and going out on the boat. Looking forward to more lake trips and for it to be warm enough to go out on the boat all day!

I don't know why I didn't get one with him toting all three of the kids. I have to learn how to drive this thing. Oh wait, no I don't, because then non one can beg me to take them on a drive.

Hiking to the cave with my precious cargo!

We go to the same cave every time and yet they never get sick of it.

The Mann Militia

YES, my kids have guns. A BB gun and a fake gun. Go ahead and turn me into the the "Mother of the Year Police"

There IS beauty in nature.

Austins fish caught on his Scooby Doo pole. Maybe we should all be fishing with Scooby Doo poles. Oh wait, I don't fish. I mean everyone esle.

Really? 18 months?

2011-03-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

My sweet, beautiful princess is 18 months old today! One whole and one half of a year! SO BIG! SO OLD! Time goes even faster when you are blessed with 3 beautiful children. I feel like Taylor's first 18 months went WAY slower than Claire's but things are just busier now. I have enjoyed every second of Claire the past 18 months. Even the cranky, crying, not sleeping nights. I still loved them! They may have sucked at the time, but I would do it over and over again. What's our little princess up to?

She is walking/running all over and into everything. She is starting to climb too!
She laughs and giggles, especially at her silly brothers.
She gives hugs and kisses (with her mouth open).
She loves babies and puppies and giggles and smiles the whole time they are around (she does try to attack babies faces though...not so good)
She is talking a little bit but not much: hi, bye, eat, daddy, momma, dog, ball, yes, and that's about it folks! Both the boys were a bit chattier at this age, but I am confident she will be talking like crazy soon, so for now, we'll enjoy one less chatter box in the house :)
She likes to lift up her shirt and show her belly and laugh.
She likes her baby dolls and to hug them and play with them. She also really likes stuffed animals.
She doesn't really watch anything on TV-she kinda ignores it like it isn't there. But that could be also because her brothers dominate the programming.
She loves her food, her chunky monkey legs, belly and cheeks will prove it!

Claire, you are such a wonderful baby and you are always a joy to be around. Love you lots and lots baby girl! Love, Mommy

I made a dress and it actually looks like a dress!

2011-03-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

This post is designed strictly to toot my own horn. Yep, brag about myself. And, I am so amazed that I was able to do this, that I don't even care that I am bragging about myself. Last week my mom taught me how to hem pants on a sewing machine. Then my stepmom gave me her sewing machine. (props to both!) So, I decided that sewing a hem would be a nice transition to make a dress for Claire. Right? It was actually a sorta easy thing to do for a beginner-well...sorta. It isn't perfect, but I LOVE it! I also made a tank top out of leftover material from the dress and an old blanket. That turned out not so good. Apparently you have to be careful with stretchy material AND you actually have to measure...woops, eyeballing it did not work out for me :) I made a matching bow for Claire's dress and a flower....but sewed the flower on the tank top. Now I want to rip it off and make another bow. We shall see. By the way, if I can do this people, ANYONE can, because I am not a domestic queen. I just have this thing that if I really want to do something, I will NOT give up until I accomplish it! Well, I have to REALLY want it :) Enjoy pics of my projects below!

ArizonYA (as Connor calls it)

2011-03-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Last week we traveled (by PLANE) to Phoenix, AZ to see Spring Training (baseball ya'll) and to visit husbands family (aunt, uncle and cousins) that live out there. Connor & Claire's first time on a plane and Taylor's first time that he remembers. We went to Disney when he was almost 3 but he doesn't remember much.. I don't do planes well. I require drugs. But I popped my drugs and was on my merry way. Kids dif FAB! Connor was so excited and Claire didn't cry at all. Makes me want to travel on planes more often-nope, not really, but almost. Oh ya, and there is that small detail of we were traveling with 4 adults (Todd's parents) and 3 kids. They were outnumbered so we adults RULED! Anyway, we caught a Cubs game, boys caught practice and a Rangers/White Sox game also. We spent a couple of nights in Tuscon and got to meet a new family member and catch up with others. The weather was awesome and we enjoyed some down time from the daily wind and grind. Yes, I took my son out of school for two days. GASP! I KNOW! WORST.PARENT.EVER. I am sure he is totally going to fail 1st grade now!

Enjoy a few pics from our trip!

One of many big brother annoyances in Claire's young life

1) um cutest thing ever 2) to the left of Claire is Kerry Wood's wife and daughter-he just came out to talk to them. Does that make me cool?

Ball signing

Desert Museum in Tuscon

Game called: Put Random Things on Your Head and See Who Can Keep it There the Longest

Snuggle Bugs!

Rangers Manager (have NO idea what his name is)

Um, a baseball player for the Rangers-again, no idea who

Scentsy

2011-03-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have numerous candles laying around my house because I do like to have a nice smelling house but I am always fearful of forgetting to blow out the candle and burning down the house. I am also more worried now that I have children that they will get into it and hurt themselves. Especially since I have a monkey child that climbs and likes to get into things. Therefore, most of my candles have remained unused in cabinets. However, my friend Jennifer/Jiffy (link to her blog) recently started selling Scentsy. I had never heard of it until she mentioned it and I love it! It is a candle warmer that operates on a low wattage light bulb and wickless candle "bricks". There are so many scents to choose from it is almost overwhelming, but that obviously also means there is something for everyone. If you are interested or know all about Scentsy but need refills, check out her website: https://jennifermitchen.scentsy.us/Home And don't be surprise if I host a party and invite you :) Here is a picture of the warmer I just bought:

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Connor!

2011-03-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, he really is sweet sometimes! I promise! Connor turned 4 this past weekend and we had two parties to celebrate. We had family over for lunch and cake on Saturday and then he invited his friends and their siblings to a birthday party at Gymnastics Unlimited. He had such a fun time. His new word is "Cool" with a big smile. Which is what he said when I made his lion cake and when he got his BIG birthday gift from all the grandparents and us. At 4, Connor is:

Tall for his age! And skinny-man the chicken legs on that boy. With his shaved head now, he could easily pass for 5.
Mischievious-since half my blog posts are about his antics (okay, not half, but enough) you have probably already guessed about the mischievious part.
He is inquisitive. That's a postivie way to say he likes to push EVERY button he encounters-I mean this literally and figuratively because he definitely likes to push mommy & daddy's "buttons".
He likes to climb, get into and question everything.
He has no fear. He would probably jump into oncoming traffic if I let him anywhere near the street. Which is FUN for us!
I will not be surprised if he is at some point diagnosed with ADHD. I hope that he is just full of energy like lots of 4-year-old boys but since just this week he has cut his own hair, locked himself in a bathroom and peed in a cup and stuck foreign objects up his nose at naptime, I'm not so sure.
He really is a sweet boy. He spontaneously tells me all the time that he loves me. He wants me to put him to bed every night and brush his teeth and he will not accept any substitutes.
We play a game of "kisses" every night and at naptime where we do different styles of kisses. Butterfly, eskimo, hand kisses, finger kisses (we just bump our parts and make a kissing sound-it is cute).
He is smart! He already knows all of his letters (capital and lower case) and we have started to work on sounds and words. Right now just recognizing peoples names that he knows.
He worships Taylor. He copies everything he does. The other day Taylor was throwing a fit at the store so I jokingly asked him if he wanted me to drop him of somewhere on the way home. Connor started crying and said "NO, don't leave him Mommy!" He always wants to play with him.
Even though it appears that he is trying to strangle Claire, he really is trying to hug and kiss her-his way.
He loves playing with his daddy every night and gets so upset when he can't. He calls him big man and runs to the door to greet him when he comes home from work everyday.

Time goes by so quickly with these little people. Four years. Love my baby boy! Happy Birthday Connor!

His Lion cake that I made him! I don't know why, but when I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he said Lion.

This is a water slide, his big present from grandparents and us. We blew it up so he could see what it is.

Yes, Big Baby sat at the table with us.

Look at that sweet face!

Jumping in foam blocks!

Connor is the one turned around at the left side with his face buried b/c he didn't want to stop playing so he was having no part of the picture. Fabulous.

Claire and Hospital visit #2

2011-03-07T07:29:00.000-08:00

Poor Claire has had bronchiolitis (what is bronchiolitis? info) for a couple of weeks now. We were at the ER and doctor last week and we thought we had it under control with treatment. However, Saturday she started to get bad again and Friday night I had her sleep with me (well, we didn't really sleep) and she struggled to breathe all night. We gave her three breathing treatments but they weren't doing any good. I took her into the doctor Saturday morning and they gave her one extra-strength treatment with "added" ingredients and then another regular treatment back to back and she didn't sound any better and her stomach was still retracting. However, her oxygen levels rose so the doc sent us home to try to keep her stable with breathing treatments. This was of course right before Connor's b-day party. So we went home, tried to have a birthday party (which looking back now I don't remember much of it b/c I was in a panic about Claire's condition-it was like a series of automatic motions). When Claire woke up from her nap, her breathing was rapid, her stomach was retracting and she was really working to breathe. She also was very lethargic and as we gave her a treatment and usually she screams and squirms. We called doc, who had us admit her to the hospital.

We had an AMAZING Dr. in the hospital. She plopped herself up on the counter, sat criss cross applesauce, gave her pager to the nurse and closed the door to giver us her full attention. She took Claire out to the desk area to help her "work" and answer phone calls from the ER that she was getting. She was simply amazing. As soon as Claire's steroid and breathing treatments kicked in, they were prepared to send us home but she wasn't able to make it long enough between treatments to they decided to keep her overnight to monitor her oxygen levels and deliver more frequent breathing treatments (every 3 hours). She was a CRAZY girl on steroids...it was so freaky. But, I am not complaining because she slowly got better, increasing her time to 4 hours between treatments. We were released Sunday afternoon. Although I had to have my mom come up there with her because Connor had another birthday party I had to be at! The nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists were amazing! I am so thankful that Claire was sick with something that required a small amount of time in the hospital. There were many sick children there when we were and I can't imagine what their parents were going through. My heart goes out to them all and I pray for them to get better.

Apparently God thought that the circus and two birthday parties were not all I could handle in one weekend, so He decided to throw in a hospital visit, just to keep me grounded. :)

OH ya, almost forgot, I had to sleep IN the crib with Claire. Yes, I said IN, not next to. I tried to rock her to sleep and put her in there but she was not having it. So, finally, exhausted from no sleep the night before, I just climbed in and pulled the other side up and was in for the long run. Comfy? NO way! But my baby girl slept and she needed it, so whatever it takes as a momma to take care of my babies! So happy to have her home. She is doing TONS better! So thankful! Thank you to all my friends and family who either helped us out or offered to help us out this weekend. We really appreciate you all!

This is not Bear, this is a picture of a little guy that had the same sickness as Claire, this is just to show you the bed that we slept in together.

Poor Bear right before we took her to the hospital

Connor and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Haircut!

2011-03-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

If you are my friend on facebook you already know about our haircut disaster! I keep getting comments about other peoples children who have done the same thing, so I am feeling a little better about that! Connor decided to give himself a haircut last week. While I was vacuuming the house, he climbed up on the kitchen counter, snuck the scissors upstairs and chopped off a huge pieces of hair in the front, middle of his head-down to the scalp! In other words, it was not salvageable. So, we buzzed it. And I do NOT like it! He looks older (he is not allowed to look older, he is still my baby boy) and he somehow looks meaner. I know that sounds silly, but he looks kinda mean, where as before he always had a very "sweet" look to him. Which was definitely to his advantage since he likes to get in mischief. As you notice his look in the first picture where he cut his hair-it is hard to stay mad at that cute little sad face.

He broke the news to me but coming downstairs and saying, "mommy, look what I did". He had a hat on, so he took it off and said "Ta-da!" I immediately started freaking out b/c it looked like he had done it with clippers or a razor of some sort so I made him show me what he used. There were the scissors laying on the bathroom sink and all of his hair in the toilet. When punishing him, I tried to focus on the fact that he got into the scissors without asking because he knows he is not supposed to have scissors. I know he was just curious and didn't know what he was doing (or maybe he did, but I choose to go the innocent route).

Todd and I decided to have a little fun while cutting his hair. It was too hard to resist.

party in the back

too bad it wasn't long enough for "Locks of Love"

After shot!

Marshmallows and Pee

2011-03-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

That pretty much sums up my day! I don't know why I found this hilarious enough to take a picture of, but Claire got into some marshmallows in the pantry today and took one bite of a bunch of them and left them on the floor and walked away.....in a matter of the few minutes I was getting laundry upstairs. We usually keep the pantry shut with a bungee cord but some 3-year-old I know must have been rootin' around in there and left it open...so goes my day.

That little bit a dirt you see ont he floor is the ONLY spot in the whole kitchen that is dirty and it somehow got in the picture.....

Speaking of that soon to be 4-year-old, he was found locked in the bathroom with 2 other little boys, peeing in the drinking cup while the others cheered him on. Okay, maybe not cheered out loud like clapping and yelling but for sure not preventing it-and I definitely heard giggling. I thought it would be better not to include a picture :)

I totally wouldn't trade these moments for anything though!

Baked Potato Soup

2011-02-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

I told you every once in a while I will sneak in a recipe or something that readers might actually USE, since I am mostly on hear to talk about my "Amazing Offspring" as the blog is titled.

I got this recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/ where people can submit recipes and then others can review them after they have made them. I usually find one that looks good and that I have the ingredients for and I quickly read the reviews to see any changes other people made. The original recipe was for 4 people, but the great thing about allrecipes is that you can change the serving size and the ingredients will be changed for you. I wanted 8 servings so that we could have leftovers! Plus I had a 3 lb bag of potatoes I needed to use!

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 8

Ingredients
6 bacon strips (I used 8 because my husband is a bacon fiend)
2 small onions, chopped (I used 1 b/c my kids don't like onions)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup and 2 TBS all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp pepper
6 cups chicken broth (you can buy carton broth, use boullion cubes or the powdered stuff that you add to water-I used cubes)
4 large baked potatoes, cubed (I used a 3 lb bag and I boiled them with the skins on)
2 cups half-and-half cream (I used whole milk because I had it on hand)
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Any other topping you might like (chives, sour cream, etc.)

Prepare the potatoes so they are cooked and ready to use (either boil or bake them). In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain bacon but keep 2 TBS drippings. Set bacon aside b/c this will be used as a topping. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender. Stin in flour, salt, basil and pepper and mix well. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Then add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce. Heat through but do not boil. Add toppings as desired: bacon, cheese and anything else you may want.

As I was typing this I realized I changed quite a bit of this recipe in small amounts. We really enjoyed this soup and it was so filling we were able to eat only the soup and sliced fruit for dinner and were not hungry later. I had enough left over to have for a couple of lunches but if you are a smaller family you can eat half and freeze half and when you are ready to eat it simply put it in your crockpot or microwave it to defrost and then cook! Enjoy!

Hawkeyes Season

2011-02-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Taylor's basketball team, The Hawkeyes, played a season-ending game in the semi-finals for his league. They played the undefeated team in the league and they STOMPED all over them. This was Taylor's first year playing basketball. It is a 2nd grade league, but they accept 1st graders, so he will play in it again next year as well. The team started out 0-2 but then came back to win their next 6 games to end the season 6-2. Taylor is an intense competitor. Whatever he is doing, he does 110%. He is obviously not a tall guy (I wish I was a baller) and doesn't "drive" (yes people I am using an actual basketball term) all that well, so he didn't score a whole lot. I was actually just proud that he was able to score at all after they moved the baskets up to normal 10ft range. (can you believe they are making my baby play REAL basketball) But he was a great defender and played with an intensity that allowed him to be a decent player. He had fun and loved every minute of practice and games and that is what is important. (sports are all about fun, NOT competition...hahahahaha!) We ended the season with a pizza party for the kids at the coach's house-the boys are all great friends-many have played baseball together for 2 years also, so it was a GREAT group. Love you Tay-fun season to watch!

I HEART hearts!

2011-02-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

Heart, hearts everywhere! I know it is a holiday that some roll their eyes at. A "Hallmark Holidy" which was pretty much created in order for consumers to spend more of their hard earned money on a bunch of crap! No real meaning or religion behind it. BUT, I kinda like it. Hearts are fun. Red and pink are fun together! Well, at least now that I have kids, it's cute. I remember being single on Valentine's Day and being bitter b/c it seemed to be a day that was for couples only. But my view has changed a bit since having kids. In school they call it "friendship day" as not to emphasize the LOVE part of it. But, whatever it is, it is still nice to have a day set aside to remember to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and thank them with small gestures-you don't have to spend a lot of money if you don't want to-or you can if you do! We spend Valentine's Day every year doing something together as a family. We tell the kids it is a day to spend with our loved ones. They get to pick the activity, so this year we will be watching Despicable Me link on the projector. I also made them a dinner that I know they will all like (versus a normal balanced meal where I have to bribe them to eat). Happy Valentine's Day to all! Give an extra little squeeze to the ones you love today!

Breakfast for dinner

Making cards

Making cookies

Hearts hearts and more hearts

My friend Courtney found this awesome outfit for $5 at Babies R' Us! Who knew Babies R Us had cheap clothes?

I couldn't get the boys to wear hearts today. But Taylor did wear red because it was red day at school and he said you get a smarty if you do it. Yes, one smarty. And that motivated him. I think I need a jar of smarties.

Clairey-Belle is a walking, babbling 16-month-old!

2011-02-05T12:26:00.000-08:00

My sweet girl is walking! Finally. She took longer than the boys to sprout her moving wings. Taylor walked at 14 months, Connor walked at 12 months and now Claire, at about 15 1/2 months. What else is new?

She babbles like she is having a drawn out converastion with you and if you are not paying attention she will put her face directly in front of yours and stare you in the eye, forcing you to pay attention to what she is saying, even though we have no idea what she is saying.
She is so wrapped up in her own language, she only has a few words that come out clear enough for us to understand. They are dadda, dog, book, ball, uh-oh (is that a word?) and sometimes mum-mum-mum (which I THINK is mommy).
She loves hugs and to be held.
She is definitely a momma's girl, but that's okay because I love every minute of it.
But she does love her daddy too and grins big and slobbery when she sees him.
She usually is delighted to see her big brothers too but since they sometimes topple her over (or run over her like a mac truck) she isn't always thrilled with them.
Her hair is getting long but the back is still at an awkward, mullet-like stage that I am hoping passes quickly.
She is getting 3 teeth right now so THAT is fun......
She got her first hair "do" with a waving/crimping iron lately (all the other girls were doing it, so I couldn't leave her out). However the end result was a little scary (like, stick your finger in an electrical outlet, scary).
Her legs are big fat chubby baby legs and I want to gobble them up every time I see them!
I love having her as my daughter and am so in love with her!

WATCH ME WALK

Ski bunny I am not......

2011-02-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

I recently went skiing at Perfect North (link) in Lawrenceburg, IN for the first time since before Taylor was born (so 8+ years ago). In fact, the last time I went hubby's binding broke on his skii and he dislocated his shoulder and had to drive himself to the hospital because I can't drive a stick. I'm handy that way. And wow! I forgot a few things about skiing:

1) It really hurts your shins to move around in skiis.
2) I am so short and have such a small boot size that I have to wear kids skiis.
3) It's a good workout!
4) I am a scaredy cat going down steep hills.
5) There are many small children way better than me, including my 7 year old, who totally outskiied me.
6) Falling is embarassing, but somehow not as embarassing as it was 8 years ago.
7) Falling off of a moving ski conveyer and having to have a worker help you up while your husband and child continue to move up the conveyer laughing at you and trying to get the camera out as fast as they can is still just as embarassing!
8) Unless you own your own equipment, skiing is expensive.
9) My husband thinks he is super cool on skiis (oh wait, he is super cool on skiis)
10) I do enjoy skiing and really can do it after I get a hang of it.....which is about 15 minutes before it's time to go home. Bummer.

The lift ticket also includes unlimited tubing that is connected to the ski area. So we also were able to tube for a couple of hours. Or you can buy a separate tubing ticket where you can just tube. You can have them spin you around (if you aren't puking just thinking about the idea of that), you can link together. Fun times-highly recommend it!

Open Gym

2011-01-31T06:53:00.000-08:00

I am going to try to stard blogging about places that I take the kids during the day for play dates or entertainment. We can all agree that this time of year we get CABIN FEVER and want to get the kids out of the house. Gymnastics Unlimited (link) has what they call Daytime Playtime for children 5 and under during the week. Here are the specifics:

For children 5 and under
Wednesday 12:30-2:30, Friday 9:30-11:30 and every 2nd Saturday of the month 1:00-3:00pm
$5 for first child, $3 for each child after (all children that are considered mobile you have to pay for)

Includes big bouncy, hula hoops, bars, rings, trampolines, foam pits that you can jump or swing on a rope into, slides, soft shapes and toys that little ones can play with while older ones are running around. Small slides, balance beam, small tramplines, expandable tunnels to crawl through.

Review: I took my son (3), my nephew (4) and my daughter (1) to play the other day. There were about 20 parents and their kids there. We got there right at 9:30 and stayed until the very last minute. The kids could have played even longer. They LOVED every minute of it! It was fun for me too because everything is a contained area that is not too crowded so I didn't worry about losing the boys. The only drawback for me was paying $11 for all three kids. I know $11 is not a lot compared to other pay places you can go to, but when you live on one income, money spent has to be scrutinized. However, comparatively I think it is a good price! The other thing that I don't like is that you can not bring kids over 5 and during their other friday night open gym for ages 6-18, you can't bring any kids under 6 so I can't bring all three of my kids at once :(

Butternut Squash Ravioli

2011-01-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

Okay back to food for a minute-I KNOW-since when have I been a source of food secrets? I am just trying to spice things up a bit so my blog isn't ALL about "my amazing offspring", even though that is the title......they are my main focus and are still amazing but I also want to blog about things that are relevant to me as a stay-at-home mom and woman in her, ummm upper 20's, ya 20's-something like that. Well, maybe 30, but not a day over! Sooo...I took part in this survey where I had to taste test and report on a Lean Cuisine meal, Butternut Squash Ravioli. I have been wanting to toot it's horn for a while now but keep forgetting......It is really good! It is, I quote, in a creamy sauce with walnuts, snap peas and carrots. Now, if you don't like snap peas, walk away now, because it is heavy on the snap peas. But the actual ravioli is AWESOME and I feel so healthy aftewards with all the veggies, PLUS it means that I can eat a healthy lunch for only 270 calories plus it has no preservatives and the following other nutrional information:

Fat: 7g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 10g
Sodium: 590mg
5 weight watcher points

And if you watch your local stores ads for sales you can stock up for $1.50 per meal. Enjoy! Or don't.....your choice. Blogs to come: reviews of places to take kids to play.......and of course amazing offspring updates! I'm thinking of sharing my quote book with you too of things the kids have said that make us smile. I don't know, we'll see if I feel like getting a little crazy!

Christmas in January!

2011-01-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

The family celebrations continued into January when we got together with my dad's sister (Aunt Jeri & Uncle Jim) and mom's brother (Uncle Kurt, Aunt Anita, cousins Kristen, Josh & Gavin and Neal, Kate, Clayton & Hallie). It is always good to see family! I must not have had my camera when I celebrated with my dads side b/c I couldn't find any pics-it was fun nonetheless! Here are a few pictures of our celebrations! I even added a few in from the past of the Walther family Christmases to see how our family has grown! We really missed celebrating with my Nana this year but she decided she was going to stay in the warmth of Florida instead of coming home for Christmas. This is the first Christmas in my 33 years that I did not see her for Christmas. So things were different this year but we all had a good time and talked to her on the phone.

Christmas 2002

Cha-Ching

Christmas 2007 (4 kids now! And I'm a brunette-who knew?)

Christmas 2009 (6 kids and I am back to blonde, sorta)

My, look how we've grown! 9 kids and counting.....

Ali talking to Nana, Gavin wants his Momma, and the two cutie baby girls!

Mom and Kurt carried on the tradition of splitting change up for all of the kids! We put ours in our jar to save for our trip to Disney World.

Aunt Anita & Gavin

The Neal-Monster. Please do not notice that Connor is wearing Claire's bow. That's a story for another day.

Noodles in Sesame-Soy Sauce

2011-01-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

Since I am on the subject of food, I think I will stick with it! This recipe is from the Weight Watchers cookbook but it used to be one of my favorite things to eat! The kids did not so much like it, but I have picky eaters, so yours might! I have some other, longer posts I would like to blog about (family Christmas in January) and I want to get started on a project listing all the things to do with kids around the area, reviewing them as I go, but that is a longer task to tackle, so for now, enjoy the recipe! So easy and quick to make!

Makes 6 servings

2 TB reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 TB Asian sesame oil (use the dark or Asian rather than light)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp white wine vinegar (when we are out I just use plain white vinegar and it is fine!)
4 cucumbers, peeled and julienned
3 cups hot cooked vermicelli or rice noodles (or fettucine or angel hair, whatever you have!)
6 scallions (green part only), chopped (Todd doesn't like these so we serve them on the side)

Combine in a small bowl: soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and vinegar
Combine in a large bowl: noodles, cucumbers and sauce-toss to coat and then sprinkle scallions on top.

This dish has the following nutrional content: 140 cal, 3 g fat, and 3 WW points. I am sure that is probably based on rice noodles so may be higher if other pasta is used. Enjoy! I just had leftovers for lunch which inspired me to post this.

Healthy tacos!

2011-01-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

Well the healthiness of the tacos ultimately depends on what you put in it but I found the best tortilla wraps that are healthy AND good! I was so impressed with their nutritional content, I had to share! They are Ole Mexican Foods brand and called Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Low Carb Tortiall Wraps. I got them at Kroger and they are $3.09 for 8 not on sale but I purchased them on sale for $2.89. I know this is high considering you can probably purchase 10 wraps in a store brand for $1.99-ish, BUT it depends on how healthy you are trying to be. These would be great for lunch meat wraps or breakfast burrito wraps also.

Nutritional values:
SERVING SIZE = 1 TORTILLA

Calories     71
Fat              2g
Cholest.      0mg
Sodium       234 mg
Carbs          5g
Fiber          12g
Sugars        0g
Protein       8g

Here is a link to the picture-I couldn't copy and paste it from the website for some reason. http://www.olemexicanfoods.com/OLEmenuTortillas.htm

2010 in video

2011-01-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

Please enjoy this video I put together of our 2010! Connor turned 3, Claire turned 1 and Taylor turned 7 this year. It was a year of continuous blessing for our family! Sorry for the poor quality-I am new at video-ing and have no idea how to fix it of yet!

New Year Aspirations...More or Less

2011-01-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

First let me admit that I am totally stealing this idea from my friend Melissa's blog! Only mine is the long version. I didn't have any specific resolutions that I wanted to hold my self accountable for, because let's admit it, I will inevitably fail. That's what we humans do best! BUT, I always want to be reflecting to do things that will ultimately result in better quality life for me and my loved ones! So....here is my list of things I want to do MORE or LESS of! Parentheses explanations provided for viewers purposes-I already know what they mean!

For those of you wanting the shortened version, here it is. In 2011 I would like to: exercise MORE, organize MORE, purge MORE, cook MORE, clean MORE, read MORE, individualize MORE, play MORE, drink MORE caffeine! I would also like to: worry LESS, eat LESS, yell LESS, get frustrated LESS, pay LESS and Plan LESS and Do MORE!

In 2011 I would like to:

exercise MORE
organize MORE (this is by far my greatest weakness in life)
purge MORE (get rid of crap! it is okay to throw away the broken can opener-the chances of finding time to try to fix it are SLIM TO NONE!)
cook MORE (frozen pizzas, McDonalds and PB&J should not ALL be on our weekly dinner menu)
clean MORE (I should not still be contemplating how to restore order in my house two weeks after Christmas)
read MORE (It's one of my favorite things to do but I need to find good books that can be checked out from the library)
finish MORE (If I start folding the laundry at 8:00am, I should probably finish it before 5:00pm. Or if I start cleaning out a closet, it is probably a good idea to finish it instead of leaving everything sitting outside the closet to do "later")
individualize MORE (spend more time with each child and husband by themselves! They relish the individual attention they get and I need to pay more attention to the importance of that. This also means more date nights with hubbies or at least staying up past 9:00 to spend time with him after the kids go to bed. I would like to also include spending more time with ME! I crave ME time, yet seldom, if ever, get it!)
Play MORE (I catch myself getting busy doing so many things around the house that I forget to DROP everything and sit down and PLAY with the kids as much as I can! They will be big enough one day that they won't want to play with me anymore and I will have lost that time!)
And last, but not least, in order to accomplish MORE of anything I will also need MORE caffeine! So while most are cutting caffeine out of their diets as the new year begins, I will be adding MORE, without guilt-because I will need it!

This year I would like to:
Worry LESS (thanks to happy pills I am already leaps and bounds ahead of the game!)
Eat LESS
Get frustrated LESS (i.e. realize that Connor is 3 and it is okay if his shirt is filthy after only being awake for 1 hour)
Yell LESS (okay, I admit it-I am not the perfect parent! Wew, glad I got that off my chest!)
Pay LESS (this is where my new fascination with extreme couponing comes in!)
And last buy not least, Plan LESS and Do MORE! (I am fabulous at planning anything! I can sit here on the couch with my little notebook and write out all that needs to be done-in no less than 3 different lists. I should probably spend less time writing it all out and more time doing it!)

I will hang these up (in simple form, no explanations) as a reminder for myself and hope to accomplish some of them. No pressure though, because they aren't RESOLUTIONS. So I will not be one of the 45% who break their resolutions by the end of January. I have the rest of the year to do MORE or LESS of what I want to make quality of life better for me and my loved ones! I would love to hear what you want to do MORE or LESS of-so please share!!

Ringing in the New Year...at 8:10pm!

2011-01-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Eve I get together with all of my friends from college whom I love dearly. When we graduated college and lived in different cities we sometimes celebrated in different cities. Everyone has since moved back to Indy (except Breeze) and we all now have families, but still try to spend New Years Eve together with our families. Our New Years Eve gatherings sure have changed since our 20's. For example, our champagne toast happened at 8:10pm (yes you read that correctly) this year! And we now have 14+ little ones between us! And when they are ready for bed, meltdowns are not pretty! This year, The Straws hosted and Ian's mother-n-law Beth made dough for us to make homemade pizzas. Fun was had by all (they have a basement so we shoved all of the self sufficient ones down there)-did I say shoved? I meant asked them nicely to please play downstairs. Here are a few pics from this year AND New Years Past! I hope we continue spending New Years Eve together and look forward to all the fun times to be had-even if we are all in bed before the ball drops! Maybe we will get a second wind when our kids are older and our parties will last a little later!

New Years Eve 2010 toast-at 8:10PM!

Connor & Taylor making their pizzas NYE 2010

New Years 2009 (toast at 9:00pm that year-we were CRAZY)

New Years 2008 (Craig and Taylor are boxing each other on Wii)

New Years in Indy 2001 or 2002?

New Years in Indy (2001 or 2002?)

New Years in Houston (99 or 00?) See Becca's head poking in the back there?

New Years Eve in Chicago (have no idea what year!)

Christmas Traditions

2010-12-30T13:14:00.000-08:00

Taylor's year ot put on the angel

Oops, maybe this pic should have been first-cutting down our tree

Visiting Santa at the Christmas tree farm-one kid screaming, one kid smiling and one kid refusing to get anywhere near Santa. Sounds about right!

Our Gingerbread House

Mailing letters to Santa

Baking cookies with friends

Downtown on the Circle

Cousins baking cookies at moms (Mamaws)

The three cookie bakers!

Christmas at the Zoo

Christmas Eve at my moms. Todd refused to wear his matching pajamas b/c he had to run into CVS to get something :) His don't really match anyway, so whatever....

Sprinkling Reindeer dust so Rudolph can find his way!

Leaving milk and Cookies for Santa. I have no idea why Connor is shirtless. We don't ask questions.

I am big on Christmas traditions and wanting to do the same thing every year so the kids will remember doing them and perhaps pass them on in their families. The hard part for me is that I want to do EVERYTHING holiday related and really it is just too much. For example, I want to cut my own tree down, see Santa everywhere (breakfast with Santa, see Santa land at the State museum, etc.), ride Polar Express in Connersville, do the Gingerbread exhibit at Connor Praire, do Jolly Days at the Childrens Museum, ride around and look at lights, walk around downtown and look at lights, Christmas at the Zoo, Make our own Gingerbread houses, bake cookies, make Christmas Candy etc. etc. etc. Aren't you exhausted just reading that? There is no way we can fit all of that into our already busy holiday schedule with Todd's work, Taylor's school events, family events and just every day activities. There are some though that have already become traditions and that I will continue with. Others we can do if there is time. Traditions are still young in our family is Taylor, our oldest, is 7. Two main ones are that we cut our own tree down at a tree farm and visit Santa at the tree farm. We also make sure to go downtown to mail our letters to Santa and walk around looking at lights and then get hot chocolate and a treat from the South Bend Choc. Company. We have gone up into into the monument on the circle the past couple of years but it was closed this year, much to the boys disappointment! I tried to get tix to the Polar Expess but by the time I stopped dragging my feet-they were sold out! We did manage to go to Christmas at the Zoo for the 2nd year in a row. I love this! It is beautiful and fun! AND FREE if you have a membership! Other things we do are sprinkle reindeer dust and leave cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. We bake Christmas cookies with my mom and sister every year-1200 cookies this year! And then deliver them to loved ones. I also set out every year the Santa pictures from all years past. There is even a picture of me with Santa when I was a little girl that my mom gave me for Christmas one year. We alternate years that Taylor and Connor get to put the angel on the Christmas tree but everyone helps put on ornaments while playing Christma music. All of the ornaments on our tree are special to me and one of my favorite things is to look at each one before it gets put on. The kids like to put their own ornaments on-as I get them each a new ornament every year with the year marked on it. My mom did this for me so when I got a place of my own, I had 23 ornaments from each year of my life ready to be put on my tree! I found matching pajamas this year for everyone which I was really excited about! Christmas morning before we go downstairs, daddy reads the story of how Jesus was born from the Bible and says a prayer so we can make sure in the hustle and bustle and Santa celebrations that we do remember why we celebrate Christmas. I am so blessed to have my beautiful family. We got a lot of nice material things for Christmas but all I really need is my family and friends to make me happy! (I am sure that is a line taken straight from a Lifetime Christmas Movie) Here are a few highlights of the Mann Family Christmas traditions!

Taylor is 7!

2010-12-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

My baby boy turned 7 last week! It can't be possible that 7 years has passed since Taylor was born, but unless we accidentally celebrated an extra birthday somewhere, it is so! I am so proud of the little boy that he is. He is smart, sweet, caring, creative and passionate about competition! He played baseball, football and basketball this year and has loved every minute of it. He is a natural competitor and is so intense when he is playing. But he truly does enjoy any sport at any time. Maybe a little too much. It is too early to tell if he has any talent or not, but as long as he has fun, then it doesn't really matter (well, that is what I say-I'm pretty sure Todd would word that a little differently). I am proud of how well Taylor has done in school and how he strives to do "the right thing" and earn high marks on his behavior chart. I wish he would try that hard at home. For his birthday we had a birthday brunch with the family and had birthday muffins. Then he had to go play a basketball game, then he invited some friends from school/sports teams and his BFF Aidan for a party/sleepover. Since it snowed that day, they first suited up in snow gear and went out to throw snowballs and be boys in the snow. Then we had pizza for dinner and loaded up in the car and Todd and I took them bowling. Then back to the house for cake and craziness and finally a movie to wind the night down. All were alseep by midnight and Todd and I were EXHAUSTED the next day. But Taylor loved every minute of his special day. On Taylor's actual birthday that week he requested McDonalds (ugh I know-I cringe every time they request that) for dinner and we made a gingerbread house as a family. I hope that he has a fabulous year in 2011 and I can't wait to be right there for all of his adventures. My heart is filled with overpouring love for my big guy. Happy Birthday Tay!

Cranberry and orange birthday muffin!

YES, we broke down and got him a DSi for his b-day. I really wanted to wait until he was 8 or 9 but that was his big gift request this year.....for this we should be nominated for "parents of the year". This was actually the first year that he quietly opened presents instead of getting super excited with each one.

Snowball fight!!! Connor wanted in on the action!

At the bowling alley: Taylor, Jacob, Caleb, Matthew, Michael and Aidan

Our attempt at a basketball failed with the orange color turned out more pastel....so maybe it was the basketball for My Little Ponies....

Happy Birthday to you and you and you!

2010-12-15T10:42:00.000-08:00

December is filled with birthdays for us! And with birthdays, come fun celebrations! I will probably have separate post about Taylor's birthday because he is my baby and he had a super long day filled with lots of activities. First up I went to dinner with my very bestest of friends to celebrate my friend Jiffy's 30-something birthday. We went to this really cool Italian restaurant with a fabulous atmosphere, yummy food and a cool story about it's history. Then the following day we had a day of celebration for Taylor. In the morning, we had a brunch with family, then he had a basketball game, then his friends came back to the house and they played in the snow, we got pizza, took them bowling, then back to the house for cake and a sleepover! WEW-we were BEAT the next day and did not get out of our jammies all day! But it was all worth it to see Taylor enjoying himself so much. Next up in the line of birthdays are hubby, Todd, and his twin brother Troy. Troy lives out of town so we didn't celebrate with him. Taylor has b-ball practice on Friday nights (WHAT? CRAZY you say? We have no weekend b/c we have practice on Friday and games on Saturday? BINGO!) We had a quick dinner of chicken tettrazini (sp?), Todd's favorite! Then after b-ball practice we opened presents and headed downtown for one of our holiday favorites (mailing Santa letters, walking around downtown and going to South Bend Chocolate Company for hot chocolate and cookies! Soooo, we end December with the celebration of Jesus' birthday on Christmas Day coming soon! I am sure I will have many pictures to share from that. Until then, I am featuring a few from our celebrations.

The girls at Jiffy's birthday dinner at Iozzo's. We let the husbands come too-but we didn't invite them into the picture :)

Taylor's family birthday brunch (he requested a cranberry orange muffin"

Taylor's "friend" birthday party

Happy Birthday Daddy! He didn't order a dessert so I made him hold the candles :)

Ho Ho Ho! Waaaaaa!

2010-12-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

We got our Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm near us. Well, I guess if you call a 45 minute drive near us. It is always exciting because we get to take a hayride out to the fields, select our tree, saw it down and carry it until we flag down the tractor again. Then, while they are getting our tree ready, we go into the toasty warm for hot chocolate and popcorn and to visit Santa! The boys were eager to help daddy cut it down. Connor couldn't figure out a good way to help so he decided he would hold on to the strap of the bag that was on daddy's back. He really felt like he was helping and the pictures of it are hilarious. Then they all three helped carry it, Connor grabbing on to the very tip of the tree-just to be a part of it! When it came to seeing Santa though, he wanted NOTHING to do with it. He wouldn't even walk by Santa to go to the bathroom. Taylor hopped right up there and told him what he wanted (and we totally had to change what he was getting after he talked to Santa, which involved taking things back and ordering new ones-guess that's what we get for trying to be prepared and done with our shopping early!). Claire screamed the minute I sat her on Santas lap. Which happened last year. But Connor was more than happy to write Santa a letter when we got home. We will take them downtown and deliver them to "Santa's mailbox" this weekend. Hope they get what they asked for......

Here it is, time to saw it down!

One more pic with the tree before we get it down.

Here is Connor holding onto daddy's bag "helping" him. Sweet boy!

The boys carrying the tree

Claire's not-so-happy visit with Santa

Oh look, last year's picture with Santa-same face!

Last years picture with Santa-same coat! Same Santa too-that helps!

Gobble Gobble (puke puke)

2010-12-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

Tis the season of icky sicky, fa la la la la la la la la. Oh wait, this is a post about Thanksgiving, however that does lead to the icky sicky. We had 4 Thanksgiving celebrations this years! I am VERY thankful to have friends and family to enjoy 4 celebrations with. My friend, Jiffy hosted a Thanksgiving celebration for a group of friends that I love dearly! All was well....until I got home and proceeded to spend the next two days throwing up and in bed, therefore missing Thanksgiving celebration at my moms. Boo. But, not only did I get the stomach bug, I apparently passed it on to other people at the celebration-and then the vicious chain just exploded and suddenly everyone in our family and that we knew had the flu. I am sure it didn't ALL start with me, and I had to have gotten in somewhere-but I am still amazed at how many people had this "THING". Claire just got over it and Connor is having his own version of it right now. So, back to that THanksgiving thing.....we went to my dad and Carla's Thursday early afternoon and then up to celebrate with Todd's family. I was the "roll girl" this season bringing a 30 pack of THE BEST ROLLS EVER to each celebration. They really are the best rolls ever and can be bought for $6 for a pack of 30 at Sam's Club. They are called Sister Schuberts http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=125636. You can get them in smaller pack elsewhere, but trust me you will want 30. I also made sweet potato casserole and struessel pumpkin pie. Mmmmm to both! Okay, it's naptime and I am obviously craving some conversation or this wouldn't be such a long post..... Here are a few pics from our Thanksgiving season (no, there won't be any of anyone heaving in a toilet, I promise)

Taylor had a program at school where he had a speaking part and sang. Then we went back to his classroom for a first grade FEAST! I made mashed potatoes for 37 people! That was interesting...

These are the hats they wore during the program. Cute and all, but REALLY? You couldn't even see the kids faces, they kept falling off and the kids played with them the entire time. Is it okay to be bitter about 1st grade crafts??

Cousin Quinn pushing Claire in a baby stroller.

We went to visit Aunt Erika (Todd's sis) at her appt. the day after Thanksgiving.

One of the kids tables at our "friends" Thanksgiving. We had a group picture of all of us-I will post it when I get it. There were 14 adults and 17 kids (& one on the way). They officially outnumber us!

Tribute to Mom: 57 reasons why I love her so!

2010-11-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

Today, November 16th is my moms 57th birthday! So in her honor, I have decided to list 57 reasons I love her so! There are in no particular order; simply the order that they randomly came to mind. This was actually a lot easier to do than I thought....try it with someone you love!

1. She talks to me almost every day-sometimes multiple time a day.
2. She lets me send 400 emails in one day all filled with questions and she just answers me instead of wondering why I am sending so many emails or being a bug-a-boo.
3. She doesn't bring up the fact that I ate my poop when I was baby....anymore (since she's already told everyone I know!)
4. She can and will hem anything-and since I am not even 5 foot tall-I NEED that!
5. She let me host a Halloween party at her house with my crazy friends when I was in my 20's....twice....and never complained about it (to my face).
6. She has a group of close friends and has shown me the value of long lasting friendship!
7. She makes killer Halloween costumes!
8. She knows the answer to every single cooking question. I often call her Martha Stewart. My poor kids are not going to get so lucky!
9. She still lets me host Halloween parties at her house, this time with my friends and our crazy kids, and even helps me with the food, set up and clean up.
10. She hand-made every single flower used for my wedding.
11. She didn't kill me when I was 11 and threw a lunch box at her head.
12. She is the best singer in the whole wide world (well, I used to think so when I was little and she would rock it out in the car)
13. She keeps EVERYTHING! She recently dug out me and my sisters old baby dolls.
14. She treats my friends like her own kids.
15. She has paid me to clean her house for years because I needed $, even though she hasn't always needed me to clean it (they keep they house pretty clean).
16. She loves to dance and doesn't care what anyone thinks when she dances.
17. She came down the night before my college graduation and partied with me and my roomates and then spent the night on a blow up mattress at our college house.
18. She will bring 2 large pots of chicken noodles to a birthday party because I don't think I can make enough (and then take them back home almost full because I made too much).
19. I never have to pay when we eat out and she is anywhere in the same restaurant.
20. She is good friends with my dad and step-mom and they have a good relationship.
21. She will watch my kids anytime I ask her and she is available.
22. She will come to any sporting event of her grandkids that she is able to go to.
23. She split her spa gift certificate so she could treat me and my sister too!
24. She will do anything I ask her too, if she can.
25. She has great taste in men! My dad and then my step-dad!
26. She hired me at her lawfirm because I didn't have a summer job.
27. She smells like "my mom" and every house she has ever owned smells the same-like her.
28. She leads a tradition of baking cookies together (me, her and my sister) every year around Christmas. And when I say cookies-I mean close to 1000 cookies.
29. She will cook Sunday dinner and let me bring over whoever I want to eat.
30. She is thoughtful and does things for others.
31. We used to tease her that she should own stock in Hallmark b/c she will shop for cards in bulk. She is good at sending them out.
32. She bought me an expensive baby monitor because I couldn't stop crying about my first son falling asleep (can you say baby blues???)
33. She married a great guy that became an awesome step-dad and beloved Papaw.
34. She offered to pay the entry fee to a cute kid contest for my kids because she truly thinks they are as cute as I think they are!
35. She loves to have fun!
36. She is a heck of an entertainer. She knows how to throw a shin-dig! I for sure want her planning my 50th birthday bash! (not that I am looking forward to that or that it will be anytime soon.....)
37. She can Boot Scootin' Boogie.

We have the same hair-do! Princess Lea.

I could not find a closer one of the three of us!! (me, mom, sister)

Me & mom first week home

Me and mom-my first birthday!

Sweet

38. She can get along with anyone and strike up a conversation with anyone.
39. She put up with my many loser choices in boys until I found "the one".
40. She will bring me her Kohls 30% off discount at 8:00pm, when it is raining outside, on her birthday-because I need it.
41. She's short, like me (1 inch taller)-it is a reminder how I got to be so short.
42. She has worked hard to get where she is professionally and rocks her profession.
43. She has a contagious laugh.
44. She's moody like me, which reminds me that I am not the only one that isn't perfect.
45. She shares my taste in books and likes to read, therefore she buys the books and hands them down to me when she's done.
46. She still has things we made or gave her when we were little hanging on her walls at home.
47. She always has gum.
48. She tries to call me at the exact time I was born every year on my birthday.
49. She has tried to quit smoking 187 times and counting.
50. She makes Coco Wheats for my kids when they spend the night, which is a childhood memory of mine.
51. She goes away for a weekend every year with her girlfriends and has a once a month "supper club" with them. I hope to follow in her footsteps with my friends!
52. She spent a lot of time making us cool birthday cakes when we were growing up. I have tried to do the same for my kids.
53. She will never ever get rid of her season Colts tickets without asking us if we want them.
54. She is beautiful.
55. She gets me surprises for Christmas.
56. She doesn't get mad or upset when my kids spill or break things at her house, which is every time they are over there.
57. She is the best Mom and Mamaw ever!

Love you mom! Happy Birthday

Halloween Par-TAY!

2010-11-14T13:25:00.000-08:00

This year we hosted what turned out to be an AWESOME Halloween Party! All the kids came in costume and many adults too. Thanks to some fabulous friends of mine we were able to offer different areas for kids to make their own cotton candy, make their own caramel apples, 3 different crafts, a bounce house, pile of leaves to jump in, mini-hayrides (these were especially popular), pumpkin pinata, bonfire and lots and lots of food to eat! I had so much fun and I am sure the kids did too. OH, and our family dressed up as characters from Toy Story! A perfect party to celebrate the best season of the year (FALL!). I wish I could post all of the pictures here w/ all the different families dressed up but I will keep it to a minimum. Enjoy!

Mommy (Jessie), Connor (Buzz), Taylor (army toy soldier), Daddy (Woody) and Claire (Big Baby from TS 3)

Meredith Family with their donkey for a prop :) Yay! Donkey rides!

Cotton candy, sweet and low, let me see your tootsie roll!

Will, the caramel man, Klein and his vampire helper

Bo & Luke Duke scrounging on some cotton candy (like those two need sugar!)

My mom helped us put our costumes together (she witchery-stitched the chaps onto my pants, sewed the white onto my hat and made Todds vest. Todd's artistic tendency came in handy when he drew the red plaid and yellow/red design onto our shirts)

Homecoming

2010-10-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Our half time entertainment, thanks Craig!

Me & the hubby

720

Craig's stellar parking job which he preceded by stating "watch this" then parked basically on the sidewalk.

College roomies!

Jennifer and I at the game!

I know you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats wondering "why hasn't she posted anything in TWO WHOLE WEEKS! That is a lifetime of waiting! I know, I know, settle down...I'm back! Husband and I went to IU Homecoming a couple of weeks ago with my college roomie Jennifer (one of my BFF's since junior high) and her husband. It wasn't "wild and crazy, relive my college days" but that is okay-I am more into low key events the older I get. I will save the wild and crazy times for perhaps once a year. It was fun! I got to see two of my old roomates from college, Jeremy and Josh, and catch up with them and their lives. We went to Yogi's (for any of you IU alums reading this), which we used to live around the corner from our senior year and spent way too much time there. It has changed a lot since then, as have we, so the experience is definitely not the same! Sitting in a bar with loud and rowdy college kids and not being those loud and rowdy college kids, doesn't feel quite the same! But the company was good so it didn't really matter!

The Par-tay!

2010-10-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Me on my 1st bday (that is my mom in the background-isn't she pretty?)

Claire awaiting her own little cake

Claire's #1 cake

Claire's name spelled in cupcakes with the movies we made her playing in the background. It is just a slideshow of pictures of her first year set to music w/ a video of her laughing for the first time at the end. It turned out really cute!

A little pinata fun!

Claire diving in + me playing with the editing website picknik.com

Birthday Princess

Claire's birthday bash was a success! Lots of our family and friends came to celebrate with her! We had chicken and noodles with rolls and apples with carmel dip, cupcakes, cake and ice cream. We had a birthday pinata that we sorta failed at breaking open-but the kids all got their goodies and that is what counts! It wasn't raining so the dads and older kids got to play outside in the bouncy (not that dads-at least I don't think)...and football. We are so lucky to have so many special people in our lives to share the day with. I found a picture of me at my first birthday when I was at my moms the other day and didn't even know that I had a cake shaped like a #1 just like the one I made for Claire (well, except for my mom made a super huge one that she pieced together herself and mine is from a #1 mold). Oh and sorry mom for stealing the picture-I will put it back where I found it. Thank you to all of our friends and family that came to celebrate with us!

Go Hoosiers!

2010-10-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to a football game of our alma mater thanks to our friends, The Mitchens, who have season tickets and couldn't go! We had a great time! Taylor and daddy played in the new kids zone and Connor enjoyed watching the band. Claire didn't know what to look at because there was so much going on. There was a feeling of nostalgia seeing the college kids "tailgating" before the game. Todd and I both have a lot of memories on that campus, albeit different from each others since we didn't meet until AFTER college. Driving through campus with our 3 kids in a world so far removed from those days. I think it would be great if at least one (if not all three) kids went to college there, but I will be happy wherever they go-as long as they GO. OH, and by the way-when did college girls stop wearing clothes???

I love this shot-the boys are trying to get Claire to clap! She is actually too busy watching the game :)

Happy 1st Birthday Claire!

2010-09-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

My beautiful Claire Annalise is 1 today! I am filled with happiness and pride as having her as my daughter. There is a little sadness there too, wondering where in the world did this year go? It all flew by way too fast, leaving me wanting the year played back to me in slow motion so I can sit back and take it all in. My last baby turns 1 today and although I am so excited to see her grow every day, I am saddened at the thought of no more 1st smiles, 1st laughs, 1st hugs, etc. But I am also blessed to be able to have experienced them three times over. I am going to post 12 pictures today, one for every month and the last one, taken today on her first birthday. There are so many things I love about her, but here are a few (thousand) that I will share:

I love the way she gets the biggest grin on her face when she sees me. Now she is even starting to squeal with delight. She does it to her daddy too. So sweet!
Even though it drives others a little crazy, it melts my heart that she cries while I am away because she misses me.
I love how she gets excited and laughs playing with Taylor. And sometimes Connor-when he is not trying to or accidentally hurting her :)
I love how she randomly shakes her head or nods yes.
I love how she sucks her two little fingers on her right hand.
Even though it is frustrating at times, I love how she puts her fingers in my mouth when I hold her.
I love how she is a mix of her daddy and me.
I love how calm, content and sweet she is. She will go anywhere with me and usually not fuss at all. As long as she is with her momma.
I love her laugh.
I love her toothy grin.
I love her slobberly chin.
I love her chubby legs.
I love when she says "momma"
I love when she falls asleep in her highchair.
I love when she lays her head on my shoulder.
I love it when she pats my back when she hugs me.

I could go on, but I have some pictures to post! Happy Birthday my sweet, beautiful baby girl. I love you to the moon and back! And so does daddy and Taylor and Connor!

Claire is born!

1 month old

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

LA Baby

2010-09-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone should rock it out with the Jonas Brothers every once in a while....

Rollin round the neighborhood

2010-09-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

I got a new bike for my birthday! Thank you husband! It is a 24" and although I feel like a child riding it-it is the first bike that I can touch the ground on and hold the bike upright. Please feel free to laugh at me now. My dad even gave me a new "comfort seat" to put on it so it is comfortable to ride. I hooked up the kids to the back and we took a family ride to celebrate.

Is it CJ or MJ?

2010-09-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure Connor Jackson could be the new Michael Jackson. He's got a killer pose!

Connor Pirate-Knight Jackson

Are you ready for some football?

2010-09-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to have a blog entry on my birthday this year (The big 33-but who's counting) by stealing yet ANOTHER one of Ambers ideas. If I knew how to put a link up to her blog with her name, I would, but I'm not that cool, so check her out over there on the left-amberwavesofgrain. Anyway, the idea I was going to steal was to post 33 things about myself, in honor of none other than myself. Because it was my birthday and it really was "all about me". Oh wait, this is my blog, so isn't it always all about me? I had strep throat on my birthday though and am just now feeling human again, and I couldn't find a previous list I had made of things that others might find interesting or at least worth reading about in a blog. The thought of creating one from scratch was daunting and I wasn't up to it. So, next year I promise I will do one. Only a few hundred days and counting-mark it on your calendar :)

I am so good at tangents that this is supposed to be about football and now it's about me rambling so onto the football part. Taylor is playing flag football this year for the first time. He chose that over soccer, which he played the previous two years. He is pretty good at it; well, except for that interception that he threw last weekend that the opposing team ran back for a touch down. But they don't keep score, so it doesn't matter. Ya, not at all. Those kids have NO idea what the score is. Yep-keep on believing that league. He usually plays quarterback but sometimes plays receiver. I think. Anyway, pictures from said football.

Maybe I should post pictures of me rambling-that would be a more accurate portrayal of this post. Another tangent-can I please tell you what a wonderful feeling it is to be healthy after being so down and out? I felt like choreographing a musical. Or at least looking up on the internet how to spell choreographing.

Swinging Siblings

2010-09-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

We went to the park this morning to hike around in the woods and play. We took a picture of Claire on the swings. I remembered taking one of Taylor close to her age on the swings at a different park, so I found it when I got home. The DO look like brother and sister and they are almost the exact same age in the pics!

Labor Day family fun

2010-09-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

My aunt Jeri &amd uncle Jim live a couple of hours away in their dream home log cabin that is minutes away from a beautiful lake! We don't see them that often because of the distance between us but like to go visit them when we can (which unfortunately with our busy lives is only once a year). We went down over Labor Day weekend and had a fun time catching up. Todd got to go fishing with Jim and then we took the boat out on the lake. We went to their teeny tiny church with them Sunday morning and my kids actualy BEHAVED (sorta kinda-only TWO of them were crawling under the pews) sitting in big church. Thanks for hosting us-we had fun! And yes I really do exist-I am just never in the picture because I am usually taking it :)

Luke and Bo Duke go to school

2010-09-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Uh oh teachers, watch out-the boys are here! My baby boy, Connor started preschool this week. He is in the 3-year-old class with his cousin, Austin. The boys are 7 months apart in age and two peas in a pod. They are both 100% energetic, LOUD, and boy. They play well together and they fight well together. Sooooo...good luck teachers. We wish you well. So I tried to steal the idea (from Amber) of asking Connor questions about preschool and posting his answers on here, however Connor didn't really have any answers. Yes he likes preschool. His favorite part is "NOFFING (nothing)" and his teachers names are "I don't know". So, there you have it folks. Interesting words from the mouth of Connor.

Holy Salmon!

2010-08-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one that didn't know how ginormous Salmon can be? Todd (husband) has a friend that is a fishing guide and he went fishing with his brother and his friend this past week and caught some monster salmon! I misheard the weight though and was telling "fish stories" for him. I just told a friend of mine that he caught a 40 lb salmon but in actuality it was a 20 lb salmon. Where did I get 40 lbs? Who knows-but it sounded good! I've never been a salmon eater but we cut it up, marinated it and grilled it. It was pretty good I must say. We took the leftovers and made it into "salmon salad", kinda like tuna salad. That turned out pretty good too. I must say I surprise myself everyday with the things that I am willing to eat. And for those that know me too well, in case you are wondering, YES I SMELLED IT FIRST!

Salmon Marinade
Lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder (sprinkle on before & after marinade)
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix until brown sugar disolves and marinate salmon for at least an hour.

Chocolate Ewwwwww!

2010-08-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

Connor decided he would get into the baking cocoa when we were making cake and just put a big ole spoonful in his mouth! SURPRISE! It doesn't taste very good by itself. I turned around to see him trying to spit it out and he looked like this.....

I love you Shulas!

2010-08-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

I got to have a girls night out last weekend and it was tons of fun! I have known some of these girls since the 6th grade-others since high school. Love that we are all such close friends and still see each other all the time. We have been through so many different stages of life together and I can honestly say I know we will continue to be friends through the other stages in our lives. I hope that everyone has the opportunity to go out with their girlfriends like this every once in a while. We went to a winery downtown and then to a steakhouse for dinner and then got in a little dancing at the end. I haven't danced like that for YEARS! So many laughs!

Happy 1st Grade to Taylor!

2010-08-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Oh yes we did....make a birthday cake and sing Happy 1st grade to you! My BABY started first grade last week. WHICH MEANS....

He is gone all day for the first time!
I don't get to spend quality time with him while the little ones are napping!
He gets to eat lunch and have gym, art, media center and music at school!
Some days he gets to take his lunch in his new lunch box and that is just as exciting!
HE IS GROWING UP SO FAST!!

I was a little worried at first because he didn't really want to start school so I tried to talk it up and make it sound exciting. I suggested we make a cake to celebrate him starting 1st grade and he absolutely loved the idea! AND I think it helped get him ready to start. Of course the cake had to be in the shape of a football since he is playing football now. Love you Tay-Happy 1st grade to my wonderful son!

South CarolinYA

2010-08-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Family beach shots that everyone takes while they are on vacation (you know you do it!)

My sweet, adorable children

Scott & Carla at Patriots Point

Mommy, Connor, Taylor at water park

Mommy & Claire at the beach. Claire has a broken leg in this picture but we didn't know it yet! :(

Battery Park in Charleston

Taylor and Daddy's sand castle. Connor and I collected the shells to decorate it.

I think this is the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point

Taylor thought he could ride his bike a mile down the beach....which is why we ended up pushing it half way there and ALL the way back. GREAT idea!

Sister Ali and her bfriend Adam

Grandma & Grandpa and the grandkids

We just got back from a trip to Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Or South CarolinYA as Connor calls it. My moms aunt and uncle lived here when I was young and we vacationed there every year since I was born and my mom lived there for a while in the 1990's. My dad hadn't been in 25 years-since me and my sister were little so he wanted to venture back down since he always enjoyed it. So him and my stepmom rented a house for the whole family across the street from the beach. My family, my sisters family and my stepbrother all went. It was a fun week (except for Claire's leg and the shark bite). Don't worry, it wasn't us who got bit-but it sure did put a damper on things. We were in the hospital with Claire when we ran into a family also from our state that had a 16 year old (friend of their sons) who had gotten bit by a shark and had to get 40-some stitches on his leg! WHAT? I already have an abnormal fear of sharks; I don't get in the ocen past my knees. But now there was a shark bite that occurred less than a couple of blocks from where we were staying. No thank you very much! I would like to keep my appendages.....

Stupid Bed!

2010-08-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

Look at that smile even in the hospital! I was up all night that is why I am looking super tired!

Claire the next day in downtown Charleston.

So, we were on vacation last week in Isle of Palms, SC and on the very first night I was changing Claire on the bed and I turned for what I thought was a fraction of a second to grab the laundry basket and she rolled off the bed!!! I know you are right now thinking of grabbing the phone to ask me to watch your child. But not only that , when I went to try to catch her I still had the laundry basket and smacked her in the head with it :( The short story of it is we thought she was okay but the next day her leg seemed to be in pain so we took her to the hospital and sure enough she had broken her femur bone! I am sure you can imagine how awful I felt that it happened and that we waited to get her treatment. She was such a trooper though it all! In the end they admitted us to the hospital and we spent 24 hours of our vacation in the hospital. They put Claire in what is called a Pavlik Harness that is typically used for hip dysplasia but the alternative to this was a cast that goes all the way up around her waste. The doctors thought this would be way more comfortable for her and it has worked out well! She is doing much better and will hopefully only have to wear it for a couple of more weeks. She has even managed to still crawl around in this thing. So sorry my little darling Claire Annalise!

Claire is 10 months old!

2010-08-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

I was looking back at my blog and realized that I didn't do a post for Claire's 9th month. Bad mommy! Claire turned 10 months on our last day of vacation. Unfortunately she had so spend it in her harness (another post to come on that). But she is such a calm and happy baby that it didn't seem to bother her too much.

She still only has her two bottom teeth-don't see any others coming in as of yet.
Her hair is getting lighter even though it doesn't see much sun due to hats and such.
She is chunkin out-she is up to 18 pounds!
She started crawling the day before the leg incident :(
She babbles, smiles and laughs a lot!
She is eating table food-pretty much anything we give her as long as it it is in small pieces. She likes most everything.
Stil no luck in getting her to drink out of a sippy cup (or bottle)-we'll keep trying!
I can't believe only two more months until she is ONE!

This pic was taken on the day she turned 10 months while we were on vacation!