SANTA!

We meet some friends at the mall yesterday.  I told the kids that we were going to see Santa.  So we all got ready and left in a hurry so that we could be back for school.  So I pull up to the mall and tell them we are here and we needed to hurry so that we could see our friends and Santa and get back before the bus left the girls.  Claire took one look around and declared that we were not at the North Pole so there was no way Santa would be here.  Then refused to get out of the car.  Of course I did not let here miss this moment to etch in history. (that and I did not want to be arrested for leaving her in the car)

 

Claire would not be in the picture unless I was.  Thank you for including me Claire.  I felt so loved by the time this history event was over.

What do you do when...

...your daughter drops the sacrament tray and the bread goes everywhere?

 

Jen don't look...

I just made this dress for my friend Jen's daughter.

I just could not help but post it before I send it to her.

  

 I made the girls Christmas dress from this same pattern.  I will post those soon.

Jen, if you are reading this, sorry to ruin the surprise.

Benjamin is thankful for...

FAMILY!

Do you notice that Grandma made the family portrait,
but Julia and Zachary did not?  
(she has always been his favorite)

Claire was quick to point out that Zachary would fit between Benjamin and Aubrey.  Julia would fit next to Grandma.

I am just grateful that he was thankful for family and not something like video games or candy.
I am blessed!

We spent a weekend in the mountains of Breckenridge!

Let the adventure began!

  View from our Condo, not bad!

  Out hiking.

 Claire's courageous climb next to the old mine.

Amie and Aubrey checking out the waterfall.

I've said it before... this is God's Country!

I need to find a new hiding spot.

So, my Mom got a FurReal cat for Aubrey (don't tell her) for Christmas.  The cat is probably going to be the closest thing my kids get to a pet for a long time. Anyways, it make real cat sounds and moves like a cat. It is really "real" looking. It is hiding in my sewing room closet.

It is wrapped in two or three layers of plastic. Indiscernible to the naked eye.  But when it comes to light this cat can tell the difference.  When you turn the lights off it will meow.  I have known this for a while now.  But it is only today that the kids have heard it.

Benjamin has been playing his playstation in my sewing room.  Tonight I went in and without thinking told him, "you do not need the light on". And then it happened.  "MEOW".

Benjamin, "what was that?".

Me, "what I did not hear anything".

Benjamin, "something went in my ear and I heard a meow.  I think there is a cat in here".

Me, "let's turn the light on and see".

Benjamin, "oh, there is no cat".

Then he proceeds to turn the light off and play his game.

Cat, "MEOW"

Benjamin, "there was that sound in my ear that told my thinking brain that there is a cat in the closet."

(and yes he said it just like that)

Me, "well tell me if you see it".

Benjamin, "I will because it will poop in here".

(I do want to thank him for his concern)

So, I thought it was over.  Oh no, it was not.  While I was relaying the story to my friend on the phone. I over hear Benjamin telling the girls, "come here.  There is a cat in Mommy's sewing room."

Great now everyone in involved!

I must go and intervene.  I go upstairs to find them flashing the lights on and off to try and persuade the cat out of it's hiding spot.  To no avail the cat, of course, did not come out. So I quickly usher everyone back to bed.  

As Julia goes into her room she looks back at me and says very quietly, "Shhh, kitty sleeping."

(so so cute)

Now, I am off to find a new sleeping spot for kitty. Before morning comes.

Pumpkin Pan

Just went to Wal-Mart.

Found the best deal on 75% clearance

Only $3.25!

I think it will work for more than just Halloween.

If you can not tell I am very excited about this find.

Can't Leave 'em Alone

So, while I was doing some cleaning. Yeah, yeah I know it is hard to believe that I was cleaning, but I digress.  Claire decided to wear - play - DESTROY- my glasses.  I don't know they aren't so bad.

What do you think? 

While I was trying to bend them back the glasses snapped! Thanks, Claire. You may be getting a new pair of glasses for Christmas.

Is somebody in there?

So the other day I could hear Zachary crying, but it took a while to find him.  He would start and stop off and on.  And the other kids were not any help.  They said they had not seen him.  Well they lied.  They had built him a house and knew they would be in trouble.  Here are some pic of the house they built for him.

Where are the windows?  Could someone possible be in there?

HELP ME !

Zachary if you survive your siblings it will be a true miracle!    

First Haircut!

 Aunt Hanna was recently in town and gave Zach his first haircut!

Here is the mop head! 

Not to sure about all this.

 

Dad seems pretty calm about it.

You did not tell me I could have a SUCKER!

And MILK?

I think it Hanna did a great job.

Now he looks more like a little boy

 instead of my baby.

(And NO this does not mean that we are going have another baby.)

(Just trying to divert any questioning.)

Let it SNOW!

It snowed yesterday!

Julia thought it was tasty!  (good thing it was not yellow)

Let the snowballs fights begin!

Benjamin wanted to get me when I answered the door...

too bad I am smarter than that!

We finished the fun with pretzels and hot chocolate!  

What a cool mom these kids have!

Pumpkin Picking Pleasures!

Everyone had a great time picking out their pumpkin, going through the mazes, petting the animals and climbing the haystacks.  Its official now... fall is here.

Trip to Naples Florida

At the Hotel

Last Month, Amie and I went for an all paid three day trip to Naples Florida.  It was really a great vacation.  We took long walks on the beach, and spent a day (full day... we opened the park and closed the park) at Busch Gardens,  and ate until our heart was content... then ate a little more.

 Where's the beef?!

Right before our first roller coaster ride... one of 12 rides on this roller coaster alone!!

Photo of a photo... good times at 4.5 Gs.

 

Another shot of our hotel lobby.

Pancakes anyone?

This morning I let the kids make pancakes.
(with supervision)

Four-grain pancakes!  Yum!

Claire thought that the counter was the better helping spot.

Aubrey wanted to help with Claire.

Dig in!

I think that everyone had a great breakfast!

Why do we have tongues?

Aubrey: "Why do we have tongues?"

Claire: "To lick ice cream cones, duh!"

Laundry and Thoughts...

As I am still up doing the hundredth load of laundry... I am lost in thought.  How can we all get along?  What makes us think and say mean things to each other?  I know that confrontation is in this world, but why does it have to be among family and friends?  Nothing earth shattering has happened to me.  I just wish that there were a little more love.  Me included.  So do me a favor (and I am going to do this too) next time you chance to meet a frown, turn it upside down.  Do your part to make this world a better place.  I know we all can do it.  Now on to the next load...

Sweet Slumber!

This is what I found yesterday after dropping Benjamin and the girls off for school.  They both stayed asleep until it was time to pick them up also!

I was able to make my neighbor dinner and make a baby gift for her.

Also talk to my friend Leah for almost 2 hours on the phone.

Nothing like multitasking and nothing like a great afternoon!

P.S. I did not leave them in the stroller the whole afternoon.  Thanks, Mom, for your concern.

Something does not look right?

When we were looking for Aubrey's shoes yesterday we could not find one of them.

I wonder why?

Then we found one of Claire's.  Wait she already had her shoes on.  And then the mystery was solved...

I think we got our money's worth!

Yesterday after school.  I decided to mow the grass.  While I was doing that.  Claire found the apples I had purchased earlier that day. And proceeded to eat it.  When she was done this is all that she had left.

And it was no little apple.

Next, she wanted another.

At least they are good for you!

Umm... What Happened to My Cake?!?

I guess I cannot leave the kitchen while baking a cake... even to update Facebook.

They (Benjamin and Claire) were very hungry. Mostly for cake... 

But they told me they were VERY sorry! 

(in the most dramatic voice they could muster)

After it was frosted no one could tell.

Grandma's Panties

I will spare you a picture of this one.  Aubrey the other day, while she was getting dressed, was running around saying.  I love wearing Grandma's panties.  I was like what are you talking about?  Then I figured out that she was talking about the panties that Grandma had given them on her last trip here.  Something you don't hear everyday.  "I love wearing Grandma's panties!" at the top of someone's lungs!  I just hope the windows were not opened.  I am afraid what the neighbors think of us already.  What a funny girl!

If you don't have a shot, don't take it...

Some times we save a trip downstairs, by throwing diapers at the trash can from upstairs.  Today it did not save a trip or time.

The diaper hit the chair and EXPLODED!

EVERYWHERE!

I was just glad that it did not have a present inside!

Hope you have an EXPLOSIVE day!

I already am!