One.Big.Happy.Family!

I will update!

2011-09-26T10:34:00.002-05:00

Really! I swear it! Things are calming down a bit! I've got a teeny itsy bitsy bit of extra time. =)

Happy Birthday, Jadyn!

2011-07-22T06:21:00.000-05:00

I'm sure that you will tell me tomorrow that you now have 364 days until you are a teenager!

Relaxing...

2011-07-21T10:22:00.002-05:00

We have literally spent the week at home just relaxing. It's been extremely hot and leaving the air conditioning just doesn't seem very smart, especially with a wee little person.

I know the girls are having an amazing time at camp. I miss them, but really really wanted them to have this opportunity. Brennan is already chomping at the bit to go next year. I think the hardest part is that Jadyn's birthday is tomorrow and she won't be home to celebrate. I'm hoping the camp will do something for her to help her celebrate her big day.

Ryanne is showing more signs that she's ready to get rid of her diapers. She starts preschool in September and we'd like her to at least be partially trained. Due to her birthday I think she'll be the youngest one in her class. She'll be going Tues/Thurs mornings. She is so ready and so stinking excited to be a "big girl."

Camp Benson here they come!

2011-07-17T22:02:00.004-05:00

Bags are all packed and the girls are ready to go! I'm nervous for both of them, but no without a shadow of a doubt that they are going to have an amazing time at camp. It'll be good for all of us, but we sure will miss them.

After check-in we got a guided tour to both of the girls cabins. Without it I think we would have gotten lost.

Taryn's bed is all set up and ready for her to dive-in tonight

One last quick cuddle before we leave.

And we're outta here! It' was about 117* with the heat index when we dropped them off. Thank goodness they have air conditioned cabins to sleep in. We couldn't wait to get back to the car and turn the a/c on full blast!

Cars 2 & Transformers 3

2011-07-16T09:52:00.002-05:00

We told Brennan that once Cars 2 made it to the drive-in that we would go check it out. Last night was our night to go! As always the kids played on the playground equipment before the movies started and we all had a wonderful time. We are so lucky to have a drive-in close to us.

Summer Variety Show

2011-07-14T22:55:00.003-05:00

The last 2 weeks the older 3 have been really busy. They've been working on a summer variety show that is doing songs and dances from a bunch of Disney movies. I drop them off at 1pm and then pick them up at 5pm.

Tonight was the actual performance and the entire cast did an amazing job!

I have better videos (that doesn't have my arm jerking around from a certain little boy) but they are too long and they didn't want to upload. =(

YIKES!

2011-07-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

This was just 2 streets over.
Another couple of blocks over the road is blocked as well due to another tree.

Oops!

2011-07-11T17:45:00.003-05:00

We've obviously been eating later than I realized.

Brennan: Mama, why are we eating dinner when the sun is still in the sky?

Bad Storms & Corn

2011-07-11T10:56:00.000-05:00

We had a bad storm come through this morning.
From this viewpoint yesterday, you couldn't see the top of the out building. This morning you definitely can.

Happy 5 Months, Greyson!

2011-07-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

Camp Schedule

2011-07-09T19:58:00.000-05:00

Jadyn & Taryn are going to be busy busy busy when they head to camp on the 17th!

Cheeks!

2011-07-07T16:39:00.001-05:00

Our version of a sleepover =)

2011-07-05T22:40:00.001-05:00

Happy 4th Of July!

2011-07-04T10:38:00.001-05:00

Petunia Festival Parade

2011-07-03T19:33:00.000-05:00

A Happy Birthday Swim Night

2011-07-01T20:59:00.001-05:00

We enjoyed some pool time tonight once Kolin got home from work.
Happy Birthday to the best daddy and husband we could ask for!

Petunia Festival

2011-06-30T21:55:00.000-05:00

The Petunia Festival started today. Since tonight is family night (meaning FREE) we decided to check it out.

Not much was going on, but we did get to check out the Ronald Reagan sand sculpture that was being made. It would have been Reagan's 100th birthday this year.

Trip to the zoo!

2011-06-25T21:46:00.000-05:00

We are so incredibly blessed!

Checking out the stingrays

We got to stingray bay just in time to feed them. So neat and so weird all at the same time.

We couldn't have fit one more little person in the pouch!
She was busting at the seams.

Cooling off by the giraffes. Ryanne was having so much fun she didn't want to leave.
She was soaked!

Couldn't you just eat him up?

2011-06-24T19:28:00.001-05:00

Sleeping & Sacking

2011-06-23T21:41:00.000-05:00

This baby boy will sleep anywhere when the mood hits him.

He was NOT happy with me when I put him in a sleepsack tonight before bed. He usually just sleeps in his diaper, but it's really chilly (It shouldn't be since it's the end of June) and he needed to be warm.

Let's bust out....

2011-06-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

the JUMPEROO!

What exactly am I supposed to do with this thing?

Oh look! I found a toy! This is getting better by the minute!

I'm still not quite sure what in the world I'm supposed to be doing..... But mommy and daddy seem to think I'll have a ton of fun in it.

Gotcha!

Somedays...

2011-06-21T10:10:00.000-05:00

There are days I can catch them playing together without arguing and fighting.
This morning was one of them.

Dancing & Sleeping

2011-06-19T21:24:00.000-05:00

Just Dance 2 came to visit from the video store and we loved it!
It's definitely on our must have list.

This little guy will make you smile....

2011-06-18T09:18:00.001-05:00

Brennan's 4-H Puppy

2011-06-16T18:37:00.000-05:00

Brennan trimming the fur on his puppy

I suppose the puppy needs a couple of eyes

A boy and his puppy......

ER Visit Today

2011-06-15T21:54:00.000-05:00

I'm actually quite happy I had my camera to take this picture. Ryanne kept saying that her head her ( of course), but she couldn't see why. Once I was able to show her the picture she knew WHY her head hurt so bad and that calmed her down quite a bit.

All cleaned up and super glued.

Brotherly Love

2011-06-14T17:47:00.000-05:00

4 Month Well Baby

2011-06-14T12:14:00.000-05:00

Weight: 15lbs 6oz
Length: 26 1/4 inches
Head: 43 cm

Enough Already!

2011-06-13T15:57:00.000-05:00

This little guy has obviously had it with having his picture taken.

Isn't S/He ugly? Saw it out of the corner of my eye and jumped 10 feet.

Brennan is ready to slice Jadyn in half with his light saber.
I'm pretty sure Jadyn has plans of her own.

These 3 are ALWAYS up to something. They never did tell me what they found in the bottom of the wagon, but from the looks of it they were enthralled.

It's the little things!

2011-06-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

Playing at the drive-in....

2011-06-11T11:23:00.002-05:00

We are lucky enough to have a Drive-in theater about 10 minutes from us. We try and go at least a couple of times every summer. Last night we went and saw Rio & X-Men First Class. We had a great time...even when it rained on us. =)

Happy 4 Months, Greyson!

2011-06-10T16:21:00.001-05:00

Let's Cuddle Mr. Bear!

2011-06-09T19:20:00.000-05:00

Family Video

2011-06-08T12:16:00.000-05:00

Family video gives each child who brings in their report card a voucher for a free rental (except for the brand spanking new movies) for every A. We ended up with 37!

Water Balloon Fight & A Quick Swim

2011-06-07T14:07:00.003-05:00

There are days like today when I wish there were at least 2, if not 3 of me.
It's really hot today.....think triple digits and humid. ICK!
The older 4 wanted to swim and I couldn't figure out how that was possible with the younger 2. While the bigs were playing and Greyson was sleeping I filled up some water balloons. When Ryanne and Greyson went down for a nap we went outside and had a water balloon fight. After the water balloons I ran inside real quick to make sure the littles were still sleeping. Since they were, I told the older 4 they had 10 minutes. Go jump in the pool!

Are you tired yet?

Once Kolin got home from work they went in again....

Hello!

2011-06-07T12:41:00.001-05:00

Report Card Day!

2011-06-07T09:35:00.002-05:00

We had to be up and out of the house bright and early this morning to pick up report cards. Everyone did really well!

Next year we'll have 5 in 5 different schools........ YIKES!

Who is this handsome boy?

2011-06-06T18:49:00.001-05:00

If you look closely...

2011-06-06T16:46:00.000-05:00

you can see his tooth on the bottom.

Have to walk for ice cream

2011-06-05T19:15:00.004-05:00

We have a small ice cream shop a few blocks away. Everyone can get what they want and the prices are great. It's a downhill walk on the way and an uphill walk on the way home. The walk makes me feel not quite as guilty about having a treat.

Miss Jadyn

2011-06-05T15:25:00.001-05:00

I can't believe she is going to be 12 next month! She's a keeper! I don't know what I would do without her.

Taryn's Family

2011-06-05T15:07:00.003-05:00

Everyone is drawn in their favorite color. Since Greyson isn't old enough to have a favorite yet Taryn decided on a color for him.

We've got a tooth!

2011-06-04T08:43:00.002-05:00

One has finally popped up on the bottom and now we're just waiting for #2 to make an appearance. It crazy how they can go from miserable to happy go lucky once the teeth finally pop in. We've really missed our happy baby boy the last couple of weeks.

Another tooth fairy visit

2011-06-03T16:45:00.001-05:00

The lower right tooth just popped right out. It flew out of his mouth and landed on my lap.
We were both surprised!

Last full day of school!

2011-06-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

So, today was the very last full day of school. Monday is a teacher institute day and Tuesday they just have to show up long enough to pick up their report cards and then they are free for the summer!

Our future 7th grader

Our future 5th grader

Our future 2nd grader

Our future kindergartener

Our future preschooler

Our future staying home and hanging out with mommy baby

Someone was up at 4am

2011-06-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

He was as happy as could be and just wanted a snack and a cuddle. Then he ended up like this:

On the other hand I couldn't get back to sleep, so I ended up seeing this....

A field trip to the zoo!

2011-06-01T20:11:00.000-05:00

It was an absolutely beautiful day for the zoo! We couldn't have asked for nicer weather. The sun was out and there was a nice breeze. It was great spending one on one time with one of my favorite girls.

She loves him, He loves her....

2011-05-30T18:15:00.002-05:00

Pool, Puppies & Party

2011-05-28T19:59:00.000-05:00

Even though the weather is still crummy we uncovered the pool this morning. YUCK! Now it's time to fill it back up and it get ready for some hot weather and lots of fun!

Rotten, Rotten puppies...but we love them.

Ryanne hit the pinata has softly as she possibly could. I bet she thought that if she was super nice to Spongebob then he would just hand her all treats.

Amelia Earhart

2011-05-27T12:10:00.002-05:00

Taryn had to do a living biography of a famous person this morning at school. Her class has been working on them for the last 2 weeks or so. Kolin and I, along with the 3 little ones headed over to her school to check it all out.

Taryn did a fantastic job and was 1 of 5 Amelia Earhart's we got to see. We also saw Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Martin Luther King Jr, Abraham Lincoln and many others.

Goodbye Disney Family....Hello Owl Family!

2011-05-26T15:28:00.000-05:00

Don't you just want to give him a hug?

2011-05-24T17:06:00.002-05:00

A long day....

2011-05-23T16:54:00.002-05:00

The middle school decided to do a little marching and playing this morning. They sounded pretty good.

Ryanne was fine until about noon when she told me her ear hurt. The dr's office was out to lunch. I called and made an appt and got her into see the doctor right after picking up Brennan. She's got an ear infection. =(

Baby boy is teething. He's grumpy, tired and just not his happy self.

Road Trip!

2011-05-22T22:48:00.003-05:00

We took a day trip down to Urbana for our nephew's graduation party this afternoon. It was a beautiful day!

About 30 minutes from home we hit a nasty storm. We stopped at a gas station and watched bags of mulch float away......

Mom, the baby has bird poop on his head!

2011-05-21T16:45:00.002-05:00

There were no birds any where near us and Greyson was tucked underneath the awning of the house in the shade. We figure the wind must have dropped the present on our boy.

Let's Play!

2011-05-21T16:39:00.003-05:00

Karis is a little upset she can't catch anyone

The dirt left over from bath time. Yuck!

Preschool Graduation

2011-05-19T22:21:00.001-05:00

Today was the very very very last day of preschool for Miss Karis.
She was BEYOND excited!!!!!!

The school had graduation tonight. I can't believe she's ready to go to kindergarten already. She's our 4th to make it through our favorite preschool and she got to go for 3 years because of her late birthday. I can't wait to see what's in store for her.

New Bathroom Flooring!

2011-05-17T16:50:00.003-05:00

Before, during and after photos! I've got to say that I absolutely LOVE it!

She's got it going on!

2011-05-16T08:44:00.002-05:00

A morning at the library

2011-05-12T12:27:00.004-05:00

A little girl plays with the puzzles

She finds a puppy that looks like Chief

Next we play with the dollhouse

You have to love being able to tell everyone what to do

We wander over and check out the ocean

Baby brother is sleeping.....

The King & Queen of the castle call to her

Then it's time to play with the barn and all the animals

We've worked up quite the appetite and need to stop for a snack

Now it's time for a nap in her favorite chair

Kindergarten Screening

2011-05-11T11:21:00.000-05:00

Karis and I were up bright and early this morning. We had an appointment for her kindergarten screening to be done. I got to listen (again) to the principal drone on and on about kindergarten and Karis got to go do a bunch of fun stuff.

She did fabulous and got high marks on everything she was tested on. Now she just has to be patient and wait until school starts in August.

Somebody is 3 months old today!

2011-05-10T21:10:00.004-05:00

Can someone explain how this happened so fast?

Glasses for Mr. B

2011-05-10T16:11:00.002-05:00

Brennan had an appointment after school today and he's getting glasses. Right now he just needs to be able to make things sharper and in focus better. He'll only have to wear them in the classroom and while reading. The dr. told me not to have him wear them in PE or recess or minimize the chance of them getting broken.

Right now he is super excited.

The Black Bear Cow

2011-05-08T18:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T18:18:00.005-05:00

For Mother's Day I decided that we would spend the day at the zoo! We've got a smallish zoo about an hour from home that is the perfect size.

Greyson missed this photo op because he was doing the following:

The elephants were laying down for most of our visit. The kids like to check them out because one of them has a star branded on its backside.

The newest baby giraffe

The look Kolin got when taking a picture of Jadyn while she was tying her shoe.
How dare he!

Jadyn, Taryn and Brennan decided to have a race. It was quite fun to watch!

Karis got upset because Taryn was able to jump on the Hippo without help and get the coveted spot!
Obviously it's time to head home!

New Glasses!

2011-05-06T15:16:00.002-05:00

We picked up Jadyn's new glasses after school today.

Love them!

Preschool At The Park

2011-05-06T10:12:00.003-05:00

It was such a beautiful morning preschool was held at the park. The kids were more than happy to get out of the classroom.

Ryanne got to play in the relay. She did really well!

Go Karis Go!

I like the park too!

Stretch & Grow

2011-05-05T07:25:00.001-05:00

I didn't notice until after I took the picture that he somehow got a foot free.

Tummy Time

2011-05-03T21:03:00.001-05:00

Gotta Watch!

2011-05-02T15:39:00.002-05:00

I went to take a picture and couldn't get him to stay still.
Glad I had the camera so I could get it on video.

Oh What A Look....

2011-05-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Big Brother, Little Brother

2011-04-29T07:15:00.002-05:00

Hmmmm, what is Brennan up to?

I love it when he sings "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to me

Brennan keeps asking me when Greyson is going to be big enough to play with him. I told him that in a few months he'll be crawling after him and wanting to chew and slobber on all his toys. For the time being he's pretty excited about the prospect, but I'm sure once it actually happens that all I'll be hearing is: "Mom, Greyson won't leave my stuff alone!!!!"

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T17:37:00.003-05:00

I don't care if it doesn't have my name on it, this one is MINE!

If I sneak up on this egg maybe my name will be on it.

I love the fact that Jadyn doesn't think she's too old to hunt for eggs.

Oh, How I love them.....

It's Time For A Sink!

2011-04-23T21:31:00.000-05:00

One happy clean smelling baby boy....

Dr. Karis?

2011-04-18T09:28:00.000-05:00

Bowling Tournament Today

2011-04-16T14:00:00.001-05:00

Oh Ryanne.....

2011-04-12T14:42:00.001-05:00

She doesn't understand why she could possibly be in trouble.
Can You?

All he wants for Christmas....

2011-04-12T14:15:00.001-05:00

I pulled out Brennan's other front tooth this morning before school. He was soooo excited. I'm calling him my little jack-o-lantern. Two front teeth are missing along with one on the bottom.

2 Month Appointment Today

2011-04-12T09:46:00.001-05:00

Greyson and I got back from our long weekend trip to Vancouver just in time for his 2 month well baby appointment bright and early this morning.

Weight: 12 lbs 3oz
Height: 24 inches

His shots were absolutely awful. I wanted to cry right along with him.

He would have loved it here....

2011-04-09T20:51:00.001-05:00

A bunch of boys....

2011-04-09T20:39:00.003-05:00

My sister and brother have 5 boys between them. I had to get pictures of all the boys while visiting. All 5 are getting so big.

Keegan is getting so big. He's grown so much since I saw him in November.

Kailen showing me his new 'Rex' toy

Mason

Kiyle playing kick ball with most of the kids and a lot of the adults.

Carter hoping the ball will be kicked in his direction.....

Aunt Katie & Greyson getting some cuddle time

and if you can't find Kash....just look for Greyson.

Memory Board

2011-04-08T20:09:00.003-05:00

Katie and I spent most of the day working on this memory board. It was great looking through different pictures and remembering.

Portland!

2011-04-08T20:00:00.002-05:00

Our plane trip out was pretty uneventful. A tad bit of turbulence after take off but nothing major. I held him from Chicago to Denver and then he got his own seat from Denver to Portland. I'm hoping on the way home that there will be an extra seat open on our nonstop and that he'll be able to have his own seat then as well.

Kash found the perfect spot to cuddle with Greyson

Greyson & Uncle Russ

Cuteness!

2011-04-06T17:25:00.001-05:00

How can you not just want to snatch him up for a cuddle?

Keeping Busy....

2011-04-05T14:31:00.000-05:00

Jadyn and Taryn had eye appointments after school. Jadyn needs new glasses as her prescription is changing just a smidge. Taryn doesn't need them....yet.

Greyson and I are flying out to Portland later this week for my dad's memorial. I'm sure I'll over pack for him, but since he can't be trusted (when it comes to spitting up his food) I'm probably going to bring every burp cloth, bib and one piece outfit we have for him.

Obviously Brennan is less than thrilled....

You have to wonder....

2011-04-05T13:51:00.000-05:00

When you look out the kitchen window and see the scene above....what are they checking out?, What have they found? and What could they possibly be bringing in the house shortly to show me?

Quite the look.....

2011-04-04T15:39:00.001-05:00

Not quite sure what I did to get this look from her today...

How many books in 2011?

2011-04-04T09:56:00.001-05:00

1. Beyond The Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
2. Rescue by Anita Shreve
3. Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson #1) by Keri Arthur
4. Kissing Sin (Riley Jenson #2) by Keri Arthur
5. Tempting Evil (Riley Jenson #3) by Keri Arthur
6. Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson #4) by Keri Arthur
7. Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jenson #5) by Keri Arthur
8. Happily Ever After (Bride Quartet #4) by Nora Roberts
9. Silver Borne (Mercedes Thompson #5) by Patricia Briggs
10. Angel (Maximum Ride #7) by James Patterson
11. I'll Walk Along by Mary Higgins Clark
12. Eve by Iris Johansen

Holes....

2011-04-03T14:13:00.002-05:00

I don't think the boy has a pair of pants at this point that doesn't have a hole in a knee. For that matter I'm still trying to figure out how he's getting holes in the bottom of his socks. I've had to throw out numerous socks lately.

Brennan 1 Taryn 0

2011-04-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

Taryn got a little too close when Brennan was playing with his t-ball set and ending up getting whacked right above her eye with the bat. OUCH!

Beautiful Girl

2011-04-02T16:08:00.000-06:00

Mom!!!!!!!!!

2011-04-02T15:02:00.001-06:00

I know who the culprit is....
Kolin is going to ban them from the backyard.

4-H Peppers

2011-04-01T20:44:00.003-06:00

Brennan's group of Cloverbuds made these a couple of weeks ago. Brennan decided to plant peppers. Kolin and I aren't quite sure what type of peppers. I'm just hoping I don't accidently kill them.

Baby Smiles

2011-03-31T16:51:00.001-06:00

I was lucky to get the few pics I did of Greyson smiling. I swear he sees the camera coming and turns the smiles off on purpose.

Kindy Eye Appointment

2011-03-30T08:28:00.003-06:00

Karis had her kindergarten eye screening bright and early this morning.

She did great!

Sunshine

2011-03-29T16:43:00.001-06:00

Morocco turned 13 this month!
He loves having the front door open and being able to sleep in the sun.

It was a...

2011-03-26T18:39:00.001-06:00

Monical's type of day.

Monical's pizza is a family favorite!

How about some owls?

2011-03-23T17:31:00.001-06:00

LoveEarth.LoveCloth

You can't have a Batman baby....

2011-03-23T14:10:00.003-06:00

without having a Batman diaper!
LoveEarth.LoveCloth

Just goes to show

2011-03-21T14:06:00.000-06:00

When tired enough she will fall asleep almost anywhere.