Hallie's year in review

Hallie had a good year. She started preschool and loves it. She definitely still needs a nap though. She loves her thumb and her blankie still, which probably means an overbite and braces just like her oldest sister. She loves to watch Dora, but for some reason her favorite is Tinker Bell. All that she wanted for Christmas was a Tinkerbell Bike Helmet and Tinkerbell sunglasses. She loves to cuddle and says the cutest things. I look forward to this year and the growing up she will do.

Happy Birthday Karlee!

Five years old and ready for kindergarten. My sweet Karlee is growing up. She is still hardly on the percentile scale for height and weight for kids her age, but she can hold her own. She has four boyfriends right now, Josh A, Braxton, Caleb N., and her uncle Darin. Her preschool teacher has had to give the no kissing each other talk because of her. Lexi and Hunter cry if you say they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, but not Karlee she only grins and tells you she has four not one. She can be a bit of a drama queen and doesn't quite know what it would be like if she didn't get her way, but we love her to death. She unloads the dishwasher like a pro. She loves to play games and do puzzles just like me when I was her age. She understands the time and knows that when it is 1:00 that is nap time and she lets me know it. Nap time is her time with me and only her. She picks the game or scrap booking whatever she wants and then the next two hours are hers. I love her cuddles and her sweet little voice. For a family Christmas party we had a talent show. My kids sang The First Noel and then played bells. Karlee sang the first verse by herself (Hallie was having a moment) and it was about the most precious thing you have ever seen. Happy Birthday Karlee, we love you!

A year of Hunter

Hunter had a pretty good year this past year. We didn't have any ER trips and for the first time in three years he didn't have stitches or staples (I guess Diesel took over that). He lost a lot of teeth. He is definitely starting to look and act a little older thank goodness. Hunter loves to make a drum out of anything. He loves instruments of any sorts and plays them all the time. He is becoming a really good reader. He loves school, but his love of the hot lunch is slowly going away (maybe his taste buds are developing finally). He can sure give his sisters a hard time, but can be so sweet to them every once in a while. He is the most ticklish person that I know. He hates to lose, so he usually quits before it can happen (we are working on this). It is hard to get a good picture of Hunter, he is usually cross-eyed, sticking his tongue out, or doing something crazy. The picture of Darin and Hunter is from when we went to Birch Bay and they were both beating each other up and so they are protecting their jewels (Darin can bring the best out in Hunter sometimes). The thing I love about Hunter is that he is very thoughtful. Can't wait to see what 2011 brings.

From My family To Yours

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful day.

Finally...

I looked at the calendar and for the first time in two weeks there is nothing going on today. hooray. We have been so busy that I can 't even remember what exactly we have been doing. Last week was crazy! Work parties, preschool parties, school parties, jazz rehearsal, jazz recital, homecomings for friends, birthdays, shopping :), basketball practice, and family Christmas parties. I look forward to the next few days with just one party lined up we are ready for some relaxation.

Interesting side notes: Diesel cut himself shaving for the first time (Wynden left it out). Hallie informed me that she just might kiss Santa on the lips and when I questioned her about it she denied everything. I have reinforced the stars and checks chart with the reward being a webkinz. The first day our railing was cleaned, all couches wiped down, dishwasher unloaded, laundry folded, all toys put away, clothes hung up, bedrooms cleaned with no complaining. Amazing to say the least. For the first time in my life, everything is wrapped and ready to go for Christmas. Are you done shopping not that I'm bragging or anything.

Happy Birthday Lexi

Another year already. My Lexi is 9 years old. She is so sweet. She is my greatest helper of course. She will make a great wife someday. She is good at vacuuming and loves to bake and cook. She likes to watch TV a little too much and is a total loss if it is on. She took jazz this fall and will be doing basketball for winter. She has come so far from the girl who used to cry the whole time when I signed her up for any activities. One year left as a single digit. Time goes too fast. Love you Lex!

Want to make my kids cry?

Just tell them we are going to clean. Works every time :)

This break we are going to get rid of a ton of things. I can't wait. We are getting a little too cluttered here and I am going crossed eyed because of it. Here's to bags and bags of ARC donations.

The form wasn't great, but I can still do it!

Karlee and Hallie are in gymnastics. They are learning all about handstands, splits, and cartwheels. Today Karlee asked me if I knew how to do a cartwheel. I said yes and she said then show me. So I thought why not. I made sure nothing could possibly get in my way (mostly Diesel) because let's face it if something took me out while attempting this I am just not as young as I used to be as far as recovery goes. So I gave it a try and sure enough I still have it, not as much as I used to where I could do three or four in a row. I was a little worried about hurting myself. Karlee said do it again, so I did. Then she said one more time and I said better stop before it's too late. Right now I feel fine. Of course sometimes it's a different story in the middle of the night when you get up for a potty break and for some reason you can't get out of bed because your back or neck hurts so bad you feel like you might die. I promise not to attempt any back handsprings, flips, or splits.

What happened to just saying "excuse me"

I was in Costco the other day when I overheard this lady telling her friend, who she had just met up with, that she was trying to get through two different people with carts who were blocking the way, so she said out loud to them "who's going to move first?" At this point I thought wow that was something to say. Then she proceeded to tell her friend that when neither moved she just rammed into both of them to get through and by the way was very proud of herself. I wish I had the courage to say something smart to her, but as I get older things don't come very quickly. Now my sister would have been able to come up with something witty right away.

This is when I started thinking when did Americans stop saying "excuse me". Hopefully she was Canadian right. I have actually noticed it ever since I've had kids that people don't care what you're carrying whether it's a car seat with a very heavy 20 lb child in it or two kids in your arms one on each side, which is quite a workout, they expect you to move out of their way. Sometimes I will be pushing my old school jogging stroller without a swivel wheel and they will just kind of give you the look like it is you moving not me as I awkwardly maneuver around them. I just love it when they sit there and stare at my kids with a move it or lose it look while my kids oblivious to what that person wants, all the while I'm thinking just say excuse me and they will move they do not understand why you are just standing there glaring at them. So I move my kids, giving a little attitude by saying "oh excuse us" much too sweetly while I hope they get the hint that they were the ones trying to get by so it was up to them to use their manners and politely ask us to move. How's that for a Thursday rant.

Whatever works right

Our kids loved the snow that we got Thanksgiving break. Of course when you can talk your dad into pulling you around with a lawnmower who wouldn't love it. I've never been too into the snow. Yes it is very pretty and I love waking up to it on Christmas, but that is about it. I hate driving in it. I did a 180 on the Badger when I was in college nearly going into the ditch and so it makes me very nervous to drive in. I can't stand it when the kids want to go play in it. As they get older it isn't too bad because then they can dress themselves, but the younger ones who can't dress themselves or figure out what to wear...It took us a little over a half an hour to get ready to go out on Thursday to play. Finding warm enough pants and shirts then getting the gloves and hats on. Let's see I think Diesel lasted 10 minutes and Hallie came in moments after him. I think Karlee lasted 20 minutes. Playing in the snow I think can be overrated. Unfortunately the younger kids can't figure that out until after we spend the whole day getting ready for it.

Happy

I don't mean to get too mushy on you here, but since Thanksgiving was just a few days ago I thought I should post about what I am thankful for. I am thankful that I am happy. I feel like things are going very well for me right now. Life is good. As I get older, I recognize more easily how truly blessed I am. At the end of the day, no matter how many "moments" we had that day, I can still focus on the good things that happen and they always bring a smile to my face. I have great kids who have taught me so much. They have taught me how to love unconditionally and how to forgive easily. They have taught me how to serve continuously and how to enjoy it and feel rewarded of it when the day is done. I love my family so much.

I hope you are happy too. Life is too short to focus on the negative things in life. It is so much easier to have good days if you are happy. It is a mental decision to be happy. You are in charge of how you feel nobody else. Yes they can push you one way or the other, but in the end it is you that decides, you decide your reactions to things and you that decides how quickly you want to forgive. I feel bad when I see these moms who are obviously not happy for whatever reason and I feel bad in a way because being happy comes so easily to me and always has no matter the situation. I feel like I am living the dream. Work is for the birds :) So don't wait until the end of the year for a resolution, start now. Change your life today. Be happy.

Great holiday decor

I have seen so many creative and amazing decorations lately on blogs that I thought I might share what is new in our home. Simply take any old sweatshirts, pants, shirts, towels or whatever is lying around and place near door. You don't have to fold it any special way just roll it up kind of and scoot as close to door as possible. This is Wynden's idea of how to block the wind from coming in under your doors. Pretty isn't it :)

May I please have a moment...

to vent about my husband :) I love him to death, but I get a little frustrated every time I look at online statements and realize that he has signed us up for some trial offer (either realizing it or not) and we have been charged for the last year or two months (depending on which time you want to talk about) because he never cancelled the trial offer or didn't realize that when he clicked that save $10 now button (too good to be true right) he just gave them our credit card number for them to charge us monthly on whatever service that they may be offering. I am still fuming about when he ordered off the Internet these fat burning pills (he'd kill me if he knew I was blogging this) with something in them from Brazil that he had seen on his mission and knew it was safe stuff or whatever and didn't realize that the one cent that they claim to charge for whatever purpose is just a way to get your credit card number because if you had read the fine print then you would have realized that the free trial offer wasn't, but instead a 14 day offer and if you didn't like them you have to send them back or else your credit card would be charged a HUGE amount of money. OK I feel a little better.

Clarification

A little birdie told me that there is confusion for some on how Diesel's accident actually happened with the fireplace. I placed the belt around his waist and he then left me to run around in crazy circles. For the record, I was not swinging him around in the air by the belt that was secured around his waste. This actually me laugh so thanks D for that. Hopefully with this explanation there will be no more calls to cps. Just kidding :)

A new freedom

As of last night, we finally moved Diesel out of his pack and play, which he's slept in since birth and into a normal crib. Hallie was in the crib when he was born and was not ready yet for a big girl bed. She joined Karlee about 9 months ago in her queen sized bed. Diesel was just starting to sleep a little better and I didn't want to ruin it and thought we'll make the move eventually and eventually turned into 9 months. Well the comfort level in the pack and play was getting smaller and smaller since he is growing like a weed. Last night he slept in the crib for the first time. He only cried for about an hour and a half before falling asleep. Now he is suppose to be taking a nap, but again he is going to have to cry himself to sleep. What do they say it takes like three days and then they are sleeping like a pro in no time. We can only hope.

What does this mean for me...the computer room (where his pack and play has been since he was about 2 months old) is now open for business 24 - 7. I could hardly play before because he naps twice a day and then when the kids are in bed for the night he was in here. It is almost a scary thing to be able to come in here anytime I want and waste hours upon hours on absolutely nothing, which let's just say I might have done before (that is why I know it is not safe for me to have facebook). And also online shopping...our mail lady was making fun of us stay at home moms and online shopping she was like what is the big deal about online shopping. I'm like let's see...you get a package in the mail, who doesn't love getting packages. Secondly you can shop freely without pushing a stroller and carrying the kid who is suppose to be riding in there, but wouldn't. Also according to Wynden I can spend the money he works so hard to make no matter where I am. Sounds like fun to me.

Nominated for mom of the year...

Wednesday night we were so close to bedtime, so close to a day without any accidents when Diesel touched the fireplace glass and gave his poor little hand quite a burn. At first I didn't think it could be that bad because Karlee had just turned on the fireplace, so it couldn't be that hot yet. And secondly, Diesel wasn't stand up by the glass he had just been reaching for his ball that he threw up by it. Well it was pretty bad the whole palm of his hand blistered immediately and he cried pretty hard for 3 hours.

On Thursday morning I had scheduled yearly visits for Hallie and Diesel not realizing that there was no school or else I would have never actually planned to take all five kids to sit in a small room the size of a spare bathroom for an hour while the doctor examined the kids. While checking in, the receptionist asked if I had time to fill out the growth questionnaires that they sent me in the mail, I said yes and handed them to her and she said how great I was. I just smiled knowing inside that she maybe wouldn't think that if she knew that it was while I was filling them out that Diesel burnt his hand.

It actually was perfect timing him burning his hand and all because then at the doctors they prescribed some burn cream and gave instructions for how to wrap his hand for the next 5-7 days. So then we left the office Diesel sporting a new wrap on his hand for the next few days and his stitched up forehead that will dissolve in the same amount of time. Both of which clearly put me in the running for mom of the year right!?

This won't be the last time...

That thought was going through my head as I held Diesel's hand that stuck out of the papoose that he was wrapped in, as the doctor put a stitch in his forehead.

Diesel was being ever so cute Monday night as he had me put Hunter's belt around his waist and then ran crazy circles around our family room until he tripped and his head hit our rock fireplace. Again a first in our family for a serious fireplace mishap.

It was almost 8:00 and I quickly called Madrona's after hours clinic and the nurse told me if I could be there in 15 minutes they would do it. YES! No visit to the dreadful ER. Five stitches later and a very unhappy Diesel we were on our way home after leaving there just over an hour earlier. I call that good service.

Diesel's buffet closed for the season

We haved lived in our house for almost four years now. And for four years I have had the biggest drawer in my kitchen full of snacks. Lets just say I am a sucker for Safeway's 3 for $5 or 2 for $4 deals. I know when something is a good price and will load my cart with it. In our snack drawer you could find fruit roll-ups, granola bars, cheese and crackers, cheesy crackers, peanut snack packs, fruit snacks, and other such items. I have had two daughters at the toddler stage and succeeded with a snack drawer that is within arms reach. Now I have a son who is toddler age and my snack drawer is failing me...It has become open for business at all times of the day for my little man. My kids ask permission 95% of the time and they know that it is closed for business after 4:00. Up until Diesel was about 16 months all was well but now, he is a free for all with it. After being out on a fabulous dinner and shopping escapade with one of my favorites, I came home to an amazing amount of wrappers on the ground. When my husband explains that it is too hard to keep him out of it. The next day the famous drawer that I have watched my sister-in-laws agonize over keeping their children out of is no longer. It is in my pantry where the door can be closed right next to my huge box of Halloween candy. Safe until Diesel figures out door knobs :)

deja vu

That is how I felt getting off the plane in Long Beach California two weeks ago. The plane ride went fabulous from checking, security, loading, and the flight. Then as if last year replayed itself karlee for some unknown reason lost it as we were exiting the aircraft. She did not want to move. She pulled this stunt once before, but only because we had said she could go first and Hunter went, but this time we said no such thing. She screamed all the way through the airport across the street and until Wynden got the rental car. I of course just kept smiling nodding my head as people passed saying "she's just tired, long flight" "yes I know we have a lot of kids".

Our trip was great. We had a wonderful time. Very relaxing. We went to Knott's Berry Farm again, which was a lot of fun. I got a little brave and rode two big roller coasters, the boomerang and ghostrider. I am quite sure that was the last time I will ever ride those. Ghostrider is nonstop downhill one right after the other. My stomach was in knots after.

We spent most of our time in Palm Springs. Wake-up, eat breakfast, go down to the pool, eat lunch, go back down to the pool, nap time, go to dinner, pool, bedtime and repeat for the next eight days. Our last night we spent in Oceanside, so we were very close to Legoland. We went and parked and played for the last hour they were open for free, which I totally loved. We got to spend a little time with my friend Allyson and her family. All in all it was a great ten days. The plane ride home went great and Karlee exited the plane like a champ thank goodness.

Who stole the cokie from the cookie jar...Definately not me!

Dear Otis Spunkmeyer

It is that time of year again when schools start their fundraising frenzy. I truly despise fundraisers. What I dislike the most about our school is that they choose your dreadful cookie to sell. They taste horrible. The amount of grease that surrounds the cookie after it is baked is embarrassing and just straight cookie dough is horrendous. You have mastered the art of getting every kid excited about selling though, by showing them what they can earn if they put their mothers through pure torture by having them make phone calls, collect money, and then deliver the goods. I am amazed how anyone can make a sticky hand look so enticing or a glow in the dark stick so exciting. Of course the limo ride for selling 30 is truly pulling out all the stops presenting it in a way that Hunter thought the limo would be his to own to take home with him. We have had at times a tub of your dough in our freezer for up to 3 years before, no one rushing to eat it and finally thrown away. So please Mr. Otis either make your overpriced cookies ($16) better or leave us alone.

Where to start

Life has been so busy lately. We got home from California last Tuesday night and we have been flying by the seat of our pants ever since. Mostly because of the dreadful scavenger hunt. Last year was the first year our church's activities committee did one. I being obsessive compulsive and a tad bit competitive won. This scavenger hunt is no easy quest. Most of it I have in my home or have easy access to, but those few items that I don't make me pull my hair out. It about kills me if I can't find everything.

The hunt was given out while we were gone and I was relieved kind of because I knew it would consume my every waking moment, but when we got home the next day Lorena called and talked me into doing it last minute. I had less than two days after she extended it to Friday at noon. Wednesday night I had a hair appointment and Wynden was gone to a dinner. The hunt also included a little more service oriented things this year like watching someone's kids for them, donating blood, and washing someone's car. Thursday and Friday I didn't look for stuff for very long (how could I was watching some friend's kids), but it consumed my mind in a very annoying way. Needless to say I in one form or another got everything on the list. It's not like I have to win (although I hate losing) I just have to have everything marked off on the list no matter what.

Well Friday night the winners were announced and right before second place was being said I leaned over to the people sitting next to me and said "second place is no place" they laughed and I said "no I'm serious" they laughed harder. You guessed it we got second place. We lost by three points. Congratulations Rocky you deserved it :)

trick or treat

We had a jammed pack weekend of course. Friday trunk or treat at the church and then Saturday trick or treating around here. We have sooooo much candy (with five kids you get your fair share), which means I am eating way too much. My candy of choice this year is whoppers. They come three to a pack, which kind of gives me that 100 calorie pack mentality where you think it's ok to eat two because it's only 100 calories right.

Not my Baby

Diesel is 18 months old already. So sad. He is full of energy and definitely keeps me running. He can be the sweetest thing ever and the biggest stinker all within the same minute. Right now he loves lip gloss (thanks to Karlee and Hallie). He loves animals. He doesn't say very many words, but grunts a lot and is very very loud. As he gets older, I miss the baby stage that much more. I would secretly love to have another one, but feel content with what I have and am ready to move forward, although it is very hard to see all these cute newborns.

What do your kids do?

All of my kids when they were about Diesel's age act so funny if I sit on Wynden's lap or kiss him. The other day I sat on Wynden's lap to talk to him and I looked over at Diesel, who was at the table, he was in complete shock. The look on his face was hilarious. He ran over and tried to get between us and then started kissing and loving us. It seems like that is what they all do that age is try to either push each of you away from the other or try to get a few loves in themselves. As they get older they just think that kissing is completely and utterly disgusting (especially Hunter). I think it is good for kids to see their parents be affection towards one another. My dad always gave my mom a kiss goodbye whenever he left for work. Even though I always felt like throwing up in mouth at least I knew they loved each other :)

Flag Football

Hunter played flag football this year. He enjoyed it, but would have preferred tackle of course. He is not very aggressive when he plays I don't know why he nearly kills his sister around here everyday jumping on them and tackling them. He just nonchalantly runs after the guy with the ball trying to grab his flags when I'm like GET HIM!! Oh well. I am always glad when the seasons are over. Twice a week right at dinner time can be a pain.

Hold them a little closer.

With the recent tragedy that happened in Bellingham I am so much more aware of cars as I cross on a crosswalk or in parking lot. I am not only watching the cars stopped, but also those that are behind them. What a horrible thing to happen and it could have happened to any one of us. I try to learn a little from each tragedy that happens around me whether it is being more aware as you cross the street or being more cautious around water and swimming. I hope you do to :)

Pee Skate

We went skating on Friday. By we I mean Lexi, Hallie, Karlee, Madison, and Katelyn. The boys went to the football game. We had a really fun time. Hallie didn't last very long as far as skating goes, but she liked watching everyone. I was a little sore the next day. A poster there says that skating works every muscle in your body.

I am ready to share a childhood story. I was very embarrassed of this story for most of my life, but I have come to embrace it and realize it is part of who I am. Just kidding. I hated my sisters who gave me the title nickname and sharing this story with any boyfriend, friend, or random stranger that they came in contact with.

Here's my story I hope I haven't blogged it before. Skating use to be very big in Lynden. Weekends it was the place to be. You could couple skate and hold the boy that you were "going out with's" hand and that was so cool. One weekend my sister talked my mom into going and she would only let her go if I went to. I was in the 4th grade and she was in the 6th. My mom wanted me there more to keep an eye on my naughty sister. The place was not very busy and my sister was hanging out with her loser friends. I had to go to the bathroom and I skated in there only to find no toilet paper, no paper towels, and a drop of urine on the toilet seat. OK I thought I can hold it. To kill the time I was playing a video game and doing really well if I remember correctly. I was also starting to do a little dance while playing the game. I could hardly hold it any more, but darn it I hated to leave the game I was doing so well and of course the bathroom situation was not good. Well you guessed it I started wetting my pants and continued wetting them as I climbed over the bench that had all the coats on it trying to get to the bathroom. Not a happy moment for me as I had to flag my sister down and tell her through my tears that I wet my pants. She of course thought it was hilarious.