Sesame Street Live

A few weeks ago I had gotten free tickets to see Sesame Street Live. The downside was I only got 4. So it was either we don't go at all or I brave it alone with the 3 youngest. I took the challenge and opted to head to the Bradley Center by myself. It also gave Steve and Michael a little bonding time.

 

To be honest I wasn't worried about taking the 3 by myself at all, I was most worried about the crowd when we got there and was I going to be able to keep them all close.  After a quick lecture about staying close so we didn't lose each other we ventured in. Luckily it was a SMALL crowd since it wasn't a big event like a basketball game. I was able to let Lainey walk as opposed to be carried which she often fights. We made sure to hit the potties before heading to our seats.

 

 

 

It was a fun little show. About an hour and a half long, with a little break in between.

 

 

 

As always I brought a few snacks to help keep them in their seats.

 

 

 

 

And we managed to make it through the whole show!

 

 

 

 

I did it, with the help of some well behaved kids and would gladly do it again!

 

Merry Christmas

Wow, I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted on here. I guess my life just got too busy for awhile. So now it is time that I play catch up. Let me begin with Christmas.

 

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas as I know I sure did. Every year we go like crazy to prepare for the big day and before you know it, it is over.

 

 

We began our holiday yesterday evening at church followed by dinner and gifts by my parents house. 

 

Normally my Uncle Dave dresses up as Santa, but this year he was unable to make the trip out due to a recent surgery. Knowing that the kids were going to be awaiting Santa's usual visit, my Dad contacted one of his friends to play the part.

 

And boy did he ever find a good looking Santa! It only seemed fitting that after the kids had their pictures taken that everyone else get theirs taken too.

 

 

My 3 wonderful sisters and I.

 

 

 

 This summer I remembered seeing Andy taking this ski home from the Island and couldn't help but wonder what does he want with one ski. He did a great job sanding it down and making it like new. And now thanks to Andy and Trish we now have a shot ski for family gatherings.

 

 

 

 

My Dad was looking for ideas for the girls and I came across a washing machine online one day and thought that would be neat. So I emailed a picture and said do you think you could make this?Christmas eve he surprised us with this awesome little washer complete with their own wash baskets and fake laundry soap. Let the washing begin.

 

 

 

 

 

After hours were spent searching for just the right presents and then wrapping them just right, it is sad that it only took them 30 minutes to tear them all open.

 

 

 

 

Already loving her new purse.

 

 

 

 

A girl can never have too many dresses.

 

 

 

I was so excited for this gift, I searched high and low for it and spent countless hours on ebay biding on all the extra parts. Boy am I glad I did because it is the cutest thing and they are already having a blast with it. Even big brother Michael has taken his turn getting his hair done. I will gladly be their customer any day and let them brush my hair nonstop. You may wonder why this set was so hard to find, well that is because it is from the 90's. I know I could have just bought a current model but I just couldn't find one like this that I LOVED. The other problem I came across was the ones I could find were made from the flimsier plastic and with my clan I need something strong. If only they made things as cool as they did when we were kids...

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas To All and To All A Goodnight.

Cozy times

There is nothing that I love more than a night at home curled up under blankets and watching movies with my loves.

 

 

 

 

Pie time

 

Last week the scouts had their big joint meeting of the month. The kids were all excited since this was the meeting they were going to get to throw pies in the leaders face, that is if they sold enough popcorn.

 

 

Each troop got up and shared what they had been working on over the last month. Badges were awarded for the things they had accomplished.

 

 

 

 

 

When everyone was on their seats the fun was ready to begin.

 

 

 

 

This boy had no problem throwing a pie in his leaders face, the wind up and swing were impressive.

 

 

 

This boy was much gentler than his big brother.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

 

 

 

These leaders were such troopers, taking pie, after pie, after pie in the face. Some of the kids had a good swing on them, so much in fact that even I was feeling their pain.

 

 

 

 

I am loving this new adventure of Boy scouts and so far the boys seem to be enjoying it too. I know they are looking forward to painting and making the derby cars for the next big event.

Holiday Prep!

What do you do the day after stuffing your belly with turkey?

 

On this cold and windy day we opted to stay home and lounge in PJ's all day. We watched movie after movie after movie all cuddled up on the couch with plenty of blankets.

 

But being the busy body that I am, I insisted that we get at least one thing done today. So when the girls laid down for their nap Steve, the boys and I got to work getting the tree up and hanging some decorations. The boys worked hard at separating all the ornaments into every one's own pile.

 

 

The girls we so excited when they woke up to find the tree and decorations up. We made sure not to hang any ornaments until they could do it with us. Oh how hard it was for Landon to wait for them to rise, I think he asked at least ten times, can we hang them yet???

 

 

 

 

3 years ago I opted to forgo my fancy tree and turn it into the kids tree. Saint Nick has brought the kids a new ornament for the tree every year since then. I can't help but laugh when I think back of how bare the tree looked when we first switched the tree over to just their ornaments. We still have PLENTY of open spots on the tree again this year, but the joy they get out of looking at and picking through which ornaments are their own is priceless.

 

 

 

 

Our stocking are hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St Nick will soon be here...

 

Girly Girls

I am so excited to have little girly girls in the house!

 

 I was getting nervous due to the fact that Mackenzie was enjoying following the boys and playing star wars and other make believe boy games.

 

But lately she has shown a big interest in dresses and lipstick and all things girly. So I pulled out some bright colored nail polish the other day and set out to make them girly. Oh how they loved getting their nails painted.

 

 

 

 

Even this girl sat long enough to put a coat of paint on her ever so tiny nails. Oh how cute it they looked when all done!

 

 

 

 

Myself coming from a house of 3 sisters. I am looking forward to the amazing bond I hope they too will one day share as I do with my lovely sisters. Just this weekend I was able to get away for the day and share in nonstop giggles and sisterly chats with my sisters and Mom.

 

 

I am looking forward to the fun shopping trips with my girls and giggle fests  that we too will soon enough share.

Ahh...

Ahhhhh!!!! Run there's a monster in the house!

 

 

 

 

Don't let her catch you!

 

 

 

If only I had video taped it so you could hear Lainey trying to be scary.

Best $4 dollars spent

The kids claimed they were bored last night and had nothing to do. Not for long! I remembered I had picked up a pack of these glowing balloons awhile back and kept them hidden for a special occasion. So last night I pulled them out and said have fun!

 

 

 

 

Down to the basement they went to plan out their "show" and once they were ready they called me down to watch.

 

 

 

And away they went running back and forth and all around giggling like crazy kids.

 

Guess who's not bored anymore :)

Happy Halloween

We began our Halloween with a little pumpkin gutting followed by some carving.

 

 

 

Michael is the only one I trust with a knife, or pumpkin knife that is, so he was allowed to cut the face on Lainey's pumpkin. The others got to pick the designs they wanted me to cutout on their pumpkins.

 

 

When the pumpkins were done we quickly got ourselves dressed and headed out the door to get some treats.

 

This year I splurged and got the boys some fancy Star wars costumes. I was ok with the price since I knew my boys would be wanting to wear them more than just Halloween day. They LOVE their dress up bin and these make a great addition to it.

 

I wasn't to happy however when the costume that came for Landon was WAY TOO BIG! They clearly messed up in packaging and put an adult costume in the package marked for kids. So another costume was quickly reorder in his size again and luckily enough for him it came the day before trick or treat and the right size.

 

So now what do I do with the adult size you ask. Well we make Dad wear it. He truly was a great sport and we didn't have to do much begging at all. Maybe because he could hide behind the mask :)

 

 

 

 

Candy action!

 

 

 

 

By the end of trick or treat Mackenzie was done and refused to get in on the group picture, so here they all are in costume, minus Mackenzie.

 

 

 

I hope you had a great Halloween!

Come and Gone way to quick!

The thing I hate most about throwing parties is you spend all this time preparing for them and before you know it, they are over.

 

I've been getting ready for my friends shower for the last month. Working like crazy on decorations and tweaking the final meal menu.

 

On Monday Megan sent me a text saying she had bad news. What is the bad news you may wonder. Well she went into preterm labor and got herself stuck in the hospital. Most people would freak and think what now, but luckily enough for me she was at the hospital we work at. So after a quick call I was able to get clearance to use one of the conference rooms at work. So now all I had to do was wheel her little bum down in the wheelchair.

 

I got everything all organized, loaded the truck and off to the hospital Mackenzie and I went.

 

Mackenzie and I went to work setting everything up just in time for our guests to arrive.

 

 

 

 

A coworker made up these super cute fruit baskets and I just had to share them.

 

 

The beautiful Momma to be and all her little helpers.

 

 

 

The party was great, we had an amazing turn out and everything was perfect! I am so grateful Megan was able to come and be showered with lots of goodies for her little loves by our amazing coworkers.

 

 

 

Now the question is what will I do next with all the free time I now have???

 

Done already

Football has come and gone yet again way to quick. They only play the 4 Saturdays in October. This year the rain and cold only allowed them to play 2 times. But to Michael those two times were heaven.

 

So we enjoyed the games he played and are looking forward to sitting on the bleachers for the Friday night games when he gets a little older.

 

 

Thank you Michael for wearing the red hat so we could see you better!

 

 

Keeping warm on a chilly October evening while enjoying the game.

 

 

 

 

And yes sometimes my crazy kids go out dressed up in costumes, honestly it is not worth the fight to make them take it off.

Happy Birthday Bug Bug!

 

 

My baby is not a baby anymore. Time always seems to slip on right by and before you know it that baby that you just brought home from the hospital yesterday is already turning 2.

 

 

 

 

There has never been a dull moment in our house since this little bug has started moving. And even though some days I wish I could keep her still for more than 5 minutes, I know if she was I'd be begging to add another to the house. So Lainey continue as you please, you are helping me realize that yes 4 is truly enough.

 

 

 

So a celebration we shall have in honor of your 2nd birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh how you LOVED when we sang Happy Birthday to you, I don't that smile ever left your face through out the entire song.

 

 

Who needs presents when your brothers and sister throw tissue paper in the air??

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday my Love, I'm looking forward to the next year of excitement and your never ending adventures.