X-mas...What should I do ?

This year we have decided as a family that we are not going to trade gifts. I know...it sounds mean but are kids have everything that they need and more. We asked are kids if they we would be upset if we didn't get them anything for Christmas, there was a very long pause (are kids are kids of coarse) but they said they would agree to not have a present form Justin and I; if they could pick out the toys for the little boy and girl that didn't have any toys. (Are kids are positive that they have been good and Santa is coming, they are so spoiled) So tonight we went shopping for a 12 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. Justin and I, OK I was probably way more into it then anyone else. Let's face it I think I am the only one in the family that actually likes to shop......I wish I could get paid for shopping. (Back to reality) I guess the whole point of this blog is..I wonder what my kids will say on Christmas morning when the tree is a few presents short and nothing is from Justin and I. I wonder if we are teaching them a good lesson early or will they feel like we neglected them. I know it is kind of silly to worry but I wonder are my children to young to really grasp that concept. What should I do?

Thanksgiving

Unfortunately we did not go home for Thanksgiving!!!!! Luckily we have awesome neighbors that invited us over. The Pelots have become very good friends of ours which works out great since they have 3 children that are kids love to play with them. Tracey and John are a ton of fun too. when you can't be with family the next best thing is good friends. We deep fried a turkey and cooked all the fixings. Yup, we cooked, ate, got fat and we were merry. So that's what we did!

Oh I have been meaning to post these and just noticed I had a draft that was not posted...silly me! So all of you that were wondering about my house ages ago here you go! Although it is only the pic of my kitchen table and half bath...hahaha!

OK here it is for all of you who have asked for a pic of Justin and I. We hardly have any pics of us because we are always taking them. This pic believe it or not was actually taken by Duncan. We decided to go hiking one day with the kids since we didn't get to do any camping this summer.

BRAD CAME TO VISIT

Apparently Brad was pretty tired after watching the Bears lose. I couldn't resist Bear fans I had to rub it in. Anyways, as you can see they went to the Packers game and they had a great time. I'm not sure exactly how cold it was but I know they froze. Overall it was a great weekend and we were glad to have the company. Thanks Brad for flying out to watch the Bears lose.

Justin is 31

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY BABE!!!

Happy Late Birthday Keri and Chelsea! I really need to get out there and take some pics of you guys!! I hope you had a great birthday.

We had Hannah Montana, Bumble Bee, and Venom. Halloween was a ton of fun this year for us. Justin and I loved watching the kids really get into character as you can tell. I think we laughed all night long because they were so cute. Oh, I couldn't resist I had to dress up Jasmine.

I know these pics are long overdue but here they are, pumpkin carving!

I am so thankful for my 3 beautiful children! They are so important and keep me feeling alive and vibrant. Thank you Kolby, Karlee, and Kasen for giving me my youth and for loving me unconditionally.

Duncan, Duncan, Duncan.......

Tonight we were eating dinner and Kasen asked who Budda was? Justin explained that Budda was a great philosopher and that people have turned his teachings into a religion. He explained that people believe in Budda like we believe in Jesus. Karlee my sweet little Duncan asked " I thought Budda was your BUTT?" Justin and I just looked at each other and laughed. Good thing she is only 6 and not 16. She is so my child! I KNOW, but at least I admit it!

Did You Vote?

I hope everyone expressed their right to vote. I know I did and I am so proud to be an American. We are a country built on dreams and inspiration. GOD BLESS the USA!!!!

I'm not quit sure why the header picture has a date of 03? In fact a lot of my pictures have the date, which I am not so excited about, and none of the dates are correct. Go figure.

Thanks Kristi

I got this off the Robinsons blog and thought I should post it. I LOVE it too!

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others."

Audrey Hepburn

My Poor Little Duncan

Today I got a phone call that Karlee had an accident at school on the playground. At first I thought she had an accident (pee) I thought to myself that's not like her. Then the lady on the other end said she might need stitches. I hung up on her and was to the school in about a minute. A walked into the office to a bloody mess. Poor Karlee had her hands in her pockets and tripped on her way inside. Luckily she didn't brake her nose, but her two front teeth are going to fall out. Good thing they are not her permenent teeth. She does have a big cut in her mouth but its not deep enough for stitches. So this is what my poor baby looks like after ice and ibuprophen.

I'm not It Anymore

8 Things I Am Passionate About
1. Justin, Kolby, Karlee, Kasen and the rest of the fam
2. Good Friends
3. Music, even though I don't play i still love to listen
4. My dogs (I know but they are like family)
5. determined to dance again in a class
6. working out (usually)
7. getting my house decorated
8. being a good mom
8 Words Or Phrases I Say Often
1. Huh
2. Sure
3. Please ...
4. I love you
5. Babe
6. Sleep Good
7. Nice!
8. Not so much
8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1. Watch my children grow up healthy and happy
2. Hold my grandchildren
3. Be happy and content
4. Run a race
5. travel the world with my husband
6. make a difference in the world
7. fly a plane
8. the list goes on
8 Things I Have Learned From My Past
1. The Lord is always there for you
2. You plan and life happens
3. I am truly blessed
4. Nothing is free except your own will
5. My children saved my life
6. The grass is always greener on the other side so just imagine what the people on the
other side think
7. Life is what you make of it and I am still making it barely some days...lol
8. I love my family and friends
8 Places I Would Love To Go Or See
1. Italy
2. South of France
3. Greek Islands
4. Germany
5. Ireland
6. Australia
7. Costa Rica
8. Alaska
8 Things I Currently Need Or Want
1. A Girls Week
2. NO Student loans
3. NO sick kids
4. My Volvo
5. Sleep
6. For Blue October to go on tour (come to WI)
7. To see my mom and dad......family and friends
8. I could go on and on about wants I guess I really don't need anything except 1 through
7......lol
I tag Keri, Kristy D, Kristi R, Kellee, Sara

MY DUNCAN

Karlee is now 6 and in first grade. She is doing so good, our little social butterfly has had no problems making friends. Although shy at first or I should say in large groups of people which kind of surprises me considering she rules the roost at our house. Having an older and younger brother she has learned how to hold her own. I'm not sure but I think her sweet little voice and big eyes help out. Ya, she pretty much gets what she wants. I am so blessed to have such a sweet little girl and two boys to keep an eye on her. She cracks me up this child of mine does not like candy. We all wonder why? She loves to dance. I wonder where she gets that from...lol. She always wants her feet rubbed (little diva). When we are in the car she always tells me to turn the radio up so she can sing louder(I tell her I hear angels singing). Oh, I just remembered the candy she does like gum, sour punch straws,and cheese cake she loves cheese cake. Anyways, I came across this photo and I just thought it was so cute.

MY KNIGHTS IN SHINNING ARMOR

As you can see they are getting ready to save the damsel in distress....we're still not sure where the damsel is. I love to watch them anyways.

THANKS FOR COMING!!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came to visit us this summer. It was so nice to see everyone and explore our new town with you. We LOVE YOU ALL!

BED TIME

How many of you dread putting your kids to bed? If you are like me you are definitely tired...but there is something that I love about bed time. I love tucking in my kids, reading to them, listening to them tell me one more secret (so I won't leave), and my favorite part me pretending like they are food and eating them all up. I know it sounds kind of weird. I am fully aware of that but for what ever reason they love it when I pretend like I am eating their ribs and ask for barbecue sauce. I love blowing air on their tummies (zurburts, is what I call them, Kasen calls it farting he takes after his dad.) I love to hear them laugh and see them smile. There is something so pure about hearing your child laugh and giggle. I realized tonight that before I know it they are not going to want me to tuck them in and blow on there tummies. I know they are growing up obviously but it was just a different feeling. It was pretty depressing actually but on the other hand it was a good reminder that you need to live every moment.

Still In Love

We went to Door County this weekend with Justin's parents and the kids. Door County is like the Park City of Wisconsin. When we went to dinner on Saturday night (which was right on Michigan Lake) the kids were bored so we let them play in the sand for a little while we were waiting for our table. Justin started writing the kids name in the sand and taking there pictures. When I turned around I found ours in the sand. I know this sounds so high school but I got butterflies. His mom took our picture. Every time I look at this picture I smile and think, yup we're still in LOVE.

4K

Since we decided to keep Kasen home we enrolled him into 4K which is just preschool. After we got Kolby and Karlee off to school Kasen was not so excited to ride the bus because he realized that I wouldn't be on it. I managed to get him ready and get him on the bus. Only because I promised him that I would also follow the bus. That took quit awhile because not every child was willing to get on and every parent took lots of pictures. Yeah they got to school a half hour late, but they were safe. I once we got to the school he gave me a kiss and told me, " The bus was fun mom. I love you see you at home." He was off playing with the other kids. I guess at least he loves me..... he is (wild) outgoing. He is definitely so big.

First Day of School

Here they go on the first day of school. I can't believe Kolby is in 3rd grade and Karlee is in 1st. My babies are growing right before my eyes. So as we walked down to the bus stop they seemed so excited but they were not fooling me. As we were waiting for the bus I told them I would follow the bus to school to make sure they got to there class OK. So as Kolby was getting on the bus he turned to me and said, " Mom don't forget to follow the bus." Yeah he was definitely nervous. So by the time I found a parking spot and found the kids they were standing together holding hands. Karlee was about to burst into tears and Kolby looked like a ghost. I felt so bad the were so nervous. When I walked up to them Karlee clung to me and Kolby was asking what took me so long. I helped Kolby find his line but Karlee's teacher had to come and get her. I felt so bad she was crying and wanted me to stay. I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and take her back home. I think she knows that makes my heart hurt. I finally got them into school and went home. Yeah there was a couple of tears on the way home but since I had to get Kasen ready for 4K I didn't really want Kasen to see that I was sad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASEN

8-26-2003


I can't believe you are 5! It seems like yesterday you were born. You used to have tiny little feet and tiny little hands. Now they are just little. You are definitely my most adventurist, OK wild one. I'm sure you will be the one that I will constantly be getting the phone call from school saying you broke your arm. Since you have already broken your collar bone twice. I know you will drive way to fast. We haven't been able to keep you off the four wheeler since before you could walk. You want every four wheeler, motorcycle, and big truck in sight. At least I have you for one more year to help me fold the laundry and cook (that's right ladies I'm training him well) before we send you off to kindergarten. Yup, I'm keeping my baby home for one more year. Besides I love to hear your tiny voice, you still have a hard time pronouncing your R's and L's. You bring so much joy to our home. I thought we were done having children when we found out we were getting one more heaven sent angel. Happy Birthday LITTLE BUBBA!!
Love,
Mom, Dad, Kolby, Karlee and Corndog, Bell & Jasmine

Wisconsin

We just moved to Stevens Point, WI. in June. Justin accepted a job at the hospital. So far we are liking it but that might change when winter comes. We are glad to be in our own house and have space again. Although we do have some remodeling to do!!! I can't figure out why you would put carpet in your bathroom but unfortunately the previous owners thought it was a great idea for all of the bathrooms. Some of there ideas were not so great but the house has a lot of potential and the neighborhood is great. The kids made friends right away with the neighbors and made a path through the trees from our house to there's. It was pretty cute watching them with the rakes and hedge clippers. It turns out that the path is pretty convenient since we have become friends with there parents.