Make a Smilebox slideshow

Round Two

Well tomorrow is Kayela's birthday. It is hard to believe that we have only been her parents for three years. She has changed so much in those three years and our family as a whole has come so far. We can't imagine how different our lives would be without her.

Happy Birthday Kayela!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday to You!

Well Emma turns 11 tomorrow so I put together a little slideshow of her. I don't have any digital pictures of her as an infant or toddler so it starts as a preschooler. I can't believe she is already 11. Time flies when you're having fun! Enjoy the show and if you have sound be sure it's on! Unless of course this is Josh reading ...it will just annoy you!

Baby It's Cold Outside!


Can you believe it is November 14th and we are just now getting our first snow? I can't remember when the last time was that we didn't have snow on Halloween let alone midway through November! Snow and I have a love/hate relationship. I love it when I am looking at it but hate it when I am out in it.


I really didn't pay any attention to Josh this morning when he said it had snowed either. The girls for the past week have been teasing each other every morning when they wake up by saying "it snowed!" then the other girls will go "no" and look and find out they'd been had. So today I thought Josh was just playing along until he called the house to let me know he scraped the van windows. (The only time I hate having 3 cars is in the winter when I need to drive the one outside with snow all over it, ha!) So, it really has snowed and I have proof.

Emma was thrilled to see that it had snowed because she has been dying to use her ski pass. She keeps asking "when can I go skiing?" and we keep telling her (big red truck) "well.... honey....when their is actually SNOW on the ground." We'll be making a phone call to Grampy today I am sure. He is the crazy one who got a ski pass too so he could take her. What a good Grampy!

As for me? I will be cuddled by the fireplace with a good book and hot cocoa forgetting for a moment that I have six kids who are counting on clean laundry and a good meal.

Have I Been Replaced???

So, I think this is what having an addiction to blogging can do to your marriage. Yes, P.D. has taken over my side of the bed. When I finished blogging the other night I went up to bed and walked in on Josh sound asleep and P.D. had made himself totally comfortable. The thing that cracks me up the most is the sign over our head board! Poor Josh I am having way to much fun with this on his account. I am struggling to remind myself that this is a family blog...take that into account if you post a comment too...haha! P.D. is even under the covers with his little paw all cozied up. He definitely figured out where his head went and this is the look I got when I told him to get out of my bed.

It was really funny, he was NOT going to budge either.He usually does sleep in our bed but typically stays all curled up at the bottom using our legs as pillows. (I know the Pietreks will understand. They have little Max who sleeps with them, although P.D. probably has 30 lbs. on him) I guess I know now what he is really thinking every night. Here is another great shot of the moment

I do have to mention that "P.D" stands for nothing. I have had a few people ask me that from the Halloween post. Here is the story...Kaidon got P.D. when he stopped sucking his thumb (not bribery...I like to call it "leveraging"..thanks Pam for the insight on that one!) when we went to get all of the things we needed for the puppy, Kaidon wanted to print out a dog tag. So, while Josh stayed in line to check out, Kaidon went over and had the dog tag made. Instead of writing Petey he did what sounded right to him and now we are the proud servants to P.D.!

School's Back In!

The kids started back to school today and my freedom was regained. I get so much done when I don't have 12 "helping" hands. Here are some pictures I took on the run as the kids ate their breakfast. They aren't great but at least it is something.

Ta-Doody-da-me!

Ok, it's official we've been playing guitar hero's a little to much! All the kids are walking around singing songs that they really shouldn't even be listening to. Mihya keeps singing "Ta-Doody-da me" which is good compared to the real words of that song. (Talk Dirty to me) She knows all the words to "hit me with your best shot" and "schools out for summer" They've even made up dances to some of the songs. I guess it's good that they are keeping themselves occupied while Emma and I have our battle. Kaidon is now in on the action. He was getting frustrated because he couldn't beat even one song but he has now so he's convinced he can catch up to Emma and I. As I write this Mihya is trying her first attempt at "slow ride" but she keeps getting booed. I think I am going to get the Wii fit at least maybe I could be burning some calories while we compete for insignificant titles in our household. The really sad thing is that I have laundry to do and floors to mop and yet I am NOT going to let Emma beat me. I will win at the cost of a dirty house. Besides, everyone always says the house will wait my kids will just keep on growing so I am living in the moment and cherishing this time...and maybe a teeny bit is that I may just be somewhat competitive.

It is War!!

No, I am not allowed to talk politics(I've been warned by Joshua) I am talking about between Emma and I! Yes, I have always held the Wii Guitar hero's highest honor in our household until today! While Emma was home and I was working in office today she beat my record. She has been able to practice while I have a job and kids to raise....darn her! I will regain my seat but it will take many hours of practice while she is in school. I thought it was hysterical because all the music is clearly not stuff she knows but look at her:

She said she wore the outfit intentionally to give her a boost! I think it may have worked. Sorry no time to blog I have some Aerosmith to brush up on.

Halloween and Road Trip

Well our family goal to reach six pillow cases full of candy was not accomplished, but we sure had a lot of fun trying! We ended up with two king sized pillow cases full of candy. For a family who rarely eats the stuff we should be set for oh say the next ten years. It was hysterical because we started at Southlands with about ten thousand other people..ha! We met up with Madison (Emma's best friend from Kindergarten) and her family and hit all the stores. Once we were done their we fed the kids and started in on the neighborhood. Madison, her mom and brother drove over to our house and off the group went. Josh threw a leash on P.D. and walked with the kids and I drove the "break" van. Jill, Maddie's mom, and I just talked all evening while the tired kids would hop in and out as they needed a break. Except for Mihya who figured out really quickly that she could sit in the van all night and eat candy as the other kids actually worked for it! All of you who know Mihya will get a kick out of that! The weather was perfect and we didn't give up until all porch lights were out. Josh made a comment when I was saying for the hundredth time "really? We are going to keep going?" he said "well, I don't remember ever having a Halloween without snow so let's do this now so we're set for the next few years at least!" Ya, right I'd love to see him convince the kids of that next year! Here is a picture of our loot!

On the Road again....The next morning (Saturday) Mihya, Graysie, Kayela, and I left for Kansas. As much as it was against my better judgement when the kids have to potty they HAVE to potty so we did stop at the trucker stops...ugghhh! I threatened them that if they touched ANYTHING they'd miss anything fun for the next century.(Actually we did stop for food and the bathrooms at the food places are not much cleaner, which is a little disturbing!) I even got pictures of them at the rest area I thought I could do a scrap booking page headed "The grossest thing my mom ever made us do" I showed Amanda's mom this and she was mortified that I took the girls in there. Then Amanda said "I saw a 20/20 on rest areas once..." and proceeded to tell me all the things that happen. The funny thing was....I saw the same one and yet it seemed logical to pull off there because they had to use the bathroom ever 10 miles! Do you know how long it would've taken me to get there? I caved!

Graysie's baby half sister, Sophie, was turning one and we obviously wouldn't have missed that for the world! So, I drove with the three girls and Josh stayed here with the boys and Emma. They were bummed they couldn't go but Emma had a soccer game (and she'd already missed two for Florida) and she was singing at church so it just didn't work out. We had dinner with Amanda (Graysie's birth mom), Sophie, and Amanda's parents who had not seen Grayise since she was about 18 months old. The next morning the girls swam at the hotel (the highlight of any vacation!)

and then we headed over for the party. We were there a couple hours early so we could visit. Then stayed a couple hours after the party was over hanging out and getting as much time in as possible.

See how adorable Sophie's hair bow is? Amanda has started a business making and selling the bows! I think they are so hysterical! Her business is called "Sophie's Bowtique" and she is really awesome at making these. (I have tried they are really harder than they look). Anytime you see a picture of my girls in an extravagant hair bow it is most likely one that Amanda has made for them. Sophie has a bow to match every outfit needless to say. In their new house Amanda even has a whole room dedicated to bow making. Here are some pictures:

We left the next morning (Monday) and headed home. It was a short visit and we always realize how much we miss them when we are leaving or they are leaving from here. We are trying to convince them to move closer to us but so far they aren't budging!