My monthly entry

So I wasn't kidding. I guess this is all I can fit into my life, once a month. I will try to remember all that has been going on this past month. One thing I can remember is Halloween. It was a great year. It was our first one in this house and we had a blast decorating, the girls even convinced me to get some new decorations, one particular item, a skeleton named bony Jim (as Lucy named him) will always be a favorite to me now, just because the kids played so much with him and they would strike the funniest poses with it. I wouldl hear them all laughing and walk into the room and see that they had him with his legs crossed like a lady and waving, they would all just be giggling at how funny it was. We also had our first experience with Trunk or treat (not sure why this ward does it, because we are all so close in proximity) oh well, the kids were spoiled. Not only did they get a bunch of Candy at my workplace, they got trunk or treat and went trick or treating as well. I was very sick on Halloween but all and all it was a great day. I will try to include pic's if I can find them.

Another thing that was different is that we chopped Addie's hair right off. Aunt Laura volunteered as I was asking what to do with it and it turned out very cute. I do have to admit that right after both Big D and I had some regret, only becasue it was getting pretty long and half of it was very pretty. But now everyday I see her I know it is a huge improvement, she actually looks like she has a hair style, not a half mullet and a just woke up look.

We had a fun dental appointment this month with everyone, which was an adventure, and boy do we get stares wherever we go! I don't get it. Lots of people around here have 5 or more kids, but I guess we are entertaining. Three of the 4 kids that got checked had to have follow up appointments and that was also quite the ordeal. It was good though and the kids just loved the place we took them to, so if anyone needs a referral, I am happy to recommend.

On the down side, we have been experiencing some awful car issues on all cars. The van has an electrical prob so that you are randomly driving and all circuits shut down at random times, the worst we have decided is at night when the headlights just go off. Yeah... good times.

The Lincoln has front suspension problems. Although the lunch group at work think I am a lousy driver, I promise it is the car! The CNG car has a little problem called the CNG part doesn't work. It is one thing after another. We have the worst luck with cars. The worst part is that to get all of it repaired will cost us thousands (plural). We are not sure what to do first.

Big D may have to get a new name here soon. He has lost 12 pounds and counting! He has changed only his diet habits and water habits. He has cut way back on all carbs and is pounding the water down daily. I think he looks great but his goal is 20 more pounds. You go Babe! I am trying to be better but as most women can attest to, the poundage is just harder to loose for whatever reason, but at least I am giving it a good try.

I have officially entered the "worst" season for my job. I can't stand year end. Payroll and Insurance have some time consuming things associated with year end, as well as, holidays bring more chaos with extra stuff for bosses and clients etc.... Oh how I wish this was at a different time, it puts a damper on my holidays. Hopefully I will be able to keep my head above water enough to enjoy a few moments of peace!

Big D has been trying to get more hours at work so he can take off for the holidays. I hope it works, all the holidays fall on his days of work, it would be very sad not to have him around!

Zach is loving having a four wheeler around, they ride it practically everyday, and I am sure the neighbors are annoyed (oh well!) It is cute to see him give everyone rides, it makes him feel like he has something unique, that his sisters don't have, and it is amazing how well they all get a long when he is offing the service.

Lucy is great. I had the opportunity to help out in her classroom for Halloween, it was fun to see her interact with her classmates and it was very funny to see how she was happy I was there but at the same time she didn't want me to show her too much attention. It was probably the way I was dressed, I am sure she was a little embarrassed, as no other mothers were dressed up. I was also able to go with her on a Field trip to see a play put on my Jr. igh students. It was very fun and the play was actually good too. I hope Averie gets into the musical theatre when she gets older. I kept thinking how fun that would be.

Speaking of Averie, she is just so funny. She has taken to being a different character everyday and she tells Addie who she will be that day as well. Often times I will come upon them while Averie is talking in hush tones as Addie is crying (nothing new) only to find out that Addie doesn't like the character that Averie has chosen for her and Averie being so headstrong will not give in. It's mean and she is bossy, I am not sure what to think. I also discovered little hole pricks in my leather bar stools... wonder who could have done that huh? Scratching (and now poking) queen.Can you tell I have had it with her this month? I was able to go to her class as well for Halloween and that was quite fun. She was very happy to have me there so it was good. She was also star student of the week and had a great time creating a poster of herself. Here are some favorites of her little 5 year old mind. Favorite food: Steak and breadsticks (she is so my daughter!). Favorite color: The whole rainbow, Favorite thing to do: Dance and play and roast marshmallows and hotdogs. Favorite book: Princess books , Favorite holiday: Christmas, Favorite pet: Horses what she wants to be when she grows up: She wants to own a pizza factory. Oh yeah. When the teacher asked her why she wanted to own one, she posed the question, is it because you want to make the pizza or eat the pizza. I wish I had film on her at that moment as she swung her hip out and stuck her hand on her hip and answered with the attitude of "duh" she said, "Make the pizza of course!" Her teacher looked at me and said "well then" I just looked at her and smiled. I hope she does own a restraunt when she gets older... esp one that has breadsticks! She is a funny kid.

Addie is just sweet. She is going to nursery by herself with not too much struggle, which is great. She is still loving preschool and has started to play with JD more and more. I love to see the interaction as she tries to control him (as Averie controls her) but because he doesn't get her, he just thinks everything is a game and will laugh when she laughs and if she pushes him, he pushes back, it is kind of funny. She has been loving to draw and at any chance she will do it for quite a while, which is very nice when you need a distraction.

JD has a few new words. He can say Addie (no big surprise) he can say Zach and he has a funny word for button sounds like nubbin. He will try to say things when he is in the mood which is very fun, especially because when he gets close to saying something recognizable all the kids (hanging on every little sound) will laugh and clap which he thinks is hilarious. He will laugh right with them, which makes everyone laugh harder. He is also saying a few cute animal sounds. I like the Nay sound the best as he shakes his voice. Tonight as we were singing for FHE he looked around at us and climbed on the couch and sat by himself (of course) and started yelling at the top of his lungs in a "bee-doo" type sound trying to sing with us. We couldn't finish the song we were all laughing, as his face was turning red from the sheer force he was putting into it. It was very funny

Well that about sums it up for the month. I hope you enjoy the pics.

Not Quite sure why the pose, but I found it entertaining

Kids trying to pose for me, I never did quite get the looks I was going for

Addie was a ballerina

Averie was super girl again this year

Lucy was a little witch

Flapper Girl (Part of a group)

Lucy being crazy witch

The whole Gang from L to R Val, Natalie, Rooney, Me, Amy

At the PMI partyI can't actually find one of only Zach alone! Now that I think back, he would hardly stand still for any pictures, I think he did think he was actually batman.

JD too! I have no clue why we can't get a good shot, the kid is always on the move. I did have his little antenna's on at one point

Here is one of Zach... a better one anyway. He was a cute batman!

The Whole Gang, we went to Mom's after for some pizza, soup and fun!

So here is Addie before the chop. You can see La La in the background scoping out the next move

At this moment she was sad because "I don't have enough hair". It made us all laugh. I will put some better pictures on tomorrow if I think of it, I have a better shots of the end result, where she is happy!

I guess I am a once a month type of blogger

What can I say? Nothing. I am a slacker! While I am at home thinking I should sit down and blog, I convince myself that I will have more time at work (that's a joke) and a work I convince myself that I will have more time at home (also a joke) so if I don't force myself to sit down at the computer at 10pm or later, I guess I wouldn't blog at all. I do still love seeing all of your blogs, I just spent close to an hour catching up and laughing at all the stories and lives... so thank you!

Last week we had parent teacher conference and for the most part it was what I expected. I wa told that Zach is a good student, just needs a little improvement turning in homework and keeping his attention where it needs to be. What's crazy is that the other week he explained to me that he didn't have any homework, He was so convincing that I actually believed him (big mistake). I found the disgarded homework a couple days later stuffed behind a stack of towels under the sink in the entry bathroom... what? This was his version of "my dog ate my homework" I have since found a trend in homework hiding and have found stuffed homework sheets in the laundry room behind the dryer, crumpled in a coat pocket in the coat closet, and between his bed and the wall, he even went as far as putting it in a small pocket of Lucy's backpack. One would think that after the punishment the first time he would learn but apparently not, he has learned where not to hide it. We're working on it! We also found out that he too failed his eye exam so we may have two children in glasses.

Lucy, no huge surprises there. Her teacher told me she was doing very well and couldn't think of an area that she needed improvement in, so Yeah! I did have a moment with her the other night as we were going out to get dinner (typical Friday night outing). We had stopped at the bank and I was just casually asking "where should we get dinner tonight" I started to throw out some ideas like El Polo Loco, Del Taco, and McDicks, when Lucy got that disgusted look on her face and said matter of fact like, "I am not eating animal tonight!" How does one respond to that? I just looked at her and laughed, I think I accused her of being too young to have such views about being a vegetarian. She has had more of these moments as of late, in fact just, this morning as we were giving her an "up do" for the crazy hair day, I miss spoke and told her to hold this piece of hair only I said "hold this rubber band" (which didn't make sense) so she said with the brattiest tone ever "and where am I going to get a rubber band? At the rubber band store?" Sassy little girl! Next time I think I will flick her face! I will have to see if I can find the camera to put on the crazy hair pic's. Zach had a Mohawk which was kind of fun and Lucy's hair is too hard to explain, a picture should do the trick.

Parent Teacher with Averie was a bit of a shocker, her teacher told me she was one of her most "quiet kids". I said, "you must have more then one Averie"... I can't even imagine what a quiet Averie would be like. Apparently her teacher has no idea of what the "real Averie" is like. I didn't see that one coming. I did ask Averie about being quiet in class, and she told me she is quiet because she doesn't like "everyone staring at her" So can't say that I can blame her on that one.(although I did think she liked attention...hum) Anyway she is doing well in school and had some impressive art work displayed, which was fun to look at. She usually has a "daily" news minute from school where she re-caps an event from her day at kindergarten that she found to be "interesting" that day. I can't decide what is more fun to hear, the story or her voice and the way she tells the story. She was telling me (before I went to parent teacher conference) of a kid in her class that was "as small as JD" and that she could pick him up and carry him around. It was so funny to listen to her explain it, I thought she was exaggerating. Unfortunately or Fortunately (I don't know which), I saw this growth chart posted on the door leading out of the kindergarten classroom as I was leaving, and I did see this line with "the small kid's" name about two heads shorter then the shortest kid. She probably could carry him around! (I better talk to her before it gets out of hand).

Addie is still loving pre-school, she cries every morning that isn't a "preschool day" just as soon as I tell her that she isn't going, she starts in on the crying. I actually just expect it now, or plan for it, and have tried every method to let her down easy. I spit it out fast (like ripping off a bandaid, concept is to get the pain over fast) I have tried to prep her very lovingly the night before, I have done it matter of factly, and I have sugar coated it. Regardless, each day that isn't Tu or Thurs is a disaster that usually ends in her throwing herself on the floor crying. I wish I could put her in a preschool everyday! Who would have thought she would have embrased it so well. Little Addie who wouldn't go to nursery alone... now can't wait to get out on her own and experience life without mom and dad! I hate to paint such a negative picture of her, this post and last post seem to make her out to be awful. She really isn't that bad, for the most part she is still a pleasant kid full of joy. She is the most loving child I have right now. She comes up to me and will just say out of the blue "mommy I love you" which I have to say I never tire of! She will also let me hold her and cuddle, and none of the other kids will let me do that so for this reason alone, I do love the 3 year old stage she is in, all whining aside.

JD has decided that he likes to read. Just out of the blue last week, he found a book that he wanted me to read to him and with his series of grunts that he communicates with, I got the picture... he wanted me to read him a book! I pulled him to my lap an he wiggled right off to sit right next to me (thought he was pretty cool too, he just sat up straight and looked over at me and smiled) I had to laugh. I read him the book (sort of) and when we were finished I thought "that was fun" and thought we were done. I was wrong! I had to read it about 20 more times and since then (now everyday) it is around 20 times if not more a day. It is still fun though, plus it gives me a reason to sit down and just enjoy life so I am grateful for that.

I have no idea how Big D is. We haven't spoken more then just casualties for a while, going on three weeks I think, but luckily I am taking a couple of days off this week and hoping we can catch up on things. For what it is worth he seems about normal :)

I have no idea why but work has been quite busy the past few weeks. This week seemed to calm down some (thankfully!) I did have a great lunch last Friday. I was a Chili's with friends from work when in walked Willie Nelson (or his twin). Natalie's husband Brad is a big fan so she called him, he got there surprisingly fast, and the conversation that followed still keeps me laughing to this very minute. The guys were trying to figure out if it was indeed Willie Nelson.., Brad was trying not to be too obvious and take his picture, he also did the casual walk by, and look out the corner of his eye (although he didn't pull off the casual as well as I think he thought he did) to get a better look, they even got our waiter trying to confirm if it was him or not. What made it even better was that the waiter decided we were all crazy, and he would come over and lean in close and do the whisper yell thing "WIIIILLLIIIIEEE" like he was at a rock concert or something, which still makes me laugh thinking about. Amy was getting sick of it all and trying to get us out of there because it was getting a little embarrassing, as the guys got more and more obvious as they all hovered around Brads I-phone where he had pulled up a photo of Willie and they would look at the picture, zoom in to get a good look, and then there heads would all go from looking down at the i-phone and pop up and stretch up to gawk at the live Willie two booths down and then back to the i-phone to compare. I was fully amused! I know it doesn't sound that funny but it was really really funny! Check out Natalie's blog to see the pic Brad took!

Well that is all I can think of. I will see if I can find some good pics! that is what we really want to look at right?

I have to start with this one... little miss attitude!

Sunday morning pudding! Big D hates this pic. I absolutely loved watching him just make the biggest mess. He ate every bite he could get into his mouth, most of it ended up on him or the floor. The 20 min clean up was so worth it! Also doesn't Lucy look like John Lennon (how do you spell that?)in the background?

JD on the tramp
Seriously.... Quiet? Seriously?

Addie and most of the other kids have been hit with sickness the past few weeks. They are pulling out of it now but this was pretty typical of all of them in the recent days

This was taken so I could always remember the "phase" we got into, watching "The biggest Loser" on Tuesday nights. Look at how intent he is! I have to say it IS very exciting to see those people get on those giant scales to see who lost the most weight. The kids really got into it! ( I am not sure how healthy it is for the kids to be watching it though, they did think for a while that that Big D was going to die, due to the "medical advise" that was handed out to these contestants to help them see the unhealthy road they were headed down.... anyway don't worry I did straighten the kids out about Big D, now they only think he needs to "get rid of his gut" It was a pretty funny conversation :)

The kids were actually playing table... yep, they were that bored!

This video is actually too long, I put it on here to demonstrate how cute his little voice is when he does that tickle thing that I wrote about last blog entry. Anyway, look past the annoying "stop it's" and "move out of the way's"as the other kids try to get in the video if you can otherwise don't watch because it will be more then annoying

Apparently I can't stick to goals

Actually I know this about myself already. If I make a goal of writing each week, usually it won't happen. Recently I have decided I needed to get off the sugar, well that lasted I think for 6 hours. I was quite proud of myself, but it is a joke. I think perhaps I need a life coach, someone who can do a little hand holding to get me to be able to actually work toward real goals and make some changes for the better.

I had a little time today at work (yes I actually am not working right now), I came in early and stuck a sign on my door window that said "conference call, do not disturb (don't even open the door) and although it didn't work on all people, it actually worked enough that I was able to get a few things done. I only had it up for a couple of hours so it is not a cure all but I think I will use it again :)

Big D is taking the kids up to Holly's house this weekend. The three oldest that is, and they are all very excited. He really wanted me to go with him but he sprung it on me at the last moment and "thought" he had told me earlier. I had to hear it through the kids a couple of days ago, to which he swears he told me. Anyway that is neither hear nor there. I simply do not have enough hours in a day or a weekend to get everything done. When we do go on a weekend trip which is next to never we usually have to work throughout the week getting stupid things done like laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning etc. But since I didn't get the notice I will be doing all the "usual" stuff while he is having some fun. I think that was way too long of an explanation. I can't stop talking and now apparently I can't stop typing. I have probs. Anyway Mom and I are hopefully going to spend this evening with Dad (poor guy all lonely up at the hospital). Then do a few errands that we put off this week, like grocery's. I am hoping to at least take her to dinner for a little bit of a change. We will see.

I did have something funny that Averie said this week. Lucy was adamant about making brownies BY HERSELF one night this week. She read the instruction and did it all without assistance which was highly amusing actually. While she was finishing up we started chatting about being "good cooks" and I told them that one of the reasons that their Daddy fell in love with me was that I was a good cook (not trying to brag here... to big D anything better then toast is good cooking) so a few minutes went past and Averie in all her wisdom asked, "what if I don't want some old fat guy to fall in love with me" Lucy who is the peacemaker (when she wants to be) tried to defend Big D by saying "daddy isn't that fat". I couldn't respond because I was laughing too hard. I told big D the next morning (omitting the fat part, I am safe, he doesn't blog), and he was a little hurt or sensitive I should say because the night before someone at work called him "Grandpa Pratt" over the radio thingy. Anyway he shouldn't worry too much he is not old and not fat, he is great. Kids just say it how they think it. 20 year olds would be "old" according to Averie.

JD has been doing this funny little thing lately. The other morning I was holding him and he pulled up the sleeve on my t-shirt and started to poke me while saying "tickle tickle tickle tickle" sounds. I think I have a little clip of him doing it again that I will try to upload. It is pretty funny.

Adalie is in perhaps the worst whiny stage of life right now. She cries over EVERYTHING. She cries when someone sings too loud or doesn't look at her the "right" way. She even cried about cheese in her burrito (apparently it was way to melted for her liking). I have zero tolerance for the whiny crap so several times I have had to send her to her room to "cry it out". I am so not equipped to deal with that kind of behavior. I can handle real crying for pain or sadness or even stupid emotional stuff but not over cheese. So here's to hoping that she grows out of that one soon.

Lucy has been doing very well in school. And seems very happy. She gets her homework done on the bus sometimes and hates to have things she "has to do" so she is pretty quick to get things done. Lately she has been trying to stock up the brownie points to spend more time watching evening TV. It is very interesting to me that she can actually sit through a partial episode of survivor (I am not a survivor fan, it just happened to be on while I was cleaning up). Watching TV while a kid is in the room is a completely different experience, you are somehow more involved with the language being used and "topics" of conversation. Survivor wasn't that bad but the commericals that were on were shocking. I am trying to get her into a good book series... anyone know a good one for the 2nd grade girl?

Zach has been very happy to get back in scouts this week. He has also got a new computer fixation. I got a little wiser and purchased a series of interactive learning games in the area's of science and some others... he acted like it was Christmas morning. Win Win!

Well I have to get back to work. Hopefully I can put new pics up sometime this weekend. I hope all of you are doing well! I love seeing the blogs today. Kim is back on track and that makes me happy!

I love to Blog

I really do like journaling and blogging but lately my world is so busy I am lucky if I get one night a week to do something else like sit and write. New goal, write every week no matter what. Now I will see if I can stick to it. Well these past weeks have flown by. The kids are adjusting to school and other activities. Adalie started school last week and she loves it. I have no idea why she is fine with preschool but try to put her in the church nursery she has a mental breakdown!

We had some very bad news last week. Transmission is out in the van. You all know that that is now the 4th transmission that we have had replaced now in our lifetime together. Question, is it the way we drive? Maybe big D should take some auto mechanic's training and save us about 2K a year. huh?

We just got back from Colorado for Brody's baptism. It was great fun and wonderful to be with the CO family. We only get to see them on average 2 times a year so this was a nice addition to the norm. Plus T&K came as well as Mom and Dad and J&L, we all stayed at Trav's house so it was like one huge party, esp for the kids. Brody was so cute and asked if I would speak on the big day. I accepted and was honored but I hate to speak in public and I'm not going to lie, as stupid as this is I was pretty nervous. There were a lot of people there, not what I was expecting! He wanted a short talk as to "not be boring" so that is what he got and I actually learned a lot as I prepared the talk to it was good for both of us. Thank you Trav and Allison for your absolute wonderful family and hosting us all this past weekend. It was such fun! Flights home were a little bad so we actually got to stay an extra day. Had to get up at 3:30am on Monday morning but it worked out! caffeine helped me actually work at work so thank goodness for that crutch.

Now that we are back I have a million loads of laundry to do and at work, well lets just say I had 68 messages in my inbox on Monday and I have looked at approx 15. I love taking days off work but I pay for it for weeks to come. As I am sitting here I think I am either too tired to think or I really have nothing else to write... brain fry I guess. I did want to write a couple of things the kids have said that I didn't want to forget. I hate that I can't remember as I sit to write them. One thing I do remember is what Lucy told me on our last leg of the trip to Trav's house. We had gotten up early, driven to the Airport, taken the shuttle and rented a car so we were almost there and stopped to get some water. I turned around in the car to talk to the kids and she looked at me and said "mommy you should put more make up on to make yourself look better" I just told her that makeup doesn't cover up sick and tired of traveling with 5 kids, oh and old. J/K I had to give her the speech about how sometimes when we think something that may not be good for the other person to hear it it is just better not to say it. Kids are just so honest and sometimes the truth hurts. I have more kid-isms but alas I have forgotten them in this moment. Hopefully I can remember by the next post. Here are some pics from the CO trip

That is all we took. Yep... how dissapointing. I would bet that Mom took a lot more... go to her blog to see good shots.

Here are a couple of shots from FHE on Monday. Lucy bruised her tailbone because big D bounced her so high on the tramp that she landed butt on steel. OUCH!

Crazy guy... if you look closely you can see Lucy trying to figure out why she was in so much pain :) Here is Addie getting ready for school

Big D and JD cheesing it up. We were laughing because JD got a little bored up on the shoulders so he got his mouth around some of the gel crusted quaff and he had a look of sheer disgust as well as a body shutter (the aftershock) must have been pretty bad. It was classic!

What a slacker!

Well I have been such a slacker that I can't seem to get to the computer to update my blog. Story of my life. Great intentions with small effort. And I love keeping it up for journals. Not only have I not written for an eternity but I haven't been surging blogs. As I look back for the main reason I can only come up with how busy our lives seem to be. I think the last time I wrote we were about to have our once in a life time (only because I will never do it again) yard sale. It was a zoo and honestly we didn't make enough money to be worth it at all. By the end I was just telling people to take what they wanted and writing it off. We still had a huge load of things to take to the DI when we were finished. At least I was privileged to leave and go see a play with mom. That was nice to be able to walk away. I do appreciate all that helped us with that huge project, it was a learning experience. Shortly after that we had Addie's B-day to celebrate. My little Blondie turned 3 in August. We really celebrated for over a week. We didn't have the time on her actual birthday to party plus Big D was working so we delayed and would do little things here and there for her. Her official b-day was the Saturday after her real b-day and we gave her presents and special food etc. Sunday we had the family b-day party and that was seriously fun. We had a nice game of kickball and baseball that was more then amusing. Did you know that big D can really run! Shocker huh? The kids had a blast and it was great weather and I love our yard for how much running around you can do.

Addie was so happy to have her birthday and it was fun to watch her and see her excitement.

Here are some pics from her b-day... here she is with the present Nana gave her.

Here a few of the group enjoy the great weather

The girls playing house and J-dog and Gracie keeping it real on the slide

Part of the kick ball game

Addie and her cake and the traditional fam picture. (yes, this is the best we could do)

We now skip ahead to the other happenings in life. School started. The kids have to ride the bust to school which has been different for them and a little nerve racking for me. I don't know why but it feels like a little less control or something, something I am not good with. Lucy's teacher is Mrs. Cambell and she happens to be the tuttle's youngest daughter. I saw her on back to school night and was pleasantly surprised and couldn't believe that she was all grown up. (I felt so old) but she has been great for Lucy, she is such a sweetheart. Zach's teacher is also great. She seems to be just what Zach needs. She is also very much into the science thing, so they have something in common. Averie started a week later and it was almost torture for her. She loves kindergarten and has already made her "group of friends" by asking almost everyone if they want to be her friend.

First day for Z-man and Lucy

Averie a week later.

We have a mean bus driver which makes me mad. I witnessed one of her yelling episodes as the kids had warned me about earlier, so the school district will be getting a call here shortly but other then that they have all been so happy and well adjusted, my fears have been put to rest.

Darren and I got a calling, we are now nursery teachers. Neither one of us have done this job before, we have however, been in nursery for about 5 years give or take with each child as they had anxiety separation so we should catch on pretty fast. I have to close for now because there is a mosquito in here and I am all itchy just thinking about it. Hopefully I won't be such a slacker anymore!

So thanks to Q I have a few pics to choose from (Thanks Q!) I am going to put the "best" 3 fam photo's and we will take a vote... which one should I blow up and put in my frame.?

#1 Lucy and Zach and JD... not such great smiles guys

#2 JD would not cooperate with the smile and lucy looks like she felt at that moment... like she was going to fall out of the tree

Photo #3 I think we are looking different places...

OK so take a vote

Quick weekly

We had such a fun weekend I thought I would write a little something before I hit the sack. Friday night Mom, Dad and Big D and I went out to the movie Mama Mia. Mom and I have seen the play a couple of times together so we thought it would be fun to see what Hollywood could do with it. We did enjoy it (I do love the music). I can't speak for Dad and Big D because they both had a look of boredom most of the time. All in all I have to say they did a good job and it was fun to be out with the folks again. I think it has been about 2 years. Babysitters are expensive and really not that great as I have discovered. Remember the good old days, you could get a girl for about a buck an hour and when you got home the kids would be asleep and your house would be tidy and they would be grateful for the money and everyone was happy... ok so that was about 23 years ago but still... anyway I will have to keep the date close to my heart because I don't think I can afford to go out for about 2 more years!

Saturday Mom and Dad moved... FINALLY! I am so happy to have them 10 minutes closer and I am also very happy to see this long time dream in the making finally come to the end. I love their new house and I love to see them in it. Big D went and helped them move in the morning along with Reed and Jer and Justyn and Brendan and then later that evening I went over to help them but really only got the bed made... what is up with all the ironing mom? J/K I was happy to help and wish I could have done more. We had quite the wind/dust storm blow by as I was leaving and it made me sad to watch all the windows that mom had so carefully washed for HOURS with the light sprinkle of rain and then the dust that coated them.... what a waste!

Just a heads up to all the family reading, You all know how Mom gets about cleanliness etc... well this new move to the new house has already amplified her neatness to about 100 times more... anyway I think it would really be a good idea if no one was to visit the new house until she has grass and has enjoyed the "clean & new" feeling for about a month. I have formulated a plan so we can still enjoy their presence without wrecking the new house so we will rotate sunday dinners at our houses until we get together for the first time around mom's b-day. Anyway she won't say it but I know that that would really be the best solution. I love my kids and I love your kids but let's be honest they can do a number on a house in no time flat so I think it very important that we respect the distance for a time. I am now officially done with that lecture

After the big move, we tried to go see the big fireworks on Sat night but after the long drive late at night and the waiting around, the weather was bad enough that they didn't hold them. So the kids were disappointed but it was fun to watch the kids while we waited. I had made dinner late for Mom and Dad and they didn't get to eat until after 10pm while waiting for the fireworks! So we sat in the van and they ate and we chatted. Overall it was a good time.

Today my friend Q was nice enough to take our family pic's. We haven't had a family pic since since Ad's was a baby so we are very happy to have such nice friends with a nice camera to help us out. I am very excited to see how they turn out, I will put some on once I get them. I was however able to get a few shots of the girls before we left, just to remember the pain and anguish of doing all the hair... Averie took the longest amount of time... she has so much hair it is scary And Adalie (she got another hair cut this weekend by Averie... another story but i am still so mad that I can't tell it yet) we put a big bow in the front top to cover the short cut!

And then Lucy... I have to pay her money just to let me put a bow in her hair... she pulls such attitude with girly things! She hates having the pic taken and won't smile for any amount of bribe or punishment! I caught this pic as she was running away from me but I got a little smile at least!

Girls are fun except on days that you have to do the hair... the struggles of making them cute!

One last thing, on Saturday Big D dropped his cheap sunglasses and the lenses came right out. He looks so funny with them on (with the lenses), I made him put them on without just for kicks. The kids laughed so hard, it was pretty amusing, but they all wanted a try after him so here are the pics from that moment

This one is my favorite!

See what I mean about FUNNY!

He got such a kick when everyone would laugh at him that he didn't want us to take them off!

It was a goal to see who could be the Nerdiest

She didn't make the top pick for best nerd.. she was just too cute
Don't you love how she poses for each and every picture? That is my lovable little Drama Queen!