5 days of Christmas

That's right, I said 5 days of Christmas. We were quite the busy family last week, but it was so wonderful. Last Friday we had my mom's side over to our house. The best part was when Megan and Aaron surprised everyone by coming home early for it...I missed my sister! We had a great dinner and lots of laughter. Jett was in his prime...and finally Christmas was here. He sang some Christmas songs for everyone and helped everyone open their gifts. He was quite the helper:)

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On Saturday we had our Cripe Christmas (with all of my step-brothers). We got there in the late afternoon and played games. We had five different tables set up with games. We had dinner and then all sat around and talked for awhile. This is also a side of the family that is never short of laughter...and it starts at all ages. Our niece, Hope (Jett's role model:), is quite a ham! It was so much fun watching everyone open their gifts and seeing the smiles. All of us went in to get my parents gifts this year, so that was fun to do together. The boys had a great time and never suffered from lack of attention...
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On Sunday we had a great church service and the kids sang their songs. Jett didn't do much, he mostly just stood there, but he did ring those bells with all his heart:) In the evening we had the Replogle Christmas...and boy were all the kids spoiled:) Papa and Grandma went all out...and loved every moment of it. They spoiled us too, they gave each of us tickets to the Splash Waves hotel (how fun, a vacation all together). Towards the end, Adie and Brayden, were done - they were naked in diapers and crying...because the other one was crying...it's this connection that they have:) It was such a fun and relaxing evening.

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Christmas eve morning we headed over to my parents house to spend with my parents and siblings. We had a yummy breakfast and then opened gifts. We were so blessed. Aaron and Megan got some awesome lawn chairs and my parents got us so much of our wish list. My mom is so special, she takes so much time and thought into every gift:) Jett got all John Deere items and he and Papa were both excited about reading his new tractor book. Bray got a walking toy, shoes and a fan to sleep with that doesn't let air blow. Then we had lunch and played a game (I took a nap while the boys did). It was nice spending time with everyone. I wish we could all be together like that more often...I guess that is what makes Christmas so special.

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Finally it was Christmas day and we had a wonderful morning with the boys. Greg and I were so excited because we had gotten Jarrett a combine (he is crazy about combines). As I was opening my gifts I saw Jett getting closer to his big present, but told him to wait. So as I go over to Greg to kiss my sweetie-pie for his thoughful gifts, we hear in a joyful squeal...."it's a combine, it's a combine". That little stinker saw us distracted and went for it. We were antisipating having it all go down on camera, but we got nothing. Oh well, it will be a funny story to tell for years to come. Then we spent the afternoon and evening with Greg's family. It was great sharing the Holiday with everyone and so special to talk to the boys about why we celebrate. We would always ask Jett, "why do we celebrate Christmas"...and nothing was sweeter than hearing in his cute little voice answer..."because Jesus was born." We hope you also had a wonderful Christmas in the celebration of our Saviors birth:)

I am a workin' woman again...

So I am super excited...I am back working one morning a week again. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it has made the biggest difference to me. I LOVE staying at home with the boys, but with Greg gone so much, it's nice to have a little "out" once a week. Plus, to be back at my old job at the Chiropractic office and back into the realms of adult conversation and interaction...it is quite nice. Also, more great news is that they also hired Darcy for one morning a week. So we swap kids so we can take turns working, it's a nice set up...and the best part is that I get to spend a whole morning with sweet little Adie:) So the following picture is of our work Christmas party...Dr. Mo (my boss and friend), our massage therapists, Darcy and the other assistants. It was so much fun! Kathi (one of the m.t's) had us over to her house for lunch. She had griddles on the table and had fresh veggies and meat and we made our own stir-fry and we ate with chop-sticks. It was a blast! It was so nice to spend time with my "work family" again.

Sportin' the new look

Who knew I was such the spur of the moment kind of person. One day we were laughing about how Jarrett doesn't like change. We rearranged his room and he couldn't sleep for a week because he bed wasn't where it "belonged".
Greg said "You know he got that from you."
"Whatever" I claimed, "I love change and I love rearranging furniture."
Then he says, "okay, if you love change so much, then cut your hair" (I had been talking about it for a couple days)
So I picked up the phone, made a hair appointment for later that day, and got it chopped. That's right baby-cakes, don't dare or challenge me:) But I do like it and it's good for me not to put my hair up in a ponytail everyday. Greg also got some new glasses that week that was out of his comfort zone...we were one stylin' family. So that weekend we went out with my parents to the musical of "White Christmas", sportin our new looks. It was so much fun and a blast to hang out with my parents. The show was really good and it was nice to do something totally out of the ordinary (story of our life lately:)!

Winter Wonderland

We had our first big snow last week and it was beautiful. The boys love looking outside and Jett was Daddy's big helper with shoveling the snow this year. Last year he just stood in the snow and when he would fall he would just lay there until Greg came to the rescue. This year he is a big boy and grabs the shovel to help (and is quick to run in and tell me what a big boy he is and all the help he did outside)...where does the time go? I love these pictures. The top because it's just like Brayden to do exactly what Jett is doing. The side one because that is Jett and Sam's relationship:) and Jett's constant frustration...Sam's tongue is the perfect height of Jett's face.

Tis The Season...

If you don't know much about me, one thing that is very obvious, is how much I love Christmas. I love the music (yep, play it in October), love the decorations, love traditions, love what the holiday is all about and love Christmas trees. Greg and I have had four Christmases together and we always have a "discussion" about getting the tree. He grew up with a fake one and wants a fake one. I grew up with a real one and want a real one. So this year I caved (gave up, chose my battle) and agreed to get a fake one. Mostly because with Brayden's asthma we wanted to make sure we didn't bring anything into the house that might make it worse or give him allergies. So one day we packed up the boys and headed into Menards to look and see. We walked in and found this 12 foot tree and we really liked it. We wanted a really tall one to go up in our tall ceiling. So we bought it and more decorations to put on it and headed home all excited. Before we set it up we thought...hum, it might have been a good idea to measure the ceiling first...hum, it was only 11.5 feet tall. Yeah, thats not going to work. We set it up, just hoping it would fit. Hoping the Lord would expand our ceiling like he did the fish and bread:) Yeah...No. The top of the tree bent sideways at the ceiling. At first we were both really upset and then we both just busted up laughing and pictured peoples faces when they would walk in and see this enormous tree bent at the ceiling:) Finally we got smart and realized that the tree came in four peices...duh. So we just left out the base section, so now we have a 10 foot tree. Much better. We had a great time decorating and I am very happy with the tree. Plus, we have a very happy two year old that is so excited about his big important job of turning on the Christmas tree lights. So for the words I know Greg has been waiting for...you were right, honey:)

One crazy, emotional lady...

Who is the crazy emotional lady, you ask? Well, it's was me. Brayden has been struggling with colds and breathing problems in the last few months so we took him to the doctor, again! After going through all the scenarios the doctor came to the conclusion that he has asthma. I was so upset. First, because this poor child has been sick practically his entire life and all we do is take him to all these doctors and then I'm told he will be on prevenative medicine pretty much indefinitly. Second, because through all of this, he has been teething, so in two months I averaged about five hours of sleep at night (not together I might add) and the night before the appointment I maybe had three. Third, because we have been under some stress lately and this just totally added to our burdens. Fourth, because our insurance doesn't cover his medicine because it is prevenative. Okay, so my crazy emotional story picks up at the store picking up his nebulizer. I walk in and everyone is busy...helping no one that is in there...and I stand in line...oh wait...by myself for assistance. Finally someone is "free" and we sit down at the desk and my eyes are all watery because I'm done. Done for the day, done with my kid always being sick, and done waiting in line by myself. The lady looks up and asks if I'm getting it because I have allergies. I attempt to say no, but all that comes out is this horrible cry and I start balling. So I try to explain through hiccups and gasps that I've had a bad day, my son has asthma, and all I want is a nap. I'm sure you can image the drama unfolding here. The poor woman looks at me, looks at her co-workers and says, "Are you ok, is there a problem with your spouse". Bless her heart:) She was full of the best intentions:) She was very sweet and explained that her son uses one and that they are so good for them. Then to top it all off, she asks who the doctor is. I tell her and she's like...oh yes, I babysit her children. Awesome. I'm sure it will be quite the story she has to tell my doctor:) Oh well, I love my doctor and I will tell her anyway...it's actually quite hilarious now...but oh, not then. So to update you on Brayden. He is doing much better. He is sleeping a bit better and breathing much better. We give him two treatments a day and if we hear conjestion, we give him some acute medicine. He likes the nebulizer for the most part. He usually lays back a bit with his mouth wide open like "ah, air":) or he sits up and trys to lick the mask. The kid is too adorable.

Fighter pilot in training..."talk to me goose" (from top gun)

We are such airplane nerds:)

Also, Brayden turned 9 months this week. Yea! He is quite the big boy...weighing in at over 22 lbs and 30 inch. He loves to stand all the time, crys when you try and sit him down. He is trying to crawl...okay, not really. We put him on all fours, he rocks a bit, laughs at how funny it feels, then lays down to roll over. He "talks" a lot and loudly all day long. He loves the jumper we put in the doorway and would jump most of the day if we would let him. He loves watching Jett do anything and thinks he's so cool. They play a bit together and laugh at each other a lot. He is one special little boy and I can already tell he is going to have such a great personality. He also has the best laugh, you can't help but laugh yourself:)

THE BIG 30

On Sunday, Greg, turned 30 years old. I decided to surprise him by taking him away for the night. All week/weekend I kept saying that we weren't going to do anything. Then on Saturday afternoon my mom showed up to watch the boys as I sang, "Our bags are packed, we are ready to go...":) I packed and everything. He had no clue, it was so much fun. I didn't even tell him where we were going until we pulled into the hotel....which was also a waterpark. I wanted Greg to feel young again! We checked in and then went to the waterpark right away. They have huge slides that you can go down double. I giggled the whole way down (I had never been on one before). We went on the lazy river, went down some other slides and then found ourselves in the hot tub quite often. They also have this huge bucket that when it fills up, it pours out...we got caught up in the "fun" unexpectately. I screamed, everyone laughed. Then we went out to eat, came back, took naps and then more waterpark. Afterwards we just relaxed and watched a movie. It was so nice to take our time doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Then we slept ALL night long and slept in until 9:00am! Then we had an amazing breakfast buffet and stuffed ourselves miserably:) Afterwards we came home and had Greg's family over for lunch and spent the rest of the day with the boys.

Seriously?...

Old news, but I really wanted to blog about it. Back during football season we would have Darcy over for the evening on Thursdays while Darin was at practice and then afterwards he could join us for the rest of the night. Well, during playoffs, Darin, dropped, Darcy and Adie, off like usually, but with a little surprise for us. He was wearing his high school letter jacket. I saw him get out of the car proudly showing off his blue and gold and I thought, "Seriously?" It took everything in me not to laugh and all I wanted to do was say, "Seriously? Darin, I hate to tell you this but there is totally a code of coolness about not wearing your letter jacket the second after you graduate from high school...which was 10 years ago." But, I kept my mouth shut and pretended not to see it:) They walk into the house and he turns and looks at me and says, "You really don't notice the jacket? I thought for sure you would laugh." And then I reply, "Did you NOT see my face!" It was hilarious and brought much laughter in the Replogle home. Of course, Greg knew right where his old flight jacket was so he wanted to join the club:)f.y.i...Darin wore the jacket because the coaches were wearing them to practice for fun. They weren't serious! I should have know right away that Darcy would never have let him wear it for real!

Too cute for their own good

We had quite a long day of trick or treating, but it was so much fun. Darcy had found matching leopard outfits at a garage sale for .25 cents each (can't beat the price). Then a few weeks ago Denise sent Brayden a penguin outfit for the big day (which we laughed for a long time the first time we saw him in it). So in the morning I put them in their matching outfits to take pictures. I can't believe we created such adorable kids.

Greg had to work later in the day so we took the boys out for lunch and then took them downtown Goshen to walk along main street (the local businesses were giving out candy). I also dressed up:) I made a sign for my hat that said "Zoo Keeper"...isn't that the truth!

Then later in the day I took the boys to see Grandparents, they got such good gifts (apples, money, books, pumpkin bags and lots of candy). Afterwards we ended up at Grandpa and Grandma Replogle's for dinner. We met up with Darin, Darcy and Adie and then Greg's step-sister, Jenny, her husband, Jason, and their baby girl, Moriah, came too:)

Left to right: Moriah (kitty), Jett (leopard), Adelyn (puppy) and Brayden (penguin)

I realized why they call this the devils holiday...it's the curse of the candy. That night when we got home I tried to put Jett to bed, nope, didn't happen (and all he had was a little bag of m&m's and a tiny candy bar...oh, but I can just see Papa Denny slip him something more and then send him home with mom:) He was wound tighter then a yo yo. I was rocking him and he was bright eyed like a deer in head lights. So around eleven I finally gave up and put him in bed with me and let him watch a movie so I could "rest my eyes." So shortly before midnight he's in my face saying, "Mommy, I need a snack." Are you kidding me! So we get a snack and then he finally falls asleep. Needless to say, it might be a long time until Jett tastes sugar on his tongue!

Yea! It's fall

I love this season. I love the trees changing color, the decorations, the air being a bit crisp, football and knowing that Christmas is just around the corner:) This year our mums outside our house were absolutely gorgeous, so I wanted to get some fall pictures of the boys. So, Darcy came over with her new super-duper camera and took them for us. They turned out so good. Here are a few of my favorites...

Where do I begin

Have you missed us? I don't even know where to begin telling you what has been going on in the Replogle household over the last month. So I will just talk about everyone. Greg's work has slowed down lately so he has been home more. It has been so wonderful spending time with him. Last week he was home every night for dinner. So since he has been home more, we have had more chances to hang out with our friends. Everyone has been overall happier...daddy is just life of the party...who wants to hang out with boring ole mommy all day. This past Saturday we took the boys (along with my cousin, Alyssa) to this pumpkin farm (which Jett calls penguins, hilarious). It was so much fun. Jett of course had a blast running everywhere and Bray just sat back, relax, looking like "whatever":) We went on a horse-wagon ride and a tractor ride. Jarrett kept screaming in delight. Picture below. It was a great family day.I have started going to a MOTTT's (mothers of tots to teens) group once a week. I love it. Love it. Love it. It has been so good for me and so uplifting. We are discussing being a positive mom...and being one of a two year old, a baby who won't sleep, a husband (that is usually gone a lot)...it's been good:) I always walk out encouraged and determined to be a better mom and wife. I am once again teaching the elementry class at church (it was a nice break, but good to be back with the kids) and I am starting to sing back up for one of the worship bands. I have also had this revelation of how God can use me as a stay-at-home mom. I was really struggling with my purpose in life (I love being a mom, but just frustrated with not much contact with the outside world). I realized that I can do so much from home to bless others. Whether it's watching someone elses kids during the day, having people come to my home to encourage and bless them, visiting people, etc...and of course the most important, raising my children. I've stopped nursing (which I know all you men-folk are like, "hey thanks for the update":) But it is a sad day, my baby just isn't a baby anymore...but more sad because, crap there goes another birth control. We were like on four, three know makes me nervous. I'm joking - kinda:)Jett. I can't believe he is almost 2 1/2. He is always on the go and if he is not the center of attention, he will find a way to be (and succeeds by either doing or saying something really funny or getting into trouble). He really is a great little boy, I can't image life without him. We have been trying to potty train...ask me if we have had progress...I'm shaking my head. We've tried on and off for awhile. Finally last week I thought we were getting somewhere, but then we had a huge oops while at MOTTT's (he pooed on the floor and then was stepping in it) so since that, we have back slid a bit. Any suggestions, I'll take advice.
Brayden...a.k.a...one happy little cowboy. He turned 8 months this week and what a joy he has been. He is totally rolling over now, clapping his hands, talking gibberish all day, playing with toys well and I can see him crawling in the next month. He is finally sleeping through the night again. Between getting sick and teeth we had a rough couple of months in the sleep department. But, now we are back to 12 hours at night, except for a few middle of the night screams time to time (teething is a killer).

Also, Samson turned 5 this week. I would show you a picture of him too, but since the boys, he no longer is camera worthy anymore I guess, because I can't find any:)

So that is the short version of our lives lately. We are glad to be back.

Don't forget about us

In case you forgot what we look like in the last month, here ya go. Don't worry, we didn't have another kid...it's Adie:) So we have been missing because our computer took a major dump. We have only had it for over a year and now it has no desire to do anything...way to go Dell. So my wonderful husband brought home his computer from work so I can have some touch with the outside world...and it feels nice:)

So the last month has been so crazy. Brayden got sick and then took on a mild pneumonia. And on top of that he got a tooth, it was a very painful couple weeks for all. Then I got sick from being run down, so I got strep throat, a cold and then flu symptons. Luckliy, Greg was home for a few days in a row to help out with the boys.

Darcy and I had a garage sale for all the stuff that was in her dad's attic (where picture above came from). We were so overwhelmed at first. He brought a huge trailer full of boxes that were full of items upon items. We had a good laugh because it was mostly Greg's mom's things and we didn't realize how many heart shaped items she had until we had them all together. The world was in a shortage of heart shaped shelves because they belonged to the beautiful Linda Replogle:) Until the garage sale...now they belong to a man that came and bought them all at once...yep, you read it right:)

Well, I can't promise when the next post will be, but please don't forget about us.

Where was the ark when I needed it?

This past weekend I took the boys to the Fairfield High School football game with my cousin Alyssa. We decided to go early with Darcy and Adie and go to a tailgate. It was so much fun! The people that hosted it went way out and it was so yummy. We were a little nervous because we were told it might rain, but so far everything looked good. After eating I was talking with some friends when we heard, "it's coming!" We look out over the parking lot and see this huge black cloud and the horizon full of rain. We all just stood in shock. Finally someone yells, "RUN!" We all start running around, not sure where to go. Do we find shelter? Do we try and make it to the cars? Within seconds the rain was upon us with no mercy. Alyssa, Darcy and Adie got under the tent in time, but I was still running with Jett (whom began screaming at the first drop). My friends grabbed Brayden and tried to shelter him behind their umbrella, but the rain came in sideways and completely drenched everyone. After a few minutes of seeing my kids crying out of wetness and fear, I took it upon myself to save my children. I yelled out to Alyssa among the thunder and lightening, "I'm going for the van, if I don't come back...goodbye." Within two steps of running I was completely soaked (like I had just stepped out of the shower with my clothes on). As I was running some other friends where next to us under another tent yelling, "Oh my goodness, she's running out in the rain...no Natalie, come back." And I yell back, "No, I must do this for my children!" I take the van over, open the back, and stick them in...then Jett thought it was fun. A few minutes later, the sun came out and their was a rainbow arched over the football field. We all look around and just start laughing at each other about how wet we are and then lose it over how all the food was just floating in water. I looked over at Alyssa and stated: "I'm going home to get dry and I am NOT coming back." So we came home, gave the boys baths and put them to bed and then relaxed on the couch all night and watched tv...and was not disappointed once that we were missing a football game! So the story was a bit dramatic, did you expect much else from me? Here are some pictures of what we looked like when we first got home.

All the cool kids are doing it...

I finally got around to getting the boys haircuts. My friend, Erin, gave the boys some rockin' haircuts. Jett walked in, saw the chair, and immediately started screaming. Luckily, Erin, was the only one working, so my embarrassment level wasn't too high. With much bribery of suckers, m&m's and going to the playground, he said for a short period so she could cut super fast. Brayden of course just hung out and was like, "whatever":) This was his first offical haircut, so I have his before and after mugshots.

BEFORE & AFTER

Afterwards, Erin, styled it for the both of them. Jarrett thought it was so cool, so he wanted to do it to Brayden's hair. Pretty sure it is the funniest picture I've seen in awhile.

JARRETT: "Okay, Brayden. This is how all the cool kids are doing it now...it makes the girls go wild."

BRAYDEN: "Ah, that feels nice."

Speaking of, Erin. I have yet to blog about her cutie-head son, Nahum (left). He is two months younger than Bray. I can already tell that they are going to be best buds:)

On the road again

This past weekend my mom and I took the boys down to Vincennes to visit Aaron and Megan. Greg had to go away for recurrent school, so we packed our bags and headed south. It was a six hour drive, but we had a good road trip...a lot of prayer and a borrowed dvd player, made for an enjoyable drive. It was so fun to see them, their apartment and the town. The first day we arrived and just relaxed. The second day Megs had to work, so Aaron took the day off to spend with us. We hung-out most of the day and then went to see Megan's school were she works with the special ed kids. Then went to see their church were Aaron is the youth pastor.

On Saturday we took the boys to the playground. Jett found a new friend there, it was so funny. He wanted her to go down the slide, but she said no. So he said..."no say no, say yes". That is what he has been saying lately when he doesn't like our answer. I can't help but laugh everytime. Then we went back to watch football the rest of the day...I love football. Plus it was Notre Dame's first game of the season...excited until it started...come on Irish! We decided to have a late dinner after the boys had baths (a dip in the sink) and went to bed. After dinner we played cards and I think it was my favorite part of our time together. We were all so tired so everything was funny, we were free of kids, lots of friendly banter and adult conversation. Near their apartment is the train tracks, so everytime a train came by (which was often) Jett needed to run outside and see it go by. The boys had a great time and were showered with much attention. Sunday we packed up and then went to church with them. Very nice church with wonderful people that support and love Aaron and Megan very much. Afterwards we hit the road back home. The ride home didn't go as well. The boys were a bit more fussy, but we finally made it home. Mom helped me unpack and then she headed home for some much needed R&R. Greg surprised us by getting home early...you should have seen Jett's face light up when Daddy got home:) It was a great time, fun for all, but a lot of work for four adults. When we left Aaron and Megan said that until they are ready to have kids, they want us to come as often as we can for another type of birth control:)...enough said!

You might be a redneck if...

you go to a 10-year class reunion with your sister that is two years younger than you:)

This past Saturday was my 10-year class reunion. I have ran out of fingers to count how long I have been out of High School. We've been making fun of it for months now because since Darin and I graduated together (and were also best friends...which makes this family all the more cooler), we decided to all go together. We've had a few good laughs over it...note the joke at the beginning:) It was so much fun and I really enjoyed seeing everyone. We started out at the High School for a tour. Since 1997 they have remodeled quite a bit, so that was really neat to see. It was so fun to walk the halls talking with people and catching up on their lives. Then we had supper there. Afterwards, we had a boat tour on Lake Wawasee on the S.S. Lillypad boat. The boat was awesome and it was also a great chance to talk with everyone. Here is a picture of Sarah, my best friend from High School, and I. At the end they gave out prizes for things and I had a three-way tie for the most kids. Then I signed myself up to plan the 15-year reunion...I must have been crazy...I guess that 5 hours of freedom from the boys went straight to my head:) Actually, some guy friends said they would help, so it will be fun to plan together. Greg had a good time too, since he knew a lot of people there...and he's Mr. Social, so of course he met a lot of new people.

...until 2012:)