Two left thumbs...

That's how I feel when I try to do a craft.

It's not a gift.

I've started gawking on Pinterest.

It's a tease for the un-crafted, but such cool stuff.

This year instead of making cookies for the neighbors, I found this really cute idea...craft (cough, cough), that I thought would be fun to do instead of hours standing in my kitchen.

The craft called for this really cool cut out design.  After an hour of trying to cut it out just like they had it...my Christmas mood was failing horribly...so I went a different way!  Okay, easier way.  I pulled out my Christmas cookie cutters (that I never use, I guess I just feel better knowing that I own them:) and traced a stocking shape.

Much better!

Here it is...

So much to be thankful for...

Are you noticing a reoccurring theme going on here...

How my blogs are about 2-3 weeks behind.

Please reverse your mind back to Thanksgiving...

 The first grade classes at Jett's school had a Thanksgiving feast this year.  Talk about some excited 1st graders...and A LOT of food.  Let me tell ya, put a bunch of moms together and you are going to have some awesome food!

They even dressed up in Pilgrim and Indian outfits for the occasion.  Jett was very proud of his outfit and place mat that he made.  

 This is Jett and one of his best-buddies, MaKenna.

So much to be thankful for...here are just a few.

* That I can stay home with my children and enjoy days like these.

* For my husband that works so hard and loves so much.

* My children. I am so honored to be their mom.

* My savior that loves me unconditionally.

* That I have such awesome and loving family and friends.

* That I can use all my senses.

*MOTTTS

* We have a warm house and a garage so my van doesn't get covered by snow.

* That I have good health.

* That my husband and children are healthy.

* That you are reading this blog!  Thanks:)

Black Friday Shopping

One word on my night:  Crazy!

This year there were a few items that I "HAD" to have.  So my friend, Nikki and I headed to Walmart for the show to begin.

Let me give you a bit of a background.

I came down with Conjunctivitis (Bacterial Pink Eye) on Wednesday night. Gross. I know.

By Thursday night my right eye was still swollen, the whites of my eyes had a nice design of red splashed through them and my eyelashes held a disgusting yellowish crust to them.

One word on how I looked:  Hot...

A hot mess that is...

I'm sure Nikki was so happy to be sportin' around the store while people pointed in horror of the woman they determined to be either  a strung-out druggie, a woman that hadn't slept in 5 days, or a stupid lady that had pink eye and felt like crap but was walking around a store for the items that she "HAD" to have.

One word for my decision:  Dumb (but oh so funny)!

The running joke for the night was..."Well, at least we have an advantage.  If someone gets in our way, I will just threaten to rub my eye on them:)"

One word: Brilliant!

Happy to report I did get all the gifts I had sent out to get...and I didn't have to rub my eye on any innocent bystander.  It was so busy and yet so funny to watch the craze.  When the electronics went on sale at midnight we couldn't help but laugh at 11:30 when people were surrounding the item that they wanted...with their hand reaching up to hold on to the item that was declared theirs.

One word:  Overkill

However, not being able to see as well did hold a disadvantage.  We were trying to find something that Nikki wanted at midnight.  I tell you what, we searched that store over and could not find the item.  I think we asked twenty associates where it would be and they each told us a different place.  Mistake #1... being the "smart" person that I am, thought it would be a good idea to stand on a pallet to see over the mass of people to try and find it.  Mistake #2...attempting to get off the pallet when I am uncoordinated and blind...which resulted in a fall.  I don't mean the type of fall where you trip and land gracefully.  Or the type where you stumble forward to fast. Or the type where you land lightly on your knees.  Oh no!  This is the type of fall where my legs got caught on the side bar (that I couldn't see through the film that covered my red blotched eyes) and my legs got kicked up underneath me, I flipped sideways off of the pallet, legs flying high in the air as I tumbled on my head and hands while doing a pathetic attempt of a tuck and roll somersault.  I jumped up while thrusting my hands up in the air (as if I'd made a touchdown) proclaiming (to no one that cared because their hands were melted as-one with their item), that "I'm okay!"   

One word: Painful

Not so painful at the time.  It actually didn't hurt at all...until the morning. I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a bus.  I tried to take a picture of my bruises, but I guess the camera doesn't do well with such pale skin.  So imagine ghostly white-skinned legs covered in purple and yellow bruises.  It's the kind of bruises that someone usually replies after seeing, "I'd hate to see what the other guy looks like."  Where I would need to reply.  "I know.  That pallet didn't know what hit it!"

Needless to say, my children and family will receive some awesome gifts this year because of my blood, sweat and tears...literally.  But they were well worth the sacrifice!!!! 

Houston...we have cuteness!!!

Yes, I realize it's the middle of November and I am now putting up Trick or Treat pictures...I've been so busy stuffing chocolate in my face to get around to it...stinkin' candy, why do you tempt me so?

 I might be a little biased, but I'm quite confident I have the cutest astronauts and butterfly ever!

 The boys were pumped about their costumes.  Reason #502 why I love the Wakarusa Children's Resale, I got all three costumes for a whopping total of $10!

 Love. Love. Love her!

 Oh and we found out very quickly that Kyla is NOT a fan of clowns.

 Grandpa and Grandma Cripe

 Grandpa and Grandma Juday

 Grandpa and Grandma Replogle

I'll leave you with a picture of Greg and his dad...two peas in a pod...the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree, like father-like son...the dynamic duo!

Time to catch up...

 It's been 4 weeks since I've last blogged.  You would think nothing was going on.  Quite the opposite.  Sometimes it almost feels like I'm drowning.  So I'll take a moment while my head breaks the surface for a brief gulp of air...and get you back in the loop.

Fall...tis the season for field trips.  Let's start of Brayden.  He had his first field trip to the apple orchard (my 3rd).  Despite the crummy rainy weather and cool breeze, we had a fun time.  Poor Bray and his snaggle front teeth. After a cracked tooth and loose tooth thanks it getting chipped, eating apples can be a little tricky.

Sweet Kyla has turned 18 months...and going on 8.  Talk about Miss Sassy.  Once she can learn to talk she will be ruling the roost and putting her brothers in their place.  She is silly. Feisty. A cheeseball. Miss independent.  Full of life.  Has amazing lung capacity.  Loves her babies.  Thinks she needs to sit up on the bar stools at the counter for.every.meal.  Loves to ride the gator.  Loves shoes.  Loves to wrestle with her brothers and daddy.  And to add one more stress to mom's day...

She has learned to get herself up on the kitchen table all by herself.  Life just got a lot more interesting.

Loves to be Jett's little shadow.  Never wants to sit down and play with toys, prefers to walk around the house aimlessly while taking things from one room to another.  Gives the BEST hugs and kisses.

Jett had a field trip also this month.  To the bison ranch.  I don't have a lot to add to this because Greg got to go along on this one:)  I think it was pretty special for both of them.  The night before Jett couldn't sleep...he was so nervous that a buffalo was going to eat him.  I am happy to report...that did not happen!

Here's to hoping that you hear from me before another 4 weeks passes by...

It's a gift...

Nope.  It's not.

It's a wanna be gift. 

I am the first to tell you it is not a strength and the first to make fun of myself about it! 

What is this non-existent trait you ask?

Sewing!

My poor husband comes from a family that can sew about anything, and be creative about it.  It's really quite sickening, cough-cough, Darcy Holsopple and Denise Greene. Then marries the woman that only owns one needle and one roll of white thread.  Our running joke when a button falls off one of our clothes..."Well, there goes another "shirt" to Goodwill."

So in a moment of weakness, desire and pure insanity...I decided to try this sewing thing out.  We are huge Fairfield football fans and love to go to the games.  Darcy made Jett a onesie when he was a baby that had a big F on it to wear to the games.  Well, it has made it through all my kids and Kyla is getting to big for it.  Last game it took some strength to snap it closed (her first lesson on fashion over comfort). 

So i came across a navy sweatshirt and found an old yellow shirt and decided to make one myself for the next game.  I think Greg about fell off the couch with shock when I told him about it.  Then we had a good laugh. Well, let's just say it was a bit interesting.  First I have no pins.  So I cut out the letter F...and had to put Elmer's school glue on the back to keep on the fabric while I sewed...for hours...just for a stinkin' letter F. 

So after almost 3 hours and 4000 needle pricks later...

 Then I had this "great" idea to put her name on the back.  I actually got much quicker and had her whole name done in 3 hours:)  So next Friday, you will see Kyla sporting this at the game...while I beat my chest and talk smack about how I can sew about anything:) 

The new running joke now is..."I could totally sew that..."

The BIG preschooler!

In honor of Brayden...this post is in orange...shocker:)

I can't believe Brayden is starting preschool! This is his second year and he is so excited.  For the last month he's been asking how many days and if his teachers have been thinking about him:). Usually to celebrate going to school, I take the boys out to do something they like.  Jett likes school shopping and going to lunch and for Brayden...drum roll please...I took him to the Chiropractor. He loves going to visit Dr. Mo at Family Chiropractic Clinic (that's where I used to work).  Brayden asks me at least once a week if we can go see him.  He is hilarious! He runs into the room and jumps onto the table in pure bliss while smiling through the entire adjustment:)  I am overjoyed that someone took on my love of being adjusted!!!

Then we headed to school to take a few snaps shots of him and his buddies.  I'm so glad he's got some good friends (and cousin) to start off his school experience!  Afterwards we celebrated by going out to eat together!

 ...and this was the best picture I got of him by himself...hopefully Aunt Darcy comes through with a good one:)

 Then to make the day even better we headed to the BIG airport (South Bend) to pick up Grandpa and Grandma Replogle and our friend Ginger!  We got there early to see the planes land and take off, but sadly the airport built this huge building in front of the lookout tower and we couldn't see a thing:( Boo.  Nothing like trying to waste an hour in a public place...only 2 meltdowns...and the kids did pretty good!

 ...and as if the day couldn't get any better than an adjustment, out to eat and airplanes...we ended with day with Wednesday night church.  This is the highlight of the week...for the boys..and myself:).  This year the theme is "Agents In Action."  It's super cute and they have a blast searching for different Bible characters!

Fun day + each child to bed easily = a perfect day:)

Huge day...Huge!

 You are looking at the man of the hour...well, after the groom of course!  Brayden was the ring bearer in my nephew's wedding this past weekend!  Besides looking ADORABLE, he also did an awesome job:)  He kept calling it "My Special Day".  He was pumped!  We put his tux on during rehersal and you could just see his mood change from...I'm a cute boy...to...I'm a stud.  It was hilarious.  He kept telling me, "I look great!"  The day of the wedding was long, but he was such a trooper.  We set up camp in the nursery and he was content to eat his snacks and watch a movie...thankfully:)  A funny now, but stressful then, thing that happened when Brayden walked down the aisle is that when he reached Jacob (the groom) he walked to his spot...good...but then when Sammie (the bride) came walking down the aisle, he stepped in front of Jake so he could see her...and stayed...bad:)  I kept trying to get his attention to move, but he was memorized.  Thankfully one of the groomsmen saw what was going on and came to the rescue right as she approached so Brayden wasn't sandwiched between them.  A few pictures from "His special day"...

Brayden and my niece, JoEllen...isn't she gorgeous:)

The happy couple!  Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cripe:)

 Of course I had to put in a picture of my brother and mini-Lee:)

 Brayden caught the eye of one of the flower girls...if we couldn't find Brayden, we would just look for her...they were ususally together:)



I'll leave you with Brayden and his smooth moves...

1st Grade!!!

Huge day.  Huge.  Jarrett started 1st Grade.  Thankfully Jarrett loves school and was so excited for this day to come.  I was excited for him, but it's just hard for me to accept that I'm only going to see him for a few hours in the day.  So with his new school outfit on, hair slicked over and backpack locked and loaded, he was ready for the big day.  Isn't he handsome:)

Jarrett and Brayden were hilarious this morning. Let me allow you to be a fly on the wall for a moment.

Jett:  I'm really going to miss you today Brayden.

Bray:  I'm really going to miss you.

(They hug)

Jett:  Will you be okay with out me?

Bray: Yeah.

(They hug)

Jett: I'm going to be gone for awhile.

Bray: How long?

Jett: 7 hours

Bray: Whoa, that's a long time.  I'm gonna miss you.

(They hug)

...this went on for another 5 mins, I'll spare you the rest...

So when I was trying to get Jett's picture he insisted that Brayden join in too.  Kyla of course has to always be in the picture so she jumped in.

This picture cracks me up because I can just read Kyla's mind..."Gees, Bray, he's just going to be gone for 7 hours, keep it together."

So we arrive at school to drop Jett off.  I of course can't help but snap a picture of him heading inside.  I love his look, "Seriously mom, not cool."

Jett came home super happy about his day.  A few highlights of the day...

-Lunch

-His desk and locker

-His teacher has nice hair

-Gym

-He had a Popsicle and TWO cookies

I'm here!

Where have I been all summer...busy! Who ever came up with the quote, "Lazy days of summer," must not have had a life or three very active children. Wow! It has been such a good summer and I can't believe it is coming to a close in two days. A few things that have been keeping us on our toes...

The boys took swimming lessons this year. We were swimming up to 3-4 times a week (pretty much I was a prune for the month of July), so I thought it would be good to get them a little more comfortable with the water. They improved so much this year. By the end the of the swimming season the boys could both jump off the diving board without floaties. Jett can hold his own swimming in the deep end without help, but Bray is not quite there yet. However, he was a little too overconfident when he jumped off the diving board a few weeks ago without me knowing. I had to do a reenactment of a Baywatch episode to get to him...yep, clothes on and shoes when flying when I dove in after him! That's right, super mom was on the prowl...well, minus the part of me missing him jump in...but after that...super:)

Miss Kyla loved swimming too...so much that even when we were home she still wanted to walk around wearing her floaties. No seriously, for hours she would walk around just like this. The girl cracks me up:)

FULL PULL! Of course we had to attend the tractor pull at the fair this year. Kyla's first appearance and she LOVED IT. It was a long day, but the Cripe Pulling Team came in with 2 firsts and a second.

We've been spending a lot of time outside enjoying the awesome weather while it lasts. What is a summer without skinned up knees, scavenger hunts, muddy shoes and tons of mosquito bites.


I'm going to give a little shout out for my brother, Lee Snider. He is the new principle at Harrison Elementary in Warsaw. So one day we took a little field trip to see Uncle Lee's new school and office. I'm so proud of him and I know he is going to do a great job!!!!

So that's pretty much it. One very busy summer wrapped up in fun:) As I reflect on the summer's awesomeness I am reminded of how lucky I am to be able to stay home and enjoy these memories with my kids. Life is good!

Vacation Part #4

The finale...it's finally here!!!

Day #4 we headed to the zoo to finish out our last day on vacation. It was a bit interesting, everyone was getting tired from the busy vacation and it was hot, but we pressed through and had a great time...AND we didn't lose a child:)

We started off with Greg facing a fear...he touched a shark. It might have been a baby shark, but it was a shark one the less and I was so proud.

Then we headed to the dolphin show. It was pretty good, besides Brayden crying beside me the whole time because he wanted to go(if you know him well, you are not surprised by this tid-bit of information). Greg was videotaping the whole show so I had to tame the frustration that was eating at me so I wasn't reminded the next 50 years of how annoyed I was...

Jett was pretty excited because one of the dolphins was named, Jett:)

Kyla had a great time:) She kept her hand on this lady's leg the whole time, good thing it was a very nice lady, who was a grandma, and thankfully thought it was cute:)

Then we took a break from seeing the animals...if you would call it that, mostly Jett would just walk up to an animal and say, "wow, it's a _____ ...ok, let's go"...and that was it. Anyway, on our little sabbatical, surprise-surprise, we took a train ride...

This is picture #2 of Bray and I because the first one made me look like I didn't have a shirt on...not so viewer friendly...this is a G blog ya know... however Greg thought the picture was just fine:)

After 4 hours we packed up and headed home. It was so cute because we could tell the kids were getting homesick and missing their toys. As soon as we walked into the house Jett went to his trains, Brayden went on the computer and Kyla ran and sat in her special princess (which has trains on it) chair.

Good times! Good memories! Good to be home:)