Oh Baby!

He did this LITERALLY right behind my back while I was washing dishes. The other day he brought me a jar of paint from the art table and I told him "no no" . I then put all the paint up high and either I missed one or he hid one. And yes, he is entirely capable of hiding something naughty to save for later. He knew I was upset and the whole time I was undressing him for a bath he held his head down. However, as soon as he was in his birthday suit he ran over to the potty and peed in it.

This kid plays dirty- he knows you can't be mad for long at a potty training cutie pie like him!

Going Live!

We decided to go with a live tree since we are not leaving this year. Due to our past experience with a live tree we did NOT get do the LED lights so the tree does not look like a spectral nightmare. The boys were successful in being so excited we began to wonder why we had kids in the first place. But never fear, they are all still here. Our Elf on the Shelf, Clarence, has come and began keeping a close eye on the kids for Santa. And Nathan calls decorate "duck-erate".

Thanksgiving

We had a great weekend! Spent time with the family and ate wonderfully yummy food- turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cornbread studding, rolls, orange rolls, pumpkin bars, blueberry ie, chocolate pecan pie, and homemade ice cream. We played games, watched movies, and watched kiddos.

Making cranberry sauce with my little chef
Gavin and Mommy making blueberry pie

The bigger kid table
Carving the bird
Ken and Kylie

Why We Have A Net On Our Trampoline

I Am Thankful...

He never lets a day go by with out showing me how much he loves and cares for me. No one else in the world can calm and center me better than he can. He never tells me no to any request I have ever made. He is an amazing father and a loving husband and I am grateful for him everyday.


His imagination makes everyday interesting and fun. Kenny is full of passion and has a real zest for life. He is very smart and a keen observer of the world. And he is an amazing big brother- especially with James.

He has such a sweet spirit about him. He is calm, thoughtful, and has a little streak of stubbornness. He is very loving and in tune with other emotions. If you ever need a hug, Nathan is the first in line.

He sure does have a mischievous streak but he brings joy to my heart and puts a smile on my face all the time. He has such a bright smile and a wonderful twinkle in his eye. I could sit and just watch him all day!

I love my family and I love being with them. I am also very blessed to have amazing in-laws. My family means everything to me and I would do anything for them.

I am grateful for many, many more things. I am truly blessed.

Tipsy

Pine Wood Derby Time

Kenny drew the design and put in the work (cutting, sanding, paints, etc.). He was incredible proud of his accomplishment. He took it to school and paraded it around to EVERYONE! I don't have any pictures of the actually event because we forgot the camera and the cell phone died. He didn't win, but he got a ribbon anyway and he learned a lot. He was a bit sad at first that he didn't place but we were able to talk to him about being proud of what he did and how much of the work he did himself instead of Daddy. It ended up being a great experience for him and he is excited for next year.

More Halloween Fun!

The toddlers doing their favorite thing- sharpening pencils down to a stub just to hear the sound the sharpener makes.

My two little helpers making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Arts and Crafts time!

Happy Halloween

My storybook pumpkin for this year.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 (The Later Years)

Thing 1, 2 Ninjas, and a cowboy

Air Show

Yes, we are still here Just very busy with school and life. A few weekend ago was the air show. Having a close connection to the airport FBO we are able to get free admission and tickets for free catered food and drinks. It is always a lot of fun.


We got to see the Thunderbirds F-16s. It was a good show, but they took a little while to actually take off and the kids got restless. We had ear protection for everyone except James who was too little for the ear plugs and who wouldn't wear the headphones. I just covered his ears with my hands and he put his hands on top of mine.
This is inside the NASA plane that carries the space shuttle piggy back across the country when it lands in a different place other than Florida. In the second picture you can se the clamps on the top of the plane.


This is Kenny and Nathan (James was sleeping in the stroller) enjoying some time in a few private jets. I think I want on e of these.

We got to see one of my favorite planes the B-52. Wewalked through the bay where they have the bombs. Totally cool. I love the HUGE planes. Look at the kids compared to just the wheel of this plane.

Ken likes litte, loud, and VERY fast planes. Go figure.

Family Pics

Eppie and Papa

David and Katherine

Norah

Jonny and Cassie
Hailey

Mike and Ashlyn

Avery, Emmaline

Marissa and Kevin

Landan, Gavin, Kylie

Us!

Kenny, Nathan, James

Vacation

Yes, I am WAY behind. We came home from vacation, then Kenny had his baptism, and suddenly it was time fora new school year. So allow me to back track a bit.

At the end of July we went on a family reunion vacation. We had two houses next door to each other on the Guadalupe River in Gruene, Texas. In those two houses we had 12 adults and 10 children, ranging in age from 4 months to 8 years. Six of the kiddos were 2 and under. I will admit, things got a bit crazy, especially at mealtimes, with so many little ones, but we had a lot of fun.

Some of the activities included the Natural Bridge Caverns. That was neat to see and Kenny was so excited to actually see all the thins he had read and learned about. I've always enjoyed caves and had a good time. Daddy wore James in a carrier and the little guy fell asleep halfway through.


We went to SeaWorld. It was the first time for my family and it is now one of my favorite places. My favorite part was seeing the white Beluga whales in the Azul show. I actually enjoyed it so much I went back to the show a second time with James and sat in the front row to see a better view. Kenny was finally tall enough to go on his first non0kiddy roller coaster. We rode "The Steel Eel. Afterwards, I asked him about it and he didn't say a word. A few minutes later he said it was fun, but scary and he thinks he should stick to the kiddy rides for awhile. The bioys loved the water ride "Atalntis" and playing on the giant pirate ship playground. It had nets and tubes all over the place to climbs around in. That's what they did while I went back to the Azul show. We had a blast and stayed even after the rest of my family left. We stayed until closing time. I am so lucky to have such a great baby who happily naps in his stroller and allows us to make the most of family outings.



The last day we went toobing on the river. A bit crazy again with so many little ones but I had fun. The kids were supposed to go in a raft, but James was so upset he ended up laying face down across my chest in a toob. He was so relaxed he even too a nap right there in the middle of the river.

We had a lot of fun and I would love to go back to that area again.

Blue and Gold

Kenny started cub scouts. He is in the Wolf den and he LOVES it! He is so excited to have a new special uniform.

Oh no...

Serves me right for answering the telephone on ravioli night. I did put the bowl on the table away from him but Mr. Mischief got it anyway. I also learned that children stain like Tupperware when it comes to tomato based sauce.

NATHAN: "Mommy, him looks like a Oompa Loompa."

Stats

I recently took all three kids to the doctor for their well child appointments.

KENNY: 8 years old, 45 pounds, 46 inches. He is not in a percentile. He is very healthy...probably the most healthy in the family.

NATHAN: 5 years old, 34 pounds, 40 inches. He is also not on the growth chart. It worries me a little because Nathan is starting to notice that he is the smallest in his classes. It bothers him. We're keeping an eye on his headaches and nose bleeds.

JAMES: 18 months old, 23 pounds, and 31 inches. He is a healthy, happy little boy.

Interesting facts: There is only and eleven pound difference between each of my kids. All three boys growth chart curve looks exactly the same. The only difference is that James is a few pound heavier that Kenny or Nathan were.

Bumper Crop

Our pear tree had a big yield this year. So I have spent my weekends canning pears. My dad helped me with the first bushel. I have a picture with him somewhere but I can't find it. I did the rest myself. All and all I now have 48 quarts of pears under my bed. We have more on the tree, but I can't bring myself to pare, core, and cut one more pear.
Aren't they beautiful? I love the little popping sound. It is very satisfying.

Nathan-isms

(On seeing a spider)
"Spider. Come here spider. Spider."
(after chasing the spider and it running away he got upset)
"Spider! Come here I want to hug you."
(Molly saw the spider and started to chase it)
"Molly, NO! I protect the spider."

(Molly jumped up on Nathan and licked him)
"Molly! I'm not a snack!!"

(I was upstairs folding laundry and he comes up with his 3rd snack of the day)
"Mommy, I just need one more snack. A fruit roll-up. Then I can be fat like you (at my head). I don't want to be little anymore."