I'm just sayin' . . . .

We have all heard the stories about the great pioneers who had to camp in freezing temperatures, and suffered greatly for it. I think if we were to ask these pioneers what they thought about someone who would purposely leave their warm home to camp in subzero temperatures for entertainment, they would call them crazy. Well, I'm with them. With that said, my husband is officially crazy. He went camping this weekend in the Henry mountains to buffalo hunt with some friends. I love camping, don't get me wrong. But I go in the summer, when it is pleasant to get up the mountain. I don't understand the draw of freezing my tail off. I'm just hoping he has all of his toes still on when he gets home, and our ancestors will watch over him, even as they shake their heads at him.

Update: John called on his way home. He rolled the window in the car down, and it won't roll back up. So he's driving in the snow and cold with the window down. Not quite a handcart, but getting chilly!

I'm in love

Ok so many things could be listed here, chocolate, sleep,
cinnamon rolls, but today I am talking about family and fall. I love them tons! I am missing the beautiful leaves and sunshine, but I am so grateful for seasons and mountains, and goofball kids!

Halloween already?

My kids were nice and giggly playing in Sydney's room the other day. When I tried to go in I was met with strict instructions to get out! This happens quite often at our house as Sydney and Dave put on numerous plays everyday, and rehearsals are off limits. Invitations were even sent out to our neighbors for a concert one day. Thanks to all of the good sports on our street who watched Sydney's concert! Well this time Sydney and Dave were just so proud of themselves. They came out dressed like each other and thought they were the coolest things ever. They even acted like each other for awhile. It makes me sad to think that these days of creativity and unembarrassed acting will end. It is wonderful!

Getting Older

I had to laugh, John and I went out for our 9th anniversary last week. We were talking about where to go and what to do. John wanted to go country swinging, which we both did a lot of before we got married, and haven't done hardly any since we've been married. We found a place not to far from us, and looked into it. They opened their doors at 9:00 p.m. I laughed and said we couldn't go there. As we were out that night we were joking about how when we were dating, and even before kids 9 seemed like a normal time to be out doing things. Now it just seems late. I must be old. I did turn the big 3-0 this year, I've been married 9 years, have 3 kids, that sure seems old! I wouldn't trade my life for that of my life at 19, but I would take some of that energy back!

School Days!

David started preschool this week! It seems very weird to send him off to school. The first day I took a traditional picture of him, and he asked if he could pick how he posed for the picture. So his pictures truly show his personality! He is a goofball!

Sydney is a big first grader! She is doing great at getting up and getting ready (she is a nightowl like me.) We've both had an adjustment to make! She is really good though at getting up, cleaning her room, and getting to school on time. It takes some prodding, but she does well. The first few days were really long for both of us, but it seems more normal now. We found the skirt she is wearing at Target just a few days before school started. She had wanted a skirt for a long time, but I had a hard time finding one that was long enough for my tall girl. Now we found one, and better yet I got it for $1.99!! The problem now is she tries to wear it everyday!

Kids!

Just an updated picture of the kids. I can't believe how big they are. I look at Kaitlyn and see Sydney as a baby. She looks like her some, but also dressing her in the same clothes and using the same things. It is so weird. Kaitlyn is 6 months now. She is still a huge smiler. It makes my day! She has been really sick this last week, and she still is just smiling and laughing - such a good baby!! David is his normal goofy self. He makes me laugh. He loves to do things just to be goofy. He starts preschool next week and is so excited! Sydney is gone all day at school now, and I'm slowly adjusting. I miss her quite a bit. I'm still not a fan of having her out of the house that much. I could never understand home schooling until I became a mom. And although I'm still not doing it, I can see why you would. Luckily, though, she has a great school! I'm just learning letting go is not as easy as I thought it would be.

Happy Birthday Dave!

David is four! I can't believe it. It was quite the day, we had swim lessons, did a boys club at our house, and then went to Chuck E Cheese! It was great. I just can't get over how quick the kids grow. David is so big and fun. He is wonderful!

Lost teeth

Sydney lost her first two teeth. The first fell out naturally. The second she came in to me in the kitchen, and said her tooth was ready to come out. She opened her mouth and it was just bleeding like crazy. I asked her what happened and she said she was being a horse, and Dave was the person leading the horse. So she put a jump rope in her mouth and bit it hard and Dave pulled. Oh well, it was loose anyway!

Kid fun

We bought a new trampoline pad, so the box quickly became a toy! My body would fall apart if I tried, but the kids sure had fun. John was at the bottome of the stairs keeping the kids straight, but he couldn't when he was filming so Sydney hit the wall on this video!

Quick update

Misc pictures

I know it's been a long time because Kaitlyn is 4 months now, not one month! So here are some random pictures. It's been a great few months, it just feels really busy. I love having three kids, but it doesn't leave a lot of time I've decided!

Blessing Day

This was on Easter. It was a great day for everyone. Thanks, belatedly, to all who came!

Crazy Hair Day

Sydney wanted me to put her crazy hair day pictures up on the blog. She is so funny, she plans out for days, weeks, and even months activities. She is so sad school is over to have fun days like this, I guess I'll just need to be more creative now!

One month old

I can't believe Kaitlyn is already a month. Time flies so fast. She is so great. Last night she only woke up twice, so I feel a little better today too! It is amazing how quick the idea of family changes. Kaitlyn was sleeping the other evening, and the John, Sydney, Dave, and I were watching a movie. Dave was cuddling with me, and Sydney with John. As I looked I realized that even though it was great to be the four of us, it felt incomplete. We spent many many night just like that before Kaitlyn was born, but now it wasn't our family. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but I was amazed at how quickly she has made her way into my heart. I wasn't sure I could handle three kids, I struggled with two sometimes, but I am so glad we have Kaitlyn. I love how she snorts constantly, I love how she smells after a bath, I love to cuddle her, I love that she loves to hold my hair, and I love her hands. I don't know why I am fascinated with her hands, but I love to just look at them and how little they are. Dave and Sydney do wonderful with Kaitlyn, and it is fun to watch them. The other night, I was in the middle of cooking dinner when Kaitlyn woke up. She was crying for a minute before I could go get her. Finally, Sydney, exasperated, said "Well, I guess if no one else cares about Kaitlyn I will have to go take care of her." I, as always, fall more in love with John with every child, I love to watch him be a dad, he is amazing.

As a side note: my internet is struggling as usual. But I am having serious issues loading blogs, and leaving comments lately. Especially, Brooke, Stacey, Craig and Sarah and Lori. So I love your blogs and sorry I can't comment. High-speed internet is supposed to be here this summer!!

Kaitlyn Marie

She is here! Kaitlyn was born Sunday February 8th at 5:36 p.m. She was 7 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches. I am so glad she was 2 weeks early, because I didn't need a bigger baby! She is beautiful (not that I'm biased). She has an old man hairline with a little bit of hair on top, and lots on the sides and back. Sydney is so glad she is here, and is a big help, and a big kisser. David wouldn't admit she was his sister the first day, but has asked to hold her a few times, and kisses her, so I think he may accept her. I am feeling well, and must admit that I forgot how fun it is to hold a newborn. Sydney tells me I'm a baby hog. I love to hold her.