Do It All

It’s a quiet night – silent night actually :) At least it is now. About an hour ago we had Molly fussing and the boys talking away at the sights on the wall… For Christmas the boys got this really cool “Cars” book that came with a slide show projector. So as I read the book in the dark, the slide show projector flips thru pictures and has a nightlight on the side so you can read at the same time. Pretty nifty gig… The boys didn’t nap today (although I tried to lay down for a bit) so I knew bedtime would come a bit earlier than normal. Mikie kept asking me what time it was, even though the time means nothing to him yet, what a funny dude… So about 8p, I tucked Mikie in one last time (he came down here claiming I never did tuck him in which simply wasn’t the case, he just wanted to see me :) and put Molly down for her last nighttime nap and now it’s peace in the valley. Erk is gone hunting for a few nights so we’re flying solo. Seems it’ll be funny ringing in the New Year without him here, but we’ll be at my folks so it’ll be fun. Erk usually goes over Halloween on this particular hunting trip, but with the thought of Molly coming in late summer, it seemed that would be pretty soon for me to "do it all” for this long. Although 3 nights really doesn’t feel long. But ask me in 2 nights!

So here’s to hoping the kids don’t get sick and that they sleep well! I hope you sleep well too. Good night!

Top Notch

Mol wasn’t quite this happy today at the party we were at, but oh well! We headed a few hours east for a family gathering and had a nice time. It was great to see some family we haven’t seen in a long time and for some to meet Molly for the first time. The boys were really good, they played so nice in the 9300 square foot house we were in! Yeah, you read that right! WOW, definitely the biggest house I’ve ever been in! And beautiful, my goodness… we’re talking “Gone with the Wind” staircases, garages on either side of the house when you pull up, seemingly separate “wings” for each of the kids bedrooms, and who has a conservatory? They do!

While we were there, Molly was having a rough time settling into a nap. Granted it’s cause she’s used to being laid down to sleep and not rocked and walked around, but with all the folks today, I didn’t see the need to push the issue of finding somewhere for her to sleep. So she struggled on and off. Different people wanted to hold her but she wanted momma, and honestly, I didn’t mind :)

There was one incident that really bit the big one though. I went down in the recently finished basement of this mansion to see what Erk and the boys were up to. I laid Molly on the floor while watching the kids dinking around with toys. Well here comes my 5 or 6 year old cousin tearing thru, not even paying attention to Molly being there, jumping over her at the last minute and in doing so, knocks over this truck that slams into the top of her head. She starts bawling and I was scared to death. I grabbed her and said “HEY HEY HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!” to the boys and consoled her. Poor kid! Just missed her soft spot. I was not happy. I could have cried right at that moment to be honest! As she was calming down and my cousin’s wife came with a washcloth for me for her head, the older brother of the boy who accidentally clobbered her dragged his brother over to apologize. “He has something to say to you,” Geoff said. What a kid, this kid is so smart and kind, sucha loving boy. Anyways, his little bro who caused the damage wouldn’t say a word. He just stood there trying to pry himself from his big brother’s grip. So Geoff finally let go of him and said, “he’s sorry.” Again, this kid is top notch.

Twice later in the afternoon, Jack came to me and asked me “why didn’t that boy apologize, I think he needs to apologize.” Interesting that it bothered him so much. I was really proud of him for it bothering him actually. A good big bro, just like Geoff :)

Now I’m pretty sleepy and gonna head up to bed. I had fun scrapbooking last night, but with the late night and early up and outta here morning, bedtime calls. Good night!

Treasured Moments

Here are the cousins on Christmas Night...

Ahh, the peaceful feeling of little Molly starting to fall asleep on my shoulder, sucking her lil' thumb. I treasure moments like that! I just took her up and laid her down for a nap, the boys are both conked out too. We ran some errands this morning, came home and had lunch, then the boys headed outside to play. Truth be told, Jack was on a mission - to find some of the cars (Cars movie diecast cars) that are missing. We're thinking they are somewhere in the yard buried under the snow. The boys played outside in the summer with them all over the yard so it's anyone's guess just where they are. Out the boys went... Jack comes in with "Lizzy," and he's thrilled. Out he goes hoping to find more. All he was able to find was the propane tank when it wapped him in the head! He and Mikie decided to go sledding and the propane tank jumped out and got 'em. Poor guy. So he came in crying and headed up to lay down with his "B." Mike was soon to follow and bam, silence. Gotta love it when a nap comes together all on it's own!

I'm hoping to take down the ornaments and lights today. I'm gonna wait for the boys to wake up though, I'm sure they'll want to help. I've loved our tree this year, the glow of the lights, the blinkers - all the ornaments we've been given as gifts or made - but it's time to go. The needles and space the thing takes are getting old!

Tonight I'm headed scrapbooking! Haven't gone in forever so it'll be fun (and interesting). Shawna and I are basically just going to sort thru all of our stuff that's been accumulating for the past several months and get it somewhat organized for our scrapbook retreat coming up in January. Have a good night!

Oh What Fun it is to Sled!

We had a great time this morning - some friends came over to sled. Great weather (not too cold) and the sleds were a flyin'! I went down a few times myself and laughed my butt off. What a great time... Then we got a few pizzas and sat around and ate, then the kids watched "Shrek the Third" and everyone headed for home. The boys were thinking they'd opt to not nap today, but both of them are zonked in their respective chairs in the family room watching the movie "Cars." Funny boys!

Tonight I'm headed to help Meg out with her movin'. She's got to be out by the morning so last night was her last night in the condo. I'll meet up with Dad and Erk there and Nanny will watch the kiddos. Hope you have a good one!





Chet brought his snowboard over, what a cute kid!

Christmas 2007

6:36am, Molly starts making a statement letting us know she was soon to turn on her full alarm.
6:43am, I get up, come downstairs and get a bottle ready.
6:44am, in the hallway upstairs I’m met in the darkness by two little men carrying their blankies. “Do you think Santa has been here yet?” Jack asks.
6:45am, get Molly outta her crib and start feeding her in the boy’s room while Jack changes into some drier jammies.
6:52am, after discussing how excited we all were, down the stairs we come ready and raring to go. The boys were so excited when the tree and presents were brought to light from the darkness!


6:58am, coffee and hot cocoa in hand, it’s time to start!
7:12am, stockings all outta the way and the boys with a toy in hand (they’ve been holding since before the stockings were opened up), time to start under the tree.

7:59am, all the gifts are opened, worn (the robes the boys got, they thought those were cool) and traipsed around to and fro.
8:02am, time for Molly to head for a nap. She’s been sitting in her exersaucer most of the time and is now tired of it and overall tired.
8:27am, “He’s not sharing and it’s MY toy!”
8:45am, “The rolls are done!” Daddy calls out from the kitchen. Yep, smells like cinnamon rolls, time for breakfast.
8:50am, read from the Bible the story of Jesus’ birth.
9:02am, “Can I be excused… my hands aren’t sticky…” Off to play with more toys.
9:03am, get the laundry going, especially the new stuff the kids got so they can wear something new today.

9:04am, Bean dog is conked out in the chair, obviously exhausted from what the morning brought.


9:33am, shower time boys, let’s get clean and outta those jammies.

9:44am, “let’s watch “Cars” to see where all these new cars we got are in the movie!”
10:45am, Molly is conked so rather than wake her up, I let her sleep until now to feed her. She was one tired chick!
11:07am, lunchtime – leftover hot turkey on buns…
11:30am, Daddy leaves for a run with Bean dog.
12:03pm, everyone heads “up” to nap. Well, not Daddy, he had to take a shower.
12:12pm, all 3 kids in bed, I lay down too for a snooze.
1:45pm, I roll over to see what time it is, the kids are all still sleeping, I hear the door downstairs opening and shutting.
1:52pm, Daddy had loaded the truck all up with what we need for Nanny and Papa’s, now we just need to wait on the kids waking up.
2:10pm, Molly starts to fuss, go get her and her bottle ready for her feeding.
2:15pm, feed Molly.
2:24pm, the boys are up and looking tired, but ready to take on whatever else the day may throw at ‘em.
2:39pm, start to get the diaper bag packed with jammies, clothes – get the desserts outta the fridge, coats on…
2:40pm, still trying on outfits on Molly – ended up with one she got today from Santa :)
2:56pm, head out in the truck (all nice and warmed up from the time it took me to dress Molly!)
3:03pm, drive by the dam in town cause Mikie wanted to.
3:06pm, stop by Granny and Grampa’s to drop off their meat carving board and wave to Granny from the window.

3:15pm, arrive at Nanny and Papa’s house.
3:16pm, lay Molly down, nope, she’s screaming – no nap for now.
3:20pm, Mommy has some hot cider and gets some for the boys.
4:07pm, Ryan and Rachel get there, along with Uncle Andy and Aunt Kristen. Time to open presents yet?



4:26pm, open presents. Rachel goes first, then Mikie, then Jack, then Ryan. Fun stuff, more toys!
4:27pm, Molly is still up and having fun taking in all the action.
4:46pm, the batteries on Mommy’s camera conk out.
5:29pm, Mommy feeds Molly cause she just can’t hold off until 5:45pm, she’s been awake a long time and is hungry too.
5:39pm, time to eat supper. Daddy had carved up the ham and Mmmm was it good. Mikie kept coming back for seconds. Jack asked to be excused to put his jammies on too cause Rach had hers on already at the dinner table.
6:25pm, get the desserts out! The chocolate éclair dessert Mommy and the boys made yesterday along with Daddy’s pumpkin pie.
6:26pm, now all 4 “big” grandkids have their jammies on.
6:30pm, Mommy tried laying Molly down again but she cries and carries on for a long time. Still not ready for a nap!
6:42pm, sit around visiting, Rach, Jack and Mikie playing with some cars the boys brought over to Nanny and Papa’s. Nanny got Jack a gas station that they are lovin’ driving thru.
7:39pm, Uncle Andy and gang head out. “Merry Christmas!” it’s been great seeing you all today!
8:02pm, Molly is finally asleep on Mommy’s lap, took some walking around and rocking from Nanny, but Molly finally gave in.
8:03pm, Papa turns on a short cartoon he found about “Arnie the Donut” that’s strange and yet very comical.
8:12pm, again Jack is asking to put his race track together when we get home but is told it might be too late. He’s yanked. We’re all pretty tired, Mommy suggests we head for the home front.
8:26pm, Jack trips by the door and gets mad at the door, Mommy grabs him and stands him up, feeling her patience is being a tad tested.
8:32pm, heading home from Nanny and Papa’s house. The boys are silent, but Molly “carries on the conversation” AKA cries the whole drive home.
8:43pm, the boys are all tucked in. When asked what their favorite thing today was, “going to Nanny and Papa’s” they each responded separately.
8:45pm, fed Molly her last bottle of the day. A tad earlier than I had hoped (wished for more like 9:00p) but what can ya do?
9:12pm, went to check on Molly and she stinks like poop! Up again to give her a fresh diap. Back to bed.
9:51pm, now Mommy is headed up with a Prilosec for Daddy to help with his heartburn, bedtime!

What a wonderful day, we are truly blessed indeed. Every minute today was filled with love and joy and kindness. Thank you Lord God for sending your Son into the world and for Him, celebrating CHRISTmas!

A Few More Cute Ones From Today

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Molly in her Sunday best :)

We got a chance to see Santa when he came around Mom and Dad's lake last night :) The kids thought it was pretty cool - cool it was, heck it was freezing! Really fun though, fun to see them get all shy with the man in the red suit...



We were hoping to find a Christmas movie on last night and came across Elmo's Christmas Countdown. I loved that the boys wanted to sit on my lap :)

And here are my helpers... Today we made some goodies for tomorrow at Nanny and Papa's house. I had to get over the mess they were making and realize these are traditions, not just vacuum moments!

That's kinda freaky lookin', Jack! Too much sugar already :)

Christmas Eve with Granny and Grampa

We had a wonderful time with Granny and Grampa today. Our dinner was a bit postponed (the turkey didn't cook as fast as it was supposed to!) but we just rearranged our night. Opened presents first instead. The boys weren't too disappointed :)

Ohh, Molly got her first baby doll tonight too from Granny and Grampa. She loves this thing!



Jack got a super cool McD's cash register and food. What a riot!

A little bit after supper, we decorated some cookies real quick for Santa. The boys were getting tired QUICK. I thought it would be a good idea to skip naps today - that way (hopefully) tomorrow naps will come easy :). But come supper time (being late with the turkey fiasco) the boys were in jammies when we were eating supper. They really held it together today and we had very few talkin’ backs or attitudes. What a wonderful day. We hope you had a great one too and hope for a restful night. May we not lose sight of what it’s really all about… Good night!