"17 days til Christmas. . .

and my true love gives to me. . .a few minutes alone so I can blog!!!" Sing it

The Christmas season is upon us and we have been busy, as we're looking forward to celebrating Baby Jesus' birthday! Every morning the kids wake up and open up a window on their advent calendar. Then, they eat the chocolate while I read the Bible Verse that's behind the window. Next, the kids change our "how many days til Christmas" wall hanging! The kids also really like our magnetic nativity on the fridge, and the nativity ("activity") set my parents add to every year for us. The lights on the house have been hung. . .thanks to daddy and help from our littlest elf, Trey.Ainsley had a dance recital (preview, as she calls it), and she was excited to wear her "cutie pie" costume! She does such a great job with her dance moves, and most importantly, she loves it. . .she runs into class confidently without even looking back!

Cousin Cutie Pies

Ainsley's preschool had a Thanksgiving feast, and I enjoyed helping with it!We also celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents and at Ryan's parents. . .I got up early the day after Thanksgiving to get the 50% toys at Kohls!The boys. . .
And speaking of boys, daddy and Porter had a great time riding over snow piles in the driveway. Their "snow dam" We've been baking goodies, bringing frosted sugar cookies to daddy's students (Ainsley's idea), and we hosted 4 college boys at our home for Spaghetti and atari. They appreciated the home cooked meal and said, "This is my dream home!" Not sure if that's because they're used to a small dorm room, or because our house comes complete with food :)

We attempted to get a Christmas picture of the cousins. . .What do YOU think it looks like Bridger is saying to Trey? . . . maybe "Hey, Get back here!" or "Just checking to see if you have a dirty diaper" We also have a new addition to our family. . .her name is Stellaca. . .what a good little mommy you are Ainsley! And, the kids in our Sunday School class made Christmas cards for those who otherwise may not get any. Ainsley girl made a Christmas tree on her card. . .someone will be so glad to get it!We've been making snow angels and snow piles! The first time I bundled Trey up in snowpants, boots, etc, he couldn't move (see pic of him laying on the floor). Poor thing toppled over, scraping his sweet little face. I love the picture of him looking out the window, in his feeties, at the bigger kids playing in the snow!Trey is continuing to live up to his title of "mobile mess":). . .And for some good clean pictures of Trey at 16 months. . .

love the teeth in that one :) Trey, he does the cutest thing everytime he gets mad or sad. . .he covers his mouth with his hands while voicing his opinion. And, he's turned into a champion at falling asleep. Let me just say that I love putting infant babies to sleep. . .mine and other peoples. . .feeding them, rocking them, singing lullabies to them. Yes, I know he is no longer an infant, but he still typically fell asleep on our shoulder. . .until recently. Every so often, he's been reaching out his arms to his crib, laying down, making a few peeps and falling asleep. Maybe he likes having a little space after being loved on/tackled all day by his siblings :)

There's been a cookie exchange, me attempting to learn guitar from my parents, Ainsley reading all 193 pages of Dick and Jane, Ainsley wanting to read everything in sight :), reading the first book in the Little House on the Prairie series (which we call "reading Laura and Mary"), swimming at the Wellness Center, decorating, baking, picking out toys we want from Santa Claus, and most of all talking about baby Jesus' birth!!! Random photos. . .

Love the one with Trey in between the dancers :)

Really?! We have our hands full?! . . .and to think, it used to be 3 kids 3 and under!

Let it Snow!

We had planned on heading out of town Sat morning, but when we woke up to snow, we decided it was a perfect day for putting up/decorating our tree, going sledding, and making Christmas goodies!!!! The highlight of decorating the tree every year is hanging up our George and Martha Washington ornaments. GooF and I exchange ornaments every year, and George and Martha were purchased at Mt. Vernon when we lived out east!! Trey was as unsure of the Christmas tree as he is of the vacuum, but warmed up to it when we turned on the Christmas tree lights!

Another highlight of the Christmas season is filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Porter was ready to hand deliver his! Both kids looked at the globe, wondering where their box might go, and they both also included a letter this year (saying Jesus loves you and me)! And, some snapshots of my little boy in blue, Porter and I playing with pans on our heads, and setting up the Nativity (another highlight!)

The kids made thankful turkeys thanks to moppets (or mopset as they call it). . .Porter is thankful for mom, dad, trucks, and chocolate chips. Ainsley is thankful for mommy, daddy, cousins and friends to play with, a nice warm home, and a warm bed with lots of stuffed animals!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Laugh. . .at my expense

Yesterday, as I bent down to put something in Ainsley's cubby at preschool, I thought I felt a little rip in the butt of my pants. I did a little feel check as I left the room and didn't feel a tear, so went about my morning. We stopped at the store, went home, went to the preschool office, etc and everytime I squatted down I felt the same ripping sensation in the butt of my pants, but again, felt the seam in the middle and felt nothing. It was only after I was home from picking her up from preschool. . .2 and 1/2 hours later, that I bent down once again to get markers out of our art cabinet and thought, "What in the world is going on with my pants?!" I looked in the mirror and THIS IS WHAT I SAW!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. . . Maybe I should've felt with my right hand instead of my left hand?! Let's just say it's a good thing I was in THOSE panties, but who all saw me and didn't tell me?!!!!!!

Now, on to a little of this and that. . .just look at Trey when I vaccuum. . .he has himself pushed up against the wall, on his tippy toes. . .precious little thing is afraid of the vaccuum! This picture makes me SO want to go pick him up and snuggle him! And not so serious Trey. . .having fun with his big "sissy"s hat. . .Anyone recognize this sweater? Big brother Porter wore it for a picture when I think he was around 5 months old?! Here's Trey in the same sweater at 15 months :)And for some Trey giggles, click here and enjoy him hiding behind the desk and me playing peekaboo. . .after this video he was SO still and quiet hiding under there :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wP9PIDgI6I

Last weekend we went to visit Ryan's parents and celebrated Ainsley's birthday with them! We had homemade pizza and angel food cake! Oh, and that would be Trey before we left. . getting into his diaper bag and Reeses pieces :)Today Porter said, "Thanks Ainsley for teaching me how to make an A!" He was so proud of himself! Way to go Porter on making 2 A's, and on just being you! We also went to the library this morning for Turkey Trot Story Time! The highlight was parading around the library waving paper turkeys and waving at the other people in the library. My kids LOVED IT!!! They were so excited that they were in a parade. . there was even music! Now, off to do a little of this. . .

myself!

Our GooF Troop

Oh, how I love my GooF Troop!

This picture was taken WHILE Ainsley was at preschool. "Look at my twins mommy! Want to help us shop?" Porter is typically "all boy" but I had to capture this moment!

And then this moment. . .The littlest member of our GooF Troop. . .And the whole troop. . .did I mention I was sweating by the time I got everyone and myself bundled up to play outside?!!!And for my NOT ME of the day. . . .I am NOT sitting here sipping coffee flavored with Pepperment Mocha Coffee Mate. And I am NOT sitting here contemplating chopping my hair to above my shoulders at my hair appt. I most definitely do NOT sound like a mom. . .coffee, short hair. . .NOT ME!!!!!!!!!!! What happened to the non coffee drinking, long haired girl. . .I think I left her in NE, 2 children ago :)

Conversations with the GooF Troop are usually interesting, and I often find myself saying things I didn't imagine I'd say. Like when I'm on the phone with my sister and she hears me saying things like, "Broomsticks need to stay on the ground."

Ainsley and my conversation today. . .
A: I'm starting to get tired of having just rough brothers. I need a sister. An older sister.
Me: It would be fun to have a sister. . .maybe someday we'll have another baby, but God will get to decide if it's a sister or brother. And, you can't have an older sister, because you're the oldest.
A: We need to start wishing.
Me: praying. God knows what's best for our family.
A: I bet your sisters wished they had a brother.
Me: Yes, my sister Jenny wanted me to be a boy.

And, Porter and my conversation. . .
P: When is Frosty the Snowman going to come to our house?
Me: When do you think?
P: Maybe while we're asleep. We need to see if he left footprints!

And, Trey's and my conversation. . .
T: Aaaaaaaahhhh Wahhhhh
Me: Up please, say up please
T: Aaahhhhh Wahhhhh
Me: Up please, say up
T Uuuh
Good enough :)

The 3 S's:

Shots, Sanctuary and Song

Well, we survived Ainsley and Trey's well child checkups, and flu shots for all 3 kiddies today! Actually Ainsley got flu mist instead, and Porter could have, but the tough man that he is, he insisted on the shot! It was the cutest thing, watching Porter sit on the table and wait for his shot, which he really wanted! He was determined to get it, that is, until the shot went into his leg. . .he then quickly changed his mind and cried for the nurse to take it out! He then told us that God will heal it up :) Ainsley has remained at the 50th% for both height and weight, and Trey continues to be in the 25th% for height and between 10th-25th% for weight.

I walked into Michelle's house this morning and I could smell fresh coffee, candles, and she turned on soft music. . .it was our little sanctuary. Until the 5 cherubs were so loud we couldn't even talk over them, and before we knew it, we were adorned in dress up clothes. Not to mention the coffee stain on my shirt from sharing with my 1 yr old :)

As for the song, my husband introduced me to a Christmas song by Sara Groves titled, Toy Packaging. You moms know what it's like trying to get into a new toy package!!! http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=29391434

When you're 3 and 5. . .

a little snow and cold doesn't keep you inside! And, when you're 3 and 5, you're so creative! A little hockey game. . . .all was fun til Porter's hockey stick (aka toy golf club) broke. . .Check out the frozen ice hanging out of the water spout!

Weekend Away

Saturday morning, we packed up (Porter packed his swimsuit and toy cars. . the essentials), and headed out of town. My parents had bought motel rooms for my siblings and I and our families near my grandparents house, and the kids were eager for the motel stay!! We stopped first at my grandparents. . .Trey was checking out my grandpa, who is still a big fisherman/hunter/singer. . .

and no thanks on the catfish offer for me grandpa :) The cousins had fun taking the dogs for a winters walk. . .

First thing on the agenda at the motel was SWIMMING! The kiddies couldn't get changed into their swimming suits fast enough! Some of the highlights of the pool were Ainsley swimming back and forth across the "ocean" on her own in only arm floaties, playing bowling pin (with grandpa as the bowling pin in the water and Porter as the bowling ball :) ), and playing seals and mermaids. We also celebrated Ainsley's birthday with my parents and my sisters! And after the kids were in bed we stayed up and played the game "Apples to Apples" with my parents. . what fun. . lots of laughs! And even got to hit the hot tub!

The cousins had a late night party in the bed watching TV and eating popcorn. And yes, that would be a sign for boots and dogs. . .it was evident it was hunting season :) I enjoyed the weekend. . .just getting away and spending time with my family!