Christmas

What did Santa bring?

He almost ate all of the cookies that we left for him.

Laken loved tearing into the paper.

YEAH, the fishing pole I asked for.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus and elves

Today Grandma and Grandpa dressed up like Santa and Mrs. Claus and all of us grand kids were the elves. We took candy canes around to the retirement homes and sang Christmas carols to the elderly people. Grandma said we're going to have to do this again next year.

Just playing

Who needs toys when you can play in the toy basket?

Opening weekend of deer season

My little hunter ready for his first day of deer hunting.

He refused to take his afternoon nap and this is what happened.

Playing with Rowdy.

Hanging out at the cabin.

Happy Birthday Laken

Happy 1st Birthday to our beautiful baby girl. We love you more than you will ever know.

More birthday pictures

Laken opened all of her birthday presents and got lots of clothes, a baby doll and some money. For some reason she thought that her baby should share her plug with her. Thank you everyone for the gifts.

Laken's first birthday

Laken turns 1 on the 4th, but we celebrated her birthday tonight.

She got tired of trying to get handfuls of cake, so she took the easy way out and just picked the whole thing up.

Yummmmy!

I think she would have eaten the whole thing if we would have let her.

Looks like she's made herself tired.

Happy Halloween

The Hunter getting ready to swat the Bumblebee.

Tonight after we went trick or treating, we dropped the girls off and then us boys and parents went on a hayride. It was a lot of fun and we got tons of candy. We rode in the wagon for almost two hours and stopped at several houses to trick or treat. I hope we get to go again next year.

Making a mess

Today Laken and I were playing in my room, making a mess. Laken dumped all of the stuffed animals out on the floor. Too bad she's not old enough to help pick up the toys yet.

Tackle

Laken has become quite the little bully. Anytime I lay down on the ground she thinks she has to tackle me. I think she's gonna be a bruiser.

Family pumpkin picture

10 on Tuesday

1. Man it is chilly outside this morning. I love this time of year. Wish I could just sit out on the deck with my cappuccino and relax.

2. Well, the time has finally come. This Saturday I will be running my very first 5K. I'm excited. Hopefully it will be cool that morning.

3. I still have tons of baby stuff to sell. Anyone who needs anything, please contact me. I have all sorts of toys and equipment and TONS of clothes.

4. I'm extra tired this morning. I don't think I slept very good last night. I remember waking up several times with weird dreams and this morning my neck is a little stiff.

5. Laken has started walking quite a bit more now. Before she would only do it if we coaxed her. Now she will just stand up and take off. She thinks she's pretty big stuff.

6. We are STILL working on the potty training with Grayson. He does really good if he has underwear on. Unfortunately, school won't let him wear underwear until he's able to consistently tell them when he needs to go. This is tough because when he has a diaper on, he's not very good at telling someone he has to go b/c he knows he can just go in the diaper.

7. This weekend we will be making apple butter. It's a huge chore, but fun to spend time with the family. That means Pumpkin Fest is only 2 weeks away. That is probably my favorite weekend of the year. Hope to see everyone there.

8. I can't decide on Halloween costumes for the kids. They're both too young to request what they want to be so I get to decide.

9. I need to start Christmas shopping soon. I've done really good at making lists so far, but haven't bought anything. I don't want to wait until the last minute.

10. Can I go back to sleep???

Weekend 2 of fishing

A weekend of fishing

This weekend we went up to the farm fishing. Mom and Laken stayed at the cabin, but I got to go out in the boat with the boys. The big fish that we caught was 60 pounds, it was much bigger than me. I can't wait to go again.

10 on Tuesday

1. I'm such a slacker. I really do have some current pics of the kids. I will try to post them this weekend.

2. R.I.P. Patrick Swayze!

3. R.I.P. Ruby Spry, she was an amazing cook.

4. I don't feel so hot today. My throat has been sore for 2 days now and my ears don't feel to hot either. I think it's just allergies, but there's so much crap going around, who knows.

5. As of November 1st my mom will be retired. Wish it could be me.

6. Laken has started taking some steps. The problem is, she thinks she can just take off running and she lets her belly get ahead of her.

7. It's starting to feel like fall outside. I love this time of year. It seems to be the busiest for us, but I love all the family events and cooler weather.

8. Can't wait for Pumpkin Fest, Branson, Thanksgiving and then Christmas.

9. I really need to have a garage sale. I have tons of baby stuff, boy and girl, to get rid of. If anyone needs anything, please get in touch with me. I have clothes, toys, baby gear...

10. Can't live without my morning cappuccino. Especially this time of year.

Messy girl

Laken LOVES to eat. She's a bottomless pit most of the time. She loves to feed herself, but makes quite the mess.

Laken thinks she's big stuff

Laken has been climbing on everything. She thinks she's big stuff now. She's also taking some steps. Before we know it, she will be all over the place.

Roller skating

That's me on the left.

Today we went roller skating for Trenton's birthday. It was my first time, but I did awesome. I didn't even have to hold on to anyone. When they brought the limbo stick out, I even went under it a couple of times.

Grayson turns 3

Today was my 3rd birthday. We had a party and Mom made ice cream cone cupcakes and Dad made home made ice cream. It was so yummy. I liked licking the icing off the top of the cupcakes.

I got lots of really cool presents. Thank you to everybody.

10 on Tuesday...on Thursday

1. Laken had her 9 month check up yesterday. Everything went well, no shots, and she's grown 3 inches since her last appointment.

2. My baby boy is going to be 3 on Sunday. I CANNOT believe it! I just want to hold him tight and not let him get any bigger.

3. School has started back this week and I keep hearing all the talk about the "first day of school." I am not looking forward to that day. I will be the Mom that stands on the sidewalk at school and cries...all day long.

4. I had an awesome run last weekend with Erin. She pushed me and I thought I was going to die, but in the end it felt awesome. I should be on track for running the 5K in October.

5. Speaking of that, Erin and I are going to try the Susan G Komen 3 Day Cancer Walk next year. It's 60 miles over 3 days. I'm really excited about it and will keep you posted. We will have some fundraisers as each team member has to raise over $2000.

6. So potty training with Grayson has been a bit of a challenge. He does good with it WHEN HE WANTS TO. I had a talk with him the other night and told him that he would be turning 3 this weekend and 3 year olds don't wear diapers. He keeps telling me that big boys have to wear big boy pants. We'll see if this works. When he turned 2 I told him that 2 year olds don't use pacifiers anymore and he gave it up cold turkey. I'm hoping the same strategy works for the diapers.

7. side note to #6...I may be washing lots of dirty underwear, but we'll give it a try.

8. I'm starving right now. I have a Bagelful to eat, but it doesn't sound good. I really want some Mexican.

9. We've about wrapped up our garden for the summer. The only thing that's left growing is our pumpkins and they are getting huge.

10. We still don't know what all to get Grayson for his birthday. So far we've gotten and baseball bat, ball and tee and a Spongebob movie. The kid already has everything.

10 on Tuesday

1. So I've fallen behind...there's been a lot going on around the house, I will try to get better.

2. I can't believe Grayson will be 3 in a little over a week. These past few years have flown by. It's so much fun to watch the kid that he is developing in to.

3. Laken is still pulling up on everything. She hasn't taken any steps yet, but I don't think we're far from it.

4. My Grandma is still holding on. I would have never guessed that she would still be here, but she is a true fighter.

5. It makes me sad to know that summer is almost over. I am looking forward to fall, it's probably my favorite time of year, but NOT looking forward to winter!

6. I'm still running a couple times a week, but it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. I know if I just stick with it it will. I think the heat has been the hardest battle.

7. Well, our first garden was a HUGE success. We have canned green beans, tomato juice, dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, salsa and potatoes. We are still going to try okra and peaches. We shouldn't go hungry.

8. I love my kids to death. It is still hard for me every morning that I have to drop them off. Don't get me wrong, they can both be very ornery at times, but I would not trade them for the world. It's made me so proud lately to watch how they're starting to play together. Laken always crawls into Grayson's room and he gladly goes in there and empties the toy box and plays with her. I think they're going to be great buds.

9. Training at work is still a struggle. It's starting to make more sense, but man it's tough.

10. I have pictures that I need to load on here. I will try this weekend to sit down and get things updated.

10 on Tuesday

1. So I'm a little behind on the 10 on Tuesday.

2. I took the kids to the fair last night and was very disappointed. I don't like the way they have it set up this year. Seems a lot more crowded and trashy. Not impressed.

3. Speaking of fair...Laken and Courtney will be in the baby girl contest on Thursday night at 6. Not expecting to win, but will be fun.

4. Walked in daycare this morning and they have a sign up saying they have a confirmed case of the swine flu. Are you kidding me?

5. A good friend of mine had her baby yesterday. She was sooo ready. Welcome baby Elliot.

6. Things at work are crazy. We are learning so much new material. I wish it would all just sink in.

7. I need to post pictures of our garden. This is the first year we have planted one and it has done exceptionally well. We have canned over 30 quarts of green beans, 46 quarts of pickles and so far 6 quarts of tomato juice. We have started eating on the sweet corn and still have cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkins growing.

8. Laken has officially starting crawling this week. She's been army crawling for a while and is finally cruising on all fours. She has also started pulling up on everything. Yesterday she pulled up on the couch and let go and just stood there. I have a feeling she may not crawl for long and will go right into walking.

9. So a man finds a 3 year old walking down the side of Highway 63 with a diaper on and blanket and pacifier in hand. WHAT????? And this was at 9:00 at night. Those parents obviously should not be reproducing. Makes me so angry. People, do not let your kids out of your sight.

10. I'm still running once or twice a week. Not much distance, but at least it's exercise. I had a really fun run the other night on the streets of Ashland. Much better than running circles at the park. Thanks to my sister in law for doing this with me. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to run as far as she does.

Laken 8 months

Laken smiling for the camera and trying to wave hello. We can't believe how big she is getting... already 8 months old.

Catfish

This is one of the catfish that Uncle Jeff caught. Grayson fell in love with this one and when it came time to clean it, he did not want to let it go.

10 on Tuesday

1. OMG, it's gorgeous outside. I hope it's like this next week.

2. Wes, why Wes? Doesn't Jillian see what he's up to???

3. I have flippin' Poison Ivy all over my wrist and it's killing me. Went to the Dr. yesterday and he gave me some meds. I hope they kick in fast.

4. I can't believe July is right around the corner. School will be starting up soon. Where does summer go?

5. I need some good running music. Anyone have any suggestions?

6. Clean house, rotate van tires, change van oil, clean van, pack...I have so much to do before we leave for vacation.

7. We've been taking the kids swimming quite a bit and Grayson has gotten comfortable swimming with his Puddle Jumper on. For the most part he's on his own, not having to hold on to someone. He's even put his face in the water a few times.

8. Laken loves the water. She loves to splash and just grins when the water hits her face. I think she's gonna be the real swimmer.

9. ARRGGGG...my wrist is itching like CRAZY!

10. I need to remember to charge my camera battery before we leave. I want to get lots of good pictures while we're on vacation so I can post them. Can't wait.

10 on Tuesday

1. WOW, it's gonna be another HOT one.

2. I'm so glad today is food day...I'm starving.

3. We had Laken's pictures taken at Sears this weekend and it was a nightmare. She did really good for the pictures (I love them), but they were running 45 minutes behind schedule and then tried to sell me everything under the sun. We were there for over 2 hours.

4. Less than 2 weeks til Branson. I can't wait. I hope it's not quite this hot.

5. Grayson now tells me to "please hold my spot" all the time. It must be something he's picked up from school.

6. Laken has been getting up on all 4, but not crawling yet. Last night she started to army crawl. It won't be long.

7. I have a terrible headache again. This has been going on for about a week now.

8. Ummm....lovin' some French Vanilla Cappuccino.

9. We've had problems with deer in our garden. Chad is so proud of the way the garden looks and we're starting to get some produce, but last night when he got home, there were 8 deer in front of the house. How do we keep them out of the garden?

10. I wonder what my queues look like today?

Laken 7 months