Gingerbread House New Year' Day

Happy New Year! On the 1st day of 2011, Hansel and Gretel were still lost in the woods so Jimmy, Payton and Reagan had to defeat the old witch and claim victory over the house in the woods.

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Drumsticks for all

Mom who? Temporary sugar memory block. & yes they will brush after.

Chicago 2009 Air and Water Show

This was our good view of nothing from under a tree.

We attempted to go to the Air and Water show today, but the rain had another plan for us.

From the time we sat down and pulled out our picnic lunch, it rained on and off for the rest of the day.

So what would be the next best thing?

That's right, getting in the car and driving around the city. We still saw some of the planes flying,

no,

zooming,

no,

ROARING

overhead. Some were small dots in the sky, but a few...

Were RIGHT-OVER-OUR-HEADS! You could feel the ground shake.

The kids didn't mind the rain or the driving, but, if you asked them, they probably would say the McDonald's stop was the best part.

Just another day in Chicago.

At least it didn't snow. ha!

Island Fun

Last night we went to the park district. They were having and Island Fun Fest. It conformed once again that P does not like fast moving, high flying rides and R LOVES them. For her, the faster, the dizzier, the better.

Jimmy's getting to be a pretty good shooter too.

Oh, and a new $15 dog to join our family too. Welcome home Sally.

quick kids update

Jimmy was none too pleased when we found out Wednesday that his playoff game took place on Tuesday, the night before! The coach seemingly had the wrong number and was calling "our house" all night, but it just kept ringing. Nice. We somehow managed to make it to EVERY other game and practice this season. So that really was crappy for Jimmy. Especially since his team LOST to the last place team and it completely knocked them out of any standings this year. Ouch, life lessons in a nutshell.

Payton ended his season on a high and happy note! He caught 2 pop flys and threw 3 people out in his last game. He had a great t-ball season this year and is anxious to move along and up to the rookie league next year. Too many, "nobody wins or loses, here, everyone is a winner and we all tie", for Mr. P.

Surprisingly, I didn't take 14,000 pictures of the children or the B this time. Here is the lone picture of the girl in her bathing suit. I'm sure it had nothing to do with me seeing way to much of the child (like the contents of her stomach, yeah, I know, gross) the whole week. I'm just glad she made it to the picnic healthy and was able to enjoy her day.

It's cute to see her and P together. He is still so much bigger than her :0)

and, of course, it wouldn't be a post without a cali shot. this one is funny, she was sleeping and looked up like, "WHAT NOW PEOPLE!? ANOTHER PICTURE! CAN'T A DOG SLEEP IN PEACE AND QUIET ONCE IN A WHILE?"

the answer I'm afraid, is no, Cali, you can't.

mom, i caught it! come look!

Tonight we were cleaning the living room and the kids were helping me dust the mail stand. i walked into the other room to take a phone call and reagan came running into the room to tell me she caught a bug. so, of course, i was a bit freaked out anticipating what kind of bug could be in the living room when she screams, "MOM! Come quick! I caught a dust mite! Well, actually Payton caught a dust mite, but WE CAUGHT A DUST MITE!"

So, sure enough, I came in the room and there "it" was, a pile of dust.

Don't cha just love kids?

Here is a pic of my cleaned living room and the tired babies that worked hard to clean. Thank You!

Oh, yes, Cali seemed to be exhausted too even though I didn't see here do much cleaning.

just breath

field trip to native american museum
sata arrives the mall (on a Harley, his sleigh broke down!)

never to busy for a shot with Hannah

another failed attempt at a christmas card

" so santa, here's what i was thinking..."

this has been such a busy weekend and it's only sat night! don't get me wrong, i love, no cherish, my weekends, but sometimes the running can get you down. from early morning runs to jewel for lunch items (why plan when you can get up early and make your morning crazy?) to field trips, dentist appts for five to dinner to cleaning to the store to santa to a shoebox wrapping party to a birthday party, and that's just through sat. see why i am a bit in need of a breather? ha, but wait, don't forget the late french report and the edible cell due tues (if the test is passed from friday) and the science project and the drumming performance and the birthday party, for twins (yep, a different one than yesterday, ha). throw a little grocery shopping and spending time with the dog and oh, make sure youare ready to miss some work next week so you can get to all the doctors in the world before the first of the year and then don't forget to get ready to teach 30 kids to play dodgeball on wed night and then you get to make 100 tamales for next sunday :0) but would i have it ANY other way, ah, no, of course not. i do really need to wonder why my dog is ill behaved and the oldest forgets his homework and the little one has anxiety and the baby doesn't want me to brush the knots out of her hair. but we didn't have cavities, and we did read a large stack of books this weekend, got nosy kisses, saw santa, at cake, prayed to jesus and spent time with friends.

sometimes i think i need to slow down, maybe if i have a run a long like this to read it will help to put things into perspective and get me to slow down. i'm not sure that's what i want, but it might be what i need. maybe that's what i am afraid of, slowing down. then i would be able to hear the voice of the Lord speak to me and i would have to listen. could that be my fear? having to fully surrender to Him? I really need to spend time in his word every day. it's my (and I'm sure there are many) major problems in my walk with Him. I pray that he would allow me to have the will and ambition to give Him my first moments in the am to clearly see his will for my life laid out. this is my prayer and i am sticking to it.

soaring eagle

can i even say how much i love these kids? they are so precious and wonderful.
we went away this weekend and i got 5 full days pure joy and pleasure.

Mother's Day Love

Once again, I was loved on Mother's Day.

What a day to spend at the Cubbies Game!

Rain, cold, wind and peanuts to crack.

But the family, blankets, winter jackets in May and another WIN on the board,

made the day perfectly wonderful!

Baseball Days

Come on, throw me a bone, ball, I mean a ball here...

P-A-Y-T-O-N, Payton is his name.

Gotta Run. Catch you later, aligator!