Happy New Year

Hard to believe it's been half a year since I last posted. My blogging has suffered tremendously because of the simple fact that I do not have enough hours in the day to get every thing done. So my blog is down at the bottom of the list.

But I had to post a few pictures from New Years Eve that I am borrowing from Courtney. We have spent so many ( I think about 7) New Years Eve with our good friends and we continue to have blessed years. So why risk it and break with tradition. Besides, I love this group and it's seems like forever since we are all last together.


The kids have all gotten older....and so have the parents.






I joke about us celebrating New Years with the East coast instead of central time. But this year it was even hard to do that. I suggested moving our celebrations to noon instead so we would all be awake next year. We will see what happens but in the meantime, Cheers to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all my loved ones.

His hair has taken on a life of it's own

Hoss wants to grow his hair out. And I've been letting him so far. But it is really starting to take on a life of it's own. And in the process the personality of Hoss is starting to shine through even more than usual. He has gone from this...


to this.. All in a blink of a sweaty hot day. No hair gel added. Only sweat and Hubs fingers running through it to make it stand up.

I actually like the longer hair on him, I think it looks good. And the personality he is showing in these pictures. Well it's classic Hoss and I love that too!

Easter 2011

We had a very full Easter weekend. It started off with a brunch/egg hunt at our neighbors house across the street. They have had this brunch for the last 5 years and it just keeps getting bigger. Lots of food, mimosa's and visiting. And oh yeah, I forgot to mention over 1500 eggs filled with whatever goodies will fit into them. The kids look forward to this every year and so do us parents.

The egg hunt was not as crazy as last years and in fact I think the baskets got full before all the eggs were gathered. But the kids persevered and somehow found all the eggs.


I briefly got a picture of them showing off their loot before all the kids congregated on the steps to compare, trade and just eat candy.


I thought it would be such a waste to not try and get a couple of pictures of the kids together in their Easter clothes. For the most part it worked out. I still have the odd look or funny eyes going here and there. But I wasn't going to make them suffer all day long.



After church, my parents came over for a late lunch so we ate, and napped and napped some more. The kids meanwhile were running wild in the streets with all the other neighborhood kids that were still on a sugar high from all the candy the day before.

Turning 5

It happened. My baby turned 5 on me. She is so excited about being five and getting to go to kindergarden next year. But she was even more excited to celebrate her birthday with a party. We had our small family celebration on her actual birthday. Then she had her friends party the following Saturday. She wanted to have it at the gym where she does gymnastics. So of course she got what she wanted.

Her family birthday cake picture.

About to blow out the candles. And trying to hide her smile from us.

Playing with some of ther friends in the gym.

The birthday girl gets to paint her hands on the wall and they stay up for the entire year.


All her friends gathered around for cake and presents.

And another cake. I think turning 5 deserves two cakes...at least.

The many faces of Z

Getting pictures of my kids without them making a ridiculous face is always a challenge. You would think it would be easier for me to get a normal, non silly picture of my oldest son Z. He is after all about to be a teenager. Well that's probably why he doesn't cooperate much with me and my camera these days. I thought I'd show a bit of what I have to go through and put up with before I can actually get a good picture.

The boy can't seem to be bothered to look up from the laptop long enough to smile into the camera.

Then when I finally get him to look up and smile. He does this right at the last second and this is what I get.

Of course by this time, he thinks it's all fun and games and waits until I've focused and then this...

Finally, he takes pity on his mom and picks me up from the ground where I am sobbing and crying in the fetal position and says he will do it right this time. He promises! Do I believe him...well of course not, but I'm his mom and I want a picture of him and so sucker that I am I try again.

And I get this...

Oh how sweet success is. Well at least until Z. looks at me and says "There are you done yet?? I'm ready to get back to my web surfing of important things...like Fred!"
This time when I fall to the floor in a heap and start sobbing uncontrollably he just steps over me and says thanks mom.

Start of soccer season

We finally agreed to let A. play a little soccer this season. We had been holding out just for our own sake of not having to commit to another team. But she's been begging and she finally got her chance.



She loved it and if I'm being honest she did pretty good out there most the time. She can really handle the ball better than the other kids when they first started and she has a really strong kick. And at her age, it's all about fun and you can just sit back and enjoy the kids having fun.

Normally it would be me and the the three youngest since Hubs and Z. always were at baseball. So naturally a lot of time was spent at the park area as well. This provided lots of opportunity to get pictures of my monkeys hanging out.

My silly girl hanging upside down.

She's showing off her missing front tooth to me.

My big boy just perched up high where he can see everything going on.

Is it really worth a 1000 words

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Well here is a picture that captures the personality and sense of humor of my oldest. I've been told that I am required by law to claim him as my own until he is of a legal age. I do love his sense of humor as twisted and disturbing as it may be. But he's a boy and the sign is talking about poop so what can you expect from a 12 year old.