Just hanging around the house.

We've been really productive around the house lately. But, when Travis and I are productive, it's usually because we are not spending as much time with the kids as they would like...
Travis sat down to watch something on TV with the boys, when he sat down on the love seat, the boys were all over the floor and on the couch. Within less than 2 minutes, the boys all migrated to the love seat and to Travis.



Olivia is turning into quite the fashionista, she's always accessorizing, primping, and looking for an opportunity to wear her cowboy boots. When we told her it was time to go to bed, she told us she couldn't sleep without her pink sunglasses... (and yes, they are on upside down).



One morning after the boys left for school, Maddox and Olivia put on their superhero capes and went onto the deck to chase away the bad guys. I loved it, they were out there for almost an hour just running around in circles.

What a great weekend!!!

You know how you set out with really good intentions to get lots accomplished, enjoy yourself along the way, and try to have a little fun? That was this past weekend for our family. There was a lot to do after being in the house for over 4 days. We had things planned starting when Travis got off work on Friday afternoon and going through Sunday night. Most of it was for me or Travis out of the house... Most of what needed to be accomplished was in the house.
1. We had GREAT family pictures taken and had a lot of fun doing it! Portrait Innovation is FANTASTIC! We had a great photographer and the price is amazing.





2. Saturday morning we started by cleaning the boys' rooms. Spring Cleaning... moving beds, dressers, emptying closets. It was way overdue and way necessary. Maddox decided he wanted his bed "up high, in the sky" so we lofted it! He has bunk beds, we just never put them together. He is in love! His favorite activity is climbing up and down the ladder. Cooper and Nelson's beds also got bunked again. I needed it done for better management in the room. They had gotten out of control with the clothes, books, toys, and junk! With the beds bunked we can put a bookcase in there for them to display all their "treasures" if it doesn't fit on a shelf, it doesn't go in the room. As of today, Tuesday, they are still working on putting their clean clothes away...

3. Back to the fun, I discovered that McDonald's is running a promotion by us. $1 Big Mac sandwiches daily from 11AM-4PM. I told Travis about this and in less than 7 seconds he decided that's what we were doing for lunch on Saturday. The kids loved it!!!! Cooper declared it "the best burger he's ever eaten" (I know, huge parent FAIL). Maddox called it a "man burger" and asked if he could have one every day (that's a negative). Nelson inhaled his and asked for another (I said no).

4. Saturday afternoon was spent doing laundry and grocery shopping. All in all a productive day.

5. Sunday we went to church and then home for 2+hr family naps, this was my favorite part of the entire weekend!!! That night we went to some friends' house for the football game. The only thing that would have redeemed that half-time show was "The Lift" at the end featuring Fergie and Slash. I'm just sayin'.

This week is shaping up to be "normal", something I haven't been able to call a week since Christmas! I'm very excited.

Snow days

We have had 6 snow days since Christmas. If we reach 10 we don't have to make them up at the end of the year.

When the news started reporting a blizzard people went crazy! They were all nervous about running out of bread, eggs, and milk; I never knew french toast was such a popular snowed-in food! I wasn't worried about those 3 things, I have 3 loaves of bread in the freezer, 2 dozen eggs in the fridge, and 2 gallons of milk (this is normal with 4 kids and me trying to only grocery shop once every 2 weeks). We were out of much more crucial things... ice cream, pop, and wine!!! I did venture out Monday afternoon to make sure we had plenty of the "essentials".






Toby hates cold so much he would rather sit on a person than on the floor. Maddox was nice enough to let Toby sit in his lap for a while (read 30 seconds).




Travis and I decided to do something "fun" for dinner tonight. We roasted hot dogs in the fireplace. We called it an indoor camp out! I made pasta salad and cookies this afternoon so we would have all the makings of a good ole' fashioned camping meal. I love that I'm inside (warm and dry).

Toby and Tallie were fascinated with the snow. Toby hated the cold, so he would go out for 45 seconds, come in, and then go out 30 minutes later. Tallie was very content outside for as long as I would let her be out there.

Spirituality by preschoolers.

"Olivia, God says share!"
"No, Max, no share!"
"God is right next to you, Olivia."
"No he not, can't see him."
"God is invisible, he's a superhero. He's going to give you a swift kick in the pants."
"No swift kick!!"
"Olivia, he's sad, you won't share your princesses with me."


I love sitting back sometimes and just listening to the kids play. It's never a dull moment.

Holidays are over, but the fun isn't!

We've been trying to get the boys to read more at home. Cooper took it upon himself to read to Olivia this past weekend. She brought him almost every book off of her bookshelf and he just sat there and kept reading.



Olivia has embraced the primping time on Sunday mornings. She pushes me out of the way, if I'm trying to get myself ready. Don't send hate-mail. The coffee cup was mine; seconds before this picture was taken I was standing where she is (without a step stool) and finishing my hair and make-up.

Winter fun

Travis had to ge in on the sledding fun with all the kids. He and Maddox pretended to be Superman. I love where we live; there are always kids outside playing (most of the time within view of one of our windows, so we can watch from the warmth of the inside.



Toby loves his new chew toy that Santa brought him; it's a new record, the toy is still in 1 piece after 3 weeks of "love".

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This year I have a huge amount of excitement surrounding Christmas. There are the "firsts" and the fun favorites from years past. But, I'm also very overwhelmed... This is the first time, in a long time, that I'm trying to do everything while being out of the house almost 30 hrs a week. This is the first time I'm hosting 20 people for Christmas! I can't wait to have all my siblings and my nieces and nephews, and parents here, but it's very nerve-wracking. I have parents that have taught me everything I know about planning and hosting a party, let's just say I have really big shoes to fill!!!

Thankfully I have kids that can quickly put it all back into perspective. The boys love Advent! They love the Luke 2 Christmas story, they love to put the Advent ornaments up, they love to take turns re-telling the story. There isn't a part they don't enjoy. Liv... Not so much. I'm hoping it's because she's only 2, that the importance of this time of year hasn't quite sunk in for her. If it has, she's really missed the mark and we are in really big trouble in the years to come. When we ask her who is "coming" (in reference to Advent), she gets a really big grin on her face, yells on the top of her lungs, "SANTA!", and then quickly adds, "with lots of babies for me!".

Thanksgiving fun!

My parents came to St. Louis for Thanksgiving. It was the first time in 30 years that they were not hosting. Talk about big shoes to fill!!!! I don't know if I did it as well as they have, but I had a lot of fun trying and hope to host again.

Mom and Olivia enjoying some cuddle time.


All four kids dressed up and ready for lunch.

An appetizer of Garrett's Popcorn.

The table(s) set and ready for an amazing lunch (if I don't say so myself).

Mom enjoying an afternoon nap. Apparently the football and ads couldn't keep her interest; she went off into the living room for some R&R.

Decking the halls!!!!!

Thanksgiving preparation

soup made
cranberries made
pecan pie made
pumpkin pies made
stuffing made
sweet potatoes made
apple sauce made
rolls made

Now we just have to wait until tomorrow to roast our turkey and make mashed potatoes!!!! YUMMY!

Every Thanksgiving preparation needs a fairy to help!

Better late than never.

Holloween was a lot of fun this year! All the kids really got into trick-or-treating, sharing candy (all kit-kats come to me), and enjoying their friends and neighbors. We had a weekend celebration here in our cul-du-sac. Liv mastered saying, "tick-o-teat!" It was so cute watching her knock on doors.

The boys have gotten to her!

Liv now sports a cape for most occasions.

Pumpkin carving fun!

Friday we had "Family Fun Night" like any other Friday. We washed, drew on, and carved pumpkins. For 2 adults and 4 kids, it wasn't too bad!


Maddox wanted nothing to do with the inside of his pumpkin! He drew a face, helped cut the face house, but refused to touch the inside of the pumpkin. He kept saying, "this is gross. This is so gross Dad! I am not touching pumpkin guts!"

Olivia worked very hard at cleaning out all of her pumpkin guts! She loved it.

The aftermath.

The finished product! The kids did a great job!!!!

Holloween preview

The cutest Supergirl and Robin!!!! Maddox was so excited to find a Robin costume (who cares that it is 4 sizes too big!).

Cooper and Nelson wanted to pose in their Batman and Superman costumes. Hopefully we will locate the necessary capes by next Sunday (they are in the house and were seen within the last week).

Travis and I will also be getting in on the Superhero fun. Travis will be donning his Green Lantern garb and I will proudly be sporting my Wonder Woman gear for some Trick-or-Treating fun.

Fun few weeks!

I've gotten into a great routine with working 3 days a week. Everyone seems to have adjusted well.
With the cooler weather we've been able to enjoy some great outside time on the deck, on the swing set, and with the neighbors. We live in the best neighborhood ever, SERIOUSLY!!!!!

In case anyone was wondering/worried. The dogs are doing great! Toby has mastered sleeping anywhere! At 11yrs old, he's finally not hyper 24/7, now it's just 24/5.
Tallie being the good calm protector!

Travis riding a mechanical bull at a "family circus" at a church in town. That entire day was amazing!!!! The kids spent 4 hours bouncing, tye-dying, eating, and giggling. The best part was, it didn't cost us a thing!!!!

Maddox celebrating his 4th birthday (it's crazy to think my baby boy is 4)

Maddox and all his "batman" friends.

First Day of School part II

Today Maddox and Olivia went to school. Maddox loved every minute of it. Olivia, not so much. She cried every single time the left the classroom, or she saw me. Friday will be better (I hope).

Labor Day weekend; almost perfect.

We decided to take full advantage of the long weekend and the beautiful weather! Travis labored by building a shelf in the front closet for the kids to put their backpacks. lunchboxes, and shoes. The boys liked the idea of making them beds.


Sunday was spent at church, napping, and then going to a birthday party. It was a perfect family day :)


Monday, we all slept in (relative term in this house, the kids let the sun rise before they rose). After breakfast (and before showers, this is important information for later) we loaded the kids up and headed to Grant's Farm. The kids loved riding the tram, petting the goats, getting their clothes eaten by the goats, going to the elephant show, petting a friendly camel, and being silly,goofy kids.

We got home in time for late afternoon naps and then made dinner and enjoyed eating on the deck. After a family game of soccer we had everyone go inside to take showers and baths. That's when things started going downhill... We had no hot water. Travis went into the basement and was greeted by 50 ish gallons of water (the contents of our water heater). After cold showers, frantic phone calls (a girl is never too old or too far away to need her Daddy), and a trip to Home Depot we have a guy coming tomorrow to bring us a brand new water heater.