Evening with Santa

Mama and Daddy's church hosted an Evening with Santa, and I did the pictures for them. It was so fun watching the kids interact with Santa in such a laid back environment. They were able to just sit and talk with him as long as they wanted. Really cute story...Santa is actually a member of their church, and on Sunday we saw him and Brayden got all excited because "Santa came to church!" I thought it was funny that he still associated him as Santa even without the red suit.

Catch up Continued...November pics

I can't resist posting this. Emma isn't the worst child I've ever seen about taking naps (that award would go to Jessica), but she definately isn't easy. Imagine my surprise when I peeked in from the kitchen to check on the kids...you know that it's-too-quite-so-they're-up-to-no-good feeling, and found this:

Daddy's Birthday:

The kids wanted to make Daddy a birthday cake, and we had so much fun. And they were so proud of it!! And they definately enjoyed decorating it. Don't you just love how perfect the cars are placed...lol!

Hugs:

It's not every day you get a picture like this of these two. They spend more time fighting than any two kids I have EVER seen. So when I get a moment like this out of them I try to capture it forever!

Anyone still listening?

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. I'm such a slacker. Ok, a quick catch-up on pics, 'cause that's why I'm here...pictures. :)

Halloween:

Brayden was a monkey. He wore the same costume he wore last year. I was planning to get him a new one, but he saw this one and had a fit to wear it. Suits me! Those darn costumes are expensive!

Jessica was a ballarina. Poor thing was sick and didn't even feel like going trick-or-treating. All that candy had her feeling better though.

Emma was a cute little pumpkin fairy. She looked cute as a button, but she hated that costume.

Pumpkin Patch:

Here's the kids at the pumpkin patch. We got every year. They just love it. The tractor with the hay ride was pulling in and I couldn't get Brayden's or Emma's attention. They loved the hay ride too. It's fun, but I hate all the straw in my pants afterwards!


Ok, I'll be back with November's pics...

Oh Boy, was I right...

I absolutely cannot believe how sore I am today. I expected aches and pains, but not this! I can barely move my neck! And my pelvis is killing me! Like I did a million sit ups!

The good news is Chris was able to fix everything on the van, and we didn't have to spend any money on it so far. Two flat tires, the back bumper was falling off, the far back window was falling out, the driver's side door had to be adjusted.... I really tore it up!!

Crazy Day!!

Wow! It's amazing how much can happen in day. From the very beginning it was one of those days that seems to go on forever. You know, the one where you keep looking at the clock, and you swear it never moves. I really hate days like that! There was alot of anticipation today, so that didn't help.

Chris had a job interview today, and it went really well. They're supposed to call him on Monday. He's got the job, as long as they're willing to pay him what he asked for. We're all excited about this!! It won't mean more money, but it will mean more Daddy. It's closer, so he won't have to spend as much time on the road, and no overtime. Instead of getting home at 7:30 he'll get home around 5:00. Needless to say, this is the answer to a ton of prayers.

After Chris got home I decided I was going to go to town and meet with a group of women I scrapbook with. Well, I never made it. Instead I ended up in the ditch. It was raining and I was going down a hill, around a curve. The van just did a total 180, I hit the ditch sideways, went down the bank and back up again...backwards, and landed in someone's driveway...sideways. It scared the hell out of me, to say the least. I'm out in the middle of nowhere, shaken, in the pouring rain, and no signal on my cell phone. Then what do I do? I get in the truck with a total stranger and he takes me home. Luckily I wasn't hurt, but I am pretty sore. I can only imagine how I'll feel in the morning.

It's just NOT fair!!

First of all let me preface this by say that I am in no way, shape or form, growing old gracefully...nor willingly. I'm getting very close to my 30th birthday, and I'm determined to be a total grouch about it. So there! I said it! And if anyone sends me an Over the Hill card I'm going to hunt them down! Consider yourself forewarned...


So, what is it I'm whining about today? I decided to grow my hair out to donate to Locks of Love. You have to have at least 10" to cut off, and you can't color it. I haven't had hair that long since I was like 8 years old, and I didn't know what I was getting into! I want it cut so bad, and I have 4" left to grow! So if your hair grows 1/2" a month that means I'm in for a long wait! So anyway, I've been wearing it up like every single day. Straight from the shower to a pony on top of my head. I hate it! And it's getting so long now that it makes my head hurt because it's so heavy. Today I decided to straighten it, and leave it down. I mean, come one...who wants a headache? Well, I found....GRAY! And not just one strand, that I can handle. No, I've got a mess of it! And I can't even color it!! And as if that's not bad enough, where do you think it is? Not underneath where it won't be seen. Nope...it's right on top and falls right in line with my natural part. Waahhhh!! Do those kids really need my hair that bad? Someone remind me WHY I started this in the first place.

Ok, on to another topic. I think things are finally starting to settle down in my house. The kids seem to be feeling better, even if we are still dealing with snotty noses and ugly coughs. I'm praying that it's going to continue to get better.

The kids and I went to spend a few days with Donna last week, and we had a great time! We went to McDonald's and let them play on the playground for what seemed like forever. We did pudding painting, at Elizabeth's request, and they all had a blast painting and eating and then painting some more. And there's really nothing like being able to let the kids eat the mess!! Easy clean-up!! And the pictures turned out so pretty! I can't guarantee that they'll be something that I'll get to show them when they grow up, though. I'm expecting the mold to start growing any day now.


We also went to a pumpkin patch, which Emma slept right through, and then we painted the pumpkins. And let me tell you, Brayden is just like his Daddy. He was so serious, and so meticulous! Everything had to be just so. He really enjoys all things art.

And I took this picture of the gourds at the pumpkin patch. I thought it was really neat!

On our last day there we went to the fall festival, and of course, the kids all got their faces painted. Paint, paint everywhere! It didn't last long though. What is it with kids putting their hands all over their faces?

When it rains it pours!

Well, that little bug that Emma had turned out to be a real pain! Brayden had a fever for five days, sometimes as high as 103.7, and I can't tell you how many times we had him in the tub because no amount of Tylenol or Motrin would bring it down. It was pretty scary. We took him to the doctor and they started him on antibiotics, and the next day we were in the ER with him because the fever wouldn't budge. That was a waste of time because we ended up with a doctor whose ego was bigger than the state of TX, and a nurse who followed him around kissing his ass and wouldn't quit calling me hunny. Um, I'm not your "hunny". I've never in my life been treated so much like an idiot. In the end I was told that a fever of nearly 104 was "not that bad", to continue the Tylenol and Motrin "as long as I have to" (even though he wouldn't eat), he wrote me a Rx for another antibiotic, and then wanted me to drive an hour and half away to the pharmacy with a very sick child to get it filled (because it was late and no pharmacy was open). THEN made the mistake of telling me he was diagnosing it as viral!! Hello!!! Then WHY are you giving me an antiobiotic?! Yes, that's how stupid he thought I was. Just give the woman something to pacify her so she'll get the hell out of here! I was livid, and they knew it! Then the nurse, during discharge, says "don't worry, this doesn't make you a bad mother". I literally died laughing and told her I wasn't worried about that. Anyway, it took quite a while and a ton of Tylenol and Motrin, but he's better. Then, the very first day he was without a fever I picked Jessica up from school and she has "the look". I knew instantly that it'd moved on to her. I started her on the extra Rx immediately! (I know, slap my hand but I was NOT going back to the ER!) Her temp then was 103, and it went as high as 104.4 before it was over. She missed two days of school, and we used another box of Tylenol and Motrin. Thankfully, by Monday it was gone. Five days for her, too. Whew! Glad that's over!

Emma got packages in the mail a few days ago with gifts for her birthday from my Aunt Nancy and her family. I can remember growing up, Christina and I always looked forward to her gifts. You always knew it was going to be something really neat! Well, her gift is definately Emma's favorite! She sent her a few really cute outfits, the book "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" and the cutest, softest, cuddliest polar bear to go with it. She actually squealed when we pulled it out of the box! I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Playing Catch-Up Again

It seems since Jessica started school I have no free time. I get up and take her to school, and it seems like I'm just getting home when I have to turn around and head back to town to pick her up. And, as most of you know, it's no quick trip to anywhere around here. And did I mention the gas... No? Ok, well, I better just skip that topic because I can go on all day about how it makes me want to puke to spend $90 to fill up my gas tank, which only lasts a week...if I'm lucky.

But, that does bring me to my next subject. Money! We all need some, right? And it seems these days no one has any. In an attempt to help alleviate the pain at the pump I have started an Etsy Store. Please see the link right over there -------> Yeah! Under "My Favorite Places to Hang Out". If you're interested, take a looksy! I've only just started adding to it with my wonderful crocheted items, but I plan to step it up a notch and add my photography too. Not sure to what extent yet. We shall see. I do however LOVE this backpack!! I made it with the intention of Jessica using it for school, but she has to have one big enough for a folder, so we ended up buying her one instead. I hope some other little princess can enjoy it.

I can't believe that it's happened, but my baby has turned one. We had her a little party with cake and icecream, but she was in a horrible mood. Little did we know she was getting sick, and we'd end up in the E.R. with her the next day. Poor thing had a fever for three solid days. Thankfully she's feeling much better now, but Brayden went to bed tonight with a fever of 101.4. Not good. It never fails though...they all have to get it. Please pray it skips over Jessica and that Brayden gets over it fast. So here are a few pics from Em's birthday. Gotta love the cake covered birthday pictures!! I have pictures of all three of my kids in the same highchair covered with cake and frosting at their first birthday party.

I got to do a fun little photo shoot for Nicole. We took Caleigh outside and got several great shots of her. Nicole had them blown up and framed! I was so glad she liked them! Next time though we have to put that child up higher. Crawling around on the deck to get down to her level was NOT easy! It was worth it though. I think it's time for me to put together a real portfolio. Here are a few of my favorites. We did some cute bare butt pictures, but I'm not going to post them.

Ok, I think that's it for now. If there is anyone out there in cyberspace that actually reads this blog I'd love to hear from you. I'm beginning to think I'm just talking to myself.

Just a quick update...

I haven't updated in several days so I thought I'd pop on and say hello. There hasn't been much going on with us lately. Jessica is really enjoying PreK. She's learning to write her name, and this week she's learning about farms. And she's making lots of friends, especially all the cute little boys. What can I say...

Emma's birthday is coming up. I can't believe she's already a year old. We're going to have her a little party next Saturday. I always go nuts with the kids' birthdays. I'm going to try my best to keep it simple! But, it is her first birthday!!

Well, that's about it. Boring, I know. I will leave you with these pictures of Papa with his newest grandchild. Caleigh seems to be just like all the others--melt in Papa's arms.

My Little Daredevil

Emma never ceases to amaze me. She has done everything much sooner than Jessica and Brayden did. Sitting up, standing, crawling...she was walking at 8.5 months!! I was really hoping to keep her a baby alot longer than this. But she refuses to slow down. So, here she is, hasn't even had her first birthday yet, but she's climbing the bookcase!! She did make it all the way up and laid down, but she didn't stay long enough for me to snap a picture.

And while I'm going on about Emma let me show you her temper. I blame this on Chris!

Family Day!

Today has been a nice day. We don't see much of Chris because he works such long hours, and on the weekends he and Daddy are working on the house. Well, Daddy's out of town this weekend, and we've had so much rain the ground around the house was really muddy. So, he took the day off and spent it with us. The whole day!! And we did absolutely nothing...laid around all day. Let me tell you, it was great!

We did go for a short ride down on the "little truck", as Brayden calls it. It's actually a Polaris Ranger, and it's tons of fun! I took this picture. Not exactly a masterpiece, but nice enough. I took it with my little point and shoot. It's a great little camera, but definately not by 'baby'. I don't usually take my DSLR when we go trail riding though because it's so dusty.

We have siding!!

It finally looks like we're getting somewhere on our house. One thing after another has slowed us down, and I was beginning to think we were never going to get done. Over the last two months we've gotten the heating and air in, the electric is wired, and the plumbing is done. Whooo Hooo!

Now they're working on the siding, and let me tell you, I'm excited! I can't believe how good it looks! After a bit of arguing we've decided to leave it totally natural. Just clear sealer. I let Chris have his way now...I'll get my way on the inside. :) We've set a goal to be in it by Christmas. Pray we make it!

More Baby Pics!

Kristen holding Caleigh Caleigh and her Great-Grandma

In total awe...

Once again I'm out done!

I'm posting these pictures because I know I have alot of family who read this blog and want to see my children, but I'm doing so with total disgust!! While I was taking Nicole's belly shots we were in the middle of a wardrobe change and Emma was crawling all over the backdrop. I handed Chris the camera and told him to snap a few pictures. He managed to capture these two. Now, I love the pictures!! But it bugs me to no end that he can do this without even trying. It's not fair!!!

Ok, I'm done whinning...