Posing

I wanted to share a few pics of our little "hams" taken 2 Sundays ago. We had just come home from meeting, and we talked them into sitting still long enough for a quick click or two. Aren't they sweet? :-)

Getting Better

Well, we are finally on the mend. Everyone except for Ken, that is. He came down with the cold stuff that we have been passing around- he started feeling bad last night and is snortin' around here today. I'm sure he would appreciate my terminology. Anyways, I am over my cold (almost anyways) and the two older boys are just fighting lingering congestion. Sweet baby K has seemed to elude the bug thus far, and we are all sanitizing our hands constantly in hopes that he doesn't get it at all.
I spent the day today making several kinds of cookies to take with us when we go home for the holidays. I love to bake...it's my favorite hobby here lately. I ended up with peanut butter blossoms, russian teacakes, split second cookies(shortbread and jam type), sugar cookies, some choc ones,chocolate covered pretzels, and a yule log....and a rather messy kitchen! I didn't get to the cut-out butter cookies, but it's more fun to make them with Mom, anyways! We will head over there tomorrow afternoon (weather & health permitting, of course) and stay in OH til Sunday afternoon. We are planning a busy holiday with Christmas in the morning at Mom and Dad's , then out to my grandparents for dinner. Saturday we want to go visit my other grandpa and then go to Ken's parents' for the night. I'm really looking forward to being home. I haven't seen my extended family since July, so it will be nice to spend some time with them!!
I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Down for the count

Did you ever feel like winter is just like someone pushed a "pause" button and everything (like the sunshine, playing outside, and spending time with friends without worrying how many days it will be until your kids are sick) just hangs there until spring? I am feeling like that today. My two older boys are sick this week. Bradyn has had sniffles, but they seem to be getting worse instead of better-maybe slightly better this morning than yesterday. Sunday afternoon Hunter woke up from his nap with a fever and now he has the cold symptoms, too. It's no fun for them, although they do an admirable job of keeping on playing with a snort every now and then. It's also no fun to try and keep them away from their little brother. That means constantly telling them to step back from his play area and to wash their hands, to cover their mouths when they sneeze...yada yada. We have tried our best to keep the kids at home , but they still seem to pick up viruses every time we do go somewhere. Do people knowingly visit public places while sick? Last week we went to a really nice italian restaurant and were enjoying our meal when someone came in and sat in the booth behind us and started coughing, sneezing, blowing her nose, etc. right behind us. We knew it would be a matter of days. Now, I know that on the scale of illnesses, a cold bug is a pretty mild one. It could be a LOT worse. The thing that gets me is that some of these bugs can be alot worse for a tiny baby than they are for adults or older children, and it seems like people just don't realize that. SO, I guess we will continue to be hermits for the remainder of the winter season(except for the commitments we already have)...and hope my poor boys don't go stir crazy. Only....3 more months to go. Bleh.

Why Breakfast takes so long at our house...

When we sit down to eat in the morning it goes something like this:

1. Sit down (ok, this sounds easy, but it's not!! Remember, I have THREE little boys!)

2. Decide WHAT to eat. This process is made easier if I choose for them. Unless, of course, that decision prompts someone to ask for something else. In that case, my attempt to be speedy only causes more delay as we discuss why we must eat what is put in front of us, even if the desired cookie is sitting on the counter RIGHT THERE!

3. Say our prayers- this usually goes off without a hitch. Unless whoever is praying forgets to stop in time for Hunter to say "In Jesus' name, Amen". Then we have a little discussion again.

4. Boys seem to be eating well, so I go in the next room to change the laundry loads around. I come back to see some very creative minds at work. The mixing bowl I was getting ready to make bread in has become an astronaut helmet.

5. Then said bowl becomes a drum.

6. Finally I say, "EAT"!!! Two chastised looking boys take a few nibbles and then ask for chocolate milk. I get the chocolate milk while they chew a few more bites.

7. I remind them that they want to play with their new train table before it is time for school, and they hurry up and eat (most) of their food. About this time, I turn around to get the chocolate milk out of the microwave(because it must be warm!) and they blurt "scuzemethanksmom" and bolt...leaving the milk on the counter.

SO, the next time we are a little late getting somewhere in the morning, remember this, and you won't wonder why! :-) Side note: I in no way want to rush them through their childhood. I do realize that these times that are sometimes a bit difficult now will someday be my best memories. It is, however quite funny to step back and look at the silliness that goes on around here at times!

Amazing deal on Photocards!

I just got a really amazing deal on our family's holiday photocards, and I thought it was too good not to share! I got 30 cards for $3.48! SO, if anyone is interested, read on. If not, ignore this post! Here's how to get your cards for next to nothing:
1. Visit kodakgallery.com and create a photo card.
2. You must put at least 3 sets of cards in your shopping cart (10 in a set, usually) That comes to around $27.00.
3. At checkout when it asks for promotion codes, type in tryus3 . Click on validate.
4. Type in code 20freecards . Click on validate.
5. Proceed as usual.

You now have a huge discount on your cards! You do still have to pay for shipping, which was around $4 for me. Or, you can choose to pick up locally at a CVS or Target for free. :-)

Have Fun!!

ETA: These codes do NOT work on Martha Stewert designs!!!