Tree Decorating

We put the tree up tonight. The kids had a blast of course and we only had one broken ornament through the whole thing. Not to shabby. These pics are blurry, I have no idea why, but you get the idea..

Something so warm and comforting about a lighted tree and a fire going. Ahhh makes me feel so cozy.

Tree Decorating

We put the tree up tonight. The kids had a blast of course and we only had one broken ornament through the whole thing. Not to shabby. These pics are blurry, I have no idea why, but you get the idea..

Something so warm and comforting about a lighted tree and a fire going. Ahhh makes me feel so cozy.

Thanksgiving Pics

This shot was supposed to be of all the olives on her fingers. :) Lauren kept trying to poke them in my eye instead.


My little brother showing Dean some sort of music video.



The kids were totally in love with my brothers fiance, Harley. Seriously insanely completely in love with her. She was a total hit with the kids and I have to say that I enjoyed her company too.

Talking politics. I am only taking pictures for a spilt second because I can not be in the room when these two get on to politics.

Thanks it, I was horrible with the camera and only got 4 pics! We had a great day. Everyone laid around, bs'd, laughed and ate. It was a nice day and we all enjoyed ourselves a lot. I hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend!

Thanksgiving Pics

This shot was supposed to be of all the olives on her fingers. :) Lauren kept trying to poke them in my eye instead.


My little brother showing Dean some sort of music video.



The kids were totally in love with my brothers fiance, Harley. Seriously insanely completely in love with her. She was a total hit with the kids and I have to say that I enjoyed her company too.

Talking politics. I am only taking pictures for a spilt second because I can not be in the room when these two get on to politics.

Thanks it, I was horrible with the camera and only got 4 pics! We had a great day. Everyone laid around, bs'd, laughed and ate. It was a nice day and we all enjoyed ourselves a lot. I hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend!

Cooking time around here...

It happens every year without fail. November hits and we go on a baking spree. We go nuts, pies, rolls, muffins, breads, ect. If it is carb loaded we make it. We dont discriminate round here.

The bad thing about this baking blitz is well we usually feel it around the end of the month. I mean really who wouldnt though, this is a lot of extra calorie filled goodness. We enjoy it while it lasts. As soon as December is ushered in we all chill out and quit stuffing ourselves.

So cheers to Novemeber, the beautiful baking month. I promise I wont be irritated when the scales tip a little (lot???) further than normal, I will take what ever yumminess is conconted and munch happily while kids squeal in delight. I promise I wont even think of you come Decemeber and blame you for the bigger pant size I wear. Nope I will enjoy you for what you bring and look forward to it next year.

Cooking time around here...

It happens every year without fail. November hits and we go on a baking spree. We go nuts, pies, rolls, muffins, breads, ect. If it is carb loaded we make it. We dont discriminate round here.

The bad thing about this baking blitz is well we usually feel it around the end of the month. I mean really who wouldnt though, this is a lot of extra calorie filled goodness. We enjoy it while it lasts. As soon as December is ushered in we all chill out and quit stuffing ourselves.

So cheers to Novemeber, the beautiful baking month. I promise I wont be irritated when the scales tip a little (lot???) further than normal, I will take what ever yumminess is conconted and munch happily while kids squeal in delight. I promise I wont even think of you come Decemeber and blame you for the bigger pant size I wear. Nope I will enjoy you for what you bring and look forward to it next year.

Our Family Pic

Pretty good lookin' family eh? This was amazingly shot by us, in the front yard, using a nightstand to prop the camera up. Not to shabby for a first (and only, it was SO cold) try if I may say so.

Our Family Pic

Pretty good lookin' family eh? This was amazingly shot by us, in the front yard, using a nightstand to prop the camera up. Not to shabby for a first (and only, it was SO cold) try if I may say so.

The final 44 days

**Often I am caught off gaurd by shirt being thrust up and hands swarming and rubbing my stomach. The kids talk to the baby and try to get it to kick in response to a name.**

I am coming into the last few weeks of this pregnancy. I have to admit it has by far been my hardest. Not because of the physical issues (although those have been a pain in the butt!) but more because mentally I was not prepared for this baby.

Dean and I had talked and said we would think about having our last child in a few years, when Lauren was 3 or so. A couple of weeks later we found out we were expecting. Going from a time table of 3 years to 9 months was a little more than I could handle!

I have been working hard this last couple of weeks to change my state of mind and get ready for this baby. It has been pretty difficult at times! However I think I am finally ready and okay with the thought of having 4 kiddos. I have spent the last few days washing clothes, preparing bedding, and getting a new playpen. Aside from a few small details we are ready to have a baby around here again.

I have managed to come to grips with yet another c-section and all the complications that could and will arise. I do not look forward to the insicion pain, the scaring, the walking like an elderly women for a while or any of the other inconviences that come from this kind of birth. I am still envious of those who can have a normal birth and labor without all the issues I face. However instead of mourn the kind of birth I will have, this time I plan to celebrate. This is our last baby and I will focus on that. I will celebrate this final child like I havent been able to before. I am planning on postpartum depression so that I am not blindsided by it like last time.

It has taken me a long time to wrap my head around all of this but I am ready. And good timing because 44 days is not that long at all!!

The final 44 days

**Often I am caught off gaurd by shirt being thrust up and hands swarming and rubbing my stomach. The kids talk to the baby and try to get it to kick in response to a name.**

I am coming into the last few weeks of this pregnancy. I have to admit it has by far been my hardest. Not because of the physical issues (although those have been a pain in the butt!) but more because mentally I was not prepared for this baby.

Dean and I had talked and said we would think about having our last child in a few years, when Lauren was 3 or so. A couple of weeks later we found out we were expecting. Going from a time table of 3 years to 9 months was a little more than I could handle!

I have been working hard this last couple of weeks to change my state of mind and get ready for this baby. It has been pretty difficult at times! However I think I am finally ready and okay with the thought of having 4 kiddos. I have spent the last few days washing clothes, preparing bedding, and getting a new playpen. Aside from a few small details we are ready to have a baby around here again.

I have managed to come to grips with yet another c-section and all the complications that could and will arise. I do not look forward to the insicion pain, the scaring, the walking like an elderly women for a while or any of the other inconviences that come from this kind of birth. I am still envious of those who can have a normal birth and labor without all the issues I face. However instead of mourn the kind of birth I will have, this time I plan to celebrate. This is our last baby and I will focus on that. I will celebrate this final child like I havent been able to before. I am planning on postpartum depression so that I am not blindsided by it like last time.

It has taken me a long time to wrap my head around all of this but I am ready. And good timing because 44 days is not that long at all!!

Our new addition

Introducing Rosco, our new dog. He is a basset hound that we got from the animal shelter in the big ole' city. We have been eyeing him on petfinder for a couple of weeks. We finally drove up there yesterday to see if he really was a perfect match for our family. Seconds out of the van and 3 small little ones were gushing with pleasure. We spent an hour at his foster moms house to make sure and lets just say it was love at first site on all fronts. He barely made a backward glace before hopping (okay he didnt hop Dean had to lift him!) into the van. Upon getting home he quickly made a few rounds of the house and then hopped right on Ians bed. No place like home eh? :)

Our new addition

Introducing Rosco, our new dog. He is a basset hound that we got from the animal shelter in the big ole' city. We have been eyeing him on petfinder for a couple of weeks. We finally drove up there yesterday to see if he really was a perfect match for our family. Seconds out of the van and 3 small little ones were gushing with pleasure. We spent an hour at his foster moms house to make sure and lets just say it was love at first site on all fronts. He barely made a backward glace before hopping (okay he didnt hop Dean had to lift him!) into the van. Upon getting home he quickly made a few rounds of the house and then hopped right on Ians bed. No place like home eh? :)