Christmas morning.....

I just realized that I loaded these backwards...anyway...this is Jade barely awake Christmas morning...wondering where all this stuff came from:)

We put Jade and Ian in our bed so that we could make sure they didn't come down and catch Santa putting out gifts:)....I think they were out!!!

Ian got the bike he always wanted...oh wait...he got the bike Jeff always wanted..but his parents would never buy...I am not sure I would purchase an $800.00 bike for a 7 year old either...oh wait..I just did...Jeff will NOT be doing any of the shopping next year:)

Jade loves kitchens...so she got a kitchen set...she loves it...she plays with it alot...but I made one mistake...I shouldn't have gotten all the wooden Melissa and Doug stuff to go with it...the plastic would have been better at this age..she is dangerous with that wood:)

My parents spent the night on Christmas Eve...the kids LOVED IT!!!

More photos....

Amanda and Grant opening up gifts...I got Amanda her gray ughs that she has been wanting...Grant was American Eagle clothes...easy!!! Grant was sick with mono for a few months...but he is just now getting back to normal...and he is sooo tall...it won't be long until he towers over me...and he is only in 7th grade:(
Jeff and Rob expressing how happy they are that their favorite mom-in-law is out of the hospital:)

Ian reading to Jade...he does this all the time...she loves books:)

We support are 2nd amendment...but just in cause the democrats take over and we lose our rights...Ian got his first gun:)

It has been awhile....

Time sure does creep up on you...I just realized I haven't posted since September...ugh...alot has been going on since then..Ian is enjoying school..he takes piano and Spanish...he also just started basketball.
Jade is Jade:)...she is really into the potty...ugh! She gets on and goes and tells me after the fact...but if I ask her...nope..she will sit...but not potty:(...she also loves to read...or act like she reads:)...she is taking Spanish and tumbling...she is doing just great at both...it is amazing how much her and Amanda are alike...in fact..she gets called Amanda on a daily basis..


Ian just hanging out in the yard:)...he is finally getting his teeth in...it has been almost a YEAR!!! My dad is teaching Ian to drive...this comes in handy living on a dead end road...he taught us to drive when we were like 10...Ian steers now...but claims summer 2011...he will be doing gas pedal also...so glad we don't get any traffic on the street...Jade joined them this day...usually she goes to honk the horn and than gets out before they drive up and down the street about 100 times:)

Jade trying out the potty for the first time...I walked in her room to find this..

I left to get camera and got this look....

Jade wearing my glasses...they look so big on her little face...anyway..she loves of have me print everyone's name and read them to hear..she tries to remember them and points them out to me...she actually does a good job:)

End of summer photos....

It took time, but I decided to upload a bunch of photos...it seems like I never have the time:)...but I made it my goal for the day...DONE!!!

Ian and my dad planted gourds this summer. My mother-in-law actually bought the seeds for them and they planted them...ok..we had TONS!! This is only a few...next year we are going to plant some different types...Ian LOVED it!! We are drying out about 5 of them to make bird houses:)...it has been a fun project for Ian and grandpa. They had an entire garden with tons of veggies and TONS of pumpkins...I don't have a photo of those..but so nice to not buy pumpkins this year...watch out Morton..you got nothing of me!!



These two LOVE to cuddle in my bed...this became a morning ritual this summer...I would shower and they would laugh, talk, and wrestle on the bed:)


Ian can get grown men to do anything...the kids love going to grandma and grandpas house...and they don't mind if you pick their flowers..unlike me:(...AJ was a great sport and played right along:)

Amanda Mae went off to the University of Illinois...tears were shed and lots of hugs...she has been home almost EVERY weekend...yea...she made the right choice..farther away would have killed her...she is a family girl:)...she does love her coach and she is running great!!!

While we were packing the truck...Jade got caught playing in my car:)

Ian started school on the same day as Amanda...he was fine with it..but did explain that staying home is tons better...HELLO..but he is in full swing now and loves it again..he is taking piano at school also...he loves it..but can't wait to move on to the guitar:)

Jade just hanging out..she does this alot:)...she is a talker...all the time..she listens and repeats...over and over..it is nice because she understands so much now..makes life a little easier..

Jade is also very strong willed..she has a plan and doesn't want it to be changed..she gets mad and cries over the littlest things...but she it over it in seconds...lets hope it stays that way:)

Note to self...the next time I say I need a shed to put stuff in...Don't let Jeff pick it out:)...this is what arrived...it is actually pretty cool...3 doors and windows with shutters...looks like a little house on the other side...it doesn't look that big in our yard...I was shocked to say the least...I guess I shouldn't have been surprised:)

Jade hanging out in her baby pool...she loved to play in this..we called it our hillbilly pool...but it works until we get a real pool...I want to wait because she is wild in a pool...she goes under and doesn't care!!! Ian and her spent alot of time at Mount Hawley Country Club pool this summer and my sister house...but the hillbilly pool worked it a pinch:)

That is it...now bring on the FALL!!!

A long day...

I was up ALL night worrying about the cat. To make a long story short..the cat is dead. She must have gotten in the backyard and Beau..our dog...wanted to play with her..only she was too little to play. I found her this morning in his favorite spot just laying on her side in perfect condition...at first I thought she was alive..but no. Anyway, when Ian got up I told him and since he had a dentist appt he missed school...we went and looked at replacement cats/kittens at PetSmart...Ian found one..of course..I am still not convinced this is the cat for me. We will see.
My dad came over and we did what we did when I was younger...we buried the cat in the backyard. Ian got to throw the first bit of dirt on the box...the tears were rolling down his little cheeks...afterwards he walked away to be alone and later placed two flowers on her little grave...so cute and sweet.
It has all in all been a good thing...I don't think he has ever had to really let go of something he wasn't ready to let go of..he has lost 2 great grandmas and an uncle..but I think he thought of them as old and it being time...he just told me that his heart isn't hurting as bad tonight:):)
Now if I can only find a cat that doesn't mind me giving it a bath 2 times a week:(

The Cat.....

I had an entire post about our new cat....but for some reason I didn't post it...this cat was not my idea...it just showed up or should I say dumped at 5 weeks at our neighbors house..along with 4 siblings. I couldn't say no...Ian has been begging or a cat..ok..enough about that..that was my former post...
Well..the cat is gone..she went out today and hasn't come back..I am so praying this cat..Sandy..comes home. It is the first time I have seen Ian cry...sob..pray..shake..I am just dying here. He never gets like this, but I am telling you this cat is like a human..it even LOVES Jade or at least it loves all the food, drink, and pacifiers she gives it.
I am writing this to remind myself that if Sandy comes home...I will NEVER complain about her again:).......I will be up all night...if you here someone yelling..."here kitty...kitty" it is me...I used to make horrible fun of my in-laws for doing this..

This is what we did all summer long....

Amy Nunez...became Mrs. Amy Prather...here is a photo of Amy on her wedding day..this is her new step daughter:):)
I couldn't have hand pick her new husband better myself:)


Jade doing her usual ride up the stairs....she love that basket ride...

Action shot of Ian on the water slide we rented for his birthday party...we had to try it out before the party started:)


Jeff and Ian trying the slide out before the party...it was HUGE!!!