A Weird Week....

This past week was weird. Porter had no school for two days and missed one day because he was sick and everyone got some version of a cold or croup. On Monday I attempted to take the kids downtown with a friend to the science center because it was free day (normally $15 to get it!!!), I don't know what I was thinking. FREE day means everyone and their dog will be there. We walked in and immediately felt it was time to go. Tessa had her hands on her ears the whole 10 min we were there. We left and I got my money back at the parking garage. So to redeem myself I took the kids to Malley's. When we pulled into the parking lot Porter said "watch out fudge, here I come!!"




Marin is so good to just go along. She is already out growing the car seat!!!

On Tuesday two of the young men in our ward came over to our house as missionaries. They received mission calls to Mongolia (our house because that is where Andy served for two years). I made dumplings and rice for dinner and yogurt with Zuko. We also got out Andy's Mongolian stuff and decorated the house and we all wore something from there. It was a fun night and great to hear some of Andy's stories from the mission.



Also this week I had a great craigslist experience. We have been looking for a futon to put in the basement because we haven't had anywhere to sit. We finally found the right thing for a super price. We ended up with this beauty from IKEA...


It came with some awesome sparkle pillows that really are not my style, but they seem to be Carlee and Tessa's style.


We had to have a sleepover on it last night. I cannot believe how easy it is to use, Porter can do it all by himself.

So, I think I am finally caught up on pictures. I have been in a "funk" lately and taking the time to do this has not been the priority. But now that I have done it, I realize how much of a priority it should be. I love looking back on past posts and the pictures we have, it is so much fun, and the kids like it too. Okay, now that is all done, moving on to my Saturday and being a mom.....

My little peanut is 5 months old....

I cannot believe how quickly time has gone by with Marin. I feel it happening, the whole "4th child thing". You know where you don't take pictures of them, don't make them a scrapbook, things like that, and I don't like that. This post is all for Marin. She has been changing so much so fast. She is now starting to sit up, standing (partially bent over), grabbing toys, eating paper (particularly Porter's homework), sticking her tongue out when she smiles, and arching her back while attempting to roll over. Marin is such a happy baby. Andy and I decided last night that her first word is going to be "hi" because we are always saying it to her when she smiles at us so big (I think she has already said "hi" a few times but don't know if it is possible for a 5 month old to say anything). Oh, and we call her our little peanut. Porter was our mister man, Carlee was my sweet potato or chunky monkey (she really got that name from the Shauberger's), Tessa was The Chub. It's funny how we have named each child twice.

Here are some pictures of Marin helping me with dinner. I love the bumbo seat (thanks Jill for letting us borrow it!)







The next few pictures are of Marin when we were cleaning her room. I found this cowboy hat that we bought for Porter and now each kid has had a turn wearing it. Marin was all smiles and talking until I put it on her, then you could tell she was not so sure about what was touching her.










Porter is seriously the best big brother, I think they look alike here.


Carlee of course had to run in for the pic. Poor Marin lives her life being smothered.


Always playing, Marin loves the raspberries on her belly.

I am just so grateful for this little peanut in my life. She brings so many smiles to my face each day. I love her eyes, they are truly filled with joy. I love her Donald Trump hair that everyone says I should cut (which I am so not doing), I love her big rolly thighs, and I love her dimple, oh that dimple has major ability to melt any heart. As I am writing this, she is sitting in the high chair behind me and I keep looking back at her, each time I do, she is smiling at me. I am so loved and so is she.

**5 Month Stats**
Weight 15 1/2 pounds 90%
Length 25 1/2 inches 90%
Head 41 cm 50%

Carlee Pre-School...

Carlee is not attending pre-school this year, but I do a co-op thing with some of my mom friends, it works out great with all of us taking turns, and there is no pressure. We tend to do whatever we want, it's great. I wish I had more pictures of some fun stuff they do at home, but I forget. The past couple of weeks we have gone to the nature center and swimming. I don't know if that would be considered pre-school, but who cares, the kids are loving it.


Carlee loved this duck and it loved her too, it gave her a love bite a few times.


Boys: Tanner, Seth, Wes Girls: Tessa, Ella, Carlee


Carlee and Ella swimming


Tessa and Tanner were not sure about being splashed.

Porter Star Student....

Porter was the star student the week school started after the Christmas break. He was so excited to be line leader, have lunch with the principal, and to read a book to the class. The last day of the week, the girls and I went into the class and I brought star shaped sugar cookies for everyone. I was so lucky to be there while he read the book to the class. Usually the parents come in and read the book, but Porter decided that he could do it and I was fine with that, more power to him.


Carlee was protecting Marin from all the curious kids.


Porter with his sisters, such cute kiddos.

Here is Porter reading David Gets In Trouble to his class....


I am so proud of Porter and what a good kid he is. He really is a STAR!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, from Greater Cleveland....

Introducing the Bay Village Bee Bouncers

Porter participates in an afterschool trick dribbling program a few times a week. It is so amazing what some of these kids can do, and even though I do not like sitting on a gym floor for a few hours every week, I love to watch them. Porter was one of many kids chosen to go and perform at the Harlem Globetrotters game. He had no idea what he was in for and I think he was a little nervous when he walked into the Q arena last night, but he still did it. I am so happy and proud of him!





The one and only Mr. B

Porter and his friend JP made it on the jumbo-tron!!











*The first video is of the pre-game show, and the other two are of the half time performance.

Christmas Wrap Up 2010

Well, Christmas was not at all what I imagined it would be this year. Instead of happiness, baking, traditions, and laughter, we had vomit, belly pains, and sleep. Everyone in our family, except for Marin, got the flu or it's cousin. It was terrible and disappointing. We still managed to have a great Christmas morning and spent our weekend playing and resting. I don't know what I would have done without Andy. He took care of everyone and did ALL the laundry, what a guy. He get's serious props for taking care of Carlee and Tessa as they were throwing up at the same time!! I am happy to see all of it pass and looking forward to a healthy new year! Thank you to everyone who sent us stuff for Christmas, it really made our Christmas morning so special.


Carlee asked for the Barbie Dream House.


Porter asked for a DSiXL and a lasso.


Tessa asked for Lanie.


Tessa clearly as still not feeling well, she fell asleep in the middle of this mess.




How the rest of the day went.

Oh, and here is our Christmas card for this year.

What really goes on....

The other day at our white elephant party a few of my friends commented on how I always have things "together" or something along those lines. It was a very nice thing to say, but I honestly don't feel that way. I feel like I try very hard to have things together, but there are times, many times to be exact, where "together" is a word I cannot even spell and things are a total mess. Today was one of those days.

It started last night when Porter came down with a weird look on his face, like he had a bad dream. Andy took him back up to bed but ten minutes later, there was Porter in our doorway with the same bad look. Andy jumped up and got a bowl just in time for Porter to start throwing up his bacon spaghetti dinner. We had this same scenario 4 more times throughout the night. Andy was up and gone before 8:00 a.m. and when I got out of bed I walked into the kitchen I saw how my day was going to go. First start all of the throw up laundry, poor Porter threw up in his bed), next-feed and change Marin, next, help Porter throw up again, next- get Porter back into my bed and find him a movie and new pillow (still need to throw the other pillow out), next- feed the other two girls, actually just Tessa because Carlee was clearly aware of the craziness and made her own frosted mini wheat cereal, next, get Marin to sleep, next get Porter a new throw up bowl, and finally some time to myself in the shower (in my dreams, halfway through Tessa came in and sat on the potty and announced that she had gone poo!). So it just continued on from there, but it got better. Porter stopped throwing up, Andy came home in between hunting and work and changed a poopy diaper for me, I made the kids dinner (or another version of dinner since today was my going to the grocery store day), and now I am blogging.

As I started to pick up the house I noticed how things were and I felt that I needed to take pictures and document how it was today.


Andy's shoes from pheasant hunting, I actually didn't mind seeing them on the floor. Seeing the shoes like this with the feathers in them made me smile. I know he had a great time today and was feeling very manly, and no, I will not be trying the pheasant.


Me trying to keep Marin entertained, look how big she is in the Bumbo! Also note the basket of laundry waiting to be folded in the background.


My awesome sink of dishes, note the container of freezer jam in the back. Mr friend Sara taught me how to make it and now it is a fav here in our house.


Carlee and Porter watching "Elf" in my bed, I think we have watched 3 or 4 movies today.


Tessa was here, that is all I have to say about that.


My messy counters, I can't stand having things on the counter. Note in this picture a few things, the many wrapper from Kisses in my moments of desperation, Christmas cards still not on display, my choice of music Bruno Mars and the Step UP 3soundtrack, and my braclet from Erin that I love.


Oh, and I love this picture of my pants. The big fat scrubs from Andy's work from like 7 years ago. They ripped today and I somehow did not manage to change them even though I tripped on them about 4 times. I am not one of those mom's who has a velour track suit to wear on my stay at home days. If I am going to be home and not wear jeans, I am going to be as comfortable as possible. (I do have a set of the velour pants and jacket waiting to be returned, I just couldn't do it.)


So now, I am going to go and put this cute girl in the bath because it has been 3 days since her last bath, I know it's grose, but that is just how things are right now. Peace Out.