The Next Mrs. Claus

Just wanted to put up a couple pictures of Payton in her little Mrs. Claus outfit. We tried for a couple of minutes to get her to smile but she wasn't having any of that so these are the best of what we got. She didn't mind wearing the hat but as soon as we put on the outfit it was a different story. Anyways we hope that everyone is wrapping up their year and wish you all a Happy New Year.

Tis the Season.

Well Christmas is over and we hope that everyone got what they wanted and were able to spend time with their loved ones. As much as I love Christmas and getting ready for it I am just as happy when it is all over with and things get back to normal. We were able to spend a lot of time with Jennie's brother Greg and his family which the kids love. Here is a quick recap of what our life was like over the past couple of days.



I took the week off for vacation which allowed me to do a lot of things with the kids and family. On Tuesday we met up with Greg, Tacie and the kids for pizza at Angelo's, the best pizza place we have found. We then all went downtown to Tower City (a mall) and walked around looking at all the Christmas stuff they have every year. Here are the kids in front of "Bruce the Spruce." He is a talking tree that the kids can interact with. There is a little camera with a microphone in the branch where someone can hear and see everything going on. The kids ask him questions and he will respond with his answer. It is quite amusing and the kids loved it. I felt kind of bad because they kept asking all the questions and not giving any of the other kids there a chance. We finally had to pull them all away.



Here the are in front of the giant fountain in the middle of the mall. The fountain shoots water in different patterns and allows the kids to throw coins in the middle. This is were the Toy Solider usually performs but we missed him by a couple of days this year.



This is what Kenzie and Nolan did for the majority of the time we were around the fountain. They would run from side to side to make sure that they saw everything.



Here is Brooklyn and Nolan in front of one of the other fountains right next to Bruce the Spruce.



Payton wasn't that into any of the stuff but here is a good picture of her with Jennie. Maybe next year she will get what is going on.



They also had a little craft center where the kids could get their face painted or could paint little crafts. Here is Nolan with his frosty the snowman. Maddux and Kenzie painted little boxes and the rest of the kids painted little piggy banks. We had no idea what we were in for with the piggy banks. The girls took close to an hour painting their piggy banks. Brooklyn spent 40 minutes decorating hers with lots of little things and then at the end took pink paint and painted over the whole thing. What could have taken 5 minutes took an hour for her. The kids had a lot of fun so I guess that is all that matters.

On Christmas Eve Greg and Tacie brought the kids over for dinner at our place. Jennie made shells, salad, and bread for dinner. The kids spent most of the time playing Wii and the computer. There were also a couple of basketball games.



After we had ate, cleaned up and played a couple of games it was time for the kids to each open one present. They are usually allowed to open one which are new pajamas for them to wear that night. Every year they try to open something different but it has yet to work.



Here they are going to town on each of their presents.



Here are most of the kids in their new pajamas.




Maddux in his new hulks. We actually got Nolan the exact same pair but he didn't make it to open presents. He was out before we even started. That is what he gets for refusing to take a nap during the day.



Here are the girls playing Hannah Montana on the Wii. You get to play in a concert and have to do the same moves that she would do. It was kind of funny to watch them perform. In this picture they are playing the guitar.




Finally we have Maddux and Cannon playing some basketball. I think Maddux won every game. It is amazing how good he has gotten over the last year. He doesn't even look down to pick up the ball. He is constantly looking at the hoop and doesn't take his eye off it.

On Christmas the kids got up at 7:00 and were ready to open presents. They were nice enough to let me sleep in until 8:00 before Maddux came in asking, "daddy are you ready to get up so we can open presents?" Needless to say we were opening presents a little after 8. As usual the kids had a very good Christmas. They must have been pretty good during the year. They got a lot of games and stuff for the Wii, some board games, Brooklyn got art stuff, Maddux got superhero stuff, Nolan got Wiggles, and Payton was just happy to be there. It will probably take them a week or so to actually play with everything that they got.



Here is Nolan with his favorite present. He loves phones and cell phones especially. He dunked both mine and Jennie's in glasses of water earlier in the year. What was really funny was that the phone kept ringing and every time he would stop whatever he was doing to answer it and say hello. He would be right in the middle of opening a present and would stop when it rang.



Here is Jennie's favorite gift, a giant love sac. It is like a beanbag but a hundred times better. It is filled with durafoam so it conforms to your body and lasts much longer. The bag is 7.5 feet around and just as big as our couch. They do take some time to set up but are well worth the effort. I have already taken two naps on it and it is amazing. One of the most comfortable things you will ever sit in.

Here is a little slide show of what our morning looked like.

For dinner we headed over to Greg and Tacie's for turkey, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings. It was very good and I ate way to much. I think the kids played on the Wii for the entire day and are still on it as we speak. It has not had much rest in the last couple of days.

Then yesterday we found out that they were inducing Tacie, who was due the day before Christmas, so the kids were going to come over and stay with us. Of course our kids loved that. That would mean that they would get to see their cousins for a 5th straight day and would get to have a sleepover. Jennie took them all to the pool last night and wore them out. They had a pretty late night but I don't think it took anyone more than 5 minutes to fall asleep. We are excited for them are their family and for the new baby.

Well we hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and we thank you all for your generosity and kindness. We love you all and wish you all the best in the upcoming year.

Weekend at Great Grandma and Grandpa Beards

This past weekend we were fortunate enough to be able to go down to Indiana to visit my grandparents and introduce them to Payton. The weather held up just enough for us to make it down there without incident. We were also lucky enough to see my Uncle Steve although it almost never happened. His plane was on the runway getting ready to take off when the plane crashed in Denver. He said he could see the wreckage out his window and it delayed his flight only by an hour. The visit was quick but it is always good to see them. The kids love spending time around their great grandparents and love "Uncle Steve." Here is a slide show from our trip and we hope you enjoy.

We did have some interesting moments while on our trip as Nolan and Maddux were not their usual selfs. Maddux was sick on Thursday and still has not fully recovered to this day. He runs around and acts like himself but hasn't eaten much food in the last 3 or 4 days. He has just not been that hungry. Nolan had a dirty diaper that was more water than anything else. I have never seen a diaper like this before and he has had some good ones. He was leaking all over the place and it was like someone dumped a gallon of dirty water in his diaper. I felt bad because I was changing him on the bed and had no idea what I was in store for. When I took his pants off the poop and water just ran all over the bedspread. My grandmother was very cool about it and just said it wasn't his fault. Everything in her house is immaculate and very tidy and her we come and make things a mess.

They do have a huge basement that is totally wide open and doesn't have much in it. It is perfect for the kids to go down and play ball, tag, run around, and do pretty much whatever they want. I think they wore Steve out for the day we were there as all they wanted him to do was go downstairs and play ball or tag. He was however kind enough to play with them quite a bit.

It is funny because my grandfather doesn't come out of his room much and isn't a big talker when we are there. However he is always willing to come out and take pictures and hold the kids. My favorite photos are of him holding Payton with a big smile on his face. He is also not much of a hugger but Nolan came running up to him when we were leaving and gave him a big hug. Grandpa gave him one right back. Another funny story was of my grandfather going to the basement to smoke in his little corner. The kids were down there playing ball and they would run over to him say "hi grandpa" and then run back. They kept taking turns, one at a time, running over and saying this and every time grandpa would say "hi there." I am amazed at how well him seems to be doing every time we go visit. He still has a nice strong handshake and ate almost as much as I did at dinner, and I eat a lot. We are grateful to be so close to them and able to run over for a weekend when ever we want.

Well one more day to Christmas and I have a lot of presents to wrap so I am gong to say goodnight and Happy Holidays to you all.

The Week in Review.

This past week we have been fighting sickness and trying to keep it from spreading. Maddux was not feeling well on Thursday and actually ended up throwing up a couple times that night. We were just hoping that this wouldn't spread through the house and cause the other kids to get sick around Christmas time. Brooklyn has been sick more times than not on Christmas so we are looking for a healthy Christmas this year. Maddux being sick did get Jennie out of having to watch any kids on Friday as nobody wanted to take the chance of their kids also getting sick. It actually turned out that he was fine on Friday. We then went to my grandparents this weekend in Indiana and he wasn't throwing up but he definitely was back to his normal self and still isn't. He isn't eating a lot and has been laying around all day. As long as it is gone in the next couple of days and no one else catches it we will be fine.



This is what happens when you are sick and fall asleep in our house. The other kids will take stickers and stick them to your forehead. The funny thing was that he walked around with them on having no idea that they were even there.



Here is Brooklyn doing one of her favorite things, coloring. She is such an artist and amazes Jennie and I at the stuff she does in school. I don't know where she got it as Jennie and I have no artistic bones in our body.



Nolan is growing up quite fast. He now loves to say prayer at dinner and is becoming very independent. Sometimes this is a good thing but a lot of times it is not. This means that he also likes to try and do everything by himself. This weekend at my grandparents house he helped himself to some water from the fridge. They don't drink the tap water but instead buy the jugs from the store with the spouts that you pull and push in and out to get the water. We tried to keep him out of there all weekend but he managed to go undetected and tried to get himself some water. He did get himself a glass but then also forgot to push the spout back in before he closed the fridge door. The next thing you know there is water all over the kitchen floor and in the fridge. When we opened the door the jug was all but gone as it had all poured out. Just one of the many things that Nolan gets into. The other morning he got our of bed and was out in the front room. The rest of us were still in bed and we hear him having a good ole time. We get up and he has a spatula in his hand teeing off on the ornaments on the Christmas tree. He is swinging at them like they are on a tee trying to knock them all off. It was one of things where you want to yell at him but it is also funny so it is hard to get mad. What are you going to do? We just hope he grows up fast.



These last ones are some of my favorites. Payton has a chair that she can stand in and gives Jennie a break every now and then. She has figured out that she loves to jump in the chair and loves to look at herself in the oven window. The other day she was standing in front just staring at herself and going crazy. Well I guess that can be quite a workout as she fell asleep right in the chair. It kind of looks like she is trying to suck on the toys but she is actually out like a light.



I am hoping to have all the pictures from this weekend at my grandparents up by tomorrow so I can post them online. Our visit was short and quick but we were able to see both my grandparents and my Uncle Steve so it was well worth it. It was the first time any of them had seen Payton.

A Weekend of Parties.

This weekend started with the kids going to a Polar Express party on Friday night with some of their friends. They went to their Church were everyone dressed up in their pajamas, had hot chocolate, and watched the Polar Express. The kids had a great time and are truly ready for Christmas to be here.

On Saturday we went and watched Cannon's last football game in the morning. His team ended up losing the game but he scored a touchdown and had an interception. Then the boys and girls split up. Jennie took Brooklyn and Payton over to her mom's house for a day filled with baking. They have a baking day every year, around Christmas, to make cookies and various other treats. It was funny because I told Brooklyn to remind the adults that I like Snicker doodles and low and behold Jennie came home with a bag of them. Those are my new favorite cookies in case any one was wondering or was baking.

Maddux, Nolan and I went out and did some shopping and hanging out. Maddux had his karate party last night and we had to get some stuff ready to take. We also got some Christmas shopping and other things done while without the girls. Then it was off to the karate party.



His dojo has a party every year for all the students and their families. Basically everyone volunteers to bring the food and they provide the place and the entertainment. It is really fun and a good way to get a bunch of people together. We ended up bringing macaroni and cheese and pretzel jello, which Jennie was very excited to make. They also give out awards to all the kids for the length of time they have been practicing as well as some other individual awards for various things. Maddux has now been in karate for a year and a half. He has worked very hard and progressed up through the ranks. This lead to him also being named the most improved for his division, which includes some 6 and 7 year olds. We had no idea he would get this and it is really a testament to the work and concentration that he puts into his karate. I have seen a big difference in him over the last year.

After his party we stopped by our local park to look at all the Christmas lights they have set up. Every year they set up a bunch of trees and decorate the whole area with lights and displays. It was very cold and windy but the kids managed to hang out for a couple minutes and a couple pictures. I had to try out my new camera and figured this would be a good place to do so. The following pictures are from that night.


Here they are at the beginning of the displays. They have a tunnel probably 50 feet long with lights all over you. It is really kind of a cool way to start the tour. I think this was the boys favorite part.


They they took a little trip to the North Pole, or at least the sign, to see the penguins. Here they are standing underneath the sign.


Here is Maddux standing in front of the train.


Nolan in front of the train.


Maddux and Nolan pretending to take a bite out of the huge lighted candy cane.

Well the holidays are rapidly approaching and we hope that you are all well. We are excited to be heading to my grandparents this weekend to introduce them to Payton. My uncle will also be getting there the same day we are so it will be nice to see him as well. I will definitely get some pictures up from that visit.

Santa Claus and a train ride.

Yesterday we took the kids down to the Lodi Outlet Mall so they could ride the little train that they have to take you around the different stores. Jennie had taken the kids down there before and they loved it so they figured they would take dad down there and show him how much fun it was. We also got lucky as Santa was there that day so we got to kill two birds with one stone. It sure beat waiting in the long lines at the mall and then paying $30 for a 5 x 7 picture. There was no line and you took the picture with you own camera so nothing to pay. Santa was a tad bit underweight but was very good with the kids. We didn't have any issues with any of the kids.


When asked what Brooklyn wanted for Christmas her reply was, "I'll think about it and tell you later." It is funny because we went into a toy store afterwards and she walked up and down the aisle saying I want that and that and that. When we got to the princess aisle it was simply, "I'll take that whole aisle." Every commercial that comes on has something that she wants. I am not sure what her deal was yesterday, maybe there are just so many things that she can't remember them.


Maddux on the other hand had no problem telling Santa what he wanted. It mostly had to do with some type of game for the Wii. He wanted the new Kung Fun Panda game, the Batman game, the Indian Jones game, and a couple others. He also said he liked the Power Rangers, the Hulk and SpongeBob. It was kind of funny because Santa told him to go home and write down everything else and send him a letter and he would see what he could do. Jennie and I just hope that Maddux doesn't remember all that.


Nolan did fine sitting on his lap but I think he was more excited to get the candy cane than really talk to Santa. I think the only thing that Nolan told him he wanted was a candy cane.


Payton also did a good job sitting on his lap and had no problem going to him. I felt bad for Santa though because as soon as she sat on his lap she latched onto his
beard.

Here are some pictures from the actual train ride. I am so mad that I forgot to take an actual picture of the train. I had planned on it after we got off but we got shopping and by the time I remembered it was too late and we had to get back so I don't have one. There are just some of the kids and us inside the car. It was kind of funny because it was snowing outside and somehow the snow was coming thru the car and falling on Maddux. The train ride only lasts about 15 minutes so they didn't mind too much. I think Jennie was more worried about no heaters inside and the cold.


Here is Nolan, Jennie and Payton. We kept trying to get her to look at the camera but every time Nolan made a noise she would look at him.


Here is Jennie with the kids. At that last minute Brooklyn looked at the conductor instead of the camera.


Nolan absolutely loves his little sister and the both had their eyes wide open looking around.


And last but not least Brooklyn and Maddux with me. Never mind Brooklyn's little smirk. I don't know what it is with our kids but they have the fakest smiles you will ever see.

A Night with the CAVs

Last night I took Maddux to a CAV's game or as he calls it "Lebron's." I got really good seats and it was Lebron James Bobblehead night so we both got one. I had Jennie bring him downtown after work so we could go eat before the game. We ended up going to the mall to eat, McDonald's, so we could then walk underground to the arena. I planned on getting there early so Maddux could have a shot at being on of the ballkids and get a basketball from one of the players. While at the mall we took this picture of Maddux in front of the Christmas tree they have set up. They also have a performance by the Nutcracker that we take the kids to every year and will be heading to shortly.

We showed up about an hour before the game started so Maddux could do some of the fun activities they have before the game starts. We got him dressed up in his Lebron jersey to show support for his favorite player. I am not sure if he knows exactly who Lebron James is or if he just thinks all basketball players are Lebron.


I think one of Maddux's favorite things to do at the games is to see "the dog" (real name is Moon Dog) who is the mascot for the CAV's. The first game that I took him to he got to give him five and he has been hooked ever since. When he is running around thru the audience Maddux could care less about the game or what else is going on. With the seats we were in we were able to see him up close and personal. He was only about 4 or 5 seats away from us and Maddux absolutely loved every minute of it.

They also had a picture of Moon Dog outside that the kids could stand next to and measure themselves. Of course Maddux had to have his picture taken there. Of course a basketball game wouldn't be complete with some cotton candy, soda, and nachos, all of which Maddux needed to have. Maddux had a great time and repeated more than once that this was one of his favorite things to do. Personally I just wish the game would have been a little better. The CAV's ended up killing the Knicks and won by 36. It is nice to win but when you win by that much you don't get to see the stars for very long. This is the second game that I have been to this year and both have been won by 36 or more points and Lebron didn't play very much in either. I guess the important thing to remember is that Maddux had a blast and loved every minute of it.

Well Maddux didn't get to be a ballkid but he did get to go onto the floor and be an honorary media kid. They gave him a shirt, which he was very excited about, a media badge, and a disposable camera to take pictures. He got to sit right under the basket and take pictures of the players as they warmed up. I was really excited to do this. I think he was more excited to do this than go get a ball from the players. It was Jennie and myself who were more excited about the ball. He got to sit down there for about 40 minutes and take pictures until the film was gone. The cool thing about that was he got to keep the camera and develop the pictures to keep. I was really excited to see what he had taken pictures of as he has never used a camera before. I thought there would either be a lot of pictures of the floor or a bunch of his face, from having the camera turned around. I was actually surprise by what I saw. Here are 4 of the better pictures that he took.


There were quite a few of players shoes and I think most of them were the same player. I got see him just shooting pictures,rewinding the film and shooting again one after the other. I am sure that he had them all taken within the first couple of minutes and then just watched the rest of the time. I also don't think he looked through the eye hole and instead just held the camera up and took pictures.



This one is my favorite and I was really surprised that there weren't more like it. I imagined that he held it up backwards and took a whole role of himself. Not sure if he meant to do this or just did by mistake but it is my favorite.


Not sure how this happened but he actually got a good picture action picture of Chris Duhon taking a shot.


Another one I am not sure how he pulled off. Here is a picture on the Jumbotron of the Lebron Bobblehead they were giving away. It is funny because he stayed up the whole way home last night so he could tell Jennie how much fun he had. Brooklyn is next as we have tickets to the Jan 7th game to see if we can get her back on the court and get another ball.