RECENT PICTURES - AS PROMISED

Kenzie sitting up in highchair!!!

Cameron helping Clayton decorate Tree #1




Calvin decorating Tree #1


Kenzie thinks decorating trees is funny!!

Cameron decorating Tree #2 (THE REAL ONE).

Clayton decorating Tree #2

Calvin excited about his St. Nick stocking!

Kenzie is thrilled with her stuff from St. Nick!

Cameron enjoying the snow!!!!

Calvin bundled up!

Clayton bundled up!

Christmas is coming - Ready or Not

Well Christmas is coming!!! As I was finishing my Christmas cards I realized that without my yearly Christmas letter I did not spend any time thinking about how much things have changed again since last year. So instead this year I was just glancing over my old posts on my blog. Sometimes I wonder if I am wasting time with this blog. Tonight I realized that it was really fun for me to look back and see what we were doing even just 6 months ago. I hope I can keep up with this because it will be a blast to look back on years from now and see how much things have changed. I also wish I had more time to record more of the things that happen in our house on a daily basis. I don't think a day goes by lately that I do not have to stop what I am doing and just LAUGH. I can not believe the things that come out of Clayton and Calvin's mouths. I decided that I will take terrible two's any day as long as they also come with the talking of two year olds. I remember when Cameron was that age and I thought he was soooooo funny too but now there are two of them.... And I am not kidding the laughs never end. Don't get me wrong - they are two and they can be a handful but every time I think I can't stand it, they say something that makes me wish they never had to grow up.


So now that I went off on that little tangent I will get to my goal tonight. My updates!!!


As for Ben and I were are the same as always. We are starting to adjust to me working. Ben has had to take on a lot more and is doing GREAT with this. He is a super daddy and husband and I am sure I don't tell him that nearly enough. On top of all his extra duties - the snow. How fun!!!


I am loving my new job so far. I love the people and the work is very fun too. I know it is new yet but Big Brothers Big Sisters just seems to be a good fit for me. I also realized that as hard as it is to leave the kids to work I am appreciating my time with them so much more. I have really stopped to pay closer attention to them in the last couple weeks. I am seeing things I was missing before when I was with them all the time. Besides I think they like the break from me as well.


As for the kids - everyone is super.

Cameron - Just started back up with wrestling and is looking forward to doing some tournaments again this year. He is doing great in the 3rd Grade at St. Peters. He loves just about every hobby you could ever have. He wants to do everything from building models to collecting cards. Cameron is very creative and likes projects although they often do not get completed. He is doing very well in his new room downstairs and is just growing up way to fast.


Clayton - Is our thinker. He can be a very calm child who can play with the same toys for hours on end. He can also be SO emotional. It reminds me of myself. He wears his feelings on his sleeve and when he is happy you know it and when he is not you really know it. He does not like to be bugged much and still likes to have groups of the same things. Clayton loves to talk and often repeats himself until you are listening to him. His newest phrase that he says to everything is "NO WAY". We are still working on potty training and Clayton was doing great but recently took a little step back and won't tell you until he goes, then it is tooo late.


Calvin - His nickname of "The Animal" still fits him well. All you have to do is check out his hair (natural Mohawk - that won't go away) - it says it all - He is the wild child. Definitely a little more challenging at times. Cal tests every limit. He laughs at being put in the corner and just loves attention; positive or negative. Fitting to his personality his new phrase is "WHY". In the last 2 days I think we have heard it a million times. Cal is always trying things out and exploring. He loves to do anything you do and loves to help with everything. He runs to get Kenzie a diaper or bottle, throw things away for you and help set the table. He is also my hugger. He loves to cuddle up and be close to you. Calvin is doing GREAT with potty training. He has recently starting telling us when he has to go and is even making it through nap times dry. Oh, they are growing up so fast.

Sometimes it is hard to believe they are even twins. They are like polar opposites of each other on most days. It is just way to fun to watch them growing up together!!!

Kenzie - SUPER BABY! Honestly she is so amazing. I am not sure how we got this lucky again. Kenzie is a very calm baby and at times you can forget she is even there. She goes with the flow all the time and just likes to watch what is going on around her. She just turned 4 months and is starting to laugh which I LOVE. Kenzie is very ticklish and loves to be held in the air. She is very close to rolling over and I am sure she will be on the move very quickly. All around she is a great baby and we just adore her.

Funny how this is our busiest year yet and I am further ahead on my Christmas stuff then I have been in years. Cards are done, just waiting to be mailed, Shopping is nearly done and even some wrapping done already, two trees up and decorated, all outside lights up and working, St. Nicolas Villages are up, Christmas cookies will be done this weekend, and finally blog is updated

Well that is it for now. I spent more time on this then I was going to and I still have to post some pictures. Then I have to get the rest of my Christmas decorations up before Christmas is here and gone!!!

JOB

Lots of new stuff going on around here lately. As the title says - I GOT A JOB! I got a job working as a Match Support Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters in West Bend. The job is part time (20 hours) a week working mostly nights and some weekend hours. I am super excited and nervous too. It is going to be a big adjustment around here. I will still be home most of the days but Ben will be doing some evenings on his own. I will also be getting some part-time day care for the kids for the days I have to leave before Ben gets home. I already started with some training last week. I think I am going to enjoy getting out of the house but I am sure I will miss the kids too.

Other then that Ben just got back from his 10 day hunting trip and unfortunately no deer this year. I realized just how much I miss him when he is gone. I am so glad he is back. While he was gone the twins took turns getting sick and that kept us home a lot, making the days even longer. Now we are hoping that everyone stays healthy through the rest of the holiday's.

I have started my Christmas shopping with my Black Friday adventure. I am not sure why I insist on doing that to myself. It is crazy and frustrating with all the people and really a huge waste of time in lines but I can not pass up a great deal. I love sales so I am sure I will continue to do it every year. Our outside Christmas decorations are up and we are looking forward to setting up more inside decorations this week.

I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

More to come soon!!!

THREE MONTHS ALREADY & THREE YEARS

Where has the last three months gone? I can not believe that my baby girl is three months old already. She has changed so much in the past three months and I swear I missed it. I am with the kids everyday but still feel like time is flying by us. Our little Kenzie is still as sweet as ever. She is a SUPER good baby. She smiles every time you look at her and she just loves to watch everything that is going on. She it already outgrowing some of her adorable little baby clothes and I feel like she hardly got the chance to wear them. Now I am getting that itch to go out and buy her more cute little girly outfits but she still has a closet full of new clothes!



The boys all continue to wonderful with their little sister. Cameron still loves to hold her and she is always smiling at him. Calvin likes to get right in her face and talk to her. He also likes rolling her over onto her belly. If we weren't always watching him I think he would also pick her up and carry her around like his own little dolly. Clayton does not pay as much attention to Kenzie as his brothers but he does love to give her kisses and to tell you when she is crying.



Kenzie has adjusted to the chaos in this house very well. She can sleep through almost anything when she is tired and can really yell when she wants to get your attention. She has started sleeping through the night, some nights. This is great but I never know which night it is going to be. It seems like the days she is awake a lot and I am sure she will sleep all night she does not. Then other days she zonks out at 9 and does not make a peep till 6. She is just so amazing and wonderful. It amazes me everyday how much you can love your children, even when some days they can make you crazy!!!

Besides Kenzie being three months old, today is our three year anniversary. Three years - three more kids and now I wonder why we feel so busy. Hard to believe it has only been three years. Feels like forever. I have to say I could not be happier. I love my husband, my kids, our our crazy life. I would not trade it for the whole world.

Wonderful Weather

I don't think we could have asked for better weather this weekend. Felt like spring and I loved it. The kids seemed to enjoy it as well. Saturday we spent some time working on the leaves in the yard again. Today we hung out by Grandma Grace and Grandpa Dick. Got to spend some time with our cousins, Xavier & Isiah. We had a blast. Ate lunch, had ice cream, and played with all the fun toys by GG & Papa's. I wish I had some more pictures of the mess that became of the twins with their lil' drummies ice cream cones. I am not sure how it started but both Calvin and Clayton ended up with a lot of their drumsticks in their hair!!! After the ice cream encounter we headed outside to enjoy the weather some more and that proved to be a blast too. The boys even decided that they were so hot running around outside that for a short time they took their shirts off. It was so funny.

When we got home it was still beautiful out so we starting putting up the outdoor christmas lights. I know it is early for this but who can't take advantage of putting up x-mas lights in a short sleeve shirt! I promise I will not start turning them on until after Thanksgiving!!!

Sharing a few pictures again. Hope everyone has a great week!!

Xavier, Calvin, Kenzie, Clayton & Isiah

Clayton & Calvin & Kenzie

Clayton & Calvin

Clayton enjoying his ice cream

Calvin REALLY enjoying his ice cream!

Up North

I should be sleeping but instead decided to update everyone on our GREAT weekend. Thursday morning we piled the kids and everything I could fit into the van and went up north to the cabin for the weekend. We went with Grandma Jane and Grandpa Gerald. It was really nice and relaxing. I definitely needed it! I think we all did. I took naps two out of the three days up there and spent the rest of the time just enjoying some quality time with all four of the kids. Cameron got to try out his new bow (new/used) and go out hunting with Ben. Unfortunately they did not see anything. It was just a great, relaxing weekend. We even had our own little Halloween party.

Kenzie sticking her tongue out!!!

Cameron carving Grandma Jane's Pumpkin!

Ben teaching Cam to use his bow!

Cameron as a scary skeleton!

Clayton as Buzz Lightyear!

Calvin as the HULK!

Kenzie as a sleeping froggie!

Kenzie, Calvin, Clayton, Cameron! What a sight!

Kenzie all dressed up!

Grandma Grace bought this pretty dress for Kenzie and she has not had any formal affairs to wear it to. So we dressed her up in it and TOOK PICTURES. Kenzie loves the dress and I am just trying to find places to go that she can wear it.

Kenzie all dolled up!

Dressing up is exhausting!

Carving Pumpkins!!

We took on carving pumpkins with the kids yesterday. It was a big mess but also a lot of fun. Grandma Grace came over to assist and it went better then I expected. Cameron loves to carve so he cut open Kenzie, dug it out, and carved it for her. Grandma and I helped the twins with digging out their seeds and then they got to use these things that stick into the pumpkin like a potato head. These things work great and the little boys had a blast.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Clayton, Calvin & Cameron

Kenzie, Clayton, Cameron & Calvin with their pumpkins.

No computer in the bathroom!!

So as my title indicates if I had a computer in the bathroom I would be able to keep up with blogging better! The twins are in the potty training mode and Kenzie and I feel like we live in the bathroom. Poor little girl is spending her days waiting for her brothers in the bathroom which seems a bit backwards to me. Anyway, the update on potty training is that both of the boys are doing very well but it is a long process. Cal had the early lead but now Clayton is proving to be the Potty King. He is going every time I put him on and is dry most of the day. Yesterday Grandma Grace brought over new underwear for the boys and they were very excited. Calvin wanted to try on each of the pairs of underwear, one at a time. And Clayton put his on and then did not like them and wanted a pull up back on. Lets just say it turned out to be a really fun evening with underwear on all the kids heads!!




Other then that it has been busy around here as usual. Kenzie is growing up way to fast. She is smiling a lot and I almost got a laugh out of her yesterday. She is finally going to bed at a decent time and usually only gets up once. I am still having a blast dressing her up and really love all this pink. Cameron just finished up flag football and now has to decide if he is going to do soccer or football next year. Ben and I have been trying to get things ready for winter around here. We finally managed to clean out the garage so we can park the van in it and now we are trying to clean up the yard.

We are planning on carving our pumpkins this weekend and I hope to get some good pictures of this. It should be really fun!!!

Cameron with his new bike

(Great Aunt Diane & Uncle Jack won it and the car show/benefit

for MC and then gave it to Cam - He was so excited)

Kenzie starting to smile!




Clayton and his bear.

Kenzie & Calvin smiling!

Kenzie's Baptism

Kenzie's Baptism 9/27/09

The twins 1st Brewer's game!

O.k. now that I am doing updates I also wanted to throw these pictures on here because I love them so much. Ben and I took the three boys to a Brewer's game this past Friday night. It was a total blast. We tailgated with some subs and chips before the game and it was great. We actually have to thanks Grandma Jane and Grandpa Gerald for the tickets. We met them and Uncle Andy, Aunt Sue, and Lauren at the game. We all sat together and it was way better then I expected taking 2 - 2 year olds to a baseball game. They did awesome. Not much sitting but they did stay right by our seats and they seems to really love to just look around at everything. Made it through the whole game and the Brewers even pulled out a win. Good night all around...

Clayton, Calvin, & Cameron

before the Brewer's game!

Clayton and Calvin tailgating before the game!

My boys enjoy tailgating with some subs & chips!

Mom and all the boys before the game!

(Miss you Kenzie - Maybe next year)

Keeping Busy!!!

We are getting into the swing of things with four kids at home and it is busy! Some days I feel like we have been doing this forever and that it is going great. Other days I wonder if we will ever have a normal routine. I guess that is just the nature of having little kids! I am finally getting back to babysitting full time and that of course has brought on new challenges. Other then that all the kids are doing well.

Cameron is doing wonderful with 3rd grade. His homework had definitely gotten harder but he is also doing some of it more independently then last year. He is also doing awesome with his newest sporting event, flag football. Ben is helping coach and they both seem to be enjoying it.

As for the twins, they are two years old and that equals CRAZY. Really they are super good! They share most of the time and they like to get things for each other, like their milks. They are so different from one another that it amazes me everyday. Calvin loves to follow you around everywhere and do what you are doing. He is always working and loves to help. Totally a people pleaser and will do anything to make you laugh. On the flip side is also needs a great deal of attention and is into biting right now. He will bite anyone, at anytime. He has been getting a lot of "time outs" lately for biting or pushing and now he will do something and then ask to go in "time out". I think he just needs a chance to settle down and that is how he does it.

Clayton is a hot/cold kid. He can be super happy one moment and then be yelling and crying the next. He loves to laugh and be tickled. Clayton also loves to play pretty independently and does not like this to be interrupted. He also appears to be our bossy one and loves to tell everyone what to do and where he wants them to go or be. The last couple days this has been cracking us up because Ben cut his hair Monday and since then every time Clayton sees him he says "Daddy put a hat on". Both of the boys are talking like crazy now. It is so cool to hear them express themselves even when they are yelling it.

Kenzie is also super. She just turned 6 weeks and is starting to smile. She had her first sleepover by Grandma Grace and Grandpa Dick this past Friday and she smiled a bunch for them too. Other that that is sleeps, eats, poops, and cries. Nights continue to get better and she is usually only getting up once, which makes is so much easier on us.

Yet again I better get some sleep. I always think I am going to do a real brief update and end up writing a book.

Cameron playing Quarterback - He is #9!!!

Calvin holding Kenzie!

Clayton holding Kenzie!

Slacking on Blogging

Cameron 1st day of 3rd grade!

Calvin and Clayton eating Up North

Kenzie in Camo at the Cabin!


Ok, I have to off set the Camo picture I posted with a girly one!!!
(Check it out - even matching little shoes)

I can't believe another two weeks have flown by. We have been crazy busy along with the rest of the world. Cameron started 3rd grade on the 1st of September. I can not believe he is really that old already! He loved it of course and loves St. Peters, both of which make me very happy. It is totally different to not have him home during the day. But we are getting into the swing of it again.

We went up north for Labor day and it was super. Some really great family time for us and very relaxing. Even Kenzie seemed to enjoy herself!!! The weather was great and the boys all got to do some swimming while mom and Kenzie watched from the shore. I was a little bummed at the lack of pictures I took but it was hard to keep track of the four kids much less have a clue where I put the camera.