32 and still playing dress up!

Today was the big 32nd Birthday for mom. Grandma Grace came over today and we were playing dress up with our doll. I thought I would share the fun we had!!

Ben and the kids were so great to their mom today. I had the best birthday ever - AGAIN! (I say this every year and they keep getting better) When I got home from work last night the Cam had made me a cake and even decorated it. Ben also made dinner for today and it was already in the crock pot so I was super excited. This morning all the kids were up by 6 and Dad went into work later then usual so he was home and the kids gave me gifts and cards in the morning which was a super fun surprise. I got a new crock pot, Wii Fit Plus, Diet Mountain Dew and Microwave popcorn. I loved it all. Grandma Grace came to visit and we played dress up - as you can see from the pictures! The day continued to go well. The twins and Kenzie all took an hour nap at the same time and I actually got stuff done!! Ben's parents came for dinner and my sister in law, brother in law and niece stopped to visit too. It was a great day and now I am going to bed early. No work again tomorrow so that is thrilling also. Yippee for 32!!!

March is here already?

Kenzie being Cute!

Grandpa Dick and his little girl!

Grandma plays Train with all five of her grandsons!

Wow - Time just keeps flying by. Can't believe it is March already. Last weekend was GREAT - At least for me!!! The boys went out to the fishery on Saturday and did not have a lot of luck but they had a good time anyway. Kenzie had a blast with her grandmie and Mom had a absolute blast in Green Bay with my sister and some friends. Sunday Cameron had another wrestling tournament and he did wonderful even without us there. He took 2nd in a 5 man bracket. He actually tied for first but the kid who took first had pinned him and had not gotten pinned so his record was above Cam's. It feels like it was a super busy week this week but nothing out of the ordinary. Kenzie did start sitting this week (still needs a little support with this but wow it happened over like three days) and she also does this weird almost Commando crawl / half roll thing that cracks us up. She uses it to get things that are directly in front of her. Totally cute and funny!

This weekend we are keeping it a little low key. Ben is going out ice fishing Saturday and Wheel Chair Bowling on Sunday. Cam has a birthday party Saturday and a wrestling tournament in Port Washington Sunday. Me and the three little kids are actually going over by grandma Grace to hang out and play at her house for a while Saturday and then on Sunday the three little ones will be hanging with Auntie Wendy and Uncle Wes while Dad bowls and mom hangs with her oldest at the wrestling tournament. Lets hope for a good weekend for all. This awesome weather staying would really be nice!!!

Just having too much fun lately!!

Wanted to share some pictures of the fun we are finding this winter. I can't wait for warmer weather but the boys have found a new hobby. Daddy took all three boys on their first Ice Fishing trip last weekend. They made it most of the day out on the ice with NO fish. Boo.

Cal (Black coat) Cam (Kneeling) Clay (Yellow coat)

Cam shows the boys how it is done!!

Cam teaching his siblings to play Pokeman!

(Cam, Cal, Clay, Kenzie)

Then of course Mom has to have her own entertainment with the girl she waited for!!!

It is fun hair do time!!!!

Kenzie's first Mohawk!

AND her first Pigtails!!!!



She did like them! I swear!

Then onto this weekend and more Ice Fishing. Cameron and Ben went all day Saturday and had a little success - Total there were four keepers. Sunday Cam and Ben took the twins again for the day. They did great on the ice again. Four more fish! 2 for Cam, 1 for Cal and 1 for Grandpa Gerald. One mishap - Cal stepped into a hole. Nothing to major except for a soaked leg. Next weekend sounds like it should be more of the same for the boys. Mom is going to Green Bay overnight, the boys are attending the Rettler Family/Friends Fisheree, and Kenzie gets a entire day with just her and Grandma Gracie FUN FOR ALL!!

Cal with a fishy!

Clayton holding two of the fish.

Cameron, Clayton, & Calvin checking out the fish.

Champion AGAIN!

Real brief update! So my last post bragged about my Champion children and now I am doing it again. This was a weekend I will not soon forget. Cameron received his first FIRST place - Championship at a wrestling tournament. It always seemed to elude him and this weekend with a huge pack of yelling fans cheering him on he DID IT. Not only did he win all three of his matches but he got THREE PINS!!! It rocked. To say the least I was SO PROUD.

The little kids try it out!

Clay, Cal, Kenzie!

The fourth place guy did not want his picture taken!

Champion!

Well I may not be keeping up like I promised but I will keep trying. Thought I would update everyone on the excitement in our house again.



Now that we have made it through everyone having bad colds we are on the road to health again around here. Amazingly Ben and I did not yet get what all four of the kids had. I also realized that this is the first time ever that Calvin and Clayton were both that sick at the same time. Wow did I feel bad for all of them.

This week was Catholic school's week and that means Cameron has been super busy with work getting ready for it. He did an essay on the benefits of a Catholic Education. He did a Religion Fair project on the Rosary and he did his first research paper on Bishop Callahan. Along with all of these things we had the St. Jude Math-a-thon and studying for the spelling bee which was this week. As if the list is not long enough Cam continues to have wrestling practice two nights a week and has been participating in some weekend tournaments. Sometimes I can't believe he is managing all these different things. He got to see how his hard work pays off this week as well. His essay won for the best in his class and he was the Champion for the 1, 2, and 3rd grade spelling group. As for wrestling he has taken 2nd place in all of the tournament he has been in and he is doing wonderful. Tomorrow Cameron gets to try his skiing skills out again (skied 1 x last year) up at Sunburst for Ben's work ski outing. Saturday he is going to a wrestling tournament in DePere and then has a friends birthday party on Sunday. Man just writing all this down makes me tired. What is it going to be like when the little ones are bigger and have social lives as busy as Cameron's?

As for Clay and Cal they are still doing wonderful. Clay is my super potty trained boy. He is doing great!!! I have decided that Cal is not going to be ready on his own so I took a new stab at this and we are just not putting diapers on him except for naps and nighttime. I went back to taking him potty every hour or so and waiting til he goes. I use bribes to get him to go or anything that works at the time. It seems to be working so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Today he actually told me 2 x that he had to go!!!!!

Kenzie is a crazy rolling little maniac and continues to be a super baby. She is usually happy just to watch what is going on. Before she got sick I thought she might eat us out of house and home but now she has slowed down a bit. She continues to sleep through the night perfectly even through her cold. This morning when I went in by her she had actually rolled over in her crib and then was stuck on her tummy and never even whined. When you put her on the floor she can roll herself all the way across the room. It is really cute.

Of course I will share some pics. Hope everyone is well.

Cameron Spelling Bee Champion!!

Clayton (Yellow coat) & Calvin going outside!

Clayton just playing!


Calvin's 'regular' smile!

Kenzie - Curly hair after a bath!

Kenzie just rolling around!

Kenzie being COOL!

Wrestling, Sledding & Cerel!!!!!

Lots going on around here like usual. Cameron had his first wrestling tournament of the season last weekend in Kewaskum and he did GREAT. Started off a little tough - lost his first match by 4 points but did avoid being pinned. Next two matches went great and he pinned them both. Ended in 2nd place and got a nice size trophy. This weekend was the Hartford tournament and wow was it intense. Cam won his first two matches and they were not easy. Last match up Cam got pinned by a really great wrestler and it was a huge bummer for him and for us.. He did end in 2nd place - Which is wonderful!! We are so proud of him and is he doing great. Next is Hustisford on the 31st.

Other then wrestling Cameron is super busy with school. We are approaching Catholic Schools Week and that means lots of projects and assignments and STUDYING. Cameron has a huge Religion Fair project, his first research project, an essay, and the big Spelling Bee coming up. This keeps him busy and it is keeping us busy too.

As for the twins - After their little New Years Eve crib climbing party Ben quickly got their big boy race car beds put together and we ditched the cribs. I thought it was so cute that I almost forgot that now they can get out when they want to and play!! They have been doing o.k. but some nights it takes a few visits to their room to get them to actually stop talking and playing and go to bed. We have had a few visits from one or both of them in the middle of the night coming in our room to let us know they are awake. It is getting easier as now they do seem to understand that they need to get back in their beds til it is light outside. Naps have also been a bit of a struggle but I am not willing to give up that fight yet. I think kids should nap til they start school!!! I know I need that time to stay sane.

In addition to moving on to big boy beds the boys have started a new phase in their "relationship" with each other. I am not sure if it is because they are two or if it is just a sibling thing or a twin thing but wow do they get at each other. Sometimes I can not do anything but laugh about it. Clayton has become more aggressive then he ever has been. Now instead of taking Calvin's abuse when Clay gets mad he yells. Often he is yelling "I wanna bite him in the face" or "I gonna bite him in the arm". The best part about it is usually by the time he is done telling us he is going to bite we have had time to intervene.

As for the potty training update - I am happy to say - 1 DOWN 1 TO GO!!! Any guesses on who has conquered it first? I won't leave you hanging. It is Clay. He is now potty trained. He does wear a diaper to bed but not for naps. He is doing so great. Hardest thing is that you have to run him to the bathroom once he has he has to go because there is not usually a whole lot of time before he HAS to go..... Calvin is kind of starting over but I think I have to take a different approach with him and I am not sure what it is going to be just yet....

Kenzie is also doing great! She continues to be a SUPER DUPER baby. She sleeps and eats great, is very smiley, and just generally a content little girl. She is able to roll from her front to back and back to front but does not do this much because she is usually happy no matter where she is. We just started her on cereal and that was fun. Cameron got to feed her the first time and of course I took pictures. She had more cereal on her face then in her mouth but it was funny anyway. Other then that she is just a little dolly and continues to be the princess around here. Her brothers all adore her and they are super helpful with her.

It feels like once I start I can't stop typing. That's enough for now!!!

Kenzie and her first attempt at cereal!

Served by Cameron!

Cameron takes the twins sledding! (Cal - Front, Clay - Back)

Cal liked it - Clay was not so sure!

Calvin getting ready for sledding!



Clayton ready for sledding!

Calvin and Clayton painting!

Cameron's 2nd place win in Kewaskum!

Uncle Troy with all his nephews and one neice!

Calvin, Isiah, Clayton, Kenzie, Cameron & Xavier

Seriously - could she get better hair?

Mommy just can not help herself!

BIG BOYS!!!

Cameron build his own tool box!

(It came in a kit)

Calvin in his BIG BOY bed!



Clayton in his BIG BOY bed!

Clayton on the left and Calvin on the right.