Just can't get enough --of playing in the snow that is!

What fun we've had over the last several days ( even me- I'm like a kid in the snow and have so much fun sledding with the kids- I'm even a little sore today- Jeff made a small ramp near the bottom of the hill, just big enough to get a little air) and we've only been out of the house once. I normally go absolutely stir crazy when I'm stuck at home but this week has flew by. I completely agree with Heather I could be a stay at home mom (again) and miss those days. Being home for my maternity leave was awesome and what made it even better was having Preston home and getting to have so much fun with him and the baby. Also, Austin got to be home with us for two of those weeks and it was wonderful to have that time with the kids. Reality will soon sink in this week when I have to go to work for a full week. I will miss Chloe and Preston terribly. The good thing, I can see Austin whenever I want and his smiling face will brighten my day. I'm so lucky that nearly three months out of the year I do get to be a stay at home mom and not to mention it's during my favorite season, it doesn't get any better than that-for me that is.

Snow say number 3!

The boys were kissing and loving all over their sister just playing with her and laughing, it was a great family moment. I said, "Aren't you glad God answered our prayer and gave us Chloe.... do you guys remember all the prayers we said for God to give you guys a sister?" Austin replied, "yes, those were the good o' days." I'm not sure what he meant by that, I think he was just being funny- it sounded funny anyway. Preston just loves her. After being at school one day, he came home and gave Chloe a kiss and hug and said, " I just love her!" And throughout the night he just kept saying how much he liked his sister or how he just loved her. It is the sweetest.

Last night was Jeff's birthday so his parents came over for dinner and cake and ice cream. After presents we played Uno, our new family game. We've been on a game kick this winter playing several games in an attempt to keep the boys away from t.v and the wii. Some of the recent games we play are Connect Four, Memory, Old Maid, and Go Fish. Not only do games keep the kids away from modern technonlogy, they keep us connected as a family and I cherish the memories we are making!

Ok I know it won't be long before the boys are too big for a bubble bath together so I had to snap a few pictures! Chloe is so fun lately, she smiling all the time and cooing at us! I love it. She still has her moments in the evenings but for the most part she is getting much better. Today was the real snow day so the boys played and played outside until i made them come in for a late lunch around one and now after a short nap, they are back out again. It looks like no school again tomorrow! More time with my kids, I can't complain now; yet, will not be liking all the extra of days of school in May when it's beautiful out!

Snow Day

Well, the mix of snow and sleet turned out to be just perfect for sledding! After Jeff made us pancakes for breakfast, the boys and I got bundled up and headed out for some fun and actually they are still out there! I can't get them to come in and warm up! I had to come in and feed Chloe so Jeff went out with them and I'm just like a little kid, I'm a little jealous that they are still outside sledding. My mom got the boys new sleds for Christmas and they are a lot of fun. I got to use Preston's sled several times before he decided he wanted to try it out! Well, I think it may be my turn to go out and have some more fun. Luckily Jeff is off today so we can take turns staying in with Chloe!

Chloe looking pretty after church!

Preston wanted pajamas like Chloe's with the feet in them and I just happened to pick this pair up from Target for $3.74, you can't beat that and he was so surprised!

Preston wanted to have a party Saturday. Last weekend we had three couples over with their kids and i think he called that a party. So. tonight we somehow ended up having a pretend pajama 4 1/2 and 7 1/2 birthday party. We found some party supplies and the boys even decorated with streamers. We had gone to Target earlier and I got them each a gift from the dollar spot and wrapped it, they just couldn't wait to open them even though they had an idea of what the gifts were because they picked some items out and I made the final decision when they weren't looking! Lots of fun!

Earlier we went to the bowling alley for a birthday party then like I said we went to Target to pick up a few things. I went Friday to Target and found some great deals. Austin and Preston put some if their money together and bought a magnet marble run game for twenty dollars and normally it was 89.99. What a deal! When they really want something lately, I tell them if they want to spend their earned money they can buy it but I'm not buying them new toys right after Christmas. Amazingly enough they don't seem to want the toy if they have to pay for it. This is the first toy they must have really wanted since they went in on it together. Now they are ready to do some chores to earn the spent money back. After Target we went to eat at El Torero and then came home to bake cupcakes for our pretend party. Jeff and the boys set up the marble game which is cool but I would have definitely been disappointed if we had spent 90 dollars on it.

Sunday after church we went to Parker's birthday at Semo's aquatic center. They boys really enjoyed swimming, they even have a zip line that is really cool. Austin was nervous to swim the lap required to do the zip line. Yet, after an hour of him thinking about it and us encouraging him that he could do it, he built up the courage and swam the lap just in time to do the zip line a few times. He is such a thinker and sometime a worrier (unfortunately he gets that from me). The boys couldn't get enough of the water shortly after getting home they decided to take a hot tub bath! Preston loves to sing and dance around the house lately so we cranked up the party C.D once again and boogied down. Chloe's so funny, it puts her to sleep- the loud music that is She likes the noise, I think that's why she stays up till 11:00 she's missing the noise.

Star of the week

Austin was the star of the week this week. We had fun looking at his baby pictures for the bulletin board at school, but picking out just a few to send in was hard to do. I also got to go read to his class. Today he was rewarded with his second award this year. First quarter he was student of the month and this quarter he received the good citizenship award. We are so proud of him. He works really hard at school and is very helpful and dependable in the classroom so we are told! I know he is always doing his best and wants to please his teachers! I hope he is always so eager to do his best!

Gotta love this hat from Joni's shop, I know the flower is as big as her head. I snapped a photo of the boys before bed, Austin reading Preston a book! Too sweet! What a good week we had even though it was too cold to get out and do much. The kids and I had a little fun inside this week whether it was attack of the tickle monster (the boys still love to be tickled), dancing and singing or playing games, and making lots of funny faces and noises at Chloe trying to get her to smile or coo at us, we packed in some fun everyday!

Chloe Grace is 6 weeks old already!

She really started to coo this week, especially at her grandma Judi! She smiles so big, too! She's my precious baby girl!

Time flies....I can't believe Austin had to go back to school already! Last Friday I went to work for a teacher workday and Chloe stayed with Jeff's mom. She took a bottle for the fist time and did great. Well, I think Betty had to hold her a lot but that has become normal. She is held a lot and that makes some days like today- really hard to get anything done. But that's ok, the house work will still be there tomorrow. Saturday Chloe and I went shopping for her a few new things, she is already out growing her newborn outfits. Jeff took the boys bowling and that evening Jeff and I went out to eat at Red Lobster -just the two of us for some much needed alone, grown-up time! Jeff's parents were so kind to offer to watch all three kids for us.

Chloe will be six weeks already tomorrow- she smiles a lot especially in the morning. She has started to coo just a little. Unfortunately, in the van when she gets upsets she doesn't only cry -she screams! Sometimes so much she makes herself sound horse. She's so much fun! Austin really enjoyed the time at home with, getting to know his little sister. One time he got her to quit fussing and as he walked away he said, she really likes me!
Words of a seven year old...The other day as we were watching the Price is Right Austin said out loud to no one in particular (as if no one was listening), wow they sure do make those girls pretty. I thought it was funny just that he said "they make" them pretty. Isn't that the truth! The scary thing is that my baby is already checking out the hot girls!

Jeff told the boys to give each other a hug and well... they started wrestling each other instead!

Austin celebrating 2009

Happy New Year

Well, this is the first year that we haven't had a New Year's Eve party in probably three years. After we ate chicken and dumplings we went to wal-mart to get some party poppers, noise makers, and some yummy desserts to make. Austin picked out fudge and Preston a strawberry cake. We came home and got right to baking. We ended up having a great time here at the house and my sister, Adam, mom, and Tim came over. We played the wii with the kids and visited. The boys enjoyed making the mess with the poppers (we celebrated eastern time and were in bed before midnight).