a few more pics.....

You just can't beat taking 4 roudy 8 year olds to craigs cruisers when you're 39 weeks pregnant! lol

We really did have an outstanding time.

halfway to driving ....

we now have an 8 year old.
a full blown school kid.

So what's so great about being 8?

*officially saying goodbye to the booster seat in the van! HEY-LEY-LUIA! (only 4 in seats now :) lol

*reading chapter books to yourself in bed

*trading and collecting pokemon cards with friends

*being old enough to drive your own go kart @ craigs cruisers

*running through the woods to meet up with the neighbor kids...and being trusted to be home by dark

*playing legos (and feeling quite smug about doing the 8-12 year old kits) starwars, bakugans and gi joes

*still being young enough to read animal books and genuinely play with your little sister

Happy Birthday Austin, we love you!

a pokemon theme was requested this year

you gotta love that smile....

she once again just missed the fairy....but is quite certain it is a girl.

her mom started to get a little frustrated b/c she held out until 10pm waiting.

the clock is ticking.....

The weather was so gorgeous this weekend that we went outside and took a few pictures. Sadly, the one above was the best I've got with Gloria and the kids...but i guess it does capture our life :)


For fun we polled the kids to find out their thoughts on miss g's arrival. Here's what we've got....


Austin- a boy named Oliver Nov 20

Sydney-a boy named Tommy Nov 19

Dylan - a boy named Hudson Dec 3

Tim- boy Nov 26

Myself- girl Nov 29

So, lets start a little poll shall we? What's your guess?

A little background....my official due date is Nov 28. All 432 ultrasounds i've had have placed my due date at Nov 20.
Austin was 8 days late, Sydney 3 days early, Dylan a medical mystery, and Stella 3 days late.

let's recap fall, shall we?

This fall has once again passed us by in a blur of busy. I can't believe the month of November is already well underway!

To recap....six weeks of soccer is officially done! The kids improved greatly throughout the season, and will gladly tell you they scored many goals. They did really well, and had a blast....but is SO nice to have our 3 weeknights and Saturdays back again!

Dylan was hysterical to watch play. He would run back and forth down the field as fast as he could, chasing whoever had the ball at the time....not necesarily making it his goal to have any contact with the ball :) Sometimes he would get running so fast and change direction that he would trip over his own feet.

Stella, the faithful cheerleader A meeting of the little people, as they try to decide how best to tackle their chore of raking leaves :)
a rare photo of dylan actually looking at the camara and smiling!

Halloween 2009

Belle, CheerBear, Luke Skywalker and Jango Fett

After 2 hours of searching, the blue lightsaber was no where to be found...so Mr. Skywalker had to carry a gun. Since Halloween was on Saturday this year, the kids were able to go to our church's Hulaballoo, and also trick or treat! Good times....lots of candy.

pumpkins were carved..........applesauce was made

Tim took the 3 older kids duck hunting.
I couldn't convince him to take Stella too :)

we got our skates on .....well the kids did.
many Saturday afternoons playing football.

foto flashback....

May17, 1995

The night before i was to make the big move back to Chicago for the summer. Our relationship had been official for about 3 weeks and we were quite enamored with each other....okay, maybe it was just me :)

Since we had conquered laundry that year, my roomate and I decided we would try our hand at cooking. We thoughtfully and lovingly planned out a fantastic evening for our new boyfriends. Chicken and rice was the main dish, and candles were on the table.

We slaved over that meal, trying to get the timing of it all just right! We primped. We had so much electricity going we blew a fuse! We worked REALLY hard to make it absolutely perfect!

The guys came over and we were giddy 19 year olds who had just cooked our boyfriends dinner for the first time.

Fastforward. We sit down to eat, and I'm talking Tims ear off as usual. When I take the time to actually notice him, I realize that he is eating really slow.... which is really quite uncommon for him. I politely tell him if he doesn't like it he doesn't have to keep eating it....tho i'm certain this is not the case.

His response? "Oh phew!" and puts his fork down and shoves his plate aside.

Yes indeed, the last time I cooked for him till I became legally bound :) I've come a long way!

klacklicious

We made our annual trek to Klackles last weekend, topped with our annual trip to the Ponderosa for some all you can eat boofay on the way home. You gotta love when kids 7 and under eat free! Once again good times, good memories .... tho much, much colder than years past!

Favorites of '09...

Austin- the dirtbikes

Sydney- feeding the animals

Dylan- being in jail

Stella- the endless supply of apples to eat

Tim- the family togetherness

Myself- the buffet of course!

A few pics I managed to snap when i took my gloves off .....