Oh My!

Oops I have been SO busy that I haven't posted... I will change that later on tonight... for now an update...
We snuck out of Wa early last week right after Sam's Christmas Program... took 20 hours to get to Southern California... but made it safely!
Visited with dear friends the Dickinsons... spent 3 days with family at Disneyland and California Adventure... enjoyed our 14 year anniversary in Palm Springs... and enjoyed a wonderful family Christmas! I will post pictures tonight... {hopefully}

break in

When we went to the Duck game on Sunday... came back to stuff strewn all over the car.
Darn those thieves... got off with 2 ipods & our gps.
Already have it fixed... but still frustrating.

All I want for Christmas is...

one front tooth for Christmas?

or maybe if I {tug} and wiggle...

and {move} my tooth with my tongue...

or {whine} & {cry} because I think it hurts SO much...

I will ask for my two front teeth and sing for you this Christmas...
{good thing the bottom two are coming in... there is a BIG hole there!}

first front tooth - Thanksgiving Day
second front tooth - (and much wailing...) - Thanksgiving Sunday

Our little violinist...

Sydney has been taking an introductory violin class at her school. She is loving finally having an instrument to play... I will have to post when she finally masters the "twinkle" variations!

I give {thanks}

Thank you to the best parents a girl could ask for... best in-laws a guy could ask for... and best grandparents a kid could ask for...

My parents came up for Thanksgiving to hang with us and of course spoil us with a wonderful Thanksgiving Day meal by Dad ... followed by Mom's yummy turkey soup! Mmmm.

Not to mention that without the two wonderful people above I and my brother wouldn't be here in the first place! I count my blessings in the parent dept. daily, and feel so {thankful} that God gave me the most caring & devoted & loving parents who are AMAZING grandparents to our 5 kids!

Now we sit at home in the cold, dreary weather counting the days until we can see them again... except this time it will be in the sunshine & happiest place on earth!

I {love} you both dearly, thank you for everything.

Thankful...

Jack and his 91 year old Oma. I just absolutely LOVE that he pulled out the paci to plant a big smacker on her while they were hanging out on the sofa together! :)

Poppin open the Martinelli's for the Thanksgiving feast... look at all that yummy food!

Michelle (with Finley in her tummy, due Feb) & me!

emma with cousin Lexi (Mich's oldest) don't they look like each other?

The cousins on Josh's side of the family from l-r
Dane, Lexi, Emma, Bella, Gianna, McKenna, Sydney, Jack, & Samantha

2 rakes & a pile of {leaves}

I am wondering if they make little kids any cuter than this?

And... how cool is it that a pile leaves and a couple rakes could make for a full fall afternoon of fun?

It took awhile for me to capture Jack's toothy grin... but boy was it worth it! I just want to {kiss} those cheeks!

300th post!!!!

Wow!!! I logged in today to make a new post and it said I had a total of 299 posts... making this
POST #300!
I am actually proud of myself for this milestone!
Just a little over a year my friend Tina & I were talking about the Scrapbooker of the year Elizabeth Kartchner, and we checked out her blog... who knew we would be hooked by her great photography, whimsical music, and amazing talents. I began my own blog that night... and here I am today, a year older and wiser? I think! :)

So in {honor} of my 300th post a little look back at what has changed...

* I learned to rely more on God and less on self.
* I read my Bible daily.
* I gave birth to my 5th (and final) child... and a busy {boy} God is silly!
* We moved 13 miles away from our old home, a blessing in the works I believe.
* We took a couple trips to So Cal and went to Disneyland & AGP.
* I celebrated my 34 & 35th birthdays.
* I watched gas prices rise to over $4/gal to currently $1.83/gal!
* I became a Facebook junkie!
* I saw Tobymac in concert 2 times and {loved} every second!
* I learned that boys really aren't any different than girls, they just like balls & cars more!
* Josh & I created a worship room & we have nightly worship with our family.
* Celebrated my Grandma's 91st birthday!!! God is good!
* Celebrated my mom & dad's 60th birthdays! God is great!
* I learned (again) that people aren't always who you think they are.
* I learned who my dearest & truest friends were in dark times.
* I learned that I really do {love} the Oregon Ducks... but that it is always "just a game"
* I was reminded more than once what a {blessing} my family is too me.
* I was reminded that LIFE IS GOOD, but Life is short... enjoy every moment.
* I returned to the classroom as a sub and LOVED it!
* I began scrapbooking again and ignited the creative bone in my body!
* I watched my little precious girls grow up and turn into little ladies.
* I sent 4 kids off to an {amazing} adventist elementary school.
* I realized that I am okay with how I look.
* I was asked to step down as Children's Church Director... and watched God open the doors another direction to Pathfinder Unit 1 leader! {crazy man!}
* I learned that blogging is addictive and oh so FUN!
* I met my favorite Christian author, Karen Kingsbury, AND got to see the premiere of her movie IN HER HOME!!!
* I was reminded over and over again that God gave me the most {WONDERFUL} amazing, loving, forgiving, understanding, Christian husband in the world.

[IF] you are still reading this rambling you must be one of those "true friends" I mentioned earlier or my {MOTHER} either way... I LOVE you all! Thank you for hanging out with me for these 300 posts and I look forward to many more... and I am planning to turn my blog into a book for our family! What a cool way to document our lives!

the {best} of friends

I {love} this

I could not resist taking pictures of these two...
The are best buds, friends forever, partners in crime and otherwise...
It was the [perfect] fall day and a wonderful chance to get some much needed Syd & Delany photos! I didn't realize until much later that we have the almost perfect road for pictures!!! I can't wait until spring when the leaves on the trees are all PINK! How fun will that be?

random stuff

me and the dude taking a walk down our road...

Syd, DJ, McKinley, & Jack chillin with all their cozies on the couch!

peeking out the window of the guest room (you can stay here... hint hint!!) while daddy is mowing the lawn.

I think he is going to make a good daddy someday... froggies and all..

yep... he is going to be a great daddy!!!

Tips for Effective Pantry Raiding...

first step... slide box, cooler, or something to help you get to a "higher" elevation... then sit quietly so that mom, dad, or sisters do not hear you, when coast is clear proceed to step #2

step #2 drop blankie, continue to hold {beloved} froggie and paci while searching shelves for just the right thing.

step #3 smile... your in the clear (oh wait... mom is taking pictures this time)

Step #4 grab cereal of choice and get down before being detected...

step #5 (this usually happens AFTER I see him running through the house spilling cereal)
Invite a friend (McKinley in this case), sister, or parent to put the stolen goods back on the shelf... and move the box, cooler, or whatever was used to get the goods in the first place...
This step also usually includes a temper tantrum for not getting what was desired... and a reprimand from mom to "stay out of the pantry Jack!"

{spoiled}

Every day is a {gift}

I realize more now than ever that life passes too quickly, the little moments that make up the majority of my days now will soon pass and be forgotten. I thought when the girls were young that I would remember everything because I was diligent about documenting, picture taking, and well, spending the time with them... that somehow it would be forever ETCHED in my brain. {WRONG}

So, what is a mom to do? Enjoy the moments while I have them, never take a second for granted, TRY (and I say TRY) to not complain about the little things because one day... well you know what happens one day.... THEY GROW UP. :(

So what does that mean for the little boy who lives here? He is spoiled. That is right I said it, SPOILED.. and so are his sisters... and they in turn spoil him more! I will continue to "spoil" these kids with time & love because one day I may not be able to.

As for those pictures above... they are from a moment of "spoiling" a walk in the wagon... a FAV for Jack... and a discovery of geese... lots and LOTS of geese!

Thanksgiving Feast

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving the k-4 classes host a Thanksgiving Day feast! mmmm!
Being the room mom of 3/4 I was lucky enough to get to be in charge of the pies! mmmm!
Sydney was in the first rotation and so I quick grabbed a few pictures of her and even got myself in one! Unfortunately I was SO busy scooping pies for the other rooms I missed the picture of McKenna & Emma, but don't worry... They got pie! :)

Pie of the Day : Pumpkin (yuck) but it was a HUGE hit with the kids (we went through about 8), then apple, etc. Least eaten pie... Pecan. hmmm.... is it because of the look?

And yes... each of the Mac Pac was ducked out to get ready for the {BIG} game Saturday night... Oregon @ Oregon State!

Thanksgiving... and a {huge} Duck Victory!

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday at our home and my parents, grandmother, Josh's sister & kids, Josh's brother & family, and The Allison's (the new principal) came to gorge themselves on food. Dad made the meal, mom ever the dutiful helper, and boy was it YUMMY!!! We enjoyed the parade, football, food, more football, and more food! We sure missed our family that could not be with us, but we enjoyed those we celebrated with... I will post pictures later.

As for the ducks... HUGE game tonight against the Beavers of Oregon State... we trounced them 65-38... :) I am in a happy place right now! We are in a 3-way tie for first place in the pac-10 hoping for a bid to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego!

Canadian Geese

I was busy cleaning in the house and Sydney came inside to find me... "mom please come out and chase the geese with me" So I couldn't resist those eyes, grabbed the camera and headed outside... this video is what we saw in our neighbors yard! In the last few weeks the geese have arrived, and by the looks of it they will be staying for the winter! I guess i better get used to some honking!!! ***mute the music on the side if you care to hear the honking!***

Sip n Play

Jen with baby Mia, at the sip n play

Krista & Trygg, Jack's buddy



the little man "loves" wearing other people's shoes...
he was trying to walk around the house... he didn't take a huge fall though! But it was pretty cute!

Toby... enough said

{revolve} part two

my dear ssweet bud {lauri} and me!!! We are trying to wake up in this picture as we stayed up until the early a.m. watching Hugh Grant movies.. think "Notting Hill" and "Music & Lyrics" you know I was busting out the words to "Pop goes my Heart!"

4 of the girls loving on Evan Mieli who just released his new album!

Just HAD to share this picture as it is the drummer of Hawk Nelson... WEARING AN OREGON DUCK TEE!!!! Just had to point that out!

Julie, Lauri, & Becca

The {CREW} right before jumping in the car to head back to WW!
This picture doesn't do justice to the noise these girls enjoyed making... texting, talking, texting, giggling, texting, Oh boy I am going to be busy when my girls hit this stage!