ROCK THE VOTE!!!!

I HOPE EVERYBODY WENT OUT AND VOTED TODAY. I DID AND I HAVE THE STICKER TO PROVE IT AND NOW IM OFF TO STARBUCKS FOR THE FREE COFFEE SINCE I VOTED.

Just some new pics

Kirsten playing at Uncle Johns Cider Mill

Dominic and some of his football buddies after a big win against Concord, score 30-0

Dominic is second to the bottom

Braxton looking for pumpkins

Corinne looking for pumpkins

Kirsten going for a ride after everybody had picked their pumpkin

ce my point (as Braxton calls it)

Our trip to ce my point (cedar point) was really a great trip. We were so worried about Braxton and his willingness to ride and have a good time but he did great. He loved every minute of it even after 11 and a half hours he was still wanting to ride. He rode almost every ride he could even the adult spinny rides and just laughed and giggled and had the best time. I have to say though that if you are not into the water rides going in the fall for the halloweekends is really the best time to go. It was still very busy but it was not hot and you could walk around without feeling like you are going to have a heat stroke and the decerations and Halloween stuff was really fun. They had several haunted area after the sun went down some for the little kids and some for the bigger kids and adults. I have to rank this about my favorite trip ever to Cedar Point even though Rob and I got to ride almost nothing and I was sick. I would love to go again without Braxton just so we could enjoy the Halloweekend even more.

Do all little girls play with ......

cars, trucks and construction equipment

Well mine do. I guess whatever it takes to keep them happy.

Its official Braxton is a big preschool boy

He rode the bus for the first time today. I was very sad but he did a good job getting on and hopefully riding

Labor Day weekend

First of all I want to say that my Dad did an awesome job on his bike ride from Lansing to the Mackinac Bridge. I am very proud of him it is quite an accomplishment that he should be very proud of. Well as for my family we went camping with the in-laws. We had a good time. Braxton went swimming for the first time, we went fishing, put put golfing and garage sailing. We ate more food than any human needs to eat in a weekend and just enjoyed the outdoors.

what is it about spongebob

Has anybody besides me found themselves sitting a watching and spongebob marathon for the 6th time that week and realize that this is the most played cartoon of all times. I swear it is on at least 50 times a day between the 3 nick channels we have and my kids try their best to catch every episode a day. After about 6 episodes I find myself turning off the TV listening to the cries and making the kids go outside. I have yet to figure out what is so great about this show but it entrances my 12 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old. They will all sit quietly and watch, their must be some kind of hidden hypnotism in the show. If at some point in the day I can not find spongebob on (which never happens) the kids think the TV is broke. I want to know how to make this kind of entrancement work on homework and chores.

Braxton and Grandma

I just had to share this blurry pic of Braxton pushing Grandma on the swing. They were having a lot of fun.

the cutest face ever

who could not love this face. I just had to post it she just looks so happy.

the love I feel

I was gone all day yesterday and when I got home the kids sat on me for about an hour. I finally had to say get off me I have some things to do. But it does make you feel really loved when you have only been seperated for a couple of hours and they miss you so.

okay it has been a while

Im back, just wanted to post pics of my flowers and new kittens

long weekend

It was a long weekend. Renny has been sick so I have been stuck home a lot. I believe she has a mild case of the croup. I had her in urgent care on Saturday and they said she has a virus nothing they can do but since then she has started coughing, not a lot but it sounds like croup. She is prone to it and I hate it. On a brighter note Dominic played a baseball tournament this weekend and they took 2nd place out of 8 teams so very good. I also realized why coach keeps Dominic in Left field. It seems a lot of balls get hit out there and Dominic can throw a ball accurately from the middle of left field to home plate. Not many kids his age can do that, I think it is all the football throwing he does. Well that sums up my weekend not very exciting.

Homerun Dominic

Just wanted to brag a little Dominic got his first homerun last night plus he hit a tripple. Of course I did not have my camera but he we geeked. Plus they won 21-10 it was a fun night.

its been a few days

Well first I want to start with Dominic's team lost last Wednesday 2-4 but the team they played was the second best in the league so I guess that was not to bad. They played again last night and won 8-1 it was much more exciting to watch. We have had a very busy couple of days on Thursday was dominic and Rob's last day of school/work so that night we went grocery shopping and spent $200 and it still feels like we are running low on supplies. On Friday we went garage saling in the morning with not much success waisted gas if anything. Then we took our boat out for the first time and it ran great. Friday night we had company and a bon fire. On Saturday we took Corinne to my moms and Braxton, Kirsten & Dominic to Rob's parents while they were camping so we had a free night. We ended up going out for dinner with our friend Brandy and Kory and back to their house to play card and drink. I actually drank a full 6 pack first time in a long time I have done that. Sunday we picked up Corinne and headed out to the campground where the other kids were and spent the whole day out their. Yesterday we stayed home most of the morning and then mom, dad, mary and the boys came over for a cook out and to watch Dominic's baseball game last night. It was a good game for them to come to. Well that sums up our last couple of days. I will work on pics laster.

Another week in progress

First thing I want to say is Dominic's team won on Monday 4-2. They played a really good game. Dominic had to play outfield but before each game his coach tells him that the reason he is in outfield is because well he is good at it and nobody else is and because of him the team got two double plays and if anybody else had been their they probably would not have got (actually the only two double plays they got all game). So when he is in the outfield and he pulls stuff off like that we know why he is their. We just wish he could play first base, our first baseman sucks but coach feels Dominic is more needed in the field because he can and will run and throw a ball like from deep outfield to infield. okay enough on that. Last night we went grocery shopping and Dad met us their so he could return my in-laws dog carrier and he laughed when he saw our two shopping carts of food and two hundred dollar bill so I just said Dad we still have to come back in and buy flowers, he was shocked. We actually bought plants for in front of our deck, we have had the deck for 3 years and have never done any landscapping around it so we thought it was time. Dominic has another game tonight and its going to be a tough one so I will let you know what happens.

Just a quick post

Is it wrong when you get your kids out of the bathtub and find a layer of dirt on the bottom of the bath tub??? The kids get a bath almost everyday and I am still finding it. I guess it means they play in the dirt a lot or like yesterday pick rocks out of Grandpa's garden for him.

Family of Noodle Makers

I wanted to tell about making noodles at mom's yesterday. Well Grandma is the pro so she supervised, just wanted to state that. Mom asked me to make her some noodles because she has never done it then she deceided to give it a try on her own. She messed them up, Grandma told her that you can not put two much flower in the bowl but mom learned you can. She threw her batch out and it was my turn. Well I made them to my Grandma's standards, which are very high for noodle making. Mom cut them but the dough was mine. It was just funny to me the three generations standing at the counter making noodles together, it was a nice family moment. I also have to say that my father in law has had my father in law has had my noodles and says they are as good as when his mom used to make them (my mother in law does not make them) I think that is a good complement also.

The New Boat is ready for water

Well after two weekends dedicated to fixing up our new boat it is finally ready for the water. You Turn the key it starts right up, Rob recovered the seats and put new/used driver and side kick seats in, plus and new/used radio. It has been scrubbed and vacuumed. It has a new fire extinguisher and every body has a life jacket so Friday since everybody has the day off it is going to hit the water. Oh I forgot Kirsten even got a new Dora fishing pole (Braxton already had one). It will be interesting taking all the little ones out. I don't think Rob and I will get much fishing in but hopefully the kids catch one.

flowers for Kirsten

Kirsten has had an obsession with plating flowers this spring. We have planted sunflowers and Daisy's and she keeps playing in my pots that have no plants in them saying they are her garden and digging holes in the dirt and planting dandelions she has picked. It is very cute. I sure hope she keeps up her enthusiasm of plants and flowers somebody in the family needs to know how to grow a garden.

Mothers Day Weekend

I just have to say that Mothers day weekend was wonderful for me. On Friday Rob arrived home from work with my present its a free standing umbrella for the deck. He got it installed plus got a few other projects done I have been asking for. On Saturday we got up early and spent the morning garage sailing. We did not find a whole lot for ourselves but Dominic did very well. We probably spent 80 dollars on him but it was stuff he has been wanting or needing. Saturday afternoon we had a cookout with Rob's family which was nice and Aunt Sandy took Braxton and Kirsten home for a couple hours to give us a break. After the cook out we went to work on our boat at our friends house and we only had Corinne so it made it easier to visit. Sunday we went to my mom and dads house and we got to visit with my sisters and some cousins we never see because they live in Florida. So all in all it was a very nice weekend with lots of family and friend time.

An update on Dominics baseball. Monday was our first official game. The kids did not play very well. They lost in the fourth inning to the mercy rule. But I do have to say that the officials were awful very in favor of our opponent Maple Valley so even if the kids would have played to notch it would have been hard for them to win. Maple Valley does have a good team I wont deny them that but we would have done a lot better against them if the officials would have been different. Well that sums up our last few days. Dominic has another game tonight so I will let you know.

The water fight

For some reason whenever their is nice weather their is water and they all had fun even Renny got wet and enjoyed it.

Our Weekend

I have to say that I hardly had the little kids all weekend which never happens, it was relaxing. Saturday we went and got our boat from mom and dads and started working on it. The little kids stayed home with a baby setter. We got all the seats stripped out and the leaves vacuumed out and started scrubbing it. We still have a ways to go but we got to do it kids free (bonus). We hung out their until about 4:30 then came home. On Sunday Dominic had a baseball scrimmage in coldwater which is over an hour drive, so my mother-in-law had the little kids we lost 10-2 but after the game we found out that the other team was all 7th & 8th graders and we are all 5th and 6th graders so we were happy that it was not 40-2 or something horrible like that. We then got to go and do a little shopping kid free so I actually got to look around Meijer. I feel as if I have had a little break and I am very happy for it.

Four Wheeling as a family

I thing the picture says it all and no they did not just pile on for a pic. Rob was really riding them all around

Dominic's Baseball Team

Dominic's team had its first official scrimmage yesterday. They won 10-0. Dominic played left field, first base and short stop. We were told in official games he will be infield but at scrimmages they want to give the outfielders a chance at infield. Dominic struck out his first time up to bat, second time he got on base and the third time he got a double (I have to say about the double that their was already someone on base when he hit who is a slow runner, Dominic should have had a triple) We had one kid on the team hit a homer with really using no effort and Dominic would add that the boy was using Dominic's Bat. We have realized that half the team uses Dominic's bat it was cheap but if you can get a good hit off it the balls fly. So that was our exciting evening last night we have another scrimmage on Sunday.

I finally have a moment

Just to catch up for the past week not a whole lot has happened. Rob has been home all week and things have just been moving on at a normal pace. Over the weekend we put lattice on the bottom of our deck so Dominic will quit using it as a garbage dump. We went to my mom and dads on Sunday to drop off the remaining baby stuff I had so hopefully Mary can get it. My nephew Willy burnt his leg bad on Saturday in a brush fire which has resulted in him having to have skin graphs done and a week in the hospital, but not only is that bad but he has no medical insurance he is in his early 20's and has not been at his job long enough to have it, so I think he is more concerned about that than anything. I took Braxton to Preschool round up today. The school has a free program but they are only excepting 34 kids and they had 48 for round up so hopefully Braxton will get in. Smart wise well he could start Kindergarten but attitude he needs work. I do think his current preschool teacher gets to help make the decision and I know she thinks he needs it. Today the weather is nice and little cool but nice so Im sure Rob and the kids will be outside most of the evening which is good for me because its gets them out of my hair. Well I promise I wont wait so long to write again.

Braxtons Birthday Weekend

Well my little man turns 4 today. Its hard for me to beleive, we tried for so long to get him and now he is 4. I'm sure he will never appreciate all the struggles we went threw trying to get pregnant and carry him. He was truly and miracle to us. Now he is 4, going to preschool, trying to become his own person. The world better watch out because soon they wont know what hit them when Braxton is grown up. We had a very nice weekend to celebrate his birthday, all week it called for rain on Saturday but it ended up being beautiful, with no leaves on the trees it actually got hot sitting out in the sun. We had several little things go wrong but he did not care, like we ran out of gas on the grill while we were trying to cook, my baked beans did not turn out correctly even though I have made them at least 100 times, I forgot to buy ice cream and chips, we ran out of paper plates and this stuff was just for his birthday party but he did not care he still had his friends and family and that is what was important to him and of course the presents. Well we got him a new soccer net he kicked a ball at it about 3 times and was done, my mom got him a new bike and the rim was bent so she had to return it to the store and she is bringing another new one out tonight, his favorite gift so far has been the new bubbles he got from great Grandma. It just amazes me how they love the little things and the big stuff is okay. I really have a feeling though that when Grandma gets here tonight with the new bike it will be the best.

After the party was over we went to my friend Brandys house so Rob and her husband Kory could fix the brakes on my Durango, well it turned out that I needed another part that was another $140 so a 7 o'clock on Saturday we are headed to town to pick up the new part but we had a feeling with the way things had went that day that something would go wrong, but its all fixed now. On Sunday we spent all day at home which was nice, we got some things picked up out of the yard, Rob got all of the crap out from under the deck which ment he had to actually go under the deck to get it. After two full days outside the kids are wore out today and are not being very good, its a good thing the week came so everybody can get rested up for next weekend.

I did not get any good pics of Braxton on Saturday so this is the best I got.

Grandpa was trying to fix a nice play place for Renny since she is not walking and it involved him getting the the castle and I could not resist a pic.

Rob gone again

Life around here has been very boring. We had a wet weekend so we spent a lot of time in the house. We finally cleaned out our closets, which I have to say Rob and I still had clothes from high school it was time to get it done. Rob stayed home with the kids Saturday night and I went to Brandys for a girls night out. It was kind of fun, not a whole lot of people I knew at her house, a lot of people from her work, but I still got to get out and Rob actually stayed home with the kids. Rob left for Georgia Monday morning, I felt kind of bad I did not even wake up to say goodbye when he left at 4 am but I was tired. Corinne is starting to act better and sleeping again so I am sure it was her teeth bothering her. I can not wait till she gets them all in, she has been my worst kids for teething. I can not wait for friday to get here, I'm already ready for Rob to come home, it is just so much nicer to have someone home to help with the kids some but its only Tuesday, 3 more days.

Corinne has been a pain

Corinne has had the biggest attitude lately. She is not sleeping well at night or during the day and she just screams whenever something is not pleasing her, she is not eating well and just plain unhappy lately. I have decided to call her Endocrinologist tomorrow to see about getting a blood draw done. I think her medication is off. If its not I will be shocked and wonder why she is acting so miserable all the time lately. I'm very tired of it, I guess it could be her teeth but I have learned with her when she is cutting a new tooth she runs a fever, gets an ear infection and gets a bad diaper rash even with using the expensive diapers. I don't know, I just hope she gets over it soon.

Just wanted to show something

Corinne managed to climb up on the couch and onto the back to stand in front of the window. We should have named her monkey.

what a weekend

This weekend we had some fun. I first have to say the weather was beautiful, 60's and sunny. Friday night we took Dominic to Mason to weigh him in for a wrestling tournament on Saturday. We came home and spent the evening home. Saturday we got up early and went to the tournament. Dominic did not do so well and it was the longest, boringest tournament we have been to. We spent approximately 7 hours their for Dominic to wrestle twice. We have come to the conclusion that he is done wrestling for the year time for something new. Saturday night we went to our friend Brandy and Cory's just to get out of the house. Dominic did not go he did. not want to hang out with us. The weather was so perfect that we got to be outside the whole time and even had a bonfire. Sunday morning Dominic had his first baseball practice. It went good, thanks to Robs parents we both got to go watch. It was good to see some different parents again and get caught up with them. Then we went to my parents house, they just got back from Jamaica. They said it was the perfect vacation, I want to go. After we got home Rob was off again for the airport, he wont be home until Thursday and I'm missing him more than I usually do this time, but I'm sure the week will go fast.

we got to go out a play

yesterday even though it was wet I deceided my kids needed to go out and play. We stayed out for about 2 hours, untill Sissy got to wet to stay outside any longer. It was fun, Corinne liked the baby swing after she got used to it and Kirsten and Braxton got to ride their bikes. The sand box was a little wet but they did not care, they still played in it.



I love this pic of sissy again. It shows why she ended up so wet. Plus I know you cant see real well but Braxton has the back tire of his bike in a mud pubble and keeps peddaling to fling water.

Braxton is always so helpful but he was loving feeling like a big brother pushing his little sis.

I have not posted any pics in a couple days

I love this pic of sissy. We are headed shopping and I realized what a country girl she looked like. The John Deere shirt, brown coat and yes the hat says girls fish too and Bass Pro Shops.

The only pic of sissy on easter in her easter dress. I'm going to have to put it on her again just for pictures.

Braxton and Corinne planting flowers. This was a lot of fun and guess what everybody is getting for mothers day

And for anybody who likes pan fish will like the perfection in my fish I fried for dinner. Perfectly brown and crispy.

Happy 75th Grandma

Just wanted to wish my old Grandma a happy 75th. This pic was taken with Dominic and my Dad a little over a month ago. Happy Birthday Grandma.

We had a good weekend

This weekend was a perty good one. Friday night was kind of boring. We folded laundry and watched TV. On Saturday we took Braxton, Dominic and Dominics friend Daniel to the movies and to the batting cages. We went and saw Horton Hears a Who and the older boys went and saw Super Hero Movie. Our movie was cute except one part where Horton turns into a pokemon Japenese Animation type carater. It only lasted about a minute but I still thought it was very stupied. The older boys liked their movie, stupied comedy they love plus it was Dominics first time getting to go into a theater on his own. I ment to take my camera but I forgot. Braxton did better than I thought he would, he would not sit in the seats he said they were to big for him so he stood but that was the only big problem we had and that was not so bad. On Sunday I went to church with my Grandma and shopping and out to lunch and to see Uncle Dan. It was kind of a long day but we had fun and I got some good quality time with my Grandma. Well the kids are calling.

Boring Week

This has been a very normal week for me. Rob has been home, none of the kids are sick, it snowed again, normal flow of things. Our flowers we planed on monday have started to sprout. I will blog about them at a later date. The easter candy is gone (thank god). We do have some plans for this weekend which Im excited about. We are taking the boys to the batting cages and the movies on Saturday. Aunt Sandy is coming over to watch the girls. On Sunday I am taking my Grandma to church in the morning and out to lunch with her sisters for Lunch. I know hanging out with Grandma is not very exciting but Im looking forward to it, Rob will have the kids so it will be just me and her. She may tell me the same stories I have heard a hundred times but I still like hearing them again. Hopefully the snow will melt today. Im so sick of seeing it.

Its Tuesday Where did the weekend go

Well even though Rob was gone it was a fast weekend. Dominic spent Friday night and most of the day Saturday with friends hunting and hanging out with the boys. He missed the Easter egg coloring with the little kids but he was okay with that and it probably went a lot smother without him as he has a tendency to start fights with Braxton. He did help me with Easter baskets but I know it was so he could see what he was getting early. Easter started smooth but quickly turned outrageous with Kirsten whining like she has a tendency to do when she has not had enough sleep and has had to much candy. Braxton trying everything to wrestle with his brother and Corinne continuously getting into everything at my moms house. I keep hearing I will someday miss this but I really think the people telling me this is wrong. Their are things that are great like coloring Easter eggs, or the expression on their face when they realize that the Easter bunny came even though mom had said repeatedly he was not going to but you also have the whining and fighting. By Sunday night I was calm and not insane anymore and Rob got home which was a bonus. Monday Rob took the day off, I woke up and thought this is going to be a good day, I actually had a full nights sleep but I was wrong not that the day was really bad but I hurt my back. I bent down to pick up Corinne and could not get back up. Ya know its not like for the past 4 years I have not been picking up babies, I don't know what I did but it hurt worse than back labor because it was constant. I slowly got myself up and to a functioning state but I still hurt but being hurt is not an option in my life so I have to grit my teeth a bear it. Rob, the kids and I planted seeds yesterday which was fun now they are getting a chance to see how plants grow to bad the Easter bunny went a little overboard in buying and bought Braxton and Kirsten each 24 small pots to plant but we got it done. Well now its Tuesday hopefully this week will be a good one.

easter

Easter eggs

Dominic Wrestling

Just wanted to put a little note down about Dominics wrestling. He did one last tournament last night, Rob or I could be their so he rode with some friends. He took first, first tournament we neither one were their and he took first. We are very proud of him.

can you say CHOCOLATE COOKIE

Just wanted to share this since I finally got my camera out of the car and charged. The pics dont really do how messy she was justice.

Easter weekend and snow

Well I still have to charge the battery in my camera so I still have no new pics. but I want to talk about the 3-6 inches of snow we are supposed to get today. I dont know if anybody else noticed but it is easter weekend and its not supposed to snow. The sun is supposed to be out and 65 degrees not snow. Im sick of snow, we had a record snowfall in Febraury is does not need to continue on into March. We need sunshine, my kids need to go outside and run off the energy they have been building up all winter. Instead of rain rain go away everybody needs to sing snow snow go away come again some other day.

I think my girls are going to grown up drinking wine

Both of my girls right now are eating cheese and ring bologna for breakfast because that is what they wanted. I would have a picture but I have to charge the battery in my camera. Dont people who drink wine usually eat cheese and meat with with ya know little cut up pieces. I personally dont like wine or non that I have ever tried. Ill stick with common Redneck drinks myself.

another weekend come and gone

Well this weekend had a lot of highs and lows. On the high side I got to go out Friday night, it was not the most exciting time but at least I got to have it away from the kids with good friends as company. I got all my easter shopping done which is a feat with 4 kids to buy for. Saturday was not that good with Dominics wrestling tournament. He just did not look like himself. I dont know if it was nerves or what but he did not have his best day. But on the brighter side in Dominics age and weight group is a kid named John who has been to the national tournament (awesome wrestler) well his Dad told Dominic after he was done how he had been watching him a season and know he is good wrestler and has a lot of potential. Dominic is the only person I have noticed at any tourament John's Dad calling aside to talk to and this was the second time he has done it with Dominic. I know you may be thinking well he is just trying to make him feel better but that is not how it is in wrestling, Dad's usually only pull you aside if they truly feel what they are saying is true. So for Dominic to have a dad who kid has been to nationals pull you aside is like a major thing. Well that was Saturday on Sunday I called my mom and dad's house like I do almost every day to find out that my cousin has died. His name is Bobby and he is only 40 years old. The unofficial word is he had a heart attack. He has two children and a wife. I did not know him very well but it still makes me sad. I wish everybody could live till at least 90 and watch their kids and grandkids grow up. Makes you realize how short life is. Later in the day on Sunday Rob had to leave to go out of town again. His flight was ontime and everything was going good until one guy on the plane made a bad comment which turned into everybody being evacuated from the plane and bomb sniffing dogs being brought on and the guy who made the comment being taken into custody. I dont know if that guy did not realize how serious they are about security or what, I bet from now on he will watch what he says and where. It Monday another weekend come and gone.

wrestling regionals

I wanted to let everybody know that Dominic did not do so hot at regionals. I don't know if it was nerves or what but it was a bad day for him. On the brighter side wrestling is over for us except for one night a week practice and an occasional tournament until next winter.

I get to go out

For the first time in two years almost Rob and I are going to our local drinking hole tonight. Its my friend Brandys 30 birthday so we are going to celebrate. This is only about the 3rd or 4th time since Renny has been born that we have had a sitter for all 4 kids. The only thing that sucks is Dominic has wrestling regionals tomorrow so we still have to get up early get the kids but that is okay Im going out tonight. Two good things in two days YIPEEEEEEE!

shopping without children

I know this does not sound like a big deal but it is to me. I got to go shopping by myself and get the easter stuff for the kids and it was such a great time for myself. I never get to do that anymore I always have a least one child with me. I got to look and rethink and read about the stuff I was buying, I also got to look at adult clothes (not that I bought anything for myself). It was such a nice evening for myself and Im so happy Rob was willing to just stay home with the kids. Thank You Rob

Does he look big or what

I just like this picture. He looks so big.