In the throng of Holiday Cheer

Here it is almost Christmas.... I thought I would take a moment to list the things I'm enjoying about Christmas: in no particular order :)
~Christmas lights!!!
~The Christmas tree lit up in my dark living room:)
~Christmas baking...yum
~My boys excitement while picking out the right gifts for their brothers and parents
~The *glow* of colored lights
~Secret Santa- The boys love Secret Santa and his treats. They always shout, "Thank You Secret Santa!!" into the dark:) and there is lots of giggling:)
~Christmas dishes that I love and they fit in the cupboard with my regular dishes!
~Elek' s cuteness -learning how to wrap presents "all by himself " He did a really great job!
~Shaun's hard work and diligence to support our family
~My Sisters-They are just wonderful
~All day yesterday Keenan was growing up- He just looked so old, with his perfect spiky hair and blue hoodie. (He grew two inches literally over night-none of his pants fit, thank goodness for being a middle child and having the next size available)
~Camden's never failing ability to get hurt and bruised, but never having to go to the ER(keeping fingers crossed on that last part). His face is sporting three good and crazy bruises and dried blood in his nose from colliding into his brothers hand that was holding a 8lb hand weight.
~Elek entertaining His brothers while standing in two eternally long lines at Jo Ann's.
~The rejuvenating effects of Diet Coke on a long run around kind of a day
~Two fantastic Grandma's
~My mother in law who took care of my kids all day while I threw up because of a migraine and made us dinner before we went home.
~Christmas cards- I love getting Christmas cards. Hearing from old friends. And knowing one day I'll send them out too-and they'll be adorable! well, maybe! hehe:)
~Cute matching suits for my boys that have lasted since November 08. I got creative and switched out the white shirts for red ones with reindeer Christmas ties! Silly, but I love it:)
~And since it's that time - Kid bed times:) Good night all!

October pumpkins and costumes

As the kids get older pumpkin carving gets funner and more involved. First the boys had paint and were painting then carving and those little light bright pegs. At one point I looked up and saw Camden. I said "well aren't you lucky! When Elek was Camden's age all eyes were on him! But here is Camden hacking away at his pumpkin with a carving knife." He made it through without cutting himself and He was so Proud!

The day before Halloween main st does a little "store front" trick or treating. This is the cousins we started with...

This is the group of cousins we finished with:) Yes, there are two babies sleeping in that stroller!

Ward trunk or treat party. Pie eating contest. Yummm - eat with only my face-perfect!

Halloween highlights

-The kids all wanted to wear the same costumes as last year so we let them:)

-We tried to go to a pumpkin patch, but it was so, so very cold and wet-we left. I miss Lariland!! Maybe we'll find something better next year.

-The main st was my favorite this year. I love this old part of town:) And its small town-ness:)

-On Halloween we trick or treated with different cousins after the trunk or treat. Super fun!

-Free taco bell taco's. Yummy!

Randoms over the last THREE months=)

Well, I finally uploaded two cameras and I'm on the computer that has all the picts...so I've squeezed in everything until October:)

First funny pictures from our insane move:

The great guys that came to help us last minute. What fantastic neighbors. I miss that little cud-d-sac!

Camden being bored and entertained with pictures..say cheese...:)

The reason why we didn't get a hotel room and sleept a few hrs in the car.

My boys are good sleepers in their own beds. Great. Remove them from those beds to say ANYWHERE and not so great! We pulled off about one and Camden was screaming his head off. I can't remember what his issue was, but I refused to pay for a room when I had to hold him and then worry about all the people trying to sleep around us and still only sleep a few hours! But the new day was sunny and we were off... again:)

Love this pict! hehe:) Camden was trying to reach eleks head so he could"play" and keenan is completely passed out too you can barely see his ear and side of head:) I don't think you can see it in this pict, but keenan was storing all his stuffed animals on top the tv box. haha:)

Someone asked me if we really travel with our kids all "packed up like this" well the answer is -yes! If you can't make a second trip yep we shove it all in. Keenan loved climbing over to get to his seat. And if there is too much stuff between them -they can't touch each other!

Welcome to Missouri! what were we thinking... the freeway was actually washed out and I was going about 10mph - when I was going!

Much better. We can move here.

This picture reminds me of driving after this storm. The roads were still wet, but I was speeding up with two or three other people. I was behind a small pickup and to the right. I wanted to pass the pick up, but there was a car coming up behind me. I let him pass me then scooted to the left. Then I'm not sure what happened the car in front of me may have hydroplaned an bit. It was horrible to watch a car fling from side to side, over correct repeatedly then get tossed to the medium only to flip over and amazingly be grabbed by barbed wire stuff in mid air and thrown back to the grown backwards. I was completely shocked and filled with sadness for them and desperate gratitude it wasn't me and my babes. I was stunned crying thinking what do I do. At this point I was barely coasting past the pickup and looked at him. He was getting his cell out, dialing. I prayed everyone was okay and kept going. I decided I couldn't help with three children on the side of the freeway and I still feel guilty I didn't stop. Crazy story...

Eleks first day of school:) When people ask Him what grade he is in. He'll say, "I'm not in a grade. I'm in Kindergarten." Technically I guess He's right:)

When we built the downstairs we intended this to be a closet. Every one said what a "wonderful" TV cabinet this would be. We tried it...not so great, but Camden found a way to enjoy it! (the couch is turned because we were seeing if we liked it better if we turned the whole room around)

The first grandchild on Shauns side to be baptised.

What happens when food is out at a "Haney" event:)

Look who's TWO! Probably deserved its own post. However, at this rate I better put it in:)

This was an interesting birthday theme:} Bouncy balls! Camden loves them, my first choice, Micky mouse wasn't going so well so we had to switch -birthday time was here! So Bouncy Ball theme here we come! Note: plastic balls in cake taste horrible!!!

My Dear Camden;) You had a blast on your birthday!

You are such a good sport with your brothers and love playing with them - no matter what. I doesn't matter if they take your toys or try not to play -you forgive them and keep coming back with excitement to be with them. I love the way you say le'lek and eenan, I get a grin just thinking of the way you say their names:) You typically will forgo the first letter in any word which makes me stop and listen to you more, because it is so cute:) You currently carry around two cars -one for each hand and they have to be able to hook to each other back to back! If one falls you say "I ot it." We love watching you run around in your little underwear-your so proud, and I am too:) The other day I watched you run up to your cousin and show him your cars as the two of you shared a few words in two yr old language. I'm amazed at how big you are and how loving your smile is:) We love you Camden boy:)

The kids made these "bouncy ball" hats and insisted we take a picture:)

This is just because it so funny! We shoot those little popper things and for some reason it was scarring the snot out of Camden. He has been around them before with out a problem, but this time it was really getting him!

Since being here we got a visit from this little cutie and her mom-who is also a real cutie:) I wanted to get a picture of her Monkey-ness. She likes to hold everything with here feet! It cracks me up!

We took our house off the market. But before deciding to -I would look out my back windows and would just think of how much I love this view. It is so beautiful. I love the way the sun sets back here just over the tree line. I love the color the light gets in the evening. I love that each of my kids have now had a chance to play in this huge open area. I love watching the harvesting machine that collects the crop-and I wanted to always remember how much I love this spot.

Petting Farm - MD aug 09

Enchanted Forest-MD


Camden looking so big:)


Elek realized the donkey was eating hay. So He tried to make it alittle "easier" for the donkey. I use the word easier very loosly, nothin like getting hay slowly shoved towards your nose to make you scoot away!

This little guy really like the pile of hay brought to him.

Give a goat a handful of food... and you get a line of goats!

Camden kept trying to be brave and feed the sheep and goats, but he usually would get scared and drop the food just before they could get it.

Maybe it's the Alankan Cowgirl in me, but I love when my kids climb the fence...oh the memories:)

This goat was a little scary looking. He has green eyes and would just look at you until you gave it food.

The boys loved getting on top this plat form with the baby goats.

Deciding if they should go up here. I had a picture of Elek and Keenan up here with two goats. On the edge of the photo you could see one of the goats trying to eat Keenan's shirt! Too Funny:)

Love the goats toung sticking out!

So, I know I'm not THAT popular

Just a little note to say it must be time to go private on my blog! My counter on the side moves slowly but steadily. I haven't really been paying attention to it since the move somewhere aroung 2000 or so... 11,000+ CRAZY! I must have been put on the list of blogs to look at....

school

Thursday after getting Elek at the bus stop I asked if He had a good day.
E: yes, I got center time minutes
Me: ? great!(not really sure, but he was happy so we went with it)
Me: How did you do that?
E: I earned them.
Me: How
E: I guessed the words on the board. No one else knew them.
Me: Great job:)

His cousins view(conversation between mom and daughter)
Mom: were you good today?
cousin: yes
Mom: did you get in trouble?
Cousin: well the whole class did. Well everyone, but Elek.
Mom: what happened?
Cousin: During circle time no one knew the words on the board. But elek did. The whole class had to wait 5 minutes before center time. Elek was the only one that was able to play.

Funny, the perspective of two kids on the same moment. One thinks they are getting a great privilege for reading some words. The other thinks they are all being punished for not reading!

Either way I'm glad Elek is loving learning! We had been working on letters and writing the last year, but I never really know what's "sticking." It's nice to see something come full circle.
Good job buddy!

Funny note: Elek is looking for a nick name. Keenan has Keenan myster; Camden is Camden boy(I know we aren't very original) Well elek came up with Elek melek. Not only does it rhyme, but it is a city in the b of m. Too funny, not sure if he's keeping it though:)

We're here!

We made it. A bit crazy, dog tired, but in one piece:) The house is mainly unpacked. Md house is almost finished. Crazy carpet cleaning fiasco - hopefully will wrap up soon and not cost and arm and a leg! Elek started school(on time) and only had two "problems." Elek is loving being in the same class as his cousin! (Totally a random thing.)
The country is fun! I forget how calm it is here. The kids love playing in their own yard. We are the only ones parking in our "space" :) The kids have gone to the frog pond several times and we currently have four frogs upstairs plus one Shaun just found in the laundry room. Still trying to figure that one out?!! I'm getting used to driving in no traffic and have to remember to leave space between me and the car I'm passing. (They actually want to let me in!!)
For those that don't know - we moved into our old house. The tenants moved out the end of July and it was empty so we moved back in until it sells. Our tenants were good and they just moved down the street. Good and bad. We really like them, but the house was a little dirty. Many thanks to my mother in law who scrubbed a black shower for me when I was so tired of cleaning and unpacking that it was moved way down the priority list. So far we have installed a microwave, oiled all the wood work(kitchen cabinets, trim and bathrooms), scrubbed floors, replaced two shower heads and installed closet doors. Currently working on re caulking the kitchen sink and two toilets, replacing shower drain that was cracked, replacing ripped out dry wall from said leak, and finding places for all those pesky "things" we have. Man I just "love" owning a house!!! Ha ha:) really we do - it's nice to fix, replace things whenever we want -just wish someone else was paying for it though!!!
I wanted to write about Elek's school. *warning this does get a bit long, but I wanted to remember it. feel free to skim past* The first day He was so excited! I worried about him all day! Shaun the boys and I waited for him at the bus stop. We chatted with old neighbors and were caught up on all the neighborhood gossip. So silly! The bus came the kids got off and no Elek. I asked the driver if she had one more. Wow! She got nervous fast! She checked the bus - no kids. Looking back I am shocked I was so calm. I just knew He was with his cousins. Shaun and I were actually thinking this was very funny. We were so confident we drove to the next subdivision without calling to pick him up. If we were anywhere else I know I would have Just freaked out! We ended up at my sister in laws(inside) with no one there. Mean while my sister in law was inside my house with her kids and elek. Ironic no doors were locked? Anyways, it ended up I told elek to make sure he got on the bus with his cousins and He heard go home with your cousins! Elek said he had a good day. That night after tucking him in - he came out with huge tears. Apparently he had to have a "chat" with his teacher because he wasn't keeping his hands to himself. No surprise. I've been telling him to do that for years. But coming from this new person then having minutes taken away during recess really through him. During the middle of this sadness he says, "and I'm not riding the bus any more either!" I asked him why and Elek says in his most serious voice, "because it STINKS!" I couldn't help but laugh! I told him yes the bus probably does stink because it is hot and kids get sweaty and that makes things smell bad. So funny! The next morning Elek gets into his I'm not going to school thing. I'm thinking of options. 1. elek is strong. He is more than half my size and can knock a grown man down. Like completely to the ground - there is no way I can pick him up and squeeze him through that small bus door with out problems. 2. I don't want to start a pattern of fighting him every morning about going to school. I remembered I had to take his birth certificate to school and told him he could ride along with me. Elek was very concerned his teacher would still be mad at him and would think he wasn't trying to be good and learn all the rules. I told him I would tell his teacher with him there he was trying. We dropped off his certificate then planned the timing so I could talk with the teacher, but be forced to leave with school starting. When I first walked in the teacher was defensive. I think she thought I was going to tell her she should be nice to my kid. However, she lightened up when I told her it would be hard for her and elek. I was sorry and good luck, but Elek was going to try really hard to keep his hand to himself. My poor boy. His eyes were all glossy and his face was red. He was trying so hard to be brave and not cry. It was so hard for me to look at him and not scoop him up and tell him he never had to do this and could come home with me. While he put his backpack away I controlled myself and was able to give him a big hug. Elek did jump into my arms so I ended up holding him, but it was hard to treat him like the school kid he now is. As I walked out of the class kids were in the hall excitedly going to their classes and lockers and I could hardly see them through my tears. My little guy was learning a very important lesson that is so hard for him and I could feel how much he was hurting and struggling. I know it's silly "keep your hands to yourself," common sense. But Elek has such a hard time controlling this and He is really trying. I ask him every day how he did and He is so excited when he can report back that he did good and didn't have to have any "chats." Thankfully there has been no more problems and Elek really enjoys school and the bus:)
Meanwhile Keenan Myster has been all over the place. He was really being...well... rotten. Keenan has the sweetest, silliest, content personality. But during this move "stuff" He has had major mood swings and screaming fits. Completely different kid. Thankfully he is doing better this week. Today Keenan was quite enjoyable! He had all his silliness back. I told him that while Elek was at school he was the biggest boy here! Keenan rised to the occasion and really made good choices. Today we stopped by grandma Haney's. I was fixing a hole in the table outside and Keenan and Camden came out with me. There was a big storm the night before. It broke the umbrella off the patio set! Well several unfortunate bugs were caught in the storm and landed(dead) on the deck. Keenan and I went on a bug find! We found a beautiful green and yellow dragonfly, Shiny green beetle, assassin bug, cicada, and a whole pile(not kidding) like 20 cicada shells! These things were huge all the bugs were huge! Keenan put them all on a paper and we labeled them "Keenan's bug find!" The love this boy had pouring out of him was priceless. The twinkle in his eyes was back and stayed all day. All day! It was so nice to have him back. Shaun and I are downstairs and we heard Keenan yelling. Shaun went up. Apparently Keenan went poop and wanted someone to wipe his bum(still working on him do that one). Shaun asked him if he was calling us a long time. Keenan said, "Yeah, I've been yelling because I've been sitting on this potty a hundred years!" Yes, back to his silliness:)
That leaves Camden boy. He has decided to go into his second year of life the traditional way...oh those two's! Something funny though - When something just exasperates him. He will slump his shoulders and get those frumpy eyebrows I love, then purses his lips. Quite humorous:) I'll have to try and get a picture. The other day Camden and I ran errands together. No we didn't pick up Erin or go to her house:) The two of us went to 8 yes eight different places in and hour and a half! It was great - Camden was so good too and even fell asleep on the way home and transferred to bed without waking! Some of my favorite things he's saying are; guuys!, frys and I uv you!