New Years Eve!

We had a really fun New Years Eve party at church. I was in charge so I had to go, but I would have anyway even with young kids. I brought blankets and pillows and laid Shirley down a little after 10. The other three were awake the whole time. We played games, had kereoke, and had lots of good food. The music was fun. It was fun dancing with the kids. Rilla enjoyed helping her dad vacuum after the party. We let our older kids stay up as late as they want on New Years Eve. Jem made it until 1:15 AM, Rilla made it until 1:30, and Walter made it until 2 AM.

Rilla's haircut!

Over Christmas break we built a fort in our living room/dining room and the kids, except Shirley, slept in it. Jem slept in the middle and must have been playing with his silly puddy when he fell asleep. Somehow it rolled under Rilla's head and got stuck in her hair really bad. There was no getting it out without cutting it. So I gave her her first real haircut. I am not great at cutting hair but it looks Ok. She is very cute with short hair. In these pictures she got Gil's work out gloves (that he does pushups in) and Gil found her trying to do sit-ups and pushups on her own.

Hutch!

I love my house, but the kitchen is a little on the small side and not a lot of cabinet space. So A little after I got here I bought a hutch of Craig's list. I added two shelfs and bought baskets to keep my stuff organized. They are for things such as tools, batteries, kitchen gadgets, potatos, extra cups, etc. I love having it all organized and out of view.

Christmas!

This was my favorite Christmas so far. We were able to make it a very spiritual one. What a wonderful day Christmas day was. After opening our presents we spent the morning playing together. We had Annalisa and her family over for dinner. I made a ham. It was a lot less time consuming than a turkey. I even bought the pies. I didn't want to be stuck in the kitchen all day. We had a mid afternoon dinner so we had plenty of time after dinner to spend more time with our children. I was so content and happy when I went to bed that night. I hope I can make all of them just like this one.

We gave service for the Salvation army the week before Christmas. We had Walter and Jem participate with us.

A few nights before Christmas we made a gingerbread house together. I think the kids enjoyed eating the candy more than making it.
The kids opening their stockings Christmas morning.

Jem got a crystal making kit and a crystal mining kit and was so happy.
Walter got a gig lego set. He loves legos.. I love building with him.

My grandma always makes her Christmas gifts. I love them. It sure makes gifts extra special when someone takes the time to make them. This time she made the boys hats, Rilla a hat and shawl (they are so cute), Gil knitted socks, and me a knitted sweater.

Jem with his crystal mining kit.

Walter building one of the houses with the lego set he got.
Jem making his crystals. He couldn't be happier.
Gil got a harmonica and is excited to learn to play.

Shirley's 2nd Birthday!

Shirley had his 2nd birthday at the end of November. It sure is amazing how fast they grow up. We didn't have a party (I don't really see the point when they are so young). We sang happy birthday after dinner and he opened his two presents. Since he can't have cake we made rice crispy treats (with canola oil substituted for the butter) and put two candles on the top. He talks quite a bit already and has already initiated potty training. I can't complain about that. He now sleeps in a toddler bed. He does love to pick on his sister, but other than that is a very sweet little boy.




Here are two pictures of hime when he was born and a few days after.

Washington DC and the Flu!

September 26th Jem and Rilla started fevers in the middle of the night. Jem's stayed at about 100.8 and Rilla's was a little lower. Rilla's lasted 2 1/2 days while Jem's lasted 4 days. They had a little cough and sore throat. Walter had a little sore throat for about one day and that was it. Shirley didn't get it until the 2nd of October. But because I was sure it was the H1N1 Flu (my neighbors girls were confirmed with it and I watched their brother before and after school during that time, and we were at there house several times, too) I started Shirley on his asthma medicine before he even started showing symptoms. I think that helped since his asthma didn't get as bad as it has in the past. It was also a stressful week since I was flying out the next Sunday, Oct. 4th, to go to Washington D.C. for six days. Gil was also flying out the same day for a military class in texas for seven days (Gil found out about his TDY a week and a half prior, but I already had my flight scheduled and paid for by a friend here who paid for my ticket so I could help watch her toddler while she was in her FRG classes in Washington D.C.) My Grandma and Uncle were already coming to visit us the following week, so they came early to watch our kids. Of course, having sick kids made me stressed and I felt bad about leaving. Luckily, it was just Shirley who was sick by the time we left. Luckily, his symptoms were mild, and he had no fever, but his asthma had kicked in a little.

Even if my kids hadn't been sick, it still would have been hard to leave. I have never been away from them except when I have been in the hospital having a baby. I was excited to go to Washington D.C. I went to help my friend but also to get to visit with my sister who was going to the same FRG conference. The flight there was quick. I read and almost finished a book. It was so nice not flying with kids. I love reading, so I enjoyed the time. I finished the book while waiting fo my sister's flight to arrive in Washington D.C. Then we went to the hotel and checked into her hotel. It was a very nice hotel. We were on the 11th floor. The first half of Monday the three of us were able to do sight seeing. The first place I wanted to go was the botanical gardens. They were beautiful. I really enjoyed them. Then we walked by some sights, like the capitol, and then had lunch at a street cafe. Then Christina, my sister, and AnnaLisa, my friend, went to FRG meetings and I headed back to the hotel with AnnaLisa's little boy for nap time.

Tuesday through Thursday we were able to do a little more sightseeing, I watched Annalissa's little boy while they were in meetings, and spent time together. It was fun taking the subway. We took a shuttle from the hotel to the subway and then the subway into Washington DC. I enjoyed eating out as well. One night we had chinese and another we went to a Thai resturaunt. That was my favorite out of all. I had a curry and it was so good. I had, however, caught what my kids had and had a little cough and was more tired than normal. Other than that, I really had a wonderful time. I even visited some of the Smithsonian museums.

I flew home Friday morning and was very excited to see my kids. I really missed them. I got home just in time, too, because my Grandma and Uncle started not feeling well Thursday night. They caught the flu, too. My husband got home Saturday and had the following week off. He took it off since we had family visiting. We had planned on doing a bunch of sightseeing, but didn't end up doing much because everyone was sick (we did go to Mammoth caves in Kentucky-that was fun). Jem and Shirley got sick again with another flu. Jem got pnemonia. We caught it early and took him to the ER when he started spiking a fever and complained that his chest hurt. Shirley just had the normal coughing and wheezing from his asthma he gets when he gets sick. Luckily, that week was fall break from school so Jem only missed one day from school the following Monday. I enjoyed having my Grandma and Uncle. When my Grandma was better I took her to a spa and she had a foot pedicure and body massage. She is 81 years old and had never had either. Her and I also went out to lunch at the Cracker Barrel before the spa. It was nice spending time with her.