Try to remain calm!

SO...driving home from dropping Alissa off from pre-school, Im relaxing, listing to some music, Zack is asleep in the backseat...All is good. And then I look down for a brief moment, dont know why, but what do I see? An BIG FAT BLACK SPIDER on my leg! Not a small, happy, friendly spider...if there is any such thing...A BIG FAT BLACK ONE!

I know for some of you this may not be cause for alarm, but spiders and I go way back and have a history of not getting along. Needless to say I did what every rational human being would do...I SCREAMED and flicked the spider off of my leg, only to see what appears to be this spider flying up to my dashboard. Keep in mind, I am behind the wheel at this point. Trying to keep my composure and continue driving in a safe manner, I proceed to look for the intruder. With no luck spotting the creepy fat predator, I continue to drive home as quickly as one can in a speed limit of 30 MPH. Whats with this city and their slow traffic laws!?

Pulling into the garage as fast as I can I jump out of the van and do a quick look over myself, to make sure he wasnt still occupying my body...and run into the house for a flashlight. After a thorough and cautious investigation, I regret to say...I cannot find the spider anywhere. I know what your all thinking, Im crazy right? The thought did cross my mind that I could just have been hallucinating this thing making cozy on my leg, but no. I AM NOT CRAZY! I know it! Oh yeah, I guess I better get the kids out of the van before I proceed to bomb the perimeter.

After the kids are safely in the house, I go upstairs to do a strip search...just to be safe. Still no spider in sight. Again I take to the flashlight, while calling Ryan in hopes for someone more rational to talk some sense into me. Another search and prodding for the spider to make himself known with empty promises, comes up short. Still with creepy crawlies invading my entire body, I must eat some lunch. I will need my strength to defeat the beast.

Now I ask of you...how am I to get back into the van knowing that...that THING is still in there lurking somewhere, ready to make himself known at the worst possible moment!? How can I ever drive rationally again until it is found? If anyone out there is brave enough to come find this spider, or even trade me vans until it is found, you will forever be my hero! I have 3 hours until Alissa is to be retrieved. Help me!


what is that on my head...crawling up my leg....oh its in shirt now...ewww...get it off me!

A little Brylee update

Ryan pointed out that its been a while since I posted about how "#5" has been progressing. I guess Ive fallen into the pit of only blogging about the big events that go on in our life, and forgot about the little things, and possibly the most important, and precious things that get overlooked in life. (Is that a run on sentence?)Well, I think the last post Brylee got all to herself was when she learned to sit all by herself (back in July). What is she doing now, you might ask?

Well...still sitting. A bit more stable. Brylee has been our latest to develop new tricks. She is just easy goin', happy and content. I guess she just hasnt felt the need to crawl, or stand or even sit up all on her own. Could this be due to the fact that she has 4 of her very own personal assistants around to help her reach, eat or sit up whenever she needs? I dont know, but she seems happy either way.

But we cant forget about the other, smaller milestones that she cant help but reach. Like enough hair to sport her own little piggy tails, or horns as I like to call them. (I am officially entering her into the smallest piggy tail contest thats been going on in blog world!) Or being able to eat a ritz cracker...even while falling asleep. Stay strong!

The cracker won. And another joyous talent learned...pulling out all the wipes from the box. She was pretty proud of that one.
Another of her favorite new pastimes, playing peek-a-boo with a blanket.

Peek-a-boo!

Wait for it...

Peek-a-boo!

Oh yes, we cant leave out the fact that she has been working hard on growing. At her last appointment she was a whopping 17 lbs. 11 oz., 25% bigger than other kids her age! Pretty unexpected for one of our kids, but actually a little bigger than we are used to.

The doctor acted a little concerned at her lack of progression, but Im not going to worry until she is well past 1, and still hasnt moved from that spot on the floor. The biggest concern I had was that she hasnt ever cried tears. Not even when I leave her in her crib to cry to sleep, or when she has accidentally been whacked on the head, or givin a shot. Ouch! After contacting the opthamologist, she assured us that as long as her eyes arent dry, then everything is fine. Could she just be so laid back that she doesnt even care to shed tears? Only time will tell.

The next milestone...turning 10 months.

sniffle...sniffle.

Apple pickin' fun

Some friends invited us to experience another Wisconsin favorite this weekend...apple picking! It actually turned out to be a very nice day, and the kids all enjoyed getting to choose their own apples to taste test, and take home. Brylee even tried to taste her own apple, leaves and all! After we filled up a bag, the kids just ran up and down the rows and rows of apples, and then we headed to the "smoke house" where they make yummy cider, donuts and real Wisconsin cheese. Ryan got to try his first taste of 7 year old cheddar, which of course he enjoyed. He's always been a big cheese. We also got to see a mound of cheese as big as a table, which appropriately they call, Mammoth cheddar. The kids got to see how they make cider and taste some of the homemade goodness, along with the yummy donuts. Then they met some of the local goats, turkeys and ducks while Zack got to finally do his favorite...swing! This is sure to become a yearly tradition, as long as we can get there early enough to avoid the swarm of wasps which also enjoy the taste of sweet apples, donuts and cider. Now what to do with all these apples?...Suggestions?

Just for fun, on the way home we stopped by the local "ski area". Ive been wanting to get a picture for all you Utah folk who love to ski like myself. This is what I have to put up with. Can you see it? Its actually an old dump hill. Looks exciting right! But maybe some day, when I get desperate for some skiing, we'll try it out. So sad.

Party Time (a bit late)

Madison decided she wanted a slumber party for her birthday this year, so a week after re-couping from a dozen screaming hyper girls, I am finally up to posting about it. Im happy to say we did survive our first slumber party experience.

But lets back up a bit. Her actual birthday was on 09/09/09, the only other time it was on that cool of a day, was when she was born...9/9/99, and it wont be that way again until she is 100 years old, so it was a day worth celebrating for sure. After taking a violin class this summer, Madi decided she would like to continue with the violin, and join the school orchestra. So what better occasion to get her her own violin, than her birthday? Ryan had this brilliant plan to just give her the music stand and make her think that was all there was going to be, since we told her that her party consisted of her present. She really wasnt expecting anything at all, so she was thrilled to have something to place her music book on. Then, as she was distracted, we pulled out the other present. She was very excited to open it to find a violin she could call her own.

"Yea! A music stand!" "Wow! My own violin!"

After the fun of surprising her on her birthday, it was time to get down to business and plan for the party. We (meaning I), made these mini pillow cases to hold the invites. Then Madi hand delivered them.
Then the day of the party arrived. To follow the slumber party theme, Madi picked a brownie pizza for her cake. But we also made her favorite cupcakes with Reses cups on top. Both were so yummy!
As the guests arrived, they made fuzzy flip flops for slippers.
Then they all got their own pillow case to decorate and sign with everyones autograph.

Time to blow out candles.

Ryan doing the ol' Discovery Zone party trick. (We both used to work there as party hosts). Whenever they wanted a drink, they had to put their cups on their head and wait for him to refill it. They kept him pretty busy, since the cups were pretty small. They all enjoyed watching him walk around in circles, so they drank fast.

Whats a slumber party without nail painting? Next, they each got a pedicure kit, and painted away.

The beautiful finished toes in their new flip flops.

Last, Madison opened presents, and then it was movie and popcorn time. We gave the girls the option to be picked up late, or choose to stay over. 3 friends got to stay overnight, so of course they then put on an additional movie.

When morning came, we had a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs. Then 15 hours later, it was time for the fun to end. Im sensing this is just the beginning of many more slumber parties to come.

As a side note, 3 days later after Madisons first orchestra rehearsal I got a call from her orchestra teacher. She stated bluntly that Madisons new beautiful violin had major defects in it (it was drilled wrong among many other concerns) and that it was basically unusable. So now we have to purchase or rent another violin in order for her to continue orchestra. Too bad we already returned to rental we had from summer classes. Hows that for a nice surprise?

Another Birthday

We cant believe it, our little Madison is now a whole decade old! Its gone by so fast and we will treasure all the memories we've had with her as our little girl. She has always been such a good kid. So happy, helpful, kind and considerate. We really dont have many complaints about Madison. It is a good thing she is the oldest, because she is really a good example to all her younger siblings. We know it is a lot of pressure for her, but she steps up and handles it well.

Madison is talented in so many ways. She is artistic, musical, one of the best readers in her school, a wonderful friend who is kind to everyone. I wish I could make friends as easily as she does. She is fun and funny, energetic, outgoing and has an amazing memory. So good of a memory in fact, that we have to watch what we say, because she will recall it later. She definitely cant forget about the time Dad threw her too high and hit her head on the ceiling, or when Mom burnt her ear with the curling iron. I guess she does need to work on forgiveness. But really, she is so tolerant of her little brother and sisters. They get into so much of her stuff, and although she does get frustrated at times, she handles it pretty well. And she is a really big help around the house. We know we can trust her. She is responsible and makes good choices. Even though she is not old enough to officially babysit yet, she does take good care of her brother and sisters when she is asked, and cant wait to be old enough to babysit for real. But she may soon change her mind after it starts happening on a regular basis, so Mom and Dad can go out! She is also very affectionate. Even though she is 10 now, she still cant go to sleep or to school without a kiss goodbye.

I could go on and all about how great it is to have Madison in our family. We know that she will continue to be a wonderful person and do great things in her life. I know I learn so much just being able to be her mother, maybe more than I teach her. The next ten years might take a bit longer to get through, but we are excited to experience all the new memories we will make with her. Happy 10 years Madi!

We love you!

Heres a little slide of the last 10 years, and the last 10 birthdays with Madison.

Another one down

We couldnt leave Alissa's big day out, so here she is on her first day of pre-school today. She is actually in the peer program, which is a head start class for slightly disabled kids. Alissa goes to act as one of the non-disabled peers to be an example for the other kids. I think it will be a really great experience for her, and one she can grow and learn from and also help prepare her for Kindergarten next year. She was excited to have 3 other girls in her class, since she has been shorted that experience pretty much her whole life...with the exception of home of course. She has been pretty much the only girl her age in all her primary classes and our neighborhood. Dont feel too bad though...she has enough attitude to make up for all of that missing estrogen. We were glad to hear she had some more to keep her company at school though. The only downside to this arrangement will be me having to adjust to packing the kids up twice a day to go to and from the school. Im dreading having to leave my warm house and drive out in the cold and snow in the next few months. But I guess the 3 hours of silence at home makes it worthwhile. It happens to be during Zacks naptime, so me and Brylee can just hang out and enjoy the peacefulness. If I get real lucky, Brylee might take a nap sometimes too!

Anyway, here she is sporting her outfit of choice for the day. I couldnt make cupcakes again, but I did finish making these new curtains for her room. She really loves them, maybe more than cupcakes...hmmm, maybe not.

Zack, seeing how all the girls got to have their pictures taken had to get his time in the spotlight too. His pajamas arent quite as trendy as the girls school clothes, but he thinks they come pretty close. Complete with matching sippy cup.
And since we posted everyone else, here is the last but not least. Just 5 more years for the official first day of school picture. This picture does make her look older, but not old enough!
Brylee at 8 months.
Well, thats the end. Nothing now but early mornings and lots of homework. Boy will this be a busy year!

School Time!

After much anticipation, the big day finally arrived...the first day of school. Katelin has been asking for weeks "how much longer now?" They were both ultra excited about wearing their new clothes...almost like they've never had new clothes before; and put much thought into which outfit would be deemed presentable for this all important first day.

Heres the final outcome.

The morning seemed to be going well. Time was on our side. Then without realizing it, somehow we lost 15 minutes somewhere, and ended up rushing the kids into the van to make it to school on time. We arrived just in time for Katelin to make it to her line before they went inside, but Madi's class had already gone in.

I had to capture a quick picture of her before walking in tardy for her first day of 4th grade. Notice how there isnt anyone in the halls anymore...what a great first impression for the teacher.

To add to the impression, Madi ended up calling home from her classroom, to verify whether or not she was supposed to ride the bus home. Im sure her teacher is really impressed with us at this point. Later, we were informed that the bus they were supposed to ride to school on, actually never picked up the kids this morning, so we're hoping her teacher chalks up her tardiness to the negligence of the bus driver, instead of where the blame should be placed...squarely on the shoulders of her parents.
Luckily, the bus did fulfill its duties of bringing the kids back home safe and sound.
Here are two happy girls on their way home from the bus stop. They made it!
As a surprise treat, they were greeted home by school day cupcakes, complete with chalkboard, chalk and apple. Yum.

1 day down...185 to go.

More to come on Alissa's big day, on Thursday.