First accident of the new year

It only took 2 weeks for something to happen this year! It all started Saturday, I took Maddison and Chloe to Walmart and Bryan took Hana out on the boat with a friend and Bryan's brother. I got a call from Cody to meet them at the ER. First thing I thought was "what did you do to Hana?"...it was Bryan. So, we met them at the ER, walked in and he was holding a bloody towel up to his head. I guess he was wakeboarding and fell a wierd way and the board hit his head and sliced the side open. It was gross. No concussion, though. He ended up getting 5 staples and a bad headache! He is tough, he has a hard head, he will be fine. He is just happy he can finally say that he got hurt wakeboarding!!!

The quick story

I can not believe the year is almost over. We had a good Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we went to church in the morning which was the same old thing...us having to take turns out in the hall with one of the girls because Maddie and Chloe fight during church every time!! When we got home, mom and Mike came over, the girls opened their gifts from them...each got an American girl doll and a few extra things. Not too many gifts, thanks mom...I started to cook...green bean casserole, cheesy potato casserole, corn pudding, jello salad....Diana, Neil, Sydnie and Cody came and brought the turkey, and Ben and his girlfriend came...oh yeah, our dog and thiers...not a good mix...anyway, food was good when I finally ate....way too many gifts but every one was enjoyed. I got the greatest cordless electric broom...love it!!! As far as gifts between Bryan and I, we agreed this year not to do anything. So, I stuck to it and got him a huge bag of peanut m&m's and the new Pirates of the Carribbean movie...he gave me my gift...a purse from Rip Curl...so cute. But then he told me what was inside the purse was even better. I looked and he bought me an IPOD!!! I guess he was tired of me using his MP3 player that he got for Christmas last year. I was shocked!! We didnt go overboard with the kids gifts either. Christmas morning, they woke up and opened their gifts...each got a movie, a book, and activity or craft, and rain boots. That was it, and it was great. We had breakfast, french toast casserole, Melicks left, and then it was just us. We did gifts from family far away, enjoyed the day together, lost our power, and went to see "Charlottes Web". Such a cute movie! Today, Bryan and Hana left till Sat. to go see his grandparents...Maddie and Chloe and I spent the day shopping...I got my new vacuum...love it...and now Maddie just fell asleep after throwing up a couple times...at least she is asleep now. I think I am going to go and make a cpk pizza...mmmmm.....

Merry Christmas!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did...no time for details now, but we will share later!!!

Well, it never fails...the kids never get sick on a Monday when you have the week to get in to the doctor...no, they get sick, not only on the weekend, but Christmas weekend when you cant get in to a doctor till Tuesday. Hana woke up with pink eye this morning in both eyes. We took her in, got some drops, and that was that...till tonight, she sais her mouth and tongue hurt, she is starting to run a fever, and I really hope she is better tomorrow. It may just be from her having a cold...mom and I figured out her tongue probably hurts because she loves salt and vinagar chips and has eaten too many...but I still worry. She does look like she was punched in the eyes... Well, Merry Christmas to everyone!!! Love you all!!

That's St Cloud

I have been meaning to post this for a while...I couldnt believe it myself when I first saw it but yesterday, it was confirmed by my eyes again, there is a Camero from the 80'2 here in St Cloud that is up on mud tires...along with a mini van and a limo...all lifted on huge tires.... There is also a sign posted down the road from us advertising for child care....posted "Chil Care"...sorry, cant spell? You arent taking care of my "chil"....

A couple of favorites...

Just some holiday pics to share with everyone...

What a sight

Since I am not a native Floridian, I have never seen a night launch. Bryan on the other hand, has. In fact, when he was a kid, his parents took him to the Cape to see it over there. Anyway, I had no clue what to expect. I thought that from over here, we would just see a light go up in the air. During the day when a shuttle goes up, we see it, so I thought it would be like that. Well, we went out back with the kids by the lake and waited. All of a sudden, the sky just lit up. It was beautiful, and the shuttle was still not visible, it was behind the trees. But the sky was just so majestic looking, at almost 9pm. The shuttle went up over the trees and it was like a huge fireball in the sky. The girls thought it was so cool. Of course, I was not expecting much, so I didnt bring my camera. It would have been a great picture if I did!! On to what is going on with us. Christmas...still have not gone shopping. The girls gifts are done...but no one else!! Will do this week. They all had colds about a week ago, got better for no more than 4 days, then got sick again. So, I am at home right now with Hana and Maddie while Bryan went to church with Chloe. She was so excited to ride in daddys big truck!!! Tonight we have dinner at a friends house. Tis the season for parties. In fact, last night was the Christmas dinner for church. I guess they didnt expect too many people to come so when we got there, there were 8 tables of 8 set up, all filled, and about 40 more people standing around to eat. Not enough food at all...but the girls had fun with their friends and we got to talk to some of ours before we left. The night before, which would be Friday, we went out for dinner and then to the town of Celebration to see snow. I thought it was going to be a real snow machine with icy snow the kids could see, but it was machines that shot out foam. You would look in the sky and it would look like it was really snowing, then a bubble would hit you in the eye and leave it stinging!! Kids had fun and we actually had our picture taken, all 5 of us, and it turned out! We are going to use it for Christmas cards, if I get my butt moving! Ahhhh, Hana's birthday...I knew I forgot something. Ok, short version...my 2 girls (Chloe was sleeping) plus three 4 and 5 year olds, and a 2year old, all sleeping over, with a puppy in the mix and a husband who worked his butt off all week and fell asleep before dinner was over....6:30am wake up...wild puppy with husband gone helping friends move....kids with little sleep...mom with even less sleep....girls who get into more things than puppy...and when did "pick up your kids between 9 and 10" turn into "pick them up at 11"....so, Hana had fun, which was all that mattered. Next time, I am demanding the husband doesnt work for 2 days so I get help...that is if there is a next time.... Oh, after the party, Maddie locked us all, including the puppy, out of the house. Bryan was at work, in the lake, with no phone...after a couple hours, I broke in through a window. Kinda scary...how easy it is to brake in our house...good thing I did...he didnt come home till almost 8pm...I broke in at 4.... Ok, hope you got through this long blog without boredom. Still trying to figure out why pictures wont post on here....

Happy Holidays

Cant believe I am actually saying that. We put up our tree last night and the girls and I decorated it today. Tonight we put lights up outside. Kinda look tacky, but it made them smile!! I wrapped my first Christmas gift tonight and there are plenty more to come. Love this time of year. I love shopping for people and love seeing them open the gifts. The girls are all about Santa this year and think that everything is coming from him. I "call" him daily with an updated list from them. I think its cute, but in some way feel bad. I always said that I would never let my kids believe in Santa...and here I am, calling him!!! Tomorrow is Hana's 5th birthday. Man time flies.

Turkey Day

Lots of food was made and eaten today! It was just the 5 of us and Matthew so I just made a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey, a ham that turned out to be too large, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn pudding, home-made cran sauce, moms sweet potato casserole, and I think that is it. Oh, pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake, both of which are still sitting in the fridge, untouched! After eating and resting for a while, we took Bubba to the dog park. It was good for him to run around plus they have a playground there for the kids so they got to put their energy to good use! The rest of the day, we just played and hung out. Now, to the real reason for this holiday...with all our days filled with what we need, want, dont have, dont look like...its nice to have one day that is focused on what we do have and what we can be thankful for...for me, my family. I know I complain a lot about the girls and the house and how hard it is with Bryan working so much, I am blessed to have kids, to have a house, and to have a husband who is able to work. We should have more days like this, to focus on our blessings. I hope everyone had a good day too and hopefully you all have many blessing to be able to count. Christmas is just around the corner now!!!

frustrated...

My first two kids I am finding out were a little out of the ordinary, developement wise. The fact that Hana said "trick or treat" when she was 11 months old and counted to 3 before her 1st birthday I guess is not normal!!! So, when Chloe didnt start talking at 1, it worried me. Everyone told me to wait, she is fine and she will talk. Well, 18 months and all she sais is "uh oh" and "Bubba" started to worry me. I know she can hear because I will tell her to do something in detail and she will do it. I have a friend who has a boy who is 3 with the same problems. Everyone told her to wait, it will come. He never started talking. So, he is in therapy once a week to work on his speech. She told me her only regret was not doing it earlier. I told the pediatrician and she gave me a number to call. I guess in the state of Florida, there is a early developement program that helps kids out from ages 1-5. They do a bunch of tests to find out what areas need to be worked on. I guess it wont hurt to call and find out. If insurance doesnt cover it, the state will, so I have nothing to lose. I just think maybe I am worrying too much, but like I said, nothing to lose.

And his name is.....

Bubba. Yep, thats right, Bubba. I know, kinda silly but the girls like it and its the only thing Chloe can say. She called him pup pup when we first got him, so it turned into Bubba. He is good. Typical puppy. I feel like I have a new baby. Up every couple hours at night to let him out. He is finally staying in his crate with minimal crying. The girls adore him, maybe a little too much that they never leave him alone. So, if we can just get through these first few months and this puppy training stage, I think he is finally the keeper. As far as other things go, same old thing. The girls have been sick on and off. They all got colds and then got better, and then all got it again. This weather being in the 70's really throws you off!!! So, I have picked up a little bug too, just a sore throat, but with 3 girls that love to have books read to them all the time, kinda gets to you. I have been drinking a lot of herbal tea!! Oh, about that, I have discovered a great new indulgence. I love chai tea...I only drink herbal teas...chai is usually made with black tea, so I dont drink it (tear). well, being that its cooling off, I love to have something warm to drink in the mornings, and since I dont drink coffee anymore either (another tear), I am stuck with my regular herbals. Well, not anymore. For the winter, Celestial Seasonings comes out with new flavors....one which is gingerbread something or other. Anyway, it basically has the same spices in it as chai, but is all herbal!!! And, coffeemate (I think) has a new creamer- vanilla chai spice- so, you mix the two and its the best chai latte you have ever had....great cold too! Just thought I would share that with ya'll. Alright, cant believe I have actually had the time to ramble on here. Hope everyone is doing well. Love and miss you all. Cant believe Hana will be 5 in 2 weeks. Man, time flies!!!

names please

we need some suggestions on naming our new puppy. keep in mind he is a hunting dog, so no fancy names!! thanks!

Its just the begining

As some of you know, I swore we would never have another dog again. We have had too many and had too many problems with all of them. Well, we had one that Bryan loved and never lets me forget the day I gave him away...he named his company after him. It was his pride and joy. So, supposedly he has an office...I say supposedly because no one knows where it is, I have never seen it, and I think it is a made up place in order to get a "watch dog". Yep, thats right, he needs a watch dog. One that is going to sleep at our house and I am going to train and raise...but he needs it for his "office". I gave in and found a dog at the same place in georgia where he got Boone, his beloved. A bluetick coonhound, really cute, but still a puppy and lots of work. Anyway, today was the day he was to go and pick him up. I got a call at 9am that his truck broke down. Long day, he had to figure out what to do and where to go. He ended up getting a rental car and we have to drive up there to pick up the truck and drop off the car, 3 hours away, just for a dog. He better be worth it. Needless to say, it is almost 8pm, and when he should have been home by 2am, he is still not here. Longer trip than expected. Like I said, this dog better be worth it. By the way, anyone know how to cook a turkey???

So, I sent some of you a mild pic of Maddies face...it looked worse the next couple days and her eye hurt when she yawned, she told me! Oh the bumps and bruises of being a child. On a lighter note, halloween was last week, if anyone remembers. I of course forgot my camera when we went out and by the time we got back home, it was way too late. I will dress the girls up this week to take pics, I guess. Anyway, we went to the halloween party at church. every year they have what is called "Trunk-or-treat" where everyone decorates the cars and you go around to the trunks to get candy. It is a lot of fun for the kids, they have a big inflateable slide/jumping gym thing, food, and plus it gives the parents a peace of mind knowing that the candy given out is safe. The girls were adorable. Hana was Jojo from "Jojo's circus". For those of you without kids, that is a clown from a show on Disney!!! Maddie had to be a princess and her favorite right now is Ariel, so she went as her (The Little Mermaid)...matching crown and shoes, of course. And, Chloe was "Boo" from "Monsters, Inc". She loved it. She thought it was the best thing in the world. And, she caught on pretty quick, realizing fast that if you smile and put out your bucket, they will give you candy...and if you smile again and wait some more, they will give you more. After she went to all the cars, she sat down in a chair, picked out a lollipop, unwrapped it and sat eating it the rest of the night. As for the other girls, they had a couple licks of a lollipop, and that was it. They didnt even ask for more, and havent since. Good thing cause I think daddy ate all the good stuff! Wednesday the girls and I went down to West Palm to visit with the grandparents. It has been a while since we have been there and things have changed a lot since we moved. I was able to see the doctor I worked for and get a neck adjustement, much needed! We saw grandma Nutsy and Uncle Monkey! Slept at GP and grandmas house with aunt Sydnie....the girls had so much fun visiting everyone. I met up with a good friend of mine which was much needed. Last time we saw each other was before Chloe was born so it was great to catch up and spend time together. We came home Friday, and Saturday we went out on the boat. It was a little cold and windy, but Hana went on the tube with me...till the waves got sooooo big and we thought they would nock us out! Then Bryan and Matt just wakeboarded the rest of the time. I hope everyone else is doing well. Holidays are coming...cant beleive it...too soon!

The wedding

We had a wedding to go to tonight at church. Well, just a ring ceremony and reception. They had already gotten married at the temple this morning, so for those that didnt make it to the temple, they had a "ring ceremony" before the reception. Invitation said 4, but standard mormon time meant 5...which means I thought it would start on time, we got there early, Bryan knew better, so he complained about being early. Then we sat and waited with 3 crying kids. Once it started, it was nice. Beautiful decor....good company. In fact, there was this couple there that we almost bought a house from but they wanted too much for it. we looked at it about 5 times earlier this year. Weird to see them there. So, Maddie went outside to get the gift with Bryan and was running to him, tripped and fell smack on face. She only cried for less than a minute which surprised me for how bad she looked. It looks like someone punched her in the face. So, we ended up leaving early. Next time, we get a sitter! ( I am trying to get a pic up here of Maddie but it doesnt want to work)

I know i have been slacking on the blogging part here. not much to write about though. same old thing going on, plus, sorry to admit it, but i have been cheating. i have another blog at xanga. only because tons of family has xanga blogs and in order to post comments on theirs, i have to have one. but, most of the info comes to this one, so you arent missing out. we got a new computer today, laptop, so i am trying to get used to it. it keeps putting in extra spaces when i dont need it. wierd. my kids are not going to sleep right now. tell them to go to bed! we have this tile floor that is impossible to clean. my absolute pet peeve is having dirty floors. it reminds me of this family that i used to babysit and their floors were always so gross. i told myself i would never have that. so this tile is gross. you cant mop it. you cant wash it. if there is dirt, you have to use your nail to scrape it off. i highly recommend that no one gets it if you are considering putting in tile floors. dont know what it is, but dont get it! love you all. till next time....

Just a reminder

Just to remind you, since the pics are kinda fuzzy, you can just click on the picture and they will come up better, I hope. Just dont look too close!!!

We will see if this one works. So these are just a few of the pictures we took. I have a whole disk full of wonderfull ones to be downloaded, but the disk is cracked. OOOPS! So, here are a few to hold you over. They are taken in Labadee, Haiti and then a couple at our formal night with Vanessa, Doug, Charmaine and Charlie.

Funny thing that just happened. Hana is at this stage right now where everything has been created by the Heavenly Father. It has, but she goes far with it. We will be eating and she says, "I am so happy Heavenly Father created this yogurt because it is soooooo good" and so on. Well, tonight she said something and I told her not to say a certain word, we dont talk like that in our home, to which she replied, "If I am not supposed to say it, than why did Heavenly Father create the word?" How do you answer that one?!

I promise I am trying to put up pictures of the trip, but it has not been working. So, i am trying...hopefully soon it will work cause there are some cute ones!