Must be better.....

I've been thinking about my blog a lot lately and I've got so much that I need to catch up on but just never seem to have enough hours in my day. Jeff has been away doing some work and somedays are a little wild around here but I must say that I feel like I get a lot more done, even though it may not look like it. Christmas is just 5 days away and I'm feeling pretty good about all the things being just about ready. I'm sure panic will set in by the weekend as we are feeding 19 people for supper that day. I'm trying to soak it all up......every last bit......as this is most likely our last Christmas home for awhile. It makes me sad thinking about all the things we will miss but it will be fun to start new things where ever we may end up. That's a post for another day though....

So to kick off December I wanted to do something different for fun. Since as long as I can remember we have always gotten Christmas PJS on Christmas Eve. I think Mom has tried to stop over the years as we have all left home but we keep convincing her that she can't stop. It's one of my favourite traditions and I hope she does it forever ;) Now back to our fun.......the girls were in need of some PJS, waiting until Christmas wasn't really an option as they won't stop growing so we started the month out with donuts, hot chocolate and new PJS......the kids thought it was so fun to open a little something and then fill their tummies with sweets. They were all surprised by new PJS and have been enjoying them the whole month.

I must get back to my late night to -do list.......laundry is the top of the list, and then maybe a little more baking before bed. Everything I made last week disappeared really fast. Hope that everyone is enjoying their holidays with those they LOVE......

Cooper mixing up his hot chocolate....

Loved her monkey pjs.....the big girls already have some like this too :)

Candy canes for Sarah.....

Peace and love for this one....

I wonder why we give him PJS as he likes to just wear undies.....LOL

Decorating the tree 2011

We were lucky enough to finally get a tree yesterday.....Jeff would be happy putting it up on the 24th and taking it down on the 26th but he loves me enough to give me 2+ weeks of Christmas tree!!! We had a blast with the kids watching them put the ornaments up. Cooper was the king of lining all the big shiny balls along the bottom....and then trying to add more in the same spot. Once he got a Santa hat on all we heard was "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas".....Cooper lingo of course......his talking is getting so much better!!! I loved the end result of what the kids did, but Jeff and I did spread out a few clumps into the bare spots. They are now all watching a Christmas movie with Jeff as that was the only way they could decorate tonight. No arguments on that one!!! Can't wait for the next 2 weeks to fly......looking forward to a fun filled day with our family and friends. We are going to have 19 people here in total for dinner and I can't wait. I love a crowd!!!

Cooper's hard work.....

Georgia taking a moment to stretch her arms out.....LOL

My baby girl is growing up so fast.....

My 5 awesome kiddies......Cooper is trying to work a few occasions

in over this holiday season.....

When you let your sister dress you......

Was having a moment where I couldn't find the little two.......guess they were in a rush to go outside and play.......Georgia helped dress Cooper.......enough said.....

Loving the snow

It was GREAT day yesterday......we got a TON of snow.....nothing better then being stuck at home on a stormy day......wasn't impressed school wasn't cancelled yet at the same time it meant I didn't have the kids home driving me nuts!!! I knew they were safe as I walked them back. We hit the hill at the school later in the day with our ZIPFYS.......love these little sleds..... here is a mid air shot from the outing......wanted to take the big camera but it was just to snowy and windy for that!!!! Enjoying the sun and blue skies today!!! I love that I live in a place where we experience all 4 seasons......and that no matter where we end up going I'm still going to get all 4 seasons!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

We had a GREAT Halloween this year and I'm happy to see November roll on in!!! The kids always have a fun time planning what they are going to be and I swear that Sarah always changes her mind just days before. Thankful that the Bings have lots of cool costumes at their house to share!!!!

Jacob and Jessica were both Hogwarts students......Harry and Hermoine. Washing out the black hair was not so fun but his best buddy didn't even recognize him at first!! Sarah was a Princess and I'm pretty sure she would be this every year if possible. Georgia was a green dragon and Cooper a blue monster. We we lucky enough to have Auntie Karen and Uncle Brandon spend the night with us and they were awesome. We had pizza for supper and they ended up with the 4 big kids for the night as Cooper was just a little slower. Cooper had a blast though running to the "next house" and diving head first in the wagon for rides between the driveways.

I sent very tired kids to bed last night and a couple of them probably could have slept all morning!! Hope that Halloween was fun at your house!!!!

Checking in.....

If they had a contest for the worst blogger I might be eligible.....

I'm not even going to do a real post right now because I've just got too much other stuff to do....

This month had been busier and life could possibly get a lot busier so blogging gets left for last....

We DID go Thanksgiving camping at Keji this fall and it was AMAZING!!!! The weather was in the 30's when all our company came for dinner and we just had a BLAST.....it really sucked having to come home.....I'll try to post a better blog about it later.....enjoy a few pictures!!!

Colors were late this fall......just starting to change.... :(

We had tons of FAMILY and FRIENDS for dinner on the Sunday....it was the BEST!!!

My guy did the "COLD TURKEY SWIM" this year....it was fun....even the little 2 got in....

I have a house full of turkeys......

Sarah's Spooky 9th Birthday.....

We finally got to celebrate Sarah's birthday with her friends this past week. It seemed like it was never going to happen because every weekend was busy. We went with a "spooky" theme and decorated some masks, played pin the nose on the pumpkin and halloween bingo. We had some "yummy" treats and had a blast. Sarah really enjoyed herself and loved all the nice gifts that she got. She especially loved shopping on Saturday with her gift cards and cash.

A jar of "night crawlers".......gummy worms......

Some "dragon eyes".......jr.mints...

Decorating up their masks.....

Loving her new sticker book.... I forgot to take off the price tag......oops....

Nothing better then a floating hand in your punch.....

Cupcakes lit up and ready to go....

Making a wish.....

Cooper found a mask to try on when he got home.....

What would I do without my IPhone??

I thought tonight I would clean my phone up a little and download the pictures off of it. I take a lot of pictures on my phone because it's usually close by and some things just need to be remembered. This is my photo dump for the day.......

Jessica's tomato plant.....fit in a styrofoam cup in June...

Miss J now fits in "teen" glasses.....needed a new prescription...

Trying to get a side shot....she LOVES them...

My kids love photo ops with the Old Navy mannequins

These were all at Georgia's request...

Found someone trying out my glasses....

Both crashed within 5 minutes of being home.....our friends

babysat them while we were at a funeral.....great job Mike & Mel!!

Her tomatoes are growing....

He LOVES to dump everything to play....

They got themselves a snack this morning.....

Sorry I suck Laura......

I feel really guilty lately for my lack of blogging......partially because I'm sure I'm forgetting funny moments I've had with my kids but mainly because my sister is on the other side of the country and missing it all. Every time I get on the computer I check her blog, to see if she is blogging about a new adventure while I'm just probably disappointing her with my lack of updates. I'm sure she doesn't worry to much about the nonsense of my life but I know she loves to hear what my kiddies are up to.......

September has been busy and the prospect of it slowing down is a long ways off. School is back in, 3 kids are in piano lessons, stampin' club has started and we have had parties for good friends every weekend......not to mention a fun girls night and a funeral to celebrate the life of a super lady. The kids had some changes with their classes at school last week which had me a little stressed but everything worked out well. I've got a birthday party with Sarah's friends on Friday and I'll feel better about it when I have everything I need for it. I'll be glad not to think about parties again until March.

Must get back to cleaning......trying to de junk a little more around here.....looking forward to going camping in a few weeks.....

The first day of school......Jacob does have a backpack in the wagon....

The little helpers of the morning......

9 years ago......

9 years ago our family went from being 3 to 4. We became the parents to another beautiful baby girl and she has only gotten more beautiful with every year. Sarah Grace is a huge blessing to our family and we are super lucky to have her. We had a blast celebrating her big day a couple of days early so most of our family could be here. She is looking forward to still having a friend party in a couple of weeks. Can't wait to see all the adventures she will have in her 9th year.......she left the 8's with a fantastic trip to PEI with some friends. I couldn't be more proud of how she did that weekend and all the fears she overcame......

Happy Birthday Sarah Grace!!!! We LOVE you!!!!

My 9 year old....

A request of birthday trifle.....amazing!!!

My first batch of Pink Lemonade cupcakes......thrilled with how pretty they turned out!!!

Kejimkujik.....

We have been at Keji for the last 6 days with 2 more to go. We are heading home on Saturday before the bad rain comes. It's going to be wet on Sunday so I'll be glad to be in my house. A sprinkle is okay camping but not the torrential stuff!! We are having a blast.....can't wait to post pictures when we are back!!! Some great shots of all the kids together!!! Sorry no pictures tonight!!!

Longing for a litte more......

I just realized that my blog is going to really stink for this year.....atleast for the Summer of 2011.....we have had a really low key, stinky summer. I won't even open up my thoughts on it all but needless to say I've had nothing to thrilling to blog about. This week is going to be busy.....bloodwork for 2 kids tomorrow.....friends coming on Tuesday.....visiting Nanny Logan on Wednesday......Stampin' stuff coming Thursday and thinking about a visit to Uncle Mike's on Friday. This will be the highlight of our summer so far......seriously......

Things have picked up for Jeff so he is working lots but we need it as it's been a hard few months. We are hoping to go to Keji after Sarah has her ultrasound in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we'll get some answers for our little worry wart.......or maybe I don't want answers....

I'm off......don't even have pictures to post as I'm on the wrong computer. Just wanted to give a shout out to all my blogging friends.......say hello and let you know I'm still here :)

A night with the Gaskins.....

So last night was a highlight of the summer for me. Amy and Edwin are in town visiting and it seems that we always have a hard time getting together to do anything and somehow last night all the stars aligned and we were able to get out, just the 4 of us to enjoy a movie. We are lucky to have awesome grandparents that will watch all of our kids......especially mine since we are leaving them again tonight to celebrate Jeff's birthday. It is always fun to catch up and visit and I just wish that we were able to do it more. I have so many fun memories of Amy and I doing crazy things so I love when we get to hang out. I'm hoping that maybe we'll figure out an easy way to chat or stay in touch more as we really stink at it........we are both busy mom's of 9 between us and I just found out that she is the Primary President in her ward too......maybe she has some great tips for me :)

Thanks again guys for a fun night.....wish it could have lasted longer. Transformers 3 was enjoyable and I promise we will make it back your way for a visit......maybe we can meet in Maine sometime to play.....the kids would LOVE it!!!!!

Sorry for the quality of the picture....it was rainy and on my phone....I have a few more funny ones to come.....

A new smile....

I don't have too much to post lately.....summer has been full of some ups and downs and we just haven't gone to far. On Thursday though it was an EXCITING morning at our house as Jacob has been waiting for his front tooth to fall out. I had checked it and didn't think it was going anywhere yet but I told him to get Jeff to wiggle it. Jeff pushed the way that was super loose and then when pushing back the other way he broke whatever was holding it in......with one quick tug it was out......Jacob was thrilled and was even more excited when the Tooth Fairy left behind a toonie. Trying to get a picture was tricky......as he smiles so big the hole gets hidden. Miss Georgia wanted in on the photo action so she is at the bottom of the post.

Partners in Crime......

I'm trying to be better at uploading pictures of things that we have been up to or things that have been going.....if not for me but for Laura who is on the other side of the country and hopefully missing these little rug rats. I wanted to get some last day of school pictures uploaded and left Cooper in the company of Dora. This would have been fine but big sister Georgia had other plans.....into my stampin' markers they got and they went to town. The best part was that Georgia tried to blame Cooper for most of it forgetting that he can't draw little people yet and she was covered in marker as well. Luckily most of it came off completely.....