christmas pictures round one...

hopefully, we only have a round 2 to get a good shot!  & speaking of shots, way to go poppy on your deer!! 10 pointer!

remember those less fortunate...

today, i must admit i was feeling a bit super sorry for myself... a backed up sewer system in the basement, a van with no heat & lots of $$ to fix, kidney stones,  & so on & so on. 

but, we are blessed with so much.  a wonderful family & friends.  a god that loves us & forgives us.  a roof over our heads, food to eat & so much more. 

every time we see a salvation army bucket or the riley kids' money bank at walmart, the kiddos love to give.  let's follow in their footsteps!

something else i am so thankful for

my mommy!! mom, everytime i put a picture on here you tell me "TAKE THAT THING OFF!"  i love you mom!

& all the rest of my family & friends & our home & our health & you get the idea!

school pictures & some cutting practice for grace

this year, our preschool pictures were once again quite a laugh.  i even called the lady that takes them to complain.  in both of my children's' group shots they look terrified.  last year, she photoshopped ben & brenna into the group & they looked like small people in the midst of giants.  when i called the photographer, she told me she uses a special formula to make sure the children are proportioned correctly & i wouldn't understand the formulas (hello, i went to school for engineering).  but anyways, she told me my children were just too timid & couldn't get a good picture out of them (they usually light up for a camera - ok maybe not ben who hide his face).  excuses, excuses..  a total waste of our $$.  oh well.  live & learn.


well, the other night as momma was writing letters to some special loved ones in the kitchen & daddio was doing the same in the living room the kiddos were on their own (not really).  justin had thought grace was with me doing crafts & i thought he was watching her with ben in the living room.   here's her finished product put back together.

not the case.  she was practicing using her scissors (i know, bad bad momma & daddio).... & got a hold of her school picture.  the group shot was terrible anyways, so i don't mind much.  i have learned to now never order school pictures (at least from this lady).  

look how scared grace looks in her photo( & she's not the only child in the picture like that) !! ben appears to have been smokin something in his, but i'm not gonna show that one. 

whadya do? & a birthday wish

ben has decided he wants a werewolf / coyote birthday party (in december).  not my dream theme by any means.  i don't want his little friends to be scared!!  why not monster trucks or dinos or something like that, kid?  & this is announced after most of the halloween stuff is gone from stores.  so, now this momma will be racking her brain for a cake that is werewolfie/coyotish i guess.  i think i might be able to do something like this if it is to his liking.  oh the things we do for our kids. 

& miss grace today... i gave them both some "busy work" to do while i vacuumed. well... she decided to get her scissors & style some of her stuffed animals' hair as well as her own.  she know has hangs.  it's really not that bad, but when ben ran to tell me i was a bit scared.  in the morning her hair is like a rat's nest, so when i touched it i was terrified at the huge clump that came out.  scissors are now up higher & a lesson learned.   

& a happy happy birthday to my dear cousin janet.  you have always been my role model, from when i was little watching you cheer, your kindness & caring for others, to your loving ways with your child & family.  thank you for always letting me be a part of your life, even when i was an annoying little kid.  i love you. so much janet.  happy birthday!

i want this book

i want this book for my kiddos & for all my friends & family that deserve a big ole thanks!

http://veryawesomeworld.com/awesomebookofthanks/inside.html

luv all inside me

miss gracie was asking me the other night where god is & why she can't see him.  i asked her if she loved him & she said yes, i wuv him.   i had told her he is in her heart & everywhere.  she informed me he & others she loves are not just in her heart, but fingers, arms, toes, & every body part she knows.  she is right.  god's love is shown in most of what she does.  she's my sweetie so full of love. & quite a bit sass too.

the monster mash

we had a fun filled weekend of birthday & halloween parties.  i am not feeling very loquacious right now, so i'll just post some pictures & a few words...

in the witch's relay

we were supposed to be making silly faces, janet!

 the cuteset nerd in the world & snooki from jersey shore.

 monkey see..

 monkey do...

 & monkey keeps doin

gracie was eating chocolate as we were trick or treating.  she started to get tired & asked daddio to please trick or treat for her so she could still get candy. 

high school sweethearts

 oh, to be 15 again...

 ash & janet

 who is that hiding??

our lovely family.  i used justin's priest costume from several years ago & just threw on a witches hat.