Just Crazy

Crazy hair day was on Wednesday. Danika was pretty bummed because the plan was to use red hair coloring all over her hair. After looking at the bottle it said to not use on light blond hair so we didn't take any chances.  Can you see the pumpkin face on the back of Lukes head?

Tonight Kevin and I went to an annual party of our friends. It was super fun and we played a bunch of "minute to win it" games. Can you guess our costumes?

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

The Trip

We usually stop and get a hotel on the long drive there but Kevin wanted to make it the whole way. We left at 5:30 Friday morning and we arrived at 4:30 Saturday morning. I can't believe he was alert enough to make it. Thank goodness for books on CD! The kids did really well, I'm always so nervous but they always do great. Thank goodness for DVD players too :)

Here are the events of the week...not necessarily in order.

We helped Kevin's Aunt and Uncle move into their new home.
We played some tennis and went and looked at the devastation left behind from the tornado that hit Joplin. It's amazing to me that only a block away from the tornado's path the homes are fine but those in the direct path were completely destroyed.
Kevin helped put in a fireplace in their backyard. I have video but the video doesn't seem to want to load. Anybody else having problems? I haven't been able to upload a video for so long, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.


We went to a Discovery Center in Springfield. It was the coolest place! They had so much to do you could easily spend the whole day discovering things. Some highlights were the static ball, a giant bubble machine, the newsroom, and the high wire bike.

We went to Texas Roadhouse...I had seven tokens that were for a free kids meal with a paying adult. With Kevin's Brother Matt, his wife Kristine, Karin, us and Mom and Dad we had enough for the seven kids to get free kids meals. SWEET! I don't know if they do this every Tuesday and at every Texas Roadhouse but it was a kids night. They had facepainting, games, chalk to color the floor, etc... it was a total bonus that all that was going on.

We went to a pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins. Grandma had ordered fun faces to use on the pumpkins. I found a perfect gourd that I made to look like a character from Veggie tales. Can anyone guess who it is?

The last evening there, the adults went out to eat which was really nice. It was also nice that we had finished dinner before we got the call that BriLynn had locked herself in the bathroom and couldn't get out.

Family...isn't it about time.

We had a great trip to Missouri. As I haven't had time to go through all the photos yet, I'll just post one of Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandchildren. It's always so sad to leave, although, according to Andrew we will be moving there in 4 years. Grandpa says he'll count down the days :)

Gotta love kids

Our conversation tonight before family prayer:

Kevin: (irritated voice) Danika, stop talking we are about to say the prayer
Me: Look at how nice Andrew is folding his arms and is quiet
Danika: Boys are always better than girls.
Me: No thats not true
Luke: Yes it is
Me: No it's not
Luke: Well Daddy is better than you
Me: No he's not
Luke: uh huh, cuz he's the Bishop
Me: Yeah...well I'm the Bishops wife.

We have a puppy

Thanks for your comments gals. I know there are others who have troubles far worse than mine. It's just always nice to vent it out now and then.
Things did end happier than they began. We took the kids to a family fair held at the court house. You can't go wrong with free face painting, cotton candy, pop and Creamies!

How can you not smile bringing home a cute puppy? Get this....she doesn't shed and she's potty trained. Oh and she doesn't chew my shoes, she just tries to wear them.

Can I Vent for Sec?

Sigh....I feel like things are piling up.

The weather doesn't look so great for the carnival this week which means we will be inside the school. I'm a bit bummed since I wanted to avoid it being crowded. I'm going to stay positive about it though....either way it will be fun for the kids and that's what it's for.

Conference for me wasn't spiritual. yeah...umm.. at all. When you have little ones fighting with each other, it's hard to listen and feel the spirit.

I also haven't been as supportive as a wife as I should. For Example:
(door bell rings a couple times at 4:30 AM yes AM, I had just gotten to sleep after feeding the baby)
Kevin changes into some jeans (he did have other sweat pants on thankfully..that would have been awkward ha ha)
I tell him "It's time to move"

The phone calls at 7 in the morning or 10:30 at night I'm fine with but I'm finding it hard to find a positive spin on the lack of sleep last night.

The kids slept outside in the tent Friday and two wet the bed. Unfortunately they were sleeping on top of two other sleeping bags so that leaves four sleeping bags that need washed. I can't use my washing machine, the tag says to use a front loading washer.

We are leaving for Missouri next week and I'm not looking forward to the 20 hour drive with six kids.

I need to get the lawn and garden taken care of before the colder weather hits but I don't have the energy. You know picking all the tomatoes, carrots, onions, squash and fertilizing and mowing the lawn. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

Speaking of crying, baby's awake. I guess the cow needs to be milked.

Yep...venting does help. But I'm still tired!

Gee Thanks

This last weekend was a lot of fun. I got to spend time with my twin, my mom, my other two sisters and sister in law at Time out For Women. I took Jonathan with me since he is still nursing. Here is a conversation I had with my twin sis Susan.

Me: I'm so excited, I had two people ask me if Jonathan was my first baby.

Susan: Really? Couldn't they see all that gray in your hair?

Good feeling gone...gee thanks sis ha ha.

Well that was nice

Last weekend we went to Ryans Place park to play. We didn't know River Heights Apple Days was happening but it sure was nice. They had a bunch of things for the kids to do for FREE :) There wasn't huge lines which was great. The Army was there also giving the kids free name/dog tags. Afterwards we played at the park. We may have to find out when it's happening next year to go again :)
Jonanthan's face in the bottom picture sums up how it went.

Schools in

I have to admit that it has been nice to get on a schedule with school being in. The kids love their classes and teachers. I feel like things with the PTA are going well also. We had around 25-30 parents at the last meeting which is the most I've ever seen in my six years being a member.
Here is their first day of school picture.
Danika is in 5th grade with Farmer, Andrew is in Mr. Smiths 3rd grade class, and Luke is in Mrs. Ballams 1st grade class.

Jacobs first day of Preschool was today. He was sooooo excited. His teacher visted us a few weeks ago. She gave him a puzzle piece to decorate and a bag that says "Jacob's sack about Me". He put five things in it that he liked (his blanket, his monkey and puppet monkey, his hexbug and a notebook calculator book he got out of the mommy and daddy buck store.)
He was all smiles as I dropped him off.
Notice Andrew and Jacobs shirts. Ummm...I wonder what they like to play?

Family Pics 2011

I wanted to get family pictures taken since we don't have Jonathan in any. I'm so grateful for my friend Amy. She does such a great job, doesn't charge much and gives you the disk to make as many copies as you want. LOVE HER! Thanks so much Amy!


I love Mother she loves me, We love Daddy yesiree
I love brother, he loves me.

We love sister yesiree

They love us and so you see...


We are a happy family (your singing it now huh? he he)