It's a Guy Thing!

Have I mentioned that Caleb is obsessed with vehicles? Here he is driving a "train" with Sarah and playing crash derby with Anna. He is always making a car noise!

Happy New Year!

Still dealing with computer issues - the reality is that my laptop is dying. Which means we really have one working computer for 6 users. And it is in the basement. And I rarely go to the basement. Enough explanation for my dull and dry blog....
Here are a few pics from Christmas. The kids actually held out until 7am!! and were wonderfully cooperative and appreciative all day. We had a relaxing day and celebrated with a Happy Birthday Jesus carrot cake ;)
Since then I have been trying to take advantage of having a dumpster in the driveway and have been sortin and pitchin. I know that sounds soooo redneck but at least we aren't dumpster diving!
Everyone headed back to school today and although 6:15 was awfully early this morning, it is nice to back into the schedule. We've been struggling through nasty colds but looks like most of us are on the mend. So we are ready to start our new year, looking forward to what God has in store for us!

Tis the Season

Sorry for the randomness of this post but we've continued to have computer issues so I'm just getting these photos out there the best I can. (yes I know the picture of Lucy and Sarah is sideways but it isn't on my computer and no matter what I do, blogger keeps turning it on its side - it is cute anyways :) ) We're done with all the organized activities of the season and are settling in to enjoy the last few days of getting ready for Jesus' birthday. We have had family photos taken but Christmas cards aren't back yet - they'll have to be Happy New Year cards. I did put up a new family photo on the side from when we got our Christmas tree - not bad for a guy who couldn't figure out how to work my camera :)
Praying that all of you can enjoy the holiday with family and friends and celebrate the birth of the Messiah!!

The saga continues....

I've decided that I so could not be Amish this week (ok, I really wasn't considering it). We have been down still with the computer and after 2 service calls in 3 days we only have the lapttop up and running (and it is hard wired to the modem downstairs). 83 emails later, no online Christmas shopping - you get the idea. We celebrated Sarah's 4th Gotcha Day on Saturday, had our very last visit from the social worker yesterday and the kids had their Christmas music Sunday night. We did get our Christmas tree but it is naked in the family room. If I can get all my laundry done, I'll post some pictures this afternoon. Hopefully I can get it done before something else on the computer breaks!

The Magical Touch

I probably should have named this posted "The Evil Touch" or "You Really Don't Want us to Touch Your Stuff". We have had one thing after another break, stop working or need to be replaced in the last few weeks. The computer router AND modem are included in that list. We (Ken) is working to get us up and running in his free time (hahahaha) so pictures of Thanksgiving and Jacob's party and our new addition will have to wait some more.
We are alive and had a great week in VA Beach with Ken's family and are now looking at the Christmas rush head on. While I have done NO Christmas shopping, I'm bound and determined not to let this season go crazy on me. The girls helped me decorate the house yesterday which only took an hour because of a rare spot of genius on my part. Last year when I took the Christmas decorations down, I put them in bins by room. So this year I just took the bin to the appropriate room and presto - the kids could help easier and I didn't waste time remembering where I usually put everything.
Our addition above the garage is going well (yes, we are in the middle of yet another big project/trip at Christmas.....) and we hope to have it done by January. The extra space will be nice but the boys having their own rooms will be the best bonus of all.
We have Christmas pictures scheduled soon so hopefully we'll actually get those out this year, even if they are Happy New Year cards:)

He's 11 !!!!!!!!

The very happy birthday boy!

Yes that is Nathan playing his guitar next to Jacob - yikes! Do we have a basement rock band in the making?!!


Jacob turned 11 on Tuesday! He has been asking for a drum set for a very long time now. We've been putting it off as long as we could but decided that since he has been doing so well with band at school and since we are tired of him banging our furniture, siblings, car seats.... We did the deed and bought him his first "real" drum set. Ken spent last night putting it together and we have both moved high up in the ranks of "most amazing, awesome parents". He is just grinning from ear to ear and the child that normally requires dynamite and a forklift to get out of bed in the morning jumped out of bed this morning wanting to play at 6:45 am (completely dressed and ready for school)!!!!! Needless to say he wasn't happy when I reminded him that half of the house was still asleep and I wanted them to stay that way. He is actually pretty good but there is no quiet way to play the drums. New item for everyone's Christmas list - ear protection!

He can use a STRAW!!!!

Thursday Caleb got hold of my drink and proceeded to put the straw in his mouth. His eyes suddenly got wide and he sputtered a bit - he had successfully sucked through the straw!! We were both a little suprised and he decided that he liked his new skill. Several sips later he was happily draining my tea. Yet another big step for our little guy!!!!