Christmas Photos

Bryce tearing into presents
Caleb hugging his globe
Caleb with Nerf Dart Tag
Isaac with his Doodle Pro
Bryce on his firetruck simulator
Aunt Lindsay ready to play Nerf Dart Tag - Paul wanted it on here Aunt Lindsay!!
Isaac on his Jeep from Santa and Bryce on his 4 wheeler from Santa
Bryce on his 4 wheeler
Isaac on his new shiney Jeep - Daddy's jealous!!
Isaac's Build Your Own City - put together (it won't stay that way for long!)
Bryce on his tricycle that we exchanged Santa's 4 wheeler for (the 4 wheeler was to slow and he would not ride it because the Jeep is faster and cooler!!!)

Christmas

I know, I know, I said I was going to do this blog on the 26th, but I was sick!! I got an awful stomach bug Sunday night and was up all night!! Not pretty! But here I am now and I will post some pictures of Christmas!

Paul's mom and sister came out on Saturday morning, so it was just the 7 of us. We had Christmas dinner on Saturday because they were going back on Sunday afternoon. Paul cooked almost all of dinner (I didn't even have to do the cleaning!! What a vacation!) It was an awesome dinner! Paul did a great job on the turkey this year. He found a really good recipe online, did some tweaking, and it was the best turkey I have ever had!

We opened Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, too. We decided the boys needed to get some use out of the toys we got them before Santa came. The living room was destroyed, but that is half the fun...right? They were all really excited, and so were we. This is the first year that all of the kids really knew what was going on. Bryce opened all of his gifts by himself, actually he started ripping into them before we were done separating them all out. He just could not wait.

Caleb cleaned up on John Deere "stuff". That is what he really wanted and what he is in to right now. some of the presents he got included a nerf dart tag set, an art set, and a RC remote control Flying Saucer. We will be here all night if I try to remember everything the boys got, so I will just list a few of their gifts!!

Isaac got an Aquadoodle, a Doodle Pro, a Leapster, a race track, etc. He has really enjoyed all of them, but that Leapster stays with him!! I guess it makes him feel like he is big like Caleb (Caleb likes to play his Gameboy a lot!!).

Bryce got... you guessed it - a lot of Firetruck toys. He got puzzles, fireman gear, a firetruck simulator - that he loves!!!(Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!) He also got a lot of Talking Tonkas (firetrucks, tow trucks, trains, etc.) He is in heaven, and maybe when everyone goes back to school he will be very entertained!!

So, Saturday evening was pretty crazy! The boys stayed up LATE so that they could watch some of the movies they got for Christmas (Polar Express, Spirit, Robots and Valiant). We finally convinced them Santa was waiting on them to go to bed so that he could bring their presents. We had been tracking Santa online with NORAD all day, so it did not take a lot of convincing!!

They got up Sunday ready to see what Santa had brought. He did good this year, for the most part!! Caleb got a Robosapien (Robot), Isaac got a Jeep Powerwheels (I wonder who picked that out!?), and Bryce got a 4-wheeler Powerwheels. Santa got Bryce the 4-wheeler so he could learn how to drive (it tops out at 2 mph), but Bryce learned in less than 2 minutes and did not like how slow it went, so he started hitching a ride with Isaac all the time. We took the 4-wheeler back and exchanged it for a tricycle, which he loves to sit on all the time (in fact he sat on the tricycle in the buggy when we went to get it). Santa also got them all Mr. Potato Heads. Caleb got Darth Tater Potatohead, Isaac got Mr Potato Head from Toy Story and Bryce got a bucket of Potatohead Family. Then they all got a game.

Needless to say, it was a very exciting and exhausting weekend! I am going to post this and then post the pictures on a fresh blog!

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to tell all of those that keep up with this blog - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I will post about our Christmas and some pictures hopefully tomorrow sometime. It has been a long weekend and we are all exhausted (and have two sick kids now) so we will see if I get to it.

Paul Harvey and Prayer

I got this in an email and it says what I feel:

Paul Harvey says:
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught this theory of evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phonebook, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect - somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended.
It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome...

"But what about the atheists?" is another argument.

What about them?
Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating; to pray before we go to sleep.

Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us.
And if that last sentence offend you, well...just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard...that the vast majority don't care what they want. It is time the majority rules!! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right. But by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him. God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all.

God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

May 2006 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.

Isaac's First School Christmas Party

Today Isaac had his very first Christmas party at school. It was so cute. They did a little presentation - they sang and did motions to several Christmas songs. At the end of the presentation Santa came through the doors and surprised all of the kids! He had a present for everyone and everyone got their pictures taken with him. Then they exchanged gifts (books) and had cupcakes, cookies and juice. They all seemed to have fun. Even Bryce got in on the action!

Name Game

Bryce's Name Today: Nathan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC!!

Where does the time go. I can't believe how old my boys are getting. Today is Isaac's 4th birthday. He has told anyone that has asked his age in the last month that he is 4. When he got up this morning and Paul and I were telling him Happy Birthday he said he was 5. He went to school telling everyone he was 5. I guess he was only 4 for a month!!

He got up this morning and asked if he could have cupcakes for breakfast. I am taking 48 cupcakes to his school today and he saw them in the refrigerator. He already opened his presents this past weekend. He got a basketball net, a sit-and-spin, a book that has alphabet keys (you put the key in a slot and it tells you what letter it is), the game Buckaroo.

Can You Tell Spongebob...

I was talking to Isaac's therapist today when I picked him up. A few weeks ago, his therapist was talking to her boyfriend Patrick. Isaac asked if he could talk to him, and he did for a minute. When he was done, he handed the phone back to his therapist. All of a sudden Isaac screams "Oh no!" She asked what was wrong. "I needed to tell Patrick to ask Spongebob something." apparently every Patrick is a pink starfish that knows Spongebob!! (What is sad, he rarely sees Spongebob!)

Today he talked to her mother on the phone. She asked Isaac if it had snowed at our house. Isaac said no and asked if it snowed at her house. She said it had. He said "I want to come to your house." Her mom told him that Ms. Robyn would have to bring him. He dropped the phone and turned to Robyn and told her that she had to take him to her mommys house now.

Young Love

I took Isaac to the doctor today because he has had a horrible cough the last couple of days. We were sitting in the waiting room - waiting - and I looked up to see Ashley coming out to the waiting room. Isaac got really excited and announced to the entire waiting room that Ashley was his girlfriend. Her Mom just died laughing. Ashley had just gotten a shot and was not quite as excited though. She had strep. I asked Isaac if he had been kissing her. He said no. I told him that I would know the truth soon, because if he got strep... Young love - so cute (and scary).

Bryce was taking a bath and I blew him a kiss. He went to blow me a kiss back and he ended up splashing water in his face.

Isaac's Girlfriend

This girlfriend situation is getting serious. When he was at therapy Tuesday he told his therapist that his girlfriend had yellow hair and blue eyes. His therapist asked me when I picked him up if that was true. I told her I knew she had blonde hair, but I had never paid attention to the color of her eyes. His teacher told me yesterday though that they were blue. So we have two blonde hair, blue eyed kids in love apparently. It is just funny that he was able to describe her so accurately!

Daddy's Coming Home

Daddy is coming home today - HOORAY!! I might have a little bit of hair left when he gets here (I am pulling all of my hair out with the three boys)! We are all very excited. Especially since he starts vacation on the 22nd and gets 12 days off (I have been calling them the 12 Days of Christmas!!).

We were at Walmart yesterday and a lady in line asked Bryce what his name was. He told her Truck Battery. I was buying about $30 in batteries for Christmas presents, and I guess he has a truck that needs batteries. She started laughing and said he was very imaginative. I explained to her how he has a new name everyday, and actually answers too it.

His name today: Nina

"I am 7 Years OLD..."

Isaac was talking about his girlriend this afternoon and I asked the boys why they all had girlfriends. Caleb said it was because they like to be around girls. I asked if he was too young for a girlfriend. Caleb says "I am 7 years OLD not young so I am not too young for anything."

Name Game

I forgot to put Bryce's name for today: Justin

Gingerbread Blast

About 6 last night, Caleb came in and asked "If I behave the rest of the night can I have a Gingerbread Blast?" He has only seen a picture of this thing at Sonic, but has been asking for it since. I told him I don't think it would be fair for him to only behave for that short of time and be rewarded with something like that. I said if he could behave all day, without me getting on to him one time for anything (especially bossing his brothers around), that I would get him a Gingerbread Blast. He got up this morning being the sweet Caleb we used to be blessed with. I heard several times this morning, him reminding himself of the reward.

Now I know, bribery may not be the best route, but for my own sanity, sometimes it is the ONLY route! For one peaceful day, at this point I would give anything!

ASHLEY

Who would have guessed that the day I blog about all of the boys and their flirting, I would have to deal with this. Yesterday afternoon when I went to pick Isaac up from preschool, he saw me and ran the other way, while holding a girls hand. I stood there for a few minutes with him at the opposite end of the playground, still holding the girls hand. Finally I started calling him and telling him we needed to go get Caleb. He started crying. His teacher went and picked him up and carried him to me. When we were walking to the car (Isaac really really crying now) I asked what was wrong. He said he did not want to leave Ashley, and that he loved her. He cried for about 10 minutes or so about it.

This morning he came in to me, ready to go, saying he was ready to see Ashley. When I got him to school, he searched the classroom and came back to me and said, disappointed, "Ashley not here."

It is too soon for all of this, and definently too soon for them to all be in "LOVE"!!

Caleb's Attitude

Caleb has really gotten an attitude lately. I know it comes with the age, but he is going above and beyond. We were discussing his behavior last night after church. He made a comment about the fact that Saturday he would start his "good behavior." I informed him that he needed to reexamine his time table because if he knew he was having bad behavior it needed to be adjusted immediately. He calmly says "No, I can't have my good behavior again until Saturday."

Bryce Has A Girlfriend

That title was written with tears filling my eyes. What am I going to do with 3 boys that are already so into girls. I have Caleb with many different girlfriends and who got in trouble in starting in Pre-K for kissing girls (he also got in trouble in kindergarten for that). Then I have Isaac that every time I pick him up is surrounded by girls and has to hug them all and say goodbye by name before he will leave. Now there is Bryce. He has a friend named Annalise. She is about 20 months I believe. They both ask for the other when they are not together. When they see each other they squeal with excitement, then they immediately start fighting. Chrisanna (her mother) and I swear they are going to get married because they already act like they are.

This morning Bryce was asking where Annalise was. I said she was at home. He said he loved Lisey. I asked if she was his girlfriend and he said "yeah, Lisey my girlfriend, I love her." HE IS ONLY 2!!! If this is the way these boys act at 7, 3, and 2, I am going to be in real trouble when they are teenagers. I am going to have to get alarms for every exit out of the house!! Isaac is already really good at sneaking out of his room and going through everything in mine.

Has anyone invented a drug to stop the aging process yet????? I need it for me to stop the grays and wrinkles they are and are going to cause me, and I need it for them so that they will not get any more interested in girls than they already are!!!

The Name Game

Bryce's name Sunday was Fire Chief.
Monday: Embarrassingly enough - Booty (???? I have no idea where that came from!)

Traveling Husband

Paul has been gone for a week, but it seems like it has been a lot longer than that. This has been a very long week. It looks like he will not be home before the 21st or 22nd. He is supposed to start vacation on the 22nd, so he better be home by then.

He has been working long hours, but worse than that, Toledo has been having blizzards since he got there. Anyone who knows Paul knows how much he hates cold! He would rather be in 100+ degree temperatures than cold. Everytime I talk to him he sounds like he is about to freeze to death! I keep talking about how it has been getting down to 17 degrees at night and yesterday high was 33 degrees. He keeps telling me that he is lucky if their high is as high as our low.

He reads my blog when he is gone to keep up with what is going on with the kids. They wanted me to give you a message...

Caleb: "I love you and have a good day. And hurry home"

Isaac: "a kiss, ride an airplane, I want tractors and horseys, and I miss you all the time. I love Daddy"

Bryce: "Name Taco Bell, fly Daddy's airplane, love you"

We love you, and can't wait until you come home!!

Isaac's Bedroom

As one of Isaac's birthday presents, I am decorating his room for him. He has been after me for a few months to decorate with fishing and boat stuff. Here is a sneak preview of what we are doing:

This is his bedroom door. I will post the rest of the pictures when I finish his room.

Name of the Day

I have not been on the last few days, but his different names have still been going on. Wednesday: Baby Monster
Thursday: Firetruck
Friday: Trav
Today: Taco Bell

What is sad is that he actually responds to the "Name of the Day." I just called "Hey Taco Bell and he came running!" We always knew he was a strange one (he gets that from his Daddy, of course!!)!

Vegetable Sandwich

Caleb likes very strange sandwiches. We have always made fun of his very disgusting inventions (he is reading this over my shoulder while I type it with a huge smile on his face!) Now when I say strange and disgusting, I am not exaggerating. For example, his first really gross invention was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Not just any pb&j though. He added turkey, cheese, tomato and chips. What is worse than the fact that he made it - HE LOVED IT!! He ate the whole sandwich and has made it several times since. He also likes peanut butter and guacamole. Tonight though, it was a "vegetable sandwich." I am not sure why it is called this though. It is made of baby carrots (whole baby carrots!), turkey and crushed up fritos. HE IS A STRANGE CHILD!!!

Beware if he ever offers to fix you food. Just like his Daddy, he likes to try new creations frequently!! You will be expected to eat it whether you like it or not!

Bad Day

I just picked up the boys from school. When Caleb got in the car I asked how his day was. He said he did not get in trouble but he had a bad day. I asked why his day was so bad..."My pencil broke when I was in the middle of a test!" Boy does he have a lot to learn if a broken pencil causes a bad day.

Bryce's name for today: Kitty cat

Bryce's Name

Lately Bryce has been changing his name everyday. It has gotten to where when we get up in the morning I ask him what his name is. I don't prompt him with names anymore like I did with Dennis, we just go with what he gives us. Saturday his name was Firetruck (big surprise!). Yesterday his name was Fred (Papa prompted him with that one). Today I asked him on the way to the mall and he said his name was Monster. I think that might be the most fitting one yet! I will try to remember to post his daily names as I get them!

The Making of a Christmas Photo (part 2)

That is right - all of these photos for one good one! I noticed while posting these that this is also a good way to see the many expressions of Bryce!