Leecie Loo and 7 Boys Too!

A little this...a little that.

2009-09-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest update for the last 3 weeks or so. I have been so busy with my other blogs that I just haven't had the time to keep this one up like I was. Tim and Drew haven't been around enough to get many pictures of!! Tim was working at the pool and if he wasn't there during the summer he was out with his friends. He and Drew are now both in Marching Band. (Today they are down in Athens at the OU football game preforming.) Drew also has cross country. He left the house at 6:15am this morning and went to a cross country meet. He got to run for the first time in a meet this season because he injured his other leg and we still aren't sure that he doesn't have a stress fracture in it too. We will find out from a 2nd x-ray on Tuesday. But coach had him run and he metaled today. He left the meet with a couple of other CC runners who are also in band. They missed the 8:30am bus down to OU, so they had a mom drive them down. He and Tim won't be home until about 1am! Busy boys!

The kids made their fort at the farm. Cool huh? They've been watching too much Survivor Man!

The farm
We went to the Pataskala Street Fair and had a fun time. Tim and Drew played that afternoon in the parade there with the Marching Band. They didn't want to come with us when we went though.

Fair food!!!

My favorite!! I have to get my Cotton Candy!!

Only in Pataskala! This is an electric drill used to peel the potatoe to make these:

Lots of people would have cheese over these! They were really light and crispy. Yummy!!

We have started the football/cheerleading season. The boys are on the white team and Dave is one of the assistant coaches.
Zach loves it.

This picture says it all. Here is Alex with the coaches. He has appointed himself coach Alex I think. He will sit and work on plays with Dave and try to figure it all out. He is such a riot!

Cute huh? She only gets to cheer for 2 of their games. Our cheerleaders only cheer for home games. We have only 1 junior cheer team to cheer for 3 junior teams. This was one of the 2 she got to cheer for them.

Heres the gang!

Wouldn't it be nice? Ouch!!

To bring you up to date.

2009-08-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

I know I have sorely neglected this blog. I have been so busy with my other two..that I have let this one go. {hanging head in shame}
Lets see...what happened in July.
I think my butt is going to get even bigger because I sit on it so much working on my blogs!

I got to go to a blogging conference in Chicago a week and a half ago. It was a riot.
I got to meet this handsome big fat white guy there!! I had so much fun I am going to another conference in NC in September. I am going to get to stop by and see my boys and hopefully my Aunt and Uncle when I go.

Dave and I spent most of 4th of July weekend at his farm by ourselves. We rode the only working 4 wheeler a lot. I picked black raspberries while he cut down trees.
It was really relaxing.

Drew decided to move to TN with Joe at the end of June. He just got a job this last week. Joe just started his new job this week. They just moved into an apartment together last weekend. Wow.

My three "almost oldest"...John Tim and Drew

Mix in my 3 youngest...and you have lots of fun. We were having a good bye lunch for Big Drew.

Yeah..Tim decided it would be fun to put his hand through a cabin door window at Band camp! (Not!)

I had to go pick him up on day 2 of 5 and get him to an urgent care in Sunbury before they closed. He had it laid open pretty good. He got 4 sutures. The other cuts on his hand didn't need stitched up.

Isn't this so cute? The triplets got out their sidewalk chalk and went to it on the sidewalk! They called this the "Jenney Walk of Fame".

Look at the one that Elise made for me!

Joe and Drew came into town in July for their Uncles birthday party. I got to have them for one night. This was our breakfast. I think Elise was spending the night at someone's house..and of course John stayed in his own apartment.

We are in the process of redoing Tim and Drew's (little) bedrooms. I got a great opportunity with Walmart through my Organizing blog to redo a teenagers bedroom (I will also get to giveaway a bedroom remodel on my blog).

After asking the boys what they wanted it came down to this. Tim stayed in their shared bedroom and is getting the remodel. Drew decided (he had final choice)to move to a bedroom in the basement. This bedroom is nonexistent at this point. It is an unfinished bedroom. Dave has done the wiring. We are adding pegboard walls and will paint. His closet will be under the stairs. He is calling it his "Man Cave".
Tim and I just painted 2 of his walls a dark gray. My sissy helped me with the color of the walls. You will just have to wait until it is finished to see how cool it will look.
Ok..I think I have you caught up now. Hopefully more soon.

Father's Day belated with Dad

2009-06-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

My sister came into town and we had a great time together with my Dad and also my brother.
We started off our Sunday (week after Father's Day) going out to breakfast with him.

Doesn't Dad look great for almost 79 years old? It is me on the left, Dad, my brother and my sister.
We saw some dear friends at breakfast also that I hadn't seen in awhile. They looked great!
We then traveled on to Hubby's farm for a visit. Hubby and the kids were all there.

The kids had some hotdogs and of course sissy and I had to have a smore!

There is my man!!

My brother had never ridden a 4 wheeler neither had I until 2 years ago and then I only did it once. I am just learning to ride this myself...but I did ride it well enough to take my sis for a ride through the woods.

Now here was the really fun part...my Dad had never ridden one either. He took his first 4 wheeler ride. Here he is getting instructions from Hubby

There he goes...(he had trouble finding the brakes, so going down the hill was a little scary for him...)

Here he comes!! (coming up the hill he didn't have it in low enough gear so he got stuck...#4 son had to ride his bike down the hill to save him!! LOL)

We ate lunch at Peggy Sue's in New Castle. My Dad has heard us talk about this little town diner for years and has wanted to eat there. He loved it and thought it was great fun to actually meet Peggy Sue! This is Sissy standing out by the Whimpy that is still outside. Years ago it had been named Whimpy's and they have just kept him out front.

My #2 son came to dinner with us at BJ's Brewery in Polaris. He is moving to TN this week and wanted to say goodbye to Grandpa and see his Aunt who was in town. #2 son with bro.

What a great group! #2 son, Sissy, Dad, Dad's Wife, Bro

Sissy and I!

We had a great day with Dad!! I think he really enjoyed himself too.

The Farm - Paintballing at its Best

2009-06-21T05:43:00.001-07:00

Hubby's Farm is the location for his cousins yearly paint balling weekend. I think he said there were 12 kids (well...like 18-23 year olds) and 4 adults. There were maybe about 8 tents set up. His cousin has it all coordinated with coolers, grills, campfire set up to cook with. He has his "kitchen" he sets up under the shelter. It is quite the set up.
Hubby says it reminds him of what the farm used to be like when they were growing up and they had all the get togethers there.
The kitchen set up with coolers, "kitchen cabinet" and the grill that you can't see.
They had a wet evening the night before...so some drying out needed to be done.

The Shelter house
These people are serious about their paint ball. They are all outfitted and belts that hold their extra ammo, their super guns and guille suits.

This is one team. Boy 5 if on this team.

This is the other. Boy 4 is on this one.

Boy 4 is ready to go!

Ok...Boy 5 got hit! By Boy 4 of all people. Step brotherly love or paint balling at its best? LOL Actually there is a 2nd one on the upper left part of his back that I don't think you can see in this picture, but it isn't so bad.
I guess they call this fun? They all had a great time, came back showing off their battle wounds and dripping wet with sweat from all the gear they wear to protect themselves from the painful paintballs.

Hubby enjoying all the "goings on". He didn't paint ball, and he went to work on part of the work he has been doing at the farm. He is working on a tree thinning.

This is a bench that he, his cousin and kids made for around the campfire. This was Boy 7's idea to make. He had seen a picture of one that was in a magazine and had been after hubby to make them for the farm. He was soooo proud.

Happy Early Father's Day!

2009-06-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

We don't have the kids on Father's Day next week, so we are celebrating this weekend. We wrapped a Grill cover that Hubby unwrapped. Then he and the boys unloaded it from the back of the car.
They had to put it together.

Hubby and Boy 5 are putting together the grill.

They did it! Beauty huh?

Lots of grilling space.

Dinner is cooked. I was too late to get a picture of the food on the grill.

My Hubby is a good Cook!! Look at these steaks!!

Boy 5 is cooking the onions and mushrooms on the side burner to go on the steaks and turkey burgers. Yummy!!

Boy 5's Confirmation at St. Paul's Lutheran Church

2009-06-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Boy 5 went through the confirmation classes and these are the 9 students who were confirmed 2 weekends ago.

Our family picture.

This is Boy 5's table in the reception room. His mentor did this for him. Got him the cake and decorated it for him.
It was a big day for him.

Boy 1 Turns 26!

2009-06-05T13:57:00.001-07:00

This is my oldest baby! Boy 1 turns 26 today. It is hard to believe that it was just 26 years ago today I was holding a brand new little baby. Boy 1 weighed in at 7 lbs and 12 oz. He was the best little baby and boy. Sleeping through the night within a few weeks and used to ask to go "night night".
He has recently moved to Tennessee to enjoy some really nice weather to live in. DH and I are jealous.
So proud of you Boy 1! Happy Birthday!

Boy 4 - Life Guard, Good Grades and a Drivers License!

2009-06-01T07:14:00.001-07:00

Boy 4 has had some great accomplishments lately.
He has done great with his grades this semester. He did extremely well on his OGT testing. The OGT's are the test you have to take your sophomore year and pass in all areas in order to graduate high school.
He is ready to get his license as soon as we can get a time to schedule the test for that.
I think his biggest accomplishment though is getting his life guarding certificate. He has never taken formal swimming lessons before!! He was bound and determined to get it done because he knew he had a job waiting for him at our local pool if he could get it.
And he did it!!
I am so proud of him. He is using his knowledge and skills and proving not only to use, but also himself how much he is capable of.

Learning to ride the ATV

2009-05-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Dave and I had a day at the farm by ourselves. I didn't have to work, we didn't have any kids. We had a really nice day together. We went to the farm and he showed me how to ride the new four wheeler. We rode it together and then I took it on my own. We visited some neighbors at the bottom of Dave's hill. Gizmo ran behind the ATV most of the way. She got tired at one point and just lagged back..but didn't stop. So I put her on my lap and she loved it.
Dave did some work at the farm and I worked inside the house cleaning for about a hour. Then we went into Coshocton to a winery/restaurant called Raven's Glenn. There we were in our dirty jeans and there were kids in prom dresses. I loved watching all the couples.
Great day.

Easter Egg hunt

2009-05-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

Dad wanted to have the kids come over on Easter for a small Easter egg hunt that his wife planned for her granddaughter and the triplets. He always forgets that we only have them 1/2 of the time and only every other holiday. It was not our turn to have them for Easter this year.
So the Friday after Easter we went over and had some dinner and they did their Easter Egg hunt. The kids loved it. They got change in their eggs and some candy and gum.
Fun time had by all.

Gettysburg

2009-04-29T04:29:00.001-07:00

After we left DC we traveled north to Gettysburg. Hubby had been there as a kid and had such wonderful memories of it. I think I had been there when I was young although my Dad just told me he didn't think we went. I remember just looking out on this field and being told about a big battle that took place there. I thought...ok, so what is the big deal? (as a little girl) That is all I remember. So when hubby told me he wanted to go I just had this vision that is in my head of this field and I was thinking...OK and why? But it was really neat. We started out at the museum and watched a movie there. Then we went on the self guided driving tour. We spent several hours going from the monuments to the different battle areas. Hubby was our tour guide!

This is Little Round Top where the north hung out at the top and took cover in the rocks. The South tried to attack but had to come up this hill and lost many lives.

This is at the top of Little Round Top. Hubby was looking for marks in rocks from bullets. They used this for cover.

It was cold and windy the day we were there.

This tower shows you the other view of Little Round Top. From the south point of view.

There were huge rocks like this at Devil's Den. Thousands died in the lower rocks of Devil's Den as they tried to take cover but ended up being sitting ducks and couldn't get out of the rocks to get away.
But the kids had fun climbing in them. This is an area that Hubby really remembered as a kid.
I had to change my views on Gettysburg after we left. Not that I have any real desire to go visit again, but it was great for the kids and was very interesting.

Our Washington DC Trip

2009-04-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

My Son 2 called me today and wondered why I had not updated my blog. I told him I was busy....so at 11pm when I should be going to bed, I will sit here bleary eyed to update this blog for my boy!! LOL
This was all of us in front of the Bell by Union Station.

This is a picture of the little bobble that Hubby picked up for me on the trip. (Yeah, I wish...well not really) This is the Hope Diamond.

The kids with the Capital in the background. We got to tour the Capital. We didn't get hold of Tiberi soon enough to get into the White House too.
It was soooo crowded this weekend because of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Let me see if I can get a pic of all the people.

The steps and along the waterway were completely packed. We were in the trolley at the time and very thankful even though we were at a stand still due to the traffic.
We had a great day that day. We rode the trolley and got to see most of the important sites. We ate lunch in Union Station, toured the Capital (or the little they show you of it). We got off the Trolley at the National Museum of Natural History and then walked and walked and walked.

Sissy's Babies

2009-04-11T06:41:00.001-07:00

This is one of my Sissy's Newfoundlands. Cody...who is a bigger chicken than Sadie. Literally...he was scared of us, barked at the jacket on the banister at her house because its not normally there. Anyway...it was good because hubby realized that our Sadie is not completely a freak...there are other dogs that act like she does.
Cody is going to be a star. He was the youngest newfie competing in his age group (the youngest group) and won awards. His trainer took him after meeting him and realizing he was the great grandson of the West Minster Kennel Club show Best of Show winner.
Doesn't look like the same dog when he isn't all groomed and standing pretty does it?

Here are the two of them together. Lucy has a spinal defect and can't play with bro Cody too much otherwise she starts limping. Cody is behind the fence on the left, Lucy who is smaller is on the right.

Beginning of our Washington DC vacation

2009-04-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

Driving for 7 hours and then getting in at 10:15pm at my Sissy's house to this spread of goodies! Cool! Kids of course loved it. I do have to say that my sissy is a great baker! Plus she wants me to be fatter than her....so she enjoyed watching me eat cookies.
Boy 6 has a project at school called Flat Stanley. He was supposed to send this cut out character that he colored to someone and they were to take it all around and take pictures. Since we knew we were coming to DC, we decided to bring him ourselves. So Flat Stanley went everywhere.

This was the beginning of our trip. Boy 6 and Flat Stanley in front of Sissy and her DH's house.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

2009-03-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

I am hoping to win 4 passes to the Circus for the kids. You can try and win too if live in the Columbus area.
Just go to Peanut Butter and Pickles Reviews.

I WON BY THE WAY!!! HAPPY DANCE.

Howling Dogs and Sirens

2009-03-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

I will take no responsiblity from your dog howling because they hear this video. Each time Sadie and Gizmo hear it on my computer...they start up again!!

Columbus Auto Show

2009-03-23T19:56:00.001-07:00

We took the kids to see the Columbus Auto Show. I had been there on Thursday of this last week as a guest of Ford for social media. But Boy 4 was dying to go, so we worked it out to go on Sunday.
Boy 4 was in his "happy place" the whole time we were there. Here are some other pics

My early birthday celebration

2009-03-16T18:09:00.001-07:00

Hubby planned my "surprise" birthday party for tonight instead of my actual birthday since we have his kids tonight. I say "surprise" because last weekend he told me, "Sandy, we are having a surprise birthday party for you next Monday night, ok? SURPRISE!" LOL
He did surprise me with my cake. He ordered it from my dear friend, Cake Lady. It is the avatar picture from my Organizing Blog! She did a great job.
Hubby cooked chicken, pototoes, salad and veg. for dinner.

He also brought in balloons and flowers for me. (one was a Mickey and then he had to match the card!)
I actually got to order my birthday present. I am getting a mini laptop computer!! With blogging conventions and meet ups I am on the go a lot more with my computer.
Boy 3 found his blanket and bunnies when he was downstairs and brought them up. So of course the others had to find theirs. Here is the pic that they told me not to post. (I'm mom...I can do this...kind of like showing the baby in the bathtub pictures to girlfriends!)

Boy 3 sitting, Boy 4 on left and Boy 2 on right. They loved their bunnies and puppy (Boy 4 shoulder)

Belly Dancing and Greek Food!

2009-03-13T17:41:00.001-07:00

Hubby and I went to dinner tonight with Hubby's good friend to a Greek Restaurant called Mykonas Traverna and Bakery. Our friend is Greek and so was able to tell us not only how to pronounce everything (which I still couldn't do even after he would say it), but all kinds of other interesting Greek information.
Hubby and I have been there before and seen the man playing the Greek instrument called the bouzouki, but we have never seen the belly dancer! What a surprise that was. I first saw the older woman (who we think is the belly dancers mother) come out with the little finger cymbals on and we thought that may be her...then the daughter came in. She was a cutie. Her Dad is playing the drum in the picture. Hubby blushed and couldn't think straight when he saw someone putting a dollar in her outfit. Greek friend told us that is how it is, kind of like with strippers, you get to give them tips. (I was not a all sad that hubby didn't have any bills on him!! LOL)
Here are some other pics of the place.

We had a very nice meal and great dessert. Hubby's friend treated us (which he shouldn't have done!)so we will of course be back with him to treat him next time. Hmmmm think the guys will want to back on a Friday or Saturday night to see the belly dancer again? Yeah...I know.

Protecting my family

2009-03-12T05:09:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from 2005 of us when we took the kids to "The Wilds". Don't the triplets look little?
As I get more into the blogging and learn more, I realize there are changes to be made.
I had to decide if I was going to keep my family blog public or not. I want my readers to be able to know this wonderful part of me. I am so proud, but I also know I need to protect my family. So I have done as many other bloggers do and have decided to keep this blog public, but not use the kids names anymore.
Since we have 7 boys and 1 girl, to keep things simple I named the kids Boy 1 (oldest) to Boy 7 (youngest) and Girlie
(I'll tell you what...going back through all my old posts changing their names was lots o'fun! LOL)
Thanks for understanding.

Flowers - For No Reason

2009-03-09T11:37:00.001-07:00

I have the best husband anyone could have. He will bring me flowers maybe once a month for NO REASON! He will tell me that he was thinking of me and wanted to get them for me.
I never used to care much for getting flowers, but somehow from Hubby that is different. I know he is getting them not because he has to, but because he wants to. Us woman....we are fickle aren't we?
The best flowers I ever got were just after our 4th date together. He didn't even know my address, but he looked it up and sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was so perfect.
Love this man so much!!

Winter Homecoming

2009-03-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

Ok...first off that is not Boy 5's date...it is his sis! I made him pose while he was waiting for his date to get there. I told him I would not put the other picture up....I am embarrassing him enough.
Boy 4 went stag to the dance and from what I heard he had a great time dancing!
Don't they look nice?

My Family all together!

2009-03-04T19:27:00.001-08:00

I actually had my whole family together!! Yeah. Boy 1 came home for a visit from Iowa. He is moving to Nashville and stopped by on the way to say hi! He looked great and I was thrilled to see him.
I had my boys and my brother over for dinner. I was bound and determined to get a picture while we were all together. I didn't have one last year for the Christmas card I always send out and was upset, so if we aren't together before Christmas you may be seeing this picture again.

My bro also came by for dinner. We got a pic together too. He's my big bro! My Brother Rick is an artist and he has many a following. You can see his works at Rick Borg.com His work is different than many of us are used to...but he has his art hanging in several locations around campus. He also has people who follow him and love his work.

I Won these awards!

2009-02-28T17:58:00.001-08:00

I was given these awards from Chickenista! I was so excited! I haven't won any awards for my family blog until now. You will need to visit The Chickenista
blog. It is so cute!
The rules for this award are simple
1) Post it on your blog (and link back to the one who gave it to you)
2) Pass it onto up to 15 other blogging friends
3) Let them know that you gave them an award.

Donna - Donna's Blog
Blogger Friend - If you lived there, I'd know your name
Melinda - Look What Mom Found
Wenbren - Wenbren explains it all
Vickie - Cooking up a Snowstorm
Thanks ladies for the comments you have made on my family blog and the wonderful blogs you work on!

Awana's Crazy Hair night

2009-02-25T15:55:00.001-08:00

Tonight was Crazy Hair Day at Awanas for the kids. Boy 6 wanted his hair to look like flames. Boy 7 didn't want to go.
The kids mom came over to do their hair and she asked for my help. She bought red hair spray for Boy 6. We both worked on Girlie's hair in all the little pony tails.
They were so excited to go.

Buckeye Cafe Experience

2009-02-22T18:23:00.001-08:00

We went to the Buckeye Cafe today for lunch. It wasn't a planned adventure. After church we weren't sure what we were going to do today (how often does that happen?), so Hubby decided to drive us down around OSU campus to show Girlie the horseshoe. As we were all starving driving around looking at the sites, Hubby and I came to the same conclusion....we have to go to the Buckeye Cafe. To those of you whom may be reading this that are not Ohio State Buckeye fans...its is a restaurant that is everything Buckeyes.
We ate a great meal and then saw the sites. The kids loved it. We went into the game room, but the kids didn't have any money...just checked out the games for a few minutes (it wasn't crowded..so it wasn't a problem) and then we left.
Fun Sunday afternoon adventure.

Kinkle, Kinkle...Little Star...

2009-02-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

Last night Girlie spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house. They had their granddaughter with them.
We had some dinner with them before leaving Girlie. Granddaughter is very shy when we first come around, but she warmed up quicker this time. She decided to do a little singing for us and I captured it on my flip camera. After she sang her song she wanted to see the picture (like she usually does when you take a digital picture). She isn't 2 1/2 yet and is talking (and singing) very well. My Bro is singing very well too!!
She and Girlie had a great time and sang on their stage (a bed) in front of a mirror. Grandma was their announcer and she played all kinds of games with the girls.
Girlie had one grand time!

A Life Gone Too Early - Alex

2009-02-15T16:40:00.001-08:00

Alex who is 19 died on Valentine's Day. Alex was a mother to a 2 year old son, whom was the center of her world. She was a wonderful daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece. She was too young to die.
I had a call from my ex husband telling me about 11am yesterday. He wanted me to tell my youngest son who is Alex's cousin (he was going to tell our other 3 sons).
Alex's Dad, Mike is my ex husbands youngest brother. This family is very close and this is just unimaginable. My boys were all very upset to say the least. Mike's parents (my kids grandparents) live close by them. My ex husband was on the road for a 10 hour drive within a couple hours of finding out. His sister and her husband were also in their car on the way there for closer to a 13 hr drive, while their other brother got the first flight he could. They were going to support their parents, their brother and their nieces, and each other.
At this point they aren't sure why she died. Possibly a pulmonary embolism, but they do not know. All they know is that it happened fast and without warning. She was not sick, (other than cold symptoms).
Life is just so uncertain. Tell your kids you love them, tell your family you love them, hug your children, your husband. Make up with people you have problems with. Always make up with family. (Better yet don't fight with them to begin with)
Please pray for the Hamilton's in your prayers today. Pray for Alex's son, her parents, her sisters, her grandparents, her cousins, her Aunts and Uncles.
Thanks

Valentine's Day Boxes

2009-02-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

This is Boy 7's Valentine's Day box. He turned it into a computer. He cut out the top cardboard and made a keyboard (copied the real keyboard and got every key down.) on the top of his box. Then Hubby helped him to attach it to the box. He was soooo proud of it.
Boy 6 decided to make his Valentine's Day box a DS game. He had some help from Boy 7 and Hubby and fixed his box up.
Girlie had her Valentine's Day box done when she came to our house. She worked at hers at her mom's house. She did a great job and was very proud of it.
I had forgotten to take their pictures with their boxes until we were on the way to school. I stopped the car and pulled over to get their pictures. They were going to be going to their mom's after school and I knew I wouldn't have another chance to get a pic if I didn't take it.

Life without Electricity in the Household

2009-02-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

Our power went out in a wind storm about 10pm on Feb. 11th. It is now about noon on the 13th and so far no power. I am sitting at the Hot Spot Coffee house for the 2nd day in a row so I can use the internet and stay warm. Coffee buzzes aren't so bad are they? {as her hands shake}

Isn't this place sooo cute? Here is where I have "camped out" in my own little warm room!
Hubby did go pick up a small generator yesterday on his way to work and got it set up once he got home. So we had a small disc heater, a lamp, the sump pump hooked into that last night. The kids and Dave played checkers while I sat (as in pic) with Sadie and Gizmo on my lap and tried to stay warm.
This morning I was able to unplug the heater, lamp and phone chargers and plug in my coffee maker and toaster! Yeah...coffee.
The kids were up early and sacked out on the floor with blankets and did their reading for the day. We aren't sure when the power is going to come back on. We have heard by tonight and we have also heard by Sunday...(that would be the 15th!). So who knows. But its not a big deal as long as we don't have any pipes freeze or the basement flood..and since we have a generator now I don't have to worry about the basement flooding...we can make the best of it. Plus we have hot water - so thank goodness we won't be stinky cold people!!

Bratz Kidz Wii Game Review and Giveaway

2009-02-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Girlie was soooo excited to get the Bratz Wii game. She doesn't didn't have any Wii games that were just for girls. She was driving me crazy each day checking to see if it had come in the mail yet or not.
It was done very cute and the characters were cute. The game was easy for her to pick up on and she enjoyed it completely.

The premise is that the Bratz kidz are having a slumber party. Up to 4 kids can play and they get to pick their characters and personalize them. You can play in either competition mode and the player with the highest score wins, or you can play in cooperation mode - where all players have to work together on the same team to achieve a specific goal for each game. There are different levels to change the difficulty level.
You can earn stars and spend them for clothing and accessories for your character.
Some of the games they can play are things they may do at a slumber party. There is fashion photography, sleeping bag race, splash at the fair, sew cool to design new clothes, and many others.
I had no negative feelings towards this game. I thought it was real cute and Girlie had a lot of fun with it.
To Buy: Go to The Game Factory site and purchase this game or many others.

To Win:

1) Go to The Game Factory and check out their site. Tell me what other Bratz game the company carries.
Then come back here and comment on it. Please be sure to leave me your
e-mail address.

For Extra Chances To Win!!

1) Twitter about this contest! Come back here and tell me you did.

2) Blog about this contest! Come back here and add the link to your blog.

3) Follow me on twitter. Come back here and add your twitter name.

4) Follow my blogs (add yourself to right sidebar to follow). For each one of my blogs you follow (I have three.. My organizing blog, my family blog and this review blog) you can earn 3 entries each. Tell me about each one you followed when you come back here to comment.

5) Add any of my 4 buttons to your sidebar and earn 3 entries for each one you add. Come back here with the link to your site where you added them.

This contest will run until Monday February 16th at 8pm. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

(I will send out an e-mail to the winner and you will have 48 hours to respond back to me or I will pick another winner.)

Blissdom '09 Conference

2009-02-07T03:36:00.000-08:00

I am here in Nashville, TN at the Blissdom conference. It is a conference about blogging! Evidently it was sold out with 200 woman...and almost everyone brings their laptop into the conference. This is very different for me. I have been to several conferences in my life (now granted a couple were a few years before everyone had laptops...but that's beside the point) and one was just last year, but it was on organizing, not blogging.
I got up this morning, wondering what time it was, no glasses, (I had accidentally disconnected the clock last night oops...) but I felt wide awake so I figured it was around 6am. I grabbed my glasses and went into the bathroom. I got my watch and it said 5:50am. Great.....I quietly (I didn't want to wake up my roommate)went out and gathered my things for a shower. Got ready and gathered my laptop and bag to go down to the conference. By now it was 6:20 and I thought it was very strange that no one seemed to be up. Breakfast started at 8am. I looked at my watch to make sure it wasn't like 2am instead. I came down to the conference area and the doors were closed, but not locked. There was one man sitting on a couch in the area. He said, "You are up early" I asked him what time it was and he said it was 5:20am. Ok...well that explains it. I knew I couldn't go back upstairs because I certainly didn't want to wake her up that early!! So I came in and got first choice of tables. Saved seats for my new blogging buddies and here I am!
I am picking up a lot of good information. I can't wait until the sessions today.
Yesterday we had 2 sessions and then a cocktail hour and after that they had a pajama party and showed Momma Mia. I have that movie at home to watch on Net Flix and haven't had the chance to watch it, so this was great.
It took Ali and I just 6 hours to get here. The drive was no problem, we talked the whole time. Yesterday was the first time we officially met. We met through our blogs and Twitter. Great stuff that Twitter!!
Ok...I need some coffee....

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T04:30:00.001-08:00

Boy 3 turns 21!!

2009-02-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Boy 3!
My 3rd oldest son is 21 today! Wow...it is hard to believe.
We had a little family get together last night to celebrate. My Dad and his wife and their granddaughter came over. My brother came by and we had 7 of our 8 kids here. (Boy 1 is in Iowa) So we had a full house!
We added a card table onto our regular table to fit all the grown ups and then put the triplets and Granddaughter at another table.

I kept asking Boy 3 what he wanted for his birthday. All he would tell me was a gift certificate to Krogers. (groceries for those of you who don't have them.) You can tell your son is growing up when he wants groceries for a birthday gift. LOL
So that is what I did. I got him a gift certificate and also bought a bunch of dry goods so he could open something. I was going to have the younger kids all pitch in and wrap them separately, but Boy 4 said that would be wasting too much paper and we shouldn't do that. (How do you argue when they are trying to be "green".) I actually think it was partly because he didn't want to head up the operation!!
So I told him to take charge and this is what he came up with! I was busy making dinner so really didn't see it until they were half way finished taping up the box. I told him that he forgot the rolls of toilet paper...so this was the solution to that. The kids were laughing hysterically while they were doing this for Boy 3. They had certainly never seen a gift wrapped like this before...and hopefully won't again!!
We had fun with it and Boy 3 had a good time. He got to chose his birthday dinner and he picked one of their favorites, hamburger pie. He also wanted chocolate cake with chocolate icing.
I always take a picture of the kids blowing out their candles...well Boy 3 got me this year. I told him to hold on just a second while my camera recovered from the last picture. He blew those candles out so fast and so hard in one blow...there were 22 of them (one to grow on you know)....that you wondered how he even did it!! It really was amazing. Of course he thought it was great that there was no way I could have gotten a picture of it. "Thank you son."
It is hard to believe he is 21 years old.

Boy 3 is in the front on the right. Boy 2 is beside him on the left. He is 23. Boy 4 is standing behind on the left (16 years) and Boy 5 is behind Boy 3. He is 15. Good looking guys aren't they?

Build a Bear Workshop Wii game Review and Giveaway!

2009-02-02T04:49:00.001-08:00

You can win a Build a Bear Wii game...just click here on my site to sign up!!!

Superbowl 2009

2009-02-02T04:30:00.001-08:00

We had our own little Superbowl party. We had just Boy 7, Boy 6 and Boy 4 here to watch the game. Boy 7 especially LOVES football...did I say Loves loud enough?! This is an 8 year old that will call out fouls and celebrate like a 30 year old man who has just had a 6 pack of beer. Hooping and hollering as well as the best of them! Boy 6 will watch and enjoys, but isn't as "into it" as Boy 7 is. They were actually with their mom for the week but Hubby asked if the boys would want to come over and watch the game. (Their mom wouldn't have had it on). They were thrilled. We had them until just after half time. Hubby made chicken wings, cocktail weenies, brats and chips. (healthy huh?) I made lowfat brownies...does that count? (As unhealthy... yes Sandy!)
Well Hubby did all the cooking because I was in the the middle of an all important blogging party with Plus Size Mommy and Party Elizabeth. (Check out their sites!!) They had a great blogging party and I ended up winning a $25 gift certificate for Tupperwear (I can always use that!!) and also a computer game. I was excited. I would have loved to have won the Mexico vacation..but oh well. I tried!!!
So we had a fun and somewhat quiet Superbowl party. Oh and did I say that Boy 7 was cheering for the Cardinals while the rest of us wanted the Steelers! GO STEELERS!! Yeah....he would have gone crazy on the Cardinals last touchdown and probably been crying (literally) on the Steelers last touchdown.

Third Snow Day in a Row!!

2009-01-29T18:48:00.001-08:00

My dog Sadie loves to be out in the snow. She likes when the kids throw her snow balls and she catches them.
One great reason for lots of kids!!! Shovel that driveway kids!! LOL Actually the triplets get excited to go out with their own new shovels..(isn't it wonderful when they are still too young to realize that no one likes to shovel.
We all had cabin fever today. Even my hubby. He drove his long way to work and there is no power in Nelsonville. He dealt with a few issues on the building site and then he came back home. So we took the kids out to McDonalds for dinner. Oh get this....their visa machine was down...we had no cash. They kept trying and trying to get it to work. They finally gave us our meal free!! yippee!! Then we went to play glow in the dark putt-putt.
Here are some pictures from that.

We had a lot of fun tonight. They have black lights and everything is glow in the dark....Oh and they were having the "Times are hard special!" I am not sure what it usually cost to play but it was $4 a person with the special. Isn't that great?

Ice in Ohio

2009-01-28T05:29:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures of the lovely ice we have. I know it is worse other places...but there is enough of it here! I still have electricity at this point.
Here is the handrail going down the back steps.

Here is Sadie walking on top of the snow! She wasn't too sure about this strange feeling!

Build a Bear Workshop Wii game Review and Giveaway!

2009-01-28T03:57:00.000-08:00

We opened Build a Bear Workshop - "A Friend Fur all Seasons" game yesterday when we got it from The Game Factory and the triplets were so excited to play it. I wasn't sure if they would be too old for it or not. They got to pick out their bear or monkey (or several other options) and personalize them. They got to pick their name and dress them and they had a great time just doing that.

A boat called Friendship takes them to different islands. Each island has a season related theme.

One thing I noticed that I thought was really good was that when it is explaining the steps it actually shows the controller on the screen and tells them which buttons to be using. This is very good for the younger player.
The triplets just turned 8 at the end of December and they had a really fun time playing it. It is actually a snow day today and the first thing Girlie asked when she came downstairs this morning was if she could play Build a Bear Workshop.
This is rated E for Everyone. I do think it is geared towards younger children, but I also think that all ages of kids can have fun with it. It just may not be as challenging as other games for older kids, but it would still be fun.

To Buy:
Go to The Game Factory and you can find this game and purchase it.

To Win:
1) Go to The Game Factory and check out their site. Tell me what other game you would like to pick out from their site. Then come back here and comment on it. Please be sure to leave me your e-mail address if you want a chance to win.

For Extra Chances To Win!!
1) Twitter about this contest! Come back here and tell me you did.

2) Blog about this contest! Come back here and add the link to your blog.

3) Follow me on twitter. Come back here and add your twitter name.

4) Follow my blogs (add yourself to right sidebar to follow). For each one of my blogs you follow (I have three.. My organizing blog, my family blog and this review blog) you can earn 3 entries each. Tell me about each one you followed when you come back here to comment.

5) Add any of my 4 buttons to your sidebar and earn 3 entries for each one you add. Come back here with the link to your site where you added them.

This contest will run until Monday February 9th, 2009 at 8pm. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

(I will send out an e-mail to the winner and you will have 48 hours to respond back to me or I will pick another winner.)

Feeding the Birds

2009-01-27T08:14:00.001-08:00

Today was a snow day for school. (Why I don't know?..we only got about an inch. We are getting 4-8 more inches this evening....so I know tomorrow they will be off.)
But Hubby drives about 1 hour and 45 minutes to work each day (3 year project) down south of here. He got about an hour into his drive (which took him almost 2 hours to even get to that point.) and found out that several of the roads he would need to get the rest of the way there were closed. So he turned around and came home. He took Girlie to get a couple of bird feeders since the one we had broke. They loaded them up and hung them. They had some good Daddy-Daughter time for about an hour going to get them and then getting them hung.

The Mom Hairstyle

2009-01-26T09:58:00.001-08:00

I am telling about my hair style for a contest on Life From My Laptop. She is giving away a flip phone from Newbaby.com who does all kinds of vlogging. I have never done a vlog yet (video blog) and think it would be fun to do.
Before picture I took in the bathroom right before I had it cut. Horrible picture...no make up...but oh well..it serves the purpose right!?
I have gone from longer hair (I had for years) to short hair back about 6-7 years ago. Then after I met my husband I realized he really liked longer hair. I tried two different times to grow it out for him....but I just couldn't stand it. I told him I was grandfathered in at the short hair since that is how he met me almost 5 years ago!! The last time I just looked like a witch. Because there is gray under there...even though I color it, it just doesn't lay as nice as it once did. So I cut it. I am all about the easy hair style. I just wash it, throw some mousse in it and dry it for all of about 5 minutes. Then some hair spray and I'm finished. So easy!

Furry vests!

2009-01-26T07:29:00.001-08:00

I got this vest last year from Coldwater Creek. I thought it was so cute. My husband doesn't really care for it much. I have had it on just a couple of times and he has given me that.."I don't want to say that I don't like that...but I really don't like that" look. So I have changed it. Hubby would never want to hurt my feelings and is usually never critical of what I wear and almost always complementary...but on this one I have gotten the "look". But yesterday morning I decided to wear it to church. I thought I have it and I should wear it sometime. (Our church dresses very casual).
So I put it on.
Girlie had been given her vest by a good friend of mine. Her daughter has given Girlie some beautiful clothes. I didn't say anything to Girlie, but she had seen me before she got dressed...and she came down in her furry vest. She was all excited that we were "matchies". So this is how we went to church yesterday. We had fun in our furry vests!
It may have not been the most flattering outfit on me, but I had fun with Girlie.

Beth Moore's Loving Well Retreat

2009-01-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

(This is a picture of the prescreen. I didn't want to take a picture once the video started but I should have to get Beth Moore in the picture.)

I am blessed enough to have wonderful Christian woman as friends! One of them organized a mini retreat this weekend. We didn't have to travel far, we didn't have to make hotel reservations or pay big bucks to go. It changed locations a couple of times and caused a couple people some stress figuring out if it was going to happen, but thanks to a gracious hostess who opened her home a day before the event to 11 woman who would spend the night and her most wonderful husband who went to spend the night at his buddies house (so he would actually get some sleep because he was going to have 11 laughing and crying woman in his house!!) it all came off perfectly. One of the woman had this "Retreat in a Box" by Beth Moore. It is a DVD set and a workbook to go with it of a conference she did in TN in front of like 15,000 woman. We watched the first session on Friday night but didn't get started until late. There was a function at the church that night that wasn't originally expected in the planning. So we adapted and it wasn't a problem. But we all met over at the house at 9pm. I think we had the first video going by about 10pm. After we watched it we had a discussion. Then as woman can do when we are together and sharing God's word...we really talked.....and cried together and laughed together and prayed together. We didn't get to bed until about 2am I think. Some of us were in beds, others on couches and others on the floor...but I think everyone (at least me) slept well until about 8am.
We had a wonderful breakfast casserole and the yummy rolls in the picture, and coffee....lots of coffee!!
I didn't get my camera out until after our short night sleep and I have to say there were a few woman that weren't thrilled at the idea of me taking pictures when they didn't have their makeup on and had a little bedhead...(can you imagine? LOL)...also knowing that I like to blog! So I won't show any pictures of my dear friends because I love them so and wouldn't want them upset...even though their pictures were lovely.
After breakfast we had two more sessions and left knowing that we are going to get together for the last tape in a few weeks. We have a workbook to work on for the next few weeks that will prepare us for the last session.
Beth Moore was fantastic. I have never heard her speak but she was hysterical! Just a joy to listen to and soooo real. The series is called Loving Well. She goes over the 4 kinds of people she shows us how to love. They are Joy, Testy, Foe and Far. Testy and Foe are of course going to be the hardest to swallow for me!
Two things that spoke to me the loudest in the teachings are:
1) God pours his perfect love into my imperfect heart.
2) We will never love well until we feel well loved.
Cool huh?
Wonderful woman who love each other in Christ, wonderful place opened to us, wonderful food and a wonderful speaker...wonderful weekend that is going to get me back on track with the Lord. Thank you ladies..I needed you this weekend.

Better Than Sex Cake

2009-01-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

I am not sure how good it looks in the pictures...but it is very yummy and very filling. I didn't get a picture of it before it was dug into!

Here is a recipe that my good friend Jennifer gave me. I know there are several versions of this but this is the one I have and really like. I will give you the regular recipe and then I will also give you the lower calorie version that I make now.

Regular recipe:
1 German Chocolate Cake mix (can also use chocolate)
1 can sweetened cond. milk
1 jar hot fudge (melted)
1 tub of cool whip
1 bag of toffee bits
Make cake per box. While warm poke many holes in it. Pour over and into the holes the can of sweetened cond. milk and hot fudge. Put in the ref. to cool.
Before serving put on the whip cream and top with toffee bits. Serve!

Lower calorie version
1 German Choc. cake mix (choc. ok)
1 can diet pop (almost any will work)
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 jar hot fudge
1 tub of fat free cool whip
1 bag of toffee bits

Open your box of cake mix and pour into a bowl. Add your 12-16 oz. of diet pop. I used diet cola. and mix until creamy and consistency of regular cake batter. I used put in the 12 oz. but its still a little too thick. I just added little bits until right.
Put into your greased and floured 9x13 pan just like normal and bake according to directions on box.
While warm poke your holes in it and pour on your melted hot fudge (I didn't use a whole jar) and fat free sweetened cond. milk (you don't need the whole can...I have also used caramel topping instead of the sweetened cond. milk too)
Refrigerate until cool. Before serving put on the fat free cool whip and toffee bits. Serve and tell everyone its lower calorie! They won't believe you.

My Mom Opinion and Advice

2009-01-23T04:46:00.000-08:00

I am going to just state my personal opinion here. I am not saying that anyone is wrong for what they chose to do or they should change what works for them, but I have been a mom for 25 years and a pediatric nurse for 27 years and this is what has influenced my opinions. I have woman ask me all the time, so I thought I would write it down.
When it comes to babies there are of course many many ways to do things. I personally feel that babies need schedules. I think they like routine just like many of us do. Certain times for naps, bedtimes and feedings. I have never been a fan of "feed on demand" because there are many babies who simply get gas and are crying because they have a tummy ache, or they just want to suck (which calms them down) but they don't want to eat. When you eat hourly then you do not take in enough (because your stomach isn't completely empty) and you are hungry again in another hour. If you can wait 3-4 hours then they will get the intake to keep them satisfied for another 3-4 hours. I know there is a difference with breast and formula as breast does not hold them as long. Plus as mom you do not get any breaks. You still need to find some time for yourself as a new mom. That is point one for me.
Point two is sleeping with your baby. I personally am against it. I know many people love it and that is fine for them. But if anyone would ask my advice, this is what I would tell them. Babies need to learn to sleep on their own. They have a natural sleep and waking period during the night. If they wake up and are comforted by mom or fed every time (not talking about the first couple months on feeding during the night) or rocked back to sleep...then they do not learn to put themselves back to sleep...which they will if they can be left alone to do so. I do not agree with family sleeping beds. I strongly believe that a husband and wife need their time in their bed alone. That is a special place in a marriage and to bring children into that domain I personally believe is not healthy for the marriage.
I have seen many (mainly husbands) very upset that they can not get their wives to let the children sleep in their own beds and they want their wives back to themselves.
I get calls when I work at the pediatrician office all the time with mothers who can't break their child from sleeping in their bed, or sleeping through the night. Ladies let me tell you that letting a 4 or 5 month old "cry it out" for a couple of nights to break a habit is much easier than dealing with a 2 or 3 year old.
Case in point. My 2nd son Boy 2. I nursed him for the first couple of months. He had many problems with it and when I changed to formula he did great. But at 3 1/2 months he might go one night 8 hours and then the next want to eat in 3 hours. My first son slept through the night by 2 months. I talked to my pediatrician and he told me this. Babies have natural sleep and waking periods. If every time Boy 2 wakes up and fusses you go in and feed him then that is how he is going to want to be put back to sleep. It is much nicer to go to sleep with your mom holding you and drinking then it is to put yourself back to sleep. He told me to let him cry it out. He said to pick a weekend where both of us could be home and help. He said when he starts crying to go in and peek in the door. Don't let him know you are there. Just make sure he is ok, no foot caught in the crib side rail or dirty diaper. Don't talk to him or pick him up. Then go back to bed and let him cry. Check on him every 10 minutes.
So we did this. The first night he cried for an hour and half. It was hard, but I knew it was something that was best for all of us. The 2nd night was 45 minutes and the 3rd night was about 10 minutes. After that, he slept through the night. No more bottles, I got a good night sleep and so did my now ex husband. Honest!
I hear woman on the phones telling me that their 15 month old is still up 1 or 2 times through the night and they are just exhausted. They are not getting the sleep they need, they are irritable during the day and it is affecting their everyday life and their marriage. Kids are tough ladies. They are not going to be deprived or feel less loved if they learn to go back to sleep on their own and sleep in their own beds. You are not a bad mom to want your baby in their own bed and to sleep through the night.
Going through a divorce myself I have learned that the marriage is very important to work on continuously and not to be taken for granted. I was married for almost 20 years and up until the last 3 I had no idea our marriage was in trouble. (That's a whole different story). It is not because I had our 4 boys in bed with us because I never did. If they came in with a bad dream I would walk them back to their bed or when they got a little older they would just stand at my bedside then I would fill their heads with funny visions of pink elephants in dresses and if they were seeing a monster I would tell them to picture it...now put a yellow dress on it. Now give it eyelashes...etc. Then I would say a prayer at the end of our "think of this instead" talk and ask the Lord to help them have sweet dreams. There were very few times that they had to come in a second time. Storms were the same. On the occasion that storms were very severe they may be able to climb into our bed for a few minutes or if it was going to be an all night kind of storm, then I did let them bring a pillow and blanket in and lay on the floor to sleep. I can not sleep with a child in my bed. They roll around and I am always conscience of them being there.
Point 3 is this:
Pacifiers and bottles. I have no problem with them but I feel there is a time these things need to be broken. I do not like to see a 2 year old walking around with a pacifier in their mouth or drinking from a bottle. There is no need for it. I do believe in pacifiers. All 4 of my boys used them. But some babies will refuse pacifiers and like to suck on their thumbs. others will not take either. To have a baby crying and giving them a pacifier....you see them start to suck and their whole bodies just relax. It is something that is a comfort to them. I took the kids pacifiers away when they were just about a year old. My youngest was the latest and I wasn't as worried about breaking him right at 1 year old. I used a brand called Mam at the time. There was a mini mam and the regular mam. I don't even know if they are still around. But it was a flatter pacifier. We were in the car and Boy 4 was in his car seat. My other boys told me he had his whole pacifier in his mouth. I turned around and he did. He was 13 months old and he had taken the pacifier and turned it sideways and had the whole thing in his mouth. It scared me to death. He was starting to choke on it. I stopped the car and got it out of his mouth (I don't really think he could have swallowed, but at the time it seems like it). That is how I broke him. I got home and collected all of them and threw them away. I am sure that we had some crying at bedtime and naps for a couple of days, but it wasn't bad enough that I remember it like I did Boy 2's "crying it out" at 3 1/2 months old.
I think the reason I am even posting this is because these are a few things that I deal with all the time at the Dr. office. I hear woman who are exhausted and tired and husbands who are upset they have 3 kids in their bed and their wife has added on an extra part to their bed for the new 4th baby. He wants his marriage back.
I am not trying to say that the woman who do these things are wrong. I am not trying to say that if it works for you and you and your husband are happy that you should stop. This is just my opinion and my advice if anyone wants it. I am not asking any of you to change anything that works for you. (no blasting me please)

Vacations

2009-01-20T09:16:00.001-08:00

Vacations are something that we all love! Going to a place that is away from work, away from pressure and away from our real lives. Getting to explore new things, meet new people and make new memories.
We are trying to plan a vacation for this coming year. We still have to figure out the reality if we can afford to take a vacation this year...but with that in the background...we are having fun just looking into it.
We have thought of two places we would love to go. Disney or Canada.
The kids are at the perfect age to enjoy Disney World. Even my 16 year old is excited at the possibility. He went once when he was 6, but doesn't remember a lot of it. Hubby's kids have never been. So it would be magical. The problems...it is very costly even with good discounts. To drive that far would be exhausting with a car load of 5 kids and to fly would not be financially possible. Again on the finance side is where we would stay. In all reality to really be comfortable and not crawling all over each other we would need a cabin, condo or large suite....or two hotel rooms...all of which cost too much. The one part I do remember about my trip to Disney with my 4 kids was that it was not a relaxing vacation. It was an exhausting vacation. Up early, dealing with crowds, expensive food and the heat. But when I look at the pictures I don't see that. I remember the fun, the smiles, the utter amazement in the faces of my boys when they saw new things. I would love to do that with Hubby's kids...and Hubby.
Our other option is Canada. Hubby grew up taking family vacations to Canada and has wonderful memories of it that he wants to pass on to his kids. This would be the complete opposite of Disney. It would be quiet, peaceful, and relaxing. It would not cost nearly as much and we would be able to rent a house. Fishing would be a big adventure that the kids love to do. Swimming and exploring would be the other fun activities. We wouldn't be doing amusement parks and spending all kinds of money on stuff. It would also bring fun, smiles, and utter amazement in the faces of all our kids. I know this is what my husband would rather do, and in all reality I would too. I just am hoping that we can at some point let his kids experience the magic of Disney too. But maybe just for a day and not a whole week.
Two years ago Hubby and I took my 3 youngest boys and his oldest on a fishing trip to Canada. The triplets were just too young to sit in a boat all day. For that matter they are still too young at 8 years old to sit and fish all day long like we did 2 years ago, but they will be able to go out for a few hours. These pictures are from that trip. It was wonderful!
As I wrote this I think I really made up my own mind what I want to do. I think if we are able to take a vacation this year, it will be Canada.
The following pictures are from our vacation last year. The triplets had never been out of the State of Ohio before. We took them to Gaitlinburg, TN for 3 days to see the mountains for the first time. Then we went to Myrtle Beach, SC for 3 days so they could experience the ocean for the first time. It was sooooo fun to hear their excitement at everything new they did. Just hearing them when they saw the mountains...they turned off the video player and too out their MP3 players from their ears and just were so excited. That's what vacations are all about. Those memories are precious!

We all had a great time here. The cabin and mountains were great and when the kids talk about that vacation they all say they want to go back to TN! They loved the beach and playing in the ocean for the first time (Boy 4 had been there before, but Hubby's kids had not), but their best memories of our vacation was the the mountains. Interesting isn't it?

Honest Scrap Award

2009-01-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

Melinda of Look What I Found and has given me this great award!!

Award #1-Honest Scrap
The rules: Honorees are to list 10 honest things about themselves - and make it interesting, even if we have to dig deep! Second, we are to pass the award on 5 bloggers we feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

1. I eat way too many sweets for someone trying to lose weight.
2. I love my morning coffee time when the kids are still asleep.
3. I am a back seat driver
4. I will wear jeans on all occasions possible.
5. I wish I had pretty legs that would look pretty with a dress.
6. I love my husband more than I can imagine.
7. I can't stand someone to sit at my desk and mess things up.
8. I love watching Biggest Loser, The Bachelor and several other reality shows.
9. I don't like that I am getting old and I get called the triplets Grandmother at times.
10. I hate being mad at people and try not to at all cost.

I’m sending these awards to the following wonderful mamas because of the dedication they show to their families on their blogs.

1)Ali - The Hooper Home
2) Lacie - The Shipman Family
3) Kristina -Simply Saavy
4) Courtney - Sister to Sister
5) Christie - A Sassy Mommas Chatter

Ladies...I just found out that Melinda also gave me this award and I am also passing that onto you!!!

You just need to list 5 addictions.
1) chocolate/sweets
2) Blogging
3) organizing
4) Talking on the phone to my friends
5) My family

Yummy Mummy has first giveaway!

2009-01-18T17:35:00.001-08:00

Yummy Mummy is having her first giveaway! She has a great gift basket to win!

Snow Day - Below zero temps!

2009-01-16T09:02:00.001-08:00

The kids working on their snow forts.

Drew (15) in his fort Alex in his fort

Elise working hard on hers. Zach in front of his castle!

Today is the coldest day of the year. (I think since like 1977 actually). It is -13 with wind chills -30. The kids didn't have school because I guess they figure it is not safe for the kids who have to walk to school. But of course since it is a snow day they want to go out and play. I did let them go out for about 1/2 hour. I will probably let them go out again this afternoon, but not for any longer than that again. They worked on their snow forts.
The dang dog (little one) won't even go pee outside!! I had to finally give in and just leave her in the garage for awhile so she would do her business so I don't have to worry about her going in the house instead. (She doesn't normally, but desperate times will bring dirty results if I'm not careful).

You have to have hot chocolate after being out in the snow!!
I think it is a requirement.

Kids enjoying their hot chocolate and each other (believe it or not!!)

Their snow gloves, hats, pants are in the dryer...getting ready for their next short outing this afternoon. (I don't know if I will have enough hot chocolate for another round...oh no!!

2009-01-15T13:38:00.001-08:00

Doesn't this look like the warmest cozy blanket? It is!! Kids Coats sent it to me. I love it. The kids had just come in from playing out in the snow. It was below zero with the wind chill and they needed warmed up quick. I had just opened this package today and timing couldn't have been better!
I am hoping to be able to do a review for them at some point. Their coats look sooooo cute and warm! You will have to check them out!

Snow Day!

2009-01-14T19:16:00.001-08:00

Flying Down the Hill We are ready!! Here I come!!

This is the wet aftermath of
playing in the snow.

We had a snow day yesterday. Not real sure why....it wasn't bad out at all...but it wasn't my decision. I took the triplets and went over to a friend of ours to go sledding. The kids had a great time on a hill on the side of their house. They had it all to their own too...no crowded public hill (that interprets into...we got to stay inside and watch them out the window instead of being out there with them...).
Of course you have the "getting everyone dressed" phase of going out...heaven forbid if you forget to have them go to the bathroom before they get all dressed! Then you have at least a couple of "freezing hands" kids coming in for different gloves. When they are all finally soaked to the bone and freezing then they come in and pull everything off and throw it in a big pile. (This pile was bigger on their first outing when there were 2 more boys there to add to it.)
Oh...another snow day tomorrow. Hot chocolate.....here we come!!

Fun with Friends and saving money too!

2009-01-12T13:26:00.001-08:00

I think many of us are in the same boat. The current economy has hit us all and most of us are trying to cut back our spending. So when it is cold outside and not good weather to go out and sled...or it's evening (getting dark at 5:30pm) and you can't go out...what do you do?
You find good friends and just hang out together! We went to some dear friends of ours here in town the other night. Girlfriend made dinner and I brought some dessert and vegetables for a side. The kids played Wii (they both got them for Christmas and were both very excited to play together) and the adults just talked and had fun watching the kids play. We also used quite a while to get the pictures of Girlfriends's baby and little girl in the Leg Huggers pictures that I used for my review just below this post.
We didn't have to go out bowling, ice or roller skating or to a restaurant to have fun. We just all pitched in and ate well and had a great time for very little money.
We had a wonderful evening together and are very thankful for good friends.

Leg Huggers Review and Giveaway!

2009-01-10T09:00:00.001-08:00

Leg Huggers are the cutest little leggins I have seen! The colors are bright and cheerful and they are very functional at the same time. So many times I have seen a cute little baby crawling around the floor in a dress and then have seen her mom pick her up to see red sore looking knees. In the winter it would be nice to put on a dress, but their legs get too cold. Baby tights can be so hard to get on and then to change a diaper..oh my gosh what a pain. But with leg huggers that isn't a problem. They will keep your babies legs warm, keep them protected when crawling, you can change their diaper without them getting in the way and they look so darn cute!!
What I also thought was really neat was that they are made from Bamboo fibers. I didn't know they even used bamboo to make any kind of clothing.

They are eco-friendly too! Look at this list...this is great!
* Breathable
*Wicks away moisture
*UV protective
*odor resistant
*antibacterial
*soft and comfortable
*No chemicals or pesticides

Here they are in action. Since I don't have a baby at home anymore...I had a friend help me. She loved them! This is her baby (in a couple of outfits) in them. Her baby is 4 months old and they were a little long, but still worked. I was a little concerned that the top of the band at the top would dig into her (since she has little baby curves...hee hee)..but it didn't at all. They stayed up without digging in.

We were cracking up because she kept looking at the colors and trying to grab at them. It was too cute. So they are also stimulating for babies!!

Her mom put another outfit on her to show how cute different colors can work to bring out the other colors in the Leg Huggers. What a cutie!

We found a couple other ways you can use the Leg Huggers. This is my friends 4 year old daughter. She had been playing dress up and had been complaining because her legs were cold. We took them off the baby and put them on her. They were great! She thought they were so cute on her. (They really make her interesting "fairy-santa- elf" look don't they?) But really, there is no reason a little older girl couldn't use these too.

Ok...we are showing there are not limits on these Leg Huggers! There really wouldn't be any reason that an adult couldn't wear them if they wanted to!
You can think outside the box with these cutie little Leg Huggers!

To Buy: Go to Leg Huggers (www.leghuggers.com) and you can buy them online. Leg Huggers is so wonderful that they have offered a 10% discount through March 1, 2009 for one of my readers. You have to put in the voucher code "momleg10" to get your discount. Buy a pair and then still try to win another pair (each baby can always use more than one pair!!).

To Win:
Leg huggers has graciously offered one of my readers a free pair of Leg Huggers!

1) Go to the Leg Huggers and check out their site. Decide which one you like the best.
Then come back here and tell which one you like. Please be sure to leave me your
e-mail address.

For Extra Chances To Win!!

1) Twitter about this contest! Come back here and tell me you did.
2) Blog about this contest! Come back here and add the link to your blog.
3) Follow my blogs (add yourself to right sidebar follow). For each one of my blogs you follow (I have three..organizing blog, organizing review blog and this one..my family blog) you can earn 3 entries. Tell me about each ones you followed when you come back here to comment.
4) Add any of my 4 buttons to your sidebar and earn 3 entries for each one you add. Come back here with the link to your site where you added them.

This contest will run until January 17th at 6pm.
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. IF YOU DID NOT WIN...YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE LEG HUGGERS!! THEY ARE ONLY $10 EACH!

Lead Testing on Children's clothing being rethought!!

2009-01-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

I was going to post about the craziness that our government is going to supposedly protect our children. There is a law that is going to go into effect on Feb. 10th 2009 that will prohibit any of us from selling clothing from our kids under age 12 without testing for lead. Hello? When was the last time a child was getting lead poisoning from their clothes?
Working at a pediatrician's office, we had mother's coming in all worried last year about the big stink with toys and lead. They had their children tested and guess what...not one of them had elevated levels of lead. Not one!! The media went crazy on it. I am not saying it's a bad thing to get the lead out of the toys now that we know it is in there...but let's not go to extremes.
I asked the Doctor's yesterday in my office if they had heard about this new law passing and none of them had. When I was explaining it, I felt almost foolish because it even sounds ridiculous saying that they are worried about lead in clothing for our kids.
Anyway...I had planned to print the article from the LA Times about it today. When I looked up the article I found a new one that says they are rethinking it. Thank goodness...someone come to your senses!!!
Ok...can you tell I am a little worked up over this.

Regulators rethink rules on testing children's clothing and toys for lead
The Consumer Product Safety Commission gives a preliminary OK to exempt some items from testing after complaints of hardship to thrift stores and sellers of handmade toys.
By Alana Semuels
January 7, 2009
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has given preliminary approval to changes in new lead-testing rules after complaints that the measures could have forced thrift stores and sellers of handmade toys to dispose of merchandise or even go out of business.

If formally adopted, the changes approved on a first vote Tuesday would grant exemptions to last year's Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which seeks to ensure that products for children do not contain dangerous amounts of lead.

As currently written, the act would require all products aimed at children 12 and under to be tested for lead and phthalates starting Feb. 10. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable.

Large manufacturers and retailers say the cost of testing will not be a burden. But small businesses such as handmade-toy shops and thrift stores say the requirement would force them to spend tens of thousands of dollars to test products such as clothing, in which the threat of lead is almost nonexistent. Many thrift stores said they would be forced to stop selling children's clothing or close altogether.

The commission's two members (a third seat is vacant) voted tentatively to exempt:

* Items with lead parts that a child cannot access;

* Clothing, toys and other goods made of natural materials such as cotton and wood; and

* Electronics that are impossible to make without lead.

The commission also tentatively approved a rule that clarifies how it determines exclusions from the law.

The vote opens up a 30-day public comment period that will begin when notice of the rules are printed in the Federal Register. Interested parties can find out how to submit comments by signing up to receive e-mail from the CPSC at www.cpsc.gov .

No final rules will be approved until after Feb. 10, when the testing rules go into effect.

That means retailers and manufacturers who sell untested children's merchandise would technically be in violation of the new law starting Feb. 10. Whether federal regulators will enforce the rules -- which might entail inspections at thousands of secondhand stores and toy shops across the country -- is another question.

"The CPSC is an agency with limited resources and tremendous responsibility to protect the safety of families," said Scott Wolfson, a CPSC spokesman. "Our focus will be on those areas we can have the biggest impact and address the most dangerous products."

alana.semuels@latimes.com

Girlfriends....they keep us sane!!

2009-01-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

My sister and I. She is always there! (Plus she is taller than me! LOL) I know it's kind of goofy to use my wedding pictures from my remarriage 2 years ago...but that is where I found some of my best ones. I realized I need to get some better pics of some of my friends!!!
This group of ladies from church helped me get through the worse times during my divorce! Especially Debbie on the right end in black.

These are my old neighbors that "took me in" when I was single and we all sat on Jan's (older woman) porch in the evenings and had the BEST times!!

Girlfriend and I have been friends since High school. People always made fun of us with me being 5'10 and she is 5' !

My girlfriend and I also went through a divorce about the same time. We talk almost everyday on the phone!

Girlfriend lives in Florida now. We talk about dating because her husband left her and she is now single. We never thought when are kids were in the nursery at church we would ever be single again!

Girlfriend and I have been friends since we were in 5th grade. We try our hardest to do lunch about once a month...but we usually aren't that lucky!

Don't are girlfriends keep us sane? I don't know about you, but mine do for me! I am one who needs to talk and get feelings off her chest to understand them and to deal with them. That is where my girlfriends come in. They listen to me...talk me down if I am unjustly angry, and help me through just about everything!!
Going through something as life changing as divorce is traumatic to say the least. But when you end up having friends who are going through the same thing...and dating again when you are in your 40's...now that is when we really have things to talk about!! LOL
Yep...I am lucky...I have a great group of girlfriends!

So Blessed with my family!

2009-01-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

I was looking through pictures trying to decide what to post today. The first day of 2009 should have a really special post right? Nothing was hitting me to post about. New Year's pictures from last year with the kids? Hubby and I didn't take any last night. What should I post about?
I saw these pictures and just stopped and smiled. How lucky I am to have such great kids and husband. So many of us don't take the time to really appreciate what we have until it's gone.
Hubby and I have been so lucky at how well our 8 children get along. Sure there are little fights and frustrations that all families have. We certainly aren't perfect by any means. But the kids really do get along.
This is Boy 4 who is 16 dancing with Boy 6 and Girlie. I forget why. Some music came on and they just started in. We were all laughing hysterically before we were finished. How many 16 year olds do know who would actually play and have a good time with 8 year olds?
When you are having a frustrating day with your kids...just take the time to look at them and say, "Thank God I have them."

Triplets 8th birthday!

2008-12-30T16:24:00.001-08:00

We started out our day with the kids making their own cake. (At their request!) Boy 7 wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Girlie picked strawberry cake with strawberry frosting and Boy 6 picked out chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. They made their cakes and as soon as they were out of the oven, we left for lunch. We took them to the Steak and Shake for lunch. Yummy!!
At this point Dave had told them with such a big Christmas that they had, they really didn't need more presents. Their birthday was just going to making their cakes and lunch. They weren't real thrilled, but didn't complain or boo hoo.
After lunch Hubby told them he needed to go in and get something in Walmart. We walked by the bikes on our way to the door and Hubby stopped and then surprised them telling them they would be able to pick out a bike!! They were soooo excited. They kept saying, "Really Dad?"
Girlie picked out the exact bike that I had seen the night before (when Hubby and I scoped out the stores to see where we were going to take them) and liked the best for her. They boys both picked out cool ones too. They got plenty of looks taking their bikes to the check out and through the parking lot. People don't realize they are triplets. Boy 6 is like 3 inches taller than the other two.
We got those home and it was the perfect winter day to go out and ride them. Cool but dry and actually warm for December. I think it got up to like 45 degrees today.
After the bike ride they came in to ice and decorate their cakes. That was fun.
Then we had a dinner any 8 year old would like. Canned spaghetti and hot dogs. Isn't that terrible? They were thrilled of course.
For their birthdays we always try to make them special for each child. They always get their own cakes and each one has their own candle blowing and singing. We sing it for each one....so for at least that moment in time they have their individual attention.
It was a great day!!

Cabela's Trip

2008-12-28T14:39:00.001-08:00

We drove just over 2 hours today to visit the Cabela's store in Wheeling W.V. We gave the kids (and I gave Hubby) gift cards for Christmas. We left this morning and got there about 10:45am. We saw all the sites and took a tour of the entire store, and then let the kids decide what they wanted to buy with their gift cards. They really enjoyed it and Dave enjoyed being able to do a lot of teaching about animals etc.
We ate lunch at McDonald's with more gift cards. Yummy!
Drove through Ogleby park to show the kids (during the daytime...no Christmas light show)where we stayed last year.
We just got home a few minutes ago. Fun day with memories and just the cost of gas!
(Well...other than the gift cards we bought!...LOL)

Wii is the big hit!

2008-12-26T19:27:00.001-08:00

Oh my gosh were the kids excited!! They got to all open it together. Hubby got the Wii fit for me too. We have all been having a lot of fun with it. The triplets just did their profile for the Wii fit and were trying the yoga and games. They want to do "their exercises" in the morning too. I am thrilled to be able to do some myself too! Just a fun way to add a little activity into this couple months where the kids aren't in any sports (had to take a financial break with 5 kids!)and too cold to go out on some days.
We had family game night tonight with it too. We all had a lot of fun doing some dance game on Ravin Rabbit.
Great game!!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas eve is a wonderful time. I think I like Christmas eve better than Christmas morning. The kids anticipation and excitement is still there. They are on best behavior of course because they want Santa to come. There is food and family and church. It's all good.
We have the kids this year for Christmas. When you deal with divorce you unfortunately deal with sharing your children. We get to pick up the kids at 3pm today and then go to the 4:30 family church service at church. We will then go to my Dad's house for his traditional Christmas Eve open house for family and friends. We will come home and probably watch Elf (love that movie), Hubby will read the kids the Night Before Christmas. They will get their plate of cookies and reindeer food ready and then we will have to calm them down enough for them to go to sleep. Boy 7 has already informed me that he is going to be staying up all night. My older boys will then help bring down the gifts.
In the morning the kids will open their stockings in their rooms (Hubby's tradition..see my organizing post for our tradtions..hee hee) and then we will come down and have breakfast. After breakfast we will tell them what their secret names are (see post on labeling Christmas gifts to understand that) and a couple of the kids will be elfs and pass out the gifts. Then we will go one by one and open our gifts. I love it. After all the time, effort and money you spend on them, you want to appreciate the faces and excitement when they open them.
I am planning on taking tomorrow off from posting as I am sure most of you will take tomorrow off from reading.
Have a very Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Keeping Santa Alive

2008-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Keeping Santa alive can be difficult. It is something that is fun and brings so much joy, but it also can seem a little underhanded when you thinking of the lying we have to do in order to make it happen. It is something I have struggled with myself, but I had such joy in believing in Santa as a kid that I have always wanted my kids to experience that same joy.
The triplets will be 8 before the year is over and still believe. Boy 7 has been questioning it the most though. He has decided on his own that reindeer don't fly so he can't figure out how Santa gets it all done or up on the roof.
The kids sat on Santa's lap this year (although the picture above is from 2005). They also always get Santa a plate of goodies and food for the reindeer. The plate of goodies for Santa has celery with peanut butter for the reindeer. (Picture from 2007)
I still believed in Santa when I was 11 years old and had 2 neighbor kids laughing at me as I defended Santa. I went in to finally have my mom tell me the truth. That was a very upsetting Christmas for me. When I would question Santa, my mom would say, "What do you believe?". I wanted to believe that Santa was real, so I did.
I wanted to make sure I was the one to tell my boys when they were at a proper age, so they wouldn't go through what I did. (It was very traumatizing for me..can you tell?) As a step mom I don't get to make that decision. As Boy 7 and Girlie have questioned me I find myself say, "Well, what do you believe?"

Having fun at the Jenney House!

2008-12-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

I do have say that we have a good time when my older boys come over. They came over for Boy 4's birthday dinner. They get the triplets all worked up. We had arm wrestling all the way around...we all got into that contest. (I lost to my 20 year old) They had all out wrestling on the floor...they did karate and tested each other to see how high each of them could kick. The noise level was up there...so I just had to chill and relax and realize how lucky I am that they are all healthy and love each other and laughing together. Life is good. I love my family!

Boy 4's birthday cake

2008-12-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

This is Boy 4's birthday cake! My friend does great cakes. Two of Boy 4's older brothers had this cake for their 16th birthday too...so it is now a tradition!
Just thought you might want to see it. I think it's cool.

Boy 4 turns 16 today!!

2008-12-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

Boy 4 is my youngest son and the oldest child we have living at our house. I remember being in the hospital while I was in labor and there were carolers singing outside my room. They wrapped him in a Christmas blanket with a red and green little hat on. I was able to go home on Christmas eve day.
He has his temp. license and will be able to get his license in Feb. (if he gets his grades are good enough for a good student discount for insurance.)
He is involved in the marching band at school. This isn't just any old high school marching band...this band is awesome!! If you have ever seen Ohio University band, then you would have an idea of what our band is like. They put their instruments down and actually do dances in their performances. These kids work! He loves it.
Boy 4 is great at working with his hands. He works on his bike all the time and can fix it up and will probably work on cars as soon as I let him! He loves cars...and can tell you almost any car and what year it is..Hubby and I are always saying, "Boy 4...what kind of car is that?" It is rare that he doesn't know.
Boy 4 is one heck of a good son and has been a great little brother and wonderful step brother!! Thank goodness this boy was born 16 years ago today and has blessed us so much!

Sadie and Gizmo

2008-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yes...these are my dogs. Sadie is the black lab and Shepard mix that is a big smart scardy cat. She weighs about 45 pounds. Gizmo is a cockershon. (I know that's not how you spell it...but not sure how...half cocker spaniel and half Bishon...so spelling is not my thing! LOL) We call Gizzy the black turd. She is a little hyper goofy dog. She has calmed down a lot in the last year. She is now 3 years old. She weighs about 20 pounds. Anyway...if I take the computer off my lap and grap a blanket to lay back...I instantly ...did I say instantly...yes..I don't even have the blanket over me and I have 2 dogs wanting to climb onto my lap. They need their "mommy time"!!

Christmas plays

2008-12-19T04:43:00.000-08:00

The kids had a skit at their mom's church last week. It was really cute. Boy 7 was a Christmas present, Boy 6 was a greeting card and Girlie was an angel. The kids did a great job. The church is a very small country church with only about 10 rows of pews. On stage now I think are about the entire kid crew that go to the church.
Getting involved at church is important. Your friends at church are just as important! They can get you through about anything (with the help of the Lord).
Just my two cents for today.

Chatter Chix - I won!!! Yeah!!!

2008-12-18T16:17:00.000-08:00

These are the cutest trading cards!! I found them on the blog Barefoot Mommy www.barefoot-mommy.blogspot.com She is doing a review on them.
They have a different girl for each state and you collect and keep track of what states you have. The girls have diaries they journal in and from what I read it appears that high morals are involved. You can check out the Chatter Chix site to learn more. http://chatterchix.com/
Check out the Barefoot Mommy blog for your chance to win a set...I did!

The Best Dad ever!!

2008-12-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

One of the things that attracted me to Hubby was what a good father he was to his kids. He is a hands on Dad. He plays ball with them, lets them help him when he works in the kitchen and strives to teach them what he knows. When he gets on the floor it is "pile on" wrestling with the triplets. It's been that way since I met Hubby when the triplets were only 3 1/2. They will be 8 in 2 weeks. But they don't notice that they keep gaining weight and Hubby is no bigger than he was...just older!! Hubby coached Boy 5's t-ball team when he was small. He was an assistant coach one year for the triplets and coach the next. He has helped out being an assistant coach for football both years the boys were in it. He makes the triplets their lunches and puts them to bed every night.
I had to work this am and he has all 5 kids with him at the farm. He is putting in a wood stove burner and has the kids helping him.
You don't get that many fathers who are good Dad's too. I was one lucky woman to find a man and father this good!!

Boy 5's Celebration

2008-12-17T04:04:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun last night for Boy 5's birthday. He requested spaghetti with meatballs for dinner, so that is what we had, along with garlic cheesy toast and corn. He had fun making his cake and did a great job. Girlie did the decorating from left over decorations we had downstairs. She used a graduation cap for Boy 5 and then the rest of us got New Years Eve hats!! She was thrilled to give everyone straws for their drinks (I don't know about you..but we never use them). We all got into the spirit of the evening. Even my 20 year old and 23 year old had a good time and wore their hats willingly. We surprised him with a letter jacket. His mom came over to present it to him (she went in with us on it). I think he was really surprised and thrilled. He lettered in cross country and the marching band gets a letter their 2nd year. He will probably also letter in track this spring, but we didn't add that on yet.
Looks good huh? Next of our 5 December birthdays comes on Monday! Boy 4 will be 16.

Happy 15th Birthday Boy 5!

2008-12-16T03:39:00.000-08:00

Boy 5 is 15 today! Two of our kids have the same name. We call one Big.... and the other Little....(Boy 2 is on the left, Boy 5 in middle and Boy 3 on right....Boy 5 is terrible at letting me take pictures of him, so I have very few of just him...at least any good ones.)
Boy 5 is one heck of a good guy. He has earned his 2nd degree black belt, as a freshman he has already lettered in cross country. Also as a freshman he ran cross country at the same time as playing in the marching band. They both had after school practices, band from 2:30-4:00 and then he would go and run 5-7 miles until 6:00 with cross country. Then he would come home and do homework for 4 honors classes he was taking. Ok...you might think his studies would suffer (like I thought they might when I saw the load he would have his first semester of high school)..but no..this kid pulls off a 4.777 grade average!! Because band was a 4 credit hour class and not a 5 credit hour class like his other 4, the highest he could have possibly had was a 4.8. (ya slacker Drew!! LOL)
Not only is Boy 5 athletic and smart...he is an overall good guy! High morals and level headed (thanks to his Daddy!). Plus he likes to cook. He loves to help in the kitchen and he made the duck this year along with the green bean casserole (his favorites at Thanksgiving.) When I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, from the grocery, from my friend who does wonderful cakes...he said, "I want a red velvet that I make myself." He was serious, I asked if he wanted me to make it and he said he would like to make it himself if that was alright. (Ok....it's not what you are thinking...I can bake a cake just fine and they are good...LOL ..he just likes to make things.)
Happy 15th birthday Boy 5!! We are proud of you.

Fantasy of Lights

2008-12-13T11:28:00.001-08:00

After we took the kids to do their Christmas shopping we went to the Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek in Delaware, OH. You pay $15 (which was sooo funny because I only had $13 cash and Dave didn't have any. Here we are sitting in this long line of cars to get in realizing we didn't have the cash. Hubby asks if any of the kids have any money and his son Boy 5 spoke up saying he had $5 in his wallet. "Hand it over" Hubby said...Hee hee So we were able to get in.) and then you drive slowly seeing all the light displays. I tried taking a few pictures, but mine didn't come out very well. On the night setting you have to hold the camera really still even after the flash had gone off. Mine were really blurry. Part way through seeing all of the lights they have a gift shop where Santa is. We stopped and took our number to see Santa. We were #91. They were only 45!! Needless to say we did not stay. We had warned the kids it might be really crowded and if so we would just see Santa at the Santa house in town instead. They were fine with that. We did get our free hot chocolate and stood by the fire barrel to warm up a little before we completed our driving tour of lights. So several things that could have spoiled the evening...didn't! It was a really nice evening together....and we were thankful that Boy 5 carried a little cash in his pocket!!

The kids go Christmas Shopping

2008-12-13T03:57:00.001-08:00

When my oldest boys were young we used to struggle with them buying gifts at Christmas. They had a Secret Santa shop through their school, but it was still several dollars per person for them to pick out something. I think what really bothered me was one year when I worked at the school gift shop. The kids would come in and see all the neat gifts that were anywhere from $.25 to $10.00. They of course would want to pick out the $10 gift for their parent and they had only $1 to be able to spend. There were helpers all over the school gift shop telling each child.."No, that is too expensive, you can't buy them that." There were many looks of disappointment on their faces.
The discovery of the true Dollar Store. How wonderful this has been for our family!! You have to find one were everything really is $1.00. The kids make their list before you go of all the people they need to buy for. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, teachers etc. Our kids had 11-13 on their lists.
Note: We do let the kids do the Secret Santa at school so they can participate, but they buy for just Hubby and I there. We just give them $1 for each of us. Then when we go to the Dollar store they don't have to worry about trying to hide their gifts from us.
Ok..they make their lists and then they get their own carts and they go. They can pick out anything!! Did you get that? ANYTHING?? Who cares what they pick out. It is only $1 each. That is the fun of this. They get to think for themselves. Part of the fun of opening the gifts is to see what crazy thing they may have picked out! They will have their reason behind each one. My dad once got a thing of Gold Bond powder from one of my boys. My brother got a kids paint set one year because he is an artist. They feel completely in power. They mark things off their list as they buy and it is even better if they have been able to earn the money through the year and pay for it themselves too.
The older boys get into just as much. They aren't thinking...oh this stuff isn't good enough. Boy 4 will be 16 next week and Boy 5 is 15 this week and they took it just as serious.
It's all good!!

leecie Loo and 7 boys too

2008-12-11T19:51:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elf Your kids!!

2008-12-11T19:47:00.001-08:00

This video is just a riot! Watch below and you will see our 5 youngest kids in the Elf video. You can download it yourself...no cost.
Just love it!!

Leecie Loo and 7 boys too

2008-12-11T19:22:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2008-12-11T04:36:00.001-08:00

Each year we have one of the kids place the angel on top of the tree. The problem is that we can never seem to remember who does it! Of course they are all saying they never get to do it and they all remember that the other one did! I was looking back at pictures over the last 4 Christmas that I have had with Hubby and his kids and I did find 2 of the Christmas's that I did take a picture of the event. So we were narrowed down to Boy 4 and Boy 7 and Girlie. I was pretty darn sure that I remember Girlie being held up by her Daddy one year. Boy 4 was bound and determined that he wanted to do it for sure (he is almost 16 and its still a big deal...that's neat isn't it?). Boy 7 was also as determined...so we compromised. We place a toilet paper roll underneath the angel to stabilize her...so Boy 7 got to place the toilet paper roll and Boy 4 did the angel. We have proof for next year now!!

Haystack cookies

2008-12-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

I hadn't had these cookies for years. I used to make them and must have lost the recipe because I forgot about them. But a woman brought them into our pediatrician's office today and I remembered how much I loved them! She wrote down the recipe for everyone in the office and it was as easy as I remembered.
I stopped off at the grocery because I needed to make something for a cookie exchange at Bunco tomorrow night.
The picture above shows the only things you need. Here is it:
1) 1 bag of milk chocolate morsels
2) 1 bag of butterscotch morsels
3) 1 can of chow mein noodles
4) 1 can of 10ox(they were 12oz) at my store salted spanish peanuts.

Melt the choc. and butterscotch chips (I did mine in the microwave..stir after each 1 minute...it only took me 2 1/2 minutes).
Stir in the peanuts and chow mein noodles.
Coat with the choc./butterscotch mixture well.
Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Chill and eat!!

Easy and taste great!!

My Family..our beginning

2008-12-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

This is my new family!!! Hubby and I were married November 4, 2006. I did decide to wear a wedding gown. I hadn't planned to, but couldn't find a dress I liked. I had a friend tell me there isn't any reason I shouldn't wear a wedding dress if I would like to....so I thought..what the heck!
I have 4 boys. From left of me is my youngest Boy 4. Then my oldest across the back from left to right are Boy 3 , Boy 2 and Boy 1. Hubby's oldest (he is the same age I am, he just started later having kids) are Boy 5 and the triplets are Boy 7, Boy 6 and Girlie. So we have one little princess with all our boys! We call Girlie - yes...Leecie Loo as a nick name. Hence the name of my blog.

Launching my New Family Blog!!!

2008-12-10T04:28:00.000-08:00

My new family blog is up and running!!
I have to go to work at the Dr. office this am, so I can't stay and play anymore.
I will be adding more posts tonight! Stay tuned!!

Coming soon!

2008-12-07T18:45:00.001-08:00

My new family blog will be coming soon!!