Just four years ago...

It was only four years ago that our family was celebrating Christmas for the first time in Ohio with just two little boys. This photo was included with our 2004 Christmas letter; Cameron was 5 and Trey was 2 - love the tongue.

Seems like the last two additions... Monica and Megan... have always been with us.

Merry Christmas...

Making up for lost time...

Yes, we have been horrible at updating our blog. We have been called out by siblings on their blogs and have even been the cause of others not starting blogs. Of course, it's easy to point out the faults of others, but we won't do that here. The blame of course is mine, but it's not like I haven't been updating a blog... annualnativitydisplay.blogspot.com, just not this one. Anyway, with the Nativity Display now coming to an end, I have once again recommitted myself to updating this blog at least once a week. Also, given that our Christmas letter is coming out, I'd hate to point people to our blog and the last entry be from August. This entry is really dedicated to what has happened since that entry. I will be brief. For more detailed explanation of our lives, you can call or email us, or ask my mother. :-) Here goes...

Cameron started school...


Trey started school...


We went to the Lebanon Apple festival where we took pictures by pumpkins and picked apples...


Just liked these pictures of Sarah and Monica...



Cameron turned 9... We celebrated by playing a flag football game with his friends and cousin Tanner. Even a couple months later, Cameron still talks proudly of my perfect over-the-shoulder pass that "fell right into my arms."


Megan and Grandpa faced off... Of course Grandpa had no chance...

Halloween came...


Trey was a dead soccer player... tough header. Monica was a fairy or butterfly princess... depends on who you ask... and Cameron was a skeleton in a skull cap.


Around Thanksgiving time, Cameron got his Japanese pajamas from Uncle Scott and Aunt Joy in Okinawa. What came to mind? Karate Kid... the new version of course starring Will Smith's son... coming to theaters next year.


On Friday, we went to the Nativity Display where the kids got to dress up as Joseph, Mary, a shepherd - did you know they had plaid back then?


Any questions?

How Will They Know?

The other day my big goal for the day was to get the kitchen floor clean. It was one of those chores that was way past needing to be done and I just wanted to get it done and move on. Monica is my buddy who likes to do just about everything I'm doing and this day it was the floor. I have to back up a little here and tell you that she loves to listen to "church songs" (primary songs) and had asked me to turn them on that morning. We were sweeping and singing. Now it was time to mop and she insisted that she do it herself. I was beginning to get a little frustrated because by now I just wanted to hurry and finish, but then the song "How will they know?" came on. As I listened to "How will they know unless we teach them so" I realized that I could take some time and just let her help me and in the process I learned that I need to teach her not only how to clean a floor but how to help and how to have fun spending time together. So, I pushed away my frustration and got the camera instead and enjoyed the time it took to finally get my floor clean.

Louisville

With Megan being only four months old, this summer we decided to have a stay-cation and do something fun close to home. At the beginning of August, we went down to Louisville to visit the Louisville Slugger Baseball Museum and go to Six Flags. For those that think baseball is boring, attending the museum will not cure that, but it was interesting to see how baseball bats were made and get to hold the real bats of some Major League Baseball players. We learned that there really is a sweet spot on the bat, and if you pay attention to hitters, you'll see them position their bats so that when they swing there is a better chance that the ball will hit it.

We also got to see a display of baseballs with presidents' signatures, watch a short movie on the game of baseball and see just how fast a 90 mph fastball from Greg Maddux really is. The kids got a free small bat, which made the entire trip worth it, and we also got a bat with the kids names engraved on it. We imagine once Cameron and Trey start to use it for backyard baseball games, the names will not last very long.

After the museum, we went to our hotel, which just happened to have a 9-hole miniature golf course, and indoor and outdoor pools. When asked after our vacation what was the funnest part, Trey said the golf course. Guess next year, we'll just stay in Cincinnati and do a miniature golf tour.

Anyway, the next day, we went to Six Flags and spent the majority of the day at the water park, which had a huge wave pool, tube rides, and water playlands. For the most part, everyone had a good time, and Megan was a real trooper.

After a long day of swimming, we decided to close the park by riding some rides. The kids loved the skyscraper ferris wheel, and I was able to convince Cameron to go on a short one-loop roller coaster. Rachael and I were a little surprised that when we started to go get in line Treyton also decided he wanted to ride. He just happened to be two-inches taller than the minimum height required. While he was tall enough, I envisioned him slipping through the seat belt as we went upside down. Putting fears aside, we all got on, Cameron riding with Trey and me behind them.

Cameron was a little nervous, Trey was excited. As we started to take off, I saw Trey and Cameron look at each other screaming... when we hit the loop, both got real quiet... Fortunately, Trey did not fall out, but as we hit the end of the track and started heading backwards to hit the loop again, I could sense a little more worry. As we finally came to a stop, both again looked at each other screaming. Walking back to mom, a little more wobbly then before the ride, Cameron and Trey were both in shock that they had actually done it. We were even more surprised when Trey wanted to do it again.

After a few kids rides and bumper cars, we finished the night at Sonic enjoying cherry limeades and of course, chicken nuggets.

The next day we spent a few hours at another water park. This one was actually right next to our hotel. Rachael and I spent about two hours alternating riding inner tube and body tube rides with Cameron while the other kids played in a kids pool with smaller slides. Cameron could have gone all day.

Needless to say, we had a good time, and the fact that we did not have to go very far - 2 hours from home - made the trip even better. It was a stress-free trip, albeit quick and tiring.

Monica's Hairdo

Apparently Rachael has talked up Monica's new (now old) hairdo, and a few people that don't see her everyday have requested a look. Well, it has only taken us about a month to get this post up, but better late then never, and seeing Monica is always worth the wait - just an unbiased father's opinion.

When they got home from the "salon" Rachael fixed her hair to take these pictures and then she was off to play outside with her brothers. She came in a few minutes later and asked, "Is it okay if the wind blows my hair?"

Just in case you ever wondered...

Mom found this picture of me when I was Trey's age...


Below are some recent picture of Trey. We think he's ours...

Attack of the Philadelphia Crack Mosquito III

Well, their back! Monica once again had a run in with a mosquito. This time, it got her in the eyebrow, which meant that it would settle in and around her eye. Of course, it did. The first picture is from Saturday afternoon, and she is not giving a thumbs up. The second is from Sunday morning. Fortunately, after several doses of Benadryl and some long naps over the weekend, she was able to open her eye by the end of Sunday.

We Got Tagged!

Tanner and Ella tagged Monica (a long time ago), but I thought it would be fun to get all the kids' answers. Here it goes--out of the mouth of babes:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Cameron: You have to clean up your room.
Trey: Stop playing games. (Video games)
Monica: Play basketball.

2. What makes mom happy?
Cameron: When I do stuff that you ask.
Trey: When I say "thank you" after lunch.
Monica: Chicken Nuggets.

3. What makes mom sad?
Cameron: When we stay up late. (Trey: "No, that makes you mad, not sad")
Trey: When you get hurt.
Monica: Your throat.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Cameron: Make Megan laugh, toot, and burp.
Trey: Tickle us in the neck.
Monica: Feel nice and happy.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Cameron: How should I know? Angry, mean, always crying, trying to get people's attention.
Trey: Like Megan.
Monica: Um, me.

6. How old is your mom?
Cameron: 36--older than our dad.
Trey: 36
Monica: 3

7. How tall is your mom?
Cameron: Really short. I'm up to her shoulder.
Trey: I don't know.
Monica: You're bigger like Grandma.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Cameron: Mess around with us.
Trey: Watch T.V.
Monica: Make pills for your throat.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Cameron: Make dinner with Monica's help.
Trey: Look for us.
Monica: Play hide and seek.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Cameron: Being angry at 10:00 at night. (Laughing)
Trey: When you're a rock star.
Monica: For my birthday party.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Cameron: I'd say, nothing. (Continuing to laugh)
Trey: Taking a shower.
Monica: Playing baseball.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Cameron: Everything. (Rolling on the floor laughing)
Trey: Playing baseball.
Monica: Playing soccer.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Cameron: Be our servant.
Trey: Yeah, be our servant.
Monica: Do dishes.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Cameron: Pig lips with chicken blood.
Trey: Uh, I don't know. Everything.
Monica: Corn.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Cameron: When you don't boss us around.
Trey: Nothing.
Monica: Playing my soccer.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Cameron: Tom. Always crashing into stuff. (Tom & Jerry)
Trey: Spongebob
Monica: Spongebob Squarepants

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Cameron: Go to the store.
Trey: Go to the store.
Monica: Play soccer. You need to be on my team.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Cameron: We joke around a lot.
Trey: I don't know.
Monica: You've got a pink shirt.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Cameron: She's a girl, I'm a boy.
Trey: (Same answer)
Monica: Making a job.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Cameron: Only when she gives us Crock Pot Chicken and Chicken Nuggets.
Trey: When she kisses us.
Monica: When you make you a kiss.

We tag Tate and Kash Strasburg.

Mosquitos on Crack

Back in October of 2005, we loaded up the van and took the family to Scott's house in Philadelphia. During our visit, Trey was bit by a drug-induced mosquito that resulted in a trip to the emergency room. That is really when we learned just how allergic Trey is to mosquitoes. Fortunately, with some Benadryl and anti-biotics, his face returned to normal.


Well, we learned this past month that not only is Monica allergic to mosquitoes, but it appears that Cincinnati has been invaded by the infamous Philadelphia crack mosquitoes.


Don't believe me about the invasion? Here's more proof.


Trey and his cankle. Can you see the difference?

Fortunately, neither Monica or Trey had to go to the emergency room and the swelling has subsided. But we still can't find any repellent that says it will stop the crack mosquito.

Getting Older

Well, our week of birthdays is over for another year. It started on July 5th with a surprise birthday party for Christel who turned 60 this year. Jim planned and carried out a great party to celebrate the person who means so much to so many people. It was also a lot of fun because Melissa, Erin, Alex, and Justin flew into town for the long weekend to celebrate the birthdays. Their arrivals were supposed to be a surprise, but we learned that some people have a harder time keeping secrets than others.

Monica gets to share her birthday with her Grandma (July 6th), so on Sunday we had a great dinner, as always and topped it off with birthday cake. Monica then opened some presents. She is now 3 and wants to do EVERYTHING by herself. She is a sweet girl who loves primary songs, books, and playing with her brothers when they let her.

We got Monica this bike with the cute helmet, so she can be safe! She took off on her bike like she was a pro! She likes to ride her bike every evening now. She complains a little as she is going up the gradual hill on our street because "I can't go faster", but really enjoys it when we turn around and she picks up speed.

Another favorite gift she got was this guitar from Grandma and Grandpa. She calls it her "Guitar Hero" and rocks out to the songs that play when she pushes the buttons.

Treyton turned 6 on July 7th. All he wanted to do for his birthday was to have a few friends over and have water balloons in the backyard. We filled 300 water balloons and let them go to town. We didn't get all of the balloons filled before they started throwing them, so the kids took a break and played baseball while the parents filled the rest. They really had a good time using the launcher and seeing how high and how far they could get them to fly.

Trey got excited by several of his presents, but the one that seemed to excited him the most was the Nintendo DS that he has been wanting for months. However, I think I got a bigger hug from Cameron because he knew he has a good brother who will share.

We also celebrated (although much more subdued) Megan's 3 month milestone. Mostly we just said, "Wow, she's already 3 months" and took a picture. Although the 3 months have gone by fast and she has grown a ton, it seems like she has been in our family forever. We can't imagine life without her. Every morning when we come downstairs Monica announces, "Boys, Megan!" and everyone comes running to give her a hug, kiss or other smothering gesture. She makes our family complete.

Back in the blogging business

We have been told by more than one person that we do not update this blog enough, and for the most part they are right. We had a good reason though. Our camera died, and since a blog is nothing without pictures, we did not post anything for a couple of month. We finally bought a new camera, so hopefully, we will pick up the pace with postings.

For those that care, here is the camera we bought:

Ohh, and here is a great shot of Monica and Trey - courtesy of Joy.

Faces only a mother could love...

Happy Mothers Day!

Just Because...

Megan is a sleeper, but tends to find some extra juice between 10:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. This is of course a "Kodak" moment (taken with a Sony).

Sports Saturday

Last Saturday was weekend number two of what will be a Spring and Summer full of sports activities. Trey (Green Gators) and Cameron (Great Whites) won their games, and Trey just missed a goal when his shot hit off of the post. Following both games, there was a short reprieve before Trey's (Blue Dragons) baseball practice. Baseball games start this week, so stay tuned for weekly updates.

Day 4 of Life with Megan

As you can tell in the photos, Megan is a different color than the other kids... and while many may questions who the real father is, the doctors tell us Megan has jaundice. Hopefully it will clear up in the next few days and Megan will return to being as pale as the rest of us Ohioans.

The Siblings' Visit to the Hospital...

The other kids couldn't wait to see the baby, although once they got there, they were more excited about the free apple juice and cookies, and the 19-inch TV that mom controlled from her bed.

Monica...

Trey...


Cameron...