Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Just four years ago...
Seems like the last two additions... Monica and Megan... have always been with us.
Merry Christmas...
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Making up for lost time...
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?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
How Will They Know?
Louisville
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
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?"
Friday, August 1, 2008
Just in case you ever wondered...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Attack of the Philadelphia Crack Mosquito III
Thursday, July 17, 2008
We Got Tagged!
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.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Mosquitos on Crack
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.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Getting Older
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.
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.
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.