Christmas is Coming!

I'm in a Christmasy mood...only 37 days and counting. I look forward to this time of year almost year round. It's such a fabulous, wonderful season. There's something magical about it that I still feel after 31 years. I honestly don't know if the kids or I get more excited. Each year I try to have my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving so that I can just sit back and enjoy the next month of festive fun. I have 4 more gifts to purchase and I'll be done. Let the wrapping bliss begin. Wrapping is one of my favorite Christmas activities. My children have definitely inherited my Christmas fever. Hannah asked me this morning, "Mom, how can I wait any longer for Santa to come? I just love Christmas!" I love being together with family, I love watching someone open a gift that I am so excited to give, I love watching my kids come down the stairs on Christmas morning, and I love remembering and feeling what Christmas is all about.

Halloween

I know Halloween was 2 weeks ago, but I haven't blogged in forever and it seemed like a good place to start again. We had a really fun Halloween this year. We had non-stop activities the week leading up to it. I'm posting a few of the highlights. I love carving pumpkins, so we always do this for the family home evening before Halloween. Here are the kids showing off their work. Meggan had us over for a yummy spaghetti dinner and a visit to the local Shelley pumpkin patch. Here are some pics of the kids with the cousins. We had a great time.

The kids humored me this year and were willing to be a Steelers player and cheerleader. They were actually excited about it after I hyped it up for a couple of weeks. But, Hannah had a little Halloween party at preschool and wanted to be Tinkerbell. So, since it's too cold in Idaho to trick-or-treat as Tinkerbell and because she wanted to be a Steelers cheerleader with her football player brother, we compromised. She was Tinkerbell at her school party and a cheerleader for trick-or-treating.

Hannah and Andrew before trick-or-treating...the older kids were with friends cuz they're too cool for us these days. They actually got to trunk-or-treating at our church and then trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. They made a haul this year! :0)

Tag...Longest post ever!

I have been tagged by Meggan and Melissa (a very long long time ago)

I: Amanda Jo Reading
I am: really tired today
I think: about everything way too much
I know: that the church is true
I want: my kids to be happy
I wish: I had a better metabolism
I hate: migraine headaches
I miss: My grandparents
I fear: for my children in this evil world
I feel: a touch nauseated
I hear: Nothing
I smell: Cinnamon cider scentsy
I crave: a banana creamy...I've wanted one of these for like the past week. I called Dave to have him pick one up for me after work.
I search: constantly for missing things in my chaotic home.
I wonder: if Obama will be a decent president
I regret: not finishing my bachelor's degree with only one semester to go (it's never too late, right)
I love: My family
I care about: things too deeply and then I get overwhelmed.
I always: time myself when I brush my teeth
I am not: as limber as I used to be (I was doing cartwheels with Hannah a couple weeks ago and I almost broke in half)
I believe: our country will get out of the slump that it's in
I dance: ...with my kids
I sing: constantly and usually with my kids
I don't always: bite my tongue when I should
I write: as little as possible with my carpal tunnel syndrome
I win: and then I gloat (I'm a soar winner)
I lose: and then I pout (I'm also a soar loser) At least I can admit it, right. :0)
I never: thought I would be in my 30's :0)
I listen: to the TV during the day, but I very rarely watch it.
I can usually be found: driving my children here and there and everywhere
I am scared of: bad things happening to my kids
I need: a nap (I'm with Meggan on that)
I am happy about: my new home business and being able to stay home with my kids

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:15 (I was a touch on the sleepy (and sick) side this morning.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds for sure
3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Madagascar 2
4. What is your favorite TV show? Boston Legal and Grey's Anatomy
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? soda crackers and 7-Up
6. What is your middle name? Jo
7. What food do you dislike? tomatoes
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Twilight Soundtrack
9. What kind of car do you drive? Suburban
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey and bacon (I agree with Meggan)
11. What characteristics do you despise? self-righteousness
12. Favorite item of clothing? Sweaters (one of the reasons I look forward to winter)
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Scotland because I'm obssessed with it and Dominican Republic because Dave served his mission there.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Liz & Co...I think they're cute and I can usually wear a size smaller in these than anything else, so they make me feel skinnier. (Deep down I know that they're really just sized differently)
15. Where would you retire to? I'm not even really sure where I'll live in 2 years...but Dave and I have talked a little about ending up in Pittsburgh.
16. What was your most memorable birthday? My first surprise party when I was in the 2nd grade.
17. Favorite sport to watch? Football, of course
18. When is your birthday? 9/16/77
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? night...I stay up way too late
20. What is your shoe size? 7 1/2...it was 6 1/2 before I had kids, but it went up half a size with each pregnancy. It better not happen this time...we'll see.
21. Pets? none right now...I work on Dave occassionally, again...we'll see.
22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm pregnant (about 8 weeks), but my kids don't know yet, so please don't tell them, since you all talk to my kids so often. :0)
23. What did you want to be when you were little? Mostly a mommy and a teacher.
24. What is your favorite candy? Hmmm, so many to choose from. But, I'd have to say a Heath bar. (I think) or maybe Butterfinger, except Almond Joys are pretty yummy. But sometimes I really want a Milky Way, and when the mood strikes, a Reese Peanut Butter Cup. Okay, so I eat way too much chocolate.
25. What is your favorite flower? lilies
26. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and June 29 (my due date)
27. What are you listening to right now? Nothing... my house is blissfully silent because my children are actully napping
28. What was the last thing you ate? grilled ham and cheese sandwich
29. Do you wish upon stars? very often
30. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red...it's my favorite color
31. How is the weather right now? beautiful...a little nip in the air with a beautiful clear sky and no wind...the way I wish it was year round
32. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? sil Bonny
33. Favorite soft drink? Currently Cherry Coke (I go through phases)
34. Favorite restaurant? Texas Roadhouse
35. What was your favorite toy as a child? Probably Barbies (like Meggan...we usually played with them together). I also really loved Legos
36. Summer or winter? Winter...not a huge fan of the heat and I love winter activities...snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, and just good old-fashioned sledding. I also love wearing sweaters, Christmas, and drinking hot chocolate.
37. Hugs or kisses? Both, but I'm pretty selective about who I'll dish them out to...I'm not a very touchy person. And, I'll only kiss 3 people...Dave and my 2 children.
38. Chocolate or Vanilla? Usually vanilla...I love chocolate, but I don't care for chocolate flavored things...kind of weird.
39. Coffee or tea? Neither
40. Do you want your friends to answer these questions on their blogs? yes
41. When was the last time you cried? This morning and I don't even remember why. It was probably about something stupid because my pregnancy hormones are in full throttle.
42. What is under your bed? My box of gift wrapping stuff and Dave's Christmas presents. He is not a snooper. I only have to tell him not to look and he won't. We're very different in this regard. :0)
43. What did you do last night? Cleaned my house after everyone was in bed, watched Grey's Anatomy, cried a little about something stupid, and then went to bed.
44. What are you afraid of? the evils my children have to face in this world
45. Salty or sweet? I'm a fan of both, but I crave sweet more often.
46. How many keys on your key ring? 3
47. How many years at your current job? I quit my last job about 2 months ago, but if you count my little home business...about 1 month
48. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
49. How many towns have you lived in? 15ish...I moved a lot between 18 and 23.
50. Do you make friends easily? depends on the setting

Back to Preschool

Hannah went back to school today. She's starting her 2nd year of preschool and she was so excited! She has had her outfit picked out for the last 3 weeks. Actually, she's had her first 6 outfits picked out for the last 3 weeks, with clothes, socks, underwear, belts, shoes, accessories, hair bows, and earrings! She is such a girlie girl!!!

Hannah loves to learn. She's starting to sound out words and she's constantly asking me to sit down with her to help her learn more words. It makes me happy that she enjoys learning new things. She tells me that she can't wait until she can read books to Andrew. She's growing up way too fast! Ugh!

Preschool has been really good for her. She missed her older siblings so much when they would go to school. It's been really fun for her to meet some of her own little friends.

Football Season...

Football season starts in 2 days and I just had to share my excitement... I love football! I love the NFL and football season! I love the Pittsburgh Steelers! I love the thrill of the game and I look forward to each Sunday when the race to the playoffs continues. I love going to football parties and watching games with my husband! Okay, okay, I'll stop myself there. I admit I'm not just "one of the guys." I squeal, scream, and jump up and down during the big games. I comment on the cuteness of the players and their bums in tight pants (with a subsequent eye roll from Dave). I have sequins on my Steelers gear and some of it is pink. I make scrapbook pages of my favorite football moments. And, I usually feel just a little bit sad for the losing team (but don't tell anybody). But a person, after hearing all of this, can still not question my fanhood. I know the ins and outs of the game. I can quote stats with the best of them. I know the divisions, the divisional leaders, the best defensive and offensive players, and I know which match ups will be the most exciting to watch. I know the Steelers schedule and have my weekend or Monday night planned around watching them. I watch each play of every game I watch, and I usually have my nails bitten off before the end. I'm on NFL.com daily to hear the latest in football news. I LOVE the game. I live and breathe the game each season. And while I insist on retaining my femininity in my quest for ultimate fanhood, I can't help but feel just a touch smug with maybe a twings of pride when someone says, "Wow, she really knows her stuff." And, I think that maybe I really wouldn't mind being though of as just "one of the guys."

First Day of School

First Day of Junior High...

First Day of High School...



Rachel and Becca started school today...they were both pretty nervous and excited this morning. They're both starting in new schools this year...Becca's a freshman so it's her first day at high school. Rachel's in 7th grade, so it's her first day in junior high. It's a big day for both of them. I thought they both looked so darn cute today. They have their own styles...their personalities shine through in the way that they dress. Becca's our sporty girl and Rachel's our little rocker chic. I love that they are true to themselves and they are who they are. They're both wonderful girls. They're responsible, they work hard, and they are extremely sweet to their siblings. We sure love them a lot! They've made being a stepmom pretty darn easy! :0)

My Little Man...

This has been a big week for our little Andrew. He got his first little suit and I think he looks so darn cute in it I just had to post a picture! I normally would not buy a suit for a two year old, but I found it on clearance for $20.00 and couldn't resist. I think he looks like a little man in it. He hated putting it on at first, but now I think it makes him feel kinda cool when he wears it. He also got a big boy haircut, as Hannah calls it. It's a little shorter than I wanted, but once I made that first buzz, I was commited to the length. It makes him look older...he's not a baby anymore! And last, but certainly not least, Andrew is potty trained! Hooray! He has done amazingly well. He still has the occasional accident, but goes all day in underwear! He even wore underwear to nursery on Sunday. I am so excited. I can't believe how big he is getting and how quickly time flies.

Breaking Dawn

I'm just coming down off of my Breaking Dawn high. Amy and I went to Wal-Mart for the midnight release Friday night. We stayed up reading about 100 pages, then Amy spent the night because she was too tired to go home. I finished reading the book Sunday afternoon. It was all I wanted it to be and more! I won't give any specifics for those who might still be reading or haven't started yet (Meggan!) I will say that I want more, I don't want the series to be over! :0( It was so bittersweet reading this fabulous book. I couldn't stop reading, but I didn't ever want the story to be over. What will I have to look forward to now (well, except for the movies)? Yes, I know that the books were written for teenagers, I know that vampires are not real (much to my chagrin), and I know that the object of my affection (and undying love ;0) ) is just slightly over half my age. Knowing all of this however, after reading Breaking Dawn, I can't help but feel a sense of despondency. It's over, no more Edward, no more Bella, The End.

(For anyone who might feel worried about my sanity...I will be seeking counseling shortly.)

Busy Summer...

We've had a busy couple of weeks, so I haven't posted anything for awhile. It seems like we never quit going in the summer. Here are a few highlights...

Hannah and Andrew just finished swimming lessons. They did really well. I was surprised what they are able to teach a 4 and 2 year old. They had a lot of fun doing it. Andrew did a mommy or daddy and me class. Dave and I took turns with him and Shane and Bonny were in the class with us. We had really weird weather...it was a little chilly on a couple of days and we had a lot of wind, so the kids were usually freezing by the time they were done. One would think that the end of July would be a safe time to do outdoor swimming lessons, but you never know in Idaho.

We had some friends move away about a year ago and they were in town this week to visit. We went over to hang out at a park with them. Hannah and Annabelle were great little friends before they moved away. It was fun for them to see each other again. Our neighbor has a little train that they pull behind their four wheeler. They came over and gave the kids a ride. We had fun visiting with them and catching up...I'm so happy that we were able to see them again!

We took Rachel, Hannah, and Andrew to the zoo last weekend. (Jacob and Becca were off doing other teenage things). They had a lot of fun. It was Andrew's first trip to the zoo that he can remember, so he was pretty fascinated by the animals. He loved watching the monkeys the most. I think we spent about 30 minutes in that section. They all loved feeding the animals in the petting zoo. Hannah could have done that all day! Andrew was sooo hilarious! He kept saying, "it eat New New (Andrew)," about several of the animals that we saw, especially the lions and tigers. Finally, when he said it about the snow leopard, I told him that he wasn't going to get eaten. He replied, "It eat New New's shoes?" What a character!

Mathew and Michael came over a few days ago. The kids are such good little friends. They always have a a great time together. They played in our backyard on our gym set. We are going to put bark down under it, but haven't had the time to do it yet. So...the kids were filthy by the time they were finished playing. It also doesn't help that they like pouring dirt all over themselves and each other. And, I'm not really sure what Andrew's problem is in the swing picture...he acts like a two year old quite often. :0)

We gave them all a bath when they were done. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the tub after they got out...eeeww! gross!

Just wanted to share this picture of Hannah holding a little Anne Estelle doll. The doll looks so much like her, I don't think the picture even does it justice. My sister-in-law pointed it out to us and let Hannah play with her doll. Hannah fell instantly in love. Maybe I'll have to find her one for Christmas or something.

Things I Love

Okay, so I see a lot of blogs with an "I Love" section and Amy also suggested adding one to a blog. So, I added my "I Love" section. I have to tell you that it was very therapeutic for me. As I was thinking of all the things that mean the most to me, my heart was so full of gratitude for all of the things that I am blessed with. I am truly lucky for all the things in my life that make me happy, for all the wonderful people I'm surrounded by, and that all my needs (and a few wants) are met. Really, what more could a person ask for. So, I suggest to you all, if you want some cheap therapy, sit and think about the things that you love and that make you happy.

Fourth of July!

The Fourth of July is one of my all time favorite holidays. I love everything about it...the warm weather, parades, fireworkds, barbecues, family...it's all great. This year, we started off the day at Jake and Bonny's house for a barbecue. The kids had a great time playing in the yard and the trees and with each other. Shane, Andrew, and Hannah spent most of their time wrestling with each other. They are so hilarious to watch. Then, we headed over to watch the parade in Menan and afterwards spend some time playing the games, checking out the booths, and doing all the little kiddie activities. For a small town, Menan really goes all out. We hung out with family a little more, then watched the fireworks in Menan, and again for a small town, they do a fantastic job. I love celebrating our independence. I'm so grateful for the country in which we live. We are so blessed.
Here are some random pics from our day...

They boys just hanging out...

We watched the parade on Man Street in Menan. Here Hannah is dancing to the

band's music and Becca and Andrew are hanging out.

We finished off the night setting off our own firewords and doing sparklers with Jake,

Bonny, Shane, Isaac, and Josh. We had such a wonderful day!