Trimming the Tree 2011

The kids were so excited about decorating the tree this year. We put it up in the stand two days ago, but it was late. Then last night Jim had a survey, so we had to wait until tonight to decorate. Anyway, they did a pretty good job and we didn't hardly have to move any ornaments. Just a few that were weighing the branches down on the bottom. Alli said it's her favorite part of Christmas :) So, here is the finished product and then a few pictures of them doing all the work. Jim picked out a pretty tree this year and the house smells so good :)

Family Cardinal Game

Back in September, we finally made it to the Cardinal game as a family....after the one two years before, we didn't make it back last year. It was too hectic. This year was a lot better, but we did take the kids to play and left in maybe the 6th inning....hopefully next year we'll be able to do it again.

It's Soccer Season

Found that I started a post and never finished it. So, only a few more weeks of soccer. Alli is doing pretty good :)

Alli had her first soccer game on Saturday. They played in a tournament. She had to miss the one the week before because she was sick, but they did win. She played great and her team won on Saturday, so they had another game on Sunday. They ended up winning all 3 games, but the way they do the tournament, they came in 3rd place. She got a medal though, so she was really excited :) She LOVES to play goalie and she is actually pretty good at it. I think she had 9 shots against her and only one goal. When she was playing defense (full back), she just wasn't very aggressive--we need to work on that a little more. Her team started getting a little better last year at the end of the year, and this year they are looking pretty good---I guess maybe getting better with age and understanding the game a little bit.

My other babies - Alli's biggest fans

Triplets Go to Preschool

Jenna, Jimmy, and Cassie started preschool today. Their program at Sacred Heart is called Lucky Ducks. They looked so cute in their little uniforms and they were very excited to go to school (me too!!!!, but I'm sure most of you reading this already know that!) We didn't get to go in the classroom and say goodbye, we had to do it right at the door. I sort of missed Jimmy walking in b/c the principal was pushing them in so fast and Jim had already told him bye. I don't think she realized there were 3 of them and Mommy didn't get to tell him to have fun.

After school report - they all cried for the first 2 mins when they walked in, then the teacher got them situated with drawing and playing, so they were fine. Cassie cried for about 5 mins during resting time while watching a movie, but the teacher said it was b/c in the movie, they said "Mom" and I guess she started realizing I wasn't there. They go from 8:30-11:30, so about 11:15, she said Jimmy started really wanting me and sort of whining for me. Then when I picked them up, they have to line up on the side of the building. They all sat there really good, until she started releasing the kids to their parents, Jimmy got up and started running towards me, but she was holding him back, so he was crying and fighting to get past her. She finally let him come to me and got the girls up too. Other than that though, I think they all had a really good time. They can't wait to go back, although, Jimmy is still not sure. I'm sure they will get used to it though.

And what did I do?? Lots!!! Went to the bank, 2 grocery stores, Bread Co., returned a movie, returned stuff at Kohls and Macy's :) I think I'm going to relax on my next 3 hrs I get on Wed :)

Jenna - very tired after her first day of school

MY Favorite Summer Activity!!!!

I have always loved to go to the pool in the summer....that is what I grew up doing everyday and I haven't grown out of it! I hate that I can't go to the pool as much as I want to, either b/c I have to work, I can't handle the kids by myself, it rains, or I have other stuff that has to get done. I guess its part of growing up, but I still whine about it all the time. I have a subdivision pool, but its too hard to handle my kids - I need a zero-entry pool, so I usually have to pay to go to a public pool.

So, I tried to take the kids swimming as much as I can. Jim doesn't like to go to the pool. I wish he did. It would be more fun and easier. But, the kids love to go too, so I pack them all up and go. Ann and I went together a lot this summer. We went to a few different pools and the kids liked the variety. Seems like I do get to go a little more each year since the kids were born, so hopefully next year we can spend even more time there :)

Alli did swim lessons this year, but she actually pretty much taught herself to swim the day before lessons started. We just practiced at the pool. She is doing really good. Still doesn't have the strokes totally down and we only let her swim where she can touch, but she hates to wear water wings. Hopefully she will be a great swimmer next summer.

The triplets did pretty good this summer too. They all wear water wings. Jenna is really good at using them as they are intended - moving her arms and kicking her feet. She's a little dare devil. Jimmy got a lot braver as the summer went on. Cautious Cassie liked the water, but is very nervous/cautious and you have to be holding her if she can't touch. Doesn't like to be splashed at all! Hopefully they all get a little braver next year too.

Pics are from July 24th @ White Birch Bay

Love the wave pool!
Silly kids
Ann loves the wave pool too :)
Not sure why my kids always think they have to POSE for pictures
Its just a tiny bit easier when Dan and Chris take a nap

Summer BBQ - Aug 2011

We had a big BBQ a few weeks ago. I counted up that we had 75 people over! It was soooo HOT though that nobody hung out outside, so we all crammed in the house and then of course, it got very hot in here. It was almost 80 degrees inside and I couldn't cool it down for anything. We had lots and lots of good food and good friends over, as well as family (which let's be honest, they are our friends too!) It was so good to see everyone though. We are all so busy now that we have our own kids, its hard to get together.



I was trying to catch a picture of all of the kids, but it was later in the day, and a lot of them had left. We had a pinata for the kids too :) Since it would take tons of room to put a pic of all the kids hitting the pinata, I just put my own cute kids on here. Hey, its my blog :P

America's Funniest Home Video???

Alli wanted to send in a video of herself for Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" dancing contest. It took us a few times, but we finally were able to upload one. I love when she dances....she really is JUST LIKE BRITTANY SPEARS!!! ;)

This was one of the rejects....enjoy!

Summer Flew By........

Wow! Summer is pretty much over, and haven't posted hardly at all. My big girl started kindergarten this year!!! She's in her 2nd week and she LOVES it. I teared up a tiny bit walking her up to the front of school (both Jim and myself and the triplets walked her up there), but she was just so excited that I couldn't help but just be excited for her. It's crazy how much I miss her being at home, even on the days I work. I guess b/c its just the fact that I can't call home to talk to her if I wanted. I already feel like she is getting so much smarter and learning so much, making friends.

When I picked her up that first day, I asked her how her day went. She answered, "Well, let me first tell you about the bad stuff." OH no!! I was nervous. She said that her water bottle came open and spilled a little bit at lunch. Then a girl with cheese crackers kept touching her on her shoulder. She is so good and cautious about her milk allergy. Anyway, besides that, she had a great day. Last Wed, she had soccer practice, but after about 15 mins, she could barely breathe. Went to the dr the next day and he gave her an inhaler and put her on preventative asthma type medicine. So, she has to go the nurses office everyday after recess to use her inhaler. She's such a good sport about that stuff though. We were a little (or a lot) nervous about her going to school with all the milk around in the cafeteria, etc But I just make sure I pack her a lunch everyday. I'm proud of my girl.

Oh, I almost forgot! She was a little upset the whole first week that she didn't get any homework. I kept telling her she'll get it soon enough and she'll have it the rest of her life. I did ask the teacher tonight and she said they will start getting it soon. I'm sure Alli will be happy for a little while...until she gets sick of it! I give it a month, tops.


Sitting at her table
This isn't a great picture of me at all, but Alli looks cute :)Alli and her teacher

On her second day of school, Mindy came over to babysit the other kids and her kids were with her b/c they didn't go back to school yet. Alli wanted to stay home and play. She asked Jim, "Can I just stay home today and that will be one of my two days off?" Sorry, kiddo..doesn't work that way..only get off on Sat and Sun and you can't choose your days off! :)

Yesterday, her favorite part of school was she got to see a dead mouse. I thought maybe she had science class, but no, there was actually a dead mouse on the floor under the table. ICK!! Apparently the school is having a little bit of a mouse problem.

Tonight was Parent Info night. I liked it b/c the teacher explained what they do during the day, what the goals are for the year. Hopefully I can volunteer a little bit in the classroom, and heck, who knows, I might even join the PTA :) Alli is already selling TJ's Pizzas. So, let me know if you are interested!!!

So, getting ready to get busy (what's new???) Alli with school 5 days a week, soccer practice, soccer games, Alli dance, Jenna/Cassie dance, and the triplets start preschool in 6 more days! Crazy!!!

Canada, Eh???

The first weekend in March, I went on a trip to Niagara Falls, Canada with my mom, Jane, Ken, Kenny, Ann, Lisa, Jerry, and Jackie & Bill. We all took the trip to see Pearl Heart perform. They were there all of February and 1st weekend in March. They were awesome, like always! We saw Jeff Steel perform the first night, then saw Pearl Heart the next day. They just got home again - they were there the whole month of May and headlined their own show that time! CD should be out shortly, I HOPE!!!

One of our layovers, I think in Chicago

We had a lot of fun hanging out with Pearl Heart, the rest of the fam, and also some of the band members and other performers.

We stayed at a casino, but I didn't even gamble $1.....just in the hotel room, playing dice :) Oh, and Canada was VERY expensive.....taxes!

That was my first time in Canada. It was sooooo cold there! I wish Jim could have gone...someday, we will vacation together again :) He went to Kentucky Derby in May. I'm planning on Tunica later this month. The Falls were just awesome. So pretty and just so neat!

The view of the Falls from our hotel room
Me, Mom, & Jackie
Ann & Bill
View of the American side from Canada
Ken, Jane, & Kenny
Ken, Jane, Me, Ann, Mom, Jackie, Bill, Lisa, Kenny, Jerry
Jackie and Bill
Canada side of the Falls.....there were so many chunks of ice!
Mom and her daughters
Kenny and Bill getting out of the trunk of the van.....the guys all walked there, but it was so cold we had to squeeze in on the way back.
Getting ready to go to the Jeff Steel show
Hanging out at the hotel after the Pearl Heart show



Short trip, but fun! We ran back by the Falls before we left for the airport b/c it was sunny. So much prettier on a sunny day!!!