Swimming at the YMCA

Swimming at the YMCA has become the event of the week at our house. Even Mike is going gang busters-- We have gone three time a week the last two weeks- This week we will be there four times. Crazy huh-- Mike even has a new pair of shoes he is using on the treadmill. If only I could get him to hip hop.

Our snow friends

We got out today and made some snow friends- What a great time of year-- I just love snow

Getting ready for the littlest Border

We officially started renovating the babies room. The baby will take over the boy's old room and the boys are downstairs now --This transition has been fun and a bit challenging at the same time. There are still days when we wonder if the boys should be in the basement all alone.

For example- One very fun night Carson got wedged between the lofted bed and the wall we came down to find him hanging on for dear life with his chin and arm on the side rails- feet dangling underneath. Garrett calmly saying I am not sure what happened I fit through but he didn't.

As for the babies room- The boys insisted on helping paint- They loved using the roller. Mike on the other hand hates to paint and would rather light his hair on fire-- so this has been a little bit of a challenge for him. Since we had to prime the walls repaint the ceiling and then paint the walls again. I just sit back and laugh ( I am helping of course) meanwhile I am getting very excited for the room to be done.

It was a little hard to take down the vintage border you see above--After all Garrett even personalized it in several spots with names. He made us save a piece for his scrapbook--

Nursery Rhymes- Tongue Twisters and other fun songs

I am sure you all love nursery rhymes tongue twisters and fun songs.

The Border kids do too

Only since Garrett has entered Kindergarten and his friends 1st and second grade these things have taken on a life of their own

I am not particularily fond of some of the ones I am hearing now-

Although they do typically give me a good laugh

Mike's favorite- Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater- had wife and loved to beat her-- (now he thought this was how it was really supposed to go- LOL)

Peter piper picked a pecker -- They love this one and have no idea what a pecker is -at least that is not what we tend to call it

Batman in the kitchen Robyn in the hall joker in the bathroom peeing (or pooping if your Carson) on the wall

Of course these are typical songs that boys tend to sing- but Adison loves tunes and tries to join in and I can just see Carson saying peter peter pumpkin eater at church and telling everyone that Mike taught it to him.

We decided it might be fun to sleep on the stairs

What a Diva

Christmas is just around the corner

For all you people counting down-
Christmas is only seven weeks away now-
That is three pay checks-
Of course I am excited because this means the baby will be arriving in only eight weeks at the most. So many things to look forward to-Holding a new baby- My favorite Holiday- Thanksgiving- all the kids' birthdays- Snow on the ground- sking and sledding with the kids- having no belly any more- seeing family members we never get to see-wathching the kids enjoy all the Christmas lights (including ours when Mike puts them up)- Mike having time off work- etc. etc....

The kids and I talked about Gifts and Christmas while doing a devotional the other night. They are very excited. We were talking about Gifts from God and all the great things we have been blessed with. I asked them if they could have any gift they wanted for Christmas what they would want-- expecting to hear some very large expensive toy or Carson say a submarine or helicopter (which he asks for often) They both said the best present would be a trip to see their Grandparents. --- oh how our children surprise us- these are the best moments in life.

Hockey season has begun

Hockey season has officially started. --

Garrett had his first practice last Saturday- He is actually skating really well and having fun at the same time. The day was also filled with memorable conversation. Garrett was skating considerable slower than usual. So Mike asked him why he isn't skating as fast as he usually does Garrett said "Dad, coming in first is like bragging and showing off " (he still skates in first but gives the second guy a chance to catch up)

During practice Garrett played a game of tag and was caught by the girl coach. On the way home Mike said Garrett you got caught by a girl-- you cannot let your self get caught by a girl-- Garrett thought about it for awhile and said "SOO Dad the only difference between a girl and a boy is they have boobs and a vagina"--

I wished I had a video camera on Halloween Night

Oh Halloween was beyond fun. Mike would agree it was one of the most memorable moments for us with Adison and the boys. The boys were Astronauts and Adison was a space chicken (courtesy of Sarah Barnett)

The night began early - 4:30
Garrett's costume ripped before we even started- he thought I could sew it up quick- Mike said your Mom sew?- He decided it would be okay to be an Astronaut instead- cute since it matched Carson

We went to Pumpkin patch at Calvary Church- lots of fun activities- we actually beat the crowd and got through everything in an hour and a half- amazing and the kids loved every minute of it.

Adison quickly figured out that she was getting candy to fill her bag. And if she stood there long enough she would get more. The boys were very helpful with her too.

We came home around 7:15 to make the rounds around the neighborhood. Adison very quickly figured out that if she sucked on candy wrappers long enough they would open. The boys were content with one peice. Thanks goodness they did not need any more energy.

The were all very excited to be walking around the neighborhood. At the third house ( a close neighbor - thank goodness) Carson sang the trick or treat smell my feet song in it's entirety at the top of his lungs as he got to the door. YES they heard the whole thing- Garrett thought this got a good reaction and sang it at the fourth house. Not so fun for him or Carson when he chimed in (oh we were rolling) Adison of course was keeping up singing some version of the song-

At every door the boys would say don't forget the chicken as she knelt down on every step to get to the door. Many people actually let her take hand fulls of candy. She would say tank you at every house- and leave dragging her pink bag behind her running to catch up to the boys. The boys saying come on little chicken- don't forget the chicken. Many times they all held hands and walked together. Or Mike carried Adison --The highlight of the boys' evening was not even trick or treating- it was waiting for "costumers" at our door when we got home. They had so much fun handing out candy to the late kids. They waited at the window and kept saying do you think we will have another "costumer."

It truly was a great night.

Without a doubt an evening I hope to remember for the rest of my life.

Decorating Pumpkins

Decorating pumpkins is always a treat in our house. This year was quite an experience-

The boys really wanted to use the knives to carve

Adison just wanted to carry her marker decorated pumpkin around the house

Carson hated the feeling of the pumpkin guts

Garrett was set on baking all the seeds and drying some out to plant for next year

I was out of newspaper and trying hard to keep the mess on the table and off the walls

Garrett has a little crush on Alyssa- SHH it is a secret

Here is a picture from Garrett's Halloween Party at school-Garrett is

pictured here with his friend Alyssa. They are too cute together. They frequently sit by each other on the bus and during class-. They have even started planning a sleep over - of course I was the last to know. Just yesterday Alyssa asked me to call her mom to talk about the details.

Carson's Halloween Parade

It was so much fun to watch Carson parade around at school in his Halloween Costume. He sang three songs and he knew all the words. He actually sang pretty loud. It was beyond adorable. I wish I had a clip to share. He is standing next to his favorite best "girl friend" Jessica.

Adison loves her chapstick-

I love chap stick-- My mom hides it and my brothers find it and give it to me. I can put it on so fast, my mom doesn't even see me. When she does- I get really mad because she takes it away and washes my face for a minute. It is no fun at all-UNTIL I find another stick!!!

ADISON

Decided to start a new medical blog-

Okay not really going to start a new blog. But the idea had crossed my mind to start some type of medical blog where I could post the problems of family members their prayer requests and updates. Thought it might be better to just have a seperate link so those who care can just click on the link. Now -- am I that smart?? NO-- I do not know how to do this. So instead I will just list the people we are currently praying for-- Not in any order --and a brief incomplete explanation of why. Hope I do not leave anyone out- AHHHH

Donna Taylor-Gam- Cancerous tumor removed and is now cancer free- but it could return
Ted Taylor-Pa- Several issues relating to his hips back and arthritus
Willie Boatman- Grandpa Boatman- Getting older has lung cancer and is living out the remainder of his months
Johnny Patterson-Grandpa Patterson- Heart and lung problems
Judy Fox- Grandma Fox- Heart problems
Mark Cunningham-Pappy- Has myasthenia gravis - Not curable
Warren Sicard- Grandpa Sicard- Just getting older and lots of problems come with old age
Randy Matthews- Grandpa Matthews- Still having issues related to being ill two months ago
Drew Postosky Witte (Website for caring bridge www.caringbridge.org-- visit Drew Potoskywitte)- Hit by a car