Steve's new hat

Wes knitted Steve a beanie for Christmas. Steve wore it to the hardware store yesterday. Not sure why Wes used the colors he did but Steve wore it nonetheless. Wes said he was embarrassed by his dad, especially when Steve put in his Billy Bob fake teeth. (must be a guy thing)

It was driving me crazy

I might have issues. I hate a cluttered house. And during Christmas time it is extremely cluttered. Not only has our house shrunk this year (remember we went from 5 bedrooms to 3?) but then you add Christmas decorations to it and I have probably had 3-4 panic attacks about my messy house. I can't stand it when the other 4 members of this family just dump their stuff anywhere they want. There is a place for everything..pretty much.

Anyway, Christmas day literally pushed me over the edge. And here's why. Wes decided to clean out his room on Christmas Eve and give Brock his toys/books/etc. that he has outgrown. And fair enough, we had been keeping things there just because it was easier. Then Christmas morning came. A ton of presents now had to be put away. And here is how the house looked:

I can't even look at this picture without my heart racing. That is HORRIBLE!! So, 6 hours or more later, all three kids' rooms have their new presents organized, old toys in trash bags for donation and items to be used later are headed to the storage sheds in the backyard. I did not sit down until 8:00 pm on Christmas Day. But my house is as close to clutter free as I can get it before the Christmas decorations come down. I know, I have issues.

Santa came

Santa came to our house. And ate all the cookies we left out for him. His note says, Dear Wes, Brock & Lynzy, Thank you for the delicious cookies. Be good. Love, Santa. Wasn't that nice of him to leave a note?


Santa took Brock's tricycle back to the North Pole last week and as Wesley says, "Chick Pimped It." Lynzy's new tricycle has streamers, a basket, and LYNZY on the back. Brock's got a new two-wheeled bike with training wheels (Santa told me it only cost $10 at a thrift store...Santa is sure thrifty:)

Lynzy got a lot of Tinkerbell stuff. This blanket and pillow were from Auntie Darlene.

Check out her Diva slippers

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. We actually got bored with unwrapping all the presents. Steve kept saying..how much did you spend?? I just kept repeating, I went to thrift stores for almost all of it so calm down. Plus our family kicked in a ton. Thanks to GGS, Grandma & Grandpa, Granddad & Grandma C, and Auntie Darlene & family! It turned out to be a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Elf

My mom heard about this on a radio show a couple of years ago and now we have adopted it as our family's tradition. We have been doing this for about 3 years now. The Christmas Elf brings each kid new pajamas on Christmas Eve. They are already washed and ready for wearing after their bath. It has become an exciting part of our Christmas Eve.

We made cookies for Santa

Of course, we made cookies for Santa. Sugar cookies with lots of frosting. Sorry Bourne clan, just couldn't make myself roll out the dough and cut out shaped cookies. Maybe when the kids are older.

Here is Lynzy helping color the frosting - can you tell what color?

Our friend Susie came over to help decorate. I learned this trick from preschool. One cookie per plate and that's what kids work on. Otherwise, it's crazy and everyone touches everyone else's cookies.

Pre-Christmas Visit

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us the week before Christmas. Grandma got the supreme pleasure of coming with us to Brock's preschool party. Santa came to visit and Brock asked for games. Lynzy screamed her head off and refused to sit on Santa's lap. Just 3 minutes before that, she was waving at Santa and telling me, "Mommy, that's Santa" and laughing. I guess he's more easily taken from afar.



JCPenney Portaits has it's perks but thanks to them, my son feels that he has to pose with his hand up for almost every picture. *sigh*

We won't win any contests

Our first gingerbread house.

We/I learned the following things:

The foam Christmas tree project surrounding the gingerbread house was a lot easier.

Too many hands in a project drives me crazy.

When the instructions say allow 2-3 hours for the icing to dry before attempting to add the roof...that they are correct.

That kids would rather eat all of the house than decorate it.

Out of the mouths of my babes...

These are sayings that originated with the adults in this household but have now migrated to the little people:

"I said..." (either before or after the sentence such as Get me more snacks, I said)
"We share in this family" (pronounced fam-e-lee)
"You are in timeout for 3 minutes."
"We don't sit on tables."
"It's for daddy's business."
"It's from Avon."

It's almost been a month

since I've posted. Sorry, it's been busy and I literally haven't taken many pictures.

But I do have a random story about Brock that does include one picture.

One day after Lynzy was napping, I was laying down on Brock's bottom bunk bed reading my Parents magazine when he climbed up, leaned over and kissed the back cover of my magazine. That was really odd. I had no idea why he did that until I turned it over and this is what I saw.







I guess he likes Drew Barrymore.

It's official

Steve - 41 years - give or take
Abby - 33 years - give or take
Wes - 11 years
Brock - 1.5 years
Lynzy - 8 days and counting.

This family is officially potty trained!!!

And here are the newest additions to our family!

This was a big week for Lynzy. Lynzy had some interest in potty training over the summer and then quickly lost interest after August. During the last couple of months, I had stopped buying the big bulk diapers and was buying them on an as needed basis. I finally got sick of it. So, last weekend we didn't have any plans and so it began. I told her she was a big girl and that we were going to the store to buy her "big girl" underwear. She was so excited. So, 14 pairs later and 2 pkgs of pull ups (we call them nighttime underwear) we were set. And we quickly went through 5 pairs of underwear the first day. I wanted to give up but Steve said give her time, she can do it. He was right. 8 days and counting and she has an accident maybe every other day. We are very proud of her and very happy our diaper days are over.

History

I was very moved last night by the fact that Obama was elected president. Not necessarily that I believe in all that he stands for but just for the sheer fact that it was a historic moment in our country. And my children won't ever have to wonder if they can achieve anything that they want in life. I would probably feel the same way if Hillary Clinton had become the first women president.

Still surprises me

Steve and I will have been together 12 years on November 10th, married for 5. And he can still surprise me with the things he does.

For instance:

Wesley wanted a mohawk. He asked me to buzz his head on the sides and then spike the middle. I was concerned that Steve would not like it because he tends to be a little conservative about such things. At any rate, I told Wes I would cut his hair but that if his Dad told us to shave it off, Wes was going to have to live with it. Steve saw his hair and said "Cool Dude."

Brock & Lynzy were super excited about Halloween. Somehow, they got it into their heads that I was supposed to be a witch and Steve was going to be a "tool guy." Well, I didn't have a witch outfit so they had to settle for the baker look (2nd year running.) The kids kept telling Steve that he was going to be a tool guy but I really didn't think he would dress up. 15 minutes before we wanted to leave for trick or treating, Steve is rummaging around the sheds looking for his hard hat and tool belt. He put on his typical work uniform and suited up to take the kids out. The kids were happy.

Sometimes Steve works late into the night. It's rare but still occurs. Without fail, he will call me to ask how the kids are and if I can keep them up so he can see them. He really hates not playing with them and/or snuggling with them when he gets home. He's a good daddy.

Costumes & Halloween

These items became Brock's & Lynzy's costumes for Halloween. Any guesses?


Messenger bag - $3, blue shirt - $2, basket - $0
apron - $5, gloves - $4, hat - $0 Total for Halloween 2008 costumes = $14!!

And here are our Mail Carrier & Gardener:


Brock had little "letters" to give to his friends at school. Lynzy had her watering can and shovels to accent her outfit. We walked around our neighborhood for 2 hours and brought the wagon to haul candy, kids, drinks etc. (Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! That wagon is so multipurposeful!) Kids were exhausted and now so are we. (Wes was with his Mom this year, so that's why he is missing from pics and story.)

A twist on pumpkins

My mom found these pumpkin decorations and sent them for the kids. They are really cute and funny and a lot easier to do than carving pumpkins. The little kids could even do this with minimal help from mom.

Carving Pumpkins

These pics aren't in order but you get the idea.

Our Camping Trip

I had this great idea to camp this weekend. In our backyard. How perfect is that? Bathrooms nearby, less packing of items, worse case scenario..back into the house we go!

We got started with a campfire. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Both Steve and I nearly had heart attacks each and every time Lynzy or Brock went by the fire. Still gives me the chills. Thankfully, no trip or falls or burns.

Wes is our Boy Scout and loves to make fires.

Here's our casa for Saturday evening. And we all fit!


Lynzy thought it was very cool. So did Brock.

Sunday morning..Lynzy and I went into the house at 5 am. I WAS FREEZING!!!

Wes is 13..tomorrow

Wesley turns 13 tomorrow. That is a huge shocker for us. He spent this weekend with us so we had him invite his best friend Joey over and we had dinner & cake.

Oma's Pumpkin Patch

We tried a different pumpkin patch this year. It was still blazing hot just like last year but the kids had fun.

Doesn't everyone have a wooden cow to milk in their yard?



On the tractor ride.



On the tractor ride too.


In the hay bale maze with friends, Donya, Caleb & Corban.

New Trick

Does every 4 year old know how to do this? This struck me as funny and amazing at the same time. (Even though his head is tilted back in this picture, he did actually have it hanging from his nose right before the pic was taken!)

Current Obsessions

Brock: Scotch tape
On anything and everything
Lynzy: Crayons
On anything and everything - I swear I say "We only draw on paper" about 30 times a day.
Wesley: Making shakes in the blender
Some are good, some are blah
Steve: Gardening/Landscaping
I cringe when he says he is going to Lowes
Abby: Baking
Mostly cakes, breakfast casseroles

Pirate Party

Saturday was our little party for Brock's 4th birthday. We had our close friends and their kids come to Mast Park which has a ship playground structure. Wes and I stayed up after the little kids went to bed on Friday night and constructed the pirate ship cake. Brock hadn't seen the cake until I finished it at the park with the flags and guys etc. All of a sudden, Brock was eyeing the cake and said, "Mom, that's a pirate ship!" Well, thank goodness he knew what it was supposed to be. Actually, even though it is a crude homemade cake, it tasted great and it really did look like a pirate ship.

We had a really good time and Brock was very happy to have a birthday party. Happy 4th b-day boy!

The SS Brock

Wes drew the skull and cross bones on the flag. 2 kitkat bars and a reese's cup for the wheel.


Gold rocks and a trail to follow.

Our own little "landing" at the park.

Random pictures of the kids

Brock & Lynz with Grandma


With my sister Alyssa at Santee Lakes

Notice her holding Lynzy's dress...she made us both nervous throwing the ducks bread.

Brock got a new wagon from Grandma & Grandpa for his birthday.

Lynzy didn't like the sand in her shoes at the playground.

At the beach...isn't this what you are supposed to do? She did that all by herself.

Brock loves to make sand castles.

She thinks it's really funny to wear anybody's shoes but her own.

On the wet slide at our friend, Marilyn's house.