I'm so getting more and more into the sepia option on my camera. These were just some random precious moments over the past few days. Christmas Day and yesterday we just stayed in our pjs all day and it was great!! Today we were back to the land of the living:)

Uh Oh!!

I know I refer to Alayna as my little pistol, but she really is sweet and I'm reminded by a certain someone often (ummm, Sue) however she does have normal 1 year old issues amongst that sweetness. She's been challenging me with our christmas tree by taking the ornaments off and finding a spot she thinks they look better. She goes back and forth and leaves them in various places either lined up on the kitchen chair or wherever she feels like at any given time. I'll do the flicking and don't touch ect....but she will look at me with those big eyes and start chattering at me 100miles an hour. Sort of sounds like this....tchitywehkdfdjhq;oicljfdghudgwiyekrhg. Those of you who have heard her carry on a total conversation know what I mean. Today I'm sitting at the computer and behind me in the front living room I hear something fall. I turn around and see her looking right at me and I say "what did you do?" and her response is tyeihodsihdflkdhfodyoirheh. She knew she did wrong. I quickly grab my camera and repeat myself asking what she did and again I get "tyeihjdhfiudgq;kjleyruisjhd" I guess I'm not consistant with my discipline because she took more drastic measures and finds ways to manipulate me at the same time. I dared her not to do that with the big christmas tree or her little chatter won't win me over to that one:) lol

Fun Loving times

Bradley and Aleigha hard at work trying to break the ice. Some days were so cold you could only go out for short periods of time. So glad it did snow for Bradley's sake. He prays each night for it to snow here. Well his prayer was answered, just in a different location!!

We went to Grandpas shop right when we got in town and a highlight for Bradley is to sit in one of grandpas big tractors. He gets so excited!!! I'm like Holy Cow!! His mouth is open so wide you can see the little thingy hanging from the back of his throat!!!

Alayna getting horsey rides from Auntie Lindsay

Taylee and Alayna

Grandma comforting Bradley after he got minor frostbite on his fingers. She worked her special magic to warm them up.

Alayna getting lovin from gramma.

We did have the best time up there. It wasn't what we did that mattered, it was just the fact that it was almost 2 weeks of good old fashioned quality time hanging out laughing and just being buddies and of course having the good old annual silly time that you just can't help but have when you get with my goofy family. The kids got along great and of course had their moments of picking on each other great too. They were together nonstop and only took an occasional break. They've got that brother/sister type.... well you know cousin relationship. It's so neat how the kids just sense and know they are family.

Annual Hunting Shack Fun!!

One of the things we like to do is go out in the middle of nowhere to my dad's hunting shack. This year he has a new one he's making into a cozy little bungalo. He even dug a little pond where the kids had a blast throwing rocks on the ice and banging sticks. This kept them content for quite sometime. It doesn't take much. One of the times we went it just snowed so it made it even more fun for them to play. We had one of our Thanksgiving meals out here.

Here they are going on their walk down the trail to feed the deer. My dad cheats and leaves corn piles and lures them in. Just kidding dad.....but I don't think you even caught a deer this year did you. He claims he just likes to watch them and not shoot them...that those days are over, but he sure was spitting and sputtering when Craig got his. No the gun is not loaded, but he said he had to bring it in case there were "bears"

Dad lets each of the kids fill up their own little bucket of corn to take to the deer. Here's Bradley sneaking more corn from the bin.

Grandpa and Alayna

This ones for you dad....don't fall in!!!

Colleen, Grandpa and the kiddos

Here's a few shots of them playing by the water throwing their rocks at the ice.

ALL ABOARD THE POLOR EXPRESS

All A Board The Polor Express!!!!

One really fun thing we did was the day after Thanksgiving whoever wanted to my aunt treated us to a ride on the polor express. So my mom, Aunt, 2 cousins, Bradley, Taylee, Aleigha and I went. You start at one point and take a ride on the train which is all decorated for Christmas to the train depot where you get off and see all the old time trains and listen to the story "The Polor Express" The kids also got to have a visit with santa who was waiting for them after the story. When you get back they have hot cocoa, cookies and a bon fire going. It was quite a fun cozy time! The kids really had a great time in this festive event. After that we all headed out to pizza for dinner.

Bradley watching the train come as we are waiting to board.

Picture time as we wait to board. That is Lake Superior in the background.

This is looking up the North Shore. It is really beautiful, especially in the summer.

As we were getting ready to board to head back, one of the men tapped Bradley on the shoulder and asked him if he wanted to pull the whistle to get everyones attention to get back on the train. You know he felt quite important!!!

The kids visit with Santa...no this isn't Alayna, this is my cousins baby. My sister stayed with Alayna so I could have this time with just Bradley.

Here we all are before the train ride

My Man Got his Buck

I decided I'm going in no special order.......

Ok girls this one is for your husbands. Craig wanted me to do a special blog just for him to show off his prize. He can tell the guys the whole story himself and have a captive audience in person.

I do know the life of a hunter seems to me like the most boring thing of all. It all starts at 5am in the black of morning going out to find "the spot" or the tree stand or whatever you call it. They watch and wait for 12 hours a day until they get their catch. I asked him if he wanted to take a book to read or something to do out there and he said "no, I'll be too busy" I'm like busy doing what? He says "watching and waiting" I'm like oh brother....I'd be painting my nails out there or something. Anyway, 5/12 hour days later he finally got his catch and was just wired the rest of the time.

One Proud Hunter

Sorry, I know this is kind of gross. Poor thing.....

Sisters Day out

I'm going to do my pictures in stages somewhat in order of our trip. I took 150 pictures so I'll be blogging I think for a whole week on everything. Bare with me...however, I'm not going to post all 150 pictures.

What a fun day we had the day after I got up there. Me and My sisters went up to Princess Bride to try on our bridesmaids dresses for Lindsays wedding and watched her try on her wedding dress. She looked so beautiful and we are so excited to be a part of her special day in April 08. My niece Aleigha who's 9 came with and then after we went out for lunch. Gramma Cathy watched the little ones so we could just have a big girls day out. After that we went to visit with my Grandma Ann and then after that we went to grandma Babe and grandpa Gusts house for dinner. It was a full day, but was so nice catching up with everyone.

Me, Colleen, & Lindsay

Grandpa Gust, Bradley, Alayna, Aleigha, Gramma Babe, & Taylee

Alayna & Gramma Ann

We are back!!!

Hi to all of you!!! We are back from Wisconsin and had the best time up there with our family. We got back late Tuesday night. Yesterday I got everything unpacked, put away and to the store for the bare necessities. Even thought I'd be a little insane and pull the Christmas stuff out and get a start. So happy the tree is up and decorated and now I can just pittle with the other things and do some catch up around here. I usually put the Christmas stuff up before we leave, but didn't have time to mess with it.

So here's to those of you who missed us...it's good we're back and to those of you who didn't....too bad so sad we're back anyway and you have to just put up with us and you are stuck with us. HA HA HA!!! I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get back in the groove of some kind of routine. I was poking at all your blogs a little here and there to see what you all have been up too so now I can look a little more thoroughly (sp) and comment. Can't wait to catch up with you all in person.

A Parent's Prayer

I came across this and thought it was such a good poem and a great reminder. Enjoy!! Here's to all you mommys who I know love your children dearly.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

They're only little once

Lord, grant me the wisdom to guide them down the path that their little feet should take.

For I know that they can never turn back and walk those paths with me again.

Give me the wisdom to guide their feet so that someday they'll be able to walk alone.

They're only little once.

Give me the time I need to enjoy them.

For I know that after they're grown, I'll never have another chance to tell stories and pretend at those tea parties.

I'll never have another chance to watch them in a school play or sing in church, or to see them catch that first fish or score that first goal or hit that first home run ball.

Give me the time in life's busy schedule to have fun with my children.

They're only little once.

Let me be a loving parent

Let me correct and not just punish, explain and not merely scold.

Let me know when to correct, and how often, and when it's best just to look the other way.

Help me be patient and give me a gentle hand to mold them into better people.

They're only little once.

Let me be a good teacher and an even better example.

Give me the right words and deeds to teach them.

Help me to teach them about You and how to walk in Your ways so when they are old, they will not depart from it.

For they are only little one time

Only innocent and trusting and pliable for a space of time, one minute in an eternity.

Let me do my best for them while I have the chance.

Amen

I can ride my big boy bike now

Oh my little big boy is getting bigger..... A few weeks ago Bradley started to show interest in wanting to ride his bike with no training wheels. When we got his bike for his birthday he didn't want anything to do with it. He just wanted his little 3 wheel thing. It's too tippy he would say.....Well when he seen Alexander zipping around his neighborhood on his bike like a little champ, it got his wheels spinning (no pun intended) and planted a seed in his mind that now was his time to try. We started out slow and little by little he got it with me or daddy running behind like maniacs trying to keep up with him. At first he would get a little frustrated so we didn't want to push him, but he kept wanting to try. However, he didn't have the right attitude and we told him your attitude about how you do this will make all the difference and that did make all the difference for him to hear. So little by little he had it down in no time. He zips around and around the field by our house over and over and over. We have now ventured out into the neighborhood. So now I get my workout in in a whole new way. Baby in the stroller and momma running frantically to keep up with him. Craig and I both looked at each other the other day and were thinking the same thing....under his big boy helment is such a little baby face, but with such a big boy mind and determination to never give up. With each little milestone I'm reminded that my little boy is growing up and to cherish every minute and enjoy each little thing he accomplishes. I love you my little big boy!!!

Three days of Trick or Treating Fun

It all started Sunday night with such a fun fun "Hallelujah Harvest" Festival. Bradley's favorite was playing all of the games and I think we made it through them all. Then we took a break to have some of the best chili and hotdogs. It was such a chilly night so it hit the spot. Then off we went to the trunk or treating with Bradley slinging webs all the way. Everyone was so creative with how they decorated their cars. Next my spiderman was off on a pony ride. By then the line had died down a bit for him to go on one of the inflatables. What a successful night!!!

Here's my cute little clown. I hadn't really even planned on dressing her up, but last minute popped into CHKD and found this little clown outfit for $2.50. What a bargain and I was excited so I thought, what the heck. So here she is.

Spiderman digging in the hay for more candy.

Ok, something I said I wouldn't do especially with a 1 year old is give her candy. But just to keep her in the stroller I was bad and gave her a sucker. It was hard keeping up with her after awhile because all she wanted to do was rome around. So it was a way to get her to sit in her stroller. She nursed that baby all the way to the tootsie roll!!! Boy, was she in hog heaven!!!

A fun party at Bradley's school with more trunk or treating in the parking lot.

Alayna eating her little mummy dog.

Bradley, Diego, Nola and Audrey. Audrey's mom told me Bradley is her boyfriend, but thank goodness Bradley is kind of clueless. Surprises me though because in the past he wouldn't hesitate to tell me certain girls were adorable. I guess his mind is innocent again:)

As if all this weren't enough we did indeed take the kids trick or treating last night. I think because it was such great weather and warm enough for a walk we decided to go for it. So as I'm sure you all are too....we are loaded to the hilt with candy, candy and more candy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A trip to Bass Pro Shops

Some of you know that Craig is a mountain man in disquise. For those of you who don't it may surprise you and to others is may not. Anyway he is counting down the days until we leave for Wisconsin to do his annual hunting with his uncles and friends and I am counting down the days to spend almost 2 weeks with my family. YAHOO!! Craig has been chomping at the bit to go to Bass Pro Shops to add to his hunting supplies. So we headed there Saturday afternoon. It's a whole experience for him and Bradley there. You'd think we were at an amusement park or something. From watching the huge fish in the tank to playing with the pop guns, shooting at the targets etc... The boys have a blast there!!! Alayna and I really don't get it, but we were along for the ride and enjoyed watching them have fun.

They had these awesome four wheelers outside and this sure did light up Bradley's world. Lynn...I know you and Jessie would have loved checking these puppies out since you guys are the pros. Especially the bigger ones.

I think he would have sat there all day.

Watch out Bradley, it's behind you!!!!!

After we had a very successful dinner at Cracker Barrel. The kids were so quiet and well behaved. We were like...Wow, this is nice and we really can do it. It was a wonderful afternoon!!

Alayna with two piggies in

I just love this picture of Alayna!! I have been waiting for the day the day that I could put 2 piggies in and not just one. I have finally been able to do it!!! Yeah!!! Last week was the first I attempted since I really didn't think she'd let me put 2 in. She can baring sit still to get the one it. So I've put them in everyday since.

An evening at the park

Saturday evening was a great evening to head to one of my favorite best kept secret little parks. It's the one behind Lowes in the Battlefield area. I love it because it's tucked away and you have to walk down a little trail to get there and it has a little sand beach so you get the feel of being at the beach. It has a nature trail around the whole lake and it has a playground as well. It's been awhile since we had been there so it was due a visit.

Bradley and Alayna coming down the slide together. She absolutely loves the slide and threw a fit when it was time to stop. She even likes to try and climb up it like the big kids do.

Bradley is going through this phase where he like to ride in the stroller again. He'll be in it faster than we can get Alayna in it and we are always like...Bradley, this is for your sister, not you. This time we were like....forget the fuss about it, there's a perfect little spot for her in the back. At first she started to cry and then thought it was kind of cool. It made for a great giggle!!

Me and my little clown riding the rocket. By the look on his face, you'd think he really was on a ride. Silly boy!!

Uh oh, which way did Bradley go now?

Don't I look so big!! Alayna has been really stubborn with smiling for the camera lately. It's like she just knows. She will either turn away or just stare at me. I swear she knows exactly what she's doing.

No surprise Bradley is up in the tree and holding one of his favorite things...a stick.

So peaceful watching the water.

Bradley and Alayna having races down the slide.

Alayna riding the rocket. I took the picture and caught her just before she fell backwards...bad mommy!!!

After the park we headed to Friendley's for some burgers where our peaceful night didn't end so peaceful. We are learning the hard way that taking our little pistol out to dinner isn't as easy as it used to be. She hates hates hates being confined in a high car and went bisurk. Luckily it was Friendly's where everyone there is friendly and it's a bunch of parents with screaming kids trying to do the same thing we were doing:) The waitress got a kick out of her attitude and thought she was the cutest thing. I was like "oh good, you can take her home with you then"......Oh brother!!!! Craig and I got a great chuckle out of it and said nights out to eat are now offically reserved just for date nights!!!