Birthday's!

I'm so dissapointed in myself! It's been way too long since I've posted any updates or pictures. I told myself when I started this blog that I would try to update it atleast every 2 weeks. But here it is, almost 2 months since my last posting. Shame on me. Truth is... I'm boring. I'm not good at telling about all the good and crappy stuff going on in our lives, so I just don't write at all. Since my last post, we've celebrated 2 birthday's.. Abby and Garrett!! Abby turned 2 years old (I'm still trying to grasp that one) and Garrett turned 7 (my little ladies man)! We had a joint birthday party for them with family and some friends of Garretts. Birthday cakes, presents and a pinata. They had lots of fun. Then we ended the day with a sleep over for Garrett with 3 friends. I really thought we were in for a wild night with 5 boys that night, but it actually wasn't bad at all. They all got along really well and I'm even thinking about trying it again early in the year. lol!
It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 6 days away. Yikes! I still have to wrap all of the kids presents and I'm sad to say that even with a glass of wine at my side and the christmas music playing, I have absolutely NO desire! As soon as I start trying to wrap, I feel ill! Must be a sign that the years are just passing too dang fast these days!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New year!!!!

Can't believe it's already been 1 year!

It was one year ago that we first held our beautiful girl in our arms! It's so hard to believe that she's been home a year and she has changed so much. We have truly been blessed to be given the chance to parent this beautiful child of GOD's. I can't count how many times, Garrett tells me how much he loves his little sister and how happy he is that we traveled across the world to bring her home. No matter how tuff things may get in our lives or what we may be going through, just hearing him say those words, makes me realize that nothing is more important than sharing that love.

No More Diapers!!!!

I am soo excited to say that we will no longer be having a need for Diapers! Yes... Abby is officially potty trained at 23mo's old. I went out the other day and bought her a package of big girl princess panties and boy was she ecstatic to see them and couldn't wait to put them on. I never thought I'd see the day where I'd have a diaper free house but it has arrived!

2007 Family Video

This is a video Bryan made of the family the other night. Hope you enjoy it : )

Ok.. So I've been tagged!

Well... this is my first tagging I've received so please forgive me if I'm not all that terrific at it, but I'll sure try.

You have to post these rules before you give the facts.1) Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to you life for each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use the middle name that you wish you had.2) When tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name facts.3) At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't forget to leave a comment telling them that they're tagged and to read your blog.

L: Love... I had never experience real love until I had children. That never ending heartache at the thought of losing them kind of love, the would do anything for them, even give my life kind of love for them.

E: Eternity... I want to spend the rest of my eternity being the best Mother and Wife I can be, so I pray each and every day that our Father in Heaven will grant me the patience I need to make it to Eternity!

E: Every day... I pray that GOD will continue to bless my family and friends and watch over all of his children.

So, I am tagging David (davidkawada), Jeff (Electic Family), Kathy (My Sugars). Do me proud guys!

Oh my... that time has come!

First Day of School Year 07-08

I Can't believe how fast the kids are growing up! Mo is now a Sophmore and already asking me when she gets to start learning to drive. I don't think I'm ready for this at all! Garrett is in 2nd grade and probably the youngest child in his class being that his bday was on the day of the cut off when we enrolled him in Kindergarten. We took our chances in starting him early and it paid off. He's actually done quite well in spite of his age and we are very proud! Landon started Preschool and has been so excited.

Out on the boat!

We recently went boating with some good friends of ours on their boat and had a great time. We left Abby at home with Sissy and just took the boys this time. They had a blast. They got to be pulled through all the wakes on the big raft behind the boat. It was soo cute to watch them out there so little and yet so brave. Garrett even got thrown off a couple times when the raft got going to fast over the wakes. I admit, I was kinda nervous and so was he at times but he was tuff and kept going back for more. Landon got to go with Daddy, since he's a little to small to go on his own but he was just as happy as a clam to be out there with the big boys. Here's some pics of their adventure. They can't wait to go do it again.

Sorry it's been so long since my last post...

She sure does love to be in front of the camera


She looks so grown up in this picture



They really do love eachother
(of course when they aren't fighting)

Mommy got tired of the fly away hair and had to

give Abby her 1st haircut!

(yes, I know.. Nana is not gonna be happy)

Wild, Wild West!

This weeks Family FotoFun Friday Challenge is Wild, Wild, West. I had to dig down deep to find these pictures. Most of them are pretty old. It 's neat to see how little they were and how fast they've grown in the last few years. My babies are growing up!! Waaaahhhh!

New Bed

I've been contemplating about getting Abby her own "Big Girl Bed" for the last couple weeks and of course everyone who knows me will agree that when I get the idea in my head to do something, I won't rest until it's done! So here we are with a new bed and happy girl for the time being. Last night was her first night in her new bed and although she refused to climb in without some coaxing when it was bed time, she did fall asleep and stayed asleep in it all night. Whew! I figure we'll see how the next few days go and if she becomes more accepting of the new bed, so Mommy can send the crib away for good.

yes indeedy it is!!!

Just pictures

Just some Pictures I wanted to show off : )

Dear Abigail,

It's only been 6mo's since you have come into our lives but yet it seems like you have always been here. We always knew that we would bring a special little child into our hearts and lives, to give a home and family to and here you are. Just as beautiful and lovely as we could have hoped for. You are truly a blessing to us from our GOD above and we thank him every day for allowing us to be the ones to raise you into a loving, caring and happy child. Since the day we first held you in our arms you welcomed us into your life with smiles and joy and continue to show us love and trust every day. Your brothers adore you and although they drive you crazy with all their kisses and hugs, you still can't wait to see them first thing when you wake up in the morning. Your Jie Jie (big sister) Morgan thinks the world of you and can't wait to show and tell you all the wonderful things that life holds. She's already told me that when she moves out on her own (of course we hope that won't be for atleast another 7 years) after college, that she wants you to come live with her. Thank you for being our daughter.

We love you Abigail,

Hugs and Kisses... Mommy, Daddy, Morgan, Garrett & Landon

Reunion Time

This past Saturday we met up at a great park with 4 other families that we traveled to China with and had a wonderful time! It's amazing how much the children have changed in just 5 months. They all grew hair (lol) and looked absolutely adorable. All the kids (even the bigger ones) seemed to really enjoy themselves. We originally planned to head over to Fairytale town after the bbq but it was much to relaxing for us big kids sitting around in our chairs underneath the shaded trees and the kids were occupied so we figured they wouldn't notice the difference (expect one mind you... Garrett).

We can't wait for the next grp get together!!

Changes

It's hard to believe that when we traveled to China to pick up Abigail she was only 11 1/2 months and today she is 16mo's already. Time has gone by so quickly it amazes me. She has blossomed into such a beautiful child not that she wasn't darling before but her personality has really come out along with her toddler antics and tantrums.

She has truly grown to love her brothers considering when she first came home wouldn't show them any affection and cried if they tried to get close to her. Now she will go to them for hugs and kisses and smiles when they come into the room. Morgan (sissy) has always been her favorite next to daddy and I come last. lol!

I posted the pictures to show how much she has changed.

Hope you all have a great week!

Pet's

This weeks Photo challenge was "Pet's". We have many of them. I guesse living in the country has made us a magnet to animals. We have 7 dog's and 3 cats, oh I can't forget about the fish. We raise beautiful Golden Retrievers, Chocolate Lab's, and Vizsla's. We are expecting 2 new litters of pupps in June and the kids as always can't wait to play with them. Anyone interested in a Chocolate Lab or Golden Retriever are more than welcome to leave a post on our blog. These pictures are of our recent Vizsla litter and have all found their new homes. They have the best personalities and are so loving.

Easter

I hope everyone had a very Happy Easter. My plan failed at having Easter at our house so we decided to go over to Bryan's Mom and Dad's. It was nice and the kids had a good time. They had an easter egg hunt that yielded lots of candy and money. Of course the boys couldn't wait to spend their money so I took them to the store the next day. Garrett bought a Pirate costume and Landon got a big spongebob bouncy ball and a battery operated blower and don't you know they are fighting over each others toys. You'd think I'd learned my lesson by now and made them get the same thing, but nooooo! This is the very thing I get mad at Bryan about because he will go to the store with one of the kids and let them pick out a toy and not get the other anything (absent mindedly) and then they fight over that one toy for days,until they get bored with it of course. Abby seemed to enjoy herself, playing for atleast an hour straight with a big basket of plastic eggs. It was Papa Bill and Grandma Jan's first easter with all the great grandkids. They just moved back to town from Southern California and it's great to have them finally here.

Spring Dresses

This is my first time participating in Donna's FFF photo challenge (http://2happy.typepad.com/. I've been procrastinating every Friday and never get around to joining in. This time I decided I couldn't pass it up. So here's my little angel in her pretty Easter Dress.

I hope you all had a terrific Easter Sunday!

Camera's

I just got a new camera and I absolutely love it!!! (thanks to Donna @ http://2happy.typepad.com/)

It takes beautiful pictures and I'm sure that they would be even better if I knew how to take them right.

I have been playing with it lately and have taken countless pictures of the kids that have come out very nicely. These are just some of my favorites. Of course it helps when you have photogenic kids too. I on the other hand am far from photogenic, that is why you won't see me in too many pictures. lol!

Much needed Vacation

We just came home early this morning (4am) from visiting Grandma Bridgette and Pappa Jerry in Washington. We had such a nice time. It was very relaxing, yes even with 4 kids. It snowed a very light snow twice while we were there which was very pretty but not not cold enough to make it stick. We did some shooting, tried to fish and went on jeep and quad rides, which the kids loved and Morgan didn't want to come home. She was hoping we'd forget her and leave with out her. They have a really neat Koi pond built off the deck of their house and it's full of really pretty Koi. I never knew how friendly Koi were. At least Papa's Koi! You can actually pet them and they will come up to your hand and suction your fingers to see if you have food. It's actually quite cute.
It was the Grandparents first time meeting Abby and there were in love at first site. She bonded very quickly to them also and seemed like she thoroughly enjoyed her self there too! She found Grandma's drawer of measuring cups and spoons and spent the majority of her visit pulling everything out and then putting them all back again, over and over. We've decided that we need to make it a every year or every other year trip from here on out. (Hopefully G & P are up for that. lol)