Those "2-year old" molars are HAUNTING us again!

Just when I thought life was back to normal around here, (with healthy, happy kids), John started his screaming/barf fests again! Oh Happy Day! (as Hannah would say!) I found a delightful, soothing solution to this GRAND dilema....a blast of motrin, a pacifier (no judging!!) and his "comfy!" (i.e. baby blanket) As long as they are near, we have no reason to fear! I didn't know if was possible, but lunch can be eaten WITH A BINKY in your mouth! WOW!! I truly do learn something new every day from this boy! It is pretty disgusting, but kind of impressive too, don't you think? John insists on posing on this funny ottoman! I don't know why, but he loves me to take his picture while he is sprawled out like a cat...should I be worried? I almost chucked all his binkies at the end of the summer, but I am so glad I didn't! Let's have THREE CHEERS FOR JOHN'S BINKIES!! HIP, HIP HOORAY!! HIP, HIP HOORAY!! (one more time now) HIP, HIP HOORAY!! As soon as all of those wretched molars break through, I will get rid of the pacifiers, so let's see, John should be completely weaned by the time he enters kindergarten! ha ha

Never a dull moment!

My beautiful, sweet Ruby FINALLY lost her front tooth! For MONTHS she has worked and worked on that poor tooth! Well finally, it is out! WAHOO!! Here is a picture of Ruby and her darling Dad (who is looking quite SKINNY, I must add!!) Dad pulled out her tooth and is the hero of the hour! (my hero EVERY hour actually!! so what if that makes you want to barf!!) We were lucky enough to attend Kirk's end of season football party tonight at Primo's Pizza! It was awesome! Kirk was able to thank his great coaches and hang out with the fun boys from the BRONCOS!! It was fun! Here he is at home with his killer trophy- WOW!! GREAT SEASON KIRKUS!! When I asked Kirk how he felt about his football season drawing to a close, this was his reaction! John, of course, got a little jealous of all the photo shoots we have had tonight, most of all because HE WASN'T IN ANY OF THEM...so he kept hollering at me, trying to get my attention, so I could take his picture. Whenever I would turn to him to snap a photo, he would run away...this is what he wanted me to take a picture of...I so often wonder, "what is going on in this little man's brain?" Once again, Hannah was doing homework and was unavailable for a photo and/or a comment!

What a beautiful fall day!

These are the three musketeers of our neighborhood! These sweet boys are Kirk's favorite and "BESTEST BUDDIES!" Patrick and Conner are brothers in our neighborhood that Kirk would be happy spending every waking moment with! The three of them have lots of fun together and are such good boys! (I am one grateful Mom!) Ruby and John have had so much fun playing in this beautiful weather! It has been freakishly warm! SO NICE!! Here are the kids enjoying our backyard! Ruby asked me to post about 2 different things that got her EXCITED this week: #1, When we were walking home from school Thursday, her friend Cameron, was really sad. He just plopped down right where he was and wouldn't go any further. His Mom and I were way ahead of them and were getting tired of waiting. Ruby was being so sweet and was trying to cheer him up. He wasn't budging until she picked up a long blade of grass and pretended that it was her eyeglass! He thought it was so funny and she did this whole show for him, pretending that she was "Professor Fairbanks!" He was laughing so hard at her that he forgot why he was upset and ran all the way to our house! Ruby was so proud of herself! I thought it was awesome that she is such a great friend. She helped us and and she made Cameron very happy! WAY TO GO RUBY!! I am so proud of you!! Here she is with her "eyeglass!" #2, In art on Friday, she learned about "THE DAY OF THE DEAD" and what they do to celebrate it. Here she is with her masterpiece celebrating this day! Pretty cool Roo! P.S. You are probably wondering why you never see any pictures of Hannah, so I thought I would show you why. This is all she does! She is one hard worker! Hannah is super busy with her swim team and Young Womens and all her new friends at school! I need to get more pictures of her and will try harder!! PROMISE! All the kids are and they are doing great at school! I can't wait to meet with their teachers at Parent Teacher Conference next week! Way to go guys! YES OF COURSE JOHN IS TRYING TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS AS THEY STUDY!! HE NEVER QUITS! (that is gross, sorry!!)

John's newest "trick"

This is how my son wants to eat his cereal! Please note: Never in a million years would I have given Hannah, Kirk or Ruby SUGARED cereal for breakfast, but THIS CHILD WON'T EAT MUCH!! So when I discovered that he likes Frosted Shredded Wheat, I wept! Not only is it FULL OF FIBER, but it is FORTIFIED!! I ran with it, he eats it everyday. Yesterday, he ate it for BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER! (and I didn't care because he actually ate it! So what if it was off the counter!!) (Yes I am well aware that this child rules my life! But don't judge me! You have no idea what he is capable of. I am learning the wisdom in the phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff" or "choose your battles!") This really is the most strong willed child on the planet! Oh yeah and he delights in the fact that he has us all wrapped around his naughty little finger!

Kirkie and "his BRONCO team"

I just had to share some sweet action shots of Kirk during flag football the last few weeks. He has three great coaches that really have put 110% into this team. Kirk has had a ball this season! They will officially start the end of season tournament this weekend and then hopefully advance into the playoffs!! GO BRONCOS!!

Here are a couple of pictures of Kirk's biggest fans!!

And finally, I spotted this gorgeous guy across the field, he was the scorekeeper for the game or something. Lucky me, I got his phone number and we are going to "hook up!!" I can't wait!

More on our Fall activities...

Our lives STILL revolve around football, whether it is "Kirkie's Broncos," The BOISE STATE BRONCOS or the Denver Broncos! This is a literally a BRONCO NATION!! (in reality, it doesn't matter who it is...as long as it is a football game, Kirk and Rich are watching!!)

Now Ruby is getting into football too, TRAITOR!! How could she betray me like that?

I know it won't be long before John follows her lead! OH BOY! I can't wait for the Super Bowl!

(it is the only good thing about football...good commercials that almost make watching the game worthwhile!)

Even though Ruby's front tooth isn't loose enough to come out yet, she makes Rich tug on it EVERY night after dinner! Never has a girl wanted the tooth fairy to visit so badly!! Does anyone have a good caramel apple handy?

Family Update

It has been almost a month since I have posted so I thought I would catch you up on the happenings in our home. We had a lovely visit from my fabulous parents a few weeks ago. We had so much fun that I forgot to break out the camera: SHAME ON ME!! I feel so bad and regret it very much!! Luckily, I learned from this and broke it out this weekend while my darling in-laws and "grand" in-laws were here. We had a marvelous time and enjoyed catching up and being together. We cheered for Kirkie at his football game, laughed at crazy John, had a BSU/pizza party, went swimming, ate out A LOT, went to the fun Boise Zoo, shopped for new books to enjoy and the kids even had a sleepover w/ Grammy and Grandpa at the hotel! It was an action packed weekend!Here are a few pictures from their visit :

Max and Great-Grandpa rekindled their love for one another!

Max was in heaven!!

Ruby and Hannah and I had lots of fun making beautiful bead jewelry with Great-Grandma, in fact, she helped us create our own Christmas presents! She is so talented, her creations could be sold in the amazing Sundance catalog!! THANKS GREAT-GRANDMOTHER!! WE LOVE YOU and GREAT-GRANDPA!!

How many of you have in-laws that can play incredible piano duets together? WELL, I DO!!

We had lots of fun listening to them play and then of course, the kids performed for them as well! THANKS for coming and SPOILING us! WE ALL HAD A MARVELOUS TIME!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

What happened to my blog entries?

Let me just say this: JOHN has entered the TERRIBLE TWOS!! Actually, terrible DOES NOT do it justice! I don't remember the other three kids bringing me to my knees and to tears every hour ON THE HOUR!! I even took a trip to the pediatrician for guidance and inspiration! THIS BOY IS DIFFICULT and OH SO BUSY!! He is the very reason I haven't been posting! I can't keep him out of trouble long enough to play on my blog! I can't keep clothes on the child, even though it is COLD outside! I know that this child was sent to me for a reason and I just hope that I can figure out what the reason was before I am admitted to a psychiatric hospital or before he is hung from his toes. I am asking, NO PLEADING that you pray for me, that I can get through the long dark days that lie ahead! I thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter! BLESS YOU!! (AND PEACE BE WITH YOU!!) Heather