A little bit of everything

Benji: Cooking "ham". I'm really hoping he will love to cook when he gets older ;)
John has now graduated to the 'big horse'. He has no trouble climbing up to ride, getting down doesn't always go so good!

Think you're a busy mom? Check out this Mama horse: 5 babies, and sometimes she has 2 more! To say our kids love horses is a HUGE understatement.

Carolyn drew this.

"Mommy with John in her belly and Carolyn is waiting for him to crawl out."

Sending hugs & kisses your way!

Just for you... Hugs & Kisses from

Benji, Carolyn, Katie & John

Have a good Sunday!

• Hey Mom's, you have to check out what Neisha posted!
• FYI.. I did not post this at 7:00 Sunday morning.. I'm flattered at the thought of super mom, but at that time, I was NO where near the computer and most of the kids were still sleeping,... here's my hint.. its called post scheduling ;)

Saturday

• This isn't a typical Saturday, well I guess in some ways it is... Usually the older kids spend Friday nite down at G'pa & G'ma S house. But this weekend, all the kids are here and Benjamin is gone. It's kinda like Neisha's day.
• The kids are feeling better, YEAH!! That means the house is back in full swing: the fun and the messes!
• Speaking of the house, it's begging for attention!
• Despite feeling extremely lazy, we've gotten alot done; caught up on laundry, mopped floors, cleaned bathroom, paid bills, address envelopes for the kids 'yearly' pictures, BUT there's always more to do!
• Today at breakfast Carolyn was telling us about a story, which I can't remember all the details, but someone took something from her, and she told them to give it back, and they didn't. "OHH... that made me so angertated!!!"
• At lunch Benji was growling like a 'sharptooth'. Katie covered her ears "Benji, stop, you're scaring my ears!" And like all big brothers, he did it one more time, even louder! "Benji, stop it... it hurts my eyes when you growl!"

9 things (about me) in 2009

I've seen people do the "100 things about me" (which I don't have time to do) and "ask me anything you want to know about me".. but here's my version "about me". And in honor of 2009.. its 9 things. Maybe it's things you already knew, maybe it's something new...

1. There are 2 of me! My sis-in-law has the exact same name as me: first, middle, last. We both also live in the same lil town! Yes, we were friends before we got married and her father warned us not to marry brothers, or we'd run into trouble! Little did we know! To our husband's family were known as: Joe's Heather or Ben's Heather.
2. We have 4 kids: boy, girl, girl, boy
3. We had 4 kids in under 4 years. The oldest boy turned 4 years old, 2 months after we had our last baby.
4. If I had to do it again, I'd do it the same way. Even thou some days are insane, as our kids get older they are wonderful playmates. Actually, most days are pretty good.
5. Shortly after we were married, we milked cows with Joe & Heather. Quite an experience for a city girl. Did I mention, I was pregnant with Benji that summer?
6. It irriates me when people look at me and say, "ohh.. you're a busy mom; you have your hands full don't you!" Especially when all four kids are quietly, calmly behaving in the grocery store!! Our kids aren't always perfect at home or in the store, but show me a kid that is (and I'll call you a liar ;) I could probably do 100 things about 'things people say that irriate me'!
7. I lived in the same house the entire time growing up. Since being married (6 1/2 years) we've moved 4 times!
8. Staying at home is the best job I've ever had. It's also the hardest, most exhausting and most rewarding job. Most days I LOVE it. Some days... well, I don't love it!
9. My greatest fears are: dying before I'm prepared, and losing my family. My joys: my faith and my family. Without them, my life wouldn't be complete.

So, if you read this list, I 'tag' you, to do the same on your blog (at your leisure)

Year End Pictures

It has been a crazy start to 2009. We started with the stomach flu after New Years. Naturally, when you have 4 kids, they each take their own separate turn at having it. (Not sure if it's better to be hit hard with everyone sick at once or drag it out!) Luckily it wasn't too bad... lasting about 12 hours, but the flu is nasty, no matter how short it is. Then Benji had a reaction/side effect to his shots. He missed out on the flu, so far, but has been miserable, just laying on the couch. He's slowly returning to normal, or I hope anyways.

Meanwhile, life goes on,...even if I don't feel like it ;) We're hoping for a quiet, relaxing weekend to catch up on everything! It's amazing how fast things pile up! Anyways... we're slowly getting around to our year end pictures. I usually try to send out pictures during the year to our immediate family, but the last batch went out Jan 2008! Opps! You can go here to see more of the pictures. These are some of our favorites I made into a collage. Some of you can except to get pictures in the mail shortly!

Benji's 5 yr check up

Benji went to the dr for his 5 year check up this morning.
He is 50" (don't ask me how many feet, its 4'?") and he weighs 42lbs (with clothes). He is literally off the charts for height. At 4 years, he was in the 97%. For weight he's barely in the 50%. Seems like he is taking after Daddy: long and lean. He eats like a pig and runs like a horse!
He got 2 shots today. He did SUPER, no tears, no quivering lip! They put a new numbing lotion on his arms (but the one shot missed the area entirely). After it was done the nurse asked if that hurt. He looked at her, "NNNNOOO! I'm tough like my Daddy! Since mommy was so proud by how he did...........Happy Meals! We met Daddy in town afterwards, and Benji got to ride in the semi for the rest of the day! Two treats in one day!! Lucky Boy!

You know you're a parent when....

Your idea of dinner and a show is this:

A train running around the table, during the entire meal. CHOO CHOO!

This train is just a few days old, but it has brought hours and hours of fun!