Thanks G'ma Joyce

My Mom brought a gingerbread cookie pan when they came up on Friday. I just used my gingerbread cookie recipe, but can use pizza dough (thats my next thing to try) Benji helped pat it in the pan. The girls were napping when I frosted and decorated it and Benji was much too busy doing "art" (cutting paper) to help :) We're looking forward to sharing it with Daddy tonight at supper!

Stuck Inside

We're stuck inside again! Last night/this morning we had a nasty storm roll through, bringing lots of ice and of course snow to cover it all up. Now the temps are dropping too fast. Below Zero here we come again! :( These pictures are actually from last night. Katie had a stomach bug Friday/Saturday, leaving me slightly occupied with her! Meanwhile and thankfully, the other 3 kids felt fine (very fine). They dumped out all their toys, covering the floor. Oh, the fun they had :) These are the pictures mid-way through the dumping process. They also emptied my dish towel/rag basket and had all the pot holders out too! (Dish towels and rags make good "saddles" on the lazy boy in case you were wondering)


I like our house to be 'clean'. But with 4 lil kids, its near impossible. At least in our house, the instant you vacuum, mop or pick up.... something happens. (Benjamin says its job security ;) I was once told: A clean house doesn't mean a happy house. To which I replied: A messy house = happy kids!?! I'm happy our kids are able to make a mess and play, meaning their normal and healthy. Too soon will be the time when they're all grown up and moved away. Then it will just be my husband making the mess! ;) I've fallen in love with this quote I came across, and posted it on the side of my blog. Although our children are past the the "rocking" stage, the tho't is still the same.
"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up too soon to our sorrow... So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I am rocking my babies and babies don't keep!"

Snoozin' in the sun with Daddy!

Fun Friday

On Friday my parents came up for short, yet fun day. The hit of the day was the new train set Benji got! The girls each got another pair of "princess" shoes, (just in time as Carolyn wore out her last pair the other week)! John could have cared less about his present, he was in awe of the train set, watching it go round and round and round. We enjoyed out short day with them! Thank you for all the fun and goodies!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday..

To my dear sis-in-law Tanya...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Tanya, Happy Birthday to you!

Hope your birthday is fun and special.

Love Ya! ;)

Welcome 2009

Happy New Years!

I was hoping to still be sleeping at this hour, but with 4 lil kids, I knew my chances were slim. We spent the 'eve' with Ben's family. John tuckered out about 11ish, but Benji, Carolyn, & Katie were awake to ring in 2009 with us, wide awake!! The 1st morning of 2009 - John was the 1st to wake up (as usual) about 7, Katie was up at 8(ish), and Carolyn & Benji were awake by 9:30! (Sorry, once again, I don't have any pics from last night. But we did have a GREAT time)

Our plans for the new year? First: a nice, looong nap today! Rarely do I ever keep my new years resolutions, but here is a list of what I'm/we're hoping to accomplish:

• eat healthier
• laugh more
• worry less
• live in each moment
• be more thankful for what we DO have

Later today, we'll enjoy a nice roast dinner, and more yummy 'snacky' foods (that we're trying to avoid)

2008..

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Make a Smilebox slideshow

Here's a peek at this past week. We spent Xmas with Ben's side. Nothing unusual; just good food, lots of laughs, games, and plenty of entertainment, from the 9 kids! Sorry no pictures. We've had some sick kids, so it was the 1st time the kids were together for some time. Let's just say they made up for lost time. Our plans are to spend new years eve/day with Ben's family too. His brother, sister & families are celebrating with their "in-laws". I've been busy today, when not blogging, making goodies like: caramel popcorn mix, bacon and eggs, choc pretzels, puppy chow, taco dip.. its gonna be a yummy party!

It's hard to believe another year has past. As usual, it past like a blur. Here's an attempt to recap SOME of what happened for us in 2008!

• Carolyn turned 3 in January.
• Benjamin was offered a ranch job in Iowa. He worked for about a month out there, while the kids & me stayed back here.
• Katie turned 2 in April.
• In May, we all moved to (western) Iowa
• It was an experience we'll never forget.
• We met so many amazing people, who quickly become a permanent part of our family, hearts and lives.
• During the summer, we enjoyed visits from both g'parents and Jake/Emily, fishing, county fairs, ice cream on the deck, trips to the park and a trip back to WI to see everyone.
• In July, we moved from the city, into a wonderful, spacious house/yard in the county, still in Iowa.
• Sadly, the ranch job didn't work out, and we moved back to WI in the fall.
• Leaving was bittersweet; leaving new family & friends, yet returning to our "home".
• Upon arriving home, Benjamin started trucking locally and logging (meaning he's home just about EVERY nite)
• Our baby, John turned 1 in Sept.
• Our oldest, Benji, turned 5 in Nov.
• We welcomed our new nephew in December. Actually he's the same age as our John, but the adoption didn't become final until Dec 08.

As for 2009...wait and see!

1 year anniversary

New Years Eve I'll celebrate my 1 year anniversary of blogging! I've enjoyed it so much. Not only have I met new people, found old friends but I found an outlet for me. I love my 4 kids and my husband more than anything in this natural world, but some days I just need a break. At times I've let my "blog time" get out of hand, and the "house" has suffered big time. But I get refreshed/refueled and I'm ready to go again! Anyways, I just want to say thanks to everyone who stops by to visit, whether you comment or not, we know you've been here! I started this blog for family & friends that live too far away, but I realize now how much it means to me! Thanks for the friendship & support... we wish you all a Happy New Year! Speaking of New Years, I have a list of goodies to make..if time permits I have some pics to post of this past week. We're spending New Years Eve/Day with my Ben's parents/family.

P.S. Those following www.whatsforsuppermom.blogspot.com I've had several requests to get started. This week: Favorite Xmas/New Years recipes (anything goes). (Email me if you want to join)