Adventures in being............... Victor and Rowan's Mom!!!

New Year New Goals

2012-02-17T20:51:00.001-05:00

We won't be missing 2011 up in here!!! We had a great night WELCOMING in the New Year, just me and the kids, Kel had to work but got out real early and we got to enjoy the first day of 2012 as a family.
On that note we have set out to make this year better than ever! We have been setting family and personal
goals, and making lots of plans on how to reach them.
Just today I was thinking about our blog. With the exception of when we didn't have our computer for 16 wks I did pretty good about making an entry for every month. Now 6 wks in and nothing:( So I figure I got this app I may as well try it out and see if I could make it work. I am going to try and catch up the last 6 wks and make a priority to try and do a weekly post from my phone since I tend to take pic with it regularly.

December/ Good BYE 2011

2011-12-31T22:16:00.000-05:00

December finally arrived and it couldn't have come soon enough for me. It began with one of the things we enjoy the most, Lego Kidsfest.

Working on parts of the Mystery Mosaic.

this year was famous paintings

I would LOVE to hang this in our house!

They must have made the Hartford skyline earlier in the weekend.

Building pieces for the Build Across America display

Victors piece of America

Dad's piece of America

Rowan's piece of America

Saw Santa

Rowan had to meet the snakes

Thought she was going to try and take this one home

Victor had to have his pic with all the ninjas

Easily Rowan's favorite part was the huge pile of legos to play in

Mom's favorite part was the life size Lightning McQueen!!

Rowan got ate by a shark

Victor got held up by a bounty hunter

We hung out with some friends

Kelton thought he ran into someone he knew

Gave directions to a pirate

Our challenge was to build a bridge

No surprise the sensory kid had to visit the pile again


Victor is a little disappointed that his Hogwarts set isn't this big

Because we can never have to many legos in our life we also did the Star Wars Lego Advent calendar. With two kids we had to do a second advent calendar so they could take turns, which was numbered slippers hanging on the railing filled with candy.

Don't really see the Christmas in this but the boys were excited

Victor so excited to open Day 1

Rowan did a real good job on her days

Candy!!!

Chocolate!!

The kids were very excited to set up the tree and for Christmas to happen. We visited with family and had a nice holiday!

dad and Victor working hard

Rowan goofing around

Zoey just chilling in her chair taking it all in

Kids did a heck of a job of course then we had to move up the ornaments up because of the puppy

After Church on Christmas day

I almost got Christmas cards sent to everyone. It took weeks but I had the best of intentions when I took the picture for the card in October, we had snow on the ground after all.

One of the best things that happened in December was Kelton working extra hard to go through things and find me my dishes.

I have never been so happy to see a sink full of dishes!!

I also felt very vindicated when we saw the cut outs for the new Lego series. I insisted on adding a golden lasso to Rowan's Halloween costume and Kel snickered at me, but see even Lego thinks it is important!!

Well I would love to say that 2011 went by quick but I have been waiting for today since last January. Nothing went as planned this year and it was a heck of a ride! We lost my pepere, my uncle and my grandma. We took a wonderful vacation to Maine. We adopted a puppy. We lived with my parents for a very long 14wks. Lost one house and were blessed with another. We left our old ward after 24 yrs for Kel and 15 yrs for me, moved to one we really liked then end up at a different ward completely. We survived a blizzard, earthquake(We didn't feel), a hurricane and an early(OCTOBER) snow storm. We lived for 17 days without power. We paid respect to friends we lost and watched other friends get married. We also reconnected with Kelton's old friends at his 20th High School Reunion. We celebrated with family and we mourned with them. I am not sorry to see 2011 come to end.
We wish you all a Very Happy New Year. May it be filled with Blessings and Peace!!

90 Years Ago Today

2011-12-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

Today would have been my grandma's 90th birthday. The last month and 20 days have been rough, but the more I share and pray and read the scriptures the better it becomes. So I wanted to make sure that I found a way today to honor her so I decided one of the things I would do is make a blog entry to remember her.

Grandma as a toddler with her father on the farm.

Muriel Alice Vuille grew up on a farm in Goshen CT. I can't imagine that being a very easy life and the stories she shared didn't do anything to make it seem like it was. She was the second of four and the oldest girl. She was very close to her youngest sibling, her brother Paul, because she was the one his care fell to when her mother was ill. My grandma learned at a very young age to work hard and take care of the house. She loved the years she got to attend school but she didn't get to finish because she had to care for the house and Paul when her mother got sick and was hospitalized. When Great Grandma Goshen got well and came home grandma didn't go back to school she went to work in the factories. She married her teenage sweetheart and had her first child, my Uncle Johnny. Unfortunately that marriage ended in divorce but in 1951 she married my Grandpa, Arleigh Christensen.

Grandma on her honeymoon

Grandma and Grandpa on their honeymoon

My grandparents had 5 more kids, Cora, Paula (my mom who was named after grandma's brother Paul who died in a car crash while grandma was pregnant with my mom), Ethel, Lori and Thomas.

My Grandparents.

This is how I remember my grandparents. Because of circumstances I had a very unique and close relationship with them. When I was very young I believed that they were actually my parents but because they were so old they had given me to their oldest daughter to raise, followed by and angry letter to the stork and reason why we never used the fire place.
Things that remind me of my grandma, shamrocks, squirrels, Arizona, Uconn basketball, NASCAR, tennis and golf. Things I miss her baking, our arguments about calling Star and the National Enquirer the paper, her ability to keep everything and not having her home look like it belongs on hoarders, her fear of all things electronic including but not limited to microwaves, VCRs and remotes, and her smile. Things I wish I could forget, the unanswered phone, the officer kicking down the door and paramedics offering their condolences.
Things I am grateful for, having known her, all the important times we shared, her always being there for me, being one of her favorites, and that when I saw her the day before my parting words were I Love You.

Till we meet again I will think of you often.

A picture I took on our trip to Arizona

On my wedding day

Holding Victor on his first Halloween

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November

2011-12-21T23:18:00.000-05:00

While it is only been a few short weeks since November it feels like a life time.
We started with no power but we were pretty much feeling like pros at life on a generator this time around. The kids missed some school. Rowan had the whole week off for so we told her to consider it an early birthday present. Victor had to go back for the last two days of the week.
Unfortunately in the mists of all this we suffered another loss. My grandma passed away suddenly on November the 4th. This has been a really hard thing for me to deal with. We were very close and losing her has been very hard on me.
It was bittersweet to celebrate Rowan's birthday as we prepared for a funeral. My baby turned 7 years old!! Time seems to fly by with the kids. Again we were faced with a birthday and no power! Thankfully we got power back that day. Rowan is bright and cheerful, her school and all they offer has been a blessing for us. Rowan has begun spelling tests, so she has a 20 word list every week that includes 2 difficult like responsible or character. She has never gotten more than 1 wrong and always gets the bonus words. She is a spelling phoneme!! She makes me smile and laugh all the time, I love how she lights up everyday at pick up when she sees me. She is my cuddle-bug!!
It is hard to imagine that just a week and half after the funeral we closed on our new home. We moved in the same day and Kel worked hard all Saturday right up till 5 minutes before he had to leave for work. We had one week before Thanksgiving and after all we had been through this year I was determined to have a very quite, peaceful and happy day. I spent 2 days cooking and prepping. We watched the parade in our PJs and then we went to see the Muppet Movie. We came home, ate and had a really good night just hanging out but we sure did miss dad who was at work. It would have been my grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary and after 28yrs apart I found great comfort in knowing they were spending this special day together.

My Grandma a couple of years ago.

She spotted her gifts first thing and we ended up having to let her open one.

She thought it was so cool that there was a school with her name that we just had to get her this.

Our Princess!!

Yes a Lalaloopsy!!

DOUBLE YES a crazy hair one too!!

Belle!

and her bed!

Rowan and one of her favorite friends Jenna. Yup they love that they share a name!!

Well if preparing a dinner in a house without all my kitchen stuff wasn't hard enough Bella and Misty decided it was tea party time in the pantry while I was cooking!

Hanging our watching the parade!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this is the first turkey for our first holiday in our new house.

Well here it is! The place we call home. We may not be completely settled in yet but we are so happy to finally be trying to get back to normal!!

October

2011-12-21T19:45:00.000-05:00

Well as the story goes began the month without a refrigerator and an ultimatum to Kelton to find a house and close a deal on said house within 2 weeks so we could manage to close before Thanksgiving. I was very sad that Halloween was not going to be the first holiday celebrated in our new home. So with a disheartened wife and messing me up by changing towns altogether it really did fall squarely on him to find a place. I was really ready to call this year a bust and find a short lease just to move forward but Kel saw houses every chance he got and found one he loved. It was more than we had agreed on and I never thought he'd get it but he must have been praying very hard because EVERYTHING went right and he was able to make a deal. This was truly all his hard work and effort because by this point I was spent and just holding everything else together. The kids and I both caught colds and I was running around to doctors appointments like a crazy person. I believe that in a 4 week time I went to 14 different appointments and still had a few more to go. Rowan's ears filled with fluid when we got sick and we had to see her ENT a few times. The fluid was impairing her hearing so we had to keep her from catching another cold before we got it to drain or she would have to get tubes. If we couldn't get it to drain she would have needed them as well. I was figuring out costumes and dealing with all things kids. Including taking Rowan on her first date, well it was suppose to be her schools Halloween party but she was defiantly on a date. She met up with Dante and they spent the whole evening together dancing and doing crafts, even eating. We actually got separated for a little while and when we meet back up his mom told me that he said "Where's Rowan, we need to find her or I am going to stop breathing." A good time was had by all until Dante and another boy started to fight over who was dancing with Rowan and I decided it was time to leave. Just when things started to go smoothly we got hit with yet another storm. This time it was Alfred that messed up the whole state and left us without power again!! This time we weren't expecting it but it was so bad that even the kids schools were closed. Uncle Joel to the rescue again as he got power back the next day but we went 8 days without. We actually got power back the day of Rowan's birthday. First however Halloween was ruined because the town cancelled trick or treating. With no lights and down wires it was the right call but the kids were disappointed but cute!

Trying to find some normalcy in the chaos we spent sometime crafting!

Finished products!

Rowan and Dante on their date! Not surprised she was hanging out with a vampire!!

Victor was a ghost.

Zoey was a pumpkin.

A very cute pumpkin!

Rowan was Wonder Woman. Kelton thought it was amusing that I had to alter the costume with red stars on her cuffs and a Golden Lasso.

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Victor wanted me to take this pick!

All dressed up and no place to go!!

Well when life gives you snow for Halloween you might as well make the most of it!!

September

2011-12-21T18:37:00.001-05:00

Our baby boy turned 11 years old!! I remember the drive home from the hospital over the newly opened Frog Bridge, sitting in the back seat clutching onto the car seat for dear life (The entire 6 min ride) with this little baby. Now I have a preteen, HEAVEN HELP ME! Thank goodness he is a good kid and to bad he has to get dumb for a few years. I can't imagine that in just 8 years he will be on his mission. It doesn't seem like it as it is happening but time really does go by fast. Victor had decided that there are two things he would like to be when he grows up....A Master Lego Builder or to work for Apple and possible be the next Steve Jobs.

Wish I could say that with Victors birthday that everything got better but alas I can't....

We got power back the day after his birthday party, after 9 days without it.I took the kids to the fair and we had a pretty good time. But of course the fun was just starting...We then woke to the fridge cooking our food and lame Sears not being able to sent someone out to look at it for a week, which turned into 3 more weeks with out a refrigerator in a house of 6 people, 3 dogs and a cat. Needless to say add the 9 days we had spent without it and the food lost between the two episodes and you have a nightmare of planning and organizing and coordinating.
Then a week before we were to close on the house we got the call that our bank had resent out the appraiser to check for storm damage to discover that the finished basement had flooded and was now ruined and full of mold. They would no longer be willing to lend us money to buy the house unless this was all fixed and of course the selling agent who couldn't really speak for the bank was so helpful with what they were going to do about this that after much thought and prayer and argument and debate it was decided that we were going to walk away and start all over....You can guess that if I wasn't crying before boy was I now.
When the tears ended and the numb set in we started to look all over again (For the 3rd blooming time!). Kel humored me and placed a bid on a house our first time out but we didn't get it. So we headed into October homeless and hopeless....2 B continued......But first some more pics....

Rowan checking out the animals at the fair.

baaaa

Sure was less stress full to take them to the fair before Rowan could ride the scary rides!

Not ready for him to be behind the wheel yet!

Even less ready for her!!

It always amazes me how still she can sit when she wants too!

You can imagine how hard it was for him to get in the pink dragon!!

Their haul!!

Zoey and Norm looking for trouble no doubt!

The snugglers didn't make it through movie night!!

Caught a frog. Let Rowan keep him for a little while before we let him go.

The house we were suppose to buy :(

Best sight in the world!!

House we got outbid on :(

August

2011-12-21T13:39:00.000-05:00

Well what a month August was!! With our lease ending and no word on our offer for the house stress totally set in. We spent time packing, moving stuff to storage and worrying. We also started to look at houses all over again. At the very last minute we finally got the call that the bank had a counter offer for the house that we could accept or start all over, but it was still a good deal so we said yes and moved in with my mom for what was to be a quick 6 weeks at most. It was bitter sweet to leave the town were we had our kids and called home for the past 11 yrs, but we had to do what was best for us and them. Unfortunately just when we didn't think things could go any where but up this hill we had been climbing lead to a drop in the road we hadn't seen coming...
The first part of the trip down was the loss of my Uncle Butch. I will always be so grateful that I got to spend the day with him in March and be so sad that I didn't get to go say goodbye. I wasn't able to drop everything with the crazy puppy, the move in with my mom, trying to get ready to move into our new house and preparing for a storm as we were getting ready to send the kids back to school to go to Maine.
Then when we went for the home inspection there were a few things that had gotten ruined because of the house being neglected and left. The move in and get to the end of the year without anything major planned spending was out the window but we were still holding our head up.
Then the storm hit. No literally Irene blew into town and turned everything upside down. I know what I didn't miss about living in the boonies that when you lose power you have no water either. The kids school started on time so we had to get a hotel room to take care of them. If life wasn't crazy enough I now had to commute between schools, and two places of living neither of which being our home. We finally got the power back on Memorial day after 9 days. The day after Victor's Birthday. Yup poor kid had to celebrate his day with no power. Thankfully we did have some relief from a generator loaned to us from our Uncle Joel.

Story to continues in September..... But here are some pics...
.

Rowan and Ethan get ready for storm Irene at the Science Center

Rowan hanging out at one of her favorite places the Science Center

Already for the first day of school

To cool to have to pose for first day of school pics

Wanted proof that I was still taller than Victor (barely) at the beginning of the school year

Birthday with no power!

11 years old

July

2011-12-04T07:45:00.001-05:00

July had us feeling good for a change, which of course didn't last! But we got out and enjoyed the weather. We saw friends and family, had fun and adventure!
We also celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary!!!!
We were playing the waiting game to hear about the house we had placed a bid on. We only had a few weeks to party in before the kids summer school programs started. Each one had a 3 week program unfortunately they weren't the same 3 weeks. So I still had to commute daily for 5 weeks this summer. We were happily packing and preparing for our move.

& They call it PUPPY Love!

2011-06-28T20:11:00.003-04:00

As if driving 150 miles for 6 hrs a day 5 days a week wasn't enough to make me want Summer Vacation to start so I could have a rest, we had to end the year with an extra ton of activities! Victor took part in his schools talent show which required us to drive in to the city on Saturdays for 5 months. So I have really been looking forward to the end but can anything ever be that simple? Nope! On top of the extra day there were Field Trips, field day, District Science Fair, Spring concerts, half days, Author meet and greet, District Teacher of the Year Choir Performance and a Funeral on top of our regular Scouts and Gymnastics to get one worn out mom. Cover with frayed nerves from house hunting and end Rowan's extended days hours just as Victor needs to stay everyday till 5:30 and you can imagine how ready for down time I am. So how do we begin summer? By getting a new member of the family!! We have become the family for a wonderful puppy we have decided to call Zoey! She is a Boxer/German Shepard mix. She is from Tennessee originally but a wonderful rescue had sent her up here to find a home.

So much for Peace and Quite around here. As you can guess the kids are over the moon with their new sister. She loves them both but is very attached to Victor. The most commonly uttered phase in our home is currently "Rowan leave that dog alone!!"

We truly believe that she was meant for us. The kids have been a great help with taking care of her, especially Victor. We love her and she seems to be pretty happy with us too.

Perspective

2011-05-08T18:14:00.006-04:00

The last quarter of 2010 had me looking forward to New Years. I wish I could say that turning the page to 2011 had brought with it more than a desire for a Fast Forward button. There have been times when things have gotten me down so much that I do not feel like my Heavenly Father likes me and I beat myself up trying to figure out what I am doing wrong. Tears have been shed and I have had long talks with some of the people closest to me sharing these doubts and going over things. To those that have listened and helped I thank you.

But there are truly just two things that seem to keep me going and help me remember that I must be doing something right.
The fact that my Heavenly Father trusts me with two of his amazing and special Spirits is humbling. The fact that people tell me all the time that I am doing a great job raising them and that I should be proud of them leaves me amazed. I take no credit for how awesome they are, I say thanks but they came to me that way and I just haven't messed them up yet. They are two of the kindest, loving and gentlest souls I have ever met. They have no sibling rivalry and have a great relationship. They love and support each other through thick and thin. They both know how loved they are and share everything with us.
I am thankful for a wonderful husband that takes care of us. We make these two our top priorities. We would rather have a family fun night than a date night and we like to surprise them by doing things we know they like. What they want is just as important as what we want.
They achieve great things because we support them not because we push them or do it for them. We compare them to no one but themselves. We have taught them to not to care or worry about what anyone else is doing but to make sure they are always trying their best. They know that awards are a pat on the back not about who is better and to never boast. They don't keep track of what others got that they didn't. They always say congratulations and never ask what about me.
For all that we have taught them they have taught us ten times that. For all the love we have given them they have returned it a hundred times more.
When I look into their eyes I know my Heavenly Father loves me! For this perspective and this opportunity to know them I feel blessed. Because of them I can get though the hard stuff and feel better about things. Because of them I know I am doing something right when all the rest of the world seems wrong. Because of them I get to be a Mother.

Thank you Heavenly Father. Thank you Victor and Rowan. To you I owe my happiness this day and everyday!!

MAINE

2011-04-04T18:58:00.014-04:00

So what better to do for our Spring Break then to head north to Maine for a week of peace and quite! I know we had a bad winter and heading south may have seemed like a better idea but after the wonderful week we had I know we made the right choice.

Even our biggest critic of all things fun had a great time and would like to go back!!!

We stayed in a little town called Bass Harbor. The house we rented for the week was a stones throw from Acadia and this quaint light house.

Victor was my buddy so I got some really nice pictures of him with my amazing new camera. I am very thankful for such a great kid!! He puts up with his crazy mom like a real trooper!!

One of the places we really enjoyed was also very close to where were staying. It was the Sea Wall in Acadia. We spent quite a bit of time there. We saw low tide and high tide, the difference in water levels was amazing. We flew kites and thew stones in the water. The kids had fun checking out the tidal pools and Rowan thought this heart shape one was really neat.

One of the kids favorite thing to do was play stump the Rock Guy (a.k.a. daddy) We found lots of cool rocks but daddy always knew what they were.

I can't even begin to tell you how many stacks and stacks of lobster traps were stacked in the little town we stayed in. It was a true fishing village.

One of the best days of the trip was when we took the day to travel in to visit my Uncle Butch and I got to meet my Uncle Roger for the first time.

Once we told Victor that we were going to Maine for vacation he asked that we go and have lobster at the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth just like Adam Richman from Man V Food. So we did. All I will say is that it started off great but I know that it will be a few years till I can get Victor to do that again.

The view from the shack was amazing. The rocks looked like wood, I lost track of how many times I asked Kelton if he was sure that it was rock and not wood.

This fisherman chairs made out of stone were so cool!!

We did head over one day to the main part of Acadia and drive the small part of the loop that was open in Bar Harbor. Thunder Hole was open but the swirl was the best we got. I would have loved to see it in full swing. We did get to see a sea lion eating near by. We hope to go back when the whole loop is open and see some of the other sites.

Beautiful! Amazing! I just loved the area. We wanted to take the kids to a National Park and I am a sucker for the coast I love the waves and water so getting that and the land scape of the fjord was just wonderful. Our Heavenly Father created such a place of beauty for us to live in, it just leaves me in awe.

The best place for sea food near us was a little stand called Jordan's in Ellsworth. It was just open for the season. That was one of the problems with being there so early in the season, most things were closed. In the back they had a play ground which had a merry go round. These were one of my favorite things to play on when I was little but they have been banned in CT so the kids have never played on one that we can remember. Needless to say they loved it and had to take a spin every time we ate there.

My sensory baby just loves water and sand. She will take them any way she can get them but she loves them together best. While Vic wanted some lobster Rowan wanted to go to the beach and she wasn't so happy I hadn't brought her swimsuit with us. We tried to explain that the water was cold but she had to try for herself. She was very excited when one of our last stops was Old Orchard Beach. She was even more pleased when I had her take off her shoes and rolled up her pants so she could go hiking in the water. It was fun to watch her run to the water, then run even faster out of it after she felt it.

Snow on the beach! Yup it was that cold, and we had a snow storm the day before so it was kinda surprising to see people out surfing!?! Only in New England are we this crazy!!

You can't go to the beach and not play in the sand.

It really was a very wonderful and relaxing trip. We had a ton of family fun and made many memories I hope the kids will always remember. They have now been to all six New England states and to a National Park. What I hope they remember most is the beauty of the places we saw, that were created for us by our Loving Heavenly Father.

Rowan's Showcase

2011-03-23T20:41:00.000-04:00

Busy Bees

2011-03-23T19:29:00.010-04:00

Does your life ever make you feel like you are caught in a whirl wind? Well some times mine sure does!! With 3 hours of my day spent commuting and all the homework and activities I actually have been losing track of the day of the week. The kids are doing great though and that is what I do it for!! So here is some of the stuff we have been up to!

We went to the mall with my sister and the kids just had to try this Hurricane Simulator because it looked fun when they did it on the Shaytards Vlog. They thought it was really neat.

I love that Rowan loves to do arts and crafts with me and on her own. This year she decided to make her own valentines. We didn't find out till late that they were going to have a party so we had to get busy. Rowan loved every minute of it.

This is what they looked like!

Rowan had a showcase at school where her class performed a dance number.

Victor had his Blue and Gold. He earned two belt loops. He had been working hard on finishing up some other things but with life being as it was at the time he didn't finish his projects.

One of his projects was this awesome display for his baseball bat the Grandpa Val gave him. He had a ton of fun working with Grandpa Allen in his wood-shop and I think the end results are amazing. They made this all out of one board of wood. I can't wait till he gets his hats hung on it. He has his eye on a couple of new ones.

We had some action when mom and Rowan had an accident that helped along Rowan's crazy loose teeth fly out. There were tears but she is pretty proud of her hole!!

Many hours were spent but it is done!!!!! YEAH!!! Victor's very first Science Fair Project. Mommy's new Cricut is all all broken in now.

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

2011-02-13T20:33:00.006-05:00

So many a morning this has all to often been the scene around here. SNOW! We have actually had like 3 feet of snow fall on us in the past month. The other day I actually had to drive in it. They are done canceling school if they can help it. The drive in wasn't too bad but what a trip to get from the schools to my mom's. I saw one accident and one fish tailing Suburban. At the end of the day on the way home we noticed this lump of snow near Rowan's school and just had to snap a picture of it.
The kids have had their fun but I think that even they are kinda tired of all the white stuff.
Poor Rowan. It hadn't even finished snowing and she just had to go out and play in it. She had to basicly lift her knees to her chin to be able to walk. We were a little nervous that if she fell down we would loss her!

I am blaming it on her Father

2011-01-06T19:46:00.007-05:00

So I have been asking Kel for a month to take Victor to get his hair cut because he really needed one. I took this picture on January 1st.So since Kel went without him and got his hair cut I figured that I would take him today after his doctor's appointment. He is now very neat looking.

However I knew I was going to have trouble. Taking one meant that I was going to have to take the other child with me. I took this picture on January 1st also.
My beautiful girl!! Her hair was getting so long..... We had a deal me and her that she would let her hair grow to her bottom. I reminder her of this deal before we left for the doctors. She repeated it back to me multiple times. After half an hour of crying and begging, and not a bribe offer that was found could stop her, I caved and this is what she looks like now.

It took over an hour for this change. She loves it. I hate it. It is her hair on her head. Never again will I let her within 100 feet of the hair salon if I can help it!!

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

2011-01-01T11:04:00.007-05:00

Well I didn't get a chance to do Christmas cards this year! If I had, this was the outfits I got for them to wear in the picture. So in lieu of cards or a letter here is our year in review.

Kelton and Jessica - It has been a very long year!! Kel is still working for Lonza and loving it. It is a long commute and a long work day but he enjoys his job and after just over two years we have become accustomed to the rotation of his days. Jessica is now commuting daily to Hartford but not for a job. After much thought and prayer we decided that we needed to seek better learning opportunities for the kids. We ended up entering them in the lottery for the magnet schools. We were blessed to have both kids get into their first choice schools. Now Jessica and the kids wake at 5:30am to get ready to be on the road by 6:30am to get Rowan to school for 7:30 and then Victor to school at 8:30. The kids are in two different schools across town from each other. Crazy but so very worth it!! With two long commutes in the family we had to both have reliable cars with good gas mileage. So we both got new cars!! We love them.

Victor turned 10 this year. Hard to believe how fast time goes. Victor had a great year in school. He was awarded the Superintendents Award, the President's Award for Educational Excellence, and the Citizenship Award. He is still active in the Boy Scouts and earned his Square Knot and his Bear. He also earned quite a few belt loops and pins. He has now started working on his Webelos. With as great as Victor has always done, we were not impressed with the things we had heard about the middle school in our area, or in the things we saw going on in our school district. We decided to look into alternatives and found the magnet schools in Hartford. Victor now attends a school based on Environmental Earth studies. He was very unhappy about going to a school without his buddy Matt but we assured him he would love his new school. What kid could really find fault in a brand new school that has things like it's own planetarium? They have all new equipment and a full curriculum. He is taking the saxophone and sings in chorus. He has made many new friends and is one of the top students of his class. He is trusted to do errands for the principle and was even chosen to be one of the students to give tours of the school during the Official Ribbon Cutting festivities. He has adjusted great, but has a ton more homework than ever! We have a monthly play-date with Matt so all is well. Victor is a warm and sensitive kid with a heart of gold. We are so proud of him!!

Rowan is 6 years old now. Our little peanut is full of energy and spirit. After a full year of full day Kindergarten we knew a limited budgeted school was not for her. She is now in a Performing Arts magnet school and thriving. The standards for basics like reading, writing and math are way higher than what we had locally so she has some growth to make, but the progress that she is making because of the support and tools at her school is amazing to us. She was given the Student of the Month for Academic Excellence. She really enjoys drama and dance class. She has top marks in all the arts classes. She is doing great and loves her school. She still loves animals and really enjoyed going to see Jack Hannah. She really wants a dog of her own. We went to the zoo for a boy scout requirement for Victor and spent much of our time trying to keep her from climbing into the enclosures. She also loves the beach and swimming. She is still attending her weekly gymnastic classes. Some of the things she is advancing to in gym makes her mom wuzzy but she loves it. It was very amusing to us when she came home from school last year and informed us that what ever they called it "that was not gym class". Almost as amusing, is the fact that the girl who sings all the time and even learned how to play the piano this fall, (the shower is a real favorite stage), came home with comments about having a hard time in music class last year. When asked about it she looked us bold faced and said "but it's boring", and after 4 years of school concerts we couldn't disagree with her. Now she comes home from school excited to show what she learned in drama or the latest routine she learned in dance class. She has made a lot of friends and loves school like we hoped she would. We adore her spunk and she says some of the craziest things that leaves us laughing for days. She is a snuggle bug and has a hug for everyone.

We are truly thankful for the two amazing spirits that Heavenly Father has blessed us with. They are our top priority in life. We are very proud to be their parents. They are great kids.

We are thankful for our good friends and wonderful family that supports us. We are thankful for their help and kind words when we need a lift. It has meant that the world to us this past year. Life is full of trials and ups and downs. We are very thankful for our blessings and try hard to learn what is needed for us. We have many things we are hoping for this year. One of them is that all our friends and family will have wonderful year!!

100

2010-07-09T23:10:00.003-04:00

So tonight at dinner I have no idea what sparked it but Rowan started counting. When she got to 20 I told good job but she wasn't done. As only she could do it she counted all the way to 100. We can't help but laugh at her sometimes. So I asked her if she could do it again for the camera and she was more than happy to give it a try. She didn't do it perfect this time, I guess she will have to learn to get over her stage fright this year!! So here it is...

Catch UP!

2010-06-27T15:31:00.005-04:00

Well we didn't fall off the side of the globe. We are still here! We have just been way busy and off having adventures. It has been a very long year. I can't believe how fast the year flew by. It seems like the older the kids get the faster the days go by. Now it seems our life is changing again. The kids have both been accepted to magnet schools that are a good distance from home and our daily routine will now include a chunk of travel time for mom and the kids. We are very happy and excited for them and this opportunity for them. We have truly been blessed with these two wonderful and gifted kids.

Wooops You Caught Me Napping!

2010-06-27T13:35:00.007-04:00

I have often found that my kids are so peaceful to watch when they are sleeping!! Now if we could bottle that for the waking hours. It has been a crazy year and I have been asleep at the wheel. Sorry for not keeping up but I hope to do better.

Week 2

2009-07-14T18:03:00.014-04:00

Well this week started on a good note. It was our 13th Wedding Anniversary and if you know what this is a picture of then you know how we spent the day.

Yup you guessed it! It is the Red Seat in the bleachers at my favorite place!

After dropping of the kids with Grandma and a trip on the green line T we headed to the park to take tour. It was a pretty good one, our guide was really all about the history of the park and the updates that have been made and when. They only have a year or so to make any changes before they apply for historical status.

This is Kel's best effort at a Fenway smile to try and make me think he was having as much fun as I was!!!

This how ever is his happy face!! His only part of the day was a mile plus walk to eat at this fab Japanese restaurant on Beacon St. Kel loves sushi and this was some good sushi! It was wonderful meal in a wonderful atmosphere. We will be back!!

Then it was back to the park for batting practice!! That's TEK!!!

Then it was game time and I got to live a dream!! I got to see Nomar play at Fenway. Yes I know that he is in the wrong uniform but as one of my Favorite Players I didn't care and it didn't seem to matter to many of the fans as he got a 3 minute standing ovation at his first at bat!!

Tuesday was bore and we didn't do much. But on Wednesday we headed to the black top at Victor and Rowan's school to play some marbles for some Boy Scout achievements!

On Thursday we had some things to do and one of those was a trip to one of the kids favorite places. Cabela's!! We needed new Marshmallow and hot dog roasters!!

The weather around here hasn't felt to much like summer!! When I went out to the grill to cook dinner the other night it was sunny and nice but this was the sky not even 5 minutes later!!

Needless to say the rain came!! AGAIN!! While we are on the subject of the grill here is a picture of our newest friend.

The kids call it Sasha Grill and we have to check the side burner every time we cook!! Silly frog we don't want no legs for dinner!!

The best part of the week however was the weekend!! We went on our second annual camping trip up to Vermont with a bunch of families from our ward. We stayed at a Church owned camp grounds called Camp Joseph, because it is right next to the Joseph Smith Birth Place Memorial. We had a pretty good time despite being so tired!!

Rowan climbed a tree!

Then the kids posed so nice for pictures at the Birth Place of Joseph Smith!!

Then Elder and Sister Mitchell gave us a wonderful, spirit filled tour of the grounds and museum. It was the best tour we have ever had there. I was very cool to hear Victor tell about the First Vision and read some of the quotes to the group. We were VERY proud of him.

After such a wonderful experience it was off to some worldly fun!!

Ben & Jerry's and ICE CREAM. We took the tour, ate so yummy ice cream and of course made some spin art!!

Well the last stop was the trip to the cheese shop. Cabot's Annex Store is always fun. The kids were asking to take home some of the popcorn cheese before we even got there. We hope that it will last longer this year (as we got 2 containers). Of course there was the laps around the cheese sample table for Kel and Rowan!! But the kids got out of the car and couldn't wait to stick their heads in the cow but to changed it up from last year they wanted to pretend to milk each other!!

Well that was our fun week!!

SUMMER Vacation Week 1

2009-07-08T18:23:00.007-04:00

I know that I am behind and have like 5 posts I have started and need to finish but I hope that if I get started and keep up I will finish those soon. Well after a very long school year and getting through my little sister's wedding just as school got out we have finally begun our relaxing phase of summer!! This will be the shortest Summer ever I know because when school starts BOTH of the kids will be in school full time. So I hope to make the most of our time together!!!

This was our week to relax!! & this is what we did!!

Monday we went to the park and had ice cream with friends!!

Tuesday we were a little overtired but we made it to our Pack Meeting where Victor led the Flag Ceremony. He also received his Wolf Progress Badge with two beads and four Belt Loops, they were for Baseball, Soccer, Computers and Collecting.

Our Ward has tried to arrange fun outings called Wet Wednesdays and if it ever stops raining we may get to go and splash around some where fun with our friends!!! So to get out of the clouds we went to the local kids play Museum. We met up with some of our friends and had a good time playing make believe!!

Thursday Daddy took the kids out so mom could relax and clean up a little bit. Friday was another rainy day that we just hung out around the house reading and playing games. But Saturday was the 4th and we got to go over to the Seal's house with a bunch of our friends from the ward and had a cookout and fire works. Rowan wasn't very impressed with the fire works since mom forgot her ear muffs but we still had a good time!!

Well we had a very fun week and we hope you did too!!

Patriots Day Per Request!

2009-04-28T21:40:00.010-04:00

So I have not been a shine happy person lately. In an effort to cheer me up my hubby (AWESOME man that he is) bought me one of my brothers extra tickets to the Patriots Day Game at Fenway. Did I mention that they were just above the dugout!!

This was the view from my seat in Loge Box #116. My brother also had a ticket that one of my Sox as crazy Best Buddies could also buy so I called her up and Fan that she is was in!!! Did I mention she works 3rd shift and was in the middle of her week!! WE HAD A BLAST!! It was chilly but the 12 - 1 win made it well worth it!!

The Monsta looks naked without the Coke bottles!!

Wally

Warming up before the game!!

The Flag on the Monsta is an Amazing Site!!

Warming up!!

The Team takes the field!!

Batter-up!

Tek taking his spot.

Bay with Mikey on deck.

Lowell

Here Comes My Man!!!

Chowda Dude!! The Chowda was great, actually really enjoyed holding it just to warm my hands!

Green may not look like the brightest but I really didn't miss Lugo!!!

Captain at work

Jacoby at bat, Pedroia on deck

Pedroia at bat,Papi on deck

Youk's potty dance stance!!

Okay this kid is a Giant!! CAN YOU BELIEVE HE DRIVES A MINI COOP?

Tek on deck, DID I mention that he hit a HR for me?!? He did his first at-bat!!

Pedroia and YOuuuuuuuK!!

Listen my Hubby is just relieved that I can come from Boston with out any stalking charges filed!!!!

The greats!

FORGET Disney World this is my HAPPIEST Place!!!!

Man I Can't wait for July!!!! We are going for our 13th Anniversary!!! Tour THE Park, Sushi on Beacon ST, batting practice from the top of the Monsta and the Red Sox vs Angles game to cap the day!!! DID I MENTION THAT I LOVE MY AWESOME HUBBY!!!!

Easter to Remember.

2009-04-12T20:57:00.004-04:00

Well I hope that everyone a wonderful Easter. With Daddy on this weekend we didn't make elaborate plans. I convinced my mom that some hamburgers and dogs were a great idea since I don't like ham and I feel bad when Kelton misses out. It was a nice time. Then we went outside so Jared could show me some drill to do with my little league team (yup I am coaching Victor's baseball team but that is another post all together). Well it just took one throw from my bro to my son to end that. You can see the results on Victor's face. Given the many trips we have had to the ER for my bro I can at least be relieved that there is just a small bruise and there was no blood or stitches or head injury or broken bones. A few tears, an upset grandma and no more desire to practice today. It is the first time since the first practice last Wednesday that I didn't have a glove and helmet toting son. Hope he is ready for tomorrow nights practice!!

Hanging Out!

2009-03-09T10:23:00.003-04:00

So what do you do when Dad needs to sleep and your sick of being stuck in the house? Well we a museum pass for Christmas and put it to use. Here are the kids at a small local museum having fun.

New Camera at the ZOO

2009-03-09T10:00:00.004-04:00

For Christmas my parents got us a new Camera. Our other digital was on it's last legs and with the number of pictures I take how do you live with out one. It is a Nikon Coolpix and while I am still trying to learn out how to use it I did enjoy playing with it for the first time at the Zoo. So here are some of my cool pics.

Trip to Virginia

2009-01-09T21:42:00.006-05:00

The day after Christmas we left for a week long visit to see Kel's folks down in Virgina. It had been a very long time since I had been down and it had been a few years for Kel and the kids. Thankfully we had pretty nice weather while we were there. The highlight of the trip was the trip to the zoo. We had a beautiful day and it was a really nice zoo. The funny part about it is that I have always told the kids when they are not behaving as well as I would like that I am going to send them to live with the monkeys in the zoo. Well we found "The Monkey Zoo" that they will now be threatened with. There were cages and en closers just full of any type of monkey you could think of at this zoo. I laughed all the way through. The neatest thing was feeding the Giraffes by hand and all the different areas to feed and pet animals. My little zoologist just had a great time and even Vic who wasn't touching anything seemed to have a good time. SO here are some pic's from our trip.

Left me in Stitches!!

2008-12-22T16:16:00.004-05:00

So the other night I was working on sewing patches on Victor's Cub Scout Shirt when he came over to inspect my work. "Mom" he asked, "do boys have to learn how to sew?" I told him yes, that while he didn't need to learn to sew just yet, he would have to learn to sew someday. Why? Well what if when he is on his mission he needs to fix a button or a small rip in his shirt or suit? What was my son's answer to such a problem as this? "Can't I just have my companion do it?" When I was done laughing and gained my composure I said no that wasn't how it worked. "What if his companion had the same idea and neither of them learned how to sew?" I think my laughing had done him in and the conversation was over. However the Missionaries just happened to be coming over the next night and after I asked their opinion of the situation they both shared with him their own sewing needs. I hope that he now understands the importance of learning to be prepared to meet his own needs.

O Christmas Tree!!

2008-12-17T12:47:00.003-05:00

Well for better or worse the tree is finally up. The late Thanksgiving really seems to have zapped me. If you go back to the summer it has just been one thing after another to get ready for and no recovery time to relax. But like I mentioned the girl has really discovered events this year. First Victor's birthday and baptism had her on a two month quest to reach her day explaining the four year wait till her baptism is another story. Then Halloween a week before her birthday was fun. Now it is Christmas. She was a big helper to dad as he set up the tree and me as I did the lights. Those two experiences lead me to decide that it wouldn't be in my best interest to put up all my ornaments. So I put up a few of of the special ones that shouldn't break, then divided the kid ones I felt that were relatively unbreakable. The pay off has been that Rowan has been free to rearrange the tree at will. Which she has done. Victor being more like me was always very good at hanging the the decorations to mom's rules, Rowan however like everything else in her life goes to the beat of her own drum.
Rowan bringing the next branch to her dad so she can make sure he's doing it right.Rowan making sure she was finding all the right branches.Rowan working hard on her ornaments (she didn't wait for Victor so I had to make two piles so each child would get a fair turn).Victor the old pro tried his best to fill holes and the tree. Little did he know every ornament would be moved multiple times.The funnest part of decorating was the night that Rowan decided the stockings were foot wear and put all four of them on. That's Right TWO on each foot!!!

It a Frame of Mine!!

2008-12-17T12:15:00.005-05:00

So as best as I can recall for almost two years I have had a huge collage frame hanging at the bottom of my stairs without any pictures in it. Well finally I not only started it but it is full and rehung and I even got up a picture I took of the Boston Temple as well as a poster of the kids I made at Snapfish. Most of my family and friends know that I love to take pictures and scrapbook. However most don't know that on of my desires is to have a house that has a staircase where I can hang tons of pictures like you see in the movies all the way upstairs. No there wasn't any such wall in my house as a kid, actually there were only a few pictures of us hung at home and they were usually in my mom and dad's room. I have always tried to have photos up but a real huge collection that is in a frequented area is just so, I just love it and I want one. It is one of the reasons I was glad when we moved here because of the stairs. I laughed with Kel the other day I will probably finish the wall just in time to pack it since he can't do his 180 mile commute forever. I would have more done but I listened to Kel when I placed the order so I didn't get the true 4x6 and I have three more that take 10 4x6's each along with 4 5x7 and I had to get an 11x14 for the poster and now I need two more 11x14's for the school collection mattes that Kel got me for Christmas. Yes, I know what he got me and I even started to fill them when he wasn't looking. So here is the scene:

Now of course I have taken many long looks to admire my work but I keep catching Kel and the kids doing the same thing. Victor is always asking where I got this or that picture he had never seen. Rowan loves to find her baby pictures and say "Look there is me as baby Rowan!"

Board Games Anyone!!!!

2008-12-16T21:48:00.005-05:00

Most of our friends know that we are big gamers. The kids have always had their own set of games that they could play but we have tried to keep most of the nicer ones out of their reach, Rowan has a bit of a reputation to ruin them. However she has been getting a lot better about that. Actually it was her desire to play the same game everyday for two weeks straight that started the new board game fest that has been going on around here. The game was Guess Who Disney edition. Now she isn't great at playing it correctly because well thinking of questions to ask to narrow it down is a little hard. Astonishingly though she did manage to memorize where everyone is locate on each game board. Her father actually tried to switch the placement of one the characters and she spotted right off and made him fix it.

The really funny thing was that I have started to teach Victor how to play some of the grown up games. We have played game he knew like Checkers, Uno and Jenga, but then started some new ones like Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly and Life. It was really cute the night that we played Monopoly. Daddy was at work so Rowan was only really allowed to watch. She really wanted to play with us so we let her choose a token and occasionally roll the dice. She really wanted $40, but she was so cute she would roll the dice then move in any direction she wanted. Every so often she would move to the Electric Company and go "Look I have an idea!" This would crack us up. She would change her token and willingly go to jail every once in a while. Poor Victor after two days he gave up on Monopoly even though he was doing well, but he won Life. This week has been Candyland or Canny Lane as Rowan calls it. Getting her to not cheat is an issue but she has been pretty good.

Rowan turns 4!!

2008-12-16T20:45:00.003-05:00

Well the baby isn't so much a baby any more. This November she turned 4. What a difference a year makes. To think that last year she barely talked and was still such a baby in many ways. She has grown a lot and has come close to catching up to where she should be. I requested a PPT but they didn't find anything but did confirm that she still has some sensory issues we need to help her with. The ear tubes however has made a huge change in her. We have to be careful that there isn't anything to loud around her and she has ear muffs that we bring to public events. However she talks a lot more and while she is still wary in some situations she is more vocal when she feels comfortable. It has been awesome to see her bloom. She really enjoyed Halloween this year, I mean who else but a little chocolate nut could find sheer joy in knocking on peoples door and have them give you candy!!

So a little about her. Her favorite color is usually pink but every so often it is purple. She loves her fairy collection. Her favorite food is strawberries, but whip topping is a very close second. She also never turns down anything chocolate. She has finally hit the stage where she gets obsessed with a movies and I am forced to watch the some movie and hear the same songs and lines over and over and over and over again. Currently it is Hercules, and honestly I am very ready to ship it back to Netflix!!! The sad part is that we own it on VHS but she doesn't get it. We have always had dvd's with Rowan so those she knows and knows how to but them in and work the player. The VCR how ever is hooked up in the play room and that whole rewind thing is just to much for her patience. Oh how the world has changed!! She still loves to do puzzles and she is improving on learning how to play games as long as she wins. She loves to call herself daddy's little girl. She amazes me at how well she can surf the web and play on the computer. She still loves her gymnastics class. She loves to ride her bike. I am very thankful that she is still a total snuggle bug. She insisted that she was going to read her own birthday cards this year, and each and every one of them said "Happy Birthday to Rowan". She loves school and her teacher Martha. She loves to draw, color and paint. She is currently very into photos. Her favorite place to go is to her grandma Paula's house.

Victor Turns 8!!!

2008-12-16T20:04:00.003-05:00

Where does the time go? My baby boy turned 8 in September and while this meant great things for him it brought a tear to my eye. We had a huge party because he was baptised on the same day. When you have that many coming from all over a two for one is always a good idea. While the new level of responsibility isn't his favorite part of his birthday I thought that an update on what he is like would be fun.
He is in third grade now. His favorite color is still green. He loves the Red Sox and his favorite player now is Dustin Pedoria. His favorite foods are still hot dogs and chips. He is now a Cub Scout and talks all the time about getting his Eagle and Silver Beaver. His best friend is still Nate and they both gave prayers at each others Baptisms, it is a friendship that I am so very grateful for each day. He still loves Legos and always carries the current catalog in his backpack. He loves Webkinz. He likes the High School Musical movies and wants to be the next Zac E. He is very sensitive and caring. His new thing is making me go over and over what his name means and who each person is or was that he was named for. I have started to teach him how to play lots of non little kid board games.

Update continued!

2008-11-05T00:05:00.004-05:00

Rowan is ready with doggies and all to go to her parents visit to school.

Finally Rowan's first day of school. No more melt downs!!

Victor turned 8!!!!!

Victor was Baptised!!!!!We had a great time as always at the Big E.I got to go to the last regular season game at Fenway against the Yankees.Nate was Baptised!!Came up with this fall into books theme for RIF and had my mom paint this awesome tree that the kids hung apples on that Afton and her sister cut out.Went on Victor's field trip tour of the town. I have been volunteering in the classroom for an hour a day when ever I can!Carved pumpkins for Halloween!!!Victor's class learned the Monster Mash song and went around the school singing it!!TRICK OR TREATING with my King and Princess!!!

Better Late Than Never!!

2008-11-04T23:10:00.008-05:00

Well sadly Kelton went back to work and the kids went back to school all together and mom got out of her mind busy. Things have started to calm down a little bit. Just in time to get ready for the holidays of course. So Here is a quick update of what We have been up to and then I hope to be able to blog more often.
Victor went back to school.Victor took part in the back to school assembly and helped read a book to the school.Finally got buds on my Zinnias and came home to them having been eaten by a grasshopper. Where are the seagulls when you need them.My Nate's mom had her baby and I got to have tea parties. It was awesome because Rowan didn't go back to school till a week after Victor and had melt downs when we would take Vic to school. Being able to tell her that Annalynn and Evan were coming over was a life saver.Victor became a Cub Scout!

Splish Splash!!

2008-09-17T15:48:00.003-04:00

The kids and I had a good time one morning. We went to a local park that we knew had a splash pad. I was picturing one from like when I was a kid the big concrete circle with a fountain in the center. Well were we delightfully surprised when we got there and found this huge area with all sorts of water sprays. Victor loved it the most and ran around for an hour straight. Rowan was too funny. At first she was very uncertain of it and spent a long time walking around trying to walk between the showers but she eventually got into the spirit of things. Unfortunately it started to rain on us so we had to have our picnic lunch on the living room floor.

Class Act!

2008-09-17T15:34:00.003-04:00

Well I have to say that we are really happy with Kel finding a new job. The commute is long and aggravating but I have to say that any company that would send a gift basket to you the Saturday before you start to welcome is pretty cool with us.

Best $3 I ever spent!!

2008-09-17T15:22:00.003-04:00

So the kids and I went shopping one day to Wal-Mart. I had been looking for flip flops for Ro but hadn't had any luck. Well we were just about done when Ro announced the need to find the ladies room which is right near the shoe department. I don't know where they came from because I had looked there before but they had an entire aisle of clearance summer shoes. Well not only did they have flip flops for her but they are Disney Princess Shoes!!!! They were a little big but the point that sold them was what Ro calls them. They are her "Slip Slops"!!! Too cute!

Back Yard Play Spot

2008-08-27T15:13:00.003-04:00

As soon as the weather got good this year we decided that it would be a good idea with the price of gas if we arranged a place for the kids to play in the back yard. We laid down some weed guard and got the kids sandbox and pool from my mom's house, then crafty mommy made a chalkboard to hang on the side of the deck. Well it has been a hit!! Rowan has spent many many hours out there which allowed mommy to get things done. We had our friends the Corless two kids for a play date so there mom could pack in peace. Then there was the week were the Seal kids came to wait for their new sister. Annalynn even said that the sand box was the best part of coming to our house. Victor in the pool with Colin and Layla
Rowan and Colin in the sand box!!
Rowan the model!
Fun with the Corless's in the pool.

Evan Loved the little climber and he was really good at it.

The five buddies playing!

One evening Rowan wanted to go out and play so bad she put one of her swim suits on over her clothes!!!

Horsing Around!

2008-08-21T21:23:00.003-04:00

Don't Panic I know that these are not all my kids!!!! Auntie Afton wasn't feeling well the other day and we were watching our second favorite sibling crew the Seal's. It was also the night that Afton's library was having free pony rides so off we went with the 5 kids to get turns. Nathan LOVES horses but it was Rowan who was in tears when we left. She would have kept going through the line if we let her. Even little man Evan was into it. He was so cute while he waited his turn he gave me the blow by blow. Annalynn o horse. Ro o horse. Which in 1 year old is the cutest. Victor was there but he does not like riding horses so there was no cute pic of him in a riding helmet to share with you all sorry.

Nate the Great!!
Rowan kept asking "I am going to ride the horse?"
Little Man! Evan didn't even fuss a bit with the helmet while he waited.
Annalynn is the best picture poser!! I love the curls!!! She wishes sometimes that she had straight hair like Ro, but I wish Rowan had those curls sometimes too!
A natural in the Saddle. This girl loves animals. Maybe when we move if I can't find a gymnastics program for her we will look in to horse back riding.

Basball Loving Family

2008-08-21T21:02:00.004-04:00

While we have been going to games at the local Double A ball park it was this past spring that my Aunt Lori and Uncle Joel came to the game we sold tickets for from a school fundraiser. They fell in love with the park and so we got tickets for games once a month. The AA team for the Red Sox was a must this month and a good time was had by all. They may want to warn Internet buyers where the PA speakers are though. I picked out seats for the games that were right under the speaker. It is a good thing we got Rowan ear muffs for the fire works at the games because as you can see, she got a lot of use out of them. Why do we even bother to buy her a seat when she is usually on some ones lap? Love up Lori!!!

One of the best parts of going to games on Friday nights is the free fireworks display afterwards. Of course with all the rain we ended up at a double header and the kids were really tired but they give one of the best displays I have ever seen and they are always different!!!
Rowan not only made friends with the little girl in front of us she seems to have found an admirer in the local mascot!!!

I Have Seen That Face Before

2008-08-07T16:21:00.003-04:00

Since their birth my kids, like all kids, have been compared to all their relatives that have come before them. We agree in house that Victor looks like me and Rowan looks like her dad. However there are some cross over traits. Vic has Kel's ears and Ro makes my faces. Then there are the Grandparent traits like Rowan's forehead has grandma Paula's V. Now I have also had the mind blanks like calling Victor Jared or Rowan Fred. We both play the their you kid game when they do crazy things like have to pick of all the wrapping paper and tape on a gift they are my OCD child. When they have an unreasonable temper flare they are their fathers. Then the other day I took this picture of Rowan that stopped me in my tracks. I assure you that it is a photo of Rowan but if I didn't know any better I would swear that it was my sister Sarah. What do you think mom?

Aunt Beeee-e's Bash

2008-07-28T13:54:00.004-04:00

Happy 65th Birthday Aunt BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

After church we drove down to Aunt Lizie's house to help celebrate Aunt Beee-e's 65th Birthday. It is always nice to get to spend time getting to know my new found family. The kids seem to enjoy it even though they are the only kids around. I think it is all the attention and praise about how cute they are and how well behaved they are and how they get all they want that really gets them. I hope that Aunt Bee enjoyed the party as much as we did!!! Balloon Fun with the Birthday Girl!!

Hanging with Anut Gerry and Auntie Liz!!!

Camp Joseph

2008-07-28T12:58:00.009-04:00

We had the opportunity to go with some of the families in our ward up to Sharon, VT to go camping. The Church owns 400 acres there around the birth place of the Prophet Joseph. It is a beautiful place and we had a good time!! With Victor's baptism fast approaching I tried to instill some appreciation for where we were and for all that he has because of the faith and strength of the Prophet. My son is a little to much like his father to know whether or not it worked. We were the first ones to arrive in Friday and set up our tent and unpacked and then made the adventure of finding a grocery store. Note to all readers don't Google grocery store in VT. I refused to even get out and check the store that I had found directions to. My highly amused hubby dragged his laughing self in and came back with directions to a Shaws. MY HERO! Saturday we went a little further north and went to Ben and Jerry's, then the Cabot store, and to Cold Creek Mill. We had a BALL! The kids were great. On Sunday the ward there doesn't start till 10am so after we got dressed and ate we headed up to the Monument and drove in the woods to see the foundations of the older homes. Victor wanted to know where the rest of the houses were, because the foundations were so small. We had to tell him that they only slept and ate there because they had a farm to run. No room to play with a Wii we assured him. Over all we had a really good time and can't wait to go again.
Happy campers after stopping for a delicious Lunch!

Victor after giving mom moral support to mom as she started the camp fire. And Rowan tired from travel got in her jammies early the first night.

YES!! Our version of MECCA, the place where they make our favorite ice cream!!

And two very happy kids after free ice cream!!

What do Crazy Parents do? Buy ice cream cones after free samples!!!

Pretending to be our hero's!!

We had a hard time getting Rowan to leave Ben and Jerry's but thankfully Cheese is even more popular with her (she is her Daddy's girl)! This cut out cow stopped the tears and the kids couldn't wait to pretend to be cows and have their pictures taken to show Grandma!!

Not a real surprise that their was yet another cow at the cider shop. They agreed to this only after they were promised to have pics of themselves alone with the cow! I prefered the apple cut outs and Vic had me take his picture from each apple that opened before he would let his sister in on one!

We wish our ward didn't start till 10!! It gave us a chance to sit around the monument and talk about the Prophet before sacrament meeting. We also drove around the trails and checked out the foundations for the Soloman Mack and Daniel G. Mack homes.

Park Play Dates

2008-07-10T22:05:00.004-04:00

So our ward is trying something new this summer!! We are going to have weekly play dates at a kid friendly spots! This week was the first one and it was a hit with my kids. There is a local man made pond with a small beach area, a playground and picnic tables. It didn't open till noon so it was lunch time when we got there. There was only one other family there when we got there and we tried to sit and have lunch. Vic is always agreeable at meal time it is of course my little bird that wanted into the water with all her might. Every time I looked over she had another piece of clothing off. First her shoes, then her shirt, and then her shorts till she was sitting there in just her swimsuit!!! When we finally got to the water she was even more of a determined mind!! I told her since she can't swim and shouldn't get water in her ears she needed to stay where she could sit with her head above water. I can't begin to count the number of times I had to call her name and get her to come in closer!! Vic is really improving with his water skills and over coming the fear of sinking. I was really proud of him but I was almost tempted to tell him he needed to stay in closer so his sister wouldn't try to follow him but that would not of been fair and really hard since a new family to the ward with 4 other boys came and they were all swimming out farther. It was really a nice day. Next week the date is at the beach!! I bet that will be a long day for mom!!! I choose the week after and I think we will take a break from the water so mom can save her voice!!

Happy Anniversary to MY Best Friend

2008-07-06T15:20:00.007-04:00

Victor and Daddy 2000

Rowan and Daddy 2004

Fourteen years ago I met someone who changed my life. We became friends and he shared the Gospel with me. Truth be told I fell in love with him at first sight. I know it is a corny line and I know I didn't believe it was possible till it happened to me, he wasn't even my type! Twelve years ago today we were married and Eight years ago today we were sealed in the D.C. Temple for time and all eternity. We have been blessed with two GREAT kids and suffered our fair share of trials. It hasn't always been easy. The last year hasn't been without some hard times but I think that it has by far been the best. We have had our faith and strength tested but in the end we are Happier and stronger than ever. I take great comfort in the fact that I can wake my hubby at 3a.m. to seek his priesthood council for things that are bothering me. I love all that we have in common and all that we share. It is nice to know that we both think the best days are the ones we spend as a family. His unwavering support and encouragement makes all trials bearable and anything possible. I hope he knows how much I Love Him!!! I LOVE YOU KELTON!! Happy 12th Anniversary! (I know you hate pictures of yourself but I love pictures of you!)

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

2008-07-05T19:43:00.002-04:00

We would like to wish all of our family and friends a very safe and happy holiday weekend. We were able to have a great time on Friday despite the weather. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a great cookout. The kids love going there and seeing everyone. I can't remember the last holiday that we spent there with both of my Sib's home. It was a good day we hung on the porch and Vic brought me game updates while Row roamed the back yard. She loves the swings and got her brother and Grandpa to push her "higher" I also got a lot of cute footage of her swinging on her tummy then backing up and running at the swing again and again. I tried very hard to get a picture of the dogs and the kids all looking at the camera at the same time but I have trouble with just the two kids so add the dogs and it just increases the odds out of my favor. Rowan did however have fun chasing and playing with them. It was the fourth so of course there was a water fight which I am still drying out from. The sky may have been overcast but the spirit of the day wasn't. Hope everyone else had a great day as well!

Happy Happy Birthday Grandma Pammy!!

2008-06-29T12:54:00.004-04:00

We wanted to take time to day to wish our Grandma Pammy a very very Happy Birthday!! We miss you and love you!

Hope this brightens your day!

Cabela's

2008-06-28T20:16:00.005-04:00

Today we decided to take a family trip. We went to Cabela's in East Hartford to get our anniversary gift to each other. A dutch oven, pretty romantic huh? Well two kids and 12 years what so you want?!? We are going camping for the first time in our married life, so this was a practical gift!The kids were good and enjoyed the mountain of stuffed animals and the aquarium that runs through the mountain. Kel and I had gone about a month ago to look at tents so we knew that the kids would probably think it was cool. When we were there before we saw all these kids running around with pop guns. I enjoyed them but the kids really had a blast. I did convince them that when we were in the cafeteria style restaurant that it was a bad idea to pop them and annoy everyone. Lunch was good Kel and I had Bison burgers which we liked and the kids had Trail dogs. They tasted like summer sausage but I don't think I want to know what they were made out of!! We shared fries and onion rings which were both pretty good but the best was that they of course had PEPSI!!!! Then we picked out an oven while the kids tried out all the tents and beds they have out. The kids thought it was like the greatest treat to try each and everyone out over and over again like they were play houses. The next stop was the laser shooting gallery where you shot at little sensor and things popped and lights turned on and fell over. We saw all the displays and check out the kids stuff. Rowan LOVED the stuffed animals. At one point she had one of each horse in her arms and looked like she was going to fall over. They were almost bigger than her!!! She did find a large Golden Retriever that she managed to get in the cart but didn't notice when daddy left it camping!! I know what she will be getting for her birthday!! All in all we had a lot of fun and good laughs. I do have to admit that we did cave and got each one a pop gun! MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED FOR ASPIRIN ON THE WAY HOME!!

Potty Cake

2008-06-28T19:50:00.003-04:00

On Friday afternoon we were having an impromptu gospel lesson about the Plan of Salvation with our kids when to our surprise Rowan got up and used the potty all by herself. We were so overjoyed at this that I told her we could make anything that she wanted for a treat as this was way bigger than an M&M moment. I thought she would want brownies but she wanted a cake!

Before I could get to the kitchen she decided to get started. She got a bowl and a spoon and a can of frosting!! Once I convinced her that this was not all that we needed we picked up the kitchen and got to work.Rowan is a good ingredient getter and all though the mixing she keep saying "Rowan Lick NOW?" No I kept telling not till it's done. Boy was she happy once it was in the oven so she could help clean up.I am not sure if Rowan or the cake got more frosting. I almost thought that I was going to have to open another container of frosting to get the cake done since she was eating it faster then I could get the cake covered.She seemed to enjoy it and I have to say it was one of the best cakes ever (Kel and Victor agree) but as usual she ate the frosting and then was off.

Not Exactly Bending it like Beckham!

2008-06-25T16:39:00.005-04:00

Well David Beckham has nothing to worry about here! I love my son but he has his fathers white bread genes. Rowan will be our athlete. She can already out dribble kids Victor's age. My little Mia Hamm! Well Saturday the 14th was our last soccer game of the season. We played all four teams combined into two and let them go at it on the bigger field. I don't know whether to be happy that the kids I coached didn't slide tackle anyone with the ball or sad that our hours of terminator didn't take and they still stood back to let the other team kick. Coaching my own team was an experience. I would like to say that after 2 seasons Victor has made great strides but nope. I think his favorite part is that all his friends play so it is hang out time for him. I tried to talk him into a week long night camp but he really isn't interested. My funny kid give him a bucket of Lego's and he can play building endless creations for hours. Give him a soccer ball or baseball and he is done in 15 min. Drill a side throw in for hours and he can't remember it two days later. Let him play a level or watch you play a level on a video game and he knows were everything is forever!!! Priorities!!!

Field Day at Victor's School

2008-06-25T16:20:00.002-04:00

The Last Friday of the school year was Field Day. It was postponed a week because of rain the week before. Being an active PTO mom I of course volunteered to help out with a station. I got the parachute station which was directly in the sun. It was a good time. Victor's Class was the third class of the day. Which means I got to see him good and early but then it was a let down not to see him again. Being in the sun was great as I am sporting quite the tan already something as a work fool I haven't done since a teen at home with a pool. Field day at Vic's school is quite an undertaking. His gym teacher is very serious about the planning and running of the day. He picks out a new theme and logo for t-shirts and every area gets a schedule of what class goes where and when and rules and ideas for things to do with your given object. This is completely different from my memories of field days. We had certain games and races we played and were split into teams and you won or lost, we got Blue ribbons or Red which proclaimed you to all who saw you as a winner or a loser. I have noticed a lot of not keeping score. I mean Victor won't even get real grades till this next year. Up till now we have gotten the S, E, V, or Below, At or Above. But I also didn't read and learn Math in Kindergarten!! I told Kel that I love helping out but would have liked to see more of Victor. I think next year I will just follow him around and not Volunteer. Kel say YEAH RIGHT!

Jenny Gymnast

2008-06-23T12:22:00.005-04:00

On the 11th We had Rowan's Gym Fest to celebrate all that she had learned this year. It had an Olympic theme and it made us a little misty eyed that our last gym fest had the same theme only it was Victor who took part. How fast kids grow!! She of course loved it. While she is not a ham for the regular camera she really loves the Video Camera!! As you can see!!

Unfortunately she has three weeks with no gym till summer classed start. It is going to be a long three weeks!!! Then it is going to be a long six weeks of 9am Wednesday Classes. Mommy doesn't like mornings!!!

Rowan's Fieldtrip

2008-06-05T21:22:00.003-04:00

Well today I spent the day with the two am classes at Rowan's Preschool. I was put in charge of just 2 because of the good turn out of parents. I had Rowan of course and her little friend Daniel. We road a BIG BUS which delighted the kids as they ride small buses to and from school with seat belts. They were rather well behaved and the place we were going is this cute place I had heard of from some of my girlfriends so I was excited. I knew one of us would have to go since adding my handful into a large area with lots of animals is just inviting trouble. We decided that there was a real possibility of her trying to ride away on a goat or trying to sneak some animal home with her. Given her speed and stealth capability we knew she needed a pro with her to keep the shenanigans at a minimum. I was very thankful that the teacher pared these two up because she said that they had been seeking each other out to play at school and thought they would enjoy the day together and as you can see from the picture they did. We went to a local place that is actually close to our Ward called BakerWoods. They have lots and lots of animals. Rowan loved it. She chased ducks and chickens and I chased her. She wasn't so sure about the cow but enjoyed petting the donkey and feeding the goats. She didn't like the turkey or holding a chick but she held a bunny and tried to clime into the turtle pen. I think the best part of the day was when the bus couldn't pull down into the drive and we had to walk in, and as we come around a corner and there all of these fowls running around and donkey in a pen, well I just watched the thrill roll over Rowan. I thought she was going to walk on air as she struggled to decide where to start. Lunch was so hard for her, to sit and see all the animals right there and be expected to sit and eat!!! I don't know how that girl has so much energy when she eats like a bird. We had a great time and took two hikes in the woods. I think we will have to go back one day this summer at least.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

2008-06-01T21:18:00.005-04:00

For the second year we have done a fundraiser at Victor's school which is selling tickets to a Friday Night Baseball Game for the local AA club. We chose a Friday because they always have a fireworks display after the game. I sold more tickets last time but we had more fun this year. Lori and Joel came and Jared came with a few of his friends. We got to seat near our friend's the Seals which made Victor and Rowan's night. The seats we just to the third base side of home plate and even thought the home team lost we had a good time. All of the school seats were together and we got to see a lot of out school and PTO friends. The Fire Works were longer and better than ever but we did learn that the ear tubes didn't help Rowan with the noise so we got her ear muffs for next time. Which we are already planning to go to in a couple of weeks. The ball park is so nice and all the seats are great. I will get my kids hooked on baseball yet!! Live games are the best.

Rowan's New Bike

2008-05-30T13:00:00.004-04:00

As many of you know potty training the girl child hasn't been easy. With her sensory issues she is getting over from her hearing problems it has been a fight for control over using the potty. I have pretty well decided that we needed to back off a little because we will never win a battle of the wills with Rowan. (OH the teenage years should be a ball!) Now we tried everything to encourage her. We went as far as to offer a dog if she would go on the potty. NO GO! However Kelton finally found something she really wanted, a two wheeler!! Yup it has been fun since the weather turned nice the kids have been riding their bikes, but Rowan was a little big for her tricycle spinning the front tire and she is too small for Victor's even though she tried. So we took her a week or two ago to size her and look around. Well she found this Princess bike at Wally World and fell in love. Dad told her if she could keep dry and do a number 2 on the potty for a whole day she could have it. Well after a lot of near misses SHE DID IT!!! Although when I asked her last night if she was ready for big girl underwear or still needed her pull up she said "still need pull ups." But she is doing good still today and we took her to get the bike. She was so funny at the store she didn't want to let go or get off so we could buy it and she sure didn't want to do the other errands. The cutest was trying to quickly eat lunch when we got home, she gave her dad the raspberry over having to wait even one more minute. I suppose the trick now will be trying to get her off of it.

Memorial Day!!

2008-05-27T20:02:00.009-04:00

I would like to start with a Heart felt Thank You to all those who have fought and given their lives so that we could be blessed with the freedom that we have. I support our troops and pray for them. So we spent the day the best way possible, as a family with others of our family enjoying the great outdoors.

We spent the day at Bigelow Hollow. We had breakfast and lunch cooked by our Uncle Joel and Aunt Lori on the grill. The kids learned how to fish. Victor actually caught one but didn't get it all the way in, it was able to get off the hook at the waters edge and made a dash for the safety. He was a natural. He was so cute when we drove into the park he announced that this was going to be the best day of his life ever. Lori and Joel had got this great spot right on the edge of the water and we had an awesome day. Rowan loved reeling in the line and the bait. I thought that boys were suppose to be the ones that handled all the gross stuff but that Rowan is either going to be a Veterinarian or a Farmer. She started the day lugging around a pail with a shiner in it that she named Buddy. After a few hours she let him free but didn't understand why he didn't come back. She got into the worms, she was carrying them around and having worm races on the table but she eventually let them go too.

The kids only got a little wet. Rowan fell in only once but Victor who is oh so graceful fell in twice. We also had a snake that kept swimming into and by our spot. Joel is the only one who got good fish, two bass but Victor and Lori each caught a pickerel. I guess I have to share my oops of the day. We knew that Lori and Joel had got Victor a real pole to learn how to fish but figured we needed something to keep Rowan busy so Kel got her a toy pole that is Sponge Bob Square Pants. It came with a Plankton weight to cast on the end. So Kel gets her all set up and she loves it. We have pancakes and sausage for breakfast and then go back to the water. Well mom decides to help Rowan out and cast her line for her. BAD IDEA it don't know how but I managed to cast it so that the line snaps and Plankton goes flying out to the middle of the water. My poor girl!! She saw her fishing pole in the car this morning and goes "Mommy.. Plankton go far away." I felt so small!!! So after I dropped her off I went and got her watermelon for lunch as a special treat. Thankfully Kelton was able to fix it to day and got a new toy hung on the end and as I am writing this she is upstairs in her room in a laundry basket with her pillow, blanket, Webkinz and her fishing pole playing.

Daddy Wins!!

2008-05-25T19:20:00.004-04:00

Well for three years I was able to be the boss but after all she is Daddy Girl!! I resisted as long as I could but Kelton brain washed Rowan that she needed a haircut. It is funny Victor is 7 and he just got use to going for hair cuts but Rowan is 3 and 1/2 and she loves to go for hair cuts. A few months a go I let Kel talk me into getting more than bangs and ends trim on Rowan and her hair was more labor intensive as I was trying to grow out her bangs. Rowan's hair is like magnetized to her face and it is hard to find barrettes that will hold it. So Kel wanted it shorter and I didn't, I mean I just got it back to ponytail length. But what can I say?Kel I can say no to but Rowan is another story. I didn't have to coach soccer this Saturday so I decided to take advantage of the holiday weekend by going early to run some errands before we had to be at the movie theater to meet Lori and Joel to see the new DR Jones movie. So I dragged myself out of bed and announced that I was going to go get my hair cut. Well no soon had I spoken the words than Rowan announced she needed her shoes on because she wanted to go get her hair cut too. It is probably my attempt do everything different that allowed her to go, I wasn't allowed to get my hair cut short till I was 8. But after a few before pictures we were off. It was kind of fun both being at the salon getting our hair cut together. I guess it was a foreshadow of all the mommy daughter spa trips we will have one day. Then we did what girls do best we went shoe shopping!!! She was so cute trying to figure peds out and trying on the same shoes as me. Even though I did get tired of calling her name I hope that she had as good a time as I did.

WOW Time Flies

2008-05-21T15:29:00.010-04:00

It seems in my world that if I put off something for a day it is a month before I get back to it. You would think that a few mountains of laundry would cure me of procrastinations. But alas it hasn't. So what have we been up to? Well we ended our vacation on a happy note at my cousin Sue's wedding where I learned two things about my kids. One they both love to dance and tore up the floor dancing the night away, and that my daughter needs a video camera as playing with the food and making them act in front of my other cousins camera kept her busy for almost an hour.

Then I tried to get the kids to skip school and took Kelton to his first ever trip to OSV. Why do I take him any where? Victor my son steadfastly refused to skip school!!! Who's Kid is HE?

Then I couldn't find Rowan one day after school between potty time and lunch time and thought it is was odd that the food cabinet was hanging open. LOW and behold there she was climbing to the snack shelf!!!

The best story is the one of my grill. I love my grill cuz I love food cooked on the grill. Well it is that time of year again and while I can get away with grilling in the rain Kel puts his foot down about snow as where we need to draw line. Personally I would grill year round so thank heavens for George Forman. So we got our gill going and that meant getting a full tank and a new grill brush and getting out our grilling tools and checking it over for replacement needs so forth. Well I got the tank. A boy job that I don't mind doing cause it is also cooking which is my job. Well on one of our outings to Wally World Kel bought a new brush but it wasn't like any we had ever had before. We always get the ones with the long handles but he got this small hand held thing. So yes I know I saw it in the carriage at the store but that was it. Well after a busy day I get home from gym class and got ready to make dinner. Now I know we had talked about how soon I would have to start the pork lion if I was going to be able to get it done with indirect cooking on the grill and I had him open the rub for it. I was on the phone with Afton and started the grill and got the roast on. I am sitting at the table when I start to smell this awful smell, I ignore it at first then look out towards the grill and flames are shooting out the side. I think shoot the pam on the foil has caught fire so I rush outside to deal with it. When I open the lid it isn't a problem with the food the new scrubber that Kel got, he put in the grill on the top shelf and it has melted to a molten dripping mess. NOW who puts it in the grill??? I say not my fault that I didn't see black on black when it didn't belong there. He says he didn't know I had put the roast on and if I knew he got it why didn't I look for it or ask him where it was! MEN

In case you missed it we also had Earth Day. My son, because of what ever they have been being taught in school, has become a tree hugger!!! He made the wonderful sign for our front door and it is suppose to say Stop Polluting Make A Difference! But he didn't want any help with it and we had to keep it there till May 1st. He brings his water bottle home every day so we can recycle it.
So that is what's up in our life as of late.

A day at OSV and I just get these Rocks and a Messed UP Face

2008-04-17T22:07:00.004-04:00

What can I say about Missy TROUBLE??? I can say that she should listen better. The last few minutes at OSV were me and 8 kids in an herb garden. There was some don't go there and stay on the paths but I made sure that I went to Rowan to tell her at her level not to climb and what does she do? Climbs on to a 4 and a half foot wall. After yelling at her I probably should have just waited but I didn't trust her to come over to me now that she knew she was in trouble. SO I sent Vic to go get her. BUT she made it off the wall and was running full tilt when they collided on the paved path. NOPE couldn't have been one of the dirt paths. Vic got a scraped knee but Rowan who always seems to fall on her face got a fat lip and scrapes from the top of her lip right up her entire nose. I know that it is because we are going to a wedding tomorrow and there will be lots of picture taking that this happened. Every time I plan to get her picture done she either hurts her face some how or ruins her dress. Yes she is my girl but she has the grace and luck of a klutz. Guess she is mine HUH. The worst part was having to meet Kel at Walmart and warn him that it was Rowan was okay before I let him see her and then having to call my mom as soon as we got home because they are spending the night on Saturday and I wanted her prepared. Poor Victor felt so bad that he kept apologizing all the way home and asking her if she forgave him and she just keep teasing him by saying NO. Later she was looking for him to tell him he was forgiven and they ended up playing nicely together for the rest of the night so I guess all is now forgiven!!

Old Sturbridge Village

2008-04-17T21:36:00.005-04:00

Thursday... And we are off to meet up with some of our friends from church. We are letting the kids run a muck in the olden days to see what havoc they can cause in the early 19Th century. I haven't been up to OSV in years. Like before Kel years. Rowan is my trooper all I have to do is ask her if she is up to an adventure and she is running around shouting "I go adventure!!!" Victor I have to convince. So I told him about the world's BEST chocolate chip cookies, so he's in, and then said a small prayer that they still made them. It was another drive and I guess the "We are there when we get there" sunk in. So not to be out done today's question is Where are we going? Oh yeah that's right I guess it is another one of those long rides and I just forgot for a minute where it was you said we were going. Then as soon as we pulled off and saw a sign it was Victor-I smell Chocolate!! Rowan-Chocolate?!? I love CHOCOLATE!!! I tried to assure them that they could not smell it but they insisted. I guess the cookies are magic too. Well I have to say it was the "Best Day Ever"(sung like the song from Sponge Bob Squarepants) True I have a sunburn but the weather was perfect and 10 kids to play together and good company to share it with, what is better. I could let the kids roam cause dad wasn't there to micro manage. It wasn't crowded and the place is beautiful. BUT most importantly they still make the cookies!! Yes and they are still GREAT.

Gym Class

2008-04-17T21:14:00.003-04:00

Wednesday.. With Rowan's gym class today we didn't venture anywhere far. With mom's allergies a mess with all the pollen we didn't even do all that I wanted to do. Victor is funny he claims that he doesn't remember gym class though he did it for a year and a half. We were hoping it would help with his coordination, it didn't. Rowan who is always dancing around and has been rocking out to the radio since before she was one I thought she would be my ballerina. NO GO! I know that a lot of it was her hearing and the teacher. Rowan who loves everyone did not love her teacher. SO after weeks of tear filled dance classes, not just her's either, mine too, I decided to try gym. Her therapist and others she consulted with wanted to see her into something because she is so flexible. Well I loved Victor's gym class and Rowan loves to climb and hang so I figured we would try this. Well I have to tell you I cried all the way home and called Kel on the cell to tell him all about it. I wanted to wash my hands of the dance class but he said no she needs to finish it I paid for it. Well I dragged him to both the following week. He had the day off and they were both on Wednesdays so we did dance in the morning. Five minuets in he leaned over and said I paid for this. YUP now you know why I have been a wreck on Wednesdays. Then we went to gym after lunch. When we left he looked at me and said Forget the dance class! Now we just do gym and it is great!!! I am so happy because they have summer sessions now so there are only a few weeks where we won't have gym. Now if I could find something for Victor to do this summer. The closest we came to agreeing on something was Rock Climbing Camp but when he said "YES but I don't want to climb high or hang off rocks outside because I don't like heights," I figured he didn't really get it.

Mystic Aquairum

2008-04-17T20:40:00.003-04:00

Tuesday and we are off again. This time it was to Mystic to see the fishes. It was a little warmer, we eventually were able to take off our sweatshirts. We went with grandma and big grandma. I survived!! Best part of the day was while I was holding Rowan up at the Sea Lions pen Victor came over and says, "Okay Rowan is done. She needs to get down now." I say "No she is fine, she is enjoying herself, she wants to see." Vic says "Mom she needs to get down, she is to far over she is going to fall in." I said " No she's not I got her, SEE." Victor proceeds to grab on to her sweatshirt and looks at me with his big eyes and says "I'm afraid that she is going to fall in, so if you're not going to get her down I am going to hold on to her." The lady next to me tapped me on the shoulder and goes that is so sweet he's worried about her. I say "I'm just surprised that he doesn't want me to throw her in." She goes no he loves her, he's worried about her. I just say YEAH. This from the boy who's teacher laugh and say the way he talks about her is so funny, I know it can't be true. OH if they only knew you can't make this stuff up. Worst part of the day when I thought I was going to have to call my husband to tell him I lost His Daughter. Yes my cute darling managed to run away from not one, not two, BUT THREE adults and an over protective brother. Houdini ain't got nothing on this girl. My mom says I use to do that too. Not what I would like her to have gotten from me. My biggest fear with her is that she has NO FEAR and likes people. She is head strong and if she has something she wants to do or somewhere she wants to go BYE SEE YA she's off.

Lunch Date

2008-04-17T20:25:00.003-04:00

YEAH it is April Vacation and we have a full week ahead of Us!! I guess I don't drag my kids around very much. I can't remember the last time I had to endure the ARE WE THERE YET? WHERE ARE WE GOING THAT IT IS TAKING FOREVER? choir in the backseat!!

Monday were off to Wallingford to have lunch with my aunts so that they could meet the kids. The kids were okay. Apparently I have just found more people to dote on my kiddos. The weather wasn't as warm as I would have liked it after such a nice weekend. There is a park there and Rowan was sure she could make it there if she could just get out the front door. Of course there were two doggies for her to love!! POOR DOGS!! Gee guess what Victor had for lunch hot dogs. Smart move on my Aunt Gerry's part, he truly is a man that can be won through his tummy. Over all it was a very good visit. I got to go home with my very own container of Aunt Gerry's Famous Potato Salad. Which I am selling to my hubby for a dollar a spoon full too.

Does it Make Me Crazy?

2008-04-17T20:00:00.003-04:00

Meet our pets. Victor's are a little pug named Egon, a little golden retriever named Goldie, a little leopard named Spotty, a schnauzer named Zee, a grey Arabian named Shadow, and a Husky named Logan. Rowan's are a bulldog named Slimmer, a Black and White Cheeky Dog named Patch, a pink poodle named Pinky Tuscadero, a pinto named Bubble, a monkey named Elliott and a pug named Dr. Jones. They are Webkinz, which you adopt on line and have a virtual world were you can play with them. For me it is just one more thing that mom has to take care of. There has been more than one night when after we have all gone to bed I have to ask my hubby if he knows whether or not all the pets have been put to bed, cuz we cant have them get sick, and off to the computer I go to check on them!!! There is nothing like having to run around the house at bed time trying to find a stray animal so that we can all get tucked in. There is usually one or two perched on the couch to see out the window watching for Victor to come home from school and I have to straighten around them because I can't touch them. There is my favorite, tripping over Rowan's gang who are in circle time in the middle of the living room floor!! Does it Make Me CRAZY? No it just makes me MOM.

Take me out to the ball game!!

2008-04-09T11:16:00.004-04:00

If you asked me I would tell you that I don't think I am a controlling mom. I mean I have rules and standards that I am trying to teach my kids but I don't force them to things just for me. I wanted Rowan to be a ballerina but dance class wasn't her bag so we go to gymnastics now. We tried gymnastics for Victor when he was little but he didn't really like it, and I did t-ball in kindergarten but now I am a soccer mom. I asked him the other day if he wanted to do a rock climbing summer camp but he said sure as long as he did have to go up high, I don't really feel he gets the idea, so that's a no. He actually likes science stuff and comic books and Star Wars and legos and board games right??? Well I hope so. He asks for them and seems happy about doing those things but why?? True they are the things we, Kelton and I enjoy, but I don't think we have forced them on him. He always made us listen to what he wanted in the car, no Barenaked Ladies for him it was kiddie music all the way!! Rowan she's my rocker!! BUT what about the Boston Red Sox? World series Champions 2007!!!! I never forced him to be a fan there right?!? Or did I? We went through our home movies a while back to label them and I kid you not everyone of Victor as a little guy he is wearing something with the Red Sox on it. His favorite saying when ever anyone mentions that NY AL team is Red Sox Rule!! Yankees Drool!! True I did dress them up and have pictures done of them in Red Sox gear. True I do have the teams schedule in my phone so that I always know when the game is on. At the last minute I got them to change Halloween costumes this year cause lets face it WE WON AGAIN!!!!!! But I didn't force them. True Victor sat with me in Olympia for an hour and a half to get WSC hats and I bought him a Pedroia shirt as a thank you but he choose it!! I would have gone for TEK. True Rowan knows TEK's picture as well as she know Dora but forced???? I know I suggested that if Victor wanted to I would get him out of school early so he could come home and watch the ring ceremony but he was the one who reminded me to write the note the day before and not to forget to get him when I dropped him off at school. BUT FORCED ? No just positively reinforced as a good idea DEFINITELY!!!

Mommy's Kitchen Fairy

2008-04-09T10:40:00.005-04:00

When each of the kids turned one we wanted to start collections for each one that really meant something. For Victor we tried to do the collectible fire trucks because of my grandpa but when we went to get one for his second birthday it tool us forever and many many places before we found them as they were discontinued from many of the stores that had always carried them before. We feel sad but he has his Hess trucks from his Uncle Jared that he gets at Christmas so at least he has that. Well for Rowan I had originally want frogs because while pregnant with her I fell in love with them, but when we went shopping we found fairies. Actually we found fairies with a Noah's Ark!! Noah's ARK!!!! Well she just had to have it and so her collection began. We did a Tinker Bell theme and we got her a fairy and my mom got her a fairy but we hadn't settled on one type and we still aren't that picky but the one she has the most of is a collection that Kelton found call Fairies in the Kitchen and boy are they her. They not only look like her but she really is a kitchen fairy. Because she couldn't hear and there for didn't talk at a young age she started just going into the fridge to get what she wanted. Now she is my constant companion in the kitchen. Whenever I go in to make something she is there with her little princess chair wanting to help. However, she only stays to help if it is something she wants. Examples.. We have been working on potty training. The other day she stayed dry so when she came home from school and was still going strong I told her that she had done such a good job that she deserved a treat. I meant the dollar store or some bubbles from Walmart but she took me literally and went into the cabinet and brought me a brownie mix and she announced that for her treat she want brownies and to make them now. So off to the kitchen we go. Well they were chunky brownies and when I left her stirring to get the pan ready I came back to find her picking out the chunks and eating them!! Which is actually better than the time she helped me make pudding for FHE and I found her stirring with one hand while she was scooping it up in the other and eating it!!!(pictures are licking the whisk from the brownies and the other is after the pudding.)

Kids say the Weirdest THINGS.

2008-03-25T19:10:00.006-04:00

Victor has got to be one of the pickiest eaters I have ever met. I do the family trick that everything is better with ketchup. Almost every meal includes that on his plate. Lately we have not been letting the kids finickiness dictate what we have for dinner. Lets face it chicken can get very boring and hot dogs are not all that healthy. Well I have been making lots of new dishes and just asking Victor to try a bite if he wants more of something else that we are having. Like tonight I made burritos but we had mac-n-cheese on the side. So for a second helping of mac-n-cheese we made him take two bites of his burrito. I wish I could understand him!! His new thing to say is "Well it tastes good, but I still don't like it." If it tastes good why doesn't he like it??? All I can say is that it is better than his old trick of making himself puke without ever having the food pass his lips. He was so cute last week, we were on our way to the library and we started to talk all about school and his friends from school because I had been there working at the book fair. We talked for a while then I asked him "who did he have a crush on?" "No one.", he says. "Why not?", I asked. "Because I haven't gone on my mission yet!! DUH!" Now if I can keep him that innocent and sweet till he is 30. The funniest thing I think he has ever said happened one day when we were in the car. I wish I could remember where we were going. Probably to run errands. Kel and I for some reason were talking about places that Victor might serve his mission. One of the last places we mentioned was England. Victor decides then to chime in from the back seat, he goes " I don't want to go to England, they speak English their and I don't." We both just looked at each other, "Okay" I say, "I'll bite. If you don't speak English what do you speak?" "I speak PEOPLE!" He said. We laughed so hard for the rest of the day and still josh him about it.
Best part of my day today was after Rowan came home we were cleaning in the living room. She went to go upstairs to put away the books she got for Easter. Well as she is going up stairs I start to fold up her princess table so we could vacuum. Man O man did she throw a fit when her dad didn't give in and set it back up. She came running to me crying. I told her to just sit on the couch while we vacuumed and then she could have her table back. So she pouts and sits down. I am doing something and Kel asks her a question and she wouldn't answer him. He asked her "are you not speaking to me now?" She says "yup!" He asks her something else and she doesn't answer. I ask her something and she looks at me and answers me. I thought Kel was going to cry!! PRICELESS!!!!! So he runs up stairs and gets her slinky and brings it down to her. Then he lets her have chocolate!! My o my she is dad's little girl that one. I can't complain cuz I am a fool for Vic.

Best Week Ever!!

2008-03-25T11:15:00.002-04:00

Well I hope that everyone had a great week!! Mine was crazy busy but awesome!! Sunday I got a new calling. I was released from YW and I am now 2nd Councilor in the Relief Society. It was hard to do to leave YW, after 5 years. I kept telling Kel that even though I knew it was right, I would have felt better with a hug from Afton or Colleen prior to the sustaining. I was proud of myself for being able to keep the secret all week from Afton. That was the hardest part of the whole thing!!! Monday and Tuesday I worked at the book fair at Victor's school!! I love being able to see him during the day!! Funny enough though I get better greetings from Nate than him. Nate smiles, waves, and jumps up and down! Victor was better this time I got a hug each time he saw me. Fast and quiet, but still a hug and he came home and told me how great it was to see me during his day. I had my first Relief Society Presidency Meeting on Tuesday. That was fun. I have a lot to learn! I am really looking forward to this new experience.
Wednesday was THE BEST DAY EVER!!! I dropped the kids off to school and then drove out to Wallingford to meet 3 of my dad's Sisters for the first time. I met my Aunt Gerry, my Aunt Beeeee-e and my Auntie Liz. We had a wonderful visit. I learned about my dad and now have two pictures of him on my TV that I stop and look at all the time. I got to know them and told them a lot about me. I see that I take after my dad's side a lot, not only in looks but in personality. HA HA I always knew it was genetics and not learned! I get misty eyed often over all of this but it is all so much like a dream like now that it is just slowly beginning to sink in.
Thursday was my first RS function. It was an awesome birthday party and I am going to love working in this new calling. Friday we let the kids stay up extra late watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. We told them to let mom and dad sleep in and not to disturb us. We forgot that the Easter Bunny comes that night. So much for sleeping in!!! Victor was in our bed at 7:30 with his basket. Look what the Easter Bunny brought!! Then he woke up his sister with the commotion and that was it for trying to sleep in!!!! HOW COULD WE FORGET?!?! TALENT!!
The rest of Saturday was good. The boys went comic book shopping and we girls stayed home and played beauty shop / dress up. Sunday was my first day in Relief Society. I had to conduct the music. Boy I have to really practice that!!! I also figured out with all the special Sundays the next time we have RS meeting on Sunday I am all alone conducting the meeting. PRAY for me!! I wasn't this nervous about my new calling before I actually got in there. It was realizing that I was not suppose to go into the YW room after Sunday School that set my world on tilt. Then we went out with the motley crew that is mom's family. I thought it was a great idea. I found the place made the reservations. I set the gathering into motion. I concede that all was not perfect. They sat us in a bad spot. It was the first time that they were doing an Easter brunch and the first seating ran long but I had some good food. Next time I think I will just keep my mouth closed and see if anyone else steps up and can do it better. Best part was the two hour nap that I got when we got home!!!
Well after being out of the house for two weeks straight I promised my hubby I would stay home most of the week. SO I will be posting a few pics and stories this week. Hope you are all well!!

Actually I am the Lucky ONE

2008-03-17T14:30:00.002-04:00

So We saw these shirts and Just had to have them. We love to read the funny shirts but most we find funny aren't really appropriate for school and stuff but when we saw a rack for St. Patrick Day and me being a sucker for all things Irish we fell in love and to have them in sizes for both of them it was a must have!! My family thinks I am crazy!! I don't know about the rest of you but in my oven is pan with cabbage, potatoes and Corned Beef!! I only make it on St. Patrick's Day but I love it!! We are Irish on Big Grandma's mothers side. If Rowan had been a boy we really wanted to name her Seamus but that was very unpopular with my family. So unpopular my mom threatened she would get a dog and name it Seamus as it is in her mind a dogs name. It didn't matter that one of the kids in Victor's preschool was named that. They hated it!! I actually brought the baby name book to the hospital because we had nothing if she was a boy. If she had been in the end we probably would have named her Brennan after Big Grandma's Family. The thing that would have made this picture complete was if I could find the hats that I got them last year for St. Patrick's day. They were Cat in the Hat but green!!! I guess it isn't so hard to figure out why Victor's favorite color is green. When we went back to school shopping this year I told Vic that he was old enough to pick out his clothes cause I didn't want any arguments in the morning. Well I have to tell you that just about all the shirts I purchased for him that day were some shade of green. When I was little I remember one St. Patrick' Day that my Grandpa picked me up from school and I was horrified that he wasn't wearing green. I asked "Grandpa where is your green it's St. Patrick's Day!!" He said "It is? Well then I should be wearing Orange because I am Danish not Irish." I think of that every St. Patrick's Day, as a matter of fact I almost but orange barrettes in Row's hair as an homage to him today. I wonder what he would have thought of my little leprechauns if he was still with us?

The Girl who didn't talk!

2008-03-14T20:51:00.002-04:00

Rowan used to not talk. I was worried and everyone told me I was being foolish!! A worry wort of a mum. Well as it turned out I was right!!!! She had hearing loss in both ears and was behind. I say had and was because in Dec. she got bilateral ear tubes and the change has been mind blowing. Now we just wish we could get her to be quiet once in a while. You know how it is you can't wait for them to say their first word then they become chatter boxes. Well we had her parent teacher conference and she is doing very good. If we could get her potty trained we would be past worring about her progress.

Well she had a play date over with Annalynn today. They had gym class at 9 then they wanted to stay together and since Auntie Afton was going to watch her for conference I left her there till after the meeting. Well when we got there we were delighted to find out she had asked to go potty and she pooped!!!! YEAH!! Now if that had been the only story!! Nope! Aparently while playing she must have got something on her head because all of the sudden Afton heard "SH** My Hair!" I say no more 'Ghostbusters'!! I don't remember all the inapprobrate language but ever since we gave them the movies for Valentines Day we have been shocked. Rowan of course LOVES them and insistes in watching them everyday. She even named her new webkin dog Slimer. That girl walks to her own drum!!!!

Mom Gets Computer Savy!

2008-03-14T12:12:00.003-04:00

Well Now I feel like a modern mommy. Here I am creating a blog and making posts. I don't know where to start. Should I start with all the recent goings on or go back and tell all my best mommy stories so you can get to know my kids. Then I could always start by telling you a little about me so that my future posts make more sense. I guess I will start with a little about me. I am the oldest of 3 kids. I have a brother, Jared who is 26, and a Sister Sarah (always w/ an H) who will be 24 in less than a month. I am Jessica 34 (note the age difference) and My Hubby is Kelton also 34. We will be married for 12yrs this July! We have two beautiful and wonderful gifts from our Heavenly Father, a son Victor James Leigh Wilson who is 7 going on 15, and a daughter Rowan Jenna Lorelai Wilson who is 3. The 4 of us are LDS (Mormon). My husband was born and raised in The Church and I am a convert for just over 12yrs officially but 13yrs from I when I heard and knew I had found what I was looking for. My son will be baptised this September when he is 8. We are very active in The Church and with our friends from Church. I will post my conversion story and testimony later but I think it is important to explain this about us as it is a huge part of who we are and how we live and what we feel is important in life. I have a mom Paula and dad Allen, they will be known as grandma and grandpa in later posts. I have my in laws Pam and Val who we call Grammy Pammy and Grampa Val. My mom's mom is Big Grandma. The other family member who will likely be a recurring person in my posts is Aunt Lori who is my mom's youngest sister, she has 2 other sisters and 2 brothers. But Lori is a cross between Second Mom and Best Friend. I guess to round out the crew you will be hearing most about I need to tell you about my best friend Afton and her Hubby Jonathan. They are the members of our Church that live closest to us and our kids are best friends. Victor and Nathan are one week apart and have been buds since they were 2. Rowan and Annalynn are 6 weeks apart and act more like sisters than friends. They also have Evan who will be 1 in a week, and I am sorry to say but Auntie Jessica wasn't ready for another so he is odd dude out. I think that is everyone who will be regulars most often. I will introduce all other guests as they appear.