Happy Easter

My Dad, the boys and I at Easter Breakfast....

Tyler's cool new sunglasses

Dylan got some awesome Monster Jam swim shorts....he LOVED them!!!

Cody was in Bakugan heaven!!! New battle gear, new volume 6 DVD, and new jammies....

All the kids lined up for the egg hunt...(well except Dylan as he took a spill in the yard and had a bummed knee...and maybe a little embarrassment going on too...but grandma got him some eggs....) Finally...we had a Easter that was nice weather. I remember last year having an egg hunt outside and the kids did it so fast cause it was freezing out. Mother nature was good to us and we had warm weather!

This Easter we were in Cuba. The Bunny didn't forget where we were and 3 little boys were so happy for that. It was fun for them to search for their baskets in a different house. Although I think the Bunny could of hid them harder. ;) Saturday morning the boys had us up and out of the house. I had a baby shower to go to and Brett and the boys stayed behind. Baby Shower was for a little girl....I loved all the pink....but only enough to want "pink" for a minute and then I quickly reminded myself how much "blue" I have at home and that's all I can handle. :) After the shower, we went to Aunt Joyce's for an egg hunt, good food, and lots of laughs. It was our first egg hunt with all of them and the boys had a lot of fun and I think the girls did a great job!

Sunday morning the boys were up and ready to find those baskets. Once they find them...which took about 2 seconds....they tore into them. That bunny is so smart and got them lots of stuff they can use this summer in Virginia. After baskets, we met my Dad at Sprague's for breakfast. I love breakfast! It was nice to visit with him. Darn hormones...they certainly got the best of me. But I'll blog about emotions some other time. We had a wonderful Easter dinner at Grandma Holden's. The boys had so much fun playing with the kids and of course more laughs.

Such a fun, fun weekend with family!

A little behind...

It seems I am a little behind in blogging. I have lots of good intentions to write and update what is new with us. Not so much for all of you that read and follow (thank you for wanting to follow) but for me to have to look back on and enjoy the memories.

I left off about parent - teacher conferences. Still so happy that the boys continue to love school. On Friday, the 13th we received some sad news. Brett's grandma Luckey passed away. She was 95 and really did live a great life. She was a very sweet lady. I remember when I joined their family that she always had a warm hand to lend out to me and always a big hug and kiss each time we saw her. She reminded me so much of my own grandmother that I still miss every day. It was probably that they were a lot a like. Lived in the same small town, were both a farmer's wife, great cooks, made those forever home made items (growing up it was my dolls and clothes and such and Grandma Luckey made my boys each a baby blanket). We last had a nice visit with her over Labor Day when this picture was taken... It now hangs on our wall and will be cherished forever. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Over this past weekend, we took the boys and Karly and Connor to the mall for their pictures with Santa. It is super early and Tanya and I felt guilty even doing it before Thanksgiving. But the time was right and we did beat the lines. So that was nice.

Apparently we didn't get the cropped version of this email to us, I assure you the printed version did come out much better. However, I do need to complain a little about the price of these pictures. For one picture it cost $9. I think that is extremely high! Then to have it emailed to you - they wanted $3 more. CRAZY! I can't imagine how much they make off the holiday season. I do however like our Santa. He looks genuine but he is a hip santa as he was sporting a nice diamond stud in his ear. I am thinking he probably should of removed that for the kids sake but I guess mine didn't see it.

Ah yes, so the Christmas holiday is upon us. I really think we should get Thanksgiving done with first. I have fought the urge to put out any decorations. I haven't even done the outside lights yet. Although I should have as we have had some nice weather. But it's not Christmas without putting lights up in the cold and snow! :) The boys have been compiling their list for Santa and let me just tell you - Santa is still clueless as to what to get. They want "everything"! I just don't feel like they have that "one thing, got to have present" this year. You visit the toy isle with them and they want one of everything. Cody is pretty easy - he wants everything and anything Bakugan. And thankfully that is a popular item this year and shouldn't be to hard to find. Dylan, he wants an air hockey table, boxing gloves (rolling eyes, um NO) and Tyler....well Tyler has come out with that he wants "a boxing ring with bunnies inside".............NO CLUE what that this or where to find it. A boxing ring OK - but seriously I have no idea why he wants that. We don't even watch wrestling! So Santa has some thinking and searching to do.

Today is Connor's 3rd Birthday. So hard to believe he is 3 already. I still remember the day that Karly called me and told me that her mommy was going to have a baby. We all couldn't believe it. After the surprise of Tyler (as he wasn't planned) we never would of thought in a million years that Connor would of come along. So glad he did! He has a great personality and is very wise for his years. I do laugh as he does keep my sister hopping! :) He has a great love for the outdoors as he gets that from his Dad. Tyler and him are best buddies! Connor will do just about anything as long as Tyler has done it or is doing it with him. If Tanya wants him to do something all she has to say is "well Tyler wears big boy underwear" and POOF so does Connor. We call them our blanket boys as they still have a love for their blue blankets. Fleece material on one side and silk on the other. We get to celebrate with him tonight and then Saturday for his party.

Hard to think that Thanksgiving is in 2 days. I am really looking forward to my mom's turkey dinner. She does make the best and I think I should not eat for the next 2 days so I can be sure to hungry for everything. So that won't really happen but it's a thought! Cody had a "bread feast" as school yesterday. The kids made hats and all sat around and sang about 10 jingles of Turkey songs. It was very cute and then we got to feast on all sorts of different types of bread. For Cody this was like heaven (all he was missing was his chips)......he is my bread boy!

Cody's class

Cody's favorite foods!

Surgery Pics

Tyler before surgery....with his new favorites! Pj's and his Moose that we'll just call "Mr. Moose" All ready to go. We've had the happy juice and gotten our cool head ware. Mr. Moose did too!

Surgery is all done. After some resting he was finally ready to eat his blue popsicle. It tasted great and he was done with it in seconds.

Random Recent Pics

Tyler and Connor on the boys first day of soccer. Unfortunately, the season ended the day it started. The coach didn't show and come to find out ended up having surgery and is out for 4-6 weeks. He thought somebody might take over the league but so far we haven't heard. The boys are very bummed but looking forward to playing Basketball next month. My Cody Man.....He loves school - he has done fantastic with his appliance. I can see progress with his teeth already. And he super happy that he has a loose tooth. Tooth Fairy will be visiting sooner than later. He already knows what he wants to buy....a new Bakugan! Ahhh...Dylan......I mean look at this face. He is such my teddy bear. One minute he is so rough and gruff and the next minute he is a big cuddle bug. He loves school too. His teacher said he is a great joy in the classroom. My Mom turned 59......doesn't she look great? I think so...she is great. We would be so lost without her. Of course as we celebrated her bday we were missing 1.....baby Jack. I only wish they were closer and our kids could grow up with him like my 3 can with Tanya's 2. Long distance sucks! My 3 little soccer men! Yah, we don't own a "soccer" tshirt. Surprisingly sirens didn't go off when I bought soccer balls and shin guards. Of course I'm kidding. We just aren't a soccer family but if it ever turns out one of them want to play - we will become one! Anything for your kids right? My little Ty Ty's first day of pre-school. Isn't he cute??? He is back with the same teacher and a lot of the same friends this year. He loves it. You can't see his backpack but he has a really cool Batman backpack. Batman is his new favorite - just wait Halloween is coming and you'll see. I also love this picture of him and Brett.

Kindergarten and Misc. Pictures

Brett and his Grandma Luckey. Bless her heart she doesn't know who many people are. Or if and when she recognizes you she remembers you from when you were much smaller. So just before this picture I was helping each boy get a piece of cake. First up was Tyler and I told her that this was Brett's youngest. She commented that he looked just like Brett. Then was Dylan's turn and she said the same thing except this time she specifically commented on Dylan's eyes and how they are just like his daddy's. Cody was last and she said he also looked like Brett and that's when I just couldn't believe her anymore. He looks nothing like him - but she did say that he has very soft and warm hands like his Dad. It was so great to see her and to get a picture like this. Not sure how much longer we will have her with us. But this picture we will be able to cherish forever! Cody on his first day of Kindergarten. He got to his class, hung up his bookbag and was off. I had to find him in the sea of parents and he showed me this section. It's right in front of the board and is their "meeting" room. Dylan picked out a great cubby and his name tag was waiting for him. He was excited to get it on, humored his mom for a picture and then was off to sit and draw at the table. Their smiles really do say it all. They were very excited to leave this morning. And at the end of the day - they had a great day!

Weekend Pictures

Dylan floating around the pool Cody's new way to plug his ears and his nose at the same time. My 3 swimming boys! The water was wonderful! Brett and Alicia laughing about something. Not sure what but it must of been funny!I love this picture. Brett, his Grandma Luckey and his Dad. Priceless is all that comes to mind!

Pictures from the Monster Truck Show

Dylan got to get his picture taken with the driver of Predator. The cool thing was that Dylan just got this monster truck from the Easter Bunny. He was so excited to see this truck there. The driver also signed his truck for him. That was a highlight for Dylan.Here is the Predator in action. Our arena is small so they only set up 4 cars to go over. No dirt either. Instead they put down on the floor a syrup that is used to make Coke. The floor was very sticky to walk on - but allowed the trucks to get traction. However, a truck during introductions put a rod through his oil pan and oil went all over. So it got slick quick! Here is Viper. A very cool truck and the driver was super nice. We got all the drivers autographs on a special flag that we bought them. Viper was awesome and put on a great show. He was a crowd favorite!! They set up "races"....this is Viper and Bombshell. Let me say something about Bombshell. She is a girl - and a blond...hence Bombshell. She was super pretty and not what you think a monster truck driver would be. She was married to the guy who was driving Public Disturbance. Oh my little Ty Ty......he RODE on the monster truck. He had said all along he wanted to. Nobody wanted to do it before the show but at intermission I offered it one more time and he wanted to. So Brett took him (he is sitting across from him) and Tyler L.O.V.E.D it! I just love this facial expression!Here are my 3 little men! These trucks were huge to them.

Parade

Today we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade. While the weather was supposed to hold off - it didn't. Surprise Surprise for Upstate NY. So we got wet....but we still had fun and the kids still got their candy. This was our first St. Patrick's day parade. I LOVED it! I absolutely LOVE the sound of the bagpipers. We have our parade so early because we get groups that come up from NYC, Philly and Scranton. And I am so glad we do because they were awesome!

One very funny moment though......Cody is very baffled why it's "only" called "St. Patrick's"........if you know where I am going with this - we watch Spongebob. Who is his right hand man - Yep, Patrick! So Cody wonders why it's not St. Spongebob!!!!????? Do you think the Catholics out there could ask for me? LOL......

Pictures & Video!!!!

Listen to the sound of this.....these guys came all the way from NYC. Awesome!

Aren't they cute?? Yes, the boys and the shirts...I found them at Children's Place and while lucky isn't spelled like we do - it never is - these are pretty close.

Then we added two more to the group. All decked out in green of course. Family photo op....we were all decked out in our green. Cody was a little mad cause by this time we had waited for a little bit and it was just starting to sprinkle. He had on his sweat shirt and I made him take it off for the picture. I know, bad mother! :)We can hear the parade and the kids are beyond ready for some candy. They didn't get as much as we thought but we were pretty far up town and people ran out quickly. Karly made the bags for them each. She wrote their name and a shamrock. She did a great job. One thing we found out though - the markers were obviously "washable"....everything smeared! Bagpipers from Westchester......each group that came through had on different kilts. I can still hear the sound. And this made Dylan's day.....he loves monster trucks. He was so excited there was a school bus monster truck. We happen to listen to this radio station every morning. It's our favorite. However later Dylan told me "it's not a real monster truck, cause there were no dings in the bus"

Snow Pictures

We don't have snow so this is the first of the season for us.
Helping Grandpa shovel......Everyone is building "something"Snow Devil Tyler....the horns are under the hat! :) Dylan standing on a tall pile of snow. Cody is Safe!

Relaxing Sunday

Well our weather did a complete 180 from yesterday. Yesterday it was almost 60 and warm. Today it was very, very cold and as I type my car is now covered in snow! I knew it had to come sooner or later. We had a very relaxing Sunday. We got to see my brother as they headed back through to MD. Sad when they left as I am not sure when we are seeing them again yet. I'm thinking a trip to MD is in our plans shortly. After they left, we all vegged out. The boys played, I did what I normally don't do and sat on the couch and watched TV. Just didn't have it in me today. I did a little bit when I had to but all in all it was a very relaxing day. Which is soooo nice! But I had to get out the camera and take a picture!!!! I think this is my new favorite!

Pictures

Tonight we took all the Grandkids to Sears for their Christmas pictures. Let me just say - "phew"...it's over! I wore a sweater and shouldn't have. I was dying. Everyone did great! Well, once Tyler got whatever crawled up his butt out. The first few pictures were um very interesting to say the least. But then the photographer got the idea to bring out the frog that falls off her head and that was all it took! Duh, I could of told you that. But we got them done and I think Gimmie and Papa will love them!!!

I really hate to "give them away" but I have to share just a few. Enjoy!!!

The group shot. This was our first photo and the one Tyler had an issue with. By this picture I had basically promised the world. Look at all of those BOYS! Poor Karly.

My very soon to be 5 year olds. Figured I might as well kill two birds with one stone! Not 5 till January though!My little 3 year old. I told him the other night he was "my baby" and he told me "no I'm not..I a little boy".......Plus I figure since he wouldn't get his school picture taken - this is it! I'll take that smile anyday!Baby Jack. It's still weird that he is here and we can hold him. He's such a little peanut and his big cousins just LOVED him! Ah...a sleeping baby is the BEST! Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks!