Christmas Blessings

Christmas turned out to be a wonderful and joyous day! We pretty much repeated last year's agenda. I was wondering how it would all turn out with Tyler not feeling the best. Poor kid...the ear pain from having his tonsils out have been terrible to say the least, making him (and his mama!) having sleepless nights. Thankfully Christmas made him feel better or at least allowed him to focus on the new toys and not the pain.

I had to wake them up this year! They both were so tuckered out, that around 8AM, I was wondering if anyone was going to awake in this house! Tyler was the first to join me downstairs and flashed a big smile when he saw all the toys, but his first question was "did Santa eat all the cookies" and he was excited that Santa did and that he left Tyler a personal note! Tyler hurried to get Cassie & dad up and we all opened gifts in record time, esp. Tyler. He could get them all opened much faster than his sister, who delicately open each gift, making sure she didn't rip the paper!

We had grandma and grandpa Bohnert over for dinner; Brian too! I'm pleased to announce that it turned out delish again! They all had to go home in time for evening chores, however Brian stayed to play with the kids. I think Tyler wore him out (gosh I wish I had my camera), I found them playing a board game and when I peeked on them, Tyler said "I won mom" and I had to chuckle because Brian was fast asleep, so no wonders Tyler won! Ha!

This year's Christmas had a lil' different tone to it. Not just because Tyler wasn't feeling his absolute best, but because my father is still in the hospital (but out of ICU!). I feel blessed that he has made great progress in the last 10 days, but still...its not the same. AND...my mother is back in the hospital with phenomena. Continue to pray for them both, please! This all makes me a lil' teary eyed, huggin' those that were around me a lil' harder and a lil' longer, and yes, it made me a lil' nicer too!

Life's too short to act any differently.

The Jersey kids enjoy gifts from Santa!

The boys check out Tyler's new TRANS FORMERS!

Some of Tyler's new favorite toys. The HULK and a JD round baler.

Cassie is exhausted after opening gifts!

Game time!

Tyler loves his new spiderman laptop (just like moms!). Gee, I wish mine had cool spelling games like spiderman does!

Cassie LOVES her princess dress-up clothes!

Even though everyday she looks like a princess!

Kids can barely keep their eyes open later in the day! "NO nap they insist," but I'm happy to report they went to bed early and slept good. So did I!

The kids left a note for Santa to thank him for what they got!

Cookie Time

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Yes, it is, with all this SNOW! So, this Jersey team is forced to stay indoors, which allows for cooking baking that the youngest member absolutely loved. Perhaps she'll be the sue-chef--she loved sampling the cookies. Tyler camped out on the sofa, but told her not to eat all the cookies because we HAVE TO SAVE SOME FOR SANTA!

Tough Tyler

Tyler had both his tonsils and anodes removed on Thursday. What a tough cookie he is. I didn't realize how difficult this would be on ME. Its not like he hasn't been under anesthesia before and when he said goodbye to me before heading off to surgery, he had a big ol' smile. I knew he wouldn't return with it. He was reported to be a great patient and really never cried. He was sick afterwards and we camped out at Trinity Hospital for most of the day. Finally they gave him some nausea medicine allowing him to keep down food.

At the home front, we've watched a lot of movies, made milkshakes and ate anything else cold or soft, per request. He is very cuddly, which warms my heart. I just wish he'd get to feelin' better...hopefully in time for Santa.

Tree Time

FINALLY we went to go get our tree. Its been a busy month and between work, kids stuff and this winter weather that just doesn't want to go away, we haven't squeezed gettin' a tree yet. Thankfully the temps warmed to 50 on Sunday and we trucked through the mud to get a tree. The pickins were slim, although the kids, esp. Tyler had fun! I'm happy to report that our tree is up, decorated and awaiting Santa!

Scott & Tyler begin the search!

Cassie finds a tree just her size!

Scott cuts our tree down. This is what its "all about!"

...and the boys haul her away!

Poor Cassie

Cassie got tubes put in both ears last week. Poor thang! Even though millions of kids get this done and its really minor surgery, it still makes you squeeze them extra long before sending them off to be put under anastasia! She did great, made friends with the nurses and comforted the younger patients. When they did take her back, she rode in a radio flyer wagon. I didn't have my camera for that, but it was cute and a great idea.

She rebounded quickly and was back to her ol' self in no time!

Birthday Man!

We celebrated Scott's birthday last Friday! He loves the fact I'm a month and a day older than him and teases me that "I'm old". Ha, now it's his turn! Sorry honey, you're getting old too. With winter weather and working outside and two energetic kids, you feel old, esp. when you get out of bed in the morning. We celebrated the bday bash at his fave restaurant, Texas Roadhouse. I wasn't thrilled, it was cold after all, and could of settled for staying indoors and eating soup, but its not everyday that you stud muffin hubby celebrates his birth, so I made reservations, picked the kids up early to beat the crowd and treated the Jersey family to a night out! Scott enjoyed a nice juicy steak and cold beer, while the kids consume more peanuts than a small elephant does! Happy Birthday Scott!

The boys enjoy some hot rolls!

While Cassie says "ye-haw!"

Sing A Christmas Song

Rewind or recap. Its been a busy month and I'm a bit behind. What's new?

Tyler had his Christmas program on December 1st. I've had member meetings, kids surgery prep and Santa is comin' to town...so lots to prepare for & not much time for bloggin'!

Tyler was a much better sport this year for the pre-school Christmas program. Last year, um, he never smiled, nor sang and I was wondering "I got off work early for this!" ha. This year he was not only singing, but singing LOUD and smiled the entire time. The program was short, hello they are four-year-olds after all, and it was too cute. Tyler was in the back row and kept making sure I was watching him and waved! Awe! Some day, he'll hide and act as if he doesn't know me!

The night ended with Santa coming to visit the classroom kids. Tyler patiently waited in line (unlike some other kids!) and then when Santa asked what him what his name was, he gave a full report, his full name, where he lived, what his dad did for a living. CUTE! Just so Santa would know where to find the good boy. He only asked for ONE TRANSFORMER for Christmas. I think he'll be in for a surprise.
xoxo!

Santa fell in love w/ the farm boy!

Cassie applauds the good music!

Serious look because "we are big kids mom!"

The Princess Bed

It's official. Cassie is no longer a baby. She moved out of her crib and into a big girl bed, which she calls her 'princess bed.' We had picked out the furniture and bedding a few months ago, it arrived the weekend before we left on our trip out west. We figured we'd deal with assembling it later. Well, Cassie decided to play escape artist last night and climbed out of her crib, so the assembly project that we had put on the back burner, suddenly became urgent!

Assembly accomplished! And, I'm happy to report going to bed in her big girl bed was smooth sailing tonight. Tomorrow could be a different story.

I'll admit, no surprise, I shed a few tears. How could I not? My lil' girl is growin' up!

Cassie reads books in her new big girl bed!

Who's hidin' in that big bed?

A sleeping beauty! Thank goodness!

Travelin' Jerseys

We headed west earlier this month destined for Oregon to spend the turkey holiday with the Davidson family. As a mother, you always expect the worst when traveling with lil' ones, so you prepare by bringing along new sticker books, coloring books n' crayons, stuffing the latest dvds and the movie player and not forgetting the all important snacks. Lets just say...that on this trip, we didn't need it. Majority of the trip, everyone slept, which made this Jersey mama very happy!

Pauls Portland Farm Trip

Once we arrived to Portland, Oregon we stayed at some friends house in Portland. We burned off the stored energy by takin' full advantage of the Paul's playground equipment. The cool Oregon air didn't stop these Jersey kids from havin' fun. They bundled up and sported grins the entire time.

Friendly and clever Dianne gave Tyler wax paper to make his trips down the slide super fast and now I doubt Tyler will ever go down any slide without it!

Later it was chore time, and although there were no cows to feed...these Jersey kids loved helpin' tend to the horses. Cassie was in heaven and said "giddy up horsey" the entire time.

We can't wait to come back the end of May for Katy's country wedding.

Portland Children's Museum

I thought it would be fun to have a day just for this Jersey family to enjoy a fun, creative play area together. It was recommended to make a stop at the Portland Children's Museum and I have to say that if you're travelin' to the northwest with small kids, this is a must-stop place! The Jersey kids could of set up camp here for a week with all the hands-on, pint-size fun that allowed them to smile the whole time.

Cassie enjoys the water station.

Tyler spends endless time at the train table.

Cassie enjoys being the bus driver!

Next up, Scott & Cassie make a clay master piece!

Cassie loves grocery shopping!

Scott plays cashier!

Tyler shops!

Tyler makes a friend with Bob the Builder!

Cassie LOVES the make-up station!

...and sports her beauty the rest of the day!

Clatskanie Bound

FINALLY we were able to venture to the northwest corner of Oregon and make a two-night stop in the big loggin' town of Clatskanie! My best girlfriend Megan and her husband Dave built their dream house and gave birth to their adorable baby girl Kelby in June...so what a great excuse to make a long overdue visit!

I'm ashamed I took hardly any photos, the camera was stored in the car the entire time. So no pictures of the baby, of the Jersey kids, of the animals...what was I thinkin'? Updated pics will have to follow at a later date.

The beautiful view!

Megs, K & Corey reunite!

Meeting the triplets

My sister Ginger gave birth to her triplet boys on Sunday, November 16th, nearly eight weeks early. What a true blessing they are and although it might sound overwhelming to most, if anyone can embrace motherhood with triplet newborns, it is Ginger and Gary.

The boys are still in intensive care, will be for another month. They are making great strides and beating all odds. Everyone is healthy and doing well. I'm so thankful that I got to meet them. They are so tiny (esp. compared to my 9 and 10-lb babies) and beautiful! Makes you really appreciate life!

Austin Patrick, 3 lbs, 12 ounces

Brandon Scott, 4 pounds, 12 ounces

Cooper Wayne, 3 lbs, 14 ounces