What a day

From May 2013


The day started normal for a no school day. I didn't dress the kids because I had some stuff to get done. If they get dressed they are ready to go! Before lunch we got dressed and went out.
Elliott didn't have his shoes on,  I thought he was saying deck but really was saying dogs. He gave his sandals to the dogs. Of course Duke had eaten 1/2 of one before I realized this. So I went in to get them. Well Mac got out. So Duncan ran after him and jumped on his back. Mac was just walking around the tree in the front yard.  My concern was the other 4 kids running off, but they didn't! So we got  Mac back in and Duke got out. He only went to the garage. So we got him in with animal crackers! The real trick was getting Mac away from the gate so I could open it. Finally he went over by the kids and garage, I got Duke in. Elliott knows how to flip the gate open so we have to be sure to keep it locked. This was all before lunch. We went in for lunch and naps. Then back out so I could cook on the grill for supper.  Well it was  out of gas. All the kids are in the drive way playing so I run in quick put supper on pan and in oven.  Come back 20 minutes later and smoke rolling out of the oven. Well I didn't think about juice running off the meatloaf patties, shut oven off and got supper out. Back outside till smoke clears out. Coming in for supper and Elliott is climbing over the fence to be with the dogs! He will get it done by the end if summer. He has been giving us a run for our money lately. He is ornery and always trying to get away with something! In for supper, carrots, grapes, and meatloaf. Kids love meatloaf, they ate almost 2 pounds of meat plus the fruit and veggies! Working up appetites being outside so much.

Duncan hooked the bike cart up to the jeep, he was in trouble and couldn't drive the jeep. So he rode in the bike cart while Ethan drove! Then he decided to hook it up to his bike, didn't work so well. The cart just drug on the ground. I told Duncan that he was not steady enough to pull anything yet.

The little boys went for haircuts the other day, we went to Fantastic Sam's while Duncan was at school. They all did very well, climbed right up in the chair and let her use the clippers with no problems.

What  a day.

 

May 3, 2013

It is the first time I can remember having snow in May!! We had a few inches, but it was gone on the next day! Duncan had school, they did not get to play outside because it was a very wet snow.

Nap time

Well naps were a failure today (Monday).  2 hours and 6 diapers later with
me dressing the boys 3 times. I let them up.  Owen also climbed up the window, while he was naked and the boys ripped the sheet on the mattress. Olivia stayed dressed today.

 

Well today, (Tuesday), Elliott and Ethan didn't want to stay dressed. I decided to put underwear on them, Elliott did not like the feeling of poop in his pants. Maybe he will keep his diaper on. They are not ready to be potty trained yet, man I wish they would stay dressed.

 

Easter 2013

The Easter Bunny came and he even hid eggs for a hunt. I didn't even have time to take pictures. He left everyone a shovel and bucket. Also some bubbles for everyone and of course candy, but not to much!
We had a good Easter. We went to church as a family. The kids are doing better at mass. Abby rook a family picture after mass, that is always interesting. Duncan doesn't like to do this.
When we got home while the babies were napping so Duncan decided he would practice riding his big boy bike. He did it, he learned in one day. He even can start himself. Mom staying away at the beginning helped!
Tracy smoked ribs and brisket for dinner. It was yummy! Everyone came to dinner. It was so nice outside, we played outside after dinner.
Sarah made my birthday cake. Raspberry chocolate ice cream cake. Very yummy!

Spring Break 2013

We ( the kids and I along with Abby and the girls) went to Wisconsin Dells again. We had a great time.
Mon: We left at 9 from home, stopped at  chiropractor, pharmacy, and then on our way. No one printed off directions so we used my phone. Worked well! Stopped at pizza ranch in Monticello for lunch, the boys loved the desert pizza. Owen ate the skin of the fried chicken. He wouldn't touch the meat. Olivia really liked the dessert pizza too, but she ate other stuff too!  We finished our trip to Wisconsin, we arrived about 5pm. got checked in, supper, hung out the rest of the night.
When we were unloading the van, Abby was inside with Owen, Ethan, Elliott and Olivia. I turned around from the van and on the sidewalk stands all but Ethan. Ethan was in the house saying oh no like he always does and Aunt was just repeating it, then she realized that 3 were missing. We got to them at the same time! This was the only mishap of the whole trip. They were just on the sidewalk between the cabin and the van.
Tues: We hung out in the cabin (cabinet as Duncan called it all the way there).  Everyone went swimming, it was cold! But no one wanted to get out, they were having fun. Everyone went down the little slide and down the big slide too! We got out of the pool when the kids lips were blue. This was the only time that the "babies" went because the water was always cold. We came back and the girls gave the kids a bath while Abby and I got supper ready.
Wed:  The kids and I went to Carr Valley Cheese Factory. Or so we thought. I put it in my phone and got directions. We didn't really know where it was, and not sure of the name either. I just knew it was about 30 miles. So off we go, we get there and it is just a store! We look around and Duncan got cheese in the shape of a tractor, green even! Back to the cabin with directions to the factory, maybe we will try again tomorrow!
Thurs: Paul Bunions for breakfast, yummy! Family style, the kids loved the donuts and pancakes. To the cheese factory, we  could only watch through window and most of it was done for the day, but it was interesting. Duncan got a wedge of cheddar cheese and I got some pepper jack cheese, yummy! Back for lunch, which was cheese and chips, popcorn and water. Oh and cottage cheese. Me, Duncan, Sarah and Hannah went to candy bingo. It was a good time and we all won some candy!
Fri: We packed up and Sarah loaded the van! She did not like the way Uncle packed it on the way there! (Really I did it, she just figured he did!) We only stopped to get sandwiches to eat in van on the way home and a few bathroom breaks.  All kids did well both ways in van. It was nice to get home.

Elliott wouldn't stay in his pack and play. So he slept with me all week. Duncan and Hannah shared a room, Duncan loved that! Elliott was up anywhere from 9:30 to 11:00 pm every night. Everyone except Owen climbed out of beds at least once. Ended up giving them books to read in bed, that helped, all but Elliott.
All ate well, they sat like big kids at the table. Aunt let them have ice tea, and all liked it, except Duncan.  He would rather have water.
Abby and I made all the food ahead of time and put in bags so it was mostly ready to go! It worked awesome.

The cabin had a washer and dryer. Also 3 bedrooms, 3 baths,one with a  jacuzzi. They delivered soaps, coffee, hot coco or whatever we needed. We had to wash towels/wash rags to use all week. We were also able to wash own clothes, it was nice. The washer/dryer, dishwasher were always going. With 10 people they were always full and going!
I am happy that Mr.Elliott got right back on his sleep schedule when we got home!

Pictures from Spring Break

 

 

Owen and Olivia after swimming 

 

 Elliott and Ethan after swimming

 

Duncan with his tractor cheese, what it looks like inside the wax 

Duncan on the slide 

Duncan eating his ledge(wedge) of cheese 

Olivia and Ethan hanging from the rail 

 All the kids

 Sara and Olivia, Owen, Elliott(hanging), Taylor, Hannah and Ethan, and Duncan

The kids loved running up there!

 

Taylor and Duncan being Lions! 

This was pretty late I believe

 

 Duncan with his tractor cheese

 

Duncan and Hannah went for their last swim of the trip 

Elliott really like hot coco, this was about 10 at night! Duncan loved it too!

Well now I know how to do this from my phone. Thank you Abby! More pictures and post to come.