May and trip to Texas

Duncan finished school in the middle of May. He asked for 2 weeks if he had school today! I am glad he likes it and he will be very happy to go back in the fall.

We went to see the buffalo and we did see some. All of the kids enjoyed the trip. I didn't think about it but the air in the van wasn't working at the time and when we got home, the van was filled with dust. Well it needed a good cleaning anyway so Abby helped me ( really she did most of the cleaning, she likes to clean cars!). We spent about 5 hours cleaning it good and getting it ready for vacation.

At the end of May we went to Texas to see Joni, Wayne, and Alex. Us, Hawkins, and Mom all went in our van. We left after supper on Friday so the kids could sleep on the way. We drove all the way through to Houston, well with a few stops on the way!

On Saturday morning we were almost to Dallas. We stopped at a park and made eggs and let the kids play since we had a few more hours to go! This was a good choice, they did pretty well the rest of the way and even napped some more! We stopped at a bakery and at Buckee's (truck stop) on the way. Our stops take any where from 30 minutes to an hour it seems by the time we get everyone out and bathroom breaks and loaded back up.

We finally arrived in Houston, it seemed like forever from Dallas and that is what Joni said would happen. Within the first hour of being at their house, I broke a lamp by running into a table. Owen got into a fire ant hill and had bites all over his legs and a few on his hands. They looked nasty. Topical benadryl and ibuprofen seemed to work. It did take all week for them to look better. He still has a few spots, but much better now. Where else would you get to ride a tricycle in the house, no where except Aunt Joni's. Duncan had a blast on it and finally it ended up outside and he rode that thing all week. We thought it was going to be a fight to leave it there, he kept telling everyone Alex out grew it so he needed to take it home!

Sunday we went to church at Rose and Bill's church (neighbors of Joni's). All of the kids were very good, I was really surprised. We went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant on Sunday night.It was very good. On the way there Aunt Joni decided to show us some sights of Texas, as we were driving along here comes a police officer with lights on, coming towards our van, Tracy pulled out of the way and he followed him, so Tracy moved again and the police officer followed again. Finally Tracy said, is he pulling us over? Yep he sure was because Joni had us going the wrong way down a one way street! Thankfully there was not lots of traffic!

Monday we went to the pool in the neighborhood, that was fun. Tracy stayed at home with the little ones. Monday night we grilled out and some of Joni and Waynes friends came over. We went to Nasa on Tuesday, that was lots of fun. Lots to see, we did not go on the tour because there wasn't time. The Hawkins, Mom and Alex went they said it was very cool. The only thing Duncan wanted to do was ride the train that takes you on the tour and you have to get off at every stop. Next time we go we will do it. On the way home we went to the Chase tower, Aunt Joni's friend Tim works there and he took us clear to the top. The 75th floor is the roof. It was way cool to see Houston from the top of the building. Tracy and Hannah neither one really like heights, but they both came on the roof just didn't go to the edge. I was proud of both of them! Duncan sure didn't have any fear, he was right at the edge with who ever would hold his hand. Wednesday we went to Galveston Island. This was lots of fun too. Tracy, the kids and I went to Moody Gardens and went to the aquarium. Abby and Rodney went to the body exhibit, Taylor, Alex, Mom and Joni went to the Bishops Palace. Sarah and Hannah went to the aquarium also. The kids really liked seeing the fish and turtles! We went to the beach in the afternoon, that was lots of fun. I didn't put on my swim suit because the babies were tired and I didn't think they would really like the ocean. Boy was I wrong. We couldn't hardly get Ethan out of the water, Olivia and Owen really liked it too, and as always, once Elliott was warmed up he really enjoyed it too. Duncan had a blast and was with Uncle Rodney most of the time out jumping the waves! We had to stop at McDonald's on the way home to get the kids sandwiches because we didn't leave until 5. They were starving and I knew they would be ready for bed as soon as we got back. One thing I learned about Houston, it takes a least 30 minutes to get anywhere, and everywhere we went, it took anywhere from 1 to 2 hours! Wayne had to work everyday while we were there, that was a bummer, but we did get to visit and he really enjoyed hanging with the babies on the floor while they ate.

Joni and Wayne have a dog, Mickey. He is an inside dog. Mickey did very well with the kids around. He let them do what ever most of the time. Ethan decided to body slam him one day and Mickey let everyone know he did not like that and it scared him. That was the only time Mickey acted out towards the kids. He is a very good dog. Thursday we got up and had breakfast, then headed to Dallas for the night. It was a long trip, but the kids rested. We got to Dallas and checked in at our hotel, swam for a while. We got tacos for dinner, very yummy! Everyone went to bed early, by 10. The kids slept all night. They had been getting up by 6 or 6:30 the whole week so we didn't set an alarm. They slept until 7:45 on Friday morning! Nice dark curtains in the room. So we got up and went to breakfast, everyone ate well! Then off to the Dallas zoo. One last thing before we headed home! The zoo was fun. Duncan's favorite thing to do was feed the giraffe. That was his favorite animal too! After the zoo we went to the Ten Star diner (taco's that we had on Thursday night) for lunch and then headed out. Thankfully we only had to stop for supper and then the kids could go to sleep for the night. Rodney drove most of the way, every time we switched drivers, one of the kids would cry. Finally Rodney couldn't drive anymore so I drove for a few hours. I said I would drive the rest of the way home, but I didn't make it. Rodney had to drive from Missouri. Abby couldn't see well enough at night to drive and Tracy can't stay awake so they neither one drove! We got home about 6:30 Saturday morning. It was a good trip, lots of driving but well worth it. The only thing that would of been better is if the air would of worked right and we didn't have to keep buying freon to put in it! Oh well.

Olivia started walking on vacation! She now will walk across the room, guess she has decided it is time to walk! Owen got way more ornery on vacation. Everyone has decided to be more of a monkey, they all climb up the kitchen chairs onto the table. We have decided to put a ratchet strap around the chairs so they can't push the chairs around!

We have been to the park with the Miller's since vacation. That was lots of fun. The kids played and then a little picnic lunch. To my surprise, all of the kids sat on the blanket and ate. Elliott did decided he was going to wander around, but he did eat all of his sandwich.

The other day Owen was being ornery to his dad, and Tracy called him a shithead. Duncan immediately looked up at Tracy and said, "Your a shithead Dad!" All Tracy could do was laugh! Guess we need to be more careful what we say. Duncan has called the TV, Damn TV (thanks aunt Abby), and has said shit over and over, thanks to me. Guess we will learn someday.

Mother's Day

Well here it is Mother's Day!! What a wonderful day we had. Started out with church followed by a potluck picnic at Easter Lake. We rented a shelter with a fence and a playground. The Hawkins brought their canoes. All of the kids were out in the canoe at one time. Ethan loved running his hand in the water while he was out. Owen just sat on Taylor's lap and enjoyed the ride. Olivia sat on the floor of the canoe and laughed the whole time, when she got out and I was going to put the life jacket on Ethan she screamed her head OFF!! She was not ready to be done. Elliott cried the whole time he was out, needless to say his trip was very short. By the time Elliott went he was very tired and no nap. He will like it more next time, I hope! Duncan loves the canoe and did not like that he couldn't go out every time, Gabby and Heidi were there too, so they had to have turns. He did better as the day went on and just played while they were out in the canoe. Tracy, Sarah and Duncan went out in the canoe too, Tracy did well until they were coming to shore. He fell as they were getting the canoe in. Owen loved playing on the playground and he was getting pretty comfortable and decided he was going to hang over the side of the playground. All 4 of the babies loved the slide and would walk up the stairs and lay on their bellies and slide down. For no naps today the kids did very well. It is fun to go do stuff like this, but lots of work too! Thank goodness for family to help us out!!

We went to the children's museum at the end of April. It was a good time. Lots of stuff for the kids to do. The babies ( someday I will have to stop calling them the babies) really loved the ambulance. They played and played in it. Duncan loved it too, but he moved on to the pizzeria and made pizza's. The grocery store was a big hit also, along with the planes. We went to lunch at Outback Steakhouse at 3pm, because it was time for a break! Then we came back to the museum and played in the farm room upstairs, I think my kids would of played there all day. We will have to go back again. It was a good family day with Hawkins, Mom, Kathy, Rhonda and Carlos and all of the kids. It is so much fun to be together.

Duncan has only 2 days of school left. I am ready for a break and not have to run to school 3 days a week.

Owen has decided to walk up the stairs at home. He is also starting to talk and say more words. He says ball, and dad.

Elliott has also decided to walk up the steps, he was the first to do this!

Olivia has decided she is going to let everyone see that she CAN walk on her own! I think it was an accident yesterday when she took like 4 steps and just looked at Tracy and I. She is well on her way now.

Ethan is still his ornery self. He jabbers all of the time and is always yelling at "D", Duncan or Hannah or Sarah. He also loves to body slam anyone!

Enjoying outside, Ethan's back, Duncan, Elliott and Olivia

After bath 4-12

Ethan

Olivia

Dunca

Finally some pictures

February/March 2012. Duncan 4 Quads 15 months

Duncan riding his bike, some cool trick

Owen

Ethan

Olivia

ElliottAttempting to get a picture of everyone, FAILED!!

Duncan with his birthday cake from Uncle Rodney, popcorn and m&m's. 2 of his favorites

Snack at the park

Elliott

Olivia and Owen

Duncan and Ethan playing in the sand at the park, they had a blast

Duncan at the park.

March/April

We went to the Easter egg hunt at the park, all the kids had a good time. No one got many eggs, but they did it all by themselves. Since all of the boys are up and walking very well, they were fine. Miss Olivia would sit in the grass and pick up eggs around her.
We decided to go to the Easter Vigil Mass. All I can say is what a DISASTER! I was sure all the kids would go to sleep, guess I was wrong. We all 7 of us ended up in the parish hall for most of mass. Oh well, it will get better! My friend Renee was there and her and Marty were in the hall with us, helping with the kids.
For Easter we had a picnic at Easter Lake with Mom and The Hawkins. It was alot of fun, the Easter Bunny had hid eggs on the ball field before we got there. All of the kids had a fun time picking them up! It was fun watching them. Duncan got his bucket full so then he was helping everyone else.
The Easter Bunny left a chocolate bunny and bike helmets for all of the kids. Duncan also got a kite.
We tired to fly the kites, but there was not quite enough wind. Abby and Rodney brought the canoe, Duncan very quickly fell in love with being on the water! Every time the canoe was out, Duncan was in it if he could! The babies had alot of fun too, Ethan really wanted to get in the water too. Maybe next time. I went in the canoe one time with Duncan and Sarah. Duncan didn't sit very still and I was sure we were going to tip over, but we did not. Tracy had a good time, he was the cook for the day. He cooked hot dogs for us. He loves to cook outside, even better if it is over an open fire. Some day he will get to do that again, when we camp!

Duncan: He loves to play with his brothers and sister more and more everyday. It is so much fun to watch all of them together. He will carry them around, and they love to play peek a boo with Duncan. The other night Duncan had to come to our bed to go to sleep because he was playing with Ethan and Elliott after they all went to bed. They all just kept laughing! That is so much fun to hear. He is not so mean to them now and is understanding more that he can hurt them. They all love to imitate whatever Duncan does.
Owen: Mr. Monkey man. Owen climbs on everything. He was trying to do climb up the kitchen chair. He loves to jump out of the recliner onto whoever is on the floor. He just laughs and laughs. Owen can throw a  ball pretty well also. Owen loves the dirt and mud too, he still eats dirt when we are outside. He found the mud, he had it all over his face. He was so cute.
Elliott: He is walking on his feet all of the time now. Elliott walks around with toys and just laughs and laughs. He loves to play outside also. Elliott is still a very good eater too.
Olivia: She is finally standing on her own! I think our little Missy will be walking before long. She is going to have to keep up with the boys somehow! Olivia is a good eater also. She is always laughing at someone too.
Ethan: Ethan is running all around. He loves to throw balls. He loves to play with everyone too. Ethan throws food and also will throw his silverware too. He throws and then laughs.
Since all of the boys are walking so well we put them in hard soled shoes. Ethan acted like he couldn't walk in them, until we opened the door to go outside and then he ran! I have been letting them walk outside when it is time to leave. It is interesting to say the least. They go 5 different directions!
Hannah and I let the dogs out of the pin on their leashes the other day, all of the kids love the dogs. The dogs did well with all of the kids too. Every time we are outside, the babies go to the fence to see the dogs and put their hands in the pin so they can pet the dogs!! Everyone is getting so big, I just can't believe how fast it is going.
Well we have a few more outings planned, we are going to the children's museum in Coralville, Mother's Day, a trip to Texas, and then Father's Day. All of these activities will be an adventure I am sure. But as I always tell people, the fun/blessings we have way out way the bad times!!

February/March

Where does the time go?? Our days go faster every day it seems. The weather is getting nice and all the kids love to be outside. I love to be outside too, I am sure going to have to take advantage of nap time this summer to get stuff in the house done!
Duncan: Duncan is still in preschool, a little over a month left and then summer break. He loves school and gets smarter each day. He just blows me away with what he knows and some of the stuff he says. He has started to roll his eyes, boy is it funny. It is hard for me not to laugh at him when he is in trouble and rolling his eyes at me. He is a big help with the babies still, he plays more and more with them everyday. They all love to play with him too. Duncan still loves to ride his bike, and play in the dirt.
Owen: Owen is walking better now. He is always up to something. Owen had also became the bully. He likes to sit on anyone, and the other day I caught him kicking Elliott. I scold him and he just gets this ornery grin on his face. He also likes to take toys from his brothers and sister. Owen can still throw a good fit, but it has calmed down a bit, thank goodness. When he was throwing alot of fits, he was always throwing his head on the floor.
Elliott: Elliott is finally walking on his feet! He still walks on his knees sometimes, but not nearly as much. Elliott is still Mr. Serious sometimes, but he jabbers more and laughs alot. He likes to blow raspberries on every one's tummies. It is very cute and they all laugh when he does it. Elliott loves ride on the little ride on toy we have.
Olivia: Miss Olivia is coming out her shell! She is jabbering more and more. She picks on the boys all of time. She is eating more. Olivia will actually stand on her feet when you stand her down now. She walks around stuff more and more.
Ethan: Ethan is starting to run. He loves to play with balls and can throw pretty well also. He went to the ophthalmologist because his left eye is turning inward. They told us that he is far sided and gave a script for glasses. We are going to wait a couple of weeks and have him get adjusted at the chiropractor a couple times a week and see if that helps first. The doctor contemplated if he would even wear the glasses, so waiting a couple weeks isn't a big deal.
For spring break the kids and I went to Wisconsin Dells with the Hawkins girls. It was a fun vacation. We didn't do alot, just hung out in the cabin, swam, and played at the park. It was lots of work to go swimming, but lots of fun too! It was hard work but relaxing at the same time. I could of not done it without the girls to help. They were awesome to help with everything and Duncan was good, and a very good listener the whole trip. The babies loved to roam the whole cabin! We made it 4 days and then Duncan locked the bathroom door and shut it, we had to call maintenance to come unlock it. Then later in the afternoon it got locked and shut again, the same lady came to unlock it and gave me a roll of duck tape to use over the lock. Problem solved, didn't happen again. We had a good trip up and back home. We only missed one turn each way. The way there it added a hour to the trip, on the way home it didn't make a difference. The kids were good riders. Duncan didn't sleep at all either way, and the babies only slept a couple of hours each way. I had to take the van to an auto shop because I set the emergency brake and it stuck, so they got it undone and told me not to use it. Also the running board broke so I had them take it off. We had a few injuries while we were gone. Hannah ran her toe into the door and it bled alot, also her toe nail will fall off eventually. She took it easy the rest of the day. Owen tried to climb out of the bathtub and fell. He had a bloody nose and a black eye. We have had several black eyes already in our house!  

The end of January and Duncan had a picnic at lunch

Elliott loves to talk on the phone

Duncan reading to the babies before naps!

Duncan at lunch

Lunch time Owen( L) and Ethan

Elliott and Olivia

Olivia Ann at dinner