and kids

and kids

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011

My Princess - even tho I wanted to say she was a Queen. My Super Heroes: Capps as Iron Man and Mac as Captain America
Tavis as Snake Eyes (G.I.Joe for those of you that don't know).
Daegan as a Power Ranger.
The Crew before begging for candy.
Checking out the loot at home!
This was Mac's original costume (found for $1.50 at thrift store), but then we couldn't pass up the Captain America, so he had some fun PJs tonight. Looks like he needs a chiropractor!
And everyone goes to bed with a sugar-high!

Mollee Moo turns 11

She had to have this cake: Blue Flowers with Pink letters. It was surprisingly good - thanks Wal-Mart! It is always a rushed celebration. :)I'm glad she still isn't too old for dolls.
And she loves a good character tee.
The birthday buddies on Sunday (Uncle JR turning 40 today!)

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Jase and Emma

Our niece, Emma, and Uncle Jase have a special bond. They always pick at each other at the dinner table - probably Jason mostly picking on Emma.Emma used to spend the night with us and they were goofy together then too! When she spent the night at age two for Halloween, I even bought her a Tigger costume to answer our door and hand out candy!I just wanted to document this fun relationship!

Bulletin Robot

Somehow, the stained glass window on the front of the bulletin ends up looking something like this each week:

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pumpkin Carvin'

I actually learned a lesson last year, that I applied this year! While the kids were at school, I cleaned out the pumpkin and toasted the seeds. That way, it was ready to carve after dinner and there wasn't a lot of waiting around. I guess it is sorta like getting the lights ON the Christmas tree before inviting the kids to help - still haven't applied that one.

I got two pumpkins this year. Jason always carves the pumpkin while the kids crowd around him, but I decided to do one while they were at school. It took awhile, but their excitement when they got home was well worth it! Then tonight after dinner, it was Daddy's turn!

Tavis enjoyed family time by reading in the next room!The request: A dragon!
So pumpkins don't look as cool when they are just carved,
but they look awesome all lit up!
(sorry for the poor picture quality, I have a camera that hates not using it's flash)

The College Fund

Yep, that is what we call it!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

One Day, for the past 18 years

October 26, 1993 - I'm a Senior in High School. No more big siblings in the school. I'm having a good year - couldn't make it without Julie. I get to start my day in Calculus with Mr. Sneller and that makes it worth getting up in the morning!

October 26, 1994 - I am having the time of my life as a Freshman at Covenant College. I'm so glad I decided to go to college. I thought I was going to be homesick, but I never am. Classes are going ok. Dr. Beisner is impossible and I think I'm failing French, but I'm having a blast with Kristy, Ashley, Janeen, Abby and Catherine! I've also been hanging out with Philip a lot at his cabin and having fun with him and his roommate. October 26, 1995 - I made it to my Sophmore year, but living at home. Philip's roommate, Jason, and I have been hanging out a lot lately and it is easier to hang out if I am home. :) Plus, I'm not doing so well at French or Chemistry and my gall bladder issues are out-of-control. Even had the doctor tell me to take a break from school for health issues?

October 26, 1996 - Getting married today! I can't believe it! Couldn't sleep last night so I got all my thank you notes caught up. I have no voice because of a bronchitis infection, but nothing can ruin this day. I can't wait to see Jason, it was so weird to have him sleep at our apartment last night.

October 26, 1997 - First Anniversary! We are heading to Gatlinburg for the weekend to celebrate. We haven't experienced all the "first year" struggles and fights. It has been great. I loved our apartment, but we had the opportunity to buy a house and we are getting settled in.

October 26, 1998 - Two years married, I'm still at Realty Center, but I got promoted to Office Manager and I love my assistant, Kelli. We have a blast together. Jason is working at Coker Tire and has enjoyed that.

October 26, 1999 - We are heading to Atlanta for the weekend for our anniversary. We have tickets to a hockey game. And we just found out WE'RE PREGNANT! We are so excited. We had to call Heath and Shannon before we headed out the door. It has taken me a lot longer to get pregnant than I anticipated, about eleven months. We are due in June - about a week from when the Keslers are due!

October 26, 2000 - One week away from due date (baby due in June didn't make it, but we got pregnant again right away). I am so uncomfortable and ready for our little Mailie to be born. Lemaze class has helped, but I hate the "unknown". I'm not really worried about labor, just worried about knowing I'm in labor. October 26, 2001 - About a month away from a sibling for Mollee, we didn't find out the sex this time? Mollee is still nursing, but I'll have to cut her off soon. I'm starting to show signs of preclampsia, so I don't know what will happen - they may induce. The country is still trying to understand the 9-11 bombings, I doubt we will ever know the what-ifs. October 26, 2002 - Mollee is almost 2 and Tavis will be 1, nine days later. Mollee is talking up a storm and is very mature and bossy, which is funny to watch because she is so tiny. Tavis just soaks it all in. He isn't walking yet, but he is cruising and will take off any moment. Jason is now working for John Burk in remodeling. It has been crazy to venture out into the self-employed world, but it is going well. I have been working from home for some realtors, but I'll be finishing that up soon. Another baby due in March, it's a boy! We haven't fully decided on a name yet - Duncan, Daegan or Declan?

October 26, 2003 - Being a Mommy of a 7 month-old, a 22 month-old, and an almost 3 year-old is exhausting. We bought a house in August, but we are living with my parents until our new home is livable. It is nice to have the extra hands to help with the kids, but I hate that Jason isn't around much. As soon as he finishes up with work, he heads to the house to work on it. And I've had the "stomach flu" for a few weeks now, thinking I might be pregnant again!?

October 26, 2004 - Capps is 3 1/2 months old and we've finally convinced him that you sleep during the night and have awake time during the day. Daegan is 19 months old and such a happy joy! Tavis is almost 3 and Mollee is almost 4. We are loving our new house, being so close to Grandma and Grandpa is fun! Daddy is working for Jason Bowman in trim carpentry. He is loving it and we all know it changes the whole mood of the household when Daddy loves what he is doing.

October 26, 2005 - I think my body is finally recovering from four years of pregnancies. I have worked really hard and have almost gotten down to lower than my pre-pregnancy weight. It has been my dream to get into my wedding dress for our 10th anniversary and I think that is going to happen! October 26, 2006 - Kindergarten is going great for Mollee, she loves it! It was a little emotional for Mommy at first, but I blame that on the baby due in exactly three months. It is another boy, but we can't seem to agree on a name. Jason wants Jacob, I want Finbar - we are always on the extreme ends of the name. It looks like we may not know until he is here! Oh, yeah - today is our 10th anniversary too (not getting into the wedding dress at 7 months pregnant)!

October 26, 2007 - Mac is well loved around here! The kids love him and he takes all the abuse in stride. He is making no attempts to walk or even to crawl - spoiled kid! He sure is a happy butterball!

October 26, 2008 - Mollee is in 2nd grade now and Tavis is in 1st. We held Daegan back, so he will start kindergarten when he is 6. He isn't happy about that, but it is a good thing. Life is moving right along. I think today is our anniversary??

October 26, 2009 -??? October 26, 2010 - We haven't really celebrated our anniversary in a few years, but this year we have dropped the kids off at my parents and we are downtown in a luxury hotel. We are going to a fancy restaurant tonight and then we will walk around the Northshore tomorrow. This is so out of my comfort zone, but I appreciate my mom's willingness to take on five kids for 24 hours.

October 26, 2011 - Today we've been married for 15 years! Jason likes to joke, "the best 8 years of his life" ha! We have had some major ups and downs, but we've had them together, and that is what helps. I am working many hours a week from home for a real estate group. Jason is out on his own again. It has been 9 years now and I'm still not sure about self-employment, but it is where the Lord has us? We are so thankful for each other and our lives TOGETHER! We look forward to another many, many years together. Happy Anniversary, BABE! I love you!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

AR Maniacs!

I think I've mentioned before that our school does the AR Reading program. This means that the kids take tests on books after they read them and get points according to the level of book, the length of the book and how good they did on the test.

It is great way to make sure they are reading on the appropriate level and that they are comprehending what they are reading. Basically, they are required to get about 10 points a quarter.

We did a lot of reading this summer and they got some "medals" for that in the first week of school. Mollee got a 25 pt medal and a 50 pt medal. Daegan got a 25 pt medal. Tavis also got a 25 pt medal, but by the time I wanted to take a picture, he wasn't sure where it was. They used to have awards handed out for the past week at the end of chapel. Now they've decided to have the last chapel of each month as Awards Chapel. Today was the day.

Capps got his first ever award! He doesn't actually have to participate until second semester, but he has taken tests on his own and got an award today.Tavis is a good reader and a fast reader. He has recently gotten hold of our Percy Jackson books and they are worth a lot of points. He got two certificates today.Daegan never met a "points system" that he didn't like. He thrives at competition and he is reading a book every day and taking tests on them. He already has 70 points for the year (keeping in mind he only needs 10 per quarter). Apparently, if the teacher allows (and I'm glad she doesn't always allow), he just sits in his classroom and reads during recess. Today he got five awards, plus a 50 pt medal.The different colors are for different levels of reading.

I'm so proud of them and glad they like reading. I was always a slow reader and never cared much about it until recent years. And yes, I'm still a slow reader. I am trying to read through the Percy Jackson Series myself, which is 5 books and then another set of 2 books (so far). I started about 6 months ago and I'm on book 1 of the second series. Tavis just started and is about to finish book 5 of the first series, which means he is going to want my book soon! I might as well give it to him because he'll finish it quick and then I can get back to it.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Full Van

Remember this, I posted about having my nephews one day, all the Harris' except one.

Last week I had all of them and tried to get a picture. But Tavis being funny with bunny ears blocked out Ezra. Maybe next time?

Friday, October 21, 2011

Football, Cheering, a Flashmob

and it was cold!

The high school cheerleaders invited the elementary school girls to cheer at the football game tonight. They've had three practices throughout the month of October and tonight was the night. Of course, Mollee was all over that idea! Did I mention it was cold? Our kids first football game and it was under the lights! The game didn't start until 8:00.This is our favorite player - (with his helmet off) #58 - GO ERIC!The Cheerleaders!
Mollee had a blast, she even climbed the pyramid (see that smile, Daddy!)..
See loved every minute - and she knew where I was sitting to look at the camera.
The kids had fun. They had Sprites, Nachos, Lollipops and lots of friends to play with. Capps was the only one just standing in the background and watching it all. And he was the only boy that would let me write on his face?The elementary school has been working on a Flash Mob dance. The PE teacher (who is an assistant coach for the football team) has been teaching it to the kids. Apparently, they did it one day in class at 2:50 before the bell rang.



Well, tonight, all the kids knew to run on the field at half time and join in as the music blasted on the speakers. It was cute and the kids were so excited to be a part of it.
It was cold, but we won the game, Mollee got to cheer, the boys got to Flashmob, everyone got junk food, we got to sit with the Griggs and then we all crashed at home at 11:00.

A wonderful Friday night! I look forward to Friday Nights watching my own kids playing!!!

Monday, October 17, 2011

October Decor

Two things I look forward to getting out each October.

These two green bean cans painted like pumpkins that I found at a craft fair. I don't know why I like them so much, but they are so cute to me. And these two bears that Uncle Daniel and Aunt Heather bought the kids different years - one in a candy corn costume and the other a ghost. They are just cute and SOOO soft. They hang out on the living room couch during the month of October.I know I said two, but I thought I'd show this too. We bought this flag when Mollee was not even born yet. It has hung each October at our house - The Great Pumpkin Patch, Charlie Brown!
But, I'm afraid this is the last year. The pumpkin is faded and if you look closely, it is starting to shred on Linus' hands.

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