New Blog!

I've started a new blog. There are several people who have told me they visited my blog with much disappointment since I haven't posted in like....well, a while.

You can visit busy ems family dot blogspot dot com....except with NO spaces in between.

Skating on Thin Ice!

Yesterday we went over to Nana & Papa's house for a BBQ. The kids saw their pond was frozen over and thought they would be daring and test the waters...Garrett first (of course) then all followed suit. Phone in hand...I allowed them their freedom but I was prepared to call 911 nevertheless. What a bad Mom! I did get a little giggle when they...thinking they were invincible...fell down. It was all good until they started throwing huge rocks to crack the ice...GAME OVER.

Who's the leader of the band?

Critter found Garrett's ears from last March. Critter put them on, came into my room and begged me to take he and Sarah to Disneyland. He forgot he had them on and Mom thought it was too cute. I had to take the opportunity to photograph this Mickey Mouse moment.

So where do I sleep?

Yes, I get that little sliver of bed just to the left!

Game On

Today is Super Bowl Sunday and we have had a blast. The Cardinals may have lost but there was no short supply of team spirit and good old fashioned team rivalry.

Saturday

Friday Night

After we picked the Hansen's up from the airport, we went to Denny's for dinner and then home to play some poker. The kids fell asleep and looked oh so cute!

Hansen's...The Pick Up

Rick, Jenny and Michelle arrived in Missoula on Friday night. Safe and sound, we are so happy to have our friends here.

California Speed

My friend Ali taught me a new card game and now I am totally addicted. I am undefeated against 4 different players. I have become insanely competitive with this stupid game, I almost broke my hand.....while gloating, of course.

If you pause my blog music, you can get the full effect of the video! Anyone want to play me??? :)

Yes, I do!

Ok, I had to put this picture on here just for the heck of it. Garrett loves this shirt. I bought it for him at Kohl's and he's super proud to wear it...the cool thing is that none of his friends give him heck for wearing it. I think that's just because they do know that...I ROCK. kidding, but funny! :)

Totally Random

So, I know this is a totally random picture but I haven't taken any good pictures lately and want to keep up with the postings. Here's a recap of my week.....

*Worked...alot
*Swimming lessons, basketball practice, play practice, Cub Scouts
*Critter was invited into the Spectra (gifted) math program
*I work at the Red Door tomorrow
*Made my Mommy happy by going to the Doctor for a complete check up! I was tired of hearing her tell me (for the last few years) how I don't take care of myself...I just don't have time!

Next week will be busy too...Rick and Jenny are coming to play! :)

EMT Basic Refresher...Already!

I just can't believe that I've had my license long enough to have to renew it. That's so crazy. This was a super fun weekend of learning new things and refreshing things we don't get to do all the time. I sure do like my job.....and most of the people I work with. Enjoy the pictures, I promise that I DO take my job seriously.

Girl Scout Cookies

It's that blessed time of year again!

Cookie fiends who chase you down...

at the bank

at work

at the grocery store

Fear NOT cookie fans, we have what you need

$3.50 a box for the sinfully, delicious treats

Big Fat Wimp!

Ok, so I've been toying with the idea of letting the kids ride the bus. It's been such a struggle to find the kids rides to school when Bart and I have to be to work before 7 am. So I talked to a few friends (ones that I trust their opinion) who have kids that ride the bus. We have a new service who took over transportation for the district and I have heard great things. So, I called the dude at the bus barn and let him know my fears (big fat wimp) and told him I wanted to try it on a day that I was home to see them off (big fat wimp). So today, we were up, dressed, fed and prettied up in record time to meet the bus out front. The kids got on the bus and off they went. The sad part is.....I didn't even feel bad! I cleaned the family room, threw in a load of laundry, played 3 rounds of Wii bowling (hey, I had to beat my high score) and even worked out. Yeah me! One small step for me, one giant step for the kiddos. What a fantabulous morning!!!

When It Looks Like This...

What is there to do when it looks like this outside? It was a cold, slushy, rainy snow day and we made the most of it. We cleaned the whole house (ok, not so fun) and then invited our good friends over to sled, play Wii and have a potluck dinner. Until they came over, the kids found ways to entertain themselves. We did have a blast outside. Soaking wet. Like 40 shoes and coats outside our door. Garrett rocked the snowboard today. I was totally impressed by his mad skills. I will post some snowboard pictures in the next few days.

Thank goodness for sledding hills right in our yard. We had a great time playing in the snow and when we got too cold and too wet, we just stripped off our clothes and got warmed up inside the house.

Sarah had a fun time playing in the flower garden tent, waiting for our guests to arrive. She said, "Mom, you can't see the mess inside the tent can you?" I assured her that no one can see all her goods inside the tent.....and it IS a MESS.

This is Garrett and Critter inside their "go-kart" in the basement. They too were waiting for the guests to arrive and found a great way to pass the time away. They even had a roll-over accident and a three basket pile up in the family room. I don't think they were wearing seatbelts. :)

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happy New Year!

Playing Morff...it was super fun and I've never heard such colorful language!

Just hanging around after the countdown and the fireworks

We were striking the Captain Morgan pose...mind you there is no alcohol in any of our drinks. I think we are a naturally nutty group of girls. We sure had a good time though. We'll all have "fun" hangovers for sure! :)

Tara & Krista

A Very Merry Christmas

A very Merry Christmas indeed. The kids were, of course, restless and decided to rummage thru their stockings at 2 am. After working a 13 hour shift on Christmas Eve, that didn't work out too well for me so I yelled for them to go back to bed. I heard them again at 4 am and then 6 am. At this point I decided there was no winning this battle so it was time to get up. It was a Red Bull moment for sure. Once we finished opening presents we took a little rest then went over to Nana & Papa's house for breakfast and more presents.


MacKenna was given many presents which were all iPod related but no iPod. I waited as long I possible to keep up the torture. This is her opening her Green Apple iPod nano.

Here is Garrett with his flag football set. Garrett got a Tony Hawk skateboard from Santa and a new set of golf clubs.

Well, apparently Sarah really liked the iPod Santa left for her. It's a pink shuffle. Sarah also got pretend food and dishes and a flower garden tent.

Christopher got his steel blue iPod shuffle from Santa. He was super happy and sang (loudly) around the house all morning. He also got a shake n go race track and a remote control quad.

Grandma Carol & Robert got them a new trampoline with a net. Great Grandma & Grandpa gave the kids each $50 to spend any way they choose. We are going to Target tomorrow! :)
We also got a web cam and gift cards from our Aunts and Uncles! Yay, more shopping.

Nana & Papa bought the kids a Wii, clothes, legos, dress up clothes, barbie stuff, shoes, snow stuff, etc... By this time a Red Bull is not doing the trick so I really need a nap.

Oh and just so you all know (because I know you're worried)...I got the one thing I wanted most and that's my super cool winter hat with the tassles, thanks Kenna. I have NOT taken it off but I will to take my shower.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I wish you all the best for 2009. May you find success, good health and the richest blessings awaiting you.

Merry Christmas to all...

Drowning!?

Am I the only one? I want to be enjoying this wonderful Christmas season but I feel like I am drowning. I have so many fantastic intentions to bake and be all Holly Jolly about life but I just can't seem to find the time...or the right spirit. Me, of all people...I can't find the Christmas spirit. I don't even want anything for Christmas...seriously...every year I can make a list a mile long of the things I want. Ok, I did ask for one of those winter hats that cover your ears and have the little tassles that hang down. But, I didn't get the real tree I wanted. I haven't sat down to watch a Christmas movie with the kids or even read them a Christmas story. I barely have time to cook, I can't keep my house clean, Christopher went in for oral surgery on Wednesday...which they only got half of his mouth done because the Anesthesiologist stopped the surgery because Christopher started having fluid build up in his lungs. We found out today that our insurance is cancelled on December 31st so we have NO idea when Christopher will have the second half of the surgery done! I just barely got my Christmas cards out, totally forget about gifts for the kids' teachers. I haven't had time to go caroling. Forgot to mail one of the envelopes for the big kids, now it won't be there for Christmas. I swear I feel a perminent crease in my forehead. ARGHHHH...What's my problem? I totally feel like I failed this holiday season. Am I the only one who can't seem to pull my head above water? Helllpppp! I'm drowning.

Grandma's Visit to Montana

Grandma arrived on Friday, December 5th and we have been loving every moment of her being here. We have had lots of laughs and shopping. The kids even got to open one Christmas gift from her while she was here. It's been a much needed visit and we hope there are plenty more to come. We love you Grandma, now let's go shopping!

Kids Christmas Chaos

This was a great time! I allowed approximately 20 9, 10 & 11 year olds to have a Christmas party at my little home. We had pizza, soda, ice cream punch, chips, cookies, a vegi tray and a chocolate fondue fountain. I was never so happy to see 8:00 come around and the first parent pull up!!! I'm just glad it was a success and that the kids had fun!