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!

**Black Friday**

Happy Turkey Day

A Martha Stewart dinner table

Trusting Krista with a carving knife.....well, with any knife! It wasn't easy to cut the turkey with my Dad standing over me telling me I'm doing it wrong.

Bart and Garrett playing WII golf

Peace out my Brother!

The kids posing for a picture and trying to keep warm while doing so

I sure hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! I know we did. We were thankful for Kelsey being here and the joy of spending the day with our family.

Pre-Thanksgiving Poker Game

Man did we have fun. This is our pre-Thanksgiving poker game. Loser went to Dairy Queen. We missed Rick and Jenny tonight.


This is Kelsey driving Papa crazy! Next time we won't sit them next to each other.



This is me on the other side of Papa...driving him crazy. He didn't stand a chance! Oh, and he didn't like losing to his Daughter either. Yes, that's right.....I took him down. I won the whole game.

This is Kelsey's handy work on the camera. Yes, it's a great shot.

This is Katie, I work with her on the ambulance. She doesn't always dress like Christmas, I made her come over straight from work to eat dinner and play poker. I think we may have scared her. It was definitely birth control for her.

Don't try this at home!

Look what I learned last week! Not really, this is my partner's handy work. However, this is a very scary picture.....would you like to be "Ted the head"? I think not. This is what we use to practice our skills and learn new ones. So last week, I learned a new airway skill with a Combitube. I learned how to shove a big plastic tube down your throat to help you breathe better. I had two fabulous partners this day teaching me how to do this and giving me great advice. **Note to friends and family of Krista** Please don't make me do this to you.. :) LOL

So in the fine spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my job.....knowing how many people don't have one.