Onto November!

The 3 year old loves her belly/back scratches, after a few minutes she was out...

 

We celebrated Corey's 29th Birthday back at the beginning of the month. One more year in his 20s... I love you, old man!

This month has been absolutely flying by! I'm not too sure where the last many months have gone actually!

Hunting season is upon us, and I'm very thankful Corey happened to get one on opening weekend. The limit this year was 1 so he has been done for a few weeks already (Yay, for me!)! He was kind of bummed that the day after he got his deer someone sent him a text of an enormous buck that's out in those woods somewhere... But his wife is more than happy that we can wait on having a deer head hanging off the wall... for at least another year anyways!

Kael starts basketball practice tomorrow! He is so pumped! I'm not sure when or how many games they will be playing but they have practice every Saturday (which is just as exciting for 5-6 year olds I'm sure!) Corey is coaching again this year and their practice started last week. Kael went in almost every day with him this past week. Corey said he did an awesome job keeping up with the jr high kids at their practice, and even finished their laps around the school ahead of a few of those older boys! I am definitely not a huge fan of basketball, but, I can't wait to see Kael play!

I have a good start on my Christmas shopping which I wanted to have done already. And started some baking. I baked and froze cake, many loaves of pumpkin bread and some cookies. This pregnant lady has no will power and most has been eaten! Oops. Not sure if I will get much done after baby comes so hopefully I can find time to at least make more pumpkin bread, my favorite! And I also have a bunch of my decorating done too. I normally wait until after Thanksgiving but... ;)

It's been a looonng pregnancy and I've been so ready for it to be over for a long time! Anxious for this little baby girl and anxious to not be pregnant anymore! I am 39 weeks so any day would work for me! We already spent the night in the hospital last weekend for a false alarm! So disappointing! After 3 hours of  having strong contractions every 1-3 minutes things just slowly started tapering off and then stopped! So, after 7 hours in the hospital they sent us home :( What a tease...but she will be here before we know it, and I am more than looking forward to holding her tight and covering her in kisses :)

icky sicky.

We've been busy and sick over in this house! So I'm finally getting around to posting some more pictures from over the holidays...

We had a great time in the U.P. for New Years seeing my family. There was some sickness going around but overall it was fun! We got home last Tuesday and the sickness has been slowly moving through this house. Kael started off with it and then Kenton, Corey, Audrina and now I have been sick since Monday. Mothers should not be aloud to get sick...its been a tough, long week dealing with sick, crabby kids when I am not feeling well myself. Hopefully this passes soon!

 Not the greatest picture but...Kael and Jordan skating around at Bentlyville in Duluth.

Of course I didn't get many pictures at Bentlyville when I decided to use some batteries I picked up at the dollar store. I put the batteries in when we got there and got these 3 pictures taken before the batteries died. That'll teach me.

 All bundled up in the stroller ready to see all the lights! I'm not sure how much poor Audrina saw! Her hat was way too big and kept falling over her face!

 Owl hats!

 Jordan and his girlfriend May were able to make it from Florida! It was so nice to see them for a few days!

Skyping with Grandpa and Grandma L on Christmas morning. It was so nice to feel like they were with us for a little while.

We headed to the U.P. on Thursday after Christmas and stayed until New Years day. Lots of fun to see everyone! 

There were quite a few late nights, as always, lots of yummy food and plenty of visiting. We went out for dinner one evening at a Chinese restaurant. I have to say I was kind of 'ify' about going, but the food was awesome! I think I sampled just about everyone's plate and everything was good! I have always been a bit scared to try it, but I think I'm hooked (especially on the orange chicken) Yum! My Mom and I did a bit of thrift shopping one day and I was pumped to find a new red peacoat for myself and a few things for the kids. I love the Goodwill in the U.P... MUCH cheaper prices than the one here in Virginia. Everytime I check ours out I leave empty handed, as the prices are pretty much retail prices!

Audrina had Grandpa read many, many, many books!

All the cousins - Maddie, Bennett, Kiersten, Audrina, Kael, Kenton, Zak, Tara and Brett. Hahaha! Not even one is smiling!

 Audrina & Kiersten

Games, games, games!

 Audrina, Kiersten & Tara. They weren't too pumped on taking a nice picture. Audrina refused to smile!

Haha! This picture makes me laugh! Mr. Kenton came and sat against the wall after the girls went off to play. He wanted his picture taken too!

Hoping this house is healthy again SOON! Laters!

"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store...

"Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more!"  - The Grinch

I hope everyone else had as blessed a Christmas as we had! Wishing love and happiness to all!

This picture makes my heart want to burst. I love them so much. 

She's so sweet. Every gift she opened she would say, "For ME!? What is it!??"

He totally figured out the art of opening gifts this year!

Look at that grin! Makes me happy.

I have been trying to teach my kids the importance of Christmas. I love how the 4 year old told me yesterday, "Today is Jesus' birthday, hey Mom!?"

We are heading to the U.P. within the next few days. We haven't really decided what day we are leaving yet, but, will be meeting up with my family through New Years. It was so nice to Skype with them on Christmas morning, even though we weren't actually with them it sort of felt like we were for a little while. Can't wait to see them!

ho ho ho

Last weekend while in Duluth, we stopped in to see Santa at the mall before Grandpa and Grandma took the kids for the rest of the day.

Audrina looking at this picture, "That Christmas! At his castle!"
Funny, to think what goes on in their little heads!

She asked for a Barbie and kept telling him random things, "These Kael's pants! This my hair!..."
Kenton was not very happy with the old man.
And Kael completely forget what to ask for, and had to ask Dad what he wanted for Christmas!

Today I am hoping to get this house cleaned and finish up some projects...I better be getting off here then! 
I have this in the crockpot right now...

Found on Pinterest! But here's the link:
Slow Cooker Mexican Hashbrown Casserole
Smells amazing! I hope it tastes as good!

1 week until Christmas! I think we're all set so no last minute rushing for us this year, yaay!

Sunday School Program

Kael had his first Sunday School Program tonight!
He sang really loud and clear, and had everyone in church laughing. I just about had tears running down my face! He did awesome! :)

They tried out having the program on a Saturday this year and it seemed to work out just fine. A few families have to travel a bit which makes for a pretty late school night when its on Sunday. 

We drove around afterwards to look at Christmas lights while the kiddos fell asleep. Nice relaxing evening over here!

Merry Christmas!

catching up...

My other blog was not letting me add any more pictures without 'buying' more space. Kind of disappointing!
So I set up a new one...kind of a pain but I don't want to pay to blog!
Ha! Take that, Blogger!

I absolutely love this time of the year! We have been keeping plenty busy!
We went to a couples 'ugly sweater' party a few weekends back, I brought my camera and never even took it out! After we left I told Corey I at least had to get a picture of just the two of us, he didn't think so, and ripped his sweater off pretty quick. Bummer! So, sorry no pictures from that!
We went on a date down in Duluth on Saturday, and pretty much finished up our Christmas shopping. It feels good to be about done! Just a few small things left to pick up.
I've been baking a few things here and there. I had dough for chocolate crinkles in the fridge for a few days and finally got around to baking them yesterday...they flopped as usual. More like chocolate pancakes! I don't know why I make them every. single. year. When I can never get them to turn out! Not too sure what I'm doing wrong with those. Sugar cookies tonight, yum!
There is a ladies Christmas party on Thursday evening and the Sunday School Christmas Program is on Saturday evening. Sounds like Kael speaks/sings nice and LOUD! Haha, I can't wait to watch this year now that I have kids old enough to be in it!

 Kael is always so good with the camera ;)

Ha! This picture is the only one I took when we were at my parents for Thanksgiving (Darn!).
Kael is all decked out in Uncle Craig's wrestling gear and trophies. :)