my crazy kiddos...

So, here we are just finishing Shamu's Believe show at Sea World....the boys are being playful so I turn and say "Hey boys, look at Mommy and say cheese!" This is what I get...



Followed by...





Jonah decided he just wanted a little peace!


Next, it was on to the Carousel. All of my sweet boys atop a brightly colored sea animal...

(if you see this picture sideways I apologize...I tried to flip it in photobucket but it's not working.)



hmmm...I had a picture of Jonah too...well, that wasn't his favorite ride anyway. He LOVED, LOVED I tell ya, Shamu Express!! He rode it 3 times back to back.


And how sweet is this??? McKinley loved her some penguin!!


And here's a random shot of Jett. He's so stinkin' cute!


A quick funny story...well, funny for us...not for the guy who was sitting in front of us. The first attraction/show we went to the Pet's Ahoy show. Well, of course, at 10 am every child NEEDS a light up sword!!! We were just in luck! There was the guy who was ready to rip us off...I mean sell my kiddos light up swords that surely would not be used all day since it's BRIGHT AS DAY outside the theater doors!!!! So, we buy two. Thanks Mister! I digress. We're watching the show and suddenly Jett snatches a sword from either Jake or Jonah's hand, I don't remember, and continues to whack this poor guy in front of us in the head. I quickly apologize and we keep watching the show. Then, only moments later, he did it again (I thought Daddy was holding on to that sword...to keep it away from our dear little Jett). We apologize again. I turned and looked at Kathy and said "We have become one of THOSE families!" You know the ones...you stare at them when they aren't containing their children or one of their little angels throws a tantrum in the middle of the Wal-Mart checkout line cause they can't have a Juicy Drop Pop...don't think we don't see you...and don't think that hasn't happened to me...yep, we're one of those families! :o) Overwhelmed by His blessings!!!

I should have had a picture taken of Jake and I at the end of the day...talk about hard work...take 4 kids to Sea World!!! We did have help though. We went with our friends Kathy and Bobby. Such great friends...thank you guys for enduring a day of Sea World with us! We had a blast!!!

a giveaway...

Head on over to Calamity Kim's blog for a chance to win a whole bunch of goodies!!!

Fingerprint Friday

This photo was taken at my brothers wedding 2 years ago. (Happy Anniversary Jesse!!!)



While he and his beautiful bride were saying their vows all of these kiddos were off playing in the distance. Ones first reaction would be to tell them to BE QUIET. One might feel the need to make them aware of how important this day is to Jesse and Heather. Seriously though, do you think you'd be able to get them to be quiet when they are in God's sandbox??? A big, HUGE ocean shore to run on and scream!!! They couldn't care less about the wedding taking place. (I'm so glad all of the guests thought they were all too cute to tell them to be QUIET!)

In this photo I see so MANY Fingerprints. I see God's children. I see God's creation. When I look at this photo I think of God's plan for my brother and his wife...since it was their wedding! He is an amazing God!!

Here's an extra photo...my Jonah!! (this was taken on the same day)


If you'd like to blog about a Fingerprint you see be sure to link back to Beki's blog.

Sweet, sweet baby...

McKinley is such a sweet baby! She's so good. She only cries when she's hungry, wet or hurt. God makes it hard not to want more when He gives you such good babies!!! :o)

I knew having four kiddos was going to tough...but, I would have never been able to imagine the blessings that come from each one of them. They are all so unique in their own ways. Jake and I have thought on each of their little personalities. Jake Austin is our risk taker. He's a rough and tumble boy to the T. But, he's just as lovable as the next. Jonah is our lovey, lovey kiddo. He's a nurturer. He will lie down with you and cuddle before any of the others. Jett is, well, Jett is still coming into his personality but I think he's going to be much like Jake Austin. He's not afraid of anything. And we're still getting to know McKinley. So far she's the sweetest girl around!!!


Want to know where you can get your own Crawler Covers??? Check out Crawler Covers on etsy. Right now she's giving away a free pair with EVERY order!

You've got a Friend in Me...

I do believe Jett has found a few best friends!!! Buzz, Woody, Rex, Hamm, RC, Jessie, Bullseye and the rest of the toy gang are regulars around our house. Jett will watch for hours...or he'll go to the play room to play and then run back in for a glimpse. He makes sure they are never too far gone.



Now if I could get "You've got a friend in me" out of my head....I'll be singing it all day....oh well, whistle while you work right??!! :o)

Jonah Bonah

I can't wait for summer!!!!



This is Jonah about three summers ago. He's such a Beach Babe!

Do you have a fun summer themed craft you'd like to share??? Please do!!

...

I'm looking forward to Easter this year!!! I look forward to it every year but this year I have plans...I want to make this bread craft with the boys....it's a bread that when taken from the oven is hollow...just as Christ's tomb was on the third day. I'll dig up the recipe and share soon!

I want to dye Easter eggs. We haven't done that in a few years. (bad momma, I know)

Will you share some of the crafts and such you have planned???
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Here's a photo of Jett on his first Easter. He was 3 days old...

I wonder if I'll be able to get a photo of ALL FOUR kiddos on Easter this year...I don't think I have one yet and McKinley's 3 months old. And don't even ask when the last time was that we had a family photo taken!!!! :o(

I love my husband.

These are all two-ish years old....but I just wanted to show off my handsome hubby!

I love you Babe!!!

Ever had one of these days??

Before kids I was thin...now, not so much! Who woulda thunk that four kids later I'm not the teeny thing I used to be. I'm workin' on it though!! My hubby bought me a kettlebell and DVD set. Have you ever heard of it??? It's interesting...and kinda tough.



I only use one...she uses two. Oh, to have her body...oh well, one day!!!

I've also stopped drinking soda. SHOCKER! Those of you who know me know that Dr. Pepper used to be the ONLY fluid I EVER drank!!! Pretty horrible now that I look back on it. Now, I drink water, tea and coffee. I know the tea and coffee aren't all that great but they beat the artificial garbage that's in soda!!!

Tell me what you're doing to trim down or even just get more healthy!!! I'd love to get healthy recipe ideas and tips on losing a few pounds!

Men.

I have to begin by saying that I do have the GREATEST hubby EVER!! But, there are a few things he's does that really pushes my buttons....like laundry.



This, my friends, is what HE calls doing laundry.

Me: "What'd you do while I was gone"

Him: "Laundry!"

Judging by the picture he did, in fact, do laundry. However, if this was how I did laundry he would have a teeny bone to pick with me...ya think?!

Laundry to me is washing, drying, folding and putting way. Yes? Oh, you do it that way too?? Yep, that's what I thought! :o)

Men! Gotta love 'em!!!!

Here's Jonah playing in the clean laundry....better known as the Daddy created clothes pit that is fabulous for jumping into!!!


He even put a little spin in his jump!

For Jake: LOVE YA BABE!!!!! :o)

FLYIN' HIGH...

Remember doing this when you were a kid??



Oh, I loved it!!!



Ever wish you could fly?? Like, just take a giant leap and spread your wings and fly???? Not to go far...but just to see the world around you!!



I can't wait until all the kiddos are just a tad bit older so we can, as a family, spread our wings!!! Oh, the places we'll go!!!



(Jonah was not in on the fun...he was at Ganny's)

#4...

Four posts in one day??? Watch out! I'm on a roll!!!

The other day we had some GREAT friends over for some quality fellowship!

McKinley was in Kathy's arms...she was playing and cooing and smilin'....and then she was asleep.



This was the first time she had just gotten slap tuckered out and fallen fast asleep in someone's arms!!!!

Hey Kathy, she could use (mommy could use) some sleep right now. Whatcha doin'??? :o)

C is for Caterpillar.

This time Jake Austin and I did some craftin'. We made Caterpillar C's. It was really nice to sit down and do something crafty with him instead of the same 'ol drill of schoolwork! He enjoyed a break from the norm too!

He and I took it one step further and wrote out a list of other words that begin with C.



Funny story...one of the C words he called out to me was COCK. I started to laugh and said "No. We can't put that on there!" I then wondered where in the world he had heard such a thing!!! He looks at me and says "like cocking a gun Mom....why can't COCK be a word?" LOL Silly boy! And silly momma to have thought he was speaking of anything other than cocking a gun!!! (some of you are probably wondering why my 7 year old knows anything about cocking a gun....well, Daddy is in the Army!)

D is for Dragon.

I was going to save our other letter crafts for posts on different days....but, you know me, if I don't do it now it may not get done.

Jonah and Jett both did this craft. They both LOVE Dinosaurs and Dragons and such! I knew when I was on notimeforflashcards again that they would love this letter!!! (I love her blog!!! She even has little songs that SHE sings into a video...I enjoy watching her facial expressions and such! And then my kids love watching me sing these songs to them!)

This is Jonah's. He wanted to COVER it in glitter glue!


Here's Jett's. I would put the glue on and he would put the piece where it belonged. (I did the last few pieces of the Dragons spikey things.)

R is for Rainbow.

I'm a little late in posting this...

Jonah and I did this craft a few weeks ago. He saw a rainbow outside and he was so excited!!! I thought it to be a great opportunity to run with learning about the letter R. AND I saw this on notimeforflashcards just a few days prior...how perfect!!!



R is for Rainbow!

For Autism.

I am so flattered to have been included in this treasury!!!

A sweet etsian, mattscraftywife, convo'd me the other day letting me know she included me in a Treasury she created to raise awareness for Autism. For her son Noah.



If you are an etsian please go check out the Treasury page!!! This one is HOT right now....it's number one! I hope it gets to the FRONT PAGE!!! How coold would that be??!!

You can click here to see my Austism Awareness items. :o)

Nearly FREE!

I really wish I had the time to explain all of how I do this...but, I don't. :o) So, I'll just tell you that with a couple of newspapers and www.hotcouponworld.com you can do this too!



3 packages of Huggies Supreme diapers
3 Glade Sense 'N Spray Air Fresheners
1 toothbrush for Jett
4 Garnier Fructis Hair products
3 tubes of Colgate toothpaste
________________________________
$7.70 TOTAL!!!!!

And, there is a rebate for an additional $0.75 on each pack of diapers!!! More savings!!!

You can't even buy ONE package of diapers for that...not even store brand!!!!!

Woot-woot!!! :o)

Share with me your deals for the week!!! I love to hear someone get something for near nothing...or FREE!!!!!

Trains.

The boys were given this cool train table...thanks Aunt Wendy! Jett is mezmorized by all the "choo-choo's". Jake and Jonah only want to build the tracks....so it is win-win for all!!!



There was also something interesting on T.V....so he got a bit distracted while I was taking pics.




Sweet Jonah...




Thanks again Aunt Wendy....and Aunt Debbie for calling us about it!

Hello Spring.

I know it's not officially here but, boy, we have had a couple of beautiful days here in sunny Florida!!!

The boys went outside yesterday from sun up 'til sun down. Jonah even got kissed by Mr. Sun! (my best friend Tera would totally call it SUN DAMAGE!!! Love ya girlie!)

I wish you could see his eyes in this pic....blasted shadows!




This kid is too funny! Check out his feet...he insisted on keeping the socks ON! I am pleased to say that he did FINALLY take them off!!!!


Fake tatoos!!! Jake took lots of time deciding on where he wanted these bad boys to go...yet, he was still a little bummed about the placement of the bottom one on his chest. He SCRUBBED that one off in the shower!!! (If only removing real tatoos were that easy...)

Oh, and another somethin' funny...he wore his shirt for most of the time he was playing in the water. 1. he didn't want the water to wash away his tats and 2. he didn't want a certain someone in the neighborhood to see the messed up one. (the certain someone is a whole nother blog post!! ha ha)

Proud momma post...

I could not have asked for a prettier little girl! God knew what He was doing when He gave McKinley dark hair, like her daddy, and...well....she looks just like him so I can't say a feature she has just like me. :o) Someone recently said that she is what Jake would look like as a girl. Ha Ha!!

I need to get a picture of the dark hair along the backs of her ears...it's a hoot! I pray it falls off SOON...goodness knows she's not going to want that around for long!

A little trip to the Zoo!!

One morning a few weeks ago Jake suggested we go to the Zoo. We only had the babies and the weather was nice so we decided we would venture out. (the big boys were with Poppy and Ganny...YAY!!!)



While we were walking passed the zebras Jake turned and said "with just the two little ones we look like a normal family." (whatever normal is though, right??) We got a good chuckle!!

A little background on that comment....if you are a member of a large family then you will know what I'm talking about....we get looked at like we have three heads, each, when we go out in public. You can almost hear people saying, "look at all those kids." Or they just stare. The staring is the BEST. I just want to say something to them...I don't know what...but I want to say something to them! LOL (laugh out loud, for the newbies) Well, I'll step down from my soap box....for now! :o)

Me and my Princess!


Jett wanted to ride the "hiss" (horse) SO bad...then he wanted OFF!

And no matter how hard I try....a zebra is still a "hiss". I really wish Daddy would help me on this one...he just goes with it. Jett yells out "hiss" with excitement, at the zebras, and Jake says "Yep, look at the 'hisses'." UGH!! What's a girl to do??




Back in Daddy's arms...where it's safe!


HEY ANG, this is the day that we missed each other....we will definitely have to plan a trip!!!