tHe StOrY bEhInD oUr CrAzY cHrIsTmAs CaRd PiCtUrE...

I have to start by saying that our family Christmas picture is a HUGE deal to me, J.Paul will be the first to say I go crazy over it every year! I worry about it all year! I would do it in August however I want it to be as recent as possible when it come to the kids.
Our first attempt was around Thanksgiving, couldn't even get everyone dressed that time around! The second was the first week of December. I went out and got everyone new outfits, not too matchy but all in the same colors! Got everyone dressed, headed over to my mom's since my very talented sister Danielle does all our pics! Got there got everyone together and from there on out everything just fell apart! Tanner took off running into the woods and came back muddy and with rocks in hand! Caleb refused to smile and said he was too old to do pictures with his family, HE IS 6...GIVE ME A BRAKE! When we finally got everyone seated under a beautiful tree on my mom's property Caleb sat down right on Mason's leg. Mason went into hysterics, which sent Caleb into hysterics because he felt so bad that he sat on Mason!!! Needless to say we didn't get a single picture that day either! On our third and final try we decided to go a little more casual and just go out to look at lights and bring my sister along in case we were able to catch all the kids in a good mood! What we ended up with wasn't exactly what I had in mind but is much more OUR family!! YES, we are a little crazy! Our kids aren't always clean, even though I try to keep them clean! BUT we all love each other and that's what matters most! We are the perfect balance of ciaos and love!!

~Our Little Smarty Pants~

Caleb has always had a TON a energy and over the years we have tried to find something for him to do that would put all that energy to use. We tried sports, I figured that he would just be a natural since I was always into sports and he did love to watch sports! Caleb does love spots but they just aren't his thing, he is extremely clumsy and uncoordinated...We have ALWAYS known Caleb is a smart kid and when he started kindergarten last year we started to see how very gifted he really is. However, it wasn't until school started this year that we really realized his true potential. At parent teacher conferences we were informed that he is already reading way beyond his years. I was shocked to learn that most first graders aren't reading books like The Indian in the Cupboard and The Mouse and the Motorcycle on their own AND comprehending what they are reading! I guess I just really didn't give it much thought! Now let me catch everyone up to speed on his class's skill books. Every week or as the kids pass their skill books they get a new one. In the beginning Caleb was flying through them, sometimes 2 or more a week depending on how often they were tested on them. His teacher decided that she would skip him up a few since the ones he had were so easy for him and every time he would get a new one I would say "you are really going to need to study this one Caleb, it looks tough" and every time he would just fly right through it like nothing shocking us! Well, today I got a note from his teacher informing me that Mr. Caleb has passed the entire year of skill books and we are only in December! HA, that's my boy! Sports might not be his thing but school sure is! I am one proud mama!

Oh How They Have Grown!

On the 21ST Mason & Grace will be 6 months old! Looking back at the pictures of them in the hospital, so tiny and fragile I just can't believe how big they are now! The three weeks they spent in the hospital were a stressful time, we were so torn between wanting to be there with them and at home with Caleb & Bug. We are so blessed to now say that they are healthy active babies! They are so different, like night and day. Mason is such a easy going little "pork chop", he really only cries when he is hungry or needs to be changed and he is always happy! Little Miss Gracie Pooh on the other hand is a whole different story! Don't let her beautiful smile fool you... She is a demanding thing who wants it her way all the time! We have come to think that this must just be the way girls are or at least a girl in a house of all boys! Their sweet spirits have been such a wonderful addition to our family!