Not quite SPRING

Oh, I just LOVE seeing my little guys as they start to poke out and show themselves... BUT... not while listening to the weather warning of a winter storm coming through! Tulips are on the way, apparently, so is more winter!! Yesterday, our temps were in the 50's- today, there's already a chill in the air!

Ah... I love a sign of spring- too bad it will be buried under new, white snow within the next 24 hours! At least it is on the way, right?

Our Little LadyBUG

Exactly one year ago, we fell in love with these two big, brown eyes staring up at us though the kennel chain link at our local Kansas Humane Society. We knew we wanted a family pup to grow up with the boys however- we hadn't had the best luck in finding the right "fit" for our family. I thought she had an ugly, smashed face but, she was the right medium size. Jim immediately thought she was cute. We took her into a "visiting" room- and didn't take long for us to know we HAD to adopt her.

Our little LadyBUG (aka Bugsy, Lady) has been above and beyond the best pup a family could ever want! While we didn't know too much about Boxers (she's a Boxer-mix) we've definitely fallen for the breed. They're ABSOLUTELY a kid's dog- Caden especially is all over her ALL the time and she LOVES him. While a bit protective, she's as calm or full of energy as we are. While sitting at my desk, she'll curl up in a ball and keep my feet warm. But, if you want her to go for a run- she'll play hard! Loyal, Loyal, Loyal!! Stubborn, but so full of personality! We just love her!!

For all of the expense, work and clean-up of having a family dog, she's more than earned her spot in our hearts- can't imaging not having her!

Dribbling

Dribble - SHOOT

Caden's so excited he's old enough to be in basketball with Coleman! Their basketball clinic is Saturday mornings for kids ages four-six. As you can see, Caden's about average height where Coleman pretty much towers over the other kids... We're realizing, he really is a big kid- in the 95 %ile for height and weight! Caden does the combo defensive-stance dribble- gotta love watching little guys! I have video I'll post as soon as I can!

Ah... opposites do attract

Yes, he's ok! Yesterday (1/11), Jim had surgery to repair a hernia. It's been there for a while, he's just put it off- dreading the surgical experience. After getting the worst nurse possible to start his IV (and missing over and over... then, digging over and over) they got his blood pressure back down and the IV started. Took a few hours to get the color back in his face. He came through just fine- then, got out of recovery and back home as quickly as possible!

My favorite part (the only good part) of surgery is the great painkillers that come along with it to take the worries away... Jim, on the other hand is already making his list of things to do since he can't stand to stay down for ANY amount of time. I think this is probably where Caden gets it... I LOVE this quality in him- searched for a man with this quality- but, wish he'd chill for at least a little while so we don't end up back in getting it repaired. I hate that he had to go in, but so happy to have him home for at least a week while recovering!

MERRY Christmas from KANSAS

Merry Christmas from our family!! Hope it was a wonderful day for you!

Whitey aka Rusty

This is Jim's new toy... I'm only adding photos since my dad's requested them a few times!
I'm definitely outnumbered as ALL four of the boys (for some odd reason) LOVE 'ole Whitey. I prefer to call him Rusty. Caden especially hangs out there any chance he gets to. It was Pa's truck, so Jim's planning to keep it forever.

Justin's Sweet 16!

Oh, our sweet boy is 16 years old today! Usually, it's exciting to turn 16 to be able to drive... not so for him since he's had his restricted license since the summer and still isn't too thrilled with driving. We celebrated his birthday yesterday with an afternoon movie & a nice steak/shrimp dinner.

They're playing BASKETBALL

All four boys are playing basketball now. Coleman and Caden have their clinic on Saturday mornings (8am- seriously, did they have to make it that early?), Ty is on the freshman team, and Justin's playing on JV. Good thing this mama LOVES the game- never get tired of it! Notice our calm Coleman 2nd in line, then our crazy child at the end... such a bundle of energy!!? Oh... he wears me out...

Power of IMAGINATION

You know, Caden has to do everything just like his brothers. That includes going to school every day. He drives Coleman crazy since Coleman knows that Caden really doesn't go to school. But, in his mind... he does. He gets dressed, puts his backpack on, has a teacher, does homework... all of the above! He even waits for his ride while Coleman waits! What a funny little guy!

the CHRISTMAS tree FARM

What a great tradition... I just LOVE picking out our Christmas tree from a real Christmas Tree farm. This year, the boys had their own fun playing hide-and-go-seek while Jim and I enjoyed walking around while we searched for the perfect tree. All had fun... wonderful memories in the making!

** Clicking on the photos will enlarge them... I know, I took a few!

TOO much PIE!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend filled with fun and family in Illinois. We set out last Wednesday for the long weekend and made some new, wonderful memories. It's the first trip to Granny's that Caden can remember making it SOOO exciting for our little guy. He couldn't believe Granny had so many beds in the basement and he got to pick his own. Dawn, Jassen & Dakota drove up for the day which was great, too!

Of course, the food was fabulous... Granny and Aunt Patti made at least 10 different pies. Of course, I had to try them all! Pumpkin, cherry, blackberry, chocolate meringue, lemon meringue, cherry custard, coconut cream, coconut cream meringue, plain custard... so yummy and beautiful!! I think the Thanksgiving table was set for 32... quite the crowd!

I really enjoyed catching up with my best friend from 2nd grade who lives just 30 or so minutes away. It was a short, but nice visit!

We all got to experience a little farming- getting up and riding on a combine in the corn fields. What a cool thing... really, I LOVED it... could have been a farmer's wife for sure.

The big boys got to go hunting with dad and Grandpa and even killed a few quails. No, I'm not cooking them. Jim brought them home, says they taste like chicken... I'm not so sure I'll try it.

Somehow, Jim got out of Marissa buying Pa's old truck from Granny. I think this truck will be the 4th or 5th with his license plate- LAST ONE. It's an old Grandpa truck- the boys all LOVE it... especially Caden. He was so excited to clean it out. Pa called him Whitey, I think I might refer to him as Rusty.

Saturday, we drove down to Grandpa and Grandma Behl's house to pick up Grandma Shellene. Grandma made the best lunch... meatloaf, scalloped potatoes... yes, I'm sure I put on some weight. Can't beat Granny/Grandma cooking- love it!

All in all... wonderful weekend. The boys will be doing extra conditioning (probably for a month) for basketball since family trips are unexcused absences.... can't say I agree with that. Oh well!

Happy December!!!

Justin v. Caden

Oh, my sweet Caden Luke. A fight broke out at our house this last weekend- it was Justin v. Caden. With the big boys home, we assigned jobs to chip in and help around the house. Justin "chose" to vacuum, and jumped right in to get it done. As soon as the vacuum turned on, Caden went running to see what was up. You know- he thinks it really is his vacuum. He picks up the rugs and actually does a pretty good job. I finally got Justin to distract him by getting him to clean the bathroom- his 2nd favorite job.

Weekdays are a little easier for Caden, he doesn't have his brothers in the way... today, it was vacuuming and windows. Last week, he brought the garbage can in after the trashman came, then decided that he needed to take it to the street EVERY day... because we had trash... neighbors probably think we're crazy!!

The child LOVES to clean and work... it's a great quality... now, if only he would quit making messes... I'd maybe get on top of things!

Happy Halloween

I'm so happy to have Halloween over... but, I did take a few photos!

My sweet neighbor girls showed up just in time to finish the slimy work carving out our pumpkins! For some reason, my boys don't do pumpkins so well, and I always end up doing them!

Coleman was Optimus Prime & Caden was a little Bumblebee... love Transformers in this house!