Our trip to the ranch

To end the year, Lauren's gs troop had a last hoo-ra at White Pines Dude Ranch. I being an unofficial co-leader came along to spend some quality time with my daugher and assure this will be a trip embedded forever in our hearts and memories. We had such a beautiful weekend together.

We took time to explore the canyons

We played on good old fashioned tire swings

Lauren picked "Roman"

The first friend Lauren made was this beauty

The ranch had over 70 horses on 200+ acres of wooded land. When they were out to pasture you'd never know they were out there. We were able to get up early and see the rancher herd them in. Every hour, on the hour, the ranch would ring a bell and the girls got to pick from a group of 3 things what they wanted to do. Lauren spent most of her time exploring the barns and just "free" playing. We certainly didn't need to be entertained every hour. I didn't go all that way and pay all that money to sit and play bingo~ :0) Lauren spent most of her time, and if I didn't know where she went, I always knew I could find her in the "Critter Corral" with the billygoats, pigs, sheep and kittens. Lauren really is such a "simpleton". She loves to just, play- look under rocks, make soup out of leaves and grass, make mud pies. She even told me after this weekend, she really thinks it is possible to live without video games! We had so much fun and we will surely never forget our time spent together!

Happy Easter

We're back and apologize for not posting in so long! I've fallen victim to Facebook~ it's a "mini blog", similiar to this without the long story- just a quick blurb about what's new. It is addicting- especially once you start finding old friends~ and a great way to keep in touch when you don't have an hour to be on the phone. The kids just gathered all their eggs and rummaged through their baskets and are having a good Easter morning- Gavin's a little sick so we're staying in. I feel guilty about not going to church but also feel that as long as we remember the true meaning of Easter, then God doesn't mind if we stay home. We can still talk to him from here =)

Gavin had so much fun coloring eggs and Lauren couldn't wait to wake up and find them. Hunter's definately 14 as he slept in and came rollin' on down just in time for breakfast and then I had to say "Don't you wanna know what's in your basket?" We'll go to Julie's later and then I have to work. The babies don't know it's a holiday =)

Everything's been going pretty well. Just waiting for spring to officially arrive though we're the only ones in the neighborhood who still have snow after the giant snow bunny we built last Monday. We were outside all day playing in the snow hoping that would be the last time for the season.

In just 2 months I'll have a sophmore, a 5th grader and Gav will be 3 1/2 already! I can't believe it. No big plans for the summer- just little day trips here n' there.

I better get back to spending Easter morning with the kids. Just wanted to wish you all a very blessed Easter and may God bless you, my friends and family.

Love,

Mel

Happy Birthday to Gavin

Our little buddy turns 3 today~ yippee! He's such a sweetheart and has so much to say! He's a little chatter box :0) We've been blessed again with a darling little boy who is sitting behind me, hugging me in my chair as I write this. Happy Birthday lovey!

The Wildnerness

In between the kids taking turns being sick, we were able to grab a quick trip to the Wildnerness Resort at Wisconsin Dells. Everyone had a ton of fun and everyone was ready to leave right when we did. It was the perfect little trip- with one minor exception- as soon as we walked in the room, Gavin thought he'd test how sturdy the furniture is and stood up on the table. When I caught him, I surprisingly said "Gavin Michael!" which startled him and caused him to fall and hit his head on the table. Lucky for us the urgent care center was right across the street so while Todd unloaded the suitcases, Gavin had a full neuro exam at the friendly neighborhood ER! He checked out okay and vacation was a go!

We had a fully loaded kitchen so we brought food up with us. We snack on pizza rolls before heading to the first indoor water park. (and we bought our own paper goods- who wants to dishes on vacation?)

This is the tunnel the led us to the waterparks- heated :0)

Todd and Hunter spent a night at Cascade Mountain learning to snowboard. Todd also learned he's getting a little too old to snowboard! Hunter did great though!

While the guys hit the slopes we hit the wave pool. Gav couldn't wait to get going!

Another snack before bed- Lauren was in such a good mood!

One of the few pictures I was able to get with all 3 of them

Our room had a fireplace, fully loaded kitchen, guest bath, master bath, master bedroom, a guestroom with a bunk where Lauren and Gavin slept, and a murphy bed that folded out for Hunter. There's the dreaded table that Gavin learned is plenty sturdy!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, Get Well Soon, etc. etc.

Happy 2009! We've been just a little bit busy with the holidays, a quickie vacation, a birthday, but most of all. . . being sick :0( It started just before Christmas with the stomach flu spreading like wildfire through the house- every one of us got nailed. But poor Gavin who had never thrown up before was lying in his bed, flat on his back, throwing up and in between trying to catch a breath, he was yelling "I'm choking! I'm choking!" I don't think I ever jumped out of bed so fast. So guess who gets it next? Then while I'm lying in bed I hear the cutest little dry heaves- my Lauren was next. Then came the manly heaves that echoed through the house and I knew Hunter had it. I told Todd he had stay strong long enough for me to get through it. Which he did for a day. So that was no fun. Christmas with all the extended family was cancelled and we ended up just having a quiet holiday at home. Hunter and I actually felt well enough to go to my sister's and spend time with her family, mom, dad and Aunt B. while Lauren, Todd and Gavin took a nap at home. It was a quaint little holiday with no shortage of good food and good company. Then Gav and Lauren got sick with ear infections, Gavin had that "hand, foot and mouth" disease -and- a double ear infection. We tried to celebrate New Year's Eve but Lauren had to wake me up at 11:45pm and Todd never did get out of bed. Hunter had his buddy over so the kids had a good time. We left on the 3rd for a quick trip to the Dells and no sooner did we get home, and Gav's sick again with strep throat. In between all that I've been working, trying to keep up with house, volunteered for Lauren's Christmas party, volunteered to drive the girls to Oak Park to tour Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, managed to squeeze in Lauren's 10th birthday party at the movies (you have to see "Hotel for Dogs"- too cute) and play nurse both at home and at work. I had my first "bad" experience at work with a patient who's blood pressure bottomed out after her epidural but I learned A LOT that night both about my patient and the "invisible patient", as we call our babies. The other nurses I work with are amazing- the support and team work is incredible. I've never felt so encouraged to succeed as I do with this amazing team of women and doctors. Delivering babies is not always fun- it's as scary as "you-know-what". So to de-stress from all that, I distract myself at home and got busy venetian plastering my office. It's finally finished! My next project will be the master bath. I can't wait to finally finish this house! We've been here 4 years already and there's so much to do- but absolutely no time to do it. Lauren is now in art club and volleyball in addition to girlscouts and Hunter has art club with indoor winter track coming up. When Gavin's not sick he's busy running around behind me undoing all the cleaning I just did. I'll never get ahead as I struggle to just keep up! But one day these kids will be grown and gone and I'll give anything to have this time back so I try not to complain (too much :0) Next we're getting ready to celebrate Gavin's 3rd birthday and I'll start studying for certification in labor and delivery so there's enough to keep me busy. Todd's busy at work trying to keep his company afloat. They've been hit pretty hard- no one needs semi's right now. Hopefully this will be the year our economy bounces back!

5 shopping days left!!

. . . and the kids have a snow day today- yikes! This time of year is so fun but it goes so fast!! Work is usually busy with parents trying to get another tax deduction in for the year. More often than not, we regretfully send our hopefuls home with the same line, "I'm sorry but you're not in labor". Ooh they get so mad at us! But the babies that are rightfully born are put in cute little Christmas stockings. With all the privacy laws I can't take an authentic photo but they look something like this. . . too cute.

Cute picture of Lauren that I thought I'd throw in :0)

Lauren and I together the day we took family pictures at Julie's

I'm glad today turned out the way it did. I was suppose to work last night, then stay awake all day and be in charge of the craft for Lauren's Christmas party. I don't know how I get myself into these things. Turned out, I got to stay home, no school yippee and Gavin's going to our neighbors to wrap presents and do crafts with his girlfriend Marionne. ( a much older woman :0) while he's there, the other 2 stay home and I can still get things done! I've always said that things have a way of working out! We lost last weekend to being sick then I work Monday and Tuesday night so this weekend is it to finish up shopping- thank God because my wallet's getting awfully thin!

Winter in Chicago

This blog is dedicated to our family on the west coast basking in the warm sunny weather while we pile on the layers just to go out the front door. I made out on "Black Friday" with new snowsuits for the kids. Lauren's is from Macy's and she is snug as a bug in that suit. Here she is on her way to school. . .









After school, Isabelle and Emily came over to help build the first snowman of the season. Recognizing they couldn't possibly lift the middle snowball, Lauren grabbed a piece of scrapwood from the garage and together they hoisted it up there.

The girls took a break for me to grab this picture then it was back to work.

No playing in the snow for Gavin. He got bit by the flu bug. Seeing as he never threw up before, he was crying out at 3am, "I'm choking" and I found him lying flat on his back throwing up- and he's been throwing up all day :0( (which is the only the reason I have time to sit and blog while he's napping)

There'a plenty more to blog about but Gav's here now and wants to snuggle :0)