Dahler Family Photo's

Sunday, we went up to Shelley and Dave's so Icould get a family photo of them for their Christmas cards. Not an easy task. It was so funny to try to get 4 kids to pay attention to me and smile all at the same time! We got a few good ones out of the 158 photo's I took. Not all of them were of them of course.

It was so good to see them after over 4 months of being apart. The baby is huge and doing so much fun stuff. The boys were so excited to play with the kids. I don't know how Shelley keeps her head on straight trying to keep track of all those kids and their house. It makes my head spin to just think about it.

After the photo fun and a yummy dinner that Dave made, it was time to say good-bye. Kannon and Magnum didn't want to leave and it was hard getting them to clean up. On the way home, Kannon asked if we could bring Christian home with us the next time we went up there. So cute!

Steamer Trucks

We were driving down the road the other day and Magnum asked me if there was a steamer truck in front of us. I couldn't figure out what he was talking about, so I said no. Kannon chimed in with a "yes it is!" There was an eighteen-wheeler a couple of cars in front of us and I asked if that's what they were talking about. They said it was and when I asked why they called it a steamer truck they said because they go "ttssshhhhhhhh!" It's so funny how their little minds work.

The wrong word

Yesterday the boys had preschool and afterwards I asked Heather and Caroline to go to lunch with us and get pizza. The kids were really good and Caroline wanted "the boys" to come back to her house and play for a little while. Of course I said yes. That means time for Heather and I to chat and relax for a few because the kids usually get along really well. We stayed for about an hour and as I was putting the boys shoes on the funniest thing happened.

Let me first put a disclaimer on this. I am totally not making this up and I hope it does not offend anyone it is honestly just a word he can't say. With that being said...

Kannon came over and I asked him to get his shoes for me and he said, " I'm being nigorent." Heather and I both BURST OUT INTO LAUGHTER!!! He was trying to say ignorant but can't say it right. He didn't know why we were laughing, but to hear a kid say anything that is remotely wrong is always funny. Of course the laughter made him keep repeating it and Heather and I could not stop laughing. Then Caroline and Magnum started chiming in saying the same thing.

Later that night I told Jon what he said and we kept trying to get him to say it correctly, but he just doesn't get it. That's one we'll have to keep practicing for sure. He's all proud because he finally figured out how to say Gatorade and not Gatalade. This will be our new "word project".

I thank God for the innocence of children and the comedy that they bring us.

Go-Karts

Jon told the boys that if they were good yesterday that we would take them somewhere special when he got back from helping his parents work in their yard. That some place special ended up being a g0-kart track in Hanover. Of course, leave it to me to forget my camera! Sorry.

Anyway, the boys got to drive these little electric cars that were really cute. They loved it, even though they aren't as fast as the four wheeler. Then they decided to do the bungee jumping thing. They tethered them to bungee cords and there was a air filled trampoline type thing under them and they could jump pretty high. We tried to get them to do flips, but they weren't that confident.

We were off to the big cars next. The boys had to ride with us, but they thought it was funny when Jon and I would pass each other. The second time we rode, it was getting late and Magnum started falling asleep on me. We also rode the bumper boats. I think that was their favorite thing. Kannon and I ended up soaked and somehow Jon and Magnum stayed high and dry. They must have cheated in some way.

Today is going to be more fun. The boys are headed to a cook out at the in-laws and I'm going to a bachelorette party for Jordan!

Preschool!!!!

Ok, I have really been slacking at the whole Blog thing over the summer and I apologize for that. We have had a wonderful time with the boys sports clinic and play dates and going to Greenbrier state park with the girls. I can't believe how fast it has gone.

So, our exciting news now is that the boys had their first day of preschool on Tuesday. We went to orientation the week before and the boys met their teacher and got familiar with the room while the parents got drop off and pick up instructions.

Tuesday morning, I was really nervous about the whole drop off situation. The parents do not go inside at all. The teachers and assistants come out to your car and take the kids directly in. My heart was sinking as we pulled up to the door because I knew if the boys cried that I would be crying right there with them. Thankfully, I had hyped up the day so much that when they came out to get them, the boys were actually excited to go in. Kannon seemed a little hesitant at first, but walked right in.

I called Heather to see if she could keep me busy while they were in school the first day because I wasn't sure how I was going to be once they left. They've grown up so fast and if I thought about the fact that they were actually in preschool...I might just cry for two and a half hours. Heather, the great friend that she is, met me at Panera for coffee and then we walked around Old Navy for a little while. I was totally fine the whole time.

Then we went to pick up the kids. Kannon and Magnum were so excited to tell me about playing on the slide and marble painting. They even had special badges for the first day of school. We met Heather and Caroline for lunch since it was a special day and then headed home.

Now, we'll see how they do next week!

In Loving Memory of Rose

Death is something that I have had to deal with a lot in my family. As a child I had my grandfather on my father's side pass when I was very young. Then my grandmother on my mom's side. There were numerous great aunts and uncles that have passed. In more recent years, I have lost a cousin that I was very close too who died in his sleep. An uncle that died of brain cancer, an aunt that died of a heart attack and an uncle who died that had serious heart problems and very weak lungs. It's never something that is easy to deal with, but there is a great peace in knowing that your loved one has gone on to be with the Lord.

Last Wednesday, we lost my husband's grandmother. She had been in bad shape for a while and we knew it was just a matter of time. She was a wonderful woman who loved her grandsons and great grandsons more than we will know. As a young girl in middle school and high school, I remember Grandma Rose being at Jon and Justin's football games. I know this because my brother played football with them. She would do and did do whatever those boys wanted.

After Jon and I had the boys, they were the light of her life. She was in a nursing home at that point due to a stroke that paralyzed her left side. That didn't stop her from holding them or getting onto them when they got a little too wound up while we were visiting. She always was a feisty little thing. She had pictures of the kids all over the walls in her room and when we went to visit the nurses knew who they were and all about them.

I am saddened at the thought that she will not be around to meet the newest member of the family who is due in May. I know that she would be happy to finally have a little girl in the family although she used to say that she wouldn't know what to do with a girl.

Trying to explain death to a two and three year old can be a little tricky. I think they do pretty well understanding it for their age. I told them that she was in heaven with Jesus and that she doesn't have to lay in a bed anymore. I explained that she has a new body and can walk and run and do whatever she wants without being in pain. They were still confused that we didn't actually "see" Great Brum Brum Rosie while we were in Pittsburgh, but once you would explain that she was with Jesus they would talk about her being able to walk and run. They would even randomly tell people that she was with Jesus and could walk now. They will understand more when they get older, but I think that's good enough for now.

I am so glad that the boys had a chance to know their great grandmother and hope that they are old enough to keep some memories of her as they get older.

Gammy, we miss you, but know that you are in a much better place. We'll see you when the Father calls us home.

Busy Weekend

I am so excited about this weekend! It's Mindy's baby shower and I hope she gets all the good stuff that they need for girlfriend to come into this world. I can't believe she is due to come into this world in 6 weeks! I pray that they go fast, but I know they never do. This will be the longest six weeks of Mindy's life. I am so excited to meet this little girl and my heart flutters everything I think about having a niece. I'm going to have a little person to love and spoil the way Mindy and Justin love and spoil my boys.

There are lots of people coming in for the shower so it should be a fun weekend. Uncle Mike and Aunt Joyce are coming in from GA along with Aunt Nancy, Aunt Jane and Grandma Audrey from Pittsburgh. Plus, Mindy's girlfriends from Philly will be in and I haven't seen them since before my kids were born. I seriously think it has been since Mindy's wedding. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone.

Pictures will be posted sometime next week!

Messy, Bad Boys!

I think that Spring Fever has set it at our house. The kids have been out of control this week and I don't know what is going on. Sheer boredom is the only thing I can figure to explain it.

Monday was an absolute nightmare for me. It all started when I was on the computer and the kids were out at the table eating goldfish for a snack. Next thing I know I hear the sound of goldfish pouring on the floor. Most mom's know this sound. I go running out and not only had they dumped two bags out, but they were walking through it to make sure that it made a TOTAL mess!

I clean that up, put them in time out and go back to the computer and three minutes later here comes Kannon. He's trying to tell on Magnum for doing something so I walk out and find an even bigger mess! The climbed up on the counter and stood on it to get into my cupcake/cake decorations. There was an entire bottle of colored sugar dumped all over the couch and rug and magnum was eating a tube of piping gel. Now I am fuming mad because they were supposed to be in timeout in the first place and I have an even bigger mess to clean up.

The day progresses with out much mess and Jon gets home from work early. He takes the dish soap outside to wash the loader and when he brought it back in, he left it on the counter. I walk out of my bedroom, into the kitchen to find the kids pouring the dish detergent all over the kitchen floor. That's right....that is exactly what they should be doing....cleaning after making all those messes.....right? It was at least half of a bottle and that stuff doesn't like to go away. I can't even tell you how many times I have tried to wipe it all up.

So, that was Monday. Yesterday was Thursday and we were at it again. First they dumped Zayda's dog food all over the kitchen. It was probably a good two cups of dog food. But after that they decided to splash her water all over so part of the dog food that was on the floor was soaking wet too. Fun! I get that cleaned up and Kannon brings his lip gloss into me (that's right, I said lip gloss) and is crying because Magnum "used too much." I go out to see what is going on and Magnum has wiped lip gloss all over the love seat. Sticky, greasy lip gloss. After 4 attempts to clean that up, I run back to the boys room to get them ready to meet Caroline and Heather at the library only to find that they have pulled ALL of Kannon's clothes out of the drawers and threw them on the floor!

This is how my week has been. I don't know why I don't have time to get on here and write. I sure hope today isn't like the rest. I need a day of rest!

Just an update...

I haven't been on here in a long time and just need to recap our busy lives a little bit. We have had friends over and gone to parties and it's been fun, but a whirl-wind.

The kids have been sick with colds for the last two or three weeks now and that is never fun. It got worse last week when Kannon came down with Strep throat for the first time. He didn't much like getting his throat swabbed so they could test it, but after some bribing with a lolly pop he opened his mouth.

Both the boys are doing great going into their Sunday School classes at church. It's not even an issue anymore, which is an answer to prayer. Thank all of you who have been praying about this. They just walk right in before I can even get their stickers on their backs. I love it!

Last weekend we went over our neighbor's house for a kind of pot lock dinner party thing. We went to school with them, which is so random that they became our neighbors because we live out in the middle of nowhere. It was so strange because there were all these people from high school there. Of course they were all younger than me and I had a terrible time trying to remember people. Most of them know my brother. All of them have kids and they are all girls, but our boys don't mind. Actually, they are used to it because we don't really have any friends that have boys. The kids played great together and us adults had fun too. It's fun to catch up with people like that. I guess that's why I'm addicted to Facebook.

Anyway, that's been our lives the last few weeks. Didn't want to loose track and forget what has been going on.

Sunday School Blues

Today we went to church, as has been the trend over the last few months. I absolutely love this church and am just thrilled that we started going there.

I'm really trying to get the kids to go into their class now because I really want to get involved with the Worship Team. I know that this situation is brought on by myself and Jon, but I'm trying to take care of it now. Kannon and Magnum do not like to go into their Sunday School classes. Jon never let me put the kids in nursery as babies and since I'm a stay at home mom they are just used to being with me all the time. The only time they are left is usually with the grandparents so the whole concept of going into a room with adults they don't know is a little scary.

As we pulled into the parking lot at church the kids said they wanted to go into church and I told them that they were going to their class. Magnum and Kannon started crying immediately and sobbed all the way into church and into their class. I decided to sit in the class for a few minutes with one of the teachers and try to distract them by looking at a book. Of course as soon as I left Kannon started really getting upset and crying, but I left him anyway as my heart broke in two.

I sat in church praying that the boys would enjoy their class and constantly checking the wall where the parents numbers come up if you children need you. To my surprise, it never came up, but I was nervous to hear what had ensued while I was in church.

As I approached the kids class, I could see Kannon sitting on a chair and Magnum playing with another boy. As soon as Kannon saw me, his bottom lip started to pucker out and and tears started rolling down his face. The teacher assured me that once I left he calmed down and although he didn't really participate, he was good and just kind of sat there watching everything. Magnum did really well.

I hope that in a couple more weeks this gets easier and the kids start to enjoy their class. The thing I'm dreading now is that they have no idea that we are going to do this again tomorrow. I'm going to the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting tomorrow morning and the kids go into a preschool like setting while the mom's have their Bible study. I'm getting nervous just thinking about it already.

Play Date

Today we had a play date with a bunch of girls. My boys don't really mind being with a bunch of girls though. They are ladies men. We met at the Bounce About in the mall and they had a blast. After a little more than a half an hour of bouncing, the kids were wearing down and we decided it was time for lunch. Chick Fil A was is always a good choice when kids are involved, so that's where we went.

The kids were adorable as we walked through the mall. They all held hands and of course that was just the cutest thing we had ever seen.

From there, we went to Heather's house. She has a basement sized playroom filled with toys. Kannon and Magnum love going to a house with girls because it's all different stuff from what we have at home. They really enjoy playing with kitchen sets and "house" type stuff. All the kids were so good and played very well together. Us mom's got to sit upstairs and chat for hours. It was especially nice because Heather and I hadn't seen Dana in over 6 months and that's just unheard of.

At around 4:30, Dana and I decided it was probably time to head home so we packed up and headed out. When I got home, Jon said that he was starting to get worried about us because we had been gone for so long. When the kids are being that good, we need to take advantage and milk what time we can get. It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to do it again...this time let's make it sooner than six months.

Crazy Bird

Warning: This post may be offensive to some animal lovers.

We have an absolutely insane bird at our house. This bird flies and bangs right into our sliding glass door then backs up and pecks at it again and again and again! It is the most obnoxious and dirty thing! If it's not pecking at our slider, it's hanging on our screens and damaging them or pecking at the bumper of my truck or sitting on the kids playhouse and pooping all over the place!

What is even more strange is that we had a bird last year that did the same exact thing and I'm sure that this is either the same bird or one of it's offspring. Who else would do such a thing?

After weeks of putting up with the non stop banging on our windows and bird poop all over the place, Jon decided this bird must go. He went and got a B.B. Gun at Wal-Mart and the war was on. The kids totally think that this is hilarious by the way.

So, one morning the bird was out there banging on the door. I told Jon it was there and as soon as he comes out with the gun....the bird goes away. He waited and waited and the kids were watching for it, but it didn't come back. Jon finally gave up and walked away and the thing came back. So here comes Jon again and the bird takes off. This went on all day and even for several days.

Needless to say, the bird has yet to been shot and we're still cleaning up poop and listening to the pecking of this bird brained bird.

We finally got snow!!!

Well folks...it happened. We finally got enough snow to play in. We woke up Monday morning to a snow covered ground. Magnum woke up and looked out the sliding glass door. He started chanting...."It's snowing! it's snowing!" "I made it do that." I don't know why, but he some how thinks that he makes it snow. We think it's funny so we just go along with him. Kannon jumped up and they both sat there in front of the door, just watching it. When Zayda realized what was going on, she wanted out immediately. For a dog with bad legs, she sure can bounce around in the snow.

Once the snow stopped, we bundled up (this is about a half an hour process) and headed outside. We grabbed the discs that Brum Brum had bought for us to sled on and headed out in the field. The kids layed on their sleds and I pushed. We got nowhere. These sleds weren't made for fresh snow, but more for snow with a frozen layer on top. The kids didn't really mind because they just wanted to run and fall in the snow more than anything. After about 15 minutes, they decided they were done and we came back in. I think Magnum wanted to come in more than Kannon.

I'm sure glad we spent all that time getting ready to play in the snow for a minute. I'm just kidding, of course. It was fun.

Busy Busy Busy

We have been busy little bee's the last week or so. It started last Thursday when I took the boys to "Lunch with Monte" at the Chick Fil A in our mall. He is a Christian singer that does about an hour and a half of songs for kids while they eat their lunch. His website is www.musicwithmonte.com if you want to check him out. It's pretty fun. The boys love it and all the kids dance and act crazy. To our surprise, my friend Heather and her husband and daughter Caroline showed up and that just made it that much better.

Friday, I took the kids to my parents house to spend time with them for a while and I ran off to do grocery shopping and other odds and ends. I got home and started getting ready for Alex, Holly and Tyler to come over for dinner. We hadn't seen them since way before Christmas and we really enjoyed our time together.

Sunday we went to church and Heather and John have been looking for a new church to go to. She had asked about where we were going and decided to meet us. The big thing about this day, is that Kannon actually wanted to go in his class!!! I was thrilled. Magnum cried when I dropped them off and Kannon went right in and started playing. I knew that Magnum would calm down quickly so I hurried off. I was so proud of Kannon. He never wants to do anything like that. He is very shy and doesn't like to leave me.

The service was great and when I went to pick the kids up, Kannon was crying and Magnum was playing. Total role reversal. I kind of expected it, but was praying that Kannon really l iked it. The teacher said that he actually did really well until the end and that's when he got a little upset. That is fine...we are going to do it again next week and he will eventually get used to it. The childrens programs are really good at church and I want them to start getting involved and comfortable and hopefully make some friends.

As I was waiting for Heather and John to pick up their girls I saw a girl that I went to high school with and she invited me to MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers). I've been wanting to go for a while, but was always nervous about how Kannon would handle it. I think God gave me a sign this week between Kannon doing well and Heather asking me to come. Next Monday...I'm going to MOPS and I can't wait to start getting connected to people at church.

After church we decided to go out to lunch. I forgot to mention that my Jon couldn't go because we were expecting snow and he had to get his trucks set up for the big event. So I took the kids to lunch with Heather's family. The boys were pretty good considering. I think that Heather and John enjoyed church and I hope that they want to come again.

Whewww....we had a busy weekend!

Grace

Over the last couple of weeks, the boys have been really into saying "grace" before we eat. Sometimes we'll say grace four or five times during a meal. It just melts my heart and they sound so sweet.

Magnum's grace pretty much is him saying, "God is grace, God is grace, God is grace..." over and over until we are done.

Kannon does pretty good. Mostly he repeats what I say after I say it and some parts he says with me.

Just a little while ago, we were getting there jammies on and Kannon said, "Wait a minute. We need to say grace." Then he said, " God is good, thank you for our jammies. Amen."

Can I just tell you how much I loved that! These boys are rotten, but they can be so cute!

Spring Tease

This weekend the weather was absolutely gorgeous! On Saturday I packed up the boys tricycles and scooters and headed to my parents. The kids love riding on their big driveway. Jon stayed home to get some work done on the house. It's always easier when the house is quiet and empty.

We ended up playing outside most of the day. Pap pap was even riding the tricycle...I wish I had a picture of it! We asked Charity to bring David over to play and the 3 boys had a great time. David was even starting to figure out how to ride the scooter.

Sunday, we went to church and then came home to spend another beautiful day outside. The kids played with their bikes and on the swing set. I even cooked burgers on the grill. Yummy! We had to drag the kids inside to take naps and once they slowed down they were exhausted.

I can't wait for Spring to be here for good so the boys will be able to play outside and get their energy out again.

Baby Bath

I was just cleaning the bathroom in our hallway when I heard the kids cracking up laughing. I couldn't tell where the laughter was coming from, but I knew they must be doing something rotten. As I followed the sound, it led me to the master bathroom. I opened the door and there sits Kannon, naked in the sink full of water. He said, "I'm taking a baby bath." Then he proceeds to wash himself with handsoap. Where do these guys come up with this stuff?

Going To Work

One day last week we got snow overnight. Jon was getting ready to go out and plow the next morning. The next thing I know, Kannon comes out of his room totally dressed with his Nike shoes on and told me that he was getting ready to go to work. Not far behind him comes Magnum. He had is pajama shirt on, no pants and his boots and said that he was going to work. It was hilarious and he ran around the house like that for a good while. Of course I had to snap some pictures for proof.

Snow Tubing

On Monday, we went snow tubing for the first time at Ski Liberty. It was supposed to be a big group of us going, but everyone ended up chickening out except mom, dad and Aunt Linda and Uncle Ray. We were almost all ready to leave when the phone rang and Jon had to go to work because it was snowing pretty good. Needless to say I was not too happy but I wasn't going to let that ruin the kids first tubing experience.

We met the rest of the gang up there and got our tickets and waited for our time to go down the hill. The kids were unlimited so we got them suited up and took them out. The hill was kind of small, but they seemed to love it. I let everyone else do the work while I took some photo's of the boys. You had to drag them up the hill then fling them down. All the kids were adorable and had such big smiles on their faces as they were coming down.

The kids were done, so we took them inside and it was time for the adults to play. We had to take turns so someone could stay in the lodge with the boys and Uncle Ray. The lines were terrible because it was MLK day and everyone was off work and school. I only actually went down the hill once and I think everyone else went twice.

A fun time was had by all. The next time I think I'll leave the kids at home and get a group of friends to go when it's less crowded. The kids will enjoy it more when they can go down the big hill with us and that's not until they are 5. We have bigger hills at the house that would be a lot of fun for them....if we ever get any snow!