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!

Christmas Eve Traditions...

Today started off on a bad note, but I know it's only going to get better. It was icy here in MD over night. That means that Jon had to go to work at 1:30 this morning. He went out and salted their properties and while working he had a slow leak in one of his tires. He plugged it and it seemed to be holding fine so he went on working and decided that he would change the tire once he got home so he could have better tools.

Well, he was about 5 miles from home when the tire just totally went flat at about 6am.
He got the truck jacked up and the tire off when the jack gave way and dropped. I'm sure the jack was not meant to hold the weight of the heavy duty truck plus over a ton of chemicals in the back. He had to call me to come get him, so he could come back home, get the floor jack (it's too heavy for me to lift), and go back to the truck to change the tire. After quickly getting the kids out of bed and throwing them in the truck, we were on our way. Jon got the tire changed really fast after we got the proper tools and we are now home getting ready to enjoy our Christmas Eve Traditions.

We always go to church on Christmas Eve after which, we go to Jon's parent's house for a Polish Christmas dinner. That pretty much means that we have all seafood...what a shame. :) Then we exchange gifts with Jon's parents and Justin and Mindy. This usually takes hours by the time we get everything opened. We are very slow and like to savor the time.

This year may be the beginning of a new tradition with our family too. Tonight we will be having a big old slumber party at our house! My parents, my brother and Erin and Jon's parents are all going to spend the night. Everyone wants to see the kids when they wake up and I think it will be wonderful to have everyone here! I always had my grandmother there on Christmas morning when my brother and I got up to open gifts and I know my boys will cherish these memories some day.


Just a side note...these boys are being absolutely BAD this morning. They have done nothing but fight, cry and whine since we've been home. Santa may have a light load to bring here tonight.

Birthday Party...

I was very glad to get the kids out of the house and off to Chuck E Cheese's for Alyssa's birthday party yesterday. They have been so totally wound up this week because of Christmas that I don't know what to do with them and this was a good opportunity to get some of that energy out.

The kids were so excited to see Christian, Allysa, and Allyson, as they always are. As soon as we got there, they took off and started climbing in the tubes and going down the slide. Lyssie and her friend amber were chasing them around in the tubes. They were so loud with laughing and screaming that you could hear them all through the restaurant.

She is going to kill me for putting this on here!

Shelley is 8 months pregnant with #4 and is as cute as she could be. I also go to see Dave's sister's new baby Harrison. He is absolutely beautiful! I even got to feed him and have some snuggles. :) Babies are so sweet, especially when you can give them back!

It was a great time for all of us and after four hours of playing, the kids were exhausted and actually took naps in the truck for the ride home. Hallelujah! Now, if I can get through tomorrow, we'll be good!

Look at the snow...

This morning I was working in the office shipping stuff out. I looked out the window and there were huge snowflakes coming down. I turned around and Magnum was standing behind me.

I said, "Magnum look, it's snowing outside!"

To which he replied, "COME ON NOW!!!!!"

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Magnum is potty trained!

I know, this is old news for most of you, but I haven't written about it yet. He has been for probably a month now but he is doing really well. We had given up after the last post I wrote about potty training. I got tired of him peeing all over the floors in the house. One day I finally decided that I was ready to try again and it took all of 2 days! He did #1 and #2 in 2 days. I was so proud of him and so was Kannon.

It is so great to be done with diapers. Pull-ups at night I can deal with. Diapers are a thing of my past! Yayyy! Good job Magnum!

Putting the tree up...

I finally put the tree up. It's not that I don't enjoy doing it, I was just dreading the thought of the kids constantly touching it and pulling stuff off. I must say, they have done really well since it's been up.....so far. It's only been up two days.

This year, we decided to change up the ornaments. The last two years we have done black, white and silver, which anyone who knows us well, knows that we love black. Our tree is white and I think that it is just really neat with the black. Being how the rest of our house is all kinds of bright and funky colors, we decided to decorate the tree with bright and funky colors. The kids and I went to Target and found orange, pink, green, red and purple ornaments and I was so excited!

The boys were so excited to put the decorations on. It was so funny because they put them all on the bottom of the tree on one side. They didn't quite get the concept of putting them all over the tree. They did a good job though and even though it took a little longer than normal it was all worth it. They were really concentrating and working hard to make it beautiful. Of course, Jon and I went back and tweaked it once they were done.

Then yesterday was the day the kids had been waiting for. They wanted the train around the tree, so Jon set up the Lionel Polar Express train for them. Magnum got this train for his first Christmas. Needless to say, our house is full of the smell of smoke from the train and the sounds of the whistle and bells. Along that comes the sound of two little boys fighting over who is going to run it or yelling that the one running it, isn't doing it right. Ahhh...the joys of Christmas.

The boys are getting so excited about Christmas this year and I have to admit that I am too. They are going to be so much fun since they are starting to understand what is going on. Santa Clause is coming to town!!!!!!

I'm Thankful for....

I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I've been thinking about how blessed I am compared to so many people in the world who have nothing.

So, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for....

1. Jesus Christ who died on the cross that I may have eternal life. There is no greater gift.
2. Two beautiful and healthy boys that make me laugh every day.
3. A husband who works his butt off so that I may stay home with our children.
4. Parents who will drop whatever it is that they are doing on a dime to come help me with the kids or even come help me clean my house! Now that's a dedication! I love you!
5. Justin and Mindy who are about to make me an Aunt (I can't wait!) and don't mind hanging out at our house just about every weekend. I am really grateful for some adult interaction on the weekends! I love you guys too!
6. Aunt Linda and Uncle Ray, who bring so much joy into the boys lives and also for the help that you give with the kids.
7. Friends that I can laugh with, cry with and just relax with.

I was trying to explain to the kids this morning that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Then I asked them what they were thankful for. Kannon said, "lip gloss!" Well of course, what little boy isn't thankful for lip gloss. He totally cracks me up. Then Magnum couldn't think of anything better and he always wants to be like Kannon so he said lip gloss too.

I hope everyone can find at least one thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I know my list could go on and on, but I listed the important ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!