Holiday Fun!

Peyton and Annisten dressed up for the last school before Thanksgiving break. Apparently nobody dresses up as pilgrims- Native Americans are the cool ones.

Black Friday Shopping- of coarse we would not miss that! We made a pit stop for all the kids to have a little fun as well.

Indoor Camping

It is way to cold for outdoor camping and the kiddos were restless. Corey was out of town for work. So I invited the cousins over for a campout. The kids loved it. We told stories, made shadow pictures on the tent, and had a great time. The kids cried when we took down the tent. This will definitely be a a winter repeat!

I love this song...

Becky Kelley sings this song and it will touch your heart. Check out the link...
 MERRY CHRISTMAS                                                      
  OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO                                                
  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium      
                                                                      

Up to date......

Ok not really, but a new post may be in the works!   :)

Peyton's Big Week

T-Ball

Peyton had his first t-ball game this week.  He made a catch, threw the ball to first base, and got the runner out. Peyton danced and cheered at his success. 

Peyton hit a double.

Corey coached him on third base. The look like two peas in a pod out there on third base.

 This grin was there all night and even the next morning!

I love the picture Corey took of Peyton and his teammates.

Kindergarden Graduation

On Friday, Peyton graduated from kindergarden. All the parents went to his classroom for awards and treats. Peyton worked so hard all year. We are amazed at everything he has learned this year. Peyton had become is doing so well with his reading.

Next year, Peyton will really miss his teacher. We will too. She did amazing job.

Tornado Scare!

The tornados have making their way through the midwest have been scary and heartfelt. This past week we had a scare of our own. Peyton cried all evening and part of the night because his ear was hurting. He has a history with ear infections. so first thing in the morning I took him to the doctor. I was rushing around and did not even realize that I had left my phone at home until after the doctor's appointment. I thought that I would just run into Walmart, pick up his medicine, and be home in half and hour.  No big deal but was I ever wrong!

While standing in the short line at the pharmacy, I thought I heard a siren go off for only a couple of seconds. It was not even storming outside when we came in. So I thought to myself that it could not have been a tornado siren, but maybe some type of equipment at the store. Just as I got to the pharmacy counter, a code black was announced.

Come to find out it was a tornado siren. Three workers escorted the kids and I to the back of the store. I have to admit I was feeling a bit panicked, but did not want the kids to know. At first they were nervous, but then thought it was all fun. I had no way of contacting Corey to even tell him where we were at. I didn't even know if he had found a safe place because he was at work. All I could think about was what if these walls cave in or the roof blows off, what would I do to protect the kids. It was terrible!! My heart was full of prayers. Of all times to not have my phone. I tried texting him from someone else's phone, but the circuits were busy.

 We ended up running into the Kirkland family from our ward. Walmart brought out water, candy, and a color book for the kids. I was finally able to call Corey from my friend's phone. My family was all really worried.

We could hear the wind, rain, and hail beating against the building. I am so glad that Lori was there. All of the employees and customers were at the store in lock down for about two hours!!!!! The kids were such troopers and did not complain one time.  What a relief it was to hear that we were free to go! I am so grateful that no one was hurt. I feel so blessed that my family or no one else was hurt that day!!!!!!

This is a picture taken in Kansas City by a local news caster Gary Lezek.  Corey and my Mom work in this city.

Maddox's Baby Blessing

Maddox's was blessed on Sunday in our home. We tried to have it in our ward, but there was always someone's schedule that was making things complicated. It was such a wonderful experiance to share with the family and feel the spirit in our home. We are so grateful to have Maddox in our family!

Sun and Sand

Wonderscope is a children's museum. On Saturday they had a sand festival with sand sculptures and all kinds of activities for the kids. Brekka and I took the kids there and had a great time. We packed our lunches and moved car seats around so that we would all fit in one car. By the time we got there, the kids were ready for lunch. We realized that neither one of us remembered to bring sandwiches! Oh well chips, fruit drinks, and snacks it was for lunch. The kids did not seem to mind. The sand sculptures were pretty cool.

Baby Steps!

Corey and I have practically witnessed two miracles in the last week. Little Maddox now sleeps one 4 hour stretch at night! The first night Maddox did this I made Corey check to see if he was still breathing! This may not seem like much, but when the little baby eats for an hour and sleeps for an hour repeatedly (this does not take into consideration the 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. crying) a person begins to daydream about sleep. Maddox is also not as fussy throughout the day and the 2:00 a.m. crying is slowly occurring less. These are two small baby steps but they are huge for us in getting more sleep and Maddox feeling better!

The other day Maddox was stretching on the bed and Pryton said,"Look how big he is getting!" Then Anni said, "How did he [Maddox] do that?" Corey and I just laughed. Maddox is almost 2 months old now. He is beginning to grow those baby chunky rolls. Little Maddox is learning to smile and make cueing noises, which is all the more fun. He loves his swing and pacifier and so does the family!

A visit from the tooth fairy!

Peyton is one of the youngest kids in his class at school. He is always talking about how other kids are losing their teeth. Well the magic day finally happened for him. Last week he came home from school with a lose tooth. He could not have been more proud. He has been wiggling that tooth non-stop. The tooth looked like it was about to fall out. Corey and I tried to pull it and offered all the old tricks of getting rid of a tooth. Peyton would not even consider it. He wanted his tooth to fall out at school so he could go to the nurses office. When I picked him up for school the other day, he was beaming! When he got in the car, he told us the whole story of how his tooth fell out at school. Annisten had a million questions for him about his tooth. Peyton could hardly wait for a visit from the tooth fairy. Peyton and Annisten talked all night about the tooth fairy and every thing you could possible think of about the tooth fairy.

The tooth fairy came and took his tooth in exchanged for money and a toothbrush. The tooth fairy took his tooth and left behind red magic fairy dust in Peyton's treasure chest. Some how fairy dust was in the room as well. And now Peyton has two more lose teeth all in the same week!

 

 It is so cute to hear him talk now that he is missing a tooth. Peyton has trouble pronouncing "th's" sounds. Annisten keeps telling him "That is not how you say it" or "what is he talking about." I can't beleive he is old enough to lose a tooth!

Extreme Cheer

Annisten loves gymnastics. We have been trying to find her a place to go to in Missouri that she really likes. There ended up being a gym just down the road that does a combination of dance. cheer, and gymnastics. who would ever have thought of 3 year olds doing all of this and even going to competition with routines! Annisten loves every minute of it and would go every day if she could!

Happy Easter

We always try to do a few fun treats with the kids a round the holidays. This year we tried to make bunny cookies on a stick. What a cute idea in theory, but they were not what I had hoped for. The cookies baked up over the molds making the bunnies funny shaped. The frosting drip and ran everywhere. I had to scrub carpet and little hands from the frosting dye. The kids and the little neighbor loved the making and decorating fun. So that is all that matters. A practice run might be a better plan. :)

Peyton and Annisten love to dye Easter Eggs, They asked every day for a week about coloring the Easter Eggs. They learned a new trick with using crayons on the eggs and then dying them. Peyton and Anni thought that was the coolest thing ever!

We talked about the true meaning of Easter. One night before bed Peyton asked with great concern "When are all the storms and earthquakes going to start?" All this time when Corey and I talked about the events leading up to Easter and then the Resurrection, Peyton thought all of these events were going to take place this week. He did not realize that all of this happened long time ago and that we are remembering and celebrating the event of the the Savior's Resurrection. I felt bad that he was worried about the storms and darkness. He was so relieved to know that they were not going to happen.

We tried to take the kids to an egg hunt and fun activities with the cousins and grandparents. I looked every thing up on line and organized everyone meeting up. What I did not know is the event time was changed. So by the time we got there the kids only were able to do one activity. They loved the trampolines. Maddox slept the time away in the stroller. I felt horrible!! The kids were such good sports and didn't even complain about all the disappointment of the day. Next time I will call to double check times,

Nana T had a Egg hunt for the kids at her house to make up for the day's disappointment. The kids thought they needed to wear PJ for the event.

Easter morning the kids were so excited! They were bouncing and running around the house with excitement.

New Little Reed!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday the 18th little Maddox Reed was born. My water was broke at 11:50 and he was born at 1:12 p.m. He is a health little boy weighing 7 pounds and 6 ounces. 

The kids are absolutely crazy over him and are always wanting to help with the baby. 

Even though this is number three for us, we forgot how little newborns can be. This going home outfit was a just a bit big. The little outfit was suppose to be for newborns.  The shorts were not even an option.

Maddox defiantly has a strong set of lungs. He loves his hands and his pacifier, thank goodness. He is already changing so fast. Corey and I are not sure who he looks like yet.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This year we tried to catch a leprechaun with homemade traps and rainbow M&Ms. Peyton and Annisten planned it all out. They decided to put a picture of gold at the bottom of the trap. Then use tape to make him stick to the trap. That tricky leprechaun got away again this year. He turned everything green too! Peyton loved and Annisten was made. I think it might have scared her. All day she was jumpy and asked if the leprechaun was gone.

 To celebrate we had a day of green and rainbow foods. The two favorites- green eggs with ham and rainbow cupcakes.