Too much to catch up on! Really! Christmas went well. Did my first ever Christmas/family photo card. Thanks to my sister Jamie. Kids seemed to enjoy their gifts. And NO ONE threw up in my car. Proving things don't always happen in threes. Hallelujah!!
In Feb. Grant was old enough for church nursery. A huge milestone for me. He still cries every now and again when I leave him there, but it sure is nice for me when it goes well!
Brad and I both turned 40 at the beginning of the year. To bad our minds haven't caught up. I think we both feel like we are in our twenties. I guess I shouldn't say that it's too bad our minds haven't caught up to our real age. I think it's better to feel like your younger even when your body tells you differently!
We also celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary on April. Brad did the math and informed me we have been a couple now for more years than we were single. Over half my years with the love of my life! Of course he didn't start out as the love of my life. He was just a cute boy. But he is now! Lucky man!
Enjoyed having the school year come to an end! Really, I couldn't wait! Maybe I'll have more patience next year. Lyndee did really enjoy her ELP field trip they were planning all year. I'm so glad she got to go. And very grateful to a good friend who swooped in and relieved some of my stress and was a huge blessing!
Tucker finished out the year with Track & Field. He did a pretty good job throwing shot putt & discus. Josh and Talmage enjoyed all their activities, too. But mostly I think they were just glad to be moving on!
We had to move again in the middle of May. Aunt Kelly offered to let us all come live at their place for awhile. So we took her up on her offer. She and Scott have big hearts, but I don't think they really knew what we were all about! We are CHAOS! But we will and are so very grateful for their willingness toshare their home and put up with all our imperfections and quirks! The little ones have sure enjoyed the never-ending sleepover. Enjoy while you can kiddos, won't last forever!
The title, summer break, gives a mom a sense if false reality! I have yet to "get a break". Running kids all over town to make sure they can spend time with their friends, girls camp prep and actually going to girls camp, and now the older boys are at scout camp! So some of my best helpers are otherwise occupied with important boy stuff!
So I think I've caught up on all that's been going on. Sort of. I did have to clean up throw up out of the car back in the begining of May. Which is odd, as it wasn't a holliday or anything! Still just as frustrating, though! Just thought I would throw that in for statistical purposes.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Funny
The words to the song go like this......"too late to apologize". What Lincoln heard and began singing out of the blue yesterday afternoon......."too late to order fries". Funny!!!
November
So I remembered what Lincoln was for Halloween night. He went as Darth Vader. It came to me in the wee morning hours when I couldn't sleep!
November was the month the Dents have been counting down to for many years! We got to welcome Stephen home! He was "unfortunately" incarcerated. It was great to see him and visit with him. He looks great and is ready to get on with life. Such a good guy and has been very diligent about making good choices, even when surrounded by such bad company! From the reports of my parents I think it is safe to say he was a very good influence on some very hard hearts.
The Dent Thanksgiving was fun. My parents, and all but one sibling, and a few spouses were able to come out to Damon and Stephens place and have dinner. Without any kids!! I don't believe we have gathered in such a way since we all started getting married 17 or 18 years ago. Should probably do that more often, but it might take another 17 or 18 years!
The Holyoak Thanksgiving Dinner followed that and was stressful. At least for Grant and I. Aunt Kelly had rented a bouncer for the kids and Grant was terrified! Didn't want to look at it, hear the motor rev up, none of it. So I took him into the toy room after a while. Sat him down and tried to play. Thought he would like the little rocking catepillar.....complete panic! So now the back yard was off limits, as well as the play room. So we headed for the car. Two car rides later all I had was a crankier baby, and a crankier me! Went out to take a ride one more time and as soon as I set him in the car seat he puked all over! An hour and a good cry later (me not him)we were back, but my attitude still needed adjusting. Nothing that a little whipped cream and pumpkin pie didn't help! The kids are still talking about the game of Quelf they played. It's their new favorite board game. And of coarse they enjoyed the bouncer
So, if were keeping track. That's two holidays in a row that my car has needed to be cleaned because a child got sick in it! So now you understand why I was crying. I'm hoping these things don't come in three's. I would hate for Christmas to be added to that list!!!
November was the month the Dents have been counting down to for many years! We got to welcome Stephen home! He was "unfortunately" incarcerated. It was great to see him and visit with him. He looks great and is ready to get on with life. Such a good guy and has been very diligent about making good choices, even when surrounded by such bad company! From the reports of my parents I think it is safe to say he was a very good influence on some very hard hearts.
The Dent Thanksgiving was fun. My parents, and all but one sibling, and a few spouses were able to come out to Damon and Stephens place and have dinner. Without any kids!! I don't believe we have gathered in such a way since we all started getting married 17 or 18 years ago. Should probably do that more often, but it might take another 17 or 18 years!
The Holyoak Thanksgiving Dinner followed that and was stressful. At least for Grant and I. Aunt Kelly had rented a bouncer for the kids and Grant was terrified! Didn't want to look at it, hear the motor rev up, none of it. So I took him into the toy room after a while. Sat him down and tried to play. Thought he would like the little rocking catepillar.....complete panic! So now the back yard was off limits, as well as the play room. So we headed for the car. Two car rides later all I had was a crankier baby, and a crankier me! Went out to take a ride one more time and as soon as I set him in the car seat he puked all over! An hour and a good cry later (me not him)we were back, but my attitude still needed adjusting. Nothing that a little whipped cream and pumpkin pie didn't help! The kids are still talking about the game of Quelf they played. It's their new favorite board game. And of coarse they enjoyed the bouncer
So, if were keeping track. That's two holidays in a row that my car has needed to be cleaned because a child got sick in it! So now you understand why I was crying. I'm hoping these things don't come in three's. I would hate for Christmas to be added to that list!!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
October
We finished out The High School Football season. It was a winning season, even though they lost their last game. Actually they were CRUSHED in the last game. Wouldn't you know it was the one game we took all the kids to! Oh well!
We have also made it through another Halloween. This one again, by the skin of our teeth! I am not a big fan of Halloween, but my kids love it! We went to the ward Trunk-or-Treat the night before. It was fun for the older ones who got to hang out, but the littler ones and I were just mostly cold! Lincoln went as a Home Depot Box. His Dad cut holes for his arms and head out of a moving box. He was excited about it until it occurred to him that he needed a "body hole" so that everyone would know that he wasn't really a box, but a real person!! Funny what kids think! Jane wore a Monkey costume that Lincoln wore a few years back. And Grant wore another one of Lincoln's old costumes. He went as a rooster!
For the actual night of Halloween we changed it up a little bit. Lincoln didn't want to be a Home Depot Box again, so....well no one can remember. There weren't any pictures(par for the course). So I guess what Lincoln really was for Halloween this year will remain a mystery! Jane dressed up as a witch (last years costume) and we put Grant in the Monkey suit! Everyone else just put on something dark and called it good. Except for Lyndee, who dresssed up like a vampire on both nights.
We went by Granpa and Grandma Holyoaks and LeSueur's to trick or treat. As we pulled up the stomach ache Talmage had been complaining about, turned into a mess in the back seat of my car! I spent the next 30 minutes cleaning up! We drove with the windows down the rest of the night!!! We then went out to Aunt Kelly's with the rest of the Holyoak cousins. We were ready to leave within the first 10 minutes. Grant had a total melt down which ended with him eating (destroying) a sugar cookie at the end of Kelly's driveway. This was the only thing we could do. Apparently he has a independant streak as long and wide as all the others and wanted to feed himself! Once our trick-or-treaters came back(seemed like forever) we were out of there! Good riddance to October!!
We have also made it through another Halloween. This one again, by the skin of our teeth! I am not a big fan of Halloween, but my kids love it! We went to the ward Trunk-or-Treat the night before. It was fun for the older ones who got to hang out, but the littler ones and I were just mostly cold! Lincoln went as a Home Depot Box. His Dad cut holes for his arms and head out of a moving box. He was excited about it until it occurred to him that he needed a "body hole" so that everyone would know that he wasn't really a box, but a real person!! Funny what kids think! Jane wore a Monkey costume that Lincoln wore a few years back. And Grant wore another one of Lincoln's old costumes. He went as a rooster!
For the actual night of Halloween we changed it up a little bit. Lincoln didn't want to be a Home Depot Box again, so....well no one can remember. There weren't any pictures(par for the course). So I guess what Lincoln really was for Halloween this year will remain a mystery! Jane dressed up as a witch (last years costume) and we put Grant in the Monkey suit! Everyone else just put on something dark and called it good. Except for Lyndee, who dresssed up like a vampire on both nights.
We went by Granpa and Grandma Holyoaks and LeSueur's to trick or treat. As we pulled up the stomach ache Talmage had been complaining about, turned into a mess in the back seat of my car! I spent the next 30 minutes cleaning up! We drove with the windows down the rest of the night!!! We then went out to Aunt Kelly's with the rest of the Holyoak cousins. We were ready to leave within the first 10 minutes. Grant had a total melt down which ended with him eating (destroying) a sugar cookie at the end of Kelly's driveway. This was the only thing we could do. Apparently he has a independant streak as long and wide as all the others and wanted to feed himself! Once our trick-or-treaters came back(seemed like forever) we were out of there! Good riddance to October!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Driving
Tucker is now a licensed driver!! He has even taken the car out to run an errand of mine and made it back safely! I may worry myself to death in the next few months. Until I get used to this. I have to admit though, I was excited for him. He has endured many months of my panicked instruction from the passenger seat. I'm sure he will enjoy not having me beside him. But he better remember EVERYTHING I have told him! So, today life is good for Tucker! He got out of school for the day, got his drivers license, went to lunch to celebrate, got to drive with his friends in the car and not his Mom, and no football practice. Good day for a 16 year old boy!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
update
We've been busy! And I'm new at this blogging thing, so I kinda forgot about it!
We moved back to the first house we ever bought. It's been a blessing to have it, but we are very sad to leave the ward we were in! Truth be told we are still attending the old ward. But as soon as the primary program is over we will run out of excuses to stay! As I told Josh last night, we CAN DO hard things! We will make new friends and get to know some old ones again, and stretch and grow a bit.
School started as we were finishing our move. Thank heavens that didn't change! Everyone (most everyone) was excited about getting back to their friends, and meeting the new teachers, and stacks of crisp, clean school supplies. I used to love the newly sharpened pencils, the look of a brand new box of crayons, all that clean white paper, etc. Ok, I still love that. It's such sharp contrast to what comes home at the end of the year!
Tucker played and WON his first football game of the season. He's a sophmore this year and is playing for Queen Creek High on the JV team. I think he plays right tackle, on the offensive line. He also does some special teams. This football stuff is relatively new to me. I haven't ever been a close follower of the game or how it's played. None of our boys had ever done Popwarner or youth football up until about 3 yrs ago. We let Tucker play in a small league out here that his cousin was playing in and he fell in love. So we signed him up for another round. He was doing great, the coaches liked him, and he earned a starting position. He was so excited. Then the first game came. The first 5min. of the first game, on the first play, he broke his knee!! I was a little late getting to the game with all the other kids, so all I saw was a couple of people helping him off the field. Then the game was called for lightning!! That kid went to EVERY practice, and EVERY game on crutches. He was determined to be able to get to be in at least one play in the final game of the season, and he did! Needless to say (almost) watching an entire season go by not being able to play, only fueled the football fire in him. Now as his mother, I think he is spectacular, but I have to say he is so fun to watch! Win or lose you can see his love and intensity for the game just oozing from his very being! One of my favorite football memories thus far was last year. I was taking him to school and noticed he looked very irritated. When I asked him what was wrong, , he said, with just a hint of a embarassment, "Mom, it's game day". He then told me he was just tryng to get in the proper frame of mind to go win a football game! He's a nice, mild mannered boy! So weird to see him go all 'football' on me! As Jackson, his cousin and teammate would say " he's a maniac out there!". Their next game is tonight. Looking forward to it!!
Josh seems to have found a new outlet. He has taken up running. Lots of people do it, not so many people like it. He has been trying to get up early in the morning to go run. We all know that's a hard one. But has really enjoyed being out when it's a little cooler outside. And really enjoys when they have to run for distance in P.E.. I'm very grateful to a great P.E. teacher who seems to be giving him a lot of encouragement. I hope he sticks with it and learns to love it!
Lyndee started ELP this year and LOVES everything about it! We all get to hear about all the things she is doing there. She also just has a great love for school. She loves all her teachers. She loves that she gets to start learning the violin this year. Thank you Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dennis for the violin! She thinks it's great that it has such history. So many people in our family have played that little violin at one time or another. I wish I could have half the enthusiam she has for EVERYTHING she does!
Talmage needs some of Lyndees' enthusiasm, too. He is so excited to have Mrs. Papa this year. Even if it has been a bit of a rough start. I know he'll get it. Because if he doesn't I'm taking my babies to daycare and sitting with him at school everyday!! No Joking! He is doing great at scouts and has earned his Wolfe rank. He is enjoying being a Bear and working toward that. We have great Cub Scout leaders! And I'm sure he will have great leaders in our new/old ward also.
Lincoln, Jane, and Grant our my three amigos. Lincoln, at 41/2yrs old, may be, almost positive, pretty sure, is finally completely potty trained. He is looking forward to preschool, as that was the propmised reward for all his hard potty training work! He is also now my biggest helper during the day when everyone else is at school. Jane is independant to a fault! Could quite possibley drive her mom cRazY! Josh sometimes likes to see just how far he can push her stubborn streak. I'll tell you how far, right over the edge! Hers and mine! But we love her when she is sweet and kind and very often, very funny! She loves to dance and twirl, and has been obsessed with her "pink" birthday that isn't until November, since almost last November. We will be overtaken by all things PINK come November. Grant has almost figured out how to walk. He has been very brave this last week, and it won't be long now! His first birthday was simple and fun. We did the obligatory 1st birthday cake of his own. Only it was an oversized cupcake I had baked in a extra large soup mug. I sort of had to reshape the top of the cupcake myself, so it looked like a cupcake. But it was quite cute frosted with one very tall candle in it. He enjoyed destroying it and made quite a mess as they all do/did. I have pictures but I still need to figure out how to post them. I will eventually figure all this blogging stuff out. The pics are a good portion of the fun. So sooner rather than later would be nice.
Brad is working very hard these days. Both to earn a living and to keep me sane! Because apparantly, according to him, I am slowly slipping into my own little funk. But, this to shall pass. I can do hard things, too. I can find the bright side. I can be happy in my trial, whatever it may be!! These are the lessons of the day/week/month and year around the Holyoak house.
We moved back to the first house we ever bought. It's been a blessing to have it, but we are very sad to leave the ward we were in! Truth be told we are still attending the old ward. But as soon as the primary program is over we will run out of excuses to stay! As I told Josh last night, we CAN DO hard things! We will make new friends and get to know some old ones again, and stretch and grow a bit.
School started as we were finishing our move. Thank heavens that didn't change! Everyone (most everyone) was excited about getting back to their friends, and meeting the new teachers, and stacks of crisp, clean school supplies. I used to love the newly sharpened pencils, the look of a brand new box of crayons, all that clean white paper, etc. Ok, I still love that. It's such sharp contrast to what comes home at the end of the year!
Tucker played and WON his first football game of the season. He's a sophmore this year and is playing for Queen Creek High on the JV team. I think he plays right tackle, on the offensive line. He also does some special teams. This football stuff is relatively new to me. I haven't ever been a close follower of the game or how it's played. None of our boys had ever done Popwarner or youth football up until about 3 yrs ago. We let Tucker play in a small league out here that his cousin was playing in and he fell in love. So we signed him up for another round. He was doing great, the coaches liked him, and he earned a starting position. He was so excited. Then the first game came. The first 5min. of the first game, on the first play, he broke his knee!! I was a little late getting to the game with all the other kids, so all I saw was a couple of people helping him off the field. Then the game was called for lightning!! That kid went to EVERY practice, and EVERY game on crutches. He was determined to be able to get to be in at least one play in the final game of the season, and he did! Needless to say (almost) watching an entire season go by not being able to play, only fueled the football fire in him. Now as his mother, I think he is spectacular, but I have to say he is so fun to watch! Win or lose you can see his love and intensity for the game just oozing from his very being! One of my favorite football memories thus far was last year. I was taking him to school and noticed he looked very irritated. When I asked him what was wrong, , he said, with just a hint of a embarassment, "Mom, it's game day". He then told me he was just tryng to get in the proper frame of mind to go win a football game! He's a nice, mild mannered boy! So weird to see him go all 'football' on me! As Jackson, his cousin and teammate would say " he's a maniac out there!". Their next game is tonight. Looking forward to it!!
Josh seems to have found a new outlet. He has taken up running. Lots of people do it, not so many people like it. He has been trying to get up early in the morning to go run. We all know that's a hard one. But has really enjoyed being out when it's a little cooler outside. And really enjoys when they have to run for distance in P.E.. I'm very grateful to a great P.E. teacher who seems to be giving him a lot of encouragement. I hope he sticks with it and learns to love it!
Lyndee started ELP this year and LOVES everything about it! We all get to hear about all the things she is doing there. She also just has a great love for school. She loves all her teachers. She loves that she gets to start learning the violin this year. Thank you Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dennis for the violin! She thinks it's great that it has such history. So many people in our family have played that little violin at one time or another. I wish I could have half the enthusiam she has for EVERYTHING she does!
Talmage needs some of Lyndees' enthusiasm, too. He is so excited to have Mrs. Papa this year. Even if it has been a bit of a rough start. I know he'll get it. Because if he doesn't I'm taking my babies to daycare and sitting with him at school everyday!! No Joking! He is doing great at scouts and has earned his Wolfe rank. He is enjoying being a Bear and working toward that. We have great Cub Scout leaders! And I'm sure he will have great leaders in our new/old ward also.
Lincoln, Jane, and Grant our my three amigos. Lincoln, at 41/2yrs old, may be, almost positive, pretty sure, is finally completely potty trained. He is looking forward to preschool, as that was the propmised reward for all his hard potty training work! He is also now my biggest helper during the day when everyone else is at school. Jane is independant to a fault! Could quite possibley drive her mom cRazY! Josh sometimes likes to see just how far he can push her stubborn streak. I'll tell you how far, right over the edge! Hers and mine! But we love her when she is sweet and kind and very often, very funny! She loves to dance and twirl, and has been obsessed with her "pink" birthday that isn't until November, since almost last November. We will be overtaken by all things PINK come November. Grant has almost figured out how to walk. He has been very brave this last week, and it won't be long now! His first birthday was simple and fun. We did the obligatory 1st birthday cake of his own. Only it was an oversized cupcake I had baked in a extra large soup mug. I sort of had to reshape the top of the cupcake myself, so it looked like a cupcake. But it was quite cute frosted with one very tall candle in it. He enjoyed destroying it and made quite a mess as they all do/did. I have pictures but I still need to figure out how to post them. I will eventually figure all this blogging stuff out. The pics are a good portion of the fun. So sooner rather than later would be nice.
Brad is working very hard these days. Both to earn a living and to keep me sane! Because apparantly, according to him, I am slowly slipping into my own little funk. But, this to shall pass. I can do hard things, too. I can find the bright side. I can be happy in my trial, whatever it may be!! These are the lessons of the day/week/month and year around the Holyoak house.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The 4th
We spent the 4th of July with some friends from Brads work at their home in Phx. All the kids were invited. We swam and played and ate very well! It's always a little scary to take the whole family to someone elses home. The shear number of us makes it an act of faith! But we managed to keep the drama to a minimum. Of course Lincoln tried to swim where he couldn't, and managed to get his leg stuck between the boards of the swing set fort. After the panic and screaming, his Dad saved him! We managed to get through dinner event free, but as we loaded the car we discovered we had disturbed an ant hill and we were under attack. Poor Jane, she had them all up and down her legs! Once again, Daddy to the rescue!! We came home to watch the fireworks. Ended up sitting on the side of the road with the kids crawling in and out of the windows and doors, and up on the roof of the car. But we managed to catch a good show from Schnepf Farms. Kids loved it!!
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