On the first day of Christmas...

The first day of our Christmas festivities found us at my parent's!  We headed up today to celebrate Tiffany's birthday and then Christmas Eve tomorrow night.  It's always a good time at Mom and Dad's, and this year did not disappoint!

Mom wrapped up a gift over and over and then had the kids play a dice game to see who won it.  They had to roll dice until they got doubles and then had to put on a hat and gloves and start tearing away at the package.  It was a hoot!  Just when one kiddo would get all suited up, another would roll doubles and rip the hat and gloves right off of them!  In the end, Taylor won the game.  She was a sweet winner though, and decided to keep the gift at Grandma's (it was a game), so that everyone could play with it!

Of course, no December 23rd is complete without a birthday celebration for Tiffany!!!  Happy 8th birthday!!!

Let's get ready for Christmas!

Christmas break is getting closer, and the boys can't be more excited!!!  Ok, maybe Mommy is a little excited, too!  To get ourselves in the holiday spirit (as if we needed much help), we decided to decorate some gingerbread houses.  I think the boys did a pretty nice job!

Family Work Day - Take 4

Our family work day was scheduled for October 1st, and we were SO excited for that date to get here.  We had gone back and forth on projects that we wanted to complete and finally settled on rebuilding the playhouse, cleaning the basement, painting the playroom, and painting the bathroom.  We had some lofty goals, but with the help of my family and Andy's family even came for part of the day, we were able to get almost every single project completed!  Here are some pics so you can see the progress.

 The playhouse was by far the biggest project of the day, and I think everyone worked on it in some form or another, at some point in the day.  This playhouse was originally built for Eric and I by my Dad, Matt, and my Grandpa Walsh.  It was given to us on Christmas of 1988, so to say it's lived a life is a bit of an understatement.  It's gone from playhouse to pool house to garden shed to storage shed (all at my parents) and then finally came to rest at our home a couple years ago.  I have big dreams for it to be a playhouse/pool house for us, and I think we're definitely on our way to making that happen!

 The kiddos were on "food and drink" patrol...here are a couple fine helpers making some dirt pudding cups.

 My Mom, sister, and sister-in-law spent a lot of their time transforming my bathroom from cool blue to warm orange.  It was a HUGE change, but I have to say that I am in love with the color!

The "almost" finished product...just need to put the stuff back in.

 I spent the majority of my day in the basement (with my sis) cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! I couldn't believe how much stuff we hauled out of there and how nice it looked when we were finished.  The only thing left to do down there is paint the walls and put in some carpet.  

 Of course, it can't be all work and NO play!  The kiddos made sure to get lots of cousin time in during the day...always making good memories!

I can't say it enough...without my family, I don't know where I'd be!  I sometimes take my family for granted, and I shouldn't.  I am so very lucky to have parents and siblings and in-laws that realize the true meaning of family and stick together through thick and thin!  Many hands make light work and my family truly has many, many hands!  I love them dearly and am so very thankful for all that they do!

Random September

September was such a busy month and I tried to document some of the highlights.  However, I found a few pictures of other "happenings" in September that I wanted to be sure and include.

 Ben had his good friend Blake over for a sleepover.  Unfortunately, the summer sun had passed us by and the pool was just too cold to get in.  But, it was the perfect "lake" for their motorized boats!  They had so much fun racing those around the pool.

 On a sad note, we said goodbye to our beloved Lynx.  Lynx came to us in a very odd way.  Andy's uncle was needing a home for him and we decided to take him in.  He was ancient when we got him, but he was a trooper!  Lynx lived with us for 3 years before finally getting to the point that his body was just giving out.  I noticed one night that he wasn't eating and really hadn't moved much throughout the day.  Andy was gone, so I stayed up until 3 am trying to get him to eat and make him comfortable.  A trip to Purdue the next day confirmed that he had a tumor in his jaw and only had a couple weeks left (if that).  We decided to put him down so that he wouldn't suffer any longer.  I have to say, I was very hesitant to take Lynx (I am NOT an inside animal person) but I fell in love with him.  I don't think I'll have another inside pet, but I'll admit that Lynx was pretty special and will always hold a place in our hearts.

 On a brighter note, Ashley and I ran (ok, we walked a lot of it) the Cupcake Run/Walk for Education.  This was our third 5K that we've done together and it was one of the best.  Don't mind our make-up free/no hair-do photo...we were doing good to just be awake and going, lol!

Finally, I had to include this photo.  Kyran woke up one morning and said he wanted a mo-hawk.  Since it was a Saturday and we had nowhere to go, I happily obliged!  Later, he was looking out the kitchen window for "the big foot" (we had just watched Harry and the Henderson's), and I couldn't help myself...I had to get out my good camera and snap a couple photos.  Those eyes just melt my heart!

Summer Adventures

Our summer has been packed to the gills, but every now and then we get some free nights at home to adventure out and enjoy the peace and quiet...

 Catching fireflies.  This picture brings packs some emotion for me.  Catching fireflies as a kid, of course, but seeing Ben in his daddy's shirt reminds me of staying the night at Grandma and Grandpa Fincher's and putting on one of his undershirts for pj's.  We'd run around outside, just like Ben...I can close my eyes (with a few tears in them) and see it like it was yesterday.

 My little firefly catcher was so forlorn...he was not having much luck with his net, but thankfully Daddy came to his rescue.

Swimming in the evening is the best.  It's so relaxing when the sun slowly sets, the water turns a beautiful shadowy blue, and the day just melts away. 

March Madness

There's this little thing going on right now that has to do with basketball???  Not quite sure what it is or what all the hype is about, but I'm sure it's a great time!  It's Indiana, so of course I know what March Madness is.  I'm rooting for the Boilermakers who are set to tip off here in just over an hour, and I was excited to see that Butler won in the first round.  Now, I'll be elated if IU gets knocked out of the bracket tonight, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Even with all the excitement that March Madness brings, we have our own March Madness in our little home.  It's called...LIFE!

 Here's a little March Madness...this is how we make it through road trips (or even just how we make it home from the sitters...those 4 miles can be soooooo long)!

Life with a 3 year old (whoa, that's a first) and a 6 year old is always on the brink of madness.  It just can't help itself.  Don't believe me???  Let's just take a look at it...
 
Yesterday, we had a meltdown over a banana that broke in half.  Yes, a banana.  Let me tell you, there is something down right comical watching a toddler sitting on the floor holding half a banana with huge crocodile tears streaming down his cheeks all while screaming his head off about his "broken banana".  I feel your pain, buddy.

Stepping over the screaming toddler, I moved into the kitchen to cut up cucumbers for Ben's "tasting of the greens" party for school today.  THANKFULLY, I had Ben standing right there, yes, right there beside me, telling me exactly how many I needed and exactly how to put them in the baggie, and exactly how to send them in his backpack, and exactly how he would keep the extras for snack time at the sitters, etc etc.  Man, I love that boy to pieces, but his attention to detail really takes on a whole new meaning sometimes, lol!  

Let's take this crazy train outside, shall we.  We had to explain to the little one that no, he couldn't climb up the wrong side of the ladder with his brother's shoes on, while Daddy was trying to frantically nail in the siding that was blowing off in the 60 mile per hour winds.  We avoided tears with that one, but I think that was only because I told him to go ride his bike.  Surely he can ride a bike in shoes that are five sizes too big, right??? 

Finally, dinner time (because anyone with young kids gets asked at least 10,001 times when supper is going to be ready)!  Tonight, we had to dig out bbq sauce from the place that condiments go to die...the dreaded back of the refrigerator, to get Ben to eat his supper.  Heaven forbid he use ketchup (the kid uses ketchup on everything).  Nope, HAD to be BBQ.  Thank goodness I was saving those last 3 tablespoons for just such an occasion, lol!

 He'll eat PB&J with cucumbers (bleh) but don't even think about giving him chicken without BBQ sauce!

Let's see, what else?  Yep, skipped baths because who really wants to turn something that literally takes 5 minutes into an hour long saga.  I figure every other day is good enough, right?!?!  I caved and gave the little one my phone (Mom of the year, right here) while I read Ben his chapter book, so that we could make it through at least one chapter uninterrupted.  We actually made it through one and a half.  Gotta take the small victories!  And, I told Kyran I'd "be right back up" when I very well knew that a soft couch and Netflix was calling my name (now, I know every parent out there has done that one, so don't judge, lol)!

We also had a huge discussion with Ben at bedtime that even though he did not have green pajamas on (or green underwear, for that matter), he would NOT in fact be pinched as soon as he woke up and came downstairs.  It took quite a bit of reassuring, but I think he finally was able to head off to bed without St. Patrick's Day anxiety!  Gosh, the stress of it all!!!


Don't worry though, the fun didn't stop there.  Just for good measure, Kyran was sure to come in this morning at 2:30, crawl in bed, and curl his cold little feet right up next to me...guess he got the last laugh on the "be right back up" comment, huh!

Yep, March Madness is here...if only it involved sitting around watching basketball games!  I'm sure one day I'll be watching the games and wishing for the other madness...I mean, people tell me I will...of course, it's no one who currently has a toddler...hmmmm...I'll just take their word for it, I guess...

Overnights with Friends are the Best!

Ben loves having his buddy, Blake, come over and spend the night.  A few weeks ago, he got to stay at Blake's house.  I can only describe his excitement as to what it must feel like to win the lottery, lol!!!  So, the next weekend, we had Blake over to our house.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and the boys took full advantage of it!

 Flying their airplanes in the garage!

 Using teamwork to fill in a bare spot in my driveway.  It was so cute.  Ben and Blake would fill up Kyran's dump truck, Kyran would "drive" it over to the bare spot and dump it, and then Blake would smooth it all out.  My spot looks perfect, now!

Kyran was waiting patiently for Blake to build him a Lego!  He could hardly wait!!!

Our Random Life

We've been super busy this last month, and I've been able to get lots of photos...just not he time to update the blog, lol.  But, here's a start!

 We took advantage of the mice February weather as much as we could!

 Andy and I went to see Eli Young with some great friends of ours.  It was a fantastic concert!

 Winter Homecoming Spirit Week had me channeling my inner PE teacher.  This is my great friend, Julie, and I wish I could dress like her every day!!!

 Ben, working hard on is Valentine's for school.

One of Christmas presents to Ben was a night at the play, Annie, at Elliott Hall of Music.  We all had so much fun!