Ummm....So here I am again!!!

Yeah, so my weekly update plan hasn't really panned out so well. I've decided to reevaluate and try for a monthly. Lets see how that goes. So a really quick Reader's Digest version of the past few months. Hopefully it's not too painful, seeings how nothing too exciting has gone on. I believe my last post was in November. Yes, I know, I am a let down to the blogging world. I would say I'll try harder, but that will just be a little too much pressure for me. I try to be pretty upfront and don't try to put on to many facades in my little life so I'm just being honest.

DECEMBER
Of course Christmas, the season we all love. I do honestly love the Christmas Season, though it is stressful. I tried to keep cost down this year and not go overboard. I say that every year and still go overboard. I think I did better than usual. Seth and Livvy decided at 12:30 a.m. to get out of bed which was lovely. So for every hour until about 4:00 they were in our room asking if they could open presents. Finally at 4:00 I said to heck with it, probably not my exact verbiage, (trying to keep the facade to a minimum) and we got up. Ashtyn who turned 11 on New Year's Eve, is at that hard between toy's and older girl age. All that was on her list was a new charger for her I-Pod. So I was stuck trying to find things that I thought she would like. Apparently not on the same page. Let's just say it was a flop and a disappointing Christmas for her. Every year I get them a new outfit to wear, this year I decided to get them Ron Cox Builder hoodies and shirts. She was not a fan. Oh well, I made up for it on her birthday, really the only good thing about having her birthday so soon was I could get her something she'd love. It was a fun and exhausting day, given our early rise time. Good memories I guess.

Jocelyn and I on the Globe version of the "Polar Express"

If you look you can see the disgust on her face.

Ashtyn Turns 11...SCARY

As previously mentioned, my oldest daughter was born on December 31, eleven years ago. This means a couple of things for me. First and foremost, I really am a lucky gal. For anyone who knows Ashtyn understands what I am talking about. She is my right hand gal, or maybe I am hers. She helps me out so much at home. Plus always reminds me to watch my P's and Q's which can be very important for me. True she is becoming the dreaded teenager, and occasionally cops an attitude. But she truly is a blessing I couldn't do it without her.

This year for her "friends" party, she was able to choose just a few friends and we took them to the bowling alley. Really a good time and a good deal is found at the bowling alley. Totally worth it. They all had a blast.

The rowdy bowling group, Emma is missing from the picture.

Another birthday shot

The second thing her birthday means, is I am always hosting a New Year's Eve party. It seems I've started a tradition. I am not one for party hosting, believe it or not, but I have to say, the New Year party is a good time. It is usually just us and family, but we do have a blast playing games, eating, and always a little Rock Band. Yes if you are there I will serenade you. Believe it. Though it leaves some of my in-laws shaking there heads. One day I will have Shari and Denise on the mike.

JANUARY

I really don't have much to say about this month. The only thing I can think of is I went back to work one day a week at the Academy. It is my sanity and one of my loves. When I was at the end of my pregnancy I wasn't sure if I wanted to work at all after Jocelyn was born. It was amazing how much I missed it. I love interacting with the students and learning so much. I am like the grandparent, I get to spend one day with them, feed them candy and leave them for the full time teacher's to deal with. I actually don't feed them candy, and they are not hard to deal with at all, you get what I'm saying though. I am lucky to have such a great job.

FEBRUARY

This month brought happy times and sadness. My Grandpa Green died at the age of 93. He was probably one of the greatest men I'll ever know. So patient, kind, charitable and loving. There really isn't enough space to list all of his attributes. He will be missed.

I always describe the relationship with my Green cousins more like a sibling relationship. Growing up we were really raised together, and are all still very close. Though it is harder to keep in touch now that we are adults. During the last week of my grandpa's life most of us were there every night, enjoying of his spirit and offering support to each other. I believe all but 4 cousins were able to see him before he passed. Many of us were there with him at the time of his passing. I will hold these sacred memories dear for the rest of my life. We had time to laugh, cry, reconnect and strengthen those bonds we've had forever. It was really a special time.

March

SETH's Birthday month

This month is such a special one, it's birthday time for Seth. He turned 9 this year. Man I am getting old. He is such a good kid. He tries so hard to please everyone and always has a smile. (even when it's not appropriate) He really thinks of others often. I always see him go without to give somebody else his treat or whatever, especially to Rhett, he is an awesome big brother. Seth does very well at school and has a great personality. He seems to be a natural athlete and loves sports. He is going to be a lady killer, he is such a handsome boy. We are so happy he is in our family.

We had a fun baseball themed party for him. He is lucky enough to have a former minor league pitcher as an uncle. Dustin was the best he did the whole party. The boy's loved it, at the end one cute boy even asked Dustin to sign his ball for him. They were in heaven with a real baseball player. Like we always tell Dustin, "you were payed to play the game". Thanks to him for being such a good sport. He continually is helping Seth with baseball. My kids love him and he and Kristen are really their second parents.

Jocelyn super chill at the party. She love's the thumb, and so do I for now anyway. Talk to me when I'm paying for braces. My sister Trisha crocheted the hat in like a don't know one minute or something crazy. Super talent lady, I told her to sell them, so cute.

Birthday Boy!!!

Spring Break

Brandon's family has been going on a little camping trip to Cedar Springs during spring break the last couple of years. It takes a lot of work, but the kids and Brandon love it. (I actually should be cleaning up from the mess right now instead of doing this, Oh well) They spend the day riding toys, driving toy's, playing in the dirt, hiking whatever you can think of. It creates a lot of good memories.

This year Dustin and Kristen came out for an evening. Of course we had to have a special visit by Sassy, (Dustin dressed in his Sasquatch costume) The condition's were perfect, most of the adults took the kid's on a snipe hunt. I stayed behind, they headed down the wash, as Dustin was getting ready for his entrance lightening started flashing and Coyotes began howling. I couldn't have scripted it better. The kids didn't let me down either. Once he had his moment screeching was loud and proud. Even Kailee, who put's on a tough face came back and said she was scared and not too proud to say so. Great times and memories of camping.

Dare Devil Liv... She thinks she pretty cool on this Quad.
Trouble....

Rhett and Jordan after a long day.

Rhett trying to keep up with the big boys on a little plastic Quad!

Rhino ridding kept Denise busy!!!

Another happy camper!!!

Well this ends my epistle. I won't make any promises but will try to update a little more regularly, until then, SEE YA!!!

Oh I forgot one major thing...Rhett is potty trained. Yay... Pretty close anyway he still has accidents but we are out of diapers for him at least.