The Tribe Sees the Dentist

Tag Team Cleaning

Brave Aiden--off by himself

Clutching the Side

Starting to relax

Whatev...


So, my question to you is...have you ever been to the dentist with 4 children 5 and under before? Well, I wouldn't recommend it. It's an adventure to say the least. Actually this trip was fantastic! First off let me just say how AWESOME Dr. G is at Kids Dental Smiles. Not only was he willing to see all 4 of my kids on the same day, BUT he and his staff are always so kind and patient too! And as a side note, Dr. G is opening up an office in the RR area, so he'll be closer to us!! Check him out if you need a pediatric dentist.
Okay, so back to our adventure...Aiden and Grier love the dentist. Aiden goes off by himself...no big deal. And as you can see Grier feels right at home. This was Evan's first time, and she apparently loved it as well...then there's Gracen.
Wow...where do I begin...Well, I have taken her to the dentist every 6 months since she was 12 months old...and now she's 5. So, if you do the math, she's been...a lot! That doesn't seem to matter. We role play EVERY single time starting about 2 weeks out. We talk about the benefit of healthy teeth. We talk about ALL the prizes she'll get when she goes...because they LOAD you up. But every time we get there we are met with a HUGE meltdown. You would think we were trying to pull all her teeth out. Anyhow, I think her file is marked at Dr. G's office, because the hygienist that came to take her back seemed to breath deeply before calling her name and asked me to come back, which they usually don't offer up front for the "older" kids. BUT to my surprise AND the hygienists, Gracen was AMAZING! She was brave (for the most part) and cooperative. I couldn't believe it. I did have to hold her hand the whole time...but hey, I'd gladly do that. I smothered her with kisses and praised her ALL DAY long for her bravery...It's only looking up from here.

Making Baby Food

I'm not sure why I'm blogging about making baby food. But some people have asked me how I do it...and I kinda want to remember what it was like doing this...one day when I have kids in college, and I'm way past this stage. I really enjoy making it...I feel like I'm giving my baby the best...and it saves A LOT of money. So, after I steam it, and puree it...I freeze it individually in ice cube trays and then pop the cubes out and freeze them in a big freezer ziploc bag...like all the peas together, all the sweet potatoes together, etc. I have bought jarred baby food a few times, when I'm in a pinch. I've kept the jars, and I use them to freeze individual portions for when I'm on the go. I just defrost it and throw it in the diaper bag...it works great.

Our Spring Snowstorm....Or Not

Front Door

Front Yard

Backyard. Chairs knocked down by the wind.

Backyard

We had the craziest storm this evening. We were at my parents when we found out there was a tornado warning in effect, and a big storm on the way. We frantically threw the kids in the car and hauled out of there, hoping to beat the storm, and live to tell about it (giving it a little dramatic flair). Anyways, the sky was BLACK. I usually don't worry about that kind of thing...but knowing that the people I love most in the world were all in the same car, freaked me out a bit. I prayed the whole way home. We were about a mile from our house and our car started shaking from the wind...we raced home, pulled into the garage...and no joke, as soon as we got out of the car, the sky fell open...talk about timing! Thank you Lord. The hail started quickly after...and man was it fierce. So I insisted that we hang out in our closet, fearing that a window or two was going to shatter. It lasted a good 10 minutes...and then it was over. The kids loved the excitement of it all...so I guess I pulled off my laid back effort. And look at that...I lived to tell about it.

Bethlehem

They were mesmerized by the wiseman talking to them near the manger
It was a late night and Grier was DONE!
They couldn't wait to see Baby Jesus in the manger.

I know this is blurry...but I really liked this picture of them talking to the townspeople.

Gracen and Aiden had a blast petting all the animals in Bethlehem.

I know I'm totally going out of order on all these postings, but I have a lot of catching up to do. Before Christmas we went to Burnet, to see a re-creation of the city of Bethlehem. Wow, it was unbelievable! It was so realistic and surreal to be there. We went out to dinner first in Liberty Hill...it was just one of those great nights, where everyone gets along...we're having fun, we're excited to see Baby Jesus. So we head to Burnet on the last night of this thing, thinking we would just whip in. Wow, were we wrong. Okay, this is literally days before I am due. We have all three kids, the stroller, and lollipops...but we still weren't prepared. We had to wait in line for almost 2 hours!!! This was apparently the place to be. Did I mention that I was days away from giving birth!? Yeah, we got some stares. I think I made people nervous thinking they might have to assist in delivering my baby. Anyways, this thing was amazing, and so worth the wait. We decided it will definitely be a tradition every year. The kids thought it was so neat, and it was a really great reminder of what we are truly celebrating. I was watching "Mary" cradle her baby in her arms in a cold, damp cave, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by men...and at that moment I realized how blessed I was that in a few days, I was going to deliver my baby in a warm comfy room, surrounded by my loved ones. It really put things in perspective for me. I would encourage everyone to check it out next year. You will not be disappointed.

Halloween with Dash, Snow White, and Tinker Bell

They are ready to get their trick or treat on

Sweet little Tink hearing creepy Halloween music

Dash is ready to save the day!

My beautiful Snow White

They are costumed and ready to go. All 3 were so patient as Mommy took lots and lots of pictures!

Fall Fun

The man with the donkey wouldn't budge...oh well.

Doesn't Gracen look a little worried about who's in the driver's seat?!

My mom is taking classes to become a Master Gardener. She volunteered at this area park event called Williamson County Museum Days, where we could learn more about our county...early settlers, native trees and rocks...it was pretty interesting. My Mom was working the miniature pony rides, and Blake was working, so my Dad went with me to help with the kids. There was lots of history stuff, which my Dad loved and Blake would have as well. I was not quite as interested in all of that, as much as finding photo opps...although, my pictures aren't that great. The kids had a lot of fun...but they just love being outside.

Cheap Date

Gracen looking at birds
Gracen screaming like a monkey, scaring kittens
Gracen looking at fish
I asked Gracen what her favorite colors were for the sake of conversation on our date. At this point in the date she knew we were getting ice cream so she said, "Um...pink and brown...ice cream!" So, we got pink and brown ice cream (i.e. strawberry and chocolate). Incidentally, pink and brown are Mary's favorite colors.

Kids love animals. That's why zoos exist and Shamu has a job. But the truth is going to the zoo or some other theme park can be a bit pricey. That's why, dads, when it's time to take your daughter on a date (while she's still under 13 yrs old) you need to take her to Petsmart. So, I took Gracen out on a date last night and we had a blast. Mary and I had been pumping up Petsmart to her for two days and she was absolutely stoked (do the kids still say that?). I mean, c'mon, Petsmart is a blast. We looked at lizards, we looked at birds. We watched kittens as they sat bored to death behind Plexiglas boxes and tapped on aquariums full of funky looking lizards. We watched dogs get disciplined in doggy day care and we put our hands in the open fish tanks. Actually just Gracen tried to do that, but I knew better. We watched hamsters and gerbils run in circles (that's a pet we'll never have). They call gerbils "fancy rats" and "fancy mice" now - don't ask me, but I'm sure the experts at Petsmart know what they're doing. And then after about twenty minutes of exhilarating fun we left. We were so worn out after a night at Petsmart that we went home and crashed. Not really, we actually went to go eat ice cream. But in all seriousness, dads, take your daughter out on a date.

And don't let them talk you into going to the zoo.

Family Date to Chuck E Cheese

My precious family
Gracen LOVES Chuck
Look at that concentration!
My Boys

Gracen was satisfied going up and down the slide over and over

It was a cold and wet day, and Blake had the day off. He has Wednesdays off this quarter...so we get to take advantage of empty places like Chuck E Cheese during the week. We had so much fun. If you haven't already, be sure and sign up for their online coupons. They are so good. Aiden and Gracen love this place and I think Grier is already hooked too. And believe it or not my kids LOVE Chuck the Mouse...seriously, he walks around and they go and find him and wave, say hi...etc. Blake and I can't believe it. We both remember being really afraid of him and others like him when we were little. But we think it's cool that they are so in awe of him. We played games, watched some shows, played some games and won LOTS of tickets. And I love these days, because the kids crashed. We had a great family date!

Grocery Shopping with the Tribe

Nothing like grocery shopping in the cold and rain
Can you tell Aiden hates rain on his face
First time with his own basket...He loved it and did great
They are such good sports
Gracen is so in love with Grier...but sometimes she expresses that in a rough way

Blogging in 2008

Okay, so here we are almost 2 1/2 years after our initial post. I admit that this is sad and pathetic...but what can I say, a lot has happened. We are now a family of 5, comprising of 2 adults, a baby, a toddler, and a preschooler. Life is moving at a pace we can't seem to keep up with. Blake has graduated seminary after a very long 4 year stretch and we have moved back to our home town. We have gotten plugged into ministry at our previous church, as we pray and plan for our new church starting in the Spring...Free Chapel. Check out the link on the side. We are starting this church with some friends from seminary, Jeremy and Ashley. We are very excited about this. They are such a neat family, and we can't wait to be doing ministry side by side with them.

Blake and I just celebrated our 7th anniversary. We really enjoyed reminiscing of those early days of meeting, dating, breaking up, dating, breaking up, dating, engagement, and then of course marrying...that's for all of you who were on that journey with us. We do recognize that we were a little crazy. :) We already dream about being empty nester's...although we love our children immensely, we also really enjoy each other's company...

Speaking of children...Aiden our oldest, is 3 1/2 and full of fire. He is inquisitive and has a great memory. He loves to go on adventures and dates with his daddy. Actually, he would do anything with his daddy, seeing as Blake is his very favorite person in the whole world. Poor Blake...between a wife that adores him and a son that adores him, he doesn't have much alone time. Aiden has just started getting into super heroes. I am mystified by this. He has never seen a show with any super heroes or read any books. Yet they seem to enter every conversation or interaction with him. I really think it's hard wired in guys and somehow written in their DNA. At the moment he is enamored with Spider Man and tries to put the whole family in webs...it's precious...really.

Then there is Gracen, who is 2 1/2 and very loving. She is more independent and needs alone time like her daddy. She is affectionate and sweet, but just like any girl, she can change moods quickly. And watch out for those mood swings...they are fierce. She is finally realizing that Aiden's way doesn't always have to be the way...and I secretly cheer for her every time I see her assert herself with Aiden.

And last but certainly not least, there is Grier, who is almost 10 months old. She will not be forgotten. Talk about fire...this girl is brimming over with adventure and excitement. Everything is worth investigating, and checking out. It is rare to not catch her smiling, and she thinks her big brother and big sister are two of the funniest people out there. They can get her laughing in no time.

And as you can guess, I'm busy with the three mentioned above. Every day is a gift with them...One of my 2008 goals is to enjoy my children on a daily basis. There are times I lie in bed at night and realize that I didn't really laugh or take in all of their antics...and all 3 of them are so funny. I was too busy doing something else that I regarded as more important like cleaning out the pantry for the 5th time in a month or reorganizing their dresser drawers...So I'm asking God to help me slow down and simply enjoy my precious children, b/c time is going by quickly.

We want to blog on a regular basis...mostly to keep family and friends updated, but also as a sort of therapy to get it all out...and of course, to testify to the greatness of God in our life. And hopefully, our track record will be a little better then before.

Happy New Year!