Christmas Photos

Cam opening the coolest remote control Lightening McQueen car and Emmy with her lovely hat and the BABY ariel. Then here they are in their attempt to have a sleep over in Cam's room. Aunt Terre gave them the sleeping bags, so we thought we'd try them out, but Emmy couldn't stay in her bag...so...at 10pm the party was over. Still it was fun to try.

Finally Christmas Eve Photos

Here are Cam, Em and Addison all dressed up for the Christmas Eve service. They enjoyed all the music and the lights on the trees! Plus I did pack snacks!

It has begun.

For those of you who have known and loved Camden thru years 2 and 3...well Emery has begun to ask "WHY?"

Ugg.

So, it has started and I was totally caught off guard and I'm completely unprepared for handling it. Currently I'm just going straight for, "because."

In other news, we (kids and stacia) went to my parents for an overnight visit. We went and saw the Chipmunk movie (I give it 1/2 a star, the chipmunks ARE cute, but beyond that...well) anyway Cam gave it this rating, "It was AWESOME!" Emmy also loved the movie, but it was mainly because, "I went potty at Chipmunks house!" Yup, she went potty at the theater. Too cute. We had a great time, but the kiddos were missing DADDY, and as we drove home they both asked when they were going to see Daddy...over and over and over. Sweet reunion!

Snow Day? Are you sure?

The schools here were delayed today, so Cam's preschool was cancelled. We didn't know, trust me there was not enough snow to hardly wet the ground, but I do appreciate nice surprises!

Stu took Cam to school and then called to tell me the news. One of Cam's buddy's was there too, so they were all playing in the gym. I hopped up, got "dressed" and went to work out at church while the kids ran and played. Perfect!

Then we went up to the church library and read for an hour or so, then ready to leave right? Well, we got invited to stay for the Young At Heart lunch. (Keep in mind, I'm sweaty and gross, the kids have been running in the gym for hours so they're not too lovely either). Well, we went and WHAT FUN!!!! It was musically themed, so we got to join in on the good old yell out your hymn number and we'll sing festivities. Cam was loving following along in the hymn book and Em, well...what can I say. They were sooo kind, we sang Jesus Loves Me and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as per her requests. She just stood in awe as everyone sang and drank it in!

Its a PEE day

In the grand tradition of the last few posts, its all body function humor.

Emmy had the PEE day of the week (at least I hope).

She was at church and didn't tell me she needed to go. BUT, she DID go into a bathroom and stand in front of a potty trying to figure out how to get up (I can only assume), as she wet her pants everywhere. Luckily, I was prepared with a change of clothes.

THEN, home for nap. Put her down in a diaper, she decided it was too cumbersome to her sleep situation, so off it came. THEREFORE, all the bedding got a lovely washing and her as well.

Here's hoping tomorrow is a better potty time.

The good thing, the girl cracks me up and its really hard to get frustrated or angry when she smiles AND it helps that Cam thinks these whole proceedings are hilarious (as he doesn't have clean up duty).

These are the good days folks!!!

Out to Lunch

We went with Daddy out to lunch at Gatti's today (its a pizza joint, buffet style and YUMMY). Anyhow, he had a class to teach tonight so this was our time with him. We're sitting there and the TV is blaring behind us (ugg) and Stu gets up to refill one of the kids drinks. When he walks away it gets quiet and from the TV they're talking about a car accident where someone rear-ended another vehicle.

As this is happening Cam leans over to me and says, "Hey Mom, they just said rear-end " Sheepish grin.

I busted a gut.

Ahhhh, bathroom humor and a mom with a junior high sense of humor, what are we going to do????

I was so amazed and impressed at the timing, the fact that he wasn't watching the TV and just picked that up and then the delivery to me with that grin. TOOOOOO MUCH!!!

Potty Talk

Emmy has this thing right now. She looks at a picture and sees animals, she'll see a grouping and pick out the smallest one and say, "That Emmy" then that momma, that daddy, that bu all according to the size of the animals etc... Very cute, however...she has also applied this to pooping.

She goes, and then labels each according to its size as either a baby, momma, daddy or brother.

This is WEIRD, but OH it makes me laugh so hard.

Emmy Sings Jesus Loves Me

RIP Edwards

I cannot believe that a tornado hit Edwards Apple Orchard. Thanks to Miss Bonnie, calling and letting me know...tear. And for Bob hitting the blog with the news. I just figure God is systematically taking things I'd miss away :)...First Lins, Erin, Amanda and now EDWARDS?????? Sooo, this means WATCH OUT for those of you left, don't get caught out in a storm right now. I'm on a roll :).

But, on the positive side, it really sounds like they are depending on others to help, church, community etc... and maybe it'll be a great way to bring folks together. We're still sad.

OTHER STUFF:

Cam DOES NOT want to be back in school. He announced to me that he, "Loves a boring day". This means he likes sleeping "in" (not really late, but 8) and doing whatever he chooses. He is truly a boy after my own heart.

Emmy is in big girl undies. She doesn't like to tell me when she needs to go, she likes for me to guess. She also (very helpful) goes into the bathroom and stands in front of the potty and poops in her pants. This has happened twice this week. I mean, seriously she talks ALL THE TIME, couldn't she just say, "I need to poop"???? BUT, what fun would that be? She is doing amazingly well at the whole thing. Really staying dry about 80% of the time and no real problems. I'm just thinking if your already in the bathroom, why not actually GET ON THE POTTY?

We love playing the Wii. I'm sore from boxing. I can't play tennis. Cam kicks my butt on every game. But, we laugh our heads off and have a great time. Plus Emmy likes to dance to the music.

Cam tried to make a Mii character for Jesus. He told me he just couldn't get it right, it didn't look like him. - How great is that?

We also had the breakdown recently when he found out about Satan. UGG. It was in the Bible story we were reading. And that led to a whole conversation and tears...needless to say, much prayers and we seem to be okay. Still VERY traumatic. I just didn't know how to 'splain it well. So, I prayed hard right then and there and then Daddy came in and helped out. Cam's got a rather tender heart, hoping it stays that way. So much for my spiritual training.

I got to run up and visit a friend in Cinti, actually northern KY last week. My parents watched the kids and gave me the free time. AWESOME. I'm SO grateful for living here, I have missed being this close to Denise (friends from about 5th grade) and its a treat. Also, we got together with Tom and Beth too, friends from Stu's first ministry. I have to say, its a bit like coming home. I imagine that any reunion with old friends is that way, but its been particularly sweet to have them close again. Its the icing on the cake to this move. It has NOT been easy to move from our friends in Rockford, NOT at all, but it really did help to have some old friends so close now, three hours compared to 10 is NOTHING, and Louisville...hop skip jump, and Lexington, grandparents, well you just can't beat that, the kids are digging that so much, now if we can just move Stu's family :).

yack yack, pictures next time.
happy new year...I'm trying to cook at home and exercise(not simultainiously)...we'll see how long this lasts, I predict 3 weeks!

First words of Christmas Morning

Cam came into our room Christmas morning and utter these words,
"It doesn't get any more morning than this!"

And so it began, Christmas morning mayhem. It was SO fun and continues to be a very fun, relaxing week. Lots of playing, movies, reading, napping, laying around, playing, reading, playing...

Pictures to come, I just haven't had the inclination yet. Too busy lazing around.

I love Christmas break!

Gingerbread Houses Sans Gingerbread

We continued Erin's tradition of making gingerbread houses, however this time we went to Addison's house. Cam and Addison were SO good, they loved decorating and putting the houses together. They were each quite particular about how they looked, Emmy and Jake...well they ate. Emmy sucked the icing out of a bag, Jake ate the "gingerbread" (graham crackers) and Emmy also frosted her foot. We don't know why, I find it better to laugh and go on, she did also lick it clean :).

And this time there was no yelling. I was prepared for the worst and the kids did the best! I think Cam and Addison are quite the artists!

Pictures at home

Emmy talk

Newest stuff she says,

"I Dee Dee" Dee Dee from the Doodlebops
"You Moe, You Rooney" Everyone has a part to play in the family!

"I hug Daddy"
"I hug Bu (cam)"
"I hug Momma"

When she see's Doug at church this is the conversation:
EMMY:"Where Ewi?" (doug's son Eli)
DOUG: IN school
EMMY:"Where Caweb?" (other son Caleb)
DOUG: In School
EMMY:"Bye" and quite honestly, many times she doesn't even say bye, its as if Doug is of now use without the boys and they're high school boys!!! HELP!

Singing: Jesus Loves Me, Where is Thumbkin, Twinkle Twinkle and Happy Birthday LOTS

Emery, Christmas Style

Thanks to the following:
Amanda (for the outfit I swore she'd never wear, here I sit eating my words...yum)
Lindsay (for the headband that in its third year STILL makes us laugh. And it makes me miss that tiny baby that wore it once upon a time...maybe I'll ship it back for Little "Lilly" aka no name baby)

Anyhow, enjoy the laugh...Merry Christmas from Emmy

Oh, and yes, she went out in public this way. Cam's school Christmas party and the headband STAYED ON!!!

We made cut out Christmas Cookies, it wasn't pretty

Okay, I yelled. I told Emmy NO a million times (she ate SOOOO much flour and dough) and FINALLY saw the light. Gave her a piece of dough to just play with and not cut out...it was all happy then. But here's the mayhem...we ARE crazy. But MAN they're good cookies (props to Amy Genis for the best recipe ever)

Out on the Town with my Little Boy

I love being able to spend time with the kids, but I especially like getting alone time with Cam. Its kinda rare. Sissy's always around and we just don't have a lot of just mom and Cam. But tonight, well I had a few errands to run, no school tomorrow so he went with. Before we were even out of the garage he reminded me why I enjoy him so much, he's sweet.

He was sitting in the back seat of the car waiting for me (I was, ofcourse, trying to find my keys) when he heard sirens. He opens the door and yells, "Momma, I think we need to pray." (yup, we do when we hear sirens) anyhow, I said, "Yup, we do why don't you go ahead"

Here's the conversation roughly,
"God, um, we hear those sirens so we know it could be an ambulance or a fire truck. So please help the person that might be hurt or the people who's house might be burning down. Help them not hurt or help the firemen to put out the fire. And if its a hurt person please help the ambulance people to know how to help. Thanks, um amen"

Gotta love the kid. He also scored big when he informed me that he still hadn't bought sissy a Christmas gift. So, we ditched a few of the planned errands and looked for her a gift. It was beautiful, he really didn't look for himself at all, he looked for what he thought she would love. AND BOY DID WE LOOK!!! We were looking at princess stuff and he said, she got a lot of that for her birthday. I suggested a stuffed animal. Cam's face lit up, "sissy LOVES dogs, especially poodles. OH MAN, she'd LOVE a PINK poodle, not a real one Momma, a stuffed one" And low and behold, we found the pink poodle (3 stores, 1 hour and a few silent prayers later.) He wants to give it to her tomorrow, he's so excited about his perfect gift. I'm really loving his heart.

Cam's Christmas Card Confusion

Cam's really been enjoying looking at all the pictures from friends. He loves getting Christmas cards almost as much as I do! And trust me, that's a lot! The mail arrival each day is a huge deal and he LOVES to go get it, but he has to fight me!

ANYHOW, we got a Christmas card from a family here and he was studying the picture pretty closely. He then declared to me that the kid that should be Ben didn't look like Ben to him. Then he made this guess, "Maybe its not Ben, maybe they got their next door neighbor to be in the picture with the other boys"

So, if you're looking for something to throw the relatives and friends, pop a neighbor into your Christmas Card Photo, but CAM WILL SPOT THE IMPOSTOR (hope that's spelled right, looks wrong...).

Meanwhile, he cracks us up!

Oh yeah, the Cake

SHE'S 2!!!! Happy Birthday Emery

Today's the day we lose baby, enter toddlerhood and all its glory and BOY did we do it in style!

G-dad and G-mom drove over to open presents and have some cupcakes. Tonight there's a Christmas party we're going to for the worship team and I've weaseled my way (surprise surprise) into making part of it a sing happy birthday to Emmy so I don't have to do anything, party. Therefore, I made the cake...and let me assure you I have no designs on going PRO in this area, I'd LOVE to say most of the cake was Camden's handywork, but alas 'tis mine. However, Cam will do a great job telling Emmy how beautiful the cake is and we will NOT dissuade her in anyway of this opinion!

Em's birthday was PRINCESS themed to a fault! Cam picked out a "pincess" (the way em says it) blanket for her bed (she actually asked to take a nap today because it was on the bed), Emmy LOVED it. She got an Ariel doll from mom and dad! A pincess backpack, sunglasses and hat from g-mom and g-dad, plus a Diego doll all of her own (there's been MUCH coveting since Cam got one at his party). Granny and Poppa spoiled her with the magnetic wooden doll that you can dress up, the baking set that you can really use and the pink flashlight (BIG DEAL, trust me) which goes with a Christmas present, two cute shirts and princess slippers. CRAZINESS!

Em has LOVED having Happy Birthday sung to her today and blowing out candles on cupcakes (which she VERY CAREFULLY licked all the icing off and proclaimed she was all done, her father's child for sure).

I have to say, Cam's been an awesome big brother today, excited for Emmy, helping her open presents and never getting jealous. Pretty amazing kid.

Anyhow, here's the pics of the day so far...and we really miss last years party with the first babydoll, but this year the first princess! AND Momma even thought of it, bonus!

PAINTING

Today we braved painting with the kids!
Emmy sat at her highchair and painted "PINK" on the paper and then proceeded to paint her "muscles".

"Look at my muscles!!" she exclaimed! Oh yes, she also painted her nose.

Cam painted his Rhino that was started yesterday. Mixed the plaster of paris yesterday, painted the thing today...pretty cool! He also painted a nativity scene which I'd like to frame, very pretty. Currently its on the fridge.

Tomorrow she's 2!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH, babydom is gone and toddlerhood full speed ahead! But in the weirdest of things, she's been dry two days in a row (except for naps and bed) and known when to go pee. I think she'll potty train herself completely here in the next few months, she's done a great job up until now, goodness knows I haven't done a thing!

Back from the Mall

Cam and Stu just got back from the mall. Now, before you groan at the thought, they had a great time. And Cam got to go to the new play area here. This prompted the description from him of what it was like:

"Mom, its JUST like a kingdom! It has all the things a kingdom would have, a bridge, a wall and you can climb on them and jump and stuff!"

All this time he's using his arms BIG with the super excited description voice.

He just cracks me up. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the arms out, expressive descriptions

Papa's 80th!

We went to Florida for a quick visit. We hadn't been since last Christmas, so it was a great treat to SEE Granny and Papa, not just hear them.

The kids had a blast! Emery cracked everyone up by carrying around a musical card that E.Ray got saying, "It's -a MY paty" - its my party. She thought the card was a party.

We got to the beach one day for a few hours and enjoyed sun and sand.

here's our picture offerings. Stu took the joyous one of them running...my favorite of all time right now...pure joy
We also love the one of Cam and Uncle Larry, they were skipping shells.

Christmas Tradition

WARNING:Here's my advertisement/plug for Andrew Peterson

Andrew is a friend of Stu's from Florida and we had him in to perform at Northeast a few times. A few years ago he produced and wrote a beautiful Christmas album (if that's what they're still called). ANYHOW, its the story of Christ, starting in the Old Testament forward to the birth. Its beautifully written and performed.

Each Christmas I like to have the chance to listen in entirety to the album, first to last with no breaks. Stu and I got the chance a few days ago. We were driving back from Nashville (we had flown down for Stu's dad's 80th birthday and the tickets were cheap out of Nashville). On the way home the kids slept and we listened. The sky was amazingly clear, the stars were shining and Andrew was singing the news of Jesus. It was a moment that made the Christmas season real. God spoke to us in our minivan and nothing is quite like that.

So, thanks Andrew. For writing, pressing on when producers told you this project wouldn't work, for being open to God and using your obvious writing talent.

AND if you'd like to order a copy, (you knew I couldn't resist the plug!!): www.Andrew-Peterson.com or https://store.rabbitroom.com/index.aspx

Its called Behold the Lamb of God.

Old News, but still...BIG GIRL BED

Okay, I realized that I hadn't posted this and it needs to be broadcast. Emmy is in a big girl bed and it happened really quickly. There was no decision to be made, it was a must.

She had not climbed out of the crib ever, then one day, out of the blue, she popped into our bedroom in the morning to say, "I waked up!" Cute and really not too concerning.

However, the next day at nap time...it became a concern.

Emmy pooped. In her diaper. She decided to remove the offensive smell herself. She did. BUT in the process she spread some of the goodness all over the crib sheet, bumper pad AND the crib itself. So, she then decided to come tell me about the mess.

She climbed out. BUT, her little bladder still had business to perform. Pee, everywhere. All down the crib, onto the floor, I mean everywhere.

"Momma," Emmy yells from the top of the stairs, "I pooped"

I was on the phone at the time, luckily it was Denise and she understood, "I must go, she's pooped all in the crib"

Cam came to witness the mess and we both just cracked up laughing!! We stuck Em in the tub and proceeded to clean up and take the crib down. I was done and trust me the crib, it has seen its last days. It was partially held together with gorilla glue after the move, so it was time. It has served 5 kids well over a span of 14 years.

ANYWAY, Cam helped take the crib apart and wipe down the whole thing, after I'd removed the most offensive stuff. Emmy got cleaned up in the tub and my OLD iron bed came out of storage.

Here's the pics of Emmy in the big girl bed! And by the way, we now wake up many mornings to a little face beside the bed saying, "Momma, Daddy you here! I waked up!!!" And I'm sorry, but you just can't beat that!

That's a Pretty Funny Answer!

Cam and Stuart were riding to school on Tuesday when they had to pause for a train. While waiting they saw two trucks loaded down with tobacco. Having helped his grandfather with the hanging of tobacco years before, Stuart wanted to wax nostalgic with Cam and pointed out the tobacco on the back of the trucks.
"What's tobacco?" Cam inquired.
"It's a plant that they grow in Kentucky."
"What's it used for?" he pressed.
"Well...people make cigarettes out of it" Stuart replied.
"What's a cigarette?" Cam asked.
Oh, boy, "Cam Cigarettes are things that people smoke. But we don't want to do that because it makes your teeth yellow, your breath smells bad and it can even kill you."
"How does it kill you?" the inquisitive one responded.
"Well...God made all of the parts on the inside of you to work together. All the parts have to work together for you to live. Cigarettes can cause cancer which is a disease that grows inside of you and can keep some of your parts from working and you could die."
"What do cigarettes look like?"
"They're white sticks that people carry in their mouth."
"Oh, man. Like half the people have those. Why would people want to smoke a cigarette?"
"I really don't know Cam."
[Silence]
Cam breaks the silence, "Maybe people smoke cigarettes because they want to die. {giggles} that's a pretty funny answer"

Dressing up

Cam and Em dressed up one night, cracked me up. Cam was superman (not pictured), Emmy donned Cam's HUGE Bear Costume and had a bit of trouble staying up on her feet. Still CUTE!

Cam's 5!!!

We didn't get any photos of the party...we video'd a little, but mainly we were running around having fun. The party was craziness! We had kids meet up at home depot to do the project there and then head over to church. At church the kids RAN in the gym, had pizza, cake (diego cake, decorated by STUART!!! Wish I had a photo...thought I did, oh well) and then presents. Cam invited some boys from church and school and it ended up being a lot of boys!! I think 11 or so.

Needless to say it was a bit overwhelming for Cam, but still fun. And the parents have sworn off the party for next year!

Here's a picture of Cam opening a present from Granny...the jaguar from Diego, this has proven more fun to Emmy :)

Trick-or-treat

We trick-or-treated on our street this year. Just us, our family...kinda nice and laid back. We met all the neighbors we'd met before on our trip around collecting canned goods. But we added a few houses and met some more lovely folks. We love our street, everyone is SO nice. There's even another set of Joneses! How fun! We got tons of candy, chatted and laughed and chased some kittens Emmy really wanted to pet. A lovely evening all in all and the weather...ahhhhhh, you Rockford folks, sorry!

Oh, and the kids...Cam was Diego of GO DIEGO GO fame. And Emmy...she was a princess, but it took some serious convincing to put ANY of the princess costumes she owns on...this was the one we landed on...Belle.

The local Pumpkin Patch

Leann and I hit the pumpkin patch and got some pictures, but really nothing much to do but see pumpkins.

Late Happy Thanksgiving

As our thanksgiving treat...a blog UPDATE! With pictures to follow. First, a relaxing Thanksgiving at G-mom and G-dads that included no cooking on momma's part (because really, we know better) and shopping on daddy's part on friday. Perfect. We laid around, played, ate, relaxed and laughed at and with the kids.

While there, Emmy made up a joke. We're deep into Knock, knock jokes right now. Here's how it went down.

From the back carseat comes Emmy, "Knock, Knock"
me, without turning around, "who's there?"
Emmy, "Buggie"
I turn around and her finger's completely up her nose and Cam is dying laughing...we all lose it and she then repeats the joke with "finger" for us many times...never got old!

Today Stuart got the outside of the house Christmas-y, and as we were pulling out in the van together I commented that it was beautiful. Cam replied, "Its pleasant". Again we all cracked up laughing. He said it so grown up, then grinned big and giggled. VERY FUNNY!!! Great timing on it, funny as can be.

Coming up October/Nov. Pictures...

Emery, she's a laugh a minute

Last night Emmy played the babysitter. Yup, she was still up at 10:30, perky and cute.

The run down, she was put to bed at 8:30.
She got up, went in Cam's room off and on for an hour and said, "HI" to him numerous times.
Then she got up and came downstairs where she told the babysitter, when asked why she was up,
"I forgot sum-um."

What did you forget?

Wheels visibly turning in her head, "ummmm, 'night?"

Goodnight Emmy

"'Night"

And up the stairs she popped to her bed.

Ohhhhhh, she is trouble. Cute as a button, but trouble.

PICTURES

PICTURES

PICTURES

Pictures of the kiddos...

Tomorrow he's 5

Its hard to believe that little boy is getting so big, and yet.... Tomorrow is the official day, he's 5. No question either.

What are we doing tonight?
Well, he decided to practice being nocturnal. Yup, threw a hissy fit at bed. Soooo, the solution: thanks to the Creative Correction book Cam is decidedly UP.

He is STANDING in the hall. That's it. He said he wanted to be up, so up he is.

I feel really mean, but at the same time I was so glad to have read that book and have an idea of what to do without killing him. I'm calm, he's calm...no spanking (which really, he's 5 and right before bed...just gonna be awful).

So, now the waiting game. So far he's gone 15 mins...standing there. My bet is on about 30 mins, then he'll want to at least play in bed, with all those stuffed animals? Who wouldn't?

And so, there you have it, he broke (20 mins):

"Mom, I need a place to sit"
"Oh, no - its either you're up - standing there, or you're in bed. You are more than welcome to sit in your bed."
"But its dark"
"You have a nightlight"
"okay. Can you tuck me in"
"Sure can!" - little bit of love and a prayer time...he's off to sleepy land.

And we're off...welcome 5. Lord give me strength and wisdom for the year to come, I know its still easier than the teens.

Around the Table

I need to post a funny that Emmy has. It happens, generally, around the dinner table (breakfast, lunch too). Its a game of, "You Tun". That's right, Your Turn. Here's how it goes:

Emmy will come up with a cute saying, such as "WHOOOOOO" or "Heave, Ho!" she will say the saying in a loud, enthusiastic voice and then say, "You Tun" to everyone in sucession at the table. This game also applies at large gatherings where she will turn a somersalt and then demand that the next person do "you tun".

Its a fun, funny game. And its really hard to turn her down when she looks at you so expectantly for your turn. Therefore, our dinner times right now are lots of "HEAVE, HO!" and "WHOOOOO" with a bunch of giggles inbetween.

She is a funny, funny girl.

Can we practice being nocturnal at home?

This was the question Cam came up with today. Pretty much loved it.

It's been craziness...trick-or-treat, birthday party, sick, potty-training-ish...

I have more pictures to post in the days to come, but this question had to be shared immediately.

Can we practice being nocturnal at home???? Ha!