ironside7

Weekend Photos

2009-12-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

On Sunday Dristen had a wrestling match at Central Mountain and Nolan spent the day at our place. Dristen took 3rd place at the tournament.

Our friends the Couplands' bought us a gingerbread village kit for Christmas so in the afternoon while all the little boys took their nap the girls and I worked on the village. It was a lot of fun.

The pictures from the day can be found at the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42588&id=1065023632&l=86aa8fdd27

Courtney's 14th Birthday

2009-12-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

Courtney had her 14th birthday on December 4th. Her dad took her and her 5 girlfriends to play laser tag and for ice cream.

Over the weekend we had cake and ice cream for her. She's saving her birthday money to book one of the new e-readers(electronic device you download books onto).

Happy 14th Birthday!! We love you Court!

Click here to see the pictures

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

Every year on the morning of Thanksgiving we go and get our tree. We bring it home and set it up and then eat some lunch. The past few years my grandmother and my parents have come along with us. Once it gets dark out then Fred puts the lights on and the kids and I decorate the tree(no tv on while decorating and christmas music is a must instead).

Photos are posted on facebook.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40882&id=1065023632&l=e201bd1aec

Ironside Boy's 2nd Birthday

2009-11-23T11:58:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures from the boys birthday party this past Sunday. Just something small at the house with our family.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

So this Halloween we had to "change up" our annual tradition of my parents and grandparents coming to our house for Halloween. Mom and Dad were in Evanston, IL for the PSU game and my grandparents were at the fire hall in Spring Mills serving a meal. PSU vs. Northwestern kick-off was at 4:30 p.m. and trick or treating was from 6-8PM(which would have been right in the middle of the game). So this year, we went to the Nittany Mall to trick or treat on Thursday night. We went to Garfield's for dinner and then paraded around the mall. Which actually worked out pretty well because we didn't have to bundle everyone up this year to go out and we got to watch the game(uniterrupted).

We even ran into our friends the Stover's on our way out.

We still had to be sure to take care of the "halloweeners" in the Burg on Saturday night..so we made a sign explaining why we weren't opening our door and set our candy out for them. (it's hard to read but it says " We aren't opening our door because we are watching our cousin Josh Hull #43, but please have a treat anyhow!! GO PENN STATE!!"

PV Homecoming 2009

2009-10-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

Homecoming this year was especially difficult for me. On Friday morning I found out that one of my oldest and dearest friend's husband suddenly passed away. I cried all day at work and was lifeless that evening.

On Saturday, Freddie and Mackenzie were headed to the PSU game to cheer on Josh and I was thinking how am I ever going to manage keeping it together because I was so distracted with what was happening to Abby.

Thankfully one of my best friends changed her plans and she came to my house to help get our oldest daughter Courtney and her girlfriend Megan ready for the dance. In my mind all I could see was my friend Abby in UT with her 6 little girls crying. Thinking Naki would never see his girls get ready for a dance and running over and over in my head "how was my poor Abby-Gail ever going to get through all of this..." I know that her faith and strength will pull her through this difficult time and that with God's help and the support of her family and friends she will be okay.

As a mother of 5 myself, I can't even imagine what she's going through. "I'm praying for you my dearest Abby-Gail. I love you and I'm sorry this is happening. "

Family and friends have set up a fund allocated to help out Abby and the girls now and in the future. If you are able to make a donation please do so at the link below.

http://www.nakifamily.com/

Family Beach Vacation

2009-08-12T13:13:00.001-07:00

Weekend of Birthday Parties for Cousins

2009-08-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Friday night we celebrated Dristen's(Wolfe, Nic & Chip's son) 6th birthday; Saturday night we celebrated Kelsey's(Hull, Dan & Karri's daughter) 6th birthday and Sunday we went to Allentown to celebrate Sydney's(Lisa & Rob's daughter) 5th birthday.

We had a great time seeing everyone. Here are a few photos from Friday night. I'll post some of Sunday later when my sister-in-law sends them.

15 Year Class Reunion

2009-07-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday night I had my high school class reunion(Penns Valley, Class of 1994). It was at Mt. Nittany in Centre Hall. Had a great time!! Here are some pics(Abby--Missed you though...next time!)

Nolan's 1st Birthday Party

2009-07-23T06:36:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday we celebrated Nolan's(my nephew) 1st birthday at the Millheim Pool. Here are a few shots from the day.

Guisewite 50th Anniversary Party

2009-07-14T13:13:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, June 27th we celebrated our grandparents(Jack & Kay Guisewite) 50th wedding anniversary. Here are a few pictures from the festivities.

Delgross with Cousins

2009-07-13T12:30:00.001-07:00

In mid June after all the kids were out of school we met Freddie's sister, Lisa and her 3 kids(Sydney, Addison and Robbie), Freddie's parents(Fred & Darlene), his Aunt Mary and his nephew Zack at Delgrosso for the day. We had a great time, here are some pictures from the day!!

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-06-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

We went to VA to spend time with Pap and Gram Ironside and the Canova's over Memorial Day weekend. We had a great time. Here are a few shots we took while in VA and at a picnic at Pap & Nan Hull's on Memorial Day.

Saturday Softball Game

2009-06-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

We all got to go to see one of Courtney's Jr. High games because it was on a Saturday in Bellefonte. Just some miscellaneous snap shots from that day.

Mother's Day at Longwood Gardens

2009-06-04T08:11:00.001-07:00

For Mother's Day we went to Philly to my brother's place and stayed the night then got up on Sunday and drove to Longwood Gardens for the day. What a beautiful place. A must see. It was relatively kid friendly too.

Here are some of my favorite pics.

Blue White Weekend

2009-06-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

I'm way behind on my postings..so in order to play catch up..I'm going to do shortened versions of what's been happening with the Ironside bunch to get everyone brought up to date.

All 7 of us went to the blue white game; in shifts but we made it there. Courtney played softball that morning in PO so Mackenzie went to the pre-game activities with Mom and Dad. Here are a couple of shots of Big Josh Hull, #43!
We all went inside and watched some of the game. We even found the Wolfe's and Mom and Dad to sit with. Pap bought the kids some ice freezies..kids community snack..
Tailgating after the game.Kenzie and Nolan.

Kenzie and Annie Diminick.

Easter Sunday

2009-04-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny always hides the baskets at our house. So everyone got up and found their baskets. Then we all got ready and went to church. After church we went to Mom and Dad's for lunch and an egg hunt with the Wolfe's. Stopped by my grandparent's house after lunch was cleaned up. The boys decided there was too much going on to take a nap so we were home late afternoon, got some dinner, baths and watched Marley and Me(Courtney got it in her easter basket).

The younger kids got sunglasses in their baskets at Pap and Nan's house.

Fletcher

Dristen

Gracilee(so excited to show off her glasses we didn't have time to get the tag off before she put them on)

Cool Man Carter

Good Friday in Lancaster

2009-04-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

Freddie and I took the day off on Good Friday and the kids were off from school so we decided to take a day trip to Lancaster. We started the day with a train ride at the Strasburg Railroad(just outside of Lancaster). There's a cute little plaza with some shops and the train is really clean and they give you little facts and tidbits during the 45 minute ride(up and back in the same direction). The Easter Bunny stopped by during the ride and gave the kids each a lollipop. Then we went to Applebee's for lunch(Graci refers to it at Bumblebee's) and stopped by the outlets for a little bit of shopping before heading back to the "Burg."Graci and Kenzie at the outlets.

Our own little "Davy Crockett"

It was a nice start to our Easter weekend.

New Kitchen Cabinet

2009-04-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

We've been having my grandfather work little by little on making things for us around the house(mainly cupboards). Here's our latest addition.

It's all fun and games until Carter gets his leg caught in it. BTW--needless to say the other door was installed and Dad put locks on it..so the games are over..

Sunday Afternoons at Pap & Nan's House

2009-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoons Freddie and Mackenzie have softball practice so the rest of us sometimes go over to Pap and Nan's house for dinner and tractor rides and to feed the ducks as long as the weather is nice.This Sunday was particularly nice so we even ate dinner outside. Mom and Dad have these cellar steps that they've always harped about keeping the kids off of in the past...but Pap and Nan are outnumbered so much that they've given up even trying anymore...
The more Nan yelled "Carter get down" the harder he laughed at her.

I'm So Funny!!

2009-04-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

This picture just makes you laugh out loud looking at it. I had to share!

Annual Easter Egg Coloring

2009-04-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

Every year we continue to beg our cousin Janelle to color eggs with us. This is our 5th year of this tradition. I know that our time is running out because Janelle's getting too old for egg coloring but she's a good sport and does it anyhow, thanks Nelle!!

This year we had a special guest join us for a little while. Mackenzie's friend Karli spent the night on Friday so was able to partake in the "coloring chaos."

Here are the boys..Carter was more interested in throwing eggs into the tub then Fletcher. We only ended up having one slightly major spillage..Happy Easter everyone!!

Hats and Glove Galore

2009-04-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

I keep a basket in the foyer during the cold months with assorted, scarves, hats and gloves. I'm one of those moms where everything needs to be centralized. On Saturday I was working on a project in the foyer and the kids have to be where ever I am so they decided to play "dress up."

I love this picture of Gracilee.

Here's Fletcher with his pink hat..and the funny thing is he picks this hat every single time too..of all the hats, this is his favorite.
This picture is really comical. Fletcher has realized his Dad has escaped without taking him along. He's at the door hollering "Daddy!!" His Dad came back and said" Buddy, you can't go outside with that pink hat on.. :)"

Monkey See, Monkey Do

2009-03-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

These pictures speak for themselves....

Say Cheese

A "Mini" Spring Break to Uncle Corey's in Philly

2009-03-11T11:22:00.001-07:00

The kids don't have any time off for a spring break but we had a Saturday/Sunday that our calendar was basically "clear" and Uncle Corey was off work so we packed up and went to Philly this past weekend.

We hung out at Uncle Corey's place.
Carter enjoying a thirst quenching juice box....
Fletcher trying to get in on the Monopoly action on the Nintendo...

Saturday we went to the Franklin Institute.
And Sunday we of course had to hit the King of Prussia Mall on the way home..the younger kids rode on the mall rides while the older kids hung at the bookstore...

Thanks for the visit Uncle Corey!

Canadian Cowgirls

2009-03-11T11:11:00.001-07:00

The last Saturday in February we took an early morning road trip. It landed us at the Friendly's in Swatara. We had just been seated when this nice woman came up to the table and says that her group is sitting in the back and noticed our family coming in and would like to give each of the girls a postcard and invite them to the back for a picture with their group the "Canadian Cowgirls." So we went back and checked it out...a big group of girls with sparklies on their faces (Graci's words) that smelt a bit like the barn(Courtney's words). At any rate these lovely ladies took their picture with the girls.

They were performing at 8PM that night at the farm show...needless to stay the troops couldn't hold out that long for the show..much to Mackenzie's dismay.

Lisa or Sheila if you're reading this--we went over to the Christmas Tree Shop too (of course!) You know me better than to think we just "randomly" ended up in Swatara...

Carter Found A Cupboard---

2009-03-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

So after the boys tried relentlessy to get into the cupboards their Dad "latched closed" from them they pretty much just gave up...except for one Saturday afternoon when Carter got some alone time and low and behold found a cupboard his Dad hadn't gotten too..

Here's the first in the series(he's clapping and thinking "ha ha Dad I got into a cupboard"). All too soon the fun will end..as his Dad discovers he's found a cupboard...
Freddie hollers "Carter..what are you doing?!"...look at his poor innocent face...
He's got this "hmm..now where should I run and hide look to his face" doesn't he...?! He's probably thinking Fletcher did it...he told me to climb in here..I'm just saving his place!! :)

Slumber Party at Aunt Steph's

2009-03-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

We had a slumber party on Friday, February 13th....dum dum dum..(thankfully no issues even though it was Friday the 13th..)---I know I'm posting a little late. At any rate, on the rare occasions that we have a little "extra" time in our schedules we try and get together with Dristen. Graci and the boys adore him; he finds that borderline annoying at times because he adores Mackenzie and Mackenzie being the "kid" that she is feeds off the adoration from him....vicious cousin circle..someday all too soon Nolan will be enamored by Fletcher and Carter. Thank goodness for family and the circle though, because without it life wouldn't be as much fun! Fred, Mackenzie and Courtney weren't actually home until late this particular Friday because they had a basketball tournament so Dristen really was "stuck" with the little kids. But he took it in strides and I think had a pretty good time in the end. We took a group bath(4 in a regular tub is a lot..Uncle Fred really needs to get the sunken tub installed before the next sleepover), we played hide n seek and of course..we had chocolate milk shakes(it's this thing I do with Dristen when he comes to our house). They are "hiding"from one another in a corner of the living room behind the furniture in the pics below.
Thanks Dristen. We love you!!

Why Can't I Get Inside the Cupboards?!

2009-02-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

I spend most of my time when I'm at home in the kitchen. Hence the boys spend their time there as well. There are 2 things the boys enjoy doing while in there(both of these things drive their Dad and Ginny CRAZY).

#1--my sister and I had this little table and chairs as children and I had it at my house for the older 2 girls then I gave it to her and Dristen had it and now she's sent it back over to me for the 3 younger kids. When it works as it's intended for eating at or coloring at etc..it's great but the boys would much rather crawl on top of the chairs and the table or rock back and forth on them etc..so more often then not when they are at home with Ginny or Fred and I get home the chairs have been removed from the table and relocated to a place where they can't reach them. Fred keeps threatening to get rid of it but he knows better. I on the other hand have this motto that they have to learn...and I just let them go or try and "show" them what they are to be using the table and chairs for..here's a snapshot from Saturday where I sat them down with paper and pencils(unsharpened, but they don't entirely know any better yet) to use the table properly.
#2--The boys enjoy "cleaning out" the cupboards for me. I use that phrase "cleaning out" loosely because it's not that they need reorganizing but that they find it entertaining to take everything out and scatter it all over the kitchen(just mostly the cupboards with all the tupperware and my cooking spices). I don't enjoy cleaning it all up either but I chalk this up as a way for them to entertain themselves while I'm busy with other things so I let it go. On Saturday Fred and Mackenzie go and run errands. While they are gone the boys have played in the cupboards, ate lunch and are now napping. During their nap Dad's returned with cupboard latches(these weren't on the list that he left with) and he's decided he's going to put an end to their fun. 2 things to note at this point--The first is that I remind Freddie repeatedly we've raised 3 other kids and have never had these latches..he doesn't care...Secondly, when Fletcher wakes up and can't open the cupboard he's NOT going to be happy..to which his father retorts "oh well, Ginny and I will be."

Needless to say Fletcher reacts just as I suspected.
"Hmm..what's wrong with the door" he says..
Oh I have to be able to reach in here and get out what I want... No, Fletcher you're not going to be able to yank anything through there buddy.....

So then he thinks Oh, I just have to pull on the door really hard then it will open up....yah, no that's not going to work either...In the end he's mad and just walks away thinking...who did this to me...all the while I'm saying "don't look at your mom!!"

Girls Basketball

2009-02-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Regular season basketball is just wrapping up for Courtney & Mackenzie. Courtney's last game of the season is February 12th. Mackenzie's regular season tournament is Valentine's Day weekend but she and Fred will still have travel team tournaments through March.

It was our first year of really having to "juggle" two sets of schedules. Now that each girl has reached a different level of basketball. In the past we never had conflicts so everyone could get to see both girls easily enough but now they often play at the same time. It's been an adjustment for everyone but it's something that we'll all have to get used too.

The trio of pictures of Mackenzie were taken by our friend Michelle Collison at the travel team shoot-a-thon. Mackenzie was the winner of the "mike n drill." This particular series of photos are of her at the foul line. (Note--- her form and the number on her jersey, both of which she gets from her Dad). She really does play the game like her dad too...she's not a "high scorer" but she's a hustler and a good defensive player.

Courtney worked hard this year too. She made it through "try outs" and earned a starting position on the "A"team. The "jump" in the level of pre-season conditioning from youth league to high school was a big change for her this year. Between that and every day practice about 70% of the way into the season she developed Osgood Schlatter's Disease in her knees(it started in one and now is in them both). It's very painful and comes from an increased level of activity and a growth spurt. She's been a real trooper at working her way through it and is looking forward to the few weeks she has "off" in between basketball and softball that she can rest them(which is the only thing that makes it go away). She had been averaging 10-12 points per game until her knees started affecting her play. She's really enjoyed the season and she's sportin' her mom's old number 42.

Monday Night Rumble

2009-02-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

On Mondays I pick up Courtney and her friend Jenny(from the block, that's what the Ironside family calls her) from basketball practice on my way home from work. Fred and Mackenzie have basketball practice from 6-9PM. After dinner and "tubby time" (Gracilee and the boys favorite time) we play in the living room before it's lights out. Here's a look at what happened last night..

Carter decides that he's going to empty out one of the plastic toy bins and crawl inside it to sit down.

Along comes Fletcher(the house bully) and dumps him out and takes it over for himself instead.

Then he sits there looking at Carter who's of course very unhappy about what's happened; with a "what's your problem" look on his face.

All the while Gracilee is shouting "boys don't fight" and Courtney lays on the couch with a smirk on her face.

Okay everybody "break it up" there's plenty of boxes for everyone....

Courtney and Graci decide that they are going to put the boxes on their heads and Fletcher decides to try his luck taking on Courtney--whom quickly replies with "come on Fletcher, take your best shot."
In the end Fletcher decides he'll just let Courtney put it on her head and wait till he gets just a little bit bigger to fight the big sister of the house.

If you ever need a laugh be sure to keep our house in mind. Never a dull moment, ever.....

Typical Weekend

2009-02-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

What did you guys do this weekend? That's the Monday morning question..here's the answer...

Friday--I go into the office late and work from home for a few hours in the morning so the sitter can start later because she'll have to stay until 7PM when I get home. Drop off Graci at school on the way into work. She actually said "see ya Mom" and waved bye this morning(a nice change from the mornings she's crying when I leave her). Fred picks up Gracilee on the way home from work, feeds the troops and he and Mackenzie go over to Courtney's game at the high school at 5PM(sometimes Gracilee comes along but when she goes to school she doesn't take naps, so those days she has to stay home because she'd be asleep during the 1st quarter of the 1st game). (we have a wonderful sitter, Ginny..and without her help we couldn't manage some of what we do; needless to say Ginny is part of the glue that keeps us together and without her in my world it wouldn't run as smoothly). We watch Courtney's game and then we head across the street for Mackenzie's game at 6PM(both girls played well but lost).

Saturday--- we "round up the troops" early because the 4 oldest members of the family have eye appointments at 9Am at the Nittany Mall with Dr. Breezy. Courtney spent the night Friday at her friend Megan's so we have to run to Woodward to get her beforehand. Because time is so precious I'm always trying to make sure we use every minute of it efficiently and we happen to be "early" for our eye apptointments so I decide we should zip over to Sheetz's and fill up the "grocery getter" with gas..($23(I'll explain why I note the cost later on)) Friday night Courtney & Mackenzie decide they want to get haircut while they are at the mall. I call the Sears salon Friday night when they tell me about this(I call there first thinking it's right beside the optical center so that's easy enough) but no one answers...so I figure the mall opens at 10AM and how many people can possibly need their hair cut just as the mall opens that morning. It shouldn't be too bad if we find somewhere that can cut their hair simultaneously and we'll entertain the kids with mall rides until they are done. The people in Sears were probably tired of seeing all of us there for that 60 minutes. I had Sears memorized till we got out of there, pushing the boys round and round the store and Graci walking like a big girl. She insisted she didn't need a stroller(I knew that was a mistake I would pay for later on) ($290 on eyes at Sears)
So we begin the journey down the mall to find someone to give the girls their "new do's." Graci's walking, boys are riding in the double stroller and Fred and the older girls decide that they are going to stop at the verizon store to look at phone covers. Well the boys don't want to stop and Graci needs gum..oh and she's tired of walking now too. So I put her up on my shoulders and keep motoring so the boys don't disrupt the entire mall. I get all the way to the other end of the mall and no luck with any salons, they are all full. (thinking in my head, the girls are going to say "oh never mind then") so I start back up through the mall. Fred and the girls still haven't met up with us..I"m assuming they've talked their Dad into buying something in the meantime. By now my shoulders are killing me and the looks that I have gotten from the people at the mall are maxing me out. I can just hear them.."is she crazy that lady bringing those 3 little kids to the mall" or "oh aren't all of those kids so cute, all the while thinking better her than me" but to those folks I say "yes, better me than you, cause I wouldn't trade them for anything."

I figured even though my carefully thought out plan with the haircuts and the entertaining wasn't able to be executed; I had carried my roll of quarters through the mall and the younger kids were pretty good all morning so they still should get to go on the rides. The boys look like deer in headlights. Carter(in green) Fletcher(in red).

We have to go to Sam's club for groceries and Graci still hasn't gotten her gum, so we take care of that and leave Sam's Club after spending a cool $200 bucks.

It's just about lunchtime now and the girls aren't saying that they are disappointed that they haven't gotten their haircut but I can tell just by Court's body language at Sam's Club she really wanted it done today...likely because she was headed back to Megan's house later in the afternoon for a party...but she never said as much. So I tell Fred to head to the other side of State College(needless to say he wasn't thrilled about that directive) but he went anyhow..he's slowly learning after 15 years to just not argue and go along with it. So we zing through the drive through at McDonald's($24)( my least favorite place but options are far and few between) and we go up to Holiday Hair a stone's throw away and everyone will eat in the car until we get done(all the while I'm praying I can get them both in right away and at the same time). Low and behold perserverance prevails. And Mom and Dad have two happy girls with cute haircuts. (Courtney got graduated angled bangs, so they hang in her eyes..driving me crazy already!) ($40) Homeward bound now..just about 1:30 till we get there.

We work around the house doing chores and then Fred, Kenzie and Court are headed out the door(Court's going to the party, van needs washed, need to tap MAC, go to Walmart(for a few things you can't get at Sam's club;($40)) and then to Philipsburg for a 5:30 tip off(Kenzie's playing)). Janelle's coming for a "sleep over" so Kenzie and Fred pick her up on the way down through, they get home around 8:30 p.m. Houser's will bring Court home and she arrives around 9PM.

The boys and Graci and I are at home. Carter's experimenting taking his socks off with his teeth and Fletcher and Graci are wrestling and I'm just sitting around drinking wine and eating chocolates(HA HA, just the part about what I"m doing everything else is true).

(it's like "hmm I got up on this chair now what should I do"...)

Graci had the markers first, Fletcher as usual; decides he's going to take them from her so she retaliates..Fred and I play games with the older girls for a couple of hours and then lights off for the old folks and the "fun" just begins for the 3 older girls...all the while they wonder how late should we stay up...cause Mom might make us get up in the morning and go to church...

Sunday--there's no such thing as sleeping in at our place...the younger kids are up and at it much to the dislike of the "late night girls."

Another Sunday sledding party at Pan & Nan's house. (Kassi & Skylar)
Isaac the snowboarding guru...

Taking a break...(Gracilee, Mackenzie & Janelle)

After a few hours of sledding everyone's headed home to watch the superbowl. Another end to a great weekend. Ohh--and on Saturday I think the total spending for the day came to approximately $600..

Let's have a Sunday Sledding Party!

2009-01-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

Once we finally got our first sizable snowfall we decided to orchestrate a sled riding party. It was the first time the boys or Gracilee had gone. In fact we skipped church that morning and ran to Walmart for our last minute snow gear. We all met over at Mom & Dad's at 1:30 and then ate dinner in the "shop." Jeff, Sue, Josh, Ethan, Dan, Karri, Kelsey, Pap & Gram, Mom, Dad and us. We all couldn't wait to see who could get down the hill the farthest..what we quickly realized was that today was going to be about who could get up to the top with the fewest falls. See there was a thick covering of ice underneath the newly fallen snow. Thankfully no one was hurt so we can joke about the "wipe outs" now and there were a bunch of them, you couldn't even get back up sometimes without falling right back down. Kelsey and Graci loved it, they were both unhappy girls when they were told the party was over for the day. The boys enjoyed it too, especially Fletcher. He just sat there like the abominal snowman inside his little inflatable sled..occasionally giving you a little smile to show that he wasn't asleep with his eyes open. Courtney & Ethan were the cautious sled riders for the day, sore knees and broken bones looming in the backs of their minds. Courtney did manage to make a snow angel and Ethan went to the top with Dan and Josh for a pile up on the inner tube. The shop is where those who aren't interested in sleding take refuge and where those of us who are frozen solid go to thaw out. Once you thaw out then you end up sweating your butt off, no happy medium unfortunately. At the end of the day though we shared a lot of laughs and made some memories; and that was the point of it all.

John Deer Gear

2009-01-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

Our amish babysitter, Barbie(she's 16) bought the boys each their own JD tool belts for Christmas. Fletcher was the only one of the two who would hold still long enough to put his on for us. We weren't able to get all of his tools into it. He's sportin' around in his diaper because he doesn't like to get his clothes on..for whatever reason it's this big battle to get him dressed. On this particular day someone decided the fight wasn't worth it. He also has this habit when he's mad to "scream" like a sissy girl...a shrilling and face reddening scream..unimpressive.

Gracilee decided she needed to get in on the action; that's pretty standard behavior for her when it comes to Fletcher; that's when it's nice to have two sets of everything. Whatever one has the other one wants it. It's an ongoing battle between the two of them. Who "wins" is usually a toss up. Gracilee according to her Dad is not growing hence Fletcher is just about as tall as she is and probably weighs almost as much as her too. She still seems to be able to put him down and keep him down a little better than he can ..but that won't last much longer.

Ironside Kids

2009-01-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that the kids are growing up so quickly.

Courtney(13) is busy with basketball and school. She loves reading(to the point it's borderline obsessive), I actually had to tell her the other morning she wasn't allowed to read her book on the drive to school; it is an entire 12 minute commute ..and she was disgruntled about it..I know there could be worse things.

Mackenzie(10) is really doing well in school and basketball. She says Gracilee gets on her nerves but more often then not we find them hanging out or playing together. She's more "reliable" then Courtney right now in that..if you need her to do something for you or help out with the kids she's more likely to do it..probably just a phase I suppose but I'll take what I can get.

Gracilee(2, soon to be 3 in April) has started to "warm up" to the idea of preschool. She goes there 3 days a week(usually MWF). We drop off Courtney 1st at the high school, then go across the street and drop off Kenzie at the intermediate school and then go up the road to the spring mills elementary to her school. She likes that she gets to leave the house in the mornings with the rest of the girls. She sometimes asks to stay at home with "Car-ter" that's how she says it..and Ginny and Fletcher but most often then not she's okay going out the door with the "big girls." She still can't tell us the names of her friends or even the teachers names usually but when you ask her what she learned today she starts reciting her alphabet and usually gets around 75% of it correct.

Fletcher(14 months)--a.k.a. Little Freddie...especially now that my friend Stace cut his hair the other night. He climbs onto everything-chairs, on top of tables, getting inside toys etc. His latest thing is to put one of the girls pocketbooks around his neck and then push one of the babies in the stroller(very comical to everyone but Dad). Last night they boys were taking turns pushing one another around in it. Check it out...

Carter(14 months)--He's finally starting to walk a bit more(hanging onto things) with his leg. The ortho doc says "everything looks as good as it can right now." He's beginning to want to keep up a little more with Graci & Fletcher and eventually he'll just have to trust his hip a little more.