Forearm Tattoos &

Christmas cards. That's what I've been working on today.

Both complete. All 60 some. Cards. Not tattoos. 

On to the the next task.

Mishawaka tree lighting tonight. 

And we're out of dog food.

Race

 Thinks he's pretty cute sometimes.

We're Back

From this.

THANKSgiving

I found this online and thought that Thanksgiving would be the perfect day to remember some of the things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for...

the taxes i pay because it means that i am employed

the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means i have enough to eat

my shadow who watches me work because it means i am out in the sunshine

a lawn that has to be mowed, windows that have to be washed and gutters that need fixing because it means i have a home

the spot i find at the far end of the parking lot because it means i am capable of walking

the complaining i hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech

the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that i can hear

the huge piles of laundry because it means my loved ones are nearby

the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that i am alive

I am also so very thankful for this chunky, healthy beautiful baby!

Tomorrow We Leave

But today we pack only the essentials!

Hocking Hills here we come.

Super Cit

 We're getting ready to go on vacation.

All of our clothes are clean and on the table ready to be put in a suitcase.

We blew up our air mattress just to make sure it holds air and will be ready to go.

We moved the coffee table and put the mattress in the middle of our living room.

And of course this is what happened. 

He jumped for over 3 hours then cried when it was packed up after his nap.

What's...

Red, White & Gray all over?

 Calan in a carrier on his Dad's back, of course.

Sleigh Buildin'

 We had to be to Lowes by 10am for this workshop. 

If you know us 10am is before the middle kids even get up.

When I signed up through the Lowes website it said that the projects are recommended for children 5 years old and up.

So I fibbed some ages and decided to give it a go.

Camille's face says it all.

 There were pieces of plywood sitting on buckets for the tables.

Every time someone pounded a nail it would shake the entire "table."

When the sliding doors opened it would send a gust of wind that would blow the instructions and nails all over the place.

Calan wore his hard hat for safety.

I'm not sure why he needed to be safe because Cody and I did all of the construction.

We did a fine job building our sleighs, if I do say so myself.

See ya next month Lowes when we show up for your next Kids Workshop.

hi baby

Cora is now smiling and making eye contact when we talk to her.

And Now CORA!

Check out this previous post:

http://calanrans.blogspot.com/2011/02/angie-rn.html

It's the Old

drawer step trick.

Growing up

Ramen

Strikes and Spares

  I think Geo is telling me to call him?

 Calan thought that it was his turn every time.

 Case thought that because he had on a baseball shirt he had to give everyone signals.

 A worker had to walk down the lane and get a ball.

It wasn't even a kid that threw two balls.

She didn't look too happy about it either.

Cora slept during the entire experience. 

Confirmed Concussion

*UPDATE*

Cody went back to the doctor today & now he has a concussion.

Not sure how you get a concussion days later but that and a few other things are his new diagnosis. 

Parents of the Year

We would like to be nominated as Parents of the Year.

Sometimes just to get the kids energy level up we switch their milk for syrup in the mornings.

 We don't even let them have syrup on waffles & pancakes.

Cody and I were cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast and Case got up on the table all by himself.

Walk it Off

 Here's a couple pics 10 hours after accident.

Not that bad ;)

Early Morning Text

This is the pic that I took of Race Car and sent to Cody this morning.

I call it
 Big P to the 2nd.

ELC Costume Parade

Hey Batman!

Yes Batman?

Why's Calan SO happy?

Because today is the very first costume parade at school.

 Daddy helped tie shoes.

Calan opened his decorated bag.

Then off they went.

 Calan and his class walked around the entire church collecting candy.

 I'm not sure who was happier when it was over

Miss Peggy or Calan.

Girl Stuff

Just Swinging Around

Halloween 2012

 Dressed & ready.

 Cora went as a stroller this year.

 We let the kids eat candy as we walked.

(most pictures are courtesy of Blake!)