Christmas 2008

We have been busy!

We spent Christmas Eve night at Johnny's Uncle Jeff's for LaFever Family Christmas! We had a really good time and lots of good food! Austin and I went to Christmas Eve services at Church. I have never been before, I really enjoyed it! There were just a few of us there but it was very nice!

We were very tired when we got back home and we had very excited kids! A and A went straight back to bed and our little Prince Charming was bouncing off the couch at 1am! "Look at me" "Look at me" Finally at 1:30am he gave up! And when we woke up at 8:00am we found that...

Santa came! And I think he received the request from the kids! They were very pleased with their gifts! I had so many pictures and obviously I can not post them all so... "YEE HAW" Yup Santa brought Cash his very own horse! Austin got the Ipod touch and Allie is happy to report that she got REAL diamond earrings! After many conversations with lovie that we were NOT exchanging gifts! NOT! EXCHANGING! GIFTS! Some how the ipod nano found it's way into my stocking...Hmmm!! I would be lying if I said I did not LOVE IT!! After our Christmas here we got ready and went over to my Mom and Dad's....

We opened gifts and had a wonderful dinner! Dad made an anti pasta plate, lasagna, bread, salad and...for dessert...

bananas foster! It was all wonderful! We were completely stuffed!! And the time spent with family...priceless! After Christmas with my fam it was off to unload and re load to Johnny's parents! Kim and Ron and the boys were home this year! We opened gifts there and snacked on what snacks our full belly's could handle! Again time spent with family~Priceless!

Friday we had family pictures with Johnny's family. It went really well for having 12 of us to photograph. The kids spent the evening with the boys at Johnny's parents, while Johnny and I ran over to Jeff and Em's for cards. We had a good time. Saturday Ma and I ran into do a little shopping and then back home for Kim and Ron and the boys and John and Linda to come over to see the basement and visit! Sunday....we were totally lazy and watched movies on the couch all day and did some much needed resting!!

Things here are now calm...well for the most part! And I will be enjoying the next few days chillin with J and the kids!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

I am stealing this idea from a dear friend... 1. Do you remember the year that Santa left Cabbage Patch kids by the back door? Oh how excited I was to meet Fredrika, she had red hair and piggy tails! I think I still have her? 2. How about the year we went to Texas in an escort? That was the last year I spent Christmas with my Uncle Terry. I miss him!! Also the same year Santa left a letter for me to tell me that he WAS infact a real person! Thank you Uncle Chris! 3. Sitting at the top of the stairs or in our rooms yelling to Mom and Dad..."Can we get out of bed yet?" EXCITEMENT!! 4. How bout...CHA CHA CHA CHIA...and that hat I wore to Aunt Brenda's with that awful jacket, or was it a shirt or a sweater...whatever it was I wanted it soooo bad, it smelled like the potato sacks that you go down the slide in at the fair! 5. I remember wanting to open a gift sooo bad on Christmas Eve...that was just un-heard of...still is huh Dad?! 6. The camera that Grandpa Murray got...it was in a huge box...and many boxes inside that...I miss him too! 7. The smell of sausage balls in the morning... 8. Actually hearing the reindeer on the roof...and the bells that followed 9. The smell of Christmas...now really sit back and think...go ahead it won't hurt anything...You smell it don't you?! 10. We always had a real tree...artificial trees were just not the same! Except for the year it went in the front door and out the back...that year artificial trees were going to be just fine, right Ma?! The older I get the more I appreciate the fact that Christmastime at our house was special, always spent with family even if it was just the 4 of us...so if you ask yourself why I am such a freak about Christmas...Thank my parents! And I will take the time to Thank them too! Dear Mom & Dad, Thank You both deeply from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for me! Oh and will do for me...lol! Thank You for all the Christmas' that you made special to me, each and every one! I love you both more than words could ever say! Merry Christmas!! Love, Kate

Dinner with B & D

I am still backwards in putting in my pictures...OH WELL!

Tonight Brooke and Damien came over for dinner and our annual pre-Christmas get together! We had a nice visit. With ok chili for dinner. Thankfully this time the chili was not so hot that you couldn't eat it without needing to go to the bathroom asap. But for some reason it was just ok. I had a good time talking with Brooke about her pregnancy. She is due in June. We are so very happy for them! It will be nice to have a little one that has no care if you love on them too much! Cash is at that age where he still likes to cuddle but only when it is convenient for him! And that is not enough! And we owe B & D a ton of babysitting nights so we are looking forward to that! We would normally get them a little something for Christmas, but as we parents know when there is a baby in the picture even if it is a very small not really seen yet baby the gifts are for the kids! So a prego willow angel and some OSU socks were what we got for them! They came in packing some gifts for A, A, and C...I think I told her not to! Save for the baby!! But anyways C will be sporting a cute lil outfit Al, has already been online with her new webkinz not before she put on her bracelet and AJ, is ready to go spend his gift card tonight! So...Thank You Brooke and Dam and baby! We love you all! Remember I posted backwards again so....REWIND Austin went to work with Johnny this morning! He really wanted to go! He loves spending time with his Dad! Allie, Cash and I ran into the store and then out to see the big boys at work! I think Austin had a good day and actually was a big help to Johnny! IT IS ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!! The excitement for me just never gets old!

updates....

So what has been going on around here? The kids are officially on Christmas break! I can remember being on Christmas break...LOVED IT!!! Actually I am probably one of the few mom's that still LOVES IT!!! Having my kids home with me is great...did I just say that? No really I mean it! Ok so by the first of the year they will have drove me nuts and I will be ready for them to go back...NAH! I am crazy...I will still LOVE IT!!

Allie was totally bummed out that school was cancelled on Friday! Princess just had a week full of disappointments! Christmas concert was cancelled not once but twice...and then on what was going to be the BEST day in school history they cancel! Oh if you could have been here to hear the things this princess said!

Me: Pooh Bear time to get out of bed, Maggie is hear to play with you!!!

Princess: I am still depressed about them canceling the concert last night...

Me: Oh sweetie it is...(interrupted)

Princess: Mommy why is Maggie here?

Me: Oh honey I am so-(interrupted, again)

Princess: Do you know what it is like to be 8? This is just the worst week ever!!!

This was followed by LOTS of tears and not just by her, by the time I was done talking with her I wanted to call the superintendent myself and have him ride his happy self on over to pick her up and spend the day with her! Oh but that's right I love having my kids home so I didn't!

Cash is really enjoying the time he has had with the kids so far...in case you didn't know he is sleeping in this picture...he gets the eyes open while sleeping from J! So you see they have completely worn him out! Oh and yes Dad, that IS a Browns outfit he is sporting! We went to see Santa Friday night! He did really well, no tears at all! And he even told him he wanted a horse for Christmas...geez he sure expects a lot out of that Santa! Austin is LOVING the time off...I think he wore the same outfit for ummmm...well ok I won't post that, it may look bad on my part as his very clean mother! HA! So chillin in front of the TV and playing video games has been top on his list of things to do...but I really shouldn't post that either...so never mind I said that...he has been reading and doing lots of studying....OH OK, I can't lie!! Never was good at lying!!!

Johnny is LOVING his basement! Tonight I put him in charge of dinner! Hey it got him out of the basement for a bit! I love you, baby!! (he may read this you know, I have to throw that in) HA!

Ok it took a bit! I know you all were trying to send the most sunshine you could! And it worked! It is just colder than...well it is cold! Last night w/o the windchill -2! Yes folks that is cold! However I do appreciate the sun! So THANKS to all of you who were looking out for my family in hopes that the sun would hurry here before I completely lost it!

So, Ma there you have it...as soon as I got your email I grabbed my camera and ran around the house and snapped pics of everyone...I am sure you noticed I did not even care what any of us looked like! And I thought I was vain...

Only 2 1/2 days til Christmas...are you ready? Oh I know I do not have to say it...

What the heck this is my blog right...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS...I LOVE CHRISTMAS...I LOVE CHRISTMAS...

SUNSHINE...PLEASE!!!!

"No Pop at Aunt Cheryl's" "Puweeze Serrul" "ok Cash I love you and you are too cute here is your pop!" This is what I came out in the kitchen to. Oh that lil stinker he always gets his way...he is too cute! So today we spent the day at Cheryl's! Making Christmas cookies. We made a ton of cookies! They all turned out really good too! I had a lot of fun! So did Cash...he loves to go to Cheryl's and well she gives him everything he wants so...hello what kid wouldn't want to go!!! So here he is rolling his already baked cookie...ok I know he needs a hair cut! I will get to that! Or maybe it is that he needs a brush?! Sunday was Christmas with GG! This year we went to my Aunt Brenda's. Good food, fun games, presents for all! Here is a picture of my Uncle Bobby, Aunt Brenda Grandma, and Ma! I was sure to take lots of pictures this year so when and if I do the family calender next year I will not be scrambling at the last min for a pic of someone! And of our family well minus Kelly and Layne!

Saturday night was off to the Kokosing Christmas Party...

Austin took a good picture! Looking forward to the next night out with my man!!!

Almost done with my shopping! Only 1 more gift to buy! 10 days left til Christmas! I NEED really I NEED some sunshine my way! The weather is S*@!!Y and I just want the sun to peak out and tell me that it is still there just taking a break...hey it is ok to need a break! But just let a girl know you are still here! A girl who can't go to the tanning bed or be in the sun! Only stare at the sun from the window! Oh I need the sun!

ANYONE...ANYONE want to send a lil sun light my way???

The moment you have been waiting for....

ok the moment "we" have been waiting for.... okay, okay, okay, the moment "I"have been waiting for!!

Here she is folks! Our cute as a button $69 Kohls special! I will have to take a picture with the lights on in the basement for you to see all the scarlet and gray! That tree skirt is just too darn cute, huh! No comment from you, Ang!!!

Tomorrow the furniture will be here! And I will post pics of Johnny's new baby!!

I spent the day with GG today! We had a nice visit and I talked her out of a few pics...well with the help of a certain favorite aunt!! I took a couple that I will post of this absolutely adorable baby...OMG I know why my kids are so cute...LOL! I love you JD! So, not much else going on! We have a busy weekend...Johnny's work party on Saturday and then Christmas with GG and the gang on Sunday! Oh Christmas...I love Christmas!!!

I LUV CHRISTMAS...

Do you love Christmas?

I LOVE Christmas!

I love the smell of Christmas. I love getting all of my decorations out. I love the lights. I love giving gifts. I love the crowded stores and, waiting in line. I love being with family. I love all the yummy food. I love wrapping the gifts. I love Christmas music. I LOVE IT!!

And this year I love it even more than last year. And next year I will love it more than this year. There is just something about it...and really it is not all the things I mentioned above that are important to me...well ok...the food...oh and being with family! But the fact that Jesus is a HUGE part of my life and we are celebrating his life...WOW!!! I love it!!

This year I told myself...self lets make December just unforgettable! Let's bake cookies and make a mess in the kitchen ( I do not like messes in the kitchen ) let's go see the lights at the zoo and really enjoy them, let's get our shopping done early so we can really enjoy it all! Let's give because we WANT to give and not because we "feel obligated". Let's be happy because we are so truly blessed why would we not be happy. Let's sit and watch all the old Christmas shows that I watched as a kid, and not rent the movie...really sit on the couch and watch it on TV...Charlie Brown, Rudolph, The Grinch, Frosty...I remember as a kid watching those shows and feeling happy, excited...blessed! And I want my kids to have those same feelings! And so far it is the 8th of December and we are right on track!

So...not that you needed to know or even wanted to know about all this...I know most of you read to see pics of the kids and all but today this is what you get....

I LOVE CHRISTMAS and ALL the things that go with it!!!!

lights, tree, CHEESE!!!

Okay so this picture is BAD...but you get it...right? I thought I would show off J's hard work with the lights! They really do look pretty! And here is the living room tree...funny I think I have this same picture from last year.

Austin, Miley, Cash, Belle & Allie

And our Ohio State Fans!!! The dogs are both wearing their OSU jerseys...Belle was not really happy about this. But she did like the fact that I let her in the living room for the picture!!

So as I promised, pictures of the tree...okay I know only one of them! And not the one you want, Steve...but it is almost, so close, I can taste it, done! Maybe by Sunday?!

Nothing really going on around here. Johnny will be having his very permanent surgery this Friday...maybe...okay he is! Wish him luck! We told Allie tonight she almost lost her spaghetti!! As I said the basement is soooo close to being done! We and many of our dear family and friends have been working very hard to help us get it done!! I told J last night that we would be glad to get the house completely finished, but not as glad as everyone that has, is and will help us will be!! We are just so blessed to have so many loving, caring and handy people in our lives!!

That is all for now...keep checking back for the updated pictures!!

no band aid, GG, and a new start

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We did! Like I said before we have so much to be Thankful for! No this is not at the top of my list...BUT...I went to the Dr today and I will not have to be posting anymore pictures with this awful band aid! But I thought the picture was cute so I posted it anyways! So they took out the stitches today! No more hole in the nose! So I am thankful for this, but not #1 on the list! And no I will not bore you all to death with my list of things that I AM thankful for! I can but I won't! So now that you are all thankful for that... Brenda, Mom, Leslie, Kate, Jess, Austin, Allie, Cash and Grandma We went to see my grandma aka GG, G unit!!! She is now out of the hospital and at home! See another thing to be thankful for...we had a nice visit with her. I think she enjoyed our company, for a little bit anyways. Friday I had my annual black friday shopping trip with my girls, Jess, Brandy and Angel! We had lots of fun and we were able to get all the things we wanted to get! And I am happy to report that I am 90% finished with my shopping! I have NEVER been done this early...ok now I say that and I won't finish until Christmas Eve...anyways we had fun and we will be looking forward to next year! And because I am a black friday shopper this happened... Cash slept in his own bed ALL NIGHT!!! For the first time!!! No not because I was gone...because I bought Austin a new TV and moved the TV/DVD combo in Cash's room! Yup that is what I said I put a TV/DVD combo in my 2 yr old room...hey people a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!!! And when I put it in there he looked right up at me and said "thanks" not in a chipper way, thanks like it is about time you silly lady!! Everyone else has a TV in their room!!! Oh the great joys of toddlers!!! Just one more thing to be thankful for...hahaha!!! Stay tuned for pictures of our tree (s) One is up and the other is just about ready to go up...finished basement or not!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of my blogger friends! I hope you all have a wonderful day. We are looking forward to having our families here in our home with us today. We have so much to be Thankful for!! I am sure you all feel the same! Love to you all!!

Cash's BIG party!

I told you I would be back tonight, I have got to get caught up! So Friday night was Cash's BIG party! Again I just think he is too cute blowing out the candles! He had a lot of friends Young & Younger! Uncle Kelly, Mamaw, Brian, Troy, Daddy, Jon, Julie, Tim, Papaw, Miley, Brandy, Auntie, Cheryl Jamin with Cruz and Angel~These of course were his Young friends! This past year each one of you have been a huge part of our little Prince Charming's life! He loves you all!

And this is the Younger~

Josten, Chellsea, Sam, Allie, Javin, Chloe, Cole , Scott, Liam, Jensten, Austin & Cash, Maggie

Courtney & Cruz!

I think all the kids had a good time! Cash sure enjoyed having you all here!

I was hoping to be able to post a picture of AJ and a big huge buck...maybe next time! Austin went hunting this weekend with Troy and Scott! They said they had a good time but it was cold and they did not see anything. Thanks for all the prayers they were all home safely!

I had my DR apt today for the grafting...only J and I have taken such good care of it I did not have to have the grafting done. They were able to stitch it back together...and the great news well aside from all the skin cancer being gone...I only have to wear this band aid for a week and then I get to be normal again! I will tell you as I type this I am seriously in pain. It hurts so bad! Only 1 more week I just have to keep telling myself that!

So up next for tomorrows post...pictures of Austin's clean room. All nice and organized. And maybe a sneak peak at the basement...maybe...or maybe I will make you wait!? Stay tuned!

Zoo lights & DRY cake ; }

Well, I have been doing this blogging thing for 3 months...you would think I would know how to put the pics in the right order...NAH...I like things backwards...

So, Thursday night Johnny, the kids, and I went to see the lights at the zoo! We met up with the Keefer's and the Garrett's. It was so perfect...cold but it was snowing as we were looking at the lights! If you were not in the Christmas mood...you were while you were there, not that I am not in the Christmas mood, because I am! I thought it would be great to put Cash on the Merry Go Round, you know he loves horses! Well think again, as you can see from the picture he was not happy. "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" he was crying like I was hurting him...people were staring, you know like get the kid off the darn thing! But NO, not this Mom...I kept him on it, and for good reasons, he ended up loving it "Wee Ha" "Daddy see me" So all was well! This picture does the lights no justice...they were just beautiful!

The Garretts~The Keefer's~The LaFever's (minus me) We had a great time!

Okay now Rewind back to Wednesday....

My Mom & Dad, Jess, Kelly and Layne and J's Mom & Dad came over for Cash's birthday! We had pizza and a VERY dry cake! No comments from you about this cake Cheryl...LOL!!!! Anyways, my Dad picked out these swords for Cash, he is always hiya-ing with wooden spoons so he was thrilled to get something to hiya with! The kids had fun with him! After he opened the rest of his gifts we had the (very dry cake) this picture is so cute of him with his little eyes all squinted while he blew out the candle! Cash also got a ton of phone calls and an email ( Thanks, Jon ) by the middle of the day he was singing happy birthday to himself! He also, after many months of asking him what his name is, told us...Wilson...only it sounds like, Willlllsen! Now if only we can get him to say "I LOVE YOU"

I have so much to post about! I will promise to post again tomorrow! I have a list of things to get done by Wednesday, but if I wait to post I will be so far behind! So be watching for a new post tomorrow!!!

Officially a toddler...

Can you believe it....my little prince charming is

2

The past 2 years have just flown by! So we officially have a toddler! And a really stinkin cute one too!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CASH WILSON!!!

We love you so much!

Sorry...

I know. I know. It has been awhile since I last posted!!! Here is a quick update on what is going on...I say quick because that laundry won't fold itself, Kroger's won't deliver my groceries, the totes will not magically put themselves away in the basement (that is getting closer to being ready for paint) the dishes won't rinse off and run ever so nicely to the dishwasher to be cleaned, okay you get it, I have a lot to do...

1. still no results from the last biopsy
2. still wearing this beautiful band aid on my nose
3. finally looked at it today
4. want it to be over
5. Cash's 2ND Birthday is in 2 days
6. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it
7. did some Christmas shopping last night
8. I love Christmas
9. it was really snowing when we got up this morning
10. started our mom's prayer group last week ( love it )
11. my dad is home for the winter...this should have been #1
12. if you count today only 38 days left til Christmas
13. I miss Johnny~he has been working 7 days a week~
14. the phone is ringing...

Cash is getting into something...Gotta go!!!

My Lovey~

I have had a really yucky start to this week~ Yesterday I had another biopsy on my nose. With hopes that this will be the last one! I went in thinking that it would all be over when we left...NOPE...not what they said! They took what we hope to be all of the cancer off...I don't even like to say that...1. I am not sick, people who have cancer are sick 2. It is one of the most ugliest words I know 3. Kate and cancer...see they don't go together. DON'T GO TOGETHER. Anyways they left the spot open for a couple different reasons 1. IF they have to go and take more (my goodness I am not sure how much more they could possibly take) but if they have to they do not want to have to re-open again. 2. They took enough that if they tried to put it back together it would not look the same. So I will go back in 2 weeks and if all is good they will take some skin from another part of my nose (so it will match) and cover what is open. So here I have sat for 2 days having a pity party for myself when this is not the biggest thing going on in the world! But while I have sat here and cried I have had support by my side 100%!! Johnny has been wonderful! He who has had the major skin cancer melanoma! He who has been cut with scars to show, has been my rock...I love you, sparky! Why? 1. You love me unconditionally 2. You are a wonderful father 3. You will fix my nose when I can't look at it 4. You are my Best Friend 5. You are a great kisser among other things.... 6. You are a hard worker 7. because you are a hard worker I get to stay home with our babies 8. You listen 9. You share 10. Our family is important to you 11. You love my toes...or do you?! 12. You make the best omelets 13. You call me "Honey" 14. You understand me 15. You think I am beautiful 16. I have fun with you 17. You eat my cooking, even when it is not all that great 18. You love our babies 19. You are too cute 20. You are the love of my life I love you, JD! Thanks for taking care of me!!!!

Visit with Aunt Kim

Johnny & Kim

Cash, Aunt Kim & Allie

Well the weekend has come and gone! They go so fast these days! Aunt Kim was here from NC! We had tons of fun! The kids were glad to have her home and ecstatic that the boys were with her! Wish her stay could have been longer! I guess that is why we should always appreciate the times we get with the ones we love!!!!!!!! Allie & Collin Friday night we had plans to go to dinner but because the kids rarely get to see each other they get kinda crazy so we decided to spare the rest of the world from crazy kids and yelling parents and stay at Mom and Dad L's and have pizza! Austin wanted Ian and Mason to stay at our house so Allie stayed with Collin! I think they all had a great time!

Mason

Saturday morning we were up early with donuts and milk, and off to exchange children! We watched OSU win!!! And braved dinner at Hoggies! The kids were great, well Cash was...well Cash!!!!

Ian

Johnny and I have not seen the boys in months...so we were surprised to see how much they have grown! Ian is so mature. He is such a handsome young man! Kim you should be very proud of him! Mason is getting so big too! He is just as tall as AJ and weighs more!!! I know that is not that hard! And Collin is still as sweet as he was last time we saw him!! We can not wait to see you all in December!!!

Austin, Cash, Collin, Allie, Ian & Mason

We love you and miss you already!!

PS. Check out the handsome young man on the left...he did have to get glasses...and he looks so darn cute in them!

Cowboy Cash

I hope you all enjoy these

as much as we did!!!

Not a lot going on around here! Enjoying the last day of the beautiful weather!! Gotta get while it is still wonderful out! We won't get this again til April....AAAAHHHH!!!!!

Lots to update about! First Thanks to all of you who were and still are shooting up prayers for our friends! I am happy to report that Cheryl was able to come home on Sunday! She is doing better and with some stress free days she will continue to do well...HAHAHAHA those of you that do not know Cheryl, she has a pre-teen, and a second and first grader...she is probably not going to get anything stress free so keep praying for her!!! Our friend Billy is still in OSU in ICU. Sunday Johnny and I spent the entire day cleaning out the garage and getting it ready for winter! It looks so nice in there now! We also hung the Christmas lights, well most of them! You see last year when we hung them I wanted to put up more clips you know to keep the lights from hanging low or falling. Johnny said they would be fine...and they were fine and hanging low and falling...so this year I said MORE CLIPS!! Yeah well we ran out of clips and so now he has to get back on the roof tonight to finish! While he is doing that I will be taking the kidos to the eye doctor! Austin has been complaining of a headache at least 2-3 days during the week and Allie at least once! So I would feel more comfortable if we can at least rule eye problems out! However I don't like to mess with headaches and they can be so serious that I almost hope that is the problem!? We will see... So today is the BIG election day...I have been really dreading this day and at the same time wishing it here and gone. I will be looking forward to watching TV and listening to the radio without all the negative comments and bashing. I have been saying it for months, I think I will choose whom ever can be the nicest to the other! You are not telling me anything about yourself if you are constantly ragging on the other candidate! AHHHH see I am glad it is going to be over!!! Yet who? Who is the right choice? Election day is here and people I don't know who the right choice is....I have already been to vote. And I am not releasing who I voted for 1. it is my right to not tell 2. I do not want a debate 3. I like to keep you guessing!!!! I will tell you that in Cheryl's blog I voted for Sponge Bob...some of you may find this funny, and some may think I am making a joke out of something that should not be a joke! But I was serious...I think Sponge Bob Square Pants could be a good write in...shoot I should have done that!!! Okay that was a joke! I should have wrote in Pablo.....

Please PRAY...

Some weeks I only post once, today I am posting for the 2ND time! This morning my sister called to tell me that she hit a deer on her way home last night from picking my nephew Layne up from a party. She and Layne are both fine. Only minor damage to her car. The next call I receive is from Cheryl. She has been talking about having chest pains and not feeling well for a couple days and today it was really bad. Jon her husband took her to the ER and he just called to let us know that they have ran some tests and her heart is fine, although they are going to keep her over night and run some more tests. As if that is not enough another friend of ours Billy, was in an accident while conducting a hay ride, he is in critical condition on a vent. Punctured lungs and broken ribs. I truly believe in the power of prayer....please pray for our friends Cheryl and Billy!

dressing up, grade cards and first dance...

Thursday night was off to Trick or Treat! We went to Centerburg with Jess, Kelly and Layne! The kids got lots of candy! It was a nice night for it! "Captain Cutie"

"The sad Bengals fan"

I thought it was important to post this picture of Austin's grade card! I know it is hard to see, but he got all "b's" We are so proud of him! Going to middle school this year has been a big change. All new kids, girlfriends, well only one for Austin (Courtney), independence, riding the bus, changing classes, things that did not matter before, matter now! Clothes, hair, chewing gum for fresh breath! Bigger responsibilities! Oh come on people remember Jr High?! It was a big deal!

So along with this GREAT grade card he brought home on Friday, he also had his first dance!!! He was really excited! He asked Courtney to go with him....ok time out....the dance was right after school, which means that all the kids "went together" but he wanted to ask her....so she said yes! I talked with him about how since he asked her he needed to buy her drinks and snack. You know be the polite young man he is! At 2:30 I kept thinking to myself...self your baby is at his first dance! FIRST DANCE WITH A GIRL...the same GIRL that he "LOVES" the same GIRL that he HUGS EVERY TIME he leaves her....and self YOU ARE NOT THERE...NOT THERE TO KEEP TABS ON THEM!!!!! You can imagine how I must have felt, those of you that are reading that have or have had or will have a sweet, caring, handsome, smart, loving son! I could not wait for 4:30 to come so I could pick him up! Well I was glad to know that I was not alone. When I pulled into the school to get him there were lots of other mom's and dad's that were feeling the same as I!

Oh my baby boy is growing up....

So I would love to be posting a picture of him looking all handsome but it probably would be really bad for him if I had my big camera out to shoot pictures....but I will tell you that he said it was really fun, very loud, and he slow danced with Courtney (I did ask him if he slow danced with her for all the slow songs) ok a little nosey but hey I need to know these things...he said yes...and if you think I was nosey....Johnny....is nosey "did you kiss her" he said no! Ok ma breath now....

Love to all!!!