Halloween

Optimus Prime(Transformer), a Mermaid and a Cheerleader!!!

The kids had fun carving their pumpkins this year. They helped clean out all the goop and then both Brady and Bethany drew their own face on their pumpkins. Brady carved his out all by himself! Georgia thought the pumpkin was interesting!! :)

They were able to load up on candy in the neighborhood and see some friends and teacher s along their journey.

Daddy had to take care of a lot of the festivities. Mommy was very sick with bronchitis(she spent 4 hours in the Urgent Care to get some meds on Sunday-not fun!) :(

Mommy is feeling better now and we have one more place to wear our costumes one more time. Church is having a little kids festival tomorrow. It should be fun.

P.S. Does that cheerleader look familiar? I bet if you go back a few years you would see another one just like this cute one! ;) You should take a peak!

Apple picking

We all went Apple picking today! It was very wet but we still had fun. We were able to get a lot of apples so we can make applesauce and other yummy appley things. Our kids love apples, so we get them as much as we can.

Trip to Illinois

Wow, it's been a little while since I've posted on here. It has been crazy! During the beginning of Brady's Spring Break we decided to take a quick trip to IL to visit family. It had been WAY to long since we had gotten back there. We had a wonderful time(minus the not-so-fun cold I decided to obtain).
We were able to see both sides of my family. We went over to my Aunt Patty's house and spend time with her family as well as my grandpa and grandpa Cherry. We hadn't met my cousin Sara's daughter Ellie yet. She is such a cutie and a little pistol! My cousin Tracy's daughter Brooke was there also, it was amazing to see how tall she was! We missed Clayten he was at a sleepover at a friends house. It was so great just to sit with them and catch up on stuff. We missed my other Aunts and cousins but we hope to see them really soon!!


Tracy, Ellie, and Patty


Patty, Tracy, Ellie, and Bethany

We then decide to try and take in one Lincoln Site since we didn't have time to do all of them. So we went over to Lincoln's Tomb. In the parking lot we got an extra treat though! A mini Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile had stopped so we got our picture taken by it. We walked on up to the tomb and walked around, Brady seemed pretty interested. We each took turns rubbing Abe's nose for good luck and snapped some pictures. A nice man even took our very first family of 5 photograph!! :)



Lincoln's Tomb


Kirk and Brady rubbing Honest Abe's nose




Bethany rubbing Abe's nose(well kinda)


"Angry" Georgia with Abe (she'll like it when she's older)


Family of 5!!

After we went site-seeing we headed over to meet the Birches for dinner. Almost everyone was there, except my Aunt Barb and Uncle Dean and their kids David, Val and Sarah, and Nathan(my Uncle Jeff's son) wasn't there , Oh and Holly and Aaron BUT we'll get to those two in a few. We were able to finally meet Nevan, Stephanie's son-can you say Wild Man! haha He's a cutie!!
The kids had a blast running around with him and playing with Pappy's tractors and trucks. Grandma had a nice spread as always. Yeah my dairy-free diet went right out the door(luckily we had the ok)!
The next day we went out to eat with Grandma and Pappy and then went over to see Tim and Lana's new house and then over to Jeff's new house. Both were very nice!! We then headed out to the farm and went to the new shed/building that Jeff built. Wow, it's huge! So great! Brady got a ride with Uncle Jeff from the farm to the shed on a BIG tractor, he was in heaven!! Once they got to the shed they sat on every tractor, truck, 4-wheeler you name it! I wish we were closer so Brady could be out there more, he loves it. I remember my memories of the farm and riding with Pappy in the tractors, I think I rode more than I walked!!! It was great!

Jeff and Brady


Jeff and Bethany





Once we left the farm it was time to start heading homeward. We headed over to my cousin Holly and her husband Aaron's house in Champaign to spend the night. On the way we ran up on fields of wind turbines. It was so Awesome! We have always seen them on tv but never up close. There were so many and so many more being built! We took some pictures.



We had a nice visit with Holly and Aaron, they happened to be pet-sitting another dog too(they have 2 dogs themselves). It was crazy, the kids loved it though! haha We were able to go out to eat dinner with them and saw Elvis re-incarnated at the local Walgreens. I wish I had my camera!

Before we left for Ohio the next morning we drove around U of I and then went to IHOP for breakfast. This was Brady's one request for our mini vacation. I don't think he realizes that IHOPS are in OH too, he just remembers going there when we were at David and Val's wedding a few years back. Anyway, we went had some yummy pancakes and then headed home.

We had a terrific time with everyone. We wish we had more time to stay longer but hopefully we will be able to make it back this summer for an extended time. There are so many family and friends we still need to see and want to see again.
We love you all very much!!!

Christmas 2008

We had a very nice Christmas this year!
Both sides of the family came to our house this year. It was so nice not having to travel anywhere. The Cameron side came on the 27th, minus Ginny who got tackled with the flu the night before. :( Bethany and Macie had fun being mischevious, I think that's going to be there theme as the years go on. :) The Birch family then came over on New Year's Day. We couldn't believe how big Rachel has gotten since Thanksgiving! And Abigail is growing and talking and doing so many new things. She's definately turning into her own little person. She really likes Unca Kirk!! Her dimples grab a hold of you tight too!!

Kirk was able to take a couple of days off over Christmas so it was nice to have him around. We were able to do some stuff around the house and just hang out together.
Christmas Day was really nice with just us and the kids. I'm really beginning to cherish these times. At first it was a little hard being by ourselves when you are so used to having family around on Christmas, but making our own memories is so much fun. It was so relaxing!!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a blessed New Year!

I've posted some pictures below:

Van

Well, I honestly can't believe I'm saying this but we are now owners of a minivan. Seeing #3 is coming shortly we decided to pony up and get one. We got a 2002 Honda Odyssey, it has some miles on it but it's still nice. We figure this is a nice transitional vehicle and we aren't paying out the rear for one. So far I like it, it's alot easier to get Bethany in and out. She can actually climb in now, where with the Durango I had to lift her in every time and that was getting more and more difficult. I was VERY sad to see the Durango go. It really was a great vehicle that was very comfortable. But times change so here we are, I have the mommy van, I feel older now. Guh! :)'

Football, Patch and the Orchard

We had a busy Saturday but it was a nice family time. We started out the day going to Brady's football game. He made his first touchdown! He really did a lot better this time, he actually ran instead of standing and watching everyone else run. ;)' He's getting the hang of things now I think.



We then went home for a potty break and then headed over to the pumpkin patch to find some pumpkins. I don't think they had as good of a crop as last year and the pumpkins that were still in the patch were way out this year too so we didn't go and pick any ourselves. We found some nice ones, we'll carve them in a couple weeks.


We then headed over for a quick trip to Lawrence apple orchard. It smelled so good! We bought some apples and some cider and headed home.

It was nice just to hang out together and watch the kids run around.

I love fall and all it's colors, the coolness, crispness.

It's...

STILL A SURPRISE!!!

We went to have my 20 week ultrasound done last week. Baby #3 is very healthy, very active, and growing well. Yes, the sex of the baby is still a surprise. Actually, baby's legs were crossed so he/she wants it to be a surprise too, this baby gets it's parents already! :) The kids enjoyed seeing their new little baby on the screen. They thought it was pretty funny when it got the hiccups!

The one thing that we ask for prayer on is that the placenta is low, right now it is just considered low-lying to marginal previa. It is not covering the cervix yet, which is good and promising. We are hoping as my uterus stretches and grows the placenta will move itself up higher and we won't have any more risk. I would rather not have to have a c-section if possible. :) We will have another ultrasound at 28 weeks to see how things are progressing with it.

So other than the above little glich, I am doing well. Feeling better, just getting more round.

Here's a picture of baby #3:

Trip to the State Fair

We were able to go to the State Fair this week, thanks to my dad for the tickets! It was a nice little family outing. The weather was great and it wasn't too crowded. We picked Kirk up from work and then headed over. The kids had a great time and so did we. :) They were able to milk a cow(fake one), say hello to Smokey the Bear, plant some flowers and other stuff too. We were all pretty tuckered out by the end of the day but it was so nice to be able to have little day trip with our family.

4th of July

This 4th of July the Birches came over for a cookout at our house. My grandparents came in from IL and Eric, Christy and Abigail came in from PA. It was so nice to see everyone. We had a really nice day, had some good food and played some games. Brady showed everyone up on the Wii, it was pretty funny watching them play. We played some Hillbilly horsehoes and some cornhole. The girls enjoyed playing in the wagon and playing with the new babies and grocery carts Grandma Great and Pappy brought them.

I was happy we all got to spend some time together, especially with the family that we don't get to see that much.

We miss you all very much!

65th Anniversary

Today we celebrated Grandma & Grandpa Cameron's 65th Wedding Anniversary!

Snow Play!

This past Saturday we went outside and enjoyed the white stuff!

Thanksgiving activities

Another busy holiday season has started! We enjoyed Thanksgiving this year with my family, it was a nice quiet day of relaxing. Unfortunately my brother and his family couldn't be there this year, but they were connecting with our family in IL and Chirsty's in MO. We look forward to seeing them around Christmas. The kids enjoyed the meal and playing. Tanner, my parents dog, enjoyed all the excitement and playing with his pal Daisy. :)

We did a little Christmas shopping on Friday but not much. Guh!
We of course worked on the house a lot. We're getting there!! We have our last inspection this Thursday, once that is over than we will be able to relax a little more. Although there is always stuff to do it won't be as pressured like it was. It's looking good, I must say. We are excited for you that haven't seen it yet to stop in for a gander. I'm still working on the decor part, but day by day it feels more like home.

To round out our Thanksgiving, Saturday Ron & Ginny invited us to participate in the Mt Vernon Christmas parade to help advertise their Christmas tree farm. The kids had a ball. It was really cold but once we got moving it wasn't bad. To our surprise we won a trophy! Best Christmas Theme!! That was kind of cool! I posted a picture below:


(Ginny played the bagpipes and walked ahead of Ron who was pushing the wagon with the signs and tree-Kirk and I walked behind Ron)

We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

A COSI Afternoon

Kirk took a half day off work today and we took the kids to COSI(science center for those out of staters) in downtown Columbus. We had been meaning to take Brady for awhile but time had slipped away from us. I'm glad we didn't take him at an earlier age, and he really should still be a little older. It's really geared for late elementary/JH kids. He did have fun looking at the space stuff and the oceanic/submarine exhibits. Bethany was able to enjoy it a little too. She wasn't feeling to good though.
Kirk and I were a little disappointed, they don't seem to have as much hands on stuff and displays like they used to. They have gone to a lot of movies it seems, which you pay extra for and would have been pointless for us.
It was still nice to have some family time. The kids liked their time with daddy and mommy did too! :)

Here are a few pictures:


Brady on the Space toilet
(he's going to hate us when he's older for this one)


Bethany & Mommy touching the electrostatic ball



Brady in the submarine

Take me out to the ballgame

Saturday we took the kids to a Columbus Clippers game. Kirk had gotten free tickets from work, it was State Employee Day at Cooper Stadium. It was a little chilly but not too bad. It was really crowded, we got there about an hour early and we did get pretty decent seats. The "tipsy" lady in front of us let Brady use one of her Clipper Bells so he had a blast ringing that thing. Bethany wasn't into very much, she was a bit of a crab! ;) We got some cotton candy, figuring something new & something sweet for her would be a mood booster. Well, no it wasn't. She wanted nothing to do with it and you'll see in the pics below having something stringy and sticky on her hands was NOT cool. hahaha Brady wanted some peanuts because that is what P-pa had gotten him at the Indians game, so we got them. He was doing good breaking them open and then he just looked at me and said "Mommy this takes too long" he then popped a whole one, shell and all in his mouth and started munching away. Before I could get him to stop it was gone into the depths of his belly. We put away the peanuts after that. So after the whole peanut in the belly, sticky cotton candy, salt all over my shirt from a pretzel and spills of one & a half $4 Pepsi's we decided to call it a night after the 3rd inning. The Clippers were playing good, but the kiddos were tired and Mommy & Daddy had enough for that night. Once we got to the car everyone relaxed, we decided to drive downtown and then drive along High St and look at what was new. The kids enjoyed it and Kirk & I reminisced about when we were first dating and going on our first date and how we would come and hang out there. It was a nice family outing and although it gets haired at times, we love the memories that we are making with the kids.

Sunday, we mowed and mowed! It was nice getting out there again though. Bethy loves to mow! She waves & yells hi to Daisy, Simon, every bird & I think to the flying grass too! :)

Here are some pictures:

Easter Weekend

We had a really nice Easter weekend. Friday we went to Good Friday service at church which was wonderful! I really like our new pastor, he's great! After that we came home and dyed some Easter eggs with the kids which was a lot of fun. They both did such a great job!!

We had a very nice church service on Sunday. The kids looked so good in their Easter outfits. Brady was so grown up, and Bethy looked like a little bell! :) We had an easy rest of the day, and just lounged around. It was so nice. The Easter Bunny brought Brady and Bethany the movie Happy Feet, so we sat and watched that, well, Bethany was pretty much on the go. Sitting still is not really apart of her right now! :) They each enjoyed some of their Easter chocolate from Easter Bunny too.

In like a Lion...

So March definately came in like a lion(and Bethany would say, "Raaaar!")! As stated in my last post we had a rough start with Bethany, well the 2nd week of March didn't get better it got worse! Brady ended up getting sick, VERY sick, a lot worse than Bethany. He missed preschool all of last week. To make things worse, ol' mama got sick too starting Tuesday afternoon. I seriously do not know how I was able to watch the kids Tuesday and Wednesday. Super Mommy Mode kicked in and I did it! I just slept everytime the kids took a nap. Kirk was able to come home early both nights so that helped a lot!! I think the flu shot helped too, because I never got extremely puky sick, I'm happy I got it(the shot). By Thursday I was better, just a little weak. Brady was getting better too. Friday we could see a BIG improvement. I started to thoroughly disinfect the house. I finished Saturday-Whew!
The weekend was good. We needed it!!! Brady had his last basketball game and did well. It's so hard being the only lefty on the team, his right just doesn't work the same! ;) We were able to get some things done at home that we had been waiting for nice weather to do. Brady and Kirk were able to work and play outside some. Mommy & Bethany were able to get some good nappin' in! Sunday we went to church, Bethany always has the ladies in the nursery in a tickle. She dances like crazy, and knows were the music comes out of the speaker. They say she always points at it when it stops(it's hooked up so you can hear the church service). Next Sunday our new pastor will finally be here. I'm excited to see what he has to bring to the church.
Sunday afternoon, we went for a drive and then went to the park so the kids could play and enjoy the weather. We had a lot of fun, there are some pictures below.
Overall just a teriffic weekend, hopefully our March lamb is coming into the picture so we can totally be rid of the yucky lion!
Love.