check this out...every time we'd roar...he'd cry! then they'd laugh and he'd laugh.....we kept playing this game like jon was sleeping and the kids would wake him up and he'd scare them...well E thought Jon was hurting them! then they'd all laugh and he realized it was okay. Too funny!

one more...all seven!

Can you believe we got all 7 of them on the couch...and pretty much looking at the camera...pretty close anyway!

Halloween Pictures!!

Well for teh second year we have celebrated all the boys (Chad, Kevin & Jonathan) birthdays at one time and dress all the kiddos up early for Halloween. Its a fun way to see all the kiddos dressed up. Here are a "few" pictures...

childrens museum

Grandma & Grandpa C took the kiddos to the Children's Museum...I love that they took their own pictures!

Soccer- Kids verses the Parents

Madi loved it that she got to play daddy! The kids even won! She has to show everyone her medal! It's been fun to see so excited to play!

Her and Spencer

the old man playing! Madi's in purple!

Field Trip

I got to go with Madi on her field trip. We got in the car to go and she told me she was so excited that its just "mommy and me day!" That was cool to hear.

some of her friends

"mommy and me!"

Awana!

Madi went on a nature walk with Awana....she cried through most of it...the burrs kept "attacking" her! A little bit of drama for the night!

Her buds!

Friday night football

We went to the EK game to watch Austin March...here are some pictures!

Elliot "cheered" pretty loud!

The neighbors joined us in the fun!


Senior night! Austin!

Doug, Austin & Ruth!

baby bath time

Here are all the kids at 8 mo - M, E, I

A Greatful Heart

Okay..so this past week has been a tough one of discipline with Isaac and Elliot is cutting more teeth so he's been quite fussy as well. Last night I had reached the end of my emotional rope. We had gone to the EK football game with our neighbors and most of the game went pretty well considering Elliot was up way past his bed time. We did have a rough start to teh night before we left (with Isaac) but at the game he seemed to listen a little better. We left the game after halftime to head back to our neighbors. Well, Isaac decided he was going to test us once again at bedtime. I'll spare you all the details but it ended with Isaac and I crying together in the bed where he was going to sleep. I think I was just tired and done for the week. We persisted and he finally fell asleep. I went back down stairs and just cried. At least I was amongst great friends who just listened and understood. There are just tough days or weeks sometimes.

So today with Isaac has been so wonderful. It feels like a 180 degree turnaround. So here I am cleaning and over walks my neighbor. She hands me a card and flowers. I am so amazed at the friends God has brought into our lives. She was so sweet to think of me in this way and just encourage me to "keep it up!"....our work will pay off. I love my friends! Thanks Melissa! You are so thoughtful! I'm blessed to have you in my life!!

New background

Okay...so I finally made my own background for my blog! yeah!

Harder & Warner

Last Saturday it was so beautiful outside. We headed over to Harder & Warner with the neighbors for some free hotdogs, a hayride and a leaf scavenger hunt. The kids had fun. Here are some pictures!


Here we are eating the hot dogs!

Me and the kids!

....too bad Elise didn't want to join them for the group shot

These two had fun picking each other up! I think they did this last year...

Cute smiles!

Grr...I'm a pirate.

Elise getting her face painted.

checking out the pumpkins



Smootching on elliot!

Look..you can see my new teeth! He really wasn't that upset...just wanted out of the stroller...

Here's my new trick. I love to pull up and walk around on the furniture. He's started waving bye bye too! This is all going way too fast.

a divided house....

Well most of you know our house if very divided when it comes to college football. This past Saturday Jonathan got tickets (thanks to his wonderful wife...hee hee...brownie points for me! ) to go see the Michigan vs Illinios Game at the Big House. If you haven't heard who won....just look at Jon..he's been grinning ear to ear for 4 days now..and the flag is still hanging on our garage. Yes...sadly, Illinois won! Maybe next year....
I think these fans say it all....

When we left for soccer Saturday morning someone put some "smack" talk on our driveway..I loved it of course. It read...Illinios bad..Michigan Good. No one has claimed this mystery chalking...but it was fun. AFter the game Papa Peuler helped Madi write I love I and the score of the game on the driveway...too fun!

and this is for my hubby...and Madi...some how he has brainwashed her into an Illinois fan..the whole way home from soccer on Saturday her and Isaac were shouting back and forth...

Go Illinos...

No Go Michigan!

Priceless!

I can't believe this Illinois stuff is on my blog!! The things we do for love! :)