Risky Business

When we got back from McKinly's piano recital, I put Cody back in underwear. Then I realized he looked like Tom Cruise from Risky Business.

We couldn't find his sunglasses and he took his socks off but it was pretty close to Tom Cruise's popular scene!

This is how he walked around our house the rest of the evening. What can I say, we like that Old Time Rock n Roll.

Happy Belated New Year

We were still resting up after our trip New Year's Eve night so we just hung out with some friends.

Cade had fun playing with Braden's new toys.


Cody stayed up until midnight but crashed fast as soon as we got home!

(he could barely keep his eyes open by this point)

It will be an exciting 2008! Cade will celebrate his first birthday and then we'll welcome a new baby in our family...again! It will definitely be exciting, and VERY tiring!

The Rest of our Trip

Due to the pregnancy shocker, I kind of forgot to write about the last few days of our trip.

We hung out at the water park on and off all day on Saturday. I loved it because I knew they couldn't go far, there were plenty of family and lifeguards to keep track of everyone and most of all, the kids had fun!

Cade and Uncle Doug


Cody going down the slide


Aunt Linda and Cade



Cody hanging out in the water


T.J. and Patrik


Cody trying to shoot water out of his hands like Uncle Doug


After the water park, the kids all got to open MORE presents. Cody got this really neat Magnet building set from T.J.'s Aunt Linda and he LOVES it.

Danika and Cody building


Janine got a face painting kit so all the kids painted each other's faces


The kids all had a great time and were not ready to go home. We left Wisconsin Sunday around 11 am and we ended up driving straight through to Oklahoma. We had planned on stopping in St. Louis but the trip didn't take as long as we thought so we kept going. It was a 13 hour car ride with four kids and believe it or not, it wasn't bad at all. The kids were so exhausted from our vacation that they slept most of the way!

Monday morning is when we decided to take a pregnancy test and that leads us to now! I think we're all caught up. At least the blog is, I still have mounds of laundry to finish but it's slowly getting done!

I don't think I asked Santa for THIS!!

I am a firm believer in birth control. In fact, I LOVE birth control. It has always been a friend of mine. Until now! I must have made it angry or something. Maybe I brushed my teeth first before taking my pill one morning and it got jealous. Either way, we have one more on the way!

I think God has picked me to repopulate the Earth. He figured this was his last chance because T.J. has an appointment NEXT MONTH to begin the processes of getting fixed.

After this one, I think I am going to get fixed as well. Obviously birth control doesn't work for us so T.J. getting a vasectomy isn't a for sure thing either.

We were definitely surprised. This wasn't a planned pregnancy AT ALL! We figured I was pregnant though because I was late and I am NEVER late when I'm on the pill. I have never had a problem with the pill until now. The only difference is I started taking a generic brand. I guess you get what you pay for.

If you have spare time and would like to pray for me...please do. I will have a three year old, an 18 month old, and a newborn at the same time. I'm sure this one will be a boy as well. It seems like I'm pretty good at making those. Although, a girl would be nice if you want to add that to your prayers!

Christmas, Zoo, Museum and Sheboygan

I have so much to catch up on. We have been very busy this whole trip.

Christmas was great, Santa brought the kids all they wanted and more!! Much more! So much that we are going to have to end up leaving our big stroller with T.J.'s mom because we don't have room in the car. It was either that or one of the kids. I opted for one of the kids but I guess I don't always get what I want.

All the kids with Papa Bill

The day after Christmas we headed over to the Lincoln Park Zoo in the middle of Downtown Chicago. It was so cool being able to see all the buildings while you're walking around looking at all the animals. The best part, it was FREE! They also had their light show at night and all the kids got 3-d glasses that made all the lights look like snowmen!

It was pretty cold at the Zoo

We left Chicago early this morning and drove up to Wisconsin. We went to the Milwaukee Museum this afternoon. I was a little worried that there might not be too much there to keep Cody's attention but he did great.

All the kids have been perfect this whole trip.

The kids really enjoyed the museum. Cody was a little terrified of the Elephant. He didn't quite get it wasn't real.

They loved the Butterflies the best.

Ty was a little freaked out when a butterfly landed on him. You can see the butterfly in the bottom corner after Ty shook it off him.

McKinly and Ty standing VERY still so one would land on them

She finally caught one

While we were at the museum, it was snowing like crazy outside. The pretty snow too! The soft, powder kind! I loved it!! However, T.J. didn't love driving in it the next hour to Sheboygan where we are staying right now. We are staying at the Blue Harbor Resort here in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It has an indoor water park so while it's snowing outside, the kids are in their bathing suits inside!

Ty chillin' on the lily pad

Cody swimming with Daddy

McKinly and part of Ty in the Lazy River

The view of Lake Michigan from our Condo

The cool thing about this resort is every night, at 8 o'clock, all the kids in the hotel get in their pajamas and meet on the Grand Staircase in the main lobby for milk, cookies, and a story. I am an idiot and forgot my camera tonight. Hopefully we'll catch the story tomorrow night as well and I'll be able to take some pictures then.

We have a packed day again tomorrow. I promised the kids I'd build a snowman, a "BIG snowman with REAL snow. None of the crap we get in Oklahoma. Then we're off to the water park!

Chicago So Far

Other than the fact it's FREEZING here, we've been having a great time!

We arrived Saturday afternoon, dropped the boys off with T.J.'s dad and headed to the Bulls vs. Rockets game with T.J.'s brother's family! We really enjoyed getting to go to the game and spending some time with them.

T.J. and McKinly

McKinly with her tiny cheeseburger

Our view from our skybox seats

Thank You Doug, Veronika and Danika for a great night!

Sunday afternoon some of T.J.'s family came over for lunch.

McKinly, Ty, Cody and their cousin Danika

Cade playing with his cousin Patrik

McKinly reading a book to Danika

Did I mention it was COLD?? On this day, it had a windchill of 2!

Today it was a little warmer, in the 20's, so the kids decided to go try a little sledding.

McKinly and Cody

Ty going solo


After a nice warm bath and some hot chocolate, the kids got in their pajamas so they could go to bed early to make sure Santa didn't pass them up!

Cody by Papa Bill's Christmas Tree

We'll find out tomorrow if the kids were good this year. They'll either have a stocking full of coal or lots of presents!

Off to Chicago

We're leaving tomorrow afternoon to head to Chicago. I will be bringing the laptop so I can try to post as much as possible.

Wish me luck! I will be in the car for 12 hours with FIVE kids. Yes, I count T.J. as a kid. If you have been in the car with him for any amount of time, you'd consider him a kid too!!

Just so you don't go through withdrawals I'll leave you with a few pictures.

McKinly and Cade


Cody helping Cade with his sippy cup


He didn't want me to be taking a picture of him


Cody jumping from the coffee table to the couch
(for some reason, he thinks this is OK)


He looks guilty