Thanksgiving

Pictures courtesy of Grandma

Still no camera. I am getting so frustrated with Best Buy. It has been over 2 months still no camera. Nobody seems to know anything.

We had a great Thanksgving. A lot of running around but it was good. We had Caylee for the whole week so Owen was in 7th heaven. The kids helped me decorate for Christmas on Friday. I was outside retrieving the rest of the CHristmas bins from the outside when I heard Caylee yelling for me. It seems that Owen wanted to be a little mischevious. He was taking the round CHrsitmas tree ornaments & throwing them against the wall & laughing. As I walked in he was already on his 3rd ornament. Boy did he get in trouble for that one. Always after the kids have their timeouts I ask them if they know what they were in trouble for. This time Owen walked out of his room and said "Mommy I love you, Sorry I broke your balls"!

Taylor went for her 18 month visit yesterday. She has had a rash for the past couple of days. THe doctor said all was fine. She is in the 75th percentile for both her weight & her height. She only got one shot, which was her flu shot.

Overall we all had a good week with Caylee here.

Potty Training

Owen had is 3 year check up. The doctor said he looks great & is even smarter than most 3 year olds she has seen! She wants us to start potty training, ugh. Owen seems to be excited about it but still doesn't seem motivated. So this past weekend, Owen & mommy went out the dollar store. I let him pick out a bunch of little toys. We bought poster board & stickers. So every time that he goes pee in the big boy toilet, he would be able to put a sticker on the poster board. Every time he goes poop, he would get a little toy. I figured a little bribery wouldn't hurt. :) The object is that after a couple of weeks, if he had a n accident than we would take away one of his toys. Well it didn't go quite as well as I had expected it too. After 3 days we only have 1 sticker on the board & all toys still on the shelf. If anyone has any ideas, please help!
Taylor is doing great. She is beginning to talk a little more instead of pointing and screaming. Also no tantrums in awhile!
Daddy is good, he is looking for a new job, so please pray for him.
At the end of this week Mommy will be 30! I don't know why but I am dreading this birthday.

Trick Or Treat

This past weekend was Owen's birthday & trick or treating! Saturday, my mom & I took the kids to the Fall Festival. The kids had a good time. They had kid games, costume contest & a hay ride for the kids. They also had a chili cook off. There were over 20 different kinds. My favorite was one that had sliced jalapenos in it, yum! We came home & Owen helped me make cupcakes (he wanted cupcakes instead of a birthday cake) & than we carved pumpkins.
Sunday we took the kids trick or treating. Owen had 2 costumes because we had bought him a scarecrow costume but when I showed it to him, he started crying & said he wanted to be Spider-Man, so my mom bought him a Spider-Man costume. So he wore both costumes. The scarecrow for the 1st half & Spider man for the 2nd half. Taylor was the cutest duck I have ever seen! It was really chilly so Taylor stayed in the stroller with a blanket the whole time. Owen had tons of fun saying "Trick Or Treat".
We went to pick up our camera from Best Buy on Friday. The lady called & said it was back from the repair shop. We get there and the camera wasn't even fixed! The store clerk gave the repair shop the wrong number so since they couldn't confirmed repair charges they sent it back. So now we have to wait another 2 weeks before getting it back. I hate not having a camera. I have been using a disposable one.

Kroll's Farm

We took the kids to Kroll's Farm with Scott & Andrea & their kids this past weekend. (Caylee's mom actually sent her up here for the weekend) We had a good time. We checked out the chickens, the donkey & there was even 2 baby goats. Taylor loved trying to hug the baby goats.

Next we did the corn maze. It was actually pretty cool. There were 12 signs that you had to find throughout the maze & answer the questions about the farm animals. If we win, we could have a "BIG" Pumpkin! It took us about an hour to go through the whole thing. Owen loved running around through it. Taylor started off in the wagon but insisted on being carried through the rest of it.

Caylee and Owen both picked out their own pumpkins. Taylor was more infatuated with the homemade cookies they had there! I got some really great pictures, hopefully. I had to use a disposable camera so we will see when it gets developed. This weekend we are taking the kids to a Fall Festival that one of the members of our church is having.

Owen's 3rd Birthday Party

What a gorgeous weekend for a dinosaur party! We had a great time. The kids played pin the tail on the dino, did a dino egg treasure hunt & jumped in a big bounce house.

Owen got tons a great stuff. Clothes (which he needed), transformers, cars & even a digital camera!

On a sad note, Caylee didn't come up this weekend as planned. Her mother gave us the run around & finally told us on Saturday (caylee was suppose to be in Thurs.) that Caylee was not coming. This is now the 2nd visitation she has missed. We are looking into what we can do.

Hopefully this weekend we will make it to the pumpkin farm!!

Dinosaur Party

This week I have been busy planning for Owen's 3rd Birthday party!!! His birthday isn't until the 25th but we have Caylee this weekend, so we are going to celebrate early. He is infatuated with dinosaurs. I found a lot of great dinosaur decorations for half the price on E-bay. My mom is making a dinosaur cake. We will have a blast!
Here are some of my favorite pictures from Florida....


Taylor getting a ride in the laundry cart

Owen & Uncle Rick

The kids & me @ the Sea Aquarium

Grandma & Taylor @ the Sea Aquarium

Owen & Taylor watching the monkey's

Taylor at the ocean

Taylor carrying her inner tube to the pool

Momma Monkey & baby

Great Grandma showing Owen how to slurp spaghetti

Mr. Cool!!

Owen loved the killer whale

Taylor with her princess sunglasses on

Back From Floridia

We are finally back home after a long vacation week. It started last Wednesday at 4:00 am!! Needless to say both kids were cranky. Taylor threw her biggest fit ever at the airport. We were getting ready to board and she throws herself on the hard floor, kicks her legs, bangs her head, screams at the top of lungs (sounds like she is seriously hurt)in front of everyone that we are flying with. So of course everyone was nervous that they would have to sit by us. In the airplane she only had about 2 more fits that maybe lasted 30 secs. Owen sat by the window and was excited as the plane landed & took off. Owen actually fell asleep on the way down.

The first day we arrived my cellphone was stolen, bummer! In all we had a really good trip. We went to the Miami Aquarium. We saw dolphins, killer whales, crocodiles, sea lions. Owen loved the killer whale, we sat close enough to get splashed when he jumped. We also made it to Monkey Jungle were the humans are the ones caged & the monkeys are running all over the place. We even saw a big gorilla named King. We went to the ocean where Grandma lost her sunglasses to Nemo & Owen lost one of his shoes. We did plenty of swimming. We stayed with my grandma. So Taylor got to meet her for the 1st time & Owen's 2nd. It was nice that the all got to know each other. Daddy wasn't able to make the trip this time so it was a long hard week without him around.

I would be posting tons of pictures (I took over 350) but my camera broke the last day we were there. The lens will not open properly so it automatically shuts off. As soon as we get it fixed I will upload some pictures. Hope everyone is good!

My little angels (sometimes!)

Even though I have been frustrated with them I still love to post pictures of them. The cake is one that my mom made for my niece's b-day party. If you can't tell it is a volcano. The other 2 me & the kids were fooling around at the house. Everyone is sleeping right now and I am relaxing!! We will post again in about a week!!

Tantrums

I have been ready to pull my hair out the last couple of weeks. Taylor is going through a stage right now where if she doesn't get what she wants, she throws herself on the ground & kicks & screams at the top of her lungs. She constantly wants to be held and if I am in the middle of doing something she will sit at my feet & scream until I pick her up. I have tried timeouts (a little too young for that), entertaining her with other things (works for about a min.) I have even resorted to a few spanks on her butt, still she keeps throwing these tantrums. Her & Owen have also been fighting for my attention lately. One will be sitting on my lap & than the other one comes from what ever they were doing to sit on my lap. Owen is fine sharing my lap but Taylor hits (even after she is reprimanded) Owen until he gets mad enough and gets off. Her favorite words are, "no", "mine" and "ma", which she screams out when she wants something.

The kids & I are going to Florida with my mom to visit my grandma & grandpa on Wednesday. I am hoping this little break will curb Taylor's tantrums & not stress mommy out!!! We have to be at the airport @ 4:00am, so I am sure the kids are going to be cranky. Matt couldn't take any vacation days so we will be apart from daddy for 1 week, the longest time ever we have all been apart :(

Frustrated

I don't know why but the link for the block party pictures is not working! I guess I will give up for now. Here is a cute picture of Ashley & Taylor and Grandpa Garry & Owen.

Block Party Pictures!!!!

I tried to create a slide show but kept having problems. So I posted them on phto bucket. Hopefully this will work!!!

Block Party!!!

Well I decided to organize a block party over the 3 day weekend. I only had about 2 weeks planning but turned out better than I expected. We had food, music, fireman & fun. I called the Gurnee Fire Dept to see if they would be able to make it out so the kids can take a look at the fire trucks. Not only did they show up but they brought 2 fire trucks & an ambulance. All the kids were so excited. They let them even climb on top of one of the fire trucks. One fireman was such a good sport, he dressed up in the full outfit, it had to be about 89 degrees that day! When they left they turned on there sirens & lights. I was totally impressed. The kids had a water balloon fight, egg toss & tons of fun on the jumper. All the neighbors who participated were great. Everyone brought food, we had brats, corn, salads, fajitas, chicken, fruit trays, vegetable trays, mostaccolli, sloppy joes & tons of desserts. I think everyone had a great time. We will definitely have a 2nd Annual Block Party!!

Taylor went to the DR yesterday. She weighs 26 lbs & is 32 in tall. She had 2 shots & didn't even make a sound. Very brave! She is at the stage where she is trying to repeat stuff that people say, so cute! She is also very stubborn, takes after her daddy! Owen's 3rd birthday is coming up, can't believe he will be 3! I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he said "a remote control car, that's it". I said that is all you want? He said yep that's it. Check out the slide show I will post later from the block party.

Ponies & Cake!!

Owen & Taylor went to our neighbors birthday party this past weekend. They both had a blast. They had pony rides there, Owen must have went about 5 times. He was so excited. The pony guy also let Owen walk the pony which totally made his day. Taylor wasn't as thrilled with the ponies but loved the big jumper they had. After a day a fun they both went to stay the night @ Grandma R, where they made homemade pizza & went to a venetian festival! Taylor is walking all over the place now. Her cute chubby legs are starting to slim out :(


This is Taylor saying CHEESE!!!



Taylor and our dog Rex


Owen & Gracie


Abby, Gracie & Taylor

What a happy boy!!!

Not so happy girl!!!

This last picture is a picture of a bug we saw this weekend. If anybody knows what it is I would be interested in finding out. Thanks!

All About Taylor & Brotherly Love

Caylee left this week. It has been a little tough on Owen, he hasn't had anybody to boss around! I am not kidding. While Caylee was here, he thought he was the boss. I would tell the kids to go clean their rooms, Owen says, "Caylee, go clean mine too." I would reprimand him, he would say sorry, than it would happen again. The best one, (me & Matt couldn't help but crack up)We were outside & the kids had these new bubble wands, well Owen was being a typical 2 year old, taking Caylee's and throwing hers down the front steps. Caylee told him to go get hers. Without any hesitation Owen's throws his down the steps & looks at Caylee and says "Get mine too". Ah the mind of a 2 year old! Taylor is finally trying to walk everywhere now. I will try to post a video but I have been having problems lately. She is still not very sturdy but at least she is trying! I will also be posting one of her on the slip n slide, trust me she really does like it. Matt would push her down the slip n slide. As soon as it was done she was holding her arms up to Matt so he could do it again. She must of went over a dozen times. She is also talking so much now, the words that are recognizable are: momma or ma (also could be grandma), dada, Owen (pronounced Owie), puppy, hot, no (which she uses a lot), baby, hi, bye & my favorite, uh oh. Caylee will be back Labor Day weekend. Owen & Mommy on the carousel Caylee Owen & Taylor

Trust me she loved it!!!

She kept falling but continued to get up & try to walk

Summer Fairs

I think the kids had their share of fairs this year! The kids, my sister & I went to Scoop the Loop (Daddy had to work :( ) They had a petting zoo there, Owen was a little hesitant at first but warmed up. He loves jumping in the big bouncy things. He is such a little daredevil.
Then we had the Park City Fair with rides & fireworks! Owen's favorite ride was the cars & motorcycle ride. Caylee's was the big swings. It was a fun but long day!

Caylee goes back to Louisiana on Monday. Owen is going to miss her so much. He won't have anyone to pal around with anymore. She will be back for Labor Day weekend. Please keep her in your prayers. We, as a family, had to confront some issues this summer. She needs all the love & support she can get. Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, cousins & friends, throughout this next year, if you have a moment, please send her a letter or card just so you knows she is loved by all.
Her address:
19115 Taylor Rd.
Livingston, LA 70754

4th Of July Weekend

We had a great 4th of July weekend. We took it easy on the 4th. We had my family over for a BBQ. Later in the evening we went to the Waukegan fireworks. Taylor even stayed up late to watch the fireworks. Saturday, we had a picnic over at Aunt Rachel's with Matt's family. The kids had a blast. Owen even attempted to play volleyball with Mommy, Caylee attempted with Grandma. Poor Taylor, the mosquitoes just love her skin. Even with bug spray she gets numerous bites & they swell up. The day of the picnic she had 1 under each eye, her face was so puffy.
Caylee & Owen got to see a couple of Nascar cars at the neighborhood grocery store. Owen is infatuated with cars, so he loved it.