NOT my ideal Christmas

I like to have game plans for most everything I do....and this Christmas, the game plan just didn't happen. It was not my ideal Christmas.....didn't feel like Christmas at all. Everything was fine and dandy til 4:15pm on Christmas eve. O and i were taking a nap at aunt Shelley's house when he sat up in bed and projectile vomited everywhere! Merry Christmas to mommy! Of course we didn't have any extra clothes so I had to head back to my parents house and get the boys bag to get extra clothes. While i was gone, he threw up umpteen times. As the evening progressed, everyone opened gifts while Owen dry heaved :( Aunt shelley tired to cheer him up.

Ryan, on the other hand, had a great time opening gifts from Scott's aunts and uncle.

I opened a few gifts for Owen but he was just not having it!

Not a happy camper.

All he wanted to do was be held by mommy. Gosh darn this stomach bug. Mommy handled it all well, considering this was the first time either of her boys had really been "sick" and thrown up.

But we tried to stick to the game plan and we headed over to grandma cathy's and papa larry's to open more gifts. Ryan was super excited!

Some of the things that came out of Ryan's mouth were so funny...."This is exactly what i wanted!" "This is what i was talking about!"

While Ry opened gifts, O did this....

Daddy, Matt, and Ryan playing with the skate board van.

Grandma Cathy and Ryan....

We headed over to my parents house Christmas eve and woke up Christmas morning to find presents under the tree....

The star war's helmet...#1 thing on Ryan's list. so glad santa listened!

more gifts....

Owen was starting to feel better, or so we thought, but his attention span with opening presents just didn't last.

aunt katie...yes, she was super excited we woke her up at 6:30am. i reminded her that em and i woke up bright and early just for her when she was little. what goes around comes around, katie!

emily and beef

another top item!

Owen enjoyed his race track.

ahhh, the 37 inch flat screen we bought for our parents. glad we were able to surprise them! they definately deserve it....they have done so much for us kids!

My two sweet boys...in their matching pj's!

yes, this picture was taken before Owen projectile vomited all over my mom's pillow! gosh darn it, i thought it was over but Owen felt the need to get sick one more time! Needless to say, Christmas day was spent sitting in a folding chair in the kitchen...b/c i was afraid owen would throw up while i was sitting in an upholstered chair or all over the carpet. To make Christmas even more memorable, a big snow strom came thru christmas eve. yes, it was a white christmas, but it took us 2 1/2 hours to drive back home...b/c mommy had to work the day after christmas. Thankfully, this whole stomach bug was a 24 hour thing. Unfortunately, Owen gave the gift that just kept on giving...the stomach bug to my parents, aunt katie, and aunt emily and uncle beef :) Merry Christmas to the Wolpers family:) Hope next year is better!!!

My little King

The past few weeks have been crazy! I am so far behind on the blog so I will try to get caught up in these next few blogs. I would like to introduce you to my little king! Ryan was one of the three kings in his daycare's Christmas program. The older kids sang songs...but i was on the opposite side of the room and couldn't get good pictures. Then the three kings brought gifts to baby Jesus, but they knelt down by the manger and all you could see was there backs. So.....this is my only picture....Aiden and Ryan!

The program was Friday the 18th. I worked from 7-11pm that night and Scott went to a Christmas party while uncle Matt stayed with the kids. I called to check in with Matt around 9:30...kids were in bed but he had been throwing up...oh great! The plan was for Scott to spend the night at Lefty's so he would not have to drive. When I got home, Owen was awake, crying in Matt's arms. Thought once i started rocking him, he would go back to bed....wrong! I was up with him from 11:30pm til 2:30am. That is when i finally gave up! I woke matt up and told him i was taking Owen for a drive...hoping that would put him to sleep. So, I went out driving and ended up just picking up Scott. At least we could then take turns walking the hallways with him if he woke up again. The next morning, he was exhausted! He was playing one minute then was asleep on the floor the next!!!

At 1pm on saturday, we headed over to my cousin's house. Scott stayed home with an ucky stomach. He swore it was not related to drinking! Oh great, had Matt's sickness already spread???? Here is a pic of all the second cousins....getting ready to open gifts.

We survived the weekend. Scott was only down for a day. Tuesday the 22nd, took owen to the doc for green nose drainage....double ear infection....just in time for Christmas! Later that night we headed to Crown Center. Owen didn't think Santa was that cool.

And so we make our way to the Christmas blog.....

happy birthday daddy!

Sunday, the 13th, was Scott's 33rd birthday (yes, i am married to an old man!) so his parents were up on Saturday to take him birthday shopping. Then it was off to Fritz's Railroad burger joint at Crown Center. I do have to say, Ryan and Owen were looking very handsome in their dress shirts, sweaters, and jeans!

Our attempt at a family pictures but Ryan started crying b/c he didn't want his picture taken....so it didn't really turn out.

But this was our family picture one year ago...my how the kids have grown in just one year!

So on to eat dinner. We love Fritz's...for the atmosphere. The kids loved watching the train deliver the food to the tables. Me and my boys!

Me and my boys last year for Scott's birthday....at Fritz's.

Owen was in awe of the train as it circled around all the booths.

Ryan was just being silly. I think he liked the fact that grandma cathy, papa larry, and uncle matt were eating dinner with us.

After dinner, we attempted to go see Santa but the line was really long! So we did a little window shopping and then headed home. Here is Owen and uncle Matt hanging out as daddy and papa went to Topsy's to get some popcorn.

It was then back to the house so grandma and papa could put kids to bed....Scott and I had a date...well, a night out with friends. It started out at Matt's Christmas party. Ohhhh my, his captain morgan rum punch is to die for!!! Erin, Emily, and i really enjoyed it.

Stayed at the party for a little bit then decided to leave and hit a bar.


Beef and Darrrin

Scottie and I....yes, it was freezing in there so i had to keep my coat on!

Darrrin and Natalie :)

Brett and Erin

Emily and Beef

On Sunday, Scottie headed to the Chief's game with a few friends. I guess i know where the boys and i stand on his birthday.....doesn't care to be with us, but rather Retard!! Just kidding scottie....i know you enjoy going to the games. we had a great night out saturday with our friends. it was a well deserved (and needed) night out with adults!


The boys and i made sugar cookies and grandma and papa stayed around to help us out. papa helped keep owen entertained by letting him play in some flour.

Ryan did a great job cutting out the cookies.

The cookies with the "powdered sugar" glaze....just waiting to decorate them!

Opps, this picture got out of order. When we were down at crown center, there was a bakery called "big mammas." Ummmmmm, the pictures says it all....do i really need to say anymore???? Homemade cinnamon rolls. Delicious!!!!!!! It was a great way to start the day on sunday.

The boys also enjoyed playing with some play dough while daddy was away.

But once daddy got home, it was play time...and a little bit of work. Scott was laying down on the floor, checking his black berry. Owen went over to the table, grabbed Scott's personal cell phone, and laid down on the floor in front of him. He soooooo wants to be a big boy and do what the big boys do. If only he could understand that growing up isn't all that fun when you are 33!

Oh no....Owen likes baby Maddie

Cousin Tiffany and baby Maddie have been coming to our house at night to sleep. In a previous blog, I had mentioned Scott's cousin, whose 18 month old has leukemia and is going thru chemo at Children's Mercy. Tiffany and 3 week old Maddie had been going to the Ronald McDonald house at night, while daddy stayed with McKenzie at the hospital. Tiffany was just not getting good sleep so she and Maddie come to our house to get a good nights rest. The first night they came over, Owen and Ryan were all about baby Maddie!

Kinda scared me....all Owen wanted to do was hold the baby and give her hugs.

It was very adorable to see Owen love a baby so much....but sorry O, no baby sister for you. Think mommy and daddy are done. You will just have to enjoy those baby girls by growing up with your cousins....second cousins, I should say.

So i have been very bad and have not updated the blog for a while. Last week we headed to Sylvester Powell to the indoor play gym. It's always a good time and the boys run some energy off!

Can't beat paying $4 and letting the kids run around for 2 hours...juming in the jump houses, climbing the "rock", playing basketball, playing inside the "little tyke" play houses, riding tractors, pushing shopping cards, wagons, etc.....

Warning....all that fun can wear you out, though.

Too bad it doesn't completely wear Ryan out....i could take a little nap in the car if it did!

But on a cold snowy day, nothing is better than wrestling with your older brother when he jumps in your bed.

Or getting creative and moving the wipes container in front of the window so you can see the snow outside.

Or better yet, playing out in the snow. fyi....ryan was a little mad b/c he could not make snow balls.

Owen just wasn't sure what to think of the snow.

We can only hope for a little warmer weather will come our way soon. I do like cooler weather, but when the high is 7, it's just a tad bit chilly for me!

time out....for Owen

OK, so i survived Monday. It was just not a good day. Tuesday was much better except for this.....
Owen got to experience "time out" for the first time! He threw baby jesus and the sheep from our nativity scene. NOTHING phases this boy. you can tell him NO and he just looks at you and laughs. so, why not start time out. sad thing is, i told him "we do not throw things. you go sit in time out." i took him over to the rug and he just sat there. It's almost like he knew what to do...maybe he has watched big brother go to time out a time or two!

After we got past the throwing of the nativity people, we started putting up a few things on the tree. Ryan was my big helper!

I let him pick out five ornaments and then he and grandma cathy put up the rest while i was running my errands and when owen was down for a nap. I came home to a beautiful tree, decorated by ryan.

And yes, the week did continue to get better. This morning, i fixed a wonderful breakfast!

Eggs, sausage, and Rhodes cinnamon rolls. It may not look that good, but let me tell you, they are wonderful! how can your day go wrong with this breakfast.

I did redeem myself with a more healthy lunch....chicken and veggies (with a littl ranch dressing).

Tomorrow is morning play at sylvester powell community center and then date night for mommy and daddy. Can't end the week any better than that! Will try to remember to take my camera along to document that scott and i actualy went on a date. They are so few and far between these days!!!!

it's a root beer milkshake type of day

Blame it on the hormones but today was not my day. Our wireless connection within our computer went out over the weekend so, this was considered an emergency. As Scott brought to my attention, the internet is my lifeline during the day...when i am at home with the kids and i need to escape. i check email, get on facebook, and just surf the net while owen naps or while the kids play together. it's how i stay sane. so, instead of having matt, my brother in law, drive down from north kc, i called computer nerdz. while we waited for them to arrive, the kids got creative.

owen opted to wear the markers on his face instead coloring on the paper.

Owen went down for a nap and the computer guy was here at 1:45. i told him that scott's laptop could get the wireless signal so it was something within our computer. after 40 minutes and 1 phone call back to his office, he told me something was wrong with my wireless connection inside the computer. really? i thought i told him that 40 minutes ago??? he made a second call to his office and no one there had any other suggestions, other than to get a usb wireless adapter....and to pay the $70 service fee. As he left, i was pleasant but said "glad i paid $70 to be told that something was wrong with my wireless connection. i knew that from the very beginning." i just got this yucky feeling inside. wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep, eat chocolate, or drink a rum and coke. that's why i say it must be the hormones....i am having issues with wireless internet and $70. do i need to remind myself that people are without jobs, that we should be fortunate for what we have?????? i swear, it seems that every time i work extra shifts to make some extra money, God is making me spend it on stupid stuff like computer nerdz! I can never get ahead! Is He trying to tell me something? Stop working extra shifts? don't be greedy and want more money??? I wish i had the answer!!!! but i had to keep on going b/c owen was waking up and neighbor boys were coming over to play.

one of the few good things that happened today was that ryan and owen both looked at me so that i could get a picture!

And owen sat still long enough so that Ryan could take a pictures of us!

So after dinner, Ryan and i were off to the store....it was this kind of a night.....

Shatto's root beer milk + vanilla ice cream = one great root beer milkshake!!!!

Ryan and i thoroughly enjoyed them!

So then it was off to the basement to watch some football with daddy and uncle matt. matt came over ot borrow scott's truck and so he thought he would take a stab at the computer issue. Sure enough, matt was able to fix the computer. he downloaded a newer version of the wirelss driver from toshiba's website, just as i had told computer nerdz. So, my $70 lesson of the day is to never call computer nerdz b/c they suck! I will be calling them in the morning to let them know that the problem was fixed and that i should be able to get at least half my money back, even though i know i won't. at least i will feel better venting. lord help the person that answers their phone in the morning. ok, by now, i have just gotten over the wasting of $70. i am still in need of chocolate. Ate a few sixlets...small chocolate candy balls.

it's bedtime for the boys. they are watching a few cartoons and drinking some milk.

I can only pray that they sleep in tomorrow morning....and that i enjoy my well needed break! grandma cathy is coming up to watch the boys so i can go to the foot doctor and get my hair cut....and maybe a nap too??????

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. We headed to Sedalia on tuesday night and celebrated Thanksgiving with the Kreisel's on Wednesday night. It was a wonderful evening of turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatos, corn, noodles, cheesecake......and yes, i fell asleep with ryan around 9pm!

On Thursday, we headed up to Kansas City to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Wolpers at my sister's house. On the way up, Lee's Summit police gunned Scott at 76mph (in a 65mph zone). Yep, got pulled over. Thankfully, Ryan was asleep so it didn't scare him and Owen was just waking up and had no idea what was going on. The police officer was very nice and just gave Scott a warning. First time he has ever been pulled over. Lunch at Emily's was wonderful....a non traditional meal. Chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese (to die for!), salad, and bread pudding for dessert. At 2:00, it was back home for Owen to take a nap...and mommy too. The day ended with Emily, Beef, Katie, Scott and I heading down to the Plaza for the Lighting Ceremony. Ooopppps, this year we kinda missed it. We were inside (where it was nice and warm) Tomfooleries drinking "captain's punch" and eating smores. Or should i say that i was. everyone else was drinking beer.

Today, I am at work, but was able to split the shift with another coworker so that i could go do some morning shopping! So excited that i bought a new camera. It's a canon powershot 780. It's a little slow here at work so i am hoping to charge the battery and read up on it so i can take some pics this weekend and then post them. We will see how it goes!

And just an fyi, scott just called me and was at Target. Saw some flat screens on sale. Holy Crap, i just have him permission to buy one! Yes, everyone knows that i do all the finances in the family. I can't believe i told him yes. I must be in a weak moment. Guess I will just pick up some extra shifts in January!!