Trevor's 1st band concert

Well it wasn't really a concert per-say.  I was wondering how they were going to pull off a concert when they have only been in school 6 weeks and have only had 2 weeks with their full instrument put together.  And I'll have to say I was really impressed with the band program in the middle school.  They have practice rooms, a HUGE band room and the teachers are amazing.  Nothing like my little middle school experience in band.   Oh and here people really want to be in the bad.  It's not just a required class.  They actually want to play in it.
 Trevor has really taken to it.  He practices everyday with out me asking (that is HUGE) and he really is excelling very well.  I think we finally found his talent.  He loves it which is so nice.  This year has been night and day different from the last year which was a nightmare.  It's amazing.

To say I'm super proud of him would be an understatement.  He's such a great kid.  Just wish he wouldn't pick on his brothers so much.  But he can't be perfect can he.

My Baby is 5.

I can't believe it.  Gavin is 5.  It seems just like yesterday I was 90lbs heavier, couldn't walk, didn't fit in any clothes and Ryan was away in Australia.  Ah the memories :)... 

With all the complications I had during my pregnancy and then the birth was even worse where I went into shock after losing 3 pints of blood and had to have my c-section re opened (I'll spare all details). I got to meet my sweet little 10lb baby a few times for the 1st time.  As I was leaving the hospital the nurse came and gave me a huge hug saying. "you were the closest to dieing that I've ever had to deal with."  Not to sure how I felt about that.  But it was all worth it.  Because we get to love this sweet little boy every day.

Getting to meet him for the 1st time. 

He was such a little tank.

Trevor and Josh meeting their new brother.  Josh was 3 and Trevor 6

And this is when he was Fresh from the factory (as Ryan puts it)  I was jealous Ryan got to hold him long before me. But it was such a great bonding experience for them.

 

Gavin has been such a blessing to our family.  He is so easy going and has quite the imagination.  His favorite thing to do is Watch Weather caught on camera.  Or YouTube lightening storm videos, car washes and how they work and his very favorite Jelly fish.  He can tell you all the different kinds of Jelly fish what they eat how long they live where they live etc.  He could even spell Jelly fish before he could spell Gavin.

He's my little buddy.  He will still cuddle with me, and following me around asking me how anything and everything works. 

This year we just had a family party.  I decided a few year ago when I got so overwhelmed with birthday parties that I would only let the boys have a friend party on their even birthdays.  It's worked out quite nice.  And I do enjoy the just family time spoiling them rotten.

So I let Gavin pick where he wanted to go to dinner and he picked I-Hop.  I'm not a big fan but Gavin's all time favorite thing to eat is french toast.  This is a kid who wouldn't eat for two years.  Really he was such a picky eater it seemed like he didn't eat anything.  And he grew a love for french toast and now would eat it breakfast, lunch and dinner if I let him.  Sadly he was so excited to go there when he got the toast he shoved it in to fast and threw up.  I also think he has Ryan's nervous tummy.  Because after we took a little walk and got some air he had no problem eating his cake.

We then came home and opened presents.  He got a Jelly fish wall decal, a few jelly fish shirts, a play mobile car wash and a lightening ball.  Oh my I love this age and they excitement of opening presents.

I wish I could freeze my kids to stay little forever.  I'm really struggling with this new stage of my life.  I'm so grateful that Gavin gets two days a week with just me and him home.  I love playing games with him and having him help me cook and clean.  He's an amazing helper and a great shopper. 

I love him so so much.

Gavin wore this to school on his birthday.  He was so excited to get this shirt.  It fits his personality perfectly.  He loves Jelly fish and anything RED.  To bad in the picture 1.2 the shirt was tucked into his pants. D'OH!!

Helping me make sugar cookies for his class.  Red ones his favorite color.  Although his color blind Mom made them pink and the older boys freaked.  No problem I just spent forever finding only red M&M's all around them to make it better :).

He was excited at all to open his presents.  Tore right through them in nothing flat.  I loved it.

I lost my Camera so the pictures are from my phone and blurry.  But here he kept asking me "what where did you get this?  I love it."

Happy 5th birthday buddy!!!!

Fiesta Texas (6 flags)

After our little bout of sickness the boys had Columbus day off.  I had Parent teacher conferences that morning.  Which I'm always so proud of the boys. We have such great schools I feel so blessed.  After our conferences we decided to go to Six flags.  It was a overcast day and the kids in San Antonio still had school so we figured it wouldn't be very crowded.  Not to mention we got the tickets for CHEAP.  Usually the park is $60.  Way to expensive for me.  So when we can get the tickets for FREE with the kids reading program or this killer deal we take advantage.  It was PERFECT.  Hardly anyone was there.  So the kids got to go on ride after ride and stay on some rides multiple times.  Some of the rides were closed due to the drought which was sad to see.  But I'm glad the park is doing there part to conserve as well.

This creepy guy kept following the kids around.   They thought he was funny.  Until he grabbed them.  Then they avoided going anywhere near him the rest of the day.

I love the parks at Halloween time they always decorate it so cute.

Josh was such a trooper.  While Ryan took Trevor on all the big rides that Josh is still just a hair to short for he stayed in the wiggles land and went on all the rides with Gavin.  They went on this roller coaster the romp pomp a stomp 7 times.  So buy the 8th time Josh was telling Gavin to put up his hands not knowing he would get smacked right in the face.  But they still came off with a smile and went two more times after that.  Hands raised and all.

Then Josh and Trevor went on some bigger rides.  This one was their favorite.  I don't get it.  They threw up on the tire swing after only 5 minutes on it.  And they went on this ride 4 times straight.  They just stayed on.  By the 4th time they were looking a little green so I  decided it was time to go on a new ride.  They picked the swinging ship, all three could go on it which I was surprised that thing went up high.  But Gavin loved it so they went twice.   Just looking at it makes me queasy.  I  can handle roller coaster that flip me upside down and sideways.  But the one's that swing back and forth or round and round do me in.  Luckily Ryan will indure those. 

This picture makes me laugh.  This is when Josh was DONE with the kiddy rides.  Still being a good sport he said "That one should have a age limit no 8 year olds, even if you are short."

They had trick or treating and the kids got to meet some of the looney toons characters.  Tazz was Gavin's favorite. And now his obsession has grown to the love of Jelly fish and tornado's.   

I love family time like this.  We all play hard.  We get to spend time together and everyone is Happy. 

Raingutter party

I've been so far behind on my blogging.  It's kinda looking like my journal.  Which always starts "I feel so guilty I haven't written in 6,7 8 months or oops it's been a year"    I have so much on my plate these days.  I thought as my kids got older my life would become less hectic.  WRONG.  Now I live in my car going to and from school, or sports or music lessons.  And each kid is only in 1 thing well Josh plays football and take piano but I can't imagine them doing a zillion things like alot of kids do.  With all the homework, and there one thing twice a week I feel like they have zero down time. (which is a good thing) but it can get overwhelming at times.  With me living in my car I spend lots of time on my phone  (no not talking on it I still only had 35 minutes of talk time last month)  I HATE talking on the phone.  But I now surf the web and am on stupid FACE BOOK way to much.  I don't even know what I do on facebook.   I joined because my family is always getting mad at me about never telling them what I'm up to.  I feel like that's my way of letting them know.  But it's not a good way to communicate I realize and I need to get better at it.  So if they really want to know what's going on they can read my blog :).  After all it was them that I started it in the 1st place.  Sorry I'm just never going to be a phone person.

Now back to my original post whew.

This is Josh's 1st year in scouts.  I'm determined to have my kids look more like a REAL scout and not a white trash one that there parents don't care about them.  Really I tried with Trevor.  And I get so discouraged that I CAN'T SEW.  I've tried so many times trying to fool myself that if I keep trying I would develop that talent.  But no. 

 I sewed on Joshua's badges and Trevor's new BOY SCOUT (we are in the big time now gotta look sharp) badges.  It took me 2 hrs. to sew on 3 badges on both boys shirts so we are talking 4 stinking hrs here.  FOUR HRS.  7 band aids for my fingers and legs.  Don't ask.  And I used a whole thing of thread because I had to pick it out several times when I realized I sewed the arm sleeve together.  But finally I got it done and I challenged those badges to fall off.  (wrong move)

Well here he went to Rain gutter regatta.  Sadly Gavin was sick so I couldn't attend.  I was so proud to have Josh wear his crisp new shirt with his badges all STRAIGHT and not sliding down his arm like poor Trevor's from the horrible glue and the stinking lieing BADGE MAGIC.   There ain't nothing MAGIC about that garbage.

 When he got home all of his badges had fallen off and were in his pocket.  I 1st got annoyed with him thinking he picked them off.  With me not being there I could see Josh board  while watching the other kids.  And haveing this 700 lbs of thread itching him so he picked at it.  But no they just fell off.  WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED?  not to sure. All I know is I washed Trevor's shirt and all the badges were in the wash.  I think I bought thread that disolves when it gets wet.  Just my luck.

 These darn boy scouts are going to be the death of me that's for sure.

But Josh didn't care.  He had a GREAT night and came in 5th place. That's all that really matters right.

  He was stressed out about having Asthma and not being able to blow his boat down the rain gutter.  But he did it perfectly and I'm so proud of him.

Testing out his boat. 

His 1st run.

My happy boy :).  Sure love this kid.


Ryan just got called to be his den leader.  I think my thoughts about that will be best said in my Private Journal if and when I ever get to it.
But I will say we are all thrilled about it each for different reasons. :)

To every good there is always a bad right.

Remember this post?  http://suzettejen.blogspot.com/2009/05/joshuas-new-bed.html.  Josh loves his bed.  I love the storage.  He has all kids of toys in the stairs and I put all his clothes in the front.  He has all his Art stuff in the desk drawers and he always keeps a book on the shelf right by him.  It's been a GREAT purchase only there are two down falls.  1 it's the biggest pain in the butt to make.  I have to pull out the mattress and climb up the desk to pull the sheet over.  It takes alot of man power and man I break out in a sweat every time.  2. We learned last night that if you don't make it to the bathroom when you are sick and puke from the top it's the worst puke mess EVER to clean up.  No only did it go in ever crack (who knew there were so many) but in all the drawers on the stairs so I had to clean every toy as well.  On and when something gets thrown from that high up the splatter oh the splatter.  I scrubbed every every surface of his carpet, and walls. And this all happened at 3:30 a.m.  It was a delightful night.  I climbed back into bed at 5:44 knowing the other boys would be getting up soon but sometimes that 15min power rest is something that I just can't resist.   And this is only the start of flu season.  Poor Gavin had it last week.  I made Josh come down stairs and sleep on the couch with a bucket.  I hate nothing more then when my kids are sick. I stress about them the whole time and even if they are sleeping peacefully I don't because I have to make sure they are breathing and doing ok.  I hope this one doesn't last long.  We have sport pictures on Saturday and Monday is Columbus day so no one go's to school.  It's just his luck to get sick when it's a holiday.  Poor kid.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Gavin was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up.  His reply.

A storm chaser.  And if that doesn't work out I'll be a scuba diver. 

Gotta love that kid.  He's pretty creative for a 4 year old.

We were looking at his baby pictures as my sister in law just had two darling little twins.  I've been prepping Gavin for when we go and visit because he gets so mad when he sees me holding babies.  And I'm so anxious to hold these sweet little babies.

I then showed Gavin the pictures of the new babies. I said aren't they so cute.  He came and sat on my lap and said.  Do you know what else is cute?  "ME". 

Darling Lucy and Evan Mladineo.

 Oh boy someone is very possessive of their mom I tell ya. It's a good thing he is so stinking cute.


I love this picture of Gavin.  He was about 1 month old.  Ryan was huge in sticking his tongue out at our babies (any baby for that matter) because that is something they will always copy.  This was what Gavin did every time he saw his Daddy.  So funny!!!

I miss having a chunky baby around.  They do grow up way to fast.



Sportys for shortys :)

Fall sports is my favorite time to play.  It's supposed to be perfect weather only this year we are still at our record breaking heat.  The last two games have been in the 100 degree temps.  It's miserable.  Not to mention Josh and Gavin both practice at 6:30 in two different places.  Which makes it a challenge when Ryan's out of town.  But the boys love it and it's a part of every boys childhood isn't it.

I could only do two sports as Trevor this year is in the band \and he has to focus his time on that.  (I didn't know how competitive band was here)

Josh picked flag football.  He actually wanted tackle but they don't allow it until they are 10 so I was happy about that one.

He's on the Cleavland Browns team.  We both laughed and laughed that his uniform was BRIGHT ORANGE!!!  And it wasn't a football jersey.  (gotta love the Y sports)

Gavin picked Soccer

Gavin is a RAM.  He doesn't grasp the concept of getting the ball at all.  And just cries that he wants to play on the big red slide.  (love it)

There is alot of this on game day.  The ref running after the ball and the kids just standing there.

And this is what happens at Josh's game played on the WORST field known to mankind.  But the shade is nice and gives something for Gavin to do.

All of the sitting in the hot sun, dashing to practices and doing 700 more loads of laundry to get the mud off everyone is so worth it for this.   Josh made his 1st touch down and they won the game.  He had a smile from EAR to EAR.  He takes it pretty serious and is the center so he get to be in game the whole time.  I think he found his sport he''s quick!!!

And each of his games remind me of the show Charlie brown and pig pen how a pile of dust follows him around everywhere.    Football is pretty intense in TX so I was really hesitant to let him play.  The coach is a yeller but he also really praises the kids so he's got a balance. Which is way better then when we've had coaches that just yell. 

Only 6 more weeks of this.  Hopefully the boys will have a good season.

Poor Josh

My sweet Josh has had a ROUGH week. On Labor day weekend the weather finally cooled down and he has been begging Ryan and I to take him to the skate board park so he can ride his bike in the big open swimming pool (that's what he calls it) knowing he's 1. my accident prone child and 2. there are a bunch of teenagers that get really aggressive I've been hesitant to take him. But we went early and not many people were there so we let him try. He got one good run in and then just as he went down again he crashed. HARD. Luckily there were no broken bones and no stitches were needed but he now HATES the skateboarding park and has been sore for days.


The handle bar of his bike went right into his rib cage.



He also has been complaining of not being able to breath and I've noticed him gasping for air alot. He hasn't been as active as usual and has put on some weight so I decided I just better take him in to see what is going on. And sadly he was diagnosed with Asthma. I had it as a kid, But this is a whole new ball game. I was pretty overwhelmed with all the medication they gave me and all the WARNING signs you could have. I felt terrible I didn't take him in earlier. He has to do a inhaler day and night, he has this huge pump thing he has to use in emergency's and is on steroids (just for little while) I wasn't at all happy about that one. But he was only getting 60% of the amount of oxygen you need and when he was in a physical activity he was only getting 30. Crazy. He's been handling it well. And I'm so glad to know what the deal was now we can treat it and live more normally.

 It sais Mrs. Harris,  I'm sorry for being disruptive and not obeying the rules.  Besides it's a new day.  Love your student Joshua. 

He is struggling with being in 3rd grade. They are pretty strict the first few weeks of school to help the kids learn what is expected of them and he keeps getting in trouble for Talking at lunch. They have quite time while music plays for 2 mins then they can talk for 2 mins and it alternates for 30 mins (I think that's the policy) While I think this is the STUPIDEST most ridiculous rule ever and have tried to fight it several times it's still a rule that he has to follow and I have to support when he gets in trouble. But I will say I'm pretty lenient with this one. Today he got in trouble again for the 3rd time so I told him how it probably makes his teacher really sad that she has to keep reminding him and he knows better. We talked about it for a while and I told him tomorrow is a new day and a new start so show her what you can do. He came down later asking if I could put this letter in a envelope. It was to cute not to keep as a memory. I love his picture he drew of himself. He's such a tenderhearted little guy and never gets into trouble so I feel so bad this year he's acting up and then he feels so bad about it. I sure hope he out grows it soon and is back to his sweet self.









Last first day of pre-school

I realize in this picture I need to get rid of my 4th of July stuff.  I'm a little slow at that..  Gavin is so excited to go can you tell?

I looked all over for that stinking stuffed dog.  Gavin so badly wanted to take him to school with him as his little love from home.  We were in such a dash getting out I didn't even notice he put him on the table until I uploaded the pictures.  So funny!!!  Doesn't my little guy look so big I can't believe he will be 5 in a month.

It's so funny the two older boys I have to beat drag them out of bed to get ready for school and Gavin who had to wait two weeks has been begging me everyday for his school to PLEASE start.   Today was finally his day.  Yesterday we went to meet his teacher and he only stayed 1/2 hr.  when I came to get him he said "what that's it, when am I going to start learning stuff? "  So today I told him he got to stay longer and actually learn some new things.  He was beyond excited.  He helped pick out his clothes Red is his favorite color and he got new shorts, shoes, socks, and under ware so when he was done getting dressed he said.  "look mom I'm a new kid."  So funny.  This year he has 3 church friends in his class (all very shy friends who don't talk according to this little chatter box) but he sure loves them and was so happy to see them.  I was sad to say this was my last year doing the whole pre-school thing.  I love pre-school the kids are all so eager to learn and play it's such a great age.  Not to mention I hate my kids growing up.

3rd and 6th grade

Sadly we missed the Welcome walk this year.  But we were back in time to scout out the schools and meet the teachers before school starts.  They had a camp wildcat for Trevor it was really fun. (for him) overwhelming for me.  I'm used to the elementary info not this power point presentation with a zillion rules.  I had a hard time keeping my emotions in check.  I still can't believe he's old enough to go to middle school.  I HATED middle school and hope I'm not putting my fears of the worst years ever on him.   Trevor wasn't even nervous at all for the 1st day.  Ryans out of town and they both go at different times so it was a bit hectic getting them all figured out but we did it.  I was super proud of Trevor.  He was ready for middle school and loved his 1st day.  Lets hope he has a great year he sure deserves one.   Poor little Gavin has been so sad to have his play mates gone.  So I told him we could go out to breakfast he picked I-hop his favorite place ever.  It was fun just going on a little date with him (then to the dr. to get his shots)  so so sad.   He starts pre-school in a few weeks and I feel so blessed I get to wait one more year before I have to send him all day.  It's funny how when the kids are home all summer I about lose my mind.  The fighting and complaining about being bored just gets overwhelming.  I get so excited for them to go to school again just to have structure and not have to be on constant referee control.  And the minute they leave I cry and cry that they are gone.  I love these kids more then anything.  I hate that they are growing up so fast.  But I do enjoy watching them handle it so well.  Super proud of my boys.  Here's to a GREAT year :)...

Josh looking FANCY. 

Trevor grew into a Giant over the summer.

I thought this year I would catch a picture of them coming home on the 1st day.  Josh wasn't to happy.  He said the portables are hot and his teacher yells.  Looks like it's going to be his 1st tough year.  Poor little guy.

Trevor LOVED it.  He was so glad to be in middle school and go to several different classes.  He really liked all his teachers as well so that was great.

It's been so hot here 70 straight days of 100+ heat.  When we went to the back to school howdy we made the teacher some Scotcharoos. (evil little treat I like way to much)  Sadly I had to park so far away Josh and I were running so the chocolate wouldn't met but sadly it did.  Hopefully she put them in the fridge and they came back to life.  Never again will I make anything with Chocolate.

Seattle/ Lake Chelan trip Aug 10th-19th

Seattle in the Summer is such a wonderful time.  It is the time I miss living there as TX is so stinking hot.  I miss how green everything is  and all the amazing fruit.  But most of all I miss all the amazing people we love there.  So it's always so nice to go back on Vacation.  This year we flew in and then drove strait to Lake Chelan because the Newly weds Mark and Sara were there and we wanted to make sure we got to spend sometime with them.  The boys love uncle Mark and it's great to get to know Sara better.  She's a sweetheart. 

Boating over to dinner. 

The boys LOVE to drive the boat with  Grandpa

I love that Gavin snuggled with me because he didn't like the wind in his face.

Sadly as we were boating back home we saw smoke.  The house was completely destroyed in this fire.  Super super sad.

Uncle Mark and Aunt Sara rented these paddle boards.  They were a HUGE hit.  I LOVE them.

Trevor got up the 1st try.

I'm not sure how Mark and Sara could ride one together.  I tried with Ryan and fell every time.

Josh had to dig a hot tub. 

Josh was the paddle board pro.  He rode that thing so much.





Even Grandma tried.  She did GREAT.

Ryan likes things more action packed and wake boarded.  He is still really good at it.

Trevor's favorite thing to do is Jump off the dock into the FREEZING cold water

Proof I could stand up on it as well.

It was so peaceful to go on the paddle boats.  I think it's my new favorite thing to do!!!

Josh giving Uncle Mark a ride.

Smore time.  Gavins favorite.

Josh tried to Wake board.  I was proud he gave it his best effort he just couldn't stay up for very long. 

It's always nice to have a boat with a warm air hose after a freezing wake board run.

Trevors turn.  He was so scared we would leave him in the lake and drive off for some reason that he had a huge panic attack. Poor kid got my fear of life.

Gavin is just as happy as can be on the boat.

It got a little warm so they all jumped in to cool off.

All 3 of the boys begged for Sea doo rides any chance they got.  Josh conned anyone and EVERYONE that he could find to take him on one.  They LOVE LOVE LOVE the Sea doos.

The last two days we stayed at Redmond and went to Seattle. We promised Gavin we would take him to the aquarium to see the Jelly fish.  His is obsessed with Jelly fish.  He sleeps with a stuffed one, had books about them and draws them all the time.  He loves the Jellys.  Why I'm not so sure but man he's obsessed!!!!  

Just as we got in the diver was feeding the fish.  It was fun to watch.

And then he saw it.  The huge jelly fish tunnel.  We couldn't get him to leave. 



Dancing on the jellys



He's talking to them saying "I love you jelly fish."  Really we couldn't get him to leave he would of been happy staying here all day long.  He was in Jelly Fish Heaven.

Luckily the jelly fish were by the fish the older kids could touch.  And believe me they touched and tormented every animal that was in that tank.

Scouting out the next thing to dare each other to touch.

Gavin also loved the sea otters. 

But nothing like those jelly fish. 

After the aquarium we went to STEAMERS my all time favorite fish and chip place on the pier.  7 Loud boys with us. 

Ryan sister had to go back so we kept the two older boys and explored more of Seattle with them.  Tyler had to show us the mummified people.  When Trevor saw it he almost threw up and had to leave the store.  That kid does have a tender heart it's just covered in a super hard shell.

Chasing after 5 boys with a Pier packed with all kinds of interesting people was EXHAUSTING to say the least.  Luckily Gavin stayed right with me and Ryan chased the big boys.

The boys love playing the wii at Grandmas.  Even though we have a Wii Josh sais it's not as fun as Grandmas. 

And Trevor loves to play pool. 

Megan Marie Clinger Ryans sister Crystals 4th little darling girl was born.  I was so glad we got to see her.  She was so sweet I had a hard time giving her back. 

We had such a great trip.   We never get to see everyone we would love to see.  One of these years we are just going to come down and have a big day of popping in and saying hi to all our dear friends we miss so much.