Sums up the Scene

I was fiddling with the flash and I caught this picture of all five kids scoping out the Santa loot. Yes Logan is playing his trombone , he dashed off to get it as soon as he spotted his new music stand. He played us a few bars of Jingle Bells. Collin is playing with the kitchen Santa left out for him. And it's okay with me that Molly is just a blur because thinking back that is how I remember those first moments of Christmas morning as they all rush down the stairs. Maybe some of the best pictures aren't the perfect ones. :)

Whew we made it!

Christmas Day is now a memory. We have celebrated with Christmas parties, band concerts, school programs, dinners and unwrapped more presents than I can count. The kids couldn't seriously want for another toy for a good while. As I was feeling alittle disappointed in myself for only getting Brian 2 small gifts, some new slippers and a shirt. I then realize the gang have been asleep for hours and he is still up playing the kids new video games, so now I don't feel so bad.:)

We had a nice holiday with food and family. I was very touched with a card Parker made for me at school. Christmas morning after the kids had opened all their gifts it was time for me to open the ones Brian had gotten. I remembered that Parker had made a special card and asked him to get it from his backpack. He returned with his head hanging down and his lips poking out. He commented on how it was ugly because one of the eyes that they had glued on had been lost. I told him we could fix it and that I am sure I will love it. As I read the card out loud it made me cry. I wasn't expecting something so touching. Seeing the poem pasted upside down and written in his best 1st grade handwriting was the best present ever. Here is the poem..

The most precious gift I am told,
Is all the love the heart can hold.
I give it to you;
You give it to me,
There's enough for the whole world;
And the gift is free.



After all the thought, stress, money, planning, wrapping that went into the big stacks of gifts the kids had just opened this card was perfect. I know I do all this because I love them but I was also reminded that just my love is enough.

I hope everyones Christmas was merry and bright and you are looking forward to the New Year!

Christmas Parade 2007

Click on pictures to enlarge

Our float theme was Christmas Candyland. Brian and Logan did an awesome job of cutting out the decorations. We work hard at making this successful and it turned out so nice. My sister in law Kristi took on decorating the Gingerbread house and making candy for the banner and that added just the sparkle it needed. Our girl scout troop had a float party and the girls helped glitter and glue some of the props. All the hard work was well work it when our troop float won 2nd place. The girls looked great in their matching sweatshirts and pink santa hats.

Baby News

Patrick and Lori Moon are the new parents of our new nephew Blaze Franklin Moon. He is so very cute and we can't wait to get to spend more time with him!

Over the weekend Brian insisted we share our news that baby #6 is due in July. I had great plans to surprise everyone at Christmas but he was excited to tell. It does take off some pressure because it's hard to hide feeling sick these first months.

The kids took the news okay. Parker and Molly both insisted we were lying. Collin was making funny noises and faces and generally just didn't care. Macy and Logan were happy. Logan said it was fine but wished everyone would stop asking him if he was excited. They are hoping for a girl and I told them they have a 50/50 chance on that.

Our parents didn't seem surprised and said they figured it would happen. The school teachers are all now informed and I have gotten lots of congrats, wows, and several better you than me comments. It's funny to me because having 5 kids doesn't seem that impressive to me . We have a routine and things run pretty smoothly. I am living my dream and can't imagine life any other way.

Santa Did you Know?

You must enlarge to get the true effect! Click on picture.


Santa did you know...

The amount of thought I put in to what they would wear to see you for all of 10 minutes.

All the ironing, primping,brushing that 5 kids need.

Did you know I spent 15 minutes today searching for Collin's black dress shoes that are still missing , and that is why he is sporting his Converse. And that Collin's pants are not capri's but are regular dress pants that are bunched up under your hands as you hold tight keeping him on your lap long enough for the picture.

That no one shed a tear (this year)until I sat Collin in your lap.

Did you know I was nice enough to make Parker and Molly shorten their Christmas list to the Top 5 items so it wouldn't take too long to read.

I purposely came to see you on a Wednesday night in November when the mall was dead. I remember to well the nightmare of waiting with hungry, tired, bored children in a long line in mid December.

That I bribed them with dinner out if all went well. They didn't know we were eating out regardless.

Did you know Collin was crying like I just handed him over to a pack of wolves and it didn't phase me. We have a large variety of pictures featuring crying children trying to flee your lap and I love those pictures dearly.

Santa did you know it's all worth the effort. That seeing my kids big and small gathered around you is a tradition to me. Tonight will be the only night the whole gang will step inside a mall together till we repeat the process again next year. We listened to Christmas music in the car and sang along. These memories are priceless to me and I love my big book of pictures from the years past with you in the center.

Thanksgiving 2007

Click on pic to Enlarge
Here is a picture of all of us at Mom's on Thursday. Out of 8 pictures this one was the best, it is so hard to get everyones eyes open ,mouth shut, and looking the right direction on cue . We call this our preparing for Black Friday picture.

The second is a picture I snapped of Collin after I gave him his Thanksgiving dinner plate. He was ready to dive in. And don't worry he didn't overeat most of the food was left on the plate. He enjoyed using (playing with) the knife and fork.

I am thankful for

I asked the children this morning to tell me what they are thankful for. Their answers are very fitting for the ages and show their personalities.

Logan's response was...
"I am thankful my ability to go to school, my after school activities, my parents, my house, and my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents."

Macy said....
"I am thankful for my family,my home, my brothers and sister, my freedom,my friends and teachers, and my clothing.

Molly is thankful for...
"My mommy,my daddy, my brothers and sister, my grandparents, and my doggie.

Parker ...
"I am thankful for Erin she's a good friend, my family and my school. Can I go now ???"

And Collin...
When I asked Collin what he was thankful for he just repeated Thank You several times. He was more caught up in sitting with Daddy watching the Macy's Parade.

As for me, I am thankful for my family. I have been abundantly blessed. I have beautiful ,smart, loving children. Sure it isn't always easy but I know that being a mother is my hearts desire. The toughest job with the best benefits. I have some much to be thankful for and to appreciate.

Molly's 8th Birthday

Back eight years ago when the doctor suggested we have our C-section on November 11th which was also Veteran's Day. My mom commented on how Molly would not receive a birthday card through the mail on her actual birthday because the mail wouldn't run on Veteran's Day . When you are HUGELY pregnant any day is a good day to have a baby so we went with 11-11-99.

Molly weighed at 9 lbs 2 oz's and still holds the title as being my biggest baby. She had dark brown hair and as a newborn she had a natural scowl .That may sound mean but it's the truth, I loved her to pieces but I was the first to point out these unique things about her. Molly was a light sleeper and only spent a few nights in our bedroom before we realized that we were the ones disturbing her sleep so she moved out to the big crib. Molly was a good baby, she fit well with the flow of the other 2 kids. By 6 months old Molly looked nothing like her birth pictures. She had thinned out, lost the dark hair, she sprouted whitish blond hair and she could smile.

Not to long after Molly's 1st Birthday we started to notice so things were wrong. She would scream out in pain at diaper changes. She also would cry more without reason. It took us 6 months to know in our hearts this wasn't teething or some stage . We took her in to talk to her doctor. After looking Molly over well , she suggested blood work. Long story short and many many doctors visits later she was diagnosed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Molly hasn't really known life without pain and medicine. But in many ways thats good because she just accepts her illness and her limitations. She is a tough cookie and so determined. I know she will not be defined by her JRA.

People constantly comment on Molly's pretty hair and how cute she is. She eats this up. Molly is still so unique and that gets peoples attention.

Molly is an animal lover to the core,
She is her Daddy's girl.
She is strong and she is brave.
She is sensitive in so many ways.
A Cowgirl, a photographer ,or vet she will be,
There are so many places she wants to see.
She will go far this I know,
With her beautiful smile,curls and bow.

Happy 8th Birthday Molly Ann!

Locks of Love

Click on picture to enlarge - 12 inches later


Macy decided awhile back that she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love so that they could make a wig for a child who had loss their hair due to illness. Macy's hair grows at a snails pace so it took her years to get it this long. Today was the day to make the change. I had hit my limit on being her personal beautician, she needed a style she could manage more herself. Macy was ready for a new do and got the pleasure of knowing she did a good deed. She was so excited, and I am really proud of her.

A Day In My Life

I did a photo journal of a day in my life. There are a few gaps because it just isn't that easy to capture every moment of my full day. It was alot of fun doing this and I hope to try it again some other time. The kids thought I was crazy but it will be nice to look back on someday. Click on the photo to start the slideshow and the i icon to see the captions. Enjoy!

Football 2007

We are nearing the end of the football season. With two boys playing football and Macy cheering it has been a busy time and we are ready for it come to a close. Parker's 75 lb. team is in the playoffs. They won last weeks play off game when they went into overtime 4 times and won by 1 point. Macy's cheer squad finally started to come together about the time their season ended. Hopefully Macy will pursue other sports because cheer leading this year was a headache.

Above are some Homecoming Pictures, Logan walked Macy in the Homecoming Court. Parker walked his friend Erin who won Homecoming Queen.

A dose of cuteness

Collin is in a fun stage he's always keeping me on my toes. Like yesterday while the kids were at school the doorbell rang. I was in my bedroom folding clothes. Collin comes running into the room saying , Hurry Momma hurry pizza's here! It wasn't a pizza it was the FedEx man but it was humorous that the sound of the doorbell made him think we were having pizza delivered.

Halloween 2007

Halloween 2007 featured a 2 year old Elmo, a 6 year old Vampire,a 7 year Pirate girl,a 10 year old Raggedy Ann, and an 11 year old Lego block. Enjoy the pictures!

3rd times a charm?

Collin got his 3rd set of tubes today. These are suppose to be bigger and tougher . Hopefully they will stay in . Collin was pretty funny once the happy juice kicked in. He was grinning at us and laughing. The surgery was fast only lasting 15 minutes or so and we were on the way home alittle after 8 am. Here is a picture of him before surgery and with the nurses heading into the OR.

Another ENT trip

The penny is to compare size


Last night after Parker showered I told him to make sure to clean his ears . I am a clean freak and like ears to be clean , nails trimmed ,teeth brushed and so on. My kids are completely used to my high (crazy to some) hygiene demands and they know to report back so I can make sure they did a good enough job.

So last night Parker comes to me to check his teeth,ears and such. And I noticed something inside his ear. I got out my flashlight for a better look. And there was a BLUE object in his ear!

I asked without freaking out if he put something in his ear. He said he didn't but a boy at school did. I asked for more details.It seems that a kid in his class threw a piece of chewed on eraser down into Parker's ear while he had his head on his desk on Tuesday. Parker said it felt weird but he had forgotten about it till then.

Brian and I tried to get it out but couldn't so it was off to the ENT today. It took several tries but the Dr. was able to get it out in one piece. The doctor got a good laugh out of it and Parker got a day off school. I did call his teacher to inform her about this and asked her to move Parker away from this kid and to speak with him about it. She assured me it will be handled.

We all scream for Ice Cream

Here is Collin enjoying his very own ice cream cone. Collin's 2nd birthday is fast approaching in September . He talks alot these days and he will repeats just about everything. Collin calls the other kids their whole names like Macy Moon, Molly Moon, Parker Moon , Logan Moon. It's really funny. Collin now sleeps in a twin size bed and he made the transition so well. We are a few months out from potty training too. Amazing how time flies.

Parker the Ladies Man

We celebrated Parker's 6th birthday with a bowling party with friends and family. He was so happy to show off his new bowling ball to his best girl pal Erin. It is cute to see him being so nice to her and letting her boss him around. Parker is thrilled that Erin is in his 1st grade class and she will be cheering for his football team this year.

Molly Jo Jo

Molly is in the 2nd grade this year. The picture above was take on a Girl Scout Troop tour of the vet's office. Molly adores animals and it was so neat how the doctor picked Molly out of the group to be her helper. Molly's job was to pet the dog while the other girls took turns listening to her heart. When we left the vet Molly was so thrilled and proclaimed that she is defiantly going to be a vet!

Macy at 10

Macy turned 10 in July. She is in the 5th grade this year and she is loving having a locker and changing classes for the first time. For her birthday we had a pottery painting party at a local studio. It was alot of fun and the end result of their trinket boxes were so cute. She is on the cheer leading squad for Logan's football team and she is still active in Girl Scouts.

Latest on Logan

Here is a picture of Logan before his braces , after his braces and playing his new band instrument the trombone. Logan is in the 6th grade this year and decided to take Beginner Band for his elective. He is also playing football again and he made the first string for his team.

I will be making several post this week to update the blog. Summer time is so busy around here that I fell behind.

Bunnies, Bug Day ,Ball games,Birthdays,and More.

We have been BUSY to say the least. Not that I am complaining just explaining my lack of blog entries.

Just a quick explanation of the pictures above.

Picture 1 features :
Macy in her softball uniform and one of her up to bat. This is her first season playing fast pitch softball and she is doing really well. She is loving being on a team with her school friends and it has given Brian and I the opportunity to get to know her friends parents better. She was awarded the game ball last Saturday for hitting a double.

Parker is dressed as a spider for Bug Day. He and I put our heads together to decide what bug to be and I went to work crafting him a outfit. We were both pleased how well it turned out.

Logan turned 11 today. We celebrated his birthday last weekend by attending an Arena Football game with 16 friends and family. He is such an smart and interesting young man. His wit amazes me and drives me crazy all at the same time. Eleven years ago after a long hard 9 months of pregnancy,I was a mother for the first time. I was excited yet scared , that day my views on the world changed. His life was more important than my own and there was nothing I wouldn't do for him. Being our first born everything with him was an experiment and so far I think we are passing the test . He has a bright future ahead of him and I looking forward to the many years to come.

The city in the picture is Las Vegas at night. Brian and I went with all the Dealnews (Brian's company) employees for an 10 year Anniversary trip. We left on a Friday and returned on Sunday.It was bit of a whirlwind trip but very nice treat for all the hard work Brian and his coworkers have put in.

Picture 2 features:
The group shots are from Easter. There is one of the kids with their Easter baskets and a group picture of them dressed up while we visited family in Huntsville. Collin was just adorable at Easter this year. He really got into hunting the plastic eggs and he quickly figured out if he threw them on the driveway they would pop open and he could eat the candy that was inside.

Then there is Logan in his Safety Patrol badge. This is a joke around here.The thought that small kids safety is in the hands of the Absent Minded Professor (Logan) is alittle scary to me. But we are proud of him for wanting to have a responsible role around his school and pray that he doesn't smash anyones hands in a car door.

Lastly here is Parker during a soccer game. Parker is playing soccer again and he is loving it. He is one of the star players on his team. It's very cute how he gives me the thumbs up while on the field and how he high-fives all his pals when they score.

The kids are counting down 19 days left till summer break from school. We are all ready. People look at me crazy when I say that but I enjoy spending the summer days with the kids. Now if the weather would just warm up enough to do some swimming before June. And I promise I will not abandon the blog till then either.

Collin's 2nd Surgery

Click on picture to enlarge


Collin had the tubes in his ears redone and his adenoids removed on Friday. He did really well considering we had to be at the hospital at 5 am with no food or drink since the night before. Thankfully Mimi met me at the hospital to help entertain the little guy before surgery. Collin was a silly goose after he received the relaxation medicine, he was making funny faces and flashing a cheesy grin at us. The surgery didn't slow him down much and he acts like he feels so much better already.

Silly Parker

Parker made a puppet at school last week. He said it was his twin brother and named him Max. Parker has a HUGE imgination , so much so that he gave Max a happy ear and a sad ear. If you want to tell him good things you must talk into the happy ear and sad/bad things you have to use the sad ear. WHERE does this kid come up with this stuff???? Oh the hat is from the circus it came FREE with a $10 bag of cotton candy, how nice of them!

Collin at 15 months

(click on pic to enlarge)

These are just a few pictures of Collin from last week.
The top picture is Collin standing on top of the girl's bathroom potty. You might wonder why he would consider getting up there,but after the fact I found out Molly likes to place him there so they can look out at the backyard together. Of course we had a long talk with her about her bad influence and showed her the picture. He was scared to death because he couldn't figure out how on earth to get back down maybe he won't attempt it again.

Collin has also discovered coloring. This is a great distraction for when I am cooking or sweeping so he isn't right underfoot. He doesn't try to eat the crayons as often as he used to,but using color pencils solves this problem.

The other picture is just a cute picture of him in his Mom Rules shirt. We all know the truth but let pretend we don't. :)

Wild Hair

You gotta love the fauxhawk that Collin is sporting . The big kids thought it was just so funny so we decided to just leave it for today. In other news the ENT has him on a high dose antibotics and we go back in 2 weeks to see if we have to re-do the tubes and yank the adenoids. Poor kid can't get a break.

My Singing Star

Last night I read on a friends blog about a online karaoke. I let Molly record a song (click on green text to hear it) and it is just too cute not to share. Since we are talking about Molly I will include a picture in her cheerleading outfit. Last week was the first Saturday of the basketball season , so if your looking for us on Saturdays we will be at the gym till mid February. :)

Moon Christmas '06

t Click on picture to enlarge

You are looking at some of the highlights from our holiday. There are pictures of our tree, the gifts loaded in the car for Christmas Eve at Mimi and Popi's, the baking the girls and I did for our neighbors, And the kids enjoying Christmas morning. I also did alittle run down of what gifts were hot this year at our house.

Collin was so much fun to watch Christmas morning and fell in love with his TMX Elmo and his Radio Flyer wagon. He ooo'ed and aww'ed each time someone opened a gift.

Parker was his dramatic self doing alittle happy dance as he opened gift after gift . His favorite gifts were his new Light Saber, his Hot Wheels track and his Army tank.

Molly was on Cloud 9 with her Fur Real Pony named Butterscotch. She really likes her Mp3 player and Icat too.

Macy loves new clothes and music. Her favorite gifts were her Ipod, the boo-coodle of new clothes she got plus 4 pair of shoes. She did get some small toys too like an Idog and 20 questions game both a big hit.

Logan was as happy as a clam to find a Nintendo Wii Remote in his stocking. "Santa" was kind enough to already plug in the Wii so it was ready to be played with. Logan also really like his new clothes which is a change from years past. He did recieve some small toys too like a Star Wars set and a 20 questions sports game also a MP3 player .

We had a great Christmas and hope you did too.