*WoW* Busy time of year & 2 for 1 blogging

Sorry - Super Slacker Blogger award should go to me! This time of year always gets so busy, but also so much fun! I love watching all the ads for super Christmas deals and I have been able to get almost all of Christmas on sale this year! LOVE IT! AND I have been able to get almost all of Christmas online, which is even better. Nothing gives me more rage than to fight traffic, kids, and weather to go to that perfect store and the item you went for was no longer in stock or price increased because of demand. So Christmas shopping has been pleasant for me this year. The kids are all doing well. Austin is getting over pneumonia, Caden is the Star Student this week in school, Tyson have been Tyson, and Kamryn a typical 2 year old. Oh, funny for ya. You know it is time to start potty training when the 2 year old stands in the corner, grimaces, looks at you and says "Uck!" and pulls her pants down, points at the "bundle" in the diaper and starts waddling towards you. I should have taken a picture, hilarious! We are trying to wait to potty train, cuz we are redoing her room and she has been sleeping on a mattress on the floor in her brother's room. And we wanted her to get use to a new big girl bed and new room before introducing the toilet, but maybe she has different plan in mind. Ok enough blabbering, on to some pics. Let me start with Fall Leaf Fun! These pics were from several weeks ago, but like I said, Super Slacker here! The kids love to play in the leaves and this year, we were actually able to get them to help rake a little bit first to help get the pile to play with.

Kamryn hated the way the crunchy leaves felt on her bare feet. Her reaction was hilarious! (side note: I did try to get her to put on socks and different shoes, BUT she wasn't having that!)

and secondly,

This is a typical morning at the Lemke house. Tyson usually wakes up first (sometimes as early as 5:30am, crazy kid!) We finally have him trained to not wake up his siblings and go play the wii. Greg leaves for school around 7:15am and I get up (usually after getting home from work around 5:30am) to get the kids off to school. This morning, this is what I walked in to.



Who know how long that have been sitting there playing, in the coats ready for school!

And this pic of Kam, lovin the do! This is also a typical Kamryn hair do in the morning. It would be hilarious to videotape her sleeping to know how it happens, and this is kind of mild compared to some morning hair dos. (and yes, she is in camouflage pj's, she borrowed from her brother, cuz I am a laundry slacker as well. Hate doing laundry!)

*Happy Holidays!*

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Several family members came to our house, we had a wonderful dinner. Then we spent the rest of the day digesting, eating more pie, and browsing the black friday ads deciding if it was worth it to wake up early and head to the stores. I think my dad was the only one that dared the morning chaos. Just hoping that everyone else out there had as enjoyable a thanksgiving and is getting ready for upcoming Christmas. I know my kids can't wait!

This One's for you Monica!

OK, here you go, some pics from our wedding over 11 years ago. Just don't make too much fun. I didn't have any professional pictures taken, so bear with the quality. Several family members took pictures for us. The first 2 are from the day of our wedding at a garden reception at Greg's grandparents place. Greg insisted on a white tux, (I still shake my head).

This is at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

And this is why Greg doesn't like me wearing high heels.

Out of the mouths of children

So I really am a poor blogger. Been really busy lately, but wanted to hop on and tell about my sweet little Austin. He is 4 years old and my adorable little boy. He has always been a momma's boy and frankly, I love it! He is always telling me that I am his best friend. And he loves to be my shopping buddy, he is actually pretty patient at the store as well, unless he is getting hungry, then watch out! He is always full of smiles and loves to laugh. Well, today we have been watching some Christmas cartoons, and they were talking about believing in Santa Claus. Austin turns to me in a straight, serious face. "Mom, I believe in Santa Claus." Then a big grin insues across his face and he told me, "and, I believe in you, mom." How adorable is that? Here are a couple pics of my little man. (P.S. Monica, I haven't forgotten about your request for wedding pics, I just haven't had time to find them and scan them in. Some day hopefully soon, you will see those dreadful pics)

Austin at the hospital.

Just a couple of months old.

Look at this cheesier, I love that face!Just last year. How beautiful are those eyes? I am not a proud mom. :)

Last year's school picture. How fast they grow!

*Halloween Fun* aka Dad to the rescue again!

Some days I feel like a failure of a mother. I woke up the morning of Halloween, pucking. I continued to puke throughout the entire day. Going from my bed, to the bathroom and back again. Greg was such a great father yet again. He dressed them and took them trick or treating while I laid dying in my bed. Thanks for saving the day again, Greg! Caden as Iron Man
Tyson as the Hulk

Austin as Bumblebee Transformer

and Kamryn as a cute ladybug.

Halloween Preparations

The kids love carving pumpkins, or more likely, playing with the "guts" and having mom and dad do the carving. Actually this year, Tyson carved his all by himself. Caden did most of it but needed a little help with the mouth. And we had Kamryn and Austin share one pumpkin which mom carved. All in all it was really fun to spend time with the family.

The finished products: from left to right: Kamryn & Austin's, Caden's, Tyson's

I think they look pretty darn good myself.

Here are a couple more Pictures

Stupid blogger, this post and the next post should be switched, but I can't get it that way, so just make sure to check them both out for all the pics.

This is Kamryn's pouting face, her hands automatically go to the ears and fold them. Love it!

Thanks again Dez, you did great! Hey guys check her out:

http://www.simplyblissphoto.blogspot.com/

*Family Pics*

I got my family pics cd today, and am pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out. I wasn't worried about Dez taking them, more worried about the children cooperating. And they did a great job. Here are a few of my favorites, make sure to check the post below this one as well for a couple more pictures:

Halloween Carnival and Super Husband!

So I had a bad work week this week and haven't been around to do much. On Friday, our elementary school was having it's annual halloween carnival and of course all the kids were stoked to go. Greg on the other hand, after finding out he would have to do it by himself because I had to work, was a little skeptical. So while I was getting ready for work, the rest of the house was chaotic as children were running around changing into their costumes and some how becoming the character and acting like it. I had bought a cute lady bug costume for Kamryn, but Greg was concerned she would get too hot in it, so I told him to grab one of the old pumpkin or tigger costumes from years past. Next thing I know, Greg is saying, "Kamryn, if I knew how to put your hair in a bun, I would, but this will just have to do." He made his own costume, a ballerina. (I didn't realize, he had that kind of talent, ha ha!) My sister in law had made the adorable tu tu for Kamryn's birthday, but she was terrified of it and screamed whenever I tried to put it on. But I guess watching her brothers "dress up" changed her mind, cuz she was loving it. What a great husband. The kids had a blast and I had to work. Where is the fairness in that?


Oh and, I should be getting my family pics Tuesday or Wednesday. So I will post some as soon as I get the CD.

*Dreaded Family Pics*

Well, after 8 years of denial, we finally had some family pictures taken yesterday. My counsin's wife took them for us. She was so good with the kids, it helps when the kids kind of cooperate. We went on Lagoon trail in farmington. A trail that meanders in the woods behind Lagoon, it was beautiful. I am so excited to see the pictures. I will be getting them sometime this next week. I will post some pics here after I get them. Thanks for taking the pics Des!

*UnDeR cOnStRuCtIoN*

I am experimenting a bit with my blog, so if it looks funny, bare with me.

Tagged - About my Man

Jesika tagged me, love you fer it girlfriend!

1) Where did you meet? Snow College dating and courtship class. I was late on the first day to class and there was one seat left right behind him. I found him very annoying!
2) How long did you date before you got married? First date in October, engaged by January and married July.
3) How long have you been married? 11 years
4) What is your favorite feature of his? His personality.
5) What is your favorite quality of his? He can be so caring and giving, almost to the extreme. Always willing to stop and help strangers along the road.
6) Does he have a nickname for you? Hey you! Na, we kind of just respond to anything
7) What is his favorite food? I don't know if he has a favorite, but he really likes lasagna
8) What is his favorite sport? He doesn't really play any sports, but loves to watch football and basketball.
9) When and where was your first kiss? On his birthday in January after we met, we were watching Rocky and he leaned over and gave me the most wet slobbery kiss. I had never been kissed before and didn't know what to expect or to do. I was kind of grossed out.
10) What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Just be with each other. It doesn't happen much with the kids. We like to watch the news together, that is about the only time when the kids are asleep and we aren't too tired.
11) Do you have any children? 4 beautiful children.
12) Does he have a hidden talent? He plays the guitar and loves to do pottery.
13) How old is he? 33
14) Who said "I love you" first? He did on our first date. He asked me to Homecoming a week or so after we met, I said yes and at the dance while dancing he told me he loved me. That kind of freaked me out!
15) What is his favorite type of music? Just about anything but twangy country. He really likes the 80's
16) What do you admire the most about him? I love the way he loves me and our children. He is really good with them. I don't give him enough credit and he often gets put on the back burner to everything else going on in our lives. But he does it graciously and only complains after he has simmered for a while on the back burner. He has also worked really hard to get where he is academically. He will be done with his Master's in Special Education this winter. It has been a long hard ride and is almost over. I am really proud that he has stuck to it. It will be nice to have him back from school.
17) Do you think he will read this? Probably not, unless I ask him to.

I tag Britney, Chelsie, and Des.

Final Happy Birthday for the year!

So, we had our final birthday of the year, and boy am I glad! It was really fun to have the whole family together for this. Even my grandmother came by. It was really good to see her. Here are some pics:Kamryn had already opened her presents earlier, remember? Well, she couldn't resist helping Caden open his. She had no clue what anything was, but had fun ripping the paper!
Caden opened all her presents in like 0.1 second. It was hard to take pictures while he was doing it, but he was happy with everything he received.
Look at her face! Loving it! She almost touched the flame, again. (She managed to touch and burn herself on her 1st birthday.) We had fun trying to teach her how to blow out the candles. Don't look too close at this cake before you eat it, she did a little bit of slobbering!
Caden turned 9 this year. I have a hard time believing that. He managed to make his wish and blow out all candles. (I tricked him with a relite candle, it is always fun to watch them have to keep blowing and blowing as the candles relite themselves.)
Imagine a room full of toys, 3 girls all within 6 months of each other. Yeah it is always a riot! And yes, they always want whatever toy the other has, so there is usually some arguing going on. Look at Kamryn's face as Reagan trys to come join the fun. It is so fun to watch these 3 girls grow together. Kamryn is so funny, she isn't talking much, but is finally starting to try. Most of the words sound the same. Like for my niece Chandra she says "gan-ga" and for my other niece Reagan she says "ge-ga". So fun!

Total Drama at the Lemke House!

So total drama today! But also hilarious from a parent point of view. So a little background. Caden and Tyson walk home from school, it is only about 3 blocks. Not a problem. Well Tyson started doing a physical phonics afterschool program for a couple of months to help with his speech, but he only does this on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So today is Friday. Well Caden walked home by himself thinking Tyson had Physical phonics. I was trying to nap because I had to work tonight. He came running in my room, woke me up to ask, "does Tyson have physical phonics today?" I told him no. His face dropped, "Oh no, mom, I just left Tyson alone at school." He went and told Greg, who told him to hop on his bike and go find him. Caden took off the same time Greg gets a call from my dad. My dad just got a call from a friend who lives 2 blocks away saying Tyson was at his house crying. My dad told my brother, who was with him, to go get Tyson. So then Greg went to go find Caden on his bike. Phewwwww! So then everyone is home safe and sound and I hear sniffling as I'm talking to my brother. Caden is crying because,"mom it was an accident, I didn't know he didn't have physical phonics. I didn't mean to leave him all alone." So I comforted him and healed his wounds. Then Tyson is crying, so I ask him what his problem was. He said,"I was scared cuz I was all alone, but this man was mowing his lawn and saw me crying. He got me a chair and said he knew my grandpa and would call him." So I comforted him and healed his wounds. Then it was time to shower and get ready for work.

A day in the life of the Lemkes!

Kamryn's 2 ~ Holy Cow ~ That was fast!

I can't believe she is already 2. Where did my baby girl go? And she has all the prissy attitude that comes with a 2 year old girl. She is always so animated. I love to capture her faces with the camera when I can. Here are some pics from her family present opening. She will get a cake with Caden on Sunday. So more pics to come then. Sorry about all the birthday pics, but fall is a happening birthday bash around the Lemkes.

That rag looking thing on top of the box, Caden made on a field trip to the heritage center in Logan.

Kamryn loves attention, especially when she has the full attention of all of her brothers and they are laughing at her. It just encourages the behavior. The boys always laugh when she is making faces.

Kami loves pushing her new doll in her stroller as well as drag her by her hair with other toys being pushed in the stroller.

Tyson's Birthday with the Fam

Tyson turned 7 and he sure has grown over this past summer. He is almost as tall as Caden and only about 5lbs away from weighing the same as him. This present opening is just with the immediate family and then there will be the big party on Sunday with extended family. Here are some pics:

Cousin Chandra watching Tyson. We have been lucky enough to be able to watch Chandra several times over the past couple of weeks.

Pardon the scary red eyes. For some reason, every pic of Tyson has red eyes and I didn't have time to edit them out before posting.

Birthday Parties

We have had 3 birthday parties since August and have one more party coming up this weekend with all the cousins to celebrate all the birthdays and have an "end of summer" get together with grandma and grandpa Bodily.Austin turned 4 on August 11th. He has all the attitude to go with it! In the next one, his cousin, Reagan was so interested in what was under the wrapper.