Horrible Blogger

Geez! I am starting to wonder if this blogging thing is for me. I am such a slacker! Just a quick update and hopefully I can get back on here later this week with some holiday pics. We had a wonderful Christmas break. The kids thought it was great not having school for 2 weeks. And Greg kept bragging because he had a 2 week break as well. We did some of our home remodel projects moving. Kamryn's room is almost complete. We have been redoing her whole room. I had bead board put up, repainted and we found out there is real hard wood floors under the carpet. So we pulled that up and this break, Greg has been sanding and refinishing the floor. It looks beautiful. He also managed somehow to spill the lacquer on the carpet in the hallway. Sweet I guess the hall is next! he he. So Kamryn will have her new room hopefully in about 1 week. The floor has to sit and then we just need to paint the doors for the closet and entrance, put base molding down, and then put her furniture together. Poor thing has been sleeping on her crib mattress on the floor in Tyson and Austin's room. They have been good sports about her being there, but they are ready to have their room back.
We are also almost done with the storage room downstairs, just a couple more pieces of sheetrock and then mud, tape, and paint. Then the shelves can go it. I am so excited about finally getting this room completed. I will finally get my house back. For the past year, every room in our house has had something that will eventually go in the storage room, but we have had nowhere to put it. I will take pics of these rooms when they are completed and let you see.
Christmas was great! The kids had a rough time sleeping Christmas Eve. They fell asleep quickly, but around midnight, I heard pitter pattering out in our big room. I went out there, still hearing nosies. I jumped out and turned on the light. A streak rushed behind the couch. "Caden, show yourself," I said. He slowly peeks over the edge of the couch. Wide eyed, "mom, Santa already came." I asked why he was upstairs, he told me that he woke up and thought he would sleep better if he was upstairs by the Christmas tree. I calmly told him that Santa checks the houses one more time before heading back to the North Pole and if any children are out of bed, he takes all the presents back. I don't think I have seen him run so fast to his room! It was hilarious! Christmas eve we went across the street to my parents, had a wonderful dinner, opened Christmas PJs and played Christmas bingo with all sorts of prizes. It was really fun! Christmas day, Greg was sick and in the bedroom most of the day, but come out occasionally trying to be a good sport. The kids were spoiled as usual, lots of toys, movies, and nintendo wii games, clothes, and candy. Greg got a bunch of tools, (hint, continue with remodeling) I got a food dehydrator from my parents, and bought myself a kitchenaid. Love it!
We had a New Year's party as our house. My parents came over and my brother and his family came. We ate and played games. I was surprised, that Caden, Tyson, and Austin lasted the whole time and weren't even that crabby the next day! This was the first time in about 5 years that I have been able to be home for New Year's Eve, so it was really special and fun to be home with my family, rather than at work getting a call from Greg to say Happy New Year!
All in all this past holiday season has been wonderful for our family. So great to see family and spend lots of time with them. Hopefully this will all be a sign that 2009 will be just as great! Like I said earlier, I will try to get on later this week and get some pics posted.

*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.