Saturday Football

THE WHOLE FAM
In a few years she woudn't wear this. The "BIG" hits right accross her rump!
Avery, Addisyn, Tayloran, Avery
The team!
Great Ranger Fans!
Miller's Chicks
Daddy and the girls ( mom cut off Addisyn's head)
Today's football game was at West Frankfurt. It is about 15 min from here, if that. It looks like a nice town, with 4 furniture stores on the main drag. Mom and I thought that we would need to come exploring here another time!!! The football game didn't go so well, but it was a great afternoon to be outside. The girls had a great time coloring and having snacks - lots of snacks.

ISSUES

Braelyn has been potty training, and doing quite well. The other day the girls thought that she had had an accident on the carpet going down the stairs to the basement. I assured them that this was not the case, but couldn't figure out what it was. Later that evening, I happened to look up at the ceiling and was shocked. It looked like "pop" dripping down from the ceiling. After 2 hours of the plumber being here at $70/hour, it was decided that the toilet upstairs wasn't set right. We have a hole in the ceiling, but the problem was small, so we won't complain!

Park

Addisyn
The little poser!
Braelyn Alizabeth
On the go!
Avery, Addisyn, Tayloran, & Braelyn
The weather here has really cooled off. It has went from the high 90's to high 70's. The girls and I took this opportunity to head out to the park at the edge of town. It's so nice having everything within just a couple of minutes from the house. Those of you who know me well will fall over when I tell you that I've been on the same tank of gas for almost 2 weeks. Here are Addisyn and Braelyn enjoying the park in the morning, and then all of them enjoying the park after school.

Family Dinner

I wanted to try to get a "nice" picture of us all enjoying dinner together as a big, happy family. Here it is!!! I'm not sure I would call it nice. I'm not sure anyone was very photogenic for this shot!

A day in the life of Braelyn

Braelyn - the child who never ceases to amaze me!

Covered in diaper cream
Caught microwaving markers

looking so angelic with her baby, blankie, and yes a paci!

Yes, I do take pictures of my other children. It just happens to be Braelyn who is capturing the spot light this week. I guess I am just trying to reinforce my previous post on how ornery she is. Today she comes down the stairs and Addisyn tells me that Gma needs me. I walk into the kitchen to find Braelyn looking like Santa Claus. After some investigation, I find that she has been into some diaper cream. Great! Later in the day, I found her trying to microwave some markers! Howeverk just when you think you can't take anymore, you see them sleeping. Awwww! there she is sharing her pillow and her blankie with her baby doll! She looks so angelic.

Speedy, Carla, and Amaya

Avery, Tayloran, & Amaya
Addisyn, Avery, Tayloran, Amaya, & Braelyn
Mason, Braelyn, & Addisyn
Speedy, Carla, & Amaya
This is a little out of order, but during our moving time, our WONDERFUL friend, Speedy and his family were home for a visit. Talk about terrible timing. He had even managed to stay at a friend's house in Oakland so that we would all be close for 1/2 of their visit. Amaya is 6 months old, and this was our first time to get to see her. Ryan and I always thought that our kids would be great playmates. We are hoping that they move back to the area soon. Here are some pictures from the time we spent with them.

Potty Training

I had been waiting until the big move to potty train Braelyn. She doesn't talk very much, so I was kind of using this as an excuse to push it back. However, she wasn't getting any younger, and she hated having a wet diaper. We have been at it for 2 weeks tomorrow, and she's been doing excellent. We have only had one accident this week and that was at the bank - in the middle of the lobby! It serves them right - it should not take 1 hr and 15 min to open a checking account! You can feel for me - an 79 year old, a 4 year old, and a potty training 2 year old! That one hour seemed like 4!

Friday Night Football

Benton Rangers!!! Go Rangers!!!
Tayloran and Addisyn in their "Benton wear"
Avery and Braelyn
Friday Night Football. The football season started off with a home game against Nashville. We are loving the fact that we can just walk across the street and be at the game! We were actually almost on time!!! HA! I will have to blame this on Ryan's dad who got stuck on the interstate due to an accident. My mom, Ryan's dad, the girls, and I had great seats in the "red" section. We are impressed as the ref actually has a mike and you can hear what call is being made! Very helpful if you are clueless like me! You would think that after 11 years of going to fball games that I would be somewhat knowledgeable! not! I've always viewed these games as total social outings! Well, this year, since I know only Traci and Marrilyn ( clods wife and mother), I might actualy pick up on some things. Oh, wait, I am still entertaining 4 kids in the seats - maybe next year!

Braelyn - will I survive her being 2?

Braelyn - what can I say? She is everything that the other three have not been. All you moms - have you ever thought something about someone else's child, and then it happens to you? Everything that I've ever thought has been rolled into Braelyn. Braelyn is a ball of energy that is into everything, on top of everything, etc. So, while I was unpacking, I decided to give Braelyn and Addisyn a "HUGE" as in a very wide pad of paper. After a few minutes, I hear Addisyn say, "You look like a dog." I decided that it was time to come investigate. Braelyn had had a wonderful time! She had green marker everywhere. She even has it on her eyelid and in the corner! Mental note - even if it bought me a few minutes of unpacking time - probably not worth it! Did I mention that she even drew a line all the way across Addisyn's forehead! Also, if you are wondering - these were not washable! It took a lot of bleach, and after 2 weeks, the green markings on her scalp are gone!

New Pool - Hurray!

Braelyn - hanging out on the stairs where it's safe!

addisyn, tayloran & avery
the three amigos
Ryan and I debated on whether to wait until next year to open the pool. However, after talking to a few people, we decided to take the plunge! We have been told that most times the pools down here are open until about the middle of October! we're keeping our fingers crossed. I will say that it has been great entertainment for the girls. They are home by 3, so they've had plenty of time to swim. I hope I don't change my mind when the 1st water bill comes!

First day of school

">

The first day of school was very nerve wracking for the girls. They were so worried about being labeled the new kid. I couldn't make them understand that there would be so many 4th or 3rd graders that the kids wouldn't really know if they were "new" or not. we were also having issues due to the fact that we waited until the day before school to get our school supplies. Leann kept telling me that I'd better get that done. I was thinking that it would be one less thing to move, but she had the pleasure of hearing me tell her that she was right! Yes, Leann, they were picked over. In fact, they were even out of pink pearl erasers and loose leaf paper. tayloran was in a frenzy that she wasn't 100% prepared. I was in shock the first day of school due to the traffic. the school is about 6 blocks from our house, and the cars were backed up all the way to the stop light in front of our house. We had already decided that we were walking, and it was a good thing. We beat cars to the school. I have never seen anything so crazy! It still is VERY hectic at drop off and pick up, but it is getting better! I used to think that having to park over on the side street at Oakland was a bad parking spot! In Benton, that would be rock star parking!

the start of a living room
this is the 2nd garage full. it was worse than this the 1st time!
Tayloran and the boys trying to put together the trampoline!
Our new house! 708 E Main St, Benton, IL 62812

On Aug. 10th, we moved out of our house in Brocton, Illinois. We had a 24 ft Budget truck that was packed to the brim twice! We would have had to make more than 2 trips if it hadn't been for my wonderful friend, Leann's husband, Ruben. Ruben could make himself a lot of money on the side packing moving vehicles. We couldn't have shoved a feather on the first truck. It was packed to the max! Mom and I decided to take the 1st truck down on fri. night. We got there about the time that football practice was over. All of a sudden, we hear this "ROAR", and here comes the football team! They helped us unload the truck, and they got it done in about 30 min. Quite impressive. Also, very impressive, is that my 64 1/2 year old mother navigated this big baby down 57 to Benton! What a brave soul! By the time we were done, she had driven down and back twice with a couple of side trips! Moving is worse than anyone can prepare you for! Stephanie and Jim - I seriously can't believe that you have moved so many times - and with kids! I truly believe that you are nuts!!! :) I also want to note that we are 90 % unpacked. I wouldn 't be in this shape if it wasn't for Leann. Not only did she help me pack, but she made the trip down with her 3 kids and spent 2 days working like a dog! I don't know what I would have done without her and my mom. they were both incredible workers. I am still in shock that so much stuff came out of our "little" house! I'm not sure where it all was!

Lincoln Park Zoo

It was another HOT day, but we braved the zoo. We expected all of the animals to be hidden away, but they were out and about! Everytime we visit the lions, we always have issues. We visited Lion Country Safari in Florida and had to explain to our kids about the lions mating in front of us. This time we walk up to the viewing window, and there it is. The male lion with all of his glory right up close. Tayloran, of course, wanted to know what it was!!! Ryan decided that next time we are "skipping" the lions! We had a great time spending time together. Ryan is getting ready to go to Benton to start football, so this was our last famioy outing for awhile!

Two cool tourists on their way to the zoo!
We turned around to find Braelyn had took off her shirt! Whoops! Kelsey - this one is for you! You feel the pain of having a kid who hates clothes!!
Happy Zoo Visitors!
Avery, "Mine", Tayloran, and Braelyn

Childrens Museum

The girls had so much fun at the science museum. This wasn't one of our planned activities, but the girls talked us into it! They all had a great time exploring the different areas. They really liked making the pizzas and pretending to bake and box them just like a real pizzeria. Ryan and I enjoyed several areas also. It was well worth the $, and if you are a teacher - you get in free! BONUS!

The Dinosaur Dig
Tayloran and Avery fishing
Daddy learning about cooking safety.
The girls making pizza

Navy Pier

Wouldn't ya know it. On our day to Navy Pier it was 90 degrees. It was so hot, but we were determined to go ride the GIANT ferris wheel. We even talked Ryan into riding it. He HATES heights, but he didn't complain. If you have ever been on this, you know that it goes so slow you can't even feel yourself going around.

I bet you can't guess what we are getting here!!

The GIANT wheel!

Mommy and Braelyn

Addisyn and Daddy

Cubs Game

July 31st - Grandpa's Bday. Ryan's Dad is a huge CUB fan. For several years now, we have been attending a CUB game for his birthday. The family members vary, but all who attend have a great time. The last two years have been very hot, but as die hard CUB fans - we stay till the end!!! This year we decided to stay in town. The girls had a great time in Chicago!!!

Tayloran, Grandpa, & Avery

Avery
The Whole Crew

Happy 34th Birthday!!

Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday! I would post some of our pictures from our day in Chicago, but I can't figure out how to do it (I'll leave that to you!).

Love,

Ryan

I just went in and added this picture of my mom and I. We have been thru so much in the last 34 years! I'm so lucky to have a Mom that I can count on!!