so this was doug’s last weekend off from a two week vacation.. and my nephew stayed the weekend helping him with a new project in the works.. it was beautiful weather here and i just hung out with the kids… a pretty normal weekend i must say.. BUT next weekend, if doug doesn’t have to work, we have a baby sitter for the kids, YES, all three!! it will be so good to have some alone time..
here are a few pictures from the weekend… nothing too exciting…

on a side note.. collin is READY TO GO!!! if the kid had a little more strength and balance, he’d be taking off! oh boy… two boys crawling. it will be insane. although i think collin might skip the crawling and go straight to walking.. such big boys.. my idea for when they get mobile is a big octagon gate/play yard that can go in our living room and contain them in a pretty big space when i have to leave the room… and still waiting on t ball sign up’s for the girl… and her swimming lessons… it’s going to be a busy summer… and i might start taking classes again for medical transcription.. i am not sure, i have a lot to look in to.. but, we’ll see… here are some pictures from the weekend…

the happy boys before our walk…

handsome cade sticking in there.. he looks so funny..

collin fell asleep, head tilted and all…

danielle, cade, and meleia eating at the dairy queen…

meleia playing with nichole and alicia’s children…

jeffrey enthused to be watching the kids play.. lol

thanks douglas… back at ya..

the beautiful tulip tree in our backyard…

meleia and kaylen in the wagon, with brynn pushing and carson hanging out beside…

and no post is complete with a picture of sassy sue…

fun spring days

since doug had surgery he has been home for two weeks.. we’ve accomplished a lot and he has gotten the time to spend with me, meleia, and the boys… we have been doing things that need done around the house, playing with meleia, cooking incredible meals, and just being together.. it has been nice.. the boys continue to crack us up everyday as well as beautiful meleia.. not much else to update on

the boys hanging out with dad…

their outfits say “double trouble” and each has their name underneath a character..

brothers conversing…

my beautiful girl…

tired of getting pictures taken…

mr. cade…

mr. collin

my fifteen year old nephew is staying the weekend with us.. i’ll experience what it’s life with four kids, one being a teenager!  wish me luck!

we had a very wonderful easter here.. it was mine and douglas’ second easter today… although all of the kids woke at different times, we were able to spend some time with each one while getting their things..

meleia woke first… and hunted around the house for eggs. it didn’t take her long!! she was so excited at all the candy they were filled with!! she walks around like a zombie saying “chocolate” lol… she then opened her easter basked full of money, clothes, toys, and more candy.. i’d say she was pretty happy.

collin woke up next and was in a good mood watching everything he was getting.. clothes, candy, toys, a duckie…

and then poor cade.. you can tell he doesn’t feel good in these pictures.. but he still enjoyed, i promise

the rest of the day we took it pretty easy. i cooked a roast and we all lounged all day. it was a very nice easter

so the past few days have been a little busy… friday night doug and i got some alone time together, we went and ate and had a drink.. it was nice. monday douglas had surgery on his shoulder.. my mother sat with the kids all day and i drove him to ottumwa.. it was a rough day, although i did shop a little we took it easy yesterday.. i cleaned while meleia was at school we then we all hung out with babies… today it was beautiful outside and with doug’s arm feeling better he was able to help drag most of meleia’s summer toys out, like her sandbox and slide, etc… i took hot water and washed everything down and it’s all brand new to her! she had a blast outside today! even the boys got to get in their stroller since it was nice and have a little fresh air.. before the pictures i have a side note…
douglas is the best.. before worrying about his surgery he was out shopping for me a new bra and underwear… and meleia candy.. i love him. i love my family.

douglas and i before eating…

doug outside the hospital

grandpa came by….

meleia had a race set up in the kitchen with bleachers and fans.. it’s was terrific!

cade sat in his bumbo…

collin sat in meleia’s dora chair…

the boys hung out on the floor together…

meleia on her dora four wheeler that she is FINALLY not scared of after three years!!

the boys getting walked…

cade in his little hat…

collin in his little hat…

i hope there are more sunny, nice days in the future…

so as most of you already know, my grandma joy has gotten pretty sick over the past year and has had to be put in a nursing home…. between all the snow we’ve had this winter, and me not taking the babies out much with all the sickness around… she has only gotten to see them once before, christmas eve. today was my aunt debbie’s birthday, so after picking meleia up from school we gathered at pizza hut with mom, grandma, debbie, missy, and lori.. and after they brought grandma joy over to visit… you could see the happiness in her eyes.. amazing. she talks about them all the time and this was like the best thing for her… we all had a nice visit for the afternoon… i’m glad for days like this…

here is meleia all dressed and ready for the warm weather for the school day….

eating at pizza hut, obviously amusing aunt lori…

grandma joy and collin, cade, and meleia…

grandma and collin and cade…

taking a ride in their pimp stroller…

collin and momma time…

and they played so hard they passed out together

hope everyone is enjoying family lately…

we had a good weekend around here.. doug was off all weekend.. and we pretty much just hung out at home.. the boys enjoyed playing with their mobiles we finally put together.. and they slept   meleia had a busy weekend as you’ll see in the pictures.. i love my family..

i once thought meleia did good at putting on make up, until she came out looking like this!

playing at jocelyn’s birthday party…

and the new play dough she earned..

the boys enjoying their mobiles..

little collin played himself to sleep

my sleeping men

which reminds me how sleepy i am… all the kiddo’s are in bed.. and i am headed there too. poor douglas is sick so i get night duty until he’s feeling better!!!

a quick update.. the boys are doing terrific… staying awake a lot..telling lots of stories and smiling so much   it’s amazing.. they are liking their toys and are now big enough to sit in their bumbo seats…

meleia is still busy as ever and loving school… she still plays dress up every chance she gets, as my pictures will show… and has been going on a lot of play dates lately that she loves..

busy, busy around here for douglas and i still… but we are still pulling through     he had his birthday a few days after valentines day… meleia made him the best card ever   and he got a lot of nice gifts and cash!   love you baby.

mr. handsome man cade…

goofy mr. collin

happy babies…

and mad babies…

meleia (im)patiently waiting for her nails to dry

and here she is in all her glory getting to dress herself.. crazy kid.

doulgas’ many cards for his birthday, along with the awesome pen and business card holder his aunt and uncle sent… can you tell which one is from meleia she spent an hour painting this thing!