Ugly tree...no more.

Kimmie came over to watch the kids for us while me, Steve, and Easton went hunting...well, they hunted, and I took pictures. (Look for the upcoming post.) When we came back we found Kimmie, Graycie, Trenton, and Tyson making paper decorations for our tree! They had already hung some on the tree, and I thought, sheesh what a spectacular idea! It looked soooo cute, I had to join in. So we spent the next hour or so making decorations for our ugly old tree. I have to say, I couldn't have imagined a more beautiful tree. We owe it all to cousin Kimmie. Such a simple but wonderful idea. I absolutely LOVE my tree now. So thank you to you Kimberly...you freakin rock!

Graycie's Christmas tree, and a bear...I think.

Kimmie's Santa Claus

Tyson's sticker ornament

Uh, this one Trenton made. He said it was of Kimmie, and her Dad was the slug at the top. (???)
The ornament in the back is my tribute to the Costco ornaments I wanted.

Kimmie's Kung Fu Panda.

My ugly Chirstmas tree...

(My ugly tree.)

Pretty much, I hate it. It's fake and undecorated. I decided to use my fake tree this year because I wanted to buy this set of ornaments at Costco that Rachael got. It would have been about the same price as buying a real tree. So I thought, I will buy ornaments this year, put them on my fake tree and then put them on a real tree next year. Good enough plan, right? Wrong. So I get my fake tree up and head to Costco the first chance I get to purchase the ornaments I had fallen in love with, (and yes, I LOVE these ornaments...and no, this does not mean I LOVE my family any less, seriously...see this post.) Only problem...they're sold out. Imagine my disappointment as I stood there in the middle of the aisle at Costco thinking...my fake tree is SOOOO ugly. (stomp stomp.) These ornaments were my only hope. That hope is now shattered and I am stuck with a fake, ugly, undecorated tree. *Sigh* What am I going to do about it, you ask? Absolutely nothing. So if you happen to come to my house for some random reason, please, for the love of Paul...don't state the obvious.

(Rachael's stupid tree.)

We rearranged our house recently and I am really enjoying it. Aside from my ugly tree, I actually like the rest of my decorations this year. Since my surface area is extremely limited, most of my Christmas decorations are hung. I am not posting these pictures because I think my decorations are outstanding, simply for journaling purposes.

About the Holiday Dance

Karen had sent Rachael an email with her and Don doing a disco routine...my kids and I thought it was so freaking hilarious we had to join in on the fun. My friend sent me an elf yourself last year...and I have to say they have improved their dances tremendously.

...and the list goes on.

Yet another thing that needs to be fixed around here. I swear, one thing after the other. The hole in the boys bedroom wall that mysteriously keeps getting bigger and bigger. I lied, there is no mystery...his name is Tyson. He has now made the hole big enough for matchbox cars to fit in. How do I know this you ask? Please. The tub won't drain, the thermostat doesn't show the temperature, and the lock on our front doorknob doesn't unlock, once locked. Oh, the list goes on. I don't know if these things have always been so obvious, or if its just now that we are all stuck in the house all day that these things are screaming at me. Much like the four children that live here. Once the weather gets cold, my kids get crazy...to put it mildly. I think the house, along with its residents are in much need of some tending to. Know the feeling?

During my Break...

We spent Thanksgiving at the Reid's house this year. They are not "technically" related, but they are family to me. They have an amazing place in Green Bluff...just past Spokane, the kids love it there. So while Denise and I prepared Thanksgiving dinner, (comedy) Steve, John, and Makenzie took the kids to the high school where John works to let them burn off some energy in the gym. Once Denise and I had gotten everything ready to go in the oven, we had some down time, so I grabbed my handy dandy camera case and walked around their yard to find some cool pictures. (I don't know if yard is the right word for their unbelievable land...more like park.) Here are some of my favorites; (I should probably state that dinner turned out fantastic ;)

I know this one was not taken in their yard as mentioned before, but whatevs.

Halloween was...

Preschool parties. Trunk or Treating. Harry Potter, Unknown Phantoms, Sidekicks and Power Rangers. Eskimos and Boxers. Family and treats, candy for weeks, er....days. ;)

P.S. Couldn't be happier it's over. ;)

Loving me some.....

Freckles!

(..and the fact that he has been giving me so many hugs and kisses lately.)

The "Sex" talk

Trenton and I were in his room straightening up when he says quite loudly, "SEX." Cough choke, "What did you say?" He says it again, "SEX." Gasping I think to myself where in the world could he have heard that from?! So I ask him, "What is that?" He matter of factly tells me, "A numba." PHEW!!!! (wiping hand across forehead) crisis averted...for now.

My kids and Spencer this week in a nutshell

Trenton comes up to me just now saying; "Mom, can I watch Build the Bobba?" Knowing he was saying it wrong he tries again, "I mean Build the Bobba?, wait what is it called again?" I tell him "Bob the Builder." "Yeah Build the Bobba. Oh, I just can't say that."


Tyson finds an object he sees as a telephone and carries on quite the conversation, unfortunately that object is....Easton's cup.


I picked Spencer up from preschool yesterday and he and Trenton were discussing who their Grandparents are. Trenton told Spencer who his Grandparents were and then asks him, "Who are your other Grandma and Grandpa?" Spencer replies, "Grandma Goude." Trenton keeps on, "No who are your other Grandma and Grandpa?" Spencer then says, "Well I call Grandma PJ my Grandma." (That's my Mom.) Trenton asks him one more time and Spencer finally says, "Wait, be quiet for a minute, let me say my name so I can remember my other Grandma." Very quietly he says to himself. "Spencer... Buchanan." Ding Ding Ding the lightbulb goes off and he says, "Grandpa Buchanan and Grandma Buchanan!" Good thinkin' Spence, good thinkin'.


Graycie is an animal when it comes to playing soccer. She is passionate and intense. I have never seen another child try harder than she does out on the field. It is crazy watching her play because you can litteraly see it in her face how hard she is trying to kick the ball, run, or play defense. I could try and try to explain the look on her face, but luckily with the help of my new handy dandy camera you can see for yourself. I couldn't be more proud.
Click on the pictures to see them larger...this way you can see her face and get the full effect.

Goal kick. Her coach usually has her do this because when she gets a good kick it goes clear to the other side of the field.

This was one of her "good" kicks.

She's quite the dominant player.

Kick off. Check out the wind up.

Pretty much an all around super star.

Easton is a good kid. Unfortunately he has been having some struggles showing that to some of the adults at his school. And by adults I mean everyone other than his teacher. He has a problem with authority and protests when he is told to do something. Usually that protest comes in the form of him telling the teacher, dutie or whoever, "You're not my boss, I don't have to listen to you." GASP! I know, I know... what the Jhonny is he thinking? That is what we keep asking ourselves. We have been working our butts off trying to figure out how to resolve this little issue we have been having. I am proud to say that he is doing better. His Vice Principal called me yesterday and told me, "I want to start this conversation positively, Easton has been doing SO much better at school, I am proud of the choices he has been making, and I know that he will continue on the right path." Thank you Mrs. Whitney. Usually our phone conversations went a little something like this. Phone rings. I check the caller ID. It says Pasco Public School District, CRINGE.
I answer-What now?
Mrs. Whitney-How are you?
Me-I don't know, you tell me.
Whitney-Well Easton blah blah blah. (going into detail the terrible things my child has done)
Me-Awesome.
Whitney-He will lose his afternoon recess this week and be on lunch clean up.
Me-Well don't wear him out too much, he has to have some energy to clean toilets when he gets home.
I am hoping those phone calls are long gone, but I know in my mind Easton will always have struggles with school. Whether it is with respect or getting his work done on time, this will be our lives until he graduates from highschool. He is such an amazing kid. His capabilities are unmeasurable. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if we can keep this kid on the right track, and confident, he will do amazing things. That alone makes the hard work worth it. He has been a joy at home, and I love being around him. I think that is the hardest thing about this whole situation. Having to discipline him for things he has done at school, when he doesn't act that way anywhere else. He wrote me a note yesterday that about made me curl up into the fetal position and cry. This is what he wrote.
To Mom
From Your loved one Easton
I love you so much you can't even imagine how much I love you. I'll always be your littil boy.
Yeah, that did it for me. Dude you are so not grounded from the Wii anymore. ;)

Doing his homework.

Amazing form.

How can you be mad at that?

Memory Lane

I was going through some old video's I made and this was one of my favorites. I couldn't resist putting it up.

In the video I thought he was telling me that he locked the door. I now know that he was trying to tell me it was an "accident." I swear if this kid wasn't so cute...

E(aston)SPN

Easton started tackle football this year. Something he had been so excited to start. He did two years of flag football and was ready to move up to pads and helmets.

Looking like a pro all geared up.

In a game recently, he was getting really frustrated with this weasel who kept grabbing his jersey. After one play, the kid pulled his jersey completely off his pads. Now, I don't know too much about football, but I do know that grabbing jersey's is not okay.

So after this play, Easton decided since the refs weren't taking care of his problem he'd handle it himself. And by handle it, I mean shove the kid to the ground...

Ah, poor weasel.

Easton's coach said he is the most improved player on the team...

I say he is the freakin cutest! (of course, I don't tell him that out loud.)

DISCLAIMER: I don't really think that kid is a weasel nor do I call him that in front of children.