42 years of PURE Bliss!

Friday night we got to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Eric's parents, and his mom's birthday. The Votaw clan came over to celebrate another year of wedded bliss.

We enjoyed some pizza

and some games

and of course showed our love to these 2 love birds.

Congrats mom and dad~

Why I'm tired...

This and That

I always blog on activities we have done, but never just on the little things that happen daily. My kids have their own unique little attitudes and I just laugh at them all day!

Lincoln doesn't eat. He doesn't like food. But he loves his cookies. He would eat them all day. Or hide them and continue to eat them all day. Here he is with a cookie after nap, but some how he found another cookie that he must of saved from some other time. He was so excited!
This one cracked me up. Sunday I had a little get together and put a table cloth on the dining room table. Lincoln must of noticed me doing something out of the ordinary, because ever since, he has to put his blanket over his table before he and Trenton have snack or drinks.
We finally upgraded to high speed Internet! I have been so excited and definitely enjoying my new found freedom (not having to wait for ever for dial up I get so much more done!) but I think my kids have been just as excited. Maci and Maddox love the games, and Linc is getting into watching them too! Maci is so good with Lincoln. She will let him do anything he wants.
Maci and Maddox were playing tennis on the wii, but when Maddox dropped the remote I told him he couldn't play anymore. Being in the middle of a game, Maci didn't want to start over, so she finished it, playing both parts.
Linc's new face. I think his first word was "cheese" since I take so many pictures. But I used to get great smiles from him. Now I sometimes get the smile... but I ALWAYS get the eyes closed.
another cheese smile
I'm worried about my kids eating styles. At dinner lately Maci and Maddox always add ketchup to their mashed potatoes. Linc is starting to request it too! YUCK!
I found Lincoln watching television right here the other day. More then once. It seems to be his favorite spot right now. There's a nice big comfy couch right there, but he seems to prefer the little tight space where he can set his cup in the window.
the little weirdo! Is there not an easier way to sit in the chair?

One of my Christmas gifts was a wii game with a personal trainer. I love it... it's a lot of fun. But no-one has enjoyed it more then Maci. She will do a 30 min workout, then do it all over again. She made the boys do it with her this day, and got really frustrated with them for giving up after the first 20 minutes.

The Novelty is Gone

I went to check on the kids last night before heading to bed and to my surprise...

there was no little one in the upper bunk...
and none in the lower bunk...
but he happened to be under his sisters bed. I guess the fun of the bunk beds... and the reason Santa brought them... doesn't seem to matter anymore.
it's more fun to sleep under a bed on the cold hard floor.

Trenton's Party

Trenton had his birthday party at Little Monkey Business on Saturday.

In an earlier posting we showed Trenton in charge during the wrestling match, but this one seems Linc is in control. Actually he was just giving the birthday boy a hug.
Maci enjoyed the art room the most.

2 little monkeys in the climbers

The Birthday Boy

Someone tired?

Linc was playing away with his blocks, but after it got quite I went to see what he was doing. He was just laying on the kitchen floors, cuddled into his blanket, fast asleep. Ah... the precious moments!

Maddox likes to clean

I walked in from getting groceries the other day and Maddox was in this spot. He decided he wanted to clean the dishes. Little did I know he enjoyed doing it so much he would ask to do it over and over again.

I think he does a good job, but when he's done we put the dishes away in the dish washer for a final clean. Hopefully soon I can trust he gets everything off and just let him do it all for me!

Trenton turns 2!

My 4th son, my baby... turned 2 last week. I now have no more babies (even though they will always be MY babies!) In case you don't know who he is... Trenton is the little boy that comes to play with Lincoln every day. Trenton and Lincoln are the best of friends. Well, depending on the day... ha. They love to play, watch Spongebob, and wrestle with each other. I've been very fortunate to have Camden (Trenton's brother who is 6 months older then Maddox) and Trenton in our family.

You can tell that Lincoln was wanting to watch cartoons, but Trenton had other plans.

During nap time I made a cake for his birthday party, so we celebrated when the boys woke up.

Maci had to make sure Trenton got the first bite!

Happy Birthday Trenton! I can't believe your 2!

Loss at the end of 2009

This year was a different year then most. We've never had a couple weeks like we had at the end of 2009. I've been trying to do this post for several days now, but just didn't know how to do it. Seeing these pictures still makes it so hard. But I've talked about it to a lot of you, and most of you will know them, but I just had to put it in for my memories.

We were enjoying the hussle and bussle of the Holiday Season when I got a phone call that made time stand still. A good friend of mine (Tom Moore) from high school had passed away. The circumstances are still hard to grasp, and still so many unanswered questions... but the fact that he is gone is the hardest of all.
My senior year in high school I took a class with my good friend Christy that wouldn't require any brain activity. We wanted something easy at the end of the day, and this class fit the bill. However we soon realized that there was a lot of projects we would have to do... so we immediatly found some fellow classmates to help us (do it all for us!) ha. Tom, Greg, and Ira seemed to come in handy, and we formed a great friendship that year. The 5 of us were often doing projects together or just running around together. We had a lot of fun that year. However, as often happens, when the year ended we all moved on in our own little worlds. I have talked to Tom numerous times in the last several years, but it was definetly not enough. He will definetly be missed! Tom was an amazing person!
After the holidays, or after our last Christmas party I guess, we came home to another phone call. This time Eric's lifelong best friend had passed away. Doug had had a kidney transplant about 5 years ago, and we knew had a few hiccups recently, but nothing to prepare us for this call.
My junior year in high school I was at a FBLA (Future buisness leaders of america) conference. I wasn't in it because I had any interest in business, but because I had interest in the men that would be future business leaders- ha! I was playing basketball at one of the breaks when a friendly fellow came up to talk. His name was Doug Williams and he was from a neighboring town. What I liked best about him was his cute friend (Eric). Doug was a great friend! He helped me thru some tough transitions in my life, and was a true friend to me when I needed one. He also played an important role in bringing me my honey (yes... Eric)! Doug was always crazy, and always fun. Always the center of attention. Eric and Doug were lifelong friends and Doug was a groomsman in our wedding. Eric gave the eulogy at Doug's funeral and he could of talked for days about their memories.
Doug left behind a wife and 2 beautiful little boys. My heart aches for the love and fun those little boys will miss from their dad. Doug was an AMAZING dad!

I will cherish the time I had with these 2, and always wish I could of had more. We miss you!

Cold Night Camp-out!

As a kid I remember the week long freeze that came thru town and put our family in a small room with a fire, and nothing but fun. It's funny the memories we have. I'm sure my parents enjoyed the intimate bonding time we had all week with no power (ha). But I remember thinking it was the awsomest (I know it's not a word) time ever.

So when the cold struck us, and the temps plummeted, and Eric mentioned camping out in the family room. I was all for it! I knew the kids would be excited and it would be fun to be together all night.

Of course art started off the evening. Maddox got an art kit for christmas from grandma and grandpa Votaw and he LOVES it. As soon as this comes out all 3 kids hit the table and create away.

When Lincoln got tired of creating he went to his stack of toys. He loves the blocks and table from grandma and grandpa Votaw and the zue zue pets from Eryn. He also loves the etch a sketches from mimi and papa and uncle Travis. If any of these toys are put away he throws a fantastic temper tantrum!

Of course the cold makes me want to bake, so chocolate chip cookies was the treat tonight!

Unfortunatly poor Maci wasn't feeling the best. After 2 weeks of her just wanting to lay around and fevers off and on I finally took her to the dr. (nothing like making her PROVE she was sick- I know I'm a bad mom!) So breathing treatments, cough medicine and a strong antibiotic later we were set for the night! Poor girl has had mono!

Who can watch movies and cartoons without popcorn!

The boys watched cartoons all night and played games, my sick little girl layed around and read books. She is my little book worm!

The time I was waiting for! When Lincoln would FINALLY fall asleep! He was the last one to sleep and the first one up. Everyone had a blast and begged for another night of sleeping in front of the fire... but I think we'll sleep in our own beds tonight!

Sour?

Lincoln was determined to have this last bag of halloween candy... however it was a bag of sour candy. I refused, he threw his fit, and I gave in. Here he is trying to smile as he eats his first piece of SOUR candy. What is it about getting older that makes just the look of that candy make my jaws hurt?

Snow Day Fun

With a lot of snow on the ground outside, temperatures so cold, it's no fun being out... we decided to turn on the heat inside. When it's cold, I like to bake! Luckily for christmas we got a new cookie cutter, so we enjoyed a day of decorating jayhawks! I think Maddox enjoyed licking his fingers more then actually decorating the cookie, but we eventually got a cookie from him!
Maci worked hard on her masterpiece. She knew exactly what she wanted, but got a little frustrated along the way with it not turning out perfect.

After about 8 layers of frosting she got something she was proud of!

And Camden enjoyed a little of everything on top.

Sometimes the mess is worth the memories!

Snow Time

When you have snow like this you have to take advantage of the fun. The kids couldn't wait to get out and play in it. We are bad parents, we took advantage of Lincolns nap time to let the other two enjoy the snow. Sorry Linc!

Maddox enjoying the snow so much Peyton wanted to see what this white stuff was all about!
Maci was walking in the snow and it went all the way up her legs. You can't beat a good deep snow!

Christmas Goodies!

The fun that comes with Christmas is the assembly of everything the following week. I was as patient as I could be while I waited for Eric to get all the kids toys together, while we went thru the flu, and while we recovered, but enough is enough.... it was time to get my tv cabinet put together!

I usually make my dad come help, but with the flu that hit our family, I didn't want my mom to catch whatever we had, so I left it up to Eric. Luckily his dad wanted to help!

Who would of guessed there would be so many pieces in one box!

Thankfully Grandma was here to help entertain the kids so they would stay out of their way. Maci and Maddox worked on puzzles, while Lincoln enjoyed cartoons.

It's starting to get there. These 2 can build anything!

And my finished product! (surprise! surprise! Maddox was already back on the wii minutes after it was put together!

Deterding/Adams Christmas

Our last Christmas party came on the 26th. We (Adams Family) get together with some lifelong friends every year and this year we couldn't fit it in during the holiday rush, so we finished the season with them.
We rotate houses every year and this year we met in at Russ and Beth's house. It's always a fun get together and we get larger every year.
Maci's favorite part was getting to hold Violet. No presents compaired to that!

Russ and Kyle with Tyler and Oliver enjoying the conversation (Russ looks bored to death!)

Mimi and Papa playing with the kiddo's (and obviously enjoying the food!)

Kids present time! Everyone getting their presents and finding a place to sit. I can't say I'm surprised Maci found Josh's lap.

It's a fun get together every year and I love that our kids get to grow up together like we did. Joy, Kyle, Beth and John will always seem like sisters and brothers to me, and I hope my kids have the same feeling with their kids!