Halloween Parties

Even though I've been home the last couple years that Maci has been in school, I've never got to go enjoy the holiday parties with her. I've always had multiple kids around the house and dragging the gang kids with me just didn't seem like much fun.
But this year, with only Lincoln in tow- we were able to go! Lincoln loved it all, as you can see he set by his sisters side the whole time.

Luckily the kids parties were spaced apart just perfect for us. Maci's was from 9-10 and Maddox's was from 10-11.

We enjoyed the parade and got some great idea's for next year. It was fun to watch all the kids walk thru in their costumes.

then off to Maddox's party. It's fun to get to see the kids that he comes home and talks about.

He had a good time and ate a lot of junk.

It wasn't a good day to take them early to go to the dentist. Especially after I was "that mom" that sent black icing on the cupcakes. Needless to say we left a few minutes early to brush, brush, brush!

Maci's Halloween Bonfire

We decided since Maci has done so well in school this quarter, that we would let her choose an activity she would want to do. I was thinking more along the lines of getting a manicure or something like that, but she chose she wanted to have a bonfire. She invited 10 girls out for the night and I think they had a great time.

We started the night with painting pumpkins


enjoyed a little play time

we enjoyed the open fire with smores and hot dogs

we played a donut game- who could eat their donut without using thier hands

and we bobbed for apples

it was a lot of fun, and may have to be an annual tradition! I know Lincoln loved all the girls!

Family Photos

As promised in a previous post- our family pictures! It's so nice having talented family members! Thank you so much Emily! We ABSOLUTLY love them all!

My days

I'm watching Oprah right now, the one I DVR'd since I rarely see live tv, and on it is a mother and father who lost their 3 children. Their 5, 4, and 2 year old kids were taken from them too early. I read the blogs where children are suffering with brain tumors, where children are in therapy trying to "wake up" from a brain injury. Just horrible, unimagineable stuff that parents have to go thru. Eric doesn't understand why I read these blogs, and watch these stories... but it reminds me of how blessed I am. It's easy to get caught up on the trials of the day. The pity party because my kids aren't behaving, or my house isn't spotless, or we get a bill we weren't expecting. But then I read these stories, or watch these shows, and that is all taken away. I'm reminded of how fortunate I am that I have 3 healthy, beautiful, amazing kids. They are all here with me, and I am able to get the hugs and kisses that I've become so accustomed to.

I try to remind myself of that every day. That life is good, and I'm going to enjoy each day we are given. So I am enjoying each moment.


We spent the day at the park with one of my best friends Wendy, and her 3 beautiful children. As they ran around and played, I reminded myself to enjoy the smiles on Lincoln's face, the laughter coming from his belly.


the excitement to be with his best buddy!



And I took in every moment. Life is good, and I'm going to appreciate all I have!

So much so that we topped the day off with a donut, and even when his face looked like this, I couldn't get enough sloppy kisses!

Where's Maci

Did you find her?

We got a call this week that the school age kids would be singing for us in church. Maci is not big on performing so we kind of surprised her with it on Sunday. I think she did okay since there were so many people up front with her.

There she is... in the middle, next to a boy... so happy to be on stage.


Along with the elementary kids were an older Sunday School class and the Special Population group at church. Our church has a Sunday School class for the Special Population (as they call it) and I love when they come do special music for us. Their teacher (the gentleman with his back to us) is absolutely amazing. I cry every time I watch them.

It was a special day watching Maci perform.

Lucky me!

How did I get so lucky...

he works hard...

he cleans...

he adores our children...


and he's good lookin too!

And even after being with him for 16 plus years... I'm still deeply in love!

My job

It's funny because I feel like I'm a stay at home mom, but I really have a job... I suppose.

I don't know what I would do without my 2 "other" boys. Camden (6) and Trenton (2) are just 2 more of my own. When people ask if I do daycare it takes me back. It doesn't feel like daycare, it just seems like life. They are my boys, and I couldn't go without them. My kids wouldn't be able to survive without them. Maddox has his twin (Camden is 6 months older) and Lincoln has his twin (he's 4 months older). I have had them since before Camden was a year old. Every day starts with Lincoln asking "Is Trenton here?"

I love watching these 5 play. They have so much fun together. And being a Sunday night and not seeing my boys since yesterday... I miss them. I can't wait for tomorrow!

And the best part is the friendship that we've formed with their parents. Eric and Eryn (thier mom) are related, but we've formed a great friendship... a mutual parenting as you will. We know that they are watching out for our kiddo's, and we are watching out for theirs. Each of our kids have 4 parents, and multiple grandparents. The situation is beyond perfect and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Baby Stroller?

I was painting the west side of the house today and as I was getting everything out ready to start I noticed a baby stroller showed up

with closer look I realized the baby had outgrown his space


atleast I had company while I was painting. It must of been comfortable because he didn't move from this spot.

Cheerleading

What is it that these boys are so intently watching...

or that this little one thinks is so funny?


Why it must be their big sister in Cheer class.

Maci was so excited to take a cheerleading class. It was for grades 1-4 and they met 6 times.

The last class they performed their cheers, jumps and dance for the parents. She wanted this cheerleading outfit for her halloween costume, but was so excited to wear it to the last class.

It was so fun watching the girls "perform" for us. The teacher did a great job!

Donuts with Dad

Eric had to leave town for a few days and was really bummed when he found out he would miss the annual "Donuts with Dad" breakfast with the kids. Not only was he sad, but the kids were really upset. I can't promise it had to do with Eric being gone... it may of just been not getting that donut!

However, their wonderful grandpa offered to stand in and take them. They were so excited that they woke up bright and early this morning and were ready without any prodding! As I came down the stairs they were sitting in the living room, just watching for him.

Thanks so much Grandpa for being so great and standing in for their daddy!

More Football Fun

It's homecoming week in our small town and as tradition, we had a Homecoming Parade! This is the first year we have went to this, but it was a big milestone. Maddox was on his first float! Maddox and Daddy I guess!

(Eric in the grey shirt looking back, and Maddox the 4th from the back)
Maci and Lincoln loved the parade because of all the candy

Maddox in the middle with his best buddies Cole and Camden

Friday night at the football game even Eric got to be in the spotlight. Eudora just finished a new football stadium and with him being on the school board he was asked to come on the field for the dedication.

Red shirt and jeans

After the dedication they brought the little Cardinals out to "welcome" the football team. Maddox was thrilled to be on the field with the "real football players" Sorry for the shot- My camera battery died before I got to zoom in! But he and Eric are out there.

and Lincoln was completely into the game... his DS game that is!

Adams Family Photos

It's been 4 years since my family has done family pictures, and we decided it was time to do another round. I love being with my family, so it was just an excuse to get together. We realized when we got to the photo location, that about 90 other families were doing the same exact thing. We could of done a huge photo collage with all the families all in white!

As my one brother and his family were getting their pictures taken, my other brother Travis- was busy messing up my families hair and wrinkling their clothes! Oh how they love their uncles!

The kids loved this little walk way and I thought it would be a cute picture, but it wasn't long before Lincoln missed a step and fell in. We lost a shoe, and he was soaked up to his armpits! It was a rather chilly night, so the night was cut short!

Our cousin Emily took the pictures for us again and I can't wait to see how they turned out! Don't worry- you will definitely get first dibs on seeing them when I get them!

Little Cook

Maci got a couple cook books for Christmas last year and has been dying to make something. I was woke up Sunday morning with breakfast in bed. It was FANTASTIC. After making me breakfast, I wasn't going to not let her make the rest of the family something!

She chose to make pancakes. I laughed as I only make them out of the box, but she insisted she was going to make them homemade.
She did amazing following the recipe.

and her pancakes turned out much better then mine ever do.

I think it's time to add her to the rotation of making dinner!

Grandparent Fun

My kids love the days they get to see their grandparents. Lincoln wakes up every day with the same questions... "go see mimi and papa and bama and papa?" Every day! He loves his grandmas and grandpas!

so when Bama and Papa stopped by to play the other day they were all in 7th heaven!
Each one had to show off their skills.

I'm sure they were completely impressed! Thanks for coming to play Bama and Papa!

Pumpkin Patch Time

It's that time of year again, and we couldn't wait to go get some pumpkins. I just love going to the pumpkin patch with the kids. The excitement for them is to much! We heard all day... "when will it be time to go?"

so off we went... to our annual spot- the Schaake's Pumpkin Patch in Lawrence. It just seems to be tradition to us. Some like to go to a new spots every year... I just like me some Schaakes.

The tractor ride is tops. Lincoln looks a little out of it here, but he was just taking in the tractor coming up behind us. His goal of the day was to ride each and every tractor!

There were so many pumpkins. In years past we've went pretty close to the end of October, so we made it early this year. We aren't used to field after field of pumpkins. Usually by the time we get there it's down to a pretty limited section, but today was a different story!

It's funny watching the kids try to decide what they want. Maddox would pick every one up, study it front to back, and then put it back down. He wanted the perfect one!

Maci wanted the biggest she could find. After breaking her heart and letting her know that the 100 lb pumpkin would not be moving into our home this year, she started looking for a good carving one. The perfect shape, size and color.

Lincoln just looked for colors. He wanted a yellow one, and one he could lift. But he didn't like looking in the patch. He seems to be my cleanest kid. He does not like to get his hands dirty, so he stayed pretty close to the road.

After the kids gathered up their lot of pumpkins we started weeding out the favorites. We ended up with each kid picking 2 pumpkins. Maci was going for 3, I was going for 1, and Eric settled on 2.

I loved how they had this perfect little photo op, especially with the lovely port-a-potties in the back ground!

And the biggest hit of all at the patch was the new swing set they had this year. We could of stayed here for hours!

But we didn't, we moved on to get a family picture. Maybe we need one more to fill in the missing face?