School, buses, swimming, talking...

Well I thought I would attempt to get a post up before a week has gone by and I hit 7 days...not too bad. So I thought I would list some random updates that are going on in our world:

• Hunter started a phono group at the local elementary school this week. It meets for an hour 4 days a week for 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off. After much testing and lots of meetings with school speech therapists and early childhood teachers, he has been diagnosed with a moderate speech impairment. He "fronts" his letters and occasionally lisps his s's. His language and readiness skills for kindergarten are great but he needs a little help for speech. So they recommended this group. He loves it. He gets to take the bus from the sitters and he thinks it is great. As hard as it was to swallow that he had a problem (you always want to think your children are perfect...even if we know that isn't the case), I am glad we are getting him started before school starts so he doesn't think he is different.
• Apparently the small buses have seat buckles. Hunter is very proud that he can buckle himself. He has also started zipping his own coat this week. One week of school and he wants to learn all kinds of things :)
• Work for me is going well. We are busy which is a little overwhelming at times but I shouldn't complain as I know there are a lot of companies that are really struggling to find work. I am still VERY grateful for my every other Monday off and love that time with my little ones!
• Josh's mom bought a new house and I went to help her paint and see her new furniture. It is a very nice house in a very nice area and I am excited for her and hope for a new start for everyone!
• While I was gone my parents were in town to watch the kids. They also had Sydney and Sawyer. Everyone seemed to have a good time and behave.
• I took Hunter swimming this morning at the hotel. He loves to swim but the water is so cold he is usually shaking and blue by the time I can get him out! I got some quality time in the hot tub while Papa went swimming.
• Jacy is talking more and more every day. She is pretty much repeating everything we say. I tried to write the words she is saying in her baby book this week and I had about 50 and as the day went on I realized there were a lot I missed. Her favorites right now are Blankie, Nukie and Shoes. She is also insistant on calling Josh Josh not Daddy.
• Jacy has a lot of shoes and there are times I find her in her room just playing with them.
• Finally, I am watching the Badger MI State basketball game and I am VERY hopeful that the Badgers can pull it out. I am a forever optimist when it comes to Badger basketball! Go Red!

Holy Cow...2 Months!!!

Wow can't believe that it has been 2 months since I last updated. The month of December is a complete blur...thank goodness for pictures!! And January was spent recuperating!! Here is a picture diary of what we have been up to. It is out of order so hang in there! There are too many pictures to shuffle them around! Hopefully I can be a little better this month. Happy belated Valentine's Day to everyone!


Hunter and Jacy enjoying a little lunch. We put a booster on the bar for Jacy in January and she LOVES being up by her big "brover"


We did a little decorating/rearranging in our bedroom (January) and finally took the cradle down. Here the kids are seeing how big they are in it now.

I don't think she will fit anymore...The cradle was actually made by my dad for my brother Derek (middle child). MANY kids have slept in it, here's my attempt to name a few...Derek (36), me, our neighbors little boy when I was little, Ryan Jaecks, the Drumm boys (I think all three), Bryce, Addie, Riley, Jacy (1). I am sure there are more but I can't think of them. My dad actually made another cradle 9 years ago when Brady was born because Brady and Addie are 3 weeks apart so we needed 2. Hunter slept in that one.

Papa Ken handing out gifts in Christmas in Manitowoc. It is chaos but it is fun...as you can see they ALL thing they need the first one!

Hunter and I Christmas Morning...kind of a long dramatic day (for the adults) but the kids sure had fun!! Hopefully next year won't be quite as dramatic and everyone will realize that Christmas is for the kids and being together!

Jacy Christmas morning with Santa gifts.

Hunter Christmas morning with Santa gifts...Not waiting for daddy and Jacy!!! This was Hunter's first Christmas that he was really into opening gifts...not sure which way was better :)

Mommy and Jacy Christmas Eve at our house with the all the kids about to open gifts. Jacy wasn't quite sure about all the presents and commotion!

An attempt at a Christmas picture of all 8 grand kids for mom and dad. There is one crying every time we do it. Started out with Riley 4 years ago, Hunter 2 years ago, Sawyer this year and I am sure Jacy will be next! Mom and dad loved the picture anyway. Shows their little personalities!

Josh and Jacy Christmas morning. Jacy had ALOT of Christmas dresses and we were not able to get them all on her but it was fun to try. She actually was fighting a sinus infection and then ended up popping some teeth during the holidays but she sure was a trooper!

Jacy and Uncle Derek's (last house on Christmas eve). She hung in there until the very end. This is my favorite dress of the holidays :)

Bryce, Brady and Addie trying to help Hunter with Wii mario cart.

Josh and I Christmas Eve at Derek and Tara's.

Hunter at our house for the Christmas eve craziness!

Happy 4th birthday Hunter!!! The start to the holiday parties is always Hunter's birthday and it ALWAYS snows! No exception this year. We had a star wars themed party and a good time was had by all!

The only family picture we managed during Christmas at the Christmas with Josh's mom's family the weekend before Christmas. Josh's uncle Rick was able to come and it was a really nice time.

Hunter and Jacy enjoying being pulled around by mom (December)

Jacy loves to be outside, even in the snow!

That's the last two months in a nutshell! All else is going well. We have been able to get some projects done around the house and enjoying being home bound for a while. Here's hopping I can post something a little sooner then 2 months!