ready for spring (and summer)

Part of last week and the entire week before that we were hit with the bug I thought we had missed this winter/spring season. I would rather deal with stuffy and runny noses and coughs than the flu bug, hands down. Butttt we weren't so lucky. Some of us were 'lucky' enough to go through all the symptoms twice… not as fun as it sounds!

The house was stocked tight with disinfectant wipes, random buckets, paper towel, Gatorade, water, popsicles…  you name it, we had it. While it was a quick 12 to 24 hour bug, by the time it made it through everyone (yes, alllllll nine of us), we were at almost 2 weeks. Being pregnant and sick, I was SO done with all of it by the time my second turn came around. 

All that to say, we are extremely ready for spring. The weather is gradually increasing in warmth… slowly, very slowly… I can't wait until popsicles can be enjoyed outside in just diapers and the hot sun!

cute overload!

More super Wisconsin weather has kept us inside most days. But these littles have been pretty well-behaved given the circumstances and being stuck inside together for days on end. They have their fair share of melt downs and fits and fights, but I caught them in a moment of pure awesomeness. I can't promise it lasted more than 5 minutes ;)

fishy, fishy

Saturday we left all but Peyton and headed north to ice fish. The weather was above zero so we were pretty tickled to get outside. Dave has a new fetish with ice fishing, and he was happy I could tag along. 

There was absolutely no one on this secluded lake.

Bad: No restroom other than a bucket.
Good: No audience to use the restroom.

Pride swallowed. Not the easiest thing I've done at 32 weeks pregnant… 

Quite a bit of our time was spent in the jeep warming up. Watching Dave from a distance checking his tip ups. Eating chips and sammiches. Some bonding with the oldest. Fun times!

rare photo of the two of us… thanks to Peyton! :)

My attire for the day as described by Dave was of someone just coming in from the barn after doing chores… pretty accurate, although I smelled a smidge better… just a smidge!

Days away like this are few and far between, but they are still my favorite. Looking forward to spring when we can spend some time outside with all the kids just relaxing. It's long overdue! :)

Unfortunately, I hear 6 more weeks of winter… eek!

midwinter snow days

Today the kids went back to school after being home since Thursday. Wisconsin weather has decided to try to freeze us… -46 wind chills the last couple days… yowza! 

We left the house for church and a few went ice fishing Sunday, but otherwise we've been home bound. There was a lot of chaos, movies, fighting, Minecraft (which I have grown to dislike quite a bit), ice cream, and lounging during those five days. :|  It was nice to relax and not have to be anywhere, but I think we're all ready to get back to our routines.

Hope all of you are staying warm! 

4/52 and pregnancy update coming soon, promise!   :)

bonnet not blizzard

It is now safe to say the weather has gotten the best of all of us. Almost everyone in the central Wisconsin area has mentioned in some way or another how they are ready for spring and/or summer. I have now jumped on that bandwagon. Just before Mother Nature gave us a couple days of 40-degree weather, I was okay with the snow. But today as it's sleeting against my windows and freezing cold in my house forcing me to drink hot cocoa, I declare spring can start any time now. Poor Meg doesn't even know the outdoors exists! In hopes of moving some of this snow off the ground, she will now be sportin' her bonnet instead of a winter hat. Let's get this show on the road!

pretties

(all photos SOOC)

Sometimes I take photos of things other than my children. SOMEtimes ;) It's hard... this time of the year I'm done taking photos of things outside so they are few and far between.

Life is busy happening around here so my posting (as usual) has been minimal. Very minimal. Maybe this is my norm. Who knows. In the last week I've started to learn to knit. Forgot to read any of my new book I started. Attempted again to potty train Rowdy. Failed at volleyball. And lost the dog 3 times. He is permanently attached to the line now. Muttttttt. 

the usual

A lot of our time around here is spent cleaning, eating, washing and folding laundry, eating, snacking... yes, we like food :) I'm not too strict on schedule unless, of course, it's lunch or nap time...neither of which I've been taking advantage of lately. Regardless, we've just mostly been hanging out and soaking in our relaxing cold days indoors. Nothing too exciting happening. And I like it that way. Hope everyone is enjoying what is hopefully the last of our winter!

Catholic schools week

Last week was Catholic Schools Week...one of the kids' favorite times of the year. They get to dress up all week long. The Book Fair is at school aaallllll week. There are fun field trips planned. And they end the week with a mid-winter dance...and I remember now why we didn't go last year... loud music + dancing/screaming children running wild like animals + 50cent hot dogs + dark gymnasium (try keeping tabs on Rowdy in a dimly lit gym!)... this is what my Friday nights have come to!

The beginning of the week started with career day. It's slightly scary to think of these kids having careers and leaving my home... also scary how much Lia reminds me of myself. She wanted to be an EMT :)

Side note: Mom, I'm very sorry if I had a mouth like her. I should have been slapped more. Wowza!

Tayt is a spitting image of his father :)

 No surprise here, Austyn went as an arteeeeest :)

Another day was crazy hair day. After quite a bit of arguing over the wigs in the house, Peyton was the only one who decided to wear one. Useful arguing... not! He pulled it off well :) Lia had a bun mohawk. Austyn made me do some crazy ponies with her hair. And Tayt had the classic mohawk. Since mohawks are not allowed in my house, Tayt was preteee excited for crazy hair day :)

And then came Friday. The theme for the dance was a Masquerade Ball. Austyn hid her mask from me all week because she didn't want me to recognize her at the dance... keep in mind that I approved the dress she would wear for the dance... 

Meg wore her boots with the fur

waiting for dad to get home from work so we could go to the dance

Lia and her friend, Miss M

I'm not entirely sure, but I *think* this is Austyn *wink wink*

Austyn's friend, Miss H, and Austyn...maybe

Lia with a few girls from her class and her teacher

here's the real Drew Rowdy... you can just barely see it, but she's looking at me out of the corner of her eyes... 

Tayt is too cool for masks

supper

Austyn with another friend, Miss M

Lia may have had the best mask :)

Because of the frigid weather last week, Lia, Austyn, and Tayt's field trip was rescheduled to tomorrow. I usually join them for this trip but I have a little one attached to me at all times. I guess I could strap her to my back and go rollerskating ;) I have every reason to believe the kids enjoyed their week of celebration. We love our little school!