We are back!

It has been a while since I have blogged. Our household has been burning from both sides lately. Between Garrett's football, Savannah's soccer, Sydney's lack of sleep, me working and taking classes and Billy working and taking classes, it was just a matter of time before we all got sick. Last Sunday Garrett started throwing up at 7:30 PM. Savannah was soon to folllow at 9:00 and then me at 4:00 AM. It was violent. 8 hours of throwing up every 30 minutes. We were completely out of commision the next day. My Mom (bless her heart) came over to take care of Syd while I finished my puking rounds. After a couple of days, we were still run down and all caught colds. Billy was clear of all of this until last night. He ended up puking all night. We are now on Thanksgiving break, Done with sports practices and looking forward to a much needed REST! Enjoy the updates.

Updates on Garrett

Garrett just finished his football season with the all star team. He did well. He played back up Quarterback, four back and linebacker. It was a challenge for him at first because during the regular season he did not block. As soon as he got the hang of it he knocked kids flat on their butts. In one game a kid just ran away from him the whole time instead of challenging him. Kind of funny!! He has been absolutely exhausted and and as much fun as it was, glad that it is over. The only thing he has now is indoor soccer games on Sunday's. His big news at school is that he made the school spelling bee and will be competing on December 17th. Yeah!! Now if we could just get him to study for it.

He got flagged for horse collaring on this play, which he obviously did not do. I should have shown the refs this pic!

Garrett is in the blue in the front taking the kid down.

In the top picture, Garrett is running the ball.

Updates on Savannah

Savannah is now done with outdoor soccer. We moved to indoor and she pays every Wednesday night. Basketball will be starting after Christmas. She has become so agressive in soccer and improved so much. She is so much fun to watch. My favorite thing about watching her is that she ALWAYS has a smile on her face. Not only in soccer but swimming and basketball too. She just looks like she is having fun. Big news for her these last few weeks is that she is her class's student council representitive. What a perfect place for her to be. She loves having the added responsibility. I love watching her in this role. She is also in choir every Monday after school adn will have their first concert on the 2nd of December. I am very proud of her.

Sibling fun!!

Syd Loving Jazzie

Syd is now 9 months old. She weighs 17 pounds (15th percentile) and 28 inches long (85th percentile). She seems to be following the same trend her brother and sister did. Long and skinny. Syd plays patty cake on demand and loves to crawl up the stars and wave bye bye to us. She sings and dances and is so funny. The longest she has stood on her own is about 10 seconds. She does great when she is not thinking about standing. The minute she realizes she is standing on her own, she gently lowers herself to the ground. No steps yet. Maybe by 10 months. She has been teething HORRIBLY!!!!! She has a runny nose and serious pain and has been that way for a couple of weeks. She does not sleep, and she barley eats, however, she does A LOT of whining and crying. Poor thing. She is on Motrin, teething tablets, saline for her nose and getting her nose wiped and sucked constantly. She has been sleeping between Billy and I in her chair that is too small for her. I don't know who is more miserable!! I feel like a walking zombie and can only imagine how she feels. I know I know.... this too shall pass. She is such a sweet heart though. I can't wait until these suckers pop through.

Is the "watching TV" position a twin thing?

So Halloween has come and gone. We had a pretty good night until the wind picked up. We almost made it all the way around the neighborhood but got to the end and Billy had to go back to get the car and pick us up. It got pretty chilly. Aiden went trick or treating for the first time with us. As usual, the kids got way too much candy. For the past 4 years, the kids and I make a pinata and put all the candy in it for future holiday gatherings, but this year, I'm seeing how much tush I can actually fit into my sweats. I have gone to town on their candy. Oh what can you do?!?!
Savannah cut her hair again for Locks for Love and looks beautiful! She is so cute how she sits in front of the mirror like a pre teen coming up with different ways to wear it. She loves the reactions she has received!! She had her first indoor soccer game last Wednesday and kicked butt! Her team won 6-3 and she made 4 goals. She was on Fire. Indoor is so much fun. It is such a faster game. Garrett has had practice EVERY day this week 5-7 for this all-star football tournament. He has his first game tomorrow. It will be a challange for him because they have him blocking (which he did none of during the regular season) and playing a defensive position he has never played before (notice I did not say which position...I have no idea what they are)! It is good for him though. His coach said he may play a little quarter back but we'll see. Syd is crawling up stairs, standing on her own for a few seconds, kissing you, clapping and mimicking sounds you make. Everyday it seems she does something new. She has two teeth now and had a HORRIBLE last few weeks, but knock on wood I hope it's over!! Because our lives are not busy enough, I started my Master's this week. WHAT? I know....all this chaos and Billy and I trying to get our Master's. We need help!! Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

Bye Bye Hair!!

After spraying her hair with nasty black hair spray for her Native American costume, we decided the hair must go. Savannah donated it to Locks for Love on Halloween. She is such a sweetie!!

The new and improved Nanner Butt

Syd's First Halloween

Savannah was a Native American, Garrett an ugly Skeleton Zombie and Syd the Bee!! She hated every minute of it!

While the big kids went for the candy.....Syd slept!

Fun for the family!!

So if you scroll down you will see that just 2 days ago....Monday......We were outside playing in beautiful fall weather. Jumping in the leaves and having a ball. What a dramatic change. Thank you Colorado for your crazy weather!! We had a SNOW DAY today!! Yes I am as bad as the kids!! A day off for them means a day off for me and fun in the snow!!!! We made a desperate run to Target for new boots, gloves, hats, sweats, hot chocolate and marshmallows! MMMMM!!!! Then we stopped at Blockbuster for movies (anticipating a nice cuddly night in front of the fire!) After we got home, loaded our bellies with lunch, Bug and Nan were off until it got dark. We got a foot and a half of snow today and it isn't even supposed to stop until tomorrow night, which means at least another foot and another SNOW DAY!!!! The kids started to build an igloo with all the neighborhood kiddos in our front yard which they are so excited to finish!! More pics to come tomorrow! I'm sure I will see them when they need to load up on food and hot chocolate but not much more than that. I LOVE THE SNOW. The highlight of today.........SNOW ICE CREAM. Yes Ice cream made from the snow. It was awesome. My daycare Mom told us about it today. So easy. Put a bowl outside and let it fill up with the fluffy snow. When it is full, bring it in and add a 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 tsp of vanilla and about a 1/2 cup of milk. YUMMY!!!I can't believe I have lived here all my life and been deprived of this!
Other than the fun snow, we had more good news come to us on Monday night. Garrett made the all star team for football. He will be practicing 4 days during the week and playing the first 3 weekends in November with the best kids in his league!! YEAH!!
Syd is saying Mama, knowing fully well who Mama is! She has also learned to clap on her own and kiss you and her stuffed animals! Too cute!
Savannah is still working hard at soccer. Not too active with it this week because of the SNOW but she'll be back in action soon.
Enjoy the pics!!

Snow bunnies!!!

I love snow on trees!!

Trees in our front yard!!

HOLY SNOW!!

On the left: our backyard porch.

On the right: Our trees in our front

Open your eyes

Cousin Aiden playing with the big boys. Yuta and Garrett

Fall fun!!

Holy Cow!!! Do these kids have a death wish or what?!?! Savannah and Garrett can make fun out of any box they find. In fact they get so excited when we do our Costco run. No more presents for them.. just the boxes please! No one got hurt in this picture. I did have to save Savannah one time from her trying to surf (yes standing up!) Oh Lord!!!!

Sydney turned 8 months yesterday. It was also my Birthday (21 baby!!! :) ) I woke up to my favorite thing in the world.....Family Cuddles!!! Then we went to church.
I then spent the afternoon at the Zorn's (Lisa B and family) new house (so beautiful) with my Mom Syd and Malaini Touchstone. Savannah went to a buddy's birthday party and the boys stayed home for some much needed male bonding. It was a great day. Thanks ladies......and Ryan!!

Yeah I know this is a goofy picture. Her nose is yellow from left over lunch. We'll eat that later!! :) It kind of sums up how she has been lately. Today she finally cut her first tooth. Her bottom left. She has been working on it for a while. She was pretty good. No fever no diarrhea. Just a few moments of fussiness and very clingy to Mom. I think the bottom right one will be here before we know it. Anyway, the lunch on her nose is a battle I did not want to have. She HATES her nose being wipes or washed!! Weird I know.

Savannah had a great game this past Saturday. Her team lost 1-4 but she scored the only goal and busted her butt. She ran her tail off!!

Garrett had his last football game.....YEAH!! (did I say that?!) He did great as usual. His team won. 8-0. He scored the touchdown and then they got a safety. It was fun. He will miss it but I tell you what, parents really can ruin it! It was the most negative and unappreciative group of parents Billy or I have ever been around. Even from all of our coaching. Is this what I am in for as a football Mom? Don't' know if I can handle that!! There were a few good parents and we appreciated the coaches greatly! We'll be seeing them later!

Bug and little Syd cheering on Savannah at her soccer game! Syd is so funny. When someone gets a goal and the crowd cheers, she gets so excited and starts clapping and screaming!! She loves the excitement! Even if it is for the other team.

Since Syd is all over the place, one of her favorite things is to play and chase the dogs. They are so good with her. Very tolerant!!

She is crawling everywhere and fast. She has a little buddy that is a little over a year at daycare. He just started to walk and she is mad!! She tries so hard to keep up. She pulls up on everything. She has stood by herself for a couple of seconds and will take steps with her walker or if she is holding our hands. She is still pretty wobbly though. Garrett was walking at 9 1/2 months. She may beat him. She is a very determined baby. Still laid back but when she wants something, she will do what she can to get or do it.

Syd loving her first time swinging!! WEEEEEE !!!!

Poor Sydney is the victim of her older sister mistaking her for a dress up doll!!

Savannah pulling her hair out!! These beautiful locks are going to be chopped off after Halloween. She needs them for her Native American costume then it's Locks for Love again. She has not had a game in 2 weeks. Last weekend they had a bye and this weekend it was a whopping 24 degrees with snow. Garrett's game was canceled yesterday but was rescheduled for today which was CRAZY!!!! It was 28 degrees and played on icy turf. Boy I LOVE football! He had his worst game ever. He does not do well when body parts get cold. He did manage to get their only touchdown but pulled himself out of the game when he rolled his ankle. Needless to say, his team lost 6-24. OUCH! They have their last game next weekend.

We are in desperate need to find things appropriate for syd to pull up on. We got her this little bench but it slides when she is trying to pull up. She also falls through between the bench and the table. We returned this one for the 3 stage walker. That one seems to work well right now but if we are not on the floor with her, it will tumble on her too. What do you do?!?!?! She is still too little to reach the top of our coffee table and other "stable" areas. Once she is standing she is walking all around the objects. We just have to find some sturdy toys.

Visit from Nana and Pops

Nana and Pops came to visit last weekend saw a great football game by Garrett and Syd decided to put on a show. Garrett had an interception and ran it for a touchdown and then a punt return for a touchdown. He also scored the extra point. His team won by 1 point. Savannah did not have a game this weekend so unfortunately they did not get to see her play. Next time! Sydney decided to start everything on Sunday after church. She mastered sitting herself up from laying down, decided this scooting thing was for the birds so figured out the whole crawling thing. Now she is everywhere ALL the time. She is talking like crazy. A lot of Dadadada and spitting, which seems to be her favorite. Her last big show off move was when we got her from her nap and she was standing up in her crib. She is going to be like Savannah trying to get out of jail!!

They LOVE eachother

I love that these guys are never too old to cuddle. This picture was posed but the night before, they did this on their own. Too cute!!

Not sure if Jazzie thought it was so cute!! (in Savannah's armpit!)

This is me trying to trap Syd. It dosen't work anymore!

I'm not staying down here. Get me out of here!!

This step is no biggie for me!

Yeah so I made it!! Big deal!

7 month old Syd with a new toy!

Syd turned 7 months old on Friday the 18th. Today we got her a new toy and she loves it!! The Jenny Jumper!! Garrett loved this when he was little too. Savannah just thought it was a good place to take a nap!

Garrett cheering his sister on!! He went on to play his football game later that afternoon. He scored 3 touchdowns and threw a completion for a 2 point conversion. Score of his game....26-27. Lost by one point! I can't tell if Savannah and Garrett are competing for goals and touchdowns. So far for the season Savannah has 5 goals and Garrett has 5 touchdowns!! Those twins!!

Savannah's 2nd soccer game

Savannah scored 3 goals in this game. The final score....4-1!!

Go Thunder!

Savannah with the ball.

Peek-a-boo!!

Syd's bathtime!

Nothing like a yummy hippo to complete my bath!!