What's new?

Not a lot. The kids wanted to go see a movie the other day and somehow they got it in their heads that they had to earn the money to do so. Whatever, I put their butts to work.I didn't really have any jobs in mind so we decided they could clean the stove and the dishwasher. Jonas was very grossed out. I don't know why it wasn't that dirty, but for some reason he thought it was a disgusting job. Notice there are no pictures of Kyler cleaning. I guess he didn't feel like he needed to earn the money to go to the movie. Smart kid... it's not like he's going to have to stay home.
I had to post this picture. It's the classic black and white baby in the bathtub. Too cute. The other day we had cake for no reason. Aaron and Mindie kept asking Sam if he wanted cake and he would clap his hands, so they just assumed that meant he wanted cake. They gave him cake... and cake... and more cake. (and you know the whole time they're thinking this kid is going to love us... giving him all this cake) Finally I realized he was clapping his hands because he thought he was suppose to be doing pat-a-cake. Hilarious!!!
p.s. to Mindie and Aaron... in the end I'm sure he did love you for it

Happy Birthday Little Sammy

Sammy had a very Happy 1st Birthday. He loved opening all his super cool new toys. He had a lot of practice on Christmas. By the end of the night he even learned how to open presents that were wrapped in bags.This is Sammy in his new Birthday duds. So cute! I was a little on edge not knowing if we would get them in time for his birthday. He found his Birthday candle quite strange.
And the cake even stranger. He kept picking off pieces and giving them to people like it was garbage.But when he figured out you can actually eat this stuff...... Wow, he went a little crazy.
Sammy thought his balloons were awesome.

This is his cake before it was destroyed. It only took 2 days, 6 boxed cake mixes and 4 batches of frosting (which equates to 12 cups eeeewwww) and destroyed in only a few short moments.

And the best thing of all, Sam took his first steps tonight. A bitter sweet ending to a baby's 1st Birthday.

This is Sammy's song

Samuel Lucas

It's hard to believe it's already been a year since this gorgeous little bundle of joy was born. He's been such a blessing to our family. Samuel was born on January 7, 2008 at 12:21p.m. on a very cold afternoon. He weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 19in. long.

It's been so fun having a baby around again. From his first silly smiles...
To learning how to sit up... without falling over.

And now learning how to stand and almost walk. The time goes by so fast.

We think he's the cutest. He adds so much to our family. We couldn't imagine life without him. Sammy (I had a hard time with this nickname at first, but it grew on me) loves to eat ANYTHING as long as it's cut into bite size pieces. He loves his blankies and binkies, but sometimes gets them mixed up when we are talking about them. He thinks his brothers and sister are the coolest. He's usually happy, but he can throw a tantrum with the best of them. I think he might be a tad bit spoiled, but with six other people catering to his every whim, you can hardly blame him. We just love this little guy, and we're very excited to celebrate his first birthday.

This song has always reminded me of babies

1st Haircut

I was going to post some before, during and after pictures of the whole first haircut thing, but I used a different camera for the before and during and I can't seem to find the cable. So here are a couple of the after pictures of Samuel's first haircut. As we can all tell these pictures did not turn out to be the cutest. Sometimes I really hate this fancy camera. I really need to learn how to use it.

I was extremely surprised to find out Sam does not like haircuts. He screamed the entire time. Amy, my very talented neighbor, did a great job on the boy who would not stop crying and wiggling. Thanks Amy! Good thing babies don't need their hair cut very often, because I think he thought he was being tortured. And I'd hate to have him think I was trying to torture him.

Switching subjects now... We would like to wish you all the Happiest New Year!

Our Christmas

We had a very organized and clean Christmas morning. It was so nice. We tried a new thing, where we had the kids hand out all the presents before they opened them. Of course they were a little anxious, but we got to see them open all their presents without it being a huge chaotic mess. It was fun. They each had a garbage sack so they could just throw their garbage away, and we wouldn't have to worry about the baby eating weird stuff. Sammy was so cute. He actually opened his presents. He was so happy all day. I think it was because everyone was so calm for a change.

We had a crazy amount of snow. It felt like we were snowed in. I'm sure we could have gotten out if we really needed or wanted to, but we always stay home on Christmas, so it was a good day for a lot of snow. I think it's suppose to keep snowing until tomorrow. My dad and brother said they didn't even get a flurry. I think tonight will be a different story.

Sammy got a lot of fun toys. I forgot how much fun baby toys can be.

This is Katies new pink??? chair. Well, it said it was pink when I ordered it. Oh well, she loves it anyway. She loves her new cell phone and robe. She's such a girly.

Jonas got a lot of messy toys, which he played with all day. Moon sand and an alien maker. Now, he's up in his room reading, and has been for the past two hours. His new books must be very interesting.

Kyler's favorite present was a toss up between his text messaging phone and his new ipod. He was so surprised. He kind of new about the phone but had no idea about the ipod. I got the whole thing recorded. I haven't seen that kid that excited for a long time.

Christmas is always such a fun day. The kids said this was the best Christmas they ever had. I don't think they realized they got a lot less than they usually do. But I guess they got the things they really wanted. I'm glad they are so happy.

We hope everyone had a wonderful, Happy Christmas!

Now I get to start planning Samuel's first birthday party. I can't believe in two weeks he'll be a one year old. How fast time flies.

Something about Santa

We had such a wonderful Christmas Eve get together. The whole family came and everyone seemed to be in a super good mood. I had a little anxiety earlier in the day, but when my whole family was around it melted away. I had such a fun time.

We also had an unexpected visitor.
I think the kids and the adults were a little taken back, but there's just something about Santa. Some of the kids didn't want Santa to pick them up, but the rest were very into it. Even uncle Bry got a hug from Santa
All in all the Santa thing was pretty funny.

But now it's getting late. I always imagine all the parents doing the same thing I'm doing. It is definitely my favorite part of Christmas. We better get started on the gingersnaps, but I think I'll go ahead and dump the milk.

From our home to yours... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Keeping the Christmas Spirit

It's pretty easy keeping up the Christmas spirit at the beginning of the season, but it starts to wear a little thin towards the end. It's funny how you work so hard for one day. I told myself this year I wasn't going to be stressed out, worried or annoyed. Up until a couple of days ago, I kept this one up pretty good. I didn't let the little things bug me. Like not being able to find the certain toy or game I was looking for. I let it roll off. Washer and dryer breaking... it's all good. That way lame sales person. I let it go. Hanging out at the laundromat...now I even know how to spell it. But making Christmas candy is really starting to piss me off. For some reason I just can't seem to get it right this year. Not having enough cards, not having enough wrapping paper, not having enough time. What should I get the teachers, friends, my little brother? Those small, stupid things are just really getting on my nerves. And in the end they won't even matter. The day will still be the same, everyone will still be happy and excited. So why do I get so stressed out? I think it's because I have some stupid idea of how I want the whole thing to go down. I actually want to enjoy spending all the money(all bundled up with yummy coffee), wrapping nine thousand presents (listening to super cool Christmas music and eating fine chocolates), making Christmas candy(with the kids, not being annoyed by them). These things just don't happen without serious planning. And that kind of takes all the fun out of it.

Still, I have decided I'm going to take back my Christmas spirit. Two or three bad days are not going to ruin the rest of the week. We're going to have fun if it kills me! The kids will be out of school until the end of January. I'll just make Christmas last a little longer this year. We'll have a whole month to relax and enjoy the end result of Christmas insanity.