Snyder Survivors

Don't give up on me...

2009-09-22T08:40:00.011-05:00

I know, you are all shocked. I finally updated my blog. I tried to update a month ago and after an hour, I hit something and it deleted the entire post. I was very upset! So these pictures are from the Summer up until now. I am not going to write a lot you can tell what we have been up to by the pictures. They go backwards. I just wanted to get a post done. Sorry! There are a lot of pictures. I hope everyone is doing great. We have finally got into a routine since school has started. Hayden and Ava both started kindergarten. They go in the afternoon and are in different classes (by my choice). Hayden does go all day. He is in the resource room in the morning. Ok, I will stop writing and you can check out the pictures!

We went to Tanner's Apple orchard this past Sunday

Hayden loves playing on the school bus

Ava and cousin Gia on the barrell ride

Waiting in line for the barrell ride

He also loves the fire truck

Still at Tanner's

Tanner's

At the pumpkin festival parade

This was their favorite ride...the Tornado

I still can't believe I let them ride this by themselves. They weren't even strapped in. I didn't realize this until after the ride started. I had a mini panic attack.

They love the slide

They rode this once. Not as exciting as the other rides

They love the roller coaster

This is Hayden's favorite ride

They still wanted to ride the train

Our trip to Apple Blossom farm

They loved feeding the goats

We took a hayrack ride through the pumpkin patch

Yes, that is my mom going down the slide. It was pretty funny!

Hayden's hilight was the ride on the monster truck

This is a view of our finished house. You can go to my previous post for the before shots. We are so happy it is done and we love the outcome!!!

In the back we have a new patio and Brian put in the retaining walls.

First day of kindergarten

Weekend trip to St. Louis to see Mary Poppins

I bought my mom tickets for her 60th birthday

This was Ava's first musical. She really did like it!

Shopping in St. Louis

Ava's meatball was as big as her head!

We took a quick trip to Gurnee, IL. to stay at Key Lime Cove. We did it last summer and the kids had a blast so we went again

They both ended up going down the waterslides by themselves.

Hayden had fun getting people wet and spraying them

They had fun eating ice cream while in their pajamas

We ate at the Rainforest cafe

At Key lime cove

Getting ready to have some fun!

In our hotel room

We got a special invitation from the Children's hospital to go see the air show practice run.

We got to meet all the pilots. That was really cool!

Long Overdue...

2009-07-07T13:03:00.004-05:00

I have failed again. It has been awhile since I have posted. There is no real reason why I have been slacking. We have been busy this Summer. The biggest thing that is going on is the renovation of the outside of our house. We are getting closer to being done. I will have pictures of the final look. Here are some pictures of what has been happening. Some are out of order.

Ava got her hair chopped off. This is the final look

This is the before. It was pretty long

This is our house before the renovation

This is the back of our house, before

We got new windows. This is the big gaping hole before the new window went in

This is a big hole in our guest bathroom. We now have a tub/shower in there

We have had a lot of equiptment at our house lately

July 4th picture ( I had to work so I missed seeing the fireworks with my family)

At the fireworks

We finally were able to go out to the lake

Playing in the sand

Hanging out on the 7 person float

A New Look and Ava's Dance Recital

2009-06-08T18:26:00.007-05:00

This past Thursday morning when I was coming home from work I was talking to Brian on the phone. He informed me that at 2am he got a phone call. The person had said it was the police department and could he come to the front door. When he got to the door he saw that it was the police and that a drunk driver had driven up in our lawn and ran into and knocked down our lamp post. We are so lucky that the driver did not run into our house or Brian's car which was on the driveway. They found the driver a few houses up passed out in his car. We were going to replace this lamp post anyway we just got a head start. So now our house looks even more ridiculous with the work we are doing.

Also, this past weekend Ava had her dance recital. Thursday night was the dress rehearsal and Friday and Saturday night was the recital. This was Ava's third year for the recital. I thought she would be fine. I was wrong. She cried every night before going on stage. Once she got on stage she did great. She did her ballet and tap dances. Brian's parents and Sister and her two kiddos came up from Oklahoma. That was so nice and I know Ava really thought it was neat they came to watch her dance. Her biggest fan was Hayden. He was so proud of his sissy! He told her that she did an awesome job! Let's just say that I am so happy her recital is over with.
Overall, Brian and I are very proud of Ava!

Our lovely lamp post

Ava waiting to line up

Nana and Ava

This was her tap outfit

Grandma Mavis and Grammy came

Getting flowers from Daddy

Getting her flowers from Aunt Julie, Grammy, and Grandma Mavis

She was very proud of her flowers

Ava in her ballet outfit

Hayden, Ava, and cousins Johnathon, and Alex

Nana and Opa

Ava and Miss Jessica (her dance teacher for the past three years)

Ava and her proud brother

Ok, Ok, Ok....

2009-06-01T12:41:00.012-05:00

So, I finally sat down and I have updated my blog. I have been getting a lot of comments about me not updating. So here it is...I hope you enjoy! We have been very busy since the beginning of May. The first week of May we went on a family vacation to Florida (Disney). My parents, my brother and his family and our family all went together. We had a great time!!!! We went to Disneyworld, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. We spent time at our resort's pool and visited Downtown Disney. Watching the kid's eyes light up was amazing. They were able to ride most of the rides. Hayden loved all the transportation. His favorite were the trams you ride the entrances to the parks. The only thing is that he called them "tramps." He asked if we were going to take the tramp to apricot (his word for epcot). Too funny! He also informed us that we should lock our house up and stay in Florida. Ava's favorite was the magic kingdom castle. I have never heard her so excited!!! When we got back from Florida the kiddos started T-ball. They both have done a great job playing. Also, we are starting a house transformation. We already have a new garage floor. We are going to be putting in new windows, siding, replacing the brick in the front of our house with stone, new driveway and sidewalks, and a couple of things inside the house. Now that it is nice outside the kids have been playing outside all the time. Their favorite thing is to play in the sprinkler. Then, last night we surprised the kiddos and took them to the circus. It was great! I was amazed at what they can do. They were doing things that people shouldn't be able to do. Hayden said this morning, "Mom, I really had a lot of fun at the circus... it was awesome." This week they have vacation bible school, t-ball games and pictures and Ava has her dance recital. Busy, busy, week!

At the circus

Enjoying her pretzel at the circus

Hayden liked his pretzel, too

Enjoying a summer treat

Watching the new garage floor being poured

Ava in the catcher's uniform (Yes, she does have her hands on her hips)

Getting ready to catch

Ava up to bat

Showing how she gets ready for the ball

Not sure what she is doing here

Again not sure

My dad tearing up our garage floor

Cheap entertainment during breakfast

Hayden up to bat

Waiting for his turn

Playing catch

My baseball player

I tried to save money and pack Ava (that's ok ....right?)

Waiting for our airplane

This fountain was at our resort

On the teacups

They had to get ears!

Waiting to go to dinner

Having breakfast with grandpa on the patio

At Hollywood studios

Grandpa and Grandma with the grandkiddos

I just think he looks so cute in his p.j.s

Walking to one of the pools at our resort

In front of the tree of life at Animal Kingdom

On the safari ride

At Epcot

At the Toy Story ride

Buzz Lightyear ride

Hayden in his racecar

Ava driving her racecar

Just a cute picture

At the Hoop-de-doo-revue dinner/show

Our table

Ava got a hair wrap at our ppol area

Our last night at Disney...waiting for the Spectramagic parade

We can't wait to go back!!!

(I had a lot more pictures from vacation but I didn't want to bore you with them)

Fish Fry

2009-04-26T08:54:00.003-05:00

Saturday was a glorious day! It was so beautiful out. We woke up and got some errands done. We had to finish shopping for vacation (we leave Friday). When we came home Brian went out and mowed the lawn and the kiddos went outside to play. They ended up playing with the neighbor girls. So they had a lot of fun outside. I ended up inside making dessert for our fish fry. We left our house a little before 3 and headed out to mackinaw. Hayden's main objective for the day was to get as many pug rides as possible. So when he saw my dad he immediately asked where the pug was. My dad took him to go get it. Ava wanted to fly her kite. Brian tried. First it was a blow up kite. Not a good idea. It went up and came back down and popped from the grass. So that lasted 5 minutes. She ended up getting on the pug for a ride. We got things ready for dinner. My whole family came out. My Uncle Doug was here from Arizona and when he comes he always does a fish fry (it is so yummy). We had a great time. We had pug rides and sat around the fire talking. We started to hear thunder so we packed up. We just made it to our cars before the rain and hail started to fall. Talk about a close call.

This week is a full week before vacation. I work tonight, mon. night, and wed night. Tues, Ava has her first softball practice and Hayden has his first ball game. My plan is to start packing today. Hopefully that will get done. Hope everyone has a super Sunday!

Getting the kite ready

Giving it a go

Grandma Mavis brought out wishbones for the kiddos

Hayden doing his wishbone

Ava relaxing by the fire

My Uncle Doug making the fish

Luke, Ava, Hayden, and Gia waiting for their pug ride

Sneaking graham crackers

Hayden in his seat

Ava ready to go

Easter Day

2009-04-13T09:35:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Easter! We had a great day! It started out by waking up at 6:15am (I know, our kids are early risers). They looked for their Easter baskets. Ava found hers behind a couch and then Hayden got mad because he couldn't find his. We gave him a hint and he found his in our pantry. They were very happy with their binoculars, candy, books, and other little things. We ate a quick breakfast and got ready for church. After church we came home and got ready to go over to my mom's for the day. We had a very yummy lunch and then the kiddos got their Easter baskets from my parent's. Then we went out and had an Easter egg hunt. We had way too many eggs. My mom's front yard was completely full of eggs. The kids had a blast. Then my dad took the kiddos out to Mackinaw for a little bit and so my mom, my aunt Julie, and myself watched a movie. We watched, "Mama Mia." We had a fun, relaxing day.

Ava with her Easter basket

Hayden with his basket

Hayden before church

Easter picture

Hayden sneaking a kiss

She wouldn't put her head up

He was very lovey, he was sneaking another kiss

Looking at their baskets from grandma and grandpa

Kiddos with grandma

They got goggles for Florida

The Easter egg hunt

All of Ava's goodies

Easter Eggs

2009-04-11T18:53:00.003-05:00

What a glorious day! It was so beautiful out! Love it!!!!! We got an early start this morning. We went shopping for summer clothes today. We needed to do that because we are leaving for Florida in 3 weeks! We went to a few stores and the mall. We ate lunch at Q-Doba! Yummy! Then we came home and the kids went outside for 3 hours and played with the girls who live behind us. They have so much fun playing with them. They go back and forth between playsets and they have a trampoline so the kiddos love jumping on that. I went to Wal-Mart to buy my food for tomorrow. I am responsible for making green bean casserole and our salad bar. The store was soooo busy. They were out of cauliflower so I had to go to Kroger. They had a ton of it and it beautiful. I came home and boiled our eggs so we could decorate them. Brian took the kids to Mackinaw to dump some clippings and he got rid of our bench outside front of our house. It wouldn't be such a big deal but he gave it to me on our first wedding anniversary. It was so weathered and gross but I parted ways with it ( I am dealing with my sadness. Just kidding!). They found my dad out there so the kiddos rode back in his truck (they love riding in his truck!). They came home and we ate a quick dinner and started to dye Easter eggs. We dyed them first and then they took showers. When they were done with showers the eggs were dried and we finished them off by decorating them. They did an Egg-cellent (he, he) job!!!! Then they got to have a special Easter egg cookie. Good times! Tomorrow we will be at my mom's to celebrate Easter. Hoppy Easter everyone! ( I couldn't resist)

Before the Egg-stravaganza (I just had to)

Waiting for them to dry

Hayden decorating

A final product

Hayden being silly

Beautiful eggs!

Egg-cellent job!!!!

Zoo Hunt

2009-04-04T17:17:00.003-05:00

We had a great Saturday today. We slept in (which is 7:30am). We had planned on going to the zoo in the afternoon but then my mom told me there was an Easter egg hunt at 10:30 at the zoo. So we got ready and left for the zoo. There were so many people there. We have membership passes so we got to go right in. They had three different age groups and times for the hunt. Hayden and Ava were in the second group. So we walked around a little and looked at some of the animals. They had so much fun! Hayden was talking to the seal and was upset because he wasn't talking back. I had to explain to him that animals don't talk back. We watched the little kids go first. Then it was their turn. It lasted all of 3 minutes. It was a free for all. They each ended up with maybe 6 eggs each. Oh well, they had fun doing it. Then we walked around the rest of the zoo. After the zoo we went out to lunch and then to Kohl's to get Easter outfits for next Sunday. My mom was with us and on the way back Hayden had asked if they could stay at her house to play for a little bit. Bonus for me and Brian. We dropped them off and we went grocery shopping. We picked them up and headed home which they promptly went right back outside to the backyard to play with the two girls who live behind us. We had a great day! Hope you did too! My pictures were put in backwards...Sorry!

Looking at all of their goodies

Showing me their eggs

Hayden trying to get some eggs

All the eggs before the hunt

Being goofy before the hunt

Daddy and Ava

Checking out the billy goats

Hanging with the seal

Hayden talking to the seal

They have been wearing their suits around the house lately...they are ready for Florida

Happy Birthday, Brian!!!!

2009-03-23T08:45:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my super Husband, Brian! His birthday was actually on Sunday. We celebrated his birthday on Friday because I worked yesterday. So, on Friday I had made dinner reservations at Jonah's. Yummy! My parents and Uncle Mike and Aunt Julie joined us for dinner. Before dinner Brian wanted to do some birthday shopping. So we went to Kohl's and to Eddie Bauer. While he was shopping in Eddie Bauer I took the kids to the play area. They had a blast! Nothing much is going on here. I am still busy learning my new job. It takes a lot out of me mentally. I am learning so much and there is so much to remember. I go to nights with a preceptor the last two weeks in April. Then we go on vacation and when I come back I will be on my own. I am so excited and also scared!!!! Anyway, I love Brian so much and he is the best Daddy ever. Brian-Thank you for being who you are. You have the biggest heart and I appreciate you very much!!!!!!

This is Hayden in his St. Patrick's Hat. He is very proud of it.

Ava being silly

She had a lot of fun climbing

Hayden loved all the tractors

The birthday boy and his kiddos

Hayden at dinner

Ava being silly, again

Brian with his birthday cake

My cute boys

A Texas Wedding

2009-03-12T11:17:00.006-05:00

This past weekend I was in Dallas, Texas for my cousin, Chadd's wedding. It was a super great time! Brian and the kiddos did not come this time (too expensive). Anyway, I went with my mom, dad, brother (just like old time family vacations), my aunt Julie and then my other cousin, Andy, flew in from Chicago. It was a great wedding! We got to our hotel early afternoon on Friday. We walked across the street to eat lunch at the Macaroni Grill. We came back to our hotel and went up to the pool on the roof. It was beautiful out. We relaxed up there before we went down to the wedding rehearsal. The wedding was in a restaurant in the hotel and the reception was in the ballroom. It was perfect for us because we didn't have to go anywhere. After the rehearsal we took a party bus to downtown Dallas for the rehearsal dinner. We ate at the Iron Cactus. It was a mexican restaurant. It was three stories tall and we had the bottom floor to ourselves. It was so good. We had chips, salsa, queso, rice, beans and a fajita bar. We took the party bus back to our hotel and went back up to the pool and just talked with family. It was such a pretty night. We had most of Saturday to do what we wanted because the wedding wasn't until 5pm. We took a cab to the 6th floor musuem (which is the floor where Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy) and saw where Kennedy was shot and stood on the grassy knoll. It was a great museum and I learned a lot. It was kinda depressing too. Then we walked a mile away to the Nasher Sculpture Garden. It was ok. I got some fun pictures there. Then we called our cab driver back and he took us on a little tour. We went back to the Macaroni Grill for lunch again (I know, but it is so good). We came back and relaxed some more before getting ready for the wedding. The wedding was absolutely beautiful! I am so happy for Chadd and Jessica. They are very cute together and I wish them all the best and happiness. The reception was great, too! Everything was beautiful and the food was delicious. They had a salad bar, mashed potato bar, fruit, cheese, grilled vegetable bar, and a roast beef sandwich bar. They had a photo booth so we did some funny pictures. Our family had a really great time. It was nice to be with all of my cousins because I don't get to see them that often. Also, it brought back memories of going on family vacations when I was younger. Enjoy the pictures!

My mom and aunt Julie holding the bag of goodies we got at our hotel from Chadd and Jessica

The Iron Cactus where the rehearsal dinner was

The family

Where Kennedy was shot

At the sculpture garden (aunt julie, mom, jean (Chadd's other grandma), Alexus(my cousin, Shelley's daughter)

The groom's cake. Chadd works at a golf course

The reception

The wedding cake

The wedding. It really did look like a chapel and not a restaurant

Having some yummy drinks during the cocktail hour

my aunt julie and her son, Andy

Me and my cousin, Shelley

All of us cousins and Jessica (the bride) with grandma

I had to put this in. It is my aunt julie and my mom dancing with their sons. How precious!!!

Bowling

2009-02-28T17:16:00.003-06:00

We had some family fun this afternoon at the local bowling alley. We took Hayden and Ava bowling for the first time. I was thinking a couple of weeks ago about things I did as a child. Bowling came to my mind and I thought, "Hey, my kids have not gone bowling yet in their short life." So I have been wanting to take them. We had a lot of fun this afternoon. We played for one hour and that was enough time for them. They were very curious about why we had to wear different shoes. Then Ava asked me if they got to keep the shoes. Of course, the girl would have to ask. Brian took them up during their turn to explain how it works. He told them that they could not cross the line up by their lane. Hayden is all about the rules (even though he doesn't always follow them). When it was my turn he kept telling/reminding me not to cross the line like four times. They had a blast waiting for the ball to come back to them. Hayden kept putting his head to close to the ball hole. I kept telling him he is going to get bonked on the head. They did a great job of waiting their turn and cheering each other on. It really was a great time!

Hayden and Daddy watching how many pins would fall down

Hayden getting his ball to bowl

Watching very closely

Daddy and Ava watching the ball

Busy checking things out

Just a random picture of Ava from today

"Golden" Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T12:22:00.003-06:00

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day or Single Awareness Day! We started out the morning with Brian taking Ava to get her signed up for softball. Then they went and signed Hayden up for T-Ball. I can't believe they are old enough to start this. It is exciting and sad at the same time. Ava will be playing games where I used to play softball. Hayden will be playing games where Caleb (my brother) used to play. Crazy! What will be even crazier will be when they play at the same time. Good time! Then we they got home we rushed off to Peoria because the kiddos had a dentist appt. I know, what Mom schedules a dentist appt on V-Day? Well, I did and I do feel bad about it. They have been going to the dentist since they were pretty little. Ava, 6 months ago, sat still without crying for the first time and got her teeth cleaned so I wasn't worried about her. I knew she would do great. Hayden, on the other hand, usually screams at the dentist and they have never been able to do a cleaning or really get a good look in his mouth. So I was worried about him. I don't want him to be petrified of the dentist. Well, my fears were put to rest. He did a perfect job!!!!! He let them clean his teeth, floss, fluoride treatment and let the dentist look into his mouth! We are super proud of him!!!!! I guess he did some growing up the past 6 months. Then it was lunch time so we went and ate at a deli restaurant. It was very yummy! We came home and we gave them their V-day presents. Ava got a Barbie and some candy. Hayden got a truck and some candy. They were very excited! Then we rested up and all took some naps. At 4pm, Brian and I took the kiddos over to my mom and dad's to spend the night. Then, Brian and I made our way to Galesburg to eat at The PackingHouse Restaurant. It was so gooooood!!! The salad bar was delicious, the cinnamon rolls and garlic breadsticks were yummy! Brian got fried shrimp and I got a sirloin steak. All was so good and we were so full! Some of you might be saying, "Why did you drive all the way to Galesburg just for dinner?" I will tell you why. See originally we were going to see Tim Hawkins, the comedian, at a church in Galesburg. I thought Brian had already gotten the tickets (Right Patty?) and I was so excited to go because he is so funny! Well, Brian waited too long and it was sold out. So we already had a reservation at the restaurant and we went there anyway. After dinner we went to a movie. We saw, "Taken." It was a very good and intense movie. We had a great V-day. Oh, the "Golden" part means that we have been together for 14 V-days and V-day is on the 14th. Here are a few pictures.

Sidenote: Work is going great! I love my preceptor and I have been learning a lot. I have been so tired lately because work can be very mentally draining. Therefore, it has been hard to keep up on the blog, but I am trying. Also, not much has been happening either.

Opening their presents

Hayden with his truck and lollipop

Ava with her Barbie

Cheesing it up for the camera

Ava on her bike when it was really nice outside the other week

Sledding Fun!

2009-02-01T11:31:00.004-06:00

Yes, that is right. I am doing a new post. I finally had something to post. Yesterday we took the kiddos to Mackinaw to do some sledding. We had so much fun. We went sledding on the burm. Hayden and Ava had a blast. Ava loved going down on her back and belly. She thought it was funny to bring the sled up and when she was almost to the top she would get in quick and slide down. It was pretty funny! Hayden had fun going down with daddy. I even went sledding. I had forgotten how much fun it was to do. If you want to feel like a kid again I suggest sledding!!!! We even brought Jakey (our dog) with us for the fun. When we got home we got changed and settled in with some hot chocolate. My favorite hot chocolate actually comes from Target. It is the brand "Archer Farms." I love how when you put into the hot milk it dissolves pretty quickly. No chocolate clumps. Later after dinner (I made mini meatloaves and garlic mashed potatoes) we watched the movie "Space Chimps." It was pretty cute. We had a great Saturday! This afternoon we are off to my parent's house for a Super Bowl Party (Ava calls it a salad bowl party). Have a super Sunday!

Ava being silly

Hayden closing his eyes after I say to open his eyes

One day for lunch we made english muffin personal pizzas

This is Ava telling us she was an egg (pretty clever)

Neglectful

2009-01-26T10:20:00.002-06:00

I am guilty. It feels like there is a lot going on right now but at the same time I feel like there is nothing going on. I know, strange. Anyway, the kiddos are both sick today. I have been sick, too. Tomorrow I have my first lecture day at work. Then wed, thurs, fri, and mon will be generic RN orientation. Next tues will be my first day as a RN. I am super excited and nervous. This is the real thing! I worked my last shift as a tech last thurs night. It feels good to be done with that.

I have been reading the Twilight series. I didn't think I would get into them but I went and saw the movie first to see what is was all about. I like it so I read the first book. Now I am done with book 3. I have one more book to read. I love the books! It is nice to escape into a book for awhile. Now I can't wait until the next movie comes out! I am so Team Edward!!!!!

Sometime I will post some pictures! We got a new computer for xmas and I still don't know how to download them on it yet.

Thank you!!!!!!

2009-01-11T15:18:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to say thank you for all of your congratulations!!!! It means a lot to me!

It's official......

2009-01-10T14:07:00.002-06:00

I am a RN!!!!!!!!! I passed my boards. I get to wear the red badge!!!!! Yeah!!!! I took the test this past Thursday morning. I didn't really tell too many people. It would have stressed me out more. The past 48 hours have been very tough!!!! My stomache has been in knots. I have had headaches. I have not stopped thinking about the test. My mind has been consumed with the test. I worked last night, all night long. It was the longest 12 hours of my life. I was working with Ashley and she was in the same boat. We were making each other crazy! I would have rather been at home sleeping and not obsessing over the results. So when I got home and layed down for a little bit so the minutes would move faster. I could not check the results until 8 am and no minute earlier. So I get online to check and my password would not work. I was freaking out. So I went to our computer out in the kitchen and I was going crazy. Brian got me to calm down. We got to the site and had to request another password. It said I should have a new one within the hour. WHAT?????? Don't they know I am going crazy here. I was going to explode! Luckily there was a new one within minutes in my email inbox. So I got the new password and I plugged it in. Then I got to where it said your results are available. I wanted to vomit (sorry, graphic, I know). I had to put in the credit card number and then hit next. There it was.... a box with information on it. I just stared at the computer, trying to find the pass/fail words. Then I found the glorious news. It said, "pass!!!" I just stared at the computer with a blank face (I made Brian step away and he was just staring at me). The last 3 1/2 years just flew by in my mind. The moment I had been waiting for had just happened. I am a Registered Nurse!!!!! I couldn't believe it. Brian and I started to cry and hug. One chapter has closed and another is about to begin. Then, I printed the results off. I had to keep looking to make sure it was real. I went over to my mom's house to surprise her. She had no idea that I could find out this am. I thought I wouldn't find out until Monday. I went over there to drop something off and ask for a receipt for Brian. She was completely in the dark. Then I pushed the paper to her and told her to look at this. It took a second and then she screamed! I am so excited. This ended up being a way longer post than I had anticipated but right now I don't care. I am elated!!!!! Enjoy your Saturday. I know I will.

What??????

2009-01-07T16:38:00.003-06:00

Ok. so Hayden was sitting with me and I was lovingly patting his leg. He said, "Mom, don't pat me. That gives me cavities." I was a stunned and then I started to laugh. Where does he come up with these things.

Also, when I was at graduation, a woman from Brian's work (Patti) offered to watch the kiddos for us. She brought her husband (Corey) with her. I guess Hayden was very interested in his beard. He was touching it and he called his beard a "wreath." He told him it was a beard but Hayden kept calling it a "wreath" I think that is hilarious! Thanks again for watching them for us! That meant a lot and was so helpful!!!!

Indy getaway weekend

2009-01-05T09:04:00.003-06:00

This past weekend, Brian and I went to Indy for a weekend getaway. My mom and dad sent us to Indy for my graduation present. Hayden and Ava stayed with my mom and dad. They had a great time. Brian and I had a great time, too. We left at 9am and took our time. We first drove by our first home that we built when we got married. It looked exactly the same. The only difference was is that our trees our bigger. They even had the same landscape. Then we went to a new outdoor mall not too far from our first house. We ate at Red Robbin's. It was so yummy. The best part is their fries and they are bottomless. Then we walked around a little bit and went into a few stores. We had time after that to drive to Adrian and Michelle's house to see their new pupper, Livy. She was so cute. I thought it was fitting to see thier new puppy on the first day they got it because their last dog, Abby, we saw the first day they got her too. We stayed a short time because we had to get to our hotel downtown to check in and then get ready to go to the Pacers game. The Pacers game was great! We had awesome seats. We were sitting on the 12 row right by the tunnel where the players come out. I could have high 5ed them all. You could see everything great! Then I had noticed there were a lot of security by us. Then I looked around and saw that Larry Bird was sitting across from us, 20 ft. That was crazy. At every time out people were coming over to get his autograph. Brian did get his autograph. That was pretty neat. Then we were sitting, watching the game when a guy walked up behind us and asked if Brian was Brian Snyder. I could tell that Brian didn't recognize him. It turned out to be one of his elementary school friends that he hasn't seen since elementary school. CRAZY!!!!! They were sitting behind us about 5 rows. Small world! The Pacers ending up winning 122-117. It was a good game. I should also mention that one of the players, Jeff Foster, I think, looks like Brian a little. After the game we went to dinner. We ate at the Ram restaurant. It was crowded because the Colts were playing their play off game. We took our time eating and watched some of the game. Then we went on a carriage ride. It was very romantic and very cold. We got back to the hotel about 11pm. That is super late for us. Anyway, it was a great day! We woke up on Sunday and took our time driving back.

The Colt's horseshoe on the building (seen from our carriage ride)

The circle(seen from our carriage ride)

Larry Bird's autograph

This is Jeff Foster

The Human slinky at half time (it was very strange)

Larry Bird (Brian was waiting to get this autograph)

Waiting in line

Our first house

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T12:22:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! Yesterday was a time of remembering and celebrating. Actually, this was the first year since Miles passed away that we celebrated New Years. We did go to his gravesite and send him some balloons and clean it up. Later we ate dinner at the Larriat with my parents. It was a yummy dinner. Then we came home and had a New Year's Eve party with Grandpa and Grandma. We had hats, blow thingys, confetti, and some bubbly (sparkling grape juice). After our party, which didn't last long, we went to see a movie. We went and way The Tale of Despereaux. As we were watching the movie about an hour in the power went out. So we sat and waited for awhile and then decided to get a refund. As we were about to turn in our ticket stubs the power came back on. So we went back and sat down in our seats. It was a pretty cute movie. I have to say that I don't think it was a "G" movie. It was more like a "PG" movie. There was fighting, some scary parts, and the rats were going to eat the princess. Other than that it was cute and funny. I know, weird!

Today we put all the xmas away and cleaned the house. Hayden was so cute. As he was taking the ornaments off the tree he was giving them each a kiss. It was precious. Anyway, I hope everyone has a super New Year!

Doing "cheers" with Grandpa

Drinking bubbly (Ava looks a little tipsy, it was grape juice)

Daddy was throwing confetti

Ava and Mommy at dinner

Grammy and Hayden at dinner

Ava drinking her huge glass of lemonade

Just a recent picture

Remembering Miles...

2008-12-30T19:58:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow we celebrate our son, Miles. He was born with Hayden and Ava on Dec 4, 2003. He lived for almost one month. He passed away on Dec. 31, 2003. He started out so strong and actuallly was doing the best out of the three of them. In the end his little body just couldn't fight anymore. He went into kidney failure. At the time I was admitted back into the hospital for emergency gallbladder surgery and gall stone removal. So I was out of it. I remember going to visit him while I was in the hospital and he looked so bad. He had gotten so puffy from holding onto to fluid. I guess in my mind I just thought they could give him so medicine and he would be fine. I had no idea that he was doing so badly. I am pretty sure that I was in denial. I couldn't imagine losing another child. We had gotten so far. It just couldn't happen again it just wouldn't be fair. On Dec 31 in the early am we got the dreaded phone call from the hospital. We were told that Miles had a massive seizure and they were keeping him alive for us to get to the hospital. Brian drove so fast to the hospital. When we got there (we had already called my parents and they called the rest of the family to come to the hospital) we talked with a doctor and we decided to let him go. Very, very, very hard decision to make. You know in your brain what to do but it is your child and you want to be able to do everything for them and make them better. This was a time that we had to let him go "home" to his maker and real Father. They put us in a room and I sat in a rocking chair and after they took him off the machines they wrapped him up and brought him to us. I got to hold him as he went to his Father. He didn't stay with us long. All of our family got to take turns holding him and say their good byes. It was so hard. The next day was the only day we did not go up to see Hayden and Ava. The next day when we did go was very hard to walk back in. We had to look at Miles' empty spot. I broke down, literally, before we walked in. I remember Brian telling me, "We have two babies in there that need us." I was then able to walk in. We miss you and love you very much, Miles. You will always be in our hearts!

The following pictures are just some of what we have. I have a bunch more from the night he passed away but I still have not developed those.

Christmas Memories...

2008-12-28T15:33:00.004-06:00

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We did! We spent xmas eve afternoon at my mom's. We opened presents from our family. Then we ate some yummy food. Then some of us went to the xmas eve service at our church. Xmas morning the kide were so excited! They had so much fun putting cookies, milk, and carrots out for Santa. Santa even left them a thank you note in the morning. My parents came in the am to watch them open presents from us. Then we had xmas lunch at my house. It was actually relaxing! After we opened presents we went over to my mom's house to watch a movie. Then Friday am Brian and I went shopping. We ended up buying a new computer, printer, and I got myself an IPod. We went over to my mom's house to open our stockings and eat brunch. Then we relaxed and watched another movie. It really has been a wonderful xmas. We had a lot of laughs. Hayden was very concerned that Santa would get very dirty coming down our chimney. So cute!

It was a xmas miracle. Hayden and Ava sitting side by side playing nicely and quietly!

Putting out the cookies, milk, and carrots (Yes, Ava has her legs crossed. She's such a girl)

Hayden with his fire truck from Santa

They got colt plates and cups

Ava got a bunch of Littlest Pet Shop toys

They got digital cameras. Hayden has become our photographer. He takes pictures of everything. He was opening our cabinets and taking pictures (He could make a good insurance man)

In action

My xmas table

Waiting patiently until their turn to open presents

My cousin, Andy, got this hood thingy from our Grandma (he lives in Chicago). It was hilarious. He kept saying, "I will not wear this. Who would wear this?" It was so funny. My grandma usually makes us laugh each year with one of her gifts. She tries so hard! We love you Grandma!

HELP!!!

2008-12-28T14:17:00.000-06:00

Can anyone tell me how to change my blogger template to minima?

My Graduation and misc....

2008-12-19T08:50:00.009-06:00

Yes, I did graduate on Dec 13. It has taken me awhile to finally get my post done. So, there are a lot pictures. Graduation was great! It was a surreal experience. It lasted three hours due to the full mass. Hayden and Ava got to watch me graduate (they came during the graduation part). That meant a lot to me because they are the very reason why I went nursing school. After graduation my parents had a graduation party for me. It was a very nice party.

Me and my mom

My good buddy, Ashley

The three muskateers

The family

My cake (we were laughing because it looks like I graduated in the 60's)

The yummy spread!

I graduated with honors

I know, big surprise with this award

My wonderful, supportive husband and myself

My diploma

Emmie, Me, Aunt Julie, my mom, Lola

Ava and Hayden at my graduation party

My little bubby

We made a gingerbread house while Nana and Opa were here for my graduation

They got to open their xmas presents from Nana and Opa while they were here

Hanging out with Nana

Ava with her Fancy Nancy doll

Hayden with his Geo Trax Airplane

Hayden and Ava had their xmas program at church the same weekend I graduated

This picture was not supposed to be uploaded (Oh well!)

My princess, Brian

The finished gingerbread house

Last week I got to go to Hayden's class to make a gingerbread house with him. He was so excited

Before their xmas program at church

Hayden said the twizzlers were wires (who knows)

My motivation to get through school

My other good buddy, Megan

My other set of parents, Johnny and Paula (Brian's parents)

Nana and Opa reading their bedtime story

My little graduate!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

I'm Graduating!!!!!

2008-12-12T22:28:00.002-06:00

That's right folks! I am graduating from nursing school tomorrow at 9am at the Civic Center. I am super excited! It has been a long road. In the afternoon my parents are having an open house for me, too. It will be a full day! It will be bittersweet tomorrow, too. I have met a lot of great people the past two years. They have been a great support system. We have had a lot of laughs, too. After our graduation practice yesturday, a bunch of us went out to celebrate our accomplishment. It was hilarious to say the least. I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow, mine should be memorable!

Ava's Christmas Program

2008-12-10T20:25:00.002-06:00

Ava had her Christmas program last night. She did a great job! She sang all her songs and did all the movements. The only requirement she had was to not smile at her and don't tell her "good job." I know, weird! Anyway, after she was done we told her "good job" and smiled at her and she was beaming. She was proud of herself. Then, Hayden wanted to see her classroom. He was so excited to see her room and all the things she has made. It was a nice evening.

Sidenote: My dad had a hip replacement on Monday. He came home today and is doing great!

Tomorrow we have senior send off and then graduation practice. I am super excited. Brian's parents come tomorrow, also. Then Saturday is the big day! Graduation starts at 9am. It will last three hours. There is a full mass, pinning ceremony, and then graduation. Then, my parents are doing an open house for me in the afternoon. It is going to be a busy rest of the week, but definitely fun!!!!!

Party time

2008-12-09T13:09:00.005-06:00

I finally had time to post pictures of the kid's birthday. I have been a little busy with finishing up nursing school. That's right folks. I graduate this Saturday. I am officially done with nursing school. Anyway, the kiddos had a great birthday. On Thursday we took them to the mall to get a build a bear. Ava got a bunny and Hayden got a dog. Then we visited Santa for the annual picture. This was the first year that they didn't cry. Hayden walked right up to him. Ava was a little reluctant. The picture turned out ok. They got to have a train ride and then we left for Target. They each got to choose a gift because they gift cards from a friend. Then we went to Chuck e cheeses. It was ok. We got there when there wasn't very many people. Which was a good thing. Then more and more people started to come. That was our cue to leave. Hayden and Ava had a blast playing all the games. Ava would start a game and then leave in the middle, she was so excited. Then we went over to my mom's house so they could open presents and have a cake. They had a great birthday.

Then on Saturday we had their friend birthday party at the Riverplex. It was great. I highlty recommend it. We showed up let all the kids (18 of them) have free reign in the gym to play. They had a ball. The big hit were the scooters. I remember playing with those in gym class in elementary school. Then they got to eat their special cakes (Cars and Tinkerbelle) and open presents. Then we got to leave. No mess to pick up. It was glorious. Then we went to eat at Avanti's with Brian's brother and his family before they left to go back to Indiana. It was a success. Then I came home to take some Advil because I had a headache

Brian got roped into pulling all the girls

Ava's bunny, Penny

Hayden's puppy, Colt (named after the Colt's)

They loved being sung to

At the Riverplex

The birthday party crew

Getting a little help from Grammy

Facebook

2008-12-06T10:43:00.001-06:00

Ok, so I got sucked into facebook! It is addicting, too! If any of you readers of my blog have a facebook wall let me know so we can be friends. I promise not to ignore my blog. I will be doing a new post probably tomorrow. We are having Hayden and Ava's birthday party today at the Riverplex with 18 kids. Hopefully I will be alive tomorrow. Have a great Saturday!

They're 5!!!!!!!

2008-12-03T20:14:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday to my babies, Hayden and Ava (actually tomorrow is their day, but we have a busy day tomorrow)!!!! I absolutely can't believe they are going to be 5!!!! The time has gone by so fast. Just 5 years ago I was being rushed into the delivery room. They were so tiny. Hayden was born at 10:10 am, Ava was born 10:11, and then Miles was born at 10:12 am. Hayden was 1lb 8oz, Ava was 1lb 6.5oz and Miles was 1lb 10oz. Hayden and Ava have come so far. We almost lost Hayden several times in the NICU. Ava was a typical girl who sailed through the NICU. Miles lived a month. He passed away on Dec 31. I will write more about him on Dec 31. I want to celebrate the lives of Hayden and Ava. They are our little miracles. We plan on having a great day tomorrow! When Hayden gets home from school we are going to the mall so they can go to Build A Bear store. We will visit Santa. Then, we will take a trip to Target because they got gift cards from a friend. Then we will take them to Chuck E Cheese. It will actually be their first time to go there. I know, bad or good mommy/daddy depending on the way you look at it. We thought they would have a lot of fun. Then we will end up going to my mom and dad's house so they can open presents and eat cake! Here are a few pictures from when they were born.

This is Ava in her first week of life

Just a cute picture of them together

This is Ava holding my finger the first time I held her

This is me doing kangaroo care with Hayden

This is Hayden in his first week of life

Frosty Buddy

2008-11-30T15:49:00.002-06:00

Well, Brian and the kiddos went back outside in the snow. The snow is perfect for making a snowman. So that is what they did. They created "Frosty Buddy."

Thanksgiving and SNOW!

2008-11-30T13:43:00.004-06:00

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! We had a good one and ate too much! We had Thanksgiving at my mom's house this year. We ate at noon. It was so yummy! My grandma did an awesome job on the turkey. It was very moist. After we ate we cleaned up my mom's kitchen. Then the men watched football. The women started to plan for Christmas. Then I went with my grandma and aunt julie to help put up my grandma's christmas. Then I went back over to my mom's house. We were going to watch a movie but her cable wasn't working right. We just ended up eating more and talking. It was a relaxing day!

Last night it started to snow. I worked last night so I had a fun time driving home this morning. When I woke up today, Brian was getting the kiddos ready to go outside to play. They were super excited to get out in the snow! They had a blast playing in the snow, making snowballs, and throwing the snowballs. Then Brian took them around in the sled. Ava's favorite part was falling in the snow and eating it. Hayden's favorite part was the sled.

The kid's table

My grandma getting the turkey ready to eat

The table

Sportin their turkey hats, again

Getting ready to go out in the snow

The men watching football

Hayden eating his pumpkin pie and Ava's pie

The family

Aunt Julie, Grandma, and my mom

Sled fun!

Ava eating the snow (with a side of dirt)

Hayden having fun!

Pure Joy!

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner!"

2008-11-24T12:32:00.003-06:00

This past weekend I went to Chicago with Megan and Ashley. We had a blast! We left Friday at noon. When we got to Chicago we checked into our hotel, The Allegro. It was very nice and very modern. We got a taxi and headed to The Melting Pot. So yummy! We spent two hours eating. We were so full, so we walked back to our hotel. It was freezing but nice to get out and walk. We relaxed for a little bit and then got ready to go see, Dirty Dancing, the musical. The theater was next door to our hotel so we didn't have to go far. The show was absolutely amazing!!!!! They did just about every scene from the movie. The set was amazing. The best was Baby. She looked and souded just like Jennifer Grey. Her mannerisms, too. If you can go see it, GO!!!!! Two thumbs up. If you want someone to go with let me know, because I would go see it again! We went back to our hotel and got ready for bed. We were all pretty tired. They didn't have any rooms left with two beds or any cots so we all slept in the king sized bed together. We woke up and left the hotel by 9am. We headed to the suburbs for some shopping. Then we ate at The Cheesecake Factory and headed home. We got home about 5:30pm. We had a great time!

I added a few pictures of Hayden and Ava with their turkey hats. I thought they were cute!
Oh, by the way, have I mentioned that I will be graduating in three weeks? I am super excited!!!

Megan enjoying cheese fondue

Ashley getting the bread all cheesey

Our hotel room

This was our main course

Ashley and me being silly with our animal print robes that were in our room

outside the theater

Megan and Ashley feeding each other dessert

The three of us

Hearts and The Rockettes

2008-11-18T20:56:00.002-06:00

Last night we had a surprise "heart" party for my mom. This past Sunday was the anniversary of my mom's emergency open heart surgery. We are very lucky that she is here with us. God was with her a year ago when she decided to go to the ED because she wasn't feeling right. She ended up getting emergency surgery that night. So, to celebrate the milestone we surprised her. She was very shocked and had no idea what was happening. Hayden and Ava helped me decorate our dining room by cutting out hearts and putting them on the wall. We added balloons so it would be more festive. We had a great evening with our family. When my mom came to the door, Hayden was supposed to say "Surprise" but instead he said "Trick-or-Treat." He was a little confused. Ava was hiding. Anyway you can look at the pictures.

Tonight my mom had bought tickets for the Radio City Music Hall, The Rockettes for Hayden and Ava's birthday. It was AMAZING!!!!!! It was a super show. We had seats on the floor so we could see really well. There was so much to see. There was Santa, fake snow, a moving bus, ice skaters, flying people, an amazing portrayal of the nativity, and of course the Rockettes. Their costumes were so pretty. Ava did not move the entire show. It was action packed and she loved the dancers. Hayden liked it too, but he ended up falling asleep on me. I don't know if it was too stimulating for him and so he checked out but the parts he saw he really enjoyed. His favorite was seeing Santa. Then the funny part of the evening was beginning. We had gone to the 4pm show and it was over at 5:30pm. So we decided to go eat at Chili's. We got there and we had a 35 minute wait, so they said. We waited 40minutes and decided to leave. We got to Morton and went to Cracker Barell, thinking there would be no wait. We were wrong again. We had to wait 15minutes. By this time it was 7pm. We finally sat down and ordered. We were all starving. We got our food and most of it was wrong. Of course one of the mistakes was on my food. So I had to wait longer. Go figure! Then my mom had to wait in a long line to pay. It was 8pm, what are these people doing eating so late? He, He. Anyway, we had a great night! Good Times!

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids

The family enjoying dinner

The healthy heart Mom/Grandma

The decorations

Another view of the decorations

In Celebration of......

2008-11-12T21:37:00.002-06:00

Elliot Kenneth Snyder. Tomorrow we celebrate the short life of our second son, Elliot. He was born 10 days after Gabriel. He was 21 weeks gestation. It happened mid morning. Brian was taking a shower in my room to get ready for work. My water broke again, out of the blue. I screamed for him and then he called the nurse. I was checked and there was nothing they could do to stop him from coming. I was going to deliver him that morning. The doctors were really worried because they didn't know if I would just deliver him or all the babies. My contractions were hurt really bad! I remember one of the doctors feeling my belly while I was having a contraction and he said, "Yeah, those are hard contractions." I was like, Yeah, I know. Anyway, I pushed Elliot out and he was born with a heartbeat, but no interventions were done due to the fact that he was too early. It is so hard to deal with, even now, that both Gabriel and Elliot were born with heartbeats and nothing could be done. It breaks my heart to think if they were in pain or not. I just remember praying for God to take them home quickly so they could be comforted. I did not post any pictures of Elliot because I don't have any good ones to show. The good thing about him being born in the morning was that our families were able to be with us and everyone got to hold Elliot. Also, after Gabriel was born, I never wanted to be left alone. So, Brian's mom, Paula, came from Ecuador (they were missionaries there at the time) to stay with me. It was so nice to have someone with me. Not just to talk, but to have someone in the room while I was sleeping, too. I will always be so thankful for Paula being with me. It really meant a lot to me. Also, to my mom. She was still working and some days she would stay with me. She always made sure things were done for me. She would bring my own sheets into the hospital and my favorite was she would brush my hair for me. It was so relaxing. Also, she would encourage me to keep going and to stay strong. There were so many days when I would cry and say that I couldn't do this. Anyway, tomorrow I have to go to clinical because it is my last one. So, after clinical Brian, me, Hayden and Ava will go to the gravesite and let balloons go for Elliot. Please pray for me that I have a good day at clinical!

Tim Hawkins

2008-11-06T22:32:00.001-06:00

Hilarious!

2008-11-06T22:17:00.002-06:00

Ok, I just had to share with you that Brian and I just got finished watching a hilarious DVD. It is Tim Hawkins in Concert: Full Range of Motion. He is a Christian comedian and so funny!!! my favorite parts are when he does music parodies using songs we all know. He talks about regular every day things and things that go on at church. I recommend anyone to watch this DVD. Then if you do or have watched it already let me know.

Ambulance trip....

2008-11-06T20:25:00.002-06:00

Well, this morning I was on my way out the door and I saw Hayden sitting up in his bed at 6:15am. So I took him in our room to be with Brian while he got ready for work. When I picked him up he started to dry heave, which is his precursor to a seizure. I was hoping that was not going to happen but I was wrong. He started dry heaving more on the potty so I had Brian take him off and then he started having a seizure. He does not have seizures that people think of when you fall down and start jerking your body. He has absent seizures. That is exactly how he acts. He does not respond to you, he stares, he moves his mouth up and down and his lips/mouth go blue. Very scary!!!! I called 911 and by the time the ambulance got to our home his seizure had stopped. So, Brian went with him to the hospital and I followed behind in our van. He is fine. He is back to his normal self. We were discharged from the hospital by 8:30am. We had weaned him off his seizure medication two months ago. So now he is back on his medication.

I have been extremely busy with school work. I presented my huge senior project on Wednesday and I have another presentation on Monday. Tonight I finished another paper. I do not work this weekend so I am looking forward to spending time with the family. We plan on going to see the new Madagascar movie on Saturday. The first one just cracks me up.

I posted a few pictures. They got out of order and I don't know why but we made cookies the other night just for fun and then last weekend Hayden got to spend time with Grandpa out at Mackinaw. When we picked him up we found him on the tractor driving it with Grandpa's help. He was in heaven.

Making cookies for fun!

Hayden driving the tractor

This is how we found them. Two peas in a pod!

In Celebration of......

2008-11-03T10:21:00.002-06:00

Gabriel Paul Snyder. Today is the anniversay of our first son's birth and going home to Jesus. It has been five years and it still feels like it happened today. Most of you know that I was pregnant with quintuplets (five babies). I was admitted into the hospital on October 18 because my water had broke. I held on for two weeks and then on Nov. 3, Gabriel decided to be born. I had stood up and felt my cervix open/close. I made it back to my bed and screamed for a nurse. She came and checked me and told me to move my leg. I was petrified because I knew in my heart it was a baby. Unfortunately I was right. Gabriel was born. It was in the middle of the night so Brian was not with me. One of the nurses called him and he rushed to the hospital. Gabriel was alive (he had a heart beat) but because he was only 20 weeks he was not viable for them to do any interventions. So we got to hold him while he left the earth and went to heaven. I remember just sobbing. My heart hurt so bad. I had never felt that kind of sadness before. A couple days later we had a small memorial in my hospital room because I was still pregnant with four babies. So, I was going no where! Brian's dad did the memorial and it was perfect. I debated about putting a picture up of Gabriel because this is such a personal thing but I decided to share our precious Gabriel with you. This morning we went and did our ritual of going to get balloons and then going to the gravesite so we could let them go.

Trick or Treat!!!!!

2008-11-01T09:09:00.004-05:00

Last night was a blast!!!! This was the most fun Halloween, yet! Hayden and Ava really understood the concept of trick or treating. In fact, after a few houses Hayden told us, "You don't need to come up with us." I was kinda sad. Ok, I was really sad. Then while we were walking on the sidewalk Hayden said, "This is more fun than riding my bike." We were all cracking up. It was me, Brian, my mom, and my Aunt Julie. We started at 5pm and went to my Grandma's place. She lives at Parkside so we walk around there and knock on the doors. The older people really enjoy seeing the kids. Then we went to my mom's subdivision. It was really busy there. We walked around part of the neighborhood. Then the kids got too tired walking. They were satisfied with what they had. We got in the van and drove to one more place. We stopped at Emmie and Keith's house. By that time the sugar had kicked into Hayden's system. He was a crazy, crazy boy. He was all of the place! I mean he was running around, he picked up her Jack-O-Lantern pillow and kept saying, "Hello, Jack" So funny! Then we went back to my mom's house for pizza! We had a great time! Enjoy the pictures.
Oh, I wanted to say again that my mother-in-law made their costumes. I think she did an amazing job! They really turned out adorable!!!!

Trick or Treating at Emmie's house

I saw my first elebug!

Happy Halloween!!!!

2008-10-31T09:18:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween! We have been busy the past week. I am finishing up my huge senior project, which I present next Wednesday. Today I have to write a paper for a different class. Anyway, enought of that. My pictures got all goofy. I am not sure what happened. Sorry. This past week Ava had her Fall program at preschool. They had to dress up as farmers. I had to be at clinical early in the morning so Brian had to put her hair in pigtails. I thought he did a super job! Then we carved our pumpkins. Ava loved it and Hayden like it but he just wanted to ride his bike. They were both very proud of their pumpkins! Then I had to make Halloween treats for Hayden's class for their party. We made scarecrow cookies. I think they turned out really cute and the kids had fun making them. Also, we got their costumes in the mail on Tuesday. Brian's mom made them and they are absolutely adorable!!!! I will have more pictures of them in their costumes after tonight.

Ava during her program. For the first half she stood there with her arms crossed and she kept saying, "Mommy, Mommy....." Then she warmed up and did everything the last half of the program

Ava said she loved her pumpkin and gave it a kiss

Ava and Daddy cleaning out her pumpkin

Hayden in his elephant costume

Ava in her farmer outfit

Ava participating in her program

This is Hayden walking around in Daddy's shoes

Showing off their pumpkins

Hayden with his pumpkin

Hayden cleaning out his pumpkin

Ava with her pumpkin

I got tagged.... Again!

2008-10-24T08:42:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I got tagged by a couple of people. I am just now able to post my response. I am supposed to post the directions but I have no idea how to get the picture with the directions on my blog (I know, big surprise). Anyway, I am supposed to write 7 facts/weird things about myself and then tag more people to do the same. So here it goes:

1. According to Hayden I am a "good sprayer." Explanation: I was spraying out the sink the other day and he was watching me very closely and was super quiet. When I was done he said very seriously, "Mom, you are a good sprayer." I found this to be very funny and thoughtful!

2. I do have a tattoo on the left side of my foot. It is a small icthus (spelling?) with a cross in it. I got in high school, illegally without a parent signature. I did get in a lot of trouble when my mom found out my senior year in high school and I wasn't allowed to go on my senior trip.

3. I played soccer for Anderson University. I was the "sweeper" (which is defense for those of you who don't know what that it).

4. I am not a morning person at all. I thought that would change with having children, not so much. I am more awake at night. That is why I am glad that I will be working third shift.

5. I always take my own sheets and pillow when I go to a hotel. I get made fun of for doing this. It is just one of those things I do.

6. I have to check silverware before eating with them. I check them at restaurants and even my own home. It drives Brian crazy!

7. I used to be an elementary school teacher in Indiana. I have taught Kindergarten, fourth grade and gifted/talented classes. I have to say, I really do miss the school atmosphere and teaching.

Ok, here are the next people to be tagged: You can go to Jill's or Danielle's blog to see the actual directions

Anne
Megan
Hollie
Gretchen
Krissy
Katie

Homecoming at AU...

2008-10-20T15:39:00.005-05:00

We just got back from a great weekend in Indiana. We spent the weekend with Brian's brother, wife, and two kids. It was relaxing and Hayden and Ava had a great time with their cousins, Emma and Mason. We left early afternoon on Friday and got to Noblesville, Indiana where they live about 5pm. We ate some yummy pizza and packed everyone up to go to Anderson, Indiana where Anderson University was starting their Homecoming events. That is where Brian and I met and went to college. On Friday night they have illuminaries outlining the entire campus and it is so pretty. Especially in the valley part of the college. We have taken the kids there when they were babies and haven't been able to go back since because it has rained the past years. My main goal was to get Hayden's picture in front of the AU sign because his middle name is "Anderson" after the town and college because that is where we met! So I was able to do that, finally! The kids ate donut holes and drank hot apple cider and had fun walking around the campus. Saturday morning the girls woke up at 6am writing notes and delivering them to us. So cute but not so much at 6am. We went to Emma's soccer game and then went back to their house to relax and let the kids play. Then early afternoon we left for dinner and we ate at Red Robin (yummy!) Then we drove downtown Indy so Brian could see the new Colt's stadium. It was very impressive. I stayed busy every evening studying for a test and working on my huge senior project which is due in 2 weeks. We woke up Sunday morning to eat breakfast and to get on the road. I had to work Sunday afternoon. Anyway, it was a great weekend.

Ava and Emma

Hayden, Ava, Emma and Mason

Having fun walking in the valley

The picture I have been waiting for!

Oh, sweet memories!

Ava at Emma's soccer game

Emma taking a break from the game

Hayden enjoying his popcorn at the game

Cute cousins

Silly faced girls

Silly faced Hayden

Colt's Stadium

I got tagged.....

2008-10-14T14:45:00.003-05:00

Here is my 6th picture in my photo file. I keep my photo files by year. So this was taken in January '08. This is my mom, Aunt Julie, and Ava on the train to Chicago. We took Ava to the American Girl Store for the first time. We had a great time!

I am tagging:
Megan
Hollie
Anne
Danielle

A Fall Evening

2008-10-08T19:56:00.002-05:00

This evening we took the kids to a local park. It was beautiful out tonight! The leaves are changing, some leaves are on the ground, and the kids were excited to get out as a family. School has been keeping me busy so I thought we needed to do something to focus on the kids. When we left Hayden said, "That was fun!" That made it special because I knew they appreciated going to the park as a family!

Hayden was trying to climb the tree

Ava said, "Mommy, take my picture while I am singing." So, I did.

White Sox Win! (Last night)

2008-10-06T18:56:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Brian and I went to Chicago to watch the White Sox play. We had a great day together as husband and wife! We went to church and then left after the service. My mom and dad watched H and A for the day. They had fun going out to Mackinaw for a picnic and pug rides. Then they got to eat at Steak 'N Shake for dinner. They enjoyed every minute with their Grammy and Grampy! So, back to us. We took our time getting to the stadium. Big mistake. When we got there the traffic was terrible. They had a messed up system for parking. We ended up going around in a square and ending up where we started. Then we had to pay $22 for parking. We got to our seats which were all the way to the top. It was very cold and windy up there. There was a rain delay so we didn't miss any of the game. The rain quit and the sun came out. Play ball!!!!! It was an exciting game to watch. I really don't like baseball plus I had to study for my three hour written midterm today. I was studying my notes and the guys next to us said, "Are you studying?" I know that is dedication. My midterm today was brutal. My brain is mush! Anyway, the White Sox won. Ok, I have to bring this up. What is it with people, mostly men, that when there is a good play they have to high 5 everyone around them. They didn't make the play. I just think it is so funny when people do that. So, Brian kept asking me, "Do you wanna high 5?" So annoying. Anyways, we hurried to get to our car because we were freezing. I even had wind burn on my face. It took us forever to get out of our parking area and on the road home. We got home at a decent time and I went straight to bed. Enjoy our pictures!

Brian sitting in the top row with our yummy nachos!

The little black dots are the people getting the tarp off so they could play

The view from our seats

The real reason we were there, Ken Griffey Jr. He is Brian's all time favorite player

Me studying for my midterm

NICU Miracle Walk

2008-10-04T13:39:00.003-05:00

What a perfect day for a walk along the riverfront. That is what we did this morning. It was the second annual "Small Wonders Miracle Walk" this morning at the Riverplex. There was a great turn out. We had a little over 100 people last year and 300 were signed up this year! There was a silent auction (which we did win some baskets), bouncey play thing, balloon maker guy, games for the kids, different agencies, and refreshments. We saw a lot of nurses who took care of the kiddos and one of the neonatologist too. Megan and her two sisters came and so did Ashley and her boyfriend. We had a fun morning!! Here are some pictures. H and A were not in the mood for pictures.

Before we left for the walk

Us with Grammy and Aunt Julie

We had these pinned to the back of our shirts

Grammy getting warmed up for the walk

Ashley, me and Megan

Tanner's Orchard

2008-09-27T14:45:00.004-05:00

What a beautiful day for picking apples and pumpkins! We just got back from Tanner's Orchard. We had a lot of fun! Hayden and Ava got to pick apples and they each got a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Then we went to the play area and they got pony rides, a barrel ride, and played on the fun equipment. Then we left and ate at Avanti's. We had a great morning as a family with Grandma and Aunt Julie!

Hayden kept doing this and saying "apple cider." Who knows what his mind is thinking.

Grammy and Hayden on the wagon ride out to the orchard and patch

Hayden was the expert at picking apples. He just went to Apple Blossom Farm on Monday and kept telling us how to pick the apples.

Of course we had to eat some apples, too

This is Ava telling daddy that she did not want that pumpkin (gotta love the hands on the hips)

Hayden found a nice pumpkin to sit on while he finished stuffing his face with his apple

Hayden loved the pony ride

Ava did too

This is the barrel ride

Hayden on the fire truck going to get the fire out

Daddy feeding the goats (H & A did not want to feed the goats)

Thank goodness for....

2008-09-26T20:40:00.002-05:00

BIKE HELMETS!!!! It happened again, only on a bike this time. Ava was turning too sharp and her bike went one way and she went the other way falling off and hitting her head (with her helmet on) and her CHIN! I can't believe she fell on her chin again! It looks really bad (it is scraped and very badly bruised). I was so thankful she had her helmet on. The kids know that if they ride their bike they have to have their helmet on. She fell on her head. You could hear the helmet hit the ground. I don't even want to think what would have happened if she had no helmet on. She is doing fine now, nothing a little Tylenol and mommy's love can't fix. So the moral: Bike helmets are so very important!

We are off to Tanner's Orchard in the morning. Look for the pictures sometime soon. Have a super weekend!

I have what????? (and other news!)

2008-09-24T20:01:00.002-05:00

Ok, what a week! I have been sick the past couple of weeks. I have gotten better except for a sore throat. Do you see where I am going with this? So this morning I was feeling better. At the end of clinical (I was in the Medical ICU) my throat was hurting again. I decided I couldn't take it anymore and went to the Prompt Care. I ended up having a doctor I went to school with (that is weird) and she informed me that I had STREP THROAT! I have never had strep throat. I got a prescription for penicillin and was sent on my way. Now I have hope this will get taken care of because I am so over having a sore throat!!! It hurts!

Big news! I accepted a RN position in the NICU!!!! I am super excited! Also, my partners in crime, Megan and Ashley, also accepted RN positions there too! We get to continue our nursing careers together! I am so happy because they have become my closest friends and I can't see my life without them being a part of it!

Prayer request! Please go to Jill's blog to see the details but I know a mommy who is in the hospital 24 weeks pregnant and is very close to delivering! I know how this feels and how scary this is. Please pray for the mommy, daddy, and little baby!

Pumpkin Festival Fun!!!!

2008-09-13T18:52:00.005-05:00

Well, we are officially done going to the Pumpkin Festival this year! We had a lot of fun! The kids had a blast on the rides. We found out that they are too big for the cars and boats. They just go around and around and they were so bored with that. Then, we found out that they could go down the big slide by themselves. It kinda makes me sad. That means they are getting bigger and growing up. Anyway, we went on Wednesday evening. It was perfect weather but it was so crowded. I haven't seen it that crowded in a long time. We had to stand in long lines for rides, but it was so worth it to see how much fun Hayden and Ava were having. We ate dinner and then met up with my parents and my brother's family. Thursday we went but only went for the rides. There were no lines, it was perfect. Then for dinner we went to Steak 'n Shake. Yummy! We did not go up on Friday. It was raining the entire day and night. Instead we went to dinner to T.G.I. Fridays and then went book shopping in Peoria. This morning we woke up and prayed that it would hold off raining until after the parade. We didn't get to go to the parade last year so we were excited to go. Thankfully, it didn't rain but a little sprinkle during the parade. I have to say that I was disappointed with the parade this year. They shortened it and there were barely any floats and not many bands. Oh well, the kids had fun and they got a ton of candy!!!! After the parade we took them up to the festival to ride a few more rides. They got to choose their favorites. They chose to ride the big boat (adult ride), roller coaster (for young ones) and to go down the big slide. Then we said good bye to the Pumpkin Festival! Enjoy the pictures!

Here are a few pictures of Ava in her ballet outfit. She started ballet and tap again this past week
I told her to pose and this is what she did. I was impressed with how she put her leg
Of course I had to take a picture with both of them!
Grammy and Hayden at the festival
Just before they took off in the roller coaster
The first time they went down with Daddy and Grammy
Last time riding the boats. They weren't real thrilled with the ride
Waiting for pumpkin ice cream, Yummy!

Hayden chose the pumpkin cookie
Getting ready to ride the big boat. Ava even put her arms up.
Riding the pumpkin ride with Uncle Caleb and cousins
On the merry-go-round

Daddy let them play some games. Atleast they won something everytime.

Ava sporting the Pumpkin Festival shirt at the parade(The theme was Superhero Pumpkins)
Hayden getting ready for the parade with a little snack
Watching and waiting for the candy

What's a Happening Hot Stuff (Ha, Ha)?

2008-09-08T09:11:00.003-05:00

First of all can you name the movie that my heading is from? I will post the answer at the end of my post. But really, do I even need to put the answer? Anyway, we have been busy and I started school so I have been really busy. We went camping again a few weeks ago. We had a lot of fun. It was just the four of us and my parents. It was nice! After we put the kids to bed we watched a movie on my laptop by the fire. It was fun to watch a movie outside. We spent the night two nights. The first night is always a little hard for me to sleep. You hear everything and that includes the animals. I always think racoons will come up to our tent. You can hear them at the camp site because they are looking for food. Too bad for them because we lock everything up in our van. Then we could hear two packs of coyotes. That was a little freaky but they were not even close to us. We did a lot of swimming, pug rides, and Hayden and Ava got to ride on my dad's excavater. They loved that! Then, Ava had her first major fall. She was playing with her hula hoop and was tangled up in it. Needless to say she lost her balance and she did a face plant on to the concrete. Her arms were tangled so she couldn't break her fall. Her face looked terrible! She was in a lot of pain. The picture I took doesn't really show how bad it was. Also, Ava started school this past Friday. She was very excited to start school again. Hayden has been going for weeks so she has felt left out. She likes her teacher and the kids in her class. She starts ballet and tap again today. Everything is in full swing! This past Saturday we took the kids back up to Gurnee, Illinois. Not much fun for them but we went there to do fall/winter shopping for the kids. They have a super outlet mall. Hayden and Ava did a great job all day. They even got to have a train ride. Now this week the Pumpkin Festival starts!!!! I am so excited. I love the P-fest! Sidenote: If you want to see some ridiculous pictures of me and Jill growing up go to her blog and scroll down to her Flashback Friday. They are hilarious!!!!!

Ava's face

Hayden is ready to go camping

My big strong man

Brian the lumber jack

On the excavater

Ava in her classroom before the first official day

Ava's first day of school

Sporting her backpack (Hello Kitty)

Movie trivia answer: Sixteen Candles

Happy Birthday, JILL!!!!!!

2008-08-24T10:10:00.003-05:00

I wanted to say "Happy Birthday to Jill!" She is my oldest friend (meaning I have known you forever not that you are older than me, but you are). Anyway, I hope you have a great day with your family! You deserve a great day!!!!

I have always looked up to Jill. Her family was my second family! I always loved going to her house. We had so much fun growing up. I especially liked it when we would walk to school with our moon boots and we would walk on the moon. Good times!!! Whatever Jill did, I wanted to do. She played the violin and so did I (which I was so good at the violin. Ha, Ha). I wish I had a scanner because I have great pictures of us growing up. Our moms used to have our pictures taken together and we would wear the same outfits. Hilarious! I will have to get some of these pictures posted sometime. Anyway, Have a Super day!!!!

Hayden's First Day of School

2008-08-22T17:36:00.003-05:00

Thursday was Hayden's first day of school. He is still going to our elementary school for their Early Childhood Program. He goes everyday in the afternoon. The last year and a half he was going in the morning. So going in the afternoon is a change for him and mommy. He gets to ride the bus there and home. Of course that is his favorite part. He has his same teacher which is good. He likes her and so do we. She is a great teacher for Hayden.

I also started school this week. I am excited but I have SO MUCH WORK to do before I graduate on December 13. Please pray for my sanity.

Well, the kiddos are having a sleep over at my parent's house so Brian and I are going out before things get too crazy with school. I hope everyone and their kids had a great week going back to school.

Busy week....Summer ending....

2008-08-17T20:40:00.002-05:00

Ok, so we have had another busy week!!!! I got recertified for CPR on Monday night. I did pass, but don't anyone go into cardiac arrest. I really don't want to have to use my skills! I started back to work in the NICU as an extern tech. I prepare the formulas, clean equiptment, laundry, and help temp, diaper, and feed. Gosh this all sounds familiar but atleast I get paid for doing it. My friend, Ashley, also works in the NICU as an extern tech so we had fun last night working together especially when it is 3am in the morning. We get a little slap happy. Earlier in the afternoon we started our garage sale. It was very busy and we did really well selling our items. Some items I would have paid people to take but people were buying the items. I wanted to say to them, "Do you really need this, or Really you are going to buy this." Oh well, money in our pocket. We continued the garage sale on Wed. We did good again and the last minute garage sale was a success. If you remember the picture of all the clothes..... well I will let you know we got the clothes that didn't sell into three bins. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Then we come to Thursday (My birthday). I was awoken with two cute children running into my room yelling, "Happy Birthday, Mommy." They had me open up my card. It was cute. When you opened it up it sang the tune, "Burn Baby Burn." So of course we had to have a dance party in the bed. Good times! Then we quickly got ready to leave for Iowa City for Hayden's neuro appointment. It ended up being a great appointment. We are weaning him off of his seizure medication. Please pray that he does not have anymore seizures! I can not see him go blue, limp, and nonresponsive again. I have seen it too much!!!! When we got home we went to my mom's house for a birthday dinner. Friday was a normal day with the children and then we went back to my mom's for a pizza dinner. Yummy! Saturday was another busy day. We started it out by going to have breakfast at IHOP. Then we did some fall clothes shopping for Hayden and Ava. Then we went out to the lake to be with my family and were busy swimming in the lake, getting pug rides, and fishing. Then I had to go into work. I worked a full 12 hour third shift. Now something amazing with Hayden was happening today! He decided to ride his big boy bike instead of his tricycle. We are so proud of him. He looked so cute on it riding around with his helmet on. Also, he decided that today he would stand up to go to the bathroom instead of sitting. I thought that was pretty neat. I know it doesn't take much. He was making big boy decisions all day today. After dinner tonight, Brian and I made a crazy decision. We went on our first family bike ride with all of us on bikes. What is so crazy is that we decided to ride to my mom's house to surprise my parents. Well, it was about 1.5 miles away. Hayden didn't complain once, but Ava was another story. She kept saying that her legs hurt, which I am sure they did. But we made it to her house all in one piece. My mom gave them half of a DQ ice cream sandwich so all was good. No, we didn't ride back home. Brian went and got our van and we drove home. Oh yes, earlier in the day we went out to my aunt's pool for a couple of hours to swim. I had to get that in before I started school. It was nice to relax in the refreshing pool! So, now tomorrow I go back to school. So sad!!!! But the sooner I start the sooner I will graduate! Yeah!!! I hope everyone had a great week and will have a super week!

My big boy

He is so proud of himself!

Ava was busy having her own dance "concert"

Where did my babies go?

2008-08-10T20:00:00.003-05:00

Since we are selling a lot of our baby items the kids are having fun playing with the items. It makes me remember when they were small enough to play with these things. Actually it makes me very sad. I can't believe that they are going to be 5 in December. Where are the days going?

Ava looks like a giant in this picture

This is a picture of the clothes we are selling (I don't remember having this many. I am ashamed, but hoping we get some good money for them)

Horsing Around....

2008-08-09T17:05:00.003-05:00

Brian and I are trying to get ready for a garage sale for this coming Wednesday. Don't ask me why we are doing this because I am not so sure. I have a renewal CPR class Monday night, I work Tuesday night and Ava's new preschool teacher will be at our house Wednesday in the morning. Could we have anymore going on? Oh yeah, we leave for Iowa City on Thursday (happens to be my birthday) for Hayden's Neuro appointment for his seizures. We don't have as much to sell as we have had in the past. We are selling baby items, a lot of baby/kid's clothes and other items. If you are looking for kid clothes come on over on Tues. evening or Wednesday. Some of the clothes aren't even a year old. Ok, now for the reason for this post. Brian and I were in the garage cleaning it out and setting up tables. The kids wanted to play with the brooms so Ava started sweeping, Hayden immediately put the broom between his legs and was playing horsey. It was a riot. He looks so funny because he has his bike helmet on. I had to take a picuture because we were laughing. Hope everyone is having a good weekend we are off to my parent's house for pizza and movie night in their theater. Good times!

Pictures

2008-08-08T08:31:00.002-05:00

Hayden and Ava had their pictures taken yesterday by my friend, Joy. You can look at the sneak peak on her blog. Just click on "Joy's blog" on the right side of the screen. I think they turned out great! The kids were a little crazy at the end but Joy really knew how to reel them in. She did a great job with them. Thanks for being patient, Joy!

Mini Vacation (Gurnee, IL)

2008-08-06T16:53:00.008-05:00

We just got back last night from our mini vacation to Gurnee, Il. We had a lot of fun. It was the four of us, my mom and dad, and my brother, Caleb, his wife, Valerie, and their three kids; Luke, Gia and baby Caleb. We left Sunday at noon. We stopped at Portillo's for a late lunch in Plainfield and then finished the last one and a half hours of driving. We got to our resort (Key Lime Cove Water resort) late afternoon. The resort was so neat. It has only been open since February so everything still seems new. The rooms are nice and colorful. When you walk into the resort it feels as if you are in Florida by the beach. The neat thing about this resort is that there is an indoor water park. It was a nice size. There was a lot for older kids, adults and little ones to do. There was a wave pool, lazy river, a lot of different water slides, a kids area with three different water slides and a huge water/play area with a huge pineapple that fills with water and then dumps on everyone below (Hayden did not like that at all. It scared him to death). The resort also has an ice cream shop, a kids arts/craft area, three other food places, and a couple of other shops. They have a shuttle that can take you across the street to Great America Six Flags (which we did use). The kids had so much fun playing in the water park. We did that Sunday night. Then Monday we were supposed to go to Great America but it decided to thunderstorm ALL DAY LONG! So, we all went out to breakfast to IHOP and then my mom had been reading in a travel magazine about places to visit. She found the Jelly Belly Warehouse tour. It was only 20 minutes away so we decided to do this. As we were driving I started to read more about this tour. We thought we were going to a factory to see them making the candy, it was only a Warehouse tour and we would be stopping at various points to watch a video on how they make the candy. My poor mom, we were making fun of this the whole way there. We thought we would get there and get right in, because after all who wants to see a bunch of boxes laying around. We were wrong again, there was actually a line. We were cracking up. We waited a good 45 minutes before we got our special hats and got on our little tram/train ride. We literally took a ride around the boxes in the warehouse. WE stopped every 100 feet to watch a video and listen to our guide's annoying voice. We tried not to laugh during the whole thing. My brother said, "Well, there goes that half hour that I will never get back." My dad told my mom that when she reads something else in that magazine that looks interesting to keep it to herself. Hilarious! It was a really bad tour. Even the kids were bored. The best part was getting a free sample bag of Jelley Belleys (I don't have any pictures from this "wonderful" experience because I forgot my camera). When we got back to our hotel, the boys took the kids to the water park and the women went to the Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall. It was such a great outlet that Brian and I will go back in a few weeks to get the kids their fall clothes. When we got back we all went to eat at The Rainforest Cafe. Hayden and Ava loved going to the same restaurant again. We got done eating late so when we got back to the hotel we let the kids play at the hotel's arcade/gaming area. It was huge. Then they got to choose their "free" prizes. They each got a plastic dolphin and plastic whale. They are still playing with those things. Go Figure! Tuesday morning it had finally cleared up so we went to Great America for the day. WE had a lot of fun as you will see in the pictures. We were there from 10am until 5pm. That was long enough because it was really hot. There were three areas for little ones so Hayden and Ava had plenty of rides to go on and we took them on some big adult rides, too. Their favorite was the kiddy roller coaster. It actually went pretty fast. Ava ended up getting heat exhaustion atleast that is what I think. She threw up when we turned our stroller in about 6 times, then after dinner which Hayden and Ava slept through and then thank goodness we had gotten a bucket that their lunch had come in because we used it on the way home for when she threw up again. She is fine today. WE got home about 10pm last night. We had a super great time and would recommend the water resort to everybody!! Enjoy our pictures!

The water park in the resort. YOu can't see the little kids area to the left.

The waterfall when you walk into the resort

Just part of the resort

Hayden and Luke playing at the water park

Being goofy before ordering our meal

Eating ice cream at the resort's ice cream shop

Riding the carousel at the arcade/gaming area in the resort

Playing games

More games

At the front of the park

The cousins except for baby Caleb

Getting ready to ride the roller coaster

There was a Wiggle World and this was the Wiggle show.

Ava was telling me NO MORE PICTURES!

OK this was hilarious, Brian had to take our niece, Gia, on this ride and he looked like a giant!

Waiting to see a movie at the park about the shallow seas

What we've been up to....

2008-08-01T20:55:00.003-05:00

Summer has been really fun for us! My friend, Anne, has been here visiting. One day we took our kids to a sprinkler park. It was a little cold, but they still had fun! The kids have had fun out at Mackinaw with the jeep. We got an addition to the motorized jeep family. Someone at Brian's work gave us a Barbie jeep for free. So, they both have their own jeep. They love it! My friend, Jill, has also been visiting and we had them out to the lake. Our kids had a lot of fun swimming, jeep rides, and pug rides. It was neat to see our kids together because Jill and I had a lot of great times out there growing up. Then, last night we took the kids to the Chiefs game. They have been asking to go now for months. I finally had a free night with them having a home game. We went and it was hot. Anyway, we bought tickets at the stadium and got third row up from homeplate. They were perfect seats especially for Hayden and his eyesight. Hayden also made the jumbotron. I was holding his hands and he was dancing like a crazy man. Brian noticed that we were up there. I usually don't really pay attention to the game. But I thought I had heard a player's name that I recognized and I did. It was Shane Keough playing for the other team. Well, if any of you watch the Real Housewives of Orange County show then you know who I am talking about. It is a son of one of the housewives. I thought that was pretty neat.
My externship in the NICU is officially over with. I had a great experience and I am so happy that I had the experience. I now can say without a doubt that I want to work in the NICU! I hope everyone is having a great summer! We leave for another mini vacation to Gurnee, Illinois to Great America on Sunday. I will have the pictures up when we get home!

Hayden at the sprinkler park

Ava braving the water

Hayden loved standing with the water going up his face

Exploring out at Mackinaw

Hayden giving Kayleigh a ride

Ava giving Sydney a ride

At the Chiefs game

My two goofballs

Ava with her cotton candy (first time to try the stuff)

Watching the game

Concert in the Park

2008-07-24T20:37:00.003-05:00

Tonight we went to a free concert at one of our parks. Hayden and Ava had a lot of fun. They loved dancing to all of the songs. I was actually surprised that they were dancing. They, also, got a popcorn snack. The joys of being a child in the summer.

Before the concert started

Hayden puckering up

Going in for the smooch

Ava eating her popcorn

Dancing to the music

Chi-Town (Chicago)

2008-07-21T16:36:00.007-05:00

We just got back from our mini-vacation to Chicago. We had a lot of fun!!!! We left Friday afternoon to drive to Oakbrook to spend the night. We got there about 6pm. We checked in to our hotel and then went to dinner. We ate at J. Alexander's. It was yummy! We usually eat there when we go to Oakbrook. Then we went back to the hotel so Hayden and Ava could go swimming. They had a blast! We woke up early Saturday morning to drive downtown Chicago. Our plan for the day was to go to the Shedd Aquaririum. We got there when it opened up (great timing). It was raining most of the day so we were wet when we got to the aquaririum. That didn't spoil our fun. They got to see a lot of fish, a dolphin show, beluga whales and a 4-D Spongebob movie. We got the experience of bubbles, wind, water in our faces, poked in the back, and the smell of pickles. The only problem was the sound wasn't working. Hayden loved it anyway (We got a refund). After the aquaririum we went to Navy Pier. We walked around, had ice cream, rode the huge Ferris Wheel, and rode the carousel. Then we drove to our hotel for the night. We had a great location and Brian payed extra for our view (see picture). Then we took a taxi ride (Hayden and Ava loved that) to eat at The Rainforest Cafe. We had great food and enjoyed the atmosphere. When we got back to the hotel we took walk to a bakery and got some goodies. We got in our pajamas and ate our goodies. Hayden and Ava were so tired from all the walking so they went right to bed. We took our time in the morning and ate breakfast at our hotel and then left for home ( I had to work Sunday night). I should mention that our rock star (Hayden) went to the bathroom all weekend with no accidents. I guess he is officially potty trained (FINALLY!!!!).

Just a cute recent picture!

Eating at J. Alexander's. He was being goofy with french fries

And so was Ava

Daddy joined in on the fun, too

Swimming at the hotel pool

They enjoyed the hot tub

They got to go for a little ride

Eating breakfast at McDonald's on Saturday morning

Looking at the fish

Watching the beluga whale

Waiting for the 4-D movie

At Navy Pier

The Ferris Wheel (I was scared!!!)

On the Ferris Wheel

Ferris Wheel

Our view from our hotel room

Our hotel had a walkway over a road (Ava chose the pose)

In the taxi

Ava being silly at The Rainforest Cafe

Daddy and Hayden at the restaurant

Eating cookies from the bakery

Eating breakfast Sunday morning in our hotel

They gave us smoothies and Hayden and Ava drank two each

Ava thought they were delicious!

Trying something new...

2008-07-16T10:43:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

Welcome Baby Caleb!

2008-07-14T21:14:00.002-05:00

My brother, Caleb, and his wife, Valerie just welcomed a new baby boy this morning at 11:o1 am. His name is, Caleb Andrew Faouzi Greene. He was 8lb 2oz and 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great! Here are some pictures of the newest Greene.

My mom and baby Caleb

He has a lot of black hair

The two Calebs ( My brother was very tired)

Update: Hayden is doing great with potty training. I am so amazed and proud of him. His jeep incentive is working. He has been telling me he needs to go and actually goes. He does both in the potty. Which is a miralce because a month ago he would scream and hold it. Now he has been going without making a scene. He is our "Rock Star." Good job, bubby!

Huge Incentive!

2008-07-13T16:02:00.002-05:00

Ok, we are still having major problems with getting Hayden potty trained. He is absolutely against it. He is very strong willed and will hold his urine FOREVER! until he is in pain. Anyway, we have tried everything. So, now we have moved on to buying them a motorized jeep. He can only drive it once he goes potty. He has gone twice, but not because he wanted to. We don't know what else to do with him. Here are some pictures.

Ava wanted me to take her picture last night. What a goof ball!

Getting ready to take it for a spin

Off Roading the jeep

Hayden getting his only turn for the day.

Well, I work tonight so I hope everyone has a nice sleep while I am working. Brian and I are taking Hayden and Ava to Chicago this coming weekend for fun. I hope to get some good pictures of our little getaway.

Fun Times!!!!!!

2008-07-06T15:17:00.007-05:00

I just can't seem to keep up with our blog. Work is keeping me tired. Anyway, we have had a great 4th of July. We went on our first "real" camping trip to Mackinaw for two nights. The kids had a blast and did a great job! I forgot how much work is involved with camping, but it was very worth it. A friend of mine came out on Friday with her girls and then Saturday another friend came out with her family and they camped with us. All of the kids had so much fun. Probably the highlight was catching frogs and a ton of pug rides (Hayden's personal favorite.) Enjoy the pictures!

Hayden and Ava before their soccer game

Waiting for the fireworks to begin (Daddy, mommy, grammy, and aunt julie were all there)

Daddy and Ava

Hayden and Daddy

Grammy and Ava

This was Ava's first year not to hide under the blanket for fireworks. We were thrilled that she watched them and loved the fireworks.

Hayden has always loved the fireworks!

Just a sample of what we saw!

In front of our tent

Daddy and Hayden having fun in the lake

Ava enjoyed playing in the sand

Ava is holding a frog that someone else caught. I can't believe she wanted to hold the frog. She can't stand bugs! Go figure!

We made fruit pies in the fire one night. This is Ava eating her cherry pie.

Hayden eating his cherry pie! Yum!

Brian had an apple pie. He hates cherries, but loves Cherry Coke. Hmmmmm!

Getting ready to go bed. They slept great both nights. Although, we heard a lot of fireworks going off both nights.

Saturday morning breakfast. My parents have a huge skillet. We made a lot of bacon, eggs and potatoes and onions. Yummy!

This is Brian making eggs on the fire.

The kids having fun playing and swimming

Hayden and Ava with their first fishing poles. Brian took them fishing. They really had fun reeling in the line the best.

This is Ava and Maddy (Maddy and her family camped with us Saturday)

Daddy helping Ava roast mashmellows for s'mores! Can't go wrong with a good s'more!

Hayden having his turn.

Enjoying their hardwork!

At night time we went on a flashlight walk. The kids had fun!

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

2008-06-25T19:20:00.005-05:00

A couple of weeks ago when we were out at Mackinaw we found a fawn at the side of the road all by itself. So, my dad called a guy who lived up the road to come and get it. This guy has been taking care of the fawn. We took the kids to see it. They really enjoyed the fawn. Not too many kids get to see a fawn up close or touch one for that fact.

Ava and Alexus(My cousin, Shelley's daughter)

Hayden and Grandma

Ava at our Father's Day dinner

Hayden at t-ball

Ava at her cousin's house in Indiana

Hayden at cousin Emma's house

Eating out at Mackinaw with the family

Ava swimming at Aunt Julie's pool

Getting ready to play in the sprinkler

playing in the sprinkler

Father's Day picture

Hayden and Daddy during Father's Day dinner

We have been a busy bunch lately! You would think that during the summer we would relax. Well, between me working nights, t-ball/soccer, swimming, tumbling, and family visiting we haven't had much time to relax. Don't get me wrong, we have been having a blast this summer, but we have been pretty busy. I still really enjoy working in the NICU. I keep learning more each time I work and I feel pretty comfortable taking care of two sometimes three babies at a time. Hayden and Ava have been busy with t-ball, soccer, swimming lessons and Ava with tumbling. This past week my cousin, Shelley, and her two daughters and her mom came to visit. Over the weekend the women (me, my mom, my aunt, Shelley, and her mom) went to Chicago for overnight. We had a lot fun shopping, eating and laughing. My mom was the best with her driving my minivan. We had a lot of laughs with that. (Sorry, mom). While I was in Chicago, Brian took the kids to Indiana for our neice's dance recital.

Summer Style

2008-06-14T16:21:00.004-05:00

Well, we did it! Ava had her first big haircut. She got her "chopped." We thought it would be nice to have shorter hair for the summer. I think it looks great! Ava likes it, too. It does seem weird to see her with short hair. It took us 41/2 years just to get the length it was. Now we can grow it back again. I am not sure how many inches were cut. Also, we had Hayden's hair cut shorter than normal, too. He looks very handsome! What does everyone else think?

Before the cut

After the "chopping"

Hayden's new style (what a cheeser!)

This morning after Daddy put gel in it to spike it

Ava this morning with her bow (we usually always have a bow in her)

I wanted to wish all the Fathers a Happy Father's Day for tomorrow. I am in the middle of working three 12 hour shifts. I don't think I will be awake enough tomorrow to do a post.

Happy Anniversary to.....

2008-06-12T21:52:00.002-05:00

US!!!! That's right, It is our 9th wedding anniversary today!!!! I can't believe that it has been 9 years already. We have been through so many ups and downs in our short marriage. The worst was losing our three little babies. Through that we have become a much stronger couple. The most joy for me has been watching Brian be the best daddy ever!!!! I never have to tell him what to do (well, atleast I try not to). He plays with them, puts band-aids on, gives hug and kisses, takes them places by himself (very daring), and many other things. He is my best friend!
We had a nice evening. Brian had made reservations at Jonah's. So YUMMY! I forgot how great that place is. We got crab stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. Brian ordered fried shrimp. I ordered grouper oscar with the delicious sweet au gratin potatoes. Then because it was our anniversary we got a huge piece of chocolate fudge cake. Then we went to a movie.
Make sure you give your hubby a great big hug and kiss tonight and tell them how special they are to you!

Twinkle Toes and Nature

2008-06-06T13:40:00.004-05:00

Things have still been crazy around here. I just got finished with working three 12 hour shifts from 7p-7a in a row. I absolutely love working in the NICU. I have gotten some great experiences already. The highlight so far is one night I got to go on two trips which is picking up a baby from another hospital in an ambulance. Everyone has been so nice and the babies are so precious! I do feel so bad for the babies that don't have the best mommy and daddy's. All I can do is love those babies and pray for them.

Also, Ava had her dress rehearsal last night and she has her recital tonight and tomorrow night. She is in a ballet dance and a tap dance. They are super cute. I will have Brian put the video of her dance on sometime soon. I couldn't decide which pictures to put on so I did a lot of them. Sorry!

Then I put pictures of the kids up from last weekend. We went out to Mackinaw to help clean it up. We are trying to get it ready so we can go camping and swimming in the lake. Hayden and Ava can't wait to go camping for the first time. I can't wait either. My family used to camp out there a lot and I have a lot of really great memories of camping and swimming in the lake. I want my children to have the same memories!!!

This is Ava with her new headband. We were shopping and she just had to have a headband because she said, "Everyone else has one so I need one too." I was thinking, "Are we starting this already?"

Ava climbing an old tree stump

Hayden was sitting on the deck looking at the tadpoles in the lake

Ava enjoying a smore

Gotta love the gooyeness

Ava taking a snack break before her tap dance. They are dancing to "How much is that doggy in the window?"

Wasting time

Daddy and Ava sitting in the crowd watching the other dances

Isn't she a cute dalmation?

Waiting to go backstage

In her ballet costume. She is a dewdrop fairy

What's Happening.....

2008-05-30T08:45:00.002-05:00

Where have I been? There has been a lot going on in the Snyder household. Last Friday I had my two bottom molars taken out. I know, most people get theirs out in their teen years, but I took care of Brian in college when he got his out and that made me wait forever!!!!! Well, I was right in doing so because I was miserable!!!!! Way too much pain for me. I ended up getting "dry socket." Very painful. I had to go back Wed morning for him to pack them. Then I went back this morning to get them packed again. The packing really does help. It takes away the pain, but I have a constant minty flavor in my mouth. I guess that is better than pain.

I started my externship in the NICU this past Wed night. It was a great!!!!!! I am going to be working third shift (7pm-7am). I thought it would drag, but it went pretty fast. I felt pretty comfortable. My preceptor is awesome. She actually took care of Hayden and Ava so that was nice. She kept introducing me to people (which is great) but everyone kept saying I already know her. It was funny. What was amazing to me was there were some nurses who I remembered and they remembered where Hayden, Ava, and Miles spots were in the NICU. It really meant a lot when they remembered Miles and even his name! They really are amazing up there and I am so happy and lucky to be apart of their "family." Anyway, I was put right to work with the babies and the routine. I really do have some advantage with my past experience because I already knew how to do their temps, change diapers with wires all over, and feeding them (which you need to have some technique). I really think I am going to like working in the NICU. We shall see next week how things go. It was a super great first shift experience!!!!

Hayden had his last day of school yesterday. So now we are concentrating on potty training him. I know, he still is not potty trained. This has been a very big struggle with Hayden. He just doesn't want to do it. So, this morning he has big boy pants on. This might be a silly prayer request but please pray for mommy and daddy and especially for Hayden. I want him to feel empowered to do this. It is so time!!!!!!! Funny note: last night we were over at my mom and dad's house booking our resort for our first trip to Disneyland next May. Well, we were showing Hayden in the magazine which resort it was. Hayden said, "We can't go in the magazine" he kept saying it because he thought that we were literally going to the picture in the magazine. How cute and funny is that? I was cracking up!

Don update: He is doing much better! He has moved back to the floor that I was working on. He looks great and is gaining strength everyday. Thank you for all of your prayers!

Here are some recent pictures of the kids.

Hanging out at Mackinaw

Going on their favorite pug ride with Grampy

This is a picture of Hayden's bug shirt that he made at school.

Eating some yummy popsicles

I let them play in the water yesterday for a little bit.

TA DA!!!!!!

2008-05-17T20:29:00.003-05:00

The playset is DONE!!!! I am so proud of Brian. He built the entire thing all by himself! What a super Dad! The kids are having so much fun playing on it.

Here is the proof for Brian's coworkers:

We had a nice lunch outside

They wanted to eat their snack on the playset

Swinging fun!

Their favorite: the bronco rider

Hanging out

Tonight as we were winding down together, Hayden was sitting on my lap. He was giving me kisses. He then took his ear and put it to my cheek and said, "Mommy, this is an ear kiss" I thought that was super cute and creative. So give all your loved ones "Ear Kisses" tonight.

Update: Please pray tonight for Don and his family. He coded twice last night. They did take him off the ventilator today and he got to watch his Cubs play and eat lunch. He got to talk to all of his family. My mom just called me and told me that he is back on the vetilator. Please pray for Don and his family to have Peace! Thank you!

Swimming Fun

2008-05-16T13:17:00.002-05:00

We had a fun morning today! I didn't send Hayden to school today (I know bad mommy, former teacher) instead I took Hayden and Ava to an indoor swimming pool. They had so much fun! We met up with my girlfriends and their children. Then we went and got McDonalds and came home for lunch.

Before they got in the pool

Hayden loved feeling the water go down his pants

This is Isabelle and Ava

Update: Don ended up coding in the middle of the night. He is now in the intensive care unit. Please pray for him, my Grandma, and his family! Thank you!

Ava's Last Day of School and Update

2008-05-15T20:53:00.004-05:00

Today was Ava's last day of school. She had a program at the end of the morning. It was so cute! We were so proud of her. She did all the motions and sang the songs. This is a huge improvement becaue in the Fall and at Christmas time when they did programs she stood there and did nothing and was mad. Last night she told me she wasn't going to sing and she told me the same thing this morning. When I told her that if she didn't sing it would make mommy and daddy very sad. So she said she would sing and she did!!! She was very proud of herself.

Update: We still need those prayes coming! Don was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He has been having a lot of chest pain. Please pray for him and my Grandma. She is going through a tough time! Thank you

Ava doing some motions

Ava before school

My babies!

They always have to do silly faces!

Cheesing it up for mommy

More motions

Playset Progress...

2008-05-14T20:46:00.002-05:00

I thought I would post some updated pictures of the playset. It is getting closer to being done. Brian is hoping that it will be finished this weekend if the weather cooperates.

They got to test it out before bed, hence the P.J.s

Ava was acting like a pirate... Argh!

Prayer request: Please pray for Don, my Grandmother's husband, he is in the hospital tonight (actually on the floor that I work on). They aren't really sure what is going on. We will know more in the morning. Thank you!

Done and Done!!!!!!

2008-05-14T13:24:00.002-05:00

I am officially finished with my Senior 1 semester!!!!!! I had my last final this morning. I won't know what I got on it until Friday. That makes me really anxious. Although, whatever grade I get won't effect my grade. I will end up with a "B" in the class. Which is pretty good considering a lot of people were hoping for a "C." I only have one more semester left. I will graduate on December 13!!! Believe me it is already on my calendar. In a couple of weeks I start my externship in the NICU. I really am praying that is where I want to work. I won't know until I start working in there. I just hope it isn't too emotional for me. I think I will be fine but you never know.

We are hoping there is no rain this afternoon. Brian wasn't able to work on the playset last night due to the rain. The kids are getting antsy to play on it. Here's to good weather!!!!

Mother's Day and Progress....

2008-05-13T09:45:00.004-05:00

I had a great Mother's Day! It was very relaxing and Brian cleaned the whole house (plus dusting) and did all the laundry. We went to my Aunt Julie's house for an early dinner. Hayden and Ava had a lot of fun saying "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" because they kept saying it throughout the day. It was funny. Here are pictures from the afternoon.

Brian has been working on the playset. It is slow going but he is doing a great job. Hayden and Ava are so excited for it to be done. In fact, Ava came out in the middle of ballet class to ask me if the playset was finished.

Grammy, Ava, Hayden, and Grandma Mavis

This is the question.... Who is really pregnant? Just kidding!

(We were making that joke on Sunday)

Grandma Mavis had a great idea to play a game. We played "Button, Button, who's got the button?" The kids had so much fun playing this game

Hayden got the button twice

The beginning of our playset

Brian working on the playset

Having fun with Grandpa!