Snow Day

Asher with his rosy cheeks.

A crash about to happen!

Liam throwing a fit.

So on one of the many snow days we had this winter we decided to load the boys up and head to Nauvoo to the State Park hill for some sledding. I'm not a big fan of the cold, the snow, or ice but, I felt it was one of my duties as a parent to take them sledding at least once this winter....what with all the snow and everything. Last year we had gotten some sleds on clearance and hadn't used them yet so we dragged them out too. It took forever to get everyone dressed and ready to go. We let Cullen sleep in the car.
I think the boys had fun. Liam threw a fit at the top of the hill most of the time. Round sleds are not good.....make a note of that. Buy more long sleds because everyone fought over the two long sleds. When we got home we had hot chocolate. I got my parenting snow badge I guess.

My Birthday Weekend

K, so since I have still not found my camera, this blog is going to be picture free for a while. sucks. I turned 31 on March 12th. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my birthday. I really truly expect something grand to happen every single year on that day. I can't help it. It's MY day!!! Anyway, on my actual birthday (Friday) I did my usual thing of sending the kids off to school and staying home with the other kids. On his lunch break, Jeremy brought home some really beautiful flowers. Wish I had a pic.....lilies, tulips, and roses. Awesome. Then after the big boys got picked up from school he took them to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cake to surprise me with!!! YUMMY! Again, wish I had a pic. The boys were really excited about this because they truly seemed concerned that morning that I would not have a cake. I don't even like cake, but ice cream cake.....I can do that!!!!
Then Jeremy and I were going to go see Alice In Wonderland and out to eat but our plans took a different route. We ended up not being able to get out of town in time so we just settled for no movie and dinner in Ft. Madison at La Casa. Normally a pretty decent restraunt but on this night, it sucked!! Don't know if it's because it was kinda late and they didn't want to make fresh food or what but I had awful fajitas with burnt rice and beans. The stupid waiter never checked us and never gave us more to drink, never even brought us a check. It was retarded! Anyway, we had a kid free night though.
Next Morning.
We had to pick up the boys and my mom came over to our house to watch the kids for us while we headed to Chicago. Yep, we decided to go after all. We drove to Chicago and arrived about 3:30pm. Drove to the ultrasound place and did a little shopping before our appointment. Then we went in to find out the baby's gender. Well, this little baby is very private indeed. It kept curled up in a little ball and kept it's hands in front of it's face. Stubborn little thing. The lady doing the ultrasound said that from one angle she thought she could see a little winky and from another angle she thought it looked like a little girl. So, she said "I'm 50% girl and 50% boy...but you can come back again for free and we'll try again"
Great. Just Great. I drive 4 and a half hours to Chicago and leave with the same information I arrived with. Perfect. It was really cool to see the little guy on 3D though.
We didn't pay for the 4D.
We tried to get seats at Medieval Times but they were all sold out. So, we headed back to our hotel room and ordered room service. OH my goodness, it was awesome!!! It was so good and well worth it!! And I got creme brulee with fresh berries for dessert which is my favorite!!! K, I'm hungry now just thinking about it! And when I retire...I'm going to retire to a hotel, a nice one, with room service. No wait, not just one hotel, I'm going to retire by traveling. Never in the same place too long. Yep, that's my dream. I'm like Wyatt Earp's second wife. Don't know what I'm talking about....watch Tombstone. One of the best movies ever by the way.
The next morning, Jeremy wanted to go to Fry's Electronics (for those of you that don't know...it's pretty much the biggest coolest electronics store ever). We went there, then had lunch at Portillo's (a Chicago must). And home we came.
I had a really good birthday. No regrets. YAY for awesome birthdays!

My good friend, Johnny, posted this on his blog earlier and I had to steal it.
Too Good. And too true.

Things That Are Going On

First things first...my birthday is tomorrow! I do LOVE my birthday and tend to want to celebrate it for days on end....sigh. I don't know what to do for my birthday this year though....my belly is getting huge. I'm feeling about eight months pregnant already. I'm not. My mom keeps saying that maybe I am further along than I thought. I don't think so. I think I'm carrying an octopus...or a rock. Hard to tell. I have been feeling movement for weeks now, which is early, even for having had children before. the movements are getting bigger and more frequent which is awesome. I'm already peeing like at least 3 times a night. What the crap?!?!? Oh well, enough with all that stuff.

On Sunday, Debbie (MIL) had kept the three younger boys for the night, and my mom had kept the two older boys for the night...so I went to bed early and got a great nights sleep for like the first time in forever! Jeremy and I woke up and decided to head to Quincy for church since Susan and Todd were blessing baby Daxton that day. On the way there, Jeremy said his head hurt so he took some med and on we drove. The blessing was great! Quincy ward is the first ward that I remember as a child. We lived there when we first moved to Illinois from Minnesota. I loved Quincy ward then and I love it now!! The people there are so awesome!!! A big step up from my previous ward....guess I will just leave it at that. I wonder if I can get my records transfered to Quincy??? hmmmm....
Anyway, after that we thought that we could have a little early birthday celebration in Quincy, go out to eat, watch Alice In Wonderland, but Jeremy didn't feel good still and looked as if he were going to vomit so we left for home. Once home Jeremy felt worse and worse. Tried meds again, taking a nap, etc. We were supposed to be to Nauvoo by 4:30 for his dad's birthday dinner but Jeremy didn't want to go. so we missed that too. Ugh. That's something cool about Jeremy's fam, they have a birthday dinner for everyone's birthday. Usually at his parents house. Like I said we missed it but, Debbie brought some leftovers when she brought our kids home later. mmmm, good!

Asher has been cracking us up lately. He says the funniest things...I need to start writing them down!
Still no sign of my new camera. *sigh*

Oh my goodness.....yesterday we had beautiful weather!!! I was SO stinking excited. All of us went outside and played (well, I dug in the dirt). I thought how I wanted to plant more bulbs. I got some on clearance last fall and planted those and some of them look to be coming up! But anyway, I wanted to get more and plant them too but Debbie said you plant bulbs in the fall. Dang it. So I will do something else. I think I have strawberries coming up too. I need to get the strawberry bed cleared though...it was still very muddy yesterday. Then last night I got to sit on my porch swing and feel a cool breeze while the first thunderstorm of the season come on!!! It was awesome!! The lightning was amazing. The thunder was divine. I really could have slept on the porch swing but I didn't.

Guess I'm done for now.

Ring

The ring thing is for real!!! YAY!! Now, if I can find my misplaced camera. Just got it for Christmas....hmmmmm.

Why Is It Always About the Toilet?

If my baby walks up to me one more time with either the toilet plunger or the toilet brush, I'm gonna pull my hair out....or someone else's! It's not a hard concept. Shut the bathroom door when you are done. Just shut it. Pull the door closed behind you as you walk out. I talk and I talk and I talk....on one ever listens. Hey remember to shut the door when you're done, I say. Okay, they say back in that annoyed voice. But then, guess what? They still don't shut the flippin door when they're done. And they wonder why I'm constantly telling them what to do....hmmmm, I wonder? Could it be they don't ever do a darn thing I say? Yes, Jeremy does it too. In fact he might be the worst.
Maybe I should teach the baby to clean the toilet.

Now that I got that out of the way....tonight Cedric gets his belt with a stripe on it or something. not quite sure yet what it all is. He is really excited and I am excited for him. He says that it is for kicking.....I bet there is more to it. He was supposed to get it Tuesday but I just totally spaced out on karate that night...and Ced didn't remember until too late.

And after the whole wedding ring story a few months back.....read previous blog posts from November because I am too lazy to put in a hyper link. I am embarrassed to say that I lost the wedding ring again. I know, I know, stupid. It has been gone for about two months. Unless I was dreaming the other night (Jeremy is not home to correct me on this) I think he found it in our bathroom cabinet! It was right in front of our face the whole time! He brought it to me in my sleep and wanted to know how it had gotten there.....it's all kinda blurry in my head and I don't remember where he put it again either. I don't think I should wear it...I think I should frame it and mount it on the wall. That way I will always know where it is.

More Family News

I have two nieces that are having babies the same time I am. Nicci Trapp is due on Sept. 3rd. Justine is due on Sept. 3rd...which is also her birthday. and I am due Sept. 2nd. Today Justine found out that she is having another boy!!! I am excited for her and her husband!! They have a baby boy that turned one in December named Maddox. He's so stinkin cute!

So, a few days ago, I decided that for my birthday I wanted to go to chicago to get a 3D ultrasound and find out the gender. With the 3D ones you can find out the gender much sooner and I'm to that point now. We found great train tickets to Chicago for next to nothing and the ultrasound in Chicago was only $39 for a gender check. Thought I could eat at some of my fave spots while there. Oh! And the Chicago St. Patrick's Day celebration is that weekend (mar. 12-14) where they dye the river green and have the big parade and other cool stuff. Then fear set in. What if we did all that and we got up there, I would be in the dumps all weekend and ruin my birthday weekend, because I'm sure they will tell me it is another boy. And while I'm expecting it.....it's always hard to hear it confirmed....at first. With Cullen, I couldn't talk about it for about a week or so. I cried every time I did. So, we decided to nix that idea and just go with my regular 20 week ultrasound. And celebrate my birthday here where there is a whole lot of nothing. Joy.

Tonight, I am going to be making potato soup for my niece, Liesl, and her fiance, Jack. Also, my brother Mike and SIL Maxine. Liesl is getting married on April 10th and they asked me to do the food! Awesome! They want bread bowls with potato soup and shrimp cream puffs!
So, that's what we're doing!

Snorkle Fish

Today is giving me a small glimmer of hope that we may yet see Spring and not be stuck in another Ice Age. If there ever is another Ice Age, just count me out. I hate the cold, snow, and mess. I definitely am not living in the right spot of the world. Now to figure out how to change that.....hmmmmm.
I think we are going to start playing the lottery. Jeremy is VERY lucky. Maybe it has something to do with his Irish roots. Maybe he is part leprechaun, I don't know but, I bet he could win it. He has won everything he has entered in since we were married. He even won our honeymoon trip to the Bahamas. Yes, we will discuss this when he gets home for lunch. The lottery. hmmmmm.....
Asher goes back to the doctor today. On Saturday, I had to take him to a different doc than our normal because our doc is closed on Saturdays but, his ear had blood and icky goop coming out of it and it could NOT wait. That doctor couldn't see much in his ear because it was all blocked with infection puss and blood...so she gave me some drops to put in his ear to help draw all the yucky crap out so we could see what was in his ear and told me to follow up with our regular doctor...which I'm doing today. this has all been very gross. There is some nasty junk coming out of that ear. And Asher doesn't normally get ear infections. I can't even remember him actually having one. but all my kids kinda blend together anymore in my memory so I would have to look back on my records and see.
My birthday is fast approaching. I was supposed to be done having kids by the time I was 30. I will be turning 31 in 11 days. What happened there? One of the things I'm going to do for my birthday is use the Rosetta Stone program to learn German. I already know some. I'm going to expand on that small amount of knowledge.
The other day some lady was asking me about my college stuff and I told her I had done my freshman and sophmore year. She then asked if I had any other skills or certifications. I thought for a minute and said No. Golly, I'm dumb. I didn't think about the fact that I am a Nationally certified EMT. And that's pretty good. Most people are only state certified, the national test is harder. And it took me a good year of classes and training to do all that, I didn't even remember it. But, I have not spent any time on the ambulance since I got certified. Am I going to remember german when I'm done? hmmmmm.....

My Venting for the Day

I don't think i can take these headaches anymore.
THEY ARE KILLING ME!
I was sick to my stomach again last night. This sucks. My older boys are about to get home from school and I know it's going to be even more crazy here.
Oh the joys of being pregnant.
People who say they felt their best when they were pregnant are LIARS.....or just plain CRAZY!!!!

Cullen got stuck in the wagon. I couldn't get him out until I took a picture....or two.
It's part of the getting out process.
I swear.

Tuesday

Today was another monthly prenatal visit. I got to hear the heartbeat!! I know what to expect now but it is always reassuring to know that the little guy is actually in there and alive!
And by little guy I mean "it".
Pretty darn sure it's a little guy though.
And I'm losing weight again....clothes getting tighter because my weight is redistributing he says.
I'm gonna use that excuse all the time. Even when I'm not pregnant.

I think I broke my face today somehow.
My cheek bone on the left side is killing me.

Babies Everywhere!

More baby news!!! This time on the other side of the family. Jeremy's little sister is pregnant!! Her and her husband, Josh, got married in October of last year...now they will be having their first baby in October of this year!!! I'm really excited! We get to be pregnant together...she's due about 7-8 weeks after I am. YAY!
Congratulations Josh and Trisha!!

Todays Happenings...

I am addicted to the Discover Channel's show Deadliest Catch. It is the deadliest job in the world....alaskan crab fishing! Watching this show makes me want to pick everything up, move to Alaska and hop on a crab boat. I wouldn't last a day...but it would sure be an experience. The show follows four-six different fishing boats as they do their job. My favorite skipper was Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie. Over the past couple of seasons he has had some health scares and the show has documented all of it. I found out today that Captain Phil died yesterday of a massive stroke. I am so saddened.....and I didn't even know him in person. He was just a good guy. His two sons worked along side him on the fishing boat. I feel so bad for them. I know what it feels like to lost your father....it sucks. I'm going to include them in my prayers tonight because I think they will need it. RIP Captain Phil.



Today I got to go see my new nephew, Dax. I had full intentions of taking my camera and getting a pic with the baby but, i took off for Quincy and left it behind. So, pics next time I guess. He is just too cute! I LOVE babies! He looks a lot like Todd...kinda like Nick did when he was little. He has the Boyer nose for sure! haha! After my visit I headed to get my lab work done that I was supposed to get done a month ago and completely forgot about! I can't keep anything straight in my brain anymore. geesh! So, that was fun. Not really but whatever.

Now I must focus on my kitchen...after getting these boys to bed. I have a pile of dishes a mile high because my dishwasher only half washes things anymore and I usually have to wash a load twice! And sometimes it doesn't even take the soap gel tab thing to wash...it just leaves it sit in the little compartment! Stupid thing. Anyone know any tricks to fix that????

I'm sick and tired of the snow, sub-zero temperatures, and winter in general. Who thought winter was a good idea? Not me. I think I live in the wrong part of the country! I can't wait for spring....I want to plant some flowers, trim some bushes, build a bridge over our stream, and work on the boys clubhouse.

11 weeks tomorrow....woot! woot! My belly is starting to grow for sure. I feel kinda weird. Can't quite put my finger on it. I haven't been puking this last week or so...and I think I'm gaining weight or something...which is weird. Usually when I am preggers I LOSE weight. A lot of it. With Cullen I lost over 25 pounds before I gained anything back. but my pants are really uncomfortable and I feel like everything is clinging to me. UGH!

Good News!

Daxton Isaac Boyer was born today at 11:42am!!!! He was 7 lbs. 8oz. and 19 inches long. My mom called me at 11:30 and was like well, I just talked to Susan and she said she is dilated to five and 90% effaced and it would still be awhile still. Then, we got a text at noon saying the baby was born at 11:42....a mere twelve minutes after I had talked to my mom! crazy! Anyway, I am really happy for Susan and Todd (my sister and brother-in-law)! I can't wait to get there to see that little guy in person.....I got a peek at some pictures online but I want to hold him!

I think I might give up my facebook addiction......it is sucking my life away. And 50% of the people on there drive me crazy anyhow. What is the point anyway? Yes, I think I will give it a trial period...of a week or so and see how I do without it. Maybe I'll get more done! haha! Maybe not.

Updates on the Kiddos

TRISTAN~ Well, Tristan is having his second go around with Pink eye in a week in a half. He's upset because he has to keep missing basketball. Both practice and games. Slightly annoys me as well because I paid $50 for him to be on the team and he is never there. I feel bad for him though...he's trying really hard to keep the pink eye to himself. He washes and santizes his hands constantly and I run around all day spraying lysol on everything he touches. I have stressed to him the awfulness of it all if Asher or Cullen were to get it....oh dear me. Anyway, he also also missed a lot of school which means we have a lot of homework to do. Yeah. He is 9 now and REALLY smart. Just like his dear old mom. K, and his dad too! :)

CEDRIC~ Cedric is having a "Fun In the Sun" day at school today. He's so excited, especially since it is snowing...AGAIN! It's the Reading Is Fundemental program and they give the kids free books and read stories to them and give them treats. Today they had to bring summer clothes to change into, sunglasses, beach towels, etc for their fun in the sun party. Apparently, way back at the beginning of the school year I signed up to send treats for this day. I have been feeling uber yucky this week and all I could eek out was some rice krispie treats. easy peasy. Cedric also has been dedicated to doing his Tang Soo Do, a korean martial art. He has to learn the Korean commands as well as the English...pretty cool....and he looks freaking awesome doing it! The great part about it is...it's only $10 a month at the Y. If I were to buy a family membership which I just might do...it would only be $5 per month. And that is for two nights a week. WOW. good deal.

LIAM~ Liam has mastered tying his shoes. He is always looking for something new to learn. He's loving Pre-K and can't wait for kindergarten. Every day I am seeing that Liam is more and more like me. It's kinda surreal. How do I deal with myself? Not well. We are both so darn stubborn. Yet he is probably my most loving and considerate child as well. He always asks to sit on my lap then says, don't sorry mom, I won't sit on your baby. If I'm feeling sick, he's the only one who offers to rub my back to make me feel better. He's pretty dang cool. Liam likes to say the prayers at supper and at bedtime.

ASHER~ Oh my, Asher has hit the stage that I just don't seem compatible with. With all of my children, from the ages of 3-5, they have turned into crazy people that in turn, make me crazy. If there were some sort of boarding school to send 3-5 year olds way to, they away they would go. Asher is a sweet boy though and has a smile that is just too cute. Yesterday he went for Pre-K screening for next year. He played bashful at first but warmed up fairly quick. He has a ton of fun and didn't want to leave in the end. Now if I can get this kids potty trained it will be a miracle. He's really big and it's hard for me to get him to sit on the toilet and stay when I'm not supposed to be lifting anything over 15 lbs. Asher is so darn big. The regular pullups don't fit him so I have to buy those overnight things for older boys that still have night-time problems. The XL ones for 65-105 lbs. or something crazy like that. It doesn't help matters that I really have no ambition right now with all the baby sickies I've been having. The bright side is that I'm pretty sure he won't still be wearing pullups when he's in highschool so nothing to worry about, right? LOL!

CULLEN~ Cullen is my ray of sunshine as all my babies from 0-2 are. This is my favorite stage! He is such a cuddle bug. And so stinkin cute! He loves animals and calls everything a cat. He is 16 months now and just perfect. He says, cat, boom-boom (pacifier...it's what we call it in our house....Liam started it), dada, mama, uh-oh, more, and he's trying real hard to say bear and bottle.

My Inspiring Thought for the Day

Video: Paul Potts – First Audition Benzer: paul, potts

You will have to pause the playlist first to watch the video.

I know this video circle the web a few years back but it's something that NEVER gets old for me. I watch this at least once a day. this guy Paul Potts worked as a cell phone salesman and you can see the from the look on the judges faces when he says that he is going to sing opera they're like "sure you are, uh-huh." So he starts and the moment his mouth opens, you can just feel it. the judges expressions are priceless. this man can change people with his voice. I only wish I had an ounce of his talent. He goes on to win the entire show! Even if you don't appreciate opera (which I do...something my father instilled in me) I challenge you NOT to get goosebumps when you watch this guy. He is truly amazing. I also have some of his music since he was on the show on my playlist.

Trapp Family Christmas 2009

Landon eating his candy cane from Santa Claus.

Asher trying to kiss Ethan.

The kiddos with presents from Santa Claus

Look who decided to drop in!!! Santa Claus!!!!

Willie, and Kaylee or Lexi (I feel bad but i can't remember...she's Sam's girlfriend's little girl...super sweet), Taylor, and Liam.

Joanne and Ethan

A bunch of people.

Asher with me and Santa

Liam was so darn excited to see Santa!!! He couldn't wait to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what he wanted.


So, this year we had Christmas a week early for the Trapp side. Susan and Todd and their fam, mike and Maxine and their fam, Sam and gf, Joyce, and her kids and his kids, Vicki and Dan and their kids....
It was a blast. It always is! we did the white elephant gift thing again this year for the adults. Every year we play the rules differently and no one ever knows what is going on. All part of being a Trapp! This year Sam took charge and we played his way.
We had a ton of good food and good times.

Kelley Family Christmas 2009

Debbie and Pat

Jeremy, Liam, and Cullen hanging out at his parents house until they get back from Christmas Eve mass.

Cullen thought he needed a drink.

All my boys except Cullen....and Tyson in the background there.

I didn't mean to get this pic in on Christmas Eve at Jeremy's parents. this is actually our house Christmas morning.

Trisha with the espresso maker and starbucks coffee we got her for Christmas.

Vanessa, Tyson, and Owen checking out their gift from Trisha and Josh.

Great grandma Lucille


Every Christmas Eve we have two Kelley Christmases. One with all the extended fam on the Kelley side and one with just Jeremy's immediate Kelley fam. For the one in the evening we all wear our Christmas pajamas and lounge around. It's always tons of fun.

Random Pics

Susan had another shower that the girls at work threw for her. It was Dr. Seuss themed. I told her I wanted the lady's phone number who gave her a GIANT sized gift basket with just about everything you could possible ever need for a baby in it. (Okay, so it wasn't really everything. but, there was a monitor, diapers, cl9othes, toys, hats, blanket, first aid kit, etc.) So, she laughed and said that the lady had won it at a charity auction. Rally cool gift though. Anyway, we had a good time at the shower.

Me and Liam taking some pics.
He loves taking pictures and getting pictures taken of himself. He always has to look at each picture before we do another.

I was feeling kinda crappy this day but what else is new. I was also going to document this pregnancy with pictures since I have not done that with any of my pregnancies. but, soon decided against it. I thought I would spare you everyone from those pics. haha! but, seriously. This body has already had five children and I have what I like to call my kangaroo pouch right where my babies go. In fact, I can feel it all filling out there quite nicely already. Already....I'm 9 weeks, 6 days...and my pants are starting to bug me already. Ah, the joys of being a baby machine.

OOOhh, on another note...my friends Ariane and Mike Cameron welcomed their first child into the world today. A beautiful baby girl named Phoebe Noelle Cameron.


Funny things my kids have said:

Asher went up to a big ship that Liam got for christmas and said:
"did you miss me? Awww. I missed you too."

Then today he said after seeing an Alaskan husky or some such dog out the window:
"wolf. wolf. it blow house down."



I have been having migraines.


Jeremy thought I was as dumb as a rock when i told him that I thought apple-bottom jeans were some brand of jeans that had apples at the bottom of the legs. Apparently it means something entirely different.