The Myers' Family

Father Daughter Dance 2011

2011-03-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Todd once again took Alexis to the father daughter dance. She had so much fun picking out her pink dress and matching shoes!! Since she has beautiful curls anyways, getting ready was pretty easy! I just so happened to have a backdrop up, so we had a mini photo session here at the house! Lexi requested Todd wear I tie so we dug out the only one he owns and tossed it in the dryer to get the wrinkles out. So they were ready to go and Brent and I headed to Lafayette for our date! He kept telling me to quit calling it a date, I was embarrassing him! Told him to suck it up, because embarrassing him is my job!!

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-28T17:00:00.001-04:00

Well this spring break was a little boring compared to last year. No stripper poles or drunken college students just some long overdue riding. We lucked out and had three gorgeous days. The kids took full advantage of it and did some riding with a friend Joshua. Both boys got new dirt bikes so it was time to put them to the test!

Waiting for someone to get her four wheeler going!

Getting ready for the first ride on his new dirt bike!

And he's off!

Brent loved riding with Joshua!

Alexis decided if the boys could ride in the woods, she could too!

I love his one! Her eyes say it all!

Down, but right back up!

Alexis being told to slow down for the 100th time that day!

Three days of riding, multiple dirty clothes, but lots of fun!!

Long Time Coming...

2011-03-28T09:58:00.000-04:00

This post has been in the works for a long time. We have been so busy around here. I have been very busy with my photography. Yippee! Lexi is back in dance. Brent is in the full swing of second grade. We've just been busy. I felt guilty posting when I had hundreds of pictures to do through (I still do at this very moment) but I wanted to show you what we have been up too. Here you go. Hang on to your shorts. We are going from summer to winter in 1 post!

So we celebrated Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day! I am doing much better than last year because the Christmas tree is down and put away! Spring is right around the corner and I can't wait!! I promise I will stay up on my blog! Well, I will try hard too anyways!

This Face Makes Me Smile Even When I Don't Feel Like It!

2010-08-26T23:04:00.000-04:00

What more can I say?

Busy Busy Busy

2010-08-20T15:05:00.000-04:00

We have been busy busy busy around here for the past month. I have been busy with photographs. We have been on vacation. We enjoyed the last few days before school started, and now we are back in school. Both kids were ready to go back. I wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss the fighting, but i miss them! Alexis is only gone 3 mornings a week so that isn't so bad. Next year I will be a blubbering mess! Here are a few pictures of our back to school days! Enjoy!

Not me Monday

2010-07-19T10:47:00.000-04:00

I most certainly did not sleep in with my children everyday that I could this week. I would never do that. I always set my alarm, rise bright and early, and take advantage of my alone time to get some things done. Ha! Ha!

I have not questioned my sanity more than once this week when the bickering between brother and sister reached an all time high! Nah. Not me. I am always cool and collected when it comes to dealing with my arguing, pestering, tattling, name calling children.

I am not secretly counting down the days till school starts. Nope not me. I am not going to re-inact the staples commercial where the mom is pushing the cart tossing in school supplies while signing and dancing and her two children look on with disgust.

I am not starting to panic about all the things I wanted to get done this summer with the kids. With summer 1/2 over I am not beginning to realize I might fall short in all my plans. I am not getting a little teary eyed thinking that Brent is going into second grade and Alexis is entering her last year of preschool. Not me. I would never be overly emotional about my kids growing up. Ok scratch going back to school. Maybe I will just keep them home for good!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to < target="_blank" href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net">her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Our Little Man ...

2010-07-17T09:59:00.000-04:00

Our little man left for his first overnight camp last night!

I have been a nervous wreck!

Will he behave?

Will he use his manners?

Will he have fun?

Will he get swarmed by mosquitos and swell up like a blimp?

Thank goodness his Uncle Brad went along!

I am still a nervous wreck, but not as bad as I would have been.

I have not text him once, just his wife!!!

4:00 can't come soon enough! I miss my buddy! It is too quiet around here!

The Real Mystery...

2010-07-15T08:52:00.000-04:00

The real mystery of life is... men!

They say men are from mars and women are from venus, but I don't believe it. Not for one second.

I for one think women are completely sane and it is the men do that crazy unexplainable things.

Example A.

Now I am not a rocket scientist.

I am not a astrophysicist, but for some reason this just does not add up.

It is pouring, and I mean pouring rain in this picture but we continue to wash our four wheeler? They say women do crazy things. I think men do too, and here is the proof!

Example B.

They continue to sit in the pouring rain for no good reason at all and question why I would take a picture of this odd looking scene.

Examples C. D. E. F. G.

We go fishing like real men. No poles. No fancy tackle. We just use our bare (or glove covered) hands, nets, plastic fencing, and our super man senses to catch those fish!

Needless to say, no fish were caught that day.

See women may be smarter than men for one reason. We are usually the ones holding the camera gaining the photographic proof, while the men are carrying out the acts that make us further believe men are truly a mystery!

X Games Winner 2015

2010-07-14T09:07:00.000-04:00

Alexis is not the only rider in the family. Her big brother Brent is becoming quite the rider himself.

I don't know how my poor heart is going to take this!

He thinks he is pretty tough!

I still want to swaddle him and slather him down with baby lotion so he will smell like the baby he once was.

However, first he must stop using Abercrombie cologne because that doesn't smell like a baby and hold still long enough for me to catch!

I guess I am not meant to be a soccer mom. I guess it's pit crew for me!

X Games Winner 2020

2010-07-13T13:31:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was very eventful.

Alexis decided she was ready to ride.

Training was initiated. It lasted 2 minutes I think!

Daddy hopped on in case he needed to take over.

There was no need for him on back. She acted like she had been riding for years. The only problem was she liked to go fast! Thank goodness we could turn down the throttle! I kept hearing Ricky Bobby saying "I like to go fast!" over and over in my head! I just kept praying!

Her first ride alone!

Very focused!

"Hey big brother...eat my dust!"

"That's right boys, ladies first!"

"Just because I am 1/4 your size and several years younger than you, I can still take you on!"

Good job Alexis! In about a decade you'll be ready for the X Games!

I will need nerve medication, but I will be there cheering you on!

Not Me Monday

2010-07-12T11:36:00.000-04:00

It has not been weeks and weeks since I did a Not Me Monday Post! I would never fall behind on blogging because I have been too "busy" to do one!

I most certainly did not break out the deep fryer this morning to make donuts knowing good and well my children would not touch them and I would be forced to devour them all! Thank goodness my hubby stopped by and helped me "taste test" my creations!

I am not still in my pajamas writing this post when I should be trying to get caught up on housework and about 500 other things. Nope not me. I would never stall! I would never glance at the vacuum out of the corner of my eye while I am still typing and not feel the slightest bit of guilt!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to < target="_blank" href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net">her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Boating...Redneck Style

2010-07-08T11:28:00.000-04:00

Well, the other day we went boating. It was not your typical body of water. It was flooded farm ground!The kids donned life jackets and were tossed out. Brent had a blast! Alexis rode with Todd. She said she was having fun, but only went once.

Todd thought he would show us how to ski on a knee board. I was quite impressed. Go honey! I was just fine taking the pictures!

The Birthdays Continue

2010-07-01T12:03:00.000-04:00

June is a busy time for us. Brent, Todd, and Todd's dad Jerry all share the birthday of June 7th. So we party hard around here. Brent started of with a friend pool party. They swam, chased each other around the house and yard, and talked about girls! So not ready for that to be happening.

Next was our family party. It was beautiful out, but the 60 mile an hour winds forced the party to be in our garage. It was eventful as usual with me ending the evening in Lafayette with Zoey at the vet.

No this is not a giant burrito. It was suppose to be a skateboard.

Finally. his birthday finally arrived! Of course we had another cake and a little celebration.

The Birthday Boys!

I think everyone had a happy birthday. I can tell you this. If I don't see cake for another year that will be just fine with me!!!

Mother's Day

2010-06-29T12:29:00.000-04:00

This was my creation for Mother's Day from Alexis.

She made this masterpiece at preschool for me.

She was very proud of her cake.

I am very proud of her!!!

Memorial Day...Redneck Style

2010-06-28T23:18:00.000-04:00

This past Memorial weekend we camped all weekend at Todd's brother and sister-in-law's. A couple of other families were staying too. The adults wanted to have something for the kids to do besides complain it was too hot and run in and out of the air conditioning 5,000 times. So the masterpiece below was created!

The slide was a big hit all weekend! It kept the kids outdoors and out of our hair. Well, most of the time. The adults even took part in the action. I was the first adult, but since I take the pictures there is no photographic proof which is fine by me! Here's to all those rednecks out there! All you need is some plastic, dirt, and a hose, and you are bound to have a good time!!!

The Big Dance recital

2010-06-25T22:07:00.000-04:00

After months of practice. After months of Alexis running around dance class like a maniac. After months of her instructors ready to pull their hair out, it finally was here. The dance recital on the big stage! Alexis looked adorable. She did an awesome job. We were and are so proud of her. Who knew that the biggest trouble maker in class would do so well? Here are a few snap shots of the BIG day!

2 months too late

2010-06-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

I know. I know. I have been MIA for the last 2 months. No need to send out a search party! I have been consumed by birthday parties, dance pictures, pictures in general, holidays, school ending, summer beginning, church camp, and so on and so on. The saying is true. Time flies when you are having fun!! Here are a few pictures to get me up to date. More to come soon. Very soon. I promise!!! Really I do!

The Birthday That Would Never End!

2010-04-25T13:24:00.001-04:00

Over the last 3 weeks Alexis has had 4 birthday celebrations. I have made more cake than I care to even think about. I used 14 pounds of powdered sugar! My life would continue to go on if I never ate cake again! Here are some pictures of all the celebrations. It is hard to believe Alexis turned 4. Seems like yesterday I was frying mushrooms and talking to the doctor on the phone about my progressing labor! Alexis has never followed the norm and her birth was no different! She was due May 8, 2006. Since I had a difficult labor with Brent and ended up having a very sudden C-section we decided not to mess around. I was scheduled to have a C-section on May 1, 2006. Well, Alexis had other plans. I guess she was in a hurry to meet us! She has blessed our lives in so many ways since she was born, and caused a few gray hairs. The dark circles under my eyes I think have become permanent! I am hoping since she is 4 now she will start sleeping through the night. I can dream right? Anyway, the past few weeks have been very busy and very fun. Alexis is so lucky she has so many people who love her!

2010-04-13T09:17:00.001-04:00

This past weekend we started celebrating Alexis' birthday. Alexis wanted a "friend" party so we had a fancy tea party! We made bracelets, door hangers, and sand art. We ate lunch, opened presents, ate cake and ice cream, and played with the adorable baby sister of one of the little girls! I think all the girls had a great time. I know I did. Can't wait to do it again soon!

Not Me Monday

2010-04-12T08:18:00.000-04:00

This was not our view from our hotel balcony when we went on vacation a few weeks ago. I was not offered lessons as I made my way to the grill by the pool to pick up lunch for the kids who were in seclusion. I most definitely did not respond to the bubbly college student "No thanks. I don't need any new moves for the next PTA meeting!" I don't think she understood!

I did not loose my cool with the manager of the resort who failed to mention when we booked this hotel that there would be a stripper pole by the pool. I reminded her when we booked a little over a week ago the ages of the children were mentioned and the fact that the stripper and DJ until 1:00 am was never brought up!

I am still not unpacking miscellaneous bags from our vacation. Nope! I am all about getting things back to order ASAP without stalling! I would never shove something in the closet to deal with later!

On a lighter note...

We had just gotten to the pool and a group of high school cheerleaders went past where we were sitting and Brent sat up, looked at Todd, and said "This is the best vacation ever!". He was happy with the swarms of teenage girls that were also staying at our hotel for a nearby competition. To him this was his own little piece of heaven!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Win a iPad

2010-04-09T09:02:00.000-04:00

Want a chance to win a brand new iPad while doing something totally awesome? It's easy! Follow this link My Charming Kids and do what you can! I did!

Easter 2010

2010-04-06T21:10:00.000-04:00

I am back from I am not sure where. Spring Break came and went. Easter has come and went. Now it is time to get back into the swing of things. Here are a few pictures from our recent Easter celebration. We are in the middle of getting ready for Alexis' birthday. Her first party is this weekend. She is having a fancy tea party for her friends. The following weekend we will be having a bigger family and friends party. Our busy birthday season has begun!

2010-03-25T22:29:00.000-04:00

Tonight we went to a local mall. This wasn't your typical mall we find in Lafayette, IN. We have Old Navy not Prada and Gucci. However, they were doing Easter pictures so we had to stop. We have had the kid's Christmas pictures taken there twice and we have loved them both times. They did a great job so I had to share.

The Magic Kingdom

2010-03-25T16:14:00.000-04:00

Need I say more?

Brent The Dino Hunter

2010-03-23T18:58:00.000-04:00

Well, the day started with princesses, but we soon moved onto dinosaurs. The mighty dino hunter dug for fossils and enjoyed the restaurant T-Rex. He was in heaven! We all had fun and The Future Paleontologist learned a lot!

The Princess

2010-03-23T18:18:00.000-04:00

Today our little girl was transformed into a princess. We went to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and had a blast. She got a complete makeover from hair, to makeup, and beyond. Alexis was not too sure about the lip stick, but everything else she loved. We got stopped by total strangers so they could tell us what a beautiful little girl she was and even a few wanted her picture. All in all she had a great day! Tomorrow we go to the happiest place on earth, The Magic Kingdom!

Spring Break 2010

2010-03-21T23:12:00.000-04:00

We are in sunny Florida. Over the last couple of days I have acquired enough material for a dozen Not Me Monday posts. More on that later. We are having a blast. I am still sun burnt. We have a busy day planned for tomorrow. The rate we are going we are going to see 3/4 of Florida this trip. Off to bed. It has been a very long day!

Our Big Guy

2010-03-11T10:13:00.000-05:00

I snapped these pictures the other night while Brent was reading to me. We are so proud of him. He has come a long way. He has had problems with his ears that has affected his hearing over the past few years so he fell a little behind. However, he has made up for lost time very quickly. Unfortunately I am afraid his problems are starting to resurface. We will see. I hope I am wrong for once!

Reading about bat poop. Gotta love it!

He did anyways!

The Dynamic Duo

2010-03-05T07:30:00.005-05:00

Here they are. Double Trouble. Some days they love each other, and some days they don't like each other. What one doesn't think of the other one will. What one does the other is sure to follow. Some days the odds are stacked against me. They love me and I love them. They may not be sisters, but they have a bond that will never be broken. I am so lucky to watch them grow up with each other!

Still here...

2010-03-04T13:49:00.000-05:00

I am still here. Still breathing. Still driving around in circles to school, to dance, to preschool, to the store, to home, and to everywhere else in between. It has been a crazy, busy week. I am so ready for the weekend. I am very busy with scheduling photo shoots for this spring and summer. My plans for today were turned upside down when the school called for me to come pick up my sick child. Alexis, Brent, and I are hanging in his room. They are watching a movie and I am trying to play catch up on the computer. Clients to e-mail, blogs to update, research to be done, and about a million more things that I know will never get completed today, but I guess I still have tomorrow. So long for now.

The Dance

2010-02-28T14:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a big night around here. Alexis went to her first dance. She had her first date, her dad. Our local Tri Kappa holds a father/daughter dance and this year Todd and Alexis went. I painted Alexis' nails. We did her hair, not much you can do with it. She put on her new dress and shoes. We took lots of pictures and video. Todd even got Alexis a corsage to wear. They had a blast at the dance. I can't believe how big she has gotten. Before I know it she will be heading off to prom!

Conversations With a 3 Year Old

2010-02-24T14:19:00.000-05:00

Conversations with a three year old can be very funny. They can also be very complicated. They can make you want to run and hide because you can't believe your child just said that! Here are some of the conversations I have had with our children when they were 3. Let me tell you some were deep, some were funny, and some were just down right bizarre.

While driving in the car with Brent when he was 3 and my mom he says out of the blue, "Mommy I am mad at the people who hung Jesus on the cross." I was floored. Where did that come from? Try explaining the crucification of Jesus to a 3 year old. Not gonna happen! So I told him that Jesus died for us and he is in a much better place now. He just kept going on and on about those mean people who hung Jesus on the cross.

You know your child has watched the movie Enchanted too many times when she looks at the apple you are about to eat and asks you "Is that a poison apple?". I told her no and she told me "Good because I don't want you to die." No more Enchanted.

This past weekend Alexis was curled up on Uncle Troy and Aunt Lisa's couch next to Mike. Mike is great guy who just adores her and has children too. Alexis was asking him about his family when she asked him if his mommy was dead. He looks at me and mouthed "What the heck?*" (*censored this is a family blog). He told her no so she proceeded to drill him on who was alive and who was dead in his family. Great couch talk isn't it. I had no explanation for him about her fascination on the living and the dead. Maybe it stems from the recent passing of Jerry and Helen's outside dog, maybe not. I can't even begin to understand or explain her 3 year old mind!

Brent was always quick to point out people's "boogers in their nose". It didn't matter where we were or who they were he told him about their mucus problem. We tried and tried to explain to him it was not good manners, but he never understood it at that age!

Our kids make me smile on a daily basis. The things they think of and the things they say! WOW!

I can't wait to remind them when they are older of all of our unique conversations! Hope they have just as many with their kids someday!

Not Me Monday

2010-02-22T10:59:00.000-05:00

I most certainly did not have my hair cut and highlighted not once, but twice last week. Call it a mid winter crisis, but I was in the mood for change. It didn't turn out the exact way I had pictured the first time, but I really like it now after the second. Hope so or it is going to start falling out if I keep messing with it!

I did not start to panic a little this weekend realizing we have about a month till we go to Florida and I am not ready by any means! I figured I would have till June to kick my butt back into gear before I would have to put a suit on again, but it is right around the corner. Guess I shouldn't have eaten half a bag of candy coated Hershey's eggs this morning. Oh well, I will get it into gear tomorrow. Maybe if someone gets rid of those darn candy eggs that are calling my name as we speak!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Young Love

2010-02-19T15:48:00.000-05:00

Young love. There is nothing like it. Brent has never been shy about the opposite sex. He is partial to older blondes. We have had to have talks about not saying girls are hot because that is not proper. So when Brent developed a crush on a fellow little girl in his first grade class I was not surprised. Her name is Emma and she is a cutie. I had a photo shoot with Emma's younger brothers the other day and I mentioned to Emma's mom about Brent's fondness. The next day I picked up Brent from school and he seemed a little down. When we got home he remained quiet. As we were working on his homework he told me he needed to talk to me. I sat down wondering what our discussion was going to be about. He told me he was upset with me. I asked why and he told me because I told Emma's mom he liked her. I tried to reassure him it was ok, that you should tell someone you like him. There is nothing wrong with liking someone. What he said next blew my mind - "But mom I was waiting until the right time to tell her. I wanted it to be special." Holy #@!? Did my seven year old son just say that? Well, I had nothing to respond with. Actually I was speechless for a few minutes. I told him it would be ok and then I simply responded you need to talk to your dad about this so let's start on your math.

I know total avoidance. I am NOT at all ready to talk to him about courting a girl. This conversation is not supposed to take place for about 30 more years because he doesn't need to date before than. Where is my little boy who wanted to marry his mommy? If you find him please send him home to me!

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

2010-02-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

The great thing about being the photo taker is you don't have to put on 500 layers so you can play in the snow. You get to snap a few pictures and head on inside and wait to help undress the sweaty kiddos after they are done. I am kidding, I play in the snow too!

Forgiveness

2010-02-16T20:04:00.000-05:00

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is an important act.

Forgiveness is part of our everyday lives.

Forgiving the one who used the last of the toilet paper and failed to change the roll. Forgiving the person who cut you off while on your way to work. Forgiving your child after they left a toy in the middle of the floor and you stepped on it with your bare foot. Forgiveness is all around us.

One of the best pieces of advise we got before we got married was never go to be angry at one another. I totally agree for a couple of reasons.
1. In the morning, more than likely, you won't remember why you were angry in the first place.
2. No need to loose precious beauty sleep over something that will not stop the world from turning. Face it. None of us are getting any younger.
3. Night time is the perfect time to make up if you know what I mean! :)

Forgiveness is a not one of my strengths.

Actually I really suck at it! Just ask my husband!

I am totally honest about my short coming.

My husband is the king of forgiveness. He never holds a grudge. No matter what has happened he always takes the high road. Me not so much. I have no problem with the small stuff. It is the big ones that I can't seem to let go. I need to learn to let go, to move on. I need to accept the past and realize I can't change it. I can't change other people's actions. I need to realize you can't change what others say or do. I need to accept that some people will never change. Some things will never change, but I can. I can take the high road. I can move on. I can be the bigger person. I can forgive. I may not totally forget, but I need to stop letting things that are not in my control go.

Saying I am sorry seems so easy, but why is so hard to say sometimes. We are big on apologies around here especially with the kids. One does something to the other, you tell them you are sorry and you better mean it!

Last year we were on vacation. Brent did something to Alexis. So I reminded him he needed to hug her and tell her he was sorry, what happened next I was totally unprepared for. He looked me and said "Sorry doesn't help.". I was ticked. I was more than ticked! I was enraged! The way he said it I knew he heard it from somewhere. He told me a teacher at school told him that when he went to apologize for something he did. Well, in the middle of the Magic Kingdom I lost it! It wasn't the happiest place on Earth anymore. I looked at my husband and choice words flew from my mouth. How dare someone tell my child that. I am their mother and he is their father. How dare someone under mind our parenting. Well, I ranted and raved. In the not best parenting move, I told Brent I did not care what the teacher said, you apologize and mean it no matter what someone tells you! Remember I was speaking from anger and I should have worded it differently. I am sure bright and early Monday morning Brent repeated word for word my tirade to the teacher. He never forgets anything! Anyways, in my mind if you do something wrong you apologize and mean it. However, sometimes I forget my own rule.

The point of this is ultimately we must be able to ask for forgiveness and sometimes forgive others. It is much easier to talk or type about than to actually do especially when you have been hurt by something so deeply. So starting tomorrow I am going to make a valiant effort to be more forgiving and to be able to ask for forgiveness when I done something that deems it.

Can you say you are a forgiving person?

Can you honestly say you know how to ask for forgiveness?

Not Me Monday

2010-02-15T10:23:00.000-05:00

This weekend was not an emotional one for me. Brent and I got to spend some time together just him and me which is a rarity! As Brent and I were sitting in the kitchen talking this weekend I did not start crying while making myself pancakes. The tears were not brought on when Brent reminded me how I used to make him pancakes with m & m's in them when he was a toddler (he is not a pancake fan anymore). I was not just blown away that he remembered, but the fact of how much he has grown up. Tears were also produced when we were at Subway and he started to read the menu to me and all the displays around us as well. He has been reading for a long time, but for some reason I was caught off guard. The poor people at Subway must think I am insane!!

On a lighter note, I did not laugh so hard Friday night that my sides hurt. Brent called me into the bathroom to let me know he had a little problem. He told me he had a hard time "hanging on to it" while he was using the bathroom. As I looked up I noticed the urine running down the wall. I had no idea it could go that high up the wall! I was not laughing at first, but then he said he was sorry, looked up at me with those big blue eyes and big smile, and said it just got away from him and that did it. I laughed till I cried. I let Todd know he needed to remind his son how he needs to hold on to it when he is going the bathroom! That is a man to man talk!

On a side note. The tree is put away and the various seasonal wreaths are gone as well! It was a big week around here!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

My Valentine

2010-02-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

This is me and my Valentine on our wedding day, June 5, 1999. That day I married my best friend and the love of my life. Over the last 10 and 1/2 years we have been through so much. Our children were born, loved ones were lost, laughs were had, tears were shed, illness was faced, and after all of this our love was strengthened.

This is us today, well earlier this winter. Well, not too much has changed except maybe a few pounds, some hair color, and maybe one of has a little less hair. I am totally not pointing any fingers! He is still my best friend and the love of my life. Happy Valentine's Day Todd.

Same Thing!

The Day of Love

2010-02-12T17:10:00.001-05:00

We do things big here. Valentine's Day boxes are no exception. Alexis picked a castle and Brent wanted a plane. We all spent some time a couple of evenings this past week making these one of a kind creations. The kids were so proud and we all had a lot of fun making them! Mommy and daddy lost a few layers of epidermis from the hot glue gun, but it was for a good cause!!! That thing should have come with some type of warning! Happy Valentine's!

The Christmas Tree

2010-02-11T23:54:00.000-05:00

I have very exciting news! Truly life changing! Well, not really. Sorry to get your hopes up. The Christmas tree has made it back to the attic. I can hear your applause! It only took countless weeks, but it has made it there. Even better news is that the evergreen wreath and fall wreath are no longer hanging up either! I have made some huge accomplishments this week. I did think I was going to strain something when I was carrying the tree up the stairs. I must have looked horrible, because our son asked me if I was okay. He loves his mommy! Big things are going to happen tomorrow I can feel it. Maybe I will tackle the mountains of laundry that are soon going to be taller than me! Who knows??

3 Going On 13

2010-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is Alexis. She is a girly girl. She loves playing dress up, doing her makeup, and parading around in plastic high heels. She is obsessed with getting married. She is always on the move. She rarely sleeps through the night. She is one of the pickiest eaters on the face of the planet. There is rarely a meal that goes by that we do not have to beg her to eat. She loves to pester her big brother. She loves doing crafts and helping me bake. She has a smile and a laugh that warms your heart. She is moody. Her moods have fluctuated from second to second around here lately. She can go from happy to grumpy before you can say boo (as you see in the pictures above)! I never dreamed I would be dealing with such drastic mood changes this early in the game. I remember 3 was worse than 2 when Brent was her age, but she is taking it to a new extreme. She will be 4 in April. Bring on April. No matter what I love her more than she will ever know (until she has a child of her own).

Loosing My Mind

2010-02-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had four kids with me due to the fact we had another snow day. The kids were full of energy, and my caffeine was not doing to trick. So I asked myself what could we do that would wear them down and save my sanity? Make them trudge through the snow in the front yard of course! I ransacked the closets and found gear for everyone. It took me over 30 minutes to get everyone ready. I was exhausted and sweaty and we were not even outside yet. The kids had a blast playing on the big pile of snow Todd made in the driveway for them. I fixed boots 50 times, hats a 100 times, gloves 1,000 times, and wiped noses too many times to count and we were out less than an hour. The girls lasted about 30 minutes so we headed in and watched the boys play in the front yard through the window. Rest time went very well and my sanity was saved for a short while!

Snowy Saturday

2010-02-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday I took the kids sledding at Todd's parent's house. Alexis was unhappy from the start because it was too bright. I gave her my sunglasses to rock out and that settled her for awhile. Brent spent most of the time trying to master his snow board. He does pretty well. Better than me. I can't make it a foot without falling. More snow is falling as we speak so I am sure we will hit the hills later today.

Not Me Monday

2010-02-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

I did not realize last night as I was entering our back door that I still have a fall wreath hanging by the door along with an evergreen wreath on the door. I would never hang a seasonal wreath without first removing the previous one. I did not contemplate leaving both up and hanging a spring/summer wreath on the other side of the door so all seasons would be represented! I am on top of things around here! (FYI the Christmas tree has still not made it upstairs!It will today!)

Our daughter was not in a challenging and unpredictable mood this weekend. As I was trying to rationalize with her for the hundredth time this weekend the song Hot and Cold by Katy Perry did not pop into my head causing me to laugh out loud! The lyrics did not fit perfectly "Cause you're hot then you're cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up and you're down, you're wrong when it's right." Lexi did not appreciate my outburst while she was venting her grumpiness to me. I am always in control as a parent and never get distracted. Is she 3 going on 13? I had a few more years to prepare!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

We are still alive

2010-02-05T14:07:00.000-05:00

We are still alive and well. The well part is not exactly true though. Alexis is begining her third week with a cold. She has a horrible time at night coughing and choking. She is tired and we are tired. I have been busy with pictures and photography things. I am trying to redesign by photo blog to make it more user friendly, but it is taking forever since I am clueless about what I am doing. I am trying to wrangle five kids right now since they got out early due to the fact it is snowing. This weekend I plan to play photo and blog catch up so hopefully I will be all set for a new week. Enjoy your weekend!

Not Me Monday

2010-02-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

My daughter did not just ask me if she could have my bottle of water by telling me "I don't see no slobbers in it, can I have it?". Nope we have never told her no about sharing drinks because she slobbers in them. We would give her a much better rational for not sharing drinks.

I did not finally tackle the enormous laundry basket full of unmatched socks this past week. I dug it out from under the stairs and emptied it on the bed. I lasted about 10 minutes, loaded the socks back up, and tossed it back under the stairs to be completed another day. I would NEVER put something off! Nope, not me.

The Christmas tree is still not sitting in our son's old bedroom waiting to be put away in the attic. I would never have a tree still in sight being that today is the first day of February!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Life...

2010-01-28T11:51:00.000-05:00

There is one thing that is certain in life, it never stays the same. You are cruising down the highway of life with the windows down, hair blowing in the wind, and singing at the top of your lungs while your children beg you to stop when you read the sign ahead "DETOUR". You begin to panic. Your mind races. Your heart accelerates. You are uncertain what is ahead. This detour can mean many things. A change of job, change in a relationship, or a change in health and so on. Whatever this detour is one thing is certain, your current path is about to change.

Change used to send me into a panic. Every once in awhile it still does. The word change used to cause me to hyperventilate. However, lately I have realized something. You can't change the past. You can only make the best decisions you know how to in order to influence the future in the best way possible.

I have made good choices in my life. I have made some really crappy ones too. I take full responsibility for all my decisions. Both my good and bad choices have lead me down a detour or two. However, I do know this. The future holds many things, some will be good and some will be bad. I have made a choice. The next time I approach the "DETOUR" sign I am going to continue to cruise with my windows down and sing at the top of my lungs because no matter what the future holds I am going to go along with it. I can only hope and pray to fully enjoy the good and try to make the best out of the bad.

So next time you are cruising along and you see that "DETOUR" sign, continue belting out Stevie Nicks because no matter what, you have the power to make the best out of the change that is about to happen!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

2010-01-27T09:25:00.000-05:00

My brother-in-law Troy and his wonderful wife (my other sister) Lisa used to own the local off-road park here in Attica. It was their life. They had the wonderful opportunity to sell the park and start their early retirement. Todd and I decided that their departure should not go unnoticed, so a party was planned. This spring they will have been retired for two years so I thought I would share some pictures from their party! Can't believe it has been that long already!

Enjoy!

The Birthday Boy!

2010-01-26T15:34:00.000-05:00

Isn't it funny how you remember certain things? I can tell you exactly what I was doing when my sister called me to tell me I was officially an aunt for the first time. I was shopping at Wal-Mart for supplies for my clinicals at a local preschool. I was in The Valentine's Day aisle checking out cupcake supplies. I starting screaming and jumping up and down. Luckily that happens a lot at Wal-Mart, I guess because I was not escorted out! They must have thought I was really excited about a roll back in price I had found! This weekend my nephew will turn 9. Holy crow! Where has the time gone?

This is Ben. He weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and was 21 inches long!

He was soooo cute!!!

This is me holding Ben for the first time. I look like I am 12! Wish I looked that way now!

Here is Ben this fall.

He was really loving do his homework and the fact I was taking his picture!

Here is a better picture of him! Such a stud!

Can't believe that the zit covered baby is now a young man. The baby acne is a whole other story that involves tears, phone calls, and specialists that boiled down to bad zits!

Anyhow, happy early birthday Ben! We love you!

Not My Husband

2010-01-25T11:09:00.000-05:00

Oh this is gonna be fun!

My husband did not introduce me as Lisa at a funeral this weekend to some of his extended family. My name is Lori. His sister-in-law is Lisa. After 10 years of marriage he should know my name. I will give him this, someone had just asked about Troy and Lisa just seconds before he introduced me so I can understand why he messed up my name. It was funny, and I have really enjoyed teasing him about it!

My husband did not cause me to almost pee my pants this weekend because I was laughing so hard! He pulled forward to wait on our food at Mcdonalds and the woman behind us did not appreciate how he parked. She was turned completely around in her seat, staring at us, and saying something I am glad we could not hear. He then honked at her. She was not amused! I was utterly humiliated, but I could not stop laughing! My husband is not one for confrontation so it was totally unexpected, but utterly hilarious! In his defense he was in the right, she couldn't drive her matchbox car in a space big enough for a truck to fit through! We laughed forever! It doesn't take much to make us giggle!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I need surgical intervention...

2010-01-22T10:41:00.000-05:00

This is a picture from the other day. Our internet has been acting up so I have been disconnected from the world for the past few days. I almost lost my mind!

This is my niece Grace. She loves me. She loves being near me. She REALLY loves being near me since in this picture she is wrapped around my leg. I wonder if insurance covers surgical removal of a 2 year old from an extremity?

The Black Plague

2010-01-19T20:47:00.000-05:00

Our home is infested. We are infested with illness. For the past 6 weeks someone has been sick.

Runny Noses: Check
Cough: Check
Sore Throats: Check
Vomiting: Check
Running to the bathroom while holding the seat of your pants: Check
Fever: Check
Headaches and body Aches: Check
Overall feeling like poop: Check
Uncontrollable bodily Functions: Check

When one kid is healthy the other is not. If they are healthy Todd and I are not. I have battled a cold and horrible sore throat for over a week now. I have not had a sore throat in at least 10 years! I am over it. The kids are over it. Our church is putting out an APB on us. Brent's school is probably starting to wonder (You can't send a kid to school who acts perfectly healthy, but if he takes a sip a water he is holding his butt yelling "I gotta go! I gotta go!". I have went through more Motrin and Tylenol in the last 6 weeks than I did all last year! I am checking to see if they can tent our house like they do for termites. Doubt that it is possible, but everything I am doing is not working. So everyone is in bed, I am following. Sleep while you can because Alexis, who still is not sleeping through the night, will be waking around midnight! Good night all hello throat lozenges!

2010-01-17T12:09:00.000-05:00

Last night we celebrated Grace and Ben's birthday. Hard to believe Grace is now 2 and Ben will be 9 later this month. Time flies when you are having fun! Before we know it, they will be turning 11 and 18! Oh my I am getting old!

2010-01-16T22:21:00.000-05:00

Grace Elizabeth Hiller born January 16, 2008.

Grace celebrating her 2nd birthday tonight!

Grace, big brother Ben (he will turn 9 later this month), and the family!

Grace and me!

Happy Birthday Grace!

We love you!

(More birthday party pictures to come. The Colts are playing and i am watching my second NFL game ever!)

What Was I Thinking?

2010-01-15T09:19:00.000-05:00

It was a good idea in theory. Bake some mini heart shaped cakes, and let the kids decorate them. Sounds good? I thought so, until I saw it unfold before my eyes. I have sprinkles stuck to my feet. I have icing all over me. My table will never be the same. Here are the next cake bosses in action. Be afraid. Be very afraid!

What was I thinking?

Grace Elizabeth

2010-01-14T13:34:00.000-05:00

This is Grace when she was one. I took this picture of Grace when I was still using sheets for backdrops and lamps without shades for lighting. A lot has changed. Grace will be turning 2 later this week. The terrible 2s have hit. I was joking with my sister this morning about how to correct the hitting and throwing problems we have now. We were tossing out some ideas. I was totally loving my idea of applying the same principles of dodgeball to Grace. Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge. Too bad Sam was not using these techniques earlier today when Grace winged a Leapster at his head. His head painfully hurts. Ahh 2 what a glorious age!

She can be sweet and innocent as demonstrated in the picture above. Well, that was until Alexis tried to take a picture and Grace flattened her. I am telling you the 5 D's of dodgeball is what we need to start practicing around here. I don't think I can use wrenches to whip them into shape though!

All kidding aside, I love Grace. I love spending time with her. I love snuggling with her. I love watching her grow up. I would not trade these memories for anything! Happy Early Birthday Grace! I love you!

Another Morning

2010-01-13T11:44:00.001-05:00

I am not a morning person. Never have been. However, I am a mom so I do not get to have a choice in the matter of what time I am awakened! Brent is more like me than Todd. It takes Brent a little bit longer to wake up. Alexis is just like Todd. She wakes up and is ready to go instantly! This morning we performed our usual routine. Wake up, get dressed, take Brent to school, then feed the other troops.

Alexis got bored while waiting on me to finish the pancakes! I totally did not let her lay on the island while I was running around the kitchen.

Grace did not enjoy waiting. We are working on patience!

She then got irritated because I was taking her picture while she was having a less than an angelic moment!

Finally, pancakes were ready. Peace at last. Well, for 2 minutes anyway!

The Cake

2010-01-12T20:16:00.000-05:00

Alexis got a gourmet girl cake decorating kit for Christmas. Because I am all about stashing some presents away they get for Christmas and opening them later, we just now ripped this one out of the box. Let me tell you wow! After I read the instructions multiple times we were ready to bake. Todd even got in on the action.

Daddy trying to help!

Alexis was very focused as she iced her microwave cake!

I got in on the icing fun!

The Final Masterpiece!

Glad she ate it. I tasted a bite and I think I will stick to the real stuff!

Not Me Monday

2010-01-11T08:35:00.001-05:00

This is not a picture of our Christmas tree. It is not still standing, with the lights on, and fully decorated in our front room as we speak. I did not tell my husband that we could just add hearts and eggs to it to celebrate upcoming holidays. I would never do that. I am prompt and do things like taking down the tree in a timely fashion.

I did not try out a new workout routine that left me nearly crippled the day after, and today as well. I am in tip top shape. I am smarter than to try something new full force after I have missed working out for the past several weeks. I know better. What I do know is that I think I am not going to be able to get out of this chair without help!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

The Many Faces Of Grace

2010-01-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

On a daily basis I see many sides of my beautiful niece Grace. She is a woman, fueled by hormones, so her emotions and faces change very quickly. I captured a few last week. Her smile is contagious! Her eyes are mesmerizing! Her pout makes me grin, sometimes. She is easily absorbed into what she is doing. She loves to play dress up and tote 5 purses on each arm while trying to walk in plastic heels. She is so very special to us. I am so blessed I have been able to watch her grow up!

Memories!

2010-01-09T18:25:00.001-05:00

Today I have spent time going through pictures. Pictures I took yesterday of the kids playing in the snow and pictures from years past. WOW! A lot has changed.

This is Brent. He was born on June 7, 2002. He shares his birthday with his daddy and his grandfather. Three generations all born on the same day! I don't think I ever got that $50.00 my father-in-law offered me during labor if I held out until after midnight!

This was Brent yesterday!

This is Alexis. She was born on April 21, 2006. She was due May 8, 2006, but she has never followed the rules. Poor baby had horrible stork bites. Her hospital picture was in black and white because her skin looked so bad!

This is "Sassy" yesterday. She named herself that when she was 2. She would only answer to that name for over a year. Anytime anyone asked her her name she would tell them her name was Sassy. They probably thought we were nuts for naming our daughter that, however it fits!

This is the first picture we have of Brent and Alexis. He was so proud. She was less than enthused. That still stands today!

I was lucky to get a picture of them yesterday together, smiling, and both looking at the camera. It was a miracle. A lot has changed, and a lot more is going to change! For now we will treasure every moment!

Snow Day Part 2

2010-01-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

School was canceled today, again! Brent is spending his morning wrapped up in his snuggie, watching dinosaur videos on his computer. Alexis is playing dress up and playing with her princess castle. I am playing catch up. I want to watch videos and play with dolls, but I guess having clean clothes is more important! Oh well, another day!

Oh to be young again....

2010-01-07T20:54:00.000-05:00

Oh to be young again...

When you could put on a fancy dress and a pair of plastic heels for no real reason, but to feel pretty.

When you don't have to ask your best friend, "Does this dress make my butt look big?".

Or ask, "Does this hide my stomach and hips?"

Oh to be young again when you didn't have to hide or secure anything with elastic undergarments, and you could let it all hang out and still be seen as cute!

2010-01-07T12:10:00.002-05:00

This is what we woke up to!

This is what I have now! Now if I could only find my ear plugs?

Adventures in the Myers's House!

2010-01-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

This morning started out with a bang! I had the brilliant idea of exercising this morning. Our elliptical machine is in my closet along with a TV. I convinced my daughter and niece to sit and watch a movie while I sweated away. I closed the pocket door between the closets and bathroom so no one could escape. After the dreaded workout was complete I went to slide open the door, but it would not budge! The more I messed with it the more I began to panic. I am claustrophobic. I began to sweat more. I started panting. I saw my life flash before my eyes. I dropped to my knees in prayer! This is not how I wanted to go! I called Todd who was on the road in his semi, he could not be my knight in shinning armor so I resorted to other measures. So what do you do when something does not work? You pound on it repeatedly until it works. So after 20 long minutes, we escaped to safety! The lesson learned! No more exercise!! Ok, well the exercise was not the problem, but any excuse to not to have to do it is welcomed!

Here is closet and bathroom. The rooms I almost spent my last few minutes her on earth trying to escape from!

So after we escaped our death trap of a closet, we had girl time. I painted my niece's nails. She was amazed! She sat still and even let them dry. So now she is going to get a manicure everyday so I can have 5 minutes of peace.

So after nails were painted and Aunt Lori finally got her hair dried I grabbed my clothes to get dressed. I threw them on and looked around the room for Grace. She escaped. I found her moments later editing some pictures! Are cages legal for kids? I am only kidding, as far as you know! Happy Hump Day!

2010-01-06T08:34:00.000-05:00

So what do we do here in the Midwest in the winter when it snows? We sled of course! Here are some more pictures of our sledding adventures from last week. We are to get more snow later this week. The kids are excited, however I would prefer staying on my couch wrapped in a big fuzzy blanket watching a movie. What we do for our children?

2010-01-05T16:40:00.001-05:00

Today we had a dear friend stop by. Todd and Rebecca have been friends forever. They went to school together and have remained friends as the years have passed. She was in town and stopped by to see our house and say hi. I made them take a picture together before she left. The last picture we have of them is on Brent's first birthday (Brent will be 8 in June!). It is always great to see friends no matter how much time has passed.

2010-01-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

I miss spring. I long to feel the warm sun on my face! I am tired of layering. I am tired of stuffing kids into their car seats in big puffy coats that they can barely move in.

I am sick of arguing with the kids about proper winter attire. The argument goes like this. "Guys please put your coats on. Get you hats and gloves too. But mom the sun is out. I know the sun it is out, but it is still very cold out. But it looks like summer out. I know it looks warm, but it is not. But mom it's sunny. Coats, gloves, hats please. It is so cold out the boogers in your nose are going to freeze the second we go outside so for the love of pete get ready!"

I am suffering from seasonal depression! I am over winter already and it is just starting! I need sun. I need warmth. I need spring!

Not Me Monday

2010-01-04T07:57:00.000-05:00

I did not deliberately pile loads and loads of laundry on our bed the other night so everyone had to help fold it so we could all lay together and watch a movie. I would never be that devious!

I most certainly did not take pictures of my daughter while she was "grumpy" last night. I would never do something like that. I would not grab my camera so I could capture the look I am seeing more and more all the time! Hormones! Hormones! Hormones!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Refelctions

2010-01-03T14:31:00.001-05:00

I have spent the last couple of days reflecting about the year that just ended. Many things happened this past year.

We all turned another year older. It was hard to see another birthday come and go for the kids. It has gone by too fast! I am holding at 28! I think Todd is too!

Dogs went missing and were found over 300 miles away!

I started my photography business.

We vacationed. We played in the sand and soaked up the sun.

Illness seemed to rule a good part of the year. Colds, pneumonia, ear infections, re-do ear tubes, the unexplained mystery illness that landed Alexis in the hospital ER twice and a stay of 5 days, and others that need no explanation.

This past year was full of milestones. Lexi started dance class. Brent finally learned how to ride a bike. Then, he started riding a dirt bike.

We laughed.

We loved.

We celebrated.

We cried.

We grew closer as a family.

We made new friends and rekindled old friendships.

I look back on the past year and would not change much. Without all of the events of last year we would not be where we are today. See each of these events changed us. Some more than others, but without them we would not grow. We would not grow closer to one another. We would not grow closer to God, for without him we are nothing. We would not become who we are today. This year I questioned my faith a couple of times. A couple more times than I would like to admit, but in the end those moments of doubt led me to me finding my God again. For that I am blessed. This year I am not making a new year's resolution. I am going to look at 2010 as a year of promise. I am going to look at it with open eyes and an open mind! I am going to take the bad with the good. I am going to focus more on the positive and less on the negative. I am going to continue to pray. I am going to continue to hope. I can't wait to see what this year will bring us. So to everyone, Happy New Year!

2009-12-29T22:04:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago when we were in route back to "our other house", aka Troy and Lisa's house, the kids began a hilarious conversation. Somehow Alexis began to tell Brent a story of seeing a giant bird in our driveway. Of course Brent asked if it was a Pterodactyl? The conversation grew and grew. They got so into it. The fed off each other's questions. They went into great detail about this imaginary bird. I bit my lip trying not to laugh. I savored the minutes of conversation and not "He touched me!" "He laughed at me!" "Alexis looked at me!" "That is MINE!". I continued to drive and listen. By the time I got to Troy and Lisa's the bird was confirmed as a Pterodactyl and Brent was hunting it with his 22 and Alexis was hiding under her bed. They continued on with their discussion even after we settled in at the "other house". Well, it was short lived. Someone touched something that belonged to the other one and the moments of camaraderie were over. I did snap this picture Christmas morning. See it proves they love each other, or it proves they listen when their mother threatens to rip the presents out of their hands if they do not sit next to each other and smile. Love, it was about the love not the threat!!!

Snow Day

2009-12-27T21:15:00.001-05:00

Brent and Alexis woke up and started screaming, "Snow, we got snow!". Thank goodness because I forgot to set the alarm clock and we almost missed church. So we frantically got ready for church and headed out the door. After church we grabbed a quick bite of lunch and started the long process of getting dressed. That was a workout in itself! After what seemed like forever we hit the hill. The kids had a blast! I forgot how much work it is to go sledding! I am exhausted. I may sleep for a week! Too bad the kids won't! Better get some rest for round 2 tomorrow!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T14:56:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Pajama Party With Santa

2009-12-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

Lexi's class had a pajama party with Santa on Thursday. The read books, went snowman bowling, decorated cookies, and got gifts from Santa. She was soooo excited. We had to get on our new christmas PJs for the occasion. She would not sit directly on Santa's lap, but one her wonderful teachers helped her out. I was so happy I could be there even though there were a few bumps in the road! Wouldn't be a typical day in the Myers' family is something didn't go wrong!!! Oh well we made it, got some pictures, and we shared in her special day!

Jump Jump!

2009-12-18T22:00:00.003-05:00

At the mall the kids found something to do. Todd and I were up for letting them try something that would burn up some of their energy. The were a little wound up after they visited Santa. They jumped and jumped. Then they jumped some more. I want these installed in my house. They fell asleep before we got out of the parking lot!

The Christmas Program

2009-12-18T13:25:00.000-05:00

This past week Brent and Ben performed in the school's Christmas program. Brent was so excited. He insisted on wearing his "church clothes" and a Christmas shirt. Of course he sang and smiled, smiled and sang. His older cousin was a different story. His level of enthusiasm was not equal to Brent's. When he did smile, it looked he was remembering what everyone told him "smile when you are up there, don't look like your in pain"! He gets credit for trying! Some of his looks brought a smile to my face! Merry Christmas!