It's been awhile...here's quite a few pics!

Man, it's been a busy week! And it's only Wednesday! Okay, the past few weeks have been busy. That sounds better. I've neglected my blog and now I have a ton of pics to put on. I know this one was already put on but I love it so much I had to put it on again!!! They just look so happy!

Everyone has been telling me how much better my face is, after 9 months since the Bells Palsy started. I had to take a picture to see for myself, instead of gawking at myself in the mirror. I can't open mouth smile normal, and my mouth is still a little crooked, but not bad! TONS better than in March!

Last night was Noah's Christmas Program at school. They did such a great job! It was a play, based on American Idol. It was very cute. Noah sang--he's in the back rown, right under the "r" in "Star"

Monday night was Hannah's Band Concert at school. She's the second from the right in the front row. She did a great job! We got to hear the 6th graders, the Jr. High, the High School and the Jazz Band. (I honestly think the 6th graders did the best out of all of them!)

Here's Elly at Hannah's concert. She's so adorable!

Sunday night was the Christmas Program at church. Neither of my kids were in it, but it was still great. The kids (and Tom and Roberta!) did such a great job.

Sunday afternoon the kids played outside in the snow. I played too...taking pictures!

Noah insisted on wearing his swim goggles! He looked like such a dork I had to get a picture!

Here's my snow angel!

This is Hannah whining "MOMMMMM! Tell him to give me the shovel!!!!"

Noah needed to help out shoveling!

Here, Noah said he was snow tanning!

The next three are the kids "sledding" down 4th street. One of them sits on a sled, holds onto another sled while the other pulls the sled that's being held. Sounds more complicated than it is!

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Snow Day!

Ah, is this the greatest picture ever, or what!??!?!
More to come....

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Decided to try to get a picture of the kids today, in front of the tree. TRY is the key word. When they were little, it was impossible to get a decent picture of the two of them smiling at the same time in front of the tree! I always thought "When they get older, it'll be so much easier!" Ha! Ya, right! They're just as difficult now, if not worse. NOW, they hate to even stand next to each other. Used to, Hannah couldn't stop loving and kissing all over Noah. Now just being within 5 feet of him, she wants to barf! Ah, where did we go wrong?!?! :)

Hannah helped put the tree together last weekend. We always had a real tree. I swore we'd NEVER have a fake tree! That was just a horrible thought! Wouldn't be a real Christmas with a fake tree! Well, after many years of picking up pine needles, forgetting to water the tree and having the tree sit on our front porch until Grandpa Ed or Dad came to get it, we decided to get an artificial tree three years ago. One of the best decisions we've ever made! I love it! It's the perfect shape, a very pretty tree, it's pre-lit...don't have to trek through the hills of trees in 25 degree weather looking for that "perfect" tree. I remember taking the kids out when they were little, wrapped up so much because it was so cold they could barely walk! I'm arguing with Lyle, the kids are whining, Lyle's driving me nuts because he's picking out the ugliest trees (in my mind!) and we're all going crazy! Then trying to get the silly thing in the stand without getting sap all over our hands, string lights (tangled because I didn't put them away properly last year!) and decorate without getting my fingers stuck!!!! Ahhhh, the memories!!!! I did love my real trees, but I truly enjoy the simplicity of an artificial.

Noah, all burrowed in pillows and covers on the couch!

Hannah and her baby, Jinx on the couch
(speaking of couch...I'm really trying for a new couch. This is the one we got when Lyle's grandmother passed away in 1994! I seriously need a new couch! When you see Lyle, tell him you saw our couch on here and it's lookin' a little worn. Looks like you need a new one!!! he! he!)


And here's our newest baby cousin! Haylee Jean Watson was born on November 27 to Matthew and Melissa Watson. Congrats Matt and Melissa! Here she is with Great-grandma Phyllis (Babb)

Let it snow!

Oooh, there's snow everywhere! THIS is the time of year I miss living on Park Avenue! The thing I loved most about living there was the carport! I never had to scrape windows, step over snow to get in my car....now I park on the street and it pretty well stinks! At least it wasn't overly cold today while I wiped and scraped! :)

I had said I'd get a picture of my home with the new shutters on it. As you can see, it looks a little dull, boring, blah. Just picture white railing and new pillars (Colonial). Hopefully by next summer, I'll have that all done. Oh, and I need someone to help me with some landscaping! My yard is horrible. I'm too lazy and I have no idea where to even start! I'd love to have it looking decent next summer.

Better get ready for work. Have a great Friday!

Noah's 10th Birthday Party!

We had Noah's birthday party this past Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Vincent's home. With Noah's birthday being in November, 90% of his parties have been there! :) Too cool to have outside and my house just isn't big enough.

Many of our family made it to the party. We all had a great time. The boys had fun playing and the girls put on a dress up show!
Erin, Tyson, Elly, Grandma Olive, Linda, Becky, Grandpa Ed, Joel, Lyle, Noah

The candles in the cupcakes are "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" letters. Too cute!

Grandpa Mark and Mason!

Hannah and Erin dressing up--B-E-autiful!

Noah, Tyson, Hannah and (an unhappy) Elly in their matching Colts shirts

Ty, Hannah and Elly--aren't they cute?!?!
I just love this picture. Not sure why! But I do!

What a great day!

First of all....

Happy 10th Birthday Noah!!!!!

I can't believe my baby is 10 years old!!!! Ugh, that means I'll soon be....34!!!! Yikes!

We had a great day today. Not only is it Noah's birthday, it happens to also be Thanksgiving! When I was growing up, Thanksgiving and Christmas were always at Grandma and Grandpa Vincent's, Easter at Aunt Phids. I can't remember when that tradition stopped, but somewhere along the line, it did. We still gather at G&G's for Christmas but Thanksgiving started being held at the Township Building and we don't really get together for Easter anymore. Anyway...Ann held our dinner this year at their home. We had a great time! They have such a beautiful house and they are such wonderful family! I know she worked very very hard for this to come together, as well as Laura(pre cleanup!) and Megan (post cleanup!). I appreciate everything she did this year. The food was excellent and we had a big turnout. I got to meet my new cousin, Evan--Bob and Sara's little boy. I can't believe he's 15 weeks old already. He's such a cutie! Hannah had a ball with her cousins Elly (Nick's) and Allie (Megan's). Now that was confusing! Elly and Allie! I had only been around Allie once or twice before, and not since Christmas last year. She is such an awesome kid! She's smart and happy and just all around a great kid! She doesn't know me at all but she came right up to me and got on my lap and sat there for a good 15 minutes or so! I loved it. She's a sweetie!

Most of the family made it this year, except for Mike, Michelle, Grace and Eva. They are in North Carolina with Mike's family. And my Grandma and Grandpa Kime got to spend their first Thanksgiving with family since 1994!

I made a cake to take since it was Noah's birthday. Oh man, it flopped! I mean, it tasted okay but I can't decorate! My icing fell, was sloppy writing, just all around bad! Oh well. It's the thought that counts???? :o)

Soon before we left, it began to snow!!! Soooo cool! Grandpa Kime said maybe he needed new glasses because he couldn't see it (was just a light snow). I said maybe he just forgot what it looked like! It's been 13 years since he saw snow!!!

We left Ann and Allan's around 5:00, came home and watched "Hairspray". The kids and I had gone to the theatre and saw that when it came out and Hannah loved it. I just loved seeing John Travolta act as a woman!! So hilarious! After that, Noah and I went to Movie Gallery to rent him a Game Cube game. It was still snowing. It was just marvelous--we were standing outside the movie store and the snow was falling all around him, he was catching snowflakes on his tongue. It was a moment I'll never forget! I told him the first snowfall of the season was on his birthday! He was excited about that. What blessings those kids are!!!!

Here's a few pictures from today

Nick, Ashley, Lyle, Grandpa Kime, Dad, Richard, Jan, Grandma Olive, Grandpa Ed

Hannah, Randy, Robert, Sara, Brad, Grandma Barb, Shelby

Laura and Ann in front, John, Juanita and Allan in the back

Bill and Allie

Hannah with Allie and Elly

(Allie's bib says "I'm Cute! Buy me something!")

Noah's fogged up glasses after playing outside!

Grandma Olive with her 7th Great-Grandchild Evan Glenn Emery
(3rd great grandson)

Grandma Barb and Hannah

Richard, Jan and Billy

After dinner naps!

Great weekend

Lyle has been in Missouri this weekend on his annual fishing trip with the other faculty from Bond Camp fishing camp. He left Friday morning and as far as I know, they've had great weather. He said the cabin is great and the area is beautiful. Wants us to go there as a family trip sometime. It's about 5 hours from here. Hmmmm...after our recent trip to DC, I'll hold off for awhile! :)

The kids and I spent yesterday in Springfield and had a great time. We found new winter coats, some Christmas gifts, ate lunch at Olive Garden and saw a movie. We had a wonderful time together. I wasn't feeling too great this morning so we stayed home from church. (We didn't get home until almost 11:00 last night and we slept in until 9:30 on accident too!)

Four more days until my baby turns 10 years old! I cannot believe my kids are (almost) 10 and 12 years old! Just amazing. When they were little, I had thoughts of them being those ages, but felt like it was a lifetime away. Oh, how quickly it passes! By the way, my thoughts of them being those ages were when they were driving me nuts with potty training, when I had to do everything for them, dealing with car seats and high chairs, watching Blues Clues and then Wizard of Oz 4 times a day...I miss those days now! Well, not the potty training, but that other stuff. (Sometimes!) I miss sitting on the floor and being amazed at my child putting together a puzzle I was sure they couldn't do. I miss building towers out of blocks. I miss playing Memory with them. I miss watching Blues Clues, Winnie the Pooh, Little Bear, Dora and yes, Barney. Is that nuts or what?!?! But look how far we've come. They are such great kids, smart kids. Hannah has her first Band concert coming up next month and Noah will have his last school program. My little ones are growing so much

Well, I'm off to do some laundry and help with homework. Lyle just called to say he's on his way home but they're stopping at Cabellas. Oh man. It may be midnight before he makes it home! :)

The "Other Cutlers"

Today was Erin's birthday party! My, she and Mason have both grown so much since I last saw them. It was great to see them today. Joel had to work so he couldn't be there, but we hope he'll be able to make it to Noah's party in a few weeks. Otherwise, it'll be Christmas before we see him!

I was all set, excited to get some pictures of Erin and Mason today to put on my blog. I barely got one picture and my camera died on me! My battery was completely drained. :-( I'm hoping Grandpa Mark can get me a few good pics...in the meantime here is the ONE picture I got of Erin and a picture of the pictures Becky gave me of them. They're adorable!!!!

I was **gasp** wrong

Yep, that's right. Up there, I said I was wrong. When I first saw the previews for Evan Almighty several months ago, I was mortified. I was certain that they were making a mockery of God, Noah, the flood and the Bible. I was against that movie and decided my kids would not watch it. Well, we decided to watch it last night and it was awesome! I highly recommend you watch it if you haven't already. If you have, watch it again! I loved it. I mean, Morgan Freeman isn't God by any means, but he's a magnificent actor! He's great in no matter what he's in! And Steve Carell--he's hilarious! There were times I had tears running down my face from laughing so hard! But the movie also gave a wondrous spiritual message.

Noah got his school pictures back yesterday. He decided he'd wear his glasses in them. I think he looks good, but he needs to smile more!


We had a great evening tonight at Monicals in Shelbyville for Roberta Cook's 60th Birthday! And tomorrow is Erin's birthday party. We'll be all partied out after this weekend.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Family Pictures

We had our pictures taken a few weeks ago at church for a new Church Directory. Got them back yesterday and I thought I'd share them since we didn't buy any extras! (Way too expensive!)

I liked this picture until I got out our engagement picture and wedding picture:

Man! We look old now!!!! Especially Lyle. :) Juz kiddin!

Brother's family, more Halloween and crazy hair!

This is a picture I took of Nick, Ashley, Tyson and Elly earlier this year--the day the Colts won the Superbowl! (The Kimes are HUGE Colts fans! We won't mention the fact that they LOST today!!!!!)
This is Hannah, Noah, Tyson and Elly trick or treating at my mom and dad's last year! My, how they've grown!

Tyson and Elly's pictures. They are such cute kids!!!! (They look like their beautiful mom!)

For Halloween, Lincoln School has Crazy Hair Day. You can only see two colors. He actually had four colors! Red, Purple, Black and Orange. This was Wednesday. I think there may still be a few spots of black on his scalp!

Today is Erin's 4th birthday!! Happy Birthday Erin! (Lyle's brother's daughter) We'll be traveling to their home in Fairview Heights next Sunday after church for her big party. Can't wait to see her and Mason! Haven't seen them since June at Hannah's party.

Lyle has been taking Noah squirrel hunting at mom and dad's the past two weeks. He was so proud of Noah today! He didn't get a squirrel, but was close! He's actually starting to listen to what Lyle's telling him. THAT is why he's so proud of him! Noah actually found the squirrel before Daddy did! The "twitching tail" I guess. I get so scared every time they go out there! My son with a gun is a pretty scary thing! Hmmm....maybe I should take out more life insurance on Lyle!!! :)

It's late and I have a busy week ahead of me. Hope you all have a great week!

Halloween

Here's Tyson, Noah, Hannah and Elly trick or treating at Grandma and Grandpa Vincent's home Monday night. Noah was a Ninja this year, Hannah wore my Raggedy Ann costume, Tyson was a Gladiator and Elly was a pirate. Don't they all look great??? Tyson's costume was truly the best. Leg and arm bands and all. It was awesome.

We got to enjoy trick or treating at Great-Grandma and Grandpa Kime's house this year too! This is the first time they've ever seen our kids at Halloween--they've always been back in Arizona by now! We'll have a lot of firsts soon--they've never been to Noah's birthday party, they've never had a Christmas with the kids, Easter and many of our birthdays. It's exciting to share this stuff with them! They're really getting settled in their house and Grandma totally enjoys the decorating side of it! The kids call her Grandpa Mark, the way she's going to rummage sales!! :)

Lyle and Noah went hunting this past Sunday. Of course, I was a nervous wreck, sure someone was going to get shot! To alleviate my fears, I decided Hannah and I had to go shopping! Oh, we got a ton of cute things for Hannah! She's at the age and size now, we have to shop Jr's clothes, not girls. That's kind of hard since most of the Jr stuff is, uh, too revealing for her!

Have a great weekend!