X-Mas Time has Ended

*** Added Dec 31st-- I was reading this post and wanted to clarify something. On X-Mas morning when we woke up Daddy was already on MSN IM waiting for us, so we turned on the video webcam and even with the crappy connection he was able to hear/watch us open gifts. This made his absence EVEN MORE strongly felt as we could sometimes (again crappy connection) hear him, but he just wasn't "here" you know. We were thankful for the little bit that we got though! While I am here again, I would like to wish you a happy new year, but I REALLY hope your new year does not involve driving on the 1st. We will be staying up watching movies, though I doubt it if anyone makes it to midnight! DADDY-- We are so glad the new year brings you home!***
Well Silent readers, X-mas has come to an end. We had a good one, but we definitely felt Daddy's absence. The tree DID in fact make it!!! YEA!!!! However, as some of you may know, while I LOVE LOVE LOVE X-Mas decorations, once the 26th comes, I am sick of 'em. So, all my stuff is already packed away. The kids loved all their gifts. I updated the picture page. I didn't get as many as I usually do on X-Mas, but it was hard "running the show" and "being the photographer." So, if you go to the picture page at:
http://groups.msn.com/PilchFamilyPhotos
You will see a few of the old ones I wanted to leave up a little longer, and some new ones. The first few pic's are of the big kids playing Halo2 online with my brother Michael. Even though it is butt early in the morning (about 0730) they are dressed nice because later we went to Ramstein for yummy brunch! The pic's where AJ is wearing a pink "Daddy loves me" shirt is her 11 month b-day. Then there are some pics of the kids with their gifts for Hanukkah from Michael. Then there is a pic of them on X-Mas eve and finally some X-Mas day pics.

Daddy is coming home soon and we are getting very excited around here. I feel like I have so much to do before he gets here and I'll never get it all done! Then, in less than FOUR MONTHS we are moving away from here. We will miss our friends that is certain! Prayers for our patience during this time and for my husbands safety would be greatly appreciated.

Hope your holiday season is going well, and I hope you don't have any driving to do on Jan 1st!

P.S. I decided to add the picture of the kids on X-Mas eve to the top of this post!

Jingle Bell Jog and More

Well, I had every intention of making this post LAST Saturday, but I was having technical errors at the picture page. I finally have it all sorted out so now I can tell you about last Saturday and more. As you can see I was in another race. It was the Jingle Bell Jog and I did MUCH better this time!!! I am soooo proud. It is a 5K and I did it in 27 min. and 42 seconds!!! In the above picture you see me running MY full-out (that is why I look way less than pretty) and I did pass her just before the finish line. I love running these races and again I have to thank my friend Dara and her kids for watching my kids and watching me and cheering me on! This was a pay race, so I actually have a number, and I was not fast enough to win a trophy. Oh and we ran with a jingle bell tied to our shoes. I did not think it would bother me (noise wise) because this race I listened to music while I ran. Well, the noise of it did not bug me, but the spot where the little bell hit my foot went numb by the end of the race.

Anyway, in other "news" we got a live X-Mas tree!!! All by ourselves!! The kids picked out a good one and they decorated it with me. However, I think I have already killed it. We got it on Wednesday and I watered it that day. I forgot to water it on Thursday. On Friday morning, it seemed dry (I can't feel the bottom of the tree stand). So, I am afraid it dried out and died. I did water it Friday morning and it "seems" like it has drank some of the water but I'll let you know if it makes it to X-Mas. I don't really have high hopes that it will.

Okay about the pictures on picture page (NOTE: same place, NEW link)

http://groups.msn.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

The first picture is Avery opening her very first present ever and loving it. In our family an elf comes about 2 weeks early and gives presents to good little boys and girls. His name is Twinkle. Anyway, that is her Twinkle gift. My brother told me that his Hanukkah gifts are on the way, so the kids will get to open those as soon as they get here. Which reminds me HAPPY HANUKKAH!!! Last night was night two. Anyway, back to pictures.... the next few pictures are before/during and after photo's with the tree. In the picture with the 2 girls, if you look closely, Avery has her first ponytail, sticking straight up! Then there are the pictures of me in the race. The race was before the tree and other pictures, but that is the order in which they loaded. The pictures were taken with two different Camera's and I think the quality difference is HUGE. Unfortunately, MY camera is the suckier one. Tristan was sweet enough to take a picture of my backside after I crossed the finish line and was slowing down. Nice boy...lol.

Well, guys that is it for the update, but let me tell you what I am doing today 'cause I am so dang excited!!! We are going to Ramstein (sp?) this morning, which is about an hour away, and we are eating the BEST brunch!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that place. In the same area there are two PX/BX's and they are already having big sales on X-mas deco and I LOVE shopping for x-mas decorations! So, we will be eating and shopping the day away!

Goodbye all, and I hope there are some super fun sales in your near future!

Messy Girl, Messy Life

Hello, hello! I do not have much to share so this will likely be short. Unbelievably, things are slowing down around here. I got so much holiday stuff done early that I don't have a lot to do right now. We put up our X-Mas and Hanukkah decorations FINALLY on Dec. 1st. Usually we do it the day after thanksgiving, but I wanted to do a detailed cleaning first (although house is a mess again). I LOVE LOVE LOVE X-Mas decorations! For those of you that haven't heard it, one of my many corny jokes is this: I was looking for the first red-headed Christian that would marry me. Why? So I could have red-headed babies and be able to put up X-Mas decorations. I SOOOOOO do NOT love love love X-Mas songs however... YUCK. Sorry to sound all bah-humbug, but they annoy me. I do enjoy the kid songs though, and I DO LOVE LOVE LOVE Adam Sandler's Hanukkah song! Anyway, all I have left to do for x-mas is finish wrapping the kids gifts... yeah for me! Oh and in a few more days I will be getting a live tree (not too soon, 'cause then I'll kill it before x-mas).

Update on kids: Tristan is a little bored I think without soccer in his life, but he'll manage. He (in conjunction with Brian and I) decided not to do boy scouts anymore. His troop assigns a lot of homework and he already gets a lot of school assigned homework. So scouts had just become stressful for him, not a fun extracurricular activity. He is much more relaxed now. Samantha is still enjoying Girl Scouts. Her troop does A LOT of fun stuff, educational, sensible and fun, and they get little to no work they have to do at home. Most to all of their work is done during the meeting. Keagan is my little helper. While the big kids do homework (his teacher doesn't believe in assigning homework), he helps me do stuff around the house or "babysits" Avery so I can clean or whatever. Avery is a walker with four teeth. The top two came in almost at same time. To me her whole face has changed from these new teeth.

Ah and bedtimes have changed around here. After some tweeking and adjustments based on a suggestion from my friend Julie: Tristan and Sam go to bed at 2030, Keagan at 2000, and Avery between 1900-1930. This has all but eliminated evening stress and yelling AND since we now have more time to prepare for the morning (make school lunches, layout clothes) the morning goes much better too! I am always looking for ways to make life/parenting better, so any suggestions any of you may have, I am all ears!

Hmph, well now this was longer than I though. Turns out Meghan CAN talk a lot about nothing (and she loves Seinfeld too)!

I hope someone tweeks your day with a brilliant idea!

Attention Shoppers We Have a Walker

Hello everybody! Did you have a yummy turkey day yesterday? Did you remember to be thankful? What about your shopping today... any good deals? I did do some shopping, but only 'cause I needed some things, like shoes for Keagan, a black top for me, stuff like that, and no really good deals. Well shoppers as you can see from the headline and the picture we have ourselves an official walker. Avery has been taking steps for some time. however, it was just a step here or there, or a lot of stepping in the safe confines of her playpen. Here preferred mode of travel is now walking. She will crawl until she reaches something she can pull up on, and then off she goes walking around. Then she falls/sits and she crawls back over to something to pull up and off she goes again. Not the greatest photo, but I was trying to get one that clearly showed her moving vs standing. Anyway... Yea for Avery, but I am gonna be one busy person.

Our thanksgiving was tasty and fun! We had dinner at our friend Dara and family's house. Our friends Eric and Tina also came. The food was good and we had fun.

Anyway, Survivor is on over here right now and I am so a Survivor person...LOVE IT!!!

Hope this weekend is relaxing and you sleep well from all the turkey you eat!

P.S. I added a few more pics (one of Avery on her 10 month B-Day and some of her walking) on the picture page. Check em out at:

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Turkey Trot

Hello my peeps...lol. I ran a race this morning!!!! Yes I did, and it was called the Turkey Trot. Do you see me there? Yea this is at the end of the race and I am tired and about to pick it up, so I am not looking too happy...lol. Also there is the picture of all my supporters minus one, my good friend Dara who watched all the kids for me. Notice there is no tag on my chest with a number? That is because it was a free race and instead of winning medals, there was a raffle. I won first prize, yes I did! It was a micro sound system and it is going straight into the bedroom. Oh and for the curious I ran a slow run, I am not really happy with the time, it was a 5k and I ran it in 30m and 22s. That is only slightly under a 10 min mile... crappy. Ah well, I'll try better next time. Happy days to you my blog buddies...lol.

P.S. I have updated the picture page check it out at:

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Not a Whole Lot

The busy holiday season is upon us! Though I am far from being as organized as I would like, I am USUALLY good about this: getting holiday shopping done early. In fact, yesterday I mailed off all the packages that need to go out. However, I do not have my Holiday cards together (and the generic letter is LONG...sorry...lol). I am waiting for Avery's pictures to come in. They accidentally did not send them to me. She had her pic's taken at the school when they did the big kids. I got Tristan's, Sam's and Keagan's pictures.... no Avery. The "picture people" will be bringing me her pictures on the 20th when they return for retakes. I will be mailing the cards that day. Otherwise, thanksgiving is coming up and then there are X-Mas parties, X-mas meals and the big day. I also have eight CRAZY nights (think Adam Sandler) to light candles and say prayers with my kiddo's. Busy, Busy, Busy!

So, I mentioned that we had parent teacher conferences. Tristan is doing fine, the teacher says he needs to work on talking (huh??? What??? Why would that be??? LOL). He also needs to review his work before handing it in. Otherwise he is doing fine. Actually, he challenges himself by getting books at the library that are higher than his level... and passing the tests he takes on them (for those that don't know, the kids at this elementary school read books and then test on every book. Then they receive points for each book...blah blah blah). Samantha is doing fine, although I did not enjoy the parent teacher conference. I think her teacher has personal motives when it comes to what she does with her students, I do not think she has their best interest at heart all the time. I was not impressed that she didn't know Samantha was shy. She thought Sammi didn't raise her hand cause she didn't know any answers. I told her that Samantha is shy and she said, "Oh really? Well you need to work with her on that." Anyway (insert Meghan rolling her eyes here)... Keagan's teacher told me that he does really well for a boy. He finishes his work often times before the others and colors well in the lines. So, that's that with the conferences.

Well, I am off to play with the kiddo's before I put them down for the night. May you find something to praise G-d for today (whether you do it for a pair of pants, or peace).

P.S. I just decided to add a picture... Avery can drink from a cup now, though she does it with a lot of mess!!!

All About ME, Well Almost

Hello guys and dolls! I have all sorts of good news to share. Well, most of it will make you say "So what?" but I am so happy about it I am sharing anyway!!! First let me tell you that I estimate a weight gain of about 10 pounds since having Avery (all gained in last 3 months). I estimate because I wouldn't get on the scale on the days when I felt heaviest. However, based on my estimation, I am now down 4 pounds and I know it isn't much but I seriously FEEL GREAT! Probably because I am back to eating better and I am running/working out more regularly.

Next piece of news...about 2 hours ago.... I ran two miles.... (I usually run farther) guess how fast I did it in....drum roll please..... 16:55!!!!!!!! Yes ladies and gents I have been running! I have not had a time under 17 min since basic training!!!! Since then while in the military I was between 17:30 and 18:45 about!!! I was so proud of myself I let out a loud "WHOOP" when I finished... I am still shaking I am so excited and proud of myself!

Third piece of good news can help you too... wanna go down a pants size??? You can do it RIGHT NOW, from your computer... no need to work out, take pills, or diet. Sounds like a scam right, well it is.... sorta. I have discovered a pair of pants that run a little big so I actually wear a size 10 (WHOA DID I SAY SIZE 10???? WOW for me... NEVER before) in these pants. I had ordered a 12 and they were big (none of my other 12's are), so I ordered another pair in a 10. They just got here and I love 'em!!!! Too bad I can't find a shirt to match... hey maybe I'll take a pic in them and post (with a non-matching shirt!) If you see it above it means I did it...lol. Anyway, I got the camo ones first in the 12 and brown ones in a 10. They are super comfy, check 'em out at:

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=5565&pid=401859

And no, old navy is definitely NOT paying me to advertise. Too bad.


Okay that is it about me....sorry to go on, but you know this is my blog...lol.

News about Avery...she is almost an official walker. She does still crawl of course, but she is getting more and more "risky" with her steps. She got her second tooth a few days ago and I think she says diaper "dy-pa" but who knows! She does point to a nose when you ask her too (sometimes, or she ignores you) and she almost always gives a kiss when you ask (if she is in the mood...lol).

But the best news yet is..... It REALLY looks like Brian will be coming home early... not real early, but maybe 4 weeks early which I'll take thank you very much! Ugh these last few months I was hoping would go by fast with all the activities... BUT I am starting to get excited about him coming home, which will make it go slower I think.

So, as you can see I did get Tristan to take a pic of me. Not the greatest but look at the "model" he had to work with...lol. So, I left the size 10 tag on in the front, I also happened to have left my zipper down...lol (no you can't see anything) but I didn't notice until after I changed and sat back down. I am not changing again to take another pic...just forgive the slight weirdness in the front because of zipper "issue"...LOL.

I have not taken many more pics of us since last post.... but my Auntie Jeanne has sent me two pics of my little cousins and I have added them to my pic page. Go check 'em out at:

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Well folks there it is. I have more to "talk" about since I just had parent teacher conferences, but I'll do that another day. I hope to be updating more often as my life gets more organized!

Thanks for stoppin' buy, I hope you find a GREAT pair of pants in the very near future!

Can You Believe a New Post Already?!?!?!?

Well, we are orange again cause today was the BIG day! Happy Halloween for all of you just getting the day going. Hope you have as much fun as we did! I am really proud of myself for surviving the night, getting the kids to bed AND making a new post. I would like to thank my faithful silent readers, you know who you are and I know you only read because I pay you to do it...LOL!

Anyway, my evil plan of allowing the kids to eat as much candy as they wanted worked... mwwwaaaahahahaha. They were nutso for about 15 minutes, but it is only 2106 (after trick or treating until almost 2000) and they are all concked out. Thank you Julie for this little trick...LOL! Meanwhile we had two added kids just show up and want to trick or treat with us... the oldest is friends with Tristan, youngest is in Keagan's class and friends with him. We are like "where's mom?" Eventually she showed up and asked if it was okay if I took her kids too... whatever! I was honestly a bit spazoid trying to keep up with where all the kids were (trick or treating here on post is like a stampede), but thankfully my friend Dara was here and she was a GREAT help in keeping my nerves down...lol. Anyway, all the kids had a great time and that is what matters. I have ALL NEW (the two family ones I kept there were somehow deleted) photo's on the picture page of our evening.

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

The ones of the kids individually are taken in front of my apartment door, so yes those are my decorations. The one of the kids altogether is in someone's lawn, not my deco, and the one of Tristan in front of a blow up motorcycle is not my deco either. You may notice a "guest" the pretty little Princess Leia is my friend Dara's youngest...isn't she cute?!?!?!?!? Oh and the last pictures are of Avery as I was putting her to bed. I honestly didn't mean to put her in Halloween colors (including the binkie) but when I laid her down I noticed it. So I got some pics of that. Okay, okay, just go check em out will ya'...LOL.

I hope you have a fabulous day whether you trick or treat or not. And if not, I hope you don't get too many dings at your door... turn out the lights and hide, or better yet, go out and enjoy yourselves!

In the Pink and Halloween Prep

Hello Friends and family, the candy holiday is almost upon us. Normally I only let my children have 2 pieces of candy on Halloween, but this year I am going CA-RA-ZY. I am going to give them some fruit and mac -n-cheese for dinner then I am going to let them eat as much candy as they want when we come home... yes I have lost my mind! Above there are a sort of "before" and "after" shots. The picture on the left is the drawing that I, Tristan, Samantha and Keagan did of what we wanted our pumpkin to look like. On the right are the actual pumpkins with the artists (minus myself). My inspiration was Avery since my pumpkin is so happy, has one bottom tooth and a nub where a tooth will surely break through soon. I actually allowed Tristan and Samantha to carve their own pumpkins, with the proper tools not big ole knives. They also gutted them and separated the seeds from the pulp. Then we roasted the seeds, YUM! Keagan was not allowed to carve his creation, but I encouraged him to get out the pulp and seeds. He tried for a little bit but then decided it felt too icky!!! LOL. If you go to the picture page:

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

you can see an upclose picture of each pumpkin. I actually tried to add a bunch more pictures, but I am having problems with the page. I emailed "them" so we will see what happens. Oh and if you click on the picture page and get "Hmmm, we can't find that page" as a message, just hit refresh. I think that problem is why I am having trouble downloading pics...we will see!

On the 28th the Girl Scouts had a Breast Cancer Awareness event. A doctor came to talk to us and we went on a walk on post. On my pic page there are two pictures of us walking. The doc who came told the kids/adults to remind people to do self exams. So we were on the walk and passed a woman we know videotaping the "parade" of people. Tristan ran up to her and said "Stacey! Stacey! you need to do a self exam!!!" She said "WHAT!?!?!?!" and I had to quickly explain, I thought she was about to faint...LOL. Meanwhile she caught it all on camera...lol... though she wan't laughing, all of us who had been to the event were. Well, I hope to have pictures of the kids in their costumes posted sometime this week, so check back again.

Oh one final piece of news. It was officially approved...we ARE moving to missouri on April 15th! Just found out Friday. I am a little excited, a little bit nervous, and a little bit sad. I am glad I have something to really keep me busy until Brian comes home. I have a ton of SH** to go through in this house before we move.

Well folks, I am off to get some more work done. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have kept all your fingers preparing for Halloween!

Two Weeks Later later later later...LOL

Well, since I am making this new post on his big day I better say HAPPY BIRTHDAY GUMPA!!! I hope you had some good coffee and great cookies for breakfast! The picture you see before you is one that captures something I love about my husband and his dad, their sense of fun/humor and adventure. It was taken last summer in Garmisch, Germany on top of the Zugspitz (please forgive the spelling).

Today has special significance for Avery too... not only is tomorrow her 9 month birthday...today she cut her first tooth! I am not sure why as parents we mark this day, I really don't know why I get so excited about it. I mean for me it really only means a pain in the boob...lol. But still I always get excited when the first one peeks through. She is almost the youngest of my kids to get their first tooth. Tristan got his at 8 1/2 months, Sammi at 17 months (yes you read that right) and Keagan at 15 months. Well Avery welcome to the world of teeth, be happy you got some as I have a feeling I am reaching the point where they are gonna start falling out again...lol.

Avery has had other things a happenin' lately. I think she has the grasp on two words. I am not sure cause it is never quite clear when they cross over from babble to understanding. I can tell you this, she only says "Mamamamamamma" when she wants something, so either she is calling me, or she thinks it means "I want (fill in the blank)." Additionally, she will say "Dadadadadadada" and stop when I give her the Daddy doll. We always talk about Daddy, show her pictures, videos etc. so she may know "Dada" as Daddy, or she may think she is calling for her doll, either way she understands something. Also, when she is asked for a kiss most times she will kiss and she sometimes does it with out asking. It is the cute eyes-get-a-faraway-look-open-mouth-baby-kiss. AND she WALKS!!! Well, it isn't quite that exciting, she only does it in her playpen...lol. I guess she feels safe there. She lets go of one end...step, step... she gets to the other end. She also stands well...again only in the playpen...lol. Silly girl seems to have some confidence issues!

For those of you I have been talking to about Tristan's math problems they are getting better. for those of you that don't know, he was having some real trouble with math, but the more he does it the better he is getting, so he and I are both slightly relieved. He is a super big helper around the house and has been since Daddy left. Bless his heart he does awesome stuff without me even asking. While I load Avery in the car, he has been known to fold up and put the stroller in the car. Such a big boy!

Again for those of you that know, I am STILL having problems with Sammi's teacher. For those of you that don't, let's just say she is MEGGA holding her back. It is getting even worse! Look I am the mom so of course I think all my children are brilliant. I am sure many of you have heard me say they will all get full-rides to Harvard (and even though you think I am...I am SO not kidding...lol). But seriously Sammi reads REALLY well. I just bought her this HUGE chapter book, absolutely no pictures and she is loving it. She can read it and comprehend it cause she comes and tells me about it. Now even though her teacher KNOWS what she is reading at home, she is not allowing Sammi to read books of that level from the library! Sammi has to get books that are at the average level from last year. For example, she started on level 1.1 or something last year and ended on 4.1. So when school started this year the teacher took the average, 2.6 and made her start at that level reading. Now does this make any sense to you? I can understand not starting where she left off, the teacher doesn't know if she read during the summer, but come on, maybe average out the last term. So, Sammi can not advance to the next level (2.7) until she passes, 4 tests on 4 books, and they only test 1 book a week. She is now at 2.8. You do the math and see how long it will take for her to reach the level she ENDED on last year! Anyway, at home she is reading probably something like a 4.8 or more, I don't want to overestimate. It is so frustrating.

Keagan has quite improved. He had a tough time with school for several reasons, the big one I really think is that Daddy is deployed. He cried everyday several times a day, and even cried the nights before schools. Now he doesn't cry at all and happily goes into school. So, I am VERY pleased about that!!!! He learns really quickly too, coming home telling me all about his day. Oh and some of you may think it is a blessing, but others a curse...he is such a planner, like me. He will tell me the entire next days schedule!!! He really listens to what the teacher says they will do before/after lunch etc. and he will tell me the whole deal on our walk home. Too cute!

Well, I have gone on and on about my kids!!! Sorry for that.... just needed to get it all off my chest...lol.

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Oh a little more about the pictures I have added:

There are kids in different outfits. I had Tristan and Sammi's school picture outfit's picked out, but I couldn't figure out what to put on my other two kids. So I tried a few different things. the thing I ended up picking with Avery is the one she has on in the stroller, funky tights pink and brown outfit. It is plain, but I don't think pic outfits should be too busy and the colors look good with her coloring. For Keagan I picked the maroon and green outfit. Also, I bought a crown for Sammi, but it fit on Avery's head and even stayed there with her bouncing around. Oh and to My Mom-in-law, do you recognize the blue outfit on Avery with the pink bows??? It is one you gave to Sammi! Well enjoy the pictures all!

My hope for you is that I have not bored you to sleep with all my "kid-talk" and that you can still function the rest of the day... tee hee!!!

Moving On Up

In more ways than one people...lol. First as you can see, Keagan has gotten a job. He works at McDonalds and likes to drink coffee. I went in the play room and saw him in this outfit and about died, I had to take a picture. Is this his future? Heck no!! He is getting a full scholarship from Soccer to play at a college. He may do this as a teen though...lol. Additionally, my baby girl has just moved into a luxury car seat...lol. No more baby seat for her, she is in a big girl seat. I put it off as long as possible, but the time had finally arrived. She loves her new seat and seems to think it is really cool, cause she was really smiling like that the whole time I was adjusting it in my livingroom. Look at the two youngest of my babies!!! UH they grow up way too fast.

In other news... ummm is there other news???? Not a whole lot going on around here, though I do have a really legit reason to go out to dinner tonight (side bar-- for those of you that don't know, I am squeezing my cheeks tight trying to save money to put down on a house, which house, who knows but we plan to buy semi-soon, so I don't do a lot of eating out, though I still do more than I should) and that makes me happy and guilt free. The "work order people" came by today and told me I need a new stove/oven which I will not be getting until tomorrow, so we are going to Wingers for dinner tonight baby!!! And don't you go telling me I could make sandwiches instead of eating out, I don't know how to make sandwiches...LOL.

Other than that I have heard from Brian a little more regularly lately and I have enjoyed that. He is doing alright though he is ready to get home and we are ready to have him here. Oh and for anyone who sends him stuff he does have a X-mas tree, so if you'd like you can send him an ornament for x-mas.

Oh and also on the baby news front, Avery is really making an effort to stand alone. She lets go of things and smiles REALLY big until she falls... she is a toughie though cause she only fusses if she bonks her head and even then not much. I guess she has fallen enough that she is now good at falling "lightly" in a sort of slow fall down onto her butt.

One last thing: for Halloween my Tristan is going to be a storm trooper, Sammi is going to be Belle, Keagan Harry Potter (I may even do the temporary black hair die???) and Avery a princess.

What are your kids (yourself??) going to be??? And if you haven't gotten anything yet (and you celebrate) my wish for you is GET WITH THE PROGRAM IT IS OCTOBER ALREADY.... HAVEN'T YOU SEEN THE COSTUMES OUT FOR MONTHS ALREADY????LOL. If you already have 'em here is a internet pat on the back *pat* If you don't celebrate... please don't steal anyone else's candy, that is just wrong...hahahahahaha. Good day guys!

Food, Shopping and Scouts

Hello, Hello, welcome and thanks for stopping by! So, I told you I was going shopping and eating last Sunday (the 17th). Oh my goodness, was the food great. Brunch was super Yummy!! My favorite "chef" of the Mongolian beef was there... YUMMY. Tristan always loves going there because he eats boat loads of crab legs...you got it YUMMY! Then we went shopping. I got a x-mas gift for my mom/dad2 -in-law and sis-in-law (Brian told me what to get). I also got a Hannuka gift for my Bro. Amazingly, I made a little purchase for myself as well. Fun Fun! Then we went to Chili's and we had a small amount of excitement.

We ordered our food and ate (YUMMY again) then as the waitress, Helen, was ringing us up... poof the power went out and we were in the semi-dark at the restaurant. Helen came over and told us that if the power didn't come back on our meal would be free... well the lights came back on, so we had to pay. However, apparently all the power DID NOT come back on. I noticed that all the people who had just ordered and got drinks, were quickly sent out without paying. When Helen came back with our bills she told us we all had to get out, cause they were evacuating, just to be safe. The ovens had not come back on and she said that it was a precaution in case there was a gas leak! So we flew the coop. Apparently everything was okay, cause there was nothing in the paper about it.

So fast forward to this past weekend. On Friday there was a homecoming parade on post and the scouts (boy and girl) were invited to walk in it. Tristan just joined up as a scout and this was his first function. Sammi switched over into our friend Nina's troop and for those of you who know her she is doing A TON with the girls. Anyway, I got some pictures of my kids in the parade and one of Keagan watching. The boy scouts walked (and Tristan waved to all his fans...lol) while the girl scouts passed out candy (after all the girls/women were lectured no throwing candy this year, it must be handed to the spectators...party poopers in charge!).

On Saturday we went to Keagan's soccer game (Tristan had a bye). I was soooo busy cheering for my boy that I didn't take any pictures. Lil' man got EIGHT yes EIGHT goals! He was all over the field, dropping back and blocking their goals then getting the ball and going all the way down the field with it! So much fun to watch. That night Tristan got to play on the xbox with my brother Michael via xbox live (while I did some chatting on the phone with my friend Melissa). He (we) had so much fun.

On Sunday we did something really special. We went to Frankfurt with the girl scouts and walked in a breast cancer walk "Walk For the Cure." All my kids walked the course (Avery rode/slept in the jogger stroller). Poor Keagan was so little that the small shirt looked like a dress. I didn't take ANY pictures cause dumb a** me forgot the camera... yes you better believe it, I forgot it. It was a great thing to be a part of and we had a great time and got some unexpected free stuff at the end of it! The weekend was capped off by a delicious (as always) BBQ with our friends Tina and Eric...again YUMMY!!!!

Well, I put up some pic's from the parade check 'em out when you get the chance.

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

I have no clue what to wish/hope for you... maybe today I wont be so presumptuous and push my wishes on you... I hope you get whatever it is you want to get out of your day!!!!

Four Daddies

So, do you remember me telling you about www.daddydolls.com ? Well, we ordered our Daddy dolls and got them in the mail recently. I finally got some pictures with the "dolls" and I have added them to the picture website the last page.

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Additionally I got a few pics of the kids playing soccer today, but they didn't turn out great, they have us behind fences now. I posted one of Tristan throwing the ball in and one of Keagan about to make a goal (he made five goals during his game). You may notice in Keagan's picture that they are all wearing odd ball shirts. The youth Sports department have their.... well I won't finish that...we are three weeks into the season with two games under our belt, and they don't have any shirts for the bambino's (Keagan's age group). Hopefully we will get them Tuesday... ah well!

Let me just tell you about my awesome weekend, starting last night (Friday). Yesterday Survivor started here!!!! YEAH!!!!! We had friends over for dinner and desert, Pizza from Pizza Point and desert was made by my friend Dara (a sugar cookie with peanut butter/cream cheese mixture and apples pizza type treat...yum!), then they went home and we watched survivor and I am sorry but I do not see anything wrong with them dividing up the groups into races. They are not trying to offend, they just want us to get all huffy and watch so they get the ratings. Well "Survivor people" no need to do the fancy footwork, we just love to watch even without the gimmicks! Then today I got to watch my boys play some soccer and tonight we are having some little friends stay the night. Well, between all the kids, there really isn't one meal they all like, so to make it fun for all, we are having brownies and ice cream for DINNER!!!!! YUMMMM!!! Then,something I have been waiting since like June to do.... tomorrow... we are having a full day of yummy food and shopping oh my with our friend Tina! First we will have brunch at the O Club in Ramstein (about an hour away) yummm... crab legs, mongolian beef, etc... then we will shop at a GINORMOUS bazaar, also in Ramstein, with about 200 vendors filling TWO hangers!!!!! I will be finishing my holiday shopping there!!! Then we will finish the day off by eating dinner at Chilis!!!! YUMMMY!!!! I am so excited!!!

Oh and yes, you did read right, I said "finish my holiday shopping." As usual, I have ordered all the kids gifts online and have received them already, I already got something for Brian and he has gotten for me (an iPod since my last broke and I need tunes to run...thanks Brian), I already have all of our extended family done except the last few and what I am getting is all at the bazaar!!! So come Monday morning I will have X-mas and Hanukkah shopping done!!! I have even already gotten for all the teachers and for all the kids in each class (VERY SMALL gifts for the kids). Why am I telling you this? Because I am so darn unorganized most times so when I get my crap together I am just so proud...LOL!!!! So I will not be running around in December like a chicken with my head cut off, until Dec 26th... Oh I am so on those after X-Mas sales... Tina you with me??!?!?!?!?!?

Well, I am off to take a nap, Lil' Avery is a bit sick and while she doesn't wake up a lot, she does a lot of snorting at night that wakes me up...lol.

With that, my wish for you is a snort free night!!!! Thanks for stopping by... Oh and for one of my "lurkers" Congrats on making it to six months (on the 11th of Sept)!!! Good for you making it to your goal!!!

Post Missing

Well if you saw the post I put up Saturday, it has been removed. I am still very happy for my friends and their efforts to have children because they are gonna make fabulous parents. However, apparently there was a false positive and Tina is "not" pregnant. I know they will get pregnant and who knows maybe they are now and there is just some internal hormonal confusion. When Tina allows it, I will post the good news again!!! I just know it will be soon!!!

Other than that, I have pretty much nothing to report. The kids are loving soccer, Sammi is loving watching as am I. Avery is my little mobile sweetie and I am afraid she may be walking much sooner than I am ready. I feel like I am forgetting something... ah well, I will post it when I remember!!!!

My wish for you, blog reader, is that an unexpected, wonderful, dreamed for event is in your near future!

First Day, First Outdoor Run and More

There he is.... My big boy!!! That's him outside the house as we are leaving to go to his first day EVER of school!!! This photo was taken yesterday (Tristan, Sammi and Keagan are all in school as I type this). He had a good day, even napped for 30 minutes while at school. His teacher doesn't do homework and he wants some, so I have told him I will give him some....Silly boy. I missed him terribly yesterday and I miss him today, I miss them all. We talk all the time, poor Avery, like I told my friend, by the end of this week she will know how to say "Shut up woman!" LOL.

After I dropped of my monster at school, I went for my first outdoor run in over a year!!!! I can run on a treadmill, but outside is soooooooooo much better.... wait... soooooooooo much better! Avery sat comfortably in a jogger stroller and she seemed to enjoy herself as well.

Also, Soccer season is upon us! Sammi opted out this time, she loves the sport, but she is afraid of getting hurt. I tried to convince her, but I won't force her. We plan to sign her up for Winter cheerleading though. The boys have been loving their practices! The first games are this weekend, so expect action packed photos soon!!

Speaking of which, I added more pictures to the pictures site and since there was room, I did NOT delete any of the old ones. Please check out the new ones, beginning on page three:

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

The very last picture is Keagan giving me a thumbs up because he had a good day at school.

I hope you all do a bit of exercise today that you love, whether it be running, vacuuming, or digging up a tree stump in the yard!!!

Goodnight Crock Hunter

Well, I did have other things to post about, but I will do that later. I woke up today to the news that Steve Irwin the crocodile huter has died. For some reason this is really getting to me. I can remember when I first learned of him. I was watching Rosie ODonnell's show and she had said how she couldsn't sleep or something and saw some crazy guy running around with crocodiles on TV (his show, when first done, was on LATE at night). She did a great aussie accent immitating all his now widely known catch phrases. Although he seemed a bit nutty, he did a great thing for Australia and a great thing for all of us, we now slightly love crocks and snakes and other creepy crawlies. I feel badly for his two children Bindi (8) and Bob (almost 3), his wife Terry, his country and animal lovers everywhere. I guess it is good that he died doing something he loves, I wish we could all be so lucky (although not so young).

I know there are many other deaths all the time that perhaps deserve more of my attention (like SOLDIERS for one), but for some reason this is really making me pause today. I really want the blogger to be upbeat and I think I have stayed true to that, but today, I felt like sharing this bit of news.

Goodnight Crock Hunter and I hope when you see G-d you exclaim "Crikey!"

Phone Call, Birthday and School Oh My

Busy, busy times I tell ya'! First on Sunday my BABY turned NINE!!!! How the heck did that happen and where the heck have I been??? Didn't I just deliver him yesterday...whew, time flys! Since we had already had a birthday party while Daddy was here, we had some friends (all from same family--the one where baby was born same day as Avery) come over and share some cake and ice cream with us. The boys in our friend family LOVE light sabers (and now my boys do too--though I don't--lol) and they very nicely brought them to share. So I got a few pictures of them "sword fighting" with the light sabers in the rain. Tristan really enjoyed himself as did all the kids. The highlight of the day was Daddy's phone call (only the 4th one--we usually communicate via IMing and email) just for his birthday boy. Brian is SUPER DUPER busy right now (I am sure you have seen the news) so it was really great that he was able to call (his last call was on Keagan Monsters b-day).

Oh and before Tristan's birthday and the day after she lost her first one, Sammi lost her second tooth, no really, she lost it. We were at Wingers eating and she looks at me "MOM!!!" holding out her bottom jaw. UH OH no tooth. I had warned her she might eat it, since she wont let me pull 'em, she just lets them literally fall out. She insists she didn't eat it. While eating her chicken, she felt something crunchy, took it out of her mouth, and tossed it over her shoulder. Don't worry we immediately had a table manners talk...lol.

The day after Tristan's birthday was the first day of school for my two eldest, Keagan starts on the 5th. The like their teachers a lot, so hopefully they were placed well. Not a lot to report here, since they are only into their third day of school now. I can tell you that crazy me, I miss them a lot!! But Keagan and Avery keep me busy. I am really gonna' miss my little monster on Tuesday.... oh well.

I have forgotten to mention some important anniversaries around here. On August 20th I have been smoke free for TEN YEARS!!!! YEAH ME!!!!! I read a report that by ten years the lungs are back to the health of someone who has never smoked... look at my lungs aren't they beautiful!?!?!?!??!?! The next big day is August 25th, and it is a big day for two reasons: Brian has been in the army for FOURTEEN YEARS!!!! YEAH BRIAN!!!!! Also we are now halfway through the deployment... Brian hit six months on the 25th. I don't know what to think about this one, I mean I am glad we have made it to the half way mark, but then I realize we have to do the same amount of time over again!!! Well at least half way is something.


I will be adding and deleting some pictures in a few minutes, check em out if you like at:
http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Also I was trying to add a picture of my birthday boy here, but it wont let me Hmmph!

Anywho... I am wishing you ummmm... a good one...hummm.... that no peas make it up your kids nose today... and if you have no kids, I am hoping you don't put one in your own!

Girl Firsts

Today has been a big day for my girls! They both had some firsts. You can see Sammi's right there... she lost her first tooth! Avery's first is pulling herself to a standing position. I told you she is a lady on the move. She was too funny though... she was giggling in her playpen behind me (I was uploading pics on the computer) , I thought one of the kids was playing with her. Tristan comes in the room and screams "AVERY IS STANDING UP!!!!", and sure enough she is. Meanwhile she is giggling at herself...lol. After a bit, she falls over and then she is really POed. She pulls herself up again and lo and behold, she starts giggling again. I am really happy that she is just as proud of herself as we are! No, I did not get a picture, the camera was attached to the computer downloading pictures and I did not get video because I ran out of tape Wednesday night video taping me waking the kids up (story in a sec.). So, no pics this time, but she will stand for years to come, I am sure I will get thousands... if not millions the way I take pictures!

So about me waking the kids up... on wed. night/thurs. morn, I got the kids up at midnight. "What emergency did they have this time?" you may be asking yourself, fear not silent reader for there was only fun to be had! We left Avery to her slumber, while the rest of us had an hour long "Mid-night Party" the kids arose to cake and ice cream and 1 round of Skip-Bo (I updated the picture website and there is one of them eating said treats). It was REALLY alot of fun.... and the kids were soooo shocked!

Anyway please visit the pictures here:

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

comments about what you are about to see:

--Avery in pink shirt/white background is her 7 month "b-day"
--The overalls that Avery is wearing, all four of my kids have worn and they STILL look great
--In one picture Avery is sitting with her cute little friend Sabrey who was born on the same day as Avery, but in the morning.


Well folks that is about it. Since I am feeling sleepy right now, I will go ahead and honestly wish that you find peace and tranquility in your day today, I know I need it!

Busy Busy Avery

Well this update is mostly about Avery because she has been so busy learning new things, in her own unique way. She has reached many milestones in the last few weeks, some while Daddy was here and some since he has left. While Daddy was here she learned to crawl, and on the same day learned how to put herself in the sitting position. She seemed to think sitting was more fun, because she put herself in that position more than she tried to crawl. The thing is, silly girl didn't know how to sit!!! LOL!!! So, she would put herself in the sitting position, then one, two three, conk...she fell over. That didn't deter her though, like I said she kept doing it. About ten days later she could actually sit and now sits so well that I do not "guard" her head. Just a few days ago she learned to say her "first word" (not sure if she knows what she is talking about). Then the next day she learned her second word, and the third day... you got it... her third word. ALL of my kids have said "MaMa" first (well... Tristan called me "BaBa" until he was about 18 months... but he said the word "MaMa" first). Avery, ever the different red head, said "DaDa" first!!!! Sadly she did it about 3 days after Brian left, so he missed it. Next day it was "BaBa", then finally "MaMa." She seems to say "MaMa" when she is crying, it must be easier to say then...lol, she babbles "BaBa" and "DaDa." The kids and I try to reinforce the word "DaDa" and it's meaning by showing her pictures and talking about him "Where is Daddy?" when she says it. I would be THRILLED if when she sees him again in February/March she says "DaDa" to him. So, I think that is all her new stuff. Oh one more thing, now that she can move, anyone who has been around my kids you know what I am talking about: She is EVEN MORE ACTIVE... she is constantly moving if her eyes are open... lordy I hope it helps me loose more weight...lol.

Okay so other news...
Brian has requested a curtailment (I think that is what it is called) that is sure to get granted. So, we are expecting to be leaving here on or about April 15th of 2007. Our destination is the reason he thinks it will surely get approved, we are going to MPCCC. Yup, that's right Missouri here we come! I have some "silent readers" that never post, but you see "rfamily" respond (she is usually the only one "brave" enough to do so...lol) to most (or is it all) posts. She lives in Missouri, so rfamily... I'll be seeing you soon!!! Will you still post on my blogger?...lol. Also, I just found out that another friend is moving to Missouri (currently in Aleebamee), perhaps in the May time frame and I hear that she is SOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED TO SEEEE MEEEEEEE!!!!!! You know who you are lady...lol!!! Anyway, I really am not that egotistical, I am just being a goof. I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces in Missouri especially since to me, the state really is "Misery." If I HAVE to go there, I am thankful I have friends there too. What is also really cool is my Mom-in-law and one of my Pop-in-laws (I have two...lol) live nearby, I think we figured 1 and 3/4 to 2 hours away. So expect us to be on your doorstep!

What is really crazy is this will be our first "official" stateside assignment since 1995!!!!! We have technically been overseas since Aug 1995.... almost 12 years when all is said and done. For those of you wondering... Netherlands 95-98, Alaska 98-2002 (yes this is an overseas assignment), Brian was only TDY when he went to OCS and OBC, so next assignment is here in Mannheim where we have been since 2002. We are hoping to go back to Alaska when Brian finishes MPCCC school.

Well this is a LONG post... I guess I will be leaving you with this... I hope you find peace, love and tranquility today...

... FORGET THAT... I hope you have a rip roaring good time today... save peace, love and tranquility for another day!!!

Brian Left Yesterday

We had a fantastic visit!!! We pretty much chilled out "around town" for most of his visit, though on the 6th we had a party for Tristan (he turns 9 on the 27th, but wanted a party with his dad), and from the 8th to the 11th we were down in Garmisch. I took 177 pictures while he was here, but my website only allows for so "few" I had to select the ones that I thought would be of interest for the different people that look.

It was really hard to say goodbye yesterday, much harder than the first time! We all got really used to him being around, now we have to adjust back to life without him. Avery did REALLY well with Brian. She took to him right away! You can see it in the first few pics, they are on his first day here. I think it is because: 1) her siblings were all over him, so she probably thought he must be a cool guy; 2) Before he deployed, we made videos of him reading bedtime stories and I play them for all the kids, so he was not unfamiliar to her; and 3) Brian just scooped her up and acted like he had been here all along. To reinforce the bonding, I went to a website:

http://www.daddydolls.com/

and ordered Avery (and one each for the other kids) a daddy doll. It is something that was started by soldiers wives, check it out, cool products there. On our picture page the one with Brian in Uniform, is the one I took and submitted to be put on the doll. I also ordered him a pillowcase and submitted a good pic of all four kids, I will send it to him for X-Mas. When we get the dolls (about 4-6 weeks) I will take a pic of them with their dolls and put in on the picture page. Okay so now a little commentary about the pictures....

http://www.msnusers.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

-Brian fed Avery her first fruit, pears, his favorite fruit.
-The squirt gun fight pictures are Tristan's birthday party. I had told him that Daddy would not want a bunch of other peoples kids running around on his R&R, so Tristan said "I'll have a grown-up party". So, we made a day of it. We invited our good friends Tina and Eric and went to a fabulous brunch in the morning (about 45-60 min away), came home had a squirt gun fight with some awesome squirt guns, then had a fabulous dinner with shrimp, steak and other stuff. I really think it is the best time I have ever had at a "kids" party! Tristan had a blast too. You will see our friends in the pictures. Oh one more mention of the party, my son's favorite cake is strawberry, so you will notice a pink cake... and yes he did get slightly teased for it... he laughed.
-Brian is teasing Avery on purpose with the french frie
-Sam's muddy back was after a bike ride with Dad...OMG!
-When you get to the pics of Brian in a blue shirt with the kids individually, we are at the airport waiting a bit before "sending him off." Once you see the group hug with Dad, Tristan, Sammi, and Keagan that picture and the rest are our last moments with him before he went through security.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and I hope your day is going well. We miss Daddy terribly, but every day that passes is another one closer to when he will come home to us for good!