Christmas at Grammie and Grandpas

Lily


Evy


Molly and Uncle Wade


Matt and I


Santa Matt and Grant


Who's next?


Molly Girl


Princess Molly


Happy Birthday to Jesus!

We spent Christmas Eve at Matt's parents for Christmas this year. Their home is so warm and inviting at Christmas time. Matt's mom has a definite talent in decorating, especially for the holidays. The kids had a great time, waiting for Santa Matt to tell them who was next to open a present. We had a wonderful meal and a great time together. Happy Birthday to Jesus cake and all!

My Baby Boy

Not so much a baby boy anymore...Grant turned SIX today! I cannot believe that it has been six whole years since we came home on that Christmas Day with our new baby boy, our firstborn, our best Christmas present ever. I still remember driving home from the hospital with him on Christmas morning, through the snow...pulling off into Walgreens parking lot to get some pain medication...sneaking a quick peek in the backseat to make sure that our baby boy was doing okay...only to see his poor little head completely slumped over into his chest!!! I screeched and jumped back there make sure he was still alive! Obviously he was fine, but I'll tell you this, I thought I was to be the worst mother ever, not even able to keep my new baby safe just on the way home from the hospital!! I rode in the backseat from then on. :) It has been a whirlwind of changes. He is growing up so fast, enjoying kindergarten and tormenting his sister. He'll make you smile and laugh and in an instance make you want to scream. He is a charmer, a joy...and challenge. He loves to build things and make things work, and says he wants to be an artist when he grows up. He's never short of 'I love yous' and gives really good hugs.

Happy Birthday Grantster! We thank God for the gift of you!

Opening gifts at Nona and Papas house


Celebrating all the December birthdays (Dad, Peter, Drew, Ryan, Grant and Stella)


Celebrating at Grammie and Grandpa's House...(Grant and Grammie share the same birthday!)


And one more time at our house...


The birthday boy!

Lovin' the Leonards

Two...


Three...


Four...


and Five...(Zach, Charley, Molly, Taylor and Lauren...missing is Grant)

A few weeks back, we had the chance to go visit my very good friend Carrie for the day. We always have a great time chatting and catching up...even when one of my kiddos decides not to take a real nap. It's been so fun to watch our kids grow and change and have fun together. Who knows, maybe a couple of them will end up at Hope together!

Chocolate Covered

As I have mentioned, I am not a cook...baker...chef...what have you. But I do like to try to be creative. So for Grant's teacher's Christmas present, in addition to gift cards, this is what I've come up with. I really have a lot of fun doing it and its so easy! And I think its pretty too! All you need is Candiquik, colored chocolate melts, pretzel rods, a microwave, wax paper, and plastic baggies to drizzle the colored chocolate. Package and decorate any way that you'd like!!

Mommy and Me

 

A couple years back, I went looking for a picture of my mom and us three kids. Honestly, I think I found one, and it was not a picture of us when we were little. Now I know picture taking was a bit different back then, but I am determined to get a picture of me with my three kids every year from here on out. The mom is always the one taking the pictures, which is why you hardly ever see pictures of her. So here is our first go...Grant is nearly six, Molly is two, and Charlotte is 8 months old. I Love being your mom!

Because She Makes Me Happy

 

Timber!

Okay, so not really timber...we did not cut down our own tree...but we did go to the tree place behind the liquor store to pick out our fancy tree! This is actually where we go every year. It's quick, and unfortunately pricey, but it's easy. We had a litte "discussion" about the size of our tree this year. As we are in a new house, Matt thought we should try a taller tree...which I said was too tall. But he won and we took it home. And we brought it in. And we stood it up. And it touched the ceiling before it was even in the stand. So we snipped off the top branch. Still too tall. I was trying SO hard not to smile. Matt said, Oh I'm sure you're loving this...and I was. So back on the top of the car it went, and he brought home a suitable sized tree. They were very kind to let us exchange it. The kids had a great time decorating and our first tree in this house looks beautiful!

 
 
 
 

Christmas at Meijer Gardens

 

We had a nice night last week at Meijer Gardens. Its a family tradition for us to go there at this time of year to look at the trees, watch the train, see the lights, and this year, sit on Santa's lap. As you might see from the pictures, it didn't go so well...we had two screamers. But Grant got a good moment with Santa. He was a bit nervous at first, and I had to ask why. He said, I don't want him to tell me I'm on the naughty list! HA! Maybe I should stop saying that so much. :) Santa told him that it was pretty hard to get on his naughty list...ahem...Santa...don't you know what I'm trying to do here. It was beautiful night and trees were lit up so beautiful outside too!

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving has come and gone in a flash. We had a nice time with both sides of the family this year. Delicious brunch with the Hassenrik side and Turkey Dinner with the Sheldon side. I am so very thankful for each of my children this year, and each of their unique personalities. I am so very thankful that they are all healthy. I also give thanks for my wonderful husband, who is really an amazing husband and a huge help around here. We are certainly blessed to have him in our lives. And I'm thankful for Thanksgiving. Huh you say? I am thankful that there is a time of year to be reminded how truly blessed we are to have the freedom to worship God each and every day...because all these things that I am thankful for, come from Him.

All I Want for Christmas...

 

Yesterday, Grant lost his first tooth! It has been wiggling for a couple of weeks now, and all of the sudden, it just popped out. No pain, no tears, no blood, just fell into his mouth. :) And what did I do...I cried. That's a mom for you...cries when her son loses his first tooth. He's growing up so fast. If you think about it, it's kind of sad. That was his first tooth that came in when he was 10 months old, and now he's almost six, and I'm about to cry again just writing this. What is wrong with me?! I do love him so! The tooth fairy came and left him two dollars (first tooth gets more than just a dollar), but that silly tooth fairy didn't do a very good job of placing the prize, because Grant woke up, lifted his pillow...and there was nothing. He came sadly into our room to show his dissatisfaction. Thank goodness it had just fallen down between the mattress and headboard. We'll have to let that tooth fairy know to be more careful with placement next time!

And the Award Goes to...

Me! Thanks Rach for the award! You are a way better blogger than I, and I am very jealous of your creativity and humor. So thanks for giving me something else to waste my time...




Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link to their blog.
2. Share 10 honest things about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 other whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.
4. Tell those 7 people they have been awarded.

Here are my ten things...honestly. :)

1. I am a rule follower. I hate breaking the rules. This can be a good and bad thing, as it is hard for me to let go of certain things. If the back of the Tylenol bottle says take 2...take 2, not three. If it says No Turn on Red...darn right I'm going to wait. If it says wait 3 hours to dry, and it's only been 2 hours and 45 minutes...you'd better hang on for 15 minutes more. You get the point.

2. I think I'm a doctor or nurse. My family sometimes refers to me as Nurse Lesley. I obviously have no training in this field, but I think I know more than the average lay person. :)

3. I really hate running. I did run a 5k a couple of years ago, and I was so proud of myself, because honestly...it never got fun.

4. It is very hard for me to throw things away. I am sure that I could honestly find a use for that certain thing at a later time.

5. Singing is probably one of my most favorite things to do, but I honestly don't think I'm all that good. People tell me that I am, but I don't buy it...hence why I don't love doing solos...even though I do. I do think God has given me this gift, and I do try to use it the best I can. I think that I have a way better "church" voice than "radio" voice. I can sing the crap out of 'O Holy Night'...

6. I do not like to travel. I like to be other places, but I hate getting there. This is causes issues in the vacationing section of my life.

7. I can honestly say that I have never fallen asleep to a movie...that I can remember. That would be just awful to not know how the movie ended, even if it was a horrible movie.

8. I can't believe I'm a mom of three kids, because I honestly sometimes feel like I'm still about 23.

9. Cooking is not my thing. I wish I was good at it, I'm not. I'm not even a baker. I think it has to do with how I have to recipe in front of me at all times. I can't just "wing" it.

10. I really don't like to read. I know this is horrible. I know that I should, but I just don't. I wish I did. I hope I don't pass this on to my children. :)

And I'd like to award these people as well: (Pick 7 people from my blog list on the side) :) (I'M NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES...AHHHH)

Charley Update

Bright Blue Eyes


Can you see my teeth?


Crooked Smile


So big!


I don't like hats


Look at me mom...standing in my crib!



Things have been changing fast around here with Charley girl. She has been army crawling all over the place for sometime now and loves to sit sweetly on the floor and play. She has two teeth that have popped through on the bottom and of course looks cuter than ever. She has started pulling herself up on anything that she can reach and has even taken a couple of steps with a walker. The spitting has gotten better since we've had her on Zantac for a month of so now. She eats any baby food I give her and has started on graham crackers too...which she loves! She is still loud and will just make loud noises to be heard. She says dada, lala, and blah sounds. She loves to smile and laugh and clap her hands, especially to music. She will open and close her hand like waving...but not to wave. Napping three times a day...to bed at 7:30-8 and up around 7:30. She has a pink lovey for sleeping and she still sucks her thumb. She is growing up so fast, I can't believe she is almost 8 months old already! I thank God every day for her good health, beautiful smile, and happy disposition!

Happy 32nd!

Happy Birthday to my honey...almost two weeks ago! Ha...so I'm a little behind, but better late than never. We celebrated Matt's 32nd (OLD) birthday on November 8th. His parents and sister's family came over to join in on the fun. We had a great time. We had everything a good party needs...


A beautiful birthday cake if I say so myself...my first attempt at baking a cake...ever! Go me...


A Rockin Dance Party...moving my hips like yeah...


Shuffleboard...


Human Pyramid...


and Wishes for another healthy and blessed year!

Happy Birthday babe. We love you so much!

Funnies

I had to copy this from a friends blog because I thought it was so true...#17 especially...since I hardly ever leave my house. :)


1. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
2. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
3. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.
4. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
5. There is a great need for sarcasm font.
6. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
7. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
8. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
9. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
10. Was learning cursive really necessary?
11. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.
12. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!
13. While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.
14. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
15. I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.
16. Bad decisions make good stories.
17. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
18. Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?
19. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren’t doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

Get Candy,Get Candy, Get Candy...

If you have ever seen Seinfeld stand-up, you know what the title refers to. If not, it pretty much states the whole goal of a child's life...get candy, get candy, get candy. And it's true. I swear it's all my kids have been talking about. Can I have more candy, when can we get candy again, will the candy go away...AHHH! No more talk of candy. Although I shouldn't talk. I remember my goal of getting candy my entire childhood...and adulthood. I definitely have a sweet tooth and have done my share of candy stashing in my life. Anyways, the kids had a great time this Halloween. My nieces, Stella and Sofia, came over with my parents to join us in trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood. The weather wasn't great, but at least it wasn't pouring rain. My dad and I took Molly and Stella up and down our street while Matt chased after Grant and Sofia...mostly Grant. He had it figured out pretty quick, the faster I go, the more candy I can get. They were exhausted by time they got home.

Quick story because this is so something I did when I was a kid too. After sorting through Grant's candy (he really can't eat the chocolate because of his milk allergy), he had a few pieces, and then he disappeared. I go up to his room only to see him trying to sneak back down with a mouth full of more candy. I of course knew exactly what he was doing, since I had done it before myself. Yep, sneaking more candy, and hiding it in his closet for future enjoyment. Of course I was on to him and made him get the candy out of its hiding spot and gave him the "don't be sneaky" lecture, but secretly was amazed that he is so much like his momma.

All in All, it was a great night for the kids and thanks mom for bringing over the yummy lasagna!