House Full of Fun

Today is Preston's Third birthday. I can't believe that my little baby boy is three. This has been a HUGE year for Preston, here are a few of the highlights of his year:

He became a big brother in February

He finally really grew some hair and it is white and CURLY

He learned all about scooters, skateboards, bikes, and all things with wheels

He learned how to use the big potty

He learned that he likes boxers instead of briefs (I have no idea where this one came from, I don't even buy boxers but he kept trying to put on his jammie shorts underneath everything he wore and would tell us that they were his boxers, so Grandma Wynia got him some for christmas and he asks to wear them EVERY day)

He loves to sing and dance and finally learned some primary songs in nursury

He discovered TV and the wonderful world of disney channel and caillou

He learned how to talk and actually be understood. He says the funniest things, but the way that he says them makes them that much funnier

He spent a lot of time with mommy this year, just hanging out mostly :)

He learned how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich

He also learned that the library is not fun for a two-year-old AT ALL!

I think that I could go on and on but Preston has really had a year full of learning and growth. Yesterday I watched the video of last Christmas and it just amazes me how much he has changed. He is a big boy now and loves to play with his big brother and sister, but still looks out for Aubrey. He is sweet and loveable, but only when he wants to be. His nickname is Einstein, because of the hair if you couldn't already guess. Kendra and Ethan only call him Pres and are really good about including him and keeping an eye out for him. He is full of energy and loves to play with just about anything! He is a drooler, which I find to be stange that he still drools so much and it seems that his nose in constantly running and his cheecks are always pink or red. I don't know what our family would be like without little Preston around, but it would definitely be much quieter! We love you Preston!!!

Today is Kendra's birthday. I am a little stunned, where have the last nine years gone and why can't I remember every day of them. It frustrates me that I can't remember all of the details that I wanted to remember. I look back and wish that I had been better about keeping my journal updated, I am sure that it would have been very insightful. Especially now that we are raising another Kendra (Aubrey.) The other day I was giving Aubrey some animal crackers and she got so excited after I put one in her hand. Then she just waited and looked at me. So I grabbed another animal cracker and put it in her other hand. She practically squeeled in delight and then walked off to enjoy her treat. Kendra did the exact same thing. She was an eater (and still is) and when you gave her food she wanted it in both of her adorable little hands and wouldn't leave you alone until those fists were full.

Preston has been having a blast in this box lately. He gets himself in it and then tries to put his blanket over the top. As a sidenote here, our TV isn't working. There is something wrong with the power something or other, who knows. But I have loved not having a TV. If I could convince Josh we wouldn't even get it fixed. But he isn't buying it. In the meantime my kids have been enjoying one another and playing a lot of games. My house is even messier than normal if you can believe that one though.

Last weekend we had christmas at my mother's house since my dad and her flew off to cali for christmas. We had some very yummy soup and opened lots of preseants, I felt completely spoiled this year, and Josh got a new winter coat!!! Everyone then played a new game that Devin brought over called quelf, I was busy attending to a not so happy baby, but it sounded like they had a blast.

Kendra is a great big sister and she amazes me at what a good helper she is. She rarely complains and does a great job at keeping Preston and Aubrey entertained.

Aubrey got this new hat and gloves from my mom for Christmas, they are so stinkin cute. She is always taking her hat off and I have to just keep putting it back on her, over and over and over again. But I know that she will eventually learn that it is a battle that she won't win. I remember it taking Kendra at least a month to learn, but after that I didn't have to worry about hats anymore.

We stopped and got some yummy frozen yogurt at Costco the other night and Aubrey LOVED it! That girl can eat!

A little guilty feeling

Ok, well I am not completely into the Christmas spirit yet, but I am getting there. I did a bunch of christmas shopping on the internet today which means that over the next few days I get to have my own Christmas, (I love the UPS guy!) and I love opening packages. The kids have been great. I am really enjoying Preston and Aubrey and the time that we get to spend with one another during the day. I remember being able to do that with Kendra and Ethan and it is so special. I am going back to school next semester, as I mentioned before, and I know that this time with them won't last forever. I don't really have a whole lot of updating going on around here, just a lot of the same. Josh is right in the middle of finals so we will all be glad when that is over and we can have a few weeks of calm. Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week and are feeling the Christmas spirit.

Can't find the right word

Don't you hate it when you only have that one lonely binky (or whatever your term is for it) and you do your best to keep track of it for weeks. Then you finally break down and go buy more and suddenly you end up with tons of them. I HATE THAT! Just a thought :)

Is There Something Wrong With Me?

I have yet to really feel the Christmas spirit this season. Yes, I have started my christmas shopping, I have been to the mall and I have even put up my tree. All of these things usually work for me but something just isn't there yet. Is there something wrong with me? We are going to try and go up to the heights and visit their "Night in Bethleham" and I am praying that it will give me a quick swift in the bum to help me get with the program.

Josh and I watched the movie, "Four Christmases" last week and really enjoyed it. It kinda reminded us of our holidays, three christmases with family and then the fourth one being the one at home that we are always trying to squeeze in somehow. Then we also throw in two birthdays so you get the picture. This year my family is all going down to California for Christmas. I am bummed that we will not be there and be able to see everyone, things just won't be the same. But I have no desire to travel at Christmas!!!!! I just can't imagine packing up all the presents and driving for a full day and the drive home would be the worst when you have nothing to look forward to. When I was little we did it all of the time at Christmas, Easter, and during the summer too sometimes. Sometimes my dad wouldn't even come with us at Christmas. I just can't imagine Josh not being with the kids at Christmas, what fun would that be? So this year we are having Josh's dad over to our house on Christmas Eve and I am so excited! I can't imagine not even having to leave my own house on Christmas Eve, that has never happened before for my children. I am going to cook this ginormous turkey that Josh got from his company and the kids are going to act out the nativity YEA!!!

Growing up Christmas Eve was always the big thing in our house because my older brother and sister would go to their dad's on Christmas day. Santa would often come early on christmas eve, knocking on the door and leaving the presents on the doorstep or magically coming while we were out looking at Christmas lights. So my best memories are of Christmas Eve and I can't wait to be able to spend it at my house!!! Hopefully soon I will be humming Christmas carols and enjoying the snow outside and lighting my christmas tree scented candle and maybe even make some sugar cookies and build a gingerbread house. Somehow I just don't see it happening this year.

Great Finds

The other day when I was at Target, (I try not to go there too often.) I found a rack of children's clothes marked down 75%. They were super cute too! I found cute yoga-type pants for Aubrey in bright colors for $1 and jeans for preston for $3 and all kinds of cute stuff and nothing was over $4. This is why I stay out of target :) I had to get this dress for Aubrey. It was $2.50 and super cute. But then I got the boots and they weren't on sale, darn it! So here she is in her cute dress all ready to go to Thanksgiving dinner at grandma's house.
I say this all of the time, but she is such a little walker! It amazes me how each and every day there is such improvement. Today she bent over and picked up toys and carried them to Preston, she also changed directions without stopping. They just learn so fast! I guess what gets me is her excitement in the whole thing. She always tries to walk, it doesn't matter that she just keeps falling down. She has a certain look of determination and then when she really gets going she gets the biggest smile!

I love this toothy grin. She just has the two bottom teeth but she acts like she is teething most of the time, so who knows. Someday she will have a full head of hair and a mouth full of teeth.

Going..............

GOING.............

GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! She takes her headbands off all of the time now. I have to put it on her and then hold her hands until she forgets that it is there. She eventually forgets and leaves it alone for about an hour or so.

Back to School

Do you ever get so far behind blogging that you just keep putting it off because it seems like an insurmountable obstacle? Well that is me.... But here it goes, I am sure that I will miss tons of what I wanted to post but oh well.

Yesterday Josh left for a sales trip down to Utah, he got to each lunch at Wingers in Idaho and then he got Cheesecake Factory in Salt Lake and all paid for by his company too. He also has Cafe Rio on the menu multiple times over the next four days. I am totally jealous I think that I love to travel just so that I can hit up all of my favorite restaurants. I LOVE eating out and that love has been known to bust our budget once or twice, but I have been much better about it over the last few years, probably has something to do with the FOUR children I have to wrestle. It just doesn't seem quite so enjoyable when mom and dad are tag teaming trips to the bathroom or taking unruly children to the car. Anyways, he is gone until Thursday afternoon and I get to play single mom. I have been able to get quite a bit done and hopefully can get everything checked off of my list before he gets home. We miss him tons and can't wait for him to get home. I just love this picture of him and Aubrey!

I went to visit with an advisor at the college yesterday and looks like I will be enrolling for spring semester. One of these days I will get my degree finished. I will have one class and one lab on campus and then the rest I will be able to do online so that is perfect. My second semster should be easy like that too. If everything goes right I will be getting TAA benefits that will pay for my tuition over the next two years. I won't be getting the particular degree that I want but it is a huge stepping stone in the right direction and I can't argue with free schooling. Kendra was concerned when I told her how my meeting went. She asked who would watch her, Ethan answered right away, "we will be in school." He is a sharp boy and Kendra is always quite concerned with her well-being, like I am going to leave her to fend for herself and siblings.

We had a great Thanksgiving with some AMAZING food! It was definitely one of the yummiest Thanksgivings in my book. Friday I hit up the stores at the break of dawn to get some doorbusters that were on my list. I was able to get almost everything that I had on my list and I survived. It was my first time going out so early with the intent of snagging something that is hard to come by, but I managed to get my cricut and didn't have to throw any elbows in wal-mart to get it. I love it so much! I am not really supposed to be using it until Christmas but I have a few Christmas gifts to complete with it so I just HAD to get it out. What an awesome machine! My project list just grows with each passing day, I probably won't leave my craft room after Christmas comes.

My little sister Julie and her husband traveled to Montana for Christmas and on Saturday when we were saying our goodbyes Kendra goes, "Dang it! Next time I am going to have to Bust Out my camera and take a bunch of pictures." I was cracking up on the inside. She is so big sometimes, I have to remind myself that she is only 8 years old. You think that they quit saying funny things after they are in school, but I don't think it ever ends.

Aubrey is walking like a pro and always tries to walk first and then when she falls she just crawls to where she was trying to go. Preston and Ethan went with their dad on Saturday and got haircuts. I just had them trim Preston's curls so that they weren't so long and we could see his eyes. I was really nervous but when Josh brought them home they all looked very handsome. Preston and I are sick right now with a yucky chest cold, but we are surviving and hoping that it starts to get better sometime soon.

This is Aubrey's friend Isabelle. She turned one in the middle of November and we went over to her house to help her celebrate. She got these cute little twin dolls for her birthday and Aubrey was quite intrigued with them. I forget about the whole doll and pink thing, it has just been too long, but at least now I know what to get Aubrey for her first birthday. I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving too!

My little beastie!

Preston has finally taken quite the liking to his baby sister. He gets excited when he hears her wake up from her nap and loves to play with her. He tells me, "mom, I go and get her" and if I follow him he says "NO, you stay there!" He says the funniest things lately, I really need to be writing them down, but that doesn't even capture it. He is really growing up I am not sure if I am ready for that. Preston is SO independent, he always has been too! He started feeding himself and using utensils before he was a year old. He always wants to do everything himself and lately that has included making himself lunch. The other day Preston went in to meet Aubrey when she had woken up and they were playing so nicely. I was in my craft room right next door and I could here Aubrey belly laughing and Preston was jumping and throwing things and laughing. He was getting a kick out of making her laugh. Finally I went in there and this is what I found. He was throwing everything that he could find into the crib and then climbing in with her to play.

Preston is like the energizer bunny, he just goes and goes. I believe this picture was taken Halloween night after we had all come in and were sorting our candy, he just crashed. The nice thing about having such an active child is that he sleeps wonderfully!

Last Saturday morning I went downstairs to see what the kids were up to and I found this next to the TV. Apparently Preston was hungry and instead of asking for something to eat he took care of it himself. Cheese must have been sounding like a yummy breakfast so he just started munching on the ENTIRE block of it. The best part was that Kendra an Ethan were sitting down there with him and knew what he was doing but didn't bother to try and stop it or tell Josh or I. When I saw it I just ran back upstairs to show Josh laughing the entire time. Sometimes you just can't get mad!

Although Preston tries my patience, he is so sweet and I love him so much. He keeps things interesting and light hearted around here. He has been the family clown from the very beginning and I am thankful that Heavenly Father blessed our family with such a happy child.

Cursed

Eating spiders or wild mushrooms that land you in the emergency room, coloring on the walls in permanent marker, how about that dirty nasty water that you get when you are scrubbing out the fridge, imagine a child stripping down and then climbing up to the sink to get in it and using it as their own personal bath water. Screaming incessently, not responding to spankings AT ALL, and spending HOURS in their own personal time out chair. These are all stories that I have heard over and over throughout my life. Why did I hear these stories all of the time? Because they were all things about me! My mother raised six children and I have been informed numerous times that I was the biggest handfull (something about that third child!)

When Kendra was little my mother would often say "that is what you get." Since I had been such a crazy little girl then she felt it was only natural that I would have a handful of my own. Kendra really wasn't that bad of a toddler, (Preston has taken that crown), it was the baby months that were tough. I am afraid that her little sister is trying to follow in her footsteps. LITERALLY! Aubrey is officilly walking! She took her first steps (more than two) on Sunday and she is super excited. She loves to walk to Josh or I and she knows that she has just accomplished something big. Kendra first started walking right before she turned nine months and Aubrey will be nine months tomorrow. I think that I have now been punished accordingly for all that I put my mother through as a child. I am glad that she has accomplished this milestone, she could have waited just a few more months though and I would have been just as excited. Sorry that this is sideways, I couldn't figure out how to get it switched so you are going to have to turn your head to enjoy. I apologize!

May The Force Be With You

We had a most spooktacular Halloween and hope that everyone else did too! Actually in all honesty I had one of the most fun weekends that I have had in a long time. Our festivities started on Thursday night with a tri-ward trunk-or-treat and carnival. I love being able to see all of the cute costumes. Friday was a CRAZY day. I was trying to make it over to a friends house for a luncheon but had a bathroom meltdown with Preston and had quite the mess to clean up. That night we had a birthday/Halloween party to go to. The rule was that adults all had to dress up and so we put on our costumes and away we went. After we got home that night it was pretty late but our friends called us and wanted to hang out. So after all of our kids were asleep mom and dad got to play with our friends. Little do the kids know what fun we have after they are asleep. We played cards and other games, I think, it is all kinda a blur. They stayed until almost two in the morning, I kinda felt like I was a teenager again. Then Saturday we ran some errands and went to watch Josh's little sister play some b-ball. Then we got home and had some quiet/nap time before the storm hit.



My cousin, her husband, and their two little ones came over for some taco soup and trick-or-treating. And so did Josh's dad, step-mom, and little brother Kolton. So we had a house full as they all got into their costumes. They defiantly weren't too happy when I made them all wait one more minute to pose for a picture. They all had a good time trick-or-treating and got TONS of candy. After we were done we loaded up and went over to our friends house and got the kids to sleep and played some more. We were definitely tired and after eating far too much of our kids' candy we got plenty silly too. I moved to Sheridan Wyoming when I was in third grade and there were many wonderful girls there that were in my ward and also in my grade. Mandy is one of those amazing girls and I am super lucky that she lives here in Billings with her hubby and three cute kids. We enjoy one another so much and is the best girlfriend that I have ever had (and our husbands get along too which is a great bonus). On Saturday night we were acting like we were in 8th grade again and I even ended up putting on a silly costume and let's just say that the camera made it's way out but those pictures won't be seen any time soon. About 2:30 we packed up the kids and made it home. Today we made it to church and we were actually ALMOST on time. I was feeling fine, but I think Josh was a little tired. We just aren't quite 21 anymore. Tonight our friends came over again (we get together most Sunday's) and this time our kids actually got to play with one another. We ate dinner played just one game of wah hoo and two hands of cards and called it a night. Definitely some fun times were had this Halloween weekend.

Here we are at the birthday party. Last year right after Halloween Kendra and Ethan became quite into Star Wars for a while and we came up with this idea. As Halloween was approaching this year I asked them what they wanted to be and gave them a few ideas but they still wanted to be from Star Wars. So here we are, the force is strong with this group. Aubrey is an Ewok if you couldn't tell and Preston is YODA NOT SHREK, he got called that a few times this weekend.

I don't know why my camera was all blurry!

Aubrey has been standing up on her own and I had been trying to get a pic and finally got one at the trunk-or-treat. The crazy thing is that was only a few days ago and now she is always standing up.

Here is luke skywalker after eating a donut off of a string.

Our very own Master Yoda. He was super excited to be yoda and if you asked him who he was he would say, "I ODA" It was so cute!!!

Princess Leia won the donut eating contest, she was pretty proud of herself.

Our tuckered little Ewok

I had to throw in this picture that I took of Aubrey today, I just love it and she is growing and changing too fast.

Time Flies When You Are Having FUN!

On Tuesday Josh and I had our 9th anniversary. I had big plans to scan some old pictures of us and say all of this cute stuff about how much I love him and how amazing the past nine years have been. But as you can tell, it didn't happen. I believe I spent my day sewing instead. Whoops! So I just want to say that I love my husand. He is amazing, everyday I just stop and marvel at what we have become. We have both changed a lot, getting married at 18 and 20 will do that to you. And I am lucky that we are stronger and more in love now that I ever dreamed possible.

Josh ended up not working that night and Kim's restaurant was open for business (that is what we call leftover night around here.) I grabbed some scrap pieces of paper and wrote down what was on our menu for the night and I acted like I was really their server. The kids LOVE it, and Kendra was giggling the entire time. Last week when Josh was out of town we had corndogs for dinner, don't laugh I know you have done it too when dad is gone. I had some corndogs left and made the mistake of putting them on our "menu." So wouldn't you know the kids all wanted corndogs for dinner, not lasagna, speghetti, or chicken with pinapple and veggies in orange sauce. CORNDOGS! Oh well, I got to enjoy the rest of the chicken while Josh had lasagna. I even let the kids pick their side items and all meals were served with complimentary cottage cheese and water to drink. I told that kids that "Kim's Restaurant" had opened nine years ago and the food gets better every year. They thought that was pretty funny and I even got Josh to laugh.

As some of you might know Josh and I didn't really have a wedding. My dress was a whole $3 off of the clearance rack at Sears, cake was from costco, and our decorations consisted of two HUGE balloons hooked onto a weird contraption, (I am not even going to try and explain.) We always said that we would have a big party when we hit 10 years. THAT IS NEXT YEAR! At first I was all gung ho about it and searched and searched for the perfect dress. Not to wedding dressy but still white and beautiful. I haven't found a dress and my enthusiasm is waning just a tad. We were going to have it at the train depot or some place similar and just have dinner and then cake and dancing. Just celebrate our marriage with our family and friends and have the reception that I never had. Is this silly? I Just thought that I would throw it out there and get some opinions. Josh is up for whatever I decide but I just can't seem to make up my mind.

Here Piggy Piggy!

The Wynia family has been out of commission for a while but I am happy to report that we are all feeling good again. The doctor told us that we had the swine flu but if that was it then I don't see what all the fuss is about. Kendra, Ethan, and I all had a fever for about 24-48 hours and Kendra and Ethan's were easily controlled with tylenol. Then we each felt icky for another day or so and now we are all good. I have a little bit of a lingering cough and if Kendra and Ethan start playing too hard then the cough starts up again. Actually Kendra starts coughing at night. Josh and I are convinced that she forces it. Her cough doesn't sound anything like Ethan's or mine. Has anyone else had a child that insists on coughing all of the time? Kendra always does this, even if she is just a tiny bit sick. It drives Josh and I CRAZY! So yeah, we all survived the swine, no big deal. They had us start treating Preston before he had any symptoms and he never got the fever but does seem to have a little bit of congestion. Here are some before and after pictures of Kendra, she seemed the most sick of us all.
Yes, she is even dramatic about being sick. Ethan wanted to go school after the tylenol kicked in and I had to convince him that even though he felt better he had to stay home. He just complained that he was too bored to stay at home.

Here is Aubrey all dolled up for church last Sunday. I just can't resist taking pictures of this adorable little girl. She finally got two teeth to come through and now is just working on one more it looks like at the moment. She really doesn't like to show anyone, so it is hard to tell. All I know is that she is cranky. I thought that she had an ear infection when we all went to the doctor, but he said her ears were fine. I am usually pretty good about knowing when my kids have ear infections, which isn't very often. But I have been wrong about Aubrey twice, the pediatrician joked that I have lost my touch and need more practice, no thank you!

Ethan is getting much better about picking out his own clothes lately. I am pretty particular about what he wears most of the time, but tried to let go a little this summer and let him wear whatever he wanted. His choice usually consisted of a tee-shirt and mesh shorts which always bugged me but now that it is cooling off he is picking things that mom agrees with again.

Preston is still being a superstar with his potty training and has it mastered. I can take him out in public now without making sure I bring his potty chair with us (he wasn't a fan of full-size toilets for a while) And only seems to have accidents at grandma's house, not quite sure what that one is about. The biggest suprize for me has been that he stays dry during his nap and is almost always dry in the morning. I am a little stunned at that one, he has only had 2 or 3 wet mornings!

Josh did such a good job taking care of us when I wasn't feeling good. His boss sent him home when he heard that we had all been diagnosed with the swine flu but Josh tried to convince him that he needed to stay at work AWAY from the germs. But he ended up coming home and cooked the most amazing chicken noodle soup for us one night for dinner. Thanks Josh!

This little girl has me baffled, I just can't seem to figure her out. For example, one day I will be able to quietly lay her down for her naps and she will just fall asleep on her own and then the next day she freaks out and I have to bounce her, hold her, rock her, anything just to get her to fall asleep when she is obviously tired. Her personality changes faster than I can describe! So that is what we have been up to, if I didn't answer or return phone calls, or if I forgot to do something then I am sorry. I don't get sick very often and it really put a kink in my week!

We Did It

This little guy is officially POTTY TRAINED! I can't believe it. I just keep telling myself that it isn't possible but yes, he is! I woke up Tuesday morning with the thought, "today is the day that I am going to potty train Preston." I have no idea where it came from but it was as clear as day. So I got the kids off to school and stripped my little guy down to his t-shirt. After his first accident I knew that we could do it. He stopped and said OH! BEFORE the flow started. That is when I knew that he could tell what was going on. I tried to get him to sit on the potty and nothing. In fact we had one more accident and so finally I got out the potty chair, took Preston downstairs and told him he could sit on his chair while he watched cartoons. I went down to check on him a little bit later (with the intent of making him sit on his potty) and lo and behold there was a suprize waiting for me. He had peed all by himself. And that is what we did for the next four days. He got to hang out watching cartoons with his handy potty chair right next to him drinking all of the juice he wanted. And he would go potty whenever he felt the need.

Preston is very independent and once I realized that he COULD do it, I left it up to him to make it happen. The first day I kept telling him how proud I was of him, especially after he pooped in the potty all by himself! The next day I was buckling him into his carseat and he had just gone potty, he looked up at me and said "your proud of me mommy." I just wanted to squeeze him! How sweet, and I am VERY proud of him. He turns three on December 30 so that means he will be a sunbeam come the first of the year. A very YOUNG sunbeam and I have been really worried about that. But now we have one big hurdle down, YEA!!!

This lttle girl is working on her first tooth, actually her first four teeth. She has learned about cameras and that bright light that they make. She started squinting when that orange light comes on. Me niece Presleigh dd the same thing and I thought it was so cute! A little hard to get a good picture, but still cute.
Here is Ethan all ready for for the primary program. Ethan had a super long scripture and almost completely memorized it, Josh and I were very impressed. Ethan had two other members of his primary class in his Kindergarten class and they had an awesome teacher. Well the little girl that is in Ethan's primary class invited Mrs. Shull (their teacher) to come to the primary program and she did! Ethan was so excited to have her there, it made it very special and we were glad that Mrs. Shull agreed to come and see these cute little kiddos.

I broke down and finally had to go and buy Kendra some clothes for school. You know when dad says something that maybe it is time to go. Kendra is at a really hard stage for clothes right now. I just never know what to buy her, so we got some trendy outfits and then some things that I picked out. :)

Preston is so sweet! I turned the camera around to take some pictures of the two of us and he thought that was the coolest thing, too bad he just kept watching me instead of the camera!

Here in Wynialand

It is a strange thing that has happened to me in recent weeks. I seem to find myself referring to my family in strange ways. For example, "the Wynia's don't do that," or "here in the Wynia house," or maybe even "I need all of the Wynia's to come upstairs." I know that I have used these phrases occasionally over the years, but it seems to be happening ALL OF THE TIME. At family home evening I think I referred to "the Wynia's" maybe 8 times. We truely are a crew and I love it. Upon reflection the phrase that I like the best is, "that is not something that the Wynia's do." I use that a lot with the children and I think that it is teaching them our family rules, code of, or ethics. Is it working? Who knows. Just a thought that I had run through my head and I wanted to share. It could be a phase, but as I unpacked our "Wynia, families are forever" sign the other day it just struck me. We are the Wynia family, a really wonderful family. And I am grateful for that.

A Day Away

We escaped for a day last week and went fishing up in Red Lodge with Josh's fam. We had wanted to camp with them but Josh had to work and we were sure glad we didn't because from what I heard it was C O L D!!! And who really wants to go camping with three little rascals and a teething baby, oh wait.... I DO! Next year, next year, at least that is what I keep telling myself. As we hiked into Greenough Lake Ethan stopped and exclaimed. MOM DAD A BEAR!!!! We looked over to find one strange looking bear WAY too close to us. This moose was CRAZY! It was just walking along and when we got all settled on down the lake he came up over the ridge and walked right by all of the people that were there (and there were quite a few) He wasn't fazed a bit. I on the other hand would have picked up my kids and gotten the heck out of there if I had been on that side of the lake instead of getting out the cameras.

Kendra wasn't quite sure what to do with herself, it took her awhile to decide that she wanted to try and catch a fish, but eventually she caught a couple.Preston did what Preston does best. Get into things. He was super dirty by the time we got home.

Her cheesy grin at the picnic table.

Preston is working on growing some facial hair.

I caught Josh mid-bite. The best part was that he and Aubrey are making th exact same face. She was a little cold up there so she fussed a little but I think that she was glad to be getting some fresh air.

Little boys and water... do I need to say anything else?

Labs and water...Do I need to say anything else?

Josh tried and tried to catch a fish and they kept nibbling but he couldn't hook a single one! Then he traded poles with his little sister Beth and caught like five in a row. I would have to say that her pole was the lucky one.

All set for the hike in. Wearing that thing is never very flattering, but it sure makes carrying her much easier. We had a great time and it was definitely worth it. I just felt a tad bit guilty when Ethan was saying his prayers that night and said "thank you that we could skip church today and go to Red Lodge." Opps, I guess that is what we get.