Some serious vacation

This past week has been quite different than any other week off for us.  Ben usually starts studying now for finals, but only has two this (LAST!) semester and didn't need to.  He normally also works the day after Thanksgiving but due to his 36 hour work day a week ago, felt it was OK to take the day off:)  We slept in for the last three days, one day until 9:30.  It's nice to have kids that give up trying to get you out of bed or just go watch cartoons.  The twins just sat in their cribs patiently waiting.  Yes, it was nice!  Especially for Ben as he hasn't slept in like that in who knows how long.  Today we went to the California Railroad Museum downtown.  Although we have lot of children, those 5 and under are free, which happens to be 4 out of the 5! I forgot the camera, but it was so much fun for the kids.  Nathan was a bit overwhelmed by all the trains that he was like a chicken with his head cut off running around, not knowing where to go first.  We ended the day by letting the kids pick some candy from out of the barrels in one of the stores in Old Sac. 

And now that Thanksgiving is officially over, it is time for Christmas decorations. 

Here they all are, showered, jammied and ready to decorate!

I don't know what is going on here, but Kate and Addison both think Bailey is fascinating.  And Emma and Nathan were trying to say Ho Ho Ho!

Daddy puts together our tree.  Yes, our good old freecycle tree is still going strong.  We did talk tonight about how a real one would be nice someday.  But this one is very economical and convenient :)

Addison was ticked she got pushed off the box.  These three were little crazies while we were trying to get things together.

Putting on the ornaments

She always has crazy eyes and crazy hair.  It's just Emma and she wouldn't be the same without them.

We realized that we didn't have a mantle to hang the stockings on.  Well, MacGyver Daddy pulled one out of the garage that we had at our last place and mounted it to the wall just for Christmas stockings!

What's Better' n' Sketti'

Nothing, according to my kids.  We ate in complete silence the other night, after a long weekend of sick mamma.  The first night I felt better we had spaghetti.  It is the one thing all five children will eat...and not just eat, but eats lots of and sit quietly while they do.  Here are the girls showing just how much they love spaghetti.  (The boys were long finished and off to the showers)

Kate did this pose on her own.  She was really into eating tonight.  I think this was helping #3.

Addison has a favorite nose scrunch.  But she can multi-task and eat at the same time.

Take a picture of me, Mom! Take a picture of me!!!!!!!!!!  And my crazy noodle coming out of my mouth. I think she will hate this picture later, but she asked for it.

Then, it was of course, off to the showers for everyone.  Why can't the best meal be the one that is easiest to clean up?! 

Knockout!

Emma has had three VERY loose teeth for a long time.  They looked like they would never fall out.  Well, just give it one good brother/sister pretend punching match and out one comes!  It is too bad it isn't the one we need to come out (where the adult tooth is growing in crooked behind).  But this one was very loose as well.  She was so excited, then saw blood and cried, then smiled when I brought out the camera, then was worried about where to put it...Typical Emma:)  But she has officially lost her first tooth, and I am glad that it was this way rather than by a dentist yanking it.  Every kid needs that first tooth experience.  Now hopefully the "tooth fairy" has some cash lying around!  Yikes!  There needs to be an emergency storage place for this:)

So You Think You Can Dance

This is our third year going to the tours for So You Think You Can Dance!  Honestly, this year was not as good as the other two, but maybe I am just danced out since they are running another season right now during the fall instead of waiting until summer.  But we always have fun with our friends during dinner and on the ride home no matter what. 

Yay! A good picture of us. 

Yay! A blackmail picture of Jarrod...Or not:)  But I'm sure he loves this picture.

Phillip, a really amazing break dance/popper.  Odd choice of clothing, but he can do the craziest things!

You had to be there for this one.  Basically if you remember the Russian folk dance from Season 5 and how TERRIBLE and painful it was to watch, than this was hilarious.

We didn't get home until midnight after picking the kids up, so I let them be "sick" and stay home from school.  Maybe it's terrible to convince your kids that they aren't feeling well just because you don't want them to be crabby all day if you made them get up to go to school.  So they get to play hooky because mom and dad want to go to concerts:) 

Harness needed

I cannot keep Addison in her seat anymore.  This is with the tray pushed all the way back.  And the high chair does not have straps to buckle her in.  This was after the third time I put her back in her seat.  Luckily the camera was nearby!

To be fair, a picture of Kate.  

Apple Hill

We haven't been to Apple Hill in a few years and I convinced Ben to go up this year.  Our last trip to Apple Hill ended on a bad note.  I can't remember a lot except there was some crying and whining.  After all I was pregnant with Nathan!  (and Bailey and Emma weren't happy either)  Last year, I was pregnant with the twins so that would not have worked.  Now, 2009 brought us hope of a fun trip to Apple Hill.  We tried a new apple farm, which we liked a ton better than our usual High Hill ranch.  We went to Abel's Acres (as you can see from the bear in the apron above).

Kate and Addison were there too.  And yes, they are almost dressed alike.  Maybe that is why we were stopped more than usual.  Well, probably not.  Twins always attract attention, especially when they are trailed by three more kids.

Nathan, look over here...Where?!

The hay maze was pay once, go as many times as you want.  They went through about a dozen times.

Except Emma, she went through a few and then was done. 

She liked taking pictures with the cut outs.

Nathan wanted to go "Over dere!" There was a playground for little kids but you had to pay.  Yeah, I'll take you to a park!

If we really remember to do this whenever we go there it will be fun to watch their growth.

 

He's a mean witch...

 

We were there too!  Emma took this for us.

We came home with our new Christmas ornament.  Families of 7 only had two choices for ornaments, as we are unusual or something?!  :)  We have one with just Ben, Bailey and I on it, and now everyone has made their way onto the Christmas tree.

The weather has finally started really changing, Halloween is over and we are ready for the Holidays!  Of course this also means the end of law school....sniff...sniff...really NOT gonna miss ya!

Halloween!

We trunk or treated, we trick or treated...

Came home with way too much candy...

Individuals of the twins to come (my camera went dead early in the night so I am collecting from other people as I go!)

All dressed up and ready to go

Bailey, Green Muscle Monster

He's muscular, he's green, he's tough and ready to get you!

Princess Ballerina

Her pose:)

Love this picture.  He's like "What am I doing?"

It was a rough fire, he got a little dirty.

We made it through Halloween with no screaming, crying or kicking!  The twins were perfect angels, thanks to a late nap and dinner.  They have all even been good about not raiding the candy.  We dumped it all into one big bag and then separated it out into categories.  I really don't know why we do that but we have for many years now.  Something about not letting the chocolate in the same bag as the skittles.  And mint anything is also separated.  The kids get a few pieces here and there and seem to like how the candy lasts until January:)