Snow Play

I am a little slow at getting the kids out in the snow for the first time!! They loved it! Luke kept falling, which made him done much quicker than the older two kids. Our friends posted photos on their blog and stated that it took 15 minutes to get ready and 5 minutes to come back in...that is so true!! Actually, Anna stayed outside for about 20 minutes, Jake wanted to come in after 10 minutes and Luke was the 5 minute one!! Ahhhh, snow...I'm ready for it to leave!!!

A Message.....

Anna's School Christmas Program

Before the Program with her flower from Grandma Grover.

Getting all situated on the risers with her class.

Looking for us in the crowd. We were WAY up in the balcony.

Singing "Polar Puppy" (a favorite in our house because of the "ruff")

All the Pre-K and Kindergarten children (WOW!!)

Anna had a wonderful time at her program. At the beginning you could see she was a little stressed about the fact that she couldn't find us in the large, over packed crowd. Her teacher tried to help her find us with no success. The kids sang 4 songs: Polar Puppy (the kids get to say "ruff" several times in the song), Jesus Our Brother, a song Anna can't remember right now (sorry), and Jingle Bells.
On a Luke note: he is scheduled to get ear tubes on Monday the 17th at 7:30am. Please pray that his ears heal before then as he is still miserable..although nothing like he was. The specialist said that they looked pretty bad, and could have done surgery this next Monday, but that is Anna's half birthday at school so she is in charge of birthday snacks, and I am, for the only time this year, volunteering to help set up the Santa gift shop. Thank you for all of the prayers thus far!!

All Bundled Up!!!

It's the first snowy, cold day of school for Anna. We had to put snowpants on, scarf, hat, coat, mittens and boots. When all was done, Anna sighed and said, "Well, I guess I can barely move now!". Once out at the bus stop, she seemed excited to wear her new apparel to school. Luke update: still has high fever, still screams most of the night, but did sleep in his bed for about 3 hours...first time in about a week or so!!! He is scheduled at the specialist for next Friday.

We Have A Smile!

Luke is unchanged, still not sleeping, eating or much fun of any kind! He still is having high fevers (up to almost 105 today). He actually took a 3 1/2 hour nap on the couch this afternoon and was happy after for quite a while! Tomorrow I am going to call the specialist myself to get the ball rolling. Nighttime is still awful! Maybe tonight will be better!!

Ear Update...

Luke made another trip to the Dr. today. We are now on Clindamycin for 10 days. Oh joy! This anitbiotic is the final one that they can try! He has had a fever of 103 for three days, a yucky nose and the prior existing "viral rash" and an ear infection that is driving us all to the looney bin! Poor Luke whines with fish lips when he cries now. I feel bad because I am Mommy, the one who fixes everything! Mike is home alone tonight, as I am at work, plus he has to be out early for a wrestling meet. I am praying that this med works, as Luke is miserable. Jake is backsliding a bit on the potty training, twice today we had accidents because I couldn't get to him quick enough to help him get his pants down. Poor fella! Anna is good though, lovin' school and wishing she was there everyday!!

A Bad Day!!!

We have had quite the miserable day today here at the Rottier house. Luke became fussy around 10am and pretty much cried until about 10 minutes ago! I couldn't get him to eat or drink a thing most of the day until just this evening. His temperature went up to 104, the doctors office says they will see him tomorrow (since it hasn't been 48 hours on these new antibiotics). He now has green "friends" coming out of his nose. His tummy hurts, he's moaning when asleep and has a very terrible rash everywhere (that is a virus...I guess!). So, if you get time, as I asked before...keep Luke in your prayers. It has been a very challenging day for everyone.

Do They Look Alike?????

I always have a hard time seeing that my boys look alike. The photo of Jacob is from Thanksgiving last year, the one of Lucas is from about one week ago...I guess they do look alike, huh??
On a side note, Luke is on his third antibiotic to get rid of an ear infection, he's pretty miserable and making all of us pretty miserable too! Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. If these antibiotics don't work, I guess there is one more to try then it is off to get ear tubes.

Brrrr! It's Cold Outside!

The kids have been growing restless having to be inside all the time, so I decided to bundle them up and go in the backyard. That last about 5 minutes. In that time while I was trying to help the big kids, Luke (brace yourselves....) ate some of Reagan's donations to our yard!!!! (AUGH!) I told you to brace yourselves!!! I heard him gagging and choking and knew right then what was going on, so after 5 minutes outside, inside we all came!!! No more of that until there is LOTS of snow on the ground. Oh, Luke's mouth??? I sanitized it as best I could without pouring rubbing alcohol down his throat! Toddlers!!!!! How am I supposed to survive this one!!

Our Little Helper...

After we got home from eating our hearts out, we decorated our 10 foot christmas tree. We actually let the kids help this year. (First time ever!!!) Luke was really into the lights and all the kids loved handing me ornaments to put on the tree. I think Luke has more fun now taking them off!!!

What We Are Thankful For...

Thanksgiving was busy this year!!! I worked Wednesday night and got less than 2 hours of sleep on Thanksgiving morning. Then, it was off to eat lots of turkey at Grandma and Grandpa Rottier's house. Luke mostly threw him all over grandma's dining room. Anna and Jake wanted to eat all the rolls...nothing else. (sigh) I guess they will learn to like a good cooked meal, right? Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Grover's house. Mostly we just let the kids tear up grandma's upstairs...it was a riot for the kids to get grandma all riled up!!! All in all everyone had a great day...tired, but great!!! Thank you to both sets of grandparents for great meals!!!

The Final Attempt.....

Don't the photos say it all??? I am done...No good photos this year, sorry to all who were excited! My children were on strike this year!!

My boys dancing away to Cars

ALL BOY!!

Look at this face! How am I supposed to take a Christmas photo with all that on his face?

Leaves!!!!

There was cooperation when it came to individual photos, can't put those on a christmas card though!!!

Christmas Card Photo Shoot #2 (failed!)

We went out to Jamestown to Spring Grove Park for a photo shoot. The kids promised to be good so we could get good photos...oh boy was I a stressed out mommy!!

Big Boy!!

I am hoping this isn't "just a phase". Jake has been using the potty all afternoon! Yeah!! He is showing off his toy from going number 2 on the potty!!! Anna visualized but they flushed before I could actually confirm that there was something in the potty. But, according to Anna, it was like this big!!! (holding her hands out as wide as she could!!) We are all very excited for Jake!

The Playground

After Anna got home from school we decided to go back to the school playground. It was a really mild day, so the kids had a blast running around and playing. Of course, we never escape injury, as we were getting ready to leave, Luke fell and split his lip open!! (sigh) I guess the photo that I have will do of the kids for Christmas cards!!

A Birthday Party!

Anna went to her first "boy-girl" birthday party today. Her little buddy from school had his party at Playworld. It was insane! 19 little boys and 3 little girls!! Anna liked hanging out with the bigger kids (older sister and her friend) instead of her classmates...I guess she thinks older girls are more fun! As you can see, she liked the inflated slide....A LOT!

Growing up in my daddy's shoes!

Jake LOVES his daddy now. In fact I think her would be o.k. if I were never around, as long as daddy was!!! (sigh) It starts already! He has a blast walking around the house in daddy's shoes, just thought I would show him off a little!!

Attempt #1 at Christmas Photos...not so good!!

The kids got hair cuts today, so I thought, HEY! They look good, lets give it a try! Well, first it is a bit COLD and windy! I told them we were playing, "Lets see who can be pretty for Christmas". Luke wanted NOTHING to do with this project, posed for one photo, that I am reserving (just in case nothing else works), then burst into tears and went running down the street!! The big kids still wanted a couple more photos! Enjoy!! I am tired and ready for bed, I think I might just go to Target or Sears instead!! TOO stressful!!

Go Blue! (and a road trip too!)

Happy Birthday to Aunt Nelle and to Baby Alexa!!! Today Anna, Luke and I took a road trip to the Ann Arbor area to help celebrate Alexa's first birthday. We were all dressed in our big game day gear and had a lot of fun. Luke cried the whole way there and back (2.5 hours each way!!!). It was awesome to see Meg again and to celebrate her little girl, who one year ago weighed less than 6 pounds!!! Jake stayed home with daddy and put up christmas lights on the house (I can't keep track of three kids at a lake and Jakey LOVES to help daddy!!) When we got home, we were greeted by Jake screaming, "Go Michigan!" and asking for high fives....while the last 2 quarters were very nerve racking, Jake knew they would pull it out! Sorry for any MSU fans!....o.k. maybe not!!!