Thursday Things.

During our 6 day trip in Kansas, I took a total of 222 photos. I kept 181 of the best.

I will post a recap of my Goals for 2010 tomorrow and my new Goals for 2011 on January 1.

Next year, we will not visit Kansas for Christmas. We will stay here in Minnesota and host our own. You are all invited. Please leave the drama at home. Thanks in advance.

This year I gave 3 coffee mugs as gifts, by far my favorite thing to give and receive. Thanks Shawna and Jordyn : ) Love my new pink mug.

I received 2 cookbooks for Christmas. I think there is a hidden meaning here, but I am struggling to find it. Thanks Lewis, Shannon (Obviously you spent a lot of time putting those together for the girls and I. Glad I was included.)

I see that two non-kindle believers joined me on the Dark Side. You know who you are.

Jason got a Dsi-XL three days after Christmas, just because. He also got the No. 1 item from his Christmas Letter to Santa. That man is good ; )

The best gift I received was a DVD of my Grandpa Jim's funeral. The hubby stayed home with the kids and missed the funeral. I am glad to have it to share with him and the boys for years to come.

I got a new cell phone. It's amazing, but huge.

We took the kids to Chuck E Cheese on Tuesday during our travels home. I miss going there more frequently.

I had my first ever library fine.. It was $22 and was due to water damage. Jason dropped it in the snow. The book retail is actually $9 but to avoid a trip to Walmart, I opted to pay the whole fine instead of just replacing the copy. I did "technically" purchase the damaged copy, and it is still readable.

I posted a ton of photos to flickr and Facebook. If you are not on FB, then I do not post of you there, to be polite. All photos on flickr are private.

It's time to think about celebrating Jason's birthday. I will shop online again for all the supplies except I will pick up balloons the day of and the cake, pizza too. He wants to invite 11 kids.

I am on my last book for 2010. I think it's No. 77 or 78.

The Dake's Christmas Day 2010.

Thursday.

School is closed for the day due to a massive amount of snow here. The photo of the boys is from this morning 12/16/2010. That's Ryan and Jason. And the great white shark is a drawing by Jason. He is so frickin amazing.. More photos on flickr. Enjoy your day.

Dake Updates.

Wow, did you think I was dead? Nope. Just busy.

It's snowing here, go figure. The kids do not go in the building in the morning before school. They play in the snow. They also have to wear snow pants and the works to school.

I am going to buy myself some snow pants too. While I doubt I wear them often, I should probably own a pair.

Last week when it snowed, the final tally of inches was 18". That's a lot of snow. I also heard today that when we can't find anywhere else to pile the snow, dump trucks come in and take it away. Wow.

I am on book 72 for 2010.

Zachary is one week post op and doing well. This barely slowed him down, but it took me 3 days to feel less exhausted. His prescriptions totaled $568 for 3 bottles. And he is allowed one more bottle at $262. Thankfully, our insurance covered it all but the $3 co pay.

Ryan is amazing and talking so well. He has the best laugh and is my only kid that can entertain himself.

Julie- I am alive and owe you an email.

I need 5 stamps and a gallon of milk.

I will finish up my Christmas shopping this week. I just need a handful of things.

Jason has a Christmas program on Friday at school.

I think that's all I got.

An Update.

A quick update on Zachary... Surgery went well. The adenoids and tonsils are gone. His wake up period was rough, and then he slept for 2+ hours on me in his room. We got home around or after noon. Daddy kept Ryan, visited us quickly and picked up the Rxs.

He has slept almost the whole day away, minus being awake from 4-6. He's slow with the liquids, but ate an oatmeal creme cookie. He's taken 3 doses of meds; Motrin, an antibiotic and pain meds. He's been sleeping on me all day and I was just able to lay him in the bed at 630 ish after his first dose with codeine. I am hoping he sleeps well through the night and that his liquid intake picks up.

I am also hoping tomorrow goes well. Jacques will be back at work, and I will be home alone with both boys. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and chats today. Love you all, M

Twins 3rd Birthday Party.

You can see a lot more photos, by clicking here... Twins 3rd Birthday. And I am still adding more.

Family Four Minus Jason.

The Dake Tree 2010.

Tuesday.

Zachary has an appointment today with an ENT doctor. I'll post an update on that later.

Last week, the 3 boys and I got our flu mist.

Then twins will be 3 on Friday and their party is on Saturday. I have ordered 3 cakes and the theme is Toy Story, and only because there are no Ghostbuster party supplies. I shopped online for all the party supplies, and that is the only way I'll do it from now on. So convenient and here two days later.

Ryan is well and chatting up a storm. We are slowly breaking them of their favorite sippy cups. Hopefully potty training will click soon too.

I have photos of Thanksgiving and the Christmas tree to post later. I am just behind on everything except house cleaning and reading..

Jason had his 6 month check up yesterday at the dentist, with a new dentist. All his teeth are perfect, which is great considering I told him that I'd kick him out of the house if he got any cavities. Now that his 6 year molars are in and permanent, he will get them sealed in the next month or so, when the Life slows down.

Thursday Thanksgiving Thankfullness.

*that the hubby is cooking.
*that my boys are healthy, alive and full of curiosity.
*for warm boots and cute mittens that match.
*4 wheel drive and ice scrappers.
*far away family and friends.
*for new friends.
*Botox.
*free text messaging.
*an open bottle of wine.
*employment.
*a fridge full of food.
*YOU!

Public Service Announcement.

Toddlers are not barbers. Zachary got a hold of scissors today and decided he needed a haircut (it's true, he does) but usually we have daddy do it, not two year olds. He was suppose to be in the bathroom washing off all the pudding on his face and brushing his teeth. After just minutes, I walked in to check on him, and he had the scissors going in his hand on his hair. I was "agh" but calm. I told him no and that it is unacceptable to cut your own hair before kindergarten. I hoisted him up to the counter, thinking I needed to see the damage, but surprisingly, he didn't whack it too bad. There was a lot of hair on the floor, but he just thinned it out in one spot. Note: See Bald Patch in Above Photo. More photos on flickr later.

The Dake Tribe on Sunday in Snow.

Our First Minnesota Snow.

And I owe it all to you...

Ryan Christian.

The kid has talent.

These are just everyday drawings by Jason. He is amazing with a pencil. He is amazing always. Click on photo to see larger and they are on flickr. They are photos of the pages, my scanner is evil.

Halloween Part Three: Zombie.

Here was my zombie on Halloween. Scary. Adorable. Gross. Cute. Everyone loved his costume and his face paint, done by Daddy. He did do an amazing job. I love them both. Alive or Living Dead. Eek! More photos from all 3 days on flickr later. Click on photos to make them larger.

Halloween Part Two: Costumes.

This year Jason is going to be a zombie, and believe me, I wanted him to choose something else, perhaps something cute and cuddly. I guess that's not cool for 7 year olds. The deal was he could be a zombie on Halloween, but had to wear an old costume to the Y so he wouldn't scare any senior citizens out of their dentures. The twins were Thomas'. One was Jason's old costume and one I had found years ago, brand new at a Goowill for $2. Friday night the Y had a family Halloween event with games, prizes and treats. We went with some friends and had a ball. The boys played lots of games and won tons of tickets. We spent a hour and a half there then headed home. More later.

Halloween Part One: The Pumpkins.

We carved our pumpkins last weekend because Daddy is out of town this weekend. Jason and I had 2 larger pumpkins while the twins had itty bitty ones that they are lugging around daily. Daddy is always are go to pumpkin guy, while I sit back, take the photos and read. This year he did a Jason from Friday the 13th for Jason. He doesn't know who Jason is. He isn't allowed to see the movie, but he knows him from the costumes. I got a girlie skull with a bow. Each of the babies got jack-o-lantern ones. More photos on flickr soon and more on Halloween tomorrow and Monday.

Happy Anniversary Hubby.

To my Husband-

Happy 9th wedding anniversary Babe. Who would of thought 10 years ago, when we first started dating, that we would be here now? Especially in Minnesota with 3 amazing children? I think that is awesome. I think you are stellar. Thank you for sharing these last 9+ years together with me. Sooo thank you...

Thank you for being my personal chauffeur because I hate driving.

Thank you for saying I am beautiful.

Thank you for always cutting my grilled cheese sandwiches diagonally.

Thank you for making me laugh every single day.

Thank you for the most handsome offspring ever.

Thank you for spoiling them.

Thank you for being an amazing father, and family man.

Thank you for letting me have a dog even though you are the one who always takes care of him. Seriously, who knew it would be so much work?

Thank you for being my go to gadget tech. I'm to much of a spaz.

Thank you for knowing all my secrets and loving me anyway.

Thank you for doing almost all of our cooking.

Thank you for being outgoing, adventurous and upbeat.

Thank you for struggling through not just one, but both Twilight movies with me.

Thank you for giving me those momma night outs. They keep me sane. And sober.

Thank you for not losing your sanity during those hours I am gone.

Thank you for squishing all the bugs.

Thank you for protecting your country. I am proud to be a soldiers wife. I am proud to be your wife.

Thank you for allowing me to kick you randomly, through out the night, when you snore.

Thank you for letting me go to bed early and sleep in.

Thank you for sticking through all the ups and downs on our roller coaster of love.

Thank you for always wearing your wedding ring and never taking it off. That means a lot to me. Even though I rarely have mine on.

Thank you for supporting, encouraging and financing all my hobbies.

Thank you for all the hugs and kisses.

Thank you for always tucking me in at night.

Thank you for being able to compromise. Or accepting bribes.

There are a million other things I should thank you for, but most of all, thank you for loving me just the way I am. Especially because there is only room for one crazy person in this relationship. Here's to the next 9 years and many more. XOXOXO

Love You,

The Wife

Friday Night Dakes.

Minus the photographer, Jason. October 22, 2010

25 Things.

1. I wear a pink Power Balance bracelet. I am thinking of them as Christmas gifts.

2. I only eat Cherry Poptarts, and always with milk.

3. I work less than 12 hours a week at the Y and I love my co-workers.

4. The double spacing is driving me nuts, but won't let me fix it.

5. I have dry hands and need a good lotion and my nails are always a mess.

6. I need a good hairspray too now that I am using it daily.

7. I saw Aerosmith live at 16 with Bell.

8. I desperately want a baby girl.

9. I am a spaz in general.

10. I am reading book #52 of 2010.

11. I hate the cold weather.

12. That includes Minnesota weather.

13. I really miss my Grandpa Long. I pulled out an old VCR tape that he used to record the kids on, hoping to get a glimpse of him, but knowing I will at least hear his voice.

14. We will try to celebrate Christmas in Kansas.

15. Did I mention a baby girl?

16. I'm hoping Becca gets the best Thanksgiving/Christmas surprise ever!

17. I am waiting on 2 packages in the mail.

18. I would get rid of 4 of my tattoos right now, if I could.

19. I have lost 8 more pounds.

20. Mike Rowe is sexy, so is Harry Connick Jr.

21. I got glasses at 12 then contacts too.

22. I will buy TS3 on DVD on November 2nd.

23. I love pasta. It was dinner last night and will be tonight too. The boys and I ate some for lunch. We don't do much meat here. Maybe once a week.

24. Most of our cleaners are organic too, including my make-up. I just can't let go of Clorox, I used it in my dishwater.

25. I dream of being a novelist.

Your 4 Favorite Dakes Yesterday.

On Reading.

I am happy to be raising a reader. Jason just finished Magic Tree House #12 today. Each book is about 80 pages. He own books 1-12 but is missing 13-16, which we will pick up at the library tomorrow. He also has books 17-24 from Jordyn, who is also an amazing reader. The series, so far, goes to #44. (So these would make great Christmas gifts!)

I give a lot of credit to my Grandma Lee, who used to take me yearly around my birthday and Christmas to get a new load of books and to renew my membership card at the bookstore. She actually bought me my first book that really got me into reading when I was 12. It was an R.L. Stine book The Girlfriend. After reading that, I read every book of his back then. It was more than 80 books. He is also famous for the Goosebumps series and is quoted to be "The Stephen King of Children's Lit." (Some of his work will be on my Christmas Gift list for a certain 11 year old girl.)

My goal for this year was at least to match last years total of 38 novels. Well I met that in July, so I set a new one of 60 novels. I am on #52 right now and will finish it today, and start 53. Next year I hope to read just as many. Last year 14 of those were on my kindle. I read it all, non-fiction, memoirs, fiction, the classics are my faves.

I am so sad of the years lost 2004-2008 where I rarely read. And then I only had one kid! I can count 5 books that I read in those years, maybe a few more. I have gotten rid of a bunch of my collection of books. I used to have hundreds, now I just have my most faves and some new reads.

Being the reader I am, I have a never ending-that grows daily- To Read list. Currently there are 28 on that list.. and it does grow daily. I am that person who loves airports to. It's like a buffet of reading.. you read at the terminal, on the plane, during the layover, on the next plane.. Love it.

I was that girl in school who actually read all the required books. In fact, my first detention was in 7th grade during English class.. I actually got in trouble for reading my book during class. What kind of teacher gives detention for reading?? And in English??

Jacques has a totally different approach to reading, and it's not osmosis. It's, and I quote, "I'll wait till the movie comes out." Or "Just watch the movie" And his favorite is, "If it's a good enough book, they'll make it into a movie."

Here are my books read in 2010 and 2009.

October's Cutest Couple : )

Momma Dake : ) Me.

Dirt Biker Boy.

Dirt Biker Boy.
Originally uploaded by mandydake

Jason's first day on his first dirt bike. See two posts below for more info. Video: October 8, 2010

Tonsillitis in my Toddler.

I took Zachary to Urgent Care this morning thinking he had an ear infection. The last two mornings he has woken up yanking on his ear. He also had a runny nose and fevers almost everyday this week. Needless to say, it wasn't an ear infection but tonsillitis. Poor Guy! He's got a Rx for meds and let's hope this helps quickly. (Photo: Zach's mug with hugely enlarged tonsils with white patches of yuck on them.) Wow!

Christmas in October.

The only thing on Jason's Christmas list was a dirt bike. We have been talking about it for a while, but one came up for sale, at a great price. And while I was thinking more about trying to fit the bike under the tree.. Daddy was happy to spoil the kid (and take the credit) right away. So Jason got his bike and surprising me, he took of on it the first try and has been riding non-stop ever since. I was really surprised by how naturally it came to him. I guess learning to steer all those Power Wheels helped him a lot.

Oh and did I mention that Momma and the boys love the bike a lot too? Yeah. We do.. FYI- All the kids wear helmets when the ride. Ryan and I were just posing for some photos in these shots. There's a bunch of new photos from the week on flickr and look later, here, for a short video of Evil Knievel Jason riding the bike.

From Monday Night.