Michigan Thanksgiving!!

We started our trek to Michigan on Wednesday night at 5:30pm. The kids did great! We stopped for Subway in Byron. The kids got to watch movies all night. At about 9pm we shut off the movies and they all fell asleep. By 12:00am we made it to our stop in Rockford IL for the night. It was a quick night. C didn't think he needed to go back to bed because he slept in the car. He was up in his pack n play until 3:00am. Nick drove the whole night so I stayed up with C. Nick needed the sleep more than I did. I just wish C thought he needed sleep too ;) We were up at 5:00am, packed, fed and on the road by 7am. We made it to Okemos MI by 1:00pm eastern time. We were so excited to see Auntie Alli. The kids did amazing on the drive. Charlie slept the whole way from Rockford...LITTLE STINKER! Nick drove the whole way and I was able to knit a hat for E.

We spent Thanksgiving at Alli's apartment. We didn't do anything but talk, relax and play with the kids. Alli bought a Wii and B was in Heaven playing it all afternoon. We had ravioli for supper. It was one of the best Thanksgivings ever!! I really just enjoyed being able to spend time with Alli. We played the Wii and watched football. I don't think it could've gotten any better. We did miss everyone back in Mankato. Poor mom was sick and in bed on Thanksgiving. I am sure they enjoyed a more quiet Thanksgiving at the Peterson house without the craziness that the Otto Clan brings ;)

Friday morning Alli and I got up and went shopping. It was so much fun! We didn't get up super early. We headed out shopping by 7am. It was crazy out with all the people but everyone was very nice. I was able to get almost all of my Christmas shopping finished. Nick stayed with the kids for the morning and we brought him lunch. I really enjoyed my time alone with Alli. We took the kids to Chucke Cheese's for supper. They had a blast but talk about overload! They were so over stimulated that it was hard to get them to bed last night. There were a few melt downs but we take them in stride since we are at Auntie Alli's.

This morning Alli and I got up early to wait in line for my final Christmas present for B. We were up by 5:00am eastern time and were 5th in line. It was perfect! Then we went to Starbucks for breakfast and hot chocolate. What a great morning without kids! Now we are just enjoying our last few hours with Auntie Alli until we have to start our trek home!

We have loved every second in Michigan and can't wait for Alli to come home for Christmas! The kids have soaked up every second they could get of Auntie Alli. They have wanted nothing to do with mommy and daddy. C was even head over heels for Auntie Alli. As soon as he saw her he melted and has followed her every where! It is so sweet to see how much my kids love my sister. We will definitely do this trip again. I hope the ride home goes as smoothly as the ride here!! I will post pictures when we get home.

Decorating

We started decorating for Christmas. Here are a few pictures I took:

Santa, H1N1, and the Flu

This weekend was busy but was a lot of fun. Friday B, E and Nick and I all got our new beds. The furniture store came and set them up for us. It is so nice to have nice furniture for everyone! B got bunk beds and was in heaven. He even got to break them in with a sleepover. One of his friends came over Friday night and spent the night. We all went out to supper even. Taking 6 people out to supper is a big chore. Wow...it is amazing how different one person makes. We had to wait longer for a table even. The kids were great and it was so much fun so it is always worth it!!

Saturday we had Santa pictures. This is an annual event between the King's and the Otto's. We always meet super early so that we can be one of the first in line. It is better to be first in line so the kids don't have to wait too long. I was there way too early but was the 1st in line. Patsy and Graham weren't far behind me. I brought a movie so the kids could watch a movie in the van while Patsy and I waited in line. Graham hung out in the van with the kids, Thanks Graham!! It was quite the adventure. First, Santa pulled up next to my van in his PT Cruiser and the kids were able to see him. They thought it was so neat!! Then, Patsy and I were able to get our numbers and get the kids out of the van. We had the 1st 3 spots so we could get family shots and then a cousin shot as well. E has always been my timid one when it comes to Santa. B always ran right up to him and told him everything and anything he wanted for Christmas. I tried bribing E with treats, toys or anything else I could think of to get her to take a picture with Santa. When we got inside the store she was not having it. She put on the breaks and my friend Kristen had to carry around for a little while. Sean went first for pictures. He did fabulous. He had so much fun and loved every second of it. Then it came time for the cousin photo. B ran right in and was pumped to tell Santa what he wanted. C got set on Santa's lap and immediately started screaming. E did the loose body thing and refused to get near Santa. The first picture I am in because I was dragging E into the shot....What a mom forcing her child to do something she hates just for a picture!! I finally yelled at her and told her to JUST DO IT!! The photographer moved a stool next to B and E sat there with her pout face on. It was classic. B and Sean are smiling and thrilled to be there, C is screaming and E is pouting. Does it get any better than that. When it came turn for a photo opt of my kids E finally did crack a smile but she still wouldn't look at Santa. C was relieved when I finally picked him up. Oh the joys of holiday pictures!!

After pictures Patsy and Graham took C with them so I could take B and E to the H1N1 flu clinic. They were holding the clinic at one of the high schools in town. It was pure madness when we arrived. I couldn't believe the line. It was LONG! We got in line and slowly made our way to the entrance. I was so impressed with my kids. They did great having to wait for over an hour for the flu mist. Thank goodness they could get the mist and not a shot! I was even able to get one so that was great!!

We spent the rest of the weekend starting to decorate for Christmas. We have some lights up outside but need to buy more. I think they make the strands smaller and smaller every year so that you have to spend more money every year. Oh well...the tree is up and we will decorate it tonight. Then I will try to get the rest of the decorating done this week.

B woke up with the flu in the middle of the night. Why does it always hit in the middle of the night? Nick and I jumped out of bed and had to strip our sheets, comforter and everything else because of course he didn't make it to the bathroom. My poor husband took one for the team and was woken up by vomit all over him! We now have the comforter at the dry cleaners and the carpet cleaners coming tomorrow! Ah the joys of sick kids. My poor buddy though. He hasn't kept anything down all day and is just miserable. He is now starting to run a slight temp. I am hopeful that we can get past this without anyone else getting sick. We are heading to Michigan on Wednesday night to spend Thanksgiving with Alli! Please send some healthy vibes our way!!

You can check out santa pictures online at Quality 1 Hour Photo. Go to view pictures online. Then find Saturday Santa. We should be on the first page of pictures. I believe my nephew Sean starts at picture 5 and we are shortly after him. Enjoy!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Back into the swing of things!

It sure was a long emotional week last week. Good byes are so hard but we know Grandpa Chuck is in a great place now!! It was wonderful to see all the cousins that we don't always get to see. We even got to spend a little time with Lydia and Helena. It is amazing how big they are both getting. We miss them so much and wish we could see them more often. E and Lydia had a great time playing together.

This week is going by quickly. We are back into our schedule and crazy routine. Today was C's first appointment with the ECSE specialist. He did pretty well for his first visit. The other kids were very curious and I quickly learned that this may be a challenge having all the distractions around. We are going to see how the next few visits go and may have to ask someone to come help with the daycare kids. We shall see how it goes. They all may get use to it and then it won't be a big deal. I can't wait for C to start talking. We are teaching him some more signs and he is picking them up pretty fast. It takes a lot of patience to deal with a child that constantly whines and doesn't know how to tell you what he wants. We are working through it and my expectations are high with the specialist. I just hope we can have some words by the end of the year. No pressure though ;)

We will miss you Grandpa Charles!

Nick's grandpa passed away Sunday night. He was 89 years old and lived a wonderful life. He will be missed! I am so glad that I have been able to get to know him. He is a wonderful man and always had great stories to tell. I could sit and listen to his stories all day long. He loved all of our kids but Charles has a special place in his heart. When Charles was born grandpa would introduce him as Charles the 4th to everyone. He was so proud that we were carrying on the Charles to our son. He always would light up when Charlie was around. It was amazing to see him get on the floor to play with him. He was great with B too and would even try to run around with him. E is timid of everyone. Those of you that know E you know she has quite the attitude some times. Grandpa never pushed her to do anything she didn't want to. When E was ready she would say hi and maybe even give him a hug.

We all love you so much Grandpa! It sure won't be the same without you!!

Happy Birthday Nick!

Nick turned 31 today and we were able to celebrate with my family at our favorite pizza place in town, Dino's Pizzeria. It was a fabulous supper and great company. I hope my husband had a wonderful birthday.

Dessert Open House

I have a dessert business, Decadent Desserts, here in Mankato. My friend and I run it together. You can check us out online. We are having our 2nd Annual Holiday Open House on Saturday from 1-4 at the GrandStay in Mankato. If anyone is going to be in town you should stop by. We will have lots of desserts to sample such as cookies, cheesecakes and cupcakes! I would love to see all of you and bring a friend.

Developmental Delay

We have been meeting with ECSE for a month now. C has been evaluated, observed and tested by a few people including a speech therapist. I had a meeting with the team this afternoon and it has been determined that C does have a developmental delay in his communication. What this means is that he is below average on where he is suppose to be at his age. They are going to be coming to our house once or twice a week to work with C to get him talking. This is great news! I am so glad that I was not told that I just have to give it time. I am glad that our pediatrician listened to my concerns at C's 15 month appointment. C doesn't say anything right now. He babbles some but that is what a 8 month old does. I can tell that he gets frustrated that he can't talk to us or tell us what he really wants. When he needs something he whines, cries or tries to pull me to what he wants. It is frustrating for all of us. I am so glad that he is going to have some help and maybe we can get some words out of him before he is two!! The team of people that will work with him have great ideas on how to get him talking. They know what they are doing because they do this every day. I can't wait to see the improvement. I am sure C will be so happy to be able to tell us what he wants!

Halloween

What a great night for trick or treating! B was Optimus Prime, E was a witch and C was a blue monster. We were able to celebrate with Graham, Patsy and S. It was so much fun to see the cousins trick or treat together. S was Scooby Doo. All the kids looked adorable and had a blast. C even got in on the action this year. He would go up to the door and hold out his hands for candy. It is always fun to see the kids come home and dump out their candy to see what they have gotten. We hope that next year we can trick or treat with S again!

Here are some pictures of pumpkin carving and trick or treating: