Rasberry Picking

My sister & I took our kids rasberry picking today at Lakeview Orchards. Tons of rasberries to choose from and the kids had fun. It was a good day to do it, not too hot and a nice breeze.
Rylan testing out the rasberries.Lauren My nephew Colby, listening to his mother's mp3 player while picking.BraedonLuLu BellMy niece, Isabella who ate almost everyone she picked! Too darn cute.Braedon with the whole batch we picked.All the kids minus Lauren cause she didn't want her picture taken. She gets annoyed sometimes when I want to take pictures. She says I'm obsessed! Yeah I say, I know I am!Now I just gotta figure out what to make with all these!

Later on after dinner I got the kids dressed in some nicer clothes and took them out to take their pictures. I had to bribe them with slush puppies & ice cream if they were good and let me do the pics. They aren't always willing so sometimes a little bribery goes along way! Here are a few of them.
Then as promised I took them to Dairy Queen, a nice way to end the evening.

Took the kids yesterday to the free movies at the mall again. We saw Monsters vs. Aliens. Again the kids loved it & had a good time. After the movie we went into Target to look around. I really was only supposed to "browse" but of course ended up spending money. But the deals I found were so good I couldn't pass them up. My sister-in-law is having her 3rd baby & it's a girl. So I picked up some clothes for the baby. I love there sales, I got her like 9 items for 18 bucks! I am a huge bargain shopper, always looking for one! I have to be though with 4 kids.

Today we didn't do much cause Braedon woke up not feeling well this morning. He had a temp of 101. My poor baby, he was so quiet all day. I hate when they are sick, I wish I could make it go away. Hopefully he feels better tomorrow!

Rylan had his 1 year check-up today. He weigh's 19 lbs. 10 ounces. The doctor said he's in perfect health. Yeah I would hope so since I can't seem to get him off the breast! I don't want to do this anymore but he screams & thrashes his body till I give in! I don't know what I'm gonna do! Everyone keeps teasing me that I'm gonna still be breastfeeding him at like 3! And I'm like hell no! I normally wean them at like 4 mnths. but I got lazy with him & by 8 mnths i started trying & still have had no luck! Plus he is so attatched to me that I think if I can get him off the breast maybe he won't be so clingy. Well hoping anyway! He definitely is a momma's boy, big time! I need to start dropping him off more often with family & friends to get him used to being without me. I welcome any advice on my breastfeeding issue!

Rylan's 1st Birthday Party

We had Rylan's b-day party yesterday. It turned out to be a great day! The rain held off all day which was good because my husbands father & step mother rented a bouncy house for the day for us. The kids all had a blast bouncing all day. I don't know where they all get the energy from! I went in a couple times & tired quickly! haha Must be getting old. We had lots of food, thanks to mostly the hubby for all his good cooking. After we were done eating the kids were anxious to get to the pinata. The theme of his party was monkeys so of course the pinata was a monkey head. It's histerical watching the kids go after all the candy & goodies once it is broken open. Then it was cake time. Rylan loved eating & playing with his cake & I got some good pictures. Then it was on to the gifts. He received lots of clothes & toys! So many new outfits we have to now get him a bigger dresser for everything! But we are so grateful & thankful for everything he got! And can't wait to start dressing him in all his new clothes!

The Blue's Clues Bouncy.The banner I had made for his party.The framed picture I had for everyone to write their own little message to him.The cute little monkey pinata before the kiddos all got their hands on it.Rylan's cake, it came out really nice.Daddy & the birthday boy.Rylan with his blow-up monkey. He was getting tired at this point so he didn't really want his picture takenMommy & the birthday boy.Rylan loving his cake!Enjoying all his new toys!All in all it was a great day for both Rylan & all of us!

Christmas in July

Today I took the kids up to my mom's camper at Summit Hill Campground in Washington. She has a seasonal site up there that I take the kids to all the time & they love it up there. The theme this weekend is Christmas in July. They do it every year. Santa comes & delivers a gift to every child that is there.Here Laci & her cousin Cole are Santa's helpers.Braedon getting his gift.Laci getting her gift.Lauren getting her gift.
And of course Rylan got a gift also but I had to take him up so I didn't get a picture of him. My sister & her family were up there also as well as our dad's cousin & his family. The weather was really nice so we went swimming after Santa left. They always have a blast of course in the pool! My camera ended up needing to be recharged so I didn't get any pics of them swimming. Later on I took all the kids down to the arcade & let them play some games. They sure do love spending my money! haha It's alright though as long as their having fun!

Tomorrow's Rylan's birthday party so we have another busy day ahead of us. I love it though, time spent with family & good friends! I'll post pics from his big day soon!

Movies, Accident, Shopping & Birthday Boy!

It's been a few days but I've been busy. Tuesday morning I did end up taking the kids to the movies at the mall. In the summer Regal cinemas has free movies in the mornings for kids. My sister & her crew & friend Kimmy & her daughter joined us. The kids had a blast & of course I loved that it was FREE! We saw Ice Age 3. After the movie we let them play some games at the arcade & walked the mall for a bit. Then we went home for lunch & naps.

Later on my oldest had a couple dance classes so I dropped her off & on our way home we were in a car accident. Everyone is fine thank god! It happened so fast I don't remember much. My kids were fooling around & fighting so I was disciplining them when BOOM we were hit. I hurried up & made sure the kids were ok & they were. I went over to ask the couple if they were alright & she said yes & then turned away from me. Never asking if my kids were ok, so I was a little peeved. Well there ended up being a witness & I was told I ran the red light. I felt horrible & stupid, I certainly didn't do it on purpose! So, I guess that's why the woman was rude to me. I understand that they were upset but I thought it was very rude to not ask if the kids were alright! That's why they call it an accident. Oh well.

After I got the kids home & settled my mom & I went over to Albany to Party City. I needed to get some more stuff for Rylan's birthday party that's on Sunday. I got a bunch of stuff at a really good price. All the kids will have some nice goody bags, I spoiled them. I feel like all I've done is shop, shop & shop for this party. It will be so worth it though!

Today is my baby boy's actual 1st birthday! He's such a good baby, smiles all the time & loves following around his sister's & brother. Hardly ever cries except for when he is hungry. The only problem I'm having is I can't get him off the breast! Having a really hard time with that but I'll figure it out hopefully. Here's a look back at this last year.

Rylan James Melle born 7/16/09 @ 1:32 p.m. 6lbs. 13 ounces
A few minutes old here.Proud Mommy & Daddy with Dr. Benner, he delivered all 4 of our children!My four babies & I.Rylan's 1st day home.1 mnth. first vacation, to Maine.6 weeksRylan's Baptism, about 4 mnths.1st Xmas9 mnths.And... 12 mnths.Happy Birthday to my handsome little boy! I love you with all my heart!

The Countdown...

Well the countdown has begun towards the second milestone birthday for us this year. Our oldest turned 13 back in May & now our little baby boy Rylan will be 1 on Friday. I am still in disbelief of how quick this last year has gone by. Course I always think this way when all my kids birthdays come up. But it is true time really does go by fast. Rylan's birthday will be especially sad for me though because he is our last child. The last time we will ever have a child turn 1. So needless to say we will be having ourselves a little bash on Sunday with all of our family & friends to celebrate his birthday. It should be a fun day, just really hoping & praying it doesn't rain so we can have it outside. Along with thinking about Rylan's birthday party I also had thoughts about my Mamie (great-grandmother). She just passed away on June 20th. So I've been a little sad that she won't be there with us for his special day. I just try to think she will be there in spirit. She had a wonderful long life, she made it to 100. But it still hurts. My LuLu bell was really close to her, they had a cute little bond. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was tell her Mamie had died. But I know that we will all get through it.

On a brighter note I'm thinking of either taking the kids to the movies or the lake tommorow. My sister, her kids,Kimmy & her daughter will be tagging along with us. Whatever we end up doing we will have fun I'm sure! I love being home with my kids and having the freedom to do all these great things with them! A big thanks to the hubby for working so much so that I can be a stay at home mom! And of course the fact that it's summer is wonderful too!

Over the weekend...

Well Saturday rained pretty much all day, so it was a laid back, lazy, pajama all day kinda day. I got alot of cleaning done with some help from the kids. I've been a little lazy with cleaning the past week so it was a good day to catch up. While hubby was on his hour break in between jobs i caught Rylan on video dancing. He's not walking yet so he is sitting while he does it but it's hilarious! My first time uploading a video so I hope it works!

Since the kids chipped in yesterday to help me with the cleaning, I decided to treat them with a trip to Jeepers in Albany, NY. My friend Sam had told me about the place a couple months ago so we took the kids & they loved it. It's kinda like a Chucky Cheese but better I think. It has 5 rides, a huge jungle gym & tons of games for them to win tickets. They also a food counter. Pizza, kids meals, snacks, etc. The prices aren't too bad either! My friend Kim & her daughter Gracelyn joined us. It was their first time & they loved it as well. We spent a good 21/2 hours there. I definitely recommend this place! Here are some pics of the trip.
Braedon playing a little b-ball.
Laci rode this rollar coaster about 5 times! She loved it!Lauren & Gracie in the jungle gym.The banana ride.
The train ride.Rylan on his first train ride.An all around good day with the kiddos & great friends!