Nice People and Not-So-Nice-People

Apparently you can tell the difference between nice and not-so-nice people by the quantity of milk they buy.  We go through quite a bit of milk, with seven kids and all, about a gallon a day.  If I could wean Shannon from his milk-and-cookies habit the amount consumed would be drastically reduced, but that is not what this is about.

Shan and I were on a hot date the other night.  We actually dressed up and went grocery shopping.  Milk was on sale at Walgreens with a limit of two so we thought we'd make a stop there first, each buy two gallons, then swing back by at the end of the night to grab another 4.  Typically, we'd be discreet and go in individually, but we were on a date, so we braved store policy and went in together.  As we prepared to check out the lady informed us, "Oh heavens, you can purchase them all together for the sale price.  I mean, you look like nice people.  The policy is just for those that are trying to buy, like, 10 gallons of milk."

"Well, what would you think of us if I told you we are coming back to buy four more gallons tonight, then another 8 gallons in a couple days?  Would you still think we are nice people?"

I didn't actually say it, lest we be banned from Walgreens for eternity!  That would truly be a travesty.  They had peanut M&M's on sale after Christmas for under a buck a bag.  I'd hate to miss another sale like that on account of saying something silly.

If it were only so easy to tell who was nice and who wasn't.  You could tell your kids, "Just stay out of the Dairy section and you'll be safe."

Nickles helping me clip coupons to score another good sale.

He pretty much destroyed everything, 

but it kept those little hands occupied for a good hour.  

We Can Rally

There are many imperfections in my family, as difficult as it is to admit flaws.  But lately, one thing that I have grown to love is ~ we can rally, and it's not done half way!  When someone is dealt a blow in life, everyone bands together to lift that individual up.  Lately, I have struggled to see the beauty in life.  It seems as though nothing is fair, then I am reminded we live in a fallen world.  Shannon reminds me that we aren't living for this life, we are made for more.  And a taste of that "more" was yesterday...a day when my entire family dropped what they had planned, flew in from out-of-state, skipped school, let plans and deadlines fall by the wayside and gathered to celebrate family.

We headed to a ski hill to enjoy a sport that we love, but especially Theresa.

The uncles and aunties skied with the littles, even getting Anya & Collette (Theresa's cherubs) up on skis.  I certainly thought it would be more of a struggle than it was!  They must be born ski bunnies!

Shortly, they'll be on their own!

Uncle Matt entertained while the other twin was skiing...and there is never better entertainment than Uncle Matt!

Annika & Stacy heading up for a run.

Lunch never tastes as good as it does at the ski hill!

Almost the whole crew ~

Smile ~ you've got cheese fries!

 Dom just looks like he is crying.  He's having fun now, after a couple tear-filled runs.

Annika & Anya heading up the "Magic Carpet"

Would you please kick it, Dom!

"Just say Cheese!"  

Just say, "Playing Hookey"

Just us girls, and one sister-in-law to keep keep things crazy ~:o)

And for comic relief, this is supposed to be a self-portrait of Matt with us in the background.

It kinda worked,

I believe those are some of our legs!

Thank you to each one of you that made an average weekend so special~ I love you!

Legos

There is a love/hate relationship with Legos these days.  They are loved because of the creativity they stimulate, the time they occupy, and their simplicity.  

They are hated when left by the little boys strewn through the house only to be found by tender toes in the middle of the night, or when their siren song lures my boys away from their schoolwork and into a closet to make one more adjustment to a masterpiece. 

Shannon stated matter-of-factly that Legos would only be allowed out on weekends, placed in storage til Friday night, yet I still find them everywhere.  Jet planes swoop out of sight when I enter the room, Nickles tucks Legos under his pillow, Dom's pockets are typically loaded with them, prepared for any break in the action.

I guess I will have to make my peace with them, but sometimes it is darn tempting to load them up and drop them off at the thrift store.  

Rock Star Uncles

Everyone needs one or two of these.  I was blessed to have two.  No matter what these uncles did I still believed (or maybe it's believe) they walked on water, even when one ripped the head off my doll.

Honestly, I can't remember the specific incident, and that's probably a good thing ~:o)

But I digress.

The kiddos went ice fishing with Uncle Ben this weekend.  They had the time of their lives.  Like, they haven't quit talking about it.  

Who knew ice fishing was so fun.  

Not I.  

The only good thing I remember from ice fishing was Dad letting us skate and skate and skate...oh, and all the junk food!

Otherwise it was too blessed cold....and boring....and cold.

Apparently fishing with a creative uncle is a blast.  He has an enclosed trailer all rigged to stay warm and card games to keep even the most boring day rowdy.  They even built a snow mermaid to hold princess Annika's rod.  All the kiddos look up to Uncle Ben, like he is some sort of Roman god (not that we're Romans, but you get the picture.)  He can make anything, do anything, and he is always up for a  good time.
Now that my boys are hooked on ice fishing we may have to fish all year round.

And if that wasn't enough, Uncle Joey met us up skiing yesterday.  Now to say that a day skiing with all the kids is a bit of a chore may just possibly be a bit of an understatement. The gear that has to be schlepped up the mountain is immense. Then there is the ordeal of keeping track of them all day.
It is on ski days that I appreciate Mom & Dad  more than ever.
Holy buckets, I am pooped at the end of the day, but a good pooped, not like, you know, the pooped-from-cleaning-up-diapers kind of pooped.
It is in these instances Uncle Joey shines, I mean truly!  As I was running through the rental shop with a couple kids he was getting gear on, mitts on properly, helmets buckled and kids placed in the correct ski classes.  Then he grabs Dom and starts him down the hill.  His patience, coupled with the piles of praise, and his loud, exuberant nature spurred Dom to new heights in his skiing career that began a mere two weeks ago.  By the end of the day my little 4-year-old was hitting jumps ~ jumps I'm telling you!
He completely buried himself in the powder on the other side, but he got an inch or so of air first.

So there you have it.  Two guys who unselfishly gave of their time this weekend to help Shannon & I give our children experiences that they may or may not have been able to have.  At the very least they made it so much easier on us that we were actually able to share in our kiddos joy.
And what is better than that?!?

Snow Days are Here!

We have been waiting for snow this winter.  The weather thus far has teased us a bit here and there, but over the last few days the skies let loose and dumped at least 18 inches!  The kiddos are ready to blow off school and celebrate snow full time.

Katherine, Eric, Joshua and Annika are ice fishing with Daddy and Uncle Ben and Michaela is skiing all day (lucky dog) so there are no pics of them.

His siblings buried Dom upon his request.  This kept him busy for a good 45 minutes!

Hi Drew ~ we wish you were here sledding with us.  

Since winter is off to such a late start maybe we'll still have snow at Easter.

Snowball fight !

Mom, this is one dorky snowman....

Happy Birthday Nickles ~

You're so special ~ oh so special ~ God gave you to us!
It's no wonder that we LOVE you so!

You were another stylishly late Bell baby.  The day you were born I awoke to contractions, but thought I wouldn't tell your brothers and sisters for a while.  I was planning on doing our math lessons, baking with everyone to end the week, then merrily leaving for the hospital that afternoon.  My labors are so long, that I knew there was plenty of time.  
Halfway through our lesson, I mentioned to Daddy we might want to move a little faster than originally planned ~ actually we may just want to call our midwife right away ~ like pack the bags, throw the kids in the suburban and hit the road!
When we arrived at the hospital I was actually relieved to be escorted via wheelchair to the maternity ward ~ not typically my cup-o-tea.  You were born Cesarean an hour later.  Apparently, all the movement I had been feeling was you turning somersaults.  Unfortunately, in this case, you landed on your feet and decided to make your entry into our lives toes first.
You must have been trying to join in all the activity out in the big world; you are still trying to keep up. Never to be outdone by your big brothers, if you have your way you are always in the thick of things!

 Just one of the guys ~

Our last night of peace before your godparents helped you permanently disrupt the peace and quiet around our house with six (no, not just one but six!) very noisy vehicles.

What am I talking about??? There is no peace and quiet around this house!

We love you Nickles!

Happy Birthday Dom ~

You're so special ~ oh so special ~ God gave you to us!
It's no wonder that we LOVE you so!

Ah, the day you were born...Auntie Theresa was married the night before and life felt crazy.  I couldn't wait to meet you, but I wanted to go to her wedding.  Our family and friends whisked all your brothers and sisters away and Daddy & I had an evening together before you joined us.  The next day we settled in for another of our long labors.  You made your arrival in your own good time, marching to the beat of your own drum.  The minute we saw your precious little face we were worried~ you looked exactly like your big brother, Joshie, and we knew what a fireball he was!
My favorite, favorite, favorite part of when you were born was the next day, though.  Aunt Rose & Uncle Steve came in with their entire family.  All these big guys holding your wee, little body in their strong hands melted my heart.

Calvin to the core!

Uncle Gabe and your favorite tractor, his Skidsteer.

I love you, Dom!