Blogging Hiatus...

Yes, I know! My blogging has been horrible lately. I haven't even been checking blogs (sorry). Needless to say December was a crazy month - I'm trying my best to get back on track. As of lately we have been super busy trying to switch rooms around for the new arrival of our baby (coming in April). We moved the playroom downstairs with the office - now it's an Office/Playroom. We'll have to see how that works, so far so good. We are moving Paige into the old playroom and the baby will take over Paige's old room when she comes. Owen and Brock are moving into Bunk Beds as soon as we can find the ones we want and we are painting all three of the kids rooms upstairs. That is a lot to do in the next 3 months. Wish me luck! I will do my best to keep the blog up to date.

Molly

Well it has been quite a roller coaster since we got Molly (last July) and we found out that baby #4 was on the way. I thought... there is no way that we could have gotten a dumber and more stubborn dog. Let me just say now that she has gotten so much better (I say this after just cleaning up pee on the kitchen floor - it's amazing what improvement is).

Brock...
...is found most hours of the day here (see picture) in Molly's bed. He loves this dog more then anything else, whenever we are gone to the park, store or out and about - he asks for Molly. He loves to discipline her - I don't think she knows that is what he is doing. I constantly hear, "No Molly no! Good girl."
Hair Cut

Molly was in a desperate need of a hair cut. She doesn't shed but her hair does grow really long. After being fixed she got a lot of dreads from the satellite dish she wore around her neck. We took her for a cut and here is the before picture...
Here is the after... I'm not sure it's the same dog. No but seriously, she is so much better after the hair cut. I think the kids like to pet her more (their little fingers don't pull on her hair) and she stays cleaner longer. They did however have to shave her ears - doesn't look so cute, but they will grow back out.
Paige ...

...holds her all the time now. Not that she didn't hold her before but with the long hair she she didn't like it as much.
Here is Paige trying to do homework with Molly on her lap - and like always Brock is nearby trying to play with her as well.
Now just because she is better doesn't mean she still doesn't need some serious dog training. John keeps saying he is going to set it up... and I'm just waiting. Owen loves her too, but usually finds a way to get her all hyper. Maybe it's the fact that he will steel all her doggy toys and put them up high. I'm not sure what their relationship is yet.

Low-Key Christmas

Christmas Day was pretty low key - even for us. We opened presents in the morning had a nice breakfast and then played with toys... John went to the Laker game so we went to the movies and saw BOLT. We ended the day with left overs and an early bedtime... I was wiped out!

Here are a few highlights...
Brock and Owen got their, ever so desired, train set. I heard it took Santa and the elves over 5 hours to put together. WOW!
Paige got the DS she had been wanting... in fact that is ALL she would ask for. I guess Santa is nicer then her mother.
Owen got plenty of toys, but one special gift was "DJ" from the movie CARS. Owen has been collecting CARS since last Christmas and DJ is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find. Thank you Jenny for the perfect find! I think we were all excited - especially for Owen to stop reminding us that he was without that specific car.
John and his brothers (including Fletch) went to a Laker game. I'm sure many people wonder how I allowed it. To be honest it was hard to say no when he was just so excited. Merry Christmas to you Honey!

Jam Packed Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was packed full of activities this year... we decorated cookies for Santa, made a big Christmas dinner and performed a Nativity program. Busy... busy... busy... but way fun!
John helped Brock with his cookie decorating - It was hard to keep the cookies on the plate and out of the mouth of kids. Don't worry - it was impossible for me to resist. Once the kids were done I had to sit down and decorate my own special ones - I just can't pass it up.
I think Paige had more frosting and sprinkles then she had cookie.
All the kids were gathered together - it was like a juggling act with sprinkles, cookies and kids. I think I was sweating when they were done.
The little ones sat at the kitchen table - I can't believe how big they are all getting.
After dinner, and before dessert, the kids put on a Nativity program for all of us. This is their second year doing it - and we look forward to many more years to come. One day they may even be able to read their own parts.
Paige was Mary and Fletcher was Joseph. Owen was a Wise Man but he had a hard time giving up the spotlight - he sat right in their with Mary and Joseph during the birth of baby Jesus. I'm not sure that is how it really went down, but he didn't care. Kate was the angel and sang a solo of Silent Night for all of us.
After the festivities were over the kids opened their one present on Christmas Eve... to no surprise it was p.j.'s - how cute are these kids. We thought they looked like little elves. We put the plate of cookies for Santa on the fireplace and headed up to bed - well they went to bed. Owen couldn't wait, he knew going to sleep would only bring Santa here. I've never seen a kid rush himself to bed so quickly.

Christmas Caroling

We were lucky enough to get a Christmas Caroler at our door on Christmas Eve - low and behold, and baring gifts, it was Tess singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas - how cute is that?

Christmas in Camarillo

We drove up to Camarillo a few days before Christmas to celebrate with John's siblings and the kids. Their dog had just had puppies a couple months before and only had a few left. The kids were super excited to see the puppies and their cousins.
After lunch we enjoyed Chocolate fondue with all sorts of treats to dip.
Brock learned about swords and how to fight with them. He got a little too possessive and started slashing at other kids.
It's always nice when we go to Camarillo - the kids disappear for hours playing in the backyard, up in their playroom, with the dog or in this case - holding their snake.
Here is Owen with one of the puppies... I think they plan on keeping this one (how could you not - just look at him).

Santa Comes to Town

Santa made his way to the Barber's house again this year. The kids were all very excited to go see him. Owen couldn't wait to tell him what he wanted... in fact Owen was the only one to tell him. Paige avoided Santa like the plague and Brock wanted nothing to do with him. Owen walked in and when he saw him he took a step back and said, "Woooo!" It was like he got confirmation that he really did exist.
Owen and his friends... yes they are all girls - the kid needs to make friends with some boys.
He told Santa that he wanted.... "A TRAIN SET!!!!" Everything Owen says is told with mounds of excitement.

Preschool Christmas Program

Every year the preschoolers put on a Christmas performance - due to John's schedule he usually can't make it. Today he could and Owen was so happy to see him. I thought he was going to explode with excitement. Here he is doing his best "Ho...Ho...Ho..." impersonation.
Thomas, Londyn, Owen, Bree, Cash, Taylor, Bennett and Avery
So Excited!
After the performance the kids were going to make gingerbread houses. Owen ran up to John before anything started at asked, "Daddy will you make the gingerbread house with me." Ahh, the boy was just so happy his daddy was there. Of course Brock couldn't be left out (I think he has a mouth full of candy here).

Paige Get's the ABC Award

This week at school Paige received the ABC Award. I'm not sure how often they give out the awards but only 3 kids in the class get it. The principal announced her name and what the award was for, "her super math skills, terrific journal writing, beautiful penmanship, and kindness to others."

For all we know they give these awards out monthly or weekly - but either way we were so proud of her!
Brock was there the congratulate her!

Good job Paige!

Christmas Party

This year the Christmas Party was back at our house. It was a lot of fun, as always, and plenty to eat. Here are a few snap shots I took at the party. OK, looking back I didn't take very many pictures - there had to be at least 18 - 20 couples there! Sorry guys!

Patrick, David & Steve (holding baby Kendyl)
Jenny, Annalee, Aleisha & Laura
Christy, Julie & Lori (holding baby Max)