What Time Is It?

Peter's 4th Birthday!

2012-01-22T18:51:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR PETER PAN! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

"Green Grandma" painted a tee-pee on his face.

Opening some of his gifts...he was so excited to get legos!
"Dad made homemade mac'n cheese....my favorite!"
Here's a shot of the kiddos eating their dinner.
I had bought a painting tarp and some fabric markers and let the kids color away. It is a nice keep sake and we can wrap it around the tee-pee Brian made in the basement for them.
Here is "Green Grandma" painting faces for another fun activity.
My nephew had a parrot painted on his face:)

4 year old stats for Mr. Peter

-He is in his 1st year of preschool this year at St. John's on Mondays and Wednesdays and is loving it.

-He enjoys playing with his trains, building legos, drawing, playing garbage pick-up with his brothers.

-No matter what time of day it is.....it is always one o'clock!

-No matter what number it is.....everything is always 150!

-words that start with "v" he uses "b" very = berry voice=boice.

-He loves to eat! Favorites include (homemade mac'n cheese, meatballs, mashed potatoes, fruit and veggies. Oh, and "panilla" ice cream. Yes, that's right....not vanilla ice cream, but panilla ice cream!

-He is very curious...wants to know things like "How do we get to Heaven?" Tom and Joe's answer "You take an elevator, of course."

-Likes going to swim lessons.

-Likes the leapster explorer.

-He enjoys sitting/lying on top of his brothers.

-As of late, he has been inquiring about babies. He has made comments to us and other relatives about having a baby. One day before nap time, he said to me "I just don't understand.....if I want a baby in your tummy, but there isn't one." So, he has moved onto other ways to get a baby in our house.....He wants us to BUY a baby. Tom and Joe's replies "You don't buy a baby, you grow a baby!"

More to come on the Vnak Christmas!

Minnesota

2011-12-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

I was driving to work and noticed my neighbor was mowing his lawn......It is December 18th people!!!!.....in MINNESOTA!!!!

It is also 44 degrees and we still have NO SNOW.

Peter Pan and Captain Hook

2011-11-25T20:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BELATED HALLOWEEN NOW THAT THANKSGIVING HAS PASSED AND IT IS ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!

We had a great Halloween this year! The weather was warm the costumes were spectacular! So without further adieu......

Casting:

Peter Pan- Peter Vnak
Captain Hook - Joseph Vnak
Mr. Smee - Thomas Vnak
Tinker Bell - Mom Vnak
The "Tic Tock Croc" Dad Vnak

Here are 6 out of the 7 kiddos prior to letting them loose for trick-or-treating.

Mr. Smee, Captian Hood and Peter Pan

The Crocodile properly equipped for taking 7 kids trick-or-treating.
Our 2 nephews and niece.

Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

Mr. Smee and Captain Hook....ARRRRRRR

At Auntie Dee's and Uncle Tom's house before going to the Halloween Party.

Dancing it up!

At stop at G & G Vnak's on the way back home.

Fall

2011-09-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was alone with myself in the van and actually had some time to reflect on fall. I came to the conclusion that I love fall. I love it because after the first freeze most the bugs are dead and the allergens have lifted.....which means no more bug bites and no more sneezing!! I also love fall because of PUMPKIN FRAPP'S, PUMPKIN LATTE'S, PUMPKIN BREAD, AND OF COURSE PUMPKIN PIE!!

Fall also means taking a trip the the apple orchard and going on hayrides. It means drinking yummy hot apple cider and honeycrisp apples to eat:)

It also means Halloween is fastly approaching and the Vnak's are gearing up for another spooky and scary year.

Shiver MEEE Timbers!

2011-07-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Captain's Tom and Joe are turning 5!

Ye be invited to join the crew for

Some Swash-Buckling fun!

Hunt for ye Golden Treasures on

Friday May 27th, 2011 at 5:30pm!

Vnak Island

Address

Arrrrrrrr ye Coming?

or arrrrrrrr ye walkin the plank?

Tom and Joe are 5 YEARS OLD! Okay it is September now, and they are now almost 5 1/2! What?? I know, what is more scary is that Brian and I have been parents for the last 5 years! Time flies when you are having fun!! (I'm going to sound like "our parents" for a second.) but seems like yesterday that these guys were waking us up every 2 hours to eat at night. I wish I could bring back all the special moments that have occurred since their birth's, but life keeps moving and it seems faster and faster everyday.

So as you can see by the invites, we celebrated with the pirate theme. The boys are really into being pirates and watching "Jake and the Neverland Pirates." The boys decided they were going to wear their pirate pajama's and then I bought bandana's for all the kids, along with eye patches, and face paint to draw on mustaches'. After they all became pirates, Brian created a treasure map and gave the kids clues to finding the golden treasure. Once the treasure was found, they took turns trying to break it open to claim their gold de blums.

The games were then followed up by dinner, cake and then presents.

Their personalities are really starting to blossom more and more each day.

Tom is the oldest by 20 minutes, and claims the title of being the eldest. He is responsible, reliable in helping us out, naturally watches over others, and willing to give something up for the sake of others. He is sweet, funny, has an extraordinary laugh when he thinks something is really funny, and is a joy to be with. He is my cuddle bug during shoo shoo byes prior to nap and bedtime. Tom is a thinker and loves to take things a part and put them back together again. We knew this when we found Brian's business card, a knife, and a nightlight taken apart next to an outlet in our bedroom....I think he was around 2 at the time. He loves playing with legos and playing with his trucks. He still enjoys Tuesday's....Garbage Day!

Joe is the middle child. He is an instigator at times and can negotiate any type of situation. When he was younger, I would ask him to do something and the his response would be "Tom can do it." He loves to finish 1st and be first for everything, except for when going to the doctor, dentist or to get his haircut. He loves to arrange and sort the recycling over and over as well as taking the trash and rubbish out on Monday's. He loves to be a fashion starter....getting his hair spray painted with purple and green dots at Mardi Gras in February and his latest wearing his construction rain boots in the middle of summer on a warm sunny day. (He did get a lot of compliments that day). He is gifted with his ability to solve math problems. This past summer, we were on vacation and the he had asked how many tickets were left from the rides they had been on??

Dad: Joe there were 40 tickets total

Joe: and there are 4 tickets left

Mom: Joe, how many tickets did we use?

Joe: Mumbling to himself for about a minute......then shouts out 36 tickets!

Mom and Dad: Wow! That's right!

We love you guys so much and can't to see how you will grow and learn this year:)

Pirates Joe and Tom after finding the golden treasure.
Here are some more rowdy pirates

Cousin Braden making an attempt at breaking free the treasures

cousin Hailey even getting in on the pirate action.

Quick, Captain Hook is coming to get us!

Birthday Boys blowing out their candles.

Days 9 & 10!! YEA! End of our California Trip

2011-06-30T20:43:00.001-07:00

Peter checking out the trains at "The Living Desert Zoo" in Palm Springs.

The boys were captivated by these trains and all the stations and little towns.
Here you go, you hummingbird lovers out there. Brian must have taken over 200 pic of these birds and ended up capturing this one.......wings are NOT moving.....I have never seen a humming bird sitting still, they are always fluttering about:)
A humming bird hanging out in her nest. We learned that humming bird eggs are the size of jelly belly beans.
cool pic of a zebra butterfly
Tom imagining with puppets.
Peter imagining his bird is flying.
Another pic of our friend Mr. Hummingbird.
Auntie Dee and Uncle Tom poolside.
Peter relaxing before our big trip home.
"You looking at us girls?"
Joe enjoying the warm California sun.
Tom super relaxed after a dip in the hot tub.
Time to pick lemons for some yummy lemonade.
"Come on....Joe, pull harder!"
Don't forget about the grapefruit
group shot before we left
The 2 Tom's hanging out! It was so cute, little Tom wanted to make sure he could sit by Uncle Tom for his snack before leaving for the airport.

Saturday January 29^th 2011

Living Desert Zoo

Huge Train display-boys sat their for 30 minutes looking at all the different trains going by and explaining each scene.

Saw a bird show

Swam in the afternoon-1^st pool closed for repair 2^nd pool was a go.

Dinner at California Pizza Kitchen

Boys to bed

Brian and I went on a quick date to Water Hot “Aqua Caliente” a Casino where we proceeded to win nothing!

Sunday January 30^th 2011

Went to church with Auntie Dee

Picked up Uncle Tom for breakfast

Went back to house to pack/laundry

Flew home and got in around 1am

Boys slept the whole way!!

WE had a BLAST!!!

Day 8....getting closer

2011-06-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Tom (left) Joe (right) hanging out with Lighting McQueen!
Here we are saying "hi" to Mader!
Joe and Tom
Brian really likes this pic of Joe
Gotta have a pic with Minnie Mouse too!
More Churros!
A rarity with Peter, sharing his churro with Tom:)
If you look close there is a famous man to the left of the photo and then if you look even closer you can see Brian way in the back of the pic under the "We" letters. Our kids were on the same ride together....OMG!
Here's WOODY!
Jesse the "co-worker" as Peter calls her.
Here is the TV star from the TBS show "Glory Daze." Nice guy.
Peter loving his carousel ride!! He keeps telling me he wants to go back to CA and when I ask him why, he says "I want to go on more carousel rides!"
Joe on the ride too!

Mickey mouse again

Pic of Joe in the van as we left our hotel in Disneyland. We had so much fun there! The boys are looking forward to got the Disney World when they get a little bigger!

Friday January 28^th 2011

California Adventure Park

It was another beautiful and warm sunny day. This morning we woke up and ordered some pancakes for breakfast to get us going! They were very filling and a good choice to start the day. When we arrived, we rented a stroller right away…good choice. The first ride the boys went on, Peter was a hair to short to ride, so I waited with him. While we were waiting you will never guess who walked by us again…..Yes, that’s right….SEAL and who had the camera? BRIAN! I called him right away and told him that he was going on the same ride as them and he should wait at the exit for him. So Brian sat there and waited….until Seal came off the ride. Brian then attempted to take some pics with little success…most came out too blurry.

We wandered around the park seeing and exploring another giant tree house followed by some more yummy churros as a snack.

The boys were able to get their pictures taken with Mickey, Minnie, Woody, Jesse, and, of course, Pluto.

After lunch, Brian and I took turns on the super fast roller coaster. I can’t even tell you the last time I was on a roller coaster, let alone all by myself. I will tell you that there was a lot of screaming and wetting of the pants!

The boys enjoyed a carousel ride while Brian was talking it up with another star from the “Glory Daze” TBS show.

It was then off to see the Aladdin musical which was cute and funny and just a chance to sit and regroup.

More rides/pic with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Woody/Jesse, & Pluto/Aladdin musical/Bugs life ride-bumper car ride/worm ride-squirted with watermelon juice. Ice cream for treat before leaving for Palm Springs. As we were leaving the Hotel, I told the boys to say good-bye to Disneyland….Peter yells out “Bye-bye Disneyland….I’ll see you in a couple of weeks!!!”

Arrived in Rancho Mirage around 8pm. Ate dinner, the boys told Auntie Dee and Uncle Tom about their adventures.

Day 7 California Trip....we're almost done......

2011-06-15T13:09:00.001-07:00

We're at Disneyland!!! YEAH!
Peter spotted Goofy!
and he couldn't take his eyes off of him:)
I was enjoying shooting the aliens too.
Nemo submarine ride
Toon Town
Brian appearing very frightened from the who framed roger rabbit ride.
Peter playing the plianio.
The Vnak family with the FAMOUS MICKEY MOUSE!
Chip n' Dales Tree House
Watch out....there is a FIRE we have to put out! (and Peter is driving!)
Tom on the carousel ride
OooooHHHH! This is fun!

Thanks Green Grandma for the yummy and very long lasting suckers!
Tom being silly!
Peter cashed out....noting could wake this kid.
That's okay, more churros for us.....wait a minute.....Joe ate most of it.

AHHHHHHH The Magic of Disney!

Thurday, January 27^th, 2011

Brian and I woke up to Joe and Peter duking it out of space in bed at 5 in the morning. It took them awhile to fall back asleep, but we all then woke up at our usual 7am.

Another nice warm day for Disneyland!! They boys got ready and went to eat breakfast at McDonalds, while I stayed and got ready myself and then replenished the bag with snacks, water, blankies, and camera.

We caught the 9:30 hotel shuttle to be there when it opened at 10am. It was so cute and priceless to see their faces the whole day after seeing new things, waiting for rides, going on rides.

The boys spotted Donald, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse as we just had entered the gate. We were able to get our pic with Goofy before they all disappeared…Peter will tell you they had to use the potty.

Their first rides were the buzz light year laser game and then the Nemo submarine voyage. I personally thought the Nemo Submarine ride was pretty sweet. It was all underwater and how they incorporate the coral/sea life with animation of the Nemo characters was pretty CrAzY!

Then it was off to Toon Town to see where all of the boys’ favorite Disney characters live. First, it was off to Goofy’s house where Peter got to play his plianeo “piano”. We also had to sit in all of the different character’s vehicles. Second, it was time to visit Mickey’s house. Tom and Joe enjoyed lounging on Mickey’s sofa watching the fire burn beautifully in his fireplace, while Peter enjoyed looking in his kitchen for some food to eat…..sorry, Peter no real food L After seeing Mickey’s house, we were able to see him and get our picture taken with the famous guy. Other sites we saw in Toon Town were Chip n Dale’s tree house and Donald Ducks boat. The boys were able to go on a roller coaster, which they loved!! I will admit, I was a little nervous that they were going to fall out when we reached a turn…b/c they are such little guys…I kept telling them to HOLD ON TIGHT!

It was almost lunchtime, so we found a spot to sit and gobbled on a giant turkey leg along with some corn on the cob.

The afternoon, consisted of some more rides including a Snow white ride, a boat ride of all the fairytales, and the tea cups before I made Brian go get a stroller for Peter to ride in….I could not carry this kid any longer!! So while Brian obtained a stroller, the boys’ each picked out a giant sucker and each paid the Disney worker with the money Green Grandma gave them for a treat:) Those suckers occupied them for about 2 hours! It was awesome!

We headed over to the Jungle Cruise and Tarzan Tree House. While we were waiting for Brian to get off the Indiana Jones ride, Seal walked by us with is family---but no Hot Heidi :( I didn’t have enough time to get out the camera, and Brian was more than slightly disappointed. He loves Seal!

It was approaching the dinner hour, but we decided to go on the Pirate boat ride first. This is the ride I remembered going on when I was 14yr in the Marching Band back in the day and it was a lot of fun. We all were able to sit in the same row and Peter sat on my lap. It was just as fun as I had remembered it….except this time, Peter was shaking like a leaf on my lap and Tom and Joe were also quite unsure about it. After the ride was over, I said, “let’s go on this ride again!” and the boys immediately voted NO, it’s too scary! Ooops!

Tom and Joe then insisted on riding the train across part of the amusement park with Brian b/c Peter fell asleep in the stroller…..so I cruised around looking at things and met up with them to find some dinner. The dinner was not that great in the food court. The boys had the usual pizza or chicken nuggets while Brian and I opted to order in at the Hotel.

Along the way, I had found a churro station and bought 2 to share…it was then that Joe has discovered his love of churro’s!

It was getting late and the boys were tired, Brian took the boys back on the shuttle and I stayed to walk around and shop a wee bit. It was so nice just to walk and around and look at what I wanted to look at without little voices calling for me every 2 seconds. I arrived back at the hotel with 2 bags full of Disney Goodies.

Brian and I then enjoyed an evening to ourselves as the boys were completely passed out. We ordered some French onion soup along with a hot roast beef sandwich and kicked back and relaxed.

Day 6 California Trip

2011-06-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

The boys mapping out what animals to see first.
The koala's were one of the first animals on the list.
This is one of my favorite pics.
Checking out the Zebra's and counting the stripes.
Brian's artistic taste of a flamingo and her gorgeous feathers.
Mr. Rhino
A family of meerkats
Sally the camel has 2 humps...for all you "Barney & Friends" fans.
The Zoo had a handful of these amazing elephants.
Sir lion taking a nap.
Mr. Bear enjoying his very own waterfall.
Monkey Joe and Monkey Tom

Snack time at the Zoo.
Snack time....I like that idea!
SHHHHHH....panda bears
"How many more animals are there?"
If you look close..you can see the BABY HIPPO!
Here is momma hippo and her "uggally" teeth
j-dog and t-bone
Pretty toucan
Talking parakeet who also sings "Old McDonald had a Farm."
Sunset driving up to Manhattan Beach
A group shot at Ben and Amy's place.

Wednesday January 26^th, 2001

We woke up to another beautiful sunny day, ready to explore the San Diego Zoo. It was also a great morning because I enjoyed a Starbucks carmel latte! We had are van packed and we were off….once we arrived, we were extremely happy that the parking was FREE!

Upon entering the gate, the man that took our ticket gave us a map of the zoo. Joe took the map held it up excitedly and then hit some other man’s leg to try and get his attention (thinking that it was Brian) and when he realized it wasn’t…he felt quite bad. To Brian and I it was quite amusing….another lesson the importance of staying by mom and dad.

The park is SO MONTERSOUS in size! It doesn't even compare to the other zoos’ we have been too.

Some animals we saw-birds, monkeys, lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, snakes, a black panther---scary looking, cute panda bears, and a mamma hippo and her new baby hippo that had been born at 11:30am that day. The boys will tell you that the momma hippo had toilet paper coming out of her butt, but it was really the afterbirth! Gross, I know.

After lunch we went on a double decker bus, which the boy thought was really cool to see a tour of the zoo. If you go on the tour someday, here is a pointer…sit on the left side otherwise you hardly see any animals.

Included in our admission, we got to take a Gondola Ride that went over the tops of all the animals in the park…..very cool. It is when you are on this ride that you really begin to marvel at the monstrosity of this zoo! Amazing!

The boys were getting tired around 4pm, so it was back in the van to head north to Manhattan beach to meet or friends Ben and Amy for dinner. It took us about a little over 2.5 hours to get there in CA rush hour….thank goodness the for carpool lane otherwise it would have been a lot longer!

When we arrived at Ben and Amy’s, we weren’t quite sure how to park the van in the driveway seeing as all the driveways are about 4 feet in length…tops. Brian solved the problem by parking the van sideways….whatever works right?

All the houses are built in the hills right on top of each other with very narrow lots. Now that is what you call a tight nit neighborhood! Ha! Ben and Amy showed us around their humble abode and then we proceeded to have cocktail hour while the boys played with legos!

We headed out for dinner around 9pm….which the boys would tell you is after their bedtime..but since they had a good nap in the car, we knew they would be good. They boys really got their fill of mac n’ cheese this trip….we’re on vacation!

After dinner, we headed back to Ben and Amy’s for quick potty break and change into pajamas. Then we were off to Aneheim to Disneyland Drive.

Thanks Ben and Amy we REALLY had a GREAT time!!

What a bum(mer)! My Baby Got Back!

2011-05-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the Mr. Vnak is back for this post.

As the few readers of this blog know, the past 6 weeks have been pretty bum for me. Successful surgery, but a painful recovery. Realistically, I'm feeling about 65-70% of the way there. I still have internal soreness and nerve related pain, but I do progress on a weekly basis. Fortunately, I've had a most awesome caretaker. Until yesterday.

Friday eve we celebrated Tom & Joe's 5th Birthday (which will be covered in a separate post). So Saturday morn the boys were awake and playing with their new toys while Katie and I laid awake in bed. Suddenly we heard Peter coughing, and then gagging, to which Katie jumped out of bed and saw Peter puking in the toilet. Katie went running to the bathroom and her first step was in an unseen spot of puke, to which she fell straight on her bum. Upon her fall she yelped in that abnormal pain and anguish filled yelp we all have within us, to which I, in my disabled abledness, rushed to the bathroom only to find her crying on the ground.

For the next hour I tried to console the veefe who had fallen while also consuling the still puking Peter. After a few phone calls, the grandparents and Katie's sister arrived, one half to help with the kids and the other with Katie. We headed to the ER and spent the next 8 hours getting treated. It was very slow. Very. And their computer system was down so the radiologists couldn't read the X-rays.

We came home, I tried my best to play with the chums, but then sent them off to the grandparents for the evening. Finally, the next day, the doctor called and confirmed that Katie had broken her butt. (Fractured tailbone).

So things ain't going so well at home base. It's kind of cute, one disabled parent caring for another disabled parent while trying to watch/care for/entertain three toddler boys. Don't know how we gonna git through the next few weeks. Should be interesting.

Despite our recent run of less than stellar luck, I will make the following conclusions about this event:

1. We eventually concluded that Peter's pukedness was caused from eating too much frosting on his cake and candy at the party the night before. Damn, he's gonna have fun in college.

2. Now that Katie's boot is brooken (and a little swollen), I am officially nominating Sir-Mix-A-Lot as the resident house DJ of the week.

3. How clever of my veefe to steal the sympathy and recovery time graces I've received from my friends and family. It's amazing how fast the spigot shuts off. All hail thy holy queen!

4. Finally, this post is brought to you by Katie's doughnut pillow upon which I was perched while crafting this fine post. We out.

Day 5 California Trip

2011-05-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

The boys holding up the sign.
Joe and Peter inspecting.
The boys enjoyed seeing all the military ships and cargo ships go by.
One of the 1st light houses.
Peter enjoying some tickle time with dad.
The 3 amigos in front of the light house.
Joe and Tom enjoying the park.
Statue of Cabrillo.
Cool pic of the ocean

Tom and Joe locked up in the Brig for eating too many fruit snacks.
Peter also got thrown in the brig for giving his brother's too many fruit snacks.
Joe in the cockpit and loving it.
Tom taking his turn pushing all the cool buttons and gadgets.
This is a pic from on top of the deck. It is SO amazing and breathtaking to stand on the deck and realize how enormous the ship is.
Here they are checking out a helicopter
Tom was infatuated with this helicopter. He was explaining to us how many people it can sit and how much cargo it can carry.
Please smile...I'll give you a sucker!
Tom and I in standing in the back of the helicopter he loves.
Joe calling the shots in the war room.
Peter taking orders from Joe.
Tom getting ready to call the shots in the war room.
This is an attempt to capture the entire ship....too cool.

San Diego skyline at night from our hotel room.
The boys passed out before going to dinner with my friends.
Brett, his wife, Leah and I after some din din and some great time/stories shared!
A family picture on a cannon outside the restaurant.

Tuesday January 25^th, 2011

Tuesday was day two of our the San Diego leg of our California excursion. We enjoyed another wonderful breakfast atop our hotel in the club lounge. Odd looks continued today from the other Club Level guests when we strolled in with the boys, but inevitably, by the end of the meal, the boys had won the hearts of some Grandmas and were telling them all about the airplanes they watched take off that morning.

We headed out to the Cabrillo National Monument which is on the northern side of the San Diego bay and about 10 minutes from our hotel. The view was spectacular as we were able to see the entire San Diego skyline, the Naval base, and the ocean from one vantage point. We then hiked asunder to the top of the hill and visited the historic lighthouse, which has been in place since the middle 19^th century.

After a couple of hours we headed to the historic Gaslamp district for lunch. The Gaslamp is basically San Diego’s bar district. Having no idea where stay, we sought the advice of a worker in the local Oakley store who sent us up the block to a bar called Rotten Nick’s which had awesome burgers, but they were literally the size of a softball. We enjoyed a nice dish of gelato across the street at café called Choclat and the headed over to visit the USS Midway Musuem. The USS Midway is a retired aircraft carrier, or “crap carrier” as Peter likes to put it. We really had a great time and were amazed at it’s history. It took 4,500 troops to operate the carrier, including 225 cooks (you don’t think about that when you think of a war ship). It was really cool to walk the 4.5 acre air deck and see a bunch of retired war jets. All in all, it was a neat experience. Afterwords, we went back to our van for a snack and Tom chose to have an apple which, of course, he managed to drop out onto the pavement. I picked it up and told him not to eat the half he already started and that was covered with grit, but to instead eat the other half with the peel on it. Well, Tom didn’t want anything to with the good half of the apple and insisted I clean it off, which I somewhat did and told him, “If the apple is crunchy, it’s dirt…ENJOY!” Well, that caused an uproar with the boys and they have been quoting and using this phrase throughout the trip.

We quickly returned to the hotel for a quick swim before sunset, but the water was frigidly cold (at least to the adults). Ah, the beauty of childhood where body thermometers do not exist. The boys could have cared less about the temperature. So needless to say, Brian swam with the boys while Katie chilled her tootsies. We were icicles by the end, but that problem is easily cured with 10 minutes in the hot tub. Tom, Joe, and Peter have learned to like the hot tub on this trip and it’s been a fun experience to watch them enjoy this.

We put the boys down for a quick 45 minute nap before heading out for dinner, and it was like we knocked them out for a week. Katie and I sang and danced, and tickled to wake them up with little success. They wanted sleep, but we wanted food. We met Katie’s friend’s Brett and Leah for dinner at Tomm Hamm’s lighthouse. The food was excellent. The West Coast doesn’t appreciate how fresh their fish is. The Salmon was exquisite and the boys were good and patient.

PAiN

2011-04-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

So, we got home on Friday 4/22 evening from the Hospital "Inn." I hadn't told the boys that Brian was coming home b/c I didn't want to disappoint them if he didn't for some reason. When we got home, they were extremely HaPpY to see him.

It was a very ruff Friday evening though...Brian got in the van to come home and lost it. I think he was extremely anxious about the ride home and being around the boys. So, we ate dinner with the boys and both sets of parents and then packed the boys up to sleep over at my parents house.

Since then, Brian has had his ups and downs. Although, his incision sites are healing and feeling better he has continued to have nerve and muscle pain. We met with his surgeon last Wednesday and he said that Brian is Exceptionally RARE, but WE all knew that right?? The conclusion to his continued nerve and muscle pain is to start a drug for nerve pain and a muscle relaxer for muscle spasms and his pain medication was also changed. The poor boy is on meds every 3-4 hours. I joked buying an old person's weekly pill box for him......but I do see the importance for those pill boxes. The question around the house is.....when was the last time I took that pill? OR When I am do for my next pills?

He can also control some the nerve irritation buy not having clothes rub on his abdomen and back.....Brian's solution is to wear his white undershirt "pulled up threw the neck gay" as he puts it. We are all fortunate enough to see his big budda belly 24/7. It is all still sexy swollen from his surgery.

In other news, I worked last Saturday to help move our patients from the old hospital to the NEW U of M Amplatz Children's Hospital. It took over 300 staff members and 11 ambulances to move 59 patients in 6 hours and 30 minutes. The unit I work on moved the very 1st patient and the very last patient. It is exciting to be in our new space and I am sure the patients and their families are excited and happy as well. NO MORE SHARING ROOMS! ALL ROOMS ARE PRIVATE. I think if you go to www.uofmchildrenshospital.org you can pics of it.

That's all for now, I need to sleep and gear up for a busy weekend.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers! Brian is healing a little bit everyday:)

Home Sweet Home

2011-04-22T21:37:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that Brian was discharged from the Hospital Inn and has checked into his very own home. We got home around 6:15 pm. The boys were SO excited to see Brian!

I'll post more tomorrow....need to get some sleep before the next pain meds are due at 3:30am!

Post-Op Day 4

2011-04-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

CHEST TUBE IS OUT!!!! He will have a chest x-ray around 10:30 am. We should be home later today!

Post-op Day 3

2011-04-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last evening I was able to wash Brian's hair!! YEAH! He also got his chest dressing changed last night per my request.

I got home around 9:30 last night and got the boys to bed by 10:30, ate a yummy dinner provided by my wonderful cousin Meredith and was asleep by 11:30.

Again, I woke up to Peter at 6:30 am needing to go to the potty. Then Brian called at 7am to tell me he is spending another night at "The Hospital Inn." He had around 450 mls out his chest tube yesterday. It is definitely decreasing but still not where it needs to be. It sounds like he had a pretty good night besides the hallucinations of the boys toys melting into the computer and then the walls melting.

He also had the pleasure of having awesome nurse last night that we knew from growing up. It was spoiling Sir Brian and making him PB and J at 4 in the morning. Well, he better enjoy it b/c I will not be doing that at home:)

Brian is also moving up the the hospital world....he has a window view now!!!!

I have to take the boys to swimming tonight and then we'll bring up dinner for Brian so the boys can see him again.

Post-op Day 2

2011-04-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I got home last night to 3 boys waiting for their mom to give them kisses and to tuck them in. I first had to answer a thousand questions about dad and how he is doing and when is he coming home???

It is also really hard because even though we are telling them what is going on they don't understand why dad is still in the hospital. Peter was clinging to me, Joe was acting out and throwing a screaming fit and Tom went to bed with a picture of Brian b/c he misses him so much :(

By 10pm the boys were finally asleep and I had to wash Tom's pants he had pee'd in at preschool (which he has never done since being potty trained), eat dinner, and then fell into bed around 11:30pm.

I woke up at 6:30am to the boys telling me to look outside and see all the SNOW!!!! This winter stuff is getting old. Sunny and 60 would be nice:)

Brian called around 7am to tell me the news he is staying another night. It is beginning to feel like groundhogs day.

Around 10:30, I headed up to the hospital and the boys along with Jim and Diane met us around 11am. Brian was really excited to see them as they were to see him. Brian was able to walk down to a lounge that overlooks the Mississippi River. The boys enjoyed talking to dad, eating snacks, and admiring the river.

We, of course, had to stop down on 5a to see my co-workers per the boys request on the way out.

Brian is catching a snooze now and then the plan will be to eat dinner, get him freshened up and then head home to put the kiddos to bed.

As far as his chest tube goes, the nurse said he has had 240 mls out since 4am. Still above the where they want it, so I am beginning to wonder if he'll stay tomorrow as well. We'll have to wait and see:)

Post op Day 1

2011-04-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

I left last night around 12am and Brian was resting as comfortably as he could be considering what he had been through. When I got home, I heard Peter crying. He couldn't tell me what was wrong, but after some tylenol and some loving from mom he slept the rest of the night. I was then able to crawl into bed around 1:30am and sleep until Brian called me at 6:30am.

The docs said he was spending another day due to the amount of chest tube output. He needs to have less than 200 mls out in a 24 hour period. To put it in perspective when I got here and looked at the output it read 500 mls......I secretly said to myself "sugar beets" he's not going home today nor tomorrow. So we are playing it one day at a time.

This morning and this afternoon he was having really bad right sided neck and shoulder pain. Luckily it has gotten better throughout the day with some bumps of "D" bombs aka IV Dilaudid. He is eating, drinking, peeing and passing gas.......YEAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! The things that make nurses so happy.

I am going to get him up to walk again and then get him cleaned up for the night. Then off to the house for the night to hopefully get more sleep than last night.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers!

On the Unit

2011-04-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

Brian got to his room around 7:15pm. The boys and my parents came up around that time too:) In order to pass some time, I took the boys to the floor where I work to see all my co-workers. Tom, Joe, and Peter were able to check out some of the crying babies and the playroom where the patients play.

We then headed back up stairs to see Brian. The boys were quite at first, but then started asking all these medical questions. I think we might have some future MD's on our hands :)

Earlier this evening, he was complaining of a lot of pain on the right side of his chest and neck. The nurse increased his pain med, which helped with the pain, but in return made him really out of it. He is requiring 2 liters of oxygen and has this giant chest tube hanging out of his chest. Respiratory therapy came and gave him a neb to help with his lungs.

Currently, he is resting comfortably and I'll probably head home to sleep and then be back early in the am to hear what the docs have to say. I would be REALLY surprised if he goes home tomorrow. I will keep you all posted!

Thanks for the phone calls and prayers!! We greatly appreciate them!

In Recovery

2011-04-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

Brian is in Recovery!! They were able to get it with no problems!! The surgeon says he has 4 small incisions along with a chest tube. The plan is to stay the night and maybe get the chest tube out sometime tomorrow.

PrAyErS PlEaSe

2011-04-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

I am asking for some extra prayers today. A few months ago, Brian was diagnosed with a rare ganglion neuroma tumor (non-cancerous) near his spine. Today, he is having it removed and is currently in the OR now. I hadn't posted anything prior b/c Brian didn't want to worry anyone. So, I warned him today that I would be making a posting today and he conceded. I will post more after I talk to the Surgeon.

Day 4

2011-04-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

The boys hanging out by the flamingos at Sea World.

The boys getting ready to watch Sesame Street in 4 D. Peter refused to wear the glasses.

Seals basking in the sun.

More flamingos
My favorite..sea turtles!

Love this pic!

more turtles.....

Octopus anyone??

Tom touching the star fish.

The boys checking out the star fish.

Peter taking a break from the animals to snack on a juicy California orange!
Joe eating his juicy orange.

This dolphin kept getting us ALL WET!
Brian and Joe attempting to pet the dolphin. The dolphin in return gave Joe a nice gift of getting his shirt all wet.

The seal show

This bird watched us eat our lunch VERY intently.

The boys checking out the tree house inside the Sesame Street play area.

Jumping in the bounce house.

SHAMU!!

SHARKS!

Peter's frightful look in front of the shark window.

Tom being SILLY with 3 hats.

Joe and I on an ELMO ride.

Monday January 24^th, 2011

Sea World

Life is SO much better when one has gotten a good nights sleep! 9 hours for me! I can’t tell you the last time I have slept that long!

We enjoyed our breakfast up in the club room. The boys were the only kids up there; luckily there were really good. One lady came up to us and commented on how well behaved they are.

All three guys sat at a table overlooking the harbor eating their oatmeal, yogurt, and lucky charms. Discussing how old Peter will be when Tom and Joe are 5 and so forth….very cute.

Then it was down to the lobby to purchase our Sea World Tickets!

We had SO MUCH fun at Sea World! The boys enjoyed watching a Sesame Street movie in 4D where water came shooting out at us, chairs vibrated and bubbles fell from the sky. Tom and Joe were digging it until they got wet….Tom said, “I’m never going to one of these things again…getting me all wet…now I am going to have to change my clothes.”

The Sea Turtles were awesome, but I am bias because I love turtles! Brian got some great pics of them sunning themselves on the rock.

The boys were able to pet the star fish, sting ray, and get really close to the dolphins. It was quite amusing b/c the dolphins would come right up to you and spit water at you or splash you with their tales. Joe will tell you that the dolphin got his “arm ALL wet.”

After that, we saw the sea lion show, which the boys also enjoyed. Just go ahead and ask Peter to make the seal noise “HAAAAAAAAAAAARC” pretty entertaining.

We sat and ate our lunch with a bunch of sea gulls waiting to eat our left overs.

After lunch, the boys went to Sesame Street play area, where they climbed this giant tree house like thing. They had a blast and probably could have played in there a lot longer but off to the Shamu show we went to get some good seats.

Killer whales are amazingly large creatures! The show was filled with jumps and flips in the air to get us all wet! By now, the boys were done with getting all wet so luckily the whales didn’t splash as high as we were sitting. Brian also took some great pictures of these awesome animals.

The one exhibit that Peter wanted to see was the shark encounter. He kept asking while were in there if the sharks were going to bite him…..legitimate question, I guess.

Since we had an hour before the park closed the boys wanted to go on some Sesame Street rides….so I got to ride the Elmo wheel 3 times while the boys each took their turn…..I guess that will leave Brian with some of the rides at DisneylandJ

For dinner, we ate at a place called Pizza Nova! I had spotted it on the way home from dinner last night and thought it looked like a fun place. It was delicious!! The boys ordered mac’n cheese and Brian had a liguine dish and I had a pizza! Yummy!

Back to the Hotel around 7pm and boys in bed by 7:30pm….time for a bath and to get caught up on our adventures!

Day 3

2011-04-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Brian fix'n the boys lunch out on the patio.

Tom enjoying time at the pool!

View from our hotel room

Sunday Janurary 23^rd

Church, swim, Depart for San Diego

On Sunday we woke up ate some breakfast and then we were off to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert. Mass was at 9:30, so we left around 9 and got there around 9:26 and the place was packed!! There were police directing traffic in and out and by the time we entered the church there was no where to sit besides way off to the side where we couldn’t see the alter at all. The boys were pretty good, except for the fact that we didn’t bring Joe’s favorite blankie and he whined and cried about it the whole time.

After mass we stopped off at the local Walgreen’s, that’s right Nick and Jess, in honor of you, I bought some nail polish since I had forgot to pack my own before leavingJ

Then is was back to Dee and Tom’s place for some mean egg mcmuffin sandwiches while watching the golfer’s out on the patio. It is so funny, the boys will be talking loud and once they spot a golf cart they say “ we need to be really quiet so the golfers can concentrate. When the golfer hits the ball in the water, then they shout “Hey Dad, did you see that ball…it landed right into the water!”

After a yummy breakfast and visiting with the neighbor Joan, we decided to go for a swim! The boys really enjoy being in the water and really like the hot tub. Another funny side note, Peter is now calling the pool a “cold tub.”

Once the boys looked like a bunch of raisins, it was back to the house for a quick shower and change. I quick did a load of laundry and then we packed up the cool mini-van to head to San Diego before the sun set.

It was a good idea. The boys fell asleep after 2 minutes in the car and slept for the 2 hour drive to San Diego. Brian and I had a nice and peaceful drive filled with ups and downs due to the mountainous region. We also enjoyed munchin’ on a bag of pistachios.

Thanks to our Tom Tom we were able to reach our Hotel destination "The Sheraton" in Harbor Island. It is right next to the airport and the harbor so the boys are loving watching the planes take off and seeing all the hundreds of boats docked in the bay.

Bellmen are AWESOME! They unload your car and take all the stuff up to your room and unload it……not needed prior to having kids, but is the coolest thing ever now!

For dinner we headed to a place called Miguels a Mexican restaurant in Port Loma. The boys seemed to like it and we did as well. Margaritas and food both tasted very good after a long day.

Back to the hotel we went to check out the very large pool and then go to bed. Take note that both Brian and I were in bed before 10pm!......this NEVER happens!!

2011-03-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of our family vacation in California

Saturday January 22^nd, 2011

Joshua Tree National Park

Saturday we woke up to a bright blue sky and great scenery of beautiful flowers and palm trees. Breakfast consisted of frozen waffles and honey nut cheerios…the boys’ favorites!

We decided to head up to Joshua Tree National Park to see the Joshua Tree, of course. It was about an hour drive from Palm Springs so we stopped and grabbed some lunch to eat in the park. On our way, we had noticed these small trees that looked like palm trees, but were half the size. I had asked Brian, what he thought those trees were and he replied…those are probably Joshua trees. My reply ….if they are, I am going to be slightly disappointed! After stopping at the visitor center to pick up a map and plan our adventures, we had opened the map and behold there was a picture of the Joshua Tree….Indeed it was the tree we had seen prior!

Upon entering the park, Brian stopped along side the road to take a picture of these GIANT ROCKS. He then proceeded to tell the boys that one day they were going to appreciate the picture he was taking of the ROCKS for a possible school project or needing it for future reference. Immediately, Joe replied, “No, Dad I will never thank you for taking a picture of rocks!”

The boys were getting hungry so we made a stop where there was another GIANT ROCK that people were climbing. We sat and ate our Subway sandwiches while watching the rock climbers…while, I stood on the look out for any wild animals to attack. I always get nervous in natural environments and I wish I didn’t so I could enjoy myself a little more. So after lunch, Joe went and climbed a rock and said, “Hey dad, look at me. I am a professional rock climber!” It just so happened that a rock climber had jogged past Joe when he made that comment and replied, “That’s AWESOME and someday you too could make $15,000 dollars a year!”

We piled in the Van again and headed to a trail, recommended by a park ranger. She said it was super family friendly….I was quite skeptical. The boys kept reassuring me that everything was going to be FINE. Come on mom, you can do it.!

We all completed the 1mile hike through the rocky trail and didn’t get eaten alive by any bobcats, cougars, or mountain goats. Before leaving the park, Brian made one more stop up to a look out point where the wind almost blew the boys right over!! They said, “That’s it were are going back to the car!”

It was another hour drive home, where the boys took a short nap. We stopped at the grocery store for some dinner items and then home to swim before it got dark. Brian had cooked up a mean hamburger with cheese, bacon and cooked onions. He is still raving about it today.

After dinner, we finished watching Beauty and the Beast as a family…Peter fell asleep on my lap and then it was time for the boys to go to bed.

The rest of the night consisted of Brian reading the newspaper from the last 2 weeks and myself documenting our family outings for ya’ll.

Brian's favorite pic of Joe...he is playing outside Brian's Aunt and Uncles house.
The 3 chumps in Brian's Aunt and Uncle's courtyard.
The view from their kitchen window....how dreamy.
On the rode to Joshua Tree National Park and approaching windmill city.
The infamous picture of the ROCKS!
Windmill City!
The Joshua Tree!
Joe posing with the Joshua Tree.
Joe and Tom on top of a giant rock.
Brain's GQ pose
The 3 Amigos on top of a rock....not sure what their thinking about???
Here they are leading the way on our family hike.
Posing with mamma bear
One of Brian's artistic pics of the park
Brian and Tom out for swim after a long day in the National Park.
Brian with Joe relaxing after a long day.
The boys looking to see where the golf ball goes.....
The boys discovered they LOVE the HOT TUB!!
Tom and Joe racing each other to the end of the pool:)

2011-03-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

Family Trip to California

Friday January 21^st, 2011

The unthinkable….

The unthinkable happened to me this morning as I was getting the boys ready for preschool and running errands. After coming home, I was going to grab some laundry in my bathroom and happened to glance at myself in the mirror…..I paused saying to myself “you look horrible!” I then take a closer look at myself in the mirror and realized…….NO MAKEUP!! YIKES! Yes, that’s right, in all my years of wearing makeup, I have NEVER left the house without it! So yes, the UNTHINKABLE happened today!

After cleaning and packing some more, it was time to pick up the boys from preschool. It was now 12pm and Brian was to be home any minute. I knew we still had a TON of things to do…feed the boys lunch, change clothes, along with last minute packing and cleaning.

Brian’s parents showed up around 1pm, causing some chaos in the house. When grandpa Vnak comes over he always gets the boys going. By 1:30pm, everyone was changed & fed; the garbage emptied and van loaded for departure.

Jim and Diane up front, Tom, Joe and Peter in the middle and Brian and I in the back with all the luggage. We love our Honda Odyssey! Minivans are AWESOME!!

We arrived at the airport a wee bit after 2pm. The boys were shelled shocked by security and the whole ordeal of checking bags and luggage. I’m so thankful that I had talked to them prior regarding security and what it entailed. At first, Peter was reluctant to take off his shoes and coat almost to the point of crying until I bribed him by saying, “Peter, if you are a good boy and take your shoes and coat off and walk through security, I’ll let you pick out a treat from your backpack!” It was a done deal. He was sweet as pie and very good going through security, that when we collecting our items out of the bins he was trying to rummage through his back pack for a treat. “Peter, we have to get our shoes back on and get out of everyone’s way.” Peter- “No, I want my treat!”

Once we had obtained all of our possessions again and put our shoes back on, we headed to gate H3. On the way, Tom is rolling a piece of carry-on luggage. As he is pulling the luggage, he exclaims in a exhausting tone “Uh, I am SO glad we made it through security.” Brian and I both just laughed.

The next hour consisted of bathroom trips, checking out the planes and eating lots of candy!!

When it was time to board the plane, the boys were really excited!! As we were walking down the aisle, all the older folks heading to Palm Springs were drooling over the boys. “Oh my, your boys are so cute! Are they triplets? Oh twins and a bonus! They are just adorable.”

Luckily, we were seated all in one row with an extra seat! It was so cute to see the boys’ react and try to put their seatbelts on. When we took off into the air, Tom exclaimed, “We can see the whole WORLD!” Everyone around us let out a good chuckle.

After a while in the sky, the boys wanted to know how much longer until we get to Auntie Dee’s house. Our reply was always, a long time! Sticker books and watching a DVD of Thomas and Friends helped Tom and Joe pass some time, while Peter fell asleep on Brian making his buttocks go completely numb!

After we landed, we had to claim our luggage and car seat and obtain our high-class rental van- the Dodge Caravan Baby! Brian’s Aunt also had her friend’s, meet us at the Airport to give us 2 car seats, life vests for the boys, and a stroller. Peggy also drove with us to help us find Dee and Tom’s house. We are extremely grateful to them for meeting us and for letting us borrow their stuff!! THANK YOU!!

Dee’s neighbor, Joan, had gone grocery shopping for us. She bought all the boys favorites…hot dogs, blueberries, OJ with no pulp, chocolate milk, and honey nut cheerios. Once we had arrived, she called and asked to bring dessert over…Vanilla ice cream!!! The boys’ favorite! THANKS JOAN!

Since the boys didn’t get naps, it was time for pajamas and off to bed!

Brian and I sat around paralyzed after the days events, talked about what to do on Saturday and then headed to bed ourselves.

Tom and Joe investigating
Checking out the guys loading the luggage and filling the plane up with fuel.
Tom and Joe ready for take off.....and Peter below enjoying his cotton candy bubble gum.

Dr. Seuss 3rd Birthday Party!

2011-02-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know Peter birthday was in December, but we all know I am slow to post.

Peter's party was scheduled for Saturday December 12th, but God had other plans because we ended up getting 21 inches of snow that day! We called all the partygoers and had to reschedule for Sunday December 13th.

Peter was thrilled to have a Dr. Seuss cake and to have all of his little friends over.

My mom had drawn a picture of Dr. Seuss to play "pin the hat" on Dr. Seuss. I also had found some Dr. Seuss character bags to send home with the kids full of goodies.

The boys outside during the storm helping mom and dad shovel.
This shows how much snow we had at our front door.
Dr. Seuss hologram cake
Joe playing pin the hat on Dr. Seuss
Patrick, Joe, and Tom figuring out who is the winner.
Our niece Hailey not quite sure what to think of it all.
Peter blowing out the candles
I found these funny lip horn blowers.....the boys had a blast making a bunch of noise.
Classic Peter
Admiring his new garbage and recycling trucks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

Oh my, I am doing it again! Where does the time go?? We have a had a CrAzY past few months. It started after Thanksgiving, we threw a Surprise party for Brian's mom 17th :) Birthday at our house. Brian did an outstanding job with a song he wrote and performed for his mom.

The week following that, it seems like everyone in the house got sick and the sickness lingered through x-mas. I ended up being more busy with work due to some required learning and extra computer classes the week of Christmas!! I had also gotten the flu the Tuesday before x-mas and missed Tom and Joe's Christmas concert :( Thank goodness for video cameras! This year, I didn't get to wrapping any gifts until x-mas eve morning!! If you know me well, I usually try and get all this done ahead of time.

Christmas Eve we went to my parents house where it is always a fun time with 7 grandkids opening presents at the same time. This year was actually a lot better, the older kids listened and attempted to wait their turn to open a gift.

Christmas Day, Joe was the first one up and it was so cute to hear his giddy voice out in the living room checking out the presents Santa had left. When all the boys were awake, they got to open a few of their presents before going to mass. The rest we opened when we got back home. For dinner, we headed to Brian's parents house for Christmas dinner and more presents. It was extra fun this year, because Brian's dad handed out copies of the song "On the 12th Day of Christmas" each person in attendance had their own number and had to sing it out when it was their turn. To make things even more funny, Brian's dad gave the # "5 Golden Rings" to his 80 some year old sister. It was too cute to hear her sing that verse over and over.

Well, that sums up Christmas. I will be eventually posting our trip adventures to California. We had a Blast!

Picking out our tree from Big John's Christmas Tree Lot...a tradition we do every year!
It was super cold that night, but even lamby beared the cold to help find the perfect tree.
Joe helping place the x-mas bulbs up high.
Batman Tom helping out with the decorations as well.
Joe and Peter putting their ornaments on the tree.
Brian and the boys visiting Santa at the Golden Valley Country Club.
This is Tom being clever one day. He decided to wear his columbia fleece jacket and then wear another columbia fleece jacket on his legs to make himself look like on of Santa's elf's....Pretty Smart!
After the rest of the gang saw what Tom was doing, they all wanted in...So here they are along with my nephew, Braden, singing Christmas carols.
Joe and Tom-Best Buddies
Peter and Amazing Snow Globe....he loves the song "Silver and Bells"
Joe, Peter, Tom
Tom and Joe kiss Peter......Peter looks paralyzed by his brothers' love.
Joe decorating sugar cookies.
Tom helping roll out the dough....and yes, he is wearing Brian's old Falto bell cover as a chef's hat!
Peter deciding which sprinkles to use.
My cute little niece Hailey.
Sharing some cousin loves....Peter (Dec.), Brett (May), and Elena (March) are all 3 months apart.
Almost all 7 of them looking at the camera.
My parents with the grandkids.
Our attempt at a family photo.
Joe on Christmas morning...looking at the stuff in his stocking.
Tom excited about his new recycling boxers!!
Peter investigating his new crane from Santa.
Brian's homemade dessert.....He is an AMAZING MAN!
Brian's aunt and the rest of the family singing on the "12th day of Christmas."
Brian's parents leading the group.
Our pretty Christmas tree and all 1300+ lights. This year, I made sure to have enough electrical cords so I wouldn't have any power outages...HA! Success!

December Sun

2010-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

So, I am way behind in my postings as you can tell. Here are some pics of the boys this summer when Brian's Aunt Dee took us to the Country Club to swim....

Joe lounging poolside
Peter relaxing in the shade
Tom expressing his coolness
Tom's GQ pose
Peter swimming with the noodle
Joe enjoying the VERY HOT summer day.

Naptime

2010-11-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

This is what happened one day when I was working and Brian put Peter down for his nap and let Tom and Joe watch a quick show while leaving 2 home depot buckets out.

Tom left/Joe right
Tom "A little help please, Dad."
Joe "Me too, Dad."

Dr. Seuss at Halloween!

2010-11-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

"Oh the places we will go. Your mother won't mind at all if you do". -The Cat in the Hat

We had a Blast this Halloween! The boys decided they wanted to be Dr. Seuss characters. We decided that Peter would be The Cat in the Hat, Tom- Thing One, Joe - Thing Two, mom as Cindy Lou Who, and dad the Grinch (yep, he didn't even need a costume;) ). We also transformed their wagon into the Thing-a-ma-jigger. Mucho thanks to Brian's one semester of engineering knowledge and my decorating prowess.

Here are some Pics of the fun Halloween weekend. On Friday, Brian's Aunt invited us to a Halloween party at her Country Club. If I could only describe the looks we received as we walked in the door. All the little kids were busy running around on the dance floor then we walk in and the music might as well been off. The kids stopped dancing and gravitated towards us and then went straight for the Grinch. Brian threatened to steal all the kids candy because that would be the Grinchly thing to do. The kids all screamed no and a couple of them punched Brian straight up in his face. Brian eloquently exclaimed, "Punks!" Way to go, big boy. What a way to start a party.

The food was scrumptralescent, the non-scary hayride was entertaining, and the haunted house was amusing, although Joe would have nothing to do with it. "I'm not going in there. You're crazy!" Maybe next year.

On Sunday, we dressed up and loaded the thing-a-ma-jigger in the trunk of the van and headed to my parents house, then Brian's parents house, and home again to trick-or-treat around our neighborhood. All in all a very weekend.

Peter is asking me everyday now-"Well, what are we going to be for next Halloween?"

Peter as "The Cat in the Hat"
Tom as "Thing One" (he will readily tell you that he is #1 by 20 minutes. It's gonna be a long life Joe.)
Joe as "Thing 2"
Brian with his Aunt Dee
The Cat in the Hat sitting on the Grinch's lap.
Horrible attempt at getting them all to look at the camera....Ahhhhh
Daddy with Peter
Cindy "Whou" as Peter likes to say
The Family on a non-haunted hayride.
Adult Halloween Costume Contest WINNERS!!

The Cat in the Hat riding in his thing-a-ma-jigger
Cindy Lou's sexy legs....oh, and don't for get those fabulous shoes! HA!

Oh no, the Cat fell asleep at the wheel!

Our nephew and godchild Braden as a pirate.
Elena as a witch, Tom, Peter, Joe behind Peter, Braden and Brett

Gotta love Peters cheeks in this pic.
Baby Hailey as a witch in training.
My mom loves Halloween as well and this year she made a witch to sit on her porch to scare the poor little kids trick-or-treating. It definitely scared my kiddos.

Joe Bob

2010-10-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

So as I was driving Joe and Peter to the clinic last evening in the Jetta....we were listening to the new "Seal" CD.

I hear Joe in the back seat say, " Hey mom, can you turn the music down? People are going to think we are having a party in here."

Home Sweet Home

2010-10-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Beauty

When are they going to let me outta here?
Mom and Auntie Katie giving me a spa treatment:)

Thanks for the Prayers!!

Hailey is home as of last Saturday evening. She received her PICC line with no problems and completed her IV antibiotics. She will have to take amoxicillin for a year to prevent any more urinary tract infections and kidney infections due to some mild reflux of urine that is backing up to her right kidney.

The urologist wants to see her in a month and repeat a kidney ultrasound due to the size of infection they spotted..per my sister it was 2cm x 2cm.

YIKES!! So WE are so HAPPY she is home!!

Here are some pics of her in the hospital and then a picture of the back of my van with 5 BOYS in it. CRAZY!!

Prayer Request

2010-10-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

Molly and Hailey at cousin Juliet and Matt's Wedding August 21st, 2010.
Miss Hailey sporting her first swimsuit (August 20th 2010)
Attending her first parade August-2010.

We have a prayer request to ask of you.

Our 2 month old niece, Hailey, was admitted to the hospital last Thursday for an urinary tract infection that ended up spreading to her right kidney and then out into her bloodstream. She is on IV antibiotics and tomorrow they want to place a PICC line in her. In order to have the PICC line placed, she needs to be sedated for the procedure. The plan is she will need to be on IV antibiotics for at least 10 days :(

My sister has been staying at the hospital with her and she is VERY tired and stressed out...who wouldn't be??? Hailey had a rough day today crying and overall fussy.

Please keep Hailey, Molly, AJ, Braden and Brett in your prayers as well as the rest of the family.

XXX

2010-08-31T20:15:00.000-07:00

Yeah baby! Big Daddy V is back for this report. I know it's been long, but that's just the way it is. Pun intended. We celebrated some hot XXX action on Sunday, and by we, I mean me. 30 years old baby - XXX! If the Superbowl can do it, so can I.

Nothing special was had since we had our blowout party last year for Katie's 30th/my golden birthday. So had some grum, grum, yum, yum babidy back ribs, cooked reeeeeaaallll slow so the fat melts away and all you are left with his bovine delish-ishness, grilled cornz on the cobs with fresh chili lime butter, homemade po-tato salad, the baked beans, and home made peach cobbler. Somewhere, Paula Dean wept with joy.

The XXX nature of this post brings to light two fairly recent conversations I had with my boys that are worth sharing.

First was during a recent road trip to Chicago while the boys were watching Shrek 2 for the first time. We explained there is a new character in this one called "Puss and Boots". When the Zorro like cat appeared on the show the boys were excited and watched intently in silence until Tom eventually exclaimed, "I like Puss and Hoots". "So do I," I vehemently exclaimed. Bwahahahahahha!

Second: Tonight I was having musical instruments night with the boys and they saw my old French Horn to which the following conversation ensued:

Tom: "Dad, play your French Horn"

Joe: "Yeah, I like the French Horn"

Peter enters the room after being in partial earshot of the conversation.

Peter: "I like French Porn".

A good laugh. Yes?

Summer Flowers

2010-08-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

This year our hydrangeas and geraniums went CRAZY! Just take a look and you'll see what I mean.....

Door County

2010-08-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

So, approximately being home for a day and half from Sioux Falls, we left for Door County to help celebrate Brian's Aunt Marge's 90th Birthday! Marge has 9 children (2 sets of twins) and they had rented a beach house on Lake Michigan for the week. We had a blast! It rained the first evening we were there but the following 2 days were wonderful. The boys had fun playing at the beach, going for hikes, building forts with their cousins and roasting marshmallows:)

Peter is happily digging with his cement mixer.
Tom drawing his name in the sand.
One of Brian's cousin's husband, Tom, flew his plane up to Door County and talked us into a plane ride. Don't think that I wasn't a little afraid of leaving all my children behind with both Brian and I in a plane. Not mention that once Tom completed the takeoff, he let Brian fly the plane around the the peninsula. Once we got up in the air the view was, of course, breathtaking. Here is Brian's second cousin Wil on his FIRST plane ride!!
Wil and I in the backseat of a cessna single prop airplane getting ready for take off!
One of Peter's latest hobbies.....picking at his toes!!
Auntie Marge is helping Tom put his Veggie Tales puzzle together.
The Family out for a afternoon hike:)
Joe climbing over the rocks along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Cousin Mike, Tom & Joe playing peek a boo.
Cousin Mike, the boys and I out on the trails.
Cousin Tim playing with Peter on the beautiful beach.
This is one of my favorite pics. Piggy-toes in the sand and loving it.
Tom insisted on wearing his gloves even though his entire body was covered in sand!
Joe concentrated very hard on his sand creation.

The boys riding a carousal for the first time!
The first time riding the scrambler.
Where's Joe??? Look close and you will see him raising his hand in the air.

We had SO MUCH FUN and hope to get together with the Houlihan's again!

Sioux Falls

2010-07-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

In Mid June, Brian and I ventured to Sioux Foo for our high school friend Jim's wedding. We brought the boys with and my parents also accompanied us so they could watch them while we went to the wedding. My parents have some good ol friends from high school who live there, so it was a great times had by all!

While were at the wedding, my parents and their friends took the boys to see the first hot air balloon, the Sioux Falls Zoo and also to a park.

Here are couple of pics from the weekend....I don't think I have any too many of the boys, bc they were with my parents:)

Here's the happily married couple...Jim and Leesa!

Brian and I break'n out our moves for Prince!!

Me, Brian, Jim, Leesa, Kyle and Kim. Brian, Jim, Kyle and myself date all the way back to high school. The guys, however, went to the same grade school as well. How wonderful it is to still remain so close!

Brian and I.

My dad and mom with their high school friend Cindy and her husband Lauri. My mom always tells me that Cindy was her twin growing up.

Tom passed out 5 minutes into the car ride home.

Joe fell asleep about the same time.

Sir Peter was out in record time....probably and minute or two.

Witty Thomas

2010-07-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Setting: Grandpa and Grandma Vnaks

Scene: Front entry way. Thomas is sitting down putting on his shoes to go outside. Mom is standing up looking down on him.

Characters: Thomas and Mom

Mom: "Thomas you have to be careful with the money in your pocket because it could fall out when you are riding the hummer.

Thomas: (Very pointedly) "Mom, I understand what you are saying, BUT I need the money to pay Grandpa in order to get the hummer out of the garage!"

4th Birthday Garbagemania

2010-07-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

Garbagemania
Who would have guessed our twins would like the garbage man and their TRUCKS SO MUCH??!! (and I believe this is an understatement).
Mom-"Tom, guess what Auntie Dee thinks you are going to be when you grow up?
Tom- "What?"
Mom-"A lawyer or a politician."
Tom-"What!" "No, I am going to be a garbage man!"

Tom, Joe and now Peter all are infatuated with garbage and recycling trucks. Just ask them what the names of them are and they will list them off...Tom and Joe alternating turns..."ACE, Walters, Waste Management, Allied Waste, Waste Technology, Nitti, Violia, and my favorite....ASSSSSSSSPEN."
They can also tell you which order they come in EVERY Tuesday morning.
First it is Allied waste, then ACE, Waste Management followed by Walters rubbish and then Walter's garbage. Oh, and the recycling guy comes in the afternoon.

I pray every Tuesday that the recycling guy comes SOONER than LATER! Why???? It's always right before nap time!!:)

The boys are into helping collect the garbage throughout the house and then taking it out and putting it in the trash can. Every Monday evening is trash night at the Vnak house. The boys place the trash and recycling bins down to the street all by themselves. The neighbors walking by get a good laugh out of it b/c all they see is a moving trash can!

True Passion and contentment from waste recepticles...so simple.

As I was asking the boys what kind of birthday party they wanted, it came to me that we could throw them a garbage truck party. After a little research on the internet, I felt comfortable with the theme and the boys thought it was an AWESOME idea.

I had Brian look into calling our garbage service "Walter's". Their response was oh sure! What day and time?? They showed up on a Friday at 5:30 pm on a Holiday weekend....SUPER AWESOME!! They also brought with hats and shirts for Tom and Joe along with 24 ice cream cones.....best part....for FREE!!

I had made invites with the colors of the Walters service...green and orange...
Collection Date-May 28th, 2010
Collection Time-5:00 pm
Collection Site-The Vnak Dump
Also added to please wrap presents with newspaper or place in trash bag.

We had brown bag dinners for all the kids

I bought alligator grabbers at target to play a game it the backyard. Brian threw out a bunch of trash, recycling, and rubbish out and the kids had to pick it up with the grabber and place it in the appropriate waste bins.

My mom was super creative and made birthday hats out of newspaper and then added curly ribbon to the top of the hats.
She also drew a picture of a the garbage truck and Target bakery was able to replicate it to make and awesome Walter's truck cake.

The kids took home a small garbage truck along with a sticker that said, "I got TRASHED at Tom and Joe's 4 th Birthday Party!"

We kept the garbage truck debut a secret and the boys were a little stunned. At first they said, "it's not Tuesday...it's Friday...."

So now, on with the pics......

Did somebody say birthday? Joe left/Tom right
Here are the kids not knowing what they were waiting for.
Our niece Elena also waiting for something magical to appear.

The gang getting restless...our friend Julie got them started on the a game of red light green light.
Our nephew Brett.....standing motionless wondering what his wonderous eyes are seeing.
Peter- "What the #### is this garbage truck doing in front of my house on a Friday?"
Family pic with the very nice garbage man.
Tom left/Joe right....."so mom and dad, was this the surprise?"

Mom and Joe testing the horn.
Mom and Tom working the controls.
Here's the Walters cake! I also made the arrangement of flowers out of garbage:)
Tom left/Joe right
Here is Evan sporting the birthday hat and devouring his green frosting.

Peter also having a special moment with his frosting.
Joe showing off his green tongue.
Tom showing us how well he eats the frosting and NEVER the cake.
This is one of my recent favorites of Peter......too cute!
Thomas the garbage man!

Summer Fun!

2010-06-22T20:23:00.001-07:00

Last year if you remember for Tom and Joe's 3rd birthday we gave them these yellow hummers. For the winter we stored them at Grandma and Grandpa's house in order to put store both cars in the garage. Needless to say, they have stayed there. It is actually really nice, whenever the boys go G & G's house they can have something fun to play with. These pics are of them riding and crashing into each other....there were a lot of laughs that evening!:) When Peter rides, it is like he is king of the road...always in control and very comfortable behind the wheel. I joke with Brian about Peter some day driving Tom and Joe around town b/c T & J are so timid.
I believe that Joe is on the Left and Tom on the Right....but then again I could be wrong....they are looking more and more alike. The two of them were laughing so hard because they were running into Grandpa's bushes.
Here is Tom wearing one of "uncle" Kelly's old fire helmets. She tried to sell it in the garage sale I had, but Tom snatched it up and hasn't put it down since. The helmet must also remain in the van in case there is an emergency somewhere.
Here is jolly Peter the day of our garage sale. He was pretty content with himself, b/c his older brothers had went to their first friends b-day party and he had all the ladies giving him plenty of attention.

I have many more post in my mind, so hopefully I can get them posted soon. I hope everyone has a very Happy 4th of July!!

First Field Trip!

2010-06-02T14:31:00.001-07:00

Class Field trip to Pinehaven Farm May 2010

I believe this was Joe riding the tractor. It was also Joe that said, "I'm not feeding no stink'n farm animals!" when the lady offered the children to feed the animals.

So about 3 weeks ago, Tom and Joe had their 1st field trip! They went to the Pinehaven farm and I was able to go along as a chaperone:) It was an adventure with a school bus full of 3 and 4 year olds! Tom and Joe were SO EXCITED to ride the school bus. Here is a picture of them sitting with their friend Emme. As soon as the bus started moving, I looked over at the kids and there was Tom holding Emme's hand. It was very cute:)

After seeing the animals, playing with the tractors, sliding down the big slides, eating lunch and the bus ride home, we headed home and took a nice long nap!

The Enforcer!

2010-05-17T19:03:00.001-07:00

Don't mess with me or "I'll poke your eye out!" -Peter

Peter looks like he belongs in the IRA or could be the stunt double of the mean old lady from the Goonies!

Almost 4

2010-04-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

Joe left, Tom right (St. John the Baptist Preschool)

So this last Wednesday, Tom and Joe celebrated their 4th Birthday at Preschool. They had picked out a bunch of cupcakes at Target to bring and had gift bags to share with their friends. I decided to bring my camera to capture the day....Tom and Joe were not as thrilled with this idea. After taking a few pictures, Tom looked at me and said, "Mom, you can go now." Really! Another mom said to me, "Well next week you will be dropping him off at the corner. :)" I guess only time will tell what being 4 years old is going to bring to the Vnak house!

Easter Fun!

2010-04-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

Easter was fun this year. We went to mass at 9:30 and then had brunch and a Easter egg hunt at at Grandma & Grandpa McClanahan's. Tom is in the picture above showing us the goods he found.
Peter have a blast searching for Easter eggs.
Joe was also having a good time. Notice his bunny ears...on backwards and wearing them over his ears..Ha!
Here was our attempt at a family photo. Peter refused to remove his precious ND hat.
My mom and dad with the 6 grandkiddos.

Another shot of the kids except for Peter Rabbit.
Oh wait, there's Peter Rabbit without his bunny ears :(
Tom, Joe, and Peter helped me color Easter eggs this year. I have to admit it was fun....I can't remember the last time I had colored eggs....probably when I was a wee little girl.

After the all that fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house, it was time for an afternoon nap. For dinner, everyone came to our house and Brian out did himself with a homemade chocolate cake...very tastey.

Peter preparing for a higher calling?

2010-03-24T21:22:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday, we went to mass and after mass we were walking out of church and Peter saw us dip our finger in holy water and bless ourselves. The next thing we see is Peter dipping his whole hand in holy water and pointing to his forehead saying, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Amen!"

Fast forward to this week...we were all eating lunch on Sunday and Peter decided to dip his whole hand in orange juice saying, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Amen!"

Tom and Joe responded, "Peter, orange juice is not holy water."

"Mom, Peter thinks his orange juice is holy orange juice."

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-16T20:10:00.001-07:00

Tom and Joe wishing everyone a Happy St. Patty's day! Go IRISH!

Peter running in the parking lot of the school yesterday on his way to the park....He has all that he needs in his little hands-lamby, a pinecone, and some yummy smarties!

Our Stevie Wonder....Peter Style

2010-02-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

So we took the boys to the Children's Museum for the first time a couple of weeks ago and then to lunch at McDonald's. It appears Peter likes to sing with his eyes closed and it always happens when he is eating a meal, which happens to be a lot during the course of a day.

So here is a clip of him singing at McDonald's while eating a chicken nugget. It is hard to hear him singing, but thought you would enjoy because this is our entertainment lately.

The World of Snow Clows

2010-01-16T12:49:00.001-08:00

For one reason on another Joe calls snow "plows" snow "clows." All of us, including Peter and Tom, know this isn't right and the following conversation ensued last night:

Joe: Why do snow clows have two clows?

Dad: Joe, how many times have we been over this? It's not a snow clow, it's a snow plow.

Tom: Yeah Joe, it's a snow plow!

Joe: No, it's a snow clow.

Dad: No Joe, it's plow......Pah-lau....P...L...O...W....Plow.

Joe: No, it's clow......Cah-lau.....................X........Y.......Clow!

And with that, I conceded

Stay Classy Sir Joseph

2010-01-16T12:39:00.001-08:00

Everyday I get up with the boys first thing in the morning while I let my beloved catch some much deserved extra sleep before I head off to work. Each day starts off helping the boys go to the bathroom and I am asked, without fail, "Daddy, do you have to work today?"

"Yes, yes I do" is my answer to which the boys always appear a little disappointed, but I do qualify it with, "But on Saturday and Sunday I'll be home and we'll have lots of fun!"

Monday through Friday this conversation occurs.

Saturday arrives and Joe comes in and asks the inevitable, "Daddy, do you have to work today?".

"No Joe, I'm going to be home to play with you guys." Anticipating unbridled excitement I ask, "Does that make you happy?"

Joe responds in a very deadpan voice, "Well sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't."

Stay classy Joe, you're on a role!

The day has finally come!

2010-01-13T13:41:00.000-08:00

On January 12th, Peter got put in his crib for a time out for hitting one of his brothers over the head with garbage truck. His two cousins were over at the time, so I was watching 5 boys 3 1/2 years and younger. I was standing by his bedroom door trying to break up another argument when Peter opens the door and says "Hi!" He did it! He finally figured out how to escape his crib with the use of the rocking chair.

Today is January 13th. I lay Peter down for his nap like I usually do every afternoon then I go and put Tom and Joe down for their naps. When I am putting T & J down, I hear Peter open his door again!!! Here we are 3:46 pm and he is still awake!!

I guess it is time to move him to a big boy bed....so I've been looking at bedding on-line this afternoon in order to make the big step!

The weeks leading up to Christmas!

2009-12-27T12:52:00.001-08:00

Peter, Joe, and Tom on the ladder wanting to help decorate the tree!

Here she is in all her beauty....aka over 1300 lights....no wonder it kept blowing the fuse! Don't worry I have it all figured out for next year already. This year was the trials and tribulations of our christmas tree. It took over a week to put up due to non-working multi-colored lights from the previous years and my initial refusal to use the white lights Brian just happened to have on hand. Then we needed to buy more lights anyway because we didn't have enough, of course. Once we got the lights working, they worked for approximately 2 days when I noticed they weren't working at all....Called Brian at work crying.....he, of course, laughing. Long story short, my amazing electrician was able to fix the lights just in time for Peter's 2nd Birthday celebration.

Best Buds (Tom left, Joe right)

Tom in his GQ pose
No Nativity seen would be complete without a construction cone.

Peter and his special lamby! Never leave home without it.
We were invited to our neighbor's house to meet Santa Claus.

My little Peter Pie has officially turned 2. He is not so little anymore. He is only a pound behind T & J and not too much shorter. Tom and Joe are being great big brothers by helping him blow out his candles.

"What cake? I don't see any cake!"

"I wish for a garbage truck from Santa!" Tom

The boys helping grandma and I bake sugar cookies!

Tom and Joe starring in their first choir concert for preschool. Not so much into it.

Joe loves to be outside.

Tom and Joe's second debut singing in their Sunday school Christmas program.
Joe, Peter, and Tom after church.

The twins giving Peter lots of love!

The Evolution of Peter: Year 2

2009-12-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

On December 16th we celebrated Paeter's segundo birfday. It was crunk. Balloons, frosting eating contests, and a boat load of toys, all within two weeks before Christmas. The month of December will forever be splendid for this young lad. Actually, Peter's birfday (an intentional mispell to phonentically salute to both 50 Cent and Coach Willingham, and my high school tennis coach who always emphasized the "fuddamentals" of the game) is great from a consumers perspective as the retailers we frequent throw at us latitudes upon longitudes of great deals.

Anyhoo, this post is supposed to be about Peter, the person, the brother, the babyof the family. He continues to age like fine wine. Being the young brother of twin brothers demands a lot of Peter, and he takes charge no problem. From a parents perspective, it is both good and bad. He plays well with and commands the respect of his brothers, but also has created the expectation of being entitled and capable of everything that Tom and Joe do. Lest we not forget, Peter is 18 months the junior, so he is not as "entitled" as he expects, which adds for plenty of screaming (and not of the quiet varietal). Physically, he's 30 some pounds and only a pound or two shy of his brothers. It's not that he is a large so much as Tom and Joe are just smaller, so this keeps him physically equal to Tom and Joe. All three share the same clothes now. Peter is an angel though and still is sweet as can be. Bedtime prayers still end with "Faader, Son, Hoohie, Spurt, A-Ben!". He loves to high five and dance away. After dinner he dances the Conga and spins in circles to "ring around the rosy". As the pictures below tell, though, I postulate whether he is headed for eternal geniusness or the simpler life. Let's employ a 3 question test.

Question 1: Is he handicapped or incredibly creative?

Peg leg Peter never looked so....peg legged. But a creative use of extra X-mas light boxes nonetheless. I award one point for the ingenuity. (As a personal note, this is probably my favorite picture of the year, makes me laugh every time.)

Question 2: Peter, what do you do with a garlic press?

Hmmm, that's one Par 5 of a Garlic pod if you ask me. Simpler life here we come. (Although, the mouthful of drool almost makes me reconsider).

Question 3: What does Peter share in common with the rapper 'Lil John?

It's official, you are unanimously awarded a genius point. Game, set, match, you are a genius. Yea-yeah! It's incredibad, any yes/no question is answered in the affirmative with a guttoral "Yea-yeah!" Give it to me Ursher!

The future is bright, here is to year 3!

PS: I hope you all enjoy the foreshadowing and subjective context of this post. I did.

3 little Pigs

2009-11-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Tom, Joe, & Peter with Great Auntie Dee
Joe looking to see what goodies he has in his trick or treat bag.
Tom (The pig who built his house out of sticks).
Ding Dong! Treat or Treating at Grandma and Grandpa Vnak's house
The 3 little Pigs, the BIG BAD Wolf and little Red Riding Hood trick or treating at Grandma & Grandpa McClanahan's house.
Peter (The pig who build his house out of straw).
Showing off their carved pumpkins.

"We are so proud of our pumpkins!"

Results

2009-10-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I received a phone call from the hospital saying Peter's H1N1 culture came back NEGATIVE!!

We are gearing up for HALLOWEEN!

Stay tuned for halloween pictures...

Trip to the Hospital

2009-10-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

Passing the time by counting "donuts" with daddy.
Grandpa get me out of here!!

Tis the time for the flu season

Fa la la la la la H1N1!

H1N1, meet Peter Vnak.

On Tuesday evening around 5 pm Peter woke up from his nap with a fever of 102.9 axillary (under the arm) and coughing. I gave him a dose of ibuprofen and dropped him off at my mom's house to play while Brian and I took the Tom and Joe to their swim lesson.

After swimming we picked him up and took his temp before bed. It was 99 something. Around midnight, we went to check on the boys before going to bed ourselves and Peter was tossing and turning and had a fever again. We gave him more ibuprofen and I rocked him for a while. I noticed he was breathing faster than usual. I laid him back in his bed and set my alarm to check on him through out the night. He continued to breathe fast during the night and had intermittent coughing spells.

When he woke up in the morning, he had a temp again was breathing fast and wasn't interested in eating. Not like our Peter Pie at all!! I called the clinic and got him an appointment at 12:45 pm. Brian's dad came over and watched Tom and Joe while I took Peter to the doctor.

At the clinic his temp was back up to 102.3, and was breathing approximately 50 times a minute and retracting. The doctor walked in the room and said, "It looks like he is having some trouble breathing." I said "yes, since last night." The doctor ordered a chest xray, cbc (complete white blood count), and wanted to give him an albuterol neb to see if that would help his breathing. His oxygen saturations in the clinic were 93-94% on room air.

Let's just say Peter hated the xray machine contraption they put him in, survived the blood draw and was pooped out by the end of his neb. That is when the doctor came in and said, "he does not look good." "He's wiped out." And I say, Oh no! I hear and use these words/phrases all the time at work and they never lead to anything good.

The doctor tells me that Peter is on the fence of going home or being admitted to the hospital for observation overnight. I sit and wait while she pages the hospitalist on duty to see what he thinks. In the meantime, cbc is normal and chest xray is streaky....typical of something viral.

A little while later, she comes back in to tell me that Peter will be admitted to Children's Center 5a and he will have a private room and they would like you there by 3pm...it was 2:30 pm when she told me this.

I think to myself, "you've got to be kidding me. We are going to the same floor I work on."

So I packed Peter in the car and headed HOME first to grab all the essentials. I called the charge nurse working to let her know that we weren't going to be there at 3 pm. While home, I laid Peter down for a quick nap because I knew he wouldn't get one in the hospital and then proceeded to get Tom and Joe down for their afternoon nap.

Brian and I packed up Peter and headed to U of M Children's Hospital. We arrived around 4:45 pm to our private room for the night. Peter was placed on a continuous pulse oximeter to monitor his oxygenation saturations. Upon initial assessment, his nurse stated that he was really diminished on the left side. (meaning she couldn't hear very well in his left lobes of his lung). He was also breathing fast and retracting in a couple of different locations. His heart rate was in the 170's for most of the evening and early parts of the morning until his fever broke around 3 am on Thursday. The nurse came in to obtain a influenza A & B swab to send for culture. They also started him on tamiflu.

Brian had left around 9 pm and around 9:30, I had gotten Peter to drink 5 oz of milk prior to falling asleep. He slept for a 1/2 hour and then woke up around 10 pm coughing to the point of almost throwing up and then had some audible wheezing. He was also again breathing fast, had a high heart rate and was retracting. The nurse and doctors came to look at him and ordered a neb. They were going to talk to the attending physician on to see if they were going to start antibiotics or just wait and see.

Around 11pm, Peter says to me "mama, poopies potty." I brought him into the bathroom and he went on the potty chair!!! Respiratory therapy then came to give him his neb. Peter got the neb and his lungs sounded better after.

The rest of the night consisted of attempting to sleep next to Peter in a pull out sleeper chair because he wanted nothing to do with the crib. I or he would just doze off and then someone would come in to take vitals, give meds, recheck temp, give more meds, or receive another neb at 4 am. I will say that there was a period of time to sleep from about 4:30-7am, but I was SO OVERLY tired that it was impossible to sleep!!

Thursday was a wait and see day. His temp max was 100.2 and was still breathing fast and had a higher heart rate 140's-150's. He also wasn't too interested in drinking or eating that much.

I spent most of the day convincing him to drink. Luckily Grandma McClanahan came and brought some Yo-J and a few treats which seemed to perk him up a bit. I also ordered him a powerade for dinner and he seemed to like it. Around 8pm, the attending came in and said it was up to us if we wanted to stay another night to watch him. I/we made the decision to go home so we could all sleep in our own beds and get the rest we needed to recover for this illness. They sent us home with a neb machine just in case. We arrived home from the hospital around 10:15 pm....just in time to take a shower and hop into my own bed!! I slept from 11 pm-8am with no interruptions!!!

Brian's mom came over in the morning to help out so I could sleep longer since I hadn't slept in 2 days!

We are on the mend, I believe. The rapid results of the influenza came back negative and we won't know the results of the culture for another week maybe. Tom and Joe were started on tamiflu as well. Joe has been coughing so we will have to watch him. It's CRAZY STUFF!!

Peter was a popular guy at the hospital. All the nurses, said he is not 22 months old!! He acts so much older and he goes poopy on the potty!

It was so funny, Peter's highlights were being able to go poop and calling for his nurse to come in and flush them down the toilet. After going, he would run out shouting for the nurse. He even hollered "Hey Sunshine....poopies potty!"

So that has been our crazy week....will keep you posted on the results of his culture.

Pooping All-Star

2009-10-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Yeah, yeah!

Mr. P is a pooping all-star. Gawd, this is awesome. So, Peter is 22 months old and he has gone poop trey times and tinks twice in the last two days.

Yeah! Yeah, yeah!

Tom and Joe were three years old before they were interested in going nombre deuce on the potty and it was a group decision between them. It seemed like it took forever, but I guess the big advantage was that Peter got to watch them learn.

So, now my bro-bro is dishing it out. It's really the cutest thang ever. He grabs our hand, walks us to the pa-tay and says "Poopies".

Yeah! Yeah, yeah!

Let's hope it keeps up!

Actually, I think his timing is not ironic, nor coincidental.

Peter is ready to poop on USC!

GO IRISH!

Peter Goose

2009-10-12T21:50:00.001-07:00

So this past week Peter has become more mischievous. The safety latch had broken off the snack cupboard a couple of weeks ago and has lead to trouble ever since. Monday morning, I was drying my hair just like any other morning when Tom and Joe come running into the bathroom screaming "EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY.....PETER POURED OATMEAL OATS ALL OVER THE KITCHEN FLOOR!!" Sure enough, I got into the kitchen and there is oatmeal poured into a large bowl as well as all over the floor. Ahhhhhhh!

Tuesday it was puffs that spilt all over the floor.

On Friday, Peter broke a record of how many things he could get himself into. It started early in the morning when I was busy picking out the boys clothes....I again heard Tom and Joe "EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY PETER IS MARKING UP OUR DUMP TRUCKS WITH MARKER!" Somehow, my little guy had gotten into my bin where I keep my work pens and id badge. He had gotten a hold of my black sharpie! Before I could stop him, he had definitely marked up T and J's trucks pretty well. AHHHHHH!

Mid morning the adventures continue. I was trying some pants on Tom and Joe to see if they fit or if I needed to return and get a different size. Peter was pretty quiet....so I called his name. He eventually shows up in Tom & Joe's room with the maple syrup bottle open, all over his clothes and hands. I then go into the kitchen and he had smeared it ALL OVER my kitchen floor!!!!! Double AHHHHHHHH!

Late morning more fun. I was helping my sister get her boys shoes on because they were getting ready to leave and I look up at the kitchen sink. Peter had crawled up on the stool and had hand soap ALL OVER himself, the stool and the floor. Enough right?

Then in the early evening hours when Brian was on his way home, I was in the bathroom trying to get ready to go out, when Brian comes in asking....."Is Peter suppose to have a sucker?"

Ah no. He was back sitting on the stool eating a sucker while trying to surf the internet.

Needless to say this little man keeps us on our toes. He is almost 22 months old already! Today he asked me if he could sit on the big potty. So I put him on the big potty and walked into our bedroom for a minute and I heard a ker-plunk....I run back in to the bathroom "Peter did you to Poop?" "No"....I walk out again. Ker-plunk! I told Tom and Joe to come in and ask Peter if he went poop. Tom and Joe attempted to look in the toilet and they said " I can't see any poop, but I smell it." By the time I went back in to get him off the potty, he had flushed the evidence. Peter went poop on the potty!! Tom was quick to get him 2 "meenuts" peanut m&m's. Way to go buddy!!

More Pics from ND

2009-10-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here is our Peter running to the van with his cookies in hand!
Joe, Peter, and Tom sitting on a ledge near some dorms on campus.
Peter and the rock!
Peter dishing out the cookies to his big brothers. Who do you think is running the show?

Joe, Peter, and Tom playing in the fountain
The guys playing their own version of football
Tom and Joe with dad watching the band march by.
Tailgating crew
Joe enjoying Angelo's homemade sausages and sipping on a juice box
Tom chillin' in his chair while eating a delicious honey crisp apple
Peter devouring his apple while chillin' in his chair
Men's club
Hi, Grandma and Grandpa
Go long!

Trip to ND

2009-09-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Brian and I packed up the family and headed down to St. Charles, IL to stay with my Aunt and Uncle on Thursday night. It was a lot of fun. They have a little dog now, which the boys loved playing with. Whenever we visit them, we usually have our tradition of going to portillo's for yummy chicago dogs and french fries with melted cheese!! Sounds healthy, I know. After dinner we headed back for a bedtime snack of homemade peanut butter bars with hershey kisses on top....very tasty!

On Friday, we woke up to special animal pancakes! Then the boys were appropriately dressed for the ND atmosphere and we set off for the fun adventures that would await us. Once we arrived in South Bend, we ate lunch at King Gyro's...one of Brian's favorite places to eat in college. After lunch, we headed to campus.

We had talked up our trip to ND for weeks prior and the boys were thrilled when they could FINALLY see the Golden Dome!!

Brian had a lot of fun reminding the boys where all the important buildings were on campus. The stadium was open to the public so we took the boys down the tunnel and they got to see the football field and pose for a picture. Then we headed to the bookstore to, of course, buy some new ND clothes for T and J. After the bookstore, it was off to the golden dome to watch the marching band. Tom and Joe were naming all the instruments as they marched by....I must say they were pretty good at it.

After rehearsal, we ate dinner at an Italian restaurant with 6 adults and 6 kids (2 sets of twins) all 3 years and younger!! It was great to see Julia, Jason, and Eli again.

We lucked out on a hotel room Friday night. We had received a free night stay in a Holiday Inn and Brian was able to get us a room in Mishawaka.

On Saturday, we headed over to Angelo's tailgate. It was a lot of fun! I do have to admit, not as much fun in previous years because I was the ONLY female for at least the first hour. Of course, the food and drinks were spectacular and the boys had fun relaxing in their own size tailgating chairs eating their goods.

After watching the band march to the stadium, we headed back to chicago to watch the game with our friends Nick and Jess. Good times had by all there....good food, good drinks, good friends.

I'll post more pics on the next blog!

Favorite blankie for sale!

2009-09-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

The inconcievable happened tonight. As you may (or may not) have surmised from previous pictures, Tom and Joe each have blankies that they are attached to. Ever since they were little they had these blankies, and they are mucho importante. Tom has a little 12" square tiger blankie, and a bigger 3 foot by 4 foot dark blue blankie. Joe has a 12" square soft blankie and a 3 x 4 foot light green soft blankie.

At bedtime, these blankies are of utmost importance. But tonight Joe did not have his larger blankie on his bed.

"Joe, here is your blankie" as I handed it to him.

"I don't want it!" he responded.

"What do you mean you don't want it, it's your favorite blankie?" I asked.

"Nope, I sold it to Tom" he firmly stated.

"What do you mean sold it?" I bemusedly asked.

"For five bucks (said in a tone of voice where he felt he got a really good deal)."

Then he proceeded to give Tom a hard time that he deserved one of his blankets. Tom was reluctant, but eventually surprised us by giving Joe his larger dark blue blankie. And all was happy.

Ridiculous, especially given the wars and tears we've witnessed in the past over these items.

In other news tonight, Joe informed Mamma that he didn't want to sit on her lap tonight because she smelled. And he also told me while I was bending over that I had a big butt. Very entertaining.

As far as Peter is concerned, the youngest is doing quite well. As he approaches 21 months old his vocab continues to expand crazilishisly. It is so fun to watch as every day something new is rattled off. My personal favorite, though, is one of the first words that Peter learned was the word goose. It started long ago when he was young and to this day, one of his nicknames is "Goose". But whenever he sees geese or a goose, he says "Goosies". But he doesn't say it that simple. It's as if he's half Peter, half Adam Sandler and it as follows: the "Goo" is said at a real high pitch, and then finishes it off sounding like "Goothsies". It is the most adorable thing ever. Everyday, I must ask him to say it a dozen times because it puts such a smileo on my face. Oh yeah, and unlike Tom and Joe, Peter is definitely our "Why?" child. I'll try to catch this on video.

Oh yeah, and in light of a stomach wrenching performance against MeatChicken this past Saturday, there was one bright moment, at the end of the fight song, Peter has learned to say, "Irish!". This video somewhat captures it. Enjoy.

For those of you who have followed this blog you are getting old and here is the proof. Tomorrow is Tom and Joe's first day of preschool. Doesn't it seem like yesterday that all we did was blog about getting up six times during the night and changing 30 diapers a day? Wasn't it special when Tom and Joe moved to big boy beds. And then Bam. They are 3 and a half and going to preschool. Two days a week for 2.5 hours a shot. It will be great for them. It's time to the unleash the pack.

Oh yeah, and we went to the State Fair. One of the highlights: lunch. When we go to the fair we usually buy one of an item and then all share and move on. But when it came to the Pronto Pups (Corn Dogs), that would not suffice. I bought one, Tom claimed it and refused to share, so I bought another and Joe wanted it, so then I bought another and Peter exclaimed, "Mine!". Anyway, here are the pics. Peter took it to the house.

Lounging at the pool today for one of our few 80 degree days this year:

Off to ND this weekend, boys are pumped and so is Daddy. Go IRISH! CRUSH MSU!

4th of July!

2009-08-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know we are behind so what's new?!

4th of July was awesome this year!! We always have the tradition of going to my aunt and uncle's lake house. This year, there was a lot of family from out of town that were able to come. The fun begins with decorating the boats for the boat parade. This year instead of one boat there were two. The pictures tell the story better. One boat was titled the "best catch". It involved my uncle as a fisherman who had caught 3 manly mermaids. see picture. Then the big boat was "Diana Ross and the Supreme's Court" Can you all guess who Diana Ross was?

Peter had the chance to stand next to Diana before the parade started.

All of the kids went on the boat while the great aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas kept an eye on the babies.

We sung the song "Stop in the name of the law, before you go to jail....think it over!"

After the parade, it was time to eat and play in the water!

The "kids" went water tubing after dinner. It was a lot of fun! My sister, Molly, and I went on together and it was the first time for both of us. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to prove it. I haven't had that much water up my nose since I was taking swim lessons at the age of 7.

After all the outdoor activities, we headed inside for the live entertainment. Brian's mom and dad brought sheet music this year and we sang a bunch of Patriotic songs to help us appreciate and commemorate all who have given their lives to make us FREE!

Enjoy the pics!

Finally....Peter's first hair cut!

2009-08-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Peter received his first REAL haircut when he was 18 months old!

Bye Bye Baby....Hello Mr. Toddler!

It's Potty Time! It's Potty Time!

2009-07-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

Tom running free in his new underpants!

Joe proudly pulling up his new underpants!

Tom and Joe are for the most part POTTY TRAINED!!!! I never thought the day would come! Life is sooooo much easier now! Underwear by day and pull-up by night! M & M peanuts for tinkles and a starbursts for POOP! It is a family affair when one of them POOPS! We all have to go and look at it (even Peter). Peter then flushes the toilet while waving and saying, ""bye bye poop!"

I must go back a ways and explain how this day has finally come. Tom and Joe are infatuated with the garbage truck and recycling truck that come by EVERY Tuesday. Infatuated. INFATUATED! Every Monday evening, they help Brian gather all the trash in the house along with the recycling and then place it out on the curb for the next morning.

It had got to a point where we had tried EVERYTHING to get them to go POOPS on the potty, EXCEPT for calling the garbage man! Brian came home from work one Tuesday and told Tom and Joe that he had received a phone call from the garbage man at work today. The garbage man told Daddy that he was disgusted with having to drive around all day with Tom and Joe's poopie diapers stinking up his garbage truck. "Tom and Joe need to start going poops on the potty!" the garbage man adamantly reviled to Daddy.

The boys pondered on this incident and within a day or two I received a phone call at work from Joe stating he had gone POOPS on the potty! Then Tom got on the phone to tell me he had gone on the potty too! I just about dropped the phone! HURRAH!! Oh who would be so excited for someone to go on the toilet??!! ME.

Thank you garbage man and thank you Daddy for coming up with the clever idea!

Questions of the day

2009-07-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

As I was laying with the boys prior to nap time, I was telling them when they woke up we were going to church to see daddy play the piano.

Joe preceded to ask me these 2 questions:

"Mom, is there a bathroom in the church?"
"Yes Joe, there is a bathroom in church."

AND

"Mom, do priests wear underwear?"

(Long Pause)

"Yes, yes they do."

ESL

2009-07-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

Joe
"Tom what language do you speak? Do you speak English?
Tom
"No, Pig Latin."

More Birthday Pics

2009-07-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

Tom and Joe requested a Thomas the Train cake from Target with LOTS of frosting! So here is the cake along with some other fun pics from the party!

Tom is on the left and Joe on the right! There were 9 kids that were 3 and under!! Loud, Crazy, and Chaotic.....Just the way we like it at the Vnak house!

We can't believe Tom and Joe are 3!! Where has the time gone!

Favorites for Tom and Joe include:

Places to go...Target and Home Depot

Foods they both like to eat...Grandma Vnak's homemade meatballs, hot dogs, mac n cheese, corn on the cob, frozen waffles, cold cereal, and cherries!

Joe: ice cream, peaches, raspberries and pineapple

Tom: yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, apples

Hmmm....I think we need to work on the veggies a little more.

Things they enjoy....
Going to the playground
Going on stroller rides and adventures with Grandpa Vnak
Playing with their cousins
Going for car rides and driving by the school buses and the fire station.
Helping pick up the rubbish in the yard and putting it in the garbage
Watching the garbage trucks and recycling trucks EVERY tuesday!
Watching Handy Manny and Imagination Movers in the morning
Playing with their Thomas the trains

Tom and Joe mom and dad are so proud of you and love you so much!!!

Sorry for the layout....I am still getting used to posting.

Purple Plate

2009-07-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

Tom and Joe deeply covet a cheap plastic plate. They both have to have it to eat on. I though we got over fighting over it as they decided eventually to take turns.

Then all of sudden, about a week ago, they started "reserving" it by stating, "Thomas, the purple plate is spoken for".

And then Tom has a fit (said in a fake cry whiny voice), "Momma, Joseph said the purple plate is spoken for. Waa, waa".

"Yep, I've spoken for the purple plate Thomas. You can't have it."

"Daddy, Joseph said the purple plate is spoken for".

The end of the world as they know it, indeed.

Happy Daddy Day!

2009-06-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all you wonderful Daddy's out there!!
On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day at our house with hot turkey sandwiches, baked beans, fruit, and some yummy dessert. Dad's are so wonderful....Brian took the boys to church in the morning and then baked the turkey while I was at work. Uncle Keith made the yummy brownie's featured in the picture.

After dinner, we attempted to capture a picture of all the Dad's with their offspring. Pretty typical picture these days...no one smiling except for the adults and not everyone looking at the camera at the same time. I guess we are lucky we were able to get them all in the picture. AJ is on the left with Braden and Brett, Keith is in the middle with Elena and Brian is on the right with Tom in the front, Peter and Joe on his lap.

This last picture includes the Grandpa's....Grandpa McClanahan is on the left and Grandpa Vnak is in the middle. We love you grandpa's!!!!!

Oh my Darlin! Oh my Darlin!

2009-06-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Oh my Darlin Clementine......you were lost and gone forever....Oh my Darlin Clementine!!

Over and over and over again!!

All aboard.....Tom and Joe are 3!!!

2009-06-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well, 3 years are under the belt....the little abu dabis (pronounced ah-boo dah bees for all you non middle eastern folk) are tree years old. THe party was fantastic, food was great, and the boys were in good moods. Pictures to follow. But why picture when we can video? Katie and I ended up giving T&J (and P indirectly) little electric motorized cars for their birthdays. What Vnak? You mean you're embracing BH Oblama's green initiative? (insert Wanda Sykes saying, "Heellllll no!") T&J will proudly be driving their electric guzzlin' hummers round the neighborhood. Last fall we are able to pick these up on craigslist for a ridiculously low price. They are an excessive unnecessary gift, but the price was too good to pass up. And boy are they an accident waiting to happen. See, problem is, T&J can bearly drive things and who wants to drive them most of all? Master P. It shall be interesting.

Anyway, watch the video, it is funny for numerous reasons:

1. Braden comes speeding out like a bullet, with no acknowledgement of vehicles.
2. Listen to Joe stop mid sentence "Whoa!"
3. Watch Peter bee line for a seat.
4. Watch our friend Evan come waddling in at the end.
5. And finally, why the hell do I sound like Ross the Intern?

Locked In or Locked Out...

2009-05-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

Depends on your perspective.

After lunch, I was cleaning up the kitchen and noticed that Joe went into my bedroom and shut the door. I continued about my business for a few minutes thinking he was going to come out.

He did not.

I went to the door and told him to unlock the door and come out. He ignored my request saying he was pooping and that he wasn't in there. Since he wasn't going to open the door, I picked up Peter who also had poops, and went to change him. When I came out, I again went to the door this time raising my voice...JOE OPEN THE DOOR!!

But there was no answer. Now, I get kinda nervous because he is not answering. The possibilities are endless...what is he doing in there? What is getting into? Why won't he open the door? I tried taking the door handle off, but the lock wouldn't pop. So I call my sister who calls her husband (Keith), who's a police officer, to help me out.

He shows up and gets it unlocked right away. Phew! Lo and behold, Joe had fallen asleep on the floor with poop in his pants!

What to do next??? Joe is asleep on my bedroom floor with poop in his pants, Tom needs a nap and so does Peter. So I decided to lay Peter down first while Tom is watching the cooking channel. While I am giving Peter a bottle, I hear a door close. I think to myself......NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Tom closed the door. I know he closed the door. Please say he didn't close the door. I lay Peter down and come out to find the door closed. What can I do but burst into tears? Keith had already left. I sit and cry for about 2 minutes and then tell Tom it is time for a nap. I lay him down and think what to do? I didn't want to try and open the door while Joe was sleeping. So I went and cleaned until Joe wakes up with the remaining door handle in his hand saying, "What happened to this?" So I asked him the same question and he told me that he had locked the door and that he shouldn't have and done it. He then apologized.

AAAHHH what a day! Joe, this post is for you buddy!! I love you!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States

2009-05-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

Brian: Do you guys know who the first president of the United States was?

Joe: No.

Brian: His name was George Washington. Can you say George Washington?

Joe: George Washington

Brian: Ok, so who was the first president of the United States?

(pause)

Joe: I was.

Tom: Yeah, and me too!

Happy Dance!

2009-04-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

In the last two weeks Tom and Joe have been working on some swiggity sweet dance moves. Ladies, get your Beyonce butts ready for the T&J Happy Dance. Check it!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter! I was suppose to work on Easter, but was able to get "time back" aka didn't have to work due to low census. So we got all gussied up and headed to church...ON TIME!! This is a miracle in and of itself. After church, we headed to my parents house for lunch, easter egg hunt, and just some quality family time.

Joe-Bob posing like a politician

Peter Rabbit gearing up for the Easter bunny! Look at those 2 front teeth!

Peter and his buddy Evan sharing some snacks together....Peter's bindi is from falling head first on the driveway. It was his first time walking on uneven ground.

The weather is finally showing us signs of spring and we are taking full advantage of it. Grandpa Vnak has been taking the boys on adventures in the mornings and even Peter has been invited on some of these outings.
Peter loves to be outside!! He loves dogs lately. We have never seen a kid so excited to see a dog before. He yells...."A Da, A Da!!"
Tom and Joe love to call Grandpa in the morning and ask him to bring a crustard donut with chocolate frosting on top. They enjoy building detailed car washes and playing with their Thomas the train boxcars.

Tax season is over and Brian took a few days off to spend with family. He is working on a post and I will post some pics of when Grandpa Vnak and the boys to Mamma and Daddy on one of their adventures. Stay Tuned.

Contemplating Life with Tom and Joe

2009-02-21T19:08:00.000-08:00

Lunchtime conversation:

Tom: Uncle Keith has big black dog.

Joe: Kyle and Kim have two dogs. They live inside.

Tom: We don't have a dog.

Joe: No, just Peter.

The 1st Inaugural Ball!

2009-01-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

I'm broadcasting live from the Neighborhood inaugural ball!

Seriously.

Apparantly Super Jesus is not a super dancer.

But at least Beyonce was Beyoncerific!

Smart Tom

2009-01-17T20:44:00.000-08:00

Katie had a really long day at work today and called to let us know that she would be late, so I told the boys, "Momma's stuck at work."

Tom responded, "Daddy, we better call a tow truck!"

Brilliant!