RUNNING!

Who Likes to RUN?

In my entire life, I NEVER have liked running.  I would NEVER consider it FUN or ENJOYABLE. It was something I had to do when playing sports in school....soccer and basketball.  When I was little, I had asthma and allergies so bad I didn't even want to go outside and play.

Well, after 3 kids and approaching advanced maternal age, I have started RUNNING....in fact 3 times this week for FUN and ENJOYMENT!  I am joined by my younger sister Molly and her friend Maura.   Between the 3 of us-we have 8 KIDS!!

Who knows how long our running binge will last, but for now we are committed and eager.

Cheers!

Peter's Quote of the day

Did somebody say disco?  It's ice cream time!!

Gone are the days of preschool for Tom and Joe!

 Gone are the days of preschool...I still don't know where the time goes....my twin babies are going to be 6 years old....they reminded me this morning it's only 4 days until their birthday!!

 An attempt 3 years ago to capture the first day of preschool. Pic of Joe below hanging up his backpack!

Joe and Tom with their teacher Miss Maryann!  The boys learned a lot and loved being in her class.

Joe and Tom again.....wow what a difference 3 years make....they cooperated for the picture:)

Here the boys are with their friend Ava on the last day of school!

Spring 2012

It has been a busy spring thus far......

-Tom and Joe learned how to ride their bikes WITHOUT training wheels!!

- Brian took an ambulance ride to the hospital after passing out at home. It is a very long story....but he has had multiple doctor's appointments with more to come....but we think it is just his thyroid...yay for synthroid!

-I have increased my number of hours at the hospital and the house chores are suffering:(.

-Peter just finished his 1st year of preschool and is already looking forward to next year!

-The boys have been in swim, basketball, and tennis lessons.

-T, J, and P have been obsessed with Gotye and have been having "band rehearsal" right outside our bedroom door at 7 am!!

-Tom and Joe will be turning 6 in a 2 weeks!

 Tom drawing people on his hands.

 The boys bringing us breakfast in bed!

 Peter hanging out with our godchild Miss Lucy!

 Joe being the perfect patient at the dentist!

 Peter loving his tub time!

 On a hike with Grandpa McClanahan down by the river

 Kids at Easter

 The boys checking out their easter bunny goods.

 Joe hunting for eggs!

 Best FRIENDS! And below is Mr. Stud all dapper in his polo apparel.

-We are looking forward to a FUN summer playing with friends and going on vacation!!

Favorite Song

Tom, Joe and Peter's Song pic of the Week:

Gotye......over and over and over and over!!

Tom also learned how to whistle......watch out ladies!!

Thunderstorms

Quote of the Day:

"Did you know that isolated thunderstorms make ice." -Peter

Christmas and lack of Winter

Okay, so I'm like 4 months behind, but who is really counting? The last time I posted was Peter's party and then I promised to post x-mas pics. So this post is about our wonderful Christmas and lack of winter in Minnesota this year. We will start with NO SNOW at Christmas.....I don't remember the last time that has happened. The month of December was celebrated with 2 different x-mas parties with Santa, 2 x-mas concerts and the remainder filled with family and friends.....just the way we like it. The boys received an early x-mas present from Santa...."The Elf on the Shelf." The boys named him Henry-Jack and at first they were VERY skeptical, but by the time they had to say good-bye until next year, they were quite sad to see him go. We headed to our favorite tree lot "BIG John's" and spotted our favorite tree, but decided to keep browsing, when another family snatched up our perfect tree :(.......don't worry, we found another perfect tree. The boys helped us out with their fine decorating skills and the tree was beautiful. T, J, and P also made some pretty sweet gingerbread houses with Green Grandma one afternoon. The boys and I made some awesome sugar cookies this year thanks to Lisa Cronk's family recipe :) Thanks Lisa.......the cookies were so tasty, the boys gobbled them up as if they were a bunch of ravaging turkeys ;).

We spent Christmas eve at my parents house and Christmas day with Brian's family. I will leave out the part where I sprained my ankle on Christmas day carrying Peter out to the car b/c he was in his jammies:(.

We brought in the New Year playing scrabble......pretty boring, I know, but when you have kids that's the way life is.

The boys have been busy taking Karate, soccer, and swimming this past fall and winter.

Brian's dad and I have taken the boys up to Wild Mountain to take skiing lessons a few times and they LOVED IT. Tom and Joe say Peter only has one speed.......FAST!

So, that's all I have for now......enjoy the pics.

January 5th 2012-boys go skiing for the first time at Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls.

Peter the skiing pro.
Peter drinking milk out if his silly glasses Auntie Renee and Uncle Ric gave them.
How did Santa know I LOVE TIC TACS!
Peter the elf.
An attempt at getting all 7 kids in 1 pic at the same time.
T, P, & J
Joe and Tom as shepards in the Sunday School concert.
Santa came to visit again at our neighbor's house, so they were able to tell him what they wanted for christmas.......can u guess what they wanted????? GARBAGE TRUCKS
Gingerbread houses created and designed by the Vnak boys under the direction of Green Grandma.
Chef Joseph, Chef Peter, and Chef Thomas orchestrating the marvelous makings of sugar cooks.
Henry-Jack eating peanut butter cooks by the fireplace. He also had managed to get a glass of milk to go with his cookies.
Here is the almost perfect tree.....remember the another family spotted ours and swiped it.

Here is Auntie Dee with our boys and Brian's cousin Kate's girls at the Golden Valley Christmas party.

Peter's 4th Birthday!

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

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

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.