The Dog Ate My Homework

"The dog ate my homework" and you thought it was just an excuse... no these things REALLY happen people!!!!


On another note- just a reminder that kids don't miss a thing. I picked up Brody from preschool yesterday, he climbed in the car and said, "mom we have a new President, he lives in the White House. That White House has a hundred rooms, even a bowling alley and a movie theater!!! Me- "Oh man!! Maybe we should live in the White House!! Brody- "No, only the President"

When we got home I opened his backpack and pulled out the Weekly Reader, the things he tells me are true. Kids are smart!

Scrapbooking- I've gone digital

Picture this...Braiden looking through his scrapbook, Brody sitting by his side. Then Brody says, "Mom where's MY book?" ahhhh! "UM Brody, I still have to make yours."

When Brody was born we bought a digital camera and since then I can count on two hands the number of pictures I have printed off. Well for the past year I have been wanting to get into digital scrapbooking but I was hesitant to tackle photoshop, the very words "photoshop" scare me. Well in about October-ish LeeLou blogs did a spotlight on Memory Mixer ( digital scrapbooking software ) and I started looking into it. Well I looked into it and I liked what I saw. I told Nate that was the one and only thing I really wanted for Christmas, and being the sweet hubby that he is...

Last Friday I installed it on my computer. Let me just tell you that I am LOVING it!!!! So I have been spending all of my computer time on the scrapbook and not on the blog. :) Oh and the first item on the agenda... "Brody's Book" I have done about 15 pages, I am amazed at how easy the program is to use. The pages are still just as time consuming, but it is WAY less messy and WAY less expensive than traditional scrapbooking.

Here are a few that I have done...

Baby's First Birthday

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

What is it with dogs and shoes??

This is Ivy's favorite past time. She loves to run into our closet and drag out a shoe, but her favorite for some reason are my furry slippers. She has grown so much since Christmas, she has gained three pounds already!! She is now able to get out of the little barracade that we made, usually she stays put, but if she wants out bad enough...
I wonder if I am teaching her anything because she is so hyper, I don't know if anything is getting through. She did bring the ball back to Nate 3 times last night but then after that she just wanted to wrestle. I think she knows that if she goes near the baby she will get in trouble, but if I'm not around...
Who knows it a work in progress.

It's a GIRL!!!

Looky what Santa left at our house:


We would like you to meet Ivy our cute little yellow lab




The kids had no idea they would be getting a puppy for Christmas so it was quite a surprise! Nate was sitting in the chair with Ivy on his lap, when the kids came out to see what Santa had brought them they walked right by and didn't even see the puppy. Nate had to say, "hey you guys look what Santa left at our house." Then came the jumping up and down. They were pretty excited!

I think I got about 2 hours of sleep on Christmas Eve. It was a combination of, trying to keep a whiny puppy quiet so the kids won't hear, Hudson, and my own excitement for the kids to see what Santa brought.




Christmas morning fun.





Hudson gets a kick out of his Tickle me Elmo, and The Shake and Go Crash-ups Speedway is tons of fun.

We went out to my mom's for Christmas dinner and it was one to remember. What can happen on a windy, snowy day in the country. A power outage. Power outage =no heat, no water, no lights. Luckily the power went out after the potatoes and ham were cooked, but before the rolls were cooked. Luckily we are neighbors with the Poteets who let us come over and borrow their oven (and their power) Dinner was delicious and the fire was warm. What a wonderful day!!

So I guess my days and weeks will now be filled with keeping one eye on the dog at all times, and saving the baby from the dog and the dog from the baby. She is a really good puppy though, as far as puppies go. She has settled right in to our family and she loves Braiden, and Braiden loves her. After the kids have gone to bed I have found her curled up in Braidens coat, Brody's coat, in Braiden's coat that is in the car seat, silly puppy! She must like us.

Happy Birthday Scott!

On Saturday was my brother Scott's birthday. We went out for pizza with not all but a good portion of the family it was fun, he loves his birthday. We are so lucky to have Scott as a part of our family, we love him.





Cousins (some of us)


Sarah and Jerica showing off their cute tummies.




After pizza and birthday cake we all went to the movie, it is tradition to go to the movie on Scott's birthday. We went to see Marley and Me (how fitting :) ) it was a tear jerker, I don't think there was a single dry eye in the place, including my dad and Nate. (don't tell them I told you ;o) )

Santa Comes to the Catmull Christmas Party

Every year the Catmull family has a big Christmas party where there is always lots of food, a hilarious white elephant gift exchange for the adults, and a visit from Santa for the kids. Santa, being the jolly old elf that he is, usually brings the big brown bag filled with toys as an "appetizer" lets say. The kids anxiously gather around his feet waiting for him to call their name to sit on his lap, recite their wish lists and receive a little gift.

Braiden's turn:


Brody's turn:

He is saying, "I'm 4!"

Hudson's turn:

Birthday Party

Well I have been in Slackerville this week, so I am just getting around to posting about Brody's birthday party.

We had a yummy ham dinner with grandpas, grandmas, uncle Scott and Great Grandma Ranae when we got home from church on Sunday. After dinner we let him open his presents, FINALLY! He started asking on Friday if he could open his presents, it was torture for the poor little guy.




He was so excited about the "Hulk punchers" ummmm yeah! What was I THINKING!!

Helmet Heroes Police Officer


He wanted a Batman cake for his birthday.





After we ordered the cake on Friday (yes, I said "ordered" I did not make this cake, told you, I have been in Slackerville. :) ) Anyway after we ordered it he was so upset that we could not take it home with us. But after I explained that they had to write his name on it he was OK. He is not quite grasping the concept of time, especially when cake and presents are involved!!

He also got to take batman cupcakes to preschool on Monday. He has been so excited about this, he has asked every preschool day all month if it was his turn to take treats.

He had a great birthday!




Handsome little devil.

My 4 Year Old Boy

Happy Birthday Brody!!!

We love you!!

Four years ago...


Three years ago...


Two years ago...


One year ago...




4 Things you love:
1. Playing with Braiden.
2. Sports.
3. Chicken Nuggets.
4. Riding bikes with grandpa, but anything with grandpa will do.

4 Things we love about YOU:

1. How you always want to play ball.
2. The way you watch out for Hudson.
3. Your "mad" face, we get to see it quite a lot, it's pretty funny.
4. When you don't have your mad face on, you are such a sweet boy.

The funny little things you say to make your mom laugh.
I love it when you get excited, like when we were decorating the tree, you were so excited and happy. Until one of the balls you were putting on the tree fell and broke, then we got to see your "mad" face. When we plugged in the lights you said, "WOW now Santa Clause will be able to see."

We love you Brody-ody

Raggamuffin Garland

I saw this idea on the Nesters blog, if you've never visited her before you must, she is awesome!! I thought it would be a great way to dress up the changing table hutch. Love it!!