The calm before the storm

Lately I've been feeling like I am forgetting something almost every day. I check my calendar...nothing there. I check my phone calendar...not there either. I find myself laughing because in about 4 years this is the first time The Winchesters have found themselves NOT BUSY!!! Holy cow. I never thought just taking a break from basketball for one session could give us this much free time. My kitchen is almost always clean. My room...same thing. I have even cleaned out Stella's room. Organized what stores I will be shopping at for Christmas, black Friday deals, etc... I have my meal planned for the Christmas dinner at our house. For the first time in about 9 years I feel somewhat organized. WHOA WHOA WHOA>...hold your horses...let's not get ahead of ourselves...Let me rephrase that to make it more accurate. I feel more organized then I ever have... Whew. Now that I cleared that up. I know it's just a matter of a week and all this extra time will soon just be a heavenly memory and was also just a glimpse of what life will be like in less then 18 years.

Let us reflect on those things that people without children take for granted:

Long showers

Adult conversation

Plans that don't involve a mouse named Chuckee or a monkey named Joe

Pretty underwear

Socks without holes

A good nights sleep (what's that???)

sick days

shaved legs

Lastly,

That man that you take turns with carting kids around, changing diapers, giving baths,etc etc etc...well, he actually has a name, a personality, life goals, and loves you with all his heart! ....SIGH!


We all need breaks like this to remind us of why we are who we are and why we chose who and what we chose. I love my children. I have been able to spend some much needed alone time with each one and I remembered that uniqueness in each one. Those special quirks each one has. Here is what I have learned

No one can make me think so hard about something like Riley can
No one can melt my heart like Stella does
And no one can make me laugh as hard as Drake can.

Oh and that guy I live with...

Well, he is the best husband, provider, father, and friend anyone could ever ask for. He & my 3 little miracles are what makes this all worth doing. During this season of thanks...I am thankful for those 4 people who have changed my life and most of all I am thankful to God for blessing me with such gifts.

The Scary, The Beautiful, & The Cute

We had another wonderful Halloween. Riley was once again down to the last minute picking out his costume. Not one of my favorite choices but he liked it. Stella was a Disney Princess for the 3rd year in a row (She has been Little Mermaid, Belle, & now Sleeping Beauty). She wore the dress she bought at Disney World when we went in March. Drake was Tigger and I was sooooo excited that, even though the costume is meant for a 6 month old, he was tiny enough to wear it. Now all 3 of my kids have worn it. I love that. This was the first year we were able to walk with friends, The Rhodes! They took like Elizabeth out for her first Halloween with us. She was such a cute ladybug.

Gymnastics

Stella started another session of gymnastics a couple weeks ago. She is in Level 2 and I can already tell a difference after only 2 weeks. Her cartwheels and handstands are getting so much better. She is really doing wonderful! I hope she continues to enjoy gymnastics because I really enjoy watching her. This is something I never did and always wished I had. I still don't know how to do a cartwheel. haha!

A couple days late

One my Jill's had her 28th birthday on Monday!!! Jill Keys is now as old as us other 2:) Happy Birthday Jill and I hope you had a fabulous day:) LOVE YOU!!!

Here is something to look forward to. Only 2 more years!!!!

October Birthday Celebrations

We have a lot of family/friends with October birthdays and we got to celebrate with most of them. We invited my brother-in-law,Tom and his fiance, Brittany over for dinner and dessert for their birthdays. Both were born in October. Tom turned 27 and Britt turned 22. We had tacos and fajitas and lots of cookies! We had a great time and always enjoy their company!



Next came one of my best friends, Jill's birthday. We didn't get to celebrate together but I think she had a great 28th. Only 2 more years until our couples trip to Jamaica to celebrate our 30th's. WOOHOO!


Late October brings My sister-in-law, Juleen's birthday (who turned 22)! Happy Birhday, Jubi!!! Then the day after is my Mom's (she wouldn't appreciate me telling her age) and my sister, Meghan's! Meghan turned 34 but she still looks 25!!! I was able to celebrate with my mom & Meghan. The whole family (minus a few) met in Indy at PF Changs. We had lots of good food & yummy desserts and a whole lot of fun:)

Random Photos of Drake (13 months)

Our Little Spider

He wants to be just like his Daddy!


First Trip to BW3's

Now that Riley's football season is over, I figured I better post some pictures. Riley's team didn't win every game but they were about half and half. I will say this season helped Riley discover his strengths and weaknesses and helped be more aggressive. He did have a hard time getting used to practicing so much but I think it showed him the amount of dedication it will take to play football. I think he'll play again next year but we've come to figure out that baseball is his top priority when it comes to sports. We always thought it would be football but I do really enjoy watching baseball games. Never thought I would say that. I am a little sad that football games are over. I know Jason & Riley are happy the practices are over. haha! Onto basketball & travel baseball.





Riley's #1 FAN!!!




Receiving his trophy at the banquet

Drake's Rockin Birthday Bash!

So, over a month late I am posting about Drake's 1st birthday party! It was a success for sure and I enjoyed planning the whole theme. Thanks to everyone who helped. We decided to go with the whole rock & roll theme because ever since he was little he seemed like a little rocker. His hair even grew longer only in the middle for a while and he had is own little mohawk. I found a great lady to do his cake and it turned out awesome. We had a Wall of Fame, a stage, a photo session, and a gold record for everyone to sign. All the kids took home goodie bags and the adults took home a souvenir CD with our fave rock & roll songs. Drake, of course, had no idea what was going on. A good time was had by all and once again he dug right into his cake! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

All I want for Christmas...Some more teeth!

Drake finally got that 2nd tooth that has been driving him crazy! He got the 2nd one on Satruday October 17th! WOO HOO!!!

When a Family of 4 turned into a Party of Five!!!

It is bizarre to me that I am blogging about my 3rd child turning 1! Oh man does the time fly by! Yes, our little Drake Thomas Winchester turned 1 on September 10th:) we had a pretty normal day and then celebrated that night with cake, cookies, and candles (well one candle to be exact).





We headed to the doctor that day for his one year check up as well. He had to get 4 shots...OUCH!!! As expected my "little" guy didn't hit 20 lbs. He didn't even hit 19. He weighed in at a healthy 18 lbs and 6 oz. We was 27 5/8 inches. Short and little. His height and weight actually even out pretty well. He is amazing!!! The doctor even said so:) hehe! He is no longer walking...he is RUNNING! He has to have a ball in his hands at all times. If he's not playing catch with the football, he is kicking a soccer ball around. Yes, that is correct my 12 month old is kicking a soccer ball and when it goes far he yells "Goal" (or something like that)! He calls his little football "bootball" and he can throw it across a room and catch it in the air as well! Oh my we have another sports nut on our hands! He now says both his brother and sister's names. He points at everything when he wants it. Answers my questions with a yes or a no (usually yes!). He is quite a character and loves to do things to make us laugh. He finally got his first tooth last week. We are enjoying him so much.

I can't believe how fast a year goes by. Enjoy some pictures of Drake and his first year.