Lemons to lemonade!

I know this picture is a little fuzzy, but it has a cute story behind it. Konnor took a sliced lemon off the serving tray at the party yesterday and put it all in his mouth....hence the sour looking face! It amazes me what they will try to get away with when we aren't looking. So here's to all my friends and family...May all your New Year wishes come true and remember "when life serves you lemons, make lemonade!"

Grandma Abbie's 90th

Today is Grandma Abbie's 90th birthday. We had a very nice party with 30 of her friends and family at Chelsea Grill. The food was great and the cake even better. She really seemed to have fun. It makes you think about where you'll be in 50 years. I just hope I have as much get up and go as she does. Not bad, since 1 year ago she fell and broke her hip. I am doing a scrapbook of her childhood and birthday party pictures. Needless to say tomorrow morning I'll be taking the pictures to Walmart. I finished the book yesterday (backgrounds). It was really a fun project and I know that she will enjoy it for many years to come. Love ya Big A!!

Blog number 28 on the 28th!

This is what you get around our house when you say "sit next to your brother so I can get a good picture of the two of you." Yes, that is Kraig's head sticking out of Kirk's armpit. You would think I wasn't asking for too much.

I wanted to post one more time today so now I have my 28th post on the 28th, OK, now I know I'm a "NUT". I also included the picture of the cat because "the cat is out of the bag" so to speak. Kandi (bless her heart) asked for my blog address because she had misplaced it. Well, Kirk 2 read the email but hasn't said anything about it. He doesn't think that blogs are impressive...so of course, that means that I shouldn't have one. My thought on the matter is this....I love keeping in touch....so blogging is what I will do. Talk later

Sledding in the rain?

Besides from the pouring down ran and mud, the boys had an awesome time sledding on Christmas Eve. Kirk and I took them to a hill that we used to sled on when we were little. The hill doesn't look as big as it did back then, must be erosion or something. Konnor decided to hit every mud puddle he could find. Needless to say everything went for a little spin in Grandma's new washer and dryer when we got home.

Red and Green make Blue

I don't want you to get the wrong idea....I really do like Christmas time and getting together with friends and family....but I really do not look forward to putting everything away (ie: presents and Christmas decorations). For those of you that know me well enough understand why this drives me "nuts". I cannot stand it when my house is a mess...and right now it feels like a BIG MESS!

Our familes were kind enough to cut back this year....but there is still a lot of things to put away. I know it will all get done, but until it does I'm a little BLUE.

What a cute picture of Konnor and the invisible Santa. His dad made that crafty thing when he was just a little boy himself....Ahhh, how sweet?! I wish I could ignore the clutter and just relax and have fun with the family...I guess that is a personality trait I definately need to work on. Perhaps a New Year's resolution is in the making.

Aunt Shirley and Uncle Kevin sure knew what they were doing when they picked out these shirts. Each one of them represented their personalities perfectly. Kraig was especially pleased with his because he thinks he such a "ladies man" right now. That pre adolesence mentality is a hoot sometimes. Kirk on the other hand is more of a food man. My dad's quote when I was growing up was "a way to man's heart is through his stomach". I hope Kirk 3 can find a woman someday that can cook better than his mom. When the smoke alarm goes off at our house, you know that dinner is ready!

Christmas 2005

Santa was very good to all of the Putnam boys (and girl) this year. I think everyone was excited to get that one special gift that they asked for. We celebrated Xmas Eve with the Putnam side (which included sledding in the pouring down rain) and Xmas Day with the Warren side. The food was awesome (yes, I do cook when I have to)! I hope that everyone had a happy day. I know we did. We are thankful for our health and spending time with each other. Merry Christmas from the Putnam's

Winter time....

Two more things I like about winter time....very big icicles that form on the house and waking up to the trees covered in frost. I especially love it when the sun hits the frost just right and it looks like everything is covered in diamonds.

2 boys, one marker

I always love the expression on Beth's face when I offer Madi markers to draw with at our house. Like I've never seen what two boys and one marker can do, let alone one little girl and a marker. This was the end result of what we thought was a brother drawing session. Obviously they forgot that the paper is what they needed to draw on, not each other. This was the first of many marker tattoos Konnor acquired last night....he thought he was going to impress Santa by that belly button drawing....I don't think he was very impressed!

PS He really isn't that plump, I think he was trying to make it stand out!

Konnor's Program

Mr. Siakel (principal) covered my class today so that I could attend Konnor's program. He was so cute. The class sang Christmas songs from around the World. The words weren't any too easy....Feliz navida (spanish), O tanabum (spelling - I believe German), and a Wiki Waka (something Hawaiin- you know the one from National Lampoons Christmas Vaction with Chevy Chase). Not to mention the song that they did sign language to. What ever happened to easy songs like Rudolph, or Frosty.....I'm still glad I got to go and listen, even if the words were hard to understand. One more day of work....thank GOD!!

Time to make the donuts....

I started to stress over trying to figure out how to turn this picture so it faces up...and then I thought why worry anyone that reads this will turn their head for you.

Time to make the donuts....made the donuts....I don't know if you recognize this commercial for Dunkin' Donuts, but it is the one where he is leaving for work and meets himself coming home from work. That is exactly how I feel right now. I'm meeting myself coming home as I am leaving home. Kirk and I shopped for 24 hours this weekend (except for the 8 hours of sleep). We got almost everything done. The kids were very hard to shop for this year....what do you get kids that have everything under the sun. My good friend Beth calls our house Disney World. And now that I think about it, it is much like Disney....too much to take in all at once.

Well, counting down the days of work (2 more). I need to start wrapping presents tonight. It will all get done eventually. Last night was clean the house and laundry night. Very exciting! At least the house is clean and the majority of laundry is washed and put away (a feat in itself).

Favorite past time

I think this might be the boys favorite past time right now. They have spent more time pulling each other behind the snowmobile than you can imagine. Besides from smelling like exhaust, it really is a great thing for them to do together. The really cool thing is the distance between the snowmobile and sled means no fighting; well, I take that back, I did see some snowballs flying the other day. The other snowmobile has not come back from the shop. It will be really neat when they can both drive at the same time.

Season finished!

I know I am wacky, but I was a little sad that Kirk's middle school basketball career had come to an end yesterday. This team only won two games all season but it was definitely a pleasure to watch and support these young men. They made so many improvements this season. If they only had a few more games to play....

Kirk told me tonight that he is not wrestling this year. I know, most moms would be jumping for joy, not having to watch their son be contorted into a million uncomfortable positions, but I LOVE wrestling. So I tried not to show my emotions, and said "great we will start hitting the weight room as a family then."

Anyways, congratulations Kirk3 on a great DMS basketball career and we look forward to watching you play JV next year!

O' Christmas Tree....

I decided this wasn't a great picture of the tree after I uploaded to the blog, but didn't know how to get it out of there, so I decided to leave it. That fuzzy blur is not a Christmas spirit but Konnor searching for another present from Florida. The Florida Santa arrived early this year. Uncle Doug and Aunt Mary sent the coolest presents this year. They were $1 bills taped together in a money machine box. You can pull one out at a time. What a cool way to send money and Konnor was totally impressed by the roll of money. The reason he opened his early was because his present got sat too close to the tree tray and got wet. He was so worried that his present would be ruined, he used all of his intellectual power to convince us that he needed to open it right away. It worked as you can see. Pretty smart boy. I might have to try that technique myself!

Frosty lives no more.....

Yes, I cheated and pulled this picture from last year. The snowman is still in his box waiting to be fixed because Chloe ate the plug off last year. Ooops! Kirk3 was home today with bronchial pnenomia, but his mega antibiotics seem to be kicking in already. We still haven't started shopping and don't know exactly when that will take place. We are anxiously awaiting Friday night when Brad, Zach, and Madi will be coming to stay. Kraig is really excited because he got invited to Corey's birthday sleepover. Which means a whole evening without little brothers getting in his space. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy until then. Have a great evening!

How many days until Christmas?

I was sitting at the computer on Sunday morning and a little thing popped up on the screen that said "13 days until Christmas". I could hardly believe it. Now I know I can subtract 12 from 25 pretty easily, but get real! I truly hadn't given it any thought. This could definitely be a big problem. We hadn't even gotten one present....what were we thinking...how did it sneak up on us that fast....wasn't it just Thanksgiving. Needless to say, I immediately got online and started letting my fingers do their magic ordering just about anything that looked like a good present. Good thing we are buying for less people this year!

All is calm....

All is calm....or least for the time being. Today was a fairly calm day around here. The boys were supposed to go with Grandma and Grandpa to the Hot Rod Christmas Party, but we felt it was more important that Konnor lay low today so he could fully recover. We did some xmas shopping on line this morning (because we haven't been shopping at ALL), did some homework, did some laundry, did some scrapping, etc. Nothing exciting, but very relaxing. Kirk3 has his last two basketball games this week. Monday night is at Albion and Wednesday night is at Stockbridge. The rest of the week looks fairly calm (knock on wood). Hope your week is calm too!

Baby it's cold outside....

I'm guessing that Frosty is thinking, this stinks....You know you have a lot of snow when the lawn ornament's head is the only thing still visible.

Here's a riddle for all...what does the 1 day of shopping a year that we get without kids and Putnam boys have in common...give up...yep, you guessed it the STOMACH FLU! It never fails, we set one day a year aside to power shop for Christmas and it never fails...one of the boys gets sick. Last year it was Kraig, this year it is Konnor. Daddy Kirk was nice enough not to call me during my "scrap" session with Beth and Gloria last night (which by the way was a complete blast! I love spending time with Beth because she makes me LOL) to tell me that Konnor started puking 5 minutes into Narnia. At least he got him out of the theater and into the parking lot before he lost it. So...needless to say...when I got home at 12 AM, I was greeted at the door with the Chlorox bleach spray and paper towel. Konnor was up until 4 this morning, but now he seems like he is coming back around. So here are the 5 Things I am thankful for( sorry Beth).....Chlorax bleach spray and Chlorax Wipes (especially in house with 3 boys), paper towel, bathroom spray(Christmas scent), the little wash tubs you get at the hospital that double as puke buckets, 7 UP and gatorade slushies.....Don't these things make parenting much easier?! I think so. Well, today's "new" plan of events....Xmas cards, laundry, and watching movies with Konnor. I am also thankful that we have a VCR and DVD player that helps pass the time.

Wishing you and yours a HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year!

Brrrr it's cold!

I know exactly how you feel Chloe. The snow is deep and the wind is cold. Just think, only 5 more months of winter. Today was the first snow day of the year. I guess that makes it a GREAT day right off the bat. We've already cleaned out our and a neighbors drive this morning. Chloe was helping us shovel. (with her nose) I know people think she is dumber than a box of rocks, but isn't she just BEAUTIFUL?!

Winter fun!

I can't believe that it has been almost a whole year since this fun day. Madison asked her mom this morning if she liked snow. I'm glad that she didn't ask me. The only two things I like about winter are Snow Days and sledding. Other than that, I really have need for winter. Especially those days that are gloomy. I think my parents have the right idea, summers in Michigan and winters in Florida. Hey, mom and dad save some room for me when you're packing your suitcases.

SWISH!

The dude was hot tonight!! Kirk had the first 6 points of the game. He totalled 15 points for this nail biter. The team played great, but was unable to pull off a 38-36 game against CC. Kirk said his total points for this season is at 84 now. He wants to try and make 100 points this season. Next week DMS will be traveling to Albion on Monday and Stockbridge on Wednesday. I hope he make his goal....he has had a great season even if he doesn't. We have completely enjoyed watching him play and we are very proud of him.

Singing talent?!

I think the Putnam men gave new meaning to Choir Boys tonight. Kraig had his first solo of his singing career. You could tell by the look on his face that he was very excited to have it over and done with. Kirk had his second solo debut tonight. His was on the lighter note....no pun intended.... because he had to say "Don't be Late!" in a chipmunk voice. He has such a great personality to do this part....people commented to Kraig that that was the biggest chipmunk they had ever seen. I would have to agree.

Grace?

I thought that I would use this picture as a first attempt creating a entry with a picture. Gier Staff played the 5th grade girls on Friday night to raise money for Outdoor Ed. We had a great time even if some of us were a little sore, more than just our egos. This particular fall, yes there was more than one that evening, was a charge that never got called. Wait until McKenna sees her report card in a few weeks. Failing gym for running over the top of teacher. I suppose that wouldn't be very nice of me, but oh what power?!

It's FREEZING....

I can't believe I didn't hit the publish button....so here I go again. We just got done putting the outside lights up on the house and in the trees. It is FREEZING out!! It is our first attempt to "get into the holiday spirit". I think I am too numb to feel any "spirit" at this point. I don't even think I feel my toes at this point. We decided to get our tree on the first open night this week. Well, it looks like Thursday is that day. Monday Kirk3 plays Western at home. It is his last home game this season. On Tuesday Kirk3 and Kraig have the Christmas Choir Concert. On Wednesday, we will travel to Columbia Central to watch Kirk3 play basketball. So that leaves Thursday ..... Kraig had basketball tryouts this morning. He is looking forward to starting another sport. The couch and TV have become his favorite past time. Konnor is playing at his friend Drew's house. Probably a really good place for him when we are working. He always wants to help, which is sometimes not a lot of help. He tries hard though. Well, my 15 minute warm up break is over. We are heading back out to put all the empty boxes and trampoline up in the other garage. Hope you have a WARM night!