A photo story of our Christmas trip to Great Wolf Lodge

We got to the Great Wolf Lodge Thursday afternoon, and of course the first thing everyone wanted to do was SWIM! Not sure what Keira was upset about. She was all smiles the rest of our time there.

None of our children have much, if any, experience with pools/water (other than our bathtub). Kenli needed to check out the water before getting into it much.

And this is how a father of three little ones maneuvers a pool while their mother is busy picture taking.


After our first dip in the pool, we waited around the lobby for a very special surprise. The girls are posing in front of a HUGE fireplace while we wait.

And I made them pose near this fake ice structure. This was right before Christmas...
so this snowfall in the lobby was truly fun for the girls!
And just when Kenli was about to catch a "snowflake" on her tongue...

In walks Santa Claus to read us a story. A little reindeer and helper joined in the fun, too.

After story time, the girls peered over a ledge and into a window overlooking the great pool area.
We distracted them with some ice cream. And I must say Kaelyn totally used this experience to do one of her favorite things--- be a CHEESE!
And Kenli lets us know everyday that we can go back anytime. She is ready at the drop of a hat!

I'm such a slacker. This was sent to me the day after Christmas by a sweet gal, Heather- at first I didn't have time to post and then I just forgot. So here goes.

Here are The Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Randomness
1) I live in a perpetual state of trying to improve. I don't know if this means I'm good because I'm always trying to do better, or bad because I'm not ever satisfied with the way things are. I'm always trying to think of new techniques to control clutter, make my kids behave, and keep the house out of the "ewww, gross" state.

2) I look at allrecipes.com daily. I'm usually looking for new recipes-- I guess because I'm never satisfied with the ones I've got :)

3) I think hand prints on my windows and t.v. are charming... well, kind of. Of all the things about cleanliness that bother me, this just doesn't. I guess they're just little reminders of the little people I love. But then again, so are toys. Hmmmm... go figure.

4) I want to get rid of cable, although I'm too chicken to do it... just yet. The main reasons are MONEY and to better CONTROL who is watching when. Yes, I use Noggin as a babysitter about 20 mins a day (during the dinner rush). Yes, I'm totally addicted to a few shows. But all people in this house are lucky enough to love shows that have DVDs.

5) I have enough maternity clothes to fill an entire store and then some; yet, I'm still wishing for one more pair of pants. I swear old maternity jeans and pants just don't fit the same with every pregnancy. I'm not really even talking about size, but where they hug and where they're loose.

6) I used to laugh (quietly to myself) at people with lots of kids, a minivan, and a daily list of chores to do. I swore I'd never define myself by how many loads of laundry I do in a day, or diapers I change, or how many hours I waited to have the epidural, but then I had a baby. Now I laugh (quietly to myself) at college-aged girls who are probably laughing at me as I stroll into Target with a pregnant belly and three little people on my sides.

Whewww... that's it. Check out what these "it" girls have to say:
Winter, Ashlea, Nancy, Steph, Heidi, There's supposed to be a 6th, but I'm lame and don't know enough people who know me well enough.

Not Me Monday

Here it is, something I've been wanting to do for quite some time but for one reason or another I just haven't. For specific details click on the title of this post to link to MckMama's blog. She is quite a riot and has inspired me to reveal what really happens to a young, pregnant mom of four little girls.

First of all, I'd like to be brutally honest, but I can't say that I have ever changed my child's diaper out in the middle of a restaurant. No, this particular eating establishment I'm so NOT talking about was not half full, nor was Brownie's diaper when I decided it'd be disgusting to change it right there at the table. After all, I could go change her in the very, very tiny bathroom after I lug four coats and three little bodies (and my big one) in there. Of course I'd run the risk of some nice employee of said restaurant dumping our food thinking we vacated the premises. So, obviously I would not make the most convenient choice and secretly change her stink right there at our table. How Gross!

Instead of taking my clean clothes into a private space to change this morning, I did not change my clothes right in the middle of the living room with my back to our large, revealing windows. I most certainly did not duck a little so as Not to reveal my bare thighs to our neighbors. I wasn't being lazy, I totally didn't commit this act because I was making sure the kids weren't hitting or kicking anything or anybody.

Right now, I am not completely ignoring all of the duties I wrote down on a piece of paper this morning when I was feeling so energized and ready for the day. That dang note is not sitting on the counter waiting for me to check things off- and I don't love ignoring it!

When I was feeling so uncomfortably pregnant this weekend with an aching back, pelvic bones, legs and head I definitely didn't put my feet up for the better part of that day. I didn't let my husband take care of the kids and dishes while I rested. And I never felt guilty about it.

That's it. I've completed one of my Monday duties from that ridiculous list that an over-energized, crazy lady wrote this morning. I wrote my first installment of "Not Me Monday." Want to try? Check for the rules at MckMama's site.

Last Post of 2008... Maybe?

As this time of year rolls around, I'm always thinking about new possibilities and adventures. What lies ahead in the new year ? This question tends to occupy my mind in the last 24 hours of any given year. I know that in 2009 we'll add a sweet, new baby girl to the Copeland Cuties Gang. This is probably what I'm most excited about. But all of the small things excite me too.

With the girls being the ages they are, I know that they change so much in the course of a year. This year I'm looking forward to seeing Baby Bug walk, begin to talk, and show us more of who she is. I'm curious to find out if she will be just as crazy and silly as she has been so far.

Brownie will start preschool in 2009. This is so strange to her mom who swears she just came home from the hospital with cheeks the size of adult fists. Now that sweet gal will be telling me about her time at the playground and which boy she decided to chase.

Peach will add yet another baby sister to take under her wing. I can't wait to see her light up this summer with all of the book mobile and library stops we'll make. Oh, and don't even get her started about the 4th of July. I know she can't wait until it's time to shoot of fireworks again.

Christmas isn't even a week old and here I am talking about Independence Day in 6 months. Seems so far off, but as a mother of little ones who are already growing up way too fast, I know those 6 months will pass faster than the 6 before. And before I know it, I'll have two babies at home while I send two off to preschool. And slowly, very slowly, I'll have to learn to let go. In the meantime we'll make memories and I will learn to cherish every moment, even the ones I have to tell myself silently, "you're going to miss this someday, and you'll want this back."

We made many good and fun memories this holiday season. From Thanksgiving wishes to Christmas cheer, we wish you all a Happy New Year!

What's New with our Brood?

What's that you ask? Do we know the gender of the little sweetie brewing inside? Why yes we do.

After these many intense weeks of not knowing if the baby was healthy and measuring well, we came to find out that SHE is. That's right, I said SHE! She is healthy, alive and kicking. Oh, and the sono tech mentioned how ornery she already is. "Great, they just keep getting ornerier the more we have"- Matt and my thoughts upon hearing the "ornery" report.

So, Matt and I will have four girls to love, cherish and protect. Four little girls I can treasure as the true gift they are-honoring each of their differences and appreciating their unique personalities. I can always say "Girls" when I refer to them or demand their attention. I can re-use everything from clothes to bedding. They can all share bathrooms and bedrooms without some serious awkwardness.

As the mom of four daughters I pray for peace and calm in the teen years. Those years when boys can cause more feuds than sharing clothes. The time of life when I'll have four babies on the road behind the wheel. The time in life when they'll leave our nest one by one four years in a row.

Oh, and can I just say that I beg the universe and God to give me 4 strong community leaders who happen to be very talented, smart, and athletic. I don't know how else I can pay for them to go to college.

How blessed I feel to know that one day I may witness my four daughters walk down the aisle in Matt's arm-- then cry as they link arms with my future sons-in-law.

And maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be around when I have four grown daughters to cry and laugh with when they give me beautiful and perfect grandchildren.

Thank you, God, for giving me the four most wonderful gifts I could ever ask for. I couldn't dream up anything this good.

Our Santa Visit

Waiting in line to see Ho Ho. We have covered what we are going to ask for Christmas. "Baby Pee-Pees" she exclaims. We seem ready to go.

KP knows what's going to happen. She's prepared to ask for many baby doll related gifts. Kaelyn has no idea what's about to happen.

It's our turn! Kenli's fine sitting on Santa's lap. But poor Keira can't bare the thought. She turns down an opportunity to talk to Santa about "Baby Pee-Pees."

Kaelyn is on the other knee and happy at first...until she turns around and gets a face full of beard. SCREEEEEAAAAAM! like I've never heard come out of her. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought she was severely injured. Off the knee she goes.

So, in the end, Kenli is the only gal getting to talk to Santa.

We'll try again next year.

The Other Festivities

Our season started just like yours with some Turkey, family and of course football pretty dresses.

They all were in such a great mood and looked so stinkin' cute-- I just had to snap a few shots. Oh, I forgot I can't use "stinkin'" to describe how cute they are. Kenli tells me, "I not stinky, mama."

We enjoyed three celebrations for our Thanksgiving. The one pictured below is

of the Trio anticipating their meal at Grandma's house. And, as always, Kaelyn takes the cake (literally) for eating. She cleaned her plate and asked for more. The girl likes her food. A little wishbone splitting followed dinner.

And Kaelyn and I ended the night with some fudge.

We've also been decorating the whole house in spurts. Kenli and Keira love the window gel clings, so I bought them each their favorite Christmas time character.

Kenli adores her penguin.

And Keira can't get enough of Ho Ho.

And don't forget the cookies. The older two tried their hand at "painting" frosting on their cookies-- Kaelyn just ate the goods.

'Tis the Season...

...to be jolly, err... well yes, we are jolly around here in the Copeland house. Since Turkey Day, we've been hunting down a Christmas tree, baking sugar cookies, seeing Santa, sewing a few gifts, shopping and decorating everything. I have to admit that once again this time of year is even more fun than the year before.

A tradition-and a very important one I might add-in our house is to search for and find the most beautiful, REAL, Christmas tree on a REAL Christmas tree farm. This year, we ventured out to a little Christmas Tree Farm just west of Lecompton in search of our perfect tree- and we found it. It's round, and full, and green- beautiful!

We enjoyed a little ride out to the fields of trees. Matt was given a saw and instructed to cut down our tree of choice or to hang the saw on our tree of choice and they'd cut it down for us. We opted for the later option-- come on, they had chain saws!About 10 minutes into our walk among the trees, we found ours. THEY cut it down as we headed back for some cocoa, popcorn and hot dogs-- oh and a little window shopping for me. It was such a quaint and cute little place full of charm. I think we will be joining them again next year!

We got our prize home, but not before we stopped at Hobby Lobby to buy all of our individual ornaments for the year. The girls each picked out their own for the first time...

Kenli's penguin

Keira's choo-choo-- as she calls it


Kaelyn's snowman

The tree all decorated but missing some presents.

The three best gifts I've ever received-- in their Christmas jammies nonetheless!

Thought You May Like This

'Tis the season- that time of year when we say life is "crazy," we have too much to do, or maybe we can't wait until this season is over. Personally, I LOVE this time of year. I love all of the snow, the giving, the cookies, the crafts, and the remembrance of old family traditions. With that said, even I can turn scrouge-ish when I see all of the traffic full of Christmas shoppers crowding the streets--yeah so what, I hate waiting 30 minutes to turn left out of Target- who doesn't.

With Thanksgiving approaching, I wanted to pass on a little note that I saw on a friend's blog. It may help you to focus and appreciate the little things- or even the big things. It may help you take that BAH-HUMBUG attitude we can all be guilty of and replace it with a little gratitude.


No Better Time
Author: Unknown
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, then some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. THEN life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So... treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you share it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with .... and remember that time waits for no one. So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you loose ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids grow up, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or a new home, until your car and home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on to decide that there is no better time than right now.... to be happy.
HAPPINESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION.
So, work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like there is no one watching.

I can't get enough of this!

As many of you know, I really do enjoy cooking. I recently tried this chicken noodle soup and fell in love. Since I always appreciate people sharing yummy, easy, and healthy recipes, I needed to do my part. I swear that this is quite delish! I made some changes to a recipe found on allrecipes.com This is so quick to throw together and it is so healthy-- especially if you choose organic and low sodium versions of the ingredients.

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2(32 ounce) containers of chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth
1 cup thinly sliced carrots

2 pkgs. of egg noodles

All of the white meat on a roasted chicken

about 1/4 c white cooking wine

a dash of lemon pepper
a dash dried basil
a dash dried oregano

some salt

some pepper

DIRECTIONS

Melt butter in a large pot. Cook onion and celery in butter until tender or about 5 minutes. Pour in broths and stir in carrots, noodles, chicken, wine, lemon pepper, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes before serving.

I've been eating off of this recipe since I made it last Sat. And the picture above is the soup a few days old, cold, and eaten from! It looks jucier when it's fresh. But I must say that it tastes so yummy after sitting a few days letting the flavors mesh- the sweetness of the wine really pops.

Enjoy!

Baby Update

Well, we had our second appointment yesterday at 15 weeks. I must admit I've been a bit of a nervous Nellie the past few weeks. I had a feeling that something just wasn't right with the baby and I couldn't wait to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Yes, I did see the heartbeat on a sono at 9wks, but a lot of things can go wrong in six weeks-- as my husband says "that's why they call it a miracle." I digress... anyway,

While we were waiting in the exam room for the doctor to come in I saw the Doppler (the thing you hear the heartbeat with) sitting all by its lonesome on the counter. I was really tempted to use it on myself because I so desperately needed to hear that thump going 140 beats per minute. Figuring my husband would think I've gone complete bonkers or that he might tattle on me, I used my better judgement and decided not to "test" the equipment.

Not soon enough the doctor came in and began the regular chat. "How are you feeling? You're 15 weeks now?"

"Yeah, I feel fine." LIE LIE LIE, I feel scared every second that something has stopped working inside me. But again, I don't want to look uber crazy. I've already had "bad feelings" two times.

"Okay, well let's hear that heartbeat."

I lie down on the table and the doctor begins her work.

Lots of gushing noises and a faint heartbeat that is obviously my own.

More searching.

More searching.

I begin to sweat with anxiety and complete fear of my worst nightmare coming true.

My face is turning red-- I can feel it. I try to hide the tears, but I must not have been doing a good job- my two older sweeties come to my side and grab my hand. *HEART MELTING*

15 minutes, or maybe seconds, pass by and the doctor knew I needed to stop fearing the unknown. "Okay, let's head back to the sono room. I'll go warm up the machine, you guys wait here."

UGH, more waiting. Again time is passing slowly and I'm going crazy thinking of all the possibilities that lie ahead.

I bend down to hug my two babes who can walk, and they offer their worried little faces.

God I feel like a fool. Here I am worrying about what might or might not be and now I've got my little girls worried right along with me. I fight back the tears and suddenly find peace with my thoughts. I realize that even if there is bad news, I have three beautiful gifts from God right here, healthy, happy, and very much alive. I just felt peace-- though it was brief as the doctor soon opened the door to walk us back to the sono room.

I was so scared to lie on the table. I feared seeing a fetus the same size it was 6 weeks ago. I was afraid of seeing no little heart beating away. I sat back and covered my eyes-- I couldn't look right away.

After a few seconds of the doctor scanning, I hadn't heard anything bad coming form anybody's mouth so I dared to look. At first I could see nothing. Then a little head and body came up on the screen. It looked a bit bigger. It was moving. I saw the heart- and it wasn't still- it was beating. I felt immense relief immediately. I cried a sigh and thanked God.

Here is evidence of a growing miracle- and proof that my motherly intuition isn't always right.
That little white blob inside the black whole is my 9wk miracle.
The upside down head followed by a string of pearls (spine) is what I got to see yesterday. That mass (the placenta) in front of the baby is what was blocking the thumping heart beat from being heard.

It's Fall... Finally For Real!

Other than snow flakes falling onto freshly snow-covered ground, the various colors of fall leaves blowing like a blizzard and piling up in my back yard has to be the best nature has to offer in these parts of the woods. And since the weather was kind of cooperating, I had to take a few shots.

Oh, did I say the kids were cooperating? Nope, just the weather- and just kind of.

Okay, Kenli tried, but it's hard to get your sisters to join it.

Though, they are cute pictures, I find that once again I can't get them all to look at the camera at the same time. Despite the number of snaps, "say cheeses," "Hey, Girls," "Look, Big Birds"and waves of my arms, we couldn't get the timing right. But really, as I look at these pictures, I can honestly say who cares. These are my babes in our back yard making memories in the beautiful leaves.

And as you can see from the pictures below, we've had two different kinds of "fall days." The one above was cold, not just "a chill in the air" kind, but the wind blew the cold breeze across your face and in your eyes until they sting- kind. And the one below was a beautiful, early fall, sun shiny, slight breeze kind of day. I prefer the later- in case anyone was wondering.

I hope it's just as pretty in your neck of the woods.