Pinewood Derby...

Tuesday night was a blast! Why? Pinewood Derby!

This was Sam's second year participating in the derby and second car designed with his Uncle Jake in mind. This year's car theme was "Don't Tread On Me." Mike found a picture of the flag on the internet so, he printed it out in color and cut around the edges and inside the snake's coils. Then, after making the car by cuting off excess wood and sanding it down smooth, he painted it the flag's colors: black and yellow. Oh, Sam did help sand the car.
After the paint was dry, Mike installed the tires and it was ready for the detailing. I simply mod-podged the lettering and symbol on the car and let it dry. By 6:00pm on Tuesday, it was ready for weigh in. The car happen to be lighter than standard weight so a few weights were added to the bottom of the car. By 6:30pm the car was ready to race. Grandma Whetten was right there with us in the first row cheering Sam on. It was so cute to see his siblings cheer him on, especially Sarah! She is his biggest fan.

There were 13 cars racing in a total of 78 (?) heats. Sam was (almost) consistantly in 2nd place the entire night. He didn't win, place or show in the finale, but he didn't care. The night was AWESOME.

Oh - the little kids had a blast, too, because one smart mama (not me) brought a mini race track and cars - just perfect for Hot Wheels!

Spring break is gone....

Wow! What a week! The kids and I enjoyed spring break, most of the time.
We tried to do a lot so the kids wouldn't feel cheated out of 'fun times'. We were able to squeeze in a park day, visiting with cousins, and random other outings to keep us all busy.
The kids favorite day was Friday. Aside from Sam having to do a fasting blood test, it was all-good. We spent the morning at the park with cousins and a friend of mine who has triplets (this is when I am really glad I only have twins). After the park, we met Mike downtown for lunch. We decided to eat at a yummy sandwich that was both fast (the kids were very hungry) and loud (party of 7, we tend to be loud). We had to walk more than a few blocks to get there so, thank goodness the kids enjoyed walking and looking at all the tall buildings that downtown has to offer.
After lunch we walked Mike back to his office and the kids and I set out for our last adventure de spring break: Smeeks. Smeeks is a little candy shop in Phoenix. It's known for vintage flare and candy. When we got there, I was a bit nervous that the kids would go wild or that something was gonna get broken. Seriously, this candy store is small with candy from wall to wall. I described my first impressions of me with my kids in the store as bulls in a china shop. But, I can proudly say, these were tame bulls in the candy store. The kids did very well picking out their own candies, each child had a $2 limit, and not one thing got broken.
We are all back to our usual routine and I couldn't be happier!
I have some wonderful pictures (taken with my cell phone) that I will post as soon as I figure out how to download them from my phone.

Oh, I fogot that on the way back to Mike's work, we stopped at the Wells Fargo Musuem. We saw vintage and previously used bank boxes, stagecoaches, telegraphs, coins and even replicas of gold bars. It was AWESOME!

Spring break is here, random photos to enjoy

We are having a blast (notes of sarcasim and stress) this week while the kids are out of school. We spent Monday morning at the park and then ate at Cici's Pizza 'till our bellies were full. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home. I was too tired to do anything else.
On Tuesday, Sam and Sarah had a well-check visit and, well, everything checked out well (so says the doctor). Later that day I took the kids to the dollar movies to see Tangled but we didn't get in. Sadly, the movie was sold-out! We opted for Megamind as an alternative with hopes that we'd like it. The movie was cute and funny but did not hold the attention of Joe and Mary (thank heavens the baby slept through the entire movie). Again, we spent the rest of the afternoon at home. I was too tired to do anything else. Sam, on the otherhand, helped run a lemonade stand with his friend, Annabelle, on the sidewalk in front of her house. Sarah joined in later and I followed with the younger 3 and we enjoyed the late afternoon outside. We came home exhausted and ready for dinner and a quiet wind-down.
It's now Wednesday. What's in store for us today? Who knows? I am up for anything as long as I get some quiet time this afternoon.

The weekend has gone bye, bye. Hoorah!

It was a long and tough weekend. On Friday, I knew what Saturday was going to be like. At least, I had an idea of how I would feel and behave. I would feel like my entire world crumbled in on top of me, just like it had a year ago on the 12th and I would behave like a stressed-out, distressed, depressed, inconsolable mom and wife. Wanting to prevent this from happening, for the sake of my husband and children, I had a thought (more like a wish) Friday afternoon. I thought that if I held my breath long enough, Saturday would just disappear - not to be seen until next weekend. Although, I knew that the next weekend was going to be (almost) just as hard. What I really wanted to do was to go away for the weekend. Ignore the date, ignore the anniversary, ignore everything that happened last year in March.
Our family has a favorite place in Tucson where we like to go to and relax. I looked up the place, checked dates and almost made reservations. I felt guilty about spending the money, using a tank or two of gas to get there and back, and making my husband, Mike, drive 2 more hours after an already 1 hour commute. Wresting kids, trying to decide what to drive-thru for dinner, and then trying to tame the kid's excitemnent of staying in a hotel (my kids really dig that), had me thinking twice about packing up to leave. While pondering this decision, I remembered that Mike had something very special planned for me on Saturday. He, along with the help of my brother, planned on installing a flag pole in front of our house as a tribute to my brother and as kind act for me. I knew that Mike took a great amount of time thinking about what he could do to show me how much he cares about me and my feelings and to make my day a little brighter. I decided not to make reservations and to stay home and let Mike carry out his kind deed.
While he and my brother fetched supplies, I took the kids to eat lunch with the in-laws. By the time we got back, this greeted me at the door:

Later on that day, under the encouragement of the kids and before the cement was dry/set, Mike installed the remaining posts and the flag. Just look at it wave in all its glory! Ain't she beautiful!

We ended the day with a trip to Jump and Shout and dinner at a Greek eatery. I survived the day, barely.
Sunday was better. A little better. Next weekend? I may wish it gone before it comes.....

Track and Field Day at Franklin

Sam and Sarah participated in their school's Track and Field Day. It was awesome. They had a great time. Here are some pitures to prove it.
Sadly, my camera's batteries ran out after only a few pictures of Sarah.

It's almost 'that' day

I won't mention it right now. I'm just going to smile at this picture and think of how fun and amazing Jake was.

Double swing

Don't you hate it when you ask your kids to come in, wash their hands and sit at the table 'cause it's dinner time and they ignore you? I sure do. It really irks me. So, on my way to yell at the kids for the who-knows-how-manyth time, I spotted the twins doing this and I just had to stop and take a picture. They were having so much fun. I couldn't possibly stop
1. the non-crying play, and 2. the getting along play. I just couldn't.

here is something funny to read....

My friend, Edna, is funny. I've known Edna for over 20 years and she is a riot to be around. I teased her about her blog and how she should dedicate a post to me. Well, she did. It's more of a tribute, in a round-about funny way. Read it here to find out more about me as a teenager. Boy, was I silly.
I wish I had a picture of her to post on my blog. Instead, I will post a random picture of my kids. Enjoy!

Love this little boy!

David has been such a blessing to our family! He is the most calm, sweet, mild-manner boy I've had the pleasure of parenting (so far). In fact, he is the most clam, sweet, mild-manner child I've had, period! All the others were balls of energy from the moment of conception! This little one was fiesty in the womb, came out screaming like the dickens, and has been cucumber-cool ever since December 13th. Not one complaint. Nope, not one. Just look at this face. PER-FEC-TION!
And this one, Sarah, is the best little mommy to David! They get along great!

Keeping busy at a slow pace....

Is it just me or do other people have the same problem as I do? Case in point: I've been buried up to my neck in laundry (clean, thankgoodness) for the last week and a half. Seriously. There are piles of clean laundry here and there, on my bed, on the couch, on the floor, in baskets (already sorted and folded). Everywhere! I've been working on these laundry piles everyday but don't seem to make any progress. Finally, today, I focused on getting the laundry in my room and on my bed PUT AWAY! I ignored my twins, my crying baby. It only took me all but 10 minutes to get it done, uninterrupted. Minus the basket of socks. Yes, only 10 minutes, UNINTERRUPTED! I've figured out that ignoring the kids is the key to getting things done.
Yep, I learn something new everyday.

Another week goes by....

We had a wonderful week here in the Lee home. In a nut shell:
The kids made it to school on-time each day this week, which is a wonderful accomplishment for me. Joe and Mary had fun learning and playing at preschool. I taught Monday thru Friday at various locations and will be busy again next (this) week teaching almost every day. Mike and I spent all day Saturday cleaning out the garage with hopes of parking one of our cars in it. We still have a ton of work to do but made great progress. Will keep you posted as this is one of my main goals for the year. (yeah, it might take a whole year to clean out the garage)

Random photo for you to enjoy!

Back to teaching, another week to survive

Monday was my first day back to teaching aqua aerobics. I thought I wouldn't be able to handle the activity after having a baby and being sick for the last 2 months. The class started out with welcoming words to and from those who take the class. I was glad to be back and, thank heavens, they were glad to have me back. I gave them a nice workout and picked up David and the twins from the gym daycare. Whew...David slept the entire time and the twins didn't get into trouble at all! This week was off to a great start.
I posted on Valentine's Day (afternoon) so I have to mention that Mike came home with a lovely bouquet of flowers for his sweetheart. How nice!
Now it's Thursday and I am tired from spending a wonderful afternoon at the park.
Random picture to enjoy....Mary all dressed up like Lady Gaga. She did this on her own. Enjoy...

Love is in the air....

Every Valentine's Day, my dad used to give the girls in our family a heart shaped box of candies. Isn't that nice?
Every year I think about giving the girls (daughters) in my family the same special treatment but every year I forget (or am too tired, lazy or cheap). This year, my mom brought over some yummy Valentine's Day candies for the kids and a box of chocolates for me. Well, they might actually be for Mike and me but she didn't say I had to share. All the, kids except for Sam, were fast asleep when my mom came by last night bearing gifts. He got to have the first Valentine's Day treat, a holiday edition of Fruit by the Foot. Today, the other kids got the same treat...only I took credit for the gift. How horrible is that? My mom did bring multiple treats for the kids so I will make right and give her credit for the other 2/3rds of the bounty.

Here is a picture of me and my honey. This photo was taken back in December, just a week or two before I gave birth to my 5th baby, David.

Kisses all around.....

p.s. that yellow purse is soooo spring 2010. Uh.

It's 2011 Already?

Time sure does fly when you are busy. I guess being busy is better than not being busy. Thinking about it, these are the things that keep me busy (in no particular order):
1. New baby. Born on December 13, 2010. Name: David Whetten Lee

2. Messy house. Thanks to four kids, one thing is constant: a messy home

3. Making meals. Kids have to eat, right. Do they have to help? Not always. Every time I make Mac 'n Cheese, Joe insists on adding the powdered 'cheese' to the boiling water. He thinks it will make the food taste better. Nope, it's still Mac 'n Cheese.

4. School work. Sadly, I am not on top of the kid's 'daily homework finishing requirement' like I am supposed to be. It's sometimes just too much.
5. Being sick. Sam got sick first, back in October. Then I got sick and then Sam got sick again. Each time it was the flu. Then I got sick again, had a baby and stayed sick with a sinus infection, ear infection and the flu until, well, present day. During that time, Sam got sick, Joe got sick, Sarah got sick and Mary got a little sick. 2 weeks ago, I got the flu AGAIN, Sam got it over the weekend, and now Joe and Mary are home sick with the flu. Mike is toying with getting it. Poor guy.

6. Managing 5 children 9 years-old and under. In general it's crazy. Here, Joe got stung by a bee on his thumb after trying to pick up a smashed can of soda pop. Mind you, he took the liberty of smashing 11 cans of soda on the block wall in the backyard. The spilled sugary pop attracted the bees. He cried when he got stung. I took this picture then helped mend his boo-boo. This is an example of Karma, right? for him, not me.

7. Laundry. Enough said.

8. Husband. Husbands have needs too, right? Enough said.
That's him on the right. Handsome.

9. Cleaning bathrooms. I walked by the bathroom and could smell the fine aroma of urine. Yuck. I clean the bathrooms. Swear!

10. Gees whiz, life in general. What can I say...life is busy, life is great!
This photo was taken at Ft. Riley in Kansas back on September 11, 2010. This is a new memorial dedicated to those who sacrificed their life for our country. We were there to honor my brother, SFC Glen Jacob "Jake" Whetten.

Yeah, it's time for an update....

I guess it is time for me to start blogging again. It's sad that I don't even visit my own blog because, like my mom commented on the previous post, "it makes me cry." Yeah, that is why this blog has sat in silence for many months. I guess I should get 'back on the horse' and start to live a normal blogger's life (whatever that means).
So, enjoy this random photo and come back later this week, or whenever, for an update on the happenings and crazy antics of the Lee Family!

A slideshow tribute to Jake

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A friend of mine put this slideshow together as a tribute to Jake. It's beautiful!

SFC Glen Jacob Whetten 19 March 1978 - 12 March 2010

I am saddened by the loss of my brother, Jake. He served our country well. We are very proud to call him our brother and friend. You can honor his life by visitin his blog and posting a comment.
SFC Glen Jacob Whetten

Looking forward or looking back?

How is it that on Thursday and Friday I want, so badly, for the weekend to come (sooner) and on Sunday I am begging for the new week to start? I am so silly.

Oh my, I turn my head for one second....

What a mess, again! This time the twins were very quiet and kept their mischievous behavior under their hat. I never heard a thing! Sarah came and got me later on in the afternoon to reveal what she had discovered: holes and art work created by Joe and Mary. What can I say? 2 words: padded room.