Day Trip

Happy Halloween!

we had Luke Skywalker

Elmo!

A Tiger!

Off for our trick or treating....

here is most of our gang!

Aidan aka Curious George, Baby Ben aka Pumpkin, Connor aka the Bat,

David aka Obi won kenobi, Caleb the Tiger, Abby is behind there aka Elmo, Emily B aka elephant, Big Ben aka green monster, Emilee aka Super Emma, Josh aka Luke Skywalker.

Girl Time!

Not sure if you all remember the last time I had the girls.....there was lots of POO involved! So today I had the pleasure of having the two girls all to myself so I figured I should make a better memory for myself! We did manicures! They both sat so well, and were very pleased with their pretty nails.

Maybe it should be Top 20 things NOT to say!

Well my fellow past, present and possibly one day pregnant people! Your contributions have not gone unoticed! Reading your comments just bring me back to the days of pregancy, which when you add all three up were alot! So I thought I should post the add ons: Here are 10-15!

10. When a mother is on bedrest do not tell her "it will all be worth it in the end"...believe me I KNOW!!! But it doesn't make it any easier untill the baby arrives!!

11. I would love to be able to lay around all day, I wish my dr. would prescribe me to be on bedrest."

12. sharing stories of women they knew who gave birth on their kitchen floors, cars! Is that not the craziest thing you can tell a woman about to give birth?

13. asking an unexpecting woman if she is pregnant...another BAD question. Just DON'T ask that one at all!!!

14. looking at someone from behind and saying they could definitely tell you are pregnant. )qoute from miss tiny Cara Lee)"I actually had a couple of people comment on my size...this is a big NO NO!!"

15. Not bad you just have a couple of stretch marks there hey!

More Wedding Day Sneak Peeks!

Here is the guys perspective...

Top ten things NOT to say to a pregnant women

As most of you know Natalie (sister in law) is pregnant with her first baby! We are very excited. Unfortunately she has not had the easiest or most enjoyable pregnancy. Actually she has had a completely HORRIBLE pregnancy starting with a cycst the size of an orange, cramping, kidney stones followed by an irratable uterus which means continuous contractions, to complete bed rest to possible medical intervention, to overnight stays in the hospital and really the list could go on and on! Nat will finally be 35weeks on wednesday but as she has hit the 30 week mark there has been many a times we have thought this is it here comes the baby. This past weekend was a perfect example all the indicators that would tell a pregnant mom that I am finally ready and it is time to go to the hospital! But just like every pregnant mom (well most of them) she gets sent back home as it is not time, more progress needs to happen. Right now for all of you detail orientated people Nat is completely effaced and 1cm dialated. So Nat continues to lay in bed fight through the pain and wait for the day her baby is ready to come and meet all of us! Thinking about her really had me thinking of the worst things you can ask a pregnant women!! In the picture above our friend Carissa is with Nat she is pregnant too due in March!!! And we have another close friend Janelle who is due in december! So we are surrounded by them and it wasn't so long ago that I was one of them and had all the annoying, ridiculous comments made by everyone you can imagine. So for all of you pregnant women this is for you!!!
Top ten things to not say to a pregnant women:

1. Unless you know for certain someone is close to their due date of over due never say Oh you look like you are ready to POP!

2. I love how you look when you are pregnant you are glowing your face is full and round.

3. Commenting on the belly size....this is just dangerous. Wow you're belly is so tiny(that can freak a mom out about her baby being too small), or one from my own personal experience Are you sure you don't have twins in there?

4. No one ever told you being pregnant was going to be easy did they?

5. (an expecting mom expresses how big they feel) Don't worry you are eating for two or Wow you sure do have a big appetite.

6. Phoning your expectant friend daily to see if there is any change when close to baby's due date. (avoid the question phone with distractions mom's get so sick of talking about what may happen they are anticipating 100 times more then you)

7. You look tired.

8. I can see you have that maternity mask ( for those that don't know what this is, it is the wonderful blotchy skin that one can get when pregnant or right after)

9. Strangers, just don't go up to pregant people and rub their bellies it just isn't right!

10. Wow you must be having a boy you are carrying it all around, in other words you have a big butt!!!

Hope this little list will help all!

Way to go Ladies, we already have three additions to the list (see comments) feel free to add to this top ten in the comments!

Isn't that what Family is for?

As most of you know our brother got married a couple weeks ago, and with that special occasion we got to see all of our out of town family. It was great to catch up with them, spend time with them and of course put them to work:) Really what else do you do? Our dads are our go to guys when things break down in our house, if Ry is unable to solve the problem we don't call the electrician, plumber or carpet guy we call one of our Dads! Lucky for us we had extra reinforcments because my Uncle Ray was staying with my parents and they were summoned to fix the clogged toliet! This toliet had been plugged for over a week, we tried all the usual methods, but when all failed we called my Dad. He came and him and my Uncle had their own special methods...which failed too! The end result was taking the toliet off the hmmmm whatever you call the thing it is on? the hole in the ground? sounds good. They did that and low and behold they found the problem. We had a pretty good guess as to who and what had happened! Our darling daughter has a fascination with how toliets work and what you

can put in them, while experimenting she chose a small toy to flush and it worked but was stuck in the bottom of the toliet. What a girl! Well thanks Dad and Uncle Ray for fixing the problem and Ryan too!

COSTA RICA

My dear friend Lana Davidson is currently in Costa Rica! She has chosen to travel these many miles with a servant heart. Lana has felt called into the mission field for many years and has gone on short term trips but this trip is different. She has left all she knows and ventured with only the bags she could carry to a new country to fulfill her calling she has committed herself to one year. Lana has so much to offer as she has many years experience working in the medical field at Children's Hospital (nuclear medicine), the amazing thing is although Lana has these medical talents God is using her for her strengths he has blessed her with, PRAYER! Lana has been praying for the Cabecar people specifically which are in a village close to where she is living!
Lana is having the experience of a lifetime and anyone who is interested can be part, she has a blog and you can check it out anytime I have it on my links "Lana in Costa Rica" here is the site http://thelcdwatch.blogspot.com/

Joshua Ryan

I had to have a long talk with Josh the other day. We were discussing the importance of responsibility and making sure you make the "good" choices when given any responsibility. Of course I used the story of his cousins and a unfortunate error of their ways, while sent to wait at the bridge for their mom who was only a few seconds behind them, they choose to venture further on down the creek. It only took Cara Lee 10minutes (yes that is a long time) or so to find them, but once she did she had a similar discussion with her boys. I was trying to use this example to help Josh understand. Anyhow I had told Josh their consequence to making this choice was they were no longer allowed to run ahead from Auntie when they are walking. He asked me a series of questions like, so no more races, do they have to hold onto the stroller, and on he went. I steered him back on topic of him and his choices and making sure he is a responsible boy. He knew his consequence was coming so he stopped me and said you know mom I thin that a good consequence for me is that I shouldn't be able to run ahead, ya you can take running away I am ok with that. Yes and on goes the life of Joshua Ryan Douglas, who's mother has banned him from running, yup only in his dreams!!!!

Caleb Jackson

If you want to get to know Caleb on a more personal level....DRIVE WITH HIM! You can ask his Auntie and Uncle they know best as every time he seems to be in a car with them he has a variety of suggestions for them to help improve their driving abilities. Ryan and I don't get to experience this commentary from him as he knows we are the "perfect" drivers, but we do get to here about other cars if they are passing us, as Caleb is all about winning and while in the car we are in a race of course. Makes you wonder hey, where does he get this competitive edge from? Me and Ry can't figure it out!

Abigail Grace

Then there is our little Princess! Auntie Nat asked me today if I notice a difference between the boys and Abby? Where do I start? Well she does like the star wars action figures but they are more likely to be seen having their face washed or being fed. She does like playing hockey but oh my goodness she has more attitude then anyone I have met. The best way to describe Abby is Miss Independent. She knows what she wants and how to get it, she is a women on a mission and watch out if you get in her way! But she really is cute ! She does have her first crush though, she is smitten with our friend Steve Kater! There are not too many people she will leave mom for but at the sight of Steve she will push, kick and wiggle her way away from me to get to him in a heartbeat! Steve you are a lucky man!

The Toast or is it Roast to the Groom!

Cara Lee and I worked really hard on our toast for Shane, and to our BIG disappointment the sound didn't work on our file when it came time, so I have put together a little something in honor of our toast!! Enjoy the sound:)))) Sorry it is a bit long.

Our Baby Brother FINALLY Ties the Knot!

Girls!

I was just reading Cara Lee and David's blog and admiring the cute pics of Emily and Abby! While the girls are at Cara Lee's they have cute little teaparties, dress up in princess costumes, wear jewlery.... it made me think back to my kodak moment of the girls today at my house!!! The only sad thing is I dont have the actual picture to show, so I will have to paint one for you!
It all started today All four boys are at school, so me and Cara Lee thought what a great time to sit down and have the girls play while we chat. It started out great! Emily was all excited to go upstairs and play with Abby so the two ventured on their own to the top floor of the house. Great time for us! We heard a couple squawks, nothing too major, BUT then a loud thump followed by a wail from Abby! I figured I better go check, I hopped up began to climb the stairs as I reach the final two steps I take in a deep breath glance around me and all I can see is brown marks on the floor accompanied by the most obnoxious aroma!!! Of course I scream! And yell to my sister I think Emily just pooed all over the floor(she is the middle of potty training so was roaming around kinda free).....Oh wait though it gets worse.... remember I haven't seen the girls yet. As I dodge the brown markings on the carpet I hop skip and jump towards my bedroom, to find two girls one looking sweet, cute with blonde little ringlets the other looking sweet, cute, but naked with brown rubbings all over her legs and belly! I love my neice sooo much but unfortunately at this particular moment all I could do is run the other way and try not to toss my cookies. After a few good deep breaths of fresh air found only at the nearest window, I was able to tackle the situation at hand! Cara Lee grabbed Emily threw her in the bath, while Abby commentated ewwww, gwosss, ucky, ewwwww, neenky throughout the entire clean up process! Well needless to say all is clean here at the douglas household once again!
The best thing was telling our germ-a-phobic son what had gone on while he was at school.....Oh man now you can just begin to imagine that reaction....trust me it was pricless!!!!

A big Talk

Today in Josh's grade one class they were talking about words in the "uck" family.....need I say more! This rhyming thing isn't always the greatest teaching method!!!!

Bubble Mania

The other night we had one of those fun priviledges of having all three of the cousins over for the evening minus the mom and dad! It really is a priviledge because no matter how crazy or loud it is, there is always so much fun to be had. We had a great night full of silliness. The highlight of the night was bubble mania. I promised them that I would make a bath that had more bubbles then water. I think I was successful. The lesson I learned though was when doing this it makes it very slippery, hard on the eyes (the sting factor) and lastly almost impossible not to ingest bubbles.
Thanks for making the night so fun, Zosh, Vabid, Nonnor, Cayzeb, Emiwee and Zabbee!

Smackdown Mini Golf

How our mini golf smackdown worked, was 6 teams, lowest combined scores
was the team winners, as well individual prize for the lowest score. The
team winner was Killer T-Rex, individual was Matt. Good job participants!
thanks for making Ry's birthday a fun one!

Waddle to Swaddle

At our house these days we talk a lot about Nick! Who is Nick you ask, well let me tell you. Nick is an amazing little boy we love very much. He is one tough little guy. For the last few months he has really tested his mom and dad, they have had trips to the doctors, followed by trips to the hospital over and over again. His mom has been extremely patient and strong, he is so lucky to have her as his Mommy. She takes amazing care of him and loves him to bits! Oh by the way did I mention he is so cute you should see him....well actually that brings me to my point if you want to check out Nick you can at http://waddle-to-swaddle.blogspot.com/ ! Nick is our nephew although we haven't held him or hugged him yet we already know how perfect he fits with us:) He is still growing in Auntie Natalie's belly! Josh has given him his name "Nick" funny thing is Auntie and Uncle keep referring to him as Baby Bean, but at our house he is Nick. I have added a link on our blog so if any of you want to keep up with our little nephew you can!
Natalie you are one brave mommy, for all the pain, complications, emotional rollercoasters and sacrifices you have already endured. You have proven yourself as "Mommy of the year" before you have even been able to hold your baby! We LOVE you and are continually praying for our baby "Nick's" safe arrival.

The Results are In!!!

Well here is the low down on my birthday song attempt!
We had an amazing response a whopping 4 phone calls came pouring in!!!

Here is the breakdown:
First to phone in was Marc and Nat...the song was weak but none the less they finished.
Second was the nephews, David and Connor! Ry says hands down they had the best rendition of the song taking it straight from the movie Madagascar!
Third was Matt Kennedy which Ry felt was the most professional of all, his tone and pitch were impeccable!
Lastly but by no means least was my Ma and Pa, now Ryan felt this one was the funniest as they could not contain their laughter long enough to get through a complete sentence of the song!

Thank you to all participants, Ryan said it was quite hilarious receiving these phone calls throughout his day!
Now if you are really just bummed that you didn't read the email in time to make the cut you could phone in tomorrow, last chance but you must sing the Birthday Song in French as your punishment for missing the deadline!

Did you Know???

Today September 11 is Ryan's Birthday! He is turning 34, I dare each and every one of you to phone him today and sing,

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
You look like a monkey
And you smell like one too!

I promise to post the results....come on it would be pretty great to have his cell phone ringing all day long with that tune ringing in his ear:) If you need his cell phone number just email me and I will pass it on to you! You can leave a voice mail but you can't tell him what possessed you to phone and sing!!! hee hee hee.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!!

The BIG day

This morning at 8:30am I brought Josh to school at which time the morning and afternoon classes were taken into the multi purpose room! The final moment has arrived....we find out which class Josh will be in for the next year!
Now the only request Josh has made was that he be with David in the same class. So we have been praying that would happen. At 8:45am Mrs. Mitchell began dividing up the kids into their respective classes. I was so overwhelmed with anticipation. David's class was the other morning class so they were not in the room at this time. All the kids in the multipurpose room had been divided as I look at the group Josh is with I was completely stressed, not one boy from his previous class with him, two of his favorite girls but no boys! I find out his teacher is Mrs. Hansen which is apparently a good thing, a verywell like teacher strict but excellent! Josh at this point has to go to the bathroom so I take him in the hallway I see Auntie Cara Lee I ask do you know who david's teacher is, at the exact same moment she asks me who is josh's. I tell her Mrs. Hansen....she scans the list outside david's old class and there it was in black and white Mrs. Hansen's class, wuhoo!!! I will leave out the part about where I turn into a blubbering fool and Auntie has to track down where josh is suppose to go because I was too emotional to follow through with my parental repsonsibilities....ya I will leave that part out:)
So I left Josh at 9:10am this morning with a big grin on his face sitting in Mrs. Hansen's class with his cousin by his side! PHEW!

First Day of School!

The big day is tomorrow, Josh officially will start Grade 1. He seems excited but assures me he does not like school! He has his new lunch bag and is ready to hit the road to the big leagues. The highlight for him is lunch time! The only bad part is I want him to come home for lunch...we will have to make a deal in there.
Anyhow keep Josh in your prayers as his ventures off to public school 5 days a week 6 hours a day um and maybe for his mom too:)))