Visit with Santa

Why do I do this to my kids? Don't they both look so excited!

Special Reading Place

Laura just wanted her juice, no books today!

Luke has found his very special reading place. Now most kids would choose their comfy chair or bed, but my child prefers his POTTY! Notice he's not using his potty, just reading on it. The kid cracks me up.

My Grandpa would be so proud.

Mac and Cheese Mess

Laura has got to be the messiest eater alive. This was last night's attempt at Mac and Cheese. Maybe that's this is why she's so tiny!

Luke had to pose with his Elmo doll. He looks like he's being nice, but really as soon as the picture was snapped, he threw the poor guy across the room and body slammed him.

Luke's New Hair Cut & Laura's Wild Hair

Luke had to get a haircut today. His hair was starting to resemble a mop (and dad does not think that's cool)! So of course Luke goes to the same place where Greg goes to get his hair cut, and they get the same cut. It's funny not only do the two already look enough alike, but they have the same hair too! The best part about it for Luke is the sucker he gets at the end. Laura on the other hand has never had a hair cut yet, and boy can you tell. Her hair is WILD!

Laura is a walking fool!

She didn't want to smile at the camera.

Laura starting taking little steps here and there around her birthday, but never when her mommy had a camera ready. Then whenever I did get the camera, she decided that she didn't want to walk anymore. Now, she walks so much I have time to go get my camera. This one isn't the greatest, but at least you can see her little ballerina steps. Personally, I think she looks more like a little monkey.

Halloween 2011

My little Snow White




My not so happy Blue!

This Halloween was to fun for us. Luke has gotten so much bigger and braver than last year, and Laura will of course follow her bubby where ever he goes. Luke went as Blue from Blue's Clues this year. Both of my kids love that show, and it's not the easiest to find things like costumes from such an older show. But thanks to ebay we did! Laura went as Snow White. I really wanted to dress her up as Tinkerbell and Luke as Peter Pan, but Greg wasn't to excited about his son going out into the public eye with tights on. So we went with Blue and Snow White. We tested the waters of trick or treating with our neighbors, but Luke was not game. He took one look at them, looked at me, and said no-k mom (Laura was game for anything telling everyone Hi). So we just made two stops. One at Grandma and Grandpa Toosley's (on Sunday), and then onto Grandma and Grandpa Ross's on Monday. Believe it or not they were so happy with the two stops, and were pretty tuckered out by the end of each day. Luke gave me a Happy Halloween before he went to bed. That made it all OK with me. Maybe next year he'll make it through a neighborhood.

Grammy and PawPaw Toosley

Gma Ross (Gpa was at work)

Luke & Laura vs. the Leaves

Well with Fall comes leaves (lots of them). We can thank our neighbors for the plentiful supply of leaves we have in our yard. For some reason they fell compelled to blow their leaves into our yard. I like to think it's because they know my kids and dog love to play in them. However, I know that it's really because we like to think it more as an insulator for our grass for the winter. Therefore what Gregory doesn't chop up with the mower is just our way of giving back to the Earth (sounds good doesn't it). OK, it's really because we don't give a rats ass about our neighbors or our yard. But back to the kids. They really enjoy me raking up a big pile, and then the run as fast as they can and JUMP! Laura has to get there by crawling, but she makes it.

Fall Fun

We were chasing the lizard here, but he escaped behind the trash can.

Luke and his favorite dog Otis.

The sun was in his eyes for this pic.

Our family absolutely loves FALL! The beautiful weather, colors, fun holidays, and yummy treats. Oh and hunting season begins (that's what Greg loves about fall). Luke and Laura have had so much fun outside these past few weeks. I swear we spend a good 4 hours outside playing a day (of course at least 1 of those hours has to be swinging thanks to Grandpa Toosley putting up our swings finally). Laura loves to scoot around in her princess car while Luke and I search for things to find. He seems to gravitate to things like bugs, dirt, frogs, and lizards. Which I don't mind because that's right up my alley too. I guess growing up as a tomboy is now paying off. I did find out that tree climbing has gotten a little bit harder than I remember.

Luke posing for his car ride.

Laura finally made it into a big girl seat!

Little Laura Turned 1!

Laura enjoying her birthday cake!

The Ross's trying to eat (Brady wanted to play).

Laura posing with her Grandma!

Luke (with his favorite blankie) sticking his head in the cooler

It's hard to believe that my little Laura bug is one year old already. My little ones are growing up so fast. On Sunday, we had Laura's party. There were so many family and friends that came to help us celebrate. We b-b-qued and just sat around and had a great time. The kiddos ran around and played. Luke had a great time with his buddies Carson and Bella, and of course Laura had a great time with anyone that showed her attention. It was such a fun day. Then yesterday was her actual birthday. To start her day off, she had to go see the doc and get her shots (Ouch). Everything was fine. She weighs 19 pounds and is 30 inches long. Surprise she has a big head (so did Luke - they get that from my dad). Then we all went to the Lake to look at some houses. The kids (and Greg) were excited to stop at McDonalds on the way there. Luke and Greg enjoyed their nuggets, fries, and Dr. Pepper. Yes they eat the same exact food too. Little Laura got her own nugget Happy meal, and she ate everything. She can eat like her Aunt Trish (and still stay tiny). Then we got in and out of the car all day looking at places. All and all the kids were pretty good. Luke really liked the places where they left the remotes out so he could play with them. Laura didn't care as long as she had her Minnie Mouse. Then we stopped off in Fulton on our way home for a home cooked meal (thanks mom). Laura even had her very own birthday cookie waiting for her. Grandma gave the kids baths, and then we loaded up and headed home! Laura feel asleep. What a birthday adventure.

Laura smiling the morning of her birthday (and eating her fruit loops)

The Girls Take Over!

Yes, it's true. We found out Tuesday that Ross baby #3 is a girl. Little Luke went from prince to king of this castle. I don't know how he will deal with it later. I know right now he doesn't care just as long as they stay away from his stuff! I know Laura will enjoy having a little buddy to grow up with. I know this sounds crazy, but I wish now that we were having twins (a boy and a girl). That way each kid would have a buddy. I know Greg really wanted another little boy, but I guess he'll just have to teach these two to hunt and fish too. Lord knows with Greg and my genetics these kids will probably live outside.

Rainy Day Fun

Luke was a little upset because we couldn't find his drill bit.

I love this little overall outfit.I think she did too.

The weather was nasty cold and rainy yesterday so we couldn't rally get out to play. Instead, we played inside. Laura and I had a fashion show with her different outfits. Luke and I played tag and had many races. His favorite is to say "on your mark..getset..go!" The only problem is that he cheats like his dad in games. Right before he says go he takes off and then turns around and says go. Then we baked some treats (which we already ate). While they were napping I had to clean out closets. I didn't realize there were so many clothes that they both had outgrown. I didn't put up all the summer clothes just yet, but all their fall clothes are out and ready. Bonfires and hot chocolate at Grandpa Ken's here we come!

Fun in Fulton

Greg had his annual Ameren golf tournament with my dad and Daniel this past weekend. So that meant the rest of us got to hang out in Fulton. I forgot how much I missed home - getting my hairdone and catching up with the locals, walking down main street and window shopping, the friendly wave from everyone that passes, and of course time with my family. It's nice just to sit around a bonfire, feed the fish, and just catch up. Of course my mom kidnapped the kids (which I'm not complaining) and meant that I got some me time to just play or do whatever. The weather held up for us. It was a nice cool somewhat dry weekend to remember!

Daddy Dressed Me!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and Greg was off. WhenI came home Greg had feed everybody breakfast, bathed, and dressed them. Luke's outfit looked fine, but Laura on the other hand. Well, you can see for yourself. It hurt my eyes to look at her with all the colors and patterns. But oh well, at least daddy tried. Laura didn't seem to mind at all.

Heat Wave & Haircuts

This is the face I get now anytime she sees the camera!

Our house has been a sauna the past couple of days. Our AC unit went out on Tuesday and we had to wait until Friday until a new one could be installed. I know I put up with no AC as a kid, but I just can't do it anymore. I have also realized my kids don't even want to try. I had to get box fans. They sat in front of them during the day, and at night they were blowing right on them. This is Laura sleeping in because she's laying in front of the fan (which you can't see).

Soaking up the box fan air!

Then I had to take Luke to get a haircut. My cousin Lisa normally cuts it for me (because I trust his hair in her hands). However, it was still going to be a couple weeks before I head back to Fulton, so I decided I had to get it cut here. I took him to Great Clips in Eureka (that's where Greg goes). I started to panic when I saw the amount of hair that was dropping to the ground. Overall, it looked OK.

Luke was saying "Cheese" for the camera.

Loving the Break in the Weather

Finally the weather has turned for the better. The extreme heat forced us all inside, and being inside with these two all day gets tiring. There is only so much coloring, blocks, puzzles, basketball, bowling, etc. a girl can take. Finally though we are able to go outside. We have definitely been taking advantage of Grandma's pool. It's very relaxing if only I could get Luke to stop drinking the water. We also have been walking down to the market for ice cream. Luke enjoys his free cone from the ladies. We also get to play outside on the slide and playhouse more. Luke likes to take his lunch out there and eat it. Then he jumps on his 4 wheeler and rides around the driveway. If his driving right now is any indication of what he will be like later on in life, I don't think he'll ever get a car. Overall, it's been great playing if only the weather would stay like this.

Now a Family of 5!

Yes, that title is not a misprint, and yes we are now officially insane! Our family will be expanding to 5 (6 counting Otis). This little Ross will be here beginning of February. My mom is really wanting this one to come on her birthday (Feb 4th). So far everything is good. I think all the people that read this blog probably already knew (thanks mom), but if for some reason you hadn't heard there you go.

Ross July Update

Luke and Laura enjoy playing in thier playhut together.

Luke settles for bath time instead of swim time.

Laura watches her cartoons in Luke's Elmo chair.

I really don't have an excuse for not updating this any sooner. The weather has been so terribly hot lately that we haven't done a whole lot here at the Ross home. Luke has been riding his new 4 wheeler in the house, and we've been taking late night walks with the wagon. Other than that not a whole lot. All indoor activities. It seems that his favorite indoor activity right now is watching cartoons in our room and jumping on the bed. Laura enjoys that too. Her new big thing now is climbing. I had to dig her out of the fireplace once. She also likes to climb up on the furniture. She's fearless (and covered with brusies).

Luke played so hard, he crashed on the couch mid cartoon!

Laura climbing on the furniture.