Our November....

Merry Christmas! There's snow outside and Christmas music and decorations everywhere! I just love the beauty, magic and mystery that only this time of year brings! I can't believe that there's only a few weeks left of school before winter break and Christmas is just around the corner.

November was a little crazy and brought some changes our way. Like my best friend Katrina eloquently put it, busy is a word we often use, but doesn't even begin to cover it. So true!

The last week of October, a lost or abandoned 6 month old cat began wandering our neighborhood. Mikaela noticed her right away to which we told her to leave the cat alone. For 3 days the cat followed me to the mailbox and I ignored her. I wanted her to go home or someone ELSE to take pity on her. I love all animals but Mike and I and the boys are dog people through and through. Mikaela, however, has been a cat person since she knew what one was. We did a pretty good job of ignoring her till we had our first really cold Fall night and she was meowing outside our door. I swear she knew all along that we're suckers. I brought her in to Mike's horror. I thought she had to belong to someone because she's beautiful. I made it perfectly clear to the kids that we were NOT keeping this cat and we took her to the vet to see if she's microchipped. She's not. I went on a mission to find her owners. I checked craigslist, the paper, called the pounds and rescues. I looked for lost cat signs and put up found cat signs....nothing. As fast as I was looking for her owners, the kids were falling in love with her and it was mutual. When no owners were to be found, we had to decide if we wanted to keep her or find her another home. Mike and I had to decide if we could be cat people. We took a month to decide and during that month, the kitty actually worked her little way into our family. Mike was the hardest sell and I think she knew it because she followed him everywhere. But I think what won us over in the end was the fact that she gives real hugs. Sweetest thing I've ever seen. So, I still don't know if we're cat people but apparently we're THIS cat's people. ;) Kitty got a name, a collar, a bed and there's actual cat toys in our house...I'm still shocked....but Abbey has moved in. Oh and there's one more recent development...she's apparently pregnant...little hussy. ;) I tell ya...never a dull moment in this house...ever. ;)

Both Kyler and Mikaela had their birthday parties this month. Mikaela decided to have three friends go to the movies to see "Puss In Boots" and then come back to the house for pizza, cake, ice cream and a sleep over. Kyler's birthday isn't until December but we've found that people get really busy after Thanksgiving and so we celebrate it early now. Kyler had so much fun at his party last year, he decided to repeat it again this year. He had a bunch of friends go swimming at the Aquatic Center and then come back to the house for pizza, cake and ice cream. Afterwards a couple of the boys spent the night. They both thought their parties were a hit so I think it's safe to say we had success. :) I'm still having a hard time believing Kyler is ELEVEN and Mikaela is EIGHT! Where does the time go??? :(

Kyler and Mikaela are back in Ballroom again with Jayden. We had taken about a 5 month break but are back into the swing of things...no pun intended. ;) They're all three taking the Junior Ballroom class and then Kyler likes to stay for the class afterwards with the older kids for more experience. Kyler and Jayden are finally getting to take private lessons together which was the plan all along so they could dance together. It's been fun and they're all enjoying being back.

Kyler has his first basketball practice of the season this Saturday and he can't wait. We needed a little bit of a sports break after baseball and so we didn't let him play the Fall basketball league like we usually do and just signed him up for Winter. You would have thought it was the end of the world that he wasn't playing a sport every second of the year by how he's been driving us crazy asking if his coach has called and when practices start. He was able to get the same coach that he's had for the past 3 years so we were excited about that. He's a great coach...works them hard but is still patient and easy going... so it should be a good season.

Mikaela is wrapping up this semester of dance. They're starting to get ready for their recital in May. This month they pick out their recital outfits. They're learning their Christmas dances for December and then when they come back from the winter break in January, they'll start learning their recital dances. She's very excited!

Kamden is still busy being Kamden. He really "gets" Christmas this year and is so excited about all things Christmas. There's nothing like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a four year old, I promise you.

School is going really well for both kiddos. We had the whole week of Thanksgiving off because Monday and Tuesday were Parent/Teacher Conferences which was really nice. The conferences went really well...all good things, so that always makes you proud and brings a smile to your heart. Both of them also had fieldtrips this month which was fun. I went with Mikaela's class to the theater to see the play, "Miss Nelson Is Missing". Fieldtrips to the theater are always my favorite! Mike got to take a day off work and go on a fieldtrip with Kyler's class to hike Sandia Mountain. It was a little chilly but they still really enjoyed it. While the kids were out of school, we got to go to the movies a few times....we just love going to the movies and jump at the chance when we can.

We had a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving this year. Usually we make our own turkey and Thanksgiving dinner but this year with Mike working so many hours, we decided to forego that and just decorate the house for Christmas. We still got to have a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner though because The Schimke's had us over and it was WONDERFUL! It was a perfect day.

We decided to take our house off the market the day before Thanksgiving and we'll reevaluate things again in the Spring. We got great feedback from buyers and the realtor tours, I just don't think it's the right time market wise or for us. We were always okay with staying or moving, so we're content and happy staying here for now. I have to say, it's nice not having to worry about people tromping through our house, especially throughout the holidays.

Well, I think that's all our November news. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas surrounded by people you love and the brightest of New Years!

Sending Lots of Christmas Love and Hugs,
The Glade's

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Dramatic 4 year old anyone???

Last week Kamden was helping me in the yard. We needed to blow the leaves before it snowed and froze the leaves where they were and I would have to look at them until Spring. We also needed to bury the Christmas light cords outside. We'd gotten the leaves all cleaned up and it was lunchtime so I took Kamden inside and made him a small sandwich and a drink. He wanted two small sandwiches but I told him to eat the first before we made a second. About 10 minutes later I was burying cords in the front yard and Kamden came outside and asked me to make him another sandwich. I told him that I couldn't make it right this minute but would after I got finished burying the cords.

Kamden: "But my (he says "my" for his "I"s) going to STARVE!"

Me: "You are NOT going to starve Kamden, you JUST ate a sandwich...you can wait a few more minutes for another sandwich."

Kamden: "See, you just said my going to starve"

Me: "Seriously Kamden"

Kamden going back into the house with his head down: "Yes, my seriously going to starve"

Me: "You're just fine...I'll be in there in about 5 more minutes"

Kamden: "Okay, but my be seriously starved then"

Um...drama, party of one. ;)

This is such a perfect example of Kamden because when I got back in the house about 10 minutes later, he'd made his own sandwich and was eating it.

Little stinkpot. :)

Abbey....

It was a big decision and took a lot of soul searching (a whole month's worth) but we might just be able to be "cat people". Or THIS cat's people anyway. ;) We won't push it just yet. There's still a part of me that still believes I'm a dog person and is even a little embarassed to be seen in the cat aisle at Wal-Mart. Not that there's anything embarassing about being a cat person. I've just always been a dog person and now my identity is being shaken up a bit. *stop laughing* It cracks Mike up that I zip down the cat aisle as fast as I can and actually hide the cat food and litter underneath my basket with things surrounding it so no one can see it. I know...like anyone cares. See, logically I know it's silly but my emotions have yet to catch up with my logic. ;)
We must be meant to have this cat because I worked very hard to find her owner and there's just not one to be found. While I was working to find an owner, she was just working her way into our family...and shockingly fitting right in. Mike and I are more surprised than anyone. Who would have thought??? She's smart and actually behaves better than our dogs...but what won us over in the end was...this cat actually gives real hugs. Sweetest thing I've ever seen.
So, we've officially adopted kitty and finally given her a name....meet the newest member of the Glade family...Abbey. She has a name, a collar, a bed, cat toys...she's all moved in.

And there's ONE more thing.................

We found out she's PREGNANT...little hussy. ;)

Never a dull moment around here...never. :)

Our October...

Well, the Halloween decorations are all put away and my Fall Scarecrows are out...a telltale sign in our house that November is here and Thanksgiving is almost upon us. It's hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. The day after Halloween I was in Wal-Mart and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" was playing....craziness.

The first of October we went on our yearly trip to McCall's Pumpkin Patch. It's definitely become a Fall family tradition for us as we've gone every year for a decade now. We started going when Kyler was one and it's amazing how much it's grown and changed in 10 years. It's just not Halloween until we've gone to McCalls and picked out pumpkins for the kids' jack o' lanterns. Tim, Shayla and the girls met us there and we had a great time or as the kids put it, "One of the BEST days of the year".

The kids had their Fall Break from school this month. Mike had to work and so we didn't do much. I ended up taking the kids to lunch and the movies which we all love. We all get to watch a movie and I get a couple hours of peace. Everyone wins.

Both boys wrapped up their Fall baseball season. Kyler's team almost ended the season undefeated but ending up losing their last game. It was a TOUGH game, too. Kyler was catcher for most of the game and he got hit in the mask twice and his cleat once from batter's throwing the bat. The team handled the loss really well. In fact, I don't think you would have been able to tell they lost at the end of the game. Of course, their team party was right after the game so maybe that had something to do with it. Kyler limped for a few days after the game, but was back to his crazy 10 year old self in no time.

Kamden had a fun first season of T-Ball. He had the same coach as Kyler did for both Spring and Fall which was nice and worked out really well. At the last game Kamden was last batter which is USUALLY a cool thing in T-Ball because it's like they hit a home run as they get to run all the bases at once. I thought he'd love it, especially since he likes to slide home "like Kyler". Well, we forgot to tell Kamden it was a fun thing because he freaked out and got embarrassed when everyone started cheering for him and barely made it around all the bases and then didn't want to bat again even when the coaches told him he didn't have to bat last. So....Kamden sat the bench for the rest of the game...by his choice....little TOOT! Ahhhh...the joys of the strong willed child. He did love his first team party and trophy so it still ended on a good note.

Mikaela is still dancing away. She would never admit it but she loves a challenge. I've learned that the minute dance gets redundant or "boring" as she puts it, she wants to quit. Her tap class is always challenging because she's with older girls so she never complains about it. She goes back and forth with ballet. When they're learning something new, she loves it. When they're reviewing to make it perfect before they move on, she wants to quit. I'm just glad we finally figured out why she has this love/hate relationship with ballet. Both are good for her though...the challenge and reviewing to make it perfect...so she'll be staying in ballet, even when it's not as fun.

All three kiddos got to go to Payten's birthday party this month. It was a lot of fun as we got to see a ton of family and the kids got to ride to the party in a hummer limo and then play AND sleep in two bounce houses. Mike and I stayed at the party until after dinner and then since we were kid free for the night we went to the late show. It's not every day the kids get to play with tons of cousins, ride in a limo, have a party and a sleepover. Mike and I got to do that (with the exception of the limo ride) PLUS get a kid free evening! Can't beat that!

Halloween was so much fun this year! The night before Halloween we had friends over for dinner and pumpkin carving. On Halloween morning, Kamden and I went to the school for the kids' Story Book Parade. Kamden lucked out...he got to watch and walk in the parade with both Kyler and Mikaela and then go back for Kyler's class party. Lucky little boy! When they got home from school we got them all dressed up and went to the Schimke's and trick or treated with them for a little bit and then came home and trick or treated around our neighborhood for hours. Kyler was the Faceless Phantom again, Mikaela a Princess and Kyler was Spiderman.

Halloween is always the beginning of the madness for us because we have Kyler's and Mikaela's birthday parties before Thanksgiving. Definitely makes for a busy start to the holidays. We hope you're all enjoying the cooler weather and all the beautiful fall colors! We wish you all a happy and blessed Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family that you love! As always, keep us posted!

Sending Out Lots of Love and Hugs,
The Glade's

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Love little ones imaginations.....

I love my little guy's imagination and how his mind works! We really do lose the "magic" of the world as we get older which is kinda sad. If only we could see things like they do.
Kamden is always saying the cutest little things and is constantly pretending SOMETHING. I love it!
The other day we were driving home from dropping the older two off at school and I came to a stop sign and stopped.

Kamden: "MOMMY!"

Me: "Hm?"

Kamden: "That red sign has magic powers!"

Me: "Really? What kind of powers?"

Kamden: "It makes you stop, cuz you always stop when it's there!"

Totally love how they think and see things! Only a four year old could give a regular boring old stop sign magic powers. They definitely make things a whole lot more interesting and we could all use a little more magic in our lives....;)

Are we cat people????

I would definitely consider our whole family to be animal lovers. But I've found that even animal lovers fall into one of three categories....dog people, cat people, or dog AND cat people. Mike and I fall into the dog people category. I like cats. I think they're cute and I'll pet them...BUT I'm NOT a cat person. Cats have lots of good qualities. I just prefer cats to belong to someone else. I know I'm opening up a whole can of worms with all the cat people but I'm just not a fan of the litter boxes, the smug attitudes, how they climb on everything and to be honest...they just don't mind like dogs. When I call them, I want them to come now...not when they "feel" like it. This all being said, Mike and I find ourselves in a position where we have to decide if we could be cat people.
Our boys have both followed Mom and Dad and are dog people through and through. Now Mikaela on the other hand is a cat person and has been since she knew what a cat was. She likes Kelsey because Kelsey is old and just sits there...Hailey on the other hand she barely tolerates with all her obnoxiousness. She much prefers the prim and proper prissiness of cats hands down. She's been begging us to let her get a cat for years to which she always got an emphatic no response....which leads us to our predicament.
There has been a beautiful siamese cat wandering our neighborhood for about a week now. Mikaela noticed her right away but we told her to leave the cat alone. I originally thought she belonged to our new neighbors but sadly she does not and is either lost or abandoned and no one in our neighborhood knows where she belongs. I still made Mikaela leave her alone. I could tell she wanted to make friends and I didn't want to encourage that...I wanted her to go back home...or for SOMEONE ELSE to take pity on her and take her in. No such luck. For 3 days she would follow me to the mailbox and I stood firm and ignored her. I did good until our first really cold night where our low was supposed to be 26 degrees and she was meowing outside at the top of her lungs. I SWEAR that cat knew we were suckers from the beginning and we would eventually cave because I did and brought her in to Mike's horror. The kids quickly were in chorus to keep her which we immediately shot down and took her to the vet to see if she's microchipped. No such luck. I've called vets, the pound, the paper, driven around Ventana Ranch looking for lost cat signs...it doesn't seem like anyone is missing this darn cat.
In the meantime...the kids, especially Mikaela are quickly falling madly in love with her and it's mutual. They're getting attached faster than I know what to do with her. Mikaela carries that cat around with her EVERYWHERE. They're quickly becoming inseparable.
So now Mike and I are deciding if we let Mikaela keep her or if we find her a home elsewhere. We've gotten a few offers because she's such a good cat and she's absolutely gorgeous. I've always teased that if I ever got a cat it would have to act like a dog and she almost does.
So...the question is....can we become cat people??? We're still not sure. I don't know if I can get past the litter box and Hailey is obnoxious enough all on her own...with this cat in the house we might need to straightjacket her.
We must love Mikaela a lot to even consider this....but as you can see by the picture...we'd better decide quick. ;)

Reason #782 why you never ask a 4 year old a question you don't want the answer to....

So, we're going through the drive-thru at Burger King the other day. I was pulled up to the window and the nice Burger King employee was handing me our drinks. The kids always roll down the back window so they can wave and tell the employees hi. Kyler is in the front seat and Mikaela and Kamden are in the back.

Mikaela (about the Burger King employee): "She's nice!"

Kamden: "Yes, she IS nice!"

Mikaela: "Do you think she's pretty?"

Now, one of Mikaela's best qualities is that she truly thinks EVERYONE is pretty. She will always find something pretty in everyone she sees. I love that quality in her and I hope she keeps it. Kamden's answer completely caught her off guard...the look on her face was pricess.

Kamden bluntly answers without malice: "No, she is NOT pretty....but she is nice."

Yes, you have to love a four year olds blatant honesty. He's a constant reminder right now that you never ask a question that you truly don't want the answer to. I was so glad the drive thru window was shut and this very nice lady didn't hear a thing.

Ahhhh kids...never a dull moment...even in the drive-thru. ;)