5-Year Birthday Bash

Birthday cakes, decorations and tasty snacks........$50

Gift bags filled with fun surprises for LTD's favorite friends........$60

15 children laughing, singing and filling shoeboxes for less fortunate children around the world........PRICELESS!!!

Saturday was our 5th birthday bash for LTD and it was an absolute riot! Check out our video to see the difference between a more subdued birthday celebration with Grandma and Papa Good the wknd before vs. Saturday's gathering of 15 children. Let's just say we broke the decibal record at Camp Clark!

The video should give you an idea of how much fun was shared between these little people. We started out with a game of kickball at the park across the street which lasted about 20 minutes until mayhem took over - the boys decided tackling was way more fun than tagging the runners out! OK, plan B - SPRINTS up and down the soccer field and snow angels in the snow.

After we tired them out a bit, we went inside for some hot cocoa and treats and sang some of their favorite Christmas songs (Jingle Bells, Rudolph). From there, we all snuggled up for a brief 10 minute video on "Operation Christmas Child" to remind the kiddos why we were packing shoeboxes and for who. It was simply amazing to see the room so calm & quiet as they watched intently with love in their hearts.

Let the packing and wrapping begin!! Talk about chaos! Dave and I each had a table of children we were overseeing but little did we realize how difficult it is for 3-6 yr olds to "cut paper, tape and wrap neatly" so the covers could actually fit on the boxes. Duh! We called it off after about 20 minutes and decided just to let them fill the boxes and move on.

After the children broke loose into the playroom and Dave and I cleaned up the wrapping aftermath, we brought out the cakes: one for Dylan and one for Lindsey and Taylor. Dylan picked out a Fire & Rescue chocolate cake and the girls picked out a Little Pony cupcake cake.

Here are just a few photos but we plan to show more on our Kodak Gallery site soon. (link in the right column of this blog). Funny thing, Dave and I were SO busy we had little time picking up the video camera and camera! But we got enough to capture some of the magical moments.

LTD went to bed that night SO happy and with SO much to talk about. Shortly after lights went out, they were sound asleep. Aahhh, peace and quiet! Most importantly, 3 happy little angels and a day they will remember for a LONG time.

Today we dropped off the shoeboxes at the OCC warehouse. On the way out the door, Dylan asked, "where we going?". I reminded him we were going to deliver the shoeboxes and he quickly smiled and said, "to Africa?!" After they helped me unload them at the dock, the helpers thanked them and gave them big hugs and smiles. Taylor walked away and said, "I am SO happy, I could cry!"

500,000 shoeboxes were collected in a 5-state area and 8 million around the world. That's alot of caring hearts and compassion. That's what it's all about!! :)

Birthday Babes

Yesterday was a monumental day at Camp Clark - LTD turned 5 years old! It's hard to believe these 3 little angels that once averaged 4 lbs at birth are thriving 5-year-olds already. Where did all that time go and were we awake for it all? Oh, if only we could go back in time and re-live some of those magical moments that made us laugh hysterically, burst with pride at the mini and major milestones or cry because of overwhelming exhaustion. We are positive there are MANY more fond memories to look forward to. Even so, yesterday was filled with lots of emotion for Mama Bear coming to the realization of how quickly her cubs are growing up, but it was a very joyful day/week nonetheless.

Our 5 yr celebration began on Thanksgiving Day since Papa and Grandma Good came to town for the holiday and to celebrate LTD's birthday. We combined Thanksgiving, decorating the tree, decorating our house inside and out for Christmas, and a birthday celebration all into 4 days filled with fun and laughter.

Papa and Grandma left town on Monday and there were some sad faces but the smiles quickly returned the next day on their birthday when they awoke to colorfully-wrapped gifts and their favorite breakfast: pancakes and blueberries (for the eyes, nose, mouth). Later that day, LTD were treated to a special birthday celebration at school with their preschool friends and teachers. I got the chance to partake in it all since I volunteered that day in their classroom which was super rewarding. I loved seeing their faces light up over the birthday song and sharing tasty treats with everybody.

LTD felt SO loved after receiving all the thoughtful phone calls, cards and gifts from family and friends and a special visit from Ethan, one of Dylan's best buddies. We sincerely appreciate all the love that was shared!! After a full afternoon, Dave treated us to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants complete with balloons and ice cream sundaes. We ended our busy day with a big bubble bath, lots of bedtime stories and oodles of hugs and kisses. I personally enoyed snuggling EXTRA long with each child to let them know how much they are loved and how very special they are to us, their family and friends and most importantly, to God. They fell asleep so sweetly and I wished I had a camera to capture that moment with each of them.

The final birthday celebration is this Saturday with all their favorite friends. We plan to play a game of kickball at the park across the street and then will head inside for a "shoebox packing party" for Operation Christmas Child, our family's favorite charity. LTD are excited to share with their friends the gift of giving to children around the world who are hurting and have nothing. We will make sure to post lots of photos! If you want to learn more about OCC, their website is www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. Enjoy a few photos below of our "week".

Sisterly Love

Trimming the Tree

A little help from Grandma

Proud of their decorating efforts

We love our Papa & Grandma GoodBlowing out "5" candles on the cake they helped bake

Cozying up to Papa
Bidding farewell to Papa & Grandma
Birthday morning

Let's try for a 5-yr birthday pose? (or not)
Dylan proud of his "skyscraper" he built with Dad

We Are Thankful For......

Happy Thanksgiving!! We wish everybody a day filled with gratitude, full bellies and happy memories. We started out our day by gathering around the breakfast counter and asked the kiddos what they are most thankful for and here is what was shouted out:

Mom & Dad

Papas & Grandmas

Jesus

Lindsey, Taylor & Dylan

Food

Shoeboxes (Operation Christmas Child)

The sun and trees

Our teachers

That I can skip, whistle and play guitar at the same time (Dylan)

Turkeys

Our house

Our cousins & friends

Dave and I are most thankful for our health, each other, Jesus (ditto!), our angels (LTD), our family and friends, today, what tomorrow may bring, and the promise of eternal life through belief in our Savior. May God bless this great country, guide our leaders, keep a protective hand on our military and help all those who are hungry, homeless, hopeless, helpless, sick, lonely, depressed, lost. May we all do our part to reach out and help where we can, however we can; maybe start by lifting up a prayer today and putting the focus on God and on others, and take it off of ourselves.

Enjoy this day and the weekend. We plan to watch the Macy's Day Parade on TV this morning, head over to Lisa and Jeff's house (Dave's sister) for a Thanksgiving celebration with family, welcome Papa and Grandma Good to town, celebrate LTD's 5th birthday with Papa and Grandma, take in Macy's Christmas display and the Holidazzle Parade downtown Mpls, and possibly sneak in a date night ALONE since we have free babysitting :)

God bless you and your loved ones!!!

Goodwill to All

Christmas season is a heartfelt time of the year. One thing Dave and I are trying to instill in our children is that it is much better to give than to receive. After all, this is the season of celebrating the birth of Jesus who gave his life for all of us and loves us unconditionally. Whatever we can do for our fellow brothers and sisters, we need to do our best to reach out and help, especially those that are less fortunate or invisible at times although they give so much of themselves: military, police officers, firemen, pastors, teachers, volunteer workers, charitable organizations, homeless people, less fortunate families and children, just to name a select few.

The last two days have been filled with lots of "giving". Yesterday, we participated in a packing party at our church for "Operation Christmas Child". We had such a great time with other families packing up shoeboxes loaded with donated goodies/toys for hurting children across the world. It was amazingly rewarding witnessing over 60 children (and their parents) delight in packing the boxes and tucking personalized notes inside about themselves to be shared with children who may have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus. The best part was watching all the children load a trailer FULL with 397 BOXES!!! Again, only 60 children did all this to help children they don't even know with hopes of brightening their world in some small way.

Today, LTD insisted we drop off some homemade chocolate chip cookies for the firemen because "they keep us safe". This was their idea and I was one proud mom! So, they created some thank-you cards and off we went to the local fire station. We got to meet the Fire Chief and he was so grateful and touched by their goodwill. He even gave us a quick tour of the station. Dylan asked if he could drive the fire truck with a BIG smile on his face and they laughed BUT they did give them firemen hats and coloring books instead. Next time perhaps?

Now tomorrow, they want to bake more cookies for the policemen so they can deliver them to the local police station. So I guess we will be baking again in the morning. I wonder if Dylan is going to ask if he can drive the police car or if the girls are going to ask to pet the canine unit (they have a heart for animals)? Looks like we may be doing ALOT of baking this season - such little people, such big hearts!

'Tis the Season

With Papa & Grandma Kemmet (earlier this year)

(Forgot to take photos this last visit!!!)

'Tis the season........for so many wonderful things! First off, we were graced by a visit from Papa & Grandma Kemmet this week. We love and have missed them SO much and now that they are both retired, we hope to see alot more of them. LTD were sure to keep them on their toes by playing games, taking them to their school to meet their teachers, playing and working outside in the yard, reading stories and running around the house non-stop making sure to show off their toys, dolls, cars, and colored drawings/newfound artwork plastered all over our stairway and doors. Dave and I truly enoyed the quiet time and great conversations with Papa and Grandma after the munchkins went to bed; lots of laughter, especially at Dave's expense. He had to demonstrate his "spinal" gadgets he has purchased over the last year for self-correction of the spine: Spine Align, blow-up neck support, trigger point cane and the therapeutic "blue balls" - don't ask - they supposedly DO have a purpose other than being thrown around the house by 3 little ones.

November kicks off the Thanksgiving and Christmas season which is always a very joyful and appreciative time of the year at Camp Clark. With that comes preparation for Christmas programs (school and Sunday School) which means LOTS of singing; some Christmas songs, some miscellaneous. Then there is the story of the birth of Baby Jesus, the reason for the season. Taylor has taken a special liking to Mary and her baby and plays the "giving birth" role frequently. Oh but wait, Dave added yet another activity.........duck hunting! No, not the typical duck hunting, but shooting 3 little munchkins dressed in duck outfits running as fast as they can to dodge Nerf bullets. You have to see the video below to appreciate the humor in this "sport" which LTD just can't get enough of. Not sure if Dave has more fun or the kiddos. Comical!!

Songs, babies and duck hunting

Camp Clark Conversations

Oh boy, the conversations that have been taking place with the age of 5 approaching! It is both hysterical and eye-opening what can come out of the mouths of babes. What we cherish most about this age is the innocence, curiosity and matter-of-fact chit chat that keeps us laughing, guessing and taking time to explain in little people terms this big wonderful world we live in (and not so wonderful at times). They have SO many questions; some we can answer, some they answer for us. We have realized their little minds are working 100mph and they hear EVERYTHING, including our talk radio playing in the garage as we play outside and our personal "lingo". It's like having a tape recorder follow you around and a constant reminder: we need to be VERY careful what we say and how we say it......little ears are upon us :) And now for the latest conversations!

LindseyDylan asked "Mom, do I get a time-out if I jump off the deck?" Lindsey responds, "that's the worse idea I have ever heard, Dylan!"

"I don't want a gerbil piece of salami, I want a BIG piece."

Taylor explains, "Our teacher says we need to read the Bible ALL day! Lindsey rebukes "No Tayloooor. She said EVERY day. The Bible is true. It's God's word. Not like those other books we read; they're fake."

"Mom, you better go lay with Taylor. She's ready to have a baby and is in alot of pain." (at bedtime)

"I'm Taylor & Dylan's leader. I'm older than them so I know ALOT more. And I'm more brave." (they were born about 1 minute apart; Lindsey was first)

Taylor explains "Mom, God made everything - you, dad, Lindsey, Dylan, me, trees, birds, grass, buildings. Lindsey jumps in "No Taylooor! God didn't make buildings......people did!" Dylan gets in on it "But God made all the people that make buildings, Lindsey!"

TaylorAs Dad is "hunting" them with a nerf gun, Taylor shouts out "Don't shoot me whatever you do. I'm just a LITTLE girl!!"

Taylor says at bedtime with a doll stuffed under her PJ's "my belly hurts. I'm gonna have a baby." Moms responds "let's see if that baby can hold off until tomorrow morning, it's late. OK?" About 5 seconds later she says quietly, "UH OH! (fake crying like a baby starts) Look! My baby was born! Her name is Ariel. I will have to stay in the hospital for 3 days, then I can go home. But my baby is going to need medicine."

As she falls off a higher chair at the breakfast counter, there is a long pause, then she bounces back up and shouts, "I'm OK! No worries!"

Taylor asks if she can visit her best friend, Aimee. Mom told her Aimee was at her grandparents in Bloomington. Taylor asks "which way is Bloomington?" I point in the direction and Taylor blows a kiss that way and sweetly says "here's a kiss, Aimee. I love you!"

"I'm a sweet potatoes mama!"

"Baby Jesus was just a weeeeeee little baby born in a manger. Oh Jesus, I love you!". Then she puts her baby doll in a wooden crib, covers it with a blanket and kisses the baby goodnight and sings "Away in a Manger".

Dylan I have a GREAT idea! Taylor, you get in this basket and I'll pull you across the house super duper fast! Taylor says "not a good idea". Dylan retaliates, "That's a GREAT idea - now get in!"

"I told my teacher today that I pray for liberals sometimes........they need the most help." Mom holds back her laugh and says "yes, we need to pray for our government." Dylan agrees "Yah, they need help keeping their hands off our piggy banks."

"Dad can snap, whistle AND skip all at the SAME time! Isn't he awesome!"

We were at Target Cafe and a man with a feminine voice helped us and took our order. Dylan looked confused and asked loudly for all to hear "Mom, why does that man sound like a GIRL?!"

As we are driving by a construction site Dylan asks "Ah Man! Why did they cut down all the trees - they're ruining our city!"

Mom overheard lots of giggling coming from the girls' room one morning. As I opened their door, there are LTD bouncing on the beds BUCK-NAKED. Mom asks "what's going on in here? Where are your pajamas? Dylan laughs hysterically and says "God loves us just the way we are!"

Memory Lane

Yesterday I was at Target with the munchkins and we decided to stop in the cafeteria for a quick snack. I couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two friends at the table right next to us. They were discussing the first few years they had children and how HARD it was. They each had 1 child and decided NEVER to have another one because it was just TOO much work. Hmmmm? All I could think was, "Oh you POOR things! Take a look around sisters - try 3!" Parenting is hard regardless and I sincerely commend ALL parents, especially fellow mothers of multiples since it truly is a unique challenge which I will spare the details on. Let's just say our first two years are still a blur.

So I went home and looked at old videos which brought back some memories out of the blur zone. I cried and laughed as I reflected on how "hard" those days were yet how incredibly joyful they were. Some things never change: LTD are still loud, full of giggles, play super well together and like to run around with limited clothes on. Lindsey is still the "caretaker" and loves baby dolls and babies; Taylor still loves books (they all do) and climbing like a monkey on furniture; and Dylan is still the loudest in the house, seriously into cars, loves to wrestle his sisters and is extremely ticklish. Our babies in this video are growing up and with each new day, Dave and I are reminded of what a miracle they really are and how grateful we are to have gained God's trust in raising these 3 angels on earth. Enjoy the video!