Today seemed like one of those never ending days. It started out with me catching up all the laundry from the past couple days (mostly folding, I hate that part). I had to get this done because we are having another open house tomorrow. Then rushing around getting everyone ready for soccer, looking for the "missing" soccer shorts that always magically appear when mom looks for them. Reminding all four to brush their teeth...sending at least three back because they were in and out in less then 30 seconds. Getting all the water bottles, chairs, etc. in the car and off to the games. Today Trevin and the twins played at nearly the same time, so shuffling back and forth between the two fields which are fortunately next to each other. Cheering, cheering and more cheering. Next we were off to a pizza party for Trevin's team. That part was actually relaxing and filling! Then we were off to change and gets the boys skates for a skating birthday party. Meryn begging the entire drive to skate and me trying to think of any excuse to get out of that. When she skates she wants me out there with her. I succeeded with an excuse :) and we were off to the mall. We finished up the day by driving around looking for a new house to buy. So now I am just relaxing and thinking how nice it will be to have soccer season over. Only to remember that WE are the crazy parents that decided to let Trevin play baseball this summer and kept Brendon and Caleb playing in basketball tournaments until June. So the saga continues for now.

Our house is finally on the market!

We have been very busy fixing up the house the last couple months (actually the last 10 years)! Anyway, we finally got everything done and it is officially For Sale. I am having a little trouble letting the kids be kids this last week since we never know when someone will want to see it. We had an open house last Sunday and will have another one this week. So i have been one crazy cleaning lady. One night when I was a bit out of hand I suppose, Caleb made a comment that brought me back to reality. He said "mommy the house doesn't need to be perfect does it, we are just a family." I have tried to lighten up a little after that. They are all doing so good keeping their rooms clean and keeping beds made. That makes my job a lot easier, thanks boys!!! We will try to get some pictures posted soon.

Meryn's New Haircut

Meryn has been begging us to get her hair cut short for several months. I finally got it done today and she is thrilled with it.

Easter 2008

This year was the coldest Easter I can remember. There are usually flower buds on our trees by now, but it's been too cold. So much for global warming! We went to church this morning and after the service, there was a huge egg hunt for all the kids. Before they got started they announced that there were 41 eggs per child, so fortunately there were bags to fill because the baskets were too small. There was money, candy and prize tickets in the eggs. The kids had fun, but it was bitter cold, so it went fast. After that, we headed over to Roger & Mary's church to be with them and family in town. We had lunch at there house and then on to egg hunt number two. There were about 250 eggs for the 8 kids old enough, so again, they got their fill. We forgot our baskets at home, so we continued our theme with the grocery bag. Whatever works I guess. Everyone had fun and it had warmed a bit, so it was nice to be out. Here's a few photos of our day. Isn't Susan beautiful!!

Long Overdue

It's taken ten years, but I finally fixed the mud pit we called a driveway. Every time we would get any moisture, our back driveway, off the alley, would turn into a huge puddle of mud. Then, after everything dried up, we would end up with sand everywhere. So our vehicles were always hard to keep clean. On Saturday, I finally got my ducks in a row, and with the help of Phil, John, Brendon and Caleb, we spread 12,000 pounds of gravel. I can't wait for the next rain storm to see how well it does. I forgot to get a final picture, but it turned out great.

Constuction at the Lanker house

Greg had 2 weeks vacation in February which we planned on using to get a bunch of things done around the house. Well we didn't get much of anything done. We both got sick instead, so we spent most of his vacation miserable. We are finally all well and the work has begun. We are hoping to get the house on the market as soon as possible. So we are doing some touch up painting and finishing the one room we have avoided for the most part, since moving in. I am happy to say the ivy is finally gone. When we moved in there was ivy on the walls, fridge, and cabinets. We have slowly eliminated it over the years and now it is finally all gone. We are still not done but have made a lot of progress, so hopefully soon.

Family get together

We had our family get together for February in a gym, which was perfect for 19 kids to run wild. My family only makes it to a few a year since we are the only ones not living in the area. But the kids love getting together with all their cousins whenever possible. We had a great time and lots of yummy food. I only got a couple pictures of the night The playing school picture was right before the boys were banned from the school room, so the girls could do some teaching. I think Trevin was a little to harsh with that stick he is holding. :)

Why do they have to grow up so fast?

Caleb & Brendon

Brendon, Trevin, Caleb

Trevin

Trevin

Caleb

Brendon & Trevin

Trevin

Six Quirky Things About Me

I've been "tagged" so here go's 6 quirky (OCD) things about myself...

1. I am a compulsive cleaner, I always am cleaning up after anyone and everyone. I have a hard time leaving toys out that the kids are playing with but have just taken a short break from. I can't even start my night at work until I straighten up the desks and put all the pens the right way in the pen holders(of course with the exception of the nights I have to go straight to a delivery, babies do come first:)).

2. I throw off the first few squares of toilet paper in public restrooms.

3. I can only eat leftovers if my sweet husband will heat them up. I want to gag the minute I see or smell cold food uncovered.

4. I pull my hair out one strand at a time. I look for coarse hairs and try to get all of those out. It is an endless job, oh and before I throw them on the ground I look at how many different colors there are.

5. I love to sleep in my "Heart Walk" t-shirts that are from the early 90's. My husband absolutely despises these and threatens to burn them. Only one of the four have disappeared in our 11 years.

6. I have to sleep on my side with a blanket covering the ear that is exposed to the ceiling fan or I can't go to sleep.


I believe most of you that read this have been tagged already so here are the few I thought hadn't been yet, Rebekah, Heather, Marisa, Rachel

Snow Snow and more Snow

I think this year has been the most snow that we have had since we moved here. I was shoveling this morning and figured I had used my snow shovel this year more than I have in all the previous years combined. It's so worn down that it takes several passes to get it all moved, so when I finished, I ran over to Lowes and picked up a new one. Now if my back will hold out, I'll be set. I don't know the offical measurment, but It looks like about 5 inches or so today. It will be interesting to hear the total in the spring.

Happy Birthday Becky

Happy birthday Becks! We hope you have a great day and a great new year. You're my favorite sister!:) I love you......Greg

Kid Facts

Brendon...10 years old, does a great job helping keep the house clean, has really long side burns, has scruffy hair right now, is getting his hair cut on the 12th, played a great basketball game on Saturday, will start soccer in march, wants to play football this fall, has all "A's" in school, still enjoys playing the piano, wants to get contacts, will try most foods, is very shy around strangers, loves to save everything, likes to read, wants to be a CEO when he grows up



Caleb... 10 years old, loves flying a jet on the computer, likes to do magic tricks, keeps his hair short to avoid gel, has tummy aches most days, got really aggressive in Saturdays basketball game(something we hadn't seen yet), reading for battle of the books at school, will start soccer in March(brrr), wants to play football, loves getting good grades, has all A's in School, is still playing the piano, wanted to stop taking lessons, as of yesterday doesn't want to stop taking lessons, always wants to cook or bake, is a very picky eater, not afraid to go alone anywhere, talks to strangers, wants to design things when he grows up



Trevin...8 years old, is growing like a weed, is hungry ALL the time, loves school, would play wii or computer 24/7 if we didn't put limits on it, chases girls at recess, loves to hear Buster Brown from grandpa, misses his cousins, is VERY excited some of his cousins are coming today to visit, doesn't play his drums very often:), plays very well with Meryn, loves TV, has eczema mostly on his legs, plays basketball, wants to play football and soccer, is quiet & sits still in school, never stops talking or moving at home, a couple times a month will come sleep on our floor at night, loves sweets, will read when told to, wants to work for Brendon's buisness when he grows up



Meryn...4 years old, wants to get her hair cut, loves to play Rage, is hanging upside down watching Doodlebops right now, loves to eat breakfast, is stuffed up, plays grocery store most days, loves working on her number and letter flashcards, would go to Grandmas everyday if given the choice, loves to call people, won't talk most the time when she calls people, won't talk to strangers, won't stop talking to us, went to her first movie last month, loves her brothers, hates to be bossed by them, likes to chew gum, sleep walks, talks or screams while sleep walking, does not like cheese, likes to look at books or be read to, wants to be a Doctor when she grows up

My Unlucky Tuesday...

started when I got out of my car and took about two steps toward the hospital and felt a nice big thud on my head. My exact thought was, Oh shoot I think I just got pooped on. About two seconds later there was no thinking about it. The smell of the huge glob that hung off my hair down in front of my nose was unbelievable! I just had my hair layered and so I actually took time to curl it this night too. I stood outside not knowing what to do and gagging from the smell. I saw a coworker walking towards me so I had her look and verify what I really already knew. She thought I had fallen in the mud so now I knew this had to be one huge bird. I finally made it up to Labor & Delivery and by this time I was just plain sick! After everyone had a good laugh I was able to use some baby shampoo and went with the wet look the rest of the night.

A new year is here...

but not a whole lot is new with the Lanker family. Basketball did start last week for Brendon, Caleb and Trevin. They are all enjoying it this time. Trevin gets to have his practice in the sports arena where the junior college games are played so he thinks that is pretty cool and his older brothers are a bit jealous. Meryn says she can't wait until she goes to school with her brothers. I guess I must be getting pretty boring to hang out with. First thing in the morning she is ready to go shopping or to Grandma & Grandpas house. She has informed us she wants to play soccer this spring. I think we may have a tomboy on our hands. Other than that, not much has changed and we're enjoying the start to our new year. Oh, and if anyone is wondering where your Christmas card and picture from us is, we flopped and didn't get them done. There's always next year!

Christmas

Well, It's been almost 3 weeks since our last post. I suppose it's time to update! We spent Christmas in town this year. We had a bunch of family in town, so a lot of time was spent at Roger & Mary's. Getting home around 2am most nights was exhausting, but it's too much fun with everyone here. We got up early Christmas morning, with the help of 4 excited kids. They couldn't wait any longer and wanted to hurry and get things started. We opened our family presents, got ready, then headed over to Roger & Mary's to have the rest with everyone else. We spent the rest of the holiday hanging out and playing games. Always a good time! We had a bit of snow left so we did some sledding and snowball fights, and some of us got a workout playing Wii. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to 2008.