Merry Christmas!

I know this post is a bit picture heavy, but hey it's Christmas and I don't get the opportunity to post often. This is a picture of Grandpa and Grandma Hurley with all the grandkids. We had a wonderful day last Saturday celebrating Jesus' birthday with the whole Hurley gangHere's a picture that hasn't been taken in quite a while. Mark's immediate family. Back: Janet, Steve, Kyle - Front: Mark, Rita, Craig

The eldest two of the Hurley Crew. Brock and Hope ready for snow play. Yes I know Brock looks like a girl! It was a hand-me-down when Claire was three or four. He doesn't even realize purple is a color for girls, so let's not tell him until he outgrows this. It only took twice as long to get everyone bundled up and unbundled as it did to actually play outside. That's an improvement from last year!!

SANTA WAS HERE!!

Lightening McQueen Race Track

Claire with two new outfits for her A.G. dolls. We now have softball and soccer stars in the house.

Hope got a grocery cart and obviously Santa thought she needed real groceries instead of that silly play stuff. It took some work to convince her otherwise.

Opening the stockings is always a fun highlight for the kids.

The doorbell rang today and there was a dozen roses for me from "My Secret Admirer". Quite a shock since I was unaware that I had an admirer at all, let alone a secret one. As far as I know November the 18th holds no special anniversary, birthday, etc. Thank you Mark - I Love You Too!! On our way to Indianapolis this past weekend we stopped at Lafayette for lunch and Claire spotted the weinermobile in the Walmart parking lot. It's not everday you get to see the weinermobile, so we stopped for pictures. We weren't the only ones out taking pictures. Mark told the kids they probably needed to stop at Walmart for some mustard and buns.

We had a great time with two of my college friends and their families. This is a picture of all the kids, plus Val holding the newest baby Mae. Not the best picture, but we all know how hard it is to get kids looking forward with smiles.

Valerie Detwiler, Shelly holding Mae, Cherise Hall. We all lived together for 3 years at Maclure Cooperative.

Weekend Highlights!

Here are our little crayons ready for Trick-or-treating. We had a great time with Aunt Kim, Bowdy, and Brooke trick-or-treating as a box of crayons. They became a little dull as the night wore on and the hats came off. We actually had a FUN time making the costumes as well. Claire had her last cheer exhibition this weekend as well. The girls did an excellent job and had so much fun together!! She's getting very flexible and can do lots of tumbling tricks these days.

Claire's latest activity

Claire has tried several different sports since she started school. The rule is only one activity during any time period. This fall she decided to try cheerleading. We really had no idea how much time was involved before signing up for this one. She practices 3 days a week for 2 hours and then has games on the weekends. She absolutely LOVES it! I think last weekend she spent more time upside down than right side up. She's always practicing her cartwheels, round-offs, splits, etc. Because she's the smallest girl on the squad she gets to be on the top of the stunts, even though it's not very high. Last weekend she was able to participate in the Little Cousin Jasper parade and a show as well. Mark and I are hoping she gets this out of her system and we can try something different and not so time consuming next fall.

Camp Hurley

We had our 4th annual 'Camp Hurley' last weekend at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Despite the weather, we had a great time and can't wait till next year. The highlights included biking, playing on the dunes and in the water (even though hypothermia about set in), painting camp shirts, smores, puddgie pies, singing around the campfire, and feeding the birds and squirrels at the nature center. It is a tradition that the kids love and talk about all year long. Brock showing off his glow stick

This is the 2 and under crowd. A real hoot to watch interact. (RtoL: Hope, Elyse, Kevae)

Here's Mark buried in the sand. This was the tide pool that was irresistable, despite the cold weather. The whole gang!!

Indiana Beach

The day before Claire started 3rd grade we decided to use the Indiana Beach passes that the kids received for completing the summer library program. Unfortunately, both Brock and Hope came down with a nasty cold the day before, so they were a little dazed and confused.Hope was really getting into her motorcyle ride!Look out everyone, Claire's driving!

Claire got her hair painted orange and three hours later we had to be at her school for meet the teacher night. Just enough time to get home and wash the paint out. Tired and snooty nosed, Hope was ready for her snuggly bed.

Cousins and the Beach

A spur-of-the-moment trip to Niles to see the K's (Mark's brother Kyle and his family-Kori, Kaia, Kree, Kaari, & Kevea). We had a great time hanging out with them and going to the beach.Hope LOVED to do this. We don't have a clue why, but she's been doing it alot at home too. Claire, Kree, & Kaia very excited about breakfast!!

Our own comedian!

Yesterday Brock had a couple funny thoughts that really tickled us. I try to keep a journal of all the funny things the kids do and say so we won't forget them. Brock's journal is really starting to fill up. Ha Ha Ha

The first one was while eating lunch. Mark was home from work for lunch and we were talking about it being Uncle Wes and Aunt Rita's wedding anniversary. Brock then asked, "Where was I when you and Daddy got married? At Grandma Hurleys?" We told him that God hadn't made him yet, but he didn't like that answer and kept asking. Finally Mark said he was a twinkle in our eyes, to which Brock responded "NO I not in your eye - I was in Mommy's tummy!"

Last night after getting home from Mark's softball game we were giving the kids a quick bath before bed. Mark and I were both in the bathroom and as I knelt down by the tub I said, "Let's start on the ole' face." Brock looked up vey perplexed and said, "I don't have an old face, I have a new one." Then he pointed to Mark and said, "YOU have an old one!" He even gets his sense of humor from his Daddy!!
He's trying to show us his muscles in this picture with Daddy's highschool basketball jersey on.

Another Birthday and Summer Fun!!

Well, June has been a very busy month for us. I helped oversee our church's VBS program, Brock celebrated his 3rd birthday, we went to Brown County State Park for a summer vacation, and celebrated both Father's Day and our 12 year anniversary on Sunday. We've had a great summer thus far and can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has for us. Here's Brock with his birthday strawberry shortcake. He loves fruit of any type, but he could eat a whole bucket of strawberries by himself it we let him. I guess that's why the good Lord brought him into the world during strawberry season!!

Hope had no fear at the water park at Brown County. We had to watch her like a hawk. She absolutely loved the water and swimming every day.

Claire's favorite part of Brown County was swimming and going on a 40 min horse ride. She just made the cut-off of 8 years old to ride the trail by herself on a horse. It was a more challenging ride than she or I thought it might be. The guide took Claire and I on a very muddy, rocky, hilly ride. Luckily Claire had a great horse. However, mine wasn't the greatest and I'm just glad that I didn't come back muddy from being thrown off.

This was probably where we spent the most time. In the Abe Martin Lodge water park. It was perfect for kids of all ages!!!

Claire's 8!!! (Another Post Follows)

It's so hard to believe that our little girl is 8 years old. Claire wanted to have a campout sleepover for her birthday this year. Since the weather has been wet, to say the least, we decided on a camp-in. She had a few friends over and, of course, two crazy sibblings. Claire likes to make everything dramatic, including opening cards. Notice also that she got a hair cut. She's been asking for a short "do" for quite some time. Striking a pose!! Brock will be embarrassed someday that he got into the action. However, since the girls are all 5 years older than him, he may think it's pretty cool to know the older girls.

Where the actual sleeping occurred, or lack there of!!

As usual, Hope liked the gift bags best.

April Happenings - Late!!

Hope is really growing up on us. She has gone from baby to a girl who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. She's still very much a Momma's girl and rarely shows others her sweet smile, so here it is.

Brock is now really into cutting ("tutting" as he calls it). It's amazing how a single piece of paper can turn into confetti in no time! Claire's 2nd grade class had a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium which I was lucky enough to chaperone. We had a great time!

The night before we went to the aquarium Claire insisted that her and I have the same manicure and pedicure for the field trip. She, of course, had more in mind than just a simple pink. I haven't had this crazy of nails since high school. I was just happy she wanted to be seen with me, as well as our fun nails. We had to paint Hope's toes as well - for the first time!!