Christmas Break

We are having a very relaxing Christmas here in Kirksville, Mike has two weeks off and we're just living the dream. Sittin' on our butts relaxing our lives away. We've taught Porter old school Mario. He is fascinated and I am on a qwest to save the princess before the break is over! It's a sad sight when Porter and I are just gaming all day in our jammies. Mike and Andrew have been neglected a bit.

We have also watched TWO seasons of Discovery Channel's EVEREST: beyond the limit. It started to be so much EVEREST that when we would cough or go out into the snow, it was like we were on the mountain again....enough said.

Next week we're on our way to St. Louis. Mike earned quiet a bit of money tutoring last semester and we've decided to enjoy a getaway to the paradise known as "the arch".

Missouri is so cold that the extra holiday money that santa got funded some pretty warm coats for the boys. ps...don't even get me started on our fancy new camera that takes blurry pictures...My blood pressure goes up every time I try to capture my precious angels being....precious angels and it turns out a blobby mess. Did I build this camera myself???

Weekend before Christmas

We threw Manda a surprise bday party for her 16th celebration. Mer had the idea to make her an awesome tee shirt "Need a moment? II" it's from the twix commercial. Inside joke...had to be there....blah blah...anyway, it made her cry! Mer is such a good gift giver! :)

Clayton, Leia, Mom, Porter, Mike, Manda, Justin, Mer, Bumpy, Andrew, Jenn, Renee, John.

John Goode and girlfriend Renee met us out here from Washington State. They drove all the way on a whim! We haven't seen John in years and had never met Renee. They are both awesome people and It was so fun to see them again. Justin is Monica's BF....talk about "Boo and Mojeh" all weekend long. He's pretty great and takes good care of baby Leia! We had some good times practicing for a potential flash mob, shopping at the antique store/thrift store...lots of funny pics there...too bad I'm too lazy to post them. and Scategories...I WON....that's RIGHT! JENN CRANNEY=scategories champ 2010.

Adventures of Andrew

Andrew is such a nerd! He has been having a rough go the last month. He's being a big fat grouch. So when he is happy and playing like a normal one year old I love it so much! He and this tupperware cabinet have become very close.

Baby Leia

Bumpy had to be induced on Friday (nov. 5th) because of low water. Her back was hurtin' so Manda gave her one of her famous massages. (lucky)

Bumpy is such a cute mommy!

awww...isn't she CUTE?!

Born Nov. 6th at 12:16pm

Weight 5 lbs 11 oz

Leia Madalynn Auld

I'm gonna spare you the whole story, but I just want to say, i got to cut the cord and it's not as slimy as i would have thought...it's like raw chicken. Monica is so loved...everyone was fighting over her, nurses, parents and friends!

Andrew love Raisins!

You won't believe how much this kid eats. One of his favs are raisins. I mean, raisins are good for you, but he eats them so much I have to hide them like they're candy.

I suppose I left the pantry door open because I found him hiding under my desk eating them.

Step One: dig for raisins with chubby hands

Step two: try to pick up raisins with chubby fingers

Step Three: Stuff as many raisins as I can into my mouth and try not get let chubby hands and fingers get in the way.

Halloween In Kville

Andrew was a turtle in a half shell.

Boo!

Eliza is always in her own world. We watched her walk away from her parents and find other things to entertain her...she was moving so much it was hard to get a perfect shot, cause here she looks like she is clapping her way to dream land.

Andrew is curious and friendly. He talks and waves to EVERYONE! Sometimes it gets awkward cause he really doesn't care who it is...but it just reminds us to love everyone.

This is Porter's new Bestie...Jacksen. Port of course is spiderman but ended up ditching the hot mask for a red arrow like Jacksens.

Some of our new BFFs, The Metcalfe Fam...minus baby William who decided he'd sleep threw this party.

Cranney Fam 2010

The night is never complete without an argument..

(..don't start dialing the domestic abuse hotline just yet, they are just arguing about whether or not ANN will get kicked off America's Next Top Model)

We were booked solid on the 30th! We were so excited to hang out with friends, play games, two trunk or treats, two carnivals one dinner and a partridge in a pear tree. To be completely honest, I was nervous that the fall season just wouldn't live up to our Syracuse lifestyle. But we had a great time and while we miss our friends dearly...we sure are enjoying our new ones!

Weekend In KC

We went to KC for Bumpy's baby shower. Before the shower Monc, Dad, Grandma, Me, Mike, Andrew and Port took a stroll on a local trail. It is was pretty and nice to get some fresh air and some quality time with the fam.

Mike enjoying a homemade granola bar. (sorry babe, this is the only picture I had of your cute mug)

bumpy taking a picture of me taking a picture of her...

Porter

The young and the old.

Andrew and Grandma in their wheel chairs.

cool lookin' spider.

How long do you have to wait...

When I got home from the store I was glad to see Porter waiting in the window.

When I walked in the door I was surprised that there was no movement..."port? port?"

aww...

Poor kid will learn that waiting on a woman to shop takes far too long...

OTM

Mike had to practice OTM before his test...he is over there studying before he adjusts Mer.

awkward? uh...yeah!

Even for me...

Red Barn Festival

You KNOW I was attracted to this booth!...look at all the cute yummy goodies.

Porter got himself a cookie and a sword from the clowns...

And...mike came home with...nothing. But it was a great morning walking around the square with my boys. Mer stayed home while Andrew napped.

Red Barn Festival is a huge market that has the cutest crafts and booths you could ever think of! I love to go and get cute ideas for the house that I'm never going to actually use. :)

that's all for now. it's almost 2 am and I think I've enjoyed having time for myself a little longer than I should've. I'm gonna hate that I blogged in four hours when I have to get up. I would also like to give a shout out to the MAC! Without this speedy little contraption, i simply wouldn't be motivated to update. NIGHTY NIGHT FANS.

Hay Ride

After the parade, a family in our church hosted a fun night on their beautiful farm. We enjoyed visiting our new friends, hay riding it up through the corn field and a weeny roast over a big fat bon fire. Mer is so sweet with the boys, Andrew really loves her. He calls her "meh" and runs to her when she comes home from school.

Homecoming Parade

I love Kville, cause even though it's dinky, There is always something to do! The high school had homecoming this past weekend so we went to their parade. It was short and sweet. A beautiful day and my boys were very well behaved! We even stood by the sweetest lady who kept giving Porter candy. Her sweet little boy (8-10 year old) even gave him some of his candy. I think they felt bad for all of Porter's failed efforts and disappointed looks he kept giving me from the street.

This picture of the boys just about sums up life. Porter helps with Andrew whenever he can. He is the sweetest big brother. Last month the school held a date night. Some girls from Truman State host a huge kid party while moms and dads go out...when we came to pick the boys up Andrew was out cold. They said that Andrew just wanted to snuggle up with Porter, so Porter sat with him 'til he fell asleep. I love these boys together! It's the best feeling in the world when I see how much they love each other!

Porter's Preschool

Picture of Porter at the picnic...i just noticed he's with all the ladies. I don't know how i feel about that.

I haven't updated hardly anything since we've been here, and I want to remember so many of the fun times we are having here in Kville. We think it rocks here! The fall season is upon us and it is our FAVORITE time of the year. We love to soak it up before winter cramps our style.

Porter is so lucky to be in such a good preschool this year. They had a little get to know you party at the park a couple of weeks ago. I really LOVE his school! It's so family oriented. I actually know his teachers and they know me. It's a great place and I appreciate those sweet gals at the school. I have already learned so much from them....(they have no clue).

Monday Porter came home talking about some wedding thing they were doing at the school during lunch. I didn't understand what the heck he was talking about. Then Tuesday morning he told me to come have lunch with him and not to forget. * school provides breakfast and lunch for the kiddos which is awesomeness because I don't have to think of it, buy it, make it or clean it up for four days a week! I am a huge fan! Mike had a little break from class so he studied while andrew napped and I got to go to Porter's class. When I arrived, I was so happy to hear that Porter thought of this as a date. We had our own little table where porter poured our milk and served our food all by himself. He also cleaned up after us (which made me realize how much he could be doing at home...I feel used). Porter introduced me to all of his friends in his class. They were so cute. Some of them hugged me and wanted to sit by me...I came home with an extra boosted self esteem. Those kids sure are sweet. This made me love Porter's school even more...

Anyway, I THINK that Porter said it was a wedding at lunch because last weekend we went to Kansas City for my cousin PJs adorable wedding. I only took Mer and Porter and it was SUCH a wonderful time to be with my little guy! During the wedding he was my "date". That's the only thing I can think of that makes lunch at preschool anything like a wedding.

Speaking of the wedding. Porter kept telling me I'm "the best mom ever." He covered his eyes as well as mine when Debbie and PJ kissed. He danced and cried and enjoyed himself very much. No pics because....well, i'm lazy and left my camera in the car which was too far to go and fetch in those dang shoes.

Enter Our Home

The Living room.. still some work to be done, pillows and pictures but it's pretty much done.

This thing we got for a couple bucks at DI, painted it and these old frames.

This is Mike's pride and joy since. He begged to have this painting in our house again. If you'll remember in Syracuse this was yellow, red, brown and green. you could see the pencil marks and he always insisted we keep it up. I gave him a shot to redo the painting with new colors and no pencil marks and he really pulled through. I love it now.

This is where our family picture will be and that blue desk we got for $4 at the auction I told you about. More decor to come...

The view when you walk into the house...there is the other item from the auction...$3 Rocking Chair.

Our House...

Kitchen

wala...this is our kitchen.

This is the cutest rooster painting compliments of my mom.
This is where we eat fruit and stare at fruit. Paintings courtesy of my mom as well...isn't she a lovely artist?

Mer's Room

Mer has joined the adventure here in Kirksville. She started her Jr. year a couple of weeks ago and she even is enjoying good ol' 6:30am seminary. I am so glad she is here. I love having her cute sense of humor and she has been really helpful with the boys and the cleaning and the keeping Jenn company.

Her room is still a work in progress. Her furniture got all scuffed in the move, so we need to add some paint to it. We are also looking for the perfect desk. We have been looking for weeks and just can't find one for just the right price with just the right pizazz. After we find the desk, we will add some of her drawings to the wall.

Isn't she the cutest? She makes her cute bed every morning. Whenever I see it, i get a little grin.