Happy Birthday Hunter!!

Today is the day we celebrate Hunter!! He turns 7 and it has been a terrific seven years. He keeps me on my toes and amazes me daily with all his knowledge. He is like a walking book. We have discovered that he has his Dad's sense of humor and loves to play practical jokes. I cannot wait to see what next year brings. Whatever it is, it will be an amazing time!!

Okay so I lied...there is a post during summer!!

I could not resist. I need to give you a little heads up. Hunter was been waiting very paitently for a tooth to fall out. I mean every kid in his class since preschool has teeth falling out left and right. He had not lost the first one yet. I even took him to the dentist and asked to see the xrays when she said they are all there. It will just take time and it is a good thing she said.

He had this one little wiggler, as we like to call it. It was wiggled, jiggled with a little help. We have waited. I was so sure it would fall out in SC while the boys were there. Hunter even tried to convince us that the tooth fairy brings more money if you are out of town. He is wise!!

So last night, with a little help from Dad and his favorite dental floss. Pow!! It is out. My baby is not a baby. He has entered the world of missing teeth. Next thing I know he will be going to college.

The tooth fairy came and she brought $5 and a golden dollar. I told Hunter, she must know that you are six years old and that is how you got $6.00. He said, "No, No Mom, it because it has no decay." Oh, okay. And then he wiggled the tooth beside the one that just fell out and said, I am gonna be like a millionaire when all these teeth fall out.

taking time off!!

Thought about it long and hard and decided to take some time off for summer. So no blogging during the summer. There I said it. We are busy enjoying our family tme together and I am taking in every moment and savoring it a bit more this year. Posts will resume when school does. August 24. Much love to all.

Happy Birthday Hayden Gerald Laney!!!!!!!!

All I can say is where has the time gone?? I can remember the day he was born and today but, the rest is just a blur. Five years with my little man has flown by. I am grateful to be called his Mom. Hayden woke up this morning singing "I am 5, and it is great! I am 5 and it is great!"

Hayden has grown so much in the last year. Preschool was great for him. Besides that he had a terrific teacher. (Haha!!) He opened up and lost some of that shyness. He talks to strangers and has a whole new side that we had never seen. I continue to pray that he has that same zeal about life everyday because life with him is Great!!!

Add 2 terrific little boys + 1 cup of fun = An Amazing April

We have had a great month. I scanned the pictures in my camera and was like whoa!!! I have to do one mega post about this incredible month. Rick and I have enjoyed every moment but we are slowly realizing that we no longer have babies. They are big boys now and the fun just keeps getting better!

It started with Easter. We had a great holiday celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. We also went to Aunt Bridget's for an amazing egg hunt.

I read about a one mile fun run. I thought that would be fun for the boys. I could not believe how well they did. Hunter ran the whole mile and Hayden ran a half of mile. Hayden has taken his medal everywhere.

Hayden keeps telling us that he will ride his bike without training wheels after he turns five. He flips out if we attempt to take off the training wheels. So we were waiting. I mean five is right around the corner. We went to chapel at school the other day and the devotional was about a little boy who was learning to ride his bike without training wheels. He kept falling off and then he and his dad prayed and recited Phil. 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So on the way home a few days later Hayden asked me in the car about the Bible verse. We prayed and recited the verse. He said Mom, Call Dad and tell him to take them off today! I am ready! And there went my baby....

Rick and I help out at our church once a month with an event for the kids. This month's theme was Pajama Night. Hunter had so much fun last month that he brought along two of his classmates. Yes, two girls. He convinced Hayden to join in too. They had a blast and I had to convince them that there would be another event next month in order to get them to separate.

Finally, today Hunter ran in a 2K race at the Jaguar stadium. He had a great time! He got a ribbon and told us,"for all that running I should have gotten a trophy. " I told him that the trophy was in his heart and he did a great job. We were so proud of him.

Can you find Hunter?
(Hint far right corner)

Consider yourself updated!! We are expecting the next month to be just as much fun. Be on the lookout for posts about Hayden's birthday, his graduation, Allison's graduation and a report card update from Hunter. Much love and God Bless!!

You know you are proud when...

your six year old is glad to come in 8th place. Today was the district pinewood derby race. I was worried Hunter may get upset if he did not walk away with a trophy. He did well and came in 8th. He was so excited and even congratulated his friend for his 3rd place title. I have to say as we exited the facility I gloated telling Hunter how proud I was of him. Explaining that it is not always easy to walk away proudly when one of your friends wins. He said, "It's okay Mom, I want to start working on my car for next year." Gotta love em!!

Superheros and Pirates make rainy days fun!!

We have had two full days of rain and the boys are having a ball playing in their costume bin. Everyday seems to be new characters and plots to save the world.

Jonas Brothers..Watch Out!!

The Laney Brothers have started their own band. Their grandparents were in town while we were on spring break. They wrote them a song and performed for them on their last night in town. Those grandparents even paid them for their performance.

Where have we been???

I was really hoping to post some exciting news but for the last month now. Our lives with our boys have consisted of illness. If Hunter starts to feel better, then Hayden gets it and so on and on and on. We have a concert with both boys coughing at night. We have tried it all and have been to the doctor too. We are headed back to the doctor on Monday - hopefully to find some relief. Please say a prayer for our family to get well and stay that way. We love and miss all of you. S.

PS I was going to post a picture but figured if I ever wanted you to return to this blog I better not. To say the least, it has been gross!!!

3rd Place Rocks!!!

That is according to Hunter. We did our first pinewood derby with the Cubscouts. We were so amazed that Hunter's car did so well. We all are so proud of him and can't wait for districts!

Thank you! Thank you!!!

Thank you so much for all of you buying popcorn from Hunter for Boyscouts. He won second place for sales. (He so gets that from his Dad and great grandfather, Pa) He won this awesome new bike. He loves riding it and says next year he wants to sell even more. Guess what you are getting next Christmas??? Popcorn.

Thanksgiving 2008 = Whirlwind!!

Man, am I ever thankful!! That it is over!!!! We loved being home this year for my favorite holiday but we were busy.



Thursday was of course the BIG day!



Friday we had a black friday (I was up at 4:30), birthday party and then the tree lighting downtown to see Allison sing.

(Allison is in the white hat and scarf. She is singing a song from Rent)

Saturday we took Hunter to see Walking with Dinosaurs. That boy totally amazed me. He knew ever dinosaur type and loved every minute of it.

Sunday off to Kmart at 7:30am, church at Crown Point for a special celebration, put up the tree and finish my CDA teaching requirements.

Monday I finally have my CDA testing and Hunter has a dentist appt and cubscouts.

Tuesday and Wednesday I spent catching up before I start my new position at the preschool. I am off to work tomorrow. It has been a busy week but we are so blessed with two beautiful children, an awesome family and terrific friends. What else in this world could we ask for!! Much love to all of you !

I am addicted...

I need help. A support program or something. I mean when I go out and I don't have it with me. I start to shake and I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I have tried to not be so obsessive but I think there is no turning back now.....

I AM ADDICTED TO COUPONS!!!! Seriously, I started at 7 this morning at Kmart for their double coupon event. I even got Rick to go with me.

This is what I used to get for $50.00.


















and now with double coupon and some preparing. I got all this....Yes, we saved over $150!!!! I got lots of dog treats, medicine, and sparkling grape juice all for free! I am hooked now, did I say that already.




I know it is hard to see it all but I thought I would post my great deal of the day!! I can't wait I may make another trip back this week since we don't ever have double coupons in FL. Happy Couponing!!

Halloween 2008

We had a great time with the boys!!! Hope you enjoy the pictures!~

Who is your presidential candidate????

You may have thought that there were only two to choose from but we have news for you. There is a third candidate. Here are his stats and what he agrees to do for our Country.

*He is six years old and has officially been classified as "gifted"
*He sees everything in black and white (I always said he would make a great politician)
*He said that he wants all Americans to recycle. He is our recycling president here and thinks if you don't you are making a BIG mistake for our future.
*He also stated that he wants everyone to go to Disney World. He said if he is president that he will help people to get there because when you are there everyone is happy. (yes, I raised him with good values!! hello, he loves Disney)

His name is Hunter Laney and he is ready to campaign for your vote!!!



I know it is too funny! We were in Joann's and Hunter put on that mask and yelled, "Look Mom, I look like a president!" I grabbed my camera and took the pic. Then Hunter said Mom, put that on the blog. I said consider it done. We went over what a president does and how they have things that they stand up for. Hunter came up with his own. He does think it is ridiculous that you have to be 35 to run for president because that is OLD!! Hahaha!!

Our First Camping Trip with the Boy Scouts!

We had a great time at Camp Shands last weekend! The boys loved it and we enjoyed watching them experience new things. Enjoy the slide show!

Awwwww, I love that boy...

Hayden wants to do his room in a baseball theme. So we have started looking at some things for it. I found this really cool baseball chair. Hayden loves it!! He said it won't be a time out chair EVER..So last night I went in his room to check on him before I went to bed and sneak in one last kiss. His bed was empty! My heart started to panic until I looked down and this is what I found...

I seriously owe you all some updates...

I checked out the blog and realized it has been almost two months since I posted. I am so sorry..Please forgive me. You are about to get updated on the Land of Laney . I will type quickly and you read quickly because there A LOT going on here.....

On 8/18, Hunter started the first grade and Hayden started PreK. They both are enjoying their new classes.


























Let see, we had TS Fay come thru and disrupt our school schedule, then we had some really big news!! We got a tiger!! Yes you read that right, a TIGER, a cub of course!!





I told you we got a tiger.. A tiger cub scout. Hunter heard all about it and could not wait to sign up. He even wanted to forgo t-ball for rock climbing and bows and arrows. We have our first camping trip (yes in a tent!! All four of us!! Quit laughing...stop it) the first weekend in October. Don't forget to check out the blog..it is sure to be good after that one.

Love, love, love to all ....S

3 + 3; 5 + 1; 4 + 2

Anyway you look at it they all equal 6. That is a pretty imporant number for us today. It is Hunter's 6th birthday today!! I can remember all those special moments from the time I got the phone call to find out I was pregnant, to his delivery, the last five birthdays, his first day of preschool, and his first day of kindergarten. Gosh, where has all the time gone???? He keeps growing in wisdom and stature but some things never change....

• He still won't eat peanut butter



• Everything is still black and white in his world



• He consistently must have the last word



• He still whines (he is going to outgrow that, right?)

This last year has been amazing one of growth and knowledge for Hunter. He learned to read, write and addition. He tried karate and still can't decide if he likes it. He found that he loves mexican food. Moe's is his favorite restaurant. He learned to ride his bike without training wheels. We celebrate Hunter and all the amazing things that make him today!!

Here is the cake a made him last night!! Awwww yeah, I can't wait to cut it...

Here is the birthday boy right out of bed this morning...

Thanks to all of our family and friends for all of your love, support and encouragement for our boys. They wouldn't be where they are now without such amazing family. We love you all!

The Laneys have a lake in their backyard!

Yes, can you believe it. We have our own lake thanks to two little boys. It had been a crazy day and I had lost my patience in the day more then once. We came home and the boys slip and slide split down the side so there were tears and more drama then a mama could handle. I made the statement just turn on the hose for a bit. It is basically the same thing, right? No, its not - boys, water and dirt equal the above. They had a blast and that was that mattered.