Pictures Today and small post

Well it's now January 17th - and we had our first "Biggest Loser" weigh in here at work. I am officially down 5.2 lbs. Not as much as I wanted, but I am still happy that I have lost some weight. If I can lose 5 lbs every 2 weeks overall I'd be happy. We now have a family membership at the YMCA and I have been working out 3-4 times a week which I am actually enjoying. I am doing Zumba class and this week I am going to try the kickboxing class - should be fun. I have done kickboxing before in college and had a good time with it, so I am excited.

Also - our little Tanman is still NOT walking! He gets very frustrated when we make him try to walk. I just don't get it - he's got the strength to do it he just doesn't have the confidence. The babies are now 16 months old, 14 months adjusted age. Allie has been walking for almost 3 months, Jasmine for 2 months, COME ON TANNER!! Your time has come :-)

Below are some LONG PAST DUE pictures! Some are from Mason's birthday and the others from the holidays. I have another goal this year - to take MORE pictures. I have been slacking lately and NEED to get better about that!

Waiting to see Santa!! Don't we look thrilled?


Also waiting to see Santa :-)

Bring on Thanksgiving DINNER

It's PRESENT TIME!

Look at my cool cake!!!

I can make webs just like Spidey!

Happy NEW Year!

Well I want to begin by saying HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone! I hope 2011 brings great things for everyone. We have been doing well here in FL. Our family had a great Christmas and are now off and running on 2011 and hoping this year brings great things to our family as well. 2010 was an up and down year for us and I am hoping for better things in 2011.

So - first off our Christmas was a good one. My parents flew in on December 21st and stayed till the 27th. It was a nice visit and great to see them. Unfortunately, my Mom had a decent cold that kind of brought her down, but she still had fun and enjoyed seeing the kiddos. Christmas morning brought lots of gifts for the kids under the tree. It was fun seeing them open them and the excitement on their faces - ahhh the magic of Christmas. I think Christmas will be an awesome time in our family for awhile with all the kiddos!

On December 24th my little boy Mason turned 4!! I can't believe he is 4 already. Time FLIES. We had his birthday party on Dec 10th at Backyard Adventures and it was truly a SUCCESS. He had his 4 year old check-up on Tuesday and he is healthy as a horse HA HA. He weighs 39 lbs and is 41 inches tall. Puts him in 70% for weight and 60% for height. He did great identifying colors, letters, and shapes for the doctor and answered all her questions perfectly!

So - here are the plans and goals for 2011 that we have planned.

#1) Grow Dave's business and obtain more steady customers. He had a rough November and December, but that is always the slow time for many businesses so we are hoping January has more work! It's tough when you are self-employed when jobs are down, but we have good things on the horizon so we are hoping for the best.

#2) Lose WEIGHT! Dave & I are both on a diet and are really going to try to stick with it. My company is having a "Biggest Loser" competition at work which helps with motivation. The girls in my office are participating as well so lunch is soooo much easier with less temptation! We weighed in on Monday AM and so far I'm down 5 lbs WAHOO!

#3) Exercise! We upped Mason's Y membership to a family membership. Tonight Dave is going to use the machines and Melissa and I are going to try Zumba class. And yes - I will be the one in the back row hoping to not look like a fool! haha. I'm excited though. And the nice thing about the YMCA is they have kid care for free while you work out! So Dave & I can both go and not have to hire a babysitter - BONUS!

#4) Get Tanner to WALK! Hopefully this one will be accomplished in the next 2 months. He has the strength to do it, but I believe lacks confidence to take those first steps. We have been working hard on this. People have to remember though - that we did have triplets who were 8 weeks EARLY. Development issues may pop up here and there for the babies, we just work on them, and hopefully conquer them one by one! If he doesn't walk in a month or so - we will have to have Early Steps come and do some therapy with him, but let's hope that it won't come down to that.

I guess that's about it for now - I will post some pictures soon! I promise. Everyone is growing SOOO fast!

An Attempt to Update - Finally

Ok I again have been a BLOG slacker! I apologize to all my readers if I have anyone left! So I will attempt today to update you on all our new milestones and what we have been up to. First off Mason is now almost 4 years old - his birthday is on Christmas Eve so we decided this year to have his first real birthday party somewhere other than our house and several weeks before his birthday so his birthday and Christmas wouldn't run together this year. It was this past Friday night and it was truly a success! We had about 35-40 people there with kids and adults and we had it at Backyard Adventures. Backyard Adventures is a large party place with tons of inflatables in it including a HUGE inflatable slide. They also have a really neat gated play area for the little kids under 5. He had a great party, enjoyed all his guests, and received lots of presents! He still has yet to play with them all - but I'm sure he will have them all open soon.

As for the babies I think the easiest way to update is a top 10 list.

#1 Allison, & Jasmine are now excellent walkers - have been for awhile. Tanner isn't walking yet and I'm getting a "little" concerned but I do have to keep reminding myself #1 he is a boy and #2 he is a 32 week preemie. He may just meet milestones slower than the girls
#2 We are working on getting our 1 year old molars and boy that has been fun! YEAH RIGHT! we have had some cranky babies, especially in Wisconsin over Thanksgiving.
#3 Tanner now is in charge of waking the girls up when he is done napping. He does this by turning on the light, opening the door, and yelling HEY!!! It's fairly cute, but not if the girls are still tired. He is in the crib by the light and the door and unfortunately, when you have 3 cribs in one room you can't just choose to move him somewhere else because somewhere else doesn't exist.
#4 Our vocabulary exists of Mama, Dada, Baba (bottle), and other words we really can't quite figure out.
#5 They make the CUTEST kissy faces. Usually followed by a "mawaaa" That is a kissing noise.
#6 We all can wave bye bye and can put our hands in the air and do the "sooooo big" wave. And yes it looks like a wave when you have 3 of them doing it at once in the feeding table.
#7 We are officially FL babies. They did NOT like the cold up north in Wisconsin. When it hit their faces as we went outside the girls gasped for air, tried to cry, but couldn't because it was too cold.
#8 We also don't like big thick jackets or hats. They look very uncomfortable in them and fuss. And Mom has learned that FL babies are WAY easier to dress and put in car seats then WI babies. I don't think I could dress them in big coats, hats, and gloves everyday for 100 days or however long winter lasts. 4 kids are just too many to bundle!

Okay I'm ending on top 8 list today because I have ran out of new things the babes have done.

This week is a LONG week. Dave left early Saturday AM for a long trip. He went to Mobile, AL, then to Lancaster, OH, then to Elkhart, IN, currently on his way to NM, then to LA, back to AL, up to OH again and then finally home. I am staying positive he will be home by the weekend - I hope!!! It's boring when he's not around to annoy me and keep me company. And the bed is too cold since it's been like 20 or 30 every night in FL for the past 3 weeks! Not liking that. I oftentimes tell Mason to come sleep with Mommy so I'm not all alone :-) There is nothing wrong with that right?

That's it for now - I will try and post some pictures later this week. But my next mission is to get my Christmas cards done. The Christmas picture is taken now just to make and send the cards. All in good time!

Till later -

The Gorka's

November already!!

I can't believe it is already November 2nd! Time is flying. Not too much to report on today, but will try to give a few updates.

1st things first - Allison is WALKING and walking really well. She doesn't crawl anymore, prefers to walk 100%. Jasmine isn't too far behind her yet, but still hasn't gotten the confidence yet to take more than 2 or 3 steps. Tanner will probably walk in a month or so - he's usually 3-4 weeks behind the girls. We are hoping Jasmine is walking by Thanksgiving because maybe they can walk themselves on the plane to Wisconsin! That would help greatly to not have to carry them all. They are getting BIG.

We had a great Halloween weekend. Dave was home all weekend so that was really nice! Friday night we just hung out at home, Saturday we went to Mason's soccer game, and then Dave watched the kids and I went to the mall by myself for awhile which was really nice. Saturday night we went out for a few drinks and to see all the Halloween costumes. Relaxed on Sunday then went trick or treating with the kids!! They were all so cute. Mason was a pirate, the girls were Belle, and Tanner was Rex from Toy Story 3. ADORABLE - pictures to come.

Other than that not much else going on. We are getting excited for our trip to Wisconsin with the entire family for Thanksgiving.

Blog from 35,000 ft above

Well I am actually getting a few minutes to update my blog. And I'm doing it from 35,000 ft above sea level. Mason & I are on the way to Wisconsin for my friend Jessica's wedding. We are very excited it will be a lot of fun. I got suckered into the $4.95 internet cost on the airplane, really not that bad to entertain yourself for 2 hours. Cheaper than a movie haha. Mason is busy putting stickers on his coloring book and coloring pictures for Grandma & Grandpa. Dad will be picking us up in Milwaukee, he has been on the road for a week and a half working and we MISS HIM!! He is very excited to see us too and his little Mason. Unfortanately, we had to leave the triplets at home this trip, but we are all coming for Thanksgiving!!

Tomorrow we have big plans for Mason. We are going to go to a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, on a hay ride, and a country restaurant for lunch. Then we are going to bring pumpkins home to carve. Friday night we are going out for a good ole Wisconsin Fish fry then out for a few beers with my parents and maybe hit up the Oneida casino for a bit with my parents, my Mom loves those slot machines. Then Saturday we head to Milwaukee for Jessica's big day and are staying at the hotel - Mason is excited to swim.

As for other update - our little baby Allison is walking. Yep officially all across the room. It's so cute!! Jasmine & Tanner are not quite there yet but they will be soon I bet.

We spent last Saturday night at Dawn & Ava's house and the babies did great. They slept very well there, I was impressed. On Sunday we went to the park for awhile with them, it was a gorgeous day!

Below are some new pictures I wanted to share.

Mason feeding the ducks
6 kids in the triplets new wagon which they LOVE by the way. Enjoying the day at Lake Slyvan Park in Sanford!
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Ella, Ava, Madison, Gracie, Mason & Maiya - lots of nieces & nephews

Daddy & his Mini Me!! :-)

Life is starting to settle down a bit

Long overdue post again. First off Dave & I had a WONDERFUL time on our cruise. It was so nice to get away and have some fun together and just sit back and relax and truly remember how blessed we are. We have each other and 4 beautiful children. Yes life can be crazy and hectic at times, but I wouldn't change a thing, we are all happy and healthy and all together.

Dave, Mason, & I had a good trip up to Wisconsin in September as well. It was a tough trip considering we were there to say our final goodbyes to our Dear Brother in Law Matt, but at the same time it was very nice to be with family and see everyone and spend the weekend together. I spent a lot of time with my nieces and nephews whom we don't get to see enough living in FL. The weather was beautiful and fall was just starting to settle in when we were there. The leaves were beginning to change and the air just a bit cool and crisp. Perfect. The day of the funeral was just gorgeous - blue and sunny skies, about 70 degrees, with a slight breeze. I think Matt had something to do with that and it helped keep everyones spirits up rather than a dreary rainy sad day. It was a very nice funeral and we celebrated his life that day and the wonderful person he was. Rest in Peace Matt - we all love you.

Now that we are back from Wisconsin and back from our cruise life is starting to settle down a bit which has been nice. Been able to spend more time with my kids and giving them extra hugs and kisses each and every day. As for kiddo updates we have the following.

#1) Miss Allie is taking about 5 steps ALL BY HERSELF - I don't know if you can consider this walking, but I would say she's pretty darn close. Before we know it she will be running.
#2) Tanner says GO, and No No No. Very cute - he has a sweet little voice.
#3) Every time you smile at Jasmine she gives you the cutest cheesiest grin - such a happy little girl.
#4) They all say MaMa and DaDa - LOVE IT!
#5) Mason started soccer last week, seriously adorable. Watching a bunch of 3-5 year olds trying to play soccer is too funny!! I am going to try to take a video one of these days - you will enjoy it. #6) Mason is still enjoying preschool and is getting better at tracing lines and letters and coloring. He loves to go each day and is having fun with it and his friends.
#7) For Halloween we are going to have a Pirate named Captain Hoy (Mason), 2 ballerinas, and a monkey (Tanner).

As for weekend plans, Saturday we have soccer and we are heading to a Fall Festival with a Pumpkin Patch, face painters, and a craft show. I am going with another triplet Mom I know - should be fun, we will be quite the spectacle though. Also, Rich & Ella are coming to visit Dawn and Ava on Saturday so we are going to head to the Bell's on Saturday night or Sunday AM to spend some time with everyone. Ella is our goddaughter - she's a little sweetie.

Next weekend we are heading back to Wisconsin for my childhood friends wedding in Milwaukee. We are bringing Mason and on Friday we are going to go to a Pumpkin Patch with a corn maze, a petting zoo, haystacks, games, and a cute little restaurant. Then we will come home and carve some pumpkins. Can't wait!! We are also very excited that the fall leaves will be at peak!! I will take lots of pictures. I miss fall so much in Florida. Sad I can't bring my babies, but it's tough and expensive to travel with all 6. We are bringing everyone for Thanksgiving though - can't wait.

Okay this quick post turned out to be long so I'll be signing off now. Hope everyone is doing well!

Our little soccer player
And of course our Trio - SMILE TANNER ;-)

A post from David

Okay....everyone is saying I never talk about Dave in my posts and there is only one picture of him in the blog. So.....I am sitting with him now and he is going to write this post or say what he wants me to type.

"I am sad because I can't spend more time with my wife and kids. There is not much I can do I have to stay busy on the road. My work keeps me away from home, sometimes up to a week at a time. It's good to see my family up here this weekend at my parents house in Boyd. I wish it was under happier circumstances though. Soon we will be going on our cruise to the Bahamas, and I imagine we will have plenty to drink and plenty of "stateroom" time. I need to make up for some lost time.......okay this is Stacey and I am chiming in.....I AM not writing this only typing this these are Daves thoughts.....okay Dave continue...but then again the cruise will take me away from my kids and I may have to run to Montana and back after that. It never ends :( I wish everyone well and I am kind of hungry I need a snack. Night night!!

Okay now Stacey here. Yes Dave and I are leaving on Friday for a 3 day Bahama cruise with a couple of friends of ours. We are excited it will be fun. And after this weekend with the funeral and all...we will need a little trip away I hope we can enjoy ourselves and not miss the kids too much.

I will post again soon and post some pictures of my awesome nieces and nephews!

Our first PONYTAIL!!!

This is going to be a short post but I had to post a picture of Allie's first ponytail, or shall I say palm tree. You have to look hard to see it, but it is there I promise! Personally, I think it's the cutest thing ever. Sissy doesn't have enough hair yet, but shouldn't be too long. It's sad when your little boy has more hair than both his sisters combined! Hope everyone has a splendid day - and here is our little ponytailed Allie.

Pictures - post below

Our CAKE Melissa made us!!

Allie HATED CAKE

Waiting on for Cake

Porky The Pinata

My kiddos!

Getting into TROUBLE!!!

A Year Has Passed

Well, one week ago today my babies turned 1 year old!! Yes - TIME FLIES. They are doing great. We had our one year old check-up and they are growing like weeds. Allie was 21 lbs 10z, Jasmine was 23lbs 4oz, and Tanner was 24 lbs 13oz. Our birthday party went very well, but it was a hard day for us. The Friday before that we found out that my brother in law passed away in a tragic accident. He flies for UPS and his plane crashed in Dubai. It's been a rough few weeks, but we are taking it one day at a time. He was a wonderful man and we will all miss him very much. We will be heading up to WI next week to say our final goodbyes at the funeral.

However, the party did go well all things considering. I didn't have as much food as I wanted, didn't plan all the activities, but that was to be expected considering the circumstances, I think everyone forgave me :-) However, we did manage to make a pinata for the kids which they LOVED and we also had "Little Pig Hunt" which is like an Easter egg hunt but with paper pigs. The kids loved it. We also were blessed to have my niece Ava stay at our house with us for 4 nights while Mom was in Dubai taking care of some things. She enjoyed the party, especially the pinata, and had a great time with Mason when she was staying with us. She did great and is a sweet little girl!!

We also had our 1 year old checkup last week and shots :( Tanner did the best with shots, he is super tough, barely cried. The girls on the other hand made it known that they were NOT pleased with the shots. They are meeting all milestones for a one year old but walking, but we are getting close! Allie weighed 21lbs 10oz, Jasmine 23lbs 4oz, and Tanner 24lbs 13oz, yes he is a moose!!

Okay as for our new adventures and milestones.

#1) My girls can finally wear very small ponytails on top of their heads, we are working on getting more hair.
#2) Girls know how to stand and are cruising around the furniture. Allie will stand alone for a few seconds, thinking she will be our first walker.
#3) Tanner pulls up to stand when he feels like it, but normally is just on his knees. Except when he's in bed or wants to play with Oscar.
#4) We do not like baby food, we would rather feed ourselves and make large messes.
#5) We all still have 6 teeth a piece, 4 on top two on bottom

Mason is doing great as well, he really enjoys going to preschool and his new friends. He talks about Avante, Keaton, Emma, MaKayla, & Logan. He is always excited to be dropped off and has lots of fun stories at the end of the day. He is working on his vowels right now along with tracing and cutting :-)

Well that's about it for now - I will follow up with pictures from the birthday party in a separate post. Take care and will probably see some of you next week in Wisconsin.