November?

Did November happen? I'm sure it did.  I have pictures and tons of life changes to prove it, but good grief, it was a blur!  Until I can catch my breath, here are some moments...

Susanna is learning all about "boy fun".  She's been a good sport so far.

This was our first family meal with everyone in attendance.

These boys love their sister.

You know Eli loves her if he'll let her do this!

Little girl clothes are so fun!

We spent Thanksgiving week in Georgia playing with cousins.  Rae is great with Susanna.

Judah and Micah having fun together.  

Susanna and Grandma Clair having some snuggle time.

November has come and gone, and we do have some sweet memories from it.  We also have a new house.  That is another story...

A Day at the Beach

Kris got a new iphone, and he is officially as bad as those people on the commercial.  Just kidding, but he is having fun.

 

Mom, click on the box at the bottom right corner to expand the screen for a bigger view. :)

Hot Chocolate by the Fire

These boys will use anything as an excuse for hot chocolate. 

We've had more cold weather in the past two months than we had all winter last year.

Seems I'm the only one who's noticed. I wear a sweatshirt, they go naked.

Something so simple that makes us all happy - them for the chocolate, but me for the precious memories.

Sweet Summer Nights

We went out to the lake to look at the new dock that was built on the family property.  When Judah wasn't scaring us half to death by running full tilt for the edge (which was really only as long as the food lasted), it was a fun time.  Just taking in the last sweet summer nights before school starts next week! 

Caribbean Cruise

We spent last week on a cruise to Mexico with Kris' parents and his sister's family.  I only vaguely mentioned it before because someone mentioned to me one time how I shouldn't put on my blog that I'm leaving town because someone might read it and rob my house while I'm gone.  Narcissistic to think that anyone actually reads my blog, I know, but I was freaked out enough by it that I took it to heart.

But now, we're back, we're tan (for us - I mean, we no longer have vitamin D deficiencies), and I have pictures!  And I'm sure you're all dying to see how much fun I had on my vacation.  The narcissism never quits.

One last photo before we dropped him off with Grandma and Grandaddy.  He had no idea he wasn't going, and he had a fabulous time without us.

 They make your bed and clean your room twice a day and then leave you fun towel pets at night.  What's not to love?

 Luke and his two cousins loved the kids' club.  Eli was having none of it.  He ate dinner with us every night.  He had Grandma Bonnie's phone (games) all to himself. Why would he be foolish enough to go to kids' club?

 Eli did love the public pool at Costa Maya.  I'm thinking of painting our house the color of the building in the background.  Your thoughts?

 Luke floating.

 Eli "floating"

One of the few times we forced Eli to do kids club they had pirate night.  They both loved it!

 Because I'm afraid of robbers reading my blog, but apparently, I'm not afraid of perverts reading my blog.  Eli felt that the beautiful Caribbean waters were the perfect place to relieve himself. 

 I thought of you while I was relaxing, Catherine.  And then I stole your photo idea.

 For my sisters and Mama.

 When we were in Cozumel, we paid a taxi driver to take us to a resort where we could use the pool and beach.  It was beautiful and we all loved it.

 The obligatory family photo.

 One of the only photos Luke stood still long enough to take.  He would have stayed on vacation forever. 

Eli's stamina wasn't quite up to Luke's (neither was mine), and this was him by Thursday.

It was a great vacation, and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  After I recuperate and fold all my laundry.

Weekend in Georgia

Daddy's 60th birthday was on the 9th and we spent the weekend in Georgia to help him celebrate.  He knew we were all coming in to town, but he had no idea that there was a surprise party planned for him.  It was lots of fun to celebrate his life and what he means to all his friends and family.  We are blessed that he belongs to us!

We also had lots of fun in the gorgeous weather and playing with cousins.

Look at all those teeth! Trust me, he knows how to use them.

The boys stayed in a half nude state all weekend.

Eddie was a good sport about all the attention he received and even helped the boys run off some of their energy.

Luke loves his "big" cousins and hung out with them as much as possible.

Beach Trip

I can't believe I forgot to put these pictures on here.  We went to the beach for the night about a month ago, and because our boys woke up E-A-R-L-Y we were able to catch the sunrise.  Beautiful morning and beautiful day!

Did I mention it was early?



Lord Help the Mister

I spent this past weekend with my two sisters, hence the title. Fortunately, the only "mister" involved was Judah. And he was a perfect gentleman.

We left Thursday afternoon and flew to Nashville to meet up with Kate and Raeanna for four days of fun. I've never flown with a child before, so it was a learning experience. I had no idea that when you go through security they make you fold up your stroller and put every piece of equipment you have with you through the scanner. Thankfully I was in the "family" line behind a family with more children and way more stuff than me so I had time to watch and then figure out how I was supposed to hold Judah, fold the stroller, and get all my stuff on the table. And, oh yeah, if your baby happens to have a cast on, you have to stand in the glass box like a suspected terrorist and wait for the security people to swab the cast and test the swab in their special terrorist-detecting machine (I'm sure that isn't the proper name, but you get the idea, right?). This is while everyone in the area stares at you in the glass box, certain you really are a terrorist because I mean, come on, your five month old has a cast on. I was sweating by the time I got my tennis shoes back on. I sat down to wait for my flight and had time to stop sweating, but again, you have to unload and fold your stroller while holding the baby and your bags and trying to get out of the way of everyone else pushing past you to get on the plane. Nothing about this was done gracefully. But we did it and sat down next to two delightful sisters who were helpful the whole flight. Even when Judah completely filled his diaper and, subsequently, the surrounding area with the lovely odor. Did I mention he was constipated recently. Well, don't worry, he's not anymore. He fixed that problem right there at 38,000 feet. Have you ever changed a poopy diaper in an airplane?

So, all in all, Judah was perfect and I was fine, too. I was just really sweaty. And by the flight back, we were both pros.

So, we did lots of this.

We also, shopped, got pedicures and manicures, ate way too much, took a painting class (totally fun), laughed lots and slept very little. It was a fabulous weekend. Can't wait to do it again, Girls!

"Sisters, sisters,There were never such devoted sisters.
All kinds of weather, we stick together, the same in the rain or sun.
Two different faces, but in tight places we think and we act as one.

Those who've seen us know that not a thing can come between us.
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can.
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister,
and Lord help the sister that comes between me and my man."

Fishing

One of the many things Kris and the boys have done together recently...

The Happiest Place on Earth

I can't decide if Disney should change its slogan to "The Germiest Place on Earth". Although it probably wouldn't do anything for business, it would certainly be accurate. Which is why Luke, Eli, Mama, Raeanna and I ended up with the flu at the end of our vacation. Eli and I are now on antibiotics for sinus infections, and Luke has learned a new fun trick of how to suck snot from the back of his throat. Disgusting, you say? Spend a few moments in our house, and you will be begging for someone to scratch their fingernails down a long chalkboard. The sound would be melodic in comparison.

Enough whining. Now I'm ready to show some pictures!! We had a great time, and everyone had a great attitude in spite of the heat and chaos that is inevitable with seven children ages four and under. Our two nights out with just the adults were yummy and fun. There were a couple of other nights of fun game playing and hanging out after the kids were in bed. I can't remember the last time we've all been together just to hang out like that. Maybe never? Before the first baby was born? Anyway, it was lots of fun. I'm looking forward to being able to do again one day.

First Day at Magic Kingdom

Delray Beach Fun

Wandering Around Mama and Luke sittin' for a minute

Luke took our picture

Luke and Papa playing in the waterfall

Eli walking on water

Look at that balance!

Luke had an audience and was loving it.

By the end of the weekend, we were all a little worn out.