The kids these days

There are so many little things the kids have done or said lately I needed to write down before I forget.

Caroline is going to be a great mom or at least that's what I thought when she was taking care of the boys when Shawn and me were sick over a week ago.  At one point she made peanut butter and jelly for lunch and there was some discontent among the boys and I heard her say, "Well peanut butter and jelly is the only thing I know how to make so eat that or you eat nothing."  Even in my dehydrated, sickened state I was so proud.

Devin loves to play and play, if he didn't like sleep so much he'd play all night.  More specifically he loves to build things.  We got out some old toys the other day and he hasn't put them down since.  He keeps on opening up more and more which we love.  Yesterday he had a nice long conversation with Shawn about Transformers and how they work and how do you know which ones are good and which ones are bad.  He then confessed to sneaking downstairs to get a drink one night while Shawn and I were watching Transformers and got distracted and watched a few minutes.

Graham is pretty insane. He can be yelling at the top of his lungs one second and then want to snuggle the next.  His most recent thing is wanting to wear shorts every single day even when its 50 degrees outside.  So we've kind of struck a deal he can wear shorts inside but if we're going outside he has to wear pants.  He still doesn't want to take his shorts off so he just puts his pants on right over his shorts.  I have no idea how he thinks this is comfortable but oh well.  I"m not willing to fight about it so I'll give this one to him.

Devin showing off the "guys" he built out of his turtles.

And Graham's obsession with shorts. Those are not boxers underneath, its shorts.  Like I said, he's crazy.

ICE!!!

The week after Thanksgiving Shawn had his week of vacation which I have already mentioned but now I need to post about it.  We really hung around and watched Star Wars (he got the complete saga for his b-day) every night, it was great and I wouldn't have changed anything about it.  One night we shook things up and went to an Ice exhibit at Opryland Hotel.  Every year they fly in ice sculptors from China to make a Christmas themed winter-land.  It was really fun and even better was that our tickets were free.  Oh Vanderbilt how I love thee.  We only stayed a short time because, well its ice so they keep it freezing and we really are not fans of freezing weather. It was a great family activity and hopefully we'll get to do it again next year.

The kids sitting on a nice ice made seat.

Caroline getting ready to go down the ice slide.  They were really fun!

Here is Graham going down the kiddie slide.  I'm pretty sure he could have stayed there all night.  He loved it so much.

Devin taking his turn.  

The ankle

I know this is weird but I'm posting because I secretly think its kind of neat to look at.  And in the future if anyones ankle ever looks like this you should probably have it looked at.

After I sent Shawn a picture of my ankle he rushed home to take me in to get x-rays. 

I got to wear this sweet boot for about 3 weeks.  Awesome I know.

A few days later the swelling went down and the bruising started.  Other than it being really painful I thought it was pretty cool.  My ankle has now returned to almost its normal size.  I'm also out of the boot and I'm able to do the elliptical but its still sore but about a million times better than a few weeks ago.  I think I thought it would heal faster because after talking to Shawn it "wasn't a big deal" but a month later I'm realizing while it wasn't a horrible break requiring surgery (thank goodness) I still did a number on it.  Here's to a continued rapid healing process!

Devin's Birthday

I'm really trying to get caught up here and I"m just about done!  While the cousins were here we decided to have Devin's birthday party.  And since Poodle's birthday was coming up I told her I'd make whatever cake she wanted and decorate it how Devin requested.  Again things were VERY low key and I think I successfully bored the pants of Mabel during the party.  Note to self folding and glueing a paper Lightning McQueen is not a fun activity for a 5 year olds party.  Luckily Shawn is great at coming up with quick and easy games that the kids actually enjoyed.

The Birthday boy and girl. 

Opening up presents, he loves cars and man does he have a lot of them. 

His big present was new glasses, exciting I know but these babies are pretty much indestructible so I can stop going to the eye place every week to have his glasses adjusted.  And yes he picked them out himself.

Happy birthday to my sweet Devin.  Thanks for not caring that I'm terrible at throwing a party and for being so funny.  We love you!

Thanksgiving 2012

This year Thanksgiving was awesome.  Two of my sisters came to town to celebrate and it was probably one of the best Thanksgivings ever.  We always keep it low key, baking, reading, going to Target, going to the park, and letting the kids play, decorating the tree but that's how we like it.  I don't know why but I don't have a ton of pictures but here are a few I managed to take.  And for some reason I didn't take any pictures of the food which may sound weird to some people but I just about ALWAYS take a picture, seriously you should see my phone it has pictures of my kids and food that's it.  I promise I have more pictures of my kids though.

Decorating the tree/

I'm pretty pleased with myself that not only did I get a picture of Leah but she's also smiling.  I may not be her favorite aunt.  That goes to Poodle.

Most of the cute kids.

Poodle being the favorite aunt and helping out Graham.  And yes he's in his underwear.

The finished tree.

Annie and Devin.  These two got along so well. 

And the best friends in the whole world.  Mabel and Caroline.  Caroline cried and cried the night before she left.  (and actually two nights before she left)

A few things I want to remember about the trip are.

1.  Seeing the kids that are the same ages have fairly similar personalities.  Mabel and Caroline are very motherly, Devin and Annie are sweet and easy going, and Graham and Leah, well they're spunky.  I love it.

2. Going to Target with Poodle and Bethy, sounds totally lame but we have lots of fun together.

3. Seeing Bethy and Poodle crack up after they saw Graham scream at the top of his lungs at one of his siblings. 

4.Mabel making Devin the sweetest card for his birthday.

5.  Going to the outlet mall with Poodle.

6. Having the kids wake up almost every morning BEFORE 6 because they were so excited to play with each other.  

I love that my sisters were able to come and we are so grateful that they do. (every year right?)  We miss being close by and love spending the holiday with them.

Shawn's Birthday

This is almost month late but better late than never right?  Shawn is EXTREMELY easy to please and just wanted a day of good food.  So we had stuffed mushrooms, chicken cordon blue, rolls and potatoes, and chocolate torte all day long.  It was really fun and his cake is my new favorite. Its really beautiful and tastes amazing.  Even though he had to work in the morning he had a great day.  He actually loves getting to operate so it was a fantastic day for him.  Thanks for being so easy to please and letting me spoil you with food on your birthday.  I can't wait till next year!