Graham turns 9

It feels like time is moving at rapid speed these days.  How is my sweet Graham 9?!  He is such a sweet kid.  When I met with his teacher this year she said he was he kind of kid she would want her kid to be friends with.  It made me feel pretty good and reminded me of his blessing that said he has a good heart.  That pretty much sums up Graham.  He likes to cook and will try just about anything, is still an early riser, and loves to be a silly kid.  He is always up for an adventure and so fun to have around.  We love our Graham!

I was able to bring him lunch from his favorite, Taco Cabana.  

Cute brothers waiting their turn.

He’s had a great day.  Donuts for breakfast, I brought him lunch, then the Bear Bash tonight.  We are carrying on with more fun tomorrow. Breakfast, then Fiesta Texas, dinner then the trunk or treat.  Not a bad birthday weekend.  

New Specs

I"m going to try and resurrect the blog.  I really love getting to look back and remember the funny things the kids did that I would have forgotten if I hadn't written them down.  So lets try this again! I thought I would post about George because the last time I posted he was one.  He's now four and a crazy whirlwind of sass, energy and drama.  A few days ago I finally got new glasses.  My last pair were 7 years old and had transition lenses and I hated that.  So I got some new ones and really like them. I was feeling pretty good and thought I would try wearing them for a day.  I felt like I looked kind of cute, nothing too high and mighty,  its hard to look too great with how thick my lenses are.  Anyways when I went to pick up George at preschool he freaked out.  He started hitting me wouldn't gather his things and just told me to take off my stupid glasses.  Thanks kid.  He also said I was stupid and threw a fit the entire way home.  I totally understand that he wasn't expecting me to be wearing glasses but he tries to tell me what to wear all the time!  The next day I was getting ready to take him to preschool and was in workout clothes because I didn't have time to change and get him there on time.  George said, "Mom I don't think Mrs. Maureen likes it when you wear that."  I then asked if he liked it when I wore exercise clothes and he told me no.  So I told him too bad I don't have time to change so suck it up.  This last one is wearing me out!

A Special Valentines

Valentines was extra special this year.  Ashley went into labor and had sweet little Benjamin on Valentines day!  I'm so glad we got to help out with Adam.  He did so well and loved playing with his cousins, so he didn't miss his mom too much.  Holy cow though can that boy stay awake!  I was falling asleep before he even got tired.  We had a fun breakfast and great day hanging out with each other and waiting for the baby to be born.  It was a great day.  I know this is lame but I'm going to include Caroline's birthday on this blog too.  Nothing big this year, but she did get to go out with cousins and grandma since they all came up to see the new baby.  So even though it was low key I hope it was fun for her.  She got to have a sleep over with Mabel in a hotel and go shopping the next day. Next year will be more exciting but Caroline's so awesome she loved every minute this year too.

Christmas and New Years

I was determined to make sure Christmas as normal as possible even in our tiny little place.  We did everything we usually do, caroling, all the treats, the decorations, it was actually really fun!  Christmas was so relaxing and fun.  That doesn't mean I took many pictures of it though.  I've been terrible about taking pictures this year.  That's ok though because I do remember one thing I couldn't have taken a picture of anyway.  While we were out caroling it was pretty warm outside so to put me in the Christmas spirit Shawn blasted the a/c in the van so I would at least feel cold.  It was so sweet and I really appreciated it, nothing big but I love the thought behind it.

The Peterson's came up for a visit before the kids had to go back to school so we were lucky to hang out with them for a few days.  Lots of climbing trees and playing with cousins.  We went to the arboretum and saw the 12 Days of Christmas while it was there.  It was really pretty and also really cold.  We were very ready to leave after number 12, and to be honest the best exhibits were towards the beginning anyways.

One of the most surprising things about the break was Shawn and I actually doing something for our anniversary.  Last year for our 10 year I read Devin books because Shawn was fast asleep because he was always asleep by like 9 during residency.  This year though Shawn got to come home early we went out to dinner and I even got flowers.  Years of low expectations finally paid off because I thought this year was romantic.

We did manage to squeeze in seeing Star Wars before the kids went back so school.  Ashley was nice enough to take George for the afternoon so we I could enjoy it with the big kids.  It was so fun and I'm so excited to be able to do the movies more frequently in the future.  Christmas break was so fun, it was probably the first year I didn't want the kids to go back to school.  Then again I really don't like their school that much this year so that probably has something to do with it too.  We were all really happy to be half way done with this year!

Nutcracker 2015

I know its been months but I'm going to do my best to catch up with the big things I missed. First up is the Nutcracker.  I have been wanting to go for years so Caroline and I were thrilled to go.  Shawn was on call, or had a lecture to go to, so I drove the kids down for a few days of fun.  We had seats so close it was really fun, and beautiful!  So glad we will be close for years to come.

Me and Caroline ready for the show!

Caroline and my mom, the awesome lady who does this every year.  Love her!

Me and my sisters, well not Furnish because well traveling with toddlers isn't fun.  Hopefully next year!

The boys had a great time playing with Papa and hanging out at Brothers house with all the other boys in the family.  I'm so glad we get to live so close!

The Most Beautiful Day EVER

Fall came pretty late this year, well probably on time for Texas but, I got used to fall actually happening in October in Tennessee.  Ashley has the BEST pile of leaves in her backyard and let the kids play in them for over an hour today.  It took some convincing to get them to leave the school yard but once they saw how huge the pile was they had a blast.  Even if Devin only have it one thumbs up instead of two.  He really loves to push my buttons these days.

  

I took over 100 pictures and got one good one of each of them.  I'm not Shady people.

  

George makes this face every time I get out the camera.  Oh and he says, "Cheese!"  Its the cutest thing in the whole world.

  

My beautiful girl that LOVES to boss her brothers around.

  

And my sweet Graham with a super dirty face.  The cuteness makes up for it though right?

  

The is the best action shot I got, I like it.

  

This pill of a child didn't want to come play in the leaves and guess who didn't want to leave.  He's teaching me patience everyday.  ;)  

  

It was so beautiful out today, so glad we live so close to family and they are kind enough to let us play in their leaves.

  

Caroline even made a pile for the babies.  This lasted for about 10 seconds but they sure enjoyed it for the short amount of time!