Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas round 4?

I think we finally finished our Christmas present craze. Thanks to all who made it possible. My Granny made the very cute dress in the picture. One day I will be that good!
 

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It is official...Sidney is now on the move in her own little way. I fear that things are going to change fast around here...

Monday, December 29, 2008

Ski Trip/ Linlee's Birthday

This is LONG. I wanted to document the trip so feel free to read if you want to.....

Well, our trip kicked off on Friday Dec 19th when Linlee woke up with pain in her right ear. It got worse throught the day and so I call the Dr office at 4:30pm. He was kind enough to wait on us and it turned out that she had her very 1st ear infection (3 days before we are to get on an airplane). She was better by then though, and all was well.
We actually got out the door on time Monday and caught our 1st plane to Cincinnati. I was very nervous about the plane ride with an infant, but she did wonderful on both planes.
She did fall asleep on the 2nd one (it was around 9:00 pm) that is until Conner spilled his drink all over us. Now mommy and Sidney are all cold and wet (not to mention we had to get on and off the plane outside in 20 degree weather). Once we got to the airport, Uncle Bobby and Grandpa were there to get us. While we were waiting on them to load luggage (all 7+ bags!) Sidney proceeded to throw up all over me and her (lovely). I rush her to the bathroom and she gets sick even more. I finally get her calmed down and changed (I will pack an extra shirt for me from now on too). By this point I am sticky and smelly!! We finally make it to Unlce Bobby and Aunt Angie's house and crash.

On day 2 we drive to Wintergreen later in the afternoon and check into our condo. It has 5 bedrooms and 48 stairs inside!!! Great for Linlee and Conner. It made me very happy that Sidney wasn't mobile yet!

Day 3 we took L and C to their ski lessons. C only stayed for 1/2 day but L stayed from 8-4:30 and loved every minute!!
I also thought I needed lessons so I took one and realized I really didn't need them but oh well. Ben of course, just picked up where he left off and could ski cirlces around everyone. He was made for this I think. We had so much fun!! The weather was perfect. It never got colder than around low 40's so they made snow all week but it was great.

Day 4 we took L tubing and it was AWESOME!!


Conner showed up with Grandma and Grandpa about 30 minutes before our session was over and they let him join us for free!!! I was so happy because technically he was too short. He LOVED it! That afternoon I kept the kids while the others went skiing. I was too sore anyway from the day before.

We had a real scare that day too! When we had arrived, the bag of babyfood had fallen out of the car. Only one jar broke thank goodness. As I finished feeding Sidney, Grandpa just happened to pick up the jar and notice that there was a big hole in the bottom. It was broken so that the glass had gone into the jar instead of out!! We searched and searched and could not find it. PANIC I just fed my baby glass! I call the dr and he said to just wait. He was calling around to see if there was anything else to do. After about 15 minutes of panic, I remembered that she had not wanted the last bite and I had wiped it off on a napkin. I dug the napkin out of the trash and there was the glass. PRAISE GOD!!!!

Day 5 Ben and I took L skiing.
I was soo impressed with her. She made it down the potato patch slope 8 times (holding on the Ben's ski pole most of the way). She did GREAT!

Grandpa and Angie took Conner tubing again. I am so greatful for all the help watching and entertaining the children. Great!!! That night, Ben, Angie and I went night skiing. This was the absolute best part of the trip!!! So much fun!

Day 6 we packed up and went back to Aunt Angie and Uncle Bobby's house.


A and I went out and got L an ice cream cake for her birthday which was the next day. She was so suprised and it was really good!


Day 7 we had a 6:45 am flight. We got up at 3:50 (which is 2:50 am our time) and Aunt A drove us to the airport. when we get there, we find out that they are doing unscheduled maint. on our plane and it would not be leaving until 12:30!!! WHAT!! I got everyone up this early and now we have to sit for 7+ hours!! ARE YOU KIDDING! What could have been a miserable few hours, actually turned out pretty well. Time passed pretty quickly and the kids did great!


Linlee found 2 ladies sitting with us and made friends with them. They were awesome. They sang happy birthday to her and played all kinds of games. Thank you God.
We finally leave around 1:15 and could not make it home fast enough. When we arrived home at 4:20, I had never been so happy to see my house!

Linlee the big 5 year old, opened her gifts that evening and then we all crashed.>



Sid went down at 6, L and C at 7 and we crashed at 8:30.

This was the "best trip ever" to put it in Linlee's words. I can't believe she is now 5!!!!!

More to come

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas round 2

We opened most of our presents to the kids on Sunday because I have to work next weekend and it was just the best time to do it. We saved the best one to open on the day we leave for Virginia. I just love the expression on Sidney's face in this picture. What is she thinking??
 

The little mozart.
 

Linlee absolutley loves the scrapbook and jewelry making set!! (thanks Aunt Mary)
 

Mickey blue eyes
 
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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Christmas outfit pictures

We quickly took a few pics in our Christmas outfits. We were late for church so I didn't have time to get many, but I did get a few good ones.
 

Conner was so proud of his big boy tie!
 

 

 
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Saturday, December 13, 2008

No Pictures, just stories

There is 1 story I want to document for my sake and 1 idea I want to share with other moms who, like me, will wonder why we didn't think of this before...

For the story: Linlee and Conner were talking and somehow got on the subject of marraige. Linlee said to me that even though a boy comes to find you who is nice and loves God, you don't have to say yes if he asks you to marry him.

I said "that's right, who told you that?"
Linlee, "Daddy" (of course).
Conner then said,"So I have to go out and find a girl or boy to marry (innocence)?"
I said "not a boy, just a girl."
Linlee," she needs to be nice and loves God."
Conner," what if I marry you (talking to L)?
I said "you can't marry your sister, maybe someone in your ss class or school class or someone you don't even know yet."
Linlee," what about Kate? She is nice!"
Conner (in a very serious and excited voice) "And she loves God!"
Watch out Kate, we may be having playdates more often... :)

Now for the fabulous idea. I absolutely do not enjoy folding laundry and putting it away. Especially since all the kids rooms are upstairs. It is such a hassle to fold their stuff downstairs, put it collectively in a laundry basket and take it upstairs only to resort it and put it away. Doing this for 3 kids is a pain that takes way too long. So, I came up with this idea. I purchased 3 differently colored woven baskets with handles just small enough for the kids (except Sid of course)to carry but large enough to fit clothes in. Now I fold the clothes and sort them in each individual basket (which they picked themselves). Whenever they go in the laundry room and there is something in their basket, they cart it upstairs and put it away!!! whalla! I am so siked! This last round of laundry has been soooo much easier!! Why didn't I think of this before now???

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Gingerbread Train

Last year the kids and I made a gingerbread house and they had a great time. This year we found a gingerbread train kit and so we gave it a try. It was more difficult to assemble and get it to stay together. it did come with an assembly tray which it will forever sit in until we throw it away. I am scared of breaking it trying to remove it from the tray. Anyway, here is our finished product! The decorations are totally the kids own design, I just applied the frosting.
 

 
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Monday, December 8, 2008

PS

I couldn't get all the pictures to upload on the last post so here are the rest...
 

Here is Sidney enjoying her bongos. Thanks!!! they are not too loud thus not annoying!!
 

As most babies, she really enjoyed the paper!!
 

I am listening to the kids play with a sawmill train that Conner got from Great Grandmaw Giles. They have been playing so well together this morning. It is great when that works out! Now to get ready for round 2....
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Christmas Round 1

My parents came up this past weekend to babysit for Ben's Company party. We had a great time and so did they. We decided to open their Christmas presents early since we are going to be out of town during Christmas week with Ben's family. My parents are the coolest and got the older kids a Harley!!!
 

As you can see, they loved it! It was so much fun to watch them drive it. Especially Conner. The boy came out in him for sure.
 

Papa John and Nana Shirley gave Linlee a magnetic mosiac which they have opened this morning. Excellent gift for the artsy type (aka Lindsey S if you need a gift suggestion Sharon!). They have almost finished their first picture!
 

 
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Cookies and Happiness

The kids and I made Christmas Cookies this morning. They (I should say we) all had a blast. Messy but fun!!!
 


Lucy is ready for the game this Saturday. I got her some clothes for the occasion! Roll Tide!!!!
 



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Sidney started imitating a very happy Stevie Wonder at lunch today. Very funny. She is such a happy girl.