Christmas Morning 2010

This year was a special Christmas... It was R's 1st Christmas AND we were able to have the big boys wake up here Christmas morning. The down side of blended families, you do not always get the normal holidays so you make do with what you have!!

Christmas morning at the house was the first of two Christmas celebrations for the day and the first of 3 total. We did not have Dakota with us this year on Christmas but I will post later on that. That was celebration 3 of 3.

Oh, the boys were so excited to be up early! Now when I say early I mean like 800. All the kids slept in. I guess that was the advantage of having teens and then a toddler that did not fully understand. I am sure we will not have the luxury of sleeping in next year!


K was good for about the first 4 gifts. After that she was done and just wanted to play. Sounds good. She had gifts for the next few days that she was able to open.


Daddy got to help K open a gift or two before she gave up.


Con got some practical things this year... a liner for the trunk of the mustang!!


And Ave ... WAR EAGLE!!! Need I say more??


Avery got his yearly Lego creation. Even at 14 he still loves to do the harder sets. When I say harder I mean like 2000-5000 pieces!! He has a bookshelf in his room with all the things he has made. It is incredible!! He can sit in his room for hours working on the latest one.


I LOVE LOVE LOVE this gift that Conner got!! A little background... he LOVE LOVE LOVES the Boston Red Sox... always has, well this is Ted Williams in his Red Sox uniform and under it is written... "Got will get you to the plate but once you are there, you are on your own"....


This one is just added as proof that I was at the Christmas Celebrations this year. I try to either avoid the camera or I am the one behind the camera. I am really trying to get into the pictures more so my kids know that I was around for all festivities!!


K LOVES to read. Here she is reading one of her many new books to the dog. I guess Midnight was the only one that would listen at this point.


R slept through most of the present opening but I had to take pictures of her when she was awake. Had to prove she did not completely sleep through her 1st Christmas!


Ahh the boys are getting ready to dig into their scavenger hunt prize. Each year Chris comes up with several clues for a scavenger hunt. At the end there is some sort of gift, some years big, some years small but the fun is watching the boys figure out where they have to go for the next clue.


This year even Chris got a surprise at the end!


Ok I think that wraps up Christmas morning at the house.... After this we relaxed a little more, the boys played some games after helping to clean up, and I got to cooking for Celebration #2 that afternoon.

Christmas Eve 2010

Lets see if I can remember way back when!! I am tempted to back post just my life will seem in order but I think I will just let that go and write as I think..

Christmas Eve was a day when my boys were supposed to spend the day with their dad and be home by 4 for Church and stay the night home. Well their dad and step-mom had to work Christmas Eve so the boys stayed with me and after church celebrated with their dad and came home in time to go to sleep. Have I mentioned how nice it is to have a child that drives??

Most of the day Christmas Eve we just sat around the house making lists of what all needed to be done that day and night to get ready for the big guy to visit. So I did some errand running, mostly Grocery store about 3 times!

The boys, girls and I went to mass in the afternoon. Chris had to work until 6 so he missed mass. I guess I technically did not make it to mass either. But I tried!! We went to the 4pm mass and of course it was a complete zoo. We knew that it would be going into it but I did not realize that there was NOT a nursery that mass. Ok insert some not so nice thoughts. So picture me, 2 teen boys, a 2 year old, 6 month old and no husband to help!! I sent my boys in to sit with my parents while the girls and I sat out in the narthex with the other 1000 people out there. Ok it was not really 1000 but it was so hot it seemed like there was that many.

Needless to say, we lasted about 15 minutes and left. The boys drove separately, have I said how nice it is to have a child that drives? So I guess I missed mass this year but hey you can only take so many "keep your toddler quiet and still please" looks. I guess I will make sure we go to a mass/church that has a nursery next year.

After mass I met everyone at my parents house to get a few pictures. Enter exhibit A...

A family photo. We really did not plan on the big boys and I dressing alike! Actually I did not even notice it until just now when I looked at the picture. Chris is wearing his very versatile scrub with a matching shirt to blend in with the girls' outfits! Very nice!



After the family photo the boys headed out to their Dads house for a few hours. Yes, once again, I am thankful for a child that drives!!!

Exhibit B...
The little girls!! I was going to put the 2-3 pictures we took before this one and the 1-2 after so you could see the progression of R going to the floor but decided against it. So here is one of the good shots of K holding R up.



When we got home the girls went to bed, we waited on the boys to get home and in the meantime the big guy paid a visit. I guess the kids were good this year. Hmmm I do not think anyone asked me about that!!

Exhibit C...
proof that there is a Santa and that he DID come visit this year.


Exhibit D...
My wonderful husband spends so much time making sure that the gifts from him are wrapped up tightly and neatly. Gotta love him!!



Exhibit E....

The Christmas Stockings that were way too heavy to hang by the chimney with care ... were filled with all the necessities: Deodorant, cologne, candy, gift cards, and of course... lottery tickets!


Exhibit F...
More proof that Santa paid a visit!!!
And apparently he found where the good stuff was kept. I guess he got tired of milk and hot chocolate.


I do believe that does wrap up Christmas Eve and the events that came with it.

Happy 4th of July!!! !

Today is a little strange, it is the 4th of July but being that it falls on a Sunday our town had most of the festivities yesterday, on the 3rd.

Do you know how strange it is to say "Happy 4th" on the 3rd or even "Happy 3rd of July". It just does not fit.

Chris had to work and the big boys were at their dad's house so it was just Kennedi and I. We headed over to my sister's house for the annual 4th 3rd of July cookoutlow country boil. We sat by the pool, consumed some beverages (well I consumed water of course), and ate... A LOT!

It was a really wonderful and relaxing day. Usually, when it takes place on the 4th we have a few family members that are re-couperating from the World's Largest 10K (the Peachtree Road Race). This took place this morning (on the correct day). We still had family members run in it but just not as many this year. My sister and her husband as well as at least 1 of their 4 kids runs each year. Usually I run it but for obvious reasons sat out and last year for the 1st time I was joined by my husband and both boys. It was great to have them run with me. I am hoping that they will want to do it again.

We have many in our family that are military and very patriotic... some more than others. It is always intersting when we get together.

I do have to claim him as part of the family. This is my nephew! He cracks me up!

When the bandana came off..... (and no he did not stay in that all day)!

this is where it went.....

and she wore it for a very long time!

I will post more pictures when I get them, my camera was on the wrong setting of course so the pictures area little grainy.

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!!

....and I leave you with my favorite patriotic song......

HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY DAD/PAPA!!

Last night most of the family got together to celebrate my dad's 75th birthday. It was not a surprise, at his age do you even want to surprise them anymore? You never know how it will end up. Just kidding!

When Chris and I were pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant we saw this...
\
It was so pretty!

The rain had cleared and all that was left was a beautiful and huge rainbow. You could also see the other end but by the time I took the pictures it had faded a lot.

This was all of us who were able to make it..... One of my sisters could not make it. She was out of town visiting her oldest son for his birthday (which is 2 days before my dad's). We missed ya Karen!

and of course one of my dad (and mom)

Aunt Beth entertained Kennedi almost the whole time. Kennedi LOVES her! I think they both had a blast. I did feel bad when Beth could not even eat her dinner without Kennedi on her lap. I just hope Kennedi did not eat all of Beth's food!!!!

Kennedi and her napkin kerchief. It was adorable and she actually kept it on her head for quite awhile.

....after that my camera battery died. Figures that I forgot to charge it.

It was a great time!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

Christmas Afternoon...

When we picked the boys up at 3pm from their dads house we headed up to Atlanta to have Christmas with my family. It is so nice that the farthest we have to drive for a gathering is about 40 minutes. When we got there the house was packed! It is always crazy when you have this many celebrating!

Here is the whole group. It is not easy getting this many to cooperate when taking a picture.

Here are the grand kids and the great grand kids. Aren't they cute?!?! The oldest in the picture is about 29 (I think) and the youngest is Kennedi at 16 months. These are the ones that I wrote This post about. What a group!

Here are the two that started it all.

The little kids were about to play outside since the weather was good. They had so much fun playing together. There is only about 12 months difference between the oldest of the three babies and the youngest.

We had a great meal with a TON of food! After that we exchanged some gifts and the kids did a white elephant gift exchange. Unfortunately my camera battery died and I did not get any pictures of that. It was pretty funny to watch. I hope this becomes a yearly thing on Christmas! I already have ideas for next year's gifts.

Kennedi opening one of her gifts.

It was a wonderful day! And at the end we still had to get home to do one more Christmas. At this point it was after 7 and the boys had not opened any of their gifts at home. We said our good-byes and then headed home for Christmas celebration #3 of the day.

Thanksgiving, The Iron Bowl and such....

I have been so bad about blogging lately. I realize this and still have not sat down to do anything about it.

This week went by so fast. The boys were off of school and we had a lot going on. So much that I actually had my camera with me most of the week and forgot to take any pictures. I think part of that is when I realized I did not have any pictures of the things going on my camera did not work correctly. I need a new one and its on my Christmas list but I am not crossing my fingers on it. However, Chris did promise me that by the time Conner graduated from high school I will have the camera I want. So.... only 3 years to wait (at the most).

Lets see, Thanksgiving.... hmm... holidays are not what they used to be I guess. I still love them but Chris worked on Thanksgiving so it was just Kennedi and I hanging out at the house all day. I have to admit that it felt like just another day to us. We picked the boys up at 3 and then headed up to the north side of Atlanta to my brother's house. They had a good portion of my family for dinner. We hit it at dessert (what better time!). We got there, ate some dessert and then I ate some of the leftover turkey. It was sooo good. Of course we had to head home right about the time the turkey was kicking in so I was a little tired on the ride home.

Poor Chris sent me a message from work that day telling me that the cafeteria at the hospital was not even open so he was stuck with a peanut butter sandwich and then golden grahams for dessert. What a way to spend a holiday! I think its horrible that people are stuck working on a holiday and they do not even get to eat. Thankfully he is off on Christmas so at least then we will have a good meal on the actual holiday as a family!

Chris did get his Thanksgiving dinner, just a day late. Last Christmas, Santa brought Chris a turkey fryer and Friday we decided to take it out and use it... FOR THE FIRST TIME! I had never had fried turkey before and when I looked at it after it was cooked I was not sure about it. When I bit into a piece he cut, it was great!! We will be frying our turkey for our Christmas dinner this year! Again, part of my family came over to have some food and enjoy a football game.

Kennedi and her cousin Bryan cheering on Auburn! (and that is all of the pictures from the week)

After we got the turkey done and we ate it was game time!! The game we wait all year for... THE IRON BOWL (Auburn vs Alabama). Ok maybe not all year since Chris is a Georgia fan and I am an Auburn fan, that maybe the game we wait all year for.... but I digress. I have to admit going into the game I figured that we were going to get stomped. I mean really, a high school team could have beaten Auburn this year and now we had to play the #2 team in the nation... like we have a chance. Oh it was good!!! I wont go into all the details (mainly because my memory for detail is not good) but we were extremely close to the upset! But... we did not get it and that is OK. We played a closer game than anyone thought and now... there is always next year!!!

So, now it is Sunday, a day of getting ready to head back to school in the morning. Conner has spent a good portion of the day reading a book he was supposed to read over break (and started last night). And Avery and I went on the hunt for guitar strings to replace the one his teacher broke the last week of school. Wow I already miss break!! I guess it is time to sit and relax and get ready for another typical week with kids!!

A week has past already....

since the last time I sat down to blog?? Wow, it can't be that long. If it were that would make my life appear to be boring and uneventful.... but we all know that can't be true. Well, not with my 14 year old who can't find his way out of a wet paper bag (and yes I tell him that quite often) any my 12 year old who is trying to keep up with the 14 year old. Yes the 12 year old can find his way out of that same wet paper bag. And then little mite who does something new almost everyday.

Yup... my like is boring and uneventful!!

Lets see... week 2 of school for Kennedi and this week they went the full 4 hours... well almost! I got a call about 12:15 saying that Kennedi was miserable and that maybe I should come get her. So I head out and pick her up about 25 minutes early. I walk in the door and the director says to me, "I know you are going to think we were lying to you but she really was sobbing before". I walk up to the room and she is playing nicely with the other kids. Well the sobs came right back again when she saw me. Poor baby was so tired! I guess maybe she is not ready for the full 4 hours yet (because she still takes 2 naps some days). We will work on (or work up to) the full 4 hours. Oh.. and she was asleep before we made it 2 miles down the road.

The boys are with their dad this week so I have nothing really to report on their behalf. They will be home tomorrow and they are so excited for me to pick them up from school. Why you ask?? Well I am going to tell you even if you didn't! Because I am going to take them (meaning all 3 kids) to get their flu shot!! WOOOHOOO. I know you would be excited too. Hey if you ask nicely maybe they will volunteer to change places with you for a few minutes (ask Avery 1st since he LOVES shots so much). Chris has seen way too much flu already (yes it is still very early) to not get the shot this year. This will be the 1st one for all of us, well all but Chris.

But as a reward for them being such good sports with their flu shots (OK maybe not) we are heading to the beach this weekend for the long weekend! SWEET!! One last weekend of sitting in the sun, toes in the sand, and reading a really good book (or two). At least that is MY plan. The boys are each bringing a friend with them so who knows what we will really be doing.

So as I close this out and vow to blog more often I would like to leave you with this...
I think Kennedi has Loco Legs....

1st and 2nds....

Ahh today

1st day of school... well actually CMO (Children's Morning Out) for Kennedi.

2nd open house for the schools, which was Conner's.

Kennedi LOVED school today! It was way too cute... of course I got pictures and I will let them tell most of the story..

Mommy and Daddy, I am ready to go to school...(as she opens the door and walks into the pantry!)

Lets go daddy!!

But I need to go up there (pointing to the top of the driveway) like Avery does in the morning. That big yellow thing needs to come get me!

Fine.. I will go by car but next time I want to get on the big yellow thing.

oh Daddy... must you hold my hand? I am a big girl now!

Everybody needs to line up behind me!

I can do it by myself... Open the doors and let me in...

fine, take me in daddy!!

Whew that was a fun day at school. I am wiped out!!!

2nd.... I got to go to Northgate and meet all of Conner's teachers!! I did not take my camera for the picture story on this one. Conner would have killed me! So you get the text version!

His teachers had nothing but good things to say about him. At first I was wondering if they were confusing him with someone else but then when they described him it was pretty accurate. So at least my child does well out of the house!! Nah.. I have to admit most of the time he is great at home too.
I was told things like, he answers all the questions, he is very bright, he is such a great boy!! So you can see the confusion I had for a little while... Just kidding Conner!! GREAT JOB on a great start of the school year!!

A Very Happy Birthday Party!!

So its only taken me half the week to sit and write up a blog on Kennedi's birthday party. It has been a long week. School started and we are all trying to get back into that routine, Kennedi is cutting some molars and they are giving her a hard time and she is also going through some sort of separation anxiety. I can not even walk upstairs or get in the shower without her pitching a fit. She wants to be held all the time. I am sure it will pass quickly and before I know it she wont want me to hold her anymore so I will enjoy it while it lasts.

Sunday we had a small party for Kennedi to celebrate the 1 year milestone. She was pretty funny and soaking up the attention. Both sets of grandparents were there as were two of her brothers. Chris tried to get his son Dakota up for the day but that did not work out. Maybe next year. My brother and sisters, nieces and nephews were also there to help celebrate and some friends. She got lots of wonderful things and she loves playing with all the new toys. I need to get some pictures of her in action soon.

Her cake was made by a friend of mine at church and was BEAUTIFUL! I so did not expect it to be as pretty and detailed as it was. I loved it and really did not even want to cut into it and ruin it but I know that would not fly. I will have to call on Michelle more often to make some cakes. Maybe I need a back to school cake soon. Oh and then a Labor Day cake.


Here is Kennedi's smash cake. Well would have been IF Kennedi smashed her hand, face or anything into it... but more on that later.

Here is the big cake for everyone else. It was a 2 tier (and heavy while sitting on my lap in the car). Oh it was so good. Remember you can click on the pictures to make them bigger and see the detail.

Avery is helping Kennedi to open her gifts. Kennedi lost interest in this quickly. She saw a toy and decided she would rather play with it than to open another one.

Here is Conner chillin out and talking to his cousin Austin.

Here is the loot...we are still trying to find places for all of it. I think we will be skipping Christmas this year!

This is a hat that my sister in law, Beth, made. I was so happy when I saw my nephew walk in with this in his hand. I love her hats!!

This toy was and still is a big hit with Kennedi.. THANKS AMANDA!! Kennedi loves this toy! She will close all the doors on it and then I have to open them. She laughs when I do and then closes them again. We will do this for an hour easily.

Kennedi looks so sweet in her rocking chair. She will sit and watch a little TV in it now. She has even mastered the art of rocking (which did not take her long to figure out).

I would post pictures of Kennedi all messy from the cake but she was so neat about it. She would stick a finger or two in the icing and eat it and then use the same fingers again. She got a piece of the cake off and she ate it neatly too. I was expecting her to be a complete mess but it was not much at all.

Well I think that is all. We were so fortunate to be able to celebrate with friends and family. It really turned in to wonderful day. Thank you all for coming to be apart of Kennedi's special day!!

The last few days...

The last few days at the beach were wonderful but may have been a little too quiet! Kennedi was running a fever for a few days. She cut a tooth while we were at the beach and was miserable. Even being miserable she was a trooper.

The water was warm and the sky was clear. The boys got to do a lot of skim boarding and some boogie boarding. I even got in the water a lot with them. One day it was pretty rough but the waves were fun. I was exhausted that evening! Summer of 08 I could not go in the water and have fun like I am used to doing. I was less than a month from my due date and I certainly did not want to give birth at the beach, let alone on the beach!

Kennedi is trying to tell me she is ready to start surfing.... I think I will make her wait a year or two.

Conner is having some sister time. Kennedi loves the time with her brothers.

My sister Barbie was able to have Kennedi sit still long enough to rock her to sleep on the beach. This is rare since Kennedi does not want to miss a thing!

My sisters and I took an evening and went down to the beach to take a few pictures together. Now I thought getting kids to cooperate long enough to get a good picture was hard. I think getting the three of us to have a decent picture taken was even worse! We had 3 cameras and ended up going down to the beach two different times only to find 2 or 3 pictures that were possibly decent enough to print out.

ok so this is not one of them.....

Here is just one of the might be a decent one. I personally did not like any of them but it pictures have inspired me to get my butt back into the gym!!!

With Kennedi having been sick the last few days I was really worried about the drive home. She was not the best traveller on the way up so I was sure we were in for a long ride on the way home. To my surprise, Kennedi was WONDERFUL! I may even have to say she was the best one of the three kids. OK, maybe not. The boys are great travelers and always have been.

I guess that wraps up the beach trip. It was uneventful in a good way! A relaxing almost two week trip that we already look forward to next year!