The scream heard round Giant

Picture this, you are calmly walking through the grocery store. The kids are home with Daddy and you are walking down the shampoo aisle, thankful you actually get to pick out shampoo rather then the usual grab and go that is necessary with helpers in tow.

Suddenly you hear a very loud scream from the young lady next to you. Worried you turn her way to make sure she is alright, only to find out it is your torpedo belly that has caused her distress.

"I am so sorry," she blurts out, " I didn't realize you were pregnant until you turned sideways." In her defense, my belly is hidden by the cart pretty well.

My response, "don't worry about it, it happens all the time." And it does. Although this is the first time anyone has screamed at me in a grocery store. Too funny!

Snow!

The boys were so excited for a snow day on Wednesday! It was pretty slushy and very windy, so they didn't last long. But they did get to go sledding and throw a few snowballs.

Pictures include them being a cookie monster and angry bird, looking cute and waiting for daddy.

Last day in February!

Today James realized that it was the last day in February and gleefully announced "tomorrow I get to play with my baby sister!"

Uh oh, guess we should have been more specific. Anyone care to guess when baby girl will arrive?

Due date: March 26
James' guess: March 1
Luke's guess: March 2
Addendum: both boys agree that sister should arrive on March 7th next week.  That gives them enough time to draw pictures for her room. Sweet brothers.

What to wear...

We got home from our weekly "Slime Time" class and the boys were covered in flour and whatever else they mixed together today. So I asked them to both go change their clothes, and gave them total freedom to pick out anything. It is a rainy day, we aren't planning to go anywhere else.

This is how they chose to dress themselves. Let's just say they each take after one of their parents so much it is astounding. I would post a picture of myself to illustrate further, but lets face it, I'm in my yoga pants.

Luke, I love that you picked out your pleated church pants and a sports shirt as your "casual" outfit. I am actually a little surprised you didn't pick out a collared shirt, but yellow is currently your favorite color.

Happy Valentine's Day: No Girls Allowed!

The boys loved decorating the house this year for Valentine's day. We have paper chains of pink and red around the house....not to mention all the homemade valentines they made and stashed in our envelopes. Really fun!

This is my favorite paper chain, hanging in the dinning room.

James and Luke already dug into their envelopes of goodies this morning at breakfast. Daddy and I are waiting until dinnertime.

Luke showing off Mary's room decorations. Baby sister's need some love at Valentines too! Original pose was his idea.

Starting to work on being a little less like a heard of elephants when we move around the house. Perhaps wishful thinking on my part, but it wouldn't hurt right?

The "No Girls Allowed" fence. Designed to keep out the peskiest girl. I asked them if their friends from church and school would be allowed....like Lizzie or Harper or Hailey. And they responded, "Oh, they would be allowed." Then I asked about baby sister and mommy...."Yeah, you can come in too." Not sure exactly who they are trying to keep out!

Another backlit photo of our window decorations. Luke is hysterical with the strong man pose!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Great Wolf Lodge

Two boys at a waterpark for the weekend with a handful of their friends equals a great weekend! Our first family retreat with our church was so much fun. We splashed in the wave pool, rode some slides (all except Mommy) and even got to bowl and play in the arcade. The boys are already asking to go back. Here are some pictures we snapped the last day once I realized we had not taken any. Too busy having fun!

Luke and Daddy at the "kid slides". This is the first place they wanted to go to warm up.

James working on an ropes course. What a big boy!

My guys getting ambushed by the massive waterfall...they didn't even see it coming. But I did.

All wet after the waterfall, but according to James a big thumbs up!

A picture in front of the mascots of the lodge. This "came to life" twice a day to sing songs. The boys were kinda terrified of it the first night, so I didn't make a point to make it the second night. Then James was almost in tears when he found out we missed it. Total mommy fail!

Some fun at the arcade...which for some reason Luke kept calling a museum. No idea on that one. So now when he asks to go to a museum, we have to clarify what exactly he is asking to do.

Luke enjoyed the driving games, but those didn't give you tickets. And to Luke, trading in his hard earned tickets for tootsie rolls was HUGE.

Luke is so strong! James could not stop talking about how he would defend us agains a wolf or a bear. His best idea was to cut their feet off with a knife, seriously, I can't make this kind of stuff up.

And a token picture of me and my kiddos....James is always hugging my belly. Mostly really sweet, but sometimes it is a big much.

Great Wolf Lodge, we will see you again next year!

 

Nesting and Funny Comments

The nursery went up a couple of weekends ago, and right now it is one of my favorite places to sit and relax. I must admit, I do love a good rocking chair!

John was so sweet to put together all the furniture and get the room all set up. Now it is my turn, and it is fun organizing all of baby girl's things.

The funny comments for this pregnancy are really starting to gear up. So far, nothing beats the guy in Costco when I was prego with Luke....or maybe I have just become accustomed to people being shocked at my ever growing belly. I did have a sweet lady at church (also an OB) say "Wow, just a couple of weeks now right?". Um, try 11 more weeks. Her response, "Well I suppose you may make it." I also get a lot of comments about twins....because most people assume I already have one set walking along next to me. The boys are quick to come to my rescue, "No, I only have one baby sister in Mommy's belly!" James pulls off indignation really well, sweet little guy!

 

Merry Christmas!

We were so blessed this year to spend Christmas with our family in Atlanta. There was something really special about having 5 little cousins running around full of Christmas cheer! Christmas morning they were all so good staying in their rooms until it was time to get up, but once 7:00 hit it was like a rush of excitement coming down the stairs.

James and Grady being goofy before church. The boys received the cutest neckwear from Nana for an early Christmas present. Such good looking kiddos!

Luke with Grady and Abigail. Such sweetness!

A line-up of all 5 kids. Ironically also in order of height. I love how Luke insisted that he pull his tie outside of his sweater, he wanted to make sure everyone saw it.

Flying airplanes Christmas morning. BIG hit Aunt Julie!

 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

 

Christmas Elf

Someone stuffer my stocking....with a monkey slipper. Me thinks it was Luke, silly guy. Although in my house full of sillies, it could be anyone. What's in your stocking?

Christmas Choir

Nothing rings in the holidays quite as well as the "Hanging of the Greens" service at our church. The children's choirs all get to perform, and the children get a chance to show us their best. This was Luke's first year in children's choir, and he was ready!

Can you find him? Just look for the sweetest, cutest and tallest child. He is standing nest to a boy that's birthday is just a few weeks away from his. Lukey you are one tall and handsome guy!

James requires no introduction.  I am positive you can find him in this video, and I am sure it will make you smile.  (Luke is also in this one, bottom row)

We were told that James "stole the show". But in my opinion, that honor goes to a sweet little girl in this video. LOVE children's choirs!