Fun With Dad!

Yesterday I took the kids to the local dollar store so they could pick something with some of their Christmas money.Austin picked this double barrel shotgun toy.He was telling all the ladies in the store that he was getting it so he could go hunting with his Daddy!
Well this morning Austin woke up and told Shawn he wanted to go hunting.Shawn told them he would take them to the neighborhood pond to "hunt" and shoot his new BB gun.
The twins were ecstatic at this prospect and quickly decided they needed to get their camo on!
Alex was able to fit into Austins from last year but Austin did not have any.Daddy took pity on him so we all loaded up and went to Academy to buy Austin some new camo.
After shopping and lunch at the Waffle House they were ready!
They put on their camo , grabbed their toy guns and took off for the truck.
Austin was disappointed when he got home because he said he didn't see anything to shoot.I explained that Daddy doesn't always see anything or shoot every time he hunts either and that made it okay.
Shawn said they had a lot of fun shooting his BB gun and running around the pond.
It's just a glimpse on what the next few years will be like.I think Daddy will have a lot more hunting buddies in the near future!

Christmas Finale!

The afternoon was wonderful! It was so nice to have such a great gathering of friends and family.The kids got even more gifts! They all had a blast telling each other about all their new toys.It was exciting to see Mandy and Kyler get their 4 wheeler and doll house.I had been waiting months for that!
After food and presents we all visited awhile.After everyone left I collapsed into the chair! I was so exhausted. I went to bed with the kids at 8:30pm and slept 11 hours.
It is sad to see the holidays end but it was a wonderful season.

Christmas Morning

It came way to early after just going to bed 5 hours earlier! The kids ran into the living room and were very overwhelmed at the Santa gifts.It took them awhile to really take it in and get excited.Although I cant blame them because it overwhelmed me too! There were games , 4ft.dollhouses,pinball machines,castles an much more taking up the whole living room.Santa went a little crazy this year!
After we did Santa Nana took them to the front room and showed them their last gift from her and PawPaw.Talk about excitement! They exploded when they saw their new play cottage.It really is awesome.It worked out well for Nana because PawPaw was not there so she got all the credit! Much deserved after Christmas Eve!
Once everything was calmed down I was busy getting the food and house ready for 17 people and 5 kids!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve Nana and PawPaw came over to give the kids their gifts.PawPaw was the first to arrive and he brought the presents so the kids thought they were just from him! He got all the credit and thank yous!Poor Nana! They all got just want they wanted and had so much fun opening and playing with their new things.
After gifts we made cookies for Santa.You would have to look closely though to see the cookies under all the sprinkles!
The adults opened a bottle of champagne and made our annual toast to my Grandpa.We are all still very aware of his absence.
It took forever for the kids to settle down for the night.
As soon as they were in bed the real work began.Mom and I were up till 2:30am putting together gifts that Santa would be getting credit for!

Mimi's Here!!!

Sunday night Nana went and got Mimi and brought her over to stay.The kids had been so excited knowing she was coming and would be staying with us through Christmas.She really enjoyed spending time with the kids and playing with them for 4 days.Gage woke up the morning after she left and went to Alex's room looking for her!We all wished she lived a little closer so we could have more times like this.

Goulding Christmas Party

Tonight we went to Uncle Doug's for a Christmas Party.The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins.We ate a wonderful meal and opened presents afterwards.The boys got remote control cars from Aunt Karen and Uncle rick that were a big hit!Alex was thrilled with her new princess shoes as well.Gage got building blocks that he loves too.They did a great job matching their personalities.
It was a great evening getting to visit with everyone.
We sure did miss Mom and Dad though.
As many of you know Dad suffered a heart attack this morning.Hard to believe isn't it after all he has gone through this year.We are blessed once again that he survived.The doctors were able to do angioplasty and put in 2 stints.He has another artery that is 60% blocked that will eventually have to be fixed as well.Taryn and I went to see him before the party and he looks great and said he is feeling good as well.It was ironic because one of his nurses was at the other hospital and worked on him after his wreck.He said he recognized the name and Dads tattoos! Small world.We are hoping he will be out by Christmas.He told the Dr. that they had to release him Christmas Eve because he has to see his grand kids on Christmas!
He has a few test he will have to pass before he can come home but we are praying it will be before Christmas.
You could look at it as a bad day because Dad had a heart attack but I choose to look at it in a positive way and that he survived it and is still with us.God I hope this family stays out of the hospital in 2008!!!

At Work With Nana...

Nana recently got transferred to another location and she has been living in a hotel room Sunday through Thursday so with that and it being peak time we don't get to see her much anymore.
She told me she had taped the kids picture to her computer because she missed them.That made sad for her so the kids and I loaded up and went to surprise her.
Because of security reasons we can not just walk in so Austin called her and told her he was at her work and by her car! It was cute listening to him.
She was so surprised when she came out!
She took us back to her office and the kids visited and sang her some songs.
All 3 LOVED her office! They drew,talked on the phone ,pretended to be the boss and ate every snack Nana keeps for herself.Nana gave all 3 UPS camo hats too , just like Daddy has!
Austin loaded his pants pockets with candy , he told her it was for him and his friends! After they colored on the walls,spilled water on the floor and had cracker crumbs everywhere I decided it was time to hit the road! They had so much fun and it was so good for all of us to see Nana.It was well worth the drive!

Slumber Party!

After the cousin Christmas the twins were going to spend the night with Kyler but Austin decided he wanted to come home.Mandy thought that sounded like a good idea too so she got to come home with us!
The 3 of them had a great time playing before they passed out from the eventful evening.
Mandy is a very sound sleeper and I was glad because of my boys and their night terrors!
Gage and Mandy woke up in great moods and played all morning till her Mama came to pick her up.From what I hear Alex was pleased to have Kyler all to herself as well!
It was fun switching girls for the night!

Cousin Christmas!

Saturday night we got together with the Goulding cousins , including Neriah.
Cousin Megan will be away this Christmas with her other cousins so we had a gift exchange between the cousins.
The kids all had so much fun.
Before dinner they did their traditional craft.They decorated Christmas tress and stockings and they were very proud of their artwork.
After dinner we opened gifts.That was some fun chaos! All the kids tore into their gifts at the same time and everyone was shrieking!
Austin was so excited about his gift! Cousin Megan,Aunt Erica and Uncle Jeremy bought him his own tackle box complete with all the fishing accessories inside! He told me I could not touch it that it was for him and his Daddy! Then he made Shawn put it in the truck so no one could touch it! Too cute!
Mandy and Megan entertained us all in their princess clothes .They were so funny shaking their booties to the music!
After all the gifts the kids made cookies.Although I believe there was a lot more sprinkles on them than cookie!
The night was wonderful and we all had such a good time.

Prairie Lights!

Tonight Shawn and I took the kids to a Christmas lights display.It was AWESOME!I was so glad that the rain stopped long enough for us to enjoy it. The kids had so much fun looking at all the lights.They especially loved the lights that were shaped like animals.
At the end of the drive they had a Holiday Village.It had a couple of carnival rides that were BIG hits!Austin and Kyler thought they were pretty cool because Austin rode a giraffe and Kyler a monkey on the carousel.
After the rides we went inside a large tent and talked to Santa.After Santa we watched a light and music show.The kids were overjoyed when fake snow starting falling!
We ended the night with hot chocolate,popcorn and cotton candy.On the drive home the big kids were scheming about how they could get Kyler to spend the night.Just listening to them is hilarious.Of course they got their way so we are having a slumber party.Alex and Gage passed out on the way home but the boys are still going strong! It was a wonderful night and an awesome Christmas outing!

Face Lift!

I have been expired by everyone so I made the change! I must say its easier to read with the white background.I know my near blind Mom will appreciate the change too!

Red Lobster!

Tonight Papa and Gran took me and the kids to dinner.Papa suggested Red Lobster because Shawn NEVER lets any of us eat there.He always refuses when its suggested.I had crab legs and they were so good , well worth the work involved!
We had a nice dinner and a good visit.Thanks Papa and Gran for getting us out and buying us dinner.

Birthday Party!

This morning we went to a birthday party for the twins friend who lives in our neighborhood.It was at the Bouncin Bonanza and as always the kids had a blast! Uncle Kyle and I decided we were the fun parents out of the bunch! We slid and bounced along with the kids.He and I were in need of naps by the end of the bounce time!
After bouncing the kids had pizza and cupcakes.Gage thinks its more fun to eat his like a dog as you can tell in the picture.All the kids got goody bags at the end and that was cause for major excitement.Uncle Kyle and I were less thrilled with the horn blowers that were in them!
It was a great party and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Christmas Party!

Tonight we tagged along with Paw Paw to his company Christmas party.Daddy went out of town to hunt for the weekend so we decided it was a good idea to get the heck out of the house.
The kids did really well.It was held in the shop where he works so I was proud of them for not trying to operate every piece of machinery!
We ate a wonderful BBQ dinner and visited with Pawpaw's co-workers.It was a nice evening out and we were all glad we went and spent time with Paw Paw.

Medicating a S.A.H.M.

This is not an easy task! I went to the Dr. this morning for help with awful headaches I have been having.Dr.seems to think they are tension headaches.Well you would think that would be a simple problem to solve right? Wrong!
In the past ,before kids,I would take the prescriptions without a care in the world.No big deal if it makes you loopy or dingy,I would just go to my office , daze out and ask people to repeat themselves till I could understand exactly what needed to be done.Not so anymore!
I told the Dr. I could not afford to not be in my right mind or drowsy , job simply does not allow it!
I must be on my game 100% of the time.Must be capable of going into full crisis mode at a moments notice.
I pretty much shot down everything he wanted to give me! I have a great Dr. though because he sat there and we searched for drugs that met my requirements.Hopefully they will do the trick.
Long gone are the days of being able to treat pains with good drugs!

Bouncin Play Date!

This morning we met Aunt Erica and Megan at the Bouncin Bonanza!The kids had so much fun playing .The girls were stuck to each other like glue today.Alex just loved leading Megan around and sliding with her.I am surprised neither girl broke an arm the way they were holding onto each other coming down the slides!
After about an hour of bouncing and sliding the Moms were exhausted.Of course the kids were still going strong so we headed to McDonald's.
I was a sight to see when I had to climb all the way into the tunnels because Austin was crying! I climbed and crawled as fast as I could because it sounded really serious.Turns out he was freaked out because he created static and he was getting a little static shock every time he touched the tunnel! I was relieved but then had to squeeze my body down the tunnel slide.It was a sight!
Happy Meals and the playground was a perfect end to a wonderful play date.