Evan and Alli's birthday was this past Saturday, the 25th, and I cannot believe they're 6 years old! Six just sounds old to me. They each had a friend over to spend the night Friday night, and we took them to see the Hannah Montana movie, which we got approved through Evan before we went (we've already seen Monsters v. Aliens and there's not much else out right now). We actually enjoyed the movie more than we thought we would -- I'm so sick of the TV show! After the movie, we came home and let the kids play for a while, and around 11:00 put the kids to bed. Well, the boys were just great, and went to bed and actually went to sleep. The girls, on the other hand, decided to get up and play with Barbies, and Alli's little friend had the bright idea to cut the Barbies' hair. So, they did that to about 3 or 4 of them, and then Alli had the bright idea to cut each other's hair! Andy and I were asleep at that point, so when I got up the next morning and saw Alli's friend with bangs cut almost to her scalp, I flipped out, and so did Andy! Alli got the better end of the deal with a cut that is easily hidden in the rest of her hair. We called her parents and her mom was really nice about it, so that was good. After everyone went home, I told Andy I am so happy we didn't have quadruplets! So, that day all 3 kids had ballgames at the same time, so we had to split up. Andy took Drew to her's and I took Evan and Alli. Andy's parents came to Evan and Alli's and brought them gifts. Then, on Sunday we took the kids to lunch after church at Red Lobster and had the waitresses sing to them, which they loved, and that night my parents came up and brought gifts and we went and ate dinner together. Evan is still checking the mail for one more thing that should arrive any day, so the birthday fun isn't quite over yet!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Evan and Alli's 6th Birthday
Evan and Alli's birthday was this past Saturday, the 25th, and I cannot believe they're 6 years old! Six just sounds old to me. They each had a friend over to spend the night Friday night, and we took them to see the Hannah Montana movie, which we got approved through Evan before we went (we've already seen Monsters v. Aliens and there's not much else out right now). We actually enjoyed the movie more than we thought we would -- I'm so sick of the TV show! After the movie, we came home and let the kids play for a while, and around 11:00 put the kids to bed. Well, the boys were just great, and went to bed and actually went to sleep. The girls, on the other hand, decided to get up and play with Barbies, and Alli's little friend had the bright idea to cut the Barbies' hair. So, they did that to about 3 or 4 of them, and then Alli had the bright idea to cut each other's hair! Andy and I were asleep at that point, so when I got up the next morning and saw Alli's friend with bangs cut almost to her scalp, I flipped out, and so did Andy! Alli got the better end of the deal with a cut that is easily hidden in the rest of her hair. We called her parents and her mom was really nice about it, so that was good. After everyone went home, I told Andy I am so happy we didn't have quadruplets! So, that day all 3 kids had ballgames at the same time, so we had to split up. Andy took Drew to her's and I took Evan and Alli. Andy's parents came to Evan and Alli's and brought them gifts. Then, on Sunday we took the kids to lunch after church at Red Lobster and had the waitresses sing to them, which they loved, and that night my parents came up and brought gifts and we went and ate dinner together. Evan is still checking the mail for one more thing that should arrive any day, so the birthday fun isn't quite over yet!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Pukey Sweet Stuff
Ok, so I'm usually not one to make a big deal about the perfection of my family. We're so totally perfect, but I don't want to make you all feel bad, so I keep it to myself. :) So, Andy's been in the family so long that he's seen a couple of boyfriends of my sisters' come and go, and has been there to share his opinions along the way and vote against those he wasn't so crazy about. He has always hoped for brothers-in-law that he could really hang out with and enjoy being as up until Steph and Erin got married it was just a family full of girls (and my dad of course). Well, and here's the pukey sweet part, I just wanted to say that I think Steph and Erin married really 
nice guys, and that's saying a lot, because I tend to be as protective of my little sisters as I am my own kids. My kids love them and feel really comfortable with them, and they're just sweet back. We all get along really well and, I may be delusional and just not see it because it's my family, but I think we all have a lot of fun when we're together. So, that's my syrupy contribution for the day. By the way, Steph and Erin are pretty awesome aunts as well -- if only they'd allow me to return the favor....maybe someday!
nice guys, and that's saying a lot, because I tend to be as protective of my little sisters as I am my own kids. My kids love them and feel really comfortable with them, and they're just sweet back. We all get along really well and, I may be delusional and just not see it because it's my family, but I think we all have a lot of fun when we're together. So, that's my syrupy contribution for the day. By the way, Steph and Erin are pretty awesome aunts as well -- if only they'd allow me to return the favor....maybe someday!Tuesday, April 21, 2009
T-Ball Has Begun!
Evan and Alli had a ballgame tonight, so I tried to take some pictures, but it started sprinkling and I didn't want the camera to get messed up. Here's a picture of Evan in his helmet. They require everyone to provide their own helmets with masks these days. 
Here's Alli right next to her little friend, Carly. They are two peas in a pod, dancing around and spinning and talking the whole time. The head coach finally had to get one of the other assistant coaches to stand between them (there are coaches at every base in T-ball), and then put them at different parts of the field in the next inning. 
There are many more games to come, so hopefully I'll have more (and better) pictures, and will add some of Drew playing softball.
Here's Alli right next to her little friend, Carly. They are two peas in a pod, dancing around and spinning and talking the whole time. The head coach finally had to get one of the other assistant coaches to stand between them (there are coaches at every base in T-ball), and then put them at different parts of the field in the next inning. There are many more games to come, so hopefully I'll have more (and better) pictures, and will add some of Drew playing softball.Weekend in Pigeon Forge
This weekend we went to Pigeon Forge with Andy's mom's side of the family. They were having a big car show up there, and it was absolutely packed. Andy walked aroun most of the weekend looking at cars. Here is his favorite of the weekend - a 1969 Camaro, which was for sale for $150,000! 
Unfortunately, I didn't get a bunch of pictures, but here are a couple of highlights of what me and the kids did. Here are Evan and Alli at the pool. Drew wasn't feeling well, so she was sitting in the hot tub the whole time. 
Here we are waiting at a restaurant. Hmmm...exciting.
And here's poor Drew. She had thrown up that morning, and since we were at a restaurant she was so worried she was going to throw up again that she got herself all worked up. She made 4 or 5 trips to the bathroom just as a procaution, but nothing happened. 
Unfortunately, I didn't get a bunch of pictures, but here are a couple of highlights of what me and the kids did. Here are Evan and Alli at the pool. Drew wasn't feeling well, so she was sitting in the hot tub the whole time. Here we are waiting at a restaurant. Hmmm...exciting.And here's poor Drew. She had thrown up that morning, and since we were at a restaurant she was so worried she was going to throw up again that she got herself all worked up. She made 4 or 5 trips to the bathroom just as a procaution, but nothing happened. The Easter Lizard
So, I found the energy to go get the camera and put pictures on my computer. Here are the pictures of the kids with the lizard. 
Here is a picture of the kids with my Granny and Papa. 
And, here's a picture of me and Steph and Erin. I thought it was a good one, so I needed to share. 
Here is a picture of the kids with my Granny and Papa. And, here's a picture of me and Steph and Erin. I thought it was a good one, so I needed to share. Monday, April 20, 2009
The Rest of Easter
Here are a few pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits. I took pictures in the backyard on Saturday this year, instead of waiting until Sunday morning when everyone's eyes are always all puffy. .jpg)
On Sunday, after church we went to an Easter egg hunt with everyone from church and had a big pot luck dinner, which was really good. Andy and some of the other men hid the eggs while us women-folk fed the kids. My precious husband scooped up a lizard and stuck it in an egg and hid it. Luckily, Evan was the one that found it. None of the kids were crazy about it at first, but all 3 kids eventually warmed up to it and held it. Andy, however, decided to terrorize Erin with it, so the poor little guy (the lizard, not Andy) ended up getting thrown into the woods off the end of a broom. I have pictures of the kids with the lizard, but they're still on my camera and aren't on the computer yet, and I'm already in the bed in my pajamas under the covers with my laptop in my lap, so I just don't feel like getting the pictures. I'll post those later!
On Sunday, after church we went to an Easter egg hunt with everyone from church and had a big pot luck dinner, which was really good. Andy and some of the other men hid the eggs while us women-folk fed the kids. My precious husband scooped up a lizard and stuck it in an egg and hid it. Luckily, Evan was the one that found it. None of the kids were crazy about it at first, but all 3 kids eventually warmed up to it and held it. Andy, however, decided to terrorize Erin with it, so the poor little guy (the lizard, not Andy) ended up getting thrown into the woods off the end of a broom. I have pictures of the kids with the lizard, but they're still on my camera and aren't on the computer yet, and I'm already in the bed in my pajamas under the covers with my laptop in my lap, so I just don't feel like getting the pictures. I'll post those later!Friday, April 10, 2009
Easter
Tonight we began Easter festivities. Actually, yesterday we went and bought Easter dresses for the girls and a shirt for Evan. This evening, my grandparents were here from Florida so they came up with my parents for dinner and coloring eggs with the kids. The kids were so excited about it, which made me a little nervous about having open containers of dye everywhere. But, they did great. We colored all the eggs first.
Then, my mom brought all this extra stuff that she had collected over the years, so the kids got to paint their eggs after coloring them.
They turned out pretty neat. Here are the finished products (yes, Bethany, that is your pie dish - it was sitting there so I wouldn't forget to send it to you, but I promise it's clean and dye free!).
After that, Andy grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and we had brownies and homemade ice cream. It was right when all those awful storms were going through and it was pouring down rain, so Andy stood out on the back deck and grilled under a huge umbrella in the rain and thunder and lighting. What a trooper! The dish went out, so there was no t.v., so Dad and Evan went upstairs to play the Wii while Drew and Alli played Candyland with Granny and Papa.
Then, my mom brought all this extra stuff that she had collected over the years, so the kids got to paint their eggs after coloring them.They turned out pretty neat. Here are the finished products (yes, Bethany, that is your pie dish - it was sitting there so I wouldn't forget to send it to you, but I promise it's clean and dye free!).
After that, Andy grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and we had brownies and homemade ice cream. It was right when all those awful storms were going through and it was pouring down rain, so Andy stood out on the back deck and grilled under a huge umbrella in the rain and thunder and lighting. What a trooper! The dish went out, so there was no t.v., so Dad and Evan went upstairs to play the Wii while Drew and Alli played Candyland with Granny and Papa.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Happy Late St. Patrick's Day
Drew and Evan were outside in the yard today and found not 1 or 2 but five 4-leaf clovers! Actually, if you look closely, one of them is a 5-leaf clover (the 5th leaf is very small). Some of them are a little shriveled, but apparently, we have a whole patch of defective (or not so defective) clover in our yard. Maybe our luck will start changing for the better!
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Camping
This weekend we went camping for the first part of spring break. We had such nice weather (even though it is snowing as I type this!). Stephanie and Jose came for the first night, and then Erin and Lee were there for the second night. We went to Victoria Bryant State Park and stayed in tents, and this was our set-up:
It was pretty nice for tent camping, and we didn't have to worry about the possibility of rain or anything since we had a covered platform for the tent. This was taken before Steph and Jose got there, so we had one more tent in there before it was all over. The first night it got pretty cold, although Andy acted like we were crazy for freezing.
I think my favorite part of camping is the food. We grilled steaks the first night and had fried potatoes and a yummy salad. Then the next morning we had eggs and bacon and sausage and hashbrowns and pancakes. It was so good! Here's Andy washing dishes:
We even managed to squeeze a birthday party in for Erin (almost a month late!), so here's Steph lighting candles and her getting ready to blow them out:
I was trying to take a picture of the kids, and Drew and Evan were acting like their normal selves, not able to do anything without wrestling and aggravating each other, and Alli just sitting there putting up with it. Here are a few pictures of the natural progression of their little fight:
After that, Steph and Jose had to go home, and the rest of us went on a little hike. It was so nice. There's water that runs through the park, and we all got pretty hot, so the kids loved getting in the water. There was a little place where the water ran across the road, and then we came up on a place where the water ran over rocks and sort of made a slide. Here are the rest of the pictures of the hike and some video of the kids sliding. Erin even got in and slid herself. Apparently the water was pretty cold based on their reactions.
It was pretty nice for tent camping, and we didn't have to worry about the possibility of rain or anything since we had a covered platform for the tent. This was taken before Steph and Jose got there, so we had one more tent in there before it was all over. The first night it got pretty cold, although Andy acted like we were crazy for freezing.I think my favorite part of camping is the food. We grilled steaks the first night and had fried potatoes and a yummy salad. Then the next morning we had eggs and bacon and sausage and hashbrowns and pancakes. It was so good! Here's Andy washing dishes:We even managed to squeeze a birthday party in for Erin (almost a month late!), so here's Steph lighting candles and her getting ready to blow them out:I was trying to take a picture of the kids, and Drew and Evan were acting like their normal selves, not able to do anything without wrestling and aggravating each other, and Alli just sitting there putting up with it. Here are a few pictures of the natural progression of their little fight:After that, Steph and Jose had to go home, and the rest of us went on a little hike. It was so nice. There's water that runs through the park, and we all got pretty hot, so the kids loved getting in the water. There was a little place where the water ran across the road, and then we came up on a place where the water ran over rocks and sort of made a slide. Here are the rest of the pictures of the hike and some video of the kids sliding. Erin even got in and slid herself. Apparently the water was pretty cold based on their reactions.We had such a great time, except for the unbelievable amount of pollen and Andy's allergies. Even Alli's eyes were a little swollen by the time we left. We originally reserved 2 camp sites, and ended up cancelling one of them, but since it was just a couple of days before the trip we couldn't get our money back. So, we just decided to move the reservation to the 4th of July. I don't know if we'll go then because of the heat, but we'll definitely be going back at some point this year!
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