Happy Thanksgiving and Our Tree...

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving! This is the first year since we've had the boys that we had to "bounce" to both sides of the family in the same day. It was A LOT of eating for one day, but both places were delicious! The craziest thing that happened was that Roger and I braved the crowd at Toys R Us at midnight! I am still in shock that he agreed to come with me then! We ALWAYS do the shopping for the boys together (for most of it anyway), but he's not a "real" shopper and would prefer not to be in crowds and lines. I ALWAYS go the day after Thanksgiving and he stays home with the boys. The other milestone about this was that since we were going out all night to shop...BOTH the boys had to spend the night out. So, Logan had his first sleepover last night (though I keep telling myself it doesn't REALLY count because I wasn't home to really notice)...ha ha! We decided that while we were out we might as well do as much as we could; so, we went to Walmart and Gamestop too. We finally got home and to sleep somewhere about 7:30 this morning (YAWN!).

The other amazing thing that happened today was that our Christmas Tree went up! We always put it up the day after Thanksgiving, but after the "festivities" of the crowds, lines, and very little sleep I wasn't sure if we'd be up to it. The boys remembered though. As I drove home with them, Logan asked me, "When we get home can we go in the attic and get the tree to put up?" I told him we'd have to ask his Daddy when we got home. That's when he informed me, "We don't have to ask him. You can just tell him and he'll listen to you cause you said." So, we got home and did the tree. We are holding off on the outside stuff until tomorrow though!

It wouldn't be "normal" if I didn't have to take 30 pictures to get one good one! Here are my little helpers being silly! :) They were great helpers with the tree. Austin even read Fred's book (Elf on the Shelf book) to Logan while we strung on the lights. Wonder where Fred will be hiding tomorrow???

A Fairytale Ending Even at 70...

Here comes the bride....(my grandmother)

Many of you already knew that my grandmother was getting married again. I have not seen her THIS happy in quite a while! Talking with her in the weeks/days leading up to the big day she sounded like a 16 year old girl gushing over her first love. It was really sweet. I am so happy that she has found someone that makes her happy, and together they will have a great journey ahead of them! Welcome to the family, Jim!

Here I am (with Haylee) sneaking in a "Congrats Kiss" after the ceremony. I am so happy for my grandmother! She SO deserves to be happy!!!

Here's a picture of my family with my grandmother...notice the lovely face that Logan is making. This was one of the best ones we got (so you can imagine what the others look like). I'm sure these will be treasured photos (as ALL of mine are!), but it makes me a little nervous about our "real" family pictures this Wednesday...ha ha!

Okay, proof there's hope in a "regular smiling face" picture. Now, we just need to get Austin to not lean...ha ha! I feel so lucky to have all three of my boys! They are my heart and soul! I love 'em "to Pluto and back" as they say!

Happy Halloween!!!

Woohoo! Another posting and it's not even been a week...ha ha! The boys have had a blast today! They really love Halloween. This is the FIRST year that Austin actually helped carve a pumpkin. he usually gags at the smell and can't even stay in the kitchen, but this year he carved his own. His art work is the bat pumpkin. Logan actually (mostly) carved his too. I drew it out for him, and he cut out the black parts. He wanted to do a silly face. The spider one was done by yours truly. I was proud of my boys and their handy work! Glad to finally have some help with them!

Here they are, all aglow (sp?)!

Here are my little Clone Troopers in front of the spooky police helicopter.

Trick or Treating was different this year. Since Roger was home with his hurt foot, it was just me and the boys. We just walked up and down our street, and the boys' pumpkins were full and heavy just from that. (We have sweet neighbors) As we walked and trick or treated I kept thinking of Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween book and giggling in my head because the boys kept fussing about how sweaty their masks were (and their hair was wet from sweat...yuck!), and how hard it was to see out of them because they were getting all foggy, and how it was hard to breathe with it on and see where they were walking. Once we got home and they dumped all their candy out on the table, they forgot all about the costume discomfort! Wonder what time I'll get them to bed with their sugar highs? Ha ha!!!

Finally....a Post!!!

I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post! Our computer messed up...again...and well, we've been busy! School, football, soccer, bronchitis (Logan), the flu (me), and Roger's almost broken ankle have all consummed A LOT of time! Though we've been busy, the boys have been having a blast! Austin's last football game for this season is Thursday. He's actually done pretty well this year, and he really seems to enjoy it! He loved hearing his name called out on the loud speaker last week! Logan is loving soccer too! He'll tell us before every game, " You know, #5 always scores a goal!" He scored at least 6 today! Yeah!!! We are anxiously getting ready for Halloween. The boys finally agreed on a big pumpkin today, and then they both got their own small one. Logan let me take a picture of him with his, and I will take more this week and post them next week. I'll also post some pictures of the boys in their costumes. Here are a few pictures from the past two months.... :)

Austin with Bree by the pool

(She would not stay still for a good one...we tried several!)

Logan with his small pumpkin

I'll try hard to post again next Sunday after Halloween with more pictures! It really shouldn't be two months between my posts! :)

Dentist and Toothfairy...

Austin showing off his "snaggletooth!"

Logan showing off his "special nose!"

I thought February was Dental Health Month! Ha! Well, anyhow, teeth has been a very prevalent theme in our house this month. We all went for our regular cleanings before school started, and while Roger and I were cavity free...both the boys were not. So, the nightly routine of brushing has been lengthened, and Mom is helping the little one...even though he INSISTS he can do "all by myself!"

They both went for their fillings this morning (and sealants for Austin too), and I'll tell you, I was quite worried about Logan going to have this done. Dr. Sturkie mentioned last time that he thought he could do Logan's with JUST the gas and no shot...which was good/bad (for ME). I am petrified of the dentist...hate it, hate it, hate it (though since we've switched, I shouldn't complain at all!!!). So, the thought of getting a filling and not being numb...well....I was nervous for him. But, he was quite the TROOPER!!! No tears, mouth wide open, and even a little silly (hence the laughing gas....)!!! He loved wearing "his special grape-scented nose!" Of course, to him it was very cool (because his brother didn't have one).

On top of all that, Austin lost three teeth in 2 days. So, our house got visited by the Toothfairy twice in the same week. Good thing she had cash! :)

Six Flags

We drove down to Atlanta after Austin's birthday party on Saturday and got up Sunday and went to Six Flags! The boys had an absolute blast. We went with Roger's parents and Caleb got to come too. Kamy was sick and couldn't... :( We've gone to Carowinds in the past over the summers, but this was our first trip to Six Flags. Austin will tell you that it was Gr8 (catch the number joke?)! They rode LOTS of rides. Even though it was quite hot, we were able to cool off with some water rides. Logan got COMPLETELY soaked on ThunderRiver! He had water rush in on him from some rapids, AND he got stuck under the waterfall! Luckily, he thought it was funny! Austin and I didn't get too wet, though, we got lucky! We all had a good time! Here are a couple of pictures...

Here we are with Foghorn Leghorn (one of my daddy's favorite characters!)

We were glad Sylvester and Tweety stopped for a picture even though the lady leading them was trying to get them to leave! :)

Austin was an awesome BIG brother looking after his brother on the rides!


This is Logan under a bridge in Thomas Land. He was excited to ride on the Thomas Train, but that's really all that was in that part. We were a little disappointed because they advertised Thomas Land like it was a big deal...oh well! Logan smiled, and that made it worth it!

On our way out I wanted to take a picture with the roller coaster in the background, and Austin had the idea that he wanted it to look like he was holding it up...Mr. Tough Guy! He has such a sense of humor!

Where Has Our Summer (and Toddler) Gone?

Okay, so EVERYONE that has had children before always tells me that they grow up way too fast, but you don't truly understand that until you have your own. It seems to happen in the blink of an eye. I seriously can remember when Austin was just learning how to do all of his "firsts," and now our "baby" isn't even a toddler anymore...or at least that's what he tells us! All in the same summer he's lost his diapers and is fully potty trained (yeah, no more buying diapers... and :( because that really means he's getting big), AND last week he learned how to swim withOUT his floaties. He's quite proud at both accomplisments (as are we!), but how it makes us realize even more how quickly our little guys are growing up! No matter how big they get, they're still always going to be MY babies!

This is Logan in his "Hulk" towel. Of course, it's his favorite so I have to wash it ALL the time...and hear a little fussing if it's not clean, but then we go with a blue one (his favorite color).

This is Logan swimming ALL by HIMSELF for the vey first time! You can see "Coach JD" close by, just in case. WOW!!! He was SOOOOO excited! Of course, he had to call everyone to tell them about it later on!

This was from the first day of Austin's football practice (before pads). I'll take pictures this week with his pads on and post one of those later in the week. He's LOVING football, and he is very proud of the couple bruises on his arm from all the blocking! It's really "cute" (not sure if it's a good word to use when describing football, but hey, I'm still a mom) to see him look over at us with a huge grin after blocking or tackling someone! His coach is GREAT, and so far football has been a good experience for all of us. His Sportsarama is the 11th. Can't wait to see him play in a game! :)