Ringing in 2013

Today is the last day of 2012.  It was a wonderful year filled with happiness and tears.

We were supposed to go to the Hudman's house to ring it in with champagne, s'mores and fireworks.  But, Sam woke up with a tummy bug so the twins went to Nana and Big's and Sam is home with us.  We shot off little poppers before the boys left and it was fun.  Not as much fun as our other plans but would rather spend it with my men than anyone else.

We pray that 2013 brings us health, happiness, peace and love.

Goodbye 2012 and Hello 2013.

CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST

Oh how I love the season of holly and mistletoe.  The celebration of our lord Jesus' birthday is so meaningful and wonderful! I love it!

We have the most wonderful holiday as a family this year.  The kids had their school parties where they decorated cookies, ate the cookies, played a game or made a craft.  They each thought their was the best.  Luckily, I made it to all the parties, even though I have to split my time between the twins which sucks but must be done.

The kids got of of school on Friday the 21, kind of late this year but Christmas fell weird.  We went to Mike and Mary's for Christmas cocktails and had a wonderful time....until........Jill and Jay broke the news that they were moving to California.  Cue the violins and tears for me.  So sad that I will lose my friend and her wonderful family to another state.  So so so sad.

But, we must press on and celebrate Christmas.  We had the Walton Christmas that Saturday and Trent and Kerry came it with sweet Mr. Wyatt so we had a wonderful time.  The kids loved their gifts and so did the adults.  Sam got an awesome r/c speed boat and had such fun playing with it until......Uncle Trent and Ryan got a hold of it after some Crown and Ryan proceeded to fall into the icy pool with the remote to it and ruined it.  Yes, had not had the present even a full 24 hours.  Poor Sam will get another I guess at his dad's expense, thanks a lot Ryno!

We went to Mimi and Jack's for lunch with the whole Walton clan on the 24th and it was delicious and fun.  We then went to the Christmas Eve church service in which Sam and Ben were a king and a shepard and were the stars of the show!  They killed it and I think I see a future in acting.....for Ben.  Sam is too serious by far poor guy.

Christmas morning was the BEST!!!! Squeals and screams all around and luckily, they were happy screams.  We had such fun!  The twins got a 4 wheeler and Sam an electric scooter and their Mama, a bike!!!  I love it!  It is a cruiser that has a basket and is oh so me!

Oh, and it SNOWED!!! How many times in your life does it SNOW in Texas on CHRISTMAS DAY??????? NEVER! it was awesome!

The kids got the new WII and within 36 hours the twins has won all 8 levels because they are little Mario prodigies!

My parents came over for a late lunch and more presents!  They got so much that Ben even said he did not think he deserved that many presents - oh yes you do my baby love!!!

The kids constantly keep us in stitches with the witty fabulous things they say.  They are so funny and such little blessings to us.  We had tragedy in Connecticut this year a week before Christmas in which a gunman opened fire in an Elementary school killing 20 kids and 6 adults.  Never have we felt the Lord's blessing as much as we have lately. We are so proud of our little children and love them so much, our hearts are heavy for those affected.

I do not want to be too morose so I will end with laying under my new heated throw blanket all day yesterday with little pippins rotating through all day watching movies, best time of my life. I am blessed and loved and am so grateful.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Few Stories

Boy stories

We took the kids to eat at Joe T's last night.  It was gorgeous out!  

So, we are in line to eat and Ryan and I are drinking margarita's.  The kids start talking to people in the line.  After about 5 minutes I apologized and said Ben was a talker and could talk to a wall.  He took offense :)  But, they returned to conversing with the strangers and I heard Ben say he does not talk to walls and then Hayes said, I sometimes talk to my stuffed animals.  SO CUTE!!!!

Next, still in line.  Boys start talking to two other little boys about their age.  Ben and Hayes start arguing about who is older.  Ben tells Hayes that he is 5 1/2 and the Hayes is only 5.  Hayes said he was 5 1/2.  Ben said "You are lying" to Hayes.  The other little boy chimed in and said, "You said a bad word." Ben said "Lying?"  The boy said "Yes."  Hayes said, "No, lying is not a bad word, the f word is a bad word."  Ummmm, and we will be moving along.  

So, we had a great time at dinner, who knew December in TX and it was 75 for dinner outside.

Love K

Fa la la la la.....

Well, Thanksgiving weekend is coming to a close and I already smell eggnog and spruce trees.  Ok, so I really smelled those things before Thanksgiving, because the world likes to put up Christmas the first of October, nonetheless, it is exciting.

Christmas is coming.  We had a fab Thanksgiving with the Denver Grammers.  The Cousins had a blast together.

We started the decorating at our house today.  I am sick with a cold but that did not completely hinder my progress.  Actually, I just unwrapped the ornaments and gave them to 6 eager little hands that slapped them on the tree as fast as they could. I think we have a new record of 5 minutes :)

But really, it was fun to see them so excited.  And, I was very proud of my patience, because I can be very particular about my tree.  I did have to spread some of the ornaments out a little but all in all the boys did great.  It is a beautiful tree.  And, when it really comes down to it, does it matter what it looks like as long as they are making fun memories with me?  Nope, it does not.

Now, I can't be all deep tonight because I feel bad and want to go to bed.  So, I will do that the next time.

Night, night.

It's broken :(

Well, it happened.  You know it is going to happen with three boys.  It is inevitable.  A broken bone.  Yep, a broken bone.  Now, while I know this may happen, we have now had two kids with casts in 3 short years.

Sam had a baseball game Saturday morning.  He went to grab a gatorade for himself and some sunflower seeds for his dad before the game at the concession stands.  Walking back, arms full of food, drinks and baseball gear, he tripped and fell.  Skinned his hand, his shoulder and broke his arm.

Ryan called me, told me, and I proceeded to have a freak out.  I was surprised by this because I feel like I am usually fairly calm in kid situations.  But no.  I panicked in the phone and said "What do we do?" Ryan said "Um, first you need to calm down." Oh yeah right.

Luckily one of Ryan's best friends is an Orthopedic Doctor and told us where to go.  We are told it it is a buckle fracture and he will be in a cast about two weeks.

Todd looked at the x-rays today and said that actually, it is a fracture all the way through and he will be in a cast 5-6 weeks.  Ugh!!!

So, Ryan and Sam go to get the cast on today (he has been in a splint) and his arm is so swollen that they could not put the cast on it.  We hope that in a few days the swelling will go down enough to get the cast on and then I am going to be the first person to sign it!!

Boys!

Blessings

I have three little precious blessing, a hubby blessing and fabulous parents and parents in law blessings in my life. This summer seems like it has been filled with bad news left and right from people I know or aquaintences.  So, I have been taking stock in what I have.  I know I am blessed beyond measure.

I got the pleasure of spending two days at home with Hayes because he had strep throat.  He was an angel and I really just enjoyed the one on one with him. It is so rare that I get to spend alone time, of any real length, with each of the kids - especially the twins, that I just loved it.  He was a dream.

Now, fast forward to the weekend.  Bad to the bone is his middle name and not in a good way.  Times outs galore.  But, he still said I am his mommy whom he loves.

Now, on to tomorrow.  Twelve years ago tomorrow I married my darling husband,  whom without I would not have been blessed with these darling babies.   I am so thankful he is in my life, he is a wonderful husband (except that he has a dishwasher phobia, oh and lizards) three wonderful kids and a life full of happiness.  Thank you my darling for these years and our life.  I love you!!!!!

This and That

The boys all started school on Monday.  ALL THREE BOYS. My babies are all in school and this mommy was very excited and sad about it for the first day.  I am rolling just fine now.  Well, I was....hit a bump.

I got an email from Hayes' teacher yesterday that he had had a tough morning.  He was drawing our family and when he got to me, he got sad and he cried quietly most of the morning.  I am glad that he did cheer up when he saw Ben on the playground.  But, he is having a hard time because it is a long day for a 5 year old.  He is tired, they all are.  He says he misses me and he begged not to go to school today "Can I just take a day off?" Poor baby.  I felt so horrible for him. I walked him into school this morning and he ran back and hugged me a couple times.

Jill was at school and saw him this morning and said he was happy.  Yea!

Now...I went and tried my first spin cycle class yesterday morning.  Omagosh! That stickin' seat - and grossly it probably really is which is why I got that thing sanitized before getting on it - hurts the twooter.  I mean hurts it!  Who knew? It is a little kept secret I guess.  Now, I do hear that after a few times, it goes away.  It still hurts this morning to sit.  Yikes!

Ryan and I had a fantastic trip to San Diego last week.  Ryan had a conference - thank you LPL - and we got to enjoy a few days away.  It was gorgeous!  Biked around Coronado Island, ate dinner outside in the Gaslamp District, took a Land/Sea tour which was very informative and toured the USS Midway (which was supercool).

So, we are on our merry way. School is back in session, fall baseball is getting started and we are all happy.  We are blessed!

Aspen, CO

Cool temps, beautiful moutains, rain showers and wild flowers means we are in Aspen for our summer vacation.  We were there almost a week before we had to return to 100 degree Texas weather.  It was wonderful.  It was cool.  It was nice. It actually rained, more than once, and for more than just a minute.  I decided that I could run everyday outside if I lived there.  But, I live in Texas so I have to run indoors on a treadmill with air conditioning and a fan pointed at my head.

So, my husband decides to get his drivers license renewed the day before we leave. In this day and age you have to have id in order to board a flight.  Cut to the morning of, we  need to leave our house at 8:45 for our 10:30 flight.  Um, yeah.  9:15 we finally pull out of the driveway.  Why? Ryan could not find the license renewal anywhere and panicked.  We got his birth certificate and went on our way.  At 9:40 we arrive at check - in with Ryan parking the car.  Ticket lady "do you know you are past the luggage cut off?" NO! We check in and get in the long ass security line.  Holy cow, we are screwed!  It is 10 am and we have at least a half an hour wait. 

Yeah, it takes until 10:28.  What happens? Our flight is delay due to a bird hitting the wing upon arrival.  They have to make sure the aircraft is sound before we depart.  Made it, whew.

Arrive in Denver at 1 and depart from Denver to Aspen at 1:20. We literally are at a different terminal 50 gates on the other end.  Never gonna make it. We have little people with little legs with us. But,  we roll.  We roll in with 10 minutes to spare.  We arrive on time in Aspen.  Never happens.

We go into town, eat Mexican, drink margaritas.  We see the Grammer family arrive the next day and we have fun.  Sam and Caleb are two peas in a pod.  Abby is mildly amused and irritated at them.  She seems to adore the twins.  They are great! 

We bungy, we fish, we putt putt, we eat ice cream, we visit the candy shop, we draw, we color, we do puppet shows, we visit the Carbondale Mountain Fair, we do it all.

Revisitng the fair for just a moment, it was like nothing I have ever seen.  It was literally hippy + tattooed man + drunken fairy + kids+ wood splitting champion + food from everywhere + face painter + shopping.  CRAZY and I mean it.  On top of that, it frickin' rains for half an hour and it is a total downpour.  Greatest people watching ever!

The kids loved fishing. They did it a couple times.  Sam found a baby snake and Amy introduced the twins to the exicitng world of snakes.  Ben liked them, Hayes liked them from afar. 

I actually got to run in the cool wonderful weather, secretly scared I would meet a bear upon my jog.  Thank goodness, that did not happen.  Hayes, Sam and I took a hike from Faraway Road all the way to the Treehouse parking lot.  Thank goodness, we did not meet a bear then either.

Why, you ask, are you scared about a bear? Well, because they are eveyrwhere this year and warnings are out in full force.  And, the morning we left for Texas, a bear peered into the house while my parents looked back at him.  The bear then wandered down the mountain.  A day before, and Mr. Bear and I might have been meeting on not so friendly circumstances.

So, are you thinking yet how lucky we are to be in great gorgeous Colorado? Well, just wait a second. 

When I travel with my husband, something always happens,  Well, we are dropped at the airport our last day by my parents and we check in.  Ryan is good to go.  He is staying over in Denver to work on his new awesome App with his brother.  This was preplanned.  I, and the boys, on the other hand have been mysteriously bumped from our flight and it appears that we will not make it home that day.  WHAT??????? SERIOUSLY? This is ridiculous!

The downside, they gave us a BS reason as to why we were bumped.  The upside, I could delay a day and stay at my parents place and enjoy Colorado another day.  The other downside, we have to wake up at 5 am to make out flights home.

I wake up the boys and Ben says "Why are you waking me up in the middle of the  night?" I said, to go home.  He said "Darn it!  No one should have to wake up in the middle of the night!"  I agree. Anything earlier than dawn and it is too early to get up.

The good news? We got home by lunch and we were all very happy.

Girl Trip 2012

I had the absolute pleasure of going on my annual girls trip to Santa Fe with my besties: Lauren, Mende, Casey, Kris and Claire.  We all have been looking forward to this trip for a year.  It is such a great time, away from home for a couple days, doing girly things, talking about girly things and having some girly time. Besties having the best time.

I arrived at the airport thinking I was a smidge early but no, they were already all there at the bar no less - who can blame them? Party here we come.  Started the trip off with a cocktail, we flew an hour and a half, we grocery shopped and then we picked that drinking right back up.  To the tune of 3:30 am for most of my girls.  I had been fighting a cold so I turned in at 1:00 but the rest of the crazy girls turned in at 3:30.  Let the fun begin! Luckily when I asked what I missed, no one could recall.  Do you think that is because they had been drinking so late into the night? I do.

Friday morning had us up drinking our coffee in Lauren's beautiful backyard in 70 degree temps.  We had breakfast and then lazed by the pool all day long.  And I do mean lazed. It was greatness.  We left for lunch and then the spa later that afternoon where we all enjoyed couples massages.  Casey and I were "coupled" and I loved that she got cradled at the end (normal people won't know what this is but we do).  It was classic.  And Fantastic!

Now, because our day started late with the spa, we started late on our 2nd Annual Pub Crawl.  We got started at 10:30 - yes, I felt like I was back in college where nothing even happened until 10. But you know what? We rocked it!  Hit 3 bars in 3 1/2 hours and enjoyed every...single...minute!  We stayed up until the wee hours of the morning and even all rocked a 9 am get up to carry on.  Such a blast and another late night for us ladies.

Saturday we went to the folk art festival where I saw Ali McGraw and then saw Lauren Hutton.  We shopped all day and that is always fun.  Who does not like to shop? Well, me if I am not allowed by my hubs but he was ok with it so here I went.  However, I did not find just a ton.  Next year.  Then we went to Geronimo for dinner.  We decided to stay home that night as Casey had a cold too and felt awful.  Luckily, a little of my Afrin and she was roaring to go! We stayed up, again, until 3 am.  We rocked it but of course, did not remember much conversation from 1 on.  Oh well.  Just another reason to get together again, to talk :)

Sunday we had to depart.  Sunday always comes so fast on a girl trip.  I mean fast.  Like you blink and it is there.

I am so lucky and so blessed to have the best friends I have and that we all love each other so much that we want to have our time away from our families with each other.  It was bliss!

LAND OF SUN AND SEA

It is 4:30 am on Saturday morning, June 2.   We are up that early for only one reason....BEACH VACATION!!!!

We meet the Hudmans', get our coffee at the QT to help keep our sleepy eyes open and head out.  We arrived that evening in Rosemary Beach, a beautiful place to vacation.  That first night we had a full moon coming up over the ocean.  It was gorgeous and foreshadowed a fabulous trip ahead, minus a few bumps along the way.

That first day Hayes said "I am having the best day with my family." And Ben said "I have the best family." What great compliments!  

The waves were pretty big the whole time we were there.  It was mainly red flag days but that did not stop us from having fun.  We bought Sam and boogie board and he instantly became a pro!  Now, with all those big waves comes a lot of seaweed.  Sam comes running up on the sand gagging.  We think it is because he has swallowed salt water so I grab a drink to give him.  He then throws up.  Yep, my boy puked into the sugary sand.  I said, "what happened?" He said "I saw the seaweed and it grossed me out." REALLY??? SEAWEED?  Cracked me up!

Next up, green coming out of Hayes' nose and eyes.  Great!  Pink eye? Sinus infection? Call the doctor who sends a Rx to the nearest CVS and get him going on it.  By the way, Sam is also on antibiotics this trip.  

On Wednesday we decided to rent a pontoon boat and head to Shell Island.  It is an island filled with thousands of sea shells and gorgeous white sand.  The island is between the ocean and the bay and so the bay side is nice and calm where the kids can swim in crystal clear water with no waves to knock them down.  We packed a picnic lunch and spent the whole afternoon there.  The ocean side had huge waves and tons of jellyfish.  The boys filled their buckets to the brim with shells and found hermit crabs and sand dollars.  It was a wonderful diversion for the week.

There is an awesome little ice cream/candy shop in Rosemary called the Sugar Shack.  Pretty much the name says it all.  We made daily treks there to get our sugar fix!!  One night, Stefani was asking Sam if he really wanted a 4th bowl of pasta. She explained that it takes a while for your brain to get the full signal from your tummy.  Ben said, my brain is getting the message that I need the Sugar Shack.  Classic!

Sam was dying to rent bikes and I kind of wanted to and kind of didn't.  So, the second day we made our trip to the Shack and wondered over to the bike rental place.   A bike was parked with a buggy on the back that could fit my two little twinks and it was kismet. We rented that along with one for Sam and off we went.  Holy cow! That was the most fun ever!!!  We bike every morning and every night and had the absolute best time doing it.  We have returned home and I am on the hunt for a bike for myself.  I have awakened my inner bike goddess and she is ready to ride!

We drove to Seaside for lunch one afternoon.  We wanted, and needed, the most fabulous lobster rolls.  Yes, if you were wondering, they do cost about $35 each but oh are they are worth it!  The kids ate grilled cheeses from the food trucks and got ice cream, because ice cream was a food group while we were there, and we had fun. It was extremely crowded with tons of people and cars so that was a little annoying.  We were glad to go back to Rosemary and our quiet little sanctuary.

The last night we went into Panama City for dinner with the kids at a total kid friendly place that almost felt like it should have been in Padre Island and that is not a compliment.

We were sad to leave our beach vacation but figured that is the best time to leave. We also left while it was raining so we felt a little better about that. 

 Until next year Rosemary Beach.....

Puppy??

So, my last post was about my kids and them growing up and me being sad.  I have baby fever right now pretty bad.  Worse than I have ever had.  So, a friend said "what about getting a girl dog?"

It got me thinking, do I want a dog?

Ryan and I have never wanted a dog.  We said we only wanted a dog when the boys were in their teens if ever.  Now, all of a sudden I can't stop thinking about getting a dog.  Pomeranian's are the CUTEST little pups I have ever seen.

So, I am considering something I never thought I would consider.  Let's wait a month and see if this passes.  If not, we might have a little cute new furry Walton addition contrary to what Ryan would like.

Summer is a-coming!

Well, we have two down and one to go.  Ben and Hayes graduated from pre-kindergarten this week and have officially finished up their pre-school career.  Sniff Sniff.  They are so super excited about going to Mary Moore and being in Kindergarten.

Sam will be finished with 1st grade in just a few days.  My baby will then turn 8 and will be a second grader.  One step closer to his room smelling like a gym, getting BO and shaving.  Well, I may be getting ahead of myself but it is coming!

All my kids will officially be in Elementary school.  Makes me sad and exited at the same time. It  also got me to wanting to have another baby.  I mentioned this to Ryan who said "NO WAY" and I think he is serious.  Ha!  But, for some reason I am really wanting and feeling like a 4th Walton baby might be on the way.  We would have the most precious girl or boy.  I really, really want a girl and don't want to jinx the 3 wonderful beautiful boys we have but I REALLY WANT A GIRL TOO. And if it is a boy, my goodness we make the most gorgeous boys - not to be biased or anything.

I could totally do another baby.  While I would dislike the fact the Sam would be 8 years older and I never in my entire life thought I would have that many years between my kids OR that I would ever have 4, I really think I could do it. The boys are are such a great age,  new baby in the mix would totally fit in.

Anyway, we will table that discussion for a later date.  We are on our way to Rosemary Beach, FL in just 6 days and we are all so excited.  What a way to start off summer, with a wonderful trip to the beach.  Gorgeous water, family fun.  We are going with Stefani and Johnnie, Landry and Ledger and we can't wait!  Hopefully, Hayes will like the "salty water" a little better this year.

FIELD DAY

Can we get a whoop whoop! It is field day!!!

I remember being in elementary school and being so excited when field day arrived.  We had a parade through the school with our "banner".  I think I always did the three legged race with Lauren but I don't remember what other events I entered.  Getting a ribbon is the best!

So, I was super excited when Sam's field day arrived.  He and his class had tie-dyed orange t-shirts.  They were so cute.  Sam, being a 1st grade boy, could not exactly remember what he had signed up for.  So, when each event came up, we would wait for his name to be called.

He entered the hula hoop competition, hurdles and the relay.

He started in on the hula hoop and Ryan said "I sure hope he does not get first place in the hula hoop".  Well, no worries because he got 4th place out of about 8 boys!  He did great!

Next up, the hurdles.  The kid has about a foot on every other boy out there, piece of cake.  He starts, he runs, he jumps, he runs and jumps again, then......stops!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING???? RUN!!!!!  Poor thing did not realize that you had to still run to the finish line and ended up going from 1st place to 4th.  Poor baby.  My little long legged gazelle.

Last comes the relay race.  He has this in the bag.  He is the lead runner in the relay and his buddy Logan is bringing up the last leg.  They came in first place!!!  The other kids never had a chance with those fast boys.

Tug - O- War was the last event between the three classes.  It was so much fun.  The kids had so much fun and it brought back so many memories that are now way, way, way back there in my mind.

Ben and Hayes actually get to have a field day in pre-k which is coming up this week so I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, here are a few of my main man Sam!!!

Colonoscopy for a 5 year old

Poor baby Hayes had to have a colonoscopy.  He was a CHAMP and the BEST!!!!

He had to go all of Sunday with nothing but clear liquids.  He did not complain at all about not being able to eat anything although I know he was hungry.  He did not complain about all the potty breaks he was having to have either.  He was so brave.

We got to the hospital at 7:30 Monday morning and he was a little scared.  He took his giggle juice though and fell asleep and never knew anything else that happened until he woke up in recovery.

I told him that if he would wake up and drink some gatorade we could go home.  He said, "no, first we go to McDonald's and then we go to the store and get me a cake." Of course, I have promised him anything he wanted to eat that day and those were his requests.  So, we went to McDonald's and he ate it all and was fine.

Then, we got some cookies and he was great.  That afternoon, he said we need to go to the store and get some things.  I asked what he wanted and he said "I will know when we get there." Ok, off we went and I think he picked more sugary things than ever.  Because, I let him of course.

I mean really, the kid had just had a procedure that are meant for 50 year olds.  He got whatever he wanted.

Thankfully, everything was normal and he is a happy, healthy little boy.  Whew!

Bottle and Sell It

Oh my goodness!  My little darlings have been especially sweet lately.  Probably because they know that summer is coming and with it a crazy, harried mom who might or might not yell a tiny bit.  Anyway, they have been little sweetlings.  Very amenable, fairly happy and not too whiny.  All in all great.

The other night I crawled into bed with my babies, one after the other, and snuggled them while they slept.  I like to do that because not only are they the cutest pumpkins when they are sleeping but I also get to snuggle for as long as I want without them telling me to stop.  Their little warm bodies, their sweet little breath, oh my goodness, I just want to bottle and sell it.  Or, bottle and keep it.  I know that all too fast they will be grown up, locker-room smelling boys who don't want mom anywhere near.

So, I will just savor this time for myself.

Lots to Tell

Life is busy enough but having three boys makes it almost chaotic. A fun chaotic but nonetheless, a little chaotic. We had a fabulous spring break. The boys and I skiied like crazy. Ryan, unfortunately had an MCL injury that left him unable to ski. Luckily, it did not affect his right arm since that is his drinking arm.

Dad and I skiied almost everyday even making the long treck up to the top of Longshot. We hiked up, caught our breath for 10 minutes and then skiied down. Fantastic, beautiful day!!!

Sam, dad and I skiied together that last day. Sam is the man, the ski with poles man!!! We picked up Ben after ski school, Hayes was ready for a coke and fries, and the four of us skiied several runs. My boys are fantastic skiiers in the making.

We had a blast!!

Next, we just had a TORNADO, yes, I said TORNADO, blow through our part of the woods this week. Altough the event shaved a few years off my life, thankfully everyone was fine!

The day started out with some clouds, knew it was a possiblity of bad weather but I live in Texas and in the spring, there is almost always the possiblity of bad weather. So about 1 o'clock I call the twins school to make sure they know that bad storms are coming. Ryan called, a tornado was in Cleburne. 15 minutes later, the roar of the siren goes off. I am alone, at my house, under the stairs, on the phone with mom and Ryan (three way). I am without my babies. My precious darlings whom I would do anything in this world for. My babies are without me. I think that was the worst thing about it. The storms come through, a tornado did pass about .6 miles away from the twins school. It was terrifying.

Tornado was classified as an EF2. I know we would have probably been ok seeking shelter under the stairs an all but being alone without the most important people in my life was awful and left me shaken.

Needless to say I kissed, snuggled, hugged and basically did not let my kids go that night.

My sweet Ben said to his teacher during the duck and cover "Mrs. Sherrie, I sure hope that my mommy is ok". SOB!!!! My heart burst. My precious was worred about me.

I am so thankful that we were all ok.

Now, on to some fun things the kids have said lately:

Ben said "Daddy, why did God make tornadoes?"
Hayes said "To hurt bad guys."
Ben said "no, God loves everyone, even bad guys."
***
We were heating up the hot tub and the boys were dying to go check it so I told them to see if it was hot yet. They both ran for the door and Ben shoved his sleeves up and said "Let a big strong man do it" and made Hayes go out after him.
***
Ben and Hayes were doing something and I was giving them their drinks. I asked if they wanted to pick what color straw they wanted and Ben said "Hayes, you pick first my good man."
***
We all met with Father Tom last week to talk about Communion and what it meant. He passed around the wine and told the boys they could smell it and drink it. Hayes said "No, I don't like wine, I like beer better." WHAT???? He has never even had a sip of beer before. Ben on the other hand likes beer, wine, whatever, he ain't picky.
***
And, that is all I can think of for now. The boys keep me in stitches everyday. All of them. We are in the thick of baseball/t-ball season and there is nothing I rather do than watch those boys play some ball. It is such a blast. Being a mom is such a blast. What an honor it is to be Samuel, Benjamin and Henry Hayes' mom. I am one lucky mama!!!!

A cup is for drinks

It is lunchtime on Friday afternoon. I am getting the kitchen squared away, unloading the dishwasher, wiping down the counters, filling the dishwasher and listening to music on our Apple TV which is the bomb. So, I am going and singing and having a pretty good time, if you can when you are loading the dishwasher. I open a thermos - Toy Story to be exact - dump the contents into the swirling disposal below and then rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...... goes the disposal. What the heck? I look down, little baby junior, don't know which one, but one of them filled their stinkin' thermos with loose CHANGE!! Quarters, nickels, pennies, all down my drain in my disposal stopping it up.

I pull the stopper out and nearly vomit from the smell - whole probably other story about why I have not pulled it out and cleaned it, I don't know, cuz I am busy? I take it outside and hose it off then fill a cup with windex and sunk it in then cleaned the disposal.

Then, I go to the garage to find plastic gloves so my delicate, beautiful hands do not have to touch the nastiness that lurks in my disposal. And, of course, I am out of luck, no gloves to be found.

I called Ryan, who confirmed that we were indeed out of gloves. I said, "Do I need to call a repair man?" He said, "Just wait til I look at it". My repair man to the rescue. Hopefully it will be him who has to touch the nastiness. Eewwww.

You say its your birthday da da da da dum dum

February 5, 2007 at 9:41 and 9:42 a.m. I had the two most amazing, adorable, precious Valentines!!!! Benjamin and Henry Hayes came into our lives and have done nothing but give us such joy!

The boys had a magic party yesterday with all their friends. I think they really enjoyed it and then had balloon animals. Then our families stayed for dinner and the boys opened presents. This morning, they had bacon and cinnamon rolls and got new bicycles from Gigi and Papa. They are worn out, lying on the floor wrapped in blankets watching a movie.

Magic birthday party --- success!

So back it up a month or so - we had a great Christmas and ski trip. There was no snow in Snowmass, which is a first for us. Ryan and I skiied a half day pretty much. It was the last day and we picked up Sam early from ski school and tore it up. It was so much fun skiing with him. He got his ski poles and was so excited! Boy was loving it.

Ben and Hayes got to ski on Fanny Hill and take the Skittles up. They did fantastic as well. We had a blast with Andrew, Amy, Abby and Caleb and Gigi and Papa. It is always so much fun to get together and play in the snow.