Disney Sneak Peek

Here's one pic I'll post to tide you over til I can post the others!  So many precious pics of memories that will last us a lifetime!

Ryan's 35th Birthday

Been on a short hiatus to finish getting ready for and going to Disney last week.  I somehow accumulated 616 photos and several videos to go through and edit so I promise to post the best of the best when I get them all done!  Hopefully soon!


Right before we left was Ryan's birthday on the 2nd.  We went to this fun bar in a restaurant right by our house that most of the guys in these picture frequent!  Since they know the owner and bartender so well they let us throw Ryan a little after work party there that night.  We had SO much fun with all our dear friends and thank everyone for coming and celebrating with us!  


Here are some fun pics from that night!

Rodney, Michael, Ryan & Scott

Oh Tina Tina Tina!

The infamous Shane Coker

Our friendly neighborhood bartender Mike!

Tina, Me & Katie...LOVE these girls!

Megan & JT...Ryan's long lost sisters

The WMT/Sam's crew...Ian, Cindy, Tyler (in back), Cameron, & Laura

Johnny, Dana, Dean, Ryan, Ryan P & Chaney

Leslie with Ryan & Shane

Death by Chocolate cake from Rick's...unbelievable!!!

Who knows???  Is that Dr Dre behind yall?

Another birthday in the books.  I told Ryan as his dad so affectionately told me on my 35th..."well, you are closer now to 40 than you are to 30!"  


Happy birthday babe!  I can't wait to celebrate many more to come!

Christmas Cards

I LOVE Christmas cards!  I can't wait to check the mail during the month of December to find cards from friends and family all over the country.  It's such a thrill to see how much our friends kids have changed in just one year.  With such a love for cards you'd think I would be all over the idea of getting our's made and sent out.  However, this year it didn't happen.

With the craziness of the holidays, I just didn't get around to making cards this year.  The stress was building to come up with the perfect idea and the perfect card.  I was realizing I didn't have a picture that was card worthy that I hadn't already posted on Facebook.  FACEBOOK.  The single social media outlet that killed the Christmas card this year.  Not just for our family but for many of our friends as well.  Where we usually receive tons of cards, we probably didn't even get 20 total this year.  Strange...yes.  Sad...definitely!  I think Facebook may just kill off the Christmas card.

Our family xmas 2011

That said, we didn't get around to taking a family photo either.  When you take pictures you rarely get your picture taken.  I have gotten better over the past year or two to remember to actually get in the picture from time to time.  This drives my mother crazy as she is always wanting new family pictures of all of us!

So Christmas morning we all went to church together at my in-laws church and since we were all dressed up at the same time, we figured it was a good time to take some family pics.  So consider this our "Christmas card" for 2011.  I will say I did miss having actual cards this year so not to say we won't change our minds next year and send one out again.  That or I will make more of an effort to hand write letters & cards to people this year.  I am saddened to think that in our kids lifetime the mail may become a distant memory.  I hope to never lose the thrill of a handwritten card and hope to instill this in the kids with cards and letters throughout their lives.

Until then, here are some pics from Christmas day...

Adam, B & Matilda

Memaw with her Great-Grands

 

Nena & Papa

Precious baby Matilda

Her eyes are to die for!

My sweet baby boy

My precious baby girl

Fruits of the Spirit

The kids came home yesterday singing a new song about the Fruits of the Spirit.  It was so sweet and I was so proud they both could name them all via this sweet little song.  


As a proud momma, I wanted to show off their talents.  So last night, while I was on the phone with my mom, I had the kids come in and sing the song for her one at a time.  Elliot went first and in her sweet, angelic voice sang them perfectly for Grammy.  


Then K man gets up.  He starts singing them in rap form, crossing his arms and throwing peace signs with each "fruit".  For the big finale, he came to self-control and proceeds to moon me simultaneously with the words coming out of his mouth.  I'm trying to explain this to my mom who is listening and neither of us could quit laughing.  What a goof ball!!!  When we could talk again my mom told me I might want to teach him about the meaning of those "fruits" a little better! 


Oh how's these kids continue to make me laugh on a daily basis!  

Sick & Tired of being sick & tired

But these faces can somehow cheer me up...when they are smiling and getting along so nicely!

Newborn Memories

Nothing will make you remember the days of newborns better than when your kids are sick.  Those wonderful memories of sleepless nights.  In fact, I was up 5 times before 1am night before last.  I think that is worse then they ever did as newborns!  Besides all the blessings of having multiples there is the curse of multiple illness.  If one gets sick just hang on...in 36-48 hrs I guarantee the other will have it or worse, something else!  I have to say the kids have been pretty healthy for a long time now but this past week has done me in for a while!  Here's a glimpse at our Drs visit yesterday.

If you've read my blog in the past you know the first few years of life were plagued will all kinds of illnesses.  This week has brought back all those memories.  To the point I looked back at old post and found this picture of E.  Same pitiful look!

Luckily this week it was just a long, extended cough & cold and only 1 ear infection between the two.  Good news is I must have looked so rough this week that Ryan told me to have a Girls Night Out tonight!  Can't wait for pedi's and Mexican!  Just what this one tired, exhausted momma needs!  Thx babe!

The Po Po

I'm done. Done beating myself up for the terrible job I have done over the last year with my blog. Done trying to figure out the perfect time, perfect picture, perfect story, perfect excuse to come back and actually get back in the swing of things with this dear 'ol blog. Done posting how I'm "coming back" only to post one time and not return for months...DONE.

So I've decided to just write. Post pics when I can. Just remember that I started this to document the twins life, since I knew I'd never do baby books when I was running on 30 minutes of sleep at a time & coffee. Write when there's a good story, post pics that aren't necessarily portraits and get my thoughts on this whole motherhood thing down so hopefully the kids can read these stories one day and be happy I did this...and maybe a little embarrassed along the way!

So nothing like Elliot giving me a gem of a story to post for today...

We were running late this morning. Kids have had terrible coughs and Keaton has really been down for a few days. We go to a bible study at our church on Wednesday morning and we were running behind since I actually had to put on makeup and real clothes today. So we head out the door on our way. Not 1/2 a mile down the road I see a cop and KNOW that I am not going the speed limit. Immediately lights come on and I tell the kids that we are getting pulled over and to be on their best behavior!

The cop walks up and I immediately notice his last name is "Gardner" (Keaton's middle name). So I ask Keaton to read his name to which the cop was impressed that he could read "Gardner". Just before he heads back to his car to decided if he wanted to give me a ticket Elliot shouts from the back seat "Hey, do you watch cops?" Officer Gardner tells her no that he doesn't watch that show. She replies in her sweet southern voice "I do! It's my favorite show!" REALLY! Thanks E & Daddy for making me look like mom of the year! He seemed to find enough humor in it that he let us go and said he didn't want me to start the year of bad...nicest cop ever!!!

So there's the story for today. Stay tuned, I'm sure there will be more tomorrow!

The COPS watcher...

Pics taken at Thanksgiving

Here are some pics we took at my Grandmurna's house over Thanksgiving. Turned into a great xmas gift for the grandparents!

All my kiddos

Tori Chase

Trae Alex

E

K man

Last 1st day of Preschool

Well this was the kids last 1st day of preschool. I swear they were just in the 2 yr old class with Ms. Glenda and Ms. Gayla. Now we are in the oldest class and I just can't believe that my babies are the big kids now. Although trust me, Elliot reminds me everyday! This year they will have Ms. Chris. I think she is going to be a great teacher and will really help the kids be prepared for Kindergarten next year. She is more of a disciplinarian which I think will be good to get Keaton ready for structure and the routine of Kindergarten.

Here are a few shots as we headed out the door on the first day...

In backwards succession but here is a sweet pic after a few near take downs!

He DID NOT want sissy's arm around him, could you tell?

Elliot with her new Hello Kitty backpack

Keaton and his new cars backpack

I know they are only 4 (almost 5) but where is the time going???

Don't want to forget this...

Was tucking Keaton in the other night and I said "I love you" and he gave me kisses. Then I said "You know you are my favorite little boy in the whole wide world don't you?" to which he said....

"MOM GO....YOU ARE WEARING ME OUT!"

Where do they get these things???

Our New Love

Her name is Matilda. She has little hair, no teeth and a smile that would melt your heart. She is our new niece and we got to meet her this past weekend. We are so glad to have another niece and Keaton is still the reigning man on both sides of the family!

Here are some pics from this weekend. The kids adore her and are so ready for her to be able to go swimming with them.

LOVE these kids!!!

Trying to capture a grandkid picture is getting more difficult...

I thought we were raising them better than this....

Two stories for this week's memory book:

1. Go to pick up the kids on Wednesday and the kids greet me with "We both got on red today". Now I will say that's not a stretch for Keaton but Elliot is always on green. Well apparently not on the one day I send her to school in a dress. Apparently Keaton lifted up her dress during playtime to get the boys to all laugh. And then Elliot lifted up her dress because two of the boys in her class "asked me to"!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD??? Needless to say we have been back in pants/shorts for now.

2. Just when I thought we were down with poop stories...Elliot runs in the house tonight and says "Momma, can I wash my foot off? I have Keaton's poop in my toes."???? The Keaton walks in completely naked and tells me that he pooped in his pants. Come to find out (and a little in his defense he has had #3 all night long) he had to poop and didn't think he could make it so he goes under the slide at our neighborhood park and just poops right there in the mulch. Right in front of their friends and right in front of the dad of our new neighbors, who moved here from New Jersey, and already think we are a bunch of weirdos who just let our kids run all over the neighborhood barefoot. So I made the walk of shame to the park with a Walmart bag to go pick up poop like my son is a 3 month old puppy. (The look on that neighbors face was absolutely humiliating. I think we have scarred him for life!)

So I'm guessing Keaton figured out I am blogging again and wanted to give me some material. Please dear Lord don't make me break out the belts (i.e. duck tape) again!

Why can't I just write???

I'm sure no one will even be reading this as I am sure all of my followers have bailed by now. I just don't realize why it is so hard for me to just jump on here and type out a little something so I can remember this time in life. The kids are going to wonder what happened between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 since Momma couldn't type a few sentences about our life :)

We are half way thru the kids 4th year and we are knee deep in baseball and gymnastics! Keaton has wanted to play since he was 18mos old and he LOVES it! He is definitely meant to play baseball. He loves to bat and is a really good fielder. We are hoping he will grow to love 2nd base like his momma, daddy, and uncle Jim.

E is now in gymnastics and is doing so well. They put her in an older class with girls who have taken since they were 2 and she is holding her own. Having to work on straight legs and arms a bit but that will come with time. She loves it and I hope will continue and compete one day.

Ryan just took a new job with Sam's leaving WMT after 10 yrs. I think he is going to thrive in the Sam's environment and can't wait to see how he grows now having a boss that actually cares and is connected with his people.

I'm still doing MK although have taken a little break for the past couple of weeks. It has really been nice just to be home with the family and not feel like I am constantly running around. I'm sure it will pick back up and I would love to be atleast in DIQ by seminar. I think I would love being a Director and doing more of the personal development side for my team rather than the selling side.

Well, should get to thinkin about dinner for the kids. Ryan and I have been doing Isagenix and it has completely changed our lives. We feel amazing and healthier than we have in many years! I finally feel like all the years of medicines and drugs from Fertility issues are finally coming out and I love that I can now go to the gym and work out hard and not feel like I am dying! Spinning is definitely still my love but I have found a new love for weights as well. We'll see.

Welp...someone is crying on the trampoline. Duty calls. But I am trying to commit to myself to use this as a journal and stick with it this time. We'll see.

BTW...if you did read this...I can't believe you still check my blog. Thanks for being a faithful friend and follower:)

A Story to Remember

So the other day I was taking the kids to their Nena and Papa's house for a little quality time. We are in the car and almost to their neighborhood when Elliot says...

"Momma, remember when we were in your tummy and you said 'oh I hope its a boy and a girl' and then you saw us and said 'oh they are just precious' and then you brought us home. Remember that? That was a good day!"

Cute right? Well until she followed up with this question..."So momma, how did we get in your belly anyway?"

I am not ready for that discussion yet so I just said "Well, God put you there like he did with baby Jesus and Mary." Luckily she's only 4 and that satisfied her for now...only we are worried she is going to wonder where they wise men and shepherds are when they don't come for their next birthday!

Just had to be sure and blog that one because we will want to mix that into the Christmas story one of these days!

I've Missed You Blog...

Yep...I've just missed it too much. Sure I like my evenings "free" and not cramming in a last minute post at midnight, but I feel like I am truly missing some things as the kids are growing up way too fast! Elliot completely talks like an 18 yr old but luckily Keaton still says some things that are so cute. Like "Teaton" and "Pleash".

I want to remember what all happened and how I coped. I think that's why the three's got a lot less face time...I was just too tired and too frazzled. But I know one day I will regret not blogging about fits and fights and spills and toilets clogged with trains and animals...

So, I may only blog a sentence or a quote but I plan on being back. FOR REAL THIS TIME!!! I don't want to miss another day of this adventure that "one day I will laugh about"...or so everyone tells me.

*I type this as Keaton tries to turn my face to him and convince me that he needs to sleep in my bed! Last night he cried not wanting to go to bed. He begged me to sleep in his bed. Then he asked for daddy to sleep in his bed. Then he cried and said "I just want somebody to spend the night with me! Where is my Grammy?!"

Master manipulators these two are!

Here's a new family pic and sneak peek of our xmas card.... Maybe one day I'll sit and post all the ones I haven't had a chance to.

Not Dead just Distracted

Yep...we are still here! I know I haven't blogged in FOREVER and I honestly feel like I have missed out on the last few months. I know one day I will be really sad that I didn't document these last few months but hopefully the hard work will make for many more memories and some exciting things to blog about in the future!

We have been busy with two 3 (almost 4) year olds...some of you forgot to tell me how "lovely" the 3's are and Mary Kay has taken off like crazy!

Here are some more recent pics and I hope to slowly catch up on where we've been lately. The kids started soccer this fall and we just got Keaton his first big boy haircut. Yes, I teared up but it will grow! He is still my handsome little man!

Enjoy and we'll be back soon! I've missed yall!