National Lampoons Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our house - full of laughter, kids, dogs, and mess. 12 adults (my aunt and uncle came down with the flu - so they couldn't make it, thank goodness they found out before they came all the way from south Florida though), 5 children (5 and under) 3 dogs.

We planned to eat at 1:00 - the hope was that Wilson would be down for a nap

Wilson napped at 10:00 instead

My aunt and uncle arrived at 12:00

As they were arriving, both Wilson and Henderson were waking up from their naps

Wilson began puking - everywhere - on Daisy, on Will, on the floor

My aunt and uncle and cousins were driving up the driveway at this same time

My mom and dad were slicing the turkey

My sister was changing Henderson into his Thanksgiving clothes

Will and I were gagging and Wilson was laying on the floor covered in vomit

We sent Daisy out the door (to greet our guests!!!) covered in puke - in hopes that she wouldn't spread it all over the house

Will ran upstairs to change his ENTIRE outfit - well, pants and shirt - I guess men don't like their clothes to be called "outfits"

I layed Wilson in the floor, so I could quickly clean it all up - in hopes that my house wouldn't smell too bad - all the while I was yelling at the other 3 children - "Don't you dare come down here!!!"

Our (first time) guests come in - and are greeted by someone (I hope)

I get it all cleaned up and carry Wilson up stairs and lay him in the bath tub - he won't even sit up and clean him, dress him in a t-shirt and lay him on a mattress in our bedroom - he goes right back to sleep

I go to the kitchen, scrub my hands REALLY good and try to act like a good hostess!!!!

After I finish eating, I go check on Wilson and he says he wants to get up, so I carry him out just to see everyone (from a distance) and about 3 minutes later, he's sweaty and crying, so I run him back to my room and he throws up again.

I lay him back down and he goes back to sleep

About 30 minutes later, I look up from nursing Henderson and I see my mom with Wilson outside

She says he wanted to get up

I said, "Well, watch out!"

She gets him some pumpkin roll, b/c he says he's hungry - I do not think this is a good idea, but they are outside and I am not around, so let them be

He eats it and wants more, he eats more and wants even more!!!!

Then he swings on the swing set - I just know he is about to spew

But he doesn't - he begins playing and is fine the rest of the day!!!! Thank you God!

Needless to say, I didn't get many good pictures on this day

This is what Wilson did on Wednesday - do you think this had anything to do with it?

The pictures that follow are from Thanksgiving morning when we swapped gifts with my sisters b/c we won't see them on Christmas this year!

I hope yours was a good one!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Will and I had a great night last night - we went on a date - to Dinner and a Movie - it was so nice, especially not having to shuffle 3 children around - we just up and went!!! I had a great afternoon too, got a lot of cleaning and organizing done...

but I am soooooo excited to see these 3 little munchkins when I get home today - I had just enough time alone, to really appreciate a busy, bustling, toy-filled, laughter-filled house - and that it will be, tonight we will have 5 children and 8 adults spending the night!!!!!

I can't wait to be together with my family, my sisters (Katie and Lori), Mark and Matt, my parents and Carson and Mary Grace!!!!

I went on a long run this morning and it was COLD - but it was a great time of reflection and prayer - for all the MANY things I have to be thankful for - God has been so good to me in these 28 years of life.

Thanksgiving and a Quiet House

These little guys are not at home right now - I met my parents in Birmingham yesterday and dropped them off, to spend a day and a half with them while I work. I am a little sad - I do miss them, but I CAN'T WAIT to get home today and have 8 hours straight of doing whatever I want - I can clean my house and it won't look like a tornado has come through 30 minutes later!!! It will be short-lived b/c the house will be full of energy and excitement as they return Wednesday afternoon and then my sister and her husband and 2 children arrive Wed night and then 8 more adults come for the day Thrusday! I'm really looking forward to it all and I really do love keeping house (as long as it's not at the expense of my children) and I can guarantee that they are not missing me a bit - I called last night to check in and Emma Claire got on the phone, said "Hey Mommy", told me what she was doing and quickly said "gotta go!" WOW it feels good to be missed so. All kidding aside, I'm glad I have children who adjust well, to whatever circumstances they're in, and even more grateful for wonderful parents who love my children as much as I do.

They started off the visit with Thanksgiving dinner at my parents church - FBC in Trussville. I think my parents got in the far corner by themselves, so as not to disturb EVERYONE else. The children did okay - when Wilson was finally let out of his seat, he was MR. SOCIAL bug as usual, going around greeting everyone, giving big hugs - he truly melts my heart (and can make me madder than ever all at the same time=). Henderson ate the best of all of them (so they say) nothing like sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes for a 6month old! Emma Claire discovered cranberry sauce - apparently she ate EVERYONE'S!!!! My parents are very brave - but I know they had fun!

I'm going to call after while and find out what the Elves have been up to overnight!!!!!

Our weekend ended with a sweet little birthday party for a dear friend of ours - she turns 1 today!!!! Happy Birthday! It was an intimate gathering of close friends and family and we were so honored to be a part of it - the children had a great time and the parents and grandparents had even more fun!

What a fun cupcake pinata - you pull strings instead of hitting it - the big kids had a blast getting all their loot in their goodie bags!

On Friday, the children's Dayschool had their Thanksgiving Feast and Emma Claire's class performed 4 or 5 songs. Emma Claire loved every minute of it - she is truly a performed - we could hear her over all the other children - she always tries REALLY hard - such a good, sweet child!

Wilson and Henderson enjoyed the time too - especially Wilson, who enjoyed running around the gym and climbing up to other peoples' tables to visit and see what they had to eat!

Things I love

My friend, Allyson sent me this, the rules are to list 5 things you love, link back to me and pass along to 5 friends.

I LOVE:

1. My family... my husband, my children, my parents and sisters, my in-laws, my neices and nephews - and I am so thankful that we are all a close family and get along so great!

2. To excercise - especially when I can do it when it's not taking me away from my family - I love to get up before everyone else and go for a quiet, dark run outside with my dog, Daisy (though lately at least one child has been waking up at 4:30 am - the time I usually try to go, so it hasn't been happening)

3. To eat.... especially this time of year, turkey and dressing and desserts galore!!!!!

4. My house decorated for Christmas and a cozy fire and all the ones I love close to me!

5. To sit back and watch my children play with each other and friends - to see sheer joy in their faces as they do what God intended for them to do at this young, tender age - laugh and have fun!

6. (because I can't stop there) Jesus - plain and simple, I love Jesus!

5 friends whose blogs I love:

1. Rachel

2. Abby

3. Andi

4. Darby

5. Becky

6. (because I still can't stop) Tara and Lindsey and Leigh -- there are so many more I would love to add, but for time's sake, I will stop there!

It's What We Do!

Our church has a fabulous library - on Wednesday nights we got to dinner at church, then choir and mission friends. BUT, before all that we hit the library - it started one day when I happended to arrive a little early to church and went by there just to have something to do. Now it's just what we do - there's no getting around it - unless I want 2 little children having fits in the parking lot - they LOVE it - they each get to pick out a movie (or 2) and 2 books. The nice ladies in the library are so excited to see us each week - they have a large and small stuffed Barney that Wilson adores (we have one at home, but it's just not the same at home). The wonderful ladies even let Emma Claire and Wilson scan their own books in - they think they are hot stuff! Yes, it means leaving the house at 4:00 instead of 4:30, but it's worth it to see their excitement - plus we have new books to read at night and new movies to entertain them during the week!

The ELVES did it again - this time with toilet paper on the foyer chandelier! "How did they get up there?" Emma Claire asked -

"they're MAGIC!"

This is what they did yesterday - took ALL the ornaments off the "friend" tree and replaced them with themselves!!!!! - those stinkin' elves sure do know how to make a mess!

Sorry for the poor picture quality - these are cell phone shots!

Christmas Open House and Those Stinkin' Elves

Welcome to our home! We are glad you could come! Do you smell the cinnamon, hear the Christmas carols, feel the heat from the crackling fire? Well, settle in and visit for awhile, let me know what you think!

Upstairs Den

Kitchen - do you see those little elves perched upon the island?

Emma Claire's Room

Emma Claire's room - her own glass ornament tree - she was so excited!

Dear Ole Frosty

Basement Den (to the right of this room are the older childrens' rooms)

Table top tree filled with memorable ornaments (that picture ornament you see, is Will as a child - looks JUST like Emma Claire)

Basement Den Fireplace - no mantle - anyone have any great (cheap) ideas?



Upstairs Den fireplace, again no mantle

Our "friend" tree - this is the Childrens' tree - to do whatever they want to with!

Upstairs den - Wilson has yet to pick up these ornaments off this table - I CAN'T BELIVE IT!!!!

Master Bedroom table and mirror

Dear old Santa in the kitchen, handed down from Will's mom

Server in the Living Room

Funkey little tree in Henderson's room

Living Room

Den - those balls again - they look tempting to me and I'm not a 2 year old boy - it's only a matter of time!!! =)

Dining Room - that picture over there - don't let it scare you - that's Will's Great Great Grandfather

Stockings hung by the bannister with care, in hopes that St. Nicolas soon will be there!!!

From the Foyer looking into the Living Room

"MY" Tree - you get a "pop" if you touch it - how many times have I said that???? (and I don't mean soda pop)

For the elves 1st night, they emptied out my tupperware cabinets, and propped themselves right in the middle of the mess - those stinky little elves!!! Emma Claire was soooo excited to see that they had acted CRAZY the night before!!!!! I even had 2 little helpers clean up the elves' mess! This elf thing sure is helping to get EC out of bed with no whining every morning!

The only way I could get Wilson to stand in front of the tree was if he got to hold a ball - oh no, what have I started?????

2 out of 3 of those pesky little trouble makers - just wait til you wee what they did LAST night!!!!

I hope you enjoyed your visit - please come again - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!