Family photo with us all in it - 2008

Here is a few of us all...

Now you'll understand why I didn't put Mommy and Daddy in the card.

Besides our weight gain this year, I don't think that the matching shirts - girls in pink and boys in blue - worked.

It would have been better with all in the same color... too much pink and differences in height for me to use these.

But I'll show you those plus a few rejects...

Christmas photos 2008

Took the kids, yesterday, to the photographer we use each year for our family Christmas photo. The coordination of haircuts, matching clothes and clearing schedules for a day was a terrible challenge - but worth it!

I'm having some photos of the children blown up for our wall. Each child has their own 11x14 photo on a wall in our living room. Paige's frame is still wrapped in cellophane and waiting for its first photo.

These came out too cute!

I didn't choose any with Bryan and me in them for the Christmas cards this year - you don't realize how heavy you are until you see yourself in a photo.

Just the children this year.nge

The basket thing - two weeks until the opening.

I've avoided writing about my other 'baby' because I wasn't sure if I was going to actually go through with it or not. But since it looks like I'm a go, I'll start keeping track of the progress.

December 4 is the hospital craft fair and I'm renting a booth to sell the baskets. I've spent the past few months gathering supply and researching website hosting (that is another day's conversation) all in an attempt to finally get this thing off the ground.

I've actually gone for the past two weeks into shut down mode. I just was overwhelmed with life and kept thinking that the day will come with I'm having a bad day and, after getting everyone to bed, will have to make up baskets to be delivered the next day.

I let the fear of success actually stop me.

But today, I spent the entire day creating baskets. I've built about 30 and have the supply for 15 more. I'll be ordering new supply over the weekend.

But, let's face it, I'm not good at bookkeeping. I don't think I'll ever make $$$ on this but even if I did - I don't think I'd know it.

My fingers are crossed that success somes in slow increments.

Wade's Thanksgiving lunch at his school

Today Wade's school hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for the parents. It was cute - turkey, gravy, potatoes, corn.

Cooked and served by the staff and teachers. I love this school!

Even though Wade has been home sick from school all week - yes, I called in on Monday and Tuesday. We had paid $$$ for today, so we, me and him, went into the school for lunch.

We left Paige in her baby room for the hour - it was nice to eat lunch with my son.

We shared a table with another family - Wade's friend Vince. It was obvious that Vince had missed Wade for the last week - the boys kept hugging. It was cute.

Turns out that Vince's dad is a musician who really makes a living doing that. He is the lead singer of a band called Phat Munky...look them up - he's the one with the long hair.

He also is the voice behind the CD of Go Diego Go. I found clips on the web and it is really him!!

Pretty cool to meet the guy on the Diego song - not something you do everyday.

Our kitchen...

Olivia, during the morning hustle to get everyone off the school, says to me...

"Mommy, I love our kitchen. It reminds me of a restaurant because it is always messy."

Was that a backhanded compliment, or what?

GGGGRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Green Meadows petting zoo

We visited this petting zoo, as we do every year, while we were up there last month.

Each year, we learn another lesson. First, it was to make sure everyone has on sneakers. Next, it was to bring snacks. Then, it was to eat a meal JUST before going. This year, it was to bring enough drinks for everyone for the day.

I'll never learn.

Great place for children and families that need a day off of the parks in Orlando.

Love this place.

Pumkin patch photos

What fall photo is complete without the annual trip to the pumkin patch?

Here's ours - no Paige - we took the kids to the patch at the animal farm in Orlando.

Paige was home with Grandma.