Random Weekend Pics

I really need to post pic from the mountains but since I know how long it will take to upload the pics I'm procrastinating like crazy. Then, I'm already thinking about Advent and the pics I'll have to take. Maybe I'll charge up one of those smaller cameras for those pics. We are working on computer/monitor issues so hopefully our solution will make blogging a bit easier for me.
Nutcracker is coming quick and Thanksgiving break for the kids. Mom is coming next week for reinforcement thankfully. Along with bus week and providing the letter "O" snack and seeing the dentist I decided it was time to have these wirey gray hairs colored so it's off to Atlanta for me in the morning. It's been a realllllyyyy long day with Ben attached at hip because he can't breathe through his nose. Bless him. I'm also planning for Thanksgiving. It's only us and my parents but thorough planning is always good. And Christmas shopping. Online, of course.
14 months. There's been a little runny nose and irritability. Maybe we'll check ears soon. Since Ben went to stay with nana and papa he suddenly likes to get up and come to our bed?? Well, that's fine with me as long as everyone is sleeping. It is nice for him to be a little more adaptable to different places! This was on my bed one morning for a nap. He's not too bad of a fighter if he's really tired.

Lillee had parent watch week at dance. Scott and I tag teamed so of course he brought the camera which I had forgotten. Nutcracker is coming up so they're working really hard. I hope she will stick with dance and keep loving it.

Then there's this little devil. Every time I look up he is sitting on something really high. The pics are blurry because I'm always scared he's going to go head first any minute. Also, these pics really prove why mommy is always so tired! There's never a dull moment.
WHO ME?
These apples from the mountains are so yummy I'd probably climb a table to get to them too.
While Scott was watching the GA/AU game Saturday night I started a small fire for s'mores. It was a little late for finding sticks so we settled for white painted coat hangers. Oops. I don't think it will hurt.

Ben's Dedication

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Sweet Ben, You were dedicated at church Sunday, October 31, 2010. It was a beautiful day. Rev. Hambric Brooks did your dedication while our church family looked on and promised, with your dad and I to raise you, support you and love you all the days of your life. We love you so much and want you to know we will bring you up in a loving, Christian home teaching you morals, values and life lessons. You are a gift to us and to your big sister and big brother. You have taught us patience and quietness (well, not really a lot of quietness) but the silence that comes with listening to what God has in store for our family.

We had a row of chairs filled for church. Our sweet friends came to celebrate and have a big lunch prepared by nana. It was really funny to have nana and papa here with the Longs. Wes and Sandra may want us to change our will after seeing all three in action! I think we only had two when they signed up for that duty!

Sweet Presseley loves the little house. She looks a little sleepy here. Maybe into the witch's brew?
I can tell you two children who were NOT SLEEPY! After an hour in the basement they (Kyendria) decided it was time for some fresh air. These two ran nonstop around the yard while she timed them on her phone. Average about 12 -15 seconds per lap around! These are two sweet spirited children.

This picture melts my heart and makes me want to cry! Sweet Ben with sweet poppy. Several people comment that Ben looks like my dad? Right now it's looking like he's not too happy with the beard. Ben loves his Poppy. Who wouldn't love someone that picks you up when you come to him with arms outstretched? Who wouldn't love someone that takes you on walks at a moments notice anytime you want! I'm sure Poppy is spoiling him this weekend with lots of stroller/wagon rides around the neighborhood. What a special bond for these two.

Spooky Holiday

Halloween 2010. We had a Captain Jack Sparrow, a girl pirate and a dinosaur. A very cute dinosaur! Here's Jack with his little cupcake sifting through their candy!

Captain Jack was extremely pleased with his hair. Here's a boy who really appreciates a good braid. He fell and cut his chin earlier last week. He didn't need stitches but it did end up getting infected so he looked like a true baseball player with a dip in! It is much better!

Nana and Papa came and enjoyed the festivities!

Here's the little pumpkin decked out and happy to be on the hayride! We are blessed beyond measure to share such fun times with great friends.

Wow - sums up the night right here!

Pretty pic - oh wait, you can't see the tuft of hair!

Rats, Drugs and Savory Sausage

We are having the same pest problem as we had this time last year. However, these rats are being moved around by a tiny infant!! In 2009 he was only 4 weeks old and unable to pull them off the stairs, eat their tails off and throw them in the toilet/trashcan! We're getting in the Halloween spirit but haven't quite found a pumpkin. We're waiting for Scott to go to Atlanta to stop at the farmer's market I suppose? We'll make do with this decor for now.

This week is Red Ribbon Week and Baxter is being introduced to a whole new world. He had lots of questions when I told him he had to wear red to school today. He came home from school and said he was never doing drugs or smoking cigarettes! A later conversation he told me Stephanie gave him crabs! Yes, read that one twice! I looked over at him and he had 2 crab silly bandz to show me. I was doubled over with laughter for quite awhile with that one.

I should've taken a pic of them before school I guess because Lillee never comes home with the same thing she got out of the car with. She left with jeans and a red sweater. She came home with jeans (rolled way too far up) and a denim jacket. Said red sweater at school. I need to keep an inventory! I think his shirt was fitting for the day!

Have I posted lately he's beautiful?

Here's the Savory Sausage Tart. It was ok. All three kids liked it. There was chicken/spinach sausage, Tuscan vegetables, cheese in a pie crust. They paired it with apple sauce and strawberries.

Bye Bye Bottle

He is approaching the 14 month mark but it's really difficult to let go of the bottle. He is very attached and doesn't like a sippy cup of any kind at all. Dr. Banks was very sad to come by the other day and see my computer opened to a google page "how to transition from bottle to sippy cup?" She recommended a 15 month cut off! He's just a tiny infant still! We've been giving him the cheapy first years cups. Nope - those get thrown in the floor!

November 1 - cut off date! Say a prayer!

Block Party

We had our 1st annual block party October 2. We originally were trying to come up with a way to celebrate Anne, Ben and Pressley's 1st birthday! When we started planning, we ended up with a MEGA PARTY! It was so much fun and our dear friend Cindy Stansberry brought her sweet children Miles and Lawson and her baby, Nikon (camera, that is). We really appreciate her awesome photography. She's watched these babies grow from birth til now!

Cindy's kids had lots of fun on the big slide.

MONKEY BUSINESS

No kid wanted to leave this excitement!

Who would want to stop after eating 2 cupcakes!

These three will have lots of memories to cherish forever.

Kiawah Island

This was last year's picture of Kiawah - welcome Ben! They've grown so much in a year.

We spent this past week at Kiawah Island. We had a great time and spent many hours relaxing. It was definitely a laid back true beach trip. The children were well behaved. Baxter's bees came out a few times but nothing too major. We spent lots of time in the pool, riding bikes, playing in the ocean and long walks. Thank goodness for this sweet girl above! A terrific babysitter and a girl with some patience! She was definitely ready for some "takeout" or McDonald's by the time we left. We cooked/prepared three meals a day at the house. Granted, we really enjoyed going to the grocery so it was fun to figure out what we could come up with next! However, Bethany was ready for some fast food yummies! Me too, actually!
This hot tub should read, "WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOT TUB STAYS IN THE HOT TUB!" It saw it's share of these kiddos birthday suits! This little spa saved our life. I can't imagine how many hours they clocked in here - the dads too!

This monkey loved getting some pool time in with his big sis! An entire pack of swim diapers - GONE!

These two continued on their old married couple lifestyle! There were inseparable times and there were grumpy times! Mostly happy times though, until she wanted to touch JoJo the crab! The smell is still in my nose hairs!

This is my favorite picture of Ben. I don't think it's up to Stansberry photography standards but I like the way his hair is over to the side and the wispies are blowing in the wind and, of course, he's on my hip!

This was a great house and very practical for the kittens. However, I would have suggested baby gates at the bottom of the stairs as this one really liked climbing!

When restlessness occurred it was off on the trails. Thank goodness for our Clampett-style bike rack that made it to South Carolina! This stinker loved riding with Daddy on the Quest!

I was in charge of Big Waxy Lips! These pedals didn't work like the ones last summer. He pedaled all the way but no help to mama! We saw lots of alligators, deer and mostly mosquitoes! Our kids looked like they had a case of measles!

This beautiful girl rode her bike all by herself and enjoyed every minute of it. She did a great job with no complaining - all 20 miles it seemed like!

Bethany liked our biking outings. Her bike had a child carrier on the back so she stored the water/bugspray items! She wanted to use our baby doll but it's eyes were mending back at the house - long story!

Ben loved the sand. He didn't mind one bit that it was in his ears, eyes, nose, toes, fingernails, hair, did I mention ears, eyes, nose? A big difference from Lillee's first years at the beach!

Again, the world's best babysitter - EVER! However did she put up with us all week? Look closely and you'll see her precious find - JoJo! The smell is wafting through my house as we speak.

I love this picture of Ben. He had just woken up from an afternoon nap. Scott always says he looks like my dad when he first wakes up from a nap - a little grumpy looking and fuzzy headed! He is holding my favorite purchase on the trip!

Afternoon fun included two 4-year olds + two Droids = old couple!

Even Bethany needed a little quiet time on Facebook after the pool.

Here's the iPad waiting on it's next football game to be played or math facts to be solved. Scott was upstairs on the laptop doing some work. I just wanted to play UNO - no technology!

We did venture out to lunch one day. Imagine a table for 4 adults, 5 kids, 2 strollers, 1 highchair and a baby!

We had a really great time. It's nice to be with people similar to you and your family who share the same likes/dislikes/values as us. God has truly blessed us with wonderful friends for our children to grow up with and love. The beach has a way of showing us God's beauty and inspriring all of us to remember how awesome his works are.