January

January is always a little bit of a slow month around here.  We are all finally back in our school and work routines.  I am plugging away at some organization and cleaning around here.  We did have a Girls' Day and Boys' Day last weekend.  Abby and I went shopping for her flower girl dress, had lunch with friends and went to a birthday "paint" party.  Bobby and the boys headed out for a day of Monster Trucks.  There is a whole post on that to come!  Here are just a few pictures of January:

Nathan in his Hulk mask and Madagascar wig.

I got to spend the day with this little guy and get my baby fix.

Abby and her friend at lunch on my volunteer day.

Blasting off our rockets from Cindy!

More rocket blasting!

This is how we found our sweet babies reading after bath time.

Noah and a friend playing with the DS at lunch.

This is how Noah fell asleep.




This is where he moved after I woke him up.

 

Last Little Bit of 2012

We spent the rest of our Christmas holidays just hanging out at home.  We were so tired from all of our celebrating that we did nothing for the rest of the break.  Bobby was sick with a pretty nasty cold for most of the time and Abby had a little virus for a few days.  We spent every day in  our pajamas watching tv, playing with our new electronics and toys.  It was nice to have time at home with nothing to do.  I actually napped several days which is something I never do.  We did still manage to do our post Christmas toy purge.  We always ask the kids to pick toys they feel they have outgrown to give away.  I didn't think they would part with much this year because we have gotten rid of a lot of toys in the last few years.  They surprised me.  They each picked 4-5 toys to give away.  This helped tremendously in making room for their new stuff.  I really wasn't ready for the break to end but little did I know it really wasn't ending.  Everyone went  back to school and work for a few days and then the sickness started.   Bobby caught another horrible case of strep throat and Abby got a stomach virus.  I had a little stomach thing for a day too.  The first week back was so chaotic that I didn't even send the boys for a few days.  Needless to say  I was so excited when everyone finally got well and went back the next week.  It was time to CLEAN!

I was a little sad to see 2012 end but it's always nice to  have a fresh start in the new year.  This year brought even more changes in our house.  The boys started school 5 days a week this year.  They each lost 2 teeth.  They learned to swim.  We took our first trip to Disney as a family of 5.  Bobby started a new job and is finishing up his accounting degree.  Abby began Chorus this year at school.  She danced in the Nativity for the first time.  For the first time in over 7 years I have no car seats in my car.  We have 3 big kids in booster seats.  It's a little sad but it sure does make things easier!  We are looking forward to a wonderful 2013.  Our niece Mandy is getting married in June and all 3 kids are in the wedding. Brave girl!  Bobby will graduate in April and we are thrilled! We are hoping to put the boys in baseball this spring.  The boys will start "big school" in the fall.  I will probably enter the working world again when the boys start school.  Lots to look forward to!

A few leftover pictures from the holidays:

"If you are tired Nathan, you can lay your head on my hand."  Sweet brothers!

This is how Noah has slept for about a month.

Happy New Year's!

Daddy got a little carried away when he tried out his new camo game controller.

Modeling his Madagascar wig that came with the movie...

Christmas night

After spending Christmas morning and most of the day with our little family of 5 we head out to Mimi and Pawpaw's to celebrate with Mommy's side of the family.  We have a delicious dinner of appetizers.  Mimi came up with this idea several years ago because we are always tired of the traditional foods by the time the actual holiday gets here.  She makes every ones favorites and we pig out every year.  Then we exchange gifts with the family.  The kids range in age from one -eight so needless to say it has been loud and crazy the last few years.  Times are changing.  This year the oldest 4 all got some sort of electronic from Santa so they all brought them Christmas night.  This was the quietest holiday we have had since the kids came along.  :)  Who says video games are all bad?  The kids all got fun toys that they were all excited about.  Abby got her Lalaloopsy doll and the boys got more games for their DS and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  We had a great time watching the kids tear into their presents and playing with their cousins.  We finished the night off  having lots of great desserts and catching up with an old friend.

Christmas morning 2012

Abby was the first person up for Christmas morning.  She came in our room around 7:30.  So early for our house.  The boys were still snoozing away.  I told Abby to wake them  and Nathan woke up pretty quickly.  Noah was another story.  I had to go in and we practically had to drag him out of bed. Bobby went down ahead of us to turn on the lights and video the gang coming down the stairs.  They were pretty excited but the boys were still half asleep.  Abby got a Kindle and she was very happy about that.  The boys' big gifts were new "big boy" bikes and a Nintendo DSI.  They all got lots of other little things and they all seemed very happy.  Then we opened gifts and Mommy and Daddy gave everyone new clothes and pj's.  The character (Angry Bird, Toy Story, Lalaloopsy and Tinkerbell) pj's were a big hit with everyone.  Mommy and Daddy opened their gifts too.  Mommy got a Kindle and Daddy got a new speaker for his Iphone.  The kids gave us new travel cups, candles and Daddy got a football.  After gifts Daddy made a huge breakfast while Mommy attempted to pick up all the paper and boxes.  We had pancakes, sausage, bacon, biscuits, eggs and gravy.  Daddy goes way out!  We spent the rest of the morning playing with our new toys until time to head out to Mimi and Pawpaw's Christmas.