A Natural born Hiker

So one of our many adventures during our Spring Break week was to take a hike around the beautiful Lake Martin.  It was roughly a 4  mile hike.  Maybe a little more, maybe a little less.  Anyway we all started off strong.  Meredith ran ahead and was the Leader of the pack with Uncle Alex and her Nanny.  Noah hiked a little with them and a little with his dad and occasionally hung back with me and his Mimi.  Approximately three quarters of the way through, Margot decided she wanted to be carried and Noah decided he did too.  Unfortunately Alex was way ahead with Meredith and Margot had secured the prominent position on top of Josh's shoulders.  Which led to Noah having to hike with me and his Mimi.  Now let me just say this hike was a rugged hike.  Mimi fell once...and we all laughed.  She used a walking stick for most of it.  You went up a lot of steep hills and down the same.  You walked along the edges of some pretty steep drops down to the lake.  You went over trees and log bridges.  It was very natural and rugged terrain.  Probably not the best hike for a 3 and 6 year old, but the views were breathtaking.  That being said we were thinking we were almost through and then we kept going....then we thought it has to be almost done....and nope.  So after doing this thing of psyching ourselves out...out of the blue....Noah chimes....


When I started this hike I was Awesome....and now.....now.....now I'm just BULLSHIT!  BULLSHIT, that's all I am.

And everyone who wanted to go on this hike is BULLSHIT too!

My mom and I were rolling, it almost became impossible to finish due to the hysterics... but after another mile or so we and Mr. Bullshit had completed the hike.

Making herself right at home

One of the things the kids love best about the new house is this is literally their back yard.  And who loves feeding ducks more than 6,4 and 2 year olds!

One of the things I love best about the new house is this.  Of course add a few friends in their chairs, all with drinks in hand and life is really good. But then when the kids fall it in kind of puts a damper on things.

But when this furry baby jumps in, without steps to get out, things get real fun.  Since her stroke she can't jump.  Therefore she can't get out without help and since she weighs 90+lbs I can't just lift her out like I did with said kid that fell in.

And then she just looks at you, like what am I supposed to do?  I tried putting a step stool in, but that didn't work.

So I had to call for back up, he had to leave the hospital to come home and help.  And then head back in, because that chair you see, she wouldn't use that either.

Luckily he does Crossfit and was able to hoist her right out.

That damn dog!

Of course she loved every minute of it.

Happy Halloween 2012

I love these pictures, because they are quite simply....US.  here is number 3 imitating number 1 and number 2 decides...Hey I'll do something like that too.

And the big sister, isn't sure why the baby sister is making such a big girl pose and what I tried to explain is she's not....she's trying in a way only 2 year olds can try.

And this is my favorite, it's frame worthy don't  you think?

 And  here we are....not sure that I love the new spot we are taking pictures in, might have to scope out something better.

And my littles....Elmo

A go-go dancer.  She LOVED the costume...pink hair, fun sunglasses, her favorite shade of blue and big sequins...what's not to love?  The name of the costume just happened to be "go-go dancer".  After buying it, Noah said what is a go-go dancer?  And she quickly retorted...a dancer that goes, goes, goes...she never stops.  And folks I left it at that.

And a Green (big surprise there) Power Ranger.

And the big people, we had poodle skirts, the little mermaid, super hero ladies and of course the 589 Stompers who stole the show with their routine.  Lot of fun this Halloween.  

Family Fun Weekend

This past weekend, these wonderful ladies planned a weekend away/reunion for a small part of our family.  Well the only part that typically gets together on any regular basis.  I imagine a family reunion with my entire family would be a lot bigger and also fun.

This weekend was filled with lots of laughter, happy/funny tears, games, eating and drinking.  As always eating and drinking are on our menu.

The kids enjoyed staying up late and playing with their cousins and family.

The big kids did too.   And yes we all took baths that weekend at some point.  Some more than others....I'm not naming any names.

We were also banned from using cell phones/texting/and facebook'ing.  I was the first to lose that game and it was okay.  Although I think I lost first for using profanity first.

Hmmm Charlie must have went out early with phone use too.  We did enjoy the nightly bonfires and thankfully no one was set on fire.

A few people even enjoyed their naps.

We wore purple and gold of course.

We bobbed for apples.

And everyone scored one, well everyone that played scored one.

Lots of adult participation this weekend.

I think Chuck is a winner.

We celebrated lots of October birthdays and even a tiny person's November birthday.

We ate lots of cake and sweets.

We played all weekend.

And we all brought white shirts/sweaters and took silly pictures...per Laurie's request...without complaining I may add.  Here are all the "kids".

And my sweet family.

And Timmy's sweet family

Chuck's sweet family.

And this cute couple.

Awesome...newlyweds...can you tell?

And Rock-n-Roll's family.

The guys

And Crazy old Barb.

At this point these little people were done, unfortunately thankfully Laurie was not.

Because if she had not been done, we would have missed this sweet shot!

And this one.

And one of my favorite pictures of the weekend.   I love my children have so much family that loves them as much as I do.  Family we can always depend on anytime we need them.  It was a GREAT weekend.  Lisa, Leigh and Lindsey we have a lot of planning to do.  Love you all!

Oh and one more because they are dang cute!  And because I had to buy them white shirts.  White + kids 6 and under = disaster at my house.

Welcome Home

It's been a long time.  I have a good excuse.  We have packed up our bags, loaded the car and moved, but not very far.  That's right.  We have been riding the real estate roller coaster for the past 3 years and have finally SOLD our home, it's been under contract 3 times and we backed out twice because the houses we were buying did not work out.  But finally we found a house and have decided to make it home.

I love this house, while it does need some major updating and paint, it is the perfect house for our family of 5.  Complete with mature landscaping, a bonus room and waterfront back yard.  So while it doesn't feel like home yet, I'm betting in the next few months and years when we start making memories it will.  

Mardi Gras Mambo...down in New Orleans.

The timing could not be more perfect...Mimi bought a condo!  That's right....in New Orleans, right on St. Charles Avenue.  Which meant we spent Mardi Gras in style this year.  The kids loved it.   Lucky for them all the Saturday parades were rained out, so they rolled Sunday with all the others, which meant a day of nothing but parades for the kiddos.  And that day couldn't have been better.

The tikes loved the new condo and loved having a big sleepover.

On her balcony with her amazing view.  As you can tell, we paraded on the Neutral Ground side.

A fund day with friends.

Taking a brake between parades.

And Margot is a mardi gras pro!

She sat in her ladder with her arms in the air and screamed, "HEY!"

The clouds rolled our mid-morning and turned into a gorgeous day!

Meredith was amazed by all things Mardi Gras, especially the marching bands.  She had been before, but she didn't remember any of it.

After spending Mardi Gras at Mimi's condo, it will be hard to ever spend it any other way.  Thank goodness we are family and she can't get rid of us.  

Laissez les bons temps rouler!