Christmas Morning

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is ready to party into the New Year. We spent our Christmas morning just the four of us, but enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas evening with our friends. The boys actually slept until about 8:30am Christmas morning before making us get up for Santa. Austin even asked to shower first. The boys were happy to come down to see what Santa brought. Santa brought Austin a powerwing and Ethan a RipStick, some video games and lots of other thing. They made out like bandits from us and the grandparents. Ethan got the OU jersey that he has been asking for and Austin got a Dallas Cowboy blanket. Grandma & Grandpa got the boys big gifts. Austin got a laptop computer and Ethan got a PSP. We went in halfies with the laptop and bought games and "stuff" for the psp.

We had a wonderful Christmas. Our favorite gift of all was the WiiFit. It is soooo much fun. I'm using muscles I forgot I had.

Christmas Pictures & Christmas party

Thank goodness Christmas only comes once a year. We are a little late getting things started this year. So...with my kids being almost 9 and 11, you would think that taking a few pictures would be easy....WRONG!!!! They grumped and wined and yelled and grumped some more. We finally decided to take the dogs out of the pictures and that helped. In the end, we got some great pictures. You will see these again, but it may be New Years!!

We also had Russell's Christmas party on Friday. It was alot of fun. We went out on a boat called the Spirit of Norfolk. It was a dinner cruise and dancing. It started early (at 4:00) and after our "3 hour tour" we headed over to the club for a little after party. It was so fun. Russell just DOESN"T dance, but he sure it on Friday...after a little (or alot) liquid courage. :)

So, we didn't get to go on the Ghost Tours this weekend. It was a beautiful day most of the day today, but it's had its moments of down poors of rain, most of which has been this evening when the walks were scheduled. So maybe next weekend.

We did have a great hair appointment today!! Austin got his hair cut. I think it's very cute, he on the other hand wants the "mop" back. At least now when it does grow back, it will have a style!!

This weekend we went to Williamsburg to "get some History!!" I really just wanted to enjoy the beautiful fall day with the kids away from the "extra" family members we always have in our house. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for being outside. We got some beautiful pictures. We've come to realize it's our last opportunity to do some of the things we've talked about. Our time is short here and we are trying to cram lots of things into a short time. This weekend we plan to go back to Williamsburg and do the Ghost Walk Tours. The boys aren't interested in doing this, which I'm really glad about. They don't go upstairs by themself as it is, I certainly don't think a ghost walk would help matters much!! We'll be sure to take lots of pictures there too!! Who knows....maybe we'll see a GHOST!!! :0

Halloween 2008

Another Halloween has come on gone. It will be Christmas before you know it. The boys are no longer "cute" at Halloween and have little to do with us parents. We just follow along behind them making sure they don't get run over. Austin even went off by himself (with a bunch of friends) to the Chapel Halloween Fest in our neighborhood. He took dad's cell phone, but still I was nervous. After the kids had their fun and trick or treating was over, the adults had some time to visit and enjoy each others company along with a few drinks. The weather was pretty nice, but about 2:30am it was quite cold. Anyway, enjoy the photos and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and check back soon.

Happy Birthday Austin (Oct. 29th)

We celebrated Austin's birthday this weekend. He'll be 11 on Wednesday. We had lots of kiddos and of course the weather was not in our favor. We had the carport darken out and bobbed for apples, played some games. The rain did hold off for a few games, but the heavens opened up at one point and our carport isn't that big. Austin had fun though and I guess that is all that matters. I'm glad it's over and next year it's NOT at my house!! We have big plans for Halloween, so check back.

Getting ready for Halloween!

Well it's been a crazy month of October. Today Russell and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary, we also celebrated my birthday and Austin's is just around the corner. He will be 11 on the 29th which makes me feel really old. We always let the boys decide what they want to do for their party or instead of a party and this year Austin's decided to do a Halloween party at the house. Yeah for me...20 11year old boys and girls running crazy...can't wait. We are decorating the house and blacking out the carport and have all kinds of spooky decorations. We'll play the "traditional" halloween games and I've got them glow sticks so they can play man-hunt in the dark.

Not only are we getting ready to party this weekend, we are also going to Great Wolf Lodge on Thursday. If you've never been to GWL you should go. We are very lucky to have one in our area. It's an indoor waterpark/hotel and tons of fun. We are going with our friends and plan on having a great time. Russell will be missing out, he will be out of town on Air Force time this week, so but we'll be thinking of him.

I'll have lots of pictures of all the activities, but in the mean time here are a few.

First Day of School 2008

So the day had finally come that all mothers look forward to! The first day of school!!! YEAH!!! It is a little sad for me to think that my baby is going into the 3rd grade and even worse that Austin is going into the 5th. On the other hand, I get to enjoy my days off all to myself :). It wouldn't be so bad if it were just MY kids around, but no...it's Austin, Ethan, Quincey, Aaron, Bryley, Robert, Micheal and which ever little girl has a crush on Austin. It's nice to have a quiet house, no video games being played, no doors being slammed, no wet clothes left in the kitchen floor from water play, but a little sad too. I know that one day I'll look back and for a quick second miss it. The boys are growing up so fast, which is depressing, it makes me feel old. If I could start all over again right now...I would.

Disco Fever?

We were invited to a disco party. Not my favorite of the themed parties, but we still went. Russell fit the part perfect with the feathered hair and crazy bling...me, not so much. My hair wouldn't feather, so I just went shiny. We had alot of fun, drinks and karoake.

Summer 2008

So, this is new to me, but I love the opportunity to keep everyone updated, especially since some of my family doesn't have email. We've had a busy summer. School starts on September 2nd and I can't wait. This is the first year in a long time that I'm not starting with the boys. Austin is starting the 5th grade and Ethan is going into the 3rd. Austin is growing his hair out, has a attitude like a teenager and a mind of his own. Ethan is ready for school. He hasn't reached the stage were I want to strangle him yet :)

We've done alot this summer. We've been to water country many times, lots of outside time, pool time, parties (alot) and kinda wrapped it up with a Toby Keith concert. It was Austin's first concert and it was outside and it poored down rain.