Mardi Gras at Orange Beach

Just got back from a fun trip to Orange Beach with my friend Katie and her kids. We left Thursday right after the boys got out of school and can you believe they were predicting snow? We thought nah! there won't be a problem. Well, we got down to the condo at about 6pm and our husbands were suppose to come the following night after work. Well, plans had to change. Friday brought a snow storm that covered the state of Alabama and the guys couldn't travel down. We had the news playing all day just hoping the weatherman would say something different, but as time went on the forecast just got worse. It was so ironic that all the facebook comments were so excited about the snow, but there we sat at the beach dreaming of sunshine. But unfortunately the snow wasn't even the worst of it. Hudson, Ryan's friend, got the stomach bug. So the boys didn't get to play much at first. It was a long day for them, but hey...I rather be at the beach in the cold than stuck at home.

Saturday was like the seasons changed! The sunshine came out and it was absolutely gorgeous! Hudson still wasn't 100% but the kids played with a thousand toys at the condo and we managed to have a great time. The guys decided to come on down and got there around 3pm. That evening there was a Mardi Gras parade and it was wonderful. Very family friendly. The kids had a blast catching all the beads and toys and stuffed animals that the paraders would throw from the floats. We told Ryan he could be as loud as he wanted and he was! He screamed and whistled and waved at the floats and they threw a ton of stuff! Even Aiden was having a good time. I hate that I didn't get better pictures. We all got caught up in the fun of it. Afterwards the boys had so much bling they didn't know what to do with it all!

Sunday was time to come home and it was another gorgeous day. We made a stop at the Shark Store so the kids could get a Valentine souvenir. Ryan is obsessed with Sharks so he got a hammerhead puppet shark and a big one that he calls Jaws. We ate lunch at Lamberts-Home of the Throwed Rolls, and the kids had a blast. I guess I should say we all are kids, bc we all enjoyed ourselves. It was time to head back to the 'ham but we lingered by shopping at the Outlets and then of course any trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to Walmart half way back. I had to buy a new blow dryer to have at home bc mine exploded the second day of the trip. Ryan of course had to make a detour through the toy section since it was Valentine's Day. Scott and I had promised each other to not spend anything on V-day this year bc we are trying to pinch and save to buy a new house. I mean I made him promise! Well, when we got home he had roses waiting for me! I of course melted, but scolded "You promised!" He said he saw them in the store and was talking to an older man saying that we promised not to get each other anything. Well, the old man said "Its a trap son, they always want something!" So Scott got them for me! I laughed so hard, I couldn't be upset! They are quite beautiful! I love my men! Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day too!

The year has been a bit depressing because we've had such cold weather. I gave Scott a new grill for Christmas but he hadn't even had a chance to put it together (at the time of these pictures in January). We decided to cook some corn on the cob...just because we are longing for a summer cookout. It was Aiden's first time to have corn on the cob. We at first would cut if off but he kept fussing because he wanted to hold it like we were. Well, you can tell from the pictures that he loved it! After all of that he needed a good bath. Ryan loves playing in the tub with his brother. The latest craze is to play rock star. Below is the famous pose.

We had a great time ringing in the new year with Scott's family down at Destin, Fl. Instead of doing Christmas we spent the week at a condo his parents rented. It was a bit cool, but the kids had a great time! Our condo was located right on the beach across from the Outlet malls. Can you believe I only bought one shirt for Ryan? I know..... Still we had lots of fun. I think next year we should take a cruise! I'm liking this new vacation tradition for Christmas.

Christmas Eve

It is our tradition to always open up one gift on Christmas Eve. So before going to church for the Christmas Eve candlelight service we all had fun tearing into the paper except Scott because I surprised him with a new grill. I had to buy it on Christmas Eve so he wouldn't know and I had to keep it in the van until the last minute...it was way too heavy for me to get out by myself.

I loved the calendar the boys gave me. I can display a photo on each month's page.

Aiden loved his push popper. I have a feeling this is going to be the cause of some headaches, but lots of fun!

Yes, boxing gloves. He LOVES them! I'm hoping he can burn off some of the boy energy!

Trying to get that great Christmas card picture...uggh!

Trying to get that perfect Christmas card picture is always such a chore. I almost didn't send out cards because I could never get a picture without one of them with their eyes closed, or looking away, or jumping off a rock, etc. But I finally got lucky with this black and white. The others are some of the not so poised ones.

Ryan's Christmas program at the WEE center.

I was running a little late (as usual now that I have Aiden to get ready) so I had to sit in the back. As the kids all entered in, Ryan didn't see me. He began to pout and I could read his lips on my zoomed camera. He said "my mama didn't come." :( That broke my heart and I stood up and started waving and it got his attention and the biggest smile popped on his face and he made the I love you sign with his hands. And I got a picture of it - priceless!

If you look closely to his right hand you can see the I love you sign.

Gingerbread party and Letter requesting Rocco the magic elf to spend the Christmas season with us.

Ryan enjoys making Gingerbread houses each year at the Wee center, but this year I think he almost ate more candy than he decorated with.

Make a Smilebox greeting

2009 Thanksgiving

Afternoon at Trussville Springs

Oh my how time flies when you're having fun. Ryan's birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now getting ready for Christmas. How can the days go by so fast when you get older? Seems like the days moved slower when I was young.

Halloween was great. Ryan was the Red Power Ranger and Aiden used Ryan's hand-me-down dragon costume. This was the first year that Ryan really got into the scarey stuff. He must have begged everyday for us to get some scarey decorations in our yard. --I didn't give in. We celebrated by going to our church's Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, which he completely loved playing with his friends including Hudson there. We raked in the candy, but that didn't stop us from going out to a neighborhood on actual Halloween night.

Thanksgiving was so wonderful having my brother Kirk and his family here with us. They spent the week with us and we had great fun. The first day they were here we tried to go see Sarah Palin at her book signing at Books-a-Million but you had to have tickets ahead of time. We did get to see Santa though. Ryan was amazed that Santa was at the Great American Cookie Company getting coffee. He got to shake his hand and everything. What a great bonus! We also went shopping, went bowling and yes my niece Lainey threw the ball behind her. The kids enjoyed playing games, and seeing Uncle Kirk's magic tricks. I think Ryan has a new mission in life. He gave it his best shot. Which gave us all a good laugh. My twin nieces turned 13 on Friday---I can't even believe it. Again, this time passing thing is getting to me. It seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital at their birth. They've grown into wonderful young ladies! We captured that in some of the photos at the Trussville Bridge. I enjoyed having little models for me to practice on. My boys are so not interested in having their picture taken. You will see that by one picture of Ryan's hand blocking the camera.

So now out with the Fall and in with the red and green, angels and snowmen, and most of all remembering that wonderful night that a little baby was born to change the world forevermore. Our prayer is that you and your family will be able to enjoy this season of celebration as a holiday but more than just enjoying baked goodies, and Santa's wonderland, we hope that you can celebrate this HOLYday and share the love of the One that laid down His life that we may live.