First University of Memphis basketball game

Brian and I took the plunge. We took our kids out in public to the FedEx forum. We see a lot of kids at the games but we think those parents are crazy. Kaleb has been asking us to take him to a game but we always tell him that the games are late at night and he is in bed before they start. He is okay with that answer but still wanted to go.
Today, the Tigers played at 1:00 and Brian was able to take off work(just for the game). We made it thru the first half okay. Austin kept laying in his chair and telling us how tired he was and Kaleb said the announcers were too loud and kept putting his hands over his ears. Kaleb sat by Brian and asked him a million questions. Why does the sign keep changing, who are those girls that keep going out on the court, where is the blimp, why did you say OHHHHH! This could go on forever. Austin just wanted to snuggle because he was tired and was about to die. Not sure where this was coming from because he NEVER takes a nap. We ended up leaving about 5 minutes into the second half because Brian and I didn't want to push it(basketball has way too many timeouts).

Oh, and Austin kept thinking his ticket would get him on the Polar Express. He wouldn't let go of it the entire game and let us know his hands were tired of clapping.

Love us some Dewberry

When we lived in Rossville, we use to live across the street from The Dewberry's. They're great people and amazing friends! I cried my eyes out the day we moved and couldn't even look Alisa in the face. I was devastated(if only we could have had a shed). Now, I have to setup play dates and with this crazy weather we have, our kids keep getting sick. We never get to see each other, nor do the kids get to play anymore. It's killing me.

I saw their son Blake today and was amazed. He's so tall, slender, and really cute. He's going to be a looker and trouble when he gets older. I've seen him grow up so much that I feel like he's my son and am absolutely stunned! He tells me how to drive(including merging into oncoming traffic), gets annoyed when I talk too much, and doesn't like to give me hugs. He acts just like my kids but older and cooler. I hope the boys stay friends forever because I really love me some Dewberry!

Today, we went to the park and didn't play with any of the playground equipment. We played in the ditches(fishing for snakes), pond, rocks, and bridges(I didn't get a picture).

I invited Blake to come over sometime next week so hopefully we will get to see him again soon. We love and miss y'all very much and look forward to this summer. Y'all better come over daily for a swim.

Lost cord

I have to use a cord to upload pictures onto my computer from my digital camera. Everyone who knows me knows, I loose EVERYTHING! So, I lost the cord and can't do anything with my camera until I find it or buy a new one. I've been uploading the pictures onto Brian's computer then saving them to the blog then switching back to my computer. I've been a lot slower since this happened but I am still looking for it and will hopefully find it soon.

Gorgeous Days!

Today, I took down Christmas decorations. We stayed in our PJ's until about 1:00 when the trash can got full enough to make me take it outside. Once I took a breath of the fresh air, I was sold! Time to get outside and hit up the zoo. I raced the boys to get dressed(which I always win) and raced them to the truck. I knew we had about 30 minutes to get out of the house and it takes them 15 minutes to get motivated and moving. I said "Travis' let's roll"(which I say every time we leave the house) and Austin advised me that that makes him nervous and stresses him out. Once out of the house we had a blast. Kaleb was Mr. Cameo and wanted his picture taken at every photo-op possible. I'm not sure what was going on but Kaleb was really into the camera.

I'm LOVING the boys being at home for Christmas break but am ready for them to go back. Kaleb's midterm evaluation starts January 5th so we will see how it goes...........He better do good as much as I have worked with him over this past month. I would really be disappointed with myself if he doesn't pass with flying colors,

Way behind!

I'm so behind on the blog right now! I have several posts started but can't get them finished due to Christmas CRAZINESS! I promise I will catchup soon.

Christmas with the Stafford's

Today, we went to my Aunt Faye's house to do Christmas with my Mom's family. Since we had the boys, we have not participated because the boys go to bed between 6:30 and 7:00(yes, you read that right). They didn't start Christmas until 6:00 so I was out. At 4:00 in the Travis home it's called the withing hour! The boys cry nonstop and fight like nothing you have ever seen before. It's like the kids have colic all of the sudden and their 3 and 4! Play dates and every activity is scheduled prior to this time and we do not leave the house.
This years Christmas was a little different. It was great for us! It started today at 2:00 so we knew we needed to be gone in two hours:)The kids got gifts from everyone and the adults did dirty Santa. Brian and I decided not to participate so we could watch our kids and keep them out of everyone else's way(like outside)! It worked out great because there is no way we could have paid attention to what was going on.
After Kaleb realized Christmas was over for him he threw his head down on my Aunt's outside fire pit and cried(we thought he was going to catch on fire). Brian and I asked him what was wrong and he cried hysterically saying "their's no more presents under that tree for me". Oh! to be 4 again. Life is just so hard:)

PaPaw's 75th Birthday Party

Today we celebrated my Papaw's 75Th birthday. His birthday was early December but we waited until my family from South Carolina and Virginia arrived for Christmas. It was a surprise party so when he walked in the door everyone yelled "surprise''(I know your all stunned at this). Austin couldn't see because "all the big people were in my way" so he busted out crying. It was so sad it made me cry. Aunt Vicky made Papaw do it again just for Austin. Were pathetic! We do the craziest things for little ones:) He was so excited though! I gave my photographer kids my camera to keep them quiet so this is what they came out with. I didn't post the 100 pictures of the waiters and hardwood floor. I know your all sad you missed those.

Uncle Steve

DaddyAunt Shawn and Baby Oven
Cousin Aimee(my kids took like 10 of you).

Kaleb and Austin prior to me handing over the camera.

Ashleigh's shower

Today was my cousin Ashleigh's shower. I haven't seen her in forever so it was great not to have my kids. I actually got to sit down and have an adult conversation and pay attention. Who would have thought that could happen? I love my family and have missed out on so much. I really want to get involved in everything. I'm definitely looking forward to 2009!

My wonderful cousins!

My beautiful Aunts & prego Ashleigh!

Favorite Christmas memories

When Shawn and I were younger we use to go to Aunt Vicky's house every year and make anything sweet we could get our hands on. All of my cousin's would come and we would spend the night and watch movies or University of Memphis basketball games. We looked forward to it every year but once we started college Shawn and I quit going. I'm not sure why? I guess we thought we were to busy to keep up with traditions. Last year, I told my Aunt that I wanted the boys to be able to have the same great memories that I had. This brings us to today.
I picked Shawn up at 9:00 and we headed to Aunt Vicky's. Amber and Adam(cousins) spent the night so Aunt Vicky was cooking breakfast when we got there. My kids had eaten breakfast before we left the house but the first thing they did was eat again. I'm not sure why kids always have to eat at other peoples houses? I'll feed them right before we leave and they hit the door asking for food. It drives me crazy and is so embarrassing. After the boys second breakfast the fun started. At Aunt Vicky's you don't use a spoon to stir you have to use your hands. I wasn't sure how Kaleb would react to this because he can't stand to have his hands dirty. We talked him into putting his hands in and he made it for about 5 minutes. We rolled out the dough and used the cutters to make all sorts of cookie shapes.
Then Aunt Vicky cooked them and we got to decorate. Amber poured M&M's on each of the boys wax paper and Austin had them eaten before he finished decorating his first cookie. Shawn had a hard time figuring out what the shape of the cookie's were. She's going to have to freshen up on her shapes before Evan gets older and play do begins:)
After the boys decorated a couple of cookies, my cousin Dalton arrived so they lost interest. He brought over some guns and my kids started getting rowdy. Shawn and I needed to start heading back to Memphis anyways because it was Evans nap time and my kids would have destroyed her house. I had a great time doing this with my kids and spending time with my family. You don't realize how much you miss people until you doing something simple like making cookies. Thanks for letting us come this year.

Membership to CMOM

I'm trying to visit the CMOM a couple more times before our membership expires at the end of January. I'm not going to renew it because frankly, I'm bored. The kids stay entertained for about an hour and a half but it's not worth the drive and hassle for me. I loved it last winter and really hot days this summer but they have WAY to many field trips. It takes a lot of work on my part to plan around all the schools and day cares. Yes, I go into that much detail in planning our trips there. I choose today because everyone is doing their Christmas parties so we basically had the place to ourselves

.

Swimming already

I had no idea what to do today to keep the kids and I busy. We talked about it for awhile and decided to go to the gym and swim. They had a blast! We haven't swam since their last swimming lesson back in October. I always forget about swimming for some reason. I see the pool every time I go to the gym but it never occurs to me that I can swim in it. The kids like the hot tub so I got to just sit there. That's my kind of swimming:)

Out for Christmas

Today was the boys Christmas program at school. I can't believe their already out! My Mom, Brian, and I watched them sing then headed to the gym to get the ornaments they made.
We ate some cookies then the boys ran around the gym acting crazy.
This is Colton and Max. They aren't in Kaleb's class but we do swimming lessons and play dates. I have no idea who the kid is touching their heads so I cropped him out.

So now I have two kids everyday until January 4. This should be interesting. Is it bad to start drinking before 5:00?