This really happened

It's something on the movies, or in a book, but never happens in real life....right?!

Well, today, as I was cleaning the bathroom (which took me away from the kids for 5 minutes....maybe?) I came back to find this.

 We had painted yesterday (with Crayola Washable Paints, praise the LORD) and I guess they found them, and opened every one of them, emptying them out on the floor, on HEADS, and wherever else! As we found them, Braidy said, "Mom, take a picture!" ha! I couldn't get too mad, but I did grab my camera. There is never a dull moment....and it's a miracle in itself that I ever get anything done. Needless to say, they got baths and the front room got cleaned! They were so proud of themselves, and probably would have stayed painting for several hours.

Meet Cape!

One of my very best friends asked me to take pictures of her newly-turned-2-year-old, Cape. If he's not the cutest little guy, I'm not sure who is! He was FULL of energy this night, but he is super photogenic, and I love capturing little people being who they are....not posed and uptight. So I think we accomplished that goal, and we had a BLAST doing it! I love having a hobby that produces something that people can keep and cherish forever! I love this little guy....!

Stay-Cation 2012

This year, we decided to take a "STAY-CATION"....a vacation at home sweet home. It took a little convincing Ryan, but after a bit he was on board, as long as we had an iternerary so we didn't sit around and waste quality family time that we had! Please enjoy IPHONE only photos, as we didn't feel like carrying the big camera around!

Day 1:
After breakfast, while it was still nice outside we took the boys to Legacy Play Village. It was fun and FREE! That's always a good combo! The boys had a blast and played and played until they were exhausted. Once it got pretty hot we decided we'd had enough but it was definitely a fun time with the fam!

After lunch and naps (we had something planned for the afternoon, but that morning wore everyone out, mom and dad included!) we ate some delish dinner at One Guy's and headed to Joyland! Before you knock it, TRY IT! I hadn't been in several (okay, at least 15 or 20) years, but it was SO much fun. As we were driving up to the parking lot, Braidy said, "This place is AMAZING!" They thought we had just arrived at Disney World...and for all they know, we did! Ha! They rode ride after ride after ride, never waiting in a line...that's my kind of amusement park. John was super brave and rode all kinds of rides...even the big roller coaster about 10 times in a row! Our fearless child, Braidy, would NOT get on the Carousel, but rode the huge water slide too many times to count. Quin rode in the stroller most of the time, but he did get to go on a few rides and enjoyed them a lot! We stayed until about 9:30, and the boys were NOT ready to go home. They could have stayed all night. We will be going back, it was alot of fun for all!

Day 2: We woke up and went to eat breakfast at Chick-Fil-A and then headed out to Buffalo Lake to go fishing! We have some friends that live on the lake, so we actually got to fish in their backyard, and it was fun for the boys. John caught a BIG catfish and a little catfish, and Braidy caught a little one. They had fun fishing and playing in the water, too!

After lunch and naps and rest time (mom's nap happened in the pool on a raft this day, sweet!) we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. This would be the least enjoyable part of our few days together, by far. Ryan and I would have enjoyed gauging our eyes out with the steak knives more than sit at that table with our 3 boys. Love them more than life itself, but they were miserable. They were all so tired they could hardly see straight, dinner time is always a battle anyways, and let's just face it, eating out is NOT FUN with little kids! Anywho, we survived and got out of there as quick as possible. Our waitress probably thought we were nuts. 

 After dinner we went to Adrenaline City! It's a newer place in Lubbock at Body Works where they have a ropes course, wall-to-wall trampolines, laser tag, etc. The Touchstone's were there that night to, so it was extra fun! Tabor and Quin were too little to do anything so we played in the turf area with balls, a giant tire, and a bouncer. They had a blast and didn't know they were missing out on anything! John and daddy went on the ropes course, and then afterwards, ALL the big boys went on the trampolines for an hour. They had a blast, it looked like so much fun. Aunt D and I took the littles to Target for some late-night, way-past-your-bedtime shopping! We were one of those people you wonder, "WHY DO YOU HAVE YOUR BABY OUT AT TARGET SO LATE"? Well, we wanted to and they were having so much fun together. They each got a ball, and ate about a full bag of yogurt bites while we were there. John, Braidy and daddy got home a little after 10:30 and they were WORN OUT. I know everyone slept good this night!

We had a great 2 days together as a family. Really, we learned it's not about where you go, how much money you spend, what you get to eat, it's about making memories with your family and kids, and we definitely succeeded in that!

Braidy's BooBoo

Last night, like alot of nights here lately, Braidy has come into our bed without me even knowing. I just scoot over to the middle and he takes over my spot. Last night this happened and sometime early this morning (I'm thinking around 3 or 4, because it was still dark) he fell off the bed. I heard a loud bang, and he started crying, but I just picked him up off the floor and held him a little back in bed. I felt a pretty good goose egg on the back of his head, so I figured that's all that happened during the fall. He cried a little more than usual (he's a pretty tough kid), but he acted pretty hurt, but he quit crying and we went back to sleep...

Fast forward to this morning about 7 when Ryan woke up asking if it were me or Braidy who was bleeding? My pillow case had several bloody spots on it and poor braidy's face was covered in blood, especially his eyelid. I felt terrible. I got him cleaned off so we could see what happened, and sure enough, he had a little gash in his eyelid, just under his eyebrow. Daddy helped clean it (OUCH) and we put some liquid bandage on it...and once I got a hold of the doctor they said to put steri-strips on it for 4+ days....so after searching 3 different stores I finally found some, and we are on the mend!

Poor guy....he was pretty tough even though he definitely was in some pain. Maybe he learned his lesson and will stay in his own bed now! Doubt it!

4 Year Old Pictures

Here are a few of Braidy's 4 year old pictures. It's WAY easier taking pictures of someone else's kids than your own....that I've figured out! We still got some sweet ones even though neither one of us were totally in the mood to be out doing this, but he was a great sport! Love this little 4 year old!

Paintin' Party Time!

This year, Braidy decided on a "Painting Party" (with just a little help from mom and dad, he was easily persuaded though, he LOVES to paint!) We had a very small party which really turned out to be great for the place we were at. Almost everyone was out of town, and at first I was a little bummed, but it turned out perfect, although we missed all of the travelers very much!

The kids all got to pick out their own pieces of pottery to paint, and it was so fun watching them all pick things out. Braidy picked out a pig to paint, there were dragons, bowls, a dolphin, a frog and a cup! FUN! The boys slapped on paint in a random and hurried fashion, while the girls took their time and really thought about what they were doing...typical! ha!

After the painting, Braidy opened his gifts and we ate yummy cupcakes with bright green and blue icing. The kids loved having colorful tongues, in fact, I think that was Braidy's favorite part of his party, his tongue turning green! Hey, whatever makes them happy! It was a very fun and calm party, which was just great with me! I've had just the opposite too, wild and crazy, and I'll take calm any day!

We had a fabulous time with our friends, thanks to everyone who came to celebrate sweet Braidy's fourth birthday! He's already asking for another birthday party....good thing they only come 1 time a year!