Winter Wonders

So a few weeks ago at Thanksgiving we could have worn short sleeves. This morning we wake up to SNOW! The boys loved it and played outside until their Dad made them come in. They would have stayed longer! I don't know how, but they would have. So I took some pictures to share with everyone. Here they are having fun in the snow!

Loving every minute of it!

Feeling much better with his hat and mittens!

Always making funny faces!

It was just great with the Christmas decorations up!

Photo shoot

I am no where near a professional photographer, but I have always loved taking pictures. I had the opportunity to take some of a close friend and here family during Thanksgiving and it was great. They are so cute! So here they are!

Worst time of day to take the pictures, look at all the shadows. My bad!

We were keeping it real!

Miss Katy!

Miss Ruby

Katy on the tractor

The happy couple

All these pictures look better in their real size

Before

Things are moving slower than we had wanted them to so I only have the before shots. What am I talking about? Our yard makeover! We have finally decided to put sod in the backyard and to make a flower bed in the front. So we took a Saturday and tilled the back and pulled up sod in the front.

What's the hold up. Weather! Sorta! We have had to find the best price first, then figure out the best way to do it. So we are laying the sod ourselves. If the weather holds out for us the guys will be here tomorrow to rake the back and place stacks of sod all over the backyard so we can lay it. As most of you know, money always plays a role in these things too. But we really found a great deal and the family that runs the company has been great to us. As far as the front yard goes...I have the bed ready I just have to decide exactly what I want and where I want to place it. So, I am heading to some nurseries and such this week.

But since the after pictures could be a while I will go ahead with the before ones. Here they are!

The yard after 6hours of tilling...poor Danny!

The other half of the backyard

Before I had completely finished pulling the sod.

How it will look when you walk up, dirty now!

Hopefully it won't be much longer before I can show everyone the finished product! I can't wait!

Monster Bash!

We had our Halloween Party at church last night. So we always take costume pictures before that so they don't have to endure it before the real trick or treating! Jack took a minute to warm up to it, but loved the experience. Also, I have to say I am not above recycling previous costumes. So if you see some repeats that maybe the other boys wore in years pasts I hope you like them! I am keeping a costume container full of all our old costumes. So here they are!

The super buff Spiderman is Brett. He's really been hitting the gym hard for this costume!

Our first attempt at trying to get The Hulk to calm down for the picture.

That's better, we calmed him down before he destroyed the house!

All of them together. To keep Jack calm and in his hat I had to hold him!

Just too funny...to me!

So Jack is just always trying to help. In his own way, of course. He loves the vacuum cleaner, always has. The mop, the cleaners, dusters, etc. he loves them. So yesterday after dinner he had to be stripped down, as usual, since he is a mess. And I was in the middle of doing about ten other things at the same time. So getting clothes back on Jack was somewhere in the mix of "things to do". But Danny and I look over and see him "cleaning" the kitchen floor just as happy as can be. Singing to himself with a big ole smile on his face...and this is what we see.

All I could see in my head was an old man in boxers and socks and his tummy!

What? I wasn't singing!

I'm just a big boy!

Fall Break

This week is Fall Break for the older boys. So far they have been good! They slept in yesterday morning and for us that was amazing! Today we have baby Zach and heading to Birmingham this afternoon to pick up some friends from the airport! This post is mostly just an update. Not really anything exciting or "slap your knee" funny going on here. Danny is in LA, and will be home Thursday. Hopefully Friday will be a girl's night and Saturday an old (wonderful) babysitter is taking the boys for most of the day so Danny and I can have a date! It's been a while. We were talking about it the other day and realized that when we were newly weds (or the first couple years of marriage) we didn't have the money. Now, that things are a LITTLE different (cause trust me, we ain't rolling in dough) we have a more money to do things but it seems like the time never comes. We can never find a sitter at the right time or Danny has a deadline, or I have a PTA meeting or something with church.

But I've gotten distracted. Back to the update. We are coming to the busy time of year! The Holidays. We have a birthday in there too, so we get a little extra busy. I know there are other families out there with December birthdays too! Then there is making sure all the family time gets worked out around the Holidays too. So bring on the joyful stress of the peaceful holiday! LOL! I am super excited that both my sister Lacy and her husband David will be in town for the Christmas season this year!

New, plans we have for the new year. Well, Danny has decided he finally wants sod in the backyard. And that finally means we will be getting that swing set the boys have needed and wanted for a while now! We are going to see how much of the work we can do ourselves. Also, my sister Sara gave us a great idea for an entertainment system in the living room. Isaak, is now in the middle bedroom that use to be Jack's so we are going to paint the walls in there. There may be a few other small things but for the most part that is all we have planned. We will do well to get all that finished!

I know this is not the most thrilling post but I wanted some sort of update on here. I have been a slacker. I just felt like there hasn't been much news worthy things to write about. Hope it hasn't been too boring!

My week at a glance!

So remember all that stuff I was talking about. Well here comes SOME of it! To begin with I have started a nutrition plan. We have a super nice girl in our ward (church) who has gotten her undergrad, and masters in Nutrition. You know those people you go and pay to help you eat better and lose weight or at least be at your healthy weight? She just had her second baby and decided to start an enrichment class at church for all the women who wanted to join and get healthy. So she got a plan going for each individual lady. We weighed and measured ourselves, and then she explained how the servings for each day were broken down. The hardest part for me has been the lack of chocolate. So, to keep from waking up one night with my face in the freezer having half eaten a carton of ice cream. I am letting myself indulge A LITTLE on the weekends. I am keeping my eye on the prize! But I really have enjoyed the new foods. They aren't really new I am just eating a more well balaced diet! Things I should be eating! Then, I am also hitting the gym, three days a week and working out at home the other days I don't get in. Why don't I make it everyday you ask? Because I am helping a great friend out with her little baby. Two days a week I watch a cute, and I mean cute, baby boy named Zach! We just love him. His mom commutes into Huntsville two days a week and on those days she brings him here while she works.

What else, have I been up to? Oh, you know just volunteering to be a chairperson for the Fall Festival. Am I nuts? Why, yes, yes I am! But I have to admit it is so much fun, and I am really excited about the whole event! There are going to be a TON of things for the kids to do and it's only $10 for the armbands (which is what we are selling instead of tickets to get in) in advance. At the door it will be $12. But I am in charge of the 5th grade hall that has things like the cake walk and the fear factor room, etc. It will be fun! I just have to get all the rooms staffed with parents for different shift times! That is the hard part! Moving on!

Danny, has been busy at work, traveling and volunteering his services at church. Oh, and he is an official member of the PTA. He is off with the Missionaries now and is helping a new family move into their house on Saturday. He also helps Isaak with his homework, and plays with all the boys when he gets home from work! It's a huge help!

The boys have just been busy with school. The just had their church program so that is over for a year. But Brett has a Birtday coming up and he loves every super hero ever thought of. He doesn't choose favorites. So my solution is to get a plane cake, or cupcakes and put inexpensive action figures on the cake myself! That way he can have the toys too! He also loves food so he told me the other day that he wants that thing that makes and decorates cupcakes! I just have to convince his dad...might not happen! Maybe? Jack, is a great sport running around with me while I do all my busy mom stuff during the day. He loves playing in the daycare while I work out and if finally starting to use some words instead of pointing.

So that's about all in this neck of the woods. We are busy and rushing but doing really well. I hit my pillow each night hard and have to drag myself off of it each morning but it's worth it.

Alive and tired!

Hello, to everyone! School has started and I have not come up for air yet! I have loved it though. Being a mom with two in school and one becoming more and more independant suits me! I plan to be getting baby fixes through my sisters from this point on. There is a lot going on and much to explain and I am getting all the pix to go with it so bare with me and I will get the official post up soon! So until then you can usually find me on Facebook, breifly!

Sometimes you laugh instead of get angry!

So as most of you know we have another dog. Around Feb. we got an English Bulldog. His name is Fennrir. We call him Fen! he is only 8mos old, and with his size it is sometimes hard to remember that. Right now he is losing and growing teeth (teething). Which means...chewing! His favorite things is wood. He usually finds branches outside but one day he was inside cause we love him too and enjoy playing with him! Since he is a puppy we have a pee pad in the laundry room for him to use if he can't make it outside in time. For a puppy he is good at the potty thing. Most of the time he goes outside. Bones...the little dog took forever to train! I walked into this the other day and just had to laugh. The look on his face was priceless!

What? I didn't do it!

OK...this looks bad!

OK, now we'll move onto the next part of the stories. Danny came home from Indiana a couple of WEEKS ago and the airport destroyed his luggage. So he said all he had to do was come home, unpack and toss it in the trash. This from the guy who has been leaving his laundry in a suitcase until I get tired of tripping over it and empty it. He will starta asking me where all his G's and socks are. I'll say, in the unpacked suitcase and he really won't say much. So this last time we assured me it would be so easy to take care of. So he came home, emptied the suitcase of clothes and it layed on the floor. Then, it layed there some more. One day I thought, he always tells me to put things where people can see them. So I took the suitcase and put it on HIS side of the bed. I never said a word to him about it, cause I was not going to fight with him. He looked at is as he got into bed and said, he needed to get the reciepts out before he threw it away. Danny had to do receipts for things he spent on work trips. Most people do. So the next two days go by and still nothing, but this huge thing in my bedroom floor. So I empty the receipts and TUCK IT INTO his side of the bed. Then that night it's back on the floor. Granted, I could have very simply taken it out and put it in the trash. I was just so done that week. I was tired of giving in, compromising. So I talked to some of my girl friends at playgroup and they all had some fun things to say. So I decided, I wasn't going to let him run from the suitcase. It was going to follow him and always be there around every corner. So the next day (Saturday) this is what he found in the shower.

He just wants to be your friend!

Over the next week it followed Danny to his car and was waiting for him in his spot in the garage when he got home from work. I am happy to report that the suitcase is now in the trash can. I know Danny is glad cause he was not looking forward to that thing coming with us to the nursing home when we are old! LOL!

One of my loves...I miss!

One of the things I did to put myself through college was work at a flower shop making flower arrangements. I have really missed it over the years, but it really does take time money, LOTS of space. Certain supplies are needed too. But I love it and do really enjoy it. I am rusty so when my sister told me that a woman goes around her neighborhood selling fresh flowers I was too thrilled! I go gorgeous flowers for the best price ever. So I put my rusty skills to work and came up with these. They aren't great but it was so nice to do it again!

A little update

Hi to all! This week has been busy, hectic, and a lot of fun. Danny has been out of town, and that always throws us off. The boys and I always love when daddy comes home in the evening. But he will be home today! While he has been gone we have had tons of fun and adventure. Was a bit slow. We stayed home and cleaned...it's amazing how much I get done with one less person messing it up. But then on Tuesday we had lots going on. Some friends and their kids came over to play Tuesday morning and we ate as well. Girl time is always a blast! Then Sara and Elizabeth came by with the kids and we talked and let the kids play more. Since it was already dinner time by the time we got done talking and letting each other shop we ordered pizza! As usual, when it was time for the Archibalds to head home no one was ready for it. The kids were in tears and you would have thought they would never see each other again. Granted they have seen each other everyday this week now! It is still never enough and that makes me feel really blessed. To know that all the cousins love each other so much! Cause my kids are never ready to leave the Vaughns either!

This summer has also been filled with wildlife around our house. First, on Easter weekend Danny and Isaak discovered a nest of baby bunnies right at our front window. There were four of them and we watched them grow and hop around, until they left and now hop around our neighborhood! Then, a few weeks later, maybe a month we discovered some birds had hatched in the newspaper box under our mailbox. The boys would go out everday and check on them. They too soon fly away. Some didn't make it but the boys handled it well. The boys have discovered grasshoppers, catipillars, and house spiders this summer but, just this week we have started seeing the return of the Black Widow! They come around every time this year and we always have to start checking the toys and stuff before we let the boys go play...we have also taught them what they look like and to come and get us if they find on we missed. So after I had killed a couple this week I was feeding the dogs and discovered that a mouse has taken up living in our empty toy box. We thought yesterday he had left but discoverd that he hides uder the water bowl the boys put in there. He's tiny and will be released into the wild tomorrow after Danny returns home. There are lots of fields around here for him to go live in. The only animal I would have been out there killing with anything I could have found would be the black widow, or a snake(of any kind). Other than that I don't have an issue with letting them go, somewhere else! OH NO! I just went out to take a picture of the little mouse for the blog and look what I found!

Um, this may be becoming a problem...he's telling his friends! I've got party mice!

OK, moving on from that! Isaak had his open house yesterday for school! He got to meet his teacher and see his classroom. He really liked it all but as most kids are, he was nervous and I am sure will cry on the first day. He usually does! I think I will be a little too. It's a very nice school and his teacher seems really great! I will be taking him to school in the morning and the bus will bring him home. They have the bus kids there by 7:10 a.m. so I thought I would give him a bit more time to sleep and get ready. But I thought, if I don't have to sit in after school traffic...Yippie!

Here he is posing for me in his cool pot hat!

Now, onto Jack! He has discovered actually sitting and watching a show. He really likes it. Granted it doesn't last more than one show, but it's better than what he use to do. Not, that playing was bad, but I like it when their attention spans increase. Makes me feel like they might be catching what I'm saying. Here he is chilling in his favorite TV chair!

Big chair...Little boy!

Fun with the Archibalds

Some of my boy's favorite times are the ones they spend with their cousins. Today was fun for them cause some of them were able to come over and play. Sara had a hair appointment and left the kiddos over here. It was fun times!

Brett said he was taking care of Isla except when she spit up. Then he said his arms were broken.

This is what the rest of the gang was up to!

Zade trying to get the camera!

Bliss wouldn't come get in the picture! They really love being together!

All in a mornings work

One thing I have learned as the mother of these boys...they have goals. Isaak's are hard to photograph. He spends his day negotiating with me to play on the computer or the DS. And I mean all day, and these are serious negotiations. Just ask my family!

As far as Brett and Jack go, theirs are easier to catch on film. So Brett first cause his are easy. His goals are to get undressed and play with his lunch boxes the he discovered recently. I have been trying to hide them(obviously poorly) until school starts. So that they will last the year. The were a gift from a neighbor she goes to Disney world a few times a year and brought them back to the boys.

Here we are undressed!


And the cute little lunchbox!

Now, Jack's morning is just easier to show in pictures...I'll explain as we go.

First we make sure the recycling gets to his room!


Then he tests the durability of the toilet paper. I think this failed!


Then it's on the check on his brothers to make sure they are doing alright. While he's there he wants to make sure the ladder to the bed is safe.

Looks good, mom!

He has to make his play area comfy with beach towels!

Last, but not least, his favorite place to climb and sit to watch Diego!

This was all before 8am in this morning! Like I said they really do have goals!

Summer Time!

Despite the crazy things going on around here we have had a great summer. And are looking forward to the last 6 weeks or so. The boys have been fish in the water and love catching fish at Grandfather's lake! Here are some pictures of both! These are from just before the 4th of July weekend and during the 4th of July weekend! Enjoy! Also, I have been playing with my photo editor so that's why they look so...different...that's a good word. The colors and things have been played with!

Bliss and Brett sharing the fishing pole!

Isaak and Aunt Lacy trying to make the it work!

Zade! He is just so curious!


Jack trying so fishing of his own!


Zade catching a fish with Uncle Danny! (he was sooo excited!)


Here's the up close of the fish...he could not keep his eyes off it!


Isaak had the biggest catch of that day!


Getting our last "fish" in before we left the next day!


At home about to shoot fireworks!


Jack playing during the firework show


Bottle Rockets anyone?

Then finally there were strawberries that needed eating and chocolate chips that needed to be used so last night I made theses.

Yum!


What a way to end the week!