Under the weather, Vacationless Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving did not go as planned. We were originally planning our holiday break with a visit to Arizona for some Ikea shopping, Twilight watching, Birthday bashing, and Giants cheering. But the day we were supposed to leave, Noah and Luke decided the stomach flu would be more entertaining than a vacation. So we decided to wait it out, and hoped that it would just be a 24 hour bug. So when they were feeling better we were packed and planning to leave the next morning, until 4 am rolled around and I joined the sick, with a date around the toilet. So my poor little Johnny called for reinforcement from my mom and the two of them took care of the kids, while Noah and I lied lifeless in bed all day. To make a long story short, John and my mom were able to finally make it to AZ just in time for Katelyn’s Birthday party. And then John and my brother were able to go to see THE GIANTS play the Cardinals. He has been looking forward to this game all year. He had great seats, with a good size crowd of NY fans around him. He had such a fun time, that he is planning another game for next season.
"GO GIANTS"

There sure are a lot of New York fans in Arizona I was able to heal just in time for my birthday.But Noah didn’t really regain his 2 year old peppy personality, and on Thanksgiving morning we were just about out the door, with green bean casseroles in hand, when he decided to get sick all over again. So my glorious mom came to the rescue again. She came over to watch Noah, so I could go to Thanksgiving dinner and visit with my cousins.Dinner and all the decorations were beautiful, but some how I only managed two pictures.The rest of the weekend went better, with far less puke. Andrea brought her big jumping balloon, which kept the kids entertained all weekend. And I was finally able to meet Todd’s girlfriend. (She gave me an awesome haircut, thanks Kat) And my lovely brother Eric fixed my computer so that it now functions at a faster speed and blogging won’t be such a pain.

It was a whirlwind of a holiday. I just hope this Christmas season is in good health and unhurried, because Thanksgiving came and went way too fast!

Noah the Nomad

So my poor little Noah is the middle child at the moment. He got kicked out of his room so his little sis could take over the nursery. He was then put in Luke's room, which doesn’t always work out so well (my children are entirely too hyper together). I usually end up putting Luke to bed first, so he isn’t tired for school. But that makes my little Noah homeless. He usually falls asleep in the playroom and then I transfer him once he is asleep. Once I pointed and told him to take a toy to his room, and he said “no that’s Lukey’s room”. Poor little Noah the Nomad. Here are some of the reasons why my middle man is completely adorable.

When ever you start a movie he feels the need to run and hide. Don’t ask me why he is just a weirdo.

I have to unzip his footsie jammies so he can put his finger in his belly button to fall asleep.

When we were eating lunch he dropped his fork.
Noah – “oh, where’s my fork.”
Mom – “Here it is”
Noah – “oh, put it in my hand”
(Then he proceeded to just shovel his food into his mouth with his free hand, so much for utensils)

He just loves his Great Grandpa's cowboy statue.

Mom – “Noah, bad boy”
Noah – “No, I’m not a bad boy, I’m No-no.

I just love the way he says Two of them.
Noah – “I got foo fhum.”
I never correct him cuz I just think he is so dang cute.

He makes a cute little smacking noise in his sleep; I think he is still looking for that binkie. So sweet. He has a deep appreciation for books, all things dino, M&Ms, and candy corn. He loves it when I do his hair in a foe hawk, he pretends he is a “dinosaur rex”. He can name a lot of the dinosaurs. He does the cutest little jig when he knows I am going to give him some candy. And lastly, I just love his sad face. He gets a hilarious expression on his face when he is sad.

Newborn Sad Face

Nowadays Sad Face

He is just so precious to me. I love him.

Pretty in Pink Party

Ashley had a beautiful first birthday. She woke up with the beginnings of another head cold, but it didn’t dampen the day too much. My mother and I spent way too much time putting this party together, but we enjoyed ourselves. I just love throwing parties. Daddy and the boys took Ash shopping while we finished up all the party arrangements. We had a small party with mostly just family.

She looked so cute in her Birthday Girl tiara.

Vanna White (Emma) showing off the food."A" cookies for my little AshAll the kidsWe all ate and watched her open her gifts. Her Grandma made the most gorgeous pink cake. (it tasted as good as it looked) She smiled when everyone sang to her. But she didn’t dig into the cake like the boys did. She was getting too tired, so she ate her first piece of cake in my arms. We got her a walker/stroller which she just loves. She makes her “car” sound effect as she walks up and down the hall. She is going to be walking real soon if she keeps practicing. Now our house if full of pink girly toys, thanks to all that were able to come and see our little Ashley celebrate her first birthday.
Happy Birthday Ashley!

Here is a video of her pushing her stroller around. She was so happy.

12 Months of Ashley

It has been a whole year since my little Ashley joined us. She has been the perfect addition to our family. I look forward to seeing her joyful face each morning. She is such a happy little girl. Happy Birthday, Sissy. We love ya!

Halloween Snapshots

Storybook Ball

Have you ever had the chance to see your four year old do the waltz? Because I have! Luke is learning so much at school, but I never thought Pre-K would be instructing him in dance. He had his first dance party on Halloween. They had a storybook/Cinderella theme. All the kids were announced by classes and had to walk down a red carpet and then bow/curtsy to the “king” and “prince”. Next was a special surprise guest appearance from Cinderella herself.

Then they had to waltz with their partners (Luke hooked up with a bumble bee beauty). I kept tearing up watching him out on that school cafeteria dance floor. (I just know that I am going to be one of those moms that sneaks into his high school prom to get a peak.) I am pretty sure I enjoyed myself more than Luke. We did the chicken dance, monster mash, and a 3 Little Pigs blues routine together. Luke covered his ears mostly or wanted me to pick him up. He didn’t really want his picture taken; he must have been trying to be Mr. Cool guy in front of his friends. He really did have fun dancing and singing with his buddies even though the pictures don't show it. Here is a cute video of him dancing (well, the back of his head - it's a terrible video actually, you can't see much). He hadn’t seen me yet, so I had to tap on his shoulder to let him know I was there. I loved the little smile that crossed his face when he noticed me, although the video is a little too dark to see it. But watch at the end when he twirls his partner around. Such a stud!

I enjoyed being his date for the afternoon.

Happy Halloween, Tukers! Thanks for a great time!