Road Trip...

It was Spring Break for most people in Houston, so we decided to join the fun! In a spur of the moment decision, we decided to go and visit PaPa Steve & MaMa Jude in Ocean Springs, MS. (8 hour drive including stops.) The drive isn't so terrible now that the kids LOVE to watch shows and eat junk food! I have told you guys a million times how adorable this little town is and how much I love it... this time was no exception! As we were pulling in the driveway, we saw tons of people walking into town. We asked what was up and found out there was a St. Patty's day parade! (Y'all... I had forgotten it was St. Patrick's Day!! How horrible it that?!? How many pinches did all of us get for not wearing green?!?) It was a cute little parade, very short, but perfect for the attention span of my little ones!

Waiting for the Parade

Sidney & Teebs

Ivy, Mitchell, Luke, Elle, Briellen, Uncle Ronnie

More Waiting....

Game - How many of us can stand on the small cement square?

Budweiser Clydesdales

I have never seen them in person... Gorgeous!

Every morning we walk into town to the coffee shop... They changed ownership and we love, love, love the new owner. Lulu is her name as well as the coffee shops new name! She was adorable and so sweet! She loved the kids and gave them toys and treats... There is a cute patio outside and a big yard, so we could sit and the kids could play!

Briellen, Sidney & Ivy

In Front of Lulu's

Mitchell, Ivy, Luke, Sidney, Brie

Jumping down the steps

Finding ways to entertain themselves...

For months, the babies have been talking about going to the beach... they pretend they are on the beach, they pretend they are driving to the beach, they pretend they are swimming in the ocean... you get the picture. So, of course, we had to go to the beach!

The last time we went to the beach, they really had no interest in the water, so I honestly thought we would go to the beach, they would play in the sand a little bit and then we would go to the park across the street. Well, I was wrong! They LOVED the water. They played in the water forever! Unfortunately, my error in judgement had HUGE consequences! I only packed two towels, no swim diapers, no snacks, no drinks, besides water... When everyone got out of the water, they were cold, starving and had GIGANTIC diapers and they were beyond mad... I am talking Category 5 meltdown! (no pun intended!) It was one of those moments that I wished the sand would just open up and swallow me! (It was a crowded day and I can only imagine what everyone was thinking.) Well, there was no way that we were going to get them all back to our car in that condition and luckily PaPa Steve parked his Jeep on the beach, so we threw them all in the jeep to get them home. I am a car seat NAZI, so the entire minute drive home, I am praying, "Dear God, don't let us crash, don't let us crash!!"

The Hurricane went as quickly as it came and they were excited to be able to play in the jeep back at the house...

The next day, being a brave girl, we ventured back to the beach. And being a smart girl, I packed lots of towels, lots of snack, lots of juice boxes and a bottle of wine for me! It was a perfect afternoon!!!

Stephen and PaPa Steve with Everyone

Stephen was in the water with them the entire time...

The boys constantly wrestle... No matter where they are.

Big Brie Hugs!

In the jeep after all is well!

We went a nearby park one morning and to my delight it had a million swings!! NO fighting over who gets to swing or who gets the "blue" one!!

Al Fresco lunch at Leo's with their cousin Megan.

Chillin' with Mama Jude

Ivy, Sidney & Luke

Some single shots, as group pictures inevitably show someones eyes closed or the top of someones head...

Sidney

Luke

Ivy

Mitchell

Briellen

On the way back to Houston, we stopped at the Atchafalya River Basin Welcome center... It was perfect! Covered picnic tables with lots of green running space and lots of animal statues everywhere for entertainment. Inside they had more animals for kids and coffee for mom and dad. VERY Clean... Exit 121 for anyone driving through Louisiana.

Ivy, Brie, Mitchell, Luke, Sidney

Sidney, Luke, Mitchell, Ivy, Brie

I am always glad to get home and back into a rhythm... I say that I am not ready to do anything for a loooooonnnng time. Then after being home for a week, I am ready for another adventure!

Really? Again?

Why is it always Mitchell!?! Why is it always when I am in a hurry!?!

My favorite Mac pigment gone forever...


Little Turkey


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Valentines Day

Holidays are getting more and more fun around here!! I know Valentines isn't technically a holiday and it's over commercialized and blah, blah, blah, but any reason to dress up and celebrate is a good thing to me!!

Lots of parties for the kiddies... Not so many for mama this year... Finding a sitter for V-day is worse than finding one for New Years Eve!!

My little ones don't get the concept of eating a little bit of candy now and saving the rest for later, so I put all of their candy out, let them gorge and then threw the rest of it away. (It HAS to be thrown out or I'll finish it off!)

My sister says that Ivy looks like she is about to throw a fit in most of her pictures... Unfortunately, this is her saying cheese... I was by myself and it was before school, so this is the best I could do... I guess these imperfect pictures are really a true reflection of what life is like, but why can't they just stand next to each other, look at the camera and smile?!? (hee-hee.)

Luke, Sidney, Ivy, Brie, Mitchell

Nicknames:

Tink, Moo, Ivers, LukeHare, Sissy

I hope that everyone feels as loved as I do!!!

Love to ALL!!

A Walk Down the Aisle

Many of you know or have heard me talk about our nanny old Melissa! She was our night nanny when I first brought the babies home from Phoenix and I can honestly say she is the reason that we survived those first months!! (Well, her and my mom!) After the babies started sleeping through the night after 6 or 7 months, she worked for us during the days part time... She then found a job in College Station working full time and had to leave us... One of the saddest days ever! She still comes to visit a couple of times a month... the babies (and me) ADORE her! When she told me that she was getting married I was SO excited for her... Then she told me that she wanted all 5 of the babies in her wedding and I thought she had lost her mind!! No really, I was very touched that she wanted us to be a part of her special day.

I stressed a LOT about what the babies would do. More scared than anything that they would freak out and not walk down the aisle. I ordered flower girl and ring bearer books and read them to them daily. We tried on dresses and tuxes and talked a ton about what their job was going to be. I even had them walk down the aisle of my church here.

It wasn't until the rehearsal that I started to stress about them wreaking havoc at the wedding! We walked into the ballroom and they were EVERYWHERE! The front of the room had a little stage and white curtains everywhere... I was told that they were not very stable. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the boys plow through the curtains at one point.

Melissa and the Babies at Rehearsal

The boys would pick up the flower petals and

throw them in the air and yell "Happy New Year!"

Which is what they are all doing here on Melissa's head.

When we first started traveling with the babies, Stephen and I decided that the only way to do it was to rent a house. That way we had the room for sleeping, a refrigerator for food and space for the babies to run around. Unfortunately, crazy Aggies will pay whatever for lodging, so house rentals were pricey. So we decided to rough it and stay in a hotel for one night. It was tough trying to keep them occupied and quiet and I am thankful it was for only one night. The LSU and Kansas Track and Swim teams sleeping next to us did not appreciate their 6AM wake up call... We were proud that we did our part to sleep deprive the competition!

Dinner and a Movie

Girl Book Time

Boy Book Time

Sleeping Arrangements

(I left their nap mats at home... Talk about feeling guilty!)

The day of the wedding the girls and I went to a bridal brunch.... Stephen took the boys to the Dixie Chicken for lunch... The Chicken is a well known bar/restaurant in College Station, where Aggies dunk their class rings. This Aggie included!

They had a cute little table set up for the girls.

Milkshakes at the Chicken

We had to be out of our room at 2, pictures were at 3 and the wedding at 5. So basically, we had to keep 5 toddlers entertained in a hotel for 3 hours. But entertained in a way so they wouldn't mess up their clothes!! Let me tell you, there were lots of rides in the elevator!

I couldn't get a good shot of all 5 and I didn't want

to wear them out before the official pictures.

Luke, Mitchell

Ivy, Sidney & Briellen

My Little Men

My Girls

When it finally was time to walk, they did beautifully! No melt downs, No crazy wild men... They did exactly what they were supposed to do! The girls were halfway down the aisle before they remembered to throw their petals, but, oh well.

Mitchell & Luke

(I love Stephen in the back ground prepping the girls.)

Sweet Girls

Melissa & Her Dad

"Standing" at the Front

The Reception was SO much fun... None of my friends or family have had little ones at weddings, so I have had little experience with kid friendly weddings. They had a food buffet their height, an activity table with colors and stickers and they even did a candy toss.

The Kiddie Table

The babies all wanted to dance so badly with Melissa... At one point I looked up and Mitchell was in between Melissa and her dad during the Father/Daughter dance.... Mortifying!

Finally getting to dance with Melissa...

"Apple Bottom Jeans. Boots with the Fur!!"

The babies were beyond tired and honestly, Stephen and I were too, but we truly had a fantastic time and were so incredibly honored to be included in such a special occasion for someone who is truly special to us!

Preschool!!

Oh, how I have dreamed of this day for years!! 5 hours, twice a week guaranteed freedom! All of the lunch dates, shopping and spa appointments a girl could hope for... Bring it!! But really, being at home by myself... in my house alone... just me... felt SO good. I can't even being to explain it. (And as sad as it sounds, I am actually looking forward to cleaning out some closets!)

The babies were so excited about going to school... They wore their backpacks around and carried their lunch boxes all over the house... Of course, when it was time to actually carry them into the school they were too heavy and the babies would just drop them on the ground as they walked in.

Brie, Ivy, Sidney, Mitchell & Luke

First Day of School

I was really nervous about their first day, not really knowing what to expect. I didn't have any help, so all I could think was "How am I going to get all of them into school with ALL of their stuff by myself?" And having experienced the toddler meltdown -- limp arms and legs, screaming on the ground of a parking lot, impervious to the stream of threats coming out of my mouth -- I was terrified that one or, help me, more would decide to do this while I would have to juggle back packs, lunch boxes and hold three other hands at the same time! I worried for nothing... they all stayed on the sidewalk, walked into their classroom and started playing without a single tear, even after I kissed them goodbye. (I made a second trip for their nap mats.)

Their Stuff...

I was determined to get pics of them walking down the hall and with their teachers, but I was so high strung that morning I forgot the camera, so I took a pic with their teachers when I picked them up, and that is what melted them down...

Ms. Terri and Ms. Cindy

When I want something so bad or am looking forward to something for so long, I tend to forget or not recognize the down sides... I hadn't even put a single thought to how much work it would be to get everyone ready and out of the door... I know I'll get my groove down and it eventually won't be so bad, but, whew!

The school they are going to is Cy-Fair Christian Church Preschool (http://cfccnet.org)

The director is SO sweet and caring and understanding... and the teachers are wonderful.... They go out of their way to help me and make this experience a positive one for me and the babies!

Holiday!! Celebrate!!

Blogging about the holidays so late makes me feel like one of those people that still has their decorations up in February! But, oh well, better late than never.

THANKSGIVING

Briellen, Mitchell, Ivy, Luke & Sidney

Oh, all of the things that I am thankful for.... One night at dinner, I looked around and saw Stephen and these 5 little people sitting there eating and chatting and laughing and my heart almost burst. I am thankful for this little family, I am thankful that we all love each other unconditionally, I am thankful that we are healthy and happy and that we have found a groove that makes our life normal and happy.

I am thankful for my Mom & Dad for showing me what a family should look and feel like, for constantly sharing their wisdom, for being a rock for us to hold on to when we are sinking. I am thankful for my sisters and brother for our amazing friendships with each other, for being an example to my babies of what brothers and sisters should be!

I am thankful for Stephen's family who loves and supports us... Willing to move to a different state to be near us.

I am thankful for my oh, so many true girlfriends. I am thankful for the hours of crying and laughing and shopping and wine. I am thankful that even if months slip by without talking, catching up is like it was only a week that passed. I am thankful that they embraced my chaotic life without missing a step!

I am thankful for the help I STILL get every week even 2 1/2 years later -- Ms. Deborah, Nae-Nae, Lolly, & Bella -- What would I do without you??

I am thankful that I have a relationship with God... I am thankful that he carries me through the crazy times, comforts me when I am sad, gives me strength when I am scared, and forgives me when I mess up!

(I am also thankful for Pumpkin spice lattes, Rain boots in rainy weather, Pedicures, Nordstrom's semi annual shoe sale, Bubble gum, Cosmopolitans, Triscuits & Laughing Cow Cheese, Skype, and Angry Birds)

CHRISTMAS

Luke, Ivy, Brie, Sidney & Mitchell

With Santa

My grandma, GG, invited us to the Buckingham for brunch with Santa. The babies were not sure what to think of Santa... They loved the idea of him, but when face to face they wanted nothing to do with him. The only way that they would get near him is if Stephen and I were with them. If you look closely you can see that they are all ready to BOLT!!

Ivers

Loving the markers!

Sidney

Um, yes, this is her smile these days.

Briellen

She is a perfectionist

Luke

Mitchell

Stephen & Elle

We never take pics together anymore so I was adamant...

However, I am getting so tired of my dang pony tail!

Sisters & GG

Elle, Margaret, Amy

CHRISTMAS MORNING

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun Christmas morning was! The stockings were the biggest hit. I debated whether or not to do them, but opening stockings was such a great memory for me, that I decided I must do them! I am SO glad that I did. Every time they pulled something new out of their stocking, their faces just glowed!!

When it came to the gifts, the girls loved ripping open the paper... The boys wanted to play with everything. So the girls opened everything and the boys played with the very first thing they opened. (Trains) It was complete chaos with trash and toys everywhere! LOVED. IT.

Mitchell

Couldn't move past the flashlight in his stocking.

Luke

Was obsessed with the lollipops in his stocking.

Licked for a minute then opened a new one.

Luke's discard pile.

Briellen

Movie Star

Ivy

Spent forever on her stocking... savoring every item.

Sidney

Was so excited to have more stuff to hoard.

We then went over to my mom and dad's house for more presents and traditional Turkey & stuffing Christmas lunch.

Opening Bikes from Mimi

Luke, Sidney, Ivy, Brie, Mitchell & Brynne-Boo

Waiting for more gifts to open.

Nap Mats

One of their favorite gifts... They just lay on them wherever!

NEW YEARS

Two of our best friends (Kari & Bob) came into town to help bring in the New Year... They had a new baby, Ayla, in May and I had been desperately wanting to meet her, but couldn't make it work to get to California, so they brought her to me!! When I tell you that this is the cutest, happiest baby on the planet, it is an understatement. I fell in love, love, love! Her mommy is a fashionista, so Ayla is dressed & accessorized adorably every day. Just wanted to squeeze her all the time!!

Ayla & Auntie Elle

As we are getting older, going out on New Years Eve holds little appeal for us... Sloppy drunks, mass crowds, overpriced dinners... ick! We had a grown up slumber party at my sister Amy's house. Lots of great conversation and catching up!

The next night we hit the town for dinner and drinks!!!

The Girls!

Ellen, Amy, Kari, Amy, Sooze

Susan & Kari

Wasabi Bloodies

Sisters

Amy & Elle

The Guys (And Sooze)

Sis, RJ, Stephen, Damon, Bob

I had every intention of getting Christmas cards out this year, but I procrastinated and decided to do New Year Cards... It's the end of January and I found myself telling myself that I'll do Valentines Cards instead... Now, people, do you think I will really get out Valentines Cards?? I am thinking no, so here is the picture that I was going to use.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Holiday!!! Love to all!!

Happy New Year!!!

Briellen, Mitchell, Ivy, Luke, Sidney

Picture by Laura Howell

www. laurajeannette.com

(Lukes face is priceless because he RARELY smiles in pics)