Happy Four Years to Us!

Love has little to do with moonlight and balconies and everything to do with patience, acceptance, and hanging in there.

Love can't always move mountains or change the world overnight. But it can open its arms at the end of a long, bad day and welcome you home.

Today, Russ and I celebrated four years of being married. These fours years have flown by...obviously what else happens to your days with kids in the mix? But this past year I feel like we have changed as a couple. We really grew together this year and really learned more about each other than we have in the previous years. I think that is why the above inscription from one of my anniversary cards touched me so. I really had no idea how hard the "real" world would be. It has made it quite comforting to know that Russ didn't either, but that we would figure it out as a team. And, to be honest, I think we have done a stellar job so far :)

Thanks to a not perfect but always learning husband. Thank you for teaching me patience and for the daily reminder that I cannot do everything alone.  I would choose you again, anyday. Thank you for giving me all that I could have dreamed of.

Here is what we did together:
He suprised me by taking off from work! We spent the whole day just doing things together. How Weird is that! We do not ever spend time alone together...or I should say it is rare.

We watched the movie Date Night after a yummy brunch at our fav coffeehouse/bakery. The movie was absolutely histarical. I laughed so hard my head hurt. I think that movie was made for people like us...parents :)

Russ enjoyed his massage while I walked downtown to find some cute things for the babies. I also managed to track down the last standing copy of Avatar in Columbia.

We ate "dunch" (late lunch/dinner) at the best-raved restaurant here...it was insane. Then got to pick up the kiddos :)

It was a perfect time spent with just him.

....off to watch our movie!! (with milkshakes, of course)

H's New Dew

We have slowly but surely demolished the once beautiful, long curls that once H was known for...now he looks like every other boy his age (boohoo). Moving on, I know summer is almost here and I just hate for him to be hot with tons of hair so after he woke up from a nap I bribed him with a sucker to get his haircut. Turns out, it was a pretty good trade. Our children rarely get candy, most of you guys know this, but I think (like many others, believe it or not) it should be a privelege to have. Today, H more than deserved it as he has been sick for 7 days and was a sweet little dude all last week while I had both of them home (he has been in preschool for 4 weeks). Here is the photo of our tiny man.

Russ said he looked like a trouble-maker with this cut...I sure hope not (since it is the same as Daddy's). He does look 7 years old, to me anyway.

Mother's Day

Happy Mom's Day to all of the lovely Moms I know. We give and give and do so much for everyone selfishlessly and I just wanted to wish us a Happy Day!

(picture: Mom and I in Boston, obviously the coldest she has EVER been in her life :) She came to meet B after her birth and for H's 1st B-day party)

We love Seattle

So B and myself are packing our things and are heading back home tomorrow from a two and a half week trip to the beautiful state of Washington. We have experienced many fun things, including Seattle's first 2009 snowfall. How lovely!

B has enjoyed spending this time with her cousins who she loves very much! Every time Kinsey comes to help me get B from naptime, she sees Kinsey Anne and begins to jump up and down! How sweet is the love of family.

Bathtime or Target runs with three can get a bit hectic, but being able to visit with Alyssa, Kinsey and Miss Dot was more than a much needed trip for all five of us. Leaving will be pretty difficult. I'm am so blessed to have my husband at home with us every night SO let me just say that I have never had more respect for my sister than I do today. Superwoman doesn't even cover it. I just wish I understood what military wives and family have given up for decades so that we could all live free. I do now, and I am changed because of it.

Thank you Andy, Alyssa, Kinsey and Avery for letting us all know and love you!

Here are some fun pics of the trip:

And, last but not least

The Quote of the Trip:
"Did someone poop?"

I have never changed more pooey dipes than this December!

Halloween 2009, Good Times

This Halloween we made sugar cookies with a set of cookie cutters from Granny and Grandaddy, dressed up as a LSU Tiger and an adorable Strawberry, took lots of pictures, trick or treated with Holland, an LSU Cheerleader, played at Alice's house, Holland's Meemaw, rode in a wagon, took more pictures, discovered Tootsie Rolls, jumpy jumped at the church fall festival, and then got to eat McDonalds! Woohoo! What a treat!

Here are the pictures to prove it all. Enjoy!

Our Tiny Pumpkins!!

He is so ready for this! Here is a slideshow of that day, and a few pictures of H at a party hosted by Russ' family. They do a big thing each year for all of the kids and their friends! I missed it, and B was super sick.

October.....already???

Wow! Where has this year gone? It is already Fall, which I am somewhat excited about since we might actually have a Fall this year (being in Louisiana). In Boston, it was already a blizzard and California doesn't have more than two seasons. I must say though, I am a bit concerned about the amount of rain that we might endure this time of year. It rained for the two weeks straight at our house this past few weeks, and boy did I not miss that!

We have been playdating with friends some and also finally got to take EVERYONE to church this past weekend. I gave in to all of my friends telling me to just put them in the nursery, "It will be good for you" I love the undesirable advice I get from people that tell me what I NEED to do. Hilarious. And not to be the pesimist that we all know I am rather good at, but BOTH of my children, who have NEVER been sick let me add, are so sick. We have not slept in nights due to this and now we are both sick from lack of sleep. Woohoo! Tell me again...why do people bring their sick children to the church nursery??? I guess sick people need Jesus time, too. Hmmm.

Anywhoodalou...here are some pics of our little Cupcake Decorating playdate (I rock) and other ones of the babies in their playroom upstairs.

A bit of a milky chin

This is totally My Child

Fruity B, standing in her Kitchen

Cupcake Decorating Time!!

Our Little Whitey

Playing in the jumper

Afternoon cartoon time

Playing

Yummy icing!!