Take a moment and smell the...fish?

As we were playing in Discovery Place today, Solomon could not leave the fish tank with the sharks.  I kept trying to pull him somewhere else and he was having none of that.  We were there for him, so I just changed my attitude and relaxed while staring into the fish tank.  It was really as wonderful as he had been trying to tell me - calming, fascinating, full of new and exciting little treasures.  I just had to take the time to step out of my Type A mom personality and smell the roses...er...fish.

Something Is Not Right

Big boy seats and baby seats - what's the difference?  They share everything else.

572 Miles

My parents just began their 572 mile trip home.  I just began my tears. 

Ride the Hog! MERCY!

A great dinner at Gary's for my dad's birthday dinner.  Followed by a ride on the hog for Solomon.

I Love My Parents!

It smells like my dad in our house again tonight.  No, he does not have a defining odor of his own, but his BBQ sauce brewing on the stove might as well be the smell of my daddy. 
Solomon and Henry are totally loving the grandma rocking time, too.

65 and 33!

Happy Anniversary, Parents!  Happy Birthday, Dad!  Thanks for spending your special day with us at the transportation museum for the boys. 

Also, Mandy and Carter left today.  What a joy to see them.  Carter even got to see Santa on the train ride.  What a great day.

The Year of the Cornish Hens

Holidays can have a way of taking on a nickname based on something extraordinary or terrible that happens.  My family has the "Christmas of the Mouse," and now we have the "Thanksgiving of the Cornish Hens."  They simply would NOT cook through.  Seriously, these little ladies only weigh 1.5 pounds and it took FOREVER TO COOK.  Good thing we love each other and ended up with a great day...and four gallons of Benjy's BBQ sauce...and leftover Cornish Hens because everyone filled up on everything else while they were cooking...and leftovers of everything else...and homemade hen stock...and scraps for soup...and...and...and...  A great Thanksgiving.  So much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blurry, but still cute.

Grandma and PopPop

No better way to spend the busiest travel day of the year than at the airport overlook of one of the busiest airports in the nation.  Dad said he could have stayed there for hours.  It really is that cool!

Will you...

...run with me, brother?  Tomorrow marks 6 years since Christopher got on one knee and asked the question that changed everything.  And no, I didn't make them pose like this, but it is sort of perfect, right?

Bedtime Reading

Just a little light reading before bed.  The Lutheran Witness and The Grapes of Wrath.  Interesting combination.

Sunday DATE!

We went on a date.  It was wonderful just to talk and laugh...LAUGH...a lot.  My husband cracks me up.  Although, I still think we all know who is the funniest.  Also, my husband installed the head trustee today at Mt. Calvary.  It was a very emotional rite for the congregation and the man installed.  I almost cried.  The best picture I could get was the back of their heads, but these are our trustees.

Saturday Birthday Party

Solomon and Henry have a friend named Gabriel.  He had all of us over for his 2nd birthday bash.  Four boys - Henry was the youngest and Solomon was the oldest - this means TONS of fun.

Target Tricks

I think Solomon thought this was some sort of evil trick.  He REALLY wanted to take this ball home today.  It just wouldn't budge.  Henry tried to help.

Getting Big

Solomon moved up a class at the library today, and he he been sleeping in his big boy bed for a week.  How is this happening?  Too fast, Mander.

Harvest Home Ending

Today we had our final Harvest Home.  I am going to nap every Sunday afternoon until next Harvest Home season! 

A Couple Who Reads Together...

stays together.  My husband always has to remind me how much I love to read.  He is currently working on a Tom Clancy book while I am reading The Grapes of Wrath.  We are such party animals these days...nose stuck in a book on a Saturday night.  I wouldn't want to be reading next to anyone else, my love.

14 Months and Partying at the Zoo

The NC Zoo in Asheboro is the most beautiful zoo I have ever been to.  It was remarkable.  It is in the mountains and involved walking uphill both ways...while pushing a stroller.  We are exhausted!  Oh, and happy 14 months, HenryWalkinMan.

Library Fun

We love the library here.  They have such a great kids room and great toddler times.  I am in love.  Here is one of Solomon's favorite activities - "Parachute, Mommy, PARACHUTE!" 
Today has been a wonderful morning.  I made whole wheat blueberry banana pancakes, we went to Toddler Time at the library, had a playdate with our new friends at the park, had a great lunch, read this week's library books, and now the boys are both sleeping.  I feel extra blessed today.  Now, on to laundry...

Stonehenge: Kannapolis Style

My boys enjoy climbing rocks more than playground equipment.  All is right, obviously!

Election Day

We voted and had breakfast out together as a couple while the kids stayed at home with Betty.  Voting is so much fun!  And eating at a restaurant without crackers being thrown everywhere was a bonus.

Big Leaf and Big Owl

On our family walk today, Solomon found the biggest leaf he has ever seen. He loves picking up leaves and sticks and carrying them to the stream to throw them over the bridge. Then, we had a real treat...can you find the owl? It was only about 20 feet from us. Solomon and Henry both hooted...oh, and so did Christopher and I.

Sweater Vest Day

Daddy preached today...a lot!  He was the preacher at another Harvest Home today and his regular two churches.  Our boys rocked it in their sweater vests.

Sleeping Beauties

My boys are currently asleep on me - both at the same time.  Best. Day. Ever.

Friday Family Fun: Bouncy House

I think my husband and I had as much fun as them.