Brrrrrr It's Cold

Sooner or later, all of the colors begin to look the same. Mixing is fun, but those are some nastly looking paints.

We are working on taking better care of our brushes, so all of them don't look like this.

Concentrating...

Favorite past time.

The last pretty day before the cold snap. Aaron was fixing his truck so that we could have some fun in the ice/snow (that never came). Of course the boys were right there ready and willing to help. They were so cute, and Aaron is so patient.

Just clowning around.

They have figured out how to climb their way up the door frames, thanks to encouragement from a friend. We do have some rules in our house, despite how it may seem. While they may be allowed to climb the walls they aren't allowed to jump on their beds/furniture - it always ends bloody OR we end up in the emergency room. The door frame climbing is a new thing, and so far no damage to them or our home.

It's VERY cold outside right now, and it has been for the last week. The kids and I are a little stir crazy. I am so so so pregnant and finding it difficult to pack them up and take them out and about. We tried it the other day, and literally every place we went to I had to drag them to the dreaded public restroom no matter how clean or dirty - Mommy had to go, so they had to go. We have been doing lots of inside activities.

Momma Beth purchased a huge indoor play tent/tunnel thing with balls, and they have played in it EVERY day. We have also resorted to riding boxes down the stairs (when I say "we" I mean "them") I was wondering how long it would take them to figure out that a box is much more fast and much more fun. PJ's have become the normal wardrobe around here. They are comfy, warm, and it saves on laundry. Also, we have been doing lots of puzzles, coloring, painting, and any other crafty thing that I can think of.

Thus far, we are flu free. I have to admit that I was sort of hoping that we could get the flu, and get over it before Jack got here. It's going around like crazy right now. I remember Ben getting it after he was born. In fact we all got it, and it wasn't too bad for Ben. I just nursed him right through it and he was good. Christian was pitiful and Aaron and I were wiped out. Maybe we can get through the season without it.

All in all, we are anxious for warmer weather. I would be happy with 45 degrees. We can bundle up and play easily in those temperatures. I have a Doctors appointment tomorrow. Maybe I will be really dilated and in no shape to drive myself back home. This is the longest that I have ever carried a baby and I just can't imagine how those that go past their due date must feel. Honestly, I don't really want to experience that first hand. Most of the Doctors now a days won't let you go over anyways, no worries. Hmmmm.....I could try riding a box down the stairs......just a thought.

Ben

Another instance of Ben wanting his picture made. Immediately afterwards he looks at the view finder to see what he looks like. A little vain and a lot adorable. I have to say that these pictures caught me off guard. I didn't realize how filled out his face had become. He is really starting to grow into a little boy, sniffle. Christian isn't really into getting his picture made anymore. He didn't want to have anything to do with the camera at the time, bummer.

Take a picture of this, Mommy

While Christian and Daddy wrestled in the background, Ben wanted his picture made. Why he wanted a picture of his mouth, wide open, is beyond me, but I took it anyway.

An Everyday Thing

I mean, everyday! My husband, like most men, is really like a big kid at times. Every evening he has a wrestling match, sword fight, shoot out, rodeo, or some other manly activity with the kids. The boys LOVE IT! This particular night started out as a gun fight, turned sword fight. I was just snapping pictures. I am so very glad he does this with them. He is really good about just playing with his boys, and really enjoys it. I sometimes feel like it's a task while Aaron looks forward to it. What a good Daddy!

Aaron's 29th Birthday

When Aaron was a little boy, his Mom would tell him that he is giving his Dad a belt for his Birthday. Of course it wasn't a belt. Like any little boy, it's hard to keep a secret, and that was a safe thing to make him think. So, we have carried this tradition on into our family. Aaron didn't get a belt, but the boys just LOVED to tell him that he did. I have never seen them get so excited about "teasing" Daddy. Christian is a big cut-up anyways, so he was lit up like a Christmas tree as Aaron opened his gifts. He would just laugh and laugh when Daddy realized it wasn't a belt. He just knew he had pulled the wool over his eyes. This was a picture of his excitement.

It took 30 minutes to light that many candles!!!

This was the actual day of his Birthday. I don't want to get too sappy, but I just gotta. I am so grateful for this man. He has been such a wonderful father to the boys and the greatest husband. I continually thank God for him. Thank you, Aaron, for leading and guiding us. For praying for us, and for being faithful to God. I could gush about you for hours...all of you that are reading may be rolling your eyes, but it's true. I love you so very much and I hope you had a wonderful Birthday.

Baptism

This was also a part of our New Year weekend. Our nephewBryson, was Baptized that Sunday evening. We are all very happy for him. He He, I love how he has his tounge stuck down in his lip.

New Years Day

This is what it looks like to wake up at Momma Beth and Big Poppa's house. All children are gathered around, "bird dogging" breakfast, and begging to help. Momma Beth is very good about letting them pitch in. We had waffles this particular morning. If Big Poppa is in charge of breakfast, then we have homemade biscuits with chocolate gravy and the scene is pretty much the same. He is also very good about letting them all help. They especially love to make "dog biscuits" which are biscuits made with the dog bone cookie cutter, very cute.

This was also the first time ever I have had ham, turnip greens, and black eyed peas on New Years Day. It is a southern tradition, I think, to eat these items and I can't remember the significance for it. Something about prosperity, maybe. It was very good. I believe I can eat my weight in turnips right now. Yum!

Momma Beth and Big Poppa watched the boys so I could take Aaron out on a date. It was sort of a Birthday date night. Also, this was probably the last time in a LONG time before we get to go out again, alone. I'm glad we were able to squeeze it in before Jack got here. We had such a nice, and peaceful evening together. I had Beth take our picture before we walked out the door. As much as I dislike seeing my hugeness while pregnant, I need to take more pictures for the sake of remember Jack in my tummy. Thank you, Beth and Jackie, for watching the boys for us. It was so nice!

New Years Eve

We spent the weekend out of town, Aaron had a singing New Years Eve. I wasn't able to go, not feeling up to the task that night, but a friend of mine got some pictures for me. They look like they had fun. I am very proud of you honey! He looks so handsome up there on stage. :)

'Boggan Around

They are all browned up in their jackets and toboggans (how do you spell that anyway?)
It was such a pretty and yet cold day.