Abalama!!

For Christmas Scott was able to finagle four days off. It is not enough time to go home and see both sides of the family so we decided to go down to Alabama to visit some friends. Scott and Jeremy have been friends since they were kids living in the metropolis of Dows, Iowa. They have remained friends after high school. Scott went onto college and Jeremy enlisted in the Army. I met Jeremy and now wife Charity for the first time when we were dating. We went to South Carolina where he was stationed for spring break. Jeremy is a bomb expert and has spent the last four years going back and forth to Iraq detecting and disabling bombs. Dangerous stuff. Now Jeremy has a teaching job in Huntsville Alabama. It was about an eight hr drive. Not too bad but this was Genevieve's first long distance trip. We left shortly after noon on Tuesday and arrived around 8:30 pm. The kids and I were exhausted. Scott was post call so he was even more tired. Christmas Eve was full off last minute shopping trips and a whole lotta baking. Christmas morning went very well. My kids were up early and Grisham wanted to cuddle with his uncle Jeremy. Jeremy's two daughters Alexyss and Madison sleep in so we didn't get to open presents until close to nine in the morning. That is an absolute record in my family. I remember waking up at the crack of dawn (thanks Sarah) to open our gifts. Anyway, we had a few gifts for Grisham and Genevieve to open. We did most of our gift exchange before heading to Alabama. For a few reasons. Scott did not want to haul them all with us but mostly he could not wait until Christmas morning. He was so excited about Grisham's aircraft carrier and airplanes. He also got a Rocket from Little Einsteins. Scott got me some new flannel jammies and slippers along with the sound track to the musical Wicked. Something that I have wanted to see for years. I got Scott tickets to a paintball arena and new slippers. We opened our gifts from Scott's parents. Thanks for the jammy pants, clothes for Genevieve and beautiful stocking for Grisham, Jay and Betty. Back in Alabama it was a sea of wrapping paper and boxes. Thanks mom so much for wrapping each car and guy individually.It definitely kept him busy while Alexyss and Madison opened theirs. He loved the guitar and the aquadoodle art set. Thanks so much.
Alexyss just loved to play with Genevieve. I always had help from either her or Jeremy's cousin Robin. He is really good with babies. Grisham also had Taylor to play with. She is Jeremy's niece. His brother Ryan, wife Melinda were also in town visiting along with mom and dad Tammy and Roger. We had a full house. It was a wonderful trip. Jeremy and Charity were so kind in putting up with so many people. I was glad that Scott had time with his friend. But I am happy to be home.

Christmas Party

So Friday night Scott and I were able to go out and enjoy ourselves at the Christmas party put on by the wives/advocate group. As soon as I found out the date and time I found a babysitter and took no excuses. We were going out. But early Thursday morning Scott woke me to say that he was sick and was not going to work. I knew he was serious if he called off work. He ended up sleeping all day. I was not sure if we would be going. After about 24 hrs of sleep he felt much better and I got the green light for the party. One more hurdle, the kids I watch. Lately, they have been going home by five every night. I get a call from Brenner's mom and she said that Brian was stuck in the OR and she was on call. She wasn't sure if Brian would be here in time for us to go. Thankfully Brian was able to get out and pick Brenner up on time. The babysitter was on time but we were running a tad behind. I called Mary to have her save seats for us. We weren't terribly late and once again I was in such a rush I forgot to grab my camera. So thanks Mary and Kelly for sharing your pictures. They were all still socializing when we arrived. After about 30-40 minutes of talking dinner was served. We started out with a yummy salad and fresh rolls. The main course was fillet mignon and chicken breast with red potatoes. For dessert we had creme bruilet(?). I have never tried it before and was surprised that it wasn't too bad. Mary and Stacy liked the burnt sugar. I had a few bites but had enough after that. We hung out talking with our friends and then decided to call it a night and head home. I am so glad that it all worked out and that Scott and I had a chance to have some time together.

Ummmm... Vicks!!

So while I was checking out with Brenner's dad, Grisham somehow got a hold of the Vicks. After Brian left I noticed that Grisham was nowhere to be found. However I could hear him smelling deeply. I knew he was up to no good when I called his name and he just laughed. I peeked behind the chair and there he was with Vicks rubbed all over his face and hands. He loves the menthol smell. I usually have it up high so he can't do what he just did. I really have no idea how he got to it so fast.

Creative Play and Overalls

I guess Grisham got bored with his regular blocks and decided to try building with Genevieve's jarred food and cereal boxes. Excuse the mess. Is this creative or just funny weird?

I found Grisham's old overalls in the closet. I love overalls on all babies, boy or girl.


Our neighbors have recently been showering us with gifts for our kids and with Christmas decorations. This is the latest.


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