Candyland

Stephanie servin up some licorice and a smile at Lord Licorice's station

Find the Gloppy's chocolate in Grandma Nut's peanuts game

Can you believe she is 6????

Playin a little freezedance at the Queen Frostine game station

King Candy Game station- Guess the Gumball game

Therese helping out on the Mr. Mint station with pin the candy cane on Mr. Mint

Everyone decorated goody bags to collect their sugar

Maddie got all 6 candles on the first try!

Yummy cake- the best I have ever eaten and from Kroger!

Maddie opening all her goodies

Eatin some grub

The road through candyland

Lots of candycanes, pieces of candy and lollipops I made inside and outside

Before all the chaos...

Maddie's party was lots of fun and went off without a hitch. I have to say that for a self proclaimed uncrafty gal, this party brought out the wild martha stewart in me. It was a lot of fun and alot of work but everyone seemed to have a blast.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY SWEET MADDIE!

I always reminisce on the day of my kids birthdays and remember the day they were born. Believe it or not my mom still does the same thing for me and my sister and always calls me at the exact time I was born to wish me a happy birthday!

I cannot believe it was 6 years ago and everything is still so vivid- How, as I was in labor, I made Steve paint my toe nails before we could go the hospital.

How I never knew labor could hurt so bad.

How i never knew you shook uncontrollably while you were simultaneously sweating and laboring.

How life never seemed happier when you finally got the epidural and you could relax and chill the rest of the LONG LONG labor.

How my cute little doctor who I totally depended on had the nerve to be on vacation and instead of be there to deliver my baby. (How dare he!) Instead I had the doctor with the toupee that was falling off. (He was great by the way)

How the doctor offered me a view of the birth with a gargantuan mirror and it completely freaked me out and I told him to take it away QUICKLY.

How amazed I was when I finally saw Maddie and how completely beautiful she was.

How the first thing Steve and I both said was " she has dimples!" All in all we looked at each other and thought- WOW, isn't she amazing???? And Maddie is Amazing.

Maddie you are a brilliant, beautiful and amazing girl. You never cease to amaze me with your wonder at how the world works and your willingness to work hard to learn. You have an excitement about life and a zeal that is wonderful and gets me excited too. You love God with all your heart already and your Dad and I pray that above all things in your life you always follow Him wherever he leads you .

WE LOVE YOU!

Mom and Daddy

Crazy Day!

Notice that Lilly had peed her pants and now was pantless to add to the excitement of the day

Aren't they all stinkin cute????

Today Lilly and Greyson and I set off to drive to Lexington to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, Jodi Stone, and her family. She was visiting from Georgia and we never get to see each other and our two newest international additions had never met either. So, after dropping off Maddie we headed that way and almost got there when I get a call from Melanie and she says that the winter ice storm we were supposed to get at RUSH HOUR was heading our way much earlier and they were letting school out early. So... I went into panic mode because I am terrified terrified of a few things 1. Tornadoes 2. Heights 3. and driving in ice.

We decided to go ahead and visit Jod anyway for a few minutes and it was the most hurried crazy visit ever- Our kids were running around (and fighting, and not sharing of course) and Jodi and I got maybe three sentences finished between us. So much for catching up right????

I was happy to see her, the kids and her parents who I love and have not seen in ages.

I drove like a bat out of hell on the way home trying to beat the storm and was literally sweating when I get home- I know its crazy but I really have a fear.

Anyway Jodi if you are reading this...

We love ya Jod and we miss you!

Is this really snow???

That was the question from my kiddos as we ventured out yesterday morning in four layers of clothes and brand new boots (one size two big) to play in what we thought might sort of kind of be snow (even though freezing rain pellets were hitting and stinging our face). Greyson immediately fell and went out flat on his face in the sinking ice and SCREAMED blood curdling screams for some time. I was determined to stick it out because it took FOREVER to get us all dressed so we attempted to ice skate down our MONSTER driveway hill. That was pretty fun. Greyson never really had much fun until we played in the garage in a "safe zone"

It gave us about 45 minutes of fun in what was a long long day.

Did I mention i hate hate hate winter!

Big Upset for the Pastries

No matter how many times we told Maddie that it was the Patriots she kept calling them the Pastries. She was for the Giants anyway! I guess the Pastries sounded too wimpy for her.

Happy Birthday Sweet Lilly!!!

Lilly turned three on February 1st and this was a fun year because she was so excited about her little party this time. She had a few buddies and mostly family over to celebrate with a Strawberry Shortcake theme.

I am amazed when I see this loving, strong willed, silly, and adorable girl and I remember back to the day she was born and how we almost lost her. She is a blessing in our lives and although she has screaming fits almost daily lately (a phase that I am sure will pass- right?), she has a loving and sweet personality and an empathy for others that is refreshing and beautiful.

WE LOVE YOU LILS!!!! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY!!!

I JUST REGISTERED FOR THE CHICAGO MARATHON!!!!

I wanted everyone to see my registration form so they would believe me- I am ready BABY!!! Okay not ready to run yet but by golly I am registered.

Please say prayers that I don't die during training in these next grueling months and I have no injuries. This has been a goal of mine for a long time so I am really pumped to actually be doing it in October.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!