Ellie, Turner, and Beckett: 2012

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Beck's Birthday Party

By a stroke of luck, it was 70 degrees for Beck's party. Craig, Ellie and I have been sick, so while we originally planned to have everyone inside - we decided to move the bulk of it to the garage and front yard. In addition, we aired out the house (to get the germs and the smell of lysol out). We invited Sarah and Dave's clan, Shar, Zach and Rieley, and Jennifer and Dave's family. While just a small number it left us with kids ranging from 22mo to 7years. I got nervous about entertaining them all and probably went overboard. I called Lowes about 2 weeks ago and got some boxes. I ended up coming across an engine (thanks to Shar) and made a train (supposed to be Thomas). Set up a ticket booth and collected clothing for the kids to play the different rolls.

the setup

Beck's Happy Birthday crossing sign

Big boy letting everyone know he was 2.

A little happier to see cupcakes this year. (and no puking - thankfully)

smiling for the camera

everyone playing happily. almost there : )

We had a good time but we were wiped afterwards.

Brooklyn Marie is HERE

We got the call on the 7th that Michael was going to be induced, and on the morning (early) of the 8th - Charlie and Michael welcomed Brooklyn Marie to the world. She is beautiful and has a full head of hair. 7lb 13oz and 21in long. Everyone is doing well!

Beck Birthday

For Beck's birthday, we put up his birthday banner (thanks Nuna) and hung some balloons on his bedroom door. The kids had fun with it in the morning. After breakfast, we opened a couple of presents. He wasn't sure what to do at first but he started to get into it. : ) Then he headed off to school to celebrate. He took cookies in since I figured we would have cupcakes on Saturday for his party. Plus, Craig, Ellie and I have been under the weather - it has made for a rough week. Happy Birthday big boy.

Beck's TWO

Sweet Beck, I can't believe you are 2. You are so ready to be as big as Ellie and Turner and I can't stand it. I am not ready for you to grow up, yet you already want to be put down to walk yourself into buildings and not hold my hand in parking lots. Like Turner you love Thomas the train and Cars. Your only words relate to this love: car, vroom, woot-woot : ) Hopefully, your vocabulary will grow leaps and bounds this year, because like most two your olds you have your own opinions and you really only seem to get upset when you can't convey them. You still give the sweetest sugar, even grabbing both sides of my face before planting a kiss and giving hugs. And no one can get you laughing like Turner. We love you bud, Happy Birthday!

Birthday Boy letting everyone know he's 2

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

1st Birthday

Beck Learns By

telepathy

Sorry, this might not be funny to anyone else, but after putting E&T to bed we came back to get Beck and he was playing with his toy - it was talking to him and instead of pushing a button he just donked his forehead down on it. May be a "had to be there" moment.

The Pledge of Allegiance

One day, Ellie just burst out with the Pledge of Allegiance - I wasn't even aware that she was learning it in school (Turner's class doesn't recite it). I had to record her little voice saying it - I think it is the sweetest sound : )

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a pretty low key Thanksgiving this year. Celine and Katie joined us, we had a good meal. A little early since I thankfully was watching our turkey closely (I used the time from one recipe and the temp from another - could have been disastrous but saved (phew)). Craig and I both went out for a run that morning, and with dinner early we weren't stuffed at bed time. Probably the first year that I feel like I didn't overindulge in food.

Friday we decorated the street, Katie (our resident artist) even getting into the action. : )

Then on Saturday, we found this little kid's dream. About a year ago on our way to Celine and Katie's one day we noticed there was a quarter midget track just north of us. Craig looked into it a couple of weeks ago and it turns out they were having their nationals this weekend. We loaded up and headed up to the track. Turner was in heaven and now of course wants to race. So looks like if all works out with Craig's travel schedule, Turner will go to racing school in February. I am excited for him, and a little nervous too. Stay tuned.

These two had more fun playing in the gravel. : ) I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving too.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

I Love When They Love Each Other

(which is thankfully a lot and often!)

okay mom they're choking me!

Doin' MAN work

On Sunday, Shar and Zach brought down a splitter that they had acquired for the weekend, for Craig to finish splitting our wood from the tree that we took down a year and a half ago. To his credit, he had split quite a bit by hand. Turner was excited to get into the action : )

Color Run

Allie came up to visit for the weekend before Thanksgiving and together we ran the color run. It was a quick weekend but we were glad to spend some one on one time with her : ). (Craig and I were also very happy that she entertained the kids Sunday morning so that we could do important things like - make grocery lists : ) )

Pre color

Our running clan

running with 17,000 of our closest friends. They literally let waves like this go about every 10 minutes between 9 and 10:30

post color

we shared the love with Ellie.

post race, me and Allie

with the color girl : )

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Girl's Panthers Game

On Sunday, we ditched the boys and kids to head to our annual game. It was great fun see everyone, just wish the Panther's had a better showing. The weather couldn't be beat, it was 70 and sunny!

A Visit with Charlie and Michael

This past Saturday, we headed down to Greenville, and descended on Michael and Charlie's house for the day. They were ready for us, plan in hand. We first headed to Cleveland park and played hard (we needed to get the wiggles out from the road).

Once we'd run a little we headed for food. Mexican, always a crowd pleaser. Food immediately shows up, usually pretty quick, and Ellie and Turner like it. Sounds like a win-win.

E covered in cheese

T not to be out done.

This little man fell asleep on the ride down to Greenville, so he was a little messed up for nap and couldn't sit still. Charlie took him walking and ended up getting him this hat. Beck was very proud of it!

Michael and Charlie taking a breather while the kids played by the water at the Falls Park in Downtown.

Back at the house we got the kids cleaned up, much needed after being covered in food and playing with their shoes off. Fed them dinner, then Beck decided this was the safest hiding place from the bulldogs (just kidding he loved the dogs, not even Tatum humping him upset him). Loaded the car and headed for home. We enjoyed the visit and hope we weren't entirely chaos for the 8-10 hours we were there. : ) Hard not to be with 3 kids.