Chuck E. Cheese Part 2

Last night we went on our second trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Kris was with us this time. I can't get over how much Abram has changed in just the past couple of months. I think it has a lot to do with our playgroup (which have I told you that I am soooooo grateful for?). He is so much more outgoing, and allows himself to be brave and have so much fun. I love it. We had a lot of fun, here are some highlights:
Unsure about Chuck E. but still willing to follow the parade......

Driving game with Daddy.....

The Barney train ride and Aaron making him laugh......

Kris couldn't have said it better "That just makes me want to wipe his mouth with a disinfectant wipe!" Note: We have never watched Barney......

and some basketball.......

Dancin' Machine.....

This is so my child..................

Field Trip Time Again!!

Today we went to the McWane Center in Birmingham. It was so much fun!! Everything there was perfect for our kids-and they had SO MUCH FUN!!!

The Weather Barometer....

I know- I am a bloggin fool today. Anyways, I think that our family is a bit of a weather barometer (am I even using the right word?). We seem to always want to go on walk right before it storms-seriously-our neighbors must think we are freaks. It looks fine out for a short walk, but before you know it there we are in the rain. This being said, "Fay" has made it so that we have been 4 straight days-all day with rain. This is not so convenient with a toddler as I am sure you are well aware. Well, it stopped for a while this evening and we decided this was our window-we were getting out of the house and walking!!
Here we are so excited about the break in the storm.....


We had a blast, talking, singing songs, etc. And then it started to drizzle, and when we were on the home stretch-our street-it started to pour. Kris said we should turn the jogging stroller around backwards so that the rain wouldn't hit Abram in the face. So there we are stroller backwards, each of us with a hand on it running home-Abram screaming and laughing like this is the best ride ever. Obi, just excited for any movement not inside and Kris and I laughing as we are getting soaked knowing that our neighbors are inside watching us shaking their heads thinking "There go those crazy Raisors." Needless to say, we didn't make it.

P.S. Yes, I am laughing at how ridiculous that picture of me with the dark clouds that look like they are about to open up and drench us is. It didn't look that bad in person. Oh well.

The Great Playdough Experiment.....

Step 1: Open the playdough....

Step 2: Drink water after tasting the playdough and realizing maybe that's not what you do with it......

Step 3: Try to figure out what you are supposed to do with this stuff....

Step 4: Have a little bit of an emotional breakdown when you are told "no" when you throw it on the floor.....

Step 5: Scream with enjoyment when your mother shows you how to make the ever so creative snake....

Step 6: Make a decision that this playdough stuff might not be a bad thing afterall....

Newly Developed Talents

In March/April I went to try on dresses for my sisters wedding. At the store there was a little girl that became Abram's friend and tried to teach him to jump. It was quite the scene. He thought he was so cool, he would get in squatting position I would count to three and he would shoot up.....but never leave the ground. He loved it and would do it over and over. Well, in the past month or so-he has turned into quite the little jumping bean......

Basil Bush?

If anyone is in need of fresh basil....seriously. Remember this little tiny plant that was bought at the grocery store? Well with a little re-potting (twice) and a lot of rain (Fay) this is what happens. I put Abram's ball next to it for a size comparison. It's time I replanted the parsley as well. "Where is the oregano?" you ask, we don't talk much about it-may it rest in peace.

Self-Portrait

Thanks to "Fay" it has been raining and raining and raining. A tornado touched down in our town today. I haven't heard if there was any damage. I am thankful we are safe, but we are bored, so there might be more "creative" pics taken by Abram to come.

Friends......

Abram loves his playgroup friends. But there is one imparticular that he gets really excited to see (well 2, but the other is in school). When we all meet up the girls automatically squeal their cute high pitch screams of excitement to see each other. And today Abram felt a little left out, that is, until his buddy Grayson got there. Then the party began. He was so excited and they immediately started chasing each other and running and exploring. I can't tell you how it melts my heart to see them be so sweet to each other. Now, don't get me wrong-there are days when sharing doesn't seem to be an option. But, for the most part they get along really well. Here are some pics I took today:

The chase begins....



Laughing at each other for no reason.....

Playin' in the water......

One Wild Weekend.......

It is so lame when you don't remember that you have a camera specifically for taking pictures of weekends like we just had. It was action packed. Friday night we had game night at our house-SO MUCH FUN and pure craziness because I thought "Sure we can do it with all of our kids, it'll be great." And although the kids were really good, we all agreed next time, we would have babysitters. It was a little bit of madness, but still really fun- we all get along really well-even with the trash talking. Oh, and of course the girls whooped up on the boys in catchphrase-did you really need to ask?
Saturday Abram's very good friend Grayson had a birthday party at a gymnastics center!! It was awesome, and Abram had a BLAST! I am SO MAD, that the one in charge of taking pictures "forgot" or didn't want to come downstairs to get the camera. Major photo opportunities missed. Abram was all over the trampoline, this crazy mat slide, running on the long trampoline and jumping into the pit. Every time I threw him into the pit I held my breath for the reaction which would always be a laugh and then an "Oh man!" and climbing out for the next throw. We had such a great time, and Abram loves his friends, we are so grateful for the awesome friends we have made here. That night we went to a cookout at some friends from church. Finally some pictures on this airplane/see saw they had in the backyard. We were so worn out after this weekend, and now all of our kids are sick-who knows where it started, but I think it might have had something to do with Abram.......

8 Years Down.......

(engagement pic)

(Nashville Temple)

....Forever to go! Happy Anniversary to us!

Remember When.....

a bubble bath was the coolest thing in the world? Okay, I still think it is, and so does Abram.

Confession......

I rented this movie for the preview of the movie Twilight. I decided to watch it because I had spent the money to rent it. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!! Every girl should see this movie!!!! Seriously, it was such a feel good movie about self esteem and loving who you are. Rent it and let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: For those with young children:there is a bar scene in the movie, which they could have done in a coffee shop-I dunno. Just weird in a PG rated family movie, so you may want to watch beforehand if you are worried about it.

Laundry

Sometimes it can be fun......

I know....I know......

SO maybe you are getting sick of Abram and Obi pics. But seriously, we had some friends over to play today and after they left Abram was soooo tired and ready for a nap. His thing is to go find Obi and lay across his back and just lay there face down until Obi gets up and moves, then he will follow Obi, lay on him, etc. While I was on the phone, Obi gave up after the 5th time and sat by the couch, Abram put his legs up and laid there.........he hadn't moved for 5 minutes and I took a picture. He almost fell asleep!!! I woke him by taking the picture!!! I am so grateful he loves Obi so much.

Bizarre.....

So I was messing with the camera, and made a weird discovery. Some (not very many anymore) say that Abram looks like me, some say that he looks like Kris. However, after taking some close ups.......


I found that he has traits of both, but it looks like we all have the exact same color of eyes!! All of us have eyes that change colors (blue and green). Oh and pardon the fact that these aren't the best pics of any of us, I guess I could have just cropped our eyes, but that might look a little freaky. Instead, I will try to distract you by putting a cute/funny pic of what happens when you build a fort out of cushions......

GNO- Oh Mama Mia!!!

Friday night was a much needed Girls Night Out!!!! We went out to eat.........



Saw the movie Mama Mia-Drea I wish that you were there with me!!! There were a lot of people with us (more than pictured) but out of all of us-3 of us liked it, everyone else didn't. Oh well, their loss for not being able to break it down with me (which I ended up doing by myself, but I am okay with that). Though I have to say, Pierce Brosnan (sp?) much better James Bond than guy in a musical. I couldn't help but snicker every time he sang.

And then.........dun dun DUN....... to the bookstore for the release of BREAKING DAWN!!!!!!!!!!!


I wish that along with our enthusiasm, I would have taken pictures of the line that was wrapped around the entire store!!!!



I thought I was a die hard fan, until I was surrounded by teeny boppers that were dressed up in costumes and whopping me in trivia. And that is where I have been, in my room all weekend reading. Don't worry, I won't spoil it for all those who are still reading. But feel free to leave comments if you have already finished. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who was pretty much a single dad yesterday and this morning so I could finish. He is awesome. And I think he might have been a little scared by the look on my face when he tried to interrupt my reading.