Dad's Birthday Present and NEWS!

When John and I went on our first trip to Pittsburgh two years ago, we had caricatures done of us together. The artist, Sam Thong, was amazing and our caricatures looked just like us!

On a couple of occasions John has made the comment that he would really like Sam to do a caricature of the babies. So for John's birthday present, I contacted Sam and emailed him pictures of the kids. Look what he sent back to us! John LOVED it!! (It is a 16X20 pictue. Adam with a book, Avery on her rocking horse, and Aaron playing golf. Notice that everyone has on their Steeler's jerseys and there are footballs everywhere).

I have some news: I will be teaching again starting tomorrow! I have really been contemplating going back to the classroom. John and I agreed it would be a good thing, so I put in my application two weeks ago. The elementary school principal (where I was the principal) called and offered me a long-term sub position while a teacher takes a leave of absence. So, I am taking it!

It may seem weird to some to go back to teaching in the same building where I was a principal. But, I don't see it that way. I enjoyed my time as principal, but I don't want to do it again. I'm in a different place in my life where I just want to enjoy my job and then come home and be with the kids. I don't want to be anyone's boss!

I am very excited! Wish me luck!

Here are some more cute pics of the kids:

New Pics

Aaron lounging on the kid couch. He thinks it belongs ONLY to him!

Sleepy Eyes!

Aaron reading a book while sitting in a basket. Don't try this at home!


The babies' first attempt at feeding themselves oatmeal! They did a great job!
Notice how Cletus is there to help.

Adam being silly!

Poor, Sick Avery---:(

Aaron before going to the StockShow. Don't you love his boots?

The Boys are dressed and ready to go!

Stomach Virus and More Fun Stuff!

Ok....I have to be honest. Somewhere in the depths of me I was terrified that taking the kids to the Bounce House place would cause them to get sick. I even commented to my real estate business partner that I was sure the place had a high disease infestation. Can you imagine all of the snotty noses on those slides? I'm really NOT germ-phobic, just a realist!


My fears came true when Avery started puking at 2 AM last Saturday (1/10) morning. Poor baby...she threw up four times before 8:30 AM! We had to let her go 8 hours on just liquids (without vomitting) before she could eat. We all went to the stock show that day because she seemed fine. She ate some toast that night before bed, but did throw up a little Sunday. Luckily, by the end of the day Sunday, she was eating bland food. Then, the pooping began. I had no idea one little child could cause that much laundry.


As Avery was recovering, Sunday afternoon (1/11) Adam spiked a 103.6 fever. After 24 hours of fever over 102 he had gotten dehydrated, so we had to take him to Cook's ER for IV fluids. Poor kid had blood drawn, and then IV fluids for 3 hours! We finally got home at 12:30 Monday morning. Thank God Taylor was home to take care of the other two!

While we were at the hospital with Adam, I was doing everything I could to not be sick! I had already laid down for a while that day because I felt like the stomach virus had gotten to me. Yuck! Then, poor Taylor got it on Wednesday of that same week! John and Aaron seemed to escape all the illness!

By Friday of last week, it seemed that everyone had recovered! (My parents came down for the weekend, and unfortunately, got sick too!) Otherwise, we had a great weekend. John and I took the kids to Dino World Sunday at lunch, and then we watched the Steeler's win the AFC Championship game! Here we go to the Super Bowl!!!

I have new pics, but they are on my camera! I will get them downloaded and posted.

Bounce House Fun!

We went to this COOL place today called "Going Apes" in Burleson. It is a building that is full of different types of bounce houses! (As well as an arcade, snack bar, and private party rooms). They have a toddler area with smaller toys, but the kids could go on any bounce house. They loved it! Adam liked sliding, but really did not like the way the houses gave way under his feet. I think he found it frustrating. Avery would run around in them, fall, and laugh! Aaron liked it too, and had this silly smile on his face the whole time!


Poor Taylor climbed up this steep bounce house a hundred times to let the kids slide down. I climbed a few times, but I was mostly in charge of pictures! Aaron and Adam preferred to be held as they would slide, but not our fearless one. Once Taylor would get her to the top, she would just walk over to the slide and fly down face first!!

Here are their videos on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiH4yOvXNoA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5pvaZNjo2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FejWT1TaBcc

Goofing around the house...

The kids are so funny!! They are really interacting with each other, as well as with us.

Adam thinks it's fun to sneak up behind you and scare you. Also, that kid absolutely LOVES numbers! He loves to count, and he will want you to read his number book to him over and over. Last night he fell and hurt his hand. He was really crying, and Aaron did not like it at all! I took Adam to the other room to calm him down, and Aaron cried loudly until we came back. After they both calmed down, Aaron kept patting Adam on the head. It is really neat to see the interaction between them. Here are a few cute pics of Adam.

What can you say about Avery? I had wanted her to be independent....well, I got my wish plus some! She is a very sweet-natured, happy little girl. She doesn't say much, but has a laugh that will bring you to your knees! She is a girlie-girl and loves to wear other people's shoes. Here are some pics of her in Taylor's boots. Also, she fell asleep in Dad's chair yesterday before dinner...she looked so sweet!

Aaron...Or "Aar-Ron P" as we call him. He is the jokester, the ham, the one with a temper. They will be down for nap and you will hear him saying "Uh, oh...Uh, oh" when he throws his pacifier over the railing. Or when he is supposed to be sleeping, I will open their bedroom door to find him standing up in bed. As soon as he sees an adult, he starts laughing. Cracks us up!! He definitely is quick to anger, but quick to laugh it off. He also loves to eat!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Last week was very busy and exciting! The kids were showered with gifts from friends and family--and Santa too! It was very fun to see them explore their new toys!!

I think their favorite gift was a small couch. They crawl, jump, sit, and fall all over it! Avery will push it up to our couch, and then fall from the big couch to the little one! She has NO fear at all!

Here are some pictures of the exciting day. The first picture is of the kids Christmas Eve when we went to look at Christmas lights.

I hope that everyone's Christmas was great and that you all have a very blessed 2009!!