Deck the Halls

So It is that time of year, and we dug the tree out of the storage shed.  it is pre-lit so it was a major time (and aggravation) saver.  We pulled the ornaments out and let the kids have at them to explore while i decorate.



yes, i know there is a section of lights out, but i can't find the dead bulb to replace it, so i left it



say CHEESE!

Since we were home so close to family this year I thought we would celebrate in style (for a 2 year old)  So we met up with cousins and grandparents and went to Chuck E Cheese.  We had balloons and cake and pizza galore.  We played games and ran around and wore out grandpa and grandma.



Ethan, Hermine, Chloe, and Travis





more cake please.

 The older cousins were busy playing as many games as they could possible fit in before they ran out of coins they showed up to grab some cake then off again

Party Time!

So we have a couple of parties back to back. we celebrated cousin Travis' birthday early since Uncle Jared was going to be out of town on a job. The kiddos had a blast. Between the Jump house and pinata, how much more can you ask for. But my children found the food table the best



FOOD!!




guess what he's looking at..




Ethan and Cousin Heath

The boy's had a blast.  I couldn't keep up with Travis long enough when i had my camera to get a picture of the birthday bou :(

Two Years and Counting!

Two years ago today at 910am the Dr put Mr Ethan Martin Pressgrove into my arms.  And they let me take him home!  He has grown so much.  He loves to sing and is usually smiling.  He is learning so much each day and amazes me at the amount of energy that he has.  he loves to read books and the movie Cars, and has started to enjoy the Toy Story series.  He is even starting to like his brother.  He gives the best hugs and kisses and is always willing to share them.  Here is to you Ethan!  We love you!

Chunk or Treat!

So here is the only picture we have of the boys in their Halloween costumes.  We were at the Trunk or Treat at church.  Seconds after this was taken Ethan started puking in the back of Mandy's car.  Sorry Mandy, I hope the smell came out.  Can't you tell they are just thrilled to be in their costumes.

So on actual Halloween day, I decided that we would make cupcakes.  So here is Ethan helping me frost them.  I had turned my back to get something from the fridge, and he had decided to finish sprinkling the cupcakes for me, he knows he did a great job!  just look at that cute smile

Saying goodbye

So when Kevin left for Korea (the 1st time) Delta was kind enough to give us passes to clear security so we could spend more time with him before he left.  So here are a couple of pictures of that.  Keep im mind these were taken around 4AM

Bitter Sweet

So as you all know, we lost Mom unexpectedly this past September.  It is hard to believe that it has been two and a half months already.  There are days that it seems so long ago, and there are days that it seems as if just happened the day before.  But we continue on.  Here are some photos of  the viewing in TX (there were some family pictures taken that I would like a copy of for those who have them please), the road trip to UT, and some of the graveside (after the services).  My cousin Syd, was kind enough to take pictures during the graveside services, I just have to see if she would be willing to email some of them for me.  I do have to mention how greatful I am for Kevin's mom for coming in the middle of the night so i would not be alone and staying with us until we returned from UT.  She dropped everything and stayed with us for two weeks with out hesitation.

more growing

Here are some more random pictures of what we have been up to.  I still have to download pictures off my cell phone for the airshow and what ever else is on there.

As Time Goes by

So over the last couple of months life hasgone on.  What can I say kids grow they play bills still need to be paid.  Unfortunatly, we can't just hide under the covers all day and pretend that the events of the last couple of months never happened, but they did.
So her are some random photos of what we have been up to. (They are in no particular order)

cousin Heath's 1st birthday party

double the bubbles

 

why cry over spilled milkshakes

what's for dinner hot stuff?



This is my chair...



This is my brain on Diet Coke.....any questions?

Well, the last couple of months I have kind of been in a funk.  Between Mom passing, Mandy's father-in-law passing 3 1/2 weeks later, Kevin going back to Korea (only 46 more weeks to go), and 2 kids that decide to get sick two days after Kevin leaves i haven't felt like doing much of anything.  I don't remember what it is like to sleep through the night or to wake up with what sleep i was able to get with out two small children in bed (one of which i don't remember taking out of the crib and bringing to bed with me).  I doesn't look like much is getting done, even though i spend most of my days doing laundry, dishes, and changing diapers.  Can i just tell you how much I miss the cleaning lady.
I crave nap time for the boys, the trick is to get them back on the same nap schedule so i might get a nap.  Ethan sadly has begun to out grow naps.  It is becoming a rare occasion that i can get him to go down, and it never fails with in minutes of him going down, Blayne is awake.   And if i can get Ethan down, it is no longer the 2 1/2 hr naps he once took, but more around an hour. 
 Then there is dealing with Mom's "stuff". That is a catagory all it's own, and there are days I just want to pull my hair out.
My goal of quiting diet coke is now on the back burner, it is what get's me to the end of the day most days.
This week I have started going back to the gym.  With the supervised play room for the kids, i think this will be part of an almost daily routine.  If for no other reason than to keep my sanity and for some mommy time.  It has been about two months, and i can tell when i get on the treadmill that i can't jog or run as long as i used to, but i can now run/jog for 2 1/2 minutes without holding on for dear life and wanting to pass out or cry.  I can then finish my time by walking, now up to 35min. ( i was up to 60min).
All I know is that it is going to be a very LONG year.