Sledding

Todd had the glorious idea of taking the kids sledding this afternoon. He is seriously the funnest dad-my kids and I are so lucky. He has spent the last 2 days digging us and several others out of our snow storm and still wanted to take the kids to do something fun. I must admit, it was super fun! Luke and Sadie did not STOP smiling for the entire hour and a half that we were there. And it was super cold... but no one wanted to stop. Lots of laughing, lots of fun.

Of course, "fun" dad has to make everything extra "fun" (scary) by making up different ways to go down the hill. The best wreck of the day came when he tried a triple-decker (Todd on bottom, then Luke, then Sadie -like a little cherry- on top). Of course, resistance from me is futile. I thought it would end with a bloody nose or at least someone crying, but the kids were having a blast, even as they almost died as their father smeared them into the snow as they crashed. They also did headfirst, upside-down double-decker. Super exciting for me. Good thing we have health insurance.

We went for Starbucks non-fat, no whip, kids-temp peppermint hot chocolate after. Perfect ending to a great afternoon with the kids.

Thanksgiving 2010- The Year of the Sick

Playing angry ducks on the iphone..

Dad is THE MAN

Sophie after Todd got done decorating her.

It wouldn't happen if she just moved sometimes.

Again, with the angry birds on the iphone

Luke helping mom..

Luke freakin' his freak because he just realized how high up he was..

Luke post freak-out

Trying to get the tree off the ground away from dog and children who act like animals..

Despite not getting to spend time with my "kin" in Neola, this Thanksgiving was not a complete disaster. No one had diarrhea or vomited. Super big deal in this house. We actually had a great time, just our little family. We went out to eat (gasp!!) and loved not having to clean up a bunch of dirty dishes. Although, I will miss the leftover turkey casserole that I LOVE to make for the next day.. Oh well.. After lunch, we came home and hung out. Hanging out means, Todd plays "angry ducks"on his iphone with boys or they play a little Halo. Todd spear-headed getting all of the Christmas decorations out of the spare room in the basement. Maddie napped and the toddlers didn't (too excited with all of the Christmas decorations out). Sadie dried some dishes. Put up the old "fake" tree (Maddie says I am ruining Christmas because I bought a fake tree). Really fun to have everyone (including Todd) home to do Christmas prep together. I made two pies because I felt like a bad mom for not baking anything on Thanksgiving. Grandma and Grandpa Ashby came over and we had some pie and watched "Modern Family" which, I must say, is the funniest show, EVER! SOOOO FUN!!

My beautiful herd before we went out to eat...

And now the diarrhea..

Yes, this post is about diarrhea.  Wow, I can even spell it correctly.  

Apparently, I have not just a sick mattress (as in this post), but I have a sick house.  Luke's fabulous projectile vomiting has progressed to profuse diarrhea.  Super exciting.  Todd thinks he probably has the rotavirus.  AWESOME!! Which means my Thanksgiving plans are "DOWN THE TOILET" (fitting isn't it).  We won't be dashing thru the snow to Grandma Farms house, and probably won't be able to get to see any other family members because we obviously need to be kept away from other humans.  

Kids- devastated.  Me- frustrated.  Luke- dehydrated.  

Perfect storm for a joyous and splendid day of Thanksgiving.   

Luke may get this roll of personalized toilet paper in his stocking this Christmas...

Various Fun and Nonsense

Sadie's Rapunzel look.

Her hair is covering her naked bum.

That is the "sick bed" behind her.

Or should I say "sick mattress"

Dusk today was gorgy-o-so!

I got a little snap-happy today because it was so gorgeous outside. Had a lot of fun with the kids playing in the snow. I know I probably should have been responsible and kept their little sick bodies inside, but I just couldn't do that to them.  It called to us all.."Come! Play!" I couldn't resist.   

Freakin' Freak

I went to a Court of Honor tonight for Tanner.  Todd stayed home with the kids because he wasn't feeling good (could have been the confetti vomit that was spewed all over him).  Now, what follows is a true story. Not one bit of exaggeration.

I walked in at about 5:00.  At about 5:03 p.m. , my phone begins vibrating.  It is my dear husband.

"Luke just puked all over our room."

What have I done? Or not done? Is Luke trying to send me a message or is this Todd's way of keeping me home?

All I know is next time I leave the house, I will not be answering the phone-NO MATTER WHAT.

Photo Shoot in the First Snow

Had myself a good time in the snow with my kiddos.  I actually am now officially excited for Christmas.  These cute little faces and all of their excited questions about Santa ("Why does he live in the North Pole?" "Why does he come down the chimney?" "Why can't Rudolph live in our city?" "How many more days until Santa comes?") can't help but get me excited.  I do love this time of year and this beautiful snowstorm we had was just too good to pass up.  I am sure I overexposed all of the pictures, but I AM an amateur so all I can say is OH WELL!