MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Hello and Merry Christmas! I haven't been in much of a christmassy mood lately. Mainly i guess because i was upset that my house isn't finished so we can have Christmas in it. But, i finally realized that it didn't matter how hard i tried, it just couldn't physically be done by Christmas. So, i chilled! I've also learned that the best photos are the ones rushed. I made this photo of the boys very quickly actually. I was upset at myself for not having it done yet so Chris and I threw these clothes on the boys and took them outside while at the lake for Thanksgiving. It was almost dark and i just shot away. I wasn't crazy about Skyler's face but it's really him!!!!!!!!! He was looking at his DADDY!!!!!!!! Chris was alot of help and realized how difficult it is to get two 3 1/2 year olds to stay in one spot. But, the best photos are not positioned, we just told them to put their hands in their pockets and VOILA!!!!!!!!!

Back to Christmas! Who out there reading this is really sick of the hustle and bustle of Christmas????? I am! Every year i feel exhausted and beaten - i feel like we loose the true meaning and all we care about are presents. So, just remember why we celebrate - Jesus' birth is the true meaning. HIS birth set everything in motion! Don't forget Jesus' birthday on this Christmas!

Hope you all have a great one and i look forward to a Great, New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catching up - starting at Halloween

I know, i'm behind on photos! But, here are some halloween photos of our little lions. Skyler wasn't happy much - all he cared about was if Ty was going to get his seat in the van. Literally, they ran from houses to the van, fighting on who was going to get there first! They didn't care much about the trick or treating. But, we did have fun at the church festival. I don't have those pictures for the blog. But at least you can see the lions. Aren't they the cutest? LOL

Hang in there with me....

Sorry, i've been so busy with the house and work that i haven't even uploaded any Halloween costume photos. I know, i'm sorry. They were sooooo cute too! So, i promise, this week, i'm going to get you some photos.

The house is coming along. This week we should have power, hardwood installed and cabinets installed. I'm hoping that by next week, tile is down and the plumber can get us finished up, and carpet put down. i promise i'll post photos for that also. May be next week though.

Please pray we are in by Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!! I need my sanity back!!!!!!!!!

Men in Trees!

Well, i knew one day it would happen, they'd begin to climb trees! Luckily they couldn't move once they got there and they smiled for photos. Here they are- my men in Trees!

Loving my new zoom!

Bit the bullet and bought a zoom lens that i'd been wanting. It's the Nikkor 80-200 f2.8. I couldn't be happier!!! Here are a few from Sunday while playing outside. I also have some of them in the tree outside at mom's house that i'll post later. They were really great shots of the boys but i didn't have time to do them all today. Just decided to crop a few throw them in a collage and post! So, i'll get those on here a bit later!

House update - we are painting! Praise God! Hopefully i'll have some photos of that by next week sometime! YEAH!

House has trim!!!!!!!!!

Here is an updated house photo. The trim is on the house now! Most of it anyway. I think one of those doghouses is still needing trim, but all in all, it's coming together. The front door is closed on this one but it isn't stained yet. I think it is my favorite part of the house-truly. It will be stained a very dark chocolate like the trim is. They are priming the inside - so i'm finishing up my color selection here. My dining room is going to be apple green! Then alot of the house has blues and chocolates in it. I love blue and chocolate!!!!!!! The floors will be a VERY dark hardwood - i mean dark! YEAH! I'm going to have to get one of those little robots to clean it. I hear they are amazing and practically clean the floors for you so you never have to sweep or mop as much. I LOVE that idea!!!!! Now, if they'll only, cook, clean the showers and tubs and pick up after my 3 men, i'd be in business!!!!!!!!! I'd pay alot for that robot!! Also, the brick is going to be cleaned in a week or so......AND that port-o-potty won't be there when we move in either!!!!!!!! Isn't it beautiful?????

Gotta run and get back to working! TTYL!

House Update!

Hey everybody! Alot has happened he house since my last post about the windows. Of course, if it hadn't been for the mess up on our windows, i'd be living in the house by now, but who's upset about that!!!! LOL! Here's a shot of the front of the house (at the wrong time of day for sunlight)! but as you will notice, the boys LOVE building a house because they get to play in the sand that is supposed to be for the mortar. I'm sure the brick layers came to work the next day and wondered why their sand had been spread everywhere and had little truck marks in it. But, the boys had a blast. Now, my story on how i had to get them home.... in these photos they are still somewhat clean. After about 15 minutes in the sand, they were so NASTY, i had to put them both in garbage bags from their feet to their armpits and buckle them in. They thought it was HILARIOUS and cool to be in a garbage bag! Now, that is what i should have gotton a photo of!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well, next time!

Who needs a Sky N Ty Fix?

I've heard that some people need a Skyler and Tyler FIX!!!!!!!!!! Well here's one. I desperately needed a photgraphy fix since being in the basement. I haven't taken ALOT of photos while we have been in Mom and Dad's basement - FORGIVE ME! Mainly, we are so busy with the house every weekend! It's beginning to work on my nerves! But, Chris and I got out in the yard with the boys on Sunday and i took some shots and made a little collage with them. It was absolutely beautiful on Sunday and the weather was PERFECT!!!!!!! I loved the color I got on these shots so much that it will be hanging in my NEW house soon! YEAH!

Tommorrow - Update and photos of the house (hopefully)

Off to the beach with the girls!!!!!!

I am sooooo off to the beach with about 10 girlfriends!!!!!!!!!! Yes, i know, don't be jealous! I am so excited I cannot even tell you how much. Last year and into the beginning of 2006, we began a prayer group. We would meet about once a week. The first few weeks, we read "The Power of a Praying Wife". The the next little series we did was "The Frantic Female". I missed a good bit of those so i didn't learn alot there. That was the beginning of our move and living in our little dark hole in the basement. So, i don't think i can overcome "Frantic" until i get a bit more space to live in :) But, this weekend is about "just us". A break from all that comes with being a wife and a mommy 24/7. I know i will really miss Chris and the boys so much. And by the time i get home, 3 days will have been too long. But, sometimes you need to get away so that you come back "REFRESHED". And i really need "REFRESHING". So, I'll try to write on Monday and hopefully i have some photos to share!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I fell in love in Tupelo!

Yes, Chris is from Tupelo but i fell in love with Charlotte Russe in Tupelo Mississippi over a Christmas run to the mall. Why am i telling you this? Well, because we have one in Birmingham now! Yah! There it was in Brookwood Village yesterday as i walked by. I couldn't believe it. I had wished for one for so long! And there it was. So, for all of you who love the Russe, stop by! It's here in Birmingham now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, i can tell!!!!!!!!!!!

It has almost killed me but i was sworn to silence until today. I was finally told that i could say "I'm gonna be an aunt!" The shirt says it all but i know that everyone is wondering who's having the baby! And i know Caris and Brandon are screaming - "Not US!" and Kelly and Casey are also screaming "Not US!" So, the only ones left are Andy and Lacy! YES! So, Andy and Lacy came over about 4 weeks ago and wondered if the boys were still awake and said they had bought them a present. Well, when they arrived they quietly got the boys in the next room while we were all talking and then they ran in with the shirts on! It was exciting. They are excited. Lacy and Andy wanted to wait until 10 weeks or so to tell anyone. And you know me, being sworn to silence was KILLING me! So, finally i can shout that Chris and i are going to be Aunt Audrea and Uncle Chris!

Oh and I will always have GUM!!!!!!!!! (excerpt from Monica on Friends)

First day of Preschool

A few weeks ago we began preschool. It went really well! They boys were so excited the night before that they layed in their beds awake until 10:30!!!!!!!!!!!! Then, they both woke up really early. I was really hoping that didn't happen every morning. And thankfully it hasn't. They are in Ms. Angelia's room and they love it. They didn't even tell me goodbye the first morning. They ran in and started talking to the other boys and girls like they had known them forever! And thankfully, i'm glad they do that. But, it also made me a little sad that they didn't worry or even ask where i was. Now Logan on the other hand, really loves his mommy! He is pictured here with the boys (showing off his dinosaur skills). We all knew it was going to be hard and he was going to cry. But, he only cried a little while. The teacher grabbed Logan and i grabbed Starla. LOL! Just kidding, it had to be hard to leave a crying child that you have rarely left since his birth. But, after a few days, he was telling her goodbye and running to be with the other kids. Starla seemed fine too! And she's very glad to have some alone time!

He was born on May 15th and the boys on May 17th. It's very funny to see these photos of the boys with Logan. She and i were pregnant together from beginning to end. Talking daily, and i mean TALKING, and TALKING, and TALKING! We know alot about each other. Things we'll never tell others - right Starla? LOL! Like what green apples are great for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And how appalled my mother was to find out that Craig was in the room when Kendra did the sonar to find out the sex of the babies!!!!!!!!!! Oh how funny that was! (inside joke) But, to see these three playing and becoming friends is really cool! Maybe they'll be as good of friends as she and I are!

Sorry about the shotty photos. It was very bright and i was having a bad photo day i guess. Plus, i'm too lazy today to edit them any.

I know my header photo is gone...

Blogger merged with Google. So, Google users were able to switch over to the Beta version for Blogger. So, i did. And for most everything - it's much easier to use! Meaning i don't have to write the custom html to make mine look different that other peoples. Yeah! Except for one thing, i cannot (as of yet) do custom html for the header section- so therefore my header is gone. But, Google said it's being fixed. So, hold on and i'll get that back up soon! And maybe, just maybe it will be a different photo this time! We'll see!!!!!!!

(#%^#@$(^&$%^*%&

That was about the house we are building. Now, i know that i am blessed to be building a house and i am very, very thankful! But, wow, it is amazing that anyone gets a house built these days! If it isn't one thing, it's another..... I posted a photo of what our house looked like 6 weeks ago. And the only difference in it now is that it has shingles on it and a few of the windows are in. Did you notice i said a few windows? Well, that is the problem! For some reason, we cannot seem to get all our windows in this house! They were ordered 6 weeks ago, yes i said 6 weeks - FOR WINDOWS!!!!!!!!!! So, when you don't have window in - you cannot brick, and when you cannot brick - you cannot sheetrock! UGH!!!!!!!!!!! Now, i'm just the one that is listening to all of this happening, because my WONDERFUL husband is LIVING it! He has really kept his cool too! Very Jesus like! And i'm not sure I would have done that. Although, he has taught me some things through watching him in these situations. He has showed me how proud i am of him and that I CAN be JESUS like even when i want to blow my top! So, all in all - if this is all that goes wrong, we are going to be ok. But, i really want to move into this house by the end of October!!!!!!!!! Please Lord!!!!!!!!!! Ok, thanks for listening guys!

He loves to look at himself.......

He can't help it, look at him - he's just too cute! Yes, he loves to look at himself. I shot this photo of him when he grabbed my sister's camera the other night. He proceeded to take everyone's photo after that. We had to stop him after that because he sort of just thought the camera was his at that point. And then the other night, Chris told me that my mom caught him with another camera. He had went to tee tee by himself and when she found him, he was WITH CAMERA!!!!! There's no telling how long he had the camera and where he took it!. So, i think i have hooked one and i'm pulling him in - he's going to love this joy i call "PHOTOGRAPHY!"

Sunday School Lake Party Part 2

Sunday School Lake Party

We had a great time at the lake a few weeks ago. Although there were only 4 couples that were able to come, we still had a good time. Adam & Charlene Ritch, Me & Chris, Adam & Crystal Russell and Craig & Starla Fowler. We watched a movie and played on the lake. In addition to EATING GOOD! Here are some photos i took of us on the lake playing. I believe that Craig drove the boat when Chris rode the tube - and you'll see why i told you that when you see the photos...

Also, did you know that there have been reports from divers that the Catfish by the dam are as big as "doodlebugs"? I promise that i have been told that!

And Charlene is ALOT years younger than ALL of us!!! Inside Joke!!!!!

Hopefully the whole class can get together this fall to watch a game on the Plasma. Well, the guys are really into that one anyway!!!!!!! Us girls can talk and lay out by the lake and pool!

Birmingham Area Mothers of Multiples Garage Sale Info

Ok, as most of you know, i'm a member of BAMOM. www.bamom.org. Anyway, we have a HUGE garage sale twice a year and it's coming up again. It's our fall sale and you are all invited. Now, in order to get in early, you'll need the invitation located at the link above and just put my name on it at the bottom!

Hope to see you all there!

Why i love to scrapbook

Sometimes when i think about why i scrapbook or when someone asks me why i scrapbook. I get this overwhelming feeling in me to tell them why i do it. It's passion for me. Mainly because when my mother and father pass on one day, all i have are photos of them. I do try to listen to stories of the past, but what would be so much better than that????????? Words with those photos! Add a little art and WOW! That is why i scrapbook. My boys already look at their scrapbooks. They love it! And they don't just look - they ask me questions. THAT is the gratification that i get from scrapbooking. And one day, when i'm gone, they will have the photos and scrapbook pages that i put my heart and soul into......... And they will have something to hold on to and read about their past with me, their daddy and their family. I am so passionate about this! Can you tell yet? And for those of you that say "I'm not creative." It's not about creativity, it's about what you feel. PUT THAT ONTO A PAGE! Even if it's only words and a photo stuck on with double sided sticky tape. It would be worth it to your family one day when you are gone........

Well, one more reason.........you get some quiet time alone - even if for a little while........

So, with that said-stay tuned, because i'm going to begin posting some of my layouts. Maybe it will inspire someone to start this wonderful craft called SCRAPBOOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Beach Photos

Ok, i'm posting twice today since my family wants to see a few beach photos. I have a few that i had time to get off my camera and post on here. I'll post more later. These are the photos that i went to the beach for. And of all things, we waited until the last day, on the way to eat to take these. AND, my camera battery was about to go dead. I was almost in tears. So, this is why they are not my best. But......at least i got a few before it went dead. Here are two of them. I actually got a shot with me and then took one of Chris with the boys too. They were all rushed. I'll post more later!