Making Progress - one week to go!

Packing is in full swing!!!

One week until the boys and I leave NC for home!!!

Is it really snowing up there? (~sigh~) The things we do for love and family! :)

Can't wait to see you all!

Family Photos

Earlier this week we had family photos taken! Alex was kind enough to barter his carpentry skills in exchange for a portrait session (Love bartering! Love that Alex was willing! Thanks babe!)

We are very excited to share the results! Now, how to narrow it down to our favorites to have printed??? Would love to hear your votes everyone.



P.S If you need our username it's Nord and the password is 23737. (Not sure it you'll need it.)

Kidapalooza 2010

We are officially recuperating from Kidapalooza 2010!
Last week our house was abuzz with 5 little boys between the ages of 2 and 6. We were outnumbered 5 kids to 3 adults as my best friend Sue and her three boys, ages 6, 4 and 2 visited us in North Carolina. It was an absolute riot! :)

A few of the highlights for the boys:

• Staying the night in a hotel with a pool enroute from MI to NC.
• Visiting the newly renovated Discovery Place
• Chuck E Cheese
• Monkey Joe's (a place full of bounce houses)
• The Monster Buster Club theme song dance party (I wish I could post the video!)
• Playing in the backyard inflatable pool, in the front yard, at the park
• 4 boys racing on Mario Cart for the Wii together

The biggest highlight for the adults:

• Naptime!

Admittedly, going into this, I had visions of the adults staying up late, enjoying adult beverages, talking about grown-up things, maybe watching a movie or two. I figured naptime would be much of the same. In reality, I think we were more tired than the kids. We adults also napped each day and promptly went to bed not long after the boys each night. I think I'll be catching up on sleep for a while.

Despite how tiring this vacation-week was, I loved being around their youthful energy. Even more, I loved seeing the boys enjoying the chance to play together again. As someone that often moved away from childhood friends, it was nice to see that the distance between them these last nine months has not diminished the bonds of friendship that they share.

I may be tired, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.... maybe next year we expand the invitation list to 7 or 8 kids! :)

*note: to protect the online privacy of those kids that are not mine, I have excluded pictures of their faces. In case you wonder why I posted pics of only the backs of their heads. :)

Good bye old friend

Bovine

August 1995 - July 2010

Roller Skates here we come!

Jeremy tried Roller Skating for the first time recently.

He did GREAT!

Big Brother Kyle was a great help reminding him that

"first you hold two hands, then one hand, then by yourself!"

Charlotte Nature Museum

Our first visit the the Charlotte Nature Museum.
Check out these cute little bugs!

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails!

If you've ever wondered if I'm one of those uptight,

"don't do that you'll get messy" kind of Moms, here is your answer...

Not only did I permit it, I defended it, and encouraged it.

Cuz I am a Mom of BOYS and I am not afraid (yet)!

The Computer Generation

Are they 3 & 4 or 13 & 14?

I can't tell.

The Big Southern Snowball Fight of 2010

Recently we experienced a good, sticky snowfall here in North Carolina. It was the perfect snow for building snowmen and for throwing! Add to that temperatures in the high 30s and even I was ready to play outside.

Kyle and Jeremy had an absolute blast! They were giggling and smiling from ear to ear. Not sure if that was because of the snow itself or because they knew they were winning the snowball fight.

Hopefully soon I can get the videos edited and posted (there are some great clips!), but until then... we hope you enjoy these photos!

Jeremy's birthday!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!