Beach Trip 2010 part 1

Back at the first of August we packed up and headed down to Florida for a long weekend. It was a last minute kind of thing and we had to do the trip on a low budget. We made reservations from a 2 bedroom Condo and got a really sweet deal due to the oil scare crisis that hit Pensacola beach, Fl this summer . While we ate most of our meals at the condo and there were no extra splurges this beach trip we all had fun regardless.

I am the type of person who could just hang out on the beach all day but when you take six kids with your lucky to get 2 hours. It took us 15 minutes to get our little piece of the beach set up with chairs, sand toys and umbrellas. It seemed like once I got settled into my beach chair the whining began. I think the kids are too spoiled to the pool to really enjoy all the fun that can be had at the beach. We lasted on the beach a few hours before we headed back.


 As a extra vacation treat we had ice cream cones by the pool. This is funny because in my book because small kids and ice cream cones are nothing but a mess. They were pretty excited about getting to enjoy the cones.
The kids spent some time in the lagoon searching for hermit crabs. This kept them very entertained. While it was a quick trip it was a fun time indeed. The kids did well even in close quarters of our little surfer shack condo. To me the beach is just a part of summer break and summer shouldn't pass without some sand between your toes!

Back in the Saddle Again

Here they are the Freshman, the beautiful 8th grader, the sassy 5th grade and lastly the mighty 4th grader. Everyone was excited about today let's just hope they are still happy when they get home. Next year there will be another one starting kindergarten, yippee! It's amazing how much cleaning I can get done in a few hours with just the little ones home. I think we were all ready for the start of the school year. I sure hope it's a good one.

Adventures

Keeping busy is all in days work around here lately. In the first pictures Collin and I went on alittle adventure at the park. After I did some walking we went and sat by the creek and fed the little fish some granola. He wore those binoculars the whole time, they are something he got from Grand daddy's old truck and he loves playing with them.
The lake pictures were taken at Oak Mountain today. We were bored and we just threw together some gear and headed out to let the kids play at the beach area. Hudson loved it! It was a fun easy day.

13 years have flown!

Macy Jane came into this world with a cry that made the nurses laugh. They knew right away she was a second born child and she would make herself known. I think the dear Lord took pity on me for having to rough back to back pregnancies and graced me with the best baby girl he had to offer on July 14,1997. She only cried that ear piercing cry when she really needed something and you could make her happy pretty quick. The cutest little girl with smiling face melted the hearts of everyone.

As a toddler she loved shoes and clothes. She was picky about her socks being just right and her shoe straps were to be "tight,tight, tight"! She loved to sing and play with dolls. She was such a little lady and she was so well behaved it amazed strangers.

Macy has had talent in acting since the first grade when she landed the role of Mother Goose in the end of the year program. She has played a variety of sports like soccer,basketball, softball and cheerleading. She has a good eye for photography and likes to take 100's of pictures of her and her friends, usually someone is sticking out their tongue. She loves her friends and is known to be text several at a time that takes some skills.

The future for someone so bright, nice and talented can't be anything but awesome. She is a great big sis and is my right hand helper around here. Her cooking skills are coming along nicely too. I am blessed to have her as my daughter. I often sit back in amazement that she has grown up so fast. I am thankful to call you my girl and you always can count on me to be your biggest fan! Happy 13th Birthday Macy!

Love Always,
Mommy

Parker turns 9

On Monday Parker turned 9 years old. He had Nathan come over to spend the night and they enjoyed spending the day together for Park's birthday. He choose to have sonic Junior cheese burger with bacon his favorite for his birthday lunch. And for dessert a root beer float for Parker and ice cream for the rest of the crew. We swam for a bit at Mimi's pool before heading home to get ready for birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant. He seemed to enjoy HIS day to the fullest.

Parker was such adorable baby. He was easy going and happy. Parker was a Momma's boy all through his toddler years . As he started school his independence came about. Parker makes very good grades without much effort. He likes to play video games on the wii and ds. He has a great memory and can me very funny at times.He often makes some weird food concoctions and he claims they are all so good but I will take his word on it. Parker roots for the Auburn Tigers like his Mimi and Popi which he takes it very serious. He has a natural talent when it comes to being athletic and does well at whatever he put his mind to. He is still interested in his bass guitar and something about music soothes him when the going gets tough. Parker is a deep thinker when it comes down to it. He has so much to offer this world.

We've had trying year but my love for my boy has never changed. I know the year ahead we will turn the corner . Parker is such a bright star and I will do all I can to help him shine. Happy Birthday Parker James!

Love Always,
      Mommy

And he's Two

Our little caboose turned 2 today! Hudson got a very special early birthday present on Thursday night. As I was driving home from workout I got a frantic phone call to get home QUICK! Hudson had fallen on the driveway and busted his chin wide open and no question he needed stitches. Brian and I headed down to Children's Hospital ER to have the lil' one put backed together.

Luckily it was a fairly calm time of night to need their assistance and we were taken back right away. Within 20 minutes the very friendly staff had Hudson wrapped in a sheet and strapped down so they could safe close the 2" gash. Huddy wasn't too impressed with being confined but they worked quick applying 7 stitches and he was set free. He was thrilled to be let loose so he could run and jump about the room and High-five us all.

Today wasn't too big of a celebration because of the party at the park on Sunday. We got his BIG present tonight and I know he will just LOVE it! More pictures to come after the party.

July 4th in pictures

Family Day

On Friday we all headed to Oak Mountain to have a day away together. We hiked a trail that ended up being a very steep hike and far longer than I had thought. Despite it we all had a great time. Lunch never tasted so good and swimming in the lake was the perfect end to the day.

Hudson didn't go on the hike. He  went over and spent some one on one time with Mimi and Popi while we did things he isn't big enough for yet. He was excited to go see them and the dogs. Huddy got in some swimming and even took a nap in the big bed with Mimi.

Here are some pictures of our day. Getting out of the house with the kids is exactly what we needed to break up the  "we're bored summer blues". Thanks Mom and Dad helping out with the little one.

This and That

This picture was taken last week when I was taking Parker and Molly to the Orthodontist to start their treatment. They both got spacers and we will begin to add metal to their mouths this week. Parker will be getting bottom braces and a appliance for the top. Molly a headgear for night time use and braces to follow soon. Which reminds me I need to buy them  a new bottle of ibuprofen!

Here is the scene from yesterday. Collin and Hudson love when I am willing to pull them in the wagon on my walk. We did 3 miles which included the big hill. It was about 2 o'clock and very hot out but we all had a good time and I got in some exercise. I am sure the passersby thought I was crazy but it sure beat them being cooped up inside and fighting.

Lastly Hudson who will be 2 in just a week and a half has a new trick. He likes to remove his clothes and diaper in his bed. We finally decided to try taping his sleeper. This works like a charm! We call it his sticker and he totally buys it . He can't unzip therefore he can't remove any clothing while in his crib. This is something they don't teach you in parenting books. But leave it to child number 6 to throw me this curve ball.

Dinner on a dime

Okay maybe its dinner on a handful of dimes but that doesn't sound as cute, does it. We have had two really tasty but cheap dinners lately. Six kids home all the time equals lots of food consumed day in day out.  I am trying to get creative and a bit more thrifty lately with ways to fill their bellies.

Last night we had grilled chicken legs. We can't possibly eat meat cheaper than $3.70 for a whole package which is enough to feed the crew and have leftovers. Brian marinated them in a recipe from his grilling cookbook and they were so good.

Excuse the iphone pics it's what I had handy.

Tonight dinner was breakfast. Waffles, eggs and bacon all of which cost about $6.oo for the whole meal. Gotta love that. If you ever find yourself cooking for a large group you can't go cheaper for a filling meal.

Chef Collin

I snapped these pictures with my iphone last night. Collin is reading a Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cookbook as his bedtime book. My son loves to help cook almost as much as he likes to eat. This book shows pictures of the different tools you need to make each recipe. He likes to try name each gadget, which is impressive because there are alot of them. I promised him we would make one of his favorite recipes again soon. Be on the look out for Collin's potato skins this week.

Life is never boring

Let me be honest here. So far this summer has not been one for the record books. Well, unless your keeping records of fussing and fighting. I do try to make the best of the time off of school. I try to have some adventures here and there but there is always someone not happy with the plan.
There are times when things happen that I treasure and I wish I could press a pause button just to savor the moment.

Like seeing two siblings snuggled up on the couch watching tv in peace.
The smallest little brother call out his sisters name the first time he sees them for the day.
Watching as the kids look up at the starry sky and listen to the sounds of the night.
Kids hanging out on the front porch with money in hand waiting for the ice cream truck.

I am working hard to find the good in each day, some day that's easier than others. As the saying goes "This too shall pass". Oh I pray it's soon!

What we've been doing

The summer is in full swing and somedays go by so fast I am scared I will look up to find it to be time to head back to school. We have been spending time in the water because it is another HOT Alabama summer.      

With everyone being home the laundry pile grows by the minute. This was only 2 days worth of clothes,swimsuits and towels. Just as soon as I think we have caught up it's looks like this again.

We have been tending to our container garden alot because of theheat it needs lots of water. We have picked some banana peppers so far. We have lots of tomatoes and cucumbers growing. And I am finding having fresh herbs so nice to have at my disposal. We spent Father's Day with these great Dads having a cook out and swim party. My brother was there too and also an awesome Daddy but I can't seem to find a picture of him in on my laptop. It was a fun day and I feel blessed to have these guys in my life. They are all hard workers and great examples for the children. We love and are thankful for them and for all they do for their families.

There are more pictures to add but I have fought with this thing long enough for today. If I don't get back to life here we might need yellow caution tape to surround the house and declare it a disater area. I will catch up again soon.

She's got skills

I must admit I was blown away when Macy showed me this picture she took of my neice. Macy has taken up a love for photography and she likes to try different things. I think she captured so much in this photo and I am proud of her.

Life in fast forwarded

Since school let out time has just flown by. What days we are at home are spent doing just enough
chores to get us by so we can leave out again.

So far the girls and I have squeezed in a weekend  beach trip. Our first annual girls trip , we had alot of fun riding down to Florida together. We met up with the Mitchell family and had a good time despite the rain showers. We managed to get a few hours on the beach and the girls enjoyed the zipline and ropes course at the Baytowne Wharf.

I returned home on Monday which was Memorial Day, repacked and left on Tuesday with Brian for New York City. We spent 4 days in NYC. We had a jammed packed schedule which works well for us.  We saw a good concert, I had my hair and makeup done at a salon, we attended an awesome 40th birthday party, spent time shopping 42nd Street, visited Central Park , ate some awesome healthy food, rode the subway and walked a million miles. It was a nice getaway and just the right length of time. 

Yesterday we celebrated our 15th anniversary. Amazing that it's been 15 years. We have grown and changed so much since then. Kids and life change you but it can be for the better. We have confidence in each other and we have alot more common interest now than ever before. I have grown to love college football and he has grown to like to cook. He has gotten alot better at shopping too, and buying gifts for me. It's been a crazy 15 years and I look forward to see what the future holds for us. The best is yet to come!

Logan is in the midst of weight training for football. He is moaning  and groaning about his sore muscles. It's pretty funny because Brian and I know too well how it feels to start a new workout. I know it will get easier for him in time and encouraging him to give it his all.

Macy just finished up a week of cheer camp. Their squad did well, learned alot and had alot of fun. She is co head cheerleader and with that come extra responsiblity and stress. Macy is a leader by nature and I know she will shine.

Everyone else is doing well. Hudson is doing this trick where he takes his diaper off in his bed. So he is forcing us to consider potty training. While I am not looking forward to spending my life in the bathroom being officially done with diapers would be AWESOME!

I will try to post more often it's just a matter of finding a spare moment.