Surgery, Ambulance ride and more!

Hudson had his 2nd ear surgery to get new tubes. The poor boy suffered all summer with constant ear issues. One trip to the ENT and we decided new tubes would do the trick to get him back to his normal self. He wasn't to sure about getting up at 4:30 the morning of surgery but I am happy to report he is doing great now.

Last week Logan gave us a bit of a scare. Logan had strained his back a few weeks back during weight lifting he had some nagging pain off and on but seem to be getting better. Last week during football practice he felt a great deal of back pain.  He asked to go sit out and while he was getting up from the bench to get water he experienced alot of pain and passed out. Of course this alerted the trainer and coaches. Logan took an ambulance ride and they did some testing at the ER. He was diagnosed with dehydration and strained back muscles and sent home to rest it. He is some better but still not 100 percent. I guess time will tell what is going on.

On Friday Hudson had a follow up at the ENT  office and Mr. Million dollars ears (Collin) was having bad ear problems too. Hudson was given a great report and Collin was given medicine. Sigh, it never ends with these two monkeys!

I hope we are caught up on kid medical stuff for awhile. We did cleanings for everyone and school check-ups last month. I hope we can get a bit of a break soon!

Beach trip 2010 part 2

Our trip to the beach wouldn't be complete without some family photos. These are the pictures I try to bribe grumpy children to act like their happy. To put on your best fake smile despite being hot or too close to your siblings.

The older kids are asked to look toward the camera while we make goofy noises and jump up and down to try to get the toddler to look in the direction of the camera. Sometimes we get a few good shots and other times it's like pulling teeth. Here are this years attempt but since we had no one to take a whole group picture we didn't get one this time.

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.