Pool

A few years ago my sister gave us their pool. It was heaven sent that first summer. My children played in it everyday until we left to visit family for a week. When we got home, the pool was something entirely different. It was greener than green, and the pump broke a short time later. This year Paul promised the kids that he would get the pool working again, and after our long drive home from NC a few weeks ago the kids jumped into the pool immediately! As you can tell from the photos, the pool just isn't as deep as it used to be.

Catching up again

Our growing family at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Yes, my kids have long legs!

This is our crew enjoying a swim at my parent's townhouse community pool right before Luke threw up in it:)
Okay, so it has been a little while. Enough said about that.

With our heavenly, summer vacation quickly coming to a close I thought I ought to blog at least once, so here it is. We are well. Since my last post we have endure several trials including shingles, poison ivy, lice (again!), and a variety of other non-skin and bug related events. More importantly however, we have had a lot of fun times together.

In the recent months, we visited family in NC and had a blast at Carowinds, a combination amusement and water park. We were there long enough to get our money's worth out of the season passes we purchased. We also got to see a bunch family (We love and miss you all!). Even more recently, Paul had vacation, and we took a couple of day trips. A few days ago we went to a hands-on science center in Birmingham and to the botanical gardens. It was SO peaceful at the gardens. I really need to spend more time outdoors.

Here are some of the highlights we captured.


The Lego Store otherwise known as heaven for my nephews:)

Vacation is here!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

We made it to vacation time. I am relearning how to relax, and the kids are enjoying the dry weather by playing outside. Paul gets to work until midday on Christmas Eve. We have had little time for making goodies, but we did manage to make some chocolate covered pretzels. Yum! Yes that is chocolate on their faces.

Here what our tree used to look like. It is has been thoroughly attacked by Ella the cat now. All the decorations have been knocked off. The lights are still on, but that is only because they are wrapped around the tree.

Eliza went wild decorating. She did the front and back side of her bedroom door, cut a piece of hedge from our neighbor's yard, placed it in her room for a Christmas tree and decorated it, and created a faux fireplace with several stockings.

How a field trip saved my education

Two hours ago I turned in my last assignment for my child and adolescent development class. I have to say I truly didn't think I was going to make it through that class. I wanted to quit school at least once a week throughout it, and one night I nearly did. Luckily for me, Luke had a field trip the next day. I decided to blow off my paper due that day and enjoy the day with my son instead. I even went to the Trunk or Treat at church that night. Although my stress was not gone, I felt much better after that and managed to get my paper written the next day.

Feeling stressed? Go on a field trip and discover the world again through the eyes of a four-year-old.

Hazel and Dan's Birthday

Papa Dan turned 90 a few days ago, and Grandma Hazel will turn 87 later this week. They are a joy to us! We celebrated their birthdays today. Grandma's mind was doing well enough that we all enjoyed the day. What a blessing!

Luke helping with the candles.

Paul and his sister, Jennifer.

My mother-in-law, Jane with Grandma Hazel

Halloween

My children had a great Halloween. Eliza spent the evening with a friend handing candy out at the home of one of our local millionaires. No, I'm not kidding. She came home with lots of goodies. When Luke got home, he promptly sorted his candies into three piles.

The hard candies, the melty candies and the chewy candies.

Leah was a fairy, Sarah a vampire, and Luke was "SUPER LUKE!"

New kitten

After crying several days in a row, I decided to go to the Humane Society and adopt a kitten. After playing with several cute kittens, we chose this three-month-old. She was very playful but didn't mind being cuddled. We named her Sassy Ella. The name was the best compromise we could come up with. She is adjusting well and so are we.

By the way, thank you for all the cat offers, but we are good with the one :)