Sickness and a Big Mouse

This week was a week of sickness in our house. We have not had throwing up in our house in a long time. I guess it was our turn but it is still no fun. Tuesday night Lucy cried a couple of times during the night but then stopped so we did not go get her. Well, when we went to get her out of bed in the morning we realized that she had thrown up all over her bed. I am a bad mommy, I felt terrible. Seth woke up very early Thursday morning throwing up. He was sick for most of the day. Emma started just after lunch. She was the one that made it so bad because she did not make it to the bathroom, all over the ottoman and all over the floor. I am glad that we do not have carpet anymore. She was sick until about midnight, up about every 30 minutes to get sick. We let her sleep on our floor in case she woke up to get sick. Friday all the kids were feeling much better but I was sick. Luckily I did not have it as bad as the kids but I did not eat anything until dinner when my wonderful visiting teacher brought us homemade chicken noodle soup and yummy homemade rolls. This was a messy but quick sickness. We were all better by Saturday morning.

Since we were all feeling better we headed to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, which could make anyone sick. That place is crazy on a Saturday. (When we do Chuck E. Cheese as a family, which is not very often, we take Jacob out of school and arrive at 10am. Last time we did it we were the only ones in the entire restaurant for an hour.) I knew it would be bad but it was terrible. As I told my friend, who's sons birthday it was, I would not go there for just anyone on a Saturday. To top it off Sean was at work so I got to go it alone. All in all the kids did great and had fun. Lucky for me they were all tired. We got home, put on our PJ's and went to bed.

Happy Valentine's Day

For many years, at least 6, we have been making chocolate covered strawberries on Valentine's day. The kids love to make them and we all LOVE to eat them. It is a very easy recipe that we use. This year I found some very large ones with long stems (which, of course, makes it much easier for dipping).

Daddy gets in on the action.

Dipping the Strawberries

My little Martha Stewart!!

The finished product.

Last night Sean and I were able to go out to a nice dinner. My sister and her husband had given us a gift certificate to The Chart House in Alexandria along with a night of babysitting. The food was delicious and the company was even better.

Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow

Like everyone else on the east coast we have a TON of snow. We got about 2 1/2 feet here in good ole West Virginia. It started on Friday about 10am and did not stop until Saturday around 3pm. The best part (not really) is that Sean got stuck at work. He works swing shift (12:30pm - 10:30pm) Wednesday - Saturday. When he left on Friday it had started but was not sticking. We anticipated that he was going to get stuck so we loaded him up with food, drinks, pillow, sleeping bag, flashlight and shovel. His company paid for hotel rooms for a few people who could not get home, while I was here at home we was spending two days of luxury in an Embassy Suites, tough I know. He was able to drive to the hotel on Friday night but was not able to get his car out on Saturday morning. He had to walk, in two feet of snow, uphill (just kidding) 1/2 mile to work. He finally made it home today a little after 12pm. We were all very excited to see him.

Our back deck that I shoveled 3 times so that the dog could go outside to use the bathroom.
3 Brown's in the snow (I used have used the flash).

Our playground out back.

While Sean was off having his luxurious weekend I was home with the kids and animals. I was able to get most of the driveway shoveled and keep everyone fed and generally happy. The kids went out yesterday to play. Emma and Seth had a hard time getting through the snow because it was so deep. Seth actually started just crawling on top of it because he did not sink that way. It was pretty funny but I did not have time to get my camera. The kids are already out of school Monday and Tuesday. I do not anticipate that they will go to school much this week since they are predicting more snow on Tuesday/Wednesday. It is going to be Spring Break before the snow is all gone around here.

Happy 1st Birthday Lucy!! (over a month late)

Lucy's building block cake.Pretty Dress from Nana & Grandpa

YUUUMMMM!!

Wait, maybe the plate taste better.

Lucy turned 1 on December 19th. We had planned to have a family party but instead we got 20 inches of snow. We ended up inviting our neighbors over for lunch, cake and ice cream since their dad has the same birthday as Lucy. We had tacos for lunch. I felt bad for Lucy that she did not get to share her 1st birthday with all of her family but she had fun. Lucy is a lot of fun and a VERY busy toddler. She walks and runs all over the place. She gets into everything and LOVES to climb on things. I call her my monkey. She really loves her older brothers and sister. I LOVE LUCY!!

The pressure is on.

I have been meaning and wanting to start adding more to our blog but I have been feeling overwhelmed because so much has happened since my last post. I am going to just start from now and maybe add in some oldies but goodies too. The pressure is from my mom. She now has her very own laptop and is learning to use it, which is a funny thing. She has never had any desire to use a computer but now that she has her laptop she is a mad woman. She calls my sister and I with many questions. It is hilarious to listen how excited she gets when she figures out something new. So for you mom, I promise to be better and put more pictures of your grandchildren on here for you to see. Here is one of Lucy on her 1st Birthday to hold you over until I get more on here.

Our New Babies!!

Next to a stuffed animal. (and not a very big one)
Emma holding all three of them.

The two tri-colored ones in the cage.

Yesterday we left our house mid morning and returned about 4:00pm. While we were gone my step-mom had come to paint our bathroom. When we got home she said, "Do you had three guinea pigs?"

I replied, "Oh, did I not tell you one of them died?".

She then asked, "Did you get another one?"

To which I answered, "NO!"

She said, "There are three pigs in there."

"No way", was my reply. So I went to look in the cage and no, there were not three of them, there were FIVE!! Apparently last month we bought a pregnant guinea pig. And now we are the proud parents of three baby guinea pigs. They are very cute and tiny, they fit in the palm of your hand. They are born with all their hair and their eyes opened. I have learned a lot about how long they are pregnant, how long they nurse, how to tell if it is a boy or girl and how long they have to be with their mom, fun. If anyone wants one they will be ready to go toward the end of January. The kids want to keep all of them, which in NOT happening. We may keep one but we have not decided yet. This is definitely an experience to remember.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Morning 2009

It has been over a month since I have posted anything. Life seems to be passing me by lately. With 5 birthdays between November 5th and January 6th, plus you throw in Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, I must say I have been in overload lately. I hope to get back on schedule in the next few weeks with our family blog.

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. The kids are all happy and still playing with their new treasures. Jacob got a much wanted Wii Football game, Emma got a huge dollhouse, all Seth wanted was a dinosaur and Santa delivered and Lucy was happy with everything, even the wrapping paper. There were several other Wii games in the mix, a couple card games, some Barbie dolls and clothes, Thomas train tracks, Bakugan and nice new church outfits for everyone.

I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying time with family.