Karis Playdate

We've gotten into the habit of rotating wkly playdates with the girls.  Today Karis came to our house.  We started with some lunch and dessert.  Next came painting.  It wasn't intended to be naked painting, but it really is much easier to clean up that way.  Apparently painting on paper was not exciting enough for these two...

Before and After Lucas Hair

Her Baby's Mommy

In case you didn't know, she is her baby's mommy.  And she can carry her baby just like she saw Ms. Susie carrying Baby Russ today.

Playdate with William

Curious Ellen

We have to keep an eye on Ellen.  If she's quiet, we know she is up to something.  Her one and only show that she will watch (for maybe 30 min) is Curious George.  Jeff and I have a theory that she gets her "creativeness" from him.

I say this as I wipe the back of my hand across my forehead, as I clean up one of her messes with a sigh.  But I kind of like it.  She has a great imagination.  With Lucas we usually had to provide the ideas, but Ellen comes up with her own.  Today it was a drink worthy of an entire pack of straws.  Tomorrow it may be "painting" vasoline on the wall with my toothbrush (yes, that has happened.)

Teacher Work Day

The kids were out today so we huddled in the playroom with the hopes that they could play while I got some work done.  Sometimes everything falls into place.  Usually not : )  Today Lucas had on his creative hat and setup some pretty serious battle scenes.  

After that, Ellen fell asleep.  Catching up from the vacation wknd.

And Lucas moved the creativity downstairs.  Some sort of piece that included toothpicks, a sippy cup top and our foam roller.



Lake Lure

The kids have Monday and Tuesday off for President's Day, so we took a trip to take advantage of the long weekend.  Angela and Bryan were in!  Jenn and Neil were taking Ty to Florida to spend a week with Grandma and Grandpa. 

We went to Lake Lure, which is near Asheville and is where Dirty Dancing was filmed.  Here we are just arriving.  So nice to be near the mountains.

When Bryan, Angela and Wesley arrived we played outside our "unit" for a while.

Our first night we checked out the place and played some bball and putt-putt.

After that we build a "roaring fire" and cuddled up for some family time.

Family time to the boys meant playing with Wesley's DS.  And not smiling for the camera!

Just like our vacations when we were little, we made dinner instead of going out...

After dinner, there was a lot of silliness...

For breakfast on Sunday, Jeff treated us with his "world famous" powdered donuts.

Unfortunately the day was rainy and we were stuck inside.  We had planned on hiking all day, grabbing lunch in town, etc.  But instead we went swimming.  The boys were not allowed in the hot tub (resort rules), so when they got cold they positioned themselves like this so that they coud have one arm and leg in the hot tub to get warm.  Sneaky little guys.

Ellen face.

Love her...

Karis and Blane Play Date

Rob and Carol had something going on yesterday, so they asked if I could watch the kids for the afternoon.  Always a fun time. 

We painted and then took a bath to clean it off our body (mostly on girls and not on paper!)

We got cozy with hot chocolate and pj's.  Oh, and whipped cream.

The boys looked at the site words flash cards while they had a snack.  This word was their favorite.

So cute how their hair is so similar...

Tyson and the girls.