I'm baaack

Welcome back to the land of the living where the other two are sick and the house is a wreck.  Merry Christmas!

Ugh... It's all in the timing

I'm sick.  It's the forehead on the cold tile between yelling at the toilet kind.

It's horrible in and of itself, but the timing really sucks.  Last night, Cory tried to replicate my banana pudding for a lunch he was hosting.  He forgot the bananas.  It's not normal for Cory to forget the bananas, but he also had to smoke a few pork butts, prepare slaw, get H's lunch ready, wrap H's teachers' Christmas gifts, get the stuff ready for H's school Christmas party, and, of course, get the boy ready for bed and then ready for school this morning.  He took H for his haircut this afternoon, too.  I hate missing Henry's hair appointments.  I also hate knowing that Cory is overloaded and that we won't get to do dinner with our friends tomorrow night.

It's never OK for a dad to say he's babysitting his own kid, but I never intended to saddle Cory with all the business of this week, and I actually feel lonely just listening to my boys' banter.  Here's to hoping that the virus stops with me, too, because Cory is a much better single parent than I am.

Ho Ha Ha... Merrrrry Christmas!

My aunts are silly...

Thank goodness.  Sometimes we all need to laugh.

Inside the studio...

Just playing around with the flip cam several days ago... not sure what to think of H's interpretation of a Mama face.

'Tis the Season...

... to celebrate birthdays!

November 26th:  Happy Birthday, David!  It took me approximately 12.5 years to know it, but I have an amazing brother.

December 1:  Happy Birthday, Grandjoe!  I alway knew you were great, and the same goes for Henry, too.

December 1:  Happy Birthday, Cory!  I am grateful to share your years with you and am so proud of you.  I love you, I love you.  H does, too.

December 5:  Happy Birthday, Grandjane!  Thank you for being a good example because we all know I'm turning into you.  H is lucky.

December 17:  Happy Birthday, Josh!  You're 21 now, and I hope you know that you are a fun and important part of our lives.

December 17:  Happy Birthday, Caleb!  Henry's youngest uncle is sure to have lots of wisdom to impart over the coming years.  Hope your 21st year is a legal blast!

We are so glad you were all born!

New Adjective

Last night, after I told Henry a story about how he and his friends suddenly realized that they outgrew their tricycles and ended up purchasing bicycles, he requested that the second story be a different one.  However, he clarified that "it can be a little bit bicycle-ly." 

Shore is Fun!

Ahhh... Thanksgiving weekend at Sunset.  It's my favorite beach trip.  The addition of kids makes it bit more eventful.

And so charming!

Penny isn't allowed inside Sea n' Isle, but the time spent outside is made bearable by time near water...

Whose idea was this one?

Henry was pretty upset about his wet jeans (how dare those waves!), so off they went.

Ryleigh got some extra attention.

But, in true grandparent fashion, she wasn't the only one.  Both Anna and Henry were hand fed some Cheeze Its to protect them from tooth grit.

And in true Sunset Beach fashion, there was lots of couch time.

Oh, and Elizabeth was napping during photo time.  Good for you, Elizabeth.