Hi-ya!

This past spring, we enrolled Ethan in Hapkido lessons. We have been nothing less than impressed with his training and the lessons he has learned about respect, discipline, focus, and determination. Today was his first belt test (yellow stripe). He worked really hard, practiced a ton at home, and he did fantastic! We are so proud of him!!

People at his lessons make the same comment time and again: "That bag is as big as him!" He uses it to carry his sparring gear.

I didn't get any pictures of Ethan getting tested on his kicks, punches, rolls, or releases.
Here he is getting his sparring pads on midway through the test.

Lined up at the end of the test.

Receiving his yellow stripe belt.

So proud! When I asked him how it made him feel to get his belt, he said, "Good inside."

Sweet Ms. Val helping him tie his new belt.
Ms. Val in an angel.

The best instructor ever! We love Mr. Cagle and we're so thankful for him!

Showered and ready for bed....but he still wanted to wear his belt. He's snuggled next to me watching Space Buddies wearing his jammies and yellow stripe :)

Busy, Busy!

I have a lot to catch up on, but it's been sooooo busy around here! Not so much because of the party planning, but because Audrey and Norah (well, MOSTLY Audrey) have been in such a "stage" that I can't catch a break. They (mostly Audrey) need their mama every waking moment....I'm a little exhausted and would love to get caught up on everything from Thank You notes to blogs to cleaning!

Here's a sneak peek of the adorable invitations that were created by Carli at Dimple Prints (www.dimpleprints.etsy.com/www.dimpleprints.com)

I'm getting really excited about the girls' first birthday; I just can't believe it's right around the corner! Where did the time go???

Pre-Christmas 2009

You didn't think I'd get a picture of all three kids together....

....did you??

More, or so much more, to come! We're talkin' traditions, presents, SNOW!....just give me a day or 30 to get caught up!

For the love of legwarmers, and because I like these memories

and also, I like the chub-a-nub nibbly legs!~

Audrey

Big Brother's room has all kinds of fun!

Ethan is so gracious to his little sisters! He's always helping and playing with them. He often tells me, "Mom, you want me to watch the babies for you? They can come in my room. I checked the floor for chokers."
Seriously.
He's the best.

Everyone loves when we migrate to Ethan's room for some fun, even sweet Sadie, who has got to be part of the party at all times.

Norah


Audrey

See those Christmas lights on Ethan's bed? Those lights would be the source of my first for-real electrocution experience. I have two things to say: "Ouch." and "Those lights are in the trash."

See the gate at Ethan's door? We are SO thankful for that gate!! Ethan thinks it is SO cool to have his own little "entrance", if you will. Audrey and Norah safely stand on the outside, rattle it, and try to fish for toys, but all in all, they are protected from all those chokers. Ethan can still leave his door open and play when friends are over and not worry about the girls coming in and crashing his fun. Ethan tells me, "My gate is pretty awesome." Yes. Yes it is.And, because I'm in a random mood, here's one more picture......LOVE CHRISTMAS!! I have to giggle at the stash of presents growing on the fireplace. Could anyone imagine why we must stack presents up off the floor this year?!

A visit from Rosie

....Roseola, that is :(

And let me tell ya, the last 5 days at our house have been a BLAST (to be read with sarcasm).

As scary as it looks and sounds, this rash is actually the upswing of the illness and Audrey is on her way to feeling better, Praise God!

Roseola is a very common infant virus, which starts with a high fever for a few days, then once the fever breaks, this tell-tale rash appears. Audrey has it all over her trunk and face, as well as a bit on her arms and legs.

Now, I love my daughter. But, holding her for 5 straight days and sleeping with her on the couch for naps and bedtime is getting a little old. I miss my old Audrey who made us laugh and got into everything! We ALL miss our silly Audrey-girl! I think she'll be back soon. The rash only lasts a couple days and she's not contagious....just really, really, really grouchy!

Lean on Me

I'm going to update the blog...I'm going to update the blog...I'm going to update the blog...


In the meantime, here's a cutie-pie video of Audrey leaning on Norah while watching Baby Einstein. Audrey has roseola (more on this in the next post. maybe.) and on this day, her fever freaked me out when it hit 102.5 under her arm while resting (that would be the equivalent of 103.5 orally). Anyway, the fever is gone and now she's just covered in a horrific rash and still an irritable little bunny :(

And.....

....we are ready to ring in the joyous season!!