The Moores

102 Things to do with a Bridesmaid dress

2012-01-30T08:41:00.002-06:00

#102 thing to do with a bridesmaid dress: Teepee Covers!

Aren't they cute?

My Baby is 8

2012-01-24T09:05:00.003-06:00

Somehow over the past 8 years I got old. And this man did it to me:

...and mostly because he made me eat nasty Cincinnati Chili. Just kidding (about him making me old, but not the chili-yuck)

For Jackson's birthday this year we went to an indoor waterpark in Ohio. It was so very fun and I took only 2 pictures. the kids bunk beds:

and a picture of them passed out midday after sliding a hundred times down the slides:-aren't they sweet when they are asleep? I need to look at this picture often.

Jackson's birthday breakfast in bed:

and surprise cake and ice cream with a few neighbors, family and close friends.

After 8 years I feel I know less about parenting, but am infinitely more aware of God's grace and hope sincerely that it covers over all of my failures in motherhood.

The Best Workout

2011-12-28T11:26:00.003-06:00

The best workout EVER...

... is the one where you take a 4 year old

... and a 7 year old ice skating

... and only the 7 year old is any good!
The little ice skating referees had to help Linley and I off the ground MANY times and I had no shame in accepting that help. Linley and I were both covered in ice and sweat at the end of our hour.

A Few People that I am Proud Of

2011-12-28T11:17:00.003-06:00

We have celebrated a few accomplishments at our house recently.

1. This guy completed his first ever 4 mile race and he even came in 5th place in his division. Not too shabby, seeing as how my first ever 4 mile race was the same day:)

2. This handsome fella won "a major award" (name that movie). Congrats sweets on a job well done. I am very proud of you and your hard work.

3. This young lady had her first dance recital and completed the whole thing without throwing a fit, falling on the floor, or losing her piece of tape that marked her spot. Good job Linley!

The moments we have with the ones we love are much too short not to celebrate all of life's special moments. I hope you all have a Happy New Year!

College Girls Weekend

2011-11-22T11:11:00.002-06:00

There is nothing quite like a girlfriends weekend to keep you going through the Holidays.
Thanks ladies for the delicious food, even the midnight food that ended up on Mer's white coat, the laughs, the shopping and most importantly the time away from the boys (and children in my case).

In case you are ever in Clemson and are headed to a place called ESSO-don't worry about being under dressed, just throw on your camo and go!

Love ya ladies and Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Halloweenie

2011-11-01T09:37:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloweenie from my toothless son...

...and adorable daughter

Parisian Superlatives

2011-10-14T11:01:00.009-05:00

There really are too many pictures to share and I have had lots of people ask me my favorite thing that we did. Here is the thing: I had lots of favorites, but for different reasons and purposes.

Favorite guide was not dad on this trip it was our trusty Rick Steve's book-see me carrying it? He stayed with me 24/7

Favorite disgusting food that I tried was escargot.
If you can get past the chewiness of them (clearly Kate's face tells us that she could not:) then they weren't terrible.

My favorite spot to feel like a regular was Carmines. We ate there at least 3 times on our trip. YUM.
Favorite transportation-the tiny elevator. Not really, but it was kind of funny.

My favorite 'French' afternoon coffee experience was at LaDuree on the Champs Elysees
Everything was so pretty!

Pretty macarons
and pretty table service
My favorite family time was game night with a dessert smorgasbord and liverpool rummy. Which also served as initiation for my friend into the family.

My favorite night time activity(my only night time activity) was walking a hundred miles to see the Eiffel Tower light up at night-in the rain. Fun times

Favorite shopping experience was the Marais District. I only had one bad shopping event and that is when I got scolded for touching a headband-sheesh.

Favorite tourist spot: Notre Dame tower and the gargoyles.

On the last day of our trip I had my favorite funny day and girl trip to Brussels. We walked miles and miles to get the best french fries. Well they may have been good, but if we had eaten them in Paris they would have been covered with the most delicious gravy ever and then they would have been the best!

My favorite statue was the Mannequin P'is. I am not sure if this is how to spell it but that is how it sounds and it is also what he is doing. They had just changed his clothes the day we were there and had a band and great fanfare.
I laughed and walked more on this trip than any other trip I have been on. It was supremely fun and relaxing. Thank you Darrell, Grams and MacDaddy for holding down the fort while I was away.

I Would Do It Again

2011-09-19T10:51:00.004-05:00

We finished our first Warrior Dash and had such a great time. It was the first time Darrell and I have ever raced together and the 1st time I have EVER fun 3.5 miles in a row.
Here are our cheerleaders sporting the free viking helmets:

Jackson had one of my cameras for the whole time and took some pretty interesting pictures. He was very worried about me racing. Tears flowed freely the night before and even the day of the race. He was afraid that I would get hurt.

Since Darrell and I didn't eat the kids helped themselves for us:
See that green just behind Gee? Yeah, that was poison ivy that I sat in for a good half hour. Hopefully the contaminated mud water washed it all off.
We were waiting in the starting gate sweaty and burned well before our start time. Luckily the kids kept us company.

This is the home stretch of the race and we were WAY more tired than this pictures shows. Of course Darrell is still concentrating on the run and I have turned my attention to the littles that were cheering me on. As soon as we finished the last wall we decided to run a little faster since we knew we would have witnesses.

I was so hot that the mud actually felt good. Darrell waited for me after the last obstacle so we could cross the finish line together.

After this water break we went straight to the water hoses to be sprayed down. It didn't do much good.

LIke that purple face on me? I believe it was half dead tired and half sunburn.

Mom graciously allowed me to donate her old tennis shoes. Wasn't that nice? I have no idea how they will clean those, but at least I didn't have to do it.
Oh and Potts don't be too sad that I defaced your Bachelorette Party t-shirt it came clean in the wash:)

Happy Birthday Uncle Jim

2011-09-12T07:32:00.003-05:00

Wish we were there to celebrate with you.
Instead this short video will have to do until I make it your way in less than ONE MONTH.
Love you BIG (really I mean OLDER) Brother!

2011-09-01T12:05:00.002-05:00

Here is the official birthday picture-the one where I didn't wake the poor girl up with blinding lights and horrible singing.

And before the unofficial end to summer and last lake weekend comes, I must post the pictures of our wonderful end of summer adventure that is now tradition with the three of us. If Linley starts Kindergarten next year then I suppose we will have to include her on our little journeys.

This year we obviously went horseback riding (for 2 hours-that is a long time for us!)

We had a great time, good guide and of course Jackson thought it was hilarious that his horse was both eating the tree and peeing-all while I captured it on photo.

So happy long weekend to all of you and Go Vols!

Fair Time with Cousins

2011-08-26T10:41:00.004-05:00

We had a last minute visit from our Parisian relatives a few weeks back. I thought it would be fun and very American to go to the Fair.
Of course Jackson looked up all the rides and height requirements DAYS before we were set to go. He also convinced Aunt Kate to get a wrist band to ride all the rides with him.
I would love to tell you that I got tons of pictures besides these four, but after not wanting to miss Jackson's 1st EVER upside down ride, I was O-U-T for the rest of the night. Just a glimpse of the merry go round made me turn green.

Thanks Jim, Kate, MM and James-we had a great time and can't wait to see you on the other side in a few months.

4th Things First

2011-08-17T08:27:00.003-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Girl!

I woke Linley up with her Birthday Breakfast that she picked out

I couldn't decide which picture was funnier so I put them both in. Of course it wouldn't be right if the birthday girl wasn't sick on her big day so I loaded her up with Motrin, kissed her and sent her to school.

After a Dr. Appointment and a cherry coke to make everything better we had the Big Event of the day. Darrell's boss had a surprise birthday party that we were invited to, which included hot air balloon rides.

So those three crazies went up in the balloon and I would say the 4th Birthday was a smashing success!

I can't believe the youngest is 4 and last night as I put her to bed and tried to sing to her 'This Little Light of Mine' (the silly version where you hide it under an armpit-NO) she simply said "Mommy, I am a big girl now and I don't sing it silly anymore" sniff sniff

When the kids are away...

2011-07-13T13:13:00.003-05:00

We had a kid free week while Jackson and Linley were at Grandparent Camp. All that alone time made us go crazy.

It made me chase after firetruck parades even when I didn't have kids following along:

It made us think that it would be a good idea to bike to the local farmer's market at the crack of dawn (not really the crack, but pretty early for Darrell).
Does it look like he was dying in that picture? Because he was, we seriously had to sit there and let him rest for a few minutes before continuing our shopping and then I wasn't allowed to mention all the food (at the farmer's market remember) we were seeing because he felt sick:)

So why did I convince him to go on a morning bike? Why because we signed up for this crazy race in two months:

The warrior dash

So I am glad the kids are back for many reasons, but especially so we won't go and do anything crazy that we might have been able to do in our 20's:). If you want to join us we are competing at 1:00 and I say competing in the loosest sense of the word. I think we are both hoping we will just finish.

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T07:32:00.004-05:00

Nothing says the 4th quite like your first time taking a friend to the lake and unleashing ALL of your silliness:

Canonballs

Skiing with Daddy (they are showing a nice farmer's tan on those legs aren't they?)

Giant Sparklers

Breakfast cooked by a 7 year old
and fun times with family and friends.

Happy 4th!

June

2011-07-01T07:37:00.003-05:00

I think my house hold has embraced summer for all its worth. We are loving lake days, long nights, grandparent camp and sheer silliness.

No, they aren't kissing, just being silly:)

The last two times we went to Memphis we have encountered major storms. Here we are on the side of road waiting for the hailstorm to pass. Since we were all kind of freaking out so we whipped out the camera to lighten the mood.

Here is date night with daddy: barefoot superwoman going to build a bear with her special dad. Aren't they cute?

9 Years

2011-06-23T08:10:00.008-05:00

Dear Da' Rell (that's how they say it in Memphis),

I can't believe it has been 9 years, which I realize is not a milestone, but somehow it seems like a really long time (nearly 1/3 of my life). I love you for so many reasons, but let me just tell you 9 reasons that I said 'I do' 9 years ago.

1. The first thing that got me was your speed walking routine. Saturday Night Live could make a killer skit out of that and I nearly wet my britches just watching it. And to think that you had a girlfriend at that time:)

2. The suave way you jumped out of the back of your truck just to bust your rear on the ice! (Susan was an eye witness so don't deny it)

3. All of our free dates mountain biking and playing frisbee golf. And our trips to the hidden rock on that lake in Knoxville.

4. Saving me from the bear that I stopped so close to in Cades Cove.

5. Taking me to California for the first time!
6. Being a country boy at heart and for not yelling at me on our first date when I broke your truck window.

7. Teaching me to slalom, knee board and wakeboard.

8. Instant messaging me the entire summer before we started dating.

9. Because you persistently pursued me in a way that was clear that God would always be a part of our marriage.

Love you and can't wait for the next 9 and maybe a few speed walking routines to get us through when times get rough.

Lake Day

2011-06-01T14:57:00.003-05:00

Not much can make the first lake weekend of the year more enjoyable than following that lake weekend with a kid free week. Don't be jealous, but I have enjoyed the heck out of my two days of solitude.
Working out, cooking for just myself, throwing away crappy toys (don't tell the kids), reading books, and going to the movies ALONE has made for a nice and relaxing week.

Now on to the lake:

Look at that stud on the air chair. I would post a picture of myself on that monstrosity, but I wouldn't want to embarrass Darrell with my MAD air chair skills;)

Happy 42nd Birthday Laura! Not sure how my kids squeezed in like they are your family, but when cake is involved it becomes a pretty competitive field.

He wasn't laughing because he got thrown off of the tube; he was laughing at Grams trying to get back ON the tube.

That's a mighty big log you have there Darrell.

Why do I do this to myself? But these kind of pics make me laugh and it is good to laugh at yourself.

Oh and most importantly Congratulations Dr. Wiiliam Paul Moore!
(I don't know where my graduation pictures went)

They Finally Did It!

2011-05-13T12:08:00.004-05:00

After a year of trying and MANY different contraptions, Carli and Jackson were finally successful in building their backyard zip-line.
Even more amazing is the fact that not a single adult helped in the process.

Mother's Day Special

2011-05-07T20:31:00.002-05:00

Dear Mom,

You do so many things for me now that I am a mom and I can't imagine going through the trials and excitements of motherhood without you. I have spent a little time thinking about all the things you did BEFORE I became a mom and just wanted to say thanks. So here it goes:

Thanks for not playing with me everytime I asked-Now I don't feel so bad when I say no to playing barbie again.

Thanks for teaching me how to cook without recipes-It makes last minute mealtimes much easier.

Thanks for letting me wear your high heels and dresses.

Thanks for letting me go to sleep overs every weekend.

Thanks for teaching me the importance of 'family' meals-no matter who is included in that family.

Thanks for taking me on family vacations even if I did get sick EVERY single time.

Thanks for letting me try lots of different extracurriculars.

Thanks for driving me to said extracurriculars.

Thanks for finally giving in on those green peas and letting me leave the table.

Thanks for letting me go on vacation ALONE with my granparents

Thanks for getting me that polka dot bikini(even though I now won't get one for Linley:)

Thanks for teaching me how to negotiate (even if it was by letting Jim be in charge)

Thanks for being almost as bad at Trivial Pursuit as I am

Thanks for loving the 'easy' games so we have a chance of beating dad and Jim every once in a while.

Thanks for the double cheeseburger after the soccer games.

Thanks for letting me stand up for my friends even when you knew I would end up getting hurt.

Thanks for leaving all those twenty dollar bills around for me to find.

Thanks for teaching me how to work hard.

Thanks for singing, humming and then do-do-doing rock a bye-baby to me when I was young.

Thanks for all the goodins.

Thanks for reading me Shel Silverstein.

Thanks for chocolate chocolate chip cake.

Thanks for teaching me about that dinosaur-Ourthesaurus.

Thanks for snake snot snare.

Thanks for getting a hotel room in Disneyworld.

Thanks for taking me and grandma to TCBY after shopping

Thanks for painting that rainbow on my wall.

Thanks for sending me to private school.

Thanks for handing me the microphone so I could sing 'Hey Mickey You're so Fine' (are you singing it now?)

Thanks for driving me and Emery to the cross country race while we sang Eagles and Queen songs the whole way.

Thanks for taking me to drive in movies.

Mostly, thanks for being and incredible, selfless woman of God that I am so proud to call my mother. What a great gift I was given 31 years ago on my birthday. Wish I could be with you today!

Exactly 3 Minutes

2011-05-04T11:50:00.004-05:00

It takes an hour and a half of alone time to fill up 2 buckets full of water balloons.

Do you know how long it takes to empty that bucket?

It takes...

7 kids...

exactly 3 minutes...

to empty those 2 buckets...

Give or take...

2 minutes and 45 seconds.
The End.

The Redneck Neighbor

2011-04-26T14:09:00.006-05:00

Darrell and I share the philosophy (although he introduced me to the idea) that every neighborhood has at least ONE red neck neighbor. You know the one who doesn't cut the grass or has a broken down vehicle parked on the curb or a dead tree in the lawn that had fallen 3 years earlier, or maybe even a "nice" collection of lawn ornaments. Go ahead and think about it, I bet you have already identified the one in your neighborhood.

When we moved into our new house we wondered who that neighbor was, but it wasn't abundantly clear at first, but by golly I think I have found them and it ain't pretty.

You see folks, I am beginning to think we are THAT neighbor, although I am quickly realizing that we might share the title with two other neighbors.

So here is what makes us (and the other 2 who shall remain nameless) the rednecks of the neighborhood:

1. We receive emails from the neighborhood HOA about kids playing in oncoming traffic and we immediately know that they are talking about us.

2. You find a neighbor eating on the power thingy box in the backyard and decide to join him.

3. Putting all the neighborhood kids in the back of a truck with two dads to go buy groceries seems like a good idea. (especially when these are the dads)

Have I convinced you yet?
No? Ok, I will continue.

4. After the trip to the grocery store it seems like a good and classy idea to pull the grill out and have a cookout in the ALLEY!

5. Cornhole in said alleyway.

6. Keeping kids up way past bedtimes just so the adults don't have to quit hanging out.
7. Putting chip bags in front of your face or was it the eating straight out of the chip bag with dirty cracked bird egg hands that was redneck? You choose.

8. Ruining perfectly adorable pictures with veggies.
9. Thinking it would be better to hold your chin up while taking a picture instead of just letting it go.

Still not convinced? Then would you be if I told you this belonged to one of us?

Just kidding.

Mmm Bacon and all things Easter

2011-04-26T14:02:00.005-05:00

Does bacon do this to you?

...Cause I love it that much too.

We were invited to an Easter Egg Hunt unlike any I have ever been to and it was amazing.
Don't let the kids eating on the steps fool you-it was catered with linens and fancy settings. This was just round 2 for these two kiddos.

The Brunch included the Easter Bunny

An egg hunt of course

Games with prizes (Linley got a package of barrettes and could not have been happier:)

and most importantly the Resurrection Story

Wacky Tacky Tax Day

2011-04-18T12:15:00.002-05:00

This is always my favorite party of the year. My residents and the staff are told to dress Wacky and/or Tacky.
My favorite tacky outfit was this one (you can't see the empty cigarette pack in her pocket). CLASSY!

Linley spent the night hugging and dancing with everyone. Here were two of her favorites:

She tried to dress Wacky and still be beautiful-that was important to her. YOu can see her outfit above.
She was anything but Tacky. Our bartender snapped this shot of her after the cocktail party.
I know I am biased, but she is beautiful (and wacky, and on occasion tacky:)

Florida

2011-03-31T11:30:00.007-05:00

Too much content to be funny so I will show our week in pictures. For the record, this was one of the most relaxing vacations (with kids) that I have ever been on. I didn't cook or clean for an entire week!

Before we traveled to the Rat Tail capital of the world (only kidding-I only saw one) We stopped in Atlanta for an awesome birthday party at a train museum and to say Goodbye to my Paris bound Brother and his family.

Then we headed south to Florida.
We started at the Track riding go carts and bumber boats:

Followed by LOTS of beach time. The favorite activity of the week was digging in the sand.
The goal of digging was to see who could come home with the most sand in their bathing suit bottoms.

Linley usually won!

Gee-He is waving to you. Say hi!

Our little John Deere boy drove the tractor by himself this year.

The worst thing the kids made me do on the trip was convincing me to sleep out in the RV one night. This by itself would not have been terrible if I hadn't been sharing a bed with a 3 year old and waking up to every sound in the woods all night long. The kids (Darrell slept inside) had a great time.

NEVER buy ice cream at this place in Seaside. You see this ice cream cone?
Seven dollars!
It was delicious.

Linley did not appreciate the sea kayak so we were dropped off early.

On our way out we had to get a picture on the chickens.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa-send me a picture of you guys with the kids because I don't have one and that is just plain wrong. See you next year!

Cultured

2011-03-29T10:17:00.004-05:00

Did you know that these still existed?

Yeah, me neither, but a split rat tail is definitely an accomplishment. More from Spring Break after I dig out of the paper on my desk.

Dr. Seuss Week

2011-03-09T09:04:00.004-06:00

Jackson had to dress up as his favorite book character last week and guess who he chose?

Don't know?

Ichabod Crane is who my young man chose to dress up as and just like you, no one in his class figured out who he was. And after he told them he was Ichabod Crane, they still didn't know-the shame!

Luckily, Grams had to dress him that day, since he was pretty upset about not having a coat with tails and I didn't have the fight in me to tell him that the costume did not have to be exact. Grams, I am not sure how you did it, but thanks:)

Let's Celebrate

2011-02-18T13:29:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was the first time since, well I can't remember when, that Linley did not go to timeout or have any significant punishment! Woohoo, that is clearly cause for celebration.

2011-02-03T11:37:00.011-06:00

Top Ten from the Bachelorette Weekend in Chicago

Let's just start by saying that I am a 70 year old trapped in a 31 year old body. I cannot remember the last time I saw 2:30 in the morning except when one of the kids woke me puking. So now that that is behind me, we shall proceed.

My last best friend will be getting married in one month so we (10 of us) decided to celebrate by going to Chicago for the weekend. I have never been to Chicago and I can't tell you that I did anything touristy in Chicago except eat-a lot. So with the help of the rest of my travelers here is our Top Ten from the Weekend:

10. Flying Southwest, getting 'A' boarding slots and taking up the last 3 rows of the airplane.

9. Eating pizza when we first got there. I am pretty sure this pizza stayed with us ALL weekend. (as a side note I am definitely a thin and crispy kind of girl)
8. Dueling Piano Bars, especially ones that get into bachelorette parties.

7. This view from the Signature Room Bathroom. I actually felt nauseous (is it nauseous or nauseated?) looking out this window, but what a view.

6. (Top Moment from Calli) I loved the opening "icebreaker" with the story of our beautiful bride, Bunny! (I won't expand on the nickname but the lingerie shower did help explain it.)

5. (One of the Top Moments from Mandi C.) Amanda and I n the bathroom at La Sal Power Company and a fight breaks out.
Amanda-"I'm scared. What should we do?"
Mandy-"I'm not scared, I've had a self defense class"
Amanda- "well I haven't and I'm still scared."
Mandy-"yea we should probably just stay in this stall till it's over, I think I'm getting scared too.".
The poor girl got no help from us.

4. (Brittney's favorite moment)-- Count off... One, Two, Three..... NINE girls in a cabcar. Two in the front laughing at the seven in the back giggling as they make pirate faces/noises and scream about boney butts!

3. (Mandi K's fave) As I am dancing on the dance floor and not really paying attention, Amanda looks over at me and yells, "Brittany-- I thrive in the club" in a very serious tone. I half way turn around and say, "What did you just say?" And then AQ repeats, "
I THRIVE in the club" again with a 100% serious tone with no smile. Hilarious!
2. The Babyface tag-along who tries to swoop in on Lauren D while techno-hiphop pulses and human sweat steams up the third floor of the Power Company . . . "Hi, I'm Charles," he croons. Lauren responds with, "Oh, that's my son's name!" . . . but Babyface keeps on following our group around anyway . . . I guess I can admire his commitment. (why don't I have a pic of Charles? girls help me out)

1. Hanging out with 9 beautiful women to celebrate one Awesome friend's upcoming marriage. Congrats Amanda and we all love you!

Happy Birthday

2011-01-20T09:16:00.003-06:00

Happy 7th Birthday Jackson!
(sorry for waking you up!)

...and yes he sleeps in his clothes that he is going to wear that day.

That's How She Rolls

2011-01-11T14:35:00.003-06:00

Snow days start out like this:

All suited up with lots of layers drinking snow slushes

Hoods and hats intact

making snow angels
sledding with your brother

but no matter how any day starts, it always ends like this...
...with that stupid Christmas dress on and ruby red slippers. Oh please help me and someone come steal that dress.

The truth of the matter is that she didn't even like being out in the snow and instead preferred singing to martians

and painting cardboard.

Happy Snow Day

Pre Christmas Happenings

2010-12-22T10:19:00.003-06:00

December has been busy, exciting and fun. I can say the fun part because the kids have been sleeping with the grands the last two nights:)

First we showered this best friend, former maid of honor and cousin with presents for Conley who will be here after the New Year.

Then we got to celebrate a wedding (another wedding for the non bride is in the near future:)

These two just got back from a very muddy cave camping trip. While I did not love the laundry, I did love their stories and am a little jealous that I didn't get to go.

And finally the first Christmas presents were opened. There were many great ones, but according to one Grams this one below has not been removed from her little body since she put it on. (That makes the laundry easier)

Noteworthy

2010-11-30T13:00:00.004-06:00

First things first. Notice anything different about this one?
At nearly 7 years old he has finally lost his first tooth-oh and he doesn't need glasses anymore!

Thanksgiving in Pictures:

Our Ocoee rafting guide

...oh I mean canoe paddler

IF and that is a big if, I were to ever send out Christmas cards, then this would be the picture I would choose:

Oh and if you send me a Christmas card that has a picture then you are my best friend, because I LOVE them!

She (the one in the middle) is getting married in a week and a half!
and the other two, in case you haven't heard, their apartment burned in college.

THE END!

Elements of a Surprise

2010-11-15T13:37:00.004-06:00

The Ingredients for a great surprise:

1. Have a reason to celebrate ( I think a 60th birthday counts):
2. Have participants hide in the dark then blind them with flash photography:

3. Capture the surprise on camera

4. Have relatives act natural:

5. Let the guest of honor pick out the cake/pie of choice (even if it is spice cake-blech)
For extra credit on a completely awesome surprise weekend you should also include one or more of the following:

6. Homemade cinnamon rolls that it took you and your siblings 5 hours to make but less than five minutes to devour.

7. At least one puking passed out child in a grandparents arms.

7. and/or one bloody scooter accident!
Love ya dad-Happy 60th Birthday and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we all did.

Nothing Funny

2010-11-03T12:10:00.003-05:00

I pretty much have nothing funny, witty or inspiring to say, but I do have a few cute pictures from our Halloween night.

This started the festivities: Trunk or Treat at Linley's school. I should have taken that BEWARE sign to heart as little did I know that the weekend would be filled with a car wreck another car in the shop and a little vommitting. Good times had by all! No really it was a super fun weekend.

Aren't they all cute?

This was about the last time we saw this guy. The girls were WAY too slow for his style so he went on ahead with the big kids of the neighborhood.

The girls meanwhile kept a nice leisurely pace.

Until 2 streets later they too had pooped out.

Until next year friends!

I Might Be Guilty

2010-10-26T12:41:00.003-05:00

So I read this post today and laughed my butt off.

Maybe I just laughed because it was funny.
Maybe I laughed because someone prayed it for us.
Maybe I laughed because I prayed it for someone else.
Maybe I laughed, because I use the word "spirited" to describe one of mine.
Maybe I laughed because I have her:In this blurry picture, my sweet precious, spirited child. While she may not run around with sharpies in her hands, she most certainly demands to wear the same Christmas dress day after day and then proceeds to get a sucker stuck in her already untameable(is that a word?) crazy hair.

Happy Fall

2010-10-12T12:04:00.004-05:00

If fall means...

...stealing chips at outdoor gatherings

...face painting at every event

...adorable haunted hand me downs
...dirty farm animals being chased

...corn mazes with old friends

...hayless hayrides

...silly shenanigans

...soaring high

...climbing through allergy laden tunnels

...and ring around the bathtub then we have succeeded in enjoying fall.

Meredith's Last Night Out

2010-09-21T12:05:00.002-05:00

My last two single friends are finally tying the knot. Amanda planned an awesome bachelorette day for Potts.

It started on the boat:
I was so very nervous because I had never driven a pontoon boat before.

The boat had a slide and jumping platform from the top. Here's the bride to be sliding into the cold water.

Of course it was a girls only party, except for Percy, our bodyguard.

Then the night moved to matching t-shirts...

...and ended with Potts singing on stage at the Tonks.
The End.

What I Like About Sundays

2010-09-13T09:16:00.003-05:00

Raise your hands up in the air...

...wave 'em like you just don't care

...uh huh

uh huh

uh huh uh huh uh huh (or something like that)

Then we tumble

and fall

Then, because I didn't make her nap, I look out the window and see this for
10 minutes

20 minutes

...and after 30 minutes I find this adorable creature napping under the slide right where the rabbits like to excuse themselves.

And during all of this Jackson decided to round up all the kids within ear shot to play loud games all around the neighborhood.
...and that is what I like about Sundays:)

Laboring at the Lake

2010-09-07T13:59:00.004-05:00

We had a fun weekend at the lake and the UT game-Go Vols, but we did labor at the lake. If you have been to Mac and Polly's cabin you know just how much labor is involved in climbing the hill.

We decided to jump in the water...

...but Linley decided that she'd rather not.

So daddy encouraged her...

...and ended up with a pirate eye.

Then he had to show off:
1.
2.

3.

Silliness was involved...

...and bravery.
A young driver in training...
... and one mother sinking.
The End.

Walt Disney Lost His Lunch

2010-08-16T09:45:00.006-05:00

Yesterday Walt Disney lost his lunch and ended up all over my house, in my garage and in the backyard. Here's the proof:

We celebrated Linley's 3rd birthday by inviting Sleeping Beauty to the party. I made no other plans besides that and cake and it turns out I didn't need to.

I also had 3 other superhero/princesses come:
Uncle Paul in partial costume here but if you can guess who he is from his other pictures then I will once again give away bonus points.
Laura and Courtney also dressed up as princesses and I like to call them the baby whisperers, because any kids would plop into their arms at anytime with absolutely no regard.

Some of the fierce not so Disney boy characters.

When Sleeping Beauty finally arrived there was total silence for about 30 seconds. I enjoyed it.

...so did she

here is unclePaul again-now can you guess? (come on, I knew right away, you just have to channel your old inner nickelodeon loving self)

Some more sweet party guests:

even the undead have to stop for a rest and a drink.

Cake time!

Future Mr. and Mrs. Moore-Queen Carli and King Skeleton (that will make for some interesting babies:)

These two have cute kind of nicknames for each other: Brookeeee and Linuhlee
And here is another about to turn 3 year old in one more day

Now I am so glad that is over and I am pretty sure that was the last birthday party at our house for a loooong time.

The Answer and D's Birthday

2010-07-28T11:47:00.004-05:00

So the answer to what Darrell was doing in the last post was not near as funny as your guesses.
Darrell was holding the rack on the Xterra down because the rubber guard is off. If the car hits 50mph then it vibrates and makes a hideous noise on the roof. (I told you it wasn't funny-it was funny that Darrell correctly guessed the comments after I told him who commented)

Happy 32nd babe. The weekend at the lake was fun and full of:

1. Fire

2. Sheer adorableness

3. Me falling off all of the lake toys and leaving my children stranded multiple times

4. Jackson deciding he was better off in the water without me than with me:)

6. "mom did you fall off AGAIN?"

7. Hilarious pictures-don't know what's funnier: Darrell's big hand or Laura's rock on hand.

8. More adorableness and the fact that Laura can get Linley to do just about anything.

9. ...and a 1st grader

Bonus Points

2010-07-22T15:04:00.002-05:00

100 Bonus Points to anyone that can guess what Darrell is doing in this picture!

Everyone is eligible except of course my mom who already knows the answer:)

Oh and Happy Birthday Darrell!

Ahhh Summertime

2010-07-08T13:43:00.003-05:00

Summertime means:

No not that, it means that you have to start thinking about Halloween and my kids already have their costumes picked out. Do yours? We also have our haunted house planned, menu written down, decorations out, and face paint ready. Don't worry though Jackson will be starting his own Halloween business soon so we will send you the business card

Okay so summer does mean this too:

and this (if you are the watermelon eating type, which I am not)

and this (if you are the roll around in the ball until you want to puke type, which, again, I am not)

and this (if you are the stay up WAY too late to get a glimpse of some fireworks just so you can throw a temper tantrum b/c it is WAY past your bedtime, which Linley clearly IS)

and this-my dear friends this DEFINITELY is summertime and a huge milestone for my family with that hugely fat toad. If you can't remember why just read this-you'll laugh until you pee-promise

Happy 8th

2010-06-22T11:57:00.002-05:00

Seeing as how neither Darrell nor I remembered that today was our Anniversary I wasn't quite prepared for an awesome blog post, but I can't let the day pass without something being said.

Since our Sunday school teacher challenged us to remember and love the parts of our spouse that are unique to them that is what I will do here. One for every year that we have been married (unless of course I can't think of any after five).

So here are 8 things that make me love Darrell:

1. His speed walking routine (this was the first thing that made me laugh about him before we ever even considered dating). Really this is hilarious and if you haven't seen it you should. As a matter of fact I should capture it on video and post it here, but then we may not make it to 9 years.

2. His fascination with and pride over his yard. Even if we had millions of dollars I don't think he would let anyone else do our yard, because it wouldn't be right. Those few months after he broke his ankle and I cut the grass nearly killed him.

3. His ability to sort, open, respond and file to EVERY SINGLE piece of mail EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you see a piece of mail sitting on our counter there is a 100% chance that it is mine and I haven't taken care of it yet.

4. His loving and compassionate way of dealing with those that are grieving. Of course he was stupendous at comforting me after Samuel's death, but even later as he has comforted others with loss-he always knows what to say or not say and then he does so with sincerity. Truly a blessing to me.

5. His love for food both normal southern fried and disgusting oddities like that fish liver crap that he ordered twice in Spain.
6. His love for our children and his desire for adventure with Jackson. He can have a tea party with Linley one minute and then have Jackson down in the country doing dirty country things the next.

7. The fact that he is one of the best looking 30something men skiing on the lake.
8. Last and certainly the most unique is the fact that every night for 8 years he has washed his feet and taken no more than 10 steps before climbing in bed. Anymore than 10 steps and a rewash would have to take place. I love sleeping with a man with clean feet!

I love you babe and Happy 8th Anniversary. I can't wait to celebrate with burgers and homemade guacamole!

What I love about San Fran the Second Time Around

2010-06-14T12:34:00.005-05:00

Darrell and I went to San Francisco with his family while we were still dating. On that trip we did every conceivable thing within a two hours drive of the city so this time around we took things a little easier.

So here is what made this trip so much fun in a very different way:

1. A great excuse to go in the first place: a wedding and a beautiful, hot one at that.

2. Weddings mean free entertainment, food and wedding cake-yum!

3. So much sun that I look like a pirate-Aarrgh matey
4. Trying out this awesome photographer's tips on self shooting.
5. Delicious ice cream sundae in the ultra touristy Ghiradelli Square
6. I loved this place-the Ferry Building.
7. Darrell and I drinking loose leaf tea for the first time ever at some Chinese tea shop.

8. Spending an entire afternoon with Tennessee family that have all relocated to different parts of CA. This day was so fun for Darrell and I.
9. Our last stop before the airport and our red eye flight home. We walked 3/4 of the way across before I decided I needed a pit stop and turned back for the visitor's center. It was not nearly as peaceful a walk as I had hoped. It was very noisy and busy and the whole time we walked single file so we wouldn't get run over by bikes.

The trip was fun, relaxing and a great time for Darrell and I to enjoy being married and not just mom and dad:) Thanks babe for a great weekend.

Chasing Rabbits

2010-06-14T12:07:00.005-05:00

I will post San Francisco pictures soon, I promise.
We had a wonderful weekend-the kind of fun, free weekend with no major plans except a Birthday Party. We spent Saturday at a pool party and then at the pool. It was really the only thing to do since it was so hot and my kids aren't really allowed to stay inside.

I really love going to the pool because it does this to my kids...
...and I love worn out kids.

After church Sunday it was too hot again for plain outside time so I hooked up the slip n slide and had the neighbor kids over for water hose fun. That little idea turned into something entirely different. The kids saw a baby rabbit hop into our garage so an all out bunny hunt ensued.
It didn't take them long to wrangle that one little bunny play with him and release him back in the yard.

After Daddy got home he checked under the slide and this is what we found:

Three bunnies, soaking wet from our water day. Jackson, Linley and I ran around and caught baby bunnies while Darrell laughed at us for not being able to keep up with the tiny critters. Jackson then convinced Darrell to relocate the animals instead of, well, you know.

After this video Jackson went back out in the yard and found yet another bunny. It too was taken to it's new home with its brothers and sisters. Oh and Jackson thinks they were all sisters because he turned them over:)

It was very exciting and I am sure Jackson will be hunting rabbits for weeks to come in hopes of finding more. AT least we hadn't run over them with the lawn mower yet.

2010-06-08T11:23:00.001-05:00

We have been away from the kids for almost a week now and I officially miss them. Who wouldn't miss these monkeys?

Just in Case

2010-05-22T16:04:00.004-05:00

Just in case our life was looking a little too peachy, I thought I would add a little dose of this too!

Not that our life isn't peachy, but peachy is often peppered with little bouts of grumpiness from all of us.

In Linley's defense she had been at the hair salon for 2 hours and she was DONE.

Ziplining 2010-because there will be more!

2010-05-22T15:38:00.007-05:00

For Jackson's last day of school I decided to do something fun. I found a coupon for a Buy one Get one Free Zip line tour near Nashville. Gee decided that sounded fun and wanted to join us so the three of us set out for 10 zip lines and a little over an hour of stupendous fun. Oh and a few spins, bumps, giggles and rough landings!

Here is Gee getting ready for one of the milder zips with a running start. She stuck this landing pretty good.

Here are Jackson and I after our double zip-my first time holding hands with someone zipping next to me.
All of us!
And I saved the best for this video. It is only 20 seconds and you can turn the volume down, but let's just say that my beloved mother had a problem putting her feet down to land and I was so glad to capture it on video. Watch until the end.

And here is Jackson and I on the double. I love his giggles. Jackson told us that "this was the most funnest day he has ever had in his whole life"

I highly recommend the company and we will be going back!

www.adventureworks.com

Welcoming Summer

2010-05-22T15:29:00.003-05:00

We finished our (ok, really just Jackson) first year of school and in welcoming the summer here is our wish to you:

We hope your summer is as full of...
dirt,
fun, and
memories as ours already is!
We had an awesome first day of summer break complete with three generations on lots of ziplines. Stay tuned for footage of one Granny busting at the end:)

Johnson Fun Run

2010-04-29T14:16:00.002-05:00

Jackson participated in his school's fundraising event today which was a Fun Run. For years (6 to be exact) Darrell and I have wondered what Jackson's gifts would be as he grew up. We were pretty sure it wasn't soccer, nothing really where aggressiveness is key, and he doesn't play an instrument.
So his ideas to be an acrobats or actor/dancer were looking all too promising ( I can't say that we were thrilled about either one of those, but my brother wanted to be a garbage truck driver so there is hope yet.)

Well today he shined (oh and he shines in many ways that aren't athletic, but go with me here)

My son was one of only 2 in his class with 9 laps. That is 2.25 miles in about 25 minutes.
Look at him go. It would have been 10, but he slowed down to walk with his very best friend and neighbor (who happens to be a girl and precious and her mom told the principle that they were going to get married-but that is a different story)

This is at the end of 2 miles-he looks pooped.

ahhh, wasn't that fun. After the refreshing popsicle he asked if he could finish. Is he crazy? I think so.

I think this mommy will have to reward him by using her blow money to treat him to dinner (ok, so that is a reward for me too).

Tornado Boil 2010

2010-04-29T14:07:00.003-05:00

This was our 4th Annual Crawfish Boil. Every year we have had beautiful weather and lots of crawfish leftover. This year, not so much on either side. I think the rain huddled everyone closer and since there was really nothing else to do besides chow down, there was not a single ugly crawfish unspoken for. I kind of liked it. I also liked it because I didn't have to keep up with any kids, but we all know I would never enjoy an afternoon of good friends without my sweet precious children;)

So here it is in two pictures:
1. The hosts ( I love the parties where the ladies have to do very little, except of course the lady who had to clean up her house.)

2. These two were peeling as fast as they could for the two crawfish hungry vultures beneath them. My kids would never touch something that still has eyes and legs!

Oh and one more Happy Belated Birthday to Uncle Paul. We really hope you enjoyed that Princess Cake you requested:)

Florida

2010-04-15T12:20:00.008-05:00

Here are a thousand pictures chronicling our time in Defuniak Springs. Maybe not 1000 but at least 20.

We had a great time at Darrell's grandparents house last week. We made it to the beach 3 days and one of them was perfect. The other two were filled with jellyfish. It is hard to beat a free, clean (except from us:), hospitable place to stay. The week was filled with dirt roads, boiled peanuts, jelly fish, Seaside, sand, ice cream for breakfast, candy for lunch and carrot cake for dinner. And at three pounds heavier we made it back to the pollen clouds of Tennessee.

After the first day there and non stop whining from one of the two below I thought about leaving them both just like this for a few hours:

The hats were borrowed from Grandma and Grandpa. Jackson wore his backwards so he would look like a teenager.

My favorite part of the trip.
First ride at THE TRACK. I am pretty sure I went here when I was in High School and now I am back with my own kids. And by the way, the bumper boats should be called the soaker boats because you will not leave without being wet.

Happy Dance!

Boiled peanuts which became boiled, sandy peanuts.

I don't think there was ever a moment when she was without food. But how can you resist that chubalicious girl?
Riding or more accurately driving the little tractor...

...and the big one

Riding the chickens is a tradition at this place, but Jackson was adamant that Linley could only ride on the small one.

See ya next year Gma and Gpa and thanks for a great week!

Completely Random Post

2010-04-12T13:29:00.005-05:00

We just returned home from half of a week in Florida for spring break. It was a great time and many pictures will be coming, but until then I will have a completely random post on a few things that have been happening and a few other random thoughts.
1. Darrell (and I) recently bought a new (to us) car. If you have never saved up and paid cash for a newish car then I would highly recommend it. It drives much better:) My favorite part of this new car was when we went to fill it up for the first time. Neither of us could figure out how to open the gas tank. Finally I convinced D to let me read the owners manual. Here he is after we finally figured it out.
And here he is when he realized the paparazzi was going to put his picture on the blog.
2. I love my girlfriends and our recent weekend together. I also love this one and her fashion shows. My vote was for the silver number, but I was outvoted-tell me you all like the silver better too and I will be your best friend.

3. I love any time I get to hang out with girls sans kids! Mandi I had a picture of you showing us how to stand when taking a picture, but I decided you might not like that one published. You're welcome

4. I love the bounce dryer bar-they should pay me to advertise for this thing. If you don't have one then go get it. I even emailed them and told them how much I love it and they sent me a coupon. Bonus points for them.
5. Happy Easter ! I hope you all enjoyed my favorite holiday

6. Last and DEFINITELY least ( I kinda hope you have stopped reading by now), but don't we look really OLD! The crazy hair, the lazy eye, the wrinkles Oh MY!

Why I Am SOOOO Tickled

2010-03-25T13:57:00.006-05:00

So the other night I laughed sooo hard that my husband wanted me to be committed and my brother in law came out of hiding to check and see if I was crying or laughing.

I was laughing and I am still laughing and now you must hear why.

Darrell and I very frugally planned a trip to San Francisco this summer to go to a friends wedding.
On this trip we will have NO kids (this is very important to remember).

We got our air fare for next to nothing thanks to some travel vouchers that we have been holding onto and I also found an excellent coupon code for a rental car. So we get to and around San Fran for less than $200. All that is left to book is the hotel and this my friends was Darrell's job:)

He did a great job picking out the location and swankiness of the hotel.
Major props to Darrell, you see it is just too bad that I can't thank him properly;) because we will be staying in a room suitable for these two:

Yes my friends my loving and adoring husband booked a hotel room with TWO TWIN BEDS:0
And here is where I will steal something from one of my favorite tv show bloggers and insert the Jim Halpert face here:Love ya honey! Can't wait to cuddle up to my pillow on our 3 day trip to California without any kids!

Grocery Project: What I Learned

2010-03-08T08:50:00.002-06:00

I think I was hoping that Darrell would hate the meal planning (which he did), hate grocery shopping (which he did not), go over budget (which he did) and that at the end of it all he would come home full of praise and admiration for his wife with all that she does.

So here is what we learned so far:
1. I am a wimp when it comes to sticking to the rules. I was supposed to hand over the $$ and go away and let him figure it out. I didn't. Every time he moaned for a little help or got a little pouty, I would sigh, groan and go help.

2. Darrell had no idea that planning a menu actually meant you would have to think about ALL parts of the menu including the main dish AND the side dishes.

3. He also didn't take into consideration that breakfast, lunch and paper products had to be bought.

4. Looking in the pantry to see if we had any items, consisted of asking ME what we already had.

5. Coupons and Darrell work better if I am in charge:)

6. He gets bonus points for taking the grumpier of our two children with him to the grocery store only minutes before bedtime. No seriously he deserves much praise for this one!

7. He went WAY over budget and even brought home items in brands that I have never seen just to try and save a few dollars. This is funny b/c he bought some random orange marmalade(it looked like it came from the international food aisle), but then individual things of Pringles for Jackson's lunch-hello?

8. I still don't think he is a great appreciation for the time spent meal planning, couponing, and shopping, but I think he hated it just enough to not complain for a few weeks so:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The Grocery Project

2010-03-04T10:31:00.003-06:00

Just a little note for everyone to get ready for next week.
Darrell will be starting on a little journey I like to call ~~payback~~
The Grocery Project.
I have done the shopping, planning and couponing ever since Darrell and I have been married. Darrell loves that I save a lot of money, but just this week I thought it might be a fun little experiment to put him to work and maybe gain a little appreciation for the skills that it takes. (I just hope he doesn't put me to the yard project:)

For one or maybe two weeks I will hand over my weekly grocery budget and the big fat coupon book and let him have at it:0

It makes me smile just thinking about it.

So here are the rules:
1. He gets $75 to get all of our groceries and consummable items for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2. He has to make out a menu plan for the entire week and I will still do the cooking seeing as I don't plan on torturing EVERYONE in the household.
That doesn't seem to hard does it? At least I am not making him actually cook the food.

We will see how it goes. So, sweetie, enjoy that long weekend with the guys, because you have a lot of work to do on Sunday!

Any other wives willing to join me?

How He Earns Room and Board

2010-02-22T12:05:00.002-06:00

3 reasons I love these pictures of Uncle Paul playing with the kids:

1. The neighbors never take off their helmets at our house and Paul's first slide down and he still has a smile on his face. (so that is 2 but I couldn't decide which comment I liked best so I just made one run-on sentence)

2. The look on his face!

3. This is another 2 fold response: a) the kid shoving Uncle Paul down the slide
b) the little girl that asked me, 'where is the other daddy?' when Uncle Paul went inside.

Just for Mom

2010-02-10T09:42:00.000-06:00

A 6 year old Body and a 20 year old question

2010-02-04T10:24:00.005-06:00

As I snuggled on the tiny twin bed last night with Jackson I was greeted with a question that I am sure I didn't ask until I was in my 20's. I am also sure that I didn't ask them to my mom, but only to myself and God (not b/c I couldn't, but just because I was not at home).

So we snuggled as I prayed constantly for spirit filled answers to my son's question: "Why does God never give me what I ask for? Sometimes it is hard to believe he is real, when I don't ever get what I ask for?"

(Deep breath Dianne, you have not failed as a wife and mother, just figure out what he isn't getting from God.)

Well, babe what have you asked for that you haven't gotten?

Jackson with tears streaming down his face and body shaking from the sobs: "He never takes my bad dreams away even though I ask Him to make them stop, and meemaw and Samuel."

Friends if you have young children, I am just preparing you b/c this was not in any book I have read.

After talking we didn't slow the sobs, but after we prayed aloud, my tears falling softly onto his hair, discussing and telling God our frustrations and disbelief, asking for help and assurance, Jackson finally found peace, rest and sleep. Oddly enough I did too:)

Parenting Milestone

2010-01-28T08:43:00.001-06:00

I had a parenting milestone yesterday and I can't say that it was one I was wanting or expecting. Yesterday the kids and I loaded up to go buy shaving cream and something for dinner. After we checked out, got in the car and headed back home I heard Linley ask Jackson, "what is that?"

Jackson replied: "a new bouncy ball"

I asked Jackson where he got that bouncy ball and he told me he found it in the store.

I pulled the car over and we discussed. I found out that it was not with other bouncy balls and Jackson really thought some kid had just lost it and it was not for sale.

I asked Jackson what he thought we should do and he said, "Take it back" in the smallest, quietest, most scared voice I have ever heard.

As tears welled up in his eyes, he beggggggeeeddd me to give it back, but I wouldn't.

We found the manager who had checked us out and he put the ball on the counter.

It turns out that they do sell the balls, but this one had been picked up by a kid earlier and stuck on the candy shelf.

Jackson was terrified, sad, and mostly embarrassed.

I am pretty sure that was punishment enough.

Oh, and I am very proud of him too!

Activity Professional Week

2010-01-22T13:24:00.004-06:00

I was answering the phones at the front desk yesterday when this plopped down on the counter. I have never really been in a situation where wigs were presented in such a pretty and see through box.

Now on to the real reason of the post: A THANK YOU to my coworkers.

Don't be surprised that there is a week devoted to us Activity Professionals, because there is a week for EVERY job out there.
I was surprised, however, when my coworkers surprised me with delicious and fun treats for this special week.

I was treated like royalty. I am talking an entire pasta bar set up and operated by this awesome employee with my same last name. YUMM!
These two ladies brought my favorite breakfasts: chick fil a and panera bagels. A prize might be in order if a non co-worker can guess why the label on my rose says THE GIANT(hint: it came from the kids).

And last but not least a trip to get pedicures! Woohoo. Thanks guys

Birthday Boy

2010-01-19T10:28:00.005-06:00

6 years ago tomorrow, I walked into the hospital wearing a short sleeve shirt and it was 18 degrees outside. Clearly a 9lb baby can severely impair your internal thermostat.
Today it is supposed to be in the 50's and I can't wait to celebrate with this special almost 6 year old.
We had Jackson's bowling birthday party this weekend and it was super fun. I love his friends and of equal importance is the fact that Darrell and I love to hang out with all of their parents.

Easiest cake I have ever made. Thank you, Jackson for a break in making difficult cakes:)

Here is most of the bowling crew. We had some stragglers that wouldn't have their picture made. Carli, the only girl, may not appreciate the ratio today, but some day she will.

See you here later this week with my 6 favorite things about my 6 year old.

Who are you calling a Pushover?

2010-01-14T09:47:00.002-06:00

By looking at this picture I can't really tell who is more smitten with the other.
Is it that Daddy is so smitten with his daughter that he would be willing to paint her toenails or
that Linley is so smitten with her Daddy that she would let him.

Oh what's that you say, you need to see a close-up of my husband painting toenails?
Well, here you go.

...and why is Darrell painting her nails you ask?
Because she asked him too. How about that for love!

P.S. He did a good job too:)

All Better Now

2010-01-11T11:52:00.005-06:00

So what do you do when you have a Murphy's Law kind of weekend? You know the weekend where your car turns sideways in the snow on the narrowest road possible, the one were you get the call that grandma isn't doing so well, and the one were your husband calls and tells you the pipes are frozen.

Yeah, that's the kind of weekend that I am talking about and here is exactly what you do:

First you do a little of this with the much older women* of the neighborhood (by older women, I mean 4th graders).

Then you head to Memphis and do this:

...and since it was Memphis we also saw 2 crooks get busted:0

Then you head back to Gee and Grandaddy's house for a lot of this:
Now then, I feel much better:)

Love It

2010-01-05T12:07:00.004-06:00

For 2010 I will focus on more of the positive things that comes from this SPIRITED 2 year old.
And here is one: she is just too darn adorable to not love!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-12-30T10:45:00.001-06:00

So I am making New Year's Resolutions, but since I am sooo generous and loving some of these Resolutions are for some of YOU!

1. I resolve to convince my friends Kristy and Polly and cousin Emily to start a blog. If you travel, have kids, are funny or I don't get to see you often, I expect you to start one this year. Afterall, I can't look at Facebook at work so I need something to occupy my lunch break.
I would have added one more friend, Melissa, but she already made one-yeah for her.

2. I resolve to NOT vacuum or sweep my kitchen floor every day, I think every other day will be just fine.

3. I resolve to not complain about my commute to work and daycare since I am the one who chose to move my child to a far away daycare.

4. I resolve to convince my brother in law to babysit for free at least twice a month for the next year and a half in exchange for room and board.

5. I resolve to convince Darrell that he is an excellent cook and that he should really share that gift by cooking for us once a week (aren't I generous?)

Any others I am missing?
How 'bout you?

Favorites from Christmas

2009-12-28T09:32:00.005-06:00

Here is the obligatory Christmas post, but unfortunately I only took about 10 pictures.

Every Christmas someone has to get sick, it is a rule and this year was no different except that BOTH kids got sick.

Christmas Eve we made a trip to our regular doctor for Linley-I will not discuss this one any farther (it was a little disgusting even for me:) Oh, but I will say that it was quite humorous to try and collect urine from a 2 year old GIRL.
The Sunday after Christmas we visited the walk-in clinic for Jackson. Apparently everyone else was sick too since there was a line at the door before it even opened. Once again Jackson was breathing like Darth Vader and had low Blood Oxygen levels.

So we packed up both sick kids with a bag full of meds and instructions and shipped them to Memphis! Thanks Gee and Grandaddy-hope Granny camp this week is fun.
here are some pics from the week:

Linley checking out Santa's cookie plate

Getting ready to walk down to the lake bed

Darrell climbing up the icy boat ramp
Oh and Darrell called and left me a message wanting everyone to know that this is his every day hat that he loves and adores and he can make one for you too;)

After he sunk knee deep into the lake mud-ewww.

Country Top Ten

2009-12-22T08:07:00.004-06:00

This past weekend one of my best friends, Amanda, invited us to the Cotton Gin in Somerville. This is the cotton gin that her loooonnnnnnng time boyfriend, Winn, partially owns. We loved the tour and since I love Top Ten Lists I will give mine for our little trip.

Top Ten(or 8) Reasons I Love Going to the Country and the Cotton Gin.

8. By the time you get there you have been in the car so long you must take a bathroom break except there are no places to stop.

7. When you do finally arrive at your destination you find a bathroom that has this on the back of the toilet:
6. We were the ONLY one that pulled up without a BAT (Big #@$ Truck)

5. Getting to play with unseeded cotton, which will also double as our next show and tell.

4. Seeing Darrell in a non business setting, loving all the details of cotton ginning(is it possible to make anything into a verb?) Win, what is the verb of cleaning cotton?

3. Freezing our butts off while looking at bales and bales of cotton and trying to not get knocked down by Juan driving the forklift thingy.

2. Being able to know exactly what every piece of machinery does, because they don't have sophisticated names:

And the Number One reason I loved the Sommerville, TN is because someday my friend will live there too.

The Coolest Neighbors

2009-12-21T09:57:00.004-06:00

I have the coolest neighbor on one side of us. Ms. Rhonda invited my kids over to decorate cookies a week ago. She started off the afternoon with these adorable chef outfits.

She then put them to work decorating. I don't know why on earth it makes me crazy to let kids do this, but since it wasn't my house that had to be cleaned up afterward, I just shut my mouth and let the sprinkles flow.
...and flow they did. LInley had so many sprinkles that you couldn't even see the cookie when she was done.

I particularly love this picture, not so much because of what Jackson is rolling into a ball, but more because that same round shape is protruding from his left cheek:)

The final product was adorable and fun to eat and we loved our time with our very giving neighbor. Thanks Ms. Rhonda!

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-17T13:24:00.001-06:00

A little holiday cheer from Linley!

Obsessed?

2009-12-09T10:33:00.004-06:00

Any one else have kids who are obsessed with these?

...Cause I have two that are

I had never heard of these rubberband thingys until recently. The kids in the neighborhood and a coworker had told me about them, but I didn't give it much thought because Jackson didn't really care. Then, Jackson came home from school and in a very non chalant voice just told me that has been trading his 1 silly band for different ones everyday.

I asked him if he wanted more and he said yes.
Me: Then you should ask for Santa to bring them to you
Jackson: No, Santa can't make them, you have to buy them
Me: Then ask for mommy and daddy to get them for your christmas present
Jackson: (very frustrated) NO, I don't want to know what I am getting for Christmas
Me: Then are you going to pay for them
Jackson: Yes, I have money in my piggy bank

So I went yesterday and bought a pack of 24 and got them for free with a coupon I had.

Aren't I a great mom? I got my kids something cheap and fun and didn't even break the piggy bank:) I will be accepting mom of the year awards until the New Year;)

"Camping"

2009-12-08T09:23:00.003-06:00

Jackson has been begging to go camping. So Darrell decided this past weekend was a perfect time for a trial run in the backyard, nevermind the fact that the low was in the 20's. I kept waking up all night expecting the two boys to come in to warm up, but they never did. Jackson had so much fun that he was ready to camp again the next night.

Luckily, Linley and I got to stay inside the warm house and sleep. She did get to help with the breakdown of the equipment.

Who Needs An Almanac

2009-12-06T13:22:00.003-06:00

There is one thing that we can always count on; the fact that it will be FREEZING cold the day of the Candlelighting.

It obviously didn't stop the kids from having a good time in the daylight, but when the sun set they headed off to play in the car.

It was pretty as always:) (I am talking about the candles of course and not the flowers, because I had a minor meltdown when I picked them up and they put RED:((( flowers in the arrangement. I of course got over it after my mini tantrum. sigh.)

What Am I Doing Wrong Here?

2009-12-03T12:21:00.002-06:00

I stuck Linley in the bath the other day and it was time to get out to eat dinner. She refused to get out so I gave her the 2 minute warning. When the time was up I started to drain the water and this happened:
A screaming mess. She laid in the bathtub until all the water was gone, refusing to leave. I finally went to get a towel to cover her and let her finish her tantrum. After a few minutes I decided it was time to document it. Darrell walked in as I was grabbing the camera, he heard the screaming and asked what I was doing. "Just taking a picture of our daughter, wet and naked, screaming in the bathtub."

I mean isn't that what everyone does after bathtime?

She finally stopped screaming long enough to see the picture I took of her.

Really? Anyone else have a spirited young daughter with advice? If I can teach her to channel that passion towards something productive we will be golden.

Love her even with that messy, swollen, red face:)