He's 90!!!

Grandaddy turned 90 on Jan 25! We all met at Olive Garden to celebrate.  Mom brought the birthday tree, balloons, and blowers.  Olivia thought we should wear our funny hats (O's cowboy hat & E's red hair didn't make this picture).  I guess mom opted to leave her clown suit in the trunk.

Picture: Fords, Grandpa, Grandma, Grandaddy, Judy, Linda, Dan(Judy's son), Jim(Judy's son), Levi, Treasure.

The Potters. Grandaddy still seems young and spry to me. And he still cuts up with jokes. I am very thankful for him and feel blessed to be apart of the same family.

 I couldn't get the picture with the nose on, but cute none the less.

 Isaac stayed right with him while he opened presents. This is a rubber chicken that squeaks. Every 90yr old needs one.

 Isaac Joel and Joel Potter.

Happy Birthday Grandaddy!  We love you!!

The Little Things

So realizing that I haven't posted anything since Christmas, I started thinking about what's been going on. I've come up with nothing.  We've been staying home lots trying to get better.  For example....Elias. His 1st puking. 15min before neighbors came for dinner.  I was excited that I caught it on my shirt & leg and moved off the rug before it hit the floor. Easy clean up.  The little things.

 Since he has been crying LOTS and LOTS during the day, and up ALL night, my normal self has been a little altered.  But I was SO THANKFUL when a friend brought me a few of my favorite things....plus ice cream that was gone before the picture! It was really nice to know someone cared I was having a horrible weekend. :-)  The little things.

 After making it to the doctor for his 1yr check up and finding out he had an ear infection, and teeth coming in along with the puke episode...I made a discovery in the drawer.  Medicine cuppers and droppers.  Looks like somebody has been sick....and who knows how many have gotten thrown away or played with in the pool. I was impressed by how many there were. The little things.

Two other little things that have brought joy: snow day and ice day. When I asked which the kids liked playing in better: snow or ice, they both answered "both".  I wouldn't have guessed that, although I did enjoy eating icicles with them. 

Christmas in Missouri

We spent Christmas break in Missouri. The trip took about 11hrs but Justin found things to do while riding in the back seat for awhile.

 Getting ready to open presents on Christmas.

 The gang.

 All the kids opening their "big box" present at the same time.  They all got sleeping bags.  Looks like we'll all have to go camping now!

This one made me laugh for some reason. I don't know...they just looked like a bunch of kids...all grown up...sorta. (Greg is on a smaller chair.)

 My mom got the boys matching shirts. I guess that means they have to wrestle.

 Lunchtime.  Elias REALLY liked sitting at the counter with Isaac and Olivia on each side.

 Group shot. On couch: Karsen, Aleah, Nana, Gramp, Elias, Olivia, Isaac. Behind: Nate, Katie, Greg, Justin, Tami. Missing: Andrea.

 Helping Gramp with the dishes.

 Isaac and Olivia took turns reading to the "class".  If you look close you will see the "kids" are dice. 

 Cousins.

 Uno Domino was a big hit.  It was played a BUNCH of times by adults and kids.

 Aww..

 I have no idea what's going on here, but it looks intense.

 We did some baking while there. Haystacks.

 Dipped pretzels, peanut brittle, and sugar cookies.

The kids tromped thru the forest in the backyard and made a fort. They could actually crawl under the roof you see here.

 Katie, Justin, all the kids, and I went hiking around a short trail in Gramp & Nana's neighborhood.

 Took a pit stop.

 We went to the Magic Tree again this year. This time Grandma Phyllis and Don came too.

 This was made with the little snow that was left in Nana & Gramp's backyard from before we arrived. I&O put a real carrot, chocolate chips, and mini twigs in it.

 Nana and Gramp showed us where this pond was in some trees nearby.  It was frozen so I&O got to walk on the edges of it. They thought that was cool.

 Another pit stop.

 Aww...

 We came out of the trees into the school playground.

 Then it snowed for real while we were there! It was beautiful!! I&O playing on the deck.

 Gramp taking Elias on the swing too.

 Isaac walking through the backyard trees while it snowed.

 We got to make a bigger snowman, snowfort, and snowtower. Thank you Karsen for staying out so long with me!

 We brought some snow inside for Elias to play with too. He didn't have snow attire. We also made snow ice cream, a new favorite of mine. Too bad we live where it never snows!

 Justin took I&O sledding with his cousin Jackie and family.

We also took a day trip to Springfield MO to go to a friend's wedding.  I got to meet up with an old roommate, who happened to be driving thru Springfield on the same day. Our families met at the mall so the kids could play. SUPER FUN TIME! Here they are: Brandi and Cesar with kids Isaiah, Levi, and Arin.

We were in Columbia for New Years. No pictures but everybody went to Justin's Aunt Jackie and Uncle Doug's house for games and food.  It was the first time that Isaac and Olivia did not have to go to bed. Yes, they stayed up until 1AM!!! (and no meltdowns)

We had a great time seeing everyone in Missouri. Christmas comes and goes so fast. Isaac is already asking when is it going to be Christmas again.

Christmasy

Justin got some new tools (pre-Christmas Christmas gift) and decided to make my dad a butterfly house.  Here it is. He did everything....holes and all. I thought it turned out great!

 A friend gave us a family fun night at Chuck E Cheese.  It was the kids 1st time going and they had a blast.

 Elias got to enjoy some of the rides too.  He was enthralled with the marshmallows on this one.

 We stayed the night with my folks one night and Olivia decided to have a coloring contest for us. She drew all the castles and we had to color them.  She and Isaac were the judges. See if you can figure out who did what.

Again, Olivia drew the castles. Not a contest, but still fun.

 Then we went to Dollywood to enjoy the lights and see an ice skating show. Justin and I got to ride the Wild Eagle for the 1st time. Front seat. In the dark. Very cool.

This is just another thing that Justin made out of legos that I think is way cool.  It's a train station for squinkies. I'm constantly amazed at his creativity and engineering skills with the kids' toys.

 My friend  Katie and I took our boys to the kids' science center in Oak Ridge.

 Fun with trains, a play house, rocket ship and more.

 The fire alarm got pulled (school field trip was there) while we were there so we had to wait outside for awhile.  We had lunch and played on the playground. 3 fire trucks came, but there was no fire. Oliver was certain he "saw smoke coming from the roof".  Isaac made sure he told Justin when he got home from work.

 Olivia's last day of school before Christmas break was only 1/2 day so after I picked her up, I took the kids to the zoo for the indoor Christmas activities. We saw Santa and made an ornament.

 There was not a whole lot to play with so we didn't stay long.

We had Christmas with my parents before we left for Missouri. Elias liked all the paper and bows.

 There we are. THANK YOU very much Grandma and Grandpa for all the awesome gifts!

 There it is again.

 Merry Christmas

 This is what happens when Justin goes to the dollar store for some of the kids' Christmas presents.

I must say, we did have some great laughs with these teeth.