Playing in the Leaves!

Tuesday it was in the 70's here in KC so Granny and PaPa thought it would be fun to jump in the leaves! The kids at first were a little reluctant but once they took that first jump there was no going back! The pile was enourmous probably the biggest I've seen in a long time--I remember when I was little and we would all go out and jump in leaves for hours....good memories! Now the weather today was in the 30's and snowed a bit so the same leaves we jumped in on Tuesday we are eating snow off of today! --crazy global warming....just kidding Greg:)

Christmas Lights

Every year my parents get all the lights up before Thanksgiving and then Thanksgiving night we all go outside and watch while my dad turns the lights on--although sometimes they don't turn on right away but my dad always gets them turned on eventually:) When we got to town they still needed to put up there train so Abby was their helper! She kept telling PaPa that she thinks he might have put it together wrong.....but it ends up she was looking at it upside down:)

Granny's Office

We drove to Kansas City yesterday and we had a really good trip. It was just the kids and I since Greg had to work so that always makes for an interesting trip! They are such troopers and the DVD player we borrowed from some friends was a LIFESAVER! (thanks Shane and Misty--and your 3 wonderful kiddos)
One time the kids had to go to the bathroom and they weren't gonna make it---we were on a toll road outside of Wichita and there were NO bathrooms in sight----sooooo I stopped on the side of the road and both of them went right there! Now really this is quite normal on road trips except that Abby went all over my foot and the car smelled of pee all the way to KC--classic! We finally got here around dinner time after 10 long hours---let's just say the kids were READY to get out of the car and play with Granny and PaPa! Both the kids didn't sleep a wink the whole trip so they were both asleep around 7:45pm---that's a record bedtime in our house because we normal don't get them down until 9 or so!

Anyways this picture is of Reese at Granny's office. She has this great break room that has video games, ping pong, free coke machines and about 20 nerf dart guns---why a business needs this is a mystery to me--oh they also have treadmills and 2 deluxe massage chairs---crazy---where can I sign-up? So you can imagine how much fun the kids had there and we plan to go up sometime on Thanksgiving day and let all the kids play (and the adults:)
Well I should have some really good blogs this week so if you can find time between all the eating come and check it out! Happy Thanksgiving!

Stacking Cups!

Abby got some stacking cups for her birthday and she loves them! If you have never heard of this game before you time your self stacking a bunch of cups and try to beat the clock--it's pretty fun! They also glow in the dark so the kids think it is so fun to play with them with all the lights off! Abby and Reese haven't set any world records yet but they are well on their way! I on the other hand have not gotten a hang of this yet--and it drives me crazy---why can't I stack these silly cups? .......I guess you have to be under the age of 18???

Reese's Surgery

Reese getting ready for surgery

Reese a little loopy from the drugs--we kept having to hold him from falling off the bed!

Reese in the recovery room-we finally got him to
stop crying and get some sleep!


This morning Reese had surgery and he is already pretty much back to his normal self! He didn't seem scared at all even when the doctor's were all around messing with him. The surgery was really fast-even faster then the doctor anticipated-he said Reese went to sleep quickly and gave them no problems. When we got into pre-op they gave Reese this little red "cocktail" (drugs) as they called it and then they warned Greg and I that he might get a little loopy. He did get loopy but actually he was just giddy and relaxed. Greg and I have never seen our son "drunk" before (of course) so it was quite humorous watching him! As they took him back I was a little concerned he might get scared, but he just laid back and waved goodbye--sweet boy!
So after he got to recovery we got to go back one at a time and see him. He was not as happy as before the surgery and actually he had quite a difficult time coming off of the drugs. They ended up having to give him more drugs because we could not get him comfortable and to stop crying for an hour--it was so sad to see him this way! After the drugs kicked in he was really comfortable finally and got to watch a few cartoons-which made him really happy! Besides throwing up on the way home we had a pretty low key rest of the day--he got in a nap and was running around shooting a bow and arrow by tonight---man they told us he would bounce back quickly but I was never expecting it this fast! I plan to sleep with him tonight and continue to watch him closely through the night, but it looks like we are out of the woods and appreciate all the prayers and concerns!

Reese's Surgery

We are leaving right now to take Reese to have surgery- at 7:30-8:00am he will be going in to get tubes and his adenoids taken out. Please be praying for him that everything will go smoothly and that he will have NO problems with the anesthesia. We will keep you posted!

Abby's 5th Birthday Party!

A few weekend's ago we had a Princess Tea Party for Abby and I am just now getting to blogging about it--so sad....I am disappointed in myself! Anyways it was a great party and Abby planned every detail from the cake to her Granny being the clown! When the girls first got there we had a tea party all set up and they all sat down for tea---it was funny how quiet the girls were I wasn't sure if if they were bored or overwhelmed! We then had a clown show(my mom was the clown) and all the kids seemed to really like that. The part Abby liked the most was running around and playing in the bakyard! (figures-- we mom's try to do too much when all the kids want to do is run around together!) Well I think she liked her presents too and the cake was incredible---who made it??? Only kidding!
Well we are finally done with all the kids birthday's and it wasn't as bad as I thought---I really was praying that this year I would just enjoy the kids and not get bogged down in details and that's exactly what I did! So Happy Birthday 5th Abby we love you! Can't wait till next year--ok I am lying I could use a break:)

Speedway 5K

Saturday the kids and I ran in a race together---well kinda--they ran in a 50 yard dash and I ran after them in a 5K . We have been planning this for a few months now and thought it would be really fun for the kids since it was at the Speedway---during the whole race you could hear the cars speeding around the track---it was pretty cool!
Well the kids had fun running....after they finally got up enough guts to get on the starting line:) Greg kinda had to push them and I ran along the side of the road for support. At the finish line they each got medals and they smoked all the other kids...ok not really but they had a blast and that's all that matters!
After the kids ran they got to watch me run in the 5K--it's kinda boring to watch me run since you really only see me at start and finish but they cheered like crazy and were a great support! This run I was feeling terrible so after the race we headed home pretty quick which means we missed the awards and I found out tonight I placed 1st in my age division--stink I didn't stay to get my award! --And I'd say 1st place is pretty good since I about threw up twice during the run.....man if I was feeling that bad and got 1st I wonder how second place feeling:)????
Anyways we had fun and both the kids said they wanted to go to my next race---we'll see about that-- I'm not sure they want to hangout for 2 hours while I run 13 miles---but I guess if they want to I can use all the support I can get!

Is it already that time of year again???

We decided to put our Christmas tree up last night. We will be out of town some of this Christmas season so we wanted to enjoy our decorations as much as possible! The kids had such a blast putting together the tree---they helped daddy put it all together! This is our first year to have a fake tree so we will see how it goes....at least I can't kill this one:) Also Reese took the first picture and he wanted you all to know!--pretty good I'd say!
Well I guess we can officially start playing Christmas music in our house---yeah! (no waiting until after Thanksgiving this year!)

What is wrong with this picture?

If you guessed swimsuits in November then you are correct! What in the world is going on with this weather??? I like it, don't get me wrong-- but we are all a bit confused in our house---we washed the car during the day and put up our Christmas tree at night! WEIRD!

Camping Trip with Maw Maw and Poppa!

cooking marshmallows!

Get back here Reese!

climbing a mountain!

Picture of a herd of deer--kinda:)

**Guest blogger: Maw Maw Stamps--Greg's mom

God blessed us with perfect camping weather and a perfectly wonderful trip altogether!

We got to our campsite & Poppa told us we needed to get our things unloaded &, without another word, all 4 of the kids, Abby, Charlie, Reese & Landry, started taking things to our campsite then returning & asking Poppa what else they could carry. They kept up that spirit until Poppa told them that was all--they'd finished the job!

Besides perfect weather, we were also blessed with the best campsite at the park! When these kids' daddies were little guys we discovered this spot & always requested it when we went there. It has a rock table, benches, and fire pit & wonderful big rocks to climb & hide around--all going right up to the lake.

Our activities Friday night & Saturday included lots of hiking; hide and seek and climbing on & among the giant rocks (yes, they're "bigger than GOLIATH"!); sitting on those rocks and looking at the stars; a campfire, complete with s'mores; Abby & Charlie dancing by spotlight; several Brer Rabbit stories (the kids discovered that his hole just happened to be at the bottom of a tree right outside our shelter!); a big camping breakfast; and lots of sweet and simple thanks to God all mixed in. Oh yes, we also had a raccoon visit our site and saw a deer with a pretty good rack of antlers crossing the road! After that the kids all became deer. You can see their antlers in the picture. We woke up to a rooster crowing (he looked a lot like Charlie!) and immediate giggles all around!

We talked about God telling Jeremiah how He knew him before he was born & even had a plan for his life! And the same's true for each of us. God even told Jeremiah not to say, "I'm too young" but to be a bold messenger for Him. We talked about how we can know God's plan by knowing His Word because His Word is a light along our path. Poppa showed us how the flashlight lights our paths when it's dark--just like God's Word guides our lives!

Probably the biggest highlight for MawMaw & Poppa was watching the kids all interacting. All 4 of them were so thoughtful, encouraging and respectful to each other and to us. They all looked out for each other and showed thankful hearts toward each other, toward us and toward God. As we prayed at bedtime, Reese thanked God for "letting us go camping with MawMaw & Poppa and for the fun, fun, fun we're having...." As we ate our ice cream before heading home, Charlie said to all his cousins, "Don't we have a sweet Poppa!" They all agreed--& giggled!

Father, please bless Abby and Charlie and Reese and Landry, and each of us, with tender and thankful hearts toward You! Please help each one of us to learn & love Your Word, to be bold messengers for You and to walk on Your path for us all the days of our lives!

Bikes!

Abby got a new princess bike for her birthday and she is loving it! Reese is also loving the fact that Abby got a bike because now he has a new "hand-me-down" bike! --win-win! Happy Birthday to everyone:)

Abby's First Field Trip!

I wanted to get a picture where you could see how close we were--that's the stage on the right-crazy!

Me trying to get all of us in the picture--victory! (well Abby kinda got squished but she's fine!)

Today Reese and I went with Abby on her first field trip at school! I feel like a real mom now--you know a real "room mom"--I think I was a bit more excited than the kids:) (see this is why I stay home--I get to do all the fun stuff:) Well anyways the field trip was at a local theater and we saw Charlotte's Web. When they took us to our sits we were surprised to be seated on the first row---it was awesome! I don't think I have ever sat that close in my life---seriously we were so close I was worried they might spit on us when they were singing--yuck:) hehe I guess maybe I'm a bit OCD:) --anyways the kids had fun and the play was just long enough and was done really well! I can't wait for her next field trip---those were always my favorite days in school!

Happy 5th Birthday Abby!

Abby waking up to a birthday cupcake!

"This is a yummy breakfast mommy!"

Abby's birthday cake at the Cheesecake Factory!-we told her she could pick where she wanted to go and she picked here--what can I say?--she has good taste:)

Abby opening a present from Mommy, Daddy and Reese--she got a bunch of princess books--yeah--as if we need more princess stuff!

Today was Abby's 5th Birthday! We had her birthday party Saturday with all her friends and family so she was a bit confused about today--she kept asking if we were gonna have another party and I told her that we would just have a little family party today--(and I am not making another castle cake:)!
Well we started off the day with cupcakes and singing and then for lunch we went to chick-fila and then met daddy at The Cheesecake Factory for dessert! We had a lot of dessert today --wow I didn't really notice until I started writing it down-- it seems like a sugar overload---no wonder we couldn't get them to sleep tonight! --hehe!
Well anyways I think she had a great birthday -- as I have said before I really love birthdays and look forward to making the day as special as I can! I have really enjoyed these past 5 years and told her tonight that I look forward to 500 more---and she said, "no mommy a million more!" *we'll see if she feels this way when she is a teenager--oh I hope so:)

Reese's Dedication

New family photo--good picture of us but the kids aren't looking again!!

Sunday we had Reese dedicated at church. We have been wanting to do it since he was born of course but being in DC we really just wanted to wait until we had a home church. Well this weekend my parents were in town and Greg's parents and Grandma could be there so we went ahead and did it! I was a little nervous what Reese would do on stage (being 3 year old and all)-I guess I thought he might crack a joke or something but instead he cried! It was so sad! The pastor wanted to pray for Reese and asked him if he could hold him and Reese wasn't too excited about that! In the end all was fine and Reese couldn't wait to get a donut--which I promised him if he was brave!

Reese Football Hour!

Today Reese and I played a little football in the backyard. He likes for me to be the quarterback and he likes to run and kick the ball--he doesn't like it if I get to the ball first and kick it:) Here in the picture I was shaking his wiggles out---that is something I have to do from time to time because he has a little too much energy for his own good!

Here is a video of us playing football today!

Cake Making 101

Since Wednesday afternoon I have been working on Abby's birthday cake! I asked my friend Faith if she would help me make Abby a castle cake--she has her own cake business so she knows what she is doing:) Well as you can see we had everyone helping---Greg and my dad made all the little pink flowers....thanks guys! Then Faith, my mom and I did all the icing and actual building of the cake. I am really happy with the outcome and am so thankful for all the help--seriously this one was a bit detailed! Also today we had Abby's birthday party and I will be blogging on that real soon----BUT after two weekends of birthday parties I must take a break---so I gotta go we're watching a movie:)

Happy Halloween!

I hope you all had a great Halloween---we did! We first went to our church for our Fall Festival and then headed home to go trick-or-treating---the kids had so much fun and were so excited to get to eat so much candy!! I hope you enjoy the slide show-I am able to add so many more picture this way and...I like them!:)
***two funny things happened while we were trick or treating that are too funny not to tell!
First, most every time Reese walked up to a door someone asked him if he was Staubach or Romo (two players for the Cowboys) and Reese had no idea what they talking about--since we just got done watching the World we haven't had too much time for football!! Anyways when someone asked this Abby would say, "why does everyone keep asking him that?" Greg and I realized that maybe we should teach the kids some football--(but not too much---baseball is way more important in this family:)
Secondly, we kept telling the kids to say trick or treat when the person came to the door and they kept forgetting--- except one time Reese sang a little song that went like this: "trick or treat give me some candy--that I NEED!" **don't worry we made him at least say thank you!

Make your own slide shows and scrapbooks

Picture Day!

Abby had picture day yesterday and I just had to share this ADORABLE picture! This is a new favorite for me---definitely going in a frame!

Cowboys!

Reese's attempt at the Heisman!

Greg and I got Reese a cowboys uniform for his birthday and he wants to wear it all the time! Here Abby and Reese are both trying it on for the first time---Reese now has decided that he wants to be a football player for Halloween---oh how they change their minds from day-to-day-----wait that sounds like me??? I guess it's not so bad after all:)