OMG a huge, huge life lately post

Well hellooooooo there! I have been beyond MIA lately.  So sorry.  We went to the beach for Thanksgiving-- hope to have that post up soon, and when we got back, I was in full blown Christmas decorating mode and then I wanted to take advantage of all the cyber deals for presents (still haven't ordered much....) and every time I would sit at the computer, it would be to do something else, and then someone would have to use it for homework or whatever, so I had to move and the blog got put off. 

It feels good to be back! This post will be overly long, so feel free to skim.  This is one of those thats good for me to look back on. 

Here's a look at life lately around here!

Some big news--

The Monday after Thanksgiving, Cal's class had a spelling bee- the top three winners in the class bee go on to the GRADE level bee.  Somehow, by the grace of God, Cal made it into the top three.  Seeing as I totally forgot about the bee until the night before at 5:30, this was impressive! The list we got for the grade level bee is also impressive... and I am unable to pronounce about 75% of the words on the list.  I am not real hopeful he will make it out of the grade level bee, but I sure am excited for him!

We got home from the beach on Sunday and went to get our Christmas tree.  The boys and I were counting cars with trees on the top the whole way home from the beach.  Seeing a car with a tree tied to its top is one of my most favorite things.  Seems so weird, I know-- but I would like that as one of my "favorite things" in life.  I am weird. 

We had to go to two farms to find a good one, but we were all happy when we finally found the one! Andy was too busy talking to someone about their tree, so I got a picture of Cal in front of all of the trees while we waited for ours to be cut and bagged.  

The boys both got new sheets for me to put on their beds when we got home.  Andy got Rudolf....

and Cal got the Ginch.  

 I looooooove these flannel sheets! I want them for my bed; soooooo crazy soft. 

Andy is Christmas.  Cal loves it too, don't get me wrong-- but Andy truly is the epitome of Christmas... he is so excited by it all and every day he gets closer and closer to popping with joy from it all.  He walks about in awe of the decorations and he gasps and stares when he sees a new decoration. It has been so great to enjoy this time of year through his eyes.  Cal is really happy and loves the decorations too-- but Andy takes the excitement to a whole new level.  He helped me decorate the tree-- the other males in this house didn't care much about it.  Andy and I listened to Christmas music as we hung up lights (and ornaments later on in the week).

I had a dinner at a friend's house last week-- we rocked our popper crowns, happily! Have I mentioned how much I love my sweet friends?!?!

Last Wednesday, I attended a field trip with Andy to Marbles museum in Raleigh.  He was excited I tagged along.  We had a group of three boys that I was in charge of keeping track of- not an easy task!

This cutie was not in my group, but we were suuuuper excited to get to see him there!

No surprise Andy found the sporting section to be the best part....

We had lunch there- Andy was grinning ear to ear the whole time.  

 Back to play for a hew more hours!

And over to another football display.... working that tongue.

 By the end of the day, I was flat WORN out.  And really glad I wore my sneakers to chase after these boys! But no matter how tired I was, it was worth it to get to spend this time with Andy.  He is so hard at home.  I mean SO.HARD.  He screams and cries and throws stuff and tests my patience daily/hourly.  But watching him with his school friends-- y'all, he is SO good at school.  I mean, SO good.  He is kind and well mannered and extremely well-behaved.  And, honestly, it was nice for me to have a little reminder that he isn't a total a-hole.  (sorry mom).  He saves all his bad behavior for me, but that's how I prefer it-- be good at school, Nug.  Take it out on me.  I will take it...or at least I will try.  Promise. 

This is how I felt when I came home.....

 Let's see, what else....

Our elf, Manning, came back the day after Thanksgiving and I thought both boys were going to pop from excitement.  Andy likes to talk to him every day-- just fill him in on a few little mishaps......

When it came to putting ornaments on the tree, I had a helper ready and teetering... (note: tree has been tired down this year.... no need to have a repeat of last year....).

And, Mr. Andy found a puzzle he insisted on putting together.  He worked so hard on this (and it worked my nerves like you wouldn't believe-- he would scream and tantrum when an edge piece wouldn't fit in the middle of the puzzle.... dear gracious, give me strength....).

 He got really into it and I turned around to see him getting a better angle. 

He had pj day last week and I got him a new pair of Rudolf jammies-- he about lost his mind when he saw them.  I mean freaking out and jumping up and down and clapping and cheering.  Talk about making my morning! 

 They came with a nose (which, now that I am typing this, I realize we have not seen the nose since this picture was taken....hmmmmm....)

Friday night we went over to a friend's house for some fun and food.  We stayed WAY too late, but everyone was so happy and having fun so we just rolled with it.  Andy was exhausted so I gave him my phone-- on the camera roll, I had about 80 pictures of their elf, and then this selfie at the end.  How stinking hilarious is that?!

Saturday, this cutie had his first basketball game!!! WOOHOO! His team is the Rockets and then they got their jerseys and they are red, so they are the red rockets..... omg, I was cracking up! 

 This new league is much (MUCH) more intense than the last basketball league-- fouls and double dribbles and travels very quickly...it is a great way to learn the game. 

 All smiles after the big win!

After the game, I went and took Tricia and Tommy's Christmas card-- how cute are they?!?! I was super excited about this.  Their dog smiles when the camera comes out-- isn't that hilarious?? 

Saturday night, we had a low key family dinner and then Eddie had some guys from the neighborhood over-- so I went over to another house with some of the ladies! It was a late night (for me....I am old!) but we had a great time-- lots and lots and lots of laughs.  This picture was from the attic....

I was sitting at the house hanging out when I realized it was 12:30 and usually that's around the time Andy wakes up (yes, he is back to not ever sleeping....sigh).  Eddie and the guys were out back around the campfire, so I knew he wouldn't hear him.  I ran home and walked in right as Andy came down the stairs crying.  I sent the girls this picture-- fun over!

 Sunday, my mom and I took the boys to see the Grinch!!! We had the best time!!! Grandma was suckered into buying Max animals for the boys and they love love love them!

 Rudolf had to attend too.... of course he did. 

 Cal was so into the show! He was laughing out loud and grabbing my arm-- it was so fun to watch it with him. 

 Our crew before the show started-- happy boys, and moms!

 Andy and Cal and two Maxes and Rudolf!

You might notice Rudolf no longer has a nose-- a sweet white dog I know got ahold of him.... well, Manning was kind enough to sew on a new nose for him...

And finally-- my parents requested a grandchild picture for the Christmas card this year so we all went over there Monday night for a quick picture... probably should have made mine change clothes.... oh well. 

There was another picture that my mom posted on fb and Andy was making a face in it.  Tommy sent me this:

 I was dying laughing....


So that's a quick catch up! Geeeeez, that was a long one!!!! My apologies!
 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you each are spending this day feeling truly grateful to be alive. I am thankful for my amazing family and the sweetest friends a girl could ever want.  My boys bless me daily and I am forever thankful for them.

And also: today is about some grub.  As you are feasting on whatever it is you feast on, may you look around and realize how truly blessed you are! Tis the season, y'all!

Also the season for WINE consumption....

 

Book Report!

I am overdue for a book report (haha-love a good pun...and a bad one...)

First book I read, I looooooooved! OMG, love love love.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.  Oh this book was so good.  It was powerful and hard to read, but I couldn't put it down.  I loved the characters and the way it was written.  I am a sucker for any WWII stuff and this whole book just sucked me in.  HUGE winner to me! It is not a light, easy read, but woah, it was good.

Second book I read, I was going for a lighter, easier read after the first one.  Eligible was just that.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! I have actually picked up a second book by her too and hope to get started on it soon.  I really liked the characters and the story line.  Y'all know I love be some Bachelor and it was very loosely based on the show.  There were several twists that I didn't see coming-- I had a hard time putting this one down.

The last book, I listened too.  I have said time and time and time again how much I love Elin Hilderbrand books.  Well.  Let me just say that I am sooooo glad I didn't read this one first.  I probably wouldn't have read another one again.

The Love Season

So it wasn't awful at all-- but I just didn't love it.  It tells a story from the past while a story from the present is unfolding.  But then, as the story from the past finishes, the book ends...and I felt like a bunch of story lines were just left dangling there.  Don't ever read the book while hungry, because there is a LOT of talk about food.   A LOT.  And that's not bad-- but maybe I am just not a foodie? I don't know.  While this is probably my least favorite of Elin Hilderbrand's books, I still wouldn't say it was bad...if that makes sense?

Okay, so that's it! Only three books to report! I know we have a BUSY season upon us...I hope I am still able to steal some time away to read.  I have already downloaded a new audio book for the trip to the beach for Thanksgiving and I also have one from the library to take with me.


Have y'all read any of these books? Did you like/dislike? Any suggestions for me??

 

Weekend Update!

This year is almost over! OMG. It is flying by! I feel like I am cranking out these weekend update posts every other day-- the weeks are flying by. 

We had a very low key weekend planned-- actually, we had nothing planned at all the entire weekend (minus church on Sunday).  Eddie was out of town and the rest of us were all just really tired. 

 Friday, I did popup (which nearly killed me for whatever reason), then played tennis, then walked a loop around my parents' neighborhood (which is around 2.5 miles).  By the time I picked the kids up from school, my legs were aching! I was flat worn out. 

We had a very chill night that ended with me in the bath tub with a book- ahhhhh....

Saturday, we hung out at the house all morning and then Cal had basketball practice at 12:15.  Our super sweet neighbor asked the three of us to go to the football game with her and we were super excited to go!

Funny enough-- it was hot on Saturday....like around 80 hot.  But the game was at 3:30, so I knew cooler temps would be coming.  I was having a mega hot flash as I was getting dressed and I could not bring myself to put on a sweater.  
I threw on a 3/4 sleeve shirt that is paper thin and a fur vest thing.  The temps dropped immediately and the wind picked up and it was darn right chilly! We still had so so so much fun! We LOVE this family so much. 

 Cal wore shorts and was freezing- he curled up on my lap and it warmed us both up!

 We went into the blue zone to warm up a little bit-- these four had the biggest wrestle mania you have ever seen.  People were gathering around to watch it.  We kept telling them to stop, but then as soon as one would stop, another would tackle another one and it would all start over again.  hahahaha

After the game, the neighbors had field access and took us all down on the field! Andy was pumped to see his best buddy Lee there!

The wind was CRAZY on the field!!! Didn't stop our crazies!

 My dates! I had a blast with these two... they can work me, but oh how much fun we have together....

Eddie's parents came in Saturday night, but we were all sound asleep when they got there.  They were just stopping in before heading to the beach for Thanksgiving-- and they stayed because Cal and Andy were singing in church Sunday morning!

 We got there early and they wore little choir robes.....

 And there they are singing in front of a packed church! It was really sweet to watch them up there.  I think they were nervous, but it didn't show!

 Once they were done, they were all smiles and Andy said it "really was not scary up there at all."

The rest of the day was spent lunching, playing, tackling and playing more.  My kind of weekend!!!

 

New York, New York!

Every year, my mom and I take a trip together.  We look forward to this trip all year long! There is no one telling us what to do when-- we can eat when we want to eat, we can shop where and when we want to shop (and for however long we want!)... it is really, really GREAT. 



My mom and I are super close-- we talk on the phone constantly and we tell each other everything.  I am so thankful to have a mother like this, and I really value our time together.  It makes this trip even more special!

We left last Sunday morning, super early.  We had to take a selfie on the airplane going-- I had a great sun spot on my chin.... this made us laugh way too hard.  

We landed and dropped off our bags and were on our way! We always do the same routine when we go to the city... it is totally not everyone's cup of tea, but it definitely is for us! We went to Macy's and had a great time.  Sent dad a selfie from the holiday shop-- we do every year!

 We had a great lunch and then continued to shop. ... we decided it was time for a bubbly break so we went to this little bar that is by the shoes and ordered two glasses of champagne.... they were $18 a glass so we were only going to have one....

 But when I went to pay, the total was $10.... for BOTH glasses...! This made us super excited. 

 So we took full advantage! It sure was a HAPPY hour!

 Things got a little messy the rest of the night (see above picture).  Not sure we have ever laughed so hard.  Holy smokes, we were crying we were laughing so hard. 

We had entirely too much fun with this pillow-- can't even start to explain it, but omg we were dying.  

Don't we look happy?!

 So we made reservations both nights at some fun restaurants that promised excellent food and atmosphere.... on the first night, we had been up since 3 am, and had a whole lot of champagne,, so we opted out of the reservations and instead hit up the food truck right outside of our hotel....yummmmm.... apparently it is famous-- and there is always a huge line there....it is so so so good. 

 Monday morning we were up and out-- but not real early.... not that I was complaining!!! We checked on the Rockefeller tree-- it's big!

 And we had to stop in the lego store so I could take some pics for Andy.  All legos!

We did some shopping and then we had afternoon tea at the plaza! Such a treat! It is a total indulgence, I know.  But we love it!

Henri Bendel did not disappoint.... omg, it was extra great this time.  

We hit up another happy hour, canceled dinner reservations again and continued shopping.  What do you think of the hat?? Oh, and there is wine in that cup.....

An elevator selfie!!! Love my momma....

 Sorry for all the picture overload- clearly I got "carried away...."!!!!! ha!

We flew home Tuesday night, and of course got delayed coming home.  Ugh.  We were supposed to leave at 5 and we didn't leave until after 10.  Eddie was out of town so I had a sweet babysitter at home covering for me and then Eddie's sister went over to relieve her. 

Even being delayed couldn't spoil our fun!!! It was such a fun time with my mom, making memories!