Flying home

It was early but it was much smooth than our trip to Grammy and Papa's. A 1 to 1 ratio, no delays, and the boys even slept. We did get a few looks while the boys got out their energy between flights, and we managed to lose russell's special blanket but otherwise we made it unscathed:). It is great to be home.

Dartmouth Getaway

Thanks to generous and fabulous babysitters we were able to getaway for a night. We choose to go to Hanover, NH b/c there is a chance it is a future home for us. It was nice, but it was really nice to just be away together. THANK YOU Grammy Papa Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Dave.

The drive was gorgeous, and peaceful:)

We explored Dartmouth, 

 I felt like we should be in a secret society.

 

We walked without a stroller:)

 

  Downtown Hanover

 Dinner at Molly's

Headed back home

It was such a treat to spend some QT, 

but nothing beats the hugs we got when we got home.

Christmas Cookies

Our time in NY is always too short to spend as much time as I would like with the people we love.  One of those is my cousin, but even more my friend Erin.  She did make it down for the afternoon with her sweet kids to frost cookies.  Frosting Fun!  Thank You to Grammy for sharing her "special" GG cookies with us:)

Our little Jack Bauer

We miss 24, but Rhett is keeping is in the action:). We think he is a natural, maybe future Jack Bauer? Not the best pics but you get the picture...

SICK

In order to totally ruin Thanksgiving Weekend, 

I became deathly sick.

It was a HUGE BUMMER.

Most importantly a HUGE apology to Sylvia since I did not see her the second half of her trip, 

and I missed her birthday celebration.

Super lame of me.

Just not sure how to avoid it, maybe airborne this time of year?  

More vitamins?  

More sleep? 

Who knows but I need to avoid a repeat.

Here is my SICK story.

Woke up the day after Thanksgiving, 

super SICK.

I thought it was flu since I managed to get everyone a flu shot except myself.

But turns out it was worse.

I had fever, chills, couldn't eat, couldn't move, 

seriously I felt half-dead.

When it had been two days and I was not better, knew I had to do something.

BK had told me to go to urgent care the day before when he was home, but I did not listen.

It just seemed impossible.

But, Sunday BK had to work, and I knew I had to so something.  

I couldn't take care of the boys.

So, I mustered up all my strength and loaded the boys in the car and drove to urgent care.

It was wonderful, no line.

I sat in the waiting room, half-alive while the boys played with some toys.

It seemed like forever but I know it was only a few minutes since there was no one else waiting.

(THANK GOD)

The sweet doctor lady came in, 

maybe mid-forties, African-American, and so sweet.

As she examined me I started to cry, 

"I am soo sick"

I really questioned if I was going to get better, if it was flu it was really bad.

Plus, you always hear on the news how so many people die from the flu each year, 

I always thought those were really old people, but I was wondering if I was close to being a statistic.

Seriously, I felt HORRIBLE.

She said "don't worry honey, I have been doing this fifteen years, we will get you all fixed up"

I felt so reassured.

Then she popped her head back in and said

"you have strep throat!"

I almost cried from relief, 

ANTIBIOTICS!!!

I will get better.   

I felt like I had won the lottery, 

I was half-dead and I would be cured in just a day or two.

with my little strength, 

I got them back in the car, 

dropped the prescription at the drive-thru pharmacy

while I was dropping it off I thought drive-thru pharmacy was a great invention for sick people, 

only second to antibiotics:)

Then while we waited I drove got the boys McDonald's {gasp}

Yes, it is my dark secret that in desperate times I do that.....

Then back to the drive thru pharmacy for my DRUGS.....

Since then, 

I am better!!!!

The good thing about getting super sick and then better, 

I have never been so jazzed to be able to do laundry, 

walk around, 

or even clean bathrooms.

It all seemed impossible just a few days ago:)

Its funny what smacks perspective into you.

I can get whiny, selfish, or caught up in the little day to day things so easily.

But, just 72 hours of raging sickness will teach me every time.  

It reminds me to appreciate the daily, 

the routine, 

the laundry,

 the snotty noses, 

the vacuuming, 

the dance parties, 

the cooking, 

the Lego building,

 for we are richly blessed.

Not sure why I forget it so easily.

I will try harder to remember this time.

Not a fair exchange.....

California Grandma brings her sunny attitude, 

she brings fun games and gifts for us, 

she brings herself across the country

 (during crazy Thanksgiving travel)

and we do share a few fun things, 

the boys, us, insight to our life, 

but mostly we share November germs:(

Last year she went home and got terribly sick, 

and we felt horrible.

This year, 

I woke up the day after Thanksgiving 

(Sylvia's birthday)

with horrible sickness.

I was so afraid to repeat last year I had to quarantine myself.

I didn't even get to say goodbye:( 

It was the HUGEST bummer.

But, hopefully she did not take home our sickness this year,
So Sorry Sylvia!

Here are some pics of the after Thanksgiving fun I missed:(

The boys loved this game she brought with her:)

Grandma and Rhett bonded:)

Rhett showed off for her!

A sweet kiss goodbye.

Thanksgiving

California Grandma (or BK's Mom) has been so kind the past few years to join us here for Thanksgiving.  

We know it is not ideal, since we do not live in a "vacation destination" per say.....

but she is gracious about it:)

We have tried to have some traditions, 

beginning with cinnabuns and watching the parade.

Rhett was excited for his first real cinnabun:)

Later in the day, I attempted to cook with the help of Sylvia, and while we waited for the masterpiece meal {GRIN}

We drew pictures or wrote down what we were thankful for......

Then.....

WE ATE!!!!

I love this pic of BK and his Mom:)

Not too bad:)

I did cheat and did the turkey in the crock pot!

(boneless turkey breast and onion soup tasty and EASY)

I totally recommend it, especially if you are grossed out by guts or bones like me:)

Even the big boys got into it.....

such focus on their eating:)

The most cans I have ever seen.....

It is really a combine, and cornfield made entirely out of cans.

The other Christy R suggested we meet up at the John Deere Musuem.

We have been before and it was fun, but this was a special display for the holidays.

The picture does not do it justice.

One of the workers told us it is all cans on the inside too!  

He even told me how many....

but I forgot.

 That is the corn stalks:)

It is winter, but Russell still wants to wear is flip flops

boy after my own heart.

The climber at it again.....

This is a cute scoop.

Five

Our first little man, 

is less little today.

Quint is five.

Hard to believe, but its true.

We have had the pleasure of watching him transform this past year from a preschooler to a boy.

Its strange, and we are not sure exactly when it happened, 

but when we look at him we see a boy.

Not our little guy anymore, 

but a big boy, 

capable, 

helpful, 

compassionate,

eager to learn and understand, 

a leader.

Quint's favs these days:

building, 

fire fighting, 

any mighty machines, 

how things are spelled,

projects,

anything Daddy does, 

construction,

and much more.

As his parents, we feel it is ok to gush, 

we just think he's amazing.

Fire Truck Hat

Homemade Pizza 

Cake

and one big present:)

What is a party without a present:)

Especially a big one....

A digger.

What could possibly be better?

It was a big success.....

Way to go Daddy.

I love Rhett's dangling feet in the background, 

It just captures the time, soon he will be too big to dangle from the table....

Happy Birthday Q

We love you.