New Addition

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our family---Matthew Harrison. He is the sweetest baby ever !! He is 7 weeks old and has already started sleeping great at night. We are all loving him to pieces.

Christmas day....

A cup of coffee and a "partial amputation"

That's how my morning began---how about yours?

We are getting everyone ready for school today as I hear the wooden barstool at our kitchen island tip over. My initial reaction was to get frustrated at Andrew (I had just told them not to play with them) and then he screams "My toe!" I go over to help thinking it is just a skinned toe to find....well....part of it, including the toenail, hanging off. Yes, you heard it right. God somehow gave me the ability to not lose my breakfast and drop off my 1st grader (in tears) on the way to urgent care. They send us on to the pediatric ER and 13 stitches and 7 hours later we are all home attached in one piece. He had what is classified as a "partial amputation" but will hopefully be fine. He is pretty pitiful tonight. Good times.

You just never know what the next day will bring. I guess I should be thankful that after being a mom of boys for seven years that this is our first major injury. Here he is after being sedated and having a toe reattached---what a trooper. I will spare you the other pictures that Kevin took during the procedure. And yes, you see correctly that he is STILL wearing the fireman costume.

"Ladder 4----respond"

So Andrew is into fire trucks. Seriously, I cannot exaggerate his obsession as of late. I bought this awesome costume at Costco a few weeks ago when we came across it and it only leaves his body when sleeping and when we force it off for school or church. We wear it to the grocery store and anywhere else that I in my more "seasoned" state of parenting have deemed it not worth the battle to deny him from wearing it.

I have to admit he's pretty cute in it. Here he is in the yard yelling "Ladder 4--RESPOND" while sliding down his tree pole. So can you guess what he'll be for Halloween?

Can't leave the big guy out--

First days of school

What a crazy summer it has been around here---can't believe school is already starting, but it seems that we all do better with some structure to our days. Here are some pictures of the boys going back to school this year. Ethan is our big 1st grader and is gone all day for the first time. Andrew started preschool and is going 2 mornings each week.

update

Thought it might be a good time to update the 'ol blog---not sure if I have time to keep it up but I'll give it a shot. We've had a lot going on lately. Here are a few shot of a trip Ethan and I recently took to DC (we tagged along with Kev on his business trip). Although Kevin had a lot of work to do, Ethan and I had a blast enjoying the Willard and taking in all the usual tourist sites. There sure is a lot more walking there than I remembered. Fun time.

In other news, those of you who know us well know that we have been on the real estate roller coaster for years now. We have sold our house 3 times in the past 2 1/2 years and this time seems to be the only one that will actually go to close. So we found a house we love and the plan is to close on both on June 2nd. We couldn't be happier! I am actually enjoying packing boxes. Funny how God uses all our situations for our good---I am much more grateful now than I would have been 2 years ago. It's looking like it's gonna be a great summer !!!

attempt

This was our attempt at a group shot yesterday. No one's arms were long enough--sorry Andrew. It was also our "attempt" at a fun day at the zoo. Apparently most of St. Louis had the same idea. We had a picnic on art hill and then headed into the madness. I know some of you know what I mean that there is usually a direct correlation between the amount of effort put forth in sacrificing to make a fun day for your kids and the amount of tears shed when nothing goes just as planned. It never fails. Just like when you go to get in your car in a parking lot and the person next to you is always getting in their car ----what are the chances??? It never fails. So anyway, it was ridiculously crowded and made us realize that we would all probably had more fun throwing a ball in the backyard. Note to self: Stay at home during spring break or actually go on a vacation! At least we were together and the sun was shining!

first day of spring art--

So I have been trying to find some new artwork for Andrew's room- after having no luck finding anything cool we decided to paint our own. Ethan was so into it and did a job that would make mimi proud! We framed these and they look great! The key is to make sure they use colors that match the room and not do too much mixing. Here's to $2 art!

warmer weather...

We CANNOT WAIT for spring to get here---we finally had a pretty day this weekend and the boys were outside all day. They were both so tired by lunch they were crying--can we say out of shape???

a few cool things...

So here are a few cool things that I like lately that I thought I would share:

1. Heel-tastic. Don't laugh. It's one of those "as seen on TV things" that was an impulse buy at the check out at Target last week ($9) that is awesome. Really works. My family all makes fun of me that I am a bit obsessed with staying moisturized--come on-who likes dry skin?????

2. Lands End overstocks. They have some incredible deals on swimsuits right now. I love buying out of season and got a few great ones for really cheap. Can you tell I'm ready for summer?

3. Kids chopsticks. Took the boys out for Japanese the other night and these were such a hit that Andrew even ate sushi (he has always been our adventurous eater). So cute.

4.Groupon. Can't tell you how many good deals we have gotten lately. Really worth it.

5. Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Nibs. For those of you blessed enough to have a Trader Joe's in your area- these are at the check out. Little can of tiny chocolate pieces that fit right in your purse--simply perfect. We LOVE Trader Joe's.