Our weekend away

We have been planning a weekend trip for just the two of us, without the kids for a few months.  Well, I have been planning it for a very long time.   We arranged for the boys to go with our parents. Brody was going with Fafa and Grammy and Colt & Ollie were going to Papa Bob & Grandma Shari's.  If I was excited about this weekend these boys were ecstatic.  (well, I'm not sure about Ollie because he is always excited about everything). 

Here is where I wish we had pictures of our weekend and here is where I wish I could say that I forgot my camera so I couldn't get any pictures but instead our weekend went like this. 

We went to the ferry on Thursday night to drop Brody off.  He was thrilled to be spending the night there.  We drove back home and put Ollie & Colt to bed.  As Colt was drifting off to sleep we received a phone call from Shirley telling us that Brody had just thrown up at their house.  We were a little perplexed because he had shown no signs of being sick earlier that day.  About 20 minutes later Colt threw up in his bed.  Two hours and 11 "throw ups" later he finally went back to sleep.  

The next morning we were still determined to go to the beach.  I called my dad and warned him of our previous night but he was still fine with us taking Colt & Ollie there (since Colt was acting "normal" that morning).    A little later he called back and said he had changed his mind and thought it would be best to reschedule.  To be honest, I was very bummed.  I cried.  (I think I was a little tired from the night before).  Then Colt threw up his cereal and juice that he had but then he continued to eat.   We convinced ourselves that he was really ok. 

Brad and I decided we would still take Colt & Ollie to the beach.  So we packed up a few more things and headed out the door.   As we were driving south we got a phone call from Shirley telling us that Brody wasn't doing much better.  He hadn't thrown up but he was still feeling sick.  It was at this point that we decided we just weren't meant to have our weekend away. 

Instead of sleeping in I woke up during the night to help my sick boys.  Instead of good conversations with my husband about life we had conversations about the best way to clean up throw up.  Instead of reading a book I watched Toy Story 2 and Cars multiple times.  Instead of taking long walks on the beach I sat on the couch and snuggled with my boys.   Instead of cinnamon rolls for breakfast we had crackers and chicken broth. 

If having to cancel a weekend away is the worst problem in my life then I think I have it pretty darn good.

This is where we would have been (a picture taken from a few years ago). 

We are all feeling better now.  All the boys were sick enough to throw up.   Brad felt a little sick on Sunday and so far I have been doing ok...with a few tugs of nauseousness.   Hopefully this means we will be healthy for the rest of the holiday season.

Best Friends

In the middle of lunch Brody insisted on getting his picture taken with his brother.  I was glad to have the camera nearby so I could snap a picture of the two of them.  You have to love peanut butter smeared all over Colt's face.  Even though these two fight over toys they are really such great brothers and the best of friends.  They play very well together and as Colt's talking continues to improve their play is even more entertaining. 

They are so darn cute! 

Decorating the Tree

We set up our Christmas tree and went to buy new lights for it since we weren't happy with the ones we had on them. Once the lights were put on we let the boys decorate the tree with the ornaments.  They had a lot of fun and only broke two of the ornaments. 

You can kind of see where Colt's favorite spot is on the tree.  (The blue square ornament and all the other ones next to it)

We did have to make sure that we gave them ornaments that weren't as fragile. 

Brody in his Santa hat. 

As usual getting out our Christmas decorations is almost like Christmas morning.  The boys love it!  I tried to capture it on video.  Cotl was laughing just like this with everything we pulled out.  At the end of the video he takes one of our decorations to put on our kitchen table.

(You will notice the big mess in the background.  I would like to say its usually not like this...but (especially lately) it is.) 

All 3 boys

I haven't taken a posed picture of all 3 boys in quite a while.  I also need one for our Christmas card so I made an attempt a few days ago.  I was quickly reminded why I haven't had a picture with all 3 of them.   It wouldn't be all that difficult if they were camera happy like Brody & Ollie.  But Colt runs as fast as he can or makes some silly face or tries to do a headstand or whatever to avoid the camera.   (I think it might be a 2nd child thing)  I guess he does get in the pictures but it is definitely a challenge.

So in my failed attempt you can still enjoy some of the pictures I was able to take.  Plus I still have a few weeks to get my Christmas cards done. 

The Polar Express

I don't know what it is about the chairs but the boys love lining them up.  The other day they did it again and got all of their animal friends to join them on their train.  The teacher side of me wanted to grab The Polar Express and read it to them.  But the mom side of me quickly remembered that I don't have a copy....yet.  I will be getting one soon because I know it will be a great part of our library. 

I was able to capture one picture of their train.

O' (home depot) Christmas Tree

Brad and I love real Christmas trees (although we definitely understand why people opt for fake ones).  We also love the idea of going to a tree farm and cutting down our own tree but haven't been too successful in the past few years.  So this year we decided to head to Home Depot (which is actually where we ended up getting our tree last year).

$29.00 and 15 minutes later we had our tree on top of our car. 

Brad spent some time hanging up our Christmas lights and of course he had to have his helper. 



Brody was in charge of the staple gun. 



Cameo's Salon

Colt has needed his hair cut for a few weeks now.  I don't think he will sit very well at a salon so I have had Jessi cut it before.   He is a little wiggly. 

When we were at Jessi's house for Thanksgiving I asked Cameo to cut it.  She is a hairstylist and does this all day long.  It didn't bother her when Colt was moving his head all around. 

I just love this kid....even if I have to get lots of his fine hair all over me just for a haircut.