Hey There 2016...I'm Late to the Party

And just like that...the first two months of 2016 are gone! We have been living life as usual, and although I thought I was done with blogging...apparently I just can't quit. The normal half of my brain tells me that I post most of the photos I love in Instagram these days, and I don't really post anything all that interesting the majority of the time. The OCD part of my brain tells me that if I quit, I'll only have a few years of my life documented here, and I'll regret it someday. So what I'm saying is, despite the fact that approximately 4 people read this besides me, I will be blogging until I am old and gray. Or I guess I should just say old, because I already have the gray hair thing on lock.

Anyhow, business around here as usual. Last time I wrote, we hadn't even finished the Christmas season yet. The kids had a great time, and Santa even managed to squeeze in a visit on the 24th before we headed to Texas on the 25th to see our families. He's such an accommodating guy.

They weren't excited or anything.

It was great this year...no flu in sight! We had a great time in Texas with our families, and then it was time to head back home and start packing for...Walt Disney World! WDW is pretty much my favorite place every in the history of the world (I mean not that I'm crazy or anything), and it had been 8 years since I had been. I was nervous to take four kids with us, but luckily we had enough adults to go around (my mom and sister went too), and we rocked the two double strollers like a boss.You haven't lived until you've loaded up 8 people and 2 giant strollers onto a crowded bus while people try to push around you. We literally had strangers holding our kids on the bus at one point, because it was either that or leave them behind. I mean, those strollers are pricey to replace. And after all...everyone at Disney World is a friend. Just go with me on that one.



If you feel the need to see our entire trip rolled into 20 minutes, Mike created a fabulous video of the week, and you can view it here. It seriously went so much better than I could have ever imagined, and I can't wait to go back!

In February, we had fun getting back to "normal" around here after Christmas and our big trip.


We got back to school with a little Veggie Visitor homework.


We celebrated Mardi Gras with the Hammonds and our annual King Cake making extravaganza.










And we celebrated Valentine's Day in style...


And with some candy and math. Candy is my favorite...the math I'm working on.

Here's to a great 2016!

It's the Most Wonderful Time

 I just love seeing these four so excited about Christmas. This has been such a fun year. The girls love finding Christmas decorations and yelling out "Christmas," and I may have taken them to Hobby Lobby a few times just to see them flip out. Sidenote: Half the time they call Santa Christmas, so when they yell it out it's because they saw him. We're working on that.

 These sweet boys. Be still my heart. Max begged to wear this tie all week long, and he was so excited when I said it was time. He may still wear it randomly. And mostly without a shirt on.

 Addie...love the pose. 

 

My main thrill in life is a punny gift tag, and this year I had fun with them. I saw this idea for studs on the Pinterest Told Me To blog, and then I just had to add a Studly gift tag...ha!

 Easiest gift ever...I made some little tags for coloring books. Score.

 These are slinkies. I know they technically jiggle instead of jump, but I went with it.

 An oldie but goodie.

 I kept it simple for the boys' teachers. Who doesn't like Sonic Happy Hour?

Christmas Parties! I knew Ben wasn't going to want to leave me once he saw me, so he just came to Max's class for their party. He was happy. Max was happy. Mama was happy.

Favorite Things Party 2015

This is my third year throwing a Favorite Things Party for my friends, and every year it's so much fun! (For last year go here, and for the first year here). Favorite Things Parties have been around for several years now, but the basic premise is to choose one favorite thing at a certain dollar amount (ours is $5), bring a certain number of them (we bring 4), and then we all share what we brought and draw the names of four people who get to take our item home. Just as a sidetone, we have found that drawing the names before we get started works out better!

Anyhow, like I said...it's nothing new, but I like to take pictures every year so I remember it. I keep it super simple. Less stress equals more fun!

Santa Time

 Four smiles...it's a win!

Bass Pro Pyramid

My family visited the couple days before Thanksgiving, and we had a fun time showing them around Memphis. We took them to the Peabody, some fun places to eat, and of course these days the new must see...the Bass Pro Pyramid...ha! We thought we would catch Santa, so we wore some Christmas clothes, but sadly he was back at the North Pole getting ready. We still has fun looking around, watching them feed the fish, and exploring Santa Land!

 Trying to get everyone looking...Addie has the sorority girl pose down pat.

 Watching them feed the fish with Uncle Zach, Mimi, and Aunt Hailey.

 We're going to call it a day on these.

 Writing Letters to Santa

 Emmie

 Addie

 Ben was more into the trains

 And this awesome race track.

 Mailing letters with our soon to be Aunt Amy II...yes, we're going to have to work on that name. We call her Zamy at the moment, but that can't last forever.

More race track fun with Uncle Zach.