Puppy Love

We caved. Or should I say Chris caved. Or should I say I finally told him I'm overruling him on this decision. Anyhow, we got a dog. Our kids have wanted one forever. And can I say, we're totally SMITTEN, even Chris? Lucy's a little yellow lab puppy, just 5 weeks old. Does it get any cuter than this? We seriously love, love her and the kids just can't get enough of her. Fun times. Now, let's see what I'm saying about her in a week (or so I've been told). More to come...

Ice, Snow, and Sleet, Oh My!

We, along with most of the rest of the country, had quite the snow and ice storms. The kids were out of school for 4 days one week and 1 day the next week. The ice was no fun, but the snow is a different story. I had to get rather creative by the end of all of it to keep these 4 rambunctious kids entertained, but it was kind of fun. Although in the end, I believe everyone was ready for school to start again!



Sydney was SO happy at this point for the ice to have turned to snow after 3 days. Can you tell?

Guatemala Trip, Part 1

For Christmas this year we went as a family to Guatemala to visit my parents. The kids and I went for 15 days, and Chris joined us for 9 of them. It was SOOOO much fun! My sister Emily and her family and my brother Ben and his family came as well. We went on lots of trips all around and made many unforgettable memories. All the kids got along great and had so much fun with their cousins they don't get to see as frequently. The people in Guatemala are so loving and kind, it was infectous. And the weather, well you can't beat it. 70's for a hi and 50's for a low year-round. Thanks, Mom and Dad for the trip of a lifetime! We miss you already!
The day after we got there we went to the large local market downtown. It was a bit of an eye-opener for the kids!

Chris was tempted to buy these pants. I talked him out of it. :)

One day we went to a fun park with some great climbing trees and a little carnival next door before heading over to the giant 3D relief map of all of Guatemala.

Then another day we went to the zoo. We also went to a big amusement park with a fun zoo and dinosaur park attached to it. Fun times!

One day before church.

Guatemala, Part 2

We took a day to travel about 45 min. away to Antigua, a very cute little town. We started out the day with zip-lining, which all the kids LOVED, especially Gavin! It was beautiful! Then, we ate lunch at a cute restaurant inside of a hotel that I actually stayed at when I was 5. I just loved the wait staff there - one of the ladies saw us struggling with Gavin during lunch and came and got him, took him out into the courtyard and walked around with him while we ate. If only there was a place like that in America! Loved her!

Guatemala, Part 3

On the morning of Christmas Eve we took all the kids (my mom stayed back with the 3 babies) to a local orphanage to play with them, feed, them lunch, and do some games and crafts with them. What a marvelous experience. It's amazing how the language barrier didn't prevent them from having a good time together. The children there were so loving and sweet and quick to give kisses and hugs. What an example they were to us.
Brighton really bonded with this little girl and was begging to bring here home with us by the end!

On the evening of Christmas Eve we started the festivities with dinner out in the courtyard, a pinata, and a game of Red Rover.


We then went back inside to put on the Nativity Play, have a kid talent show, and wait for a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.



After the kids went to bed the adults had some fun "Just Dance" on the Wii. Nana actually beat us all!


Christmas morning the kids all woke up to lots of fun presents from Santa, complete with Guatemalan stockings and all! Of course my mom did not let us down and provided a wonderful, traditional Christmas breakfast of cheese grits, Honey's egg casserole and cut-up fruit.

Guatemala, Part 4

The day after Christmas we left for Irtra, about 3 hours outside of Guatemala City. The weather changed drastically here as the high's were in the upper 80's, but the nights were still pleasant. We stayed in a fun hotel with lots of water slides and peacocks roaming the grounds. All of the restaurants were on the grounds, as well, which made it easier with all the kids. We went there mainly for the large, BEAUTIFUL, and fun water park across the street, which the kids all had a great time at. Brighton was thrilled to be called a "daredevil" after leaving there!

Guatemala, Part 5

We ended our vacation with a trip to Lake Atitlan, where we went directly after leaving Irtra. It is so serene and scenic! Our hotel had the most lovely gardens. When we first arrived we went straight out to the gardens and had some local girls dress all of our families up in this typical Guatemalan dress. It was so fun! Brighton convinced her dad to buy hers for her to wear next year for Halloween. That night Pop stayed in the hotel room with all 3 baby monitors while the kids slept and the adults relaxed (and laughed, a LOT) in the hot tub overlooking the volcanoes.



The next morning we took a 1 hour boat ride across Lake Atitlan to do some local shopping where we were also able to take a "tuk-tuk" ride and the kids got to do some bargaining for "treasures".