Flip!

Kevin surprised me with a Flip video camera for Christmas this year - SO exciting! It's a pocket-sized digital video camera that plugs easily into the computer for quick video uploads. Our old video camera uses tapes and has a lot more steps to get videos online.

My parents are equally as thrilled because it means that they'll be able to see videos of the grandbabies from afar.

So here's my maiden voyage with the camera. While, it's super easy to use, I've still got a bit to learn about taking good video and the editing process. Let's just say you're not going to see any of my work at the film festivals this year!

I am Dumb

I took a 5 month old and a 2 year old to a craft store.

And I let the 2 year old walk (as opposed to making her ride in the cart).

Then I had to wrangle her into the cart because she kept running off.

Then when I left I realized I'd forgotten to pay with my gift card that I had (all $13 of it).

So I went back in.

And waited in line for 5 minutes holding a kicking 2 year old who was trying to rip buttons off of my coat and do backflips out of my arms. I arrive at the front of the line only to be told by the clerk that I'd have to return everything I bought (not just a few items) and did I really think my two year old would stand for that?

I inform her I have been standing in line for FIVE MINUTES just for that express purpose.

She moves me to a different clerk and I wait patiently with my daughter rolling around on a dirty floor walked on by who knows how many thousands of people as the new clerk returns my items and re-rings them for me. People in line behind me scoff and move out of line.

I then make a bargain with my toddler to go to Chik-Fil-A in the middle of the last-minute Christmas shopping hustle and bustle in the surrounding shopping area.

We leave the craft store after about a 20 minute return ordeal and head on to the mayhem at Chik-Fil-A and then to the grocery store.

/sigh

I'm a glutton for punishment.

Her Inner Diana Ross

Hunkering Down

I just love Christmas. There's something about this time that brings out the "nice" in people. Well, it also has the potential to make people really snarky, but generally people get in such a good mood. Yesterday we got the BEST snowfall that I can remember for quite a few years. We got two feet and the word is that it probably wont melt for a while so we *might* actually have a white Christmas this year!

*the Hallelujah chorus is playing in my head at this very moment*

Things have been good around here. I realized the other day I hadn't blogged in quite a while and perhaps that's just because it's been busy, but it also could be due to the fact that I haven't had anything utterly profound to say (as if my blog is profound anyway!)

Liam is getting bigger (4.5 months now) and is rolling over both ways. He poops enough for everyone in the whole house - of course that could be because he's a big eater too. I've practically bought stock in Oxyclean and have been searching for the best diapers to put him in so that we dont have to change his clothes 4 times a day. Seriously, it's not uncommon to take him (clothes and all) and put him in the tub in the middle of the day.

Maybe I've gotten lucky, but Natalie has taken well to the big sister thing and really seems to love Liam. She's very concerned that we get him out of the car when we go to the grocery store (no... I've never left him behind) and is happy to entertain him if he's crying. He seems rather taken with her too. I'm sure I'll be breaking up many an argument in a couple years here, but I hope they'll always be close.

Just a Day in the Life of Us

Not much going on around here. Kevin had a good time on his annual hunting trip and got a deer. Whoo Hooo!! So we should have some meat in the freezer - so that's exciting.

We were definitely thrilled to see him back even if he had to turn around and hop on a plane this morning for a quick business trip. Don't worry, hon, I'll hide your keys when you get back. Ha ha ha!

No, seriously, if you think of it, say a prayer for me. Almost as soon as he left this morning, I got chills and body aches (NO!). Ibuprofen has helped somewhat today so hopefully taking it easy will fix things. We'll see.

I'll leave you with a couple pictures taken over the past week. Ah... these two kids are a LOT of work by yourself, but you just can't help but love them.