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An Overnight Trip to the Mountains

I (Shannon) have had a love/ hate relationship with Boone for years. I loved going to college there, but I absolutely hated the rainy drizzly cold. I loved the majestic snowfall in October, November and December, but I hated that it would snow after April 15th! I love many of the local restaurants and thrift shops, but I hated being so far from Target!!! But, by far the best part of living there was our friends. We were so blessed to get to experience such loyalty and friendship so young. I miss seeing all of them on a regular basis, but one day we will all be reunited again.

This weekend we had the privilege of going up to Boone for the night. Our college ministry, New Life, was having a reunion. We were eager to reunite with our college family. I pictured us leisurely hanging out on the parkway all afternoon and watching our kids joyfully frolic in the green grass. Well, you guessed it, that was not exactly reality!! Instead, it was rainy and pretty cold (at least for this beach lover). My kids were not dressed for the weather, but had fun anyway. Above is Ethan with our dear friends' kids. He was excited to finally arrive in the mountains, after talking about it all week.

Isaac is not sure about the cold.

After our parkway adventure was rained out we headed over to the Bed and Breakfast where we were staying overnight... The Inn at Higher Ground. This is a quaint B&B owned by a kind couple from our church in Boone. This was our first attempt to stay out of town (without help from one of the grandmothers) and I am happy to report that it went very well. Everyone slept well except for mom (I almost never sleep well away from home).

Ethan adored the log cabin B& B. He was amazed that it was actually made out of logs. He always loves to hike, and hiked all over their land with his Dad and his buddy Samuel. The boys are seen here playing with their sword and shield set. Yes, that's right my son was playing with a sword and shield set- thanks Aunt Robyn!! We will call you when he pokes an eye out!!!! ;)

Real men hug.

5 ear infections and 8 pink eyes!!

This is what our house has been like the last couple of days...

all three of our kids have been battling a cold for about a week. Then on Sunday morning all three of ours awoke with pink eye. Ethan could not even open one of his eyes!!

So instead of Sunday School we headed to the "after" hours clinic at our pediatricians office. As it turns out the twins have double ear infections and Ethan has one!!

And, to top it off, I also have pink eye!! Thanks a lot kids!

On a happier note we went to the pediatrician again today for the twins 1 year check -up.

They are both doing well.

Olivia weighed in at 20 lbs. and 8 oz. (50th %) and Isaac weighed in at 24 lbs. and 5 oz. (75 %).

Poor kids, I would die if my mother wrote my weight and percentile on a blog for all to see. Hopefully one day Isaac and Livy can find it in their hearts to forgive me.

Here is our brave pink - eyed cowboy roaming the halls today as he played hookie.

Hoots Birthday Roundup

Since our kiddos have such close birthdays we decided to do one big party. Ethan choose a cowboy theme and has been anticipating his party for some time. Here are some pictures to commemorate our good times!

Thanks to all of our awesome friends who came out...

despite the hurricane like winds off of Oak Hollow Lake!!!

We had a great time and as always are so blessed to have such awesome family and equally incredible friends.

Cowboy Ethan ready for fun!
The wind was mighty strong- it can blow your hat right off partner!!

Pinata Fun... many of the preschoolers were ecstatic when they learned candy was inside!! Before that they were all a little confused about why we were hitting a giant cowboy boot!!


Miss Molly knocking the boot around... hey Molly tell your mommy thank you for the incredible gift- our mommy is still talking about it!!
Ethan and his best little buddy Kieran.
Ethan's only requirements for the party were... costume, cake and Kieran!!

I'm just a lone ranger (JK!!!)
Grandad, Isaac, Livy, and John.

The twins had adorable cowboy boots too, but they kept taking them off and chewing on them.


My main buckaroo.. he wore his costume all day, and then all day Sunday, and all day today.
He looked at me today while I was reading on the couch and said- "Mommy , that was a great party! (All the thanks a mom needs)
Nice hat John!
Livy enjoying some cake!!
Isaac was a little overwhelmed by the wind!
Grandma and Livy, Granny and Isaac

The Big ONE!!!!

The babies have officially made it to ONE YEAR!!!

It is hard to believe just one year ago I was being wheeled into the surgical unit to meet and greet my two precious bundles for the first time. I will never forget seeing their bright and chubby faces when I first met them.

This year has been a challenge and a delight, and we have often said, if we make it one year- we will keep them!!! Well I guess we can't re- nig now...

We celebrated their birthday minimally the day of. We went to lunch with some life long friends that were in town for the day, Mark and Emily. What a blessing that was.

Then we went to dinner as a family- then home for cake and ice cream and (a few presents).

Here we are at dinner at Elisabeth's Pizza- our favorite pizza joint.

It beats Pizza Hut or Papa John's any day (sorry, Kim;)).

Then a quick "birthday" trip to Sam's Club. We had to go pick a couple of things for the kiddos birthday party. The babies LOVED the carts at Sam's. This is the only place I know of where the babies can sit side by side in the buggy - which they love.

Now, at home for some birthday cake.

A pink cake for Livy and a blue one for Isaac.

I know most of my friends have beautiful cakes made to order from Ganache or Delicious. But, I just can't bring myself to do it. It is not just the money- I just love the idea that someone you love made you a cake with their own hands and wrote your name in icing themselves. Silly, I know. But, that is what my mom always took the time to do for me and I want to do it for my kids too. (even if my cakes aren't nearly as cute!!) But, no judgment toward anyone else.. you know "to each his own".

Watching the candles blow and hearing the birthday song...

...this is your birthday song, it doesn't last that long, hey! (any CWR folks out there?!?)

Isaac's first taste of cake... he approves.

Livy says... "you know this stuff ain't bad".


A birthday bath to end the night right.

Only 17 years left...