Two LONG Awesome Weeks and a MEGA Sleepover!!

"That's right I said MEGA SLEEPOVER! All the children (and 2 extra adults) seen here had a big ol' sleepover at my house last week. It was so fun, I LOVE that my kids have so many cousins!! There were 17 of us total and if you have been in my house you know it doesn't really accomodate that many people, it barely accomodates the 7 that actually live here! Another thing that doesn't accomodate 17 people is mine and Jonis vehicles but we made it work."

*That's right, I stole from Jamie's blog again...deal with it.*

Brandi and her kids moved to California about 7 months ago and this was the first time we had seen them since. They were here for 2 weeks and we made the most out of every second of it! We had all the kids over at Matt and Shenelles the night they got here to surprise them and we didn't leave there until about 1 in the morning. That was pretty much how the next two weeks went, staying up way to late then meeting up again the next day way to early! I think most of the kids are still trying to catch up:-)

Another post by J-Me for V.P. I couldn't resist!

I don't know how these got overlooked! I love love love these pictures of all the girls. My fabulous friend Chelsy took these amazing pictures of Chloe, Claire, and Sophia. It was so fun, the girls got their hair done and pics taken! Good family fun! Thanks Chelsy, we LOVE them!

-it is killing me that these are out of order but I had to have them on my blog and in our book!!

A hi-jacked post of our 4th of July party:)

Joni and I threw a killer Fourth of July party this year, just ask anyone who was there, it was awesome. (We really missed you Karen but it was still awesome and next time you should take us to Puerto Rico with you) We made super fun invitations that looked like firecrackers (3D). Once you opened them there was an invitation in there and some little pop its (we call them poo poos, I don't know who started that but that is what they are in my family) for the kids. I didn't take pictures of them but I think Joni still has one at her house if anyone wants to see it.

We swam in the pool

ate licorice, popcorn, watermelon and salt water taffy

played on the swing set

visited, laughed, and had fun

had a corn on the cob contest, Jason won, and now I know why

We made our own Italian Sodas, super fun and super delicious

Carson REALLY wanted his own

and Carter (I'll be honest, I wasn't positive that was Carter so I asked Billy and he's really not sure either so I'm going to say 90% sure that's Carter) REALLY enjoyed the whip cream on his!!

And last but not least some pictures of the hostest(s) with the mostest(s) and their cute baby girls!

Oh yeah and we played slip n slide baseball, here's Eric and Carson running the bases, it was pretty cute!

FUN FUN FUN!

I love my family and I am (usually) so glad we all live so close together!!

Except Brandi and her family, we miss you guys!

-created by Jamie, stolen and reposted by Joni-

Today...

...Jackson woke me up by saying "guess what mom. I love you" then gave me a kiss on my cheek.

...I argued with Sophia more times than I care to count about what is and isn't a bracelet (i.e. parts to my blender).

...Sophie took it upon herself to repeat EVERYTHING I said to Jackson while helping him with his homework.

I know I have said it a million times before but MAN, these kids are funny!

What a Difference a Kid Makes.

Picture taken: Sept. 26, 2008

Not only is my little buddy a first grader who is gone ALL day now, when he gets home we have to do homework! (which takes way too long) After playing for an hour or so with friends it is time to do reading, take a bath and get ready for bed...all this considered, the biggest challenge is having to do it with spitfire Sophie around!!!

This picture reminded me of our little set-our-own-schedule, make-our-own-rules, nothing-stopping-us team Jackson and I had in these days. I am so glad to have had that time with him, wouldn't change Soph for anything in the world, but it was good:)

WWWWhhhhaaaaat?

This morning this kid (whom I can barely carry to his bed anymore) started the first grade!

He was feeling pretty confident when we left the house this morning. On the drive to school I asked him (for about the 5th time in the last 24 hours) "are you nervous?" when all previous replies had been "NO!" this time he calmly said, "I might be a little bit scared about mostly everything". Notice the nerves setting in a little as we arrive to his class...

He was sure that he wanted me to walk him to his class (which is good cause I needed that more than him) and VERY SURE that he did not want me to walk INTO his class! I was not allowed past the door:) I lingered for a bit at my station, even though he refused to acknowledge me. All day I kept thinking "is it normal to call the school to check on your kid?" I should have known that he was fine! By the time I picked him up he was a pro! (a little excited about the big playground)

Side note: Last weekend in the car Jackson asked me if I would get him an iPod for his birthday, I thought on it for a second then said "sure!" then Sophie, clearer than anything she has ever said, and with perfect timing and inflection said "Wwwwhhhhhhaaaat". (Sounded just like the minion on Despicable Me) So now we can't stop saying that at everything:)

Sorry Jay:)

Picture taken: August 22, 2007

Sorry about the picture Jay...I realize it is not your best BUT look at that arm!!!!! I couldn't resist posting this, it is obviously a very old phone pic but I love it! I think Jackson was about 2 1/2 and he still had some serious arm chub:) What a cutie, right? Don't' answer that, I'm not looking for an affirmation here, I already know it is the truth.

The night this picture was taken Jackson and I were in town from Alamo for a visit and Jay and I stayed up late looking through tubs of baby clothes and halloween costumes from the boys. Jamie and Jackson tried on the pupmkin hats.

I LOVE fat babies/toddlers:) and late nigths with my big sisto! Tonight we are going over to Jay's to have a "MEGA sleepover" (more on that later) and I am sure that many a funny things will be said and done...and not nearly enough sleep happening, well worth it though!