teamthumm

3 years old...

2010-01-11T14:11:00.003-05:00

Hey there! Who else can believe my "baby boy" turned 3??

I asked Aaron how to spell his name and he said, "AAB93" make note everyone!

We had a Birthday party/ ping pong tourney last Saturday. Check out the pics here!

...and then some

2009-11-02T18:30:00.007-05:00

Okay--first things first--I want to apologize to Aunt Sharlene and Aunt Joyce. They follow my Blog NOT facebook--and I have been ignoring them. BUT, in my defense, I haven't updated pics on facebook, either--ask Micah and Christopher! Luv, luv, luv you guys!
Aaron was a cowboy for halloween. You can see ALL trick or treat pics here.

"Howdy partner!"

Aunt Kelli invited Aaron and I to go on a field trip with Eli's class. We went to the Carnegie Science Museum. We had to pack a lunch and everything...FUN!!

Here's Eli with his friends...ummm...learning?

Adam went too! He especially liked the underwater adventure movie at the IMAX theatre.

Aaron at the rail road crossing.

Who knew learning could be this much fun??

Checking some stuff out with a magnifying glass.
COOL!

Eli playing in the water. (I mean learning about currents.)

WAY COOL!! He got soaked by the way.

Aaron had his first slumber party. My friend, Holly's little girl stayed with us last weekend. Don't worry--they stayed in separate rooms!! LoL!

Markley giving Aaron a kiss!

Aaron has been referring to Markley as his "baby girlfriend"

"Look what I can do!"

Aaron got "new" pj's. Aunt Kelli gave us 4 bags of "new" clothes! We love Aunt Kelli...and Aaron loves the fact that MOST of his clothes used to be Eli's!!

Aaron gettin Danny in the hallway.

"Got 'em!"

I hope everyone else appreciates the WVU jersey, cowboy boots, gun holster, and red ski hat!! Aaron picks out all his own clothes--imagine that--MY kid--wanting to do everything HIMSELF!!

sweet 16

2009-08-14T13:32:00.004-04:00

Danny turned 16 yesterday!! I know I say this every year--but I really can't believe he's 16 AND driving soon AND in his junior year of High School! He is growing up so fast--into a courteous, handsome young man with a great sense of humor. I am so happy to have him in my life. I could not even imagine him not there.
Happy Birthday, Danny! We love you!!

He flew home from his mom's and found his room full of balloons!

This was the view from the bed.
Check out all the pictures here!

Kennywood --->

2009-08-09T19:57:00.006-04:00

Aaron and Eli on the motorcycles. Aaron was so excited at Kennywood--I don't know if it was the amusement park or getting to spend the whole day with Eli! Mamaw and Papaw and all the Morris' were there too. Brian missed out, though--he had Reserves. Aaron told everyone he was "workin at airport." That's how he says Air Force.

Aaron rode some rides by himself while Eli was with the big kids--Jacob, Joel, Kelli, Kevin, and Papaw! He's in the yellow car. I love his little head bobbing!! The rest of the pictures are on facebook!

busy bees

2009-08-05T09:59:00.008-04:00

We have been steady working around our house this summer. We have projects going on inside and out! I am so excited to be getting our house in order.

I took this picture at Memaw's house--Aaron is busy wherever he goes!
Brian cut down all the over-grown shrubs around the house. He did all the hard stuff and I carried them to the road. Look how big they are--practically like trees! I kept telling Brian I never realized how pretty our house was--because I couldn't see it before!

We did keep this rhododendron--it just got a hair cut.

Check out all the debris!

Aaron had to be "helping" right up in the middle of everything!

He's helping rake. Daddy gave him a "special job" --to keep him out of the way! Harms way!

In Aaron's room, I put these cubes together and arranged them all nice and neat--for the picture! They don't look this organized anymore! But Aaron does like to put his stuff away in the bins.

And Brian cut and hung these bookshelves made out of vinyl guttering. I saw this idea on another blog I stalk! It really looks nice and Aaron can see what book he wants to read because they are face out.

Cheese! Aaron wanted in the picture--still in his pajamas!

Daddy and Aaron made a toolbox for all Aaron's tools.

Helping Daddy hammer!

Yay! We get to paint, too!

This is serious stuff!

So proud! He's looking right at Brian.

One more thing, Brain and Aaron dug up a pipe out of the back yard--Brian said it went clear to China. It was about 2ft long and cemented in the ground.

Whew! That's hard work!

home run derby!

2009-07-14T15:04:00.008-04:00

Last night was the Home Run Derby before the All-star game. It was a little boring this year because usually we are all together at the beach this week and we (the Farcin's, Morris', and Thumm's) watch it together. I really missed all the kids and their excitement!! The beach can't come soon enough!

Here's Aaron getting in some "batting practice." He really does call it that because of Kelli's boys--they let Aaron join in on "batting practice" when they are playing in the back yard.

The pitch--

the swing!! Strike One!

Aaron loves, loves, loves anything baseball! He especially likes playing with Daddy and Danny. Danny's in Maine for a few weeks this summer--and Aaron can't stop talking about him. It's so sweet!

He has to have on his helmet. Danny gave it to him--see the name on the back? Aaron is thrilled to no end when Danny gives him his things!

some video--this was at the end and Aaron was tired.

summer time

2009-07-08T18:38:00.002-04:00

We have been movin' and shakin' so far this summer! And Aaron is pooped!

Aaron eating a pudding pop.

Here's me and the fam at a baseball game in Myrtle Beach just 2 years ago.....

..... Look how we've changed! I love my boys!
See all my summer pictures here.
I hope I did it right this time--p.s. I did go back and fix all the baseball pictures!

to virginia

2009-06-27T22:38:00.007-04:00

The boys and I took a trip to Va last week to visit our friends. We stayed with the Chappells. Here's Austyn, Aaron, Jake, and Danny. We really had a good time catching up and hanging out!

The Chappells had a pool party so all our friends could be together--awesome!

Jake and Danny

Jake and Matthew

my friend, Heather's girls--here's Hayden

and Madison pushing Aaron on the swing--they were buddies!

Aaron chillin at the pool.

Aaron trying to bury himself at the beach.
Donna and I took the kids to the beach one day--we played in the sand and Jake and Danny went fishing.

He played in the sand the whole windy day!

Austyn

We stayed with Mike and Monica a couple nights too--Aaron had a blast with Matthew!

It was so fun to see everyone again--now its your turn to make the trip to PA!! hahaha

Memorial Day!

2009-06-05T15:24:00.006-04:00

YAY!! I was so excited Memorial Day!! I got to host the picnic and everybody came to my house! It was so nice to have everyone together! I love having parties!

Here's Mamaw and Papaw with Jacob, Aaron, and Eli.
Aaron and Miley. Miley is Jeff and Stacie's "new addition".

Aaron and Eli. I think Eli was sitting there first, but he was nice and let Aaron squirm his way onto the seat.

Joel and Danny are terrible about getting their pictures taken--I told them to pose just this one time--nicely--and I would leave them alone the rest of the day.

Kevin and Miley chillin' on the back porch.

Aaron trying to get Uncle Jeff's seat.

Jeff and Stacie.

Mamaw and her grand-doggie!

Even the grandmas were there. We all had such a good time together!

This is my Grandma Farcin.

And here's Grandma Rutherford--Aaron calls her "grama red bird". Maybe that's her indian name.....

Joel took this picture of me and Brian.

Aaron was telling Stacie something pretty important. His snow boots got too hot and he had to take his shirt off!!

This is Aaron after everyone left. He got up long enough to take a quick bath and then to bed. He partied hard that Monday!!

danny's baseball games

2009-05-18T16:13:00.004-04:00

Danny's baseball season has come and gone--over half his games were rained out--as were the make up games! I think they only ended up playing 9 games out of 20. That stinks! I put all the pictures I had on facebook.
Danny's biggest fan--he loves to watch him play. We all do! Baseball is easily my favorite sport! I love to go to games and watch it on TV.

big boy bed

2009-04-16T17:07:00.004-04:00

Aaron slept in his big boy bed yesterday and today!!

When I took him in for his nap yesterday, he told me he wanted to sleep in his big blue bed. I told him to stay in his bed or he would have to sleep in his little bed. He really surprised me. I went in to check on him once and he sat straight up and said, "I'm awake!" But he went to sleep right after that and stayed asleep for a couple hours.
This is an actual sleeping shot from his nap today.

This is a fake one. He can't even stay still with his eyes closed for 3 seconds while I take a picture.

my big blue bed!

Easter Eggs

2009-04-11T15:44:00.003-04:00

I know these aren't Easter pictures--just hang on a sec!

I wanted to show you guys how big my "baby" is--I really am not liking this--he looks so big to me lately.

His new thing is to go "swimmim" in the bath tub.

He has like zero baby fat!

He wanted me to take a picture of his "dine-sore" excuse me, his "lellow dine-sore"

He loves to take a bath. It's like a whole new level of playtime right before bed.

Okay--he does still look "little" in this picture--

I put my Easter egg pictures on facebook--it's so much easier when you have a bunch!

JV debut

2009-04-09T11:01:00.003-04:00

The rain finally held off so Danny could have a home game. He was in SC last week with the baseball team--so I actually missed his first high school game--bummer! He played last night. The thermometer in the car said it was 48 degrees, but I really don't think so!! We were freezing!!
Aaron was so excited to see Danny at bat. He kept saying, "Danny right here!"

Danny on second.

"Ohhh! It's cold!"

"GO Big Macs!"

Uncle Jeff came up, too. Look how happy he was that Aaron wanted to sit with him and eat that sucker!

design on a dime

2009-04-03T11:12:00.005-04:00

I just re-did my bedroom for pennies! Well, not really but close!
These pillows came with my couch and I pulled the blue from them.

I painted an accent wall blue and got new lamp shades and a throw for the end of the bed. I also found a set of blue sheets from TJ Max. I used the sheets to match the paint. I'm going to put up white roman shades on the windows. I just have to hem then first--that saved about $300. The custom order shades were ridiculous!

I got a new box for Brian's dresser. We had been married for about a year when I gave up the battle over how messy his dresser ALWAYS was. I put out a ceramic bowl and told him I didn't care what was on his dresser as long as it stayed in the bowl--it has worked well for us. We will be married 5 years this month!

I did "splurge" on the picture. I bought a poster at Michaels and a frame at Target. I eventually want to get some end tables--dark wood--to match the frame. I'm still bargain shopping for those!

and here's Aaron's big boy bed--as you can see, it's still empty!! because...

...my big boy is in a crib!!!

What to do--what to do!

Canon-Mac Big Macs

2009-03-26T21:05:00.003-04:00

Yay! It's baseball season again. I must say--baseball is my favorite season as far as sports go--and then football runs a close second. Danny is on the JV team this year at Canon-Mac. They are called the Big Macs! He got his uniform tonight and of course, I broke out the camera. He's got his first game tomorrow night so be looking for some action shots!

"Can I get a turn?"

Aaron tells me all the time, "Danny at baseball."

I love this one!

potty time!

2009-03-05T12:15:00.004-05:00

It's potty time---not party time! I started on Monday and I have to say it's going rather well.....considering.
We started in pull ups.
He's telling me, "4, 9" He says "4,9" for everything numbers.

Tuesday afternoon, we graduated to real underwear! He calls them "wears".

He told me, "I poop wears, Mommy." So I explained to him to poop in the potty and not in your "wears". He answered, "I poop wears, Mommy." We'll see...who's more stubborn...

WooHoo!! Check me out! Dinosaurs!

Here's a pile of "wears", pants and socks. We went through all these yesterday. But I will say today is easier than yesterday. I am sure--fingers crossed--that tomorrow will be easier than today.

He came to me this morning--all on his own--and told me, "poop potty, Mommy!" YAY!! He got "brown candy" for that one!! (he calls chocolate "brown candy")

I wasn't sure about this post and all the talk of poop, but I figured you would want to be in the know!! Plus, how stinkin cute is he in his "wears"?!?!

color paper

2009-02-22T13:33:00.006-05:00

Aaron loves to color. He says, "color paper?" to ask someone to color. We have a continuing discussion in our house to color paper--no color table! no color truck! no color chair! I always say, "color paper." So that's what he says when he wants to color.

He especially likes to "color paper" with Daddy, because he can draw! Mommy isn't so good at even stick figures--but Daddy can make all kinds of pictures. Aaron's favorite is to draw a snowman--in every color! He's borderline obsessed with snowmen! He watches The Legend of Frosty every day--that's the newest Frosty video. (yeah! thanks Mamaw!!)

We have been working on colors. But, he's SO distracted!! He picks up random objects during the day to tell me what color they are. He's right most of the time now. I think it's so neat when he learns something new.

I like how he blatantly ignores you when he doesn't wan to to do something. Oh, and Daddy wanted me to post his artwork!

I know it's a lot of videos, but the first 2 where just practice! He does really well in this one!

I know everyone is anxious to see pictures of the new house, but I'm still putting things together--soon, though!!

milestone birthday!

2009-02-10T15:39:00.003-05:00

That's right!! My husband is 40!! Believe it!

Here's the birthday boy with his kids!

Aaron enjoying dinner. I made shrimp fettuccine alfredo.

Blowing out candles. We had birthday pie. Brian's not a big fan of cake!

And presents! Super Bowl Champion stuff!

all smiles

2009-01-14T16:07:00.002-05:00

Danny got his braces off today and I made him pose for pictures! Isn't he so handsome?? I think he looks so grown. He had them for about 2 years and the orthodontist agreed to take them off before we moved.

this one looks a little forced--but Danny would tell you they were all forced!

Aaron patiently waiting for Danny to get done this morning. He actually enjoys going to Dr. Hearne's--he's got an awesome play area.

maybe Aaron won't need a bunch of orthodontics.........now that the binky's gone.......

Christmas and New Years

2009-01-06T13:14:00.005-05:00

We had such a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone!

If you want to see all the pictures--I put them on facebook. I had way too many for the blog!

Farcin Christmas 2008

Thumm Christmas 2008

Happy Birthday, Aaron!!

2009-01-05T13:56:00.003-05:00

My little baby is 2 today!! He's growing up way 2 fast!

We no longer have a binky---last night he bit a hole in the only binky we had. I told him it was broken and we had to throw it in the garbage. It was drama drama! He did throw it away, but he went back and got it--out of the garbage--about 15 mins later. He was so sad. He kept saying, "away?" And I would answer, "Yes, your binky is broken and we had to throw it away." It took him till 11 last night to get to sleep. He was in his bed saying-not really crying-"Mommy, mommy, binky, binky." So pitiful! I was worried about nap time today, but it went by pretty smooth. He only asked for it when I first laid him down. Poor Aaron! And on his birthday, too!!

Aaron and Danny. Danny was in Maine this year for Christmas. Aaron was so excited when he got back from the airport. He kept saying, "Danny home! Danny home!" He idolizes his big brother.

"Could I get another cupcake? All the icing is gone off this one!"

More presents!! Aaron is going to think that's how you pass the time in the winter months.

A picture from last year--Danny needed a bite.

Look at that face! Is it just me or does he get cuter and cuter every birthday??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AARON!!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-19T11:47:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!! We love you all! I tried to get a video of Aaron saying, "Merry Christmas" but he would NOT cooperate. So- we sang ring around the rosie instead!

answered prayers

2008-12-16T13:29:00.004-05:00

This picture has nothing to do with anything--just thought it was cute. Aaron loves to wear other people's shoes. Here he is in Daddy's "boops".

As you all know by now--the Thumms are moving. This is not an easy thing to do this time of year or in the current housing market. HOWEVER, our house is under contract. It was only on the market for 2 days. You heard me--2 days! God is so good to us!

I went to Pa last week to "look" at some houses up there. We are under contract in Pa also! I was so worried about the time of year and all the "stuff"--I finally just pushed it to the back of my mind and every time I did I would say a little prayer and ask God to just take care of it--and He did! I am so blessed!

I had to share just how clean and clutter and baby free my house was-- and still is--kind of!!

the living room

the living room - from another angle
Aaron is wearing Danny's old baseball cleats! whatever!

the kitchen--check out that counter top--not a shred of mail in sight!

our second bedroom--Danny's room

I really like the throw pillow in this one! p.s. it doesn't come with the house!

our third bedroom--Aaron's room

I guess I should've moved the big bin of clothes form under the bed...

the master bedroom--mommy daddy room (that's how Aaron says it)

I changed the bedding. It was red like the curtains and night tables, but I wanted to lighten things up. A little trick I learned from HGTV.

ta da!

busy boy

2008-12-04T22:49:00.008-05:00

Okay Aunt Sharlene--I'm going to try and one up you on your busy schedule. And I'm only going to use my morning.

I went to get Aaron up and he was soaking wet, so I had to change clothes and sheets before breakfast.

A little later, I'm walking around saying, "Aaron, where are you?" I knew he had gone back in the hallway and I was sure he had broken into Danny's room (strictly off limits to Aaron). Wrong--he was in our bed, under blankets , and laid back on a pillow. He had the remote in hand and was trying to turn on the T.V. He was saying, "Mote? mote?"

About an hour later, I'm talking to Mom on the phone and I walk in the kitchen and there's Aaron -- sitting on the bar--trying to open sprinkles for Christmas cookies! He had climbed up a bar stool and onto the counter! NICE!!

Here's the real kicker. I'm talking to Kelli on the phone and I walk down the hallway to find Hurricane Aaron and he's in his BED and I DIDN'T PUT HIM THERE!!

He climbed in there all by himself. I'm assuming to get his binky!
"See Mom? Binky!" He's really saying, "binky" in this picture and showing it off.

Look at that face--as if to say, "Mine!!"

"Binky!"

pretending to be asleep. He says, "ni-night." It's so funny because he closes his eyes and pretends to snore.

reading a book and loving his binky--

Okay so after this I just went ahead and took a shower. Aaron was in his bed anyway. I get out of the shower, go to get Aaron, and he's soaking wet--AGAIN! I had to change sheets and clothes--AGAIN!

One more thing--He decided to climb up his little chair and onto his little table and take my nick knacks out of my shadow box. The whole time he's sing saying, "get down. get down" He looks over at me and I give him the I'm not playing around mommy face and he says, very sternly, "Get Down!" Seriously! Are you kidding me?
And all this was before lunch!

I must say I do love being a mom! Aaron is never boring! How do you like his super tight PJ's? Danny asked him if he was going diving!

He busted out of them and I had to change his clothes--AGAIN!! He's showing you his binky one last time before bed.

"Ni-night!"

by the way, I put my Thanksgiving pictures on facebook.

bitsy spider

2008-11-21T18:37:00.007-05:00

I can't take it--my baby is so cute!!

Now for some BREAKING NEWS!!! Brian is working in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area and we are moving HOME!! Aaron is so excited! West Virginia!

He's got his terrible towel ready for EVERY Steeler's game!!

YAY! The cousins!

MORE cousins....and Matthew!

Even Brian can hardly contain himself!

football saturday

2008-11-08T14:57:00.008-05:00

We had big plans to do yard work today---and then it rained all morning! Can I get a collective, "AAhhhh! TOO BAD!!"
The boys went out this afternoon and played some football. Aaron loves to be outside!

Nice!

the throw...

...the catch

This is Aaron relaxing a few days ago... lazy baby!

"Umm--could you please move?? You're blocking my view!"

How do you like the stretch?

Pop and chips! I'm all about promoting healthy eating habits!

Happy Election Day!

2008-11-04T11:12:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to get out and vote today! I know it's all crowded and stuff down here in Virginia--but it's your patriotic duty!!
Aaron is all excited Danny's home from school today.

He loves to play play dough! Not me! Danny is the one who does the play dough...

Is anyone else concerned about the tooth pick??

Thanks Danny!

trick or treat!

2008-11-01T22:59:00.005-04:00

Aaron wore this skeleton sweat suit most of the day, Friday. He kept telling me he was a spider and I would answer, "No, you're a skeleton." And he would point at himself and say, "Pider!" And this went on and on until he covered his ears with his hands---whatever! be a spider then!

Okay, I'm warning you now--this is a LONG post with lots of commentary and pictures. You might want to get a drink or a snack or something!
Aaron with Danny's pumpkin from when he was little. Brian's mom made it for Danny and Aaron took it trick or treating.

We went trick or treating at Monica's with our friend Rose. Here's Matthew--he's a bloody something or other! Monica--sorry you didn't make the blog--the only picture I had of you and Matthew--you were sticking out your tongue! Not sure what that was all about but there's always next year!

Rose and Tristen.

the neighborhood boys we went with...

...and the star of the show---Tigger!

You know my son and hats--he found Matthew's helmet and wasn't giving it up. I decided-- not a battle worth fighting (in front of all Monica's neighbors!)

The only time Aaron was in the stroller! Monica used it to push around our cameras and the extra candy!

Tigger running after the boys--he had to be right up in the middle of it! And they were good sports about the whole thing!

His first house...you like the helmet instead of the cute pumpkin basket?? Me too!

After each house, he would put the helmet down, take the candy out, pretend to eat a piece, then give me the candy--one by one--saying, "thank you." This went on all night--ask Monica. It was the funniest thing!

"This is fun!"

"Whew! I'm getting tired!"

Mike and Mike passing out candy. The dancing Mike in blue is Monica's and the other Mike is Rose's. The picture is all blurry because THEY REALLY WERE DANCING!!

YES!! Danny WAS there and just look at him enjoying all the festivities!

the V.I.P. after-party!

Aaron all comfy in his jammies or "A-jays" playing peek-a-boo on the stairs with Tristen.

What a night--we had a blast!

tigger

2008-10-30T15:09:00.005-04:00

Today was our Halloween party at the library. Aaron was Tigger! We go to the library once a week for story time. It lasts about 20 minutes--that's about all his age group can handle! After about 5 mins the story teller AND the parents are checking the clock.
Our story teller is so good with the kids--she dressed up as Waldo from the Where's Waldo books! And we had a princess and a witch---and a Tigger! The little girl, 3rd from the right, is Aaron's friend. Her name is Faith and she has a 15 yr old brother too. They always sit right beside each other. (I think he likes her dark curly hair!)

Princess Melaina

These three are always so good and listen so well--not like Aaron--today he got up and ran around all the chairs. Maybe he thought we were going to play duck-duck-goose.

Happy Halloween!

carving pumpkins

2008-10-28T19:18:00.009-04:00

Brian and Aaron carved pumpkins tonight. Danny helped--but only for a minute! Aaron kept calling it a "jackle." He is so funny! Don't mind the messy kitchen, please--I still need to clean up from dinner. Sorry about the short post but Aaron needs a bath and the kitchen is STILL dirty!

I love this video!

"Yuck!! What is this stuff?"

Master Carver--what concentration......

the finished "jackle"

footed pajamas!

2008-10-21T11:19:00.002-04:00

Kelli and I agree--we love footed pajamas. They force your "babies" to look like babies! oh yeah, and they are so warm for sleeping. Brian said we were all going to have to wear them, because of the furnace nazi--me! I won't let them turn the heat up! Um--HELLO! We have oil heat--pricey! He and Danny are going to have to get used to wearing clothes to bed....TMI?? sorry!
Aaron playing with his "new" Sesame Street cars from the boys.
He took Big Bird to bed last night.
This morning he was looking for something to fix! I tried to get a better picture of the pj's with the tool belt, but as you can see--he won't slow down.
Aaron calls his pj's, "A jays"--and he says it all exaggerated. Hey, Aaron just came over to the computer, pointed at himself, and said, "melmo?" And, I said, "no--that's Aaron." He just grinned.
His new thing is to put money in is pockets--like Daddy. He's usually in our room when Brian is getting ready for work (mostly because Mommy isn't ready to get out of bed yet) and he sees Brian put change in his pockets.
Good Morning, Brian--oops! I mean Aaron!
I like how he hold his shirt WAY up and reaches ALL the way across his body to put the pennies in his pocket. This is serious stuff.
He can say, "money" real well. He also likes to put the change in his bank or "buck" as he calls it--but then he wants it back.....he gets that from me!!

mamaw and papaw

2008-10-14T20:52:00.004-04:00

WOOHOO!! Mamaw and Papaw were here over the weekend. We all had a great time! My mom and I went shopping on Saturday and left the boys at home and then we all went to eat that evening.
I couldn't decide which picture to use--check out Aaron's cheesy grin!
Aunt Kelli sent lots of books and toys from her boys--Aaron roped Mamaw into reading most of the weekend. How could she deny, though?? He would walk over to her with a book and say, "I read? I read?" and then turn around so she could pick him up to her lap.
Aaron wore this tigger hat for 3 days--he wanted Papaw to give it a try--
--here he is---TIGGER!

I wish they could've stayed longer--the time absolutely flew by! When they left Aaron stood on the porch saying, "Bye bye Papaw."
Here's some pics I've been meaning to blog! How funny is this one--he's really concentrating on something!
Aaron's new thing is to wear shoes--all the time. He wasn't even dressed this morning and he needed his shoes on. He brings them to you and says, "mon? mon?"

My Aunt Sharlene left a comment and asked if all Aaron's clothes were blue and gold--and my answer is--"Not only blue and gold, but the majority of them say WVU!!" I think he's watching Sesame Street in this picture.
"Touchdown!"
Doesn't he look like he's ready for Jamboree in the Hills?? with the muscle shirt and desert camo hat?

"Yeehaw!"

b-ball

2008-10-14T20:42:00.003-04:00

I'm so sorry it's been so long. I've been really busy down here in Va--having lunch with friends, painting my toe nails, getting my hair done, eating bon bons....you know.......the life of a stay-at-home mom!!
Here's some pictures that I've been meaning to share.
Look how tall Danny is getting!
Is that a foul or something??

"All this watching is making me thirsty!!"

Happy Birthday!

2008-10-01T13:42:00.002-04:00

Today is Papaw's birthday!! I don't always do birthdays on the blog--but hey--it's Papaw!

Here he is with all the boys at the beach.

He was holding Aaron one time and he fell asleep--waiting to eat--Aaron not Papaw this time!
Papaw and his "little" brother, Uncle Phil--

What handsome guys!

Happy Birthday, Papaw!! WE LOVE YOU!!

me too Dad--I love you bunches!!

Happy Birthday, Donna!

2008-09-20T15:02:00.004-04:00

My friend, Donna's birthday is today--a milestone birthday! Her family had a surprise party for her on Thursday. She was completely shocked--and it was great!
"SURPRISE!!"
Aaron getting ready for dinner. "My napkin goes in my lap.....
...and my plate goes on my head."
"MMmmm -- chicken and french fries-- my favorite!"
Aaron and Camron playing with the balloons. Camron is Donna's grandson. She has a step-daughter, Audra that's my age.
Aaron and Camron running. They play so well together. Aaron kept turning around to make sure Camron was still chasing him.
Jake brought out the cake. Jake is Donna's son. He and Danny are good friends--that's actually how Donna and I met! We've become really close the last few years. We have so much in common--especially with the teenage boys! I am so thankful to have her in our lives.

Austyn, Donna's daughter, passing out cake. Isn't she cute? She's in her second year of middle school this year!!
Me and Aaron eating cake.
The natives started getting restless after the cake!
Happy Birthday, Donna! We love you!

bam-baids

2008-09-16T19:55:00.008-04:00

Aaron's latest and greatest is---band aids!! Or as he calls them, "bambaids". He's always showing me a "new" boo-boo. He winces when I put the "bambaid" on the fake boo-boo--he pushes my hand away like I'm not being gentle enough! It's so funny.
trying to decide where the "bambaid is going to go -- he's running out of room on his leg!!
He's showing me all his boo-boos! By the way, Grandma Rutherford, these are Snoopy band aids--He loves "Moopy"!

He's too much!! Don't anyone ask what to get Aaron for Christmas--here's your hint!!

hahahahahaha!!

finally!

2008-09-12T20:16:00.004-04:00

Finally! The beast sleeps! I know what you're thinking--look at this angelic little boy with his Eyore. (By the way, he's way into donkeys right now!! Hilarious!) Aaron had a little bug all day and I changed about 100 million diapers. He didn't eat much. He was whiny and tired. It made for a very long day!

He got into the exersaucer--all by himself. I don't really understand the sudden fascination--he would never sit in it when could actually FIT in it!
Check out his knees knocking together-- in the same leg hole!
"Now, how do I get out of this thing??"
After his bath--which was 45 mins. early--he found a "treat".
"MMMmmm.........What is this yummy stuff??"
"Desitin Creamy--my favorite!"
"Uh--What do you mean it's not really food?"
After all that, I said, "Okay--help Mommy pick up your toys."
This is Aaron "helping". He sat beside the basket and tried on his goggles one last time before bed. Let me ask you, though--"Who could POSSIBLY be mad at that face??"

Yep--the radio is working fine, too.

Long Day!

football!

2008-09-10T14:43:00.002-04:00

YAY!! It's football season---finally! Aaron loves cheering for his favorite team--the West Virginia Mountaineers! Brian taught him, "Touchdown!!"
"WVU #1!"

.....not so much on Saturday.
wearing Brian's shoes and socks---and no pants! In case you're wandering--Brian does NOT wear these shoes with these socks!
shoes and socks are way too much trouble--true Mountaineer!
Aaron was waiting for the big storm. Thankfully, Hanna was no big deal.
"Where's all the rain?"
Aaron and Mommy--I'm thinking about changing my profile picture on facebook.
"GO Steelers!"
"YAY! We're winning!"
Aaron and Daddy were zonked out after an entire weekend of football--all our favorite teams were on TV. We watched WVU on Saturday and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday!

holiday weekend

2008-09-01T22:06:00.008-04:00

Danny's been in Maine visiting his mom the past few weeks--he came home Friday. Brian's parents picked him up from the air port and brought him to Va. Aaron was sooooo excited to see his brother.
Aaron was taking a nap when Danny and his grandparents got here. So when he woke up, Danny was outside practicing tricks on his skateboard. I walked over to the door and said, "Who's outside?" Aaron looked at me and then looked at Danny and said, "Danna!" He was so excited it took his breath away! Danny came up on the porch and Aaron was shaking. He couldn't get to Danny fast enough. It was so cute.

Aaron wanted to do tricks too!
Aaron's supposed to be "winding down" for bed--instead he's playing peek with Memaw. In case you're wondering--that's Dave, Brian's dad--not Brian--they're getting harder and harder to tell apart!

We had Danny's birthday that night too. Check out the evil eye I'm getting in this one! Whew!
It was so humid--my cake is sliding...
Aaron and the rest of them didn't seem to care!
"Mmmmm......cake!"

Me and Danny went shopping Sunday afternoon. These are his new shoes. Aaron's making sure they're okay!

We had fun this weekend with Brian's parents -- I don't know how this happened, but I have no pictures! They're all of Aaron and Danny!

sand and sun

2008-08-23T13:59:00.003-04:00

We went shopping for a sand box last weekend--and NOBODY had one. I guess we waited too long. I had to order one off the internet. I couldn't just wait till next year! Aaron wanted a sand box, so we got one! ha ha! He had to play with it in the living room for a little bit--we had to wait on Daddy to bring sand home from work.
"I want sand!"
"Alright!"

Daddy helping.

road trip

2008-08-21T09:12:00.002-04:00

This is Aaron and Wyatt. We went to see him and his mom, Katie yesterday. Katie moved to another part of Virginia--and I miss her!! She's having a baby girl in November and Wyatt will be a big brother--how exciting!

The boys were riding big wheels down the hill. Aaron didn't really know how to stop--he just flew down and would usually end up in the flower bed for stopping!
"WOOHOO!"
We took the boys to the park. That way the kids could play and we could sit and talk in the fresh air. We had lots of catching up to do.
Wyatt is getting so big--he's potty training.

It was hard to get a picture of them together--they were constantly on the move.
together--strapped in seats!
We got slushies after the park. Aaron kept saying, "cold"--this drink was super cold!
Thanks for having us and for the veggies from your garden! We love and miss you!
xoxoxo

can you say...

2008-08-16T09:36:00.010-04:00

Aaron has passed the stage of jibber jabber and is talking. He is saying or trying to say everything! It's amazing how quick he picks up on stuff. It all started at the beach--he wanted to talk to the kids--and it just snowballed from there.

And to think, he can say all these things without having his hearing checked or talking with a speech therapist! For those of you who don't know this story--the last time I took Aaron to the doctor, they recommended I take him to a speech therapist because he wasn't talking enough. She also suggested I get his hearing checked--whatever! It was a big joke at the beach this year that Aaron couldn't hear what you were saying. He's like every other kid--selective hearing! But he's a little more bull-headed than your average. Everyone says he gets that from me--I'm not seeing it! HA HAAA!

15

2008-08-13T18:22:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday, Danny!!

Today is Danny's 15th birthday--what?? I know right--

Danny and Aaron

Aaron HAS to be where Danny is--and Danny's always good sport about it.

This is one of my very favorite videos of the boys--it's when Danny is walking from school and Aaron can hardly stand himself because Danny's home!

Danny at bat.

This is from the ROTC banquet at school--Danny's getting an award.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY!!

We love you!

Jeff and Stacie

2008-08-11T08:46:00.004-04:00

Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Haaaappppppy Anniversary! I hope everyone was singing along. They've been married one year today-time flies when you're havin' fun!
Look how little Aaron was a year ago--he didn't even wear shoes yet! I love this picture of Stacie and Aaron--it's on our fridge.

fhigkfghjgujfif (that was from Aaron.)

We love you!!

overnighters

2008-08-06T11:44:00.003-04:00

The Hamilton's are vacationing in Va Beach this week and they came to stay with us Monday night. We had so much fun--
Jaden and Danny making s'mores.
Haley--she likes to catch her marshmallows on fire like me.
Aaron eating the chocolate--he wanted no part of the marshmallows after he tasted the Hershey bar! He was pointing at the candy and saying, "ME? ME?"

Aaron and Jaden
lazy Haley
Danny and Jaden taking a break--Jaden doesn't stop. He ran suicides in the driveway and then came in and got in the elliptical--crazy!!
Aaron loves Haley!
the Hamilton's

Kristen, Jaden, Haley, and Shawn

We all had dinner together Tuesday night. We cooked out on the grill. Stuff like this really makes me miss family--I really enjoyed keeping the kids overnight. We love having company.

beachy videos

2008-07-31T20:53:00.003-04:00

Aaron spent the whole week just running, running, running. It was real windy the day I took this video-that stinks-because you can't hear Aaron jabbering to himself--while running.

He had to see what Eli and Joel were up to.

Aaron and Daddy.

the new living room

2008-07-30T15:01:00.003-04:00

Here's the pictures of our "new" living room. This is the couch.
close up
the matching love seat--I know this is SO exciting!
close up
the entertainment center--we put it together Saturday--with no major fisticuffs!
close up
close up of the pillow fabric--oooohh! aaahh!
close up of the carpet- it's a sculpted berber
I still have to get my stuff back up on the walls. It kind of feels like you're sitting in a show room with blank walls--you know me--the more the better!

home to WV

2008-07-28T23:39:00.003-04:00

These are pictures from a lazy--and I do mean lazy Saturday at Mamaw and Papaw's while we were back home this summer. There are more slide shows below. I think I'm all caught up! I do have some cute vidoes from the beach--real cute ones--so keep your eye out for those.

Pennsylvania family

2008-07-28T23:27:00.002-04:00

We did some traveling while they worked on our house. These are some pics from Bub and Pap's. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Jim are in this show, but they weren't in Pa. They visited us in Suffolk--we had a great time talking about "old times".

Independence Day

2008-07-28T23:13:00.004-04:00

We were at the Goodwin's for the 4th. We had so much fun we never made it to the fireworks. We could hear them from the back deck--does that count??

hallelujah!!

2008-07-24T21:49:00.008-04:00

Praise God! We are home--that's right we are in our HOME! No way am I calling it a house right now--it's home! We moved back in a couple Thursday's ago and them left 2 days later for vacation. I have never been happier to be in my own bed. I thought, however, that I would be more excited to clean things up and move things around--I'm having a hard time getting motivated. It's all just a little overwhelming.

Plus, we're looking for me a new car--put that on your prayer lists. Mine was totalled a couple weeks ago! I know--you so can't make this stuff up! NOT my fault, though--whew!

Be sure to check out the beach pictures below! I also have a bunch of pictures from the beginning of the summer--I was still snapping away. I think I'm going to make a slide show and post that later, after I get them in some kind of order.

Thank you for all your prayers! especially the ones for my sanity!

farcin family fun

2008-07-24T21:31:00.003-04:00

We just got home from our annual beach vacation. We had such a good time--as usual!
It wasn't an especially long trip, but thank goodness Aaron was there to help drive.
This is pretty much what Aaron did all week--dig...

and Danny ate sunflower seeds.

Jacob taking Aaron for a ride.

Eli and Aaron working hard.
This is one of a few pictures I have of Joel--and he's moving--he's as bad as Danny when it comes to getting his picture taken!
I love, love, love this one--I'm getting it framed. I made Danny pose for this one--ahhh!--too bad you can't see how mad his face is.
"I'm thirsty!"
See what I mean?? This is probably Danny's favorite picture from vacation.

s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y-- night!

2008-06-15T21:16:00.003-04:00

We went to the Norfolk Tides (they're a AAA team) game Saturday night for Father's Day. Shout out to all the dads out there-- especially mine! We had fun with the Goodwins--as usual.
It was Marines night at Harbor Park and the Tides wore camo jerseys.
The silent drill team--amazing! They do all this stuff without even talking--what? no talking?
Mike and Matthew--Mike picked out great seats on the first base line.
Me, Monica, and Aaron.
Aaron found a big drink -- he couldn't resist. Don't worry--it belonged to us--although, he did try to drink the drink behind his seat--it did NOT belong to us!
"Okay everyone, put your glasses on." They gave us 3-D glasses for the fireworks show after the game.
"Thanks Aaron."

He's got this new thing where he only wants to wear his hats backwards--too cute.

Daddy got a new Tides hat for Father's Day and Aaron got one for--well--look at that face!! No really, he has worn his WVU hat out. It has no shape anymore and it's getting all faded and stained. He loves, loves, loves wearing a ball hat.

Aaron thought this was a helmet to wear--Danny's ice cream was in it. How do you like the Marlene feet on either side of the baby? Kelli will know what I mean--we joke all the time that we have mom's feet--Marlene feet--get it?
After the game, Danny took Aaron to run the bases--I love it!
There goes Matthew--he was going so fast, I almost missed the picture! We had so much fun--even though the fire works were cancelled. It was too windy. Brian and Monica were most disappointed. hahaha!!

game days

2008-06-12T16:28:00.009-04:00

"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play--today!"

The warm up. I tried to keep these pictures in some kind of order--it's basically a collage from 3 different games. We made it to the Championship again this year, but we got beat--it was a real heart breaker in the bottom of the 7th. It was a great day of baseball, though. We were at the ballpark almost all day, Sunday, for the double-header. I really enjoyed it.
Danny on second. He loves it there--it's his favorite position.
He started on 3rd for the Championship game.

on deck--He really had some great hits during the play offs!
Danny's #8.
Yay!
Aaron's pretty much happy with whatever's going on at the ballpark as long as he has a drink...
...and a snack! He loves to watch Danny play. He gets right up on the fence when Danny's at bat and yells.

He stays pretty busy at the games. He plays in the sand right outside the dugout--
Gets into the boys' stuff--

Whew--what a dirt ball!
Helps Daddy keep score--

Flirts with the girls. He really likes Meghan--she throws catch with him and laughs a lot!

It was too hot to play on Sunday--with the heat index it was 115. And we played 2 games. I don't know how the boys did it, but they played awesome. They stayed cool with wet rags and lots of water and gatorade. I was hot just sitting in the shade. Aaron had 3 popsicles. The comissioner was worried about it being so hot. He asked me one time if Aaron had on sunscreen. I said, "Yes--but he's so dirty I don't think the sun can get through anyway." It really was a fun day.
Here's Danny getting his trophy--I heard him joking with the team that the trophy was smaller than he was used to--he's used to being in 1st. He's funny.
the 2008 Suffolk Yankees

hotel livin'

2008-06-09T21:15:00.006-04:00

So we were in the hotel for about 2 1/2 weeks. We moved into an apartment, Saturday. I know there's lots of pictures--but I know you're all missing Aaron. His favorite part of the hotel was getting to eat while watching cartoons. We got him a new "high chair" that just straps onto a chair.

"MMmmm -- coke!"
Aaron is so tired in this picture--he's all ready for bed--with his blankie and binky--but he didn't want to stop playing--and we all know Aaron doesn't have to do what he doesn't want to do! HA HA!!
Danny and Aaron literally on top of each other!
"WOOHOO!"
Aaron and Daddy lounging.
We got to go to the pool, once--it was closed the rest of the time--something about the pH. Whatever! It was only about 95 degrees the last couple days we were there. The one day I got sunscreen on Aaron--not an easy task--and myself ready--we went to the pool only to find out it was closed. Aaron stood at the fence and poked his head through the fence and looked left to right and them looked back at me--so sad!
Doesn't it look like Aaron's trying to dunk Danny?
Finally! A picture of me in my bathing suit! I know you've all been waiting on the edge of your seats! You like how I positioned Aaron directly in front of my belly with just enough towel to cover everything?
Cannonball!!
Aaron -- he's always got to be into something!
This is Saturday when we got to move out. Danny's idea of helping by entertaining Aaron was letting him do pull ups on the luggage cart. Brian is in the background "patiently" waiting to load stuff up.

the tree

2008-06-01T11:23:00.005-04:00

Finally! I'm on the Internet! thanks Danny. Here's the pictures you've all been waiting for--the tree. It was storming that Tuesday and Danny and I heard the crash. The whole house shook and Aaron started crying. Praise the Lord none of us were in the living room. We were all downstairs in the family room on the other side of the house--amazing! We called Brian at work and went to the neighbor's house. That's when I called 911. The whole thing was like a dream--I think I was just so shocked.

This shows how shallow the roots were. The guys who came to take the tree off the house said it was perfectly healthy--the wind was just so intense.
This is the view from the back of the house--that's the top of the tree. It fell at an angle across the whole house.

The view from the inside. The fire dept cut the ceiling so it wouldn't cave in from all the water.

The very next day they took the tree off the house. They did it in one afternoon. The entire neighborhood was out and checking on things. One lady set up a lawn chair in her driveway! Give me a break! It was a 3 ring circus from the time it happened. I really shouldn't be like that--everyone has been soooo very nice to us.
I don't know if you can really see it or not but there's a big red sign on the porch that states, "Condemned. Not suitable for living." Now that's hard to swallow--seeing that on your own home.

They had all kinds of equipment--a big crane took the tree off the house.

Aaron had fun watching all the big trucks.
"Yay! The tree's gone!"

Every thing's all tarped up 'til they can start the work. We're waiting for the power to be turned back on and then things should go pretty quick--I'm hoping and praying!
A friend of ours is letting us use their baby bed. Aaron helped Brian put it together. Danny spent the weekend with the Chappells at the races in Charlotte. He's been with them a good bit since it happened. Thank God for our friends! Heather's been watching Aaron when I need to be else where and we've been doing our laundry at Monica's. It stinks not having our family here, but our friends are AWESOME! and I am totally thankful for them.

"Like this, Daddy."
We're going to be living hotel life for a while--but we are all okay--and together...completely together...right on top of each other!

saturday...in the park

2008-05-19T15:24:00.008-04:00

Danny's game was at 9am. I'm not crazy about morning games, but then you have the rest of your day. Aaron took Brian's hat--the sun was too intense. Danny's team lost--by a controversial call. The whole game was like that--back and forth with bad calls.
Danny had a nice sacrifice bunt. He almost made it to first--whew! it was close. But the runner advanced to third.

"WWWEEEEEE!"

We went to the park later that afternoon.

That was fast!

Don't they look thrilled?

This is actually from Sunday afternoon. Aaron helped me plant some flowers. We got some tomato plants, too! WOOHOO! my favorite!
Now the start of a new week...

yay!

2008-05-16T17:58:00.006-04:00

Yay! It's finally Friday! Aaron loves to sit on the porch and wait for Danny to get home from school. He's been walking home and Aaron watches for him. Aaron gets so excited--he runs across the yard and Danny yells his name from up the street.

Yay! Kiera--it worked. I e-mailed my cousin to see how she got her videos to be in the middle of a post--and I did it! Woohoo! As soon as I typed I did it--the Dora song popped into my head--"We did it! We did it!" I love it--NOT!

Anywho, here's Aaron running across the yard and yelling for Danny.

Yay! We had Burger King for dinner. Tonight was the first night I let Aaron dip his own fries in ketchup. He is so grown! He did pretty good but towards the end he was finger painting.

Oh well--look at that happy face!

Time for a little clean up.

Aaron was helping me drink my milkshake--that's right I said it--milkshake--hey, if you're going to eat garbage for dinner-you might as well go for it. And in my defense, I logged an hour and a half at the gym this morning.

Yay! Let's play!

"Sword fight!"
Danny hitting pine cones into the street. How's that for cleaning up the yard?

RTOC Awards Ceremony

2008-05-14T21:14:00.002-04:00

Danny's awards ceremony for ROTC was at the High School last night. This is a picture of him and his flight. He's 4th over from the left holding the flag in the front row.
He got 3 ribbons for his uniform--good conduct, attendance, and uniform inspection. He didn't miss one inspection all year. I tried to get pictures, but my camera was NOT cooperating. The bright sun light coming in didn't help either. This is the best picture I had. Danny is saluting after he received his award--so handsome.
Aaron eating a cookie the guy behind us gave him. When he finished, he got up in his chair and pointed to the guy's plate for another one. He did pretty good--he enjoyed all the clapping.
This is Danny's picture from school. I could not get it to rotate for anything--I tried in 3 different screens! Danny has already gone to bed so he can't help me! Just crook your neck--you'll live!

saturday...

2008-05-12T11:40:00.002-04:00

I know you must be wondering--has Kerri lost her mind? Why is there a picture of her empty driveway? Why you ask?? Because there is no car. I wrecked my car, Saturday, on the way home from Danny's game. I rear ended a bus! We are all fine! Thankfully! There was not a lot of damage, but I had to be towed! It was awful. Driving through town in a big wrecker with Danny in the middle and Aaron on my lap. I'm waiting to hear from the insurance, today. Here's the real kicker--I was taking the boys home and then going to test drive a Toyota Camry--yeah--that's right--we were trading in my car!

God is good, though--about 3 months ago I got a call from Allstate. They were offering new packages--better insurance for about my price OR the same insurance I already had for a cheaper price. I opted for the better insurance. (I mean I was already paying that anyway) Thank God I did because I didn't have rental coverage before!

"I just can't believe it, Mommy!"

busy sunday

2008-05-04T18:29:00.004-04:00

I thought Sundays were supposed to be lazy days--you know the day of rest. Not so much here. I left Aaron with Danny and got some groceries after church. I bought Aaron some of those cups with the straw. He's not real sure about it. He tries to tip it up like a sippy cup.
He started out doing it right. What a big boy!
He liked the cup better after he took it apart. I think he's trying to drink from the bottom of the straw because that's how we give him drinks from our cups when we have straws. Smartie pants!
"Oh yeah. Now we're talkin. The milk falls right in your mouth when you do it this way!"
Does anyone want to guess why I had to call the Poison Control Center before church this morning?? Let me tell you--I was brushing my teeth and I heard, "PSSSHHHTTTT!" I look over and Aaron's mouth is all white and foamy. He had sprayed the air freshener in his mouth! I had just taken it away from him, so he must've thieved it from the bathroom sink. I can't even look away for a second to spit? Any way the PCC said air freshener is mostly water and soap. "He might have a tummy ache-so don't give him any milk for a couple hours-or a rash around his mouth. But other than that, he's fine." Praise the Lord! And they're sending me a magnet for the fridge and some other goodies. I have a feeling the magnet is going to come in handy!
I was cleaning up from dinner and this is how Danny and Aaron were entertaining themselves. I HAD to get a picture. I love Aaron's face in this one!

"Where'd he go?"
Like I said--lazy??

more baseball

2008-05-03T21:41:00.004-04:00

Danny had a game this morning--we won! YAY! I'm not sure about the score. I was working concessions. I know the other team didn't score and we did! Danny had a great game and 2 nice hits--with 2 RBI's.

Aaron helped in the concession stand. He tallied up the orders on the calculator!

Here's Madison--her brother, Cam, is on Danny's team and her dad is one of the coaches. She helped me, today, too. I did the money and she did all the leg work. A lot of leg work--chasing Aaron and getting gatorades! She and Aaron have become buddies. They are taking a break and eating ring pops. This was Aaron's first ring pop--and he loved it! I think he was most excited about the fact that a "binky" was actually candy. He was SO sticky!
"MMmmmmmm!"

That's what he kept saying! He was also offering his ring pop to Madison and I--which we politely declined.

One of Danny's at bats. I just love the video of the games.

tornado

2008-05-02T10:46:00.002-04:00

This is a picture of one of the tornadoes that came across Suffolk. This was taken by someone at Ruby Tuesday's. The tornado is right behind the hospital--making it's way through Hillpoint Farms.
Unbelievable!!
Here's my tornado! (Please, don't think I'm making light of what happened here on Monday.)
He wears this thing on his head all the time. He thinks it's a hat, but it's part of a stackable toy that you put all the different shapes in.
Did you notice Aaron and Philip have the same outfit? Mamaw loves sleeveless shirts on the babies! Check out those muscles!

we're fine!

2008-04-29T20:38:00.002-04:00

This is my first ever post without pictures. I'm sure you've heard about the tornadoes in Suffolk. We are Okay! The tornadoes touched down about 4 pm, yesterday. I had no idea they were coming. Brian called home to check on us and I wasn't even there! It was only raining at our house. I went to the tanning bed and left Aaron with Danny! WHAT?? Brian told Danny if anything "strange" happened outside to take Aaron to the hallway. WHAT?? And I'm just chilling out with my eye goggles on, working on my tan. When I got home Danny didn't say anything about the storm--after about a half hour--he said, "Oh yeah, Dad wants you to call him." That's when I found out we should take shelter--the tornado had already been through. We were so blessed. We are all fine!

The neighborhood, Hillpoint Farms, that's all over the news--that's where my friend, Monica and Mike live. They are all good, too, and their house is okay. But Mike told me 2 blocks from them is messed up bad. Monica has not been able to go home, yet. The police aren't let anyone out or in. She just wants to go home. I can't blame her. Mike had been without power since 11 pm, yesterday. It came back on around 7 pm tonight. He said he made a big pot of coffee. He told Monica he wished someone would come around with some Starbucks! I'll have to get him some when the all the dust settles!

My friend, Donna saw one tornado touch down right outside her window at work. She said the whole outside just got black! I can't even imagine! And I was tanning! She said a guy driving by her office pulled into the parking lot and ran in the building. He had felt his truck lift off the ground and thought he should take shelter! She told me when the front door opened there was all this air pressure and you could see the debris in the wind. Thank God, she's okay, too.

I am so thankful that my family and all my friends are okay. Just please keep those who were less fortunate in your prayers. My friend, Donna and I were talking about how her church and the schools suffered no damage at all. And the hospital's damage was only minimal. They used her church and the one high school for emergency shelter. And, of course, the hospital needed to be up and running. God really is in control!

Saturday Celebrations

2008-04-26T21:03:00.004-04:00

Woohoo! My birthday was Thursday! My boys got me a cake and some flowers. I'm going to plant them in the front yard by the sidewalk.

We went to Danny's game in the morning. Aaron snagged my chair. You'll notice his little chair on the left is holding all his stuff! Oh-- Is that how this works??
Aaron loves, loves, loves it in the dugout. He's all about keepin' the team motivated with high fives! Danny is such a good sport.
"Go get 'em!"
"Okay guys, I'm next!"
Nope! It's Danny's turn!

That night we went to the Olive Garden, with the Goodwin's, for dinner. Brian and Danny really don't like it--at all. But I get to eat there once a year--I always pick it for my birthday. Monica and I have this thing about being BFF's--you know best friends forever. She is so funny--she found this shirt and said I just had to have it. The AE is forever and ever and ever--get it? She cracks me up! She thinks I'm kidding, but the next time Aaron and I visit her at work--I'm totally wearing the shirt.
Daddy and Aaron
Matthew--hanging out!
Yes, Danny was there. Monica got a picture of him with HER camera and then he bolted. I know--we are SO embarrassing!! Aaron has no pants--he ate too much. Not really, he had an accident. Brian and I both changed diapers that night--at different times! I lucked out on that deal, though! HA HA Happy Birthday to me!
Thanks for coming out with us, Goodwin's! We always have SO much fun together! Monica's going to take me shopping and help me spend my b-day money! She's a champ when it comes to shopping!

a wedding story

2008-04-25T10:27:00.007-04:00

Okay, here it is--the story from my cousin, Nathaniel's wedding. You're gonna be like, "No Way!" I am here to assure you--WAY! You can't make stuff like this up.

Aren't they adorable??
Here's where it all starts--in the car. Aaron is all smiles and chocolate milk-- in the beginning. I'm blabbing away to my mom on the cell phone. We're talking and laughing when she says something about shoes and my brain freezes, I go numb--stop the bus! My dress clothes are hanging, in the garment bag, on the back of the bedroom door! What?
Here's the picture of what I was GOING to wear to the wedding. I was going to take a picture of me modeling-- but 1. Who's going to take my picture? Aaron? He's the only one home right now and 2. I thought it much more appropriate to show it HANGING ON THE BEDROOM DOOR!
So anyway, my mom is like, "Let's think about this. Just calm down. I can bring a shirt and tie for Brian and you can get something else Saturday morning. The wedding isn't until 4:30." Thanks mom for talking me off of THAT ledge!
Skip to Saturday morning real quick--this has to be in the story--My mom, and her 2 sisters, Aunt Sharlene and Aunt Darlene and myself go to Kohl's after breakfast. It's like an episode of TLC's What Not to Wear. The three of them are bringing me clothes and telling the sales people I left my clothes in Virginia. It's a whole big production. After all the cackling, a few tense moments, and MUCH sarcasm--I have a dress. Thank you Aunt Darlene! --she found it. And my Aunt Sharlene had black pumps for me to borrow--we have a winner! Crisis adverted!

Okay, back to the car. We stop for lunch. Aaron's too busy staring and flirting so he has to finish his chicken nuggets on the road.
"Whew! That sun is bright!"

13 1/2 hours later--Hello Findlay, OH! Aaron pretty much cried, whined, and screamed the last 2 hours. Brian and I were starting to turn on each other. He made the comment that Nathaniel owed us a gift for all this! HA HA!
Here's Kim. The wedding was beautiful--and well worth the trip. In the receiving line, Kim hugged me and said, "I think you hate me." NOT TRUE! I wasn't real crazy about the car ride, but you I like!

Uncle Greg and Aunt Sharlene--Nathaniel's parents and Kim's new in-laws
Uncle Greg did the ceremony.
Lauren and Micah--Nathaniel's sister and brother
Me and Aaron and my cousin, Kiera and her baby, Phillip. They are, I think, 8 months apart.
Stacie and Eli--of course they HAD to sit together!
Jacob and Joel scheming about something.

Jeff and Phillip
Kelli and Kevin
Aaron and Mamaw--Oh, I almost forgot. Aaron got sick. He just wasn't being himself--you know --sluggish. He threw up at the reception--in Mamaw's shoe! Again--WAY! You can't make stuff like this up! We left early, so he could go to bed. He had a pretty nasty fever in the night.
Kelli and I had adjoining rooms so the kids could be together.
We split the trip on the way home. Sunday we went to Brian's parents and then came the rest of the way on Monday. Aaron liked that MUCH better.

I took Aaron to the doctor, Tuesday. He has a double ear infection. They gave him an antibiotic. Thursday, he woke up with a rash all over his back and belly. I had to take him to the doctor--again! WAY! They gave him a new antibiotic. He seems to be fine--just a little mopey.

I want to clear something up--I know the trip was unbelievable and a little nightmarish! BUT I would do it again and again and again. We had such a great time with our family! We love and miss you all!!

last week's game

2008-04-23T11:08:00.004-04:00

I finally remembered the camera last Thursday at Danny's game. We left for OH on Friday. I know you want to see wedding photos, but you'll have to wait--that story's gonna take all day!
Danny made it to First on that at bat.
"Okay--my turn! Throw me the ball!"
Our score keeper. I usually keep the book, but I was late--went back for the camera--and Brian snatched it up! Because whoever isn't keeping score keeps Aaron. Or should I say chases Aaron all over the ball park. He's real hard to keep occupied these days. He'll only sit for so many snacks and drinks.

Danny got out at First but he had a RBI. For those of you who don't follow baseball, that's a Run Batted In--we scored.

Danny took Aaron in the dug out and let him walk around. He thought he was such a big shot--he gave everyone high fives.

at the park

2008-04-17T14:34:00.004-04:00

Aaron and I went to the park today with my friend, Heather and her 2 girls--actually I should say 3--he older daughter was there, too--but she left early with her boyfriend. It was a beautiful day! We had so much fun. It was warm, but not too hot. Heather and I sat, sunned, and talked while the kids played.
Aaron driving.
Let me introduce you to Madison. She's 3...
...and this is her little sister, Hayden. She's I think 5 months old. How 'bout those cheeks! This is probably the most pink you'll ever get to see on my Blog! ha ha
Aaron and Madison off to the slides. Madison is so good with Aaron.
"Wee!"
Madison is all about the slides. She doesn't like to swing so much--but the slides are a whole different ball game.

"A little help here."
He played so hard; he was ready for a big drink! What a mess! He has chocolate all over his from MY m&M's. I guess that's better than me eating them all by myself--fewer calories.
He got so tired near the end of our day he fell down a couple times and just stayed there. Heather said he looked like a little injured bird out on the playground. We cracked up.
Little Big Man
One last time--I just love the smirk on his face.
Finally, a nap! We changed cars so I had to jostle the car seat and put it back in my car--he never woke up--when we got home I carried him straight to his bed--he's still sleeping.

videos from today

2008-04-16T18:52:00.004-04:00

I think I told you this before, but Eli gave Aaron this back pack and he wears it ALL the time. He loves it! I think he's trying to be like Danny--when he leaves for school. I take it to the ball park for his toys.

Silliness!

Here he is eating chips and watching his favorite show--M.A.S.H. I'm not even kidding--not even a little bit. Whenever the theme song starts playing, he stops what he's doing and runs to the TV.

half day

2008-04-11T15:44:00.002-04:00

Danny only had a half day at school yesterday--that allowed he and Aaron some quality time together. They took this picture. I was cleaning out my car and they were "helping"?
Aaron's learning how to drive! Look Out!!
"Oops! I think I hit something--or somebody!"
Here's me diligently working.

lazy baby

2008-04-09T14:28:00.004-04:00

I was in my room putting laundry away and "trying"to make my bed--here's Aaron's take on the situation--kicked back with the remote. He's all about relaxing. You know, he does have it pretty rough. Get up--go to the gym and play--come home and take a 2 hour nap--eat lunch--diaper change--play some more--Danny's home!--eat a snack...
"Oh yeah--this is the life."
He likes to look out the window at the neighbor's doggie. He points and says, "gie". He's still holding onto that remote pretty tight!
"OOhhhhh...beads!"
"Mommy, could you please get me a drink?"
I finally managed to get my bed made--- Aaron is still relaxing.
Now isn't that cuter than a throw pillow?

rainy day

2008-04-05T18:35:00.003-04:00

Here's the rest of the Easter pictures. I was going to post the opening day of baseball season--but it was rained out. It has been raining ALL day today!
The boys played lots of basketball--almost all day that Friday--waiting for Danny to get home from school.
Go Joel--you got this!
2 on 1

Jacob and Joel ganged up on their dad.
"Okay, that's enough!"
The little ones needed a break. They mostly sat and watched.
Danny had a scrimmage, Saturday. We had lots of fun at the ball park. The Morris' had never seen Danny play in a game. He made to first and scored on this at bat.
Does this look familiar? Eli and Aaron--sitting and watching!
goob
We had so much fun the whole weekend. Saturday night the boys stayed up late and watched movies. That didn't matter to these early risers--Joel and Aaron were the first ones up everyday. I think they were catching up on ESPN Sportscenter.

fresh and clean

2008-04-04T16:08:00.003-04:00

Check out Aaron's new do! He's all fresh for Nathaniel and Kim's wedding in a couple weeks. My cousin is getting married. WOOHOO--road trip!
Who gave him a marker to play with?? No one! I don't know where he finds this stuff.
side view--He loves to wear this back pack. Eli gave it to him when they were here visiting. And Aaron wants it on all the time!

Aaron knows how to throw his diaper away. He picked it up, yesterday and I said, "Do you want to throw your diaper away?" And he padded off into the kitchen and threw it in the trash can. It was so funny! Now, every time after I change him, he rolls over, picks up the diaper, and throws it away. Smart!

Happy Birthday!

2008-04-02T11:07:00.005-04:00

"Happy Birthday, Mamaw! We love you!!"

Today is Mamaw's birthday and we wanted her to know how much we love and appreciate her. Our kids are so blessed to have their Mamaw. She would do anything and does absolutely everything for her grandsons.
"Yay! Mamaw!"
"I just love a party!"
"Happy Birthday, Memaw! We love you!!"
Dawn (Brian's mom) had a birthday last week. We really do miss everyone back home. Here are her grandkids--Danny and Aaron and Haley and Jaden. Haley is a rose among thorns.

Aaron and Memaw Christmas morning.
"Raise the roof!"

Have a great day, Mamaw and Memaw!

weekenders

2008-03-31T13:30:00.004-04:00

We had more company over the weekend. My Aunt Darlene and Uncle Bob were in the neighborhood! Aunt Darlene had a conference this week in Va Beach, so they came a day early to spend some time with us. We had a great time--I forgot to take pictures, though--I was so mad at myself! This picture is from Uncle Bob's birthday.

They got here Friday and spent the night. We went to lunch on Saturday and then they were on their way. We wish they could've stayed longer. We all really had a good time.

I gotta tell you this--Saturday morning Aunt Darlene was sitting on the floor, putting on her make up. And, you know Aaron--he couldn't resist--he pulled everything out of her bag--even the cotton balls. He got her deodorant and was taking the lid on and off. Then, he put it up under his shirt and pretended to put it on. We were laughing so hard! It was absolutely hysterical!! I'm telling you--my baby is so smart!! tee hee

coloring eggs

2008-03-24T13:47:00.005-04:00

The Morris' came to visit for Easter weekend and we had a BLAST!! These are pictures from Friday night when we colored eggs. The minute they got here Thursday night Eli was asking when we were going to "paint" eggs. Mamaw sent a glow in the dark paint set for the eggs--Thanks Mamaw! (that was a bit of sarcasm from Kelli and I) We had a ham dinner and then painted eggs. After a round of baths we ate "Easter Sundaes"--get it?? Easter Sunday? Joel was the only one who found that even a little bit amusing--I thought I was being so funny and clever. I have more pictures but I just wanted to throw you a little update. Danny opted out of the egg painting extravaganza--oh well--more eggs for Eli!

That's Aaron's egg on the bottom in the middle--the one that's broken. Aunt Kelli still helped him paint the part the wasn't cracked.
Yay!
"Can we start, yet?"
"How does this thing work?"
"Easy does it!"
As with everything else--it ended up in his mouth!

The boys painting.

Chaos!

chores

2008-03-19T19:55:00.004-04:00

Aaron has so many chores keeping him busy--like paying the bills,
mowing the lawn,
"Whew! Time for a break and one drink isn't enough!"
sweeping the porch,
and last but not least, picking up pine cones.
For those of you who are wondering--yes! Danny is still here! He's just not real big on getting his picture taken--apparently it pains him greatly and causes his eyes to roll. But, baseball is starting soon and I'll get some pics then.
"Finally--a bath!"

the outdoorsman

2008-03-14T18:56:00.006-04:00

Aaron loves, loves, loves it outside! I have a feeling I'm going to have no trouble working on my tan this summer.

Enjoy the videos!

"new" shoes

2008-03-12T10:50:00.004-04:00

Kelli gave me a giant bag of shoes right after I had Aaron. I was looking for gym shoes and found sandles for summer--woohoo! Aaron's like me--he hates to wear shoes and socks. I have 1 pair of gym shoes that don't look that great and are getting a little snug, but I think they'll do for the next couple weeks til it warms up.

It's been in the 50's and 60's by the afternoon and we've been playing outside. I know Danny just LOVES it that we're outside when the bus comes! ha ha! Aaron gets so excited to see the bus and then it's always a bonus surprise when Danny walks out the door. He laughs and squeals! I love it.
He couldn't figure them out at first. But he knew they were shoes because he brought them to me to put them on. What a smartie!
He had to keep looking at his feet.
I know what you're thinking--doesn't this kid ever wear pants?? By a certain time in the evening and ater a zillion diaper changes--the pants just don't make it back on!
"Okay enough--let's get these things off!"

my little monkey

2008-03-05T19:06:00.002-05:00

Aaron is such a monkey lately--you can't turn your back on him for a second. He's into and onto everything! He saw his blankie in the laundry basket and preceded to climb right in and get it.
"Ha Ha!"
You've seen this pic before--but I love it.
We put this "barricade" up so he can't get behind the couch and into the hallway--WHATEVER! He just climbs over it.
"Steady-- Steady."
"I made it!"
On the arm of the other couch. He likes this one because...
...he can climb right out onto the end table.
I can't keep up!!

pictures from home

2008-02-29T14:40:00.004-05:00

You probably know from my mom's blog--Aaron and I were in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia last week. We had so much fun--we even got to stay a few extra days because of the snow! Aaron was thrilled!! We went to games and birthday parties, church and grandma's house. Daddy and Danny missed out--but they had school and work--boooo! Some one's gotta pay for mine and Aaron's trips right? Just kidding Brian--we love you!

This is Aaron running around the gym after Jacob's game. He was having so much fun just wide open! I finally had to pick him up, though--he was about to drink some one's gatorade. The other pictures of the game were too dark to use--sorry.

Mom had a turkey dinner on Saturday and we all got together. Aaron fell asleep sitting up--he had been running with the boys all day. How do you like his Tennessee football jersey? Pretty cool--right? Complements of Uncle Jeff and Aunt Stacie for his birthday.

Speaking of birthdays--Eli turned 5 while we were there. Here are some pics from the big PARTY!!

Jacob playing hoops in the basement with the cousins--oh my goodness--there were so many kids at my sister's that night!

Eli got a drum set--Aaron thought he was a rock star! That's Lindsay looking on--you can bet Eli's not far away.
"Whew--I need a drink!"
We also went to Washington, Pa while we were home and spent a few days with Memaw and Pappy (Brian's parents). I had left the gate at mom and dad's--so Aaron was all about the stairs!
Check out this face--he's like "Oh, my bad, I didn't know you meant stay off the stairs completely! I thought I could play on the first couple."

uh, NO!

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T08:26:00.001-05:00

Mamaw and Papaw sent Aaron this shopping cart for Valentines Day. He likes to push it around and fill it with stuff. He takes a toy over to the cart, dangles it over the top, and then throws it in as hard as he can--then he runs off to get something else.
Here's the box it came in--what fun!
He was so proud--he climed up there all by himself!

He has his hammer out because he "helped" me put his new toy together.
The cart came with groceries. Aaron's favorite is to "drink" the mustard.
Aaron got lots of mail last week. He even got a new book from the Trouts. It's about being a big boy and drinking from a sippy cup. He's doing pretty good with the whole bye bye bottle thing. He's all about whole milk! Yesterday, I gave him juice and he gave it right back to me--he kept giving me his cup until I put milk in it. That's okay, right?? To give in like that--you know--sometimes? I mean-- look at that face.

new games

2008-02-12T19:13:00.002-05:00

Aaron has a new game! He throws his toys over the gate, one at a time, and cracks up. He runs and gets a toy and then runs over to the gate--he doesn't get another toy until he hears the one he just threw CRASH onto the kitchen floor. It's great fun!
He was throwing his blankie over but had second thoughts.
He likes to throw the hard plastic stuff--not the quiet, plush, stuffed toys!
Aaron's other new thing is to "stir". He stirs his cup and the bowls he gets out of the kitchen cabinet--you know the one I'm talking about.
Here he is taking a drink. After he's done "drinking"--he says, "AAHhhhh!"

hilarious