Being Awesome

I have been a little busy lately. Had to re-write the national budget, stop the fighting in Darfur, interview Oprah about her last show (it's about time), and take Stephenie Meyer out to lunch. I know, I know. Very busy. But amidst all these amazing responsibilities, I also found time to be awesome. Here's the proof.

My mom, brother Joe (the liar who says I ran him over twice), sister Leigh-Anne and her three kids, came up to visit two weekends ago. On Saturday morning Joe (the liar who says I ran him over twice), made us all go bowling. At 8:00 in the morning. Maybe I really should have run him over twice.
Leigh-Anne and I spent the entire time "bowling" trying not to let the babies smash their feet with 11 pound bowling balls. Here we were trying to get them to roll the balls instead of carry them around.
We also saw New Moon on Friday, we wore the fantastic shirts I had bought (Black Swan Motorcycles and La Tua Cantante). My mom also made us some fabulous earrings and we wore the necklaces from my SIL Jennifer. Yes, that is my sexy ear in this pic. I wanted you to see the earrings and see lovely Leigh-Anne, but I look like poopy next to her, so all you get is my ear.

Because they love me, my mom and Leigh-Anne also brought me some fantastic Twilighty gifts. I got this too cute keepsake box, a journal, and a dish cloth and towel made my my mom. And here I thought all I was getting was a much needed date with my sister!

These two look pretty much horrified. Love it!

For Thanksgiving weekend, my SIL Jennifer and her family came up to stay with us. On Thanksgiving morning our two families, as well as Vinny's parents and sister Hollie went into the woods to chop down our trees. We took the sleds, and all our winter gear and had a truly wonderful time. I think it may have been my favorite day since we moved here.

The kids had to blaze a few trails, but ended up with a pretty fantastic sledding hill.
Vinny took some of my all-time favorite pictures of the kiddos. Here's little B.
My favorite "action" picture of the day was little K.
I pulled little P and his cousin Samantha around on a sled most of the time, which he loved as long as Sam did not touch him, or look at him, or make noise, or breathe.

Our camera died before we got a good one of T. So once we got home I put his winter stuff back on and went into the front yard to re-do his pic. Man this boy looooves to pose!
And even though they hate it, I took another picture of my in-laws. Someday, they will be grateful for all the pictures I begged, forced, blackmailed, and snuck of them.
While the kids were sledding, the dads went into the woods to find the trees. Apparently there were tons of mountain lion tracks (and pee) around, so we were glad they made it back alive and with such fantastic trees. We have not chopped down our own tree for years, but there is something so fun about finding your own perfectly flawed tree. Here it is before any decorating. Don't you love all the built-in pine cones?

And a lovely picture of "during" the decorating.
And an after. This tree is really working hard. We wrapped it in a ton of lights, and then covered every square inch with ornaments. Once again, my kids love to see all the things they have made over the years.

While Jen and her family were here, we went to the jump houses where Vinny spent the night helping little P in and out of one.
I had to threaten T with a whole bunch of juicy kisses to get him to put on an actual smile.
Jen and her family headed out on Sunday morning, and we all got ready for church. Well except for little B who refused to get dressed, so I took him to church in his jammies and bare feet. He sobbed all the way and was totally humbled as we got to the front door. So I gave him a second chance and took him home to change. He keeps bringing up the horror, so I doubt that will be a problem again.

Little P is one month from officially being able to be in nursery (nursery is for 18 months to 3 years), but since I have been the teacher for the last year, he gets to cheat. He looks like such a pro in this picture. I love being the Nursery Leader and even though it is only a year calling here, I have asked to stay longer.

Finally, little B started Taekwondo this week. He has never been happier! Last night was his first test and he was honestly the proudest I have ever seen him. I am sure there will be more pics to come.
So now that all the company has gone, I guess it is back to the mundane for me. Maury Povich just called and it seems I "might be the father." So watch for that. In the meantime, hope you enjoyed the pics.