Hot!Hot!Hot!

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

We made it! We were actually able to go on our cruise. We were not sure we were going to be able to. Alex was released from the hospital on Wednesday and he was doing awesome and so we decided that it was ok if we left. My mom was here and was on Alex detail and my sister in law and brother were here to take care of everything else. A big thank you to all of them. They deserve it!!
We flew to Miami and spent Thursday night and Friday there. We never made it to the beach because it was a little to cold and rainy. We did go to a Gator park though. It was fun. I even held an alligator!! I only did it for my boys! I hope they were impressed. You will notice by the look on my face I was not thrilled but I can now say I have done it. Oh the things we do for our children.

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

Eric was more than happy to hold the alligator

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

We boarded the Carnival Liberty on Saturday and set sail for the Western Caribbean. We were with Eric's sisters, Cheri, and Pam and his brother Scott and our friends Barry and Alicia. It was so much fun. Of course all the boys cared about was all the food. They literally planned their days around the food. I can honestly say I was never hungry. Now for those of you who know me, know how I love all types of food :). So my dinner each night consisted of either steak or chicken. I know there were all these wonderful different foods to try and that is what I had. I was happy though. We had a blast.

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

Our ports were Cozumel, Caymans and Jamaica. We went scuba diving in Cozumel and Caymans. The water is so beautiful. The colors so bright and we saw so many fun things underwater. Thankfully, no sharks in sight!!! In Jamaica we hiked Dunns Falls. It was so awesome! We had a great time hiking up the falls and our tour guides made it even more fun. We also did the bobsled ride while in Jamaica.
Overall, it was so much fun. I would recommend a cruise to one and all. We did not have to worry about a single thing the entire trip. We were spoiled. Your bed is made each day, food is cooked, bed turned down each night with chocolate mints waiting. We did not have to lift a single finger to do anything. It was heaven!

This fish followed us around at a very close distance. It was a little to close for my comfort.

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

Gotta love the hair!

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

Here we are at Dunns Falls!

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

This was Eric on our last day! He was so tired!

From 2010-03-24 Cruise10

My sweet Alex

So many emotions are running through my mind and heart right now. I am going to try and get them out. Last week you started not feeling well and we just thought it was a little bug, little did we know that we would end up in the hospital with you. How my heart aches to see you in so much pain and misery. If I could I would take it away in a minute and take your place. If only... When you woke up Wednesday morning in so much pain and the Doctors did not know what to think or do, I just knew something was not right. You were in such agony. It took another day for them to finally decide it would be best for you to be in the hospital. As hard as that was for us we knew you would be well taken care of and this is where you needed to be. Fast forward to today, we thought you were going to get to come home. You were getting better. You weren't running a fever anymore, you were perking up a little and you even painted a picture in the kid zone yesterday. We were so ready to go home and see your brothers and get back to normal. But you woke up in misery again. The doctors were concerned again and decided to have the surgeon look at your back. We decided on surgery and off you went. It was so hard for me to watch them take you away but I knew you were in good hands. Heavenly Father was watching over you. You have so many people who love you and are praying for you.
Alex, your sweet big brother Andrew fasted for you yesterday and did not want to end his fast because he was so worried about you. He loves you, we love you, so many people love you and we want you to get better and get back to your happy, strong willed, self.
You are a special spirit sent here to us and you have so much to teach us still. You have taught me a great deal in the last few days. I love you my sweet, sweet, baby boy. Mommy loves you so much. Hurry and get better so we can go home and play.
Love you bunches
Momma

Joshy is 6

From 2010-02-22 Joshys 6th bday

I can't believe how time has flown by. You are such a big boy now who loves to run, ride, and just play. You can always be found outside making new friends and having a great time. You have an infectious smile that makes others want to be near you. You light up a room and find joy in everything you do. I am constantly amazed by you and the happiness that you find so easily in life. You make me want to be a better mom and a better person. We love you so much and thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of you in our lives.
You could not wait for your birthday to get here. When I told you it was getting close you told me, "I can't wait to see how big I am when I am 6." That is what I love about you. You are the best Joshy. Never stop smiling and never stop being such a great friend to your brothers and to the kids you meet. You make my heart happy and I love you.
Getting ready to launch his airplane he got for his birhtdya

From 2010-02-22 Joshys 6th bday

From 2010-02-22 Joshys 6th bday

Look how much you have grown?

From New Boys

Eric's Birthday

Okay so I know this is like 2 months late but it is better late than never. Life has been a little crazy around here. I have had strep not once but twice in January. If any of you have had strep you know how it just completely knocks you flat. Andrew also has had it twice. It is been a month of sickness in our home. The other 3 have been healthy thankfully. Eric kept threatening to leave for a short time so that he would not get sick, but he hung in there with us and was a big help.
Eric's birthday falls on New Year's Eve so this year I decided to throw him a little birthday party. Once again we ended up singing the night away. It was so much fun. It was a fun night spent with great friends who also happen to be family. I love that I can call my brothers and sisters my friends. They are the best and I am so thankful that we live close and that they came. my mom and dad also stayed a few extra days so that they could be here for the party.
Cheri and I getting ready to battle it out. Of course Cheri beat me because she has some serious singing skills and I have none!

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

You never know what to expect when these two are together except a good time

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

John is trying to sing a ballad I think!

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Look at the concentration on our faces.

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Mom and Dad getting into the groove

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning dawned bright and early. Andrew was up at 5:30. He was so excited this year because he was hoping for an Ipod touch. We told him we were not getting up before 6. But sure enough at 5:30 he was up in our room. Well Eric and I were awake so the 3 of us laid in bed until about 5:50 and then we let Andrew go wake up the other boys. It was so fun to see the look on the boys faces as they raced downstairs to see all the loot. This is what Christmas is all about! Of course we were finished by 6:30 so it was a long morning but so worth it to see the boys open their presents get all wide eyed and excited. I love Christmas!
You could never tell how early it is to see how excited Andrew is!

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Tradition is the boys always get a nerf gun

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

I don't know where to start

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Watch out Daddy1 I am going to get you!

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Happiness!

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

All the "kids" got nerf guns from Grammie and Poppa. It was nerf mania at our house on Christmas. We must have had over 20 nerf guns laying around. Just imagine what it was like with the big boys and little ones running around.

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Eric's face says it all

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Christmas Eve

Christmas has come and gone but we had a great time. Christmas Eve was spent at my brothers house. We had so much fun singing! Now if you know us, we cannot carry a tune but we sure did try. We battled it out and had a blast doing it. We all got into it, even my mom and dad. We made some fun memories. Thanks John and Courtney for the fun night!
Poppa was rockin out! Notice the gloves. We had to give him a hard time about them.

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

I love this picture of Chase and Andrew.

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

John is all that right?

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Grammie with some of her babies.

From 2010-02-16 christmas09

Jingle Jam

The boys had their annual Jingle Jam at school. I tried to be in 3 places at one time and it did not work ( I don't know why). Lucky for me they performed again this morning for each other so I was able to go and catch Joshy's singing. We also dressed them up in there handsome Christmas outfits and made them pose for some pictures. Aren't they the cutest or should I say the most handsome boys around? I know I am biased but I am their mom so I have that right.As promised I have also included a picture of the our house all lit up. Eric still thinks we do not have enough lights. I still think it looks good.

From 2009-12-21 dec09

From 2009-12-21 dec09

What is the name of Santa's dog?? Santa Paws!! Ha ha

From 2009-12-21 dec09

Santa Came to visit at Alex's preschool. He was so excited

From 2009-12-21 dec09

"I'm getttin nuttin for Christmas"

From 2009-12-21 dec09

"Clap, Clap, Clap, we are Santa's helpers"

From 2009-12-21 dec09