Before Christmas...

 Since Brett and I were gone the first week of December, we felt like we missed out on a lot of parties and activities.  Because of that I was determined to have a fun cookie decorating day with our friends.  My Type A self was ready for a major meltdown or huge mess.  Which ever came first.  For once I think I was really zen about it.  I let them do their thing then through out the table cloth.  My poor dyson did sigh when I got it out to clean up sprinkles in the carpet!

 I put down plastic table cloth for the decoration portion of the afternoon.   It was very messy!

 Sutton, just wanted to keep eating the sprinkles.

 Precisely none got on his cookies and all in his mouth.  Moses was taking the dump it all on and spread them out method which made for an interesting technique.  All in all it was a blast.  The kids were thrilled to have something to do together and the oldest ones all banned to together for some 'non baby" fun.

 Part of our original crew.  From the left, Kinsley, Maloy, Cameron and of course Moses.  Friends since they were 2 - 4 months old.  These kids and their Mommies are so dear to me.  We've all been through a lot together these last four years!

 As a family we were pretty low key.  With Sutton's asthma, we were afraid to risk the real tree and found a small 6.5 foot pre lit.  It's small but when decorated it looked fine.  But since we had so many leftover decorations I let Moses have his own tree to put some things on.  He did a great job.

Sutton keeps on trying to figure out a way to get through all the baby gating.  He wants to be able to go upstairs all on his own.  NO SIR.  He had his eyes on that tree too.  We are lucky the place we put it can be kept away from little hands!

An Overdue Trip

Since Brett and I have been married, we've been able to steal one night here and maybe another there alone together.  But we were way over due for more than that.  We decided to schedule a work trip as a working vacation.  We arrived in DC Saturday late afternoon and spent most of our time and the Air and Space Museum.  Afterwards we made our way to the hotel.  I loved the doubletree.  The commercials where they have warm cookies waiting for you.  It's so true and they.are.so.good.

We had talked about the different places we could go out to eat.  I was SO exhausted from cleaning and packing the night before, getting up early and driving down, and then walking around the museum that we voted to order room service in our lovely upgraded suite.  I was asleep at like 9pm.  Now THAT'S vacation.

The next morning we woke up and made our way to Old Ebbit Grill.  Many of our friends who live and have lived in the area told us it was a must!  I did not disappoint.  Great food in a very cool atmosphere with cool history.  We timed it so well too.  We ate and made our way to the White House. We waved Good Morning to the President and then noticing how, um, gruff the DCPD seemed we kept on moving.   By the time we finished walking toward the Holocaust Museum they were opening the doors.  This is what I really wanted to do in DC.  Since I read the Diary of Anne Frank in the third grade, I have wanted to know more and this was the place to do it.  It took 2 - 2.5 hours to get through it.  Lots of reading and film clips and emotional outcomes.  If you go to DC I would make this a morning trip and a lunch after to reflect and regroup with a more positive attitude.  It is a deep, emotional time in our not too recent past and for some very recent.  As you exit, you will notice a plaque and a large photo of a security guard that was shot and killed a few years ago by a white supremacist and holocaust denier.  It is a reminder that the propaganda and ideas are still published and believed which means, the fight to end hatred is far from over.

We continued our day in the Smithsonian American History Museum which was really cool.  I loved the evolution of travel with the different cars, trains, bikes, and other ways to get around on the road.  By this time I was hungry (shocker) and we wanted to get on the road towards Delaware before it gets too late.  Getting out of DC and headed in the right direction was the biggest challenge.  I don't like tunnels and Brett does not like traffic circle, particularly when his wife is yelling "Big Ben! Parlament!  

We checked in to our hotel in Wilmington, Delaware.  We were sent to a great Italian restaurant to eat and came back JUST in time to see my favorite show Walking Dead.  I know Nicole Hines understands.  The next day, Brett had meetings and I had free time.  However, I had no clue where to go.  I blindly, using all my common God given womanly abilities and found a shopping center with a Target, Old Navy, Miachels, etc.  This was important because Delaware may seem like a whole in the ground but they don't have any sales tax.  BAM, I'm Christmas shopping.

I met back up with Brett and hung out in the lobby of an office building waiting for him to finish up and then we headed up to Jersey.  We met up with his friend Zeb and his new Fiance Danielle and another couple at the Chophouse in Gibbsonville.  If you are ever in the area GO.  It makes Ruth Chris look like Golden Corral.  So yummy and I think I tasted pretty much everything.  After dinner we found our hotel in Northern Jersey.  I was so excited.  The next day, we were heading to NYC!

We took the train from Jersey to Penn Station which was really remarkably easy.  On top of that, it was a balmy 70ish degrees in December in NYC.  Unheard of!  Our hotel was only two blocks from Penn Station/Madison Square Garden.  This put us between the fashion/garment district area.  A short walk to Hearald Square and Rockafellar Center.  We saw the Christmas sites which seemed odd given the weather.

We found this awesome Jazz/BBQ joint called Blue Smoke.  YUUMMMMMM!  Great BBQ says the country folk!  Seriously, this place is a must eat as far as food quality and affordability in the area.  Even the service was good which can be hit or miss in NY as well.

And then it was on to the main event.  NCSU vs. UCONN in Madison Square Garden.  Brett was jacked and well over served.  I'd compare it to a kid at Christmas who at all the dessert and was told to go drive santa's sled.  YEP, that's who I sat next to.  I prayed the entire time for the video guy to stay far far away from us.  I did not need video evidence of that nonsense.  Luckily, State one and I had a happy husband.

The next day I slept in a little and ventured out on my own to do some shopping.  I love just walking a round seeing what I find.  My favorite place was one called Pink! which specializes in wholesale jewelry but is open to the public.  Picked up some great things there!  I continued to make my way around shopping until it finally happened.

My bags fell apart and it was time to get the heck out of there.  I took the train back to Jersey and collapsed in our 5th hotel for the week.  Room service?  Yes please!  We continued around Jersey the next day and each time I dropped Brett off, I could find some shopping to do.  It was just a lot of driving!

Our last destination was to be the Bolgotta Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.   Interesting, because I don't gamble and I have been on some medication so I can't drink.  (Let me be clear: I AM NOT PREGNANT)  So, we went to a cocktail party where I met a lot of people I have heard on the phone and heard Brett talk about.  We all planned to catch dinner at the end of drinks.  Problem.  They kept that bar tab wiiiiiiiddddeeeee open till past 8:30pm.  At home we eat at 5pm.  We both looked at each other smiled and walked out.  Played a little black jack and then went up stairs to order room service and watch Greys Anatomy.

We thought we'd wake up and drive straight home.  Nope.  At the cocktail party Brett was asked to join a lunch in Maryland for that day.  So we booked it there and I dropped him off.  Surprise!  I found a shopping center where I scored a major discount plus gift card purchase I will explain after Christmas.

I was so glad to see the boys when I got home.  Lots of snuggles have gone on this week.  Brett and I did get some great quality time.  I am also reminded that I am very TYPE A and Brett is well zzzzzzz.  It was interesting to see that piled in a car and a small hotel room.  It was good because I force him to plan and he forces me to relax.  Hopefully next time we can leave the work at home!

November

 Important things happened this month.  Moses is slowly but surely learning his letter and writing his name.  He takes it ver seriously...well when he is being serious.  His teacher this year is just perfect for him.  Moses has told me he would go live with her.  And he means business.  I guess I need to tighten up around here.

 This is the last year I am serving on the Young Alumnae Board at Meredith College.  After the Spring Semester I will (GASP!) age off.  I guess the big send off will be our ten year college reunion which I am looking forward to SO much.  Anyways, for the last time I was able to help with the Alumnae picnic after the parade.  I really love this event and seeing some of my favorite faces return.  I actually sat with President Allen and her sister, Kay when I ate and really enjoyed their stories.  If you are an alum and have not had the opportunity to meet Dr. Jo Allen please do.  She does not disappoint.

 I took Moses to vote with me on election day.  Last time we went I tried to explain voting to him by relating it to how we choose where we will go out to eat.  Then he insisted we needed "chicken cow" (chick -fil-a).  I used the same concept this time and he got it.  But then he wanted to know who the people were and how did their names get on the ballot.  I could not break down Poli 100 that low for him so we skipped it.

 We did take a quick trip to my parents one weekend because we all looked nearly homeless with our haircuts, eye brows, and gray roots.  Well one of us did.

 It was a beautiful weekend.  We borrowed the neighbors dog which thrilled Sutton to no end.  He put two words together for the first time : "Dog!!! BAAAAALLL!!"  That went on for quite sometime.

 However, we did return home with the stomach bug.  It was so strange and gross.  Sutton was so sporadic with his and he really had a hard time getting back to eating normally.  Moses braved his as well, but took the more traditional route.  Brett and I have remained unscathed so far.  Fingers.crossed.

And to summarize that thought, Sutton will leave you with his post nap stink eye face that he greets me with in the afternoons.  What can I say?  He's his mama's boy.  It takes us time to wake up!

Halloween 2012!

 Happy Halloween!  This year there was no question about Moses costume.  He was going to be a Transformer.  No far stretch since he pretends to be one and transform all day long.  I had a Monkey costume from when Moses was about Sutton's age and I could not think of a more appropriate thing for him to be!

 That day we played in our costumes, baked, decorated and ate special cupcakes.  We also crossed our fingers that it wouldn't rain!

Luckily, it was a great night for trick or treating.  Both boys loved it!  Moses was a little freaked out about some of the houses that had things that jumped out yelling, "Please stop that blazing noise!"  Which made me laugh hysterically (mom of the year here).  Of course Sutton loved those and laughed and giggles.  Almost all of our neighbors have dogs so that was the first thing they looked for.  (NO WE ARE NOT GETTING ONE!)  Eventually we split up.  I took Moses on a quicker pace until he said his bucket was heavy.  That means time to go!  We found Brett with Sutton who was clutching so hard to a chocolate bar we had to throw it out when pried it from his hand because it was so smushed and melted.  I think that makes it a successful trip!

Growing Up : 4 Years and 18 Months

 These boys of ours are growing up fast.  I know Moses turned four in August but I wanted it to sink in a little bit before I wrote it all down.  Sutton is now half way to two!  That gap is so huge to me and I am excited to mark where is now and where he will be in just six months.

 Moses is in school five days a week now.  I was unsure about keeping him in the same place this year because I just concerned he was not getting what he needed.  I stuck it out and signed him up for the every day program.  This, and more importantly, Miss Trisha has been the best blessing in our lives.  Moses does SO much better when he has been to school and has had his "Miss Trisha" time.  He is writing his name and talking to us about things like jealousy and relating them to the Bible.  When I pick him up Miss Trisha gives him a big hug and tells him how much she loves him.  She has fully embraced his love of Transformers and brings him in books to read about them.  She is SUCH a blessing in his life and really understands what he needs to learn.

 As per usual, Moses is Mr. Tall and Skinny and you can throw in strong too.  He loves jumping and running around and seeing if he did something the fastest.  He loves to makes things a contest so he can try to be the best.

The conversations we have are so great.  You can start a subject with him and we can talk for a long time.  Of course his favorite thing is Transformers.  He knows all the names and if they are decipticons or autobots.  He plays with them every single day with out fail.  To me, I imagine it would be like a little girl with dolls.  He sets up scenes for them to battle and I love to hear what he acts out.

 Moses is thriving at being a brother.  Of course he has trouble sharing (and so does brother) and I think that's pretty normal.  But he does love to run and be silly with him .  No one can make Sutton laugh like his brother and that makes it all the more special.

 So, if the two's were terrible and the three's were trying then four is fabulous!  I love being able to reason with him about things.  Being able to explain something and have him comprehend it makes our life so much easier.  He flips this on me all the time though.  He'll tell me exactly what he wants and then looks at me and says, "Deal!"  Then I have to make sure I really was paying attention to what he said so I don't get my self into any trouble!

 He's also gotten very sneaky.  During nap time I've caught him, sneaking upstairs to the playroom, slipping the ipad under the bed, and hiding an ice cream sandwich for later (PS Moses, they melt).  He will also slip quietly into the room and jump out and say, "Boo!"

 This tough little boy has also become more of a cuddler.  He's much more eager to sit in my lap and talk or watch a show.  I get more kisses and big hugs from this gangly little boy.

 And our Sutton Bug!  I just can tell you he is a stinker!  He has the sweetest smiles and disposition and knows how to use it to his advantage.  His flirting skill are far superior to many a single men.  His curls, sweet smile an chubby cheeks probably help!

 Sutton loves eating.  If someone else any where near him is eating, then he would like some too.  The amount of food he eats also takes strangers completely by surprise.  At breakfast it's 2-3 Nutrigrain waffles and a piece of fruit for a snack soon after.  Lunch is a PBJ or turkey and cheese with a cup of fruit and crackers.  He always eats it all and if brother has any left from school he will eat that too!

Sutton is also a CRAZY climber.  The boy has no fear.  Just recently I have curbed the above habit of him climbing on the table to get to food.  He's just ready to climb it all.  His brother has taught him to play tag and he takes great delight in it.  Sutton is also addicted to the ipad.  His ability to use it is amazing and he wants it way more than we allow it.  This is usually our main source of problem.  Luckily, he gets over it fairly quickly and moves on to another toy.

For the most par, Sutton is a mama's boy.  He loves to sit in my lap, give me a big hug and kiss, then snuggle up to watch a show.  It is just precious.  Sometimes when I pick him up from school, he just keeps hugging me over and over even though he's had a great day.  (I am convinced his teach is just as smitten with him as I am.)

Sutton is not talking very much.  He says:  Ma, Da, Duck, Dog, Cup, Cat, Kick, Fish, Tag, Ga, Pa, boat, up, down and maybe a few more.  Mainly small words that he takes great delight in and you have to know him to understand.  He put two of this words together not too long ago very early in the morning when he said, "MA, UP.   MA, UP.  MA, UP."  Until I complied.  Even when he's not talking  he gets his point across.  You can tell him long complex instructions and he understands and listens.  For example "please take those wipes on the table and put them in your room."  And off he toddles!

These boys are both so full of personality and bring  us such joy every day.  They both are happy and healthy and are learning about the love of God daily which is more than we can ask for.

To the Fair!

 Of course we went to the fair!  It was a much more brief trip than int he past, but still a fun one.  The boys enjoyed the animals immediately.  Sutton is very into them right now especially the ducks!

 Moses was all geared up to ride!  He got his tickets and was ready to roll.  I love how they group his age group rides all in one place.  It makes it a lot easier!  Brett rides things that go in circles because I get a little motion sick on those.  I think he got a little too eager on the pirate ship ride!

 We had our fair food and ran into friends and generally had a great time.  The hard part was Sutton was too little to ride anything and that meant we needed to split up.  Sutton likes the stroller to move!

 The biggest reason I went to the fair was to get Sutton's silhouette done.  I had Moses' done at 16 months so I wanted to get Sutton's done around the same time.

I'm not going to lie, I was nearly bawling after he finished.  The curls, the eyelashes, button nose and full lips of my little baby just about tore me up!  I now have the two hanging together and they are just the most precious things!

I'm already looking forward to Ag Fest so we can relive some fair fun!

Fun and Football

 There was a time, not too very long ago, when I never missed a home football game.  I went to every single one and tailgated for hours before.  I knew our players names and many on the opposing teams as well.  I knew what in mean if we that particular team or one that game.  Oh times have changed!

Yes, we still have our same seats, but I have made it to two games this year.  Two.  Brett really wanted to take me and my dad to a game and somehow worked it so my mom would watch the boys.  (He really is a sweet talker!)  So off we went to a LATE game against Florida State who were ranked 3rd (I think) in the country.  I'm thinking this was going to be ugly.  And after the second half everyone agreed with me.  I looked at dad and said, "I'm sorry we didn't take you to a more excited game."

Wrong, oh I was so wrong.  The end of the the third quarter seemed to wake up our offense and we had a spectacular come from behind victories which for us ranks pretty high in our all time favorite wins at Carter Finley.  I was so elated that my dad was there with us and had such a good time.

Brett and I were so excited andy happy, we came home and watched part of the game  on the DVR again.  I'm not kidding you.  We also had to watch this guy and laugh over and over again.

These little crazy boys have been up to no good as well.  I am going to longer posts on what they are like at this age but I couldn't post something with out a little sweetness at the end  We did take them to a football game this year and they did pretty good.  Moses was very happy to bring his transformers and to be given lots of junk.  Sutton got a little antsy so I took him for a walk around the concourse.  He loved it because he was wearing his squeaky shoes.  Apparently he wasn't the only one who was enjoying his cute shoes and cute self.  We were stopped nearly every stepped by people, mainly girls, telling him how cute and precious he is.  He kept right on rolling.  I can't decide who will worry most over this one...me or the girls hoping he'll call!