Happy 30th Birthday, Brian!

Today Brian turns the BIG 3-0! Why is it that this makes me feel much older, than when I turned 30 this past June? Must be because he still seems (and often acts) like the "fresh out of college" guy I married almost 7 yrs. ago :) You've had 30 great years, Brian...and here's to a few 30 more!

A Great Song...

You bet, the kids and I are sure to dance and sing along to this little diddy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_wQe9Wq1r4

Nicknames

Isn't it funny how we choose nicknames for our children, and they stick like glue?! Here is how my conversation went w/ Avery today, in the truck:

"I missed you today, baby." (Jess)

silence....

"Huh?! No, Mommy, say 'I missed you today, Peanut." (Avery)

Guess she's right! I call Avery "Peanut." Brian calls her "Shnoob." I call Bryton "Sweetheart." Brian calls Bryton "Bubba." Anything different obviously throws them off!
And I think we've been using these nicknames since they were born :)

Family Holiday Pics

These are some of my fav's of times spent w/ both sides of our family over the holidays (thank you, Kristen, for sharing some of these w/ us). Caden's Bday; playing Wii w/ Aunt Sarah; Isaac and Samuel sledding w/ Papa and Nana, Uncle Eric putting Bryton's LEGO gifts together; Brian's Bday Party at Gma and Gpa's house; Grandpa helping Avery play drums; Bryton and Avery watching the tornado lamp; Bryton in his new Colt's gear; the kiddo's playing on New Year's Eve; Samuel's Baptism; Isaac getting a good look thru the binoc's; More sledding pics w/ Isaac and Samuel; and a Christmas picture w/ Gma Joyce and Gpa Chuck.

Happy New Year!!!

Time for New Beginnings. . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Addison, Blue Mountain Arts, 1989

"This is a time for reflection as well as celebration.
As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life,
Remember each experience for the good that has come of it
and for the knowledge you have gained.
Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached.
Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought.
Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears.
And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come.
Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings
and the celebration of life."

A Tale of Small Town Service

Bryton and Avery have been battling coughs for about a week and a half, now. Their coughs have gone thru different stages...and finally on Monday, I decided they both needed to be seen by their Dr. On our way home from work/the sitter, I called our Dr.'s office expecting they wouldn't be able to get the kids in 'til the next day. To my surprise, they had an opening that same afternoon! I also expected to have to wait awhile in the waiting room, with it being an end of day appt., but was happily surprised to have the kids' names called shortly after we got there. The end result: double ear infections and pharyngitis for both kids. Their lungs sounded clear, though, which is always reassuring to a Mom. When we were finished w/ the Dr. and picked out our "good kid" treats, we headed to the drug store next door, to get the kids' prescriptions. After a short visit there w/ our friendly pharmacist, (who talked to the kids all about what they got from Santa :) we were headed home. I walked in the door to a ringing phone. It was our Dr., letting me know she'd prescribed the wrong medication for Avery. Avery is allergic to Augmenton (she gets hives from this), and her Dr. had prescibed another medication in this same family. Unfortunatly, I'd already given Avery a dosage :( So, I got out my Benadryl and gave her a dose of that to counteract it. The Dr. gave me her cell number to call, and also called in a different prescription for Avery at the drug store. 5 minutes later, the phone rang again. This time it was our friendly pharmacist, asking if I needed Benadryl to go along w/ the new medication. She also offered to drop the new medication off at our house, on her way home! Both the Dr. and the Pharmacist were VERY apologetic, and concerned about the situation, which made me feel better. When I picked the new medication up at the drug store, they did not charge me for it, which was even better!
Ahhh...life in a small town. Sometimes it makes the "bumps" in the road of life a little easier to deal with.

Rain, Rain...Go Away!

Or, maybe not...

Nana, Avery, Isaac, and Bryton had lots of fun w/ their umbrella's and splashing in the mud!