Snow Days and Bargain Shopping

We woke up Wednesday morning to snow! Not a lot of snow (and thank goodness no ice) but enough to go outside and play in. The kids ran around the front yard and we made mini snowballs. After about 15 maybe 20 minutes, Kinsley said, "Mom can we please go inside and drink hot chocolate by the fireplace?"

We definitely have a Southern girly girl on our hands.

My Snow Angels

Anyone that knows me knows that I love to bargain shop. I don't know if it's the economy or post Christmas markdowns, but there are some great deals out there right now. We have a birthday party next week for a friend's little boy that is turning four. I found this GI Joe war thingy for $13. Original price $55! I also got the Sleeping Beauty singing Barbie (with the 3 fairies) for Kinsley's birthday. She's been eyeing that thing every time we go to Target. Original price $19.99, I got it for $6!

I got Kinsley's birthday invitations at a boutique/gift shop for $5!
And my Windmill Kids order should be arriving any day now. They had amazing deals on their smocked outfits. I got Kinsley a dress, Colby 2 John Johns and swimming trunks for less than $50! Man, I love to shop.

God Bless...

the inventor of Play Doh. Through their wonderful products, I was afforded 45 minutes of (semi) quiet time. You will forever hold a spot in my heart.

My domestic hero, Nanny, is patiently teaching me to sew. My first project was a John John for Colby, but I haven't gotten the buttons on it yet. Here is my second project, a pillowcase dress for Kinsley. I am quite proud of myself!

The Zoo, Bowling, and an Emmy

What a fun weekend! On Friday the weather was beautiful so we took the kids to the zoo. It wasn't crowded at all except for the few moms who had the same idea as us. The kids had fun just being able to finally get out of the house.

At some point, Kinsley highjacked Colby's stroller.

Checking out the pandas

Riding the cow

Colby's favorite: the ducks

Channeling her inner Kanye West I think.

On Saturday, we went to our friend Ava's 1st birthday party.  The kids had a blast. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that there were 25 other kids at the party to play with! Later on Saturday, we took Kinsley bowling for the first time and yes she beat me. And to quote Kinsley, "This is more fun than a crab wearing polka dotted underpants." Where does she get this stuff?

After church on Sunday, we went to visit my friend Leslie and her new little Caroline. What a doll! Sorry Lauren but I forgot my camera. 

We also went to an impromptu "Congratulations" party for our friend Derric who won his first Emmy. Yes a real Emmy! We have the coolest friends!

While Daddy was Away

We dressed up the bears and played wedding/house.

We bathed lil London.

We played in the snow!

Got a little messy with some cake

And we looked cute!

We REALLY missed you!

Not Me! Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I've been reading Not Me! Monday! lately where she posts things that she "did not" do today. Here are some of the things that I absolutely "did not" do today.

* I did not threaten to cancel my dentist appointment and the kids trip to Mimi's in order to get them to behave this morning.

* I did not fight my way through Hancock Fabrics with every senior citizen in the county just to get an additional 10% off my purchase.

* I did not listen with my mouth (literally) wide open as my dentist went on a 20 rant about his daughter's problems at school, the cost of private school, the cost of the inauguration, Obama, etc.

*  I absolutely did not serve my kids a dinner of left over-sandwiches (from yesterday's baby shower), left-over BBQ nachos (from Beau's lunch today), applesauce (for nutrition) and left-over chocolate cake (from dinner at Nanny's last night).

* I did not "forget" that the kids laundry has been in the dryer FOREVER because I dread folding all those little socks.

Tagged

So a while ago, my dear friend Lauren tagged me and I am just now getting around to doing it. I was supposed to post my 4th picture in the 4th folder and describe what's going on.

This picture was taken on my family's annual Orange Beach trip. Colby was about 10 months old in this picture. He's sitting in Kinsley's pink chair on our balcony with his Snoopy dog we had just bought him at the outlet mall. And he is in desperate need of a haircut. 

All About Colby

Sweet Baby Sleeping

He thinks he so big!

Lounging like big sis

Making mischief

Handsome man ready to go!

All About Kinsley

Kinsley the Pillow Train Conductor

Kinsley the Super Model

The Tea Party Hostess

Crazy Kinsley (those are Colby's swimming trunks!)

Happy Anniversary!!

So tomorrow will be my and Justin's 6th wedding anniversary. The time has flown by! I was thinking about our anniversary the other day and realized that this spring we will have been together for 10 years!!! That is just crazy to me! We were seriously babies when we met. I thought I'd post our first picture taken together and a more recent one to see how we've changed.  I love our first picture and have kept in framed in my room ever since I met him. In fact, it displayed in our room to this day. So happy anniversary JB! I love you!!!! 

Then

and now

Great Book

Justin and I don't ever go to the movies so I didn't see Nights in Rodanthe when it was playing in theaters. My mom bought me the book for my birthday and I could not put it down.  As with all Nicholas Sparks books, I cried like a baby. Such a great story. I have no idea if the movie is anything like the book. However, I tend to prefer the book over movies anyway. So if anybody has not seen the movie or read the book, READ THE BOOK! It was so good!

Babies and Boredom (Not Really)

So 2009 has to be the year of babies because everyone I know is pregnant or just had a baby. And I have to say, I am thrilled because I love babies and I love shopping for babies. Today Colby and I (Kinsley was in school) went and first visited my friend Leslie who is due with her second child any day now. Her nursery is absolutely adorable! I cannot wait to meet that little baby...Leslie hang in there! Then we visited my friend Jennifer and her new little boy that is 2 months old. What a handsome little man! I'm kicking myself for totally forgetting my camera. This weekend we have a baby shower for my friend Sara Whit and I am looking forward to seeing all her loot. Really that is just the beginning of the 2009 baby boom. I just love it!

So the first two days of this week we stayed at home because the weather was yucky. It is very interesting to see what the kids come up to play. We have made pillow trains, played house, you name it. We also added a new member to our family, Drusella. Drusella is a life size Barbie that Beau gave Kinsley last Christmas that has recently resurfaced. Drusella and Kinsley have done everything together lately: brushed their teeth, napped together, learned new dances together, fought with each other, everything. I'm ready for Drusella to find her way back into the closet for a while.

 We also made princess cookies earlier this week. Santa brought Kinsley a princess cookie kit complete with magic pink dough, pink icing, and fairy dust sprinkles. The kids had a blast making and eating the cookies, but honestly they were HORRIBLE! I blame it on the pink dough.

Kinsley with her cookies...yum!

They thought they were so cool with their hats on. Check out the hair on Kinsley!

Moosey-back rides

Nap time while playing "house"

Meet Kinsley's new sister Drusella

New Year's, Nashville, and a Big Mouse

We had an "at home" New Year's celebration this year with Carrie, Derric, and Callie. The kids rang in the new year around 7. The girls put on their best dress up dresses and Colby lost his pants...so you know it was a wild party!

Counting Down

Is this a party boy or what? 

Justin and Colby brought me a birthday "happy" today while they were running errands. I love those guys!
For part of my Christmas this year, Justin treated me to a weekend trip to Nashville. It was a much welcomed getaway! We went to the Opryland hotel, ate at the Rainforest Cafe', visited Vanderbilt University, Music Row, Belmont University, and explored the city. We also did lots and lots of shopping (thanks Justin for being such a good sport)!

These are cupcakes (in ice cream bowls) and are the best I've ever tasted. If you ever get the chance, Gigi's Cupcakes are amazing!

Justin in front of Cooter's place (Dukes of Hazzard)

Me and the General Lee. I so wanted to climb through the window.

Justin and some new friends at the Opryland Hotel.

A flying lion as part of the Christmas decor at the Opryland Hotel.

Opryland Hotel

In front of a HUGE Christmas tree

I met the Grinch!

Justin at the bar in Rainforest Cafe'

While we were in Nashville, the kids and London stayed with Mimi and Pops. They had a great time but my parents probably need a vacation now!

London just back from his first trip to the groomer.

Colby, Beau, and a bunch of ducks....this picture totally grosses me out. I posted it just for you Beau!

Lots of art projects were done over the weekend.

The weather was nice so Mimi and Nanny took the kids to the park. Mimi said Colby and Kinsley both loved the slide.

Last week we met some friends at Chuck E. Cheese for a treat. Kinsley had fun playing with her friend Trae and Colby loved running around like a wild man!

Kinsley flying high

Caden and Colby riding together

Having fun with Trae

Colby and Chuck E. in a stare down