Fall Break 2012

Lilly Scott's school hosted an event so our fall break started early. We wanted to do something fun for her break, but Jordan couldn't take much time from work. Easy for us, though, because we hopped on over to Pigeon Forge! We've never vacationed there this much, but since we bought season passes to Dollywood, it makes it worth our while to visit as often as we can.

We went with our friends Jeremy and Sarah and their adorable mini me, Kynlee. I found a place to stay {we opted for a hotel rather than a cabin this time because A- cabins were mostly booked and B- we didn't need all the amenities in a cabin}. Soooo Jordan decided he could find a less expensive place, which he did... and back into 1993 we went. :-/ Enough said...

Friday we got there mid afternoon, and we ate dinner at 3:30, haha. Seriously. We were all hungry, and it was time to eat. After that we left our things at the hotel and went to the outlet malls. Unfortunately my dinner didn't set well and we decided to leave the outlets. On the way home we got stuck in traffic, Paisley puked, and one of the other children was crying. I can't remember which. Pleasant.

On Saturday we ate breakfast and headed to Dollywood. The weather wasn't great, and it got super cold! {I had to run to the outlet malls that night to shop for warm clothes. I just had to! ;-) } In all seriousness, it was pretty terrible that Mac and Paisley were without socks, shoes and a blanket our first day in the park. I way overestimated the temperature.

{These pictures are from Sunday... the day we bundled up}

We ate dinner at The Old Mill, and it was- as always- delicious!

Paisley was my neighbor at dinner, but she wouldn't sit still for me to get a good picture.

Sunday we went to another outlet mall, I got a new pair of work out shoes {not the same as running shoes}, and we ventured to DW. Lilly and Kynlee got to ride every ride they wanted until the rain wouldn't stop. It was such a pendulum swing to go from sweating profusely to needing gloves and a fleece. Silly me. As Paul Ryan quoted: The calendar's the same every year. Hehe.

M&P were so good for us.

On our way home we had dinner at Cheddar's in Knoxville. Lilly was coloring and didn't want a picture, but I had two others who didn't have a choice ;o)

                                                                                 My mom came that Sunday and stayed until Wednesday 

afternoon. I love that she knows what a whirlwind our world is... she brings food! It doesn't offend me at all to not cook. I do love cooking, but I plan and prepare 4 meals for M and P and dinner for everyone else daily. It gets to be tedious. I enjoy being able to breathe and not worry about what will or won't be eaten.

While Mother was here I worked on a new venture of my own :o) Here's a hint:

The rest of the week we goofed off, relaxed and had fun.

We finished our Fall Break 2012 with delicious THREE ingredient pumpkin spice cookies! 

Recipe: box of spice cake mix, can of pumpkin and a special treat of whatever you choose {chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, etc}. We did white chocolate chips. I also added some vegetable oil to help the consistency. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes! 

 School has been back in for a week now, and our routine is in full swing!

as always,
ashley

OR bound!

I went to dinner at Public House with Mary a couple Saturday nights ago. We both love Public House, and their pimento cheese {burger and appetizer} is scrumptious! 

I try not to leave Jordan solo with bath and bedtime duty. When we make plans to go out, we stick around until M and P are in bed. 

During bath, Lilly Scott was playing dress up in my closet. This has become pretty typical. She's so funny when she's playing. 

Her quote from this 'fashion show': 

If I'm going to dress fancy, I need fancy shoes!

Let's go!

 I came home to a wiped out family :o)

 The next morning we were leaving for Oak Ridge. My grandparents live there, and my dad was participating in the Lenoir City Atomic Man race. {1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run} Jordan did his training run that day with my dad.

While I got ready everyone played. Watching them melts. my. heart.

 We drove to the race site so I could drop off Jordan. We hung out for a little bit before M and P started getting hungry for lunch. 

 Jordan gave everyone kisses before we left.

 Ready for Granmom and Paw Paw's house!

 Lunch and playtime! 

{This was my highchair, then Carsen and Bailey's, Lilly's, and now M and P's!}

 I love this face. This is Mac's surprise face. He totally gets it from me. When we see something new or exciting, I tend to make this same surprise face and gasp. Now Mac does it. Absolutely hilarious.

as always,

ashley

First Day of MDO & So On...

Here's another picture dump. I love that pictures tell a story- often better than my words. 

I have a lot of catching up to do!

First, Mac and Paisley started MDO on Tuesdays. I knew it was time for them to get exposure to other caretakers and friends, and I need time to get things accomplished that are nearly impossible with a double wide stroller. 

Their first day was Tuesday, September 25. I realize they had no idea what was going on, but it's a big first in our book. 

Ready for 'school'!

A few takes before the best still shot...

I surprised Lilly with lunch at school while M and P were at MDO. 

Later that week we went for a run with Mandy and Lanie. Paisley was doing her own exercise... Maneuvering herself out of the stroller harness and her pajamas.

 Cuddles after nap. Paisley loves to wake up Mac. 

{The pillow in the crib was mine, LS used it and now Mac sleeps on it. I decided to give him a pillow when I noticed he kept pulling his crib bumper down and laying on it.}

Look at this!!! This was actually the third kiss, but I was camera ready this time. Sweet, sweet babies. 

Here M and P are before MDO last week :o) Ready as ever!

Who are these almost 14 month olds?? Don't they look so grown?!

We had a chalk party in our driveway recently. Lilly Scott and her friends {Kaitlin and Marley Kate} in their Chapel Day uniform.

Happy Tuesday!!! {Um, it's Thursday...}

as always,

ashley

Nana and GeeP's birthdays

I am behind on blogging. I don't like getting behind especially when I remember why I blog in the first place- memories for our kids. I'll play catch up for a bit while I document what we've been doing in the Allen world.

We went home two weekends ago to celebrate my mom's birthday and Jordan's dad's birthday. My mom is Nana, and Jordan's dad is GeeP. 

Our weekend was filled with family and food, yum. 

We spent Saturday with Nana and Sunday with GeeP. 

Warning: picture overload ;o)

This was my chair, passed to Lilly Scott, and now Paisley rocks in it. 

 Sweet boy

 Dinner and music at Miller's Grocery- a family favorite. 

 Paisley doesn't like being still. Hence most of her pictures are a blur.

 LS and Dreya

 P and Aunt Dee

 P and Paw-Paw

 {Notice a trend? Paisley needs to be moving to be happy. Mac is content just watching people.}

Mac and Uncle Jeff

Sunday, September 23

Mac and Paisley loved playing with the plastic food.

 GeeP and Mac look at pictures

GeeP's coconut cake

 Football and food- the guys are happy. Plus they have this magnified tv tray to eat on.

 GeeP and the grandkids {minus M and P}

 All three of the kiddos fell asleep on the way home :o) 

as always,

ashley 

Our Bubble Has a Leak

We battled a yucky virus a couple weeks ago. All three kiddos had it. I kept seeing red bumps on Paisley that looked like ant bites. I turned her room upside down looking for ants, but I couldn't find anything. Then the 'bites' became blisters... I called our pest control service several times about this, and they were trying to work us in for a spray. 

Meanwhile, LS complained of a stomach ache that morning before school. She crawled in my bed, and I decided to take her temperature. Surely enough, it was 101.4. That was a winning ticket to stay home.

Later that morning, while Lilly Scott was sleeping in my room, I found fresh bumps on Paisley... on her hand! I was almost a wild woman looking for ants... Then I decided to call the doctor. Mother's intuition, perhaps..? 

Well, well, well, there's a thing called 'hand, foot and mouth,' and it got to my dumplings-- ALL THREE of them. I woke up LS and we headed to the doctor for confirmation of this virus. LS was tested for strep because her throat was so red. Fortunately she was strep free and was diagnosed with an older version of the virus. 

We stayed home for the next day. LS returned to school two days after the appointment because she was fever free for over 24 hours, whew. 

M and P didn't act bothered by their temperament, but they refused to eat and drink. That was scary, especially with our history of weight checks. One night Paisley had a throw up marathon, but she was able to rest most of the night in our room. 

She was on the mend by the end of the week..

 ... and Lilly was back to her camera friendly self

 We made cupcakes to celebrate good health! 

I've learned that what looks like a bite doesn't always have to be that... and this virus is rough and way too contagious. I've read that it can be contagious for a few weeks because it can show up in stool. Good thing we have sewage. Now, sadly, two of Lilly Scott's friends have this virus... She was contagious the day before the fever spiked. Like I said, our bubble has a leak. 

as always,

ashley