shopping day

*Last weekend Chris and I got to go out to eat to celebrate a belated Valentines/anniversary and an early birthday for me. :) The kids were at a birthday party, so we headed to our favorite, The Cheesecake Factory. I had a FANTASTIC veggie burger with sweet potato fries.

*I had an Endoscopy on Thursday. Basically they put a scope/camera down my throat all the way to my stomach. I've been having flare ups of pain, difficulty swallowing, etc. for the past two years. They didn't find anything abnormal, which was nice to hear, yet also a tad frustrating because SOMETHING is causing those symptoms. 

*I've been having a lot of weird health stuff the past several months. As a result, I have been VERY non-active. Now that I'm feeling better, Cam and I put a hike on the calendar. I've been attempting to get ready by getting in some early morning bike rides before the kids get up.

*Cam is at a church event all day so I decided to take Kendall on a, "girls outing". We went shopping and out to lunch and I had so much fun with her. She has been begging to go to Justice and I told her I would treat her to a new shirt...which turned out to be a sequin pillow. ;)

*We've started a somewhat nightly tradition of letting the piggies out right before bedtime. Sounds not so thrilling, but we love it and get a kick out of watching them walk around. :)

sick, sick, sick

*Spring break came and went. I had been SO excited to have a week off with the kids. We had planned a two-night stay at the beach. All that went out the door the day after Cam got back from science camp. First he got sick, then Kendall, then I did. Mine lasted the longest and I wasn't normal for 14 days. Ugh.

For the first part of the sick bug the kids were up at Debbie and Wayne's. This was SOO helpful to me in that I could stay in bed all day long without needing to take care of anyone else. I'm incredibly grateful to Chris' mom, who not only took care of my kids, but Chris' dad as well since my kids got him sick too! :(

Here they are making pizza with grandma, which she sent back with them and is always so handy to have in my freezer.

We had to cancel our beach trip, which was so disappointing. Chris bypassed all the sickness, thankfully, and was able to do a few fun things with the kids since I was out of commission.

He took them to John's Incredible Pizza one day, which was the highlight of their break. :)

 

My dad took Cam on a bike ride one morning and Chris took Kendall and the quad girls to breakfast.

He took them out to the desert one day to a park and Sam's Club.

I forced myself to do a couple things with them even though I felt rather yucky. I just didn't want the break to pass with me in bed the ENTIRE time. Here we are having a picnic at a park.

*This week back at work was a busy and long one...but I honestly didn't mind too much because it was just so nice to feel like a human again.

*Today the kids are going to a birthday party. Can you tell I'm running low on gift bags? :)

 *We are now on the last Harry Potter book. I'm so sad just thinking we are nearing the end. My favorite times are reading to the kids. Luckily this one is a long one so I'm sure we won't finish until the summer. :)

leap of faith

*For some reason, I didn't feel like tackling the latest season of This is Us when it came back on the air. I finally decided to catch up and again...best show ever. Crying every episode. Just finished the crock pot scene...

*Our little guy had his first trip away from home (other than with family) when he attended science camp this past week. He spent two nights and had the time of his life.

I love this pic they posted on the class Instagram account. He had been talking about the, "Leap of Faith"  he had seen pictures of and kept saying, "I hope I am able to jump!". He was. :)

*While Cameron was gone, Chris' parents and their friends came to stay for the night (on their way to Arizona for spring training). We took them to the golf course for dinner and Kendall discovered her new favorite item.

*Kendall was so close to having enough money for a new Lego set. In order to earn the last few dollars, she and Cam went door to door selling treats.

Mommy might have bought a few of the treats to help get her to her goal...but she made it none the less. 

*Starbucks has raised their prices. :( My drink of choice is $6.05. Yikes! I have about $10 left on a gift card and then I will have to force myself to take a break. That is ridiculous. My drink?

Venti Soy Smoked Butterscotch latte, 3 pumps, no foam. Why no foam? Because if I'm spending that kind of money, I don't want a third of the cup filled with foam...a.k.a.AIR!!!

sams club

*Last weekend we made a quick road trip up north to celebrate Chris' grandmother's birthday. We had a fun time and the kids loved that we got to stay in a hotel one of the nights. I was a little lax and let them basically run all over the place exploring. :)

*Chris' mom is famous for her homemade ice cream and made five different kinds for the party.

*Today was a desert day with a big Sam's Club list.
-Cheerios
-Frosted Mini Wheats
-Guinea pig food (celery, lettuce)
-Almond Butter and Peanut Butter
-Mandarin Orange cups
-Applesauce
-Lasagna
-Sour Cream
-Bananas
-Cliff Bars
-Tennis Shoes for Chris
-Milk
-Ziplocks
-Eggs

*Yesterday Kendall decided that she wanted to create a "Baking Club" for her neighbor friends. It really wasn't baking so much as decorating. :)

*A couple weeks ago we got snow low enough to where the kids' drive to school was nice and white. They were sooo excited.

*I love this picture. Chris took it as he and Kendall were waiting on Cameron getting his hair cut.

empire strikes back

It was actually snowing here (though you can't see it and it didn't stick)...which was a HUGE deal. :)

Waiting for Red Robin.

 Spontaneous Costco purchase, Cranberry Orange Bisconies. 

Last night was Star Wars night...Empire Strikes Back.

the last month

*About a month ago we decided to watch Star Wars as a family...from the very beginning. We watch one each Friday night. We also include a yummy dinner and always brownie sundaes for dessert. It's been such a fun thing to do together. :)

*I haven't been feeling my best lately and our outings have decreased quite a bit. Today I felt good enough to venture to Castle Park with the kids. We had such a fun time. We got there right when it opened so they could go on the rides before it got too crowded. 

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*My dad took Cam on a long bike ride a while back. It was FREEZING on their way home due to our Beaumont wind. Here they are warming themselves by the fire afterward. :)

*Kendall was, "Star of the Week" last week and was allowed to bring the piggies to school. She was beyond excited.

*Normally Cam is a Double-Double guy. We let him try a 3x3. Verdict? It actually made him a bit squeamish afterward and he's decided to go back to two patties. :)

*Staying at home more has meant lots more Wahoo. I would say two games are averaged per day.

*Kendall and I went to see, The Greatest Showman. She had been dying to see it and she was NOT disappointed. We love to bring blankets and get nice and cozy in the reclining seats.

*My mom loaned me a couple Grisham books. I used to read them all the time but it has been years. I can hardly put this one down.

some pictures

I have not had much blogging motivation lately, however my sweet Cam has asked numerous times if I can post. Since he is my most avid, consistent reader, I told him I would :) So here goes some pictures of random things we've been up to.

Celebrating Christmas with my parents. Chris read the Christmas story and the kids helped re-enact it using figures from my mom's Little People nativity set.

Activities before school was back in session: park date with the piggies, trampoline park, and Oak Glen.

Science project time. Cam is testing which surface (glass, paper, etc.) heats food the best in the microwave. He's worked very hard on this so far.

I felt bad having to take the kids to the doctor with me one day, but they actually wanted to stay longer as the building had a huge garden/atrium they were playing pretend in.

I have gotten way to lax about this, "nightly bowl of cereal before bed". 

Kendall began an art contest. Kids in the neighborhood, myself, and my mom submit drawings and she picks a weekly winner.

The kids and I love watching, "Kids Baking Championship" on Food Network.