Sleep, Thanksgiving Part 2, Rollin'

Part 1: Sleep

I got 8 hours straight on Tuesday night, thanks to my Mom and Dad. I hadn't had more than two hours straight in weeks between the three boys and by Tuesday, I was extremely grumpy and frustrated. And since, as a mother, you want what's best for your children (even if they are 30 year old mother themselves), my mom offered to keep all 3 boys overnight. All 3! I felt bad, but the lure of a quiet, sleep-filled house overcame that guilt and off to the 'Tower' (my parents' condo just a few miles up the road) they went. Kev and I decided to go see a movie (Catching Fire- it was awesome, especially since I just re-read the book over the weekend, I was very impressed with the adaptation onto screen) and then I was promptly to bed at 11, woke up once at 3:45 in a panic because no one had been up, and then back to sleep until 7. 

Truth: I feel like a new person. I was a better mom yesterday because of it. 

I hope one day my boy's wives like me enough to let me return the favor.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Part 2: Thanksgiving, Part 2

We left my parents' farm after dinner on Thursday and continued another 30 miles south to my brother and sister in law's house to continue the celebration of Thanks with their kids, Kev's younger siblings and his parents. 

Friday morning, we decided to go bowling

I love Owen's prep

And Scott's hop

After a lunch of Five Guys and antiquing with the girls, we had dinner and then sang Happy 22nd Birthday to Uncle Mike and ended the night with spirited game of Catch Phrase.

Saturday morning, we were off early to head home to see my best friend Bridget, her husband Aaron and their sweet girl McKenna, and then of course, there was the game.

The sunrise at Kyle and Pete's, if you like that sort of thing

Sunday, we lazed around and started setting up for Christmas. 

Part 3: Rollin'

So we now have a turf field in our basement-basement (the lower 4th level of our house) and the boys are loving playing down there. Last night, we were hanging out playing football and Wells was laying on his tummy, and the POOF, on his back. He did it twice and the cutest part was how excited the boys were, especially Bennett. He was so proud of his "Baby Walls". 

This turf was in my parents' old house. Who knew it would become the family heirloom?

And I think that catches us up on everything! Happy Thursday!

The Sun and Came Out and the Boys Hit the Beach

After two years of Monterey living (where the water is prettier, but not swimable) we were curious to see how C and B would react to not being to stay out of the ocean. As expected, B took full advantage

And very surprisingly, C, who is generally afraid of everything, was boogie boarding without a lifevest by the end of the week.

The rest of our coppertone babies were busy bees on the beach (when they weren't sleeping or eating...goodness can these boys eat. We are all going to have to take our second mortgages to feed them in the teenage years)

Lunch Break!

Annnd back in action

All day, every day (until of course, they needed another snack or wanted to get back in the pool.)

 If only we had a fraction of their energy!

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In other news- We got the house we have been working on for the past month. We should be able to settle on Monday and I can't wait. Thanks for all your thoughts along the way!

When It Rains On The First Three Days of Vacation

...Seven little boys (and a couple of good men) play in the pool (which, by some divine intervention, was located under the deck in this year's beach house).

In case you missed it, we spent all of last week in Mrytle Beach, SC with Kev's family. He is one of five kids, I am one of  three (almost 4!) spouses and the boys are 2 of 7 grandboys- ages 6, 6, 5, 4, 4, 3 and 2. This is the week my in laws look forward to more than any other during the year. We are all under one roof: sharing meals, parenting duties, stories and lots of laughter. Despite the rain (and the fact that I wanted to sing "Fat guy in a little coat" every time I squeezed into my sweet tankini), we had a really wonderful week.

The weather did eventually clear up and once those boys hit the beach, we weren't positive that they were coming back... but more on that tomorrow.

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Congrats to Sally for winning the Shabby Apple Giveaway and thanks to all who entered!