Up Up and Away in a Plane

Tanner is completely obsessed with planes since our trip to Oregon. Every time we see or hear one we have to watch it until its no longer in our line of sight. The whole time Tanner is saying "Up Mom, Up!" and if I don't respond right away he just keeps saying it. "Yes Tanner, we went up in a plane and then we came back down" "Yeah- up and down. Down see Mimi" or "see Nanny" depending on his mood. But he for sure remembers our trip. He loved the planes!
Our kids did fantastic on the flights. Granted I totally drugged Bailey with Tylenol, but it worked and it was an easy trip.
Here are the kids hanging out in the Miliary lounge at the Denver airport during our 2-hour layover



We flew in Monday and got to Mimi and Grandpa's about 10 pm. Since it was midnight our time we were exhausted. Unfortunately the kids woke up at 5:45 Oregon time- 7:45 AR time. I was literally dragging my feet all day that day) We went into town to get a few things and then met Chris' entire family for lunch. Tanner had so much fun with his two other boy cousins who are the same age as him. It was hysterical to see them all together. After lunch we took the kids home for naps and just explored Mimi's house. My in-laws have about 26 chickens- you can bet Tanner loved chasing them all around.
Enjoying the nice weather and Mimi's house


Chasing Chickens

That night was pretty relaxed, another family dinner and complete chaos with the 6 grand kids all under the age of 3. We had fun chatting and watching the boys play and taking turns holding each other newest babies.
Here is the run-down for those of you who don't know our family dynamics. There are three Herb boys. They all got married within a year of each other. Then a couple years later, all three wives had baby boys within 3 months of each other. Two years later all three wives had babies again within 4 weeks of each other. So there are 3 2-year old Grandsons, 2 baby granddaughters and 1 baby grandson. My poor in laws just can't catch a break. Their grand babies never come one at a time...they just triple each time. But it makes family get-togethers really fun.
The next day we just hung out with Stephanie and her kids. Mimi watched the two older boys and Steph and I did a little shopping. Real low-key but fun day.
Here is Bailey's favorite place at Mimi's house

Little boys on a 4-wheeler ride at Mimi's

Thursday Chris packed up Tanner and left to go to the Cabin with his Parents and our nephew Chase (Phillip and Stephanie's 2-year old son). So while the five of them took off for the cabin, the daughter-in-laws and the babies headed off to the outlet mall. We had a great time and found some cute stuff. That night Bailey and I stayed with Stephanie and Phillip at their house.
The next morning we loaded up and drove down to the cabin too. It was a four-hour drive and the babies (Bailey and Conner) did fantastic. They slept almost the entire time, just waking up to eat. AWESOME.
We stayed at the cabin for the weekend and it was a very relaxing time.
My in-laws gorgeous cabin

The little boys had sooo much fun. Tanner shot his first gun, rode a tractor, played in the hot springs and the hot tub, played in the dirt and later the snow. It was crazy. The days were packed and those little boys slept hard at night.
Here is Bailey taking her beloved bath in the huge sink at the cabin. SHE WAS IN HEAVEN

Daddy-daughter time at the cabin.

Mommy and Tanner time

Steph and I picked up a couple of toy guns for the little boys. Tanner loved it soo much!

Look at his aim

First time shooting a gun- you know I saved the shell casing from that one

At the hot springs

My kiddos and I at the springs

Then after three days of sunshine at the cabin, the morning we packed up to leave it started snowing. So we bundled the boys up and let them play for a bit.

Little twit- through a snowball at me right after I snapped this picture

Sunday we drove back and had a family dinner that night.
Monday we went into town for the much needed JoAnn's and Taco Time run.
Tuesday we mostly did laundry and then we had family pictures taken. BTW- my kids were total terrors- Tanner flat out cried almost the entire time. So ridiculous. After pictures my inlaws threw a surprise party for my birthday. Everyone pitched in and helped make dinner- it was SO delicious! I opened presents and then we all indulged in a very decadent 4-layer chocolate cake. WOW!
This is the only decent picture I got to the 3 newest babies.

From left to right: Bailey (7 months) Conner (6 1/2 months) Maureen (6 months)
Here is one of all three toddler boys- smooshed onto the rocking horse.

Tanner was relieved to have it all to himself later

Then we had to say our goodbyes. We woke up at 5 am the next morning and packed up our bags. By 5:00 pm we had landed in Branson after another uneventful day of traveling.
I can't believe how quickly the trip flew by. We had so much fun but next time we will have to stay longer. We are already missing our Oregon family!

Photo Session with Cousin Stephanie

My cousin's sweet wife, Stephanie, came over on Saturday and took some pictures of my kiddos. I'd wanted to get some to mark Bailey's half birthday so I asked her. She said she wanted the practice and I love pictures- so it was perfect. I LOVE how the turned out.
Here are Bailey's pictures first.
love her chubby thighs

and her entire chubby body



Favorite!


So serious



And here are Tanner's. He wasn't as cooperative, but considering he's a busy two year- I feel good about these.


I have to explain this picture. This is the look Tanner gave Stephanie when she started taking pictures of Bailey. I don't know if it was jealousy or if he was being protective, but this picture cracks me up.
Love this little strut
Favorite

So Tanner. Very intense!

Thank you Stephanie for doing such a great job. You can practice on my kids anytime.

Happy Valentine's Day

This year Valentine's day was great. It was Chris' year to plan our activities and he did a fantastic job.
He made me breakfast first- lemon blueberry pancakes, sausage and eggs and it was soo good. I also found a bouquet of roses waiting for me on the table.
Before he left for work I gave him his gift- a pair of cuff links. Then the kids and I kissed him goodbye and he headed off to work.
During Bailey's morning nap Tanner and I made him a valentine. When Bailey woke up we added her contribution. (Tanner's hands and Bailey's foot)

Then we made some treats for Chris and headed into town to meet him for a valentines lunch at our favorite Pizza place. Tanner gave him the card we made and the treats. He was so excited - he kept saying "Dad, numnums"
After lunch I took the kids home for nap time. After nap we delivered a few more valentines and went for a walk with our neighbors.
We snapped a few pics of the kids in their festive outfits.
My babies

Sweet little man

Daddy's sweetheart

Then Chris got home, we loaded the kids up and took them to Nanny and Papa's house. Chris had made us reservations at "Big Creek". Usually its closed to the public but Chris' partner at work let us use his membership. Our dinner was DELICIOUS. We both had prime rib, lobster bisque, caeser salad and asparagus. Seriously- I ate until I was sick.
Then Chris gave me an amazon gift card- LOVE THAT MAN. He totally knows me!
We picked up a couple of movies and some dessert and headed over to pick up our babes.

It was perfect. I love my husband for making the effot to make valentines day special. He knows how much I love this holiday and he spoiled me. I really feel blessed to be married to such a sweet man. He's my best friend and I can't imagine life without him.

Snow Day

We had about 1/2 an inch of snow back in December, but this time it snowed about 3 inches. Which was enough for Tanner and me. We played 3 times outside in the snow the first day. HE LOVED IT.
As soon as Chris opened the door to leave for work Tanner ran outside to see the snow.

He was very reluctant to come back inside. I had to take Bailey out really quick in her snow suit because it was too funny. This snow suit was about 5 months too small. It was a 0-3 month snow suit and I squeezed her into it. Bailey is currently wearing 6-9 month clothes, so you can imagine how tight it was. She really didn't seem to mind. She dind't even cry. And as you can tell from these pictures, she looked hysterical.


After I got Bailey down for her morning nap, I got Tanner bundled up and we headed outside to face the cold.
He ran all around, sometimes stomping and sometimes walking really gently. I was cracking up. Then I showed him how to make snow angels. That was a big hit.

Also on his "A list" was eating the snow. Unfortunately, he didn't really care if the snow was clean or walked all over or full of dirt. Everything went in his mouth.

We went out again after Bailey woke up. Bailey wasn't really into this time around

We went out again when Chris got home. Tanner was so excited to show dad all his snow.

Bailey seemed to enjoy herself as long as she was being held.


They played together until Tanner's little hands were frozen. Then Tanner had a nice warm bath with Bailey. It was pretty fun. Now I feel like we can move onto Spring. Now that I've had a little bit of snow, I'd be ok if the weather got nice and we got to start wearing short sleeves. Maybe in shorts. I'm way excited to bust out the kids summer wardrobes.

Happy Half-Birthday to my Baby Girl

Today Bailey is 6-months old.
I can't believe it! She is so big!
I'm so grateful that she has become such a sweet girl. I look back at the early days, even the first three months and I can't believe how far she has come.
She is so much happier these days. She can entertain herself with toys now, interact a little bit more with Tanner and she eats like a pro.
Here are a few things that are going on with Bailey right now.
She can roll back and forth and does all day long.
She has discovered her toes and loves them
She is eating cereal and gerber fruits and vegetables.
She loves her brother's giraffe- not so much her own hippo, but the giraffe.
She is still very happy in the mornings and after her naps.
She loves to be held and walked around.

In a couple of weeks we are having Bailey's 6 month pictures taken and I'm so excited. I'll post them as soon as I can. Happy 6 months Bailey Boo!
Here is my big girl swinging at the park yesterday!