Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Luigi.... Sleeping Beauty....

and a puppy!!

It's Here...It's finally here!!!

I took advantage that the kids were out of school on Friday and went to a local children's museum. The kids had a great time. I didn't end up taking many pictures because I was holding Will , but we ended up staying a lot longer than I thought we would. In fact, after being there for 3 1/2 hours, the only reason we left was because everyone was starving.

Even Will got in on some baby fun!!
As any good southerner knows, Chick-fil-A is the best fast-food restaurant. So it was a horrible surprise that there wasn't a Chick-fil-A in all of Illinois!!! I lived an entire 18 months without one but now we have one here. Do you here the choir of angels singing?

Since it is new to the state, there was a lady standing out front asking if patrons wanted menu's. I said" Oh no, we know exactly what we want, we are from Atlanta!" She then told everyone in line that we were professionals.

The kids loved their yummy lunches and so did I. I think it tasted even a little better than normal.

The chicken...ooooohhhh!!

The lemonade..ahhhh!!!

I resisted the urge to take a family picture at lunch.

Hangin' with Carson

I was able to go to Kansas City to hang out with my sweet little nephew Carson for four days a few weeks ago. I had never left the kids for more than 3 1/2 days and they weren't as young as Will. Rick had never watched the kids by himself for more than 1 day. It was very hard to leave my little ones but Rick had it under control.
I had picked out a book on CD to listen to on my 7 1/2 hour drive. It was so great to listen to something adult for a few hours. About 4 hours into the drive, I stopped got gas and got lunch at Subway. I was just sitting there eating in silence. I realized then that I am never ever by myself. I felt soooo relaxed but a little strange!
While I was there, I got to hang out with Carson. We would make dinner for Megan so she didn't have to eat nasty hospital food and visit her until it was Carson's bedtime. I only saw Adam a little since in his words, he is a night creeper! HA HA!
Megan is a trooper. I think I would have gone crazy sitting in the same room for a month.

After so long in the hospital, this morning they had a perfect little baby girl. We are so happy that that she is here safe and sound!

Allie Jane Rogers

7lbs. 5oz.

Under a shady tree, you and me

I have driven past this duck pond 500 times in the last year and a half and never once thought about taking the kids to feed the ducks. The pond is in front of the hospital (the one Will was born at). About a month or two ago I was stopped at a red light and noticed the ducks I thought 'I should bring Olivia to feed the ducks she would love it.'
The next day happened to be beautiful weather and we had nothing on the calendar so I packed a picnic and bread and off we went.
Once there, we ate and Olivia started feeding the ducks. All at once, I had the strongest sense of deja vu. Then I realized why.
When I was young, most summers I spent at least a week with my Nana in Florida. We would get to be the only child and get spoiled. I have lots of great memories and one of them is the duck pond at the hospital in Gainesville, Florida.
We would go get lunch take it across the street to eat it at the duck pond in front of the hospital and we would feed the ducks. The willow trees hung low and there were lots of ducks eager to take our lunch. In fact, one time a duck did take my lunch, before I even got a bite.
I hope that I can give Olivia such great memories. Thanks Nana!

6 Months

My little boyfriend turned 6 months old two days ago. I can't believe it. Here are a few pictures over the past month.
When we had gotten all the Halloween decorations out, the kids started digging through the old costumes. I thought Ben's old Halloween pea pod costume would fit Will this year but it was a little small. Olivia put the glasses on him and we all got a big laugh.

My delicious little boy.

Smiles

Olivia loves picnics. In fact since the weather has been abnormally sunny and warm we have had a picnic almost everyday we have been home. Will loves it too.

The party

Ben turned 7 a few weeks ago and we celebrated with a fun 'Minute to Win it' birthday party. I realized in looking at the pictures, that I took some pictures before the party but not many during the party.

Goodie Bags
I saw a birthday pom pom banner online and decided to make it. I think it turned out cute and I can use it for Will too.

On the menu: hot dogs, fruit, lemon fruit dip, slushy punch and cupcakes.

It was the funniest to watch the kids do this game. I think the name says it all "junk in the trunk". They have to shake 4 ping pong balls out of the tissue boxes that are belted to your backside. I was pretty impressed that they were so creative. One little girl even did a back bend.

List of games:

Junk in the trunk

Face the cookie

Keep it up

Egg roll

Cup & card game

Trying to keep feathers in the air for 1 minute.

Rick was in charge of the games. I think he had just as much fun as the kids.

the bouncy castle

I think the kids had a fun time and I KNOW Ben did. Happy Birthday my sweet Ben!