What's the deal with the shovel?

It's funny how something as simple as a shovel can become so valueable. Living in Virginia is usually so great in the winter time. It snows one day and is 60 degrees the next. There has been winters I don't even need a winter coat. This winter has been a whole different story. We have had storm after storm. The last storm dumped almost 30 inches of snow. The next one coming tonight is going to add another 10-20 inches on top of the 30 inches...since it hasn't had a chance to melt away yet...and now they are talking about another storm possibly coming this weekend. Needless to say a shovel is VERY important right now. So when ours broke during this past storm we were not to happy. We called all the stores and of course they were sold out everywhere. Finally after 3 days of calling, I got the response" we ordered a few hundred and it should be here any minute but we already have a 100 people in line." Of course Brett had also just left to go to work. So I piled all 5 kiddos into the van and zoomed off. I got out and was telling the kids to hurry. I had Giselle and Jake in the stroller and was pretty much carrying Jillian since it was icy and snowy all around. I made the big girls run and we made it. We got a shovel, with only 6 left after us. I also noticed they had Ice melt so I grabbed that 40 lb bag and stood in line. PHEW! Well worth the craziness and now we are patiently waiting for this new snowfall to end. OH, and the kids have been out of school since thursday....YES, I am done with SNOW!!!!!

The Adventures of Jakey Jake!

This is what happens when you keep an almost 2yr. old trapped inside a house for days on end. They make anything fun. A tub of flour...perfect it's inside snow. Good thing he's so stinkin cute!!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

My friend Julie has this amazing blog. She is can do anything with nothing. She is amazing at taking a piece that looks like it is broke or unusable and turns into something beautiful. Anyways she is having a giveaway. It closes TONIGHT at midnight. So I strongly suggest going there and checking it out.
http://not-to-shabby.blogspot.com

who wants to play?

This is our playroom in the basement. I should've done a before and after picture...but technically it's still not done, this is phase 1. The playroom is wonderful BUT so many times I hated even looking at that side of the basement. TOYS TOYS TOYS......DUMPED!!!!!!!!
Luckily IKEA has a wonderful selection of book shelves. we chose this one. I LOVE IT! the bins I found at Target on clearance...which is why I only have a few, because I cleared them out. Now I need to go to more Targets to get more. These bins are glorious. They are small and easy to get in and out...and find that one special toy you are looking for. AHHHH, life is good, for 5 minutes at least! I almost forget to mention that my AMAZING friend Alex put that monster of a shelf together all by her little self. Also, my other AMAZING friend Kelly was so sweet and helped me shovel out the toy room, we left with 4 black garbage bags of broken or too many peices lost bags of toys. oh yeah baby!!!

Big sister Jolie!

This is my oldest daughter Jolie. She LOVES being a big sister. She's been a big sister for a long time now, but with this newest baby she is REALLY able to help me out. I am so blessed to have a daughter that likes to help me. She will not let Giselle cry, there's no reason in Jolie's mind that is good enough to let her cry. She will hold her, put her Binky in, sing to her or softly stroke her face. Jolie has a gift with others. She is in tune to others around her. She will notice if your sad and try to make you feel better. She is always happy to take someone to the bathroom or hold there hand when crossing the street. All of her cousins LOVE LOVE LOVE Jolie. I really believe it isn't just because she is the oldest. I know it's because she is special. I love you Jolie and thank you for being such a great big sister, cousin, granddaughter and most of all MY DAUGHTER!

My little baker!

This little man is so much fun. If I turn on my mixer, he will RUN from anywhere in the house to it. He LOVES to help me cook, well mostly to help me bake. why do I love him helping?

1. He loves it and is SO happy.

2. I get to spend time with him and not just chasing him.

3. I know Giselle is safe since he is with me the whole time.

4. I feel like I am preparing him to help his wife out, that's right the excuse of "I don't know how to cook" wont work with his future wife, I have proof!

5. It's always an adventure...right after this picutre he accidently dropped a measuring cup in the bowl while it was on and flour and dough went EVERYWHERE....fun fun fun!!!!

6.Because I LOVE MY BIG BOY!!!!!!!!!

Giselle is 4 weeks old!

I can't believe Giselle is already 4 weeks old. Time is just flying by. I finally feel like life is beginning to go back to normal. My house hasn't fully recovered yet from having a baby and christmas all in the same week, BUT it's almost there. The other kiddos can't imagine life with out there baby sister.

Giselle is laying on a blanket my friend made her, I LOVE IT!! She isn't happy, but still so cute.

She has pants on now, and feels a little less shy of having her picture taken.

Giselle has a lot of fans around her. She does pretty well with everyone, I know she is screaming here, but really she does like her brother. She just doesn't really like how he steals her binky EVERY time he sees it. or how he constantly puts cars and trains in her swing with her or at her head. Or how he has tried to feed her a sucker, mini marshmallows, gold fish, sippy cups and popsicles. He's so generous now, let's see what happens in a few months.

But, I really do love the kid, he's a good big brother!!!