Cold Days

Sweet Baby boy! Aaron and Sammie enjoy "flying" around the house!

This past week the weather has been COLD!!! We've stayed in a lot which makes for some long days. One morning I popped popcorn and we had a movie morning watching "Shrek". On weeks like these I get the itch to go somewhere warm or for spring to come! I feel like the TV is on a lot and I try to scratch my head to think of things to do.

Thank goodness for MOPS on Friday. Bundling up the kids and getting out of the house before 9 is no easy task but when I know a nice hot breakfast is waiting for me it makes it all worthwhile. I enjoy visiting with friends and the kids love playing with their buddies. Aaron told me all the playing makes him tired(:

12, 26, 38

Again I am late reporting but I think this might just be a regular occurrence so I will stop apologizing(:

John turned 1 month old on December 7th. I on purpose waited because I wanted to report his weight. I took Samantha in for a late 2 year check up and had them weigh in all the kiddos!

Aaron is now 38 lbs, Samantha 26 and John 12!!!!!

I can't believe how fast a month has passed. John is doing well and obviously getting plenty to eat. He has shown a few select smiles but still sleeps the majority of the day. He is starting to look around and enjoys looking at lights. If he is fussy Aaron likes to talk to him to calm him down and Samantha pats his head lightly.

I'm so proud of Samantha! Last week she threw away her beloved pacifier (2nd one that got chewed through). And on top of that we took the front railing off her crib so now she is in a big girl bed and doing great! She enjoys telling everyone this(:

I've been really busy and think about blogging alas just not enough hours in the day. And if I do have a spare moment when all the kids are asleep I'm either cleaning our trying to take a quick cat nap myself!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well I turned 30 on Thursday January 6th. It was the perfect day from start to finish!

Jeremy surprised me by taking the day off. We went to Cracker Barrel for a French Toast breakfast and then on the way home he brought Aaron and Sammie into Meijer to pick me out some birthday flowers!

We got home and Jeremy and Aaron baked me a cake. Aaron was so excited to help and kept singing me Happy Birthday Mommy Dear! At 11 we all got in the car and Jeremy drove me to my birthday surprise---A Day Spa! My good friend Hannilee met me there and we both enjoyed an hour massage! It was the kind of spa you walk into and immediately feel relaxed! I felt like a queen. There was robes, slippers, steam room and even a relaxing room with a great big fireplace! It was wonderful. The PERFECT gift!

After feeling like a new women Hannilee and I stopped by DeBrands chocolates for a hot chocolate and truffle on our way home.

After naps Jeremy, myself, Aaron, Samantha and John headed to Olive Garden for a yummy dinner. We then hurried back home to taste the great looking cake Aaron helped make. My sister and her family and my mom came by to celebrate with us. I must admit it took me a few blows to get ALL 30 candles out (even with the kids help!)

It was the best birthday I can remember!

Happy New Year!

All the Vance Grandkids!

Ok so I'm still behind. But better late than never!
We had a wonderful New Years. Our festivities started out on New Years Eve

watching the Notre Dame vs Miami bowl game at Jeremy's brothers house. Great win! Jeremy's mom got to see John for the first time and couldn't get enough of him! We named John after Jeremy's dad who passed away in 2002.

Jeremy's mom, John and Jeremy

On New Years day Jeremy's whole family came over for "Christmas". We had a huge feast and opened gifts, played games and just enjoyed one anothers company. It was an 11am to 11pm affair. I enjoyed extending the holidays for another week. Oh by the way I didn't make it to watch the ball drop on New Years Eve. I fell asleep on the couch by 10:30 but John woke me up around 12:20am to wish me a Happy New Year and for a midnight snack!

The kids loved having their cousins around but by Sunday were tired and we all just laid around the house. A great weekend had by all!