About our home improvement project…Usually I hear about couples arguing constantly over home improvement projects. Ours made me love Paul even more! I have seen Lance Armstrong side (cocky athlete), Martha Stewart side (cook EXTRAORDINAIRE!), work side (too smart for most ppl’s good), but to see the Bob Vila side, WOW! You can see the photos of him working (I really did just stand around most of the time like I predicted in my previous post) by clicking here. I was drawing 3D pictures and trying to get exact measurements and things. He had the whole thing in his brain for months and executed the plan perfectly! We only made 1 trip to Home Depot–the initial trip! THAT has to be a record!

Also at that link are some photos of chillin and grillin at Paul’s mom’s house for Mother’s Day. Healthwise…I am feeling much healthier and more ready to start the work week than I have been in a long time.

I vary rarely make it until midnight but this year I am going to try my best. Why? Because Susan and I are sitting here watching the Georgetown/UConn game and we saw that Carolina is playing at 10 pm that night. If the game starts at 10 it won’t be over until around 12 so I will try to stay up for that. I could still care less about staying up for the new year though . We are riding with Tamara on the 1st at noon so Susan is going to have a hard time getting in her 11 hours of sleep that she needs (although I doubt she is going to stay up to watch the game with me).

Susan and her mom shelling at Lover's Key Beach (Elli's shadow)

Paul and I returned from Christmas with my family in Ft Myers, FL (they have a condo down there). Elli and Michael (and of course Zoe the Zygote) were there too. We arrived on the 25th in the evening and just got back tonight (Sunday) about an hour ago. Here was the basic schedule:

Wake @ 7:30am; exercise til about 10-ish; big breakfast; pool time (80 degrees and no clouds); dinner (we rotated which couple cooked); games; bed about 9pm. That’s right folks–I almost got my 12 hours/night of sleep!

Other activities that were interspersed were shopping (Paul bought Life is Good pj pants and a ball for Maggie), reading (yep–Paul too!!), shelling (girls only–the picture shown) and napping (ok, mostly me there). It was very relaxing.

We are both off tomorrow, and we have the kids so we are planning some activites: pool, movie and getting the kids their library cards!! I promise we will blog about their birthdays and celebrating Christmas–there is so much to tell and so many pix, its hard to narrow it down to a blog.

Lauren and Elliot Blue host THE most awesome fundraiser EVER each year at Christmas: a gingerbread party! For $25 you get a blank house, all the “fixings” and food and drink (including beer and wine for those so inclined). Last year I went as a single 33 year old crazy cat lady, this year I am a 34 year old married mother of 2. What? What a difference a year makes. What a difference kids make at the G-bread party! Here is the picture that Buck (the official from our wedding) took. We did not have any other pix–I dropped our camera and it is busted. I can’t even talk about it. We are back to the old camera for the kids’ birthdays and Christmas and who knows what else.

SO! We will vote on the last side dish for Thanksgiving instead. That way you can also leave a comment about what YOU are doing, too! You know, make it interactive and all. Paul and I will be hibernating on Thanksgiving after we run our 5K that morning (www.greensborogobbler.com). We have not stayed home by ourselves in MONTHS! Here is our menu so far:

• turkey breast
• garlic mashed potatoes
• homemade bread (Paul insisted! I did not force this one)
• collard greens
• pumpkin crisp
• Cliff Bar Cabernet (from the makers on Cliff Bars, like nutrition bars)

Here is the poll question: Should we have homemade mac and cheese too?

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/4cxuE0krkm0gWLHrtqgS

1–we need a 4 wheeler to keep up with the Joneses. I seriously think we were the only ones who walked the neighborhood. Most others rode the 4 wheeler or A TRAILER being pulled by a 4 wheeler. Then we scratch our heads wondering where the childhood obesity epidemic comes from, yeah?

2–Anna and Tyler will be the Michelin (sp?) Man next year. The best costume I can come up with to stuff lots of clothes under.

3–The skeleton with the goalie mask and bloody machete is NOT scary (see pic of Tyler), while the house w the chihuahuas is (we had to talk him into going).

Tyler Kills Jason

4–2 pieces of candy really means like 15… and it makes bedtime QUITE a bit different.

You can see the rest of the pics here and here–I am about to pass out tired. More tomorrow from the zoo!!!!! (whose idea was THAT?)

Tyler’s daycare is trick or treating to several depts at the the hospital (not mine) today so I took the day off to go w them. I have been looking forward to it for weeks! Welp, major meltdowns this morning included Anna crying b/c she could not wear HER costume to school and Tyler b/c he had to wear a coat over his costume to the bus stop w Anna (it is 32 degrees).

I am SURE this occured in our house regularly growing up (it was always cold for H-ween). I owe huge apologies to my parents–Ma and Pa Edwards, I will blow up your cellie later to beg your forgiveness.