Snow Week

This has been a heck of a week. Reed had school like normal on Monday, then that night the sleet hit. We got the e-mail about 5:30 Tuesday morning that school was cancelled, so I just turned off my alarm and went back to sleep. We got up around 8:00 and I made pancakes. We had a fun day of watching TV, eating whatever we wanted and enjoying each other. Reed couldn't believe that every time he asked to do something, I would say yes. He ate junk all day long. :). Well, we got the e-mail about 3:00 on Tuesday saying school was cancelled for Wednesday, so on and so forth for Thursday and Friday AND... Here we are. Brian did drive us to walmart last night for some groceries and we ate dinner at Mi Familia which was a lot of fun and did help to improve my attitude. :) It snowed last night and this morning, so I was able to get out and get some good pictures.

The boys ended up driving over to Gammy and DadDad's who were very excited to see them. Brian said that Hudson and Reed were both very cold and ready to get to Gammy's, but I'm sure it will be a really neat memory for them. This has been quite a week... :)

Vegas

I got back Thursday night from my Vegas trip. Brandon and my dad go to the Shot Show convention each year. My mom and I tag along and this year Becky came with us.

On Monday we spent most of the morning traveling. We passed by the iconic Vegas sign on the way to the hotel and had to stop for a photo op...

When we got to the hotel and unloaded, and headed out to see some sights. I have to learn that when Becky is with us, she's sneaky about taking pictures. I tend to act goofy and when I try to "mess up" her pictures, she ends up taking one of me looking like a fool. For example...

The nest morning we got up and ate breakfast at Bouchon in the Venetian. All I can say - YUM. (Yes, I am wearing the same sweater as he day before. It was a little chilly, and all I had was this sweater and a heavy coat - please don't fault me for wearing the same sweater 2 days in a row.) :)

Here I am at the slots. Don't be fooled - I did not win. :)

Walking in the Venetian - a beautiful hotel!

Why did I post this picture of my hind end? Well, Becky took it on the sly so I prove that I took the stairs. When did I take the stairs? Every time I had the chance. Seriously... EVERY time.

On Wednesday we went to the Luxor and saw the Titanic exhibit and the Bodies exhibit.

Bodies was really neat. They were actual bodies that had been (for lack of a better word) skinned and preserved. These were people who had died of natural causes and donated their bodies to science. You could get up close and see muscles, bone and tissue like you have never seen before. It was quite interesting. The Titanic exhibit was also really neat. They gave you a card as you entered with a real passengers name on it and you found out at the end if they lived or died. They have many pieces from the wreckage - jewelry, clothes, dishes, etc. Even a reconstruction of the grand staircase and a giant piece of the side of the ship.

That night we ate at Olives in the Bellagio. We were able to sit out on the patio and could watch the fountains every 15 minutes (you can see them behind us). It was not only great food, but super neat ambiance! I came home on Thursday so I could be here for Brian's birthday on Friday. I made him a dinner of homemade chicken friend steak, gravy, onion strings, baked potatoes and blackberry cobbler. It looked like a heart attack on plate, but he loved it. :)

It's good to be home.

Out with 2010 and in with 2011...

What a great year! God continues to bless our family with wonderful things! This year:
- Brian and I celebrated 14 years together (February 6) and 8 years of marriage (August 10). I am so thankful for a husband that works so hard so that I am able to stay home with our boys. He is my best friend and I am thankful for his support, his counsel and his love.
- Reed turned 6 and started first grade and Hudson turned 2. I love my boys so much - God certainly knew what he was doing when he gave these sweet souls to me!
-I lost 30 pounds over the course of the year and have made many changes to my lifestyle to continue success with my weight loss. I'm thankful for the continued motivation.
- Brian had back surgery at the end of September and everything went very well. He had his 3 month check up last week and was released from restricted activity. I am so thankful that he is remarkably better and that we found such a wonderful doctor!

In 2011, we look forward to:
- My boys turning 7 and 3. Wow! Reed will wrap up first grade and start second. I will be praying for another great teacher - we've had wonderful ones so far!
- The birth of our sweet nephew (STILL poor unnamed baby). Sara and Eric are expecting their little boy at the end of February.
- Another summer in the garden. Brian has another garden planned and I'll be more prepared this year for the bounty I'm sure we will have!

From the Blevins household - we wish you a safe and happy new year!

Brian found some coveralls for Reed on sale so we passed his old ones down to Hudson. We bought them for Reed last year for Christmas and this year they are about 3 inches too short! Now both pairs are too long on both boys, but it shouldn't be too long before they are just right.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We opened our family presents on Christmas Eve night. Reed requested a shield because when he and Hudson play swords, Hudson gets a little crazy swinging his swords around. I decided that full body armor wouldn't hurt..
Hudson got a flashlight, some tools and a new Toy Story blanket...
Reed had specifically asked for a hat with "Things that hang down on the side and balls at the end" and fingerless gloves. I never knew how excited a kid could be over a hat and gloves.

We put out Santa's snack of cookies and cream pop tarts (I forgot the cookies from Mimi's house), and put the boys to bed. Here's the loot Santa left. A ninja backpack for Reed (thank you Stacey!), legos, a skateboard and a stocking full of goodies. Hudson had some Dora play dough, a guitar, a tiny skateboard and a giant whacking stick (I'm told Brian that it's called a mace, but it looks like a whacking stick to me).

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and truly enjoy the spirit of the season.

Maybe with a little more joy than our little one... :)

Happy December

Hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas season!

Thanksgiving Week

I love when Reed has off from school so we can spend time together- staying up late and having a good time as a family. Reed hasn't gotten to spend the night much with my parents because of school, so he jumped at the chance this week. He and Hudson stayed with them Monday night and I went and picked them up yesterday. Last night we let them stay up as long as they wanted and they made it until after 11:00!! Brian and I were in bed watching TV and came in on this scene-

And this...


And the TV blaring. It's funny how kids can sleep anywhere!
And just to add to the Thanksgiving spirit, here is a beautiful tree right in our front circle. I love the bright color- it's such a blessing to live in the country and enjoy the many parts of God's masterpiece!


Here's wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving filled with blessings of family and togetherness!

Thanksgiving Program

We went to Reed's program tonight. It was so cute! Of course, he does have the best music teacher (Mrs. Duty), so how could it not be great? We were a few rows back, so bear with my next picture... Reed is on the back row right in the middle.

After the program...


DadDad made a funny noise to get Reed to smile and evidently it got to me too... :)


Here is Reed and his sweet little friend Rebekah. If I could arrange a marriage at this point, I would. She is an absolute doll - such a cute little girl not to mention very polite and sweet. LOVE her. :)


Only two weeks until Thanksgiving, people... Where has the year gone?

Halloween

Presenting the brothers, Mario and Luigi.

My most favorite costumes EVER.
The end.

Field Trip

Reed's first grade field trip was to Mainstay Farm this year. Here is his class in the giant chair.

I think his favorite part was the hay barn. There was lots of running and jumping...


They roasted marshmallows (it was a little warm and the smoke was blowing towards him- that's why he looks so jazzed.) :)


They went on a hayride and got to play a little on the playground. Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and go home. It was a fun field trip, but I would have liked to have a lot more time there. We just may have to fit in a trip again this fall. :)

The Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch on Tuesday afternoon.  My friend Becky met us there to take some pictures of the boys.  She did an great job!  I only picked a few to post and these are VERY pared down, but they're some of my favorites.  

Sweet Hudson hugging a pumpkin

My cutie pies in their Halloween shirts that I made for them

My big boy

Look how big my baby is!!

Lovin' on their Mimi

Snocones!!!

We had a great time and came away with some great pictures.  Thank you Becky!!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

• Brian's quick healing.  He is by no means doing back flips, but he is doing great and getting around amazingly well.  
• friends and family that have offered so much to us during all of Brian's back pain and his surgery.  We have been blessed by many of you.
• My husband and two boys.
• the cooler weather.  I'm loving it!!

Update on Brian

Brian's surgery went great!  They started surgery a little before 10:00, Brian woke up from anesthesia quickly and we headed home at 1:30.  Brian sat at the dinner table with us on Thursday evening and it was awesome (it was the first time that he had been able to sit at the table in 2 months!!)  Each day he spent a few minutes walking to help loosen up the soreness in his back. He went back to work on Monday and has just been doing great!  He still has 5 weeks of restricted activity (not to pick up more than 20 pounds, etc.), but he's SO much better now, restricted activity is NOTHING!!!   Thank you to all who have offered childcare, food and help for us in so many ways.  We appreciate the notes, e-mails, texts and prayers - we are so blessed to be surrounded by so many caring people - we love you all!