Weekend Visitor

Over the weekend we had a quick visit from our good friend Heather! We were sad that Neal and the girls weren't able to come with her, but it was still great to see Heather. The visit was last minute and she was only in Tampa for like 30 hours. She came down for a baby shower for one of her close friends (good luck Jackie!!). The kids and I went up to the gym to see her and then we went to Babies R Us to buy a shower gift. I haven't been in a BRU in years and seeing all the tiny little clothes killed me! After shopping we went to Chick Fil A for lunch and to let the kids play. It was so nice to hang out and talk. We can't wait for our trip in April when we head up to Maryland to see everyone! We love you guys!!!

Me, Heather and the kids

Double Date

On Saturday night we went on a double date with Dad and Kelly. Kelly called to invite all of us over for dinner, but we had just scored a babysitter for the evening. Not wanting to miss out on the yummy dinner (homemade nachos!) we decided we would come over and have dinner without the kids and then go to a movie. Dinner was wonderful...it always is when we are over there! Originally we planned to head to the IMAX theater and see Dark Knight, but we decided that might lead to massive headaches. The last time I went to an IMAX movie I was 10 and it was a "movie" that made you feel like you were flying a plane. So we saw Gran Torino instead and it was fantastic. You just can't go wrong with Clint Eastwood!

We had a wonderful time and look forward to our next double date. I hope that when our kids are grown they want to double with us.

Cute story

Yesterday in Primary they were talking about all the things that Daddy's provide for the family. Someone mentioned food and clothes and the Dax pipped up with....and car insurance! Where did that come from?! HAHA.

I just want to point out that Mommy's can and do provide these things as well ;)

Happy Birthday Campbell!!

Last Saturday was our niece's 7th birthday. So we loaded up Yolanda (the Honda) with all the grandparents and headed to Inverness for a roller skating party. Piper absolutely loves her cousin, but she was less than excited at the prospect of putting roller skates on again. We got skates for Pi and Dax, but Dax refused to even put his on. He preferred watching from the sidelines.



Anna Mae who is 8.5 months younger than Dax was a pro on her skates. So cute!




Matt decided he would get a pair of skates and try to get Piper out on the rink. Here are the results of the Daddy/Daughter skate...




As you can see not much has changed in Piper's roller skating skills. I think I am going to have to hold off on taking her ice skating. Matt on the other hand continued his streak of being good at just about everything he does. He had a blast skating and we even managed to talk him into racing in the speed race! This was hilarious!!

He came in third, but the disclaimer is that the guys that took 1st and 2nd were the owner and the rink ref and they both had speed skates. Still not bad for a 31 year old who last skated when he was 12.





Speaking of racing...Anna Mae raced in the girls 6 and under group. She was awesome! She came in last, but she never gave up and she never fell down. We were really impressed with how great a skater she is already. Maybe I will take her ice skating sometime soon :)




Nanna (aka Cathie aka Matt's mom) also decided to lace up. She was a bit more cautious and every time Matt lapped her he would tell her to keep it moving. What a smart alec.

Roller Skating Nanna



Matt is such a good uncle. He had a good time skating with the girls.




We managed to get everyone to come over and sing and eat cake. The cake was made by a friend of Brittan's and it was soooo good!



Make a wish...


I can't believe Campbell is 7! That means that my own little girl will be 7 in just a few short months. Time is moving so quickly. Look at how beautiful these two are. Even if I never manage to give Piper a sister at least she will have a cousin that she loves and is close to.



Here are a few more cute pictures from the party.

Barrett also had a birthday last week, he tuned 1 on the 6th! Happy birthday big boy!!



Piper loves baby "Bear"




Matty with his Mom and Dad (and Dax)



Me with my sweet girl.

New Years Day

The kids all woke up bright and early on the first day of 2009. Brittan made a wonderful breakfast and we hung out and relaxed and ate. Perfect day if you ask me. The kids loved playing outside with the baby goats. There were two little babies that were born in the middle of December and they were so much fun to cuddle.



Piper was really hoping to ride one of the horses from Brittan's parents ranch (their property connects to B&B's) and about mid day she got her wish. Brittan's mom came over with two horses for the kids to visit with. Piper was in heaven--Dax wanted NOTHING to do with the horses at all. I was so proud of how comfortable Piper was and that she jumped on the horse bareback with no qualms. Matt took these cute pictures of the three Mitchell girls and I love them!





Then Campbell showed us her awesome riding skills. I was so proud of her! She rode Zipper bareback all by herself. She was able to turn him and control him really well.




And she did a perfect dismount.



I loved seeing the kids outside playing--running all over the place, playing with all the animals and just being kids. It sure is nice having country cousins to visit! Thanks again Auntie Brittan, Uncle Brian, Campbell, Anna Mae and Barrett!!

New Years Eve

I know, I know...it has been the new year for 7 whole days now and I am only just now getting to blog about it. If you read my previous post you will know why. We are feeling much better here at chez Mitchell now and I am taking the opportunity to finish blogging about the holidays.

We spent New Years with Brian, Brittan, Campbell, Anna Mae and Barrett. Grandma and Grandad headed up as well and it was so nice for all of us to be together! We headed up to Inverness Wednesday evening after Matt got home from work. We almost had to cancel the trip because Piper got pink eye on Monday and passed it to Dax on Wednesday. Luckily we had drops from the last time we went through the attack of the pink eye monster. I called Brittan to let her know and she told us to come- eye goop and all. The drive was pleasant with hardly any traffic at all. When we made it to the house the boys set out to pick up pizza and fireworks. The pizza was awesome!! Unfortunately, Brian was diagnosed with a tomato allergy a few months ago and no longer eats tomatoes. He meant to order a white pizza for himself, but in all the excitement I guess he forgot. He decided to chance it and eat a couple slices of regular pizza. Bad move. Brian was sick the rest of our visit. Hence the title of the previous post. Poor Uncle B slept in the bathroom :( We have made him promise to not eat tomatoes EVER again. After ringing in 2009 asleep on a tile floor I think he will have no problem keeping his promise.

Before Brian fell ill to Captain Tomato we were able to play and have some fun. The boys set off fireworks and we all ohhed and ahhed. Well all of us except for baby Barrett. He was not impressed. Matt and Brian had a lot of fun though and I only suffered a mild anxiety attack as I watched my husband put his face precariously close to explosives. After fireworks we headed inside to enjoy the many wonderful desserts Brittan made for us (I can still taste the banana pudding- YUM!!) and played wii. Matt and Brian boxed a few times and then Matt took on Dad. They were so funny to watch.





Both sides put up a good fight, but in the end Dad triumphed! HA! Poor Matt the mii


We exchanged present with Grandma and Grandad. I love this picture of Dax and Campbell playing their new Leapsters. They are so cute together!


Anna Mae loved her new Barbie mermaid. Look at that happy face.


Grandma and Grandad got me a gift card to Barnes and Noble. Do they know me or what? I am so excited to go shopping all by myself and indulge in a few new books without the guilt. Thanks Dad and Kelly!!

The kids were troopers and made it to see the New Year ushered in. We toasted with some sparking grape juice and gave hugs and kisses. After the excitement wore down we got everyone into jammies and set up a cousin campout in the hallway. Dad and Kelly braved the chill and camped outside in their tent--well, Dad did. Miss Kelly gave up around 3 am and sought out the warmth and comfort of the couch inside. The kids loved sleeping together in their sleeping bags.

How cute are they?!



Dax and Anna Mae- they were so cute together and played so nicely.



I love to see these two together. They love each other so much!

Like Uncle Brian...

Poor Piper. Friday found her not feeling very well at all. The day started with Dax throwing up. Don't you just love days like that? Poor little bugger felt so bad because he didn't even have time to make it to the bathroom. He kept apologizing to me for making a mess. What a sweetheart, hu?

Piper seemed to be feeling fine, although she complained of an upset stomach in the morning. I figured she was trying to get the extra special TLC that Dax was getting. I felt awful when she started throwing up Friday evening. She was fine one minute and then sick the next. Matt and I set Dax up with a show in our room and we hung out with Piper in her room. She would doze between runs to the bathroom. Eventually she decided the best place to stay was on the bathroom floor...just like Uncle Brian (blog to come). So I made her a pallet on the bathroom floor. These pictures are so sad, but also kinda comical. We are all feeling better now and glad that the stomach bug didn't last long and that if it had to hit that it did so while we were on Christmas break. I always seemed to be sick over the holidays when I was a kid too.

Gingerbread Houses

I promised the kids we would make gingerbread houses this year, but before I knew it Christmas was over and we still hadn't made them. I had to run into CVS the day after Christmas and they had 2 gingerbread kits marked down 75%. I got them both and let the kids decorate their own houses this year. They had so much fun!

Before



During




We had just as much fun eating all the candy as we did decorating the houses. That's the way you are supposed to make gingerbread houses, right?




Hard at work...




Here are the finished products. Fun, candy and mess-- every kids dream come true!