My Mom, Dad, and sister Natasha came out for a visit. It was wonderful to have them here. Frank and I were able to go on our first date in a year. We drove up to Raleigh and ate at P.F. Chang which was soo tasty. On Saturday We drove to Wilmington, NC and went to the aquarium and then the beach. The water was a good temperature so we all got wet helping the kids from getting knocked over in the waves. Then the boys built a sandcastle, and by boys I mean even the big boys.

Monday we embarked on a crazy journey of trying to fix all the projects my house needed. My parents and sister worked their tails off because they are super nice and since my husband and I are seriously deficient in the fix-it gene. We got it all done with just enough time for them to crash into bed to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch their plane home...... to go work on the projects in their own homes. I hope they all know how much I appreciate their visit and as Frank puts it, their slave labor.

Here's a few pictures of our Day trip to Wilmington...... and by the way it really does take 5 adults to watch 4 kids at the beach.

Happy Birthday

Joseph turned 5 today. He is such a joy to have, very sensitive and loving. He got his skittles from his grandma today and ate a few and then passed them on. I saw Derek chowing down on them and told Derek he needed to save them for Joseph. Joseph calmly said, "Mom, I already had some." So we all ate Joseph's birthday candy as a family. Derek helped him open his presents and blow out his candles. I guess I can see why so many people ask me if they are twins; they don't look that much alike but they are the very best of friends.

A month ago we went up to Frank's brother's house. While there visiting cousins, Joseph fell in love with a toy I very briefly saw. The whole trip home, Joseph talked about wanting a dinosaur castle for his birthday (whatever that is). I ignored it for the most part until a week later I was looking at bikes on the internet for his b-day. I didn't click off the pages fast enough and so Joseph asked me why I was looking at bikes. Not one for surprises I said for his birthday. In dismay he dejectedly said, "Mom, I don't want a bike for my birthday. I want a dinosaur castle." Needless to say, I called Jennie up on the phone and asked her about the toy. Of course stores don't sell it anymore, but thankfully there's always e-bay. Joseph got his dinosaur castle and is super happy about it.

Lorelei is a terror. I looked away for 2 minutes and she had done this to Joseph's cake. I yelled and then laughed and laughed some more.






Here's what we turned it into (a dinosaur castle birthday cake)

Joseph by the peas.


When you're too lazy to wash dinner plates--------------- use Tupperware lids!!!




What's better than sucking your thumb? how about sucking all your fingers!

my garden