Bowling

On Monday night for FHE we went bowling with our friends the Copelands. We had so much fun. If you have never had the chance to take a two and four year old bowling, you should do it because you will just laugh the whole time. The kids absolutely loved it, and had so much fun. We only had to have the nice guy come and get one ball unstuck. We hadn't started, but Owen was ready to so he walked up to the lane without the bumpers, and dropped his ball. We were all getting ready, so we didn't notice until he started crying that he couldn't get his ball. It was really quite funny! After that they kids all understood the need to take turns. Chad did great as usual, but I was to busy watching kids, taking care of a baby, and taking pictures to do that great (at least that is my excuse!).
The Copeland and Clayson kids ready to bowl.
Claire loved bowling. She did it all by herself, and with the bumpers up, got a score of 70. She would push the ball has hard as she could, but it would still take quite awhile to get down the lane.
Claire was so excited that she hit something!
I did good!!
Owen loved his bowling ball. He would just sit and hold it. When it was his turn, he knew exactly which ball was his, he would march over, pick it up and wait for his dad to come and help him. He did a great job. Don't you love the shoes! I couldn't believe that they had them in his size.
Owen would not hold still for a moment. I think this picture gives you a pretty good idea of what he was like! He was actually quite funny and very supportive of everyone. He would clap whenever anyone bowled. He ended up getting a 73, so he beat his sister, and I think he beat me. I was doing terrible!!
Grant was so great the whole time!! He was just handed from person to person but loved the atmosphere of the bowling alley. He didn't get grumpy until right before it was time to go home!

5 Months Old

I can't believe our little man is 5 months old. He is so much fun. Here are some facts about Grant.

He has started to blow bubbles, when he is trying to talk or when he is happy.

He has a little growth on the inside of his mouth that he has had since he was born. We are going to get it taken off next month.

He loves bath time. He could stay in there forever!!

Lots of people have told me that he looks like my dad - what do you think dad??

He loves toys that crinkle or squeak.

He is finally taking at least one nap a day, but it is usually 2 1/2 to 3 hours!
He takes the funniest pictures right now. His eyes just get sooo big!
Sadly he has been really sick. He has had a fever for 3 days, a bad cough and now a runny nose. The doctor said that tons of kids have RSV, but only about 10% have to be treated. Hopefully that isn't us!

Couponing 101

My friend Kristine taught me how to coupon awhile ago. I check the ads, but there really hasn't been anything that I wanted lately. Well, this week, there was a great sale, and I thought why not, I can use this stuff for my food storage, so here is a picture of most of my deals. I got way more fruit snacks (about 25 cents a box), and 10 cans of Progresso soup for 9 cents a can (I checked Wal-Mart yesterday when I was shopping and they are regularly $1.50). I might have to go back tomorrow for a few more cans! I spent about $30.00 on my items, and walked away with a ton! It is time consuming, but it gives you a great shopper high!

Chad was right.

These are not words you will hear me say often!! We have a very old furnace (I'm sure it is original to the house). Anyways, it is all electric. We have wanted to replace it, but there were other things we needed first like windows, drywall, carpet (you get the picture). So, we know that in the winter time our bill is huge, but never this huge. Chad has been trying to make it so that our stove downstairs will help heat the upstairs. We put vents in the floor, and have noticed a difference, but I just never remember or have time to go down and put wood in the fire. I try honest. It's always funny when Chad calls me in the mornings because I know he is really calling to see if I put wood in the fire, but he doesn't ask until the last thing. Well, we got our power bill the other day, and we cut it in half! Now I have to remember to put wood in the fire, but I'm just hoping in the next couple of months we can get our new furnace and AC and then I won't have to worry!!

Swimming and Snow

Yesterday Claire came out of her room with her swimsuit on, and informed us that she wanted to go swimming. I was actually taking my Sunday afternoon nap (when you have church at 8:30 you deserve a nap!!). Chad and I both told her no, but she wouldn't budge. She ended up changing into her dance outfit, but still wanted to go swimming. Chad finally told her that if she stood outside for 5 minutes, he would let her go. Well, she went out to the back porch, and stood in her leotard and little skirt without shoes, crying the whole time about how cold she was. She would not come in. She was determined to stay out there so she could go swimming. We finally decided that we had to let her go, so Chad filled up some tote (not sure where he got it), with cold water, and put it outside. She was thrilled. This is what happened.
Hey this looks fun! I really want to get in.
Hey, this isn't so bad!!! Owen even wanted to get in on the action.
At this point Claire wanted to get out, but Chad made her stay in for a few minutes. He wanted her to realize that yes, it was cold outside, and no, we don't swim when there is snow on the ground.

Grant the Ballet Dancer

I left Grant on the floor this morning for a few minutes while I tried to get something done, and this is what I found:
It looks like we have a new dancer in our house. I have to say that Claire was quite proud of herself, and very mad when I took it off.
He actually loved the tutu and wore it for quite awhile because it was something to put in his mouth.

Happy Valentines Day!

We had a great Valentines Day. I made the kids pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast (Chad was a little worried about the food coloring, but it didn't take him long to get over it!). We gave them a little Valentine, and then had a heart shaped pizza for dinner. Chad and I decided to stay home this year. By the time you wait for dinner, you have to pay the babysitter double. We had a quiet evening at home and I even got Chad to watch a romantic movie with me: "Nights in Rodanthe." It was actually really good. We hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day!