Couch Day!!

Two weeks ago, Wesley came downstairs singing "Today I don't feel like doing anything. I just want to stay here in bed." I looked at him and said, "Why don't we do that one day!" So...couch day was born!

We looked at our calendars and found the next Tuesday/Thursday that we didn't have anything scheduled between  9 -1. Then we set "Couch Day!"

This morning, Wesley dropped the boys off at school and I made breakfast. We then plopped down on the couch with our breakfast and coffee and a huge blanket! We cuddled up and watched a movie ("The Campaign" with Will Ferrell) and a few extra funny episodes of the Office. Around 11:30, I got up to make us lunch but then retreated back to the couch until we had to pick up the boys at 1:00.

It was such a relaxing morning and so much fun to not have to worry about doing anything! Usually, we feel guilty for not getting tasks accomplished but we had carved these four hours away for us weeks ago and there was no guilt here! We just enjoyed ourselves and the quite time together!!

Looking forward to Couch Day 2013 already!!!

Tongue Twisters

Every now and then, Jackson will throw a new word into his vocabulary. Here are a few recent ones I caught:

Mom, can I get some ice POUCHES in my drink? (cubes)

Are we going to VETE today? (vote)

Oh, Mommy, I forgot to SCALE myself today! (weigh)


Wesley reminded me of one of Philip's favorite phrases:

Daddy, where is my basketball GOAL? (said every time he is looking for his basketball)

Fall Family Fun Day!

Today was the Fall Family Fun Day at our church. The main purpose of the day is to pamper 50 local families with food boxes, coats, a warm meal and a fun, festive atmosphere for their kids. In the process, the Grace Chapel kids will hopefully have a blast as well!

For the past several years, I have gone over and volunteered for the Day and Wesley has come by later with the kids for Trunk or Treat. This year, we reversed the role. Wesley went over before lunch to be the Clown and make balloon animals for the kids (he made over 200 balloons in less than 2 hours!!!). Jackson, Philip and I arrived around 12:30 so the kids could play and then take part in Trunk or Treat.

I didn't get a chance to glimpse into the building to see the coat drive, food boxes, or lunch, but the kids' area was awesome! Kate was in charge of setting this all up and it turned out to be a great success.

The weather wasn't perfect, but I liked the break in the 80 degree heat we have been having! It was 55 degrees, windy, and drizzly - perfect for a Fall Fest!

Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying the day:

Waiting for a chance to play the tennis ball/pumpkin game!

He is concentrating so hard!!!!
Thanks to Brent, Bryce's Dad, for lending a helping hand since I "had" to take pictures and Wesley was busy with the balloons!

He was all about this game - or was it the candy prize at the end he most enjoyed?!

What a crew!
Lucas, Philip, Jackson and Bryce!

Once Wesley's shift was over, he came down to enjoy the festivities

It wasn't long after Wesley came down, that I had to go get ready for Trunk or Treat. I didn't decorate my car. Maybe I will do that next year...No... Wait...Who am I kidding?! I won't decorate it next year! I know the kids don't care what the car looks like as long as I have good candy!

I had my candy and Kate's candy to hand out so I was a popular car. Here I am passing out to my two favorite Trick or Treaters - Spiderman and the golden Power Ranger! 

I figured since I couldn't hid my bump, why not show her off!  

Fall Fest 2012!

Katey, Kate and Leanne

Trying to find More Candy!

Hulk Smash and Iron Man!

After the candy was all handed out, we attempted a group shot with the kids. This one turned out great and was captured right before...

We lost one! 

Hulk took a dive behind the other super heroes!  

The Power Ranger costume came off rather quickly which is interesting considering Jackson has worn it almost every day since we bought it in early September!

Once we arrived home,  it took nearly no time for our Super Heroes to cash out! I guess that is a sign of a really good day! 

Date Night

Wesley and I were able to go out tonight (thank you YMCA Parents' Night Out!) and enjoy a nice, quiet dinner at Carrabba's, the newest restaurant in Cumming! One of our last dates before Jackson and Philip was at an Italian restaurant so we thought this splurge was appropriate.

The food was good and the conversation was wonderful! I am so blessed that after 10 years and (almost) 3 kids, we can still go out and have a fun time just being together!

Girls Night Out

Tonight, Cory hosted a Girls Night Out at her house. On the agenda was wreath making. Since I am not really a "wreath person " (Christmas excluded), I offered to make my friend Lindsay's wreath since she couldn't make it to the party.

Things were going well until Elizabeth decided she had had enough of Friday. I had pushed myself (and her!) today and by 8:00 she was ready to rest. I had to call it a night early, but was happy to see some of the finished products on Facebook!

Look how cute:

While I was at Cory's, Wesley sent me a cute picture of the boys out and about:

Publix Run!

Monkey Joes

We headed to 1/2 price day at Monkey Joe's with Jack and Kate. We were the first to arrive and had the place to ourselves for most of the two hours we were there. It was so nice and quiet. The boys had fun running and jumping but much preferred snack time!

For some reason, every time I glance at this picture I see Jackson and Sam.
These little guys are so different from their older brothers but every now and then when I see them playing together, I am reminded of the fun Sam and Jackson had at their age!!

Snack Time!

Weekend Fun!

This weekend, we had so many of our family in our home for Elizabeth's baby shower. It was so much fun!

Emily, Susan, Rebekah, and Benjamin came in on Friday night. Wesley and I had fun with Emily and Susan and Jackson and Philip LOVED playing with Rebekah and Benjamin. Rebekah was a mini-celebrity in our house for the weekend. Philip followed her around everywhere!

Saturday afternoon, Lynne, Shannon, Macey, and Abby joined us as well as my Mom and Dad. As soon as the house was full, we settled down for a delicious lunch and fellowship before the girls headed out for the shower.

As soon as the shower was over, the Bender crew headed back to Tennessee as did Susan, Rebekah and Benjamin.

Mom, Dad, and Emily stayed the night. We were pretty low key as we showed Wesley all of Elizabeth's new gifts and watched the UT/Alabama game.

Shannon, Lynne, and Wesley

Jackson and Philip hooked it up with a few treasures of their own!
Here they are with the Halloween bag Aunt Shannon made them!

We left Wesley and Dad in charge of the kids during the shower. Here's where Jackson and Philip were playing as we left - Flash's dog house!

A highlight of the weekend was getting to "see" our new niece or nephew!
Yay!!
Susan and I were pregnant together with Jackson and Rebekah and now Emily and I get to share this fun road together - for another 4 weeks! 

Elizabeth's Baby Shower

Our church threw Elizabeth the most amazing Baby Shower this afternoon. Kate hosted the afternoon, and it was so much fun!

Not only did my church friends come and show their love to our baby girl, but our family was able to join us as well. It was a special treat to have all the females from my side of the family and Wesley's celebrating with us.

Dad stayed back with Wesley and the kids but did join in a Jablonski 5 picture....which is more than I can say for Wesley. I forgot to get a picture with him on this special day! 

In pure Kate style, her house looked amazing - pink decoration everywhere - and the food arrangement was out of this world. We had just come from a huge lunch but couldn't help but pile our plates high with the delicious goodies she and my friends had made. 

Two of Kate's creations - An "E" for her room and cake pops! Sooo cute!

Another decoration - a framed picture of Elizabeth's Gender Reveal! 

Kristy made these adorable petit fours! I have the most talented friends!

Look at that beautiful table! 

Sweet Sweet Friend!!!

Kate sent me home with some of the centerpiece flowers. They were pretty on Saturday and have continued to highlight my breakfast table as they have opened up!

So many friends came to celebrate:

My friend Patricia was able to make it! It was so nice to have her there. My family knows her from all the outings we have taken with the boys so they called her McDonald's Patricia! I am so glad they all were able to meet her!

We settled in to open gifts and the outpouring of generosity and love was overwhelming!!

Patricia painted  a "E"  "W" & "B" to hang on the nursery wall!

My mom surprised me with a beautiful dress she made for Elizabeth using pieces of the same lace she used on the dress she made Macey when she was the flower girl in our wedding.  

I cant' wait to dress Elizabeth in this treasured keepsake!

My friend Amber showed off her creativity with these adorable, screen printed onesies!!

Alayna and Cammie were a HUGE help! They sat in front of me as I opened handing me presents and picking up anything I dropped - I can't lean over like I used to! 

Meredith made this adorable and very useful diaper cake! 

One of Lynne's gifts was this UT dress. It received rave reviews from all my Tennessee fan-friends!

Before everyone split to travel back, we got one more picture of  Elizabeth surrounded by her family!