Time to make the donuts...

Can't believe school/work starts again tomorrow. We had such a restful break and I'm sad to see everyone go back tomorrow. It's been great having Ian home and getting the chance to just hang out together with the girls. We are going to have to detox a bit - been watching a lot of movies, playing lots of wii, computer games, DS games. Thankfully the past few days have been so warm that we've been able to get outside and play. We actually spent New Year's Eve cooking out and roasting marshmallows on Ian's new Tarheel Fire Pit...yeah, you read that right. I'll have to get some pics on here. It's so fun and we've had more than our fair share of s'mores since he got it at Christmas.

Yesterday Ian and I went to Starbucks for what I hope has now become a tradition...we did it last year too so I guess that counts. Anyway, we got Caitlyn to babysit (and she rocks!) so that he and I could go sit and spend some time looking back over the past year. Then we tried to think about 2011 and what we would like to see happen. We are both so resistant to setting goals or resolutions because neither one of us are good at keeping them, so instead we titled our list "2011 stuff" and went from there.

I think this tradition might be one of my favorites. It gives us a chance to actually take stock in things...how are we doing as a couple, as parents, as friends and members of our church? Are we spending our money wisely? What do we want to do with the house this year? How's our time with the Lord, relationships with family, our health? I love doing that kind of stuff because it makes me love Ian even more. He is just very gracious and, well, he's just my best friend.

In December we celebrated our ten year anniversary so we've done quite a bit of looking back lately. We have really been through a lot in ten years; more than I care to name here. Some times have been really tough, and some very very sweet. We still fight about pretty much the same things we fought about when we were dating, but we laugh a lot harder together than we ever have. I'm just so glad he's my man:).

OK, sorry if I'm grossing you out (mainly Sandy and Mom since you two are the only ones reading this probably). I guess these past couple weeks having him home have really reminded me of all the things I love about him. I'm hoping and praying for many more decades with him, and also hoping and praying that our girls find men who love them as well as Ian has loved me!

P.S. This post was not simply a suck up for the iPad he bought me:)

Big Weekend

This weekend was so fun! Saturday we just hung out at our house and took it easy - playing with the kids and napping and stuff. I forgot to mention last week that we are having to take Tori to a bunch of specialists to get her checked out because she's so tiny. So all weekend Mom and Sandy were testing her out - trying to get her to sit, stand, laugh, talk, whatever. It was funny. The pic of Tori surrounded by red above is when they pinned her in between the couch, the ottoman, and some pillows to get her to stand up. It was hilarious. Tori is so strong and she loves standing straight - she's just not very pliable and she doesn't bend well at the waist. So they just stood her up and surrounded her. It was really funny.

Saturday night the grandparents stayed with the kids so Ian and I could go out for our seven year anniversary! It was so great to get away together and have a fun night. We went out to the intracoastal to a place called Lulu's and had yummy seafood. Then after dinner we took chairs and sat out by the dock and watched a Christmas boat parade with about 50 other people. It was really so fun and neat. They had a fire pit out there and you could just sit with a beer and watch the crazy boats go by.

Sunday morning was the baptism. As if it's not crazy enough trying to get our family to a normal day of church, we had to get everyone in and out of the shower/bath and into presentable, non-puked clothes. It seriously took all five adults and one quite cooperative four year old to pull it off, but we managed to do it and actually get there on time. It was a really special day - our friends from church were there and the Bernards and Putmans were there too. It was so fun and the babies did great. Tori just smiled and cooed at our pastor the whole time, which was precious. Zoe looked like a deer in headlights, and Maggie was the sweet little proud big sister. I was so proud of our little family. I just love them so much and I have the greatest husband. It was just one of those moments when you just beam! I'll try to send more pics when I get them.