Lots going on!

I am so excited about so many things and instead of putting it all on facebook where people really don't care I thought I would blog about it so I could read it later.

First let me start off by saying my house looks like it threw up, yes it is truly that bad!  No, that does not make me excited, it stresses me out!  I always start with the negative and end on a positive, so there is my negative!

Dylan just cut his forth tooth!  He has been a drooling mess and a very fussy baby boy as well! He chews on everything that he can pick up and even tries to chew on the things he can't pick up.   He is trying so hard to walk, I think he could if he would trust himself.  I have caught him many times standing alone, but once he realizes what he is doing he sits down.  I am steaming him some fresh fruits and veggies, mmmmm!!!  He is going to love that!  I have got some squash going right now.  I will also do some green beans, carrots, pears, and if I have time apples. 

We leave on Saturday to go to Clearwater Beach FL to meet Winter the dolphin from the movie A Dolphin's Tale.  We are all VERY excited about that!  Which means I HAVE to get this house clean!  I can't stand to leave on a trip with a messy house!  I have truly got to get my butt in gear.  It is going to be a LONG drive, like 9 hours, for just a weekend.  It is going to be so worth it though!  I am planning on packing lots of things for the kids to do and maybe even take some time to catch up on coupon clipping. 

I have a surprise going for 2 different people.  Neither know to even expect anything so when we finally mail out the packages I will be excited to hear, well probably more like read, their responses. 

I have been trying some new recipes this week.  Tuesday I made Shrimp and Grits, Wednesday I made a White Pork Cheesy Chili, Thursday (tonight), I am going to try a Chinese Casserole, and Friday (tomorrow) I am going to try a crockpot Cilantro and Lime Chicken.  So far everything has been a huge hit with everyone in the house, including little miss picky, Lynley.

Lynley is in the first grade, in her class they are having issues with kids stealing from other kids and stealing things from the teacher.  I have talked with Lynley about this every night, reminding her how wrong it is and reminding her that if she ever sees anything it is ok to tell the teacher.  She assures me every time that she does not know who it is doing it and that she has no part of it.  I am proud of my sweetie for knowing right from wrong, for making good choices, and for keeping God first in her life.  She is an awesome GOD GIRL!!!

Well that is all for today.  Time to go check on the veggies and start working on this sick looking house.

Sheldon the Shelf Elf

Santa came to the Towns house a little early this year. He left us a little friend named Sheldon. Sheldon is a very old elf that can be naughty or nice. Sheldon likes to hide, play tricks, and leave treats if you are good. He reports back to Santa each night and then when he returns he goes to a different spot in the house.

On day 1 Santa left us a note explaining who Sheldon is and why he was coming to our house.


On day 2 Sheldon climbed in our fridge and drank all of our dr. pepper. Silly Sheldon!


Day 3 Sheldon emptied out my tissue box and then went and hid in the box.

















































On day 4 Sheldon made a mess with the cereal. It looks like he might have danced in it a little as well. Kendall sure did enjoy the mess though.


























On day 5 Sheldon finally left the kids a little gift. He left them a Countdown to Christmas ornament.


























On day 6 Sheldon decided he wanted to hang out with Santa.


























On day 7 Sheldon made another mess! So glad Kendall is a big helper and helped me clean it up!























On day 8 Sheldon left a little message for the kiddos. "I LOVE CHRISTMAS!"

Berry Time!

There is a neat little place about 30 minutes from our house called Southern Belle Farms. SBF is a huge farm with goats, cows, horses, in the Fall they have hayrides, and in the Spring and Summer they have all kinds of berries. We decided to go pick some strawberries and blackberries so I could try my hand at jam and pies. This made for a hot, wonderful, messy, yummy weekend.


Goats walking freely through the farm.


















Blackberries cooking.


My first jar of jam done and my first time canning anything.


Blackberry jam is done!


Strawberries cooking.


Strawberry jam is done!


Time for pie!


My first homemade pie!


PRETTY!!


YUMMY!!

Time to play catch up!

As I watched my 40 week mark quickly approaching I got really bummed that my little fella still had not come yet. I was 2 weeks early with both girls so I just knew my 3rd would be early as well. I should have known my little boy would be different!



Baby Dylan finally decided to come with a little help from the doctors. Dylan Russell Towns was 3 days late, born on February 3, 2011, weighing 8lbs 4oz, and 19inches long.



Dylan's older sisters were thrilled to welcome him to our home and are wonderful helpers!



At Dylan's 1 month check-up he weighed 10lbs 5oz and was 22inches long.
At Dylan's 2 month check-up he weighed 12lbs 9oz and was 22.5inches long.

He is a very happy baby and loves for people to talk to him and play with him. He does not like to be left alone! My sweet boy is a mommy's boy for sure!

Life got in the way!

As you can see I did not stick with my picture a day goal. Trying to take care of my family, get ready for a new baby, and keeping my house company ready just in case the baby comes now is more important then trying to remember to take a picture every day. Oh well, I will keep adding pictures as I take them, they just won't be coming everyday.

Friday Jan 14 2011

I don't know if I am nesting or if I am just crazy (maybe both), but I decided to tackle cleaning out our closet today. BIG MISTAKE!!!! I forgot to take a picture before I pulled everything out (only the stuff that was on the floor), but I did take one once it was all pulled out. Now, half way through, my back is killing me and I could just cry! I should not have tried a project this big and hard while trying to watch the girls without Jason's help.



After working almost all day JUST on the closet I got rid of 5 pair of shoes, 1 purse, a bag full of clothes, and a bag full of trash. All the clothes are hung up, all of the shoes have a home, and all of the purses are organized. I can see the floor for the first time in FOREVER!!!

Thursday Jan 13 2011

Ok so I forgot to take a picture on Wednesday so we are jumping to Thursday.

Thursday we are on day 4 of being iced in. Lynley has been out of school all week and Jason as been working from home. Since we don't technically have an office for Jason to lock himself in he took up Dylan's room. The girls decided to get their "laptops" and work as well. It is one of the cutest sights I have seen. They are daddy's girls, no doubt!!