Playing "Pick Up", Including the Stomach Bug...Yech!

1 year 13 weeks

Yes, this week we picked up the dreaded stomach bug, although knock on wood, Braelyn and Kohlden haven't shown any signs of getting it.  It started with Madelyn on Sunday night and then Tangie and I started feeling nauseous and queasy Tuesday and Wednesday, and just now starting to feel better towards normal today.  Which meant that our last week of our diet was thrown for a loop, as we really couldn't keep anything down and eating food just didn't sound appetizing.  But I guess that's another way to lose weight, right?  So hopefully we're on the road to recovery, and ready for any weekend activities.

Last Sabbath we made it to church again, this time with minutes to spare.  It's starting to become easier getting the team ready and out the door as they get older.  It also helps to give them baths the night before!  I remember a year ago it took us the better of 3 hours to get ready for church.  And that was just the women! 

The twins' Cradle Roll class, complete with castle in the background.

Kohlden dressed like a prince in Heaven.

And Maddy the princess.  Perfect fit, don't ya think?

And then we get to ride a rocking...bear?

We had lunch with the Whitakers at Sweet Tomatoes and then it was home for naps.  Tangie has the job of keeping the kids entertained on the drive home so that they won't fall asleep in the car.  In doing so they can get their full nap at home without being disturbed from the transfer of the car to crib.  This valuable trick was learned from trial and error.

Macey and Marley Whitaker, with Mommy Ashley looking on, getting ready for their triplets in November.

After naps we invited Jared and Marlissa Clarke along with their daughter Isabella to join us down at Old Winter Garden to hit the fountain park again.  This seems to be a nice Sabbath afternoon tradition, as it is free and allows the children to play and get some energy out so they can be a little tuckered out at night.  Also it's nice to do something outside and still get some reprieve from the summer heat. 

We made sure Maddy wore a swmsuit this week, rather than a dress.

I think I told Kohlden to smile and wave for the camera!

She just loves the water park!

I can reach it!  (Mike, where is that from, in 5, 4, 3, 2...)

Isabella made sure her Daddy got just as soaked as she did!

Our handsome little man.  Actually looks like a surfer dude.

Cheesing for the camera and getting Daddy wet!

Okay, time to wrap things up!

4 hours later....our plan worked!  Exhausted, she fell asleep on the sofa.

This past weekend allowed us to visit some local Farmers' Markets around the area.  With our "nutritional eating" we've been buying lots of fresh fruit and vegetables for salads and meals, so it's nice to get good quality and mostly organic products at a cheaper price.  We always get our honey from the local honey vendor, and won't buy honey from the grocery store.  If you use the local honey made from the area, it will help any allergies, as the honey is made from the local pollen that causes them.  I even found and purchased a pound of coarse Himalayan Pink Salt, used for a lot of remedies, but for me I'm going to use it to flavor any steaks I'm trying to dry age.  I saw it on a restaurant special on TV and can't wait to try it!  We went to both the Winter Garden and Clermont Farmers' Markets, and then had a picnic next to Lake Clermont enjoying some fresh oven baked pizza and authentic fish 'n chips, just like they make in England.  Tasty!

Braelyn kisses Maddy as she tried on big sister's flippy floppies.

It's nice when sisters share!

Under the shade near Lake Clermont.

Yes, that's Braelyn drinking Mommy's Diet Coke.  Don't ask me how or why.

This is a video of the kids enjoying the picnic and walking the park, with poor Maddy tripping over the blanket and falling face first into the ground, getting a nice mouthful of dirt.  At least it was organic.

Kohl really wants to learn how to golf!

Mommy uses Braelyn as a weight to work her leg and abdominal muscles!

The rest of the week was the same as usual, save the drama with the stomach bug.   We've also been playing lots of games with the kids, especially the game "pick up" as in picking up their messes.  I swear, everytime I look around there is always a toy here or there that has been left lying about.  And the girls, Braelyn and Maddy, have this terrible habit of removing their socks and leaving them anywhere they choose.  Where were you guys raised, in a barn?!?!  I'm sure this will continue for at least several more years to come.  Oh well.

This is considered peace and quiet in our home:



Having dinner, just hanging out...

Playing "pick up", this is what happens when the twins break into the pantry!

This week Kohlden has learned to say "buh-bye" and wave his hand; Madelyn has learned to say "ya" when you ask her a question, which is hilarious because it sounds like she really understands you:  "Did you go poo-poo?"  "Ya"  "Are you hungry?"  "Ya"  "Can you say ya?"  "Ya". 

Check out this video of them closing the fridge door.  Too funny!

 

Hope you all have a great weekend!