Explanation

I apologize for my lack of blogging. Some of you may have given up on me, but for those of you who still give the Brown's an occasional glance, I promise to upload some pictures soon. As always, we have been busy bees, running here and there. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years filled with family and good friends. The kids received way too many toys, but loved every minute of it. Nate got me a great new camera that I have used quite a bit, however, I have yet to sit down at the computer and upload the new viewing software--my goal is to do it this weekend. We've had a few days of the typical winter illnesses: ear infections, colds and coughs, but nothing too serious. Will got his cast off right before Christmas and was very concerned that he wouldn't grow new skin to replace the dead skin that lurked beneath the cast. He has been quite pleased with his "new arm" and can't wait to use it to go down the fire pole...yeah. During the warm front that came through the area, we were able to go on a family bike ride at Lake Fayetteville. Nate rides around the lake all the time, but it was my first time to go up there. We did the paved trails (of course) with Nate and Will leading the pack while Eli (who rode on my bike) and I kept a nice, brisk pace and Kate brought up the rear-slow and steady, steady and slow; thats the way she always goes! It was a lot of fun, and I look forward to going again this spring...oh, did I forget to mention...I'm pregnant!

Home Sweet Home

Every year the kids look forward to making a gingerbread house. They were all big helpers in the construction phase, however our candy inventory for the project was a little low due to some off the clock snacking. I took a handful of candy out of both their pockets later that night. Even Eli got in on the fun this year, he liked to sniff everything.


Our masterpiece!

Over Thanksgiving, we got to see my brother and sister-in-law. They are both great with the kids and somehow have energy to play non stop. Needless to say, they are favorites around our house, and we always hate to see them go.

Help!

Last night, I was beckoned from the other room by a sweet cry for help from Kate. This is what I found...Her explanation was "Mommy, I'm stuck. I think my bobo's not little anymore." I couldn't help but laugh.

Halloween at the Browns

This year, funds were somewhat tight, so we chose to do costumes comprised of things the children already had, yet were still characters the kids enjoyed...thankfully Dora and Diego fit the bill and just happened to have a cute little monkey friend for sweet, baby Eli. Since I didn't spend much on their costumes, they both got the special backpacks and have loved playing with them. My grandmother and I made Eli's costume, so all in all it was a cheap but fun Halloween around our house. Thursday night, we went to Shiloh's fall festival and won the grand prize...goldfish. The kids loved them. Mommy was thrilled too...something I have to find a place for, keep their hands out of, and explain to them why the "fishies" are swimming upside down...sounds like fun to me! But, like I said the kids were really proud of them and had fun with them while they lasted.





Friday night, we met some of their friends at Nanny's house for some special treats, then trick or treated around our neighborhood. Will and Kate really got into it this year and were always looking ahead to see which house had their lights on. Eli figured out what to do as the night went on , but could never quite get the words out. When we were done, the kids continued to hand out treats and had as much fun doing that as trick or treating. It was funny to watch Will try and hold a big bowl of candy with his good arm and hand out candy with the other.

Broken Bones

I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. I walked into the house at 530pm Monday, October 27th, put down my keys, let the dog in, and picked Eli up off the floor where he had fallen, just in time to hear the screaming from right outside the back door where I was standing. I ran outside to find Will laying on his left side, crying and refusing to move. He told me he had really hurt his arm when he jumped from the top of the wall of our 3' toddler gym over the other wall, which caught his foot and caused him to fall on his arm. When I pulled his shirt sleeve up, I could tell his arm was deformed and could feel the bone sticking out the side. It was awful;I had to work hard to keep it together. I called Nate and told him to meet us at the house so we could take him to the emergency room. We got to the ER at 600pm and were out of there by 745pm..not bad for an ER visit. I was surprised that they did not want to fix it immediately. They took x-rays, gave him pain medication and a soft splint and told us to call the orthopedic surgeon sometime this week. It was like it was no big deal that his bone was going the wrong way. We called the next day, met with the surgeon and had it finally fixed on Wednesday afternoon. Will was in a lot of pain on Tuesday and Wednesday, but after the procedure, he was good as new. I was hoping that he would learn a valuable lesson from the whole PAINFUL ordeal, but Thursday when I picked him up from school, there he was sliding down the fire pole one handed and proud as can be...he's a quick learner! :)
The night it happened...

After the procedure...he is still a little loopy here!

Will has enjoyed having everyone he knows sign his red "Razorback" cast. I'll take a picture of it soon. It may be coming off next week. (I'm not sure the doctor realizes what an active boy he is.)

Our newest addition

We are proud to introduce you to the newest member of our family, Josie ( or "JoJo" as the kids call her.) We adopted a three year old Australian Shepherd from the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. Will received a generous amount of money for his birthday and when asked what he would like to buy, he requested a puppy. We put a quick end to the puppy thoughts but compromised on letting him pick out a dog from the shelter. We took the kids up there one Saturday, and fell in love with this little girl. She has a very mild temperament and loves to play with the kids. She is housebroken and came micro-chipped and spayed, so you can't beat that. She has fit in perfectly...especially on my couch!


Did I mention she follows Nate everywhere...he finally has a daddy's girl! :)

The Great Outdoors...

As a family, we especially love being outdoors in the fall. October was full of things to do outside. We took the kids camping at Horseshoe Bend and had so much fun. As we were sitting out by the campfire, I was wondering why we don't go more often instead of sitting at home in front of the tv. We will have to remedy that over the next year...I think I'll wait until spring to start. The boys enjoyed helping daddy set up the tent while Kate and I gathered sticks for the fire.


Kate stuffing her face with marshmellows...she takes after her mother!:)


Wrestling in the tent...a wonderful thing to wake up to.

Like everyone else, we paid a visit to the pumpkin patch which is always fun. The kids love picking out pumpkins for each of us.