Happy Birthday, Shelby

My niece Shelby had her birthday party last Saturday at a park in Greenpond. It was a cool day but the kids didn't notice. They had a great time playing together. Shelby is such a cutie!

Shelby getting ready to blow out candles.

Chandler and Hudson getting ready for some cake!

Daddy and John Evan hanging out.

Lady's and Gentleman! Boys and Girls!

Last Thursday night, we went to the Circus in Birmingham. We had a great time. This was Hudson's first time and he was mesmerized by everything. Before we went, he was pretty concerned about the Tigers and if they were going to bite him. He didn't quite understand how everything was going to work. Chan loved it, too and it was a great family activity. Hudson already asks if we can go back there next time :)

Don't look at if you have a weak stomach

Hudson had to go to the dentist a couple of weeks ago to get 3 cavities filled and a crown put on. He did so good and I was so proud of him. It was pretty funny to see your 4 year old drunk. :) He was all good with everything until they took the gas off of him and he was numb and bit his tongue. He thinks his teeth are made of glass and he was crying and saying "I want my glass back!" It took him a little while to calm down. He didn't like his mouth being numb at all. Well, you know that tingly feeling you get when it's waking up? He didn't understand that either and rubbed his chin raw while that was going on. This is a picture a few days after the rubbing. Gross!

My List of 100

I saw this on another blog (Heidi) and thought it was really cute so I decided I would try and do one. It won't be as interesting as Heidi's but it was fun to think back about stuff. So...here goes.
1. My first concert was New Kids on the Block.
2. I waited in line overnight outside of Parisians for those tickets (yes, this was before you could buy them on the internet)
3. I have seen the Karen Carpenter Story way too many times.
4. I was French Club Sweetheart in the 10th grade and got to ride in the Homecoming parade.
5. My first car was a white Ford Escort hatchback with a wrecked front bumper and no air conditioning.
6. I am the second oldest of 6 girls.
7. I was at girl's camp on my 16th b'day. (not happy about that at all)
8. Love reading celebrity gossip magazines. The real ones like People and In Touch not Star.
9. Have way too much gray hair for my age and I hate it.
10. I skipped school a lot my senior year. (and never got caught)
11. Moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama when I was nine.
12. Love those shortbread cookies covered in icing.
13. Wasn't sick at all during either one of my pregnancy's
14. Hate going to the eye doctor. Even more than the dentist!
15. I used to love Soap Operas especially The Young and the Restless. Now I think they are all dumb!
16. Took piano for 7 or 8 years but don't feel like I can really read music now.
17. Love to stay in hotels.
18. Was a cheerleader in the 6th grade.
19. Used to collect Precious Moments stuff. Really don't care for them now.
20. Was baptized on Father's Day.
21. Have had 2 wrecks.
22. My parent's divorced when I was 10 and remarried when I was 16.
23. After their wedding when I was 16, I went to my first prom. Not fun.
24. I have been to 4 proms. Only 1 of which was fun. The other 3 involved getting dumped, not knowing anyone, and spinal meningitis.
25. I had my first kiss when I was 13. It was not good. Pretty weird. (Oh my gosh! Chandler is almost 13!!!)
26. I love Grey's Anatomy.
27. I snooze for 1 hour every morning (well Mon-Fri)
28. My car broke down in the backed-up exit ramp trying to get to the Dixie Chicks and Tim McGraw concert.
29. That same concert while in the exit ramp before the car broke down I used the bathroom in some trees up a hill off the exit.
30. I love sugar cookies with sprinkles from the Cookie Company.
31. I won the book character parade when I was in the 4th or 5th grade.
32. I had lice in the 3rd grade. I know...gross!
33. I loved Bon Jovi. (still love the old stuff)
34. I have had 3 jobs my whole life.
35. I used to rearrange the furniture in my room all the time and swore I was going to be an interior decorator. Funny since I have no decorating abilities at all!
36. I had to get stitches twice when I was 3.
37. Some friends and I were accused of sniffing glue when we were in the 5th grade b/c we would make fake nails in our desk out of elmer's glue.
38. I hated it when my sisters wore my clothes especially without asking but I wouldn't think twice about getting something of theirs to wear. I know...mean!
39. I fell on my butt on my first date with Richard.
40. I loved Taco Bell when I was a teenager. I don't really care for it now.
41. I have had 1 speeding ticket.
42. Richard and I were divorced for 3 years and then got remarried.
43. I got 2 tickets at one time...1 for not having my lights on when it was raining and the other for following too closely. I still say that cop was having a really bad day!
44. I was Molly in our 5th grade play of Annie. I had the opening line "Annie, Annie, Annie"
45. When I was in middle school, black girls would tell me all the time how big my legs were.
46. I love going to Chandler's baseball games. (Hudson starts this year!)
47. I can't spend less than $100.00 on a trip to Wal-Mart.
48. I was baby when my parents were sealed in the temple,
49. I have been to Canada.
50. I have had glassed since the 3rd grade.
51. I had to wait until I was 16 to get contacts.
52. I used to love to fix hair. Caroline had this friend that lived down the street who always wanted me to do her hair.
53. Our house was right next door to the neighborhood swimming pool so I went swimming just about everyday of the summer from the time I was 10-14.
54. I babysat both summers when I was 14 and 15 5 days a week from like 8-5. I still can't believe those kids are now having kids of their own!
55. My favorite Christmas present as a kid was some white roller skates.
56. At one point, I think I had read every book written by Dean Koontz and Mary Higgins Clark.
57. I have never broken a bone.
58. I only went to college for 2 semesters and then got a great job and have had good luck with jobs ever since.
59. Me and my friends made friendship bracelets and pins all the time.
60. I wore bright blue mascara one day in the 6th grade.
61. I ran for school secretary in the 5th grade and won! My slogan on my posters was "Vote for Val she's your pal"
62. We had a talent show in the 6th grade and I was going to play the piano. My best friend made fun of me b/c she said nobody wanted to hear that.
63. Me went to New Orleans in October and it's now one of my favorite places.
64. People used to tell me I looked like wonder woman.
65. I had some Wonder Woman underoos when I was little and I would make wrist bands out of plastic bags.
66. Peanut Butter and Chocolate is the greatest food combination ever invented!
67. I hate shopping.
68. Richard and I went to the Alabama/Michigan Orange bowl game in Miami a few years ago. The game was fun but the trip was rough. We drove there, went to the game, and drove back in 2 days.
69. I came back with the flu (only time I've ever had it)
70. I have a love/hate relationship with my house.
71. I love Mexican food.
72. I am a control freak.
73. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
74. I love Nativity scenes.
75. I love the smell of fabric softener. My grandmother's laundry always smells so good.
76. I am not athletic at all! I played softball one summer with my friend's church and I was terrible.
77. I had a friend growing up who was an only child and I loved going to her house. They had cable and good snacks!
78. I could have lived on Doritos and Dr. Pepper!
79. I have always loved school supplies.
80. I love to get babies to sleep and then just sit and hold them.
81. I like watching game shows and talk shows.
82. My middle name is Freedom (no my parents weren't hippies)
83. I love watching Seinfeld and Friends reruns. The best sitcoms ever!!
84. I don't like to exercise but have been going to the gym consistently for 2 months now.
85. My favorite meal to cook is chicken fajita salads.
86. I love getting together with my whole family and just hanging out.
87. My biggest fear is driving off a bridge into water and not being able to get out and even worse, not being able to get my kids out.
88. I always wanted braces to fix the gap b/w my 2 front teeth. It's gotten smaller as I've gotten older and I actually kinda like my teeth.
89. I had all 4 wisdom teeth out last year.
90. I have never missed one of Chan's baseball or basketball games.
91. I don't really like animals.
92. I would love to go on a cruise one day.
93. I have a birthmark on left elbow.
94. When I was a cashier at Food World I was always the fastest scanner.
95. Richard and I met at FoodWorld. I was a cashier and he was a bagger.
96. I always wanted a red Jeep when I was a teenager. I finally had one, well Richard got one a few years ago. We sold it in September. Not the most practical of vehicles.
97. I am not creative at all and suck at crafts.
98. I love to get e-mails, read blogs, and look at pictures.
99. I love amusement parks and roller coasters.
100. I hope to have another baby before this year is over.

Better late than never

I am the worst when it comes to taking pictures. I always forget my camera. Well, for Christmas I actually had it with me everywhere I went but I got a new camcorder for Christmas so instead of taking pictures, I videoed (is that a word?) Anyway...this is the only picture I took with my camera so I thought I would share it. It's my parent's with their 6 grandkids.

But I'm not tired...

Last weekend Hudson was sitting in the recliner getting ready to watch "Fried Worms" on his portable DVD player. I went to the kitchen to finish dinner when Chan came in there to let me know that Hudson was asleep. It was like 6:30. Bless his heart, he didn't even make it through the previews.

Last minute plans

Note: This is not a picture from that night but I didn't take my camera of course!

Last Friday night as I was driving home from work, Richard called me and asked me what I thought about us going to the Alabama Basketball game that night. I told him that was fine if that's what they wanted to do. (After asking of course how much it cost) So, we went. We ate at Taco Bell (yuck) first but of course ended up with popcorn and drinks at the game. There weren't many people there b/c of the holiday weekend but it was fun. Alabama won and I spent most of my time looking for Big Al at Hudson's request and answering the question of why he could see those girl's stomachs (the dancers) :) The mind of a 4 year old :) Chandler watched the game very intently and it was just another reminder of how grown up he's getting! It was a good last minute family activity. Good suggestion, Richard!

Congrats Ashley & Collin

My sister, Ashley got married on December 22nd. Everything was beautiful and they are such a happy and in love couple! Glad we could be a part of their special day!

Merry Christmas

We took the boys to see Santa on Saturday after Chandler's basketball game. Hudson wouldn't go up there without Chandler. Chandler was really good about it although he really didn't want to go up there. (At least that's what he tells us :) ) Hudson told Santa he wants a Slushie maker, a Bob the Builder Movie, and a train movie. Chan just told him a play station game so he could get down quick. Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Hudson

Hudson's birthday was Monday, the 4th. He turned 4 yrs old! I can't believe it. We had his party on Saturday. It was just family and our neighbor, Sam. The kids had a fun time playing and I think the men enjoyed watching football.

This was Hudson's cake. I was so impressed
with how it turned out and it tasted great, too.
No, I didn't make it.

Here are Sam, Hudson, Shelby, Sydney, and
Chandler playing in Hudson's room.

Make a wish, Hudson!

I thought I would post a couple of old pictures
of Hudson to remind us of how he used to look.
These are when Hudson was about 7 months
old. We went to the lake with my family and
Hudson enjoyed an Oreo! The other picture
was one of the first times he held his own
bottle. He was such a cute, fat, bald, baby!

Thanksgiving

We had a good Thanksgiving. We just hung out at home and then went to my parent's house to eat around 5pm. Everyone was there and my dad's friend and his family from Germany were there, too. Food was awesome of course and we had a good time.

Chan making bunny ears on Ashley.

Me & big boy (John Evan).

Sydney & Drew playing the piano.

Hudson made these Turkey cookies at Alice's house the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Aren't they cute?

More Halloween pics

Me and the other 2 girls in my department at work were cowgirls. It was fun and everybody thought we were really cute.












This is Hudson with the David's 3 youngest at the church Trunk or Treat.













My sweet nieces and nephews came to see me at work in their costumes. I was so excited to see them and show them off.











John Evan just couldn't take the excitement anymore and fell out.

Peace Man!

Chandler and Hudson were hippies for Halloween. I thought they looked very cute! Hudson kept saying he was being "funny hair." This was very easy and inexpensive to do and they had a lot of fun with it.

Alrighty then!

I don't know how well you can see this but this was painted on the wall down the hallway where the "potty" was at the Lousiana Children's Museum that we went to. It says "All Living things eat so...everyone poops." Notice the evidence that "Everyone Poops" Funny!

Fall Break Vacation

Last Thursday and Friday, Chandler was out of school for fall break so Richard and I took off work and we went to New Orleans. We had a great time! I love New Orleans and I am already longing to go back. People in cars aren't too friendly or patient but I loved all the buildings and the history.



We went the awesome zoo there.












Chandler picked the Hard Rock Cafe to eat. I still say he just wanted to go there to get a t-shirt (and they both got one). But, it was a good experience b/c I've never been to one before.










We went to Jackson Square on Friday morning. It was beautiful. We went to Cafe Dumonde and had hot chocolate and beignets.












Here are Hudson and Chandler enjoying some beignets at the Cafe Dumonde in the Riverwalk. Yes, we had them twice.










We went to a Children's museum. They had a grocery store and several other interactive play areas and they had some exhibits similar to the McWane Center.










They also had a Dr. Suess theme going on at the museum.




























This was in front of a Voo-Doo shop we passed on the way to our hotel. Hudson was all about looking at him until Richard picked him up so they could get a closer look. I guess he thought he was going to reach out and touch him :) We had a great trip and I want to go back soon.

Punkin Patch

About 1 1/2 weeks ago, we went with my whole family to a pumpkin (or as Richard likes to say...punkin) patch in Cullman, Alabama. And when I say whole family, I mean all 19 of us! It was a beautiful day and the kids had a really good time.









They had an area with some slides and a moonwalk. I think the kids would have been happy staying in this area all day. Except for Drew...he wasn't too sure about the slides :)








They had pony rides for the kids. They also had a petting zoo and the kids let the animals eat out thier hands. One of the goats was about to climb out of his fence to get some food.













This is all the grandkids with the pumpkins they picked out. Bubba, John Evan, Baby Drew, Syd, Hud, and Shell Bell.

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, BLAST OFF!

As part of my calling in the Cub Scouts, I had to build a rocket out of cardboard boxes and duck tape for an upcoming scout day camp. I was not looking forward to this b/c as many of you know...I am not creative at all. Richard came up with the basic design but I basically did all the work myself. It look me about 4 hours. When Richard saw it (he wasn't at home when I was working on it), he was so impressed. I have to admit that it turned out better than I thought it would. I was going in it with the mentality of I don't care what it looks like, just so it gets done. But, after all the work I wanted to share.

Hudson and Chander were excited at first about helping me paint it but they quickly lost interest. This is just a small portion of the mess Hudson made.

Here are some pictures of the finished project. It had to be big enough for the boys to stand in and carry and have a control panel. It also had to have a Flag of Nation, the name of the nation, a rocket name, and troop number.

Happy Anniversary, baby...I've got you on my mind

For you non Rick & Bubba listeners, I stole that opening line from their show. Yesterday was mine & Richard's anniversary. Sorry, I don't have any old pictures of us to post. I'll have to do that one day since we've been together off an on for 14 years! Wow that's a long time. It doesn't seem that long ago that I asked him out that first time. That's right, I asked him. But I knew he was in to me and he wanted to ask me so I knew he would say yes. :) Who knew it would one day lead to all this! Thanks Richard for being a great husband and father. My parents are keeping the boys tonight so we can go out. Thanks mom & dad! Well, anyway, I haven't posted in a couple of weeks and I hate it when people don't update their blogs so I wanted to post something.

Happy Birthday, Chandler!!!

Today is Chandler's 11th birthday so I thought I would post some old pictures of him to remind us how much he's grown up. Richard says that this time next year, he'll be as tall as me! I can't believe he's so grown. He's such a good person and we are very proud of him! Happy Birthday Chandler. I love you!

Chandler Drake Morgan
September 21, 1995
12:52 pm
8 lbs 13oz 21 in

Chandler is about 1 1/2-2 in this first picture and 6 months in the second one.

Chandler is 1 in the Alabama picture and about 3 in the second one.

Thanks for being such a great son and I look forward to the many more good times we have to come. Yes...even the teenage years!

On the road again...

Over Labor Day weekend, me and the boys went to South Carolina to visit my grandparents. My Mom and Dad and niece Shelby went also. The kids traveled really well considering how long we were in the car. Thanks a lot for portable DVD players (thanks Caroline!) It was a good trip. We spent most of our time outside on the front porch or in the backyard on the swings. There really isn't much else to do up there except eat and we did plenty of that, too. I haven't really been around Shelby that much so it was nice to spend some time with her and she is a sweetheart!






This is a picture of her getting a breathing treatment that she has to take twice a day. Check out those curls and big blue eyes!









This is my dad and his parents and Chan & Shelby. Hudson wouldn't get in the picture. I was glad we were able to go and visit them!