McLaughlins in the South

We had a very warm welcome as we arrived at Rob and Shannon's beautiful house. Caroline, the twins, Parker and Preston, and Shannon welcomed us with open arms. They took us right up to the play room so our kids could warm up. Matthew was a little unsure since he had just woken up and was really wanting his pacifier. But Andrew and Molly didn't skip a beat. After we played in the playroom for a little bit we went outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was sunny and 80!!! Everyone was in heaven. They have 3 four wheelers and 3 additional ride on toys so everyone had something to drive. Their house is in the perfect location because they live in a cul de sac which is like a big race track for the kids.

Fast Friend: Parker and Matthew

Hello Texas!

We got a call that Rob and Drew were headed back home and that pizza was on the way. It was the perfect dinner after a day of traveling. We ate outside by their pool and enjoyed the beautiful weather. After dinner Drew gave the boys a bath and I gave Molly a bath in the sink. I wish you could have seen Caroline, Parker, and Preston while I gave Molly a bath. They thought it was so cool that she was in the sink having a bath! They are going to be great big siblings…good thing, because Shannon is pregnant with twins, again! After baths, we watched a movie in their theater room (aka Andrew's bedroom). Then it was time for bed! Molly slept in the office in a pack n play and Matthew slept in the guest bedroom with us in a crib. Once everyone was asleep we enjoyed some adult time with Rob and Shannon outside with our feet in the hot tub. Then it was time to head to bed after such an eventful day!

Saturday the McLaughlin's were up early (as always) so we hung out in our room while the rest of the world was asleep. Then Rob and Drew went to get coffee and bagels while Shannon and I stayed back with the kiddos. After breakfast we headed to a park by their house. The kids had a great time but Drew and Rob had more fun! They were like two boys back in college. They were throwing the football playing all kinds of games. Let me tell you, it was quite entertaining. We grabbed Chick fill a for lunch and ate back at their house. Then it was nap time!!! While the kids napped I was able to sneak out for a run. It was so nice to get a run in but I have to tell you, I'm not used to running in 80 degree weather, more like 20, it's quite a bit different. After naps the kids played in the hot tub for a little bit and then we got ready for dinner. We went to Rob and Shannon's favorite Mexican restaurant. It was delicious and we were able to eat outside since it was so beautiful. After dinner we headed to a frozen yogurt place where you make you add your own toppings and pay by the weight. The boys loved adding their own toppings and the fact that they each got their own dessert (that's rare:)). Then when we got back to the house the basketballs came out and everyone worked off their Mexican and frozen yogurt.

Where are Matthew and Andrew?

Boys being Boys

Hmmm, what next?

Enjoying a little queso

A smile after getting hit in the face with a basketball

Sunday we started off playing in the front of the house with all the ride on toys and balls. Then we had the bright idea to have the kids race around the cul de sac. It was so cute watching all their little legs move as fast as they could. After some capri suns we headed to the pool. Rob had heated the pool overnight so it was warm enough for the kids to get in. They had a blast! Andrew was mad at me that I didn't keep up his swim lessons over the winter because he was ready to go but I told him we would start again soon. Molly sat on the top step and played with a bucket and kitchen utensils. Matthew's favorite thing was the Barbie floatie:). They were worn out after the busy morning which made nap time a breeze! Sunday night we stayed in and grilled steaks, chicken and hot dogs for the kids. It was so nice to sit around the pool on such a beautiful evening.

Driving Miss Daisy

False start Molly!

Monday was our last day:( We spent the morning at another park with a pond and a firefighter pole. Unfortunately our kids started melting down sooner than expected. After the park we headed to a really nice outdoor mall and had a delicious lunch at Tommy Bahama. After lunch the kids ran around in the courtyard and then we headed home for naps. Molly fell asleep on the way home and was not excited about transferring. I tried laying her down a little while later but it was a no go. After the nappers woke up we played out front and then ordered pizza and tried to get everyone in bed early so the adults could watch the Bachelor:) Our plan worked pretty well!

We put them to work

The whole crew in one place at one the same time!

Tuesday morning we woke up early and hit the road to the airport. It's about an hour plus drive to the airport in rush hour traffic. Traffic was pretty bad but Drew assured me we would be fine. About half way to the airport Molly got sick in the rental van. Talk about my worst nightmare! I hopped in the back and helped as much as I could but there wasn't much I could do. We pulled over as we pulled up to the rental car place to clean her "rental" carseat and change her outfit. We threw her clothes away and jumped on the shuttle. I was very on edge worrying that she was going to get sick again on the shuttle, in the security line, waiting to board, on the plane. To our wonderful surprise she didn't! Thank you GOD!!!

We boarded our plane on time, there was a small maintenance problem that they were able to fix and we backed away from the gate. After we backed away the pilot came on and said that another maintenance light came on and we were going to have to go back to the gate! NOT A GOOD DAY FOR THIS! Talk about anxiety for me. I just wanted to get my baby girl home! We pulled back up to the gate and we were informed that it would be at least an hour. The boys were okay staying on the plane but my wonderful husband agreed to take Molly off and walk around with her. He came back with lunch for the boys and a sleeping baby, talk about amazing! We finally took off and had a smooth flight home. Unfortunately Molly didn't sleep during the flight so there was a lot of passing back and forth and entertaining going on but she did great and so did the boys. We arrived, grabbed our bags and hopped in our van which was waiting for us with my wonderful brother as the chauffeur.

Such a guy:)

HOME SWEET HOME!!! Thanks for an amazing weekend Rob, Shannon, Caroline, Parker, and Preston!

First Airplane Ride!

Drew had to visit a client in Houston so he planned to go over President's Day weekend so the whole fam could go and we could visit his college roommate and his family. As the day approached I was a little nervous about how everything was going to fall into place. We are used to being able to throw everything we could ever possibly need into the van and hitting the road. My biggest concern was the carseats. I didn't think it would be a good idea to check them since they get treated so roughly but I also didn't want to lug them through the airport. Luckily we called the company we were renting our car from and they rent car seats...problem solved. We brought Andrew's booster but left the big ones at home.

Luckily the family we were going to visit has 3 little kids as well so they told us not to worry about pack n plays or other big items, just bring clothes and they had everything else. Now that's the way to travel with kids! I packed a backpack full of goodies for each of the kids and Drew and I brought our computers so they could watch movies. I was most worried about keeping Molly entertained since she won't sit and watch a movie. I packed lots of stickers and snacks and other random things to keep her occupied.

The big day finally arrived! We woke up and loaded everything into the car then drove to my parent's house so my dad could drive us to airport. Thanks for saving us from the hassle and money of the airport parking dad! We unloaded ALL of the bags and checked everything at the curb except for the backpacks and computers. 7 checked items in all! It felt so good to get rid of the big bags.

Then we had the adventure of going through security. The boys thought it was so cool that they had to take their shoes off and put their backpacks in the bin. All of our bags made it through with no problems and so did we! One more thing out of the way! Now it was time to sit and wait for our flight. The kids LOVED sitting at the window watching the planes come and go and all the bags being loaded and unloaded. Time went by pretty quickly and we were in the first group to board the plane which worked out perfectly so we could all sit by each other.

Drew sat in the same row as the boys and I sat in the aisle in the row next to them with Molly. To my wonderful surprise Molly fell asleep during take off and didn't wake up until landing!!! Thank you Molly!

We got our baggage and hopped on a shuttle to the rental car place. We had to wait a while for our mini van because it was pretty crowded. The kids enjoyed running around (Molly's favorite game was trying to run into the street, she thought it was hilarious) and drink water out of the paper cone shaped cups from the water jug. We finally got our van and car seats. Drew's friend Rob picked him up and I headed out to The Woodlands with the kids. It was about an hour drive and the boys both fell asleep for a little bit. Luckily Drew packed his GPS so getting to their house wasn't a problem.

More to come...

Valentine's Day 2011

We started celebrating early because grandma and poppa had a very fun Sunday dinner planned. Everyone got a special Valentines gift and of course it was the perfect gift for everyone. Molly got her favorite thing in the whole world...a boof (dog). Matthew got a package of construction trucks, and Andrew got a new Lego set. Then the kids and grandma made heart shaped sugar cookies. While the cookies baked Andrew quickly put together his Lego truck and of course demanded grandma must watch intently. Then while the cookies cooled and dinner was cooking grandma took the boys for a walk where they ran into a deer. Matthew said he almost got to pet it! After dinner the kids thought it would be a good idea to run on the treadmill, talk about A LOT of laughs! Thanks for a great Valentine's Eve Grandma and Poppa!

Valentine's Day got off to a bit of a rocky start. Andrew woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and could.not.sleep! After putting him back to bed several times I tried laying on his floor in hopes he would sleep. Not the case. So I decided to kick Drew out of our bed and take Andrew in there with me so he could watch TV and I could sleep. Drew then slept in Andrew's bed (or as Drew calls it, Andrew's mini bed).

As usual I debated on taking him to the doc or waiting it out. Since Matthew was going to school I decided to go ahead and take Andrew in so I didn't have to take all 3 Tuesday if he got worse. Of course it was a virus...but at least we knew. Poor Andrew was DEVASTATED that he had to miss his Valentine's Day party at school. I mean he spent all weekend writing the longest name ever on his cards:) Luckily since I did take Matthew to school that morning I was able to drop Andrew's Valentine cards after all that hard work.

They day did improve. A beautiful orchid was delivered from my wonderful husband and then he came have with a beautiful necklace! Major points! We had a nice relaxing evening eating Outback take out and hanging as a family. All in all it was a great day.

Their first date