Fun with black and white

Ok, I'm still alive! Just haven't had the time to do much blogging. We put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Alexis was anxious to get it up and all the decorations that go in the living room. This year a few items had to be placed in different locations because Nolen is mobile and gets into everything. So we decided to get the kids dressed up and try to get a good photo of them instead of trying to get one done at Wal-Mart. After 10 minutes we were done and had a good variety of photos that we liked. I'll post the one we used on the Christmas card later, don't want to spoil it for those who will receive it in the mail. I love turning photos into black and white sometimes. Here are a couple of my favorites!

Nolen in the middle of a laugh. I just love it!

Alexis looking gorgeous with her long hair.

Nolen turns 11 months old

Nolen likes to get in the toy box now. One more month until the big 1!

Open Gym Night

They had an open gym night at Alexis' school Thursday night just for the kids her age. I figured the place would be packed, but either due to the cold weather or something else, they had a small group and Alexis had a blast. Sorry the photos are so small, but it was taking FOREVER to download these photos on my wonderful (not) dial up service.

Alexis practices her cleaning techniques.

Alexis jumping on the mini tramp while her buddy Hudson claps for her.

Balance is the name of the game.

We're All Healthy Now!

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but I've been busy fighting the sick germs. I had strep last Saturday & Sunday and took Monday off of work. I finally got some strong drugs that helped me out. I hoping once the medicine is out that it doesn't come back. Nolen finally got over his runny nose and he seems like a new baby now. He is sleeping much better and is able to relax more. We took him off of the formula a few months ago. I know they want you to keep them on formula until they are 1, but he never seemed full.

We're out of school on Friday, due to deer day. Yes you read right, deer day. Since so many skip school for the first shot gut season, we have had this day off of school for a few years. Though next year I think they did away with this day off of school. Anyway it gives me a good Christmas shopping day. Only 4 days of school this week and a day and a half next week then Thanksgiving break! Alexis is ready to put up the Christmas decorations. I told her she had to wait until after Thanksgiving. She wanted to know what Thanksgiving was. I said it was when we go to Grandma's and eat WAY TOO MUCH FOOD. I thought about giving her the real story about the pilgrims and Indians, but decided to wait until next year when she might understand better.

I've been tagged by Jodi

So I guess I'm tagged and will play the game. Jodi tagged me on her blog the other day.

Here are the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.

2. Write 6 random things about yourself.

3. Tag someone at the end of your post (or however many you want)

4. If you are tagged, just do it and pass the tag along!

6 things....thinking......thinking.......still thinking.........I think my brain is fried from stress and being overworked.

1. I'm stressed out and overworked!

2. I like to listen to "Pink" real loud on my way to school. Why? Don't know, just helps me wake up I think.

3. I'm a neat freak.

4. I keep having dreams about still living in Herrin, Illinois. No I don't want to go back there to live, though it was close to Carbondale and Marion and the shopping was great there.

5. A crying baby doesn't bother me anymore, I'm immune to it now.

6. I really had to think a long time for #6. Chocolate is my friend!

Now for the tag.....I tag Heidi :)

SICK GERMS GO AWAY!!!!

We have all been sick here in the Seals household. I've had a sore throat off and on for 3 weeks. Pete and his mother have strep. Alexis has had a runny nose off and on. Nolen had a cough for two weeks, and now he has a nose that will not shut off. He doesn't sleep well because of the drainage down his throat. Pete took him to the Dr. today and they said his throat was a little red, but he doesn't have strep. When will the fussiness go away? Guess it's back to the Benadryl and nose syringe. I have parent/teacher conferences tomorrow night for three hours. I probably won't be able to talk after teaching all day. I'm ready for the light at the end of the tunnel. We need some relief soon. Anyone have any suggestions for a 10 1/2 month old with no fever and a nose that goes and goes?

Happy Halloween & Merry Christmas 2 Me!

Nolen was "Blue" from Blues Clues and Alexis was a cheerleader for Halloween trick or treating. I even taught Alexis a cheer to do for everyone, but when it came down to performing it, she froze.

I think the Christmas trees at Wal-Mart two days before Halloween confused Santa Claus. He brought my gift early. Maybe, I have just been that good! Anyway, here is the reason I haven't posted for a while. I'm trying to get used to my new laptop. I thought a lovely green color would be different. Trying to figure out PowerPoint at the moment. Alexis loves the Purble Place game that came with it. I'm glad to see a kids game pre-installed. Santa also left me a new microwave as well. Ask Pete how fun it was to install the new one. This is one with the vent out the top and is mounted to the wall above the stove. So on Christmas Day I won't be opening gifts, I'll just be enjoying the joy on my kids faces when they open their gifts.