Checking in

Hi. Anyone still here?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Mac always cracks up when I say that since his nickname is Bueller although he has no idea where it comes from. ;)

I cannot believe the last time I posted anything was three weeks ago. Who am I?

Whoever came up with and included "vacation" with summer obviously did not stay home with their children. Heavens to Betsy. ALL I WANT TO DO IS UPDATE MY BLOG. WAAAAAAAH!!!!! ;) Oh, and maybe pee in peace too. That would be nice. I do love summer but my goodness it's a busy time.

School is now officially out for summer although we decided to start our summer a few days early. The last two and a half days are a joke. Two little birdies (a/k/a Grant and Mac's teachers) let me know that grades were in, report cards were completed, and attendance the last week would not be an issue. That was all I needed to hear, especially since we decided at the last minute to head to the beach for Memorial Day. We had a great, relaxing time. Of course since it was a holiday it was crowded, so we ventured out a little during the day and for the most part stayed close to the camper at night. I dearly love the beach. Emerald Coast RV Resort has become like a home away from home. We enjoy our trips and look forward to a few more over the summer.

How can I love donuts like I do and yet have never been to DD?
Their original glazed donuts don't quite compare to KK in my book,
but their coffee is THE BEST. Some of their original blend
along with blueberry cake munchkins make for a great start.  

Fun lunch at Tacky Jacks! They were STARVING until
we realized they had a pool. :) It was nice to kick back with a
drink and good lunch while the kids swam.

Outside of TJ were a few vendors. They had the most yummy
kettle corn. We also got soft-serve ice cream, and of course
the boys spent the most time at the booth with the gator heads

Fun times with Daddy

This little boy has been waiting a long time to be tall enough
to ride the Kids Cars at Race City. FINALLY!!!!

They were the only 3 on the track. Competition was fierce. :)

The only picture I have from our day on the beach and Chris took it.
Sunscreen+sweat+sand=phone stays in bag

Our evening view of the pond at ECRV

Good times. We missed B but she was having her own fun on JUG beach trip not far from us in Grayton Beach.

B and Molly

Molly, Evelyn and B

Lanier, B and Julia

B and Lanier

I totally stole those pictures from Bethany and/or Ellie's Instagram. :) They were gone from Saturday to Saturday. This was the first time she's been on a trip like that for that long. She had a great time but let's just say she wasn't sad it had to come to an end. ;)

I had every intention of getting fully caught up on everything but duty calls. Although, my duties have been lightened a bit these past few days.

Reid has gone to his Rara's for a few days. His brothers have baseball so he went alone, a first for him. I thought he would last a night, maybe two. Well last night was night three and when I talked to him yesterday he was no where near ready to come home. I said, "REID! I miss you! Are you ready to come home?" His response??? "I wanna stay for a lot of days." Poor thing. He misses me so bad. He is living it up and being spoiled rotten by the minute. I'm missing my Turbo, though, so Mommy Monster may have to be a killjoy and insist he come home today. Otherwise he would probably be ok with changing his address. :)

I hope to be back real soon...

Twinsies... a few more blasts from the past

I have so many posts to catch up on (even as far back as Easter) but can't seem to carve out the time.

So as not to completely let this little blog fall by the wayside I thought I'd post a few more pictures in the bunch I thought were long gone.

The minute Reid came into the world Chris and I both looked at each other and said, "He's Grant's twin." To this day they very much favor each other, especially now with Reid's "big boy" hair cut. Sometimes I have to do a double take.

They were SO excited to be having their picture taken

These next two are of each of them taking their first tub bath in the same little infant tub. Excuse the nakedness. :)

Grant

Reid

Is it just me? If Reid's picture weren't dated I would probably have a hard time telling them apart. Well, the back splash would give it away. We moved into a new house with the birth of each little Norton boy. Yes, we were crazy. But we kept outgrowing our houses. ;)

A few more...

And then there's Mac... who was rightfully named.

That boy is ALL McHugh! :)

Happy days

Claire and Mary Lou (a/k/a Maggie and Grace) with B at her dance recital

Sweet Baby Reid 

I have had the best time looking back through these pictures. I'm sure many more will be finding their way here.

I hope your Mother's Day was special. Mine was. I spent the weekend with all my loves. How could it not be... Blessed

A little funny - in honor of all you moms - and just because it made me laugh (and also sometimes the way I feel):

Happy Monday. :)

Birthdays, field trips and travel ball

How do you working moms do it? I mean, the ones who work outside the home. EVERY mom is a working mom. I resent when someone says, "So you don't work?" Really???

Being a SAHM comes with its own set of challenges. I guess if you've never done it that's hard to understand. If you do work outside the home I know time management is tough so... mucho respect.

In yet another attempt to catch up I decided I better combine a few things. Otherwise I will never get caught up.

Grant and Mac both had field trips within a week of each other. I love field trips. The actual field trip itself is usually overrated, but the one-on-one time it provides is worth the chaos that comes with it. I also love that my boys still want me to go on their field trips although Grant is over the whole holding momma's hand thing. He told me the other day as he pulled his hand back that it "felt weird" when I tried to hold his hand. [gulp]

May we pause for a moment of silence while I mourn that loss.

Grant's field trip was to Lanark. They went last year as well which made him all the more excited to go back this year. It's the perfect field trip for Professor. I thoroughly enjoy going myself although this year it rained. The whole time. Not a drenching rain but an annoying, steady, misting rain. Walks through the nature trail were made even more "exciting" by the fact that little boys shook the wet trees as the moms walked under them. ;) We left there with wet clothes and feet and some of us had hair that resembled either the untamed mane of a lion or a chia pet. But we had fun! :)

Lunch break

A lesson in camouflage - this was really neat. I wish I could remember
just how many children are in this picture - it would surprise you

Sweet Professor

One of the highlights of the day was getting to see these teeny babies close up

Mac's field trip was to the zoo. It had to be rescheduled two different times because of weather so by the time we were able to go, not many chaperones could make it. We were able to sweet talk Paige's teacher into letting her go with us.

Since she helps Mrs. Schweers every day the kids know her well, and she knows how to handle them. And Mrs. Schweers sweet talked me into riding the bus. Parents are usually asked to meet there since there isn't a lot of extra room on the bus. It was a very loud ride there and a very quiet ride back. :)

Mac has a weak stomach, especially with smells. The zoo first
thing in the morning was a bit much. haha

Checking things out with Caden

Bueller's group consisted of all ladies... naturally

I have no doubt Mackey was happy I was there.

But I think he would have been just fine without me had he known Paige was going.

She came by our house the other night to sell candles as a fundraiser for cheer leading, and you would have thought the boys were being visited by a celebrity. Needless to say we're quite fond of this sweet girl. I have my eye on her for some summer babysitting.

The month of April is filled with birthdays in our family. Dawnie's is the 18th, mine the 20th, my mom's the 21st, and Maggie's the 22nd.

My parent's friends, The Deavors, were kind enough to let us use their beautiful pond (which is more like a small lake) for Snuggie's big day (she bid adieu to her 20's). We thought we would wear the fish out then head back to The Colleys for a fish fry. Well, weather in Alabama as we well know (especially today being the anniversary of the 4/27 tornadoes) is quite unpredictable. A cold front came in making it a bit cool for the fish to bite. So while the weather and fishing could have been better, the company and time spent together were fantastic!

We did manage to catch a few...

And boy were they monsters!

We also managed to jack up Granddaddy's rods and reels :)

In true Martha fashion, Rachel was in charge of lunch.

And it was grand - thanks, KK!

Of course, Mrs. Amy made the cake - perfect for Snuggs

The two who made it happen - they baited hooks (because I do not
touch crickets) and untangled lines all.day.long.

The sisters

My favorite of the day

With Friday being my birthday, Saturday being mom's, and Sunday being Claire's we decided to celebrate all of ours at mom and dad's Saturday after Grant and Mac's games. We had hamburgers and hotdogs and the best cookie cake you'll ever have. If you've never had a double-layer cookie cake from Sam's you're missing out. I have absolutely no pictures but everyone was there (including my aunt, uncle and Nana). Great day.

The next day Grant and Mac played ball in Auburn. It was a last-minute tournament and was only our second ever. Chris very recently put together a travel ball team. Because we can't interfere with league ball - all our players are currently in league - we have had very few practices as a team. It shows. We're very new to travel ball. No pun intended but it's a whole different ballgame. We've been told it will take some time to get our feet wet. We believe it. It's been ugly getting annihilated our feet wet.

Turbo with cousin Grey
We were excited Uncle Donnie & Aunt Rae could come

Sissy and Meems braved gale force winds (only a slight exaggeration)
 to help cheer on the Wetumpka Rays

The boys have fun, but it does make for a long day.

Those pictures are from our first tournament in Montgomery. :) Once league ball is over we look forward to pressing on with travel ball in hopes of putting league in our rear view mirror. And maybe even start winning some games. We'll get there.

One more thing...

I just have to say I'm so proud of my baby girl. Bethany started her very first job this week working at a local miniature golf place in Decatur - Funland Putt-Putt. A job she sought and secured all on her own. Her first day she worked 11-7 with no break. That's okay. She says her paycheck was totally worth it. :) Welcome to the working world, Boo. We're very proud of you!