"The Wedding"

Valentine's Day this year was special since Brent's little brother Warren got married on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the bride and groom on this post; Everyone was crowded around them all afternoon and I couldn't get a good shot. I do have some pictures of the girls and other family that I thought I'd share. As always, we had a great time visiting Grammy, Pop Pop and Mamaw. This visit was extra nice because Aunt Kathy and Uncle David, Uncle Brent and Aunt Wendy, Uncle Tom and Aunt Karlene, and a lot of other relatives were there.

We wish the newlyweds happiness!

Congratulations Warren and Hannah!

Haley and Allie got these glasses for Valentine's Day.

Of course Emily had to try them on!

Aunt Kathy and Uncle David reading Haley and Allie a story.

This is Brent's sister Stephanie with her husband Darren and their son Damien.

So adorable!

Brent with his "chicas bonitas" (pretty girls).

"The Fish Store"

In Prattville there's a Bass Pro Shop with a waterfall, aquarium, and ponds with fish. Naturally, the girls call it the "fish store". We took the girls last night to see the boat show (sorry I didn't find my camera in time to take pictures of them on the boats). They also tried out the four wheelers, gators, and had some success at the shooting range. Haley decided she didn't like the shooting range after Papa shot the skunk and it sprayed her. Of course Haley and Allie talked Grandma and Papa into buying them a treat. They picked taffy and bubble gum lips. We had a great time and we're glad Grandma and Papa came with us.

Papa and Allie-she always was his baby.

I didn't realize that the moose was roped off. Atleast I didn't miss the photo op.

Dad and I remembered that we used to have a Coleman jug just like this when I was little. Dad says he thinks it's ours. That's part of the fun of the Fish Store, all of the antique equipment on display.

Haley and Allie were so glad that the Fish Store left all of the tents and cooking equipment out for them to play with. They had a blast.

Haley is making fire with sticks.

At least Allie used her manners and took off her shoes before going in the tents.

"Happy Birthday to Me!"

I had a great birthday! Thanks for all the phone calls (especially to the ones who sang "Happy Birthday" on my voicemail) and cards. Bubo sent a card with funny stories about me when I was a little girl and my dad says it makes him feel older knowing his daughter is nearly 30. Brent, Haley, Allie, and Emily took me to dinner despite the rain and my Mom sent me a present in the mail. Thanks to everyone for a great day!

"We're Not Irish"

I thought it would be cute to decorate the blog for St. Patick's Day since my great-grandmother's heritage is largely Irish. Well, I pulled out the family charts she gave me (after I had already decorated the blog) and we're not Irish. We're Scottish.

Violet Lucille McIntosh ("Bubo" as we call her in our family) is the daughter of John Roulston. He is probably the 7th John Roulston since 1682. He fought in the first World War. The Roulstons have played many significant parts in American history including the fact that a Roulston has served in every American war.

Something else I learned while researching our non-Irish past is that our family name before immigrating to the American continent was "Roll Stone." Our clan appeared in the Scotland mountains after the eleventh century. When invaders penetrated the Roll Stones' highland's our clan would retreat above the lochs and valleys taking the loose rocks and rolling them down the mountain at their enemies. Thus, our clan's form of defense became our family name and it has taken on many form's since. For example: Rolstone, Roulstone, Ralstone, Raulston, and finally Roulston. I included a picture of the Roulston family crest. I know it's hard to tell from the scan, but the eagle is looking at the sun..

Valentine's Day Hats

Here's apicture of the hats we made for Valentine's Day. The girls have really enjoyed wearing them. Allie shakes her head wildly to make the antennas wave around.

You can tell how warm it is here because Allie wore shorts to the park on Tuesday. I thought I'd include this picture of Allie. She's changing so much. She says the funniest things and she's losing her baby fat. There are no more fat rolls on her thighs and when she laughs you can see her six-pack. Her hair is so long and curly now. Everyone stops to tell her how beautiful it is. She's turning into a big girl. Well, that went by fast!

"La Fiesta"

Since we had a fiesta for Papa's birthday Haley and Allie made a pinata for the occasion. They did a fantastic job. We started on Wednesday and were able to put three layers of paste and newspaper on the ballon before Saturday when we decorated it and filled it with candy. They decorated it with crepe paper and I think it turned out amazing. It was so cute! Oddly enough, they didn't like getting their hands sticky with the paste. I rubbed the paste on the balloon and then they'd stick the paper strips to it.

Stay tuned for our Valentine's day crafts. We're making homemade Valentine's, pink-sprinkle cupcakes, hats, and "Be Mine" buttons.

"My Theme Song"

*You can pause the music using the playlist on the sidebar*

I heard this on the radio a while back and laughed my head off (a slight exaggeration.) Finally someone e-mailed it to me so I had to post it on the blog as my theme song. I know I have just scratched the surface of some of the repetition this song mentions, but I can feel it coming.

Actually, if I had to pick a theme song it might be "Mission Impossible." Some days at home with three small children feels like a series of ticking time bombs. Experts say that a stay-at-home mom with two or more children works the equivalent of 2 full-time jobs. I disagree. Being a mom is a 24/7 work shedule and you're never off duty.

Emily's a Fan of Fans

Who's faster, Emily or the ceiling fan?

We're going to put one in her room and then sue for whiplash. Any ambulance-chasing attorneys that read this blog, please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss our options. Thank you in advance for your prompt response.

Death by Hammer

I had a business metting tonight and came home late only to find that Laura is HEROINE. Allie found the digital camera and a hammer and, as little children do, she was about to have fun. Laura entered the room just in time to see the camera in the chair and Allie's hand raised above her head with the hammer in it. As Allie proceeded to swing the hammer in a downward motion the heroine jumped in front of the camera, sacrificing her body for the good of everyone who reads this blog, and took the devistating blow, subsequently saving the camera. Next time you see her, thank her. I checked the camera out just to make sure it was okay. I found a picture of Allie looking at the camera and thinking about the hammer. Here it is.

"Happy Birthday Papa!"

We had a nice celebration for Papa's 50th birthday this weekend. We told him we were planning a family get-together, but he didn't know some of his friends would be there along with his brother Scott and Scott's wife, Kelly. We made Mexican food (Papa's favorite) and played Rockband on the Wii.

We had a nice visit with Scott and Kelly on Sunday. The girls especially enjoyed visiting with them. Scott and Kelly tried to take Emily home with them, but Brent and I wouldn't give our consent (Imagine!) We're so glad they came and we're glad Papa had a nice birthday. We want him to know how special he is!

"Cute As a Bull"

Haley told me today, "I love my new baby sister. She's cute as a bull." Personally I think Emily's much cuter than a bull and here's proof!