5 kids and counting....

I'm not sure if there is anyone out there who hates laundry as much as I do. It's not the actual pulling-the-clothes-out-of-the-hamper-washing-drying-part that bothers me. It is the next step of folding/hanging/putting away! Usually I will put off laundry until the doors on the actual hampers won't stay shut because clothes are protruding out in every direction. And to make matters worse, Alexie and Ky now LOVE to gather all of the clothes and put them in the laundry room to 'help' me out! 'Oh Great!', you might think...BUT, oh no! It never fails that they do this on the worst day possible and I am not ready to tackle that task...but then I'm kind of stuck doing it because there are clothes EVERYWHERE at this point. Does anyone feel my pain? Please tell me you feel my pain?!

Well Saturday was that day. The girls had clothes everywhere from 'helping' me and I just had to get it done. I was determined to get them hung, folded AND put away all in the same day. But then there was a little twist thrown in. I asked Lindz if WE I could keep the boys while her and Kyle went on a date. And then I had this genius idea that I would offer to keep them overnight. Well, none of this was planned ahead of time, so when they arrived at our house, Lindz and I headed to Target to get extra diapers for Jackson and some formula to make sure we had enough milk to get us through the night. Well, don't forget about the SIX loads of laundry that was already started that I was determined to put away in the same day (that NEVER happens!).

So, I basically put Husband in charge of the older four kids and sweet baby Jackson was going to be all mine. Kole, Lex, Ky & Bryce had SO. MUCH. FUN. I mean, really, way too much fun. While those four and Husband (so really FIVE kids since Husband is just one of them) were doing whatever it is that crazy kids do, me and Jax had some laundry to tend to....

Where is Jackson, you might ask....



Look a little closer....you see him yet?



Well there's that sweet little MONKEY! I L*O*V*E him to pieces {and Lindz, I promise that blue plastic hanger is not near as close to him as it looks!}. Oh, and you like how Ky put her baby next to Jackson so they could take a nap together?!



After 14 hours (seemed like it anyway) of folding/hanging/putting away clothes, it was finally time to make a pallet for the kids to watch a movie!! I had to prop Jax in there for a quick picture like he was watching the movie too!



It wasn't long after the movie ended that all four older kids were passed out cold....



This next picture can be quite deceiving. First of all, that would be a PINK blanket that he is swaddled in. But to protect his manhood and any future embarrassment, I worked a little magic in photoshop to make the blanket appear light blue (you can thank me later, J!). Secondly, don't let that sweet SLEEPING face fool you....he was wide awake wanting to hang out until about 2 AM! This picture was snapped when he finally dozed off....proof that he did indeed sleep! But please don't let my words come across as if this was torture or anything because I loved starring and snuggling with him every minute until he finally did doze off!



And oh my goodness, there is quite a difference in getting three kids ready for church and getting FIVE kids ready. I can see how it would just become routine (and team work with Husband!!)...but I did NOT allow myself enough time to get me and FIVE other kids ready for church the next morning! Let's just say I was a little slow rising after missing a few hours of sleep...I forgot what it was like to have a newborn in the house (again, LOVED every minute of it!). Husband was a trooper too! He got Kole and Bryce ready AND fed the four older kids breakfast while I got myself, the two girls and Jackson ready. I put Jackson on our bed while I scrambled to finish getting ready and of course my little Mommy {AKA ~ Alexie} came in and asked if she could feed Jackson. I really needed the help, so I accepted the offer (very quickly, I might add!). The next thing I know, I turn around to make sure everything is OK and I find Alexie BURPING JACKSON!! Seriously?! She is truly going to make the BEST MOMMY some day....and I can't wait to see her when that day comes! Doesn't she look so big? And Jackson didn't seem to mind it one bit! This has to be one of my new favorite pictures!!



And lastly, just because I always like a comparison picture....I had to show you this. What do you think....you think Jackson looks anything like his Daddy?



Next up....Mr. Will! Annie and Chris, you guys let me know when I can keep your little man overnight! Oh my goodness, I love this job of spoiling these babies rotten and then sending them home whenever...being an Aunt is an AWESOME job!

Just a little late...

But I haven't forgotten about my peeps! You may remember this post (some of you probably thought I forgot about the free blog makeover I promised to one lucky person!!). Well, even though I am a little late posting, I haven't forgotten about the sweet people who commented on that post.

I just used Random.org and the winner is.....

Random Sequence Generator

12
7
11
2
5
10
1
3
8
6
9
4

Timestamp: 2009-11-18 23:14:39 UTC

And who is number 12 you might ask.....that would be AMY!!!! Congrats Amy!! Email me and I will let you know what I need from you! (holliea {at} ymail {dot} com).

Keep checking back because you never know when we will play again! I hope you are all having a great week!! HUGS!!!

90 YEARS!!

Seriously?! My grandmother is 90?!...so hard to believe! Last Saturday we got together to celebrate...I was so glad that just about everyone could make it. Husband and Kole ended up having a make-up football game added to the schedule at the last minute and they couldn't come....I was sad they had to miss.

I was telling Kole (over the phone) how we were going to Gran's house to celebrate because she was 90-YEARS-OLD now!! I said, 'Kole, can you believe she is 9-0?! Isn't that such a long life? 90 is A LOT of years!'. And he said, 'No it isn't....she isn't even 100 yet!'. So I guess now-a-days you are not considered old until you are in the triple digits...that boy makes me laugh!!

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this little fella (Will). Both of my newest nephews are little Mini-Me's of their Daddy's....it's actually quite scary!



L*O*V*E this Daddy keeping watch over his little Angel....



Anna (my cousin's daughter), she just gets more and more beautiful every time we see her....



Best Buddies (putting up with their Aunt Hoddie making them pose for more pictures)....



Ummm, yea....not so happy anymore!



Gran with 8 of her 9 GREAT-grand kids (missing Kole)!!

Can you tell anything is wrong with this picture? Bryce was not warmed up to everyone yet and he would NOT sit by everyone, so I had to photo shop him into the picture....so funny!



Oh yes, the infamous Cousins picture (and we actually have everyone in the picture this time)!!



Four generations of woman (I LOVE that both girls are holding Gran's hand....PRECIOUS!)....



Now it's time to hold my other baby!!





The birthday girl - Ella Wray!



I mean, did you think I would actually put him down to take pictures?



Sweet Bella (Kristin's baby) with her Grandma (sorry Lisa....I guess I have to use the 'G' word until Bella is old enough to talk and come up with a name for you!).



Precious Leigh & Trey kept these kiddos occupied for quite some time picking (and eating) pecans.....





And Bryce was very content riding the scooter he got for his birthday (still gotta blog about B's birthday party)!!



IT WAS SUCH A FUN DAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAN...WE LOVE YOU!!!

Thank you, EVERYONE, for coming to celebrate...can't wait to see you all again (hopefully VERY soon).

A Date & the Fall Festival!

Husband and I finally had the opportunity to go out on a date....it's been forever! Someone from his office had a costume party the Friday before Halloween. Well, if you know me, you know that I am not a big fan of this kind of thing. Oh, it's just such a beating....trying to figure out what to dress up as.....and then actually trying to FIND the costume itself is a HUGE task (see, I sound kind of bitter just talking about it). BUT, I sure did use it as an excuse to get out with some other adults, that's for sure! And, I won't lie, we actually had a GREAT time....it was so much fun! Except for the few party poopers who didn't dress up!

After much thought and consideration, we decided it was time to dust off the 'ole football pads that have been collecting dust for quite some time in the attic. Kole thought it was the COOLEST-THING-EVER to see all of his dad's football stuff.....





I'm really not sure what we're doing...but we had fun playing before we headed out!





Oh YEA baby.....I sure did carry a flag around with me and anytime Husband misbehaved I blew my whistle and threw the flag at him....that was by far the BEST part!!



This is Robbie's old boss (one of the party poopers who didn't dress up!) ;)





You might recognize Chris Brown (AKA - Adam). His fiance (they have since gotten married in Hawaii!!!) came dressed up as Rihanna and she had bruises (make-up) on her face (it was SO FUNNY! - well, not the real story of these two people....but the costume part). Adam & Amanda recently moved to Oklahoma and we miss them bunches!!







Thank you Mama & Dad for watching the Muncherheads for us....we appreciate you guys so much!

______________________________________________________________

The following evening was Halloween so we ventured out to our church for the annual Fall Festival (also known as a miniature fair, complete with funnel cake!). Kyle, Lindz, Bryce & Jackson also met us there. Our first stop - bounce houses/obstacle courses/HUGE slides....







Kyle just couldn't resist (wearing Kole's Transformers mask)....



Oh-my-word, talk about work! I had to get myself and Kylie (and help Bryce) up this honkin slide....I'm still not sure how we all made it to the top! And as you can see in the next picture Lex has already made it up AND down the dang thing while I am still trying to get us up there....and Kole was right behind her!











And Mr. Jackson didn't make a peep....



Our first (and only) attempt at getting the four of them in a picture together.

Kylie (Snow White), Kole (Optimus Prime), Bryce (Thomas the Train) & Alexie (a fairy princess)



Now, on to the games....





Check out the football going through the hole (you can see it through her right wing)....



Step 1: Get football from nice gentleman....



Step 2: Forget standing at the line - walk right up to hole....



Step 3: Place in hole....



Step 4: REPEAT



Listening carefully to her instructions (even though she is not going to do what they say)....



Kole: 'I'm just pushing this silly shopping cart around for the candy I get at the end!!'





*PRICELESS*



Kylie: 'If all else fails, throw as hard as you can at the nice gentleman trying to help!'



Kylie: 'Don't even play like you are going to take this bag....'



Jackson: 'OK, I've been good long enough...where's my stinking milk?!'



We had so much fun at the Fall Festival...just like every other year we have been (it is SO hard to believe that this was our 6th year to go!!). We like to arrive early and leave early because so many people show up! Most Halloween nights we are home and ready for bed by 7:30-ish....man, I'm old!

Thank you T-Ty, Lindz, B & Jax for meeting us there...as usual we had so much fun playing! We love you guys!

Check YES or NO

Really? In Kindergarten? Man, what it would be like to be a stress-free Kindergartner who's toughest question of the day is to simply check 'Yes' or 'No'. Boy, do I remember those days....but I was a lot older than 5!

Alexie got her first note (sealed in an envelope, I might add) from a boy today.



I'm not really sure what he is apologizing for, but my advice to her is....RUN!!! If he is already having to say 'I'm sorry', we're in BIG trouble!

And what is even better than that is that she checked in between 'Yes' and 'No' as if she isn't quite sure...thatta girl!!!! (or maybe I should give her a lesson in actually checking the box when you are asked to answer 'yes' or 'no'!).

Anyhoo, I had to share....even though later she will probably kill me! I plan to get completely caught up on all sorts of blogging (hopefully sooner than later!)...so check back for all kinds of pictures and all the other Anderson Drama!

SO FUNNY....or at least I think so!!! ;)

Check out her grip...or lack there of!



After seeing this one you can tell just how high Ky was off the ground....no fear, I tell ya!

Seriously, she is a GENIUS...

...one of my best friends in the world, that is! For the past two years she has been our personal photographer and I am always so anxious to see what she captures! She was a big tease and sent me two pictures to stare at until she has time to sort through the rest, so I thought I would share!

I L*O*V*E this one of everyone doing their own thing....and is that not SO Alexie over there with the pouty lips?!



And every time I want to strangle one of my muncherheads, I will just pull this picture out....



Stayed tuned for more....but I won't be able to show all the goods because we will probably save some for Christmas cards! OH, and today Cam met us again to get pictures of our entire family...can't wait to see those! Thank you Cam for your friendship and your talent in photography...I LOVE YOU!

HaPpY hAlLoWeEn

More pictures to come...we've been very busy this weekend!