Trampoline park

It has been raining, raining, raining while we are at Knoxville.  We can't go to the Zoo or on a hike like we had planned. We decided to take the kids to a trampoline park.  They had something for everyone and it was a great family fun activity.

Daddy is stuck!

Scarlet to the rescue!  "I'll help you, Daddy!"

Hotel silliness...

We went to Knoxville last weekend to check out a job prospect.  Here we are, winding down at the end of the second night there.  The kids are relaxing, watching cartoons....except for Joseph.  Joseph has created his own game of sliding off the bed like a slide and now he's gotten Scarlet involved.  They are little giggle monsters right now.  And no, there is no padding or pillows on the floor.

Malibu Jacks...

When it's cold winter weather outside... the kids need some indoor fun to run off that cooped up energy.  We spent New Years Eve at Malibu Jacks.  I barely saw the girls....they were off, running around in the play area making friends.  Joseph had a great time!

Look at that face!

Boys and their toys...

Joseph is trying out a new toy...  I think he likes it!

Why buy toys??

Why buy toys when boxes are just more fun?!  These kids have been playing with these two large boxes for days....and playing nicely and quietly together I might add.  They must be magic boxes!  Forget all those brand new Christmas toys...imagination and a box is where these kids are at!!

Joseph has even been found hiding in the boxes after raiding the pantry.  Is this the face of someone caught red handed?

Lorelai had the bright idea to go "camping" in the guest room with Auntie using the boxes.  We laid the pack n' play mattress in there...

...and she even has her booklight as a night light...

Yes she slept here all night and the kids argued who would get to sleep in the box the next.  "Now kids...if you're good maybe Mom will let you sleep in the box tonight..."  People are going to start talking...

Just can't hang...

Switching this little one from two naps a day to one nap a day has been difficult but GLORIOUS!  The hardest part is keeping him awake until naptime but he is quickly getting the hang of it and when it all goes well he naps for 3-3.5 hours!  BLISS!!

On this occasion I caught him falling asleep at lunch...

Our Christmas Day 2018...

Our Christmas Day...

It was a long day of opening presents and good food.  The kids did very well.  They didn't even wake up too early.  Scarlet (ever practical) wanted her breakfast first so she ate while others got ready to come downstairs for presents.  We opened Santa gifts first and Scarlet (ever practical) was the most concerned with making sure every scrap of paper ended up in the trash bag.  By the end, Evelyn was curled up next to the coffee table on the floor complaining that everyone else opening presents was "waking her up".  A lot of great memories were made.  I included a few videos and pictures of our morning...

Milk and cookies for Santa...and a carrot for the reindeer as well!

almost ready for bed...

I think this one needs to go back to bed!

Making her rounds on her Frozen vehicle.  And Joseph chases her around waiting for his turn

This silly slide was the highlight of Joseph's day.  It wasn't even from Santa!  He got the gift from a girlfriend of mine.  Well, it's his favorite.  At first he was a little rusty and wobbly on it but after a few runs he has it down!  He must have gone down this slide 40 times in a row...no joke!  Then, to spice things up, he starts going down headfirst, etc.  Anything to keep Mom on her toes!

Learning to draw from the best artist in the family

Thanks Auntie for the baby carrier!

Still going strong on the slide

How many babies can one Momma cart around at once??!

My annual prime rib...it was the best yet!

Christmas sweets!

Decorating cookies and gingerbread houses!!!  So many sweets during the holidays...

Lorelai decorated one side of the house, and Evelyn did the other.  They did a great job!