naptime with Archer (and Charlie)

Today, I got the to hold Archer while he took a nap. Charlie wasn't as much of a fan of it, as he was kicking back against Archer the whole time! Still, I think they'll get a kick out of these pictures when they get bigger!

Oh and I must clarify, on my last Charlie update when I said that I had gained 16 pounds, that wasn't in one month, that was throughout my entire pregnancy! Just wasnted to clear that up! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I went on a shopping spree for Charlie yesterday at Storkland in Vestavia. After picking out an entire room in pirates, we (me, mom, and Trisha) changed our minds and went for this sports theme. I am glad we swapped b/c I really like this alot and it should be able to carry on for several years.

We're going to get HILL and #3 put on this jersey


We bought the canvas paintings separate from the frames, which was much more expensive, but I think the frames make much more of a statement. And Charlie is worth it.

This clock is just too cute. The "my brother did it" sign is for Huett and Sam's room.

Isn't this stuff cute? And we will be making the bedding and by we I mean Mom, Trisha, and hopefully my Granny. They made all of the bedding and curtains for Huett and Sam's nurseries too. I'm excited!

Willy Wonka Sleepover

Huett Michael is very into story-telling right now. He is always asking us to tell him a story. He doesn't care what it's about, but if you make one up and tell it to him, he will remember the names and ask you several days later to tell him that story again. Well, since my stories are completely ridiculous and off-the-wall, I can never remember what I told him, so I am trying to stick to real stories that I can remember. So while we were on our camping trip, laying in our tent, I told him the story of Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory. Well, he loved it and has wanted to hear it 100 times since then which is fine with me since that is one of my all-time favorite movies. Well, after some contemplation, I decided to let him and Ava watch it. So we planned a movie night complete with popcorn and all. Huett sat on the couch and watched the entire thing from start to finish. Ava did pretty good too, she only got up a few times. He thought that it was really neat because all of the stuff I had told him in the story kept happening on screen. He has watched it two more times since then and has sat completely still both times. You just never know what a kid will like. I mean a movie from 1971? I guess like mother like son. At least in this one instance.

Anyway, before we came inside to start the movie, it was raining cats and dogs outside. No thunder and lightning though, which Huett and Ava were quick to point out, so how could I not let them play in the rain. I used to love that too when I was little. I can remember lying in the gutters of our subdivision when we were little when they were flowing like little rivers, and mom just standing by watching us. Those are fond memories.

Singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain!

Ava was trying to dig in a puddle, the rain from the sky just wasn't enough for her and she jumped in every puddle in the yard.

Mikey and his mom were out on the porch with us. I took 4 pictures in a row and in all four, they look like they

1. are high as a kite

2. have lazy eyes

or

3. are praying

I guess like mother like son...once again.

so, finally, I said OPEN YOUR EYES!! and this is the hilarious picture I get. My husband is such a goob.

Huett kept sticking his toys in the drain pipe and watching them shoot back out with the water!

Needless to say, they were soaked!

Part of me wanted to get out there with them, but I refrained.

Look at all that rain. (my camera lens was fogging up in this picture)

It was a monsoon!

The first annual Huett family Camping Trip!

So, A few months back, my parents bought a pop-up camper, which we have all just been dying to use, so we planned a camping trip to Point Mallard for last weekend. It was the weekend to go camping because the weather couldn't have been better! It was low 80s all day with a nice breeze and it was mid 50s at night which is perfect for tent sleeping which is what Mikey and the boys and I did.

Chad and Jenny brought Teagan up for the day on Saturday and we all had a blast.

We were nearing bedtime here and Huett was worn out completely!

Once the kids got settled down and watching their video which you'll see in a coming picture, Mikey, Trish and I settled in for a rowdy game of phase 10!

Teagan made herself right at home in the great outdoors!

I know this probably goes against everything a true nature enthusiast stands for, but it sure was good entertainment when the sun went down. And a little down-time for the adults.

They were pretty into whatever they were watching. Either that or they were all about to fall asleep.

Sam and Teagan chatting it up while Huett and Ava pay attention to the show.

We roasted marshmallows, and hot dogs which I think was probably more fun for the adults than the kids, but still, the kids got their first real taste of cooking by the campfire.

Of course we had to take their power-wheels so they could follow behind Dad and Mikey and Chad on the bike trails, and drive themselves to the playground(with adult supervision of course)

Last, but certainly not least, Archer made the trip with us. I know what you must be thinking...A 3 month old camping? Honestly he was the best one there. He wasn't any trouble at all and I am pretty sure that if he wasn't spoiled rotten before our trip, he has come home that way because he got so much good lovin' on the trip. He is just the sweetest baby ever!

Listen up immediately

For all those who care, Christmas in July has just started on Magic 96.5.and will last all weekend! I know not everyone loves Christmas music, but that is just sacreligious to me. When Trisha and I were teenagers, she had a standing rule that once Christmas music started on the radio, you couldn't listen to anything but that, and you had to continuously scan the dial until you found a Christmas song, which I am pretty sure is still a standing rule today. I had already planned to tell her about it as soon as I heard it on the radio, but she beat me to the punch. So for all you Christmas music enthusiasts, here's the link http://www.magic96fm.com/ Enjoy!!

It's a Girl!! Chad and Jenny are expecting another sweet baby girl around New Years! That will help balance out my three boys at the family gatherings. Everything looked great on the ultrasound. The baby is healthy and growing a little ahead of schedule. It will probably be a big baby b/c Teagan weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces! I'll post more baby info as soon as they pick a name!

Huett's 4th Birthday Party

So as I had previously blogged about, we had Huett's 4th birthday party at a place called Storyville Station in Vestavia. It had a superhero theme and was all-inclusive as you will soon see. In typical Huett fashion, he wasn't too sure about the whole thing and really never left my side for a few seconds, but it was still a blast. I know all of the other kids loved it. Here are a several pictures of the highlights.

All dressed up and ready to go. Huett was Robin and Sam was obviously Spiderman.

This is a TV they had with pictures from the party playing on it.

The birthday boy got to sit on his throne. It took some convincing to get him to sit there.

Teagan was the cutest wonderwoman ever! Paw Paw is stealing a kiss!

Sam making good use of his party blower!

So freaking cute!

Huett attacking Papa Hill with his party blower!

Mikey was one of the villains at the party!

Chad tried but I don't guess he could stop smiling long enough to be villainous!

Super Ava! and Ashton (who shares a birthday with Huett)

This was the party host who was dressed up like Batman!

The confetti on the table was edible, which Huett was taking advantage of.

Sam and his MawMaw

Sam warmed right up to the crowd and had no reservations.

Now, it's time for tattoos!

This was an attempt at a group picture before heading down the secret passageway into the BatCave! The bookcase you see in the background opened up to reveal a slide that takes you down to the next floor! So cool!

This is the entrance to the slide which of course Huett wouldn't go down by himself. Mikey went down it with him.

This picture is totally out of order, but the tree had a hidden bubble blower in it that I can say with confidence was the best part of the party to Huett. It was really cool!

back to the secret passageway, this is Sam coming off of the slide. He loved it.

Huett, not so much. He looks a little freaked out! Mikey seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it though.

Next, there was an obstacle course set up in the batcave. The kids had to climb over the rock, jump through the rings, then go under the limbo bar. Once again, Huett wouldn't do it, but he did get to stand on the sides and throw that big blue ball to try to thwart the superheros from completing the task!

We did the hokey pokey, the chicken dance and follow-the-leader!

Sam kinda did his own thing the whole time, but he was definitely having a good time!

Teagan reminds me of Huett so much, personality-wise. She is more reserved and has to warm up to situations similar to the way Huett has always been. Seriously is that outfit not the cutest thing you've ever seen? LOVE IT!

Next was the flying machine which I never expected Huett to try in the first place. He and I sat right to the side and watched all his friends learn to fly super-hero style!

The kids straddled this little bench and were flung across the room on a track that was connected to the ceiling. They loved it. Of course, Ava offered up herself to go first. She knows no fear. Period.

Sam got right on next, but as you can see, he had his doubts. He was giving me a look like

* please get me off of this thing.*

As soon as it started rocking, though, he was into it!

Next, back upstairs for cake, confetti, and presents. They also had a slideshow that came down on a projector that had pictures that were taken by the hosts throughout the party. I don't have any pics of that but it was neat.

This was his cake for the year. And then when he blew out the candles...

confetti fell from the sky! It was really neat.

All the kids were excited.

The cupcakes were yummy!

Everyone got their fill!

More action from the party blowers! Another unexpected hit of the party!

And onto the finale! The gifts! Huett really racked up this year. Don't tell him, but I have still got the gifts stashed in the back of the Durango and We open one every couple of days so it's sort of like the gifts that keep on giving. Seriously, it's much better this way because he can really enjoy one for a few days before he gets the next one. They are more appreciated this way.

His mawmaw got him a batman bike which he really likes. He does pretty good on it, he just needs someone to "get him started" on it!

I hope this post gives everybody the basics of the birthday. It was a party that I won't forget, and by the time it was over, Huett was telling me he wasn't ready to go home yet!

In other news, Chad and Jenny find out what their baby is in approximately 30 minutes, so I'm sneaking out of work to go to the ultrasound. I'll be back to let everyone know what they'll be having!