Posts to come...

Ben's first Birthday
My garden (it grew like crazy while I was gone)
Pictures of our Bedroom all completed

Home Sweet Home

OK I have to tell you that I seriously am so crazy about this husband of mine. I missed him SOOOO much! I feel like I am still a silly teenager in love with her high school crush. I couldn't stop thinking about him the whole time I was there. I even cried one night because I missed him so much. We ALL missed him. The kids were super excited to see him, even Ben. Brian was all worried that Ben wouldn't recognize him, of course he did. Just like I always do after a LONG flight alone with three kids I say I am not going back for awhile! I am going to try to make it till next summer or maybe just the winter, we'll see! But I dont' know if I can make it that long again without my husband!

SAN DIEGO

We actually fit 34 people in 3 cars!!! This picture doesn't do it justice. It was crazy!!! Most everyone came in Motor homes and there were only a few cars and of course EVERYONE wanted to go to the beach! Ben got his very own seat since he is so little. He was definantly the most comfortable...he cried anyway!
Ben loved the beach, especially the food! Oh he is a cute boy!
The surfer dudes. It was fun to watch Keith, Greg, Davee, and Stephen surfing. We also got to see a bunch of dolphins.
Tamara was just a little bit cold. That girl is always cold!!!
Oh my, this was crazy. Jacob got stitches and then Grandma took them out. We were all helping as you can see. We kept saying "stop talking Jacob!" Then on the way home (the day after we took out the stitches) he ran into a shelf at Jack in the Box and opened it all up again!

Highlights of my Arizona trip

It was so fun to surprise Alison. Her co-workers told her that one of the patients needed to speak with her about their bill and so when I showed up she came out to the waiting room calling for this so called upset patient and it was ME! We went to lunch (kidless, thanks mom)! We can't wait to go on our cruise in Sept with the Solomons!
Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast. Dad woke up early and went and bought Brianna and Brian bikes for the bike parade and for the San Diego trip. The kids were very excited. Thanks Dad! We had a great time and mom even ran home to get the Sugar Free Syrup and Fat Free Redi Whip. Someone came to our table for syrup and Dad said "trust me you dont want that." We were loving life!
The kids got very inventive in the blow up pool. They used a kiddie table as a flotation device. Opa and Grandma weren't sure they liked all the creativity!
Mom had a party for Ben and Brian the night before we left. Ben was loving his cupcake! Can you tell? Look at the mess he made on the brand new high chair, sorry mom!
Brianna and Brooklyn had so much fun together. They were constantly laughing, and driving Opa craZY!! They remind me so much of Tamara and I when we were younger. Brooklyn is carefree and sweet and Brianna is a little bossy and uptight...hmmm that doesn't sound like me, does it???

The McWhorter Flu

It's nice to have connections!
Doesn't he look mean? He really isn't though!

EEEEEEWWWW! We all had the flu the last few days. Brian Jr got it first...he was puking all day Thursday. We felt bad for the little guy but must admit it was kind of relaxing having a calm version of him for a while. At one point on Thursday he was laying on the bathroom floor and Brian Sr said "you gotta love this." OK so Brian Sr. was on call on Thursday night and had a rough night at work. I texted him on Friday morning to see how tired he was from being up all night and he texted me back a pic of him in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV!!! Ididn't even know he was sick! Anyway, he called me and I guess he got the flu at like 2am on Thursday but had to work through it (puking and all) and then had to operate in the AM. By 10am he was feeling really weak. He was in the middle of a case when he was starting to pass out. So anyway, this is my husband parked in our garage with an IV hanging from his rear view mirror. I guess Drs. aren't allowed to get sick!!!!

Amish Pretzels

Brianna putting sugar and cinnamon on a batch.
Anxiously waiting for them to come out of the oven. Pillow and all....

We are enjoying the summer. It is great not having such a crazy schedule and running kids to and fro. I have been really relaxed, which for those of you who know me well, is unusual. A few days ago we made pretzels. The kids loved it! They were quite tasty too. The kids loved rolling them out like snakes and then forming them the special Amish way. Brianna thought she was soooo good and started trying to do the forming really fast. We dipped them in a mixture of Baking Soda and water before baking to make them golden brown (good trick). This is going to have to be a family tradition.

More funny Brian

This morning:

Brian "Mom those are yours." (he's peaking in my shirt)
Me "yep"
Brian "what are they for"
Me "for Ben to drink"
Brian "and me too"
Me "yep when you were a baby"
Brian "can I have some right now"
Me "no " as I push him off the couch

Today in Kohl's dressing room trying on bathing suits:

Brian "you are naked, you are naked " (everyone can hear)
Me "shhhhhhhhh"
Brian "those are yours"
Brian "I'm thirsty, can I have a drink"
Me "NOOOOOOOO!"

Me (so that everyone in the dressing room didn't really think I nursed this talking 3 yr old who looks like he is 6) "no they are only for babies"