Playing Catch Up

So we made it back from our crazy trip to St. Louis.

We left Tulsa on Wed. after Wade got home from work and got in town LATE. Thursday Wade had a business downtown that morning - but didn't get home until 4 that afternoon, so the day was shot, but we went to Rich n Charlies (my fave) for dinner.
Friday we took the "train" (really the Metro Link) to Union Station and on down to the Arch with the kids and bummed around a little. Friday all my brothers were arriving in town and we had dinner at mom's and celebrated Lori (my sis-in-law's) b-day.
Saturday the boys went skeet shooting (which took entirely too long) as Lori and I were waiting to go to Archivers (scrapbook store) for their Holiday Extravaganza, which we thoroughly enjoyed...once we got there. That night was Christmas at Chad's house (we moved Christmas up because Heath and Pearl are expecting and can't travel in December).
Sunday we had a baby shower for them.
To all my friends from STL that didn't know I was coming, or that I was in town, I'm sorry...this was a jammed packed family weekend and I knew it'd be hard to see you, I didn't see anyone...Next time, I promise.

During ALL of this we had "Vomit-Fest 2008" going on. It started Friday with Riley (middle of the night...real pleasant, she made it to the toilet all but one time).
Saturday belonged to Cade (this was the most brutal...he just had to keep running to the bathroom, it was so incredibly sad). I continued into the night and on Sunday. We almost had to take him to the ER, we were worried about him getting dehydrated...he was such a champ though and all but once made it to the bathroom or into a bucket.
Monday was the drive back and everyone did great. That night and this morning was Brooke's turn. My kids also managed to get my niece, my brother, and my nephew sick, so far...but there seems to be more casualties every day.

Which leaves me with catching up on my gratitude journaling:
#6 - So grateful to be done Christmas shopping for one side of our family. It was a bit hard getting into the spirit of Christmas...but we had a great night and we all enjoyed seeing the kids excited about their gifts...that's the best part of the holiday for me...watching the kids get excited about everything.

Cousins

#7 - Grateful that 2 of my 3 children know the sensation of throwing up and can make it to the toilet or bucket next to their bed

Before Vomit-Fest Began, down on the Arch grounds

#8 - No cleaning puke out of the van, or having to smell it for the 6 hour ride home. Seriously this was the BEST thing about Vomit-Fest '08
#9 - My favorite person...my hubby, who was up with me during each puke session and helped clean up the kids, while I cleaned the bedding and changed their sheets---we make a good team.
#10 - Home Sweet Home....how good it is to be home.
#11 - Veteran's Day...I come from a military family, so I understand some of the sacrifices they make to serve this country. Our Veterans made it possible for us to keep our freedoms. It's like that old quote that says, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" Case in point...(Dad you will like this one...we all know what you think of air traffic controllers...this just proves your point)

As a mom, I got a giggle out of this. Riley had a Veteran's Day assembly at school today and this was the little song her class sang. If you're wondering what Cade is up to, he is saying "Cheese" nearly every time you see him (funny if you can hear him over Brooke). You may need to turn off the song playing on the blog (mom and dad...you can do that by scrolling to the bottom and click on the stop or pause the song in the box). She also sang kinda quiet so you may need to turn up your computer volume.

Happy Veteran's Day everyone!