Magical Memories....

So, the Ps are on Spring Break this week and we are in Orlando staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort! We have been planning this trip since before Christmas and all of the waiting and anticipation has certainly paid off! We are having a great time! We are exhausted and haven't gotten to bed before Midnight yet!! Take a peak at some of our adventure.

We got to the Magic Kingdom at about Noon on Sunday. Of course, Cinderella's Castle is always the first thing that you see. I don't know what it is about the castle, but to a child, it is especially awesome!

Our first stop was the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. We climbed all the way to the top and it was neat! Payton and Paxton are both still very animated in their expressions at the new discoveries.

After the tree house, we saw some sit down shows and exhibits. After lunch we rode Splash Mountain. And let me tell you, there was a lot of screaming coming from our log! We purchased the picture that Disney takes as you plunge down the big hill and Payton and Paxton both have their heads buried into our sides! We got soaked in the process and I am not sure if the Ps will ever trust us again!

So, off we went to the Haunted Mansion. So, after the Splash Mountain ordeal, this was not looking good at all! But go figure, after we rode it, they asked to do it again!!! So, when we go back to the MK this week, we will ride again!

We didn't get a lot of things done on this day because we had plans for the afternoon and evening. However, when we left, we were all smiles!

We got back to our hotel in time to see the shuttle launch! It was an awesome sight and something I am not likely to forget!

I will try to post more pictures tomorrow. We have had two character dinners since we got here and those are some of the best pictures! Sorry I couldn't get to more today!

Until next time.......

Snow Fell on Alabama!

WOW! Two years in a row! It snowed here this past Sunday, March 1st. This year it snowed much more than last year. We got about 5 inches at our house. I was gone on a weekend retreat, but Scot was home this time to enjoy it with the kids! Take a look at their fun! However, as we all know here in Alabama, if you don't like the weather, stick around because it will change! It is supposed to be back up into the 70s by the end of this week! Where else can you go from Snow to 70 in one week flat????Drop us a line! Until next time......

A Bunch of HOOP-la!!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have written on this blog! Raising kids takes a lot more time than I realized! I couldn't tell you everything that has happened in the last year, so I will just start from now and try to keep a better pace!

We are at the end of basketball season! Paxton is in jersey #2. His team has only won one game - and I wasn't even there! I know what you are thinking! But, I am his mom, and I am going to the games!! It sure isn't because Paxton doesn't try! He scores more points than any person on his team! He is definitely a sports fanatic! If it involves a ball, he plays! Football was brutal! I hope we are skipping that one from now on! And we have already started baseball practice! At this rate, I am just glad to get him into the correct uniform!

Payton and Paxton turned 8 on January 2nd! They are both taking guitar lessons. You can imagine how LOUD it is at our house! Paxton is playing the electric guitar and Payton is playing the acoustic. I use the term "playing" lightly!

Scot is out-of-town (of course). He is in Oklahoma with the tornado issues. This being apart is hard on all of us! We are going to Disney on Spring Break! We are so looking forward to it!

Again, I will try to do better at updating this blog! We hope everyone is well! Drop us a line or come and visit!

Is it rain? Is it sleet? NO! It's SNOW!!!!

That's right, folks! Right here in Trussville, Alabama! The real stuff! Payton and Paxton couldn't wait to get outside and play in the snow! So far it is sticking and we even made a small snowman! Take a look: Well, we came in to warm up and dry off, but the kids are ready to go again! I am still cold! Hope everyone is warm and safe where you are! Until next time....

Out with the old, in with the new!!!

WOW! By looking at this blog you would think that our family hasn't been doing anything over the last few months. In reality, we have been doing TOO much! Scot has been home (with the exception of a few days) since November 1st. State Farm calls this "defined light duty". I call it "honey-do" time! It is supposed to be a time for Scot to "re-connect" with his family and get rested up for the next storm that needs his attention. I am not sure he will say that he is rested, but Payton and Paxton sure have enjoyed him being home! We had a great Christmas! We hope that you all did, too! Santa was good to us all, so good that I think we still have a toy or two that has not been investigated yet! Isn't that horrible? And of course, the week after Christmas, Paxton and Payton celebrated their 7th birthday! They both had "sleep-over" parties (on different nights, of course). However, I am not sure why they call them "sleep-overs" because there wasn't much sleep to be had! The boys were first: They had a great time! I went to bed at 12:30 AM and they were still going strong! They were up and roaring at 7:00 AM the next morning. I was up, but not roaring!!! I am glad birthdays only come once a year! The girls were next! Man, talk about a room full of emotional highs and lows! WHEW! I don't know how parents with more than one girl stay sane!!! Take a look: The girls had a fashion show! I think we might have a few future models or drama queens here! Of course, both days that we had parties, the weather was unbearably cold, so we had to stay inside. I am not sure how we survived! When school went back into session on Monday, January 7th, I was THANKFUL! Now I can go back to my routine of bon-bons and bubble baths! yeah, right! Okay, now I am going to back up to a bit BEFORE Christmas! Scot and I decided to have some upgrades done to our kitchen. It was supposed to be a simple, two-day job. In on Monday, out on Tuesday. Does that ever happen? It does on HGTV. It does not at the Randall house. I won't go into all the HORRIBLE events that transpired, but just let me say that we hired Lowes to do the job (which was probably our first mistake) and even Lowes was amazed at how wrong the job went. After all was said and done, Lowes ended up giving us about $1500 back from our purchases to compensate us for the poor performance of their hired contractors. Anyway the job took 2 weeks. The tile guy had to work on the Sunday before Christmas to get our backsplash in. He was the only bright spot in the whole deal! We had granite counters, a tile backsplash and new stainless steel appliances installed. If you are interested, take a peek:

Despite all of the trouble, I am in love with my new kitchen look. I wish I had a "before" shot to show you so you could compare the two. It is night and day, in my opinion. Now, Beverly and Steve had their kitchen remodeled several months back. They went "all-the-way"! New lighting, new tile floors, granite, tile backsplash, etc. Maybe I can get a video of hers and let you all take a look at it. Now, her kitchen is truly gorgeous! I even stole her paint color for my half-bath. Yep, you read that right! You would think after the kitchen fiasco, I would give the make-over a rest, but nooooo! I had to move on to the half bath and my scrapbook room. Stay tuned for those updates!!!! The bathroom is almost finished - almost!

Well, that about catches us up on what is going on around here.

Scot got his orders to DRIVE to Wala Wala, Washington! So, he is off! Remember him in your prayers. It is a four day trip and I am sure it will be very tiring. I bet he is glad to be relieved of the "honey-do" list for a bit. I will be sure to save some things for him to do upon his return!!!

Well, thanks for stopping by! Drop us a line and let us know what's up with you!

Until next time......

Oh, TOOTHFAIRY..........

Yes, we are expecting another visit from the Toothfairy! Many of you remember that Payton was born with a tooth. We had her examined by an oral surgeon when she was just a wee little girl and he said that it was her true baby tooth and it would fall out when she started losing teeth. Well, it came out this morning! She actually has a very loose tooth on the top that I figured would come out first, but what do I know????

So, once again, they are growing up so fast! I am sad and excited all at the same time!

Until next time......

WE LOST A TOOTH!!!

Well, it happened! We have been having a wiggling contest - and Paxton finally won! We could already see his permanent tooth coming in and he asked me to look at it again tonight. So, I suggested we try to pull it. He didn't cry or whince or anything. I got it out on the second pull. So, we are expecting a visit from the Tooth Fairy tonight. Paxton told me that he would get a Silver Dollar. Wish someone would have told me before 7:30 pm! So, I guess this is the beginning of our toothless days! They are growing up fast!!! Until next time......