A Full Load

Why a full load? For several reasons. I just started full laundry load #5 of the week. It feels like load #8, but that's only because Keith seems to be able to generate 2 full loads of nothing but socks. And socks drive me crazy.

I'm also taking a load off after a long and very fun morning with the boys. Keith and I recently booked our next anniversary trip [last one was last May, when we went to Seattle/Vancouver], and this trip is going to involve several days of hiking. At altitude, no less. We're not interested in spending a lot of money just to be miserable and out of shape during those hikes, so we've kicked our working out into gear. I bet you think I'm digressing at this point, bear with me, this all loops full circle. Part of my workout routine is to take the boys on a 4-5 mile walk on my days at home. No better workout that pushing a full load [26lbs stroller + 35lbs Grady + 28lbs Cole=LOAD] through our neighborhood. I try to vary the route so the boys don't get bored, and today I managed to only hit uphills. I was huffing and puffing so loudly that Cole actually imitated me. It's not nice to mock Momma, Cole. To add insult to injury Green Stroller Dad RAN past me up the longest and steepest hill. Show-off. Sure, it's easy to run with those 2 petite little girls in your stroller. Anyways, now I'm sitting here taking a load off and chatting with you while the boys nap [or, use their cribs as bouncy houses].

I also have a boatload of stuff to tell you about the goings-on of our life. Last time we chatted, and I mean really chatted-not the picture I tried to pass of as a blog entry, I told you about being thankful just before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day was indeed a good one. Here we [Bothma family] on at Nana & Oupa's. The wine glass on the kitchen counter represents me, since I'm behind the camera.

When Karen and I were growing up, people often asked if we were twins. Not all the time, just at certain points in our growth. The last time was when I was 22, she was 26, and before that I think it was when I was 13, she was 17. She never really cared for it, I was tickled that I looked older. For you math people, that's roughly every 9 years, and since I turn 31 next year [cue the horror music!], it's been 9 years and indeed to me it looks like we favor each other again. Or technically I look like her, since she's older. Isn't Nana a cute little elf of a lady?

I don't think looking old is so cool now, if you're wondering. Now it sucks.

OH! I forgot to tell you about the race. Karen and I completed the 10K early Thanksgiving morning, and we ran the entire thing! We were so impressed with ourselves that I was able to talk Karen into more training and she's going to run the ING Half Marathon with me next March! Whooohooo! Either I'm a good sales person, or she's a pushover. Here we are after the race, all tired and sweaty.

Don't you just love the new color on my living room walls? I sure do. Really makes the fireplace pop.

The weekend after Thanksgiving we got our Christmas tree. I thought we'd have a beautiful family moment, all looking at trees together and picking the perfect one. In reality, Cole & Grady realized our attention was focused elsewhere and they took the opportunity to run free in the garden section at Lowe's. We managed to get them to look at one or two trees, but mostly they stared at us, probably thinking Seriously. Trees are everywhere. Big empty spaces like this one isn't everywhere. I think I'd rather run. Maybe we'll have our Rockwell moment next year.

If you're wondering, the boys have stopped jumping their cribs, and have now taken to pointing out airplane decals to each other. From the sounds of things, the loudest baby wins this game.

Once we got our tree home, the lights and ornaments slowly made their way on. I was expecting a lot of messing with the tree, but the boys have been really good. They look, talk about, occasionally touch, but so far, so good. They did take a few off, but put it back when asked. We've told them the lights are HOT!, and they know not to touch anything that is HOT!, so all the lights on the tree are still in place. For now.


Yook! YIGHTS! HOTTTT!

We also squeezed in a visit to Karen's up in Tennessee. We picked the right weekend, because it snowed! Saturday morning we all woke up to a perfect blanket of white outside. I've always thought snow was beautiful-before everyone wakes up and walks on it, drives on it, and plays in it. Then it just gets messy and brown.


The speck you see in the picture below is Greg, roaming about in the snow in his go-cart-thing. Not sure what it's really called. Go-cart? Dune buggy? 4 wheeler? Metal framed thing that scares the hell out of me?

Seriously Karen, where are your shoes? It's cold outside! Or as Nana would say you musn't go outside without shoes and socks! Thankfully there's a gorgeous fireplace inside to get us warmed up.

The boys also had a good time seeing Karen, Scott, Greg and Rhett. But you know who they really loved? OOOORAH. Cousin Oooorah is great. We tickle her. We sit on her lap. We completely ignore the fact that she's a tiny bit of a germaphobe and we give her kisses.
Of course we had to get a picture of the boys with their BellyMomma. Cole was all too happy, he actually sought Karen out to sit with her. Grady made her wait all day, and even then she had to work for it. He's a tough one, that kid. Sure, she let him kick her in the pelvis for a few months, and he tried to climb out of her uterus, but she's still not OOORAH.
Are you still reading? For more pics, you're welcome to click over the the BabiesSquared picture site for two new albums- November '09 and Knoxville Visit. Enjoy!

The boys have finally fallen asleep, and I just heard the ding-ding of the dryer indicating that it is time to start folding some clothes. Thanks for letting me unload, and chat with ya soon!