The Pierce Family Blog

We're home!

We just got home from a great trip to Disney!  We had a great time and made alot of wonderful memories.  The kids are now asleep......Eugene just flipped on football, and I have a big pile of stuff to sort through and clothes to wash!  It's nice to be home, I feel like Christmas season is officially here. 

We are big Disney fans!  This was our second trip since having kids and I can hardly wait to go back already!  The place is so magical.....we just love it!  Check out Cinderella's castle.....the lights were amazing!

 

I'll post more pictures later, for now I need to get our house back in working order! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're having our thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  It's funny, I kept thinking I need to make sure we have everything for it because stores will be closed tomorrow....then I remember the rest of the nation is celebrating Thursday, not tomorrow! 

I'm usually pretty indifferent to Thanksgiving.  I think because I've always imagine thanksgiving much like the old Norman Rockwell painting.....

but that's not how my family celebrates.  Both my dad and mom's side of the family view it as a big family reunion.  Don't get me wrong, I like the fact that I'm surrounded by 50 plus of my closest Aunts, Uncles and cousins....and a few folks I've never met!  It's just that it's not the traditional American Thanksgiving, it's just really a big covered dish kind of family reunion. 

Well this year Eugene's parents and sister are coming to our house and we get to have a real life sit down at the table meal like the rest of the good ole US of A does!  So.....today I got all ready!  I'm so thankful my mom kept the kids for me this afternoon!  I got a few dishes ready and set the table!!!   How do you like?  We don't have a formal dining room, but I tried to dress it up as good as I could.

   

We had to do place cards of course!

   

and I love me some monogram!!

 

We'll be married 5 years next month and this is only the second time I've ever used my china!

 

This morning was a little hairy but turned out just fine.  I went to get my oil changed and my battery died.  The guys at the place charged it up for me but I had to swing by and buy a new battery to get put in the car, which made me late to Luke's school thanksgiving feast.  Luckily my dad's office was near so I walked and drove his truck to Luke's school.  When I walked in his class the kids were just settling in to their seats.  Luke's teacher asked each kid what they were thankful for.  Some said siblings, mom's and dad's.....Luke said he was thankful for fish! 

thirty minutes later.....

Luke just woke up from a bad dream, he said he dreamed I was trying to put him in the water with Jonah and the whale....I'm guessing that's the story Eugene read to him tonight!  Too funny!

In need of an update!

I feel like I have so much swirling around in my head I want to talk about! 

I have to talk about Twilight first!  I have been so excited about the movie coming out this past Friday!  I was actually in the party store here in town last week and they had a life sized cut out of Edward Cullen I really wanted to buy!  I didn't though, first it doesn't really go well with the decor in our house, and second, I'm sure Eugene wouldn't like it hanging around!  I've been planning for a few weeks to go to the late show here in T'ville with my friends Andrea and Kim.  Friday Andrea calls me and says she's heard they're sold out!!!  I'm not one to get worked up easily but when I heard the news I almost had a panic attack about how we were going to see it!  Luckily they weren't really sold out but I did have to go wait in line for our tickets!  And I promise you there were alot of mini van driving mom's up there, it wasn't just teenagers!

I really liked the movie, of course it doesn't compare to the book (no movie ever does) but I still liked it.  It was also just lots of fun to hang out with the girls.  After the movie I decided to go onto Walmart to do some grocery shopping.  After midnight is my favorite time to go to Walmart.  The shelves are stocked, the lines are short, it's great! 

Saturday morning we hung around the house and chill-axed with the kiddos.  Here are a few cute pictures of Caroline walking around with Eugene's hat on.  So adorable (when she wants to be)!

I also had another photo shoot Saturday afternoon.  You can check out more of that on my photography blog. 

Saturday night we went out to eat "at the chip place" as Luke likes to call it.  Most folks just call it a Mexican restaurant.  Then it was back home for the kids to go to bed.  They have been going to bed so early lately!  Most nights they are down by 7:30pm.  With the time change I think their little bodies just associate it being dark outside with sleep......we're not complaining though! 

Well, I think that's enough of a post for tonight.....lots to do.  Tuesday Eugene's family will be in town and we're hosting an early Thanksgiving dinner!  I'm really excited about that.  Then Wednesday we are all leaving on a trip to DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We can't wait!  I told Eugene last week that with Twilight coming out and going to Disney World I think I might burst out of my skin in excitement!!!!  

Still here.....

I know the last few days there has been so much about the kids I've wanted to post but now I'm behind and I can't remember them all!  I guess I'll just try to hit the high points!

This past weekend I felt like Caroline was an only child!  Luke was gone with Mimi and Pop Pop having a great time in Columbus so it was just me, Eugene and Caroline at home.  I hate to say it but it was so nice and quiet around the house without Luke!  The boy talks non stop!  I really feel like we got a chance to get to know Caroline so much more.  She was sick most of the weekend but she was still sweet.  Saturday night we went to her little friend Ethan's birthday party!  I think that was the best 1 year old party I've ever been too!  It was a nice kids party but it was a very fun adult party as well!  The kids had a bouncy house and the parents had a great dinner, nice mix! 

After we got home from the party Saturday night Caroline went onto sleep.  Then, Eugene watched football and I had a sewing night.  I'm attempting to make a restaurant high chair cover for Caroline, it's still a work in progress but it's coming along. 

Sunday evening Luke arrived back home!  We were really missing him by then.  He had lots and lots to tell us about his trip.  He met Santa, saw Christmas lights, went to Monkey Joes and he kept talking about the "real soldier" he met in the lobby of the hotel! 

Monday....let's see...what did we do yesterday?  Is it sad that I can't remember!?  ....well I do remember today!  The kids and I had a nice day at home.  Luke and I put together a 100 piece puzzle today, then this afternoon me and the kids went outside.  I really needed to rake some leaves, our yard has an obscene amount of leaf bearing trees!  I didn't get very far with these two!  Here are some pictures!

Tonight I went to a candy making class at Miss Myrt's store!  I learned alot and bought a bunch of candy making stuff I'm looking forward to using over the holidays!  I really can't believe Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is just a little over a month away!  I'm getting so excited!  I love this season of the year! 

Friday!

It's a rainy rainy day today!  My hair looks like a brillo pad but I don't care, I still love the rain!  Caroline is napping now and Luke is gone for the weekend with Mimi and Pop Pop.  My parents took Luke, Grace and Claire to Columbus again, they are going to see the Christmas lights at Callaway Gardens.  Luke is so excited, I'm sure they'll have a great time.  Caroline didn't go with them this time, she is still very much a baby and a little difficult to care for.  She also had her checkup appointment today and got 4 shots!  She was very cranky in the doctor's office, hopefully after her nap she'll be in a better mood!

Last night Eugene and I took the kids to Cheehaw park to see Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Margie who were camping up there this week!  We visited with them in their camper and ate a yummy meal.  After wards Uncle Ronnie pulled out his banjo and played a few tunes!  Caroline loved it so much, she kept dancing and clapping!  Here's a little video clip, I took several if you want to see anymore just check out more videos.....

Untitled from Mindy Pierce on Vimeo.

We also recorded a little Happy Birthday message for Aunt Liza, sorry it's a day late!  We recorded it on your birthday so does that count?? 

Untitled from Mindy Pierce on Vimeo.

Odd week!

This week has seemed a little out of sorts, and you can tell that by looking at our house right now!  I've been on the computer pretty much every night for the past week or so working on something very special.  I've also had a headache on and off since Sunday so housewife duties have taken a backseat!  So, what have I been working on???? 

www.mindypiercephotography.com

Yep, that's right, I'm finally starting my own business.  I just sent out the link via email today and I've already gotten a couple of bookings! 

As for the rest of the fam they are doing good!  Luke is feeling all better and is back to full speed ahead!  I don't think Caroline is 100% now but she has a check up appointment tomorrow so we'll see then how she is I guess.  Last night Eugene and I did something a little embarrassing.....we took the kids to my mom's house then we went and ate Taco Bell then went to see a movie.  What's the embarrassing part?  It was High School Musical!  We were the only ones in the theater and a couple of times we had to laugh out loud at the cheesiness, but it was fun.  In a small town you're kind of limited by movie choices okay! 

Happy Hump Day!, oh and check out my site!

 

Caroline

In case you missed her new belt......

And this shirt suits her just perfect!

 

Monday, Monday

This morning Luke woke up with pink eye in both eyes, so no school for him today.  Luckily I have drops on hand, he actually put them in himself this morning!  When I went to get Caroline out of the crib she'd opened up her poopy diaper and was playing in it!  Hello Monday morning!

We had a great weekend.  Saturday Caroline and I went with my mom to Calico days in Moultrie.  I got both the kids belts with their names on them!  So redneck right?  What can I say I love personalized stuff!  Eugene and Luke had a little father/son day.  They went to breakfast then to Cherokee Lake to play, then it was home for some football watching! 

Last night Grace and Claire came to visit!  The kids had alot of fun playing together, here's a pic of them coloring. 

Friday!

My brain feels a little like mush right now as I write this so I'll try and remember our week the best I can!  I've had a cold this week and it's hit me a little harder than a cold usually does.  I think because it's a head and a chest cold.....anyway, let me try and recall.....

Tuesday was just a fun day around the house with the kiddo's!  We probably spent at least 5 hours outside!  We did venture out early for a trip to Cherokee Lake.  The kids played on the playground and we walked around the pond.  When we got home we headed outside again!  We have a building outback that has a finished room in it.  We've used it for everything from an office for Eugene, to a storage room....then to a junk room, now it's back in working form as a craft/hang out room for me and the kids!  I have my sewing machine set up....I've ordered some patterns on-line, I'm hoping to maybe make some Christmas gifts this year....we'll see if that pans out or not though!  I have a craft table for the kids set up too!  My goal is to do crafts with Luke on his off days from school.  Tuesday we took leaves we collected at the park and glued them to a piece of paper for fun.  Then Thursday we worked on a school project of his.  I'm hoping craft time will be something fun him and I can do while Caroline naps.  We also have enjoyed the carport outback, we eat lunch out there all the time on the table from Nana and Papa!  Here's a picture of Luke eating his shrimp!  He asks for shrimp every meal! 

This week was a fun week for me because I got to meet friends twice for lunch!  On Wednesday I took a trip down memory lane and ate lunch at the hospital (where I used to work) with my good friend Amber!  We had a nice lunch and got to catch up on each others lives.  Then Thursday I met my friends Andrea and Kim at this new restaurant downtown called Jonah's!  I don't know when the last time the three of us were together, but I felt like we hadn't skipped a beat chatting and catching up!  I've known these two girls since my family moved to T'ville when I was 12.  We had some good laughs remembering fun times together and crazy shopping trips in high school!  

Today I paid my dues for free babysitting times this week!  I kept my mom's daycare kids this morning while she had a dr's apt. then ran a few errands!  It wasn't bad at all though, she only had a few kids!  This afternoon Luke and I are meeting Grace and Aunt Jenn at Grace's school for a carnival!  Luke is so excited!  Then tonight we all will go to the Yellow Jackets game!  

I guess I"m all caught up now!  Have a great weekend! 

Weekend Wrap-up!

This weekend seemed to blow by really fast!  Saturday morning Eugene and I got up at 6 am to go to Valdosta Christmas shopping!  We wanted to get to Toys R Us early because of their door buster sales.  When we pulled into the parking lot we were the only people there!  At first we were worried they weren't open, but they were.....all the employees were just standing around waiting for customers.  We had a list of things to buy for the kids but we still went up and down every aisle browsing.  There was alot of "Cool...check this out!", "Hey....look at this thing!".  We were able to buy everything we set out to get!  I was very happy because everything we bought was either the same price or cheaper than Walmart!  I also had three different coupons that gave us a total of $23 off our purchase!  We hit a few other stores, grabbed some lunch and headed home.  It was nice to get the bulk of Christmas shopping done, I really want to have all my shopping done early so in December we can just celebrate the real reason for the season.

Sunday was kind of an odd day.  The kids got up early thanks to the time change so we decided to just go ahead to early church.  During the sermon I got called out to get Caroline from the nursery.  She's been very fussy lately, she has a cold but I think it's her molars coming in that are really bothering her.  We were all headed back home when Luke pipped up from the back seat and said that he'd like some hash browns, somehow we decided to try Sonic's breakfast.  We pulled up, rolled the windows down and let the kids run wild in the back of the van!  They think that is the coolest thing ever!  Eugene and I sat in the front seat and read the paper and enjoyed the breeze and breakfast.  After that we came home for a little while, then headed to the park.  Eugene and Luke played alot but me and Caroline just chilled on the swings, It was nice and relaxing for both of us I think!  Mimi and Pop Pop fed us lunch at their house, then it was back home for some R & R.  Since I'm not much for napping I was able to catch Center-stage: Turn it! on TV while everyone napped.  I just love, love cheesy movies like that!  A few months back I actually watched Cutting Edge 2 and 3 on TV....pathetic, I know.

Tonight I did something very exciting!  I started cake decorating class!  It's for several weeks on Monday nights.  We didn't do much of anything tonight but next week we're going to ice a dummy cake and start learning how to do borders. 

Okay....subject change....my parents were cleaning out their attic a few weeks ago and found this......

 

What is it?  Well.....when I was 14 I thought it would be a neat idea to make a time capsule!  I am such a dork!  I decorated an Eternity perfume box with labels and magazine clippings that represented me.  Here are a few of my favorites.....

I wish Adidas still made these.....

 

and these shoes.....I begged for these in 8th grade.  You could change out the triangles to match your outfit!

 

and my favorite magazine at the time.....

 

What's even more hilarious is what was in the box!

 

Besides MC Hammer I put a few letters and pictures in there, and a scrunchy!  I also wrote a letter to my future daughter.  I think the whole box was actually for my future daughter because on the back of a picture of my brother I wrote "your uncle"! 

  

It is really hard to believe I did this 14 years ago!  I guess I'll have to hold onto it and give it to Caroline....show her what a dork her mother was!