I flew home yesterday an hour before baby brother arrived home from the mission. There is NOTHING better than to see a missionary coming down that elevator after two years. He is totally normal and funnier than ever (although very skinny). He and I stayed up until 2:30a.m. long after everyone else had crashed and my stomach hurt from laughing at him (he can impersonate anyone on the planet). He got me up first thing to go shopping today. So much fun.

Allied Waste

Yesterday we gave CJ an early surprise for his birthday. I arranged for a VIP tour of Allied Waste! They were SO AWESOME. I had called earlier in the week and explained to a lovely lady named Linda that I had an almost 4 year-old who loved her trash trucks and could he possibly come and see one? So when he got there yesterday, Linda had not only arranged for him to see one trash truck, but to ride in THREE different trash trucks. And, they made sure they saved a dumpster and two garbage cans full of trash especially so CJ could dump them into the trucks himself. Then they presented him with a personalized card signed by all their drivers and a huge birthday bag full of all sorts of Allied Waste goodies: a flourescent beanie, reflector pins, safety goggles, key chains, a REMOTE CONTROL TRASH TRUCK!!!! two frisbees (one for him and one for his dog Mac), pencils, rulers, etc. He hasn't stopped talking about it and told me his "dream had come true!"

Boys Night Out

Chad and CJ headed out and little man was so excited to go with his dad. He had to take his backpack with cars (to play with) and Gatorade (in case he got thirsty watching basketball). They had a great time and CJ got a seat next to the team garbage can that "was full of Gatorade cups with water still in them!!!!!!!!!"

Nana's Here!

With her she brought an antique hutch for my house.

Then she let CJ drive her around the block.

Then we stayed up late watching Project Runway and making chocolate cheesecake.

Then we went shopping and to lunch then shopping again.

CJ got a new fish and told me the fish's first name is Recycle. Middle name is Your. Last name is Garbage.  Recycle Your Garbage.

Baby Trey

Snow

I bundled up myself and the boys to go shovel the driveway. I had just placed Trey in the wagon, all wrapped up and cozy in about four quilts and went in the back to get the shovels. I heard Trey scream, then cry. I came running back to see his face plastered in snow and CJ trying not to laugh and cry from fear at the same time.
CJ got taken inside for timeout and laid in the doorway bawling and sweating in his snow clothes. Once back outside he cried his apologies to me, then went over to Trey and with the sweetest sincerity said, "I'm so sorry little brother. I'll never throw a snowball at you again.... until you're older."