More shopping

My favorite place to shop in Michigan is Great Lakes Crossing. Once a year I go and visit Ann Taylor Loft and get these really amazing deals. And they just put in a HUGE H&M, so that was even better. Since the young men were tobogganing, Noelle, Michelle and I bundled them up and took them with us on our shopping adventure. The kids were really good and we scored some super deals. Noelle (for those not introduced to her yet, she is my sister-in-law, she married my brother, Phil) found a wool pea coat for $6 and a pair of nice jeans for $3, among other things. I found pants for $10 and a dress that is going back because the only place that it closes is at the waist, oops! And Michelle found a velvet nice dress coat for $40 that was originally $120. So here's a little picture of us modeling out stuff. Incidentally, a boy visiting Michelle had to watch us parade around in all our outfits. I'm sure he had loads of fun.

A little sisterly love

As many know, I am a chocolate fanatic. But it's not just me, it runs in the family. Love you Michelle!!

Meet my friend Uma

This beauty is Annie Ogle. I've known her since I was 5 and she now resides in London. Way too far away. Ever since Uma Thurman came on the scene, Annie has gotten tons of comments saying she looks like her. I think I have to agree. So here's to Uma. Incidentally, Mike saw the name Uma and wanted to do a spin-off of Ima. Ima Cherry. He thought it would be the perfect name for one of our kids. We'll be right on that. Oh, and the picture on the right is the real Uma. Annie swears there's not a resemblance. Anyone disagree? :)

Such a deal

I've been waiting for a week to buy these cute sweaters for Brayden for next year. I had a 15% off coupon that started yesterday, so I wanted to wait until that started. But I was worried about sizes running out, so I've been checking the website religiously because they never have the sizes in the store. Well, last night a friend and I went to Children's Place just to check if they had anything before I ordered online and they had just put everything an additional 50% off instead of 30% and they had tons of sizes and selection! Awesome, that never happens!!!! So all for $42 I got a 3-in-1 coat, two sweaters, a sweatshirt, a fleece, a button-down church shirt, a pair of pajamas, a scarf (Brayden is in love with scarves right now), and gloves. And the gloves and scarf match. And then when I was checking out I asked if I could still use my coupon online because I wanted to buy some shoes that they didn't have in the store, and they said yes and gave me a free shipping code. So I went home (after quick trip to Victoria's Secret to get a really great bra. Love the bras, hate their advertising.) and ordered three pairs of shoes online for $15. It should have been $13, but after all that I remembered the free shipping code and I forgot to use my 15% off. Oh well. Even without it I still think everything was a really good deal. So let me give Children's Place some free advertising and tell everyone to Go! My favorite part was the coat. $8.50 and it has a zip-out fleece, detachable hood and outer shell. So I don't have to buy a windbreaker, and he has a super warm winter coat for $8.50. Sweet.

What I am watching right now

So two of my boys, the biggest and Brayden, are chasing each other around the basement on bicycles. Well, technically, Brayden is on a bicycle with training wheels and Mike is pushing our "monster" tricycle. Brayden is a speedy little demon, so Mike is working hard to stay ahead of him, and he just crashed face first into our dehumidifier. You think I would have to worry about Brayden crashing, but no. Mike is the biggest kid at hard. He is now moving the seat down on Brayden's trike so he can actually ride and not die. In the process, he's teaching Brayden about crescent wrenches. Wish I had a picture for ya'll. Have a happy night!

Chocolate, a visit from grandpa and some gingerbread men

Noteable Quotables by Brayden

1."You're making me crazy!" I wish he didn't hear that one from me.
2. "I went potty at nursery today and I missed, so I cleaned it up and I tried to wash my hands but I couldn't reach." Gross. But I still had to laugh.
3.(In reference to an apple that he wouldn't finish earlier so I gave it to him at lunch) "Mom, it's old, did you get it from the garbage?"
4. Sitting on Santa's lap--"I want two gums of packs."
5. "I LOVE it." Brayden really loves everything and everyone. It's great. I love positive people. Now we just have to work on Caleb, whose favorite phrase is "No, mama." Mike's favorite quote is when Brayden runs up to him and says "I love you, Daddy."