Rich and I got AWAY!

Rich and I got to do something I've been dreaming of for years and years! We took a long weekend and went on a little trip ALONE, without any kids! I was excited to go on our trip but I was SO worried about leaving the kids and both of us being away from them at the same time for so long! We've never both been away from them for more than 1 night and even then, we weren't usually allowed to take more than 12 hours at the MOST(that's a whole other story, though) accept for when my sister watched the kids for us last year! We went several years (like 5) without taking even a night to ourselves (part of the other story) and even very rarely get to go out on dates. I know that most couples go on dates once a week or at least every few weeks or so but getting Rich to take me out on a date, just the two of us, more than once every two or three months is like an act of congress!
So I had a work thing that I took time off for that ended up being postponed and Rich had taken the time that I was going to be gone off to be home with the kids. Since I no longer had to go we decided to take a little trip together! Even though I was aprehensive to leave the kids at first, we had such a great time! We had a few things planned that were completely ruined by the fact that the entire time we were there it was rainy and cold and then it snowed the day we left! But we got to visit some old haunts and eat fantastic food (as always)! We're hoping to go back to NC with the kids this summer on vacation and do all the normal stuff and hopefully it won't be 40 degrees and rainy/snowy! Here are a few pictures we got while we were out there.

While we were there I got to see my cousin Jimmy and his boys! Here is a picture of him with his youngest boy Evan. He is 18 months old!



This is a picture of Jimmy's oldest son Austin who just turned 3 last month!



Here we are on Sunday of our trip! (imagine me singing) "Ju-ust the two of us!"



Here is another one that we got someone to take of us in front of the Cape Fear River. We had a lovely walk down town even though it was a little chilly and rainy. It was nice to be home and really have the time to take things in at our own pace!

Jocelynn & Kaiden Dance!

Ok so Jocelynn and Kaiden had a little dance program at school. They learned different dances. Kaiden learned the Fox Trot and Jocelynn learned Lindy Hop. It was soooooo adorable! Kaiden danced with a girl and I couldn't stand it it was so CUTE! Anyway, here are some videos of them dancing! Jocelynn really seems to have it down but the poor boy she's dancing with... well... poor kid! Hope you enjoy the videos as much as I did!!! Oh and I couldn't get them to upload here to blogger so I had to up load them to YouTube and post a link. Sorry about that!

Here is Jocelynn! (Dancing with a BOY!!)



Here is Kaiden! (Dancing with a GIRL!! Could this be cuter!???!!)

25 Random things about Becky

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose people to be tagged. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you!

1)I'm thinking very seriously about having my name legally changed.

2)I am an absolute freak about the TV show Friends. I have all 10 seasons on DVD and can NOT watch the episodes out of order. I also play Friends trivia almost everyday on facebook while I work. I rank pretty high too!

3)Music can change my mood in seconds! I don't listen to much country music because I don't like to be depressed.

4)If I couldn't read I think I would be completely devistated.

5)Speaking of reading, I've read the Harry Potter series between 10 & 12 times all the way through. With the exception of book 5 which I've only read 6 times, book 6, I've read 5 times & book 7 which I've only read 4 times.

6)I read books over and over and over if I like them. I mark the inside cover of all of the books I own each time I read it because one day when I'm gone and my children or grandchildren inherit my most treasured books I want them to be able to open the inside cover and see how many times I read that book. (Yes, I know how much of a freak that makes me!)

7)A long, hot bath and a locked bathroom door are two of my best friends!

8)I have been married to my husband for almost 12 years and I'm still just as in love with him (if not more so)as I was when we first got married.

9)I really miss the whole being pregnant/giving birth/new baby experience.

10)My husband and I joke that I am the guy and he is the girl.

11)I have the most beautiful children in the world...SERIOUSLY! They ARE! Well, I think they are. There are 4 wonderful kids, 2 girls and 2 boys. Jocelynn 10, Kaiden 9, Brenna 3, Sawyer 2

12)I have noticed lately that most of the celebreties that I find attractive bare a striking resemblance to my husband! LOL

13)I enjoy working and do it because I want to, not because I have to. Though, I do believe it is time for a change of departments. I like having a job that challenges me and gives me variety.

14)I have two sisters that are younger than my own two oldest children. One sister is 6 months younger than Jocelynn and one sister is 4 months younger than Kaiden. (Each are from different parents & their respective spouses)

15)There are only 2 scents that drive me crazy in a sexual way one is kind of ordinary... Cool Water cologne. The other one is a little odd... it's Rich's deoderant!lol I also love the natural smell of his breath (not his morning breath lol)

16)I often start singing or humming songs, that are playing in my head, mid-conversation with out realizing it.

17)No one is more important in my life that Richard and my kids.

18)My friend Wendy tells me that I should include the fact that I have a good eye for makeup. I can usually just look at someone and tell what "season" they are, what colors would look good on them, that kind of thing.

19)I used to work on film crews when I was young and have even dated a few celebreties (before they were really, really famous)

20) I wonder where propriety went in our society? I am quite certain it is mostly lost. A very sad thing indeed.

21) I drink out of a straw in a weird way... I didn't realize it was odd until I was a teenager and one of my boyfriends teased me mercilessly about it.

22) I am very, very excited for my first ever weekend getaway with my husband! (we've never been away from our kids alone together for more than one night) I leave tomorrow! YAY!

23) My music tastes are shocking to most people that know me. (I don't know why!??!! lol)

24) My first kiss with Richard wasn't until AFTER we decided to get married! (a little odd for me)

25) Well, this one I'm going to have to keep to myself. It's a secret.

Richard's wonderful talent!

Every year we exchange gifts within our respective families. This year on the Stout side of the family we had Keri in the exchange. Several years ago Rich started to make Keri a quilt rack because he knew she wanted one. He never actually got around to finishing it, what with his busy schedule and all... This is the first year we've had Keri in many years of gift exchanges and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for him to finish the quilt rack to give her. It turned out soooooo beautiful that I am a little jealous!!! ;) Anyway, here are some pictures of it and a chance, once again, for me to brag about how very talented and wonderful my husband is! Isn't it fantastic!!??

Our 2 Thanksgivings!

This year we got to have two fabulous Thanksgivings. On Thursday we went to Rich's parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a great dinner with lots of really good food and a nice peaceful time spent with family. On Saturday we got together with my brother and sisters and thier families. Now, we usually do our get together on Saturday but we usually skip the traditional Thanksgiving and have soups instead. This year we decided to go for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and it was all fantastic! We got a chance to have some real southern Thanksgiving specialties like my Grandmama's stuffing, pecan pie & collards! All the food was delicious and we had tons left over! I think Rich and I probably gained about 20 pounds this week! Here are some pictures we got of our Thanksgiving celebrations!

Thanksgiving with the Stout's

-Jocelynn spent the night with Aunt Keri on Wednesday night and she taught Jocelynn how to crochet! So this is where we found Jocelynn and Keri most of the time that we weren't eating on Thursday! It was so cute!




-You would think we never feed this kid! Whenever he his hungry and there is anyone in the kitchen at our house he'll go and sit at the table! As if to say "oh good! You're here! I'm starving! You're going to feed me, right?" So as soon as we walked into the house at Rich's parents he saw the nicely set table and went immediately over to it and sat down and waited! So, I just had to have a picture of it!


-Grandpa carving the turkey!


-Aunt Diana, Rafi and Brenna playing with those funky blocks that are so cool!


-Or maybe it's just Rafi...


-Looks like he might have persuaded Brenna to try it too!




-Some fun people pictures... Rich fell asleep in the chair after all that turkey!


-Keri


-A great picture of Grammy & Grandpa!


A Berg/Juarez Thanksgiving

-Jack after dinner


-Sawyer just being cute


-Maria & Jeremy trying to recover after our devistatingly delicious dinner!


-Jocelynn & Jack making their placemats!


-Kaiden waiting for me to get to him...


-The cutest kids on earth making their placemats!



-Britton enjoying dessert...


-Fun and Games...


Just for fun pics!

Wooden Cars & Trucks!

Here are a few pictures of the wooden car and truck that Rich made for Sawyer for his birthday this year. He makes them every two or three years and they are always a big hit! We've had a few requests for them again and Rich just loves woodworking and they take hardly anytime at all so he will be making a few sets. If anyone wants some let me know!

Sawyer's birthday and Twilight!

It was Sawyers birthday yesterday! I am having a little bit of a hard time with the fact that my baby turned 2!!! I just can't get over it! Here are some pictures we got last night of his little celebration!

Sawyer eating his birthday dinner...


Brenna excited for cake...


How much does Sawyer look like Rich in this picture!?!










Sawyer opens his presents...


Look at this cool wooden car Rich made for him for his birthday! He also made him a truck, they are so cool! Rich is so talented!


*On a side note I don't think I really realized how long my hair has gotten again until I saw those last few pictures. Wow! I still think it's pretty, though...

Last night was also the Twilight Premier. A small group of us went Me, Rafi, Steph, Maria and Jeremy. We had a blast and it was soooo crazy! There were tons of people, every theater was sold out and it felt like we were at the fair or something! I had every intention of taking my camera with us to document our fun outing!!! Unfortunately, that didn't happen, I completely forgot to stick in my purse on the way out the door so I only got this one picture of myself :( It actually turned out to be pretty good so I thought I would show it to everyone!