8 Adults + 7 Kids + 2 Dogs = Drew's "Underground Bunker"

You gotta love the South and the weather it brings you. Before I start this entry about our adventures underground let me first say my heart goes out to all the families in Alabama and Georgia that lost their homes or even worse a loved one by these terrible storms.

The night started pretty calm. We had a game of four square going on in the street and the adults could tell the storm was coming but we didn't talk about it, how would we ever get the kids to sleep? After I put the kids to bed, I watched the news, and watched and watched...I mean it interupted Modern Family so I really had no choice. The first family on the scene was the McNeil Family. They live right next to the lake and they came over in case the storms got worse. I put Regan up in Jack's room watching a movie so she could fall back asleep. Shortly after that the sirens went off and the man on the news said, "Take cover immediately" we grabbed the kids and headed for the basement. Next, the Handley Family came running across the street. I called Nina and The Boynton Family followed. Along with Tammy who I had to yell at from my back door because she was about to open an umbrella to come over! Crazy Tammy!

The storm eventually passed and we lucky that it didn't tear apart our town like it did so many others. The eeriest part is the blue sky and sunshine that followed this morning. To my neighbors, thanks for spending some time in our "Underground Bunker" as always glad you were here!

We had Larry, Jen & Regan McNeil; Barry, Laurie, Taylor and Payton Handley; Chris, Nina, McKenzie & Parker Boynton; Tammy Reeder and the Boys and I all safely tucked away in my basement or as Drew calls it, "The Underground Bunker".
Just waiting watching the news on the laptop

The kids are starting to get tired

“There are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do I respond to those disasters? Over that I have complete control.”

"I peed in my covey." -A.Welch

This can not go without a blog entry about it...So, for those of you that know Jack & Drew well, you know I have AMAZING sleepers. They sleep late on the weekends, but are bears to get up during the week. I have had issues of Jack sleep walking in the middle of the night as well as conversations with Drew while he was sleeping. To say they sleep hard would be putting it mildly. Anyway, yesterday apparently Drew got up during nap time while he was still sleeping. He walked over to his cubbie (or covey as he calls it) and peed in it thinking it was the bathroom. Poor Ms Monica had to clean up that mess. Sorry, Ms Monica. I had to wash his backpack last night and when we talked about it he said, "I peed in my covey...I was sleeping." Ahhhh Drew...never a dull moment. :)

2 BIG wins for the Welch Boys!

Jack and Drew both had games tonight and they both won!

I took Jack to his game which was by far his best game of the season. He scored 3 goals and really played hard. The Rapids won with a final score of 4-2. Way to go Rapids!

Neil was with Drew at his game and they won 22-8 over the Indians. Way to go, Drew! My little cutie once he got to the soccer field
Jack was all smiles and even did his celebration dance. :)

Crazy brothers!

Way to go, Jack & Drew! I'm so proud of you both!

xoxo

Daniel came to the end of Jack's game after Drew's game. Thanks for coming, Daniel!

Game Ball! Game Ball! Game Ball!

Check out that game ball!!You guessed it...Drew was given the game ball tonight. He caught the ball at shortstop and got a runner out and he was so proud of himself. I would say this is the first time he has walked away from a game or practice talking about it. This may be a turning point for Drew...I think he likes the cheering and the attention. No idea where he might get that from...haha

"Momma, can you believe I got the gameball? I did good!"

Way to go Drew!! I am so proud of you and yes, you did GREAT!!

xoxo

Happy Easter!!

I hope everyone had nice Easter. I started off my day with a little sleeping-in which was fantastic and then I met my Dad, Christy, Christy's Mom, Richard, Jessica and baby Joel for Brunch at O'Charleys. We had a really nice time and brunch was yummy! Then it was back home to wait for my boys to get back from sleeping over their Dads house. When they got home their Easter baskets and an egg hunt were waiting for them! It was a great Easter! xoxo Happy Easter to the best man I know. xoxo

Christy & Dad
xoxo

Yay...my boys are home!!

Drew acting crazy!

Jack's Easter Basket

Andrew's Easter Basket

Thank you Easter Bunny...Bawk Bawk!!

Game 6 - Another Hard Loss - April 23

To say he was disappointed would be a HUGE understatement. It was a hard 7-3 loss for the Rapids. Today was Jack's first time in the goal and lets just say it didn't go too well. That position was not made for him. He tried his best and I assured him that was what mattered most but he looked up at me with sad eyes and said, "I let my team down." I said if he tried his best he's not letting anyone down but as you can tell from the picture, he didn't agree.

I'm always proud of you, Jack! xoxo

Peachtree City Easter Egg Hunt

It was a fun-filled Saturday morning in Peachtree City. The boys and I met Jen & Regan and Stephanie, Nicholas & Valerie for an Easter egg hunt. It was a very successful hunt minus the 80 year old man screaming into a megaphone about getting back on the parking lot until your age is called. After the hunt and prize gathering we headed over to Chili's for some lunch. Thanks for a great Saturday, Guys!

My boys are WICKED handsome. ;)

Jack & Regan checking out their stash!

Way to go Cubs!!

The Cubs had a great game on Friday night. It was a 21-8 win over the Red Sox! I have to tell you that I was okay with it because the Sharpsburg baseball league puts the Red Sox in pinstripe pants. WHAT?!?! That is craziness...that alone is why I am happy to have beaten them! Way to go, Cubs!

Way to go, Drew! xoxo

Happy 5th Birthday, Andrew Joseph Welch!

Happy 5th Birthday to my little guy! It has been quite a year, hasn't it Drew? Over the past year you have perfected writing your name in Pre-K, learned to hit a ball (not on the T) in baseball, get along a little better with your brother, improve on your manners and endure many trips to Doctors offices/Hospitals to name a few. Through it all you continued to smile that fantastic smile and laugh that fabulous belly laugh. Over the past year, some things you have taught me and reminded me of are that patience truly is a virtue, most things broken can be fixed, before school jam sessions in the car are an important start to the day and that love and faith matter most of all.

A birthday breakfast of requested confetti pancakes and milk

Make a wish...
I love you Andrew...you make everyday an adventure and I am blessed to have you!

xoxo

Guess Who Can Tie His Shoes?!?!?!

BIG DAY!! BIG DAY!! BIG DAY!!

Jack can finally tie his shoes...Yay Jack! The funny thing is I have been trying to teach him forever and we just couldn't get it and he came home yesterday and told me a friend showed him how and now the rest is history!
I'm proud of you, Buddy! xoxo

Game 5 - April 18 - First Loss :(

It was a tough 4-0 loss for the Rapids last night. Jack was not pleased to the least. This was their first loss of the season.

You played great, Jack! Saturday will go better, I can feel it.

xoxo

Jack & Angie's Night out at the Braves - April 16

Jack and Angie had big plans Saturday night. They went to the Braves game! Jack was super excited to spend some time with Angie without Drew (and me too, apparently) and they had a fantastic time! Thank you, Angie for loving my boys so much!!! Jack & Angie before the big game!

Check out those seats...Jack was over the moon excited!


They saw a great game too!

Go Braves!

Andrew's 5th Army/Police/SWAT/Anything with a Gun Birthday Party - April 17

It was simple really...it needed to be green or camo and an Army pinata tank was a must! His neighborhood friends must be present and he just wanted Christy to make him an Army cake.

Drew takes the first WHACK at the pinata

Let the craziness begin...CANDY!!!!

Mommy and her party boy!

Drew & Nicklaus - Best Buddies

It was a great birthday party...xoxo

SummerGrove Easter Egg Hunt - April 16

It was the SummerGrove Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday so the boys and I grabbed some friends and walked across the street to the park to join in on the festivities. We were hoping to see Bumpa because it was sponsored by Publix, but apparently Dad had to stay back at the store and work...BOO! We all had a great time. They had an egg hunt, fire trucks, bouncy houses, face painting and balloon making. Of course they also had cookies from Publix...Thanks for the cookies, Bumpa! Andrew, McKenzie, Jack & Cooper

Jack and Cooper - "When is this thing gonna start?"


Check out the stash...

Poor McKenzie...she didn't stand a chance.

Mommy and her Boys!

xoxo

Drew fought the car...

And the car DIDN'T win...

"How long I gotta keep my hand up here?"

The boys and I stopped by The Redmon's House after soccer practice to drop off Matthew's soccer camp registration stuff. Not the best idea. I said I was just going to run in and give it to Lisa but of course, I got to talking and the boys got out of the car and when they got back in Jack closed Drew's hand in the door by accident. It was awful. It was completely shut in there. I had to run and open it. Drew was screaming. Jack felt awful and was crying. I wanted to vomit. Dawson and Lisa are the only ones that had any sense about themselves (thank you for that). We all thought his fingers were broken. Off to Urgent Care we went. I think they should give us one of those punch cards. You know 10 visits, 1 free. :) Anyway, no break but the cut was deep enough to need a stitch or two but the Dr said it would heal on its own without it but it may scar and since Drew was still screaming in pain, a needle probably wasn't going to be the best idea so a scar it is! Chicks dig scars anyway!

Good night my little monkey...feel better! xoxo

Cubs Win Game 3!!

It was a big win for the Cubs over the Phillies last night at Sharpsburg baseball! The team did great. Well, everyone except maybe my kid who likes to twirl his gum around in the air and play in the dirt but look at him rock out that uniform. Man is he good looking or what?!?! He has been given some leeway since he is only 4 and everything but come a week from today he turns 5 and Mommy is dropping the hammer...haha

Way to go Cubs! Another great game by the players and the coaches!!

Verandah View lets loose...

I have Great neighbors! GREAT, GREAT Neighbors! I love when it gets warm and our nights and weekends are filled with sitting outside chatting and watching the kids play. That's what we did Saturday after all the sports and fashion shows (Way to go, McKenzie!) were done for the day! Well, about 15 of us decided to make a break for it and head to the local Mexican restaurant for dinner. Funny thing was, we saw the Smith Family walking out as we were walking in (normally they would be with us but Daniel had a baseball tournament, which he won, by the way! Great job, Daniel!). We had a great time, great laughs, a whole lot of chips and a balloon man on top of it all!

Thank you to The Handley, Boynton and Reeder Families for a great night out!

April 9 - Game 4 - Win!! - GO RAPIDS!!!

Another big win for the Rapids on Saturday with a score of 5-2. Jack had a visitor to his game too. He was excited to see Taylor. For those of you that don't remember, Taylor lives across the street and babysits the boys, she is just like part of the family. In fact our families spend a lot of time together and Taylor has watched Jack and Drew grow-up. Jack thinks Taylor is the coolest because she plays soccer and has been playing forever! He was excited to see her! Thanks for coming, Taylor!

Congratulations on a great game, Rapids!

Great game, Jack!

xoxo

Just a Typical Sunday...

Spring is HERE!!! I even have a little sunburn and the sinus headaches from the pollen to prove it! So, in typical Verandah View style we sat outside yesterday and let the kids play. They even "washed" my car. I will use that term lightly. HaHa

We also welcomed the Reeder Clan to the View...Tammy, Grant, Cara and Carson, we are excited to have you here!! I mean what's 3 more kids when we already have 20, right? ;) At the end of the day we headed down the street to the lake to feed the ducks. It was a great Sunday and I'm looking forward to Spring and more time outside with more great friends and great kids!Jack, Parker, Cara, Andrew, & McKenzie

Jack with his favorite little guy, Parker!

April 2 - Game #3 - WIN! - Go Rapids!

This is always my favorite game of the season! I LOVE when Jack and Matthew play against each other. Like I wrote in the fall, they have been friends for a long time so they can be pretty competitive on the field and they are a riot to watch. It was a pretty back and forth game but it ended with the Rapids winning 8-6. So, what did Jack & Matt do? They slapped high fives and had a sleepover. :)Jack & Matthew

Look at that kid...he scored 2 goals that game! Way to go, Jack! xoxo

April 1 - Game #2 - WIN! - Go Cubs!

It was a big win for the Cubs over the Royals 17-4. Drew had a good hit off the T and the rest of his team played great. Way to go, Cubs!!

He is so cute in that uniform!

Drew waiting for the pitch...very serious. :)

Way to go, Drew! Momma is so proud of you!! xoxo