Our other "kids"

The kids' favorite "toys" are our cats, so I thought I'd better showcase them here for a change. :-) They are the best cats ever!! Seriously, the kids will tackle them to give them "hugs", and I'm sure it bruises every one of their internal organs every time.

Edge is our boy cat (left) and Heidi is our girl cat (right). As you can see, they're curled up together on the couch. The kids were in bed when this was taken, so you know they're enjoying their kid-free rest!

A family tradition we've done the past few years is to load everyone up in the van and go look at Christmas lights, which we did tonight. We stopped first at Starbucks for hot chocolate for Brent and I (peppermint hot chocolate for Brent, which is waaay yummy!). Lots of great lights this year! (Between you and me...I think Brent uses this activity to do "research" on what gawdy blow-up Christmas decor is on the market. If he had it his way, our yard would be COVERED in that kind of stuff. So far I'm winning the battle, but I'm worried what he has up his sleeve for future seasons...) The kids loved tonight--it's fun that they're so "aware" this year!

Tonight we put the kids to bed slathered with Vicks Vaporub--the fevers from Sunday were apparently a warning of worse things to come. Sophie's chest is really congested, and the boys have coughs which seem to be developing into something deeper. So far Brent hasn't been affected, but I've been getting progressively more congested as the day has worn on, so I'm off for a hot bath and some Vicks Vaporub myself. :-)