Dear "The Girlfriends..."

The DUDE & The GIRLFRIENDS

Dear "The Girlfriends,"

(what Russ calls his sisters)

Being the only boy isn't such a bad gig most of the time. But lately you have been driving me BATTY!

-I didn't get beat up.

I just took off my LION face paint.

Sometimes I close my eyes and dream of being some place else. Like in the land of the dinosaurs.. then I realize that T-Rex might not be so cool in person. I imagine driving my car out of the driveway.. then I realize I don't know how to drive. Next I dare to dream the greatest dream of all... that I'm flying like Super Man. I sure love that dream. However, it's inevitably interrupted mid flight with pleads to play "Prince Charming" in your latest Princess reenactment.

-Molly and Russ

I realize it's hard for you girls to believe that there is more to life than fairy tales and tiaras. The world will not end if you have to mix purple shoes and a pink dress. I'm just saying. Sometimes the fighting and "tudes" between you three can be a bit much. Thank goodness my ears are easy to plug. Those high pitched squeals of yours can really do a number on the nerves. I have a feeling this skill is gonna come in handy during those tween years.

"And you wonder why I have a hard time listening?"

Libs and Ally

"You KNOW you love us!"

-Libby and Ally

Also, since I've got your attention, when we are out and about and people are saying things like, "Oh that poor boy with all those sisters." Maybe you might want to jump on that sympathy wagon. I mean, I know the high school years are gonna be AWESOME for me, with all YOUR friends hanging around, BUT let's live in the now shall we?!

(L to R)

Ally, Russ, Molly and Libby

Man, who am I kidding? Being on the only boy is pretty darn cool. I was just telling mommy, when she was tucking me in tonight, that "Sometimes I miss the girlfriends when I'm sleeping." Don't get me wrong, you really drive me nuts. But, I sure do love you.

Sincerely,

The Dude

Bye Bye Baby

... Maker!

Warning, this is a post about female stuff. ;)

I have had female issues since I was 16. That was the year I was diagnosed with PCOS. At age 23 I was also diagnosed with Endometriosis. Click here for a little background info.

My pregnancy helped to relieve the symptoms. However, it was only temporary. For the last couple years my doctor and I have tried everything to combat these rapidly returning issues. About 6 months ago we gave it a last ditch effort. That effort failed. For the past 3 months I have been living in unbearable and unpredictable pain. It's been a good fight but this battle is over. "Utie" (aka -Uterus) is waving the white flag, "I surrender!"

I am relieved and pleased to share that I will be having a total Hysterectomy a few weeks from now. By the time our kiddos turn 4 years old I should be well on my way to recovery. I may be the first 31 year old in history to be excited about losing my uterus. It's time. We've had a good run and she gave us 4 wonderful children.

Conor has been amazing through all of this and we have started to prepare the kids for my surgery. They are REALLY HAPPY that "mommy's tummy won't hurt anymore." It's very cute and a non-stop topic of conversation between the four of them. They are SO darn loving with me. We also have a wonderful support system of family and friends who have offered to help pick up the slack while I'm down and out. I'm a VERY lucky girl.

"Oh dawling, your gonna feel like a new woman!"

- Silly Ally Boo Boo

(L to R)

Ally, Molly, Russ and Libby

I still have a few weeks to go but I wanted to share my big news. Thanks for listening!

Have a GREAT Monday everyone!

I'm working on a video post.. Stay tuned.

Spring Is In The Air!

What have we been up to this week? Oh, a little bit of this and a little bit of that....

-Russ and Ally

With Grandma Deb and Muzzie in town we have been playing hard and enjoying every moment. We've been down to the river for some good rock tossing and a picnic....

Russell Man

Chocolate faced Ally Boo Boo

Miss Molly- cracking herself up!

"I'm just like Pocahontas!"

-Libby LOVES her hair blowing in the wind

Another water LOVING McNulty!

-Princess Penny

WE LOVE HER SO MUCH

-Grandma Deb and Muzzie have fallen in love too!

FILTHY and HAPPY!

-Ally and Russ pretending to be Penny

Hiking home

Say NO to crack!

-Stopping to interrogate a lady bug

We've been spending time with my side of the family. They always LOVE it when the McNulty's are in town...

Auntie Lou Lou stopping by to offer a ride!

(front to back)

Libby, Molly, Russ and Ally

Dinner at my moms

THANKS Nani Donsie!

A WONDERFUL visit with my sweet Gramps

-Libby, Grampy Russell, Muzzie & Russell

We've been out to eat and roaming around town...

In and Out anyone!?!

-Conor, Grandma Deb, Muzzie and the crew

Done a little site seeing...

Conor, Libby and Me!

-Old Town Folsom

Having fun with history

(L to R)

Ally, Libby, Russ and Molly

The McNulty Clan

-Grandma Deb, Molly, Libby, Muzzie, Russ, Conor and Ally

"I got cha Mommy!"

-Funny Man Russell, jumping out to scare me!

Mo Mo loving Daddy's shoulders!

Check out this AWESOME Great Grandmother!

-Muzzie and Libby

Ally and Grandma Deb!

-I think they look SO much alike in this picture.. right!?!

And... Chilln out, maxin, relaxin all cool...

Muzzie

SO SWEET!

Ally- reading to Libby

We've been busy and it's been great. My favorite line of the entire week was at the mall the other day. We were shopping for Easter shoes- the kids feet are growing faster than we can keep up with these days- kinda funny, sorta scary! Anyway, as we were walking, we ran into the Easter Bunny. He was going on break. Ally and Libby immediately FREAKED out. At the same time Molly says, as calm as can be..."Guys, chill. It's just a dude in a costume." That kids does not miss a beat!

I hope you all have been enjoying your week as much as we have! I can't wait to share the kids new Easter duds.. they are gonna look DARLING!!!

Happy Thursday!

For Babies and YOU!

Have you ever seen a NEED for something and WISHED that someone would do something about it? Well, that is EXACTLY what my fabulous friend, Casey Gerwer has done with Designed For Babies. I had the chance to review her site and loved every minute of it.

Quad Mamas

(L to R)

Casey, Mari, Suz and Me!

I got the entire family in on the fun! Check out my review blog to see what we loved and enter to win 3 great prizes!

I got a little picture happy and this is one of my favorites!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Company!

Grandma Debbie and Great Grandma Muzzie drove down from Portland for Spring Break! They arrived Saturday and we've been busy hanging out ever since. We are so happy to have them and I have TONS of adventures planned for the week. I know they are going to enjoy our sunshine!

Yesterday we took the kids to church and then to brunch with Aunt Dot. The more we take them to mass the better they do. They have the "quiet" part down... it's the fidgety stuff we are working on ;). I have to admit though, I do love taking them to the same church I grew up in. Conor and I even got married there! There is something so comforting and nostalgic about it for me. I know, I know.. I'm a HUGE nerd!

Anyway, these new outfits MELT ME! Russ looks JUST LIKE CONOR!!

Check out THIS dude!

"Why can't Penny come to church with us?"

-Libs didn't want to leave her

Ally Boo Boo

Molly Lou Ann

Ally and Molly

This picture cracks me up!

(L to R)

Russ, Ally, Molly and Libby

The WONDERFULLY kid friendly Waffle Barn!

(L to R)

Dot, Libby, Russ, Ally, Molly, Grandma Deb and Muzzie

Happy Monday Everyone!

Funny People

I've been writing down some of the funny things our kids have been saying lately. I can't quite do them justice without the voice inflections, goofy gestures and attitude. They are a handful. Here are 4 of my favorite lines from my four favorite almost 4 year olds...

(L to R)

Libby, Russ, Ally and Molly

From: Miss Molly

The kids have not been sleeping much lately and neither have I. This morning I was on the family room floor cuddling with Penny when... I passed out!! I woke to the kiddos standing over me YELLING, "WAKE UP MOMMY! WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING?" Molly grabbed my hand, pulled me up, and said...

"Mommy, I think you need to GET UP and make some coffee.. let's get this day started already!"

I must admit, you DO have a point- little goober! ;)

-Molly and Penny

From: Russell John

We had a ton of errands to run and the kiddos were being very INDEPENDENT. It was taking forever to get out of the house and I was getting cranky. Russ had been trying to tie his own shoes and finally agreed to let me help him. I bent down, annoyed. Then, he wrapped his arms around me and said...

"Mommy, you are SOoo beautiful, even when your mad."

I don't know what brilliant person taught you that line... but it's a keeper!

-Funny Russell Man

FROM: Ally Boo Boo

On the way home from dinner at my moms, Ally was singing a pretty little tune. She sings ALL THE TIME. I LOVE it!! Suddenly she gasps...

"You guys!! The moon is FOLLOWING us home!

HOW COOL IS THAT?!"

Pretty darn cool, baby. So is your precious soul!

-Ally Boo Boo

FROM: Little Libby

Yesterday we were running around town when I passed a Starbucks. Libby SCREAMS...

"MOMMY!! STOP! I NEEEEEEEEEEED a scone!!!"

I, of course, did not stop. ;)

Libs, its was hard not to laugh. You are a handful my love!

-Feisty little Libby

Happy Friday EVERYONE! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!