Great times. . .no camera!

It was a great girls day out. . .to see the Disney princess on ice show is a big deal. . .especially for my little girls (one in particular) and a couple of their friends. We saw Jasmine, Snow White, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, and of course Cinderella. They had a wonderful time! . . .But, do you see any pictures? No, Mommy forgot the camera . . . ugh!!! How could I forget it? Their faces were beaming and their eyes were glued to the rink. So precious to see their little faces!

Fast forward a couple of day. . .Bruce has the week off and we decide to take the kids to TN to the indoor water park. It was absolutely FABULOUS!!! We were there on Tuesday. . .No crowds (one of the many advantages to homeschooling) and the kids had a blast!!! They loved staying in the hotel there too. Then, Wednesday we took them out to the aquarium. Brady was a little nervous, he asked what was there. We told him all about the fish, sea turtles and sharks. (We thought he would really like that idea.) He sat quietly for a few moments then said, "Daddy? Are these sharks mean or nice?" (still a little nervous at the idea of seeing sharks) Bruce said "They're nice sharks." (more quiet moments) "Daddy? Do nice sharks have smooth teeth?" Ahhh! How can he be so precious?

So, that was fun and then we went back to the water park and let the kids swim some more before coming home. But, do you see any pictures? No. . .I forgot the camera again!! I do have some great pictures on my phone and am working on getting them to the computer . . . so be patient with me and hopefully I'll have some pictures of our fun times soon. (And sharks with not so smooth teeth). :)

G. A. P.

We are getting ready for a play date and this little guy...my just turned 3 in November little guy, is in the kitchen and. . .


this little guy enters wearing this shirt. Brady looks at him and says "gap. Mommy, Zach's shirt says gap". I stop what I'm doing and stare at him. I say "yes, it does."


A couple of weeks ago he told me a bottle sitting on the counter said "mist", he was right then too. So, this was enough to get my complete attention. I took out some paper and pen and wrote words like: c a t , d o g, h a t, p i g, etc. He got them all!!!

My little guy is starting to read words!! Can't I just keep him little and enjoying icing on his face from Valentine cookies??

The girls thought this was great and took out a Bob book for him to look at. He did remarkably well. He thinks it's a game...and he loves to play games.

Congratulations little guy, you never cease to amaze me!!

And, an update on Charlie. . .

he is smelling better, but for a while this is how he received any attention. Can you tell that Lindsey has a stick scratching him with it? And is still trying to keep her distance. Poor Charlie!!

Little Stinker

Last weekend the girls got dressed up to go to a friend's birthday party. It was a cute little cupcake party and tea. They had a great time getting all fancy. And, Bruce kept the boys at home. When we got back he said "I want to show you something", and gets the camera out.


He shows me this. Yes, that is Zachary getting the lollipops Bruce put "out of reach".


(Try to focus on the shock and awe of the child, not the disorder of the pantry.) :) Oh Zachary, what will we do with you? But then, you often have pictures like this...


that can charm this Mommy any time. Look at those sweet smiles. Rotten you ask? Yes! But very sweet too!

We all loved seeing the sun the other day and enjoyed getting to play outside.

Lindsey high in the willow tree.

Just a swingin...

and hanging around.

At this moment, Bruce and I are dealing with the stinker pictured below, a.k.a. Charlie. And stink he does after being sprayed by a skunk!!!!! (Yes it is 9pm). So, we have drenched him with beer and we are waiting for him to dry. (yes, the vet told us to) Next we follow his pampering with a peroxide, baking soda and dawn bath. Wait to dry again and rinse. Apparently drying completely between is important. Do you understand how long that takes at 40 degrees at night!??? IN THE RAIN!!! UGH!!!!!

Just remember...skunk, and 9 p.m. and 3 baths, and we're just getting started. (sigh) Never a dull moment!

Who stole the...M&Ms???

On this typical day, as usual, Zach wants his breakfast pretty soon after waking. He had cereal, "nannas" and slurped down his milk from his bowl (yuck!, but Daddy does it too...so Zachy see, Zachy do). He seemed to be full when he said he was all done, then what does he spy with his little eye...


M&Ms. A full jar of them up on the bar. So he climbs up and hesitates only slightly...

before reaching in and continuing to eat. (I'm not sure how many he had by the time I saw him, but the evidence of green on his lips convinced me that it was more than 1). So, like a good Mommy before 9 a.m., I said "Zachary no, no!"

Have you ever seen such a face? A look says so much, especially when words cannot come from this little person. ( I have actually seen this look on Bruce's face before).


Ahhh, my sweet little boy? I think I'll be seeing this look in the future.

Fun Times

My sweet boy! I love morning snuggles and he won't leave his bed in the morning with a couple of "pappies" and blankies. I wish I could capture and share the sweetness of those times. If only they lasted throughout the day.


Lindsey on the red exercise ball her Daddy got them for Christmas...they love them, I have threatened more than once to pop them. (shhh, don't tell Daddy.)


Zachy playing in the snow for the first time, he loved it! He loved sledding. I think he'll be climbing the big hill behind the house next winter. He kept saying "weeeeeeee" all the way! :)


And my little princess, Rachel, making snow angels. And when she's tired of being cold...


she cuddles up and reads stories to her brother.


And today she had her big day! Ballet class! The day she has begged for and longed for....finally came. She loved getting her ballet shoes and has been prancing around the house since we got home. I asked her if she had a good time and she said..."I loved it!!" She is still glowing!!

And Brady....what can I say? He loves his bubble mower and he loves to mow, even in January!

(I hope the love lasts for 10 more years.)

Christmas 2010

A few pictures from Christmas Day....Lindsey's favorite gift was LPS and Elizabeth...


Brady's was a cement mixer...


Rachel's was Julie...


and Zach...well, all he needs is a good "pappy", but he got a tent and tunnel and basketball goal for fun.



Playing games with Grandma Marsha...

and hiding out in the cubbies Bruce built for us.


Zach in his rocking chair.

It was a great Christmas, except for Rachel being sick (poor thing). But, she didn't share thankfully on this occasion. Mom and Dad came over and we had a seafood feast with Bruce and Daddy eating oysters, lots of oysters! Thanks for a great Christmas!!

Christmas and Sweet Smiles!

Christmas at Mom's is always fun and the kids love playing with all the cousins. While everyone was waiting to open presents I decided to snap a few pictures. I love all the smiles and joy on all these kids faces. Here's Caroline, Rachel and Lia (I see fashion model in Lia's future) ...


Lauren and Brady...And Lindsey, Alex and Michael.

Then, the opening began...
and we were visited by Batman...

then his trusty friend Superman showed up. (ha, ha...is was so cute to see them dressed up).

Lindsey with her Pop-Pop opening her present.



And Brady in his new shirt...he will need to go to some kind of Diego addiction counseling one of these days.
And Brady had to get some baby time in with cousin Madison...




look at all these sweet smiles! And speaking of smiles...





one of the sweetest I've seen!! We're anxiously waiting for you Lily Claire and we'll celebrate with you when you come home!!