Our Southern Relatives

Ju-ju enjoying the baby.

Chad, Serena, Julissa, Shara (holding beara), Jessia, Joanne & Mike in front of their house.

We had the girls in matching tops & skirts for Sunday.

The boys.

Julissa and Ayla were great buddies this time.

Jessia & Kaia.

I didn't get a good photo of Gramps & I just realized I don't have any of Serena outside of the family shot, but they were there too! Our trip was short & sweet. We don't get to see each other nearly enough, so we were thankful for this little bit of time together.

Dancing Queens

The younger girls loved playing dress-up & then singing & dancing. I've attached a video of them dancing below. It's pretty dark, but I think it gives you an idea of how funny it was watching them perform.

Hands up, baby hands up! Tell me if this song doesn't stick in your head the rest of the day.

Are We In The Air Yet?

Shouldn't we be at our cousin's house now?

Are we on the ground yet?

And, my personal favorite.

Is this a crashing plane?

In case you haven't figured it out yet we recently took a trip involving an airplane ride. Thanks to the generosity of Craig's brother we were able to make an impromptu trip down to their place. We talked on the phone Tuesday. We reserved tickets on Wednesday. We were at their home on Thursday! It's been almost two years since the cousins have seen each other, so this was a wonderful, wonderful gift for all of us. I was nervous about travelling so soon after my surgery, but it actually went very well. Just request a wheelchair the next time you reserve tickets & you'll be shocked at all the special treatment you get at the airport. Photos will be coming soon.

6 Below 0

That's what the temp is today. I think it was a bit colder than that yesterday when we decided to lock the keys in the car with Ayla strapped into her car seat. Yeah. Luckily the keys were in the ignition & the vehicle was actually running. It happened after we got to our church meeting. I knew we were early for a good reason. Somehow in the process of getting me, my crutches & braced leg into the building while carrying the baby in her car seat someone (probably me) managed to lock the doors. Our friend Kerry saved the day. How you might ask? By unlocking our Pontiac van with his Chevy truck keys! So, if this happens to you try using any available keys before calling the locksmith. You never know. In case you were wondering Ayla was a real trooper. She just calmly tried to free herself, but only managed to get the top part unbuckled. Alls well that ends well.

I Hate Sponge Bob

Last night we went to the "mare of a mallaca" as my dear daughter mistakenly called it. She seems to have the same unfortunate quirk that her father does. They often mix up their letters and words when speaking. It has caused endless amusement to me & others, but a bit of embarrassment on their part. Grandpa Mike had given us some wristbands that we needed to use by the end of the year. I think that's the first time the kids ever got to ride whatever they wanted & not worry about how many points would be used up. It was great fun. Thanks grandpa! The only annoyance was having to see Sponge Bob every where I looked. It was the stuff of nightmares for me. Plus every time your wristband is scanned you have to hear his idiotic laugh or whatever that odd Sponge Bob sound is supposed to be. I miss Camp Snoopy!!

It is super hard to get good photos in an amusement park. Here they are on their last ride of the evening.


I thought I'd share this adorable photo taken this morning. It looks like little miss learned something from Mr. Cole this past weekend!

Taking Over

This is where she is every morning. The middle of the bed! She's so sweet though. I wouldn't have it any other way. Last week we had to bottle feed her for one night. She went right back to her bassinet after her feeding. A friend told me this was my chance to make the switch, to get her out of our bed. I just can't do it.

It's Almost Official

In about an hour we won't be able to have any more kids. Yep, hubby is getting "fixed" today.

Tuesday Ramble

Today I had an MRI done on a knee that has been giving me trouble. It was only after I arrived at my appointment that I was told I'd need to dump my breast milk for 48 hours after the procedure! Apparently they want to inject a dye in me that will show up in my trouble spot if blood is going to that area. Umm, hello? My baby is like two months old & I don't know if she'll even take formula as I've never tried giving it to her. Luckily the appointment wasn't a total bust. They took some images today without the dye & on Friday I'll have some taken with it. So anytime you think of me during the next four days I'll probably be hooked up to the milk machine. Oh & I'm really dreading the nights we'll be bottle feeding. I generally have a baby on boob half the night every night. Now I'll actually have to get out of bed & warm up a bottle! Yikes! Wish me luck.

Micah's class wrote letters to Santa today. He couldn't wait to tell me what he asked for. He wants hockey equipment & a Lego kit for himself. He thought Ayla would like some more Polly Pockets. He very thoughtfully requested a meat grinder for his Dad. That way Craig can make his own ground venison. So, that leaves me & the baby. He didn't think the baby needed anything. OK, well what about mom? He couldn't think of one thing that I might like. I continued to prod him & he decided that something I would really love would be a new bowl for cooking! So. Apparently I'm the big fat mom that only cooks & cleans & has no outside interests. I know, I know, that's not what he meant, but I found it interesting that it was hard for him to come up with something. Maybe I do need some hobbies. Any suggestions?