See Karen Run

End of the Summer . . .

2009-08-10T09:04:00.009-07:00

So Baby A and Baby B started 1st grade yesterday. I cannot believe that my babies are now sitting in desks with their pencils in boxes. B was so excited to have a pencil sharpener on the wall . . . it was a big improvement in the classroom for her compared to Kindergarten. Gem was sad for a moment and then realized she had Daddy and me all to herself. She also could play with any of the toys and nobody was going to take it away . . . she was in heaven. And actually still is enjoying the quiet this second morning of school too.

This past weekend, Dh had his company picnic at Stone Mountain Park. It was SO hot but we really did have a good time. Daddy and the big girls competed in the relay races: a tug of war, water balloon toss, potato sack race and the pink flamingo race! Gem and I enjoyed the moon bounce but I thought you all might like to see at least Dh doing the pink flamingo race!! It was worth the heat and dehydration for that pic!!

And since we were at the park, we thought we might take some cute family photos. But the girls were hot and exhausted, as were dh and I, so these are the best 3 of about 40. And you really can't see the Stone Mountain carving either . . . so no Christmas card pic is coming out of this bunch!

This is how the girls really enjoyed their summer . . . riding bikes!

And here was just a pose for the camera day on the deck! There were no good ones of the 3 of them all together, so this Christmas pic might just have to be a collage pic!

And as a last big event of the summer, Kelli and her crew came to visit! We were even doubly blessed when Summer and her crew came up from Southern GA too!! We had SO much fun hanging out with Summer and her hubby . . . seriously, wish they all lived closer!!

(I love this pic . . . it describes now Kelli and felt at the end of each day!)

But the kids had a blast together and even if Kelli and I were exhausted, it was totally worth it!! Although next summer, Kelli and I are hiring a babysitter for a couple days and getting pedicures, manicures and shopping without the crew!!

I promised more!

2009-07-20T18:38:00.006-07:00

I meant to add these last week . . . but I just forgot! Here is more from our trip!!

DH in Richmond . . . see where the girls get their eyes from??

Gem, such a sweet face!!

Behind my mom's house is a little wooded area that had not only wild raspberry bushes but a little community of Fairy Doors. The girls went wild!! They picked berries for the fairies and swear they saw them flying around at night pretending to be fireflies. But it was really special when The Fairy from the red door wrote them a note, thanking the girls for the berries. It was wonderful seeing the excitement and the amazement in their faces when they read the note.

While we in Duck, NC we took the girls to see the Dunes at Kitty Hawk. We told them it was the world's largest pile of sand and honestly, that is exactly what it looks like. It wasn't really too hot when we were at the beach, but the dunes had to be another 15 degrees warmer than the beach. The sand was so hot it was burning the girls feet. But they didn't just want to stand there and look at the sand, they wanted to cross it. So, dh took them out on a trek . . . they actually made it further than I expected and then ran back with burning but proud feet.

More to come . . .

2009-07-14T14:18:00.006-07:00

For the past two weeks we have been traveling all over the place!! We started out in Richmond VA with DH's family! Then we went to Duck NC with my dad and grandma and then we went on to Purcellville VA to spend some time with my mom!! The trip was a blast and the girls had a ball being spoiled by grandparents!!!

Hilton Head '09

2009-06-10T12:27:00.021-07:00

Mom made Gem a Noddy house for her birthday! She loves it! Noddy is one of her favorite characters . . . Noddy and Elmo!

Gem just LOVED the beach. There were the usual great shallow tide pools at Hilton head that she just sat in and splashed around!

And shells . . . of course!

This bird sat there and posed for me, I swear. I talked to him and I took this pic without zooming in!

Where have we been since April??

2009-05-30T16:08:00.007-07:00

We have been super busy this spring!! I am hoping for a nice calm summer to make up for a CRAZY Spring. Here are some newish pics for you . . .

A couple of these are from the Mother's Day Tea and the girls school. The rest of them are from Gem's birthday party

just because . . .

2009-04-03T08:20:00.003-07:00

This pic is just because I rarely EVER get a pic of the three of them looking; 1. at the camera 2. smiling 3. without something spilled on a shirt!! And they also just looked stinkin' cute, but I am terribly biased!

Some LONG overdue pics!

2009-04-02T09:19:00.004-07:00

We really enjoyed our visit with Khara, John and family! Here are a few pics!! We just love visiting with Hokies!! (And I cannot get the underline to turn off here . . .)

My Mom came to watch the girls compete in the Magnolia! Here is the only pic I tookduring her visit. The girls wanted ice cream as a competition treat . . . at Ben and Jerry's!

I took this one the other night and it was just too cute to not share!! Gem really does adore her older sissies!

Scrap Etc . . .

2009-04-01T05:48:00.005-07:00

I am posting this for Kelli!! She SO deserves to get a chance to go to Scrap Etc!! She is an awesome scrapper, person and friend!!

(I kinda feel like those seagulls in Finding Nemo . . . Kelli, Kelli, Kelli!!)

Memed??

2009-03-04T16:15:00.003-07:00

SO . . . Kelli memed me! Not sure about that but . . . the here we go:

So here are the rules:

Rules: Choose the 6th image out of your 6th picture folder from your computer and blog it. Then tag 6 more people to do the same.

Well, this is a pic of the girls at Fernbank! They love this museum and here they are on the 'fishing boat' in the kids section. I can't even tell you how old they are . . . well, except for the fact that the folder also had pictures of me when I was newly pregnant with Gem, so over 2 years ago!!

And to tag: You know, I am only going to tag 2 people. And the fact that they need to blog and get off facebook counts as 4 more. (Seriously, I sound convinving right??) And my other readers don't have blogs . . . they should because all the cool kids are doing it!!

SumSum! She is just blogging about food for now . . . so maybe your six picture of food on your computer would work for her!!

Khara - maybe this would help her update . . . before she comes to visit me!!

Atlanta Snow!

2009-03-02T06:55:00.007-07:00

Well, we had our snow storm yesterday!! We had 2 inches at the most, but it all quickly melted because it was a little too warm. Plus, we started out with 2 inches of rain, so the we really ended up with snow on mud and then muddy snow and then just cold mud. But the girls enjoyed it, they don't know what it is like to have normal snow!!

First steps out!!

SO happy to be out in the snow!!

Not quite, her first snow because there was a little last winter, but this is the first snow that she got to play in!! Gem just kept laughing when the snow fell on her! And of course, she wouldn't wear a hat or gloves . . .

Loving it!!

I think this was all the snow on the deck . . .

Gem testing to see what it really tasted like . . .

Big A trying to catch a few on her tongue!!

The three snow bunnies!

Snow hugs!

Georgia Snowman . . . needs a baby carrot for a nose and he would only hold one button!!

I am done, can I come in now??

Random pics from the week!

2009-02-25T05:38:00.007-07:00

The girls are getting ready for their spring Ice skating comp! They are working really hard! Gem is trying to get in some practice time too, but she is just too little to compete!

And there is no news around here - seriously we are boring!! I had a crazy pilates class yesterday, I can feel every mucsle in my abdomen. GOOD yes but ouch!!

Gem is talking up a storm, she just wants to get a word in too, but that will be hard because A and B never stop talking.

I know!!

2009-02-24T20:37:00.002-07:00

I know it has been WAY too long since I updated . . . but I promise, instead of playing Fish Wrangler on Facebook - I will update you all tomorrow!! I have some new pics of Gem and the girls!!

And seriously, nothing too exciting around here since Christmas . . . I think that is good!!

My Christmas Present!

2008-12-18T07:15:00.008-07:00

This year for Christmas I decided that what I really wanted was to have a couple of trees that were too close to the house removed. So they came this week and took the three trees down. Two of them were next to the fireplace and hit the house when it was windy and the other was a very LARGE tree next to the deck that had been slowly leaning towards the house. So . . . here are the pics from the day! It was rainy and I couldn't go outside and take pics, so this is what we saw from inside. I was really impressed with the way the man just climbed up the tree and then when he got to the top he was just standing up there on a horizontal limb like it was nothing. He was above the house on this branch and I couldn't even imagine feeling that comfortable up there, perched like a bird. So anyway I thought you all might enjoy these. They haven't finished grinding the stumps yet, so I will take all finished pics soon and as soon as it stops raining here! There are two cute ones of the girls. But, just ignore all the mess on Gem's face - she just can't keep it clean!

And I am adding this one that they took of me at the rink today . . .

Bad blogger!

2008-12-15T11:19:00.008-07:00

WHOA! Sorry that I haven't even updated since before Thanksgiving! Yikes, bad blogger. Things here haven't been all that exciting just really busy. We had a wonderful visit with my mom and a very filling Thanksgiving with our friends. I have had to get the windshield replaced on my van, get new tires and an oil change done . . . of course all in different places. I have been working my tail off at the gym to finally lose the weight I gained with Gem, I have been ice skating again and my coach is trying to kill me (just kidding, but my leg muscles might disagree.) I have been getting quotes to have a couple of LARGE trees removed from our backyard, since that is what I want to for Christmas. Tutoring, watching miraculous Hokie football, taking the girls to birthday parties, cleaning up the house, doing the ongoing battle against the laundry, trying to get a picture for a Christmas card, wrapping gifts, standing in line at the UPS store, watching TONS of Christmas movies and shows with the girls, and just trying to stay grounded in the real reason for the season!!

See nothing interesting . . . just busy! But I am looking forward to a calmer week and then Christmas. But hopefully I will have an update for you before then and I can be a good blogger!

There is a little Christmas elf in there . . . trying to undo the decorations!

Please, stop. I just need one good 'ish' picture!!

Going to birthday parties . . . doing their makeup and their nails. Aah, the life of a six year old!

Gem working on her ice skating moves . . . nice spiral!

Thanksgiving with my mom.

Our tree . . . half decorated. Gem just loves to undecorate it!

Just because they are posers.

The Thinker.

And the what are you going to do about it look??

So . . .

2008-11-20T19:29:00.004-07:00

I am in Virginia!! I just enjoyed an afternoon reliving good times at Virginia Tech!! I loved seeing campus, shopping in downtown Blacksburg and eating dinner at my favorite Zepolli's restaurant. Mom and I are having a couple of mother-daughter days of traveling back down to Altanta and she had her laptop and the hotel has WIFI, score!!

And the most amazing bonus (for a southerner like me) is that it is SNOWING!! Yup, SNOW!! I don't know when the last time I saw snow before Thanksgiving was . . . maybe never. And definetely not in Atlanta! So sleep tight, I am enjoying the snow!!

Beer, Lysol and Milk

2008-11-13T10:50:00.002-07:00

That is my shopping list for today. Beer - for the Virginia Tech game (after I tutor, of course!) Lysol b/c one of the big girls is home with the stomach bug. And milk, b/c there is none in the house at ALL. And we usually have Whole milk for Gem, 2% for the big girls and dh and Lactose-free for me - and we have none.

So, do you think I will get weird looks at the checkout???

20?? Winter Olympics here we come!! JUST KIDDING!!

2008-11-08T13:18:00.004-07:00

Here is a video of Gem and I skating! I got her some skates b/c she is constantly trying to run on the ice during the girls lessons. So I figured, why not try her on the ice! She loves it! She squealed with delight when she saw me pull them out of the bag. Now, she is only on the ice for about 5 minutes, but that is all my back can take!

I did - did you??

2008-11-04T11:21:00.002-07:00

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T19:55:00.003-07:00

Here are the girls last night! Gem would only keep the hood on for this picture . . . she was supposed to be Little Red Riding Hood, but she ended up looking like a German Barmaid! The girls costumes turned out really well (if I do say so myself!) And they had a blast. It was so fun having Halloween on a Friday b/c I didn't have to worry about getting up for school and I let them stay out longer than I think we normally would have!

6 Years Old TODAY!!

2008-10-21T05:13:00.002-07:00

Here they are then . . . 3.3lbs and 3.4 lbs . . .

What was I thinking??

2008-10-09T17:33:00.003-07:00

Today the girls and I ran over to JoAnn's fabric to get some elastic for some EASY to sew skirts, this is the one I made yesterday.

So, we walk in the store and there is the most gorgeous Fairy costume on a small mannequin. The girls went NUTS! "MOMMY, I LOVE THAT ONE!! I WANT THAT ONE!"

Well, I say, hum, I just made a skirt, so I CAN DO THAT FOR YOU!! What was I thinking?? So, here is what I have so far: 8 yards of slippery satiny fabric, Gold trim, A VERY COMPLICATED pattern (no the word EASY is not on the front) and the elastic that I went to get.

Who wants to make a bet that I am at Target on the 31st, begging the girls to be the fluffy bunny b/c that is the only costume left???????

My Hokies Ulcer . . .

2008-09-28T03:26:00.002-07:00

was acting up again last night! Did you watch the game? Virginia Tech was cruising along and then . . . the second half came. They let Nebraska score and get 1st downs, it was was too stressful! In the end the Hokies did win, if you wanted to know, but c'mon guys, no more 2nd half scares. Seriously. Dh and I can't take it.

Just to embarrass myself!

2008-09-25T05:52:00.005-07:00

A Long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I went to Space Academy in Huntsville Alabama. It was fun and the pictures are totally embarrassing now. But I found Space Camp the movie at the store the other day and bought it for the girls. They loved it. So I brought out my Space Camp album and showed them the pics. When I showed them this pic, they really thought that I had gone into space! It was so cute and kind of flattering! But then I thought, why not embarrass myself and put these pics up here for the world to see.

So here is a pic of me the night before I left. My mom made me a rocket cake . . . and don't you just love the vest! I was stylin'

This is my friend Kathy! (Sorry, Kathy, I just had to put these up here too, b/c it would have been any fun without you!) Oh, we look so young!!

This was our room in Huntsville. And Kathy modeling our fun 'jump' suits!

This is me, modeling the suit when I got home. I really wonder where it went??? But I thought it made me look fat. Oh, what I would tell myself now if I could back in time . . .

And now for the fun part . . . I wonder what ever happened to the people that I have all these pictures of?? I guess when you are in middle school, you take pictures of people and not of the things that you are doing!! My album is full of people I don't even remember there names!! But these were the 'Space Couples!'

Okay, so I went with a girl scout group! But I loved being a girl scout and I was one all the way into high school. I think it really was for the cookies!

Oh, Kathy . . . preview of things to come!!!

2008-09-24T16:00:00.002-07:00

Okay, who is that?? Who would wear acid washed shorts??? And try to look cool all at the same time??? Don't worry there are many more pics to come!!

I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!!I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!!

2008-09-19T11:11:00.005-07:00

They would TOTALLY come back into fashion . . . . check out Katie Holmes' pant legs!!!!!

I am so pegging my pants at the bus stop today - I will be so in fashion!!!!! (Am I enjoying this too much??)

Ulcers???

2008-09-14T05:48:00.004-07:00

Did you see the Virginia Tech game yesterday?? I am getting too old for the suspense - I am going to get an ulcer if the Hokies don't increase their winning margins. Both DH and I were screaming at the tv for the last few minutes of the game. The girls just wanted to know who was going to win and we kept saying, 'we don't know.' I shouldn't have to say that . . . I should be able to say, the Hokies b/c they are winning by 20! (I wish!)

So, it is good though that they won. Nothing like living in Georgia Tech territory . . . I guess I will be wearing VT wear to the bus stop tomorrow!!!

And very random musing here: Baby A and I went to a bunch of garage sales yesterday morning! There was a large neighborhood doing their annual 'neighborhood' sale. And oh, the traffic!! There were hundreds of people there. There were also about 100 garage sales. You know what we got, well, what A got?? A glass of lemonade. That is it! Out of all those garages, there was not one fun or good thing. But my little one was so excited that I had .50 so that she could buy a drink from some kids that had set up a stand. SO if you are going to have a garage sale, keep your kids busy selling lemonade. I think that family was going to make more off the lemonade then their stuff - the kids were cute and had handmade signs. And .50 cents for a dixie cup of lemonade?? They made a killing!! We did see another stand that had cookies too, but we were driving out.

And I need to find something other than baby A and baby B since they aren't babies anymore. . . any suggestions??

A toadstool in the mint . . . and the beach!!

2008-09-11T09:36:00.008-07:00

This is my picture of the day! I have a couple of mint plants outside my front door. And when I went to grab a leaf, I noticed a sneaky little toadstool hanging out. I thought it looked kinda neat!
And after we were sure that Tropical Storm Hanna was not going to hit Hilton Head, we packed up quickly and headed out to the beach!! It was great. The beach is such a wonderful place to be and it was fantastic getting to go there with my mom and Granny, if even for just a couple of days!! And remember, if you click on the pics they should get bigger!!!

Gem was FEARLESS!! She just kept going into the waves determined to be like her big sissies!
SO BIG!!!! We played hookie for the first time!!
My mom!! And one of her favorite pastimes - taking pics of the Grandkids!
My Granny!! She loves the sun and the beach!! I hope when I am in my 80's that I still love the beach as much as I do now!!
Daddy and Baby B!
She loved it!!
Posers!! Watch America's Next Top Model much??!
Granny and Baby A!
Yup, she knows she is cute!
Driving our traditional car!! My mom and A built this this year!! But we always have to have a car of some kind at the beach!
This is why you shouldn't use spray sunscreen on yourself!! Poor DH!!
I realized I had no pics of me at the beach . . . so I took this of myself yesterday!! I did get tan at the beach in addition to the burn on my back!
And just yesterday Gem looked too cute in this hat!! And she posted for a minute . . .
And then she gave me the wagging 'No' Finger! I guess she was done!!

Nothing to blog about . . .

2008-09-01T18:23:00.002-07:00

Well,I had planned on blogging after Virginia Tech successfully started their season. But as we all know, that didn't happen. That quarterback . . . c'mon take the red shirt of Tyrod already. We know it is going to have to happen this season or we all know it should. Oh well, we shall see. . .

Nothing much going on around here. Just a broken washing machine! I mean who needs to do laundry?? Hopefully, the repair guy will be able to fix it on Wednesday. Otherwise, Wednesday night, I will be out at the store picking out a brand new, shiny, fancy washing machine.

And we are supposed to go to Hilton Head next weekend for a day or two, but that Hurricane Hanna might just be ruining the end of summer plans around here. Bummer. But maybe, it will turn and go after another coast!!

The girls still love Kindergarten. I got to eat lunch with them the other day. I thought the cafeteria was rather quiet for a 100 5 year olds, but we had the lights turned out on us and we received a reprimand for being too loud. Guess they have never eaten lunch with 7th and 8th graders . . . now that is loud!!! I used to dread lunchtime!

I have been watching a lot of tennis this last few days, since the US Open is going on. I was having Olympic withdrawals, so it is nice to still have some kind of sport to watch during the day!!

See, boring. I told you that I had nothing to blog about. But maybe, you find my boring life not so boring?? Or not!! K out.

Wierd Things ...

2008-08-26T19:22:00.002-07:00

Well, Kelli, you tagged me . . . and I am so not weird!! Just kidding . . . I am so weird!

1. I am a morning person.

2. I can still sing commercials that I heard on tv when I was a kid... remember . . . Crispy Critters, how do you do ...

3. In fact, I love music from when I was a kid so much, that my girls favorite songs are the B'52's Love Shack, Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears. We have so much fun in the car!!

4. I hate wearing shoes. I would go barefoot everywhere if it weren't for dirty, icky floors.

5. I still sleep on my side (from when I was pregnant) with 3 pillows. It is just so comfy!!

6. I pick at scabs. I just can't let them be . . . they have to come off.

7. I love to eat Haggis, yummy!!!!!

Cleaning Up!

2008-08-26T06:54:00.005-07:00

This weekend I had just HAD it with our game/art/activity closet! So, DH installed some new shelves and I organized it! We managed to put shelves along the inside right wall too - so there is so much extra space! It looks great! Dh want to know how long it will last like this - I think at least 2 weeks!! (You can click on the pics to see completely up-close organization!!)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And the girls wanted us to bunk their beds! They love it! And it makes their room seem so big!! I think we are going to move their dollhouse in there so they can play in their room. Plus Gem thinks it is fun to climb the ladder - so if we put all the big girls stuff in one room, we can try to keep her out there!

Picture of the Day!!

2008-08-19T10:05:00.004-07:00

Raise the Roof!!!

The Season is Almost here . . .

2008-08-18T15:48:00.002-07:00

And Gem needed her football watching outfit!!! I tried to embellish a shirt for her - but I think I might have to do it over - the sewing is really wonky!!

KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!

2008-08-11T09:06:00.003-07:00

The first day . . . can you believe it???

At the Stop!!

Here is Gem after her sister's went off to school this morning!

This was the other day . . . the girls had a blast on some new toys that our neighbor gave us!! I thought they looked so cute!

What have I been doing for the past 12 hours?

2008-08-01T15:27:00.002-07:00

Well, after Kelli and the crew left . . . it has been just pretty calm around here!

Took the girls to the rink for ice skating lessons!
Cleaned the house!
Watched a very exciting So You Think You Can Dance Show!!
Then this morning, enjoyed a couple nice cups of coffee!
Went out and saw Cloth Diapers (Yup, like Gem uses) at TARGET! Bum Genius!!!
Took the girls to Kohl's to buy some clothes and take advantage of Tax Free!!
Came home, Gem actually took a nap and the big girls and I watched Aquamarine (cute movie!)

For the weekend:
Either go for a walk with the family tomorrow morning or go to a parade
Upload pics from Kel's visit - although she has all the pics since my camera was either dead or charging the whole time!
Find and install new lights in the kitchen ceiling.
The girls have a neighborhood Kindergarten Round-up on Sunday!
That is it!! No tennis, no parties, no big plans!! I love it!

Back from Virginia! MORE PICS!!

2008-07-22T17:27:00.009-07:00

As we do every summer we took a trip to VA to visit with the family! Although this year the trip was a little last minute . . . it was still really fun! We visited with my dad, my grandma, my mom, my brother, and the inlaws.

My mom flew down and drove back up with me and the girls. There is really no way that I can drive 12 hours with the three of them by myself! And then on Monday we went to my dad's house. We terrorized his house, well, Gem terrorized it. We went swimming at his pool, visited with Grandma a couple of times, played on the slip and slide, and watched a movie with Grumps. The girls really enjoyed themselves. Dad also had some souvenirs for us from his trip to Africa including a book for the girls - about a girl living in the wild. They love it. And I got an elephant hair bracelet and an ostrich egg! I am proud to say, that he managed to get the egg back from Africa and I managed to get it back to GA without breaking it!!

Then we went to my mom's house. The girls loved playing in the yard and with the car that she has for them. Gem enjoyed terrorizing her place as well! We shopped, we picnic'd, the girls saw Wall-E, we danced in the rain, they spent the afternoon with Uncle Robb playing in the sandbox and around the yard. We went to farmers markets and had DELICIOUS fresh veggies and fruit. They planted seeds, played in the dirt, picked and ate wild rasberries and cherries. We really did have a blast.

Then we went down to Richmond to see Dh's parents and then on to the river house. The house is on theTappahanok river just before it joins with the Chesapeake Bay. Is is lovely. I forgot to take the camera out of the car . . . I know, I know. But the girls swam in the river, went on the paddle boat with daddy and papa, collected rocks, and have really bad sunburn. There was another set of identical twins there with us, celebrating their 11 birthday, and I am so not ready for preteens!!
Dh's Grandma came with us and we weren't at the house more than 10 minutes and she fell and hit her head on the brick steps. We rushed her to the emergency room and seven staples later, the poor 87 year old finally took it easy. JUST A LITTLE STRESS at this point. But she is okay, and hopefully will not try to carry the corn and go up the steps at the same time again!!

Then we drove home yesterday. It is so nice to be home.

My big Baby A chilling at Grumps house!

My big baby B posing!

The LO goofing around!

Grumps and Gem taking a walk!

Grumps, Gem and Great Grandma hanging out in her new place!

Great Grandma and the big girls!

Great Grandma L with the girls!

Grumps and the girls feeding the ducks!

The evening view from Mom's house.

Gem enjoying the view.

We went for a walk with Uncle Robb!

Uncle Robb played in the sandbox with the girls. They found some dinosaur bones and Robb put them together!

We went bowling . . . Baby A beat us all! Several strikes and a spare at 5 1/2 - she wants to take bowling lessons. Hum...

Hey, puppy - come back here . . .

Is there where I am going to sleep?

The Park with my mom:

Posers!

Don't Stand up in there . . .

Grandma before the 7 staples! She would not let me take a picture of her afterwards b/c she had a wrap on her head!

Doing things I don't want to do . . . cleaning.

2008-06-27T12:44:00.002-07:00

Even though, my idea of a great day would be sitting on the couch watching Wimbeldon, I have too many other things to do! In order for my mom to come next week, I have to clean the guest room, which until today was full of 'organized' piles of stuff. So, I had to put the piles away! And I am thinking that I might have to sell in the twins' club sale again, even though, I really don't wanna. But Gem helped me today.
And BabyA has some kind of stomach bug and she got sick twice last night and she has stayed laying down most of today, so I knew we couldn't go anywhere. So, instead of sitting eating bonbons on the couch while watching some amazing tennis, I cleaned! Enjoy the pics!

The "Water Park" and the baby that figured out Velcro!

2008-06-25T18:19:00.007-07:00

So, we decided to break the water restriction rules today and break out the water park!! We have a shallow end, a deep end and a wave pool! Gem is very into the importance of sunscreen as you can see from her desire to keep it with her all day!

So, Gem liked the shallow end . . .

This is the deep end . . .

And here is the beach/wave pool! Who knew this was at our house!!!

After we played outside all afternoon, the girls got into their pj's. But before I could put on Gem's pants over her diaper - she decided she didn't need one! And she sure did look cute roaming around with her cute bum hanging out!!!

And for your viewing pleasure . . . the video of the day!

And since I just finished watching SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE . . . I had to tell you I love it so much tonight that I voted for 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 - several times!!

Gem Walking!! (And Goose's cameo!)

2008-06-19T19:03:00.002-07:00

Where is the . . .

2008-06-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

Virginia TECH one?? Gem would love to sit in a Hokie seat!!

http://www.babycarseats.com/Britax-R106-X-BRX1125.html

Which member of our family . . .

2008-06-17T08:19:00.003-07:00

spent the weekend blowing tons of $$, passed out, and got their stomach pumped before spending the weekend in the hospital??
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The dog.

Yup, he ate an entire bottle (bottle included) of his Deramaxx arthritis medicine. So, when we found the little piece of bottle that was left . . . we rushed him to the emergency vet. They made him throw up, fed him charcoal, hooked him up to an IV and kept him hydrated for 72 hours so that his kidneys wouldn't shut down.

So, we should call this the year of the dog. Is it really - what is on the Chinese calendar this year? But anyway, for a free dog (Kelli) he sure has cost a lot of money this year. But how can you say 'no' to treating a member of your family for his own stupidity.

So we spent the entire weekend carting the dog around to different vets. DH played a lot of tennis and we went to Krispy Kreme for Father's Day. Gem ate her first donut and had her first chocolate milk - she was in heaven.

And the lighthouses - were a pic I borrowed from my favorite forum! I thought they were a really funny mind in the gutter kind of thing! I haven't done links in a while, so in honor of the lighthouses . . .

For your kids to take to Vacation Bible School with them!!!

And I just used to change the stickers around!

Fun Chair - a new storage solution!!

Who needs cars - get your kids a tractor!!

Beer Anyone??

I thought people went to Subway for diets??

And it is summer . . . time for ICE CREAM!!

Hahaha - Lighthouses!

2008-06-14T06:44:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to share this picture with you, b/c this is the funniest thing ever - which candy maker missed the 'unintentional' look?? (Or maybe they didn't??)

The beach at Cullen and all the places we don't have pictures for . . .

2008-06-08T18:05:00.008-07:00

Imagine, a nice summer day at the beach . . . on the North Sea!! It was 'breezy' and chilly but the girls had a blast picking up rocks and getting wet!! Notice the pockets of their windbreakers are full of rocks!!

So the pictures that are missing, because the camera broke, include our days at Stirling Castle, the Falkirk Wheel, J.M. Barrie's house (author of Peter Pan,) the camera obscura in Kirriemuir my mom's 40th high school reunion, and playing at Johnston Gardens. On Sunday my mom gave us her little camera like mine, so we stuck in our SD card for the rest of our visit! So here are some borrowed pics from the internet of the places we went . . . so sad.

Stirling Castle!
The Falkirk Wheel, which actually moves boats between two canals!! It was an amazing sight - google it!!

J.M. Barrie's house in Kirriemuir! He was born here, starting writing plays here but the girls couldn't find Tinkerbell! (Good thing since we didn't have a camera!)

We had a picnic lunch in Kirriemuir, sitting right by this Peter Pan statue! It was good fun!

And we went to the Camera Obscura in Kirriemuir as well!! It is a small mirror that lets you 'spy' on the people and places near you!! Very neat!!

Balmoral!

2008-06-08T13:23:00.006-07:00

Gem is napping in my lap. . . so I will upload some more!!

These pics are from our trip up to the Highlands! Balmoral is the Royal Family's Summer retreat! It is gorgeous!!

Gem, so cute in her stroller!! She did such a wonderful job travelling - I am so proud of her!!
Granny with the girls!! Wouldn't it be nice to have this as your summer home??!!!
Balmoral. Just SO pretty!!

Gem in Queen Victoria's Garden!!
Big Girl A in Queen Victoria's Garden too . . . she looks so pretty!
Hanging out behind the castle!
The River! It was so quiet and relaxing along the riverbank. The sound of the river flowing . . . was amazing. The girls were so busy throwing rocks into the river with daddy, they were actually being quiet so that the rest of us could enjoy the river sounds!

Dh skipping rocks on the River Dee!

My Granny!!

My birthday in Banchory and Edinburgh!

2008-06-08T11:13:00.013-07:00

On my birthday we went to Banchory for lunch. We went to the river to see where the salmon run and jump upstream! It was fun watching for fish jumping up the waterfalls. Then we had lunch at the Banchory Lodge - it was a great birthday party! The view was amazing of the river Dee and they had a trampoline outside! The girls had a blast jumping around!! And all of the adults actually jumped too - dh had never been on one - so he really liked jumping!! My mom has pics of that I think!!
Then after the lunch we had a family/friend tea at my Granny's place. It was so wonderful to see family that I hadn't seen in years!! But I was so busy talking to people that I didn't take any pics with my camera . . . but my mom did!! So sometime I will get them on here too!!

Gem and I at the park - she tried the trampoline but liked the tractor more . . . hum, I guess living in Georgia really does rub off on you!

The Trampoline!!

It was really a good workout!! Anything that wears out 5 year olds . . . must be good!!

Big Girl B - sitting in front of the River Dee. There were fly fisherman there and a it was just gorgeous sitting there on the river bank!

And it really was just spring-like there! The flowers were in bloom and the temperature was a wonderful 50/60/70's everyday. Ahh, it was such a nice change from Hot'lanta.

We went down to my Auntie Liz and Uncle Lawrie's house for a couple of days in Edinburgh! It was so much fun to see them and visit with them - the girls said the beds there were more comfortable there than there beds here at home!! We went to Edinburgh castle, walked the Royal Mile and sent the girls home with Granny in a taxi! Dh and I then wandered through the city by ourselves for a couple of hours. But when he decided he wanted to climb the Walter Scott Memorial - I decided to go shopping at Jenners!! (The toy department there is wonderful!! And one of my favorite places to go from when I was a kid!!)

In Edinburgh we also hiked up Arther's Seat! It was quite a climb but we used to do it everytime we visited, so we had to take the girls up too!! The view from the top was phenomenal! Dh walked up with Gem on his back in the Mei Tei - she promptly fell asleep and napped the entire hike!

The view from the hike!

Dh and Gem at the top of Arthur's Seat!

Big Girls, the Mountain Climbers.

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!!

Sir Walter Scott Memorial, 287 steps!

Granny and the girls at Edinburgh Castle!

The girls on a cannon!! (And Robb, Mon's Meg was right in front of them!)

And here they are sitting on the cannonballs from the Mon's Meg Cannon!! They thought they were awfully big rocks to throw at someone!! But the cannon, could shoot these 'rocks' up to two miles away . . . that is pretty impressive!!

Here are the girls doing Brass Rubbings! They did great and it was a perfect quiet activity before they went home in the taxi with Granny! They both did unicorn pics!

Looking over the wall!!

Gem! There seem to be a lack of pics of her 'doing' things. That is b/c she was either in the stroller or being carried - but I bet my mom has more pics of her too!!

And the last pic from Edinburgh!! I love this one!

And there are still more to come!!! But there is a gap because my camera broke and for a few days, I had no camera!! Luckily my mom had two and let us use one . . . so there are still a couple of pics to go!!

We are back!!

2008-06-07T09:00:00.005-07:00

Here are the first few pics for you . . . once we get back on time/sleep and unpacked there will be MANY more!! These pics are from Dunnottar Castle near Aberdeen Scotland. It is a ruined castle on the shoreline and it was an absolutely beautiful day . . . breezy and chilly!! I miss that - since it is HOTLANTA here!! And remember - CLICK on the pic to see it bigger!! Some of these need to be BIG!!

180 steps down to the bottom of the castle . . .

Looking up from the steps UP to the castle . . .
Granny and Gem at our picnic at the castle . . .

View from the castle . . .

A window looking out at the North Sea!

What you really saw when you looked out the window!

And I stole this one . . . because I didn't take a pic from the hill before we went down the steps!! And I just wanted to share the REAL drama of the place!!

Is this really what I should be doing now????

2008-05-23T04:41:00.004-07:00

I know that there are a thousand different things that I should be doing right now (pack, pack, pack!!) But Gem woke up at 6:00 AM and I had some time to watch the So You Think You Can Dance that I TIVO'd last night. I LOVE THIS SHOW!! I am such a dance freak - I can't dance AT ALL and there is just something about this show that makes me want to run to a dance class and learn!! So all summer - I will be raving about how much I LOVE THIS SHOW!! I laughed so much I cried and now that the girls are downstairs with me - they want to watch it again!! I am so happy!! So watch it - and come to Atlanta for my So You Think You Can Dance Party each week!!!

Okay, I have to go do something productive!!!! Dancing my way back to my suitcase . . .

I need a vacation!!

2008-05-22T12:05:00.011-07:00

The girls went to a princess party last weekend! They had their make-up done, they wore princess dresses and played 'Pass the Glass Slipper Hot Potato' game. They had a blast!! And there is a picture of them with the birthday girl and another little girl that has an agent and her picture cannot be used for advertising, so please don't copy the picture! (lol)

A lost her first tooth! It fell out in the middle of the night and so the girls had to search for it in the morning. Let me just tell you, that A did not want anyone pulling her tooth out. The tooth was flopping around in there for days, hanging on by the most patient thread . . . but it finally let go!! The toothfairy came and left a gold dollar coin and some fairy dust!

We had Preschool Graduation!! The girls were excited, but I don't think they really understood how cute they really looked. The posed with their teachers and they also posed with their boyfriend. They are really going to miss him next year, or he is really going to them!!!! I will expect a call from him in a few years . . .

Gem knows I need a vacation too . . . she sees me drinking so much coffee she really wanted to know why I drink so much!! (Good thing it was the coffee drink - wink, wink!!!)

And so I need a vacation from all of this!! Good thing we are leaving for Scotland!! I am so excited to see all my family!! Although, a 7 hour plane ride, plus another 2 hour one doesn't seem relaxing, I hope we can get in a few hours of sleep in the next couple of weeks at some point!! So (Kelli) I won't be able to blog for a little while, but I will update with pics when we get back!! And sorry, I haven't cropped any of these . . . I just have to clean off my camera today before I pack it!!

Kelli asked . . . and she shall recieve!!

2008-05-16T12:41:00.002-07:00

Here is our update!! School is finished next week for the big girls. So this week we had field days and end of the year parties! I hope to get some good 'graduation' pics up for you next Thursday!

We had excellent weather so the girls enjoyed playing outside! They have a muddy spot called "The Restaurant" that they love to create in . . . and bring inside for us to sample. Reservations at "The Restaurant" are highly recommended as are the pies and cakes.

Gem is not quite walking yet, but she stands by herself! She likes to wake up at 3:00AM or 5:00AM - she can't decide when the day should start. So as you can imagine, you can call me very early in the AM and I will be available to talk to you!!!

DH is great!! He is enjoying his Tai Chi and his Wii. Haha - they kinda rhyme. But the girls enjoy the Wii too, in fact BabyA is the bowling champ - nobody here can beat her, she is all strikes and spares!

Me, I am a little stressed over packing for our next trip. But I am also super excited to see all my family!! I got my hair cut and I have long bangs!! I know, I don't have a picture and I can't take one today b/c I just let it go au natural! And it ain't pretty today!! I did go to the Spa last week for a mani/pedi and massage. It was soooo nice to get a pamper break, although my back was full of tension. It required a lot of work and the next day, I was relaxed but sore!! And let's see . . .I have a sitter so that I can skate next Tuesday, I can't wait!! Anybody want to come????

For mother's day the girls made me breakfast!! Yummy. At first the menu for the morning included Peanut Butter, Jelly and Sugar on bread. But luckily, I suggested Cinnamon Toast - so half a container of butter, a jar of cinnamon and a pound of sugar later - some delicious breakfast was served. DH made the all important coffee!!

As for the summer, we have this next trip coming up. And then we have to figure out when to come to VA! I ended up not putting the girls in any 'camp' except for Vacation Bible school in July b/c I figured we could skate and go to Virginia to fill in the rest of the time!! I might regret that the second week of June!! So if anyone wants to come visit (Kelli has to come b/c it is tradition now) we would love to have you!! Bring the kids, come to our pool, the aquarium, the city, the new CabbagePatch Kids hospital, ride the MARTA, ice skate, go shopping at IKEA, heck, leave the hubby working at home if you want too!!

Okay, is that good Kelli??? Oh and the dog is doing fine. He ate one of the girl's lunch boxes last week. So she has been taking brown bags instead of me buying her a new one, two weeks before school gets out!!

Joys

2008-05-06T17:55:00.007-07:00

The girls went to a birthday party last weekend! It was a jumping place that had a rock wall - they LOVED climbing the wall!! B was like a little spider and a was a little more reluctant, but she tried her hardest!! And a bubble machine . . . it always amazes me how kids just LOVE to play in or with bubbles!! Even at 5, the girls still have pure joy when the bubbles come around!

Last weekend A brought home Carl the Camel from school. He spent the weekend with us and went to a birthday party, the park and a tennis match!

And Daddy with his new toy . . .

Wiggly Teeth . . .

2008-04-30T11:14:00.003-07:00

The girls have wiggly teeth. We have not lost any yet, but my mom prepared the girls today by sending them these tooth pillows!! They loved them - they said the tooth fairy will be able to fit 'A LOT of money in those pockets!' Hum. I sure hope that tooth fairy starts saving her coins . . . well, how much does the tooth fairy bring nowadays?

Does it count as a vacation if you don't even open the book you brought??

2008-04-27T08:07:00.011-07:00

We had a wonderfully exhausting time in Florida!! We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which was beautiful!! It was so fantastic to see the animals right out the window at night and in the morning!I know I didn't take as many pics as I should, but Papa was snapping away with his camera too . . . so there will be more coming!! I learned a lot about traveling with 3 kids . . . and I need a vacation now.

The girls adored Disney and even though they were apprehensive about the characters, they did warm up to a few of them. And they fell in love with roller coasters!! They loved the kids roller coaster 'Barnstormer' and then even rode on the Tower of Terror at MGM!! Which totally surprised me!! And then they were indignant, that they were not tall enough for the new coaster at Animal Kingdom and the Aerosmith coaster at MGM. But never fear, I feel a trip to Six Flags might need to happen this summer!!

Here are a couple of pics, enjoy!!

In the car on the way!!

Waiting for the Bus to the Magic Kingdom . . . Finally, into the Magic Kingdom!!

Gem just couldn't keep her eyes open, in fact, I have several pictures of her sleeping . . .

The Dumbo line was terrible!! It was not that long, but they were training some new people and I don't know what they were doing, but it took over an hour to ride Dumbo!!

The girls really loved Tom Sawyer's Island. In fact they went over the barrel bridge about 6 times!!

In Santa's Sleigh . . . next year's Christmas pic already!

They rode the teacups about 3 times!!

On Tuesday, we had lunch at Cinderella's Table! It is INSIDE the castle - which I had never been in before! All the Princesses joined us and it was really fun!

With Princess Aurora!

After seeing all the other kids with their faces painted, the girls were so excited when we finally got to the face painting place!! When they told us not to touch the paint for 5 minutes, I thought for sure it would all be smudged! But surprisingly, they did a great job and the paint lasted all day!! In fact, they both still had colored eyebrows the next day!!

Nana, Papa and the girls after they had their faces painted!

After the long day 2 at the Magic Kingdom!! We stayed for the parade and fireworks . . . all the girls were asleep!!

In front of Epcot! The girls liked the Test Track ride - but we were all too tired to really go around all the countries!

At the Character Breakfast in the Animal Kingdom!! Gem liked Mickey, but not Donald, Daisy or Goofy. But she smiled at Mickey!!

Gem, waving to Daddy!

Waiting for Pizza!!

The last night at MGM (or wait, Hollywood Studios as it is called now!)

Oh, and here is one of me . . . of course, I took all these pics . . . so I am always behind the camera!!

How many pics does it take . . .

2008-04-16T18:05:00.004-07:00

2008-04-16T03:59:00.005-07:00

We Remember.

Hello Hokie Friends! My whole family is wearing Hokie colors today - I will have to take a pic for you later this morning, after they all get dressed!!

And no, we haven't left for Disney yet, I have just been dealing with allergies! Poor Gem has had the worst eye gunk ever and if I sneeze one more time, my brains might just fall out! Anyway, I hope you all have a good day.

Who wants to do some web searching??

2008-04-06T07:16:00.004-07:00

So we are all going to DISNEY WORLD!!We are going to be staying at the Animal Kingdom resort (maybe we will see Jon B??) I am so excited but I have to figure one thing out . . . The girls LOVE Mary Poppins and I know that I have seen her there before. So how in the world can you find out which characters are going to be there and when? I have tried to do a quick search, but was really frustrated. So, if anyone is in the know, please let me know!!

I must be in a blogging mood . . .

2008-04-01T09:40:00.011-07:00

What happens when you let the 10 month old feed herself the rest of her yogurt? I swear there was only a tiny amount left in the container, but she managed to make it look like it was full!! Gem got the yogurt EVERYWHERE!

But she redeemed herself by posing later for me!

And then she did even better when she took a nap this morning so I could finish a couple of projects!! Well, the butterfly dresses a made a couple of weeks ago and just did a couple of finishing touches. But I made her onesies into t-shirts and finished up a swing top for this summer!

And they modeled for me this afternoon!

Another Reason I blog . . .

2008-03-31T18:53:00.002-07:00

To share fun things with my friends!! I had the ribbon!! Kelli's post about Barbie's brought this song back into my head, and of course, trusty YouTube has it for us all to watch!! I guess next time I am at the gym, I should start singing this on the treadmill!!!!

Why do I blog?

2008-03-31T12:03:00.010-07:00

I love keeping in contact with you all!! It is so much fun for me to see pics of your kids and hear about what you are all doing and thinking. I just hope that I manage to do that for you all too!! And so for the crazy part . . . pics of my house today.

The play area complete with the remains of yesterday's 'tent!'

And the 'we don't have a basement' kids closet!!

The kitchen, clean dishes on the right, dirty in the sink!

And my favorite part of the kitchen - the coffee pot. (Notice how much cleaner this part is . . .)

The guest/office/playroom/laundry area - and if you come to stay, I promise that would be cleaned for you!!

And finally Gem's contribution of Tupperware destruction!

Pic of the Day!!

2008-03-31T10:48:00.003-07:00

Thought you all might like to see a pic of the girls I took this morning! Can you believe how old they are looking?? My babies . . .

the oldest pics . . . hum . . .

2008-03-26T07:38:00.003-07:00

These might not be that great in quality b/c I used the digital video camera to take digital pics back then . . . but these are the oldest ones that I have!!

Some Assorted pics from the weekend!

2008-03-20T06:55:00.005-07:00

My mom, my Granny, Dh's mom, dad and Grandmother were all here this weekend! So here are some pics for you to enjoy. They are in a very random order!!

Dh and his dad with the girls!
The girls are lucky to have 3 Great Grandmothers still alive! Here they are with two of them! They are both 87 years old and still get around like champs!

B posing for my mom's camera!

My mom took my skates and whipped around the rink a couple times!! She could still skate even though she hadn't been on the ice in about, oh, 20 years or so!!! Go mom!!

Gem loves her toys! Espeically this yellow bus that was the girls favorite too!

My Granny and Gem keeping busy while the rest of us were skating!!

My granny and her namesake!! Don't they look so cute together!!

A loves her dinosaurs! Granny bought them two more moving dinos which they just LOVE playing with!

That darn Easter Bunny . . .

2008-03-17T14:04:00.003-07:00

is causing me fits! I need more time to get ready for Easter. But I thought this was interesting . . .

Have you realized how early Easter is this year?

As you may have heard, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the
1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20).
This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people
used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman
calendar.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day
earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare.

Here's the interesting info.

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the
rest of our lives!
And only the most elderly of our population have
ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!).
And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

Here are the facts:

1) The next time Easter will be this early(March 23)
will be the year 2228 (220 years from now).
The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or
older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).

2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March
22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now).
The last time it was on March 22 was 1818.
So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier
than this year!

And if you made it this far . . . here is the best link for you . . . If you are a girl, haven't you always wanted to pee standing up??

B's Ice Skating Comp!!!

2008-03-16T18:25:00.009-07:00

Here is Baby B's Competition!! She did a fantastic job and got 4th out of 6! There were no coaches allowed on the ice this time, so B skated alone and watched her coach standing in the door!! (And as a proud mother, I must let you know that the 3 girls in front of her all take 3 private lessons a week . . . B takes one, for 15 minutes!! So . . . it made me proud that she did so well!! Skating mom talking here!!) But this is the last comp. until August! It will be a nice break from the skating mother's mayhem!!

Haven't had a chance to take the red eye out, but I thought you might enjoy this one too!! After the comp. we all went to the John's Creek City Easter Egg Hunt, which was CRAZY! But that is a story for another time!

B

2008-03-16T18:25:00.003-07:00

B

2008-03-16T18:25:00.001-07:00

Helping my mom

2008-03-15T14:57:00.003-07:00

My mom wanted to put this pick on her March of Dimes page, so I posted here so I could copy it!! I think I might have posted this here before, but I couldn't find it!!

You should

2008-03-14T19:51:00.003-07:00

Definitely see this movie!! We loved it!

The Ultimate Peep Show!

2008-03-12T18:15:00.003-07:00

I am still alive, and SUPER BUSY!! When life slows down for a few seconds, I will post some pics and an update. My mom and my granny are coming tomorrow, Dh's parents and Grandma are coming on Saturday too. Then B has her skating competition this weekend . . . so pics, videos and lots of my blah blah blah to come!!

No Excuses . . .

2008-02-21T14:36:00.006-07:00

We just needed some minor repairs . . . since the guest bedroom toilet started leaking!! Don't worry, dh knows what he is doing!!

This is the clue that let us know that something was wrong. This hole is our family room ceiling . . . we hope to get a drywaller in here soon to fix the hole!

The girls got these carpet squares for Christmas . . . we, finally, put them out last weekend!

The girls picked how they wanted them laid out - I think they did a really good job! (They also put Superman on their wall awhile ago!)

My dad sent this to the girls . . . we put it their playroom, b/c that room will only be clean when pigs fly!

Gem would like the paparazzi to leave her alone . . . no more pics please!

But the big girls are always up for hamming it up for the camera!!

And finally she agreed to sit still for one minute and pose for this pic!! I love this outfit, warm, soft and the Pooh ears kill me!!

Some more . . . just because!

2008-02-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Click on them and make them bigger!!

2nd Place!!

2008-02-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

Before the comp!

After the Comp!

Finishing Pose from the routine!

With her sissie! She is looking forward to competing next month!

She won't be competing for a few years, but she loves watching them skate!

The Routine!! I took this with my camera, so it is a little shaky!!

Now this is the story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down!

2008-02-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

It all started last Friday when A had a fever of 103.4. She was miserable poor thing with a fever and aches. I won a tennis match, we watched an awesome Super Bowl and then we finished the weekend. A was all better but then on Tuesday Daddy came home from work and Gem had a fever too.

Tuesday, I took Goose to the specialist/surgical $$$ vet and he doesn't have cancer but a very bad case of 'arthritis' in his front shoulders! What looked like cancer spots were actually pieces of bone that have broken off and now are floating in his shoulder. He had 'septic arthritis' last week, which is pretty bad. But from now on, he needs a comfy bed, medicine and no jumping. Today he jumped up onto his favorite chair and off a little retaining wall, I guess he didn't listen to the vet!! But this was the best news all week!!

Then Daddy stayed home on Wednesday. Then B got the fever and I felt cruddy too! So on Thursday B stayed home from school on the couch. I sat on the other one and chased Gem when she got 'rowdy' because she was better!

Thursday night I started making dinner for my friend that just had a baby. I managed to set off the fire alarm when the apple pie spewed in the oven at 10:00PM. Now, the fire alarm has not gone off since we moved in (um . . 2001?) The fire alarm is connected to our security system . . . . we had to find the instruction manual so that we could figure out how to turn it off!! A LONG 10 minutes later, we reset it! INCREDIBLY, the girls were so tired that they didn't even notice . . . phew!!

Now it is Friday. Baby A has an ice skating competition tomorrow (20 second program) so I took all of them to the ice for their lesson and some practice this morning. I skated too, and forgot to take the guards off my blades . . . can't skate like that!! I ended up on my arse!! Funny huh!! (Don't worry, I am going to video and and post it here for you! NO, not my arse, the competition routine!!)

At this very moment DH is on his way to the airport to pick up his parents who are coming in to see the Snowflake Competition tomorrow. So during all the sickness and dog stuff and ice skating stuff and cooking . . . I had to clean!! I mean we really trashed the house this past week!! But it looks decent now!! And Gem spiked a new fever of 103 this afternoon, again!! So she is so pitiful, sad looking and snuggly.

Here are some pics from today . . .

The messy kitchen after cooking and this picture does not do justice to just how many dishes I used!!!!

Here is Sicky Gem from this afternoon. She didn't even mind sitting in her high chair. . . which lets me know she doesn't feel well!! (Notice the fan on the chairs behind her . . . that was from the whole apple pie filling incident!)

The big girls wanted to play outside this afternoon. But B (in the purple and white shirt) still had a low grade fever. She said playing outside would make her feel better!! (Heck - sleep better too!)

Here is the arthritic gimpy dog . . . who doesn't know he is supposed to be gimpy! He still has the bandage to cover the wound that he gave himself as he licked his leg to the muscle!

And from this evening . . . dh came home early from work today b/c he was feeling sick again. Gem was sick too . . . so misery loves company! And it looked really cute!

For all you dance movie fans . . .

2008-02-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Step Up 2 - The Streets

Enjoy!!

2008-01-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Well, it is all the same here in the ATL. The only new news is about Goose, we have to take Goose to a specialist, b/c his xrays today were inconclusive. So we are still not sure about arthritis vs. osteosarcoma because the stuff on the xray crosses a joint, which osteosarcoma is not supposed to do. But after two weeks of pretty intensive antibiotics, there was no change so we can rule out infection . . . aagh!!

But he is still enjoying his narcotics!! So I thought you might enjoy this . . .

And more snow . . .

2008-01-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it - two snowy days in ONE week here in the ATL! So we must take pics to record this historic event!

Gem and I stayed inside. Gem has a real connection with Goose. Even when he doesn't feel well, he still doesn't mind being around her. So she snuggled with Goose today. He came over and lay right down beside her. But I moved her since it made me a little nervous having her so close to his sore leg. But then she fell asleep playing by herself!

And I thought I would show off my new hat! I won it in a photo contest - love it!! Nor did I realize how many freckles I still have, they usually are a summer thing!!

Some good stuff . . .

2008-01-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

Goose is eating again!! Yay Goose!!

A and B had their first private skating lessons today and they did so well!! I love watching them skate!! And A has agreed to be in her first competition on Feb. 9th! Her music will be Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Baby B doesn't want people to watch her skate, so she does not want to participate this time. It is a 'snowflake' competition and everyone that participates gets a medal or a ribbon. I have a feeling that she is going to be a little upset when she doesn't get one . . . oh, well, next time!!

And here is a video for you all from the other fashion forward day . . . it is sideways, so just turn your head to the left a little - I can't figure out how to flip the video yet! Guess you have to hold the camera in only one direction for videos!! It is titled, "Acorns!!"

Can I get a timeout??

2008-01-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Life around here has been nonstop!! From making a playroom (of sorts,) to Gem getting close to crawling, to Goose's illness, growing kids and now, snow!! Enjoy these random photos . . .

The playroom/guest room/office toy corner. . .

Gem, the poser!

Goose, the patient . . . he licked his leg so badly last night, the vet put this on him!

And then came the snow last night . . .

Neighborhood Gang! (My girls had just come inside, but I wanted a picture, so I sent them back out - poor A with no jacket!!

The Georgia Snowball!

In June . . .

In January . . .

Poor, Poor Goose

2008-01-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, Goose either has canine osteomyelitis (bone infection) or canine osteosarcoma (bone cancer.) We are really hoping it is just an infection and the 20 pills a day that I am now having to put down his throat will do the trick. The poor dog's leg is swollen about 3x's his normal size and he really can't bend it. He looks pretty pitiful. I said 'squirrel' today and he just looked at me instead of the usual frantic run to the door, so I know he really doesn't feel well.

So anyway, if you don't mind praying for a dog, please add Goose to your prayers!!

The Campaign is ON again . . .

2008-01-14T14:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, not the presidential stuff, but the SAVE KATY Campaign!! I just finished watching her on a GMA clip from this morning, and um, SAVE KATY!! She was so boring and reserved. Her haircut although cute and chic, makes her look so much older than she is. And I think she might need a piece of cake! So here is the link for you . . .

And in other news, poor Goose is hanging in there. His whole leg is just swollen and huge. He still needs to be helped outside and somehow I have to figure out how to lift him up to take him to the vet tomorrow morning (90lb dog!)

And here . . . this is a fun read!!!

The Day. The Night. The Song that would never end.

2008-01-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday started out perfectly. I slept in and dh took care of the girls. When I woke up we worked on moving the 'big' girls little toys upstairs. We moved all the furniture in the guest bedroom and put the girls doll house and new bookcase for toys in there! The girls asked if they could camp in their tent in there that night, and we said - SURE!!

So I went and had a haircut and color. I didn't get home until after 6 so we all went out for a wonderful dinner at our local Mexican restaurant! We came home, set up the tent and put the girls down to bed. They talked for a long time, but that was okay, because dh and I watched out newest Netflix movie. (Catch and Release - and it was cute) Then we watched the end of the NFL playoff game and went to bed.

The first mistake was going to bed so late. What were we thinking 12:00 is too late for us!! So after about two hours of sleep there is a LARGE bang. I jump out of bed and I can't find any reason for the bang. Just Goose, the dog, panting and farting in the middle of our room. Well, he keeps panting and I hear him getting up and moving around. He is breathing so loudly that neither dh nor myself can sleep. So I figure he must have to go pee. So I get out of bed and notice that he is limping, badly. His front paw is just suspended in front of him. But he is very agitated. So, dh gets up and carries Goose down the stairs. He goes outside, pees and then lies down in the grass. After helping him up and getting him inside. We leave Goose downstairs. He is still panting and walking on three legs.

Dh and I went back to bed. But just as soon as I am about to fall asleep, 20 minutes later, I hear the big girls are up, Gem is crying b/c she is hungry and Goose has limped back up the stairs and is panting at the gate at the top of the stairs. I opened the gate, let him up and fed Gem. But while I am feeding Gem, one of the 'big girls' is calling me. So I tell her that I am feeding Gem and to get Daddy. Now, we are ALL UP!!

I finish with Gem, Dh is back in bed after helping with sleeping bags but poor Goose is just sitting in our doorway panting! So, we decide that Goose needs medical attention. But Gem wakes back up. Poor dh got her to go back to sleep and takes a shower (5:00AM by now?) I go and research where to take Goose because our internet is down. (We unplugged the router while we were rearranging the new playroom!) I found one, call and get directions and . . .

Off dh and the poor dog go. I went back to bed. But I was WIDE awake. So I finally fell asleep. 8:00 AM the phone rings, dh and Goose are coming home. Goose has slammed his knee into our bed and severely irratated/injured his arthritic knee. The vet thinks he has loosened some cartilage. He has given him a pain killer and the poor dog has no CLUE where he is. So now we have to ice/heat his knee for the next couple of days, keep him on pain killers and not let him play for a couple of weeks.

Then, as if magic the rest of the house wakes up. The big girls and the little one and the day starts. But I am not sure if yesterday really ever ended! Lets hope that the rest of the day is uneventful and that we all sleep tonight.

America's Next Top Model . . . Baby Style!

2008-01-08T15:02:00.001-07:00

I was taking these pictures of Gem's new knit pants . . . and I think she started posing, seriously!!

And here are my fashion forward older girls . . . not so sure about that!!

And a pic of the fam! It was Dh's BDay yesterday and he wanted brownies and ice cream!!

GO HOKIES!!

2008-01-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies, Happy New Year and Happy College Football Bowl Season!! After watching countless hours of football these last few days, it is finally the HOKIES on tv (and I am hoping for some improvement here during the first quarter!!) Here are some pics from today . . . and I will update you on my life later this week, I promise!!!

And this little Hokie has had a rough bowl season, can you see the tooth?? And there is another one that broke through yesterday!!

Bad News

2007-12-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

My step-father Joe, unexpectedly passed away last night. So Gem and I are headed to VA today to help mom. Dh and the girls will be joining us at some point, but anyway keep us in your prayers, I am going back to the land of dial-up, so I don't know when I will be able to update you. I think my mom wants the funeral to be on Saturday, she definitely wants to have it before Christmas, but we will see what happens when I get there!!

But, I wish you all a Merry Christmas!!! I hope Santa is good to all of you and you get what you want!!!!! I know what I am getting, but I will have to tell you all about it when I get home!!

All Gem wants for Christmas is . . .

2007-12-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

her two bottom front teeth!! Well, she got her first one last week. She was a bear! No sleeping, clingy and just all around not happy. But it finally broke through!! And instantly, a happy baby. But tonight I saw the shadow of the other bottom tooth and she is back to waking up every 20 minutes!!!!!!!! Teething tablets, no good. Tylenol, not working. She is a very stubborn loud baby. She is literally screaming like the most angry baby you have ever heard. Oh, I think I will have to put teething on my list of things to ask God about someday!!!!!!!

So if you don't see me here for the next few days it is because I am sleeping in 20 minute intervals and don't want to be responsible for what I say!! Gotta love babies!!

Some Fun Links!

2007-12-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Need another Christmas Stocking Stuffer??

Or a pick-me up made by a really old lady??

Or some fun tables for the game room??

Or some just frivolous but amazing cupcake wrappers??

Get tired of stepping on the Lego??

Or heck, just step on the Lego in these . . .

Have a good weekend!!

Did you see the pic . . .

2007-12-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

of my girls with Santa?? No, well that is b/c there isn't one!! A and B have decided that Santa is too scary to talk to this year.

When I used the mommy guilt trip,
"Well, Santa won't know what you want for Christmas if you don't tell him"
they just said, "we are fine with surprises Mom."

What is the appropriate response for that one??
I just said, "huh, well, okay - rocks and sticks it is then."
So in their 5 year old wisdom they replied,
"Okay, we will just have to play with them outside."

End of conversation. Mommy had no more to say as I had been outwitted by two 5 year olds.

She's Alive!!

2007-12-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!! I am alive . . . just super, super busy!! I had strep throat, then Gem got an ear infection and then the girls both got colds! I am telling you - we have NEVER had this much sickness in the house, ever!! I am so frustrated! But I think we have it all under control . . .

So a brief review of the last month . . . shopping, driving, laundry, sweeping, wiping noses and bums, getting up several times at night, cooking, not getting anything wrapped for Christmas, Christmas parties and nursing one whopper of a hangover last week!!

Grandma Lindquist and my dad came for Thanksgiving! It was fun, we took the girls ice skating and they showed off their 'skills!' Then DH's parents came last weekend for a quick visit and we went to see the Festival of Trees that we go to each year! We cleaned out the garage b/c it was about, um 75 degrees outside, a little spring cleaning in DECEMBER !! I have pulled out the girls summer clothes to wear to school again!! So weird!!

Random thoughts . . .
Gem only likes to nap in the car . . . she is actually sitting out there in her car seat right now!! She falls asleep after I take the girls to school and if I move her she won't sleep, but if I leave her out in the garage . . . 2 hour nap!! Okay, so I don't get anything done b/c I have to sit right here in the family room listening for her and as soon as it gets cold, I will have to figure out how to move her! But I figure during this warm spell, I might as well let her rest out there!!

Getting a Christmas picture this year has been really difficult!! With everyone having days of not feeling great, there is never one pic of everyone smiling or looking at the camera. So for now enjoy these pics from the last couple of days . . .

Sick, Sick, Sick

2007-11-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

Oh Ladies, I was planning on sitting down to a nice long blog after Thanksgiving. But I am SO sick!! I have the flu/strep throat or something. BLAH, I have had a fever since Sunday - now it is Monday night! Anyway, I drank some tea to help my throat at dinner - and DUH - caffeinated!! And well, caffeine keeps me up. I really have a lot of pictures and stories, but I am to blah, to write them all here. But we are alive and i will blog later! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving - we did!

Now I missed this one last night . . .

2007-11-09T12:22:00.001-07:00

This is too funny - Stripper Spanks Teen . . . .

Links!!

2007-11-08T18:52:00.001-07:00

Oh, it has been a long time since I gave you some linky entertainment!! Enjoy, some of these are GOOD!

$25,000 dessert anyone?

Well, my name is Karen and I don't base things in my life on the letter K, but obviously some people do . . . read this . . .

I can't even believe I am putting this link in here, but didn't you all take the 'bug' class at Tech??

Where would I have gone, if I couldn't have gone to the mall in middle and high school??

Submit your dance for a chance to win $5,000!!

Which thong is for you??

Sure Shemergency - but I need the MOMmergency box now!

Some late Halloween Pics!!

2007-11-04T19:16:00.001-07:00

Jasmine, Cinderella and Pumpkin Baby!! Lots of Candy and lots of fun (The big girls got to wear eye shadow - they thought that was really neat!)

Things that make you go, HUM??

2007-11-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I hate to write this before the game ends, because I learned last week that it only takes 2 minutes to score two touchdowns, but the Hokies are looking pretty good this week. In fact, I think an alien has invaded Sean Glennon's body because he has actually been throwing the ball and it is being caught - go figure. In fact he just threw a HUGE long bomb down the field and it was caught and run in for a touchdown. Humm.....

Anyway - Happy Birthday to KELLI!! Welcome to the 30'something club. It isn't too bad, until the gray hair comes in, the 11:00 news seems late and when someone asks if you saw Jay Leno, you say, "Who?" (I used to watch him every night in my 20's!)

So, hopefully the Hokies can pull off a birthday win for Kelli. We have a 24 point lead while I am writing this, so who knows . . .

Our trip, post two!

2007-10-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Blogger was super slow last night, here are a few more pics before I go pick the girls up from school!! There is a HUGE potbellied pig, some more from the stroller pics, trying to get a Christmas picture at the pumpkin patch, and one with Uncle Robb - the new favorite person to talk about, I think they are intrigued that he is my brother and we used to play together!!! They really want him to come here and play with them!!

Our trip, post one.

2007-10-29T18:06:00.001-07:00

Just pics from the trip North. All the girls really had a blast visiting with their grandparents . . . and blogger has issues tonight. So here is your first installment of pics . . . enjoy!

11 seconds . . . .

2007-10-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

I can't say anymore . . . unfrickenbelievable hokies.

blah blah blah

2007-10-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am home, finally. I have been 'moody' and my ear hurts, I think I have an ear infection. Plus, unpacking has been a pain - it has taken soooo long and I am still not done. I have over 200 emails to get through and can you tell, I am in a bad mood right now!! Blah. Just letting you all know I am alive and we really did have a wonderful trip, but I am just worn out. I will post some pics soon, I promise. And I will post when I am in a good mood - this sounds whiny.

Alive, and somewhere in Virginia

2007-10-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

HI! I am alive, really. I am at my mom's house and she only has DIAL-UP!! It is killing me, so she is watching the kids while I visit the 'local' internet coffee house. I must say it is nice hanging out somewhere without the kids, but DIAL-UP!!

Anyway, we are in VA for a little while. DH's dad had two tumors removed from his good kidney last week. So we drove up so dh could be with him. Then I told his mom that the girls and I would come up to take care of FIL while he recovered. Anyway, so I am visiting my mom this week, I am going to see my dad next weekend and then I will be in Richmond until the 21st. Whew, that seems like a long time!! And inlaws, have DIAL-UP too!! Yikes, this is going to be a long month!! But FIL law is doing great, the surgeons managed to leave him with 2/3 of his kidney. So plus the 2/3 of his other kidney (from the last kidney tumor) he is doing fine so far. He has VHL - VonHippel Lindau disease, so he gets tumors frequently. Luckily, these tumors were not cancerous - whew again!

So, anyway, I am almost out of coffee. Have a good month, yikes. Hopefully I will get back here at least once this week. It is really nice, I don't think I can bring the brood in here, but I might just have to try. I am not addicted really. . .

Hello from the Truck Stop. . .

2007-09-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, my knee is swollen and painful. So I have pulled off the running road and I am waiting for it to get better. I strained it last Wednesday and on Saturday when it felt better, I played tennis for about 3 hours. STOOPID! Because now, I can't even carry Gem in the sling, I have to use the stroller and it doubles as a walker! BOOOHOO! I am icing my knee, taking meds and putting on the Ben Gay - hopefully, I will be able to walk later this week, I am shooting for Thursday at the gym!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

And while I have not been at the gym this week I have been sewing! Gem can wear wool knit as a diaper cover. Some people cut up old sweaters and make pants, well, I was intrigued. So, I took an old wool (thin merino) sweater and made some pants for her. Well, they didn't turn out pretty - but I got the idea. I also made her some new legwarmers out of women's knee socks for Halloween.

And then I went to Goodwill today and bought this wool sweater for $2.50 - and I am going to try again!! We don't have any wool sweaters anymore, guess that is what happens when you live in GA!!

Then I had some old fleece - and it too can be used as a diaper cover. So I used an old pattern and voila, pants.

But Gem wasn't too happy . . .

b/c they were a little big and big sister took them for herself. . .

Guess this is a glimpse of things to come . . .

HOKIE Pants!!

2007-09-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I had to some Longies made for Gem and what better than HOKIE colors!! Here they are!

forgot my mileage update

2007-09-20T04:24:00.000-07:00

I forgot my update yesterday! I ran about 1 1/2 miles and then I tweaked my knee pretty badly, so I finished up the rest on the treadmill! 388.5 - 4 = 384.5 more to go!

Pics for the day!

2007-09-18T17:18:00.001-07:00

So a few pics for the day! Gem smiling, A in her 'beach' dress and B the HOKIE! The love playing with leaves and water on the deck - it keeps them busy for hours. They tell me they are making recipes!

And some pics of my diaper stash, they were all clean today minus the ones that we wore today, and I just thought I would take a pic!! I am waiting on some VT Longies, Pink Longies and some wool!! That is it! Have a good night!!