Boo at the Zoo

While we were visiting family in IL we were lucky enough to go to Boo at the Zoo in St. Louis, MO.  We had a blast going for the weekend....thanks Grannylou!!!!!  The kids had a lot of fun and got some candy.  I was disappointed that we never found the giraffes.  I guess they were put up by the time we went and it was so confusing we couldn't find the indoor area they were supposed to be in.  Also, the elephants were put up by the time we got there.  Oh well.  The kids got to ride the carousel and see other animals. If you click here, it takes you to the album with the other Boo at the Zoo pictures.  Tonight we plan to go trick or treating and take our little pirates to a few houses to get some loot!  I will be posting pictures tomorrow (after church)!

New Pictures on Picasa

I added a bunch of pictures from our trip to IL on my picasa site.  Click here to visit.  There are actually 6 new albums on there.  I'm going to add a few to my blog at at time but with over 500 pictures, it's hard to show them all.  I don't even have them all on picasa.  Here are pictures of my kids with their cousin Little Mark playing in the leaves.  He isn't little anymore but his daddy is Mark also so he has always been our little Mark.  It was so great to spend time with him and for the kids to get to know him.  He hasn't lived with his daddy for very long and we are thrilled to have him close now.  Well, he's close to my mom and dad and Grampy.  Now, if I could just get a little closer it would be even better.

Wow

Wow!  It's been since last Friday since I posted?  It's been crazy busy this week and hopefully I can get back in the swing of things around here.  We got back Tuesday evening and visited with Papa Wayne.  I finally got to see my new floors which I just love. David did such an awesome job getting the house ready.  I am so blessed to have him care so much about all of it and get it done for me.  He was painting almost everyday that I was gone.  Wednesday was spent just getting through the day.  The kids were so tired and spent a lot of time fighting and crying.  We took long naps which helped.  Grace is so exhausted and at church this morning they said she laid around a lot of the time.  I felt bad dragging them to church this morning but we need to get back in our routines.  I'm going to get my pictures downloaded soon.  Hopefully before Saturday so I can do Halloween pictures.  I should have a lot to blog about this next week and lots of pictures to share from our trip.  We had such a good time visiting with family and playing in the leaves, going to the zoo, and the train museum.  Can't wait to show you all the pictures!

Fall

We are winding down our trip here in IL.  Today it is rainy and windy so we are once again stuck inside and the kids are doing schoolwork.  Well, Andrew is doing his school work and Grace thinks she is.  Grannylou is helping him which is great because it gives me a chance to blog.  We've enjoyed watching the leaves change and fall off the trees but haven't really had enough to rake up until today and it is raining. Hopefully on Monday we can rake up a big pile and play in it.  Saturday and Sunday we are going to St. Louis, MO to visit the zoo and participate in Boo at the Zoo on Saturday.  The kids will get to wear their Halloween costumes and go trick or treating and then play games and be in the costume parade along with seeing all the animals.  On Sunday we are going to a train museum and they are having their fall festival that day.  We didn't plan it around those activities just happened to be the only time we could go and it works for us.  Two days full of fun right before we leave to go home.  I asked Andrew if he was ready to go home to see daddy in a few days and he said he wants to go to the zoo and see the trains first....sorry Daddy but that's more exciting right now!  Hope you enjoy a few of the pictures I have taken recently when we went to visit my dad and Kathy.  We took the kids to the park and had a great day.  Lots of pretty trees to take pictures of.

Sleep

Please excuse the quality of this picture.  I took it with my cell phone.  Grace has been having a lot of trouble dealing with life in IL.  Our schedule is different and it has been cold and rainy a lot of our stay forcing us inside most of the time or in the car traveling from one house to another.  Nevermind the amount of people that want to touch them and hug them and talk to them.  My kids aren't real thrilled with all of that with people they love and adore and see all the time so this is throwing them off.  My aunt has been visiting from Florida and she has definitely seen the worst of these kids.  I really hope she sees this picture and how peaceful Grace can be.  Grace threw a huge fit this morning while we had company here and I sure wish they could have been around when we played outside to see how much fun the kids had and the smiles on their faces.  I think Grace is really missing daddy and I'm sure Andrew is as well but he can just tell me that and we talk about it but Grace just screams, cries, hits and is just really mad.  Bedtime has been the worst.  I can't wait to go home and let daddy take over bedtime for a while.  This is definitely longer than I think Grace can handle being out of her environment and I feel terrible about keeping her away so long.  We have taken naps 2 days in a row so I'm hoping we can get some sort of schedule started so the next week will go more smoothly.  We are going to St. Louis next Friday and Saturday to the train museum and possibly the zoo.  After that we only have a couple days and we will be heading home. 

Hopefully this week I can upload some more pictures.  Grannylou found the cord to her camera so I can start downloading some of the pictures she has taken.  Right now Grannylou is fixing a snack for the kids and I heard Andrew say this is delicious!  Guess I better go see what I am missing out on...... 

I'm Still Here!

Yes, I'm still here and still blogging just few and far between while we are on vacation.  I have plenty to write about, I just don't take the time to do it. Still can't upload any pictures.  Yesterday we were looking forward to the Homecoming parade and football game but it was raining so they cancelled the parade and we didn't even attempt the game b/c it was damp and really cold.  Andrew was very disappointed to miss the parade. 

Today Andrew is going with my brother to Wendy's to get a cheeseburger and a frosty and then to Walmart.  He is very excited to get to go with them and be spoiled.  Grace doesn't get to go.  Actually she wasn't even invited. I kind of feel bad about that but she is still little and might freak out.  I think that she and I will try to take a nap during that time though I know she will be sad when her brother leaves. 

There isn't much to report beyond that because it has been cold and rainy and we are going crazy in the house.  It's been a rough couple of days but I hear the weather is supposed to get better and we have lots planned for this week.  I can see a little sunlight right now so that's exciting!  Hope everyone is having a great week and weekend.  I have a lot of blogs to catch up on and miss reading them everyday.  Things will be back to normal when we get back.....in about a week and a half!!!!

Our first week

Wow!  Can I really be this tired?  It's been a lot of fun and excitement so far.  This past weekend I went to northern IL to visit a friend and see her new baby.  Her brother got married and Jenny and I took care of her little guy who is about 12 weeks old.  Grace and Andrew stayed with my mom for the weekend and apparently were really good and didn't fight all weekend, slept really well, and didn't throw temper tantrums?  Really?  Where did they go?  Ever since I got home we have had screaming, fighting, whining.  At least they were good for Grannylou.  Grace helped bake cookies for church and back cinnamon rolls.  I guess Andrew wasn't interested.  I would love to pictures online but my mom can't find the cord for her camera and I forgot mine at home.  I will have to get a cd made somewhere when I get a few more pictures. 

It rained for 2 days while we were here.  The kids had a blast playing in the rain.  We don't get a lot of rain where we live so they were thrilled. 

Last night, Papa Rick (my dad) came over to see the kids.  We had been playing outside and the kids were riding their bikes so he came to see them for a while.  They had so much fun playing with him.  He chased them and tickled them on their bikes.  They tried to ride past him without him catching them but he was pretty quick to catch them each time.  I'm glad he came over to see them and play with them for a while.  We are going to my grandpa's house the afternoon to see everyone again and then tomorrow is my grandpa's birthday so we'll be with them again tomorrow.  My aunt and uncle that live in Florida will be there and I haven't seen them since my wedding so it will be nice to see them and they can see my kids as well.  We still have 2 weeks left and lots of fun is to come. 

weekend

I know pics would be nice but since I'm not on my computer, everything takes longer to do.  I am all packed and ready to head up north with a girlfriend to go see another friend and her new baby.  We are also going to her brother's wedding and will come back on Sunday and I'm sure it will be a nice break for me.

We're Here!

Today is going to be super short but just wanted to update everyone that we made it to Grannylou's house.  It was a long flight with a terribly scary, bumpy landing but we made it safely.  I met a wonderful family on the plane that helped me get the carseat and kids to Grannylou at the baggage claim and then stuck around to get our luggage for us.  While we were on the plane though David had car trouble and had to call for someone to take him home.  He barely got out of the parking lot and the transmission went out on the Escape.  The day before we left the garage door broke so he also has to deal with that.  I feel bad for him having to take care of all of this at the same time, especially since he just told me we were getting new floors int he living room and kitchen.  I told him we can wait another year or two if we have it.  I will be disappointed but not mad at him.  It's not his fault all of these things happened at the same time.  Anyway, we are here and the kids are acting as expected for really tired kids.  We were up until 1:30 this morning and then Grace woke up around 8:20.  She is not liking the sleeping arrangements here but hopefully she will get used to it.  I will update and hopefully post some pictures tonight or tomorrow.

Finally Here!

The day has finally arrived and we are all packed and ready to go....except we aren't ready for daddy to drop us off at the airport.  Note to self....3 weeks is too long.  We are super excited to see everybody and the kids can't wait to get on the plane.  Too bad Grace has no idea what is coming.  Poor thing is going to be restrained in her carseat forever and she is not going to like it.  David convinced me to take the carseat as much as I don't want to.  He is usually right so we'll see on this one.  I just didn't want to deal with the hassle of carrying it and keeping track of the 2 kids.  People are generally less than helpful on the plane, especially in CA.  Usually when I leave from the midwest people are so nice and helpful.  I love being there! I will update soon!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day!  We fly to IL to visit my family.  So sad to be leaving daddy at home but so very excited to see grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousins, friends.....I packed our clothes last night and today is packing the little things which is usually harder than the clothes but Grannylou is getting all of the soaps and shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. That makes it easy to go out there but I still have to bring it all back.  I will do my best to blog while I am out there but it definitely won't be everyday and maybe not even every other day.  I hope you all have a wonderful 3 weeks.  I know we will and I will definitely be getting on her to update you all about how we are doing and of course how the kids do on the plane. It should be interesting!

Webcams

We went and bought webcams today.  See the kids and I are flying to IL to visit my family for 3 weeks and daddy is really going to miss his babies so we bought webcams.  One for our house and one for Grannylou's house (actually lou lou bought her own).  Anyway, we hooked ours up today and I am taking the other one to my mom's and will hook it up to her computer so we can see daddy and he can see us!  I hope this helps the kids during our trip since it will be so long.  They cherish their daddy time (and so do I).  I am so blessed to have a husband that comes home and completely takes over with the kids.  He has even been designated as the hair comber.  Grace screams when I do her hair but sits perfectly still for daddy.  Today she came out with pigtails.  The part looked awesome on top and was a bit all over the place in the back but I was so thrilled that he did it!  We tried out our webcam today by calling Grannylou and she was able to see the kids and hear them through the computer but we had to have the phone on since she doesn't have hers hooked up yet.  They were so super excited to see themselves on the computer...just wait until the see daddy on the computer.

We spent quite a bit of time at Target as well.  I bought a few items to keep them busy on the plane since I have decided not to take a dvd player.  Might be a huge mistake but ours broke and the kids fight over who gets to sit closer anyway, so we would probably have to have 2 so there aren't any major meltdowns over who is closer or what movie we are watching.  We shall see what happens.  Hopefully there will be lots of prayers for mommy and the kids on Tuesday during the middle of the day.  I actually plan to head to the last row of the plane so I can be close to the flight attendants and the bathroom since we will probably make a few trips there. Also, I figure it is loud back there anyway so the kids probably won't bother anyone anyway.  Once again, we'll see.  Last time we flew there were 2 adults and each one took a kid and carseat.  I'm taking both kids alone and no carseats.  What was I thinking?  I was completely crazy when I booked the flight and now I don't have a choice b/c too many people are expecting us.  Guess that will be a fun entry for next weekend.  Stories from the plane! 

Music and Movement

I had a training meeting tonight at church and had to take my kids until David got off work to get them.  One of the directors was teaching a music and movement class and wanted some kids to demonstrate with and asked if they could stay....of course and good luck. (did I mention they looked like orphans? Grace had just woke up with a purple shirt, jeans, pink shoes and a yellow ponytail holder-a mess I tell ya!)  Actually from what I hear they were great!  I was able to go to my sessions and they were completely fine in there keeping everyone entertained.  They listened to Ms. Staci and did as they were told, sang, danced, played with streamers and a parachute.  I peeked through the door of the second session they were a part of and they were being really good listeners.  I am one proud mama!  During the first sesson, Staci had them pass around a container with cookies and told everyone to take one and Grace took a couple and was putting them in her pockets to keep for later.  That girl and cookies.  I also like love how Staci is with the kids.  She is such an awesome teacher and has such a way with the kids.  If I could choose my kids' teachers forever, I would choose her for every year.  She could even homeschool them if she wanted to....she is amazing!  She doesn't even know this blog exists (I don't think) so I'm not bragging on her to score points...she is just that great!  We all need these people in our children's ministry. Amazing!

David got a night to himself to clean and watch a little tv.  He has been so helpful around here and I really appreciate it!  Well, it's late and everybody needs to get in bed very soon so I better get going!  Sorry for the lack in posts, I've been a little busy around here and honestly I struggle with what to write about everyday.  I started this for my out of town/state family to keep up on the kids but some days it is really hard to write b/c we pretty much do the same thing everyday and some days are just really bad and I don't really care to write about...I was taught if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all....thanks to the movie Bambi!  Anyway, have a great weekend and I will try to report again tomorrow.