Thursday, September 17, 2009

labor day weekend 2009

Labor Day Weekend...it's always such an amazing, busy, wonderful time at the lakehouse. Eric, the kiddos and I were lucky to get to visit with Grandpa and Grandma Great, the whole Wagley and Scott clan, Mama Deb and Papa Jay, Auntie Anne and Joe, Aunt Jackie, Aunt Donna, and two sides of the Jellison family! It was definitely a packed house. We celebrated Eric's birthday (again!) and spent the absolutely beautiful weekend swimming, taking boat rides, fishing, using Eric's new paddleboat, eating until we were so full we couldn't eat anymore, playing euchre...and I will only briefly mention my short trip to the emergency room for a badly sprained ankle. I figure at this point, anyone who really knows me is not surprised. So...moving on.

These are just a few favorite snapshots of the weekend...

my sweet kiddos

Eric's new paddleboat

I think Katie found a new best-bud! We can't wait to see you again, Sophie :)

first of all, she adorable with her Barbie life vest and Barbie fishing pole, but you should see this girl cast! She's going to be a pro before you know it :)

Auntie Auntie (as the kids call her) and Joe.
(the newly engaged couple, yay!)

one of the favorite highlights of the weekend by all. My son needed both hands to open the door. So he used his mouth as a third! It was a pretty funny sight.

our silly kids around the campfire

Mama Deb snuggling Carter after a long day of swimming!

this is one of my favorite pictures ever.
thank you mama deb for loving katie and carter the way that you do.

my official euchre partner (we WON) at 30 weeks. Yes, I said 30.
Wow!

The kids weren't tired of singing happy birthday...or of the chocolate cake :)

told ya ;)


"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family."
Lee Iacocca

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

no more pippy-pops allowed!!!

While mindlessly accomplishing tasks at work one morning my cell phone rang...a pretty normal occurence, except when I saw "Preschool" as the caller ID my heart jumped in my throat. I answered the call as quickly as possible and found out that my little girl had fallen down on the playground and hit her head on the sidewalk. Apparently, they had waited about 45 minutes to call me, had already put ice on the "bump" (as they called it)...and said her tears had stopped and she wasn't showing any signs of a serious injury. I was already in my car, ready to go, but I calmed myself down, knowing that as soon as I showed up she would be in hysterics again and want to come home with me. It was only an hour or two into the school day, and I didn't want it to be a complete waste, especially if she was okay. I warned them to watch for signs of a concussion...and tried not to think about it until I went to school to pick both kiddos up.

This is what I found! My poor little girl! Her teacher, Ms. Taryn, said that the sound of her head hitting the sidewalk was so loud she was almost afraid to turn her over. (at this point...I'm almost in tears, beating myself up for not coming earlier...but the director didn't exactly explain it that way!). She had a HUGE goose-egg bump on her head, but didn't complain at all about it. She didn't even say that she had a headache! We put more ice on it when we got home...and I watched her carefully the rest of the day to make sure she wasn't acting weird. Amazingly, apparently her head is made out of concrete and she can feel no pain, because the only complaint I heard about it again was in the bathtub that night when I had to scrub it a little bit to get it clean. What a brave girl! I wish she hadn't inherited my clumsiness....

So what is a pippy-pop you ask?? Well, neither of my children have mastered "flip-flop" (it's a hard word to say for little ones) so they call them pippy-pops. It's so cute, I catch myself calling them that, too. KJ picked out an adorable pair of princess pippy-pops that she has worn all summer. Because of her fall, the director of the preshool banned flip-flops...which I guess I can understand, it does make sense with little legs running as fast as they can... Sorry, Katie and Carter, I guess we will wear our flip flops at home :) I'm off to find new tennis shoes!

(ouch!)

(she's still smiling....so cute)

precious

While at her dad's house this week-end, Katie was staying busy drawing on her white board easel. She finished this picture and when her daddy asked who the people were, she said, "this is me and my mommy!" (I'm the red one). Apparently, I have very 80's bangs...and a large right eye, and KJ's hair looks pretty messy, but my favorite part...we're holding hands.
It's the small things in life. "Katie and Mommy"
Artist: Katie Montieth
4 years old
cost-priceless

Thursday, September 10, 2009

I love my doggies!

Ever my little dr. doolittle....this girl loves these dogs. Even when Caymus wants to pretend that he's grumpy...she can even steal his heart. uh-oh...I think abby might be getting jealous :)

don't worry abby, she's got enough love for you, too.


Sunday, September 6, 2009

one step at a time...

I believe it is now fair to say, that I've made the next "step" and can sucessfully pick up a worm, stick a hook through its body several times without gagging! I also sucessfully took a hook out of a fishies mouth, while holding it at the same time. Yes, I'm sure you true fisher-people are laughing right now...but hey, this was a big deal. (I'm still not over the dead bass Caymus left as a present on the pontoon boat...but I'll save that for another day). It's sadly the end of the season...not too many more opportunities for taking the fishing boat out in sunny skies and reeling in a bluegill nearly every time you cast. Ahh...what a great summer it has been.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

fearless.

My children are FAR more fearless then I ever give them credit for. I guess it's the protective mother in me, but I always think something is too spicy, too hot, too hard....too big. But, unfortunately, I'm facing what has become my biggest fear. My kids are getting big. Now before I look like I've completely lost it (duh...all kids get bigger)....I mean I am watching them get bigger. They are becoming more and more responsible, more open about how they are feeling (this one isn't always easy to hear), more loving...more capable. I am proud of both my children for so so many things. I'm learning how to grow with you guys...sometimes I guess you'll just have to be patient with Mommy. I'm just not so sure I'm fearless about watching you grow.

always a smile. you make my life happy, little man.

Eric, Carter and Katie both lept as high as they could off the front of the boat that we anchored down in the middle of the lake. I couldn't believe that the kids were that brave...they definitely had never been that far out, or that deep. There was nothing but giggles and a breathless effort to be the first one back to the ladder to jump again.



I'm gonna beat you!


I suppose even the most fearless little kids need a mommy hug and a nice big towel.


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

kisses and hugs...