Rainy Days, Swimming and Popsicles

What an ugly day today.

We woke up to lots and lots of rain.

It just kept raining and raining... usually, this retention pond is completely empty with a white sandy bottom... looks like we could have gotten out a canoe and paddled around the pond.

Poor Robin had to wait to go out this morning and when she did...

I was ready to shoot her (just kidding)...

the worst part was that once she got in, she was scared and would not come out...

and I REFUSED to go out and get her...

Dat Dat was even on the speaker phone trying to call to her...

all she did was look around for him...

I think it took a good 15 minutes for her to come out...

what a chicken... she just stood in one spot crying!

Todd Jr had tutoring this afternoon and after we picked him up, there was an outcry for popsicles... we must all be dreaming of summer....

So, you cannot see it, but there is a puddle of yellow popsicle at his feet and his shirt is wet....

Todd Jr did a great job helping but finally mommy took over...

I love it when he says "yep."

We hope everyone is staying warm and dry...

I am off to make pizza! Yes, make, not make a phone call....

Special Visitors

We were so excited yesterday evening when Uncle Fred and Aunt Nancy called and said they were in Lynn Haven... We had the best time....

After talking, reading, playing with toys and a pirate and Gator room tour, Grady and Todd pulled out the big box of puzzles... Grady LOVES puzzles and he and Nancy worked on this Pirate puzzle for quite a while.

Here are Aunt Nancy, Uncle Fred and the Triple Trouble all engrossed in puzzle time!

Again we were so excited that Fred and Nancy were able to stop to see us on their way to Tampa... we wish we all lived closer together... I know the Triple Trouble were sad to see them go...

As a matter of fact Grady went to bed playing with his Handy Manny treat... and this was him this morning... and yes, it is currently only 8:05am here....

And while Grant was so happy and full of fun last night, this morning... not so much... Last night he kept getting the boxes of puzzles out... taking out all the pieces and then putting them back in... it was as if he was a special puzzle inspector... well, this morning he went  straight for the box and was informed that we were not getting any out right this moment... Well, you can see the reaction.... and yes, I am pretty sure there was a big bottom lip sticking out.

We were so sad to see Uncle Fred and Aunt Nancy go and hope we will get to see them again VERY soon!

Have fun in Tampa and the Islands!!!!!!  We love you !!!!!

See, I told you it was cold!

And this photo was taken at 11am on Saturday...

this is our neighbors fountain... it is still frozen today... not even our bright FLORIDA sun could melt it.

It is hard to believe that in a few months it will be 100 degrees and 100% humidity...

Our neighbor also left on her sprinkler... see the ice on the back of our car!

Anyway, in case you have not figured it our, it is cold... We like cooler weather but, this is more than we bargained for....

It was not a very exciting weekend, however we are looking forward to tomorrow... Uncle Fred and Aunt Nancy are stopping by to see us on their way to Tampa from Michigan... Maybe they will be brave enough to go to the beach:)  We cannot wait to see them!

Also, a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Elizabeth (1/2), our nephew Dylan (1/6)... who is now 11... YIKES and our nephew Ayden (1/12) whose big day will be tomorrow!  We love and miss you very much!  PS... Elizabeth, I hear you had a special outing for Dylan's Birthday... we want pictures... post to your blog!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, I am calling you out!

Student of the Month!!!

That's right, look who is Student of the Month... he was sooooo excited when I picked him up that he did not even have on his jacket, scarf or gloves... by the way, did I mention that it is COLD here today!

C-C-C-C-O-L-D!!!!!!

Ok, family in Michigan... we know... but dang it is cold here.... Todd called after he left for work this morning and said the temperature reading would not give a numerical temp, the screen said "colder than a witches ..."  I digress.  UM, IT IS COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!  and, Todd Jr is extrememly disappointed.. he wanted snow and all we got was rain and .... MORE COLD!!!!!

We hope everyone had an amazing Christmas!

We had a Great time visiting with the family in Tampa!

Our Christmas Morning started unusually early, as we were making our way to Tampa and hoping to be in time for the "Roast Beast"... can you say first ones there... and we drove 6 1/2 hours... cool!  Ok, I say we... I slept the ENTIRE WAY... poor Dat Dat.

The Triple Trouble had tons of fun playing with their cousins... Kati, Timmy, Sarah, Jessica, Mason and Madison!  Let's just say it was a VERY full house, but so much fun.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Tim and Susan for opening their home to this mass brood, you will never know how much we appreciate your hospitality.

Todd Jr received a speical delivery via Santa (who we got word, stayed up VERY LATE) of his own room... he has been sharing a room with Grady Joe.  This is actually Grant's old room... Funny thing was... Todd went in there on Christmas Morning and shouted "Cool Grant got a Gators room!" what a neat kid.

Yes, Go Gators... even the bathroom is all Gators... speaking of the bathroom... we have given up on Willard... 600 times is original size my @$$!

The boys were also exceptionally excited when they opened this particular gift from Me Me and Foe Foe... Todd Jr was sooooo excited... I don't think he has any idea what a crock pot is but he was excited non the less... just so you know... there was no crock pot inside... just jeans for all the boys... how funny!

Again, our trip was filled with fun things to do, like the playground, a PET Scan, a trip to the movies (Dat DAt and I went to see Sherlock Holmes... we highly recommend it!), visits to Tim and Susans, and even Timmy and Mason came over to spend the night at Grammie and Da Da's with us.  Timmy was such a joy to have and Mason is always as well.

Finally, here is Grant with his big fat pout on.  Who knows why!

I had to spend Sunday night in the ER with him... Doctor thinks Rotovirus... yuck... yeah this after Grady tried to crawl into our bed covered in puke.. milky puke no less... that is the only time I wish we allowed them to have juice/

Happy New Year Everyone!

Sorry, still on Todd's computer... but check this out!

December 23, 2009

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Harris,

As the year draws to a close, I wanted to again thank you for your generosity to TMH (Tallahasse Memorial Hospital) and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  Your gifts are truly a loving and beautiful tribute to your daugter... Mallory Esme Harris.

I know you think of Esme everyday and, as you do, please be assured that she is not forgotten here at TMH.  Her name is on the Wall of Honor in teh Hospital Atrium and will soon be on a new memorial plaque that is being designed for the NICU area.

Most Sincerely,
Paula F.

Isn't that amazing... hand written...not a form letter.... how cool that she used Esme and not Mallory!!!!   We had just driven through Tallahasse and had we known we would have stopped at the Hospital.  Todd and I are hopeful there will be some sort of ceremony, if you are reading Sharon D., do you know anything about it?

Happy New Year to all.... how cool, no cancer and a letter about our daughter... cool!

Cancer Free!!!!!

Hello All... still on Todd's computer, so no pictures available at this time... but, the title says it all... thanks for all the prayers!  The Nat