Happy New Year! Tampa... Part 2

On Tuesday, January 4, the Triple Trouble and I loaded up the minivan and headed to Tampa, to see Grammie and Dada.

The trip was not without its fair share of drama.... and puke!

Yes, Grady, after just having gotten onto I-10 began projective vomiting... you can always count on that boy to make a trip interesting... and gross!!!!

Thank goodness for the jumbo size packet of wipes I had... not fun and lots of stress!!!!

You can ask Todd, I was having a meltdown, was completely grossed out and was contemplating canceling my appointment at Moffitt and going home!!!!!

Anyway, after a good hour of wiping and a change of clothes for Grady Joe, who at this point was running around chasing his brothers all over the rest area, we were on our way and were so happy to get to Grammie and Dada's house!

In the following days, the boys had way more fun that any one person should.

They "hung" out with their cousins... this is Timmy.

They ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.

By the way, his shirt says "You can call me super serious big time trouble"... there has never been a more true statement!

Todd and Timmy doing their balancing act.

Grady loved the zip line as much as the big kids!

We even made it to Red Robin... yummmm!!!

Todd, Timmy and Grammie, waiting for their burgers!

This is our beautiful niece Kati!

Also, Tim Tebow, watch out!

This girl has a mean throwing arm... she and I played the two Todds in a game of football the next day... she had to play QB because she had a bum foot... but it was soooooo much fun!

Miss you Kati!!!!!!!!

Yes, I know it is good Dat Dat, but let's see it first!

Delicious!!!!

So, for the big news, I did go to the  Cancer Center and all my blood work was good.

I do have to go back in July for a PET Scan... don't like them, but no big deal.

Okay, the next blog is the one you have been waiting for.....



Happy New Year! Part 1

Happy New Year!!!!!

A few days late! Sorry.

Ours has already been very busy with both highs and lows.

We do hope that everyone of you had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

I had to work that day, but we decided to do our "usual" for the evening!

After I got home, we got ready and headed across the bridge to the beach and went to TGI Fridays.

There were lots of smiles.

Lots of crazy eyes!

Too much lemonade and goofy photos!

See what I mean about the crazy eyes!

Todd says he looks like Steve Buscemi in Mr. Deeds.

See.

There were cuddles!

And lots more smiles!

And LOTS of Brownie Obsession!

After our chocolate overload, we headed to Pier Park.

We had planned to stay til midnight to watch the fire works but at 10:30pm, we were done!

So, we headed home with the promise of Yahtzee and the ability to stay up 'til the ball dropped!

As soon as we walked through the door, Grant was in tears and ready for bed, so off he went.

While the rest of us battled our eyelids to play Yahtzee Jr.

Grady was delirious... it was hysterical... his eyes are open in this photo, but I am pretty sure he is asleep.

Handsome Dat Dat!

Love you!

Saturday was work again and then Sunday was a round trip journey to Tuscaloosa, AL.

We were up very early and on our way.

Designated Driver.

Designated Sleeper.

This photo was taken just moments after we had driven into the Tuscaloosa City Limits.

He had been wide awake until then.

My Grandmother's Service was really beautiful.

I am so glad we were able to go.

Wish I had gotten a few more photos.

January 2, the day of the funeral, is also my Sister's Birthday and though it was a sad occasion, I am glad we were able to spend some time with her.

(On a funny note, it was her big 3-0... she kept saying it was the one year anniversary of her 29th Birthday... Good one Liz!)

So, here ends Part 1 of this New Year adventure... I cannot wait to share the rest with you... it has been a very exciting year so far.... more to come later...

Sad.

Got a phone call about an hour ago.

It was Foe Foe.

My Grandmother, Mama Lu, had just passed away.

She lived in Tuscaloosa, AL near the University of AL.

We visited her quite often as a child and we would play cards and do puzzles together for hours.

I would even go and stay for several days at a time during the summer and we would go swimming everyday.

When I was 12, I remember her calling one evening and asking Foe Foe if I could go to Italy with her.

Needless to say, the resounding answer was YES!!!!

I "wish" I could find those photos for you... lets just say, my hair... well, I would rather be bald again... (just kidding Lord).

It was a fun trip... Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome.... good times.

We love and miss you.



Puppy, are you cold?

As most of you know, we have a puppy.

Ok, she is a 10 year old puppy,

But a puppy none the less.

Usually, this is the way Robin looks.

Again, as I think I have stated before, yes, she is a Golden Retriever.

But, she has terrible skin and all she does, even as an inside dog, even in the A/C is pant.

She stares at you with her big brown cataract ridden eyes PANTING!

So, I shave her.

It is messy business, but necessary!

She usually gets a shave once a month.

Well, just after Thanksgiving, she was leering at me with her tongue hanging out.

So, I got out the clippers.

Then, the temp dropped.

Now, this is the scene every night in the middle of the living room.

Pathetic, I know.

By the way, sorry Beeka Beeka, but it was the closest thing to me... I promise I will wash it and give it back to Grady... We love you... Robin does too:)

Happy Ho Ho Ho to You!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

We did!

Christmas Eve day, I had to work, but that evening, we went to Church.

It was a very nice service and Dat Dat and Todd Jr both served.

I was so proud!

Grady and Grant were pretty good too or at least that is what everyone said.

However, you can always count on Grant to stir things up.

I had packed some crayons and books to take with us... and at the quietest part of the service, Grant pointed to a large circle he had drawn (luckily not in The Book of Common Prayer).

He said, "I made a face."

"I made a BIG face."

"I made Daddy's face!"

Classic.

(Still nothing beats my sister, Elizabeth, SCREAMING during quiet reflection after Holy Communion..."Dammit, I want a donut NOW!!!!!!... She was 2, it was great!)

 And after some Hot Chocolate that was made more for the novelty than for actual consumption and a lively reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, the little men we off to bed!

And yes, they were up early the next morning!

The above photo was before..

The next two are after...

Todd, under a mountain of paper.

Grant got a scooter from Santa... Toy Story, what else....

Here are three of the boys trying to put it together.

The weather was miserable and we never left the house... well, at least the little men and I never did... Dat Dat ran 9 miles... just before the rain began.

And, I am sorry there are not many photos... Todd Jr and Dat Dat were too busy getting me HOOKED on Yahtzee or Yahoo as Todd Jr calls it.

I think Dat Dat and I played til 1am.

YAHTZEE!!!!

Oh, wait... here is another good one...

Yes, a photo was snapped of these beauties before a cast iron skillet got involved, but there was not an opportunity for an after... they were gone...

We missed all our family but enjoyed our quiet little Christmas at home... hope everyone else had a great holiday and we are looking forward to a Happy New Year!

... and 26.2 miles

... only 13 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where are the dice????  I wanna play Yahtzee...

Candy Cane Wishes and Gingerbread Dreams

We  hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday Season!

This past Saturday was filled with Christmas Cheer!

First, Dat Dat woke up early and ran 17 miles... Yep, 17... He Rocks!!!

While he was gone, The Triple Trouble and I went to Todd Jr.'s school...

For Breakfast with Santa....

As you can see, Grant was a little nervous, but no fits, just great determination to do whatever his big brothers were doing.

Also had to have a DISCUSSION with Todd ...

He figured out the "Santa" was his principal...

Had to talk about helpers and what a big job Santa has...

Disaster Averted!

Then, the little men and I ran home, changed clothes and headed to the Playground!!!

Constantly climbing!

Grady too.

Even Grant wanted in on the action.

By the way, notice anything special about this photo?

That is right... no diaper peeking out from the jeans....

And then it was time to hit the swings..

And hit the ground!

Todd kept wanting me to film him over and over again!

Then we headed home for lunch and a nap...

Then off to the Panama City Christmas Parade!

Dat Dat caught Grady shoving popcorn in his mouth!

Dat Dat, do you see me kissing Mommy?

(Yes, that's me and all my HAIR!!!!!!!! 1 year and 8 months worth!)

Dat Dat got lots of Gator Chomps from the parade participants!

Waiting for the parade to start...

What is a parade without a Parrot Head float!

Don't remember why I took this one....

Anyway, it was lots of fun and the kids had a great time dodging peppermints being thrown at their heads!

Looking forward to tomorrow, Grant and I are going with Grady's class to another Christmas parade, should be fun and hopefully I can get a good photo of Santa this time... the ones from Saturday night just didn't turn out... sorry.

Have a Jolly Holiday!