Swine Flu

I wish I could take credit for this photo, but it was sent to me, and I laughed out loud today. The mass panic that has been unleashed in our communities is a little ridiculous and it was nice to laugh. I still think that everyone needs to breathe. As of now, more people died of the common flu last year.. and that is something we know comes every year. So, to all my patients and friends.. laugh, this is where it started (not really but may make you take a breather, and at least smile!)

More of our trip to Texas

Emma loved the bouncer

Zack on the carouselGiggled the whole time...
Riding the speed racers.. Emma in the background.. she had to ride as well

The pizza joint: Toby could not figure it out, but tried really hard on the speed racer.

On the Riverwalk boat ride.. she had a blast

Toby at the Alamo.. it was packed. How I didn't get anyone else in the background I am not sure..

Zack and I on the boat ride..

Emma talking to Grandma

Toby enjoying the River boat ride

We had a great time visiting one of my best friends (and future Godmother to this baby) Heather and her kiddos.. Hubby was in Chicago.. go figure, but we had a great time with Heather. We ended up going to the Riverwalk because Larry had to have BBQ. And, then we went to this great pizza place, where you get a buffet of pizza, macaroni, desserts, drinks, etc. and then you get to go play video games, go-carts, bouncers, etc. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast. Somehow, I got zero photos of me with Heather and of her kids playing with my kiddos.. we were to busy gabbing I guess. :) We miss them so much and can't wait to go again this summer to 6 Flags!! LOOK OUT!! We are headed back! Thank you agian Heather for being such a great host. We love you and miss you!! You missed out Andrew--- :) Maybe this summer!!

Baking Cookies with Mommy

She is all mine... :)
She still hates me taking her photo..

Getting ready to mix and add

Getting things ready.. they see it, the chair comes over and look out.. they are ready

After giving up chocolate for lent, you can imagine that Easter brought chocolate back to our house... the kids love helping me cook, and I usually do it on the weekends. Not that they eat the cookies.. I try, but they would rather have Chips Ahoy. I am told by all the other moms to be thankful for this. At least they love to help me bake! And, I love having their help.

Emma's Favorite "New" Toy

Can't get a smile every time!! :)

When we were visiting our friends in TX, they had this great whale rocking thing.. that well, Emma fell in love with. She rides it a million times a day, and fusses if any of the other kiddos even get near it.. She is so stinking cute on it, you can't help but laugh when you watch her.

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!

I have been a little slow- lots of work and call this week which I love, but I am so tired that I feel I have to spend the time with the family. Tonight is movie night, so I am cheating and hitting the computer early before I also go to bed!

Today, we got to do our formal ultrasound with MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine). Being an old dog, I did all the early testing, and then we declined the amnio today. Everything looked great. She has all her fingers and toes, all her measurements are perfect. Larry was thrilled- the kids weren't sure, and I was just soooo thankful she was normal and healthy. I was prepared either way. I just wanted Normal and Healthy, and I got it!!

The MFM doc was a co-worker and was great. Showed us a ton of pictures, and then burned them to a CD for us.. Here are some of them we thought were way cool!

Easter

Mommy and Emma post Easter Egg hunt at church

Zack was kind of over run at church, but the kids were sooo great and shared with him. He was very happy.

Emma was the bigger 2 yr old and got the bag full very quickly, and then shared with her brother!

Ready... set... go..

She let me take a photo!! Not the best.. I do what I can.
Easter morning.. she dived in.. I was like.. ahhhh we have to go to church.. come on come on.. chocolate everywhere.. Zack even put it in his pocket and tried to eat it in Sunday school.

Coloring eggs..

Daddy helping Emma- her first time.. She did great.

So, I am posting a little bit more tonight on different nights. We did the Easter egg coloring, the hiding and the finding, and the mad dash to church to be on time, and their Easter egg hunt. It was a crazy weekend but a lot of fun. We were so glad to be home after 3 wks of not being home.

Our BABY is 2!!!!!

Can we say blackmail??

Zack wearing all the bling bling..

Emma eating her cake.. no she didn't finish it. Guess strawberry isn't a hit either..


Blow out those candles!

Singing Happy Birthday! She let me take a photo!

Could NOT stand to not have the pretties as well.. Gotta love my mom, she sent a tiara as well WHEW! Thanks mom!
Her response when we opened the box..

Okay- this kid freaked over the jewels.. She is so like her mother and grandmother.. she demanded we open them, put them all on.. It was a riot... HUGE HIT!

When she was a baby, I use to give her a toothbrush to chew on.. it kept her occupied for hours.. gnawing on the toothbrush.. she still loves them.. Dora her favorite.

Her toothbrush.. kind of like my mom always gave us flashlights. The kids always get toothbrushes.

Her pretty tiara.

Okay- I am a huge baker. My kids will NOT eat cookies, cake, pies, nothing. I can get them to eat bread but that is it. So, I knew chocolate, yellow cake, white cake were not going to work.. so I tired Strawberry. Zack helped with the decorating.

Where does the time go? This time 2 yrs ago, we were holding our little bundle. She has been such a joy and delight. Everything a girl should be, soft, sweet cuddly, and takes zero crap from her brothers (I think she is tougher than they are). With all the travel we decided to keep this one low key (we are beat). The kids had a blast.. and I have so many blackmail photos of Zack... he better be careful when he is older..

Great Birthday

With all the hoopla of back and forth to Texas, back to work, teaching a class of 112, and Emma's 2nd Birthday on the 8th, my birthday was kind of like yeah, whatever! But it was great to get b-day wishes on Facebook, cards from friends, and great food for dinner. Lobster, shrimp and Cobb salad. It was divine. A glass of wine would have made it perfect! :) It's in the rack.. waiting for me...

Having Fun in TEXAS???

Zack found the vacuum.. shocking I know.. yes, he vacuumed all the "spilled" popcorn
Zack caught the fish, and then set NEMO free.. I thought Richard was going to kill him.

Toby's fish

fishing from the deck

Little poser

I never thought I would say out loud how much fun we had. Not that Larry's family isn't amazing, but it's TEXAS?? :) The kids had a ball. Their biggest hoot? Fishing with daddy and Grandpa..

We are home!!!!

Emma just wanted milk and baby dolls.

The morning- bright eyed and begging for Cracker Barrel...

Emma trying to get comfy...

Boys sleeping..

Emma and Bella- had to love on each other.. Bella also did well, but spent the return trip in her crate....

Emma and her pillows

It was a great trip. The kids were AMAZING!! I was the one who was like.. ARE WE THERE YET?? Emma only fussed the first day as she could not get comfy in her carseat to sleep. The boys were total troopers! We had a really good time. So much, we are talking about going back in Sept. post baby. Yes- we are crazy..

Things to post to remember to bring on ANY trip

Lots of snacks- I had pretzels, chips, cheetos, cheese itz, apples, grapes and when all else failed starburst. We made sandwiches, milk (big jug) small jug of chocolate, water, juice boxes and cold beer for the parents upon arrival.

Movies: Mamma mia. Wordsworld, Diego, Leaps letters/numbers/words, Harry Potter, Mary Poppins.. and then the reward.. Bolt and Meet the Robinson's (Toby's request)

Activities: Crayola colors.. it only colors the paper. The markers don't color them or anything else... YES!! Crayons, books, dudes, cars, Leapsters, Flash cards (lots of sight words reviewed) and hand held games, pillows, blankets. and baby dolls and keep everything in each ones back pack.