funny pix VI

funny pix V

Oh I just couldn't resist posting this one again!

funny pix IV

Caleb has trouble staying on his bed at night. 

funny pix III

Caleb's tongue from another angle.

The first time I took him to the dentist and he opened his mouth they said, "Wow!  He has such a big mouth and big teeth, too!"  Well, we can add big tongue to that as well.

You can also see Maddie in the background trying to touch her tongue to her nose. Fortunately for her, her tongue is quite a bit smaller.  

funny pix II

Maddie ate some chocolate which stuck to her teeth...and made her look like she was missing a few more teeth than she currently is.

funny pix

I've declared this to be funny pictures week.  Starting today and through next week I'm just going to post funny pictures...because I seem to have accumulated an awful lot as of late!  And that last one of Maisie definitely fits right in, don't you think? 

We've noticed that Caleb has a really long tongue.  Really long.

we all have bad hair days sometimes.

nothing works like a little bear charm

We've had some major trouble for a few months now...toilets just don't seem to get flushed around our house.  Besides being unpleasant to find when you walk into the bathroom, it presents a bit of a stinky problem at times as well as toilets that are seemingly always dirty.

One evening it hit me--I announced to the kids that every time they flush the toilet after using it, they get to put a bear in their jar.  AND if they walk into the bathroom and find the other hasn't flushed the toilet, they get to flush it and put a bear in their jar.  When their jar is full, they will get a reward.

Toilets are flushing, bowls clean, bathrooms fresh.  Why didn't I think of this months ago?!

party in ohio

We traveled to Ohio for a second time because Aunt Louise was throwing a surprise 60th and surprise 99th birthday party for Uncle Thad and Granny.  Granny thought she was traveling to Ohio for Uncle Thad's surprise party, but was she surprised when she found out the surprise was for her too!  We were so very glad Granny was able to make the trip--it was a bit touch and go, would she would she not?--but she said she felt all our prayers and she woke up the day of the trip feeling good.  How many 99 year olds do you know who will take a 9 hour car trip?!  Amazing!

Lots of family was in town for the big event...

Shawn & the kids were there.

A few of the 12 second cousins that were present.

My baby girl & me.

Daddy and his big kids.

Aunt Gail & Uncle Jim came too!

We had exciting road trips there and back: the highway was completely shut down (as in people sitting on the side of the road) for an hour on the way out due to a tractor trailing flipping over.  On the way back, the police came and shut down that same highway right in front of us for about 10 minutes so a HUGE oversized tractor trailer carrying a crane could get on the highway (and hog the entire highway)...and we followed it at 15 mi/hr for an hour. 

Aside from the extra long times on the road, we had a great time and were glad we were able to be there for such a special event.  And this sums up how we felt after partying all weekend!

ohio, again!

Last weekend we were in Ohio for the second time this summer.  It's a good thing we went again, because when we were there over 4th of July somehow we left without ever getting a picture of Maisie with Aunt Louise!  So, Aunt Louise, THIS is for you!

* newsflash *

Maisie gave her first real belly laugh, first to Mommy and then right afterward to Daddy.  So cute!

playtime!

granny turns 99

Yes, you read that right...99!  In honor of Granny turning 99, I gathered 99 reasons why we love Granny from the family and made this garland.  As I was cropping paper I started calculating in my head just how long this was going to be and starting laughing when I realized it was going to be about 40 ft long!  Ooops!  Minor oversight.  It went down the living room floor, into the dining room...

...and it went the other way down the living room floor to the coat closet, curving back around again.

When we got to Braden's parents' house to celebrate, PopPop helped me hang it, and we just barely got it to fit going around the entire dining room. Ninety-nine flags in a row takes up a lot of space!

And here is the lovely birthday lady!

And here's Miss Maisie decked out all in purple in honor of Granny.  

sir caleb

Caleb the knight

Caleb the knight riding his horse.

she's totally bit by the drama bug...

...and of course we realized that 2 years ago, but here's Maddie's response after seeing Godspell yet again:  "Mommy, I just couldn't sit still I was so excited!  I was bouncing and singing the songs and clapping the whole time.  And one time I had tears in my eyes because I was just so happy I was there."