YEAH UNCLE DAVE!!!

We are so excited that Uncle Dave is coming to visit us for a whole week! Grace and Bellie are making a list of all the fun things that we can do when he gets here. And yes, I will make cookies. See you soon!

The Girls, Eric, George and I just wanted to send hugs and kisses to Awa. We hope that you are feeling better and hopefully you will be your smiley self again soon. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Lesson: Vocabulary
Teacher: Miss Grace Lenore
Student: Mama

Setting: Grace and Annabelle are eating lunch ("putter and jelly samiches", as Grace would say) at their table.

"Mmmmm," says Grace.
"Is that good, Gracie?" asks Mama.
"Deelipfish," replies Grace.
"Do you mean delicious?"
"No, Mama, not delicious. Deelipfish."

Pronounced dee-lip-fish.
Meaning: even better than delicious.

Does anyone have the number for Webster's? I think they need to hear about this one.

NICE LITTLE DAY TRIP

So yesterday we decided to drive to the outlets in Destin. We have heard from numerous people that they are very nice, so we packed up the kids and the stroller and set off for some shopping (browsing). So it took us a little longer to get there than we had planned considering there was bumper to bumper traffic the last third of the way there. An hour car ride turned into at least two. And when we finally arrived, we realized that the traffic jam STARTED in the parking lot of the outlets. It took us 30 minutes to happen upon a spot, and instead of just leaving, we decided to try and salvage the day and go in a few stores (the traffic was just as bad on the way out of the parking lot).

I can't even imagine how many people were milling around this place - thousands easily. We went into one store, where you couldn't really maneuver a stroller and then Grace had to use the potty. So we set out to find one and the line was longer than the line to get into parking lot. We looked for another, couldn't find one. At some point Grace dropped her shoe so I had to go back and find it. Found it, made my way back to Eric and the girls and decided to leave. Oh, and did I mention that these are outdoor outlets and by now it is pouring down rain?

We get in the car and get out the map to find an alternate way home, which takes equally as long, but at least we are moving. We are all hungry, but there is nowhere to stop. And when we finally get within a few miles from home, Grace pees all over herself and the carseat. Finally we arrive home, about 7 hours after we left.

Through all of this, Grace and Bellie were very well-behaved. Even so, I think today we will stay home.

GRACE IS VERY UPSET

Many of you may not know that we were planning on spending our time off visiting family in Connecticut and Michigan. We were thinking about a road trip. Yes, that would be a very long time in the car (about six days when all was said and done) but it would be well worth it when we could spend some quality time. Well, as luck would have it (or should I say, as the Marine Corps would have it) we are only getting a couple weeks off. And since Eric needs some time to do some work before he starts, that would give us about two days at each destination. Considering all the travel days needed, our roadtrip dreams have now been destroyed. The above picture shows how Grace reacted when we told her that we would not be able to visit everyone. How can we remedy this you ask? We discussed it with Grace and Annabelle and they have asked Eric and I to ask you to please come and visit. Look how upset Grace is, and I can't even show you Annabelle. It is too pathetic to even post. So please....help us cheer the children up and come and see them. They miss you!

Finally, we know a little more about what the future holds. Today, Eric selected the aircraft that he will be training to fly....
HELICOPTERS!!! This means we will remain in Milton for a while longer (probably 6-8 months) before we will be off to another new and exciting destination. We are looking forward to some much needed time off before training starts.

UPDATE ON THE BIKERS

Uncle Bob and Dave have made a safe return from Mackinac Island and are happy to report that they beat all but one boat. WAY TO GO!

REMEMBER WHEN...
Today Grace and Belle and I were watching Sesame Street and there were ponies. This made me think about when Grace went riding for her second birthday. First of all, have you ever seen a child have so much fun? She LOVED it (as you can see, both her and Gramma Beth are enjoying themselves). But most imprtantly, it has come to my attention that in less than two months, Grace will be turning THREE. Can someone please fill me in on where the time has gone?

By the way, how cute is this outfit? Please notice the fabulous pink cowboy boots! We have two pairs in two sizes (thanks Awa), so hopefully at some point Grace and Belle can wear them at the same time.

HUGS AND KISSES

Today Awa (this is what we call my grandmother) is having surgery. She has a herniated disc and will have a spinal fusion today. Eventhough she is very nervous for the procedure, for a while now she has been in a great deal of pain and this will hopefully fix that. We can't wait until she is up and running around again. So... Awa we love you and are thinking about you.

I want to wish my Uncle Bob and his brother Dave the best of luck on racing the boats to Mackinac on their bikes. Here's to a safe and speedy journey!



Next time I will see if they would want to attatch the bike seats Eric and I have on our bikes and take Grace and Annabelle along. I am certain that constant kicks in the butt would be all the encouragement they would need to get to the finish line as fast as possible!

It's early, it is still dark. I am lying in bed, thinking about snuggling in a little deeper when something stirs next to me. As Eric is gone for the weekend, I am a little startled by this. And then I hear, in the sweetest little voice you have ever heard...

"Oh Gracie...why did you pee in Mama's bed?"

So, how did you start your day today?

MAMA NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF SHOES

My feet are depressed. I have recently discovered that I have an allergy to an unknown chemical/plasticy something that has dragged me away from one of my most favorite possessions: My Crocs.


And not only have I lost the most comfortable footwear that I have ever experienced, as if that was not enough, I can no longer walk on carpet with bare feet. In the summer heat my feet have been imprisoned.

I suppose eventually I will get over it and find something equally as comfortable (and hopefully better looking). First I am hoping that I will stop losing large chunks of skin and the limping will subside. In the meantime, my feet and I will spend what free time we have scouring the internet for a new favorite possession.

One of the downsides to a front-loading washer......


This morning at breakfast, Grace decided that Papa needed to eat some yogurt. You can imagine the mess that this created and the bottomline was that spot cleaning was not going to cut it. He had to go in the washer. I didn't want to face a naptime or bedtime without Papa, so it needed to be done right away. Well, Grace spent the next 40 minutes with her faced pressed against the window of the washer, SOBBING. You had to feel bad for her, but it was pretty funny. When she realized that he had to go in the dryer when the wash cycle was over, she moved to the middle of the room and proceeded to fling her body around on the ground for about 15 minutes, until she decided that fruit snacks woud be able to hold her over until Papa was finally dry.

I am happy to report that child and bear have been reuinted and everyone seems to be doing fine. Both Grace and Papa seem to have suffered no lasting damage from this mornings washing.

Have you ever had so much fun in the bath tub in your life???

A very lucky, select few were fortunate enough to receive these precious photos on a t-shirt to show the world. Everyone else will have to visit the blog to enjoy. (Just kidding, if you want a copy, send me an email and I will make you one.)

Here are some pics from the 4th. Sorry you can't really see the bottom one.
Grace and Bellie LOVE the dresses that Nami picked out in Mexico. Grace will spin around until she falls over. George was very good about wearing his bandana, I figured that he would have ripped it off pretty quickly.

Grace, Annabelle and I have been inspired to start a blog. Now you can visit the girls whenever you want! No more waiting for me to send pictures, but someone has to get Aunt Susie in the 21st century and teach her how to use a computer. Maybe this will inspire her...