WOW it's December 31st!

WOW!! We can't believe it's New Year's Eve..what a month!

We had an awesome Christmas Eve in Ohio at my sister Stephanie's house.. it's always so much fun when we all get together..this year my sister Jen didn't make it home from Dallas, but with five more to go.. it was still eventful!! The little ones brought so much excitement..it makes you believe in Santa all over again!

Had a great Christmas Day at home.. Craig made a turkey in the oven and I think we played board games till I don't know when.. Carle is at an age it was..clothes, clothes clothes..but Santa did remember MOONSHOES.. who knew.. ha ha and Ms. Autumn got the neatest game called Rubiks Revolution.. I think Craig and I played with it more than she did

And finally Ms Ava arrived on the 27th! What a journey getting her here.. the airport bumped her off a flight then put her on another which landed well over 4 hours later and the little angel actually had to make a stop..(as they said in the CHIPMUNK movie we saw ...) HOLY NUTS!!!

She arrived safe and sound and full of giggles! Carle was at an indoor water park so Craig and I took Ava to an aquarium the first nite! By the time we got home, Autumn was anxiously awaiting..and had lots and lots of games to play!

Well with three girls running around, needless to say we stayed busy.. they dressed up, they danced (even Craig..thought he could breakdance..)played a lot of board games..(which I am wondering now.. how many times these girls have actually watched High School Musical..they sure knew those answers quick..hmmmmmmmmmm) We even celebrated our New Years Eve early on the 30th since we knew Ava had to start getting back on Louisiana time for her flight home... so what'd we do you ask?? We pulled some mattresses and lots of pillows to the living room every one found a spot about 8:30 or so and we watched UNDER DOG!! OMG... it was soooo funny!!!

Well, hope you enjoy the pics!! I'm sure we'll have more tomorrow.. sounds like we're finally getting some snow.. the girls already have their snow pants layed out!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

End of Year Update 2007

Well it's December and it feels like winter in Ohio! It's also starting to feel like Christmas with snow on the ground! Just thought I'd post a little end of year update..November was pretty busy (I think) cause it's December now and I'm not sure how it got here so quick! I do remember a little girl with black hair flew in from Louisiana to see us around Thanksgiving! Yes, it was Ms. Ava!! She's getting so tall. We took her to see the lights at the zoo with My brother, his wife and their son Chase..I'm still waiting for the pics but I'll be sure to upload them. It was a WONDERFUL visit..her and Carle enjoyed their newly decorated bedroom too..they decided they were too big for Cinderella so we went with the High School Musical theme.. and as you can see they loved it!

Now today is 12-07 so that means my Carle turns 10 tomorrow!! WOW..double digits!! Since we had her birthday with family on Thanksgiving we're just doing a little pizza and a movie with her friends tomorrow..can't wait!!

Carle just had her Christmas program last night also and Autumn will be having one on the 18th.

I'm pretty sure we're all set for Christmas (I hope the girls don't see this! ha ha) Craig and I got the girls all new sleds (BIG ONES) for Christmas..I know Ava's excited when she comes back on the 27th.. that girls loves the snow! Ava also will be going to Disney for the first time with her mom on the 12th - we'll be sure to post those pics too.. that's the other part of her gift from us also.. they're going to have SO MUCH FUN!

Well I'm sure the first of the year I'll have lots of pics to post.. so until then..
Happy Holidays to all!!

(2) Banded Birds - IN ONE DAY!!!

Well Craig has been so busy with work that he just hasn't been able to do as much hunting as he would like...but with a day like yesterday.. he doesn't mind anymore..him and Timmy headed just about a mile outside of Napoleon yesterday morning with hopes of getting a shot at the resident Canadian Geese..well not only did they limit out within an hour..Craig shot his first banded goose!!! Who would've expected an hour later duck hunting at a creek down a few miles he would've also shot a banded Mallard!

Halloween 2007

This year we had beautiful weather for trick or treat..no rain, or snow yet..YEAH! Autumn and her friend Destiney (now in junior high) have outgrown the "CUTE" costumes and opted for T-shirts that said " I don't do costumes"..thank goodness for Carle..who , along with her best friend Haley.. dressed up at Pirates! And we can't forget Ms. Ava.. she chose to be a "rock star" this year, and went on a neighborhood trick or treat! We'll get those pictures uploaded soon! Happy Halloween!

Last Day with all four girls for the summer 2007

Well it's been a whirl wind..but a GREAT month of June! Autumn , Carle and Savannah all played softball this summer. The girls all did a reading club at the local library. Ava and Carle took private swim lessons. We enjoyed a relaxing evening at the pond last night catching fish..(I caught the biggest..it was about an inch...LOL)..We took a scenic walk in Grand Rapids OH and Ava of course took a swim..the girls love having an aunt owning a restaurant there...all the FREE SALAD AND FRIES!! We went up to the lake for a day so they could swim..haven't used the cottage yet this summer, but we'll being taking a trip there when Ava comes back in July. Autumn did volleyball camp...and of course Craig and I did lots of grocery shopping and laundry while trying to still take a few courses. It'll sure be quiet around here till October when we'll be able to get them all together again! ..We took a picture tonite before Ava catches her plane tomorrow...looks like our Christmas Card for this year!

Ava Marie learns to ride a bike!! YEAH!!

Everyone rides bikes..even DADDY

Autumn Pitching 2007

SOFTBALL

Carle and Savannah are having a great summer playing softball! Tonight Carle and Savannah both hit a triple and both made double plays...I've been told that the two of them alone could take on some of the teams in our league!!

Carle's Dance Recital 2007

After driving Carle to dance, every Monday for 9 months...the recital finally came! She performed in tap and jazz and has really taken her lessons to a new level..we were all so impressed..she debated about joining the competition team in which she was invited..but my girls are softball players at heart, and just couldn't walk away from that!

Autumn goes to Camp

Well 6th grade was an exciting year for Autumn. She finally got her own locker and was able to join different groups such as chorus and participate in what is known as 6th grade Camp Palmer. For a lot of the kids, it is the first time away from home without parents..and NO cell phones! She left excited and came home excited! We were able to go see her four days into the event in which she showed us her cabin and some of the crafts she had made. I was sure she'd be ready to come home and just beg to leave with me......but, all I got was her dirty laundry..LOL

It was a great experience, and one she'll never forget!

Ava's Recital in Louisiana

In May, Ava Marie had a dance recital in Monroe, Louisiana. Craig and I, along with Carle and her friend Haley flew into Jackson MS to suprise Ava at her recital. Leaving from cold Ohio..the weather in Louisiana was HOT HOT HOT! Carle's friend Haley came along due to the CHEAP airfare we found..$25 each way...gotta love Southwest's DING!

When we arrived, we had the opportunity to catch up with a couple of Craig's friends before heading to the recital...I was able to do Ava's hair and she looked absolutely darling! We met at the show with Craig's mom Norma and step dad Joe, Ava's mom Regina and Doug, and close family friends Papa Mel and his wife Nannette. We had a little excitement before the recital..Carle and Haley discovered what fire ants were! Thank goodness Ava knew...she was the one who saved them..ha ha Sunday we went to church with Ava and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the pool before heading back to Ohio!

Spring Break 2007

Spring Break came with a suprise...SNOW! Ava was here in Ohio for a visit, but sadly the weather kept Savannah home. Craig and I had leased a cottage up at Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Ohio...THANK GOODNESS it had an indoor pool!