Sooo....uhmmm....yeah....

This is what happens when you send the 3 year old to get himself ready for bed.
hee hee...I came out like this and said to Mommy "Is this right?" with a big silly smile. I knew it wasn't right but I'm very silly like that. If you can't tell my pants are on my head and my shirt is upside down with my right leg in the neck whole and my left leg in an arm whole....MAN I CRACK MYSELF UP!

Year End Teacher Conference

Michael on the first day of school

Michael on the last day of school.

In April Mommy and Daddy met with Mrs. Denise (my teacher). She showed them how much I learned at school. The first picture was a self portrait I drew at the beginning of the year. The second was one that I did in April. Mrs. Denise said I was one of 2 children in the class (of mostly 4 year olds and I'm only 3) who knew all my shapes (including octogon and hexagon), letters, numbers and colors. I can also write my own name. I also grew lots this year. I only gained 1/2 pound since October but I grew 1 1/4 inches!!! WOW!!! Mommy said "So THAT'S where all the food you eat is going!"

Checking in...

It has been a rough couple of weeks around here. Abby and I was very sick for a long time. We are doing better but not totally well yet...at least we are sleeping again - last night was the first night in 2 weeks that both Abby and I slept all night.
Aunt Kristen took this picture of me and Abby at the park, feeding the ducks. She took us to the park so Mommy could get some work done. It is a grainy picture because Aunt Krissy took it with her camera phone. We like it when she comes over - she is lots of fun!

"Mommy? I doesn't feel so good."

I don't feel good. I woke up at 3:30 this morning and went and got Mommy. I said it was morning and time to play and she said it was too early and that I should go back to bed. I insisted it was time to get up and she said 'No' but I could sleep in her and Daddy's bed. So she pulled me into their bed and realized that I was blazing hot. So she went and gotted me some medicine. Then she layed by me in the bed and hoped I'd go back to sleep. I was so restless that she finally gave up and took me out to the livingroom and we cuddled on the couch until my fever broke. All day she has been wondering when I would finally crash and it just happened. Abby had already fallen asleep in mommy's lap and mommy had put her to bed. Then I crawled into Mommy's lap and fell asleep - I tell ya - Mommy has a comfy lap! So mommy put me on the couch to sleep with my blanket and my bear. Mommy can't remember the last time both Abby and me took a nap!

"Tidy! Look! Mommy!"

I like to play in my bed during the day. I get my babies and my books a just sit and read and talk to my babies. Well today my "Tidy" decided to join me. He sat on my pillow and I petted him while I played. He is my buddy!

Where's Michael?

Where is Michael?

Here I am!

"Cheese!"

Silly Abby!

Mommy was going through some pictures and found this one she took on my birthday. I had found one of our Christmas toys that hadn't been put away. It is a Rudolf nose that Auntie Val sent to us a couple of years ago. You put it on and the nose glows red and blinks.

It is very fun!

Home from Mexico!

Well Mommy and Daddy got back from Mexico last Sunday. Mommy says she is sorry to all those she owes emails too. She's been playing catchup all week. First I'll tell you about our time with Papa and Grandma and then Mommy will tell you about their trip.

We had BIG fun at Papa and Grandma's house. Uncle John came home from Rome the night Mommy and Daddy left. We gots to play with him lots and Aunt Kristen too. We played lots with our cousins too - big thanks to Uncle Ray and Aunt Kelly! We were big helpers too. We helped Grandma walk on her crutches by holding onto them and walking with her so she wouldn't fall down and Abby was really good at demanding that Grandma sit down "Memaw - Sit down there right NOW!" We did really good at not missing Mommy and Daddy too much until Wednesday (5 days after we last saw them). Mommy called and Grandma asked me if I wanted to talk to Mommy and I said "No" and then Grandma convinced me to say hi and so I got on the phone and Mommy said "Hi Michael - It's Mommy. I love you lots and I miss you" and then I started to cry and ran and hid in another room. Mommy cried too. Then Mommy talked to Abby and then hung up the phone. A few minutes later I came out and wanted to talk to Mommy and so Grandma called her back and we talked for a long time. We had so much fun but were very happy to have Mommy and Daddy home...after the initial "where the heck have you guys been" glares.

Mommy here....we had a great time in Mexico. It was so nice to spend quality time with each other and Walt, Karen and Pat. We had great weather and did a lot of reading by the pool and/or beach and we also did some touring and snorkling.

This is a panaoramic shot of one of the 'beach' areas at the resort. It was an enclosed lagoon where you could swim/kayak/snorkle/feed fish. It was a nice place to lay out.

On Monday we all toured the Mayian ruins at Chichen Itza.
Here is Ben and I at the bottom of the main pyramid.
A year or two ago a 76 year old woman fell while climbing the
pyramid and died so it is now closed to tourists.

A panoramic view of the main square of Chichen Itza.
To the left of the main pyramid is the temple of the warriors.
If you walked 10 min to the left you would reach the "Well of Sacrifice" which is HUGE!
10 min to your right is "The Observatory."

The Observatory - The steps up to the observatory were very tall and narrow - made me a little claustrophobic to climb up.

Ben and I got to go snorkling - the reef was pretty devistated by the hurricane a couple years ago so we weren't able to see much corral but we did see many beautiful fish - including a Dory fish (from "Finding Nemo" if you are familiar with that movie - one of our kids favorites). Our guide gave me some fish food and as I released it into the water the fish swirled and swam around me which was very cool.

After snorkling Ben and I went parasailing. I wanted to do that on our honeymoon but didn't get the chance. It was actually really peaceful up there. We have a video of it too - taken with our camera as we rose above the boat but I'm not sure how to imbed a video link. Anyone know how?

We had a good time with Ben's brother (and Michael's Godpapa) Pat.

On Friday we toured the Mayian ruins on the cliffs of Tulum. Tulum was a major sea trading port. The views were beautiful.

This was the only day that the sky's were consistantly cloudy and cool.

You can't really tell here but I'm a tree - there is a palm tree behind me that was curved like I am standing.

Our maid always twisted our towels into fun little figures. This was my favorite - a little figure laying on a bed, complete with eyes/nose and mouth.

Time to go home - we miss the kids!!

Thanks again to Walt and Karen for such a wonderful vacation!! We love you!!

The Many Faces of a 2 Year Old!

[side note: Mommy and Daddy are going on a little trip tomorrow. They will be gone for a week to some place called Mexico with Nana, Dzia Dzia and Uncle Pat...no they aren't taking us. We are going to have big fun with Mema and Papa. We will see you in a week!]

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY ABBY!

2 Years Old!

1 Day Old ------------- 1 Year Old

"Durdle Puhrse"

You know what Mommy discovered today? That taking pictures inside at 7am presents some lighting issues! But she wanted to get these pictures up as soon as she could because I am SO CUTE in my new turtle outfit!!!

This outfit is a birthday present from my Nana and Dzia Dzia - boy does Nana know how to pick out cute girl stuff or what!!! She even got me socks, bows for my hair AND a purse shaped like a turtle!!! I insisted that mommy get me dressed straight away in my "durdle shurt" and then I carried my "durdle puhrse" all over the house. I went into Mommy and Daddy's room to show Daddy as he got ready for "wourk."

The clothes fit perfectly!

You know what "puhrses" are good for? Swinging around you of course!

Mommy thinks this is a silly picture. She said "smile at Mommy" and I opened my eyes REALLY big. hee hee - I is silly!

Daddy says "Abby? Who's a stinker?" and I says "Abby is!"

Update: Abby has been carrying her purse around ALL DAY! She put it on her arm earlier and said "Bye, bye Mommy!" and walked to the door. :)

Birthday Fun!

My birthday isn't until Wednesday but we decided to have my birthday party today! I had lots of people I like come: Grandma (with her broken foot), Papa, my Godpapa Uncle Ray, my Godmama Aunt Kelly, cousins Rachel, Katie, Maria, and Sara, Jenney, my friend Jacob and his mommy Amanda, my friend Austin and his mommy Leslie. Thank you everyone for all my wonderful presents.

Dancing with Daddy before the party.

"Mom! Take a picture of me too!"

Sara liked all my new baby dolls.

Maria, Michael and Katie have birthday fun.

Lots of presents...we need a bigger house!

The picture on the left is from my 1 year birthday and the picture on the right is when I was born.

I started to cry when everyone started singing "Happy Birthday" to me and so mommy had to blow out my candle.

Cake is good!

Michael, Austin and I cleaned our plates!

10 minutes after everyone left my party I crawled into Mommy's lap and fell asleep.

Where did Mommy's babies go?!!?!?!?!?!

Michael - 3.5 years and Abby - 23 months

Fun In the Snow! - Jan. 11, 2007

It snowed again! This time it was a lot more than in November. Mommy bundled us up and we went outside to play. Like I said before it doesn't snow here very often and so mommy didn't have any gloves for us. That didn't stop me though. Abby didn't want to touch the snow though.

Michael's Hand Print

"Mom - this is a snow trumpet"