Waterworks!

1 Year, 49 Weeks.

It's hot.  Man, is it hot.  And it's only March!  Our lawn looks like we're in the middle of July, and there's not a rain forecast for miles.  Is this a sign of things to come?

But with the heat comes the opportunity to play in water, something that Florida has an abundance of.  So all week we took advantage of the weather as the children have played at the pool, splash park in Winter Garden, in the backyard, and at Sea World.  I guess it's not so bad; we could be living somewhere still cold!

So...I'm going to cheat again, and just post some pictures of our week.  I've drawn a blank and can't seem to write about anything current (please someone, give me a topic!), but to be honest, when you eat, breathe,  and live your children, sometimes the last thing you want to do at the end of the day is write about it.  Sometimes.  I hope to get over this slump soon.  :)

Braelyn fell asleep on Lolo's lap Friday evening.
She ended up in their bed and gave them not much of a restful sleep that night!

Maddy sits with Brady and Aubree during story time at Sabbath School.

Lolo sits with the grandchildren for breakfast.

Maddy and Kohl help deflate Aunt Mari's air mattress.

Lala and her sister Aunt Mari with the kids braving the chilly water at the pool.
Aunt Mari was in town for a couple weeks from Seattle and spent Sat. night with us.

Mommy encouraging the twins to go play in the fountains.

It took holding hands with Braelyn to do the trick!

Such a beautiful and warm March day.

Back to the pool, this time to try on new swimsuits with built in life vests Mommy had purchased.

Not quite sure they like them yet.

Still had fun playing in the adjacent fountains.

Braelyn and her mean face.

Maddy copying but somehow doesn't look quite as mean.

Filling the pools in the backyard.

Maddy trying to decide which one to go to.

We joined the Bergherms and Grodacks at Sea World Wednesday morning.

Splash area with Calleigh.

The group minus the Grodacks pose for a picture.

Feeding the ducks of Lake Starke at Bill Breeze Park

Braelyn and Calleigh goofing off together at Adventurer's.

Working on their exercise honor, somehow the jumprope thing wasn't working right...

Navigating the boats at the Orlando Science Center.

Got...to...push...that......button!

This could be a scene from a movie:  Kohl trying to save Maddy on a runaway plane!

Perhaps a future as a pilot...

or an architect!

Some meals this week:

Tomato Fiesta with Chicken Sausage

Garlic Falafel on Couscous

Randoms:

YIKES!!!

3 foot alligator in our backyard pond.

This hawk caught something and was eating it atop our neighbor's screened porch.

Saw this on the turnpike.  Ride of the future?

Quotes of the week:

• Braelyn always seems to keep coming up with "questions" right before bed and as you are trying to escape out of her room to let her try to go to sleep:

         Brae: "Mommy, is the guy at the front outside always there?"

         Tangie: "What do you mean?"

         Brae: "The guy at the gate in front."  referring to the security guard at the subdivision entrance.

         Tangie:  "Well, its not one guy, but lots of guys.  They take turns.  One is there during the day
                        and then sleeps at night.  Then the other guy is there at night and then sleeps during the
                        day."

         Brae: "Oh, so like an owl or a bat."

         I guess all of you night shift folks are similar to owls and bats

• We were driving home and I was recapping Braelyn's day with her:

           Me:  "So what else did you do?"

           Brae:  "We played centers.  We played housekeeping."

           Me:  "Housekeeping?  What's that?"

           Brae:  "Playing Mommies and Daddies.  But it was just the girls:  Me, Taylor, and
                      Gabriella H."

           Me:  "So, who were you?"

           Brae:  "I was the Mommy."

           Me:  "And Taylor?"

           Brae:  "She was the big sister."

           Me:  "And Gabriella H. was the Daddy?"

           Brae:  "No, she was the baby."

           Me:  "So who played the Daddy?"

           Brae:  "Nobody, because the Daddy was dead."

           Me:  "What?!  Why did he die?"

           Brae:  "Because there was a dragon right next to him."

           Me:  "Really?"

           Brae:  "Yup.  He got fired."

           I see.

Have a great week!

PEYTON MANNING!!!

1 Year, 48 Weeks.


This past week has been pretty bittersweet for many a Denver Broncos fan.  We acquired the greatest quarterback free agent in Peyton Manning, and with him a very, very good chance at winning another Superbowl.  But that also meant losing Tim Tebow, a guy whose faith, humbleness and meekness was apparently much more secure than his starting position, and he ended up being traded to the NY Jets. And as much as I -- we all -- wanted to see Tebow and Manning play together, the powers that be all had other plans and it just wasn't going to happen.  So thanks, Tim, for all those come back from behind wins in overtime and for a memorable season.  And Peyton, just give Tom Brady a run for his money!  (Sorry Corey!  :)

The new trinity.

This past week and weekend was, in the words of Duncan, "Crazy busy.  Crazy busy."  So crazy, in fact, that I'm resorting to just the highlights version this week.  I'm hoping to tell a better story through pictures.

• Friday:  Nana and I took the twins to Sea World, while Mommy took cupcakes to Braelyn's classroom to celebrate her birthday.  Later that evening we met up with Bergherm's, Zbarschuks, Cochrans, and Deiningers at Bill Breeze Park for dinner at the Food Trucks.  Thank you Jennifer for Braelyn's BEAUTIFUL cake!

Nana and Maddy watch the stingrays from below.

She thought it was a water fountain...

So of course brother had to follow!

Brae and her reading buddy Kaitlin (sp?)

5 years old!  In the parking garage at Tangie's office.

Brae excited to receive such a pretty cake!

Bruce about to eat a double doughnut burger!

The group enjoying the great food!

Jennifer with her beautiful creation!

Indulging in an authentic Hawaiian hotdog, complete with pineapple bits and spicy mango sauce!

The twins stuff themselves with cake.

The boys were very interested to see what the birthday girl got.

Heading home after a wonderful evening.

• Sabbath we attended church, and after naps we swung by the Winter Park Art Festival before joining Nana and the Clarkes for dinner at Buca di Beppo (a competing family style restaurant to Maggiano's, which, in comparison, beat Buca hands down!).  Afterwards Tangie, Nana, and Braelyn went to the consignment event to shop.  We ended up selling over 50% of the items we entered, earning $294 before purchases!

Brae and Calleigh at Sabbath School.  Hard to believe these two have been together all 5 seasons!

No, they aren't sleeping, although this was at Cradle Roll!

Maddy was using her flower like a spear. 

Working through the crowds in Winter Park.

The group at Buca di Beppo.

Nana surrounded by the grandchildren.

Looks like Kohl is enjoying the food!

Saying goodbye to Isabella.

Consignment event at the Altamonte Springs Hilton.

• Sunday morning we met with Zbarschuks minus Amy, Bergherms minus Bruce, Ottatis minus Richard, Cochrans minus William, Clarkes and Mahavirs for Pick Your Own Strawberries at Oak Haven Farms in Sorrento.  We had been there 2 years ago when Tangie was very pregnant with the twins and wanted to go back and pick some fresh fruit.  That afternoon Tangie took the twins to a birthday party and Nana took Braelyn to the Science Center while I spent 3 hours around the greens, i.e.  mowing the lawn.

Beautiful albeit warm day for strawberry picking!

She really didn't help; it seemed as if most of the strawberries ended up in her mouth!

Mommy posting a picture of Maddy eating on Facebook.

Nana picked a whole flat of strawberries!

Braelyn going up and down the rows.

We set up base camp for lunch with our loot.

I took a hayride with the kids, here with Gabriella, Brae, Kohl and Zachary.

The tractor and hayride at Oak Haven Farms.

Tangie helps Catherine with the girls.

Kohl and the other kids play with blue balls at a birthday party for another set of twins.

Nana set up shop and worked on Tangie's hair that evening.

• Monday we went to the playground in the morning and after naps we met up with my aunt and parents for dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Maddy also got her bangs trimmed.

At the play park sporting her new do, so cute!

Just sitting, contemplating life.

Nana wanted to go down the slide!

Lunch at Winter Garden Pizza Company.

Little chipmunk stuffing his cheeks with crackers.

Next to the new Magnolia sapling;  We'll see the difference in 10 years!

Catching up with Lolo and Lala at the Cracker Barrel.

Lala missed her kisses!

We had to use all three cars to meet up for dinner!

• Tuesday afternoon we picked Braelyn up from school en route to the airport for Nana's flight back to Denver.  Thank you for spending 2 fun filled weeks with us!  We hope we didn't wear you out!

Nana gives some early birthday presents.

Heading to the airport, face sporting an Oreo beard.

Nana no!!!!  Don't leave me!!!

Later that afternoon, sporting a bloody nose.  Don't know how she did it.

Mommy and Brae work on an art project.

• Wednesday Jared and I took the kiddos back to Sea World for a couple of shows and fun at the splash area.  Braelyn had her 5 year doctor's check-up and received 3 shots; she was so brave!

Breakfast in the car on our way to Sea World.  Um, is that a banana you're holding buddy?

Snack time in between shows.

Excited to play in the water!

Apparently it's fun to kick the water!

Having a ball.

• Thursday Tangie took Braelyn to the dentist with the twins while I met with my ConnectFaith team over at UCF to meet with their Business Development Dept.

Fashion diva ready for a day out for shopping!

We'll have more for you next time.  Until then, have a great weekend!

Juicy!