Isaac

2 Years, 19 Weeks.



Yeah, sorry about the picture.  I realized too late that I didn't have any pictures of all three together this week so this was the best I could come up with.

Anyway, back to Isaac.

He was the closest major tropical storm to come to Florida so far this season.  Luckily the predicted forecasts continued to move westward, taking him more and more into the Gulf of Mexico.  As he sideswiped Florida he gave us 2 days of gusty winds and lots of rain, but other than that, pretty much nothing.  He ended up making landfall in Louisiana, near New Orleans, as a Category 1 Hurricane.  Thank goodness it was nothing like with what happened with Katrina in 2005.

Here are the highlights of the week:

• Sabbath we went to church and attended Sabbath School.  Actually, we had to switch to another classroom as Cradle Roll was so packed with kids and families we had no place to sit.  Later that evening we took a trip to IKEA where we had dinner and then shopped some.  Pretty nice and relaxing night.

Mommy helps the twins with the craft.

Calleigh and Braelyn show off their [unplanned] white dresses.

Grodack and Isidro kids [minus Brady]

Eating dinner at the IKEA cafeteria.  Mmm, Swedish meatballs...

Kohl checking out the circus tent.

Maddy couldn't carry all the stuffed animals she wanted!

• Sunday we drove down to Avon Park for lunch to surprise Lala at a belated retirement party a close family friend had planned several weeks ago.  She was definitely shocked to see first Braelyn and then the twins walk in behind her.  We had a great time seeing the family and to eat some home cooked Filipino fare.

Lala still a bit in shock with us showing up.

The children having fun with the older cousins.

Lala and close friend/party host, Auntie Meding Tortal.

Her ice cream cake!

Maddy with Lala and Auntie Esther.

We thought Kohl was reading until we realized he wasn't moving because he had fallen asleep!

• Monday and Tuesday was when Isaac swept by the state.  We stayed pretty much at home, only venturing out to go pick Brae up from school in the afternoon.  Tuesday was Braelyn's Boosterthon FunRun Fundraiser for OJA.  She had a lot of fun running with her friends; she completed all 35 laps!  Thanks to all who pledged donations!

She ran so fast she started lapping her classmates!

Tangie had a hard time keeping up with her, she was just a blur.

Each hash marks each lap.  Count 'em, all 35!

Winding down with her friend Alyssa.

• Wednesday I dropped the twins off with Lolo and Lala to spend a few days in Avon Park.  I had been invited to play a round of golf with an old friend and his wife on Thursday, but later he ended up having to cancel, so I just ended up doing laundry and chores around the house.  It seemed a bit weird though, not having the rugrats running around, the house all quiet.  I almost felt like I lost my identity!  That evening I took Braelyn to this school year's first Adventurer's meeting at the church, where our guests were Altamonte Springs Police Department's K-9 unit, giving us a demonstration on how not to mess around with crime and police dogs!

All smiles in Lolo's car, ready for their adventure!

Braelyn watching timidly as the K-9 police officer gives out instructions.

Aron, a huge German Shepherd, shows his training to take down a suspect.

• Thursday with the twins gone we had the opportunity to make dinner for and visit our good friends the Zbaraschuks, who had just had their third child, baby girl Addison, a few weeks back.  It was great to see them and to finally meet her, and to catch up in a more intimate setting.  Braelyn was with us and joined the Z boys in their swimming pool, until the approaching thunder told us it was time for them to get out.

Enjoying the Z's pool.

Having a chat with Kaleb.

We brought homemade Mexican rice and chicken with assorted toppings.

Karis and Amy with their little girl.

Random:

Um yes, I'd like to order a BMW.  Do you have one in Pepto-Bismol?

Quotes:

• Sabbath morning Braelyn was just nibbling on her breakfast like a bunny, barely eating.

          Me:  "Brae, eat your food!  You're so skinny I'm afraid you'll fall into a hole."

          Brae:  "So you want me to be fat like you guys?"

          That's not what I said...

• We were heading out the garage when my phone rang with a 303 area code, which I knew was Colorado.  Thinking it was a call from the in-laws, I answered:

          Me:  "Hello?"

          Caller:  "Allen?"

          Me:  "Speaking..."

          Caller:  "Are you on your way here?  You're late for your tee time and the entire 

                       golf course is waiting on you."

          Me:  "What?  Which golf course?"

          Caller:  "Deer Creek."  (I had played there with Papa Dave and Tadd years ago)

          Me:  "Well, I never called to make a tee time."

          Caller:  "Is this Allen at 407-963-****?

          Me:  "Yes."

          Caller:  "Well, we have your name and phone number on this tee time.  Are you 

                       coming or not?"

          Me:  "Well, no, because I never made the tee time.  And because I live in 

                  Orlando, so I couldn't make it even if I wanted to.  And I want to, believe
                  me."

          Caller:  "Oh, okay."  [click]

          So bizarre!

See ya!

Have a great weekend!

Birthday Party Central

2 Years, 18 Weeks



Such is the life of having friends with kids ~ there's always a birthday party to be had.

And this past weekend was no exception.

Here are the highlights:

• Sabbath we attended church.  Proud to say we arrived on time for once!  We had been invited by our neighbors the Mahavirs over for lunch afterwards. Their eldest was turning 11 and they had a bouncy house water slide for the kids and homemade Indian food for the adults.  They had us at homemade. We planned to stay there until the kids got tired for naps.  Well, that didn't happen.  We ended up leaving just after 7, in time for baths and then bedtime!

Catching the bubbles at Sabbath School.  Note the other set of [fraternal] twins alongside.

We brought along our Cannonball Splash for the little ones.

Maddy seemed to enjoy herself...

while Kohl was content to just hose himself off!

Oh.  So.  Delicious!  Nothing like homemade Indian food!

• Sunday morning we attended Blake and Evan Bergherm's birthday party at their residence.  Jennifer had [again, no surprise] gone all out in creating what would be a stupendous carnival themed extravaganza, wonderfully decorated, with elaborate games and accompanying treats.  She is amazing at putting everything perfectly together and we all had a grand time!  

I think she could have done way more....sheesh!!

The ceiling was set up to resemble a huge carnival tent!

Step right up and play some games!

Lolo would be proud!

Braelyn getting her face painted like a mermaid's.

A photo booth with silly props?  What more could you ask for?

Trying to get all the kiddos together for a group picture meant total chaos!

And without permission Maddy, of course, decides to cool off in the fishing pond.
Kohl would follow her in shortly.  I don't know why the photo turned out the way it did...

We had a hard time convincing her that she wasn't allowed to wear her
mermaid makeup to school the following morning!

• Tuesday we had Lolo and Lala come mid-week as a treat to stay overnight and help out with the kids.  They had originally planned on coming up over the weekend but had some close friends from out of town visit last minute and wanted to accommodate them.  So they joined me and twins on Tuesday and they tagged along our usual daily routine, including going out to OJA to pick Brae up from school.   They also gave me the chance to mow the lawn, as it hadn't been done in 2 ½  weeks and was getting real obnoxious.  Lala had a meeting here in Orlando Wednesday afternoon so it worked out perfect, although the twins were real sad to see them leave!

Getting ready for a dinner of braised beef ribs and asparagus!

• The rest of our week:

Coloring some sea shells.

Time at the play park.  This was after Maddy's accident, caused in part by her brother.  
He had tripped and crashed into her, causing her to fall on the sidewalk badly scraping her elbow.

Kohlden being a sweet brother!

Another reason to visit Costco:  free cookie samples!

Going on a cruise around the house courtesy of little sister.

Taking a break and watching Dora the Explorer.

Maddy's injury of the week:

She put on a pouty face to show her boo-boo.

And this was when she thought I was done taking the picture!  Such a diva!

Randoms:

Another sad milestone for the minvan.  :(

Oh yeah?  Well MY truck can haul SIX trailers!  Seriously?

Dishes:

Some exotic fruits:  Rambutan and Jackfruit.

Pan fried tilapia with garlic mashed and basil foam.

Ahi tuna [rare] and roasted beef marrow.  

Quote:

• Maddy has continued to develop her vocabulary, faster than her brother, and has started to string multiple words into complete sentences.  One evening we were in the nursery and she had forgotten some toy in our bathroom so she looked at me and said, "Wait here.  I'll be right back!"

Good night!!

Have a great weekend!