Some Pictures of the Day...

I kept Mason and Cannon today for Keri while she did some work up at KU. We had a lot of fun and of course I had to grab the camera to capture these beautiful babies.....

~Cannon, Marlee, Mason & Maggie~
~Cannon & Marlee~
~Baby Mason~
~Cannon & Mason~

(Two peas in a pod)
~Cannon &Mason~

Back to School Picturesl....

Well, all reports were good.....They loved their first day of school.

~Tyler~
~ Keely~~Tyler & Keely~

BACK TO SCHOOL!!! :-)

So, I couldn't even sleep last night....I was so excited for the kiddos to get back to the grind. If I hear one more time..."Momma, can I wear my new shoes or clothes???" I think I might just scream! I remember being Tyler and Keely's age and the first day of school is like the anticipation of Christmas coming. You get to use all of your new school supplies, backpack and wear the much awaited new shoes.

I know that Marlee and Maggie are going to be so lost today without Keely and Tyler, but thank goodness I get to watch Cannon and Mason this morning, so that will take their mind off of not seeing the big kids. Oh, and if you haven't read Keri's blog lately then you HAVE to read it today.....some excitement took place at their house yesterday......
http://patientlywaitingforheaven.blogspot.com/

This past week was so busy like I am sure it was for most of you, so I won't bore you with all of the minor details.....BUT I have to brag on the fact that one of my oldest and dearest friends came to visit at our church yesterday. Jennifer and Caden came and were even able to stay to eat up there. I was just absolutely so THRILLED to see them. And hopefully all of my kids didn't scare them off....Maggie was for sure in a wild mood. Anyway, I love PCF and the fact that Eric and I have had the opportunity to share that with Quentin and Amanda is more than words could ever express. And now for Jen & her crew to share in the excitement is just as thrilling.

I hope that you all have a blessed week.

Meet the Teacher

Tonight we went up to the school for the annual "tailgate party and meet the teacher night". It is always so much fun for us to get to see some of our friends that we don't see all of the time and just hang out with the kiddos and visit.

We went over to Keri's house today to play on the slide and believe it or not I refrained from getting my big ol' butt up on the slide and falling again. It was hard, but I truly thought no one would ever believe me that it was an accident if it happened again.

I have to say that Cannon is such a cutie...he has so many new phrases and is so loving. And then of course Mason is just my lover boy. And last but certainly not least Grace is my "Big Girl" who I absolutely adore and am so glad that she has such a strong bond with Keely. What a blessing that Keri and I are able to raise our babies together.

Doctor's appts, ARD & swimming...

We have had a busy week, but also so much fun....

I took Keely to see the neurologist on Monday. Dr. Lewis is so awesome and truly just loves Keely. Even though she doesn't ever talk to him really his heart is always pouring out to my baby girl. He feels like the recent big seizure that she had was completely due to being sick, so we don't have to up any meds. YEAH!!! We will go back to visit with him in November to check her progress.

Then on Tuesday we went swimming and just had a BLAST! It was so much fun hanging out with my sister and cousin. The kids love going to the Town Club, which has made us seal the deal on getting a membership there. We love getting to see everyone and hang out playing in the water. The work out regiment will come later. :)

Tyler had an eye doctor's appt this week as well and in turn needed some new glasses. Our insurance in VSP so he won't be able to get his glasses for a couple of weeks, but when he gets them I will have to post some pictures of my handsome boy. He picked these really cool bold black frames that look adorable on him.

Yesterday was the dreaded ARD....I say that because in the past it has never been one of those situations where I have enjoyed getting to talk to the teachers about Keely and all of her problems, but for some reason yesterday it was different. We are all in the same boat in not really knowing at times what is the best situation for Keely, but after doing all of the testing this summer we are all hoping that she can truly surpass all of the expectations we have for her. Her teacher is AWESOME!!! I absolutely adore her. She is so kind and is looking forward to getting to have Keely in class. And honestly if she was freaked out about everything with Keely, she keep it to herself because I gave her a lot of information in a short amount of time. I have to honestly say a BIG THANKS to our Lord Jesus for stepping in and taking care of this situation and taking all of my anxiety away.

There are still 2 days left in the week so check back with me, because we all know that in 2 days time I will have the 8 pages to write. ~;-)

You are not going to believe the week I had....

So, I haven't had time to sit down and go into everything so now you get the blow by blow details of everything that has gone on this week.

~Keely & Strep~
Keely had the Strep Throat as of Saturday and Sunday morning she had a seizure, so the rest of the week even though she was doing better as far as the Strep she was just a zombie at times from the seizure. Then of course the twins ended up getting sick. They are all better now, so we can have a good weekend.

~Wisdom Teeth~
I was supposed to have 2 of my wisdom teeth out on Thursday, but I have to have some other dental work done, so I am going to have the right side of my mouth done on the 30th and then schedule to have the left side done later.

~Doctor's Appt & ARD~
This next week I have a doctor's appt literally set up for almost everyday and then we have Keely's ARD before school starts, so we will have a super busy week. We found out who Keely's teacher is going to be and are so excited that she is getting to meet her and that we are going to hit the ground running with her this school year.

~Tyler~
Oh, and Tyler came home.....YEAH!!!! We missed him so much, but he had a blast with Sisa and her family. He came home with tons of good stories to tell about the trip.

~Marlee & Maggie~
Marlee is biting Maggie!! So, unfortunately we are having to separate them. But thank goodness for our church, because they had 2 cribs that the girls could use. Our big crib will be put in storage until someone needs one.(anyone....anyone????) It is kinda ironic that Marlee is biting Maggie because Maggie is the one with all of the teeth. ;)

I know that this past week has been a whooper, but we truly have to thank God for all of his many blessings.....It is kinda of funny how you can still look around even when all of the daily crap is going on in your life and see what God has done for you. Thank you Jesus!!

Happy Birthday Cannon!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Cannon!
Happy Birthday to you!

I am so proud of you big 2 year old!

We love you so much!

Happy Birthday Julie!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Julie!
Happy Birthday to you!

I hope you have a spectacular day!

We love you!!!

Grandma Baker

It has been 4 years today since my Grandma Baker passed away and honestly there hasn't been one day since then that I haven't wished that I could talk to her. I miss her so much that words could never express what this wonderful woman meant to me. She was a single mom of 4 boys, Joe,her next the oldest son Jack was killed in a car accident when he was 19 years old, my daddy Walt & Tommy. She worked at the Furr's grocery store as a checker. She loved absolutely everything about family....she would cook enough to feed an army and literally sometimes that is what she had show up at her house. Her home was open to anyone.
Keri and I would spend EVERY Friday night with her and we had our normally schedule...Grandma would pop popcorn (or if it was in the summer we might have watermelon) and get ready to watch "our" shows---Dallas & Falcon Crest--She would let us sleep in the bed with her and she read us wonderful books like 'Alice in Wonderland' over and over. She would tell us some of the most wonderful stories and then in the morning we always fixed pancakes. Before it got too hot Keri and I were off to the backyard to make "mud pies"....we normally would play like we were the lunch room ladies and serve all of the students our great masterpieces. By the time we were done with all of our fun it was time for Momma to come and get us. We would also go and stay at her house after school and when she would get off work she would play dominoes with us to teach us how to add. We had so much at Grandma's house. I wish that all of my kids could have experienced this woman the way I did......I know that she would have loved getting to see all of the babies. We love you Grandma and know with out a shadow of doubt that you are in Heaven having the time of your life. I can't wait to see you again!

Grandma with her boys!

P.S. Yes I was just like everyone else in America wondering who shot JR????

Rabbit Tragedy and Strep Throat

So, Keely is sick with Strep Throat and running a fever of 102+. She is so sick. I knew yesterday that she really wasn't herself, but thought that it might be the fact that Tyler was leaving with Keri to go on vacation. This morning she woke up and wasn't doing any better, so I got her in to see the on call doctor and amazingly we were in and out in no time. Hopefully she will be doing better by tomorrow afternoon. I have never had Strep, but my goodness my kids get so sick with it I personally can't imagine what it is like.

Now on to the rabbit tragedy......2 of our little bunnies died. It was so sad. :( One of them was my favorite little furry one. They are all so cute!!

Like I said before Tyler went with Keri and Cameron on vacation. He was so excited to get to go and tonight I was able to talk to him for a minute. He is having a blast!! Keri and Cameron were so nice to include Tyler in their family vacation. It is hard for Tyler being the only boy here and dealing with Keely all of the time, so I know that it is important for him to get some time away.

Please pray for a quick recovery for Keely.

The day I came crashing down....

All of the girls and I went to Aunt Sis' house to play on the new slide today. We had so much fun until I came crashing down off of the top of the slide.....Surely there is not some type of weight limit???? So, of course being the nice person that I am and knowing that you all need a good laugh I thought you would have to see the picture of it. Keri was able to snap this shot right before I came tumbling down and landed on my hip. I bet the bruise in the morning will say it all, but no you are not going to be able to see that. :-) It was truly hilarious!!!

Notice all of the kids watching in amazement!!

We are back...

We were thinking that we would stay the night in Plainview, but decided to go ahead and drive home. The girls were acting like little "wild indians" running around everywhere, (I know it is hard for you to believe that my precious little angels could ever act crazy, but they have there moments;) so the best idea was for me to come home and put them to bed. ~;-)

We went to eat tonight at this Bar-B-Q place that my parents took Keri & I when we were little...it was great. Then we went back to the hotel and took a little swim and then by that time I was ready for the ride home. Oh, I almost forgot about going to the JC Penny outlet store....I found lots of great bargains for the kiddos...YEAH!! I got the little girls some jeans for $1.99 each. Can't help but love those clearance racks. Tyler decided to stay at home with Bop.....He was probably needing a break from all of the girlies. :)

So here are some pictures from tonight:

~Keely with Marlee and Daddy with Maggie~

Daddy & Maggie
~ Keely & Marlee~
~Keely girl~

~They all had so much fun swimming!~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am almost 1/2 way there....

I can't believe it.....I have now posted my 50th post on my blog. I am officially addicted to the blogger. I can always find something to write about.

Last night we went to Gracie & Cannon's birthday party.....they had so much fun and got a lot of neat presents!! Tyler and Keely enjoyed the new slide that Grace & Cannon got for their birthday. And of course the girls had a blast playing in the water and eating cupcakes. The only thing missing was Uncle Eric!! He is still in Plainview, so tonight we are going to head done there to see him and possibly my Uncle Tommy and his family. Here are some pictures of last night:

~The birthday kiddos & their Momma~

~Gracie, Macy & Olivia...Gracie's best friends~
~Cameron & Cannon~
~Maggie~
~Marlee~

This is the last one tonight...I PROMISE!!

I had to(it was truly eating me alive knowing that I wanted you all to see them;) get some of the pictures added to the blog and since I have been kinda slacking this week on my blogging I thought that I would make up for it all in one night. I hope you all enjoy the new pictures and have a wonderful week! ~;-)

Newest Family Picture....

So of course I had to add the latest picture of the whole family...goofy or not it must be seen. ha ha!!! And you all know the drill by now that everyone can never look at the camera at the same time, least of all Marlee & Maggie!

Daddy swing me higher.....

Eric took the girls to swing on Saturday.....

Go higher Daddy!!

WHEEEEEEE!!!!

Maggie

Marlee
Marlee & Maggie(Marlee never looks at the camera.)
" Okay Momma, how many pictures are you going to take?"

......

Twins, Twins & More Twins.....

At the family reunion on Saturday we had 3 sets of twins there....My aunts Lonna & Donna, my cousin's daughters Natalie & Kate and Marlee & Maggie. We took some really cute pictures of them together. And of course when you try to get that many people to look at the camera all at the same time it never happens the way you want it too. But I think they turned out great!!

Donna is holding Maggie & Marlee.

Lonna is holding Natalie & Kate.

Wow what a day....

Talk about a fun filled day......we started out this morning going to a family reunion at the park. We were able to see almost all of my Mom's side of the family. Between our cousins, my sister and I we had lots and lots of babies!! (7 to be exact...I hope I'm not leaving anyone out??) It was so much fun getting to see everyone. I have some great pictures to post later.

Then we were off to do some school clothes shopping. AAACCKK!!!! We first started out Eric, Keely, Marlee, Maggie & I.....but soon after hearing the girls scream and holler for the thousandth time Eric was ready to head to the house for some R&R. So, we went home, dropped Eric and the girls off and Tyler, Keely & I headed back into the madness of finding the right shoes and jeans...you all know what a headache that can be. Anyway it was a complete success!!! YEAH!! We were able to get some great bargins. I am a lover of the great CLEARANCE racks.

I hope that tomorrow we can get a good long nap in...~;-)

Lots of Birthday's over this past week!!!

Since I am among the living now I looked at the calendar to see all of the birthdays for this week so....

Happy Birthday to Joey, John, Skyler & Kaiden.....
Happy Birthday too YOU!!
Happy Birthday dear Joey, John, Skyler & Kaiden....
Happy Birthday too YOU!!!

I hope that you all have a GREAT day!! We love you guys!

I am now among the living....

So, I have had a horrible stomach bug like Maggie, Tyler & Keely. I have to say that I probably had the worst version, but am all better now!! YEAH!! There is nothing like that excitement when you wake one morning after being so sick and realize that you are feeling A-OK!!

I helped with VBS last night and was completely exhausted afterwards, but had a wonderful time getting to know all of the kids. Eric is coming home today, so of course we are ready to see him and give him lots of hugs and kisses.

Maggie is so funny with her nonchalant ways; she was sitting in front of me last night while I fixed her hair....being real still and really cooperative. Anyway I was getting Keely ready as well, telling her to get her shoes on that she didn't want to wear, so I was giving Keely the count down(trying to get her to hurry)...1.....2......3. And I hear real quite 1, 2, 3.....Maggie was repeating everything that I was saying. She never really talks that much so it is so funny to me the little things that she picks up on. She is really a ham once she warms up to you. Marlee of course is the show off that is going to do all of her tricks for you constantly. She is her mother's daughter that's for sure!!! Maggie is so much like Eric in mannerisms that it is kinda spooky to me.

I guess that is all for today....~;-8

Gracelyn Mae Melban

08/01/02

5lbs 13 1/4oz 18 1/4 in

She has been such a blessing to us from the day she was born....We love you Gracie!!!

Gracie turns 5!!!

Happy Birthday Gracie!!!! She turns 5 years old today!!!! YEAH!!! I can't believe it has been 5 yrs since you were born. We love you and hope that you have a GREAT day!

Love always,

Uncle Eric, Aunt Nay, Tyler, Keely, Marlee & Maggie