Two months

In case we haven't seen or talked to you in the last two months, here is what is going on:

Steve has been interviewing for orthopaedic trauma fellowships all over the country. He's been to San Diego, Washington D.C., Dallas, Tampa, Baltimore and will be traveling to Cleveland, Seattle, and Denver in the next few months. He's stayed very busy with work and has had fun interviewing new residents for his orthopaedic program here in Cincinnati.

I had fun traveling to Utah this month with 3 kids under the age of 4 BY MYSELF. I realized what a colossal mistake I was making at the last minute and tried to call the airlines to change our tickets. We ended up going anyway and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how well the kids did. It was one of our smoother trips--I didn't yell or swear and nobody threw up on the plane. It was a miracle. Allison was so helpful, I had no idea she could do so much. We had a great time in Utah visiting family. The kids were so happy that they sobbed when I told them that we had to come home.

Allison is loving pre-school. She asks almost every day if it is a pre-school day. She had a Christmas program last week and was so stinkin' cute in it. She knows all (most) of the words to Rudolph and will sing on demand. She loved playing with her cousins while we were in Utah and told me that she would rather stay with her cousins than live with us. Hmmm, tempting. Allie also had a great Christmas and has been on cloud nine the last two days. Dollhouses, Legos, Polly-Pockets, and gingerbread houses--who could ask for more?




Lindsay has become a little motor mouth. She never stops making noise!!! NEVER!! The problem is that a lot of that noise has turned into temper tantrums and she melts down at least 5 times a day. She makes up for the tantrums and the noise by saying the funniest things. Some days she won't respond to questions unless she is addressed as "puppy dog" and she wanted to ask Santa Claus for bones to chew on. It didn't happen. She got a baby doll and a play vacuum instead. She loves the vacuum and ran the batteries out in about 4 hours. If only it really vacuumed. . .





Sarah is a sweet baby. She is a quiet and serious little thing. I have to constantly remind myself to check on her because she is content to sit quietly and look around. She rarely cries. I think she is making up for Lindsay's noise. Sarah is constantly wiggling and I know she will be an active kid. She is starting to sit up with very little help.

We've had a lot of fun this week. Steve was off the last few days and it has been heavenly. We hung out with some friends on Christmas Eve and then that night we acted out the Christmas story with our little family. Christmas day we just kicked back and relaxed.

The few days before Christmas were HECTIC. I wouldn't recommend taking a vacation the first 2 weeks before Christmas. Steve and I had to pull some very late nights to "help" Santa finish the big dollhouse project. Fun stuff.






Anyway, we are all doing great and are looking forward to the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends and family.

Thankful

My mom sent this video to me this week, and I've been thinking a lot about it.




What are you thankful for?

Bits and Pieces

For all of you who feel like you haven't seen enough of Sarah, here it is.

1 week old:


Yep, she's a little bird:


Chubby now with a hint of a smile:


Awesome picture where I prove that I don't know how to use Steve's camera:


With her new cousin. Notice how HUGE Sarah's head looks. That's how we make them, folks. Short, chubby, with humongous heads.


Lindsay is fabulous wearing my lipstick:


We try to find colored leaves, but all we can find on our nature walk is a couple of green and brown leaves.


My girls looking fancy:


Super fun time playing in the leaves:



Is that a giant purple dinosaur I see? Allison's school project:


Steve has been all over the country this month. Here he proves that he can travel from sea to shining sea in a matter of a week:

Washington DC


San Diego, CA


Allison went to the best party ever and came home looking like this:


And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. I give you, Halloween.

A witch and a bunny:


Fancy Nancy and her friend Piggy:


Two ladybugs and a Fancy Nancy:


Can you tell we had a "spook"tacular time?






Sarah was glad just to survive the night:

September

Quick update with pictures:

Nice shorts.


The three musketeers:


A rare happy moment:


The first day of pre-school:


Favorite purple dress:


A baby blessing:



Genetic testing for the midget:


(Result is she's fine. She's small.)

Oktoberfest. It was awesome. And we were the only ones not carrying around a mug of beer--I can only imagine how much fun it would have been if we were drunk.


Allison and Lindsay build an ark. We're still waiting for that flood:

Introducing . . .

Sarah Gammon



Baby Sarah was born on August 10, 2009 at 10:40 am. She was 6 lbs and 18 inches long.

Everyone loves her lots (even Lindsay).



Sarah is a good sleeper.


Allison and Lindsay made this amazing poster for the birthday party we had for the baby.


We had lots of fun with Grandma and Aunt Tricia while they were here. They were lifesavers!


Allison is very eager to help with the baby. Sometimes a little TOO eager.


And she is getting better at holding the baby.


Steve is dealing with the abundance of estrogen quite well. He is the BEST dad.


In fact he is such a good dad that he took Allie and Lindsay to the zoo for his work party. The girls loved it!



Really, Lindsay had a good time.


Really. I promise.


At least Allison was happy.

A New Addition, the Lack of a New Addition, and the SWAT Team in My Flower Beds

Okay, so here is what's up with us. Sorry that there aren't any pictures.

1. We bought a van. Steve's car decided it was done. I can't say I was disappointed, the car was a health hazard. Our friend found us a great deal on a 2001 Honda Odyssey and so now we are the proud owners of a minivan. Nothing says hip and young like a minivan, right?

2. Yep, I'm still pregnant. We should have the child by next week at the latest. I'm hoping for sooner. Tuesday sounds good doesn't it? Tuesdays are good days to have babies I think. Tuesday we'll have a grandma here to help out with the other little varmints. We're still open for suggestions on names for varmint #3, so if you have any. . .

3. The kids love their new room. I've just got to finish the binding on Allison's quilt and then I'll post some pictures.

4. Potty training was NOT successful. We had some days when I thought we might pull it off, but in the end it didn't happen. We'll try again in a few months.

5. Last week was quite the adventure. In addition to losing a car, finding a car, and planning a party at our house, last Wednesday I looked out the window and what did I see? The SWAT team standing on my lawn. Our neighbor apparently was threatening to commit suicide and had a weapon. At one point we heard a loud boom and we thought he shot himself or someone else. (I guess the SWAT team uses some kind of distraction smoke bomb thingy to disorient people before breaking down doors--just a little FYI, in case the SWAT team ever comes to your house.) The neighbor and his family were okay, and he is currently getting treatment, but it was weird there for a while.

6. Things have really calmed down around here. We're all doing well and will try to update again in the next two weeks.

Delayed Vacation Pictures and Updates

So, it's a no go on the dance recital video. Why? Because I'm too lazy to get it from Rachel's camera.

Here is our super fun vacation to Carolina Beach, NC.

It was pretty chilly when we got there so we went to the aquarium to check out the fishies.


Steve and Allison practiced their "best" pirate faces.


Then Steve got eaten by a crocodile.


We went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina just so we could say we've been to South Carolina.


We had fun at Carolina Beach with the kids. Lindsay loved splashing in the water as long as it didn't cover her knees.


Our nephew Harry had fun in the sand.


Some of us tried boogie boarding. Even Allison tried it once and managed to ride a wave all the way in. Woohoo! Good times.


We saw a really big ship.


Then we knew it was time to come home.


Updates on the family:

Steve: Applying for trauma ortho fellowships. Will start interviewing in the fall. Recently won an award for resident teaching. (Atta boy, Steve.) Enjoying mowing the lawn.

Jamie: Nesting and creating new projects that she probably won't finish. Has 5 weeks of pregnancy or less. Woohoo! Feels like a beached whale most of the time.

Allison: Starting to sound out words. Loves creating "cards" and interesting art projects for her friends. Really wants to play soccer this fall and is excited for school. Loves to help me water the plants and wants to run through the sprinkler every day.

Lindsay: Potty training. Moved to a big girl bed. NEVER stops talking. Still a midget. Wants to do everything big sister wants to do. Is so much fun when she's in a good mood.