For Grandma

This blogging thing ain't goin' so good. I had every intention of writing a post a few weeks ago, but I didn't have camera to download pictures from. When I finally got the camera from Steve, trying to get the software to work and even just hooking up the camera to the computer was painful. At one point, I had to contort myself into a position that I almost had flashbacks of leaving the womb.

Anyway, the point is this. I put a lot of effort into getting the computer ready to receive my witty insights into our exciting lives. And I don't have much energy left to provide said witty insights. So no complaints from the peanut gallery.

The happenin's 'round here:

May:

Allison's dance recital was just so much fun. She danced a ballet routine and a tap routine. She was amazing and adorable. . . just like always. She is the last one on the left in the above picture.

We remodeled the kitchen and dining room. This is the only picture that even remotely relates to that remodel--note the green painter's tape in the background. I do have before pictures, just on a different camera. And if you think I'm going to go through the process of downloading those pictures. . .

We had a bout of the upchucks. Notice that they are using towels as blankets. We went through that much laundry.

We went to a graduation for our brother-in-law. I'm not even sure if this is his picture. I think it is, but Steve was taking some pictures of random graduates.

Allison graduated from pre-school. What an accomplishment!

Teacher Mrs. Strominger and Big Al

Steve's brother John visited with his family. We had a blast and the kids played so well together. (Once again, I have more pictures. They are just on the other camera.) This is Sarah (right) and her two cousins, Tanner and Brian.

JUNE


June was full of good times. We've spent a lot of time reading together, playing the backyard sprinklers, and having "mommy school". In fact, we've done these things so much that they are starting to lose their appeal, especially for me.

Lindsay had her 3rd birthday. She was so impressed by Allison's Pinkalicious party that she wanted to have a Purplicious party. So we had a purple pajama party with our family. Fun, fun, fun!

Please notice my AWESOME skills at cake decorating. It looked like someone threw up on the cake.

Steve decided to leave me alone with three sick kids while he went and lived in the lap of luxury. Yes, that is the seaside RESORT he stayed at.

Super Lindsay saves the day!

Note: I am not very adept at using Steve's camera.

July

We had a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa Gammon. They helped us around the house. We went to a parade and the zoo. Good times!

Pink cowboy boots really do go with anything. Right?

Sarah finally cut her first tooth:

And last but not least, this is what happens when you walk in the other room while your kids are using scissors for a "craft."

You see this is how it will go down. The oldest will say to the youngest, "See what I can do?" And she will cut off a small chunk of hair in the back. Then the younger child will proceed to style her own hair into the awesomest mullet ever seen.


This actually looks better than it did after she first did it. I cut part of the mullet off in the back.

I was going to get the girls hair cut in the next week or two anyway. Now it will just be a little shorter than planned.

And that's that.

Promise?

We're still here.

I promise.

I'm waiting to get the necessary stuff hooked up to our computer so we can download pictures for the last 3 months.

I'll do it this weekend.

Promise.

April (and a little March)

Okay, the review of the month.

Steve: Matched in trauma orthopaedics fellowship in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Has been busy, busy, busy.

Jamie: Stressing over remodeling our kitchen

Allison: Excited about her dance recital next week.

Lindsay: Loud. (but still cute)

Sarah: Crawling and pulling herself up on the furniture.

Pictures from New Orleans trip:


Beach near Biloxi, Mississippi.

Lots of alligators on the swamp tour.

Taking in some of the local architecture:

Steve puts aside his fear of turtles and holds this monster. (He's really crying inside.)

Sarah really loves alligators. Really.

Back at the ranch, Allison "helps" Lindsay learn how to ride the tricycle.

You Get What You Get and You Don't Get Upset

Acckk! I made a goal to at LEAST post something once a month. And it's the last day of the month at 11:00pm. I'm cutting it pretty close.

Okay, 10 points to someone who knows what book the blog title is from. (Hint: it rhymes with a famous bubble gum brand. ) I volunteered in Allison's class last week and the kids in her class kept saying variations on this saying--"you get what you get and you don't get chicken pox" or " you get what you get and you don't get a banana." I'm not sure why it was so funny, but they just couldn't stop giggling.

Anyway, when I went through my camera tonight and found 3 pictures I was reminded of our little saying. So here it is:







Exciting, eh? The other pictures are a variation on "an ode to craigslist patio furniture." We took a lot of pictures, but unfortunately they are on Steve's work camera and Rachel's camera. So I'll have to post pictures later. And remember, you get what you get and you don't get a popsicle.




So to summarize this month:


Steve and Jamie: Wild trip to New Orleans! With a baby! What fun! With Steve's bosses! Oh joy!


Allison: Turned 5 this month. Had a FABULOUS birthday. Loves her new bike. Thinks she's pretty grown up now and will be able to drive and date next week.


Lindsay: Inherited the tricycle. Has no clue how to ride it. Thinks it's fun anyway. Has severely damaged my hearing with all the shrieking she does.


Sarah: Wild trip to New Orleans! Late nights! Long car drives! What joy! What fun! (Have I used enough exclamation points yet?) Will be crawling very soon!

Next month: Pictures! Fellowship location announcement!

Status Quo

Hi!


Everyone is happy and lovin' life here, like always.

Here are our updates:

Sarah's fat, like always.


Lindsay's been eating lots of candy while wearing a tutu, like always.


Allison's been having a good time, like always.



Steve's gone, like always.


(Insert invisible picture of Steve)



And I'm feeling slightly insane, like always.

For example, here are a few shots of things I've found around my house lately.

The shadow of another toy. . .


Am I the only one who finds this slightly odd? Is the universe trying to tell me something?

(This is NOT an announcement in any way.)

Grossed out yet?

Okay, so here is the good news. Lindsay is potty trained!!! Woohoo!!

So here is the bad, gross, disgusting news.

A couple nights ago I walked into the bathroom while Lindsay was sitting on the potty.

She was scrubbing her little bottom with her TOOTHBRUSH. And I mean full crack scrubbing. At least it was just her toothbrush, right?

Hmmm, maybe I should just throw away all the other toothbrushes just in case.

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.