And yet another hiatus has ended

So many things have gone on that it is almost impossible to retell the the story. We have started homeschooling and there is a blog dedicated to our studies.  We went to the beach for two days.  We lost Internet for over a week and it was a major headache.  Way major.  We got back up and running and got hit by another freaky stomach bug.  It's now September and I'm busy contemplating the next two birthdays ---fashion show and tar wars most likely.  I am also planning Christmas slowly because with 4 monkeys I can't wait until the last minute.  And because a post without pictures is like a night without stars here you go! 

Since the last time I decided to show up....

The girls played ball.  Chloe had her last year of tee ball and Finn had her first year of machine pitch.  What a difference that machine makes....

 

 

Finn started the season cautious and timid and unable to make contact with the ball.  By the end, she was getting hits and even got a home run!!  I was so proud of how hard she worked to improve.  I also started the season as a quiet spectator and ended the year a crazed softball mom.  I might have yelled a few times too many but I never got sent to the car.

 

This little cutie pie turned 2 and following in the tradition of his sister, he visited the ER on his birthday. I'm really starting to dislike that family tradition.

 

This was his last picture before he turned 2!  If you look carefully at the next one, you can see what caused the problem.

 

He got bit by something or came into contact with a stinging plant or ??? and had his whole arm turn red and streaky and he ran fever.  After the hospital, a trip to his pediatrician, two shots and a long dose of antibiotics he was fine.  What got him and caused it, we will never know.

 

The Saturday of J.B.'s birthday weekend we went to the zoo.  It rained hard and was freezing cold.  We managed to have fun in the parakeet exhibit though.

 

The next series of pictures is when Finn was clued in to her early birthday surprise.  We were close enough to go pick it up and by her face you can tell she was so excited.

 

What was it she was going to get?  Why a puppy of course!!!

 

J.B. the birthday boy models the newest trend in party hats.

 

I love this picture!!!!

 

The puppy who will forever be known as Hershey.

 

An Easter re do since not everyone was home or well when we had Easter weekend.

 

Chloe had her kindergarten program and was so cute.

 

The biggest of them all, turned 8 and I cannot believe she keeps growing up.  It's happening way way too fast!

 

At her impromptu party at the gray house!

The Best Day

Our last full day in Orlando we set out early again.  We wanted to do everything "just one more time" and add in some other things we had not done yet.  (these pictures are a little jumbled but I'm going to just write it up as they come)

 

Wynn loved on Stitch.

 

We painted faces!

 

I gave a pep talk before the 'pace emperor met his nemesis!

In the end the 'pace emperor wouldn't get in the picture.

 

We talked to the Mouse.

We saw some incredible edible eggs!

 

I got a decent picture of me with the fab four!

We ate dinner with some special people!

The special people entertained us with crazy antics and even allowed the space emperor to laser them!

The eggs explained!

More special people!

Chloe's most favorite hotel ever!

Boat ride fun!

Rapunzel and the crew blending into the wall like Pascal!

 

Being gloomy like Eeyore!

 

Hutch's Buzz Lightyear ride score

My score

Chloe's score

Big Thunder at night with Aunt Alice is AWESOME!!!

Riding with Mommy is sort of cool too!

The ride home was a scary one for some but we all made it back to

 

sweet home Alabama!