The Wheels on the Bus

Remember way back in March when I took the girls home to my parents' house for 2 weeks? Yeah. It's nearly 2 months later and I'm just starting to blog about our trip. Life has been crazy. Oh, well. Tomorrow's just another day, right?!?

Anyways, the girls did really great on our flights. I was amazed! And SO grateful! (Thank you portable DVD player!!!) We got there in the afternoon, and my Dad picked us up from the airport. The girls were SO excited to see Bama and Papa. (So was I!) We went home, ate dinner and crashed for the night.

The next morning, we got up, ate breakfast, got ready, and had a nice semi-lazy morning. Then Dad and I took the girls to the park and we had a picnic of Happy Meals. It was a beautiful day, and it was so fun to get out in the sunshine. We walked around the resovoir, and Papa pointed out a turtle sticking it's head out of the water. After that, the girls were looking and spotted several more turtles. Papa also caught a fish with his hand. The girls were so impressed! Kate even touched it! I guess Andie's not so much a fish kinda girl.

Later that afternoon, we met my Mom at the "bus barn" so the girls could go for a ride on the school bus.

Andie was pretty shy and timid at first, but warmed up pretty quickly.

I LOVE this shot of my mom and Miss Andie. I wish it wasn't so dark.

Any photoshop pros out there? How can I fix this?

The girls call my mom Bama. Kate couldn't say grandma when she was little,

it came out as Bama.

The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep.


Kate wished she could really drive the bus, but since she couldn't,

she had fun pretending.

Stay tuned for more on our trip (from 2 months ago)...

Bamma and Papa Come for Christmas

My mom and dad drove in from Indiana to spend Christmas out here. Kate and Andie were so excited that Bamma and Papa were coming. Once they were here, Andie wanted nothing to do with me. She wanted Papa!

She wanted Papa when she was hurt, she wanted Papa to snuggle with, and she even wanted Papa to change her bum. It took awhile to convince her that Papa doesn't change bums! She and Papa were best buds while he was here.

In the mornings whien the girls would wake up, they would go into Bamma and Papa's room and snuggle for awhile. Kate would snuggle with Bamma and Andie, of course, wanted Papa. It was great! This allowed me to get a little extra, much needed, beauty sleep!

My mom did get a little time with Andie, but only when reading stories.

Then it was back to Papa!

Making Daddy Proud

The other night after dinner, Andie picked up Rob's basketball and was trying to dribble. Rob was so excited! I, of course, got out the camera and started recording. Rob is excited to finally have a girl who would rather play with a basketball than play princesses!

My Daddy, My Hero

My dad recently celebrated his 57th birthday. You are probably thinking, so what, big deal. Well this is a big deal.

In November of 2003, the same month and year Kate was born, my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Did you know that pancreatic cancer has THE highest fatality rate of all cancers (99% mortality)? Usually from the time of diagnosis a patient will live 3 to 6 months. Five year survival is much less than 5%.

My dad has beat those odds.

And almost 4 years later, it is a miracle he is still with us.

My dad is my hero. He is the best dad in the world. My dad has 3 daughters, so growing up we were his boys. We went camping, hiking, fishing; anything a father would do with his sons. I tell you, this man should be a Saint! Living with so much progesterone in one household. I'm sure it wasn't easy living with a wife and 3 teenage daughters.

My dad is the most patient man I know. He has taught me so much. My dad taught me how to bait a hook, start a fire, and how to run a lawn mower. He also has taught me to value the most important thing in life. Family.

This is my dad holding Andie about a week after she was born. I've never seen such a proud Papa.

My dad owned his own painting company. He painted houses. He worked hard to provide for our family. He loves to read. He reads stories to his grandkids, complete with voices for each character. He has accepted each son-in-law as one of his sons. He has a tender heart. He cries over chick flicks. I must have inherated that from him.

Through his battle with cancer he taught me to trust in the Lord, and to have faith. He has showed me how to "endure it well."

Dad, thanks for everything! I love you!