The Cousins Portrait

Since this was the first time all 7 grandchildren have been together since Mary Elizabeth was born in April, Mary had her heart set on a studio portrait of all the cousins. We scheduled it for 3:20 in the afternoon - after Mark's nap. Our plan was take the picture and then head to Chuck E.Cheese for Matthew's 4th birthday party. 

The much dreaded anticipated day arrived. We all arrive at JC Penney a few minutes early, Grammie and Papa and all the grands in their matchy-watchy outfits. Fresh haircuts, shirts pressed, baby nursed. Everyone was happy and smiley and ready to say "Chuck E.  Cheese!" 

45 minutes later, we are STILL in the studio waiting room. Needless to say, no one was feeling as photogenic anymore, especially poor Mark and MEL. By the time we actually got seated to take the photo, our window of opportunity was long gone.

Try not to laugh too hard.

probably the best shot - they go downhill from here. 

The big kids are pros at this portrait stuff. 

Keaton and Matthew are trying so hard.

After each time the camera clicked, Keaton would jump off his stool and say, 

"I did it! Let's go to Chuck E. Cheese now!"

Mark just gets madder and madder with every photo.

Keaton has clearly just forgotten what a smile even feels like. 

and my personal favorite...
Papa and MEL are both saying "Enough ALREADY!"

We were pretty bummed that after all that time and effort, not one single shot was frame-worthy. So, since the boys wore their green shirts to church, we decided to take them out front once we got home for one last try. 

Wouldn't you know?

Lesson learned.

First Haircut

Mark's hair was getting a little shaggy on the sides.  

So, we decided to take him to Charlene (Grammie's hairdresser) get a little trim before the cousins portrait on Saturday.

Mark sat on my lap, and Keaton sang to him to keep him distracted.

"how do I look?"

The "after" shot

My turn!

11 months old

Mark turned 11 months old while I was on my girls trip!

He's walking everywhere now.

He eats anything and everything in sight.

He's trying to drop is second nap already.

He's officially weaned (sniff, sniff).

He's curious but cautious.

He's methodical but destructive.

He's friendly but shy with strangers.

He likes music and dancing.

He likes water and playing outside.

He LOVES his family!



unless they try to hold him too much!



Tomorrow is flight 3 and 4 of 8 on our mainland tour. Thankfully, they are short flights, so as long as there are no major delays or cancellations (please, Lord), it should be a relatively easy day. Prayers are much appreciated for safe, smooth travel. We are very much looking forward to spending time with the Anderson side of the family.

I think Brumbra and Papa Archambo are secretly looking forward to a week off! :-)

 



Girls Trip 2011

Our 8th annual girls trip come and gone. Here's what we did...
 

We slept in til 9.

We rode around in a vintage golf cart.



We ate.

We read by the pool.



We ate.

We laughed.

We ordered drinks by the pool.



We ate.

We slept in.

We swam in a "no kids allowed" after 3pm pool.



We ate.

We laughed...and laughed...and laughed...and laughed.



We slept in.

We watched a Hoarders marathon.



We ate.

We laughed.



We read by the pool.



We slept in.



We laughed.


We ate.

We got pedicures.





We RELAXED.

It was divine.                  

Fun so far

I will not sugar coat it. The flight was N.O.T. F.U.N.  The airline was less helpful than I had hoped, the passengers were ruder than I expected, and my kids were even more demanding than I thought they would be. But, we made it here to Oklahoma safely, and we have had a great time so far.

Our first night: my uncle's 64th birthday party! Happy Birthday Uncle Dale!

Ice cream cones with Mia at Brumbra's house. Does it get any better?

enjoying bath time, as usual

Our second night: Tulsa Drillers!

It had the potential of being a very fun evening. Unfortunately, we waited 2 hours at the stadium before they finally called the game because of rain. 

Downside: 2 restless, hungry boys 

Upside: plenty of time for photo op with Buddy, the mascot for the Tulsa Library

Ironically, a gecko.

Is that a Shaka? Where am I?

Loving spending time with this beautiful girl everyday!

Keaton trying out the tire swing at Mia's house

Aaron and Mia

 Meg, Tasha and their kids are in town this week, so we all joined forces at the Oklahoma Aquarium this morning. What a fun time! The exhibits were fascinating, and the Aquarium was the perfect size that we could see almost everything in a 2 hour time span.

touching the stingrays and sharks

Dory and Nemo at the Anemone

Jellies

Hudson, Keaton, Kiera, William, and Emory

Another framer for their dorm room...

I leave tomorrow morning at 7:00am for  Girls Trip 2011. Wow.  5  days OFF? 5 days without changing a diaper? 5 mornings to sleep in? 5 days of strictly adult conversation? At Ocean Reef of all places, how did I get so lucky?

Who am I kidding? I will CRY and SOB on Monday when I see them again, like we've been apart 5 years!!

It's okay, I love my job. 

By the way,

Scott + Ashley = 8 years today!

This is our first anniversary apart. :-(

Thank you, Lord for giving me Scott. He is more than I could have hoped for, and tons better than I deserve.

Beware

In the words of Kyle Reese, "Listen, and understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead (or your house is a disaster in our case)"

 This afternoon, we leave the island for our 5 week tour of the mainland. This will include 8 (yes, 8) separate flights with me alone with both of my boys. I'm so blessed to get to spend time with family and friends and show off my boys, but I am still a little anxious (AKA nauseated with fear) about this trip.  There's no telling what kinda trouble the Terminator could get into at 32,000 ft. Your prayers are much appreciated for safe, smooth, timely flights, and cooperative, healthy, quietly-entertained children.

Side note: I decided to get bangs yesterday. Let's hope that was the end of my bad judgement calls for awhile...