Today's color: YELLOW!
Why? Because it might keep me from feeling blue.

I have this yucky chest pain when I cough.

I think I have a fever.

My mind is on overload...

yikes! Thankfully, Hazel took a L-O-N-G nap. It

gave Willem and I time to relax on the couch. And dinner

is in the crock pot... tomorrow will be better, right?! :)

Hazel's been Busy

Getting her daily exercise

Enjoying phone conversations with dear friends

Washing dishes

Accepting calls on her cell phone

This age!

I forgot how BUSY 16 month olds are!

And how much fun their personalities are.

Hazel is always hauling food out of cupboards, dunking things in the

toilet, finding pop cans and glasses with beverages in them that end up down

her shirt

This week she has been so clingy, she has the yucky virus that is going around...ugh

She is so expressive with her eyes.

She talks a ton using mainly grunts.

She loves talking on the phone and being silly...

what a funny, sweet girl!

I'm back

I am finally back!
Our weekend in Las Vegas was good. Traveling without children is so easy.... but vacationing with them is more fun than without them. :)
Grandma Adie and Papa Stan took great care of our three and the boys enjoyed time with their uncles, Grandpa Jim and Lesha and family too.... being able to see Luke, Abby and Emily was a highlight also. So it was really nice that the kids could be surrounded by lots of family while we were away!!

The view from our room at the Bellagio the first night.

So many beautiful hotels! The fountain show was amazing too!

The blown glass art at the Bellagio

me

Alex and the BIRTHDAY GIRL KELCY!!

Hard to believe Kelcy is 21!!

It was fun to LAUGH with and hang out with family there.

me and Vance

More pictures to come...

These three WARM MY HEART

Thank you God for Merit, Willem and Hazel Jane.

I had to include the picture of Hazel flossing.

Uncle Nate would be proud. :)

Vance and I look forward to a no kids weekend.

We are fortunate to be able to do lots of little get aways, always

with our children. This will be the first time in SEVEN years we have done

a mini vacation or any overnighter without children.

It seems so strange, but boy are we excited!!

More of California... fun on the home front

A few more Cali pics... I just can't stop!

Estelle, Kristen and Natasha

Willem and Michele

Michele and Natasha

Vance, King of the Fast Passes! We didn't wait in a lot of lines because

of the fast passes.

Hot Tub FUN!!

Since we have been back the weather has been cold and today kind of dreary.

An afternoon bike ride with Willem does wonders for "the blahs."  Bike rides, playing with the kids and good books are great remedies to lift

the spirits! I am reading two books -- bittersweet which is fantastic. And I am lost

in a Mary Higgins Clark mystery.

 Hazel has been the sweetest 15 month old. And today she said "Rudy" -- our beloved pet's name!!

Hazel is pointing to everything

Doing lots of grunting

Loves to explore outside!

Merit and Willem are always so

excited about her accomplishments

It is fun!

Vacation

More Coronado Beach Fun!

Willem and Lane playing in the sand.

Merit enjoying the cruise

Estelle Hope - sweet baby girl!

Being held by her daddy as he talks with Lane

Our FIRST ride of the day Friday was

Thunder Mountain!

Merit loves it

 Natasha, me and Kristen

I love these girls.

Conversing with them in the beautiful vineyard restaurant in California

Adventure Park was so fun.

Lots of laughs!

Merit, Keziah and Kaelene

Instant Friends

Kaelene - beautiful girl

Merit and Lane

Lane