It has started. The days of wanting to sleep over at a friends house. Last night Emma spent the night at her friend Camille's house. We dropped her off before dinner and she stayed until almost lunch time today. She had a blast. I am pretty sure I missed her more than she missed me. When I went to pick her up, she cried because she didn't want to come yet. Emma and Camille seem to be the same kid. They are so much alike! The two of them have so much fun together. They made cupcakes, wrote stories, played dress up, played outside, and just played, played, played.
While Emma was gone, Anna had a great time being the only kid at home. She enjoyed being tickled without her older sister also wanting the same attention. Anna was tickled, slept in, played in the playroom without interruption, was read to, went shopping with Mommy and just enjoyed her time alone.
I am glad both girls enjoyed their special time. I am also glad to have Emma back home again. Now I am just waiting to hear Emma say, "Can Camille sleep over?" or "Can I sleep at Camille's house?"
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
To See or Not to See...
That is the question...
We decided the answer should be "to see"... so here are our girls... being able to see clearly.
For Emma, this is not a new thing, but for Anna, this is very new. Once she put the glasses on, she said, "I can see better!"
I must say though that I do think the girls do look cute in their new glasses.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Bragging Rights
I just want to brag for a minute about my very talented brother-in-law. This is Ron's lastest published book. The pictures in it are amazing! What a talent he has! I love having books that he has illustrated. I think you should all get this book as well. :-)
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Chapter 5 - The Journey Home
So we got to LAX somewhere around 5:00 am. The place was a zoo already! Once we finally figured out where to stand in line to check in, we waited. We finally did the self check-in and someone put tags on our bags. In Indy, this is where they take your bags, put them on a conveyor belt, and send them off to the plane. In LA, this is where they give your bags back to you and make you walk a long way away and stand in another line. So we did. Thankfully as we were in line, an employee asked us what time our flight was. He said we would never make a 6:20 flight standing in that line an he had us put our bags on a cart and he took them to another x-ray machine. Then we had to walk to another area to stand in yet another line. This line was for us to go through security. We finally made it through and went to our gate.
As we checked in we noticed that none of our seats were next to each other on the plane. When we got the gate, Dave asked the man there if we could get our seats changed. He told us that we couldn't because the flight was full. If we wanted to wait for 5 hours, we could fly stand-by on another flight. (Yeah, right!) Boy, what a difference from the gate in Indy! We decided that people on the plane would be willing to change seats, so we took our chances at staying on that same flight. Dave went to try to find some breakfast for us and the girls and I huddled on the floor (there were no seats available) and prayed that God would find us seats together. The one man may not have cared, but we knew God cared! Dave came back as people were already boarding and he had no food. The lines everywhere were too long. Another man that was working the gate did get us seats that were somewhat together... at least 3 were together and Emma's seat was five rows away. He gave us the new boarding passes just as were next in line to board. I was first to enter the plane, so I told the flight attendant our dilemma of our 6 year old not being seated with us. She was the "first class" attendant and was no help at all. I said something to the next flight attendant and she said, "Oh that's NOT going to happen!" She was so helpful! We then had all our seats in the same row! I knew God would work it all out.
The flight itself was pretty uneventful. We did spend a fortune buying sandwiches to eat though. But it was better than starving. We landed in St. Louis and ate at a restaurant in the airport. Then we boarded our next flight to return home. Our seats on that flight weren't together either, but they were much more helpful in St. Louis. The lady at the gate got us seats in pairs. Once on the plane, the flight was not full, so we were able to sit together in the back of the plane.
We landed safely in Indy, got our luggage and found our shuttle to the hotel where we had left the car. The shuttle driver even dropped us off right by the car. We loaded up and drove home. Leaving California so early was a pain, but it sure was nice to be home by dinnertime. We were able to get unpacked a little, do a little laundry, and go to bed early.
It is always fun to go visit family and friends, but it is also a good feeling to be home!
As we checked in we noticed that none of our seats were next to each other on the plane. When we got the gate, Dave asked the man there if we could get our seats changed. He told us that we couldn't because the flight was full. If we wanted to wait for 5 hours, we could fly stand-by on another flight. (Yeah, right!) Boy, what a difference from the gate in Indy! We decided that people on the plane would be willing to change seats, so we took our chances at staying on that same flight. Dave went to try to find some breakfast for us and the girls and I huddled on the floor (there were no seats available) and prayed that God would find us seats together. The one man may not have cared, but we knew God cared! Dave came back as people were already boarding and he had no food. The lines everywhere were too long. Another man that was working the gate did get us seats that were somewhat together... at least 3 were together and Emma's seat was five rows away. He gave us the new boarding passes just as were next in line to board. I was first to enter the plane, so I told the flight attendant our dilemma of our 6 year old not being seated with us. She was the "first class" attendant and was no help at all. I said something to the next flight attendant and she said, "Oh that's NOT going to happen!" She was so helpful! We then had all our seats in the same row! I knew God would work it all out.
The flight itself was pretty uneventful. We did spend a fortune buying sandwiches to eat though. But it was better than starving. We landed in St. Louis and ate at a restaurant in the airport. Then we boarded our next flight to return home. Our seats on that flight weren't together either, but they were much more helpful in St. Louis. The lady at the gate got us seats in pairs. Once on the plane, the flight was not full, so we were able to sit together in the back of the plane.
We landed safely in Indy, got our luggage and found our shuttle to the hotel where we had left the car. The shuttle driver even dropped us off right by the car. We loaded up and drove home. Leaving California so early was a pain, but it sure was nice to be home by dinnertime. We were able to get unpacked a little, do a little laundry, and go to bed early.
It is always fun to go visit family and friends, but it is also a good feeling to be home!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Chapter 4 - The Journey Continues
After our big day on Sunday, we took it easy Monday morning. After packing up all our stuff, we headed to Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate Sammie's birthday (which was on Sunday). Once we finally were able to tear the kids away from all the excitement at Chuck's, we went to the Reagan Library. It was interesting to see all hat was there. David and I (separately) were both able to see him give his presidential speech the first time he ran for office... way back when. It made for an interesting connection, anyway. Reagan's Air Force One plane is in the museum. That was neat to see & walk through!
We said our goodbyes to family and headed to Orange County. We took a little detour along the way and stopped in Arcadia to see Grandma & Grandpa again - even though we just said goodbye to them at the Reagan Library. It just didn't seem right not to stop at their house. We could only stay for a short time, but it was a good visit nonetheless.
We arrived at the Baldauf and were able to have a special birthday dinner with Rachel. It was fun to be able to celebrate with her. That is something we don't get to do very often! We hung out with the Baldaufs on Tuesday during the day. Previous to leaving IN, we made arrangements to meet the "Westmont Gang" for dinner on Tuesday night. We tried to invite anyone that may want to see us. Most made it to dinner and for that we are so grateful. To those that couldn't be there, we missed you.
Anna with Chuck E. Cheese's
We said our goodbyes to family and headed to Orange County. We took a little detour along the way and stopped in Arcadia to see Grandma & Grandpa again - even though we just said goodbye to them at the Reagan Library. It just didn't seem right not to stop at their house. We could only stay for a short time, but it was a good visit nonetheless.
We arrived at the Baldauf and were able to have a special birthday dinner with Rachel. It was fun to be able to celebrate with her. That is something we don't get to do very often! We hung out with the Baldaufs on Tuesday during the day. Previous to leaving IN, we made arrangements to meet the "Westmont Gang" for dinner on Tuesday night. We tried to invite anyone that may want to see us. Most made it to dinner and for that we are so grateful. To those that couldn't be there, we missed you.
Anna with Chuck E. Cheese's
Air Force One - The Reagan Years
Happy Birthday, Rachel!
A few of the offspring of some of the "Westomont Gang"
Ava, Nathan, Anna, Court, Kendall, Carson, Emma, Ashton Not pictured: Ava & Max
Monday, April 02, 2007
Chapter 3 - The Celebration
Before the big party, we all went to church. Davy, Andy & Johnny (Dave and Ruthi's youngest ones) were singing in church. They were gathering up on stage before the service. Anna saw them up there and said she wanted to go too. So she stood between the twins and sang as if she she belonged there. She was imitating the hand motions of the director and trying to sing along, even though she didn't know the song. The next song was "Jesus Loves Me" and she knew that one. She was so cute to watch. Of course the boys were too. I just wish I had my camera with me at church. After their performance, Anna had no trouble going into class with her cousins. It didn't bother her at all that I was leaving her in an unfamiliar setting because she was with Andy and Johnny.
After church, we went back to the house and prepared for guests to arrive. As people started coming, Anna showed signs of tiredness. So I put her to bed and she slept through most of the party. Emma had fun running around with her cousins.
It was a great celebration of Otto and Norma's 50 years of marriage. There were 60-70 people that came to celebrate with them. The children all spoke and gave a tribute to them. I think they were really blessed by it all.
It was nice to finally meet some relatives that I have never met before. And it was good to see some relatives that we haven't seen in years... some since our wedding. We also had the chance to catch up with some friends.
All in all, it was a great day!
After church, we went back to the house and prepared for guests to arrive. As people started coming, Anna showed signs of tiredness. So I put her to bed and she slept through most of the party. Emma had fun running around with her cousins.
It was a great celebration of Otto and Norma's 50 years of marriage. There were 60-70 people that came to celebrate with them. The children all spoke and gave a tribute to them. I think they were really blessed by it all.
It was nice to finally meet some relatives that I have never met before. And it was good to see some relatives that we haven't seen in years... some since our wedding. We also had the chance to catch up with some friends.
All in all, it was a great day!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Chapter 2 - The Arrival
Once we landed in LA, we had to wait about 45 minutes for our luggage to arrive because our luggage didn't get bumped like we did. The wait wasn't too bad. We then took the shuttle to get our rental car. The line at the rental car place was LONG! Dave stood in line for about 30 minutes and I sat in the sun with the girls... imagine that... sunshine! It felt good!
Our car was a Pontiac Grand Prix. We jokingly pronounced it as "prix" not "pree" like it is supposed to sound. :-) We drove to Thousand Oaks where we stayed with Dave and Ruthi Cragoe -Dave's sister and her husband. (From this point on, my Dave is called David... so as not to confuse all the Daves...) On our way to TO, we sat in traffic on the 405. Not a place to be on a Friday afternoon! The 101 was a little better, but not much. No way do we miss that kind of traffic! I was sad to see that the mural I helped to paint in college was no longer on the side of the 405 freeway. I imagine it just had too much graffiti on it. That was a bummer.
We were hoping to find an In-n-Out Burger off the side of the road to stop and eat at, but there aren't very many between Thousand Oaks and Orange County, I guess. That meal had to wait until later. We did manage to find a Jack-in-the-Box though and that was fun since we don't have that in Indiana. So we stopped there and got our greasy tacos... and they were great! :-)
We finally made it to the Cragoes. Emma was very happy to see "her girls" and Anna was happy to see "her boys". Emma and Sammie were inseparable the whole time we were there! And Anna had fun with Andy and Johnny. Friday night Dave, Ruthi, David and myself went out to dinner (The Corner Bakery - again not an Indiana restaurant) and to Costco to shop for the 50th anniversary party. It was nice to have babysitters in the house! :-) Thanks Danielle and Genna!
Saturday we spent the day preparing for the big celebration. We hung out, cleaned, did a few projects, and just had fun being in California. It was a nice, sunny day. David and I had fun going on a walk in the sunshine... again, being able to leave the kids. :-) The kids all had fun playing together... at least the younger ones played. The older ones were put to work... except for Rachel who had a basketball tournament.
The arrival went smoothly and we anticipated a great day ahead as we would celebrate the 50th anniversary of Otto and Norma.
Andy and Annie
Emma and Sammie
Our car was a Pontiac Grand Prix. We jokingly pronounced it as "prix" not "pree" like it is supposed to sound. :-) We drove to Thousand Oaks where we stayed with Dave and Ruthi Cragoe -Dave's sister and her husband. (From this point on, my Dave is called David... so as not to confuse all the Daves...) On our way to TO, we sat in traffic on the 405. Not a place to be on a Friday afternoon! The 101 was a little better, but not much. No way do we miss that kind of traffic! I was sad to see that the mural I helped to paint in college was no longer on the side of the 405 freeway. I imagine it just had too much graffiti on it. That was a bummer.
We were hoping to find an In-n-Out Burger off the side of the road to stop and eat at, but there aren't very many between Thousand Oaks and Orange County, I guess. That meal had to wait until later. We did manage to find a Jack-in-the-Box though and that was fun since we don't have that in Indiana. So we stopped there and got our greasy tacos... and they were great! :-)
We finally made it to the Cragoes. Emma was very happy to see "her girls" and Anna was happy to see "her boys". Emma and Sammie were inseparable the whole time we were there! And Anna had fun with Andy and Johnny. Friday night Dave, Ruthi, David and myself went out to dinner (The Corner Bakery - again not an Indiana restaurant) and to Costco to shop for the 50th anniversary party. It was nice to have babysitters in the house! :-) Thanks Danielle and Genna!
Saturday we spent the day preparing for the big celebration. We hung out, cleaned, did a few projects, and just had fun being in California. It was a nice, sunny day. David and I had fun going on a walk in the sunshine... again, being able to leave the kids. :-) The kids all had fun playing together... at least the younger ones played. The older ones were put to work... except for Rachel who had a basketball tournament.
The arrival went smoothly and we anticipated a great day ahead as we would celebrate the 50th anniversary of Otto and Norma.
Andy and Annie
Emma and Sammie
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