Hello from Florida

I am here on Marco Island for the 4th November in a row with Michelle and Robin (2 of the mommies that went to China when we wentto adopt our girls). Heidi stayed home again this year. Her hubby had a bad fall at home while building their new house. He broke numerous bones in one of his legs/feet a few days before we left. We missed her again this year.

We did our typical beach things, lots of shopping and also eating yummy good food. We had less beach time this year since Hurricane Ida caused some weather related issues. Darn it. Today it was quite a bit cooler and we have had a ton of wind at times. So, no beach today. We did enjoy a day in the condo watching MaMa Mia, the rest of Twilight and making chocolate chip cookies. Good and very lazy day!

It was a great week! I head back home Friday night.

Our little friend

We adore Justin and each year I try to take pictures. I didn't do as good of a job this year. Lighting just didn't seem right, but Justin is so cute, so......

More Halloween Fun

Anna dressed up as a witch this year, Justin as a Lion, Logan as a Robber (who did NOT do any trick or Treating) and Brandon was a Monster Rocker or something like that. The day started with a photo shoot with Justin. We also went to our church in the afternoon for Trunk or Treat. Barry took Anna and Justin and Brandon around the neighborhood and also to our parents' church to their Trunk or Treat. I stayed around the house to pass out candy. OH MY....our new neighborhood had a TON of people out and about trick or Treating. There were cars and people and kids everywhere.

Halloween cookie time

FALL LEAVES

 

 

 

 

Just doing some yard work at my parents' house last weekend

Anna stuff

 

 

 

 

Anna had a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch, so I chaperoned! I had a pretty good group of kids, but one boy really made me work! Yesterday was Halloween Craft Day in Anna's room so my mom and I went to help. Fun Day.

Marco Countdown

 

My gal pals and I leave for Marco Island next Saturday. I cannot wait!!!!!!It has been 90 degrees in Florida there, so we wil be baking in the sun shortly.

Misc

Whew! What a whirlwind of a couple weeks here. We are finally over the whole Influenza A/h1n1 stuff here! Brandon had gotten sick on our trip, but then mended quickly. Then Logan got it. He was a mess, then Brandon got worse and then Anna. The boys ended up on breathing treatments and tons of other meds. Anna had the Influenza A, too, but fared the best. She had the high fever, but she was put on Tamiflu right away and got better pretty quickly. Logan missed 7 days of school and was just aweful! Barry and I were basically fine since we took the Tamiflu. I started coughing a lot, but that stuff really works!

So, my time was spent with sick kids, a ton of dr. appointments and not really good sleep for 2 weeks. Because I am really crazy, I decided that I couldn't stand the ugly floral wallpaper any longer in the entry, dining and butler pantry. It was just bad and I had had enough. So, Brandon and I started ripping it off. it was a terrible job, but I couldn't complain since I did it! Plus, I knew that all of the sore fingers, sore back, etc. would soooo be worth it! Brandon and Anna helped as they felt good here and there and Logan did not. He was miserable and was being a teenager anyway, so......
Barry couldn't believed I started on this project, but I was stuck at home with sickies, so I thought it would be a good distraction and a great time to do it. Barry helped a ton, as he decided it would be nice to speed the project along. It took me peeling and ripping off the paper and trimming some. Barry painted last weekend and it looks great! The den is still a mess and ready to be painted, etc. now! It feels so much better with all of the flowers gone. The rooms look so much bigger, better and cleaning looking without all that distraction.

I will removing border and painting the laundry room sometime and the main level bathroom will be painted in January and the wallpaper border removed,too! BUSY!

We made Halloween cookies a couple days ago. I got a little bitty camera that I have been trying out, so it was fun to try to use!

More trip pics

 

 

 

 

Trip to the Smoky Mountains

We had a great trip to the Smoky Mountains from Friday until Tuesday with my parents. We got a lot of rain and the boys got sick, but it didn't spoil the trip. We had some good moments of weather and we were able to head to the mountains to see the beautiful trees. The pictures don't do the scenery justice. You have to see it for yourself. We rented a quaint little cabin in Cosby, TN and we travelled into Gatlinburg to do a few fun things like the Aquarium, Ripley's Mirror Maze and Ripley's Museum during the rainy times. The kids loved those. I enjoyed the aquarium, but could have done without the others. The mountains and the trees and leaves were just beautiful. The kids enjoyed having their grandparents along and we all had a good time. As for the sickness....well, Brandon is fine now and Logan is pretty darn sick. I am not sure what is ahead with him, but I hope he mends quickly!

So...scroll down to see a million pictures for now.I think there is about 7 posts of pictures. I can never figure out how to add a bunch in one time.