Never a Dull Moment

Apparently Jacob Paul doesn't think our life is exciting enough and needed to spice things up. The Monday before our TN girls arrived he made his move. He decided to put a 'foreign body', as it was refered to, in his mouth. And his brother just being the funny guy he is made him laugh hysterically. Which caused the 'foreign body' to take a little journey down the throat.

Best possible worlds would have had it travel into the stomach...through the intestines and well...out in the poop. I had him take some sips of Powerade to help it down the pipe. But that weazy sound I heard soon made me confident that wasn't the path it took.

Who would have known this little piece could have caused so much trouble.

Actually, the trouble really would have come if they hadn't found it or worse yet, didn't go looking for it. X'Ray can't pick up translucent plastic and the weazing sounded like asthma to them. The 25 times I answered, "no, he's never exhibited signs of asthma" convinced them to go in for a look. I am grateful they did. I prefer answers to the 'wait and see' game. Chronic pneumonia is not something I want to be on the look out for.

This is the boy en route in style to Boston. He wasn't the least bit thrilled I was taking his picture. I told him it wasn't my idea, the ambulance lady told me too (really she did).

This is a vision of your kids you never want to see.

And this is a picture I keep on the refridgerator to remind him not to do it again. The ironic thing about the whole incedent is that Joshua is the one who always has things in his mouth and I am always warning him of the dangers. But, Jacob is the one who had to learn the lesson the hard way.

Tuesday was a day just like any other. He went to the sitters, Mommy went to work (tired as you can imagine) and we were all excited when our TN girls arrived in the afternoon. He is doing great, no side effects and was even caught putting a 'foreign body' in his mouth again! Perhaps I need to blow these pictures up!

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Next Stop...the Beach

I love bringing the girls to the beach because up to a few years ago they only got to go when they came here. More recently they have been to the Gulf Coast which is quite warmer...but they still love the cold water beach :)

Ashley and Joshua were trying to ride the waves.

 Jacob was trying to jump them.

 And well Jeanne....it apparently scared the shit out of her...how else would you explain the hair :) I love capturing excitement and enjoyment in photos. Have I mentioned that lately?

 It's a good thing Jeanne knows her girl good because if she didn't drag her in whining and kicking like this....

 She wouldn't be able to enjoy it like this....just two minutes after entering :)

 Mr. Coolio

 See Jenna...it's as much fun as you remembered...even though you forgot at first.

 And this girl...I think she oughta been in pictures...she is gorge!

 When we first arrived it was the highest of tide, which is a little scary. But after a little swim, some scallops and calamari, the tide went back out and we went in search of crabs by the rocks at the end of the beach. Jacob found this little treasure for the girls to enjoy.

We arrived around 3:30 to avoid the crowd and hot sun and stayed for the fireworks at 9:30. It was a late night after driving home in the traffic, but well worth it for the memories.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

TN Girls are in the House!!!

First stop...the park. After driving 24 hours in the minivan, the girls needed to stretch their legs. With out yard looking like a dirt pit we were off to the 'castle park' as I call it.

Jamie is taking after her mom in the posing department...always prepared for the camera.

 And well, he's just plain handsome. I love his hair short like this.

 Jamie asked her mama to catch her at the bottom and Jeanne was more than happy to oblige.

 I am not a fan of crocs what so ever...but I have never seen these before. I was worried about her going out in the yard with them on thinking they were canvas tennis shoes and they told me they were crocs...couldn't even believe it.

 They are currently 9, 8, 7 and 6.

 Jamie wasn't quite sure of the funny faces. I guess she needed some time to warm up.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Park Play

After enduring my hour and a half nail appointment (It had been three weeks) I figured it only fair to bring the boys to a near by park. One thing I love about taking pictures is trying to capture their enjoyment.

 Mr. Muscular Monkey Man is a monkey bar pro. I can barely get across the things when my feet are touching the sand. If you ever get a chance to watch his gun show you will know why he can do it.

 Poor Joshua can barely hold his weight. It's tough being tall....ya, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I'm tall...that's why I can't hold my weight!

 I sure have two great looking kids!

 Jim is always joking that Joshua is my favorite...but for the record, I asked Jacob to take a picture with me first but he said no. Booger!

 Of course he wanted me to take his picture doing this....

 ....and this.

I think I captured it today.

                                          

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

4th of July

We got back from the holiday weekend without a single picture. This old picture of my Gramma is why.

A post or so ago I wrote about missing moments while trying to capture them, an oximoron in my opinion, however true. You see, Gramma Cil as we refer to her is 94 this year. We are very fortunate to have had her for as long as we have. She takes many pills, but only one of them is necessary (blood pressure) and that only started in her later 80's. Every time I get to see her (which isn't very often) could be my last. Even though I try to be in denial about it, I am well aware of it. I do not think she will be able to visit NH again next year so I really wanted to enjoy the weekend and live in the moment. And I did ♥
Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

The boys love playing hockey. The get on their rollerblades, grab a stick and go. I have to remind them to put on their helmets. Every once in a while I look out the door to see this.

 It's them practicing their hockey fights. They are so cute. They drop their helmets just like the players and 'go at it'.

 Jacob the scrapper usually gets the best of Joshua.

 This was the first real year they got into National Hockey. And what a good year it was for them to start. Stanley Cup Champions!!! This was their Game 7 prep. Joshua pulled out all his Bruin's wear he had.

 The games started late and ended late. Unfortunately they were on school nights, but luckily it was June. And if the Bruin's luck is anything like it was the last time (last championship in 1972) it could be a once in a lifetime event. So I let them stay up. I had to let them stay up for the entire last game. And as you can see from Jacob's eyes, it was a late, long week. But memories I know they will have forever.

 They were so into it they were checking the stats during the game on Auntie's phone. "Who did they credit the assist to?"

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Techno Glitches

Before the digital conversion we got three channels at the camp. CBS, a PBSish type channel and ABC scrambled. During the summer we had no choice but to get sucked into Big Brother as it was on every night, and was the only thing on. Since the conversion we only get one channel, but now it is ABC and comes in crystal clear, HD looking even. The only problem is that is only does so on a clear, calm day. Otherwise, you have to hold the wire that comes down from the roof's antenna.

Well a couple of weekends ago I brought the boys up to see Baileigh's recital and it wasn't a great night. I was alone (no one to play cards with), didn't rent a movie, and wasn't ready for bed so the only way I could watch TV was to hold the wire. It seems the body's electricity is enough to keep it happy. My neck was getting a crick and I was always told as a kid that it was not good to sit so close to the screen, so I had to improvise. I moved up a rocking chair and held the wire with my piggie toe.

 The next day was a beauty and the boys wanted to go to the skate park. The compromise is that they walk on the path with Mommy too.

 It's a lovely path.

 Have you ever been so into capturing a moment that you actually miss the moment? I'm guessing that happens to my SOL Michelle since she always is the picture taker. It's especially tough when the moment is brief. I was trying to capture Baileigh's number so Grammy Mary and Auntie Jeanne could see her, but the routine was partially in the dark and the girls started off with their backs to us. When I got home at 10pm and was watching the video back I realized I had videoed the wrong girl and even took a few pictures of her! This was the best picture I got. Sorry Mom and Jeanne.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle