Where's Lola???

Have you ever seen those pages filled with pictures and you are supposed to find Waldo??? Well we have a little different version here at our house. I was looking all over for the cat the other day to put her outside while we had to leave. I couldn't find her anywhere! Finally I caught the shine of her eyes and this is where I found her! Behind all of my "stuff" on top of the computer cabinet. Now it seems to be her favorite place. I found my "Family" plaque on the floor today with my other stuff knocked over. Either I have too much stuff or she isn't as graceful as her cat reputation implies.

100 days of school!

Even getting a hug from little Maggie!

Today was the 100th day of school for Lauren. They had different (100) activities this week. One of which was trying to get 100 hugs. Well we got through the week and only had in the 30's.

So, Lauren and Jack (also in 1st grade) went around to the neighbors trying to score more hugs. For once a school project that doesn't require money from the neighbors! Everyone seemed to enjoy participating in this activity.

We took it with us the the visitation of one of the little ladies from our Paris mtg. that recently passed away and Lauren was hugging everyone in the room...even the Funeral Home directors...Is it tacky to take a school project to a Funeral Home???

We are going to miss him!

We have had the privilege of having Richard G. in our field for the past 3 years. Recently we found out that he is leaving TN for GA. He is to leave at the end of this week.

Our family has enjoyed getting to know him these past few years. He is truly a joy to have around. He stayed the night with us last night, kind of a "goodbye" visit. Today Lauren said, "Mom I don't want Richard to go...I'm going to miss him!" We will all miss him but we wish him all the best in GA and we know that he be loved and appreciated there too!

Tagged again!

Ok, been tagged again, by Jill. I am to list 10 things I love that begins with M. She did 10 things starting with N.

#1. M&M's (they were always my favorite candy when I was a kid. It would drive my cousin and brother crazy because I always chose M&M's for my candy treat, then I would suck on each M&M making them last way longer than their candy bar... :))
#2. Mom. My mom is one of my best friends and my greatest role modle!
#3.Missouri. It is beautiful and will always be "Home".
#4. Monogramming. I love to create things using my monogramming machine.
#5. Meeting. I enjoy our little Sunday and Wednesday night meeting. It always brings peace and encouragement.
#6. Micaylea, Miah, and Maycee. My three beautiful nieces!
#7. Money.... ha, ha. I love to shop so therefor I love money to buy all those wonderful "things".
#8. Mysteries. I have always loved a good mystery book or movie.
#9. Mirrors. I love to decorate with mirrors. I love how they reflect light and make a space look bigger. I hate to look in the mirror though :(.
#10. Movies. Ok. I admit I love to kick back and watch a good movie every now and then.

Ok. I am tagging Darcie....again.
Darcie you do V. :)

Birthdays in St. Louis

We had a great time in St. Louis with our families. Craig's parents, brother and sister-in-law and their two kids, my parents and 3 of my brothers kids came to celebrate Craig and Zane's Birthday's. First stop California Pizza Kitchen! California Pizza Kitchen is one of our Favorite places to eat in St. Louis.

These are a couple of Zane's multiple Birthday treats. Craig and I made the rocket ship birthday cake.

Gift time! Zane's favorite part!

The kids rode the carousel at the Mall. The Mom's shopped a bit while the Dad's entertained the kids at the play area.

The jumper (thingy). You can see Lauren's varying emotions...starting with nerves.

We did a lot of fun things but as usual I am in a hurry so I don't have time to post more pictures but one day soon things will slow down....right???

It is time for the Birthday's of my 2 favorite Guys!

January is the birthday month of my two best guys! Craig's Birthday is Sat. the 17th and Zanes is Monday the 19th. Every year since Zane has been born we go to St. Louis so all of our family can be with us for C and Z 's birthday. It has become a nice tradition. We meet and stay at the Stay Bridge suites where there are 2 bedroom suites with a kitchen and a front room. We typically stay with my Mom and Dad since my brothers two kids usually come with them, Craig's parents come and this year his brother and sister-in-law and little sister are planning to come. Also my parents are bringing my brothers youngest son, which is 17 months old. Should be lots of fun with all the kiddo's. I was telling Craig that we should plan something fun for Saturday, then I realized it may take all our time just to feed them all! Which brings me to my favorite part of the trip, "having" to eat out for 3 days!!! Great restaurants like California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake factory and Stir Crazy Cafe; Yummm, I can't wait....ohhhh wait a minute, it isn't my Birthday, is it? :)

I will promise to take my camera and take some pictures to post!

Missouri Family Visiting and Visiting Illinois Family

We had a wonderfully busy couple of weeks. My parents and niece and nephew came from MO to visit the day after x-mas and stayed til Monday. We then left on Wednesday to go to Illinois to visit Craig's family.
The kids had a great time with cousins and Craig and I enjoyed being with our families again. I unfortunately don't have a lot of pictures to show for it since I am horrible about remembering to take them. :( The ones we do have Craig gets the credit for! Micaylea and our cat Lola.

Dad and Craig making breakfast....note Dad checking out my turner making sure it is appropriate to use on his famous omelette's.

The famous bacon fixer...he is picky so he gets to do it!

Mom reading Lauren a Rodney the reindeer book. Mom loves this book because it has Rodney and Rhonda reindeer in it...my brothers name is Rodney....

Hayden and Zane snuggling on the couch with the ever present Game boy.

Lauren and Zane snuggling on the air mattress. Notice that there is a perfectly fine bed right next to them. They wanted the air mattress and no one even slept on the real bed!

Zane, Lauren and Trevon snuggling on the couch at Grandpa and Grandma Carrolls house.

Trevon slept over at Grandpa and Grandma's so he could spend some extra time with the kids. Of course the kids had a blast!





A little bonus for me while in Illinois my great friend from IA brought her two daughters and mom to go shopping with me one afternoon! It was great to have a Girls Day Out! Plus the kids loved getting to play with Kinzie! Thanks Darcie!