Back to the dentist...

Today is only Tuesday, and we have been to the dentist's office three times this week. Me, Jessica, & Jaycie had regular dentist appointments yesterday. Jamie & Jacob ended up having to come with us... imagine carrying in a double stroller to set up in the way too small exam room. I could not roll the stroller in b/c it doesn't fit and we ended up having to move furniture in the exam room to set it up. What else was I supposed to do with two 2 yr olds while I am laying in the dentist chair? The girls do great at the office and the twins were actually very interested and asked 2000 questions. ANYWAY... they wanted Jessica to come back to have sealant put on her 6 yr molars to prevent cavities. They didn't have another appointment until after school starts, but they did have a cancellation later that morning and could do it then. So, we all piled back in the van, ran a few errands, then went back to the dentist office. Fortunately, we were only there 30 minutes and we could wait in the waiting room while they took care of Jessica... no carrying in of the stroller this time! So, I think we are done at the dentist office for another 6 months... wrong. Yesterday afternoon, Jamie was riding on one Jacob's toy dump trucks (not one that is meant to be ridden)... the dump truck stops, she does not... and she goes mouth first into the hardwood floors. Her lip swells up and I think her tooth just cut her lip, until she complains this morning about her tooth hurting. I look in her mouth and her tooth is loose and her gums are blue. We call the dentist's office... back we go. Fortunately, since she watched me and Jaycie yesterday... she is comfortable in the exam chair, let's them look all in her mouth and even lets them take an x-ray. The good news is that it should be fine. Her tooth may turn grey, but unless it causes her pain, they will leave it in place. Her root does not look damaged and the permanent tooth developing looks normal, too. THANK GOODNESS! New house rule... no more riding on the dump truck!

Now... I am waiting for the fence man to show up & waiting for the AC man to show up... our upstairs AC stopped working last night. James wants me to somehow find time during the day to go pick out the brick for the fence? Don't know when that will happen???

Bush Gardens, Camp, Great Friends & Family

We have certainly had a busy week! Last weekend, we met our friends (David, Karla, Alex & Taylor) in Williamsburg, VA for a fun weekend which included a day at Busch Gardens. James' parents kept the twins for us. We had an awesome time. All of the girls loved the rides and we couldn't keep Jessica & Alex off of the roller coasters. Jessica's favorite was the Loch Ness Monster (that's my girl!) which she rode 3 times. Jaycie wasn't tall enough for the roller coasters... which made her sad, but she still had a great time. It has been 2 years since we have see D&K... we all used to work together before kids and even though we live many hours away from each other, when we get together we all have a blast. The kids all get along and love seeing each other.

Alex, Jaycie, Jessica, & Taylor at Busch Gardens

Karla & David

Me & James

Jessica riding the Loch Ness Monster for the first time!

After our weekend in Williamsburg, James had to come home to work (guess someone has to, right?). Jessica went to camp with her best friend, Madison. I don't have any pictures yet b/c I gave her the single-use cameras and I haven't gotten the film developed, yet. They had an awesome time... nine 7&8 yr old girls in a room, swimming, sailing, crafts, etc. Since this was their first year, they only stayed 1/2 week... but Jessica and Madison are already talking about going back for a full week next year. We were able to email her, but she couldn't respond... so it was odd not being able to talk to her. Jessica has been away from us... but always where we could talk with her to see what she was doing every day. She is growing up too fast.

Me and the other kids stayed with James' parents while Jessica was at camp. We had a great time... Jimmy took the kids out for boat rides, tubing, and fishing every day. I think they wore him out! Jaycie is our little fisherman... she caught something every time. As usual, Anne kept us all well fed (time for me to go back on that diet...).

Jacob, Anne, Jamie, & Jimmy before their 1st boat ride... we put them in the boat and then headed off to VA.

Jimmy & the kids on one of many boat rides...

I took Jamie & Jacob in the tube. Jamie liked it, Jacob said "Jamie mushing me... want back in boat!"

Jaycie & Jessica love riding in the tube... they giggle the entire time. I think they could ride all afternoon!

Sunset off the pier at Anne & Jimmy's house.

Jaycie and one of her many fish... she loved "night fishing" mostly b/c that meant she got to stay up past her bedtime!

After we picked Jessica up from camp, we rode the ferry on our trip to visit my grandparents. The twins had never been on a ferry before and the kids had a nice time... but it was SO hot. We had a nice visit with my grandparents. I haven't seen them in almost 2 years, so the twins had certainly changed! We spent the afternoon with them and enjoyed seeing them.

On the ferry boat...

Grandmom, Jamie, Jaycie, Jessica, Granddaddy, & Jacob

After our busy week... it was time to head home. We stopped by to see friends on our way home... Christie, Owen, and Emily. They moved away 2 years before we did, so we don't get to see them often. They live on a farm and Jessica was in heaven with the horse and goats. Jessica & Owen went to preschool together (and were actually caught kissing during chapel in their 4K class... oh my!) When they were 4 yrs old, they talked about marriage... but I don't think there was any mention of that this time (but if Jessica thought the farm and the animals came along with any marriage proposal, she would accept in a second.)

Owen & Jessica

Jaycie & Emily

Well... we are finally home... for a week. This summer has been busy and I am truly exhausted. The kids have all done well with the constant change of scenery (although, I would rather go to the dentist than spend longer than 2 hrs in the car with the twins). School starts in 3 weeks... and we have 2 more trips planned. Guess I better start thinking about school supplies, right? I am ready to be home for awhile... but for now, guess we will live out of suitcases for a few more weeks.

My Birthday... I'm 29... again ;)

Scroll to the very bottom of the blog and pause the music playlist before selecting play on the video clip...

My Week With Memommy & Papa...

This is Papa, Memommy, and me saying a promise before we could have our badge or pin.

I got a pin. Now I am a Jr. Ranger.

This is a piece of pottery I made. It is a turtle.

It was one of the three things we had to do to earn our badge or pin. When we got home, I also made a horse.
This is a show we saw at a place called Ghost Town.

When I went to the mountains, I went horseback riding. The horse I was riding was named Browny. Papa's horse was named Chief. Browny liked to be in the order the owners put them in. My horse liked to go slow but Chief liked to go fast. Browny was in front of Papa's horse, Chief. So Chief tried to pass Browny quit a few times. Then in the middle of river going back to the stables Chief tried to pass Browny again and Browny just got fed up with it. Then Browny reared up and scared Chief. Then Chief reared up even higher. Luckily no one fell off. To bad we didn't get a picture.

Written by Jessica

Oh My... They Grow Up Too Fast

Well... Jaycie just told me about dream she had last night. She dreamed that one of the Jonas Brothers (Joe) was her boyfriend. For those of you who do not have a 4-12 yr old daughter, the Jonas Brothers are the latest "boy band" and they are all over the Disney Channel & have toured with Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. Anyway, I asked her if he took her on a date in her dream... she said "No, he just held my hand every where I went!" Help... I'm not ready for this!

A little bit of spoiling...

Jessica has been in the mountains this week with Dad and Ann to get a little bit of spoiling. She has had an awesome time... they have gone horseback riding, played in the pool, gone shopping, gone to Ghost Town... and the list goes on. She will come home on Tuesday and I will let her write her own blog giving all the fun details! In the meantime, we have been giving Jaycie a little bit of spoiling here at home! James took her to Chuck-E-Cheese on Thursday night for their date... and her little buddy Hunter was able to come along! They had a fun time. Last night, I took Jaycie out to dinner, skating, and then we went to get ice cream! While we were eating our ice cream, she informed me that when she is a mommy and has a little girl, she is going to spoil her by letting her have ice cream before dinner. Can't wait to see how that works out! We topped the night off with a sleepover! As you can imagine, finding quality, alone time with the kids when there are 4 is difficult... but I really enjoy it when it happens. Jaycie is so much fun to be around... she did awesome skating! One of the kids that works there told her she was doing great and another boy came and told her that her skates were cool... this made her day! Today, Jaycie is at the splash pad with Hunter.

The twins have been enjoying some "alone" time, too (if you can call it that with 2 of them)... when the girls are not around, Jamie & Jacob talk non-stop. They each had a turn "helping" Daddy this morning work on the fence. Jacob packed his tool box and had his drill running right alongside of Daddy's. When it was Jamie's turn... she did more "supervising". They are at such a fun age and conversations with them are a hoot. This morning, Jamie wanted to pick out my clothes... when we finally agreed on something for ME to wear... she proudly told me "Dat match, Mommy!" Unfortunately, Jacob has been sick this weekend... otherwise, we have had a nice time (except James, who is still working on the fence...).

July 4th Weekend Pictures

Happy 4th of July!

Papa & Memommy with the kids...

Jessica & Jaycie catching lightning bugs while we wait for fireworks...

The turtle the girls "saved" from the road... Jessica is keeping him for the week.

One of the flying squirrels that visits Memommy's bird feeder at night.

Playing in the creek... the water was frigid!



Memommy & Jessica are the best of friends...
Papa's golf cart is a favorite pastime!
Visiting the horses... Peppy is the only one that would come to the fence this day.
Jacob would rather climb the fence than pet the horses.

Hanging out at the pool...

The girls did a play for us the last day... Ta Da!

Ahh... Relaxation in the Mountains...

Well, as much relaxation as one can expect with 4 kiddos. We are in the NC mountains visiting Dad & Ann for a long July 4th weekend. It has been VERY nice and relaxing. Dad, James, and I took Jessica and Jaycie to see fireworks on Friday. Jaycie did not like the noise (as usual, she does not like loud noises)... but we did all enjoy watching them. We have enjoyed the pool, hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, riding in the golf cart (Jacob likes to go check out the tractors at the new construction sites & Jessica loves to visit the horses), I gave Jacob a hair cut, we played in the creek, James & Dad got in a round of golf, and I have had a nap or two, time to scrapbook, and have read 1/2 of a novel!!!! We are having a great time! We have to leave tomorrow... but Jessica is staying an extra week to enjoy some spoiling from Memommy & Papa! I'll post some pictures later in the week...

Packing... Ugh!

I'll admit... I hate packing. Not only do I have to pack my stuff... I have to pack Jessica, Jaycie, Jamie, & Jacob's stuff (and sometimes even stuff for the dog... although that is usually James' job). You can imagine... I'll spend 2 FULL days washing clothes and packing before a trip. Not only do I have the stress of packing... I add the stress of getting my house clean. For whatever reason, I HAVE to have a clean house before I leave for a trip. So... before trips, I am running around like a crazy woman. I am sure James would prefer to stay at work the night before we leave for a trip... he is helpful, but would prefer to not be around. I am like a Nazi. Same for packing to come home... I really need to calm down about the whole process.

Despite all of this... I do love travelling... and I enjoy visiting my family & friends and all of my kids like visiting people... they get so excited before a trip! Since we have 4 more trips planned this summer... I have a plan (I know many of you are laughing... when don't I have a "plan" - again, I need to learn to let some things go!). I finally typed up a packing list for each kid (versus writing my list every time)... and I gave Jessica her list!!! Well, she packed her bag last night for our trip to the mountains (she is staying an extra week after we come home to get some "spoiling" from Papa & Memommy). She did AWESOME!! Why didn't I think of this sooner? One less bag I have to pack! I double-checked her bag... and she got everything in there! YIPPEE... now I cannot wait for Jaycie to be able to read her list... then I'll be down to just 2 kiddos & myself to pack for!!