Kitty Treat

Had a fun morning with Eli! I love Rochel teaching, even if it's just a couple of hours! I was trying to get a cute picture of him, especially so everyone can see his completely amazing EYELASHES!!! Click the picture to make it bigger, and check those lashes out! Also, enjoy Elfy checking him out... the cats are completely FREAKED out whenever he's over!

"What's that? There's a cat on my head?! REALLY??!?!"

"Stop teasing me Auntie...

there's no cat!!"

"Wait... is he back?"

Ok... Apparently have too much fun with a little 2 month old. How could you not enjoy those cheeks? And that's what I did today...

Hotel for kids... and grandkids!

*can't believe I forgot my camera...

NO SCHOOL today, which the kids LOVED. This afternoon we went to see "Hotel for Dogs", which I have to say is an ADORABLE movie. Not really a dog person, but it was a very cute movie FOR EVERYONE and we highly recommend it.

After the fun movie, we stopped at Publix to grab a couple of things for dinner, then met at MOM'S abandoned house for a cookout with Steve! I know you will never believe that we didn't use ANY of Mom's food and actually brought our own... but it's true! Well, we used some butter and ketchup. And flour, and ice cream. OTHER THAN THAT... anyways, we had hotdogs on the grill, and I made mac-n-cheese (for Uncle Steve and the kids!)... of course, I had to bring the M'n'C casserole dish from my house to make it. You know, MOM'S dish. Yes, I brought it back home with me, too! Sadly, Mom, you are still out of mustard, and WHY don't you have any pickles in your pantry?!?!?!?!? Next time they are BOGO at Publix, I will hook you up. Or I will hook ME up!

You know, it's kind of sad to be at Mom and Dad's without them being there. They need to get home.

Oh! There's a chance that I might have snitched some metal rimmed tags, but only because I wanted to make you a Valentine's Day card, Mom. You understand, RIGHT?!?!?

Champions!

Ben had his first "Official Swim Meet" today... it was in Clearwater. Ryan took both kids over for the fun (unfortunately my weekend to work!). He did really well, even though he didn't break any records (we are CERTAIN the clocks were fixed! ok, kidding). He is anxious to go again, which is a great sign. It was a completely new experience as he had to be "poolside" by himself (the coach was there, but so were all the other kids) and for a kid who doesn't really like to speak up and ask questions, that was a little hard. But he did great and got where he needed to be (yes, his instructions for lanes and heats were written on his hand with a Sharpie!! A tip from another parent there, and it was a lifesaver!) and did great! We are PROUD of our little CHAMPION!!!

Speaking of Champions... Ryan and the kids also went to the Trop to pick out our season ticket seats! The American League Champion trophy was on display and they got to take pictures with it. Hmmmm, it's smaller than we think it should be! Yes, Ben ONLY wears RAYS shirts. No kidding.

Not to be out done by her brother, or the Rays, Carly lost her 2nd front tooth... Finally. A little help from Ben and a very suspicious incident where she was bugging him and she started crying and he started screaming, "I'm sorry!! I'm sorry!!! SHE'S BLEEDING!" might have helped matters along. Not sure. There are some things as a parent you just don't ask about.

Marathon Man

Just spent a BIG weekend in Orlando, where Ryan ran a FEW races! Saturday morning, he ran a 1/2 marathon (note picture to left... it was taken 10 minutes after crossing the finish line!). His goal for this race was 2:45, and he came in under at 2:39!!! Pretty excited about that. He felt great after running, and we were (ARE!!) proud of him! For any NON-RUNNERS, 1/2 a marathon is 13.1 miles. Yikes.

Ok... note the different color shirt on the RIGHT... yup, NEXT day (Sunday) he ran a FULL marathon. Go ahead. Do the math. 26.2 miles for that race alone. Now add those all together and you get 39.3 miles. Or what Disney officials like to call, The Goofy Challenge. This picture was at about mile 18, just outside the Animal Kingdom. Ben and Carly and I met up with him there and cheered him on, and gave him some snacks! Note the smile! He was doing GREAT and felt GREAT. We were pretty happy about that!!!

Above is a picture of Ryan SPRINTING the last 100 yards to cross the finish line! What you can't see is the big smile on his face, what you can't hear would be the loud speakers blaring ROCKY music!! Pretty amazing that he felt so great after such a long couple of race days!

We had to make a small addition to our sign from last year (remember when Ryan ran "just" the marathon last year?!?) This year, he came in at 6:01... 39 minutes faster than last year. And this after running the day before!! He was VERY PLEASED with his results.

For Auntie Tracy

When we found our nephew Eli was in fact, ELI, Tracy immediately begged God to make him look like his Dad, Edgar. Complete with glasses. While he DOES look like his Dad, for some reason, he wasn't BORN with glasses. I got you covered, Tracy. BEFORE ANYONE BECOMES ALARMED: Eli ASKED to wear these the other morning when he was left in my loving care... and those are just plastic lenses. Chip Calculus left them at my house. *sigh* we love this little angel!

Out of the mouths of babes... or the pen

There have been a few tears tonight... not to make you FEEL bad, or anything, but she did come up with this one on her own.... the picture and posting on the blog were my idea, however. So, when can we expect you at TIA????!? (note the scrapbook paper she chose... again, on her own!)

The 12th Day of Christmas... this is what my True Love did

More Became Less
by Ryan McGregor

The Word became flesh
The infinite became a number
The inferno became a blanket
The hurricane became a breeze
The sun became a match
The forest became a leaf
The rainbow became a tint
The life became mortal
The music became a note
The lion became the ant
The harvest became the seed
The statue became a rock
The novel became a letter
The CEO became the intern
The manager became a batboy
The word became flesh
The one who knew no sin became sin for us
So that fabric could become clothes
So that the fan could play in the game
So that dead wood could become a tree
So that the prisoner could become free
So that the drop could become a drink
So that a note could become a song
So that the unacceptable could be welcomed
So that a crayon could become a picture
So that the seed could bring forth fruit
So that the rock could be shaped in a new image
So that the unemployed could work again
So that strangers and foreigners could become citizens.
So that death could bring life
So that we might become the children of righteousness
So the orphan could become family
So that as many as received Him, to them were given power to become the Children of God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be called the children of righteousness.