Kids say they darndest things...

I just have to share...it's just a reminder of how much kids understand and interpret. I, of course, have my annual female doctor visit on a day I have Ann with me. We pack some books and things to help keep her occupied during the visit. We wait for the doctor, go through the exam, get stickers (for Ann being good) and leave. At dinner James ask how our day was. I reminded him I had Ann and that I had my doctor's appointment. Ann proceeds to look at me and announce " Mommy, you took your clothes off". James looked at me, I laughed and said "yes, mommy had a doctor's appointment".

Christmas

We made it through the Christmas season. Five family visits and several presents later we've completed the Tour for 2008. On Christmas Eve we visited James' side of the family and then visited Grandma & Grandpa Hoene. Everywhere Ann went she was ready for opening presents. Christmas Day Santa had brought presents, after those were opened we made our trek down to Indy to Aunt Mimi's for our family Christmas. Our final visit was the Hoene Family Christmas.

I want to be one of Santa's reindeer, too.

I finally wear and keep my sunglasses on without fighting mom.

Grandma & Grandpa Misiak have several animals, but Ann's favorite is the cat. I have no idea where that came from.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty. I promise I won't hurt you. I know you want to be held and squeezed. Really I just want to pet you. Smart cat....

We've been elfed

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

First bowling adventure

James & I took Ann for her first bowling lessons. She has basically lived in the bowling alley since she was born, with James and I bowling on a league. Since she refuses to stay in her stroller and enjoys the game room, we've been having a babysitter. All I can say is she had a blast and we did too. We were able to find a 6 lb. ball and her lane was set up with bumpers. If we couldn't get a hand on it to help, we'd wait about 5 minutes for the ball to hit the pins and return. As soon as her ball would return she was off again. I already warned James that we'd probably be doing a bowling birthday part next year.

Halloween

October 31 was an extremely comfortable night for trick or treating. Due to our limited number of neighbors we parked at a friend's house and went through their subdivision. Ann walked the majority of it on her own. She did a good job at walking up to the houses and saying "trick or treat" and then "thank you". By the time we were finished her little plastic pumpkin was filled and she kept passing it off..."Mommy, too heavy". We of course forgot our camera so all we have is an after shot picture.

Gatlinburg 2008

After James' trip to Gatlinburg in the summer we decided to take a trip over one of his 6 day off mini-vacations as he said I would love it. When we planned this trip we knew we would be able get a view of the trees colors changing, however so did everyone else. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were extemely busy. We did make a small detour into North Carolina as we did "The Dragon" in Deal's Gap. For me it was 11 miles of clenched knuckles with a moment of heart failure. Imagine driving up the side of the mountain on a narrow 2 lane road. On some of the corners there is a little pull off area and we are in the lane looking over the mountain. James', without warning, pulls onto one of the pulloff areas to let a motorcycle go by us. Needless to say there was almost Flintstone's brakes on my side of the van and I think you can still see where I was grabbing the "Oh Shit" bar. Once we got out of The Dragon on the Carolina side there is a little shop where the parking lot is marked for motorcycle parking and tons of bikes. They do have a Tree of Shame with parts of wrecked out motorcyles in the tree. There is a few motel rooms located here where the bikers come and stay and then play up and down the mountain all day. Gatlinburg was beautiful. We did spend an afternoon walking around and doing some shopping. There are plenty of unique shops to keep you busy. I want to go back in the spring next time. The rhododendrums are everywhere, just naturally going on the mountain and I'm waiting to see them in full bloom.

Another busy weekend

We started the weekend out by suprising mom and showing up Thursday night. I needed some tomatoes to start my salsa canning again. Mom has a new addition to her family by the addition of Lucy, her new baby shih tzu. Ann had a blast with her, her response was "my puppy".

This is the first time in several years that James has been home on this weekend as he is usually in Talledaga for the big race weekend..."Go Tony" as Ann would say. One of my dad's farmer friends plants tomatoes, so we were prepared to do some picking. Ann stayed at my dad's with Grandma and we found the field. After getting about 8-9 5-gallon buckets of roma tomatoes, we warmed up with some chili and headed home with our prize. I ended up making 2 batches of salsa on Saturday, which I completed about 2 am. If you've had the salsa you know it's worth the time and energy. Ann was very willing to help, however we're going to have to wait a few years before I can really put her to work.

Sunday Ann & I went with friends to the pumpkin patch. We did a hay ride to the corn maze, which came out at the pumpkin patch. Ann picked her own pumpkin out, which was quite interesting. She would walk around and pick one up and then say "too heavy" and go on to another one. She did find one that she liked and was able to carry it back to the hay ride wagon.

Of course here she is being so good and not throwing the hay from the wagon.

Daddy, see I can drive a tractor too.

Corn maze