Day 24

Today we hung around the house. The kids entertained themselves for the most part and I cleaned house. Chad, Kelly and Kasey came over and they were chasing each other in and out of the house and let Izzie out and she ran away. I had to chase her all over the neighborhood. I guess I didn't take her out enough to play today and we seem to have lost her tennis ball so it makes playing a little harder! So I had fun chasing her around - not REALLY! I found a stick and that got her to follow me back home. We had dinner and then hooked Izzie up to her leash, brought the computer chair into the kitchen and did Izzie rides!!! We enticed Izzie with toys and cheese and when she ran, she pulled the chair! It was great fun!! Here are a few videos and pictures of the Izzie rides:





Cappy doesn't like it when Izzie gets crazy - he tried to bite her! Don't worry, she is fine! haha


Brooklin and Mikaela had a little mishap and fell out of the chair! haha It was so funny and Mikaela thought it was great fun.




Mikaela was pushing Haley


Haley loved it!!


So did Mikaela!

Day 23

Today we went to the beach! We have been wanting to go for days but the weather was not cooperating. It was a much needed day of relaxation in the sun. It was wonderful! Mikaela played in the sand (and ate lots of it!) and water happily as usual. Haley and Brooklin had fun jumping the waves. We went to the bay as usual, but for some reason there were some really big waves!! Brooklin was helping Haley learn how to jump over them. It was cute. Haley took a bad spill one time and scared me (and her) to death! I was in there with them when it happend and I was holding Mikaela (of course) and I saw the huge wave come and wisk Haley away but I couldn't get to her fast enough! Luckily as soon as the wave was over she popped right back up. Scary! She did get a sand burn on her side from it, but she was fine. We all had fun and got lots of sun. Mikaela took a nap in the wagon - it was so cute! We are all beat now and ready to just go relax and watch some tv! We are gonna watch "The Game Plan."

Day 22

Today we hung around the house and I tried to clean house! I say tried because Izzie and Mikaela (aka Team Trouble) were very naughty today!! I can't even count on 2 hands the amount of things Izzie chewed up today that she shouldn't have. Mikaela was handing her tupperware out of the cabinet and she was chewing it up. Team Trouble was in full affect today! Mikaela was feeding her food from her high chair and Izzie was stealing snacks right out of her hand. Mikaela was playing in her dog food this evening (and even tried a piece!) Haley played with the neighbors and had a water ballon fight. Then she played on the computer and talked on the phone with her best friend, Kylie. Brooklin messed around on myspace, took a nap and listened to her iPod all day. We enjoyed some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream after dinner too! I am so ready to just hit the hay - I am beat from dealing with a naughty dog and a naughty baby today!! It looks like tomorrow will be a nice beach day, so here's hoping that it works out finally!









oh bo (mikaela's way of saying ut oh) - I made a mess!




Team Trouble




The love triangle: Brooklin, the iPod and the Oreo

Day 21

Today we went to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. We had planned on going for an iMax movie (Whales & Dolphins 3D) but we didn't make it on time! We pulled into the parking lot just as it was supposed to be starting, and it was the last showing. I can't seem to get out of the house fast enough right now - too much on my plate I guess! I always forget to leave extra time for dealing with Izzie, and I am the queen of waiting until the last minute to do everything, including getting ready to go somewhere! But, we have a family membership there, so we decided to explore the aquarium until it closed 1 hour and 15 minutes later. It was fun, even though it was short! Mikaela was so funny - we went about 3 months ago and she LOVED the fish and turtles. Today, she was terrified of them! She didn't even want me to put her down at first. She found comfort in sissy and Brooklin's arms though so mommy could take pictures. She lightened up a little after a while and started making her really surprised "O" face. So cute! Haley enjoyed her time at the sting ray/skate pool as usual. She loves to pet them! I always get a little nostalgic when we are there. So many years ago when Haley was so weak from being so sick from chemo, we brought her and Brooklin to the Aquarium and Haley got so excited about the sting rays that she walked again for the first time! She was 3 years old. Bitter sweet memories! :)



A scared Mikaela holding onto sissy


The surprised "O" face


It's not so scary with cousin Brooklin holding her!














Cute little baby turtle in the turtle hatching lab


Hangin' with the jellyfish


It's always fun taking pictures here...


Haley, the apprentice, taking pictures!


Sadly, there's nothing left of Mikaela but a shoe! haha




Brooklin, the mad scientist!

Day 20

Today we hung around the house, downloaded music, went to Plaza Azteca (my favorite!) for dinner and then went to the mall. We wanted to go to the beach today, but alas the weather is not cooperating! Rainy and overcast all day today. But we got all the songs that Brooklin wanted for her iPod and did a little shopping. We went into Victoria's Secret and I didn't pay close enough attention to where I parked Little Miss Trouble (aka Mikaela) and she could reach a drawer full of panties and next thing we knew she had pulled a bunch of panties out onto the floor and all over herself. It was soooo funny and luckily I just happened to have the camera close at hand ...







Dinner was yummy as usual! Brooklin and I shared Texas Fajitas and Haley had a beef taco,rice and beans. I, of course, had a jumbo margarita on the rocks with salt - can't go there and not get that! :)

Day 19

Today I had to cut the grass. Cutting the grass, easy! Weed whacking is a whole 'nother story! Me and the weed whacker had a big fight this afternoon!!! First, I had to rewire it with string, trying to remember Mike's instructions from before he left. Then, I could NOT get it to start. Or, I got it to start, but it wouldn't stay started! As soon as I hit the gas it kept stalling on me. I finally got it to keep going when I hit the gas, but it kept stalling on me from time to time while I was whacking those evil weeds! And, the strings kept getting messed up - I'm sure I did something wrong when winding them up! I got the front yard done and was working on the back when it died once again and I said I was OVER IT! So, the back yard didn't get done, but oh well. I'm the only one who has to look at it! (Well, I guess Paul & Melissa do - sorry guys! haha) Haley hung out with Kelly most of the day and now her, Kelly and Chad are playing WII. Haley has been a huge help to me by walking Cappy every day. Sometimes I take both dogs for a walk, but mostly she walks Cappy for me and I take Izzie out back for play and potty time. haha Brooklin was pretty bored all day I am sure - taking care of Mikaela while I worked in the yard and having Izzie annoy her. She did get to read some of her book which sounds quite interesting though. We are planning on going to Target to shop for sunglasses if the rain stops. Mikaela hung around the house playing with the dogs (Izzie loves it, Cappy hates it! ha) and Brooklin. She did enjoy some of my Jamocha shake from Arby's, which she screamed and cried for whenever I decided to take a drink! Now I am just beat from working in the heat and fighting with the weed whacker!!! But, it really needed to be done (long overdue) and now it is, so I am glad!

Cappy and Izzie watching another dog outside - now I have 2 dogs to hush up when the baby is sleeping!








Even if I don't talk about it every day, rest assured we are taking Izzie outside several times a day to throw the ball!