Our Girls Only week..... well and Ben too!

Leah & I decided that we had been away from our BFF's for TOO long and before we knew it we had two round trip tickets to Salt Lake City Utah. We packed our bags and left all the boys behind . Leah was so excited about her first plane trip, even if we did have to be up at 4am! (ugh!) but her she is with her boarding passWith a short lay over in Texas, we found our selves in Salt Lake City before TOO terribly, imagine a 4 year old stuck in a tiny seat for over 4 hours and the anticipation of seeing your best friend... She did great and as we were getting off the plane she SAID "come on People I gotta go see my Abbey now!" but she said it in such a sweet way that people actually laughed and stepped out of her way.... we were almost running to the baggage claim area and I know we both had big goofy grins on our face..... we came down the esculator, around the corner and finally.....

ABBEY............... AMELIA!!!!!! I"M HERE!!!!!!!!

Leah grabbed her stuff and said "lets go see your pink bedroom".

I have to say that Utah is Beautiful & we did so much stuff! Here's a picture of Ben & Danielle on one of our hikes. around Mt. Tipanogus. Yes those are Binoculars around Ben's neck... Yes...they were about 100 years old, weighed 25 lbs and really didnt work, but boy did he look cool!!! :) We ofcourse went to church on Sunday and I, having recently learned how to sew a bit, made the girls matching skirts to wear to church! They were so cute all matching and I posted this one because of Ben.....

He's taking the first of MANY pictures of 3 little girls lined up infront of their front door. While we were visitng they found out that they are expecting their 3rd little girl!

I see MANY matching skirts in this mans future!

Here's the REALLY cute on of all 3 girls!

We were there for an entire week and this is the ONLY picture I got of all the girls together! Someone pointed out last night at card club that they moved the end of July, they've been back here once already, we've been there once, and they are coming back in December for the wedding.... it probably does seem like a bit much, but when you lived at each others house for 4 years.... the time in between seems like forever!

We had such a great trip and loved being with the Gibbs again! Can't wait until they come in December, and then we'll have to go out and see the new baby when she arrives.... and then... I'll have to think of another excuse to bring them here again in the summer.... better make sure I've got a credit card that earns frequent flyer miles!!!

Tali- Bean

I wanted to take a minute and pay tribute to a very cool dog! Tali - Bean

If you are lucky, you too have had a chance to experience the joys & heartaches of having a dog as part of your family. This little boxer, Tali Bean and her mommies, Julie & Laura live just two doors down from us. We've gotten to know them all really well and just really enjoy their company. Well about 2 weeks ago Tali got sick and they couldnt figure out what was wrong. Over the weekend they finally discovered that she has cancer. She's been in alot of pain and there isnt anything that they can do for her, so they had to have her put to sleep.

I'm sure for those of you who have lost a dog, can remember all to well how heartbreaking it is to loose your best friend. Dogs are such a constant source on unconditional love. you can tell them all your deepest darkest secrets, they are always happy to see you, they dont care what you look like, or how you smell they are just happy to be with you.
I'm sure Julie & Laura are SO incredibly sad tonight

So if you would, the next time you see a guy on a bike... bark at him... thats what Tali would have done.
And remember to tell the people and pets that you care about the most that you love them. infact go give them a hug right now!!!

There's one more Doggy Angel in heaven tonight.
And Tali if you could give my dogs Cocoa, Muffin, Sandy & Rojo a big slobbery kiss from me I'd appreciate it! :)

First Day of School 2009

Alex with his friend Max. They've been in class with each other every year since KindergartenAlex's first day of 3rd grade

Ethan has decided "Hey, NOT FAIR" about Leah & Alex getting to go to school, so we decided that we would call the babysitting at the YMCA HIS CLASS. so on Leah's first day of Preschool he said "take My picture Momma" and how can you argue with this little face! Leah posing on the front porch a

it's a first day of every school year tradition

So now 3 morning a week it's just Ethan & I, and sometimes Daddy.... but we are amazed at how much he talks on those mornings! He's finally got our attention all to himself and there's no one talking over him or interupting him.

AND I think he likes it!

Dinner with the Pope

I'm sure those of you familiar with the resturaunt Bucca de Peppo are familiar with the Pope room, well you can all prepare to be jealous because I got to eat dinner in there last weekend! I have to say this little statue is quite creepy! And I know as a former Catholic that its "bad" to say such a thing about something representing such a holy man in the church... but seriously he had beedy little eyes and was sitting on a lazy susan so he spun around like something from the excorcist!

But we did have a Momentous occasion to celbrate, my good Friend Ben graduated from OSU... and not just graduated... he recieved his .............................. so I can now call him Doctor Gibbs!

Here's Ben, His oldest brother Chad, and his Mom Marcia

Ofcourse this was all just an excuse for Ben & Danielle to fly across country so Danielle could see her favorite two ladies! This is the only time we have all been able to carry on an un-interupted conversation.

None of us had our kids that night!

The big Bad 4 year old.... Leah!

Our little princess turned 4 years old last week! We had a Pink party at the Zoo with Grandma Ann, PaPaw Bob, and Aunt Anna & her cosuin Francesca.... everyone wore a pink shirt, and I'm sure we were quite a sight! The highlight of her visit was getting her face painted... she sat so stillShe was just delighted with the end result!!! Her FAVORITE present was from her cousin Francesca, they bought her a barbie guitar, that has a head set/microphone.... her favorite song is Cindi Laupers... "Girls just wanna have Fun"

Theo would like me to remind Mark & Anna that Christmas is coming up and that pay-backs are hell! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We also took Leah & Ethan to magic mountain right around her birthday and they had a blast!

Leah got to ride/drive the go-carts with daddy! Theo said she SQUEALED then entire ride!

It's hard to believe that she's 4 years old and that she'll be starting Preschool next week!

Happy 60th Birthday Old Man!

We got to go back to Illinois for my Dad's 60th birthday last weekend! It was so good to see my Dad & the rest of the family! Connie, my Dad's wife, decided we needed to throw him a surprise party, so the kids job was to distract him as much as we could so she could get stuff prepared! Ethan decided he wanted to drive the "tractor" at Papaws house and so they had their first driving lesson with my Dad who I swear did not smile even once when he was teaching me to drive..... Ethan & Leah cruise around the yardSo After we were able to surpise him, my "little" brother Justin realized that it was the first time in a VERY long time that all his brothers & Sisters were in the same place at the same time... so we had to take pictures...

My Dad with all his Kids

My Dad's entire "family" with kids, daughter & son in laws and almost all the grandkids

My kids were ofcourse front & center when it was time to cut the cake!

My 4 favorite kids under 4!

Well it's official.... The Gibbs Family have left us! :(

Here are the kids at their last play date painting frames for each other!

How cute are these stinking kids I ask you?

And Then Leah & Abbey curled up together to read some books

They all piled on for one last group hug

And now they are on their way to Salt Lake City Utah!

We'll Miss you Friends!