Movie Time

Here's a recent movie of Mark and Charlie...they are best of friends! We think Charlie believes Mark is another puppy...LOL...enjoy!

Picture Pages

Matthew has to do his first book report for class today - and along with it he did a diorama. The book he read, The Penderwicks, was a great one...17 chapters! WHEW! But, he loved it. So here are some pics of his diorama in progress...and the finished product. Oma helped him with it...the teacher in her coming out. He created a game on the back side of it - a matching game. And on the sides, he put pictures of the characters (using images of relatives, of course). It was fun for him...he really enjoyed the book and then bringing it to life like this was fun...a lot of work, as well!

It's Labor Day

And the time has flown. Mark will be ten months next week - whoa! Here's the latest on the family and then another post with pics/videos!

Mark - he's got 6 teeth with more comin'! The doctor saw him this past week as I thought he may have an ear infection, but she said his ears were beautiful and there were 2 more teeth coming. WOOOPPEEE!! when does it end??? He's crawling everywhere and trying to take steps on his own. Matthew loves to try and help him walk by holding his hands. Mark wants to move faster than his legs know how. We have gates everywhere because he has conquered going up the stairs, but not down. Soon...very soon...the gates will come down and the family will all be walkers! He is a great spirited child with his moments (like us all). He loves to laugh and giggle, but is quite insistent when he knows what he wants and doesn't have it in front of him. Life is good and I enjoy my time with him each and every day!

Matthew - 3rd grade is underway and he is LOVIN' school! He really has taken on the responsibilities of his new class and his teacher is great. She is providing us parents with many tools to assist him with everything he has to do for homework, book reports, etc. He still has his very happy, fun loving spirit, and enjoys making people laugh (did I mention class clown 3 years running?). I love this guy...and all the funny, quirky things that he has to say!

Jennie - well, still working nights. Yep, sleep is still random when I can get it. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am truly enjoying being at home with the boys during the morning hours. It has really been a blessing for me. I am starting back with my women's prayer group this coming weekend and I am also going to try Pilates. My friend teaches it at a local gym and I can pay (without membership) to take the class with her. AAHHHHHH stretching and relaxation!

Joe - just back from a week long work trip in Vegas (yeah right - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...jk!). I still have yet to see him in daylight (haven't seen him since last Sunday morning). Business has remained steady, which we are MOST thankful for. Though at times he realizes how tired he is, he knows that he has to be extremely thankful for the work when he can get it with so many without it. He may be headed to Qatar, Saudi Arabia later in September - will keep you posted on that one!

So, Joe and I pass like ships in the night...literally going a couple days without seeing each other since he is sleeping when I get home and I am sleeping when he leaves. Speaking of ships, Joe and I took our first cruise in August. It was a quick 3-day trip to Ensenada, Mexico. It was FUN! We didn't do much on the ship because it was cloudy the day we left and on Saturday. But, Sunday provided clear blue skies while we went on a tour of a winery...AWESOME! When we were back on the ship, we enjoyed lunch and some relaxing time by one of the pools. Then it was a little nap time and refresh before dinner. What a trip - we will cruise again!

We have enjoyed the summer and are turning now towards the fall/winter season! I wish I could say that brought crisp, cool weather, but 90's and low 100's aren't really considered cool by others outside of Arizona. However, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbuck's so that's a good sign of things to come!

More posts to come...stay tuned!

August?

Yep - well, so much for trying to keep up on the blog. Mark is now 9 months old...wow. He is crawling, standing up and trying to walk...ahem...run. He is going to be the one that gets me to the hospital for services, and not for work. He has 4 teeth on the bottom and at least 2 on top. He won't quite let us look at them, but we could see the two front ones are BIG and have broken skin. Sleep is getting there...we have learned that letting him cry doesn't hurt him and provides for restful sleep for the whole family.

Matthew is back in school - YEAH!! He has a new teacher this year, Miss O'Brien, who is FULL of life and fun! But, still knows how to keep the kids in line. One of the biggest things in school this year is learning RESPONSIBILITIES. So, we are also pushing that at home...having our moments, but overall it is going well.

Joe, well, still busy as ever. Went on a quick business trip to Virginia to film a roof being put on the Air and Space Museum in Hampton. Two of his contract guys are back there this week finishing the job because Joe is in the studio for a 3-day shoot with Spirit and Song Artists. Then, maybe a day of rest...HA!

Me, well, did I tell you I am working nights? Yep, working from 4p in the afternoon until 1230a in the morning. However, I can count on one hand the number of times I have left the hospital on time since I made this shift change. But, I love it! Work is great...and I get to be home with the baby during the day...even BETTER!!! I am loving being able to do both. And most people ask, when do you sleep? Well, when I can. Most nights I get between 4 and 5 hours and then (maybe) an hour nap during the day. On the weekends, I try to sneak in a couple extra hours in the morning or during the day sometime...whatever life allows. It's all good...my body knows what it needs to function!

And, for my birthday, my husband decided to take me on a cruise...YIPPEEEE!!! So, August 21st we leave for San Diego to catch our big boat - Carnival, baby! Can't wait...haven't ever cruised before so looking forward to it. Only 3 days - and that's enough because I don't think I could handle being away from the boys for any longer. Joe and I are looking forward to the time alone together...it should be relaxing...and I will catch up on some of that lost sleep on the boat...zzzzzzzzz.

I will post some new pictures soon, but this is where we are at. Mark has his 9-month appt this Friday, so will post stats after that.

And what does Max sound like?

Take a look at this brief video I took...the sound is low because they are far away.

Meet Max

Who's Max, you ask? Max is a puppet Joe created for his non-profit company, St. Kolbe Productions. He wants to start creating kids videos to help teach about the Catholic faith, and thought Professor Max would be fun. He's an archaelogical type...

So, today, we spent time in the studio filming with Steve and Janet Ray and they met Max. Here are some shots and a short video I shot while helping out in the studio.

Kids...Matthew...say the darndest things

So, Matthew has been joining me at my trainer's 2x a week to get some exercise in his life. Every Monday, I have to run my mile...and try to beat my time from the previous week (or meet some other goal - like not holding on when I am going really fast).

So, I do my mile and Matthew is getting his little butt kicked by the trainer and we go through our hour-long session and are leaving, tired, beat and sweaty! As we are walking out, Matthew says to me (and I quote), 'Your booty was really shaking when you were running the mile...'

I love him, I really do. And he was just being honest because I guess I still have a lot to lose in the booty area!