A little R&R...

Well, it's Tuesday.  The girls (minus Katie) and I came to Jupiter (the city, not the planet) to visit my Aunt Joie.  We are enjoying the time down here bunches.  At the moment, Erin and Jo are off getting a pedicure while the rest of the girls and I are back at the house napping (well, I'm not napping, I'm typing, but still).  Yesterday, the we went to Wannado City in Ft. Lauderdale.  It's a really cool place where kids can try on different careers and be whatever they wanna be!  It was not particularly well managed yesterday, but there wasn't a whole lot of people either, so that was a trade that was acceptable.  

Cassidy got her cast off last week, so she's been swimming ever since.  I know she'd eat, sleep and live in the pool if I'd let her, but I'm mean that way!  It's warmer down here than it is in Kissimmee and the pools here are heated a little more than ours is, so she's been having a blast.

We are looking forward to a small Thanksgiving with way too much food.  It'll just be the 6 of us (no Katie) and my Uncle Dave and brother Mike.  And for that I have 24 pounds of turkey.  Leftovers, anyone????

Katie is in Montana with Bob Bob and Grammy visting the Montana Birks clan.  I haven't heard from her, so she is either frozen or having too much fun with Bailey to think about her mom.  That's ok, I hope she has a good time.  They will be back on Friday.

So, if I don't post between now and Turkey Day, I wish everyone a blessed and thankful holiday!  Blik, blik!

Laurel

This and That...

Well, we've had a cool couple of weeks. Here's a summary:

Ryan and I got to see "Sprite", the new little BK who is on the way. The kids nicknamed the baby Sprite after us telling them that he or she is as big as a lime...Lime didn't sound like a good nickname, but apparently Sprite did, so there we have it...the official nickname for the belly bump! Anyway, Sprite has all the necessary parts and a nice strong little heartbeat. I think I irritated the tech doing the ultrasound though. I was pointing out all the little parts and she finally (with attitude) said, "Do you want to do this?" She also didn't give us any pictures, which has never happened before. I think she wanted some control. Oh well! I also got to hear a great little heartbeat at my last doctor visit...nice and strong at about 145 bpm.

This past Friday (Nov 14) we all loaded up in the van and went out to Cape Canaveral to watch the Space Shuttle Endeavour launch. It was at 7:55 pm, so it was dark and was totally incredible. We are trying to go see as many shuttle launches as we can since they are retiring the shuttle in another 2 years. I remember being 6 years old and living in Sanford, Florida when Columbia went up for the first time. It was early in the morning and we went outside to see it. It was one of those things that you just never forget. It's something I don't want the kids to take for granted. I want them to remember sitting on the beach and seeing the night sky turn bright as day and hearing the rumble as one of mankind's most remarkable creations shoot toward the stars. Who knows, it could be one of Cassidy's earliest memories! "Go Rocket, Go!"

Cassidy will be getting her cast off on Thursday. If she's asked about it, she says, "I can't wait to get my cast off!" She wants to go swimming. It's been pretty cold here and the pool is a chilly 74 degrees at the moment...she might not be nearly as thrilled when she plunges in! She's done so well. How adaptable little ones are!!!!

Ali has officially broken the 5 foot tall mark! We did our semi-annual measuring last night and she's 60 3/8" tall. What's frightening (aside from the fact that she's going to be taller than me in another 2 years), is that Katie and Erin are both 4" taller than Ali was at their ages!!!!! YIKES! So that means that they'll be 5 feet by when?????

Last night we watched the NASCAR race that put my boy, Jimmie Johnson among the best of the best (not that he wasn't in my book already, <>). While he finished the race safe and in 15th place, he won his third consecutive championship title. Go 48!

We are gearing up for a busy Thanksgiving week. The girls have the whole week off from school. Katie will be accompanying my mom and dad to Great Falls, Montana to see my brother, Jeff's family. She's exceedingly excited to see her cousin, Bailey. Bailey is 7 months younger than Katie and they are great pals. It's the first time that they will have seen each other since they moved in June. As for the rest of the GIRLS, we are heading to Jupiter (the city, not the planet), to visit my aunt and uncle for a few days. Ryan will be staying home working and doing homework. We'll be back on Wednesday and will enjoy Thanksgiving Day with my brother Mike, my Uncle Dave and our neighbors. We are still frying a turkey, even though Jeff isn't around...but I bet it won't be nearly as much fun.

If I don't get around to blogging before Turkey Day, I would like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday. Gobble, Gobble, Blick, Blick!

A new era...

Wow. That's about all I can say about the ripple felt across this great country of ours last night. While not the outcome I would have preferred, I am overwhelmed with pride for the citizens of our country that took their right and privilege seriously, got out and voted. Here in Florida, the race was close all night. Obama ran a larger than life campaign here, spending more money than has ever been spent, running so many ads I got tired of listening to the radio! And in the end, the people's voice was heard. I have to say that I've never been so proud of a candidate as when I listened to John McCain concede the election. This is truly an American hero. Senator McCain's service to our nation is exemplary and we are all in his debt.

So, congratulations to our new President Elect. Congratulations to John McCain. But most of all congratulations to all of the Americans who got out, got involved and voted in this historic election. That's what democracy is all about!

Election Day 2008-Get out & Vote!!!!

Happy November!

It's hard to believe that we are nearly done with 2008! Time flies when you're having fun!

We had a good Halloween...safe, that's the most important thing. Erin and Cassidy were the only ones who went trick or treating. Erin, the "teen" candy corn and Cassidy went as Wonder Woman! They had a good time. We had Goblin Gizzard Stew atop steamed maggots (chili and rice) for dinner....mmmmm, yum! Lily was dressed up as a monkey during the morning, but would have none of it when it came time to dress for the evening festivities...I'm still trying to get a picture.

Thank you all for your congratulations on the upcoming family addition! The reaction of the older girls was mixed...mostly they think we're nuts to want so many kids. Thanks for all your support...now the answers to the top 3 questions:

3. Were you trying for a boy? Well, let me just point out the obvious...it's not really up to us and it is what it is. As my sister in law would say, "You get what you get and you don't fuss a bit". You might find it hard to believe that we really don't have a preference.

2. What kind of car are you going to need to transport the family? Last year, I purchased an 8 pax Toyota Sienna minivan. That'll do! I have no interest in a mini-bus.

1. Are you crazy? Maybe so...but who better to raise 6 kids than a mom who's slightly off her rocker!!! I have 5 of the most incredible daughters in the world. Who wouldn't want more?!?!

So, thanks to you all!
The Crazy Mom of Girls in the 8 pax minivan.