Oldies but Goodies

It's been a good little while since we've been treated to pics of Moo Juice, so I created this little bundle of oldies but goodies. Enjoy!

Birthdays

I've been meaning to do this post since July. I haven't, due to the craziness that was this past summer, and a teensy bit just because I find dealing with Picasa such a pain. But, since today is Brandon's birthday, I've just decided this will be my gift to him. I'm broke, poor, and everyone loves pics of their kiddos, right? So happy birthday, Brandon, and I hope you all enjoy!

This is not quite the collage I'd been wanting/meaning to create, so hopefully very, very soon, I will find my camera charger, download a nicer editing software, and then I promise to go to town on some baby related cuteness. And maybe next year, I will have birthday collages finished at least during the birthday month, and not 3 months after the fact. Yay for early new year's resolutions! 

As far as Screech's birthday went, she had a blast, eating all the icing off her cake, giving herself a cake facial, and getting perhaps the largest sugar rush of her life so far. I wish I'd made a list of whom gave her which gift, but I can promise she loves every one of them. Especially her musical table, her princesses castle, and anything involving Minnie Mouse. Most of all, she enjoyed being around everyone and acting her usual, hammy self. Thank you to everyone who came (both Louisiana and Texas), and hoping we see you again next year.

When Life Hands You Poop, Make a Turd Sandwich

The last 9 days haven't been so great.

Two wrecks, one fallen tree, and now, surgery for Brandon, and I think we can all agree, June has not been the best time.  Now, as we wait for news and hope for the best, we can all take a page from Kaitlyn's play book, and remember, when life hands you crap, sometimes it's good to grab a handful and fling it right back. Ok, so some of this is metaphorical crap, but in Kaitlyn's case, the poop (and the fun) was very, very real, indeed.

So, keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer, think good thoughts, because Brandon and family need all they can get. And Kaitlyn, well, she just needs some Duct tape diapers :D

Kaitlyn Say, Relax

Vacationing takes a lot out of you.

When I think of vacations past, my mind seems to always go directly to the memory that, vacations were always a lot more work than you'd think. You pack, you prep, you plan, you buy 5# of Jelly Belly beans/fruity chews from the bulk wall in Target (no? just me? alrighty then.) I think the least stressful part of all was the ride there, and that's only because I hadn't developed full-blown anxiety just yet. 

When we arrived wherever we were going, depending on the size of our group (which at times, was quite...sizable), we either had to pretend we weren't 13 deep in a two twin room, hope we wouldn't get thrown out of Wal Mart for playing games of coffee filter baseball, or try our best to not overwhelm the cashiers at Mc Donald's. A smaller group would have just been the five of us, and that usually meant taking pictures of boulders/mountains/cacti/road signs, a stop at the Las Cruces Motel 6, and grumbling over the fact that our parents vacation like they watch tv- nothing's changed since John Boy and his kin were on. 

The most taxing of all family vacations? The camping trip. Oh my goodness, could our mother turn "getting away from it all" into "taking it all with us, further into the woods." I think I hated it most when they had the pop-up camper, because a) it had to be set up, which took a small army, and b) I just hated sleeping in the thing. Plus, when you vacation with Betty, that basically means, she's on a break (from what, we still haven't determined), and you are her unpaid staff. Unless, of course, you had the brains to sneak off to whatever lake was near early enough. If not, have fun being a one person Starbucks by Cotile/Kincaid lake. Still, I hope that, one day, Mady, Kaitlyn, and whatever future kiddos may factor into the family equation, will get to experience the mosquitoes, the flaming marshmallows, the fish fries, and their grandmother, belly-up in front of yet another episode of The Waltons, and whining for a cup of coffee with (probably by that time) an entire box of Splenda and half a jar of Community creamer. I'll just make sure to bring the Nutella, because I think s'mores could use the magic of cocoa and hazelnuts. 

Hope everyone's summer is getting off to a fantastic start! 

Also wishing our Uncle Timmy a happy birthday, and hoping we see you soon!

Upwardly Mobile

Someone is learning to stand on her own.
Someone will soon be running.
Someone, I have a feeling, will have need of a baby leash before too long.

Screech has already mastered one step, it's just a matter of time before she's running up a whole flight. I have a feeling she will not be a "scoot down on your butt" type, like *someone* I could mention. (Fear of heights is very real and forces one to be creative in their modes of travel.)

Hard to believe that in just 2 short months, one lil tater will be a whole year old. Time certainly flies, sometimes turbulence happens, but overall, I think the last year has been a pretty fun and exciting journey :) Now taking bets on whether or not her first word will be Kiki.

Happy Easter! Let's Get Peeps Wasted

It's been a bit, as I have not been around the shquiblets much lately, but would like to wish everyone a happy Easter, filled with happiness, love, and the sweets of your choice. May your basket overrunneth with all the Cadbury eggs you can handle. I think that's an old British proverb, yes?

That in mind, enjoy these pictures of Kaitlyn enjoying her first Peep and pair of bunny ears! I heard she ate the first Peep slowly, then pretty much shoved #2 into her mouth, and let nature take its course. Which for Peeps, apparently, means nodding off while it melts. (She was supervised. No Kaitlyns or Peeps were harmed during. Unless you consider marshmallow melting harm.)

Happy hoppy Easter, everyone!

Foot. It's What's For Dinnerm. Yes, I Meant Dinnerm.

Someone has learned that she's flexible.
And that toes are nummy.
And that socks are good for sucking/chewing on.
And that nothing beats the taste of toenail. Except maybe baby cheetos.
And that you grow your own best teething devices, right off your ankles.