HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From our Arizona family to yours...

The famous JOYE JEFFREY!!!

So, if you're in the Phoenix area you may see Joye on a number of billboards. And now, she was in a fashion show...I was so lucky to be here to watch her walk the runway! Julie, Logan and Jake came too and there was lots to do for the kiddos!

Logan & Jake loved the sugar cookies...well, so did Julie an I, only chocolate chip...I know that's a surprise!

I will be in Arizona for a while, so watch for lots more fun posts!!!

NaNie and Papa's

Well we had the little tykes for 5 days (and nights!) and lived to talk about it!! It was great having the little ones here, so sweet and cute...they really are a joy! It is hard work though and we were exhausted afterward, I don't know how Sarah and James do it!! I know we did it too, but you sure do forget!! Fun times though, they sure did entertain us!!!

Here's just a few pics-

Willa, in one of her fast getaway pics, notice the 'shaggin' pants! She's a DETROIT girl!!!

Yep, gotta keep the door locked or she's out looking for Papa - she LOVES being out doors with him - and he loves it even more :)

Blowing my nose NaNie! Oh yah, forgot to tear the toilet paper off before I headed out of the bathroom!!

All done!

Miss Willa LOVES her brother - Peyt, as she calls him...she's always concerned with his welfare...always looking out for him! So cute!!! And Peytie has a smile that will just warm your heart!!! Especially at 3AM!

Love my kiddies!!!

Viva Las Vegas!!

We took Dan's parents to Las Vegas last week! It was such a nice getaway and we really had a great time! They really enjoyed it as they don't get away as much as they'd like to!

We stayed at Treasure Island...rooms were beautiful, definitely have upgraded those rooms since we last stayed here!

Lois loves to walk, so walk we did...you'll notice that Dan's Dad is missing on these sight seeing trips...we could not pull him away from the machines!! Good think he's such a lucky chap!

They haven't been out there in years, so there was lots to see, lots to catch up on!

Always love spending time with my hubby!!! :)

And he loves spending time with his Mom!

Lois was taken by the boats at the Venetian...we watched them come and go for a while and listened to them sing as they took folks on rides...

Fun just to watch!

Went to Blue Man Group...bad pic, but great fun!!

See ya next time Las Vegas! You never disappoint!!!

Little man finds his voice!

With all the excitement, noise and goings on this week with Willa's Birthday, Peyton found his voice. I think it was the only way he could be heard above everyone else and he was up for the competition!! He's starting to get his own personality, and it's so exciting!!!

and yes, that is drool all over his outfit...maybe there's some new teeth in there??

So much for MORE blogging...

See my life is sooooo busy, but I can never think of things to blog about...you can only blog about so many art fairs, they are the same thing different time type affairs. We have been so busy and will continue to be busy with shows thru the fall and into mid-December. We have 4 shows in AZ this fall, so that will be great to spend time with the fam out there! We plan some side trips to Vegas while we are out there, so maybe we'll hit it BIG! Wishful thinking, but it's nice to dream!!

So, the next most interesting thing going on in my life is my NEW KITCHEN!!! We have been planning this for some time, but I finally got the go ahead from Dan this fall! SO, you will see the old vs. the new coming pretty soon! Floor, cabinets, countertop, sink are all ordered...now let's see how long it takes Dan to get it all in! We may need some help from the Carmichael boys...ok, a LOT of help...Dan has 15 more shows this fall, who are we kidding?

Thinking of you all and hope all is well!

Cruisin for breakfast!

Here's my new beach cruiser...Dan bought it for me last time we were in Florida (as a pretty late Birthday present, I might add...). We took down his old bike cuz he just got a new bike here in MI. So we road to breakfast every morning...that way we can eat more - or isn't that how that works???

I love, love, love it!!!

Blog, blog, blog

Sort of like blah, blah, blah...

Sarah and I have been discussing blogging this week...and the fact that we don't do enough of it! So we are going to try to step it up and write more often. We love the blogs that update often and make you want to go back day after day...I keep thinking I don't have enough to write about, or I get too busy, but I will make a conscious effort to give anybody who's interested more to read.

That said, I have some videos to share. Willa & Peyton spent the weekend here last weekend while Sarah & James went up north to celebrate their 6th Anniversary! I can't believe it's been 6 years, but it has!!! Let's just say this house was transformed in a very short amount of time. Thursdays are cleaning days around here, and the kids came on Friday...by Saturday we were in full baby/toddler mode with a high chair, 2 cribs, swing, toys, sippee cups, baby bottles, snack traps, 2 sizes of diapers, clothes, blankets, pj's, diaper bags...and 2 smiling kids that warm your heart till you think it's going to boil over. By Sunday, the house was not recognizable and it has taken me until this Thursday to get it back to 'normal' if there is such a thing around here. Whew! What a busy week!!

It was so fun to watch Willa follow her Papa around; she was his shadow the whole weekend! I went outside to check on them and Papa had her washing her Barbie car with a bucket of soap and water...omg, if you could have seen the cute little pink pants I had on her and what had become of them! Surprisingly, I got it all out in the wash!! And her feet (yes, she was barefoot) they were black...let's just say she had numerous baths while she was here! And she was all smiles the whole time!

The night feedings for Peyton were not as bad as I thought they would be...how can they be when you look down at that little face - eyes trying so hard to stay shut, mouth open - just wanting to be fed and put back to bed! That was the 1:30 AM feedings...5:30 AM was a different story, he wanted to smile and coo and just spend some time being cute! And cute he was! We did some real Nana/Peyton bonding time during those night feedings, no sissy to contend with!

So, here are a few videos from the weekend...we were trying hard to capture some of the funny faces that Willa makes...she is a crack up!

This is after arrival on Friday afternoon...Willa made it real clear, she is the little mother here!

on to bath time and then a little Barnie...itsy bitsy spider, her favorite!!!

Willa is obsessed with the phone...talking away - let's just say she has the 'jeffrey' gift of gab!

Willa loved playing outdoors with the ball...she always made sure it went in the street, then would act so suprised :) She has Papa well trained!

a flower for Nana...or not...

Willa wants to 'hold' Peyton every chance she gets...here she tries to show him how to walk, which is just so cute! I think she's anxious for him to play with her :)

Sorry for the long post, I have a lot more if that isn't enough for you :) It was a great weekend, felt like a free bird on Monday though, and oh so quiet around here!!!

Flower child...

My little helper, watering my flowers...until you hear me freak out in the end when she decided to bring the hose, running, into the house - not that she could ever do anything wrong :-)

No your not a dog!

Willa and Lucy share a special bond...she often cuddles up to Lucy and Lucy never minds. I was baby-sitting one day and couldn't find Willa, here is where I found her!

Fletcher would never stand for this, he heads to the other side of the room when Willa comes near him. Lucy doesn't even raise an eyebrow!

Then last week I was watching Willa in her pool, she just loves playing in the water, but again caught her imitating Lucy! (watch both videos...)

And, just one video from Father's Day...Dan has been loading up on vehicles for the kids - finding lots of good stuff at garage sales for his darling grandchildren ;-) Peyton already has a hummer!!

Sarah crawled in to give Willa a ride in her new Barbie car, don't know when Willa will be able to reach the pedals herself, meanwhile, there were plenty of offers from family to take her on rides!

Fun times!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Hi all!  Went to church this morning with James, Sarah & Willa.  It was such a great service, one where we celebrated the true meaning of Memorial Day!  We had past serviceman that told us what it was really like at war and we celebrated all of the servicemen in the church as we all waved flags, it was truly a fun and rewarding service!

Everyone wore red, white & blue to celebrate the weekend - what a great idea!

Willa was into it with her stars and stripes dress that matched Mommy's shirt.  Can't wait for July 4th when baby boy will were his stars and stripes as well, all picked out by Grandpa Dan at a recent art show.

Willa entertaining everyone outside of church!

Whoa Mama - you are ready to BUST!!    :-)

Baby Boy was flippin and jumpin in church...too funny, Sarah's belly was moving all over the place...

Have a great day all!

Peace!

Lynne

Happy Mothers Day!

We had a great day - started off with church and then Aaron took us out to breakfast (don't know why Dan gets in on this deal...) and then off to Sarah and James' later in the day for dinner!  James barbecued - and what a great job he did!! Steak and crab legs - delic!!  It was such a nice day, watched the Red Wings win and to top it off a trip to the custard shop for ice cream!!  YUM!  Willa was her usual entertaining self...and I also grabbed a couple 9 monthers of Sarah!

Look at our little walker...she totally gave up crawling when she figured out she could be vertical all the time!

So, this is her new thing...as soon as I pointed the camera at her, she would make her funny face...we soon figured out she thinks she is smiling for the camera...funny what kids learn from us!  She must see us smile when the camera is pointed at us, so she is trying to do the same thing!

Goofy girl, look at all those teeth coming in!!

Mama, 2 more weeks to go!!  Can't wait!!!!

There's that smile again!  I had to really try to catch her before she made the 'funny face'!

What will she sit on once Mommy's belly bump is gone...better yet, how is she gonna handle that little treasure when he comes home?  She's pretty jealous if Sarah gives any other kids (babies) attention!

The guys, chillin after dinner...watching the Wings game!  GO WINGS!!!

Bath time!  She LOVES her bath!!!

Smiling again!  So funny!

A better look at all those teeth  ;-)

Giving directions I think...

Look what I can do Grandpa!

It was a great Mothers Day...can't every day be Mothers Day????

Better late than never...

Easter started out to be a very fun day for Willa!  We went to church and while Willa took her nap, Sarah and I hid eggs outside for Willa's Easter egg hunt.  After lunch we decided to go down and see the animals at the farm next door before we did the Easter egg hunt. Well, as you all know, Willa no sooner got in the barn when she was bit by a goat.  See Sarah's blog post 'Ate by a goat' for all the details!

This is heading into the barn with neighbor friend Aurora at the wheel!  Willa's 1st ride in a John Deere - many more to come with Great-Grandpa I'm sure :-)

Willa was so excited to see the animals!

This is after our trip to the ER...you can see that it took it's toll on Willa AND Mommy!

Finally, we get to the Easter egg hunt!

Checking out her basket!

I can't reach them, I have a sore hand!

Getting into it now...

Basketfull of eggs!

Still looking a bit sorrowful...

Stickers on her legs from the ER.

Her bunny ears, playing with all her new toys in Great-Grandma's livingroom...

Aurora, playing with Willa and all her new toys...Willa still looks wiped out!

We all had a beautiful Easter dinner together...thank God that Willa's hand is healing well and it wasn't any worse than it was!

SPRING - really??

When will spring come to Michigan???  We are trying...but the weather is not cooperating!  We have our boat in and last weekend Dan set up the fountain...but then the snow came and it got colder than it already was!!!  Ugh!

This is a picture of our fountain this morning...Dan just keeps it running, I guess he figures it will warm up one of these days!

We are praying for SPRING!!!

Hello Arizona!!!

Sarah, Willa and I flew to Arizona a week before Dan came out for a show in Tempe.  It was the most perfect weather ever!!  Blue skies and sunny every day!!  We flew out first class, which proved to be quite comfortable with an 18 month old.  Willa was great, she loved the plane ride, slept thru an hour of it, ate and played -  and didn't really disturb anyone around us - except when she threw her little elephant blanky onto a man's lap that was sleeping...oops, sorry!

She's quite the little traveler!

Showing Grammy her funny face!

(Great)Grandpa Jeffrey was in town and we went to visit (Great)Grandma Jeffrey in the nursing home where she was in rehab for her recent knee replacement.  She's doing great!! They loved seeing and spending time with Willa - it's been a long time since they've seen her! (okay, they loved seeing you too Sar! :-)

Kelley had us meet her at a great place for lunch - food was wonderful, very different from the usual old lunch spots, healthy too!

Willa tried many new foods this trip - she's checking it out!

Of course we had to try the tiara on the little princess!  Shopping at boutiques seemed to be our quest this trip!

We managed to accumulate some shopping bags...never a problem for us!

Willa loved playing in a box at Joye's...she acclimated very quickly to Joye & Doug's house!

She loved the little cars that she found in Joye's toybox...better go shopping Mommy and get that princess some cars!

Speaking of princesses - this is Princess Logan!!  All dressed up in her princess clothes and high heels!  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!  Reminds me of all the dress-up and shows we had when the girls grew up (Sarah, Julie, Kelley...)

We were baby-sitting Logan & Jake while Julie was at work!  We missed you Jules, but managed to have a good time!

Princess Logan - again!

Yum, tortilla soup - one of Sarah's specialties - she put us all to work in preparing this meal, it was a good time!

Some cute videos!

Jake & Willa pushing Logan...

Jake & Willa driving together...go-go-go!  (Willa's new words!)

Dance, dance, dance!

We had a great time - thanks to all for the great hospitality!

I had a problem with my camera and a lot of the pictures are blurry, so you'll have to fill in on your blog Sarah!

Love to all!