Christmas Decorating Preview {309}

Dear Miss Dinah,

We all had our fair share of work for today:

Yours was to get better. (You kept working on this, good job. Daddy and I both agree that you seem to be over the worst of it)
Mine was folding a mountain of laundry. (I got about halfway through)
Daddy's was helping move a grain bin.

There it goes rolling down the road.

Last year we went shopping at the mall with little Miss Mia and her mamma, and bought some beautiful decorative ornaments after Christmas for about 95% off the original price, saving about $100 if you can believe it! Today we were finally able to unbox them and start decorating for the season.

We also put our little fiber-optic tree up on the mantel, along with the few ornaments that I can find right now -- tinkerbell and John Deer tractor.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Sweet Home Sweets {308}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Much of today was again naps, snacks, and wiping noses.

It's fun to watch you watch your Signing Time video and understand it on a new level than the last time you watched it a few months ago. So many more things are obviously familiar to you: the familiar words, the food words, even many of the playtime words.

Another brag on your sweet Daddy. I told him I was tired (we've been a little under the weather along with you) and he said I should go lay down in bed. I finally went to take a rest and he had set up the heat fan and pulled back the covers to get it all ready   :)

Now that we are home, we can get back to cooking and baking!!  ...and maybe laundry eventually...

On today's menu:
for lunch - spicy turkey noodle casserole

for dinner - parmesan crusted tilapia, garlic cheese biscuits, veggies, and these mini hand pies with pear filling!

mmm! Good to be home :)

 

I love you,

Mamma <3

Sleeping It Off {307}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Bless your heart, you took something like four naps today.
Needless to say you were not.feeling.great.

You still had somewhat of an appetite, and were able to eat which I was thankful for. Just a mean runny nose and a nasty little cough. You reluctantly let us wipe your nose with a Kleenex ... for exactly half a second. You offer up your little nose for the wiping, then after the allotted time is up, you whip it away. We've been keeping eucalyptus oil on your face and throat as much as possible which hopefully helps things.

Mr. Dan and Daddy went out of town today to get their flight physicals. Mr. Dan is staying here for a  month or so to get his pilot's license. Grampa is his teacher! Your daddy got his license a few years ago, but needed to get an updated physical exam to keep his license up to date.

We stayed here and paid the bills and got a few groceries  :-)   ...  oh, and slept   :-)

I love you,

Mamma <3

Welcomed Home {306}

Dear Miss Dinah,

After a (short) 6 hours in the car, we are back HOME after a month of being on the road! I asked your Poppa if he thought you'd wake up in your crib tomorrow and think that all of the traveling was just a dream? :-)

This morning: playing around with cousins before departing. Griffin is so sweet to you. Always in the mood for a quick game of Peek-a-Boo. Also lets you borrow his cars. His hair is still colored and spiked from the red gel he put in yesterday in support of his favorite football team. We love you, Grif!

This evening: welcomed home by your Guinni, and your great aunt Leslie.

You guys played a rousing game of Peek-a-Boo complete with lots of giggles.

Getting to know your sweet, sweet aunt.

Still coughing and sneezing, but you seemed to be in better spirits today. You did quite well in the car, just wanted me to reach my hand back and hold yours, or stroke your head every once in a while. Now finally, snuggled in your bed (with Pizwit until she finally sneaked out).

That (not so) little kitty of yours in happy back at home. We were told however that she was really getting into a groove in her temporary home. She even got invited back for Christmas!

Here's one last picture from Oklahoma I found tonight. It's from the park after you, Cassidy, and I had left.

Grif, Logan, and Miss Camrey

I'm pretty sure Miss Camrey is crossing her eyes in this photo :-)

I love you,

Mamma <3

Stopping over in OK {305}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Late last night we arrived here at cousins house. Thankfully you got a good night sleep, as you are not feeling so great :-(

The last time we were here was almost a year ago... my how you have changed.

Waking up to 'Wipeout' on the Wi with the cousins.

Griffin, you and Daddy, Camrey, and Logan.

This afternoon Aunt Carmel and Uncle Ryan went to the OU/OSU football game, and we played at the park. Daddy pushed you HIGH and you, curled up in a little ball, flopping around, howled with laughter. I tried to capture some of it:

Miss Camrey helping you eat dinner.

 

Sweet girls... Miss Camrey is so loving and patient with you. She is so attentive and always wanting to help you out... "Dinah! Would you like some yogurt? Would you like some tea? Here! Let's play cars! Dinah, look! A doggie!"

 

I love you,

Mamma <3

Memphis {304}

Dear Miss Dinah,

In the car yesterday for fourteen hours, it was necessary to take many stops :)

One of our favorites was this one in Memphis:

This is 'Pyramid Arena' which was originally built as a basketball arena, but was very short lived for a variety of mishaps -- the first of which was that it was flooded on opening night! Soon it will be turned into a sporting goods mega store complete with a glass elevator and zipline across the store!

Railroad tracks and part of the downtown:

We walked in the visitors' center and you stared up (and up, and up...) at a very large statue of BB King. You stood and stared for quite sometime. "Ta - oo..." you would later say.

 

Then we turned around and saw none other than... Elvis Presley! 

I love you,

Mamma <3

How To Have a Productive Thanksgiving {303}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Good morning little turkeys!

Please start out this day by doing some dishes.

Be sure to take time to veg out.

Then cook us a nice breakfast.

Sweep the deck if you would.

Get some fresh air and take in some rays.
Oh, get a haircut too while you're at it :-)

Organize the bookshelf.

Match outfits with your cousin.

Find a suitable ride, and go for a drive.

Enjoy turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, bread (and pumpkin log, pecan pie, and fudge pie!) with family and friends. 

Find a comfy chair and curl up with a Daddy.

Uncle Jer and little Emma Clover

I love you,

Mamma <3