Meet Murphy

I realized I've left an important family member out of this blog. Sorry Murphy. Probably not surprising, since I sometimes forget to feed him too. Hold on, don't call the PETA people! Only once or twice, when Chris was out of town (since feeding Murphy is usually part of his routine instead of mine.) I've never forgotten to feed the kids though! That's good, right?

Murphy is the sweetest (unless he's going through the trash), most loyal (unless he's playing deaf while I'm calling his name), tolerant (unless there's a thunderstorm), loving (yet attention deprived) dog ever. He was an abused dog who was rescued by a retired Vet and taken to Happy Tales Humane. We adopted him in Dec. 2001 and he's loved us ever since. And even though I often tell him differently, I really do love him too, quirks and all, because he always generously returns the favor.

Wedded Bliss

On August 30th our dear friends Samantha and Jamie were married. Maya was the flower girl and Jonah the ring bearer, although he preferred to be called the prince. I believe that means Maya's prince, since all they can talk about now is marrying each other. I keep having to remind them that we're not from Kentucky. (Just kidding. That's a little jab at some dear friends, just to see if they are reading this.) Maya was a gorgeous little flower girl/princess who took her responsibility very seriously. And Jonah was the cutest ring bearer/prince ever (no bias here.) He tried very hard to smile for all the pictures (you all know that is not something he enjoys) and did everything we asked of him even though our poor little man was in the midst of a stomach bug, unbeknownst to any of the wedding party. There were a few choice moments where we thought he might toss his cookies in the middle of the ceremony, but my tough little guy pulled through, even to the reception where he finally got to dance with Mommy (and Maya with Daddy.)

There is a cute sidenote on that: earlier we had shown them our wedding video and when it got to the part at the reception where Chris and I had our first dance Jonah started crying and said "I wanted to dance with Mommy at the Ball!" They're taking this prince and princess stuff seriously, I'm telling you.

Mommy with the Prince and Princess.

Omi joins in the fun. Would you believe she made that beautiful wreath for Maya's hair? Those are real hydrangea from her garden. Thanks Mom!

Typical response to the camera.

Mom, Dr. Bill and Sandy (lovely Mother of the Bride).

Getting ready to walk down the aisle. I think it was about 30 seconds after I snapped this shot that Jonah announced "I have to throw up!" I grabbed him and began to dash to the bathroom, but looked back and saw only two more bridesmaids before their turn to walk. I looked down and asked him again how he felt. Miraculously, he said he was ok. So, down the aisle they went.

I hung back in the lobby with Baby Lukie and when the ceremony was over I was so proud that they made it back up the aisle too. Only, a few minutes later Chris, with a sweat soaked brow and big eyes, informed me that he had just endured another "I'm gonna puke" moment, apparently just as the bride and groom were announced husband and wife. Chris shoved our sweet, sick prince's head into a bag right as the happy couple were begining to walk back up the aisle. Jonah held his cookies though (what a trooper) and Daddy sent our lovely flower princess and ring prince back up the aisle, along with the rest of the wedding party and no one was the wiser. Phew!

A post ceremony celebratory hug.

My beautiful Flower Princess.

My sweet Ring Prince.

This is a short clip of Daddy and Maya dancing at "the ball." And Jonah being infatuated with his true love - the guitar. (Remember to scroll down and pause the blog playlist if you want to hear the video clip.)

And where are the lovely bride and groom, you ask? I can't believe this is the only picture I have of them that night. If I get a better one I'll update this.

Mouse House

One evening recently while Chris was out of town and Luke was at Mom's, I took my two eldest to Chuck E. Cheese's, per their fervent requests. (And yes, I brought along a large pack of hand sanitizing wipes and prayed for germ protection.) They had a blast and we racked up 200+ tickets! Woo hoo. Enough for two pastic sharks, which they played with in the tub that night as I scrubbed them down.

Maya was really good at this game.
Chatting it up with Bob the Builder.
Air hockey! A family favorite... as long as Maya wins.

Round and round. We love the carousel!
Mister Conductor.
My two sweeties with "The Mouse", as Jonah calls him.

Next time you're there make sure to splurge and get the sketch artist booth picture thingy done. The 'drawing' usually turns out really well. I even have one framed and people have asked where we had it done. I'm serious!