She's 5!

Katie Mei is officially 5! We celebrated with an appointment for tea at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort where they do it right! This mom's heart was beating fast as all 3 little ladies, Mom Jo and Aunt Tanya tried to NOT break any Royal Albert Old Country Roses REAL china. Whew!! Between the swan cakes, 'grass' sandwiches and lots of the tea stuff......it was a wild success! No major mishaps either!! Happy Birthday sweet girl!!

Jon and Julie's Engagement Pic

We Graduated!

Friday was the last day for Katie Mei's preschool years. She officially graduated from Florida's Voluntary Pre Kindergarten program. We will miss our preschool so much! The teachers and director are magnificent and have made our years there extraordinary!! But alas....we have to grow up. Miss Katie was officially the tiniest of the grads and did us proud by SINGING LOUD and waving at her obnoxious family during the program. Then on to 'Crackle Barrell' to finish off the celebration. Since we have a summer birthday they celebrated Katie's at school that day too.....so we had to wear our crown. The folks at the restaurant seemed to think another celebration was in order so who are we to turn down food??!!

So When You Have Asthma....

Every three months (unless there's a problem) we go and have our lung functions done. It's a pretty technical and interesting process which never ceases to amaze me. Pretty simple for the patient (yea!!) but fascinating from the interpretation perspective. I wonder how many lives could've been saved had this been available even 25 years ago??!! Leni's numbers were awesome even though she's been running a temp and has some fluid this week. Woot!

Silent (but funny) Saturday!

No, We Haven't Fallen Off the Face of the Earth

Just extremely busy with end of the school year stuff. Katie Mei graduates from Pre-K next week. This Mama was asked by the teacher if "you could try and get Katie to class on time at least the last week of the year because we have graduation practice." I am making an attempt of great magnitude...because every 4 year old must be able to have all that grad stuff down pat and committed to memory don't cha think??! Heh. Actually I'm pretty sad because no more little ones in preschool for us. Next year all will be in big girl school.....which is another area we've been exploring. More on that later. Here's the gang on Mom's day. Sorry it's a little blurry. I was laughing at the squirmy, screaming, cutie in Mel's arms that will be pure delight around age one (she's delightful now...just a little high-maintence). We love all our people. Smile.

Proof Positive

We got to take the classroom dog "Happy Pappy" home for the weekend. Boy did he/she have adventures! Happy Pappy endured a trip to Sea World where you will see 'proof positive' that Katie Mei is officially tall enough at almost age 5 to ride Shamu (you have to hit the bottom of the blue line to ride with an adult).....but Happy Pappy had to sit in the stroller and watch. He was much, much too short and not nearly as brave as Katie. BTW......Leni was 42 inches tall at age....3. Katie is just hitting 39. Poor kid will never be able to leave the kid section at theme parks!

When You Have Alot of Strong Personalities....

It's bound to happen if not several times a day.....more likely several times an hour around here. What am I talking about? With many personalities bursting at the seams here, someone, somehow, someway is getting their feelings smashed (or a body part) throughout our days. While we strive for peace and harmony....on one recent evening Katie was the recipient of an 'attack' by a sister unheard or seen by the parents. We turned trauma into happiness by bringing out the......nail polish. A mani and pedi for Katie Mei did the trick and she was feeling quite superior as she sauntered back to her sisters to show off her newly glossed fingers and toes (given with lots of hugs....because she's the lowest on the food chain...let's face it). Happy yet again.

Honestly, We Don't Know If We're Coming Or Going...

These are crazy nutty but glorious days! Lots going on! We can't decide if we're coming or going....or when to come up for air....as these pics reflect. We did take the time to capture the innocence of childhood on a recent trip out to Disney land. They will grow up way too soon!

They're Getting Married!!!!!!

Anyone want to hear the story?????? Our daughter Julie and Jon are getting married.......probably sometime in the fall.....and we're just a little excited! Oh a Happy Easter it was for us!

Pretty Darn Excited...

That these ladies have finished their school curriculum for this year! Don't know how in the world we did that other than when we work we work really, really hard. We've had so many interruptions with surgery, and medical tests that this is an amazing feat! However....and that's a BIG however.....we have many days yet unfilled to finish our required days. Yes...we ordered more books, and we'll get around to those....but here's a sneak peek at some of the things we've done lately that encompass school and the world known as .....us. Heh.


Here's Caroline! At a whopping 3 weeks old:)

Cade surprised Katie by picking her up at school and got to PPPPLLLLLLAAAAYYYYYY all day!


Make Paper Mache Easter Bowls to paint....Messy, messy, messy....and did you know the glue is edible? They found that out!

Tried out the pool....brrrrrrr!

Jammed a finger (mine!)....and boy! That mama can whine!

Got buried with our shoes on....after running 2 mi to the park (and back)!

Got in a little dizzyesque spinning.

Took these cuties to the Science Center......here's how I make them line up as we travel hither and yon to keep track of them!

Always time for a gymnastics break when learning all things Science....

My Leni at the new toy exhibit at the Science Center.

Science Center fun....and giving Mel-the-mommy time with her newborn!

The Clean Up

Yep...they're in there some where. Smile.

Can You Guess?

The ladies have been very crafty lately....which leads to some interesting discussions and items laying around. I love their creativity! Can you guess.........
Which hand-painted tea set belongs to which girl? If you know them, it shouldn't be a hard decision. Mostly they have LOUD discussions of whose is the top "prize"....but this mommy loves them all!

One Week Old ....

Got to see sweet Caroline today. She's tucked in all nice and cozy ready for the world to do her royal bidding. Isn't she beautiful?? Yea...we agree. Mom and Dad are doing great! Cade is adjusting well and is today at our house working off some steam with the aunties:)

Tornados, A Nephew and a Couple of Divas

Messy day today. Lots of rain and tornados around our area. Boo...hiss. So, as Cade came over to visit we had to decide what in the world to do. Cade decided to make his mommy a special refrigerator magnet (SHHHHH! We want Mommy to be sooo suprised!) ...which lasted all of 3 seconds. Heh. All 4 LOVED the colored peanuts made from cornstarch. They stick together with a little water. See the log cabin? Laura Ingalls herself would be proud. Leni painted a birdhouse for her fine, feathered friends that hopefully won't be scared off by the BRIGHTNESS but oh-so-cuteness! ......and please, please take note of the divas getting their nails done. Oh my but they think they are all that and more. Funnest day we've had in a long time.......and it's still raining....and there's lots of daylight left. Guess we'll go paint our ceramic tea set...(GIANT eye-roll from Cade).

The Racetrack

Here's what the others do while Caroline is sleeping peacefully and being admiringly gazed upon in the other room:)

Meet Caroline!

Here's a glimpse of new granddaughter Caroline!

Scenes From Behind the Scenes....

Here's some views of the events of the day....when you choose to give birth in an office park....on a couch....in a waiting room...



Medana was so kind to bring Jason food because his real family didn't want to leave even for a minute (and miss the excitement!) to get him anything. She's the best!

The VanLue family of four....

Peeking at new baby Caroline...born just inside the door:)

Pacing, waiting, praying....pacing, waiting, praying....oh yea...and freezing!

Mel's Dad and brothers set up camp....their way.