Milestones and Miles-stones

Wow...it's been a long time since I've written. Too long. It's been a busy few months. Here's a little rundown on what's been going on here. We had all my grandbabies together here in May, which was hectic but oh so nice!! For Mother's Day, I had all 3 of my children with me, which hasn't happened in a few years. Megan and I went to North Carolina so she could meet her favorite NASCAR driver. Then Megan went to Texas for 6 weeks in June. I traveled to Texas a couple of times, and to Mississippi too. Of course Stan is always traveling somewhere. Plus there are more travels in my future....to see my granddaughters...go on a cancer awareness walk...watch my sweet niece become a wife. Life can be very hectic and busy. Time has a way of getting away from us. It's up to each of us to stop, take a breath, and remember what is truly important in our lives.

So here are some milestones that have happened for us this year (funny how most of them are age-related)....just to name a few:

Our grandson Chase turned one in April (today he is 16 months old). He is a sweet boy, who is easy-going for the most part. But he definitely has a temper and he's not afraid to use it!!! He's working on walking now and then it's watch out!!

Our oldest granddaughter Audrey will be two tomorrow. She is a sweet, mischievous, beautiful, stubborn girl who knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it!! And already she has a shoe fetish!!!

Our youngest granddaughter Kayla is seven months old now. She's starting to crawl and getting teeth and is just the happiest baby! She has the most wonderful crooked smile that can melt your heart!

Melissa turned 25 (wow...and yet I am still so young!!). Megan turned Sweet 16 and is a junior this year. Matt is 22 but says he can't wait until he's 25 because then I'll be twice his age (pain in the butt boy!).

And then there is Stan, who will turn the big 5-0 in a couple of weeks!!! And yet, I'll still be in my LOW 40's!! Arguments, anyone??? Didn't think so!!

Even the dog is having her milestones....like she's almost A MILLION YEARS OLD now!!!!!

And then this summer, I had something happen to me that has never happened to me before!!! It happened to Stan a while back and I'm sure it has happened to millions of people already. But for me, it was a first!

It happened in Claude, TX, population 1313 on June 30, 2010!!

I finally drove a car for 100,000 miles!!!

Yes, I stopped to take pictures. I must be a geek at heart!!

Farm Swap

As I was getting some stuff done around the house this morning, the show Wife Swap happened to come on. I don't watch that show, although like today I do catch bits of it, enough to know that I don't really like it. I hope that the people on it are not really like that in their real life. But it did get me thinking about what some other "wife" would have to do at my house. All I can say is that it's okay if the house gets dirty....if she forgets to pick Megan up at the bus stop....if she doesn't like running errands for Stan....if she totally hates living in my house....BUT, she better take good care of my FarmVille farm!! Those pink cows are priceless!!!

Sweet Baby Boy

While I loved being with my granddaughters for so long, I did miss a few things here in Colorado. The mountains, the unpredictable weather, my house, my husband and the kiddies....just to name a few.

And boy did I miss this face:

Our sweet little grandson, Chase. He's such a sweetie and such a happy baby! I got to see him on the webcam...and that was nice. But it's not the same as smooching on him in person! For the few weeks I was gone, Chase grew so much. His hair is coming in (but only on top...too cute!). He is still working on his first tooth, which means drooling ALOT. He's still not crawling...he's happy to be sitting on the floor with toys all around (takes after his daddy on that one).

Nana missed you so much, Chasey-Wasey!! I'm happy to be smooching on you again in person!!

Why We Have Our Babies Young

I just spent 4 weeks with my daughter and her family as they prepared for the arrival of their baby girl. Stan, Megan and I drove to MS for Christmas, then traveled to TX to visit with Melissa, Mark and Audrey. Stan and Megan had to leave to go back home before the baby was born, and I stayed on to help out in any way I could. And thus began my wonderful, tiring, awesome, worn out, amazing journey with my granddaughter!

She is one busy little girl.

Driving around in her car.

Playing dress up with blankets.....

....and hats.

Then there's the tunnel to crawl through. And yes, Nana even crawled through it too!! No picture (thank goodness!!)

The amazing ball pit!

Laughing at daddy as he jumps to reach the balloon!!

Dancing!!!

Wearing...I mean eating...her food!

The never-ending stinky poopy faces!!!

We did make time to admire Kayla, the newest member of our family.

Overall, I am one pooped nana....and I loved every single minute of it! Audrey and I had a lot of together time while mommy and daddy were off having a baby. I re-learned how to carry a wriggly child along with a purse, groceries and a sippy cup and walk up a flight of stairs. Some how you forget how busy kids are, how they are non-stop action from morning to night. How they get into EVERYTHING!! I miss those days. I really do. And I truly learned why we have our kids young....we needed the energy!!

Many thanks to the men in my life. To Stan for not complaining about me being gone so long. To Matt for staying at the house to be with Megan when Stan had to travel....and also while we were all gone over Christmas, for staying at the house to watch the dog. You both are wonderful!! Thank you.

And thanks to Melissa and Mark for putting up with me. For giving us such beautiful, wonderful grandbabies!! I'm so proud of both of you!