Will & Santa December 22, 2008

When I missed seeing Santa in all the stores this year, mom found him and had him come to her house to see Will and take pictures! 

When it was time for the picture, he wasn’t just too excited but he wasn’t kicking and screaming either!

Decorating the Tree December 22, 2008

Even though we had a tree last year, Will was too young to help.  He had really enjoyed decorating the tree this year!

Granny’s House October 26, 2008

Besides knowing the answer is family…what is it that keeps us going to Granny’s house as a family?  Trey always laughs at me…because, whenever we are in Grenada…I always say “I’ve got to go to Granny’s house so that I can see everybody.”  He just looks at me and says “You know that not everybody can do that…right?”  He is right.  I have realized after years of hanging out with different families at different functions and holidays…almost everyone we know has “planned” visits with their family.  Not me!!!!!  I feel truly blessed…I can go down to Granny’s house on any given day at any given time and see my family if I stay long enough…not to mention have the best coffee in the world (it has to be the water…it is all I can figure out)!!!  I can see cousins, uncles, aunts, and multitudes of children.  My all time favorite moments are simply grabbing a cup of coffee and going out to the porch and sitting on the swing and visiting with whoever stops by…I wish life were always like that…and it is, as long as your at Granny’s House!!!!!

   The BEST coffee in the world!!!

Granny has the sweetest way with all the children…she always is willing to teach and show them anything and everything that they have questions about.  She has taught me so much through the years and now she is teaching and loving my children!!!!  

Where are we going? October 15, 2008

Sometimes Skyler says the funniest things…here is the latest:  We recently took a business/vacation trip to Disneyworld.  Skyler loves to fly and thinks that we are going on an adventure everytime we get on a plane…even though we tell her where we are going.  After takeoff…and we were climbing into the sky…the Sun was blinding us because is was so bright coming into the plane.  Skyler said “Mommy, where are we going?”  I told her we were going to Orlando where Disneyworld is located.  She looked at me like I did not know what I was talking about and said “I don’t think so…I think we are going to visit the sun!!!!”

  Here we are at the airport!

Missouri caves October 15, 2008

I recently took Skyler, Gunner and Gage to one of our local parks – Sequiota Park.  One of the facinating things about Missouri is that it is covered with caves!!!!  This paticular park has one that allows kiddos to explore…needless to say, this is their favorite park!

   

GILLON REUNION September 19, 2008

The get-to-together was a blast for us.  There are so many folks that we never get to see-we had a great time seeing everyone all sweaty–boy was it HOT!  The food was good as expected and we all had lots of laughs!

Cousins!  Nothing like it!

Where it all began–ALMOST!

We definitely need to do this every year.  Maybe it will be at a time that more people can come next time!

State Champ! September 19, 2008

In August, Carlin skiied in Fayetteville, Tn to win the State Championship tournament in the Junior Expert division. WE had great time at the tournament.  I won a drawing for a new Hyperlite wakeboard and all kinds of goodies.   This tournament qualified Carlin to ski at the U.S. Championship tournament in Bakersfield, CA.  However, she decided to start  skiing in AWSA (Amererican Waterski Association) tournaments instead.

The Simple Things In Life August 28, 2008

I just wanted to share these pictures with you.  No matter how many toys you give children to play with, they always seem to find something else to occupy their time.  It is amazing the things that they end up loving to play with!

Disaster Supply Kit July 30, 2008

We just wanted to let you know that after 7 months away from our home…we are finally trying to move back in to our house in Republic, Missouri!!!  I say trying…because the moving company our insurance company hired to move all of our belongings we didn’t lose…has misplaced some basic necessities (mattresses, pillows, bookcases, etc). Good thing we took pictures of each room before they packed them for proof of our belongings.  YEH!!!!

 

Anyway…due to the disaster circumstances that forced us to move out of our house.  I feel I should urge all of you to create a Disaster Supply Kit.  After all…who knew a tornado would hit our house in January of all times…that’s not even tornado season!!!

 

I am in the process of restocking our Disaster Supply Kit and I would love for each of you to prepare for disaster before it strikes…hopefully never.  However, once disaster hits, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies…believe me I know!!!  We were sort of prepared, but not as prepared as we could have been.  I urge you to put together a Disaster Supply Kit that will guide you in the event of a disaster…tornado, flood, fire, etc.

 

First – Invest in a weather radio…I know this is crazy, but fortunately my sister asked me what I would like for Christmas last year and I as many of you know am terrified of tornadoes.  Anyway, I told her I would love to have a weather radio.  So, Christmas 2007…Carie gave me a weather radio for Christmas.  As soon as we got home from Christmas…I set it up, so that it would be ready to let me know about bad weather.  Who would have known that 2 weeks later that very radio went off warning of a possible tornado.  Trey took Skyler & Gunner downstairs and put them under two overturned couches to play tea party …minutes later the weather radio went off again saying a tornado was sited on the ground in Republic…even though our house & neighborhood sustained major damage…our family was safe!!!!

 

Second – The Kit…two large portable plastic boxes.  Have these boxes located in are where you would take cover in case of tornado.  These boxes have a double purpose…we used our boxes to collect water pouring from the ceiling to keep the house from flooding.

 

1st plastic box:

• Sturdy boots/rain boots for each member of your family (there was glass, nails & debris everywhere)
• Garbage Bags
• Flashlights w/ extra batteries
• Tarp (to stop leaks or save furniture)
• Tools (shut-off wrench, hammer, screwdriver, etc)
• Rain gear
• Baseball caps/leather gloves (for picking up debris)
• Duct tape & Plumbing tape
• Small fire extinguisher
• Disposable camera (Take pictures of the damage both to the house & its contents – for insurance purposes – before you start cleaning up anything!!!)

2nd plastic box:

• Change of clothes for each person in your family
• Blankets
• First aid kit/Tylenol
• Necessities for children (diapers, wipes, formula, etc)
• Comfort items/game for children (lollipops, toys, etc)
• Bottle water/snacks
• Paper/pen
• Phone #’s for utility company’s, banks, insurance & local hardware store
• Photocopy of all important documents (passports, credit card, driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license, etc.) in zip-lock bag
• Cash
• Backup copy of irreplaceable items…pictures(negatives, Cd’s, etc.)
• Important: Copy of personal household items pictures … do this NOW!!!

Pictures of every room in house from different angles

Open cabinet doors & take pictures of contents

Open drawers & take pictures

Pictures of your closet – insurance will require each piece of clothing to be itemized

Pictures of attic storage…detailed if possible

Pictures of garage

Pictures of yard

 

FYI: If you have never dealt with personal insurance claims…unless you have a total loss – most companies will require pictures, detailed list of items lost (name brand, item, cost, how old the item is (for depreciation)). 

 

I hope that none of you ever have to do through a disaster…however, if you do…I know the list above will help you & your family!!!!

Lake life… June 26, 2008

We love the lake life!!!  I don’t know what it is about the lake…that totally puts you at peace with the world and just lets you put everything behind you and just enjoy the moment.  Maybe it is the sun on your face…the wind in your hair…the thrill of riding the wakeboard…seeing the pure joy on children’s faces…or the quietness that comes from the boat putting the children to sleep (ha ha)!!!

Here are a few moments from our day at the lake!!!  Trey loves the thrill of trying new things…like his wakeskates…what a goof!!!!  He is totally making a spectacle of himself for the children!!!

    Skyler loved learning how to kneeboard on her own!!! She laughed & giggled most of the time and then she wuld have this serious face of concentration…she did not want to fall off while mommy was taking pictures!!!  Gunner just loves to goof off on the Boat Dock!!!  And little Gage just hangs out with momma on the boat or at the boat dock…always looking for shade, so he won’t get sunburned!!!