Just a day

     I logged on this morning to look at an old post about one time Hannah had a high fever.  That's because Riley is going on day 5 of 105 fever.  It's been a good run without high fevers, we really haven't had one since Joshua has been born.  Of course we ended up in the ER, because that's our life as parents.  She was crying and complaining about pain exactly where your appendix would be.  However, they couldn't find any reason for the pain last night.  She still complained about being in pain after we got home, she woke up crying saying it hurt.  And she's still running a high fever.  We'll just see how today goes.

    While I'm here, I thought I throw some photo's up, to show what the kids have been up to.

Hannah had her first dance competition on March 18th.  

Riley and Joshua together.  

Riley, making herself comfortable at a football game last fall.  

Riley and Joshua.  They're either laughing and screaming or yelling and screaming.  Loudly.  There's not much in between.  

Painting in the backyard.

I was in a play at Christmas.  It was time consuming and exhausting.  And fun.  It was a lot of fun.  

It was called Christmas in Mayberry.

Riley received an Anna doll from Santa.

These guys came over Christmas.  It was magical.  

Joshua's favorite truck.  

Anna also wears Riley's clothes.  Here's she's just sporting Riley's shoes.  

Riley and I made cookies for preschool.  

Hannah received a guitar for Valentines day.  

Hannah's art work, shown in dance pose. 

Girls.  

Joshua does not need diapers.  Now if I could just get him to realize that.  

More from Hannah's first competition.  

I took 10 minutes to go over Hannah's grammar work, and these two painted the carpet and doors and themselves.  

David and I ran a marathon together.  It was a tough course.  Very hilly.  We both had moments of grumpiness with each other.  David hurt his knee.  But we did it together! 

Riley Moon 

Happy Halloween - 2012

Riley did this on her own. 

Hannah's costume.  The one on top was taken about a month ago, when she first got the costume.  The one on bottom was taken on Halloween.  

Me and my sister.  I miss her.  

Round 1.  We headed out a little after 4 pm.  Trick or treating hours lasted from 4 to 8 here.  That's the longest I've ever seen but it's kinda nice to head out before it gets frigid.  

Ready to go

And she's off

Me and the bear. 

The Griswold's House.  Or so one would think.  

I have never seen a house so decorated for Halloween.  Really.  You can't walk through their front yard.  But I like it.  I think it's great they are so into Halloween.  

Insert dinner break.  We had chili.  And Hannah got to hand out some candy, which she really enjoyed doing.  

Round 2, after dinner.  It took a minute for her to get back into it.  We explained that trick or treating in the dark is much better than going out during the day.  

Riley, all bundled up.  She enjoyed being out, babbling and smiling most of the night.  

Cherry Grappa and Coffee, a quasi cafe correcto.  It was quite yummy.  And I forgot how cold I was.  Okay, who am I kidding, I didn't forget anything, I just didn't care as much.  

Hanging in there.  

Hannah was super excited to go to this house because she liked the decorations.  

I liked this.  

By the end of the night, she was dragging her candy bag.  But she still wanted to keep going. 

End of the night candy inspection.  Also known as let's see what you got and what I want! 

David explaining something to Hannah.  Who knows what it was.  

Riley found a lollipop she enjoyed.  

Then Riley propped herself in the middle of Hannah's candy and played with it.  

It was a great night.  Hannah was more into this year than last.  She enjoyed being out at night, and seeing all the lights and decorations are they are intended to be seen.  And we had fun.  Aunt Debbie lives in a great neighborhood for trick or treating.  They have nice, wide streets and sidewalks everywhere.  It was obvious that a lot of people from around here travel to this neighborhood to go trick or treating.  

Catching up with Casey

David and I had an agreement in place when I conceded to pack us all up and move to Illinois.  The agreement was that I would fly to see Casey after she had my niece, without argument from David.  I bought my ticket at the end of May.

And waited, excitedly, for August 2nd.  

Just 3 days before the girls and I leave, I found out that Ethan wasn't going to be there for most of my time there.  I struggled for about 24 hours over what to do.  I pondered putting off the trip, so that I could be in California with Ethan.  Eventually, I decided to continue with my plans, because I couldn't guarantee I would be able to go later in the.  If something were to prevent me from going I at a later date, I would not be able to forgive myself for passing up this trip.  

So Hannah, Riley and I flew out to see Casey, Matt and Annalisa.  We knew it wouldn't be the same.  We knew it would be hard when we talked to Ethan.  But we also knew that we'd still have a good visit.  The other downside to my trip was that Casey would have to leave for 3 days.  She actually had to fly back to NC for family court (it's a super long, complicated story).  

Since getting to Casey's house, we've spent hours talking.  It's been so good to catch up with her.  Casey and I have always been close.  I feel blessed to be as close to my sister as I am.  

We haven't done any exciting things yet.  We did make it out to the wineries.  When she gets back with Ethan, we're going to head out to the ocean.  I've never seen the Pacific.   

Today, Casey flies out for NC.  She'll be back on Friday with Ethan, and a whole new set of fun times will begin then.  In the meantime, the girls and I will explore California and spend time with my friend Pam.