Haila In the Highchair

Sometimes when we eat too much it makes us sleepy. Unfortunately for us grown ups, if we fall asleep at the table, we could be at risk for serious injury. However, if you are a one year old, and still in a high chair, have at it.

Haila had eaten most of her food and I was putting the older kids to bed and left her in the chair to finish. I gave her the sippy cup, hoping she'd be done and ready to get down when I got the others in their beds. Little did I know she had finished and wasn't waiting for me to get her in the crib!

She slept while I cleaned her up, took her out of the highchair and put her into bed. TOO CUTE! I wish that they would stay this small forever!

Mary's Big Suprise

So a couple of weekends ago there was a suprise party for Samantha's Mimi (aka Mary Caulder) who turned 60 this year! She was falsely lured to the church under the pretense that she would be picking up Samantha from an all day crop to take her to dinner. However, she had been lied to for quite some time and it was actually a suprise party with many of her friends and family in attendance. This is the face she made when she saw everyone in the gym, not cropping, but actually waiting for her! Gotta love it!

Haila was sitting in the middle of table just being too cute and I caught this teethy smile! She is growing up so fast...where did the little baby go?

Carley loves to dance. It doesn't matter what kind of dancing it is, just so long as she is moving, jumping, being silly...Here is some made up crazy Carley dance....at least she thinks it's hysterical!

Lane loves to dance to and makes up the craziest dances and "cheers" you have ever heard...but she makes you laugh, and she laughs too. Here she is doing the chicken dance. Who doesn't look silly doing it? Karcen noticed my camera and stopped dancing...she's not getting caught doing it!

So maybe Karcen is following in Lane's footsteps. Here she is "dancing" with one foot tapping and her finger in her mouth... maybe it will be the next big dance craze!

The Camper Is Here!

The wait is over...our camper has arrived. Actually it arrived last Wednesday, but we didn't know it until Friday, and we couldn't get our walk through scheduled until today. And by walk through, I mean our 2 HOUR visit with Dennis, our "walk through technician" who told us what all the buttons do and where everything is. Do I remember it all now...not so much. But that's what I have camping friends for, I hope! Our dear friend Mike did come and help us out with the questions and checking it all out, which Jenn and I were very thankful for!

So here are some pictures of OUR camper!

This is the side with 2 slide outs...front one is living room, back is bedroom...very exciting stuff.

This is Zachary getting a lesson on the airbed that is inside the couch....He is listening very intently! I only took Zach and Cheyenne with me to the camping place because my dear friend Lennie said she would help me out with the other five...little did she know it would be two hours later! The kids had a great time with Klay, checking out all of the bunks and night lights, Cheyenne's favorite feature. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lennie for your help, we would have been nutty with all seven trying to listen to all of the ins and outs of the camper!

And here is the other side of the camper with the other bedroom slide and Zachary yelling inside the door...Nannie are you in there? Nope, Nannie has left the camper!

Below is one side of the bedroom and a view of the master bedroom...Klay taught Zach and Cheyenne how to climb to the top bunk. Zach says he wants to sleep on the top, I am thinking no though, I would hate to be awakened in the middle of the night because he rolled off onto someone below!

The camper is being brought to my house on Tuesday until after the race, so that we can put some stuff into it, and then it will go to the beach for our first outing! I can't wait to see how it all goes with the kids, the dogs and us!

Waiting for the Camper

So many of you know that my sister, Jennifer, and I are in the process of buying a camper. It is actually called a travel trailer, but I guess that's the same thing. It is big, 35 feet long I think, with sleeping room for 10. Why so many do you ask? Well, to have room for all of my kids of course. Me and 7 kids in a camper - Have I lost my mind? Probably, but we are going to give it a go anyway. The plan is to take the kids down when I can, school breaks, etc. and for the month of July. Jenn says she's coming down when the kids are gone home... probably a smart move. Here is a picture of a similar camper. This is not our camper, because our camper is not here yet. I am not a patient person by nature, and this is no exception. I am ready to "see it with my hands". We have the financing ready, insurance has been researched, and we are supposed to have delivery this week. It is Wednesday now, and I am ready. My camping friends tell me to be patient, that their campers didn't come exactly when scheduled, but I am waiting impatiently anyway.

It has 3 slideout things, to give you extra room. Bedroom on the end with bunks on top, twin beds underneath that and trundles underneath the twin beds...I will not be sleeping here if I can help it. This area will be reserved for children and skinny people. I will be on the other end of the camper in the master bed or on the pull out sofa in the living room, whichever is most comfortable and not filled with other crazy people joining us on a camping adventure.

The kitchen is perhaps the place I am most concerned about...I have to cook for 8 people at least in this kitchen. As you can see, it is very small. We will be planning ahead meals, for sure. My kids eat a lot. And those of you who know me well, know that my organizing skills leave much to be desired. Perhaps this is my chance to become an organizing master. Perhaps.

I am looking forward to trying the camper out this month. IF it ever gets here. I know, I know, patience. Whatever. Patience is overrated.

I have to get my little digital camera up and running so that I can post some everyday pictures of the kids and our fun adventures. My friend Lennie says I need to put a camera on my birthday list. I think it's a great idea. Then you can all see firsthand what it is I do all day. And no it is not eat bon bons and watch soap operas. Just in case that's what you thought.

Nannie's First Blog

Greetings from the craziness that is my typical day...For those of you who may not know all of the children I keep, this picture is from the summer 2007 and features the whole full time crew. From left it's Lane, Zachary, Karcen (in my lap), Peyton, Carley (far right), Cheyenne (next to me) and Haila (baby)- whew....that makes me tired just thinking about it.

I have been inspired by my "bestest" friend Lennie's blog for the past few years and I hope that mine will entertain and keep you informed as well!

I am creating this blog to share news from the days at Nannie's house, pictures from our outings and tales from the camper as we embark on daycare trips to the beach! So check back soon to see all the fun! I can't promise the witty style of Lennie's husband Jeff, but I can promise that there's never a dull moment around here...you never know what's going to happen with us.