Halloween

This was was real low key. I was feeling horrible and had no desire to make a big deal about halloween. Costumes were not planned real well. It was not as exciting as usual, but the kids had a good time anyway, I think.

Maddison had a pumpkin patch at school where she got to go and pick out a pumpkin and carve it. She met up with her best friend, Zoe.

Both Maddison and Hana had activities at school that they had to dress up for. They had a parade around the school. Hana's class had to dress up as a character from any Dr. Seuss book. She chose Cindy Lou Who. I decided to dress her up as the one from the movie, not the book. Her hair was so long that it still had a few inches hanging down after it was done. (we got it to stand up even higher than this picture) And, surprisingly, there were several other girls at school with the same hair!

Maddison's class dressed up as crickets from the book "The Quiet Cricket". They all made thier costumes in class, so I was happy not to have to do anything! They all looked so cute!

At night, we went to church for "trunk-or-treat". Of course, no pictures were taken by me. Hana stayed dressed as Cindy, Maddison wanted to be a fairy, and Chloe was a witch. Maybe next year we will make it more exciting!

Ben and Mackenzie

Bryan's younger brother, Ben, got married Oct. 10th. Here are some pictures of the event!!

The boys walking in...or rather, dancing....to a Michael Jackson song.

Their little sister, Sydnie, was the flower girl and dressed just like the bride. All 3 brothers were crying as she was walking down the aisle. I dont look at the bride when she comes down the aisle...I like to look at the groom and the smile on his face. Ben's was priceless!Ben and MackenzieOur cute little family "Aunt" Sydnie, Bryan's little sister, and the girlsCody, Bryan and Ben The girls favorite part of the night was the dancing, and boy did they do a lot of it. Favorite dance partner? Daddy, of course. I did a little, but I was feeling a litte sick, so they stuck with daddy most of the night.

September 29

My grandfather had been sick for a while. But recently, it had gotten worse and he was diagnosed with leukemia. It took over fast and within a couple of weeks, he passed. He knew it was his time and he was at peace. He was able to have all of his 5 girls together to say goodbye and he had led a wonderful life. So, we made the trip up to Wheaton, Il for the services. The whole family was able to make it...all the cousins and spouses and great-grandchildren were there. Some of us, including myself, had the opportunity to speak at the funeral and share some of grandpa's favorite scriptures.

As sad of a time as it was, it was good to see the family. The kids had a great time with thier cousins, my sisters children. I was able to spend some good time with my sister, who lives on the complete opposite side of the country, Washington. We went to a favorite spot growing up in Wheaton...Cosley Park!Lisa's kids and my girlsThe kids decided to have a "sleepover" in the living room one night. I was surprised that they were all asleep by 10pm!All of the cousins, spouses, and great grandchildren, with grandmaThinking about fhe plane ride home made me nervous. I flew alone with the kids on the way up, and the way back home, I was alone with them as well. I thought they would be horrid, but they were so good! They listened to music and didn't fight at all!!!!

First things first....

Well, I am trying to upload all the pictures from the past 3 months. But, before I do that... Most of you already know, Melick baby #4 is on its way! Thats right...sometime in June!!!

We are back. Our computer is fixed and up and running. I have SO much to catch up on. 3 months worth of updates. So....stay tuned!!!! Lots of pictures to go along with the updates so we dont bore you in the process.

We are still here...kinda. Our computer completely broke and until we get it fixed...who knows when that is...I am doing work at the library. Lots of updates to come....hopefully soon!!!

This used to hang in my house growing up, and now I have it in my kids room...

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, Babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby, and babies dont keep. I never really understood it until I had my own children....

So, what have you been up to?

You would think with Hana and Maddison in school, it would give me so much more time to get things done, like cleaning and the massive piles of laundry. No, I dont do that. Instead, we play! Chloe has LOVED having me to herself. So, this is what we have been up to.....blowing bubbles, going swimming, going to the library, looking out my bedroom window to see if "Mr. Spider" is still there...because if he is, that means he is NOT in my bed!

Waiting for long periods of time in the car rider line for the girls at school...getting slurpee's and talking to friends on the phone while waiting in car rider line...seeing aligators while picking up the girls at school...yes, he was outside, across the street from where we pick them up!Pulling massive amounts of weeds...before....After...Chasing Big Redplaying dress up

finger paintingplaying with the webcam when the computer was broken...the camera still worked! and finally, we sleep. She was so worn out one day, that she fell asleep like this...notice the undone laundry next to her!!!!Stay tuned for more exciting adventures!!!!

Just another day....

Living here, there are lots of animals all around us, thanks to the Munns. So, I constantly have people coming to our door for different reasons. One day, a lady came running up and said "you know your big black animal that is out there?" "Oh, you mean the WATER buffalo?" "Yeah. I think he may be in trouble. I just saw him walk down to the lake and he went under water! Do you think he is ok?" "Yes, mam, he is a WATER buffalo. That is what they do."

Well, one day a couple weeks ago, I was leaving to go take Chloe swimming, when a truck pulled in our driveway. A man jumped out and said he saw the water buffalo and the longhorn fighting and now the longhorn was running down Pine Grove Rd towards 192 and there was no one out there except a little mexican man trying to chase him. So, I drove out and sure enough, poor Jorge was trying to coax Big Red with a bag of food. It wasnt working. I got Bryan out there, Daniel came, and a few neighbors and I chased him with the car. He ended up going into some peoples back yards...

He headed down Pine Grove rd....and the guys would try and get him while I blocked him off with my car. It took a while, lots of traffic, some close calls with a few trucks, but they finally got him back to the pen.

Chloe thought it was funny!

Never a dull moment, I tell you!