The World's Sweetest Girl Speaks

Click on the video link to see and hear the WSG talk to ya. It's almost as sweet as pie!



rosa jane speaks on Vimeo

A Very Merry Christmas

The Brown family flocked to our house for the first holiday gathering time ever. Everyone had a great time, but especially the kids -- Brett and Rosa Jane. Bree, the teenager, slept a lot, but that's no surprise, really. :-)

Click on the picture to see more from our fun time together.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, too. Here's looking at 2007: May it be filled with good health, peace, prosperity and laughter heard from miles and miles around . . .

Santa Pinches

Here's Rosa Jane at Don's company Christmas party. I guess you could say she didn't have the best time with Santa, but we sure did have fun meeting new folks tied to the baby leash.

The Pip Squeaker Sneaker

Laurie gives Rosa Jane special new shoes for her birthday. Rosa Jane LOVES them and wears them well. Check out the video:


RJ Eats and Squeaks on Vimeo

What a tribe!

Here we are at Aunt Page and Uncle Ken's house for the afternoon. It was wonderful to be together but way too short a time to visit with everyone. It's funny how kids change everything! We used to sit around the table and tell stories but now it's hurry up and eat so we can open the presents! The biggest hit were Caren's presents to the boys -- water ball shooting guns. Rosa Jane's new fascination is her new doll with zippers and buttons and velcro. Now Mama's purse is no longer safe zipped up. Thanks, Honey! ;-)

Good news! New Baby and Baby on the Way (Neither are ours!)

Congratulations to one of my all time best friends growing up, Laurie and her family, on the newest addition of Sloan Elise who was born today at 1:20 pm. They are the proud parents of Sam who so graciously is sharing his car with RJ. I can't wait to go meet the little sugar later this week. Not to mention to take pictures! I LOVE newborns!



And here's a happy couple, James and Kelly. They were my first wedding clients and are expecting their first baby in 8 weeks. I'm so happy for them and wish them all the best.

Leopard Best

First Craft

For those of you who know me well, I've been hankering for some good-n-messy art project for over a year now. Every day I ask myself, "is RJ old enough to enjoy some paper mache today?" I know the answer is always "NO! not today", but I just want to be ready for when the time has come.

Santa was visiting the Bee Cave Civic Hall yesterday so I dressed RJ up in her fanciest leopard print skirt. I didn't count on having to be in the picture with her. Following the brief photo session we went to the library and made our first craft. The girl scouts painted RJ's hand and we pressed it on a burlap sack hanging thingamabob. It was messy -- real messy -- but it all came out in the wash.

Nevertheless, I won't be trying any more crafts for a couple of months, or perhaps if she's stripped down to her diaper and there is another adult close by it would be okay.

Never mind that while I'm typing all of this, she digs through my pen jar on my desk and BINGO! She finds the one leaky pink pen. The spilled ink covers her hands, belly and feet. Pen caps on the markers no longer stand in her way.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in the dawn of the new era -- that of the terrifying toddler with marker in hand! Yikes! My, my this day has come earlier than expected.

Top of the agenda today: Find all markers and put them in a safety deposit box down at the bank. Only then will our walls and furniture truly be safe, I hope!

Lake Austin Rosa Jane

We went to Lake Austin yesterday afternoon to capture Amy and her family on film. The proofs would make a great flipbook. Amy and Peter frozen while the dogs keep watch for squirrels.

Afterwards the girls headed to First Thursday -- finally! It was so fun! Just wait 'til you see my new boots... They'll make you weep for sure.

Rules to Live By:

1. Never volunteer for a hair show even when it is your sister-in-law sweetly asking you to participate.

2. Never host a playgroup of 14 kids (12m - 5yrs) and 7 moms. It was all fine and dandy until the moms thought the 60 degree weather was too chilly to be outside.

Survival of the Fittest

There are many skills and traits for which parents like to assume credit. The fact that I've taught Rosa Jane to mimic my behavior is pretty cool -- like the rollers in her hair, for instance. When she started toting around one of my smaller purses I thought I needed to be more careful of my behavior around her, because while some is specifically taught, others are picked up just by observing. Rosa Jane does a lot of things of which I'm very proud.

But every morning the one behavior that blows me away is her natural instinct to survive. She instinctfully walks quickly to the edge of the stairs, then goes down to a crawl to slide on her belly all the way down. In my heart, it gives me great pride knowing she's innately a survivor.

Nevermind the tumble she took from the metal chairs to the concrete floor last week while dining with Robyn and me at Amy's Ice Cream.

Home Sweet Christmas Home

My good brother came over today to hang our festive lights. I do believe this is the first time I've ever had Christmas lights decorate my residence. I really like it. Thanks, Kev-O! You get the gold star today.

Although, I do have to mention that Rosa Jane was looking at a book of my photographs today and making "oooh" and "ahhhh" sounds at every page turn. I think she's quickly approaching sweet donr as my number one fan. ;-)

Auntie Robyn is the Coolest!

Yesterday Robyn and I had a couple of errands with the State. I knew it would be a long day of waiting and patience for the peanut. Towards the end, I tried to reward her good behavior with some play time at the playscape. Although it is no real surprise, I learned she just isn't old enough to be able to appreciate all the fun to be had there. Instead it was a frustrating experience of fall upon fall as she tried desperately to be a big kid.

On the way home, she cried and cried and was just so deliriously tired. I felt guilty for making such an unfun day for her that when we got home I put her in her new car for a little stroll around the driveway. It was ridiculous. I am a foolish mother. Of course she liked it, but she was too tired and it was just enough stimulation to keep her up even longer when what I really should have done was put her to bed to rest. Sometimes taking care of your youngster means being unfun and tears are shed and my heart breaks, but someone has to be brave enough to do what's right.

RJ gets a NEW CAR!!!

well, it's really on loan from the sweet boy running as fast as he can with RJ's baby stroller. We had a great visit with ol' Liberty folks Amy and Laurie as the kids played in the driveway. This was two days ago before the crazy 50 degree drop in temperatures. It's a chilly 30 degrees today, but the car sits outside the front window and RJ wimpers to go play with it.

More Snaps from Thanksgiving

Click on the picture to see more of my beautiful and thankful family.

cute girls, dead plant

kate came over for impromptu photo session. SO FUN!!! i really need to do more of this.

Thanksgiving Miracles

I saw this title over at Seebug's site and thought it was appropriate for our family photo, too seeing how Sare Bear flew in from MI, bro Kev-O made it and so did Uncle Bobby who had had a stroke just the week prior.

Happy Thanksgiving from us.

We had a lot for which to be thankful and lots of time to be with family. Poor Rosa Jane didn't get the "sleep in" memo and was up every morning with the 4am train. We thought about leaving her, or better yet, shipping her back to Michigan with her big sister, but she gave us that million dollar grin this morning and the rest is history.
Click on the picture to see more.

Meeting our new neighbor

Less than a month ago we got new neighbors. I was thrilled to find out they have a little one who is just right for RJ. Addison at 12mos and her nanny dropped by yesterday for an impromptu playdate. I loved having the company, but meeting a new adult friend and trying to referee grabby hands and a baby who doesn't know the concept of sharing is rough. It made me wonder if playing together will no longer be easy going, but rather making amends for embarassing behavior. Should we bar the door and keep to ourselves? Sally assures me it's just a phase, but still I'm wondering do we have a good egg or a bad one? Where's my little girl that gives kisses to everyone? ;-)

Sally, can you guess where we are?

Check out the new pictures of my little purse carrier and see what happens when Hank and RJ trade spaces.

The Revised Slideshow with Bonus Track

So, I'm having a little trouble getting the slideshow over to the right column. Instead it's just going to hover there over the title bar. Go on, click on it. But make sure you have a good 6 1/2 minutes. You're guaranteed a laugh or a smile, but sorry, we offer no refunds. Enjoy!

Today's Weather Forecast

I just checked Weather.com for our weather update. Here's what it said and I'm not kidding:

Plentiful Sunshine.

It's also a chilly willy 44 degrees at the moment but the mercury will rise to a high of 75. I hope you can scoop up some plentiful sunshine for yourself today, too.

Big Day for Sara! Orderup: CONGRATULATIONS!!

Late last night we received a very exciting call from the Pixie in Ann Arbor. She was offered a job at Boston Consulting Group in Chicago. YEE HAW, Sara Cat! We are so so proud of you and so excited for your next chapter which will start next fall. Words really can't express how your family feels right now, Sara. We love you, sweet girl. Way to be the absolute star. Bright and shiny. Congratulations!

Lola Cat Star Shine!

Click on the "Our Movies on Vimeo" to see the video of sweet Lola saying "Bless You" after a sneeze. Of course there is a brief cameo appearance of RJ at the end. I am her mother afterall.

Playdate in Town

Between all this toddlin' going on there's no time to blog. Click on the picture to see more from yesterday's playdate with the Petillos at the Children's Discovery Zone.

No need for a fancy 'do...

It's real windy here. Click on the picture to see more from yesterday's sunset.

Lola and Rosa Jane and the Art of Sharing

Last night the Petillos flew in from Nashville and paid us a visit at the Ranch. We loved their company and we're looking forward to seeing them again on Wednesday. The girls are two months apart. I love Lola and could just squeeze and squeeze her, but unfortunately she wouldn't let me touch her. She's the queen of eyelashes and flexibility and she can already say many words. Click on the baby squabble picture to see more from our evening...

Click on the "Our movies on Vimeo" link to the right to see a baby girl fight. It was too graphic to post directly on our blog.

You can't resist it

When it happens to you. I saw these cute people getting out of the car at Starbucks and I just had to get their picture. I love these people so much.

Watch Me, Little Girl, I Have the Know-How

A tribute to all those helpful Teen Magazine Beauty articles I read as a girl...

We have a big day today -- first we're headed to the middle school to do a little mentoring and then we're going to Kindermusik. All before naptime. This could be the challenge of our lives...

Two little Monkeys

Perhaps it is a clip only a mother will love ...



Two little Monkeys on Vimeo

Storytime at Starbucks

IMG_6289
Originally uploaded by The Roedner Fam.

New friends, delicious coffee and stories told by our friend, Ms. Andy. What's not to like?

ROCK THE VOTE!!!

Get out and vote, it's the coolest thing you can do today! I'm hoping for a new governor and if more people vote maybe things will change. I got my fingers criss-crossed.

Let it be noted that today RJ is the model baby. She slept from 8pm - 6am. This is a record for some many weeks she's been waking at various times throughout the night teething and just crying. Then she went down for a morning nap at about 9:30 am, so I baked in the AM. SO FUN!!! It's a new found pleasure. At 11, I woke her up and took her to the retirement community for bingo hour. We came home for lunch -- Sally's delicious chicken salad. We voted at 2ish. Came home and now she's napping again. I love when this girl naps! It's not so much what I do or get to do, it's just *INSIDE* I know it's going to be a less frustrating play time and therefore less stressful. Babies that nap are happy babies. Moms that have babies that nap are happy moms. Everybody wins.

Storytime at MOM's Club

We went to our first meeting of the local Mom's club. Deborah Foster sampled Kindermusik for the group. It was fun to see her again and we're looking forward to starting her class later this week. Since we last met, she told me she's been telling everyone how sweet Rosa Jane is and how she was kissing all the babies in the class. Now that she is a month older, it seems RJ has no time for kisses. Only stealing toys. My how fast she changes!

Save Our Rack!

After a mostly sleepless night with RJ, I got up at 6 and headed out the door by 6:15 to meet Sarah and her Burnet friends. We were headed downtown to participate in the Race for the Cure. Just minutes from the start they drop the bomb that we're running. Sarah ran most of the whole thing. I'd say I ran half. I hate to run. But it was for a good cause and it was lots of fun to see 21,000 other people doing it, too.

While we were in college, Sarah lost her mother to breast cancer and I'll never forget my friend in Nashville, Elizabeth Powitzky who lost her battle when she was just 30 years old.

Let's find the CURE!!!

Hank Ate It

Yesterday afternoon was F-U-N. I delivered great photos, I got to see Don at work and then did a little browsing of all the crazy new baby contraptions at BabiesRUs. On the way home in my great mood, I drove by my friend's school where she works. Found her car, parked by it and proceeded to call her over and over and over again until she picked up so we could go play. I thought we'd do ice cream at Sonic or something of the like. She reminded me it was 1st Thursday - this really cool thing they do on South Congress once a month. We've never been cool enough to go, but it seemed the stars were aligned on this day. We headed to the house to grab food for the peanut. The manic hyper dog was played by Hank. I noticed the empty bowl on the living room floor. The bowl previously held delicious Hersey kisses and peanutbutter hugs (or whatever they call them now), all of it leftover by the lack of trick-or-treaters we had been expecting.

Sarah tells me this has happened to her and her dog before and boy did he upchuck! So I think, I'll put Hank in the garage where he can't mess up anything and will call Don to let him know what our plans are, etc. It's 5 pm now and I call the vet. They want me to give Hank a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to drink to induce vomiting. Doesn't that sound horrible? I coat the spoon with peanut butter to get it down him. It doesn't phase him a bit and we wait an hour. Nothing doing. So a trip to the emergency vet with a cranky tired sick baby and all my hopes and dreams of getting to 1st Thursday smashed in a matter of seconds. Top it off with $300 for a pumped stomach and a night spent in a small crate and I don't think any of us were happy in the end. But we still have Hank. And we still have each other. So the Roedner score is still One Dog Down (Purdy) and One Baby Up.

Amy Maxwell Chase and RJ

Amy and I were the best of childhood friends in Travis Park. We would pick wildflowers and go door to door trying to sell them to our neighbors along with some nasty sweaty American cheese slices. Weird. I don't know where we got the idea from, but it seemed to be a regular occurrance with us. Anyway, it was a huge delight to later find out that she lives in Lakeway, too. In the last two weeks, we have become walking buddies -- she definitely keeps the pace -- and we both hold each other accountable for just getting out there and doing it. It's good to get reconnected with such an old friend.

Happy Halloween!

Rosa Jane's first costume. I should have been able to predict how cute she would be in her monkey outfit, but I way underestimated her preciousness. I like being surprised by her. I dressed her in front of the mirror so that she would keep the hat on. She only tugged at it briefly. I told her "I'll be right back with the camera and to stay put," but I found her wandering around the kitchen just like this. Too cute!

And that's when cuz Becky called and said she and Braden were going to lunch at El Arroyo. So we stripped the costume and headed out the door to meet them, because who can ever pass up queso and good conversation.

Today I'm feeling happy -- happy to have family and friends so close.

Celebrating Sweet Love

Saturday night Don and I escaped daily life at the Bastrop Hyatt Lost Pines. It's a beautiful resort and we had an amazing suite, fancy-britches dinner and a wonderful breakfast on Sunday. The time was well spent reconnecting and reflecting on the last five years. Thanks to Honey for babysitting the little sick peanut for us. It was wonderful to get away if just for a day . . .

So That's How The Story Ends...

A lot has happened in the last four days, but still I feel obligated to backtrack to that fateful day at Chicago O'Hare on Thursday, the 26th so please, if you don't mind too much, humor me.

As you know we were visiting Sally & Fam and getting up and out of the house by or before 10 am is no picnic. Somehow, with teamwork, we did it. Misty rain sprinkles us as we load up and unload the car. We get to the airport and I tell Sally, sorry, but I will not be crying today. I have too much on my mind as I mentally prepare for getting the car seat, my two carry-ons, the stroller and my suitcase all in manageable carrying position. Sally is taking care of Rosa Jane and putting her in her stroller and I'm getting sad, but when I glance back at the car and see Francis sitting there with her palm on the window looking at me, I just lose it. Oh, it is tragic and heartbreaking to say goodbye to my sal pal and to her precious offspring.

Alas, we're inside security and we realize our flight to Austin is delayed an hour and then altogether cancelled. To make a long story short, we ended up catching a night flight to thunderstorm-struck Houston and my parents saved the day by picking us up.

Here's what's good about being with your best friend: you realize you do the same things without even knowing it and you get to give and trade advice and if it works for one, why the hell wouldn't it work for the other? Well, let's just say Sally's rule of carry just two diapers and just enough wipes shouldn't be carried over to travel day. We ended up spending $12 at the airport for the necessities of 8 Pampers and Wet Ones. Lesson learned.

Twenty-four hours later we drove into Austin travel-weary and with a puke-encrusted baby.

As awful as all of this sounds, it wasn't really that bad. Especially when I got to hold sweet sleeping Rosa Jane in my arms for the duration of the flight. It's a feeling I hope I never forget.

Meeting our first extended fam on the Roedner side

More KBR fun
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

Among all the fun we had visiting the Chicago Guldes, we also got to introduce my neice, Casey, to her new cousin, Rosa Jane. Casey narrates the dolphin show at the Brookfield zoo. It was wonderful to see her in action and to get a chance to visit as well. Here Casey has her first experience with a baby, baby George. She counts herself among the biggest animal lovers of all time and has handled all kinds of baby animals. It's nice to see her mothering instincts translates to the human variety, too. ;-) Click on the picture to see more of the dolphins and other stuff we did...

rosa jane's boyfriend

More KBR fun
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

meet george. rosa jane's one true love.
click on the picture to see more.

13 Months for RJ ParJay

Today was a red marker day. Sally and I both had sleeping babes in strollers at the mall and we had a great time browsing the shops in Shaumburg. RJ has been the crack of dawn riser she always is, but today she went down for a mid morning nap which was a nice surprise. I love naptime... although I miss her a lot while she's unconscious to the world, I know with rest she'll have even more fun later. The kids are all sick with runny noses and Matt got a Z pak today. Sal and I are downing Airborne like it's going out of style. Even with all the coughing and the germs, there's still no other place I'd rather be, other than with my husband, of course. It's just that it is so so good to be with Sally and her precious family. Frankie is the funniest little girl and I have try really hard not to let her know how funny I think she is. Though, admittedly, I'm a horrible liar and I don't try very hard. The Little Matt/Crazy Eddie mix that we call GEORGE just looks at me with his piercing blue eyes and who could even try to resist the powers of that. I will do anything for him. Pix to follow later.

Sunday Afternoon with RJ and KB

Sunday Afternoon with RJ and KB
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

These are the cutest girls in the whole wide world.

Zoo with Francis and Sally

Zoo with Rosa Jane and KBR
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

We landed in Chicago yesterday afternoon and we just keep having more and more fun. The kiddos are real sweet and Georgie is just to die for precious. Everybody is trying their best to share though that lesson is sometimes wicked hard to learn. Last night we all went over to my niece's house to meet her new Old English Bulldog pup, Gus, her boyfriend, Cade, Abby the amazing yellow lab and Casey's 12 birds whom I did not catch their names. We had a wonderful time with the dolphin trainers and the pizza was delicious.

This morning we went to the zoo and tried to make the dolphin show, but Rosa Jane fell asleep at 11 and I wasn't about to wake her and take her out of the stroller to adhere to zoo policy in the auditorium. So we played vet doctor in the animal hospital. I love the children's space at the zoo and wish that Austin had something like it.

I feel like we're walking in a movie set with the quaint city/suburb neighborhood and beautiful colors in the trees. I do love visiting the city, but I know I'll be glad to get back to the country. If only I could fit the Guldes in my pocket. I know George would fit, it's the other three I'm worried about.

Click on the picture to see the other 97 photos from Sunday in Chicago.

Happy 5th Anniversary!

I can't believe we've been married five wonderful years already. Happy Anniversary, my love. You're still my most favorite monkey in the jungle and I love you with all my heart.

What a glorious Spring Day

Oh wait, it's fall. well, if Texas only had more 60ish degree days like today it would be absolutely perfect. Click on the picture to see more from our fun time in the yard with frisbee-crazed Hank Bob Speckled Pants.

Honey Takes Us to the Zoo

On Saturday we celebrated Brett's third birthday at the Cameron Park Zoo. We had a great time checking out all the animals. Rosa Jane loved it, but especially loved driving Brett's push car thingamabob. Click on the picture to see more...

the sweetest girl in the room

This week was a big one for me and the peanut. On Monday we went to our first MOPS meeting. I loved being with the other moms and getting my craft fix with magnet halloween bats. Rosa Jane didn't even seem to notice when I left, but I knew we were bordering on cranky hour if she didn't get her nap. A few minutes later she did what I thought she'd never do... she napped even while there was chaos all around her with the other babies playing. When I went back to pick her up, I didn't see her at first and that was a very weird feeling. She was the one bouncing up and down in the playpen by herself. She was excited to see me and kept leaning in to give me kisses and to receive them for herself.

Today we went to our first kindermusik experience. The kind moms of Oak Hill welcomed us, but it was Rosa Jane who stole the show... walking and dancing and kissing all the other babies goodbye on her own accord. Each kiss held the sound effect "mmmmwah!" and they ate it up.

It's really wonderful to be able to see your baby interact positively with other babies and adults. Rosa Jane is very social and easy going. It's no wonder we all love her so much.

Thank you, Ruthie!!

Ruthie, we got your package today! RJ loves her new shirt. It was wonderful to hear from you and so thoughtful to remember us. So my friend, this one is for you!

Rosa Jane's One Year Photo Montage

Tell me what you think about this photo montage. I've been trying to make a slideshow for what seems like ten years. Click the play button and enjoy! (The music is Beaumont's Kate Spade Theme song.)

Get MySpace video codes at onetruemedia.com

Rosa Jane Learns the Art of Keepaway From Hank

Watch and see what happens as Rosa Jane and Hank play ball.


Rosa Jane and Hank Play Ball on Vimeo

Sometimes, only video will do...

Rosa Jane Walks and Does the Touchdown! on Vimeo

This second video includes a cameo by Cashew the sock monkey lovingly made by Lorna Holley. I'll warn you this video borders on boring, but the good news is that it is sweet and short. Click play if you dare...

Cashew and Peanut Together Forever on Vimeo

new favorite photo

i think this one is my brand new all time favorite, favorite photo. we watched Matt and Sally get married again on the tele yesterday afternoon and so we were in a new locale for our photo session -- the only room with VHS. that sure was a special wedding! i laughed, I cried! I said HOORAY!!

then later it was bathtime and though i had sworn off no bath photos ever... well, here they are. of course there are many more, but with a toddler on my hands I am out of time. check back for more later.

This One Is For Robby: Touchdown!

Robby, do you remember that time Rosa Jane kept throwing her arms over her head and we laughed so hard that we peed in our pants just a little? There was a dry spell to her "touchdown" maneuver, but we're proud to announce it's back just in time for football season. No wonder universities sell so many baby cheerleading outfits. :-)

These pictures were taken the day after Rosa Jane's birthday. In the upper corner of this photo, if you look closely, you'll see the itty bitty blister from the candle burn. Poor baby.

At her one year check up, she got three shots and was such a trooper. Even the nurse was surprised at her quick recovery and her forgiveness for his evil doing unto her. She's been acting a little cranky since her vaccinations and we even think she's having a harder time finding her balance and depth perception, but hopefully things will be back to normal soon. She takes many consecutive steps, but it's hard to say she's really walking since she goes to her knees and crawls much faster to get to her destination of choice -- be in a cabinet or mom's pen drawer.

She's in the 75% of weight at 22.4 lbs and 50% for length.
Our pediatrician told us she is retiring at the end of October which came as a big shock to all of us. I even shed a tear or two. I'm looking for a new doc that will be closer to home/closer to Don's work and have a few good leads.

We're looking forward to an upcoming trip to Chicago, but first we're going to Richland and we're babystepping to wean little RJ from the bottle and formula. So My Little Rosa Jane, it is onto real food for you, just like the rest of us. And of course, that is more than a little sad.

Happy Birthday, Rosa Jane!!

Mom Learns a Lesson

We ate breakfast on the front porch this morning. It was a glorious beginning to the new day. I decided to let Rosa Jane feed herself in her exersaucer. I thought, "she's a pretty clean baby... how big a mess can she make?" Boy, did I underestimate the damage. We went from oatmeal to the bath immediately and threw the clothes in the wash.

Rosa Jane is into all my drawers and cabinets. She pulls every last thing out and it is driving my organized self crazy. (Don will laugh when he reads that "organized" part.) I'm tempted to put my filing cabinets in the closet, but I'm thinking soon she'll be opening doors and then make a mess in the cramped closet and cleaning that up doesn't sound appealing at all.

So I'm thinking about preschool. I got the form to put her on the wait list last week. So far though, I can't bring myself to fill in the blanks and post in the mail. I am more attached than I realized. We're having more fun than ever. This is a really fun age.

RosaJane at 51Weeks

She's taking babysteps and realizing the joy of technology, but she's bored with momma at the computer, so must keep this short. Life is good at the roedners....

Cousins doing everything they want in Richland and trying to mind.

The whole family participated in a fun-filled weekend in Richland where we never really had a dull moment. Don shot 14 doves this year. His most ever. Honey caught a turtle and some other fish. I caught two fish and a cold. Rosa Jane still isn't walking but stands ever so long on her own two feet. Today the big event was the house nearly catching fire and burning down when lunch-on-the-grill got a little out of hand. Thank goodness I was out fishing and noticed the smoke on that side of the house! Check out the pictures and look closely for charred trailer. Happy Labor Day!

Buenas Dias, Mexico!

Ah, Mexico: where the decision to stay next to the fan or in the water is easy, but deciding what to drink next is not.

Ellis was gorgeous! Matt was ever handsome. The wedding was short and sweet featuring songs "Be Mine" and "Clocks." Visiting and catching up with old friends was simply priceless.

While I was out, Rosa Jane started clapping her hands together. I missed them very much, but in the end, Don had a wonderful time bonding solo with Rosa Jane and I was glad to be able to enjoy time in the pool for a solid two days among old friends and new ones.