October Happenings

I took on the pleasurable task of babysitting for all of the nieces/nephew (except for baby Kinley) a couple weeks back. Before the other kiddos got out of school it was just Joshua and Lindsey. At lunchtime, Joshua and Lindsey got a special treat of eating in the living room while watching Barney on DVD. They were GLUED to the tv as you can see... but I must say, I didn't have to get on to either of them to eat.

We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Miss Lucy Elizabeth Franklin. I literally slept with my phone next to my ear JUST IN CASE I got the call in the middle of the night. I am very happy to say that I share a birthday with the cutest Lucy Goosey in the world!

(Birthday day was spent at the hospital w/ the Franklin Family)

(Birthday evening was spent with my in-laws and this delicious cake that my mom-in-law made for me)

(Joshua and Grandpa hanging out)

Since I was on call JUST IN CASE, I put off the potty training (I didn't want someone else to be responsible for that while I was off making googley eyes with Lucy). So we will commence potty Training on November 1.

In preparation of potty training, we converted Joshua's bed to a toddler bed and I must say, he has taken to it as if he has always slept in a big boy bed. The very first naptime, he stayed awake for 1.5 hours singing and playing in his bed, but he never got out. I disciplined a couple of times and he finally went to sleep. But it's been smooth sailing ever since.

We had a great photoshoot with Bethany last weekend. She's such a great photographer and is so patient with us (Joshua does not cooperate when it comes to posing) Here are just a FEW of my favorites (it was hard to narrow them down)

(Jim was plum wore out after the photoshoot. So Joshua let him take a nap with Puppy and Gator blanky!)

(me and Joshua just hanging out and being cheesey)

Cousins

COUSINS

(author: unknown)

My cousins and I are the best of friends

It's fun when we laugh and play

I'm so glad when they come around

I wish that they could stay

My cousins and I are the best of friends

I know that you'd agree

They are so kind and I'm so glad

That they're part of my family!

AM I ADOPTED?

I have had several people request that I put up a baby picture of me compared to Joshua's baby picture (since I had posted one of Joshua and Jim)... but ALAS, I have a very sad story to tell all my readers... I HAVE NO BABY PICTURES!

"It must be becuase you were the third child" some might say. My mom and dad "SAY" they were ruined because they had all my baby book(s) in the utility shed outside and it rained and ruined them.... Even though my sisters' baby stuff were kept in the hope chest inside... Hmmm sounds a little fishy to me!

I actually accused my parents when I was in middle school of lying to me that I was really adopted and they just weren't telling me... I mean look at the facts:

1). I had light brown hair (blonde as a child) and everyone else in the family had dark dark brown/black hair
2). I have blue/green eyes not to be compared with the dark brown eyes of the rest of my immediate family.
3). I (compared to my siblings) had legs that seemed a mile long and the rest of my family??? Short! (As a matter of fact, I think besides Kyle, I may be the tallest, even taller than mom and dad)
The list could go on and on....

However.... as I have gotten older and my hair has darkened. And I have been mistaken for my sisters ONE TOO MANY TIMES... As a matter of fact, there have been several occaisions where Jim has done a double take becuase Kerry and I might be wearing a similar outfit, and I -9 times out of 10- have the same hair style as she... I have FINALLY decided that maybe my pictures WERE ruined in the shed and I WASN'T actually adopted (or found under a rock on the side of the road as Kimberly and Kerry used to tell me).

But I am not bitter about it! :) hee hee.

Visit With Uncle Richard

Jim's Uncle Richard was in town this weekend and asked to come visit. We have not seen him since Jim's grandmother passed away (I think almost 3 years ago). So it was great to visit with him. He surprised us with a few gifts for Joshua (a cute little moose outfit that's perfect for the winter) and an activity mat for Joshua to play on (in a couple of months).

Uncle Rich is an artist and he used his artistic eye to make this photo for us of Joshua.

And as things go in this house, Joshua was incredibly cranky ALL DAY LONG, he wouldn't eat well, and wouldn't sleep well. I just knew that we were going to have one miserable little boy during our visit. However, as soon as I handed Joshua over to Uncle Rich, the next thing I knew he was sound asleep. Uncle Rich has the magic touch apparently. Joshua slept the whole time he was in Uncle Rich's arms and when it was time to sit down for dinner, I put him in his crib and he slept until it was time to eat again... He was like a whole different baby. Uncle Rich even commented that I might be lying about Joshua being cranky!

We are looking forward to more visits with the aunts and uncles.

Happy Birthday, Dad (AKA Borrowed Dad)

What do you get when you mix one part Primitive Baptist with two parts Southern Gentleman, a handful of laughs and a heartful of love? You get the most wonderful dad in the world who has so much love to share that he adopts each and everyone he meets as one of his own... whether it be a borrowed daughter, a borrowed grandchild or sons-in-laws that are just as much his sons as his own best bud (Kyle).

It is common for a person to be "memorialized" after they have passed, and it has occurred to me on numerous occaisions that we should share with our loved ones the memories that mean so much to us while we still have the chance, so I would like to share a few memories of my dad on this day, His Birthday!

First of all, my dad and I seem to have the same "cheesy" sense of humor- you know the kind that only he and I will laugh at some jokes and everyone else in the room rolls there eyes... well I am proud to share that sense of humor with him! Dad, remember the bus driver jokes??? Boy were those cheesy! And boy did we ever laugh! :) Hey dad, What's this?.... The other half of this! HA HA HA HA HA --- oh, good times. And lets not forget our fondness of a good blonde joke! Right dad?

Before Kyle was born, daddy wanted a boy so bad that for Christmas one year he and mom bought me and my sisters the Hot Wheels USA city... this is a pic I found online, but doesn't even do justice to the awesomeness of this toy! We had so much fun with this, but I think daddy had as much if not more fun with us playing with this city!
Dad was one of the few fathers that was actively involved in the girl scout troops that we were a part of. I always remember him being there when we went on camping trips! He was always organizing putting up the tents, and he is THE MASTER PACKER- if you need to figure out how to fit everything in vehicle, plus the whole family... just ask my dad! I also remember him helping my sister's troop build a bridge so that they could bridge from girl scouts to cadettes in a special ceremony. And lets not forget all the Father/Daughter dances!

I can also remember countless nights of sitting on the bed with dad as he tried to practice playing the guitar and me and the girls singing with him... he even let me play the spoons everyonce in a while as an accompanyment. And speaking of music, we used to frequent the North Georgia mountains where I learned about the Dulcimer and one year for the music fair at school, my dad and I built a dulcimer together! How cool is that? (and if I remember correctly we one a blue ribbon)

One thing is for sure! My dad's favorite thing, even more than Gator Games, is being surrounded by his family. It all started when he fell in love with my mom, and that love continued to grow from Kimberly, to Kerry, to myself, and then to Kyle and now has passed down to Abbey and Brooke and Brady and Lindsey and soon Joshua will learn just how much love his Poppa has to give!

Please join me in wishing my dad, your borrowed dad, your child's (or future child's) borrowed poppa a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Tribute To Uncle Thomas

After a brief visit with Uncle Thomas a few weeks back, it was brought to my attention, that he had posted a comment on the blog when I announced the pregnancy to which I must have overlooked. So I thought that I would do a special tribute post just for you, Uncle Tom! :)

Here is an old photo of Uncle Thomas holding Jim as a young tot! While I am so thankful to have met and married Jim, it is a little sad that it was so late in life that I was not able to get to know his extended family as closely as I would like, however, I was able to meet Uncle Thomas on my first trip to NY and I thought I would share my experience.

Of course, as the first trip, this was the first time meeting everyone... moms, dads, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandmas, uncles, cousins... so naturally, I wasn't a bit nervous! :)

We got off the airplane and headed to Jim's parents where we enjoyed a lovely lunch of delicous cold cuts on the biggest Kaiser rolls I'd ever seen... I think there were some "pickings" as well (pepperoni, cheese, olives, etc)... then we set off to meet Grandma Nell and Uncle Thomas. Here we were greeted with a HUGE lasagna that smelled heavenly and very small appetites. We sat doen and visited with Uncle Thomas and Grandma Nell, and after forcing ourselves to eat the helping of lasagna set before us, Uncle Thomas got up to serve us our second helping... I think it may be unlawful to not have seconds in an Italian household! :)

Fortunately, after several declines, we were able to convince Uncle Thomas that we had no more room for seconds... however, there's always room for Enteman's. We had a lovely afternoon, and I was made to feel very welcome and have had several other occaisions to visit with Uncle Thomas! As I said before, I would love to be closer to them so I could get to know them as Jim does, but I will take the short visits I can get, and be content.

Hopefully we can get a picture of Uncle Thomas holding Joshua after he's born so that we can add it to the family album and tell Joshua when he's older that not only did Unlce Thomas hold him as a little boy, but he even held daddy, when daddy was a little boy! :)

We enjoyed our visit Uncle Thomas and look forward to seeing you again soon!

We Love You,

Jim and Kelly

Please Welcome My Sister

Kerry and Matthew have started a blog now and are soon to be up and running with photos and videos of our beach weekend. Please feel free to visit her and leave comments and encouragement!

www.matthewandkerryj.blogspot.com

As Promised, Pictures of Lindsey Nicole

Ever wondered why they're called "bundles of joy"? Because they bundle 'em up so tight, you'd think they were going to suffocate or something! :) Here is our little peanut (which she has been affectionately nicknamed because she's such a tiny little thing). You would absolutely melt if you got to spend one second with her. She's a dollbaby!

Here is the proud new big sister holding her baby sis for the first time. She is so excited, she "gets" to be on permanant diaper duty!
Here's the proud Poppa (aka Borrowed Dad and soon to be Borrowed Poppa). Since he is the father of three girls (and a boy) he finds it very natural to hold our sweet little peanut! And he is definitely IN LOVE!

Of course mom will be very unhappy with me for posting her picture for all the world wide web to see, but she doesn't realize how beautiful she is, especially holding her newest grandbaby! The look of admiration on mom's face doesn't even justify how much she loves each of her little ones!

I hope to get more pictures later on. I still haven't downloaded the few from our camera. Plus, it'll be nice to get pictures of her in her new home!

PS-
My sister and Lindsey are both doing exceptionally well. Kimberly got her staples out from the surgery, and Lindsey had her first weight checkup today (as normal she lost a few ounces at the hospital, but she has gained two ounces back since being home!)

Welcome Baby Lindsey!

My sister, Kimberly, had her C-section today and delivered a beautiful little girl! Lindsey Nicole! 5lbs 6 oz. 17" long. Being the forgetful Aunt that I am, I had my camera, but didn't take pictures. Jim and I will be going to visit again this evening and will take pictures then. I will post as soon as possible.

Both Mom and Baby are doing great! Lindsey has the pretties dark brown hair (her big sister, Brooke, had NO hair at birth). I had a dream last night that it was a girl (it was one of those weird dreams I have been speaking of lately). But I never know if my dreams mean anything or not, so I chalk it up to coincidence!

I will keep you all posted with pictures! Please pray that my sister and Lindsey will continue to do well, and that my sister has a speedy recovery!

Happy Anniversary!

Four years, when compared to couples that have been married 10, 20, 50 years, 4 years seems just so short. But when I think of all that we have been through in 4 years, it seems like a lifetime.

Does it seem like only 4 years since we went on our second honeymoon? Since you layed on the beach bored out of your mind, because you just can't sit still for a minute? I can hardly believe that just two short years ago, we moved from "your" little house in Tampa, to "Our First Home" together. Just one short year ago, we made the decision to start our own company... and one month later, we were in business! WoW! It seems like decades have gone by since we decided to try to start our family, and two short months ago, we found out that the Lord had finally answered our prayers.

But, in fact it has only been 4 short years. In 4 years, a person could get a bachelor's degree in college, graduate from highshool, go from a newborn infant to a walking chatterbox, serve one term as President of the United States, Earn $21 Million to play for the NY Giants (for four years)...

I am so thankful to the Lord, for giving me 4 wonderful years with you. I pray that he will give us a whole lifetime more together.

I love you! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Family Photos

I got some really good photos today of Brooke, Abbey and Brady in their Easter outfits. We had a wonderful day in the Lord and then went and spent the afternoon with my mom's side of the family and enjoyed our time there too. My aunt and uncle just had a baby about a month ago, so needless to say the day revolved around ooh's and ahh's today! :)

Here Abbey and Brady are doing their best Bunny and Egg impression :)

This is me and Baby Max! Don't ya just love the new baby smell? :)

My sister, Kimberly and Max (and baby Riffel kicking the whole time)

Like I said, we had a really nice day. Hope you all did too!

Email from My Dad

I just thought my blogger friends would get a kick out of this email from my dad. I just recently sent him my blog link (I never really thought that he or mom would be interested in reading it, but I should have known better... ) :)

Kelly, I don't have time to read all this blog stuff. I have work to do you know.... But now I'm afraid I'm going to miss a recipe. And I don't think it fair that I can't comment. I wanted to tell everyone to not forget the cinnamon sugar donuts, and and and powdered sugar donuts.... and hey you never made orzo chicken for this daddy. I can't wait for appetizer.....I know what it's going to beeeeee. yummy. and Hey are you going to have a girls grill nite out? I have some great recipes for that.......Grilled onions; Steak; Woooweeee.

Love Ya,
Dad

I'll have to go over to mom and dad's soon to show dad how to set up a blog so 1). he can comment and 2). post some really good recipes!

If you are reading this dad, I love you, and love your sense of humor~ :)

This One's For You, Danielle!

Ok, so Jim has been on me for the last month: "Kelly, why don't you have a blogspot" and "Kelly, we should have a blogspot". Well, the truth is, I really don't feel like I have a lot to write about. And I am quite sure you all probably don't want to read a re-cap of what happened on the re-run of King of Queens last night... But, having read Danielle's post on a semi regular basis, and being hopped up on a lot of sugar right now, I am feeling inspired! So Danielle, this blog's for you! :)

Tonight, was the first ever "Family" Progressive Dinner. In case you don't know what that is: Each family that participates, hosts a different part of the dinner. This time we went in a big circle. We started at Mom and Dad Ambrosino's for appetizers and mocktails. Mom made mock mimosa's (some had cranberry juice and the non-alcoholic champagne; some had pear juice, cranberry juice and the champagne; and then some had the regular OJ and champagne) They were DELICIOUS!


Next we traveled to Matt & Kerry's house for soup. Matthew actually cooked for this one and made the yummiest Cheese and Chicken chowder... Knowing that there was still a salad, entree and dessert portion, it took everything in me to not ask for a second helping! During the soup portion, we had fun making fun of Kyle for having a Rachel Ray magazine in his room (with sticky notes throughout)... He claims he was just reading it for the articles (hee hee)... However, I have to say, my little bro is a great cook!

We then went over to Phil and Kimberly's for salad. I am sad to say that we forgot to get pictures there. It's actually quite a miracle that we took any photos. Jim and I are famous for bringing our camera every where and not getting the first picture! :( Kimberly made a regular tossed salad, and then had some toppings that we were able to add to. Plus, you would have thought you were at the grocery store with all the salad dressings to choose from! For any of you who may be wondering... the kids were all with us, however they were off playing somewhere!

Next we made way to Mom and Dad Miller's house where we enjoyed a rib roast that Daddy had been cooking for 4.5 hours on the grill today. Mom made a delicious side dish of roasted potatoes and carrots. Now, you may notice in this photo Kyle holding a beer... (WE DO NOT CONDONE UNDERAGE DRINKING!!!) Dad Ambrosino brought his "cooler" to each house, and here, well, Kyle was being Kyle! :)

Then finally, when everyone was completely stuffed and couldn't possibly eat another bite of food... we all scatted to our vehicles and headed to my house for dessert and after-dinner drinks! And needless to say, I will be taking a ton of dessert to church tomorrow! :) If you look carefully in the very right hand corner of the picture, Brady is standing there with a coffee mug... He thinks he is HOT STUFF! We put sparkling grape juice in his cup and he said, "Mmmm, I'm drinkin' Hot Chockielate" (yes pronounce it the way it's spelled and that will be the correct way) :)

Here's another picture with he and Abbey drinking out of their "grown-up" coffee cups!

All in all, it was a great night. All the families seemed to enjoy themselves and if all goes well, we plan to make this an annual thing! I think maybe more time should be allotted for each place (which would mean we would have to start earlier). But I thought it was a lot of fun!