Sunday, November 25, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

Gracie and Mimi (they're trouble together!!!)

Kev, Poppi, Gracie and Mimi (we had to get Kev in one of the pics)

Gracie with Poppi and Mimi

3 generations (it's a wonder we get along when we're together)

Poppi, Bran, Jax, Gracie and Mimi

Jax, Poppi, Gracie and Mimi

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful celebration. Mimi & Poppi flew in Thursday afternoon, and all the food was prepared when they arrived at our house. I have discovered over the past few years that I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner! I actually look forward to it each year. This was the 1st year that my mom got to be pampered and not stuck in the kitchen (although she was stuck flying from DFW to Gainesville). She did do all the clean-up, however (with some assistance from Kev); thanks, Mom! I believe everyone enjoyed the meal and togetherness. Gracie, Mom and I battled the crowds and shopped Black Friday. We accomplished a lot, and all of the presents were wrapped by Saturday. Did I mention Kev and the kids had the tree and all other Christmas decorations up for Thanksgiving? We went to an 'open house' at Gloria's Friday night to meet her triplets that live in Austin, TX (a link to their blog is on our site). It was a very nice reception, and the babies are even cuter in person (if that is even possible). Their baby brother is due in January, so hopefully we can see the whole gang again on one of our future Texas trips. Unfortunately, Mimi and Poppi had to leave on Sunday; it was too short of a trip! We are very thankful that they were willing to celebrate Thanksgiving with us; we love you! Oh, Happy 60th birthday, Mimi!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Jaxon and 'the deed'

For those of you who really know Jax, this story will seem all-too-familiar:
Brian and Susan took the kids to dinner last Tuesday so Kev and I could have a date to celebrate our anniversary. Since it was the week of Thanksgiving, Susan's mom, dad, and brother were also visiting from Texas. Oh, and they took another friend along for the meal (poor Megan, it was her 1st time to meet the Kenworthy Clan). At some point during the meal, Jax said he needed to 'go potty'. Brian took him, and everything was fine...so he thought. When they got back to the table, Jax said he needed to go again; only this time it wasn't to tee-tee. Brian tried to convince him that he really didn't need to go and that he could wait until they got home. Jax insisted that he had to go, "really bad". Brian, the good guy that he is, took Jax back to the bathroom. According to Susan, they returned 20 minutes later and Brian's first words were, "Well, that was embarrassing." While 'on the pot', Jax proceeded to talk nonstop and tell Brian all about everything (including his friends and the holes in Brian's jeans). He then started singing and sang, "Daddy's favorite song" (for the record, it was U2's 'With or Without You', and I can only imagine him grunting while saying, "and you give, and you give" - Jax and Kev heard it on the radio one day; it is definitely not Kev's favorite; just a fun song to sing-along with). Brian didn't elaborate, but we're sure there were many other sounds coming from the stall; Jax knows how to rip 'em. To top off the whole ordeal, Brian tore off some toilet paper and handed it to Jaxon at which point Jax said, "I don't do that." Need I say more?
Major professors sure are tough these days. I think Bri. deserves his Ph.D. right now! Anyway, Kev and I had a wonderful dinner at a Japanese restaurant, and then we got to have a lot of laughs at Brian and Jaxon's expense. Thanks, guys!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Devil's Millhopper


Susan, Gracie, Jax and Brian

Brian & Susan (in case you don't know who they are: 1st and foremost, they would say they are Aggies...we hold that against them, but what can we do; Brian is getting his doctorate under Kevin...how scary is that; Susan teaches at Gracie and Jaxon's former preschool; most of all, they are our friends) took Gracie and Jaxon to Devil's Millhopper on Saturday. It is a large sinkhole, and, according to Gracie, you have to go down 176 steep, stair-steps to get to the bottom. Anyway, Kev and I were able to sneak away to the Gator football game (thanks, Gloria and Brian & Susan); we have decided that sitting in the Touchdown Terrace with the free food and other amenities is the only way to go!

Camping

Believe it or not, Gracie and I went camping last night (and yes, it was cold). It was the first time either of us had ever slept outside in a tent. That's a little embarrassing to admit, but it's the truth. The only reason it occurred last night was because of Girl Scouts. I slept in a tent (I use the term slept loosely) with Gracie and one of her friends, Sierra. Luckily, Kev was our hero; he and Jax brought us an air mattress after they hit the driving range with Jaxon' new golf clubs. We had a nice time, and Kevin is very proud of us (me). The next camp-out is in February, and it is titled 'Me & My Guy'...guess that means I get to (I mean have to) stay home and take care of Jaxon.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Happy Anniversary

Can you believe it? Today we are celebrating our 9th Anniversary! It doesn't seem possible that this whole adventure started with a beautiful ceremony 9 years ago. I think the moves, Kevin's doctorate, and the children have made the time fly. It has definitely been an adventure, but we have loved (almost) every minute of it. As my card from Kev said today, "9 down and many more to go." We have already started planning our 10-year anniversary trip to Hawaii next winter; why do we have to wait?

Sunday, November 11, 2007

New Orleans

We had to visit the former Jax Brewery (someday Jaxon will be proud)

Bourbon Street

We had to experience Pat O'Brien's and their Hurricanes!

Brandi & Susan at Pat O'Brien's

Kev and Bran enjoying their 1st Hurricanes

Kevin and I traveled to New Orleans for his annual ASA Conference. Needless to say, we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Papa and ChaCha for flying out to watch Gracie and Jaxon; we know the kids had fun!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Happy Halloween

The almost-whole motley crew (minus Jake)
Jax and Gracie

Gracie, the witch, and Ann, the ladybug

Jaxon and his best friend, Sriram

We had another wonderful Halloween. We had friends over for dinner and then our crew (7 children and 7 adults) headed out to pillage the neighborhood. After tricking and/or treating, Gracie handed-out candy for at least 30 minutes. I think she actually likes doing that more than trick-or-treating; she normally gives out all the candy she has collected. She is truly a sweet young lady!