Fun Day!!

What a fun Saturday!!! My gracious hubby gave me the day off, which I spent with my Mother-in-law and my future Sister-in-law. We went shopping with Lauren to watch her try on wedding dresses. It was so much fun, I think maybe even more fun than my on wedding dress search. There was no pressure this time, and I didn't have to be the one in the hot seat!! I ended the night with Zach and the kids, a simple dinner and "dance night". It was kind of an unplanned thing. We turned the radio up, moved the kitchen table back and turned the kitchen into a dance floor. The kids had so much fun!!!!, not to mention mom and dad. Exhausted and worn out we finally had to call it quits. The kids could have kept going and going and going and going... This is something we will definitely do again! --with pictures--does anyone have a disco light for sale?????

Play Day!!

"Ok mom, quit taking pictures and let us play"

I just love that my kids are still young enough to be excited over the smallest things. We were out of school this week. We didn't have any BIG plans, we just took it easy. On Tuesday, the highlight of our day was going to Chick fil a!!! They were so excited! They played on the playground and even got to trade in their "happy meal" toy for ice cream. A special treat that they don't usually get. I know, soon the days are coming when they will want to do "bigger and better" things-- that are much harder on my pocket book. But for now, I will just enjoy the screams of delight when I announce something so simple as "We are going to Chick fil A"

Close Call

I never really understood the saying about cats having 9 lives until our experience with "Cody" the other day. Cody is my baby, I have had him since I lived in an apartment right after college. To say the least he is getting "on up in his years" for a cat. He has always been a very LARGE cat. One time the vet even fussed at me about his size, telling me that "cats can have bad hearts too". Hey! I just figured, let him be a fat happy cat, when it is his time to go, it is his time to go. Two nights ago Zach and I both thought it was Cody's "time to go".

Zach and I were sitting in the Dining Room and Wednesday night when Cody walked in the room. He let out 2 loud weird cries. When we looked at him, he was breathing very fast, his tongue was out of his mouth and he was drooling. He was also very blue around his face and mouth. Granted, I don't have much experience with cats, but I have seen plenty of people in Respiratory Distress and I knew Cody was indeed "circling the drain"--okay, I will try and leave the crude medical humor out. If you are not in the medical field, you might not appreciate it. We love Cody and he is like a member of our family, but of course, it was night, and the only option was to take Cody to the Emergency Vet. I knew if we might not even make it there before he died and if he was that sick, there was probably little the vet could do for him anyway. Zach and I made the decision to just make him comfortable, and if he was still alive in the morning to take him to our local vet.

Cody's panting and difficulty breathing continued all evening. Zach picked him up and held him and talked to him. We kept thinking that these were his last moments and that he would just give up any moment. Finally it was time for bed, we took Cody to our room thinking we would let him sleep with us. (I was a little freaked out about possibly waking up with a dead cat on my bed, but I didn't want Cody to be alone...) We went to bed, fully expecting the cat to be dead in the morning. We even discussed plans about burying the cat, before the kids saw him. With recently getting rid of Max, and the emotional drama that followed, I was a little worried about how the kids were going to handle this.

I was awakened on Thursday morning with Cody, looking as spry as ever, crying and "bugging" me to get up and feed him. Zach and I could not believe it. The same cat that was ready to take his last breath last night, was now crying for us to come downstairs and feed him. His "blue" face was gone, he was running down the stairs, he was ready to eat. Boy! was he hungry! I guess having a "near death experience" makes one very hungry. I still have no idea what happened to Cody. How could he have been so sick and less than 12 hours later be perfectly fine??? All I can say is I understand why people say that Cats have nine lives. I am not sure what life Cody is on, but he definitely use ONE of them Wednesday night!!!

The Circus!!

S got to get in the ring to help with the jugglers. E and M opted to stay on the sidelines

M, S, and E eating their 12$ cotton candy

E, M, and S watching...

As a Valentine's gift for everyone, mom and dad included, we loaded up Sunday afternoon and went to the circus. We had a great time. I was so impressed with the kids and how well they did. The show lasted 2 &1/2 hours and the kids sat and watched the whole time. M really enjoyed it too, (once she confirmed with me that the clowns were not "monsters"). S has now decided that she wants to be a "circus girl" when she grows up. We may have to talk about that one. E especially liked the tigers and elephants.

Welcome to the Family!

The Ardis/Yount family got some exciting news last night. Lauren and Tully are finally, (love ya Tully) engaged. Zack and I so happy for both of them. Lauren, welcome to the family! The Ardis/ Yount women finally out number the men. It has taken the birth of 2 daughters and a sister-in-law, but we have finally done it!!! HA!! We told the kids that Lauren and Tully were getting married. S, my child that is all about accessories and jewlry, immediately wanted to know what Lauren's ring looked like. (I still do not know where she gets this from). I am not sure that E and M know exactly what getting married means... I am sure we will have some fun questions in the upcoming weeks/months. S, E, and M all three love, love, love Lauren. She is great with my kids. They love it because she is always willing to play with them anytime they are around. They are so excited that she will soon be Aunt Lauren. After being in the Yount/Ardis famiy for 10 years, I am so excited to be getting a great sister-in-law!! Family is so much fun!!!!

Congratulations!!! We love you, Tully and Lauren!

Upward Cheerleading

We just finished up the last game for the upward Cheerleading season. S really enjoyed getting to cheer. They ended the season with a little "performance" at awards night. It is amazing how kids are not nervous about things. She danced with about 30 other girls in front of probably 500 people, she was so excited and not the least bit nervous. I guess we "learn" to get nervous as we get older!

Ready to Ride

S and mom were our in the driveway riding bikes. M came out and told me that she wanted to ride. At the time she just needed to go put on her shoes. I sent her in the house for Daddy to help her with her shoes. She came out a few minutes later looking like this. Okay, we've got the shoes... but I think we lost something else?