Family Gathering...

I recently just got back from visiting family for about 2 weeks and have had something going on every day since, so I've had little energy to update my blog.

My family got together to see each other, of course, but mostly to celebrate my Grandpa Q's 90th birthday! My Grandpa is an amazing man and awesome example of godly character. His body may be 90, but his mind is so sharp. He's still very witty and crackin' jokes a lot...and still has it in him to razz my dad. LOL..... Not to mention, he drives a pretty cool truck! We love you Grandpa and it was soooo great to see you and celebrate you! And everyone else of course! All the little cousins had SUCH a great time playing together and for there being 6 kids 9 and under, they did really well! Since we don't get to see each other much, we felt it was pretty special that the cousins got to play 2 times together in 1 year. It definitely helped reinforce a relationship and fun memories! Oh....and I had all 3 kids by myself on the plane ride home, but the kids did awesome!!

I have a TON of pictures, but since I'm not in too much of a bloggin' mood, I will post just a few favorites....

11 Months!

I couldn't bare to look at my blog because the snake pictures are SOO gross to me....they give me the creepies!! And I'm creeped out even more now b/c my neighbor 2 doors down found a snake in his backyard on Saturday! ECK! And at the bottom of our hill there is a boat storage place and they found 3 snakes in one day. AAAUUUGGHHH!!!! I'm packin' my bags and gettin' outta Dodge.

Ok, not really, but I am excited to post something different and not have to look those pictures anymore. :)

On a happier note...... Ms. Emma turned 11 months on Tuesday and is still darn cute, IMHO. For a month or two she's been taking 1-3 steps here-n-there, but has been really timid and unmotivated to walk much more than that. Makes it easier for me, that's for sure! But her big sister spent quite a while holding her hand and walking with her around the house 2 days ago and ever since then, Emma's figured out that walking isn't so bad after all and now she's getin' around pretty good. She's still wobbly, but it's amazing how much of a difference a day makes!


We leave early Tues morning to go visit my family in KC. My sister and her family will be driving down from Canada and we'll all get to hang out and just "be" for a bit over a week. I'm so excited to get away, get rejuvenated and see everyone! I'm also SO excited b/c John was coming for a few days too but I was going to have to fly with the kids by myself both ways. He surprised me and changed his flight so now we go there together. YEAH!!!! We're also getting together with my extended family for a grand ol' party to celebrate my special Grandpa Q's 90th Birthday! Can't wait! :)

Rattlesnake Slim....

I can't believe I failed to mention that about a month ago my dear hubby saved my life!! And my sweet Daisy girl. :) LOL...well sort of anyway....

I was outside playing with the puppies & cleaning up some things and went to throw some trash away. Ol' faithful started barking and I didn't pay much attention to her, but then realized that she was barking at the sprinklers coming on. Silly Dog! But in about 2 seconds, I remember thinking that our sprinklers weren't on and it was either my neighbors sprinklers or something else. I peered over to the noise and FREAKED OUT when I saw a rattlesnake with it's rattle in the air giving us a warning! Daisy was definitely close enough for the snake to bite her, but she followed me as I bolted to the garage. I called for John and my strapping, strong man shot that bad boy good 'n dead. But I'm still freakd out! Everytime I hear the sound of sprinklers coming on, it reminds me of the sound of the rattle and even these pictures give me the heebie jeebies. I don't do snakes!! I'm definitely thankful it was me outside by the trash and not one of the kids though. And I'm most thankful for my little poochie and hubby. :)



All is good here on the homefront. Things are pretty much business as usual. Emma is sweet, quiet and smily and I'm enjoying this favorite age of mine; Davis is funny and charming and has his mamma pretty well wrapped around his finger; Maddy continues on with the terrible two's at 4 yrs of age, but always makes sure it's never a dull moment in the Long household! She's a great big sister and adores her baby sister!

The biggest thing for us is another job change! LOL..... I don't know if I ever updated my blog on the saga of John's work, but he prepared HARDOCRE for about a year for a job with law enforcement. It's what his heart really desires and I definitely support him. While he was waiting to hear fromt he Sherriff's dept, he interviewed with a commercial landscape company and an oil company. Things didn't work out and he was accepted into the Sherriff's Academy.

As things go, about the same time he started the academy, the landscape company called him back and offered him a position. It was a major, major decision, but my sweet man put his dream of being a Sherriff on the back burner and decided to take the position since it was local, regular hours w/not too much overtime and better pay. He really wants to make sure he's home to do things with the kids, coach when that time comes, etc. Anyhow, he took the job as Director of Operations and really started enjoying what he was doing and was able to work with several of his good friends. That was about 2 weeks after Emma was born.

Welllll...... 3 weeks ago the oil company that he had interviewed with called him back and offered him a job. They had fired the guy who John would have originally worked for and offered John that man's position..... Vice Pres of Operations! John was appy where he was at and originally turned it down. But, after thinking about it some more, this other company provided a greater future for him and seems to be on the brink of tremendous growth. So....John called them back and accepted the position! It was a happy/sad thing but we both felt the decision was right and he started on Monday. I'm SO proud of him!! Who would've thought he'd be a VP @ 29?!! :) As for what the company does, I couldn't tell ya cause it's SOOO over my head that I don't totally understand it. You can check it out at www.laturbine.com. OH...and the great thing is that it's about 2 miles from our house!

Family of 5......

Wow....I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted. It's gone by quick! We've been busy playing with puppies and friends and just hangin' out. We've been to the beach, the pool and got to visit with one of my college roommates that I haven't seen in years! Her mom was there along with her 2 kids. So good to hang out with you Marcy!

For the 4th, we went with a bunch of people to the Rose Bowl. We don't go into the Bowl, but camp right outside @ the golf course and hang out all day eatin, talkin' and playin'. Then we enjoy the best show around and get home late. It's so fun! The fireworks are huge and loud and they're right by where we are. I think it's better than inside the Rose Bowl!

Emma turned 10 months yesterday, the 5th. She's pulling herself up on everything and doing the wabbling stand for a few seconds before she crashes. She's also getting her top 2 teeth for a total of soon-to-be 4 teeth.

John decided to have the ol' snip, snip surgery and so now we're stayin' a party of 5 in this house. Kinda sad and happy at the same time. No more surprises for us.....I think! Right? Right? Riiiggghhhtt????



Beach Day!
Renelle


Rose Bowl!

9 Months & Park Days

Emma turned 9 months on the 5th and we celebrated by taking her in for a doctor appointment! :) It was her lucky day and she didn't get any shots....only a finger prick, in which she gave the nurse a dirty look. LOL...


We've also gone to the park with Becky, Renelle and the kids a couple times. On one of the days, our special friend Kristal was in town and we had the pleasure of hanging out with her and her 2 adorable kids for a bit. Debra was there too but unfortunately she had already left when we took a picture. So good to see your Kristal!

When going through my pictures, I found some old ones of all of us and the kids. Lots have changed since then!



Collin:Cole:
Davis pushin' his best buddy...


Samantha:
Renelle, Kristal holding Natalie, Me and Becky:
The Old Pics....at this time: Debra didn't have any kiddos (now has Annabelle & Ava), Kristal had just had Natalie (now also has a baby boy Landon!), I had Maddy & Davis, and Becky had Collin but was prego with Samantha (and now has another one...Lauren! Geez Becky, slow down! haha)!
Maddy holding Natalie:
Davis, Collin, Cole:

Myles of Style

So did anyone catch tonights episode of HGTV's "Myles of Style?" I didn't post in time, but our friends Sean & Kathy were on the show! I've been so excited to see it because I've been thinking about applying for her to come re-do our Master bedroom but just am not sure I can handle the TV cameras in my face and am nervous they would do something wacky. We have a couple other friends applying for different shows, so maybe I'll see how their stuff comes out first! =)

Anyhow, I recorded the show and waited until 11:30pm to watch it, only---OF COURSE----there was an error in the recording and it didn't get the last 10 minutes. AUGHH!!! But thank goodness for re-runs because it's on at 12:30 and again on Sunday, I think. Check it out! They re-did their Master Bedroom and it looks pretty cool!