TGIF!

What a wasted work day, not much to do here at the office but "look busy and act worried" (as Justin would say) to keep the boss from bugging me. It's actually 50 plus degrees & sunny outside, all evidence of the "ice storm" are gone - a perfect day to do something outdoors but I'm stuck here at my desk trying to wrangle new photos of bread for our next ads. Hopefully the weather will stay nice so Annabelle and I can visit the park tomorrow...maybe we'll find some ducks to feed!

I've armed myself with an extra binky in the car for tonight's drive home. Last night Annabelle wailed the entire ride home because we forgot her binky at Ruth's house and she wanted it so badly! After thirty minutes of non-stop "I want my binky" crying I thought I was going to lose my mind...then as we pulled into the garage I looked down into my purse and there it was - a pink binky sitting in my purse, right in front of my face! Oh, the joys of motherhood!

My Artist

OU and OCU had another snow day today and with the horrible driving experiences of yesterday I decided to stay home today (no ads going to press today and nothing that can't wait for tomorrow on my desk at the office anyway!). Annabelle had her first experience with fingerpaints, she totally loved them and really got into getting the paint all over her entire hands! We ended up with some really terrific works of art! Some of the artworks were a little "heavy" on the paint so I had to clothespin them to the fence outside to dry out for the day. Notice how much paint she has on her hands, I thought it would never wash off but miraculously it all came off with soap. Annabelle has this unusual knack for keeping clean, she didn't get a DROP of paint on her clothes or anywhere...I think she has inherited this unusual cleanliness from Justin, it's definitely not from me! I think I even had paint on my shirt! After the fingerpainting we made chocolate chip cookies, I think Annabelle ate most of the chocolate chips before I could get them into the cookie batter...oh well.

Since yesteday Annabelle has been asking her Daddy for a guitar, not just any guitar, a PINK guitar. First thing this morning when she saw Daddy she asked "when do I get my pink guitar", I'm not sure where the obsession with the "PINK guitar" came from, but now poor Daddy is on the lookout for a pink guitar for Annabelle!

Snow Day Continued

I made it home from work after a treacherous drive that ended with my car almost getting stuck in our neighborhood - thanks Papa for the helpful winter weather driving advice, I wouldn't have made it without you! The car was actually just sitting in the street stuck, I thought I was going to have to get out and walk the final few yards to the house! The car is now in the garage and I think it will stay there until this weather passes...

Here are some pics of Annabelle checking out the weather and a pic of the ruts in our yard from the mailwoman getting her mail truck stuck for 20 minutes!

I sure hope it warms up tomorrow!

Snow Day!

Bad weather in Oklahoma today and yesterday. OCU closed at 1:30 yesterday, Justin picked Annabelle up from Ruth's house (after a 45 minute drive that should've taken 10 minutes!). OCU and OU called off classes today, Justin and Annabelle are at home enjoying the sleet/snow/ice. I am at work - came in late, roads were horrific so hopefully I'll get out of the office before the sun goes down! It's lightly snowing outside now, would be really pretty if I were sitting in my house and not at my desk! The Big Boss bought us all pizza for lunch since we're all trapped in here for the day...

The Qualls Kids - Gavin's Party

Siti sent us these pictures of Gavin's 4th Birthday party and Alyssa at her basketball game. We hope you had a terrific birthday Gavin! The dinosaur looks really cool!

Uneventful Weekend

Winding down from an uneventful weekend, Annabelle spent her day playing with her toys, watching Wizard of Oz, shopping with Mommy and Daddy and napping. No sickness this weekend, thank goodness! We worked on the potty training all day Saturday but decided to give it a rest today. We can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can start working on our garden, flower beds and playing outside! We only wish we had a swingset in our backyard...hint, hint Daddy. It only got up to around 32 degrees here this weekend, not warm enough to even spend some time at the park like we did last weekend! Even poor Walter has been getting a little restless with being inside so much, he spends about an hour each evening sitting outside on the patio until he just can't stand the cold any more!

Wizard, Princess, Fairy...

Annabelle was a wizard, a fairy and a princess this weekend. The princess doesn't like to have her picture taken though as you can see! The Wizard likes to turn Daddy into a frog. Ribbit, ribbit...

Little Wizard

Here's a pic of Annabelle that Justin took. She likes to wear her Wizard outfit while watching Wizard of Oz lately. When we get home every evening Annabelle immediately gets her "costume box" out and picks a different outfit for the evening...sometimes she's a princess, other times she's a "mean witch"...it's pretty hilarious!

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Gavin!
Happy Birthday to you!
...and many MORE!

Hope you have a happy birthday Gavin, Annabelle is blowing you a kiss now!

Rub a Dub Dub...

Rylan in the tub!

New Pics of Ry Guy

Siti sent us these new pics of Rylan with his Daddy and Mommy. Leslie looks really excited to have her picture taken!

Hi Ry Guy...you sure look cute! Annabelle and I can't wait to see you again!

Potty Training with Elmo

Annabelle is doing well with the potty training. She likes to read her "Elmo can use the Potty" book while using the potty!

Making A Block Tower with Daddy

One of Annabelle's favorite things to do lately is build a tall tower with her blocks and then knock it down. The tower is taller than her so it's lots of fun! Thanks for the awesome blocks Aunt Lisa!

Friday - Gotta put on Lipstick

Annabelle INSISTS on putting on lipstick every morning before going to Ruth's house. Lately it's been pink sparkly lipstick but we bought some new Vanilla Lip Smacker yesterday that she's addicted to now!

Bathtub Fear is Gone!

I think the bathtub fear is gone for now. Annabelle took a bath last night without crying or screaming. It took two nights of Justin and I cheering "yaaaay, baths are fun" while Annabelle was sitting in the bath but it seemed to work!

Annabelle has a cough now, I guess we'll never be "sickness free"! I'm looking forward to warmer weather so maybe there won't be as many germs floating around! No big plans for the weekend, just going to spend some time cleaning up around the house and doing some craft projects with Annabelle.

Fever Again...I know...it's Like a Broken Record

Annabelle had a fever AGAIN last night when I picked her up from Ruth's house. It was only 101°, not as high as it has been in the past. She woke up with the same fever again this morning but was feeling okay so I gave her more Motrin and sent her off to Ruth's house this morning. She yelled "Ruth I'm back" as I was turning on to Ruth's street this morning, it was pretty darn funny! She was happily playing with her friends Riley, Daria, Ripkin & Lucas when I left...let's hope that fever doesn't come back!!

Annabelle also has a new fear of taking a bath...not sure where this came from. She is TERRIFIED of sitting in the bathtub and screams the whole time I try to give her a bath. She says it makes her stomach hurt and "she might poop" :) I've tried new toys, bribery, candy, long talks about taking a bath, getting in the tub with her, showing her the tub is clean, etc. etc. Any helpful hints on conquering bath tub fear would be much appreciated! Otherwise I'll be getting the blow up pool out of the shed tonight and bathing Annabelle in our garage.

Birthday Video

Birthday Cake...mmmmmmmmmmm!

Daddy's Birthday cake was really good! (Notice the Barney, Annabelle's idea of course!)

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday! Presents!

We celebrated Daddy's 35th Birthday by taking him to the Royal Bavaria Restaurant in Moore. The food was fantastic and Annabelle had a good time looking at the interesting German decor! After the Royal Bavaria we came home and opened presents. Daddy got lots of neat stuff he really loved! Thanks everyone for the cards and gifts! Check out the Royal Bavaria website at: http://www.royal-bavaria.com/

Message for Grampa - The package arrived

The package arrived, I'm hiding now. Mission complete.

Update - Sick Again

Justin is still on break from school so Annabelle stayed home with him today. I made an appointment with the pediatrician for 10:20 a.m. and met Annabelle and Justin there. We waited in the waiting room for 45 minutes! and finally got to see Dr. Sigler. Annabelle was VERY afraid the doctor was going to look in her ears so she covered her ears and cried the ENTIRE time. Dr. Sigler decided we should do a strep test, it came back negative, so we think Annabelle just has a nasty virus - rash, fever, bloodshot eyes and a bunch of other icky symptoms - so for now we are just waiting it out and Annabelle is home with Daddy until she feels better, good thing Daddy is home this week (even though he won't be able to get his work done!). Now if we can just get over this sickness and stay well for at least another week! That would be a record for us! I'm seriously considering using one of those masks and coating her in hand sanitizer :) just kidding!!

Sick AGAIN!!!!!

Ms. Ruth called me at work today at 5pm and said Annabelle had a 103 degree temperature! I immediately got in my car and picked Annabelle up and we headed home, she was VERY lethargic and it was a scary ride home, Annabelle wouldn't even look at me. Justin and I gave her Tylenol and after about an hour she was a new woman! Here are some pics of Annabelle after the Tylenol took effect. She's feeling better but we'll see how things go after the Tylenol wears off, Annabelle might be staying home with Daddy tomorrow. Also, notice her new bangs, they aren't quite as crooked as they look in the photo:), Annabelle needed her bangs trimmed so I gave her a new haircut last night...next time maybe we'll get to go to a professional hair dresser!

Best of Barney - yes, it's the BEST!

Gramma & Grampa Clark gave Annabelle "The Best of Barney" DVD for Christmas and she LOVES it! She could spend hours watching it over and over again...I guess it truly is the "BEST"! Here are a couple pictures of Annabelle watching Barney.

Saturday Aftenoon - PlayDoh

It was a balmy 70+ degrees in Oklahoma today! We spent the morning putting our Christmas decorations back into the shed, we deifinitely need to have a garage sale! Our "stuff" is taking over! Annabelle played with her new ball and her slide in our backyard and then with her PlayDoh - always a big hit with her! Justin fired up the grill and cooked a pork roast and some chicken for Annabelle - delicious! It almost feels like spring! Too bad it will probably be 10 below tomorrow! Crazy weather.

Friday Night Funny Pics

Annabelle stayed home with Daddy on Friday. They took an EXCITING trip to Lowe's (Daddy said Annabelle was bored to death) then to the grocery store and McDonald's for a happy meal! Annabelle had her favorite - french fries!

We took all Annabelle's bottles and gave them to the "Baba Fairy" Friday night, Annabelle was very sad, but she got to pick a present at Target today and decided on a new ball with "princesses" on it! Now she's really a big girl! Potty training here we come! Daddy and I have promised Annabelle that she can have the bitty twins boy doll if she uses the big potty...we can't wait to get rid of the diapers and pull-ups! Wish us luck!