A little bit of everything..........

In an effort to get caught up, I am selecting just a few photos from SEVERAL events over the last two months. With mommy being so sick, I have had to lean HARD on other people to help me manage all I have on my plate. Friends and family have been soooo gracious and helpful during this time with calls, encouraging notes, FOOD, and prayers. Grandmommas and Daddy have played my role in your lives over the last two months. I will forever be grateful for the help and love. Both of you had Fall Field Trips. Caitlyn, Mimi went with you to Walden Farm and she took some great pictures that we will put in albums. Caroline, Daddy went with you to Gentry's Farm. He was the only Dad there...thanks, babe!!!! It was a great day to be outside.........

Mammi with my princess Sleeping Beauty and Kitty Cat at Otter Creek's Trunk or Treat!

Halloween night..........

Celebrating Daddy's birthday at Mimi and Papa's with his favorite, Banana Pudding!!!!!!!!!

In the month of November at chuch you discussed teamwork. The challenge was to raise $1000 dollars as a group in order to purchase 100 mosquito nets for children sponsered by Compassion International. You all wanted to earn your money by having a Lemonade Stand. We went to Mammi and Big Daddys, made signs, lemonade and cookies and had a great time!! You earned $60 to go towards the project. Daddy and I were so proud of you!

Thanksgiving is my favorite season. I wish we had more time for it because of what it stands for. I love hearing what you are grateful for. We have sooo much to thank God for!!! Every year, it seems to get more and more overshadowed by Christmas. Here we are below on Thanksgiving night at Mammi and Big Daddy's taking our annual Dozier family picture. The family just keeps growing!!!

Decorating the Christmas trees........................

And what a way to bring in December....with the surprise arrival of your newest cousin, Price Jacob Dozier. Aunt Camille's water broke on Sunday morning, the 6th, and he was born at 12:46, weighing in at 6lbs. 8oz! Uncle Wes could NOT be prouder!!!

He is such a good mix of his mommy and daddy!!!!!!!!! Oh, how we love you already, little boy!!!

So...........we are caught up and ready for the crazy month of December!!!!!!!!! Here goes.......

Fall Florida Trip

Each year in September or October we head down to Destin, Florida for a 4-5 day trip. It is highly anticipated ALL YEAR!!! This was our 4th year to go with Mimi and Papa. We decided to wait and use your Fall Break this year, Caitlyn, so it was later in October. We always eat at the Donut Hole the first morning ..............

Then head to the grocery to do our grocery shopping................

Because it was later in the month, it was MUCH cooler. We only made it out to the beach two days this year. We tried to make those days stretch and spent several hours out playing in the sun.

Caitlyn, you continue to be the water girl. You stayed in the water most all day....

Caroline, you tend to be our sand girl and spent a lot of time building sand castles and collecting shells. Mommy spent A LOT of time sitting in this chair and taking pictures. I had just begun to feel really nauseated from the little "sprinkle" in my belly. The two of you didn't know at this point...it was really hard not to tell you why I was sitting and doing "nothing" most all week!!!

There were tons of jelly fish this time....here is Papa pointing a big one out to you, Caroline. We had to really watch out!

Cuddle time..........

Collecting shells with Mimi........she is a great shell finder!!!

Sweet moments...........

I like this picture............you can tell how cold it was. We had gone over to the Wharf to eat that night and were FREEZING!!!!

We ended up inside a lot and spent the time playing lots of games!!! Here you are beating Daddy at MEMORY, Caroline!

WE LOVE TO BIKE RIDE!!! This is our favorite thing we do while there. It was cool, but we headed out anyway one morning. Caroline, you got to be the very first child to try their new double bike contraption. You were nervous at first, but ended up having a ball. Caitlyn, this was your first year to ride your very own bike, big girl!! Since Daddy is training for the half marathon, he ended up running beside of all of us instead of biking.

Having fun at our midway stop at the Wharf playground..........

Hanging out indoors..............

You two brought your GLOWDOODLES...a fun new toy that kept you busy for hours inside the condo and the car..............nice!!!!!!!!!!!

Our last day at the beach.........enjoying a walk with Daddy!

I love how you always seem to make friends while we are at the beach. It is so fun watching you interact with others and find fun things to do together. Watching the jelly fish............

Limbo...................

Diggin holes..................

Caroline, you got a kite for your birthday. It was the perfect windy weather to fly it. You and Daddy spent lots of time and entertained all around..........

My pretty girls........on our last night at the Back Porch restaurant. Another great way to end our favorite trip! Next year will be a little different........we'll have a 4 month old enjoying the sand for the first time! Amazing how much can happen in one year!!!!!!!!!

How can you be five?

This was a hard one for me...my baby turning five years old. Five just isn't little anymore in so many ways....and your five came sooo quickly, Caroline. You were JUST born it seems. In these last five years, you have brought us more joy and laughter to fill a lifetime. You are our sensitive, humorous, busy, compassionate and perceptive little girl. You enjoy girly things, but can hang with the boys, too. You love to do what Caitlyn does...wonder how long that will last? You also LOVE to irritate her, too...the job of a little sister, I suppose. You like to try new things, even if they are difficult. You still enjoy helping me cook and love to sample anything sweet!!!
Speaking of sweet, we decided for your birthday this year to celebrate at breakfast time at a new place...the Funky Griddle. We had heard about how neat it was and wanted to try it.

You get to cook your own pancakes on a griddle at your table. We had to wait awhile to get a table, but it was well worth it. They put us out on the screened in porch, where we had plenty of room and space to celebrate!! Mammi, Big Daddy, Mimi and Papa joined us, as well as Josue' and Mariana.

Your favorite were the ones we made with M&Ms inside.......mmmmm...that's my sweet tooth girl!!!

Caitlyn, you loved to flip...you got really good at it, too!

Checking out the new camera!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new bike!!!!!!!!!

Later that day, we allowed you to invite a few friends to go bowling. What a fun time we all had!!!

The ladies of the lanes...............

After bowling, Paisley and Ashlyn got to come over for a slumber party! Your first.........of many, I'm sure!

Getting ready to make pizza!

I lucked out this year and didn't have to buy or make a cake...these cupcakes were perfect for the four princesses!!!

Watching a movie..........

...playing Pretty, Pretty Princess game...........

and yes, you ALL three slept all night!!!!!!!!!!

Here you are at school the next week. You and I made cupcakes with sprinkles for your class. I got to come and enjoy lunch and share in another celebration of YOU!!!!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet Caroline!!!!!!!! We love you unconditionally for ALL eternity.

Catch up!!!

Ok---feeling decent at the moment and wanted to try and catch up a bit. Back to the beginning of October.
In honor of Caroline's birthday, we surprised the two of you with tickets to Disney on Ice. "Miss Christy" helped mommy and daddy get tickets. I loved your expressions......

And MY favorite part of the night was watching you in awe of the characters.

Such fun family time!!!

We attended a baby shower for Camille and baby Price at Fourth Avenue Church. She got so many sweet things. Seeing BLUE things still seems strange to me!!!

You loved helping her open the gifts.

Sweet Aunt Bela and Lucas wanted to treat you to a birthday dinner, Caroline. So, the five of us went to a Mexican Restaurant for supper one night. Aunt Bela had asked you what you wanted for your birthday a few weeks earlier. Your answer..."A doll whose hair I can fix".

Aunt Bela always gives the PERFECT gift

Your free dessert after being serenaded in Spanish.............with a dip of whip cream to the nose!

Where I've been..........

I know...I've never gone this long between posts before. BUT...there is a reason. I have felt overwhelmed and quite under the weather for several weeks now. We finally spilled the beans this weekend................ We're having a baby!!!!!!!!!!!

Caroline, you weren't sure about the news at first..........

But, you came around!!!! We've got a long time to wait, but are super excited and thankful beyond words.

It may be awhile before I am caught back up on "life", especially here on my blog, but we'll get there. Stay tuned.........

September shots

These are all very random, but fill in some of the gaps that words just cannot. Here are some of our fun moments of September. Caroline, this was you one Tuesday running errands with momma. You were enjoying the massage chair at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Oh, how we have loved on the new babies in our life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kamry

Josue'

Stretching at Let It Shine

Learning how to jump from side to side and walk on the balance beam.

The funnest part of class is jumping in the foam pit!!!

We loved America's Got Talent this summer. We have been into "singing" ever since. Mimi got you these great microphones....money WELL spent, I'd say!!!

Your created microphone stand!

Caitlyn had spirit week last week. Caroline, you decided (even though Otter wasn't having spirit week...) to have your own! One day was miss-match day. Caitlyn, you wouldn't pose for a picture, but Caroline sure loved going along with it!!!

The last day was crazy hat day. We didn't have crazy hats, but we had these sweet "Princess" ones, given to us by Aunt Amy. And... of course, like monkey see, monkey do!!

Our new routine

Well, the more relaxed days of summer are gone and we are living the more scheduled life of school and work. It's definitely taken some getting used to. I know in many ways, more gets done when we live with a "routine", but I must admit I often fight against it...and so do the two of you. So...in hopes of helping us get out the door, be on time, and have some more harmony and flow when we are home, I put some new things in place. We've only been doing it now for a few weeks, but I do think it is helping us stay focused.

I wanted to record this, so one day, we all could look back and smile on these days.........

Morning

Get dressed
Make beds
Eat breakfast
Pack bag
Brush teeth
Be ready by 8:00

After School

Empty out school bag (and lunchbox) and put away
Homework
Pick up
Recyle or trash when needed
Kitchen help (set or wipe table)

Before Bed

Bath
Clothes picked out for next day
Brush Teeth
Read/Bible Study
Bed by 8:30

At each time of the day, when you have completed your "jobs" you are allowed to watch TV or get on the computer (something that had gotten out of hand). Also, if you accomplish these (I think very reasonable tasks) with good attitudes , you earn a "Diamond Dollar" the following morning. If in a two week period (minus weekends--we have to have a break sometime!) , you can earn eight Diamond Dollars, you are allowed to invite a friend over (a huge treat!).

Our weekly schedule:
Mondays- Momma works and Daddy takes you to school in the morning. Mimi picks you both up from school and brings you back home until Momma or Daddy arrives. Most Monday afternoons, we go to Mammi and Big Daddy's for a family dinner. You love this time, especially playing with Mariana and Josue'.
Tuesdays-Caroline, you and I take Caitlyn to school and then go to gymnastics. I allowed each of you to pick one activity to do this year, and you chose a class at Let it Shine Gymnastics. Its so fun to watch you learn. We usually run errands, have appointments, or just stay home together. What a sweet memory this will be for you and I!
Wednesdays-I take both of you to school and either have some time alone (Which I love and value!) or spend the day with Aunt Amy and Josue'. Us mommy's need some rejuvenating time often! I pick both of you up from school these days. Wednesday nights we go to church. We had gotten out of the habit of doing this last year with dance, and it has been nice to be doing this together again.
Thursdays-I work these days, so I meet Mimi in the school parking lot with both of you early, so she can take Caitlyn into school and then she spends the day with you, Caroline. We are so thankful to have family to help us out sooooo much!!! Mimi and Caroline pick you up, Caitlyn, then bring you home. Daddy and I usually get home around 5:30.
Fridays- I work this day, too, but don't have to be there until 9:30, so get to take you both to school. Sometimes, I can't leave work until 2:30, so you get to go to extended care, Caroline, which you LOVE!! We hang out at the Purple Cow and get an icee and then it's off to get sister. I love Fridays, b/c it means the weekend is coming!!! Weekends are so anticipated!!! Weekends are never the same, but one thing we are trying to fit in every other weekend is a horse riding lesson for you, Caitlyn (your chosen activity). I love that you wanted to try this. I have struggled a bit with my fear of you getting hurt, but I know this is not the first time I will have to "trust and let you go!" We try to let Sundays be family days...church, out to eat, and just hanging out together in some way before the week starts up again.
Daddy has been training for a 1/2 marathon amidst all of this and I am just trying to finish a book and keep our underwear clean!!!

I wish I could post some pictures with this post, but for some reason blogger won't let me. We'll try again tommorrow!