Holy ZooMoly it's October!

Happy Fall everyone! I can't believe we are approaching Jackie's second Halloween! That means we are approaching her second Holiday Season. Wow how time flies. Jackie took her second zoo visit with her cousins last week. We have been Tulsa Zoo members for two weeks now and have already been twice since joining. We love it and Jackie is learning all of her animal names and sounds.
The elephants are so cool. It is so cute to hear Jackie say "Elephant." I have just decided they are my favorite animal. This is one fun thing about parenthood that I have discovered. It's ok to act like a kid again and think about things like your favorite color, animal, kid show, kid song. I'm a dork.

Caroline looks like such a big girl here it cracks me up! Look at her cute bare feet hanging far from the ground. hehe..

Rhino's perplex me. They are so lazy. They have this huge horn on their head that looks miserable and they are the color of dirt. I feel sorry for them and then I see this picture of their soul full eyes. They look like wize old guys with the wrinkles around them. Hmm...

By the penguin exhibit. The zoo has been one of Colin's favorite spots, long before he met me.

Tuckered out on the train. What a day we had. We were so worn out, we all took naps! Learning is tiring!

Someone Likes to Climb in the Chair Like a Big Girl

Football Season Is Here

(Beef and Stout Pie)

So, my husband has been waiting and waiting for football season. He could hardly wait one more Saturday, Sunday and sometimes Thursday (when is there no game?). He loves the excuse to do nothing. He loves the excuse to drink beer and the comraderie with the guys. But, I do think most of all, he loves the excuse to cook ALL DAY LONG.

He loves to find some recipe that takes 4-5 hours to make, do all the prep work and let it simmer, simmer and simmer. Lots of checking in on the masterpiece, lots of surprising smells throughout the day and lots of questions by all of the anticipating eaters. "What is it?" "Smells Good." "When will it be ready?"

I just sit back and know the end result. I reap the benefits of his patience and talent. I eat, enjoy, and boast that I do this every day.

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

I know, this is weird. Why the heck would I post this strange, almost white picture? Well, I've begun a photography class, thanks to my awesome in-laws who surpised me with the class for my birthday and this was my first assignment. Bare with me as I steer away from the auto settings and get used to shooting photos in the "middle of the meter." Obviously, this picture of John and Jason is a failure. Too much light and my shutter speed was obviously too slow letting it way too much light. (Or, at least I think that is what happened). I strangely find it cool though. :-)

These are not impressive shots, but they are in the middle of the meter! Doesn't she look like a big girl here?

Uncle Canon was in town this weekend for football, football and more football. Oh, and bourbon, bourbon and more bourbon. :-)

The brothers played a little shuffle board, taking breaks while Jackie wandered in the middle of the game.

We love it when Uncle Canon comes to town. He's so much fun to have around. We missed Aunt Anne this time, but we'll see her soon.

Hopefully, the pictures will get better!!

Sean's Birthday - Part 2

Jackie looooooves her cousin Abbey. You can just see it in her eyes every time I mention her name, everytime Abbey walks in the room, and the giggles they share together. She feels so cool hangin with her spunky older cousin.

Sean and Caroline on the left are mastering the art of walking. Sean's really taken off in the last month and Caroline is enjoying a few steps here and there.

On the wall with Jack. He's showing her the ropes of his backyard. Jackie tried to join in on a Jason, Jack race and faceplanted. I give her props for thinking she can keep up. Shows confidence.

I think Abbey takes the cake on enjoying the swings. She could stay on there for hours.

Buzzin with Cousin's

My friend Sarah requested name tags for all these kids. After the baby boom of 2008-09, our friends (and family) are having a hard time keeping up! :-)

Left to Right: Jason, son of John and Molly; Jackie, our sweet girl; Caroline and Abbey, daughters of Matt and Jenny; Jack and Sean, sons of Jason and Kelly.

We celebrated Baby Sean's Birthday this past weekend. What a "sweet face" he is. Jackie enjoyed the boy toys and time with cousins. We Dowdell/Manning/Taylor/McSherry's do make some cute Irish babies don't we??

Carpenter One, Carpenter Two

Colin and Grandad worked their hiney's off this past weekend building shelves for our new house. It was the first big project since the move in (besides painting and texturizing the ceiling). Grandad Larry self taught himself through life to be quite the talented carpenter. Colin learned a lot and really felt good about learning a new and valuable skill. It was really neat to see these two guys working together.

Does Colin look like his Dad or what??!!

Jackie and I occupied ourselves with sidewalk chalk - table saws are not the safest place for babies...
The finished product!! Just one more coat of paint and Colin is finished. Thank you Larry for sacrificing your weekend to help us with our home. Great job, Darlin. I'm proud of you!!