Ellie Jade

It's been a busy two days but I finally have a chance to introduce my new niece! Ellie Jade was born yesterday, October 20th at 12:47pm. 6 pounds, 15 ounces, 19 and a half inches long. She is absolutely gorgeous and the general consensus is that she seems to take after Shannon and her side so far. My first thought was that she has very long lashes!

We've had Bree staying with us the past couple of nights. We took a picture of her just before leaving for the hospital yesterday to meet her baby sister... She was very excited! Driving in the car she said, "Grandma Karen, is baby sister still in mommy's tummy?" Mom told her no, she isn't. Then Bree said, "Grandma Karen, honk your horn!!" She also said, "I'm a really REALLY big sister now!"

The family in the waiting room. Bryan came out to take Bryanna in so she could meet Ellie first. The rest of us waited impatiently for the exact 6 minutes that Bryan told us to (Renee timed it) and then followed.
A big yawn! Bree will make a great big sister. She's been a big cousin for 2 years and has had lots of practice! Jhett will be a good big cousin, too. He's only 8 months older than Ellie and has lots of practice at baby stuff, too, like... Well, just read his shirt. Jhett was very excited to meet his new baby cousin! Bree had some questions about her mommy being "at the doctor". Bree's Grandpa Dave and Grandma Sue held her up for a good view of "Baby Elwie". Auntie Jessica and Uncle Kevin with their new niece. Jhett wasn't sure what to think of his daddy holding another baby. Ellie's daddy Bryan showed Uncle Jeff her full head of beautiful dark hair. Bree liked to tell everyone, "That's my baby Elwie!" Who wouldn't be this exhausted after such a big first day?

"Kyall"

I had a wonderful weekend because after exactly 6 weeks and 3 days I finally got to see my fiance! Kyle flew in Friday evening and I cooked him a surprise dinner (with some help)... His 25th birthday is October 25th but as I won't get to be with him then we celebrated his birthday this weekend.

Saturday we toured the place where we are getting married because he hadn't seen it yet. He really liked it; lucky for me we have the same taste! He also got to see the whole family in the short 48 hours he was in town. I'm trying to get my niece and nephews used to him, and especially trying to get Carter and Bree used to the idea of "Uncle" Kyle. Bree just called him "Kyall" but seemed to warm up to him pretty quick and had fun bossing him around ("Kyall, come HERE. Kyall, we are going to play basketball now!", etc.) Carter was more shy and turned his head but would keep checking with a little smile to make sure Kyle was still looking at him.

Sunday we went to lunch and then headed to the mall to check out some wedding bands. Then we took some pics...And before long we were back at the airport again...
The next time we see each other will be around Thanksgiving time but at least it's sooner than 6 weeks!

This weekend Mom, Dad and I are leaving to Mexico for 2 weeks. Meanwhile we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Niece #2 who has decided she is much too comfy-cozy in mommy's tummy to come out! Of course we are all crossing our fingers she will come this week...

The Not So Presidential Debate

Cousin Conspiracy VIII: Through the eyes of a 2-year-old

For Cousin Conspiracy VII, click here.

All photos in this issue courtesy of Bryanna!

Everything's colorful through the eyes of a 2-year-old.

Everyone is always happy to see you.
You are smiled upon.
Laughing is the best thing in the world.
Everything is interesting.
Life is a gift.
You can reach to the sky,
or to the stratosphere;
even impossible heights can be achieved.
Because you don't see the whole picture yet,
the whole world is viewed in your own, unique way.
Learning is a challenge to be tackled.
Life is silly and fun.
Life is jolly.
You see eye-to-eye with those your age, most of the time.
Simple things are beautiful.
The world is yours.

There's always a silver lining.
But sometimes, especially where wise adults are concerned,
You feel like you are missing the point.

It doesn't always make sense to you.

Life might seem big,

and confusing,
and some things seem out of reach,

but someone always has the answer.
And in the end, it's the people who love you that give color to life.

A special thanks to all or parts of people who participated.

A bird? A plane? A Lightship!

Something strange is flying over Las Vegas.

It's not one of the hundreds of planes that fly in or out everyday. It's not even a U.F.O., although I admit that's the first thing that popped into my head when I spotted it Wednesday night. We were picking up Grandma for mtg. It's finally been cool enough to drive with the windows down and so we heard it whirring. It was traveling so low and the lights were so eye-catching that we wondered how many accidents there would be as a result of drivers taking their eyes off the road to watch it. Dad even almost took a wrong turn.

So what was it?

A Lightship!

Sounds like something from space... but it's not.

This article was in our paper Thursday morning:

October 2, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Light Work In The Nightime

Jason Bean GAMING WIRE

The M Resort Lightship, with its 70-foot-by-30-foot television screen, arrives Wednesday evening in Las Vegas. One of only three such lightships in the world, the blimp will fly around the Las Vegas Valley to promote the $1 billion M Resort, which is expected to open in March on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway.

___________________________________

The article was actually just a caption to a picture of the "blimp" but it wasn't in the online archives and the pictures I took on my camera phone didn't turn out in the dark. I found this picture on google:

Mom heard it last night around 11 and we went outside in time to see it whirr over the house. It is pretty flashy and impressive when it's cruising right over your head.

Who knew even Vegas would take advertising to such extremes? I guess when you spend a billion dollars on a resort you might as well go all-out to advertise for it.

Happy 1st Birthday Camden!

I can hardly believe my second little nephew is one today!!! I can't call him "baby Camden" anymore... He crawls around as fast as a train, can stand on his own and is almost walking!
I love you Cam!
Happy Birthday!

Videos of the Cousins