Birthday Party

For only being 8 months old, Violet has been to more birthday parties than I ever went to.

Melissa stresses out so much trying to think of a gift for a 1 year old. The last party they went to was for a little boy and she bought him a plastic dump truck. When she asked me what to get for the little one year old girl today I told her "a dump truck?" I really think she'd save a lot of money if she just raided my ribbon and bow plastic tote and wrapped up an empty box. That's what Violet seems to enjoy to most!

Last Vegas

If you haven't seen Last Vegas you need to schedule a couple of hours and go see it especially if you're in that "older" age bracket. I thought it was very typical of men over the age of 60 who think younger women really want them. I giggled through most of the movie.

Michael and Jamie just returned from Vegas. Michele made this picture taken from the Last Vegas trailer and used Photoshop to add the faces of Dad, Jamie, Michael and Uncle Ed. I stole this from her blog but I had to have a post of my own.

No Shave November

Although Michael says he's not participating in "No Shave November", he showed up for Thursday night dinner sporting a moustache and beard.

I've never seen this look on him before so you can imagine my surprise when I saw him. At first I didn't like it, but it's so faint that it really doesn't look that bad. He says this is a week's worth of growth. I think I'll buy him a razor for Christmas.

Violet and Leftover Containers

I cleaned out one of my cabinets and filled it with plastic containers so Violet could have a new form of entertainment.

I know this idea has been used forever but this has a surprising twist. The bottom shelf pulls out like a drawer. Violet loves this. I don't know who has more fun - me or her. I'm afraid I might run out of containers. While Violet plays, the puppies usually take a couple and chew them up. We need to eat faster to keep up with the empty containers.

Michael in Vegas - 30 Years Later on Fremont Street

Michael left for Vegas yesterday to meet up with Jamie. You can image how surprised I was when I got a text from him this morning at 8:15 a.m. Kansas City time which made it 6:15 a.m. in Vegas.

He sent this picture taken on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas and he stitched it together with the same picture taken of Dad, Mom and Uncle Ed. I'm not completely sure but I believe it was taken at least 30 years ago. Leave it to Michael to be so creative.

Michael always makes the most of his time when he's on vacation. No resting for him. Add to the fact he's with Jamie and I'd be surprised if either one of them gets more than 20 hours of sleep in the next 5 days.

Violet's Adventures in Phoenix

I haven't heard much from Melissa since they left for Phoenix but I always figure "no news is good news". I have to beg her to send pictures of things they are doing.

Sunday morning they spent time at the soccer field watching the kids play soccer. Look at her in shorts and I'm bundled up in the mornings taking the puppies out for a walk.

Then Sunday afternoon Violet met her first giraffe at the zoo. Melissa says Violet didn't seem too impressed with any of the animals.

Except maybe the stuffed kind.

But I think this family vacation is better than the trip to Dauphin Island, AL last June. At least Melissa isn't frantically calling the airlines for an early flight home.

Meanwhile, I'm back at home twiddling my thumbs and taking care of Khloe and Lola. It's not too bad except at bedtime. They think my bed is theirs. They left just enough room for me to squeeze in between them. I'm sure they scurried away once I started snoring.

Today Michael heads out to Vegas - Dad is taking him to the airport - that ought to be a trip. I thought of hopping on a plane and joining him on Wednesday but with last minute flights I'd be in the air and stranded at airports longer than I would be in Vegas.

Violet Heads to Phoenix

Violet's off on her second vacation in the 7 short months of her life. This time she's headed to Phoenix, AZ and taking her first ride in an airplane.

I dropped Melissa, Jamie and Violet at the airport this morning. I wish I could have gone inside to see how you get a baby and stroller through airport security.

Melissa reports Violet loved the ride and didn't fuss one time. I was worried that Southwest would be the first airline to blacklist Violet from future travel.