Fire alarms, dog sickness, and teeth

STORY 1: So what exactly makes fire alarms go off ONLY during the middle of the night? And why do you have to take ALL alarms down to stop the noise? And why do you have to take out the batteries COMPLETELY before they decide to finally stop the second most annoying sound in the world? And how is it that kids can sleep through the alarm, but wake up when you open the ladder to take the alarm down? And why does it happen AGAIN the next night after all batteries are changed and dust is wiped off?

STORY 2: Poor Luci had to go to the ER doggy doctor late Wednesday night. She was super dehydrated, vomiting and pooing blood, and breaking out in hives.... and all this was AFTER we got back from the vet for bathroom issues that hadn't stopped after 3 days. Luci had a gastrointestinal something-er-other and spent all night in the ER and following day at the vet. We were very pleased with the quick diagnosis (unlike last year's sickness that lasted 1 1/2 months) and knowledge of the vets. She's super sleepy being on the medicine and still really skinny, but recovering very well. Thank you Lord for healing our doggy!

STORY 3: Why do teeth take so long to come through? And why can't they all come in at the same time? We've had some major sleeping issues (the lack thereof) and super fun fussiness this past week with Olivia....and therefore myself. However, I finally saw a bud of a tooth coming through on the top! So hopefully it'll all be over soon....until the next one comes! I know she looks happy as a lark in the picture, but I had to include it because she was SOOO cute playing with her baby on the couch. I think she's going to be a fine big sister!

She walks!

We now have a another walker in the house! Olivia really hasn't fallen too much...I guess she's waited to get just the right balance!

Boy Ford and Olivia Fun

No mistaking this time! IT'S A BOY! We saw all the major organs and parts on the 20 week ultrasound. Thank you Jesus for a healthy baby!

Olivia LOVES bows....probably because her hair drives her nuts in her face....but this day she wanted ALL her bows in her hair.

Look at my new wheels!

Olivia found lots of treasures around the yard in her wagon.

AND.....BIG NEWS.....We now have a stander! Olivia can stand by herself on purpose and realize she's doing it! Walking is just around the corner, I hope!

Camping at Cades Cove

Justin and I went camping in Cades Cove (Smoky Mountain National Park) last weekend for our first over night without Olivia. We saw bears and Olivia had fun with Grandma and Grandpa!

This is a picture of a picture because it wasn't from our camera. We decided to go on a short hike close to our campsite just before dinner. As we came up over a hill, we saw a truck ahead of us stopped in the middle of the road. They warned us of a bear, which so happened to be RIGHT over the hill we were walking over. We would have walked within 10 feet of where the bear was! The couple in the truck was on their honeymoon and let us in the back to see the bear over the hill. We didn't have our camera, but they so happened to have a bunch of disposable cameras from their wedding so we got to get some pictures of our first black bear sighting! There is no zoom of course, so the picture shows how close we actually were to the bear!

A little blury, but still a bear.

This was one of the first houses in the Cades Cove area.

Our campsite.

Another bear we saw, this time from our car.

We hiked 5 miles (round trip) to Abram Falls off the the Cades Cove loop.

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin's 30th Birthday celebration lasted almost a week! This past weekend, family came over for a steak dinner which was better than the Outback. Then on Monday we went floating down a river near Pigeon Forge (VERY relaxing). Wednesday Olivia and I surprised Justin by showing up to his school with cake and cupcakes to share with his staff, and decorations for the office. He was supposed to be out of the building most of the day Thursday with meetings, but lo and behold, Thursday came and no meetings...so he got to celebrate twice at school! His office was confettied and black paper covered his door. I guess he's officially over the hill. We got to enjoy some good old bluegrass music in downtown Dandridge Thursday evening.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY DEAR!

Steak dinner with family

I want to be just like Daddy!

After MANY tries, this was the best family picture we got!

Here's some more pictures from Will and Tara's weekend visit.

Olivia was sharing her shells with Uncle Will after reading Sally sells seashells by the Seashore.

Super relaxing River Rat tube ride down the river. And very pretty.

More random pictures...

Dad sharing a rootbeer float with Olivia. I think we have another begger.

Olivia "running" the car after some rain.

Olivia made it through the tunnel by herself! Woo Hoo!