Oh just been busy being a Nana

We celebrated the arrival of our newest granddaughter on December 28th. So our L'il Lady Bug is now a  Big Sister.

I'm taking lots of pictures. I am just reluctant to share them on the internet much.

But here is one or two....just to prove how cute my granddaughters are.

First meeting of the sisters

"Not more pictures, Nana!"

Welcome home mommy and sister

And I tried to upload a video, but I kept getting an error. 

I am seriously considering going private. Long story, but involves the safety of my family. 

If you would like to, or even are still, keep reading please send me an email or comment with your email address and I'll send you an invite. 

mrsmonkeybutt (at) live (dot) com

Now 15 with a desire to drive......

So 15 years ago I gave birth to my youngest child.

She is a freshman in high school today.

She is on one of the dance teams called DFusion.
She is amazing with little children and babies.

She is my biggest helper.
She struggles with school, but tries her best to get good grades.
She loves her niece.
She loves Hello Kitty stuff.
She love her family.
She loves to eat out.
She loves to grow up.
She is anxious to be driving and get her permit.
She has plans for her future that involve college and fast vehicles.  

Tree Monkey has a love for life that is contagious. She is absolutely the baby of the family and has a special relationship with everyone.

Happy 15th Birthday Tree Monkey!!!!!!

And Baby Grows Up

On the 24th we celebrated our Tree Monkey's birthday. She turned 14 years old.
She is part kid and mostly young lady.
She loves to play with Barbies, dolls houses, and Polly Pockets.
She can answer the phone and speak like a professional secretary.
She can pout and whine when she doesn't get her way and when she gets in trouble for trying to do things that 14 year old girls don't get to choose in my home (like running down the road for cookies at 9:13 PM with out asking).
She works hard at school and is making some amazing grades.
She is dependable. I can always count on her help when I'm in a pinch.
She tries to not do her chores some days and frowns at doing dishes or cleaning litter boxes.
She loves her niece, the animals, and her family.
She is a great friend.
She is a beautiful dancer.
She makes packing a baby on her hip and cleaning up or preparing a bottle or a jar of baby food look easy, peasy.

She is my baby.

Tree Monkey you make your momma proud! Stay beautiful.

July 2011 Part 2

 **WARNING: Picture overload**

Camping: July 22 to 24, 2011
I love camping. I wished I could stay for longer, but I had to be at work Tuesday morning.
We got a new tent. They called it a 3 room Vacation Lodge. Uhm, folks, if it doesn't have flushing toilets and running water it isn't a lodge by any stretch of the word.  It was VERY big though.
 

The "Vacation Lodge"

Mine and the hubs air bed in the "master bedroom" of our 3 room vacation lodge

The girl's room

Both tents

The Monkey Wrenches' set up

Mrs Monkey Wrench suggested we bring games. Best suggestion ever. seriously we laughed so hard and had so much fun in the dark around lantern light.

1st night we play Guess Who I am?

 Saturday morning nap of L'il LadyBug

We went shooting at the range up the road from our campsite on Saturday. At first the girls (Sassy and Tree Monkey) were complaining. They they got there and we "made" them shoot. Sassy likes the .22 pump action rifle that used to be my dad's and Tree Monkey loved the .45 pistol that is her dad's new toy. I prefer the .22 pistol, I can control it better.

Protecting precious ears. We think she looks like Shrek here.

Mrs Monkey Wrench and me being all bad like.

Sassy liking the pump action .22

Tree Monkey trying out the .22 semi auto. "It's all right. Can I shoot the .45 again?"

Those ear plugs are good! She is sleeping as we shoot.

Shooting the .22 pistol. I liked it.

Mrs Monkey Wrench really likes the .22 semi auto

Setting up targets

Still setting up targets

My baby waiting to go out and play

That night we played the Name Game, Jr. Hubs wasn't going to play, but it was so fun he got sucked in by helping others and then just playing.

L'il Miss Lady Bug Sunday morning as we were packing up to come home.

Well there would be more pictures, but after 3 days of fighting blogger issues I'm just done fighting it.

Camping was great fun! We really didn't want to leave, but we have to work for a living and get stuff cleaned up and put away.

July part 1- Let's just hope I remember to do part 2 ;)

Where did this month go?! Seriously.

At the Freedom Festival with Nana and Papa

Being held by Uncle Oldest

Snoozing on Nana on July 3rd

The Monkey Wrenches, Sassy, Oldest, and Tree Monkey slept out on the parade route July 3rd and we joined them after sleeping in our bed. Well, kind of sleeping. Sassy left her dog home with us. He sleeps at her feet. She wasn't home, he slept on our bed, but my Izzy dog sleeps on my bed and there wasn't enough room for both with me and the Mr. But with more sleep than the parade place savers, we joined them with donuts and juice for breakfast.

Snoozing on Papa July 4th at Parade

L'il Miss Lady Bug slept the whole parade on her Papa (Mr.).
Then we had a BBQ at our home and went to our neighborhood's Sidewalk of Fire. It was the 7th annual event. The rain sent me home with the kids, but we watched from our garage window and lit a few fireworks of our own.

Mostly I am working, going to the gym 3 days a week, doing water aerobics (good workout), and spending time with my family. It doesn't leave much time for internet stuff. I read blogs, get on Facebook, and check email, but it is sometimes a couple of days before I get to it. I thought I would miss it, but I don't. I like my work and it keeps me very busy.

We have a camping trip coming up. Oldest has to work, so he will be staying home guarding the home front, but the Monkey Wrenches and the girls of course, L'il Miss Lady Bug will be going with us. Her first camping trip! So exciting.

I cannot believe that school stuff is out and on sale right now. I am still in the middle of my summer and those darn retailers are reminding about all my mom duties that are coming up soon. Darn them! I'm going to keep ignoring them.

So, I'm off to church now and then to feed the family and hold the granddaughter. You know why they are called grand children? 'Cause it's the grandest thing to happen in your life. It's why you let your children live through the teenage years. 'Cause then you get this beautiful child to hold and spoil and send home at night so you can sleep and have the energy to play and spoil them again.

Sleeping soundly in Nana's bouncy chair

Sleeping with Papa on July 16

Happy Birthday to Little Miss Lady Bug

***Edited to add***
7 lbs 3 oz and 19.5 inches long. How did I not remember to post this before? Too excited to think I guess.

Nana K is now a reality. My first granddaughter/child arrived at 1:04 AM on May 4th. 3 days before my birthday. That's a pretty good gift in my book!

Right after birth being checked out.

"I do not like being bothered," she screamed.

Me with my son, DIL and little miss Lady Bug

Little Miss Lady Bug

Nana K and a brand new grand baby

The growing jungle.

Little Miss Lady Bug

My first born with his first born. LOVE!

A few hours later in the day. Finally sleeping.

 She was very alert and had her eyes open. She also ate within 30 minutes of her birth. Kind of cool and surreal. You actually get to leave the hospital without a baby and not feel like part of you is missing. It is still hard to leave. Just looking at her is Heaven.