Aren't surprises great?

I love a good surprise, and even better when I am one of the people doing the surprising! Over the last few months, Amy, and I have been secretly planning a celebration of Tad and Tiffany 10 years of marriage. Quite an accomplishment, definitely worth a celebration. So, months of planning, one week of intense planning, 4 hours of crazy decorating and cooking, and 20 minutes of anxious waiting... and you get this look:)

Mercer and Spencer

Yummy cupcakes

Stacy and I

It was a great party! So fun to see all our good friends who we don't get to see very often and just hang out.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Ear Checkup

So Brennan had another ENT appt. yesterday afternoon. We seem to be becoming quite the experts on these Dr. appts. He had a hearing test, then an exam from the Dr. I was very curious how the appt. would go considering it was once again during his nap time (they never have morning appts. available). Sure enough he was playing shy and not wanting to do much on the hearing test. But, she was able to get enough information to give to the Dr.
The results:

• His right ear, with the tube still in place, is hearing at a great, almost perfect level.
• His left ear, no tube, has mild hearing loss still, although not as bad as it was in May.
• The Dr. feels like his speech is coming along at a fairly decent pace, especially since the right ear is hearing so well, basically making up for the small lack of hearing in his left ear.
• IF Bren gets another ear infection between now and Nov. we have to go back in immediately.
• IF when we go back in Nov. and his hearing in either ear is not the same or better than it is now, we need to talk about having another surgery.

So, the bottom line, pray for no ear infections and continued improvement in his hearing in the left ear. I am not sure I could handle another surgery for my little man.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Happy Wedding Birthday!

to US! 7 years ago today Jeff and I were walking down the aisle and saying "I DO" in front of all our family and friends. The last 7 years have been very busy. We have lived in three different cities, moved across the state, owned two houses, had two beautiful (if I do say so myself:))kids, bought and gotten rid of a dog (he went to a great home!), changed jobs, and grown together as a family. We just don't do well, living a boring life, I guess.

Happy Wedding Birthday to us!

I love you sweetie! Thanks for 7 great years, I look forward to many more.

Pool FUN!

Nothing quite beats playing in the pool on a hot day!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Is that rain???

Emerson: "Mommy! I think it is raining outside!"

Me: "No sweetie that is just thunder and lightening for now, but maybe the rain will come too".

Emerson: "But, Mommy look outside (obviously nothing wet on the ground when we look) it is dark and the water is falling from the sky."

Me: "Sweetie, yes it is dark, but not raining yet."

Emerson: "Well, can we take our umbrellas out in case it does rain?"

Me: "Sure, but only if it starts to rain."

about 5 minutes pass...

Emerson and Brennan: "MOMMYYYYYYY, IT IS RAINING!!!!"

My goodness, you would have thought it was Christmas morning or something. SO sad, that living in the desert we really don't get rain often at all, so this is the reaction that happens when we do. LOL! Too cute!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Modern Amenities

You know things like running water, electricity, and many others are obviously very important to most people. Some people like myself have a hard time living without computer, radio, or TV, although it is very possible to do so. Something I am not so capable of living without, in the middle of the summer, in the desert.....AIR CONDITIONING!!!!
I woke up at 3am this morning feeling warm, not really sure why since I could hear our air conditioner running. Then I heard Brennan wake up, so in the middle of getting him something to drink I glanced at the thermostat...88 degrees!!!! Are you freakin' kidding me? No wonder I was hot! No wonder poor Brennan woke up thirsty. Our stupid a/c is obviously broken and now I am crabby at the thought of how long it will be until it is fixed. ARRRGHHHH!!!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

**UPDATE**
The wonderful air conditioner man came about 10 this morning and fixed the broken part and added more frion. The house is now much more comfortable! YIPPEE!

The beach AND Mickey Mouse!?!?

We couldn't go to OC and not make a trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth"! The third day of our trip was spent at Disneyland. Of course it was busy, I mean it is summer, but honestly, not as bad as I would have thought. The kids did amazing considering we were there from 8am until 10pm! It was a great visit to the park, I even went on some rides I have never been on (considering I have been to Disney over 20 times, I thought that was pretty cool!). Brennan loved the new Buzz Lightyear ride where you get to shoot (we say "get") all the alien bad guys. Emerson loved the Tea Cups and of course the Carousel.

Brennan taking Lauren for a drive.

Kaitlyn and Lauren "cheeesing" for the camera.

Emerson on the carousel.

(notice Brennan covering his ears, the steamboat was just leaving and the horns were blowing!)

Jeff and Brennan ready to "take off"

Lots of love,

The Grady's

What better way to beat the heat...

than to go to the beach!!! We just came home from three days at the beach. In January Jeff and I stayed at this great hotel in Huntington Beach for my birthday. While we were there we said that we had to come back with the kids in the summer, since it was directly across the street from the sand. The Black's joined us for some fun in the sun.

The kids looking for buried treasure.

Emerson learning how to boogy board.

Brennan LOVING being on the board.

Emma and Kaitlyn playing in the sand.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

UGH!!!!

Does everything need to be an argument???? I mean "COME ON!".

• Why do I have to wear THAT outfit?
• He got more than I did!
• I don't like those shoes, why can't I wear these?
• I want apple juice, I don't like water!
• I don't want to watch that show! He chose last time!
• Why does the TV have to be off, I want to watch it ALL day!
• I don't like this food, why do I have to try it?
• How many bites?
• WHHHHHHYYYYYY????

AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!

The joys of parenting....

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Twin LOVE!

I went to visit my best friend from college, Temma, yesterday in Santa Monica. I have not been able to see her beautiful twin boys since about a week after they were born. And boy have they grown now!

They are just precious!!!

Cole

Asher

Lots of love,


The Grady's

Gotta love CA!

At 11:42 am yesterday the ground was certainly shaking! 5.4 to be exact! I just happened to be in L.A. at that exact time, so needless to say I have experienced yet another earthquake in CA. I must admit you don't quite get used to the rolling of the ground or the roar in the air, but honestly I still choose those over tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Seattle Part 2

A picture story...The University of Washington stadium, Emerson enjoying swimming in the spa, Emerson climbing the rock wall at the Pacific Science Center, Daddy and Brennan enjoying the electric boat ride on the lake, Em and Bren keeping safe with their life jackets, Daddy and Emerson on the front of the boat, Pikes Place Market, and finally Brennan with his little sneaky smile:)

Lots of love,

The Grady's

I am SO excited!!!

My amazing friend Carrie has been talking about flying out, with her great husband Austin, in October for the Jimmy Buffett concert in San Diego. Well, talking has turned into booking the flight, buying the concert tickets, and reserving the hotel room! I wasn't letting myself get excited over the talk....but now....I cannot wait!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

P.S. Still in Seattle...flying home in the morning...will post more Seattle pics soon.

Alki Beach

I was going to hang on to these for a later post, but changed my mind (thanks to Paige:))

We took a little scenic drive to W. Seattle to Alki Beach. My parents had never been there and I found it online (of course) as a great place to take kids. It was SO cute. Reminded me of La Jolla or Catalina, cutesy beach town with fun restaurants and beach access. The kids had a great time playing in the sand, collecting shells, running in the water, finding crabs, and just enjoying being outside.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Comments...

I know that I, that many others, LOVE to get mail (you know the kind from the mailbox), emails (I check mine often) and comments on my blog. Yes, comments! I KNOW (or at least hope) that more people read the blog than Aimee and Paige (whom I LOVE for commenting!). I know there are more people out there.

I am calling you out! If you read and have any thoughts on the craziness that I write, please comment. I would love to hear from you!!!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Overboard

No, not one of the kids...something else.

We are keeping the tooth fairy very busy this month! Emerson's front, upper tooth has been sorta loose for over a year now. It is the tooth that is next to the tooth that she accidentally knocked out over a year ago. But, over the last couple of weeks it has become much looser and we have just been waiting for it to come out. Yesterday, she bite on something during dinner and cringed because it moved the tooth even more. So, I teased her that she just needed to eat something else and maybe it would come out. So her and Brennan were up with grandpa having their treats, when she comes running downstairs saying "Mommy, my tooth is out! But, I don't know where it it." So we go upstairs to look for it, when grandpa whispers to me "I threw it overboard, I wasn't paying attention and thought it was a crumb!". LOLOLOLOL!!! After calmly telling Emma what happened and calming her down we decided that the best thing to do was to write the tooth fairy a letter in hopes that she would still come for a visit. Phew, diaster averted!

(the wording is entirely her own!)

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Seattle- Part 1

The kids and I flew into Seattle last Tuesday to visit grandma and grandpa on their boat. Both kids were so excited to go back to Seattle (we did the same trip last summer) and also to fly on an airplane again. I swear these kids are going to be expert travellers before the age of 10! And they LOVE it!

Here is our view from the boat each day.

More updates to follow!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Tired of having pictures taken perhaps?

Haha!!!! Couldn't help but laugh at these shots!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Our toothless wonder!

Another one bites the dust! (remember that song?!?!) Emerson has lost yet another tooth! That makes 5! And she isn't even 6 years old yet, like all the books tell you! At this rate she will have a full set of permanent teeth before she is 8!!! I mean the first tooth loss was not exactly natural (falling on your face never is!), but the other 4 have been completely anatural! Check out the new smile!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

I love presents!

I decided that I needed...no wanted....no HAD to have this one thing. It has been on my mind for at least 6 months. I have saved every extra dollar in my purse, confiscated every dollar (and even a $5 bill) from the washing machine, put away any money I have won at Bunco (I win frequently, they hate me for that, dumb luck I suppose!), and not bought that morning coffee....just so I could save enough to buy this. I mean, really, if after 6 months I still REALLY wanted it, doesn't that mean I should get it? So...it came yesterday and I am in love! It was SO worth the wait...now if I could just figure out how to use it we would be golden!!!!
Lots of love,
The Grady's

Had to share...

We had these pictures taken over Memorial Day weekend and I finally got the link to share. So excited with the results!

If you want you can see the whole session by going to https://smilestore.picturepeople.com/ and log in with kdgrady@yahoo.com and the passcode as "welcome".

Lots of love,

The Grady's

She is SO my daughter!

Yesterday morning Emerson and I were eating breakfast and she looks at me and says, "Mommy, can we change my room around today? I want my bed in a different spot." My craziness must be rubbing off on her!

The before...

The after...

Lots of love,

The Grady's