Happy Birthday to my Best Friend Sarah

I wanted to take a minute and wish my best friend Sarah a Happy birthday! I hope your day is as wonderful as you are. You are an awesome person. I have never known someone who freely gives so much of themselves. I truly admire you! Thank you for all you do for me and my family. Happy Birthday and many, many, many, more. Love, Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad, Emmalee, Nana Phyllis and Papa Jim. (Jan, Jodie, James and Jenna too!)

Congratulations Sarah!

I also wanted to say Congratulations to my niece Sarah Rose. Sarah graduated Thursday from High School. I hope you had a wonderful day and a great celebration! We love you! Love Uncle Rob, Aunt Jill, Joshua, Bradley and Emmalee Rose.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Speed

I just wanted to say Congrautlations to my cousin Kelly and her new husband Justin. They were married today in Saucier, Mississippi. I hope you had a wonderful day and may your lives be filled with love, happiness and joy. Love always Uncle Jim, Aunt Phyllis, Jill, Rob, Josh, Brad, Emmalee, Jodie, Jan, James and Jenna

We miss you already!

This is a day late but I had a very sick little girl yesterday. Aunt Jodie and Jenna went back to Holland yesterday morning. We had 3 wonderful weeks with them and can't wait until the whole family returns in July. I don't have any pictures to share but on Wednesday - Aunt Sarah, Hunter, Aunt Jodie, Jenna and I went to the Phoenix Zoo and then came to Papa Jim and Nana's house to go swimming. We had a wonderful day and enjoyed an overcast Arizona Day! It was a lot of fun. Emmalee even rode the carousel for the first time. I will add pictures when I can. You can see some on "A Day in the life of Hunter" Thursday we spent the day running errands and had lunch with Papa Jim. We unfortunately had to say "see you soon" on Thursday night because Aunt Jodie and Jenna's flight left bright and early Friday morning. Emmalee and I probably could have said goodbye since we were up, but I don't think Emmalee was in the mood for much. Emmalee woke up Friday morning very sick, we had a follow up with the doctor for her ear infection and pink eye. The doctor said her ears were clear and she probably had a virus or was reacting to being on the antibiotics. Luckily we had Nana Phyllis because after we got home from the doctor Emmalee continued with vomiting and diarrhea. Poor little thing went through about 10 onsies and I won't tell you how many times I had to change my clothes. Emmalee still has a low grade fever today but is doing much better. We sure miss Aunt Jodie and Jenna - Jan and James thank you for letting them come. We can not wait until you are all here in July. Thank you Nana for helping me with my sick little one. We love you all!!! Love Jill and family!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. To my Mamaw and Grandma for leading the way! You are both amazing women! To my Mom - Thank you for showing me how it is done! you are an awesome Mom and Jodie and I are truly blessed. To my Mother-in-law, Rosemary - you are an incredible woman and I am grateful for all you have done for me and for the way you raised your son. To my SISTER! Thank you for allowing me to be apart of raising your kids until I had kids of my own. You are also awesome and I can't thank you enough. To Sarah - you rock!!! you are a wonderful Mom, thanks for showing me the ropes. To all my friends and family Thanks for always being there for me and for helping me celebrate my 1st official Mother's Day! I love you all! Love always, Jill

Jenna's birthday party - My birthday!!

Thank you all for a wonderful birthday! I loved sharing my day with my niece Jenna! It was a wonderful day with alot of good friends, good food and tons of fun. For the full story check out my sisters blog - (click An American in Holland). More to come soon! Here are two of my favorite pictures, with more to come!!! Love always Jill

Friday.... A fun day!!!

Jodie, Jenna, Emmalee and I got up early (too early - Jenna says) and went to the Arizona Science Center to see Body World III. This was my second time. I thought it was a great exhibit but it became a bit overwhelming when 10 minutes after we went inside about 100 High school students joined us. It became difficult to move around and see things but we all enjoyed it. Jenna enjoyed participating in some of the other hands on exhibits. Even Emmalee got to participate in one. There was an exhibit showing how babies can see depth before they become mobile. You are supposed to place the baby on the box and encourage it to crawl to you. The left side of the box is about 3 feet in the air and the right side drops the 3 feet (but has plexi glass so the baby doesn't actually fall) The baby is not suppose to crawl for the fear of falling... Emmalee crawled across it but only after she hit the plexi glass to make sure it was solid.. Emmalee hit the glass before she moved forward every time!!!

After the Science Center we went to my friend Jeanne's house to see her twin boys Mason and Devin. Emmalee was very happy and wanted to play with both of the boys. Emmalee was very gentle with them and actually gave Mason a Kiss!!!!

Mason and Devin are 3 months old (almost exactly 4 months younger than Emmalee). We had a very nice visit with Jeanne, her mom, Mason, Devin, Rocky and Daisy (their dogs). Here is a picture of Jeanne holding Devin, I am holding Emmalee and Jenna is holding Mason. Thanks for letting us come and see you guys Jeanne. = )

We are looking forward to our Fiesta tomorrow. Jenna is having a pool party and Papa Jim and Nana's. I will write more soon. We love you all! Love, Jill and family

A Busy Week....

Last Saturday was Jenna bugs 13th birthday and we had a day of celebration. First Jodie, Jenna, Sarah and Hunter went to the Botanical Gardens and played with the butterflies. Then Papa Jim, Nana, Jodie, Jenna, Rob, Josh, Brad, Emmalee and I went out to dinner at Applebee's to celebrate Jenna's birthday (we sure miss Jan and James!!!!) Then on Sunday everyone rested and relaxed. Monday - another week - I went back to work on Monday

and Tuesday but took Wednesday and Thursday off to spend with the girls. Our plans changed a little because on Wednesday we took Emmalee to the doctor to find that she has another ear infection and pink eye. The doctor said it could possibly be allergies so we will watch her.
We picked up Hunter from school and then ran some errands. We came home and Jenna and Hunter played Wii for a couple hours. They had a great time together. Thursday we spent running errands and shopping (what do we do best!) Jodie and I got our hair cut and then we had lunch and spent the rest of the day shopping. = )

To the next entry for Friday! We love you all, Jill and family!

Happy Birthday JENNA BUG!!!!

Today is my neice Jenna's 13th birthday! She is such a beautiful young lady! She has been here a week and has spoiled Emmalee rotten.....Jenna learned from the best! hehehe. We are really enjoying having Jodie and Jenna here, just wish they could stay forever. We also wish that Jan and James were here too. Jenna bug I hope your birthday is 1/2 as special as you are! May your 13th year be wonderful!!! We Love You!!! Love always, Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad and Emmalee