A new person to follow!

Emmalee loves following her older brothers around, when she hasn't seen Bradley for awhile she becomes his shadow for the whole time he is with us. Jodie and Jenna are home and Emmalee loves that she has someone else to follow! If Jenna goes to her room, Emmalee thinks it means she can go to! The are quite a pair!!! Emmalee loves all of the girly things that Jenna has, like all of her bling bling! We are very happy (and sad) to have Jodie and Jenna with us! I am very proud of everything Jenna is doing and trying! We wish James was here too and that things were different but unfortunately they are the way they are!

Love always, Jill

Marvel the horse

Mamaw and Papaw sent Emmalee a horse to ride - His name is Marvel. Jodie, Kelly and I all played on one when we were little. Emmalee was not too sure of it to begin with but now she really enjoys riding it all over the house. I thought it was funny when Rob first saw Marvel his first words were - "I had one of those when I was little and so did all the kids on the street so we would have races up and down the block." Thank you Mamaw and Papaw for sending Marvel to Emmalee!!! We all love it and appreciate it!

Love always, Jill and Family

Mommy's little helper

I decided one morning to make some Banana Pudding - this is one of my favorite desserts! I have wonderful memories of making Banana Pudding with my Mamaw every time I would go to Mississippi to visit! Emmalee wanted to help Mommy - First she helped by eating the bananas and vanilla wafers - my hands were covered in banana so I could not get a picture, but then she assisted me in stirring the pudding - Notice the dish with the bananas and wafers to the right of Emmalee.she did not want to stop stirring but I wanted to make sure it would pour onto the bananas and wafers. Finally, I had her help me pour the pudding into the pan, we had some left over so I decided to make to pudding cups for later.... needless to say Emmalee had a different plan - as I was placing the 1st on into the refrigerator for it to chill Emmalee decided to taste the 2nd one. The funny thing is she knew she did not have a spoon or fork so she used her tongue!!!! I had a blast having her help me and it was great to see her want to help! Thanks for always making it with me Mamaw!!!!

Love to all!

Jill and Emmalee

Emmalee Swimming!

BATHING BEAUTY!!!!!!!!!

Emmalee really enjoys swimming - Most nights when Nana picks her up she goes home and asks Papa Jim to take her swimming - Papa Jim is not allowed to get into the water for another 6 weeks (because of the Pacemaker). So Nana takes Emmalee swimming. The first set of pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago when Hunter and Sarah came over (before Papa Jim had his surgery - that is why he is in the pool). Emmalee loves to go swimming with her brother Bradley also! She lets him do a lot of things that she won't let me or anyone else do. Nana, Emmalee and Mommy - Swimming!Papa Jim swimming with EmmaleeNana holding BradleyBradley and EmmaleeEmmalee deciding wether or not to jump in the pool to Bradley!Hunter diving, jumping and attempting a front flip - He gets 3/4 of the way! Great job!Hunter and Bradley taking a break!Hunter Smilin for the camera!!!!One tired little girl!!

Today, Emmalee wanted to go swimming so she and I headed over to Papa Jim and Nana's and jumped in. Emmalee calls it going Night Night when I float on my back - She told me to go Night Night while she was standing on the step - She stepped forward into the water and went underwater - I sat up and picked her up and she asked me to do it again!! Below is some pictures of Emmalee before, during and after!!!

Emmalee and Mommy SwimmingEmmalee and Mommy getting ready to go underwaterEmmalee and Mommy UnderwaterEmmalee and Mommy still underwaterEmmalee and Mommy out of the water!!!!

We sure do like to swim! Emmalee is actually sitting at my feet asking me if we can go swimming right now - we have a monsoon storm blowing in so we won't be able to go tonight!

We love you all!

Jill and Family

Joshua is Driving!!!!

About 2 weeks ago Joshua passed his drivers license test!!! STAY OFF THE ROADS!!! He is actually a very good driver. Rob and Josh have been working hard to get the Buick running, they had to remove the transmission and have it pretty much re-built. As of TODAY!!! Josh has a car and is on the road! He drove it to work tonight for the first time! We are very Proud of him!!!!

I PEE PEE - Mommy

Okay - this is rather late because it happened about a month ago but I did not want to not share!!! Emmalee and I have a game we play when we are getting ready to go take a bath. We go into her bedroom and take all of her clothes off and then hurry into the bathroom - all the while I am telling Emmalee "Dont' Pee Pee on Mommy!" Now that she is talking she says it back to me..... A couple weeks ago, I took Emmalee in to get her ready for a bath and night, night and Nashoba (our dog) came into the room and starting running around in circles playing. Emmalee had to get down on the ground and play with Nashoba. I slowly took her clothes off while they were playing and yelled for Daddy to come see what was happening. Emmalee was down to her diaper and decided she was going to take it off by herself. After she took it off I said "No Pee Pee" Emmalee repeated "No Pee Pee" and continued to play with Nashoba - wish I had a camera then but of course I didn't and I did not want to miss the action. Out of the blue Emmalee looks at me and says "I PEE PEE MOMMY" and turns and heads to the bathroom. Daddy and I both jump up and run towards the bathroom - Emmalee changes directions and comes back into the room to chase Nashoba.... about 3 minutes later again Emmalee says "I PEE PEE MOMMY" and runs to the bathroom - Daddy and I again follow, Daddy opens the bathroom door and then the lid to Emmalee's potty. Emmalee proceeds to sit down on the potty and go PEE PEE!!!! We made a huge deal out of it and praised her!!!! I had to call Papa Jim and Nana and the next day I called Grandma Rosemary!!! I even took a picture of the potty!!!! YES! I am a PROUD MOMMY! Now she has only done it a couple times since but it is a start and I am still very proud of her! We have even had the I poo poo Mommy and missed the potty! The boys weren't to happy with that one, I did wash the carpets!!!

Love to you all!
Jill and family!

Emmalee Pictures!

As you may have noticed from the changes I have made to our Blog - Emmalee had her pictures taken. They all turned out beautiful and it was difficult to choose but here are the ones I chose. Emmalee handing me a ball!
My most favorite - Emmalee up close!!! Look at those eyelashes - no Daddy we can't cut them!
Emmalee loved the basket of flowers that the studio had! She wanted to pull all of the petals off the flowers like she does to Papa Jim's roses!
I could not resist this one! Emmalee showing us her nose!!! Isn't she adorable!!!! Yes I am a proud mommy!
and Emmalee standing! I just absolutely love this outfit! She is getting so big! I am sorry I have not updated the blog in awhile but I am going to be sharing a lot as I have time to get it posted!!!

Love to everyone,
Jill and Family

Paralympic Pictures

Earlier I told you about the US Paralympic Time trials that took place at ASU in Tempe. Here are some pictures that Sarah and I took of the event. Above is Eric Hightower - He will be competing in Bejing - he is a Arizona Native. Eric was born with Cerebral Palsy. I first met Eric out at Day on the Lake many years ago. Two more Arizona athletes supporting each other.

A blind gentleman participating in the Long Jump.

Wheelchair racers!
A Gentleman with a Below Knee Amputation - competing int he Long Jump.


This gentleman is has both legs amputated above the knee (AKA) and the gentleman behind him has one leg amputated below the knee. The gentleman with the AKA is the first known to compete in a timed trial. It was absolutely incredible to see him compete.

I hope you enjoy these pictures - these are some truly amazing people who have not allowed their disabilities to stop them!

Pictures for Nana's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Nana!!!!

Today is Nana's birthday!!!! We just wanted to say Happy Birthday Nana! You are an amazing person and I know Jodie and I are very lucky to have you as our Mother, we are also blessed for all the wonderful and valuable things you have taught us! Not only are you a wonderful Mother but you are an incredible "NANA" and I know all of your grandchildren think the world of you! You are also a terrific Mother-in-law!!!! We hope your birthday is as fantastic as you! May all your wished come true!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear NANA!!!
Happy Birthday to you!

We love you!!!
Love, Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad and Emmalee (and Jim)

Pictures to follow soon!

Happy Birthday Rob - AKA DADA!!!

Today is Rob's 45th Birthday! We want to wish you the very best birthday ever!! We hope your day is as wonderful as you are!!!!

We actually celebrated Rob's birthday on Sunday so Papa Jim could be there! Rob requested that Papa Jim make a Pork Tenderloin with twice baked potatoes! It was delicious! We also enjoyed the afternoon swimming! The water is warm but still refreshing!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Rob!!!
Happy Birthday to you!

We love you! Happy Birthday!!

Love, Jill, Josh, Brad, Emmalee, Dad and Mom

Where has the time gone?

I can't beleive it is almost July!!! Well let me try and catch everyone up on what has been happening with our

family. On May 30 and 31st Rob and I participated in Day on the Lake - It was my 11th year out of 12. Sarah was also there. Sarah spent most of the time on the Fishing boat with Rob and Dennis - I owe her BIG TIME!!! The boys actually did behave! They took numerous participants out to try and catch a fish, we seemed to have more people who wanted to fish and less fish that wanted to be caught! = )I spent my time on the Dock being Co-Dock Master. It is the only 2 days a year that I actually have permission to tell people where to go! I do it very well and yes Mom I am polite!
We had our first incident in 12 years - one of our participants had to be air evacted out on Friday - Fortunatly he was fine, he received some stitches in his head and then came back on Saturday to give us all ice cream bars. He is an incredible guy!!!

There we 125 participants in 2 days!!! It was absolutly amazing and I personally had an incredible time! It is so wonderful to see all the smiling faces and to be a part of something so rewarding!

On this same weekend Emmalee spent the weekend with Papa Jim and Nana and Bradley and Josh flew to New Orleans to see Grandma Rosemary and Grandpa Al. Our Niece Sarah got married! We would love to see the pictures!! We want to wish Sarah and Kevin a wonderul and Happy Life together! We hear the wedding was beautiful! We are sorry we could not be there!

We found out that Emmalee definatly is a Greenlee - she LOVES RED LICORICE!!!!!!!! We have proof!!!

Papa Ron and Grandma Mickey (Uncle Ron and Aunt Jan) brought over something for Emmalee to ride!!! It is a Harley! Zoe had used it and they decided it was time to let Emmalee start training! Emmalee was very unsure of it at first but now she zooms as fast as she can and she makes sound effects as well!

The verdict is still out but we think Emmalee is really a dolphin or a fish!!! We got into the swimming pool for the first time a couple weeks ago and I was amazed at how calm she was. I was expecting her to have a death grip on me but she let me bounce and went under water about 5 times and then wanted to walk the steps... Finally decided she wanted to jump to Mommy from the steps.Last Weekend I spent Friday at ASU with Sarah and about 200 hundred athletets - The US. Paralympic Time Trials for Track and Field were held at ASU and we volunteered! Sarah was there for four days and I made it out on Friday for both the morning and the afternoon. They would not let anyone on the track from 11:30 to 5:30 daily because of the temperatures! It was amazing to see the determination of these individuals! The Paralympics will be held in Bejing about 1 month after the Olympics! We are hoping the events will be televised. I know several of the athletes and am looking forwarding to cheering them on. On Friday there was a gentlman who has both of his legs amputated above the knee - he ran with both legs in prothstheics - it was AMAZING! I will share some pictures soon!

I will try and add some video of Emmalee talking and dancing! She is such a happy little girl! She loves her brothers and pretty much follows them around when they are home!

More to come soon - I promise

Love Jill and family!