Back together again!!

After the longest two weeks of my life, we are finally back home. I was missing Eli and Nader so much, and they were missing mommy and Miles. As you can see, these boys are so happy to be back together!!

Thanksgiving Day

The day before Turkey day, Miles turned 5 months old! He's growing up so fast! He's been such a trooper this trip, and did AMAZING on the car ride down. An 18.5 non stop car ride, took us only 21 hours. Pretty impressive considering the fact that Miles nurses like crazy! Matt joked that he had to stop more for the adults than he did for Miles...which was true, lol! Here's my little man at 5 months. (Many of the pics are blurry since they were from our phones)

Future's so bright....

Thanksgiving was very different this year, as we had just lost Karrie a few days earlier, Nader and Eli were back in Ohio, as were Devon, Peej, and Papa Steve. We tried our best to enjoy the day though. Nader sent a couple pictures of Eli. He had a blast running around with all his cousins!

He really loved playing with cousin Sean!


And in Florida...Miles was enjoying time with Uncle Ben!

Off to Florida...

Due to the devastating news about my sister, we had to quickly head off to Florida, where she lived. It most certainly wasn't a vacation, so I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but here are a few.

My crazy mom, siblings, and Alexis, trying out the air mattress!

Sweet Bella and her buddy Miles relaxing together

The baby whisperer, AKA, Uncle Matt

Spreading some of Karrie's ashes, at her favorite place...the beach

Alexis Grace

Spitting image of her mom!

The moon that night...it shined to make a cross

Unfortunately, my little niece Kaehla had no interest in getting her picture taken. As horrible as the situation was, it was great to spend time with Alexis and Kaehla. They both look so much like Karrie, it's crazy!

Our lives are forever changed....

On Saturday, November 21, 2009, we lost my sister and friend, Karrie. She was taken from us way too soon, at the young age of 35. Our family is forever changed, as my mom is now without her first born, my siblings and I are without our sister, her precious girls are without their mother, her nieces and nephews without a fun loving aunt. She will be forever missed, and it just breaks my heart knowing that my kids won't truly know their Aunt Karrie. One thing we can all take comfort in, is the fact that my sister is now reunited with her best friend, my dad.

Karrie Lynn, October 19, 1974-November 21, 2009

We love you Karrie, and you'll always live on in our hearts!!

Happy 1st Birthday Hayden!!

Today we celebrated our nephew Hayden's 1st Birthday!! How quickly he has grown. Happy Birthday little man, we love you!!

The handsome birthday boy!

The Kahl Family

Miles enjoying his time with Tata

Eli and Avery giving hugs

Eli's entertainment...waiting for the cats to come through the door!

Happy Birthday Hayden, we love you!!

Paigerelli, Paigerelli....

Night and day it's Paigerelli!! For Eli that is! The Castora's made a quick trip from Mars. (PA that is, but it feels like it's a world away sometimes!) Kiki and I helped Aunt Kathy set up her Christmas tree, while Ghea occupied Miles, and my sweet cousin Paige was being adored by Eli. It all started with her iPod...where she happened to have the song "Battlefield" on it, which is one of Eli's favorites! Weird, I know, but the kid is obsessed with music! I just bought him the latest edition of one of those NOW cd's...you know, the ones with all the recent hits. I also got Eli (read, mommy) the Glee cd, and he's obsessed with that too! Okay, back on point. Eli now refers to "Battlefield," as "Paigey song"

Listening to "Paigey song"

Eli taking a break to give Chloe some kisses...

and loves for Maksim

Telling Chloe to back away from the cheese-its

(she had already eaten half of my sandwich, and Miles' binky)

Ghea and Miles

(She's the baby whisperer...my non sleeper ALWAYS sleeps for Ghea!)

Eli giving his Paigey some loves!

and some more loves...

And lastly, a few of both of the boys...

(notice how Miles usually looks scared in pictures with Eli?)

You can see why!

They still love each other to pieces though!!

And so it begins...

Going through the toy catalogs already? Oh my, we're in trouble!! He was very specific while pointing at items, followed by either, "Santa, Mama, Grammy?" At least he's knows what he wants, lol!

At least I know he'll share his toys!

Preston's Hope...a new favorite!

We decided to venture out to Beachwood to check out a playground we came across. It's huge, and there is so much to do there! Unfortunately Eli wasn't feeling so hot, so he didn't get to enjoy it as much as he normally would have, but we'll be going back for sure!! You can see more about it here: http://www.prestonshope.com/

Eli checking out the train

Driving through the city
At the dinosaur dig

A shot of the town

Finally, a smile!

Eli loves the swings!

And of course, Miles was along for the ride!

We're glad we got a chance to take advantage of a warm day in November. So abnormal for Cleveland, but we'll take it! Hopefully next time Eli will be feeling better, and we'll all enjoy it more! And a bonus, it's right by Corky and Lenny's...so it makes it even more worth the trip!

Happy Halloween!!

The boys had a very nice Halloween, although you wouldn't know it by the looks on their faces in most of the pictures, lol. My little Tigger and Pooh Bear were given a lot of attention by all the neighbors, and even though he made Grammy carry him, Eli enjoyed going to a couple of houses. Grammy, Papa Steve, Uncle Matt, Devon, Peej, and our friends Kerri, Dean and Shannon all came over to spend the evening with us. Enjoy these attempts at capturing smiles...even though it didn't work so well!

Trying to get Tigger and Pooh to strike a pose...

They both look quite pitiful, especially Tigger

I got one smile...Grammy must have been over there

My little squishy Pooh bear

Onto the next failed attempt. Trying to get the 3 boys:

(Peej REALLY wanted Miles' binky, and to stick his fingers in his mouth, lol)

Eli wouldn't give up that empty cup...Miles was losing patience

Clearly Miles got their attention

Eli sharing his sucker with his best bud Augi

Next failed attempt, Matt and the boys

Peej and Eli had a blast rolling around in the front yard.

Eli was also sooo good at handing out candy!

And the final failed attempt, Grammy with the bigger boys:

This picture will make me laugh forever and ever...you just had to be there, lol.

Hey, at least Grammy is looking at the camera in this one!

Happy Halloween everyone! Maybe next year we'll get a little more cooperation. I won't hold my breath though! ;)