Happy 2nd Birthday, Audrey

Since I've been feeling a little under the weather, I wasn't as "on the ball" with the picture taking. Here are a few of the pictures I did take.


The birthday girl herself...Aud-Paud.


Audrew with her new rocking-horse -giraffe.


Audrey showing off her new "movie star" sunglasses.


Aud opening another present on her daddy's lap while Jackson watches.


Audrey and her birthday cake.


Audrey with Auntie Laura and Uncle 'Ben.


Aud with Unc Leighton and Aunt Bee.


Finally, me and Jack. But since the window behind us was so bright I had to seriously jack up the brightness of the photo to get us to show up.

2008 Christgiving - Part 2

As promised, here are some of the present pictures from Christgiving...


Audrey got a big fluffy pink poodle as one of her gifts and she really seemed to love it.


In fact, Jackson seemed to like it, too.


Jackson got some cool ink stamp sets with stamps of bugs, farm animals and Africa animals. And he got a Richard Scarry book (I believe it was Richard Scarry's What Do People Do All Day).


Audrey also got some costume jewelry like this tiara...


...and this frilly pink tutu.


Finally, here is a picture of the four sibs. The last time we were all together was in December 2006, in the same pose. Jackson decided to get in on the fun this time.

Now I'm going to try going back to bed. I woke up at 3am and couldn't fall back asleep so I came to tinker on the computer.

BOO at the ZOO, '08

With the Louis Shells sharing "digs" with the Grand Parent Shells, the need to get you young ones out of the house and into the fresh air had a high priority. We choose to go to the Brookfield Zoo and didn't even realize that it was the first Saturday of their annual "BOO at the ZOO!"
Editor's Note: Of course, this editor realizes that at least one of the kid's uncles would have identified this post as, "Boo and Audi at the Zoo, '08"



One of the most "nifty" items of recent times are the so called "Air Dancers." There were four located at the Roosevelt Pond. This one was the very best. (I wish I could find one like this from my front yard.)


There was a stage for thing to come later, but we would have to get Audi home for her nap.


What would a trip to zoo be without a photo at one of the "Stick Your Head Through" boards? Perhaps a styrafoam "critter!!"


Finaly, before we left, a photo of each child sitting upon one of the marble lions.


Editor's Note: As anyone with two children can tell you, there is no chance of photographing both youngsters on the lion at the same time. Also, Audi was asleep in the car seat before we got home.

Our Iowa Vacation

The kids enjoyed swimming with Uncle Matt.


Lou and I took some time to visit the rose garden where we were married (almost ten years ago!). We brought Audrey along.






We ate pizza and yummy cupcakes at Bella's house in celebration of Aunt Julie's birthday. (Happy 39th again!)




The kid's toys had a party too!


Noah was a perfect angel...


and Bella even helped clean up... what good kids! Meanwhile, Jackson ate a cupcake.


To the delight of his tired parents, Jackson slept in!


We strolled over to take a closer look at a sculpture around the corner from the hotel.

Audrey Pawdry Pudding and Pie

Learning how to sip through a straw...


Learning how to cook...


Learning how to walk...


Learning how to wrap Boompa right around her little finger.

Elton or Audrey?

Oh, and check out this one of Audrey. Boy, it was hard to get her in that feather boa.

Zoo with the Machs

Just posting a few shots from a recent trip to the zoo with the Machs.


Checking out the dolphins.


On to the playground.




Jackson, Charlie, and Christopher


Jackson, having some fun watering the plants (and Daddy) in the botanical center.

Nana and the kids

A pic of Nana on her birthday with Jack and Audrey...

Pet Parade

Finally getting these posted! We had a great time at the Annual LaGrange Pet Parade.


The weather couldn't have been better, as you can see.


Daddy gives Audrey a cuddle.


Nana gives Jackson a cuddle. (Wait - nobody gave me a cuddle!)


Later, we went to the carnival, where Jackson got to experience a helicopter ride - quite a thrill.


Next, he took his very first roller coaster ride!