~ Flood ~

It saddens me greatly to see that so many people suffering from the flooding in the Philippines. Media reports are saying this may be one of the worst flooding incidents for the Philippines. The metro Manila provinces are currently deeply effected. We were in so many of these areas less than two months ago. I just can't imagine these people who have nothing to begin with survive these horrific conditions. I imagine that the aftermath of the flooding will also be equally devastating. I am hugging Levi extra tight tonight as his orphanage (Malabon City) is in one of the areas hit by this storm outside of Manila. Please pray for the people of the Philippines.

Philippines Flooding YouTube Video

Gulf News Article and Pictures

~ Up, Up, & Away! ~

It doesn't take much to entertain us! The kids took turns letting Wes toss them up in the air during commercials of Dancing with Stars...ooh, I love that show! Levi would laugh hysterically when it was his turn and couldn't get enough of it. It was so fun to hear him laugh so hard. Jaidyn is getting to the age that she is a little harder to launch. However, Addy and Levi still weighing under 30 lbs were easily launched. They are 2 years apart, but only a difference of 4 lbs. in weight.














My turn! I didn't feel the need to share my "launch" photo as I will leave that to your imagination.


Levi's favorite toy is my postal shipping box. He will push it around the living room, crawl in, crawl out, & play in it.

Fall Festival & Teddy Grams

This past Sunday my mom accompanied the kids and I to Cider Days. While the weather wasn't sunny, it didn't rain and it was perfect for strolling up and down historic Walnut Street. My mom and I love the fall season, so spending Sunday afternoon at a festival to kick off the season sounded like a good idea. The girls had a good time and Levi seemed to enjoy it also. Although it was a nice afternoon, we both agreed that it wasn't our favorite festival that we have attended as it seemed to us that it should have been more than what it was, especially with all of the tv/news hype. Sadly, our main excitement was the bag of kettlecorn popcorn that we munched on.























We tried Teddy Grahams out yesterday and Levi has found a new favorite snack. I think I am going to have to get a lock for the snack cabinet as it is really hard to keep him out of it.


Pulling the box out of the snack cabinet.


Look what I got all by myself!


Mad dash to Mommy to see if she will give in and give me any right before bed. Who can resist that smile and excitement?


He has figured out how to ride his car, but only if he is standing. He hasn't quite figured out that he can sit and push too.

Well, I guess I need to get the kids rounded up so that we can get to gymnastic lessons. I am dreading sitting there with Levi. The last time I took him (2 weeks ago), he was a nightmare for the last 15 minutes. Trying to entertain him for an hour is tough. The snacks work for about 15 minutes and the bleacher area works for about 15 minutes, but then it all goes downhill. He just really wants to be out in the Kindergym area with Addy as there are so many fun things to do. I really like to watch the girls during their lesson, but I think tonight, I will leave for awhile and come back at the end. Anything to avoid a terrible baby moment.

~ They Look Harmless ~

They look harmless...

until they get a hold of their brother and wave their magic princess wands and

"POOF"






Poor guy! He just doesn't stand a chance with his sisters. :)



There was a yard sale a few houses down the street so I am sure all of the passing traffic enjoyed the princess display in our yard (I took Levi's crown off before we went outside).


Levi likes mowing our sidewalk. He is yet to push it out on the grass.

Wes captured these pictures of Jaidyn and Levi. Levi isn't too fond of the dogs and always wants to be held when they are out playing in the yard.



I love this picture of Wes and the kids!





Every Thursday, while the weather is nice, we walk to story hour at the library.

~ Just a Phlog Post ~

Yes, I am a copy cat. I am stealing Rachel's genius idea. I am taking the lazy way out and just mainly posting some pictures.

All of these pictures were from last night after bath time.














Jaidyn took the 2 pictures with me in them, so she had to capture a picture of herself. She is such a goon!


I have been trying to get a good picture of all 3 kids together, but Levi never cooperates. I promise he really does like his sister's, but I don't think he likes to share picture space with them and wants it to be all about him. :)


Just had to share Addy's afternoon outfit of choice. Don't worry, I dressed her for preschool this morning

~ Ear Aches ~

For about the 3rd night in a row we had another sleepless night because Jaidyn and Addy were having horrible coughing fits all night. So I scheduled a doctor's appointment for all 3 of them today (Levi has had some gunky congestion). We found out that they all 3 have ear infections. I never would have guessed ear infections, but the doctor said that they usually occur as an aftermath of a cold. Glad Wes and I took them and had them checked out as ear infections are so miserable. It was an expensive day...$60 co-pays, $100 medicine, groceries and had to fuel up the van. Glad tomorrow is Wes's pay day. :)

~ September Weekend ~

Before we brought Levi home, we were taking bike rides 2 or so miles several nights a week with the girls. And since we brought Levi home, I have had to follow the girls and Wes with Levi in the stroller and take different routes because I was much slower than they were on bikes or just hang out at home. This past week we bought a bike trailer from a friend so that once again we would be able to go on rides as a family. Both Levi and Addy fit so nicely in the bike trailer and it rode so well that Addy fell asleep. We weren't sure how Levi would react, but he just hung out and seemed to enjoy it. He would even wave at me everytime I would ride up beside his little window. Jaidyn learned how to ride her bike without her training wheels (thank you Papa Dave) while we were in the Philippines, so she is getting good at being able to ride several miles now. The weather in Missouri is just perfect right now, so tonight's ride was very enjoyable.






There is so much going on with everyone in Wes's Highway Patrol zone...a new baby, Levi, a wedding and Wes is transfering to a different county, so the Crabtree family threw a great big get together to celebrate everyone's newest ventures in life.

They had several posters hanging of Wes aka Rambo because of his hard charger personality. After seeing the pictures, don't you think that Wes could be Sylvester Stallone's stunt double? Yes, I realize that these next few pictures may be disturbing, but Wes was truly thrilled with the knife that he received as it is kind of tradition to receive one when leaving the zone. It is even lasered with "Rambo" on one side and the Highway Patrol Emblem on the other.







Jaidyn loved playing with all of the other kids all evening! I barely even saw her she was so busy playing.

We have been battling some sort of icky "bug" at our house the past several days. All 3 of the kids are sick and we haven't went anywhere for 2 days unless you count the bike ride. After several days of some over-the-counter meds, they seem to be doing a lot better today, but we still may be seeing a doctor this week. I know that Levi is having to work so hard to build his immune system to so many new things that he probably never dealt with in the orphanage. With all of the flu scare hype going around the slightest little cough and fever make me worry more than I usually might. Hopefully, they all will get over this soon and we can get flu shots done soon.

I though Levi looked so peaceful sleeping a few nights ago. My camera had some serious flash going to get this picture as it was completely dark in the room besides a small night light.