When We Get "Fever" We Go See Beyonce...

Not really, but as far as baby doctors go, this is as close as you get.  Our Yale graduated pediatrician is an R and B singer on the side.  Pretty cool!  I wish I could say we saw her in concert this week instead because we have sick kids.  But, we've all been singing the blues since we've returned from Oklahoma.  It's been the hardest motherhood week for me to date!  It is so heart wrenching seeing Rissy so stuffy and sick.  And physically exhausting changing diapers, nursing all day and night, and taking care of a James while feeling like I could keel over.  How I've missed my mom this week!  But as Destiny's child would say,
I'm a survivor (What?) 
I'm goin'na make it (What?) 
I will survive (What?) 
Keep on survivin' (What?) 
At least that is what I've been singing to my self;)
I think we are over the worst of it.  I am itchin' to pick up my camera again and catch Rissy's big smile she keeps flashing despite being sick.
 Hallelujah it is Friday and John will be home from work for the weekend.
Wishing all our loved ones a happy, healthy, holiday season.
Love, Jess

One Delicious Day...

Rissy with her Great Grandmother Nan.

 Cousin table.

 John with his dad.

 My sweet sisters-in- law.

Post dinner walk around the lake.

 John and his brothers watching football.

Thanks to the Gregory's for being so giving to us.  We love you!  Jessica, John, James, and baby Rissy.

Your Love Takes Me Higher...

I love that vacations allow you to be a little more spontaneous.  To celebrate John returning safely home from Romania we enjoyed a sunrise, swing, and Krispy Kreme.  

 Ash joined us on our early morning adventure.

We have so much to be grateful here at the grandparent's house.  Good food, more cousins than James can count,  lots of aunts and uncles, and Carla's yummy turkey two days away.  Can't hardly wait.

A Love Chick Flicks Are Made Of...

My dear friend Carolyn just lost her sweet husband in a tragic car accident up Little Cottonwood Canyon.  They had been together for a few years but had only been married a couple of months.  My mom blogged about their beautiful wedding here.  From the day I met Jeremy I was impressed with his good manners and kindness.  He had a love for the mountains that I immediately related to.

 Carolyn, I am so so very sorry for your loss.  I don’t understand why this had to happen, but I know that God gave you the closest knit group of girl friends I have ever seen for this exact moment in time.  I know they will surround you and bare you up for the rest of your life.  I love you and pray for your heart to be comforted.

And to my dear brothers who were close to Jeremy and were the ones to find his car in the canyon, I pray that you find peace.  All my love to my family and friends who are hurting so much at this time.  I wish I was home to be with you all.  XOXO, Jess.

This clip of when they got engaged is so sweet.  Rewatching it made me sob.  They have a love that chick flicks are made of.

                                

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning...

Sweet dreams from Grandma and Grandpa's house in Oklahoma.  

Good morning to you as we say good night.  We love and miss you daddy.  XOXO, Rissy, Jess, and James.

Sister Sister...

My sister and I have come full circle.  This weekend felt like we were six again playing with our baby dolls...feeding them, dressing them, taking them for walks, and having girl talk.  Despite how it looks, we did leave the house while she was here.  But these are the moments I want to remember the most.  Us trying to soak it all in before this sliver of time passes.   

I am in love with baby Charlotte and her big smile.

Rissy loves her aunt.  

Our two boys, or Buzzes rather, got along famously.  

It was a beautiful weekend I don't ever want to forget.  Oh how I love my sister and her kids.  She is one of the most generous, non judgemental, well thought out people that I know.  These are the friendship bracelets she brought for our girls.  I hope our friendship carries on to the next generation.  Thanks for making time to come and see me sis!  Next time Katelyn needs to come too.   Love, Jess

Hallelujah, Heather is Here!!!

  Friday John stayed home from work to watch Rissy so I could have a break at the beach with my sis, her kids, and James.  It was a beautiful day and as you can see from the picture below the beach was packed;)

Apparently it is the off-season at Surfside.

Beach baby Charlotte.   Her smile is contagious!  

Surfer boys.

Sea sparkles.

 My Baywatch action shot.  By the afternoon I started to feel pretty Pamela Anderson-ish from not being able to nurse Rissy.

We had to literally drag James back to the car.  Ever since the Bahamas the beach has been in his blood.   

Eli and James are both great big brothers.  Here they are cheering up their crying little sisters with a kiss.  Such sweet boys we have.