Video Blog

As promised, here are some videos from the last month.

Alexis saying Dadda

My smart dog

She usually dances a lot more when we sing this song, but you can get the idea.

Once again, forgot to turn the camera. For those of you that don't know, this is Alexis' friend, Kyle, singing Twinkle Twinkle

Kyle and his sister, Olivia, talking to Mr. Cow at the Lamoille County Fair

Mom and Chunks (winning vote so far) playing on the floor.

Alexis loves hearing Uncle Ryan play the guitar.

Typical Summer Sunday in Vermont

Ladies and Gentlemen- It's with great pride and admiration that I formerly announce the new Lamoille Dairy Princess for 2008. We're all very proud of Jaimelee. Please be sure to write her to send your congratulations.


Is there a goofier looking animal on this planet besides llamas?


Alexis thoroughly enjoyed every animal in the animal barn. I think she's sitting in front of a couple of very clean cows in this picture. Are they really cows if they aren't dirty?

For once it's not only me that stinks like poo.

Daddy says we're going to get a few of these guys next year. I can't wait!

Olivia had many deep and interesting conversations with the animals. You'll have to wait for the video blog to hear all she had to say.

After the animals, we each got to pick home a tractor that we could take home. It was by far and away the coolest thing we did at the fair.

Where else besides Vermont do you see a kid's game called "Taylors' Machine Gun?" You gotta love this state.

I think I should win an award for this next picture. It cracks me up every time I see it.

This next picture obviously has nothing to do with the fair, but JL thought she was funny by dressing our little girl up as a miner.

Just a Couple of Dudes at the Park

I don't know how housewives do it. Staying at home with your kids in the summer is TOUGH work. Sleeping in, watching all of the afternoon soaps, popping in a four hour video for your kid to watch... what could be easier?

Deciding to break away from the norm, Kyle and I decided that we needed some lady time, so we invited a few of our favorites to the park. Guest included Allyson, Olivia, Alexis, Emily, and Addy (Emily and Addy aren't pictured as I scare Addy and she stays 50 feet away from me at all times... this isn't yet a court order, but I imagine it will come to that someday).

I've been told that I have to stop calling my daughter "Fatty" "Chunks" "Chubby" and "Sexy." What else is left? So here is my cute, princess of a child, Alexis, in her first moments at the park.

Olivia is now into feeding others.... even if it's dirt from the ground, she has a taker with Chunk... or I mean my cute little princess.

Oh man, I can't believe I forgot to check the weight restrictions on this swing. I should have taken a picture of the top bar as it was bending like a wet piece of spaghetti every time Alexis swung through.

Alexis isn't nearly as talented as Olivia. She has mastered eating straws and swinging at the same time. I think this is still months away for Alexis.
There's my wing-man, Kyle, showing off his mad sliding skills.

Is it only me that finds this picture hilarious? Peek-a-boo Allyson!


All of the adjectives I have in mind for this one are on the "Do Not Say" list.
Two last pictures of Olivia and Kyle.

When I get to a house with high speed internet capabilities, I'm going to send out a blog that consists only of funny videos I have taken in the last three weeks. One of my favorites is Kyle singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Bob must be so proud.

Home

We went home this past weekend for our little Molly's high school graduation. While home, we were able to squeeze in some parent and grand-parent time. Here are a few pics...

It was warm and humid enough to go to Kinney Drugs to buy this wonderful turtle pool for $8.00. Unlike my sister's pool, this pool was assembled by Keith in mere seconds. Chunks totally dug the pool and played in it for quite some time. Sorry for the inappropriateness of the pictures, Jaimelee noticed after many of the pictures were taken.




Before heading to Molly's, we had a wonderful visit with Alexis' grandparents. Papa once again showed his special bond with Alexis while Macette and Alexis had fun together, as usual. We were even able to talk with Lisa, Adelyn, and Maisy via a web phone call while there. All in all a great visit.

Molly's graduation was fantastic. Not only were we able to celebrate a momentous occasion, but we were able to reconnect with many that we had not seen in many months/years. I always wish we could stay more connected with family, but not doing so does make the times when we do connect all the better. It was great seeing everyone.

Miss Alexis Rockstar O'Hara with Auntie Julie

Alexis with new friend, Fiona Reohr

Alexis loving spending time with Granpa Ted

What Daddy looks like after a good graduation party.

On our way home. Yipee! I can't believe I don't have to be in my carseat.

Finally home playing with Nana's toy

The Murray-tanical Gardens

Every time I come home, it seems as if Mom and Keith have planted yet more flowers. They've done an amazing job with their landscaping and these pictures don't do what they've done justice. It's their little piece of heaven.

... and some wildlife

Our Last Two Weeks

I am completely now blaming our internet connection for my refusal to posts blogs a couple of times a week. I'm presently sitting at my mother's in Syracuse and loving having high speed internet again. How have we survived for a year without it?

First and foremost, we would like to congratulate Todd, Lisa, and Maisy for their newest arrival, Adelyn Lucette Gardiner. Check out her blog for the complete update http://ranchogardiner.blogspot.com/

The JAJ household has had a busy couple of weeks since the last post. So, to begin...

We took Alexis strawberry picking for the first time and have some pictures to prove it. Is it because it's my kid that I get such a kick out of these pictures? Here are her thoughts relating to each picture:

Ok, Dad, I'm ready!

My uncle-in-law Scott says I'm a Dee-Dee-Dee!

I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds fun!

What the heck is this? Mommy tells me it's that food stuff... and I love that food stuff.

Maybe I'll give it a try.

Here goes nothing...

OMG! This is the best ever!

Think I can fit the whole thing in my mouth?

Do I have any on my face?

Will you go strawberry picking with me next year?

Trust me, it's the coolest thing ever.

Before strawberry picking, we took a family camping trip. Now, when I say family, I mean family: Ron, Julie, Mom, Keith, Ryan, Emily, Adeline, Jaimelee, Alexis, Madison Louise Eldred O'Hara, myself and a bunch of Ron and Julie's friends. Good times had by all. These were the first days that Alexis was finally starting to get over her pneumonia. Perfect timing.

Here's a funny story to get the camping blog under way...

Ever hear the one about two guys in the bathroom? It brings me back to the Seinfeld episode where Elaine asks her next door neighbor in the bathroom if she has "a square to spare." First, let me set the scene. When I heard we were going camping, I thought we were going camping. This campground was one step away from the Marriot (where my buddy, Frier, does his camping). Clean water, bathrooms, showers, and most importantly- toilets... all of the things unnecessary when camping. Yeah, we slept in tents, but we got room service when we woke up.

Anyways, as my bodily nature has it, I felt a little rumble in my belly and instead of running to the woods, I ran to the restroom and found myself a seat. After completing my work I went to grab the necessary cleaning equipment. When I took ahold of the toilet paper, it ripped away from its holder and rolled underneath the stall and into my neighbors throne. I simply laughed and asked if he happened to see anything roll his way. He laughed as well and then returned the roll to its proper owner. Unfortunately, my lovely roll, on its long journey, ended up going into some water type of liquid on the floor and thus was almost completely soaked on one end. Sensing my frustration, my nice neighbor asked if I wanted any from his role. Feeling a bit uncomfortable now with the whole situation, I responded with a "Thanks, but no thanks." I then proceeded to unravel many, many layers of my roll until I got to the good stuff. Once completing the task at hand, I left thinking that the woods probably would've been a better option.

Now, try to erase that story from your memory and focus on the cute pictures below of our trip:

Alexis in her Adirondack chair

Alexis and her Papa

Alexis and cousin Adeline

Alexis and Grampon

Cousin Addy- who interestingly enough proclaimed herself "special" when I took this picture.

I'll leave that one alone.

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the newest swimsuit model, Alexis Brynn O'Hara!!!

Ok, just joking.

Special cousin again

Anyone want to joing us for next year's camping trip. I heard that Alaska and Australia were mentioned.

The patio is now 95% complete. JL has done a good job finding a suitable dining set with matching umbrella, a cool looking fire pit thingy, and enough fancy schmancy lawn chairs to host a small community (new lawn chairs not pictured- six new ones to be exact). All we need to do now is figure out the natural gas hookup to my grill and fill in soil around the edge of the patio (we've already mulched our flower gardens... I should've taken a more updated picture).



JL celebrated her 21st birthday on Saturday, 12th. The whole crew came over and we managed a game of bocce and a few games of cornhole. Unfortunately, the camera stayed inside for this event.

My knee has become quite the topic of conversation lately so I figure I'll give everyone the full update. When you hear a pop, you immediately know something is wrong, but are only left to wonder how bad. My best case scenario, from talking to all who know, was for my MCL to be torn. With an MCL tear, I guess it somehow miraculously heals itself without surgery. Well, I got the best news I could've gotten during my doctor's appointment on Friday. He confirmed that my MCL was gone and schedule PT and a brace for me. I left in a very good mood. Just to be sure, he ordered an MRI and told me he'd call me on Monday with the results. You can imagine my disappointment when he said he had some very bad news when he called on Monday. Not only was my MCL gone, but so to was my ACL.... and I had a fractured kneecap and some pretty serious miniscus damage. Stupid soccer! So, here's to some painful reconstruction surgery rehabilitation. I can't wait!

Now for some random pics to get your mind off of my knee pics before you leave this blog....



Garden and coolest purchase of the year will be my next blog.