November 30 - My Daddy's a Doctor!

Congratulations to J.D. for successfully defending his dissertation last week-woo hoo! After 6.5 years of hard work, he is Phinally Done! (I saw that bumper sticker awhile back and just love it). I can't resist a little bragging on my part...he graduates with a 3.95 GPA, he had the highest score on the qualifying exam (exam phD candidates have to pass to continue in the program, he took it a few years ago) and all of the members of his committee gave him the highest praise at the conclusion of the defense. We are all SO PROUD of you babe! Grandma Yamo and I attended the defense and while the subject matter was over our heads, we were both impressed with his professional, calm demeanor (one of the professors asked some really tough questions).

So-if anyone is in Gainesville 12/18, it is graduation time!!

November 16 - Future Heartbreaker

Greetings bean followers! Sorry for the lack of postings lately. Things have been extremely busy here in north central FL (and yes, it is still hot here..we had a few cool days but it was 80 again this weekend, what is going on with this weather? Bring on the fall please!). I'm absolutely swamped at work (usually working weeknights after the bean has gone to bed to catch up), the bean has been sick (she was out almost a full week 2 weeks ago with a fever due to teething, and she was out a few days this past week for a stomach bug that I also caught) and J.D. is working endless hours to prepare for his defense next week (send all good luck wishes his way!). It is craziness in our house right now!

Needless to say, I haven't been taking too many photos or our dimpled cherub, but let me take this opportunity to show off my beyond adorable nephew. I haven't met him yet, but looking at photos, he looks like a cross between Jason and Greg (my brothers...which is odd because they look nothing alike but that is what he looks like to me). I'm already in love with him!

October 31 - Happy Halloween

Our little skeleton had a fabulous Halloween. It started on Friday morning with a party at school. I volunteered to help in the classroom and had a great time with all the little ones. They played with the inside of a fresh pumpkin (the bean tried to eat it and didn't care of it) and wore an awesome custom shirt that her teachers made for her (with a pumpkin and her name on it). The big kids came and did a little parade in their constumes (every little girl was a princess) and we were treated with a visit from Albert the Alligator. Later that day, J.D. picked up the bean and brought her to work where we have a big Halloween bash every year. A lot of departments decorated and she had a great time seeing other kids in costumes (and trying to rip the decorations off the walls..).

On actual Halloween, we went trick or treating for the first time. Jules ran around the neighborhood (pumpkin in hand) with a HUGE smile on her face and even knocked on front doors! We went to a few houses and she was excited with her spoils. Mommy wouldn't let her eat anything but Daddy tried to entice her to try a lollipop. I'm happy to say she didn't care for it too much! But she did seem to love holding onto those snickers bars!

As for me-this was an exciting Halloween because I was able to give out candy for the first time in years. When I was in TX, I always had to work and since I've been in FL, I've either had to work (month end) or last year I was feeding the bean. So it was exciting seeing all the kids dressed up!