"Oh Nana, Where Art Thou?"

Nana has left us for sunny Florida. Yes, it is true....and yes....she is missed! Papa is working until Thursday, which leaves dad in charge. He is such a great dad, but a 5 month old girl is definately a challenge when you are overcoming a broken leg! Dad is kind enough to let mom work, so he is in charge of the "Whole Shebang!"...and many kisses he will get for it! But Bella feels the effects of not having Nana there every morning for wonderful playtime, hugs, green beans (stage 2!), snuggles and kisses. Nana...............................................Please come home soon! We miss you!

"Oh, Nan...they just don't get it. I need constant attention and love. Come home soon!"

"Hey Nan.... I pooped 3 times for Dad today! Heeee heeee!!!"

"Check out my new bow from Rebecca! Thanks Becca!!!!!!!"

"All right now! Bows and poop aside....Nana, please don't leave me again! Look at this face...How could you leave me??????!!!!!" (xoxoxoxoxo see you Sunday for Brunch! Love BELLA!!!!)

Making Deck Skiing that much more fun!

Wow! The boys played their first real "gig" up on the deck at our FAVORITE ski resort, Sunlight Mountain! It was a blast! A beautiful Colorado day made it all the better! It was for a mini X games type competition day. A bunch of our friends showed up! Eileen, our wonderful friend and her equally wonderful husband Don scored a great big table for us all....and proceeded to adorn it with linens and wine glasses as well as fabulous food! (shrimp, anyone??!!homemade guacamole??!!) The rest of the crew showed up as well... Sheli and Jim, Tina and Clark, and the kids...with more fabulous food and even better company! Top that with our best videographer/photographer/roadie Bob and his lovely wife Sandi (the band chef)... Dylan and Bo's family......Nana (Super Nanny) and Papa...and of course Cousin Frank from Illinois (Happy Birthday!!!)....it was truly a fun day for all! Even Bella bundled up and deck skied with us to the tunes of Arch Angel! I have to say, regardless of the fact that I am not heavy metals biggest fan in the world, they kicked some butt! I really enjoyed watching them! And considering they were called back for an encore, I think many others did as well! ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bo "BadAss" on the drums, and Dylan on the bass!

James in the groove! Poor guy came down with a horrible cold the night before, but that did not stop the shredding!

Cole Monster and Dylan, rocking the house!

Can't think of a title!

Hmmmmm... quiet week in the household. Nothing new to report. Lotsa work, school, preparing income taxes, doing laundry, getting excited for Cousin Frank's visit.....Can't think of anything new to write! So enjoy some pics! Hey, I get bragging rights with 4 such wonderful kids!

Jesse and the bug, snuggling on the couch before church!

James and his sweet smile!

Always the jokester, Coleman making me laugh!

Bella enjoying her Big Girl High Chair!

TGIF!!!

Whew! Long couple of weeks.... Lots of work, little play. Bella has her first little cold (:-(. She is doing well though, lots of hugs and kisses work magic! The boys are practicing in the garage right now and Bear is on the couch watching a movie. Mom is super tired and wondering when 40 will not feel so much like 40!!!! But life is good. Jay and I are enjoying jobs we love, the kids are doing great in school and we are healthy and happy. What more can you ask for?

"All right, fork over the rice cereal before someone gets clobbered!!"

"Cleanliness is next to godliness, you know!"

"So if I hammer my left hand in with my right, I might be able to get the whole arm in?"

"Listen, dahling...you must choose appropriately accessorised clothes or I simply will not be able to face life."

"Really now, have you ever seen anyone as cute as me? You know you haven't...don't even try and say you have!"

Long Time No Blog!

Hello to all! Wow! I never thought I would be at that stage where I don't even have time to think, let alone post a blog! (I always joke and say "I don't even have time to fart!!!") But it's all in a good way! I am enjoying a full time job (that I love!), am getting used to dropping of 3 boys at 3 different schools AND the baby to Nanny Nana's house, all before putting in my 8 hours! And at my "Advanced Maternal Age!" My body is not as forgiving as when I was in my twenties doing this! (my pains have pains!!)... But there appears to be a glimmer of light...., Jay is getting along better. He is able to shuffle-limp on his boot around the house some.....thank goodness! Jesse is doing AMAZING! Not a week goes by when a teacher or someone who comes in contact with him tells me or dad how sweet and wonderful he is! He is a Safe School Ambassador"..(kind of an elementary school body guard!) He assists in keeping his school "Bully Proof". It is an honor to be an SSA and we are SO PROUD of our Bear! The Band (Arch Angel) Featuring the brothers James and Cole Duplesys, along with drummer Bo Sadler and bassist Dylan McGuire MELTED FACES at the last Battle of the Bands. Long story (See the MySpace page) but they came in second.....the great part was many of the crowd boo-ed that they did not win! They are getting a following! AND out of the bands that performed, they were invited to their first "gig"...They will be performing on the Sundeck at our FAVORITE ski-resort, Sunlight Mountain, for a 2 hour set during a snowboard competition on March 8th! Ahhhh, fame! They were asked for their autographs by many a crowd member and the ladies were a-waiting for a glimpse of "Super Stud Action". (and Mom wanted to beat them ALL off with a big stick!!!)I see the future and it is huge! But they will always be my babies no matter what. Hey, I can bake cookies in a tour bus! Yes, Hubby Jay is turning our house into a Thrash Metal Apex - what with practices a few nights a week in our lovely garage that still bears the stink of Cole's hunting catch this past season (go back and catch a glimpse of that picture on the Blog - one of my favorites!!!)

And to sum things up....................., Isabella will like CLASSICAL MUSIC!!!!!!!!!! CAN ANYONE SAY OPERA???BALLET???SOCCER???!!!!!!I'LL EVEN SETTLE FOR MICHAEL BOLTON!!! [well....maybe not...but you catch my drift!!!) Love to all.....Here is a mini photo session with BellaGrace....future Classical Harp Player of America!

P.S. At only four months old, that girl is ONE INDEPENDENT CHICK! I'll be darned if YOU feed her a bottle (because she decided she will do it herself!) Wow..grabbing everything, rolling over, trying to stand, screeching and smiling...... and Naps???? Those are for SISSYS!!!!!

P.P.S. - Send Geritol. Please.

Kisses to all, from BellaGrace!

The Band

A few pics to share about James and Cole with their new band members, Bo and Dylan. The name of their band is "Arch Angel". It seems like yesterday when the noise around the house was their Thomas The Train toys or banging on pots and pans. All parents will say it....."They grow up so fast!" I can't believe my evenings are filled with the sounds of metal coming thru into my kitchen from the garage! (It is a good thing all 4 boys are talented, or it could be brutal!). They have been practicing like crazy for a local Battle of the Bands on Jan. 23rd. Just thought I would share a few pics! Wish them luck!

Dylan, Cole, James and Bo

Their Arch Angel Logo

My Wonderful Children!

Just some pics.... Proud Mommy Pics!

The Bear and his beautiful green eyes!

What a Peach!!!!

Jamming the in garage with our friend's son Robbie