Munchy Monk and the Mini Bunch

Oh Monkey my Monkey! It is pretty obvious that I caught her doing something naughty here. Go figure! She is in to just about everything these days. Why, just today she climbed into her carseat all by herself. Wow! It is no wonder I posted a picture of her sans hair later in this edition. Just those leaps and bounds.

As you can see above, Mini's smiles are developing nicely! Emma has deemed to call her "Smi-let" from now on. She is finally getting to be normal baby size too. Tomorrow is Monk's 20 month birthday and Mini's 6 month birthday is Tuesday.

Along with all the hair and tooth growth, Monk has really shot up, and out (of her diaper!) Haha! Just a little Momma humor. Here she was modelling just her underpants and sandals. I think we were also trying to master a jump, but still can't catch a lick of air!

Obviously someone asked Violet a hard question...

Nope... not quite sitting up yet. Smoke and mirrors- more propping and leaning really. It was just funny as all get out to watch her feel like a big girl. Look at the pure glee on her face. Just after I took the picture, Lilly tried to pick Violet up and carry her out of her seat. (Even though she barely needs a high chair any more, I think Monk is a little insecure about growing up so fast. Nooooo! Im not projecting...)

Here is the aforementioned Hardly-A-Hair Monk from when we first got to the house we are in now. I want to say it was late March. And you all have seen the long flowing curls she has now, haven't you. If there were an award for hair growth, she would have it nailed!

See here? Blonde curly hair accented by watermelon juice!

And some toe-jam!

And of course the obligatory eating messily Monk! Mmmmm she loves her grits! Especially at our favorite breakfast spot, Mallards. They make a mean grit there!

More food! Just a little video update for those who lack imagination. We have gotten to see a lot of long lost relatives in these few weeks! Went to see Howard, as you know. Rushed back to see Aunt P and Uncle Wes (it was awesome!). Caught up with Jay's Dad and Suzanne. Good stuff I tell you. Now we just need to see those Kearneys! So keep your eyes peeled for a Monkey near you!!!

Or she'll eat your braaaaaaaaains!!

Good Day, Monk Shine!

So we just spent two wonderful beach filled weeks with Howard and Bucket down in Jacksonville Fla! Boy it was fun!!!



We spent all our time in swimmy suits and at the beach. Jay was working as a guest spot at A Fu Kein Good Tattoo off of Normandy while we were relaxing. I guess it was a bit of a sacrifice to see us having all that fun, but he loves his jobbie so much, I don't think he could complain.




As you can see here, Mini had her own little beachy island set up. She wore her bathing suit more as a fashion statement than anything else... Although we are all sporting some little tan lines.





As usual Monkey was trying to make a great escape into the wide world beyond. Go figure!!

I mentioned earlier in this blog that Howard had just gotten engaged! (Yayyyyy!!) Here is her hunky husband to be! I have to say that they dealt very well with the full Evans 5 invading them. They are bigger folks than I.

It was just so beautiful there.

While we were there Mini was practicing a lot of her new skills. Rolling over, coordinated kicking, bottle holding. Really the whole 5 month old gamut!

Monk learned where her ears were, her belly button, and how to pirate stuff off the table. Hahah! She is so much like me.

You can tell from the picture below that somebody is dreaming of something totally awesome. I wonder what it is...?

This is a pretty cool shot of the whole family, with my new hair cut and 4 out of 5 paying any attention. Considering we tried this shot 6 times or so, I'd say the percentage ain't bad.

Lastly a few less than candid smiles...

P.S. Coming soon to a Monkey near you, Molars, and Aunt Peggy and Uncle Wes!

Celebrate good Monks! Come On!

First off we would like to offer our extreme Congratualtions to Howard for getting engaged!!! By spring of next year, you will see the debut of one set of Monkey-Girls at her wedding!!!

Next order of business, as you can see, we got a new member of the family! Small Bob was rescued by Jay a couple of days ago from a speeding truck. We haven't entirely decided if we will be keeping him, but Lilly is infatuated.

Lilly has become such a little debutante, posing and vamping, and inadvertantly helping out with Mini!

We just love living in TN. By far one of the best decisions we have ever made was to move here. Most Tuesdays we go see Grandma and Grandad at Sonic. They always give sample shakes when we are there, which are perfectly Lilly-Sized.

Lastly our little Mini has become quite the chunk since being diagnosed a Runt!!! She has packed on almost four pounds by my estimation!!!

The Monk Days of Summer are Coming!!!

Boy Howdy, I tell you what!!! These baby monkies are growing faster than our garden! Lets see what all has happened lately. It has obviously gotten nice and toasty here in Tennessee. We have a great lake beach at Old Hickory Lake to go to, as well as the pool and M&D's house (haven't tried that one yet though). Monkey is a waterbaby, no surprise there... She goes ape for even a dripping faucet.

Aside from anything having to do with the ol' H20, Monk loves sweeping the most!

Jessie and I have been trying to take our weekly lunch to the park. We had a picnic is scenic Dragon Park in Hillsboro Village. Jessie and Monk wore each other out so much I am pretty sure Lilly went to bed at 5 and I didn't see her until 10 the next morning.

Violet has been working really hard on her peoples, as you can see here. This was even before all her miraculous weight gain.

Here is the aforementioned Old Hickory Lake Beach. It is great!!

Emma even took a while to shake it off, the drive back the next day could be described as peaceful....

Here Daddy was teaching Mini to eat her bottle by her self.. We will explain that below.

We had our three month check up for Itty-Bitty, and turns out she is a tidbit runty, so the doctor told me to supplement with formula. In the week between check ups she went from 8 1/2 pounds to 10 1/4! After that, she has kinda concentrated solely on eating a bottle. I don't take it personally though, I figure that her health is worth anything I can give her.

Fat n' Happy, TAH DAH!!!!

p.s. A big thanks to Mom n' Dad and New Mom for watching all the monkies while Jay and I were in California!!!!

The Monka-nators!

This date in history: 1 year ago today! The monk when she was just a little Munster...

So I guess this is a little of a reverse Monkey Blog, because the pictures uploaded in backwards order! A good bit has been going on around our den. I know it isn't a good quality picture. but as you can see, Monk decided she is a superhero and likes to wear her bunny towel as a cape. Just try to catch a flying monkey, - I think we all learned from Wizard of Oz that it just isn't that easy!

Every week, my oldest friend and I go out to eat it with the bebes. This week we much much much enjoyed our favorite Indian buffet over in Elliston Place. As you can see, Monk really likes the spicy chickpeas with naan. Jessie and I also gave her a sample of several other dishes that I suppose paled in comparison. What you can't see is that my sister Jess and friend Lil' Allie (second oldest friend) also graced us with their presence. Nothing like pigging out on good-for-you indian with your good-for-you company!!!

Recently I have been thinking Lilly may turn out to be a liberal. Here as you can see, she staged a diaper burning. Haha! What really happed was- we were cleaning up a bunch of diapers in the driveway that possums and cats dragged out of the trash bags, and I guess Monk decided she would contribute to the cause. Right after this picture, she peed, and then got sad because she got her socks wet. It was VERY cute.

On my second full blown Mother's Day, shown here, we plum wore Mini out. It is pretty funny, because Daddy was sleeping in the chair above her, and Mom and Dad were conked out in their room. Jessica, Lil' Allie, and I were having a sleep over and yakking all night long. Pretty cool! That day we also purchased a brand spanking new (to us) 1968 F100. Originally it was supposed to be for parts for our also newly aquired 1964 Galaxie 500- but I think I may keep it instead. The Galaxie was a trade for Jay's hunk of junk motorcycle, and turns out it needs transmission work. I guess it was a little too good to be true, because it was in mint condition in every other way. But the great thing about Jay being a tattooer- he is now going to trade tattoo work with a guy for a transmission rebuild. Talk about a marketable skill! Next, we need seatbelts so the kids can come along for a ride.

A couple days before Mother's Day, our friend Sally and her little boy Eli came to visit us. It was a riot for the Monkies to have someone else to play with, Eli is 3. Mom says Monk is very advanced for her age because she engages in play instead of parallel play. It is way more fun to watch than to describe though! Here she was using this chair as a bounce board. It scares the bejesus out of me!

At least once, if not twice a week I try to take the girls to see my 'rents. Usually on tuesdays so we can all go for Sonic or Pizza together. I guess the sippy was the appetizer.

As the days go by into being the ripe old age of 2 1/2 months, Mini is practicing her peoples (thats what we like to call it when she starts looking like a little person!) day in and day out. I think she is getting pretty good!!!

Last (well first, technically) but not least, we all know Lilly is SUCH A HAM!!!

O' Beautiful for Monkey Skies, for Cutie Waves of Munk!!

I think the theme of this monkey blog has to be Beauti-Monk-Ness. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the girls are, all of them! It is almost physically painful. This is the first recorded smile for Violet, too... My opening arguement.

Exhibit A: Monkey in her new monkey backpack and leash combo. It kinda hurts to look at. As you can see here, we are at the Rollerskating rink- she is modelling it while wishing she could skate. Unfortunately they didn't have her size, so maybe another day.

It started off cold last week... Exhibit B: Garden Gnome lookin' monk and bundled up sleepy mini-Munk.

*I think you could also refer to Lilly in this picture as the abominable snow monk from the coat she is wearing.


Exhibit C: Overall day at the Evans' house, as you can see. The weather was starting to warm up, and Squeaky is starting to look like a real kid!

But, this whole week has been beautiful and like 85 degrees, so we have been making the most of it every chance we get. Exhibit D: Naked as a Jay-Bird Monk!

Also, we had Emma this past weekend (her new moniker is MegaMonk) as you can see by Exhibit E: Extreme Mischeif

And lastly, a trifecta of proof (my Summation) that Mini is turning into a real kid.

Love you guys!!! More of you folks should come and visit, and get a loving head-pat from Lilly.