update ...

so, I've tried to create my next post multiple times and every time the photos would not upload ... then I found out why!  apparently my google storage was having some issues and I had to go in and manually pay it, so hopefully by tomorrow I'll be back to blogging WITH pics!

I also wanted to update everyone to let you know that, for now, I've changed my mind about making the blog private.  thanks to those of you who provided your emails, though!  the truth is it makes it difficult for family and those are the people we most want easy access here to our blog!  I wish there was a way for me to keep some posts "private", but for now I'll just keep those (ie: Liam in the bath on our trip - it was so cute how he made the water all white with soap, so I took pics) posts saved as drafts and publish them for a short time in order to print ... whenever I come up with money to have some more blog books printed, that is!

so, the update is:  the blog will remain public and you'll be seeing pics again soon, hopefully!!!

our trip: the Jelly Belly Factory!

 not too many pics here, but I was so excited when I realized that the Jelly Belly Factory was so near to where we were staying - I've wanted to go for a while!

 during the 40 minute tour you're not allowed any cameras - and that was what most of being there was!  it was really fun, too!  my kids surprised me - while waiting in line they were ALL acting up (even Liam, who -until that point- had consistently been given the "good egg award") ... but during the tour they were actually interested and behaved quite nicely!  afterward they went back to being little pills, so the gift shop was cut short!  we got five bags of belly flops (three were for teachers and friends), a bag of black licorice jelly beans for Nana, Liam got some bubbles, and the big kids each got a pen!

then we went back "home".  I was over it - the misbehavior, that is.  I decided they just needed a little play and chill out time!

p.s.  those bags of belly flops, we had two for us, lasted less than two weeks - LOL!!!

our trip: out and about!

 got to go to one of my all time faves!!!

and, just for kicks, a red walmart!

we decided to chill in the van while daddy did a bit

of shopping ... oh the fun this was!!!

our trip: little sweetie pie!

(thank you Nana & Grandaddy, for my skirt)

our trip: out to the mall!

need I say more?? 

this was actually our first stop once we were in 

the mall - what fun!!!

hmmmm, two of those mannequins look a little too real!!!

LOL!

our trip: home away from home!

time for a change!

ok, this is important if you are keeping up with our blog!  we're going back to having it private!  since the blog has really become, literally, our family scrapbook I feel that it should be private for our friends and family (and, of course, for me to have printed - like I said: literally!!)

if you read our blog and like to keep up with us, please leave a comment with your email (I won't publish the comments - so no one will see your email) so I can invite you to be able to continue viewing the blog!  I will not be posting until I make the blog private.

April 7th I will make the switch and begin posting again!  I also plan to start another blog at some point that will be public!  thanks all!