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Look at those Dancing Queens! Rob and Rick are the Wii 'Dancing With the Stars' Champions! Congratulations, boys!!

Thanksgiving in Chicago

We Floridians spent Thansgiving weekend braving the Chicago weather. Well, not so much braving. More like enjoying a wonderfully relaxing and delicious Thanksgiving day, some early morning shopping on Black Friday (well, maybe some of us woke up when others of us arrived home from shopping [count Ashley as that sleepyhead...blame the head cold!]), and a family reunion on Saturday! And, actually, the weather was crisp but lovely until Sunday. We made it home before the snow really started! The Koca snowbirds will be flying south in December so we can celebrate Christmas with Bermuda shorts and sunglasses Santa!

"We're Making Christmas!"

Cassie spent the week before Thanksgiving with us. She had a lot of fun "making Christmas!".

After many, many trips to Lowe's and Target as we figured out the decorations for our first Christmas in the house, we are finally ready. Luckily, our little elf was more than happy for each shopping trip because she loved looking at all of the Christmas trees and blow-up Santas.

What a fun holiday season this is going to be!

"Hi I'm Cassie and this is my friend, Jack"

That is how Cassie introduces herself and her buddy, Jack. She also loves Huxley and the ceramic dog, but, not as much as Jack!

Our Nephew, Nathan James Braniff

After 40 hours of labor ending in a c-section delivery, the little linebacker made his appearance in the world. He was born a week late on October 22, around 1pm. He is 20.5 inches long and 10 pounds 3 ounces!!! The biggest baby born in that hospital in the last 3 months. And, of course, the most beautiful! Baby and Mama are doing great, although both very tired and very hungry!! There will, of course, be more pictures to come. We only got a few minutes with him before Bo and Mimi (the tentative grandparent names) had to get on a plane to head back to the ATL).

She likes it, she really likes it!

We weren't quite sure, after her birthday, how long it would be until Cassie started to appreciate her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa. After some persuasion and Daddy actually riding in (or, on, whatever!) the Power Wheels, Cassie overcame her fear. She had Dora along to keep her company for the ride. The very short ride. She hasn't quite mastered the idea of holding the pedal down. So, she goes about 2 inches at a time. And, she is so excited about making the truck go, she has to pause to celebrate between surges. But, she loves it!!

Cassie's New Bed

Cassie already had a big-girl bed. We just jazzed things up a bit by getting a bunkbed, painting it supergirl pink and adding a tent on top. I would say she slept well, but, that was only after the excitement of her new "house" passed.

Cassie's 4th Birthday Extravaganza!!!

We had both of our families. A 18' by 18' Bounchouse. Wonderful meals from sunup to sundown. Tinkerbell decorations galore. And, so many presents. It was a wonderful day for all! But, especially for the birthday princess!!! A 4 year old now!

The birthday girl (in her new Georgia Tech cheerleader outfit that she insisted on wearing right away...much to the delight of Greg and dismay of Justin)


Who needs a fork when you've got your fingers?!?



Princess Snow White



The most favorite gift of all - the piano. She is still practicing her Britney Spears (video on that to follow - so cute!)




Cassie's big, special gift from Grandma and Grandpa Koca...she was a little scared of it that day, but, Jack really appreciated it!

In "The Bouncehouse vs The Family" - The Bouncehouse Wins!

This is a picture of the bouncehouse. It really was as tall as the house. Everyone took their turn. Some more than others. All of the pictures were taken on the same day, but there were lots of changes of clothes due to rain and sweat. And, we couldn't have had more fun!!!

Never figured out how to do a slideshow, so, here's a few more Vegas!Baby pictures

The day-after-the-wedding-2nd-reception-view-and-cake

Ashley's Dad and Omah...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

The Koca Family!

The Paris fountain (we could see it from our suite!)

At the Playboy Club at the Palms (which was actually dead - we stayed long enough to take this picture)

We took a quick break from the city to drive through Red Rock Canyon

Cassie singing Flo' Rida (thats a rapper for you old folks)

Our Wedding!

Soon enough, I will figure out how to do a slideshow. But, for the time being, here are a few wedding pics (and, one engagement pic at the LV sign).

Happy Birthday, Uncle Rick (the hiccup version)

Cassie learns the leapfrog

Perhaps not the math or phonics part, but, she has mastered the wand and is repeating every word she touches. And, she loves the Nemo book! Thank you, Cousins Julia and Katie! (I should note that she just finished a hamburger and we haven't wiped the ketchup off her face yet...)

Justin, Huxley is okay...(the weekend begins)

This will be the first post of what we are sure will be an exciting weekend. We are Huxley sitting. She is staking out the tile floor with a clear view of plenty of lizards, frogs and ducks. And, helping to put Cassie to bed.

Jack and Cassie play ring around the rosey

too cute to be a photo...must be a video.

Koca family visit - Part 1 - Gatorland

We had a wonderful week-long summer vacation visit from the Kocas! We bopped from Orlando site to Orlando site for an exciting week! Starting with Gatorland.

Cassie is counting the alligators. If you look closely in the background, they were hungry and looking for hot dogs!

Koca family visit - Part 2 - Universal

Waiting for Tickets~




Cassie in Jaws~



The girls on the Cat in the Hat~



All of the girls too pooped for the Hulk!