Saints Game w/MiMi & Pops

Our last visit to MiMi & Pops house was during the Saints game. Juliana & Ivan were dressed properly for the game; however, they were not the least bit interested in watching it. I hope MiMi & Pops weren't too interested either, they really weren't given much choice. Juliana demands Pops attention whether it be a game of hide-and-seek, Go Fish, or being stuck in the barn. Ivan isn't very demanding but he loves to "flirt" with MiMi. He makes sure she's watching him and gives her frequent smiles accompanied with eyebrow raises. Every now and again Pops will get his hands on Ivan and fly him through the air or clap (loudly) in his face while saying "IIIIVAAAAAAN", I guess he thinks that maybe one day Ivan may actually enjoy this. MiMi tries getting her time in with JuJu but with Pops around its almost impossible. The little time she does get usually ends up being MiMi and "the boss." Juliana lets her know the correct way to play games and the correct words to songs that are no longer allowed to be sung b/t the two of them b/c MiMi is wrong.

Back Home & Ready To Play

There is truly no place like home! It was wonderful to come home to find the place just as we left it. Kendall got busy cleaning up the yard, I got busy unpacking our suitcases, and Juliana & Ivan got busy doing what they do best, playing!

Juliana helping Daddy blow leaves off the deck.



Ivan doesn't find it necessary to cry when waking up from his naps, he just kicks the wall! When my house sounds like a construction zone I know my little man has awoken.


Ivan has ventured out of the living room, he's on to bigger and better toys!


JuJu taking a break from outdoor play, checking out PBS Kids online.

Gustav Evacuees

With the threat of Hurricane Gustav coming our way, we evacuated to Uncle Alex's house just outside of Jackson, MS. Juliana has had a fear of losing everything again since Hurricane Katrina, which I'm sure is devastating and hard to understand as a 3-5yr old. Because of this fear, Kendall & I promised her that if we ever had another storm coming this way we would 1st pack up everything she owns, with the exception of furniture, and bring it to higher ground (aka- MiMi & Pops). This was a painful promise to keep when we finally decided it was time to go. We didn't want to leave too early because we didn't want to waste our time if Gustav turned another direction and we didn't want to leave too late because we didn't want to be in the car 9 hrs when only going about 3 hrs away. I believe it was 12 hrs later when we had important items and all of Juliana's things packed up and brought into Aunt Ginger's upstairs bedroom. Thankfully, we made it to Uncle Alex's without too much traffic, only about an extra 30 min on the road. Also evacuating to Uncle Alex's was Aunt Kim, Alyssa, Brooke, and their two dogs Lexy & Lacy. Uncle Dave could not go because he had to stay and protect the city. Uncle Alex went from a nice spacious 2 bedroom home with peace and quiet to a chaotic home filled with toys and luggage, four noisy children, three adults (two of which were a little stressed), and three dogs! He was an amazing host, giving up his bedroom for my family and the guest bedroom for Aunt Kim's family. He slept on a love seat in the living area and was woken up extra early by three high pitched little girls ready to play with him. He says he loved every minute of it but I bet he was ready for us to go when we did, 5 days later!


Brooke, Juliana, & Alyssa goofing off on the bed.



Alyssa & Juliana playing in the rain.



Girls dancing & singing with Hannah Montana.



About to get real muddy!



Dinner time, as usual Ivan was scared to death.

Play Time at Our House

There are many days that I just watch Juliana & Ivan together & can't help but laugh. She always has new ideas of what she can play with Ivan. He stares her down as she walks through the room as if he's begging her to come play. He giggles & gets excited as she plays with him, she laughs & acts goofy to make him laugh harder. They have a good time and I love to watch how cute they are together.

Dr. Juliana checking out her patient Ivan


Juliana putting on a cheerleading show to entertain Ivan.


Ivan rolls & scoots around on his blanket playing with toys, he does occasionally sit up, but only when he feels like it.


JuJu & Ivan love playing with Daddy, he puts a whole new aspect on play b/c he breaks the rules!


Juliana burying treasure in backyard, Ivan watching from porch.

Panama City Beach Vacation

May 2007 we went to Panama City Beach for a long awaited Gibbs family vacation. It has been quite some time since the last Gibbs family vacation, we added 4 people to the family since then, Kendall, Juliana, Sable, & Ivan! Between nightly competitive games and daily rotations from beach to pool to hanging in condo with babies, it was a blast! It was great to see everyone together and to be able to hang out for a week straight. It has made a memory I don't believe anyone will forget.

Gibbs (Ferrara/Lentz) Family Photo


Aunt Gina, Sable, & Juliana playing in the sand.


Uncle Gabe taking his turn to entertain Ivan.


Aunt Ginger & Juliana snuggling up together.


Lentz Family


"Pops Heaven"


MiMi taking JuJu out for a cold dip in the ocean.


"Daddy Duty"


Ivan being toted along to the next stop.


"Beach Bum" Juliana playing in the sand.


Pops, Juliana, Ivan, & MiMi


Juliana made a great game host.


Sable, Aunt Gina, MiMi, & Ivan. (One of the 2 times Ivan went out to the beach, 5 min. max)


Busy Bee Sable.


Juliana gave us a dancing show on the balcony, all eyes had to watch.

Busy Little JuJu

Juliana is one busy 5 year old girl! As Pops would put it, "She has a life." In the last year she has done so many different things. She has played soccer and she is very good at it. She has done gymnastics, which she practices at home & scares me to death thinking she is going to break her neck. She went to dancing school where she learned ballet & tap, she of course stood out as the best dancer at the recital, just ask anyone from her "entourage" that were there. She also has started cheerleading classes. Ivan & I, Kendall too when he's home, are lucky enough to have round-the-clock entertainment! We get a mix of cheerleading shows, dancing shows, & song/dance/instrumental shows. Ivan seems to be the most entertained by these shows, Juliana calls him her #1 fan. When she is not off doing these things she usually has plans with MawMaw & PopPop, MiMi & Pops, friends/cousins, & Aunt Bonnie & Maggie. These plans usually consist of swimming, going to movies, playing at their home, or other outdoor activity such as gator hunting.



#1 Soccer Player (she certainly has the most fans on the sidelines)



Pretty Little Dancer



Aunt Ginger took Juliana & Paris to a dog parade & she made it in the paper!


Juliana & Maggie



Cousin Alyssa & Juliana




When she is at home, pretty rare, she creates art masterpieces & plays dress-up which occasionally includes Ivan as her prince.

The Holidays

Christmas 2007 was so much fun! Not only was it our 1st Christmas back at home, it was our 1st Christmas as a family of four! Santa brought lots of goodies to our house, Juliana received her 1st car, a purple princess convertible. Ivan received light up toys & lots of nu-nu's.

Christmas morning at home, Juliana showing off her new bath robe.


After opening gifts at home we went to MiMi & Pops house to carry on the tradition of gift giving the "Gibbs" way. We open one at a time, & those that allow Juliana to open their gift have it nicely displayed for all to see.



Juliana & Mrs. Ann (Sable's NaNa) made Christmas sugar cookies. Juliana had so much fun making a mess, and beautiful cookies too. Aunt Gina took advantage of our time there to hold Ivan without needing to share him with anyone. Sable was there too, but don't think I could get her to stop long enough to take a picture with her.


MawMaw Gibbs, MiMi, & Juliana playing an exciting game of Memory.


Brooke, Alyssa, & Juliana at MawMaw & PopPops house Christmas night.