Wild life

Here we witness the annual migration of the Christmas tree from Living room to curbside. Our most beautiful tree ever! Merry Christmas!

After a while, you start looking alike.

On Friday, December 18th, 2009, Kaley was baptized. It was very special. But afterwards, we went to the Pizza parlor and I noticed something strange. We all grew hairy lips.
Our transformation into full werewolves wouldn't happen until midnight.
Andrew's analytical mind turns diabolical as he dons the gumball machine mustache.
Tim seems unaware of his facial manifestation.

Visiting Emily and Colin

Tim and I took a quick trip to Seattle and I mean quick! Arrived on Monday afternoon, and left on Wednesday morning. Just too quick! I don't think the kids at home even knew we were gone. They kept Andrew and Cameo busy driving them to their classes after school while we relaxed.

It was so nice walking around the Queen Anne neighborhood in the early morning hours in sunshine believe it or not, stopping for pumpkin pie and a mocha for breakfast, going with you to pay our last respects to the little green rabbit (Emily's car), eating and eating...

We stayed at the Inn at Queen Anne. Cutest room with a walk-in closet and a kitchen the same size as the closet. Don't even ask about the bathroom. That's another story.

We spent just a few minutes talking with the kids on facebook before school Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. They wanted us to be sure not to forget to bring them something. Don't worry, we were prepared, we bought gifts before we even left Omaha. Hehehe! We are pretty smart parents.

Happy Birthday to You, Emily! Wish we could come and spend time with you every month. We love you so much! You are so smart and talented and beautiful!

We are so glad you weren't seriously injured when your rabbit got in front of that truck. VW's are safer than they look.

Zak's is one of our favorite places to eat. Don't know if it's the food or the service or company...yep, it's all of it.

I don't know...the pie and the creamy art in the cup was yummy too!

Mostly it's You and Colin! See you soon!

Gina's 11th Birthday

Gina's 11th birthday was spent at Vala's Pumpkin Patch with her 3 best friends and the rest of us!
Those of us who were brave enough went thru the haunted mansion, shed and mine. Then we sat around a campfire and ate hotdogs and made smores instead of cake.

We made some perfect corn angels, bounced on huge ground pillows, and tootled around on quad bikes. It was the funnest 6 hour birthday party I've ever thrown! We're ready for more!!!

It's funny how the weather around here changes so fast from perfect autumn to winter wonderland and then back again to perfect autumn!

Home Sweet Home

I have really been ignoring my blogspot. It is rediculous! How can a little thing like facebook control my life so completely as to keep me away from writing down the important things that are happening? As if there is something happening! Just the passage of time filled with the making of little insignificant memories. Things that are taken for granted. Things that I have totally enjoyed! The biggest of which is just being home.

Home Sweet Home

I have really been ignoring my blogspot. It is ridiculous! How can a little thing like facebook control my life so completely as to keep me away from writing down the things that are happening? As if there is something happening. Just the passage of time filled with the making of little insignificant memories. Things that are taken for granted. Things that I have totally enjoyed! The biggest of which is just being home.

Home is where mom is but for now I want to go here. ASAP

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Andrew's Birthday Party

After all the donuts, ice cream, birthday cake, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bread, etc. we decided that we would have sugar free jello with 22 candles but they wouldn't fit so we went with 4 instead. Andrew chose to have me fix his favorite dinner instead of a restaurant meal. So we ate tuna casserole with easter eggs, corn on the cob, and brussel sprouts. He got a new cell phone, a far flying nerf football, and a camouflage laundry basket, an awesome CD, cash, and a Chili's gift certificate. This should be a cool year!

Andrew's Birthday Party

Springtime is crazy

It has been a crazy month! It began with a short visit with Wil, Robert and the boys before their roadtrip to Ohio, then we hosted our annual homeowner association egg hunt, and a 9th birthday party for Kaley and 12 of her best friends. Then, the boys returned from their Ohio trip to visit for a few more days.

Today is Andrew's 22nd birthday followed by Cameo's 20th. I have yet to collect ideas for the Easter bunny, but I'm sure that will somehow work out.

Rohwer Rocket Review

The picture is blurry but the music was
pretty nice. There are some amazingly talented kids at this school. I'm in need of a new camera or one that does better video but you get to listen to them play.

Rohwer Rocket Review II

Spring Fling

I have been wondering lately what to do about this blog. I've had the winter blues and nothing noteworthy was happening or so I thought until I emptied my camera card last night in preparation for Gina and Kaley's talent show at the school and found nearly 250 pictures which proves that a lot has been happening right in front of me. Was I sleeping? The snow has melted, the birds came back, and the sun is warm again.

Mahoney Mega Hill of Fun!

We had a fantastic weekend at Mahoney State Park. We climbed up the tower, watched the river ice flow, slid down the toboggan hill, made new friends, checked into our gorgeous room at the lodge, climbed around the miles of tubes and nets, ice skated, ate and ate and ate, played charades, stayed up late, went exploring and found a game room where we played pool and drove video cars and killed space aliens until we ran out of cash (we'll have to come better prepared next time), went back to our room, giggled until we fell asleep, got up late, found Grandma Marice had beat us to the cafe, ate a huge breakfast, then went out to do it all again. One very busy weekend I can't wait to repeat!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Andrew's very happy! Cameo said YES!!

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Andrew and Uncle Wil. I can't believe how long ago 20 years seems now. I wonder what the next 20 years will bring. We've been having so much fun, the time has just flown by.

I saw a comercial yesterday that goes something like this: The dad is questioning his little girl about where she is going and with who, then when he gives her the keys she turns into the teenager and leaves. Then the little boy comes in and picks up his coat. The dad asks where he's going and the boy says, "work". That is how it feels for real. They grow up too fast!!  

Watch out Uncle Wil. Don't blink. Brandon, Steven and Gavin are also in a hurry to grow up.  Before you know it they will be grown up too.  Just like Andrew.  

It's done! Finally!

I love to do puzzles. I was down to the last 75 pieces of my 1000 piece Christmas puzzle this morning. I finished the blue and maroon and Grandma found the two pieces that were evading me. Andrew sat down and finished the socks and the bear. Gina, Kaley and Shannon got crazy and finished the dog with Shannon putting the last piece on the bookcase.

I love this puzzle! It's called, "The Duet". I'm thinking that I will frame it and hang it above the piano and dedicate it to the awesome talents that my kids have.

It reminds me of Andrew except Andrew has brown eyes and we didn't get a dog or a guitar until he was 16. Okay, it is just cute! I can just imagine the chaotic music of the duet. I'm afraid our house sounds chaotic sometimes, too.

Adding some color and warmth to our home

I love this quilt Lydia made me! I love the way it looks hanging on my giant white wall that used to be opposite the giant red wall that is now also white. I put the green rug back under the table too to keep our feet warm.

Half Moon- What's That?

We had fun at yoga yesterday morning. We love our instructor, Lynn. She told us to play with the different poses. This one is half moon, my favorite. We are supposed to stack the joints and bones and balance. Lynn makes it look easy. This is us cheeting by using the wall. Shannon's half moon is nicely stacked. Mine is leaning forward. No wonder she could hold it forever and I couldn't. Or maybe my hamstrings just don't want to loosen up. Oh, to have a youthful body. Shannon has been inspired to invent some of her own poses. I'll have to take snapshots to class and see if any of them have names. BTW, you should see Tim do a flying crow. (We named it this because after balancing in crow, he shoots his legs out landing in upper plank position) Totally awesome!!