tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20917881772085714592024-03-14T03:32:23.195-05:00The Irwin's Circus* A boy and a girl...and a girl, and a girl, and a girl!
husband and wife (6 months apart)...daughter 1 & 2 (10 1/2 months apart) and daughter 2 & 3 (12 1/2 months apart) hence the title "Circus"Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-73905508262049630232010-01-07T13:26:00.005-06:002010-01-07T14:21:00.830-06:00The IncidentCold, cold day. Warmed up the van. Ready for my first trip to the gym of the New Year. Go me! 2010 here I come! Just showered and ready to sweat. I tell the girls to head out to the van. Quickly grab my waterbottle and diaperbag and lock the door. <div><br /></div><div>Get to the van. It's cold. Brrr. Can't wait for a warm car. Anna and Naomi are standing by the van waiting to get in. Good girls. Oops, one missing. Little stinker. Where is she? Uh oh, must have lost her between the house and the van. Not a far journey but she can be quite the wanderer. As I approach the door, I hear loud crying. Oops, she must be inside. Poor girl, thinks she got left. Mommy never leaves, just may temporarily misplace. Someday she'll learn (Abby, not mom- unfortunately mommy is quite impaired in learning such things) </div><div><br /></div><div>Open the sun porch, still crying, only louder. Good thing it has only been about 90 seconds max. I'm pretty sure there is a minimum trauma threshold that must be reached before it actually starts internal scarring. I figured I still had a few seconds to spare. </div><div><br /></div><div>I talk to Abby, assure her I would never leave without her and that it would take me just a second to open the door. I go to unlock the door but it doesn't open. Stupid key. Stupid door. Try again. Still no go. Major <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">uh, oh! </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Uh-Oh because the only other lock on this door is an ancient skeleton keyhole whose counterparts only exist in quantities of ONE. That ONE being in the keyhole on the other side of the door! Abby must have turned it, trying to get herself out. It's okay, remember I still have time until scarring becomes permanent. TGIF&CP (Thank God for Fridays and Cell Phones). </div><div><br /></div><div>I drag the other two out of the car while assessing the situation. Front Door - locked. Screendoor- two locks. Basement door- locked. Door to basement from inside- locked Windows- locked. I think you get the picture. I am overly paranoid. </div><div><br /></div><div>I leave the Sunporch with Anna and Naomi mostly freezing in the 40 degree room with Abby playing happily on the other side of the door in 74 degree weather. I venture out into the teen degree weather (with wet hair mind you which has now in fact frozen in chunks) to search the garage for keys. This is my husband's organization system. Put everything in bags and place them all over and move them repeatedly so one has no idea where anything is. Found a bag, oh, that is empty. Found another bag- who needs this many screws anyway! Frustration mounting, Hair forming icicles, Hands falling off. Yeah, found a bag with keys- three of them, one skelaton, two others. Walk around the house trying to test keys in doors with no success. Husband, not knowing who he is talking to apparently, wants me to go kick in the basement door, which is locked with a dead bolt mind you. I try and of course fail. Even though I kind of wanted to fail because who wants to replace that door and who would be around to take me to the ER if needed? </div><div><br /></div><div>I realize I have three choices: (1) perish in the cold with only two of my children (2) admit defeat and call a locksmith (which in turn means waiting several hours on "Locksmith time" for someone to come, charge me out to wazoo, and take an eternity to duplicate a key made about 100 years ago) or (3) break into my own house. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now as some of you may know, my house was recently broken into just a few short months ago, so I choose the latter. The method is tried and true.</div><div><br /></div><div>I call my Stepdad to be coached on how best to break a window. What tool do you use? What side do you hit? How many times? You know, I wonder if these questions went through the mind our recent burglar. I quickly dismiss the perposterous idea of our criminal being in the least bit intelligent since we were actually HOME when he broke in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you know what I discovered? I am good at it! In case you were wondering, it just takes one small tap of the hammer right down the center. I even talked on the phone for part of it. (And I am not usually a multi-tasker!) I forsee great things. So if you ever lock your daughter in your house, I am your woman. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once broken, the door was easily unlocked by adult hands and ah, we enter warmth (minus the several degrees lost to the broken window). </div><div><br /></div><div>I learned two things: one... I have a wonderful daughter who was rather obedient, listening to my every instruction from" play with toys only by the door" to "go sit on Anna's bed because Mommy wants to break a window" when she could have been ruling the house and two...if anyone wants to break into our house, apparently, you are welcome to. Both times our windows were broken no one so much as flinched or reported suspicious activity. Yes, we are moving! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-68182333096551219382009-12-01T20:52:00.027-06:002009-12-01T22:08:18.158-06:00Dates with MeSo we had a date and not much money...<div><br /></div><div>Q: Wanna know what we did? </div><div>A: We went to the mall</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: Wanna know what made it interesting? </div><div>A: We played a game </div><div><br /></div><div>Q: What kind of game? </div><div>A: It went like this...</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: How many things could we get at the mall for a total of $2.00?</div><div>A: 1 sample of Mrs. Fields Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie</div><div> 1 sample of Orange Chicken from a knock off Panda Express</div><div> 1 sample of Orange Chicken from a "Thai" place next door to the knock off Panda Express</div><div> 1 sample of more chicken from who knows where, I think this place was Japanese</div><div> 1 sample of a fantastic piece of California Chicken Sandwich from O'Charleys </div><div><br /></div><div>Q: Can you tell we hit the food court first?</div><div>A: Yes</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: Wanna know more? The list doesn't end there-</div><div>A: Of course you do. </div><div> 1 handful of Reese's Pieces from a vending machine (25 cents)</div><div> 1 crazy yellow speckled 20 sided dice (yes, I know the singular form is "die" but I thought </div><div> you might be confused) (53 cents)</div><div> 1 awesome Christian sentiment card with my favorite picture on it: Two penguins looking at </div><div> each other. One with a big orange fish eating his head, with a headline that says, "Relax, </div><div> God's in charge." (15 cents- but only b/c someone gave me a penny to cover the extra cent)</div><div> 1 demo of "Glo"- a new Bible software that is visually appealing and intriguing (Ryan will let </div><div> you know)</div><div> 1 Lancome Face Cream sample which guarantees that I will look younger in 7 days (Ryan will</div><div> let you know)</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: More? </div><div>A: Unbelievable, but yes...</div><div> 2 stickers from Slackers- a hippy butterfly which I tried to convince Ryan we should put on</div><div> our minivan and a green alien head with a striped propeller cap which I neglected to suggest </div><div> that we put on our minivan (I mean we can't be both hippy and sci-fi geek, can we?) (70 </div><div> cents - our biggest splurge yet)</div><div> 1 super sours candy ball from vending machine which Ryan insisted we could split (turns out </div><div> he was wrong, I got a lick instead- you know, just to say it was "ours") (25 cents)</div><div> 1 Building Rome Nightmare Teasers CD with three bestselling songs which include such </div><div> intelligent titles as "Sink Like an Anchor", "What are We Fighting For?", and my personal</div><div> favorite, "Dr. Doctor"</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: Is that it?</div><div>A: No, one more thing-</div><div> Upon determining in my head that we had 12 cents left and then Ryan determining we had </div><div> 19 cents left, we headed for the candy store. What can we get in one of those bins for 19 </div><div> cents? We didn't know. So we (well, I, actually) asked the nice Indian cashier (while Ryan </div><div> walked away "discreetly" in embarrassment) what we could possibly get for 19 cents for our</div><div> little game. The very nice man gave us pick of anything in any bin in the store and said we </div><div> could have it for 19 cents. </div><div><br /></div><div>Q: So what did we pick? A Lindt Chocolate? A chocolate orange?</div><div>A: Nothing that sophisticated...</div><div> A wax soda bottle (you know the one) -the one that you open with your teeth. We split it on </div><div> our way out of the store while chewing on the wax (such an aphrodisiac)</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: 17 cents? That means you have 2 cents leftover?</div><div>A: No, actually it means that, as is typical in most marriages, "MISCOMMUNICATION", </div><div> (supposedly a high contributor to divorce) took place. You see Ryan thought I was talking </div><div> about adding numbers rather than subtracting so actually placed us "OVER BUDGET" at </div><div> $2.05 (with ironically, finances being the number one contributor to divorce)</div><div><br /></div><div>Q: Was there friction?</div><div>A: No, we decided to split a cookie cake slice on a bench for $3.71. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SxXl1iuDEII/AAAAAAAAArI/jDDuPNoTt80/s320/danaisms+038.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410483235371290754" /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SxXm3m0cRDI/AAAAAAAAArY/D040H8SDQL4/s320/god%27s+in+charge" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410484370343216178" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-15373130908615240672009-09-15T22:36:00.004-05:002009-09-15T22:48:26.070-05:00An Apple a Day...breaks our budget<div>Apple Picking at Eckerts...($27 in apples later)</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBePkpeI7I/AAAAAAAAAq4/JJBI1kg44mo/s320/apple+picking+020.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381905176336409522" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ryan and my sister, Tara. The funny thing is there was almost the same photo taken about 10 years ago when Tara was three or four, with Ryan holding her up to get an apple. Give it another ten years, and it could get a little awkward.)</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeQENfXWI/AAAAAAAAArA/N8MNpm8P4Q0/s1600-h/apple+picking+021.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeQENfXWI/AAAAAAAAArA/N8MNpm8P4Q0/s320/apple+picking+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381905184808983906" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeQENfXWI/AAAAAAAAArA/N8MNpm8P4Q0/s1600-h/apple+picking+021.jpg"></a><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeFNgBvHI/AAAAAAAAAqw/9I461WJyTsc/s1600-h/apple+picking+017.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeFNgBvHI/AAAAAAAAAqw/9I461WJyTsc/s320/apple+picking+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904998324092018" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeFNgBvHI/AAAAAAAAAqw/9I461WJyTsc/s1600-h/apple+picking+017.jpg"></a>Tara<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeFNgBvHI/AAAAAAAAAqw/9I461WJyTsc/s1600-h/apple+picking+017.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeESacZKI/AAAAAAAAAqo/hZxBdHn5ljY/s1600-h/apple+picking+013.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeESacZKI/AAAAAAAAAqo/hZxBdHn5ljY/s320/apple+picking+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904982462981282" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeESacZKI/AAAAAAAAAqo/hZxBdHn5ljY/s1600-h/apple+picking+013.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeDz3rLmI/AAAAAAAAAqg/8aLeBORtJIM/s1600-h/apple+picking+012.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeDz3rLmI/AAAAAAAAAqg/8aLeBORtJIM/s320/apple+picking+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904974264086114" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeDz3rLmI/AAAAAAAAAqg/8aLeBORtJIM/s1600-h/apple+picking+012.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeDblvPuI/AAAAAAAAAqY/aEpWzq69D-0/s1600-h/apple+picking+008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBeDblvPuI/AAAAAAAAAqY/aEpWzq69D-0/s320/apple+picking+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904967746404066" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdwkmmrPI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/WRQeAHwTSPw/s1600-h/apple+picking+007.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdwkmmrPI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/WRQeAHwTSPw/s320/apple+picking+007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904643748441330" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdwkmmrPI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/WRQeAHwTSPw/s1600-h/apple+picking+007.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdvl82vGI/AAAAAAAAAqI/7OOd6RA4Nyo/s1600-h/apple+picking+006.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdvl82vGI/AAAAAAAAAqI/7OOd6RA4Nyo/s320/apple+picking+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904626930334818" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdvl82vGI/AAAAAAAAAqI/7OOd6RA4Nyo/s1600-h/apple+picking+006.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdvCAXBmI/AAAAAAAAAqA/larAvbQVDmE/s1600-h/apple+picking+002.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdvCAXBmI/AAAAAAAAAqA/larAvbQVDmE/s320/apple+picking+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904617281357410" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBdvCAXBmI/AAAAAAAAAqA/larAvbQVDmE/s1600-h/apple+picking+002.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBduSC7QzI/AAAAAAAAAp4/zEfm8wZYdFQ/s1600-h/apple+picking+001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBduSC7QzI/AAAAAAAAAp4/zEfm8wZYdFQ/s320/apple+picking+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381904604407218994" /></a><div>Our friends Andrew and Laura accompanied us also!</div><div><br /></div><div>Our trip to the Apple Orchard ended up with a total of 8 people, in 2 hours, 4 bags of apples, for about $70. It was the girls' first long awaited trip apple picking. For months Anna has been asking when it was going to be Fall so we could go pick apples. Glad the moment could finally arrive for her! Everyone left happy. Warning: homemade applesauce is going to be attempted soon. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SrBduSC7QzI/AAAAAAAAAp4/zEfm8wZYdFQ/s1600-h/apple+picking+001.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="javascript:void(0)">Save Now</a></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-56386760787564255742009-09-12T08:50:00.004-05:002009-09-12T09:03:58.794-05:00First Day of Preschool<div>This week was our First Day of Preschool! We are doing a Preschool Co-Op once a week with a friend of ours and her son. We use the curriculum Before Five in a Row, a literature based study. We pick a book to read every week and do various activities associated with that story.<div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the things we learned, along with some pics:</div><div><br /></div><div>ABCs & London Bridges</div><div>Read Yellow Ball by Molly Bang</div><div>Played games with a yellow ball</div><div>Used watercolors for the first time to re-create the cover of Yellow Ball</div><div>Cheese and Crackers Snack in the shape of a (what else) yellow ball</div><div>Free Play</div><div>The Letter "O" and various learning games with "O" </div><div>Learning manners on how to open gifts politely, complete with a gift for everyone to practice with (what was inside? a yellow ball!)</div><div>Science lesson on Floating and Sinking. Their own yellow balls floated just like the ball in their book</div><div><br /></div></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoWdv3GFI/AAAAAAAAApg/bunyBwQd4yM/s320/First+Day+of+Preschool+016-1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380579283720149074" /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Squoj_0xEiI/AAAAAAAAApw/J1z9KoXtcKo/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+010.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Squoj_0xEiI/AAAAAAAAApw/J1z9KoXtcKo/s320/First+Day+of+Preschool+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380579516205830690" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Squoj_0xEiI/AAAAAAAAApw/J1z9KoXtcKo/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+010.jpg"></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Squoj_0xEiI/AAAAAAAAApw/J1z9KoXtcKo/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+010.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquojPL-LBI/AAAAAAAAApo/Y43-CS0pWhY/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+017-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquojPL-LBI/AAAAAAAAApo/Y43-CS0pWhY/s320/First+Day+of+Preschool+017-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380579503149820946" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquojPL-LBI/AAAAAAAAApo/Y43-CS0pWhY/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+017-1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoWdv3GFI/AAAAAAAAApg/bunyBwQd4yM/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+016-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoVyobkhI/AAAAAAAAApY/QEvsYPWP0Ic/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+007-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoVyobkhI/AAAAAAAAApY/QEvsYPWP0Ic/s320/First+Day+of+Preschool+007-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380579272146260498" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoVyobkhI/AAAAAAAAApY/QEvsYPWP0Ic/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+007-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoVQzn_BI/AAAAAAAAApQ/OJSUZmlA0as/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+004-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoVQzn_BI/AAAAAAAAApQ/OJSUZmlA0as/s320/First+Day+of+Preschool+004-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380579263066405906" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoVQzn_BI/AAAAAAAAApQ/OJSUZmlA0as/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+004-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoU3hZuoI/AAAAAAAAApI/J7LAV14yWtw/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoU3hZuoI/AAAAAAAAApI/J7LAV14yWtw/s320/First+Day+of+Preschool+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380579256279087746" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SquoU3hZuoI/AAAAAAAAApI/J7LAV14yWtw/s1600-h/First+Day+of+Preschool+001.jpg"></a>watching a video about the letter "O" on our FAVORITE letters website- Starfall.com</div><div><br /><div>We can't wait until next week when we study Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?!!! This time Ms. Sara is the teacher and Preschool is at her house. What fun we are having!</div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-74048904488899393632009-07-12T19:34:00.007-05:002009-07-12T20:25:40.217-05:00Blackberry Heaven<div><div>Lots of memories are made at Grandma and Grandpa's House. Picking blackberries is one of them...</div><div>(By the way, these lovely photos were taken by a family friend named August Jennewein. Check him out at <a href="http://www.augustjennewein.com/">http://www.augustjennewein.com/</a>)</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB8Ddx_jI/AAAAAAAAApA/FkDk99tquaI/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB8Ddx_jI/AAAAAAAAApA/FkDk99tquaI/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737575432977970" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB8Ddx_jI/AAAAAAAAApA/FkDk99tquaI/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+001.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB7smxbTI/AAAAAAAAAo4/B-VKcwn7Bto/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+004.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB7smxbTI/AAAAAAAAAo4/B-VKcwn7Bto/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737569296674098" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB7smxbTI/AAAAAAAAAo4/B-VKcwn7Bto/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+004.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB7VwudhI/AAAAAAAAAow/5gY4lDAeahk/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+067.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB7VwudhI/AAAAAAAAAow/5gY4lDAeahk/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737563164407314" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB7VwudhI/AAAAAAAAAow/5gY4lDAeahk/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+067.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB64sXsJI/AAAAAAAAAoo/kYKlmrcw7CA/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+005.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqB64sXsJI/AAAAAAAAAoo/kYKlmrcw7CA/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737555361509522" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBiTq-hrI/AAAAAAAAAog/liM3Bup1L78/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBiTq-hrI/AAAAAAAAAog/liM3Bup1L78/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737133106693810" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBiTq-hrI/AAAAAAAAAog/liM3Bup1L78/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+008.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBiKD9rDI/AAAAAAAAAoY/VJkWuqsV1V4/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+013.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBiKD9rDI/AAAAAAAAAoY/VJkWuqsV1V4/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737130527140914" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBiKD9rDI/AAAAAAAAAoY/VJkWuqsV1V4/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+013.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBhrpP2vI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/mfjN-4aAGIY/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+015.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBhrpP2vI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/mfjN-4aAGIY/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737122362022642" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBhrpP2vI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/mfjN-4aAGIY/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+015.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBhPyqlxI/AAAAAAAAAoI/bpFojXPFYnY/s1600-h/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+065.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SlqBhPyqlxI/AAAAAAAAAoI/bpFojXPFYnY/s320/auggie%27s+photos+of+the+girls+065.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357737114885330706" /></a><br /><br /></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-32889521344699702082009-06-30T15:38:00.005-05:002009-06-30T15:50:18.514-05:00Party Princesses<div><a href="http://partyanimalsstl.org/">Party Animals</a> threw a fabulous joint birthday party for Anna, Naomi, and Abigail. If you are looking for a stress free party, check them out. They are great! Here are some of the pics. Having three girls, of course, we picked the Princess theme! </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4cuNuTKI/AAAAAAAAAoA/3onkv0Y72F8/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+009-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4cuNuTKI/AAAAAAAAAoA/3onkv0Y72F8/s320/princess+party+and+pool+009-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223541920517282" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4cuNuTKI/AAAAAAAAAoA/3onkv0Y72F8/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+009-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4cBmoI9I/AAAAAAAAAn4/iloRdHfHQmI/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+020-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4cBmoI9I/AAAAAAAAAn4/iloRdHfHQmI/s320/princess+party+and+pool+020-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223529945375698" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4cBmoI9I/AAAAAAAAAn4/iloRdHfHQmI/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+020-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4b8LSaqI/AAAAAAAAAnw/BI2MqDUWDYU/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+140-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4b8LSaqI/AAAAAAAAAnw/BI2MqDUWDYU/s320/princess+party+and+pool+140-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223528488528546" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4b8LSaqI/AAAAAAAAAnw/BI2MqDUWDYU/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+140-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4bjPl0II/AAAAAAAAAno/qKIsznhkKQc/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+122-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4bjPl0II/AAAAAAAAAno/qKIsznhkKQc/s320/princess+party+and+pool+122-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223521795690626" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4KuzsFXI/AAAAAAAAAng/zU-ZbzFrOoY/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+005-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4KuzsFXI/AAAAAAAAAng/zU-ZbzFrOoY/s320/princess+party+and+pool+005-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223232842110322" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4KuzsFXI/AAAAAAAAAng/zU-ZbzFrOoY/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+005-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4KPaIsqI/AAAAAAAAAnY/z9Q4ADCmMkk/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+042.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4KPaIsqI/AAAAAAAAAnY/z9Q4ADCmMkk/s320/princess+party+and+pool+042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223224413434530" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4KPaIsqI/AAAAAAAAAnY/z9Q4ADCmMkk/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+042.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4Jw0eiWI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/11PjLi_PJsw/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+112-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4Jw0eiWI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/11PjLi_PJsw/s320/princess+party+and+pool+112-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223216202418530" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4Jw0eiWI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/11PjLi_PJsw/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+112-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4JXnPorI/AAAAAAAAAnI/TSIq5tVYc_8/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+129-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4JXnPorI/AAAAAAAAAnI/TSIq5tVYc_8/s320/princess+party+and+pool+129-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223209436029618" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4JXnPorI/AAAAAAAAAnI/TSIq5tVYc_8/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+129-1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4JH4z1oI/AAAAAAAAAnA/pjII-CSZLJ4/s1600-h/princess+party+and+pool+149.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Skp4JH4z1oI/AAAAAAAAAnA/pjII-CSZLJ4/s320/princess+party+and+pool+149.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223205214738050" /></a><br /></div><div>2 boys in the Barbie jeep- I love it!</div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-69132534400135071932009-06-02T19:46:00.004-05:002009-06-02T19:54:54.915-05:00A BLUE BirthdayNaomi's favorite color is blue. All day, everyday, I have to hear about BLUE. <div>So for her birthday, she wanted blue cupcakes with blue icing and blue candles. Well, she got it!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJf2gzlPI/AAAAAAAAAmw/BPEclp2nsaw/s1600-h/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+011.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJf2gzlPI/AAAAAAAAAmw/BPEclp2nsaw/s320/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342898081991202034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJfpziBKI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Y_YOBPyrJfo/s1600-h/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+017.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJfpziBKI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Y_YOBPyrJfo/s320/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342898078580081826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJfe_5k9I/AAAAAAAAAmg/xlhQVJgbz9g/s1600-h/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+013.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJfe_5k9I/AAAAAAAAAmg/xlhQVJgbz9g/s320/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342898075679167442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJfAQ71VI/AAAAAAAAAmY/KWQadIbxa3E/s1600-h/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+021.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJfAQ71VI/AAAAAAAAAmY/KWQadIbxa3E/s320/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342898067429119314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJezICmYI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/zamz507ykrI/s1600-h/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+005.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJezICmYI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/zamz507ykrI/s320/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342898063902153090" /></a><br /><div>and here is a fun snapshot of these three goofy, giggly girls:</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SiXJruyGm6I/AAAAAAAAAm4/0TEVMbLt3wI/s320/Naomi%27s+3rd+bday+038.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342898286074698658" /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-47320003372413719732009-04-24T12:37:00.010-05:002009-04-24T13:32:35.319-05:00Chocolate Anyone?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SfH85H2YRTI/AAAAAAAAAlY/yXLQC8OTQCE/s1600-h/chocolate+1"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 120px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SfH85H2YRTI/AAAAAAAAAlY/yXLQC8OTQCE/s320/chocolate+1" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328317892445881650" /></a><div>Getting ready for Bible Study. It's a little too quiet. Smart moms would wonder. I did- for a second and then went back to what I was doing. Anna came out of her room. Licking her fingers. Brown goo all over her face and clothes. Look of horror. Anna is confused. How did she know? Mom's know everything. Smart moms and not so smart moms both know everything. And the messy face helps a little. I enter their room. Naomi and Abby look like Anna, or maybe a little worse. In the center of the room is a tub of dipping chocolate. Smarts mom put up chocolate. Not so smart mom left a closed container of old dipping chocolate next to the trashcan to go outside. To make myself feel better I say to myself, 'well, it was in a closed (very jumbo sized by the way) ricotta cheese container. No remnants of chocolate. What kid would want Ricotta cheese?' Abby would. Abby did. I'm sure she was delighted to find that the ricotta cheese had turned rather brown and very sweet. Her sisters were happy too. So happy that they ate the whole thing. This was a LOT of chocolate. The floor is brown. Their clothes and faces are brown. There rocking horse now has brown hair. Late for Bible Study. Smart moms and not so smart moms both love chocolate. And apparently so do their kids. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SfH421Nda4I/AAAAAAAAAlI/5HvleSr5m90/s1600-h/chocolate"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 1px; height: 1px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SfH421Nda4I/AAAAAAAAAlI/5HvleSr5m90/s320/chocolate" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328313455036164994" /></a><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SfIFgPLS2QI/AAAAAAAAAlg/158MRxKdUqI/s320/easter+035.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328327360520575234" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-80755454418261290632009-04-13T20:25:00.002-05:002009-04-13T20:32:36.714-05:00These are the Days We Don't Want to Forget...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePnqwGPUbI/AAAAAAAAAlA/TIzFnwxs0yY/s1600-h/my+girls+002.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePnqwGPUbI/AAAAAAAAAlA/TIzFnwxs0yY/s320/my+girls+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324353906133651890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePnqpxEsVI/AAAAAAAAAk4/aCAsuRv42WM/s1600-h/my+girls+008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePnqpxEsVI/AAAAAAAAAk4/aCAsuRv42WM/s320/my+girls+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324353904434262354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePnqRpB5ZI/AAAAAAAAAkw/MuFPeQFLrpU/s1600-h/my+girls+016.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePnqRpB5ZI/AAAAAAAAAkw/MuFPeQFLrpU/s320/my+girls+016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324353897958073746" /></a>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-49754669571077076442009-04-13T20:13:00.007-05:002009-04-13T20:22:53.967-05:00Cahokia Mounds (P.S. It was SO much bigger when we were little!)<div>uh oh...that's a lot of steps for such little legs!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePkan111BI/AAAAAAAAAkI/phcEBBhdO0k/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePkan111BI/AAAAAAAAAkI/phcEBBhdO0k/s320/cahokia+mounds+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324350330504598546" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePkPfr6FBI/AAAAAAAAAkA/dMxR0UiiPRw/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+023.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></a><br /></div><div>V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePkPfr6FBI/AAAAAAAAAkA/dMxR0UiiPRw/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+023.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"> </a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePkPfr6FBI/AAAAAAAAAkA/dMxR0UiiPRw/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+023.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePkPfr6FBI/AAAAAAAAAkA/dMxR0UiiPRw/s320/cahokia+mounds+023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324350139336889362" /></a><br />Grandma, Anna, and Naomi also made it to the top<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePjvLHwQVI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Q2gAT5b7GQw/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+013.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePjvLHwQVI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Q2gAT5b7GQw/s320/cahokia+mounds+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324349584060727634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePjvGeBIEI/AAAAAAAAAjg/ghaoIqBM3-c/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+018.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePjvGeBIEI/AAAAAAAAAjg/ghaoIqBM3-c/s320/cahokia+mounds+018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324349582811930690" /></a><br />Ryan and his mom and dad<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePjui1qHJI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/zRl6PxRHocw/s1600-h/cahokia+mounds+032.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePjui1qHJI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/zRl6PxRHocw/s320/cahokia+mounds+032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324349573247409298" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Anna and her Grandpa</div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SePk4ia84dI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/O7RcCcdQTKk/s320/cahokia+mounds+027.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324350844445712850" /><br /><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-11589148700189097932009-04-07T11:14:00.007-05:002009-04-13T20:06:07.075-05:00Another Meyers-Briggs?<div>We dyed easter eggs this weekend. What fun! Turns out their eggs seemed to match their personalities! </div><div><br /></div><div>From Left to Right-</div><div>Anna: pure, simple, and girlie-girl pink</div><div>Naomi: flamboyant, fun, and full of color</div><div>Abby: sweet with an edge, curious, and inquisitive (hence the mutilated egg)</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Sdt8DjdDQgI/AAAAAAAAAjA/AUn1ywnBic0/s1600-h/easter+eggs+and+demoball+021.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Sdt8DjdDQgI/AAAAAAAAAjA/AUn1ywnBic0/s320/easter+eggs+and+demoball+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321983785166914050" /></a><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-74580409386836806872009-04-03T12:37:00.005-05:002009-04-03T12:52:32.316-05:00Clooney's Macaroni<div>So in case you haven't heard, George Clooney is in St. Louis making a movie called Up in the Air. The whole city is a buzz with stardom and Clooney sightings. As far as I know of, they have filmed at a school in Affton, a Lutheran church in Maplewood, the Cheshire Inn in Clayton, Lambert Airport, the Schnucks on South Grand, and the Millenium Hotel. My mom and stepdad's church hosted the cast and crew food gatherings in their fellowship hall while they were filming at the Cheshire Inn. My stepdad is the building manager so he had full access all three days they were there. We got the leftovers. Apparently NPR has recently reported that someone from PETA contacted Clooney about using his sweat as a flavor for George Clooney Tofu. Thankfully, Clooney declined. We didn't get tofu but we did get to eat Clooney's three day old macaroni. PETA ain't got nothing on us. Thought about selling it on ebay but my kids were hungry. :) </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SdZJaP-zSaI/AAAAAAAAAi4/loFFK3RLMaI/s1600-h/george+clooney%27s+macaroni+001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SdZJaP-zSaI/AAAAAAAAAi4/loFFK3RLMaI/s320/george+clooney%27s+macaroni+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320520725100186018" /></a>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-51424291917102302202009-03-31T22:05:00.002-05:002009-03-31T22:45:09.870-05:00My own Handwriting<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Guess what I did today?! I made my own font! What fun! Go to <a href="http://www.yourfonts.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(16, 92, 182); text-decoration: none; ">http://www.yourfonts.com</a>. It is super easy! You just print out a grid with all of the letters on it, fill it out, scan it, and download your new font IN YOUR OWN HANDWRITING! I am super excited about being able to type in my scrapbooks with my own handwriting. And let's face it...it's just fun to see a product of "you" when using Microsoft Word. Kind of like when you walk by a mirror, it's hard not to look- You'll never use another font! {Well, at least if no one else is looking!}</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-39204116446402503692009-03-27T23:08:00.002-05:002009-03-27T23:41:25.303-05:00My Head HurtsI went to a homeschooling conference today. Odd isn't it? (I don't homeschool nor could I if I wanted to since my kids are only 1, 2, and 3!) Anyway, in my very OCD need for planning, I attended a homeschooling conference to do some research on schooling options for Anna in another year and a half! Because I am a conference addict (just went to Hearts at Home a few weeks ago), of course I had a great time! Ah...I just love getting a tote bag, filling it up with kleenex (you always cry at conferences), pens (several- in case you run out of ink), yummy snacks, info on all the workshops you are about to attend, and a brand new notebook- ready for all the information you are about to take in. Sick, isn't it? I know, but what can I say- is there anything better? <div><br /></div><div>This conference was a little different for me. Very good and very informative but also very heavy for a newcomer. Usually, I go to as many workshops as I can because my perfectionism drive is so huge that I must at least <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">attempt</span> to conquer every possible issue that could possibly be affecting my life or in the life of someone I love. Today, however, I committed the unthinkable conference addict sin- I skipped a workshop! I had the opportunity (the room was beckoning me) but I just couldn't do it. My head was too full, swimming in a sea of possible curriculums, various philosophies, statistics, and dare I say it...phonics (my most fearsome thing to conquer if I choose to homeschool). My head still hurts, though I have gotten a little relief from journaling about it. Lucky for my husband that he had a guys' night scheduled and hasn't been home to "hear all about it"- though I already told him that he has a date in the car tomorrow as we do errands and gets the privilege of listening and nodding at all the appropriate moments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Things I learned: </div><div><br /></div><div>- My curriculum style is F-U-N- if it's not fun, I don't want to look at it (this must be my problem with phonics!)</div><div><br /></div><div>- I need some structure and direction if I'm going to teach. I like my hand held, especially in new things.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Colleges actually love getting applications from homeschoolers because of their reputation as great students who love learning.</div><div><br /></div><div>- One of the easiest ways to identify if someone has dyslexia is to see if they can speak Pig Latin- isn't that awesome!? Do you know what I want to do now? I really want to ask everyone I know to speak Pig Latin just to see. </div><div><br /></div><div>- All children are kinestetic learners (learn by moving and doing & feeling/touching) until age 3-5 at which point the girls' can change. The boys, however, won't change their learning style until at least the age of 7. This means it is a good thing I have girls. I would much rather deal with lots of girly squeeling than 7 + years of wiggly boys. Unfortunately for Ryan, I think he would appreciate the rough-housing and a little less talking. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Whenever you need to discipline, bring God's Word into the matter. Ie. if you are dealing with disobedience, talk about what God's Word says about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>- And last but not least, First E Free is the most confusing church to navigate around in ever! This may also have contributed to my head hurting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall a great day! Thanks to my hubby who suprised me this afternoon by taking half a day off so I could stay all day! He's just awesome. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you wondering if I am going to be a homeschooler? The jury is still out. We'll see what the Big Man has to say about it. But for now, I enjoyed impersonating one for the day. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-4586270912676618102009-03-26T15:24:00.002-05:002009-03-26T15:27:17.301-05:00Botanical Gardens with the Aunts!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk9YQXkYI/AAAAAAAAAiw/S_915JDXY9A/s1600-h/DSCN3634.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk9YQXkYI/AAAAAAAAAiw/S_915JDXY9A/s320/DSCN3634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317595528175260034" /></a><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk9PVg1FI/AAAAAAAAAio/pnWRMN7DEuA/s1600-h/DSCN3637.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk9PVg1FI/AAAAAAAAAio/pnWRMN7DEuA/s320/DSCN3637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317595525780919378" /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk8qvopCI/AAAAAAAAAig/On1kiaF_KmI/s1600-h/DSCN3651.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk8qvopCI/AAAAAAAAAig/On1kiaF_KmI/s320/DSCN3651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317595515958371362" /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk8VS9VcI/AAAAAAAAAiY/6WBg7KgSEeM/s1600-h/DSCN3626.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/Scvk8VS9VcI/AAAAAAAAAiY/6WBg7KgSEeM/s320/DSCN3626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317595510200948162" /></a><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-31047567849260432922009-03-19T08:14:00.005-05:002009-03-19T08:45:59.744-05:00If J.J. Abrams told me to drink Kool-Aid...I just might.<div><div><div>J.J. Abrams, creator of Alias, has made another tv show with a cult following- LOST. We were big fans of Alias and LOST is no different. We began watching season 1 on DVD in October and finished all 4 seasons in a matter of two months! Sadly, I even had dreams about the characters because LOST had become so much of a staple in our household. Season 5 began in January so our obsession could continue. Because everyone that watches LOST is a fanatic (there is no where in between), we began talking to a few friends about the show. They ended up inviting themselves over to watch an episode...and that is how it all began. Now, every week, six of us gather to have dinner together, play LOST trivia (complete with prizes), and watch the new episode. Last night we invited the "Others" and had a LOST costume party. Twelve of us crammed in our living room for all you can eat nachos, a Sawyer's Nicknames quiz, Costume contest, and of course, watching LOST. Everyone had a good time and are ready for more. Maybe our group of six will regularly turn into a group of 12- see what I mean...obsessive! Here are some photos of our party. They won't mean much to you if you don't watch LOST, but here they are anyway. </div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJWFReBGI/AAAAAAAAAiI/daxFEqGlYao/s1600-h/LOST+party+020.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJWFReBGI/AAAAAAAAAiI/daxFEqGlYao/s320/LOST+party+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314891153972003938" /></a><div>I was the airplane that crashes on the island, complete with the airline logo, wings, and plane windows with the charactes faces peeking out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJOXSiVFI/AAAAAAAAAiA/vn6AGUm3Jqg/s1600-h/LOST+party+012.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJOXSiVFI/AAAAAAAAAiA/vn6AGUm3Jqg/s320/LOST+party+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314891021369365586" /></a></div><div>Sara as Olivia Goodspeed (Ben's teacher, minus the rifle)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJOKob07I/AAAAAAAAAh4/HCFxvQ07qyA/s1600-h/LOST+party+011.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJOKob07I/AAAAAAAAAh4/HCFxvQ07qyA/s320/LOST+party+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314891017971553202" /></a></div><div>Anna and Dan as Charlotte and Daniel Faraday (he even had the leather journal to go with it!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJNqAea5I/AAAAAAAAAhw/SFWo46O0dmU/s1600-h/LOST+party+009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJNqAea5I/AAAAAAAAAhw/SFWo46O0dmU/s320/LOST+party+009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314891009214016402" /></a></div><div>Group shot. (From top left) Ali as Charlie, Joe as Tom, Ryan as Hurley, Dan as Daniel, Sara as Olivia and Allen as Richard. (From bottom left) Mark as the "random red shirt guy" who always gets killed off, Aubrey as Rousseau, Anna as Charlotte, Beth as Juliet, and Bradley as Charlie (complete with sugar heroine)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJNlFfdaI/AAAAAAAAAho/MqyC0FZAC-U/s1600-h/LOST+party+006.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJNlFfdaI/AAAAAAAAAho/MqyC0FZAC-U/s320/LOST+party+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314891007892878754" /></a></div><div>Allen as Richard- with eyeliner of course!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJNBllkmI/AAAAAAAAAhg/fyqxDZoJXVw/s1600-h/LOST+party+002.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJJNBllkmI/AAAAAAAAAhg/fyqxDZoJXVw/s320/LOST+party+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314890998363820642" /></a><div>Friends since they were babies, Joe and Ryan as Tom and Hurley</div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/ScJLwG6bA2I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/d3br-mbehfI/s320/march+008.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314893800112063330" /><br /></div><div>a bookmark I made with my Cricut as a prize for a Hurley Quiz with Hurley's face and lotto numbers</div></div><div><br /></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-85496460918569047442009-02-13T16:58:00.003-06:002009-02-13T17:04:33.676-06:00Phase I CleanupThis whole thing has been traumatic for Ryan. Here he is hitting himself with a child's toy anticipating cleanup...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7gdDMnNI/AAAAAAAAAhY/qdUHF2InTFo/s1600-h/february+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302420671271050450" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7gdDMnNI/AAAAAAAAAhY/qdUHF2InTFo/s320/february+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So apparently there is a code for cleaning up waste. Only those who have the privilege of waste management can be enlightened. So sorry to leave you out. If you'd like to be informed, you are more than welcome to come over and join in. Then...you can be in the secret club. See...we even have uniforms.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7gQmQOkI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/PDChYS3OEzY/s1600-h/february+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302420667928427074" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7gQmQOkI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/PDChYS3OEzY/s320/february+049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Trying to make Ryan feel better...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7f_t_9PI/AAAAAAAAAhI/y9USX2Dw4cQ/s1600-h/february+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302420663397512434" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7f_t_9PI/AAAAAAAAAhI/y9USX2Dw4cQ/s320/february+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Phase I Cleanup Begins!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7fh3mT6I/AAAAAAAAAhA/3xPiwPaGIb4/s1600-h/february+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302420655384711074" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZX7fh3mT6I/AAAAAAAAAhA/3xPiwPaGIb4/s320/february+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Stay tuned...Phase II coming shortly! </div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-51489867666613980752009-02-13T14:23:00.005-06:002009-02-13T16:58:06.473-06:00What I am calling the Sewage Flood of 09...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZXXkWd36wI/AAAAAAAAAg4/yJzG8bJbaxc/s1600-h/february+051.jpg"></a> More background: Three weeks ago we had most of the stuff in our basement in one huge but nice neat pile at one end of our basement. Being the messy/want-to-be neat freak that I am, I decided we must organize our storage area. SO...I made Ryan help me divide everything by category. Once everything was divided by category, we were going to organize each category into storage bins, number them, and write down everything in them on an index card. That way if we needed something, we just look at the index card in that category and find which number box it is located in, making retrieval a breeze. Nice thought, huh? So being the excellent finisher of projects that I am (HA! HA!) instead of one nice neat pile of things on the OPPOSITE end of the basement where the sewer water came in...we had about 10 piles spread out ALL OVERthe basement separated into...you guessed it....categories. Now, not to be too hard on myself - we actually did get about 10 bins actually organized and put away but we still had a lot left. So when the water came....it hit us in categories! Anyway, just thought I'd share that optimistic little fact there just in case you were desperately wanting some more depressing Irwin news! <div><div><div> </div><div><div>Here is the basement filling up with water- hard to tell where the water is- wish I used a ruler but...oh wait, the ruler was stuck in my craft supplies on the other side of the basement already submerged!<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZXXjjJocKI/AAAAAAAAAgY/epQADlJ5m_w/s1600-h/february+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302381142029660322" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SZXXjjJocKI/AAAAAAAAAgY/epQADlJ5m_w/s320/february+041.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-50957919316817689892009-02-11T21:31:00.003-06:002009-02-11T22:34:45.780-06:00ick!Guess what I got to do last night? Ryan and I had some real bonding time. At 11 pm, we discovered our pipes in the basement were backed up and sewer water was coming into our laundry room area. There was about 2 or so inches of standing sewage water. 20 minutes later...Ryan comes to get me in bed to tell me to get up we must go salvage things in the basement. The sewar water was pouring in by that point. So there we are standing in rising sewer water trying to rescue our photos, memorabilia, clothes, etc. while the nasty water continued to creep its way into all of the corners of the basement. By morning our whole basement was covered 2-5 inches deep in utter yuckiness. Good news? A guy came out and fixed it, making all the water go away! Bad news? The water went away but not the sewage...so now the cleanup begins! Normally, I try for some humor when I am blogging about something like this. Maybe I should wait awhile. Humor currently escapes me. Oh, and by the way, I forgot to mention that I am sick.Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-7328394406106280202009-01-29T10:02:00.003-06:002009-01-29T10:10:37.686-06:00Sledding with Aunt Tara<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUgdNFDmI/AAAAAAAAAgI/trgGCK3UhSI/s1600-h/sledding+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296748290824801890" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUgdNFDmI/AAAAAAAAAgI/trgGCK3UhSI/s320/sledding+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUf8KJAgI/AAAAAAAAAgA/1bqiovh4-vE/s1600-h/sledding+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296748281954107906" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUf8KJAgI/AAAAAAAAAgA/1bqiovh4-vE/s320/sledding+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUfnh8M-I/AAAAAAAAAf4/ctQgyJOuqKQ/s1600-h/sledding+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296748276416787426" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUfnh8M-I/AAAAAAAAAf4/ctQgyJOuqKQ/s320/sledding+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUxBiGuWI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/YBRyyXqtyws/s1600-h/sledding+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296748575454574946" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUxBiGuWI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/YBRyyXqtyws/s320/sledding+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUe29dmAI/AAAAAAAAAfo/L7DnbEhPwBA/s1600-h/sledding+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296748263378884610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYHUe29dmAI/AAAAAAAAAfo/L7DnbEhPwBA/s320/sledding+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>a sledding train<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-20355654095738396122009-01-28T10:26:00.002-06:002009-01-28T10:27:18.112-06:00A typical day at our house...Click here to see "Anna's Spastic Locamotion". I think she needs dance classes!<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQlKqC72dWk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQlKqC72dWk</a>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-20564635609000346272009-01-28T10:10:00.006-06:002009-01-28T10:28:47.216-06:00A Terrifying SightYou never know what you are going to find living in the most dangerous city in the U.S...<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCD1U9NhTI/AAAAAAAAAeY/VWVtnnR_h_Q/s1600-h/wonder+of+it+all+1+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296378113969456434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCD1U9NhTI/AAAAAAAAAeY/VWVtnnR_h_Q/s320/wonder+of+it+all+1+027.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>and </div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCD1lmo9PI/AAAAAAAAAeg/o2bb3pVc5gs/s1600-h/wonder+of+it+all+1+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296378118438188274" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCD1lmo9PI/AAAAAAAAAeg/o2bb3pVc5gs/s320/wonder+of+it+all+1+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh wait, that wasn't a drive by- just a snow angels attempt. Though these angels do look like they've been assassinated.<br /></div><div>Here they are a little improved:</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCFAKs4-iI/AAAAAAAAAeo/BqWcFRWDOdg/s1600-h/wonder+of+it+all+1+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296379399706835490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCFAKs4-iI/AAAAAAAAAeo/BqWcFRWDOdg/s320/wonder+of+it+all+1+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>and </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCFBM4Gf5I/AAAAAAAAAew/8N4DWZHUNp0/s1600-h/wonder+of+it+all+1+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296379417470599058" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCFBM4Gf5I/AAAAAAAAAew/8N4DWZHUNp0/s320/wonder+of+it+all+1+031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was Abby making a snow angel last year:</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCGA3kFnrI/AAAAAAAAAe4/s54GJPtZarI/s1600-h/DSCN2073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296380511261138610" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCGA3kFnrI/AAAAAAAAAe4/s54GJPtZarI/s320/DSCN2073.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><br /><div>This was her out in the snow this year: </div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCGTpQu7_I/AAAAAAAAAfA/TOcXWWHQvsw/s1600-h/wonder+of+it+all+1+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296380833839378418" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SYCGTpQu7_I/AAAAAAAAAfA/TOcXWWHQvsw/s320/wonder+of+it+all+1+019.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>I think she should probably settle someplace warm. </div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-87153699530854151862009-01-16T07:48:00.003-06:002009-01-16T08:04:56.130-06:00Living with MeLiving with me has its disadvantages. One of them being I am completely scatter brained and am consistently "misplacing" things. If Ryan says I <em>lost</em> something, I quickly correct him. I simply <em>MISPLACE</em> things- they always return, just not when I need them to. Things I frequently lose: my keys, my brush, my purse, the cell phone, my notebook which houses my life, pretty much everything of importance!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, the other day took the cake per say. I misplaced my toast. After looking everywhere reasonable, I could not find it ANYWHERE. Ryan nicely and a little naively insisted that Sadie, our dog, must have eaten it. I knew better than that though. I knew the culprit. I just didn't know the location. Are you curious?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SXCTC6-WozI/AAAAAAAAAdw/rrEjlFxuxko/s1600-h/DSCN3277.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291891240560141106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SXCTC6-WozI/AAAAAAAAAdw/rrEjlFxuxko/s320/DSCN3277.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It was hiding under my pillow. Yuck! <br /><br />No, life with me is never dull. Frequently messy and unpredictable but never dull. Now, if anyone has seen my cell phone, please let me know- it has been MIA for about 12 hours now- And hollar if you find my other glove. <br /><br />In case you all might be thinking it, "Yes, it IS amazing that God gave me children!" though I haven't MISPLACED one yet!Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-86830293371804982532008-12-19T21:58:00.005-06:002008-12-19T22:19:10.590-06:00Endless Baking, Decorating, and Eating<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxw8LKndfI/AAAAAAAAAdo/LU568Ruzszs/s1600-h/DSCN3226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281720642090530290" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxw8LKndfI/AAAAAAAAAdo/LU568Ruzszs/s320/DSCN3226.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxwHqLSeaI/AAAAAAAAAdY/2VDvHqK53Sw/s1600-h/christmas+08+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281719739881781666" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxwHqLSeaI/AAAAAAAAAdY/2VDvHqK53Sw/s320/christmas+08+039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxwHBQpg5I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/9mHpBkC0Wrk/s1600-h/christmas+08+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281719728898409362" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxwHBQpg5I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/9mHpBkC0Wrk/s320/christmas+08+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxvilU9fLI/AAAAAAAAAdI/3T_1JLrl8D4/s1600-h/christmas+08+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281719102925012146" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxvilU9fLI/AAAAAAAAAdI/3T_1JLrl8D4/s320/christmas+08+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We made all these beautiful cookies for the girl's bible study teachers. We had them all nicely wrapped with cute homemade cards on top. Of course we were sick the day of bible study! So we saved the cards and ate all of the yummy cookies :)<br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxviFveApI/AAAAAAAAAc4/iimcjNmTse0/s1600-h/DSCN3237.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281719094446260882" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxviFveApI/AAAAAAAAAc4/iimcjNmTse0/s320/DSCN3237.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Oops! I forgot to rotate the photo! Oh well, the point is...we were decorating gingerbread houses so Ryan broke out his drill! .....a man and his tools!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxvh8dPBOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/QeNfRAdXbs4/s1600-h/DSCN3238.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281719091953861858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxvh8dPBOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/QeNfRAdXbs4/s320/DSCN3238.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is mostly what Anna and Naomi did while Ryan, my sisters, and I decorated gingerbread houses</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu8vJC1lI/AAAAAAAAAco/fshfCX2ipiI/s1600-h/DSCN3241.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281718452724356690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu8vJC1lI/AAAAAAAAAco/fshfCX2ipiI/s320/DSCN3241.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />all of us with our houses<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu8e75m6I/AAAAAAAAAcg/XUpsZFFMyZ0/s1600-h/DSCN3232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281718448374258594" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu8e75m6I/AAAAAAAAAcg/XUpsZFFMyZ0/s320/DSCN3232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Emma<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu7gG1OKI/AAAAAAAAAcY/sm7lk_gODuI/s1600-h/DSCN3231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281718431508674722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu7gG1OKI/AAAAAAAAAcY/sm7lk_gODuI/s320/DSCN3231.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Tara<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUxu5xxFVdI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/AUEXdGClGgg/s1600-h/DSCN3218.JPG"></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091788177208571459.post-45939050675726064092008-12-15T13:57:00.005-06:002008-12-15T14:16:24.511-06:00Decorating the TreeA few of our favorite ornaments:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6EqJH3lI/AAAAAAAAAcI/rPZkDcfQWUo/s1600-h/christmas+08+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280112202333281874" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6EqJH3lI/AAAAAAAAAcI/rPZkDcfQWUo/s320/christmas+08+036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />ONE of Dana's favorites (I just can't choose!)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6EOeDwKI/AAAAAAAAAcA/vABmANbEleY/s1600-h/christmas+08+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280112194904899746" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6EOeDwKI/AAAAAAAAAcA/vABmANbEleY/s320/christmas+08+035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Abby's favorite- it's got her photo from last year in it. It's a cute book that opens and your child becomes a penguin, a reindeer, etc. I got it from Discovery Toys and love it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6Dg49J4I/AAAAAAAAAb4/yxIxIrWfM_M/s1600-h/christmas+08+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280112182669682562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6Dg49J4I/AAAAAAAAAb4/yxIxIrWfM_M/s320/christmas+08+033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Anna and Naomi's favorites.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6DXJe48I/AAAAAAAAAbw/Wtf7lqXo9Wk/s1600-h/christmas+08+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280112180054647746" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa6DXJe48I/AAAAAAAAAbw/Wtf7lqXo9Wk/s320/christmas+08+031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />one of Ryan's favorites from when he was little<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa42Zjuz-I/AAAAAAAAAbI/UMMUrNR_t1M/s1600-h/christmas+08+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280110857851686882" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa42Zjuz-I/AAAAAAAAAbI/UMMUrNR_t1M/s320/christmas+08+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Our Little Tree finally decorated<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa41-rHdUI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Q2v-qysylNk/s1600-h/christmas+08+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280110850634904898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa41-rHdUI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Q2v-qysylNk/s320/christmas+08+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The decorating process<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa41tTTFGI/AAAAAAAAAa4/cHnvyF0fEvY/s1600-h/christmas+08+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280110845971600482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa41tTTFGI/AAAAAAAAAa4/cHnvyF0fEvY/s320/christmas+08+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa41JvrUUI/AAAAAAAAAaw/tit5p_2x5Es/s1600-h/christmas+08+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280110836426953026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa41JvrUUI/AAAAAAAAAaw/tit5p_2x5Es/s320/christmas+08+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Anna and Naomi took a break. (Anna reading to Naomi)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa3u8Voa0I/AAAAAAAAAak/ok8_P9NtHIw/s1600-h/christmas+08+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109630237207362" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa3u8Voa0I/AAAAAAAAAak/ok8_P9NtHIw/s320/christmas+08+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Naomi<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa3urwhzJI/AAAAAAAAAac/ntbHADHtlsk/s1600-h/christmas+08+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109625786616978" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa3urwhzJI/AAAAAAAAAac/ntbHADHtlsk/s320/christmas+08+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Anna<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa3uNVD0tI/AAAAAAAAAaU/8YA0u0M4U7I/s1600-h/christmas+08+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109617618342610" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8_p86H-WxSw/SUa3uNVD0tI/AAAAAAAAAaU/8YA0u0M4U7I/s320/christmas+08+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Abby<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dana & Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445571711246204276noreply@blogger.com1