tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342118882024-03-13T09:16:04.968-05:00My Box of ChocolatesDanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-33318902738149572072012-08-09T13:36:00.001-05:002012-08-09T13:36:23.956-05:00First Day of School 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the words of Nemo, "First day of school, it's the first day of school!" Believe it or not all three of the older kids went excited this morning for the start of the new year! It is so hard to believe how fast they are growing up and that we have a 3rd grader, 2nd grader, and a kindergartener this year. I pray that not only will they learn the things they need to learn for their education this year, but that they will be friends to the friendless, and love those who need to feel love. I pray that each day Jesus shines through our kids, not only to the other kids in their classes but the teachers and staff they interact with on a daily basis. I pray that all those they meet will see Jesus in them.<br />
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Michal Kate in her first day of school outfit that she picked out all by herself.<br />
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Michal Kate and Mrs. Anderson, her new teacher at meet the teacher night.<br />
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Noah ready to tackle 2nd grade with his James Harden shirt!<br />
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Noah is excited to have Mrs. Greenhagen as his teacher this year. She was MK's teacher last year, and we feel blessed to have her again! If you look closely you will notice Noah is starting the year out with his two front teeth on his Christmas list!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jack gearing up in his Russell Westbrook shirt to take on Kindergarten!<br />
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Jack, with his teacher, Mrs. Magnus, at meet the teacher night!<br />
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My three school aged kiddos.<br />
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May God bless each of you and your children as we start this new school year!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-59214910228656411412012-06-22T00:28:00.002-05:002012-06-22T23:46:55.320-05:00Alaska After nearly 9 years of planning our 10th anniversary trip, it happened and it was unbelievable. We decided on our first cruise in the summer of 2003 that we wanted to go to Alaska to celebrate and knew that we would be going the summer after our anniversary since cruising to Alaska in December...well it doesn't happen. Our journey took a few days to get started in that we traveled from Oklahoma to Dallas to Houston in efforts to take the kids to Richard's parents for the week. We spent Sunday night, June 3 at his sister's house and then were up early Monday morning to fly out to Seattle, Washington. We had a bit of a bumpy beginning in that our flight was delayed only after boarding and then unboarding for an hour. Then, upon arriving in Seattle, one of our bags didn't make it. Most of the Market shops in Seattle were closed by the time we actually got there, but we still were able to go see the Space Needle, the Original Starbucks, and eat a pretty good dinner on the water.<br />
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Our bag finally arrived at 4:30 a.m. the morning of the cruise. After some shuffling of the suitcases we were off to the dock. We traveled on the Carnival Spirit and it was beautiful. The first 2 days were sailing north and day two was a little rocky on board. We did have the opportunity to meet the most amazing couple with whom we spent a lot of our time both on board and in port. They were truly a blessing to us and a friendship I hope that we can continue to grow in the future.<br />
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Wednesday night was the first of two formal nights. Due to the all important Western Finals Thunder/Spurs game, we were able to switch our dining time this one evening to the early dining instead of the late so we could go watch the game on board.</div>
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Day three began our true Alaskan adventure with sailing through the
Tracy Arm Fjord. Talk about God's Majesty at work. While sailing
through, completely surround by the most magnificent scenery I have ever
seen. We were able to see waterfalls, whales, dolporpises, sea lions,
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Glacier inbetween us, and the picture was snapped before Richard was ready, hence the lack of smile!</td></tr>
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Day Four was Friday and our first port of call, Skagway, Alaska. we spent the morning just walking through the main part of town and doing a little shopping, and talking to our kids for the first time since Tuesday. (they were having a blast with Gramma and Gran Gran)<br />
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The afternoon was filled with what ended up being our favorite excursion of the trip. A 3 hour train ride. Talk about a view, and oh so breathtaking. There is so much history on the White Pass railroad that so many worked on and traveled through during the gold rush.<br />
Here we are standing on the deck, while the train was moving at a very high altitude.<br />
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We were fortunate to see not 1 but 2 bears very up close and personal on our train ride. <br />
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Saturday was our second port, Juneau, Alaska. We chose to take a whale watching excursion that also allowed us to spend time at the Mendenhall Glacier. The views from a much smaller boat out on open water were absolutely amazing and once again I was reminded of the beauty that God created and was blessed to be able to stand in awe of it all. We saw several whale, unfortunately, I didn't get any great pictures that were close up enough to show off and enjoy. But I did get some pretty cool scenery shots.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this shot you can seen the Mendenhall glacier in the middle. </td></tr>
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While searching for whales we came across several sea lions and this one was pretty entertaining. He was just peaking at us and flipping around "flirting" with the boat. Pretty neat picture if I do say so myself.<br />
Our time at the glacier itself was cut a little short due to unexpected circumstances but it was amazing to look at. <br />
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I guess somehow I don't have any pictures of our day on Sunday in Ketchikan, Alaska. We just spent the time there walking the streets, and of course my husband who can't go anywhere without seeing someone he knows, ran into a friend from his days at ACU and we were able to meet up and visit which was nice.<br />
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Monday evening was our last port of call, Victoria, British Columbia and our first time into Canada. Everyone was so friendly and it was neat as well. We took a cab to the main street and shopped a little and walked around this amazing hotel, the Empress.<br />
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Then we took another cab to the Craigdarroch Castle. We were able to stay until twilight and watch as it lit up. <br />
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Our trip was one we will never forget and we really enjoyed everything about it. Both of us would like to go back again someday and highly recommend that if you are planning a trip and don't know where to go...take that Alaskan Cruise. I am daily blessed by my husband and ever thankful that God chose him to walk through life with. The last ten years have been fun and crazy with both the worst and best days of our lives so far. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years have to bring. I love you Richard and am blessed to be your wife and the mother of our 6 children. Thank you for this trip and the time with you and thank you to Gramma and Gran Gran for taking care of our kiddos while we were gone.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-84128824636633217072012-06-21T23:14:00.002-05:002012-06-21T23:14:37.008-05:00Dance and Sports for the spring 2012It was a busy, but fun spring at the Castleman house. Between soccer, baseball, dance, and potty training, we had our plates full! This summer really is a break for us and lots of time just being together!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jack played his first season of soccer as a Ranger and he really enjoyed himself. I watched as he improved with each game and practice.<br />
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Noah played his 5th season of baseball, but his first season of machine pitch. there was a learning curve there, but he started really hitting the ball by the end of the season and the fielding of the whole team got progressively better.<br />
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Michal Kate just completed her 5 year in dance. It was hard to leave The Dance Company in Mt. Pleasant, but she enjoyed her year at Showstoppers in Stillwater. It made for a long Thursday for the whole family and we will be coming to a studio in Ponca City next year to stay closer to town and Emorie will be taking too! That is going to be entertaining for sure. Michal Kate took Tap, Ballet, and Jazz again this year, and she too made big improvements as the year went on.<br />
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Michal Kate's tap outfit in Boogey Shoes<br />
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Ballet in Cinderella's Waltz for a Ball<br />
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And Jazz Shena is a Punk Rocker, talk about a dance that will even make the audience tired, this thing was fast!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-66485897396708740012012-06-21T22:59:00.002-05:002012-06-21T22:59:47.867-05:00New YorkThose of you who know me well know that I have wanted to go to New York City for as long as I can remember. So when my sister called last August and said she was planning a family girls trip to NYC in May, I was all in!<br />
So on Wednesday, May 16 we headed out to NYC. <br />
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Here we are catching our ride from the airport to the hotel. Michel, Tracy, Allyson, mom, Suzanne, and me<br />
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We stayed in Times Square in the Marriot Marquios! Talk about gorgeous! This was the view from our room. Truly the city that never sleeps. </div>
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Our first say there was Tracy's birthday! We celebrated by eating at Serendipity. Talk about wonderful. This is us enjoying my desert, Frozen Hot Chocolate. It was one of the most wonderful things I have ever tasted. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. </div>
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While we were there, we were able to attend 3 Broadway Musicals. Thursday night we went to Sister Act starring Ravon, Friday night The Lion King, and Saturday, mom and I went to see Phantom of the Opera. They were all amazing, but Phantom was my favorite. So amazing. </div>
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We took a ferry cruise around the New York coast. We were able to see the Statue of Liberty up close and personal, and the new New York skyline. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of Tower 1 memorial </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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On Friday we went down to ground zero. I can't even put into words this experience. It was breathtaking and brought tears to my eyes just standing there. They have done a beautiful job in building the memorial and I am sure the museum will be just as awesome when it is finished. To stand where so many died for nothing but hate...and to be taken back to that day just by standing there. It is truly something to see.<br />
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It was very funny to me that people would just sit in Times Square, seemingly not really doing anything. Some even brought their own chairs. So on Saturday, Ally and I just sat down for fun. Of course we did it while Suzanne wasn't looking and sanitized our hands thoroughly afterwards!<br />
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This for me was the trip of a lifetime and I would go back in a heartbeat. It was amazing and met every expectation I had. The memories we made as the girls in our family will last forever!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-78548785252201615702012-05-02T22:07:00.000-05:002012-05-02T22:07:01.111-05:0018 Months<br />
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Our Elijah is 18 months old. He makes me smile so much my face hurts.
This little guy finally has some teeth and is ALL BOY! He loves tools,
preferably real tools, which he obtains by digging in his daddy's tool
bag and trying to carry an 18 volt drill around the house! HA.
Unfortunately, as happy as he is, he can get just as mad, and has a bit
of a temper. He does not like to get in trouble, it crushes him. We
finally moved him into his big boy crib at night in the boys room. The
boys love having him in there, and he is adjusting well. I think that
was the last step of mommy trying to hold on to my last baby. He still
isn't talking a lot, but can most definitely get his point across. We
love this little boy and are so blessed by having him as our son! </div>
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<br />Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-19595709003619797572012-05-02T21:55:00.002-05:002012-05-02T21:55:12.065-05:00Extreme Eagle<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iK-iXL0n1cY/T6HyUFaZkhI/AAAAAAAAEZw/8AJtHgMYbgk/s1600/100_2841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iK-iXL0n1cY/T6HyUFaZkhI/AAAAAAAAEZw/8AJtHgMYbgk/s320/100_2841.JPG" width="240" /></a>On April 9th Jack was selected as the Extreme Eagle for his class. It is a weekly citizenship award that is given by his teacher. I am so proud of this little boy. He has many little friends, both girls and boys, he is reading several words, counting to 30, and working very hard on coming up with rhyming words. Way to go Jack!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-71786295335740932462012-05-02T21:43:00.002-05:002012-05-02T22:07:57.037-05:00Eme and MinnieApril 13th was Emorie's 3rd birthday. I can't believe that it has been 3 years since this little one was born. She is incredibly full of overflowing energy and a joy for life. She definitely keeps us on our toes and she is incredibly smart. One of our favorite things she does right now is a little "he or she" game. Pick a person, ask her if they are a he or a she and she will answer, "he's a she" or "she's a he" or "she's a she" you get the idea. It is hilarious to listen to her, because there is a look on her face as she says it with such confidence.<br />
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We had a toss up on what the theme of her birthday party would be because she loves Minnie Mouse and the movie Tangled. In the end I chose Minnie Mouse. I went with hot pink and zebra, along with Minnie. We had cupcakes, zebra marshmallows, and thumbprint cookies with hugs. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GP8yEfM8tOQ/T6Hv4vMKmZI/AAAAAAAAEZk/uDUUiR6eR3o/s1600/IMG_5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GP8yEfM8tOQ/T6Hv4vMKmZI/AAAAAAAAEZk/uDUUiR6eR3o/s320/IMG_5086.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-7480192710464000672012-04-09T22:25:00.009-05:002012-04-09T22:53:38.995-05:00Easter 2012Our first Easter Sunday in Oklahoma was beautiful. The weather was perfect and remembering what our Savior sacrificed for us was wonderful! Of course, y'all would worry about me if my kiddos didn't dress up and coordinate on a holiday, right? Well, just so I don't disappoint...<br /><br />The kids before church and before getting to check out what the Easter Bunny brought!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0WC7NmdOgA/T4OpLcozhyI/AAAAAAAAEYI/b26a_cv-6ws/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0WC7NmdOgA/T4OpLcozhyI/AAAAAAAAEYI/b26a_cv-6ws/s320/IMG_5025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729609165076399906" border="0" /></a>I let them get their baskets and put it in front of them, but not get into it! Mean right? Well, everyone complied except Elijah and Emorie!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sg35HI0yNRw/T4OpM803TgI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/N41qDHu2Xbo/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sg35HI0yNRw/T4OpM803TgI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/N41qDHu2Xbo/s320/IMG_5026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729609190896782850" border="0" /></a>The kids at church after our church egg hunt!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRngAKY8LTE/T4OpN8-uCRI/AAAAAAAAEYc/FAtFi4mgoog/s1600/IMG_5045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRngAKY8LTE/T4OpN8-uCRI/AAAAAAAAEYc/FAtFi4mgoog/s320/IMG_5045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729609208117987602" border="0" /></a> The boys! I think they are so handsome! <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJF50r3P-4Y/T4OpwhwHdAI/AAAAAAAAEYo/8Df8wGqF2JE/s1600/IMG_5046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJF50r3P-4Y/T4OpwhwHdAI/AAAAAAAAEYo/8Df8wGqF2JE/s320/IMG_5046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729609802104402946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Moait7iz2Fw/T4OqTsnhpmI/AAAAAAAAEY0/Wew0Zx90Y8o/s1600/IMG_5055.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Moait7iz2Fw/T4OqTsnhpmI/AAAAAAAAEY0/Wew0Zx90Y8o/s320/IMG_5055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729610406316582498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> My beautiful girls!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And just too cute not to post! Elijah caught on very quickly to the egg hunting. He would get one egg and a time and take it to Richard, who held his bucket, and then go back for another! He loved it and became VERY possessed with his bucket!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thNS1-nOxdw/T4OrAHctRkI/AAAAAAAAEZA/mIPFQggto4g/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thNS1-nOxdw/T4OrAHctRkI/AAAAAAAAEZA/mIPFQggto4g/s320/IMG_5040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729611169433208386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We hope this finds you all having had a blessed weekend and a very Happy Easter! Praise God, He is Alive!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-84176207212134302932012-04-08T22:04:00.006-05:002012-04-08T22:59:35.296-05:00A lot of Catching Up To DoWell hello my blog reading friends. I know, for those of you who check on us, I have left you disappointed lately, but here is a complete update from Christmas until yesterday. I will post an Easter post soon. So there are a lot of pictures, I tried to get at least one from each event.<br /><br />In early January, Michal Kate received the Extreme Eagle award (citizenship award) again for her class. She is a smart little girl. She is reading up to a 6th grade level and just earned 200 AR points last week. She also got new glasses in February so look for those in later pictures. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-0pgpOSHbM/T4JZwFizPoI/AAAAAAAAEXk/FxnT5LlMHto/s1600/100_2696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-0pgpOSHbM/T4JZwFizPoI/AAAAAAAAEXk/FxnT5LlMHto/s320/100_2696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729240358625427074" border="0" /></a><br />In early February I started potty training Emorie. What started out as an easy adventure has turned into a mess, literally. We are still working on it, but we have back tracked a lot.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vu2qA8ONMzU/T4JZxrVGOFI/AAAAAAAAEXs/8Q-_PacTeGA/s1600/IMG_4954.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vu2qA8ONMzU/T4JZxrVGOFI/AAAAAAAAEXs/8Q-_PacTeGA/s320/IMG_4954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729240385948366930" border="0" /></a><br />Just before Valentine's day it snowed and school was canceled. We took advantage of a sled that was given to us and went down to the little park in our neighborhood. We all had a great time and as always the beauty of the snow reminded me of the purity of Christ! Beautiful!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdAmfx_ZHgw/T4JZvRA7rnI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Y0M3YqmxSLg/s1600/IMG_4957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdAmfx_ZHgw/T4JZvRA7rnI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Y0M3YqmxSLg/s320/IMG_4957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729240344524729970" border="0" /></a>Our Valentine's Day Shot!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MofcvUCk2c8/T4JXwOhU2dI/AAAAAAAAEW4/V33_BgOhugc/s1600/100_2721.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MofcvUCk2c8/T4JXwOhU2dI/AAAAAAAAEW4/V33_BgOhugc/s320/100_2721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729238162011904466" border="0" /></a><br />Noah's school program! He was one of the chickens.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFWKV4auoOY/T4Ja-E1bIBI/AAAAAAAAEX4/lnNmwBiZenQ/s1600/IMG_5006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFWKV4auoOY/T4Ja-E1bIBI/AAAAAAAAEX4/lnNmwBiZenQ/s320/IMG_5006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729241698464899090" border="0" /></a><br />Though hard to believe, Michal Kate turned 8 on February 18! Gram and Papa were able to come in for the party which was at a self serve yogurt bar called Cherry Berry. Snoopy was the theme and several of her new friends were able to attend!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmZZdRN7wfg/T4JXvTVTnlI/AAAAAAAAEWw/uRG1X02RZd4/s1600/IMG_4965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmZZdRN7wfg/T4JXvTVTnlI/AAAAAAAAEWw/uRG1X02RZd4/s320/IMG_4965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729238146123800146" border="0" /></a><br />On February 24, I finally took Elijah for his much needed first haircut. I can't get over how much they grow up just by cutting off some of the hair. He started out okay, but ended up hating it!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIpE82fn7HA/T4JXuzWDuKI/AAAAAAAAEWk/BO8BwGDSCbk/s1600/100_2731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIpE82fn7HA/T4JXuzWDuKI/AAAAAAAAEWk/BO8BwGDSCbk/s320/100_2731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729238137537018018" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkaKbVmlxF0/T4JZuSZBfbI/AAAAAAAAEXI/effH-WqWfAI/s1600/100_2732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkaKbVmlxF0/T4JZuSZBfbI/AAAAAAAAEXI/effH-WqWfAI/s320/100_2732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729240327714340274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Michal Kate and her friend Avery Kate at their program about Space. (MK's new glasses)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOMdi867wQ4/T4JVntMTDXI/AAAAAAAAEWY/4RuXZzo3Z98/s1600/100_2744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOMdi867wQ4/T4JVntMTDXI/AAAAAAAAEWY/4RuXZzo3Z98/s320/100_2744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729235816603127154" border="0" /></a><br />Just before Spring Break we had Noah's birthday party at the local YMCA. The kids swam for a long time and then we enjoyed cake. As you can see Connor, Noah's cousin and BFF was able to come along with his family , Gramma and Gran Gran, and Richard's sister and her family!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhP2Kd_SBH0/T4JVnChnXQI/AAAAAAAAEWM/4hQfCcxGCxQ/s1600/100_2747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhP2Kd_SBH0/T4JVnChnXQI/AAAAAAAAEWM/4hQfCcxGCxQ/s320/100_2747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729235805149814018" border="0" /></a><br />I can't believe he is 7! Harry Potter was the theme!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBnS8a3jYC4/T4JVmIbTJtI/AAAAAAAAEWA/sEN6djOxwo8/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBnS8a3jYC4/T4JVmIbTJtI/AAAAAAAAEWA/sEN6djOxwo8/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729235789554067154" border="0" /></a><br />For Spring Break the kids and I went to Dallas to visit my family. Gram planned some fun things for us while we were there which included a trip to Legoland!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU3KMkn9O18/T4JTtGVgHHI/AAAAAAAAEV0/kK0EG9JSu28/s1600/100_2795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU3KMkn9O18/T4JTtGVgHHI/AAAAAAAAEV0/kK0EG9JSu28/s320/100_2795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729233710228708466" border="0" /></a><br />While we were gone Jack's team played the first game of his first soccer season...oops we missed it. But, the next week we were ready to play! He loves it, and plays hard for the most part and crazy enough, talks a lot of smack!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZ1SBsCQJbE/T4JTsqdO8EI/AAAAAAAAEVo/6iyP6Yxn6W4/s1600/IMG_5012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZ1SBsCQJbE/T4JTsqdO8EI/AAAAAAAAEVo/6iyP6Yxn6W4/s320/IMG_5012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729233702744944706" border="0" /></a><br />This past week, Noah began his 4th season of baseball, but first season of machine pitch! <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRkKcaFGRJ0/T4JTsK1lmmI/AAAAAAAAEVc/vm_P3rkZl4A/s1600/IMG_5018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRkKcaFGRJ0/T4JTsK1lmmI/AAAAAAAAEVc/vm_P3rkZl4A/s320/IMG_5018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729233694257158754" border="0" /></a>Okay, there...whew....are you tired! Things continue to be busy around here but we love it. Emorie's birthday is this week, Easter today, ball games, dance, and some long awaited trips are in the near future. I will try to be better about keeping this updated!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-82423763708456231642012-01-10T09:44:00.004-06:002012-01-10T10:06:49.982-06:00A little basketballThis fall, much to my excitement, Noah wanted to play basketball again! I love the sport, my favorite by far, so it thrilled me that he wanted to play. Even better, we now have an awesome YMCA in town to play through. I will admit, the games were comical most of the time, but I really did see Noah improve each game. He can dribble down the court, and in his best game he scored 8 points and had 2 assists. (of course, who is keeping count at this age) His team won almost every game(again who is keeping track but me!) He loved it, and Jack wants to play next season too! I love it!<br />Noah shooting his first bucket at his first game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sUoRGSz0R9o/Twxd0mIiAhI/AAAAAAAAEU4/xRnr5AzAf8E/s1600/IMG_4686.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sUoRGSz0R9o/Twxd0mIiAhI/AAAAAAAAEU4/xRnr5AzAf8E/s320/IMG_4686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696030786887746066" border="0" /></a><br />Taking it down the court<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iNn5q_K4gg/Twxdzuel7oI/AAAAAAAAEUs/UbYwJH311JI/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iNn5q_K4gg/Twxdzuel7oI/AAAAAAAAEUs/UbYwJH311JI/s320/IMG_4682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696030771947892354" border="0" /></a><br />Noah's picture for ball 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_OVEkjtY54/TwxdzZ383cI/AAAAAAAAEUg/kaEtGKKX1Vk/s1600/Noah%2BBasketball%2B2011.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_OVEkjtY54/TwxdzZ383cI/AAAAAAAAEUg/kaEtGKKX1Vk/s320/Noah%2BBasketball%2B2011.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696030766417108418" border="0" /></a><br />Back row: Coach O'Neill, Jacob, Jacob, Noah, Coach Lyman<br />Front row: Jackson, Oliver, Noah, Bert, and Carter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GtY4SiPrZI/TwxfY0WFz4I/AAAAAAAAEVE/5lczoNpc4WU/s1600/Noah%2Bbasketball2.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GtY4SiPrZI/TwxfY0WFz4I/AAAAAAAAEVE/5lczoNpc4WU/s320/Noah%2Bbasketball2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696032508689633154" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-38878243164756046082012-01-03T12:19:00.003-06:002012-01-03T12:30:12.440-06:00Christmas Part 2On Monday we headed further South to Houston for the Castleman Christmas. For the 2nd year in a row we were all there for several days and had many family get togethers which with 13 grandchildren, is a very exciting event!<br />I initiated some picture taking and my only fail was not getting one of all 13 grandkids or each individual family. Though I did get a shot of each couple except us...oops maybe next year!<br />The Castleman 6<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-mjfxhqfx4/TwNHcSbA9PI/AAAAAAAAETk/BgCY-_ZO8Wg/s1600/100_2650.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-mjfxhqfx4/TwNHcSbA9PI/AAAAAAAAETk/BgCY-_ZO8Wg/s320/100_2650.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693472905233495282" border="0" /></a><br />And the Castleman 10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlK8eeh8mrk/TwNHdIceWlI/AAAAAAAAETs/vuQoxArNK8k/s1600/100_2652.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlK8eeh8mrk/TwNHdIceWlI/AAAAAAAAETs/vuQoxArNK8k/s320/100_2652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693472919735130706" border="0" /></a><br />Kids with Spouses<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8Is4YzzDLg/TwNHdSLMkzI/AAAAAAAAET8/XSxkC1kZ89M/s1600/100_2654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8Is4YzzDLg/TwNHdSLMkzI/AAAAAAAAET8/XSxkC1kZ89M/s320/100_2654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693472922347017010" border="0" /></a>11 of the 13! Christopher wasn't with us yet and Elijah was attempting a very short nap! But back row first Sean 15 holding Zane 5, Collin 14, Michal Kate 7, Cade 12<br />Front: Carlee 2 Emorie 2 Cambri 4 Jack 4 Noah 6 and Connor 6<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haDlwatE39Q/TwNHcBt96JI/AAAAAAAAETY/yas_zOXYjSM/s1600/100_2647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haDlwatE39Q/TwNHcBt96JI/AAAAAAAAETY/yas_zOXYjSM/s320/100_2647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693472900749584530" border="0" /></a><br />Thursday night Linda and Kirk kept 8 of the grand kids with help from 2 of the older ones while the 8 of us went on a quadruple date to the Cheesecake factory. We laughed harder than we have in a long time and though we waited nearly 2 hours, we really enjoyed ourselves. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rUcsbMQ6RU/TwNH2WvsUmI/AAAAAAAAEUI/rXCU9cT0fDw/s1600/100_2686.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rUcsbMQ6RU/TwNH2WvsUmI/AAAAAAAAEUI/rXCU9cT0fDw/s320/100_2686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693473353070563938" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-71784563302369744642012-01-03T12:13:00.005-06:002012-01-10T10:33:04.179-06:00SantaA week before Christmas we happened to be in OKC for something and ventured to the mall in hopes of getting the kids picture taken with Santa...well FAIL. Only because the wait was and hour and half. We were willing to wait, especially since they give you a pager and you can go about your business in the mall, but we had plans an hour from then and couldn't wait. After trying to figure out when we would go because I didn't want to miss a year, we decided we would try at Firewheel in Dallas the Thursday before Christmas. I went knowing the wait was going to be forever long and horrible. Much to my surprise we waited 5 minutes and got the picture quickly. I learned several years ago to assure the photographer that I am buying the picture screaming or no screaming so just take it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4oVeh-0X5c/TwuScN-x1rI/AAAAAAAAEUU/DDw2wgytxXA/s1600/Christmas%2B2011.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4oVeh-0X5c/TwuScN-x1rI/AAAAAAAAEUU/DDw2wgytxXA/s320/Christmas%2B2011.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695807167227090610" border="0" /></a>Emorie was not a fan of Santa at all! There was actually a shot where they were all looking and smiling except Eme but she had her face completely covered, so we went with this one. I love that it looks like Elijah is laughing at her!<br />Santa took a few minutes after the picture to discuss with the older three what they wanted for Christmas. It is funny to me to watch my three VERY OUTGOING kids clam up in a shell and speak so quietly and timidly to someone. I was holding Elijah by this point and Emorie was as close to the door as she could get with her daddy with her head a deep in his shoulder as she could get it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2eT3ZJvlQY/TwxoG5LTiGI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/IvVXGOgKc1A/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2eT3ZJvlQY/TwxoG5LTiGI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/IvVXGOgKc1A/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696042096353577058" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-45215622664064383442012-01-02T16:45:00.007-06:002012-01-03T12:02:51.672-06:00Christmas Part 1Wow! I can't believe that Christmas is already over! The holidays flew by it what seems like no time. I really got into DIY things this year and enjoyed making gifts and decorations for myself and others. The wreath in the center is a deco mesh wreath that my sister found on Pinterest so I made it for her for Christmas. It was Richards favorite thing I made and he didn't want me to give it up! I also made the JOY with the bell in the center and did the ornaments in the vase with ribbon.<br />You also get a little glimpse of a HUGE project Richard and I have been taking on for several months and that is redoing our fireplace and building a mantle and word from the mantle up!<br /><br />There are two new additions to our Christmas decor this year. One being my gingerbread tree in this room and the other being a stocking for Jackson. I have never felt right about not having one for him and after praying for 3 families over the last year or so that have walked this same road I added it for him. I love that it is a gingerbread man and that he is included in our stockings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVMnBPR5w6I/TwMsYHtDZoI/AAAAAAAAETM/WPWfDYobhQQ/s1600/IMG_4803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVMnBPR5w6I/TwMsYHtDZoI/AAAAAAAAETM/WPWfDYobhQQ/s320/IMG_4803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693443146822936194" border="0" /></a>The kids in their Christmas clothes! 1st shot I took by the way! I can't believe it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hP5gyPJK3YQ/TwI012Ru_YI/AAAAAAAAERs/tCWBOY29wj4/s1600/IMG_4784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hP5gyPJK3YQ/TwI012Ru_YI/AAAAAAAAERs/tCWBOY29wj4/s320/IMG_4784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693170978657336706" border="0" /></a><br />The Sunday or so before Christmas again the first shot I took!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt1S3iculBc/TwI02Kw6iqI/AAAAAAAAER4/iXWepZW4NE8/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt1S3iculBc/TwI02Kw6iqI/AAAAAAAAER4/iXWepZW4NE8/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693170984156826274" border="0" /></a><br />We had some of Tracy and Jeff's dear friends with us on Christmas Eve this year so we actually got a shot of the entire family!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QD3Snl2IO4M/TwI6iTNNVBI/AAAAAAAAESo/QxVEFrJ-50A/s1600/IMG_4918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QD3Snl2IO4M/TwI6iTNNVBI/AAAAAAAAESo/QxVEFrJ-50A/s320/IMG_4918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693177239895364626" border="0" /></a><br />The traditional 9 grandkids on the stairs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rMogSH8vXg/TwI3S80HMMI/AAAAAAAAESQ/EIu8WpN3PgA/s1600/IMG_4879.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rMogSH8vXg/TwI3S80HMMI/AAAAAAAAESQ/EIu8WpN3PgA/s320/IMG_4879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693173677651603650" border="0" /></a><br />Our family in front of the tree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f96hIfC6-Rs/TwI3TnmmYPI/AAAAAAAAESY/0mZ5aXbVmx8/s1600/IMG_4903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f96hIfC6-Rs/TwI3TnmmYPI/AAAAAAAAESY/0mZ5aXbVmx8/s320/IMG_4903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693173689137651954" border="0" /></a><br />and just the kids<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqlL9FGuwV4/TwI3SVgEc_I/AAAAAAAAESE/MVn8u8EURqo/s1600/IMG_4873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqlL9FGuwV4/TwI3SVgEc_I/AAAAAAAAESE/MVn8u8EURqo/s320/IMG_4873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693173667098555378" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas Eve in their Christmas PJ's in front of Gram's tree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xY3k78ZDmX8/TwI6ihApezI/AAAAAAAAES0/v-Q-13a7QSo/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xY3k78ZDmX8/TwI6ihApezI/AAAAAAAAES0/v-Q-13a7QSo/s320/IMG_4928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693177243600780082" border="0" /></a><br />And Christmas morning. Richard and I have taken this picture every year except one since our 1st Christmas together!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEX5Ill8uOE/TwI6jWAPDJI/AAAAAAAAETA/hf0q8zCL_ZU/s1600/IMG_4934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEX5Ill8uOE/TwI6jWAPDJI/AAAAAAAAETA/hf0q8zCL_ZU/s320/IMG_4934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693177257826126994" border="0" /></a><br />Best gift of the year would be Jack's light-saber that has a big and little light-saber on it. He jumped up and down and all around for several minutes!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-86130436340368782872011-12-31T16:51:00.004-06:002012-01-02T16:44:01.143-06:00Growing UpOh, my baby girl, Michal Kate! She has sucked her fingers since she was born. Almost a year ago Aunt Tracy promised her a trip to the American Girl store to get the doll of her choice if she would stop sucking them. It took the better part of a year but she did it. (still catching her every now and then at night and if she is really exhausted, but other than that, she has quit) She spent the year researching exactly which doll she would choose and Emily it is! So on Friday, December 23 MK, Eme, Aunt Tracy, Gram and I went to the American Girl store in Dallas at the Galleria. When we got to the store she even took a minute to pick exactly which Emily was hers.<br /><br />MK and Emily<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXN6vjn65dY/TwCWbFMbvKI/AAAAAAAAEQA/0zhx9IA0g_I/s1600/100_2607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXN6vjn65dY/TwCWbFMbvKI/AAAAAAAAEQA/0zhx9IA0g_I/s320/100_2607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692715320991268002" border="0" /></a><br />Aunt Tracy with MK and Emily<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iva11mfYKE/TwCWbYpRYUI/AAAAAAAAEQM/_d4oN4c_KPE/s1600/100_2608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iva11mfYKE/TwCWbYpRYUI/AAAAAAAAEQM/_d4oN4c_KPE/s320/100_2608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692715326212497730" border="0" /></a><br />I really wish I could describe the moment in words, but there aren't any. She was so excited and had PURE JOY! Her reaction made Christmas in and of itself.<br /><br />MK with Emily out of the box for the 1st time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5V4PPEjB5M/TwCWb78r53I/AAAAAAAAEQY/cuB7huZDC8w/s1600/100_2613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5V4PPEjB5M/TwCWb78r53I/AAAAAAAAEQY/cuB7huZDC8w/s320/100_2613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692715335689168754" border="0" /></a><br />Aunt Tracy let Emorie pick a bitty baby for her Christmas present from her and Uncle Jeff.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q3ttqoshvI/TwCjND-HD9I/AAAAAAAAEQw/Lfi6D7kGdpw/s1600/100_2617.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q3ttqoshvI/TwCjND-HD9I/AAAAAAAAEQw/Lfi6D7kGdpw/s320/100_2617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692729373795749842" border="0" /></a><br />We also had a reservation at the American Girl Bistro for lunch. We had so much fun and ate way to much.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_9tBVt9ifs/TwCjM_SVVtI/AAAAAAAAEQk/OqE6gsSn_dw/s1600/100_2619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_9tBVt9ifs/TwCjM_SVVtI/AAAAAAAAEQk/OqE6gsSn_dw/s320/100_2619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692729372538394322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRY6uO1EnfI/TwCjNiqtPTI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/LNFcJN_zqC8/s1600/100_2626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRY6uO1EnfI/TwCjNiqtPTI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/LNFcJN_zqC8/s320/100_2626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692729382035864882" border="0" /></a><br />To top off the day, Granny Betty surprised MK with a new gigi which was complete with instructions that this was a big girl gigi for girls who don't suck their fingers.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCADM1h3Zkk/TwCjwisyPfI/AAAAAAAAERU/rdH-uLmuFCc/s1600/100_2629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCADM1h3Zkk/TwCjwisyPfI/AAAAAAAAERU/rdH-uLmuFCc/s320/100_2629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692729983340002802" border="0" /></a><br />Gram bought MK and Emily matching pj's also.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbiIkzftQ9g/TwCjN3piv8I/AAAAAAAAERE/Kjbsf9UDtg0/s1600/100_2631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbiIkzftQ9g/TwCjN3piv8I/AAAAAAAAERE/Kjbsf9UDtg0/s320/100_2631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692729387668127682" border="0" /></a><br />This was so fun and a day we won't forget. We are so proud of you MK!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-78960754966310055472011-12-13T10:15:00.007-06:002011-12-14T09:45:05.804-06:00Extreme Eagles & Reflections ContestOver the past month both boys have been named Extreme Eagle for their classes for the week. Noah was the first week in November and Jack was yesterday! We are so proud of both boys and their behavior at school. They are eager learners and are trying to be good friends to everyone. It makes a mama proud.<br />Good job boys, we love you!<br /><br />Noah with Woody the Woodlands Eagle<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pn7jvgRslEY/Tud6vBE1H3I/AAAAAAAAEPc/MmKBBITar4g/s1600/photo-2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pn7jvgRslEY/Tud6vBE1H3I/AAAAAAAAEPc/MmKBBITar4g/s320/photo-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685648002739674994" border="0" /></a>And Jack with Woody<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI5SmZ8bUpI/TujBwoyDVTI/AAAAAAAAEPo/o33qtgimdE4/s1600/IMG_4823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI5SmZ8bUpI/TujBwoyDVTI/AAAAAAAAEPo/o33qtgimdE4/s320/IMG_4823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686007570880484658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back in September or October Michal Kate entered a school wide contest that has many different types of entries. The theme this year was Diversity means... This contest is put on by the PTA and is a state contest. Michal Kate chose to write a story and her story won Best Over All Primary Grade Literature entry and is being sent off to OKC for the state competition! We are so proud of her and her creativity. I admire her gumption and lack of fear to try anything! She is our dreamer and it pays off for her! Way to go baby!<br /><br />Here is MK with her Reflections medal! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziG8kfwtRIY/TujBxO8FC8I/AAAAAAAAEP0/LFNLpsG5yN0/s1600/100_2578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziG8kfwtRIY/TujBxO8FC8I/AAAAAAAAEP0/LFNLpsG5yN0/s320/100_2578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686007581123087298" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-72129728007251841972011-11-29T08:56:00.001-06:002011-11-29T16:15:28.809-06:00Happy ThanksgivingWe were blessed this year to be able to have family at our house for Thanksgiving. Even though it is a lot to cook, my mother in law is a great help and source of knowledge, especially in the kitchen. Richard's parents got to us late Monday and we had a great time having them here. Richard's sister and her family came on Wednesday. We had not seen them since the holidays last year and it was a long overdue visit. The kids loved having Collin and Cade here to play with them and a believe a fun time was had by all. Just looking around you could feel how blessed we were just to be together.<br />The cousins<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmwd74CJuyI/TtOiLJkmUDI/AAAAAAAAEJg/tP7n94xeXMs/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmwd74CJuyI/TtOiLJkmUDI/AAAAAAAAEJg/tP7n94xeXMs/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680061867476013106" border="0" /></a>Gran Gran and Gramma with the kids just before lunch<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXv0tpvgF_c/TtOiK64OQ0I/AAAAAAAAEJU/KNa6rtWd8Fo/s1600/IMG_1385_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXv0tpvgF_c/TtOiK64OQ0I/AAAAAAAAEJU/KNa6rtWd8Fo/s320/IMG_1385_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680061863531791170" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-32013318058784626502011-11-19T16:15:00.000-06:002011-11-29T16:25:59.185-06:00Monkey AroundWe waited a little late to have Elijah's birthday party so my parents and some of our friends would be able to come. So November 19 was the big day! It was my first time to purchase a printable party from Etsy, but I loved it. It did take a little time to cut everything out, but it was very personal and everything turned out so cute.<br />I have been collecting sock monkey things for months, to be decorations as well as gifts, including the blanket on the table that my mom and I made.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lAtysI9CV8/TtVa2pYb0HI/AAAAAAAAENw/iekxAwSlZGg/s1600/IMG_4692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lAtysI9CV8/TtVa2pYb0HI/AAAAAAAAENw/iekxAwSlZGg/s320/IMG_4692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546399865524338" border="0" /></a><br />On his actual birthday I ran by the store that morning and picked up some balloons for him to enjoy that day, and after being a little skittish at first, they are some of his favorite things now. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fC-FUCOK9qo/TtVa3P-8s3I/AAAAAAAAEOI/86bQPMlMmmE/s1600/IMG_4675.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fC-FUCOK9qo/TtVa3P-8s3I/AAAAAAAAEOI/86bQPMlMmmE/s320/IMG_4675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546410227610482" border="0" /></a><br />Did I mention this boy loves to eat? You wouldn't know it by his small size ( only 20 lbs and 25" at his 1 year check up) but he does, especially sweets! He tore into his cupcake and barely left a crumb!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNrrnSHdLOE/TtVa22TnnQI/AAAAAAAAEN8/zkyZ8XTVWWU/s1600/IMG_4718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNrrnSHdLOE/TtVa22TnnQI/AAAAAAAAEN8/zkyZ8XTVWWU/s320/IMG_4718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680546403334987010" border="0" /></a><br />We are so blessed by this little guy and thankful for his life!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-55085119034013589132011-11-02T11:26:00.004-05:002011-11-02T11:26:00.275-05:00Elijah RichardI know I say this every time, but I really can not believe that he is a year old already. The memory of his birth is still so vivid to me, and the year has gone by so fast. I think this is the hardest 1st birthday of my 5 kids knowing it is the last 1st birthday we will have. He is my baby. I have cherished this first year, and even tried to cherish the times when he and I were up in the middle of the night. Elijah just started sleeping through the night about 2 months ago, and that is just because I have put him in a room all by himself. He wakes up once during the night, moans for a minute or two, then rolls over and goes back to sleep. We just stopped nursing a week ago and I am really okay with that, he is taking a milk cup like a champ. He loves table food and won't take any baby food anymore at all. He is my earliest walker. He has been walking for about 2 1/2 weeks and is getting faster every day. He says 4 words..."dada", "hi", "bye", and "yay". The "hi" and "bye" come along with a full arm wave and the "yay" with clapping! He is either happy or mad there isn't an in between with him, so you just hope you catch him happy. He is a momma's boy for the most part but he enjoys his daddy too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWmI7qI6d0/Tq7SSSoMPeI/AAAAAAAAEHU/O5hLTLHbEnc/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWmI7qI6d0/Tq7SSSoMPeI/AAAAAAAAEHU/O5hLTLHbEnc/s320/IMG_3161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669700192585924066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGz1wXoKYK0/Tq7NH8twO5I/AAAAAAAAEHI/PGwOGLeI4ns/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGz1wXoKYK0/Tq7NH8twO5I/AAAAAAAAEHI/PGwOGLeI4ns/s320/IMG_4605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669694517346843538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nU1ary9XNYw/Tq7NHvI9FhI/AAAAAAAAEG8/Mt3f4bU9KmY/s1600/IMG_4611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nU1ary9XNYw/Tq7NHvI9FhI/AAAAAAAAEG8/Mt3f4bU9KmY/s320/IMG_4611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669694513702835730" border="0" /></a><br />Elijah, you are a blessing. You were a surprise from the beginning and a cherished one every day since. I love you!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-23565827273294408992011-11-01T08:10:00.003-05:002011-11-01T08:23:29.581-05:00Trick or TreatThe older I get the more I am enjoying Halloween. It has always been one of Richard's favorite holidays and I more and more can see why. I love walking with the kids while they Trick or Treat and seeing all the cute costumes, especially on the little ones. The kids are so excited and I am sure every kid does this, but my kids get into their role once the costume is on. They want to be called the name of whoever they are, etc... For the first time ever, I chose not to try to coordinate the 5 of them and just let them pick who they wanted to be. So here we have it...<br />The boys<br />Sock Monkey Elijah, Harry Potter Noah, and Bumblebee Jack<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNPbENZSD3E/Tq_wvJpCJWI/AAAAAAAAEH4/IUJhD5LcAmA/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNPbENZSD3E/Tq_wvJpCJWI/AAAAAAAAEH4/IUJhD5LcAmA/s320/IMG_4660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670015148715287906" border="0" /></a>The Girls<br />Ladybug (for my mom) Emorie, and Laura Ingalls Michal Kate<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvMmLvN56TA/Tq_wugSB45I/AAAAAAAAEHs/5ndzbZr-7R4/s1600/IMG_4646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvMmLvN56TA/Tq_wugSB45I/AAAAAAAAEHs/5ndzbZr-7R4/s320/IMG_4646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670015137612948370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Castleman Crew ( I am beginning to think it is impossible to get a picture with all of them looking at me)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xj4cU85NS28/Tq_wuAOBDMI/AAAAAAAAEHg/2kRcf2ztqp8/s1600/IMG_4637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xj4cU85NS28/Tq_wuAOBDMI/AAAAAAAAEHg/2kRcf2ztqp8/s320/IMG_4637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670015129006181570" border="0" /></a>Hope your day was filled with blessings and smiles like ours!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-76472154954793704812011-10-26T08:39:00.003-05:002011-10-26T08:57:30.696-05:00Pumpkin BabyJust for fun! I saw this on Pinterest and just had to try it! Then a little color play on Picnik and here ya go! Such a happy baby boy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cn_kS08RM8s/TqgRldGC0nI/AAAAAAAAEFg/rKlP3iq262E/s1600/Elipumpkin2011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cn_kS08RM8s/TqgRldGC0nI/AAAAAAAAEFg/rKlP3iq262E/s320/Elipumpkin2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667799466208580210" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-10874112391813778762011-10-26T08:08:00.004-05:002011-10-26T08:36:35.726-05:00Havest HootenannyLast Wednesday we had a great time just celebrating fall with our Agape' family. We had a bonfire where we roasted hot dogs and of course had s'mores for dessert, had a pumpkin carving and decorating contest, craft time for the kids, and bobbing for apples. It was pretty chilly that night so we did bring coats and hang close to the fire.<br /><br />The kids roasting marshmallows<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NpX5qZKChZM/TqgIaYfz80I/AAAAAAAAEE8/7FN_r3OhHm8/s1600/100_2458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NpX5qZKChZM/TqgIaYfz80I/AAAAAAAAEE8/7FN_r3OhHm8/s320/100_2458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667789380391269186" border="0" /></a>Jack telling me he wants to go home because it is too cold, but hanging on to his apple he bobbed for!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8zZP-k9iWc/TqgIOcu-fyI/AAAAAAAAEEw/-GLcD9V5QRA/s1600/100_2476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8zZP-k9iWc/TqgIOcu-fyI/AAAAAAAAEEw/-GLcD9V5QRA/s320/100_2476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667789175370186530" border="0" /></a><br />MK finally got one after several attempts<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_WuqcQzj2o/TqgINv1v_tI/AAAAAAAAEEY/R2yaqc9L0mQ/s1600/100_2466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_WuqcQzj2o/TqgINv1v_tI/AAAAAAAAEEY/R2yaqc9L0mQ/s320/100_2466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667789163319000786" border="0" /></a><br />Emorie and her "bff" Kaylie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkaI3O-OQUM/TqgIN_8aEkI/AAAAAAAAEEk/3Qd-R_WQQFE/s1600/100_2480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkaI3O-OQUM/TqgIN_8aEkI/AAAAAAAAEEk/3Qd-R_WQQFE/s320/100_2480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667789167641891394" border="0" /></a><br />And my carving attempts...I used a stencil but still I impressed myself!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BuRA59RMAw/TqgMoqf239I/AAAAAAAAEFI/RPKAlT7sHQQ/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BuRA59RMAw/TqgMoqf239I/AAAAAAAAEFI/RPKAlT7sHQQ/s320/IMG_4564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667794023787978706" border="0" /></a><br />for my daughter and my sister...Snoopy! Sorry it is a little blurry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPxHdriC97k/TqgMo0XBR4I/AAAAAAAAEFU/Jvg1ZXrqhrA/s1600/IMG_4573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPxHdriC97k/TqgMo0XBR4I/AAAAAAAAEFU/Jvg1ZXrqhrA/s320/IMG_4573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667794026435266434" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Harvest!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-2352898724609543822011-10-14T10:27:00.002-05:002011-10-14T10:37:57.952-05:00Fire TrucksMy little Eme is very much into 2 things right now and they are opposite ends of the "girlie" spectrum. She loves tutu's/skirts and firetrucks. I know, crazy, right? She is not going to "school" this year so last Friday I decided a good thing for she and I (with Eli in tow) would be to bake some cookies and take them to our neighborhood fire department. She clammed up and somehow became shy, which is very unlike Emorie but she couldn't stop talking about it afterwards.<br />Walking her cookies to the door at the Fire Station.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3vDx2306Rc/TphVXbDT2FI/AAAAAAAAEEM/kHWqz5mMRBw/s1600/100_2446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3vDx2306Rc/TphVXbDT2FI/AAAAAAAAEEM/kHWqz5mMRBw/s320/100_2446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663370392305391698" border="0" /></a>The fireman couldn't have been nicer. He tried to talk to her, which she wasn't responding. He let her go see the truck and was going to let her get up in it if she hadn't have been so shy. So we settled for our mild, calm little girl (HA) having her picture taken by the truck!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ0gV3ij2xI/TphVW4zI1yI/AAAAAAAAEEA/tB6VIBDpHhM/s1600/100_2447.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ0gV3ij2xI/TphVW4zI1yI/AAAAAAAAEEA/tB6VIBDpHhM/s320/100_2447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663370383110756130" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-4819291359016155632011-10-14T10:25:00.002-05:002011-10-14T10:27:27.426-05:00Noah's 1st toothNo, he didn't just get his first tooth at the age of 6, but he just lost his first tooth. Well on September 9th anyway. In fact, as I am writing this, he lost another one last night! Loosing the baby teeth is hard on a mom, they aren't my little baby anymore!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAABNrptsHc/TphUjRHDSTI/AAAAAAAAED0/_-XikzKTVaE/s1600/IMG_4551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAABNrptsHc/TphUjRHDSTI/AAAAAAAAED0/_-XikzKTVaE/s320/IMG_4551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663369496283531570" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-1829139073638987582011-10-14T10:18:00.002-05:002011-10-14T10:24:21.513-05:00BoomerWell, after 10 years I got to go to my first OU game with Richard. And check out these seats! I will give you that it was against Ball State, whoever that is, but it was awesome. By far one of the coolest dates we have been on. We enjoyed some football, and a night without kiddos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtk-eIz8PqM/TphTDfM1sQI/AAAAAAAAEDc/rN_C1Q2BUwY/s1600/100_2417.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtk-eIz8PqM/TphTDfM1sQI/AAAAAAAAEDc/rN_C1Q2BUwY/s320/100_2417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663367850798461186" border="0" /></a><br />Richard and I at the game.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3ADKBXyqnY/TphTDigrOkI/AAAAAAAAEDo/u_0VWIvZ5Q8/s1600/100_2422.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3ADKBXyqnY/TphTDigrOkI/AAAAAAAAEDo/u_0VWIvZ5Q8/s320/100_2422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663367851686967874" border="0" /></a>I know some of you might be wondering, why does Dana care about Oklahoma. But I learned early on with Richard that if OU wins he is a very happy man and if they loose, not so much. It is a lot easier to cheer for OU when that is what makes him happy, and, lets face it, they are AWESOME! I still love my Aggies, but they have never had the team that OU has. Not to mention, they dislike t.u. just about as much as A&M does and I can't stand the "shorthorns". I will always yell "Farmer's Fight" against ou so don't you fellow Aggies worry! But for now, put your finger in the air and yell, "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU"<br />BOOMER SOONERDanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34211888.post-21268100972916286202011-10-14T09:47:00.003-05:002011-10-14T10:16:54.005-05:00PumpkinsFor the first time since last April or May the kids and I went to Dallas for a long weekend towards the end of September. They were so excited to see their cousins and the rest of the family. While we were there "Poppy" aka "Big Al" aka "Al", a dear friend of our family, blessed us with passes to the Dallas Arboretum to enjoy their fall pumpkins. The kids were so excited, it truly is wonderful to see. We all had a blast, even though it was almost October and in the 90's! There are pumpkin houses everywhere. Of course I had to stop and take a couple of pictures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PMR3s_xTQg/TphMeoEKQCI/AAAAAAAAEC4/eqndx8rUwv8/s1600/100_2361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PMR3s_xTQg/TphMeoEKQCI/AAAAAAAAEC4/eqndx8rUwv8/s320/100_2361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663360620453052450" border="0" /></a><br />Gram and my kiddos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kN910nKSv4U/TphMfMIhNjI/AAAAAAAAEDE/cr5xkHF58tI/s1600/100_2399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kN910nKSv4U/TphMfMIhNjI/AAAAAAAAEDE/cr5xkHF58tI/s320/100_2399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663360630135010866" border="0" /></a><br />Elijah's first trip to a pumpkin patch!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-393aZ0FkFX8/TphMf7xICCI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/_IEUteSrDAg/s1600/100_2385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-393aZ0FkFX8/TphMf7xICCI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/_IEUteSrDAg/s320/100_2385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663360642921793570" border="0" /></a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16048037732190822497noreply@blogger.com1