tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172505872024-03-14T02:09:29.923-06:00The Carpenter Clan: Works in Progress...Here you will find our online baby book for our kids as well as other family updates and funny stories. Enjoy and leave your comments to let us know you were here!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.comBlogger629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-66505632014133055022013-05-16T10:18:00.000-06:002013-05-16T10:18:50.334-06:00Rachel Lillian Carpenter is Born! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7P5LErtbJVA/UZUAhpX8UHI/AAAAAAAAFXI/JmPF2lRY3vw/s1600/P1010805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7P5LErtbJVA/UZUAhpX8UHI/AAAAAAAAFXI/JmPF2lRY3vw/s320/P1010805.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I mentioned in the last post, I was having contractions during the Awana awards ceremony and as the night went on I had more and more of them to the point that I was sure it was time to go to the hospital. We had all the childcare arranged for the night and the next day just in case and so at almost 1:00 in the morning we made our way to the hospital. As it turned out, I was not dialated at that point, but after walking around the hospital for an hour from 3-4am, I was dialated to a 2 or 3 the nurse said. This meant we got to stay rather than being sent home!! Wahoo!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a nice bath, I got my IV and epidural on board and then the waiting began. My contractions slowed a bit, so they opted to give some pitocin at the lowest levels. That made things begin again and I was able to rest a little for a while. The epidural wasn't working super great on the right side and they tried to adjust it, but eventually I got a new epidural instead. Every time they gave me a dose of the medicine via the epidural, I would get nauseous (not fun) and apparently my blood pressure dropped (also not fun). And sadly, the second epidural was not covering a key area for giving birth, so I was not super comfortable as I had been in previous times when birthing my children. Ev<span style="font-size: x-small;">entually, my body took over and they <span style="font-size: x-small;">stopped t<span style="font-size: x-small;">he pitocin and I started to have some contractions that were making <span style="font-size: x-small;">me<span style="font-size: x-small;"> shake really <span style="font-size: x-small;">bad<span style="font-size: x-small;">. <span style="font-size: x-small;">All these lovely s<span style="font-size: x-small;">ymptoms definitely ma<span style="font-size: x-small;">de me more anxious to get <span style="font-size: x-small;">this party started, but still I was not ready!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, this was the longest labor I had ever had and it seemed to take forever for me to dialate fully and though it still wasn't as long as some, for me it seemed to be taking too long when I was used to coming to the hospital and giving birth 4-5 hours later. FINALLY, I was told I was dialated enough to push and then I had to wait for the doctor to come from across the street at the clinic to arrive. It was really hard to wait! However, she did make it and after 4 pushes, little baby Rachel came right out! She was what they call "stunned" because she came out so fast and they had to try to stimulate her to cry by flicking her heel and such. She did start to cry a little eventually and all the while Daddy was watching our little on<span style="font-size: x-small;">e a<span style="font-size: x-small;">nd got to cut the umbilical cord.</span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She was 7 pounds and 15 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long! She was born officially on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 12:54pm. She came out with dark brown hair (a first for our kids) and smokey gray/blue eyes. We anticipate the eye color will change probably to something darker as time goes on. People keep telling us that her dark hair may fall out and some blonde may grow in, but I am not so sure. All of our kids who were blonde started off either bald or with fine blonde hair, so I think for the 5th shot here we got a dark-haired one! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a little side note<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span> David's mom<span style="font-size: x-small;">'s name is R<span style="font-size: x-small;">a<span style="font-size: x-small;">chel and my mom's middle name is Li<span style="font-size: x-small;">l<span style="font-size: x-small;">lian, so we named her in honor of both grandmas. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Th<span style="font-size: x-small;">is was of course very popular with both grandmas!! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we came home, my friend EJ and her boys had helped my kiddos make this lovely welcome home banner as well as a cake, brownies and dinner for us that night as well. It was nice to know the kids were in such good hands! My friend Kim came in the middle of the night on Wednesday when we left for the hospital too. Thanks friends for being there for us! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are very pleased to welcome this new little one into our home and her siblings have been fighting over who gets to hold her ever since! We have never seen so much hand washing and sitting still around here! Thankfully, baby is doing wonderfully and we are glad she is finally out here in the world with us! </span></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-37032552329592427042013-05-16T09:49:00.000-06:002013-05-16T09:50:04.749-06:00Awana Awards Night 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYm4gqcZ-iI/UZT9kcgl8bI/AAAAAAAAFWg/1P3yxx8GG1k/s1600/P1010784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYm4gqcZ-iI/UZT9kcgl8bI/AAAAAAAAFWg/1P3yxx8GG1k/s320/P1010784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As per usual, the Awana groups march up the aisle to their seats in the front at the beginning of the ceremony. Caleb is leading the way here very hesitantly as you can see. Daniel is all smiles! Last year, they both had to hold a leaders' hand up the aisle, so they are moving up in the world it seems. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In rare moments, I can capture a true Josiah smile, and this is one that he gave as he looked back proudly at his parents as he walked by to go to his seat. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Daniel and Caleb are checking out their loot as they wait for the other awards to be handed out. They each got a Cubby Bear cu<span style="font-size: x-small;">p</span> filled with candy, a certificate, and a special ribbon that goes on their Awana vests behind the little Cubby Bear that they got last year for their first book. These guys are now done with all things Cubby and are moving on to Sparks next year! <span style="font-size: x-small;">Naomi will have her first year of Cubbies n<span style="font-size: x-small;">ext year too, so <span style="font-size: x-small;">that will be fun to see.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Josiah earned the top award for Sparks and finished his third book this year as well as the review book also. He got his Sparky plaque for finishing the third book and for each review book he got a little pin to put on the patch that goes behind his wings. He was the only one to finish all the possible books for Awana Sparks this year and we are very proud of his accomplishments! It might be noted here too that all throughout the ceremony, I was having contractions in hopes that baby girl might be born soon. More on that in the next post!! </span></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-74671599790686507282013-01-31T17:03:00.000-07:002013-02-24T19:09:26.572-07:00Josiah Testing for High Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zsc_wHb2l4o/USqm8pcRIvI/AAAAAAAAFUc/Na0UoySvKZA/s1600/Testing+for+high+red1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zsc_wHb2l4o/USqm8pcRIvI/AAAAAAAAFUc/Na0UoySvKZA/s320/Testing+for+high+red1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Josiah spent three months at red belt, and it was time for him to test on to high red at the end of January. From now on, he will wait three months between belts rather than two. He still has a few more to go until black belt and after he achieves that we will allow him to either continue with Taekwondo or to move on to another sport of his choosing. We think it is a good discipline to stick with something until the end, hence why we are requiring him to finish up. He has had his ups and downs with Taekwondo for sure, but we determined that with any sport you will have times where it gets hard and that is not a reason to quit. Hopefully he will learn the value of sticking with something and seeing where it can lead! Not to mention when you get your black belt you actually get a card to go in your wallet that says you have "lethal hands and feet," which is kinda cool! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As per usual, he ha<span style="font-size: x-small;">d</span> his<a href="http://youtu.be/JSO_GfPxj8k" target="_blank"> poomsae to complete (a routine of punches, kicks and moves that lasts around 2 minutes or more depending)</a>, <a href="http://youtu.be/EkFQgN_3wlg" target="_blank">his sa bang chuck (a series of kicks and some punches that are done in 4 different directions)</a>, and a <a href="http://youtu.be/dJNB0Dy7zxI" target="_blank">board break (he does these every other test). </a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The newest addition to <a href="http://youtu.be/zRJZEmCqc2s" target="_blank">his testing was to have to spar as well though!</a> He is pictured here in the blue doing a kick as he is sparring. They essentially are supposed to just try and get kicks in at the chest level and they chase each other around the room trying to do just that! Josiah is still learning how to spar well to be sure, but I really enjoy watching him do it! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is breaking his board here. Normally Daddy comes to the test where he breaks the board and gets to hold the board for him. David wasn't feeling well on this day, so I came with him to the test and asked Master Justin if he could find a replacement board holder<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span> since I was pregnant and didn't really want to hold it. He was glad to do so for me. It was nice too because I got to film the board break and take pictures. He broke the board this time on the second try. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Be sure and click on the links in the second and 3rd par<span style="font-size: x-small;">agraphs of this post to see <span style="font-size: x-small;">him in action! :)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-27702923358245540522012-12-25T09:41:00.000-07:002013-02-24T09:42:10.838-07:00Christmas 2012--Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fn9JmlcQrXc/USo_o7nSlRI/AAAAAAAAFR0/4HBvOZi_Gx0/s1600/Christmas+Jammies+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fn9JmlcQrXc/USo_o7nSlRI/AAAAAAAAFR0/4HBvOZi_Gx0/s320/Christmas+Jammies+(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Christmas Eve, the kiddos received some new jammies from Grandma and Grandpa. Josiah wouldn't sit for the picture, but you will see his jammies in the Christmas photos in "Part 2" on this blog. The twins and Naomi were happy to pose as you can see here. Sadly though, Daniel went to bed fine and then woke up in the middle of the night very ill and so he is wearing different jammies for Christmas morning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGlg7KeASRM/USo_eWuyigI/AAAAAAAAFRg/mZvCGAH65Cc/s1600/C+in+camo+gear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGlg7KeASRM/USo_eWuyigI/AAAAAAAAFRg/mZvCGAH65Cc/s320/C+in+camo+gear.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Caleb got a few new costumes to add to his collection this Christmas and he wasted no time in putting them on. He is a very serious little army guy here with all his paraphernalia as you can see. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is wearing his new dragon cape here and is holding his new dinosaur toy as well. He loved all his gifts and was busily playing with them all morning long. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImedJo8GwNY/USo_qLX1yrI/AAAAAAAAFSA/G3usEGMsgUk/s1600/D+with+cartridges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImedJo8GwNY/USo_qLX1yrI/AAAAAAAAFSA/G3usEGMsgUk/s320/D+with+cartridges.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Poor forlorn Daniel was feeling very sick all morning and this picture makes me laugh now only because it reminds me so much of my brother. Brent would totally give looks like this growing up! Daniel would rally to open a few gifts and get excited about them and then would lay back down on the couch to rest. He fell asleep a few times there after we finished opening the gifts also. Not the most memorable for Daniel boy I am sure, but he did love his gifts despite the sad look! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He would play his new Leapster game for a little bit and then would lay down again. This is very uncharacteristic of our little guy who would usually play and play and play until his batteries died first! We were thankful that he was over the throwing up part at least and only just had a sour tummy Christmas morn.</span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-73826247832209211072012-12-25T09:32:00.000-07:002013-02-24T16:39:30.684-07:00Christmas 2012---part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZyH-Q8Ad4o/USo_0L_Qs9I/AAAAAAAAFSI/NFDjulETQHk/s1600/J+with+angry+birds+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZyH-Q8Ad4o/USo_0L_Qs9I/AAAAAAAAFSI/NFDjulETQHk/s320/J+with+angry+birds+hat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For Josiah this Christmas, it was the year of Angry Birds. Grandma took him to the store (I think when she came for Thanksgiving) and bought him a couple of Angry Birds shirts and since then they have been his favorite characters and he has been asking for all the stuffed animals and various things that go with this theme. He is wearing his new Angry Birds hat and his new stuffed Angry Bird as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is where Josiah is reading the letter that Grandma Walker wrote to announce to the children that their present this year was to take us all to Disneyland! T<a href="http://youtu.be/3uv1-mKE20Q" target="_blank">his is the link to the video where you can actually see Josiah's first reaction</a>. He doesn't really comprehend what he is reading at first as you will see. Grandma and Grandpa also gave them rolling bags for the plane rides and a little toy inside each one also. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is all of them opening their rolling bags. Daniel got cut off a little bit, but you get the idea! Daniel got a Toy Story one, Naomi a Princess one, Caleb a Cars one and Josiah a Spiderman one. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naomi really got into the gift opening this year. <a href="http://youtu.be/Of3jiatcaag" target="_blank">Here is a link to some of the other gift opening on Christmas day. </a> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can see she got a lovely princess tiara, a little cash register, a teapot set, and a little stuffed animal we now call "Unicorny" that she loves to sleep with. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naomi wasted no time getting in her princess dress too and Caleb put on his cowboy boots to go with his camo outfit as well. They played and played in their new costumes the rest of the day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naomi girl is pulling her new bag around the house and is telling me something very important here clearly! It was a fun day and I think the kids were really happy and excited! </span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-21848515216786355182012-12-13T16:44:00.000-07:002013-02-24T16:45:02.731-07:00Co-op Christmas Party 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was the first year we were a part of the North Spokane Homeschool Connection Co-op here in Spokane and they had a fun Christmas party in December that we participated in. They had face painting and Josiah got a snake as you can see here pictured. They also had a craft area and the kids played some fun games too and also came down to sing carols. I played the piano for those who wanted to sing, so that was fun too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNf8BCv3NgE/USpA2faUhWI/AAAAAAAAFTA/BVKLj3JcSmk/s1600/Coop+Christmas+Party+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNf8BCv3NgE/USpA2faUhWI/AAAAAAAAFTA/BVKLj3JcSmk/s320/Coop+Christmas+Party+(5).JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the games was to wrap up a partner in toilet paper to make a snowman. The person who was most wrapped from head to toe was the winner. Daniel didn't really want the toilet paper over his face, so this is as far as he got to being a snowman, but he was enjoying himself! They had scarves and other things to decorate the snowmen too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Caleb decided that Naomi would be his snowman and started wrapping her. She was loving it! It was a really fun event and we all brought potluck items for lunch and the kids had a great time!</span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-37562729810316641042012-12-09T23:38:00.000-07:002013-02-24T09:43:57.110-07:00Pre-Christmas 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAvNmOY1iy0/USmyEEL6V9I/AAAAAAAAFL0/wPqVBKTpe1A/s1600/Pre-Christmas+stuff+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAvNmOY1iy0/USmyEEL6V9I/AAAAAAAAFL0/wPqVBKTpe1A/s320/Pre-Christmas+stuff+(12).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As always, we set up for Christmas early like most people and this was the first Christmas in our new home! It was nice to have this fireplace to set up the stockings<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span> and I decided that rather than hammering holes in the mantle, it would be better to buy some stocking holders. I found these at Target and they were perfect! Each year, we can put in new pictures of the kids in the frames to keep it updated too. I am sure even without the pictures that you could NEVER guess which stocking is Naomi's? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And we decided to put our Christmas tree to the left of the TV rather than near the window on the right of the TV because it would have been too close to the heating vent on that side. It fit nicely where we put it I think actually and am very pleased with the result! This is one of the first years I didn't have to worry so much about the kids breaking ornaments, though we did have a few mishaps anyway! I still put most of the <span style="font-size: x-small;">glass/breakable it<span style="font-size: x-small;">ems near the top, but they are old enough now to finally get it thankfully! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Josiah was willing to pose if he could hold his Angry Bird dressed in a stocking with him. You will note that Caleb took the meaning of stockings too literally and is wearing two of them on his feet. A better shot of that to come below!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Baby girl, who incidentally corrects us now to say, "I not baby, I Naomi!" had to get in on this stocking action too. She loves to copy her big brother Caleb and they are definitely play buddies most of the time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Caleb in all of his stocking regalia! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Christmas Eve, we got a dumping of snow and the kids were having great fun playing in it. Unfortunately, Josiah was on the tail end of being sick that day (Caleb had the same things <span style="font-size: x-small;">a few days earlier) </span>and he just wasn't up for playing out in the snow. As it turned out, that evening Daniel came down with the same thing and so he was feeling pretty low on Christmas Day, but thankfully<span style="font-size: x-small;"> was well enough to at least open presents and not get sick again that morning (they all had the stomach flu). Sadly, Naomi came down with it last on Christmas night, so it was "fun times" around Christmas again with the sickies! We were sick last year too, but it was with bad colds</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> instead. </span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-53697627816947542822012-12-07T00:28:00.000-07:002013-02-24T00:29:20.425-07:00Caleb & Daniel's 5th Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Caleb & Daniel blowing out the candles on their cake. They were very interested in licking the frosting off the candles afterward too! <a href="http://youtu.be/HBQn-zwYa4U" target="_blank">Here is a link to us singing "Happy Birthday" to our twin five-year-olds! <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It is pretty hard to believe they are five now! They <span style="font-size: x-small;">are d<span style="font-size: x-small;">efi<span style="font-size: x-small;">nit<span style="font-size: x-small;">ely g<span style="font-size: x-small;">rowing <span style="font-size: x-small;">up! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> We had this cake made at Rosaur's and though they didn't have the <span style="font-size: x-small;">"car kit"</span> to put on the cake, I assured them we had it covered! So we used our own cars to park on the cake itself and it worked out great! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Some of the kiddos took to singing songs during the meal before and as you can see Matthew didn't like the sound of it! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> More singing and the twins are really into it here!<span style="font-size: x-small;"> They sang the "ABC's<span style="font-size: x-small;">" a few times and <span style="font-size: x-small;">various o<span style="font-size: x-small;">ther number<span style="font-size: x-small;">s as<span style="font-size: x-small;"> the kids thought of songs to sing. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Time to open presents! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The twins are opening a gift from the Craciuns, which was a big set for these hamster critters that go around on a track and then battle in this center ring. They were very interested in getting the track all set up and Evan was eager to show them how to do it.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> The party really went well and <span style="font-size: x-small;">I think the twins had a fun time! We had a lot of friends come and join us and that was really spe<span style="font-size: x-small;">c<span style="font-size: x-small;">ial too! Thanks one and all for the lovely <span style="font-size: x-small;">gifts and yo<span style="font-size: x-small;">ur presence <span style="font-size: x-small;">on their sp<span style="font-size: x-small;">ecial day!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-19113424417653760252012-12-07T00:11:00.000-07:002013-02-24T00:30:09.243-07:00Before & After Caleb & Daniel's Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> This is a classic picture of the twins! Caleb showing off his new book and Daniel with a funny look on his face looking at his new book from Grandma<span style="font-size: x-small;"> and Grandpa.</span> Each year, Grandma makes a picture book for them that shows their growth throughout the year. They enjoy pulling them out and looking at all the old books! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Daniel is opening one of his gifts. We decided to give our family gifts to them first before their big party, so they would have something to play with during the day, and also so that they could focus on the gifts their friends gave them more rather than the gifts we gave.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Caleb opened a gift from Great Grandma Margaret, a play gun that makes lots of noise and lights when you press the trigger. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Naomi and Grandpa having a nice time together!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Josiah opening his "unbirthday gift" from Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma started the tradition of giving the other kids gifts too even though it was not their birthdays, and so it was the same this year as well. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Naomi's "unbirthday gift" was this lovely dollhouse. Caleb saw it and wanted to play too and she was very possessive of it and yelled, "MINE!" when he tried to get near. As it turns out, she let him play after all and they still have great fun with the dollhouse together. <a href="http://youtu.be/J702g1sX3fE" target="_blank"> This is a link to the video we <span style="font-size: x-small;">took of her opening her <span style="font-size: x-small;">gift. </span></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> On the twins' actual birthday, there was a homeschool group that was going to Jump and Bounce for a discounted rate, and so I thought it would be a nice treat to take the kids for a fun event to again celebrate the twins' birthday. It was their first time there and all four kiddos had a blast!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Caleb had the most fun driving these "Fred Flintstone" cars (as I call them) and Josiah decided he was the designated car pusher and many times pushed Caleb around and around the car course there at the play area. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daniel and Naomi having some real jumping fun here! They also had some big slides the kids enjoyed going down too and a big play structure to climb in as well. It is a nice place to go and burn off some<span style="font-size: x-small;"> kid</span> energy for sure! When we left, Josiah told me how tired he was and how it was "a lot like working out at Taekwondo!" </span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-28447327876371917672012-11-22T23:22:00.000-07:002013-02-24T09:42:47.280-07:00Thanksgiving 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I meant to take lots more pictures when all our guests arrived for the Thanksgiving dinner, but I forgot to get the camera out then, so all I have are the "before" pictures of Thanksgiving with just our family and my mom and dad present. Our lovely Thanksgiving table was set for 11 adults (the kids ate at the breakfast bar in the kitchen) and our guests included: Uncle Mike and Aunt Genny and their girls Erin and Lauren (Kalen and her hubby live in North Dakota and couldn't come), my Mom and Dad, my Grandma Margaret and her friend Bill, David's brother Jon and of course David and myself. You can see the lovely turkey napkin holders handed down to me by Aunt Genny as well. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Josiah never likes getting his picture taken, but I caught this one when he was not expecting it! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> No Thanksgiving is complete without the cook sticking his tongue out at me! I have one from last year too, but I didn't post it as it turned out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Daniel and Caleb watching a show before all the festivities started. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grandpa looking at his phone and Naomi with her hair braided all pretty, courtesy of Grandma. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A picture of my parents with all the kiddos on the day that they left for home after spending the Thanksgiving holiday with all of us. </span></span></div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-63661024306380877482012-11-20T22:17:00.000-07:002013-02-24T09:43:35.959-07:00Seimer's Farm 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We went to Seimer's Farm again this year. We actually went in October, but I am posting it later so that it won't get buried behind the other posts. And if you look back at the <a href="http://dhjcarpenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/trip-to-seimers-farm.html" target="_blank">post from last year</a>, you can REALLY see how much these kiddos have grown! Naomi is climbing up into the pirate ship here with her new kitty cat hat that I made for her. It was a pretty cold day, but we still had a lot of fun.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> King Caleb is trying out his throne here in the castle there at the farm. He is wearing his froggie hat that I made for him too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Daniel is sitting in the swing at the little log cabin built for children to play in there on the farm. They had a blast playing "house" and then also pretending that a monster was trying to get in the door. Daniel and Caleb both enjoyed getting to be the monster! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I wanted Josiah to pose with the crew here on top of the castle too, but no dice. "Mr. No Pictures" was in a mood. Later in the day though, he decided he was picture-worthy and he posed for quite a few for me! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As always, the kiddos got to ride "Little Toot" the train and Naomi rode in the front all by herself this year. Last year, she was too little and sat with me and waited for the brothers to ride. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The boys are waving to me as they set out on their "Little Toot" journey around the field where it goes. It has a little route that winds around and eventually goes through a tunnel and then back to the station. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Daniel is going down the slide here on the pirate ship and is giving me a big smile! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This picture just cracks me up! Caleb and the boys loved sliding down the pole in the pirate ship! This is his look at he got to the bottom. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Josiah gave me a nice muscle man pose with his pumpkin here. They all got to choose a free pumpkin at the end of our little adventure. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naomi is showing me her pumpkin too. We brought our lunch to the farm and ended up eating it in the car because it was so cold outside. There were lots of school buses there for field trips too, so there were lots of kids around, but we still managed to play and get to see most everything we wanted to. They also followed the map to the treasure again (AKA golden, chocolate coins) and rode on the little bikes around the track also. The twins got to ride this year as they were big enough now! Overall, it was a fun time and the kids really enjoyed it! </span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-45177112830418669822012-11-19T00:34:00.000-07:002013-02-24T00:36:08.462-07:00Snow Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When we got our first really dumping of snow <span style="font-size: x-small;">(on Nov. 12th)</span>, the kids went out and had some fun in it. It was a good thing they did too as we really didn't get another round of it until closer to Christmas! Josiah and Naomi are laying on the snowballs they made here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Josiah is attempting to throw a big snowball at someone. Thankfully he missed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daniel is trying to stay warm and dry, but was rather unsuccessful. He kept getting irritated that his mittens would come outside of his coat and allow snow to touch his skin near his wrists. I was forever trying to fix his mittens to satisfy him, but finally told him he would have to deal with it or go back inside! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Caleb was loving the snow and the outdoor play and had a great time! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Naomi liked eating the snow and she also enjoyed playing as well. They all wanted some hot chocolate upon their return to the house, so we took off all their wet things and did just that! </span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-35070304802550235112012-11-16T18:25:00.004-07:002012-11-16T18:25:58.685-07:00Josiah's 1st trophy!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Josiah passed his test for red belt and this is the first belt where you also get a trophy along with your new belt. It is the stepping stone belt to the next higher level of belts all the way to black belt. He is also going to sparring class twice a month too now that he is a higher belt. Here was an attempt to get a good picture of Daddy and sweet Josiah, but both are not fond of pictures. However, both are very handsome I would like to point out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Josiah wouldn't get up and talk to his fellow classmates at first because he "didn't know anybody," but when Cole and Reed came Josiah wanted to get up right away. Daddy said, "But you don't know anybody, you need to stay here!" He tried to hold him down, but Josiah then was very eager to get up and greet his friends, and so Daddy finally let him go. Here we have Reed, Cole & Josiah trying to hide from the pictures I was taking. As you can see, it was the camera for the win! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Josiah is trying hard NOT to smile here with his trophy and his new red belt with Master Justin. We are very proud of his progress. He has come a long way from where he couldn't even do a jumping jack to all the intricate routines he does now! It has been fun to see him get better and better and we look forward to him getting his black belt in probably about 2 years or so.</span> Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-67679899140063326292012-09-15T21:59:00.000-06:002012-09-15T22:03:46.518-06:00Naomi Girl is Growing Up!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Miss Naomi has just been exploding with words here of late and it has been so fun to hear all her words! I linked lots of video here of her talking as well to show the progress of where she has come from. </span><a href="http://youtu.be/rx9cU5QTlYk" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The first video is of her talking on her phone to many various people as you will see.</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> She loves to play with the Woody doll and he has lots of "sayings" when you pull his string. She many times will holler out "HEE HAW!" like Woody and here she is dressed like him too! It is cowgirl Naomi! When she puts on her clothes she always says, "I do delf, Momma!" and runs away so I can't assist her. She calls her shoes and socks her "doos and docks." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Daddy caught a really funny moment when Naomi was describing a "MONSTA!!" (aka monster). </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20FBlAVwsR4&feature=share&list=UUEUOko5HSmRfXhXPPexUqIA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She gets quite animated in this video telling us ALL about it!!</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> And the above picture is when Miss Naomi got into the sitckers one day. You can deduce from this that perhaps she might like stickers! Another funny thing she likes to do of late is to call brother Caleb "DAPA" for whatever reason. I think that is her version of "brother" and she will call for him all over the house, "DAPA!" and he knows that is his name and comes running. They seem to be best buddies of late and have a lot of fun together. However, sometimes I get the "DAPA hurt me, Momma!!" Whenever I tell her to do something she will say, "Otay, Mommy." </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vepEw-3vhAs&feature=share&list=UUEUOko5HSmRfXhXPPexUqIA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here is a video of her doing some singing for all of you.</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is a classic Naomi face when she is givng us some attitude. The other day I was changing her diaper and telling her it was time for naptime. She argued with me a bit saying, "No," and then I said, "Mommy is in charge and it is time for a nap!" She then smiled real big and said very matter of factly, "No, Mommy, <u>I</u> in charge!!" It was VERY hard not to laugh loudly at this point, but I needed to be the Mommy and follow through. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tZwSENbpug&feature=share&list=UUEUOko5HSmRfXhXPPexUqIA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here she is in a video playing "Patty Cake" with Daddy.</span></a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She is growing up so fast and it is such a joy to have her in our family!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-71907205429599122182012-09-15T21:38:00.004-06:002012-09-15T22:01:01.560-06:00High Purple Belt--Movin' On Up!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Josiah before his high belt test talking with one of the other boys about Phineas and Ferb shows. They were getting pretty animated about it too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Josiah is in the back on the left and they are doing some warmups before they got ready to test. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Here are the
high blues (in the back) and the high purples (in the front) </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U68RCnLU9Hg&feature=share&list=UUEUOko5HSmRfXhXPPexUqIA" target="_blank">doing their sa ban chuck routines</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Josiah did a really fabulous job! I was very proud!
Daddy got to go to the belt ceremony, but we were told after the test that he
had passed. </span></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TTtxZ5noQY&feature=share&list=UUEUOko5HSmRfXhXPPexUqIA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here is a link to Josiah doing his Poomse' routine</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. At the end of the Poomse' video,
Master Justin asked Josiah, "Where's my frosty?" Earlier in the week,
Josiah was told if he did well at practice he would get a frosty, but that
particular day he didn't do so good. Master Justin was just teasing him today
though. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Afterwards, Master Justin told Josiah that he would be moving up to the "high purple and above" class and that he would need to come to class with two nunchucks. He was REALLY excited to have a 2nd set and here I said, "Say two nunchucks," and he is pretending to twirl them here to show how ready is! He is on the way to black belt now for sure. Master Justin told us he could conceivably have it in about 2 1/2 years if he continues on the path. Pretty cool! Great job Josiah!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-26832051778515976352012-09-15T16:21:00.002-06:002012-09-15T21:40:01.829-06:00Our New Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-coGBvhy1eWw/UFT5i1J8BrI/AAAAAAAAFCk/ouL38nLuQws/s1600/new+house+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-coGBvhy1eWw/UFT5i1J8BrI/AAAAAAAAFCk/ouL38nLuQws/s320/new+house+front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a fun date this past summer, David and I drove by this home and thought it looked like a really nice place to live, but really didn't think we were in the market yet to buy and at first thought this one would be out of our price range anyway. What is not pictured here is on the left bottom part of the property is a large, paved area (for playing basketball or whatever) and both David and I looked at it and said, "Bible study parking!" Anyway, the story goes that I called the listing agent for a viewing and she said she would after we were pre-approved for a loan. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After we were all set up, we viewed three different homes, this one being the last. The first one we viewed was in a good neighborhood and had some possibilities, but there was a lot in the home that we would have had to remodel. The second home was far to small and the basement was not finished yet either. This home that we ended up purchasing was by far the most fabulous and best suited to our families needs! (This is the long shot of the living room.) All these pictures were taken before I put up the decorations, but you get the idea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This is a side shot of the living room to show the two windows looking out into the front yard. Also you can see the new love seat and couch we purchased from the previous owner as well. The living room is on the 2nd floor down from the top and it is the first room you see as you come up the stairs in the front of the house. On this floor is also the kitchen and the back deck, which includes a covered awning with a table and chairs as well as a really nice BBQ, which we asked the owner to leave behind. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> One of the biggest pluses of this home was the remodeled kitchen! As you can see, it is really fabulous!! We are looking forward to hosting the Thanksgiving feast this year with the double ovens and all the space to cook! Josiah viewed this home with us early on and he then continued to refer to it as the "two oven" home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Snm7P8rputU/UFT4eGK-2oI/AAAAAAAAFCI/jGxw0fpP4CM/s1600/Pics+of+Kitchen+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Snm7P8rputU/UFT4eGK-2oI/AAAAAAAAFCI/jGxw0fpP4CM/s320/Pics+of+Kitchen+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is another shot of the kitchen. They really put a lot of money into this room and it shows! I have really enjoyed cooking since we have moved! It is also nice to have a place for all my kitchen things now too!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Snm7P8rputU/UFT4eGK-2oI/AAAAAAAAFCI/jGxw0fpP4CM/s1600/Pics+of+Kitchen+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Our new home has 5 bedrooms (possible 6 if we converted David's office to a bedroom). This is the master bedroom and since this picture I have added a few more pillows to the bed to go with the new bed set that my parents gave us as an anniversary/happy new home gift. What you can't see here is that there is a door to our own private deck that is hidden by trees on the left and on the right we have a master bathroom as well that features a very deep, jetted bathtub! :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The boys are still sharing a room as you can see here, so that we can all be on the top floor. Three of the bedrooms are upstairs as well as the guest bathroom that is across the hall from the kid's rooms.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Naomi has her own room now and the queen bed is down in the guest room. All the curtains were left by the previous owner and we are very thankful that she left them as they are all very beautiful! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QNaxR6EzX4/UFT3jYIaBSI/AAAAAAAAFB0/-Q14_ayeevg/s1600/Moving+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QNaxR6EzX4/UFT3jYIaBSI/AAAAAAAAFB0/-Q14_ayeevg/s320/Moving+2012+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Here is a classic shot of the kiddos in the new playroom. It is hard to see the room, but this is so funny, I had to include it. This room is the 3rd floor down from the top and also has the laundry room and a half bath attached to it. There is also a door to the side of the house and a door to the garage from this floor.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The final floor downstairs includes the guest room (as pictured here), David's office (no picture), my office (see below), and the furnace room. What is really fabulous about all these rooms being grouped together is we were able to put a lock on the door that leads to the downstairs and so can keep the kids away from all these rooms! It also is neat because David's office is the farthest from that locked door and so when he is working from home, it will be harder to hear the kid noise! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I was pleased to have a place to put all my things too! I have lots of shelves in the room to put all my crochet yarn, sewing things, music books, etc. Also right outside the hallway, I have my electric piano and all my music, so that when I need to practice, I can put on the headphones and work down there. We really feel very blessed that it worked out so well for us to buy this home. The process was far easier than I remembered doing years ago when my parents and I bought a condo together. As we have settled in, it has really become clear to me that we bought it at the right time and that we chose the right home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-75076365146136614162012-05-28T18:09:00.000-06:002012-06-16T18:18:17.980-06:00Watch My Garden Grow!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I have started a garden in the back yard. Our landlords had a plot already set up when we got here and all I had to do is rid it of weeds (no easy task mind you) and plant! I have learned thus far that gardening is NOT for the weak of knees if you know what I mean! I have enjoyed being outdoors working on the garden and though it is a lot of work at first, it seems to do pretty well once you get all the initial hard work in. These pictures are a little old as the plants are even taller now, but I will post another one with updated pictures in another post. For now though, you can see how much progress my little plants have made. I did not start any of these indoors, but put the seeds into the ground when it was appropriate to do so. More to come on how this all turns out!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">(These I planted later than the other things and they are pretty big now!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-75420235356028020832012-05-23T23:05:00.000-06:002012-06-19T10:52:12.444-06:00Awana Closing Ceremony<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy & Naomi walking to the ceremony.</td></tr>
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At the end of the Awana year, they always have a big ceremony to give awards and thank-yous to all the volunteers. This Awana group was no different than that, but this was our first with this church to experience the closing ceremony. Naomi was tickled pink (literally) to be able to come in with us to the ceremony and I couldn't resist capturing her with her Daddy. Precious moments!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmc6FWc64yA/T-AHBtaRi4I/AAAAAAAAE7Y/ZyjrQYeOHV8/s1600/Awana+Closing+Ceremony4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmc6FWc64yA/T-AHBtaRi4I/AAAAAAAAE7Y/ZyjrQYeOHV8/s320/Awana+Closing+Ceremony4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb & Daniel making their way to the stage.</td></tr>
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All Caleb and Daniel could talk about the week before the ceremony was that they would "get to go on the stage!" Their teachers Mrs. Wally and Mr. Brett told them they would get to be on the stage to get their awards and so they were very excited. You can see their proud faces here as they make their way to the stage. I would like to note that our children are near the front with the leader as I am sure that was a necessary step to keep them in line! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah making his way to the stage. </td></tr>
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Josiah was trying to hide from me as I took a picture of him on the way to the stage, but once again Mommy wins and got a photo! In front of him with the red pigtails is his friend Teresa who lives just down the road from us. He has had some fun in recent days playing with her and the other neighborhood children in the afternoons and late evenings. She is a sweet little girl and seems to like Josiah as well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VWR5eT3Pos/T-AHLnoTrMI/AAAAAAAAE7o/8ly1_jV29VI/s1600/Awana+Closing+Ceremony7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VWR5eT3Pos/T-AHLnoTrMI/AAAAAAAAE7o/8ly1_jV29VI/s320/Awana+Closing+Ceremony7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb & Daniel on the stage. </td></tr>
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These photos aren't the greatest as they were from far away with the zoom, but you get the idea. The boys were so proud to get their awards. This was the twins' first year in Awana and I think they really enjoyed it! They both got a Cubby cup with some candy and stickers in it along with a Cubby bear to sew onto their vest for completing their first book.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah on the stage.</td></tr>
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Josiah got a Sparky cup and candy and stickers in his cup as well as a reward for a good year in Awana. He already got his 2nd book ribbon earlier in the year and will be moving on to his 3rd and final Sparky book next year. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIZiTXD7Fvc/T-AHT9TxnLI/AAAAAAAAE78/PrClct0tFZ0/s1600/Awana+Closing+Ceremony13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIZiTXD7Fvc/T-AHT9TxnLI/AAAAAAAAE78/PrClct0tFZ0/s320/Awana+Closing+Ceremony13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naomi peeking at her little buddy behind her.</td></tr>
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Naomi was sitting with us in the audience and she found a little buddy to peek at over the seats. They were so cute looking at one another!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwIOdmGp0HE/T-AHaGG-dBI/AAAAAAAAE8I/i4Uqkd-r_6I/s1600/Awana+Closing+Ceremony15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwIOdmGp0HE/T-AHaGG-dBI/AAAAAAAAE8I/i4Uqkd-r_6I/s320/Awana+Closing+Ceremony15.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel boy!</td></tr>
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After the ceremony, they had cake downstairs to celebrate. Daniel posed for me in his Cubby vest. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxa3qfwIARc/T-AHf_ifBRI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/lNorc361L3c/s1600/Awana+Closing+Ceremony18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxa3qfwIARc/T-AHf_ifBRI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/lNorc361L3c/s320/Awana+Closing+Ceremony18.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb boy!</td></tr>
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And Caleb boy of course gave me his happy Caleb smile as well in his Cubby vest.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah boy!</td></tr>
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Josiah as usual had to be caught in a picture before he ran off again, but here is a close-up of him in his Sparky vest.</div>
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And lastly, Miss Naomi had to have a picture too as she will not be left out of the fun! She is always pretty in pink! It was fun to see the kids get their awards and I went around to thank their leaders afterward and chatted with some of the others parents also. We will look forward to the next Awana year in the fall. Thanks to Valleypoint Church and all the volunteers who make Awana happen! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7NCzsREfJU/T-AHoLv3FAI/AAAAAAAAE8k/YMatgw7jNDA/s1600/Awana+Closing+Ceremony20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7NCzsREfJU/T-AHoLv3FAI/AAAAAAAAE8k/YMatgw7jNDA/s320/Awana+Closing+Ceremony20.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naomi girl!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-42678561036524213282012-05-12T23:52:00.000-06:002012-06-19T10:55:18.253-06:00Colton's 7th Birthday!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npzaZK_6wUY/T-AReanLTTI/AAAAAAAAE_M/amEkjQxYG1E/s1600/P1000335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npzaZK_6wUY/T-AReanLTTI/AAAAAAAAE_M/amEkjQxYG1E/s320/P1000335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colton's bow hat!</td></tr>
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This year we got to celebrate with Colton for his 7th birthday! It was fun to come to one of his birthdays again as the last time, <a href="http://www.dhjcarpenter.blogspot.com/2006/05/josiah-attends-coltons-b-day-party.html" target="_blank">Josiah was very little and so was Colton </a>for that matter! As you can see, his birthday was in a nice shady park on a very sunny day. There were some squirt guns to play with and other outdoor toys as well, but mostly the kids just loved running around in the grass!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQgn_DZT-vQ/T-ARiJKNQwI/AAAAAAAAE_U/euUj4ilKANk/s1600/P1000304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQgn_DZT-vQ/T-ARiJKNQwI/AAAAAAAAE_U/euUj4ilKANk/s320/P1000304.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Kylie!</td></tr>
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Colton's sister Kylie was there of course and gave me a winning smile here!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--34UqK769Ks/T-ARojpEKyI/AAAAAAAAE_c/nSpBRt0WEV0/s1600/P1000323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--34UqK769Ks/T-ARojpEKyI/AAAAAAAAE_c/nSpBRt0WEV0/s320/P1000323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim pondering the lighter.</td></tr>
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At first, the lighter wasn't working too well and Kim was looking at it questioningly here. I love the expression of all the kiddos in this shot too watching her. The candle was lit once and one of the kids (probably one of mine, I didn't see) blew it out before Colton could and there was a great outcry by the older children! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOa60VHfLXY/T-ARtbM_p9I/AAAAAAAAE_o/mUI8HlNMpzE/s1600/P1000325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOa60VHfLXY/T-ARtbM_p9I/AAAAAAAAE_o/mUI8HlNMpzE/s320/P1000325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris lighting the candle for the 2nd time.</td></tr>
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Then Chris stepped in and lit the candle again for the second time, hence his smile here as he is doing it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VfEHE8tj02M/T-ARzn2ehxI/AAAAAAAAE_w/vkYZ9LCoFm8/s1600/P1000327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VfEHE8tj02M/T-ARzn2ehxI/AAAAAAAAE_w/vkYZ9LCoFm8/s320/P1000327.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colton sharing his wish with Josiah.</td></tr>
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After Colton blew the candle out, Josiah said, "What did you wish for?" Colton said something like, "I wished for you to be here with me Josiah." You can see Chris saying, "Awwwww!" in the background. It is nice that they are such good buddies!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOBVHu5K4G8/T-AR5vD_qfI/AAAAAAAAE_8/opEon-U9eGM/s1600/P1000349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOBVHu5K4G8/T-AR5vD_qfI/AAAAAAAAE_8/opEon-U9eGM/s320/P1000349.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Kim!</td></tr>
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And speaking of buddies....here is a picture of me and Kim! It has been so fun living over here again and getting to hang with Miss Kim. We have a lot of fun together and she is a great friend! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4PzNi1M3LM/T-ASAUGID6I/AAAAAAAAFAE/YNH7vdhpcWs/s1600/P1000337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4PzNi1M3LM/T-ASAUGID6I/AAAAAAAAFAE/YNH7vdhpcWs/s320/P1000337.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb taking a "gun" drink and Naomi watching the festivities.</td></tr>
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As you can see, Caleb found a very practical use for his squirt gun, to give himself a drink once in a while. Naomi was very engrossed in whatever was happening on the opposite side of the table!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Olbu6V3RdaQ/T-ASDw1bLVI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/-97lkHc2jyc/s1600/P1000315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Olbu6V3RdaQ/T-ASDw1bLVI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/-97lkHc2jyc/s320/P1000315.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel shooting himself with the squirt gun.</td></tr>
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Daniel was very pleased with himself and you can see on his shirt that he was squirting himself with the squirt gun. Many people tried to squirt him a number of times and that was NOT popular! He could "give it" to others, but definitely could not "take it!" </div>
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Lastly, we have some gift opening and you can see three very eager children around Colton looking to see what is inside as well! It was a really fun day in the park and I think Colton had a good time! When we left, Kim and Chris gave all of our children a balloon, which they loved! It was nice that it was such a warm day in May to enjoy Colton's birthday. Thanks to Chris and Kim for inviting us! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colton opening gifts with very curious onlookers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-70415285608987089782012-04-26T22:52:00.000-06:002012-06-19T10:12:30.033-06:00Josiah Going for High Blue!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah before his test.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Josiah is keeping continuing to earn his Taekwondo belts every two
months. I am not sure when this pace will slow, but I think as he gets
closer to black that the intervals between tests will get longer.
Master Justin told me before that they do this smaller interval at the
early stages to keep the children encouraged to keep moving forward.</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: 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center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-jR6TzZC58/T-Cfb1K_9NI/AAAAAAAAFA0/j3awzAVV5-M/s1600/Josiah+testing+for+high+blue+belt+%281%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
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This time Mommy got to see Josiah do the test and Daddy came to the belt ceremony (we switch each time). I tried to be inconspicuous in the back taking photos and got a few good ones. He did really well during his test and we were very proud. Here is a video link to his tests. The first one is of him doing the<a href="http://youtu.be/MdQfhcm491Y" target="_blank"> physical routines</a> and the second is of him doing the <a href="http://youtu.be/L837_Tjr1ew" target="_blank">verbal portion</a> (they have to come prepared to answer a question about Taekwondo each time). This time he had to be prepared to define the five codes of Taekwondo (respect, humility, perseverance, self control, and honesty). On the verbal portion video, Master Justin explains the difference between calling Josiah "Jo-Sizzle" and "JO-SI-AH!!!" It is "Jo-Sizzle" when he is doing good and "JO-SI-AH!!!" when he is not paying attention. It is pretty funny. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfDhPPZYECk/T-AEjCmEB8I/AAAAAAAAE6w/bCbCoAqIh_U/s1600/Josiah+testing+for+high+blue+belt+%283%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfDhPPZYECk/T-AEjCmEB8I/AAAAAAAAE6w/bCbCoAqIh_U/s320/Josiah+testing+for+high+blue+belt+%283%29.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah during the test.</td></tr>
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Master Justin is pretending to pound Josiah here. Josiah didn't want to pose for a picture (of course), but Master Justin didn't let him get away! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu-ZQbon550/T-AEnwt4YgI/AAAAAAAAE68/soDHxWd0Nw4/s1600/Josiah+testing+for+high+blue+belt+%289%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu-ZQbon550/T-AEnwt4YgI/AAAAAAAAE68/soDHxWd0Nw4/s320/Josiah+testing+for+high+blue+belt+%289%29.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah with Master Justin. </td></tr>
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Daddy and Josiah went to the belt ceremony a couple of Saturdays after the original test and he got his actual belt. You can see his "I'm proud, but don't want a picture" pose here. They had to go to the Northside Dojang for this ceremony and there were a few black belts given out as well, which was a rare thing to get to see. Hopefully, we will get to see Josiah get his black belt someday too! </div>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7EnviGjdcw/T-AEshBU0HI/AAAAAAAAE7E/vs2_aNDhzr4/s1600/J+getting+high+blue%210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7EnviGjdcw/T-AEshBU0HI/AAAAAAAAE7E/vs2_aNDhzr4/s320/J+getting+high+blue%210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah after the belt ceremony with his new high blue belt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-10601000835367291932012-04-25T23:26:00.000-06:002012-06-19T09:46:38.392-06:00April Adventures<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a collection of pictures from April that I thought I would include together, since there were just a few of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kids love their apples and here we have the three littlest ones on the bench eating their apples with their feet on the recyling bin box in their jammies. You can see Mr. Josiah hiding in the background eating his apple also!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHuv4dyuHG4/T-CaXO0K95I/AAAAAAAAFAo/bxu6HzcPlrY/s1600/Apple+Eaters1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHuv4dyuHG4/T-CaXO0K95I/AAAAAAAAFAo/bxu6HzcPlrY/s320/Apple+Eaters1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our apple eaters!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Josiah was watching a video for Social Studies about landforms here (the "V" to to show the landform in the picture of a valley) and I would like to point out that he still from time to time </span><a href="http://www.dhjcarpenter.blogspot.com/2007/11/josiah-post.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">lines his cars up in a row</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> as well. The cars are watching the video with him is what he told me. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmVeqNsWPrA/T-AM533MyLI/AAAAAAAAE-M/fblfhu5_b2s/s1600/Josiah+doing+school.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmVeqNsWPrA/T-AM533MyLI/AAAAAAAAE-M/fblfhu5_b2s/s320/Josiah+doing+school.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Josiah watching a video for school with his cars.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Grandma Walker bought Miss Naomi this little ladybug suit for the summer and on this warm, sunny day in April she got to try it out for the first time. She is actually trying to take it off here, but Mommy didn't let her do that! Her <i>modus operandi</i> for "fun in the sun" was to get near to the pool full of cold water and then run away before or after her brothers splashed her. She only likes to get wet when she decides! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGkVpsv2n1I/T-AM-CVdHrI/AAAAAAAAE-U/I0gGaGQztGo/s1600/Water+PLay5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGkVpsv2n1I/T-AM-CVdHrI/AAAAAAAAE-U/I0gGaGQztGo/s320/Water+PLay5.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Baby girl in her ladybug suit.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the brothers (and friends Colton & Kylie) were more than happy to get as wet as they could in the pool and threw everything but the kitchen sink in there with them. However, I don't doubt that if a kitchen sink WAS available, they would have thrown that in there also! You can also see Colton chasing a beach ball in the distance as well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Fickqk1P4/T-ANC0dd4GI/AAAAAAAAE-g/g_Iiz5Ewmgc/s1600/Water+PLay2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Fickqk1P4/T-ANC0dd4GI/AAAAAAAAE-g/g_Iiz5Ewmgc/s320/Water+PLay2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The boys having some water fun.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a shot of the littlest kiddos showing me their muscles! Aren't they strong? They sure think so! One thing is for sure is that they are very cute!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5FWx8r4pZo/T-ANFUsz66I/AAAAAAAAE-o/1FKbItIvUg4/s1600/Strong+Kiddos1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5FWx8r4pZo/T-ANFUsz66I/AAAAAAAAE-o/1FKbItIvUg4/s320/Strong+Kiddos1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The little ones showing me their muscles!</span></div>
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</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-4249813325015737062012-04-08T20:35:00.000-06:002012-06-16T20:36:57.784-06:00Easter 2012<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, it is very hard to get a group shot of these little monkeys, but I did manage to at least get the boys together at one point. Josiah is at this stage where he hates all pictures and so to get a semi-smile out of him is a real accomplishment. Here they were told to make a silly face. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQz77MJ3a1M/T907TPJIwUI/AAAAAAAAE44/yqzU4k5qLQM/s1600/The+Brothers+Three+in+their+Easter+suits6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQz77MJ3a1M/T907TPJIwUI/AAAAAAAAE44/yqzU4k5qLQM/s320/The+Brothers+Three+in+their+Easter+suits6.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three Silly Brothers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Josiah was getting up from the chair, I snuck in a picture of him. He had been trying to hide from me previously and is trying to grab the camera here. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-raET7ccXNtw/T907GurHMbI/AAAAAAAAE4g/Vc2Szx5Ja6k/s1600/Josiah+caught+on+film1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-raET7ccXNtw/T907GurHMbI/AAAAAAAAE4g/Vc2Szx5Ja6k/s320/Josiah+caught+on+film1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah caught on film</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that there is another girl in the family, I try to get a "girls only" pose for Easter as well in our fancy Easter attire. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOOPbVYs3ek/T907MAYjZsI/AAAAAAAAE4o/ZqIIj0z9eUQ/s1600/Mommy+&+Naomi+on+Easter7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOOPbVYs3ek/T907MAYjZsI/AAAAAAAAE4o/ZqIIj0z9eUQ/s320/Mommy+&+Naomi+on+Easter7.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls of the family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the silent auction at our church a while back, I bid on a basket that had these little projects in them for kids and one day the little ones and I pulled it out and they made little hats. Not soon after this photo though, at least two of the hats were broken due to excessive rough play. Can you hazard a guess whose hats were ruined?</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsf7e93gxko/T907OmrFCpI/AAAAAAAAE4w/_FlSCsFnxMU/s1600/Kids+with+their+hats4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsf7e93gxko/T907OmrFCpI/AAAAAAAAE4w/_FlSCsFnxMU/s320/Kids+with+their+hats4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An Easter project that the little ones did together...making hats.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Naomi was very cute as always in her new little dress. She loves wearing her pretty dresses and gets very excited when I tell her she gets to put one on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caleb and Daniel still like to pose for pictures, so I will be sure and take advantage of that while it lasts! They look so grown-up here! It is hard to believe they are four and nearing five now!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post was written WELL after Easter this year (though it was back dated), but I hope you all had a wonderful Easter season celebrating the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It has always been my favorite holiday of the year and though I think we should remember Christ's sacrifice every day of our lives, it is wonderful to have a day to honor Him and celebrate with family. This year, we went over to our friends the Lincks' home after church to have a wonderful ham dinner. It was fun to visit with them and the kids loved playing together of course. </span><br />
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</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-34126892364855213122012-03-27T22:25:00.000-06:002012-06-19T09:24:58.312-06:00Mobius Fun in March<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that we have a year long membership to the Mobius Childen's Museum here in Spokane, we have been going quite frequently. It is especially nice to go there on rainy days or days where we just need something different. The kids always enjoy going to play there and many times will meet some new friends or will discover some new way to play there. As always, I get some cute pictures of them as well!</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zW6SojHY0r0/T9_9rogYSyI/AAAAAAAAE5g/P4bBTIrDDGI/s1600/Caleb+fishing3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zW6SojHY0r0/T9_9rogYSyI/AAAAAAAAE5g/P4bBTIrDDGI/s320/Caleb+fishing3.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caleb having fun fishing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel was playing at the water table and I caught this funny moment of him with some goggles on. I can tell he is in his element when we go here as he just has so much fun exploring all the various stations. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L42LQwNF-s0/T9_9xpKknJI/AAAAAAAAE5w/lsVLoyhkhSw/s1600/Daniel's+funny+face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L42LQwNF-s0/T9_9xpKknJI/AAAAAAAAE5w/lsVLoyhkhSw/s320/Daniel's+funny+face.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel's funny face!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah found a buddy on this trip, or should I say that the buddy found him. This little girl was playing with Josiah and he was doing his usual running from one place to another completely oblivious that this little girl was expectantly looking at him to play with her wherever they went. I noticed her hesitancy and got Josiah to introduce himself to her and her to him and then they were buddies ever since that moment. She was a sweet little girl and they had lots of fun playing together I think. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah playing with a new friend, Hailey.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naomi had a blast there as always too and here she is in the store with her chef's apron on apparently preparing to sample the food! She loves to stick her little tongue out when she is happy!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_To0cyQBtI/T9_96_hEbTI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/34xoSxBL5ao/s1600/Naomi+the+chef2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_To0cyQBtI/T9_96_hEbTI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/34xoSxBL5ao/s320/Naomi+the+chef2.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naomi the chef!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caleb loves to be noticed when he is doing something fun and here is his winning smile! These bikes have videos in front to simulate as if they are riding on the street. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caleb riding the bike.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel is looking through the microscope to look at little samples of various things here. He comes back to do this activity quite frequently as he roams the museum I have found. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyPkxGgQpfY/T9_90KWIJMI/AAAAAAAAE54/QryJZ3fIxEs/s1600/Daniel+the+scientist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyPkxGgQpfY/T9_90KWIJMI/AAAAAAAAE54/QryJZ3fIxEs/s320/Daniel+the+scientist.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel the scientist.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah never fails to set up a campsite somewhere in the museum and today he did not disappoint! Can you tell that he likes to camp? It is a good thing 'cause he will be doing a lot of camping with Daddy in the coming years I predict!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_KhMuIqmlQ/T9_95GRE6JI/AAAAAAAAE6I/MecjwrEuFcA/s1600/Josiah's+campsite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_KhMuIqmlQ/T9_95GRE6JI/AAAAAAAAE6I/MecjwrEuFcA/s320/Josiah's+campsite.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah making a campsite.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture of Naomi with her hands in her pockets was just too cute to not include. She just recently discovered she has pockets and can put her hands (or other little things as well) in them. Overall on this Mobius trip, the kids had a lot of fun and of course I had to peal them away from the fun at the end, but I remind them that we will come back soon...and we do!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO4qttGIaEI/T9_98yY3FxI/AAAAAAAAE6c/wvLiAWSYT7g/s1600/Naomi+with+hands+in+pockets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO4qttGIaEI/T9_98yY3FxI/AAAAAAAAE6c/wvLiAWSYT7g/s320/Naomi+with+hands+in+pockets.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naomi with her hands in her pockets.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-1776671133238680222012-03-23T23:17:00.000-06:002012-06-19T09:09:59.569-06:00Awana Grand Prix<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the first year that Josiah participated in an Awana Grand Prix because our previous Awana group did not do this as a yearly event. Consequently, we were completely in the dark as to how to proceed and not having any real tools to speak of at home, we decided to keeep the design very simple. A man in our church who does a lot of woodwork accepted my request for help and he is the one who cut and sanded the initial design with his tools. Josiah helped to sand it further at home with some sandpaper and then I helped him paint it and put on the wheels. We also added some quarters to the bottom of it for weight, hence the cars name, "Lightning McQuarter." </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah's car dubbed "Lightning McQuarter."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then when we arrived, we discovered that despite the 4 quarters glued to the bottom, it still did not weigh enough and needed some more weight. They had glue, weights, and a drill there to help people out to get it to weigh as much as it could (and not over), so Daddy set to work to glue on some weights. The twins were very interested in this as you can see!</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daddy working to add weight to the car.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't include a long shot of the track, but it went quite a ways down and here was the starting point and you can see Josiah's car second in from the front. His car was not the fastest, but it was not the slowest either. Some cars didn't even cross the finish line! They had awards for best design and also for the fastest and sadly, Josiah's car didn't win either of those type of awards. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lightning McQuarter getting ready to race!</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a lot of time to kill before the races as we came early to weigh the car and make sure it was up to par and so Daddy had fun playing with the kiddos beforehand. They were running over to him in the chair giving him "running fives" and sitting in his lap often and lots of hugs and kisses were given. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel having fun with Daddy!</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Naomi would not be outdone with Daddy fun either and claimed her spot on Daddy's lap many a time also!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naomi waving at Mommy.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caleb is our cuddlebug and of course he didn't like to relinquish his spot with Daddy either, but would get up occasionally to dance or give "running fives" to Daddy. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caleb & Daddy cuddling.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah was busy trying to avoid getting his picture taken, but he was foiled again by Mommy! Mommy is a sneaky stealth photographer and will get him everytime!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah trying to run away from the camera.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As per usual, a picture with all four kiddos isn't easy to get, but this is a close as it comes folks! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2SJhKWQfk/T-AK8i_4quI/AAAAAAAAE9w/GIKcUhDi6oI/s1600/Awana+Grand+Prix30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2SJhKWQfk/T-AK8i_4quI/AAAAAAAAE9w/GIKcUhDi6oI/s320/Awana+Grand+Prix30.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mommy with her kiddos.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah was very disappointed that he didn't get a trophy and all the way home he cried and was feeling sorry for himself. I felt like a horrible mother for not going all "overachiever" on this like I wanted to originally, but David informed me that it was a good lesson for him and that it would be fine. Josiah dubbed the day though his "worst day ever" and so that was hard. We are hoping that Grandpa Carpenter can help him with next year's car design as we found out that Josiah's cousin, Anna Grace took first at her Awana Grand Prix. As predicted though, as the days passed, Josiah forgot about his defeat and all was right with the world again. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29D2pZRAEoc/T-AK_FyTr-I/AAAAAAAAE94/I_XdVnwQFDk/s1600/Awana+Grand+Prix37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29D2pZRAEoc/T-AK_FyTr-I/AAAAAAAAE94/I_XdVnwQFDk/s320/Awana+Grand+Prix37.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josiah showing his participation ribbon.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17250587.post-75076428264777051182012-03-01T20:28:00.001-07:002012-03-05T09:37:06.347-07:00Jo-Sizzle!!!<div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oYaYKcpVClo/T1RQ8KXpLVI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/dDZ6PFOjPW8/s1600/Josiah%2Bgot%2Bhis%2Bblue%2Bbelt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 225px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716282821545897298" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oYaYKcpVClo/T1RQ8KXpLVI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/dDZ6PFOjPW8/s400/Josiah%2Bgot%2Bhis%2Bblue%2Bbelt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Josiah tested for his blue belt today and passed! He is holding his broken board, but apparently he is holding it together to "trick" Mommy into thinking he didn't pass. It took him 3 times to break the board, but he did it! He was the only green belt going for a blue belt and so had to do his Poomsee by himself. After he completed it, Master Justin said, "And THAT is why I call this boy, Jo-Sizzle!!" Josiah and I talked about making sure that he did an exceptional job, so that Master Justin would say just that, so he was very proud. When Josiah doesn't do his best, Master Justin calls him Jo-Ice Cube. It is pretty funny! Here is a <a href="http://youtu.be/xm4pAbQ8JaE">link to Josiah doing part of his Sa Bun Chuck </a>(phonetic spelling) and reciting the 3 ancient kingdoms of Korea. <br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 230px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716282825742141250" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmiOqrmtV5g/T1RQ8aAGx0I/AAAAAAAAE2g/xlD1-AHF97w/s400/Josiah%2Bwith%2BCole%2B%2526%2BReed%2Bat%2BTaekwondo.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here Josiah is showing his wart (which is almost ready to fall off now after he had it frozen a few weeks ago at the doctor) to his friend Reed and Cole. I just love this picture of the three of them. Reed and Cole were testing for their orange belts and passed also, so it was a great day for the three of them! Josiah will be awarded his new belt on Saturday, March 10th and then will be working toward his high blue belt in his upcoming classes. We are very proud of our Jo-Sizzle! </span></span><br /><div><div> </div></div></div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062109148055436125noreply@blogger.com0