Savannah's New "Do"

Savannah got her hair cut today... By her request. It's going to take some getting use to...

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Marble Mania

No football to watch, Sox aren't on TV and the Cubs are losing... So let's play a game of marbles!!!

Yes, the kids have discovered that old game enjoyed by our parents... MARBLES. They played for over two hours yesterday and now they've drug Laurie out to play this afternoon. They made an awesome circle that resembles a Pokeball (used in Pokemon... Don't ask mew to explain, I can't).

It's been so cool to see how much fun they've both been having with the game yesterday and today.

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Andrew & Savannah - Start of School 2009

Maybe I'm a little biased, but... MAN we have two very adorable kids!!! The images below pretty much reflect each of their personalities... the soft happy Andrew and the creative silly Savannah.

It's hard to believe that Andrew is in the 4th grade and Savannah is in the 2nd grade. Seems just like yesterday Andrew was in "home pre-school" and Savannah was going to pre-school at Christ the King Episcopal Church. Time flies... it won't be long and we'll be watching them graduate from BHS.

Ok, enough of that... way too far out there in the future to be thinking about (for now).

Droolin' Will

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

We visited the EMHO site in Philo, IL today... Got to see a couple of the design team members: Michael (from a distance) and John (up close and personal).

We had a long wait for the shuttle bus, but it's been worth it. It's been neat to see what they've gotten done just since we've been here.

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Our Little Tomato Lover

Savannah L-O-V-E-S tomatoes... So much, in fact, that when she came in from picking them (yes, she is our little "harvester") she washed one off and asked Laurie, "Can I eat it like an apple?"

Can you say "photo opp!" :-)

I shot better photos with my camera... Will try to post them later :-)

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Avanti's Birthday Lunch

Andrew turns 9 today!!! He chose Avanti's for his birthday lunch. Laurie picked the kids up after their half-day of school and took them.

I can't believe he's 9!!! Last single-digit year.

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Welcome Back...

First day of school is always a big day at our house... Lots of pictures to be taken, lots of hugs, lots of smiles and "hellos" as we enter into the gymnasium at Bent Elementary School.

The kids are very excited... Laurie and I are very excited... The teachers are very excited.

Let the school year begin!!!

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Molly's Ready For The Beach

Savannah received some American Girl clothes and accessories for Molly... She's stylin' in her new swimsuit; she's ready for our Florida vacation during Thanksgiving week.

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Mark's Chili

It felt VERY special to have Savannah ask if I would make my "Mark's Award Winning World Famous Chili" for her birthday supper :-)

And even more special to see her eat it up the way she did... Delicious!!!

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Psalm 51:10

Savannah's Birthday List

Savannah made a list of last minute gift ideas for her birthday tomorrow... In case you can't read them:

•Candles
•Laptop
•The Cheetah Girl One World

Love it!!!


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Goofy Kids

I LOVE watching Andrew and Savannah playing together. They're showing us how well they can jump on Aunt Amy's trampoline. We've got two goofy kids! Obviously they take after their daddy. :-)

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Some Boys Time

We're picking up Andrew & Savannah this afternoon - will be SO nice having Andrew home... He was home for one night after camp before going to Laurie's parents, but he's basically been gone for a whole week. I've already told him that we need to have a "boy's night out" really soon... Daddy is in need of some boys time with his son :-)

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Destihl Night Out

With the kids gone, Laurie and I took time tonight to go out for dinner at Destihl in Normal. It was nice to be able to sit outside, too. Nice night for a romantic dinner for two :-)

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Bath Time For T-Boy

It's always a fun time giving Mister Tumnus a bath... Seriously, it is! Because, for some strange reason, he seems to enjoy it and just stands there. Which makes it SO much easier than previous dogs I've bathed.

However, this presents the question... Why do I not bathe him more often??? Which, to be quite honest, he NEEDS a lot more often than I do.

Which, if you have followed Laurie's and mine tweets since last night, presents another question... How do you successfully give a cat a bath?

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Back In The Day... Visiting The Grandparents

"Back in the day" when I went to my grandparent's house to visit, I...

•went to work with Papa (he was a handy man)
•rode a wagon down the "cellar" hill (always got in trouble for it)
•skipped rocks on the river
•made designs in the sand on their driveway
•watched boats go by on the river
•did paint-by-number paintings
•read old books they kept of my mom's (boring ones)
•took B&W pictures of a neighbor's dog
•hung out at a local cafe where my G-ma worked and I did dishes
•had "boat" (stick) races on the river
•torpedoed "ships" (leaves & sticks) with rocks on the river
•ate vanilla ice cream every night
•helped G-ma can green beans & tomatoes
•watched Papa read his King James Bible in his easy chair
•learned to tell time by watching/listening to the coo coo clock
•stared at a large framed print over the sofa (I wonder what happened to it?)
•played with the old-time sewing machine to see how fast I could get the foot pedal to go
•listened to G-ma sing and Papa whistle old hymns
•played kick ball in their front yard with other kids
•ran to the "general store" up the street with a list of things to buy for G-ma
•got scared in their dark garage

I wonder... What will Andrew and Savannah remember about going to their grandparent's houses 35 years from now?


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B&N Time

Laurie and I have no kids until Sunday, so... That means only one thing: Barnes & Noble.

We stopped for a quick run through the mall then hit B&N for supper (panini and iced tea for each of us) and then relaxing in big sinking chairs with an arm load of books and/or magazines to read.

Gotta love our "romantic nights" without the kids :-)

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Elizabeth

It appears we may have a new family member...

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Muddy Feet

The result of assisting at a photo shoot...
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Signs you're getting old...

1) Hair growth in your ears
2) Less hair on your head
3) At least 3 medications before bed
4) 2 Aleve in the morning
5) 2 additional Aleve at night
6) You hurt after sitting too long
7) Whacky eyebrow hairs
8) You don't notice when you pass gas
9) Your high school songs are being played on an oldies station
10) You're not embarrassed to look like this picture...
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Butterfly on Butterfly Bush

Same photo... two choices. Sometimes I'm not sure if I like text on a certain photo... this is one of those times. Opinions???

UPDATE... Ok, a friend didn't like the photos (I like honesty)... but, it wasn't so much she didn't like the photos, she didn't like the "white on white" look (white flower and white frame). So... I changed the frame color to black... and the reaction was COMPLETELY different. And... it was for me, too. Sooo... which one do you like best NOW?

I also have to add... my friend made the comment, "The butterfly has a piece missing from it's wing." My response... "Yep... imperfect... just like us. Broken, tattered and torn." She responded, "Broken, tattered and torn, but still loved, accepted, forgiven and considered perfect in HIS eyes." BINGO!!! God is awesome!!! :-)

Hibiscus Hedge

It doesn't look like much this year, but next year this row of hibiscus will look VERY about this time... Excited about seeing it then!

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Girl Friends

Savannah Birthday Party

Having Savannah's birthday party at Tipton Trails spray park - PERFECT day for it, too.

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One of Those Things

If you know me, then you know I'm not a "road worker" type of person... But, I do think it would be fun to drive a steam roller one time :-)

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Black-Eyed Susan

Media Parking Exceptions

I wasn't aware that the media can park however and wherever they like... Or at least WMBD thinks they can...

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Gatormania

Can we just go ahead and give Tebow the Hiesman, the SEC MVP and the national championship trophy now? :-)

I LOVE seeing Tebow everywhere! What an athlete... What a student... What a leader... What an example!!!

GO GATORS!!!!!

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Gymnastics Skills Challenge

Savannah did an awesome job tonight at her skills challenge. She was challenged to do a "kisser into a hand stand." And she did EXCELLENT!!!

Also, she was awarded a "teamwork" tag. Previously she had received the "leadership" and "caring" tags.

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Butterfly on Purple Coneflower