tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540110533589529122024-03-13T14:04:42.514-06:00Cup Runneth OverAmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.comBlogger665125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-338424977324144362011-12-24T14:45:00.001-06:002011-12-25T11:23:46.360-06:00Merry Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;">
From our family to yours,
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. I John 4:9-10 </div>
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<br /></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-77634158194612139312011-12-07T11:17:00.001-06:002011-12-07T12:24:33.438-06:00Catch upI have a confession to make. It's been so long since I've blogged that I actually forgot my blog address!<br />
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Seriously, I sat down to post and couldn't find my own blog on the worldwide web. I typed in what I <i>thought</i> was my address, but I found someone else's blog. But I truly thought it was my blog being hijacked!<br />
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I'll blame that brain fart on the Nyquil I took 14 hours ago. I think it's safe to say I'm a little sensitive to that drug, and I should not operate machinery or make any major life decisions for at least 24 hours after popping those meds.<br />
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Now that I know my blog is safe and sound, let me catch you up on our world.<br />
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The biggest news is that this brace face...<br />
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is now metal FREE!<br />
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Liam's braces were removed about 6 weeks ago. We're very happy with the results, and I swear if that kid doesn't stop growing up.... I just need to squish him down to his old peanut size.<br />
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That sweet boy has had some tough life lessons to learn this Fall. Not a lot of it I can share with the world, but suffice it to say, his heart and mind are being forced to mature as fast as his physical stature.<br />
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One such life-changing event I can share is that Liam had to give up his dog, Marshall.<br />
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As much as Liam and I loved Marshall, the chaos that he brought to our home was tremendous. The straw that broke the camel's back was when he scratched Winston's cornea while playing. He just didn't understand how rough and wild he was.
After a great deal of prayer, Rick and I agreed to find Marshall a new family. Thankfully, the Lord led me to a family that's crazy about the pup. I grieved for Liam a great deal over this, but he has handled his loss like a champ.<br />
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We still have this ugly character anyway.<br />
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But the past few months have not been full of only heartache. When the Texas Rangers went to the World Series again, Lil Ron Washington was called up for more interviews.<br />
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Liam was interviewed by 3 or 4 different local news crews. He was also given two tickets to game 4, where he was featured on the MLB network's "Intentional Talk". You can view a clip <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=19942093%3Ehttp://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=19942093">here</a>.<br />
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He enjoyed being Lil Ron again, but we were all ready to go back to our normal life once the Series ended. It took us a couple weeks to grieve our Rangers' horrific loss, but we have since recovered.<br />
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People often ask me how the little boys handled Liam's fame. Jackson and Garrett were occasionally jealous, but no more jealous than I was of the fact that he and Rick were able to go to the game without us. <br />
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J&G were busy enough with their own baseball season anyway.<br />
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They played for the 7U Dirtbags, and Daddy was their head coach. They ended the season with a 9-3 record.<br />
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Garrett still loves the game and will be trying out for an elite team this Spring. Jackson wants to exchange his baseball cleats for soccer cleats. <br />
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And the thought of having all 3 boys on 3 different teams almost makes me hyperventilate. I have to remind myself to breathe, or else I might give myself a stroke before the spring season even arrives.<br />
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Something else that makes me hyperventilate is the Aggies' loss to tu on Thanksgiving day. Neither team played well enough to win, but thanks to poor officials, we lost our final game against our arch rivals. <br />
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Good bye to the orange and the white! Good luck to the dear old Aggies! We're gonna need it as we move to the SEC.<br />
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In a nutshell, that's the past 3 months of our life. We're gearing up for Christmas, our favorite time of year, and trying to remember the real reason for the season.<br />
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Now what kind of trouble can I get myself into while I wait for the Nyquil haze to lift?Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-26087383273283310542011-09-20T17:00:00.009-06:002011-09-20T17:39:41.035-06:00Pine CoveAs a mom of all boys, I often feel left out of their world. Their baseball skills have surpassed my ability to play catch in the backyard. Their imaginary play doesn't often welcome a girl. And I don't really see the point in laughing at bodily functions. When I found out about mother/son conference at <a href="http://www.pinecove.com/">Pine Cove</a>, I jumped on the idea. Nowhere else have I seen the opportunity to spend meaningful one-on-one time with one of my boys.<br /><br />Liam and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Pine Cove a couple of weeks ago. He's my easy-going, life-is-fun, let's-try-everything-at-least-once boy. So he was the perfect child to take for our first attempt at mother/son camp.<br /><br />Pine Cove keeps you busy from the moment you arrive. If we weren't eating a yummy meal, we were in a Bible lesson or playing some crazy game. And if we weren't involved in any of those activities, we were trying to catch a few hours of sleep.<br /><br />We were so busy that I didn't remember to carry my camera half the time, but I did remember it for some of Saturday afternoon's free time. For about 5 hours, we could choose from archery,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9j5hxnzdd5pJEpdqQY7HhcI9Qo_yR_UPEHFmnjTQagzUoPBW4eAny9c8mdJgRJqrs9UhWcrbBTm5KACnMrSw4hCJuiwOFHzrmdxN4jn1alObGFu8l3jLTd32APOf5T_4uVaXK5zDijzm/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9j5hxnzdd5pJEpdqQY7HhcI9Qo_yR_UPEHFmnjTQagzUoPBW4eAny9c8mdJgRJqrs9UhWcrbBTm5KACnMrSw4hCJuiwOFHzrmdxN4jn1alObGFu8l3jLTd32APOf5T_4uVaXK5zDijzm/s320/DSC_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654581025921566770" border="0" /></a>BB guns,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzt5Qw3HQ9fYLwKW2cxMRIHfyqA9gSn19DZiqE1lQXl-QMfr6DI2E0NRdWibQszOhTW4hGsJvYrb_bglPHSMZjgQ5XGVwtHRRapCyq6C3kDte8s_FDYzQAwuTeB2LEYR47LVBg52E_cfE/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzt5Qw3HQ9fYLwKW2cxMRIHfyqA9gSn19DZiqE1lQXl-QMfr6DI2E0NRdWibQszOhTW4hGsJvYrb_bglPHSMZjgQ5XGVwtHRRapCyq6C3kDte8s_FDYzQAwuTeB2LEYR47LVBg52E_cfE/s320/DSC_0012.jpg" alt="" /></a>swimming, horseback riding, wall climbing, go go ball, basketball, zip line, etc.<br /><br />We went with our good friends, the Martins. Liam and Cab have been friends since they were three.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoPqn5aXKq3xSrzUIg9DaejaB_HDpNKT5uSK1r4KS4w_osWvbQZgkkLRkU6nKx1gVpjMJYlW4PvwknUKdPK1bkEnQuuVA8VN7MH1_fC26Q9hMat4nKXpgkukOrrGkj5qMip7WDlciPaL5/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoPqn5aXKq3xSrzUIg9DaejaB_HDpNKT5uSK1r4KS4w_osWvbQZgkkLRkU6nKx1gVpjMJYlW4PvwknUKdPK1bkEnQuuVA8VN7MH1_fC26Q9hMat4nKXpgkukOrrGkj5qMip7WDlciPaL5/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654580820957596258" border="0" /></a>When I asked Liam what his favorite activity was, he named Pitch Black Attack, which was a scavenger hunt at dark thirty. It was crazy but fun.<br /><br />But what I really enjoyed was time focusing on one boy. There were many hours spent with the whole group of campers, but the schedule also gave us meaningful one-on-one time to chat and sit face to face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6SNZgt8cxg0PaOLMMSwd0suPzB0RrxwvEylfzklvi5wD5d5bART2p31XuSJDolQMioOBItKyweSEZjLid3LeYEh9gsopiWpIFmHEDGzfYUbel_EH_l7yUDnjt6UtIPV8SEOvvE9Z8AiJ/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6SNZgt8cxg0PaOLMMSwd0suPzB0RrxwvEylfzklvi5wD5d5bART2p31XuSJDolQMioOBItKyweSEZjLid3LeYEh9gsopiWpIFmHEDGzfYUbel_EH_l7yUDnjt6UtIPV8SEOvvE9Z8AiJ/s320/DSC_0028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654580740208662722" border="0" /></a>I love that kid!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAI4d4qK1LAcapASZxuII14wlMtm_807MY2icF5TvRlXhnFxghr1zHYShfHwKzMEFNBaI5g8bKVS0w3eSxz9OnoN73QPy9mWKjk206PT7JlDwzdSb6PfkDla3eGe6M6B880VNOFiphdGf/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAI4d4qK1LAcapASZxuII14wlMtm_807MY2icF5TvRlXhnFxghr1zHYShfHwKzMEFNBaI5g8bKVS0w3eSxz9OnoN73QPy9mWKjk206PT7JlDwzdSb6PfkDla3eGe6M6B880VNOFiphdGf/s320/DSC_0031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654580679703377282" border="0" /></a>At the end of the weekend, Liam and Cab gave Pine Cove two thumbs up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfQjqLXkmSoWpj_esQSEXZd05A12he53sgdU5Y5SgC9xKaUPDLw6yIVB4Hclo3rUyyBlM_UUDevdheIJd0JOPQ7Cn7XwuOYDuV75Je9R0foiyIRahlGKcjMWMlK0MVFewc5MOXmo1-yXw/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfQjqLXkmSoWpj_esQSEXZd05A12he53sgdU5Y5SgC9xKaUPDLw6yIVB4Hclo3rUyyBlM_UUDevdheIJd0JOPQ7Cn7XwuOYDuV75Je9R0foiyIRahlGKcjMWMlK0MVFewc5MOXmo1-yXw/s320/DSC_0033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654580591222331458" border="0" /></a>And neither one of them want to stay home when the moms take younger brothers in March. But every boy needs to get away with his mom for some individual attention.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-11583989803733179012011-09-13T16:54:00.027-06:002011-09-13T18:18:40.349-06:00Why Can't We Live There???Buckle your seat belts and get ready for a photo dump! We've been home from our Colorado vacation for some six weeks, and I haven't done one single thing with our hundreds of photos. Consider yourself warned....<br /><br />Yes, we went to Colorado for two weeks in early August. We began our trip at our family cabin near Pagosa Springs, where we stretch our legs on some acreage nearly every year.<br /><br />The boys are always happy to hit the ground running, whether it be hiking, fishing, digging in the dirt, or whatever mood may strike them. Occasionally, we'll catch them in a loving mood.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX1VSYoYc_dH1mwtkRzlFaDnRG_pNGads1vOWk1RGRfA3G84o3kbtDvqncdoHwl9jxe7qdiUx0ANDEAWcgoXHk8SbkqvZuqw9G3kqoaiYjy31udhyphenhyphengSUNmCadrke_3ZVfHxfC8rb_aPmw/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX1VSYoYc_dH1mwtkRzlFaDnRG_pNGads1vOWk1RGRfA3G84o3kbtDvqncdoHwl9jxe7qdiUx0ANDEAWcgoXHk8SbkqvZuqw9G3kqoaiYjy31udhyphenhyphengSUNmCadrke_3ZVfHxfC8rb_aPmw/s320/DSC_0023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990484167274226" border="0" /></a>Liam (8), Jackson and Garrett (6)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A new activity for us this year was shooting the boys' new BB gun. Everyone tried it out. Even moi.<br /></div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfRbcAl-jOE2h0SrF6JaexpM3AknxYrklaZcZ3nn_uRR5ZoBhucCDqXtaCg4ggm4AMCobFaqyk_1J8xr_0xf5-xZVQb4KzEVkXJTBo3lJ6yVWdQkZhdudhxj7GiWVOmdbQOvz97L-iOp2/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfRbcAl-jOE2h0SrF6JaexpM3AknxYrklaZcZ3nn_uRR5ZoBhucCDqXtaCg4ggm4AMCobFaqyk_1J8xr_0xf5-xZVQb4KzEVkXJTBo3lJ6yVWdQkZhdudhxj7GiWVOmdbQOvz97L-iOp2/s320/DSC_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990552517939618" border="0" /></a>Let's just say that it's a good thing we don't have to survive on what we shoot.<br /><br />And let's also say that some of us look better in the safety glasses than others.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx2P0vyhoPfut6UGnXfBSbmKP-jd_wntpQ8F8U56tr1QSI2L0dklxAOxH-TkqTPA1uBr0auB2c2Op29TB8MREXnSh6EUPp24j5HcIKKgMrSU4t5kWnp6jTrM07fmx3mnFh41OTiApj4GC/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx2P0vyhoPfut6UGnXfBSbmKP-jd_wntpQ8F8U56tr1QSI2L0dklxAOxH-TkqTPA1uBr0auB2c2Op29TB8MREXnSh6EUPp24j5HcIKKgMrSU4t5kWnp6jTrM07fmx3mnFh41OTiApj4GC/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990414081049298" border="0" /></a>Although our "lake" was low enough to be called a pond, we did try to fish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP6WaqJWMdjT6-6mp7slMVlg6kM8uunO340ZH3YrdFvzrRHUm-Wh38pD9AiStiF1ulsOqfAI-EHMG8cCq45SI-e4r2uLpIxXItdA7B4cVmD31dY7-uBZmtng1GyYlqNEFVFrU5B_KUoVA/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP6WaqJWMdjT6-6mp7slMVlg6kM8uunO340ZH3YrdFvzrRHUm-Wh38pD9AiStiF1ulsOqfAI-EHMG8cCq45SI-e4r2uLpIxXItdA7B4cVmD31dY7-uBZmtng1GyYlqNEFVFrU5B_KUoVA/s320/DSC_0076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990345663687106" border="0" /></a>But this dead minnow that Garrett caught is the only fish we have to brag about.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuRu7KWkMkawRKo-MeWrSq1M2BzhBsmecn1RerHqglG7fRjwMuGR6z6sbaHNMb8tVP60kMyYaA9GjRc2ee3P7AdEt6aGss81-TGrc8qnMcnH9JueVZ8ocflQdCiuzh8Jx2enS2NNFIgAA/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuRu7KWkMkawRKo-MeWrSq1M2BzhBsmecn1RerHqglG7fRjwMuGR6z6sbaHNMb8tVP60kMyYaA9GjRc2ee3P7AdEt6aGss81-TGrc8qnMcnH9JueVZ8ocflQdCiuzh8Jx2enS2NNFIgAA/s320/DSC_0100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990272596150226" border="0" /></a>He was so darn proud of that minnow! He carried it around until we told him we couldn't keep it. "But WHY?," he asked. "Because it's DEAD," we explained. <br /><br />Marshall might have killed something for dinner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JPgExkoTOiq0XEqg64hV-YlqdJ9q1JfCfbE8iMWppNKOYTpdXlcuH_Vbh-Ve3ARyQDlq57_UuooYnG7dFzKKWmP9jot2nPwS8THYKhfRKIQrloEujbOCT3WG13f4BWvAl8BOqCVgabVu/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JPgExkoTOiq0XEqg64hV-YlqdJ9q1JfCfbE8iMWppNKOYTpdXlcuH_Vbh-Ve3ARyQDlq57_UuooYnG7dFzKKWmP9jot2nPwS8THYKhfRKIQrloEujbOCT3WG13f4BWvAl8BOqCVgabVu/s320/DSC_0111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990209860741330" border="0" /></a>Isn't that a great photo?! The hunting magazines will be calling me to post it in their latest and greatest; I know they will. I'm trying to decide if I should ask for big bucks or for a new home for the dog.<br /><br />To clear things up: 1. No, that furry thing in Marshall's mouth was never living. It's his play raccoon. 2. The dog is not for sale at the moment. I do change my mind frequently, however. 3. He was an absolute angel on our trip, because he could run and romp all day long in the mountains. Now that we're back home where it's hotter than hades, he's anything but an angel. 4. Do you want him?<br /><br />Another new activity for the boys this year was building this tepee.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4ojXXnFcGZihFuMrPuRztk8Gv3thRQWg9wHX21dTjNKSeJYFzKyqoBJJgjSvbZw6nip3KxpzeeTf5HNw7jDgwHRlCoHq71c04r1O8z3xmnY5XoA5REKM9cLV7wcBGPvZSY00r3WVLAGp/s1600/DSC_0201.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4ojXXnFcGZihFuMrPuRztk8Gv3thRQWg9wHX21dTjNKSeJYFzKyqoBJJgjSvbZw6nip3KxpzeeTf5HNw7jDgwHRlCoHq71c04r1O8z3xmnY5XoA5REKM9cLV7wcBGPvZSY00r3WVLAGp/s320/DSC_0201.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990137031266514" border="0" /></a>They wanted a tree house or a fort of some kind, but Daddy nixed the idea and convinced them that a tepee was even better. It did turn out to be quite cool, and the boys spent hours out there.<br /><br />One evening, we took a drive to look at other properties in our community. We ran across this mama deer and her THREE babies. I have never seen a deer with so many young! My heart went out to her as she frantically tried to keep them at her side while we snapped pictures from our car. It's tough work wrangling three little ones, and I speak from experience.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qof321fxGJA8PYj-O-V7PyNSKkqUTGIIAz7EKyIIXhCBicU5ljqNc1_NIDCvrzmphtiWVi4StDKRTyF7AuOD7JSAISz-S6Nl8OkI5zHY0oR5qMil22ceac8jZYj1hpRSmNCdTjLXBsFl/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qof321fxGJA8PYj-O-V7PyNSKkqUTGIIAz7EKyIIXhCBicU5ljqNc1_NIDCvrzmphtiWVi4StDKRTyF7AuOD7JSAISz-S6Nl8OkI5zHY0oR5qMil22ceac8jZYj1hpRSmNCdTjLXBsFl/s320/DSC_0035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651990066966836610" border="0" /></a>Of course, we hiked on a few different days. I can't remember the name of the hike that took us to the beautiful lake, but it was picturesque, to say the least.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfGQqORFXJQOHyYWHsjyiqcJKvbNWctCXAv0ilxKYURRtC3PgyH3UCn9f6iTkg4c3uu6B94D46sudKdbE4lDVfh1dEPEtgpLgAxYlwYTykvBO6ZE9mkJycWGWODD91rdJo4z5U36XlVwR/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfGQqORFXJQOHyYWHsjyiqcJKvbNWctCXAv0ilxKYURRtC3PgyH3UCn9f6iTkg4c3uu6B94D46sudKdbE4lDVfh1dEPEtgpLgAxYlwYTykvBO6ZE9mkJycWGWODD91rdJo4z5U36XlVwR/s320/DSC_0057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989989464242514" border="0" /></a>The Archuletta County Fair took place while we were in town, so we took Jack to meet Jack.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgpl80LTh9CY12a-qDLLvCWOl_9HyJpbfSkar8Eu-jJKg5M0l18sxlWejv2QYT_87eSDB46DdRNrM0gspbPJOs57y4mNED00wYdoCkwy27GQbAsonrG6onroehzbnzWAIUWEf3uLsvfo3/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgpl80LTh9CY12a-qDLLvCWOl_9HyJpbfSkar8Eu-jJKg5M0l18sxlWejv2QYT_87eSDB46DdRNrM0gspbPJOs57y4mNED00wYdoCkwy27GQbAsonrG6onroehzbnzWAIUWEf3uLsvfo3/s320/DSC_0112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989912252141186" border="0" /></a>For the record, it was Rick's idea to take a picture of his son next to a donkey. Son, I would never do such a thing.<br /><br />Each of the boys took a try at the fake bull thing. (What's it called?) They all enjoyed it, but Garrett had the best belly laugh. When he lets loose and has a good laugh, it's the best medicine for me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEa9kGDb5oKUzy-VEsFcrXtN9stz-oG8RPHJWAW2aNtxT_cNplUmQW2qTSRPnlXdMKwHQG-6ursDduzPZdhMm-hwnUQHwhVaPH7PwDKN4qdb15MlTC_qsaFJ-Zj1dx6JoBd0utqP6tmTw/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEa9kGDb5oKUzy-VEsFcrXtN9stz-oG8RPHJWAW2aNtxT_cNplUmQW2qTSRPnlXdMKwHQG-6ursDduzPZdhMm-hwnUQHwhVaPH7PwDKN4qdb15MlTC_qsaFJ-Zj1dx6JoBd0utqP6tmTw/s320/DSC_0122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989860211393730" border="0" /></a>Liam played and won the hula hoop contest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCfN_LT_udlCqp5-7Bv8SqtGRhbsvHBh6ug-ldTfgxLUa3SEJj-yOUloHs6hq38vMhDrx2DhbBw645aUjxIC1wXM65bIfQP3AyMAOxb36SqF8WcFxo98mDKT2KvQr8LweeBTaq45-qHwo/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCfN_LT_udlCqp5-7Bv8SqtGRhbsvHBh6ug-ldTfgxLUa3SEJj-yOUloHs6hq38vMhDrx2DhbBw645aUjxIC1wXM65bIfQP3AyMAOxb36SqF8WcFxo98mDKT2KvQr8LweeBTaq45-qHwo/s320/DSC_0133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989802110358306" border="0" /></a>Yes, he did have competition, but I didn't take their pictures.<br /><br />Mid-way through our vaca, we took a few days to stay in Ouray. Let me tell you something. I COULD LIVE THERE! It is so amazingly beautiful with mountains all around and every activity within walking distance.<br /><br />On our way to Ouray, we stopped to get some pics. I believe this is near Georgetown, but Rick will correct me if I'm wrong. (I'm terrible with geography, people. And my memory failed me about the first day of motherhood, so trying to remember a specific geographical location 6 weeks after the fact...forget it!)<br /><br />Anyway, we took various photos near Georgetown, and but this one cracks me up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKKPS7FNZfpyQODT8xY_zu-haHrozPcwlen0ybHwPHOHbf8ZgcqLC0XLas3js2md5IL_BZfaF3aokYXacuDGbVRFK_ZirjmzRekIr4MeDjlVcwGn0fXWSRyBxJwJUjJ0w39wDcLLiGHBz/s1600/DSC_0218.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKKPS7FNZfpyQODT8xY_zu-haHrozPcwlen0ybHwPHOHbf8ZgcqLC0XLas3js2md5IL_BZfaF3aokYXacuDGbVRFK_ZirjmzRekIr4MeDjlVcwGn0fXWSRyBxJwJUjJ0w39wDcLLiGHBz/s320/DSC_0218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989727155956706" border="0" /></a>We wanted Marshall to sit nicely next to Liam, but as with all Labs, he thinks he's a lap dog and tried to climb into every one's lap.<br /><br />But here's proof that he really was an angel.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvZFi26w4INkgLLYDSrhC-L0t8xQ5iRzhf_e_kpgN2B3ZMUNazjldKYJ7h8eU6xMKDREeRpFHjQKVXH5ANGmngj7f90AGixvxtkxL2kTKpKL0D6lm-OSC46usUyWqUlCt0tX82mee57di/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvZFi26w4INkgLLYDSrhC-L0t8xQ5iRzhf_e_kpgN2B3ZMUNazjldKYJ7h8eU6xMKDREeRpFHjQKVXH5ANGmngj7f90AGixvxtkxL2kTKpKL0D6lm-OSC46usUyWqUlCt0tX82mee57di/s320/DSC_0226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989654577628850" border="0" /></a>He's so cuuute when he's being cute.<br /><br />(No, that's not a muzzle around his snout. It's a gentle leader and works like a horse's halter. In other words, it's a life saver when I'm trying to walk him and don't want him to pull off my arms.)<br /><br />Probably our favorite activity of the entire trip took place in Ouray. We paid for a driver to take us up to Imogene Pass in a four wheel drive truck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzJnx-Ciszcspbqv16H0DwWXvU5rbEkZC_sGkKu1ERpLenNOnSfd98G3RsxVsj0hzJoYJh7ToXUCvsEAqySwFoykpQfA37s4F2W2QiJ-3eucv4zH9gtOggIiiWZRXwbn2q6BXdP2cc4VJ/s1600/DSC_0276.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzJnx-Ciszcspbqv16H0DwWXvU5rbEkZC_sGkKu1ERpLenNOnSfd98G3RsxVsj0hzJoYJh7ToXUCvsEAqySwFoykpQfA37s4F2W2QiJ-3eucv4zH9gtOggIiiWZRXwbn2q6BXdP2cc4VJ/s320/DSC_0276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989592873196866" border="0" /></a>Along the way, we were able to enjoy amazing scenery. This dilapidated mining home made us grateful for our own home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEk2-QqKqEmEu2FUilmQBMpwBDU1jFyi80wdBRR8YaHHQzNL5XZUMtt3m9i79IY66axQPth12C7mM8Lq6kK5l2wcNLLY7RoFKWAvJZvOpiLrTU4qzXkL9nh6RlYOo2szj_F0kIgWzxbTD/s1600/DSC_0280.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEk2-QqKqEmEu2FUilmQBMpwBDU1jFyi80wdBRR8YaHHQzNL5XZUMtt3m9i79IY66axQPth12C7mM8Lq6kK5l2wcNLLY7RoFKWAvJZvOpiLrTU4qzXkL9nh6RlYOo2szj_F0kIgWzxbTD/s320/DSC_0280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989492678392018" border="0" /></a>The pictures don't do the flowers any justice at all. When Rick took this picture, we could literally see nothing but flowers all around us. I'm pretty sure this was a little slice of heaven.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzz8fQY9K2np5snh76GqI9mBwMvXXKPi387c2w3BAaSWzXlzWpViwZyU9zNFvF_-ZteCfTl_9sTmZmy6tRJ5Dd0u5q3bhfLDbFDmrZWt7JCmX_S_bfv22a-nfJRbm8lqQzwChqLNQ4hSw/s1600/DSC_0326.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzz8fQY9K2np5snh76GqI9mBwMvXXKPi387c2w3BAaSWzXlzWpViwZyU9zNFvF_-ZteCfTl_9sTmZmy6tRJ5Dd0u5q3bhfLDbFDmrZWt7JCmX_S_bfv22a-nfJRbm8lqQzwChqLNQ4hSw/s320/DSC_0326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989368584094962" border="0" /></a>A hairy and bumpy ride took us to the top, where winter greeted us. We were warm in our shorts at the beginning of the tour but teeth-chattering cold at the top with sleet falling on us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYfRJUnW3xJDnC92-2lfu_ksHUwDE2sHp2hXV7E6BT0RnCMC8GhVP9G1uFx_GpUh-Dn_bgv6fNiHq4dgAhQAP6H1RVYn4-VB2QGkaOrr67rbEZ0NNCQtDkEcoSHWCgb5rgkLsr8Z0eZJE/s1600/DSC_0305.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYfRJUnW3xJDnC92-2lfu_ksHUwDE2sHp2hXV7E6BT0RnCMC8GhVP9G1uFx_GpUh-Dn_bgv6fNiHq4dgAhQAP6H1RVYn4-VB2QGkaOrr67rbEZ0NNCQtDkEcoSHWCgb5rgkLsr8Z0eZJE/s320/DSC_0305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989305139580210" border="0" /></a>This is where my mom will ask why we didn't wear pants and heavy coats. Ask your son-in-law.<br /><br />BRRR!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicsAcN_QEIRyYqtkHh45txwmwEeK0WJySA6ZcnJkHBbu_BEhnhCmQvt38r7WYZ1RcPu1-BtBWsRfXLN0TEKRsIqv1gmhVjlJ0Tb7gT6WixLnsIlszLLsLYTtEtb5-4K3cVFihe7zOR3Wb/s1600/DSC_0312.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicsAcN_QEIRyYqtkHh45txwmwEeK0WJySA6ZcnJkHBbu_BEhnhCmQvt38r7WYZ1RcPu1-BtBWsRfXLN0TEKRsIqv1gmhVjlJ0Tb7gT6WixLnsIlszLLsLYTtEtb5-4K3cVFihe7zOR3Wb/s320/DSC_0312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989182723758434" border="0" /></a>We made it!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y0usKi8ldI2cBXl976tf5b8RAiVtK3R63f8daN15mENDsx-tpw7TtSqsK7bkonUlen97RGDWRT_DM2_LUVq_Shos0hYVA9bZ5xhM3Yest2Il5e07b9br-kbCDUoW9wiwR4dAHCSai3g5/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y0usKi8ldI2cBXl976tf5b8RAiVtK3R63f8daN15mENDsx-tpw7TtSqsK7bkonUlen97RGDWRT_DM2_LUVq_Shos0hYVA9bZ5xhM3Yest2Il5e07b9br-kbCDUoW9wiwR4dAHCSai3g5/s320/DSC_0308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989120651722242" border="0" /></a>On the way down, our driver stopped and pulled the kids out. We had no idea what he was doing, but we trusted him well enough to know he wouldn't push them off the mountain. Instead, they all broke out singing "The Hills are Alive!" It was hilarious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitl__T76jFKFCqNPocFpLRZZfDUfLADaQP6RLu2wVnKMhthwC5nD2jBwffAorFF2mfFzNg3CjIZ2aPaU2-8wQVJ2W8Um57fnfqdkguQCdgnTc_l-vJYNSlZL1M14_nH0GWplYvf8Cg5BJU/s1600/DSC_0318.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitl__T76jFKFCqNPocFpLRZZfDUfLADaQP6RLu2wVnKMhthwC5nD2jBwffAorFF2mfFzNg3CjIZ2aPaU2-8wQVJ2W8Um57fnfqdkguQCdgnTc_l-vJYNSlZL1M14_nH0GWplYvf8Cg5BJU/s320/DSC_0318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651989017763649730" border="0" /></a>If you're interested in a scenic 4WD tour in Ouray, look up Keith. He was a fantastic tour guide with a lot of historical information, spot-on sense of humor, and amazing patience with kids.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG1VMelY4WJj2ktJK6eSZBr-XUTm2IALlCPRy672RUR8o7yMYKHLdBcoMaYOKHVsnm-oRAhaRuznNhomr7uZNF4c70OlrcYkV6iPcVGIe4bpwayhxnrhMPvG-qC4shmg-xhFadzX0OYL0/s1600/DSC_0352.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG1VMelY4WJj2ktJK6eSZBr-XUTm2IALlCPRy672RUR8o7yMYKHLdBcoMaYOKHVsnm-oRAhaRuznNhomr7uZNF4c70OlrcYkV6iPcVGIe4bpwayhxnrhMPvG-qC4shmg-xhFadzX0OYL0/s320/DSC_0352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651988923395596018" border="0" /></a>No, we did not adopt a little girl. I can't remember her name (the whole <span style="font-style: italic;">memoryfailingmeproblem</span> again), but she and her little brother became fast friends with my boys.<br /><br />I gotta wrap this up and make dinner. As the song goes, back to life, back to reality. Why can't we just go back to Colorado???<br /><br />By the way, aren't you glad I didn't dump hundreds of pics here?<br /><br />Peace out!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF2M-CY3E2ptCwpfx6GslHZjy2DaDoS8sxz-t2hlXXiILsBQn9GzHz33hXNULCz15ePNCKu9N6x4uLBpGsc0B9peqiXDIM4CsD8P0O6hPTi7aGomCt4O7p7IAN0tumutEdqFEeWi2-vLg/s1600/DSC_0382.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF2M-CY3E2ptCwpfx6GslHZjy2DaDoS8sxz-t2hlXXiILsBQn9GzHz33hXNULCz15ePNCKu9N6x4uLBpGsc0B9peqiXDIM4CsD8P0O6hPTi7aGomCt4O7p7IAN0tumutEdqFEeWi2-vLg/s320/DSC_0382.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651988717831180386" border="0" /></a>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-18964945796248069612011-08-25T13:02:00.005-06:002011-08-25T13:39:06.057-06:00School DaysWell, hello there! Yes, it's been nearly two months since my last post. I wouldn't want to be accused of being an overzealous blogger.
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<br />Would I be considered overzealous if I blog once a week? No? Good, 'cuz that's what I'm hoping to do now that my boys are IN SCHOOL.
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<br />Can I get an '<span style="font-style: italic;">amen</span>' for school?
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<br />Let's begin with the obligatory first day of school photos.
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<br />Garrett and Jackson are now first graders, and Liam is a third grader.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gsaPDmHEccP9VhuEVMp1uBzVICdWEiMpx5u74zQ0xzlibLTUrGXRkBmEpbK7iv7nAquYOxGFQk-67iVE6PBW10O0BUo55lp0Ns8ipTajMAdtq5lGwIUS6X1fTMfNgl4a3wnDO0V7dIvf/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gsaPDmHEccP9VhuEVMp1uBzVICdWEiMpx5u74zQ0xzlibLTUrGXRkBmEpbK7iv7nAquYOxGFQk-67iVE6PBW10O0BUo55lp0Ns8ipTajMAdtq5lGwIUS6X1fTMfNgl4a3wnDO0V7dIvf/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644872170606795858" border="0" /></a>(Please excuse the ugly flowerbed behind them. The relentless heat has gone and done something ugly to our plants and our moods.)
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<br />I asked them, "Hey, boys, show me what you think about my making you wear collared shirts today." This is what I got:
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeakYAux3aP6hKAPmj_bA8RfuzuHLiJpoESdIq-_vXDM1ZXXGqcU98WJNHvlFKxJ7QrYm3uRKOxJYAdKCYXxxFJNcLi2-zxI4H043zG6kty6QxQ2uMXoEuj6cxSQ05dCOBRj4lgaJwhTid/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeakYAux3aP6hKAPmj_bA8RfuzuHLiJpoESdIq-_vXDM1ZXXGqcU98WJNHvlFKxJ7QrYm3uRKOxJYAdKCYXxxFJNcLi2-zxI4H043zG6kty6QxQ2uMXoEuj6cxSQ05dCOBRj4lgaJwhTid/s320/DSC_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644872097975527634" border="0" /></a>Actually, two of the boys chose collared shirts on their own. The third boy had to be talked out of a faded, shrunken Mario t-shirt and black basketball shorts. "Sorry, son, but I think a good first impression is important."
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<br />Garrett hit the jackpot this year with receiving the most smiley teacher on campus. PLUS, his BFF, Will, is in his class. It can't get much better than that!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU-N9fJEITmF-_qI_sQt_OHUroZOQvVvFD7HTd2m_ZRPibtDklrDFcxNnKkBIqbjZ7MAqRJABVvuLEqUVXpOTeHGxydwvrdlsEiOl9icUEqmmlEDzp1Iu2Ly5EF_rJkTJgDyg7k4ZDA0V/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU-N9fJEITmF-_qI_sQt_OHUroZOQvVvFD7HTd2m_ZRPibtDklrDFcxNnKkBIqbjZ7MAqRJABVvuLEqUVXpOTeHGxydwvrdlsEiOl9icUEqmmlEDzp1Iu2Ly5EF_rJkTJgDyg7k4ZDA0V/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644872011775249410" border="0" /></a>Jackson just might have a crush on his teacher. He typically likes the tall gals.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sd-4Nx2x6yrbuJR6p01-F8hVMY-o1_sduRjqT7MdxvqMlHH6JLOCh4JxhLTse0QfXhDFwB1oXZTzJyQ3vAJFvecgUQbyFs2aYj6S4DiSYHu6rgqTF1laFioWauQQYUIA2SFmq_-kdvr8/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sd-4Nx2x6yrbuJR6p01-F8hVMY-o1_sduRjqT7MdxvqMlHH6JLOCh4JxhLTse0QfXhDFwB1oXZTzJyQ3vAJFvecgUQbyFs2aYj6S4DiSYHu6rgqTF1laFioWauQQYUIA2SFmq_-kdvr8/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644871960809220738" border="0" /></a>Liam has a teacher who fills her room with TONS o' books, so the two of them should get along just fine.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmytooSkOmCtpy4RjmSo6Uw6_d-DvaT0PmFVzDii_jbIC8EDSeVlC-BpaZ1yeCtMGeHXI_szByadmM53f67XFQJE2miA2aa2tVaiDm53nFnihBNzG7vxdsSOd4vLpW7wa535RbsQmnYRck/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmytooSkOmCtpy4RjmSo6Uw6_d-DvaT0PmFVzDii_jbIC8EDSeVlC-BpaZ1yeCtMGeHXI_szByadmM53f67XFQJE2miA2aa2tVaiDm53nFnihBNzG7vxdsSOd4vLpW7wa535RbsQmnYRck/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644871837210676818" border="0" /></a>He was completely embarrassed that I walked him to his class, but a mom has to have a picture of her kid and his teacher! He's lucky I didn't give him a big smooch right there in front of God and everyone.
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<br />Later that evening, he informed us he would no longer be holding our hands in public. "Cuz it's not cool, man," he said.
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<br />But it was cool two days prior to third grade. I really didn't expect this year to be such a pivotal moment of moving from little boy to grown man. Should I expect facial hair and voice crackling tomorrow?
<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-39720500668091229572011-06-28T12:52:00.003-06:002011-06-28T13:17:43.969-06:00Things That Make Me Go "Hmm"If you've ever had young kids, you know how often they open the door to tell you all kinds of nonsense while they play in the backyard. <br /><br />The door opens and I hear, "So and so hit me with the ball." The door closes, only to be reopened every 2.9 seconds for comments and questions such as these: "So and so threw the ball at the dog." "Are we allowed to dig in the garden?" "I hit a home run and the ball went over the fence! Can I go get it?" "Mom, do you like grub worms?" "Marshall's eating from the garden." "What are we doing today?" "What are we eating for lunch?" And two seconds later, "What are we eating for dinner tonight?"<br /><br />Admittedly, I'll sometimes lock the door to stop the nonsense. Or I'll throw out the threat, "If you open that door again, you're coming in for a nap!" That one works like a charm.<br /><br />Anyway, as I was cleaning my bedroom this morning, the boys and dogs were playing in the backyard. I believe they opened the door 52 times before I heard a new statement. Jackson yelled, "MARSHALL LOST A TOOTH AND I FOUND IT!" <br /><br />"Okay, great. Yep, he's teething. SHUT THE DOOR," I yelled back. (I should always say <span style="font-style: italic;">'Slam that door'</span>, since that's what they do.) <br /><br />Jackson went back to play, and I didn't give Marshall's tooth another thought, until I walked through the kitchen 30 minutes later to find the lost-and-found tooth in a baggie on the kitchen counter.<br /><br />I carried the tooth to Jackson and asked if he thought the tooth fairy should visit the pup. He laughed and said "No! I thought we could make a collection of his teeth."<br /><br />Oh. Hmm.<br /><br />Raising boys often leaves me scratching my head.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-54843291535127995132011-06-22T10:08:00.019-06:002011-06-24T09:43:56.594-06:00DeclutteringThe blogging portion of my brain feels cluttered. So many pictures to post. So many events have come and gone without even a sentence granted on the blog. When I get this far behind in my writing, I feel overwhelmed and simply want to give up. But then I remember that I don't scrapbook for my family, nor do I simply print our photos, so if I don't blog, what do we have to show for our lives?<br /><br />In an effort to declutter my <span style="font-style: italic;">foggy blog brain</span>, here's a post of random photos.<br /><br />Garrett finished out his t-ball career by being chosen as one of four from his team to advance to the All Star tournament.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-WyEdtUQpMWKfo9w3jwT7XfyjQh4QDnOxP3fPvxdz0SHrSYwyucJ3Z6SRjxLzZPl9WXwfBeI_Ew-rx0cobkssiIM-gQQQvQ-PaLn6ushvnKgHjlBdyv2qgbir7f41681WNidf2PsjDX_/s1600/DSC_0127.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-WyEdtUQpMWKfo9w3jwT7XfyjQh4QDnOxP3fPvxdz0SHrSYwyucJ3Z6SRjxLzZPl9WXwfBeI_Ew-rx0cobkssiIM-gQQQvQ-PaLn6ushvnKgHjlBdyv2qgbir7f41681WNidf2PsjDX_/s320/DSC_0127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078965276265666" border="0" /></a>His kindergarten teacher came to his final All Star game.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mcu9jnuwzu7gQW_Rws3BsoZGEa8wUYQ4ITBwyZq6lsJJyoxODYFWfkLoQ4zxUR2PcxhSFsHReCklhI1FiWawEgKS8ug-8wgMSR6dPqdyHolad2TKnO3ydA8QRScZgVJCHWkiVKCgzDPV/s1600/DSC_0132.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mcu9jnuwzu7gQW_Rws3BsoZGEa8wUYQ4ITBwyZq6lsJJyoxODYFWfkLoQ4zxUR2PcxhSFsHReCklhI1FiWawEgKS8ug-8wgMSR6dPqdyHolad2TKnO3ydA8QRScZgVJCHWkiVKCgzDPV/s320/DSC_0132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078906766323474" border="0" /></a>Mrs. Whitsell is one of a kind, and Garrett was sure to show off some of his best baseball skills in front of her. This is where I should rattle off all of his amazing defensive stats, but I simply can't remember one. Suffice it to say, he played well, <span style="font-style: italic;">very well</span>. And he's more than ready to move on to coach pitch in the fall.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Liam's Dirtbags were winning a semi-finals game the same night, and they advanced to the Championship. Garrett and I were able to make it to the final game, where the Dirtbags defeated the Giants. This win was a <span style="font-style: italic;">huge </span>victory, because the Giants had only lost something like 3 games in two years!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgyXEwZznoxuA2Zoi3hi-xchOVja8xpWOvXOAALkBOHcDYTPBKXuYBi5v0AD-di_H6NjTbqn39LJij-YO-kuIU2KHaWfuqNc6A5mrkKLrcQCT5wGl_mqbUya3YzMQ3qiOZ_IiAt5C3aJ-/s1600/Dirtbags-May+Day+Tourn.+036.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgyXEwZznoxuA2Zoi3hi-xchOVja8xpWOvXOAALkBOHcDYTPBKXuYBi5v0AD-di_H6NjTbqn39LJij-YO-kuIU2KHaWfuqNc6A5mrkKLrcQCT5wGl_mqbUya3YzMQ3qiOZ_IiAt5C3aJ-/s320/Dirtbags-May+Day+Tourn.+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078787792713506" border="0" /></a>Trophies all around for the Dirtbags!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6ypQAxUCfllCPlBZohUShv5kfdAPxOcVpIACQ20yIiu7Ze5BnQ-T-Wl8l1yDV1rCuZx5wP5KpQQ6eaC8KuGrvP4d0TWnJctHCIRRpzFaEgE2fkjxdj8S6gePMTVjE6n6G9geu-jsl3PE/s1600/DSC_0138.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6ypQAxUCfllCPlBZohUShv5kfdAPxOcVpIACQ20yIiu7Ze5BnQ-T-Wl8l1yDV1rCuZx5wP5KpQQ6eaC8KuGrvP4d0TWnJctHCIRRpzFaEgE2fkjxdj8S6gePMTVjE6n6G9geu-jsl3PE/s320/DSC_0138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078695310992258" border="0" /></a>On a non-baseball note, (Imagine that...something in our lives that doesn't relate to baseball!) Jackson and Garrett graduated from Kindergarten. I would love to show you some fantastic photos of my babies' graduation, but a certain someone, who will remain nameless, deleted many, and I mean MANY, pictures from my camera. So we're left with mediocrity, such as a blurred picture of Jackson receiving his congratulatory hug from his teacher, Mrs. Woods.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZspG0FPbWxfjdiwzcN_fl82sotJo9GZrXu_IJ1NkVK_ZxhYtZQ3X6NkFp1LmPrVWHpHBp624g4pa38RfLoTIWPJw7ZTIzFYwPdcroWEfcldpDXeL8-k5Zscx3lHFD6qIcZFREE5UR2PNJ/s1600/J+and+G+Kindergarten+Graduation+May+2011+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZspG0FPbWxfjdiwzcN_fl82sotJo9GZrXu_IJ1NkVK_ZxhYtZQ3X6NkFp1LmPrVWHpHBp624g4pa38RfLoTIWPJw7ZTIzFYwPdcroWEfcldpDXeL8-k5Zscx3lHFD6qIcZFREE5UR2PNJ/s320/J+and+G+Kindergarten+Graduation+May+2011+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078321350819490" border="0" /></a>He blew her off like he'd blow a spider off his arm.<br /><br />But Garrett paused for a sweet moment with his girlfriend, I mean teacher.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghABjFyajaGoMenEL39vHAtB0X2R15q7YPDsBHrUXSG1Vx5IoZNuwRbsLCzf07FtjTf-8LjhI-iFJY-9E82l1mgLq3ASgeQB8m8eEnMvGIH88TGxVaCPshLEhs_Ya9pgWOUiS-r5ZtnnFL/s1600/J+and+G+Kindergarten+Graduation+May+2011+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghABjFyajaGoMenEL39vHAtB0X2R15q7YPDsBHrUXSG1Vx5IoZNuwRbsLCzf07FtjTf-8LjhI-iFJY-9E82l1mgLq3ASgeQB8m8eEnMvGIH88TGxVaCPshLEhs_Ya9pgWOUiS-r5ZtnnFL/s320/J+and+G+Kindergarten+Graduation+May+2011+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078154186010658" border="0" /></a>Yes, I must admit I teared up when I saw my babies walk across the stage. Not because they're graduating from kindergarten, but because I couldn't help but flash forward to twelfth grade in my mind. Be still my heart, what will I do when my kids all finish high school?!<br /><br />After the 50,000,000 kindergarteners walked across the stage, they sang songs such as "New York, New York". How does Frank Sinatra's famous song qualify as a graduation song, you ask? The words were changed to something like this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Start spreading the news</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm leaving today</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm gonna be apart of it</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">first grade, first grade</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJrsHxGlKJ2RJK45c0wZxC5ORT58aG_QleVqpz_7-1XDlO-q39pj6rqMcGdmRmfNR61bmVSSbGqrOJfpAyJQqyLY8Ww1Y3LT7IqtA4w2JfV3wjF1vkQ3Xf_j4eW25VLUqrxirNEQIWy-S/s1600/J+and+G+Kindergarten+Graduation+May+2011+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJrsHxGlKJ2RJK45c0wZxC5ORT58aG_QleVqpz_7-1XDlO-q39pj6rqMcGdmRmfNR61bmVSSbGqrOJfpAyJQqyLY8Ww1Y3LT7IqtA4w2JfV3wjF1vkQ3Xf_j4eW25VLUqrxirNEQIWy-S/s320/J+and+G+Kindergarten+Graduation+May+2011+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621077799338024754" border="0" /></a>It was cute, and, of course, hand signals had to be incorporated.<br /><br />I'm not sure who was most excited about the last day of school, the boys or me. But let me tell you, when the dismissal bell rang, we hightailed it outta there without a glance back. <span style="font-style: italic;">Woohoo, summer!</span><br /><br />One of our first summer days was spent riding horses. I have wanted to introduce my boys to horseback riding for quite some time, and a perfect situation came up. A good friend of ours recently inherited two horses from his dad, and he invited us to meet him at the corral.<br /><br />This is where I'd love to post pictures of my boys riding their first horse, but that nameless person deleted about 100 pictures of our horseback riding experience. About all I have to show you is Liam brushing Alley.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJSLRxTkmanvTWQ8VG__BJqYhUpa03w26Y94rDeew1nl8karLiXmaT5_GrBGIAmoqxM57tjTr48nPRPTTIB2i1t4kyyoFHjRqKQjcD72ngu9CBflkzMMW5hlgZBTRWIt2jfJOgzH5bmH_/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJSLRxTkmanvTWQ8VG__BJqYhUpa03w26Y94rDeew1nl8karLiXmaT5_GrBGIAmoqxM57tjTr48nPRPTTIB2i1t4kyyoFHjRqKQjcD72ngu9CBflkzMMW5hlgZBTRWIt2jfJOgzH5bmH_/s320/DSC_0037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621077591707446034" border="0" /></a>Alley happens to be the horse that also bucked Liam off. The horse decided he didn't want to be ridden and threw my boy off within two minutes. Thankfully, Liam didn't have any serious injuries, but he was sore for a few days. But he was brave and got onto another horse with me within a few minutes of his fall.<br /><br />Liam tried out and made it onto the summer All Star team again. They've gone to championship level all but one tournament thus far, placing second twice and even first place recently. Summer baseball is hotter than hades, but when the boys win, it's worth the sweat. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMUTPsQcuU2SsH8_fzLfGvy3za88_utAnz6Vrwqyvv67Aokd2K0gFws2J35KwEMUrfJMUC8lvLByWS-psMGrGn_PI-aErb4-TB4Dffvft-4xD78RFfxzlYkM8NHznfW8_ZacT-EfWGRLI/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMUTPsQcuU2SsH8_fzLfGvy3za88_utAnz6Vrwqyvv67Aokd2K0gFws2J35KwEMUrfJMUC8lvLByWS-psMGrGn_PI-aErb4-TB4Dffvft-4xD78RFfxzlYkM8NHznfW8_ZacT-EfWGRLI/s320/DSC_0411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621078590270373826" border="0" /></a>Another big event of our summer has been Garrett pulling his own tooth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwSk0e1ahTh_dXwNPVm4NmyR_wTKftgoIegJMOSjihmiu9wO3kW9ROS_NqYkBNbhy2bZiafKxPpg0BQsCxMLXvJDswJH6GX_uLvaFzT6ODPt6sDQDGTEx3kGsKFPpcj4mZxa-3nocj9Fn/s1600/Gtooth.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwSk0e1ahTh_dXwNPVm4NmyR_wTKftgoIegJMOSjihmiu9wO3kW9ROS_NqYkBNbhy2bZiafKxPpg0BQsCxMLXvJDswJH6GX_uLvaFzT6ODPt6sDQDGTEx3kGsKFPpcj4mZxa-3nocj9Fn/s320/Gtooth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621077372874236066" border="0" /></a>He was so proud of himself for pulling it on his own. And I cried, because I'm simply not ready for my baby to grow up.<br /><br />In other news, Marshall had his manhood and dewclaws removed a few days ago. He came home looking pretty pitiful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_n-HaRSrwRLO-GmH_MBgcwag5mxUOVvOgbuljjbW9KrjZXOUT9y67d-zJFEB8kJ_Sn8MOcLBE2AJHCv5_r202U0c-6F26j3_6hqo4k7FZbHnohwRzhq1MdIl-l66jdFKDTA8mvOnZ4D3/s1600/M.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_n-HaRSrwRLO-GmH_MBgcwag5mxUOVvOgbuljjbW9KrjZXOUT9y67d-zJFEB8kJ_Sn8MOcLBE2AJHCv5_r202U0c-6F26j3_6hqo4k7FZbHnohwRzhq1MdIl-l66jdFKDTA8mvOnZ4D3/s320/M.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621077284824944690" border="0" /></a>Yes, we've had a grand ol' time trying to keep him from chewing his bandages. A neighbor asked why Marshall has casts on his paws. Garrett said, "We had his claws removed so he won't run away and make babies." He kind of got my explanation confused.<br /><br />Now that summer is in full swing, we're enjoying a relaxed schedule. Staying up late, sleeping in until 7, no homework, play dates, swimming, etc.<br /><br />We're also hitting the batting cages frequently.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh7FqHBlMEOehgWalMKQFgEkH_FeKrXKDTXiZy0ONnT25PHknEnCc2yW7mvikpSo55qbOfwnci5iaLi5WB-jRQInbqKWTLpgzt-Ohpv1Jg9IWU9OsTaJlMpRbmvlFd82hUdICBlfbBSIt/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh7FqHBlMEOehgWalMKQFgEkH_FeKrXKDTXiZy0ONnT25PHknEnCc2yW7mvikpSo55qbOfwnci5iaLi5WB-jRQInbqKWTLpgzt-Ohpv1Jg9IWU9OsTaJlMpRbmvlFd82hUdICBlfbBSIt/s320/DSC_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621794114417800226" border="0" /></a>Just call them the <span style="font-style: italic;">Bad Bat Boys.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDaoUzR-0iOa3JApv2HOEKFwnb6Gt2dNPOEe_4nzEY2j89ZldDfcwive8EelC9FeJ15dJLwfn2VTLYyPVuXTDy0bYKgnFQofYhBolMefqWmJDDJhyphenhyphenJC-sPlGeAh0BniYIx0-GUJCsjMeK/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDaoUzR-0iOa3JApv2HOEKFwnb6Gt2dNPOEe_4nzEY2j89ZldDfcwive8EelC9FeJ15dJLwfn2VTLYyPVuXTDy0bYKgnFQofYhBolMefqWmJDDJhyphenhyphenJC-sPlGeAh0BniYIx0-GUJCsjMeK/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621794059942445874" border="0" /></a>And on that note, these bad boys are ready to go burn off some energy, so I better run before something gets broken. <br /><br />I can't promise when I'll be back, but I hope it's before summer's end.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-2403447583800180152011-05-20T10:30:00.003-06:002011-05-20T10:32:58.198-06:00Life is Good"Life is good when you have another baseball game," is what I read in Liam's journal the other day.<br /><br />He'll be disappointed to know tonight's game is canceled due to rain. But he'll be happy when he realizes he has a tournament of 3-4 games next week.<br /><br />Yes, I read his journal. I'm nosey that way.<br /><br />And I just love that my boy's journal is full of nothing but baseball talk. Pure, innocent fun.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-32582416064710973582011-05-12T11:25:00.003-06:002011-05-13T13:53:24.085-06:00He's Growing on Us<a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/04/making-case-for-abandoned-blog.html">Marshall</a>, the pup, has been home for about 6 weeks now, and he only has one post on the blog? That's just not right. A good mommy brags about ALL of her children equally.<br /><br />Here he is today at 3 1/2 months:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHYlY0j0E3BRuFaBGVDcjQXLDnQN9k59IucOwpPstXMRpmF3Qgvsoo3xFJfOftMnKGR4hyphenhyphenTEu9Q73iqiNloaNmFGjDenlfNFEu33oE6vvZ5xxZrBwqvbApUF2ylF3jpwaUpt-2BUQIyJK/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHYlY0j0E3BRuFaBGVDcjQXLDnQN9k59IucOwpPstXMRpmF3Qgvsoo3xFJfOftMnKGR4hyphenhyphenTEu9Q73iqiNloaNmFGjDenlfNFEu33oE6vvZ5xxZrBwqvbApUF2ylF3jpwaUpt-2BUQIyJK/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605511087108924562" border="0" /></a>He's almost tripled in weight since we got him, and he's taller than Winston now.<br /><br />How does Winston feel about it all? This look tells all:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0Qut0-PEOMFqakRMDHkqHO6-9uh4lH9x-wuczFZOH-rrYvrtva4lNPRZnPwXepUI5qidGCIMihmotVNI43b0mrMrNUgBoSqPUnRy6q9qR2K-_4u5AFkCjeTzhdubq93P0pqBAUzDWKJv/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0Qut0-PEOMFqakRMDHkqHO6-9uh4lH9x-wuczFZOH-rrYvrtva4lNPRZnPwXepUI5qidGCIMihmotVNI43b0mrMrNUgBoSqPUnRy6q9qR2K-_4u5AFkCjeTzhdubq93P0pqBAUzDWKJv/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605511015526707778" border="0" /></a>Poor Winston! I keep telling him that he's still my #1 dog, but he remains very bitter about sharing his mommy. I can't blame him with all the nasty stunts that Marshall pulls. He won't let Winston get any of my love without jumping right in the middle of us. The brown boy likes to sneak up behind W and bite his legs at any given moment. Marshall also likes to nip at his jowls and steal his favorite toy. They go round and ROUND, even if I'm sure to give them both the exact same chew toy.<br /><br />If you look a little closer at Marshall's nose, you'll see that he hasn't learned to back off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH5dAQAfZLEG6mbZBS077pfWo_Zmiwb2RkGD1-4NzQD3PlBbXKL0Ot0sVdRxDzUYl3wz6IvpGGfri1i4nEOo6WGAGgeOKqI_FDLXl7TTxRWK0gUMKiQQnGJU8OgqjymweyvcN_iUCOiDY/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH5dAQAfZLEG6mbZBS077pfWo_Zmiwb2RkGD1-4NzQD3PlBbXKL0Ot0sVdRxDzUYl3wz6IvpGGfri1i4nEOo6WGAGgeOKqI_FDLXl7TTxRWK0gUMKiQQnGJU8OgqjymweyvcN_iUCOiDY/s320/DSC_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605510965197119074" border="0" /></a>We should have named him Scarface.<br /><br />Although the two dogs still haven't figured out how to live peacefully under one roof, Marshall has otherwise settled into our family quite well. The boys love playing with him, and I enjoy training him. I'm taking him to a manners class once a week, and his trainer is very impressed with how calm he is for his age and breed.<br /><br />I don't tell her that I drug him every day. I wouldn't want to give her any reason to call PETA on me.<br /><br />Truthfully, the only time I drug him is when he's about to get more shots, in which case, I must give him Benadryl so that his lips and eyes don't triple in size due to another reaction. I'm not sure why, but I always end up with the high-maintenance animals.<br /><br />But we love our new addition, and he is here to stay, right Daddy?Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-11649514048677291762011-05-11T10:38:00.004-06:002011-05-11T11:24:02.088-06:00Mother's Day RecapMy boys had been talking about their Mother's Day gifts for <span style="font-style: italic;">weeks</span>. I love how their teachers took a great deal of time (2-3 weeks) to build up the day as very special. Liam and Jackson came home with gift bags similar to <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day.html">Garrett's</a>, so I had three hand-made gifts to open on Sunday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9TYJgtuM1pafgEakUdp1q-PFpUWUCRkfCR3hTH2dC3pUtP2J49R5QvsknJxTgyoE-RwrvlXynq9PC7K0L0rVWYm4QyyaZ23SsldQRgEmxNXD1EYbWwDtRnjagkRrYqWv7fHqw4pzD7FA/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9TYJgtuM1pafgEakUdp1q-PFpUWUCRkfCR3hTH2dC3pUtP2J49R5QvsknJxTgyoE-RwrvlXynq9PC7K0L0rVWYm4QyyaZ23SsldQRgEmxNXD1EYbWwDtRnjagkRrYqWv7fHqw4pzD7FA/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605499177680580338" border="0" /></a>Liam made me a fan, complete with his cute mug shot, as well as a new plant. When I asked him what kind of plant it is, he said, "I dunno. It's pink or purple." I plan to replant it to see for myself.<br /><br />Jackson and Garrett each made a recipe holder.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2T4v9jZtdjDMkuqbiMwR1aFhFS1xXLMw7ROi35Qx2NeSRU-8WC3J4mMIqqK2-jF7laJSna0gMrWqZjLd3T5EUPDGqEa0q1T9M6mqdwhqkFrfi87PUZX4c2zOenyp6wnseE24wmkql7mo/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2T4v9jZtdjDMkuqbiMwR1aFhFS1xXLMw7ROi35Qx2NeSRU-8WC3J4mMIqqK2-jF7laJSna0gMrWqZjLd3T5EUPDGqEa0q1T9M6mqdwhqkFrfi87PUZX4c2zOenyp6wnseE24wmkql7mo/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605499121391220690" border="0" /></a>I'm not sure how well you can tell from the photos, but each little boy made a flower out of a styrofoam cup. After painting the flower, they added their photo and a clothes pin. What a cute idea! Since I use a recipe binder instead of index cards, I plan to use mine for Bible verses.<br /><br />Jman and GB also made cards with questionnaires about me, which were a hoot. Jackson doesn't call me "Moma", but I think it's funny that he added it to his card.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeAClCnqVYe5Q8aRwXF8u_q9_o0tmvW9cj9N58u3bpYOmum3je3PygPrxWxuCymCFVNZjguj_Y3ScN5Zhw0TrdEC0LeC2-3Fov0NTc2X-d3Wj7klIn5VGbGJ4yrfosezfPRZIe94dTzvO/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeAClCnqVYe5Q8aRwXF8u_q9_o0tmvW9cj9N58u3bpYOmum3je3PygPrxWxuCymCFVNZjguj_Y3ScN5Zhw0TrdEC0LeC2-3Fov0NTc2X-d3Wj7klIn5VGbGJ4yrfosezfPRZIe94dTzvO/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605499054255233202" border="0" /></a>His questionnaire reads as follows:<br />My mommy's name is Ami. (Check.)<br /><br />She is 51 years old. (When I asked him if he really thinks I'm that old, he said, "I can't reMEMBER how old you are, so Mrs. Woods said that I should say 50-something." Thank you, Mrs. Woods.)<br /><br />Her favorite thing to do is watch tv all by herself. (It's not exactly my favorite pastime, but I do enjoy it.)<br /><br />She does not like to clean. (Amen!)<br /><br />My mommy's favorite food is cabbage. (It is?!)<br /><br />My mommy's favorite color is rainbows. (He's pretty close, because I always say that I like a lot of colors.)<br /><br />My mommy is really good at cleaning. (Somebody has to be.)<br /><br />My mommy loves to watch news on tv. (I do?)<br /><br />I love my mommy because she is special. (Thank you!)<br /><br />My middle man taught me some things about myself.<br /><br />Garrett's questionnaire was in the form of a book. The first page asked how he makes me happy and he said, "When I do the dishes." (Can I get another 'amen'?)<br /><br />The second page asked him what he likes me to wear, and he said "red" and then drew a picture of me wearing a red Lil Ron t-shirt that we had made with Liam's photo on it. He's also got my hair in pigtails, which I have done <span style="font-style: italic;">once</span> for the fun of it, and all 3 of my boys think it's my best hair style.<br /><br />His favorite way to spend time with me is when "gowig to the ragrs gam." (going to the Rangers game)<br /><br />Finally, the last page has a list of my favorite things according to GB:<br />Food: ckigi pot pi (chicken pot pie)<br /><br />Color: bran (brown, which I do love, especially on skin)<br /><br />Movie: segutreyen (Secretariat)<br /><br />Place to eat: Mexucun (Yet another 'amen' needed!)<br /><br />Flower: rozess (What girl doesn't love them?)<br /><br />Place to shop: wolmrt (WalMart...I think I have done an EXCELLENT job of shopping there without complaining in front of him!)<br /><br />Hobby: wrc (Any guesses?)<br /><br />Sport: volebol (What about baseball?)<br /><br />Rick rounded out the day with some kitchen gadgets, an iTunes gift card, and dinner OUT!<br /><br />I sure do love my men, and I'm grateful for the special day.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-56726968373685878132011-05-06T11:01:00.003-06:002011-05-06T13:34:10.752-06:00Mother's DayI have been instructed to not touch until Sunday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUnCqbKZp8ciecLIfAZk73QN4fDIE513hJBtJ0NE3AlFY-lMtkh08jysNPvbnunXnvHH5AddSpXBHxQqh4pEPBeuvv7dOSCJU8WtK6Hl-yrCIs1nsdVvHafAOjTHTqIqXPd951pOOYo7E/s1600/mothersday.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUnCqbKZp8ciecLIfAZk73QN4fDIE513hJBtJ0NE3AlFY-lMtkh08jysNPvbnunXnvHH5AddSpXBHxQqh4pEPBeuvv7dOSCJU8WtK6Hl-yrCIs1nsdVvHafAOjTHTqIqXPd951pOOYo7E/s320/mothersday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603649418204130066" border="0" /></a>I will obey.<br /><br />Garrett (6) came home from school with that beautiful gift yesterday. I can't wait to see what is inside!<br /><br />His teacher also assigned this journal entry earlier this week: Write a sentence about why your mother is so special.<br /><br />Garrett's response: My mom is speshel because my mom tegis (teaches) me the wrd (word) uv God.<br /><br />At least I am trying to do so. But when he tackles me and brings me to my knees in a fit of giggles, I believe I might be failing in the "Honor your Mother" department.<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-31010422331132800142011-05-02T12:00:00.003-06:002011-05-02T12:26:38.124-06:00Singing in the Home Depot Shower AisleWhile he and Garrett were at the Home Depot on Saturday, Rick sent me this text message and picture: "I thought it was something for singing in the shower."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczc_4qHSZHoWd1rxzx57BOCezr766_nIPEmSo6xPDyfnaNxfdjRvg33sWb5NwfbBdIwpZli0zi_M4CTOxOpy7nx5q-W3R2jxYwDidST8L4-3YFu90AW2genVs25Q5TJRd8Ecq3lX03H_8/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczc_4qHSZHoWd1rxzx57BOCezr766_nIPEmSo6xPDyfnaNxfdjRvg33sWb5NwfbBdIwpZli0zi_M4CTOxOpy7nx5q-W3R2jxYwDidST8L4-3YFu90AW2genVs25Q5TJRd8Ecq3lX03H_8/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602180424293337794" border="0" /></a>When they came home, I met Garrett at the door and asked, "Did you find a microphone for the shower?"<br /><br />My little guy said, "Yes!"<br /><br />I asked if he sang a song right there in the Home Depot, and he giggled.<br /><br />Kids are so funny.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-50823293056077487562011-04-27T13:03:00.001-06:002011-04-25T18:10:19.120-06:00Lil Ron Washington and Southwest AirlinesAbout three weeks ago, a producer called and asked if Lil Wash could help make a commercial for Southwest Airlines with the Rangers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLYGvoUz_LGCrstlir0WeHO4QNz1g1yLjgT8MyppPKhkJeRsmrNBCTEgiY_D2YBJBfDTuYWj_JLGWc-W8vmaysxIz9T-fVzKdTH4saC3i-wGghaWxsmTahiC8v1QX66rgbeSzDzGU0fyo/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLYGvoUz_LGCrstlir0WeHO4QNz1g1yLjgT8MyppPKhkJeRsmrNBCTEgiY_D2YBJBfDTuYWj_JLGWc-W8vmaysxIz9T-fVzKdTH4saC3i-wGghaWxsmTahiC8v1QX66rgbeSzDzGU0fyo/s320/DSC_0112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600879943275458" border="0" /></a>We agreed to pull him out of school for the afternoon in exchange for some tickets.<br /><br />Only one parent was allowed to follow Liam around for the commercial, and I think Rick realized that I would never, ever forgive him if he took our son out <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2010/11/lil-ron-world-series.html">onto the field again</a>, so he gave me the honors. It was another moment where I needed to pinch myself, as I watched my little boy walk around the field and perform for strangers with cameras.<br /><br />One of the producers walked him around to show him what he wanted Liam to do. Basically, they wanted him to be Ron Washington in his pregame mentality. So Liam put his finger over his mouth and looked deep in thought.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUXT6IPZ_S6u2PvP2hlc068OmMxR3MJVnRHnEe4aS4lyLIIp1zYdg822130gA7hWnsryNyfHdToL4r7JGK3vH2OJUoJsrz6xUkEKBCuJWhND-HQWgPDKTERJbuR4GzAaaD_PNv6h8UZOY/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUXT6IPZ_S6u2PvP2hlc068OmMxR3MJVnRHnEe4aS4lyLIIp1zYdg822130gA7hWnsryNyfHdToL4r7JGK3vH2OJUoJsrz6xUkEKBCuJWhND-HQWgPDKTERJbuR4GzAaaD_PNv6h8UZOY/s320/DSC_0093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600823646898386" border="0" /></a>He's very good at looking pensive.<br /><br />The producer said, "He's a natural, and he takes direction so well. I think you should put him in acting classes soon!"<br /><br />I think we'll stick to baseball and Halloween costumes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAyaxCJWRiw7Lc1RutyfdavyqxRf7q8iln7mK0_J7ITJ22yP0dtPi-PgGmDPsIGK5cLGmjlKpk2wbP-9YgOVlZPMz9Qfxce3WfPByT7YMaNO_CJT8ALq5TtPAWmbin_HTiUE6cZ5HKgGB/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAyaxCJWRiw7Lc1RutyfdavyqxRf7q8iln7mK0_J7ITJ22yP0dtPi-PgGmDPsIGK5cLGmjlKpk2wbP-9YgOVlZPMz9Qfxce3WfPByT7YMaNO_CJT8ALq5TtPAWmbin_HTiUE6cZ5HKgGB/s320/DSC_0107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600762056761890" border="0" /></a>Part of Liam's role was to "interview" Nolan Ryan, but we had some time before he came down. While we waited, we sat on Wash's bench and enjoyed the view.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ85Wl6MEeJ6VgTsGZA-RUHGWdTjstC6YR0jLfoNBElQNyHZpZ9i7Xu0TUAkGIMaiv21XOlco7dBaxWNHbPyvzRnWKBQqRxm3YF0GxMqqdl0q7zBONivD6IsVcSVzBXpGlOrHibFb7TeWD/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ85Wl6MEeJ6VgTsGZA-RUHGWdTjstC6YR0jLfoNBElQNyHZpZ9i7Xu0TUAkGIMaiv21XOlco7dBaxWNHbPyvzRnWKBQqRxm3YF0GxMqqdl0q7zBONivD6IsVcSVzBXpGlOrHibFb7TeWD/s320/DSC_0133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600702369723842" border="0" /></a>Liam also found the stash of sunflower seeds, so he picked a packet for himself. One of the security men noticed that Liam chose Ranch flavor and said, "That's Ron Washington's favorite flavor." Who knew?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGE4c0Au7jXErVNtngOtI5YGCgHaE_31VZl1aBvfzCLAX7DjkWpyD8OcUR8DYw-N9kVdJ-pwchcLdaBjq9JHmA2PaxUYinMvx-V1h7CXQjJgs-fjaYBsyg3BnQjVfuyCJ4sTqtwKsvwV3/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGE4c0Au7jXErVNtngOtI5YGCgHaE_31VZl1aBvfzCLAX7DjkWpyD8OcUR8DYw-N9kVdJ-pwchcLdaBjq9JHmA2PaxUYinMvx-V1h7CXQjJgs-fjaYBsyg3BnQjVfuyCJ4sTqtwKsvwV3/s320/DSC_0135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600645575129938" border="0" /></a>It was about this time that we noticed where Rick and Garrett were sitting. (Jackson chose to go home with his grandmother instead.) We waved at Daddy and G.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVl2kNKSKoxoTOWDkhrh0PdWcB_bbzNn-zj3eyJ_X0RwoFM1ijkxJVoS9MnBndsuPTthyC-mPVUQrPMa4G1C62raw5ZVh5tZV_raxFuIwpEu_3G2W0l8dpiwXDt2MFhVptxfjV8mfg1wP/s1600/DSC_0136.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVl2kNKSKoxoTOWDkhrh0PdWcB_bbzNn-zj3eyJ_X0RwoFM1ijkxJVoS9MnBndsuPTthyC-mPVUQrPMa4G1C62raw5ZVh5tZV_raxFuIwpEu_3G2W0l8dpiwXDt2MFhVptxfjV8mfg1wP/s320/DSC_0136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600590098583442" border="0" /></a>If you close one eye and maybe stick out your tongue and then look to the left of the ESPN sign, you might see two blue spots. Those would be our people.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-om9CNBS-skCW5y_AAYeTuRau3ZKzhQR5UxLYDyKNzfH6y0o2nd4__gd97KaBhgtmtyghGXToQmEMryGkLFDBGCv0MQlxPSFUhnXNkOMRoHJHx_dKva0pWcfQKM44eh-VkDRvZaG7WY8/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-om9CNBS-skCW5y_AAYeTuRau3ZKzhQR5UxLYDyKNzfH6y0o2nd4__gd97KaBhgtmtyghGXToQmEMryGkLFDBGCv0MQlxPSFUhnXNkOMRoHJHx_dKva0pWcfQKM44eh-VkDRvZaG7WY8/s320/DSC_0096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600529799673458" border="0" /></a>Our waiting continued, but I got this fun pic. He's sitting in Ron Washington's spot, chewing Ranch sunflower seeds, watching the players warm up. Classic.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKLkjp5fYtAQuoAHxVRpQz9p0qtJpMqs4R_H-D3gs8Xy01OMEp2-Xtpxb76SauPjpP0l6TkkA2Rg_NPXtjqIYHnnXDnPyFPRRkQMNmD6z7K6wot6TsvxJ-Y9pBN7mz8OlhtSgnWkn8IKV/s1600/DSC_0145.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKLkjp5fYtAQuoAHxVRpQz9p0qtJpMqs4R_H-D3gs8Xy01OMEp2-Xtpxb76SauPjpP0l6TkkA2Rg_NPXtjqIYHnnXDnPyFPRRkQMNmD6z7K6wot6TsvxJ-Y9pBN7mz8OlhtSgnWkn8IKV/s320/DSC_0145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600458997486242" border="0" /></a>We were also able to get some fun autographs. Jackie Moore here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQYWPMtjViZIqrwZf196oYCb0TOE_wI4zfgnIIwB75eI7Sk4Y7wsF5XVWGSJaQhrBalrWLrCVUksZb6VatujsQN-7hBT3fnYYCo9FmTSeSZSM9EoyGdz_b3YFktJRJx8XsST3fH1n6imE/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQYWPMtjViZIqrwZf196oYCb0TOE_wI4zfgnIIwB75eI7Sk4Y7wsF5XVWGSJaQhrBalrWLrCVUksZb6VatujsQN-7hBT3fnYYCo9FmTSeSZSM9EoyGdz_b3YFktJRJx8XsST3fH1n6imE/s320/DSC_0149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600344798183090" border="0" /></a>Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, David Murphy to name a few others.<br /><br />Mr. Ryan came down, and Liam talked to him quite a while. I have no idea what they said to each other, since I couldn't hear them. And when we ask Liam what he and Mr. Ryan talked about, he shrugs his shoulders.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxaVBg1583AAlAethI8qmW68P3hDXLHgmpgA5sNREzQKMuW-y-sliIYb-L0NnDjn_xyxDURJCXhXrgji4hWw-5t75RopBsczfuP8LXmh-AJJDvov-2Yz9SxRbc_rXv9f9mt0ZVvQ8Q4AQ/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxaVBg1583AAlAethI8qmW68P3hDXLHgmpgA5sNREzQKMuW-y-sliIYb-L0NnDjn_xyxDURJCXhXrgji4hWw-5t75RopBsczfuP8LXmh-AJJDvov-2Yz9SxRbc_rXv9f9mt0ZVvQ8Q4AQ/s320/DSC_0150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600283060727346" border="0" /></a>It's all in a day's work, and he just can't seem to remember all of the details.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I was busy taking pictures of Michael Young, who stood 5 feet away from me and practiced his swing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdAnmy3OfrxgPRckJtM7iw81N-pfMetYV7DjQDMKyJN4qsvS-X_UsLf7WJmb2Xtuf-Dvl7055nKyi5bVwkyLF5U_Pl0PtlXNZw4XPcMpLa-hYzABvJ1hmbIVY9f78dUPCO7hJz22riIHC/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdAnmy3OfrxgPRckJtM7iw81N-pfMetYV7DjQDMKyJN4qsvS-X_UsLf7WJmb2Xtuf-Dvl7055nKyi5bVwkyLF5U_Pl0PtlXNZw4XPcMpLa-hYzABvJ1hmbIVY9f78dUPCO7hJz22riIHC/s320/DSC_0148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600223895072706" border="0" /></a>He pretended to not notice me.<br /><br />But Captain did notice us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjhm3Xr8yT65S77THFNIXDkq51wCR_CHCDsFqm344RdO2xGEvKuSyHAxH3eoGWjdR3y0HWpZLgYNP0mLUKqWTPwV0fCYUEeK7HSw7kduzogjYKQnbP85ee5iaO-FDYiInYOpb_L5zTzjb/s1600/DSC_0158.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjhm3Xr8yT65S77THFNIXDkq51wCR_CHCDsFqm344RdO2xGEvKuSyHAxH3eoGWjdR3y0HWpZLgYNP0mLUKqWTPwV0fCYUEeK7HSw7kduzogjYKQnbP85ee5iaO-FDYiInYOpb_L5zTzjb/s320/DSC_0158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600164046544498" border="0" /></a>And so did THE Wash.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjFHgIPk1kzhHD0Rwi8dfZi3P2zaeENA8C2YvqOywx3MMdoGfLUlrnx4jXLlajUfIQhhKSSUBr_gtEIXzpQMdOpAU0V-9QwHr4TKXcEAqZeYW99kuogybGguS6g9uzq8pMPTkMyZLR4Zv/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjFHgIPk1kzhHD0Rwi8dfZi3P2zaeENA8C2YvqOywx3MMdoGfLUlrnx4jXLlajUfIQhhKSSUBr_gtEIXzpQMdOpAU0V-9QwHr4TKXcEAqZeYW99kuogybGguS6g9uzq8pMPTkMyZLR4Zv/s320/DSC_0165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599600044893773458" border="0" /></a>Once again, he was most gracious to us. He signed the boys' balls and took time to really talk to us. He seems genuinely interested in Liam.<br /><br />As we were leaving the dugout, I told Wash, "We're so pleased with the Rangers' start to the season." He said, "Oh, thank you. I hope we can keep it up." Me too, me too.<br /><br />(By the way, Liam's mustache is horribly <span style="font-style: italic;">off</span>. Do you know how hard it is to find a variety of mustaches around Easter?)<br /><br />If you fly Southwest Airlines, look for Liam's commercial. He's helping them to promote their new in-flight WiFi program.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-75812190167441170532011-04-25T12:15:00.007-06:002011-04-25T13:00:41.603-06:00Turning Eight8 years ago today, we received the phone call announcing that a peanut had been born for us. Even though we couldn't see him for five days, we were in love and beyond excited.<br /><br />Now, I can hardly remember what life was like without my Liam.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDDpQWNkWiYhSXO-56vFTPRKp5cMpgk0H04Edx65q9pE49t0QmmZ4aDZ_ock1Lcaymqf-l4xBrfYb_UFydCDpwdqaT83o_gzFL1qOu07h2eOLDYBUfBhyphenhyphenJlkmC5sGz1XocscfjZGuKfwc/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDDpQWNkWiYhSXO-56vFTPRKp5cMpgk0H04Edx65q9pE49t0QmmZ4aDZ_ock1Lcaymqf-l4xBrfYb_UFydCDpwdqaT83o_gzFL1qOu07h2eOLDYBUfBhyphenhyphenJlkmC5sGz1XocscfjZGuKfwc/s320/DSC_0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599588058770232114" border="0" /></a>We began celebrating yesterday, and it was his turn to be beyond excited. He could hardly hold himself together in church. All he could think about was the cake, the CAKE.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFGx6xMZVJ8-PWVljihhes5oqrYP9Crx4J68k6Zo4VctQWmwS2MXhyphenhyphen4ozgzVV2vlOxTXfbHc03hORZ1vG5Ao4NHz6XOoMdEDhmPXnHTKyzwzRc7xMjBgCyIypwSYegTsjKucHSfUAuzU5/s1600/DSC_0040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFGx6xMZVJ8-PWVljihhes5oqrYP9Crx4J68k6Zo4VctQWmwS2MXhyphenhyphen4ozgzVV2vlOxTXfbHc03hORZ1vG5Ao4NHz6XOoMdEDhmPXnHTKyzwzRc7xMjBgCyIypwSYegTsjKucHSfUAuzU5/s320/DSC_0040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599588007078674258" border="0" /></a>And the CAKE did not disappoint.<br /><br />This little character...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9FV1F771tTO-iJHaVTV5BCQz-yXdBycPP2w6CRBk2dyoYAAWu8jmrjCXzoAfO3IdzdJdlnJB5GmM0XCQTmaT2Dfer3bwXy2vPP-d14VcYZiQqV1VAiX0pAWoYK60oUbzgjnEVMpDjc18/s1600/DSC_0042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9FV1F771tTO-iJHaVTV5BCQz-yXdBycPP2w6CRBk2dyoYAAWu8jmrjCXzoAfO3IdzdJdlnJB5GmM0XCQTmaT2Dfer3bwXy2vPP-d14VcYZiQqV1VAiX0pAWoYK60oUbzgjnEVMpDjc18/s320/DSC_0042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599587949508582450" border="0" /></a>where did we get him?<br /><br />And this one...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpMPQDqH1Asr3SgItv_wvGd-jFySXaMqDfBlH8jgGWws7xBw_owp_J1ouf2DSlIzuuRLdMI2KEiRU8jbBJWO4GPNpl8B5cYm7Wo2aSwHjnhaq2J3MAji9SubI9QomRO3-0JalFFeubBhj/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpMPQDqH1Asr3SgItv_wvGd-jFySXaMqDfBlH8jgGWws7xBw_owp_J1ouf2DSlIzuuRLdMI2KEiRU8jbBJWO4GPNpl8B5cYm7Wo2aSwHjnhaq2J3MAji9SubI9QomRO3-0JalFFeubBhj/s320/DSC_0044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599587880757864642" border="0" /></a>don't let either one of them fool you into believing they're all that. Cuz they'll tell you they're all that and MORE.<br /><br />As part of his birthday/Easter celebration, Liam asked for an Easter egg hunt. I was surprised he didn't think he was too old for that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbCpzmhgW6FKvnqiH8tdJIGJpqJlbLJ2EfsoVr1328-fCZoD-vfBqILK1BNvuFidNCxy3dhQ8WNI05cGdvtIN4xmUGVW62Cb9P3d0qmVvYRgkj4m6S2ioY1X6SpGos08psQtibqagNBJi/s1600/DSC_0046.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbCpzmhgW6FKvnqiH8tdJIGJpqJlbLJ2EfsoVr1328-fCZoD-vfBqILK1BNvuFidNCxy3dhQ8WNI05cGdvtIN4xmUGVW62Cb9P3d0qmVvYRgkj4m6S2ioY1X6SpGos08psQtibqagNBJi/s320/DSC_0046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599587813763368978" border="0" /></a>More sugar. Oh yea.<br /><br />This morning, he asked for his usual breakfast of warm granola and chocolate milk. He's so easy to please.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq9uvACigUf7JYUAt0LPGnjlwcVzRGzNgV1PD-TaV9z_r_39_V8hjXhoVBMvznCmOlyZCKwbt5JJOjtLeDsdojLjDFeVTBXxbC17brkzo3XGEczw8vBaa67UEcIDKMUirKHp7MMHoPZrQ/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq9uvACigUf7JYUAt0LPGnjlwcVzRGzNgV1PD-TaV9z_r_39_V8hjXhoVBMvznCmOlyZCKwbt5JJOjtLeDsdojLjDFeVTBXxbC17brkzo3XGEczw8vBaa67UEcIDKMUirKHp7MMHoPZrQ/s320/DSC_0047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599587761029708242" border="0" /></a>Chocolate cupcakes for his classmates...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3rKIvAM0BiHmJGBAnrnKfhVVzd9o0aJq9OjGPRfaovuJhx1vMzPnyhV7KHlG4ukoVqJZeDW53cvpxS4GQCSkmYD0K8nSTBiPbYmTpEnwuEHzeTZupk2KEAkmwSR60Fd9CouxIn8G-3qs/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3rKIvAM0BiHmJGBAnrnKfhVVzd9o0aJq9OjGPRfaovuJhx1vMzPnyhV7KHlG4ukoVqJZeDW53cvpxS4GQCSkmYD0K8nSTBiPbYmTpEnwuEHzeTZupk2KEAkmwSR60Fd9CouxIn8G-3qs/s320/DSC_0051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599587672883102834" border="0" /></a>and playing his own baseball game tonight will top off the day.<br /><br />Liam, I am so proud to be called your mom. You are kind and compassionate and growing up to be such a fun young man. I love you, Peanut.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-24772426466252378132011-04-19T11:46:00.008-06:002011-04-19T13:01:59.802-06:00Making a Case for the Abandoned BlogI've had a few friends ask if I'm okay, since the blog has been abandoned. I'm fine, thanks for asking. I'm just a baseball mom, and that's the way baseball go.<br /><br />Garrett is playing for the Angels this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP1gwjXv0eMg5-YPG_dMe-kaBv_P9iTij7irntB8VZzQzvQJaOk5xmT8kAbcziDxr_eXS7AI5vU3TDCn7lQkvVJmFe2LzTArALTesfwYf0i6_3Y1o_U8d0xO3l8oKpKlhjNjb7DL4x3RJ/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP1gwjXv0eMg5-YPG_dMe-kaBv_P9iTij7irntB8VZzQzvQJaOk5xmT8kAbcziDxr_eXS7AI5vU3TDCn7lQkvVJmFe2LzTArALTesfwYf0i6_3Y1o_U8d0xO3l8oKpKlhjNjb7DL4x3RJ/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597358849672142146" border="0" /></a>He is an angel in real life <span style="font-style: italic;">most of the time</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ahem</span>.<br /><br />He's loving the sport even more this year, and I think he has big aspirations for MLB someday. The MLB may want to remember him. My only request, MLB, is that you allow him to live with his mommy forever, because I'm not sure he and I will be able to part EVER. Furthermore, MLB, he's quite the leftie and making many plays this year. His favorite positions are pitcher, catcher, and 1st base. I may be biased as his mommy, but he's the best little Angel out there.<br /><br />Liam is a Dirtbag again this year. Of course, he's still loving the sport. He's enjoying 1st, 2nd, and left field this year. His hitting is improving by the day, and we're anxiously awaiting his first official homerun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK06bo-YD4sSFGpneqN_nm9GkXuMzetU4NU1saVotr8g2k9ZzStIkLnekVh9vWeloZ-db0IJIqAuAwuMnju4HxxAlg4f3CCJczr6rDomk_j0FjTJChuBLs2IqnqdpR7mlLiLoThEfNO19/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK06bo-YD4sSFGpneqN_nm9GkXuMzetU4NU1saVotr8g2k9ZzStIkLnekVh9vWeloZ-db0IJIqAuAwuMnju4HxxAlg4f3CCJczr6rDomk_j0FjTJChuBLs2IqnqdpR7mlLiLoThEfNO19/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597358459631695282" border="0" /></a>It might appear that he is crying in the above photo, but rest assured that we have taught him <span style="font-style: italic;">there are no tears in baseball</span>. Instead, he decided to use eye black to paint his number (14) on his cheeks for the first game.<br /><br />Jackson, if you'll remember, chose Jiu Jitsu over baseball this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr5_S8VT6E9nAUgDz8pKelbzlLOkqa33Vaw48d4LlZJEonqyc46-GzQQeSa1VaXaLZqG03tUln-UOxtXEEHfSzLRykl0qxViIsnhmckr6nCU6CO8XEf0bAcoLqzkRWBxImSIzLFwC0fFK/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr5_S8VT6E9nAUgDz8pKelbzlLOkqa33Vaw48d4LlZJEonqyc46-GzQQeSa1VaXaLZqG03tUln-UOxtXEEHfSzLRykl0qxViIsnhmckr6nCU6CO8XEf0bAcoLqzkRWBxImSIzLFwC0fFK/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597358685402526770" border="0" /></a>However, two weeks into baseball season, he was regretting his decision. Raise your hand if you could see that coming.<br /><br />Yea, I know. I saw it, too, but we needed to let him try something new. But just last week, he told me that he didn't really think he would miss Jiu Jitsu, so I pulled him out immediately. Why waste the time and money? Guess who will be playing fall baseball?<br /><br />Baseball is not the only culprit for the chaos in our home. About 3 weeks ago, this photo jumped onto my cell phone, and I have no idea how this happened, but we have a new puppy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHusTrdsoYXip4NbnBwb1-FQEpnbY6HijTh4DN0aLqtIMTeCbs_bJzxmlpQEIHhUAj61v1AT82kcIiu-o9yNOkDPKoKk2DPQ2FhwWWd8ZRswSkVgu8t84ri2a_x6oWwh3KudkpBhSpyXc/s1600/IMAG0270.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHusTrdsoYXip4NbnBwb1-FQEpnbY6HijTh4DN0aLqtIMTeCbs_bJzxmlpQEIHhUAj61v1AT82kcIiu-o9yNOkDPKoKk2DPQ2FhwWWd8ZRswSkVgu8t84ri2a_x6oWwh3KudkpBhSpyXc/s320/IMAG0270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597358263497329122" border="0" /></a>If I blink away the fog in my mind, I seem to remember a conversation between Rick, Liam and myself. It went something like this:<br />Liam: Mommy, I love dogs. Can I have a chocolate lab?<br />Me: WHAT?!?! NO!<br />Rick: Mommy, hear him out.<br />Liam: Mommy, Winston loves you and follows you around. I want a dog that loves me and follows me and sleeps with me.<br />Me: Liam, we have a dog. Yes, Winston prefers me, but we don't need another dog. We are too busy with baseball and school, and two dogs are hard to travel with. Winston is the perfect dog...small, playful, loving.<br />Rick: Mommy, he's an animal lover just like you. How can you deny him? This would be a great way for him to learn some new responsibilities.<br /><br />Yadda, yadda, yadda.<br /><br />I kept saying no, but we somehow wound up with a chocolate lab that Jackson named "Marshall".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX1_MagBLUiSfnyN9ULHfn8HEjWPAwpcppzrbBA0i1IN4kojxApBIbKDe65LQoDZTzA_TM2V1WsyWqzAc0lGZeAYbG6wNM1Rvl4l0rditxg8sWJYpLiqdqXonYNjCQaVjhyphenhyphen2ju6RbY8m5/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX1_MagBLUiSfnyN9ULHfn8HEjWPAwpcppzrbBA0i1IN4kojxApBIbKDe65LQoDZTzA_TM2V1WsyWqzAc0lGZeAYbG6wNM1Rvl4l0rditxg8sWJYpLiqdqXonYNjCQaVjhyphenhyphen2ju6RbY8m5/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597358079645167074" border="0" /></a>Yes, he's cute and all that. And the boys, especially Liam and Garrett, love him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT_yORFE7M7pPZNbNqK9Z18G2PtNWjR_w8AhSC2oIkKsCd3LQvriKtQmsoLPMa_3-Tp97tKPek3tvWmvWhMd02N2kLDbi__Jm_j2MDCV6xvCqWqHOo0XXPJN1oll0nXII39GqkA63OYAC/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT_yORFE7M7pPZNbNqK9Z18G2PtNWjR_w8AhSC2oIkKsCd3LQvriKtQmsoLPMa_3-Tp97tKPek3tvWmvWhMd02N2kLDbi__Jm_j2MDCV6xvCqWqHOo0XXPJN1oll0nXII39GqkA63OYAC/s320/DSC_0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597357799082373842" border="0" /></a>No, he doesn't sleep with Liam, because he's still waking SOMEONE up at 2am for a potty break. That <span style="font-style: italic;">someone</span> would not be the two males that begged for him. (Now, Rick will pipe in here to say that he helps sometimes, but you and I know that I'm the one getting up MOST nights with the little darling.)<br /><br />Cute?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln3-Am1PGoNgE6IsS-Q0jtyzgWsGQ0wFK2gjAs2l-UjrbCUIkB9Ys9lX8mCZilQWgofrAKPp1zRVq4tEEs5DlREabTDqEKiEOlwpQGHZpe99wSLTWS30k5zKVGrYJXRxhBgUqYQOxtxPU/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln3-Am1PGoNgE6IsS-Q0jtyzgWsGQ0wFK2gjAs2l-UjrbCUIkB9Ys9lX8mCZilQWgofrAKPp1zRVq4tEEs5DlREabTDqEKiEOlwpQGHZpe99wSLTWS30k5zKVGrYJXRxhBgUqYQOxtxPU/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597357563380132786" border="0" /></a>Yes, cute.<br /><br />Is he loved? Yes. Is he a lot of work? YES. Is anyone regretting this decision? Yes, but they will remain nameless and work with him to make him a well-behaved member of the family. <br /><br />So now, this busy family takes a puppy and his bag of chew toys to every game.<br /><br />I must run and take my new sidekick on a potty run. I'll be back with a Lil Ron update.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-83217777202401783882011-03-08T08:32:00.004-06:002011-03-08T08:43:56.639-06:00Jackson's MathAs we drove home from an eye appointment yesterday, the boys were talking about how many kids are in different families around us. "So and so have 3, so and so have 2, so and so have 5,...."<br /><br />I simply listened and didn't add anything to the conversation.<br /><br />Suddenly Jackson became very animated. "Mommy, we only have <span style="font-style: italic;">boys</span> in our family! That's not fair to you," he exclaimed.<br /><br />I laughed and asked, "What do you mean?"<br /><br />"You're the only girl in our family. That's not fair. We need four girls to make it even."<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Four</span>," I asked for clarification.<br /><br />"Yes, four. Because Daddy has 4 boys and you need 4 girls."<br /><br />I guess he's counting Winston as one of Daddy's boys. It's either that or we need to work on JMan's counting skills.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-59956931251506995282011-03-01T18:48:00.000-06:002011-03-01T18:48:00.615-06:00He Doesn't ListenLiam has not been listening to me.<br /><br />I keep telling him to stop growing up.<br /><br />He laughs and does it anyway.<br /><br />For instance, just last week, he moved from glasses to contacts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxVkmak-BxklxrFgsM4BLVcyrCb-X90AVclFytXIWgorNp6dfintG3eqrzjucIZQAYpyEuLAcNnPjVilehp0HgVlLgaTkVK0Ab6CX4RcCdE_vaNS6wDFpkzTJHhfO5jBViNp_U5y5-mR5/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxVkmak-BxklxrFgsM4BLVcyrCb-X90AVclFytXIWgorNp6dfintG3eqrzjucIZQAYpyEuLAcNnPjVilehp0HgVlLgaTkVK0Ab6CX4RcCdE_vaNS6wDFpkzTJHhfO5jBViNp_U5y5-mR5/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578938289863501170" border="0" /></a>And he immediately looked two years older.<br /><br />At 7 1/2, he's quite young to be in contacts, but his vision has come a loooong way in 3 1/2 years. At the age of 4, we discovered that he was legally blind in his left eye due to amblyopia. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to get his eyes to work as a team. He's now seeing 20/25 with correction, which is almost unheard of for the severity of his condition. As a result of such a huge success, our doctor believes that a contact on his left eye is the best way to hold his vision at such a healthy stage.<br /><br />The downside...he looks almost ten. The upside...I get to see his good-lookin' eyes.<br /><br />Liam, are you listening to me? Stop that growing up, young man! Just stop it now!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-33837540973921896052011-02-28T14:23:00.007-06:002011-02-28T20:48:42.731-06:00He's All ThatOur middle man, Jackson, is <span style="font-style: italic;">all boy.</span> Actually, ALL of my boys are <span style="font-style: italic;">all boy</span>. But Jackson is <span style="font-style: italic;">ALL BOY.</span><br /><br />He's rough. He's wild. He's impulsive. He's a mess. He's funny. He's cute. He knows it.<br /><br />We've wondered for some time if martial arts might be a good sport for him, since the field touts the teaching of focus, respect, and self-control. In January, we asked JMan if he would like to skip baseball this Spring and try Jiu Jitsu instead.<br /><br />He was on board as soon as he realized he would have a "costume like karate people".<br /><br />That would be a <span style="font-style: italic;">uniform</span>, and it's called a Gi (gee).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjOwmZSWCFHcQSvoBemmdeuqFgbK0jV32Z-WidRw3xv845BQUK34HlNPUOU_-1_BG3_TfRZWhPpqWn2ajlMxy58B5hvO4R9xXPNRA17g_MUcqO7MWaG6HSwoRUZIZ1QPtLq-3jUY0bbNr/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjOwmZSWCFHcQSvoBemmdeuqFgbK0jV32Z-WidRw3xv845BQUK34HlNPUOU_-1_BG3_TfRZWhPpqWn2ajlMxy58B5hvO4R9xXPNRA17g_MUcqO7MWaG6HSwoRUZIZ1QPtLq-3jUY0bbNr/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578839522558696850" border="0" /></a>Rick told Jackson to "show the camera a move", and this is what we got:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX27cwVLJGa8aIeZlq4qSKR68c5WhyphenhyphenMaE6zBULkoQu_Uv0CVndxI01yxC1rmW8vfC_ZTXza8BVTgz0YuRc2fo5KximZJ8phMlnib9iPKX5qVM0dy-exycLZR1S4VEq6MmOVvFF9M-OVyC/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX27cwVLJGa8aIeZlq4qSKR68c5WhyphenhyphenMaE6zBULkoQu_Uv0CVndxI01yxC1rmW8vfC_ZTXza8BVTgz0YuRc2fo5KximZJ8phMlnib9iPKX5qVM0dy-exycLZR1S4VEq6MmOVvFF9M-OVyC/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578839472763594194" border="0" /></a>That's not exactly a Jiu Jitsu skill. And neither is this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM1wBfxdTKZKnDG7yG0IQ6XpFepX-MNyow6jwGXDITuNHtuaUBk9RBEiYlzKVmPICCEKsGOZUCGCJOclq-WYTYBNc9Eqsi2PUgDoWxlX88mQItvQQEW7JY2X2Gfj8QJQ2lGv45eSIRTJk/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM1wBfxdTKZKnDG7yG0IQ6XpFepX-MNyow6jwGXDITuNHtuaUBk9RBEiYlzKVmPICCEKsGOZUCGCJOclq-WYTYBNc9Eqsi2PUgDoWxlX88mQItvQQEW7JY2X2Gfj8QJQ2lGv45eSIRTJk/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578839426700544338" border="0" /></a>But we are pleased with what he's learning. After only two months, he's gained three stripes on his belt for the skills he's gained. Take down is his favorite move so far. He's also getting stronger. He can give us 10 properly formed push ups now, which is a big improvement over the zero he could do before.<br /><br />We would love to see him really succeed in this sport. Who knows? Maybe he'll even compete at some point. If nothing else, he'll be able to defend himself if/when the need arises.<br /><br />In other news, he recently lost his fifth tooth and his two front teeth are finally peeking through the gums.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUyaEIMX4T_tpDIbr1C_JF7jCfn7sjmOaCk4aRaOlu0NLvxCIve091ho2SAwZIRLTevpn7lO84rbNv4qjb9nVLCF8mLof48qvSLwV_o4BavGIPnKxNnhwoTUnNkAhHeDp8qFdleIzgRT1/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUyaEIMX4T_tpDIbr1C_JF7jCfn7sjmOaCk4aRaOlu0NLvxCIve091ho2SAwZIRLTevpn7lO84rbNv4qjb9nVLCF8mLof48qvSLwV_o4BavGIPnKxNnhwoTUnNkAhHeDp8qFdleIzgRT1/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578839368039643906" border="0" /></a>Cute little toothless stinker, he is. <br /><br />I better be careful what I call him. He might be able to take me down soon.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-1313198693713239632011-02-27T20:04:00.010-06:002011-02-27T21:49:22.972-06:00Lil Ron Washington Takes on the OscarsWhile many Americans are watching actors and actresses receive their Oscars, I'd rather talk about my <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/02/funnies.html">actor</a>, <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2010/10/lil-ron-washington.html">Lil</a> <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2010/10/im-awake-early-for-saturday-morning.html">Ron</a> <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2010/11/lil-ron-world-series.html">Wash</a><a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2010/11/lil-ron-rallies.html">ington.</a><br /><br />A local station (KTXA Channel 21) called a couple of weeks ago and asked if Liam would be available to make a promo commercial for their Friday night Rangers' show.<br /><br />After I said he could participate, the producer's next question was, "More importantly, what does his hair look like right now?" Liam's hair was needing a shave at the time, so we were in business.<br /><br />Shaved head + glasses + Rangers' shirt + mustache = Lil Ron Washington<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYkQBcXBYgJMPVRdx_4Q_agAGDx9n3EHi38mEOyQuzZTAPwH7PecRiIIYOuN3KxaaKFk47AndMvqIj2v77BbJ_GD245p992CunrPKW8auwz3yVwi3PpRA2rZvOEmjyaQLxtciAQ9jEoTH/s1600/DSC_0067.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYkQBcXBYgJMPVRdx_4Q_agAGDx9n3EHi38mEOyQuzZTAPwH7PecRiIIYOuN3KxaaKFk47AndMvqIj2v77BbJ_GD245p992CunrPKW8auwz3yVwi3PpRA2rZvOEmjyaQLxtciAQ9jEoTH/s320/DSC_0067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562750037789922" border="0" /></a>The taping took place at <a href="http://studios121.com/">Studios 121</a>, which is a very nice studio. I'm not exactly experienced in studios, but it was a pleasant experience, nonetheless. <br /><br />The producer had our specific studio painted in red/white/blue stripes. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDh9Rnl-i4z3nsbSr5UI_idj3UwzzKteB8eSU6grQefZ8sno-USvGOv4v_5v9rQXG3TEKCFYJOS6DXqYt3_nizrABH-jrRqja4ozkQkVto3WyPpToArcvkiJnx4WrxFwDGdqrARB3WoGn/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDh9Rnl-i4z3nsbSr5UI_idj3UwzzKteB8eSU6grQefZ8sno-USvGOv4v_5v9rQXG3TEKCFYJOS6DXqYt3_nizrABH-jrRqja4ozkQkVto3WyPpToArcvkiJnx4WrxFwDGdqrARB3WoGn/s320/DSC_0069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562695184838242" border="0" /></a>Before beginning the official taping, Liam ran around and made himself quite at home. It might have been the stripes that made him delusional. But if you'll spend two minutes staring at those stripes, you, too, might feel the need to run around like a wild animal.<br /><br />Originally, Liam wasn't expected to have any lines, but once he made it clear that shyness wasn't going to be an issue, the producer gave him some lines to try.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAn3TT8cvfYg1ZfxvoKBm6aADCUytWzeLloAvzP7LarKEPlDXv3_knvSVZ2Cu-zogVZeOOSxj5sXqawaSUzBEUfdj4CasYw4UbgwxNsAL03cBUITwNtBFgB129_o5yQNeKIqrQmoSodIk/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAn3TT8cvfYg1ZfxvoKBm6aADCUytWzeLloAvzP7LarKEPlDXv3_knvSVZ2Cu-zogVZeOOSxj5sXqawaSUzBEUfdj4CasYw4UbgwxNsAL03cBUITwNtBFgB129_o5yQNeKIqrQmoSodIk/s320/DSC_0070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562599303109394" border="0" /></a>His lines were: I believe in Ron Washington. I believe in the Texas Rangers. I believe in spring training. I believe in KTXA 21.<br /><br />Sometimes he sat. <br /><br />Sometimes he stood with his hands on his hips.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW05HMycLxsnDXq6XTYRRJnAGjHqxMuSIJmAqdQvvh7I_j1o7AeYhJHzEDXNZYScbydlwcl5PG0YQzhWBp6ypjuBE4r_LVO7dx0kZWUUVcTRIIuB-ITmD3Q32STUGnPeEvTK7otMBm2Zt/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW05HMycLxsnDXq6XTYRRJnAGjHqxMuSIJmAqdQvvh7I_j1o7AeYhJHzEDXNZYScbydlwcl5PG0YQzhWBp6ypjuBE4r_LVO7dx0kZWUUVcTRIIuB-ITmD3Q32STUGnPeEvTK7otMBm2Zt/s320/DSC_0071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562536679452786" border="0" /></a>But no matter what he was told to do, he looked the part. And, yes, my boy deserves an Oscar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AXKcjRsM8jTq9mPUbQ_gSdp63nKR4xUr38rrgeyxNBlk3tVIbb7j64pzGcgYpx4dMCLsHw70TQiuAyE3odLbzZp-s_gObTW99Ud03795fm5oYdnJboLigLw-0AOHfMjL_2m8pOVq0OfB/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AXKcjRsM8jTq9mPUbQ_gSdp63nKR4xUr38rrgeyxNBlk3tVIbb7j64pzGcgYpx4dMCLsHw70TQiuAyE3odLbzZp-s_gObTW99Ud03795fm5oYdnJboLigLw-0AOHfMjL_2m8pOVq0OfB/s320/DSC_0074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562475969972642" border="0" /></a>Once the producer called it a wrap, Liam began doing cart wheels for fun. Around and around and around he went.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDymAnNIzV0cz8CH9Aw4MuiYAIw2AIcU2hZ-zmw7Nz1EAC562K-pipC3KlmARhF28CTQo264lbRzNXAHa2kh5zIK1pO2HaQNbOvI3f8mAmj-405X2eJa8DF6qw5ZN_WoUK-PYYJtBsdGAf/s1600/DSC_0079.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDymAnNIzV0cz8CH9Aw4MuiYAIw2AIcU2hZ-zmw7Nz1EAC562K-pipC3KlmARhF28CTQo264lbRzNXAHa2kh5zIK1pO2HaQNbOvI3f8mAmj-405X2eJa8DF6qw5ZN_WoUK-PYYJtBsdGAf/s320/DSC_0079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562346742016402" border="0" /></a>So the camera was turned on to catch my child's antics. And I followed his flips with my camera until I became dizzy.<br /><br />See...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr2s8hyphenhyphenwwA8mXMjZ7j_LO2sRqBvbk_rry2vG9_v9gHCepxX5Tzh5zrq9C_-nIlbwQfOjokiMDlz2JbEfTuPvDu7NbX00UGYAzUlVcr7HnEzW7tY1emySxOFNuuasDzFsyfw_PDyxzkLYh/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr2s8hyphenhyphenwwA8mXMjZ7j_LO2sRqBvbk_rry2vG9_v9gHCepxX5Tzh5zrq9C_-nIlbwQfOjokiMDlz2JbEfTuPvDu7NbX00UGYAzUlVcr7HnEzW7tY1emySxOFNuuasDzFsyfw_PDyxzkLYh/s320/DSC_0078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578562179622566274" border="0" /></a>Whoa! I feel a bit of vertigo just remembering it.<br /><br />Of course, I asked for our picture to be taken before we left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETytiIWKrG5HKlWzOFwc0xVH_PzCeHhNiIxvhdXnuGK1KaP_5ISWeOhqQmEPlJ1wSjqCBon6UBJRN2MagyRc0Tr8AvlyZOMX0Z4-wRTzExC3s7Lk1Zt2mcRVda5yePxPtZ-NLNtUnMi20/s1600/DSC_0081.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETytiIWKrG5HKlWzOFwc0xVH_PzCeHhNiIxvhdXnuGK1KaP_5ISWeOhqQmEPlJ1wSjqCBon6UBJRN2MagyRc0Tr8AvlyZOMX0Z4-wRTzExC3s7Lk1Zt2mcRVda5yePxPtZ-NLNtUnMi20/s320/DSC_0081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578560863092990882" border="0" /></a>(I wish I had stood up straight. I don't know why I sometimes feel the need to bend over in photos with my kids. One of these days, my boys will tower over me, so I need to learn to stand tall and proud while I can.)<br /><br />Anyway, Jackson was with us, since he had been sick the day before. He was perfectly fine within a few hours, but I follow the 24-hour school rule to the T (or is it tee?).<br /><br />Liam's commercial should begin airing locally next week. The producer spent last week in Arizona with the Rangers, and he'll be splicing the tape to put the two Rons together. Channel 21 may use different clips throughout the baseball season as well.<br /><br />Baseball season is upon us, and we're excited!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-8177166491924523842011-02-22T13:24:00.012-06:002011-02-22T14:40:00.329-06:00Dragging Out the 6 Year Old's BirthdayWell, hello. I'm the slacker blogger that belongs here. Life has just been getting in the way of blogging lately, and I'm actually surprised to see myself writing right now. I think I'm only here because my legs are SCREAMING at me to sit down.<br /><br />I thought I was all hot stuff on the treadmill this morning: "Oh, yea, I can push myself just another notch faster today. I'm feelin' great. I'm gettin' back in my workout groove. In fact, I'll just run an extra mile today. No problemo."<br /><br />Two hours later, my legs are <span style="font-style: italic;">kill.ing</span> me!<br /><br />A nice, relaxing, sitting down activity must be in order.<br /><br />So, my little G <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-baby-is-six.html">turned six</a> earlier this month during the ice storm that crippled our neighborhood for several days. Once the ice melted, we had the grandparents over for a family dinner.<br /><br />Garrett asked for an Aggie helmet cake, and who am I to disappoint our biggest fan?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-X8cn2j-qakBcfZJmf03ZzFIcXE2XK6cmt026lsjzaPGDXpPoOHspez5NFDaqWAIlNbHzFJ36JrwuXhj2RZ-8p8xZsPGH3s2rEWzSiLXGCnFktVZzXk-GUNkq5VyFv6KEwWipDi2LZ2Wg/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-X8cn2j-qakBcfZJmf03ZzFIcXE2XK6cmt026lsjzaPGDXpPoOHspez5NFDaqWAIlNbHzFJ36JrwuXhj2RZ-8p8xZsPGH3s2rEWzSiLXGCnFktVZzXk-GUNkq5VyFv6KEwWipDi2LZ2Wg/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576604189648509522" border="0" /></a>Why, yes, I made it myself!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoqREHP856mpfuaSWEuIkpM2qK7H4AUwkyeJn9tz_pA35wEo0JD7g7Ouw8Nc-HPzywJGyBkB4SVkVJRBpBXmLYb8i2-VVNtGODBR7G6mKgg5jA0JTZqxLc8hXz7idOHf9dC3mroMRFDKL/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoqREHP856mpfuaSWEuIkpM2qK7H4AUwkyeJn9tz_pA35wEo0JD7g7Ouw8Nc-HPzywJGyBkB4SVkVJRBpBXmLYb8i2-VVNtGODBR7G6mKgg5jA0JTZqxLc8hXz7idOHf9dC3mroMRFDKL/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576604137408759394" border="0" /></a>And if you believe that I could create something so incredibly cute and realistic, I have beach-front property to sell you.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i13SBzZ4HY8Bt-N83H8u10X_hiVo4QMCNYyyf09CICu06YXDposSAOUXJdMi7_9jM4dEqxAXcwFrIEHDNny5x64jycbKUp0S29FaJUl83PfZ8aOLUImZIkinTjB3QHRbM8mS4vXsJU-P/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i13SBzZ4HY8Bt-N83H8u10X_hiVo4QMCNYyyf09CICu06YXDposSAOUXJdMi7_9jM4dEqxAXcwFrIEHDNny5x64jycbKUp0S29FaJUl83PfZ8aOLUImZIkinTjB3QHRbM8mS4vXsJU-P/s320/DSC_0014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576604069254460530" border="0" /></a>No, if that job were left to me, I would have made a sheet cake and plopped Garrett's real Aggie helmet on top of it and called it a day.<br /><br />Instead, we called on our favorite babysitter, Jayden, to do the honors. And she did a fantabulous job!<br /><br />The little Aggie got his first nice bat from Daddy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVImsK0Eo6uRSnp7OJc1MbNt8_NFud1kjUcCD5Un5V-xNlcK7CPECp9WXEW_L-Ob2EZFjNa4o2b-8iWGz0zPI-z3LqesYK0jzFuejEhw5DYarCq9fDWj0l8yrY71W53WPrv0qX1RJzSOQ1/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVImsK0Eo6uRSnp7OJc1MbNt8_NFud1kjUcCD5Un5V-xNlcK7CPECp9WXEW_L-Ob2EZFjNa4o2b-8iWGz0zPI-z3LqesYK0jzFuejEhw5DYarCq9fDWj0l8yrY71W53WPrv0qX1RJzSOQ1/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603993657414466" border="0" /></a>No cheap bat will do for this 6 year old who practices with his big brother's 8 year old team.<br /><br />After opening gifts, the boys asked to play Markio Kart on the Wii, and Rick thought it would be fun to see his dad play with them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDTr5zzKT2B1cBjtY0hFfFyowly5a7Qf02d6Me0CbO0Za56zcb_SY9dt6DUNtCTdibS7VVoR7MtsHg0jmkenmIAiD7kcsTpz0ySRjE-ckyaQCi73Pva1rDr4Wfav8HjmjhEJ9qC1AzeBS/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDTr5zzKT2B1cBjtY0hFfFyowly5a7Qf02d6Me0CbO0Za56zcb_SY9dt6DUNtCTdibS7VVoR7MtsHg0jmkenmIAiD7kcsTpz0ySRjE-ckyaQCi73Pva1rDr4Wfav8HjmjhEJ9qC1AzeBS/s320/DSC_0015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603920262463218" border="0" /></a>Look out! The surgeon is at the wheel!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuYvQcscSdM6-hN_6HW6gXR3rxXnOZzwyRrTQ9OK-3vDNXCtuM58BzsMnA1lydlQT7w4_k6zurSVsi3Rklyn7FhoAIXxaVSGc2Pkr0o_4vhwN3YYezxW92n6sRCESDBFGkajz7GN6iv7k/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuYvQcscSdM6-hN_6HW6gXR3rxXnOZzwyRrTQ9OK-3vDNXCtuM58BzsMnA1lydlQT7w4_k6zurSVsi3Rklyn7FhoAIXxaVSGc2Pkr0o_4vhwN3YYezxW92n6sRCESDBFGkajz7GN6iv7k/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603871159475650" border="0" /></a>And then, he handed it over to my mom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XqB_aSR3M2ykw35x0JUR6JqsA7GRN1ZYma91MPCUkJyJCN5fT8YtaDkZZ9rbDXGV6jY7ziz43co1Ug5n4fHVZvnD_gFFgrnZKRSDOeVeBFAwPhfl_xHvCVjnKlG9oQTvBRBDwpG7uwZk/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XqB_aSR3M2ykw35x0JUR6JqsA7GRN1ZYma91MPCUkJyJCN5fT8YtaDkZZ9rbDXGV6jY7ziz43co1Ug5n4fHVZvnD_gFFgrnZKRSDOeVeBFAwPhfl_xHvCVjnKlG9oQTvBRBDwpG7uwZk/s320/DSC_0021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603797135406178" border="0" /></a>Mom, Rick had the camera. Shoot all arrows and complaints at him.<br /><br />Before I knew it, all 4 grandparents had taken over the Wii.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS5Wef3NqNukmt0APO-c6S_ypZQYFlYqHrwM-IDtSx5DZS1JH8SJsX0g9-_znFjquspLMTXsmdVAk9IYfUdOFtuX-lhYBfkgQr3-OWeXEYubPv8pVBqEbHgjqYpbNSFZ-9M9DS8MUcK2H/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS5Wef3NqNukmt0APO-c6S_ypZQYFlYqHrwM-IDtSx5DZS1JH8SJsX0g9-_znFjquspLMTXsmdVAk9IYfUdOFtuX-lhYBfkgQr3-OWeXEYubPv8pVBqEbHgjqYpbNSFZ-9M9DS8MUcK2H/s320/DSC_0027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603745216985154" border="0" /></a>The boys thought it was hilarious to see them play, but they were quick to get those wheels back as soon as the elderly decided they better get on home and to bed.<br /><br />Garrett was able to drag his birthday out an extra day with school treats once classes resumed. I stopped by with brownies and found him at the front of his class like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeNRulwnog2tS-ahVXJtjUEn5id4yfgwAzxlugEbTyTQH1XZJlJmmCEt7iSyAvmWgIr7AURucklE637x31J8_egzgss3v4bm8yXa2Q7jaYuS9HI-00QD4imv8jlsZJlzs6fwqKWCoM_LQ/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeNRulwnog2tS-ahVXJtjUEn5id4yfgwAzxlugEbTyTQH1XZJlJmmCEt7iSyAvmWgIr7AURucklE637x31J8_egzgss3v4bm8yXa2Q7jaYuS9HI-00QD4imv8jlsZJlzs6fwqKWCoM_LQ/s320/DSC_0082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603672165214738" border="0" /></a>Yes, he's wearing a birthday crown upside down over his eyes while his classmates sing to him. Unlike his <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-little-cowboy.html">wild brother</a>, he doesn't know quite what to do with all of the attention on him, so he just didn't look until he could sit down with his brownie.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71-P3GSNZ8OdnV7TJ0vQcO_ivJHIVZJXVvssnpFNvEhZiWQT7HFFeYS_oi2wDE7IV9-44A1W5v0LU9oB-Aq5I4nJZOTHOCGtW_YT_NIWI4Xu8JlOnL8cyyxgJBRUrQ3Bm_IHZ9LNbPJoY/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71-P3GSNZ8OdnV7TJ0vQcO_ivJHIVZJXVvssnpFNvEhZiWQT7HFFeYS_oi2wDE7IV9-44A1W5v0LU9oB-Aq5I4nJZOTHOCGtW_YT_NIWI4Xu8JlOnL8cyyxgJBRUrQ3Bm_IHZ9LNbPJoY/s320/DSC_0085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576603602631238722" border="0" /></a>I'm still trying to get used to this idea of having two six year olds in the house. My babies are no longer babies or even little boys, for that matter. But at least G still has all Chiclet teeth in tact. He keeps asking me when he'll lose his first tooth.<br /><br />Between you and me, I hope NEVER!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-36590022941949010782011-02-16T16:11:00.003-06:002011-02-16T16:22:16.806-06:00FunniesWhen Rick brought home pizza for dinner last night, Garrett ran through the house yelling, "MOMMY! YOU DON'T HAVE TO COOK TONIGHT! YEA!"<br /><br />(For the record, he was NOT celebrating because he didn't have to EAT my cooking. Garrett likes MOST of my cooking. He was merely excited for me, knowing that I thoroughly enjoy a break from cooking. He's a boy after my own heart.)<br /><br />While running errands today, Jackson spotted numerous birds around a pond. He asked, "Mommy, is that an <span style="font-style: italic;">army</span> of birds?"<br /><br />(No, that would be a <span style="font-style: italic;">flock</span>, but you can call it an army. It makes me laugh.)<br /><br />After shaving Liam's head to look like Lil Ron Washington this morning, I asked him why he liked being Lil Ron. He said, "Because I like being on tv."<br /><br />(Well, okay then.)<br /><br />(Liam was invited to be in a commercial as Lil Ron Washington. I'll be back to share photos.)Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-13713778423380581412011-02-05T10:04:00.007-06:002011-02-05T10:24:26.385-06:00More Snow!The weather forecasters predicted another inch of snow by Friday morning. But when I couldn't sleep at 3am because of the light, THE LIGHT, entering our bedroom windows, I knew they were only partially right. We actually received more like 5 inches on top of the ice from <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-baby-is-six.html">earlier in the week</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhrJLfXDuiXObnVYKDJZJr_K2JsZR7cx2CB3Z-GxuwmFE_Q9XErGtbEWCiTTvdUxG2Hb7MJIPH2vCaG611248K021uVPk5aQ9L7G_EUqpQCmYjgQ55U_mmmhaWUfnWp93EcNP3RDidEmX/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhrJLfXDuiXObnVYKDJZJr_K2JsZR7cx2CB3Z-GxuwmFE_Q9XErGtbEWCiTTvdUxG2Hb7MJIPH2vCaG611248K021uVPk5aQ9L7G_EUqpQCmYjgQ55U_mmmhaWUfnWp93EcNP3RDidEmX/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570237873618898370" border="0" /></a>Five inches aren't impressive to my Colorado friends, but our state shuts down for a mere inch. Since Texas drivers don't know how to handle the white stuff, Rick stayed home with us.<br /><br />After breakfast, we layered up and went out to play. Even Winston.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWbPSfLypHbB2ePTA1H3cRps3fwaEZAEjDN5DB4cNF9WdoGa5OUCmi2-JK4B77_XHptVyoIgGep_K0e-Cf-5xoZ7sz5mheGqW2An2LNd5xfy_T7tTEhBrPnHIjdnj6oxlqfRRjDx-bVJi/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWbPSfLypHbB2ePTA1H3cRps3fwaEZAEjDN5DB4cNF9WdoGa5OUCmi2-JK4B77_XHptVyoIgGep_K0e-Cf-5xoZ7sz5mheGqW2An2LNd5xfy_T7tTEhBrPnHIjdnj6oxlqfRRjDx-bVJi/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570237784613802018" border="0" /></a>Our Boston Terrier definitely isn't from Boston. After a few minutes of romping in the snow, he ran for the house.<br /><br />But not Liam. He LOVES the snow. That's my boy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetyxtwgwyFO5AzcH79hElqUnb0onoU-BwiGXRpUOfiHeXO_rOrnRul_Hwvshg_Rpg37hlg0qGYqG91ltpgmyCy3dESKvlDAguQFWh5hgeHDM_HbUsTPlnzso3iDtlIY0DGTJsoOFkeUoD/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetyxtwgwyFO5AzcH79hElqUnb0onoU-BwiGXRpUOfiHeXO_rOrnRul_Hwvshg_Rpg37hlg0qGYqG91ltpgmyCy3dESKvlDAguQFWh5hgeHDM_HbUsTPlnzso3iDtlIY0DGTJsoOFkeUoD/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570237722482256354" border="0" /></a>Garrett likes it for about ten minutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwvgxySOHTTISyGpP0pFMyDQWRGkwhBv_rrUnSbrA7wn-Oz-KKTw_mY3Kt1w_MQYktjF-JAP5C1u1nN-vHedHdH4OVYXHdbQCr46G5wS236WwilLs9CXvolK14ZSnO2J1f7RdnP-9NELV/s1600/cropG.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwvgxySOHTTISyGpP0pFMyDQWRGkwhBv_rrUnSbrA7wn-Oz-KKTw_mY3Kt1w_MQYktjF-JAP5C1u1nN-vHedHdH4OVYXHdbQCr46G5wS236WwilLs9CXvolK14ZSnO2J1f7RdnP-9NELV/s320/cropG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570237643633189890" border="0" /></a>The Toothless Wonder was happy, too, at first.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPomYgaDRDqS4EsXTj_SaCDw5KHhouo4YnB3xA59yBM5KY8czSxR49s3nE4bG-PvEQV9qHCp28bBGnrrhrm7iAP9NhdgPFXxxcWcohGXuMLfryIoiz9gzYUjFCCaQec6RV6Hac52KJBI3p/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPomYgaDRDqS4EsXTj_SaCDw5KHhouo4YnB3xA59yBM5KY8czSxR49s3nE4bG-PvEQV9qHCp28bBGnrrhrm7iAP9NhdgPFXxxcWcohGXuMLfryIoiz9gzYUjFCCaQec6RV6Hac52KJBI3p/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570237258644094546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF9TjRSKq406VJNkj1WipN3t8y3bH6w2itOXFlbYQQAKH3tQw61LB1BCc6HL9Vgl350SR282yv2pZsiaEx0WYnZh4152nfoQ9LBTuioIUCzTRxaElSu8p1obC8Lo8hyphenhyphenJ31Hkjy3XJNYpu/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF9TjRSKq406VJNkj1WipN3t8y3bH6w2itOXFlbYQQAKH3tQw61LB1BCc6HL9Vgl350SR282yv2pZsiaEx0WYnZh4152nfoQ9LBTuioIUCzTRxaElSu8p1obC8Lo8hyphenhyphenJ31Hkjy3XJNYpu/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570237183712024098" border="0" /></a>After a walk around the block, Garrett and Jackson were both in tears. "I'm coooold!"<br /><br />Yes, snow is cold, boys. Liam, Daddy and I will go skiing in Colorado without you next year.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-24367413937847161772011-02-04T11:42:00.000-06:002011-02-04T11:42:00.587-06:00Yeteryear: Garrett's First DaysIn honor of my baby's <a href="http://cupover.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-baby-is-six.html">birf-day</a> , I took a stroll through my February 2005 folder.<br /><br />Within twenty minutes of Garrett's birth, I was allowed to take him to the nursery and stay with him through all of the poking and prodding that is supposedly necessary right after birth.<br /><br />I never took my hands off of him, and I cried happy tears over him. The nurses probably thought I was crazy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK6qRgc1kMImhMOBNztNBPXHvBjlnlbbJRJy4Rz9CDo2_MGXFRn8Flil3YvWfLNS9sKJWwjNl755DwDfMIqvqJ15BkFo34XW9bkiizRIoKLAooHLGLdwgFkdG1BNeIzC0_svXl8kGt_bN/s1600/DSC02298.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK6qRgc1kMImhMOBNztNBPXHvBjlnlbbJRJy4Rz9CDo2_MGXFRn8Flil3YvWfLNS9sKJWwjNl755DwDfMIqvqJ15BkFo34XW9bkiizRIoKLAooHLGLdwgFkdG1BNeIzC0_svXl8kGt_bN/s320/DSC02298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569582972551492642" border="0" /></a>You can see his eldest birth brother's face in the forefront of that picture. To this day, he loves Garrett.<br /><br />After the mean nurses were satisfied with the amount of tears they caused, they left me alone to bathe and feed my baby.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY2LGWZT-l0y2_AMP_BKWKwebyVz16og7Z8WjWUgCALstOwn2dfmG7ECs2BfqwOZ9zi2itBUZpWhj56j1hIkHnhZgOZaPw7qZA4QkNwvZsSjrFgfAj6UqlqJO2c-PhTFsxOj8_eu7vVte/s1600/DSC02302.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY2LGWZT-l0y2_AMP_BKWKwebyVz16og7Z8WjWUgCALstOwn2dfmG7ECs2BfqwOZ9zi2itBUZpWhj56j1hIkHnhZgOZaPw7qZA4QkNwvZsSjrFgfAj6UqlqJO2c-PhTFsxOj8_eu7vVte/s320/DSC02302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569582853701806018" border="0" /></a>Those were very special moments for G and me. I'll treasure those memories forever. <br /><br />Once the hospital found an empty room for us, Daddy could admire his Groundhog.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oOYpy1Qx8q5punBNTzc1wU8Ud8R8_j5VB491K0mrjq6mfI0k2BhmQXWYzyoWs8wYWJfChEuGI0EezN57qQwd5kBxOmAIDzmqxFaLvxvjn5e7U0bkJzKU4gmPlXljQV7HgplTSU5gWvBw/s1600/DSC02307.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oOYpy1Qx8q5punBNTzc1wU8Ud8R8_j5VB491K0mrjq6mfI0k2BhmQXWYzyoWs8wYWJfChEuGI0EezN57qQwd5kBxOmAIDzmqxFaLvxvjn5e7U0bkJzKU4gmPlXljQV7HgplTSU5gWvBw/s320/DSC02307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569582420282304290" border="0" /></a>We were in OKC for about a week while our paperwork was completed. We got our little Aggie out of Sooner country asap. <br /><br />Once we got home to CO, if G wasn't in our arms, he was napping on the couch like so:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPAsFSbIjjxQWIWdZTEwzxjPbjzNiUWjkrqmsU0qNiN_G-BLt4Ti_4VcuSzYQMTB8n8NEsGdpTNKSw1062VceqrRzFO0-lxPGzm8bgJL3yIKxoDvOuXdfR_lWtmzfcgCWo7R9NWmDpsQv/s1600/DSC02412.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPAsFSbIjjxQWIWdZTEwzxjPbjzNiUWjkrqmsU0qNiN_G-BLt4Ti_4VcuSzYQMTB8n8NEsGdpTNKSw1062VceqrRzFO0-lxPGzm8bgJL3yIKxoDvOuXdfR_lWtmzfcgCWo7R9NWmDpsQv/s320/DSC02412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569582328051368834" border="0" /></a>Actually, it wasn't often that he slept. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ahem.</span> This child has never required much sleep.<br /><br />And anyway, he wasn't safe on the couch unless his 22 month old brother was occupied.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KXJQQCL495C6WOdtr9hN9XuHh_WPWWpVNud4pXd71gVutUhn02jTfmeQrRRhqVeo8ilG7Y_9pCnn9RNhcfzLH3-QVtQD-IdjdlibtoByVjiGSYCrApvUOci-6YdOI4HsYHIgd4tr0klW/s1600/DSC02415.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KXJQQCL495C6WOdtr9hN9XuHh_WPWWpVNud4pXd71gVutUhn02jTfmeQrRRhqVeo8ilG7Y_9pCnn9RNhcfzLH3-QVtQD-IdjdlibtoByVjiGSYCrApvUOci-6YdOI4HsYHIgd4tr0klW/s320/DSC02415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569582225100289362" border="0" /></a>My sweet Liam wasn't too excited about sharing his mommy in the early days of brotherhood, but he loved to watch tv in Garrett's car seat.<br /><br />Six years later, what would I tell myself? "Oh, honey, the Lord is about to rock your world with a move to TX and a third boy, but hang in there. You will survive."Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-61824944076072255262011-02-03T14:35:00.009-06:002011-02-03T15:29:36.388-06:00My Baby is SixYesterday was a very important day. My baby turned 6.<br /><br />Excuse me while I grab a tissue.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6kOg4XHvgqNuBIkqfIeSwQvHzBRVBIu4ILynebD0dPZFpNn5p7gGFXtTDUEg9qpSR0GnLhGc1drXbDtK3oaAOwTgOfqxHjL7DOQiIF7TlaVr5ApVkWn8VJBYOagjEUMY6QfYrloV0Isd/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6kOg4XHvgqNuBIkqfIeSwQvHzBRVBIu4ILynebD0dPZFpNn5p7gGFXtTDUEg9qpSR0GnLhGc1drXbDtK3oaAOwTgOfqxHjL7DOQiIF7TlaVr5ApVkWn8VJBYOagjEUMY6QfYrloV0Isd/s320/DSC_0012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569568257402073890" border="0" /></a>We began the day with cinnamon rolls from a can on paper plates in our pj's and with bedheads. Only the best for Garrett.<br /><br />Later in the day, he helped me slave away in the kitchen over cupcakes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18PKU4Pb-vyzQKNl-wd6ffpEime-mv6_vWVQVjgLJfFPkXvsfhuS8lzzVdzIR_co3TdOZlDnpwQYGF9oTXZWYB57Rn8ZEpG5hLAxsbBFf7th0D42I_uY8YaNAKU4Wgjn7pe80M9w0lGMS/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18PKU4Pb-vyzQKNl-wd6ffpEime-mv6_vWVQVjgLJfFPkXvsfhuS8lzzVdzIR_co3TdOZlDnpwQYGF9oTXZWYB57Rn8ZEpG5hLAxsbBFf7th0D42I_uY8YaNAKU4Wgjn7pe80M9w0lGMS/s320/DSC_0015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569568165623262418" border="0" /></a>It's a tradition for my boys to help bake their own birthday cakes. They love to help and don't yet know about child labor laws.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQZAt8b3x9Q1mnQP3IxyiZFEPILmGJPTyCrOPjYcoZ-XjaMrPpQFblF9OwD3czeJEuDXRbvdF03Peo7lHYw0EgQdJQZibFk8ub0Mme_ca2pzlrhz9jUrv0bgP4_bcaGGS7ggLUv3OZcDU/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQZAt8b3x9Q1mnQP3IxyiZFEPILmGJPTyCrOPjYcoZ-XjaMrPpQFblF9OwD3czeJEuDXRbvdF03Peo7lHYw0EgQdJQZibFk8ub0Mme_ca2pzlrhz9jUrv0bgP4_bcaGGS7ggLUv3OZcDU/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569568014377171746" border="0" /></a>He asked for chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing and sprinkles. Daddy criticized with his mouth full of cupcake, "This would taste better if it were vanilla cake with chocolate icing." To which Garrett replied, "Well, it's not your birf-day."<br /><br />I can't think of a smooth transition here, so I'll just jump right in and say that the boys haven't been to school since Monday because of icy roads. It seems like half the country is frozen, and we are certainly no exception this time. We only have about two inches of snow, but it rained just before the snowfall, which left our roads ready for ice skates. School has already been canceled for tomorrow, and more snow is expected in the morning. I'm so glad the Farmer's Almanac was correct in the prediction of a dry, warm winter in north Texas.<br /><br />So what on earth does a mother do with wild boys stuck indoors for days on end?<br /><br />We get ready for the 100th day of school, although it may not occur until June at this rate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoEEdafYvB4wWWeEgLJT-m88YtF_2MDvCzroeTnIXu197U6n-7YzBm1CKYvgd_R5E2hl3Z2zmmoakTHT3MBhi3xxRFxwsN8DlLEVNuYIWJrdCZUMYerpOTlz08_CBBB_zZNJUtoJ6_f4e/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoEEdafYvB4wWWeEgLJT-m88YtF_2MDvCzroeTnIXu197U6n-7YzBm1CKYvgd_R5E2hl3Z2zmmoakTHT3MBhi3xxRFxwsN8DlLEVNuYIWJrdCZUMYerpOTlz08_CBBB_zZNJUtoJ6_f4e/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569567918537794722" border="0" /></a>Each of my boys' teachers wanted the boys to wear 100 something-or-other for the big day, which was supposed to be tomorrow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOorjnUqYX3IYLX1RvtJxICIsdn3gwRsbjIpqWXSzaHHi9xCcBq7yc8h-cQcJIW0pf0uExZT4YoyvC-_ME7YVx7ASiGHJ0yJ23Z25GzS7j9AYOhf_BBgq8cEm_23CNxO6HfIUR7X0cVUE/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOorjnUqYX3IYLX1RvtJxICIsdn3gwRsbjIpqWXSzaHHi9xCcBq7yc8h-cQcJIW0pf0uExZT4YoyvC-_ME7YVx7ASiGHJ0yJ23Z25GzS7j9AYOhf_BBgq8cEm_23CNxO6HfIUR7X0cVUE/s320/DSC_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569567837423522242" border="0" /></a>We decided to stamp a hat and t-shirts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjnMkS1XnGDLXm4IeQmdVX5fA78fHPf0_or_DLsWMhfCLacm4yBB0l6MvVhE6VsZnX14wVPWaRpVf4tKwDa6RNUFtaYwJwAjNXu6RnTolSM-K7G95ud8m0QSJYlxs7Lt39uZONkcbZoH7/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjnMkS1XnGDLXm4IeQmdVX5fA78fHPf0_or_DLsWMhfCLacm4yBB0l6MvVhE6VsZnX14wVPWaRpVf4tKwDa6RNUFtaYwJwAjNXu6RnTolSM-K7G95ud8m0QSJYlxs7Lt39uZONkcbZoH7/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569567745360015634" border="0" /></a>We've also drowned ourselves in hot chocolate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyPGnF-zsrSiHY-jx4Q0ObdTwkWv4XesHtSu_jq0IIYQinXyA2cu0YUKg18l-7TUZ4Kda4w0ihy8t0HmfVquwOyqinF_i6D_pvFbMRfnjc6aAs3NqUqLIkhzpX-y8h5GynzfpQ6CUHrDQ/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyPGnF-zsrSiHY-jx4Q0ObdTwkWv4XesHtSu_jq0IIYQinXyA2cu0YUKg18l-7TUZ4Kda4w0ihy8t0HmfVquwOyqinF_i6D_pvFbMRfnjc6aAs3NqUqLIkhzpX-y8h5GynzfpQ6CUHrDQ/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569566930657741698" border="0" /></a>Of course, we've also played games, watched movies, built forts, read books, wrestled, and so forth and so on.<br /><br />Naturally, we've done all of this in our pj's. In fact, I probably need to do some laundry to ensure that we have enough pajamas to get us through the next snow storm.<br /><br />But first, someone is begging to play.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMYH0CPvEAQwrfTkkAcLmgBYXcPI0vQ7eO6kZTUzh3zmLiWWhGnHsspJzYYu3PHEKfBsdxg3tTkEb34Xv_LdkIIguFWfF_VHvQZ5wO3rl_rTxlvvGCLnP895npJpB7lRJfAh31YhUP8mv/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMYH0CPvEAQwrfTkkAcLmgBYXcPI0vQ7eO6kZTUzh3zmLiWWhGnHsspJzYYu3PHEKfBsdxg3tTkEb34Xv_LdkIIguFWfF_VHvQZ5wO3rl_rTxlvvGCLnP895npJpB7lRJfAh31YhUP8mv/s320/DSC_0013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569566509215749698" border="0" /></a>If you're stuck indoors and need some reading material, feel free to read Garrett's adoption story on my right sidebar.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254011053358952912.post-64827649896339029232011-01-27T11:12:00.011-06:002011-01-27T11:58:43.024-06:00Yesteryear: 4 years agoIt's time for yet another edition of Yesteryear, where I open my thumb drive and post random photos from the past. This means 1 of 2 things: <span style="font-style: italic;">A)</span> I have nothing exciting to report from the present day. <span style="font-style: italic;">B)</span> I'd rather blog than clean my house.<br /><br />If you chose <span style="font-style: italic;">A)</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">B)</span>, pat yourself on the back for making the right choice.<br /><br />These photos were pulled from the January/February 2007 file. Liam was 3 1/2, and Jackson and Garrett were turning the ripe old age of 2.<br /><br />If we were in the car for more than 15 minutes, Jackson would fall asleep.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr3iTbZXEEmb39TkbOf7egwpF9BtMFnRrTrvVdADsYHcUnQFggXoxEqAPLnZOJmhS9jcrhXHXp59IXtihZri7DWqdBRnppVkEjDy0Ebdt9cAb5kDRXGfDjoGy_maYJmnH3khW0rxpGuK9/s1600/IMG_2248.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr3iTbZXEEmb39TkbOf7egwpF9BtMFnRrTrvVdADsYHcUnQFggXoxEqAPLnZOJmhS9jcrhXHXp59IXtihZri7DWqdBRnppVkEjDy0Ebdt9cAb5kDRXGfDjoGy_maYJmnH3khW0rxpGuK9/s320/IMG_2248.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566916186377139074" border="0" /></a>Not much has changed on this topic, except that he can now make it 30 minutes on a good day.<br /><br />Garrett was never a good napper as a little guy. Well, not much has changed there either. But my mother-in-law sent me this picture of him on February 1, 2007.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h4irJ_s-raVcFiCsLdclfsBBnVGT7Hv7UjKAyq-kWshAsguSYDmsmKOIyD06VTnOZ1OU8DCo-3y-1hd5m97p8qoXghk3iFhUDxSGk3wFDgWvttxam2uo1lpQX-MfZDUDmoWDv01oazJR/s1600/GNapNi%2527s.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2h4irJ_s-raVcFiCsLdclfsBBnVGT7Hv7UjKAyq-kWshAsguSYDmsmKOIyD06VTnOZ1OU8DCo-3y-1hd5m97p8qoXghk3iFhUDxSGk3wFDgWvttxam2uo1lpQX-MfZDUDmoWDv01oazJR/s320/GNapNi%2527s.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566916065853979778" border="0" /></a>He was spending the day with her, and I remember she asked him if he needed a nap. Naturally, he said NO. So she told him to just lie down and watch a movie with his blanket. A few minutes later, he was asleep.<br /><br />Why in the world do I remember that was February 1, 2007, yet I can't remember that we need olive oil when I'm at the grocery store???<br /><br />Back to yesteryear.... I know that was February 1, 2007, because Garrett spent the night with Ni to celebrate his birthday, which is February 2nd. And it snowed that Groundhog Day. Random facts that help absolutely no one.<br /><br />You're welcome.<br /><br />Moving right along.<br /><br />Back in those days, whenever we were expecting Didi (my mom) or Ni (Rick's mom), my kids liked for me to open the blinds in the dining room so they could watch for their cars.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNE61slLFAZ2QmqQxNlVvz-gR1cO2RWBbdhjRUfZNmJX8HNvLutpcWyMeOihkRSforowiWds8vksA1cKikRWcQp_FJIY8RHmjiPi60D0sbg1nr_4g__ikZIRNug16NmmDXAd653yGjmwF/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNE61slLFAZ2QmqQxNlVvz-gR1cO2RWBbdhjRUfZNmJX8HNvLutpcWyMeOihkRSforowiWds8vksA1cKikRWcQp_FJIY8RHmjiPi60D0sbg1nr_4g__ikZIRNug16NmmDXAd653yGjmwF/s320/IMG_2261.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915957286442210" border="0" /></a>All 4 of my boys would wait with great anticipation. Sweet, huh?<br /><br />We often get warm days in the middle of winter here, and whenever we do, we head outside. This is one of my favorite photos of all 3 boys:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jAOb3-sobC2zl_69SnoYw66zOPRUBVSvN6xWl6I0vtKQqUzo6aA4QM0m5UKWO2yOTUeNFFsGt85E6hxVz5DArsUThC5uUIfLgWSe8KumtlC2zIZ6Ie-xOURS4xoBZpc58cX2CQCurLeF/s1600/IMG_2276.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jAOb3-sobC2zl_69SnoYw66zOPRUBVSvN6xWl6I0vtKQqUzo6aA4QM0m5UKWO2yOTUeNFFsGt85E6hxVz5DArsUThC5uUIfLgWSe8KumtlC2zIZ6Ie-xOURS4xoBZpc58cX2CQCurLeF/s320/IMG_2276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915808791688482" border="0" /></a>Reasons I love it: 1. Liam's cheesy grin. 2. Garrett's watching his big brother with great admiration, as he's always loved his big bro. 3. Jackson's scrunched up forehead that he thought was a smile. 4. J&G were lefties even then. 5. The ever-so-cute Beatles t-shirts.<br /><br />Jackson has always sat in this position to watch tv.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyToff1_cIP5bJcl5HppPgm1GCmRmhUZYOBnghhaSirDFga0_QsqYfJlq9-rixyLj_j7LEr-RytwdFahv8Y9Chn1dcYAR7S9ek7FsHJQQByE5Gc8MMxZs_hrnmDhc_dOgl37fYu4pYMy8/s1600/IMG_2295.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyToff1_cIP5bJcl5HppPgm1GCmRmhUZYOBnghhaSirDFga0_QsqYfJlq9-rixyLj_j7LEr-RytwdFahv8Y9Chn1dcYAR7S9ek7FsHJQQByE5Gc8MMxZs_hrnmDhc_dOgl37fYu4pYMy8/s320/IMG_2295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915662822570066" border="0" /></a>To this day, he believes that is <span style="font-style: italic;">his spot</span>, and he races to make sure he gets there before his brothers.<br /><br />If we weren't outside or watching tv, I came up with all kinds of goofy games to keep these busy boys <span style="font-style: italic;">moving</span>. One of their faves was to make a train and "choo choo" throughout the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA2fYs0CmZMoATLKZe_heyW0xEXlHrt1YOJ8ebnlZSWcTlRONu0Bz4oX_pB8kpeiPEQoBGgswJgMmvfzWNz4Gtff6XpHTSbIuHtm7r8J4X7m_bqeyIkJSlEe3F1gzPL2kGhenRnF29fDX/s1600/IMG_2303.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA2fYs0CmZMoATLKZe_heyW0xEXlHrt1YOJ8ebnlZSWcTlRONu0Bz4oX_pB8kpeiPEQoBGgswJgMmvfzWNz4Gtff6XpHTSbIuHtm7r8J4X7m_bqeyIkJSlEe3F1gzPL2kGhenRnF29fDX/s320/IMG_2303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915528771548530" border="0" /></a>Liam was always the engine, Garrett in the middle with his eyes on Liam, and Jackson the caboose and in a hat. They were creatures of habit even back then.<br /><br />Another game was Red Light, Green Light that began at the front door.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrLqw595GkN58MMpojwk5VoEPIg8qkftzY0r5KT4ZVdq5_9-WJelPUvSspv2Fo7pqM81qgmXhte83FoMY69Owkkdk66wLqIkPeZD8E7qaxedIhQQtGxtuoHVQqHXqoeBrSpVq9d_zcBiK/s1600/IMG_2307.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrLqw595GkN58MMpojwk5VoEPIg8qkftzY0r5KT4ZVdq5_9-WJelPUvSspv2Fo7pqM81qgmXhte83FoMY69Owkkdk66wLqIkPeZD8E7qaxedIhQQtGxtuoHVQqHXqoeBrSpVq9d_zcBiK/s320/IMG_2307.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915427896844290" border="0" /></a>I'll let you figure out who won every time.<br /><br />As soon as we could get back outside, we loved to go on long bike rides. Liam rode his own bike, and every ride had to include chewing gum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfOfmH6mn3-eqcz1ZEgfhvTWNHWQPGgHTpG-Z991WCSjvAGJTi6nM5BF6XmCqQ1W1_snUyFISac-Dxb768Y_uqp8ma423TrR2UkhKklAFjKDyvmLhA130K4aJ6KkIwjXN_IF7AfdiE1tD/s1600/IMG_2312.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfOfmH6mn3-eqcz1ZEgfhvTWNHWQPGgHTpG-Z991WCSjvAGJTi6nM5BF6XmCqQ1W1_snUyFISac-Dxb768Y_uqp8ma423TrR2UkhKklAFjKDyvmLhA130K4aJ6KkIwjXN_IF7AfdiE1tD/s320/IMG_2312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915294543872546" border="0" /></a>He has holes in the left knee of his jeans even today.<br /><br />And the littles rode in the trailer behind me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkFU3nQShSEJ4sVUF9B3oB62Xfs60KiBPJADfBGwXHnuh8iETpMIOa7Ha916To2klcBGJEJU_ReszOq6RBZdKIhm1_7MoECLfLvDNqHZeBrkrp3eKjuqsfTPF2xYesXllqmqxSVowrUDw/s1600/IMG_2314.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkFU3nQShSEJ4sVUF9B3oB62Xfs60KiBPJADfBGwXHnuh8iETpMIOa7Ha916To2klcBGJEJU_ReszOq6RBZdKIhm1_7MoECLfLvDNqHZeBrkrp3eKjuqsfTPF2xYesXllqmqxSVowrUDw/s320/IMG_2314.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915180768273698" border="0" /></a>As long as they had their gum, they didn't care about being crowded.<br /><br />Yes, my kids began chewing gum at an early age, each right around their second birthday. It was one way of getting some peace and quiet on the road, so they could have it in the car and on bike rides. Never once did they swallow or play with it.<br /><br />We usually rode to the neighborhood park. A bike ride + playtime at the park = nice, LONG afternoon naps.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWx1YkMOx7yeieRxjx18itDP1BCYWH2MZI6GLQ5sHOyTPrV11yPcJEkbh6QpHg0XG3ss1wDPtZNsWNaf-WFo3LpCXl3HyDbmsiZsFOL-ZcUfa7-re-E3ckNYdX8CCse3qa3knC-9SCDNF/s1600/IMG_2327.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWx1YkMOx7yeieRxjx18itDP1BCYWH2MZI6GLQ5sHOyTPrV11yPcJEkbh6QpHg0XG3ss1wDPtZNsWNaf-WFo3LpCXl3HyDbmsiZsFOL-ZcUfa7-re-E3ckNYdX8CCse3qa3knC-9SCDNF/s320/IMG_2327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566915035684593874" border="0" /></a>Jackson got his first pair of glasses in January 2007, just as he turned 2. His little round frames were a hit everywhere we went.<br /><br />But I prefer his luscious eyelashes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh3AdcFUfS5NlAbqudufQ9Vb_i1tkYov0KFAgDpdN1IJbyXaIpoQBx4KXt-eN5CTOyt5H-nqy6QGxj8KOHwZ3SkBEMLEQRfM-YI0N8tOJGNhpM1O4ldrdQ-OGTU9_wuSbL-y4O2MNu2gk/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh3AdcFUfS5NlAbqudufQ9Vb_i1tkYov0KFAgDpdN1IJbyXaIpoQBx4KXt-eN5CTOyt5H-nqy6QGxj8KOHwZ3SkBEMLEQRfM-YI0N8tOJGNhpM1O4ldrdQ-OGTU9_wuSbL-y4O2MNu2gk/s320/IMG_2262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566924828933850338" border="0" /></a>Be still, my aching heart! Where on earth does the time go?Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07616931761260946745noreply@blogger.com3