February 27th, 2009
I know it took a while to fix the the broken link in the last post. Crossing fingers that it will continue to work so you could view them.
Once I get back from picking up Andrew from school I will add a few more posts for your viewing pleasure. If you waited this long for pictures of baby Isabella Faith then you could wait a few more minutes. Believe me, it is worth it to get some parenting tips from Nichole. To everyone besides Nichole this was a very entertaining experience. 😀
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February 9th, 2009
I have been wanting to take the kids to the park for a while now to get some recent pics of them for the blog.
Here are a few pictures I took today:
After this you know they had to pick at each other, here they actually look like they like each other.
Here we have Nichole sitting on a low tree branch:
Then the fun begins, trying to watch Andrew get on the tree branch. You could tell he was a deprived child, he didnt know how to climb and this was a low branch! Dad, I think Andrew needs to visit for a bit so he could climb the tree out front.
Finally after lots of laughter we got Andrew on the tree, then got Em on the branch to take this picture, I dont know why Nichole is so serious looking.
My dorks:
Time to play on the swing
If you look closely, you could see the missing bottom tooth on Emily.
On a climbing thing, I was under the platform taking this picture:
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January 24th, 2009
Today Andrew and I went to the Cub Scout Pine Wood Derby. Ro uh hum Andrew worked really hard on this car. O.k. they worked on it together but the amount each did is debatable. It is all good, there were other cars that were there that you could tell that the dad did all the work.
The rules were simple, have good sportsmanship. You really couldnt cheer one racer over the other really loud. The racers also had to shake hands after the race. When Andrew went to take his place to watch his car race, the crowd started to chant.
Andrew, Andrew, Andrew! It went on during the whole race and everyone was doing it. What about the rules? They let it go cause my Andrew was racing against another Andrew.
My Andrew won that race, the other Andrew had no chance against the Silver Streak.
Here is Andrew shaking Andrew’s hand:
One of the contests for the race cars was originality, here we clearly have the winners
One of Andrew’s buddies is also in Cub Scouts here is a picture of the boys with their cars.
A close up of Silver Streak:
Last but not least just a collage of pictures from the event. Even though Andrew didnt win he had a great time.
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January 20th, 2009
Today was a big day in the history of the U.S. our radios, Tvs and computers were tuned into the inauguration. There is something else that happened today, only a few will remember. The family and friends of a fallen soldier, Capt Sean Lyerly. I did not know him personally but since he was from Pflugerville the day sticks in my head. When they had his funeral I was in attendance, here is my story of the day for those who may not have read it before. So today as you celebrate or not celebrate the new president remember those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
January 20th 2007, a black hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq. Capt Sean E Lyerly was a pilot for that helicopter. He was 31 years old, married and has a three year old son and he is from Pflugerville.
With all the things I do to support the military I asked the Patriot Guard Riders to join them at the church. The Patriot Guard Riders are mostly bikers but anyone could join them during their missions. They hold flags in formation during the arrival of the family at the church, they also are lined up at the entrance of the cemetery as well. They started the group and their mission after a few protesters decided to protest at military funerals, sometimes protesting things other than the war. The fallen and their families deserve to grieve, mourn and celebrate their loved ones life in peace. Thus the Patriot Guard Riders was started, to form a line to block any protesters and to show an outstanding show of civilian support for our military.
Remember I worked last night ( I work graveyard ), so I have yet to go to bed. Would I do this again.. YES. It was an overwhelming experience and I know that the presence of the Patriot Guard Riders was appreciated by all those who knew Sean. I was at first told to bring my own flag, I wanted a new one so before going to the church I went to Walmart to pick one up. I wasnt sure how to put it together so I stopped by my uncles store to ask for help. ( His store is about 4 blocks away from the church ) Turns out he wanted to join me so after getting my flag all set, off we went. My uncle didnt stand outside but attended the mass.
The forward party arrived and they gave me a flag, they had them all set up on their own bars and ect to look uniform. We stood in two lines on both sides of a pathway leading into the entrance of the church. Between each flag bearer there stood a A&M honor guard, as Sean went to school there. I would say there was about 30 of us holding flags there. Then off in the distance you hear a rumble……
Then you see bike after bike after bike with flags flying escorting Sean and his family to the church. The head rider was a soldier who served with Sean, he was riding Sean’s own bike. Then some who served with Sean were the pallbearers, they led him in. Behind the flag draped coffin the family of Sean walked with military escorts.
While the mass was going on the principal from the middle school( next door to the church) came by and asked if someone could notify the school when the funeral was over. I went inside for the mass and noticed how crowded it was inside, many were standing along the walls. It was a nice service, and I noticed his son in front acting like any three year old would when forced to sit for one hour for mass. He is only three and doesnt understand why he was there, just another church service to him.
Right before mass was over I went back outside to set back up again. Again we held flags and we stood there as the family passed, and the A&M buglers played Taps. I dont think there wasnt one person who wasnt crying at this time. In the sky flew one lone Black Hawk helicopter…
Then the Patriot Guard Riders escorted everyone to the cemetery, there was more riders this time as the forward party joined them. The reason the principal asked to be notified of when the mass was over. There was a teacher at his school who had been a room mate of Seans during college and his students wanted to do something. So once exiting the church there is the middle school, with the students lined up carrying flags and hands over their hearts.
I didnt go the the cemetery as I had to pick up Emily who was at a friends house, take my uncle back to his store and pick up Andrew since school was almost over.
In the end it was said they had 70 flags in use and they needed many more. It was an amazing sight to see all the flags, all the bikes, and to meet these men and women who took the time to attend this funeral of a hero. I was honored to be one of them today……
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January 12th, 2009
Since it is a little after midnight I guess I should say yesterday instead of today. Yesterday Rob’s grandmother Lou passed away. In a way when someone gets older you expect them to pass away, it is the way things work. Even though you know how it works it still doesnt make it any easier. We have many good memories of our times together…..
Here is one of my favorite pictures I had taken of her at a shop. Everyone was able to hop scotch while I took a picture. She wanted to be included so we had her place her feet on the two squares and TADA, it looks like she was playing along with us.
We will miss you Grandma Lou.
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January 7th, 2009
O.k. I got the candles, candle sticks and the now quote I am going to use. Here with the help of photoshop I have the mantel:
So what do you guys think so far?
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January 6th, 2009
O.k. family and friends I need your help on finding a word. A word? Yes a word.
Let me explain my home decor, even though we are not big world travelers my home is decorated with things around the world.
I have a white limestone fire place against a pale cream wall. It needed something and after a while I thought some dark colored letters spelling a word is what I am looking for. One that goes with my theme, something that says traveler, culture, world. Hoping you get the idea.
Here is a picture of the wall right now:
So the challenge if you choose to accept it, is to find that word that speaks to me. 🙂
Thanks you guys!
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December 25th, 2008
Our family wishes all our readers a Merry Christmas! We hope Santa brought you everything on your list cause we all know you all have been good this year.
Here are a few things that never made it on the Christmas countdown, I tried I really did. Could you tell what day Starbucks cut our hours? Hint, look at the last day of the countdown. Yeah, still griping over it, now back to my Christmas post.
To those who sent us Christmas cards, we loved them. I especially love the ones that include pictures. Many times it is the only chance to see how everyone changes, the kids growing up the wrinkles and grey hair appearing on adults. I wasnt talking about the ones I sent out. I still have cards going out if you didnt get one yet, Thank goodness for New Year cards! I think the card companies made them especially for me. I love them.
Every year Rob slaves over the cookie baking, he gets these creative ideas to make things to bring in for his coworkers:
Who are we kidding here, if you beleived that then you dont know Rob.It is a trade, I get the lights on my house and he gets Christmas gifts for his coworkers.
One of the worst things about being a parent is this:
If you are a parent you know what this is, it is the wait to see Santa. The wait was a total of 1 1/2 hour long and we were good parents. We waited without too much whining or complaining.
When we got to the front of the line I was told I could not take my own pictures. If I wanted to I could after buying a package for $19.95, that was not going to happen. So I let the kids go visit with Santa while I waited outside the fenced in area. I still cant figure out how it was possible for my camera to work without me knowing it, bad camera. Didnt you hear the guy say no you cant take pictures. Good thing my camera doesnt listen.
In this picture, the conversation went like this:
Nichole: Hey Santa, see that guy over there. Yeah him, could he be my boyfriend?
Andrew: Anything food related works for me, I will work off the calories with any Wii games you bring as well.
Emily: Me, cut my own hair? Draw on walls? Throw a temper tantrum? Are you sure you are asking about me? Maybe it was another Emily cause I was an angel this year. Really I was! (See her little halo over her head.) I didnt catch what she asked for cause Santa was still going over all the things she did this year. Maybe that was why there was a huge line of other kids waiting for Santa.
Last I wanted to share a book Rob got for me this year, hee hee. Well we were shopping and I seen the book and I HAD to have it. So I grabbed it and when Rob seen it I said Thanks.
In our guest bedroom we have a military/patriotic theme, so once I seen this book I knew it was perfect for that room. I have a Americana Santa that goes in there as well as other military related Christmas things. Here is a picture of the front of the book:
The last page of the book has this:
On that note, remember the troops serving our country. They are far from home, away from family, some are in places where they are unsafe.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
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December 25th, 2008
This year Christmas came so fast, and it was not a fun Christmas. Oh we still had good times but Starbucks really did take away my Christmas Spirit. Those who really know me I tend to go overboard during Christmas as I love everything about the day. From decorating way too much, from baking too many cookies, to seeing all the lights, I love it all.
Starbucks, this year it just zapped all my energy and really caused some stress. I would never ever ever thought Starbucks would be so stressful. I know every year for Christmas it is busy there, I have accepted that. This year the wonderful upper level management thought hey, they need to do more in the stores. We arent able to support our huge spending habits so lets see how about getting rid of labor hours. If we cut hours, we do not have to pay out for labor, then the partners have to work harder and they have to sell sell sell. O.k, maybe in a small store that is all well and good.
The last day I worked we made $7180 dollars in our store. Most of that is drinks! I had a continuous line of 20 drinks in que to make, once I made 5, 10, 15 there was still 20 drinks waiting to be made. Before leaving that night my ASM apologized to me. He has opened many mornings after I close and he thought I just gave up and didnt care for the store any more. When he came in the morning the store was still trashed so what DID I DO last night? He was amazed how much stuff was left for us to do during our shift that we had to put off till we closed. Then we had no time to do those tasks after we closed. Welcome to my world, PJ… it sucks. At least he now understands how crazy it is at nights and I still “work” there.
On a positive note and a great Christmas present we got this year is..
Rob got a new job! It is with the city of Austin for the 311 center, here in Texas we have a non emergency # to call when it really isnt a 911 call. With a job like this he has something many Americans dont have, job security. We have been through a layoff, with threats of job cuts if contracts dont come through so to have this security is wonderful. So once he gets settled in this job, it is adios to Starbucks for me. O.k. maybe not all the way, I will be the customer on the other side of the counter instead of the barista.
Now for some picture resizing and posting for the real Christmas post.
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December 10th, 2008
Snow falls past the Eifel Tower, people drink champange, ooh la la its Christmas time, in Paris France they say :Joyeux Noel
Snow is falling in Tokyo and at Mt Fuji too, Christmas greetings from Japan to one and all of you: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
In the north of Sweden it is dark all day, so light the candles and say: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
About 8-9 years ago I found this Christmas globe to add to my inside the house decorations. Every year when I pull it out the kids gather around it to see if it still works or not.
You grab the pin and touch a metal point on a country. Then the globe talks and tells you about the country and how it celebrates Christmas and how to say Merry Christmas in their language.
Who needs to travel the world when I have so much stuff from other countries already. Oh wait, ME!!! But I love to have all these things around the house, like I said before it is neat to see how other cultures, countries celebrate Christmas.
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