Frosty

This morning as I waited for my car to defrost I did what any self respecting photographer would and got my camera.  Here are some views of my morning. We usually get frost for just a handful of mornings a year.  This week I think we have had it every day.  Our forecast for the weekend may even include some snow.

Yay, my family is home.

Shawn and Aubs got back from Tampa this evening.  I am so glad to have them back.  I missed them terribly.

5 Down 360 To Go

Not too much to say today, but I said I would try to blog everyday so here I am.  I posted to the marathon blog so that probably counts for today. I am just hanging out while Shawn and Aubs are at a conference. I miss their faces and cannot wait for tomorrow.

PS If anyone saw the title before I it was edited, I am obviously high on cold medicine. :)

4 days, 6 posts!

Two of them are over at the training blog but they still count.  The 1/2 marathon page will be a group blog so if anyone wants to join in let me know.

I will be spending the afternoon with the Cowans before they return to California.

On Our Way To 13.1

Is now live!  I started a new blog to track our progress for the 1/2 marathon.  If you would like to join us just let me know! The more the merrier.

3 for 3

I have what may possibly be the most boring post ever. I am currently enjoying the view from my couch as I try to get over a cold. I felt so bad yesterday I found someone to cover for me at work today so I didn't even have to move.

I obviously didn't get to run today, sitting up is enough of a challenge. Well I am off for a nap, I may try to get the training blog up and running today. (HAHAHA)

Just to add to the randomness of this post some congratulations are in order. Congrats to the Alaburdas, Maury and Jake. Both of them got engaged this holiday season, to some of the loveliest people around. I just cannot wait to meet Jamie. We already totally adore JD and are excited it will finally be official that he is a part of the family.

January 2, 2010

I have no fun title for today. I think I may try to post every day, or at least more often than in 2009. I realized I had only posted a handful of times last year, and know that my family checks in to see how we are doing. For mama and Maury, I promise to be better this year.

Running: I had every intention of getting up this morning and starting to run. I however woke up with a cold and breathing is enough trouble without throwing in the cardio. I am kind of sad because I was really excited to try out my new shoes.

Happy New Year

I am trying to start off the New Year by blogging. We had a great NYE bowling with the Cowans. Aubs and Michaela both got their first strikes one frame apart.

I am going to try to blog better in 2010.

I have set another goal to run a 1/2 marathon in October. I think I will start a blog for this but for the time being I may track my progress here. I want it to be a shared blog because some others would like to run/walk the same event. That way we can be a support to each other. My first update to the 1/2 marathon goal is I bought new running shoes. My feet have changed sizes and my favorite Nikes are so big they hurt my feet. I now have a new pair of white, pink, and silver Nikes. They are Nike+ enabled so I may borrow Shawn's ipod and chip on the day of the race to have an accurate pacing.

I know it is a little late but here is one of Aubs' Santa pictures. I did them myself this year. Our local mall allows parents to use their own cameras if they donate to the Ronald McDonald house.

Photo A Day

I have photos for everyday this month. I just haven't had a chance to post them. I promise they are coming soon. Tomorrow's should be extra special. :)

12/04/09 Rescheduled

I was supposed to have a photo shoot today. Outside. This is what all day has looked like. I got some shopping done, but not for Christmas.

12/03/09 Penguin Shop

Aubs had the Penguin Shop today. When I was in elementary school they called it the Secret Santa shop. She picked an ornament for Shawn and I but decided she couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to us. The other ornament in this picture is one of two that Helen and I each bought for gifts. I cannot remember who they were for only that we each got one and that Mom put it into my ornament box when I moved. Aubs also bought herself a bottle of Magic Disappearing Ink. I hope she doesn't use it in the house.

12/02/09 Happy Anniversary

Happy ninth anniversary Baby.

12/01/09 Moon At Twilight

I loved the way that the moon was glowing yellow with the sunset.

Yay, Robb!

One of our very favorite people in the whole world works for Universal Studios. He put in a lot of work for the retooling of Earthquake! now Disaster!. This article talks about an award that the ride won.

Retiring Of A Favorite

Disney has decided to retire the Holiday Lights at Epcot. This was a series of arches that was synchronized with the fountains to a number of holiday songs. It was one of my favorite things to see. I am glad I got the above picture when I did, since they will not be putting it up this year.

New Adventure

I was asked a few weeks ago to do some photos for a friend of a friend. This was my first photo shoot that did not involve family or someone I have known for years. Needless to say I was a bit nervous. I have been told my family and friends for a while now that I should do something with this. It has always been a bit of a dream that I could do something I love so much and that other people would want me to do this for them. I never imagined that my first try would make me so happy. Elated is a better description. I thought I might explode while I finished my housework on Saturday before I could upload the photos. Once I saw them I felt most of the nervousness go away as I stared at photos I was sure someone else must have done.
The subject of the photo shoot is happy with the shots and we have booked another sitting. She even had me enter one of the shots in a photo contest. The full shoot is posted on my facebook and a few shots are on the photo blog. Let me know what you think.
Thanks everyone for their support as I gained the courage to try this out. Thanks to Jean for having faith in my skills and even more for loving the photos.

Today's Shoot

Today I have the pleasure of doing a photo shoot for this family. As you can tell by these I hopefully have an easy time ahead, they all photograph beautifully. Hopefully their mama is in a more cooperative mood.

AARRRGGH!

We even found a Black Pearl to take a picture with. Tonight I will join in the fun as well. It was too hot yesterday for my costume.

The Gibbons

I had a great day with Riley and Molly for Molly's birthday. We went to Animal Kingdom. I wish Aubs could have come but she was at school. I am so thankful to have this part of my extended Ohio family mostly local. :)

Cold Snap

When Florida has a cool snap one can ascertain exactly who has read the weather report before vacationing and who was taken by surprise. As far as the surprised people they fall into a few categories:
1. They were so surprised by the cold that they have to buy a sweatshirt wherever they are. i.e. Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld. This sometimes applies to locals as well. Shawn and I have a collection of Disney sweatshirts usually purchased around our anniversary. Yes, I know we should know better now.
2. Saw a weather report after landing in Florida and ran to the superstore for a sweatsuit. The whole family will usually match.
3. The ones from the mid-west tend to travel with sweatshirts for when they get home. As they walk around Orlando they stand out b/c they have on sweatshirts and shorts and do not seem bothered by the cold. Aubs and I met two ladies today from Minnesota who fell into this one.
4. People who figure it is Florida and will warm up. Dummies.

Final Stair Pictures

Over the past 6 years we have taken many pictures of Aubs and Michaela on Jenny's stairs. Last Monday we took the final set. We miss you already.

Crap

I didn't realize I was so far behind on the blogging. Sorry about that mom and Maury. Here are some catch up pictures.

Things these pictures make me realize:
- These three kids are too funny.
- I am going to miss the BBC's face so bad it hurts. (Michaela, too)
- Jenny has been the best Jenny a girl could have. I will work hard to make sure distance doesn't hurt our bond. (Aubs may have a future in photography, she took this shot) Also something in the diving and dance classes have warped my brain. I cannot have both feet leave the ground without pointing my toes. Yes, in every single picture.
- Aubs really needs a new pink camo shirt. I should have her put it on her list. She will wear anything she can find to let the world know how proud she is of Jake and Jesse.
- Aubs looks good in Mount Union purple.

My Over Achiever

Aubs got all A's on her first weeks' homework.

Random

Oh, to be a fly on the wall when this happens. I guess it will be a day to see if people literally practice what they preach.

Preparing For The Tooth Fairy

Aubs lost her first tooth on Monday. She wanted to keep the tooth for her first tooth box, so I suggested we write a note to the Tooth Fairy. Aubs decided that the TF would get in trouble if she returned to Tooth Land Empty handed so she offered her some coins. Since there was a drawing, a tooth box, a note, and a pen we decided it wouldn't all fit under her pillow. We decided to leave it in the family room. Aubs thought she should leave another note on the easel, just in case. Aubs was ecstatic when she realized the TF had left her tooth, coins, and $5. She had a very profitable early week since we also gave her an allowance for the first time.

First Day Of First Grade

Aubs had a great first day of first grade. Her teacher seems very nice and Aubs likes her. She had gotten her first loose tooth on the Sunday before school so it was a little nerve wracking throughout the week. We had to adjust her lunch menu to foods that wouldn't knock out a tooth.

Riley's Birthday

Meeting Sleeping Judy. She was at the door waiting for the girls.
There is nothing better than pictures on the teacups.
She saw a favorite in the parade. I think it was Mary Poppins.

Toasting Marshmallows

We Are Sure Going To Miss These Faces

Aubreyism Quiz

What is hanisizer?

Conversations My 6 Year Old: Cute When They Are 6, Not So Much When They Are 16 Edition

On Secrets:
Aubs: Beth told me a secret and I am not allowed to tell anyone.
Me: You should never keep secrets from your parents.
Aubs: Oh Boy.
Me: You can tell me, I won't tell unless it is necessary. (At this point I am thinking of every horror story ever told about secrets and trying not to panic)
Aubs: She has a crush on a boy, but I won't tell you his name.
Me: No problem. Do you have any secrets?
Aubs: No.
Me: Did you have a crush on any boys?
Aubs: Well there was DeShawn.
Me: Was he your boyfriend?
Aubs: No we just got together nice and were good friends.
Me: Oh. Did you kiss him?
Aubs: I tried once but it didn't work out.
(At this point I nearly crashed the car)
Me: You are not allowed to kiss boys at school. They will kick you out. (Yes, that is what I said. Do not judge me.)

On Titanic:
Me: Did you see Titanic, the boat movie?
Aubs: Daddy and I watched a boat movie once. There were two girls and they were in the engine room.
Joshua: Can I borrow it? (He may or may not have been slapped at this point by either myself or Jenny. I will not incriminate us.)
Aubs:(Thankfully not asking why the adults were laughing so hard) There was a restaurant and they ate and everyone left, then there was water and everyone left was floating on boards.

Riley's Challenge

On Friday we had the pleasure of meeting Riley. Aubs and Riley are second generation friends, we have been friends with her parents for a number of years. I cannot wait for the times these two will share. By the end of the day Riley looked at Aubs and said "I love you". What a sweet moment.

The title of this post refers to a challenge that Riley issued to me. I had told her that my mom asked me to get a few good pictures for her grandma. After confirming which grandmother Riley looked at me and said something along the lines of "Good luck with that". Riley had apparently not realized I am determined when it comes to photos of loved ones kids. I hope she and her grandma approve of these shots.

Things I Have Learned As A Homeowner

In honor of Emily and Drew receiving their keys I thought I would post a primer in things I have learned. I hope that by doing this I save Emily some of my more embarrassing moments.

1. If your dishwasher is not working properly read the instructions and make sure the bottom rack is facing the correct way. I had at some point taken out the rack to clean the drain and replaced it backwards. Complaining that the dishwasher does not work will get you nowhere.

2. If you are trying to adjust a rain style shower head do not pull down to hard. This will cause one of the joints to produce a spray worthy of a special effects demonstration. It will also cause your ceiling and mirror to have a new smattering of water drops.

3. If you frost a cake with black icing and decide that the most effective way to clean the icing bag would be to fill it and the tip with hot water and squeeze it will definitely not work. It will however end with a trip for you to the shower and your favorite pink shirt to the rag pile.

4. Mowing the lawn. I love to do this even though I usually get some pretty mixed results. A riding mower will get stuck if your yard is wet. Same for the self propelled.

5. Do not and I repeat do not plant anything over the back up valve for your sewer. Our builder did this and the mess it made was disgusting and not fun with a new baby in the house.

6. The most random things will happen with a new baby in the house. Case in point our smoke detectors malfunctioned when Aubs was about 3 weeks old. The lovely dispatcher decided she should send the fire department just in case. Can you imagine the embarrassment when 3 firemen come in wearing full turnout gear while one is nursing? I don't have to.

7. If you have small children over to your house prior to your own child being born and there are crayons within reach chances are high that the first drawings on your wall will not be your child's first masterpiece.

8. Letting your children pick the color for their own room can result in some funky, unexpected side effects. Our entire side hallway glows pink at sunset.

Congrats Emily and Drew! Best of luck.

Busy, Busy, Busy

We have had quite a couple of weeks around here. After my father-in-law's wedding it we had a birthday dinner with Bill and Eddie. Then it was life as usual including a trip to the Orlando Science Center. It was a great time shared with Michaela and Andrew. It wasn't quite as amazing as the one is Boston but Aubs and the kids liked it so I cannot complain. The only real problem was the lack of AC. It was apparently under repair and was not cooling the entire building. Ugh.
On Monday some of the Morgans were in town so Aubs and I met up with them at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We had a great time even though it was ridiculously hot outside. We stayed well hydrated and carried around travel fans that I was afraid would make us look like fools. They actually made quite a difference and now live next to the front door so we can grab them for further excursions. The American Idol Experience was one of the most well done attractions I have ever seen. It didn't hurt that the AC was nice and cool.
This weekend was devoted to cleaning up the house and spending time with Dad and Christine. We went to lunch and then they borrowed Aubs for a few hours. It was very strange to go out just Shawn and I, we felt like we were forgetting something. We had a very nice time and by all accounts so did Aubs.

Congrats Dad B and Christine

Recital 2009

This was how Aubs' number ended. She, Jack, and another girl did cartwheels.


One of my favorites from after Aubs' dress rehearsal.


Aubs and Jack ready to take the stage. These two are destined for greatness.


The three ladies ready to go. Wow, what a difference a year makes.



Vicki walked up at just the right moment and snapped a picture of the fam.