Our Family Blog

Winter Storm Footage

Tina — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:00:30 +0000

So I thought I would go ahead and post my footage of the recent winter snow event that left us with a ton of snow. I know my brothers wanted to see it. What’s amazing is that even the video doesn’t really show the depth that we had. It was quite amazing and the most snow I have ever had anywhere I’ve lived. This has been some winter already! Now we are in the midst of slides (since most the snow melted and we have had a ton of rain/snow the last few days). We have had snow on the ground consistently for at least the last 3 weeks. I do think it’s beautiful when it’s fresh and untouched, but snow that has been plowed and walked in over a few days becomes brown and ugly and no longer does the beauty of a freshly frosted world exist. I really am ready for a beautiful summer day and the lovely smell of warmth in the air. I guess I will have to wait another 6 months for that!

Arctic Blast

Tina — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:21:40 +0000

ARCTIC BLAST - Well…that is what the news stations have named this set of storms. I think it’s so funny how they have to name each event.

Today is the first day of winter and I can seriously say that winter has officially hit us hard. We have been getting snow for a week now and we were absolutely pounded yesterday. We have so much snow that I don’t even know how much there really is. We have some snow drifts in our yard as high as 4 feet (from all the blowing snow) and other spots appear to be around 18 inches to 2 feet. I underestimated the depth last night when I decided to take a photo of our front yard. I am seriously impressed by the snow amounts. Unfortunately we were blessed last night with freezing rain on top of it all. I was seriously praying that we wouldn’t end up like my friend Earl Yorke and get left without power for days. We have been fortunate so far and now we are looking at a few more rounds of snow over the next 4 days.

Yesterday we all decided that we were going to build and igloo. It was to be so grandiose. So after getting a “How to Make an Igloo” education on YouTube we ventured out into the yard only to be devastated by the powder that would not pack. What a bummer. It’s not really fun playing in powder snow unless you are skiing. Oh well…maybe next time. It should be a White Christmas this year and for that I am thankful.

All in all it has been a very exciting week. We have been inside a ton this week and everyone is getting a little stir crazy so I hope the ice becomes manageable quickly. Happy Winter Solstice and Happy Holidays!

Let It Snow!!!!!!!

Tina — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:15:16 +0000

So we finally had our first good snow today. Five inches according to my ruler. It was beautiful. Jakob and I have been itching to build a snowman and have been waiting to get enough snow to build one. Up until this point we were robbed of a good snow event and left with just small dustings of snow teasing us. This was also Madison’s first experience with the white stuff. She crawled right to the sliding glass door as Josh was bringing in wood to pick up and eat her first snow. It was priceless. Of course, that is what she does with everything now…straight into the mouth. I have to say there’s not much that can jump you into the Christmas spirit like snow. Maybe we will get as lucky enough to have a White Christmas. One can only dream!

Jakob & Maddy meet Santa

Tina — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:04:24 +0000

Today Jakob & Madison got to meet Santa. It was a first for both. I have to say that the moment Santa walked into the room was priceless. Jakob’s jaw literally dropped. I thought he went into a momentary coma. I sure wish I had that face on video to share. We did take some photos which I will post below. I do think that you get to re-live so many things of childhood again when you have your own children. Watching them however and knowing what they are thinking and feeling is even better than experiencing it yourself. There is so much wonderful magic in the Christmas season when you get to experience it with and through the eyes of a child. Thank you Jakob & Maddy for giving that gift to me.

Santa Bob

Tina — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:33:05 +0000

So I got up this morning and decided to watch a little TV when this little number came on. I almost couldn’t believe it was an actual commercial. I thought it was seriously hilarious so I thought I would share it.

Christmas Tree 2008

Tina — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:44:11 +0000

So Sunday we went out and cut our 2008 Christmas tree. Jakob pretty much decorated the tree himself. He got the step ladder and worked away. He is still re-decorating the tree each day. He keeps moving the ornaments. He’s broken a few already (much less than previous years though). I think I probaby have more repaired ornaments than those in their original condition. I do however feel that those minor repairs will be the memories I decorate my trees with when my children leave home, so I try not to get too upset about it. Anyway, I have taken some video but until I get a chance to edit and post it I will leave you with a few photos. I do love Christmas and decorating the tree. I feel like a child again each morning when I get up. The first thing I do is run to plug the tree lights in. Ahhh, Christmas!!!!!

FDA sets safe level for infant formula chemical

Tina — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:49:38 +0000

“Federal regulators set a safety threshold Friday for the industrial chemical melamine that is greater than the amount of contamination found so far in U.S.-made infant formula.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27959802/from/ET/

Our FDA could literally give a rats ass about food and drug safety in America. They have to be bought. I sure hope the Obama administration cleans that house. This is one of many reasons why I think government sponsored medicine would benefit Americans. The government is not going to approve something that could potentially make many sick on their tab. I love the last line of this article. The FDA approves 1 part per million of melamine in infant formula and then leaves us with this:

“The agency said it is continuing research on animals to see the effects of ingesting both melamine and cyanuric acid.”

Breastfeed your children ladies. The FDA is willing to sacrifice your babies as though they are rats! It is definitely the time to rethink our health care system.

“Although America leads the world in spending on health care, it is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not ensure that all citizens have coverage.”

Here are some facts with sources about melamine and it’s toxicity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Tina — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:54:20 +0000

2 posts in one day…I’m on a roll. I just had to add a little blip about our wonderful Thanksgiving Day. We had Thanksgiving this year at my Mom’s house. Josh’s parents & sister were there as well as Maya Ping. It was great. We broke up the cooking and each of us did a small part to make a wonderful dinner. It’s so nice when the work is shared. It’s definitely way more relaxing. The Turkey came out perfect. Josh and I brined it and I couldn’t have asked for a more tender flavorful Turkey. A great and relaxing time was had by all and topped off with apple & pumpkin pie. I love Thanksgiving. Now we just have to finish all the leftovers!

Tom the Turkey

Jakob, Grandpa Lee, Grandma Lynn, Grandma Ellynn, Maya, Tanya, Josh, Madison & myself

Josh, Jakob, Madison & Me

Grandma Ellynn with Maddy

Madison with Auntie Maya

I was seriously tired by this point!

Family Photos

Tina — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:26:33 +0000

This week we went and had family photos taken at Portrait Innovations. Josh’s cousin Jody recommended it and I don’t have much to say besides THEY ROCK!!!! I have never had a good experience getting photos done since being a mother. All the parents out there should know what I’m talking about. Crying, waiting, pain in the rear, takes forever…that has usually been my experience with getting family photos done. This place had to have been created by a frustrated parent. You walk in and they have toys to keep the kids occupied. It’s like walking into playland. Instantly the kids are happy. You make and appointment and guess what…they actually see you at your appointment time! The photographer was awesome with the kids and got tons of great smiles out of them. Then we chose are photos and here is the best part…we picked the photos up 20 minutes later. That’s right, not 2 weeks, not 3 weeks, 20 minutes. I have to say it was a great experience and being that they are affordable and the service is great, we will be back.

I so love the photos below that they took of Jake & Maddy. To cute!!!! I could just eat those beautiful cheeks. You can look at more of these photos on my flickr account here.

And the one that I think is the funniest! Maddy looks like she is about to drive that basket away!

Deja Vu

Tina — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:21:21 +0000

This weekend we decided to take a trip down to the local park since the weather was fairly nice and it wasn’t raining. It was Maddy’s first trip to the park. I remember when Jakob was Madison’s age and his first time swinging and going down the same slide. We took the camera along and I had Josh snap some photos. Below I am posting the pictures of me swinging and sliding for the first time with both Jakob (on the left) & Madison (on the right). I think it’s so cool. Ironically my hairstyle is just about the same too. I don’t actually wear my hair like that so much anymore, so I think it’s really funny that I just so happen to have the same hairdo in these photos.