Our Family Blog

Christmas Tree 2008

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

“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!!!!

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

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

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.