The Nature Of The Way Things Is

Miss Ella

2010-09-02T09:53:00.002-05:00

I put Ella's hair in rollers and wanted to get her picture with her perty hair - love how this pic turned out...

The Badlands, SD

2010-09-02T09:46:00.002-05:00

Jim, Aidan and Ella doing the Fossil Hike - they have fossils they've found there encased in glass domes for you to see. Lots of prehistoric critters' remains have been found in the Badlands.

Aidan was in heaven, climbing all the rocks. Mama was nervous - there's huge canyons you can just drop off and fall into if you go off the man-made walkways. It was 106° there that day so we definitely got a taste of what makes the Badlands 'bad'.

Reptile Gardens - Rapid City, SD

2010-09-01T21:22:00.001-05:00

Methusela the Tortoise is 128 years old - so was there we went to Reptile Gardens circa 1970. You don't get to ride them anymore, but you can pet them and sit with them - the kids loved it!

When the tortoises want to go inside their enclosure, they go wait by the door. It must have taken this one half a day to get to the door, once he decided he wanted in. They move so slow it's almost imperceptible.

K-Bars Lodge in Keystone

2010-09-01T21:18:00.002-05:00

Aidan feeding a wild turkey outside our lodge.

Our view of Mount Rushmore from our deck at the lodge - it's on the left side of that rock cliff - we had a perfect view of Washington's profile.

Mount Rushmore

2010-09-01T21:11:00.002-05:00

We had a perfect day for visiting Rushmore - it was clear and sunny, perfect for lighting and viewing the monument. It's truly amazing that this was accomplished, both artistically and logistically - you don't realize the magnitude of the accomplishment until you're looking at it in person - truly amazing. I could probably blow apart a mountain with dynamite if I had to, but to have it look exactly like certain people on such a huge scale is just unbelievable.

The Begging Burros

2010-09-01T20:51:00.004-05:00

In the early 1900's, they used Burros to carry tourists up to the top of Harney Peak in Custer State Park (Harney Peak is the highest point between Pikes Peak and the Swiss Alps). When cars came into being, they no longer needed the burros and released them into the wild. These are their descendents, and they love to beg for food as you drive past. Oh, and they eat ANYTHING.

Walking down the middle of the road is a good way to get cars to stop.

"Gettin' all up in my grill" as Jim said.

Aidan loved this white one. He was the only one that didn't come up to the cars, or people - he would just stand off by himself, but was very gentle if you fed or petted him.

By the way, they love Cheez-its. (That's INSIDE our truck).

This guy was like Mr. Ed. He'd stand there and flap his lips until you placed a cracker in his mouth. If you stopped feeding him, he'd still stand there and flap his lips for 5 minutes until you fed him again.

I had to roll the window up on these two characters. They simply refused to say goodbye. Last thing I saw was 2 noses straining to stay in the window as I rolled it up. The burros were a good time!

2010-09-01T20:42:00.002-05:00

Here's the first Buffalo we saw as we drove into the park. We stopped to take pictures, not knowing that we'd practically have Buffalo inside our cabin the next day!

Now I see why they have the signs along the road - Warning: Large Wildlife on Roadway

Buffalo Jams are SO much more enjoyable than Traffic Jams...

Blue Bell Lodge - Custer State Park, SD

2010-09-01T15:58:00.007-05:00

First thing she did when we got to the cabin was find a Ponderosa Pine branch and use it as a broom to start sweeping - like mother like daughter :-) Our cabin was beautiful - new, clean, nice covered front porch - it was perfect!

First morning we were there, Jim was awoken to a sound like a chainsaw outside. He looked out the window to see this. (All those white dots are more buffalo's eyes in the background).

The Buffalo stayed in the campground for the entire morning, grazing wherever they wished (and we later learned they 'moved' an air conditioner unit off it's cement base). I took this photo while peeking around the corner of our cabin, from our porch.

This is also taken from our porch, looking down the drive from our cabin.

Here's one of the big bulls. He's about 5 feet from our porch in this pic. That calf on the left side of the pic is about the size of a normal cow! The bulls are about 6 feet tall and up to 2000 pounds, and can run up to 40 mph. ISN'T HE CUTE?!

Here's a Bighorn Sheep we were lucky to see. There is a disease in the herd, and all of the babies only live 6 months before dying. So if they don't figure out a cure, the entire herd will be wiped out soon. This is a female, so doesn't have the huge curled horns like the male bighorn sheep do.

The kids hauling firewood to help Daddy with the campfire.

Hiking...

In the backyard of our cabin - the kids really bonded on this trip - Aidan was such a nice and helpful big brother and they got along really well - it was so nice to see!

Our last night there we went on a Hayride/Chuckwagon Cowboy Dinner. Here's Aidan and Ella ready to go~!

And here's us...yee-haw!

The Haywagon Ride drove us around looking at wildlife and singing songs...here's Ella playing the tamborine.

Aidan got to sit by the cowboy-singer, he liked that! He kept requesting Johnny Cash songs.

During the Chuckwagon Supper, Aidan said he was having trouble biting his hamburger because of his loose front tooth. So we told him to see if he could pull it out - AND HE DID! This is about 2 seconds after he pulled it out - we told him that's just what a cowboy would have done - he was so proud!

They had a cowboy dance after supper, complete with the Hokey Pokey and Chicken Dance

The Kids got their picture taken with Cowboy Keith - he was the guy who played guitar and fiddle and sang songs on the hayride. Real nice guy, born and raised in the Black Hills and knew all about the history and culture of the area - the kids loved him.

Aidan's first horse ride - he got to go on a trail ride with just him and a cowboy - no mommy and daddy hovering over him - he loved it!

And Ella got her own ride on Penny the Pony. She was so proud - sitting up there like a big girl!

And a little family picture on our last day, on the front porch of our cabin.

2010-04-06T14:35:00.003-05:00

Easter Egg hunt at our house in the morning...

Aidan finds the Easter Baskets that the Bunny hid...

Our 2 little bunnies...

Ready for Church...

Aidan racing to find Eggs at Grandma's. He got some Minnesota Twins wrist sweat bands in his basket, and decided he better wear them for the Egg Hunt in case he got sweaty - don't want to drop an egg due to sweaty hands.

Ella finding Eggs at Grandma's

Momma made them stop for a picture - they weren't too thrilled - wanted to open their eggs!

Ella's Birthday Part 1

2010-01-28T13:42:00.002-06:00

These were taken on her actual birthday...

Opening her Bitty Baby Crib

Singing Happy Birthday

Eating her Cupcake

Ella's Birthday Part 2

2010-01-28T13:39:00.002-06:00

Here's some pics from her party on Saturday:

Of course there was eating...

And opening presents...

And finally the cake!

Aidan and Sam were more than happy to help with the candles..

Ella's learning to dress herself...

2010-01-28T13:38:00.002-06:00

...here she is after putting her own pj's on.

Cowboy and Cowgirl

2010-01-28T13:37:00.001-06:00

Someone moved into our Christmas Tree on our deck...

2010-01-28T13:34:00.002-06:00

Snow

2010-01-16T14:08:00.002-06:00

Mom asked if all of our snow melted since we had several above-freezing temp days here last week. The answer to that question is a resounding "No". This is what it looks like today, after a weeks worth of melting: (We went sledding this am, then Jim was out trying to break the big chunks of ice out of the end of the driveway.)

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T22:13:00.002-05:00

Ready to go! Spiderman and the Pink Poodle...

Ballard's first Trick or Treating experience...

The Family ...

Here they are in action...we tried to teach Ella to say "Trick or Treat" - she'd hold her bag out and say "Treat-Treat" at every door. Apparently she's not interested in Tricks, she just wants the TREATS! Smart girl.

Poor Kitty got left at home.

Halloween Parade at Kindergarten

2009-10-29T15:57:00.002-05:00

This morning was Aidan's Halloween Parade at school...they came into the Gathering Space and sang songs for the parents, then paraded to the Church Offices to trick-or-treat, and then to the Preschool Classroom to show their costumes to the preschoolers . Can you guess which one is Aidan?

Ballard's making some progress...

2009-10-29T15:55:00.002-05:00

He's now allowed to have half his body on the bed, for about a half a minute.

Aidan learned to tie his shoes!

2009-10-29T15:32:00.004-05:00

Working hard...

Success!

See anyone you know???

2009-10-29T14:04:00.001-05:00

{hint} look closely...

I'm dre-e-e-eaming of a whi-i-i-ite Columbus Day...

2009-10-12T13:22:00.002-05:00

This is definitely the earliest snowfall I've seen in my life. I took this pic this morning, and it's still coming down. Got about 4 inches on our patio table now.

Pumpkin Patch 2009

2009-10-11T14:27:00.003-05:00

We hit the Pumpkin Patch after church this morning. It was about 35°, with a VERY cold wind. But we persevered.

Ella modeling her new winter wardrobe. She sums up the look in one word: "PINK!"

Our little Pumpkin. (Ella is the pink one.)

Aidan would have brought home a truck load if we would have let him.

Ella took me LITERALLY when I told her to find one 'just her size'.

Here's the fraction of one second when they actually stood still.

First Snow of the Season!!!

2009-10-11T14:22:00.003-05:00

We woke up to snow Saturday morning. Most of it had melted by the time I took this picture in the afternoon (was too cold in the morning for Aidan to go out). But he insisted he go out and 'play in the snow'. He'd have gotten his sled out if I had let him. o_O

Ballard got a brand-new Dog Bed.

2009-10-05T15:53:00.002-05:00

Don't ask him how he likes it...he hasn't gotten to try it yet.

Another innovative invention from Aidan...

2009-10-05T15:51:00.001-05:00

...the laundrey basket recliner...perfect for watching Barney. (Notice each Laundro-cliner comes with it's own Remote Control.)

Ella

2009-10-05T15:47:00.001-05:00

these are a few weeks old...

Some House Pictures

2009-09-24T16:02:00.003-05:00

Here's some "Before" pics of the house, before new Roof and Siding:

And here's the "After" pics (click on them to see them bigger, more detail)

First day of Kindergarten!!!

2009-09-11T12:44:00.003-05:00

Aidan did great - he was so excited to go, and was still excited when the day was over. We're so proud of him! Can't believe I have a kid in school o_O

Mr. Aidan kicking a goal in Soccer

2009-08-27T14:15:00.003-05:00

Some pics of our Pretty Girl...

2009-08-27T14:11:00.001-05:00

Ella doing dishes at the cabin...

2009-08-03T12:20:00.001-05:00

She figured out that she could drag a cooler to the sink and 'do dishes'. Hopefully she thinks that is this much fun when she's 16...

Fishing in Canada

2009-08-03T12:14:00.003-05:00

Here's one of the Northern's Aidan caught in Canada...

And I think this one is a Perch...

Aidan learned to ride his bike!

2009-07-18T12:44:00.003-05:00

After a few failed attempts at us trying to teach/help him to ride his bike without training wheels, he decided to do it all by himself while at the neighbor's house. He came home and wanted to show us - sure enough, he could do it! (Of course, he weaves all over the street like a blind monkey driving a motorcycle, but by gosh, he keeps the bike up!)

4th of July

2009-07-18T12:39:00.004-05:00

We spent the afternoon at Big Marine Lake, then came home to see the Cottage Grove fireworks. Nice family day!

Rock City

2009-07-11T15:12:00.004-05:00

Fun at Nana's and Papa's

2009-07-11T15:10:00.001-05:00

Rootin' Tootin' Scootin'

2009-07-11T14:49:00.001-05:00

Ella Being Silly

2009-06-08T17:55:00.001-05:00

Our Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model

2009-06-08T17:54:00.001-05:00

Aidan's Preschool Graduation

2009-06-08T17:49:00.001-05:00

They had a little Program the last day of school - here's a couple pics of Aidan performing with his class...

Ella, have you been eating Bubbles?

2009-05-16T17:17:00.005-05:00

No. Why do you ask?

The Reluctant Hug...

2009-05-16T17:13:00.004-05:00

My Chitlins on Mother's Day

2009-05-16T17:10:00.000-05:00

What more could I ask for?

Ella's new Favorite Spot

2009-05-16T17:08:00.001-05:00

There comes a time in every girl's life when she needs a little space. And since Ella doesn't have a Bedroom, she's decided this 8-inch space between the couch and the wall will just have to do.

More Reluctant Hugging

2009-05-16T17:07:00.001-05:00

Ella in the Sandbox

2009-05-16T17:05:00.001-05:00

This is actually a laugh, not crying...

Easter Day

2009-04-16T08:35:00.003-05:00

More Easter Baskets!

More Easter Egg Huntin'

Sharing the Loot...

Easter Morning

2009-04-16T08:31:00.002-05:00

Easter Egg Hunt...

Easter Baskets...

Ballard go Bye-Bye

2009-04-16T08:27:00.002-05:00

Ballard was sent off to 2 weeks of Doggie Hunting School while Jim is in China. Here he is showing of his Easter/First Day of School outfit. (Just had a bath - he gets extra fuzzy and weird looking after baths.)

After-Bath Nakie Coloring Time

2009-04-16T08:26:00.002-05:00

More Than You Ever Wanted To See Of Our Cat

2009-04-05T16:31:00.002-05:00

Came across Kitty laying in the Living Room today. Thought he was dead, but no such luck. Just enjoying Life, the Sunshine, and his General Lack of Inhibitions.

Miss Ella

2009-04-05T16:27:00.003-05:00

Playing Nicely...

2009-04-05T16:26:00.002-05:00

is Oh So Nice.

Ella must have had Cooties this day...

2009-04-05T16:22:00.002-05:00

Apparently, if you want a relaxed and comfortable, natural looking pose - DO NOT tell a 5 year old to 'put his arm around his sister'.

Coloring is Kind of Big Deal here

2009-04-05T16:17:00.002-05:00

The kids are crazy about coloring right now. I'm loving it - a nice, quiet activity. So quiet that you forget where they are and what they are doing. And did you know that a Magic Eraser will remove crayons from a wall? An ENTIRE wall? It does!

Who can resist this FACE?

2009-04-05T16:15:00.001-05:00

Plotting an Escape?

2009-04-05T16:12:00.001-05:00

I've noticed the hole in our Screen keeps getting bigger and bigger. Hmmmm.....

It started with a Hug...

2009-04-05T16:04:00.002-05:00

Aidan learned you need to be careful when showing girls affection - you might get more than you wished for. He gave Ella a nice hug and thought the encounter was over.

Ella had other plans. A nice hug deserves a kiss in return...

and another....

and another....

I finally had to pry her off of him. It was a nice change from the bickering though!

Birthday Pics

2009-03-09T16:23:00.001-05:00

Did I tell you I hired a cleaning crew?

2009-03-09T16:21:00.000-05:00

"THE LOOK"

2009-03-09T16:18:00.002-05:00

This is The Look I get when I tell her 'No'.

Ella finally enjoys her bath...if it's in the sink

2009-03-09T16:16:00.001-05:00

Ella playing in their Toy Food/Cooking Cabinet

2009-03-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

Ella Marie

2009-03-09T16:11:00.001-05:00

A Boy and his Dog

2009-02-17T13:31:00.001-06:00

I can't wait til Spring - Aidan's obviously running out of things to do inside the house.

A Girl and her Turtle

2009-02-17T13:29:00.002-06:00

Ella finally lost her fear of the turtle Ann and Kate gave her for her Birthday:

Birthday Party

2009-02-01T19:52:00.003-06:00

~ The Party Girl ~
(she's wearing a Pettiskirt from www.forgetmenotkids.com - and she accessorized herself with her red Mardi Gras beads)

The Birthday Girl and Daddy

with Uncle Sean...

Opening presents

At this point in the party, she took her diaper off and left it in the living room (no one noticed), went into Aidan's bedroom where the kids were playing, and proceeded to pee all over the floor. So she had a wardrobe change into her pink onesie, with a hand-sequined Number '1' on it.

Kid's singing Happy Birthday song...

The boys helping with the candles...

CAKE!

Ella's Birthday

2009-02-01T19:32:00.002-06:00

Opening Nana and Papa's gift (at 7:00 am, per Aidan)

The Bee

The Birthday Cupcake

Aidan helping blow out her candle

First taste of chocolate!

Christmas Morning

2009-01-10T16:54:00.003-06:00

Thought this one was kind of funny!

2009-01-10T16:53:00.000-06:00

Got some cute pics of Ella...

2009-01-10T16:45:00.004-06:00

Got some great pics of Aidan too!

2009-01-10T16:43:00.000-06:00

Ella trying out her new toys...

2009-01-10T16:41:00.000-06:00

Enjoying the weather in Kansas!

2009-01-10T16:39:00.002-06:00

I should be packing...

2008-12-21T13:20:00.004-06:00

But here's some new pics!

Aidan had his Preschool Christmas Program on Friday. He did REALLY GOOD! He sang all the songs, did all the hand motions, played his Maracas at the right time, etc.! They were singing and acting out Christmas songs.

He takes the Maraca playing VERY seriously:

Shadrack and Snimm made paper snowflakes and hung them from all of our ceiling fans one night.

Ella playing Legos

Ella's hair "au naturel" after a bath

Aidan showing off the Gingerbread cookies we made (Shadrack and Snimm left us gingerbread cookie dough one day).

Ella, caught in the act. The bathroom door was left open and she climbed up on Aidan's stool!

My assistant Chefs. This is what they do while I cook every night.

My silent business partner.

Shadrack and Snimm, as we found them one morning. They drug the bathtub from Aidan's dollhouse into our bathroom, and made themselves a bubble bath!

Ella's favorite toy - Aidan's plastic Fireman Axe.

Santa!

2008-12-14T12:06:00.002-06:00

This guy down the street from us plays Santa every year, and collects canned goods for the Food Shelf, so we went to see him last night. Ella did pretty good, I was afraid she would cry, but she just stared at him mostly.

Ella's WALKING!

2008-12-13T20:48:00.003-06:00

She started walking about 3 days ago. She's been taking one or two steps for a couple weeks now, but 3 days ago she took about 6 steps and walked to Jim. Today, she took about 8 steps and walked across the living room. She's practicing it a lot, but crawling is still her main mode of transport. Here's a pic of her walking! (She had just had a bath so her hair is a bit freaky).

Shadrack and Snimm strike again!

2008-12-13T20:44:00.004-06:00

Here's a few of their latest hi-jinks:

They hid all of the Figures in Aidan's Nativity Set, and left a note telling Aidan he had to find them all!

They snuck into our fridge and died our milk GREEN!

And in their worse trick yet - they pooped in our toilet and forgot to flush!?! (Interestingly, Elf Poop looks JUST LIKE raisins .....hmmmmmm.....

Holiday Train

2008-12-13T20:34:00.003-06:00

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train comes right through Cottage Grove, so we drove down to the tracks to see it. It was literally about 30 below with windchill - VERY cold! One of the Boxcars opens up and they have live bands playing Christmas Music. Santa is there, mingling. They serve free Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Christmas Cookies, and the kids all get those free glow in the dark lights they like so much. Then you spend a half an hour walking to your car a mile away, seeing who can get the longest icicle to form from the water running out of your nose.

Here's some pics of the kids there, and of the train - all the box cars are decorated with tons of holiday lights - it's a lot neater looking in person probably.

Some random pics...

2008-12-13T20:32:00.001-06:00

Shadrack and Snimm have been busy...

2008-12-09T13:55:00.004-06:00

Shadrack and Snimm are our 2 elves I told you about. Each night while we sleep, they play a little trick on us...here's what they've done so far:

Put Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream in our Freezer...

Spelled Aidan's name on our Dining Room table, in M&M's

Drew Snowflakes on our toilet in toothpaste.

Dressed up Aidan's Superman Doll in all of Aidan's winter clothes. We woke up to him staring out the big window. Scared the heck out of Mommy.

Hid Candy Canes in Aidan's Snowboots...

Here's some Christmas Tree Ornaments Aidan and I made this morning:
You take muffin foils, and squirt that expanding Foam Insulation into them, add a fake cherry and some beads for 'sprinkles', and an eye hook to hang them with. They look just like little Cupcakes!
We'll hang them on the tree later today.

And here's a disheveled pic of Ella. She needs a haircut but I'm not sure what to do about it.

Some Ella Pics...

2008-11-10T08:00:00.005-06:00

poor Aidan's sick so not in the mood for photos the last few days...here's a few of Ella.

Ella in Playland...

This is my constant view while I'm trying to work on my computer...

Someone inherited the Climbing Gene from Daddy and is beginning to try it out. (That's my lamp table with my Postal Scale on it. Guess she was wondering how much she weighs?)

She's also trying to figure out how to open the baby gate. She fiddles with the gray knob all time - thankfully it's BabyProof. Hopefully it's EllaProof.

Here's some cheeks for you to pinch...

And Ballard and Kitty having a "moment"....

Had to Share...

2008-11-02T20:18:00.003-06:00

Tonight while I was making dinner, Aidan was messing around with his Halloween Candy at the Dining Room table. All of a sudden he says "Mommy, look - I made my name". I had to take a picture - he spelled Aidan and Dario with his Candy...

I typed letters over his candy letters in the bottom pics, so you could 'see' it in case you couldn't make it out in the first pics...

Isn't he awesome????

Halloween!

2008-11-02T17:28:00.008-06:00

We had a great Halloween, mostly because Daddy was home for the first time (usually Jim has to go to the Automotive Show in Vegas every Halloween - but not this year!).

Aidan was a Tiger, Ella was a Black Cat, and Mommy was a Leopard (forgot to get a pic of me!).

It was about 2o degrees warmer this year as well, so for the first time ever, we weren't FREEZING the whole time...

Here's a few pics...

Jim left work early to carve pumpkins with Aidan...

I was taking a picture of Aidan and Jim on the porch with their pumpkins, and some people stopped and offered to take a pic of us so I could be in the picture also...too bad Miss Ella was sound asleep in her crib at the time, or we'd have had a nice family picture! Oh well, it's still a nice pic of the 3 of us...

Aidan and Ella in their costumes. Not very happy as you can see.
Aidan was ticked because Jevon from next door had come over to show us his costume, and I wouldn't let Aidan get up to go see him, because I was trying to get a picture.

Ella was ticked because we stuffed her into a Black Cat costume.

Ok, Aidan's a bit happier now. Ella's still ticked about the costume.

Still ticked...

Ballard dressed up as a GOBLIN for Halloween! Oh wait, no....that's just...Ballard.

Ready to go Trick or Treating!

Aidan's a professional...

The Loot....

Just a pic of Ella....

Aidan after "Spider Day" at school - they were supposed to wear black, and they made Spider hats and Spider Treats, etc.....

Ballard's decided to re-landscape our backyard...NO CHARGE!

2008-10-12T11:21:00.002-05:00

I think it starts with him digging up the walnuts the squirrels bury, but then he decides to see if he can get to China while he's at it...

Here's Aidan sitting in one of Ballard's holes...

Some pics (went to buy our Pumpkins this weekend)

2008-10-12T11:16:00.004-05:00

Aidan feeding the fish in the Koi Pond at the Pumpkin Patch this weekend...

Just thought this was cute, the two of them watching Ballard out the window...

If I had graduated in 1956 instead of 1986...

2008-10-08T13:15:00.004-05:00

Va-va-va-VOOM!

www.yearbookyourself.com
Just upload a photo of yourself and it will morph you into a Highschool Senior from decades past. (Yes, that's really ME.)
I can't stop laughing every time I look at that picture so I thought I would share :-)

Our Annual Trip to the Apple Orchard and Cornfield Maze

2008-10-05T12:59:00.004-05:00

Went to Fischer Croix Apple Orchard on Saturday. The Corn Maze was MUCH easier this year - just took a half hour.

We couldn't help but recall LAST year's Maze... when we got lost inside for 3 hours. I was pregnant and exhausted and HOT. Not to mention having to pee in the Cornfield. By Hour Three, panic had set in and clothes started coming off due to the heat. Nothing says "Autumn" quite like a panicked pregnant woman running out of a Cornfield in her underwear.

Anyway, here's some pics from our excursion...

Aidan picking apples...

Aidan in the Corn Maze...

Ella in the Corn Maze...

Mommy in the Corn Maze...(took the pic myself is why I look crazed)

Mommy and Ella on the wagon ride to the Maze...

Aidan and Ella in the Maze...

Aidan's 4 Year Portraits...

2008-10-05T12:57:00.002-05:00

Took these at the Pumpkin Patch...

Look who's STANDING now!

2008-10-05T12:55:00.005-05:00

I think she'll be walking by the time we come down for Christmas!

This is the first 'stand' I got on camera...

Talking to Ballard...

Combing her hair before church...

Ella's 8 month Portraits...

2008-09-20T14:32:00.002-05:00

Just some pics

2008-09-20T14:21:00.004-05:00

Ella discovered the DollHouse.....! She plays there constantly now...

Moved to the big girl bathtub...

Playing after bathie...

Aidan introduces Ella to the Little People Village...

Couple pics of Ella watching Aidan's soccer game...

2008-08-07T14:42:00.002-05:00

New Pics

2008-08-04T12:38:00.004-05:00

Ella's "I LOVE PEAS" face...

My brother's the Sheriff 'round here. Puts me in Jail. (Mommy's the Guv'nor...she lets me out.)

Went to the Washington County Fair this past weekend...this is just us resting between rides at the Carnival...

Pony Ride!!! (Mommy's smiling, so this must be before she stepped in the poop.)

Aidan and a baby cow. Yes...it's a cow. $10 to whoever can figure out which end is the head.

Our solution to high gas prices.
("Aidan! Get on the Camel! We need to go to the Grocery Store!")

We even have a driver. We're high-class like that.

Couple Pics

2008-07-14T14:19:00.002-05:00

Ella is sitting now!

Aidan and Ella snuggling a bit before bedtime...

White-Folk at the Beach

2008-07-06T16:44:00.004-05:00

I'm fairly certain people were trying to sit near us, in hopes that the reflective quality of our white skin would speed up their own tanning process...

Miss Ella in her swimsuit for the first time...

Aidan and Mommy building sand castles...(note our extensive progress after about a half an hour).

Fourth of July Pics

2008-07-06T16:30:00.005-05:00

Went to Mary's for a few hours on the Fourth...here's some pics...

Aidan in his Fourth of July regalia...

Daddy and Ella...

Mommy and Ella...

Uncle Sean gettin' Ella...

Uncle Sean gettin' Aidan...

Grandma Mary started a Water Pistol Fight and was soon outnumbered...

A truce is called while everyone reloads...

Kate pretends to be on Grandma's Team (also known as: Why Grandma's Pants are Wet)

Aidan and Ella at home, dressed for the late night Fireworks Display...

Ella at the Fireworks, with her Shooting Headphones on...

Misc. Pics

2008-07-06T16:25:00.003-05:00

Aidan and Ella together (he always wants to hold her)...

Aidan and Daddy showing off the Birdhouse they made together. They used the Birdhouse Dad made for us as a 'blueprint'. (Dad's house hangs off our shed every year and a family of Sparrows has babies in it every year.) We hung this one on our deck and have had some lookers, but no one has moved in yet. (Apparently the real estate market in the bird world is also slow right now). We're having an Open Bird-House next weekend in hopes of getting someone to move in...

Recipe for Beef & Pepperoncini Sandwiches

2008-07-06T15:31:00.003-05:00

3-5 lb. Chuck Roast
4 tsp. chopped garlic (I use the jarred kind)
16 ounce jar of Pepperoncinis (I'll use TWO jars next time though - total of 32 oz.)

*Here's a picture of a Pepperoncini - the kind my store had were Vlasic, and they are sold right by the Pickles, etc.

Sprinkle Garlic over roast, then dump the entire jar of peppers into crockpot (stems, juice and all). I didn't add ANY water - just use all the juice in the jar of peppers.

I cooked on high for 3 hours, then on low for about 4 hours.

Take roast out and shred it, remove blubber, etc. Put back into crockpot, into all of the juice and peppers. Let marinate about an hour on low.

When ready to eat, use slotted spoon to get meat out, place on a hoagie roll. Top with some of the whole peppers (remove stems if they haven't already fallen off). Put a slice of Provolone Cheese on top. Put under Low Broiler for a couple minutes until toasted.

Enjoy!

Couple new Pics

2008-06-17T15:18:00.002-05:00

Best Buds...

Aidan being Aidan...

Ella's 4 month Portrait (I took it) - I think it turned out pretty cute?!