tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45723358604398872652024-03-05T14:26:47.386-06:00Shurtz-Hassebrock FamilyTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-80589116831189302122011-07-20T04:21:00.003-05:002011-07-20T05:18:06.191-05:00Wow...over 8 months?I should be ashamed. It's been over 8 months since my last post. Not even sure if anyone still reads these posts. I won't even attempt to bring you to speed, because if we're friends on Facebook, then you already know what our life is like. Chaos. Drama. Blessed.<br /><br />This week, Lia is at Christ in Youth (CIY) Move Teen Christian Conference at SIU in Carbondale...my ol' stompin' grounds. I get texts or calls in the mornings and when she gets back to the dorms at night. Either she's not having fun or she's completely exhausted, because she texted last night that she didn't think she could make it another 3 1/2 days. I just keep telling myself that it's good for her.<br /><br />Jaxon has spent a lot of his summer here. We absolutely LOVE having him so much. I know Mike especially does - having all the kids together. He is such a great big brother to Kyan, and plays so well with him and watches over him. Jaxon also finds time to sneak away up to his room to play with his Lego sets. He has put so many together that I need to get pictures of them before he decides to disassemble. We mentioned last night that we're probably going to have to move up to the bigger, more complicated sets to last him longer.<br /><br />And then, there's Kyan...my baby, our little mini-tornado. Being almost 2 1/2 has its challenges. He's learning new words all the time, but still finds it hard to communicate. There are daily tantrums, not listening, refusing to eat, hitting, kicking...you know, all the normal stuff of toddlerhood. And then there are sweet moments when he makes Mike laugh, when he kisses me good night and says "MUAH" really loud and pats my back, and when he laughs. He has such a great laugh.<br /><br />We (well, Mike and his dad) have been concentrating on the yard this summer. Deck is done. Whoo-hoo!! And now they are working on the fence. Should be done soon.<br /><br />I've been to 2 concerts this summer - first New Kids on the Block (*sigh), and then the other night I went with Mike to see KISS for the first time. Great show.<br /><br />Looking forward to next week when my Dad and brothers will be all out here visiting. Me, Mike, and 2 of our kids will be heading down to Southern Illinois for a 4-day visit. It's miserably hot here so hopefully we can stay cool enough and not get worn out and grouchy. Thankfully my Aunt & Uncle have a pool.<br /><br />So, that's us for now. Mike and I are still working like dogs (he is physically worn out at the end of each day, and I'm mentally & emotionally worn out). Hate to waste money on the lottery, but right now, it's our only hope of getting away from the frustration we face daily. My little escape each day is my scrapbooking. I currently create for 3 awesome designers and promote for 2 others. I love the fact that I've made some great new friends online. Not sure if we'll ever get a chance to meet, but I love knowing I have this whole network of moms who share the same hobby that I do.<br /><br />What's coming up? Besides the family visit next week, Lia registers for her sophomore year soon; she'll be going to her first concert on 8/5 (Blake Shelton); and me, Mike, and Lia will be heading up to Chicago on my birthday for a little day-vacay.<br /><br />Hope all who still follow and read this are doing well. Hopefully I'll update again soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Happy now, Aunt Eileen.</span> :)Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-75526031448084959222010-11-01T10:39:00.002-05:002010-11-01T10:41:52.001-05:00Halloween & A New Fan<div align="center">Celebrating Duke's ranking as #1 for the 2010-2011 season, Kyan is showing off his Blue Devils shirt.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_0kXnQXiNiG2KLn9eTEOi_rxOpv2heDZ3bCqvk9VZet46qz66l7EXzt2R3c7JVAYBNVAPN_1Whh-FR2coj5Fm5HBtO5eCJxG0L16_6mgOlSwhd826f1cl2Nux2gG9Ra_7zBa_C1BB4U_/s1600/IMG_1493.PNG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534606640979753794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_0kXnQXiNiG2KLn9eTEOi_rxOpv2heDZ3bCqvk9VZet46qz66l7EXzt2R3c7JVAYBNVAPN_1Whh-FR2coj5Fm5HBtO5eCJxG0L16_6mgOlSwhd826f1cl2Nux2gG9Ra_7zBa_C1BB4U_/s400/IMG_1493.PNG" border="0" /></a> And look who showed up for Halloween...Mickey Da Mouse!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wc0oIeSTQdYutgBMJh5KOfKdL0fnsiTK4Z8M00iIAscTJopbBAeJecZmy-hbPpou2tiJzjMGyIN2o0oWiAOZgHFy9aSFm5a3bdJJOtW0Gtw9IA2djzxXpo2ZXfdMcH0z2bXNPyiIjV-6/s1600/IMG_3233.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534606619302333074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wc0oIeSTQdYutgBMJh5KOfKdL0fnsiTK4Z8M00iIAscTJopbBAeJecZmy-hbPpou2tiJzjMGyIN2o0oWiAOZgHFy9aSFm5a3bdJJOtW0Gtw9IA2djzxXpo2ZXfdMcH0z2bXNPyiIjV-6/s400/IMG_3233.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-89815303199654400892010-09-06T16:57:00.004-05:002010-09-06T19:04:35.162-05:00Eh...Why does a day start out with such promise & hope of achieving all kinds of goals & chores and then evening gets here and you look back and can only point out all you didn't achieve? That was today.<br /><br />Woke up early with Kyan, as usual. Was a little, ok a lot disappointed that my <a href="http://www.stufftoscrap.com/">favorite scrapbook site</a> was still down. The store & gallery are down, but at least the forum is still up. So, today was a mish-mosh of things done.<br /><br />First and foremost...laundry. How are our closets & dressers so full and there is all this laundry down here?!? It's still going as we speak, and growing probably too. Lia informed me when she woke up that she broke up with her boyfriend and reassured me that the new dress we just bought for homecoming would still be used because she would either go with a group of friends or ask someone. I worked on cleaning up around the house, but everywhere I turned someone (cough...Kyan) would have something else out...all over the place.<br /><br />Worked on downloading a bunch of new scrapbooking kits and cleaning out my download folder. Mike watched the race from last night - TONY WON!! Kyan finally went down for a nap around 11, and we were about to wake him up to have lunch until we heard a little voice from upstairs, "Hello?" After a quick lunch (thanks to sissy's help), we headed out to take Jaxon back to his Mom.<br /><br />After we dropped Jaxon off, we stopped by Hobby Lobby in Peoria so I could buy a <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/post-bound-scrapbook-album-oxford-481036/">new album</a> & <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/post-bound-top-loading-refill-pages-101972/">protectors </a>with my birthday money. It'll eventually hold Kyan's baby book. After we got home, Mike & Kyan walked around outside, swung in the swing, and enjoyed the fresh air. I, on the otherhand, continued with putting away clean clothes and keeping the washer & dryer busy. I also worked on uploaded a ton of scrapbooking layouts so I can eventually order them as prints and make....amazingly enough - ALBUMS. Worked on some editing, and listened to Kyan whine for over a good hour because he was mad they came back inside.<br /><br />We tried feeding him dinner, but he's going through this phase of not eating. He'll eat a little fruit and some goldfish, but other than that - he's just not interested. He's currently chillin' in his chair watching Monsters Inc for the millionth time, but we don't care. At least it's quiet. I just saw on Facebook that my 2nd cousin Chelsea (the 1st born Mary/Wayne Shurtz grandchild - Wayne - his 1st born daughter) - is currently being induced with her 1st daughter. So exciting.<br /><br />So my evening tonight will probably consist of more laundry...a little straightening up here & there after Kyan goes to bed, and kiss my husband bye as he heads off to work. Don't think I'll ever get used to him working nights. I have really enjoyed spending time with him this weekend, sleeping beside him each night. Oh well...it pays the bills.<br /><br />Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-48982035405888650462010-09-05T21:30:00.001-05:002010-09-06T12:23:29.243-05:00Girls Day Out & an Evening with FriendsToday was about Lia. We spent most of the afternoon searching for the perfect Homecoming dress. Unfortunately, given the short styles out this year - we were limited in our choices. We found a real cute one at David's Bridal (will post pic closer to Homecoming).<br /><br />Got home and took a short nap, while Mike worked on the backyard. Our peach tree and two other tree/bush eyesores are gone. Yay!! A few more steps towards a functioning backyard. Maybe by the time Kyan starts school, he'll have a backyard to play in.<br /><br />Lia, Kyan, and I headed over to Norm & Jodi's for a cookout and just...to hang out. Mike and Jaxon finished up on the yard and met us later. It was nice just sitting around and talking.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-58317811057004250212010-09-04T23:51:00.000-05:002010-09-06T12:15:05.125-05:00A little of this, a little of that<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8kHgAOazpea6DzwajKXDnt7-vS7JuK0OfJryJ66hB93KSoUOiI7gwhxATmEV4zr4HKxyIsKOmWxR02d8F3f1egIC34vwiz-tGtVrmd-6dyXOO2MxwtvrbZWfhA-Q4yu0Ed65ykhklYiJ/s1600/IMG_0957r.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8kHgAOazpea6DzwajKXDnt7-vS7JuK0OfJryJ66hB93KSoUOiI7gwhxATmEV4zr4HKxyIsKOmWxR02d8F3f1egIC34vwiz-tGtVrmd-6dyXOO2MxwtvrbZWfhA-Q4yu0Ed65ykhklYiJ/s200/IMG_0957r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513850175784312450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today I spent the morning cleaning & scrappin'. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG0ts3AuwJXr8wL0GxBkJ3WsYXvJGC5uN2ES1KLMunQZG6s5DaL7yv1bLIGZwnft3mR22v1vkqNXvb48EgpuQrjqsWnAPd5P7H6RGimsw_59qKj3r0dAWXkUryjBDxvbA-C5qyD0iqgpY/s1600/IMG_0850r.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG0ts3AuwJXr8wL0GxBkJ3WsYXvJGC5uN2ES1KLMunQZG6s5DaL7yv1bLIGZwnft3mR22v1vkqNXvb48EgpuQrjqsWnAPd5P7H6RGimsw_59qKj3r0dAWXkUryjBDxvbA-C5qyD0iqgpY/s200/IMG_0850r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513849529458260802" border="0" /></a>Mom & Sue came over around 10:30ish to give Jaxon his birthday presents. After spending a little time with them, we headed over the West Lincoln Broadwell to watch Lane Berglin & the Chester East Panthers play Mt. Pulaski in a baseball tourney. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHAdlHxR6MhOplEsMsn4nTb_crFsKYQ3I0I5gMBEF4Bz8tcIieaqVT2xaEIHE6CEOXAgo23-yep9pezHZnFt7J82whuYnoVyV1t6yeTE1RqSiGHU4WgtO4GmSWgXJQky-G0ul9RxhM0zo/s1600/IMG_0914r.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHAdlHxR6MhOplEsMsn4nTb_crFsKYQ3I0I5gMBEF4Bz8tcIieaqVT2xaEIHE6CEOXAgo23-yep9pezHZnFt7J82whuYnoVyV1t6yeTE1RqSiGHU4WgtO4GmSWgXJQky-G0ul9RxhM0zo/s200/IMG_0914r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513849780748359394" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, they lost following a late rally. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQSdTLGRgtR9mM18cuJrpDJIL1YYuUaqclck9-5ByyYPnDNbOGS_52yc5rpupzzC2475dj9g4-9xSSG-L0c2BfUUJ3HnU1MM_A0wieFoYfmmT3pvjlzapoHM_cZ1BQU94W3JOagR45dMa/s1600/IMG_0903r.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQSdTLGRgtR9mM18cuJrpDJIL1YYuUaqclck9-5ByyYPnDNbOGS_52yc5rpupzzC2475dj9g4-9xSSG-L0c2BfUUJ3HnU1MM_A0wieFoYfmmT3pvjlzapoHM_cZ1BQU94W3JOagR45dMa/s200/IMG_0903r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513849771028351490" border="0" /></a>Got a few good pics of the players, and of course of Kyan.<br /><br /><br />After an afternoon nap, we took the boys to McDonald's and then to Wal-Mart for some late shopping. Hoping to spend tomorrow with Norm & Jodi. Mike's goals are the yard & getting through all his newspapers - let's see how much of that actually gets done.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-70536051971769498082010-09-03T21:10:00.003-05:002010-09-03T21:39:00.701-05:00An Evening with JaxonSince Kyan was with Nana, you would think getting up and ready for work would've been easier. In theory...but, since I didn't sleep much last night, I didn't want to get up at all. I did...ugh...<br /><br />Work was...well, typical work. Nothing spectacular happened. I took the van in this morning, since Mike and Jaxon would be picking me up afterwards. My mind was in a million places t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs430.snc4/47338_1609122351803_1348536939_1636578_4798753_s.jpg"><br /></a>oday. Worried all morning about Jodi, missin' Kyan, and praying Mike wouldn't fall asleep before he got home. <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(For the record, it's about 9pm right now...he's been awake for over 24 hours)</span></span>.<br /><br />Mike and Jaxon picked me up, and we went to the mall for a bit before heading to dinner. We got Jaxon some clothes for fall/winter (and of course, I couldn't resist - I got Kyan an outfit...or two...). We walked around for a bit, then headed over to Applebee's for dinner. Jaxon wanted ribs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs430.snc4/47338_1609122351803_1348536939_1636578_4798753_s.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 98px;" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs430.snc4/47338_1609122351803_1348536939_1636578_4798753_s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We drove to Best Buy for a quick stop, then SAMs for diapers, then headed to Grady's for some fun with the boy. Go Carts & Bumper Boats - we had fun. Our first time at Grady's. We will definitely need to remember it next summer when it is a little warmer.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ-RE8NqfLZtj43cBLO5BmHRcLOnVn8YSIE4OUV1OrBo_bcVzG_5OyyXMtbyCKuBCXQgKSFKUhKu5H1XwlTnOsD5tYiLPwkPS6kP8he5QbGcn_Rjooy4qfaTnNhkDJSEevb7DyrKrgOHu/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ-RE8NqfLZtj43cBLO5BmHRcLOnVn8YSIE4OUV1OrBo_bcVzG_5OyyXMtbyCKuBCXQgKSFKUhKu5H1XwlTnOsD5tYiLPwkPS6kP8he5QbGcn_Rjooy4qfaTnNhkDJSEevb7DyrKrgOHu/s200/IMG_0846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512882231900930610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So...now we're home. I'm so tired I could just drop. I have a feeling, when Mike's head hits the pillow - he'll be out faster than I will. Night all...thanks for reading.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-7085403213164413632010-09-02T22:45:00.003-05:002010-09-02T22:53:06.489-05:00Almost forgot...Only day 2, and I almost went to bed before blogging for the day. My goal would've been ruined...but alas, I'm here. This one may be short as I'm beyond exhausted.<br /><br />So, my day didn't start off well. Did NOT want to get up this morning at all. Woke up later than planned, so I didn't get 4am editing done or any for that matter. I have so many things I need to accomplish this weekend: 4 photo editing assignments, many scrappin' challenges and assignments, not to mention housework and Jaxon's party.<br /><br />Back to my morning...as we are about to walk out the door, I can't find my new black pumps. Anywhere. I think I might've accidentally left them at the gym last week. Ugh. So, I wore my uncomfortable ones with the broken heal hoping it would last all day without falling off. It did, but my feet are killing me.<br /><br />Work was work. Couldn't stay focused for anything. Ate poorly, but what's new. Mike didn't get home & to bed until close to noon, which meant he would be sleeping when I got home. But the dog woke him up when we walked in, and I made him go back to bed. My mom (Nana) & Sue came & got Kyan for a couple days. After they left, Lia and I went to Wal-Mart for a few things. Man, she was sure hyper. Sick with a cold, but hyper.<br /><br />Then, the drama began to unfold. When we returned, Mike was awake and eating dinner (at 8:00 at night). We brought home DQ. Yum! Then, Lia started getting upset through a series of texts. He said, she said...shouldn't have said this and that. Poor thing. I hate seeing her upset.<br /><br />And I hate seeing Mike leave for work when we should be heading to bed, but he did. I just got done watching Big Brother, and browsing the scrap forums for the night. And here I am. Sleepy. Tomorrow is College Colors Day, and hopefully if I can find my Duke shirt, I'll wear that. Otherwise, it might be SIU. We'll see.<br /><br />Night. Thanks for reading.Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-1510911764969478642010-09-01T17:58:00.014-05:002010-09-01T18:57:01.898-05:00New Goals & Daily BloggingOk, so I just looked and it's been over a month since my last post on here. Shame, shame on me. I had all good intentions of posting pictures of each day in San Diego, but then got busy with life I guess ( mainly a toddler, Mike's new hours, Lia starting high school, and scrappin')...but none the less, life. So, I'm working on getting myself more organized...hold on - the toddler is beckoning me...<br /><br />Ok, he seems distracted with his toys for the time being. As I was saying, I've been working on getting myself organized. Finally got my desk cleaned off pretty well. Created photography & digi-scrappin' checklists, and cleaned out my purse. Believe me, the last one is a big accomplishment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk2geiHQOtvT9MOzrGXw5XOfi_9SmxG3Y28NgKMzzNOzeszuIQB1Vdb4lUkMvdRyf-0lnsxdnzmCusDLC_I1fAJjxny32KA8D5FgEq54mSt-Tn3-eL328hWMrWyBYEgeX-B70OXkObdHf/s1600/LearnfromKyan.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk2geiHQOtvT9MOzrGXw5XOfi_9SmxG3Y28NgKMzzNOzeszuIQB1Vdb4lUkMvdRyf-0lnsxdnzmCusDLC_I1fAJjxny32KA8D5FgEq54mSt-Tn3-eL328hWMrWyBYEgeX-B70OXkObdHf/s200/LearnfromKyan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512094515525904290" border="0" /></a><br />I've been doing SO much scrappin' this summer. I am absolutely in love with digital scrappin'. It is so much easier to manage and get stuff accomplished than feeling overwhelmed with a million supplies and no where to lay it all out. Now, all of my kits are resting comfortably on my hard drive. Between the scrappin' and photography, I'm now on 2 external hard drives. Yikes. Head on over to my <a href="http://memoriesbydigitaldesign.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">scrapbooking site</span></a> to check out all I'm doing. **Just won Layout of the Month at Stuff to Scrap with this layout.<br /><br />Have been busy over the last couple weeks with photography shoots (a couple families & a senior photo session). Head on over to my <a href="http://memoriesbydesignphotography.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">photography site</span></a> to see sneak peeks.<br /><br />In terms of our family - one word...busy!!<br /><br />Mike got injured at work and spent most of the summer working nights on light duty. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6ttODJAlZBjYo4DESjj8Cv-N9_UyOuHNjBDjrl1IpWIark1awBEQc5Z2d5bmZtuesKooQmvzPb4j5c4fOXxd5dcf4u0aCVOnLOeM-I9A9uEm6iFIjO3wOvBxmoIX3OkaMOsF4hABfIil/s1600/IMG_8799.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6ttODJAlZBjYo4DESjj8Cv-N9_UyOuHNjBDjrl1IpWIark1awBEQc5Z2d5bmZtuesKooQmvzPb4j5c4fOXxd5dcf4u0aCVOnLOeM-I9A9uEm6iFIjO3wOvBxmoIX3OkaMOsF4hABfIil/s200/IMG_8799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512095028494717858" border="0" /></a>Then last month, when the new routes were up for bidding - he decided he had gotten used to nights and chose that assignment. It's an adjustment for all of us, but hopefully we'll get into a groove and routine soon. He goes to work when we're all heading to bed and gets home after we're gone for the day. Hopefully, on good days, he can get 6 hours sleep. I think he may have gotten 7 hours today. He was able to go to a NASCAR race with his nephew Justin and his parents in July, just before our trip to California.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NkXU-r36KkURyzs1oawW8tbsJ_ebogd2OV2XYKO016Qtyjgxy-mFCcrkdPPQ0DoJYQhNV17eDoO3lFugB0aFhULKaOsuq_s-CHIaQy-tAoLea70pnFFA9JNf7gucbghgxSrPHKSPzuIn/s1600/New+Hair+Do.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NkXU-r36KkURyzs1oawW8tbsJ_ebogd2OV2XYKO016Qtyjgxy-mFCcrkdPPQ0DoJYQhNV17eDoO3lFugB0aFhULKaOsuq_s-CHIaQy-tAoLea70pnFFA9JNf7gucbghgxSrPHKSPzuIn/s200/New+Hair+Do.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512095284635886194" border="0" /></a>Lia had a great summer. She got her hair cut just after 8th grade graduation. Spent most of the summer hanging out with her boyfriend and best friends. She spent an extra week in California after we came home, and got stung by a jellyfish that week. She hung out at the fair with her friends, and prepared for the 1st day of high school. Ugh...my baby girl is in high school. :( Now, school is in full swing and she seems to be settling in okay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO57y8X3u8D-K3PHkE_JGofyBjHqIjNlW2IJliJqnQTNaMUK9qMIiS8QlVY-0jIngkCwhonq0l4gqLc8ZPQgKvNV64yR4_9vgFNgTI1uIZHp4Hx15ayMHBHOJLgUxRPNucKicb5AnTkjXe/s1600/IMG_9952.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO57y8X3u8D-K3PHkE_JGofyBjHqIjNlW2IJliJqnQTNaMUK9qMIiS8QlVY-0jIngkCwhonq0l4gqLc8ZPQgKvNV64yR4_9vgFNgTI1uIZHp4Hx15ayMHBHOJLgUxRPNucKicb5AnTkjXe/s200/IMG_9952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512096516970662066" border="0" /></a>Jaxon traveled A LOT this summer. He spent 2 weeks in Florida with his Grandma Wanda & Grandpa Ed (and cousins Justin & Jade), then spent the week in California with us. He LOVED the flight - said it was like a roller coaster. He learned how to ride & drive a 4-wheeler and rode a horse too. He had so much fun with my dad & stepmom. He lost his 1st tooth this summer too.<br /><br />Kyan - oh baby...he's growing everyday, learning new stuff everyday. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8yfy2OZ7rAgWSNW58zqvJw8ZDd8DeHApFSkSpLdCAc8U0WpClZyz_LCBKwMjeXaoo4jBCtX3mrCHy2JsAMoUpztp-mTHsoKb36vDOp5MefLFn9-nBfs5aM7M9vh1_2WiPPmyCGEAX1KC/s1600/IMG_8432.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8yfy2OZ7rAgWSNW58zqvJw8ZDd8DeHApFSkSpLdCAc8U0WpClZyz_LCBKwMjeXaoo4jBCtX3mrCHy2JsAMoUpztp-mTHsoKb36vDOp5MefLFn9-nBfs5aM7M9vh1_2WiPPmyCGEAX1KC/s200/IMG_8432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512096888431852402" border="0" /></a>My baby boy isn't a baby anymore. He moved up from the baby room at daycare to the toddler room. He learned a bunch of words through signing which has made communicating with him much easier. He's slowly learning how to say the words, so the signing is going away. He can say "Bye, Bye", "Hi", "Night, Night", "Sissy", "Momma", "Daddy", "Bubba", "Deuce", "I Love You", "Nana", and "Kitty". He's starting to say "Down". But his most precious words are "Peas" for please, and "Mow Mow", which has 2 meanings - Mickey Mouse and What does a cat say? He lost one of his ear tubes after we got back from vacation, but has been very lucky and not too sick this summer. Thank goodness for fresh air. Needless to say we're dreading the winter months.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeRLHH_1HgBMoPQ_uuZ4zL1pqjEk7_5ZxrqBuJJSxx1t3fxJFoFmNelvxW43xjiMulyQd8sHRGvWW2vFVVkT5DAYeiT8hQoXc-kJV8RAmH7yqXjXbAalTFJF3ooKfqESVZP0I17PJWk0P/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeRLHH_1HgBMoPQ_uuZ4zL1pqjEk7_5ZxrqBuJJSxx1t3fxJFoFmNelvxW43xjiMulyQd8sHRGvWW2vFVVkT5DAYeiT8hQoXc-kJV8RAmH7yqXjXbAalTFJF3ooKfqESVZP0I17PJWk0P/s200/IMG_0506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512097515582122450" border="0" /></a>Other than that, we've gone to the fair, up to Chicago to visit my cousin Ryan & Kerianne, and to the Lincoln Balloon Festival. Mike and I both turned 35 this summer, and Jaxon just turned 7 yesterday. I did make one trip to Southern Illinois for a friend's brother's funeral. Got to spend some quality time with my childhood friends and stopped by the cemetery and talked to Grandma for a bit. Her 77th birthday is this month, and the one year anniversary of her death is coming up in November. I'm not sure I'm prepared for it. I still have moments when I break down and cry. I miss her terribly. We kept her Facebook page that she set up to see the kids pictures. It's now her Memorial page. A lot of us use it to talk to her. Every little bit helps us heal.<br /><br />So...here I am. The 1st day of September and I just finished a pretty lengthy blog post. My goal is to post something every day this month. If I can make it through every day, maybe I can keep the goal for another month, and then maybe by then it'll be routine.<br /><br />Thanks for reading...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtSP6HrU5W1LZY_mQkMRF-8aVSAOwfEb7h6RtcV9XGqjiCukrUZIgZ_kAhZVQDxinOSb3WR7r9BRYGbna4Uo6efDA2gUj1_maGJUKy1yhHpctFoZyo2wPAnHXMsisdk23MCEVFzXJbGSK/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtSP6HrU5W1LZY_mQkMRF-8aVSAOwfEb7h6RtcV9XGqjiCukrUZIgZ_kAhZVQDxinOSb3WR7r9BRYGbna4Uo6efDA2gUj1_maGJUKy1yhHpctFoZyo2wPAnHXMsisdk23MCEVFzXJbGSK/s200/IMG_1169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512097878981854706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My babies walking to the Pacific Ocean.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">July, 2010</span></span></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-15502471938730569042010-07-28T06:11:00.002-05:002010-07-28T06:14:49.060-05:00San Diego - Day #1<div style="text-align: center;">On day #1 in San Diego, we got ready to go out to dinner - the whole family. We planned on going to Benihana restaurant, but they had an over hour wait, so we went to Por Favor Mexican restaurant instead. Here are some of the guys decked out in their Hawaiian shirts.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSM0npWnssm2k3XugCAcuWlbtvkgU_X9LjAt0aK3lmNIM5ORpia7zPIKFaC2Ce-T68w3EIzB1zMeMgUTtohyphenhyphenP3IDGcCwMVq1qWCIHj5_Rx2IHkN9pGtkpkfisMNPJF_HjVNLJVsWtycit/s1600/IMG_8881r.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSM0npWnssm2k3XugCAcuWlbtvkgU_X9LjAt0aK3lmNIM5ORpia7zPIKFaC2Ce-T68w3EIzB1zMeMgUTtohyphenhyphenP3IDGcCwMVq1qWCIHj5_Rx2IHkN9pGtkpkfisMNPJF_HjVNLJVsWtycit/s400/IMG_8881r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498913482889748178" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8vP6m6db0aGt69d2NUGfRHtPPDkHBTB6PRXOCXg-UCufRkwTfYefDK1UjosmEVXahSFTooPAY83yikBwUF7WLfEjuEqzhRRDpD-4PvArtambC2gm2phFXCS3neUHDC9j8BXLSySgt18f/s1600/IMG_8877r.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8vP6m6db0aGt69d2NUGfRHtPPDkHBTB6PRXOCXg-UCufRkwTfYefDK1UjosmEVXahSFTooPAY83yikBwUF7WLfEjuEqzhRRDpD-4PvArtambC2gm2phFXCS3neUHDC9j8BXLSySgt18f/s400/IMG_8877r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498913478208031362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76A7_4moeFxH5fD7dMcw3_4of_z29hDd15keLonqK0HzfW3PjVcvsEL50Fsy3zYs8a2Q94OQdVdXxFQmewLQUJLKastg_upJ1kOfBrgzZwFmenod9vYti1tlbj5qqG2GD1dQ-4MBjfF7U/s1600/IMG_8875r.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76A7_4moeFxH5fD7dMcw3_4of_z29hDd15keLonqK0HzfW3PjVcvsEL50Fsy3zYs8a2Q94OQdVdXxFQmewLQUJLKastg_upJ1kOfBrgzZwFmenod9vYti1tlbj5qqG2GD1dQ-4MBjfF7U/s400/IMG_8875r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498913471111885138" border="0" /></a></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-61567414118480717212010-07-14T19:25:00.003-05:002010-07-14T19:29:12.610-05:00Lia's New Summer Do<div style="text-align: center;">To celebrate and enjoy our summer vacation in California, Lia decided to chop her hair. She loves it, and I think it's adorable!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a8ZtDt37SBQ4pxo7R7zfndvPoJhwLMEuMkMm2Trcq5QYqBCXCd7ghCdRTDXenEeCdPs54f1hjV-rsx1TKlBijqaZVj5hyotiQrXyLFRjrl2MLoO3T8KKaVdMLPs06EhIpLUZWu0VFWSk/s1600/New+Hair+Do.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a8ZtDt37SBQ4pxo7R7zfndvPoJhwLMEuMkMm2Trcq5QYqBCXCd7ghCdRTDXenEeCdPs54f1hjV-rsx1TKlBijqaZVj5hyotiQrXyLFRjrl2MLoO3T8KKaVdMLPs06EhIpLUZWu0VFWSk/s400/New+Hair+Do.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493922920515988978" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a look from behind...choppy & cool...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v95qAfGd-bShWjakuIGBXaQ52jDKgRH5F4kwR5Ez0CBtbfL-UlbS6okvdZi59LXNmrC5JdyRdvS3ICmGkt8KrLmyjq8vjEpLjVOrStHXf__I1M1cWQByjA-et58WE60C2fuU3QupYZUP/s1600/New+Hair+Do+Back.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v95qAfGd-bShWjakuIGBXaQ52jDKgRH5F4kwR5Ez0CBtbfL-UlbS6okvdZi59LXNmrC5JdyRdvS3ICmGkt8KrLmyjq8vjEpLjVOrStHXf__I1M1cWQByjA-et58WE60C2fuU3QupYZUP/s400/New+Hair+Do+Back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493922914001835122" border="0" /></a><br />Here's what was left behind...a new wig...that girl had A LOT of hair.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnp4TVIFGs6imjF6o-Y838tU4JvNgAp6sQEPAjUzgL6rj3kruCRKehqdRcMshAuo_c02BXd1WAx-uFJfSg_mhuUp6FrRf8ugb8FfXrXQfS1vdk2J517lJ82pQGjXLKoXsAM9lOK46nHjg/s1600/IMG_0868%5B1%5D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnp4TVIFGs6imjF6o-Y838tU4JvNgAp6sQEPAjUzgL6rj3kruCRKehqdRcMshAuo_c02BXd1WAx-uFJfSg_mhuUp6FrRf8ugb8FfXrXQfS1vdk2J517lJ82pQGjXLKoXsAM9lOK46nHjg/s400/IMG_0868%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493922929043103906" border="0" /></a>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-86669701140266790602010-06-30T05:34:00.001-05:002010-06-30T05:34:36.234-05:00Like We Used To-♥Check out this awesome video Lia made using stop-motion...so proud of her hard work!!<br /><br /><object style="background-image: url("http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/TRNHukeejPo/hqdefault.jpg");" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRNHukeejPo&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRNHukeejPo&hl=en_US&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-417759642915832912010-05-27T21:08:00.002-05:002010-05-27T21:10:13.163-05:00So very proud...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwD12JfuBrfbSJQLAClXg1XYGhAlXV0nL90I6jux8J6GH-94tASJJumRKjdgFZJQTaQ-deTPWefMlTg1cpzP6h60ieA5yvpsyicHD56ZeEdn26TTGntJsxZ0gCphcAEFuTfj8ze0i9YKq/s1600/IMG_7964.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwD12JfuBrfbSJQLAClXg1XYGhAlXV0nL90I6jux8J6GH-94tASJJumRKjdgFZJQTaQ-deTPWefMlTg1cpzP6h60ieA5yvpsyicHD56ZeEdn26TTGntJsxZ0gCphcAEFuTfj8ze0i9YKq/s320/IMG_7964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476137389119660770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkuPoKMHs-MykC-j5Ji_ECOgYt-XwvJUoIz3Q20LT1lc0WpvFbwqzz24kxX-QAGsGroZRLvHVo6jAKBhipnmI8UWVNcN8hvqn70v2qMlOfKtRNReftXGFImcZGqMiRJPgBg0U8AbwA48L/s1600/IMG_7905.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkuPoKMHs-MykC-j5Ji_ECOgYt-XwvJUoIz3Q20LT1lc0WpvFbwqzz24kxX-QAGsGroZRLvHVo6jAKBhipnmI8UWVNcN8hvqn70v2qMlOfKtRNReftXGFImcZGqMiRJPgBg0U8AbwA48L/s320/IMG_7905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476137383010863410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQfZs8sqNwL5wg3xtFb-RlQOgwM1GKgcZ6zgXDhaNsGRkd6uC-K8vv6QxgKWQaOuiwgGU_B8DAbgN_S5Q4-prtIhT1DCgHKC6dgAHxPEXFvRNd1UbPOJ7Kr_F_hoqAXnDw3DOi6I9uvAn/s1600/IMG_7891.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQfZs8sqNwL5wg3xtFb-RlQOgwM1GKgcZ6zgXDhaNsGRkd6uC-K8vv6QxgKWQaOuiwgGU_B8DAbgN_S5Q4-prtIhT1DCgHKC6dgAHxPEXFvRNd1UbPOJ7Kr_F_hoqAXnDw3DOi6I9uvAn/s320/IMG_7891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476137374286333570" border="0" /></a>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-84784191160187500342010-05-27T12:21:00.002-05:002010-05-27T12:24:10.493-05:008 Years Down...8 More to Go<div style="text-align: center;">Today, our baby girl - Lia - graduates from 8th grade. Elementary school will be behind her, and high school awaits her in the fall...and then college.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSdgzJ5FKobQkLekHhGaG2u9XFzShgJWuYvmRvX5nUg2iuLTANAjudihE7_3jkpIV-NC8CVMlmfJfASPNcpuesTSCvPYbb15ys7PLgyLbFC_2HRw19h35Xx_tri0jYuv2JRkz0qWRVkJB/s1600/IMG_7700.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSdgzJ5FKobQkLekHhGaG2u9XFzShgJWuYvmRvX5nUg2iuLTANAjudihE7_3jkpIV-NC8CVMlmfJfASPNcpuesTSCvPYbb15ys7PLgyLbFC_2HRw19h35Xx_tri0jYuv2JRkz0qWRVkJB/s320/IMG_7700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476001412854696354" border="0" /></a>We are so proud of you, so proud of the young lady you've become. I cannot wait to experience these next few years with you. Love you Buggaboo!!<br /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-63141999066120702792010-05-09T20:14:00.003-05:002010-05-09T20:21:36.452-05:00Mother's Day Dessert<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Oreo Balls</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RUWAGfoUfhJAs8nozOMXw3p5PRvZ99nVP2xKClE9JmoJHSD8zt28VMscMMtt1XZzSLSzoaxMauUICfKUm7teqpnFWAE3F_qoJMi17w5INnYqPGInEirK7S79dzQuwYgK9SniX5yVfRot/s1600/IMG_7647.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RUWAGfoUfhJAs8nozOMXw3p5PRvZ99nVP2xKClE9JmoJHSD8zt28VMscMMtt1XZzSLSzoaxMauUICfKUm7teqpnFWAE3F_qoJMi17w5INnYqPGInEirK7S79dzQuwYgK9SniX5yVfRot/s320/IMG_7647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469443892175399074" border="0" /></a>1 Package of Oreos<br />1 8 oz. Package of Cream Cheese<br /><br />I used my KitchenAid Stand Mixer to blend together. Using my cookie dough scooper, I scooped into walnut-sized balls and placed on no-stick foil. Chilled for at least 1 hour.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyaBuuMpAJSXGP8_gp6tIYyIieNtILw4gc9hbQnkryExBE8cPJ9ZutjenQI6W8L51UdXRO7Wov-4NlVVKniOZf5KPxlhv8Rns0vS3Jns65Ay9pSh2t9Lzr97tvUJEGNsC7YjdrlSZ-ex9/s1600/IMG_7663.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyaBuuMpAJSXGP8_gp6tIYyIieNtILw4gc9hbQnkryExBE8cPJ9ZutjenQI6W8L51UdXRO7Wov-4NlVVKniOZf5KPxlhv8Rns0vS3Jns65Ay9pSh2t9Lzr97tvUJEGNsC7YjdrlSZ-ex9/s320/IMG_7663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469443899194009330" border="0" /></a>We melted 3/4 a package of chocolate almond bark and dipped each Oreo/Cream Cheese ball into the chocolate.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fg5BdysODXiZz6_yOswVLX-4OqEUxUEfWhGSsWsgb-RPW7DZqv2cNyoCFJgZrIzHymSLwMtXyn6cJgUtLThb4wgao_B3yXaecz6Nslgym1Sg9fpUU0z5mPqNI8tWoZcYuOqvI_-tHMrV/s1600/IMG_7666.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fg5BdysODXiZz6_yOswVLX-4OqEUxUEfWhGSsWsgb-RPW7DZqv2cNyoCFJgZrIzHymSLwMtXyn6cJgUtLThb4wgao_B3yXaecz6Nslgym1Sg9fpUU0z5mPqNI8tWoZcYuOqvI_-tHMrV/s320/IMG_7666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469443907845440354" border="0" /></a>Then we melted 1/4 package of vanilla almond bark and drizzled over each Oreo ball. <br />Placed pan in fridge to chill until served.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yummy!!!!</span></span><br /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-70383805667994313642010-04-09T06:55:00.003-05:002010-04-09T07:02:42.273-05:005 Months Ago<div align="center">It has been 5 months since my grandmother passed away. In that time, we still feel the loss...a great deal. 5 months of wanting to call her when Kyan reaches a milestone or shows up in the paper for Easter. 5 months of pictures to share. 5 months of crying on the drive home when normally I would be calling her. 5 months of wishing I could've seen her one more time. I know my family misses her, especially me and my mom. Grandma and I had a connection, a bond. She was (along with my mom), my hero. She was strong, loyal, protective, loving, caring, giving, everything a mother & grandmother should be. There are still moments I forget, and then am sad when I remember. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">There isn't a day that has gone when we don't think of you. You will forever be in our hearts.</div><a href="http://memoriesbydigitaldesign.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458106496373441426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZcmqYW9vax0Jx0k3IG0MiyMGNL7G67if9ej6spAM-PrXyojB-Z0_EHq4G9SoIdO1yoFJEpuTvotSlxhEPZbH-arlPScJXJV_1Ms9wDWiSvOZOJTDpyWks7l1M4TerX1zH7_4e66pimCt/s400/PinkGrandma_-_Smaller.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-43795760071877179622010-04-05T05:20:00.002-05:002010-04-05T05:22:05.228-05:00Whatta Face!!<div style="text-align: center;">Even with a face like...he is adorable. We got a big kick out of him making faces in the window. He was watching Daddy fix sissy's bike.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98VYmvpmoxFUgCYpxQRj6iqRKIQgIawbAMIaqZHw-zh8PR1WZC8qm9yeAPkK2lpzGORkbzy_w7atC6618ECZxO3GJ2rx04F9J-Gciu94xhs17ugJYWJHbg8zhQctL09UHAvs5BMB50dNA/s1600/IMG_7230.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98VYmvpmoxFUgCYpxQRj6iqRKIQgIawbAMIaqZHw-zh8PR1WZC8qm9yeAPkK2lpzGORkbzy_w7atC6618ECZxO3GJ2rx04F9J-Gciu94xhs17ugJYWJHbg8zhQctL09UHAvs5BMB50dNA/s400/IMG_7230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456596397119346066" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-55466900216734412972010-03-23T16:21:00.002-05:002010-03-23T16:22:15.040-05:00Kyan's 1st Birthday Pics<div><embed src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=2305843009239203870&site=widget-1e.slide.com" style="width:350px;height:262px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:350px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2305843009239203870&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/p1/2305843009239203870/bb_t014_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2305843009239203870&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/p2/2305843009239203870/bb_t014_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2305843009239203870&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/p4/2305843009239203870/bb_t014_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-55515411356366060282010-03-22T05:09:00.002-05:002010-03-22T05:12:28.638-05:00Birthday Pics Coming Soon...<div style="text-align: center;">So, I got pretty much everything done I wanted to get done this weekend, except for:<br /><br />1. Laundry <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(working on it but not done)</span></span>...and...<br />2. Edit Birthday pics<br /><br />Here's a sneak peek!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKtGYvq1uvJYFHSL3MIV317YomFecI0D-ffAh3UdDxNNoi0R4pLdWMMyp4uzGBKqewfXwVY9jXFJ0GQqin5eiq2lFGwQQMGvuNFT4o6lrN3hGzMx4FF-8RbviEI83caWKc6FwSytYzTWH/s1600-h/IMG_6956.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKtGYvq1uvJYFHSL3MIV317YomFecI0D-ffAh3UdDxNNoi0R4pLdWMMyp4uzGBKqewfXwVY9jXFJ0GQqin5eiq2lFGwQQMGvuNFT4o6lrN3hGzMx4FF-8RbviEI83caWKc6FwSytYzTWH/s400/IMG_6956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451398514511173986" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-78437592471328827302010-03-20T07:35:00.002-05:002010-03-20T07:41:15.265-05:00What to do this weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">First, clean up and prepare for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kyan's 1st Birthday Party</span>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU9k5EdG52FUZGhh2WSJSFUpkc00mH94ABYWbQrAj-Asn2JJUu5ElOr59Xn5DpqIuwqn5Gyo7XrbYrVsX-yGlE9bUu6003msQjVYq7Y0p4uO5f835vSNnqciwxunsZwCoY4YqloMhVJUa/s1600-h/Getting+Ready+-+Page+020.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU9k5EdG52FUZGhh2WSJSFUpkc00mH94ABYWbQrAj-Asn2JJUu5ElOr59Xn5DpqIuwqn5Gyo7XrbYrVsX-yGlE9bUu6003msQjVYq7Y0p4uO5f835vSNnqciwxunsZwCoY4YqloMhVJUa/s400/Getting+Ready+-+Page+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450693996981834322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This page was designed using Creative Memories products. To see more of my digital scrapbooking work, check out my other site - <a href="http://memoriesbydigitaldesign.blogspot.com">Memories by Digital Design</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>Second thing to do this weekend, update this blog - goodness gracious, it still has Valentine stuff on it and seems a mess.<br /><br />Third, celebrate Christmas with my Godmother. Yes, I said Christmas.<br /><br />Fourth, scrapbook and find time to relax. Highly unlikely on the relax part, but we'll try.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-54675503710674159102010-01-09T20:43:00.002-06:002010-01-09T20:46:05.398-06:00Winter...ugh!<div style="text-align: center;">There are no words to describe my extreme dislike for winter. I love how so many of my friends rejoice at the thought of snow...ugh. I will say, very beautiful to look at, but...then...I'm over it. It can melt. I did see this pretty tree today...so there is that...small moments of winter beauty.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2uFUb-JD2kuf6sWL3tITGOGWnf3qrNQ-dVd-voKsBhNo-esZLU8855J4yUpNYtRN3ZxsF7RMuqKC3H7AdavVLF7swxIautMBYpzj15SOP6v1Zmg-EWUV-GV3uqmgDqBMlGYhPFkAzW_Y/s1600-h/IMG_6129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2uFUb-JD2kuf6sWL3tITGOGWnf3qrNQ-dVd-voKsBhNo-esZLU8855J4yUpNYtRN3ZxsF7RMuqKC3H7AdavVLF7swxIautMBYpzj15SOP6v1Zmg-EWUV-GV3uqmgDqBMlGYhPFkAzW_Y/s400/IMG_6129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424936739774690402" border="0" /></a>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-6736109036712745852009-12-22T05:37:00.002-06:002009-12-22T05:39:02.926-06:00A Proud Day for Daddy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-eTx5hXYnN4Q_YITVb8m9XvqCZAGYuVsLzh8Er6qNneipis9kfyPesTilxHzAIAbRhxXhUbjSwLqYpho1nN5qFlr_CDKoSfmAlW8Nce0EV7-6kc4VUZPKu91IRqf_WTNzcayNwrpWfCg/s1600-h/IMG_0277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-eTx5hXYnN4Q_YITVb8m9XvqCZAGYuVsLzh8Er6qNneipis9kfyPesTilxHzAIAbRhxXhUbjSwLqYpho1nN5qFlr_CDKoSfmAlW8Nce0EV7-6kc4VUZPKu91IRqf_WTNzcayNwrpWfCg/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418023493867283858" border="0" /></a>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-31722843587392098512009-12-12T19:59:00.003-06:002009-12-12T20:05:19.802-06:00Santa Claus came to town...for pictures!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kyan</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4JIasrlbpgypDjdX2T1fSIHegPkDv-dVTh_ze0k81JtQRnKTxHW19h8udbjAZOtkU26nq4T-HSC4S9PMqL-CfwtfUnIfHTDqcKLiAEyzqfCFEhcmCShyn1JJ9GXHgJG_tA_qQF6ztq8N/s1600-h/MyPhoto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4JIasrlbpgypDjdX2T1fSIHegPkDv-dVTh_ze0k81JtQRnKTxHW19h8udbjAZOtkU26nq4T-HSC4S9PMqL-CfwtfUnIfHTDqcKLiAEyzqfCFEhcmCShyn1JJ9GXHgJG_tA_qQF6ztq8N/s400/MyPhoto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414535754592242418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Jaxon</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o2Dd-z1-bOjVlv-_t7XZe0G9I4AoIZupWe0ILuxquLdkU3jEPnFjUYXtmDB7dzpQ8iytj-9of7tOn8Brr6HK9qqOC8Dx8q6-Ov5sM2mzzkV5N_RVqWtQLyERz9RYp06hkFE2NjCKjYdM/s1600-h/image-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o2Dd-z1-bOjVlv-_t7XZe0G9I4AoIZupWe0ILuxquLdkU3jEPnFjUYXtmDB7dzpQ8iytj-9of7tOn8Brr6HK9qqOC8Dx8q6-Ov5sM2mzzkV5N_RVqWtQLyERz9RYp06hkFE2NjCKjYdM/s400/image-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414535748156476386" border="0" /></a>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-70806921636481366412009-12-02T19:33:00.005-06:002009-12-03T06:16:58.167-06:00Those that came before him...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjzNtHA7566lH8a5qoVqOwCCatS5sP24-wefdpBFIqk181eAoSENgazHshlpEDm95WVbJcgsKpb2uKUz2I9CzhEacoc6snDjq53my168aNFbhw8raJKKohHaRZaN-0y6mptDWKxzs8NUe/s1600-h/IMG_5407bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjzNtHA7566lH8a5qoVqOwCCatS5sP24-wefdpBFIqk181eAoSENgazHshlpEDm95WVbJcgsKpb2uKUz2I9CzhEacoc6snDjq53my168aNFbhw8raJKKohHaRZaN-0y6mptDWKxzs8NUe/s400/IMG_5407bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410817201566805202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">In memory of my Aunt Judy, I post this picture. Kyan is sitting on the chair the once belonged to his Great Grandmother Mary Corn & her mother, his Great-Great Grandmother Mable Baudison (my mother's mother and grandmother). He's leaning against the pillow made by his Great Aunt Judy, my father's oldest sister. She made me that pillow and gave it to me at my bridal shower. It is made out of Kyan's Great Grandmother's (Mary Shurtz) pajamas (my father's mother).<br /></span></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-57932208536563537702009-12-01T18:32:00.004-06:002009-12-01T18:39:27.094-06:00Please Lord...<div style="text-align: center;">...watch over my family...both sides. Last year, we lost my Grandma Shurtz, my husband's cousin Chris, and my great-aunt Pat. This year, we've lost my Aunt Lori in September, my Grandma Corn in November, and now my Aunt Judy.<br /><br />Aunt Judy, you always made me smile & laugh. I will cherish your humor, your artistic abilities, and creativity. I will especially cherish the pillow you made me, made of Grandma's pjs. Love you, and give Grandma Shurtz a kiss for me.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGmbQJRSDH-A4vATgvAjgXLoTtzauwYKYsFYQwdJ3uEyiYDjCDsmixAUEq06vh8Llpacx3wQu9IEdnc_ULiKIk6pFEFnIWDEWFd3K1m25l-5alg97EQWhxUGbQ2_Vy3CPkiGdLs6H05Yo/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGmbQJRSDH-A4vATgvAjgXLoTtzauwYKYsFYQwdJ3uEyiYDjCDsmixAUEq06vh8Llpacx3wQu9IEdnc_ULiKIk6pFEFnIWDEWFd3K1m25l-5alg97EQWhxUGbQ2_Vy3CPkiGdLs6H05Yo/s400/IMG_3755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410431403893788658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This picture was taken at my bridal shower in April, 2008. It was taken with all my aunts present that day.</span></span><br /></div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572335860439887265.post-55923579638793424202009-11-23T04:38:00.002-06:002009-11-23T04:45:43.186-06:00Be a better Mom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu199/narutos_girl_photos/blindside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu199/narutos_girl_photos/blindside.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Mike and I went to see the new movie, "The Blind Side", about a wealthy white family who take in a poor black kid and provide him a home & education. This is based on a true story, and the mother Leigh Anne Tuohey makes you want to be a better wife and mother, or at least I do. She was take charge and compassionate. She was an amazing multi-tasker and provider. Her husband was madly in love with her, and her children respected her. I would love to meet her someday.<br /><br />The movie was excellent, heartwarming and cute. I might even go see it again with Lia.<br /><br />http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12251770649408238309noreply@blogger.com0