circle of life

this is part sad.....part awesome




oh.....and there is new music

I like the new layout

J is there new music for New Years or are you still in the Christmas Mood. I can;t wait to see you all. We are moving our beds today, so i am officially hoping to sleep and cook in my new house tonite. I still have to go some pots and pans. Have a great Day!!

All DONE

We finished moving today. All we have left is our beds and the tv, because we can't live two day without the tv. I feel so releived. Now all we have to do is put everything away. The kids room is done. i got that done today while I was at work, and the kitchen is done also. We didn't have that much so we still have alot to buy and the money is not falling off trees right now. I am so glad that everyone had a great Christmas. I wish we could have been together. Have a great night I am off to bed because I am so tired. I haven't slept in days.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! We had a really nice day. Lyle was up at 2am wanting presents and he didnt go to bed before 12:30(but I know he did go to sleep for a little while because he didnt see Santa come, which was what his goal was) He woke up Alyssa , Ian , and Ash, so they got their stockings and went back to bed til 6. We wouldnt let them open presents til 8.We had cinnamon rolls, banana bread, blueberry pie and raspberry pie, with hot chocolate and gingerbread coffee for breakfast. The little kids got homemade pajama pants and slippers on Christmas eve and they put them right on over their clothes and slept like that. I asked them why and they said so that they could go right out side when they got up, they just had to slip off their pjs and theyd already be set to go play(ahhhh, vacation. My laundry load goes way down during vacations, and theres always hot water for showers .) Books, games,dvds and army guys were the hot items under the tree this year. Everyone has been very busy playing quietly. its back to work today for me and Wes and I had to take Tim to work by 6 this morning (when do i get to sleep in? Afew years, I know) I think Ill hit RiteAide and the Family dollar(the only stores in town) before I go home and see what kind of great sales I can find.(I did my shopping for christmas this year in January and Feb. and we have 3 birthdays coming up , so there are always things to buy.) Alyssa got BINGO for Christmas so were are having Bingo games on New Years Eve with prizes and everything , batteries and food will be some of the sizzling prizes.There is still a little snow on the ground but its melting fast, weve had 40s and rain for the past 2 days and it supposed to be in the high 50s tomarrrow. Well Happy New year and Love you lots . Sandi

MErry CHRistmas

Mom and Dad I loved the movie now I have more of an idea where you live. We had a great day. We slept in till almost 10, we opened presents and ate around one. The kids loved opening up the presents and have been playing all day. Ruben and I have been moving stuff to our new house. I had a doctor's appre on Wednesday and they tolds me any day Addisen would be coming so we are trying to get in the new house before it happens. We are so excited to finally have aplace of our own. Today I even got a blender and a toaster for x-mas for the new place, what a great gift. We took down the tree and decorations and stored everything. It's not snowy here and it was warm today so it didn;t really make me want to leave the tree up longer. Hope everyone had a great day. Everyone we love you.

Merry Christmas! (come on over and visit)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Love,

Phil and Tami

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

I'm dreaming....

Merry Christmas, Everyone.

Love you!

Uncle Phil

Moving and Paiting

I was so excited, moving and painting sounds like fun right. It has been alot a work. We are finally finished now we have to vaccum and clean up so they can come and clean the carpet. The apartment complex is paying for it so it;s one less thing I have to do. I hope everyone is so excited for X-Mas sorry I did not set out my ornaments because I was bad about the schedule. It has been so crazy. I thought about going out today and we got freezing rain I can't even walk outside the door without falling. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

sometimes

the holidays can sometimes become very tiring.....that's not how it should be...but in case it is....try a japp candy bar



Merry Christmas

Christmas

Wow, my life here seems pretty boring compared to all the excitement that is happening in NY. Phil and I finished our little bit of Christmas shopping early. Today I'm feeling that although I've said I'm quite happy about not having to brave the crowds in the stores, I feel as if I missed out on some of the excitement of Christmas. We will be celebrating with our all the kids and grand kids in January, and I am excited about that! Now I'm wondering what Phil and I should do for Christmas Eve and Christmas day this year. Any suggestions? Love you all and wish you all a Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Christmas Tales from New York

Amist the time honored tales of Christmases long long ago ,like Rudolph, Frosty and the Grinch, other , not so legendary, tales are created. These are the Christmas Tales of the Warrior, Tallchief, Rogers, Quinn family.

The Tale of Holiday Cleaning.

Along with the shopping, wrapping, and baking I figured Id do some holiday cleaning and the boys room really needed it , it took 2 days , and since we dont have any closets we use a lot of storage totes so I decided to make a little reading corner for lyle out of 3 of them. fold a blanket and lay it over the top and put some pillows on it (A reading corner) Well Ian wanted one too so I made him one. So (my darling boys) , even though we bought them a really nice wooden bunk bed last february, have been sleeping on top of $30 worth of totes for 2 weeks now.

The Tale of Holiday Giving

My "friend" Joe a t the post office was selling popcorn for his son who is in boy scouts.So i ordered a tin of extremely expensive , but yummy chocolate covered caramel popcorn and 3 weeks later it came in. Joe gave me the small tin and I say(its paid for right? (knowing well that I had paid for it , but just going through the motions) and my "friend " Joe says NO. Well not being one to argue with a rather large stressed out man who has 4 kids, a wife who was in the hospital for the past week, has 100 joyous christmas packages to deliver along with his regular mail and since I have exactly $18 left to my name, I pay him another $18 for this wonderful popcorn. $36 popcorn! Needless to say my kids dont get to snack on it only parents get to eat golden popcorn.

The Tale of Christmas Baking

One day last week I had a terrible headache, the kind that doesnt go away unless you go to sleep for a long time. Well I really wanted to get some cookies made so despite the headache I started mixing them up. I needed vanilla so I grabbed the bottle from the cupboard and poured alittle in and it was red! I had grabbed the cough syrup instead of the vanilla. It took me a while to convince Cameron that I wasnt trying to kill anyone.

The Tale of Christmas Shopping

We had a terrible snow storm friday and the schools were all closed, but we had to go out to Houghton to pick up Tim and Ash. We made it out there just fine , and since it was such a beautiful day and and the snow was coming down at at least 2 inches per hour and the snow covered road looked exactly like the snow covered field on both sides of the road, I decided it would be a a great time to go christmas shopping! So we stopped at a walgreens on the corner and we shopped for about a half hour while the parking lot was quickly filling up with snow. When we came out happy with our purchases we were soon faced with a blizzard of snow falling and blowing and with the fact that wes had lost the keys in the parking lot that was filling with snow for 30 min. Well we searched the store and shoveled the parking lot but found no keys.(One of the greatest parts of this story is that that was the only key we had for the car and also on that ring was the only key we had for the hous and the only key we had for our fire box safe.) Me and Ashley and Tim had had enough and we decided to risk our lives crossing a four lane road in the middle of a blizzard to go to burger king and have lunch. Before we left(knowing a secret that not many know until now, that Wes used to steal cars when he was younger) I said to him , I know you know how to do it , do what you have to do I WANT TO GO HOME!!!! and left. 10-15 min later I called him to see how things were going and he had the van running and we got home without any further excitment. Its amazing what a paper clip a broken allen wrench and a little "injun"uity can do.

These are the Christmas Tales we will tell our grandchildren and laugh about for years to come.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Were off now to do a little more shopping and in addition to the paperclip and allen wrench, I will be carrying a wire coat hanger in my purse also, because my car is acting up and it just locks when ever it wants to , and a paper clip and allen wrench will not unlock my doors.

Joyous Holidays to all Love sandi

A Christmas story

A String of Blue Beads
by Fulton Oursler
Peter Richards was the loneliest man in town on the day Jean Grace opened his door. You may have seen something in the newspapers about the incident at the time it happened, although neither his name nor hers was publicized, nor was the full story told as I tell it here.
Pete's shop had come down to him from his grandfather. The little Christmas front window was strewn With a disarray of old-fashioned things; bracelets and lockets worn in days before the Civil War; gold rings and silver boxes; images of jade and ivory, porcelain figurines.
On this winter's afternoon a child was standing there, her forehead against the glass, earnest and enormous eyes studying each discarded treasure, as if she were looking for something quite special. Finally, she straightened up with a satisfied air and entered the store.
The shadowy interior of Pete Richards' establishment was even more cluttered than his show window. Shelves were stacked with jewel caskets, dueling pistols, clocks, lamps, and the floor was heaped with andirons and mandolins and things hard to find a name for. Behind the counter stood Pete himself, a man not more than 30 but with hair already turning gray. There was a bleak air about him as he looked at the small customer who flattened her ungloved hands on the counter. "Mister," she began, "would you please let me look at that string of blue beads in the window?" Pete parted the draperies and lifted out a necklace.
The turquoise stones gleamed brightly against the pallor of his palm, as he spread the ornament before her. "They're just perfect," said the child, to herself. "Will you wrap them up pretty for me, please?" Pete studied her with a stony air. "Are you buying these for someone?" "They're for my big sister. She takes care of me. You see, this will be the first Christmas since Mother died. I've been searching for the most wonderful Christmas present for my sister." "How much money do you have?" asked Pete warily. She had been busily untying the knots in a handkerchief and now she poured out a handful of pennies on the counter. "I emptied my bank," she explained simply. Pete Richards looked at her thoughtfully. Then he carefully drew back the necklace.
The price tag was visible to him but not to her. How could he tell her? The trusting look of her blue eyes smote him like the pain of an old wound. "Just a minute," he said and turned toward the back of tile store. Over his shoulder he called: "What's your name?" He was very busy about something. "Jean Grace." When Pete returned to where Jean Grace waited, a package lay in his hand, wrapped in scarlet paper and tied with a bow of green ribbon. "There you are," he said shortly. "Don't lose it on the way home." She smiled over her shoulder as she ran out the door. Through the window he watched her go, while desolation flooded his thoughts. Something about Jean Grace and her string of beads had stirred him to the depths of a grief that would not stay buried.
The child's hair was wheat yellow, her eyes sea-blue, and once upon a time not long before, Pete had been in love with a girl with hair of that same yellow and with large eyes just as blue. And the turquoise necklace was to have been hers. But there had come a rainy night--a truck skidding on a slippery road--and the life was crushed out of his dream. Since then, Pete Richards had lived too much with his grief in solitude. He was politely attentive to customers, but after business hours his world seemed irrevocably empty. He was trying to forget in a self-pitying haze that deepened day by day.
The blue eyes of Jean Grace jolted him into acute remembrance of what he had lost, The pain of it made him recoil from the exuberance of holiday shoppers. During the next ten days trade was brisk; chattering women swarming in, fingering trinkets, trying to bargain. When the last customer had gone, late on Christmas Eve, he sighed with relief. It was over for another year. But for Pete Richards the night was not quite over. The door opened and a young woman hurried in. With an explicable start, he realized that she looked familiar, yet he could not remember when or where he had seen her before. Her hair was golden yellow and her large eyes were blue.
Without speaking, she drew from her purse a package loosely unwrapped in its red paper a bow of green ribbon with it. Presently the string of blue beads lay gleaming again before him. "Did this come from your shop?" she asked. Pete raised his eyes to hers and answered softly: "Yes, it did." "Are the stones real?" "Yes. Not the finest quality--but real." "Can you remember who it was you sold them to?" "She was a small girl. Her name was Jean. She bought them for her older sister's Christmas present." "How much are they worth?" "The price," he told her solemnly, "is always a confidential matter between the seller and the customer." "But Jean has never had more than a few pennies of spending money. How could she pay for them?" Pete was folding the gay paper into its creases, rewrapping the little package just as neatly as before. "She paid the biggest price anyone can ever pay," he said. "She gave all she had."
There was a silence then that filled the little curie shop. In some faraway steeple, a bell began to ring.
The sound of the distant chiming, the little package lying on the counter, the question in the eyes of the girl and the strange feeling of renewal struggling unreasonable in the heart of the man, all had come to be because of the life of a child. "But why did you do it?" He held out the gift in his hand. "It's already Christmas morning," he said. "And it's my misfortune that I have no one to give anything to. Will you let me see you home and wish you a Merry Christmas at your door?" And so, to the sound of many bells and in the midst of happy people, Pete Richards and a girl whose name he had yet to learn, walked out into the beginning of the great day that brings hope into the world for us all.
Just thought you all would like this... I read it this morning in my advent book i am using...Love you all
Ash

Snow Snow

The snow here is so beautiful. we have not had a good snow yet, but we got like 4 inches. I am so tired, I have been working two jobs and keeping up with the kids and going crazy. This isthe last week of school before X-Mas break so the kids are wound up. I told them I am not coming back after Christmas break and it is si sad, I did a lot of crying. My new house is getting painted right now and we should be able to move in next week if possible. I am so hoping for a snow day tomorrow. iwould really like to clean my hosue and spend some time with my kids. I miss them so much right now. I feel like I have not seen them enough. One of the bonuses of this new job is being at home, but when we are not moved in yet the kids cannot be here and it is not much like home. Ruben's first Christmas program is tonite so I think that should be fun hopefully he will sing. I love you all pray that I will have this baby soon. I am bigger than a house.
Brandi

NYC

Daaron

Alright all, I'm getting more technologically and computer savvy so I'm going to begin more video stuff. J, I have to say, why haven't the Bills gotten rid of all the players who were drafted before Dick Jauron and Marv Levy came in. Loserman completely threw away the game. Thanks so much.. I still watch/listen to the Sabres though.

Daaron is learning to sew his own pajamas so I took a video. There's no sound however. Notice the pajamas he's wearing in the video. Those were made by he and Debra. Now they are working on another pair. So, without further ado. Here's Daaron sewing.
Love you all!!!

Hi again!!

Hi, Im back for a couple minutes. Brandi you have such exciting news!! J were into college football now too were giving up on all the other Buffalo teams. Yeh Tim when ya gonna start blogging or call your mother or talk to your sister who stays in the building a few yards away?? Ash everyone is waiting to hear how NYC was, we want pictures. I have pictures of my 4 ft advent calander it turned out pretty good. I just cant post any pictures with moms computer, Ill have to send some with Ash when she goes back to school after break. Wes went back to work this week so Ive been getting lots of things done. I figured out how to bake cookies on my wood stove, so I made snickerdoodles and chocolate chip, I also made meatloaf and mashed potatoes on it the other day. I havent used my regular stove or hardly any of my electric cooking things in more than a month, the only thing Im using propane for now is to heat water for showers. If it was up to me we would use camp showers warmed by the stove (camp showers are like big water bottles with a hose thingy and a shower head, i actually have one) I think that would totally push wes over the edge though, so Im trying to contain myself. Ive had a chance to work on some of the presents that I wanted to, I finished 2 pair pj pants,2 hats, 3 pr slippers, 7 pillows, I started and still have to finish 2 pr slippers, 2 wooden guns, 2 wooden airplanes, 2 camo army guy containers, and 2 camo covered drawing notebooks, I have about three other kinds of cookies to make and peanut butter popcorn and peanut brittle. If it doesnt rain next week and wes goes to work, then I should be able to get them done. Lyle told me today that if we didnt have presents for christmas it would be okay , because christmas is really for Jesus birthday and to spend time with our family. So I asked him if we didnt have presents what would we do? He said we would have all our family here have a feast and sing, and that would be a great christmas, I agree! So then I asked Alyssa and Ian what they would do if there was no presents, and they both said it would be ok, so I was thinking that I would play a trick on them and not put any presents under the tree on christmas eve and just keep them in my room and when they woke up see what they thought. Ashley, Lyle wants to know why you like him so much? He was wondering if it is because you both have green eyes? Alyssa went to a dance friday night at school, (not her first, but the first time a boy asked her to dance) and when he asked her she said EWWW NO! Wes thinks its because shes not interested in boys yet, but I hate to tell him that i was probably just because it wasnt the right boy. Teh she had her first babysitting just Sat night , she baby sat all by here self at there house for 4 hours, she did a great job and she is so excited that she finally made her own money other than winning art contests or giving hola hoop lessons to her grandma gates. I got to go shopping with mom last night for a little while and today me , mom and alyssa went to an open house at the herb shop in perrysburg and bought myself all kinds of neat things . like local honey and beeswax candles, soap, soup and tea. Well, I getting long again Have a great week . Love Sandi

Surprise

I have somany pictures I wish I could share with all of you. We had so much fun today. The weather was great it was like 60. We played outside and fed the ducks, they came right up to our door when we opened it. I think we might have to stop feeding them, but the kids love them. I did a littel Christmas Shopping today and watched dad's video a couple of times. We went to church and they had a surprise baby shower for me. You should have seen Gwen she was in the cute blur dress and in these little black shoes, too cute. The boys were wanting to hold her and carry her. These boys re like 6 and 8 and 10 and they are after my 10 month old, scary. What will it be like when she is 15? Ruben ran himself wild and found a can of coke so I think we will be up for a while tonite. Gwen is sleeping already she was exhausted. Well hope you all have a great Sunday. J thanks for the good music. Love you!!

B

Christmas

a little christmas music

(it's at the bottom if you need to turn it down or shut off)

i guess i could take requests though too

j

My first movie

How to eat an Oreo.
(Note: the "white fuzzy stuff" is the cream filling)

Moving!!

It's official. I am moving out. Yeah!! I am so excited I feel like an adult now. I got the job and offically start December 18th. Then I will hopefully be moving the first week of Jan. The same week the baby is due. I am so excited to be home and spend more time with my kids. I am excited to not have to drive in the snow to work everyday. I have a lot of work to do before we move and I am not at all mobile enough to move. If i get started now it will be easier I hope. I just wanted tolet everyone know and I will let you now when I get my new address. I have not sent out my ornament yet, but I have not had time for anything. I just go to wrk and go and train for the new job, then cook and clean and do school work it is getting crazy, and if you did not know I am pregnant. Love you all!!!
Brandi

Cool Video and other stuff

Hi all! I'm at work for the moment, but will be leaving shortly. Not feeling too hot. Anyway, I just wanted to share a cool video with you as well as say hi!
Have a great day!
Mike, Deb, and Daaron

Well, I'm back at work this morning feeling much better. Daaron had his Christmas program last night and Dr. Ball went with us to that. We had a great time. Hope you all are doing well.
One last video.....


Love you all,
Mike, Debra, and Daaron

man am I behind

Hi everyone. I'm at work right now so I can post. Well, I'm at work a lot, just haven't had enough of a break from suspending kids and listening to teachers to actually get on here. It is good to hear from everyone. We are doing ok, I think. We seem to be passing around a lot of sickness though.

J, I'm with you on all that you just said. And when, oh when, will we get rid of Losman and RUN THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!! AUGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!. I've given up hope on all Buffalo teams. At least until Sunday, or maybe tonight, if I get a chance to listen to the sabres. Why oh why do I do it to myself?

Also, how do I post a video? I saw an awesome one today and wanted to post it for you all. I'll try to figure it out. Love you all.
Mike, Deb, and Daaron
p.s. I think I figured out how to get video to you all, just not able to right now.
p.p.s please pray for the weather man to be right about the ice storm tonight. we all would like the day off and I'm a little concerned for the safety of the weatherman should he be wrong AGAIN!

Brandi, i wish you here the other night to put up the tree. i wish i was there i would make you some pizza....i miss the kids a lot.......i'm excited that i will be there soon, and hopefully get to see my new niece
aunt sandy....wow, i don't know how you do it.....it seems very very busy.....i think you definatley need to show a picture of this four foot calendar...i want to see it....I think we need to make plans to spend christmas together some year soon...it's been too long....
grandma - HI! how are you? did you get my cookies? i hope you enjoy them i put a lot of hard work into them
dad- stop trying to abuse me, i'm a good kid for the most part and i'm very tired
timmy- when are you going to blog something?
ashley - thanks again for the movie, i hope all goes well with your final days of school
....ummm......i don't know if anyone else actually reads this....

j.p. loserman - (i know he is not a family member) please stop stinking.....lee evans is one of the best recievers in the nfl and you need to throw him the ball...

the bills in general......throw the ball to lee evans!!!.....you drafted a wide reciever (that you don't play) to free up lee evans......if you throw him the ball you'll free up marshawn lynch...keep your injured defense off the field...and most importantly score points.....AAHHHH!!!!
sabres - you're not doing a whole lot better....but it's early and i still have hope
congratulations to the university of buffalo for getting their first bowl game...if you don't know the whole about that it's pretty amazing...a long time ago they were invited to a bowl game but told that the 2 black players couldn't come with them..so the whole team voted unanimously (sp?) that they would not go....and they haven't won enough games to get back to another one..but saturday night they won their conference game....pretty awesome



i'm working 60 hours this week, and 50 hours last week.....i'm tired.....

love you all

j

Good News!

Aunt Sandi it was so good to hear from you. You guys are busy busy. The Good News is today i finally have time to put up my tree, I am going to do it tonite. the Bad News is I don't have any Pizza to go with it. I might have to make a special trip to the store to get some when the kids wake up from their nap. We have been a little busy. Ruben hasn't been working much but school has been crazy. It's definatly the Holiday season. I just want to ask all of you to pray from me and my family. I was offered a new job here at the apt. complex that I live in. They offered me the office managment position and pay is free rent in my own apt. That mean I would get tomove out and live with just Ruben and the kids which would be great. My preschool job has given me the chance to rest and try the new job and hold my position untill August when the new school year starts so it's a gret opportunity. I told the owners here I would accept the job. They want me to turn in my resume and an essay on why I think I would make a good manager, tough, but I think I can handle it. I'm a little nervous. The kids are doind good we just got over runny noses and fevers and back to are normal crazy selves. School work is keeping me busy, but I just have four weeks left of this set of classes and then I am taking a short break because hopefully my new baby will be here. I am ready, she is very active she moves all the time and if you haven;t seen the pictures I'm huge. She weighs 5lbs 8 oz. according to my sonogram friday. She going to be a big one. Well have a great Sunday. Ashley good luck with finals.

WOW

I feel so left out!!! All the cookies were great, and I divided them as soon as we got them and put half in the freezer for christmas so I dont have to make as many of my own. (well, I didnt divide Brandis, I ate most of them up before anyone else even knew they were there.YUM!)We had a really nice Thanksgiving, and we also have the rule about one holiday at a time(we cheated alittle on the music part, Dan brought me the TransSiberianOrchestra christmas cd, thats our favorite) We put our christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving ,and we had pizza of course! Oh yeh we did watch Christmas movies on Thanksgiving "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and Chasing Christmas. I thought I was so prepared and ahead of the game, but there was Thanksgiving , then BAM it was December 1 already. Now its Dec 6 and Im so far behind ( The kids keep reminding me of all the things we usually do that we havent done this year yet. YIKES! I keep telling them we dont have to do the same thing every year its okay to change a little, but they arent buying it. I must be getting old , I was so much better at this a few years ago) Well we got all the decorations up and the lights on the house (not enough for the kids liking), the tree up the counting chain made, the counting chalkboard up and running , Alyssa, Ian and Lyle have gone christmas shoppping, Lyles wrapped his presents, Hopefully Santa is on top of things , because I sure am not! I am going to try to make a 4 foot advent calendar with doors and presents inside today, i have all the stuff for it , but I have to work this morning for a little while becaus e I didnt work at the post office for the last two days because our starter on the van went. I thought I was going to get a starter for christmas, but it turned out not costing too much. I worked at the day care three days this week, so I got absolutely nothing done this week and i really have no money to show for it because when I work all day at the day care andf get home a 5 I really dont feel like cooking so we spend my profit on take out OH WELL!
We went to Tim Hortons 2xs, Olympia , Goodes, Subway , Chinese, and Mcdonalds this week (what?that dosent add up to one dinner for each of the three days I worked, oh , thats because I never get to eat lunch when I work there,so Wes and I HAVE to go out for breakfast before I go to work). OK back up a few lines and your asking why Im making a 4 foot advent calander when we already have a chain and a chalk board? Well, its because we usually put 25 little presents on the chrismas tree and each night someone gets to open one inside is a verse and a little present and thats one of the things I havent done yet so I thought id make a little change and make a 4ft calander instead if the the presents on the tree. The week before Thanksgiving I finally figured out about 17 gifts that I wanted to make, well that means one almost every 2 days, im working on it , but when Im not home most of the day not much is getting done(but Im really good under pressure!) Lyle had his Christmas chorus concert yesterday, he was so excited,he went to bed early thursday and he said the only thing he could concentrate on friday was singing, he did a really great job,he put alot of practice into itI can vouch for that one because i know every word to every song they sang by heart , sometimes I even wake up singing them! After his concert he had an authors tea and they all wrote stories about being an elf, and they wore elf hats with ears(we told Lyle he really didnt need the paper ears on his elf hat, he already has elf ears) In lyles story his name was cutie noodle and he was 365 years old and in the end he decided that he was just too little to try to do Santas job all by him self and he was better at taking care of the reindeer, because he could fly and he could teach them that skill that they really needed. Ian and and Alyssa took off at 6 this morning with Dan and Ashley to go to a quizzing tournament. They really like it and Ian was taking it really seriously and packing his bookbag with a blanket, his portion and his and Alyssa lunch, Hes so cute. Well this is gettin rather long so Ill get going , I have to get to work anyways , I miss you all . Happy Holidays Love Sandi

End of the Semester in Nearing!!!

Yeah! I am so excited that i only have one more week of classes and then a week of exams. But i am well prepared i think... i now have no more papers or projects just studying for three exams for the next two weeks that is good stuff! Also i am so excited because in exaclty one week i will be going to NYC for the weekend! I am so excited for that! I really want to see all the Christamas decorations and go to the big toy stores! Oh and go ice skating... but besides that i am excited to see whatever we get to see! well hope you all have a great weekend!
Ash

Squish the fish

My Nigerian Friends

This is Lois, she took care of us everyday. She taught us some of the Hausa language, made sure we were aware of some of the customs, took us shopping and made sure we weren't taken advatage of. She taught us how to wrap a headpeice, and befor we left she bought us all beautiful head peices and taught us how a proper Nigerian woman would wear them. Lois is the head of nursing at the Jos hospital. She is also a widow.

This is Jonathan. Jonathan is a student at JETS seminary. He is the "keeper" at the guest house that we stayed in. Jonathan has a beautiful fiance named Michel. Michel is at school several hours away. Jonathan and two of his family member went to Michel father over a year ago to get permission for them to marry. He was given permission, but Michel's father still has not announced the dowery price. Once he has given the price it will take Jonathan and his family at least 2 years to come up with all that Michel's father has required. Jonathan is 35, most men in Nigeria never make it to age 50.

Tani and Hanatu are both widows. Tani runs the women's program at the seminary. Hanatu is a nurse. Hanatu is also the mother of Josephine who is in the next picture.

This is Josephine and her two girls, she has a son also. She is a widow. She teaches at a local school.

Emmanual, Lydia and their two girls. Emmanual teaches at the seminary, and would like to come to Asbury to further his education. He has applied and been turned down 8 times. Always because of lack of money.

Goofy

You guys are a bunch of goofs. So J what was that all about. Was it a bet to see who could grow the most hair, or what!! One month you are pretty lucky. Jon's hair would have been to his knees by now. I don't have much to say. I did all my school work for today and tomorrow already and i just got home from work paid the bills and my kids are napping. It's like a mini vacation. I think I am going to make some suger cookies. J I am still waiting for you to tell me if you like the cookies or not. I know mom did. I can send you the recipe if you want it. We haven;t seen any more snakes, but now I am on elert. The goodthing is that snakes don;t bite pregnant women(just a little fact I watch alot of National Geographic) Well hope you all have a great night.

Brandi

No-Shave-November is OVER!

And this is the results of not shaving for ONE WHOLE MONTH!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Time

Now we can start thinking about Christmas. We have a rule at our house "one holiday at a time" that means, no Christmas carols, or egg nog, or Christmas decorations/trees until after Thanksgiving. You get the idea. Now it's time! So, the day after Thanksgiving Phil and I got in the car and listened to the Charlie Brown Christmas CD, on our way to Starbucks for an Egg Nog Latte. Saturday we got a Christmas tree, and Saturday night we ate pizza as we put it up. So celebrate, and have a Merry Christmas season!

(By the way, I'm pretty sure we have never had any snake handlers in our family) yikes!!!!!

Snake!!!!

This is a first at my house, but I was washing the laundry and when I came out into the bathroom there was a little garden snake. I thought it was a fake untill it stuck out it's tounge. i felt bad takin it outside because we just had our first snow and I think it will die fast. That's my excitment for the day. In a little while we are going to go out a play in are whole one inch of snow. I was hoping the sum might some out to warm us up alittle but looks like not. Have a great Sunday.

Brandi

Me & the Three Girls

Me and the Girls

It's Snowing!

It's finally snowing in Kansas, I hope it sticks. It looks so pretty I would really get me motivated to put up the Christmas Tree. I like the new setup good for X-Mas. Nothing left to say, just wanted you to know it was snowing.

Winter in New York

I know. This video is hilarious but could happen. But the REALLY funny part is that I miss the snow.

(funny, huh?)

Uncle Phil

STUFFED!

We had a great Thanksgiving. Lot's of food and friends. I can't even look and food today and there are still so many leftovers! Any good ideas on what to do with them? I might eat some later tonight and then I don't even want to look at any of it again. So if you have idea's make sure they are disguesed as something else!

J did a great job with our turkey, but sorry Bran, we didn't get pictures.

Thanks for the cookies everyone! Oh, and thanks for the picture Daaron! Love you all!
Tami

Happy Day After!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I spent the day with the kids we watched movies and rested and ate dinner at Perkins. I am so glad that I did not have to cook this year. I am getting my kids ready to go do some shopping so I hope that by noon it has settled down out there, I was not so good with my planning last week and I am out of milk for Gwen and Diapers. I have gotten everybodies cookies and they are delicious almost all of mine are gone. The boys in this house love anything sweet. For those of you interested in the recipe that I did not send I posted it below it;s really easy and you don;t have to stand around and wait at the oven that's why I picked them. I don't do much standing around lately. I am ready for Baby Addisen to come out and meet the world. Iguess she is still not ready. Well enjoy leftovers and cookies, and your family time together.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup red candied cherries, chopped
1/2 cup green candied cherries, chopped
Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large saucepan, bring the sugar, butter, cream and salt to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Let boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla, stirring until smooth and well combined. Stir in the cherries until evenly distributed. Spoon into baking dish and chill for 1 hour or until firm. Cut into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY

happy thanksgiving from kentucky
i stuffed my first turkey today
hopefully it will be delicious (sp?)


J

Greatness

So tomorrow i head home for Thanksgivning break! Finally it has come, a break, although i went home this weekend and that was a lot of fun... mom and i had a shop in our house open to the public to sell our crafts and baked goods we didnt well anything but we have more weeks that we are open so i hope we can make some sales that would be nice. I also had a family party at my Aunts house for my cousin Cora, that was fun although we didnt stay long, because Dan and i were suppose to be in a bowling tournament but it got cancelled. Another thing that i have been thinking about lately is the possibility of opening up a book store with a samll coffee shop inside and a place to sell crafts and have craft classes every once in awhile. I really want to do it but i am not sure how this will all work out, i have great ideas, but who knows if they are at all possible. I really have an obsession with buying books i love them! Only i buy them and really never get a chance to read them, which kinda stinks because i really would like to i enjoy reading. Right now i am reading the twilight series its really good, well i think so anyways...I went and saw the movie with my roommate and a few friends the morning it came out if was rwlly fun... anyways i have a psy. exam in the morning and i am going to study with some friends so talk to you all soon!
Ash

I'm watching 24

I'm watch 24 with J and Amy. 2 LONG hours. Crazy.

Taking a Break

Dad that is so funny that you posted that right now. I am about to conduct some rage and your post made me laugh a little. I am working on school work. It's a lab for biology. The outline says prepare for about an hour of work. Well If I calcualted correctly I have been here for about 5 hours. The lab erased three times. That was after it took me an hour to figure out all the formulas. We are testing tomato leaves and photosynthesis. I finally finished, and I found out I have to do it for corn leaves also I am hoping it doesn't take me five hours. My kids are getting cranky and have watched way to much tv today so that I can finish this. Ruben has been trying to help, but he is working on the girls wardrobe. The lab requires alot of waiting time so the good news is that while I am waiting for the calculations to go through. I have washed all the kids laundry, done the dishes and cleaned my room. But it has been a long frustrating day. Other than that yesterday was good I did a little shopping in the morning and ate at this noodles restaurant that was something new and good. I baked cookies yesterday, and we went and saw Madagascar 2. I would wait for it to come out on dvd. The first one of course was better. Tomorrow we have a Thanksgiving dinner at the school I only have to work for a vouple hours and that will be spent visiting with my students parents and granparents and eating Thanksgiving food Yum Yum!! Well I guess my break is over. I better get back to work.

Uncle Phil to the Rescue!

This might be an option that is needed for the Thanksgiving / Christmas / New Year season, but the Hairy-Knuckle side effect makes me think that there must be a better way. That got me looking. (I know. Most of you JUST rolled your eyes.)

THEN....... I found this!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

YOU POST WHAT YOU THINK.

PS Thanks for the cookies, Ashley. Uncle Phil loves you. Hmmmm.

What a Day!

I slept really good last night, but I had the hardest time getting up. Now looking back I think I should have just stayed there. I had to take Gwen to the Doctors to get a flu shot. I am always at her doctors for about two hours I hate going they are slower than molasses. Of course the appt. was only about 15 min today, but she fell and bumped her lip and it bled like crazy and was all swollen I felt terrible so I had a nurse look at it. It was not that bad but she sure did cry and she had to get a shot what a day for her. Than I get out to my car and my keys were in the ignition and the door was locked. There was no one at home to bring me a spare so I had to call a locksmith and waster $50 to get my keys out. So needless to say my great 12 min appt really did take about two hours. Way to go Brandi. The good news is I got all my cookies made but no time to mail them today because of my extended stay at the doctor's office. I will mail them first thing in the AM. I hope they are good, my family here liked them. We only have two days of school next week I am so excited for a break and I just found out we get winter break at college too! We get two weeks where we are not required to post any assgn. I am so excited. I mught actually get to work a head so that when the baby comes I don't have to do schoolwork. Well my kids are sitting in front of the tv watching Nemo and Ruben keeps asking me to "Come here, come here" that means he wants to cuddle. So I am out of here. Mom the picture is beautiful. I can't wait to see more. Love you All

Brandi

My Three Girls

Is this not one of the most beautiful things you have ever seen!

happy birthday grandma

weirdness and a great idea

So, today while i was waiting for my weight training class to start i found this little shoe its cute haha i think it will be my good luck charm...i was hoping to take a pictures of it but that didn't workout just thought you'd all like to hear that radmon fact. And my great idea is to open a book store of my own, or a store all for kids...mom said we should open an exploritorium which would be great! So i just have been thinking of all if these things and hopefully i can make this happen cus i think it would be great.
ASH

Great Week- end

Mom and Dad came and saw me. It was so great. I was getting nervous. Thurday I called into work because of the stomach flu and was feeling miserable. My kids were sick too! Luckily it passed and we got to spend time with them. The kids still have the runny nose tho, so if mom and dad are sick soon you will know why. We went out to lunch at Blue Koi Sorry J, but here are some cute pictures. Other than that we really just hung out together and spent time catching up. Ruben showed off his new words and couting skills. Gwen walked a few steps for them and we ate some good bisuits and gravy this am before they left. I feel refreshed and ready for another week of work and school. Love you All. Get Busy on those cookies.

Brandi

We won!!!!!!!!!!

It was a group effort for sure. Those were some pretty tough riddles, and honestly, we have to give Amy and Uncle Phil most of the credit!

Pretty soon we send out our cookies. I know that Jon hasn't been able to participate in our exchange,( he doesn't have a kitchen his living quarters are more like a dorm, a nice dorm, but no kitchen) However, I know he would love some cookies (so would the other guys he lives with!) so if you think about it, send a dozen to him too. He can't come home for Christmas, so maybe we can send a little Christmas to him.

Have a great weekend! I'm off to Kansas!!!!!!!!!!

Winners!!!

Ok so you know that riddle sheet i sent out a few weeks ago well i have just received one in the mail with all the answers on it... The winners are from Kentucky! Aunt Tami and the gang there with her... however one question was missed but it was very close so ill give it to you any way be looking in the mail for your prize in the coming days good job you guys! haha
Ash

Tired!!

I am so tired. My stomach is so huge. My back hurts, and my kids are cranky. Gwen is getting teeth and has a runny nose. Ruben is "chippy" That is what the hispanic people call children who cry alot when there mom is pregnant. Well I beleive it because he hasn't stopped crying in about 4 days. I guess they are getting me ready for the next one. I have fallen asleep at nine almost everynight since the time change and I am still tired. I have had more time for baking and Big Ruben hasn't worked because it has been rainy, maybe that's why my back hurts so much. There are some positive things school is going really well. And the preschool is getting better with the kids in my class. So that releives a bit of stress. I have been baking a trying differnt cookies for the exchange, it's hard to choose what will be best. I was sitting in my chair the other night and Gwen was laying on my belly, which is strange bwcaseu she never cuddles with me only her dad. But it was so cute, but my face looks a little too young to have all these babies. Love you all. Have a great Day!

SNOW

ITs snowing!!! Whoo i like snow...well right now i do anyways it makes me excited for thanksgiving break and Christmas break i love this fall/winter time of year!
Ash

Jon at the Marine Ball

Jon sent me this, thought I'd share

Finally!

Finally we hear from Sandi!!!!! I was so excited, J will be too, everyday when he comes home from work he asks me who's been on the blog, and if Aunt Sandi has been on.

Finally Phil is coming home. He is supposed to be here tomorrow. He has been gone for 3 weeks. That's nothing compared to a year, but it is long enough.

Finally we get to go see our grand kids and stay for more then 24 hours. We are leaving on Friday. I can't wait

Finally I finished Gwen's blanket, just in time to make one for the new baby.

And finally I got out the sewing machine and made the curtains and table cloth from the fabric that I've had for at least 3 months!

Love you all! Tami

Hello

Hi I just popped in for a little while. Were at Moms for my birthday present. A Lasagna dinner at Grandmas, coupon!! Were all extremely full, the little boys are playing with Ians new Batmobile remote control car he bought with his birthday money, and the big kids and Wes are watching the football game. Ashley bought a Garfield Thanksgiving movie she wants to watch today. Now there fighting about equal time playing with Ians remotecontrol car. We had a busy week also. We drove out to Amish country to see if our stove pipe was ready yet and it wasnt but it was a fun ride. We went at about 12:30 and we drove past about three Amish schools, the kids were out playing for recess, because it was in the 70s(It was in the 70s all week, I had clothes hanging on the line all week in November!)I love seeing the Amish kids out they arre so cute, there were at least 20 at each school. Then Wes and I used my birthday Olive Garden gift card for lunch on thursday. We had the boys birhtday dinner at Pizza Hut on Friday, and Ian friend birthday party on Saturday at noon, after we ran backout to Amish counrty to see if our pipe was ready it wasnt so after the birthday party at 2:30 we ran backout to finally pick our pipe up. Well, we finally have all our stove pipe, snow supposed to fly tonight, maybe well have our stove in by Thanksgiving? Oh Yeh the best part!! I quit my night job, so I just have the post office for 1 1/2 -2 hrs in the morning! Yeh!! Back to living on $100 a week , but its worth it to be able to tuck the kids into bed at night and relax with Wes in the evening. I really do miss having internet, but I finshed three books that I was reading this week. Wes is supposed to have 7 more weeks of unemployment left, but New York is out of money for unemployment , so all he can do is keep calling in weekly and when the "find" some more money hell get it. Oh well, we added it up and he worked 8 weeks of "actual" work this year. Oh well, were fine we just have to deprive Alysssa of her daily onion bagel,and doritos and Lyle of his daily Tim Hortons. (easier said than done) Well were going to have pecan pie and icecream soon so Ill say goodbye for now. Love you guys.
Sandi

Miss you all!!

We have had a busy week-end which is strange for me because most week-ends I spend at home with the kids cleaning and doing schoolwork. Friday we had a birthday party here at the house for Ruben's brother. We shopped and cooked all day, and then stayed up all night with friends and family. Saturday we had a wedding to go too. I was just reminding me of Ruben's and I wedding and seeing all of us together. It was so fun. I can't wait to see you all again for J and Amy's. After the wedding we were all so wiped out we went to bed around 7. It was good for BB because he had the stomach flu since friday with the throw up's. This morning I cleaned the kitchen because I want to bak today, but the dishes from firday were still there. Pretty Gross I know. I want to try out the cookies I am going to send for our exchange and I need to dye macaroni for preschool. J I love the pictures, I hope you will post some more. I am off to more cleaning. Love you all
Brandi

me and mom went goodwilling today

we didn't get anything but it's still fun to do

....my mom also took engagement pictures the other day of me and amy

if tim and ashley post a blog i'll post some pictures.....maybe

well here is one

Hmmm

I've been trying to put some pictures on here for the last two days and can't do it. I'm not sure why, I've done it before. Now the batteries have died on my camera. The folder I saved the pictures in (on my computer) says it can't be opened. What does that mean. How difficult can it be to open a folder? Is it stapled shut? glued? maybe taped? JUST RIP THE STUPID FOLDER OPEN AND GIVE ME MY PICTURES!!!!!! Even that didn't work. The fact is, my computer lost my pictures and is just giving me excuses, because it's easier then JUST TELLING ME THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you all have a good day and get out and vote.
Tami

I got a B.

I got a B in my history class. That pretty good considering I started out with a d until almost the last three weeks of class. I couldn't seem to fisugre out how the instrutor wanted the work. I Got a 100% on the final. I guess I figured it out. I am so excited. Anyways I was up at 6 this am and I got all my homework done for today. I am off to pay the rent and do some grocery shopping. Littel Ruben is still sleeping so I have to take advantage of my time. Gwen is an early bird so it's a little work. Hope everyone has a great day. J I thought of another question. "What is something you would like to get but won't or don't normally buy for yourself?"

Brandi

Great Saturday!!

I just tried to post and put a cute video of Gwen on and it erased my whole post so this one will be some what shorter, and I will have to stick to pictures only I guess. I just wanted you all to see her crawling and standing up its so cute. We are doing good. Last night for Halloween we ordered Chinaese and ate in the dark. Today we slept until 9:45am It was so great. I haven't sone any house work, I finished both of my finals yesterday. We had McDonalds for luch because I didn't feel like cooking. I did make some banana bread though. Little Ruben has been playing Dinosaur all day and Gwen has not slept yet. SHe had a rough night last night she was teething and doing alot of crying. I dont think she has ever cried so hard before. I felt so sorry for her. Love you all

Brandi

dinner

I made dinner tonight.......we had cat shaped biscuts, eggs, bacon, homefries, apples, country gravy, and orange drink.......it was delicious

j

Gram at 6:45 AM

Well here it is another new day! A Thursday 2 more work days to go!! It's also Bible Study night. Pray for me. I go into the den. I have to go because, I have the eats for tonight or I would probably stay home. I came home from work an hour early yesterday cause Montazuma got me...I'm ok now. Hope your day is a good one. Love ya Gram

@#%*%#@!!!!!!!!!!

So, I was feeling pretty crappy last night in case you didn't all realize that from my last entry. I got up this morning determined to have a better day. I went to work-out, came home threw my laundry in the washer and went off to try to accomplish something. First I couldn't find my address book to sent out birthday cards, then I went to the bank to get some money and couldn't remember my password. I went home to find the passwork but no such luck. I called Wes, he gave me the address I needed, and went back to the bank with a check this time. Oh, and I went to lunch with Amy and Amanda. By now I'm feeling better. Amy and I go to the library, pick out a couple of movies, get a few books, and go for coffee. Now I'm feeling a lot better. I'm home, my errands are done, all that's left is to finish my laundry! I go to take the things out of the washer and at the bottom I find my ipod @#%*%#@!!!!!!!!!!!! Tami

Remember Me?

Well this will be quick, I'm up at moms because I was taking the kids to work with me tonight to see all the Halloween decorations and to help me work(I'm a slave driver) an we got up there and the parking lot was still full with employees, so we came up to moms till 8, maybe they ll be gone if not ill have to come back up really late. I hope not because, i went to the post office at 9 am to work this morning then, I had to go work at the day care from 12-4:30, then go home make dinner and take Alyssa and Ian to quizzing at 5, give Wes a ride at 6, stop at the grocery store and get Halloween goodies for the kids to take to school, pick up Alyssa and Ian at 6:30 get gas then go up to work at the ddso building at 7, except the parking lot was full. So to make a long story short Ive been home about 2 hrs total since 9 this morning and i wont be getting home now till 10 or after, well gotta go. love you guys,
Sandi

Oh well!

All day today I've been thinking that it is such a bummer that all 3 things that I am doing away from home happen only every other week, and that all of them happen on the same week. Then I was thinking, oh well, I have a lot to look forward to next week. My two favorite things are my leadership development class which is on Tuesday and my military support group , Hearts for Heros, meets on Thursdays. I found out today that since October has 5 Thursday's Hearts for Hero's isn't meeting. I'm really bummed, but to make things worse, I just read an e-mail from my friend that said she missed me in class today, and the teacher won't be available for the next scheduled class so we won't meet again until Nov. 18th!!!!!!!! Oh well, class was at 9:30 today, and I was sleeping well.
Tami

Just another day at School

So today i was thinking how i like the fact that deadlines are for students not for professors. Like how they take months to get a test or a paper back to you and give lame excuses for that like my favorite was given today by my Romans professor that he had a very important pumpkin carving appointment that he had so he couldn't correct our tests. Well i wish i could use that one I'd much Rather be home carving pumpkins with my family than stuck here writing papers and studying for stupid exams!!! Being a student is such a rip off you don't get to use family fun or friend fun or relaxation as an excuse for not doing work. Also i have an issue with grades which are suppose to measure intelligence or something like that but really they only measure book smarts what if you don't have book smarts? Then i guess you just get the short end of the stick. I was just reading about Intelligence in my PSY. class so what do you guys say is Intelligence? Let me know
Ash

Mom and J must be slacking. I haven't seen any of you in a couple of days. I was also wondering what in the world gram id doing awake at 3:54 am. I have two kids and I was still sleeping. Anyways nothing new here, this is my final week in my college classes so I am doing lots of school work. Little Ruben learned to say train in english so that's all we have been talking about. Gwen is no standing up on her own without grabbing on to soemthing, and I think we are over the baby throw ups. She hasn;t thrown up in three days. The weather is really cold, but mostly because of the wind. I would think with all the wind the leaves would start blowing off the trees but nothing. Well i better get to the schoolwork, both the kids are still sleeping and that is that best time to do schoolwork. Love you all
Brandi

Hi from Gram. I looked out my window this am expecting to see snow and yea!! None. I'm just praising the Lord today. That's because I am ready I bought a new snow brush yesterday and put it in the car. Back to work after 2 days off. Yes still praising!! Made my first apple pie of the season, and apple crisp too. Smells great. Hope you all have a great week. Love ya

Time for a little break

So today in my world religons class we were talking about taoism and i thought some of its basic concepts to be very interesting. It talks about being in harmony with nature, and allowing things to be as they are. Taosits belive in supreme relaxation compared to the American way of supreme activity were we are always go go go. This way of life says taoists gives no time to reflect on what you are doing. Life should give time to refelct and relax this to Taoists is how a person can be truly affective in life. Taoists also do not belive in ambition and to many people this sems like a bad thing but as i sat in class i thought about it and really it is not a bad thing at all. It is seen as cutting across the grain of nature to desire great amounts more than what you are given. Also they belive that the human is a small part of the bigger picture of nature. Which i feel is a good thing to realize that in this life you are not the total focus. I just thought these ways seemed more simple than the american people live thier lives. To be consently on the go is not the natural way. though it may bring you great success in the worlds eyes, it is no the way to true happiness. Also i liked some of thier ideas about being content with what you have and taking time to relax and refelct. Just thought i would share that with you all.. beacuse i thought it was intereting.
Ashley

Pretty Tired

After having blood taken out four times and nearly a 16 hour fast I am so exhausted. My kids are full ovf energy and it is frfeezing outside. I finally gave in and turned on the heater. I am trying to get warm and rest up a little so that I can go walk in the park and little later. The good news is it's only my kids and my neice in the house. All of my mother in laws day care kids have went home early. I think I might make a trip to the store to make some soup. Uncle Mike what book are you reading to Daaron and why did you can so much pumpkin? I have wanted to post a picture of Gwen's new teeth, but she does not want her picture taken she wants to be taking the pictures. After battling with her last night for about 20 min over the camera I deciced I would have to try another day. I got a bunch of pictures that look like the one I posted. BB just runs away from the camera now so that's not any fun. Hope everybody has a great week- end. I will be waiting to hear from everybody.

All Right Already

So someones complaining about no one posting so here it is. Real quick and brief....

Debra says "I don't ever want to see pumpkins again! Oh, and we are having lemon merangue pie for Thanksgiving instead of pumpkin." After canning over 100 jars of pumpkin.

Mike says "I'm already so tired I don't know how I'm going to add another 20 hours of internship starting next fall and spring." (Please pray)

And Daaron says nightly "Read the next chapter dad. C'mon!"

There it is.

mailing cookies

I found these tips for mailing cookies while I was looking for an idea for our cookie exchange. It sounds like it might work. I'm not sure about the rest of you but most of the cookies I get in the mail are crumbs. We all put so much work and love into them maybe this will help them to arrive looking just like they do when we put them in the mail. (Does anyone else miss Sandi, and where are Mike, Deb and Daaron?)

Good Things Come in Secure Packages
Once you've baked and cooled your cookies, you're ready for the next step: packing them. There are a few guidelines you should follow when it comes to preparing cookies to be mailed. Follow these and your special packages should arrive e fresh, in one piece, and great-tasting.
Don't pack crisp and soft cookies together--the moisture from the soft cookies will seep into the crisp cookies, making them lose their delightful crunch.
Don't over stuff your container. Your cookies may be damaged. Likewise, don't under-pack your container. The cookies should fit snugly. If you have too much space, crumple up a bit of tissue paper to fill the holes.
Pack cookies in a sturdy tin or airtight container. On the bottom of the container place a piece of bubble wrap, then line the container with parchment paper or cellophane, leaving enough to tuck over the top once the container is fully packed. Place one layer of cookies in the container. Cover with parchment paper. Arrange another layer of cookies, followed with more parchment paper, and continue this layering until the container is full. Tuck the cellophane or parchment paper over the top, then place another piece of bubble wrap on top, and seal your container.

Hello

Hey everyone, I heard from Jon last night and he is really down. Some phone calls and letters from family would really help a lot. Jon let me pray with him while we talked last night, so that's not a bad idea either. Who couldn't use more prayer!
His address is:

PFC Jonathan LeRoy
PO Box 454885
San Diego, CA 92145

Phone number 910-381-3030

Have a great day everyone!
Tami

Some Fun

So after the last riddle i felt like making up a contest so i will be sending each of you a paper of 10 riddles and the first pesron to send it back with all the correct answers will get a prize. I am not sure what that prize will be yet but it'll be something good. So i hope you guys all have fun with this.
Ash

Gwen Update

Gwen is know a whopping 21.8 lbs, and 29 inches long. She is a proud band aide supporter today. She got two shots, and is now a whole nine month old. I dont know why the time did not pass this fast when I was pregnant for her. I am busy getting my scholl work done and trying to get my recipe cards done to send out tomorrow. Ashley is good. I already got her's and can;t wait to try it. I sitll need Uncle Mike's address where have you been??? Have a great Evening everyone.

Brandi

Celebrating!

Shannon accepted Christ last night! She called and is so excited! I'm going with her Sunday while she is baptized. She says she finally feels like she belongs to something.
Tami

A riddle

So we did this riddle sheet today in my psy. class and i thought it was fun so maybe you guys would too!


Can you translate the following?
YYURYYUBICURYY4ME

well, sadly aunt sandy isn't posting


and no one else is either!!!

what's the deal, just cause we lose one person it's no excuse for the whole thing to fall apart so get on it!



oh and what's everyone's favorite number?

mine is 5

j

Wonderful Weekend.

We had a great weekend. The weather finally feels like Fall! On Saturday we drove up to Blue Lick State Park. It was a really pretty drive, we went through Paris KY, which is where the really big horse farms are. The property and barns are beautiful! I've only driven through there a couple of times, but I love it! Makes me dream big dreams. Any way, the reason we went to Blue Lick was to picnic with Aunt Betty, Uncle Jerry, Pete and his family, and Shannon and Gary. We had lots of fun, ate lots of food. It's always a good time, it's a bummer it only happens once a year! That was Saturday. Sunday was military appreciation day at Keeneland. We got in free, had free breakfast and free lunch, sat in reserved seats for the races, it was fun! Some of the families got to have a teleconference with their family members who are deployed. I should have bet on #3, he was my choice to win and he did! I don't know why the pictures do what they do, but I don't know how to fix it either. Does anyone know how?

bills 5-1
sabres 4-0-1

not a bad year so far to be a fan of buffalo, but there is a lot of season left

besides sports i'm good. if you can order some stuff off amazon, lately there has not been a lot of work and they have been sending people home, which is kind of good...unless you work to make money...yep


ummm.......
i had a funny story this morning but i forgot it

j

A saaaad story!

Well... this is the story, get your tissues out. My computer is very very sick, and unfortunately she does not have insurance and cant afford to go to the doctors. So she will have to rest indefinitely, which means her friend Internet wont be able to come and play. That is a good thing though, because that Internet, she is a high maintenance chick. This all come at a very good time, because my doctor, Dr. Time, says that I'm addicted to this blog called "Rogers Family Fun", and he suggests that I go cold turkey for a while. So, to make a sad story short, Ill be off line for a while. Hopefully I can peek in once in a while when we stop at the library. Love you guys.
Sandi

Trying to be creative.

I've already been to three stores looking for postcards of KS, well I guess that means KS doesn't have any. I am trying to be creative with my recipe cards, and I wanted to take some fall pictures here, but it;s ugly here sad to say. We have had frost already but the leaves have not turned or started falling yet so I guess we'll see what you all get. I still need Uncle Mike's address. I think my mom must have fell off the earth. I have been calling her for days and her phone is just going to voicemail. My phonebook on my phone got erased so I can't find my dad's number to make sure that they are still alive. So if anyone here from them let me know. The kids are doind well. Gwen has her nine month check up this week and shots. Ruben just had his two year check up on friday and he is really tall, really skinny, and very bright according to our doctor, the sad thing is I think when I wake him up from his nap we are going to Urgetn care because he has a high fever and was tugging at his ears all morning. Being a mom is not always fun. I always feel so bad for them when they are sick. Hope everyone is having a great week-end. I just sent out Pictures to Gram Rogers and my mom and dad so I hope you all get to see them this week