PhoeNAMenal Days

Some more...

2011-04-18T23:26:00.001-07:00

Some Catchup Pics!

2011-04-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

long overdue for friends who don't FB.. so, here you go! more to come later...

and then, the girls performed in a musical...

2010-12-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

This summer and fall, Twinkle and Minnie decided to build a sisters' memory by working together in a musical production (neighborhood theatre)... they both auditioned and... got the following parts:

last night saw their final performance plus the Wrap Party. great experience. great memory.

Twinkle's Cross Country season

2010-11-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone.. thought you'd like to see the awards ceremony from Twinkle's last Cross Country meet of the year (she hurt herself during the race so she wasn't able to run in sectionals and State meets)...

another milestone

2010-05-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

this morning, I am no longer the tallest member in the family.

the king is dead; long live the king...

the Dad.

a Recent Reunion

2010-03-31T17:54:00.000-07:00

More to come, but here is a teaser..

The Countdown

2010-01-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

The countdown is currently at one hour, forty five minutes.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can't wait till you come, Nelsons!!

The Ninja and Na-nook from the North

2009-12-11T20:26:00.001-08:00

I love once upon a time stories. They have such a once-upon-a-time-y feel.

Ahem. Once upon a time, there was Na-nook from the North. She wore a gray and yellow hat, drank cinnamon-bun lattes, and did not study for her math final on Friday night (true stuff, people). All of a sudden, out of the blue, shazzzammmm! There was a shadow behind her.

The shadow was a ninja! Complete with black gloves, scary expressions, and ten-year-old teeth, of course.

The ninja did not speak, but merely stared at the screen. Na-nook, understandably, screamed. Who wouldn't?

The ninja continued to stare, boggle-eyed at the screen while Na-nook's mouth dropped open.

The ninja said, "Nice hat." And Na-nook said, "Nice whatever-that-is-over-your-head."

Hm. Seems like the ninja is not the hugging type. No problem for Na-nook! So, they ended up getting along okay.

In fact, now they run a business called Gray Hats and Head Thingies For The Crazy People of the World.

It is incredibly famous.

You haven't heard of it?

No? Really? Areyoureallyreallysure????

Well....

Okay, maybe it doesn't even exist yet.

But it has a cool name already.

And the moral of the story is: Never leave an open box of winter clothes alone with a boy who likes to dress up and a girl who will do anything to get out of studying.

::the end::

we interrupt this moving series to announce

2009-12-07T08:58:00.001-08:00

It is raining!!!

and it might rain all day!!

so exciting!!!

Our Move, part 2

2009-11-30T20:50:00.000-08:00

Hey, it's Twinkle.

Well, whaddya know! Another post in the same season! Will the wonders never cease???

Anyway...we had lots of help this summer in prepping our house and this past August/September in packing our house.

Here are some shots of the crew...

{not pictured but thank you: Mrs. Anderson (for breakfast and boxing up the Christmas stuff with the Mom and for your incredible energy and love), Michelle Scanlon (for taking down every single curtain and curtain rod and for offering general support and advice, having just moved herself), and the Warings (for letting us use the pickup truck and for the seafood night).}

So. First, the prep work...

And Grandpa came to see us :) Thanks, Grandpa for driving sososososososo far to see us. :) We L.O.V.E you!!!!!

Go Nate and Chip!

OK... we really did work--a;ot... but when the family room is empty and the music is a playin'... well... we just couldn't help ourselves! (It was either the Electric Slide or Cotton-Eyed Joe. Can't seem to remember it right now...)

Bestest Buds.

Wrapping the TV.

Bryan, Chip, and the Dad.

Then, Moving Day arrived! Craziiiiiiness! A gigantic "thank you" to everyone who helped! :) To be honest, it felt like too much fun to be work...then again, it can't get much better than friends, football, memories, laughs, and slurpees :)

The Truck That Took Our Stuff. (thats what I call it)

Oh, these were the "professional" movers. Eh, I guess they were pretty good.

Nat & Liv: the not-so-professional movers.

The assembly line :)

I think that box was the Mom's wedding dress...the Mom: Eeek! Be careful, guys!

All ready for more stuff...

...and, somehow Natalie got mistaken for a box and was sent down the assembly line.

Looks like we got a little excited and had a slight (*ahem*) mix-up :)

Obviously, she didn't mind too much. :)

And then these local-yokels showed up for comedic relief in the midst of the craziness. Hahaha!

Now, everyone, to the storage unit!

Natalie, paying very close attention

Racing down the truck ramp

Deliciousness defined.

Hey, pretty girl. Love you!

Aunt Susan armed with the cart :)

So, after loading everthing out of the house and into the truck, grabbing slurpees on the way, carefully storing all our precious junk, throwing the football, and generally exhausting ourselves. :)

Good work, everyone!!

You guys are amazing. we couldn't have done it without you!

And we love you all.....

Our Move

2009-11-28T05:31:00.000-08:00

This past summer we prepped our Maryland house to go on the market. We spent a good bit of our summer vacation there doing just that.

Imagine our delight when we had a contract a week after returning to Phx... never having to list it... AND to make it just too perfect--we were able to sell our house to friends!! We have tried for years to get these friends to move into our neighborhood...and now they were going to buy a house in the neighborhood--ours! Who would have guessed a quick visit to say hi would turn into a sweet deal for everyone! How kind of the Lord to orchestrate it that way!

So with contract in hand we knew we'd need to return to actually pack up the house.

After hours and hours and hours of research and dialogue and thinking and more research, we decided to store our stuff there and only ship out books, Christmas stuff and a few other special items we could no longer live without:) (legos, anyone?)

I thought about the move, packing and the administration of it all for weeks. I'd go to bed thinking about how i was going to pack everything, which room to start with , how to organize the kids' help, etc etc etc. I'd find myself walking thru stores thinking,"if I had that item, I'd probably give it away.." or "that item could be stored upside down to make the most room in our storage facility"...etc etc...

It was an all-consuming task.

Thank goodness it was summer time.

The dad and Twinkle weren't going to come until the weekend (Twinkle not until the last weekend) which meant I'd have 10 days and 3 kids to help to get it all packed up and ready for the truck to arrive.

I was so excited when the day to fly to Md arrived... to finally finally!! be doing something rather than thinking about it. Action was such a stress reliever.

SO.

Packing began.

In earnest.

In the basement/school room.

Uugh. The hardest room first.

It took me 2 hours to go through a filing cabinet.

Honest.

I was a little worried. I had only budgeted 1 hour for this task. (yes, i had a time table for each day... it was ambitious... but possibly do-able...maybe..with lots of help.)

Do-able. With help.

Lots of help.

Can i type that one more time....ambitious, yet doable with help.

And boy did i get help.

More help than i could have ever hoped for... More laughter, box building, paper rolling fun than I could have ever imagined.

Thank you dear friends for making moving possible and even enjoyable. You know I couldn't have done it without you. Or if I tried, I would have slept little, cried alot and barely laughed. Friends stopped their life for 10 days to help accomplish the task... putting their lives on hold to come participate fully in mine. Thank you.

Here are some pictures of our pack n move.

The prep area:

This was box number 9... I figured on about 60 boxes....we capped out over 90!
The younger neighborhood boys helped get boxes from the basement to the garage...we filled over 30 'banana boxes' with books to give away (what can i say--i am a homeschooler who loves book...there are many of us:)). But when they weren't answering cries for "More banana boxes" or "more to go upstairs", they provided us with lots of comedic relief....

See what i mean?
But after a day or two this is what my basement hallway looked like:

We hired professional movers to move and store Mimi's piano. Minnie played it one last time before we ALL--and i mean all 15 of us--watched the movers wrap and move the piano.

All giveaway and other larger items went into the garage..... it was amazing how much stuff we had we didnt' need....bags and bags and bags of clothes!!! boxes and boxes of books that Mickey is too old to read anymore .... extra kitchen stuff and decorator items i didn't want to have to store. Even looking at this picture now makes me so glad we got rid of all of it. I feel lighter already!!

boxes:

Boxes.....

and more boxes....

So that all that was left was furniture...whew!

And we were all set and ready for moving day..... at least our stuff was...

Don't turn off your computer...

2009-11-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

or stare slack jawed at the screen.

What you are seeing is not your imagination.

What you see is real--a blog post... written by the mom no less!

shock and awe.

I know.

We've considered giving the blog a final resting place... facebook and other such sites seem to be the mode of current communication. But i decided that i'd give the blog one last try because, quite frankly, i like having a record of my family's life... I like the pictures and the stories they write.... i find it interesting.... even if most of our readers are us:)

Anyway, for the two or three that still check around our blog just wanted to say HI! and we are back.

We've had quite the summer and fall and i can't wait to post all the pictures from our adventure.

Look out.

Many posts coming your/our way!

happy day to you all
The mom

Birthday girl

2009-08-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Twinkle celebrated her 16th recently..

The Business at Hand

2009-08-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

Sale!

Sale!!

Sale!!!

that's right.. we are selling a bunch of our stuff....de cluttering and simplifying (to quote a good friend).

SO.

I expect to have a bunch of school related things--books and manipulatives(good stuff esp for 3rd grade and under), book cases-- some furniture and kitchen stuff ready to sell/give away by August 29th.

Let me know if you are interested!

~The Mom

Tap tap

2009-07-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

*Tap tap*

Is this on?

Whew, it's been too long since we've posted. Mostly because we've been (drum roll) in MARYLAND!!!

Yes, two weeks and two days in Maryland to clean out the house, eat crabs, run to Ritas, play games and games and games of 4-Square, hang with friends, eat more crabs, go to the pool, gett good tans/burns,race in the pool, carry furniture all around the house, stay up late, wake up early, and, oh, eat a few more crabs. :)

It was a great trip.

These are only a few pictures from the BILLIONS taken during the trip.

After a HUUGE Korean feast, we stopped by the Korean bakery. Delicious cakes and an ice cream/bean paste/fruit concoction called bing soo.

Breakfast with Mrs. A, the maker of the famous bread.

And a trip to Maryland could not have been complete without a run to Ritas. Or a few runs.

Alicia, Twinkle, and Hannah

And yet another trip to Ritas.

Lunch with the J's at the Nib.

After getting their ears pierced, Minnie and Rachel were all smiles!

At a friend's 40th birthday party.

All the guys.

Too funny. Too fun. :)

Time Flies...

2009-07-20T14:23:00.001-07:00

Our House freshly permitted, circa 1998:

Now, just before saying goodbye.. July 2009

The side yard shot: 1998

Same shot, 2009

the backyard toward house: 1998

Same shot: 2009

Looking out on the neighborhood: 1998

Looking out at no one in particular, 2009

We always said these trees would be enjoyed fully by someone else...

Busy Bees

2009-07-09T04:48:00.001-07:00

In maryland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures soon to come.

We've been so busy.
So busy.
Busy Bees.

A good walk spoiled???

2009-06-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Well, the boys went to golf camp this summer and came home with some 'video analyses' of their swings. Since the camps were a gift from Grandpa and Grandma, I was thinking of how best to get them the videos and voila, thought of phoenamenal days! Also figured the rest of the family (and like) would like to see it... so....

I also found some old phone videos of their swings just a few years ago..(they only started to play Spring of 2006). i'm still in shock to see just how much they've changed in those years.

Connor's Swing circa 2006

Connor's Swing June 2009

Mason's swing circa 2006

Mason's swing now - June 2009

Went to the local Hispanic Supermarket

2009-06-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Some colleagues took me on a field trip to a local hispanic supermarket...

ate some food off a combo plate of pork, beef, re-fried beans and chips..

on the way out, took a detour through the deli to look at what the locals eat...

as it turned out, the food looked right back at me...

Mooooooooooo..... (and kimchee with cabbage and red peppers is supposed to be gross?)...

Oh Sweet Distraction!!

2009-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

In the course of a homeschool year, families have to deal with many distractions....

...computers

...games

...phone calls

...youtube videos

...legos

This year was no different for the family here at Phoenamenal days... well...except for one thing.... one distraction that almost got the best of us...

One distraction that we willingly gave into each day--for at least a little bit of time.

I warn you, this is a distraction hard to ignore... and once you've enjoyed this distraction, you will find yourself regularly tempted by it... again and again.

Don't say I didn't warn you....

prepared?

here it is...

The phoenamenal days biggest

and sweetest

and happiest

distraction:

Little Miss Kate

Little Miss Kate is almost a year old and we have never introduced her to all of you (all...three of you :))! So, here is the official introduction.

Ahem.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please welcome Kate Elizabeth S! (applause).

She loves food of almost any kind (frozen peas are favorites, as well as bagels and apples). With curly hair and blue eyes, Kate's newest addition is her four teeth. She goes by many names, the favorites in this house being Katie-bug, Peanut, and Katie-lou. Hugging legs (that's all she can reach) and giving smiles, Kate has won the hearts of everyone here at phoenamenaldays. Even One Cent, who allows her on certain occasions to borrow her stuffed monkey.

We love you, Kate.

Although these pictures are older, you can see some newer ones at her mommy's blog: www.noraeshank.blogspot.com

Minnie trying to get some school done... oh sweet distraction!

Mommy and Little Miss Kate making jam.

I think she was only a few monthes old when this picture was taken. She looks a little starstruck. :)

This is my personal favorite.

A few more recent pics:

She loved playing in this box... we played peek-a-boo, where's kate? , peek -a-boo, and where's kate. It was tons more fun than teaching algebra.... ahem... which I quickly went back to after a few stimulating rounds of the above listed games....

So as you can see, Little Miss Kate has brought us many sweet distractions. I think everyone knows how to make a bottle, change a diaper and help a little one learn to walk. We all know how to play peek-a-boo, chase and tickle, tickle. It has been it's very own learning experience.

~The Mom and Twinkle

Sweet Summer Days

2009-06-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Monday marked the first real day of summer. Bike ride in the morning, pool in the afternoon, and Chip's basketball game at night. A good first-of-the-summer day. Tuesday, Matt E came over to play with Mickey. They spent at least five hours in the pool, playing with a small rubber basketball and the pool-hoop (thanks Maw-maw and Pappy! :)) Mickey got enough sun for the whole family. That night, the whole E family and Mr. Mac popped over for dinner and sundaes. And Wednesday, the used-to-be hump day of the school week, was filled with volunteering for Twinkle, basketball for Chip, and reading and playing with friends for Minnie and Mickey.

And now it is Thursday. Smoothies, chubby Little Miss Kate, wet One Cent, golf, walk, run, pool, sunshine...

Ah, sweet summer days.

Lemonade coming right up!

Mason L. and Mickey shooting hoops...

...and this basketball game has just turned into a wrestling match!

Minnie with her home-made double-raft.

One Cent loves the pool (and her orange torpedo).

Pink cheeks!

One month will fly

2009-06-02T07:50:00.001-07:00

Yes, the Dad was right. It was eternally priceless to go back for my friend's baptism. While I was there, I stayed with the N's while the Dad was at the WWO X.

We shopped for six hours, got makeovers at the mall, stayed up waaaay too late talking, watched movies, spent hours straightening our hair and commenting on each others makeup, went to swim team practice, took a trip to Jimmy Cone, went strawberry picking (which means strawberry eating too), grabbed lunch with a few friends at Chipotle, and talkedtalkedtalkedtalkedtalked! And cried when the cab came to pick the Dad and I up on Sunday to go back home. It was a sad goodbye, but one month will fly and I will be ringing your doorbell soon!!!! :)

P.S. I don't have many pictures from the trip so these are from Mrs. N and Rach Cz. Thanks :)

After dinner on the patio. Left to right: Bryan A, Brett J, Laur, Nat, Rach, Hannah, AJ, me, Brett L.

Hanging with his dawgs...er, I mean dogs.

Laughing about something.

At Hannah and AJ's swim meet! They both were awesome!

Chipotle with friends. Smile!

After running outside in the rain and thunder and lightening. Hey, we're still kids.

At Jimmy Cone. Delicious!

Okay, really goofy. But, whatever.

I love you girls. So muchos. Four weeks will fly.

WWO X has a winner

2009-06-01T15:30:00.001-07:00

For those of you not familiar with this 'tradition like no other,' the Dad and a host of life-long friends went away this past week for the 10th anniversary WWO trip - (World Wide Open). it's supposed to be about a golf competition and we think it's been held for about 10 years, but there is considerable debate about whether it's either. (Here is the link).

For sure, i can say it IS about:

-Friendship - not much to worry about with fellas who've known you upwards of 25 years (pre marriage, jobs, kids and the rest of the trappings from adult life)
-Letting the 'hair down,' since most of us are losing hair, this is easy (imagine a reasonably cleaned up version of Andrew Dice Clay, post-conversion)...
-Trying to do something darn near impossible for middle-aged men who've seen their best days behind them (at least athletically).. that is.. to make a 3-foot putt when the only thing at stake is an ugly red jacket and a name on a plaque that will be landfill as soon as we're done this thing for good... and sometimes, the impossible does happen - like the best player actually winning the WWO (congrats to Scotland!)
-Good food - the resort food was barely passable, but Surf and Turf is generally on the menu.
-Trying to catch up on a personal level with friends who might live in the same town, attend the same church, but rarely get to "visit" with friends given their responsibilities.

-finally, the 10 years has been special, but this year it's been:

-Airline ticket, lodging and meals - $1000
-Taylor-made Super Quad driver (sold new at retail for $400) purchased on ebay: $70
-Used Irons to improve the game - $150
-Posting an all-time low score in front of all your buddies who are used to seeing you barely break a 100: Priceless
-Taking your eldest daughter back to MD to attend a lifelong friend's baptism: eternally priceless.

Thanks to all my boys at the WWO for making X happen and to our friends back in MD - we miss you.

the fellas loading up on a Breakfast of Champions before the day's rounds.

ahhh.. the benevolent dictatorship of the Commish and the Asst Commish.

Italy, Korea and the Chaplain.

Another case of the Asst Commish trying to pull a fast one on Scotland.

Obviously, this pic is BEFORE the round when hope runs high and disregards the track record of past performance

Testing

2009-05-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

Today and tomorrow, the kids are testing.

Mickey: "It was like going to school."

Minnie: "Hmm...I don't know. It kinda took a long time."

Chip: "Nora's lunch was just really good. Amazing. One of a kind."

Twinkle: "I only finished the sections ahead of everyone else twice. [sad face]. Okay, I just had a homeschooled moment. Excuse me."

This one is for you, Mom! Love you!

Random

2009-05-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

Random

a random dialogue that twinkle and chip

randomly came up with...

at random,

randomly

Chip: X-Men stands for "Xaviers Men"! Hahaha!

Twinkle: Random.

Chip: It's true.

Twinkle: I'm tired. I biked, today. In this oven of a desert.

Chip: So did I. You have nothing to boast about. Ha-ha-ha.

Twinkle: Are you packed?

Chip: Should I be?

Twinkle: Thank you Captain Obvious! We are leaving tomorrow!

Chip: Really, surprise, surprise...I didn't know that.

Twinkle (aside): That wasn't very funny. Say something better.

Chip (aside): I'm all out of words.

Twinkle (aside, again): Just because I beat you in a word-fight doesn't mean you have to act like a clam and shut your shell.

Chip (aside, again): What were we arguing?

Twinkle: I don't even remember anymore. RUINER!!

Chip: I understand it's all my fault. Right.

Twinkle (with a dramatic sigh): Farewell, cruel world! My brother has driven me to exhasperation! Farewell...and please serve chocolate cake at my funeral.

Chip: A-ha. So funny. Random.

Twinkle: Almost as random as you saying that thing you said about X-Men. Random!

Chip: Oh, did you know that X-Men stands for "Xavier's Men"? Hahahaha.

Whoot!

2009-05-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

This morning at a local highschool, I took my AP English Language and Composition test.

Hooray for Peanut M&M's!

Whew.

Congratulations all fellow AP-ers!

Twinkle

Girls Go To California!

2009-05-11T18:17:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, the J girls, the Mom, Minnie, and me (Twinkle) took a trip to the sunny state of California. A friend was hosting an open house for her business and the Mom invited Mrs. J to come.

We girls came along for the beach and the strawberries. Yes, you read that right. Strawberries. We all got a tan (or a burn), watched movies (like Pride and Prejudice), had GREAT conversations (on the beach, of course), shivvvvvvvvered underneath the towwwwwelll (yes, it was that cold), and ate some delish food (except the burritos, right, Van? :))

Mrs. J convinced us to make a quick pit-stop to get some California strawberries. No, we were not brave enough to pick them ourselves, but we did buy a flat (which is about 12 containers). Yes, we ate nearly all of them.

Huge. Juicy. Delicious. And pure nectar. Need I say more?

Boogie-boarding. That water was FREEZING. At one point (actually, many points) my fingers were so cold that they were burning. Then, they turned into ice cubes. And that was no fun.

Mom and Mrs. J attended the open house in style!

Aunt Janet, the Mom, and Reeree. :)

Our last night, we ate at a Mexican restaurant. Yuuuuummmmmyyyyyy goodness! (This picture was taken after a day at the beach--notice the red cheeks!)

Little Women - revisited

2009-05-08T11:48:00.001-07:00

Here is a youtube video with highlights from Twinkle's participation in the Command Performers' version of Little Women..

Lots of exciting things

2009-05-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

First, I finished math. (high-fives all around). As many of you know, this year's math has been a...trouble. I now declare that I am finished. (more high-fives).

And, today, I went to sign up for classes at the community college (freak out!). Crazy. As of this fall, I am a "Concurrent Student". Very official. Very unique. Very special. You get the point.

Thus ends my announcements.

Thank you.

Spanish...and fashion sense

2009-04-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all--

Twinkle here. Working on Spanish. Trying to study. Have a test coming up this Friday. Nervous. Kinda. Loving short sentences. Makes me feel like a telegrapher-person. Okay, good-bye and happy Thursday.

And a word from One Cent:

"What up? I'm going to the salon to get a haircut. I'm thinking side bangs and some layers, but the rest of the fam says a buzz cut. Where is their sense of fashion? Obviously, its flown out the window. Alrighty, I'm very busy. Napping, eating, chasing Mickey, licking Little Miss Kate, eating, napping, sun-bathing. *Sigh* When will my life slow down?"

Over and out.

Twinkle and One Cent

Apricototious

2009-04-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Apricototious

a radio broadcast

by twinkle and minnie

MINNIE: I'm exhausted. Someone quick save me. (groans)

TWINKLE: (aside) Minnie just got home from zumba. Methinks she is a bit under the weather. (to Minnie) That sounds just terrible. How do you feel about it?

MINNIE: I feel dreadful. And exhausted.

TWINKLE: Anything else?

MINNIE: No.

TWINKLE: Your problem is that you don't...er...eat enough...er...apricots! Yes, that's it. You're apricototious.

MINNIE: Ug, this is boring. (Starts singing "whooo ooh! whoo ooh!"). Where is the cutting board?

TWINKLE: Obviously, Minnie is not in the mood to talk with us right now. That is a definite sign of apricototious. (pause). Well, the weather is nice. (pause again). Really nice. Um, signing off. I guess. Good-bye and good-night! Tune in next time to hear about Mickey's kiwitis!

Another milestone...

2009-04-02T22:50:00.001-07:00

what do you call a 7,000 lb moving mixture of metal, plastic, rubber, electronics and bangs?

Twinkle in the driver's seat.

according to the Dad : "if you are going to wreck the car, just make sure you can walk away from it...i'd be happy with that trade..."

BANG!!

2009-04-01T15:54:00.000-07:00

Er, I mean...

BANGS!!!

Yes I got them...bangs or fringe or whatever you want to call them. I got them. :)

And I LOVE them!

Thinking pose. (Did you notice the bangs or fringe or whatever you want to call them?)

I think I like my bangs or fringe or whatever you want to call them...can't you tell? :)

I'm just praying I won't be caught in a picture with my bangs or fringe or whatever you want to call them split right down the middle...

Three City Tour

2009-03-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, the Mom and Dad leave for a three city tour of the east.... The Dad has scores of meeting set up. The Mom... well, the Mom isn't sure why she is going--she's just glad to be apart of the trip!

NYC

Philly

DC area

Pretty cool.

Looking forward to spending time with The Dad's partners and their wives, enjoy NYC and hang with friends back in Md

I'll be sure to post pics of our time back east.

~The MOM

Little Women

2009-03-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

Wow.

I am so proud of the whole cast! You all were SOSO good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved working with each and every one of you!
I am so sad it is all over. I will miss you on Monday nights, Tuesday nights, Thursday nights, and Saturday...all day. :)

Thank you, my dear (oh my, the Civil War language is having some influence over me!) family for supporting me, practicing lines with me, driving me, and coming to every single performance!!! I love you all!!!

Okay, now for the pictures :) Warning: there are LOTS of pictures!!! :)

Kenny and Karen.
The directors/producers and overall visionaries of the show
Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this production! You both are so amazing -- love you guys!

Tara (played Jo) putting on her makeup. Lov ya, Tara!

Christina (hair and makeup/backstage/costume-quick-changer) and I being silly (that's the eyeliner pen, by the way). Christina, thank you SO much for flying out to help us! You are so sweet and I LOVED getting to know you!

Tori (played Meg) and Kierstyn (played Beth and Sally) putting on stage makeup. You both did awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erin (played Annie Moffat) and I (when I played Sally Gardiner).
Wow, did I LOVE that dress!

Roxanne and I. Love ya, girl! Thanks so much for coming!!

Shiloh (played Amy) chatting with people after the play

Karen and her sis.
Thank you so much for flying out to help us!!

Cutie.

Patty (played Marmee). I thought this was a cool shot.

The mic's.

Tori and I. I have the Sally Gardiner makeup and hairdo here. :) Tor, thanks for helping me with my makeup! I had no idea what I was doing! :)

Erin...beautiful picture of you!

Tatum (played Katy--one of Amy's school friends) and Tara (played Jo).
Tara, you are such an amazing actress, but you never draw attention to yourself and you are so very humble! I love you muchos!

Kierstyn and I were a bit...er...slap-happy.

Tatum and Penny (played Mary). They were SO adorable! Great job, girlies!

Grabbing a bite to eat (a very delicious bite...thanks hospitality team!) between the matinee and final show.

The Dad and Kenny.

Kierstyn and Erin with their adoring fan, McKenzie.

Q&A after the matinee.

A view of the stage.

Ruth (a very capable deck captain...thank you for flying out to help us!!!), Leroy (technically the stage manager, but he did so much more than that...thanks for being the most AMAZING stage manager ever!!!), and I posing for a quick pic between performances.

Austin (played Laurie), Savanna (hair and makeup/photography), Ruth, and me. (*I LOOOOVED that dress!!!!*)

Before the matinee performance. My wonderful family came to every performance!

Me and my beautiful flowers after opening night.

Whew.

Well. I want to be poetic and capture the whole experience in one tightly-written sentence. But, I really can't. One memory I will remember, though, is when the curtain went down on opening night and Tara and I looked at each other and said "We did it! We did it! We did it!" And the whole cast went screaming and running (in our skirts and clumpy boots for the girls and straight jackets and cravats for the guys) down the halls.

I had the time of my life.

Wonderful.

2009-03-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Tech crew performed like pros.

The actors were pros.

The director, stage manager and producer should be very proud.

What a wonderful night.

Thanks for all of your calls, email and flowers for encouragement.

~The Mom

OPENING NIGHT!!!

2009-03-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, Twinkle here...just a note to say:

I'M OFF TO OPENING NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for the performance!

(*deeeeep breeeeeaaathing*)

Twinkle

Today's the Day!

2009-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yup.

After 8 weeks of rehearsals, countless hours of prep, too many water bottles and altoids to count, the cast and crew of Little Women are on tonight!

I'll be posting pictures throughout the weekend.

Sure wish you all could be here.

~The Mom

One week and Counting.....

2009-03-12T19:58:00.001-07:00

Hard to believe it is only one week until Twinkle makes her debut on the community theater stage in the role of Beth in Little Women!

One week.

20 rehearsal hours.

!!!!!

Twinkle gets to play Beth in the Friday night and Saturday matinee show and Sally ( a minor-but fun-role) on Saturday night.

We are all very excited!

And nervous!

And excited!

Check out the production company's website: www.commandperformersaz.com

We have been busy rehearsing, practicing blocking, memorizing lines, selling tickets, handing out postcards to interested shoppers.... fun fun fun!

Some rehearsal pics:

The March sisters: Joe, Amy, Beth and Meg

The Beths and Mrs.J
(all of the girls need to know how to knit as this is often their 'business while on stage)

An early rehearsal

Running thru script lines, making blocking notes

Every rehearsal must include lots of laughing, and always does!

The March girls and Marmie....

So the next week will be very busy for Twinkle and all her show friends.

Please pray for health for all of the actors, the directors and producer.

Please also pray for Twinkle as she continues to develop her role of Beth.

Saturday is a costume run thru--not really a dress rehearsal, but they will be in costume. I will try to get some pics from that and post them.

~The Mom

Catch Up #3

2009-03-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

What have we been doing-- You ask... well, you didn't really ask, but i flatter myself to think you might actually be asking.....

and since this is my blog post, i can imagine you asking.....

Anyway.....

We have been

Playing Basketball.

Since November.

Multiple times each week with "off day shooting'--a 2 hour drill-- on the days there is no practice or game. Welcome to the world of Jr High Bball.

And of course when I say we , I really mean Chip.
He is playing. We are watching. and cheering. and clapping. and driving...

oh yes. Driving. A lot.

Let's just say that not only have I learned my way around a neighboring suburb area, but chip and I are having a lot of quality time together on the road.

Hating the gas bill... loving the time together.

The bball season culminates with a tournament in California with homeschool teams across the country. All Basketball. All the time. For 4 days. Oh baby! Should be lots of fun--watching, cheering, clapping.... and a lot less driving

And we plan on spending an extra day in CA visiting one of our favorite places--Korea Town! I don't know what we are more excited about --thebball or the food!
*Note on this picture--chip is the one in the middle grabbing at the ball... this probably occured AFTER her had a kid land on his finger. Found out later he played the rest of the game with a finger folded down--couldn't move it. Doc confirmed a fracture and he couldn't play for 3 weeks. Who knew a finger could side-line you??? But it did.

Course, now he is back in the game. Ready for California!

~The Mom

A New Driver....

2009-03-06T21:28:00.000-08:00

Today was a wonderful day

2009-03-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

Today was a wonderful day.

We all woke up late. Ate a Roman lunch, as the Dad said. The boys shot some hoops while the girls walked...for a long time.

Then, we did vacation-y things: Chip and Mickey played pool, Minnie worked on "Top Secret", we all played a card game, Mickey and Minnie had a wrestling match, Twinkle wrote and read, the Mom read, the Dad watched TV, Twinkle organized the movies in the big case, Chip played chess online...

We ate vacation-y foods: jelly and pancakes, chips and salsa, rotisserie chicken, powdered donuts, soup, roast beef...

And we watched vacation-y movies: like Madagascar 2 and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner.

It has been a wonderful day.

Up North

2009-02-28T09:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (after classes for Chip and Twinkle, school for everyone, and a mad-rush of packing), the whole family snuck away to a cabin in the mountains.

These are good times...times for going to late movies, buying tampico instead of orange juice (by accident) at the gas station, pancakes at 11 in the morning, and Clue.

We haven't told Mickey that "Colonial Mustard" is really "Colonel Mustard" yet. :)

No One Told Me....

2009-02-20T15:30:00.001-08:00

for years, one of my all-time, favorite foods since i can remember is.........

RAMEN!

it's the ultimate in comfort, taste, convenience and price!

unfortunately, the Mom has been telling me that this GIFT of food is JUST NOT HEALTHY for my aging body. :-(.

as the fearless leader of my home, what did i do about the RAMEN prohibition? i submitted.....

well, i'm sitting in this investors conference, of all places, to learn that, indeed, RAMEN was no longer appropriate for anyone after college? how did i discover this sober truth? a presenting CEO of a new technology enterprise authored a book titled:

"No More Ramen " http://www.nomoreramenonline.com/

the book appears to be a 'how-to' for college seniors who just don't know what to do with their lives post-graduation... (whaaaa). i haven't read the book, of course, but i'm pretty sure i won't like his philosophies.

-the Dad

p.s. yes, for those of you who are particular good at critical analysis, this post WAS written during the actual conference, in real time. many business presentations, none worth actually paying much attention to... it's a tough time out there..

Catch Up #2

2009-02-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

What have we been doing...?

We've been doing school.

Lots of it.

School at home....

A very studious Mickey

...School at the science center...

Our friends--M, N, Minnie and Mickey

...School at classes our church offers (Twinkle and Chip take a bible class together and Twinkle takes a spanish class)....

....School via eating--a nutrition class:)....

Kiley and Twinkle with their first creation

.....School via group projects and parties--this is our medieval celebration. We all ate, the kids taught about different things and then went outside for some medieval games and competitions--Great fun!! Kids from the Jag, Stapes, Davids and Phoenam families

Minnie giving her talk on weapons

Mickey on "How To Become a Knight"

Chip and friends working their shields after Twinkle gave a great talk on heraldry and shield designs

Not pictured: school with a tutor, school with the Dad (he teaches an economics class), school via internet classes, school via Boys Book Clubs ...

Oh yeah.

And school via the Mom.

Until the next update,
the Mom

Our first Catch-up....

2009-02-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

So. What have we been doing....

We've been doing BIRTHDAYS--lots of birthdays and parties...the first coming in October.

We celebrated Chip's birthday...

He ate the breakfast of his choice:

And then we all went down to the Science Center for the Narnia display. It was really cool--not only were we able to see a whole bunch of props, costumes and sets from the movie--Lion Witch and Wardrobe--, but since we are studying the middle ages in history this year, it was a perfect fit! And as an added bonus, they showed some early video of the next narnia film--Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

My favorite part you ask? thanks for asking... It had to be the entrance to the exhibit. You walk in to an empty room just like the one in the movie and there is a big wardrobe.... next is a narrator telling part of the story, a lion roars and the wardrobe opens.... you walk through the wardrobe, past the coasts, then pine branches, and finally out into a snow covered room--with snow falling down and narnia music playing in the background. What can i say... the visual effect was stunning. We all loved it. Ok. I loved it especially:)

After walking thru the exhibit we spent some time at the science museum taking in all the fun hands on things they have (we just went last week and there is even more to check out!)

Then it was off to the PGA superstore and lastly dinner at one of our favorite restaurants... they even made a special dessert for Chip.

All in all a great 13th birthday for the boy--but it had only just begun! Just wait until you hear what else we did to celebrate his big day...more on that later

We've been searching for changing leaves

Yes.

You read that right.

We went searching for fall leaves--colorful leaves.

Here in Arizona.

We were told that trees here change color and boy was I excited! All I kept imagining were the rolling multicolored hills of Sugar Loaf---where in one small patch of trees you can find yellows, reds, oranges and greens.... I couldn't wait!

We packed lunch.

We packed warm clothes.

We packed One Cent.

I packed all my memories and expectations of COLOR.

What were we thinking.

After driving for an hour or so, we found a reasonable possible location for fall leaves.... or so our trusty arizona-guides told us. We looked and looked and looked. This is all we saw....

YUP.

One measely tree with a splash of yellow. On our entire drive i think i saw 10 trees with color. An old washed out yellow. That was it.

So much for my expectations.

So we unloaded, made a fire and made the most of it.

One Cent ran like the crazy wild dog she is....
The kids built a fort and shot BB Guns (so as far as the kids were concerned, leaves-shmeaves....!)

Ate smores--again, who needs colorful leaves....Took an 'album cover picture' of all the kids--ours and the Jags...

Found a small branch of leaves--I was so excited I had to take a picture (and I carried it all the way back to camp)

Hung out with a good friend...Hung out with my favorite friend....
Made another great family memory.
OK...I'm with the kids---leaves-schmeaves......

~The Mom
(....but if you do happen to come across some colorful leaves next fall, I wouldn't mind a picture...)

Is It Really February???

2009-02-15T20:54:00.001-08:00

How can it be February?? Winter? Really.

Honestly it seems like just yesterday that it was the fall.... And if you look at our blog it looks like we've been living half a life! No birthday pictures, Christmas pictures, activity pictures...what HAVE we been doing???

well.... keep posted ... I plan on filling in the blanks in the next few days.

Stay Tuned!

a multi-thousand word post

2009-02-01T18:37:00.001-08:00

so to speak.... Happy Birthday Minnie!

I was gonna...

2009-01-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

I was gonna post some pictures from the Pie-Contest-and-Game-Party my friend Annie and I threw last week...but "Windows Picture Blah Blah Blah" is having problems...

I was gonna post some pictures from one of Chip's recent basketball games...but I did not want to mess up the camera...

I was gonna have salad for dinner...but I ended up having yogurt and Cherrios and an oatmeal-raisin cookie...

I was gonna watch an intellectual movie...but I found myself laughing over Underdog...

I was gonna finish reading Little Women...but I started checking other people's blogs...

I was gonna wash my clothes...but Minnie had to wash hers first...

I was gonna go to bed reasonably early...but I am still up (obviously).

Oh, well. Can't always be so productive...actually, I feel very...relaxed...*yawn*...

Good-night and enjoy the WEEKEND! WHOOT!

Twinkle

SNOW DAY!

2009-01-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

IN honor of our freeeezzzziiinnnggg friends in Maryland, we here at phoenamenal days have declared today a snow day!

yup.

we are going to play games, read books, drink hot chocolate...and probably go for a long walk/hike since it will be a beautiful-but chilly-60* here today.

Sorry. we can only fake the snow day for so long.

Yup.

SNOW DAY.
We love it.

~The Mom

9* or 75* ? It's a matter of perspective...

2009-01-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

We @ phoenamenal days would like to send a little warmth to our friends back east; but since we can't actually send warmer weather, we thought to send memories of warmer weather... enjoy...

One. More. Day.

2009-01-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

This post is for all people who are going back to school...tomorrow. After cookies and trees and fire crackers and presents and late nights and...

oh well... Twinkle was overcome by the reality of life coming back full bore...

Wish you were here....belated...

2009-01-02T05:43:00.000-08:00

for those of you in colder weather (including Phx!).. we send along these 'beachy' wishes:

Back home.

2008-12-29T21:07:00.000-08:00

Twinkle: Thanks everybody for the great time we had! Oh, and thank goodness there is (are: edit by the Dad) a few more days of Christmas break...(*yawns*)

Chip: Glad to be home. Exhausted and ready for bed. (*turns on heel and collapses on couch*)

Minnie: I don't know. (*rolls head around, tiredly*) We had a great trip. It was lots of fun.

Mickey: I say nothing. (*promptly falls asleep on chair*)

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

From all the people from phoenamenaldays (plus Maw-maw, Pappy, Uncle Scott, and Bailey. Oh, One Cent, Bailey says hi and "when are you gonna come visit me?")

Maryland is for crabs.. Florida is for...

2008-12-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

Walking.

Chip and Minnie's creation

Maw-maw and Twinkle

The kids with Maw-maw

looking out to sea...

We found LOTS of shells

Digging.

pictures from florida

2008-12-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

here are some pictures from our visit to our friends in florida

Arrived

2008-12-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

On Friday, we (except One Cent) arrived in Florida. The first day, we had dinner, watched football and Jurassic Park, unpacked, hung out with Maw-maw and Pappy, and had a great time! On Saturday, we took a quick hike up to West Orlando and saw a bunch of friends there. We had such a fun time with ya'll and we miss you already! Sunday was church and the Annie Moses Band concert. They were excellent!! Today is shopping. Yay!

Pictures coming.. ummm .. posted..

Twinkle

Stay with the Mac's

2008-12-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

For the week of Thanksgiving, the Jansens (Nora's family) all stayed at our house. So, we bunked up with the Mackays! We shopped, ate great food, browsed people's flickrs, did makeup and hair (well, the girls did), played Foosball, read exciting (and boring) books, did pilates, talked waaaaay into the night, and basically hung out all day! It was so fun! Thanks so much, Mac's for having us! Glad to have your beds back, Kiley and Brynn? :)

Hanging up the clock!

One night, we raided Barnes and Noble. Here are our spoils!

Lovely, lovely. :)

Kiley with her tea and book.

The Professor.

The G2 Christmas Banquet

2008-12-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was the G2 Christmas Banquet. It was a great event! The weather was perfect--crisp and chilly. Mr. Payne gave a very encouraging, very insightful exhortation. The food was delicious. I, Twinkle, got to go on stage for a game (and lost, sadly). The decorations were beautiful and elegant. And, the best part of all, I got Chip to go too! He even dressed up.

Ah, sweet victory!

Oh, and sorry for the scarcity of pictures!

(Notice how tall Chip is getting!!!)

Right before we left.

Playing the game.

Me & Erin. Lov ya, girl!

Freezing....

2008-12-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

It was so cold in the last weeks that Emily and Twinkle and Minnie have decided to buy a hat. Not just any hat.

This hat.

March Madness - December version

2008-12-14T10:22:00.000-08:00

Chip and his team playing in a Christmas tournament (1st of several this month)... although his team is comprised of 7th graders, the tournament was for 8th and 9th graders (most in traveling club teams). I won't bore you with the scores, but you can probably guess the scoring trends!

The JAMKay 5K

2008-12-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving Day, the Jansens, Travis and Nora Shank, Drew Mac, and all the people here at phoenamenaldays (yes, even the Dad and One Cent) ran a 5K: the JAMKay 5K to be exact. It was a great day to run, cool and overcast.

All finished wonderfully. Oh, and Brett and Chip were supposed to record everyone's time, but, unfortunately, Brett hit the clear button on his watch. So the only time he got was his own. I can safely say, however, that everyone except the Dad and One Cent finished under 30 minutes.

Results in order from first to last:

Brett Jansen
Emily Jansen
Chip
Nora Shank
Dennis Jansen
Twinkle
Mickey
The Mom
Minnie
Travis Shank
Drew Mac
One Cent
The Dad

Honorable Mention: Brian Mac and Susan Jansen.

Photography Credit: Brynn and Laura Mac.

Twinkle and Drew

The "before race" picture.

Ready...get set...

GO!!!!!

Silly Maddy!

This part was hard.

Ha, ha. Classic.

Can you see One Cent??? :)

Go Drew and the Mom!

Dash!

Brett and Nora

Travis and Chip and Emily.

Hi Mr. Jansen!

Elk Trapping

2008-12-08T19:47:00.000-08:00

Hi, Twinkle here. And, yes, you read that title right. Elk trapping.

Yesiree, folks, the people here at phoenamenaldays went elk trapping. On Wednesday last week, our story begins...

It was the dead of night (no, for real, it was). At almost half-past 2am, the Mom woke up Twinkle, Chip, Minnie, and Mickey for an adventure like no other. They packed their ski jackets, their hats, their gloves, their scarfs...almost everything except their long-underwear and snow-pants. It was going to be cold up where these brave souls ventured. (Nearly 15 degrees. Who would've guessed???)

Back to the story. The Mom drove up all the winding (well, okay, highway isn't really winding) roads for many hours. Finally, the troupe arrived at their destination. About a half-hour later, they and a few other families were watching a truly amazing spectacle. Elk trapping.

The first elk was feisty and was ramming itself against the rope that kept it from escaping. Finally, the biologists strapped the rambunctious beast to the ground and kept it there while some other biologists put a radio collar over the animal's monstrous head. The biologists also stuck an ear-tag onto the dinner-plate of the elk's ear. Then, Twinkle, Chip, Minnie, Mickey, and the Mom got to pet it. (I know, awesome, right?!?!)

The second elk was a different story. This one was mad and, fellers, I mean ready-to-eat-a-few-nine-year-old-boys mad. (No, the elk didn't eat Mickey.) After it was collared and tagged, the she-elk just sat there, looking at the humans with fire in her eyes. (Okay, maybe it wasn't exactly fire, but it was something like a...er...smoking candle).

Twinkle and Mickey were interviewed by the news channel in Flagstaff (I was thrilled!). Everyone went home. The kids finished their school, the Mom took a nap, and all was well.

The End.

Twinkle

(See the pictures below!!)

Collaring and tagging the elk.

"I can't see! Help! Oh dear, how tiresome humans are!"

This one was throwing herself against the rope. Violent.

All of us.

With the official seal and truck of the Arizona Game and Fish.

This was the silent-but-deadly elk.

Watching...

Look how close we were!

Mickey's hand against the elk's...er...hoof, I guess.

Mickey's head inside the collar.

Oh, and we took a side-trip to Montezuma's Castle. Pretty amazing.

I'm breaking up with...

2008-12-05T18:40:00.000-08:00

School.

I know, I know. School always said I'll thank him later and that I'm learning and growing through our relationship and that I need him to succeed in life and that I so under-appreciate him and that I need to be more grateful for our relationship and that I am terrible at math anyway...but, I am done. Forever.

Why? Many reasons. School is extremely demanding and controlling. He wants all of my time. He never gives me a break or lets me just hang out with my friends. He is always badgering me about a test or paper due. All my computer time is taken up by School. He wants me to focus...always on him and never, ever think about anything besides him! School is unforgiving and slaps me in the face with bad grades.

"You just don't care about me," School will say, "You don't care."

For a while, I tried to humor him with flashcards or endless reviews of study papers. But, no more. School has run my life for too long. AND I AM FINISHED!

So I'm breaking up.

When did I decide this? Yesterday, after a trying couple of hours in the math department. Kiley Mac came over and we had a heart-to-heart conversation about my relationship with School. Finally, I told her I was breaking up with him. She said, "Good idea."

Have I mentioned that I love Kiley. She is always so supportive and encouraging...unlike School. But, who cares? I'm breaking up.

(Can you tell I am having a bout of TATBS--The After Thanksgiving-Break Syndrome????)

Twinkle

Pics from Afar - well, Albania to be exact

2008-12-04T07:53:00.001-08:00

Walter, Brad and Brian

Hello per la famiglia !

2008-11-30T09:44:00.000-08:00

greetings to the extended family who generally reads this blog. i'm posting photos from day one of the EU trip...those of you with at least a basic grasp of west eurpoean history will easily know where we are today.

to the Mom, Twinkle, Chip, Mickey and Minnie... my heart is always with you

Maximus, Maximus!!!

fishy faces of......

2008-11-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

MINNIE!!!

hello!!!!! i know that i have not posted in a LONG time, so i am soooo sorry:( but the bright side of it is that... i am posting NOW!!

i dicided to do pictures of ME doing fishy faces:)

here we go!!!

this is the "glow" efect.... and i like this one:)

well i like all of them:)

this one is normal... black and white....

OHHH.... i really like this one.... this one is called " comic"

i really like it... i think this is my favorite one:)

this one..... hmm.... the colors are really weird.. and i think its based in your heat!!!! amazing, right?

so... how did you like it?

minnie:)

BFADS are BFFL or BFFN?

2008-11-28T02:03:00.000-08:00

well... as of the writing of this blog post, the phoenamenal gang is sitting in a trailer bay on the backside of a BestBuy, hoping oh hoping that a 2am wake-up is going to yield doorbuster savings...

namely:
1) new laptop for Twinkle
2) fun memories
3) ok.. maybe not fun, how bout just memories..

in progress....

...looking like aliens in a foreign land...
postscript:

mixed results - the really great deals were gone by our turn (we were well into the 100th place).

upgraded the Dad's laptop (slowly dying)... gave Twinkle an opportunity for delayed gratification on a potential new macbook in the intermediate future...

met with a bunch of friends who exercised restraint and finished the morning with breakfast and shopping (Apple Store, Old Navy, Target and Sears)...

great deals - maybe
great memories - would you settle for memories that will be funnier as time goes by?

Hello? tap, tap...

2008-11-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

anyone out there? Is this thing on?.....

whew, we are still here...

just a bit more stretched these days with bball practices (chip made a local team for jr high aged kids), golf practice (chip and mickey go up to the range just about every day), training for our 5K race next week (honest!), care group meetings, twinkle's volunteer requirements, twinkle's drama class, birthday parties.....throw in the spontaneous camping trip and our weeks have been really full.....

oh yeah.

and educating the kiddos.

that takes up a bit of time too.

Judging by my email inbox and very quiet phone, i am guessing all you dear readers are feeling the same st---ret---ch--ing of your schdule as well.

Hello? *Tap, tap* this thing on???

anyway.

just want you to know we are here and hope to post a bunch of pics in the next few days ----or so.

enjoy your weekend!

~The Mom

11W

2008-11-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Are you confused what the title means?

Until just recently, 11 W meant nothing to us too. Now it signifies many things:

1) Chip is taller than Twinkle, and Mom too. Gaining on Dad quickly.
2) Chip was measured on the golf machines and possesses a faster swing speed than Dad. (i know, this is only important to the golfers out there).
3) Chip challenged the Dad for physical pre-eminence for the first time in his life (not the last time) with an arm-wrestling challenge. Sorry, Charlie.
4) and finally... 11 W indicates the measure of Chip's feet.

by way of show and tell, here are pics of the Dad's and Chip's feet against one another..

home sweet home

2008-10-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

lets say we didn't get to bed that early.....and we had to get up really early to go to boys football game. imagine if your mom comes and wakes you up when you are so tired you can not even keep your eyes open.Yes.That sounds awful, doesn't it, right? Well....Thats what happened to ME!! Me or all people. i love, like, adore, sleep. so when i got up i went to a yard sale at a school near by. we got some good stuff. then we went to football which i cheered like nobody's business. now my voice is hoarse.

as if thats now good enough, we went, had lunch, went to home depot........THEN came to: home, sweet, home:)

I LOVE HOME!!

minnie

Photobooth (again)

2008-10-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

Perfectly Symmetrical.

Indifferent And Confused.

Smug.

Twin.

Gangsters of the Comic Book Effect.

Love The Hat.

The Secret Locket

Scared...Or Crazy?

Passifier-Lollipops and Blue Hoods.

For those of you who have followed this blog for a while, you might remember a post called "Photobooth Madness."

Since then, us kids here at phoenamenaldays have become experts at photobooth. We labor every day. We toil in front of the camera. We put on extreme emotions. (And we also laugh hysterically at Mickey who tries to look like Spiderman). And we added titles to the pictures.

And, this, for the first time ever on a blog, is the result. I like to call it

Photobooth Amazing-ness and Genius-ness!!!!!

Friday.

2008-10-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hi. Twinkle, here. Have I told you how much I love fridays? I probaby have. But, I just love them.

Today was hectic. Bible class, Spanish class, car wash, Math, Economics class, English, and chores. Mickey and Minnie just came home from a golf lesson. "Hot out there," Minnie says, "But, I still like it." Plus, she looked awfully cute in her hat! :)

Minnie is now putting the dishes away. Mickey is pounding out a song on the piano. Chip is setting the table. Me, Twinkle, is tired (and going over my Spanish vocabulary in my head. "Yo estoy en la silla.")

A day in the life.

Hooray for Fridays!

POPOVERS!!

2008-10-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, my sister-in-law Anne made popovers for our family. We all loved them and ate them every month or so for a while. Then we forgot about the poor popover.

And so the popover was forgotten.

For many years.

Until recently. We made them again just the other day and though they were good, we really believed they'd be better with the correct pan....an honest-to-goodness popover pan.

And so we got a mini-popover pan and tried again.

Oh. My. Goodness.

wow.

What a difference a pan makes!

yum.
YUM.

YUM!

Mind blowing vintage Pics..

2008-10-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

I saw these pics on a friend's facebook and HAD to post them. I'm sorry if many of you don't know these dear folks, but for the rest of you, enjoy the memories..

"A Knight of Murder"

2008-10-05T20:03:00.001-07:00

Here ye, here ye!!

Two Saturdays ago, the royal Lord Taylor and Lady Gwendolyn held a magnificent feast for the vising King Kyle and Queen Guinevere at the noble Fernwood Manor. Among those invited to come were chivalrous knights, fair maidens, a baron, the sheriff and his wife, the watchman, a peasant girl, a chambermaid, and...a murderer. Yes, you heard that right. A murderer. Let me explain.

Through the course of the evening, complete with an elaborate dinner and entertainment, peasants and royalty alike were shocked by the cruel murder of Sir Rufus. No one knew who the murderer (or should I say murderess) was. All who attended the feast were given certain secret objectives they need to fulfill and money they could either keep or spend by bribery.

After the objectives were accomplished, Watchman William produced evidence he had collected pertaining to the murder. Everyone present was under the obligation to examine the clues and write who they thought was the murderer (along with "best actor" and "best dressed") on a slip of paper. These slips of paper were gathered and counted.

The guests waited anxiously in the dinner hall. Then, the murderer was condemned. It was the sweet Lady Diana of Dunnesbury! She had killed Sir Rufus because of a twisted, complicated scheme to obtain her freedom from peasantry. Shocked and appalled as everyone was, they could not help admiring Lady Diana's cunning.

And, Lady Diana was found to be the murderer--or should I say "murderess"--of Sir Rufus.
Thus concludes my tale of "A Knight of Murder".

Sincerely,

Sherilyn, otherwise known as Twinkle.

P.S. This murder-mystery night was SO SO SO fun!!! Thanks Beemans for hosting!!! Enjoy the
pictures!!

First, a few pictures of the WONDERFUL decorations:

This was hand-painted. Beautiful.

Tea lights cast a medieval-ish and festive glow.

Now, getting ready before the feast:

Um, yea, so, I was, um, yea, wow.

Don't hide! :)

Maid Merilyn getting her hair done.

Chatting like...well, like girls!

Lady Diana getting her hair done.

Now, TO THE FEAST!!!!!

Sir Rufus and Gallant Gary.

Thanks for all the hard work!!!

Lord Taylor greeting his guests before the feast was served.

::Poor Pearl::

King Kyle and Queen Guinevere

Maid Merilyn and Sherilyn (me, Twinkle)...notice the fake eyelashes? Couldn't resist!!

Sir Cameron...always such a cut-up!

All the ladies, except for two. From left to right: Charlamagne (Cathy S.), Sherilyn (me, Twinkle), Lady Diana of Dunnesbury (Erin D.), Maid Merilyn (Annalee F.), Poor Pearl (Sarah K.), and Lady Gwendolyn (Kristal C.).

The Law of the Land. Thanks Kristal for copying it out!

A random shot.

A few affects on this one...

Poor Pearl interrogating Queen Guinevere.

Milling around.

So, Twinkle was trying to glare without laughing, but trying to glare always makes one laugh...especially if she is glaring at someone with medieval clothes on and speaking in a British accent.

A birds-eye view of the entry hall.

Baron Bartholomew and the Sheriff.

Maid Medusa.

Lovely Lady Diana...No one ever suspected YOU! :)

My first time ever baby-sitting:)

2008-09-30T05:41:00.000-07:00

I baby-sat for my first time:) and guess who i baby-sat and put to bed, almost changed her diaper, and held?

KATE...

yes i baby-sat kate:)

I kind of knew how to put kate to bed(because i had watched miss nora do it:), but i asked her just in case. She said that you sway back and forth,and say "shhhhshhhhhshhhh". So i knew how to do it, right? pretty easy, right?

When miss nora and mr. travis left, and it was time to put kate to bed i did the exact thing miss nora said to do:) It's really fun to baby-sit kate:)

i just wanted to let you know that i love baby-sitting kate. It is so much fun:)

this baby-sitting story was written by:

minnie:)

Flag Football!

2008-09-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, almost all the boys from church and their dads began the flag football season. Even though the thermometer still reads 102 degrees, the spirit of fall has made its entrance through this thrilling sport. Two fathers from the church organize a league for all the boy at church 8-15 years old. The boys practice every Saturday morning. A game follows.

Chip was bumped up to the older kids. And reminiscent of the days of winter basketball in Maryland, the Dad is his coach. They haven't won a game yet, but they have quite the fan club (namely Twinkle) who cheers them to touchdowns.

Mickey is on a team with a number of good friends and he has won all of his games. Even though he scored three touchdowns the first game and at least one the next game, Mickey is keeping quite humble.

And the girls?

Twinkle and Minnie complain slightly about "getting up so early on a Saturday". However, they soon forget their pain once they arrive at the intense games. Twinkle is convinced that Chip's team scored the touchdown because of her cheering. Minnie watches with an expert eye. But, she keeps her opinions to herself. The sign of a true genius. The Mom faithfully takes pictures and buys extra water bottles for all the teams.

When the cat's away, the mice eat curry!

2008-09-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

or something like that:)

Truth be told, whenever the dad is out of town, we are all sad. So we bury our misery by cooking and eating all the foods he generally doesn't like. The dad has some serious aversions to casseroles (except lasagne, is that even a casserole?), curry, and all things lentil.

So. Whenever the dad is away we are sure to eat some of the things above--or all of them if we are feeling particularly sad or if it has been a while since the dad has been away. We also try to eat very simply. And that is mostly because I like to have a little easier day when the dad is away. So if it is not cassseroles, curry and lentils, it will probably be pancakes, eggs or cereal;)

I am not alone in this endeavor...a dear friend serves her family popcorn and apples and cheese when the dad is away. We are not odd. We are just opportunists.

Anyway. The dad was away for a long day a few weeks ago and we gorged --yes gorged-- ourselves on lentils and cheese casserole. Two dad aversions in one! and boy did we love it! We--meaning mostly connor--ate a full 9X13 inch dish of the famous Jansen- Less-with-more-cookbook :Lentils and cheese. Yum.

We sent pictures to the dad and his response? "yuck. glad i missed dinner" We reminded him not to yuck someone's yum and his response? "yuck."

Oh well. we loved it and ate heartily.

Then more recently, the dad was away for a few days so we ate again--but this time he was a bit sad to miss our first yummy dinner. We made Hawaiian Breakfast. Sound exotic, eh? well. It is. Sort of. In a 'isn't that intersting' sort of way.

The hawaiian breakfast was first discovered on our tip to maui last year. We found this little eatery that served yummy breakfast at a great price. Lots of locals. So wanting to experience the full hawaiian way of life, we ordered up and chowed down. we all loved it!

wanna know what it was?

pineapples?

no.

poi?

Uh, no way. we aren't that interested in cross-cultural experiences...

we chowed down on this:

Rice, corned beef hash, egg over easy, all covered in brown gravy.

yum.

So that is what we had our first night. The dad was sad tomiss it, but didn't mind missing the chicken masala (indian style), the chicken pot pie or other yummy curry, casserole or lentil inspired meals that followed.

Yum.

(don't yuck it!)

Calling all students!!!

2008-09-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have embarked on the sometimes dangerous and often rewarding journey called...The School Year. So, beware for the lurking hammer-head sharks and the enemy ships. Just grab hold of a pencil or two and a notebook and you're ready for any adventure through the Land of Literature, the Mountain of Math, and the Way of Writing.

Come! It's sure to be an amazing journey!

I have nothing else to say.

Good-bye.

Twinkle

TIme Flies

2008-09-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Whew!

It has been awhile since we posted on our blog.

Things have been busy around here....school, school, sports, swimming (still)...

Yup. It's been so long that Twinkle finished nursing school and has begun working at a local hospital. don't believe me? want proof?

OK...

alright.

you got me.

I kid. I kid.

This past week Twinkle had the wonderful opportunity to go on a 3 hour tour of a local hospital campus ('Huge", she said) with a friend/nurse we know. Twinkle loved it! I'll have her fill you all in on the details some other time. Suffice it to say, she was inspired at the vast opportunities in the medical field. We'll see where it lead.....

The Mom

OH, and don't you love the scrubs??

One Cent

2008-08-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

All of us were in the family room. The Mom was reviewing history assignments for the coming week; the Dad was throwing the football with Twinkle; Mickey, Chip, and Minnie were playing on the computer.

And where was the dog? Where was that faithful guardian? Where was our One Cent?

"Where do you think? You people have no sense in staying up to all hours. Okay, okay, if you had a soft mattress to fall asleep on, would you go to bed? If you had to watch an army of people twenty four-seven, would you crash any time you could? All right, then."

Sorry, that was One Cent. And yes, she put herself to bed on the girl's bed in the girl's bedroom. Really. Truly. Didn't even say goodnight.

Oh, she is a bit...touchy on the subject, if you haven't noticed.

Goodnight ("RUFF!!)

Twinkle and One Cent

A Weekend in California

2008-08-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we coupled the Dad's birthday and a visit to see friends into four FULL days of fun! On Thursday, we packed up the car around dinner time. Driving into Los Angeles around eleven that night, we bunked up with the Chous in their condo for the night. The next morning, the Wars showed up at our door! Wow, was it good to see them!

For lunch, we ate at a FABULOUS seafood/korean food restaurant. After sufficiently stuffing ourselves, staring at the scary green water, and playing with little Liam, we (the Wars and us) headed south to San Diego!

The next day (which was also the Dad's birthday), we hit the beach! Talk about a FUN beach day! Blazing sun and sand, cool water with great boogie board waves, watermelon in the cooler, and enough towels to go around. :)

On Sunday, after a day a La Jolla/Torrey Pines/ hang gliding cliff watching, we had to drive home.

Thanks Wars and Chous and Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Dennis for making this weekend a BLAST!!!

Twinkle

Mickey and Chip

Minnie and Twinkle

Say cheese!!!!

Hunter and Trevor and Mickey messing around

The Dad's birthday cupcakes...Baden was SO excited that it was "Uncle Chuck's" birthday! :)

Noelle got her ears pierced!!! Yay!!!

The hang gliders were so cool to watch!

Twinkle and the Mom.

Baden

Us kids

The Dad's birthday boogie board

The G2 Retreat

2008-08-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, more than one hundred kids between 14 and 18 years old along with their parents took a three hour car ride up to Pine Top, Show Low. Why? To hang with their friends, hike around, play some AMAZING games, and, most of all, to experience God.

This was the G2 retreat.

G2 (standing for "One Gospel, Two Generations") is Sovereign Grace Church's youth ministry. Needless to say, it was INCREDIBLE!!!

We all met at the church around 9 Friday morning, recieved brief instruction, then crammed into each other's cars for the drive up to Pine Top. When we arrived, set up began! Congrats to Kiley Mac and Josh T. and Annalee F. and everybody who spearheaded the set up! It looked really really great!

When people really started to arrive at Pine Top and bags were unpacked and balloons put up and sound checks run, we were ready to begin. Here are some pictures of the fabulous weekend!!!!

Twinkle

::monkeys::

2008-08-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Almost all species of monkeys like to be groomed and petted and brushed and massaged. Sometimes, they will line up and massage each other, one after the other. It is said that this practice gets rid of bugs that hide among the monkey's thick fur.

Except for the bugs and thick fur, the massage process is not much different with us kids here at phoenamenaldays.

Don't we all look so comfortable? :)

"we're not in Kansas anymore...."

2008-08-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

So... not long ago, a trip to LA for business pretty much meant a 2 day trip for a 3 hour meeting.

6 plus hours in the plane (not to mention the time before boarding and after landing)... bustle about the business at hand... then fly out the next day (same routine, but eastward bound - which meant effectively losing that day to travel)...

times have changed... this time, meetings scheduled in LA for a Tuesday...

on Tuesday mid-morning, drive 20 minutes to the airport.. hour flight... conduct business.... arrive back at the house that evening .... with plenty of time to give the kids their bedtime kisses...

not missing the commute from Kansas...

Our welcome home

2008-08-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

Last week some of our friends here in Az hosted a 'Welcome home' party for us...It was a great chance to reconnect--for us and for the kids. We were even able to surprise Twinkle with a 'happy birthday' serenade and cake--complete with candles to blow out!

The E's hosted and it was such an enjoyable evening to hang with friends, let the kids swim and tell them all about our time back east. (notice how people always say 'back east' and 'out west'..why is that? does anyone ever say 'out east and back west'??? I don't think so...try to say it yourself and you'll hear how ridiculous it sounds...)

anyway... it was a fun night...enjoy the pictures while i go do some very scientific internet research on the origins of 'back east' and out west. I'll report back when i've got it all figured out--or when i am tired of searching.:)

The gang hanging out at the pool:
SO so so cute Jett:
Wendy Jag and Jett's mom, Tina
Jeff and The Dad:
Hangin'...talkin'....

Mickey...taking the plunge

Minnie's admirer Chase and Minnie's friend Shiloh
A Zig with cool hair....
The ring leader of the cool hair at work...
and this is ...ahem...Mickey...
The almost 15 year old....
The party continues inside...
Nora with her sweet little girl, Kate
And one of my favorites, mckenzie and Mrs Brown...don't you wish you knew what they were talking about???

Happiness is

2008-08-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Video Skyping with your friends.....

But to be honest, at times it makes the distance seem more real. And I did get a bit teary eyed when we first logged on to see some friends.... and the joy/sadness from club penguin is still hard to fully explain because seeing penguins play together virtually just reminds me that they can't play together so easily in real life.

Just keeping it real.

~the Mom

Once upon a time...

2008-07-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a ship captain.

This captain ruled the Pool Sea.

His huge ship, complete with cannons and swords, was faster than any other. With amazing cunning and bravery, this captain fought off pirates and sharks and bad weather.

His golden oar, which served as his symbol of strength, was always at his side, ready to lash out at an enemy. Who was this incredible, strong, brave, tenacious, captain who terrorized his enemies, but was chivalrous to the people of the land?

He calls himself:

Captain Mickey

Some days

2008-07-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Some days there are just chores and swimming and eating and reading and stuff like that.

This was one of those days.

We woke up late and had pancakes with bananas and maple syrup. Then, I wrote thank-you notes; Chip read; Minnie videochatted with some friends back in Maryland; Mickey played with a friend who was over for a sleepover. Then, we swam in the pool. After we were sufficiently waterlogged, the Mom left to drop off Mickey's friend at his house.

And I am home. There is music playing in the background. The AC is cranking. The house is clean. One Cent's hair is curly from swimming and she tired from deciding whether to sleep on the carpet or on the couch or on the bed. AAAh! Life is full of choices. :)

It has been a normal day.

Twinkle

Reporting for the APN

2008-07-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hello. I am Twinkle, here reporting for APN (Amazing Phoenamenal News). This just in:

Today the Dad decided to clean out the garage.

It was at eight this Saturday morning when the team, led by the Dad, attacked the garage. Armed with broomsticks and trashbags, they worked their way through the boxes, bikes, tools, plastic bins of clothes, various ropes and screws and pieces of Styrofoam, and stubborn dust and dirt.

Their motto? "No clutter."

Easier said than done. Especially when the thermometer read 100 degrees already. However, this incredible team reached their goal in less than two hours. Their vicious skill and brute strength made it possible to have more space and less stuff in the garage.

Mission accomplished.

What does Minnie, one of the members of the team who attacked the garage this morning?, have to say? "It was boring and exciting." Very profound.

I'm Twinkle here with APN. Thank you for reading.

"...Just Fifteen for a moment....."

2008-07-25T21:17:00.002-07:00

what do you know... a few blinks, some diapers, crawling, walking, biking, running.. kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th grades in a row... and we have a 15 year old today; Twinkle turned 15 as of this morning.

From the birthday girl....

10 things I've learned in my 15 years on this earth:

1) God will give me faith if I ask.

2) Makeup has got to be one of the most fun things of being a girl!!!!

3) I can finally cook or bake something without burning, undercooking, overcooking to a point where it is tough, or using salt instead of sugar.

4) I love dogs.

5) I absolutely LOVE writing. It is my hobby. When I am writing on my computer, I feel like I'm in a totally different world. Call me a nerd! :)

6) Little brothers can be big brothers.

7) How to put together an Ikea bookcase without ending up with a shelf on the outside and the doors broken in your hands.

8) Flip-flops rock!

9) I am terrified of dark, murky, water where sharks could be lurking to BITE MY LEG OFF!!!!!

10) The leaving is hard. But the going is exciting.

~Twinkle

Happiness is

2008-07-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

finding your friend on Club Penguin......

Maryland.....

2008-07-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Our time on the East coast was too full, too fun, and too rich to put into words....I hope this slide show captures the essence of our time there. And yet, I expect, our memories are even better...

We miss you all.....

The Mom

and so the day arrives

2008-07-17T03:20:00.000-07:00

sometimes there are simply no words.

with much love to our friends in maryland......

Our Last Sunday

2008-07-12T05:12:00.000-07:00

Yup. Tomorrow is our last Sunday as real members of CLC. The thought of 'dual membership' is quaint but unrealistic:)

Our histories here run so deep... it is hard to believe we are at this moment.

So. Tomorrow it is.
Tomorrow we get to worship at the only church the Dad and all the kid have ever known....
the church where the mom and dad met....
where all the children were dedicated...

Our church.

And then our dear friends will pray for us after the first service and 'send us off'.

Our departure week begins.

The Mom

One Week and Counting

2008-07-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

So i originally planned to post lots of pictures of every visitor we visited with.

Impossible!

But since we are a week away from departure, i thought we'd throw out another post of mostly pictures.... suffice it to say it has been a full 3 weeks. We are so grateful for our time here on the east coast.

Pictures coming soon.....

~The Mom

Our week

2008-06-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

What a great day! Today...and yesterday...and the day before that. Actually all of our days since our arrival have been great! We have had a wonderful time with friends--reacquainting ourselves with our house and our town, and generally hanging out, playing and eating together.

It has been wonderful.

So. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this post is a dissertation.

Enjoy!

In no particular order, here is our week: (sorry about the underline, i can't figure out how ot get rid of it!

Everyday. Thirty minutes minimum. I love the music.

After-dinner ice cream with "the boys", Brett and Bryan

Minnie and her friend (above), Ray and the Dad below:

Twinkle, Lizzy and Brielle after Summer Celebration one day

Hanging out by the pool in prep for hanging out at our pool in phx, Emily:

The Dad happily taking in the views of his office--oh how he has missed this room!

Some funny comment made us all laugh, but some more than others:

Pool time with friends Anna and Laura--Minnie in the middle.

Ah! Finally, victory! a visit to our favorite sushi place--Ha Ku Ba..more commonly known by us as "Mr. Lee's"

I love the following pictures--look at all the green!! This was the first of MANY capture the flag games we've had at the house...all neighborhood kids with a few exceptions who happily commuted:)

This picture is nothing special except look at the green!!!

Mickey's buddy and neighbor, ray:

Emily with the whole gang!

Capture the Flag group picture....we are missing a few neighbors here, but this is the majority

Hunter, John and Chip...these boys are keeping good pace in the growth dept. I think they will pass John in a year or so....

Dinner with the War's. They will be visiting us in August and since the weather won't be too welcoming, i fully expect all our phx friends to be even more so.

Chip and his buddy Nate: (sorry about the underlining again!)

We Love our Swing Set!!! (creaks and all)

Rachael and Twinkle--how fun to update her on all the phx happenings since she knows many of you!

Emily and Minnie:

Not sure how to introduce this picture... these are scarves from my mom and these kids are , well, unique:)

Minnie surrounded by sisters--Rachel and Lauren--as she unpacks her room

Twinkle, Noelle and Kayla

Twinkle surrounded by sisters: Hannah and Alicia

Our first meal in Maryland! Thanks to the N's next door

Twinkle with some friends:

Emily and Minnie

We made it!

2008-06-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

so we've arrived back in maryland....what a warm welcome we've received!

how sweet it has been to watch the kids reconnect with their friends...play in the yard....talk and hang out together....

And it has been surreal.

To come home to a house i haven't lived in for 10 months...yet there is everything like i left it (almost--the kitchen cabinets have been rearranged:)). It is all so familiar but--not really. Weird. Sorry i can't be more eloquent than that. :)

But even with the weirdness there is great joy in being together with friends. And overwhelming in a good way.

Pictures prob today or tomorrow.

And to our phoenix friends--we are looking forward to introducing you to our maryland friends. Hope you all get to meet in real life one day!

~The Mom

PhoeNAMenal Days

Some more...

Some Catchup Pics!

and then, the girls performed in a musical...

Twinkle's Cross Country season

another milestone

a Recent Reunion

The Countdown

The Ninja and Na-nook from the North

we interrupt this moving series to announce

Our Move, part 2

Our Move

Don't turn off your computer...

Birthday girl

The Business at Hand

*Tap tap*

Time Flies...

Busy Bees

A good walk spoiled???

Went to the local Hispanic Supermarket

Oh Sweet Distraction!!

Sweet Summer Days

One month will fly

WWO X has a winner

Testing

Random

Whoot!

Girls Go To California!

Little Women - revisited

Lots of exciting things

Spanish...and fashion sense

Apricototious

Another milestone...

BANG!!

Three City Tour

Little Women

Wonderful.

OPENING NIGHT!!!

Today's the Day!

One week and Counting.....

Catch Up #3

A New Driver....

Today was a wonderful day

Up North

No One Told Me....

Catch Up #2

Our first Catch-up....

Is It Really February???

a multi-thousand word post

I was gonna...

SNOW DAY!

9* or 75* ? It's a matter of perspective...

One. More. Day.

Wish you were here....belated...

Back home.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maryland is for crabs.. Florida is for...

pictures from florida

Arrived

Stay with the Mac's

The G2 Christmas Banquet

Freezing....

March Madness - December version

The JAMKay 5K

Elk Trapping

I'm breaking up with...

Pics from Afar - well, Albania to be exact

Hello per la famiglia !

fishy faces of......

BFADS are BFFL or BFFN?

Hello? *tap, tap*...

11W

home sweet home

Photobooth (again)

Friday.

POPOVERS!!

Mind blowing vintage Pics..

"A Knight of Murder"

My first time ever baby-sitting:)

Flag Football!

Tap tap

Hello? tap, tap...