Stinky's 3rd Birthday... Happy B-Day DONKEY!!!

George Carlin - We will miss you!!!

Legendary comedian George Carlin passed away Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 at the age of 71. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Below are his words that we should all live by...

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not alife. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not ourprejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be aroundf orever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember, to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Sissy's 1st Birthday - March 28th

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl, you are a big 1-yrs old!!! Your first year has been such an adventure. I can't wait to see whatelse you have in store for us. We love you so, so much!!!

You are the prettiest Princess of all Princess Land!!!

Mason's Valentine Box 2008

Mason has yet again, created quite the valentine box for school and wanted to show it off to everyone.

It's a robot with a cupcake tin as a mouth, honeycomb cereal as a nose and medicine dispensers and candy kisses as eyes and chopsticks as antennas... He has got quite the imagination and I think it is the best box he has made so far.

Mason also has big plans for his "special girl"... Yes. Mason has a girlfriend and he got her a teddy bear and chocolates for her valentines gift. Once he gives it to her, he is hoping to get to hold her hand (for the second time). But, if he chicken's out, he says that he is going to sneak the present in her school desk then call me to come pick him up from school (because he is sure that all the anxiety and stress will make him sick; yeah, right!!!).

What a nerd!!! He must take after his Unkie Matt :)

Happy Valentines Day - 2008

To my amazing guy and beautiful children... Happy Valentines Day ! I love you all so much!

We've got a family full of Chefs!!!

Braden has been taking home-economics at school and has been doing a lot of cooking for the family. Surprisingly, everything he has made has been really, really good. This weekend he made individual sized pizza’s for us and his friends that he invited to sleepover for the weekend (yes, I said weekend… not night, but the whole weekend!). Everyone had a blast putting their pizzas together and they were so good! We topped the night off with some bowling and games. The next morning we woke up to Braden fixing some cinnamon rolls and Orange Julius drinks. We devoured our breakfast and then off we went sleighing. The next morning I decided to give Braden a break and made puffy-oven pancakes (but I had a watchful eye looking over my shoulder making sure I was doing it just right). Brian is now teaching Braden how to smoke/BBQ meat and cook in the Dutch oven (which we had last night). Mmmm Good!

Mason has taken on making all the deserts. He has so far made my personal favorites, rice crispy treats and chocolate chip cookies. They both turned out great! He has decided that he wants to start making a different kind of cookie each week. He has looked through cookbooks and marked the recipes he wants to make. He has enough picked out to give us a different kind of cookie each week for a full year!!! His next cookie will be a vanilla wafer cookie picked out with love for his little Sister. How sweet, huh?

Stinky also loves helping his Mom cook! I can’t turnaround in the kitchen without him there pushing his “Mimi” stool up to the counter wanting to help stir or do whatever I will let him do. He is also good at doing dishes although when he is done he feels like he must take a bath in the sink afterwards (just like when he was a baby… I love it!) .

Sissy so far is content on just watching everyone in the kitchen as long as we keep something in front of her that she can munch on. She now has 8 teeth and is beginning to walk! She is growing up too fast and will be cooking in no time!

Both Brian and I grew up in families of great cooks and food has always been a big part of our childhood. We are so proud that we are able to pass down this tradition and hope the kids will pass down to their children to come. The kitchen is the best place to be and there is nothing like enjoying a good meal with family and friends!!!

Braden's 13th Birthday - January 1st.

Happy Birthday Braden! You're no longer a kid... You're a teenager!

I hope you received everything you wanted and more. We are so lucky to have you in our lives and family. We love you very much and look forward to seeing you develope into a little man.