2 Down, 3 to Go!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

A Public Safety Announcement

Beware of flying cardinals that crash into the grill of your car, bounce onto the windshield and then through the sunroof of your car.

Apart from being heart attack inducing, said bird was very difficult to remove as he was wedged between the passenger seat and the front console. Thank God for chopsticks!

Nine

This was a picture of me on August 23rd, 2001. This picture always makes me laugh because I was so huge and my friends were/are so tiny.

Five days later, I went into labor (on my own for once--it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I was seen kicking a soccer ball before Tyler's soccer tournament). The twins were born 3 1/2 weeks early weighing in at 6 lbs, 15 oz. and 7 lbs, 3 oz.

They learned the "Who Me? I didn't do it." very early on.

The babies, as everyone called them for the first 6 years of their lives, spent many hours sitting together like this on the sidelines of all the older kids' games.

During Hurricane Isabel we lost power for several days...Tony was in a trial so he moved downtown to a hotel. We spent time at Alden's house and wore her kids' clothes.

Ammy's hair finally started to grow! We spent a lot of time with our twin friends, Cameron and Connor who are two weeks younger. (Funny story, but their mom, Sharon was in my wedding. We lost touch for a few years and we ran into each other at our OB on the day that we both found out that we were having twins!)

Ravens fans from an early age!

The first day of preschool.

We spent a lot of time playing dress-up when the babies were 4! Let's just say that I have many pictures that will come back to haunt Kellen in his later years!

The first day of Kindergarten, back when it was only half-day.

1st grade was the first time the twins were separated in school...it was also the beginning of calling them the twins instead of the babies!

Second grade...a lot of time spent riding scooters and bikes outside on the driveway!

The first day of third grade...moving up at school and into the portable classrooms...a BIG deal at school.

This morning...the day of their ninth birthday!

Happy Birthday Kellen and Ammy! I love you!

Please stop growing up so quickly!

Practice Makes Perfect

Tomorrow, Kellen and his lacrosse team are playing during halftime of the MLL (Major League Lacrosse) championship game. I decided to rent a sports lens for the weekend and today, I spent a little time playing with it.

Ammy's friends, Isabel and Oona game over to play for the afternoon. I had them do cartwheels and somersaults in the yard.

Then they were walking and posing.



Oona had no idea I was taking this picture. I love the green background!

Being goofy.



Friends...



I love this lens! I can't wait to see what I am able to capture tomorrow!

It Looked Like A Good Idea

Tony decided to play hookie today, so we took the entire family downtown. We ate lunch in Canton and then went down to the Inner Harbor to ride the paddle boats.

Waiting to board the dragon boats...it was boys in one, girls in another.

Life is still good...pulling away from the dock.

The life jackets sure are hot.

At least Tony could take a work call while getting paddled around...do you think the person he was talking to had any idea where he was? Gotta love the mobile office.

It was hot, it was hard work and Ammy summed it up when she said, "It looks like so much fun, but once you get out there, you hate it."

Um, Yeah. She's so right!

True Rumors

If you live in the area, please join us to support Tiny Sparrow Foundation.

Funny

There is a church in our neighborhood that has the greatest signs. Last week, this was the one I passed no less than 100 times and every time it made me smile!

Please help!

On September 27, 2007, after a 26 month battle with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Mitchell Whitaker passed away. His final words on earth were "Keep Fighting".

Mitchell's parents founded The GoMitchGo Foundation and to date have raised over $330,000 in Mitchell's honor for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Here's where you can help...my blog friend, Stephanie, is running a half-marathon in San Francisco on October 17, 2010 in Mitchell's memory. She needs to raise $3500 in order to participate. Please go here and make a donation in memory of Mitchell and all those who have lost their battle to blood cancers.

Thanks!

Also, please keep Kaci Ronne in your prayers. She is a young mother of three and her cancer has spread.

Walker Jack Rainy

Yesterday, Walker Jack Rainy earned his angel wings. To read more about this sweet boy, visit his Caringbridge site.

To view an amazing tribute in memory of Walker Jack Rainy, go here. Walker was one of the first babies Tiny Sparrow Foundation photographed.

Shoes

Last Saturday, I bought these obnoxious shoes. I read a review online about the Nike Free shoes and decided I had to have a pair. On Sunday, I started walking again. It's been a while (like 8 years) since I walked regularly.

I heart them so much that I signed up for this:

Actually, I will be doing the half-marathon and no worries, I will not be running!

Established 1992

A couple of weeks ago, I came across this project on Today's Creative Blog. I thought it was awesome so I contacted Emily and ordered the vinyl from her company, The Piccadilly Peddlar. She made her family sign using old wood.

I didn't have any wood around my house, so I went out and bought a canvas to put my vinyl on. I purchased a 24" x 24" canvas at Michaels.

I used Valspar Suede spray paint to paint the canvas. Then I applied the vinyl decal. I will admit that it was a little tricky because the canvas does not have a hard back. I cut the vinyl into three parts...our name, the tree, and established to make it easier. Then, I rubbed the vinyl onto the canvas using a ceramic coaster behind the canvas while I rubbed.



Not as cool as Emily's, but not too shabby! Everyone who comes in my house comments on it and they can't believe I made it! The best kind of craft project!

I'm linking up to these parties today: Made By Me Mondays, DIY Project Parade, Just Something I Whipped Up, Making Your Home Sing Monday, I Made the World Cuter Today, Motivate me Monday, It's A Blog Party

A New Pet?

We keep finding these lovely toads in our yard. Thankfully, no one in my house will go near them...in fact, the three youngest run away any time they are around!

She/He is kinda cute...from a distance.