Thanks to Sarah for this great picture of Megan playing singles. One of those last beautiful day's we had!

Whoops!

So, the following slide shows are a first for me. There was supposed to be only one, with great pictures and perfect music to go with. The pictures were to be of all ages. The flow impeccable and the length just right. But, having not gone to Chapman College to learn the filming tricks of the trade, I was left with a few hours of trial and error and a lot of hair pulling to figure it out on my own. All I really wanted was a wonderful slide show for my daughter for her 21st Birthday. So, after finding the site, and then starting the process, I realized I did not have a clue how to get the younger pictures included because they are all in the dusty photo album. (Where pictures when I was taught, were supposed to go!) Realizing the slide show was only going to be able to include the "later years" pics I resolved to just continue. Well, after choosing ones that were never the first picked for albums, frames of whatever ( the "B" list ones) I noticed that it said, I had picked enough. What? I hardly had any, but whatever, I am new to all this and will do as I'm told. Then when I had the courage to add music, I discovered many songs that were about dying, marriage, breakups and makeups. So, the one I picked was the best I could do. I did step "out of the box" to add my own, a not recommended song, but in doing that thought I lost my whole hours worth of picture picking. So never again will I venture out on my own search. Scary. I picked the best song offered.

Problem is, after looking at what I made and being semi pleased with my efforts, I noticed that yes, I could have added more pictures. The phrase loading complete meant that particular one and you can continue! What? Oh crap! So what did I do? Made another one. A little better I think but here's the thing. I wanted to put these on my blog for Lauren to see on Sunday, her actual Birthday, but I could not cut and paste it to go there. I ended up, don't know how, but sending me the slides and then I was thinking I would send them to Lauren on Sunday through an e-mail. But....Austin walked in the room and said OMG Mom, just do this...... and voila they were blogged. Though they are blogged 2 days early, I am thankful for my computer savvy son. As he left my room to go to bed I peeked at my blog to double check what I did. As I hunkered down to watch the fruits of my labor, I noticed BOTH songs ( from the two slides) were playing at the same time! Crap, again. That sucks. So I yell, "Austin...come back, help, something is wrong, the 2 songs are playing at the same time" He yells back, " Mom, it's fine. I'm tired. Just turn off the sound on the one you don't want to hear yet". What........? So I guess just do that if you want to hear one song at a time. Whew. Hope Lauren likes them. Happy Birthday! ....and by the way, so what if there are no baby pics on them? We all remember how adorable you were, how could we forget that? Love you, Mom

Happy 21st Birthday Lauren!

Happy 21st Birthday Lauren!

Just a cute picture to share.

Happy 1st Birthday to our Hank! We love you! 4-19-09

Two of my kiddos!

Is there a potter in the house? Apparently we have one! Austin never ceases to amaze me. He continues to bring home countless ceramic pieces that he has made that I just love. It's no wonder he has stated that he will continue ceramics for all 4 years. This is just some of his pieces and it is his very first year on the wheel. I am still trying to figure out a place big enough in my kitchen for all these. Hoping for a new set of dishes in the future, I know he will pull through. Guess you never know what your kids are good at, until they try.

Summer is coming, I can feel it!

Oh..the fun of tennis!

Just wanted to share some tennis pictures of Megan. Finally we had nice enough day to actually get one of our matches played. We won 5-0. The girls all are having a lot of fun this year. Their Adidas uniforms are new and we are waiting for Forest Green hoody sweatshirts with their names and the Varsity girls are also getting really cute grey t-shirts with a fun logo. Megan designed all these items and we are hoping to get them next week. I can't tell you how many shirts she has designed for her class and the school over the past years! Crazy. In addition, she loves to puff paint different hair ribbons for each match. These are all saved by most of the girls on their tennis bags. Very cool. Lauren still has all of hers.

Austin

I just love this guy.....

Easter fun never ages!

Easter with teen agers is really no different than Easter with little ones. It's all in what you want to make it. It's all about what you want to emphasize and all about what you, as a parent, expect. What do I expect? I want to elongate the celebration as long as I can. I want to say that my kids got at least 18 years of Easter family time that was memorable and fun. I want their memories to be solid, together, child like to the fullest and cooperative. I want to guarantee that some day, I will hear my kids say how special their Holiday's were. Easter to us is a good one. While many were fussing about buying dresses, getting up early (or staying up late) hiding eggs, filling baskets and praying for sunshine, I was doing other tasks. I was, still, and loving it, giving Reed help planning our kids hunt with clever and thought provoking clues! Yes, clues. Clues that will eventually lead them to their baskets after much thought and anticipation. Clues that will most likely lead them to a dictionary. Clues that start with me picking the most coveted places that they frequent and Reed, throwing in the vocab, that they never thought they knew, just to finish their quest for the the sweetest basket ever. Six clues was the limit this year as they are getting more and more difficult each year! So...with the successful search came the baskets. This is the most fun for me. For some reason I've found that there seems to be no age limit during any of the holidays and I love to embellish their youth. So, yes, their baskets are filled with green pixie sticks disguised as grass, fruity topped bubbles, Lindt chocolate carrots and sheep, pastel coins, and of course, earrings and I-Tune cards etc etc etc. The card is important too, something with a bunny somewhere on it and a colored egg. No, I would be lying to say that I still get them to read with me the best Easter book ever, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes. But that's OK. I know they have it memorized. So starting our morning with our hunt is, oh so perfect. The rest of the day really just involves Megan, who helps me prepare the yummiest dinner of all. She is becoming as good a cook as I (true) lol and I love it. We butterfly the lamb and marinate it all day with the best goop ever. Make scrumptious scalloped

potatoes with Creme Fraiche and Thyme, saute baby carrots in lemon and parsley and then eat her raspberry thumbprint cookies for dessert. My mom was here too. But, the most perfect day ever...... would be Lauren spending this day with us.

Getting ready for Easter Dinner!