GinnyandRick.blogspot.com

What we are doin' these days.

2012-01-24T15:24:00.000-06:00

Well, the other morning we had some fun, and video-taped it.

Spencer Lern Prickett!

2012-01-11T11:33:00.003-06:00

True Relief

The nurse was kind enough to take a group shot for us

Then she took our son away

I chased him down to make sure he was okay,

And brought him back to Mom

She appreciated it.

Skyler's Annual Christmas Concert!

2011-12-22T07:32:00.000-06:00

As we all remember Skyler has been learning to play the violin. And in the grand tradition starting many weeks ago, it is time to broadcast his Annual Concert of Christmastime Favorites, enjoy!

Grateful for our Family Home Evenings.

2011-12-21T08:56:00.002-06:00

So, we had Family Home Evening.
If you aren't sure what that means, it is an evening we have set apart a week to do an extra special Family thing, usually at home.
But this week we used the help of an Ensign Article, well actually an extra part of it, not quite sure how to link to just that part I copy and paste here:

Take a Gratitude Challenge

By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat

Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds like it is too many, try this:

1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.

2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.

3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for.

4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.

5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.

6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.

7. Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.

8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.

9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for.

10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us.

After read through that I had the Idea to implement this in a way That is fun. For our evening we as a family listed items we are grateful for on strips of paper and after we had 100 we took those strips and made rings and connected those rings to each other to make a chain:

This is the pile of Chain

Skyler helping hold it up

The kiddos modeling their gratitude

Our tree all dressed up!

We have decided to Decorate a Christmas Tree!

2011-12-19T14:31:00.000-06:00

This year for Christmas we have decided to set up and decorate a tree, I know for some of you that may seem like a strange thing to do, but beer with us it will make sense soon. And While we did this I set up the camera and video recorded it. The video was over 30 minutes long, and so I have speed it up to come in under four minutes.

And to help pass the time I have added Skyler singing Christmas Carols.

Merry Christmas!

Pies Across America!

2011-11-17T10:24:00.004-06:00

Well, it has been awhile since the last post, and since we have consistently posted, so here is something. My Brother came up with an idea, and I have a cousin that has ran with it really hard. It is Pies Across America can be found at piesacrossAmerica.com which links to piesacrossAmerica.blogspot.com since it will cost a bit more than we really need to spend this year. Check it out, I know most of you reading this I have probably sent a request on facebook, but there are probably some who do not connect with me/us through that site. So just check it out and see if it will be something that will work for you.

Just a normal everyday day...

2011-09-20T13:32:00.004-05:00

So today Ginny had a Baby-Dr.s appointment, the one where she gets to fast all night then drink a sugary sweet concoction and the get sticked by a nurse. That way they can see if she is gestationally diabetic? And with this appointment came the ultrasound, and so here are the shots, some with captions[(***disclaimer***) these were taken with our camera from the printout we recieved at the appointment, the flash was used and can be seen in several if not all of the pictures.]

Here is the first, a shot of the legs, they are growing good:

Here is a shot of the nose/mouth region:

She got a good shot of one foot:

Here is a better face shot:

Here is the first shot again, but without the comment to add to the suspence(please don't alert others to this yet, you might call us or get us a message, this info is not yet public.):

Balloons and a Marching Band

2011-09-11T17:40:00.007-05:00

This weekend was full of fun activities.
Friday night was the start of the Macomb
Balloon Rally. We went to watch the
balloons take off, but weather prevented
this event. A few of the balloons were put
up for us to look at, though.

Layla got really excited about the balloons.

So did Skyler.

Saturday afternoon was the MHS Marching Band
Conduct-a-thon. Uncle Jacob kept busy with the
drum core:

The band didn't march, but played some great
music for us.

Skyler looked great in the hat.

So did Layla.

Saturday night was the balloon fly-in and glow.
We had to wait a little while for the balloons to
arrive. The kids found various ways to entertain
themselves while we waited:

It was really neat watching the balloons land
and take their positions on the field right in
front of us.

This balloon missed the field and flew right
over the top of us:

See, we were there!

I liked trying to get shots with the moon in the
background:

Once dusk hit, the glow started. A horn would
sound to signal the balloons to light up (and
help us get ready to take pictures). It was hard
to time the pictures to get good shots, but we
got a few.

We all had a great time! We're already looking
forward to next year . . .

Our Trip to the Zoo

2011-08-17T09:44:00.009-05:00

Yesterday we went to the Niabi Zoo with the
Marcias. It was Layla's first time. (Skyler was
not with us this time.)

Layla liked the elephants!

The train was fun to watch:

A dinosaur in the zoo?!

It was fun feeding the Koi and ducks:

Looks like Layla is protecting her hat from this
hungry goat:

This tortoise was fun to watch:

Marcia liked watching Layla feed the birds:
(Lorakeets?)

I think this is when Layla got bitten:

The giraffes were having a special feeding at this time.
We made it up to the platform and got to see them
from just a few feet away:

This tortoise looked like it was trying to follow
the little boy home. It kept trying to fit itself
under the fence!

Feeding time!

Layla liked the monkeys (not sure what kind
they are):

Marcia Holland clapped for this little guy:

Layla peeking at the giraffes:

She really liked this Bobcat. In fact, she kept
"shushing" the woman behind us who was
telling her kids that these types of cats are
mean.

Checking the wingspans:

This bear was fun to watch. He played
in his cardboard box for quite a while:

We're all a little "monkey-ish":

After all that walking, Layla would have loved a
foot massage. Too bad her legs are too short . . .

Ready to ride the train:

She was SO content on the train! Or, "choo choo"
as she kept talking about for the rest of the day:

Here's a video of Layla feeding the birds:

2 Much Fun

2011-07-11T15:21:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Layla's 2nd birthday. Here's a shot
of her at 7:59 a.m.--the time she was born:

Good morning, birthday girl!

The breakfast of champions--or birthday girls who
get fed by Daddy :)

Smile pretty!

Layla's "Dora the Explorer" cake. It took some work,
but she loved it! (The cake is in the middle, surrounded
by cupcakes, all on a white plastic table cloth.)

Happy St. Patricks Day!

2011-07-06T20:04:00.003-05:00

Well something like that, it's been a while since I have posted:

Have a good one.

Chochlate Bunny Ninja

2011-06-11T09:19:00.002-05:00

I came across this story as we've been packing. I'm not sure when Skyler wrote it, but he gave me permission to put it on the blog. I was careful to leave the spelling and grammar how he wrote it. Enjoy!

“Chochlate Bunny Ninja”

Part 1:

There once was a choclate bunny and yes this story is about a choclate bunny. It all happened on halleon when a chiken aceidently shot a come to life ray at a choclate bunny dressed as a ninja. The choclate bunny of course didn’t like the chicken so he captered the chicken and roasted it up for dinner. Then it went to the White house and made an army of choclate monkeys that half the reason he went because all the monkeys needed a snack and they ate all the bannas so there is not even a single in the white house when they left. Then he went to Holly Wood and the choclate bunny’s name is Yoshi, Yoshi also had a choctlate t-rex. Yoshi follwed the t-rex he signed up for American Idle. He won but Yoshi pulled him out. Then the chickens found out . . .

Part 2:

The chickens declared War once they found out choclat bunny ninja Yoshi ate thier barren Fred, so the war began well when the started 500 chicken were fried, 500 chochlate bunnies made to smores, 9,000,000 bannas were eaten, and finally 2 days later yoshi was made into choclate syrup, the chickens won, it was called the feast. Later choclate t-rex replaced Simon on American idle and the other 100 monkeys some were governers, mail men or stared in Horten Hears a Who. No choclate bunnies got hurt during this time and the bannas. I dedicate this to the bannas.

Two Cute!

2011-06-11T08:46:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we went to the library for a presentation given
by the zoo. I got some cute shots of the kids together.

Just drumming away!

Skyler helped Layla pet the baby alligator.

By the end of the day, they were worn out!

Reunion Fun

2011-05-24T10:19:00.007-05:00

Last Saturday we had a get-together with family and friends (from the Husband's side) at a local park. We had around 90 people in attendance, and we all had a great time! While we took lots of great pictures, I'm only going to share some of my favorites here.

My sisters-in-law are so lovely!!!

Cute cousins!

Layla re-discovered her love of swings.

What a great smile!

What a great smile?

Two of my favorite pictures from the day.

Ready, set, go! Okay, who won?

Thanks for the push, cuz!

Will he ever let her down?

Awwww . . .

What a handsome group of brothers!

Yes, they did know I was taking a picture . . .

Love the bubbles!

Layla blew some great bubbles--I just couldn't
manage to get them on camera!

Sweet smile!

Loved those doughnuts!

Pretty group of girls.

Layla Loves . . .

2011-05-17T21:18:00.003-05:00

We all know that Layla LOVES her big
brother, but lately I've been learning
about some other things that she loves.

Layla loves drawing; especially during
her nap time and on a big canvas:

Layla loves being outside. I took these
pictures on Sunday while she was enjoying
nature (aka-dandelion weeds):

I'm not sure what this face means, but the
following smile is so sweet!

Spring Break/Easter Visits

2011-04-24T16:29:00.005-05:00

We've had a busy week visiting family.
Here are some fun shots from the visits:

Skyler tried out Grandma and Grandpa
Tracy's tire swing:

Layla liked Grandma and Grandpa Dobson's slide:

The Easter Egg Hunt was fun!

Rick was so hungry he could eat a bubble:

I love Layla's smile! You can tell she was having
fun with her cousins . . .

. . . whoever they were!

Layla's face pretty much sums up her reaction to
the breaking of confetti eggs on each others' heads:

We had such a wonderful visit with everyone we
saw during the break! Thanks to the grandparents
for a GREAT time!!

Layla's Antics

2011-04-12T13:05:00.001-05:00

My daughter is weird. Just like the rest of us.
She is also incredibly lovable. Check out some
of the things she's been up to lately:

Dancing with Daddy at Uncle Kyle's wedding
reception:

Laughing with Daddy. You can see the tear
on her cheek from a few minutes earlier. This
picture is pretty blurry, but I love the smiles:

Why can't both kids have a fun smile at the
same time?:

Ditto:

Layla took this picture at the reception:

I thought they didn't learn to roll their eyes
until they were teenagers:

Yes. My daughter is wearing a winter hat on
her head and cups on her hands. A normal
fashion statement in our house:

Is this a good hiding spot?:

Can you tell what she is wearing here? She
fished it out of my basket of clean clothes and
ran around the house with it on:

Skyler Plays the Classics.

2011-03-12T15:26:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday was Skyler's first Solo and
Ensemble Festival. He did great!

Layla wanted to help him get to the room
on time:

He performed three songs for the judge:

Skyler earned a 1st place rating!

Layla is such a knucklehead.

2011-02-09T16:35:00.000-06:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it..... oh wait, no more please!

2011-02-02T11:45:00.000-06:00

We have had a plentyful of snow and here is some of the proof.

"Week-End Wrap-Up"

2011-01-17T20:18:00.008-06:00

We've had a lot going on, so here is a brief snippet
of our recent doings:

Last Thursday, Skyler had his first orchestra
concert. He did great! We did get video, for any
family member who would like a copy. (I think
the other kids' faces are obstructed enough in
this picture to include it here.)

That same day, I discovered just how much Layla
loves bananas. She did say "thank you" after taking
mine away from me . . .

I also took a picture of her hair after her bath. See,
she does get curls!

Friday afternoon, we went sledding as a family.
This was the first time Layla has gone, as well
as the first time I've been in over ten years.
We did get some video--I'll have to have Rick add
some at a later time.

Daddy and Layla hanging out in the sled:

This is what Layla looked like most of the time
we were out. At least she was warm!

Skyler is at the top of the hill, watching his sled
go down without him:

He sure worked hard going up and down those
hills!

Today, Layla had her 18-month check-up. She's
doing great!

After her appointment, we went down
to the river to see the Bald Eagles--we heard they
were in the area on Saturday. I only saw three,
but they were so neat!

Here are some of the pictures I took:

New Year, New Layla

2011-01-04T10:58:00.005-06:00

I decided to give Layla a haircut last night because it has
been down in her eyes so much. (I just gave her some
bangs.) She didn't seem too happy last night, but seems
to have warmed up to it this morning . . . she looks so
grown-up now! (Ok, so I'm no stylist, but it's cute!)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T19:56:00.001-06:00

This year we have decided to say Merry Christmas in a uniqueish way. Enjoy:

We have another Child!

2010-12-13T17:13:00.001-06:00

Ginny was afraid that people might think that we only have one kid, due to the last several posts being the boy, but that just isn't true.

Do You!?

2010-12-12T19:45:00.001-06:00