Di's Thoughts

Homemade Zombie Costumes

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 20:11:00 +0000

I lucked out on costume buying this last Halloween as my older 3 all decided they would go as zombies. We used old worn out clothes or if they didn't have any, I bought a couple cheap things at Goodwill.

Here is my son sporting the finished product :) I decided to use this picture because after trick or treating for awhile in the rain, he started using his jacket to cover his head. After seeing him like this I thought, what a perfect zombie pose!!

Now let's start from the beginning. First, here are the supplies I used:

1 long sleeve shirt

1 pair of pants

1 package of zombie tattoos (I used 2 packs for 3 kids)

1 can bright white temp hair color

1 can zombie grey temp hair color

1 tube white cream makeup

sidewalk chalk

good ole outdoor grass & dirt

I bought these items at Walmart. However, I am sure you can buy them at multiple places (Amazon, Party City, etc.). I also still have at least half a can of each color & most of the white cream makeup left over. So if you happen to have a stash from a previous Halloween, even better :) The zombie blood spray I did use, however, I don't suggest investing in it. It just faded into their clothes.

Step 1: Begin cutting & ripping strips in the clothes.

Step 2: Make holes by cutting & ripping.

Tear & rip until you feel satisfied by how the clothing looks.

Step 3: Get them dirty!! (Whoever hear of a clean zombie??)

Here are two of my kids crawling through the grass. I had them crawl & roll around creating grass stains on their clothes. We also wet some dirt & they trudged through that as well. And to finish off the 'dirty' look, we rubbed chalk on their clothes.

Front & back

Step 4: Apply tattoos, make up & hair color.

I started out applying tattoos to their faces & hands. I used the white face make up around the tattoos on their faces to give them that pale zombie look. I then put the fake blood that came with the tattoos on so some of their 'wounds' looked as though they were dripping blood. When it came to their hair, I stuck mostly to the zombie grey. The hair color not only put color in their hair but it acted as a hair spray as well allowing me to be able to give them that nice zombie messed up hair.

I present to you, 3 zombies & a butterfly :)

**Any products shown or places linked to are my own opinion & example of things I bought & used. I placed the links only to make it easier for viewers to go to.

Oh My How Time Flies!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 20:48:00 +0000

Whether you know it or not, or maybe I said it once before, I originally made this blog to go along with the online store I was running. Well needless to say, I didn't do so well at blogging lol. I also ended up closing the store due to multiple reasons, mostly because it just became to hard to juggle with life at that time. I will say I miss some of my awesome customers I used to have :( I also really miss putting together kits to sell. I sold them at quite a good discount too. Probably why I didn't exactly profit from the business. But I really loved doing it anyway :)

So now here this blog sits. I made one when my husband was deployed to Iraq so he could keep up with our growing children. Again I didn't so well at keeping up at blogging :/ Oh well. So why am I blogging now? Because I want to. Because I can. I'm thinking I'm going to use this one in somewhat a way it was used before or meant to be for. Crafts! I love the site Pinterest thanks to a great friend of mine for introducing it to me awhile back. I've pinned & repinned many things & have even made a few things. Well now I want to 'show' how somethings are made & 'pin' them. If you are following me on Pinterest & I post something myself, it will likely link back to this blog to show a step by step on how to. I can't promise it will be that way all the time. Heck I can't even promise I'll blog constant either. But hey, I'm going to give it a try.

I already have some projects lined up so stayed tuned :)

Blog Following I will go.....

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:27:00 +0000

I am so determined to blog my heart out this year. My ramblings & what not will be kept on here in "Di's Thoughts" & I will do my project 365 on the "PahmanFamilyYearBook." Friends, family, fellow military, independent PartyLite consultants, fellow scrapbookers/crafters & so on, if you have a blog, post a comment, let me know. You can 'follow' me & I will 'follow' you. Google has that wonderful feature found at the very top of each blog & some of us have it added on our sidebar as well (I just added mine to both blogs). Here is to a great 2011!!

Photo taken with no flash to see the beautiful illumination:) PartyLites new Infinite Reflections Prism Tealight Holder + a jar candle on each side

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 03:05:00 +0000

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years! Although I haven't been so good with updating a blog & my resolutions last year didn't work, I am seriously thinking of trying to do a photo a day challenge. If I do do it & am successful (ok minus the 2 days I missed already) you will need to check or follow along with my other blog. Since the name of this one is Di's thoughts, I'll leave it at that, but the other is The Pahman Family so what better of a place to have a photo a day blog, my own project 365:)

Btw, isnt' this cute?!? It's PartyLite's new customizable tealight holder:) This is one of their photos but I do have one & saw the cutest idea that I plan to use. When I get it done, I'll upload & show you what it looks like:)

Item P90171 Customizable Tealight Centerpiece by PartyLite

End of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 03:10:00 +0000

I bet you can't believe you are actually seeing a blog from me! Amazing huh!?! Well lets see, this makes my 3rd blog for the entire year. Not very good considering one of my new years resolutions was to blog more. In fact lets recap them:

1. Continue my schooling - That one I accomplished, in fact if you don't already know, I'll give you a little run down of it. Spring & summer semesters I continued with 3 classes, 10 credit total both ending in 4.0 GPA. This last sememster I made the decision to double major, added a class boosting me to 13 credits & was accepted into the honors program. In the honors program, I had to do an extra project/paper & have an instructor sponsor me, I chose my microbiology instructor. In the beginning of the semester she told our class about an opportunity that was truly out of this world (literally). I thought to myself what are my chances, but this may be a one time shot that I just had to try. Once accepted into the honors program, she asked me would I be interested in participating which of course I was & that became my honors project. To make this short, google SSEP (Student Science Experiment Program).

Opportunity knocked & I opened the door. Our window the little, but we did it. I met with a everyone interested, became the college student for team 1 & matched up with early college high school team members, two of them. We were one of the smallest teams. We worked hard, created our proposal, were finalists in the local panel (3 out of the 7 submitted were picked) & then all our hard work truly paid off when we won the final spot from the national panel. What does that mean? So long as no problems come up, our proposed experiment will be on board the next/last space shuttle flight. My teammates & I have already appeared on three local news channels, had an article in our local press & have been mentioned on SSEP's national blog. Prayfully everything goes to plan, as of now, we'll be present at the time of the shuttle launch (yes, NASA's Kennedy Space Center) & presenting our findings at a national conference in DC. Pretty amazing huh!?

Michelle, Jarisma & myself

2. Reduce the amount of crap we have - Certainly in the process but at the same time we moved & life has changed so its really hard to say. Old toys, items not needed & so on have left but at the same time school books & things like sports equipment have entered the home.

3. Blog more - Well that sure didn't happen!

4. I will lose 1/4 of the wt I want to lose in total - That didn't really happen either.

5. I will scrapbook more - That certainly didn't happen either:(

6. Print more photos - Nope, not really. But when you have to move unexpectedly in the year, not everything you plan on can be done.

Emma - December 2010 - 8 yrs old

Christopher - December 2010 - 7 yrs old

Matthew - December 2010 - 5.5 yrs old

7. Continue to learn about my OCD - Yup, done that:) In fact I've actually helped some others.

8. Put my needs before my friends - Definitely did that!!

9. Refresh my memory of the second language I once learned - Mmm, not so much, but really need to!

10. Organize more, in a normal & not so OCD sense, I hope - I'll say from what I did accomplish its a for sure. Some of it just goes with #7 & some of it I decided my way is just better:)

Oh & before I forget, yes, I got into a home based business, one I have always loved & was with once before. At first I told myself I'm signing up because I love the products so much but truly, our family can use the extra income when I can bring some in & neither Jesse or I has the time to go out & job where someone else makes our schedual. So PartyLite it is:) They have been in business for nearly 38 years & are the only candles I swear by. Don't like to burn, they have warmers, reeds & more to help freshen your home, car & so on.

My set up at a home based business open house. Feel free to visit my website anytime:) www.partylite.biz/dianapahman

Well, I think I'll stop there for now. I want to say at the top of this site there is an option that lets you follow my blog. So you aren't hopelessly checking on & off, click to follow & you should get an email when I actually DO post something. Really hoping to change that, even if my OCD knows I've missed things I wanted to post before, just so I can get something out there, even ramblings kinda like this:)

The Boys Room

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:46:00 +0000

So I started my organization and reorganization process last week. I have completed the kids rooms so far. I still have to get a picture of Emma's but I at least have the boys to share. I went through and removed at least half of their toys. Everything left, went into a storage container and onto the shelf. No more toy box.

Then last weekend, the kids got to have a little four wheeling fun.

I'll be sure to get some pictures of Emma's room soon and get those posted. School for me begins next week. I'm just hoping the new room set ups will help the kids to help me more. Of course if all goes well, in just over a month the boys room will be changing again, as we are planning to get them a set of bunkbeds. Ta ta for now!

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:06:00 +0000

Wow, can you belive it, a post from...me! Well it's a new year and like everyone else, I have New Year resolutions.

1. Continue my schooling

2. Reduce the amount of crap we have

3. Blog more (I'm sure you are thinking, I will belive it when I see it)

4. I will lose 1/4 the wt I want to lose in total

5. I will scrapbook more

6. Print more photos

7. Continue to leare about my OCD

8. Put my needs before my friends

9. Refresh my memory of the second language I once learned

10. Organize more - in a normal and not so OCD sence, I hope

Well, that is what I have for now. What you all probably would like to see, some pictures.

The Pahman & Hand Family

Emma, Christopher and Matthew. And yes, we have a dog, her name is Sophie! The kids are growing by leaps and bounds. Even our furry and scaled family has grown. Sophie being one of them. She is very protective over the kids and I. A great delight, a wonderful companion.

Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:54:00 +0000

Ok, so that is a very delayed statement. But since the picture I'm sharing is of the kids on Easter morning I figured I just had to titled that way.

Just a little update on some of what is going on here. Jesse, is finally, cross your fingers, having his appt with Ortho on Monday. Please pray we will get some good news. Whether it be he can have a permanent profile and still be able to stay in the army, or that he can have surgery. If it is the surgery option, that the surgeon will actually have the wisdom to preform it correctly.

Emma is still having a bit of trouble with reading. Both her teacher and I work closely with her helping her along and hopefully, I know she has it in her, she will be able to pass on to second grade, without going to summer school.

Christopher continues to do well in school and is 100% boy. Matthew of course just had his 4th birthday and is back on the band wagon with potty training. Crossing fingers, he seems to want to do it, every day. This past week the only time he has worn his pull ups were at night in case. After all, if you ask him, he is a big boy now. And as for me, I am officially enrolled in the community college here. Working on studying little bits here and there to get ready to take my placement test so I can work towards getting accepted into their RN program.

That's all for now. I know I don't update as often as I like so I'll try to do it more often, even if it is just little tiny posts with updates and or pictures.

My Baby is 4!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:21:00 +0000

I just can't believe how time has flown. It has already been 4 years since our precious Matthew was born. Can you believe it, my baby is four?!

We had a nice little party for Matthew today. Rented a jumper for all the kids to play in, had food and of course cake.

I made a spongbob cake for his birthday. Matthew throughly enjoyed opening all of his gifts as well. Happy 4th Birthday Matty!!

Father Daughter Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Ok I give, I don't think I will ever get the past posts done I wanted to. Between life and computer probs I just don't see it happening anymore. Please forgive me.

This past Thursday Emma and her Daddy attended the Father Daughter dance at her school. She had so much fun. I'm pretty sure Jesse enjoyed taking her as well:-)

Emma and her friends Hailey and Alexis before the dance.

Daddy pinning the corsage on Emma.

Father and Daughter!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

A Blog to the Extreme

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:46:00 +0000

You know sometimes something comes up that you just know that it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I know there are many times I have just sat by and watched life just pass my by. Well today, I was not going to let that happen.

Above (door knock - day 1) and below (demolition day - day 3) photos taken from the website.

Have you ever seen (or even heard of) the show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?" I'm sure most of you have. Well a family here in El Paso was chosen to receive one of their awesome homes. By the time I had heard it on the news (and I don't watch it very often at all), mulled it over for a bit and finally decided, yes, I will find a way to work it out so I can be on the team, production had already started. Ok so that didn't work but I wasn't going to hold me back from at least visiting the location.

Above demolition day (taken from the web site - day 3). Below, construction day 1 (taken from the web site -day 4).

Construction day 2 (taken from the web site - day 5).

Sunday afternoon Jesse, the kids, along with a friend of mine and her kids, drove out to see what we could of the production. Of course we didn't really know where to park and most of the area was blocked off so I only have a couple shots of the back of the house nearly done.

I took the above picture on day 7.

Today, was when I really decided, I am not going to let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass me by. I went back, all by myself. Found where we parked and got out. As soon as I got up to the shuttle stop, I learned they had run the last one. We were allowed to walk but not guaranteed to get in to see (about a mile or so walk). I went for it. As soon as I got to the barricades, I was told they weren't letting anyone else in, they had already 'moved the bus'.

I started to get in the line to get on a shuttle to go back, and there was quite a line. Once I got to the back, I noticed one of the designers out taking pictures, shaking hands and all that. So I snapped a few shots (thank you honey for the wonderful camera with a telephoto lens:)). The line was so long so I just waited, figured why be in a hurry and good thing to, they decided to let more people in, so away I went down to the home.

Eduardo Xol

I stayed as long as I could getting shots of the new home. I also bought a shirt to commemorate the event. The police let us stay so long then decided to start moving everyone out. On the way out, I ran into another designer, of course got pics of him, but this time, I got well his initials on my new shirt as well as a picture with him.

Rib Hillis

I left feeling pretty good. They told us that Ty and the family would be inside filming for hours yet. Again, thinking how once in a lifetime this opportunity is, I proceeded to get my oil change and head back, just to see. This time I parked on a street a bit closer and got out to walk. They weren't letting anyone down to the house anymore and just when I thought all was lost, I heard his name shouted out. Yes, there he was, Ty Pennington himself. You could tell he didn't have a lot of time and I'm not a pushy person (as so many there were), I didn't end up with his autograph, however, I did get some pretty good pictures though.

Ty Pennington

Boy am I glad I grabbed this chance by the horns:-)

El Paso, TX to Springfield, MO

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:12:00 +0000

I'm a bit behind on posting all this but like I said, I'm going to get it done:) Here is a pic of Mitzi trying to come along in my suitcase (no not really, she just likes laying on our clothes).

The first day we decided to drive as much as possible. We knew we would be heading into bad weather the farther north we got and were losing 2 hr of time as we went along as well (from mountain time to eastern).

Jesse and I took turns driving. He still did the majority of it but at least I started out and drove (with stops) for approximately 8 hrs of the day. It is supposed to be a 26hr trip and we did the first 15+ in one day.

Nothing really to say, nothing really to see. We made pretty good time and the kids did pretty well. Note how they all fell asleep.

We arrived at the Best Western in Springfield, MO quite late and got tucked right in. No spare time tonight, we just had to sleep and get back on the road. Here is a picture of the kids all tucked in for the night.

Matty was the last up in the morning.

Jesse having a breakfast sandwich, compliments of the hotel, heated up by me using our room microwave:)

Me, looking cranky....I must be checking out the weather reports here and dreading, I mean getting all set to hit the road again.

Just an outside pic of the room we stayed in.

And of course, a picture of the lobby/check in building.

Stay tuned, as I will have more postings of the rest of our trip to follow.

Good Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:02:00 +0000

This is just a tiny little post. I just wanted to update everyone. Right now we are waking up in our hotel in Joplin, MO and are about to hit the road again. I still have all my trip blogs to post as well as one in draft form that will go up and be below this one. So when you have some time in the next couple days, come on back and be sure to check on December and January posts. Lots of great pictures will be posted.

For now I bid goodbye as I pack up the laptop, tuck the kids back in the truck and hit the road to El Pasto, TX. See you again soon!

Waltz of the Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:45:00 +0000

Emma continued with dance and performed in the Christmas production the Nutcracker. They all danced to the March and her class also danced to Waltz of the Flowers.

Posing before the performance.

Emma and her friend Alana.

The March.

Waltz of the Flowers.

You did a great job girls!!

Just sneaking this photo in to show what a wonderful job Jesse did decorating our house for the holidays.

Oooo Big Presents

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:41:00 +0000

My parents sent presents for the kids that they could surely enjoy and use before Christmas. What did they get you ask?

Big comfy comforters! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hand! They sure will keep them warm at night.

Christopher......The BIG 5!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:38:00 +0000

November 29, 2003
1:54 PM
8lbs 2oz, 21in

Christopher turned 5 this year, so hard to believe. We had a great party for him on his birthday and he loved every minute of it. He got lots of great gifts, including clothes, speed racers (one of his current favorites) and Cars items.

We served hot dogs and subs and of course cake.

And yes this year I actually made the cake.

We also rented a jumper for the kids to play in. All the kids loved it!

Happy 5th Birthday Christopher!!

Mommy and Daddy love you!!

Thanksgiving 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:12:00 +0000

I'll just make this a really quick post. This year, like all years we have a lot to be thankful for. But this year, we are most thankful for the safe return of Jesse, our own hero. It was so great spending this holiday with him again.

We had a combined Thanksgiving with a bunch of friends, our military family. There was so much good food. The kids all enjoyed being together as well.

All the kids, minus Nate (who pretty much clung to his mom).

I know I have a bunch of posts to put out, bear with me, I will get them done before we leave for Michigan. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

Halloween 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:46:00 +0000

This is quite late but I wanted to get one up none the less. First off, I had planned on getting up a blog of Grandpa and Grandma's Jones visit but my camera disappeared. I waited hoping it would show up, but unfortunately, it has not yet (I'm still hoping and praying).

Thankfully a couple friends of mine that we went out with had cameras and let me borrow them as well. So here are our kiddies all dressed up.

Emma, our southern bell.

Christopher, our pirate.

Matty, our skeleton, who did not like having his mask on.

And yes, even I dressed up this year.

Oops, I almost forgot the pumpkin.

Our Hero Has Arrived!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:47:00 +0000

At about 2am ish November 14, we welcomed Jesse and his unit back home!

While the kids each had a sign to welcome him I decorated the house as well (and the truck windows which I do not have a picture of at this point).

Me signing the big welcome home sign for the unit. My friend Lauren came along with me and took pictures. Yup had my own personal photographer. Isn't she awesome?!

Amanda and I eagerly awaiting our husbands to land.

The kids ready to welcome daddy home (yup at 1am)!

The unit unloading from the plane.

The unit marching in off the plane.

We had to wait for about another hour or so while they checked in their weapons and such. When it was time for them to enter, the smoke rolled.

Once they were dismissed, we tracked him down and had big welcome home hugs and kisses for Jesse.

After, we went outside to get all his bags. This was taken before we went to get his duffel bag (yes one more to add). Once we got over to the duffel bags, there were guys there to help locate them. When they located Jesse's bag, Jesse went to grab it and wouldn't you know, they carried it, along with the ones he was already carrying out for us. So since Jesse no longer had bags to carry, he carried his boys instead:)

Welcome home Hero!!!!!

New Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:00:00 +0000

So in my last post I said I would talk about some of what is going on. Well I don't want to bore people (those that actually read) and do want this to end with a happy note, hence the title. Anyway, I won't go into it all but I have gone through so much during this deployment. Some only the Lord, my loving husband and drs will ever know. But since Jes deployed a year ago, I've had some medical problems that are finally getting properly addressed this month. Without proper medical diagnosis, I believe right before school restarted, I passed my second kidney stone. I was asked by a friend of mine, "Is it like giving birth?". To my reply, "very close".

Now on to the title and how it came about. So of course we live in Texas where cars need to be inspected every year. It was time again to get the Audi in and we had had problems with this last year. This year, its just me to deal with it though. So, knowing right off there is a safety issue that won't pass (we paid over $200 for Firestone to fix the highbeams last year and they quit working after they put them in, they just passed us anyway), I take my car back to the place that had fixed that exact issue, even though throught the year I had tried as well. See this place does not to appointments. They open at 7am and when you have kids in school, young children and its just you, no other car, its quite hard to just go there and sit all day waiting. Let alone leave your vehical for them.

So I take it in, being the first day back to school I figured they would be pretty slow and they were. But what do they tell me?! Sorry the warrenty is all void and we would have to fix it. The price quoted to me was over $400 this time. Oh and yeah, I needed to have something else fixed to, unsure what, but it won't pass until done. So I was looking at $800 to over $1000 in repaire costs. Now Jesse and I had discussed getting a different vehical at some point. Well that point came. I didn't see the point in throwing all that money into the car. We are hoping to go home for his leave and I didn't feel safe taking this car round trip (it was giving my signs, like all the panels inside started falling off, hmmm). Needless to say, I went shopping. This is all in that first week of school as well (yes it was a TON of stress, but its kinda how the deployment has gone).

Now since we hadn't fully prepaired to buy a new car or anything right now, we didn't have a full amount of cash to put on it (yes we try to buy free and clear as much as we can ~ see Dad, Dave Ramsey would be proud). And of course we are still working on our credit, plus my husband is deployed so we have limited banks to even try since not all work with POA's (power of attorneys). Needless to say, by the end of the week I had found a place, a dealership, with a warrenty (certified pre owned) vehical that would finance us. The bank just decided to be a little uptight about it and I had to have poor overworked Jesse get my another POA with the vin # from Iraq (but he was my hero and did).

Now that you have read through this big blog, here is the best part. Our new to us SUV:

A 2003 Ford Expedition! It has 3rd row seating which with our kids has become a must. Cloth interior (so much better then the leather I had where you stick to it everytime you get up, ugh). The back seats even have their own climate controls. And one of its best perks, we can tow Jesse's car:-)

Oh and if you are thinking about the fuel economy, sad to say, as bad as my car was running after Jesse left, it took premium gas. I did the math, we are still right at about the same amount spent for twice the size putting regular gas in the new beast.

Back to School

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:49:00 +0000

So it is definitely time for an update. Last week the kids started school. It was actually quite a stressful week but I will blog about that in a day or so. For now I wanted to get the kids first day of school pics up.

Here is Emma, getting set to start First Grade!

Emma in her class.

On the first day I always bring the kids myself. The first thing Chris gets to do when he goes to school is have lunch. Here he is getting all set to start PreK and have some lunch:)

An attendant helped Chris go through the line so he could get used to what he needed to do each day. He definitely needed to pick out a little more food then that, he came home hungry.

Since the kids did not ride the bus on the first day so I tried to get some shots of them over the next couple days of them actually getting on the buses they ride.

Happy 6th Birthday Emma!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:12:00 +0000

August 16, 2002 2:15PM
7lbs 8oz

Here are a few pictures from her birthday party yesterday. Even thought any outside activities were rained out, she still had a lot of fun.

Emma and Mommy

Princess Emma

I made a turkey for our meal. Everybody loved it!

Present time. These are just a couple shots of her opening. She loved everything she got.

Her cake:-)

Happy 6th Birthday Emma Joy!!

Is TinkerBell the Toothfairy?

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:58:00 +0000

Is what Christopher asked me on Sunday, August 3rd. Yup, he lost his first tooth.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:11:00 +0000

So we are finally home and I had to chance to sit down, load the pictures to my computer and type up a vacation ending blog. While we were 'home' the kids had a chance to make some cookies with Grandpa Hand. Here are a couple pics of them helping.

I also had the chance to go out to Grand Haven beach with my good friend Amanda. The day was just so perfect! Although when we decided to try and get in the water, just to say we did at least, it was so cold, it actually hurt.

After sunbathing for awhile we took a walk down the pier.

The next day the kids and I went with Grandma Jones to the Fredrick Meijer Garden. They have a great children's garden there that the kids love playing in.

The played in the 'Great Lakes'.

In a little log cabin.

And with some beavers.

After we had a nice picnic lunch just outside.

Once we were done at the garden we headed on over to visit Grandma Jones' friend Karen.

The kids had a lot of fun playing inside and then out. Karen was so nice to open our home to us, let us swim and served snacks.

I'm still hoping to get copies of the pictures she took because I know they will just be wonderful:)

The next day I went with my friend Kathy to the Great American Scrapbook Convention. The first year they came to Grand Rapids I actually had a make in take table set up and kinda worked it, in hopes to help promote my own store. This year I just enjoyed being there and did a couple of make in takes myself.

One thing I had hoped so badly to do while I was 'home' was to make it to Michigan's Adventure. I hadn't gone in so many many years and thought it would be great fun to go. Well that wish came through and I was able to go with my friends Dan, Todd and Stacey.

They just opened a new ride this year called the ThunderHawk. Its a suspension coaster which means you hang down while you are sitting on it. It was so much fun!

At some point in life I actually got a small fear of water rides. Well I got over that fear and went on the best ride ever! Its called the Funnel of Fear. You sit on a four man tube, start off going down a totally closed slide and pop out into a big funnel that swishes you around until you come out the bottom and yes you get totally soaked while having a total blast.

It was hard saying goodbye. We started with my parents. The kids said goodbye first when they took them to the Jones' Grandparents house. I stayed back to finish packing and have one last dinner with my family. This visit was the first time I had seen them for over a year. Quite an adjustment when you are used to seeing someone at least once a week.

The next morning (Wednesday) we got up really early, got dressed and headed to Chicago where we were going to catch our plane. We stopped and had a quick little lunch just outside the airport.

Once at the airport our adventures really began. First off, I had a bag that was 2lbs over wt, they wanted to charge $50 for that, thankfully though I was able to take something out. We then entered security, all the while waving goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Jones. I guess in my last minute frantic packing I oops'd and put a liquid in a carry on bag. Of course security had to go through the bag, at first I had no idea what they could be looking for until he pulled the stuff out. He then totally accused me of lying to him, meanwhile I'm busily trying to get 3 pairs of shoes back on 3 little pairs of feet. Another airport security guy was able to get me a little plastic bag so I could keep just about everything (the only loss was a tub of toothpaste, not a big deal).

We then walked forever it seemed to our gate. When we got to our next destination to change planes, we were only supposed to have 45 mins to get off the plane, get to the next one and get on. Sitting and waiting for the first, I knew we wouldn't make it. It came up to our boarding time and our flight had still not arrived. Finally it did and we all got on, 20 mins late. Once we were out on a runway though they made an announcement that we were going back to a gate because of a mechanical malfunction on the plane. I guess they had to change the batteries or something like that out. At this point, I knew our connection would be gone. Thankfully the gal I was sitting next too offered her cell phone to me (since mine didn't have many roaming mins left) and I was able to call and make new reservations. Or rather I was in the process of it and promised they would be made as I had to let them go since we were getting set to take flight.

At least when we were finally up in the air, all the kids fell asleep for almost the entire flight.

They had an attendant standing outside when we got off the plane. I asked about the next flight I was to take (I only had a time and of course location I was flying too). It ended up being it was going to fly out of a gate in a totally opposite wing. So the kids and I headed up the elevator to catch the sky tram. They all did pretty good holding on as we flew on over to where we needed to be.

This is just a picture I took so you can see exactly what we rode and get an idea of where it is.

Once we found the gate, we got some dinner for Mc Donalds and sat down and ate. I was able to exchange our tickets with no problem. We had a bit of time to spare and it was actually nice feeling. About the time the flight should be arriving though, if you looked out into the sky you could see lightning. So now bad to that oh no feeling. Of course they made an announcement that the pilot of the plane would not land and was just circling. In fact he ended up after a bit landing in Fort Worth on an air field. So we then had to wait for him to take flight again and land at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. At least while waiting for the plane the kids made a friend. I feel so bad I have no idea what his name is, just that it is a fellow solider. He was so good with all the kids and really didn't mind playing with them. I of course felt kind of bad that they would not leave him alone, especially the boys.

Once we were finally on board I could sigh a big relief. When we got into El Paso, we went to collect our bags. A guy that worked there offered to help with them and he helped us get a taxi too. By this time it was after 9:20 at night and I was not about to call someone to get us (keep in mind, we were supposed to arrive at 4:40). I will remember for next time though to only go with a certain cab company since they have a contract for our base. I was so set on just getting home I didn't even care anymore I ended up over paying for that cab ride home (I paid for the guy to get a pass onto the base, grrr).

In the end, home sweet home!

Weekend Overview (& Monday too)

noreply@blogger.com (Diana) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:07:00 +0000

This weekend was pretty laid back so this blog is just a some snap shots of the few things we did do. Yes, I love photos:)

A happy Matthew who has been doing great at potty training.

Emma in her new red, white and blue bikini.

I got these for the boys at Michaels, they are supposed to grow if you leave them in water....stayed tuned to see what we get. I'll post that in another blog.

Helping water the plants.

Sunbathing Emma. No not really, she's just trying to get dry.

Brotherly love!

More swim time.

Grandpa and Grandma Hand.

On Monday, we all, Emma, Chris, Matt, Grandma Jones and I went over to Grandpa Pahman's home and meet up with him, Dylan and Shane, first at Palmer Park. The kids enjoyed playing on all the playground equipment.

We also went on a long walk along the boardwalk.

After we all went back to Grandpa Pahman's to have dinner and play for a bit.