Happy Birthday Alex!!

Alex at the county fair this past July.

Alex, Ian and Mark playing this past summer.

Alex and Ian playing "Peek" with me this summer.

Ian pinning Alex in the leaves this fall.

(Notice the clothes! It was so warm, Alex was wearing shorts and Ian had crocs on! Gotta love that crazy Ohio weather.)

Today is Alex's 13th birthday!

During the last year, we have watched in amazement as Alex has grown. He seems to grow taller every single week! I swear that the pants that fit last week are at least an inch too short this week. (As of Christmas, he is taller than me! Watch out Mark, he will be looking you in the eye soon!) In addition to the height, we have watched him grow in other ways too. He seems to have finally figured out that he needs to put some effort into his school work. (Especially if he wants to stay on the wrestling team!) He has finally discovered that getting into trouble at school is not worth the trouble he will get into when he gets home. (Maybe I should have let my Dad have a crack at that nut sooner!*) Anyway, it has been entertaining watching him change and we look forward to much more over the next year. (Hopefully, that means spiritual and emotional growth, not height!! LOL)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!

Love always,

Aunt Heather, Uncle Mark and Ian

* Alex got in trouble at school just before Thanksgiving. The day before Thanksgiving, my Dad was here and Alex walked in the room. My Dad had a 'talk' with the boy. Let me just say, that I would have pooped my pants if I had been in Alex's shoes. I wasn't the one in the trouble, but I remember those days! Glad it was him and not me this time, I made a speedy exit from the room. I guess you never forget some things.

Ode to "My Tough Old Bird"

I guarantee that some of you are reading the title to this post and thinking I have lost my mind. Why would I want to celebrate a bird that was old and tough. Well, that's because I'm refering to my Grandmother. Now some of you are really convinced I have lost my mind! I can promise you I haven't. That's the nickname I gave her when I was about 12 -13 years old. (Mom, do you remember the story behind that nickname?)

Every summer when I was a kid, we travelled a little over an hour north to stay at our family farm each weekend. On Saturday morning, we would get supplies from this really neat country store. That particular Saturday, we needed a bag of ice and the store didn't have any. So, my grandmother headed across the street to the bar to see if they would sell her a bag. My mom objected saying she didn't think Grandma should go in there. And, I said it was okay because.... you guessed it: "She's a tough old bird." It stuck and I called her that til the day she died. What can I say, it was the truth. If you ever met her or knew anything about her, you would certainly agree.

So, why am I writing about My Tough Old Bird today. Well, today she would have been 99 years young. And, I do mean young. The only thing that ever slowed her down was the cancer that finally took her life. I hope that I am able to half of what she did in her 70's and 80's.

I have so many memories it would be hard to talk/write about each one. I miss her terribly and as the years go by that doesn't seem to fade. As I see Ian and my nephew, Anson, growing, I wonder each day what she would have thought about them. When I was a child, she watched my brother and I often. It was not unusual for her to play in our 'forts'. She even climbed trees with us! I am sure that the adventures of Ian and Anson would have been a great joy for her.

She was the other "Christmas" person in our family. Each year I would go to her house the day after Thanksgiving and we would decorate. She always wanted me to put more multi-colored lights on her tree. She made almost every ornament that went on her tree. So, each year we would talk about the time she made each ornament. I will forever treasure the ornaments that she made and take great pleasure in putting them on my tree each year.

Each year we would take a day before Christmas to go shopping. We always shopped, had lunch, shopped some more and then returned home to marvel at our purchases. When the Salem Mall was in business, we would make a special trip all the way across town just so we could see the poinsettia tree they put up each year. I can't even begin to tell you how much I miss that shopping trip each year.

Mark and I got married in September 1994. While we were on our honeymoon, she found out about the cancer and had surgery. I didn't find out until we got home. I was so angry, but she knew I would have come home early if I knew what was going on. That Christmas, the doctors told her to stay out of crowds because of the chemo. So, we didn't go shopping. We both missed our shopping time so much it just didn't seem like Christmas that year. The next year came around and she was still ill, but she decided she was going to live life and we were going shopping. We went slower that year, but we still had a wonderful time.

She suffered through several rounds of chemo, several bouts of the cancer rearing its ugly head and she still enjoyed life. I knew she was really sick, but she kept going until a few weeks before she passed away. (She even recovered enough to leave the nursing/extended care facility after her last surgery.) The last "meal" I made for her was coffee soup. She didn't want anyone else to make it for her, just me. She wanted a piece of bread in a bowl with coffee poured over it, a little sugar and milk on top. It sounded horrible to me, but she said it was wonderful and just what she wanted. She could have asked me for anything and I would have gone to the ends of the earth for her.

She passed away in October 2001 but I still miss her to this day. I know that I always will.

Myself, Grandma and Mark at her surprise 90th birthday party.
Yes, we threw a surprise party for a 90 year old!

This is one of my favorite pictures of all time.
It was taken in the dining room at my parents home.
There is no date on the photo, but I am going to guess that it was taken around 1997 to 1998.


Grandma B. and Mark's Mom, Pearl, in our livingroom at Easter time in 1999.

Don't get me wrong, her life was not defined by the cancer that took her away from us. She just dealt with it like she did everything else. She fought it, she won a few victories and she continued to enjoy life. Like I said, she was a "Tough Old Bird"!

It Was So Close!!!!!

Alex was so, so, so, so close to winning his first wrestling match this evening! It was so exciting!! (Sorry no pictures, I was way too far into the match to be bothered with pictures. And, I can't talk because I spent so much energy yelling that my voice is just gone. I am drained.)

Up to this point, Alex has been quickly pinned in every match that he has wrestled. And when I say quickly, I mean he has been pinned within the first 15-30 seconds of the match. Yes, I said seconds!! (For those that don't know, a match has three periods which are each a minute and a half long. That's a long time when you are working that hard, let me tell you.)

Tonight, Alex wrestled thru the ENTIRE three periods. His match was the very last one of the evening. He did not wrestle any other matches because the other team did not have a wrestler in his weight class. So, he had to sit there for 2 hours while trying to keep himself pumped up. When his turn came, he gave it everything he had and then some! He did not get pinned. He didn't even get close to being pinned. He almost had the kid from Madison Plains pinned four different times. If he had one more second during the second period, he would have had the win! He ended up losing by a mere 2 points. (He gave up 2 penalty points and that's what cost him in the end.)

He wrestled so hard. He was so tired but he didn't give up. He showed us so much progess in his skills. We are so proud of him!

I can't even begin to explain the mania that happened in the gym this evening. Beth, Mark, Ian and I were screaming. Alex's grandparents and Uncle Dave Shaw were screaming. All the other team parents were screaming. His entire team was on the edge of the mat screaming. The entire high school team was cheering him on. The coach was jumping up and down. The Assistant Principal (who was announcing) was covering the microphone to cheer him on. The stands were literally bouncing due to all the parents cheering him on and jumping up and down! It's was total pandemoneum!

It was so close!!! Next time, next time......

FYI: Alex's buddy, Zach, won his match in less than 30 seconds! Way to go Zach!!!

Happy Birthday Sam!!

Today is Sam's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is. I will tell you she is older than me. I will also tell you that she is really, really, really close to 40!!!!

She and I are about ready to leave for a girls night out. We told Mark and Andy not to bail us out of jail. We will be just fine sitting in there discussing how much fun we had!!!


Happy Birthday Sam!!!

Love,
Heather, Mark and Ian

(I need to take more pics of Sam. In my entire collection of photos, I could only find 2!! This picture is of Sam with Kieren at the baby shower she threw for me in April 2006.)

Random Thoughts

It's really been an up and down kind of day. I have been really upset and vindictively happy all in the span of a few hours. Lots of things are running through my head, hence the title Random Thoughts.

1) Why is McDonalds marketing their (disgusting) coffee for only 89 cents for the winter? That's right, today Mark and I heard a radio commercial saying that their coffee would be cheaper during the winter months. Why? Does the price of coffee beans really skyrocket in the summer? I didn't think so, but I don't really pay attention to the coffee futures and their flucuations. Is it harder to boil water in the summer? I would think it would be easier since it's already warm then. But, what do I know. If they can sell it for that in the winter, why can't they sell it for the same price in the summer? Why make a big enough deal of it to do a radio commercial? It's not like they were saying they are doing it because the economy sucks and they are trying to help people.

2) Some days you just need to thumb your nose at the world! I love a good victory and it's even better when you can enjoy the vindictive nature of it. Sorry no details, just let it be known that we won. Why do people think that can get away with something? I think they do it just to see if someone will call them on their misdeeds. (At least that's been their track record.) Do they think people will use the "don't rock the boat" theory? To hell with the boat, tip that sucker over and see if they can swim, if that's what you need to do!

3) I was very upset by the actions of a person I trusted today. I think she is misguided and I will unfortunately have to do what I can to set her straight. It will probably end our relationship which is unfortunate, but I have to protect what is mine. She obvioulsy doesn't feel that it's important enough to get my permission before doing what she did. There are legal consequences to that and I hope that she doesn't get herself into more trouble than she's in with me.

4) Why does the press give the Buckeyes such a hard time? This was to be a rebuilding year and they still ended up in the BCS National Title game. Yet, the press has to scream in the headlines about their loss. At least they played the game this year. Last year, I think that they cloned the quarterback (our Heisman trophy winner) and forgot how to play. (I wonder would he still have been the trophy winner if it had been given after that game? He sure didn't show his abilities during that one!) Anyway, give them a break ESPN!

5) What's up with the Tickle Me Elmo/Extreme Elmo? (Sam and I prefer to call it the "Spank Me Elmo". Don't understand, play with one some time and you will!) The thing moves on its own. Long after you push the button to make it laugh, it continues to sit up and wiggle around. It's really kind of freaky!! Why does Alex feel the need to search all over Elmo for mystery buttons to make him laugh? I swear he was giving poor Elmo a proctology exam this evening! Really Alex, there is no button on Elmo's bum, I promise!! And if there were, would you really want to push it?!?!

6) We have completely given up on 2 naps per day. It really stinks!!! Right now he is completely unpredictable. He might nap for an hour, he might nap for 2 or he might try to stay awake no matter what. (Had one of those days yesterday and we don't want to repeat it ever again!) Meanwhile, I really can't get anything done since I no longer have that second nap time. And, he is so pleasant when he needs to nap and won't. So much fun!!

That's all I've got for now. I think that I need more sleep. Maybe then I won't wonder about McDonald's advertising and Elmo's bum!

Snacking with Papaw

Ian and Papaw enjoying a snack of green apples.

Cook Cook!

Cook cook!
Better known to the rest of us as "cookie".
Mmmmm, love the chocolate chip cookies!!!

Ian had his first chocolate chip cookie at Thanksgiving. He nibbled on it, but didn't really seem that interested. So, I didn't know what he would do when I started baking cookies for Christmas. The Christmas cookies were a whole new ballgame as you can see from the above photo. For the past few weeks, he has been following us around saying "cook cook"!! Favorites: chocolate chip, oreos and pineapple drop cookies (which are my brother's favorite).

We have had to be very careful not to give him any cookies with nuts in them. (I realized that I seem to make a lot of cookies with nuts in them.) There are 2 reasons for not giving him nuts: 1) The American Medical Association advises that children who are given nuts before they are 2 stand a higher chance of developing an allergy to them, and 2) Because of the formula allergy we suffered through, the Dr. said to avoid nuts. There is no way of knowing if the reaction was due to a protein allergy or not. So it is better to avoid nuts and their proteins, than to tempt fate. Next year should be even more fun when he can try ALL the cook cooks!

Too Tired to Play Anymore

You know, some days you just can't play anymore!
Ian was playing in the family room and all of a sudden he got very quiet. So I peeked out of the kitchen to see what he was doing and this is what I saw.

All played out!

Alex, the Wrestler

Alex joined his 7th grade wrestling team this year. We are very proud of how well he is doing. He had never wrestled before. He had never even been exposed to wrestling before. He won his first couple of matches because the other team did not have a wrestler in his weight class. The first match that he wrestled, he was pinned. But, we have seen continual improvement in his skills as the weeks have progressed. I think that he may have finally found "his" sport.

As some of you know, we have had some grade and discipline problems the last couple of years. We thought that maybe joining a sport would help the attitude issues. We (Mark, Beth and myself) had a few reasons for agreeing to let him do this: 1) he would burn off some energy, 2) he would get some exercise which would make him feel better about himself and 3) he would be on a team which he would not want to let down by not being able to wrestle due to bad grades. So, are you asking yourself if it has worked? The answer is: It took a few weeks (and a few problems), but it seems to be helping. The grades are coming up. He is losing weight. (It's been interesting discussing his food choices lately. He is a carb junkie, so he has made some major diet changes. Christmas was hard, but he seems to be paying more attention to eating better.) He is in better shape and more confident. (It's been fun to watch that confidence grow, let me tell you!) His attitude has improved. And, he has not been getting into trouble at school. Like I said, we are very proud of him and hope that he keeps up the hard work.



His first "win".

Alex's best friend, Zach, is also on the team.
This is a picture of his first "win".


Alex getting ready to wrestle his first match.

Alex getting up from being pinned.

We got SNOW!!!

We had a bit of snow last night, but we can't really play in it yet. The temps are so low and the wind so bad, you can't be out for long. So, you will have to be satisfied with snow pictures from our last snow fall a couple of weeks ago. Ian saw the snow last year, but was really not impressed. This year was a whole different story. I had to drag him inside. Then, we suffered through a tantrum because Mommy is so mean!



Ian getting dressed to play in the snow.
He loved the snow, but was not thrilled with all the preparation needed to go out to play.
I swear I was sweating by the time I got him all bundled up to go out!

Walking in the snow for the first time.

Sledding!!

He said "WWWHHHEEEEE" all the way down the hill.

More later

I am headed to my parents for dinner. I will try to post more photos later. Like I said, I am really behind on posting.

Baby Crack

We have a motto around here: Just say NO to baby crack!
Now you are asking yourself, why do we have that motto.
Well, Ian is such a skinny bean, we have trouble keeping his pants up where they belong. So, we tend to see a lot of diaper around here some days. Think I'm kidding, see for yourself....


Like I said: That's a lot of diaper showing!
(My friend/neighbor, Amy, playing with Ian. Really Ian was just making her nervous as I was trying to get this shot.)

Plumber in the making?!?!

I swear, his pants are hanging on by friction only at this point.

Cullen's Birthday Party

Told you I was really behind on posting photos!!
These are from Cullen's birthday on November 27th


That looks like enough hot air to blow out at least 50 candles!

Kieren playing with her tiara.

Ian decided that Kieren's tiara looked like fun too.

"What! Are you serious, I'm not supposed to wear this thing?!?! Great now Mom has photo evidence!"

Fun with Krista, Andrew and Madison

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we had a chance to have lunch with Krista, Andy and Madison.
This was the first time we got to see and hold Madison since they live in Wisconsin!


Grandmoo feeding Madison.
(Krista has called my Mom, Grandmoo for years. I hope I spelled it right!)

Ian and Andy playing with straws.
Ian loved playing with Andy!

Krista, the very proud Momma, watching her beautiful daughter.

Dip! Dip! Dip! Dip!

Ian loves DIP!!

That's ranch dressing on his face.
When he wants dip, the title of this post is what you hear until you comply!
DIP! DIP! DIP! DIP! DIP!

Just to prove that he loves DIP!!
Different day, notice the different shirt, but that's ranch dressing again on his face.

What's better than ranch, you ask?!?!? Well, the kid favorite known as ketchup, of course. Sorry, no photos of that yet! (I'm slipping, I know.) Did you know that you can use a McDonald's french fry as a ketchup dip stick 10 times! Mark and I counted because you know it's not about eating the fry afterall. It's all about how much DIP you can slurp off of that fry!

Let's Dance

Kieren's getting an idea...

C'mon Ian, let's dance!!!

No, I don't want to!

Please! I asked nicely!

Okay, I might as well make the most of it!

Playtime!!

This is what happens when you leave Aunt Sam, Kieren and Ian alone with a play tunnel for a couple hours!
Looks like fun to me, I'm sorry that I missed it!

(Remember, I am catching up with posting photos. These are from the end of October I think!)