Like Mother Like Daughter(s), Like Father Like Son(s)

This week we received an e mail from my brother Tim. It informed us that he has accepted a job in Baltimore. This was the response I sent him...

Congratulations Tim! That is exciting. Maybe we will make it out to Baltimore to see you since we never made it to NH. Take care. Kristi

Later that day, my mom sent out a response to all of us. This was the beginning of her message....

Congratulations, Tim! That's so exciting for you. I new challenge and a serious job. Now we'll get to see Baltimore :)

I was struck with how similar the responses were! Maybe that is how many people would respond but I still think it has something to do with us being a like in many ways.

Though, my sister Tricia and I may not look that much a like, we are often told that we sound a lot a like. I remember this in college most of all. Friends of either myself or Tricia would meet the other one of us and comment how much we sounded a like. I think it is that our voices are similar as well as the way we say things that makes us sound so much a like. I remember one specific time, I left Tricia a message on her answering machine. Her roommate Rachel at first thought Tricia had called and left herself a message because I sounded so much like Tric! Mom has also said that she has to talk to us a little while on the phone before she figures out which one of us it is. She needs more than just the "Hi Mom" we both say.

Both Chad & Justin (Tricia's husband) have made remarks that we sound like our Mom as well. After we say or do something (often something goofy or sing-songy) we hear their response... "OK Jo!"

Andrew is starting to do things that remind Chad of himself. Usually it is something ornery that Chad kind of smiles and says "That is something I would do." The ornery things, (not all of these are things that Chad would have done) he is starting to do are....place snack wrappers behind the couch cushions or other cupboards instead of the trash, tell little sly fibs, you ask him not to do something and he finds a new slightly different way of doing the same thing or goes behind a chair to continue doing whatever it is we asked him not to and saying "you won't see me", running from us when we ask him to do something and also telling Carson to "Run! Run for your life!" when we ask Carson to come. And as I type this, he sticks both of his hands in his mouth, pulls them out and wipes his saliva all over my knee and laughs uncontrollably! I could go on and on about his orneriness which tends to drive me crazy but at the same time one of the many things I love about this little guy!


(I enjoy adding pictures to my posts....can you believe that I could not find one of only Tric, my mom and myself!! That is just horrible.)

Tell it like it is.

Today while driving in the car, this is the conversation Andrew & I had....

"When we are in the store you need to stay with Mommy, be good and listen to Mommy."

"Why?"

"Because that is what good little boys do."

"No. Good little boys listen to their Daddy but not their Mommy."

Tomato Juice

Today the boys and I went to the farmer's market while Chad was seeing a few patients. We picked up a 10# box of seconds tomatoes (which made 4 qt + 1 pint). I wanted to try and make tomato juice using my mother-in-law's recipe. I would have liked to get more tomatoes but I had a hard enough time carrying Carson and this 10# box, plus making sure Andrew stayed with me while walking to the car. We came back and picked up a few other items; onions, potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, blackberries and some buckeyes.

Barb has given us several quarts of tomato juice in the past. I really like having it for chili, goulash and just about anything you would use tomato juice for. Andrew once again enjoyed helping us make the juice. I think this is the first time we used the Victorian Strainer for anything other than applesauce. This was so slick! Now I would like to get some of the other attachments for it, like the salsa screen.

John Deere Gator

So the last reward we offered Andrew for pooping on the toilet was a Gator or Jeep. We had been thinking about getting him one and knew he really wanted one. I sure thought offering this reward would make him do it, but it was first offered a few months ago!! His response was "I don't think my animals will like to ride in it." (What??)

It has been nearly two weeks since he has been going on the toilet (Mon. July 14) He has been pretty patient, especially for Andrew, concerning getting a jeep. Every day he has asked "When am I going to get that jeep?" And one day this question was followed with "I'm NEVER going to get a jeep!" Chad & I were debating what kind we should get for him. We were looking at some used ones on Ebay and Craigslist but were concerned about some safety recalls we had read about and most said they needed a new battery.

Thursday Chad picked up this Gator. After the boys were in bed, Chad put it together and we hid it under our deck, so that we could charge the battery before Andrew knew we had it. We did tell him that we would get one on Friday evening. After supper last night, we walked around back to our deck and there it was! Andrew was pretty excited. They took it for many spins around the house. He tends to drive a little close to things but overall is doing really well. He also likes to drive in the same path/tracks, around the very edge of our property. Today he helped me carry several buckets full of mulch to the back yard.

The boys waiting for the battery to be installed.

On a very serious mission.

All smiles!

Look out for the tree! Hold on tight Carson!

Andrew at the Museum

Modern Art Museum by dumpr.net

I got this from my cousin Jackie's blog. Fun huh??

Carson at the Museum

Art Museum by dumpr.net

Good-Bye Trees

A few weeks ago we learned that they would soon start building a house on the lot next to ours. We have lived in our house a year now. Our house is at the end of the road on a cul-de-sac and our house is the only one there. Our house is surrounded by woods....or it was until now. We have enjoyed a some what "country" feel while still living in town.

This past Friday they took down some of the trees and then came back Wed.-through today to finish the job. Wednesday, I was outside with the boys while they were taking down the trees. They have a chain saw for the larger trees (which I just learned they then use for the trim and doors for the houses) and a bob-cat to knock down the small trees. The small trees they send through a chipper, which is rather loud. The boys were playing and watching the trees come down. I was pulling weeds and keeping an eye on the boys.

The chipper didn't have any trees to chip up at the time but was still running and I could faintly hear Andrew talking, but where was he? He wasn't near Carson. I walked to the side of the house where they were working and wasn't surprised to see Andrew there talking to two of the men. He was telling them that they couldn't take down our trees and that it wasn't very nice! No fear! (well except apparently at night, since he still ends up in our room at some point during the night!) I apologized and told Andrew once again that they aren't our trees, though we have really enjoyed them and the wonderful late afternoon/evening shade they provide.

The only windows on that side of the house are our bathroom window - which is that opaque like window that you can't see through and then in the back part of the house, our sun/playroom. And now we have much more natural light coming into our bathroom & bedroom with the trees down. Perhaps we will have some great neighbors, with playmates for Andrew & Carson or maybe a teenager that would like to babysit. The boys will enjoy watching the building process I am sure. Now, if I can just keep them contained to our lot!

Carson & Andrew watching from the sun/playroom as the trees fall.

Front view of our house a few weeks ago...

Side view from the back yard a few weeks ago

Current side view from back yard

Current front views

I was enjoying the slightly cooler weather, with the AC off and the windows up but with the work over there it was very loud and dirty! The chipper sent really tiny particles flying through the air as well as dirt and dust when the trees fell, which we don't need in the house. So windows are shut, AC back on. They were able to leave a few trees between the lots, which we were grateful for but a lot of the trees weren't very nice by themselves. They were small or leaned a lot. Perhaps these pictures don't truly demonstrate how much they actually took down, trust me, it was a lot!



Stay tuned....Gator pictures to follow! Andrew doesn't know we have it yet, we wanted the battery charged up before he knew we got one. It is currently tucked under our deck.

Happy Anninversary to Us!!

This is our 9th Wedding Anniversary! Hard to believe. Chad came home at lunch with this nice bouquet of flowers for me. Fresh flowers always make me smile. I got him a card and this large bag of Skittles ~ which also make Chad smile.

What a great 9 years it has been. As I think back....we have lived in 5 different cities, 6 different homes, with 7 total moves! We spent 2 (or was it 3) weeks in Erie, PA after getting married. Chad began orientation and classes for medical school and I started orientation for my first nursing job. We received a call that Chad had been accepted at Ohio University, his first choice where he had been on the waiting list. So we packed up and headed to Athens, OH.

We rented a home in the country there, actually had some time off before Chad was to start med-school orientation and classes (again). I had to wait to receive my Ohio nursing license and didn't start working for a while, not sure how long. When I start working, I worked full time evening shift (3-11:30) on a large med-surg floor. Those were rough years, moving away from all our family and friends, Chad was in classes during the day, I went to work in the evening and we didn't see much of each other. Towards the end of our two years there, I started working night shift ~ which allowed us to see more of each other but not fun hours, and then about a month before we moved I accepted a day shift position.

Then we moved to Cuyahoga Falls, OH for Chad's 3rd & 4th years of med-school. I worked full time, 3 - 12 hour shifts on a surgical floor. That was probably my favorite job. We mainly had GYN (women's surgeries) Urology and Plastic surgery patients. Most of our patients were pretty well, stayed for a few days and then were sent home ~ for the most part. We went to church in Hartville, OH at Maple Grove Mennonite. We met some great friends there and enjoyed attending a Mennonite Church once again. Two years later, we moved again to....

Dayton, OH. Chad started a traditional internship year. We rented an apartment because we weren't sure where Chad would be doing his Residency. I worked on another surgical floor, the Bariatric floor but we also took care of many other surgical as well as medical patients. I again worked 3 - 12 hour shifts. In the middle of Chad's internship year we found out that he would be completing his three year Residency in Dayton as well. We decided to build a home. In Dayton, we welcomed two wonderful little boys into our family. After Andrew came along I cut back my hours and worked one or two shifts a week, sometimes 8 hours (if Chad was on call) or 12 hours. We met some wonderful friends there! Chad graduated from the Residency program and his schooling was now complete! It was time to move on to....

Mount Vernon, OH. Our tour of the state of Ohio as now ended, at least for now. We bought a new home last July, that had been completed in Jan. 2007 as a spec home. Chad started working in a practice here last August. We began a somewhat more normal life here last year. Chad now has more "normal" work hours, his call weeks are lighter than during his Residency. I am staying home with Andrew & Carson full time. I really don't miss working as a nurse all that much! I do miss feeling like I have accomplished something with measurable outcomes. Sometimes in being a mother, you don't always see the things you have accomplished.

We are enjoying life here, meeting new people, watching the boys grow, and trying to squeeze in some time for just the two of us. We really need to find a babysitter! I look forward to many more happy years together. I love you Chad!!

Fun times at the Fair

Last evening, Chad & I took the boys to the County Fair. It was such a nice evening for this; in the 70s with a nice breeze. Earlier today I asked Andrew what his favorite thing about the fair was. He said "When we rode the tractor." ~ after parking the car, we got on a wagon that was pulled by a tractor, which took us over to the fair entrance. The boys enjoyed seeing all the different animals, I believe Carson's favorites were the horses and cows. He would get soo excited, "Moooo!".

We enjoyed some fair food and of course the boys wanted to ride the rides. Andrew's first choice was a merry go round type that had motorcycles on it. But he was terribly heartbroken when he sat on the motorcycle and the women in charge of the ride said he wasn't tall enough because his feet were not flat on the pedals. He quickly recovered when we said he could try a different ride. He rode on some helicopter ride with Chad. Carson was admiring this train ride while Chad and Andrew were on the helicopter, so the four of us then rode the train.

The boys also were given balloons. You should have heard the laughter on the car ride home from these two as they batted their helium balloons. I told Chad we need to stop and pick up helium balloons before long road trips!

ps. you know you are in a small hick town when the barber shop closes for the week of fair!! Chad and Carson both need haircuts.

Treasures

I enjoy hanging the boys' clothes outside on this drying rack on our deck. This works pretty well for their clothes since we don't have a clothes line. Our larger clothing tend to fill up the rack pretty quickly. (And actually I don't like the stiff starchy feel of my clothes dried on the clothes line!) My parents got us this drying rack one year for Christmas. I like using it to dry sweaters on in the winter as well.

I'm starting to realize that I need to check Andrew's pockets prior to doing laundry. Today I found two treasures; a stone and a peanut in the washer after washing his clothes. I guess it could be much worse, like worms or toads that some little boys stick in their pockets.

Peaches

We did it! So I had my doubts. I thought it would take forever, that the jars wouldn't seal and that it would just be a big mess. Well it was a big mess, but other than that it wasn't bad at all. Chad & I canned them together while we practiced some neglectful parenting! Just kidding, the boys played pretty well together while we canned the peaches, just weren't supervised quite as closely as usual. My only regret is that we didn't have more peaches to do! (1/2 bushel) Since it went pretty well, maybe we will buy more to can. Yum!!

Summer produce

Today we made our usual Saturday stop to the local Farmer's Market. We bought some delicious blueberries, tomatoes, banana peppers, onions, and cilantro. Prior to the farmer's market, we went to an orchard where we got 1/2 bushel (+ some) apples. We made some more applesauce. We also froze the blueberries. What a nice treat those will be this winter!

Then we canned some salsa. We had made fresh salsa last year but this is our first attempt at canning it. It looks really pretty but I'm a little disappointed in it's taste, especially after all the effort of chopping the ingredients. We used a recipe that called for a lot of vinegar and now that is what the salsa tastes like. :(

We also bought 1/2 bushel of peaches with the hope of canning them as well. Fortunately (?) they are a little under ripe, so we will can them another day. A lot of work, but soo worth it!

Four fun boys

Yesterday we had a visit from Sarah, Jonah & Isaac. We met them at a park in town where Andrew & Carson really enjoy playing. They had lots of fun running around, playing on the play equipment, collecting pine cones, chasing birds, throwing different items into the fountain. They came back to our house for some play time and lunch. Then we all headed to the mall for a little shopping, playing at the mall play area and enjoying some pretzels. It is so fun to see these boys play together.

For lunch I made Ham Rolls. This is a recipe that our friend Tracy shared with us during Chad's Residency. It had been a while since I made these and we all really liked them. Sarah thought I should put the recipe on the blog, so here it is.....

Ham Rolls
12 Hawaiian Rolls - cut in half, remove tops in one piece
Virginia Ham 1/2-3/4 pound
Swiss Cheese
place Ham and cheese on top of bottom half of rolls, place top back on and cut into separate sandwichs

Marinade
1 1/2 stick butter, melted (I used 1 stick and it was still plenty!)
2 T. worchestire sauce
1 t. mustard
1 T. onion flakes
whisk together. Pour over rolls as whisking. Cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight. Bake covered at 350 for 30 minutes.

Corn on the cob

I think it was on Wed., Chad brought some corn home. We all enjoyed it for supper. This was Carson's first experience with corn on the cob. Last year at this time, he still didn't have any teeth! He really enjoyed eating the corn and of course getting messy! Andrew on the other hand did not enjoy the mess.

applesauce

Monday evening we made applesauce. We did the bushel of transparent apples we got from Chad's parents' trees. Andrew 's job was to turn the crank to make the applesauce. He would come running each time we had the next batch of cooked apples ready from the stove. Then he would go back to playing. I don't remember how many apples we did last year, maybe a bushel, but we ran out this winter. The boys both love applesauce as do Chad and I. Maybe we should do more. This blog will also be a good way for me to know how many apples we did for reference next year.

diving board

Here are some pictures of Andrew going off the diving board at swimming lessons today. His face just lights up after he gets over to the side of the pool. What fun!

"Can I do that again?"

Andrew is really enjoying swimming. He had lots of fun swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's pool over the weekend. Chad and Andrew would "do bobs" (go underwater) at the same time. Andrew started out only putting his mouth and nose in the water, then he would put his eyes in and then got to the point of putting his whole head under ~ well almost. He would usually leave the top of his head out or the back of his head, depending on which way he would enter the water.

Yesterday and today at swimming lessons he has had so much fun. He continues to put most of his head under water. Today there was a young man leading his swim class with another female life guard. But this young man was wonderful! He was very encouraging to the children, giving them Hi-5s and telling them what a great job they did. Andrew loved it. Yesterday a few kids from his class went off the diving board in the deep end at the end of class. Andrew just watched. But today he did it!!! He didn't actually jump off, he was lowered by his hands by one life guard into the water, where another life guard was to catch him. He did go completely under water for a second. He really enjoyed it and said "Can I do that again?" as he climbed up the ladder and out of the pool. And so he did. Maybe by Thursday he might try jumping.

Just another example of how this little boy will do things much better on his own time.

What are you doing?!

I just found Carson in the oddest position. He was having some trouble going to sleep for his nap. I could hear him on the monitor, not really crying but fussing a little bit. I walked in his room and said "What are you doing?!" with a smile. He was on top of his crib railing!

His right leg was hanging down, pinned in between the crib side rail and the wall, his bottom and his left leg ~ stretched out ~ were resting on top of the crib rail and his right arm was holding on to the end rail of his crib; he was just perched up there on the crib rail! I wanted to get the camera but didn't think I should let him there like that any longer. Not sure how he got up there or how long he had been like that! I'm afraid now that he might start climbing out of the crib. He was happy, just kind of giggled when I asked him what he was up to. I laid him back down and he was out in a matter of minutes.

Accomplishments

Today was a big day for Andrew. He went #2 on the toilet! Woo-hoo! This little boy can be very strong willed. He has been doing wonderful with potty training and I would say he hasn't had an accident since probably the end of November, with urinating anyways, and with exception of at night. But he would NOT go #2 on the toilet. (he did go on the toilet 3 times in Jan. but then became scared - I will spare you the details)

We have tried so many different things....making a really big deal out of it, not making a big deal out of it, bribery with so many different items (we shall see if he remembers all of those!!) For a while, during the potty training process, he would ask us "What do I have on?" because he wanted to know if he had underware, pullup, or a diaper on so he could go #2. Then he would just say "I need a diaper so I can go poo-poo" He would throw a huge fit if you even suggest he tries it on the toilet; screaming, flailing of the arms! I had finally decided he will do this when he is ready.

Last week he was at least open to trying it on the toilet but never went. Towards the end of the week, he said he was going to do it at Grandma and Grandpa's house. That didn't happen, not that I was surprised.

But today he said his famous line "I need a diaper so I can go poo-poo" I asked him to try on the toilet. He didn't really respond, just marched to the bathroom. He said "I can do it. I can do it." and that was that!! He was so excited and so was I!! (It's about stinking time!!) I really praised him and told him how proud I was of him. He was smiling so big and said "How about a hug?!" He called Chad and both grandparents.

He does remember the last bribe we offered. After spending time at a friend's house, who had a battery powered jeep, Andrew kept talking about this jeep and asking if he could get one. We told him he could once he went on the toilet. His response was "Well, I don't think my animals will want to ride in it." Unbelievable! He has asked when we can go get this jeep. I'm pretty sure he is expecting this to happen when Chad gets home from work. Oh, the joy of a boy!!

Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's

We spent this past weekend at my parent's house. My younger brother Tim was home for the weekend, so we all got together. Saturday morning we went to near by Sauder Village. I hadn't been to the village since our yearly field trips there in elementary school. We had a good time enjoying the historic village through the new little eyes of Andrew & Carson and reminiscing about the times we spent there as children and seeing all the changes. Their is a new area for little children to do lots of hands on things (with toys), which the boys really enjoyed. We were also able to see many of my aunts, uncles and cousins at church on Sunday. My aunts and uncles all live in the same general area and what a blessing it is to catch up with them and a nice surprise to see that some of our cousins were home as well.

Carson & Chad sitting on the wagon.

Tim & Carson on the wagon.

Andrew milking the pretend cow.

Andrew figured out all by himself that he could squirt Grandma while milking!

Carson, Chad & the cow.

The boys, gathering eggs.

The clan riding the train around Sauder Village.

Andrew & Carson helping Grandpa make homemade icecream. YUM!!

Tricia & Carson snacking. (check out their hair color!!)

Andrew loving on Buddy the dog. "I'm gonna miss him!"

From my parents', we drove to Chad's parents' house Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed a meal with them and Alan & Tisha and the girls. The cousins all love running around playing together. Wild times! :) We now have a bushel of transparent apples waiting for us to turn them into applesauce. Delicious!

Mowing

Andrew and Carson took turns mowing with Chad last Thursday night.

future ophthalmologist

At noon, the boys and I went to Chad's office to see him and so he could check my eyes. I would like a new pair of glasses, the pair I have now I have had for 9 years. Plus I need to order more contacts.

As we walked in to the office, there was a picture of Chad. I asked Andrew who that was, he said, "That's my Dad! Chad!" The receptionist got a big kick out of that. After we located Chad, Andrew was playing bashful and clung to Chad saying "I'm shy." to the office staff. He is not shy! And soon they all saw the real Andrew as he ran around boldly asking for candy from one of the staff that has given him candy before.

As Chad was checking my vision and saying "Better one or two", Andrew became rather giddy saying "Three!!" He enjoyed seeing all the equipment and pushing the buttons to lower and raise the exam chair. Carson on the other hand was terrified of this strange contraption that I was behind!

I didn't get any glasses ordered today, I'm really bad about making these kinds of decisions! But at least I know what my current prescription is.

Snacks

Today I gave the boys a "new" snack. I saw on the box of Teddy Grahams a picture of this snack. You slice an apple, spread peanut butter on the apple slice and then a few Teddy Grahams. It was kind of cute.

Andrew and Carson really enjoyed this. Andrew was a very tidy eater, he ate the apple slice intact just as it was with the peanut butter and Teddy Grahams on top. Carson on the other hand, not such a neat eater. He removed each Teddy Graham and licked the peanut butter off of it. Then licked/nibbled the peanut butter off the apple, kind of like eating corn on the cob ~ peanut butter on both cheeks, chin, nose even up around his eyes. Then he ate the apple slice and saved the Teddy Grahams for last. Too funny.

Swimming Lessons at "the outdoor pool"

This week the boys (& I) have had swimming lessons each morning from 9-9:50. We didn't go today because Carson and I have colds. It isn't easy to keep kleenex handy in the pool! Carson's nose sometimes runs like a faucet.

Andrew is in a class with other children and 2-3 life guards. At the same time, I am in a parent/child class with Carson. Carson's class is more about playing in the water and getting used to the water. I try to keep an eye on Andrew too.

When I singed them up for the lessons, we weren't sure what level to put Andrew in. We put him in level 2 so he would be challenged and if they needed to lower him to level 1 they could. The first day he was one of the younger kids in level 2. It seemed like he was doing ok, from the glances I would take in his direction. There were 2 female life guards and one male life guard in this class. The male just seemed so rough with the kids! After all this is swimming lessons for 3-8 year olds, not high school football practice!! At one point, I looked over and saw him sternly grab Andrew by one arm and put him back along the side of the pool. Perhaps Andrew deserved that, I don't know. I also saw him "helping" other children to float on their backs and the children did not look comfortable ~ I couldn't tell if they were crying or not.

I was enjoying Carson's class, playing with him and the other kids. I looked up and saw one of the female life guards carrying Andrew over to the level 1 class and he was crying really hard. I watched to see how he would adjust in the level 1 but he continued to cry. So I went over there. He said he didn't want to go under. I didn't see what happened, I sort of wish I had. He continued to cry a little but then eventually did ok and Carson and I could return to our class.

Perhaps I am being too sensitive about it, too protective. But I did not like the way this young man handled the kids. Andrew had never met him before and he was just way too rough. I don't know who was "encouraging" Andrew to go under but clearly he was upset by it. I was concerned that Andrew would be afraid to go back to swimming lessons, afraid of the water. He loves the water and I don't want him to feel pressured to do something he isn't comfortable with.

Andrew did fine on Tues. and Wed. in the level 1 class. In fact it is probably better that he is in that level, more age appropriate for him and fun. We have swimming lessons Mon.-Thurs. of next week too. Maybe he will get comfortable enough to go under or "do a bob" as the life guards refer to it as.

Who's bowl is it?

If you are familiar with Andrew & Carson's eating habits, you can probably guess who's bowl it is. They both enjoy peanuts and raisins for a snack. However recently Carson has been eating all of his raisins and leaving peanuts in his bowl; Andrew just the opposite ~ eating all the peanuts and leaving raisins in his bowl. Sometimes I find myself comparing the boys and thinking how similar they are in so many ways, yet how vastly different they are in other ways. This is just one small example of that.

happy 4th of july

We were up at a local park for some 4th of July activities (which they were really lacking) We did eat from the vendors and then the boys played on the park play equipment. After that, Chad and I were ready to head home. How lame are we??? They did have some local bands playing, softball tournaments, skateboard contest. I would have liked to stay for the fireworks but didn't think the boys would hold up very well, since the fireworks don't start till 10pm. So we headed home. We decided to make Smores on the grill. Andrew & Carson really enjoyed these!

My right hand is a little sticky.

YUM!!

What a gooey mess!

Carson is still awake, playing his aquarium that attaches to his crib. Perhaps a bit too much sugar for him. Chad went up to rent us a movie, hopefully he can pick out a better one than the last couple I have picked out for us to watch. Don't watch The Things We Lost in the Fire. ~ how depressing! I forget the other one. We did recently watch The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington, which was pretty good.

The Blog

I have had a few different people ask me if I have printed off entries from the blog. My answer usually was "No, but maybe I should."

I had a free 8x8 photo book from Shutterfly from my Pampers points that I needed to use by the end of June. I wasn't sure what to do with this book. So I decided to put some of the posts from the blog in it. It didn't end up being totally free; 20 pages were free, I ended up added 15 pages I think. It came in the mail today, I'm glad I did this. I was able to cut & paste posts from the blog directly into the book. I used posts that included both pictures and journal entries. Now I can just print off the ones that are only journals, if I want to keep a hard copy of those too. Here is the front cover and one of the pages from the book.

Twins

Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen these two twins frolicking around in our yard or the woods surrounding our house. Often their mother is close behind. They are lots of fun to watch. Sometimes they are very calm, walking around, munching on different items. Other times they run around very playful. Andrew & Carson enjoy seeing these baby deer. Andrew is full of questions "Why do they have spots?" "Where is their Daddy?"