emma's 2009 softball season - World Series

year-in-review

pics of Louie!

why I love my kids ... they make me laugh!

baseball season - 2009

old pic from my mom!

I think I still make this face once in a while!!

(4 yrs old )

recent Ryan pages

bad blogger

wow ... what a bad blogger I've been this past month! Where did the days go? Here's my picture a day project for Feb. I did miss a few days, but that's ok!!

Fun memories!

Recently I've reconnected with a friend that I've know for a LONG time! We've lost touch for quite a few years (ok maybe 20 years) but just found each other again on Facebook. We can vividly remember so many fun details of growing up in the same neighborhood just one street away from each other.

This is our kindergarten class - note ONLY 12 kids in the class. Mrs. Sheetz was our teacher one of my all time favorite teachers.

So ... look for me (hint: same red, curly hair, likes center of attention) that's ME! My long lost buddy is Robin to the left of me in the fashionable smiley face shirt. Our class had just gone to the farm that day for a field trip, so we all have on jeans & boots (except for the fashion plates with the plaid & flowered pants ... show offs!)

Wyomissing Hills Elementary School - spring 1972

Thanks mom for scanning and emailing this today ... SO many people have enjoyed it!!

take a picture a day ...

one I can finally share ...

I did this page for Lori for her birthday (jan. 18) and couldn't post it until after I gave it to her ... well then I FORGOT to post it. It really is one of my favorite pages. These pictures were taken by Merede (thankfully!!) at the championship game of Northwest Regionals in San Bernardino.

So .... WHY would Lori be there??? Umm .... because she is just about one of the best friends a girl can have, that's why!! She (with Mary, Tessa & Kevin) drove all night to make it to the game. Lori was IN the stadium calling my cell phone (while I was driving to the stadium) telling me to smile pretty for ESPN and to wish Matthew good luck. I completely thought she was at home in Oregon.

As I walked to the designated "Oregon families" area ... There she was! Just remembering that moment bring tears (happy tears) to my eyes. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful person like her in my life.

3 teenagers ... IN THE HOUSE!!!

annual Year-In-Review

welcome home, santa!

Last week my mom sent a package. I thought it might be birthday presents for Emma and Matthew (early for Jan 21) ... but nope, it was a big, huge present for ME!
This little santa guy below was given to me on my first Christmas when I was just 6 months old.
Yeah, do the math ... this santa is OLD!! He has always been a most special Christmas decoration at my mom's house.

After I got married and moved 3000 miles away I had asked to have him a few times. However, my mom always had an excuse ... 'he might get damaged in shipping.' Then when I had kids ... 'oh, the kids might accidently hurt him.' Finally the last 'excuse' was when we got Louie my mom said, 'oh santa can stay with us a little longer because Louie might get him and tear him apart'.
Ummm, Louie is almost 6 and far beyond her puppy days of tearing things up!!

So this year as my mom was packing her Christmas decorations to put up in the attic for another 11 months she decided to give me an early Christmas present.

My santa is 'home' safe and sound with me and will be one of the most special Christmas decorations at my house ... from now on.

Or until Emma thinks SHE should have him .... we'll discuss that at a much later time!

Shawntel's surprise!

bday from Amy Kimball on Vimeo.

I LOVE my new camera!!

For all my girlfriends!!

Oh, geez ... just watch. I only wish I could have put these feelings into words.
(you may want a tissue close by)

Here is her book, I'll be getting it today.

Thank you & summer nickname

On December 23rd Matthew received a special box from his all star baseball coach, Scott Zanon. He was told to put it under the tree and not to open it until Christmas morning.

It was the first gift to be opened on Christmas and what a special way to start the day. Scott had a final keepsake made for all the boys as one more memory of their incredible summer together through district, state and regional little league tournaments.

Scott also gave each boy a beautifully written, heartfelt letter talking about what this summer and the team meant to him. He also personalized each letter with a hand written note about something specific to each boy. Once again, Coach Zanon went above and beyond for 'his boys'!!

You can see the front of the shirt in the picture and then the back has all the boys' nicknames. Matthew's is 'uncle fester' ... from the Adams'family!!

There's got to be some kind of story behind how Matthew got his nickname this summer during all-stars .... but I don't really know it!

Happy New Year!