Layni was in the balcony....she took the amateur video...and this is just the first song. There were 115 choir members all from Christ United Methodist in Sugar Land participating in "The Winter Rose" Choir Concert.
http://gallery.me.com/nibbuccms#100019
Hope you enjoy it....
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
iPhone video made with Animoto!
Weekend at Grandmas
http://animoto.com/play/gEbRNYw12UWqCEKzL1oTlg
If you like it, why don't you try creating one yourself? You can get our app (for free!) in the app store with your iPhone, or in a regular web browser just head here:
Thanks,
The ANIMOTO Team
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday Night Fun
grandparents. What else could one ask for?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
This was fun for a long time tonight....and 100 pictures later....we took some of the best and made this video. We actually were trying to imitate Aunt Cindee's sunburn look after forgetting the sunscreen on her glacier trip....
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Pose!
kids ended up having a ton of fun between the swimming, driving Speedy
Gonzales, the golf cart, and eating S'Mores...
We slept in the trailer through all the rain, and woke around 6:30
this morning. Connor exclaimed, "that was the best night's sleep I've
had in a long time".
It's not too often I can get all 5 kids to look at the camera at the
same time...especially when they're playing and burning off all that
sugar from the yummy s'mores!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Rain, wind and lots of SAND
sand all relocates....again.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Update on the Orange Wall
Well, I guess you can see that I found something to hang on my wall, that still looks great as a backdrop when I'm Skyping! I actually stole this idea from a good friend....that and 50% off at Hobby Lobby made my decision pretty easy!
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Orange Wall
So, I painted one wall in my house orange. Not really bright, but by some standards, certainly not a color many would choose. I however LOVE orange. And I love orange in combination with other colors....yellow...the right shades of green and sometimes red.
It's been nearly 6 months since I did this, and have been hunting for just the right picture to hang on my orange wall. I've yet to find one, and after last night? Not sure that I'm going to.
Why? Because it makes an AWESOME backdrop when video conferencing and or using Skype. Wow. It's almost magical. What do you think?
It's been nearly 6 months since I did this, and have been hunting for just the right picture to hang on my orange wall. I've yet to find one, and after last night? Not sure that I'm going to.
Why? Because it makes an AWESOME backdrop when video conferencing and or using Skype. Wow. It's almost magical. What do you think?
Lost and Found
I've been challenged to clean up my files at work...and in doing so, found a blast from the semi-recent past. I wanted to post it here, so that I could remember that 5 years ago, Tyler graduated from high school....wow! How time flies. I love you Ty!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Kiki Loves her Kitty
spent some quality time with her kitty, Oreo.
She used her teddy bear clothes and dressed him up (in this lovely
ensemble) and then put him in her dolly stroller and strolled him
about the house....
Funny thing is....I thought to myself "How cute! I should take a
picture", but was too tired...and have berated myself several times
since then. Today I was going to do a test upload to my MobileMe
account, and lo and behold found quite a few pictures taken by Kiki
herself!!!
I truly think this child loves my iPhone more than I do! You go girl!
To be 5 and so tech savvy!! What more could a mother ask for???
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Eagle River Nature Center
We hiked around the Eagle River Nature Center yesterday...here are some photos.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Summer...and Temperature..It's all Relative
We went back to Goose Lake yesterday...and lo and behold there was a school load of kids there all wearing swimming attire. What did I have on? A tank top....and then TWO sweatshirts over that. The difference here is that these kiddos are from Alaska....and I'm now acclimated to Texas 100 degree heat.
The kids were doing all the same things we would do if we were to visit the beach...creating sand sculptures, swimming with BIKINIS on...and feeding the wildlife (slugs in the water and ducks on the land).
During the mid afternoon an older couple came with a blanket, two lawn chairs, and various and other beach going accouterments. They positioned themselves farther down the lakeside, spread out their blanket, and proceeded to take off their shoes, and roll up their pant legs, all the while keeping every other part of their body covered with sweaters and jackets. So I know it wasn't just me...however, they sat in their lawn chairs, with their lower legs exposed and leisurely read their books. It was kind of cute.
What this all means is that it's SUMMER in Anchorage! Get outside while you can! Wear those summer clothes! Go swimming! Oh how well I remember coming to Anchorage in the spring and wearing sleevless shirts and shorts (and shivering).
So...summer and temperature are all relative. Anchorage is enjoying their summer, albeit a little cold by Texas standards...as I remain dressed for winter ( Texas style).
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Who says man cannot live by bread alone?
Today we went back into Anchorage to take Kylee back to Goose Lake Park...that was the guise anyway! The real guise was to go back to the Great Harvest Bread Company. Cindee took us there on Friday, touting it's greatness, and hence we brought home three huge loaves of bread, which we finished consuming today. So...we NEEDED more. I've you've ever been to a Great Harvest Bread Store you'll know what I'm talking about.
Great Harvest, as you may know, has one of the great marketing ploys known to man. They to ask you which bread you'd like to try, and then they cut off a great big hunk and shove the butter at you. So, as you're munching you're also buying...pretty effective I'd say.
As we were happily munching...we too here happily buying (7 loaves!). Cindee was protecting her loaf of cinnamon roll bread, as was Kylee. Layni bought Chugach Rustic, a very tasty sourdough, and me? Just your average Honey White.
As we arrived home, I decided to put two loaves into the freezer to put in my suitcase to take back to Texas..YUM! And then thought to myself..."I wonder if Great Harvest has a website?"
Lo and behold not only does Great Harvest have a web presence, they are a CHAIN!
My sister is totally against patronizing any business that's a chain. We haven't been able to eat at any chain restaurant...or shop at any store that is not locally owned. In fact, Kylee was begging to go to Wal-Mart today...and Cindee said NO!
The look on my sister's face when I announced that news!! We had been patronizing a store she thought was a local legend! Poor Cindee.
Oh well. Chain or no chain. Great Harvest Bread Company has my vote. (TEE HEE! We got one over on Cindee!)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Aren't they cute?
the orphaned baby moose. They were so cute!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Hiking....and more hiking!
Today we went hiking...yes, hiking! We spent about 2 hours hiking to Thunderbird Falls near Eklutna. The trail (total 2 miles round trip) led visitors to a lookout where one could wonder at the water, which was pretty far down. In fact we met two individuals who were going to rappel off the cliff onto the riverbank below.
Curt (my brother-in-law) spent an inordinate amount of time with the girls schooling them on all the kinds of flora and fauna; which was edible and which was not. They even ate a few wild roses...or maybe tasted is a better choice of words.
We walked to the lookout point and then decided to walk DOWN to the rushing river below. DOWN means you have to come back UP. That was a concern for me. Texas is flat! So amid the millions of buzzing mosquitos we all hiked to the bottom to watch the rushing river, rest a bit, and then walk all the way back up and the mile back to the car.
Finally, we spent the rest of the lazy afternoon watching a movie, and preparing for dinner with one of my sister and brother-in-laws long time friends.
I'm tired. Walked UP a long way!!
Alaska Adventures Day Three
Below are some photos from day two and three in Alaska....we went to the Farmer's Market..which really isn't a farmer's market. I've been there quite a few times when I've come to Alaska..and this time was no different. What was different was the size (much bigger) and the wares the vendors were selling. If you've ever been to a Trader's Villiage, it's somwhat like that..just smaller. We wandered around there for several hours. The kids petted sled dogs and had their face painted. The girls were able to "sneak" some french fries, and Coke...and all was right with the world.
We then stopped at Goose Lake Park, where we watched the very bored lifeguard gather a gaggle of tame ducklings to her and feed them pretzels. Cindee and Layni waded in the water, and I watched Kylee play tag.
Layni then insisted on a bookstore stop, (she's on her third book so far), and then we finally made it home, just to pack up again and head out to Mirror Lake for a hot dog and bean supper over the fire.
The girls had fun.
PS The neighbor saw a brown bear in her driveway...but we haven't seen any bears yet! Thank goodness.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Walking the beach at Earthquake Park
flat rocks, and beachgoers complete with beach towels. So compare what
I had on (sweater under the sweatshirt) with the Anchoragites wading
in the water!!! BRRR!!!
One (of many, I'm sure) job I couldn't stomach
unwanted grass. Ok... The only problem there is the horrific smell. I
lasted maybe 2 minutes... The smell is worse than the dirtiest
outhouse you ever used times 10. I wonder how long that smell will
linger....that kind of gives new meaning to the saying "fresh outdoors".
As you can see, the picture below was taken from the solarium
window.....
Life Experiences by LAM
Here's a five picture story about one of Alaska's life lessons....through the eyes of a 14 year old Texan.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Trip to the Grocery Store- Our Side of the Story (The Normal Side)
With breakfast consisting of wheat toast with butter that did not melt, we felt certain it was time for a trip to the grocery store.
As we entered Carrs, my kids had already made a list of things they needed for sheer survival at Aunt Cindee’s B & B. I’m sure you can imagine what the list consisted of….1. Cookies 2. Corn Pops Cereal 3. Hot Chocolate….and the list ensued.
However, Aunt Cindee was NOT about to let that happen. She announced that there would be NO sugar at her house nor anything that could get you “addicted” or clog your arteries…oh the look on their faces. It was that look of the utter sureness of withdrawal. The DTs were about to ensue.
It began in the bread aisle. Only bread baked in Alaska please….
On to the cereal aisle, where Layni was bound and determined to get Corn Pops, her favorite. Snatched out of the basket, Cindee pronounced that it had too much sugar and had that bad stuff that clogs your arteries and keeps you addicted in it (the true name escapes me now).
Offering a compromise, Aunt Cindee said Layni could get any cereal on the top shelf. Well, you know what kind of cereal resides there, don’t you? Cereal that the old and infirm eat for regularity. The pine bark and bark chips people claim is good for you. Nope….Layni wasn’t having any of it. She passed on the cereal.
As we went down each successive aisle, it became clear that we should not even attempt to put in the foods that were tasty…no cookies, no chips and certainly no candy!!
So we resorted to collusion. We schemed and worked together to at least make it out of the store with our coveted yogurt covered pretzels. Lanyi handed it to me, and I passed it off to Kylee, telling her to cover them with her body parts…as to not be detected by the human junk food detector.
We learned two things from that trip. Food that’s good for you must taste bad, and shopping with children and a health nut isn’t a possibility.
Maybe we’ll be more successful next go around.
For Aunt Cindee's version of this same story, read it here. http://bioshelter.blogspot.com
Alaska day 1
moose. Two on the driveway feeding this morning, one we almost ran
over as he trotted across the road, and one just munching in moose
pond....
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Setting a Lofty Goal
LAM had her spring band concert recently...just before school let out for the summer, and what a concert it was. Her middle school and the high school she will be going to combined their concerts and each band at both of these two schools played a mini concert within this concert.
It made for a long evening on a school night, but it turned out to be a great learning experience for LAM, and she came home inspired and awestruck. Literally.
The concert began at 6 PM, with her band playing the first three songs...this was one of them. I doubt you can hear the tuba, (which she played magnificently) but if you try really hard, perhaps it's possible.
At the end of the evening, nearing 8:30, the High School's Honor's Band played. The second number highlighted the director's brother, a professional euphonium player. I apologize for not knowing his name...when I did remember it several weeks ago, I did look him up on iTunes...no he was not listed, but he still WOWED the crowd.
We left the concert talking about how she might sound that great (on the tuba of course) someday if she practices hard...and we also talked about what she would do next year as an eighth grader. She's worked since January of this year at a goal conceived at the fall concert. She wanted to make Honor's Band at her middle school. So...in order to do that, she switched instruments from the trumpet to the double B flat Tuba (with four valves), and worked her fanny off. Most of the semester she had no tuba even to practice on, as the school was short instruments.
The last day of school, the results of band tryouts were to be published. She waited outside the band hall....to see where her name fell. Symphonic Band, Concert Band or Honor's Band....
WOO HOO!! Honor's Band it is. She made it!!! GO LAM!! I'm so proud of her...her determination, and her ability to set a goal and accomplish it even in the face of adversity. What a great quality to have. AND...what a great quality to have in middle school!!
Keep it up girl!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What Fun!!
Learning new things! Boy did we have fun teaching 29 of our teacher friends to Create, Collaborate and Communicate using fun Web 2.0 tools!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A Seventh Grader's Memoirs
Here is Layni's 7th Grade Memoirs...the embedded one below is subpar in my opinion. Shame on ScrapBlog for that!!
I'd click here; http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/vw_full.aspx?sbid=1829870 and in the bottom right corner, slide the sliderbar from the rabbit to the hare...and you'll be all set.
I'd click here; http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/vw_full.aspx?sbid=1829870 and in the bottom right corner, slide the sliderbar from the rabbit to the hare...and you'll be all set.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Layni Finally Wins!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I'm depressed....
I got stuck in Hobby Lobby yesterday. Literally stuck. There was one whole aisle of beach house decor...ranging from trinkets to very beautiful dishes made to resemble sea shells.Why did I get stuck? First, because for 14 years I gravitated to beach decor wherever it was, because I was always looking for something new to take to the beach house. It was exciting to bring what I had found to the beach the next weekend and I would lovingly place each new item in the house. I loved to create visual interludes as my eye would survey my domain.
I can't do this anymore.
I am still SO drawn to the beach theme itself. I think it's ingrained. I can't stop.
But what was so heart wrenching was reliving again that awful pang of loss for what I once had...what my family once had, but meant more to me that what I can even express in words. I was stuck in that store aisle, because I wanted to walk away...from the aisle, from the memories, but at the same time, wanted to stay there even more...to remember... to long for what I could only claim now in my memories.
So I stayed...way to long. I thought about every inch of my city house and thought how silly these same trinkets would look if I purchased them and scattered them about.
So, I'm sure each time I see items that represent the beach, I'll have that retching pain, but perhaps with time, that pain will lessen. The memories will never fade, but I'll be able to move on...down the aisle, and not grieve, but reminisce fondly...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Balloon Artist in the Making
Who knew! The love of balloon animals has been ignited! I have to say that I am somewhat impressed, because I know exactly how much coordination it takes to blow up those dad-gum balloons, let alone twist them into something....
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Farewell to Alaska Malawi
Yesterday was a sad day...Alaska Malawi, my parent's dog brought from Africa in 2000, escaped from my parent's upstairs deck in Crystal Beach, and made it to the highway, where he met his death.
My children will miss him terribly, however, my parents I'm sure are devastated. He was the subject of several children's books written by my mother, whose proceeds were sent to support the orphanages in Malawi, Africa.
This image is just our tribute to him.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Job Security
I went to the dentist twice in the last two weeks...once for a chipped molar (probably due to chewing all that ICE!) and the other time to fill two cavities.
My dentist has been my dentist for a long time...and each time I go and spend TONS of money on dental work, I marvel at what he has at his checkout counter.
This week I decided to snap a picture with my camera phone. I have removed identifying information to protect the innocent!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wow...I'm Gonna Be Famous!!
Blogging about all the antics my kids (and my husband) go through for the last two years has really been rewarding...the kids love going back and re-experiencing all the good things... and some of the bad things we've experienced over these two years that Itsashambles has been in existance.
However....a couple of weeks ago, I submitted two of my videos...Coco Climbs the Ladder, and Dad's Version of Mom's Birthday to KHOU in Houston, to potentially be played on air as part of Great Day Houston....(both of these videos are posted on this site)
And lo and behold, both of them were selected. Tonight, I'm attending the taping of that show, and may be interviewed by Sam Malone...(big deal in Houston, not so much anywhere else I don't think).
So, in essence, my kids, my family and myself...live on...through the power of video, and the power of community. It's been a great experience!
However....a couple of weeks ago, I submitted two of my videos...Coco Climbs the Ladder, and Dad's Version of Mom's Birthday to KHOU in Houston, to potentially be played on air as part of Great Day Houston....(both of these videos are posted on this site)
And lo and behold, both of them were selected. Tonight, I'm attending the taping of that show, and may be interviewed by Sam Malone...(big deal in Houston, not so much anywhere else I don't think).
So, in essence, my kids, my family and myself...live on...through the power of video, and the power of community. It's been a great experience!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Polar Bear Club
What happens to children when they grow up at the beach? They become immune to water temperature. That's my theory anyway!!
And now that Hurricane Ike has taken away each weekend trip to
the beach, one's gotta make due...with the water one can find...and with the outside temperature around 60 degrees, you can imagine how COLD the water is.
In this first picture you can see the personality and conviction in regards to what they're about to do. Chase is ready and willing, and Ashlynn is willing if Chase is, and Connor SAYS he's willing....but is he really??
And Kylee's face shows it all...the ANGUISH of jumping in the FREEZING water!
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