DVD's and more!

First of all, Matt G what an awesome post that was! Thank you so much for all those memories! I laughed so hard! Secondly I have finished the first ARCHIVE DVD! I purchased a used Hi8 camera on Ebay and it arrived a few days ago. I then began carefully digitizing the first Hi8 tape from my archive which actually starts in the fall of our second year, 1993. This tape had on it the Letchworth trip that Karen, Dayve Matt W and I took one day in Amber's car "Bentley", lot's of crazy Fish A antics, juggling with Tully, the light show we did in the dark, a pizza night at THE RANCH and some other stuff! It's about 90 minuits long. I'm burning copies right now so as soon as I get them packaged I'll be sending them off to each of you! Next I will do the "sticks to my face" video Matt G mentioned which we shot on VHS in Sol 6. This was the VERY FIRST silliness tape we ever shot and I do believe the body outline is in it along with Dayve doing a Pepsi ad and a very bad stop animation attempt!

Kris I'm sorry but I don't remember the swimming with sharks thing! Are you sure it was us? I do remember the sticks project that went awry but I don't remember what clever thing we helped with after that. You're right about my clothes being lost though! Some mixup with the airlines. Ahhh the joys of flying in from England! The other floppy haired friend of mine was a film major named Chris Barber. He was from Cleveland. Later his hair turned purple but remained floppy.

Matt G I'll NEVER FORGET trying to wake you up for the fire alarm! You just wouldn't get up! Everyone had left the building but US! You were so confused when you finally did wake up!


Ohhhhhhhhh dear..

Alright, it's late. Gotta go!

In lieu of pictures, let's talk about pets.

Well, while we're all waiting for pictures of the twins, I thought I'd interject a quick note about our new pets. And when I say "pets", I mean that in the loosest possible definition of the word.

We are the proud owners of a yet unnamed armidillo who likes to burrow holes under our fence and dig up our flowers, and a rather large but harmless toad named Mrs. Nesbit. Both are pets-of-the-night. Around 8pm, Mrs. Nesbit first arrives at our doorstep, and hops around....presumably looking for food, or perhaps merely awaiting the arrival of unnamed armidillo to see which flowers will be evacuated that evening. I am pondering if Mrs. Nesbit is just a bookee who is taking bets for the other toads back at the creek behind our house. Sometimes I see cigarette butts at the creek, and miniature poker chips, so I have to wonder...

"I've got ten lilly pads on the purple petunia in the north-east corner."

Jenn is talking to our friends to find an armidillo cage to borrow so we can catch him. We'll keep you posted. As for Mrs. Nesbit, as long as the betting is kept on-shore at the creek, she should be alright.

Hey look, It's TWINS!!!!

Ladieeeeees and Gentlemen............

After 12 rounds of pushing, ice trips, epidurals, and everything else, we have the results of this birthing bout of the century. And the winner is the Voglers.

In the first corner we have Corbin Tobias Vogler (the mighty leader) weighing in at a hefty 5 lbs and 4 oz at 7:20 PM August 27th, 2005. In the closely followed second corner being born at a mere 10 minutes after his brother Jayden Gabriel Vogler (the strong follower) tipping the scales also at 5 lbs 4oz.

Mother is healthy and sleeping. Dad is sleepy and wired on adrenaline. Dave seemed well on the phone. It sounded as if things had gone rather well. The story as I understand it was that Sabrina had dilated quite a bit but hadn't had much pushing and was sent to the OR (as normal SOP for twins). As Dave says, "a long story short, that was the start of many more hours." Productive pushing was difficult and was finally helped with some suction.

Dave thanks us all for our prayers and asks for their continuation during their transition. He hopes to have pictures soon.

God bless you Dave, Sabrina, Corbin, and Jayden!!!!

The twins are coming!

We got a call from Dave around 11:30 EST this morning announcing that they were at the hospital and it looks like today is the day! Her contractions were about 3 minutes apart although she was only about 3 cm at the time. She was having some back labor and had an epidural but Dave seemed (according to Matt) to be fairly relaxed. They had already been at the hospital about 4 hours so maybe the initial nerves had settled down. We will keep you posted on the arrivals but please keep Dave, Sabrina and the boys in your thoughts and prayers today!

Swimming With The Sharks

(just thought I'd start a new post, if a dis-jointed one)

Does anyone else remember Nate and Matt Gs answering machine messege about swimming with the sharks? If I remember the beginning correctly (which might be wrong), Nate is explaining where they are (as opposed to answering the phone), saying something about going to the beach (?), and at some point says, "Matt's off swimming with the sharks .. . .' then you hear what sounds like Matt calling in the distance "HEELLLLLLP!"

That always cracked me up. It was worth calling the room when I knew you were at class for a chuckle.

I also remember the body outline in the room at Fish, and Sean running down your hall and yelling, "I'm having a jihad! AYE AYE AYE!!!". I do remember everyone's changing door signs, and you guys juggling at Gracies. I also remember that Dave didn't like mushrooms (thought they looked like slugs, thanks for planting that in my brain).

I do remember coming down to Matt and Nate's room the night my "cool little project made from wooden sticks" EXPLODED, the night before it was due, and that Matt and Nate helped me create an entire new project that night (with Heather). That was the night before I cracked my head open. (I belive I still owe you for that one, -H.)

The Snyder clan is in the process of packing up. Somehow, we all seem to have made it, although it was a tight fit!

Do you remember, part deux

So, here's more of what I remember:

Dave and I actually first met on the orientation weekend before our freshman year. We both stayed in Sol I believe, maybe the 5th floor. A bunch of us sort of hung out that weekend, trying to find our way around. There was this girl in that group named "Marney", which is how Dave and I figured out much later that we were hanging out together that weekend (but didn't know it).

I mentioned the 5th floor of Sol above because I think that's where Nate shot the infamous "sticks to your face" video, from atop the deck on our floor in freshman year, Sol 6.

I am trying to remember exactly how Dave and I formally met - I am thinking perhaps it was either in our Math Mom's class (calc 1), or at IV. Dave and I joked around because the professor could never get our names right. When I say "never", it might have only been once or twice, but from then on, we just assumed she couldn't ever remember our names. Dave was "Don", and I was Matt Genesee. But in all fairness, I phonetically slaughtered Dave's last name several times initially, until he got it through my head that his name was not "Vahgler". A couple deep-voiced "Vogler"s got the point across.

I am quite sure I met Matt through Melissa at IV. I don't remember too much, except that there was some confusion afterwards as to which "Matt" people were speaking about. Therefore, there was "Matt with the hair" (Wilber) and "Matt with the hat" (me). Dave was also referred to as "floppy hair Dave", which dates back to some early haircuts. (Sorry Dave if that's TMI - I'm just spilling out what I remember.) Of course, Nate already interjected how he and I met. We met at the movies, discovered we were neighbors, and in the midst of terrible freshman overcrowding, two pledges who happened to be roommates in Sol 6020 wanted to move into Phi Delta Theta, and Nate and I desperately wanted OUT of the frat. So one night, using a shopping cart (as I recall), we played musical rooms. Good thing we didn't have much stuff at the time. I was glad to get out of the frat - I didn't need to see any more ramifications of overnight swirlys given to overweight brothers, and I didn't really enjoy the perpetu-stickyness of the frat's hallway floor thanks to spilled beer and who knows what else.

I don't remember you being pantless the first time I met you, Kris ;-) But I do remember Nate and I came up with a similar policy of knocking first before entering. I remember adrenaline-induced mad dashes for the "closet" part of the dorm room to put something on that was more presentable the split second before the door flung open with a possible visitor.

I remember the Corner Store at the bottom of Sol. And Nate's restaurant, in hot pink paint. And doing laundry while wearing shorts in the nice warm tunnels while the winter winds were frightful. And I remember hoarding quarters like they were little pieces of gold.

I remember popcorn-induced fire alarms in the winter, and yet, how pretty Ellingston was from a distance when all the rooms' strobes were flashing. And it was pretty because it wasn't me who was briefly homeless thanks to an unattended microwave.

I also remember that fateful night when the fire alarm went off in Sol, and Nate had to wake me up, and quite confused I sat up on my bunkbed, opened my eyes, and was immediately blinded by the strobe right next to my head. To this day, I still do not know how I subsequently dressed myself to go outdoors when I couldn't see anything but the imprint of that strobe flash on my retina.

I remember the strips of film hanging off Nate's bed, taped up with masking tape. And Nate's 386 craptop on the desk below his bed. And my 486 Compaq beast with deluxe amber monitor was on my desk....the same beast that later had caused my back to be thrown out when I tried to move it somewhere else in the room. That was also the night that Jenn had to take me to the hospital, and I got a bunch of vicadin, which made me immobile, and Jenn somehow managed to carry me back to Fish-A so I could lay down in my drug-induced stouper.

I remember Nate walking into our dorm room, and after a very very long day of non-stop classes, he just fell onto the floor, saying "ahhhhhhh!!!!" all the way down. And with masking tape in hand, I had a great idea. So that night, I made a tape-outline of his body on the floor, which became the infamous body-trace on our floor that everyone commented on. Unfortunately, it turned out that removing the masking tape at the end of the year left a bit of a residue, and the rug became noticably discolored, and we ended up paying a bit for that repair. I guess that's fair, as new students in that room might wonder what type of criminal activity had transpired.

I also remember that we couldn't leave any holes in our dorm room walls before inspection, which meant the holes left from anything that was hung during the school year had to be filled in. I also remember that toothpaste made a great spackle, and also left the walls minty fresh.

I remember Nate sitting up while I was doing homework on my computer, and he'd say weird things, and I'd have to tell him to go back to sleep. One night in particular, there were sirens in the distance, and that was enough to wake him up. He sat up, looked around sort of confused. I looked back at him and said "it's ok, go back to bed.".....when he replied "Oh no, nuclear fallout! Ahhhh!!!!", and he promptly fell back asleep.

I remember walking into our dorm room in mid-winter, and flinging our dorm room's uni-window open because it was too damn hot. And I remember Nate walking into our room and flinging the window closed because it was too damn cold. Somehow, neither of us completely froze or melted that whole winter.

I remember meeting Karen for the first time at a Bible study in our Freshman year. And during the "go around an introduce yourself" phase, I learned that she was from the Philadelpha area and lived not to far from where I had once lived, and also that her name was Laura. I mixed up her name with her sister's name (who she mentioned during her intro), so later on when Nate started mentioning this girl "Karen" to me, I had no idea who he was talking about. When he finally pointed her out to me, I was thinking "but, wait....that's Laura."

I remember going to work at Ross MicroLab (RML) with chocolate syrup on my stomach, which I had to hurriedly clean off in the bathroom in Ross bldg. before I started my proctor shift. Of course, my tummy was covered in syrup as part of Nate's film, as it was supposed to be blood, which is apparently indistinguishable in b&w. However, it turns out the smell of Hershey's syrup really can't be wiped away with paper towels in a bathroom.

I also remember being filmed while asleep on a cot in a bldg. 7 studio for that same movie.

I remember Bill Schmertz. I always knew he was a freshman packaging science major because it was written right there on his business card. He was a good guy.

I remember the Blues Brothers of Sol 6.

And "Please pass the milk, please."

And "Now I am the master!"

And juggling.

And daily whiteboard modifications on our Fish-A dorm doors. "Have a."

And seeing Kris's art projects that I thought were so cool. Espeically that one made out of wooden sticks in our freshman year. I knew right there she was a great artist.

I remember Dave went on the solar race in our freshman year, and got sick, and I felt so bad for him. Apparently at one point he had to stick his head out the window of the truck and......lose his cookies. I remember learning that when Dave is sick, he is sick.

I remember getting up too early to register for classes at a lone vax terminal in Ellingston or at the Registrar's office. The atmosphere was akin to being in an airport or in line for concert tickets: nobody wanted to be there, but given we had to be, we all might as well get on like we're old friends. I remember when the vax terminal finally connected to the registration system, word spread like wildfire through all the lines in building 1, and everyone who camped on the floor woke up. I also remember that the days of registration caused the campus telephone system to be overload, and sometimes it took a whole minute for me to get a dial tone.

I remember Ethan, and that we all basically thought, "this is really an all-around great guy," and we became instant friends. I remember moving out of Fish-A to room with him in 237-C. I was the first to move out of the dorms, into the "big person" on-campus apartments, and was kind of scared about the change...that I wouldn't get to see my friends anymore because I was 'so far away.' But nothing changed. He welcomed me with a desk made of 2x4's, and a Mac that talked, and lots of cow art. And I made a great new friend. I remember he hung a thick piece of carpet on the wall, and when I asked what that was for, he showed me his bb-pistol for indoor target practice. I knew I would be right at home. And I remember being worried about Matt & Dave getting a Perkins apartment in the "lottery", and I was so relieved when they got one so close to 237.

I remember Jenn. I remember meeting her at IV in my sophomore year, and subsequently in the RITreat, I tripped over a chair while talking to her and nearly fell down, and she cracked up. I remember not dunking her head in the water fountain outside the 1829 room in the SAU when she got a drink. I remember Jenn not reciprocating the favor. I remember thinking she was a freshman, and that I might need to step into the role of "showing her the ropes" of college life; but a little later on, I found out she was actually older than me and almost graduated. Whoopsie.

I remember Matt W. and being enthralled that he was as interested in computers as I was, and that I had found a good friend. I remember how excited he was to get his BusLogic SCSI card, and how excited I was for him.

I remember Heather was a Hotel and ....something major. I didn't quite understand what it was, but I knew she could organize the pants off Martha Stewart.

I remember my first co-op at Industrial Indexing Systems in Victor, and how pretty the drive was everyday. I realized that I'd love to live out there someday.

I remember that anything made at Creme de le Creme was worthing fighting for.

I remember long bike rides to Abbots Frozen Custard in Bushnell's Basin. It took all day to get the custard prize, but it was worth it, even on the long ride back home.

I remember biking when it was way too cold out, but it was so much faster than taking the RIT buses. I remember arriving at class out of breath, with white knuckles, and fogged up glasses....but at least I was on-time.

I remember all-day hikes on autumn Saturdays at Letchworth, and eating at the "Brown Beer." I remember long afternoons at Mendon Ponds, and watching in amazement as birds and squirrels ate birdseed out of my hand. I still think that forest is enchanted.

I remember grocery shopping at Wegmans, which was as much fun as going to an amusement park. I remember Bruce drove us to Weggies once and there were no parking spots to be found, and he asked if I would drive his car around the lot and then pull up when they got back out. And I also realized that driving a car that has a manual transmission is nothing like driving a minibike that has a manual clutch. I made it once around the parking lot, in 20 ft. increments, with stalls in between. I pulled up to the front of Wegmans and stopped the car with a final stall to pick them up, and they would have never known the difference unless I told them afterwards, which I did.

I remember Jay's Diner, the way it was. And scouting campus for those little books with all the coupons in them for local eateries, like Jays. I often came home with a backpack full of those books, and coupons that lasted me the year. And Jenn and I ate there as often as we could, and enjoyed the company of "our" waitress Pauline. I remember being told by a non-Pauline waitress that I could not order lasagna with a side of french fries. "Why not? Go get Pauline."

And I remember owning the first microwave ever invented, thanks to George DelVeccio, and feeling safer when I left the room once it was in use. And a dishwasher that Dave & Matt found/inherited, which worked great, except that one time it didn't and the kitchen floor was kinda flooded.

And taking the doors off all the cupboards in the kitchen at 249-B Perkins. It just made sense.

And going on midnight bikerides across campus, and seeing new trails, and coming back all muddy....and us putting the bikes in the shower.

And visiting IV folks at "the ranch" at Raquetclub - Colin, Chip, Blake, etc. It was like a whole other world. I remember watching in awe as Colin rode his homemade "sled" down the stairs of their Raquetclub apartment and slid right out the door into the snow. I remember thinking, "Where am I?"

What a dream we lived in for 4 or 5 years. I'm so glad I was along for the ride.

Flickr Badge

Hi Guys! (me, again)

I re-did the setting in my Flickr account so that my contacts photos will also appear in the badge you see on the right. I think I did it right; at the moment only the Hunny photos in my account are popping up. Heather, anything you send should pop up on the badge. Dave and Nate, if you get an account, let me know and I'll add you to my contacts list.

Matt G: for some reason now all of our photos are popping into your box. I'm making a guess here that it will be ok, as you add more photos of your clan they'll be in rotation with the rest of us. (Forgive me if I'm wrong, I can change back easily. I could add some that you've sent me, too, if you want. Just say the word!)

Snyders In DK

Snyders@kalo
Originally uploaded by danishsprite.

Here we are, posed in front of castle ruins from the 1300s. So far, the Snyder's vacation has been dandy. We rented a car from Friday until Monday morning, and toured a small town nearby and two castles; Egeskov on on the island of Fyn and Kronborg on Zealand.

I think we ran everyone down a bit too much the first few days. This is their vacation. We are now in a pattern of sleeping until 10 or 11 and leaving the house about 1. I'm still in the habit of waking up about 8, so that gives me quite awhile to tiptoe through the apartmet. We toured a living museum Tuesday and went to the beach yesterday. It's been a slow week. I'm getting lots of reading done, though!

The wonderful weather has just run out. Up until now it's been in the high 60s or low 70s and sunny every day. Today, it's raining lightly. We're supposed to be shopping. I'm trying to figure out the odds of getting John's youngest sister out on the pedestrian mall in the rain. I don't think they're good.

. . . from the corners of my mind

OK, let me try this.

I met Melissa Goss at orientation before school started. Heather, you're easy- we were roomies! Your parents moved you in to the room like a whirlwind, with power tools!

Once we got to RIT for the school year, I did go to IV once with Melissa. She was afraid to go alone, so I went with her and promised to stick around until she got settled. Matt and Nate, you guys were probably there that night, but I don't remember you. It wasn't my cuppa tea, so I left as soon as Melissa settled in.

Next part is a bit embarassing. Nate and Matt G, I belive I met you when Heather brought you back to the room the first few weeks of school. At the time, I was not wearing pants- just my t-shirt. (After that, Heather and I instituted a knock-before-entering policy for the room.) I don't know where Heather found either of you. You two had just found each other at Phi Delt. Nate, I belive your clothes were still MIA, lost on their trip from England. Did you ever get your stuff?

I remember meeting Matt W at Melissa's. She was moving from one room to another, Matt was also there to help. I made the mistake of using one of Melissa's Bibles to prop up a desk lamp . . . gee, I embarassed myself quite a bit the first month of school!

Dave, Nate brought you to Breakfast Club every now and again. You had floppy hair. I got you confused with another of Nate's friends (maybe his name was Sean?) the first few times you came.

Jenn and Karen, you guys are easy: I met both of you through Matt and Nate. Karen, I heard about you for awhile before I met you. ;)

Do you remember when....

Matt G and I had a discussion by phone the other night. We were recounting how we had met at RIT. I had lost part of the story. Apparently Matt and I were standing in line to get into a movie at the SAU or somewhere and I said something like, "Well let's get this over with, I'm Nate what's your name?" We chatted and then watched the movie together. Then the next morning we both opened our doors at PHI DELT to go down the hall to the bathroom and did a double take on each other! I only remember sort of meeting him then, in the dorm. Anyway it got me thinking. I don't think I can remember solid details about meeting the rest of you. Matt W I know I met you through Melissa Goss and I have a vague memory of meeting you late a night? Dayve I think I met you walking to class with Matt G. Heather I think Melissa Goss introduced us but I don't remember when. Kris I must have met you through Heather at the Breakfast Club? Jenn I remember when you started dating Matt but I don't remember meeting you before that. Were you interpreting at IV? Just some food for thought. Also I’ve been watching a show on TV about a group of kids going through college together and it’s really made me reminisce. I’ve decided to go through all my old video footage and archive it to DVD. I will of course make those DVD’s available to you all! Some day I’ll make a film about us. I don’t know what it’s direction will be… but I’m definitely going to try to figure it out!

Surprise!

Through the grapevine at the University, I heard about a family a few weeks ago that might need a nanny. Their name is Italian, but their oldest boy (6) goes to the International School here, so he either speaks English already or started learning this week (school just started here). I have no idea if their little girl (3) understands English, but if she's destined to go to the International School as well, I suppose me speaking English can't hurt. I had passed on word that I'd be interested, to email/call and we could talk about it.

Nothing happened.

Then, this morning, I got an email saying, "It's great you want to watch the kids! Can you stop by next week?"

Whoa. . . .! There are a few problems here 1) I don't know who these people are 2) I don't know if they're looking for a babysitter, or a part- or full-time nanny, or if they've contacted the city to do the later 3) we didn't talk about pay (the last 'interested' family expected me to volunteer to watch the kids 4) I have family arriving tomorrow!

The mom did send a photo. Trust me, this helps. The kids look like two, active, reasonable children. I swear I can tell a real wound-up spaz when I see one, and these two kids ain't that. I'm hoping that I can get in touch with this lady soon- maybe I can try the nanny-gig again!

I'll keep 'ya posted!

Giving this photo thing a shot

IMG_2358
Originally uploaded by Mom2ThreeBoys.

This is Connor on the imfamous bench pointing out his 'boo-boo'.

(Hey this posting photos thing is cool!)

A recent camping trip
Originally uploaded by Mom2ThreeBoys.

48 Hours 'til S Day

On Wednesday morning I will bus out to the Tirstrup airport to gather my parents and sisters-in-law. (Funny, I had the Muslim-like desire to put, 'God willing' -Inshallah- at the end of that sentence . . .). Anyways, I pick up the Hey Haw Gang at the airport at 10. (There, that sounds more like me.) They'll be here 10 days.

I have spent the last week amassing a stock of food never to be seen in this home. I have squirreled 30 liters of orange juice in the closet (it's irradiated), and three kg of coffee. Peanut butter, several types of jam . . . the list goes on. I feel like I should be heading out on the Oregon Trail.

We have a mini fridge, which is common here. It's about 2'x2'x3'. The freezer is VERY small- 2 gallons of ice cream in the States would fit, with a few inches to spare. I have managed to stash the meat for 5 meals, but once I add frozen veggies I believe it will be full.

I've tried to prevent taking John's family out and using them as pack mules, but I'm afraid that might have to happen a few times. I expect we'll have to get milk every day.

No matter what, I have a feeling that whatever they're expecting won't be what they find here. We have 3 tv stations, and two don't come in well. Nothing is open past 6 in the evening. Walking is a major family activity, as are board games. (I'm going out to buy 'Viking Spil'- the Viking Game- today. I'll send photos.) Rachel is 17, Ryan likes to party and is 23. This could be interesting. I'll keep you guys posted- I might need a stop at the Hunny House this week to lift my spirits!

--------
In other news, I found out that Olivia and her entire family will be moving to Scotland this fall. Her dad has a job there, and her mom has decided to give it a go. My little Fin is going to get a Scottish accent!

Olivia was supposed to start Montessori pre-school last week, but I haven't spoken to her yet to see how it went. I'm pretty sure she'll love it. Every time she calls, I cry. It's pathetic. I can just about keep my composure until she hangs up. She always makes sure to invite me to her house, "You just get on the bus- a blue one- and then the plane, and then it takes you ALLLL the way . . .um . . . here." To be honest, if my visa hadn't been in process, I probably would have looked into spending the weekend. I'm hoping that I'll get in touch with her this week.

The joys of sons...

Two quick humorous stories to share.
Late morning Friday I called Matt at work. When he answered I simply said, "just thought I'd share why you should be glad to be at work today" and then I just held out the phone for him to hear the commotion. Both boys were screaming and crying and yelling as they rolled on top of each other fighting over one remote to drive a GeoTrax train (mind you we have 3 remote controlled trains). They both had their hands fighting over the remote as they literally rolled and crawled over each other. Matt's first question was why I hadn't stepped in to stop it and I simply laughed. (I think laughing was a better alternative than screaming myself and loosing my mind). First of all it was the first time they had really been in an all-out war and I figured that at some point they are going to have to learn to negotiate and get along so might as well start now. Mind you, when the first punch was thrown (by Connor), I stepped in and broke them up. Then they just layed on the floor on either side of the room and continued to cry in exhaustion. Needless to say, they took good naps later. I have to say that when I picture them on the floor in my mind, I still have to chuckle. I've never seen my boys fight like that before and the few people that have heard the story can barely believe it.
Second story.... Today we went to the Red Wings game after church (which was ultimately rained out just moments after I spent $14 on 4 hotdogs, 1 fries and 1 soda!!!! UGH). Anyway, we made a very quick stop at home to change our church clothes and since Connor had fallen asleep in the car, we left him there while we ran inside to change and grab a jacket. When we got to the stadium parking lot, Connor woke up and I proceeded to get him changed in the back of the van. Knowing Lucas would be distracted and busy watching the game, I asked him if he would rather put a pull-up on than his underware to avoid a potential messy accident. He replied, "no, I no have underware on." I tried several times to convince him that yes in fact he was wearing his underware and did not have a pull-up on already. Finally it dawned on me. "Lucas, when momma asked you to take your sandles and shorts off and put your jeans on, did you take your underware off too?" YEP! My boy was going commando! I guess I should have been more specific as to exactly what to leave ON as well as what to take off. That'll teach me!

Hunny Hello From Karen

Ahh, at last I'm a blogger. The kids are in bed. My chef has just brought me a moderately sized chocolate treat (homemade chocolate chip cookies). I have a whole hour and a half before I start to really get groggy. And to make the evening perfect, it's raining buckets! My new dream abode sounds wonderful Kris, except for the lack of a library. Would Amazon.com deliver there do you think? I recently discovered they sell very old books on Amazon. I almost can't stand reading about some of them. Sir Walter Scott's poems, 1889 edition. To not be able to see and touch it is quite dreadful. Then to imagine it's just sitting in some warehouse somewhere. Devastating.

Nate's sister Heather lent me a book called "The Narnian", a biography of C.S. Lewis. I read 75 pages last night and could barely convince myself to put it down and go to bed. It is very well written. Somehow the author has clearly described Lewis's inner life and imagination, rather than just his outward life.

Anna starts pre-school in three weeks!! Can you tell I'm excited? Nate and I think she'll do well there. I'm going on Wednesday with her to just transition her a bit. I think she's ready for new things. Are they ready for Anna? Jane is too cute for her own good. She just bats those eye lashes and somehow I stop saying "No no no" and start smiling. She discovered the fun of pulling Anna's hair tonight. So I say "No Jane. Scoot away Anna." It just ends up to be a confusion of crying children.

You may be wondering who "Kareemsa" is. That's my mother in law's Russian name for me. Everyone in the fam has not only a nick name but a song too! Nate's is "Naty Maty Matooser" and I'll spare you the song. Lovely to hear from you all in this wonderful journal!

I'll trade weather with any one of you guys . . . no rain, but the temps still under 70. Anyone got some heat they could send this way? (I heard it's the hottest summer on record in Buffalo.)

Back from Ribe (or, Wet, Wet, Wet)

Hi all! John and I returned from Ribe last night about 10 pm, after three days of manic sight-seeing in Ribe. Ribe is a very small town that has kept very strict building codes, and as a result, has a very historic look about it. Many of the buildings date from the 1600s, and there are several buildings surviving from earlier. It was a very quaint little town. I was hoping to see storks, but there weren't any nesting in town this year.

The buildings were very, very droopy. They've had time to settle! I wonder how anyone repairs the window panes . . . is there a guy there who will make windows with funny shaped panes for replacement?

We arrived Sunday, and spent that day in town. Monday we went to the island of Mandø. It's a nature preserve, and looks like it's about 2 feet above sea level, not including the dikes. We planned to bike the perimeter of the island, and search for seals and amber. We arrived at the beginning of a storm, and ended up hiking 6 km in a downpour on the cow paths surrounding the island's tiny hamlet. It was actually quite fun, even if the 'wildlife' we observed was limited to cows, sheep and geese. I swear the cows were following us around, hoping they'd let us back to their barn. There no way we could have made it out on bikes. I have never, never had so much water in my shoes in my life! They are still drying. Worse still, the ipod got wet, even though it was wrapped and stashed in the center of the backpack. I'm hoping it will dry out soon, and it will still work. (I'm not too hopful about that.)

Karen, I might have found a new home for you! Mandø is islolated, gets lots of rain, and features many sheep. The 'town' was comprised of a few dozen homes, tops. It has a forlorn look about it. Unfortunately, they do not have a library. I also doubt that anyone there knows how to make a good cup of tea.

Monday we hiked to the Viking Center outside of Ribe, which was a living museum featuring 'Viking Volunteers' going about their Viking ways on a daily basis. We saw more cows (John enjoyed that) and a falconry show (I really loved that) in addition to touring the Viking homes, farm and marketplace. That was super.

We took the train home last night. It took three hours. I've beecatchingng up with laundry today, and trying to dry out what can't be washed (our shoes, the ipod). Surprise, surprise, the rain has held off today. At least the clothes can dry.

Caleb on Fort Worth

Caleb on Forth Worth 01
Originally uploaded by mgenovese.

Emily in Yellow

Emily in Yellow 03
Originally uploaded by mgenovese.

Some pictures for you all - testing this flikr thing.

Emily in Yellow 12z
Originally uploaded by mgenovese.

Blaaaaaaar! Blooog!

Hello everyone! Just logged in! I'll get Karen to log in tonight! See you soon!

Nayte

Question

So how and where can we add photos? I don't have a mac nor a flickr account but could sign up for one if needed.

The power of chocolate

Well it's official. Caleb taught Emily how to use a straw! A few days ago he put his chocolate milk (carnation instant breakfast) in front of her to tease her, he left it in long enough that she sucked and all is history. I would not have thought someone could learn to use a straw at nine months. Today we went to Cracker Barrell (oh it had been so long) for dinner I gave her a cup of water with a straw in it and she knew just what to do. :) If I took it away too soon she would pound her arm on the table. Karen, it reminded me of Anna when she would pound her one leg on the floor with such force. That's what Emily does with her arm if she wants more of something. She signed more for two days and hasn't done it since. :) Well tomorrow is the big day. Getting my tubes tied. Only a little nervous. Otherwise happy to not have to remember to take a pill everyday. Hope all is well. Have a good week.
jenn

Ohhhhh, Heather I'm so sorry to hear about his foot. It's awful when they get hurt isn't it? I remember when caleb was 8 months old and we had just flown into Rochester and were staying at our friends kurt and barb's house. Caleb was running a fever of 105. I woke Barb up at midnight scared to death and they led the way to Rochester General and stayed with us while the nurses looked at caleb. He had Roseola. It's not fun when they're sick. Kris thanks again this is a great idea. I hope we all keep up with it. Not much new here. We had a little rain tonight so that's a blessing and Matt has this week off so that will be nice. Kris have you heard from Olivia again? What are you doing to keep busy now? Have a good night's sleep everyone.

Jenn

The Calm After The Storm

Ok. So I was on duty when Connor "broke" his foot. What parent can't help but second guess, "If only?". So it's good for me to see him this morning back to his old self. His foot is still swollen, black and blue, and sensitive, but he's laughing and crying normally. In fact I came down after the boys ate breakfast to find him back on the same bench he fell off. Absolutely no fear! (Or no brains.)

He reminds me of me (or so I'm told) when I was his age. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. On the upside, it will be nice to have something that slows Connor down just a notch. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Administrators

FYI, I'll make sure you are all checked off as Administrators on the blog. I think we can handle that. If there is a link or something you guys want to add, you can. I thought we could add our own blogs/websites, for those who have them. If anyone wants me to add a site, let me know.

Absence makes the heart grow fungus

OK! We're on our way! Between missing all of you in person, and the weather here, I would be green and fuzzy without the internet to keep in touch. You guys keep me more on the 'warm and fuzzy' side- or perhaps 'fuzzy and blue.'

So, Heather, bring Matt in! The more the merrier!

Also, -H, quite sorry to hear about the evenings excitement. I'm glad Connor's foot is not broken (even if the trip was probably heart-breaking on your part). Kiddes heal so well at his age. I'm sure that doesn't make him feel too much better, though. Good luck keeping him perky in the next few days. Perhaps careful swimming will be ok.

At least you have now passed that bench mark "First Trip to the ER" (or similar medical setting). The next time, you can just breeze through with thoughts of "been here, done that."

Somehow John lost his rain gear- just the top half. (Rain gear is water-proof nylon pants and jacket set. We live in rain gear from now until December.) This time of year going without rain gear just will not do. I'm in the process of mobilizing him out the door to buy a new jacket. He's been quite soggy lately. Gotta go!

Emotional basket case

First of all, on a totally different side note, did anyone else realize that in 4 months time there will be 6 new faces to add to that photo that Kris posted from our reunion? Thats way too scarry!

Ok, now to our emotional evening. We had our first trip to Urgent Care tonight. The bench from the kitchen table fell over on Connor while he was climbing up on it and smashed the top of his foot. I was at work at the time but Matt brought the boys over and after talking to the Dr, I was able to leave work and we took him to UC (a much better choice than the ER!!!) Thankfully the xrays showed it was not broken but it is really really swollen and purple and the Dr expects him to be somewhat miserable for 3-5 days. He wont let anyone touch it and he wont put any weight on it but hopefully some Motrin and a good nights sleep will help wonders. Im glad its the weekend and Matt will be around to help with the lifting and carrying since my shoulder is still less than stellar. In response to my weak heart and emotional breakdown upon returning home, Matt said "that which doesnt kill you will make you stronger." At this rate, I'll look like a body builder before the boys graduate. Hopefully a good nights sleep will help me too.

Is this thing on?

OK, well, this is my first entry in a "blog." What does blog stand for?

I could go look it up, but that would be too much work.

Beetles Leaping Over Geese?
Bloated Ladies Of Georgia? Oops, I better take that one back. But nobody is from Georgia here, I think.
Bottled Liquor; Obviously Good. Again, maybe not.
Burping Letters Offers Gratuities. Nate?

So perhaps this is a good place to stop and do some homework.

Can you hear me now?

Well golly gosh I made it! Is this where the guys post too or do they have a separate blog? Just curious so I can tell Matt.

Heather

Welcome to the Hunny House!

Everyone
Originally uploaded by danishsprite.