tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77049544896798234502024-03-14T04:56:21.214-04:00The Downing 5As for me and my house WE WILL serve the Lord!The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-40710037904715398192009-06-18T21:46:00.011-04:002009-06-18T22:26:41.790-04:00Finally....The First Game of the Season!<div>After many cancelled practices and games, Little Dude finally had his first game. They played awesome and won. Final Score 22-10. He did great! All that practicing with his sisters paid off<br /></div><div> </div><div align="center">On Deck<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348851187646518178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vy9B5RmQy5N5DfO4lezR5peAsO-wmAfGT-kRbCiQDl9apQU8gnG9qrXlkmoJ7Jy2WxXIk4OxASYqSHJEOdjfYrMT4t8icjvMCWrR91efArEBR6aNtk2Ty_AzvDDb7DeemYKYJ0tRU4E/s200/PICT0008.JPG" />Up to Bat<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348852592098936290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TOOHLiKwq4rcpq4-MWee0WKHOhqk0xiAZBqs6m84-j1oOHP0nd2yA4f8pyvnWRPssISMW-N5PnrbUAmCXf8n43GkhU-2YB3EwDwMnF0iVhruVpBB1uGRSm2V4lRbKphdxYdhgfPBVTg/s200/PICT0002.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">Swings and Hits</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348853382001071714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkyDqfy-_uMllcMIBOFU2TRddTrz1ZzhDa6TGqXg5yJ21e06Nh_Y9ppdnnvbY5yrqLHveFOxP0QlZb7B0w-PLN5UfIi7QV32dZJUyRxg8RT_MmdxK-nouUZYE8jJ-l3jmr_-CNvJgqcE/s200/PICT0018.JPG" /> <div align="center">Rounding Third <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348854178203842050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HhSLwDafUuGLA6-sc3f_ta21RL2Q3BOMJ_i7LvXHMXkvba84KpaSsNK0zfku6yFBszmyt3ytNPBWR60llpVBjYnAyjzfxH6xaIe86tKUZncod06GlcrXpu2mURPwmChT1mXrwoLVkGw/s200/PICT0009.JPG" />And He Scores! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348855083130088210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUgl4fY9NJjUyBElWPQ2-HaUWLGpMfHNkMZz0KuF_TYANiEjAE8yNbdOSnC_4qXdyKCAJpYZ1EOqSUqtvMsBZt24Ns0vJ8BkK8qNvj1FAe_uNXVYxagpzdR8YMGHQQ_MAvFCz4QIYrio/s200/PICT0019.JPG" />Our MVP! </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348856762776537746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MRIX3O5yuVVwejgbb72bW1dukK8WTkJASFQPScj6GTqprup8N_VX6SpeXNxBeBh0ft7ZqQ3bRn7_5_0etwJ6-IoXFbIRkHVsNJkXE9oEIOBVgyF_dVgaE5gfqeXTMdP8UNASoGXjHog/s200/PICT0012.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Playing Pitcher</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348855834211529202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4KA0Z7CBqTBuHs4Cbz6eNIleG1iNEFngxy8DABr4BL8ahmLamQSD0SlprpgX0B8PpwAVLcrVsrxm7FMEKldLx_uxp_oaHSBxiS_RL6iVKKFsr_idynMyw9W27pT6hRiKvLW6FOEF40M/s200/PICT0013.JPG" /></div><div align="left">One game down....a zillion more to go!</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"></p>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-11246773915111229812009-05-17T20:37:00.007-04:002009-05-17T21:38:32.061-04:00Parents Day OutPookie Bear and I got away for a day and stopped by this museum. It was interesting, but the best part was walking around outside and having him pose for pictures. He He!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1UV1xowLogdQ75p1WG6x8cUQbICrV_ShEm1SMjt0ySyIsNJXFGpTcdBsv-1Rm2m_2tY9r2x7wJxlxoQj0GvweytH1EDIaD11J1qbDkULP6S6BSyG1wlYGuCSx7QnJ1eiiaUaPP4dZa8/s1600-h/GEDC0011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1UV1xowLogdQ75p1WG6x8cUQbICrV_ShEm1SMjt0ySyIsNJXFGpTcdBsv-1Rm2m_2tY9r2x7wJxlxoQj0GvweytH1EDIaD11J1qbDkULP6S6BSyG1wlYGuCSx7QnJ1eiiaUaPP4dZa8/s200/GEDC0011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336971893837835106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vsda25AIIR8ZJTi9uZZef2unWW4W0tq_DmGnitF8vonAAQSaYa74P_2zPojSzBO3-ORzS5y9KFYSavGhaPz1eZFNyrXykdA5jzRQHDpvsVF6hd5e3-gOBQBgx9GkWX4BswXg16ZP8YY/s1600-h/GEDC0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vsda25AIIR8ZJTi9uZZef2unWW4W0tq_DmGnitF8vonAAQSaYa74P_2zPojSzBO3-ORzS5y9KFYSavGhaPz1eZFNyrXykdA5jzRQHDpvsVF6hd5e3-gOBQBgx9GkWX4BswXg16ZP8YY/s200/GEDC0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336971892335049234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPNHBSaQtVYBo7fskpIywvO3FW5_YiCKqTdXV1LdEnJAe6J7C9wCBbxIgMdXCgX7PKQR_vr5BQWF1T4m97WfvHSl87dR_GdAEFSxHPpcYi9KN091TZ3TlNavqwYZIQcOWpRb4O4L8O14/s1600-h/GEDC0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPNHBSaQtVYBo7fskpIywvO3FW5_YiCKqTdXV1LdEnJAe6J7C9wCBbxIgMdXCgX7PKQR_vr5BQWF1T4m97WfvHSl87dR_GdAEFSxHPpcYi9KN091TZ3TlNavqwYZIQcOWpRb4O4L8O14/s200/GEDC0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336969657942490674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmNdXBLlW1XJSR7Alm1S0SUJPr0UecIA0AnTHI7Py1hvEZ90Mn2SB8O_gM9xL_3yz_LA-0ky_mzim0zo57glwnHbOlQAe8VEHu-0fAni3WLuawxRTzlqajjvnP1WvYed_waJcrBgv81Y/s1600-h/GEDC0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmNdXBLlW1XJSR7Alm1S0SUJPr0UecIA0AnTHI7Py1hvEZ90Mn2SB8O_gM9xL_3yz_LA-0ky_mzim0zo57glwnHbOlQAe8VEHu-0fAni3WLuawxRTzlqajjvnP1WvYed_waJcrBgv81Y/s200/GEDC0006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336969654985433794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTZUVUHfCkyWpBRSf5vH9oiZhAWq6sDFnDnz5yeWQOKccCwZJVsg8fSAH6ZX-8q6b8Vuqdrg9Fqh97VJh5xSlrLcr4xbyORrB6OET8H8TmrI9TLE968P_MT5-PeWKNZxXNJp70mCKU0g/s1600-h/GEDC0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTZUVUHfCkyWpBRSf5vH9oiZhAWq6sDFnDnz5yeWQOKccCwZJVsg8fSAH6ZX-8q6b8Vuqdrg9Fqh97VJh5xSlrLcr4xbyORrB6OET8H8TmrI9TLE968P_MT5-PeWKNZxXNJp70mCKU0g/s200/GEDC0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336967047941407362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtT8u1ZfmsjvBc17WcZHyJoDoL-V5rIGyA49zxni_ifQX1syyYXfg7zkyRk7M7qagM5sLizYzGXKxjcJF3-zuUNMukrHSyCmupeoYJBqTO8AfWbTSlbKeH3WuY-5C7PXgOw0AaplhuFs/s1600-h/GEDC0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtT8u1ZfmsjvBc17WcZHyJoDoL-V5rIGyA49zxni_ifQX1syyYXfg7zkyRk7M7qagM5sLizYzGXKxjcJF3-zuUNMukrHSyCmupeoYJBqTO8AfWbTSlbKeH3WuY-5C7PXgOw0AaplhuFs/s200/GEDC0002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336966103025261346" /></a>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-37371340940093597512009-03-23T16:14:00.009-04:002009-03-23T16:35:14.845-04:00A Trip to the DentistOh my goodness! I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. Where has the time gone???? Things have been crazy around here. As many of you know, Pookie Bear lost his job, so I have been working as many hours as possible. God has been so good to us through this time. Our bills are paid, we have food on the table and attitudes are good. We have never felt His love like this before. <br /><br />Today the kids went to the dentist. I was at work so Pookie sent some pictures to my phone. I couldn't resist putting them on here!<br /><br />First up is Tootie. Here she is after a pulled tooth, a filling and a cap.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2KLLuAhSqyB-O_GbzOVbqXQepfVdzaqp2B5gy1fnDMlhal6AYrCWouHTbxTtjQIJDmt-4nLSJaKhLPbSdrCndnlQ6X_FBqKeaJ8AO9zkHtrS7fo2gOoPYtluWOEZnwTEe-Wr_mIzQTQ/s1600-h/sarah+after+pull.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2KLLuAhSqyB-O_GbzOVbqXQepfVdzaqp2B5gy1fnDMlhal6AYrCWouHTbxTtjQIJDmt-4nLSJaKhLPbSdrCndnlQ6X_FBqKeaJ8AO9zkHtrS7fo2gOoPYtluWOEZnwTEe-Wr_mIzQTQ/s200/sarah+after+pull.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316481369203615890" /></a><br /><br />Thirty minutes later it's still numb!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiypgQJhJCR_2nfv8QclQPfECgRTAnNdJ3-E75_xKkw8xF0WPFu61lbG6-4hIKXiCTEL3DfX6nsLBZ7GRD0Cbb14wsxqhmloTPs6WtqSaWafqrbkLGqqhK1bL_L8WCAaMqkWfB10YKU/s1600-h/sarah+still+numb.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiypgQJhJCR_2nfv8QclQPfECgRTAnNdJ3-E75_xKkw8xF0WPFu61lbG6-4hIKXiCTEL3DfX6nsLBZ7GRD0Cbb14wsxqhmloTPs6WtqSaWafqrbkLGqqhK1bL_L8WCAaMqkWfB10YKU/s200/sarah+still+numb.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316482343298805906" /></a><br /><br />Check out the smile...cracks me up!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGgzcd2gKm_ACYUCTU9cE2fX3W1b1fYmR3zyS5fx6Od5YN052nbJYYNCcrM2XDd928pwqdccP_Ma7E7cx9ngHd66IkMgVrlhjnr3l0KUZI8AP8P-K6SfqdI-IoSOZ9-KGT5_s74gCWW0/s1600-h/sarah+numb+smile.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGgzcd2gKm_ACYUCTU9cE2fX3W1b1fYmR3zyS5fx6Od5YN052nbJYYNCcrM2XDd928pwqdccP_Ma7E7cx9ngHd66IkMgVrlhjnr3l0KUZI8AP8P-K6SfqdI-IoSOZ9-KGT5_s74gCWW0/s200/sarah+numb+smile.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316482702143749522" /></a><br /><br />Now it's Little Dude's turn for a filling and cap.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjil3yxo2KTZTojtpfYUZVx3zyVL5WAwY5RLbujKU3NGqCFRfjH0hUI0bD-1xXvK9Oy-S1I2RodOu5RjghkApCStkBfwHmzjDKYFdI3isC8FeH7q5F6jZvjvS4f-KW6u_jNI0OadFkDgHA/s1600-h/josh+after+cap.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjil3yxo2KTZTojtpfYUZVx3zyVL5WAwY5RLbujKU3NGqCFRfjH0hUI0bD-1xXvK9Oy-S1I2RodOu5RjghkApCStkBfwHmzjDKYFdI3isC8FeH7q5F6jZvjvS4f-KW6u_jNI0OadFkDgHA/s200/josh+after+cap.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316483124651075074" /></a><br /><br />Again, 30 minutes later the lip is still numb!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tEnBDf4wBXtPPQmqHfQmFZVvg_RXRcn580Lk1Nr_t9TELpxZ3SEoSzJwFQVmFFeIOd98MEH62dJzh-5yeqC7QNlkQW4lFfBXMKkXK_Efnq8nRfKIwKIakPdDREUKZGENSoxxR9Sdkvs/s1600-h/josh+still+numb.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tEnBDf4wBXtPPQmqHfQmFZVvg_RXRcn580Lk1Nr_t9TELpxZ3SEoSzJwFQVmFFeIOd98MEH62dJzh-5yeqC7QNlkQW4lFfBXMKkXK_Efnq8nRfKIwKIakPdDREUKZGENSoxxR9Sdkvs/s200/josh+still+numb.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316483525630551890" /></a><br /><br />Last, but not least is Twirl Girl.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY8NGTsKE0S6D7jFA8Jvv5WOCd6Ywp-ScyRNVbQnhZajfeyTGqhLFjAxtD93c5uyuMrg6lAufeZX4YlhiIkngAjhljn8jrZ14Rcv9a09k3IPM-BXKbEhMxB39Hv68nImTpgbX7VkouYs/s1600-h/emily+after+cap.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY8NGTsKE0S6D7jFA8Jvv5WOCd6Ywp-ScyRNVbQnhZajfeyTGqhLFjAxtD93c5uyuMrg6lAufeZX4YlhiIkngAjhljn8jrZ14Rcv9a09k3IPM-BXKbEhMxB39Hv68nImTpgbX7VkouYs/s200/emily+after+cap.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316483890130910642" /></a><br /><br />And, the cool lip!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTj-o5F4Jwf51SQG9c04iYgnMDlJ4_BJwt2X3v8Rsn1Lc7ipD4RYoMfX7u8_iao3kq_SZduT8920cEkLjcspuaklCEmjP1aUrJ8u2TGX7Sw3wRqEg0QEnWAnWjfr5Phg7g224YeJUoJ0/s1600-h/emily+still+numb.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTj-o5F4Jwf51SQG9c04iYgnMDlJ4_BJwt2X3v8Rsn1Lc7ipD4RYoMfX7u8_iao3kq_SZduT8920cEkLjcspuaklCEmjP1aUrJ8u2TGX7Sw3wRqEg0QEnWAnWjfr5Phg7g224YeJUoJ0/s200/emily+still+numb.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316484101204174658" /></a><br /><br />I wonder if they would have been so willing to pose if they knew I was putting the pictures here?!?!?!The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-38084734458577946932009-01-22T21:30:00.003-05:002009-01-22T21:58:23.063-05:00Father's Love LetterThere are times in our lives that we just need a reminder about how much our Father really does love us. This is one of those times for our family.<br /><br /><embed src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=391905f9ee07bcc7c596" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-83543779545541373332009-01-10T11:41:00.003-05:002009-01-10T12:17:29.849-05:00Fun in the Snow<div><div><div>After breakfast (blueberry french toast - YUMM-O) the kids got bundled up and went outside to play. Here's a few pictures of the activity. Next up, sledding at Hogan's Hill!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289708360314794962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Mj-EQm_PTblBlPmAzfAUiZ334NQP_Ug-KXmjPFGwty4ZgPfkjIV-hrS7HsvQejC5NHDnPviyOz5_O-iR53bwMpAa3Myi-k__lKoLUezcWtFyHIbQnNpTjdxJR6E-UOybyqk6sWj1jUw/s200/106_2443.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Lucy is not amused!</span></em></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289708369821715538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A_qTP6DMHHAEsC8AvAVQxj-WRQ1xT9740NcUP8gsEUdfWYbawmTtQ_5bz72vDFX98mCukN73smIFXt6NVgZtJsnBVgR0L3EG03bV4to9l5LSBsm1eWsxOs5xmJDT2tP-VmEgUVPsPPA/s200/106_2442.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Emily and the Shermanotor!</em></span></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289708346983139362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv5wn7yJdhQVIOnXt-V49iP61o-Mh2cbJ9RmOkiiGTRqOoW6Fuv3obP53U9NZigibIimGBdriakys25hc0l9DnY_uiEeFBhOvqi1IQrI1W1dmQQkbA1osv3YkVJXWMaQgO2l7FfHOUYk/s200/106_2447.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>The kids and Sherman (Shhh...don't tell them they are laying where the dogs go potty!)</em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-31828408857022640872008-12-19T09:41:00.005-05:002008-12-19T09:53:17.190-05:00The WigWe bought Tootie a Hannah Montana wig for $1.00 at Wal-mart a few weeks ago. Who would have thought it would be so popular. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(All of these pictures were taken on my very popular with the kids cell phone - next post will show you just how popular!)</span></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5QF0ZfljrxKxvqiNJDVa32sVB2LOEsABREUT4d5n8FrO_WQuP4NY304oj1P2FHDl4RWVmP36XfWvdT54atfjfiUrIpvvaPWqLC9olRr89m7LzjH2Oja03OJV6PoLxzp3Cx55Br3L1VU/s1600-h/sarah+wig.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513240540239250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5QF0ZfljrxKxvqiNJDVa32sVB2LOEsABREUT4d5n8FrO_WQuP4NY304oj1P2FHDl4RWVmP36XfWvdT54atfjfiUrIpvvaPWqLC9olRr89m7LzjH2Oja03OJV6PoLxzp3Cx55Br3L1VU/s200/sarah+wig.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08FgeLS70vltogHHea5zhvAA8i-nJKTCx6sYs6mMTGch-_V7J7EKmaoNrt408-wbsv-MKE-LbvsTTqpFuCuzm5HIUbzZO3A7CpgN8Q_n8wqMGvinnfCre5O5Nyl2vxp_98OttxD4mPBg/s1600-h/josh+wig.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513237325713746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08FgeLS70vltogHHea5zhvAA8i-nJKTCx6sYs6mMTGch-_V7J7EKmaoNrt408-wbsv-MKE-LbvsTTqpFuCuzm5HIUbzZO3A7CpgN8Q_n8wqMGvinnfCre5O5Nyl2vxp_98OttxD4mPBg/s200/josh+wig.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2Qnlh8xdak2hyxdcX0dBLDgQ9c5rgfwn2UCvYEUgcCelw0uZJLA62ir3eUdMlwt3oAH9AUlOBJiPVPBknLSemarLfZQYSk1_69vTqeM_m8XWuNgbRUQlxVBZAlM4bPLOXPBErLZVLWA/s1600-h/erin+wig.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513226489494674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2Qnlh8xdak2hyxdcX0dBLDgQ9c5rgfwn2UCvYEUgcCelw0uZJLA62ir3eUdMlwt3oAH9AUlOBJiPVPBknLSemarLfZQYSk1_69vTqeM_m8XWuNgbRUQlxVBZAlM4bPLOXPBErLZVLWA/s200/erin+wig.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEREp3aoZreEkofq242IFtyP8a1AjmR8RLxOs4RNhmgxFWVNoueGkydmFb6S4AiouWOy_zOVpP7XmhNd-mJ_4j_6igQpB8b-T9qrgP902LTwmcUiLKeDfuuWQaX8PXujEafP-YRz-Mz4o/s1600-h/emily+wig.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513224839973234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEREp3aoZreEkofq242IFtyP8a1AjmR8RLxOs4RNhmgxFWVNoueGkydmFb6S4AiouWOy_zOVpP7XmhNd-mJ_4j_6igQpB8b-T9qrgP902LTwmcUiLKeDfuuWQaX8PXujEafP-YRz-Mz4o/s200/emily+wig.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zbTXVM3xImWMqjVTfaZvQ6PnOkPO3czIWnXCKcVUacNTY5_ojhtIBac_N5RanhBbpHRjv08_DyjRHwLw6kiifB666bUlZoJ6BDJV7NOlpPlgSraeG6NsnkdmTYBz1nEkrzYgjDvyuxs/s1600-h/dad+wig.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513218452591186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zbTXVM3xImWMqjVTfaZvQ6PnOkPO3czIWnXCKcVUacNTY5_ojhtIBac_N5RanhBbpHRjv08_DyjRHwLw6kiifB666bUlZoJ6BDJV7NOlpPlgSraeG6NsnkdmTYBz1nEkrzYgjDvyuxs/s200/dad+wig.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513558762605810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zzCah-20F8Ue71pYKMGQ8daoIiudBDdY6J-Fvqil_8vZvECkeUC_8IgAeZTzqcNjovziDuSBI-6z-P5OZ7FeGH1cDSKOWLuTHzb9zIKxmIVvHcgec4f0yEUb4QHQ3icRCKqURI9vgfg/s200/timmy+wig.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281513563378188514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL8RDOEidPKt4ZiEvCEKLhv8VDMo1w6z9Kj6SZU3exDTy56Vf81aWqAGBC64b-U9DRMrcKbCVrhiAFiEdi5uqEoFGMsjbImU0frHuRMJskxEi6YmaUy4IEpJ2GFJQVDkdiq3FaIWTHbE/s200/sherman+wig.JPG" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(this one is just plain weird!)</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-85636926744231356692008-12-12T11:05:00.006-05:002008-12-12T11:30:21.896-05:00<a href="http:///"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;">Have You Ever?</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm playing along with <a href="http://www.shaggabear.blogspot.com/">Shaggabear</a> and <a href="http://www.momofthreeormore.blogspot.com/">Rachel</a>. </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The things I've done are in bold.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1<strong>. Started your own blog</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>2. Slept under the stars</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3. Played in a band</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4. Visited Hawaii</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">5. Watched a meteor shower</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>6. Given more than you can afford to charity</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">7. Been to Disneyland/world <strong><em>(really want to!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">8. Climbed a mountain</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>9. Held a praying mantis</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>10. Sang a solo<em> (it was not pretty!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">11. Bungee jumped</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">12. Visited Paris</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>14. Taught yourself an art from scratch</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">15. Adopted a child<strong><em> (would like to!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>16. Had food poisoning</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>18. Grown your own vegetables</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">20. Slept on an overnight train <strong><em>(does a greyhound bus count?)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>21. Had a pillow fight</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>22. Hitch hiked<em> (bad decision!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill <em>(shhhh!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>24. Built a snow fort</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>25. Held a lamb</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>26. Gone skinny dipping <em>(another bad decision!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">27. Run a Marathon</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>29. Seen a total eclipse</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>30. Watched a sunrise or sunset</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>31. Hit a home run</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">32. Been on a cruise <strong><em>(does a dinner cruise count?)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>33. Seen Niagara Falls in person</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">3</span><span style="font-family:arial;">5. Seen an Amish community</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">36. Taught yourself a new language</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied<strong><em> (working on it!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">39. Gone rock climbing</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">40. Seen Michelangelo’s David</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>41. Sung karaoke <em>(again - not pretty!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">44. Visited Africa</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>45. Walked on a beach by moonlight</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>46. Been transported in an ambulance</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>47. Had your portrait painted <em>(it was a pencil sketch - same thing right?)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">48. Gone deep sea fishing</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>52. Kissed in the rain</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>53. Played in the mud</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>54. Gone to a drive-in theater</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">55. Been in a movie</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">56. Visited the Great Wall of China</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">57. Started a business</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">58. Taken a martial arts class</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">59. Visited Russia</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">60. Served at a soup kitchen <strong><em>(getting info for us to do that!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">62. Gone whale watching</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>63. Got flowers for no reason <em>(I love my Pookie Bear!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">65. Gone sky diving</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>67. Bounced a check</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">68. Flown in a helicopter</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">69. Saved a favorite childhood toy</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">71. Eaten Caviar</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">72. Pieced a quilt</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">73. Stood in Times Square</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">74. Toured the Everglades</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">75. Been fired from a job</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">7</span><span style="font-family:arial;">7. Broken a bone <em>(thanks to TwirlGirl!)</em></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>78. Been on a speeding motorcycle</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">80. Published a book</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">81. Visited the Vatican</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>82. Bought a brand new car <em>(overrated!)</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">83. Walked in Jerusalem</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>84. Had your picture in the newspaper</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">85. Read the entire Bible</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">86. Visited the White House</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>88. Had chickenpox</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">89. Saved someone’s life <em><strong>(tried to!)</strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>90. Sat on a jury</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>91. Met someone famous</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>92. Joined a book club</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>93. Lost a loved one</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>94. Had a baby</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">95. Seen the Alamo in person</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>97. Been involved in a law suit</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>98. Owned a cell phone</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>99. Been stung by a bee</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Want to play along? Copy and paste and leave me a comment so I know you did. </span></span>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-2265638562738091852008-12-01T12:10:00.009-05:002008-12-02T11:56:01.141-05:00New Ornaments<div align="left">Every year we purchase and/or make ornaments for our Christmas tree. We have so many handmade ornaments and each one holds a special memory. We plan on giving the children their ornaments once they have homes of their own. This year we found some cute ones that fit each child perfectly. Hopefully, we find time to make some this year too (been thinking about punched tin). </div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">This is Twirlgirl's. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">It is a flute. She has been playing the flute for 2 years and loves it!</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274875156156660850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kDBj-sEWozod-UiCMISHV04X9OvVDEJB4DDQ0m49xnFuQkLJ3XtWua4tbiAdED3ocAVZGsXzGBSDh1zWTXbR5sufNxyiDzQ8YVVLnLKd4sHqIsD3Z2DrQp1hKgM30klbvanlnOYQMQg/s200/emily.JPG" border="0" /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">This is Little Dude's. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">It is a guitar. He started taking lessons a few months ago and loves his guitar.</span></em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274875453892827714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzoDxzxqtkdjp6mqdQbRA-CTqfkuHFjcQIwN3XxOF2-BH96tntFlUl84zYyRAru9mD1adJAgKHPKKcVwdrU9CwwSQ1TsnFKaX8-1RZ7iVzWJO453YCDn-SWEfukjzo1mfEgGLQSRGI-I/s200/joshua.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">This is Tootie's. </span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">It is a bottle of nailpolish. The girl is hooked on lip gloss, nail polish and anything else girly!</span></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274876036591695282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBci2NKCUtCIu2Aw-jWiU09LjmuqEN386Kxr_7wsUyMWFbZULmqAo5nI_WoG7q-B2LaOnnMELXTtzw_fn5i4bsXAAdyh-1Ha1UhWSCl__QWyWprZQ_GjUhIX7aVXDnzd9QPO26GYl1vg/s200/sarah.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Sorry about the picture quality. I took these real quick with my camera phone. </p>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-61300683153578098482008-11-10T11:15:00.017-05:002008-11-12T12:37:40.330-05:00Happy Birthday Twirlgirl!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiD4CQbr9EkVtcGGp8jm5Hrykh6jXFrv5vHPRGAHqYkM2Fz6wtaJKOIi5qVTa3LXlknE2Vi_HAGTgHU4bE62Q3yq8SWBvyMXXK9EDtt35yqCGoBJwUGa8pB6OM20eGXbAbZals5LX0yE/s1600-h/sweet_emily%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267517469405872978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiD4CQbr9EkVtcGGp8jm5Hrykh6jXFrv5vHPRGAHqYkM2Fz6wtaJKOIi5qVTa3LXlknE2Vi_HAGTgHU4bE62Q3yq8SWBvyMXXK9EDtt35yqCGoBJwUGa8pB6OM20eGXbAbZals5LX0yE/s200/sweet_emily%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I can't believe my sweet little girl is 13!!! Time is flying by way too fast. First she started Jr. High and now this. God has used this little girl to teach her mommy and daddy so much! Below is a list of some of our most valuable lessons.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He taught us about the miracle of His Healing Power - Without that she wouldn't even be here!</div><div></div><br /><div>He taught us about Prayer - We would have been completely helpless to protect this life inside my womb without it</div><br /><div></div><div>He taught us about Faith - There is no way to face doctors concerns and statements on your own strength - Faith is the only thing that got us through</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>He taught us about Hope - There is a Hope and it is found believing in Him no matter what happens<br /></div><div>He taught us about Trust - Without it the day after day of bedrest would have been unbearable, but we trusted </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>He taught us about Patience - Minute by Minute, Day by Day, Month by Month </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>He taught us about the Calm of His Presence - That is where we listened</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>He taught us about Selflessness - It's not about us</div><div><br />And most of all He taught us that God has a sense of humor and He will give you a child that acts exactly like you!</div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-90126641558973289872008-10-30T20:02:00.002-04:002008-10-30T20:08:19.982-04:00NEW LAYOUTMany Thanks to Shaggabear and Mama Lily for sharing the website for their new blog layouts. We were so excited to change ours up a bit. There are endless possibilities. Because I have trouble making decisions <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(you should see me with a menu at a restaurant...aaugh!)</em>,</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> my Pookie Bear told me to use the fall them. (</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>He likes to boss me around like that</em>!) I have to admit it looks pretty good. I Can't wait for Christmas layouts...I bet the options will be endless, which means many hours pondering designs - oh the pressure. But, not to worry my Pookie Bear will swoop in to save the day and just tell me to Pick That One!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-79507065338265850762008-10-22T13:24:00.011-04:002008-10-22T21:49:22.593-04:00Yard Work<div><div>We spent the day Sunday working in the yard! We mowed, weed wacked, cut down branches, pulled up the last of the garden and tore out a few rose bushes. I can't believe how much more we still have to do. Here are some pictures that were taken with my phone of all the hard work!<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260031865935792370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXi5hTOfJjbMymArhVjte9h2LmHt2LiHI0AIxuyAL-gzNmv8DiahaYp0lrMyfizy9KH5sCshkLkwp-kuIoJUXLMvQSFj5SkhXncBbJVhD9IPS0xgvIy-Vknwfx_4sfUMJHl1wa1O8BDk/s200/1019081215a%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260031445736975730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAg4Kkc_pR9eb5IeIroNjqd_wNstyNd4NqNpwQktcnzHT_Lpl7Eebuh5vP2zYfFS0mk5LjyHtHxS-ppOjD2lK4OvnAfHEMvr1h921ODU5sacGJ6fAr1d1uzlpFRFZ6rEWsFM8dthQXdY/s200/1019081219%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /> Here's where Tootie and Little Dude started to fight over the rake! (<em><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop fighting! There is plenty of rakes and hard work to go around for everyone!)</span></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260032661868914786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6oib_E7qBHoOjSP_NP8bWhPia_3QyUy26X7E8fb2YgIkDc63x185avnlEd_1vLF2TiRLDiK8Ik9CP-X16BcY5BpGErObx7hhheyNivpZtntj10fx1jFZWWq1ZSovHao9pZmdLsuPKHw/s200/1019081220%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" />Hmmm - I wonder where my Pookie Bear is? </div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260033134652931778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bYa2aCNPwG0D8EJnyAy5KoWQ6A5ADFX4iPG7_mgik-ZN_HFYC8oUVVsGSo_URI9OYbaF0CqIQlpPkhMLcL5RHgfYlWfyPiLif-_acKGKEfKNooRKOXqnvHXOZwx6UGS9pMvTTr0V8UQ/s200/1019081220a%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" />We ended our day with a nice hot fire. We cooked out hot dogs and roasted marshmallows with some of our newly cut branches!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260157986138856770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf1PswnMq5jcyFRs20xl6NKit9R-M-hvN92SlsZjVBh4op3V2HZTaDvq6PENwuxG8qfTinEFSDQe5w-2muyfYACzLS78IKU3v6Rvs6vihqZTW2HfhpuRbxfZYNSNxZdEBPviLzWjo0lk/s200/100_2314.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260158001730182114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70zV0hb0rLq_4v3AAIF8WyTEqgQj7sUijqMelQxFAi3c4MuS_G2fM722CEGiOh_Qy8gTcfzNuZYPkF5Nz0Jhv-HkoT3Y2NJvqCCapUo-5yLiSoulWaau7t7SfOyQ1tOTvrkJTd7e0vps/s200/100_2312.JPG" border="0" />And playing on the trampoline! (<span style="font-size:85%;"><em>All four kids!</em></span><span style="font-size:100%;">)</span></div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260160196499599954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6zM-v3Zf56k27cgMuY017k11-SJ-3P-YVeMh5YPKz2mWK9_uv9NXlz75j5PHt1Ew7tPGDKTCnnW9wjUsqaPJ3gorXiMbaSizuJ_ffZY0jwUz2yb1RF_3aXIfFnWYLXBpg7brYWTYMDI/s200/100_2341.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div> </div></div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-83141216881318687552008-10-17T15:30:00.007-04:002008-10-17T16:13:18.781-04:00Little Dude's Top 10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW40MyeCCY4MW7MBMkDyFMjao-LxhAwI_OGEA25KzYbHSRWwjMCwfO6afbBYhdLeNQTvoZZ0VyijmoK8fBMfWrK6sGF7cZ-A_NsM2UNcjIFoxPvxhlneYjxEqvg65hds7XdekSbBWrVc/s1600-h/little+dude.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258217948503022882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW40MyeCCY4MW7MBMkDyFMjao-LxhAwI_OGEA25KzYbHSRWwjMCwfO6afbBYhdLeNQTvoZZ0VyijmoK8fBMfWrK6sGF7cZ-A_NsM2UNcjIFoxPvxhlneYjxEqvg65hds7XdekSbBWrVc/s320/little+dude.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Little Dude is turning 10 on Monday. So, in honor of his birthday, I am going to list the top ten reasons he is the best little boy ever. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(Please note that these are in no particular order! Although #10 is one of my favorites!)</em></span></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></div><div>1. He is a sweet boy with a good heart</div><br /><div></div><div>2. He love to get hugs and to give them no matter where we are at</div><br /><div></div><div>3. He is quirky (but not too quirky-just the right amount of quirkiness)</div><br /><div></div><div>4. He is a cuddle bug and will get up extra early just for the chance to crawl in bed with mommy and or daddy and snuggle under the covers</div><br /><div></div><div>5. He is very creative and likes to invent things that we periodically find attached to something in the house. On any given day you can find a new invention attached to a tree in our backyard. Everything he makes has a specific purpose behind it. He has an awesome imaginiation and draws well. </div><br /><div></div><div>6. He puts up with <span style="font-size:130%;">ALOT </span><span style="font-size:100%;">from his sisters and takes it pretty well</span></div><br /><div></div><div>7. He is funny - He gets jokes and likes to make people laugh. He will entertain people with the I'm melting scene from the wizard of oz or some other line he's picked up along the way. Watch out for his break dancin moves too!</div><br /><div></div><div>8. He loves God and tries hard to implement what he learns into his life. He strives to always make good choices and think of others first!</div><br /><div></div><div>9. He looks (and acts!) like his daddy!</div><br /><div></div><div>10. He loves his mommy!</div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-28308572374274980052008-09-21T09:49:00.004-04:002008-09-21T09:55:54.295-04:00Renewal Cake<div>Eddie's mom and dad (my aunt and uncle) are having their vow renewal today. I volunteered to make one of the cakes for it <span style="font-size:85%;">(I am notorious for volunteering to do extra things then stressing about it, but that's a whole other post!).</span> Here's how the cake turned out. Not perfect <span style="font-size:85%;">(I wanted to use fondit but they wouldn't let me!) , but still pretty!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248472523635538354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW-QofxCi1bF1GgogmgIvrwntHk_dzOjM2hp3pfjLvf5A524L8pCE4ENiyekrdgf2nZ7nq9MISMydq2DDrjspF0LbgOO1wE1izXWofQXz4qwteGQ1rAQj8RJU3dOLRA8NkhqUoWQxPJY/s320/anniversary+cake.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-11975852312221117232008-09-17T20:35:00.011-04:002008-09-17T21:52:18.555-04:00Gold Rush DaysPookie Bear's family reunion was Labor Day weekend in Bellville, Ohio. It took place at the annual Gold Rush Days Festival on a River. We weren't sure what to expect, but everyone had a great time. Here's a few pictures of our fun day there!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUcqf6HpqpALRlcLOcjwZ9k78pQSnFJILweeI_53pwzEhbGijCJFYYYoeumSFaiLl0mN-PrbGnosOm4-SZ_Hnd6GT3xpVEJBldOeVHRSVaNmfjkl8c9xK4_lUFY_HAn7XOe_JYZfLGAI/s1600-h/100_2158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247154966054862818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik31bUW0Z7S9QwjM_hXCMP2dqNCXQvMt6YO_oVuy00MkixR6s-oQzSSxaJa9Q2c8uMkUlF2D18wlDkvPeE2PT4BCaMQR7rwfqk-77unj6m0FFp4OETcFB8gol1s9280MzXC5Fcz5l5zHI/s200/100_2150.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pookie's OLD-er Sister Starting to Dig (note PB older brother in the background - Pookie wants everyone to notice how gray and old he looks compared to PB and they are 18 months apart!)</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247156361907837170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmV8HlAcNoP6B1fA61hX2nUU9yiiRQTdhGAvDSAjqBUo2RoD_OIRQ1RevUN7MUfgimzuEM9xQnmfzqzVFi4gbvaLi538S_2hZCqdrbADwBiXtOXuTHSXeRZfkR7Rjg5FoYfwp5XgtyHg/s200/100_2151.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">PB OLD-er brother showing the kids how to pan for gold</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI6BEEBaPOrx0VrzwbxLRqaVTB12GrR2rMVbaQ4RHeUglHSIX3Q4a1N2aHph0TJ7TAdcIaPWB7npElaqdSAQCVrMMAcwdvgdegcdNKu0OOuRV9wXtV-JBD9vgAUHc2VETVs-gvo80Xtk/s1600-h/100_2155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247158869865417906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI6BEEBaPOrx0VrzwbxLRqaVTB12GrR2rMVbaQ4RHeUglHSIX3Q4a1N2aHph0TJ7TAdcIaPWB7npElaqdSAQCVrMMAcwdvgdegcdNKu0OOuRV9wXtV-JBD9vgAUHc2VETVs-gvo80Xtk/s200/100_2155.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6oHX3UFQeOvQqEczCyL__iwcujcIrAPzrSDcOaawiJspST8y4AUOZj8jaRLubl7sMU2x9ykEo6WAB_qmgcAuLsvrn9qVTmf6yPoG8qtcSWHQse9SS1gIQklkvkYyRla9T5HOzOqWaXA/s1600-h/100_2154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247158865923333618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6oHX3UFQeOvQqEczCyL__iwcujcIrAPzrSDcOaawiJspST8y4AUOZj8jaRLubl7sMU2x9ykEo6WAB_qmgcAuLsvrn9qVTmf6yPoG8qtcSWHQse9SS1gIQklkvkYyRla9T5HOzOqWaXA/s200/100_2154.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUcqf6HpqpALRlcLOcjwZ9k78pQSnFJILweeI_53pwzEhbGijCJFYYYoeumSFaiLl0mN-PrbGnosOm4-SZ_Hnd6GT3xpVEJBldOeVHRSVaNmfjkl8c9xK4_lUFY_HAn7XOe_JYZfLGAI/s1600-h/100_2158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247158878798460610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUcqf6HpqpALRlcLOcjwZ9k78pQSnFJILweeI_53pwzEhbGijCJFYYYoeumSFaiLl0mN-PrbGnosOm4-SZ_Hnd6GT3xpVEJBldOeVHRSVaNmfjkl8c9xK4_lUFY_HAn7XOe_JYZfLGAI/s200/100_2158.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Kids trying out their new panning skills</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyv9976R7WwjEQY5wBXQ0amEaWV8Q0uF47p-D0Mxw4TiiOf_nZHZadr6oZp50TNsL8bvBLsEQogHEFcVGVVoxS8zN-50NoD52QuIu1h_SfGt1cZx09vNHHyZWylMinapXEOJ8Qo5FKWk/s1600-h/100_2174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247160519360239874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyv9976R7WwjEQY5wBXQ0amEaWV8Q0uF47p-D0Mxw4TiiOf_nZHZadr6oZp50TNsL8bvBLsEQogHEFcVGVVoxS8zN-50NoD52QuIu1h_SfGt1cZx09vNHHyZWylMinapXEOJ8Qo5FKWk/s200/100_2174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Even PB</span> tried his hand at it </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(but it didn't last long because ones feet tend to go to sleep when you are in this position for an extended amount of time - Just Sayin!)</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247161698655268674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh3asCdsyTjegFS9AGAamsgNIfDkGXgrBeMJVbyNRnWArSRvrwycfgAcv5lWwLZHmD7HMboUbOOKT4YIxqBRivwxCmTXJ9FFLLuASmMUwd-AiHk0v2pgUIJIUTaTPflfCtbsot4M0gD0/s200/100_2169.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Somewhere in this picture is Tootie's fleck of gold </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(</span><span style="font-size:78%;">according to Uncle Don she </span><span style="font-size:78%;">only needs 999 more flecks to make an ounce - Seriously - who has the time for all that work!)</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf0D4WQWsNclWs-AOxf26M91LW7gex4K24l5XpQY7e831WMI85-6qc62tP_8iYwtVa0sBhk3R0R-RUUHVAVYZW7NUFP0bypRDEdRlbVF6quXhLUZV98eWJsn-HEkXctpR_nUmIOA9eH8/s1600-h/josh+crop.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247166856003240786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf0D4WQWsNclWs-AOxf26M91LW7gex4K24l5XpQY7e831WMI85-6qc62tP_8iYwtVa0sBhk3R0R-RUUHVAVYZW7NUFP0bypRDEdRlbVF6quXhLUZV98eWJsn-HEkXctpR_nUmIOA9eH8/s200/josh+crop.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUhUAgWoEIczk6msDl0LZXLsjxUaytrD-ndySk6vrssYHBKt3bEhCkSggVA62KeQRQxyvQpVVYzK65oXqnurhw5x9t5GX5_GyVVomYept4efW4h7Z68mSJqsiX9xcXgU71mlEiPTtx6k/s1600-h/100_2140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247166866465400930" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" height="201" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUhUAgWoEIczk6msDl0LZXLsjxUaytrD-ndySk6vrssYHBKt3bEhCkSggVA62KeQRQxyvQpVVYzK65oXqnurhw5x9t5GX5_GyVVomYept4efW4h7Z68mSJqsiX9xcXgU71mlEiPTtx6k/s200/100_2140.JPG" width="200" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcbow_0eZXlT-zwzDamGs2Z99mhm5NGOqckOJcfyoDDhMa2EUpafGluYwVmUiibyQ4Cq3uo9yJ-cPEgUzHIkKhHkFuMeBwGMCVJJ8-zAsaV4twupn0W-_x6AtAvfh9u9JuH_WDQqOnOM/s1600-h/girls+crop.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247166856426240786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcbow_0eZXlT-zwzDamGs2Z99mhm5NGOqckOJcfyoDDhMa2EUpafGluYwVmUiibyQ4Cq3uo9yJ-cPEgUzHIkKhHkFuMeBwGMCVJJ8-zAsaV4twupn0W-_x6AtAvfh9u9JuH_WDQqOnOM/s200/girls+crop.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Soon the kids were bored and in the water (</span><span style="font-size:78%;">the seriously gross water!) </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Except Twirlgirl - she is way too mature to go in there! (</span><span style="font-size:78%;">plus she was not about to have wet underwear on for the rest of the day!)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcAaDJLEIc2S9acnod6oHBlaiNDavASbvlnMGnl_XsE66jGRTmdvGQ_BsYeajoSrN-OslEd4252gQJeXSpPUXtnqTIQhV33dRfaLRq7lJob8wOZwyyW3Etw8kc1tCWVezOKalsNlIF9A/s1600-h/100_2181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247169229915199682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcAaDJLEIc2S9acnod6oHBlaiNDavASbvlnMGnl_XsE66jGRTmdvGQ_BsYeajoSrN-OslEd4252gQJeXSpPUXtnqTIQhV33dRfaLRq7lJob8wOZwyyW3Etw8kc1tCWVezOKalsNlIF9A/s200/100_2181.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bPPNJ181OM7_7JYhkTAU5hWBtm7ENft3knclHhYDht5nm3xeFAWZ06j8-u4lA4Eb3CJ3eS-bPnyJGWvvh3J-8bXmroeNbUAKFYC3WZy8kqknngi8Q0TTnMjDwyCApibsFBB3Slz296g/s1600-h/100_2186.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247169234848401602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bPPNJ181OM7_7JYhkTAU5hWBtm7ENft3knclHhYDht5nm3xeFAWZ06j8-u4lA4Eb3CJ3eS-bPnyJGWvvh3J-8bXmroeNbUAKFYC3WZy8kqknngi8Q0TTnMjDwyCApibsFBB3Slz296g/s200/100_2186.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Next is face painting </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(which lasted a total of 5 minutes because they jumped back into the water!)</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;">It was a great day but it left one major question that still needs answered!</span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbzgS425sdHRU60w1cjuuB0GRtujYSOl6ttHPXjDYJnziKhOTCX0k4VYpAfzKxrv6jQ_SRii3qH5SD867kVcqLd0pCVfvvKHgP4M0_8bY0H2NGt6ptAne0yoG27t9zgFmTEmkdKJv4D8/s1600-h/don+crop.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247171006907742610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbzgS425sdHRU60w1cjuuB0GRtujYSOl6ttHPXjDYJnziKhOTCX0k4VYpAfzKxrv6jQ_SRii3qH5SD867kVcqLd0pCVfvvKHgP4M0_8bY0H2NGt6ptAne0yoG27t9zgFmTEmkdKJv4D8/s200/don+crop.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pZPlcUK_o1okxmTrHYpGnedYBuPVLx1txB3lOHPcjfiru7zCS1VAYXJkDugNmsTu-DCBAEVeAufUVkfHQTbRzA3rVInD6zozmo7FNvolw7DtI2m8WBhawhEJ90_gRC1EfmqPxBfHkPA/s1600-h/pookie+crop.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247171009810972322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pZPlcUK_o1okxmTrHYpGnedYBuPVLx1txB3lOHPcjfiru7zCS1VAYXJkDugNmsTu-DCBAEVeAufUVkfHQTbRzA3rVInD6zozmo7FNvolw7DtI2m8WBhawhEJ90_gRC1EfmqPxBfHkPA/s200/pookie+crop.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Is that the same forehead?</p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Pookie wants everyone to note once more that he is 18 months younger than his brother and he thinks he looks fabulous for 40-almost 41)</span></p>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-30427923014634986472008-09-15T20:28:00.016-04:002008-09-17T20:35:12.293-04:00Mommy's BabiesI have been going through pictures on our computer looking for things to post from the summer and realized there were a lot of interesting pictures of our kids. I am now wondering if we have any normal pictures to post! So, I thought I would share the best of the best with everyone!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246429527474772594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7qiwJ0gVH0J4DRwuBSIRNKrWQzJcTTEYddT68UgDq-z-wj7jFgproE_xe8mVtWjG8oo2qUzbd6Eb-2tcHqMICxQOMEO78CHQvuM-ZLMCFzGny2bZxN1qMMUvxCymyFW7YNUzKjrVEZc/s200/josh+shock.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246427554499724754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAVXDHPizKt8mskhJO4U9eZdQ4kYLogZCdJirMUU48QaPDdklSmvhAD5nTBeyE-HO0FocAmGCcgygHKL7A1RAq72VSsY_H2VRaBI38H0_y8udNhqKYqeFjNWyTMegEeQUGUUSx67Urbg/s200/josh+hat.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246424982679501490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_VYNQ7lJ5gSMmFnAFndz0MZ4KzYLFkDCe7lZ1-gLyGEd0hygp6qGww43DzzCljiFFwNnQen1_UWTXWnGDY5eU8oGF9ezI4_lZF1WxQHXOe1kC9qXtSVIXNP44Lp29ZfnRkUkHnRijGU/s200/sarah+sample.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246416910747564866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkdsaz0ixDYkQT2hh0Lv13u3yFSSumgDe54xOgsZ0NXQcuS6GqEUIt0gNsWG1VhLDuhFt104KNwoXm6kXstQP7SKJ6Vh_1kMyOVWlWQzdG-hhwJ-gb9cWXVR-oxnZaYITzrXjEzNyOg8/s200/Picture+256.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuljndY3wOnrKExI4hSI9p0MnB7cN4fmMX8izVvCqVIbg1P8s7kkGnJWyQ6TEaD-AnnmXUstmgiSuQ665dDqcUycTbGetiGP7V8Lln8PkDx3sWhbPdkS978OFU472Qts5caDqI9JYGGA/s1600-h/emily+sample.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246415637751922130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuljndY3wOnrKExI4hSI9p0MnB7cN4fmMX8izVvCqVIbg1P8s7kkGnJWyQ6TEaD-AnnmXUstmgiSuQ665dDqcUycTbGetiGP7V8Lln8PkDx3sWhbPdkS978OFU472Qts5caDqI9JYGGA/s200/emily+sample.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246412043472442130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx-4xZnFv1WeF_O77JcbK98OzQQeh5J5OzmsmDK7gDPeSgpvkRmtdmspVxD4bgXXt0Kau1ufrbX6kf6ijNsa10YE1HH8x1AULLD9aOUV0EhD8TdkDLkpzLpqnYir4k8CxN4-1aE0nggY/s200/100_2104.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />But seriously, we are getting ready to post some updates now that we have another computer and all our pictures downloaded! Stay tuned!!!!The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-42261501480645727482008-06-26T10:23:00.007-04:002008-06-26T10:35:50.538-04:00We Have Veggies!WOW! It's been a long time since my last post...how time flies! We planted a garden this year. Not a big garden, but a decent size for us! This whole week we have enjoyed the first fruits (or veggies) of our labor. We have radishes and green onions. They are delish but a little hotter than store bought. Also, yesterday we found the first signs of our peppers!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSpE8miL3Mk87QW0sMuGa2GGk-SFMSb6bIWIE1UYtIVQZeOlvuwCJN2srkTkDlB2vL8_B_g3shBXNmGHrP29ptNOp4JgMj-QlNcXapL87r7MlhRE9LkpliFFNhitgXpP6_usxkbR7jdU/s1600-h/onions.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216197293849232114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSpE8miL3Mk87QW0sMuGa2GGk-SFMSb6bIWIE1UYtIVQZeOlvuwCJN2srkTkDlB2vL8_B_g3shBXNmGHrP29ptNOp4JgMj-QlNcXapL87r7MlhRE9LkpliFFNhitgXpP6_usxkbR7jdU/s200/onions.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216197145226358898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kWuwyIpS0UWiZcUEf6N7aO1dbltp_d6odNEYEgUZq5psk4Cq3ZBtzZqVqAk32iYQIjMYFsUlYycx7WfcPBgNAaP5tDiq5jnGdka8vmDd3nc-aClfTxuJPeBPFlvOCL7OPTz_iSBPh_8/s200/radishes.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bUGVDuA5pHxWIwnv9n6xQCSGL3om8bDdg91XK5yUL7Kls5lks3XUy_OWP2mhqDLDDgrFNy_zj_Y-e7IxWolwi3RsaQjf0kwSRoXBltn9ikY8BlBpCSsO3jcJclLs26ndP5TfdrPzlao/s1600-h/peppers.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216197462139404578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bUGVDuA5pHxWIwnv9n6xQCSGL3om8bDdg91XK5yUL7Kls5lks3XUy_OWP2mhqDLDDgrFNy_zj_Y-e7IxWolwi3RsaQjf0kwSRoXBltn9ikY8BlBpCSsO3jcJclLs26ndP5TfdrPzlao/s200/peppers.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-88040327581385115872008-04-21T16:06:00.004-04:002008-04-21T16:10:29.666-04:00Kitchen Floor #2<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqndpCSzphMnwEHnz3zbSVgoNX5-gBoiNud7O6h-uvdfqztvBn6YYqouQy7FHgwrZQ2m5ni__d08eFzqQy3FWVV-ijNqiCwr9GflE-38xDIuGfFrVf1skY3gakCO1Sgh2rDNsU41SrS4/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191792615854684562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqndpCSzphMnwEHnz3zbSVgoNX5-gBoiNud7O6h-uvdfqztvBn6YYqouQy7FHgwrZQ2m5ni__d08eFzqQy3FWVV-ijNqiCwr9GflE-38xDIuGfFrVf1skY3gakCO1Sgh2rDNsU41SrS4/s200/1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Okay, so the old floor is up!</div><div>(Isn't Charlie so cute!)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNjJplAiwyM2j0AohF-F-Z-LIKnwcCh2KOhUHrWQZ6eUos508wSFsevMwBKFbLum_5fz5WciD-69ae7IebnA2mAyI-1Rd0w3AnTif32ttxGVRNVwWxWq0hQOEf5LPBaL0UEo0kUl9flY/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191792804833245602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNjJplAiwyM2j0AohF-F-Z-LIKnwcCh2KOhUHrWQZ6eUos508wSFsevMwBKFbLum_5fz5WciD-69ae7IebnA2mAyI-1Rd0w3AnTif32ttxGVRNVwWxWq0hQOEf5LPBaL0UEo0kUl9flY/s200/2.JPG" border="0" /></a> And the new floor is down!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>There is just one itty bitty problem..................When you turn around this is what you see!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB1jkOHAxAvhrQF9GH5KcU7engH_CkIB1POgZkjmadarXUlSyYRmCvSCYx70et1w2Q9EhbHWGFmn6AmmO0sYm3nJKJCGYJoWWXnMUwcXXTYIU-YPqKPyWjIAvcKHy0NU28x5FW2SHQsM/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191793105480956338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB1jkOHAxAvhrQF9GH5KcU7engH_CkIB1POgZkjmadarXUlSyYRmCvSCYx70et1w2Q9EhbHWGFmn6AmmO0sYm3nJKJCGYJoWWXnMUwcXXTYIU-YPqKPyWjIAvcKHy0NU28x5FW2SHQsM/s200/3.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Stay tuned! For the final results!</div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-22088310160884547242008-04-18T11:37:00.004-04:002008-04-18T11:49:15.721-04:00Kitchen Floor<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlnvy0eeUBFAMLbBmeH4ZonUc5PhgMCdamTU30DGqg2K9Kb9UV0G2VFKCSA4Uz1hhyphenhyphenvFbOq8O_HVOngSH8UFPO8TDKPbyTzcmYhxRgTHYvhMCVsPTkBvd79HcoiV4Z3X26rg1vGeAuNA/s1600-h/floor.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190612074560895858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlnvy0eeUBFAMLbBmeH4ZonUc5PhgMCdamTU30DGqg2K9Kb9UV0G2VFKCSA4Uz1hhyphenhyphenvFbOq8O_HVOngSH8UFPO8TDKPbyTzcmYhxRgTHYvhMCVsPTkBvd79HcoiV4Z3X26rg1vGeAuNA/s320/floor.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Thursday Night I tripped on the linoleum going into the kitchen. It was in that brief moment that I thought it would be a great time to rip up the worn out, ripped up floor. So I got down on the floor and starting pulling, tugging and cutting away at the floor. Twirlgirl came in and took pity on her poor mom and got down on the floor to help! We got it all pretty much up in record time. Here's a picture I took and sent to Pookie Bear to surprise him (ha ha ha).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EQOKC8OL0gid-NDAYUgY7G2StG4xOIFz_guhPpY4IMGddtWGyIGMBDghtSfG7L7gCmOt_NmZIVRGA6tki_GSdedEmr6Zxn3JNR070kFGIQqCWx5NAOl1ZFjd72mRGvl1R1lSW2DLWPw/s1600-h/erin.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190612602841873282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EQOKC8OL0gid-NDAYUgY7G2StG4xOIFz_guhPpY4IMGddtWGyIGMBDghtSfG7L7gCmOt_NmZIVRGA6tki_GSdedEmr6Zxn3JNR070kFGIQqCWx5NAOl1ZFjd72mRGvl1R1lSW2DLWPw/s320/erin.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>By the time this was all done I was too tired to clean this up on my own! So, I called in backups. This is what I saw coming into the kitchen! Pretty funny!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Stay tuned for future pictures of our new floor getting done this weekend!!!</div><div> </div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-16782138254474321172008-03-27T09:54:00.004-04:002008-03-27T10:07:01.014-04:00Meggie Mouth<div><br /><div>What a CRAZY Week! Spring Break is here and I have been working the whole time. My boss decided to have surgery on Tuesday - and guess who is covering!!! Anyway, we've let the kids have friends over all week. They have been playing games constantly and just hanging out. At least their getting rested up! So, last night Meggie came over and hung out with us. She has a tendency to get a little bored. To keep her entertained I started to take pictures of her with my cell phone. I thought I would share my two favorites with you. By the way, I have come up with a new term - Meggie Mouth!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182421191081086242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="204" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXQU1z0Vk_DmjSHTbK6MRLb9rHZuGYuyPVN8yJlmLlYjmFVzDX9ur8B-xJczdHUpjyjgyBfDt24Nm2y0vjM1FR7GJWWZnNKLCo8uPTyVKTQZfg8a7MAmBnFHUhKzutyGjp4kTnCJCabc/s320/megbig.JPG" width="289" border="0" /> To be kind - here is the after shot....she's definately becoming a cute little (still obnoxious) teenie girl!</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182422294887681330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="41" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAlHV1ZhDdYqGsMqa1yLncx3J4ZN4SvovzPtOyADKEyvgYQ-KLDJv841rCOSMgH2c2iO2Ga39IeMl7bxEIrf2v_W1EWUoeivioYErbukeA1HrN8pf8C6PhZpqO8QErYU3L9cmLlk9aIo/s320/megsmile.JPG" width="58" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-7844219514931308782008-01-28T20:32:00.000-05:002008-01-28T21:01:15.833-05:00The Prayer That Never EndsOur little princess loves to pray. She always prays from her heart and says the most beautiful things. Sometimes she gets a little long winded. (I think that comes from Pookie!). Her sister and brother try very hard to be patient, but when your sleepy it can be difficult.<br /><br />So here's a picture of when she starts (Notice how angelic!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOvU4cK2jdmyALgC9ZMfuK79m9lzXm-762OP_ACBP_hVyoDl2O3zamOs9_Ixw2Z4ZoVach9B0S6ZANYBhUXIIn90GZTjsQMSUAnUqesvbqxOMid7pN_OtLCuK5vcOxQosVHpkBf1gNEg/s1600-h/prayers+start.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOvU4cK2jdmyALgC9ZMfuK79m9lzXm-762OP_ACBP_hVyoDl2O3zamOs9_Ixw2Z4ZoVach9B0S6ZANYBhUXIIn90GZTjsQMSUAnUqesvbqxOMid7pN_OtLCuK5vcOxQosVHpkBf1gNEg/s400/prayers+start.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160708194564095074" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjBJnyTX8s_aN5v8i3wuWOhoIIWicCw08A6oMC4nMdgVKsMpzHgwKKfVgwqebYpG7de4OMRFg_y38JIIKGhbvaUMS06y-lGvM3lqZmkX2Veg6rMHsEcZCyrmF3-VvH_E5LPjz1prFz2A/s1600-h/prayers+end.jpg"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></a>And when she ends (you never know who will be the last one standing!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjBJnyTX8s_aN5v8i3wuWOhoIIWicCw08A6oMC4nMdgVKsMpzHgwKKfVgwqebYpG7de4OMRFg_y38JIIKGhbvaUMS06y-lGvM3lqZmkX2Veg6rMHsEcZCyrmF3-VvH_E5LPjz1prFz2A/s1600-h/prayers+end.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjBJnyTX8s_aN5v8i3wuWOhoIIWicCw08A6oMC4nMdgVKsMpzHgwKKfVgwqebYpG7de4OMRFg_y38JIIKGhbvaUMS06y-lGvM3lqZmkX2Veg6rMHsEcZCyrmF3-VvH_E5LPjz1prFz2A/s400/prayers+end.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160708198859062386" border="0" /></a>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-2338516090523138262008-01-03T20:52:00.001-05:002008-01-03T20:53:01.312-05:00What Snoopy Thinks of Snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrIev_TY1fwPSjFya8elGrCoxI8dHLrz2KKNfwfY7QqGk0q-c08SBn5lhIpL9M4FkDQ_TzHUT9nGOTMhJH0ctJi5ni-m4lnX_4v8eEd3psdNVAJ_sI-wtvHk0-ROIf_CLMmCrqc5NYuo/s1600-h/peanuts2007121018629.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrIev_TY1fwPSjFya8elGrCoxI8dHLrz2KKNfwfY7QqGk0q-c08SBn5lhIpL9M4FkDQ_TzHUT9nGOTMhJH0ctJi5ni-m4lnX_4v8eEd3psdNVAJ_sI-wtvHk0-ROIf_CLMmCrqc5NYuo/s400/peanuts2007121018629.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151433493946404866" border="0" /></a>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-89787790623843901152007-11-19T12:12:00.000-05:002007-11-19T12:18:32.757-05:00Little Dude's Artwork<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdVTFi_zpqJZHQ2v3i2sTayJ4k-yPtqIfPjxjDRR9xyqmQd46tJh0-E4accnV9aV6tcNEv_MW6dlcDQ_nAMdU-6B5GIeDRKi8QcbqmQublNqn8-DdUCoQdzAOBenX5O8A9biUIItvgW8/s1600-h/corn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134601198370475778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdVTFi_zpqJZHQ2v3i2sTayJ4k-yPtqIfPjxjDRR9xyqmQd46tJh0-E4accnV9aV6tcNEv_MW6dlcDQ_nAMdU-6B5GIeDRKi8QcbqmQublNqn8-DdUCoQdzAOBenX5O8A9biUIItvgW8/s320/corn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Little Dude was one of (15) 3rd. graders to have their artwork picked to be on display at the courthouse. Since school was let out early on Friday, I took the kids up to see it. They were supposed to create a harvest picture. The funny thing was that all the pictures looked pretty much the same. The officer at the courthouse joked that you can tell who lived in the city by how many ears of corn they had on their stalks! Congrats Little Dude...I think you had the best cornstalks, pumpkins and black birds!!!!</div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-18060736828901075592007-11-13T12:53:00.000-05:002007-11-13T13:01:45.701-05:00Pookie Bear Turns 40<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrl6dK3ulfJr_cxpbZb70Q9eb9zKtwxFGyzVQDOTCkUql9cCt4ljHRwzxSU9FOsjGyhf7fc7bXS8592UlWPv4m5RH71x-5UA_MNwlEAt9KEby5nhWpDpFvi9oVo3u88GoSDTF1_HhOkI/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132386399779426082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrl6dK3ulfJr_cxpbZb70Q9eb9zKtwxFGyzVQDOTCkUql9cCt4ljHRwzxSU9FOsjGyhf7fc7bXS8592UlWPv4m5RH71x-5UA_MNwlEAt9KEby5nhWpDpFvi9oVo3u88GoSDTF1_HhOkI/s200/4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Xnxnk48kxk0i-CGLcAd0Gz2JoziY8OxYNJb1XLTlQO56yKca01Ygg4UwWAlxl3x3Bl5Q4GBvXzhSylHkmSjHPAZ-bD39UcXLAD9_9mokxP5f7N_Yj8u2BIh-zY2fxxpvWKAJj6UH9bM/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132385948807859970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Xnxnk48kxk0i-CGLcAd0Gz2JoziY8OxYNJb1XLTlQO56yKca01Ygg4UwWAlxl3x3Bl5Q4GBvXzhSylHkmSjHPAZ-bD39UcXLAD9_9mokxP5f7N_Yj8u2BIh-zY2fxxpvWKAJj6UH9bM/s200/3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRwfVngpKl7yQyVWHgnhbR-BZOEW02EOaPUt4iKpPlv4mG6cmFVvefgI6E-anfz316HY5-UCT4zwGk2q4RvfYkMJ474tHxKHONnm46BOpj3Tok7v-SsRccqI36lQvVYsKV0twwB_rcok/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132385819958841074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRwfVngpKl7yQyVWHgnhbR-BZOEW02EOaPUt4iKpPlv4mG6cmFVvefgI6E-anfz316HY5-UCT4zwGk2q4RvfYkMJ474tHxKHONnm46BOpj3Tok7v-SsRccqI36lQvVYsKV0twwB_rcok/s200/2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FFSbYIvmTnci1hb_TfBk100rccNF1LtZM4BS20H5OaEx8Tcfy3fICraphxfm1MrhQM3ZuW-or5G_z_h7qxEqGDjCsctqTG123DpTFSzH8mBetPLrzGLAb43C3a48BZjoZFUR1v-Bdig/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132385712584658658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FFSbYIvmTnci1hb_TfBk100rccNF1LtZM4BS20H5OaEx8Tcfy3fICraphxfm1MrhQM3ZuW-or5G_z_h7qxEqGDjCsctqTG123DpTFSzH8mBetPLrzGLAb43C3a48BZjoZFUR1v-Bdig/s200/1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>My dear pookie bear turned 40 on Monday! He is so excited! (I can't even imagine!) His mom and oldest sister decorated the front of our house. These pictures do not do it justice. There was an inflatable walker with a panic button (hilarious!), signs all over, caution tape and dangling 40's everywhere. He Loved it. His picture was also in Monday's paper...check it out if you get the local paper. I'll post more photos later of our awesome celebration in Chicago!!! We had a blast (from the past literally!!!)</div></div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-84480202522967933302007-11-06T12:08:00.001-05:002007-11-06T12:14:41.713-05:00Carmel Apples<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp9RIHI7GDk6IGTPn2d6mqyRLskHqgoesVOTSkzfaMnCTX_ZtVoRXKeERssIluw5kfpgF5qWSGp-wsCbzzDcLv3LXCUUpWFohbMN5w6F9DRvjE-ywLQBoX3ATewzYT4oinooQQHh2w20/s1600-h/kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129776650255592034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp9RIHI7GDk6IGTPn2d6mqyRLskHqgoesVOTSkzfaMnCTX_ZtVoRXKeERssIluw5kfpgF5qWSGp-wsCbzzDcLv3LXCUUpWFohbMN5w6F9DRvjE-ywLQBoX3ATewzYT4oinooQQHh2w20/s200/kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-_X9OFZ8J9oqq0AVpEwbSZj_9NpHJ-neCKHc2vMsOBOR2AbkjptC0ti1tagGQrJPvTeobSn0BJkWArRQ-772Vs-g3YdNFRrOR9p_qAy0v8uPBf2w8pQXQN3hmMZu4QkrHamfRy59eKI/s1600-h/apples.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129776461277030994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-_X9OFZ8J9oqq0AVpEwbSZj_9NpHJ-neCKHc2vMsOBOR2AbkjptC0ti1tagGQrJPvTeobSn0BJkWArRQ-772Vs-g3YdNFRrOR9p_qAy0v8uPBf2w8pQXQN3hmMZu4QkrHamfRy59eKI/s200/apples.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTLyTF6I-_1PqVN1wYkz4Jiu2Ewt3Jvo9J9K5Mq79yXXbUjs3-iUb61eMtlb2UN84x44FBpuic8sSzQeKmxOZGApHaXh2gZsB1-ub2NdwtFpprZXoN3M6XffxtGUxe9Vqb5DwOnu1gLs/s1600-h/gary.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129776246528666178" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTLyTF6I-_1PqVN1wYkz4Jiu2Ewt3Jvo9J9K5Mq79yXXbUjs3-iUb61eMtlb2UN84x44FBpuic8sSzQeKmxOZGApHaXh2gZsB1-ub2NdwtFpprZXoN3M6XffxtGUxe9Vqb5DwOnu1gLs/s200/gary.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Every year we make carmel apples with the kids. This year we added nuts, mini m&m's, chocolate chips and sprinkles to them. The kids had a blast and everyone enjoyed their gooey snack. Note...Princess accessorized her Daddy for the picture!</div></div></div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704954489679823450.post-70480153772599223042007-10-31T15:02:00.000-04:002007-10-31T15:43:09.226-04:00That Time of Year Again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATWsLx4uMNi6q58Y2xqPLFkdqnvRJocLdcJMjYwpNdlTSk4ooSuaMeL2qpJouyoUdO8eYodonLUOZ82DHuGpujWobZWvUt935ybWb8pRvx2xmiuNkzLpcTeNaEDfUOvulqN85WTIn-uQ/s1600-h/notricksmall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127588690835794290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATWsLx4uMNi6q58Y2xqPLFkdqnvRJocLdcJMjYwpNdlTSk4ooSuaMeL2qpJouyoUdO8eYodonLUOZ82DHuGpujWobZWvUt935ybWb8pRvx2xmiuNkzLpcTeNaEDfUOvulqN85WTIn-uQ/s320/notricksmall.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It is Halloween once again. A time to divide people into 3 catergories - those who do celebrate, those who don't and those who just celebrate the fun stuff. Our family has chosen to be a don't. This year we have had more comments made to us about our stance than any other. So, I thought - why not post about it! As children Pookie Bear and I came from families that celebrated Halloween. We went Trick or Treating practically every year. Our church even had Halloween parties inside the sanctuary (yikes-can you imagine!). As teens we went to a few parties, but pretty much never felt like it was something we wanted to do. As parents, we really wanted to not just ban Halloween on the "Because I said so" philosophy, but to give our kids actual reasons behind it (which we do every year). It doesn't matter how much you try to sugar coat the holiday and tell yourself your only doing the fun part of it - the evilness of this day is real. When we begin to compromise we open the door to the enemy to continue to compromise. Once we have allowed our child to be introduced to demonic activity (which happens to many children on Halloween whether it was in doing something fun or not) we have to answer for it. Pookie Bear and I are not perfect parents. We make a lot of mistakes (believe me a lot!). We don't think we are better than anyone else - Far from it! But, this issue rests heavy on our hearts. As Christian parents we need to seek God first on whether this is something He wants us to have our children participate in. The enemy wants only to devour our children - the last thing we need to do is open a door and make it any easier for him under the disguise of "It's all in fun!".</div>The Downing 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/08817414284956747466noreply@blogger.com6