16 Years Ago....another redhead was born!: Day 165

It is UNBELIEVABLE to think that my baby girl, my beautiful baby daughter, is turning.....16 today!! It doesn't seem possible that 16 years has gone by...all of us enriched by having her in our lives.

But it is true, she is celebrating her

today.

This year, 2008, is the year of lists....so I will (as I did with Lyndsay) list

16 things I love about Taylor.

• You have a generous heart that is so huge, it almost shows when one glances at you.

• You like doing fun things, and inspire the family to follow you.

• You are an "old soul", and have been one since you were born. Even your teachers noticed this.

• You are nice to everyone....everyone, even those who don't deserve it.

• You keep us updated on everything going on in Celebrity World.

• You work so hard at your jobs...and impress all your employers.

• You are a wonderful, AMAZING sister to Joe and Lynds.

• My birth to you was as close to perfect as it gets..other than almost having you in the parking lot.

• You have the strength to be who you are....and see others for who they are inside.

• You keep us laughing (and crying sometimes) when you are performing on stage...you have an awesome talent.
  

• You wanted your Dad to coach you in every sport...(you did, didn't you? lol)

• You singing in the car with Dad to Nickelback.

• Your smile lights up the room, and your giggle...don't get me started.

• Even though it gets EVERYWHERE, I love that amazing head of red hair.

• Your willingness (since you were very little) to try any and all food.

• We love trips to the gym with you, even though we would all rather be eating ice cream.

• 
  One extra...we love you so much because you are our baby girl, and always will be.
  

a step back.....:Day 164

Tonight the power was shut off for an hour because the power company is working on the transformer outside. It was very quiet in the house...you don't realize how much "background" noise there is from computers humming (4) ; 1 refrigerator, ceiling fan, TV, etc. It actually was quite peaceful there for a half an hour or so....but a few minutes ago it all went on...almost, but not quite, disappointing.....

22 years ago today...Day 164

...at 4:21am my first little baby was born. She actually started her journey out around 11pm on July 28th, but took her ol' sweet time to be born....like all of my kids, but Lyndsay was the sloooooooowest to be born. It was a thrilling time for Jim and I, becoming parents on that day. Something that we had waited for until the time was just right...and it couldn't have been more perfect. Our sweet baby girl, with just a hint of that marvelous red hair was here...and my heart has never been the same.

Lyndsay, in honor of your 22nd birthday, Dad and I would like to list 22 things that we love about you.

1. 
   
   
   Your amazing beautiful radiant gorgeous smile.

















2. 
   
   
   
   Your ability to light up a room when you enter it.























3. 
   
   
   You make even the most mundane thing (laundry, washing dishes) fun when I do it with you.





















4. 
   
   
   
   Your laugh...It makes me always want to laugh, too.























5. 
   
   
   Your love for your brother and sister.























6. 
   
   
   Your "awww, Dad" when Dad says something nice about you.























7. 
   
   
   You changed from a night owl to a (sorta) morning person...that's amazing!























8. 
   
   Your values are steadfast, and unwavering. (And you're a Democrat:)























9. 
   
   
   You already know the value of healthy eating...you are so lucky.



















10. 
    
    Your confidence in yourself.























11. 
    
    
    Your unbelievable organization skills!























12. 
    
    You love SCRAPBOOKING.























13. 
    
    Your passion for good food..especially Italian food.























14. 
    
    
    Your respect and love for your partner, Dan.























15. 
    
    
    Your "Dad" nose.























16. 
    
    
    Your love for Reality Shows, cats and blogs. (esp PW and Soule Mama)
    
    
    
    


















17. 
    
    
    Your blinding speed texting ability.























18. 
    
    
    Your love for our family traditions, esp. at holidays.























19. 
    
    Your calm reaction to cell phones meeting moisture :)























20. 
    
    Your plan to use a midwife and breastfeed when you have babies.























21. 
    
    
    The way you work SO HARD to achieve your goals in life.























22. 
    
    That you will ALWAYS be our first-born, brown-eyed, red-haired, beautiful daughter who we love with all of our hearts.

We love you, Lyndsay!

Big, GIANT woo-hoo HAPPY BIRTHDAY {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Mom and Dad

My son, the chef: Day 163

Joe has turned into quite the omelet chef...sauteing veggies, whipping eggs, folding the omelet just so....amazing...He can also eat and text at the same time..what an ability :)

4 Random Things that....:Day 162

...made me happy today.

The first is fresh flowers from my garden, cut and arranged right next to me on the kitchen table..... Next is the sight of Taylor cheerfully (sorta) emptying the dishwasher....:)
This great book I'm reading this month for our Book Club...
And, finally, the supper I cooked tonight for Jim and I...Lowfat Salmon Pasta Alfredo with fresh spinach, parsley and tarragon, and a simple salad of greens and tomatoes from the local farmer.

MMM-MMM.

Been away for a couple of days...: Day 160

.....so no internet, as we have been at the pond. Had a lovely relaxing time-kayaking, swimming, and socializing with my nieces, Mom and sister.

Some pics to share:

Whoops!!!

Sorry, the link to the Pioneer Woman's website was wrong!

Here is the right link:

http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

Puppy Love: Day 158

If you love dogs even a little bit, and want to read a heartwrenching account of a missing dog, head over to www.pioneerwoman.com to read about her dog, Nell, and say a few prayers that she will be found. I was never a dog lover until this furry thing below came into our life...and I cannot believe the happiness she has brought into our lives. Love you, Mikko!

Scenes from my garden: Day 157

My baby girl is home!: Day 156

Here she is in her usual spot with the remote in her hand!

A kayakin' kind of day: Day 155

It was so very very hot and humid today, so we threw the kayak on the car when we headed out to the Farmer's Market....it was almost too hot to even think about being outside, but we were pleasantly surprised to find that out on the water, there was a beautiful breeze and it was quite comfortable. Alot of other kayakers/canoe people felt the same way, cuz there were tons of people at Mansfield Hollow State Park.

I know there aren't any in this picture but, we went WWWWAAAAYYYY down to the other side of the lake where it was quieter..

Me experimenting with my timer button.....darn it, I forgot my sunglasses and I really really needed them.

Another attempt at taking a picture without looking!

There's this really cool tunnel you get to go under....it is REQUIRED that you make strange, juvenile noises when in there...


We were beginning to hear some rumbles of thunder and spotted some dark clouds, so we headed for the boat ramp and our car...

We tried to drive right on by here on our way home, but our car just took it upon itself to turn right into the Dairy Bar driveway...and I'm glad it did, cuz I had the best coconut ice cream I've ever had...so so yummy. It was so hot out, it was melting faster than I could eat it, but it was still so delicious.

Happy Birthday to Jim....:Day 153

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JIM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....ISN'T THIS A NICE PICTURE OF HIM?!....HE LOOKS SO GOOD FOR HIS AGE, DOESN'T HE?????

OK....LOL, JUST KIDDIN' HONEY...HERE IS THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!! LOVE YOU, YOU OLD FART.....

Thanks, Wayne (and Peg):Day 152

Our friend Wayne has a marvelous garden in his back yard, and is very generous with his extra veggies..here is what he gave us last night...

Isn't it impressive? Now, he also gave us some the day before, which we had cooked on our grill. I took the leftovers, added some sauteed peppers and onions, (have I said how much I love my new pans?) and a leftover zucchini from the Farmer's Market (and basil from my pots on the deck) and made a lovely crustless quiche (thank you, Lyndsay, for the recipe)which we all enjoyed...even Joe!

Farmer's Market: Day 150

Here is another digital layout I made from scratch....showcasing our local Farmer's Market in nearby Coventry at the Nathan Hale Homestead.

Finally got started!: Day 149

I finally started my 2nd online digital scrapbooking course..it is an intermediate course, one up from the beginner one I did this past spring. It actually started in June, but between camping (no computer access) and then planning Joe's graduation party..there just hasn't been time to concentrate. I started yesterday and completed assignment 1 today...a rather involved (lots of new techniques) layout that I did about kayaking.

Here it is:

I also posted lots of pictures of the graduation and the party this weekend on our family blog...check it out!

http://lapointfamily.blogspot.com/

The Party was wonderfu; but we are exhausted!l: Day 148

Here are some pics from the party....