Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas




We had a wonderful Christmas and were blessed to spend it with our family. Here are some pictures of what's been going on lately:)


decorating the tree with daddy



nothing like playing in a box




decorating the gingerbread house



No mommy, I am not eating ALL of the M&Ms



you can tell his mouth is full of candy....



it was supposed to be a gingerbread church with stained glass.......



our gingerbread family minus one.....



not forgotten:)



That's Rex from Toy Story....he was carjacked shortly after this photo




He didn't have on his cute Christmas jammies because he was sick and well we will just say they were dirty:)




Merry Christmas!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Happy Halloween!

So I have had Jackson's dinosaur costume for over a month, hoping that I could get him to like it and actually wear it on Halloween. So Friday at 4:00pm we were still battling with tears and screaming and flailing of limbs. He has been pretty sick all week so after about 2 minutes I gave up and decided he would just be Jackson. But alas, I forgot my secret weapon was coming over.....grandparents with light sticks. A little bribing and a little GiGi, and dinosaur Jackson hit the neighborhood with his BFF Aidan (who was also a dinosaur).









So I realize these aren't the greatest pictures but this was the best I could get of the child as he ran around the neighborhood shouting "BUTTON! BUTTON!" instead of Trick or Treat. This is because he only wanted to ring the doorbells. And because of that this was the pitiful loot we came home with.....




And since this turned out so cute I will leave you with one more Jackson gem "carving" a pumpkin.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

walking around

Here's a video of Jackson cruising around the house.


Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Chicago Road Trip!

We just got back from our road trip to Chicago and let me just tell you, I am exhausted! We drove up Wednesday night, went to The Taste of Chicago on Thursday with Aunt Sarah and saw Uncle Dave for a little while. We ate so much food, it was ridiculous! Then on Friday we went up to Paul's cousin's lake house and hung out with all our family. Jackson drove the boat and stayed up extremely too late to watch the best fireworks show ever! We were so close that I was actually scared! It was a great time. Then on the way home we went to the arch in St. Louis which was quite an experience as well. Here are some pictures of our trip!




On the train ride into Chicago.


Hanging out with Aunt Sarah.




At the Lake with Daddy.






Driving the Boat:) He honked the horn continuously, people loved us!


"swimming"


ahh playing in the sand.....


Nothing like climbing into your cousins' sand pit.








This is the TINY elevator. It barely seats five people but it's not enough room for one person comfortably....I was super nervous.











We also stopped and saw Daniel and Whitney in Peoria on the way home! Ellie, who just came home from Eagle's Nest in Guatemala, is soooo beautiful!!! Hannah, Austin, and Noah are growing up so fast and they are the cutest kids ever! I miss being near them. Of course I forgot my camera in the car so no pictures but just imagine 5 kids and Popsicles:)

Then we had our homestudy yesterday! It went great! We also sent in our orientation packet and big check into our agency, so it definitely feels real now! I am so excited:)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

HE WALKS

Well four steps at least. Yes Jackson took his first official steps last night:) We are pretty excited. None yet today but it's still early....


Monday, June 16, 2008

Pictures

1. First Click this link.

2. This takes you to Mpix. Create an account with them so that you can log in anytime. Then you will have to come back and click the link again. It should say you are signed in after that.

3.To order prints, check the box of every image that you want any size print of, and then click on the PRINTS button at the top. That will bring up a page that says SIZES and QUANTITIES.

4. On this page you can either do a Batch Order (every print in the order will be the same size) or an Individual Image Order (select the size and quantities on an image by image basis). So if you want all 5x7's of every image you selected, that is a batch order. If you want sizes and quantities of each of your chosen images, you want the individual image order.

5. For a Batch Order, you choose the size you want, and the quantity is the number of each print (they will be the same of every print). If you want 2 8x10 copies of each print, this is a Batch Order.

6. For an Individual Order, you will go thru each image and click on the Select Quantity red button. That will bring up the first image and all the choices you have with that image. In the Prints Section, you will put the amount of each size that you want of that image. You will also check if you want to order any Specialty Items. You should not need to check any Retouching Options. Then click OK, and it will take you back to the Individual Order page and you will go to the next image that you want to order. You will follow these steps for each image.

7.When you have finished the quantities and Sizes of each image, you will click on the NEXT buton, and each image will appear under an Additional Options page. On this page you will note if there is any cropping required, based on the size you ordered. Most of the final images are sized 4x6 and can be printed any size, but may be subject to cropping. Sometimes ordering an 8x12 works better that an 8x10. If you want no cropping then you have to order an image in the same aspect ratio as the 4x6 size (8x12, 12x18, etc.) If there is cropping at your order, you can adjust the crop lines by clicking on Edit Crop, adjust how you want it and the click Save. (This is kinda confusing)

8. After you have gone thru the Additional Options on each image click NEXT and you will come to the ORDER SUMMARY page. Here you will choose what type of paper you want for this order. All prints in the order must be on the same paper. E-Surface paper is very nice and has a matte finish. The metallic paper is bright and shiny. (You can order the black and white proofs on E-surface paper and they will still be black and white.) Also be sure to check DO NOT color correct.

9.If you decide you dont want one of the images on your order, you check the small box next to it and then click REMOVE CHECKED. If you want to order more, click on the Continue Shopping. If you are done, click on Checkout.

10. This is the Shipping and Billing Section. Fill in your payment info.


Suggestions:
1. If you order sizes 8x10 or larger she recommends putting them on mat board (add it in the Additional Options Section)

2. The metallic paper is great for bright colors.

3. If you want a picture bigger than 11x14 let me know so I can make sure you get the best resolution.


Ok so I just copied it exactly as she wrote it to me. I will put in an order tonight and see how it goes....It seems simple enough. Let me know if you have a problem.