Call me crazy!

So, I mentioned on facebook that we are ***THINKING*** about getting a dog. We have tried this before but always with a puppy. I am totally clueless, despite the efforts of many helpers, to potty-train a dog! So, we are looking for a female, small, HOUSE-BROKE dog that is good with small children and sheds very little. Here is what I have found at http://www.petfinder.com/.

This is Gypsy. She's a Jack Russell Terrier who is 2 years old. We are waiting to hear if another family who looked at her yesterday decided to adopt her.

This is Sable. I think she's super pretty! She is a 2 year old Cocker Spaniel. Not much about her on the site except that she is shy! (maybe that means calm and quiet??!!)

Lastly is this cute little poodle. She was picked up by animal control last weekend. They don't know her name, but the site says she did very well with the lady's 3 year old child.

We haven't heard back today from any of these, and my kids are EXCITED that I am even willing to discuss getting a dog, much less actually pursuing the possibility. So, why do none of you have dogs? My kids have been begging for one for years...not to mention my hubby! I'll let you know how things go!

Redbox

Have you seen the new Redbox movie rental machines? I love them! I tried them this week for the first time, and I'll NEVER go back to the video store if I can help it! Whoever came up with this idea is genius! You pick your movie, swipe your card, verify your email and zip code, and, VOILA!, you have a new release movie for $1.00! The next day, you just stick it back in the machine before 9 pm. LOVE IT. They email you to confirm the rental, the return, and the charge to your card. You can even rent them online and pick them up when you get there. (which I've learned is smart because they only have one of each movie in the machine...good chance the good ones are gone on the weekend if you didn't reserve it) So, have you tried this? What did you think of it? I know...a little impersonal...takes away jobs...blah, blah...sorry, I love it!

Miss Toothless...

Zoe lost her first tooth before she turned two. Face first at Sea World. A month or two ago, she lost one of her bottom teeth, naturally this time. Wednesday, the three eldest had dentist appointments. The hygeinist pointed out to me how loose her other bottom tooth was. I actually can't believe it was still hanging in there! She did everything she could to "accidently" knock it out while brushing, flossing, and rinsing Zoe's mouth. Wouldn't budge. Next, she tried the "I'll numb it first, then pull it out quick!" Zoe was WAY nervous...and chicken. Finally, Zoe realized that we were all pretty intent on that tooth coming out TODAY. She got the numbing gel on, and pulled it out herself. Right in the dentist's chair! It was a cool coincidence and a funny memory for all of us....losing a tooth at the dentist's office, and NOT having to pay for it! Anyway, she looks a little crazy right now, and is still getting used to the HUGE gap! I think we only have one picture of her (around 18 months) with all her front teeth in...I'm looking forward to when these all grow in!

Jack-Jack...

So, this kid is NON-STOP. I'm not sure if he was planning on: a) cleaning the sink, b)brushing his teeth (not his toothbrush), or c)taking a bath. I'm just glad he never thought to turn on the water! Made my job WAY easier!

He really looks so innocent...always pulls out his little "who me?" smile. Like he sould never be doing something he shouldn't. I'm telling you...this kid has me nervous about the next one. :)

Recent Family Pics!

We finally broke down and had our family pics taken! Our last professional family picture was actually our engagement photo some 9 years ago. Sad...I know. We had a lot of fun and spent some time laughing as we tried to get the kids to smile normally and naturally. Sooo, here they are in random order:

Marty...looking very GQ in my opinon.


Jackson...with an expression that is TOTALLY him.

Zoe. I think she's beautiful. She actually has 2 less teeth now. Today, she pulled one out while sitting in the dentist's chair!

Bubba (Joseph) - I think this one captures his sweet personality. (not to mention dashing good looks)

All four of them- they were REALLY having a good time!

And, lastly, the infamous family picture that I insisted we would one day get taken...and now you all know why. Too bad they can't edit off about 50 pounds!

Oh. And if you didn't notice...I did much better with the layout, don't you think?

Me...

That's me because I can't figure out the spacing and editing! Aargh!

Christmas Part 3

We spent a week at Grandma and Grandpa Pestels house....The whole family made it home this year! So here they are in their favorite spots on the couch....

Also, here are a few Sunday snapshots...

Julia, Jack and Ava playing a tune...

Grandma and Lindy...

and Uncle Jim and Kelsey...or Kaylee...:)

Christmas Part 2

Once again this year, Christmas was an eventful and exciting time....that's pretty much what happens when you have 10 adults and 13 kids! Three VonDo boys were home with their kiddos (all but Dave and family in Korea), as well as Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Jim and Aunt Carolyn with cousin Leonard. We had a relatively easy time taking the family pic on Sunday...


We had a great time partying with everyone. The kids all had fun opening their weapons...and then using them all weekend!

Another exciting part was finally meeting the girls! 3 month old twins Kaylee and Kelsey. (sorry, not sure which one Marty is holding)


We also did our family pic by the church Christmas tree. That took awhile because Jack always wants his daddy and the other boys wanted to go play!


Another project we tackled was making a New York Style cheesecake. I would've taken more pictures, but the mixing was about all I could handle with all the "help" I was getting!

Last, but not least, Zoe and Joseph (front and center) were able to participate in a Christmas program put on by our homeschool group. It went surprisingly well considering most of our practices were cancelled due to weather! Don't they look great?!

















More to come!

You ready for this? Part 1

I've FINALLY uploaded the pictures off of my camera! Soooo, I have a few pics and events to write about. As you can see from the first two pictures, I learned a **very**little about my camera! (Thanks Tammi) I learned how to do sepia and black and white photos! We had a lot of fun experimenting for a few minutes. (Then it was back to the reality of homeschool and house work.)



















Next is our cool little sculptures. I gotta tell you. We did not have the best salt dough recipe. This was originally a project for Bible class. Zoe was supposed to make Lot's wife. She actually looked very much like Roz on Monster's Inc. by the time it was all finished. The dino turned out MUCH better however.















Over the Thanksgiving break, we went ice skating with a bunch of friends. As you can see, Jackson was not at all impressed. He did enjoy running over to the candy machines just in case he might find another piece of unwanted candy left on the ground. YUCK.





























All of the kids enjoyed the snow...at least before the temperatures were below zero. Right now it's just too cold for them to be out very long....therefore, not really worth the effort of getting all the gear on. The older ones are great at entertaining and taking care of Jack while sledding and playing. Jack LOVES to eat snow. When people come into the house and snow falls off their boots, he runs over and eats it....also, YUCK!!















So, this is most of the BC (before Christmas) activities. More to come from Christmas and the AC stuff!

Updates

I know. It's been awhile. A very LONG while. Sorry. I guess the computer is just not a priority! :( Like right now, I should be folding laundry...all four loads that are just dumped on the couch. We're gonna be a wrinkly family this week. I'm tired lately too...so staying up late blogging and emailing just isn't an option! Nor is getting up early! Naptimes and used up with homeschooling right now. So, sorry people. I'm doing the best I can!

Thanks to all who praying for my friend who was in the accident. She is home now. Her husband's funeral was this past Saturday. Seems as though the Lord has seen fit to work in the lives of a couple people through this tragedy. PTL! Steph is doing quite well. She is hoping to move from the wheelchair to the walker soon. Her leg is healing, but will need skin grafts in the future. Her arms are improved, the right one causing some pain and difficulty and the left one, not quite fully functional yet. But, considering what she's been through, the family is very thankful. Please continue to pray for her after the loss of her husband. She still has to get through the burial in the spring. I've not lost my husband or anyone so close to me, and I can only image the depth of her sorrow.

On a totally different subject, I went in for my first OB appt. today. I am 19 1/2 weeks and God has blessed us with a girl again! We are all VERY excited! We've been waiting for "Karis" since our oldest son was born in '02! YAY! My "official" due date is June 11. And I'm happy to say I think I'm really going to like my doctor.

Lots has happened since last post...Marty is four, Christmas, New Year, school started back up, etc. I'll try to get with the program and download some pics.