tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784919595556152522024-03-13T14:03:42.115-04:00One Day At A TimeCourtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-9459966407948218632012-04-01T08:57:00.002-04:002012-04-01T09:08:18.590-04:00Meet Toby<div style="text-align: left;">Well, yesterday brought a new arrival to our household! Dan agreed we could go to the SPCA to look at a boxer I had fallen in love with online. When we got there, the line was long, so to pass time while I was in line, Dan and the kids were looking at two crates of puppies. Before I got to the front, I asked Dan if he was interested in a puppy (and we always agreed we would NEVER get a puppy), and he looked unsure. When the woman at the desk told me the boxer had already been adopted, it seemed like we were heading in a different direction. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Our application was approved for the puppies, but we went back to the older dogs to take a look at them. There were two dogs that caught my eye; one was named Havoc, which didn't seem like the best sign, and the other was a stray boxer mix. Dan was worried about that one because we had no information on her, and with the two small children, we need to be very aware of that type of thing. We chose to look at a puppy Dan had noticed in the crate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, it only took me a few minutes to fall in love with him. He was soft and cuddly and adorable! Dan, ever the practical one, was concerned about the training we'd have to do, but being delusional, I figured it would go quickly and easily. After what felt like hours of paperwork, we finally took little Toby home.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOSUsG0p9PI/T3hRBl_49VI/AAAAAAAAA-M/9Ap7-U7Kyxo/s400/P1000079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726416014023390546" /></div><div>Toby was born 2/1, which makes him about 8 weeks old. As you can see, he's a mix of several things. He is listed as a lab/chow mix, but they thought that the father could have been pug/husky. Whatever he is, he's adorable, and so far, he's pretty well-behaved. Last night he had me up a few times crying in his crate, but I knew to expect that. He's peed outside for us several times, and while he did have a small accident this morning, looking back, Dan said he could see some cues that he had to go potty. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2BMKxqe-ss/T3hRAs1soBI/AAAAAAAAA-A/aEaBfd0Cvr8/s1600/P1000077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2BMKxqe-ss/T3hRAs1soBI/AAAAAAAAA-A/aEaBfd0Cvr8/s400/P1000077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726415998679818258" /></a>The kids seem to love him already, especially Emily. We haven't seen much of Lucy since we brought him home, so that relationship remains to be seen. I'm sure we'll have lots more pictures to show off in the coming weeks!</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-81870467223878067992012-03-30T10:57:00.003-04:002012-03-30T11:01:07.700-04:00ChangesIt's been a long while since I've updated the blog...sorry to anyone who's been looking! We've had some big changes in the Bilodeau home over the past month, and while I can't blame the absence of updates on that, I will try :)<div><br /></div><div>The first big change is that Dan was offered a promotion at work. While this will come with a raise and increased responsibility, it also came with new hours. He now works would would be considered a traditional split 2nd/3rd shift Sunday through Wednesday. This means that the kids and I are on our own those four nights, but Dan has taken over morning duties (so appreciated!) and he now has three days off. This summer will be even nicer when I'm off work too!</div><div><br /></div><div>The other big change was that we had to put Leo to sleep at the beginning of March. He wasn't acting right, and when we took him to the vet, we were told he had internal bleeding and most likely cancer in his belly. We started him on medication, hoped for the best when he had a couple good days, but had to make a decision when he quickly declined. While it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, I know that we did what was best for him. And I know that we can never replace him, but I'm hoping to have another dog in the near future...it's strange how you can get used to having one in the house.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-61282960888850692702011-10-10T08:13:00.002-04:002011-10-10T08:21:39.974-04:00Fall Fest Fun<div style="text-align: left;">After weeks of rain and ugly weather, we are lucky enough to be in a time of Indian Summer. We took advantage of the beautiful weather to do some fall fun with the kids this past weekend. A farm on my way to work has been advertising a fall festival for awhile, and while I didn't think it would be a huge event, it was close and it was cheap, so we decided to check it out. I'm so glad we did; the kids (and Dan and I) had a blast! For $15 total, we got to do a petting zoo, a corn maze, and probably the longest hayride I've ever been on. After the hayride, we let the kids pick their own pumpkins. Some pictures from our day:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Owen petting the goat. For whatever</div><div style="text-align: center;">reason, he always wanted to pet the animals</div><div style="text-align: center;">right near their butts.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkCDvQGs1cg/TpLiBrDF3zI/AAAAAAAAA9I/9iAKzDsXhPM/s400/100_2957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661836199921573682" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Emily petting the cow. These animals were so</div><div style="text-align: center;">laid-back! The only one that really wasn't was</div><div style="text-align: center;">the donkey. He ended up licking Emily's</div><div style="text-align: center;">head, which she couldn't stop laughing about.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iP1es_j05c/TpLiBfvVEyI/AAAAAAAAA9A/f3kLyLbPFp8/s1600/100_2958.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iP1es_j05c/TpLiBfvVEyI/AAAAAAAAA9A/f3kLyLbPFp8/s400/100_2958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661836196885893922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In the corn maze....we let the kids determine which </div><div style="text-align: center;">paths we took. I'm pretty sure they</div><div style="text-align: center;">got their dad's (terrible) sense of direction.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOkO-NOc7SQ/TpLiBGY8moI/AAAAAAAAA84/KYPAmGMz130/s1600/100_2963.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOkO-NOc7SQ/TpLiBGY8moI/AAAAAAAAA84/KYPAmGMz130/s400/100_2963.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661836190081129090" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38bBRsDt59w/TpLiA8KORBI/AAAAAAAAA8w/VaN65Ybf1WU/s1600/100_2962.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38bBRsDt59w/TpLiA8KORBI/AAAAAAAAA8w/VaN65Ybf1WU/s400/100_2962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661836187335017490" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-667BaSKDkqI/TpLiAjoQPQI/AAAAAAAAA8o/hTjrpzWcpqU/s1600/100_2965.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-667BaSKDkqI/TpLiAjoQPQI/AAAAAAAAA8o/hTjrpzWcpqU/s400/100_2965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661836180750089474" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-76327900523800730612011-08-23T05:53:00.003-04:002011-08-23T06:06:20.814-04:00Cedar Point/Great Wolf Lodge<div style="text-align: left;">At some point last winter, Dad emailed Jason and I and asked if we'd like to do a vacation in the summer to an amusement park. Since it's very rare that I get to hang out with my brother and my dad at the same time, I was all for it. We chose Cedar Point since it seemed like a good meeting place somewhere in the middle of Indiana and Pennsylvania (Dad got the short end of the stick with driving).</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jason found the Great Wolf Lodge while we were on the phone one night discussing hotel options. By the time we ended our conversation, we'd booked the rooms and I was really excited to see what the fuss was about with this resort.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a picture from our balcony. We overlooked what could be considered the highlight of staying here...the indoor waterpark. The entire building to the left housed waterslides and pools...we spent an entire day there! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9R5kt6INRA/TlN5INmFIuI/AAAAAAAAA8g/IbNRjAPQm-c/s400/100_2820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643987940020658914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>The first day, we went to Cedar Point amusement park. It was awesome...so many rollercoasters! Because we were all with kids, we didn't end up getting on as many rides as I would have liked, but we did hit some amazing coasters. I ended up chickening out for the very last one...too much time spent thinking about it...so Jen and I indulged in milkshakes while Dan, Jason, and Dad rode it. Maybe we'll get back out there at some point, and I will find the courage to do it :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The best part of the trip was seeing the kids interact. Emily and Owen don't see their cousins much, but when they do, it's like they see them all the time! Emily is enamored with Isabelle...she wants to do everything Isabelle does. She also seemed to "adopt" Schuyler as her baby brother, while Owen and Isabelle really hit it off. </div><div>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqAtmUFh1RM/TlN5H8Waj7I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/F_uFeHJjY9s/s1600/100_2823.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqAtmUFh1RM/TlN5H8Waj7I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/F_uFeHJjY9s/s400/100_2823.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643987935391551410" /></a>The second day we spent at the waterpark. I didn't know how the kids would like it since they'd never been on waterslides before. Well, I need not have worried. Both of them were scurrying up and down the slides, and we all had a blast. Emily especially loved watching the bucket of water fall every so often from the water fort.
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDYAayyQqdA/TlN5H_b38jI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/1tUJVX1eojs/s1600/100_2852.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDYAayyQqdA/TlN5H_b38jI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/1tUJVX1eojs/s400/100_2852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643987936219755058" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldYV6Zf6Ias/TlN5HcB3PkI/AAAAAAAAA8I/PrWrtfDr_ns/s1600/100_2854.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldYV6Zf6Ias/TlN5HcB3PkI/AAAAAAAAA8I/PrWrtfDr_ns/s400/100_2854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643987926715416130" /></a>
<br /></div><div>We had an amazing vacation...it was so nice to see my Dad and Shirley and my brother and his family and just spend some time with them. While the drive out and back seemed endless (a toddler and a preschooler have to pee an amazing number of times on a drive with limited rest stops), it was definitely worth it!
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAgeoGuwg4s/TlN5HJEjzII/AAAAAAAAA8A/ABWHBtLb8kg/s1600/100_2861.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAgeoGuwg4s/TlN5HJEjzII/AAAAAAAAA8A/ABWHBtLb8kg/s400/100_2861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643987921626451074" /></a>
<br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-80528411199027484162011-07-26T19:29:00.002-04:002011-07-26T19:40:04.150-04:00Summertime...and the livin's easy<div style="text-align: left;">Summer is my very favorite time of year. It's always been that way. I have a summer birthday, school is out, and it's light until late into the evening. Things just seem a lot more relaxed in the summer, and I absolutely love the weather. So...some things we've done so far with our summer!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The beach is my favorite place to be, but Dan has not been to Ocean City except for a couple of occasions (and one of those was in the winter). So, he and I took a mini vacation over an extended July 4th weekend sans kiddos. It was so wonderful! We loved our hotel (The Dunes Manor), we were relaxed, we had fun, and the weather was gorgeous. The only negative that occurred was somehow I caught strep throat, so by our last night, I was feeling pretty terrible. But, up until then, I was LOVING our getaway; we're hoping to do it again next year.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4-oe_HzC-I/Ti9OF9TQjcI/AAAAAAAAA74/5dusMp3N0wE/s400/100_2789.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633807523125431746" /><br /></div><div>The kids got to spend a lot of time with their grandparents. Dan's parents came to visit in July and stayed for a long weekend. My dad and Shirley came up the following weekend for a wedding, and while the kids only got to spend an hour or two with them, they certainly made the most of it! I'm pretty sure dad was sore the day after hoisting the kids up and down repeatedly on what they fondly referred to as "The Ride".</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcYRWIFlsgI/Ti9OFrsNYCI/AAAAAAAAA7w/HqlWPaFZYrE/s1600/100_2814.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcYRWIFlsgI/Ti9OFrsNYCI/AAAAAAAAA7w/HqlWPaFZYrE/s400/100_2814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633807518398242850" /></a><br /></div><div>We've also spent time at my mom and Ron's house, specifically in the pool. Both kids have really taken to swimming this year. Emily and Owen both will swim unassisted with their swimmies, and they will both jump off the side of the pool and swim to the steps. It's amazing how fast they learned! </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCpZm4W6SbE/Ti9OFSABlWI/AAAAAAAAA7o/_KZnwbcJYHY/s1600/100_2723.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCpZm4W6SbE/Ti9OFSABlWI/AAAAAAAAA7o/_KZnwbcJYHY/s400/100_2723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633807511502034274" /></a><br /></div><div>This summer has been a bit different for me since I don't have the usual time off work. This spring semester, I filled in once again in the guidance office, so I owed ten additional days after the end of school. This time, however, the other counselor decided not to do her ten days prior to school starting either, so I am taking those as well. That means I only get about 4 weeks of summer vacation, and it's been broken up throughout July and some of August. I love the counseling job, though, so I don't mind too much...although come August 24th, I return to the English classroom once more.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-85053685352216699332011-05-18T19:31:00.002-04:002011-05-18T19:35:37.415-04:00Emily's 4th Birthday<div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to believe that Emily is already 4! We celebrated her birthday on Mother's Day with family and friends. Some pics of the day...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emily, Jordyn, and Colton ready to dig into the cake!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVLFb7ZM6-8/TdRXO4Iw6CI/AAAAAAAAA7U/fjLxig_a5xg/s1600/100_2715.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVLFb7ZM6-8/TdRXO4Iw6CI/AAAAAAAAA7U/fjLxig_a5xg/s400/100_2715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608203349082040354" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4dAZM2EIvU/TdRXOksh9CI/AAAAAAAAA7M/hZBicqK6XX4/s1600/100_2718.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4dAZM2EIvU/TdRXOksh9CI/AAAAAAAAA7M/hZBicqK6XX4/s400/100_2718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608203343863346210" /></a>Opening presents...she got so much wonderful stuff!</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1U-c3PFaek/TdRXOS8k33I/AAAAAAAAA7E/zA698kgis5A/s1600/100_2685.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1U-c3PFaek/TdRXOS8k33I/AAAAAAAAA7E/zA698kgis5A/s400/100_2685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608203339098808178" /></a>Em's into Minnie Mouse at the moment, so her party had to have a Minnie Mouse theme.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMeV1yRuQrM/TdRXOK19jPI/AAAAAAAAA68/2Xgsxc9mzmo/s1600/100_2684.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMeV1yRuQrM/TdRXOK19jPI/AAAAAAAAA68/2Xgsxc9mzmo/s400/100_2684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608203336923581682" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-67803541145252258662011-05-15T19:46:00.001-04:002011-05-15T19:49:35.261-04:00Easter 2011<div style="text-align: left;">Some pictures of Easter this year!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PVLVaROrHbM/TdBmWKiP43I/AAAAAAAAA60/3bUoJO9JPLo/s400/100_2646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607094067047424882" /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oruc8obi_HA/TdBmV6XzM1I/AAAAAAAAA6s/-8jaiufIdDI/s1600/100_2648.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oruc8obi_HA/TdBmV6XzM1I/AAAAAAAAA6s/-8jaiufIdDI/s400/100_2648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607094062708634450" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPqwBaiAZ7E/TdBmVo89znI/AAAAAAAAA6k/mnRmCOpJRxE/s1600/100_2653.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPqwBaiAZ7E/TdBmVo89znI/AAAAAAAAA6k/mnRmCOpJRxE/s400/100_2653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607094058032680562" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10VFjEMAAPc/TdBmVjj8ZVI/AAAAAAAAA6c/3ETonJSmHvM/s1600/100_2642.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10VFjEMAAPc/TdBmVjj8ZVI/AAAAAAAAA6c/3ETonJSmHvM/s400/100_2642.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607094056585553234" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB4D0oyTdps/TdBmVVqrP-I/AAAAAAAAA6U/RZxQfHnkdfY/s1600/100_2636.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB4D0oyTdps/TdBmVVqrP-I/AAAAAAAAA6U/RZxQfHnkdfY/s400/100_2636.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607094052855693282" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-59467383225155379012011-05-08T08:26:00.003-04:002011-05-08T08:33:56.791-04:00Owen's 2nd Birthday<div style="text-align: left;">I know it's about a month and a half overdue, but here are some pictures from Owen's 2nd birthday. For the second year in a row, we had very nice, warm weather. We weren't outside this year (hopefully by next year we'll have a deck!), but the new house proved to be big enough to hold everyone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Owen had a blast opening gifts, although he didn't understand the concept of opening one after the other. He wanted to play with each one in between!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UX9Q6Z_evig/TcaMpheWEGI/AAAAAAAAA6M/tab_7O1gG-0/s400/100_2583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604321431297331298" /></div><div>Owen's newest obsession is trains. We accidentally discovered this around Christmas when, on a whim, I found a little Thomas train to throw in his stocking. Well, some of his first words were "Choo, Choo!" </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QPg7fjZnMs/TcaMpRp9tUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/UbwffIZNrUA/s1600/100_2571.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QPg7fjZnMs/TcaMpRp9tUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/UbwffIZNrUA/s400/100_2571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604321427051099458" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8cYD-ID87Rg/TcaMpUkccUI/AAAAAAAAA58/i_iB-7cz7_4/s1600/100_2589.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8cYD-ID87Rg/TcaMpUkccUI/AAAAAAAAA58/i_iB-7cz7_4/s400/100_2589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604321427833254210" /></a>Grandma and Grandpa Koons made the trip up from North Carolina, and the kids loved that they stayed with us. Every night, Emily would ask if grandma and grandpa were going to sleep at our house. Now that the kids are older, it doesn't matter that they don't see these grandparents all the time...they know who they are! Although, since I do know that a certain grandpa reads this, I should stress that the kids would be even more excited if they lived in PA :)</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvAhxB9kUFE/TcaMpDfgoaI/AAAAAAAAA50/j9wipn8hpCI/s1600/100_2576.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvAhxB9kUFE/TcaMpDfgoaI/AAAAAAAAA50/j9wipn8hpCI/s400/100_2576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604321423249154466" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-80231943756699559102011-04-17T19:41:00.002-04:002011-04-17T19:44:03.347-04:00I'm Back!This week was my first week back in the guidance office, and I'm loving it! While I had good kids this semester, there is no describing the weight that has lifted off my shoulders now that I don't have to spend my weekends doing lesson plans and grading. I work hard during the day, but when I leave, I'm finished with work until the next day. And I love the people I work with each and every day. I can't wait for this to someday become my permanent gig...until then, I'll just enjoy the respite from the classroom.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-80480309123675590962011-03-25T17:02:00.002-04:002011-03-25T17:06:20.869-04:00The family that inks together...<div style="text-align: left;">Dan was completely tattoo free until about a month ago. He never had much of an interest in them. But...I'm pretty sure he was jealous of my ink with the kids' initials. So...he decided to get the kids' names put on him. The result:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKA6G894oRM/TY0DLNNn3QI/AAAAAAAAA5s/k9HpBkBYsxw/s400/100_2528.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588126203696897282" /></div><div><br /></div><div>And I just wanted to add to my collection...so last night I had this put on the back of my neck. Means "family". Not sure I'm done for good, but I guess I will be done for awhile now.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjHk7ZtfAqA/TY0DKsfVBiI/AAAAAAAAA5k/6qEWwreAsbQ/s1600/100_2605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjHk7ZtfAqA/TY0DKsfVBiI/AAAAAAAAA5k/6qEWwreAsbQ/s400/100_2605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588126194912790050" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-37678104602789344112011-03-07T22:13:00.002-05:002011-03-07T22:19:23.025-05:00Healthy Days Ahead?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkAchA7awss/TXWe6mBv6vI/AAAAAAAAA5c/DTOVwmL8Ymw/s1600/UMMC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 85px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkAchA7awss/TXWe6mBv6vI/AAAAAAAAA5c/DTOVwmL8Ymw/s400/UMMC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581542042673081074" /></a>Many of you know the struggle Dan has had with his health. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease (after having an ulcerative colitis diagnosis for almost a decade). He has been through so many tests, he's tried several different medicines, and in November he had surgery to remove part of his colon and intestine. Still, nothing seemed to help. <div><br /></div><div>Cut to today - a new doctor suggested he see a specialist at UMMC. After enduring rush-hour traffic into Baltimore and several hours with several different doctors and a dietician, I am extremely hopeful that we will finally find the right therapies to help Dan live a "normal" life. We go back next Thursday so Dan can have yet another colonoscopy, but this time, it seems like the doctor is ready to be aggressive with different treatments and options. Also, Dan is, for the first time since I've known him, not taking any oral meds. He will continue on his infusions, but the medicine that cost us so much each month out-of-pocket (but didn't really help him) is a thing of the past, at least for now.</div><div><br /></div><div>While this disease is Dan's, I can't help but be excited because it affects all of us as well. I'm excited to see (let's be honest...meet) the Dan who is not tired or worn out from dealing with this daily. Keep your fingers crossed for him that his tests go well, and he is on the road to recovery!</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-14375569632539071982011-02-06T21:05:00.002-05:002011-02-06T21:08:52.125-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TU9Tc5jmEcI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Z5YfujWHueg/s1600/summer08-001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TU9Tc5jmEcI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Z5YfujWHueg/s320/summer08-001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570763020032152002" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>So...what is that little speck to the left? Why, none other than a kidney stone. I had the pleasure of dealing with this issue again this weekend. Almost five years ago I went to the ER sure I had something very wrong. I couldn't stand up I was in so much pain, and I wasn't sure what was happening. This time around, I knew. The back pain, the cramps that got consistently worse, and the overwhelming urge to pee...it brought it all back. So, I procured some pain meds (I refuse to tell how...apparently it's a federal law not to give them out to those they're not prescribed to) and began peeing into a strainer. Sometime late last night, I saw what I thought was sand...turns out, those little granules were responsible for all my pain. I'm hoping I can go at least another 5 years until dealing with these annoying stones again.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-36836063586986071522011-01-28T07:41:00.002-05:002011-01-28T07:45:07.021-05:00Snow Fun<div style="text-align: left;">With all the snow we've gotten recently, it seemed like a good time to let the kids go out and burn off some energy. This was really Owen's first time, since last year he was too small to go out in the blizzards we got (I think the snow was taller than he was!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sledding is now one of Emily's favorite activities. We have a hill in the backyard they went down, although once the deck is on the house, the hill will be gone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5wc8NoiI/AAAAAAAAA5A/nOzR08iI6SE/s320/100_2481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567216331436958242" /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5vzR1R4I/AAAAAAAAA44/WIlrXgfb6f0/s1600/100_2486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5vzR1R4I/AAAAAAAAA44/WIlrXgfb6f0/s320/100_2486.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567216320253347714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5vbNHe4I/AAAAAAAAA4w/h3Z1IfKi4I0/s1600/100_2487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5vbNHe4I/AAAAAAAAA4w/h3Z1IfKi4I0/s320/100_2487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567216313791118210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5u4KCqSI/AAAAAAAAA4o/xnCcvhDshc0/s1600/100_2504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5u4KCqSI/AAAAAAAAA4o/xnCcvhDshc0/s320/100_2504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567216304382978338" /></a>Emily's other favorite snow activity? Making snow angels! I'm not sure where she learned about this...probably school...but she just threw herself down and said, "Mommy, I'm making an angel!" Too cute.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5uR61PpI/AAAAAAAAA4g/l0bYO4XtMhI/s1600/100_2507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUK5uR61PpI/AAAAAAAAA4g/l0bYO4XtMhI/s320/100_2507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567216294118637202" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-15367532825622610862011-01-27T07:39:00.001-05:002011-01-27T07:40:49.919-05:00Snow Day!<div style="text-align: left;">At the beginning of the week, they predicted we MIGHT get an inch or so from this storm. I'd say they were very wrong :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUFnnoACBeI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/_AuFI1WuXSs/s320/100_2511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566844544856753634" /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUFnnbA6k0I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/NZZmjE00S8c/s1600/100_2512.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUFnnbA6k0I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/NZZmjE00S8c/s320/100_2512.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566844541370798914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUFnnRcSYbI/AAAAAAAAA4I/o3Nw8eDT2zk/s1600/100_2513.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TUFnnRcSYbI/AAAAAAAAA4I/o3Nw8eDT2zk/s320/100_2513.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566844538801250738" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-79079385872112137592010-12-31T10:21:00.002-05:002010-12-31T10:23:44.361-05:00Surgery updateAs most who read this know, I had surgery December 27th. While I knew I'd be in some discomfort, I still had big plans to do some painting and grading over my week-long break. I guess I underestimated the "discomfort" because I got a whole lot of nothing done. However, I'm happy to report that every day I feel a bit better, I'm back to being able to lift the kids, and I expect to be 100% in a couple more days (just in time to return to work!)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-11413698178838301082010-12-28T22:38:00.002-05:002010-12-28T22:44:41.979-05:00Christmas Night<div style="text-align: left;">After a morning filled with sugar and presents and a very long nap (for all of us), we headed to mom's to continue the Christmas fun. Aunt Helaina and Uncle Ron once again got the kids some nice loud presents :) Owen got a scooter that makes all kinds of fun noises, and Emily got her very own thousand piece band! Owen enjoyed playing the triangle: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgxLiViI/AAAAAAAAA4A/d1g9eMFoGtc/s320/100_2470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555943868784072226" /></div><div>Then moved on to banging the xylophone while Emily took her turn with the triangle:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgtFL-fI/AAAAAAAAA34/RdHl_-d3i28/s1600/100_2468.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgtFL-fI/AAAAAAAAA34/RdHl_-d3i28/s320/100_2468.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555943867683699186" /></a>Auntie Amber stopped by for a visit. Both kids love hanging out with Amber, and she made fast friends with Emily when she gave her some books.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgTRx_rI/AAAAAAAAA3w/7FdUWh4mwqg/s1600/100_2472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgTRx_rI/AAAAAAAAA3w/7FdUWh4mwqg/s320/100_2472.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555943860757200562" /></a>Owen was obviously enamored too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgOxZYGI/AAAAAAAAA3o/hfewDqjDOHw/s1600/100_2475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtgOxZYGI/AAAAAAAAA3o/hfewDqjDOHw/s320/100_2475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555943859547627618" /></a>Later, Dan and Amber practiced their figure skating routine on mom's floors. For anyone who hasn't experienced the terror of mom's waxed floors...be glad. They have been the site of many an accident, including some stair falls (seriously...who waxes wooden stairs???)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtf9LZPcI/AAAAAAAAA3g/_zAimIzpZjE/s1600/100_2477.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqtf9LZPcI/AAAAAAAAA3g/_zAimIzpZjE/s320/100_2477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555943854824832450" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-6820768128364749032010-12-28T22:31:00.002-05:002010-12-28T22:36:37.280-05:00Christmas Morning<div style="text-align: left;">Santa definitely arrived at our house!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQ5GpOMI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/yMTD0KS7dvg/s320/100_2457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555942496521500866" /></div><div>Santa's gift to the kids was a kitchen. The two of them seem obsessed with household chores, and Emily loved playing with the kitchen at the dentist's office, so Santa knew this gift would go over well. It even has a grill so Owen can cook just like Daddy!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQhgZbdI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/1CnKvFPFu5s/s1600/100_2455.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQhgZbdI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/1CnKvFPFu5s/s320/100_2455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555942490187066834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQVIbcJI/AAAAAAAAA3I/mMJfQuOVNys/s1600/100_2456.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQVIbcJI/AAAAAAAAA3I/mMJfQuOVNys/s320/100_2456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555942486865309842" /></a>The mountain of presents for the kids seemed neverending!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQRC56vI/AAAAAAAAA3A/WPvegD5ZV1k/s1600/100_2459.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsQRC56vI/AAAAAAAAA3A/WPvegD5ZV1k/s320/100_2459.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555942485768399602" /></a>Enjoying some donuts from their Christmas stockings...the first hits of a day long sugar high that would be driving me crazy by the end of the night!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsPu3CiQI/AAAAAAAAA24/IIjxPUq_Fn4/s1600/100_2462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRqsPu3CiQI/AAAAAAAAA24/IIjxPUq_Fn4/s320/100_2462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555942476591827202" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-79868949875516112382010-12-26T23:28:00.002-05:002010-12-26T23:33:45.718-05:00Christmas Eve<div style="text-align: left;">It's the most wonderful time of the year! I love Christmas time, and this year was one of the best in recent memory. Christmas Eve was almost how I remember it as a kid...lots of family, very loud, and completely fun! After church, mom, Ron, Grandma, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Art, Matthew, and Holly came over to celebrate with us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emily and Owen opened their presents from Aunt Sharon and Uncle Art. While Owen was the one who got the drill (and safety goggles), Emily is the one who says SAFETY FIRST! She modeled the goggles so everyone could see how stylish safety could be.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWOC1SmLI/AAAAAAAAA2w/m7w1QSXJe70/s320/100_2446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555214570895874226" /></div><div>Owen and Emily both love their aunt, and Owen gave plenty of hugs!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWNsBZcaI/AAAAAAAAA2o/NzNYtHMsr_s/s1600/100_2449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWNsBZcaI/AAAAAAAAA2o/NzNYtHMsr_s/s320/100_2449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555214564772639138" /></a>Grandma made her traditional brisket (yum...why do we only get this once a year???). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWNume-JI/AAAAAAAAA2g/MxeMn7tXVXE/s1600/100_2448.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWNume-JI/AAAAAAAAA2g/MxeMn7tXVXE/s320/100_2448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555214565465061522" /></a>Owen posed in his Christmas Eve outfit...he's such a handsome little man.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWNIdjv8I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/JkTkCyft-DU/s1600/100_2435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWNIdjv8I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/JkTkCyft-DU/s320/100_2435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555214555227078594" /></a>And Emily looked beautiful in her sparkly dress and shoes. She's practicing her "cute" pose.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWM5JLEBI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/gm_kAF7Psns/s1600/100_2431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TRgWM5JLEBI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/gm_kAF7Psns/s320/100_2431.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555214551115042834" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-85989100057109070482010-12-13T08:36:00.003-05:002010-12-13T08:41:27.848-05:001st Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party<div style="text-align: left;">This year, we decided to throw a Christmas party. It morphed into an ugly Christmas sweater party, and it was so much fun, I think we'll end up doing it every year! Some pictures....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dan (who won third place) and I</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh67Mzu0I/AAAAAAAAA2E/78wtTMZejBY/s320/100_2380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550160886988258114" /></div><div>Leesa (whose Christmas cactus sweater garnered her 2nd place) and her husband Shane<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh6seO77I/AAAAAAAAA18/ZnQn19pfSio/s1600/100_2366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh6seO77I/AAAAAAAAA18/ZnQn19pfSio/s320/100_2366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550160883034812338" /></a>The Resetars and Fortinos...the boys plugged themselves in! Mike created the sweatshirts, which had actual ladies under each "Ho".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh6LQl7pI/AAAAAAAAA10/XDmB3RSeylk/s1600/100_2374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh6LQl7pI/AAAAAAAAA10/XDmB3RSeylk/s320/100_2374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550160874119229074" /></a>The Resetar/Fortino girls...so cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh58z1gPI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Ts1fzHQaSf8/s1600/100_2388.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh58z1gPI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Ts1fzHQaSf8/s320/100_2388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550160870240518386" /></a>Team English!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh5FU1mRI/AAAAAAAAA1k/9rluCGTUPv8/s1600/100_2399.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYh5FU1mRI/AAAAAAAAA1k/9rluCGTUPv8/s320/100_2399.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550160855346551058" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-77104695475191090562010-12-13T08:24:00.003-05:002010-12-13T08:29:53.870-05:00Rocky Ridge Lights!<div style="text-align: left;">This year, we decided to head to Rocky Ridge to see the Christmas lights. We took mom and Ron along with us and had an amazing time! Emily was really into the lights and the entire experience this year. Poor Owen spent most of his time in the buggy, but we're hoping next year he's ready to love the lights just as much as Em did.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mom and Ron showing off the kids:</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfGAIEPWI/AAAAAAAAA1c/wB93sjPuQXk/s320/100_2362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550157778754223458" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Emily with Santa. She's still not sure of him, but she was brave enough to go up and ask him for the only thing she says when we ask what she wants: a unicorn Pillow Pet!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfF5rAfRI/AAAAAAAAA1U/vylTpXJrusU/s1600/100_2355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfF5rAfRI/AAAAAAAAA1U/vylTpXJrusU/s320/100_2355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550157777021730066" /></a>She could barely stay on the trail she was so excited about the lights.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfFRz1iQI/AAAAAAAAA1M/B5czYW1FsAs/s1600/100_2339.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfFRz1iQI/AAAAAAAAA1M/B5czYW1FsAs/s320/100_2339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550157766321342722" /></a>Owen...not so much. But he had fun anyway, I think.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfFGco-aI/AAAAAAAAA1E/tRVXn_k3uag/s1600/100_2336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfFGco-aI/AAAAAAAAA1E/tRVXn_k3uag/s320/100_2336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550157763271260578" /></a>Em insisted on giving hugs to certain displays. Frosty almost fell over after her affections!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfE9Vvi3I/AAAAAAAAA08/Ttf-upOsOIU/s1600/100_2335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TQYfE9Vvi3I/AAAAAAAAA08/Ttf-upOsOIU/s320/100_2335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550157760826411890" /></a><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-87790507011325819492010-11-19T13:23:00.000-05:002010-11-19T13:26:21.628-05:00We like to Potty...Or at least, we'd like Emily to like to potty. We've been doing potty training hardcore this week. It's time. It's ridiculous. It's embarrassing. She simply doesn't want to use the potty. We've tried other tricks, we've had mediocre success, so this week, we bit the bullet. Our little lady is wearing panties, and I am doing laundry every night.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was our best day so far...only one accident. Today didn't start off well. All the poop she's been holding in this week came out. Not in the potty :(</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping that this will be over soon, and I can look back in a week or so and think, "man, that wasn't too bad." Here's to hoping.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-33837748575041384722010-11-13T21:38:00.002-05:002010-11-13T21:40:12.146-05:00Liar, Liar, Pants on FireAn actual conversation with Emily tonight:<div><br /></div><div>Emily: Christmas is coming soon!</div><div>Me: Yep! Santa Claus will be here soon! He'll want to know if you're a good girl.</div><div>Emily: You tell Santa Claus I'm good. Tell him I stay in my bed.</div><div>Dan: Do you stay in your bed, Emily?</div><div>Emily: Noooooo. You tell him I do. </div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-45950613988539462742010-11-07T19:23:00.001-05:002010-11-07T19:25:31.300-05:00Quick UpdateAfter only 3 nights in the hospital, Dan came home to us. I think part of the reason for the early release was because he drove the nurses crazy the last night...couldn't sleep, needed a fan, then an ice pack...they were ready for him to go :) <div><br /></div><div>He's doing well...eating regular food for the most part and dealing with the pain well. He has some time off work to fully recover, and I've gotta say, I'm going to be a little jealous when I leave for work in the mornings and he's tucked in cozy in bed!</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-7999192180149663722010-11-04T21:08:00.003-04:002010-11-04T21:14:44.262-04:00Surgery TimeI apologize for taking so long to get more pictures and whatnot up here. The past few weeks have been busy...3 weddings in October, Halloween, and now Dan't surgery. I promise to keep up better once he's home!<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday Dan went in for an open bowel resection. Basically, they cut out the right side of his colon and about 2 feet of small intestine, then joined up the remaining "stuff". This is supposed to get rid of the part that was very diseased from his Crohn's disease. We're hopeful that he can stop living in pain and discomfort and start living a more normal life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dan's doing well, all things considered. Yesterday after surgery he was in quite a bit of pain, which I think he expected, but I don't think he realized how much it would hurt. He also dealt with nausea that came and went. Luckily, today was better. He was up and walking, he felt better, and his pain wasn't as bad. He's still on ice water for his meals (yep, just ice water) and he had an unfortunate catheter removal experience that gives him the shudders to retell, but overall, it was a good day. </div><div><br /></div><div>On my end, I now realize that I do not have what it takes to be a single mother :) Being in charge of both kids is exhausting and sometimes downright impossible. My mom has been helping out a ton, which I'm so grateful for, but there have still been tears shed from all three Bilodeaus.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're hoping Dan gets out of the hospital in the next few days...it all depends how well his body does at taking other liquids and foods. While he still will be out of commission once he's home, I miss just having him around and can't wait for him to be back with us!</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78491959555615252.post-38022393020920937482010-10-10T22:42:00.003-04:002010-10-10T22:53:53.267-04:00New York State of Mind<div style="text-align: left;">The first weekend in October, Dan and I went to New York City for two nights. The occasion? One of my friends from Elizabethtown was getting married; it's the only time the four original Etown girls seem to find time to get together, so Dan and I decided to go up early and make a weekend out of it. After battling traffic to get there Friday evening, we checked into our hotel and went to dinner. I must talk about the dinner. I have dubbed it BDE: Best Dinner Ever. The salad...to die for. The main course (baked shrimp with mashed potatoes, some weird corn sauce, and spinach)...amazing. I was so full, but I ate the entire thing...it was honestly one of the best dinners I've ever had in my life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So Saturday, after recovering from BDE, we hit the sightseeing. Here I am in F.A.O. Schwartz, where I was in love with all the Wizard of Oz stuff. Couldn't resist posing with both the good and bad witches...</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6IFLvCCI/AAAAAAAAA00/Ib6C2UHizHI/s320/100_2226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526613971985958946" /></div><div>Dan and I had croissants in Central Park, then wandered around for a bit. The best part that we discovered was this pond area...so beautiful in the middle of the city!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6H9XKuLI/AAAAAAAAA0s/oWAr89XHUMw/s1600/100_2225.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6H9XKuLI/AAAAAAAAA0s/oWAr89XHUMw/s320/100_2225.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526613969886427314" /></a>The restaurant where BDE occurred (Sequoia if you're interested in finding it) overlooks the water and the Brooklyn Bridge. So pretty!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6HVU61uI/AAAAAAAAA0k/RbIZVBcmUBI/s1600/100_2219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6HVU61uI/AAAAAAAAA0k/RbIZVBcmUBI/s320/100_2219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526613959139579618" /></a>Our hotel looked directly out onto ground zero. We were literally right next to it. In fact, when we checked in, our desk guy told us that construction happens 24/7, so we may need ear plugs or a white noise machine. While they were doing construction, there wasn't any demolition, and it didn't bother us. We were mesmerized, though, by what was happening. Here is the WTC building going up...they were up to 34 stories while we were there. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6GwQOuBI/AAAAAAAAA0c/A8ygtM3sxRA/s1600/100_2212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6GwQOuBI/AAAAAAAAA0c/A8ygtM3sxRA/s320/100_2212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526613949187799058" /></a>This is the area with the reflecting pools...the pools are basically the foundation areas of the former towers. The entire thing is very sobering, and it's amazing how quickly the area around this has been built back up.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6GTzRNZI/AAAAAAAAA0U/IeuFZ4n61-o/s1600/100_2232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7Pq0qz4B3Kg/TLJ6GTzRNZI/AAAAAAAAA0U/IeuFZ4n61-o/s320/100_2232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526613941550134674" /></a>As for the actual wedding...well, I have no pictures. I forgot my camera at the hotel. However, it was beautiful, it was fun, and the four of us aren't sure how we're going to get together again since we're now all married :)</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649293465024908144noreply@blogger.com0