We're jumping for joy...

December 20, 2007

for Christmas!



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Christmas Traditions pt. 2

December 8, 2007

I can't tell you how many times I have walked past the Gingerbread house kits at the grocery store and thought how much I would love to buy one to put together with the kids. For one reason or another I never do.....that is, until this year! We had such a fun time together decorating our little house that I have decided it will be a Christmas tradition from now on! We may even make our own from scratch one day when we are pro's, but for now the "kit" method worked well for us. I did have to make more icing because we kept eating it, and we did have to use legos at one point to hold up each side of the roof ( I guess we should have used a little more icing on the roof and a little less on our tongues!), but hey, that's what memories are made of! So, here are the first pictures of many more memories to come over the years:





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Christmas traditions

December 7, 2007

Ever since I can remember my mom has baked a very special Christmas cake to celebrate the holiday. If I described this cake to you most of you would probably not want to partake in its yummy goodness...this is, after all, a giant fruitcake.
I've realized after being an American for 21 years that most Americans have a general dislike, and maybe even a serious hatred, for the poor fruitcake. Just remember, that this is a homemade fruitcake and should not be compared to the little briquettes that make their way to various homes during the holidays.
Mom usually makes one large cake for the whole family and we share it throughout December and January whenever we visit. This year Mom made each family their own little cake and had the kids over to decorate. I decided that this definitely needs to become a tradition for our family! Here are some pictures from our fun cake time:




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Bumblebee!

December 6, 2007

The release of the movie Transformers was a dream-come-true for my dearest hubby. He owned many of these toys as a child ( as did I) and actually let out an audible *gasp* when the first previews started airing for the movie. The magic has spread to the other males in our home, and even though the little men will not be seeing the movie they are quite in love with the characters. After we rented and watched the movie we decided on sections of the movie to let the boys watch: mostly all of the interesting "transforming" scenes. Bumblebee has become a favorite and I spend way too much time in my day trying to transform mini-versions of these complex toys.

The other day the kids and I made a stop at Wal-Mart. We finished up our shopping and as we headed for the car, we were stopped dead in our tracks by an amazing scene. Parked right next to us was Bumblebee himself! The kids started screaming and jumping up-and-down. I have to admit I was kind of excited too! Since I always carry my camera for those "must-have picture moments" I whipped it out and had the chickadees pose in front of their favorite robot: (yes, I know...for all of you Transformer buffs, this is not the real car that played Bumblebee, but a Mustang painted the correct colors works for us!) And no , I did not realize that Ethan was leaning up against this very nice, does not belong to us, vehicle!
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November 8, 2007




Okay, okay, I know it's been about a year since any grand stories or pictures have been posted on this blog. You have Facebook to thank for that! Well, and life...and school...And now that we have entered that really crazy, busy time of the year I can't promise getting any better on my posting habits. Just thought I would let the 5 of you who actually read my blog every now-and-then, know!
Our latest family adventure took place at Vogel park in the beautiful mountains of North GA. The weather was cold, but the scenery full of tall green pines in stark contrast to the oranges, golds, reds and pinks of the hardwoods was well worth it all. Thankfully, each Vogel campsite is equipped with an electrical outlet and a faucet. We were able to set up a space heater in the tent at night to keep the inside temp. around 50-60 degrees while the outside plummeted to a very cold 28!

Eating Daddy's homemade "marshmallow melts"
The Appalachian Trail marker

The lake at Vogel

The little store that the Appalachian Trail cuts through




























































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Camping 101

October 10, 2007

We've been gearing up this past summer to take the children on their first overnight camping adventure. After scouting camps relatively close to home, we finally decided on one and set off last Friday with our car packed to the brim. We weren't sure how the kids would like camping and I was really hoping all would go well so that it would become one of those fun and memorable traditions in the life of our family.

Keri and Rusty were also camping for the first time with their little family so we decided to camp together the first night and spend the day on Saturday with our own families. We had a great time together despite the too-humid weather. Dinner consisted of fire-roasted wienies, fruit and chips. David started a fire as soon as he had set up our tent so that he could make our dessert for the night, a delicious homemade cobbler, made in a cast iron dutch oven and cooked in the coals of our fire. It was delicious and I was so impressed with my man! We, of course, also had smores which the kids loved!

Bedtime came and went with no great difficulty. I tried to give the chickadees a wet-wipe bath but the dirt didn't budge. The adults stayed up and chatted for a little while longer and then we retired to our "wet" pillows and sleeping bags ( from the humidity). Thankfully, we at least had an air mattress to rest our old bones on but sleep did not come easily. I felt like I was up most of the night, tossing and turning and listening to the night sounds. David was up as well but I'll refrain from sharing his issues with you!

The morning finally came and all three little cuties sat up in their sleeping bags and started jabbering about how much they love camping. It was too cute! That day we headed out into the wilderness with backpacks and GPS in hand to scout out some caches. We drove down forest service roads forever(bit of an exaggeration), found a beautiful waterfall and an old cemetery ( I have a thing for old cemeteries!) and finally made it to the place we thought we should start hiking...after 30 minutes of not getting anywhere and having to carry Jonah over all of the underbrush, we decided to give up and pursue other pleasures of the day. The drive back to the campsite put the boys to sleep and we were all ready for lunch by the time we arrived. After lunch we packed up our things and headed home. We couldn't spend another night because of obligations on Sun. morning.

Sooooo....I think our camping trip was a great success! The weather was disappointing with the warmth and humidity, but the kids did well and David and I had a great time together as well. You never know how these things are going to work out, but I think we have a fun future ahead of us in the world of the great outdoors and camping! Oh, and btw, I have my eyes set on a pop-up camper, so if anyone has one and would like to let us borrow it , we would be greatly appreciative. (I'm still trying to sell my dearest on the idea!)
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A light in the valley

September 23, 2007

It seems as though my family has been walking through this valley for some time now. I am weary at times, but mostly hopeful, resting and trusting in the promises of my God. Lately, however, my valley has grown darker, dimmer and the burden has been too much to bear. Obviously I have been trying to bear it myself. Trying to reason things out, looking for clues all the time of how God may or may not be working. Using my circumstances to measure God's presence ( I know, crazy)

Having mercy and using it in my own strength is completely exhausting and futile. I take on the world's pain and cares as if they're my own but I am only a small, helpless, scared girl without my Father. When He works in me to have mercy on others it becomes second nature: a breath, a blink of the eye-I am doing what I was created for, and I am at peace and fulfilled in doing so.

A shaft of light burst through the haze today. It was as if my Father reached down and took my face in his hands and raised my weary eyes to himself. This darkness has been oppressive, and I didn't even realize to what extent until I saw Him clear and beautiful and I remembered His amazing love for me!

In Church this morning we were discussing John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
I've been a Christian since I was 11 and have heard, studied and memorized this verse so many times. Today it became alive to me again. It was as if all of these pains and heartaches were suddenly put in their place next to a holy, righteous, loving, huge, powerful, unimaginable God.

We read in Proverbs 8 this morning , verses about wisdom and how this wisdom is really Jesus. Listen to the language of the relationship between Father and Son:

23"From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
24"When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no springs abounding with water.
25"Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills I was brought forth;
26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.
27"When He established the heavens, I was there,
When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became fixed,
29When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the water would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men."

To even begin to understand the great love between Father and Son and know the great sacrifice that was made for me , for you. To remember that Jesus, the beloved Son was beaten, nailed to a cross and then the unimaginable...God's wrath was poured out on Him, the Beloved made the enemy. "For God SO loved"! His life in exchange for mine. The righteous for the sinner. I am ashamed of my response to this. I so easily forget this act which in one instant brought me to God himself, never to fear wrath or judgment, condemnation or death ever again. I have been so intent on seeking His hand in my life that I have forgotten how beautiful He is, just Him, not His blessings, provision, gifts....just Him because He is.
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Flyboys

September 14, 2007


There's nothing better on a rainy day than a cardboard box, scissors and some masking tape!
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I must confess...

September 7, 2007

that I am an adult High School Musical fan! Yes, that would be both of the TV movies, 1 and 2. I love the singing, dancing, cheesiness, and even the adolescent love triangles. Of course without the singing and dancing I probably wouldn't have watched either movie. I am pleasantly surprised with Disney that they have effectively created two "G" rated stories with no s**, drugs or provocative dancing/clothing etc...Now, there are still cliques, peer pressure, and lost and found love, but I think that overall these are sweet and entertaining films for tweens, teens (and even the occasional adult)Did I mention that they make me want to get off my keister and dance!( and it doesn't hurt to feel like 16 again-well..the good parts of being 16)
btw, this video is the opening scene for HSM 2.

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Happy 3rd grade!

September 6, 2007

The first day of Third grade has finally come and gone. There has been much crying, wailing and begging associated with said day so I am thankful that it is finally over. Hannah loved her school last year but now remembers certain struggles she had with specific subjects and it really caused much angst leading up to this year's first day. It didn't help that I have had a horrible head cold along with recurring fevers and bouts of dizziness. I prayed for her in between my mini-naps ( I do still have the boys at home) and hoped she would come through the front door ( Nana picked her up for me) with a great big smile and lots of happy stories to share. Thankfully this is exactly what happened and it didn't hurt that Aunty Mandy bought everyone ice cream to celebrate the first day!


The Bed-head boys attack
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Disappointments

September 4, 2007

My mom sent me this and I had to post it because its such a great reminder to us all. Its taken from: "Today God is First: Daily Workplace Inspiration by Os Hillman"

Disappointments

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Life is filled with disappointments. Many of God's greatest servants experienced deep disappointment in their journeys of faithfulness to God. Joseph, after spending years as a slave and in jail for crimes that he did not commit, revealed deep disappointment when he was forgotten another two years in prison. John the Baptist, when awaiting execution, doubted whether Jesus was, in fact, the Christ because he was sitting there awaiting his death. Elijah, losing all hope and despondent to the point of death, asked God to take his life in the desert; and Peter, who left his fishing business and invested three years of his life only to watch his Savior crucified, wondered whether the purpose of those three years could be justified.

When life doesn't add up, it leaves the heart sick. When we have done all we know to do and the formula has not worked, it leaves us questioning. These are times that try the very souls of men. There is no human sense to be made of it. We are left with a choice: to cling or not to cling. There are times when holding on to our Master's robe is all that we can do. It is all that He wants us to do.

The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not obtained by sudden flight;

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upward in the night.

Standing on what too long we bore,

With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,

We may discern-unseen before-

A path to higher destinies!

Longfellow

There is only one answer to life's disappointments. Like the psalmist, we must "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken" (Ps. 62:5-6).

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Finally!

August 28, 2007


Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
I've been begging David to go dancing with me and he finally agreed!
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TBS

August 11, 2007

After many years of attempting to start my own home business I have finally jumped on the band-wagon and joined "The Body Shop at Home". Now, I know that the very thought of home businesses brings to mind many long nights spent at parties, spending money you don't have because of a sense of obligation and/or guilt to the host or consultant. I think because there are so many businesses out there we tend to all feel that way. For me it boils down to the money that I don't have to spend, on something that I don't really need.

So here I am, on the other side of it all, and you know what, I'm really excited to be doing it! My best friend Melissa is the home business guru and has been inviting me to join her on her entrepreneurial adventures for years. I've wanted to join her on many occasions but this is the first time I've been able to say "yes" and commit. You ask why? Well, because Melissa's been around the block with different products and businesses, I trust her judgment when she says that "The Body Shop at Home" is the best product she has ever sold. The quality of the products, affordability , the company's beliefs and values all come together to make this a great business. Her endorsement along with my family's desire to purchase products themselves made it seem quite well worth it. I have also looked far and wide for many a year to help supplement our one-income household.

I did mention to her (since she's my boss) that I wouldn't be having parties , well, you know why...

I ordered my kit and when it arrived it was just like Christmas ( as she had foretold). The products are great! Natural, smelly(in a good way), affordable, even the packaging(recycled) grabbed me. This all coming from a girl who used to be a tom-boy and would never think of spending any money on skin-care products. My dearest mom and sisters were excited also and proceeded to schedule a party to help kick start my little business. Did I tell you how much I dislike parties...but I agreed that I probably did need at least 1, so my first party is scheduled close to the end of the month. After all, you can't decide to like or dislike the products unless you find out about them.

Mom invited every lady at our church. I have to admit that as I prepare for my party by getting to know the products better I feel good about selling them. Most women use some kind of skin-care regiment and some would like to but can't afford it. The Body Shop products are so affordable and made with quality ingredients! Really, I'm not trying to sell my little pitch here on my blog, but it's true!

So now, let's talk about parties. If you're a friend of mine and go to church with me then you've probably been invited to my first one. You're welcome to come, or not....of course I would love to see your smiling face out there. Not everyone will be interested in these products and that's ok. I will promise that you will never be invited to another party, unless of course you wanted to be (hosts get free stuff)! I never want anyone to feel obligated to attend a party or to buy anything.
I think I do understand now why so many women are involved in these types of businesses. To be really excited about something and wanting to share it with others prompts people to have parties and share what they know. It also doesn't hurt to help the family budget a bit! So be a little patient with us and our home businesses, we really do have good intentions! If you're interested in seeing the products you can go to The Body Shop.
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Rock stars

August 8, 2007



Ethan : "Mommy, I want to be a rock star when I grow up"

Me: "Me too, Ethan, me too"

Ethan: "Mamma, you have to have an electric guitar.... and you're already grown-up!"

Me: "I am?! Oh no, Ethan, but I want to be a rock star! I practice everyday with my guitar!"

Ethan: "Mamma, you already are a rock star, at church!" (referring to my singing on the worship team)

Me: "Oh, that's right...thanks, bud, I had forgotten."
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A fun look

August 4, 2007

S i m P L Y S A M

I had to try this for myself... Thanks, Keri! I love little moments of fun!
Try this for yourself at spell with flickr.
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The Minneapolis Bridge

August 3, 2007

Lisa has already posted this link on her blog, but just in case some of my many readers haven't yet seen it, I'm going to link it here as well. Great, great thoughts. John Piper wrote a similar type of article after 9/11. You can find him at : www.desiringgod.org
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little men

July 31, 2007

I was sitting at the computer today just finishing up with my emails and blogs. Ethan came over and grabbed my arm to give me a hug. I turned around so that I could give him a proper one with both arms and he stayed like that for a moment longer than usual. Bebo was of course playing in the background, a song called Try, off the album of the same name. It's a moving, sentimental song about him and his wife, being a boy, dreams...a specific line in the song always grabs me. It's so honest, vulnerable, and it makes me think about men in our culture. The struggle to survive, thrive and be men in a feminist society.

Bebo sings, "I'm afraid to grow up, but somewhere inside is the will of a man". I won't try to add or subtract from the ideas Bebo is trying to convey with his lyrics, but it makes me think of my little boys. I'm a girl who has grown up in this society where men are demeaned, mocked and disrespected. They are my children, but they will be men one day and I am a woman helping to raise them to become those men. Men who love their Father, cherish their wives and children, stand up for goodness and truth and virtue. I'm humbled and blessed to be their mother and at the same time I am so thankful that their Heavenly Father loves them even more than I do and will work out His perfect plan for their lives. I know that this plan will include sadness and struggle because that is the way of the Cross. But I believe it will also include joy and peace and I pray, an all-consuming love for their Maker.
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This is the day that the Lord has made...

July 29, 2007

Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

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It takes a child...

July 27, 2007

to sometimes point out the truth.

I've been spending most of the morning cleaning and getting ready for the weekend. Kind of funny, like its some kind of event. I do know that if I get all of my "chores" done there is a better possibility of doing something fun and "familyish" tomorrow after David is finished with his chores( which he did confirm in a phone conversation this morning).

I don't know about you but music inspires me in every area of my life, and especially so when I have to clean. The problem is that I don't want to hear any other kind of media in the background like the TV, Leapster, computer...I know, I know I can just forbid it all and make the children play together, but then between breaking up the fights and so on I wouldn't get much cleaning done.

So, I turned on the TV upstairs for the little cuties and sent them up to play or watch, of course with a snack in hand, so that Bebo (Norman, that is) and I could get my cleaning done in record fashion and I could have a mini-worship time as well. ( BTW, he is my new favorite artist)

I reminded Ethan as he headed upstairs to please not eat on my bed. Crackers and sheets don't do well together. His next question was:

"Can I sit on that giant box with all your old stuff?"

The little dear is referring to a big wooden chest at the end of my bed filled with all sorts of personal mementos. But I think his description of it may be more accurate.


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A thought on blessing

July 25, 2007

Our Community Group met last night as we do every Tuesday. The topic of last night's discussion was centered around the sermon that was preached by a guest pastor by the name of Tom Wood. Unfortunately for David and I, we were teaching the k-3rd grades so we missed the sermon. I hate to even try and summarize since I wasn't present, but Tom had spoken of greed, money, our possessions and of course our sin in relation to it all.

In the middle of the discussion we started talking about how our views of God's blessing in our lives is probably misunderstood and mis-taught. Especially in our country where prosperity abounds and we have much, much more than we need we always seem to equate "good things and circumstances" with God's blessing.

Ok, let's take a step back for a minute and agree on some foundational issues. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever". John Piper in his book, Desiring God, flushes out this statement even more by adding that, "the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever". We were made for this. Every fiber in our bodies and every brain cell in our heads was created to bring glory to God. And in bringing Him glory we are completely satisfied and fulfilled because he is fulfilling our purpose for our very existence. Take a hike through the Psalms and experience over and over the language of praise, glory, adoration and love. The relationship between Creator and creation.

And now, in light of our purpose on this earth and God's glory we bring "blessings" back into the equation. We're feeling a little nervous at this point because we are realizing our previous and life-long thoughts may not be entirely correct. Yes, I do believe that God blesses us with things that are good; good jobs, healthy children, nice houses. His word even attests to this:

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17

but we need to be careful to assume that when things aren't "good" that we are no longer being blessed. It may be in those very times of struggle, sadness, hardship that we are being blessed the most. It is usually during our dark days that we call to him, that we realize our deep need for Him, this need that has really been there all along but covered with the clutter of self-reliance.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good:teach me your decrees." Psalm 119:67-68

"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." Psalm 119:71

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

What a great blessing to experience God as your only hope, your only salvation, your only reality for the very first time. (and then over and over again as you live in Him) This is something no one can take away from you. It is your relationship with Him, your Father, your Creator. What greater blessing could there be?! If we're honest, our money, spouses, children, health could all be gone from us in an instant, but our God is with us always:

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom 8:38,39

Blessings come in many forms but for one purpose:to bring God glory ( which in turn gives us joy and purpose and satisfaction). As Job loses all of his wordly possessions including his children, he speaks the words that our hearts all wish to believe we would speak as well:

"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!'

10But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:9,10

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A Day on the Lake

July 23, 2007

Matt and Becky invited us to spend the day with them on their new boat this past Saturday. The kids were so excited even though they didn't know what to expect! It took me all morning to get ready and pack our gear for the water(David spent the morning doing some man-chores for a couple at church). Isn't it amazing how long it takes to pack for something where kids are involved?! It was well worth it and we all had a great day!



Hannah loved the tube because she was small enough to sit in it and was pulled rather slowly. After Jonah and Ethan saw the adults being beaten and flung around on it they decided they didn't want anything to do with it. Good choice, boys. We later used the wretched device to pull each other around while swimming.


We ate lunch on the boat, sped around the lake taking in the sights, swam in a little cove, and made it back to the dock around 5 very tired, but happy to have spent time together. Thanks, you guys, it was great!


Hannah after her first "speedy" attempt on the tube



Here are some more pics from our fun day on the family blog, written by Aunt Becky!
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