Let's sing!

Baikal, Baikal, Baikal, you are five years old today.
And now that you are older, we'll play with you all day!

(to the tune of the dreidel song by Laurie Burlington)

Chattanooga weekend

We had a great time in Chattanooga over the Dec. 11th weekend. The first day we went to the aquarium. The kids love it! Then it was over to the Olive Garden for a bridesmaid brunch for Karen Rybolt. The kids loved that too! Later, we enjoyed the rehearsal and dinner with authentic Honduran cuisine. I love that! The next day was the big event. Rybolt was having cold feet about being the ring bearer, but luckily a stand-in was arranged. The wedding between Karen and Marvin was lovely and we all had a great time seeing friends and family. We are so excited to welcome Marvin into the Rybolt family. Hootie Hoo!

Time to sing!

Happy Birthday Rybolt!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and calls! Here is Rybolt talking to one of his many well wishers. He is three! Yippee!

Last days of fall

Halloween

Cowdog.




A pirate and her parrot.



Buzz and Jessie.




Total count.

Day at the park: A series

Kanuga

We had such a wonderful trip up to Kanuga this year. The weather turned from summer to fall in a snap. The kids enjoyed making smores and apple picking. We enjoyed getting to spend time with new and old friends.

You go girl!!!!

Baikal made her own bed this morning! All by herself! I didn't ask her to do it! She just wanted to! You go girl!!! I am so proud!!!

Good morning Rex!

We are happy to announce our latest sponsored insect in project B.D.B.I.P.W.T (as in Bring Dead Bugs Inside to Play With Them). Baikal found this mantis a few days ago and has begun the transitioning process of acclimating him to his new home (I found out about this mantis just a day ago and drew the line at making him new clothes). She has taken to getting him up in the mornings and helping him start his morning routine. It looks like Rex has weathered the transition relatively easily, but I give him only a few more days until his exoskeleton crumbles into dust. Yesterday, when we were heading out, she called back, "By Rex! See you after work!"

Swinging: A series

Push Me!

It's Hot!

Let's go get some ice cream.

Happy Anniversary!

Matt and I celebrated our seven year anniversary on Sept. 6 by taking the kids to Mason Mill park. This is where Matt asked me out for our first date (and smooched me for the first time). When we arrived at that auspicious place, I had packed Hershey's kisses for all of us, so everyone got a kiss. Afterwards, we found a great place to have our picnic. The park has several great trails for hiking. Rybolt enjoyed holding on to Merle's leash during the hike. Baikal enjoyed the tree swing that we stumbled upon. It was a great way to spend an anniversary.