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February 27, 2006

Ice Skating Antics

We have been talking about going ice skating with Tiffany for the past few weeks. When my mom heard this, she wanted to participate too. With my parent's coming for a visit this past weekend, we decided to make it happen. Tiffany couldn't join us, but we are planning on going again soon, and we will need an extra adult to provided man to man coverage. Our backs were pretty sore after the hour and half spent hunched over holding up the kids.

On Saturday morning the kids were showing off, in stocking feet, the moves they would perform while skating. Harrison was speeding around the corners, while Emma performed a double toe loop. I tried to explain that skating is a lot harder than it looks. They found out for themselves once their skates touched the ice. However, they were not deterred or discouraged by the number of times they fell on that hard ice. It's nice to have tough kids.

Thanks to my dad, who made himself the official photographer. You can watch the kids, and their parents, in action, if you'd like. Ice Skating Antics

Harrison and Emma learned a new word too, Zamboni!

Posted by jennifer at 10:00 AM

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Posted by: Betsy & Bryan at March 12, 2006 08:44 PM

February 24, 2006

Welcome Emily

On Thursday evening we had the pleasure of meeting Emily Roth, Jeff and Stephanie's brand new baby. We all loved holding the sweet little thing. Congratulations Guys!

Posted by jennifer at 09:56 AM

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February 23, 2006

Actively Watching the Olympics

At this house we love the Olympics. We also love Tivo. For the last two weeks we have sat down every evening at 8:30 to watch the games, fast forwarding through the commercials and the commentary. Well, Jeremy and I have sat down. Our kids remain standing and moving. Harrison keeps up a steady pace performing short track in his socks on the wood floor around the living room rug. Emma is constantly twirling and jumping for her long program.

You certainly can't call them couch potatoes!

Posted by jennifer at 09:47 AM

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February 21, 2006

Baby Carrie

As mentioned earlier, Emma and I are reading through the Little House on the Prairie series. We are now on the sixth book, Little Town on the Prairie. The books are so wonderful. It is fun to hear Emma use the vocabulary she has picked up from the books - shanty, slough -- in her play. She can play imaginatively for a very long time constantly whispering, singing, or carrying on some secret conversation. She has taken to carrying along this baby wherever we go. Sometimes the baby is named Carrie and other times Grace. Both are Laura's younger sisters. She found a santa hat in the garage the other day and then created a play dough santa hat for her doll. I was impressed. She wanted her picture taken.

Aunt Carolyn noticed the other day that Baby Carrie has some plastic boy parts under that little red dress. Emma doesn't seem to care about, or know about, the gender issue yet.

Posted by jennifer at 09:27 AM

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February 20, 2006

Spa Day

Last Friday I flew up to Seattle to surprise my Mom on her 65th birthday. Karen also flew in from Texas. My mom was quite surprised to see Karen waiting at the restaurant as she met Margie for lunch.

On Saturday the four women escaped to the spa for a day of pampering. My mom and I started with pedicures and mimosas. Then I had a facial, while others had manicures. This was my first facial. It was absolutely wonderful. First of all there was this bed loaded with soft covers that I sunk into. The room was dimmed, filled with candles, and soft music was playing. Then my hands and feet were slathered with silky lotion and slid into little heating pad mitts and booties. For someone with extremities that are always freezing, this is pure heaven! The facial lasted about an hour with many different substances being applied and removed from my face. There were long intervals where I just relaxed and even fell asleep. I will do this again.

The rest of the afternoon was not so relaxing. The hour long massage was the weirdest experience. The masseuse was very into his craft. He held his hands over me for a while to feel my stressing points. He asked me to take lots of deep breaths. He took the breaths with me. In fact he continued to breath deeply and loudly during the whole massage. He talked quite a bit about the light. "Feel the light." "Imagine the light." He ended with the statement, "Take the light with you. I'll see you on the outside." The massage was a little painful and I was a little freaked out by his behavior. Not relaxing.

We had little time after our day of pampering to get ready for dinner. We also decided to walk the few blocks (it turned out to be ten blocks in heals and mist) to the restaurant for my mom's birthday dinner. The food was fabulous, and the conversation wonderful. The alarm going off the next morning at 5:45 am was brutal. Karen and I both had early morning flights to catch. I had a technology conference at 9:30 am in Portland.

Posted by jennifer at 08:45 AM

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Posted by: J.D. at February 28, 2006 09:44 AM

Posted by: Jenn at February 28, 2006 10:05 AM

February 17, 2006

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday. I've been meaning to write a weblog about the BIG ideas I believe my parents have passed on to me. This is a good day to share.

• Treat everyone with respect and kindness. In other word's-- The Golden Rule OR Don't judge a book by its cover.
  
• Enjoyment and appreciation of nature. We spent a lot of time together as a family camping and hiking. These are some of my best childhood memories.
  
• You can be whatever you want to be. My mom always said, "Eder women are strong women." With hard work and determination I believe anything is possible.
  

My mom and dad just got home from a trip to Ecuador. She was so excited to tell me that she could hike five miles again. It has been 20 years since she has been able to do this.

Mom, I am so proud of you. I hope I can pass on some of your big ideas to my kids. Speaking of your grandchildren, they also wanted to say Happy Birthday. Click on the link below.
Download file

Posted by jennifer at 10:16 AM

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Posted by: Rich R at February 17, 2006 05:03 PM