Sunday, September 25, 2011

Rashad - The Mischievous!


Our Rashad is a breath of fresh air. This is the first year of school for him as he entered Kindergarten with Mrs. Tanner. He loves school and has been so ready for it for the past year.


That little mischievous grin has gotten him out of trouble a few times, but overall we're left trying to mop up after him and his exploring adventures.


He loves to touch everything, doesn't matter what it is, he loves touching and messing with stuff.


My favorite experience was when Rashad purposefully broke something and our consequence was for him to do the dishes. . . .


When I returned from school I found that Rashad had broken one of my favorite stoneware baking dishes while he was doing the dishes. I tried to be mad, but I couldn't. When Darin got home he couldn't stop making fun of me for the logical consequence that was given to Rashad for breaking something.


I'm really going to miss those baby teeth, by the time we take the next photos he will probably be missing a tooth and/or have a big adult tooth sticking out.


Mostly, he is our BIG helper. Whatever the project is that Mom and Dad are working on, he is ready and willing to be there assisting us in whatever capacity. My favorite is when I crown him "spider killer" anytime I go into Cold Storage. He assists me with a fly swatter in hand and courage seeping through his skin.


Dad loves it every morning as Rashad stands in the window waving happily to him as he pulls out of the driveway. Darin says it's the best part of the morning.


One of my favorite things to do with Rashad is to watch Phineas and Ferb cartoons as we lay in bed snuggling. We laugh at mostly the same spots. That tickles me too!


In this picture Rashad was asked to do a goofy pose. As he was trying to figure out something silly the photographer snapped this shot. PURE Rashad!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sandra Kaye

Y'know, I'm fairly independent from my Mom: I moved 12 hours away from home and in the past have had heated arguments and friction in our relationship. However, I must always remember that she was the finest mother I've ever heard of. She is sweet, thoughtful, funny and enjoys my humor especially.
When we were growing up she did without so much in her life in order to make sure she was doing right by us. She rarely had new clothes, purchased or sewn herself. She would make a budget stretch food-wise and other generals in order to afford sports, activities, and a myriad of extracurriculars for all of us six kids.


This picture is taken at Mom's house in Tiffin, Ohio with my dad. 


On one of the rare occasions that Mom splurged for a new dress (she may have even made this) and of course it was for something for her kids - my wedding.


On the way to Leavenworth, Washington, the Kestner Girls favorite place on earth. I'm almost positive we actually purchased that hat too!


Mom picked a pose with Aunt Holly up in Lake Chelan when we took the hour trip to visit our cousins David, Gloria and Will and our fabulously sassy Aunt Holly. Wonder where I got it?


Behind the scenes of the German photo shoot in Leavenworth.


Always the selfless Grandma who LOVES her grandchildren, Mom spent a month in Kaysville with Andy's family for the arrival of Trent. Such a cute chubby baby! Mom always has LOVED babies.


Fall 2010 Mom was present for Robelly's special day - when he was sealed to his mom and dad for all eternity. Robel was having a difficult time smiling in photos until it was time to sit by Grandma Kestner. Robel LOVES Gramma!


Mom loves nothing more than her children and grandchildren. She would go to bat for years with dad, who would rather us receive underwear and socks for Christmas than anything else. She still has an incredible invested interest in her family's happiness.


Mom's favorite place in the world is Cape Lookout (cape in background and mist) and what a special experience for me to take my children (their first time) to the same beach I love and my Mom loves.


Again, there is nothing that my Mom loves more than her grandchildren or the beach - that's what makes this picture so awesome. In the best place in the world, surrounded by those she loves and love her!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Been there, done that, got several t-shirts!

If you are wondering about the selection of these pictures, just know that our Nikon was on .NEF formatting instead of .jpg and I still have no idea how to change the formatting. So these pictures are the ones I took with my phone. . .I apologize, more pictures to follow as soon as I can figure out the dang thing. 


Disneyland Rocks! But these rocks in the middle of the Mojave Desert were red! This is our second day of driving and we're on our way to Korina's house in Joshua Tree just outside a Marine base in 29 Palms, California. Yeah, the middle of the desert - and quite close to the Navy/Marine dump my mom was called to after they found out she married an enlisted man (Daddy). Good thing she was pregnant and could just get out!


"Not that song again! Anything but that song!" Scar in The Lion King. The kids snacking outside of It's a Small World ride. Quite cute!


Darin and I really liked Mickey's Toontown because it was like being in a cartoon ourselves. We rode Roger Rabbit, Gadget's Roller Coaster and played in Chip and Dales tree house.


It was great to escape the snow and enjoy 65-70 degree days, but the humidity just killed! I felt dirty for a week, even right out of the shower.


Darin and the kids in front of the Fire Station. Walt Disney's apartment was right over Darin's head (2nd story above the fire house) and he would walk the streets in his slippers while it was still under construction.


This restaurant was right across the street from Disneyland and just a few hotels down the street from our hotel. The kids and I liked it, Darin not so much. What can I say - my taste buds are kindda trashy!


Seriously, Disneyland was just across the street from our hotel. Thank you Darin, Darin's boss for suggesting Priceline!


Pomm Frites at Orlean's Restaurant in Frontierland. The food was great, but these little guys were awesome! Packed full of flavor and yumminess!


So this was the Disneyland Petting Farm: about 4 goats and this guys standing on a barrel. Interesting.

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