Garrett's Family Affair

Eve turns 5!

2010-12-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

Eve had her birthday at the Children's museum this year! We had a wonderful day despite the cold weather and the cold wind!

The Tesago Choir

2010-12-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

Hannah is the 5th one from the left on the bottom row. She is wearing a white dress and black boots. They did such a good job!

Naomi is 9 months

2010-12-09T05:27:00.000-08:00

I know that I have been horrible at keeping up with this blog. My New Year's resolution is to do much better. The kids do and say the funniest things, and I never write it down. Shoot....I don't even take pictures anymore. When you have four, you just want to make sure the laundry is done and you have food in the fridge. It has taken me about 9 months to get organized!

Eve had her Thanksgiving play a couple weeks ago. She is my sweet little pilgrim in the back!
Naomi snuck into the teepee after the performance!

She is crawling everywhere! Her favorite thing is chewing on electrical chords. We are in so much trouble!

Hooray for the first day of school!!

2010-09-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hannah and Ben got on the bus for the first day of school yesterday. Oh wait a minute they are getting a four day weekend for the holiday already. Monday will be a great day. just added another picture for fun.

Back from Minnesota!

2010-08-01T04:30:00.000-07:00

I had such a great time with my family! It is always very hard to leave! The kids at the "airpork" (That's how Eve pronounces it!) She's a goof!

Happy 4th!

2010-07-06T14:02:00.001-07:00

We spent the weekend at the farm. It was really hot, but we had a great time! Naomi will be 4 months this week. I can't believe it.

My Sweet Eve!

2010-06-18T04:53:00.000-07:00

What are we doing wrong?

2010-06-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Today, Eve walks into the bathroom and says "This isn't going to be pretty!" Ben took my camera and took a picture of his dump, and Hannah informed me that she passes gas in school all the time and the kids think it is funny. We should of never left the South. Maybe my kids would have better manners! Naomi isn't very girlie either. They are all Garretts....what can I say?

Happy Anniversary Big D!

2010-06-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

First of all, Derek blogged about the deck. My mom said that I was mean with my post. I told her that Derek posted the pictures and wrote that about himself.

Second of all, I have the best husband that anyone could ask for. Derek...I would marry you all over again. 10 years feel like 2 years except we have four little ones running around and that would be impossible.

THE DECK

2010-06-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well, Derek has finally finished our new deck. His buddy, Craig, who is in construction, really did most of the work. Derek was more manual labor, but I am really excited for him in the fact that he finished something, HAHA. We have already had two dinner parties on the deck in the last 5 days. Here are before and after shots.

Meet Sandy!

2010-05-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

First I wanted to post Naomi at 10 weeks.

Okay, now for Sandy. Last weekend, Hannah got off the bus and this baby squirrel crawled into her hands. The kids FINALLY got a pet. They fed her cheerios and cashews. What squirrel wouldn't like cashews? They played with Sandy for a couple of hours and then I told them, "Sandy's mom is probably looking for her, and it is time to let her go." Well, Sandy did not want to go. She followed us around. It was kind of creeping me out. So, I did a little research and found that the squirrel was orphaned. Mommy probably got hit by an SUV. The baby squirrel had yet to learn how to retrieve its food, so it turns to humans for help.

Derek comes home and said he would take care of her starvation problem with a simple shovel to its head. He's so sweet....He's like, "Michelle...it's a squirrel...are you kidding me?"

I got a hold of the wildlife rehab to come and pick up Sandy. By the way, this was all going on while I was trying to have a garage sale at the house. Sandy was scaring people at the garage sale. Luckily, someone from the garage sale wanted to take Sandy and rehab her back to nature. This gentlemen had said that he had done it before. Ahhhh...yes, I saved Sandy's life from Derek and I got rid of creepy stalker squirrel.

Naomi at 2 months!

2010-05-08T04:47:00.001-07:00

Her eyes are still blue and that hair is blonde, but almost reddish in the sun. Crazy. She has been sleeping through the night for a week now. She sleeps from 10p to 7a. I'm loving it. I do get up a couple of times in the night to check on her, because I never hear her cry.

UPDATE ON THE REST OF US:

I started running again last week. I'm only doing 3 miles a day, but it feels good to exercise again. I always gain 50 pounds with each pregnancy, so I have to work extra hard to lose the weight. Nursing alone does not do the trick for me. I have to go back to work next week, which I am not looking forward to. I'm only going to do a couple 4 hour shifts to start with.

Hannah is playing soccer and fastpitch this Spring. Derek is the assistant coach for her soccer team. Ben and Eve are also playing soccer this Spring. They are all on different teams! Sooooo, Saturday is crazy! Hannah plays from 9:30-11:00 and then goes to her softball game. Eve plays from 10:30-12:00 and Ben from 1:00-2:30. We have games every night of the week except for Wednesday (Bible Study) and Friday nights (The night I will be working).

Derek is always busy with work, but has managed to get in a couple of rounds of golf when the weather was nice. Was is the key word. He is working with our friend Craig to build a deck out back. I'll post before and after pictures when they finish. He is also preaching this Sunday for Mother's Day! Well, that's about all I have for now.

Goodbye to Alan and Julia

2010-04-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hannah and Ben grew up with their sweet Amish friends. They will be moving to Ohio at the end of May. We made a trip down to Pennsylvania so the kids could say good-bye. I have pictures of these kids when they were 4 years old. What sweet memories we have with them. The kids spent the last couple of days corrupting them with DS and movies, and my kids spent one last day with them doing chores. Wish we had more time.

Slumber party..Ear piercing...Trauma

2010-04-03T05:57:00.001-07:00

Ben had a trampoline accident yesterday. I had to bring him to the dentist on call. All three of his teeth are loose. The middle one is the worst. This is after I got the bleeding to stop. Gross huh?

Hannah got her ears pierced yesterday morning after all her friends left from her slumber party. She did great. D and I originally had said 12 years old, but we caved.

For Hannah's 9th birthday, I told her she could have a sleep over. What was I thinking with a 3 week old? I went to be at midnight, and the girls were still up. I don't even know what time they went to bed. They stayed in the playroom all night, so no sneaking out. I can't complain too much.

We did some Tye-dye tee-shirts for a craft, so they could all wear them to school next Monday.

18 days old

2010-03-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Naomi Sarah Garrett

18 days old

Naomi at 2 weeks

2010-03-24T18:36:00.001-07:00

Snipity-Snip

2010-03-19T14:47:00.001-07:00

Derek went in for his procedure this morning and did great! Can you believe that I cried while he was gone. It is something about making things permanent. I think I really lost it when Ben said to me this morning before he got on the bus, "I think you should try to get me a brother." I said, "Ben, that means that we would have 5 children." He said, "It's fine mom, he can sleep in my room." What do you say to that? Derek says that I am crazy. He is probably right.

More pictures!

2010-03-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

I feel like Derek threw me under the bus when he sent a mass email of a picture of our family after I had her. It was so unflattering that I could of killed him. I told him that I was going to take a picture of him when I pick him up after his vasectomy on Friday and send out a mass email of him at his worst. Yes....D is getting snipped this Friday!

Here's my beauty. My horrible birthing experience will be saved for another blog. Please do not read it if you are pregnant with your first or trying to get pregnant.

Naomi's bili count is a little high, so we have to have her stuck again on Monday. I think she looks pretty good with a tan myself. I wish I were a little jaundiced right now.

12 hours old.

First bath at home.

Naomi Sarah Garrett

2010-03-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

She is here 7lbs 140oz. this is Derek posting so I am keeping short an sweet. Mom and Baby are great. Michelle is awesome.

Pregnancy update!

2010-03-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

My due date is in 4 days. I am 2cm dilated and 100% effaced. I think baby girl is really comfortable b/c I have tried every homeopathic option to induce myself. I won't mention all the methods in fear of that one male reader I might have. I see my doctor on Monday morning and hopefully a pitocin induction following. Pray for the baby to arrive soon and safe. I'll keep you posted.

Sledding!

2010-03-01T04:36:00.000-08:00

There was a sledding party after church on Sunday. One of the ladies from church took this picture of Eve. I thought it was so cute!

38 weeks

2010-02-24T09:39:00.001-08:00

Did you think I was going to show you a picture? I guess you don't know me that well!!!
I went to the doctor on Monday and I am 1 cm dilated. I thought I would be farther along being that it is my fourth! He stripped my membranes...lovely, and I'm crossing my fingers. We are snowed in today. We are around 20 inches of snow so far. I'm exhausted from taking off snow pants and putting them back on....taking off boots and putting them back on...exchanging mittens every two seconds. I will keep everyone posted!

Best assembly

2010-01-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

Ben lost his first tooth yesterday!

Last Friday, the kids had best assembly. They meet with the different grades once a month for special programs. The theme for January was caring and sharing. Hannah received an award in the first video. Benjamin is the first boy to read in the second video.

Catching up!

2010-01-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning. Daddy looks sleepy. The kids were up at around 6:20am.

Eve's birthday dinner at Friendlys.

Love the blue raspberry drink!

Eve turns 4!

Celebrated at the bouncy house!

Okay, enough with catch up from 2009. I don't know why I can't keep up with this blog sometimes. I seriously don't do that much! I am now 63 days from due date and counting down. I see the doctor tomorrow and hope the baby has turned. Right now she is sitting breech. I can't imagine having my first C-section with my forth child. That would be so unfair. I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I will try to keep up better this year.

Happy Holidays from us!

2009-12-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

Our little visitor

2009-12-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

Alexia, my niece, wanted to come see Hannah for her birthday present. She flew from Tampa (by herself) and stayed with us for a long weekend. The girls had a wonderful time and it was sad to see her go. We took the kids ice skating and celebrated Alexia turning 9! Now Hannah wants to go see Alexia for her birthday.

Eve's first time ice skating! She made it around the rink one time.

Wedding shots

2009-11-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

Derek performed his first ceremony! He did such a good job.

I'm having a..........

2009-11-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

GIRL! Derek is going to be outnumbered! He already has father-son trips planned for every year. I have 104 days to go and counting...... Derek and I just got back from Florida a week ago. Derek performed his first marriage on the beach. It was a beautiful wedding and he did such a good job. I will post pictures by tomorrow!

3 parades and a party

2009-11-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

We had to take some of our games out to the garage b/c it started to rain. This is just a portion of kids that were at my house; not including the 16 adults! The downstairs was too dark to get a good shot of the decorated basement.

The adult table....there was also a kid's snack table down stairs and lots of pizza!

Parade #1 (Hannah was embarrassed that she had her clothes under her costume, so she didn't want me to take a picture of her.)....and so it begins.

You see my little Native American chief?

Eve was freezing, but she didn't want to cover up her costume with a sweater.

I was a pregnant witch, which Derek said was very fitting...ha, ha, ha! I should wear it everyday for the next 4 months!

Back from the ER

2009-10-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

Derek and I had a little scare last night. I was experiencing some of the worst pain that I have ever felt resulting in vommitting every 5-10 minutes for about 3 hours. I woke D up and told him that we needed to go to the ER. Anyways, long story short, I was passing kidney stones. I am just about 21 weeks and the baby was healthy. They did an ultrasound in the ER. Derek asked Dr. Smith if he could tell what the sex of the baby was, but sorry to disappoint, we still don't know! I'm still having some residual pain in my side, but I'm praying that it will go away soon. Anyone else experience this during pregnancy?

GO JETS!

2009-10-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

Our saturdays remain pretty busy! Hannah has fastpitch from 8:30-10:30, Ben has his football games at 11:30, and Hannah has soccer from 1:00-2:30. This is Ben's first year in flag football. It is so fun to watch the boys. Half the time they are picking grass or playing with their mouth guards. The coaches are saints for dealing with 10 ADD 6 & 7 year olds. Here's a couple of shots of Ben playing QB. (they don't do a lot of passing...if you can imagine)

Taking after his daddy and playing as an offensive lineman. He looks like he's choking that poor boy. Is that legal?

No tears here!

2009-09-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

I had a whole 2 hours to myself today! Ben started kindergarten and Eve started preschool. Life is good!!

Minnesota State Fair

2009-09-10T12:17:00.001-07:00

Gibson side (Lt-Rt, Ben, Kyle, Eve, Hannah, Zack, Averi, Drew) We are only missing Jake who is Jodi's youngest. We left him at grandma's house.

Jodi got a big V from some weird guys who were marking everyone. I'm not even sure what it means!

Eve and Drew at the kiddie rides.

UFF-DA Days!

2009-09-08T09:01:00.001-07:00

We just got back from Minnesota on Saturday night where I spent a couple of weeks with my family. The first part of the week I went up to my mom's house. She lives in Northern Minnesota where "yah" the Fargo accent is in full force! The Saturday that the entire family was together we celebrated UFF-DA Days in downtown Nevis. (One stop sign, two gas stations, two resteraunts, and a funeral parlor). Ben won the ice cream eating contest and won this Viking helmet. (Go Vikings!) .....more exciting pictures to follow.

Jodi and Travis came 1st in the egg toss and received free tee-shirts!

Due date!

2009-08-22T16:31:00.001-07:00

Just got back from picking Hannah up from camp. I didn't work her week this year, so you guys are going to have to wait for the (throw away) camera pictures to be developed. They might actually be (throw away pictures). She had a great week and ended up with lots of awards! When we got home today, Hannah got a note from school with her teacher assignment. She got the mean old teacher and started crying. I pulled out my old yearbooks and showed her a couple teachers I had and lived through it to tell about it....Ms. Erickson for one. She was at least a 100 years old.

I am 11 weeks pregnant and am due March 10th. I finally had an ultrasound done a couple of weeks ago. There's a heart beat! All I said to the lady is, "there's only one...right"? I was already thinking of starting my own reality show if there was more than one. I could quit working, get some free plastic surgery and D could get some hair plugs. What is the harm in that?

Bill turns 60!

2009-08-13T14:07:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to post a picture of the Garrett family that was present at Bill's suprise 60th birthday party. Look at all those kids.

Ben turns 6!

2009-08-11T05:12:00.001-07:00

Ben had a bowling party last week for his birthday. There were 8 kids bowling on one lane. It had to be the longest game recorded in history. The ball would roll so slow that sometimes it rolled down to the front of the pins and just stopped when it touched the pins. It was hysterical! We love you Ben! Happy Birthday!

Guess who is crazy?

2009-08-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

Me! Derek and I are expecting # 4 early Spring.

Back from camp

2009-07-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

We got back from Camp Manatawny on Sunday. We had a great week. The weather was perfect. Here are some pictures of the week!

Cousin Andria, sister Dana, friend Mark!
Girl counselor skit!

My Mohawk tribe rocked!!!!!!!!!!

Hot Garrett girls!!!

I have the worst dyed hair ever!!! Someone write into Regis and Kelly and get me a mommy make-over now!

Danielle and Kristen

Director Dave and daughter, Andria

Dana and Lauren

Goodbye Facebook

2009-06-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I opened up a virus on my facebook and my poor computer is so sick. I decided to terminate my account. I was very sad last night. Hopefully now I can help my poor computer get better. I'm sorry to anyone who opened up the virus. I know it has been going around.

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T21:39:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you the most recent picture that I have of my dad before he passed away. If I could picture what he looks like in heaven, it would be similar to this picture right here. Fishing was his heaven on earth. Happy Father's day...daddy!

Fort Lauderdale Pictures

2009-06-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

I did a last minute trip to Florida with some friends. We stayed in Weston, Florida, which is 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. We spent most of the time by the pool, but did end up driving to the beach for dinner one night. We also went to the Hard Rock casino one night. It was in the 90s everyday and the 80s at night...Heaven!

Monica and Kristine (Known them for 19 years)

After dinner, we took some pictures in the ocean before we drove back to Weston.

Andria and Mel (Neighbors from New York-known less than a year)

Found one!

2009-06-10T04:42:00.000-07:00

We look so young, don't we? I have fewer wrinkles and Derek has more hair follicles. Who knew that I would be pregnant 4 weeks later?!?

Happy 9 years Derek!

2009-06-08T05:18:00.000-07:00

I'm having a hard time scanning our wedding picture, so you are stuck with the present picture of us. Time goes by so fast. I love you more each year! If I had to do things all over, I would choose you again!

Back from the beach.

2009-05-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome time at the beach. There was a tropical storm when we got there so the first couple days we had to be creative with the kids. Danielle came over for a couple of days with her kids, so here's a shot at the bowling alley.

Eve and Cameron were quite the little pair. Cameron said at the end of the week that Eve was his best friend.

Little Lyla was the best baby ever. Only 10 weeks old. Get this moms....the girl sleeps from like 9:00 at night to 8:00 in the morning and I'm not even kidding you.

Memorial Day we had a big picnic on the beach. Here are the dudes playing some botchy ball.

The kids loved to boogie board. Mom was a little nervous, but they caught some great waves. The kids have no fear!

Hannah spent Memorial Day catching sand fleas. The kids used them as bait later on that night. She caught a dozen or so and loved showing them to everyone.

The pilot let the kids up into the cock pit on the way over. The kids got to press buttons and play with all of the equipment. It was the coolest thing ever. Just another reason why I love Southwest airlines. We fly a lot, and in my opinion, it is the best airline!

She does it all!

2009-05-20T11:31:00.001-07:00

Two of Hannah's art projects were chosen for the art show up at the mall. We are so proud of her! She's such a perfectionist that she said that she didn't really like the ones they chose. Where do you think she gets that from?

Soccer Saturdays!

2009-05-03T13:13:00.001-07:00

Hannah is the girl in the middle!

I dress up for the games as usual!

Where's the ball Ben? Stop looking at the camera!!!

1/2 marathon

2009-05-03T12:59:00.001-07:00

We just got back from Providence this morning. I ran in the Willow Tree 1/2 marathon through downtown and near the coast. It was one of the most challenging runs I have ever done. It was rolling hills after mile 6 with more uphill than downhill!

I woke up at 5:00 this morning for some coffee and a muffin. Derek dropped me off near the starting point and the kids said good luck! I cried during the National Anthem (I did get up at 5:00 in the morning). The race had lots of hills and with the aches I had going into the race, I knew it wasn't going to be the prettiest. I was just so happy that I didn't pee my pants this time!

Busy..Busy!

2009-04-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a record high for Albany, NY. It was 89 degrees and we spent 6 hours at the park complex without shade. Hannah had fast pitch practice from 9-11:00 am. Ben had a soccer game from 10:30-noon, and then Hannah had a soccer game from 1:00-2:30pm. With 50 block in hand, the kids still ended up with a little bit of a sun burn. It was so fun watching the kids play. They keep getting better and better! I can't imagine what it is going to be like when they are all three involved with athletics. I just want to thank my mom and dad for all the work and time they put into us kids on the weekends. It's just insane!

Oh- and I am running in the Providence, RI half marathon a week from today. I went on my final long run this afternoon. Not too bad, but the arches in my foot are starting to ache. Any runners have suggestions before the big race? I don't want to buy new shoes 1 week before to break them in.

Family Pictures!

2009-04-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

Hannah turns 8!

2009-04-06T04:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry grandmas~!

2009-04-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't really been that busy, but I have failed to update my blog. So, here's an update. Derek has been really busy with work. We did get a chance to place tennis last night and I didn't end up with a big goose egg like I normally do.

We are getting ready for Hannah to turn 8 on Sunday. She was running around church last Sunday letting everyone know that she will be driving in 8 years. It was pretty funny to me, but of course Derek was not laughing. We were sitting at the dinner table yesterday and talking about cell phones. Derek turned to Hannah and said, "just for future reference, you will not be getting a cell phone!" Hannah replies, "I'll just have one of my boyfriends buy me one." I was laughing so hard, and Derek's face was so red with fury! Hannah was kidding, but it was a scary moment for any dad. Hannah has been running with mommy lately. I'm training with her so she will be able to run a couple of 5K's with me this Spring. She has a 10:30-11:00 minute pace and can run 2 without walking. Mommy is running the 1/2 marathon in Providence on May 3rd.

Eve ran a fever for 5 days straight this week. Now she is fever free, but is whiny and bossy from getting what she wanted for five days. Ben is doing well in preschool and enjoys playing outside whenever he gets a chance. The kids start spring sports in a couple of weeks. We will be out of the house every night of the week..yuk! Hope all is well and I will try to do a better job with this blog.

Hannah's president speech from this morning. I didn't get to tape the whole thing!

Basketball is over!

2009-03-18T05:24:00.000-07:00

The girls did well this year. I can't say it was always fun to watch, but I'm glad Hannah liked basketball...and yes I was the mom that pulled out a book or magazine when Hannah wasn't playing.

Hannah, Julianna, and Angelina!

Hannah's teacher came to their last game. We love Miss Measeck! How cute is she?

First ski trip for the kids!

2009-03-09T07:54:00.001-07:00

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I've been busy!

2009-03-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

Andria has been in town for a couple of weeks at her parent's house, so we decided to meet in NYC for a shopping trip. Here's An at the resteraunt where we had dinner. We had incredible Cuban food!

My mom was here for the last week of February. She is a snow bird now and spends her winters in Phoenix. I had her take a break from 80 degree weather and come stay with me. She was so excited..of course!

Derek's mom and dad dropped in for one night while travelling for work so both grandmas were together for one night. The kids were very excited!

Back from Philly!

2009-02-24T04:24:00.000-08:00

Hannah and Ben had winter break last week. We didn't make any family plans b/c Derek had plans to go winter camping with his brother, dad, cousin, unc and some guys from the North Penn church. I stayed at Unc. Jim and Aunt Carol's house for 5 days with Derek's mom. We got to spend time with my nephews, Joshua and Jacob, and their second cousins, Ty and Cash. It was great to get away for a couple of days.

Me driving the kids for four hours with no cell phone. I listened to a book on tape and turned around and explained to the kids "that's a bad word...don't say that." I had to say it more that I would of liked to. I know that I should of turned the book off, but it was pretty clean and it made the trip go by fast.

Picture of my kids with D's cousin Andria's boys. This is a picture after Ty's one year old birthday party.

Need to concentrate on sports!

2009-02-16T05:05:00.000-08:00

For Valentine's day..we got the kids the "American Idol Wii game". It is so fun. Hannah is singing Seven nations army here...She has no idea what the song is. I busted Ben singing "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton.

Sometimes birthdays aren't so bad.....

2009-02-10T04:45:00.001-08:00

Dreaded birthday!

2009-02-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am dreading tomorrow more that I dreaded my birthday last year. I guess it will keep getting worse the older I get. I wake up and realize my not so youthful face anymore resembles a mother in her 3os...sigh. Although I wll never wear Christmas tree sweaters and snowman earings....my face looks like it could match that style. No offense....to the ones who wear the holiday sweaters. I'm going to go cry now.

Facebook

2009-02-05T04:31:00.000-08:00

Okay....I finally signed up. I feel weird asking for people to be my friend so I fear my friends list will never be in the 100s. I mean some people have like 900 friends. That's insane! It is 3 degrees outside and I am about to drive to Florida today. I figured I could get there in like 17-20 hours.

Wacky Hair Day!

2009-02-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

Another wacky hair day at school. I'm sorry that the Cardinals lost. I like Warner! Boo-hoo.

Ridiculous.

2009-01-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

Another snow day. We will accumulate another foot of snow.....sigh. Why do I live here again?

The kids are playing outside and will be bored in about 30 minutes. We have already had a bowling tournament on the Wii where of course Hannah and Ben beat their parents miserably. We have played games, play-dough, colored, and worked on homework. It is approximately noon. I'm ready for a nap.

I'm Back!!

2009-01-26T09:09:00.001-08:00

I know I don't have that many devoted readers, but I am back from girls weekend in Sante Fe.

Actually.....I've been back for almost a week. I have an excuse though, as lame as it may sound. I've endulged in The Twilight Saga and have been nonexistent to my family, friends, the internet, and the T.V. I'm almost done with the fourth book and my husband will be relieved. He told me before he left for work this morning that he was expecting his wife back when he got home tonight. He will never be "Edward Cullin".........but he is not a vampire and he has been pretty understanding this past week. He even let me drive to movie theater 25 miles away last night to see a 9:50pm showing of Twilight since I insisted of seeing the movie before I had to wait for the video. It is merely dissapointing compared to the book and I think I will let go of my obsession after today.

Back to my long weekend in Sante Fe....

We had a great time. Unfortunately my camera died and I only have a couple of pictures of the group. Oh.. and a short video of my playing rockband. Thanks Tim!

Neck Kink

2009-01-15T04:08:00.001-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted this week!

Woke up 3 days ago with a horrible kink in my neck...sigh

Went to the chiropractor and paid 55.00 for him to tell me that I shouldn't sleep on my stomach.

Really? Where did you go to school? I want to be a chiropractor and charge people money for advice they already know?

I look like the mother of Frankenstein yet again this morning. Ben says to me..."just do the robot mom"... ha ha

Anyone have any better advice? I've done heat/ice and the ibuprofen thing.

Gators Win!!!

2009-01-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

I stayed up to watch the National championship with Derek last night! Florida won over Oklahoma 24-14. It was a very entertaining game. Even if you don't like football, you have to appreciate Tim Tebow. He sketched under his eyes last night; John 3:16. Kids today do not have a lot of great choices for role models in the NFL. I'm looking forward to seeing Tebow further his career to the national football league. He will inspire!

Update.

2009-01-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning!

Meeker Christmas party in Belleville, PA

The kid's table!

New Year's Eve at Nick and Lauren's house in Galena, OH. I didn't take any pictures of the boys. I think Derek was wearing the same clothes for three days. Liz was in bed with Jacob.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T19:11:00.000-08:00

We just got back from our holiday vacation which included 23 hours of driving total and 99 presents. I will get into details later, but for now, I am wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Snow days are here!

2008-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

We got 12 inches of snow yesterday. We are suppose to get 8 inches today. The kids are enjoying the first big snow storm of the year. Just wanted you Southern friends to get a peak of a White Christmas!

Hannah sleds with no fear at the park near our house.

Eve turns 3!

2008-12-15T05:31:00.001-08:00

Last year.......

This year........

In her defense, she blew out the candles as soon as Derek lit them and started laughing. She doesn't like anyone to laugh at her, so she started crying hysterically.

Chuck E Cheese is so gross to me, but the children love it! She enjoyed all of her presents despite her tantrum with the candle incident. Aren't you glad you missed this special occasion?

We have power!

2008-12-13T06:38:00.001-08:00

After a night of flickering, a cold house, and a full day of cutting trees; we finally have power. It was one of the worst ice storms that they have ever had in the area with over 200,000 residents witout power.

Holdiay letter writer's block

2008-12-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

Seriously...please tell me if anyone is going through this? I've been staring at a blank word document for four days straight. ....sigh Do people really care about the 15 trips that we go on every year? Do they care about your children's milestones? People want funny. I've got nothing for you. I think I am going to send out a piece of holiday paper with..............

garrettsfamilyaffair.blogspot.com

It's everything you need to know. Then maybe I can dodge the ones who make fun of my Christmas letter. (You know who you are) What do you think?

I don't know why?

2008-12-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

I'm just saying... Why is there two slide shows playing? I have no idea. It's because I have computer skills of a second grader.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-12-02T19:44:00.000-08:00

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Princess power

2008-11-22T17:40:00.002-08:00

Derek and I finished painting Hannah's bedroom this morning. The name of the paint is "Princess Power" I'm thinking Pepto Bismol? It's not quite finished. I've yet to hang everything back on the walls. This is just a sneak peak. Does it give you heart burn?

Hannah started basketball three weeks ago. She plays every Saturday until the middle of March. They've yet to receive their uniforms; so for now its soccer clothes.

This piece of artwork that she painted was recognized by her art teacher who entered it into a special art show. I thought it was a hidden turkey in a basket of fruit!?!

Let me just show you a potential WNBA star. I think her shooting the ball straight up into the air is priceless. (She is the youngest on the team) Can you say, "travel much"? She's just learning right? I yelled, "just pick up the ball and run with it". "Why dribble, no one else does!"

Tagged

2008-11-19T04:38:00.001-08:00

I was tagged by Amanda so here goes.....

Go to your fourth picture folder and then go to the fourth picture in the folder. Write four things about the picture and then tag four other people. It's amazing what you'll find!!!

1. This picture is taken at Hannah's 7th birthday. I took all the girls to see "Horton Hears a Who" and then back at my house for cake and ice cream.

2. My mom was here for Hannah's birthday which was really special.

3. I'm never taking 7 kids to the movies again.

4. Hannah's still really good friends with two of the girls in this picture.

I'm now tagging the Popecks, Lizzard, Fotops, and Betsy......

Deacon Derek

2008-11-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

After church today we went to a furniture store and I couldn't resist the photo op.

Derek was installed as a deacon today by the elders. I tried so hard to videotape, but Ben and Eve were on both sides of me tugging at my arms so you only get to see a 2 second clip. Sorry mom and dad!

Back together again

2008-11-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

I just dropped Sarah off at the airport. She has been at my house for a week. We had a great time shopping, shopping, and some more shopping. I miss having a girlfriend to do that with and actually will get excited with you for a great find.

The weather was ridiculous. It was cold, cloudy, and raining everyday. Welcome to the Northeast in November. We both caught ourselves a nasty cold. It didn't ruin our time though, we just gossiped over Thera-flu and cough drops. We even got carded for the Thera-flu. Just like old times!

We drove to NYC yesterday for some more shopping. When we got back to the train station where I had parked, we realized that all the birds in NYC got together and decided to have a bowel movement in unison over the MV. We laughed for a good 10 miles! Pretty gross.

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

The kids showed me

2008-10-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

We carved pumpkins last night. I asked the kids what they wanted to carve. I told them that I was going to do a Nittany Lion on a white pumpkin. I did not do Penn State any justice, so I changed the lion into a bat. The kids had something else in mind. Hannah decided she would carve the cross into her pumpkin.

Ben told me he wanted to make a Christian pumpkin. I said what does a Christian pumpkin look like? He said that it had hearts for its eyes, a cross for his nose, and the Christian fish for its mouth.

The kids showed me.

Snow in October?

2008-10-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

It really started coming down yesterday and didn't stop until after we went to bed. Thank goodness the snow didn't stick. We woke up with a couple of patches on the lawn. I quickly checked the weather to see what the forecast for Friday would be. I believe we are in the clear. I was having flashbacks to my childhood of trick-or-treating in a foot of snow with my moon boots. It was so tiring.

Go Nittany Lions!

2008-10-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

We put Eve in her Penn State outfit for church this morning to rub in the win against Ohio State fans! We have a lot of Buckeyes in our congregations. Sorry guys!

NYC pictures

2008-10-22T09:06:00.001-07:00

Moms gone wild

2008-10-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

My sister flew in on Friday night to Newark, NJ where we got a hotel and spent Friday and Saturday in the city. We had a great time. Jodi has never been to the city so we managed to hit all the tourist attractions in 2 days. She is going to email me a couple of pictures today or tomorrow since I forgot my memory chip in my camera. We had a blast. Two moms with three kids hit the streets of NYC without diapers, sippy cups, or gold fish in our purse. We had great weather and great conversation. We called are trip "Moms' gone wild"! I wouldn't say we were wild, but a trip to anywhere without kids is special.

I Remember.........

2008-10-16T03:52:00.000-07:00

I love Fall!

2008-10-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have completely given up on this particular video, but let me brag for a moment about it. I have Eve reciting all of the books of the Old Testament. I guess it was a little too long for blogger. I will keep trying. I know that everybody loves Fall, but why can't we have it around for longer?

Having problems

2008-10-14T04:51:00.001-07:00

I'm having serious problems right now with uploading videos. I've left it uploading for 2 hours and it still won't. Anybody know how to fix it?
Okay- nobody laugh at me. My computer training comes from grade school on the old Apple computers playing "word munch", "number munch", and "Oregon Trail"!

bedtime at the Garretts

2008-10-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

Missing the South

2008-10-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

What did you think of the debate last night? I thought McCain rocked it personally! Hannah came home off the bus yesterday and said "Obama for President" I choked on my coffee; "what did you say"? I told her that McCain needs to be our next president and the reasons why! The things she hears in school is ridiculous. Another little tid bit from the past -
She came home from kindergarten one day and was chanting, "The Mets stuck" "The Mets stuck". Of course she meant suck but didn't know what the word meant. Hannah said that they chanted on the bus all the way home from school. I guess the bus driver must of been a Yankees fan. Oh- I miss Birmingham sometimes.

Oh yeah- I'm a new auntie as of last evening. Liz had a baby boy yesterday (Jacob Myles Garrett) Congratulations David and Liz!!!

64 years!!

2008-09-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

I talked with my grandparents last night for about an hour. They just had they're 64th anniversary on September 25th. Can you believe that? I asked grandpa what he did for grandma and he said that he opened a can of apricots for her and started laughing. Grandpa still drives around although he says it is getting harder b/c of his macro degeneration in his eye. Grandma talks a lot about dad when he was a boy and how glad she is that he was saved. She was pretty funny last night too b/c she was doing a colon prep for a colonoscopy this morning. About every 15 minutes she would say, "got to go poop!"

When you grow up, you wonder; what it's going to be like when I can drive? And then when you are driving you wonder, what is it going to be like when I get married? When you get married you are curious about what it 's like to have a child and so forth? Grandpa asked me last night if I had watched a lot of people die? I said yes and he said if I thought it would be painful. I got off the phone and couldn't stop thinking about it.

Mo's wedding

2008-09-24T09:49:00.001-07:00

We drove to Memphis on Thursday night to meet up with everybody. Festivities started on Friday with pedicures for the girls, golf for the boys, and the rehersal at 3:00 in the afternoon. Friday night we went to Tunica and I think we look pretty good at the wedding considering!

Mo and Jeremy were high school sweethearts who reunited later on. How sweet!

Sarah did a great job singing, but I cut her off short cause I wasn't the videographer (if you can tell). She use to sing me to sleep at Harding, so a few bars of her sweet voice was worth the embarassment.

Gabe Matthew

2008-09-24T09:44:00.001-07:00

Derek and I just got back from Nashville yesterday. We had a wedding in Memphis, but stopped in Nashville and stayed with Uncle Bob and Aunt Donna. We swung over to Whitehouse to see sweet baby Gabe Matthew Griffin who was only 8 days old!! I wanted to bring him home, but Derek said no.

New York Apples

2008-09-12T05:04:00.000-07:00

We live within 10 minutes of about 6 different apple orchards. New York has the best apples! I took the kids yesterday with one of my neighbors and her children for some apple picking. We are going to be busy making some apple pies today!!! I also went to open house yesterday to meet Hannah's teacher. I don't know why but I don't like it when the teacher is younger than me. It makes me feel like I'm really the old mom of three sitting for open house! Anyways, Hannah's desk was neat (surprising I know!) and her teacher seems like a gem. I can't believe I have a second grader. Seriously, where does the time go?

Back from our travels!

2008-09-05T05:25:00.001-07:00

We had a blast in Minnesota! It is so hard to be away from family and friends. The kids and I spent 14 days up there and Derek flew up for Labor Day weekend. We did a lot of fishing and Ben and Hannah tried water skiing for the first time. (Ben got up, but was dragged in a seated position around the lake!) The kids also did some tubing and spent time swimming at the beach. (too cold for mom). Speaking of mom; she is doing well and keeping busy with the church. I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer! Time to get back into a routine.

Trip to Minnesota

2008-08-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

I just figured out how to add the slide show if you are wondering why I posted it again!! We are all doing great in Minnesota. The kids and I are up at my mom's house in Northern Minnesota. (It gets down to the 40s at night!!) We spent a week in Minneapolis with my brother and sister and will be at my mom's for the remainder of our vacation. The kids have become excellent little fisherman. I will post pictures when I get home and catch up on everything. Hope everyone is enjoying the rest of their summer!

2008-08-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

2008-08-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

Aren't We Lucky!

Ben turns 5!

2008-08-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

We decided to celebrate Ben's birthday at the farm in Pennsylvania where he could celebrate with his cousins and Amish friends!! Here's some pictures from the farm and tomorrow I will post all the pictures from Hannah's first week at Camp Manatawny!

Gone in August

2008-08-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Just a little update. We will be leaving for the farm in Pennsylvania this weekend. From there, Derek and I will be taking Hannah and her cousins to Camp Manatawny where I will work as the nurse. Long story short; I will probably not have a lot of Internet access in the next 10 days. I will be driving home on August 17th and then flying to Minnesota to be with my family the rest of the summer through Labor Day! I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and bear with me the lack of posts I will be doing this month. I will try to read everyone's blogs as much as I can.

The Witch, the Bee, and the Turtle

2008-08-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I took the kids to the Children's museum in Saratoga. They had a great time! We pick daddy up today from the airport. It's been a long 5 days without him and I'm all out of ideas to entertain!! Oh-and as I'm writing this; I am holding pressure on Ben's head where he bumped it on the coffee table. I may have to take him for more stitches if it doesn't stop bleeding!!

Eve's First Haircut

2008-07-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

I thought Eve's first haircut would be by someone other than herself, but I guess that was wishful thinking! Can anyone say "Buisness in the front and Party in the back!"