Ringo & Company

Dream Team

2012-01-27T14:41:00.002-07:00

2 teachers

one 3rd grade class

2 weeks apart Just a coincidence!

"There's a Mouse About the House"

2012-01-20T14:38:00.002-07:00

Ginny was talking to her daddy on the phone as he was driving home from work. Heidi heard Ginny say in the calmest sweetest voice, "Daddy, there's a mouse about the house." This is the title of a frequently read story. When Heidi heard Ginny say it again, she went to check out the situation. Sure enough, there really was a mouse about the house!!!! Heidi screamed. . . Ginny screamed. . .Heidi calmed down. . .Ginny calmed down. . .They admired how cute the little mouse was until the hero of the story got home. . .Gerrit. He removed the mouse and put it in a better place. Now the moral of the story is. . .don't eat crackers in your room! Too bad we didn't learn that from our story.

Special Treatment

2012-01-20T14:32:00.004-07:00

Ginny is a lucky girl! She's been getting to go to North Star a lot with her mommy. The kids there LOVE her. She fits right in. Today it was even warm enough to play outside.I wish I could go. (The new principal made a no dogs allowed rule.) I'll have to wait for the spring. . .

Birthday Treats 2011

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

White chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies:

Fudge Puddles:Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Monster CookiesS'mores Bars
Chocolate Banana CakeHappy Birthday Bus Cake
Cookies and Cream CakeBrownie Cookie CollisionCinnamon Almonds
Peanut Butter Cream Cookies
Mystery Ingredient BrowniesSopapilla Cheesecake PieFudgeYummy Granola TreatsPeanut Butter Play DoughPecan TassiesAlmond Cherry Snack Cake
Apple Snack Cake

Mickey Mouse Rice Krispy Treats
Chocolate Covered Roasted Almonds
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Coconut Tres Leches Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche frostingApple Cinnamon RollsMint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Butterscotch Pecan Sandies

Cousin Time

2011-12-31T12:22:00.005-07:00

Ginny has loved EVERY second(well some seconds were not the happiest and required a referee) with her cousins Clara and Clover during this Christmas season. Saying goodbye was never easy for her.

Christmas Creations

2011-12-31T11:58:00.010-07:00

Christmas is a DELICIOUS time of year. I know because I help to clean up the floor. . .

It started with gingerbread houses. . .Our gingerbread house did not last long before it collapsed. Maybe we'll have a stronger foundation next year.
Then we moved on to Oma's house for cake balls and chocolate covered pretzels.The party continued at our house with gingerbread cookies and more.We made gingerbread cookies last night and some this morning. There is still some dough in the fridge. YUM!

Hit and RUN!

2011-12-31T11:20:00.004-07:00

This is not your typical hit and run tale. I'm lucky (and so is my family) to be here and retell this traumatic event.

On Saturday morning, I was doing something naughty. I was eating the neighbor's cat food across the street. Heidi saw me, and called for me to return home. I perked up and started running. Right after Heidi called my name, she heard the car (SUV) rumbling down the street. She knew the worst would happen and it did. The car hit me, Heidi saw me fly and heard my yelp. The car stopped. Heidi ran to get a robe.

When Heidi came running outside the car was turning onto the next street and I was nowhere to be seen. Panicked, she checked under cars and in neighbors' yards. She expected to see me bloody, broken, bruised and barely alive, if at all.

Not being able to find me was the worst. She walked up and down the streets wondering where I could be. She assumed, the car that hit me had taken me. (Maybe to dispose of me in the garbage. . .)

Gerrit got the text message while he was taking care of a patient in the back of an ambulance.

Soon a few neighbors were helping Heidi look for me. Ginny and Heidi drove around and around trying to find my injured body so they could help me and have some closure.

One of the neighbor's asked Heidi if she was going into labor. . .she must have been really out of her wits.

Gerrit finished up his call and was now looking for me too (about an hour and a half later).

The good news is. . .he found me!!! I was about three blocks from home sniffing around. (I was pretty confused) When I saw the car and heard Gerrit's voice I came running.

It's a miracle!!

When the car hit me, I must have gotten up and started running. My fight or flight kicked in. Luckily, I'm safe at home and all the tears being shed are happy and grateful.

It's clear that my family wouldn't know what to do without me. I feel very loved and they feel very lucky!

Maybe it's a Christmas Miracle, maybe that cat food that I've been sneaking gave me some extra lives, but probably Someone knows how much I'm needed.

Sunshine

2011-11-27T16:25:00.002-07:00

At our house we are THANKFUL for our Sunshine! Heidi took this video early in September.

Halloween Fun

2011-11-04T09:07:00.004-06:00

Carving pumpkins was DElicious!
This Bumblebee knew how to fly from house to house. She held my leash between each house and then traded for her pumpkin.
At one house they told Ginny to take a piece for her mom and her dad. At the next house she said, "and I need one for my Daddy."

Announcing. . .

2011-10-10T05:25:00.000-06:00

Mount Timpanogos

2011-09-10T13:07:00.023-06:00

Heidi, Laura, and I started out early.

Our spirits were high as we walked through waterfalls, snow, and endless wildflowers.Our goal was to get to the summit.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of being on top of the world! (Honestly. . . I was a bit shaky. . .)Feeling accomplished, but not yet finished, we headed on the rocky ridge to the glacier.Once we saw it, we realized why everyone else had turned around at the summit or saddle. It looked impossibly scary. But in our minds, it was what we had to do. I ran down the dirt until I felt save enough to cross onto the snow.
This is Laura going down. Heidi is standing in front of a big rock that she doesn't want Laura to run into. I'm not sure who was more scared: Laura or Heidi watching her.

We all survived, with a few bumps and numb extremities.
Feeling exhilarated and lucky to be in one piece, we didn't clearly think through how to best get back to our trail to head home. We took a downward detour to see more lovely flowers and mountain goats.
Unfortunately for us; we had to hike back up to Emerald Lake and then up some more and around before we finally got back on the long trail to take us down the mountain.
Despite the feeling of wanting to run down the mountain, sightings of these creatures kept us cautious and singing shamelessly the whole way down.Our caution did pay off when we were suddenly sharing the trail with a great big male sporting huge antlers and less than the length of a 25 meter swimming pool away.

Needless to say, making it back to the car felt. . .GOOD!

Labor Day

2011-09-10T12:52:00.010-06:00

We went to our favorite family place: Memory Grove! The water was still plenty deep for jumping and swimming and the dirt was perfect for rolling.

When Ginny heard the weather report she changed into her favorite outfit.

Back to School

2011-09-04T15:13:00.005-06:00

School is back in full swing. It keeps us all busy and on our toes. All 29 kids are doing great. . .and so is 1/2 of their teachers. . .who will have a chance to breathe since there is no school tomorrow!

Carnival Splendor

2011-08-27T16:03:00.013-06:00

It was the kind of vacation that makes you forget what real life is like. I know because it took them a while come pick me up.

They were in Cabo for two days: para sailing, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, eating the fish they caught, swimming, and shopping.The first day in Cabo must have been a little rocky for Ginny-she insisted on wearing her life jacket everywhere the second day.After that, was Puerto Vararta. Jose drove them around in a 12 passenger van all day. They went to the top of the mountain for zip lining and Dune Bugging, through the markets, and to the beach.Being on the boat was fulfilling. Besides food, food, and more food they played plenty of games, karaoke, and swimming.Gerrit and Heidi brushed up on their Amazing Race skills getting between their LAX flights and the port in Long Beach. Their adventures included many, many bus and train rides, as well as carrying all their luggage with them (-1 big suitcase on the way back). Some of their Road Blocks included eating a hot dog at an Angel's game and shopping for warmer clothes at an Old Navy. Gerrit and his fancy phone made a great navigational system.

Lake Powell

2011-08-05T14:22:00.017-06:00

18 bodacious BOOGERTS bonding on the boat.

Bounding off the top.Boarding.

Beating the heat.
Beautifying.Barely catching any fish.
Blissfully being.
Being taught by the captain himself.Banking at the beach.
Biffing it.
Braving it

Breathtakingly performing the Noodle Dance.

Wilderness Girls and ME!

2011-07-22T14:32:00.005-06:00

These girls took me on a 6 mile hike that took over 5 hours. We had a nice swimming break in the middle.

I love my wilderness girls!

Fort Robinson

2011-07-22T09:35:00.012-06:00

Grandpa and Grannie Annie chauffeured Heidi and Ginny through Utah and Wyoming to the edge of Nebraska where Fort Robinson is. This is where Heidi's dad spent 10 of his growing up years.

Fort Robinson is full of

horses

buttes
livestock

beautiful places to have adventures

and stories to tell!

Ginny loved being with

tent sleeping arrangements
Grannie Annie

Grandpa

Stetson and the other Rothlisbergers!!

Have you seen my chickens?

2011-07-03T14:09:00.009-06:00

Our chickens think that their coop is our house. If they're missing I know where to find them.
We should call them Minerva Louise.
http://www.amazon.com/Minerva-Louise-Picture-Puffins-Morgan/dp/0140568115

Big Trouble

2011-07-03T14:02:00.003-06:00

I ate something like over a dozen cookies and twenty hamburger buns while the family was gone.

OOooooopppppppsssssss!

When Gerrit got home he was not a happy camper. He tied me to a rope in the backyard. I howled and cried. Gerrit just wanted to teach me a lesson that I wouldn't forget.

When Ginny got home she insisted that my time out was over. Gerrit said it wasn't. Ginny sat with me so that I wouldn't be sad.
Next time, just put us in the chicken coop.

Chick Flicks

2011-06-21T17:55:00.001-06:00

Is Ginny the heroine, hopeless romantic, or the villain?

Real Men

2011-06-20T14:16:00.000-06:00

Real MEN eat steak and help each other remove their ear hairs.

At least that is what Gerrit and his dad did on Father's Day.
We love them both!

Land of Plenty

2011-06-08T15:32:00.027-06:00

In Maryland there was/were plenty of:

green grass and full trees

humidity to make your hair curl

tractors

nearby horse farms May heat to make a dip in the pool an answered prayer

asparagus growing in the garden to eat for breakfast and dinner

time to relax

places to visit

trampoline jumps

memories to make with cousin Elena and the rest of Heidi's Maryland abiding family.

Strawberry Fields

2011-06-08T15:02:00.008-06:00

It has been a long standing Rothlisberger tradition to pick strawberries. Gerrit, Heidi, and Ginny got to help out this year.Everyone thought that they found THE BEST strawberry.You'd be surprised how much strawberry jelly is produced and consumed from these berries.

A new Rothlisberger

2011-05-30T12:12:00.014-06:00

Luke got married to Jessica. Gerrit, Heidi, and Ginny got to go to Maryland for their picturesque wedding.
It takes something big, like a wedding, for all of the Rothlisbergers to be together. (Even then they were missing a few.)
There was fun for all.

OFFICIAL

2011-05-07T15:15:00.009-06:00

Gerrit's TWO YEAR plan ( the one that he's had since the day Heidi met him) has played out!

Gerrit is OFFICIALLY a graduate of the University of Utah with a degree in MUSIC! (and a ton of pre-med SCIENCE classes on the side)

Survival of the Fittest

2011-05-06T21:06:00.002-06:00

Heidi really wanted Ginny to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt this year. Thanksgiving Point was having one. Heidi thought. . .well there couldn't be a better one around. . .

The 3 and under age group--turned out to be a family event--with parents, older brothers and sisters taking all the eggs. It was completely opposite of what Heidi thought she was signing up for. . . cute little kids enjoying picking up eggs at their own cute pace while parents lovingly stood by taking pictures.

There were lots of activities to do and LOTS of people (big and little) there to do them. The ones with the shortest lines were the most dangerous. . .a blow up slide and a blow up obstacle course.

Listen carefully to the comments in the background. . .
"What happened?"
"I got kicked in the face!"

We left abruptly after Ginny started screaming for more candy. We couldn't even get a smile out of Ginny at the end by the baby chick.Next year, we'll try another Easter Egg Hunt.

Make Way for Chicks

2011-05-06T15:45:00.004-06:00

What started out as just a fun day at the farm. . .

. . . turned into a life changing event.

Heidi just couldn't pass up these fluffy little things.
So now we have 3 of our own.

If you're worried about what I'll do to them. . .

. . .you should be more worried about what Ginny HAS done to them.

Sure Sign

2011-04-17T20:49:00.006-06:00

Gerrit, Heidi, and Ginny LOVE to go to the zoo, especially when the weather is nice. Last week they went TWICE!!

First on Monday afternoon.
Then on Friday with the Boogert clan.

X Factor

2011-04-17T20:28:00.003-06:00

Even though I've never gotten a BIB number or crossed a finish line with a crowd cheering me on, Heidi and I both know it's a team effort.

NCR Marathon Relay in November of 2007 (2:14:20) :
Salt Lake City Half Marathon in April of 2008 (2:04:10):
Salt Lake City Half Marathon in April of 2011 (2:02:18):

All Aboard!

2011-04-03T19:41:00.005-06:00

If you like buses, good food, perfect weather, and family fun then you would have liked this party too!

Ginny's Two

2011-03-27T19:39:00.007-06:00

Here is some commentary from the birthday girl herself:

Day Light Savings' Miracle

2011-03-13T20:30:00.006-06:00

It is miraculous when you can play fetch before and AFTER dinner!!

Ginny and the purple marker.

2011-03-06T13:16:00.003-07:00

Ginny LOVES to draw!!

Best Holiday Ever!

2011-03-06T13:10:00.007-07:00

Even though it seems like forever ago. . .we all felt the love on Valentine's Day. It is Heidi's favorite holiday. It doesn't take much to show people you care. . . a silly card, cheap candy, or just a hug. . .will do the trick.

Super Bowl Request

2011-02-09T14:29:00.005-07:00

When we saw Will.i.am performing with the Black Eyed Peas during the Super Bowl--we were hoping that he would do our favorite song. Maybe. . .next time. . .

Stuck in the Butterfly Room

2011-02-09T13:28:00.008-07:00

The animals in Toy Story III got stuck in the Butterfly Room. I can TOTALLY relate!

For example:
Ginny loves books. . . but the other day she was using them to squish cereal. She thought play dough and yogurt were the perfect combination.She poured her SpaghettiOs into my bowl and then added the water from my water bowl. Despite her efforts to pull and drag me, I stayed as far away from that bowl as I could. Sometimes every piece of fruit has been sampled.Of course. . .being stuck in the butterfly room also has its perks.

Bean Kisses

2011-02-09T13:22:00.003-07:00

Ginny has caught on to a great Rothlisberger tradition.

The most wonderful time. . .

2011-01-07T07:14:00.012-07:00

. . .is when you. .

. . .make gingerbread cookies at school.

. . . have time to visit grandpa and grandma.

. . .spend time in the kitchen.

. . . are the center of attention.

. . . get to be with Satchmo.

. . .play with new toys.

. . .see lots of lights.

. . .play with cousins.

. . .have snow and someone to go sledding with.

Here's to more wonderful times in 2011!

Operation: Birthday Treat

2011-01-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

We wanted to let the people in our family know we love them in a sweet way.

Cookie dough Cupcakes
Smore Brownies
Rocky Road Brownies

Granola Bars:
Homemade Samoa Girl Scout Cookies:P90X Pear Granola Muffins:Spring BiscottiCaramel Brownies

Rainbow cupcakesChocolate Mint Dessert BrowniesAward Winning Soft Chocolate Chip CookiesBanana Bars
Rice Pudding:Thin Mint Girl Scout CookiesPecan Butterscotch SandiesMonster CookiesPumpkin GranolaLollipop CookiesBanketCaramel PopcornCookies and Cream Cheesecake

Cream Puffs

Pumpkin Chocolate BrowniesPumpkin Scones
Chocolate Devil Cake Ghiradelli Style
Chocolate Mint Cookies

Turtle Bar

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

MIA

2010-12-30T09:20:00.001-07:00

Has anyone seen my USB?

The Holiday Season

2010-12-19T11:44:00.003-07:00

is here!

Blessed!

2010-11-25T20:25:00.006-07:00

We have so much to be thankful for!
Happy Thanksgiving!

APPLES

2010-11-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

snow girl

2010-11-21T11:39:00.006-07:00

Here is our first snow girl of the year!

Lucky (or not so lucky?) Ginny thinks that ice cream and snow are the same thing.

Revolutionary

2010-11-14T11:19:00.004-07:00

Here's a new way to get your kids to stop eating their Halloween candy:

First, hide the plastic pumpkin in the oven.

Next, forget that it is there and turn the oven on.

Then, ignore the waxy smell coming from the oven.

Last, good luck getting the candy out. It will take some real determination or power tools!

Trick or Treat

2010-10-31T09:40:00.003-06:00

Favorite Place

2010-10-24T10:43:00.007-06:00

I love everything about this place! Especially the dirt!

Letting Go

2010-10-24T10:41:00.001-06:00

We've been holding on to the warm summer days. With the rainy cold weather today it is time to let go. The next two posts are ones we worked on during the summer.

More flowers--less weeds!

2010-10-24T10:01:00.000-06:00

Summer=Sun Dresses

2010-10-24T10:00:00.000-06:00

Element

2010-10-09T19:08:00.003-06:00

I'm in it!

Getting around. .

2010-10-08T20:51:00.007-06:00

. . .on tractors and fire engines,
but not on cows.

Encounter

2010-10-08T20:46:00.006-06:00

What started out as a fun grasshopper viewing experience turned into a real life predator versus prey. Luckily; Heidi was there to save this guy from losing all his legs. But hey. . .I just read an article about a restaurant serving fried grasshoppers. Who says dogs don't have taste?

18 Months!

2010-09-26T11:05:00.000-06:00

How we're handling it.

2010-09-24T22:27:00.006-06:00

Our garden has been mass producing zucchini. . .

. . .but we don't mind!

Three Cheers!

2010-09-24T22:21:00.004-06:00

Three cheers for the guy who passed his National Paramedic Practicals the first time through!
Three cheers for the guy who's been going to class for 5ish hours three nights a week since January and only missing one day!
Three cheers for the guy who takes care of Ginny in between class, working, fire rides, and clinicals at every hospital in the valley.

Mixed Identity

2010-09-12T21:46:00.006-06:00

Where does Heidi stand? BYU or Utah Utes? The choice doesn't seem to be written in blue or red for her.

Natural

2010-09-12T21:42:00.005-06:00

Each time around Ginny's smile got bigger and bigger. (I'd like to take some credit for her natural ability. She's spent a good amount of time on my back.)

Fresh Food

2010-09-12T21:37:00.006-06:00

If you're looking for Ginny, she's probably in the tomato or raspberry patch.

A Tale in Reverse

2010-08-22T23:18:00.012-06:00

This is me soaking the tub.
Due to the fact that I got sprayed by a SKUNK!!!!

Since I put my nose where I shouldn't have while Gerrit and I were walking in the woods late one night.
Unfortunately because Gerrit couldn't fall asleep in the tent
after we had backpacked in to Ruth Lake.
Upon Heidi 's request to see some wildflowers
my unsatiated need to swim

Ginny's delight for tents
and the chance for some good ol' fashion family bonding time. . .
even if I did smell like a skunk.

Games

2010-08-22T22:59:00.008-06:00

Apricots Equal

2010-08-22T22:54:00.003-06:00

Key Components

2010-08-22T21:21:00.022-06:00

For a fun Lake Powell Trip you need:

. . .a great place to stay if you're not invited.
. . .a little piece of dry land to call your own.

. . .two grandmas.. . .Captain Kent.

. . .sand.. . .some rough water.. . .and smooth water.

. . .games.. . .a place to nap.
. . . night swimming.. . .a little fish.
. . .and of course. . .

Happy Helper

2010-07-30T08:45:00.003-06:00

How did we get things done around here before Ginny came along?

Technical Difficulties

2010-07-30T08:45:00.002-06:00

The power supply on our computer went out just after Heidi finished uploading all the Lake Powell pictures.

I'll post one that I've been working on for a while and hopefully we'll get all the pieces we need to get our computer up and running once again.

The land of U.P.

2010-07-22T22:02:00.033-06:00

Not so very long ago Heidi and Ginny traveled a great distance by plane and car to the the Upper Peninsula in Wisconsin and Michigan. There they reunited with Heidi's family for a vacation.

John and Emily were the guides. They have resided in U.P. with their boys since the summer began. They took us camping and lake hopping.
They soon found the land to be plentiful with many beautiful and intriguing creations.

deersnakes

rocks

frogs

waterfalls

spiders

mosquitoes

wild raspberries
loons

Some new friends were acquired.
Each day was spent in multiple ways either

bouncing
hiking
canoeing
swimming
digging

Heidi and Ginny came to recognize

the versatility of inner tubes how fun it is to have boy cousins the power of sistersthe joy of being together!

Pool Party

2010-07-10T22:43:00.007-06:00

You don't need a big pool. . .
just a little bit of water. . .
family. . .
a few balls. . .just step in (or be dragged in). . .
and enjoy the cool water. . .
you can even dance if you're careful.

(This was all Ginny's idea.)

Summer Reading

2010-07-10T22:18:00.010-06:00

Heidi and Ginny have taken the summer reading challenge at our local library. They have both met their first reading goal!!

Here is a lovely layout of some of our favorite library favorites for the month of June.
Ginny's prize was a fun and scrumptious finger puppet.

Heidi will get a five dollar coupon to use for overdue book fines. She read, The Happiest Toddler on the Block and wrote a review.

After reading, loving, and using The Happiest Baby on the Block, I had high expectations for this book. It exceeded them. It is a book that I would like to download into my brain so that I can remember everything and kick in as an automatic reaction.

I appreciate Dr. Karp's explicit way of teaching and his insight into why toddlers do what they do. Being able to understand my little girl better helps to to deal with her ups and downs in a respectful way and initiate Dr. Karp's methods in a natural way. As I read his explanation and then the dialogue of an actual situation I can picture myself in the same situation. His positive and fun approaches make having toddler less stressful and extra delightful. I feel better equipped to be my daughter's ambassador as she explores the world.

Dr. Karp categorizes behaviors into green, yellow, and red. The Fast Food Rule accompanies them all. The FFR means that you repeat the feelings of the most upset person just as your order is repeated at the drive through window before anything else. I've found it to be simple and effective when working with my little one and her emotions. I have seen that when she knows that I know it keeps her from escalating. Dr. Karp gives fun suggestions for ways to play with your toddler and build their confidence which will lessen yellow and red light behaviors. I have many tools in my belt to deal with any kind of behavior after reading this book.

My favorite quote, which sums up the book's philosophy is, "The time you spend with your children is the best investment you will ever make. All the generosity you give now will be repaid to you and your community one hundred times in the future."

I recommend this book to any parent who wants to amp up their parenting skills with effective positive measures.

Useful

2010-07-04T13:35:00.004-06:00

Patriotic Parties

2010-07-04T13:26:00.009-06:00

Having the 4th of July fall on a Sunday means 3 consecutive days of patriotic fun.

Saturday
We spent the day in Spanish Fork.
We camped out for a picnic with all the other people who knew this was a prime spot for fireworks.
Ginny had fun trying out the blankets and borrowing balls for rolling and sitting on. I'm really glad that I got to be involved. Sunday:
Ginny met up with Nixon at Opa and Oma's house for dinner. They are only 1 week apart.

Ginny also loved the horsey rides and ice cream.

Monday:
Heidi and Ginny got some work done around the house.

They paid Gerrit a visit who was almost done with his second consecutive 12 hour shift.

Proud Teacher

2010-07-02T12:48:00.004-06:00

This is Heidi's school and these are the kids that she works with Monday - Thursday at summer school!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

15 Months!

2010-06-26T08:47:00.000-06:00

Ginny is an adventure girl. Luckily for me, most of the adventures include me!

When we go to a river or lake so that I can get some swimming in, Ginny gets wetter than I do. (Heidi has to hold on to Ginny for dear life. . .so these are some after photos.)

Even when I'm trying to snooze. . .the adventure continues.I look too old in these pictures.

Ginny is howling with laughter in this picture. My tail is really ticklish.

P.S. Dear Ginny, Please don't get too much bigger too much faster.

WELCOME!

2010-06-21T14:13:00.010-06:00

Summer is here!
We have been enjoying the perfect summer weather.

We found a new park with a river. (Thanks Adj. . .)
We went for our first hike of the summer.
We've been firing up the barbecue for some delicious meals.

"No bones about it. . .

2010-06-21T14:08:00.004-06:00

. . . Gerrit is TOP DOG!"

Gerrit is a great dad and we were happy to celebrate fathers!
A great dad takes their kids on hikes and shares his donuts with them.

Viva!

2010-06-14T14:13:00.018-06:00

Here are a few shots from a quick trip Gerrit, Heidi, and Ginny took to Vegas over the weekend.

They saw the big cats at the Mirage and the MGM. (Ginny must think it is normal to see big cats all around.)
Her favorites are the ones that she can pet.
Ginny wanted to swim with the dolphins. . .can you blame her?This reminded Heidi of Make Way for Ducklings. I wonder how they chose this spot?
Things got a little scary at the Shark Reef Aquarium of Mandalay Bay.
Having a sweet, innocent, beautiful little girl in Las Vegas brought out Gerrit and Heidi's protective side.

Wild and wet!

2010-06-10T21:05:00.016-06:00

There were some WILD animals at the zoo today.

The tigers were feeling like pouncing.

The giraffes were feeling frisky.

The crocodiles were were crocodiles.

The snow leopard was feeling friendly. (We haven't seen him all year.)

Maybe it was because everything was wet that they were acting so wild.

Ginny had a wild time learning about puddles

and merry-go rounds.Either wet, wild, both, or none; you can have a great time at the zoo when you're with people you love.

Houdini

2010-06-05T13:40:00.001-06:00

Now you see her. . . . . . now you don't!

TWENTY TWO!!

2010-06-05T13:35:00.004-06:00

This is an extremely important number. It is one that Gerrit and Heidi have been weighting for.
It is one that Ginny has been working for.

You see at twenty two pounds you can have a car seat that faces forward.

Now Ginny can see and driving is bound to be much better for us all!ALL ABOARD!!!

Deductive Reasoning

2010-05-31T10:49:00.020-06:00

I'm not exactly sure where they went but from what I can deduce there must have been. . .

watersun

tubing

games

swimming

noodle dancing
Grams, Grandpa, aunts, and an uncle

entertainment

fun!

Pat-a-Cake

2010-05-22T19:28:00.006-06:00

Ginny can not get enough of this nursery rhyme. We do Pat-a-Cake all day long. She even tries to get me to Pat-a-Cake. We have many different versions from plyometric to partner and ticklish. I wouldn't expect anything less from a girl who loves to help her mama cook.

Bachelor. . .no more.

2010-05-16T19:36:00.016-06:00

My good pal got married this weekend. Gerrit, Heidi, and Ginny got to go to St. George to be a part of it.

They stopped to smell the horses on the way down.
Ginny was cute despite the significant difference in her normal sleeping patterns. Gerrit and Heidi couldn't handle all the extra room in the king bed without me so Ginny jumped in. She did just fine filling the space. It was fun to meet up with Grandpa, Grams, and Meika who were also in town for the weekend.
It feels good to support your friends.
I had a fantastic weekend with Opa and Oma.

Congratulations!

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T22:24:00.007-06:00

Heidi thinks that she's the luckiest mom in the world.

Just in time!

2010-04-27T08:13:00.005-06:00

Gerrit has been the handy man trying to fix our lawn mower. It has not been easy. We really needed to get our grass cut because it was getting hard to find Ginny in our jungle.
Our grass is cut. It only took about 3 hours working on our lawn mower, deciding to borrow a neighbor's, clogging their fuel pump, having to fix it, carrying around Ginny while mowing the lawn, spending another hour working on ours. You gotta do what you gotta do.

You can never have too much ham!

2010-04-16T23:22:00.007-06:00

Calzones

Sandwiches

Classic Dinner (-the roll, they were taking their sweet time to finish cooking in the oven.)

Ham and Cheese Crepes

Ham Fried Rice

Green Eggs and Ham
When you can't take anymore ham. . .ham soup for a rainy day.

Walking girl!

2010-04-11T22:13:00.003-06:00

Even though Ginny took her first steps in January, after lots of practice, her feet have finally caught the rhythm.

Taking Off

2010-04-11T21:00:00.000-06:00

Heidi has been home for Spring Break! We've been "taking off" in so many ways.

First of all, I made it clear that I wanted to go.
Ginny takes off to the sandbox at every chance she can get.
Ginny is taking off on her walking feet. She loves to carry things as she goes.

The ball kept taking off after I dropped it at the top of the hill. I ran up and down the hill at least 5 times in a row before Heidi even had to throw it for me. "Don't worry Ginny, I won't take off without you!"
They took off to the pool and zoo. Ginny's favorite animals were the tigers. She growled like a tiger at everything. I hope that she didn't scare the cute baby elephant.
Ginny and Heidi took off to church in very cute and beautiful new dresses.
Gerrit is taking this "taking off" theme too literally. Come back Ginny!

Granny is GRAND!

2010-04-09T11:58:00.006-06:00