Monday, December 8, 2008

Decorating for Christmas

We finally decorated. Dustin has been complaining for several years that our tree was too small so we finally upgraded to a larger one. The kids said it's the "bestest" tree they've ever seen.

Waiting for Santa


2008Dec - Stockings, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

Thanksgiving at the lodge

We spent our Thanksgiving at Fairy Stone State Park with my siblings, their kids and my parents. The kids built this fort out of sticks and leaves. The weather was perfect, there was way too much food and lots of good laughs. We also celebrated Alana's 1 yr. birthday.

Alana's 1!!!

Hunting for fairy stones

Before eating Thanksgiving dinner we all went looking for the infamous fairy stones. This is probably the best one we found. If you look hard enough, you can see the cross inside this rock.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Our Sunday evening family project

Dustin's elementary school gave each student the assignment of listing five things they were most grateful for in the form of a turkey. We couldn't use markers, crayons, etc., so we really had to get creative. Can you make out what we're grateful for and what we used to spell out the words?

Malia sharing (reluctantly) her Halloween candy

Alana wins!


2008Nov - Alana - Sucker2, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.


Alana wasn't happy with just a few licks, so she took matters into her own hands.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Dustin as Spiderman (again!)

Malia AKA Strawberry Shortcake

Alana, our little giraffe

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Our babies

All smiled out

Wheeee!

Look at our big girl!

Alana has started pulling up. She's not very steady yet, but she's making progress.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Alana and Daddy

Alana enjoyed lots of snuggle time as we waited for the temperature to rise in the morning.

Throwing rocks in the creek

Dustin and Malia had a great time playing with their friend, James. The three "bacon makers" (you had to be there) had a great time throwing rocks into Otter Creek.

Alana on our recent campout

Alana had a great time camping. She loved being outside and especially loved watching the campfire.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Teddy's Birthday

Yes, we even celebrate stuffed animals' birthdays around here. Teddy has been Dustin's best buddy almost since day one.

Two peas in a pod

Isn't she sweet?!


2008Sep - Alana3, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

2008Sep - Natasha, Alana


2008Sep - Natasha, Alana, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

2008Sep - Dustin, Malia - Grass

Monday, September 1, 2008

Dustin's First Day of School

I have been shedding tears over his first day of school since he was born! I just kept telling myself to hold it together until he was out of sight, and I did. As soon as the bus pulled away, I burst into tears! Darrell shed a few too, but he couldn't help but chuckle at me crying! Dustin was so excited although he was a little nervous that morning. He hardly touched his breakfast. On day 2 he gobbled it down and didn't say anything about being nervous until the bus was coming up the street. He still got on smiling. What surprised me was that I cried when I saw him the first afternoon! I was so happy to see him. He's had 5 great days, and he's gotten 5 "happy notes" so we're 5 for 5.

Before Dustin came home Monday, I asked Malia if she had missed him and she very emphatically said, "NO." Yesterday I asked her again, and she said she wished he would stay there forever! She has really seemed to enjoy herself and has been so good. She starts Joy School tomorrow and Friday from 9:30-12. She also starts gymnastics on Wed. She's so excited.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

2008Aug - Dustin - 1st Day School - Porch2

2008Aug - Dustin - 1st Day School, Bus4

2008Aug - Dustin - 1st Day School, Bus

2008Aug - Malia - Park


2008Aug - Malia - Park, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

2008Aug - Dustin - Park


2008Aug - Dustin - Park, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

2008Aug - Carowinds - Darrell, Dustin, Malia2

2008Aug - Dustin - Pool


2008Aug - Dustin - Pool, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

2008Aug - Dustin, Malia - Pool

2008Aug - Carowinds - Alana

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

2008Aug - Myrtle Beach - Alana, Malia

2008Aug - Myrtle Beach - Alana

2008Aug - Myrtle Beach - Dustin looking for Seashells

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Messy...and lovin' it!

Cool in the pool


2008Jul - Malia - Pool, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Mommy and Daddy, are those sparks going to fall on us?


DSC_7795, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

You talking to me?


DSC_7761, originally uploaded by Darrell Manning.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Waiting for Thomas


DSC_7204, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Thomas


DSC_7199, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Riding Thomas the Train was one of the kids' highlight of the trip. Dustin said, "Daddy, Thomas is pretty loud."

Miniature Golfing in PA


DSC_7079, originally uploaded by dleolani.

We've never chased so many golf balls!

Dustin at the National Railroad Museum


DSC_7258, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Dustin's first fish


P1030095, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Dustin caught his first fish on our father and son's campout. If you asked him how big the fish was at that time, he'd give you a pretty accurate estimate. By now, it's about doubled in length!

The fish


HPIM0227, originally uploaded by dleolani.

See the picture below of Dustin fishing for an explanation of how she caught her first fish.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Mommy and Daddy...can we get a trampoline?


DSC_7040, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Mowing the lawn with Grandpa


DSC_6893, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Fishing


DSC_6783, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Dustin learned how to fish on this camping trip. Out of 100+ casts, he didn't catch a single fish. He didn't seem to mind until Malia, on her second cast, caught one!

Canoeing trip - Dustin and Malia had a blast!


Chigger Weekend 2008 006, originally uploaded by dleolani.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Dustin and Malia could not keep a straight face


DSC_6609, originally uploaded by dleolani.

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