tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84246021035635140372024-03-05T12:18:47.967-05:00The Ricks'The Ricks'The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-52614871967750455362012-12-04T09:45:00.001-05:002012-12-06T16:36:31.986-05:00Explorers<br />
Hallie, Gracie and Clara were outside last night just after dark "exploring". They said they were taking notes on what they saw and being "creative". This is what they brought for me to read. Spelling and punctuation has been updated so you can actally read it.<br />
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Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
It's too cold, I could die.<br />
Your friend, Ladybug<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
We worked hard today.<br />
Your friends, Ants.<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
I'm getting ready for bed.<br />
Your friend, Beetle.<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
I climbed a lot before bed so our energy is gone.<br />
Your friend, Cricket<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
My kids are in the eggs, but they're quiet for bed. <br />
Your friend, Spider<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
I was asleep the whole day!<br />
Your friend, Rock<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
I'm smashed so much. Help!<br />
Your friend, Pinecone<br />
<br />
Dear Hallie and Gracie,<br />
Almost all the stars are out.<br />
Your Friend, StarThe Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-35838551626138322862012-09-04T10:32:00.000-04:002012-09-04T10:32:22.600-04:00It's been a while...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, a lot has happened since I last posted. So to make things easier for me, I'll just list them and throw in a few pictures to go along. (These are not necessarily in chronological order).</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">At the end of April we made a trip back down to Tallahassee so Tony could walk in his graduation! He could have walked in December but we were a little busy having a baby that weekend. Tony's parents flew in to Tallahassee and celebrated with us. Then they drove up to Athens to spend even more time with us. We loved having them here and are so blessed to have such great support all around us! </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmkGbzDxDNKHHm_cgY7SunGf3vUTW82axBBhoRVD-iol8siS_DyJawhssIsazvTsi8G1haRTOiqZ7hEjL5Zid5RSKZqZhAFZGUp1BKeAZvyI7uU8G8jXOzQ6OkhRTB3Rryzva2adgRzOi/s1600/100_1664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmkGbzDxDNKHHm_cgY7SunGf3vUTW82axBBhoRVD-iol8siS_DyJawhssIsazvTsi8G1haRTOiqZ7hEjL5Zid5RSKZqZhAFZGUp1BKeAZvyI7uU8G8jXOzQ6OkhRTB3Rryzva2adgRzOi/s320/100_1664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a long night for Elizabeth but doesn't Tony look handsome in his robes?! We're so proud of him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li>School pictures--I thought they turned out so great!</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvai3j_tSBQC-ZKkusbIYQYG1pAdRiTslMTa1Lt-5dtv_H7_mz63G_vCqIE_bSGVEpl7W99gFi1NtOtzYSg67IKsG0HOA37dBaHevGZ1yRqiOG0bVIY03UBi6ntG4_TXkPwJE4PNJbiZs/s1600/Gracie+Kindergarten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvai3j_tSBQC-ZKkusbIYQYG1pAdRiTslMTa1Lt-5dtv_H7_mz63G_vCqIE_bSGVEpl7W99gFi1NtOtzYSg67IKsG0HOA37dBaHevGZ1yRqiOG0bVIY03UBi6ntG4_TXkPwJE4PNJbiZs/s320/Gracie+Kindergarten.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie--Kindergarten<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jeY0E-pUAwLdKNj5_Xp9ytwx_JEXpCZIaapvzrLXFjJAjHkTvwGDimxKsR10wU8-OpM-whx0qGFiZC2Pl9YJQ8a57baZVHZ-v99Zcl6cKZGWwy7hqz1gBlKZXkxkxVU0ZSEKUFkvts5u/s1600/Hallie+2nd+grade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jeY0E-pUAwLdKNj5_Xp9ytwx_JEXpCZIaapvzrLXFjJAjHkTvwGDimxKsR10wU8-OpM-whx0qGFiZC2Pl9YJQ8a57baZVHZ-v99Zcl6cKZGWwy7hqz1gBlKZXkxkxVU0ZSEKUFkvts5u/s320/Hallie+2nd+grade.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallie--2nd grade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAr0bWr_u10-Pkwy9lBvCQj3-RAKwGmu0V_0Lgk7FYiGN2A7BuoE6kJhGrG6MbgNjfSDE0YxAP9OAqqM0GuJiF0TeJDzrqtoCImR0m182UyM6zOOZcT6x1bUVRdvR3jeq0I7ky50givVT/s1600/William+3rd+grade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAr0bWr_u10-Pkwy9lBvCQj3-RAKwGmu0V_0Lgk7FYiGN2A7BuoE6kJhGrG6MbgNjfSDE0YxAP9OAqqM0GuJiF0TeJDzrqtoCImR0m182UyM6zOOZcT6x1bUVRdvR3jeq0I7ky50givVT/s320/William+3rd+grade.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William--3rd grade<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">William spent a week at cub scout day camp. The theme was "Knights of the Round Table" and they did all kinds of fun knight stuff. At the end they watch some guys dressed as knights sword fight then got knighted themselves!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPO9s655XxL27S6qnJPUOCL1Jp4J7POxZn7jttnpSR3ABu-d6Td0ns8rcP2L9WWVCSuBpxmEi45iVGpkejzKGQGZuzkn8KtVZtgBLAH3UDmZUFW5XllIE4BUpq-xhjWQBefmpelB4NJBc/s1600/100_1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPO9s655XxL27S6qnJPUOCL1Jp4J7POxZn7jttnpSR3ABu-d6Td0ns8rcP2L9WWVCSuBpxmEi45iVGpkejzKGQGZuzkn8KtVZtgBLAH3UDmZUFW5XllIE4BUpq-xhjWQBefmpelB4NJBc/s320/100_1711.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see Will in the middle?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Swimming lessons</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">A trip to the Lion's club fair in Athens. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Lot's of playing on our porch swing.</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26yN6avvQt9M6_jgWCb80aYvNKTOMfFuAIArmpQt_AZRiZPSwjXXpA8n2M2UHax_w-PDqG2FGDLWrNMSfaqvuNJ2pYbKrOyzbQzvuBP7-JMcLSH0ErEjpa1vAAKKhqzc0-HlC1ldERpgU/s1600/100_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26yN6avvQt9M6_jgWCb80aYvNKTOMfFuAIArmpQt_AZRiZPSwjXXpA8n2M2UHax_w-PDqG2FGDLWrNMSfaqvuNJ2pYbKrOyzbQzvuBP7-JMcLSH0ErEjpa1vAAKKhqzc0-HlC1ldERpgU/s320/100_1684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William, Hallie, Gracie, Clara, Elizabeth--we miss that swing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">We moved in the middle of July to a bigger house more out in the country. It has stairs, which was a priority for Gracie. It also has a basement for storage with a storm shelter in it, which we actually had to use this weekend when the tornado siren went off. Luckily, nothing happened, but it added a little excitement to our Sunday afternoon.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We took a trip to Idaho and Utah! We drove for 2 days to get to Logan Canyon where we camped with Tony's family for his family reunion. Then drove to Newdale to spend a few more days with Tony's family. We did so much fun stuff with them, like going to a <a href="http://thepianoguys.com/newstore/" target="_blank">Piano Guys</a> concert! Our whole family loves them, so it worked out so great that they were in Rexburg the week we were. We bought their CD and listened to it tons on the drive home. Whenever it comes on Clara yells, "piano guys, Mom!"</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>After spending a few days with Tony's family we drove to UT to spend some time with my family. My brother's kids were their the whole time so we got lots of cousin time! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>While in UT, Hallie turned 8! So she got baptized in UT so our family could come. Beverly had this beautiful dress for Hallie due to a little mix up with my nieces dress, which worked out beautifully for us! </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4v3glspxoPx6d2uk4p4RTzWQxS0gQT-3LktmKFrytOloxpIDheQ80B0OiigGN6-UTqRAoSg6l4D9NUB1s4htTLmNla47I47DjOAw6MKSC2fUZ_bfnzelWnNK_IG5JseVOTjlroqYOxvC/s1600/100_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4v3glspxoPx6d2uk4p4RTzWQxS0gQT-3LktmKFrytOloxpIDheQ80B0OiigGN6-UTqRAoSg6l4D9NUB1s4htTLmNla47I47DjOAw6MKSC2fUZ_bfnzelWnNK_IG5JseVOTjlroqYOxvC/s320/100_1928.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a few pictures of Hallie wearing her baptism dress while holding her blessing dress to display at her baptism. She looks so beautiful and we are so proud of her decision and the wonderful girl she is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC5uC7QkBRxykL9LHoWM8hoahv8Z94wV52CcQbURi02On0-OPYI9UwG3jt0B9PXf4lKoM7ikPAjBqmgr9G41lx75Qf51DbjZWND9R1qZjm14dbLUm4Rbh6mWTB2ei9IK0vQUf0up0uWwg/s1600/100_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC5uC7QkBRxykL9LHoWM8hoahv8Z94wV52CcQbURi02On0-OPYI9UwG3jt0B9PXf4lKoM7ikPAjBqmgr9G41lx75Qf51DbjZWND9R1qZjm14dbLUm4Rbh6mWTB2ei9IK0vQUf0up0uWwg/s320/100_1950.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before the baptism. I'm one lucky lady to have such a great family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">We took 3 days to drive home so we could stop in Colorado Springs to see Tony's sister's family, then in Kansas to see our good friends. Hopefully next time we'll be able to spend more than a few hours with each of them!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">A few weeks after getting home we settled into our new house and celebrated Clara's 3rd birthday. We just had a few friends over to play and had cake and ice cream.</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dg9wE1RTkqt9RnPyWOfHC-a-JW7mw3C2i2-jK6g04I3yqJii-fBjJknggmxDvHUfHM74En9V6zyGe4iEsw7OQJmPlwP_rRB3ugkeeyNWLlJ9vyE6TNhDnScLZIs_WPC9ct8JQpnsiwUY/s1600/100_1976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dg9wE1RTkqt9RnPyWOfHC-a-JW7mw3C2i2-jK6g04I3yqJii-fBjJknggmxDvHUfHM74En9V6zyGe4iEsw7OQJmPlwP_rRB3ugkeeyNWLlJ9vyE6TNhDnScLZIs_WPC9ct8JQpnsiwUY/s320/100_1976.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone wanted to help. And yes, we used Christmas wrapping paper..don't judge !)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Now we've started at a new school. So far things are going well and the kids are making friends. Gracie is also playing soccer and William is playing football which means our nights are pretty full. Gracie's first game is tonight and she cannot wait!</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9WbaP0K8rRY70m5URH3mg9bKn5NcpOBz3m0ILKAiij-rl2yYMg07UZiB3QNTJd7qmz5l2loSJ-RKQBej9Gl7QDyAnM5WJrS5ZftHk28v-REKxvgQODoJu_86XcNEdc6vO1FuX0EOASaI/s1600/100_1978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9WbaP0K8rRY70m5URH3mg9bKn5NcpOBz3m0ILKAiij-rl2yYMg07UZiB3QNTJd7qmz5l2loSJ-RKQBej9Gl7QDyAnM5WJrS5ZftHk28v-REKxvgQODoJu_86XcNEdc6vO1FuX0EOASaI/s320/100_1978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of school--William, Hallie and Gracie. Clara was all ready to go with her backpack too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">This weekend we took the kids to this little tiny splash park in Ardmore. It only had 3 fountains shooting up, but the kids thought it was great. Clara loved sitting on the fountains and Elizabeth loved trying to drink from them. </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUXU9umRH2RrnXFX6fo81zFe2MxIh6UCshaFdTP_BDyTzP6deK9_aUplZsyjW8KerbHqn135VzMFJCPHCcIqN0CAsPP-FlWwM_SO_UcJ1S6xNDzg5F0oTcZ6qWuix4Vb0_Iploo7ANuwb/s1600/100_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUXU9umRH2RrnXFX6fo81zFe2MxIh6UCshaFdTP_BDyTzP6deK9_aUplZsyjW8KerbHqn135VzMFJCPHCcIqN0CAsPP-FlWwM_SO_UcJ1S6xNDzg5F0oTcZ6qWuix4Vb0_Iploo7ANuwb/s320/100_1992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDBmjHWWkCoD0A0BIpwu8QIfOwGOo2TkEQdLWFv1G2YVpzdu616peTFlUqIMQWRZympockrq7o62sSjovBS-xMrL1OGG6jr5S6KHXaoMWi8DxlR53hYYVgBmVYegFl5hbN4iHKLOaW0Tw/s1600/100_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDBmjHWWkCoD0A0BIpwu8QIfOwGOo2TkEQdLWFv1G2YVpzdu616peTFlUqIMQWRZympockrq7o62sSjovBS-xMrL1OGG6jr5S6KHXaoMWi8DxlR53hYYVgBmVYegFl5hbN4iHKLOaW0Tw/s320/100_1996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"> A quick update on Elizabeth. She's now 8 months old and crawling all over the place. She can even go up the stairs but not down. She can stand for a minute or two and even took a step the other day, but it's a little early to expect her to walk. It won't be long though. She got her first tooth this weekend with the second coming any day (I hope!). She has the funnest personality. She smiles all the time and loves to be where the action is. She's incredibly determined (which will hopefully be a good thing when she's older) and extremely active. We love her so much!</li>
</ul>
The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-62044889148257644522012-01-29T20:10:00.003-05:002012-01-29T20:57:23.980-05:00There's a reason I don't like them playing in the front yard<div style="text-align: center;">My kids always want to play in the front yard. We have this awesome porch swing that I let them play on, but usually I tell them to stay out of the yard. On Friday they were waiting for a friend to come over so I let them wait out in the yard. A few minutes later Hallie came in and said, "Mom, don't be mad. Gracie is stuck in the ditch." I usually get nervous when she starts something with "don't get mad", but the ditch in the yard is not that big. How could she get stuck in it. I came out to see Gracie's head sticking out of the drainage pipe! She had gone in feet first, but on coming out had wedged her leg perpendicular to the pipe. Here's a picture of the pipe for reference. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GXvchHhOW_4K6WNnAtqzk5BCDjO8MU75PdMjIGUnQhUuA7e-DdYT83nw5YQP-6fldMrIa4QosHJj5m7Cr0AamZMRsI7pgwFPRJdcUVaPYtyu9j5R1LVlFq0Uc6ZG2-TuW36fsjsx4R8b/s320/100_1498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226411087262018" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As Hallie stood on the side crying I tried to figure out how to unwedge Gracie's leg. Gracie started to get worried when I couldn't get her out right away so she cried, "Pray, Mama! Pray!" At least now she was making good decisions! Every time I tried to move her leg she said it hurt so I started wondering if I would have to call the police. Luckily, after just a few failed attempts, Gracie was able to bend her leg underneath her, go all the way inside until she was under the grate, then she had room to straighten out her leg and slide back out--straight this time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tony pulled up from work just as Gracie was climbing out. He had brought brownies home (leftover from a luncheon) so the kids quickly forgot the ordeal and enjoyed their brownies. I kept asking Gracie why on earth she climbed in there. At first she said she slipped. When I didn't buy that she finally admitted she wanted to see if she could fit. Apparently she can, just not sideways.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a different note, here's some pictures of Elizabeth. She had her one month check up on Wednesday and is now 11lbs. 2 oz. and 22 1/2" long. That's 2 pounds heavier and 1" longer than when she was born. She's already in size 2 diapers since she has chubby little thighs. I've never had a baby grow this fast. All my others were born average (or maybe a little more) then they grew incredibly slow. Like a full 2 months to get to 10 pounds slow. But not Elizabeth! And at the risk of jinxing myself, she slept 6 straight hours last night! None of my other kids did that this early either. Hopefully it wasn't a fluke. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Elizabeth does smile when you can get her to look at you, but it takes a lot more work than it did with Clara. I tried for quite a while to get a picture of her smiling, but this is as close as we got.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEmQj2P1WnKkh8ZykjjxJX7SDrYGZidAPLDKDlRN4Ba1R8X-_tbLVpHga2otM9ZHr7Jm_wLPUhgeXKODXJHMsuMOvhXgoBpeERahwjo68Z054_ROp6tm-_Oqn7AhgiUFoilptvOq8BIDr/s1600/100_1510.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW22xA4yB6b4ZSTfJ0qY8-qD9Mpoiuxk87rD42QPpyFOW805Wmx1P708yHNWurFyNXKktRSQfC0_LpTgsyzptm0YnDRIA1JXJoW23roBgnb7_Ie72lQ3MvOoNvNtoGo4_SlI-XvM44O2I/s320/100_1506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226421307942242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div style="text-align: center;">Clara loves Elizabeth and always know what she wants. "Baby wants a pacifier." "Baby wants some milk." "Baby wants a bath." "Baby wants a sippy cup." (As she tries to feed Elizabeth her sippy cup) When Clara wants to hold Elizabeth she says, "I wanna hold it." Which makes us think she sees Elizabeth as one of her dolls. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's a nice picture of Clara holding Elizabeth. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEmQj2P1WnKkh8ZykjjxJX7SDrYGZidAPLDKDlRN4Ba1R8X-_tbLVpHga2otM9ZHr7Jm_wLPUhgeXKODXJHMsuMOvhXgoBpeERahwjo68Z054_ROp6tm-_Oqn7AhgiUFoilptvOq8BIDr/s1600/100_1510.JPG"><br /></a></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEmQj2P1WnKkh8ZykjjxJX7SDrYGZidAPLDKDlRN4Ba1R8X-_tbLVpHga2otM9ZHr7Jm_wLPUhgeXKODXJHMsuMOvhXgoBpeERahwjo68Z054_ROp6tm-_Oqn7AhgiUFoilptvOq8BIDr/s320/100_1510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703226432322522322" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEmQj2P1WnKkh8ZykjjxJX7SDrYGZidAPLDKDlRN4Ba1R8X-_tbLVpHga2otM9ZHr7Jm_wLPUhgeXKODXJHMsuMOvhXgoBpeERahwjo68Z054_ROp6tm-_Oqn7AhgiUFoilptvOq8BIDr/s1600/100_1510.JPG"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what it usually looks like. (Don't worry, she's not actually choking!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoiGpae91X58LK0tWwU72Zm0wtaMhkatSP-Ccp07jHeVWDMukjTNFvQLY5RE6bDgXSefkR3hQ8JOcEZ_wbxhmRXSHQv4PZoqU69ZsuMGsuJJ3j3SBsRAMyWP7a7uKcatsyr1Wul9u6Tt1/s320/100_1511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703234707580142786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div></div></div></div></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-47431423072154924352011-12-19T14:10:00.005-05:002011-12-19T14:32:59.695-05:00She finally arrived!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvF7-_a_ClaChfTzxgeyeKcSF6Goril4na0zPxxV59VMqXbqAq229DuDb1v0GaH40_hXG3N2PDyRz2mA80xZHoUpZTj-S3hqoSRbO7OqFIbx501LN3iZrIaOwinGHcxW2a1nqrlvoJ2Ez/s1600/nicole_elizabeth_clara_hallie_william.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvF7-_a_ClaChfTzxgeyeKcSF6Goril4na0zPxxV59VMqXbqAq229DuDb1v0GaH40_hXG3N2PDyRz2mA80xZHoUpZTj-S3hqoSRbO7OqFIbx501LN3iZrIaOwinGHcxW2a1nqrlvoJ2Ez/s320/nicole_elizabeth_clara_hallie_william.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687924193070947042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0osZk3I3oWGkvB9oXSJHLt1-B-R7ADw3vmRoD0XiT4jBCnXgpBQEWO3_fUT8sGQiVWicxV_wQZhua2Jj77xyBBujlRAiAhWpnhygQAjBL-lyBrGNjy_gyMzXG0nn3S66lvBVDu6kxRkw/s1600/clara_%2526_elizabeth.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0osZk3I3oWGkvB9oXSJHLt1-B-R7ADw3vmRoD0XiT4jBCnXgpBQEWO3_fUT8sGQiVWicxV_wQZhua2Jj77xyBBujlRAiAhWpnhygQAjBL-lyBrGNjy_gyMzXG0nn3S66lvBVDu6kxRkw/s320/clara_%2526_elizabeth.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687924187010116146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I1wOT3DejKyJdUlv0wZJBBe2jQTpH0vsjxxqiQD5vLpHlRg_ZiAgcqcxcLf-nzT3NmihLkZ9VxpyQgCa_2tTE0Nnl1wEU5GXJ_HTxwDWNC9xHHvFErGZ6PSgHK9ExZafSpw8rlvLF8zC/s1600/beanie.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I1wOT3DejKyJdUlv0wZJBBe2jQTpH0vsjxxqiQD5vLpHlRg_ZiAgcqcxcLf-nzT3NmihLkZ9VxpyQgCa_2tTE0Nnl1wEU5GXJ_HTxwDWNC9xHHvFErGZ6PSgHK9ExZafSpw8rlvLF8zC/s320/beanie.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687924167151014386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeYgE-1f42Lvbq8J6e7IQPKmCuIvPCCzStX9NIKEHdHsFkv0JncNK4F-i-fkXS-zald30dMik4J9AjvmdVWHuZI1PHkTsI6JDTAA7kwC2Z8x2lzuoOeFbDBumkUzsifn3vOEeTQkqpA_y/s1600/hallie_%2526_elizabeth.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeYgE-1f42Lvbq8J6e7IQPKmCuIvPCCzStX9NIKEHdHsFkv0JncNK4F-i-fkXS-zald30dMik4J9AjvmdVWHuZI1PHkTsI6JDTAA7kwC2Z8x2lzuoOeFbDBumkUzsifn3vOEeTQkqpA_y/s320/hallie_%2526_elizabeth.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687924166814556274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5hqPf7vP-cnTZ6vGw5XHDJsJss_m4EwVgtMSH77DsLJkICb5v3nLACfH6bhKiThWZ4vKepXC-MV0p1x_dQTubqQ3BgvG05Caz9JzVcgO_r_yMQ37FDfqJrxUSkhQZygAngxcQhmOKbT3/s1600/eyesopen.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5hqPf7vP-cnTZ6vGw5XHDJsJss_m4EwVgtMSH77DsLJkICb5v3nLACfH6bhKiThWZ4vKepXC-MV0p1x_dQTubqQ3BgvG05Caz9JzVcgO_r_yMQ37FDfqJrxUSkhQZygAngxcQhmOKbT3/s320/eyesopen.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687924161857158514" /></a><br />She was 5 agonizing days late, but Elizabeth Mae Ricks has finally arrived! She was born December 16, 2011 at 2:45 am. She was 9 lbs 2 oz and 21" long. By far my biggest baby. I was afraid she'd be big since she was late, but it could have been worse! <br /><br />Here's the quick story. I was expecting her to be born the weekend of December 11 (her due date), so when that weekend came and went I was getting pretty frustrated. The next Tuesday I was having contractions 2 separate times that were pretty regular, then they just stopped. So annoying! Thursday I had another appointment and was going to ask to be induced but since it's so close to Christmas I didn't think they'd be able to get me in until the next week. But to my surprise they said I could go into the hospital the next day (Friday, Dec. 16). Since I'm Group B positive they wanted me to go in that night to start the antibiotic, then they'd induce that morning and I'd probably have her by noon. Sounded great! We made arrangements for someone to watch the kids while Tony took me to the hospital, then he was going to come home, sleep with the kids, get them off to school the next day and get back to the hospital in time to start the induction. <br /><br />So that's what we did. He took me to the hospital, got me all hooked up and went home to bed around 10:00. I tried to sleep but about 11:00 I was having contractions (on my own) but because of earlier in the week I tried to ignore them. This time, however, they were getting really painful and closer together. So around 1:00am I called Tony and told him I thought I was already in labor. He called our friend back and got back to the hospital by 1:30. The nurses checked me and I had gone from a 2 when I got there to a 6. So we called for an epidural. The guy took forever to get there, but once he did I felt so much better. Now that I wasn't in constant pain I actually started falling asleep when the doctor came in and said it was time to push. So I pushed twice through 1 contraction and Elizabeth was born at 2:45am! Tony and I slept for a few hours then Tony went home to get the kids ready for school. Then he came back to sleep with me and Elizabeth. My doctor's were great and let me come home Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday morning. <br /><br />The funnest part of all this is Gracie's birthday is December 17. So now we have 2 birthdays 2 days in a row! Gracie had a great birthday visiting us in the hospital, getting "smoothies" with dad (they were really Icee's) and playing with friends all day. I think this works out better than having their birthdays on the same day. This way they each get their own special day!The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-30098411352965615992011-11-13T20:57:00.003-05:002011-11-13T21:18:14.907-05:00Does this sound familiar to anyone else?<div style="text-align: left;">Tonight, we put the kids in bed a little early--like 10 minutes, which is 1 hour in kid time. A few minutes later Gracie came in to say Hallie was laying in the middle of the bed (they share a queen bed). Tony went in to resolve the issue. Hallie sleeps at one end, Gracie at the other. As he left he had a little exchange with the girls. It's pretty typical--for us anyway. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tony: Now don't get out of bed again or you lose your Wii time for tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gracie: What if we're bleeding or on fire?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tony: Then just yell, "I'm bleeding!" or "I'm on fire!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hallie: Well, you'll have to hurry!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tony: I will, but neither of those things are going to happen...just go to sleep!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is almost a nightly occurance for us. Usually they're worried about more dramatic things, like earthquakes. Please tell me we're not the only ones!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">P.S. Hallie has already gotten out of bed twice since I started writing this. If I were a good parent I'd tell her she's lost her Wii time, but tonight I'm too tired!</span></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-39564888235586015772011-10-02T11:37:00.004-04:002011-10-02T12:06:41.581-04:00I know, I know...<div><div style="text-align: center;">...it's been way too long since my last post. We made it here to Athens, AL in the beginning of August. My mom and brother, Todd, flew in to help us make the move and I am SO glad they did! We would not have been able to do it without them. We drove a U-haul from Tallahassee to Athens and what should have taken 7 hours took nearly 12 (it's a long story--maybe someday I'll go into it). Once we made it we got the kids registered for school. I found a doctor and made my first appointment for the week my mom was still here. I wasn't sure if they'd do an ultrasound at that first visit, but they did and you'll never guess. We're having a....nother girl! Yep, that makes 4 girls and 1 boy. They kids took it really well and now we are all excited for the new addition (who still won't be here for 10 more weeks).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tony started his new job and is doing really well. Everyone he works with is really great and they all LOVE Clara. Every time I go to visit there are about 4-5 ladies all gathered around to watch Clara climb the giant staircase in the front of the library. In other big news, Tony finished up his dissertation last week. He defends next week and we could not be more excited. Ever since we got here he's been working 10 hour days, coming home for dinner then going back to work for another few hours after the kids go to bed. We haven't had much of a chance to explore the area, but now that he's done we have lots of plans! I'll let you know how the defense goes once he passes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So here's a few pictures of things I should have shared a while ago.</div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLD6bxkdPxnurzpnMTYwOKiWFYJnQm1hpPI8GS7LnyGRZGIg9sbxDuReig_7xbg8l7647W0tz0D3outlqP6pbBRG7vQX8MS2T46g1Z7Xwnpdrrx-T6zibIxv5VdKCCLyKLPx-B52nDeyw/s1600/100_1214.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLD6bxkdPxnurzpnMTYwOKiWFYJnQm1hpPI8GS7LnyGRZGIg9sbxDuReig_7xbg8l7647W0tz0D3outlqP6pbBRG7vQX8MS2T46g1Z7Xwnpdrrx-T6zibIxv5VdKCCLyKLPx-B52nDeyw/s320/100_1214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923850439996370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now that Tony isn't spending Saturdays working, he took the kids on a little hike yesterday before conference started. Here they are as wolves (I'm sure it was Will's idea).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-Sze0D-lBEYr3Bs4dYtP796nJshTIqQZzWN2HiQo6b_uM701GjEs6vc_8kS39Gwa6AvvKNo-k4oMXp6r2PJuzRozG41qNl4f_0TmsA2q-0uFUL5Q677ERa1fSJrYPaOHaRH1pzVV9baI/s1600/100_1211.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-Sze0D-lBEYr3Bs4dYtP796nJshTIqQZzWN2HiQo6b_uM701GjEs6vc_8kS39Gwa6AvvKNo-k4oMXp6r2PJuzRozG41qNl4f_0TmsA2q-0uFUL5Q677ERa1fSJrYPaOHaRH1pzVV9baI/s320/100_1211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923844768117858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I just love Hallie's poses!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38jvZOYuFw898UDORVvFI5NVxqYvdUH4VPhnOGT0XhX1R4KjMAuraNNsMGkGXCNevGU76mS1U1veZHM1YS_rwvN2LgMs9m9Ve_EhBN13a7H9ZAcPieRqb2i8PcoKR4csHXz55bQPobCPB/s1600/100_1157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38jvZOYuFw898UDORVvFI5NVxqYvdUH4VPhnOGT0XhX1R4KjMAuraNNsMGkGXCNevGU76mS1U1veZHM1YS_rwvN2LgMs9m9Ve_EhBN13a7H9ZAcPieRqb2i8PcoKR4csHXz55bQPobCPB/s320/100_1157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923264402353346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Our new house has an awesome porch swing. Here's my mom with her grandkids. We're out there at least once a day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguicvt8r2_un9aONhigwk7b_3KkXtj01xf8IQB8pQ2po_1JvtkFwmzpqFktx_yIAamVIJ0OzhixhtiXiBSyyiBh7G-jLsW6G8yszsEl3Vj4lUmN2a7hF5bFxku5IuP4BC8tAaRoiJUpF-J/s1600/100_1151.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguicvt8r2_un9aONhigwk7b_3KkXtj01xf8IQB8pQ2po_1JvtkFwmzpqFktx_yIAamVIJ0OzhixhtiXiBSyyiBh7G-jLsW6G8yszsEl3Vj4lUmN2a7hF5bFxku5IuP4BC8tAaRoiJUpF-J/s320/100_1151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923262496404802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >While my mom and Todd were here we visited the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOI7F1afEU06IuzuzMj2-LW4b17lY4FriLGwZaOXtVnfvXWtE1SWNnBRhC9OgLiEibvIw7ZPlfYHB1s0tyNorgrCB3H57bYd9JuP8qPNuy9wQRHH5tyvElBQPFOpgwagEy0J91f3lE7Dl/s1600/100_1073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOI7F1afEU06IuzuzMj2-LW4b17lY4FriLGwZaOXtVnfvXWtE1SWNnBRhC9OgLiEibvIw7ZPlfYHB1s0tyNorgrCB3H57bYd9JuP8qPNuy9wQRHH5tyvElBQPFOpgwagEy0J91f3lE7Dl/s320/100_1073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923249713636594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Before we left Tallahassee, our awesome home teacher brought over some of his light saber collection so we could have a real light saber fight. Clara was a formidable opponent.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylnS7UvOigPTtPdGOFNoHDOMtC5CyyObTFqGU7RiBXqNp6ggwRXc48_DaCY9Fb3EhPy00kxsa5vEhZKQYO3VHz7XkVC-jXgwSBrzvQ1ksi0LFpUWsZZ4JqC4fhmXoulUBZJP5ddWj0K-M/s1600/100_1055.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylnS7UvOigPTtPdGOFNoHDOMtC5CyyObTFqGU7RiBXqNp6ggwRXc48_DaCY9Fb3EhPy00kxsa5vEhZKQYO3VHz7XkVC-jXgwSBrzvQ1ksi0LFpUWsZZ4JqC4fhmXoulUBZJP5ddWj0K-M/s320/100_1055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923243758466978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >He even brought over a real Darth Vader mask. Combine it with the red light saber and you've got the real thing!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5isWGAdBXnWj2t1IbHu6s8fK8EFWNqWt65a2Y5Pmceo5q-N6LiJ7cH95I0cO5lrQ7PXo7Uxx9O0nce1P_j_HAFAXeQR4gr5RL_2JJw-BXSvqV5DPFJljw8zLeP-elqf4uI1w7OFu1Gp5/s1600/100_1126.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5isWGAdBXnWj2t1IbHu6s8fK8EFWNqWt65a2Y5Pmceo5q-N6LiJ7cH95I0cO5lrQ7PXo7Uxx9O0nce1P_j_HAFAXeQR4gr5RL_2JJw-BXSvqV5DPFJljw8zLeP-elqf4uI1w7OFu1Gp5/s320/100_1126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658923246139690258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >We also had a birthday party for Hallie before we left. It was a great way to see all our friends one last time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">We miss you all in Tallahassee! Everyone here has been great and we really like it, but it's just not the same. I guess it's just taking me longer to get used to this move than I thought, but looking at all these pictures makes me miss you all so much!</span></span></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-32829330389755296192011-07-24T21:08:00.005-04:002011-07-24T21:41:26.736-04:00Clara's new look<div style="text-align: center;">A few months ago Tony and I noticed Clara crossing her eyes...a lot. At first I thought maybe she was doing it on purpose, but she's a little young for that. Since it was Gracie's eye crossing that lead me to an eye doctor with her (at age 16 months) I decided to take Clara in. And sure enough, she has the same thing Gracie does. It's called accommodative esotropia--which means she's far-sighted and crosses her eyes to see clearly. Now she has glasses and won't need to cross her eyes to see. Luckily I kept the only pair of Gracie's glasses that survived toddlerhood, so I got Clara's prescription put in them. I also got another pair through insurance so now we have the luxury of 2 pairs--something I never had with Gracie. It's taken her a few weeks, but now she'll keep them on for long stretches of time. She looks adorable and when she looks at books she looks like a little baby genius.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EUlmgqQGRxTi-b5tuDy6ckmEn5WCXti5wr7lgAd0FNPhHgAb8YPQAz2Fjf2yyG7czNTNmhRJINOmjFK2fZi4tJv8muuWYKOeKXgOIZoz0y_LtWZAWHUaTYd9WSFZKmOwbY7xvlARlhEo/s1600/100_1022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EUlmgqQGRxTi-b5tuDy6ckmEn5WCXti5wr7lgAd0FNPhHgAb8YPQAz2Fjf2yyG7czNTNmhRJINOmjFK2fZi4tJv8muuWYKOeKXgOIZoz0y_LtWZAWHUaTYd9WSFZKmOwbY7xvlARlhEo/s320/100_1022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633092267809007906" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also gave her her first official hair cut. Now it sits right at her shoulders and slightly curls under all on it's own. Pair the hair cut with the glasses and I think she looks doubly adorable.<br /><br />Another new thing for Clara is to climb up as high as she can. We have a "mountain" of boxes in the front room and anytime we leave the door open she climbs up the boxes as high as she can get. She also discovered how to climb to the top of the computer desk. We usually have some paper and a few <span style="font-style: italic;">Books of Mormon</span> up there, so of course, she has to clear those off before she climbs up. She also can climb up William's toy shelves in his room. So far she's never fallen off, but there's a first for everything.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAUVGaEodBtL5NPL2KHOViDHBsw0Wkn7VWLGyKw4-NOIl7XiXbUTfohGTmVRCHfn7DDrnHuADxE-l8ctS9aXwGlKWi19i4L_iDMe92Dh36dUsaX6Du8W1B9AdL1yTBFQ0Bw-VW76HI_7P/s1600/100_1041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAUVGaEodBtL5NPL2KHOViDHBsw0Wkn7VWLGyKw4-NOIl7XiXbUTfohGTmVRCHfn7DDrnHuADxE-l8ctS9aXwGlKWi19i4L_iDMe92Dh36dUsaX6Du8W1B9AdL1yTBFQ0Bw-VW76HI_7P/s320/100_1041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633092283219776754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRlBXLQqvG52qcqkOZeyejMHwdrIfXC78LGdwta6zCIejE2GHkA9eOQZ_YTWSVANLzFQ8iijCULEG02zAM_yGRPeXxCPxJsgtMM9BMPJ9AwMD2P-RPiIVSbDK9geVnYlE164IhyphenhyphenAnI6em/s1600/100_1088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRlBXLQqvG52qcqkOZeyejMHwdrIfXC78LGdwta6zCIejE2GHkA9eOQZ_YTWSVANLzFQ8iijCULEG02zAM_yGRPeXxCPxJsgtMM9BMPJ9AwMD2P-RPiIVSbDK9geVnYlE164IhyphenhyphenAnI6em/s320/100_1088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633092277848613330" border="0" /></a>See, she looks like she can actually read that book!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZuYI5ds8fRb6dOgBYtfpcIXgWWmmcNzsZ7kyMNekIi4hADxsdOvNKDU0tqS8ab8G9KuOvMayk7D1YBBDOzbWJmch3_pN7m1-QTFMRpGdVefYOylcA3HRR4gw1v7_KqsLvjhSOWUNg1hn/s1600/100_1043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZuYI5ds8fRb6dOgBYtfpcIXgWWmmcNzsZ7kyMNekIi4hADxsdOvNKDU0tqS8ab8G9KuOvMayk7D1YBBDOzbWJmch3_pN7m1-QTFMRpGdVefYOylcA3HRR4gw1v7_KqsLvjhSOWUNg1hn/s320/100_1043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633092289560740178" border="0" /></a>One last new thing for Clara is her love for our front room closet. I keep most of our food storage in there. But since I've packed most of it up Tony thought it would be fun to stick Clara in there--he thought she might like it. He set her in there and closed the door. It was pitch black so you might have expected an immediate cry, but Tony opened it to find her playing with a box of noodles and saying "bye, see ya later" over and over again. So he got her a light and left her for a minute. Still, she was fine. After a while he forced her out and she threw a huge fit. The next day she wanted in again and when I wouldn't let her she threw another fit. It's really cute, I just don't have time to sit by the closet door waiting her to to want out.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8tdmm_iCQBsTH1BtztGkofZp1IOTL_JnPE9xy5bLtcRwSlEzU5A1L2DSWtV2PNHUuz3MDzXkcnOZohKQU3mcDnAXHLJqikw2RDC6egEOz0_OR94NpF7A2Oz8GEnq0tazajKsOdxpOC81/s1600/100_1005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8tdmm_iCQBsTH1BtztGkofZp1IOTL_JnPE9xy5bLtcRwSlEzU5A1L2DSWtV2PNHUuz3MDzXkcnOZohKQU3mcDnAXHLJqikw2RDC6egEOz0_OR94NpF7A2Oz8GEnq0tazajKsOdxpOC81/s320/100_1005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633092272744920242" border="0" /></a>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-10101440626362354792011-06-14T07:53:00.003-04:002011-06-14T08:37:54.652-04:00More news...<div align="center">...are you ready for more! Most of you already know this, but I'm expecting baby #5! I'm due in the middle of December, right around Gracie's birthday. That puts me at 13 weeks now and feeling much better. We don't know what we're having yet and won't find out until we move in August. William wants me to have twin boys so then we'll have equal boys and girls. I'm not so sure about that idea. But I do at least want one boy! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Everyone here is super excited about the new baby--except maybe Clara. She doesn't realize what's coming, but I do know she doesn't like it when I pay attention to other babies. So it will be interesting. She'll be so happy, though, once he can walk and talk and she has someone to play with all day while the kids are at school. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Here's a cute picture just for fun!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618052943055423346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hqcQQnByaXJBy-ZCnEv_Wo3fGuszCqGLyNmdvq8IXV3T_AxG2A9RBtKRlY0BS8cUznkrpOIukty6M0JElz1x2ZeHnwaT0en5810cJIVDK0Bgs5_cpwcgZ7-KxV3akwr_fiNdnUi4qiul/s320/100_0903.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Our favorite tree in Tallahassee...the big one at Lake Ella. William actually was having a good time, but I had just told him it was time to go home. It was so hot I was melting. </div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-35812786933391732082011-06-12T21:06:00.003-04:002011-06-12T21:21:44.654-04:00ASU here we come!<div><div><div align="center">No, not Arizona State (although that would be awesome!). Tony has accepted a position at Athens State University (and no, it's not in Georgia, it's in Alabama). He'll be directing the writing center there as well as implementing their quality enhancement plan to improve writing across the university. It's a really great job and the university seems like a perfect fit for him. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 90px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617507366399138882" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Fis1sgUa6JkSWftx7Ymndfh8WQOfPfYOW6j-UXjglTs61Z5nKdIJK2bvxvMFinSuzC_JIPNFtrkWoM9F0duXEZfiSvtxVWNZ_yVop6vLGbFhEJbs43bbijZ83Dzm8qZ9gybdyV4huA5E/s320/asu_logo.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So, as of August we'll be Alabamans(?). Tony's going to finish up his dissertation in the next 6 weeks, then he'll come back to Tallahassee to defend in September and be set to graduate in December. While Tony is finishing his dissertation the kids and I will be packing, cleaning, and organizing. It's going to be a busy summer with lots of changes but we are all super excited. We will miss Tallahassee, though. I've never met people quite as awesome as the people here and I really don't know if anywhere can top this. But leave we must. I know this is where the Lord wants us to go. Everything has been working together so Tony could get this job at this time and it is the best place for our family to be. So look out Alabama...because once we get there, you'll never be the same!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div></div></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-13539626561505335152011-04-13T10:46:00.005-04:002011-04-13T11:13:01.992-04:00Atlanta<div style="text-align: center;">Last week Tony went to a conference in Atlanta. He left Wednesday night. About 2 hours before he left I found out the Atlanta Temple was having their open house starting that Saturday. Since Atlanta is only 5 hours from here and Tony already had a hotel room paid for, we decided that I'd drive up with the kids Friday night so we could tour the temple on Saturday. Then we'd drive home and be back Saturday night.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I was driving up Friday afternoon Tony got a call from his best friend from high school that lives an hour outside of Atlanta. They invited us to stay Saturday night. Since we already had our Sunday clothes to go to the temple we decided to stay. So it turned out to be a crazy weekend but we had a lot of fun.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday morning Tony went to his conference so I took the kids to the Atlanta Children's Museum. Then we met Tony at the temple. The tour lasted about an hour and was great! The kids loved how beautiful everything was. I showed the girls the brides room and explained how when they get married we could go in there and I would help them get ready. Gracie thought she was getting married right then. It took some time to explain that I meant when she was older! I also showed them the mirrors in the sealing room and how the reflection goes on forever just like our family. Hallie especially loved that!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the temple we went to our friend's house. They were so nice to have us stay when they had just walked in the door from a vacation. We went to church with them the next day and left that afternoon after lunch. So although the trip was quick it was definitely worth it. I didn't get any pictures at the temple because there were so many people around and they kept us moving pretty much the whole time, but I did get lots at the museum. Here are a few...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Yfoenlboehr3HCWv0I1rTqpu4NW4s6LSuC9g2WFUt1Z_eYxh70efeGNuhkkRxwMkAqZiIQr9aPqUVa723DDC17JhqVgCn5KEN0qMBRcagUn9uMRC3GJewvo5wIrKE_DcMRqFjvn6SYq/s1600/100_0784.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Yfoenlboehr3HCWv0I1rTqpu4NW4s6LSuC9g2WFUt1Z_eYxh70efeGNuhkkRxwMkAqZiIQr9aPqUVa723DDC17JhqVgCn5KEN0qMBRcagUn9uMRC3GJewvo5wIrKE_DcMRqFjvn6SYq/s320/100_0784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595084236260633858" border="0" /></a>The museum has this giant contraption that moves plastic balls all over the place. There are about 15 different places you can pull levers or turn cranks to make the balls go different places. Will spent most of his time here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDVHo22Z5QciRUYMSEigXPNXDlqSk_dV-PnmLt98jaU12fOpIcWmbfFe0MVLljzh0uoJMWAFj14Vc3vzIGSR7gcI3kczMkOIPkrqPY6qYfSzaZW7y8SCyl2odrmldjO_4TaGEslLIrO8X/s1600/Hallie+falls+asleep+on+the+camel.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDVHo22Z5QciRUYMSEigXPNXDlqSk_dV-PnmLt98jaU12fOpIcWmbfFe0MVLljzh0uoJMWAFj14Vc3vzIGSR7gcI3kczMkOIPkrqPY6qYfSzaZW7y8SCyl2odrmldjO_4TaGEslLIrO8X/s320/Hallie+falls+asleep+on+the+camel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595082701043630642" border="0" /></a>They had an African exhibit. Hallie must have been really tired after a long camel ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0nHpq7mtKYIfQFjEwtm4tk9iH0bfMy03uvhBW2hv6oKxCIeQVvSe9Pe0nQUoAuL0XqFBPpwiFCpTgT_2VRzhc1xEUHLh-dl4j3k-mFaLvZLXQ_XMx6HyhX2z3WiIUYWhB5pxFxU6Q89_/s1600/Gracie+falls+asleep+on+tractor.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0nHpq7mtKYIfQFjEwtm4tk9iH0bfMy03uvhBW2hv6oKxCIeQVvSe9Pe0nQUoAuL0XqFBPpwiFCpTgT_2VRzhc1xEUHLh-dl4j3k-mFaLvZLXQ_XMx6HyhX2z3WiIUYWhB5pxFxU6Q89_/s320/Gracie+falls+asleep+on+tractor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595082697742550930" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clara took Gracie on a really long tractor ride. <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVkn5njHSzs9q1g1EgN0sDhZkSDWQ1ClLCJdYZyHvIaR3orQTSn5U5mxWIzKaWDktJ0RKL5EJo53r9RHkLEYbbMo1o0Ne-tzHfK8-W9cAk3MhM6hzdSSI8P1fS3u-umJGBiHsFGA2Yvib/s1600/Gracie+at+the+sand.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVkn5njHSzs9q1g1EgN0sDhZkSDWQ1ClLCJdYZyHvIaR3orQTSn5U5mxWIzKaWDktJ0RKL5EJo53r9RHkLEYbbMo1o0Ne-tzHfK8-W9cAk3MhM6hzdSSI8P1fS3u-umJGBiHsFGA2Yvib/s320/Gracie+at+the+sand.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595082687207160194" border="0" /></a>They had 2 big tables with moon sand. Gracie spent most of here time here.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91h6F9dJ99NWVMQtwntOPMOWrfgrAAiCGV6ylGAHgd9rQN0hvkCaZB7mIyFM_wLjZN8do3Rj0btd-S0aux0Gvjhek1ul_euMQyjqt_VM8Cq-Ge8-Kp1vMGmAFHhowfv68-kpgM8e9Dbay/s1600/Clara+with+farmer+hat.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91h6F9dJ99NWVMQtwntOPMOWrfgrAAiCGV6ylGAHgd9rQN0hvkCaZB7mIyFM_wLjZN8do3Rj0btd-S0aux0Gvjhek1ul_euMQyjqt_VM8Cq-Ge8-Kp1vMGmAFHhowfv68-kpgM8e9Dbay/s320/Clara+with+farmer+hat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595082685327475426" border="0" /></a>Clara watching herself in the mirror. I love that little hat!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f_OCiWuU0bOD_JuvwlIeC3s8Q9bgLQ1cEux8DW3W3oC35EVoo_6SVAesCe91lXv5NSWDlS4NLD12kOSMF7OszyqR5jBqAYIqH6JTJ3oC_wGWwslDFU1g-3XtW2oLViYNE-lYbgzSaQwv/s1600/Clara+plays+the+piano.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f_OCiWuU0bOD_JuvwlIeC3s8Q9bgLQ1cEux8DW3W3oC35EVoo_6SVAesCe91lXv5NSWDlS4NLD12kOSMF7OszyqR5jBqAYIqH6JTJ3oC_wGWwslDFU1g-3XtW2oLViYNE-lYbgzSaQwv/s320/Clara+plays+the+piano.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595082679149825442" border="0" /></a>There was a little play area for kids under 2. They had this little piano which Clara LOVED! She could fit right on the bench and play. When she plays our piano she always falls off.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw2mvxh7KtmkY3Q-LjKgzbjeGx26HMXhizbqenvWBJKQgvLkkV5qMMET6PuAGtWwHfU4rqCGL3MTUGi31ANVKhEbfJzCGEmv1g_BBB2C2flxM3FLucXy2av0aGvpGBXynw2uIAwLpCrnY/s1600/Hallie+and+Gracie+paint.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQw2mvxh7KtmkY3Q-LjKgzbjeGx26HMXhizbqenvWBJKQgvLkkV5qMMET6PuAGtWwHfU4rqCGL3MTUGi31ANVKhEbfJzCGEmv1g_BBB2C2flxM3FLucXy2av0aGvpGBXynw2uIAwLpCrnY/s320/Hallie+and+Gracie+paint.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595084241083313314" border="0" /></a>Hallie and Gracie painted. You paint on the wall then when you're done they clean it off for other kids.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtaaAEXx_EuKHhl99eHC7uIegriiq31lib1odRAEg2SgmwvGXpYU99Ii1nl-HXd0Lt0XctHhU4gp9s0oPLSR4Z2azVlSZaluEcMqaWA_lC-iJRZY-6ztbFjTlTlLlIdTaVJEejqIIDNyV/s1600/Will+unloading+boxes.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtaaAEXx_EuKHhl99eHC7uIegriiq31lib1odRAEg2SgmwvGXpYU99Ii1nl-HXd0Lt0XctHhU4gp9s0oPLSR4Z2azVlSZaluEcMqaWA_lC-iJRZY-6ztbFjTlTlLlIdTaVJEejqIIDNyV/s320/Will+unloading+boxes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595084235140498114" border="0" /></a><br />There's a big shipping truck with boxes and a conveyor belt. Will loaded up boxes and sent them down for someone else to unload. They also had a little grocery store with shopping carts and baskets. You can fill your cart up from the shelves and check out at a little register. So cute!<br /></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-24997454992482356202011-04-13T10:19:00.003-04:002011-04-13T10:46:12.772-04:00Hallie learns about Mexico<div align="center">Last week Hallie's class did a little play about Mexico (they've been studying Mexico for the last few weeks). It was pretty cute--mostly because it's fun to watch the little kids--and at the end Hallie was part of a group that did a Mexican Hat Dance. She's the girl in the front right wearing the white shirt and green skirt.</div><div> </div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUNXW0BQuHuRgJtc8BvONPMIRWh2qyjOOZN6nJ7ELf2lDDlCY9Mxt5ctyeqPIdmwW-8RPgHneIN5eEv1u-qA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-4743896518958190032011-03-31T13:46:00.006-04:002011-03-31T14:07:46.014-04:00Camping<div><div align="center">Last week was spring break for the kids so we took them camping--but only for one night. I'm not much of a camper. It seems to be way to much work for only a little fun, but I will always be overruled in that area, so we took the kids to Torreya State Park. Since this was our first family camping trip I thought it would be best to keep it short. </div><div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The minute we arrived at our campsite the kids set out to explore and quickly found a swing made from a branch that hung in a "U" shape. It was the perfect way for the 3 older kids to entertain themselves while Tony and I set up. Clara, however, just wanted to wander. Especially over to the neighboring campsite--they had a trailer with about 3 steps up (she LOVES steps!). So every 30 seconds we had to pull her away from their trailer and get her busy doing something else. At least the people were really nice and said they didn't mind at all. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We hiked a small trail, which turned out to be just the right length. We played games and roasted marshmallows. But most of all we spent a lot of time together. So even though I forgot a few things and we didn't stay too long, I'd count this trip as a success. Maybe next time I'll be brave enough to stay for 2 nights!</div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590303507602897682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAMpG8vzLsvUDSOyfvii63naT7IRgEOm6Sgd3GIrI6PivgNXLyAp1hapU0dsy62oXRAnQXqiOcF4aRWRnJfC3nk8OAQvV9kmh3yitQMX0338rctN5y2JaPiCOcQJTidHh5t-78l6fJDN4/s320/100_0728.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Hiking to "weeping ridge". We saw a dead armadillo carcass on the way back that was not there when we hiked in. It kind of creeped us out.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590303496666874578" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4JLE59LPFrZA_2nviEoJvggJe5ouiqsyRoGkkO7iVGQmZJNQUweL4JaWY1v0dYU8QsYhBo1aycX2v-97hm_DOmAUOJzV4s1V9JrQ2UMt-M_XOY8VWuACd3q-fpxW5STtPv5RmmqCD-7Y/s320/100_0722.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Gracie and Hallie on the natural swing.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590303501340155234" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lKx_KZ_mEsQFy0LsSjjPIhxMIxLcOUTNuN0na4I2b0P8kejgCPFBOfdAVqv_0Z5RUDRZkx_DHDmrmSlH4bRCMpVJsyOhPkz5jwoHTbp7Gy3f7AdyYoO_C8yPKkEhE2jtkJ2yOAZC_kA8/s320/100_0726.JPG" border="0" /><div align="center"> Roasting giant marshmallows. Those would have made really good smores. Oh well, maybe next time!</div></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div></div></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-77920341612748390212011-03-30T21:03:00.007-04:002011-03-30T21:35:58.933-04:00Best Jedi Master Racer<div><div><div><div><div><div align="center">For the past month or so William has been really into Star Wars. <em>Really </em>into Star Wars. He has watched all the movies (multiple times) and keeps getting Star Wars books from the library. So as his first pinewood derby approached Tony asked him what he wanted his car to be. The automatic answer...a light saber. So that's what they made (see picture below). That night he raced his heart out and came out with an honorable mention. But each car got an award and Will's was the "best jedi master racer". So even though he only won maybe 2 races he was ecstatic! They could not have given him a better award!<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590044962362691266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-AKVL_1T9nbcTDXgB2iN2e-o2D0WyuQnJzax0RpnttW11lPO_riUgyUaG9tv2e5c5zax71ndrp5vWSTukAh9emA63N0HHcTVPjCgp8eGYOL9a7nZwIhCdBnVSlInjfSxIrUwJ3CaBh6Z/s320/100_0705.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Does it look like he's been crying in this picture? That's because on the way home we tried playing the quiet game (it was way past bedtime). The loser would not get a treat the next day (deemed to be some root beer--awesome, right?). Well, Will lost. So he threw a fit about not getting any root beer. Then Hallie started crying because she felt sorry for Will for not getting any root beer (it turned out to be a really loud ride home instead). I'd like to say that I stuck to my guns and didn't give him any root beer, but for the sake of getting them to bed, I caved. Then I made him smile for the picture I told grandma I would take.</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045676281853938" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9KG0kw-Rb_GuujPkXOdZoHMTfhyphenhyphen_6EvSkZ49Vq-qeV7GNdxj2Zv0OnDYDPWXIYuAyWn_hyZpQKcEbtiLP1vCDteBAtJmjxxiwLuYMIo9fTcEjXeJflgkZoFa-AiskZNjE5saLZQBTDSG/s320/100_0708.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"> Behold, the mighty light saber!</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-30163750772306881982011-03-06T19:25:00.005-05:002011-03-06T19:51:03.914-05:00Evidence<div align="center">Not that I'd ever really enter Tony in a "Father of the Year" contest (since I think that's kind of cheesy), but if I did here's the evidence I'd give.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><ul><li>After one day of working on the house Clara and I were exhausted. Even though we were both exhausted Tony spent the rest of the afternoon building a fort in the girls room while I rocked Clara. I know lots of dads will build forts with their kids but Tony does it because he wants to, not because he has to. Seriously, he thinks it's really, really fun!</li></ul></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581128691247282930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYrGm8lOSYWyNZTPzZZJcEUwg1E4e447uOz4NYDgXVNjljZs09PwMe0ekb4xf7a4W_nU4rRcBQqvCZV9eSy7ScrVs4s568E85RjBNPbXaOGQfw1qD-IsYNaZeUxiXvKOH0M632Cjfgzir/s320/100_0545.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Here's the fort. It took up the entire room.</p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581128694483174258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ag3Co2irRDAOKN8xw_Nvxp-OFzq0lXkv8BPgx2ut9kTT1RRPwX1YlTAmXXIh73NAU7m3jIYu2rVcC9HiEzfFnMJ7PF95UZRU6BwrgdqLS55uvlLe7hoEfKIF_xram-AE1LdRhcCr99F3/s320/100_0547.JPG" /></div><br /><p align="center"></p><ul><li><div align="center">I bought a new mirror for the bathroom. I asked him to put the cardboard it came in into the recycle bin. A few minutes later he came back the the bedroom with this creation:</div></li></ul><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581128696512085426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY3Bykn-3GaRqmnViwtew2l2sYpC9lQlHxl11r7d8huCeoeJozULZJnmcBE9xLHCd3-SlLL3W_DXVK5wOmUfa3i3QQ7zjGF-B7fi5bKFyqL1Ds8CCnSEtlrRpNyHczWDEDoh-Vw-SZ7Yu/s320/100_0693.JPG" />He made this because he knew it would make the kids laugh. He will do literally anything to make them laugh. And he will never miss an opportunity--even if it's just drawing a face on a piece of cardboard. </p><ul><li><div align="center">Nearly every time the kids ask him to jump on the trampoline his answer is yes. My answer is nearly always the opposite. </div></li><br /><li><div align="center">Mostly he just loves playing with the kids. Sometimes I think he'd rather be outside playing with the kids than visiting with the grown-ups. </div></li></ul><br /><p align="center">He really is an amazing dad. He is willing to do anything for his kids. He works hard for them all day long, then comes home and plays with them until bedtime (and even after bedtimes if I don't make him stop). The kids say all the time "dad is funny and mom is serious" (really, they do say that a lot!). But I wouldn't have it any other way!</p>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-52437502374017208162011-03-06T18:53:00.005-05:002011-03-06T19:51:34.231-05:00<div align="center">You know when you have so much to do that it completely overwhelms you so you don't even start? That's how I feel about this blog. So much has happened since my last post I don't even want to try to organize it. But I don't want to stay away forever, so here goes. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />Soon after my last post (where I got our kitchen floor redone) we started adding a shower to our bathroom (it was only a 1/2 bath). So we closed off our tiny closet to make a shower and built ourselves a closet out of the girls room. Every step along the way I thought "I should take pictures of this" but it turned out to be way more stressful than I could handle. Honestly, I was lucky to keep my kids fed and clothed. Half of the reason it was so stressful was that we had to have it done before our family came out for Will's baptism. That gave us less than 3 weeks. It came down to the wire, but we got it done. Now we have 2 full bathrooms, a bigger closet in our room and new carpet in all the rooms--that's because I spilled paint in the one room we weren't going to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">re-carpet</span>. I don't love the new carpet, but that's a different story.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />So now on to Will's baptism. He turned 8 on February 8, 2011. He got a new bike on his birthday and new scriptures the next day (when grandma and grandpa brought them from Utah). He was baptized on Feb. 12. My parents came a few days before. We had tons of fun but the part the kids liked the best was teaching William and Hallie to ride bikes without training wheels. Now they spend all afternoon outside riding circles on our patio. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />The day of his baptism Tony's parents came, along with is sister, Elly, and brother, Corey. They stayed a few days after the baptism. It was so great to have everyone here. It always goes by too fast! Unfortunately for me, I got sick the day before the baptism--it started a cold and ended almost 2 weeks later with a sinus infection. But it was great to my both my mom and mother-in-law to take care of things for me. They are the best!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />So here's a few pictures of my missionary man. He also got a new suit for his birthday and it makes him look so grown up!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581123073470407042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13JjM84vk9yMtEaWfaJRdxh4KZT6-JF1LVNn8L3lRk-W0KDh6xUnMYnXeN_jOlgPSSLkIfwZS0gMBNS8ZakUoniNcvGZ_WXbl3nrfiPpzIQgg9cWPfZOBsALYGZVM7HnYdeBnznW3IfA9/s320/100_0582.JPG" /> <p align="center">Doesn't he look like a little missionary? It makes me want to cry:)</p><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p><br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581123078780179874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4gYn29d7lowe0UPX7_yOEvaVWnnrFBscLH7poYGSQA1A4tp3fkj-8AZHtgSuN2jdoL8UZVsaAcfb3f1R9tCoOxiRuQ3ofHKZkNP-Li2tEMY5HhK_b5TneVChb4T00bcbApnqTfXGcrp2/s320/100_0623.JPG" /> Will and Tony just before the baptism. We are so proud of him!</p><p><br /></p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581123081073465154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClpsqCcn4kUrbPu_gPVAERkgWngJudaM7Tv_99cufGy4x4DSHQQptd7Yog7OEmJnoXKfjxyk-5ZMR0UBdbedr69xNcTvFNheRfHDTjgBkAUMHeF5DWB8m_Jl0k7JlFpboWVMn8u9uiqqG/s320/100_0593.JPG" />Now that he's 8 he starts cub scouts. It's only been a few weeks, but it been way more money and time than I bargained for!</div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-19416584356832285252011-01-16T20:49:00.005-05:002011-01-17T07:21:49.977-05:002011 has begun!<div align="center"> Well, we're only 2 weeks in to 2011 and boy have we been busy. New Year's Eve we played in the backyard and raked our leaves. Here's a cute video we took of the kids--notice Clara wandering around in the back. That's what she does in the backyard, it's really cute but kind of scary since you never know what you'll find back there.</div><br /><div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzpqm76qK0Cu07_DYTZWol2v5yhZz4AQbDf2IW45z9_DFV4R41H3nPktkNVt7DYauCRD9iF7l_Ovm0C0j37OQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><p align="center"> </p>We also had our kitchen floor redone. A few years ago I tore a long line starting at the kitchen door going all the way down the hall when I dragged (drug?) a dresser from the carport to the girls room. Well, now it's started to started to come apart in one place so we finally got it redone. It doesn't look a whole lot different (it's mostly just darker), but I really like it!<br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562966836629264674" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7P9mvzZSea-W-e-3DZYvRZhtRTxaCcfqKkp-X0qWO_OiUVnhHCStrF1tt6iVZuJhHhJt7Be6CBZWitQwUoh4bRM4VUaIKkqMvkEnpUYyF2B1Fe4iCfUaP0vsByNGy5_evnBs1jmrINiz/s320/100_0529.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Before--you can see the start of the line at the bottom. Also, Gracie thought it was awesome that she could hide in the pantry. It was her "very own secret hide out."</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562966840796430994" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIec0zfV2WG-x567JLPbdHzg-ckGj6IJ_hBMuRLt6zKM9qC7LawVw1sMxGN2sodCKvNYhzOLfgIS_8_Pi_oFQ34-UpFBqxEPUw0Ga-xDP1cLtSQpVeSNuC4I36I_5m7gu_ZM5iPRdIOiXg/s320/100_0531.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>After--it took me a few days but now I LOVE it!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Last night Tony and I went on a much needed date. We ate at one of Tony's favorite restaurant's Sonny's BBQ. Tony ordered the all you can eat ribs. He started off with 2 plates of the sweet and smoky, then decided to try the dry rub ribs. He didn't like them as much so while he ate another plate of the regular kind, I had fun the the left overs!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562966848873263858" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG4A29oID_EVSPK3K4BWwEjkb8HC3inl-EObkT5WQ7cEXtxfhkPorIgf6mzweSB1eW8Bz0GlRV9Msw7oD3hGQdUO3DeEc0f82ROwjxnVxprVyLNwlQNVWKBgTlg1xmbGFRtTUsBz7TSFq/s320/100_0534.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-81305552381494853122011-01-09T20:32:00.005-05:002011-01-09T20:53:45.752-05:00Christmas 2010<div align="center"> This last Christmas was pretty great. We stayed home this year with just our little family. It was wonderful to not have the pressure of travelling. We picnic ed at a park Christmas Eve (gotta love Florida!), went carolling that night with some friends, and spent all Christmas day playing with toys and eating. Here's a few pictures:</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560369135580340978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WRNUxeWVMeGyGGKJi9wXEqeMQFitdvd2rWi0SxS-TYJCifGDpHVE-VRKfmr7GZOhVlv5xR3nk9gqbX_tP3RT-h3aW41U7ocPqNj210gUYb2y547b25PNF1xJebZaq9wb6Rlkr5HgwfMA/s320/100_0487.JPG" /> <p align="center">Two of my four monkeys, Hallie and Gracie, at Tom Brown Park Christmas Eve.<br /></p><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46O7uc2gdWqalnjCOfY7lxi9bdmU6KcCNsUHPGtmCj5X-UcDzzBOqGPzyWIv9avyTjgAC6U-a1ucMKwhQFQQS40q0cwmQu7LwScqP3KhCxSbNyS-p5PLPSWecI6OeweN_q5LPUCmeU5uc/s1600/100_0485.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560365587945686034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46O7uc2gdWqalnjCOfY7lxi9bdmU6KcCNsUHPGtmCj5X-UcDzzBOqGPzyWIv9avyTjgAC6U-a1ucMKwhQFQQS40q0cwmQu7LwScqP3KhCxSbNyS-p5PLPSWecI6OeweN_q5LPUCmeU5uc/s320/100_0485.JPG" /></a> Will spent the whole time at the park playing this game. You hit the circles when they light up. He played with a bunch of kids he had never met--boys versus girls (and the girls won every game). When I asked him about his new friends he realized he didn't even learn any of their names!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560365583043574130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUeJJcJVTDdmursWykJPKdUxbWgUokQhTyVbBXtH8ibcNKXmVYZg5DAHSnX1Mv2UVQrQZlFPps6gWGGw0fHNEFN5kQ5AyQR1BLThJ8PjRK1CA94Yy85pV50wUyW8rQ90G7E7ubmQ9LV_S/s320/100_0483.JPG" /></p><div align="center">Clara loves a good slide!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560365600238894274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vp5MqhICQUFezA2ROf8oNF2aYr_IBNb9vPpif6THbydlYAWpfUJMbeh3IWHqDmJ3z5TYlUgicmZR3azbKmb9amhRbAPTQx7zOM-PDJMHjqdQ9FTB1DH-oWVv2GL6nyzmFiHEffAy8QBF/s320/100_0492.JPG" />Opening presents Christmas morning.</p><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560365604163213922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfT7Gbvfm57WPEhQb9EdPEKqp6sMKL_KL04cMtQcWsQLHO1GAmP0vqFDT8Tc1701EAQO4gGbbfsWXwp6xPOLbKL2NihZQ_Bwgc_oOURki9S7erxNhsx10UcS0JVgG2dlLuYrZ5eHUkyfhR/s320/100_0494.JPG" /> <p align="center"> Putting together Will's new Lego car. Hallie was only allowed to watch.<br /></p><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560368097973740930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjtECUSW0cbJcGKOB8fZgw3fbtoIIWqUyV9YhwGWQZdHGepwTTIKGVRonrCuthfxfcK4mARJAYhMmlz1y8MSvIgH8yx6rFvgUHR89PkboKCoPx_GpX_s9rynHbPOjiQ7VGJt0_QqZ8Cod/s320/100_0499.JPG" />Santa brought us Band Hero for the Wii. Clara played it by smashing her goldfish into the drum set. </p>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-82346831290812973692011-01-06T13:53:00.003-05:002011-01-06T14:20:57.786-05:00Gracie turns 5<div align="center">Last year for Gracie's birthday we went to Disney World. A day or so later she started planning her next birthday. I just kept telling her it was a long ways away and we'd talk about it when it got closer. Then as each of the other kids had their birthdays she got more and more excited for hers. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So this year for the big "5" we let her chose 3 friends to take to the movies. So our family (minus Clara who was with some friends) plus 3 little girls journeyed to the movie theater to see <em>Tangled.</em> The movie was really cute and I think they all had fun, except Gracie. She wanted to leave after the first half and on the way home declared <em>Tangled</em> to be the longest movie in the whole wide world. Then after stuffing our faces with popcorn and soda we headed home (in pouring rain) to eat some real food before having cake and ice cream.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Her birthday was also the last day of school before the Christmas break, so her school class did all kinds of fun things, from a book exchange to crafts to a visit from a "fake" Santa (Gracie's word, not mine).</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />Earlier in the week we got a package from Grandma Ricks with our Christmas gifts and Gracie's birthday present. It nearly killed her to have to wait 5 days before opening her birthday present. She asked me every morning if she could just open it now. The week between her birthday and Christmas was not much better. So first thing the morning of December 17 (her birthday) she opened her presents. I didn't think she could make it until all her friends were there for her party. Here are some pictures:</div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559149358627630130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ4ckryCsGbXRovGINanvSqN07css6vek_OWS5T6tGjFRhHg1ujGLwhXG6kMVnJ84g6nichLEHTOSF0c_nDFp4QbJuiG-0eUlhlpzFXxVTFTL2nVQlnQMpPi-cq-ARHvdHeLvNrRS48Ej/s320/100_0456.JPG" /> Mom and Dad got Gracie a new bike for her birthday. Now she has one just like Will and Hallie. She also got a big, purple My Little Pony, a shrinkydink set and a puzzle.</p><p><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559149363942092354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo20H6bGDdIvSG6UbSHZ2_y1QkVRgh-X_Onbgvbg79o4criT8TN5oBlaqZG16GMzgb1IF7la5q57DgHneBl_VW7aXOkvkx1gdXwLMJABpQgQXY79kPgbPyyzvrohRAiM0wgRThNeO-TQt/s320/100_0458.JPG" /> <p align="center"> Grandma Ricks got her this cute outfit! Here she is with all her presents. Grandma Robinson gave her a dry erase board to practice her letters (which she usually does every day on the way to school!)</p><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559149371882402530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8xavnJtT1xPMkybuAV27egs8a-Mv929GEdnejwpNs6X26uozgHktUchU7Z5u8dtABYDRSSD16HUV9t-MuwP__uYoabGnPhPWPeKumaWZ9ojjfNguov93UBgVgYuC0sL5yFGPIqiWGDuK/s320/100_0470.JPG" /> <p align="center"> Gracie blowing out the candles on her cupcakes. Next year she wants a cake and cupcakes. We'll see about that.</p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />So even though it's almost a month late--I love you Gracie! You've brought so much joy and laughter to my life already. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you. </span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Happy Birthday!</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />P.S. Stay tuned for a Christmas post in the next few days!</span> </div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-60187370572554783242010-12-13T21:16:00.004-05:002010-12-13T21:30:03.337-05:00Santa baby...<div align="center"> Tonight we visited Santa for family home evening. It was also pet night for visiting Santa, so there were all these cute dogs dressed in their Christmas best waiting to see Santa too.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550357159752732082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk8EL0tohUI_rR5BhOhmUiijcOmCbWYzSkXFOyx3bup2ONThHjSp2p21EtqVvAVALoHGIJ7tDQb-gquKi2Wsf1vKjvN5j20i5dFNE2CmNoI-1xkks-4AHUI_lZzGMiPCHUWvTE7H2lmWd/s320/100_0452.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Clara just stared at Santa--no fussing or squirming, just curiosity. After about 30 seconds she said something (you know how Clara talks) and then reached for me.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550357157345438354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzg_X6Lyt8i9R98kyDQDsi9yrpMi6Q0dkyaHIY989OYpR34Rw2eS7XAwJy6V7hNaD0Aa4iUOGocAETE07XS94SEkz2LBUvnJeZouBGL94ifAJ_d74wYNt7nBtmIMSZAc6V8OORORHh4Gx/s320/100_0450.JPG" /><div align="center"><br />William was a little nervous and didn't want to actually sit on his lap. I'm so glad they all still believe. I don't know how I'm going to explain the last 7 years of deception.</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550357155285285154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk6JVExrQgsIt2fzw1WXSrrk65RIsNAdd8Gd9xRdSyC-JEU81wnaSEQxVSFU0Ch4nHKrp3cZHAXqgcds7_gd8AZfJVbliGl3Os6PsiL3Helz2LPssiyD1rJfUCClDDq034YP-iNWP6UEw/s320/100_0449.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"> While standing in line Hallie asked if that was the real Santa. I said (in a sort of vauge way) "yes." Then she said , "cross your heart?" What could I do? I crossed my heart and promised it was the real Santa.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550357148247627090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQLeN-f9_qlhICtRx5IUy_6WAs_-OjG3l0aEjvm9EzQlBqzM5Pv9HwlQXtfJjy81UIco3IM9xRjuVUuGyiclzJyStXasKFS_NxgGnr5k7Qee-1ZH1abHM4v_P74pow5Mxr3M7Q3zCb9TT/s320/100_0448.JPG" /> <p align="center">I couldn't hear what Gracie asked for, but I'm pretty sure it had to do with purple unicorns.</p>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-78498229589680348572010-11-28T14:55:00.002-05:002010-11-28T15:14:39.118-05:00<div align="center">So this weekend turned out to be a lot less relaxing than I thought, but it was great though. Thanksgiving day I ran my first ever 5K. There was about 6000 people there! Luckily, a friend of mine ran with me (thanks Liz!) making it so much easier. Then while Tony played football I took the kids home to make our part of dinner.<br /><br />We ate dinner at some friends house and had a great time! Then a couple friends and I left at 9:30 to be to Toys R Us by 10pm. There were probably 1500 people there, so needless to say, most everything we wanted was gone. While one friend waited in line, we went to Walmart and got some smoking deals there at midnight. Then we came home for a few hours sleep and headed out again at 8am for more shopping fun! Even though we were tired we all had a great time and I got most of my shopping done!<br /><br />After shopping on Friday we put up our small Christmas trees (1 for each of the kids rooms and 1 in the living room). We got all our Christmas decorations up before going to another friends house for a Rock Band party.<br /><br />Saturday we put up our Christmas lights and cleaned out the shed--and now it's Sunday. Whew!!! I really need a day of rest. Hopefully this explains why I didn't make my last Thanksgiving post on Thanksgiving day--I'll do it now (without Tony's help).</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I cannot end my days of gratitude posts without expressing my gratitude for my Savior. He has given me everything in my life that matters and everything in my life that I need. He has given me my family--forever. I never have to give them up or worry about never seeing them again. He has given me peace through the atonement. He has given me His teachings and commandments which bring me freedom and joy. Because of His gospel I have met amazing people who inspire, lift, encourage and understand me. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />I have everything I could ever need and all of that comes from my Savior, His atonement, and His gospel. My greatest desire is to live my life worthy to return to Him and to have His spirit with me until then. And as the saying goes, it's not always easy, but it is definitely worth it! </div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-46082081674747148882010-11-24T20:29:00.002-05:002010-11-24T20:39:24.493-05:00One more day...<div align="center">Tonight I'm grateful for a few small things...like the fact that I got my pies made today (not sure how they turned out--I didn't read the directions as closely as I should have, but I'm sure they'll still taste good!). </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Also, tomorrow I get to run my first ever official 5K! I've been training for this since September following the couch to 5K program a friend of mine recommended (for more info click <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">here</a>). I finished the 9 week training a few weeks ago and ran a 5K on the treadmill, but never on the actual ground and never in a race. I'm not worried about finishing it or my time, I'm actually more worried about the crowds. Apparently only the first 5500 people will be timed electronically. So hopefully I don't get trampled!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />I'm also grateful that I only have one more post to go. It's not that I'm not grateful for anything else it's just that writing is not my favorite thing (that's why Tony loves writing--so I don't have to!) and I'm getting a little run down. Hopefully tomorrow I can have Tony help me write something really eloquent and meaningful, something I definitely cannot do without him!</div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-75582781690103281592010-11-24T08:37:00.002-05:002010-11-24T08:45:35.020-05:00<div align="center">For yesterday, I'm grateful for a clean house (even though I know it won't last beyond this morning). I spent all day yesterday cleaning my entire house. It was pretty bad, but now it looks pretty good. So naturally, after mutual last night, I collapsed. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Now after a semi-good night's rest I can enjoy my clean house and dirty it up baking pies! I'm going to try <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-chocolate-cream-pie-recipe/index.html">Emeril's chocolate cream pie</a>--wish me luck!</div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-36811675184671069132010-11-22T20:24:00.003-05:002010-11-22T20:33:10.897-05:00Shopping<div align="center"> Since my recent revelation that Christmas is getting ever closer, I've kicked it into gear and begun my Christmas shopping. I began at my favorite store of all time...Target. Shopping there is always so much better than Walmart. I adore their baby clothes, especially the clearance rack. Today they had a pretty good sale on some things the kids will love. I even had a coupon.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">So for today's post I'm grateful for Target and sales--<span style="font-size:100%;">especially</span> when the two are combined!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 156px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542551714597316226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG75_QIHVrsCQyKtrgtvlcS0xdENKXtush8eXly3d4kMU_WC_GZeSsZXUJseDazeFY-3q51J7OLceIm5JAixIOP9dkr76aQ7l39MgKzT3l_RUGm6V50WRn5qkcKORUbmJIb3Q2fJgMke7/s320/target+picture.jpg" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">(It's been a while, but this picture reminds me of the Target near our house in Boise. It was less than 5 minutes away and I practically lived there!)</div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-15472628734254286492010-11-21T15:37:00.005-05:002010-11-21T15:46:44.075-05:00Breakfast<div><div><div align="center">This morning I decided that I'm extremely grateful for cereal. Without it I would not be able to get my family out the door on time for anything. Sometimes I feel a little guilty about feeding my family cereal for breakfast almost every single morning. When I do start feeling bad I tell my kids "Mom's going to make breakfast this morning, what do you want?" They all reply, "No, cereal!" (in a whiny voice I might add). Usually they just don't want to wait long enough for me to mix pancake batter--it's faster to just pore the cereal and milk.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">These are some of our favorites (yum!!):</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 113px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542106587241412386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9K3S-U629E50-3-4ycH9eTc-6kDo-Tve6tK3HSc5-43nPtRR_l0cLhvw2qvswA0_hvkoC9a3ncn7qXG-RA05Wa4o5nlC0fBUfBUHqcn7yinM16jT5IY3mcT7HU0DBo0XqBTQ1EnRkzuI/s320/capn+crunch.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542106916015494818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Io3UtuwJQXJg-722hU0w5xTGZ8Z3Tb9uJ1LpxyFKYqtBujANQ6mdUHcpmgMVRP-l3NZ0V8cIK8yDMCbg1sHM-BixevNIqXqesTacCneP_eOOw2kdlhh7blBFXmiIWOqbahuXn9MVOJsp/s320/life+cereal.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542106580863181762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFqnWZDAAUY1jMr-o7JvFu7L5I2SSFcTDoJLPzJRAnRQ1Jl6elId_L_5ACIlpbvHvdTR_yNfJmW2BLubXv3Lwvv4y7Q3fh-HTVGEOtObimEgvd4BFkDYbHslYu29fal_Ru948pI2u9uIA/s320/rice+krispies.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 106px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542106577703754978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEf3Q917ErVQocH-QTsbFupwOXu0egiiI53vOXI4TrmaU2sIF-wwDQVg0vio0BUXOnpSYVkCQKmJ48zGvgZ7a5TFKcw1Qv97yyRWJnVk2ybljPmSe-gEB2AjMw6OVhgIgdty-PhDTpeSf/s320/raisin+bran.jpg" /><br /></div><p align="left"> </p></div></div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8424602103563514037.post-5416072986042325512010-11-20T21:52:00.002-05:002010-11-20T22:05:03.919-05:00Christmastime already?!?<div align="center">Today we went to the Festival of Trees here in town. The kids went nuts looking at all the decorations, trying desperately not to touch them (since they were promised a fast trip to the car if they did), and dragging me from tree to tree to show me their favorite ornaments. I also went to a Relief Society craft day and got a wonderful idea for Christmas tree ornaments using kids alphabet blocks (maybe I'll post a picture when I actually make them). And tonight at our youth Hayride I was reminded that there are only 35 days until Christmas. WHAT?!?!?!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Christmas is my favorite time of year. It's almost here and before I know it, it will be January. I really need to slow things down so I can enjoy this next month (not sure how I'm gonna do it, but I'll work on it). Since this will be our last Christmas in Tallahassee I want to make it memorable. I want lots of family time, friend time, service time, and study/ponder time. </div><div align="center"><br />So today I'm grateful for Christmastime. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Not only do we get to celebrate the birth and life of our Savior, but we get to create so many memories with our families and friends--so many traditions. I love the extra emphasis on families and traditions that everyone feels this time of year. I love the increased attention to our Savior and His work. And I know that we should always be thinking of Him and His work, but it's especially wonderful at Christmastime.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">P.S. It's been a <em>very</em> long day, so if this doesn't make any sense, I'll blame it on that!</div>The Ricks'http://www.blogger.com/profile/15141155572197868120noreply@blogger.com0