Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMIE!
We hope you have a very happy birthday today, and we love you very very much!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008 - Part 1
Hope everyone enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family yesterday!o
We had a great time with our guests, who, like the pilgrims, persevered good-naturedly under less than ideal circumstances.
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Having had only one unplanned fire and a bulging dining room ceiling that didn't collapse after the previous day's bibical-type downpour, we considered the day a huge success!
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Derek made the yard beautiful after all that rain and still had time to prepare the bird while I made stuffing.
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Ready for a feast
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The kids' table -- on the back porch!
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An appetizer for Maren.
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Jessica made beautiful napkin rings!
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Deacon had never tried turkey before. Will he take a bite?? Check back soon to find out when we wrap up our coverage of Thanksgiving 2008!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Student of the Week
I'm not going to put this on my car,
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But I'm going to put it on my blog.
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Congratulations Deacon!!
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But I'm going to put it on my blog.
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Congratulations Deacon!!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Karate Kid!
Ralph Macchio had better watch his back, because Maren just broke a board with her bare foot!!
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From November 12... Maren passed her test to advance to the next belt in her Karate class!
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Maren suits up
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Training...
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Training Movie
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The Moment of Truth! (Movie)
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From November 12... Maren passed her test to advance to the next belt in her Karate class!
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Maren suits up
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Training...
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Training Movie
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The Moment of Truth! (Movie)
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Maren gets her new belt! (Movie)
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Karate Kids!
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DON'T mess with Maren!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Derek's Birthday Weekend - Part 4
Welcome to the last installment (I think) of Derek's Birthday Weekend!o
There were no signs of any economic downturn at Disneyland, which was crowded and bustling.
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First stop -- breakfast at the hotel.
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Patio dining.
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Mentioning that it's somebody's birthday at Disneyland sets all sorts of things in motion. Derek's birthday button ensured VIP treatment everywhere in the park!
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A night-vision shot of Maren on our first ride, the Nemo Submarine!
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Deacon, WALL-E and Maren enjoy the Nemo ride.
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Deacon and Grandpa on the Rocket Rods!
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Always an L.A. girl.
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The best part of the day for the kids was Tom Sawyer's Island. Deacon immediately asked for a pen and paper, so he could draw...
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...a treasure map!
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Fun on the island!
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The Pooh's Honey Pot ride had a short wait time, so everyone was happy at the Happiest Place on Earth!
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The last ride of the day -- Splash Mountain. Fortunately nobody got soaked.
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Sadly, I think this wraps up our coverage of Derek's Birthday Weekend. But we have exciting things yet to come on the AFB. Coming soon: Maren breaks a board with her bare foot in her Karate class. Really!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Derek's Birthday Weekend - Part 3
The process of turning 40 just goes on... and on... and on!o
Derek kept reminding us that he wasn't actually 40 until 9:41 a.m. on Sunday, November 9th.
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So we did our best to mark that exact historic moment in time by presenting him with a cake and balloons during our 9:30 a.m. church service!
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Jim and Grammie set things up in the breezeway.
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Derek emerges from the church service and talks to Richard and Max...
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Surprise!!
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Officially 40.
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The Ageless Wonder... always a good sport!
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Later, we were off to Anaheim, where we enjoyed hearty meal at Claim Jumper.
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A fitting end to an eventful day.
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Stay tuned for the final installment of Derek's Birthday Weekend, featuring our visit to Disneyland!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
*** New Product Alert ***
Our full coverage of Derek's Birthday Weekend will continue shortly, but until then, Maren requested that I share her design for a "Thanksgiving Dinner Machine" on our blog.
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I know this item will be heavily in demand in the next couple of weeks, so before it hits stores and QVC, we at the AFB are proud to present this exclusive preview of:
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The Thanksgiving Dinner Machine!
Yes, all that messy and time-consuming dinner preparation on Thanksgiving will be a thing of the past with your brand-new Thanksgiving Dinner Machine. Sit back and watch football, and with one push of a button, delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie will instantly emerge hot and ready to eat!
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Operators are standing by.
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I know this item will be heavily in demand in the next couple of weeks, so before it hits stores and QVC, we at the AFB are proud to present this exclusive preview of:
o
The Thanksgiving Dinner Machine!
Yes, all that messy and time-consuming dinner preparation on Thanksgiving will be a thing of the past with your brand-new Thanksgiving Dinner Machine. Sit back and watch football, and with one push of a button, delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie will instantly emerge hot and ready to eat!
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Operators are standing by.
