Saturday, January 24, 2009

The Big 7!

If you have to go to school on your birthday, you might as well have a party while you're there!
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Deacon celebrated on Thursday with his first grade friends.

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Baskin Robbins didn't have a WALL-E cake, so being such an avid golfer, he picked out a golf cake!

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Resourceful WALL-E somehow found his way onto the cake, anyway!

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Happy Birthday To You! (Movie)

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As usual, Maren was first in line for cake.

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Deacon and Ms. Hartel

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Mr. Koeppel stopped by to bring Deacon a birthday pencil!

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First graders are SOOOOOOOOO silly!

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Except for the mysterious WALL-E Brothers, who are very serious.

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When we got home after school... emergency vehicles were standing by in case Old Man Deacon needed help! Actually, there was a fender-bender on the corner.

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SURPRISE - more presents!

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A nice card and hug from Maren.

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Deacon got a baby dino in an egg, and since it seemed to be the same species as one of Deacon's other dinos, Maren was thrilled to play with Mommy and Baby dinos! Said Maren of the vicious-looking mommy, "she carries the baby's head in her mouth, but it doesn't hurt the baby."

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When you're 7, something that looks like this is the greatest thing in the world.

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Almost as cool as dinosaurs... Physics!

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I think that wraps up our coverage of Deacon's Birthday 2008.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEACON!!!

Today is Deacon's 7th birthday!
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We celebrated on Monday the 19th, since Deacon had the day off school and Grammie, Grandpa and Grandma were here.
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After dining at Deacon's restaurant of choice (Islands), we came back to the house for cake and presents!

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After the Ross Family 5 arrived, we had a celebration! Deacon blew out his candles...

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And opened presents.

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We're not sure why he wore a sombrero.

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Cake and ice cream!

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Later, he abandoned his party guests to draw pictures in one of his new sketch pads.

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Too bad -- looks like they were having fun!!

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Since today's a school day, we'll be having a mini-celebration in Deacon's classroom this afternoon. Naturally the AFB will be on the scene and will have full coverage of this momentous occasion.
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HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY DEACON! We love you!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Maren's Recital: 1/18/09

Yesterday, Maren took her entourage to her recital in Valley Village!

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Temperatures were in the 80s, but Maren insisted on wearing her coat the whole time. It is the middle of January, after all!

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The program...

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Maren plays The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

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A movie!

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Singing...

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After it was over... Maren and Christopher got trophies!

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Maren and her teacher, Ms. Sharon.

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Since we have grandparents in town, we decided to celebrate Deacon's birthday today (Monday). We'll have full coverage later!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

This Day In History: January 15, 2003

Deacon gets a haircut (movie) on January 15, 2003.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Catching up: Christmas Day 2008

One last Christmas post. Christmas morning in Fair Oaks!
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Naturally, the kids woke up in the wee hours of December 25th to see what Santa left for them.
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Looks like Santa took a few minutes to sample the milk and cookies!

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Derek -- Put -- That -- Camera -- DOWN!!!

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Opening stockings.

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Now for the big Santa presents... Deacon gets a drum kit!! What was Santa thinking?!?

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Maren gets a McDonald's Drive Thru toy. It keeps her busy for hours - I'm lovin' it.

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All the gifts have been opened, so Deacon and Derek model their matching jammies.

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The fun begins for Daddy... can you put batteries in this?!? And this, and this, and this?

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Next, we headed over to Jana and Phillip's for the best breakfast we've ever had, and certainly some of the best company!
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Just when we start feeling high and mighty about successfully assembling some cheap thing from IKEA, we see this... Phillip built the mantel and shelves/cabinets from scratch himself. Himself!! Check it out!

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The elder Oyogs enjoy some music performed by...

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Jana! The Oyogs are multi-talented, for sure.

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Our annual picture of Lexie covering her face...

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Phillip and Jana -- masters of music, woodworking, fishing, grilling, golfing, and Christmas morning breakfast-making.
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Later in the day we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas dinner... those photos are mysteriously MIA, so until they're located, we'll conclude our coverage of Christmas 2008.
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Coming up soon... Maren's having a recital, and Deacon's having a birthday. Last year on this recital/birthday weekend, Maren ended up in surgery. What surprising and stressful unforeseen event awaits us this weekend? Stay tuned!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Catching Up: Christmas Eve 2008

Since we're finally taking down all of our decorations this weekend, I thought we'd have one last blast of Christmas here on the AFB.
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We went to Papa's house in Auburn to celebrate with Grammie, Papa, Auntie Kay, Uncle Mike, Michelle, Jon, Brande, Olivia, Dain and Chase.
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No room for people... the presents filled up the whole front room!

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Chase was obviously impressed by Deacon and Dain's puppetry skills.

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Only Auntie Kay could keep the kids so enthralled by a story while a big roomful of unopened presents beckoned from mere inches away!

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Almost time!

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Maren loves her new talking Wubbzy!

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Since Uncle Chris had a cold, he and Gramps valiantly held down the fort in Fair Oaks while we were up in Auburn. So we saved a few more presents to open with them.
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Maren's Wow Wee Interactive Panda Cub was a big hit with Grammie!
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A BIG hit.

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Opening presents is hard work!

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Officially obsessed with the Panda.

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What everyone needs at bathtime... a swimming puppy toy!
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Making sure Gramps feels the love from Candy Cub (Maren's name for Grammie's favorite thing in the world).

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Gramps was much more excited about his new VHS Video fireplace! Now he can have a roaring fire upstairs, too.
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But really, the only thing that matters is Candy Cub.
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Come back soon for a report on Christmas Day festivities!