http://www.andreaandscott.com WEb LoG http://backend.userland.com/rss http://mybloggie.mywebland.com/?v=2.1.6 http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=153 09 Apr 2011 07:37:04 am GMT -7 General http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=153 It's been a long time since we posted anything! It seems Facebook has kind of replaced our blog and photo gallery. But lots has gone around here! Since the last post, Mara turned two; Nana and Papa and Aunt Katie and Uncle Berry visited for Christmas; the kids have been doing well in swimming; Graham is doing excellent in school; Mara is still potty training! Mara is growing so fast and loving her swimming, her school and most of all playing with her brother. She's mastering shapes and colors and loves singing. She's very adventurous and seems to have no fear at all. We took the side off her crib, and that was as good to her as having a "big girl bed." Graham is already reading at first grade level, and is doing great in all other areas of school as well. He's in kung fu and swimming and he just started t-ball, with his first game today! Next month, he does a six-week chess academy so he can join chess club next year (they must be in first grade to join). So it's never a dull moment around here. Graham also reached an important milestone this week: he lost his first tooth! He was over the moon about it, even though it happened as he face-planted on our hardwood floor. But thankfully he had no major injuries and was able to collect some cash from the tooth fairy! Now he can't wait for his new tooth to come in, though we've tried telling him it might take a while. In the meantime, he's enjoying sticking his tongue in the empty spot and sucking applesauce and milk through it. He was also relieved it didn't affect his new-found ability to whistle. While spring has really just started, we're looking forward to so many things ahead. We have a camping trip to Detroit Lake for Memorial Day weekend; we're going to FL in June the day after school gets out; and Aunt Katie and Uncle Berry get married in Erie in August. For now, we're going to conquer a busy Saturday of swimming, t-ball and a birthday party for our four-year-old friend, Cate! Scott will have to update the photo gallery soon so you can see some photos from Christmas and winter, as well as new spring photos. It's been a long time since we posted anything! It seems Facebook has kind of replaced our blog and photo gallery. But lots has gone around here! Since the last post, Mara turned two; Nana and Papa and Aunt Katie and Uncle Berry visited for Christmas; the kids have been doing well in swimming; ......

]]> http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=153 http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=152 30 Oct 2010 03:09:15 pm GMT -7 General http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=152 It's been a long time since the last update, and so much has happened! We had TWO Star Wars parties for Graham's birthday, one at home and the other in Erie. Both were tons of fun. We had a great time on our vacation, too. Nana and Papa came up for the party and the Brubakers drove over from the other side of PA. The weather was great and we even had a chance to hit the beach. On Graham's actual birthday, we went to Waldameer Park and had a blast. September was a busy month, too. Buddy turned 11 on the 8th and Graham started kindergarten on the 11th. He's doing great in his class, making new friends and learning so many new and interesting things. His reading and writing is really taking off, and we're so proud of him. He also takes Kung Fu after school on Fridays and really loves it. The school is only six blocks away from our house, so it's been a great chance to meet more friends in our community. Both kids started swimming lessons earlier this month. Mara seems like she was born to swim, and Graham—who took a brief hiatus from the water after he turned three—is king of the pool. With Mara's second birthday approaching, October was her last month in the Jr. Toddler program at her daycare. She'll now be moving to Graham's old school (same organization, different campus) where she'll be until she goes to kindergarten. Mara and Graham are growing like crazy. Both hit growth spurts, requiring some unplanned clothes shopping excursions. But thankfully we haven't had any bad cold or flu symptoms so far this fall. Mara has also become quite the chatterbox, talking almost constantly now. She continues to learn more and more words as well as use more proper sentences. She's even counting and learning shapes and colors. She also enjoys treating Nana and Grammy to some quality time on the phone. The kids are excited for Halloween! We had a fun pre-Halloween part at Graham's friend Fletcher's house last weekend. Both kids had school parties yesterday; last night was Graham's school carnival; today is trick-or-treating at the businesses on Woodstock Blvd. So the kids will have several wearings of their costumes before it's even Halloween tomorrow! I'm going to take Graham around the neighborhood while Mara stays home to cheer on the Steelers with Dad (and hopefully give out candy). Happy Fall! It's been a long time since the last update, and so much has happened! We had TWO Star Wars parties for Graham's birthday, one at home and the other in Erie. Both were tons of fun. We had a great time on our vacation, too. Nana and Papa came up for the party and the Brubakers drove over ......

]]> http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=152 http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=151 25 Jul 2010 10:14:49 am GMT -7 General http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=151 Summer has been treating us well, mostly. The kids are doing well and Scott has been working really hard around the house, getting it primed and working on the yard. Graham "graduated" from preschool and is enjoying his summer at school with his friends before they part ways for different kindergartens. Mara is using more and more words every day, and is moving more frequently to short two- or three-word sentences. Buddy has been better, but things are looking up. He got a parasite several weeks back and we had to rush him to the vet just before July 4th. But he responded quickly to the medication and rebounded fast. Two weeks later, I brought him in for a long overdue teeth cleaning, and he had three teeth pulled. So it's softened food for him for another week. But he takes it in stride. We just have to keep a good eye on him when he's outside so he doesn't snack on anything inappropriate. Graham and I went up to Aunt Katie and Uncle Jeremy's without Dad and Mara for July 4th, so they could look after Buddy. We had a great time on the 4th, with the Kirkland parade in the morning and a bbq that evening with Katie and Jeremy's good friends. I also watched Katie try on some wedding gowns (wee!) and we all saw Toy Story 3. So Scott, Mara and Buddy missed out, but Graham and I are glad we went. In just a couple of weeks, Graham will be five! We'll have a party here next weekend with friends, then we head to Erie for a family party and a nice vacation. Even Nana and Papa are making the drive up for the party, so we're looking forward to it. Graham has been taking lots of pictures with his own camera, so look for that album soon! Summer has been treating us well, mostly. The kids are doing well and Scott has been working really hard around the house, getting it primed and working on the yard. Graham "graduated" from preschool and is enjoying his summer at school with his friends before they part ways for different ......

]]> http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=151 http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=150 19 Jun 2010 10:13:05 am GMT -7 General http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=150 Happy Father's Day to Papa, Grampy and, of course, Scott! Hopefully it will be a relaxing one! Summer is taking its time getting here, weather-wise, but we're ready. Our Memorial Day weekend camping trip was mostly a soaker, but we all had a great time and made new friends. We were able to go for bike rides and take some scenic walks and rides to the beach and the old military fort, so we made the most of it. Graham and I participated in our first ever Rose Festival event a couple weeks back, when we went to the Starlight Parade downtown. Graham had a great time watching the bands and floats, and he got to stay up way past his bedtime. Next time we'll have to try the Grand Floral parade. Scott has been back to work on getting the house scraped and primed for painting. We're also doing our best to keep the weeds under control. I just wish they wouldn't grow back when you pull them out. Last night was Graham's Pre-K graduation! He and his class did a great job with their song performance, and he was so proud to walk across stage and get his "difloma." There was a little party afterward and he feasted on snacks, played with his friend Tille and had his face painted like a monster. Pictures are in the gallery now! We have lots to look forward to, like July 4th weekend at Aunt Katie and Uncle Jeremy's, and our August trip to Erie. We have to try to fit in another camping trip before we go to PA, and I have to plan two birthday parties for Graham, so he can have one here with friends and on with family in Erie. Happy Father's Day to Papa, Grampy and, of course, Scott! Hopefully it will be a relaxing one! Summer is taking its time getting here, weather-wise, but we're ready. Our Memorial Day weekend camping trip was mostly a soaker, but we all had a great time and made new friends. We were able ......

]]> http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=150 http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=149 02 May 2010 12:19:57 pm GMT -7 General http://www.andreaandscott.com/blog/index.php?mode=viewid&post_id=149 We set a record number of rainy days this April in the Portland area, so we're looking forward to the "May flowers" part now. Let's see, April wrap-up: We had a great Easter weekend with Auntie Katie and Jeremy. The following weekend was Amy and Mark's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, fun night and a great weekend with Nicole (and baby Zoe), Lanya and Tyler in town for the festivities. As always, the fun times went by too fast. We have lots to do in May, though. Scott's 35th is this week, then we have Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend. We're excited for our first camping trip of the year, to Astoria. We'll just beat the Goonies anniversary party. The kids are still growing like weeds! Mara is going on 18 months and Graham cannot wait for his fifth birthday this summer. He's already making big plans for a Star Wars party, so we'll see what happens. Mara is speaking new words every day, though it seems "no, no, no" is just about her favorite right now. Spring pictures are posted! More later. We set a record number of rainy days this April in the Portland area, so we're looking forward to the "May flowers" part now. Let's see, April wrap-up: We had a great Easter weekend with Auntie Katie and Jeremy. The following weekend was Amy and Mark's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, ......

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