2010-01-25

A neighborly visit

I just did a quick search through past posts on our blog. How have we NOT mentioned the wildlife that visits our yard?

Because we live outside of the city in a farm community, we have had our share of animals wander onto the lawn. This has included (I swear!):
  • cats
  • dogs
  • squirrels
  • all sorts of birds
  • pigs the size of Shetland ponies
  • cows
  • goats
  • chickens
  • ducks
  • turkeys
  • a pheasant
  • a fish (while irrigating our lawn)
(The title of my post would be a lot funnier if we had had a horse or two in our yard.)

Bet you're jealous! Now, keep in mind that we do not own--nor ever have we ever owned--any animals ourselves. Not even a goldfish. But why spend money on shots, food and shelter when the animals visit free of charge? Of course, a goldfish wouldn't munch on your legs like those pigs would, given the chance.

Anyway, when Bekah called to me from the living room to say that the neighbors' goats were in our backyard, I wasn't surprised. But when I came up the stairs and saw them staring in through the back door from our porch, I was at least amused. The girls have often fed the goats clover and alfalfa during the summer, so they wanted to go outside and play with their friends.

Being a sucker, I obliged. At least goats aren't omnivores.

Ana sliding down the icy mound that is our back porch while the goat stands by.

It's hard to tell what's actually going on in the photo (I shot these through the window; I'm WAY too lazy to get dressed up in snow pants and boots just to take a few pictures), but Bekah is about to peg that goat on the right with a snowball.

Ana discovers that lawn chairs are meant to sit on the grass, not the squishy snow.

Ana-ism #6

While grocery shopping.

Andrea: (Looking for something.) "Hmmm."
Ana: (Parroting.) "Hmmm."
Andrea: "What are you thinking about, Ana?"
Ana: "Hmmm."
Andrea: "Are you contemplating the mysteries of the universe?"
Ana: "No. I'm thinking about roast beef."

2010-01-21

29.5 weeks

I know all y'all (like, maybe my mom who reads this when I ask her to) have been dying to see a prego-Andrea pic. Seth and I have been lazy taking tummy pictures during our third pregnancy. I SWEAR it won't be like that when the baby gets here. She'll be much cuter than my bulging belly. Only 10ish more weeks to go!

This baby has sunk to the bottom of my long torso. And what is up with my half-closed eyes?! That darn flash ... gets me every time.

Before AND after pictures

It's been seven months since my infamous oral surgery. I've been lax in getting the before and after pictures up. So without further ado, here they are:

Before--I show mucho gum when smiling. Now it's all teeth ... and braces.


Before--my lips wouldn't close over my teeth unless I utilized some facial muscles. Now they close naturally over my teeth. This means that I can breathe through my nose all night because my lips don't fall open when I'm relaxed any more.


Before--my natural bite left an opening wide enough for me to shove the end of my thumb through. Now it's nice and tight.


It's amazing to me what modern medicine can do. And I don't think I can thank our health insurance enough for deciding to cover these procedures. Back in the day when we first learned about my situation and tried to get my parents' insurance to cover the surgery, they turned us down because they deemed it "cosmetic."

It's obvious that I look different now post-surgery, but isn't it also obvious that having such a drastic change could affect more than my looks? YA THINK?! The other day, I actually chewed a piece of gum (don't tell my orthodontist) for more than five minutes and didn't have to take ibuprofen afterward for my aching jaw.

Huzzah!

2010-01-20

Following in others' footsteps

Bekah didn't ask Santa for a camera this year, but Santa is a wise man and knew that she would get a kick out of having her own little point-and-shoot. So on Christmas morning, Bekah was surprised when she tore open some wrapping paper and saw this inside:

Okay, so this isn't the EXACT camera Bekah received; it's a different color. I'm just too lazy to actually take a picture of her camera and upload it right now.

She immediately got to work. Now that she's had her camera for almost a month, we're beginning to see that the subjects of her photos can be classified into four different categories. (Keep in mind that this is an inexpensive children's camera. It doesn't have a flash. It doesn't have a large aperture. But it does have a slow shutter speed. Hence the often-blurry pictures.)

FAMILY & FRIENDS

Andrea and Ana getting ready for Grandpa Scott's retirement dinner. Andrea outside. Grandma Susan on the phone. Uncle Doug. Baby Cooper. Grandpa Dennis pulling a funny face. Bekah and Kimberlyn. Seth.

TOYS

Shapes on the MagnaDoodle. Some cars. A "ball meeting." Two girls made out of Legos. A car made out of Legos. A G.I. Joe with Ariel next to a four-wheeler. Minnie and Mickey Mouse. Lightning McQueen.

PATCHES

Patches. Patches. Patches. Patches. Bekah shot these all on Christmas Day at Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Susan's house. Uncle Doug had brought over his dog. Bekah repeatedly shot her, then showed the pictures to the dog. She remained aloof.

ANALEE

Ana pulling a funny face. Ana posing under Grandma Susan's Christmas tree. Ana eating lunch. Ana smiling for the camera. You'd think Ana would be in the "Family & Friends" category, but Bekah shoots so many pictures of her little sister that I think she warrants her own category.

So the next time I have a wedding, engagement or senior shoot, I'd probably better take my little photography apprentice along. Her photos are worth at least as much as mine, right?

2010-01-08

Sack races

The girls were being extra-silly last night playing under the covers of our bed. I enjoyed the silliness for a while, then came downstairs to talk to Seth who has busy doing some hacking on the computer.

This is how the girls came downstairs:

Bekah and Ana sporting the latest fashion.

They had stolen the pillowcases from our bed and thought they'd make good sacks to hop around in. After a good romp in our cases, they had to run back upstairs and get their own. Soon they were double-sacking or wearing one case on their heads and another on their legs. Where do kids come up with these ideas?

Ana having a riotous time in her pillowcase.

Bekah doing the double-case.

2010-01-06

Ana-ism #5

While driving in the car. I had just explained the difference between Captain Moroni and the Angel Moroni from the Book of Mormon.

Bekah: "When I get to heaven, will I get to talk to Captain Moroni?"
Andrea: "Yes, you certainly will."
Ana: "Will Captain Moroni have an accent?"