tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131207052024-03-13T22:48:50.767-05:00The Baldwin's JourneyThis is the story of our 2007 journey to Karaganda, Kazakhstan and to our second child. Besides my husband and myself, our son Zachary and his Pops went on an adventure to bring Alexander Peter home. We are now a family of four, with all of the joys and tribulations that life entails.Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-2137746872875533022010-05-11T15:04:00.000-05:002010-05-11T15:04:55.639-05:00Three Years Ago Today....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Three years ago today I fell in love, again. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful son.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I Knew I Love You</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Savage Garden</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe it’s intuition</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some things you just don’t question</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like in your eyes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I see my future in an instant</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And there it goes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I've found my best friend</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know that it might sound more than a little crazy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I believe</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I loved you before I met you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I dreamed you into life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I loved you before I met you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been waiting all my life</div><div style="text-align: center;">There’s just no rhyme or reason</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Only this sense of completion</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And in your eyes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I see the missing pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m searching for</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I’ve found my way home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know that it might sound more than a little crazy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I believe</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I loved you before I met you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I dreamed you into life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I loved you before I met you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been waiting all my life</div><div style="text-align: center;">A thousand angels dance around you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am complete now that I’ve found you</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I loved you before I met you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I dreamed you into life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I loved you before I met you</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been waiting all my life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-87054474076079809442010-05-09T22:13:00.000-05:002010-05-09T22:13:26.202-05:00Being a MomFor so long motherhood was a dream that seemed so unattainable and so far away. Frustration and sadness were feelings that I lived with daily. Then adoption was the plan and that brought new purpose to our lives. The paper chase was fast and furious with twists and turns that caused daily changes in how we were forming our family. The buildup to an adoption is so different than pregnancy. We don't have the growing belly, instead we have over three inches of paperwork with finger printing, visas, and LOIs to wait for, in addition to many uncertainties and little control. <br />
However, it was all worth it when we walked into room nine and saw Zachary in his playpen with his huge eyes staring right at us. For us, instant love. The next six years were filled with joy and happines, soon it was time to go back to Karaganda. I remember spending time with the babies and Don and I looked at each other, knowing in that instant that we were going to have another son. Alex was so little, had beautiful blue eyes red from a cold, and a thumb that was forever in his mouth. Who knew that our little guy would grow up to be such a ball of fire? <br />
Today I watch them and marvel at their growth. Zack will be eleven! He has such a great sense of humor and has embraced the moody preteen phase with all he's got;) He loves music and is in a band with his buddies, rocking out to AC/DC and sitting at the "The Burnin' Rockers lunch table" with his buddies. Alex, who will be four, has the energy and fire of I don't know what. He plays, learns, and loves with abandon, throwing himself into everything he does. He is smart, loving, and hits a baseball like it's his job!<br />
I am sure that more of the adoption questions will come, as will the sadness; but I know that they will also understand that we moved heaven and earth to be their parents. I couldn't imagine being the mom to anyone other than Zachary and Alexander.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S-d5ahpRL0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/aIT2-G4Ucok/s1600/P5090176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S-d5ahpRL0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/aIT2-G4Ucok/s320/P5090176.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-1458203350039355782010-03-24T14:55:00.000-05:002010-03-24T14:55:07.049-05:00Dirt and Blue UniformsMy boys are growing up:) Zachary received his blue uniform in Tae Kwon Do due to his committent and work ethic in class. He was soooo excited and the cheesy grin says it all. The boys have been so excited to play outside, and the pictures of Alex are from some great fire truck playing in the driveway. What was funny was that he dragged dirt onto the driveway to use instead of playing in the sandbox. Pretreat!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6prr9-oqdI/AAAAAAAAAws/afZ8ZDe7FjU/s1600/P3180019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6prr9-oqdI/AAAAAAAAAws/afZ8ZDe7FjU/s320/P3180019.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6psOP0TYgI/AAAAAAAAAw8/_7FbN2lzoXI/s1600/P3200031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6psOP0TYgI/AAAAAAAAAw8/_7FbN2lzoXI/s320/P3200031.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6pstlF7wsI/AAAAAAAAAxE/jZUZLAE1TaY/s1600/P3220034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6pstlF7wsI/AAAAAAAAAxE/jZUZLAE1TaY/s320/P3220034.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6pt32gSoXI/AAAAAAAAAxU/W7gdT1TJQQ8/s1600/P3220036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6pt32gSoXI/AAAAAAAAAxU/W7gdT1TJQQ8/s320/P3220036.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6ptJZapytI/AAAAAAAAAxM/CM9UMJByGpM/s1600/P3140013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S6ptJZapytI/AAAAAAAAAxM/CM9UMJByGpM/s320/P3140013.JPG" /></a></div>This spring also brings some great presentations by the adoption group that I belong to, Adoptive Families of the Capital Region. Upcoming events include pesentations on ADHD and Adoption, Prospective Parents Group, and International Children's Day, besides playgroups and other weekend activities. It is such a great resource for parents who have children that were adopted or are thinking of it as a way to form a future family. I love that if I have adoption questions or just need to vent, I have a great group of friends to talk to. My boys love going to the family events, and I am glad that the kids will have each other as they grow up and deal with the cirumstances of their adoption. The link to our group is on the right, feel free to check us out!Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-89235326080358271742010-03-14T17:36:00.000-05:002010-03-14T17:36:19.616-05:00Ups and Downs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S51kT_53lwI/AAAAAAAAAv0/PbiLImG6RQY/s1600-h/P3120050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S51kT_53lwI/AAAAAAAAAv0/PbiLImG6RQY/s320/P3120050.JPG" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S51irhWgYoI/AAAAAAAAAvU/qgtV-1pdz4w/s1600-h/P3140052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S51irhWgYoI/AAAAAAAAAvU/qgtV-1pdz4w/s320/P3140052.JPG" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div>This week has had it's ups and downs. We ended last weekend with Zachary getting diagnosed with strep and staying home with mom on Monday. The week continued with Cub Scout bowling, Tae Kwon Do, and lots of playing outside. The scooters were taken out and Alex mowed the last of the snow for us;) We have decided that we have gotten a taste of spring and won't be content until the daffodils are in bloom! <br />
Alex is recognizing letters from his name in everything that he sees and luckily he had another successful week potty training. The boys got to spend some wonderful time with family on Saturday while mommy and daddy went out. Alex got up Saturday morning and packed his bag, mind you they weren't leaving until after five. You can imagine how well Alex took that news. Natalia and Anna wore my boys out as they were both snoring in the car on the way home. Thank you Heather!!!!! Sunday came and we went to Zachary's blue and gold dinner for Cub Scouts. We had a vey nice time and Zachary got some pins that he earned. In June he will cross over to become a Boy Scout, and I get to put all of those badges on yet another shirt;)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S51jRyQb4yI/AAAAAAAAAvs/p9f4mHOmQYQ/s1600-h/P3140067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S51jRyQb4yI/AAAAAAAAAvs/p9f4mHOmQYQ/s320/P3140067.JPG" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-87854533889430026322010-03-04T21:00:00.001-05:002010-03-04T21:02:20.729-05:00Master Lee Rocks!Zachary passed his Tae Kwon Do belt test with flying colors! Zachary tested for his yellow belt tonight and did a great job!!!!!!! For an hour and half we watched as the infamous Master Lee (that's for you Christine;) put Zachary through his patterns and sparring. He was so focused and loved every minute of it, especially when Master Lee gave him compliments as the testing progressed. At the end of he testing Master Lee told me how awesome Zack is and how focused he is in class. He loves it, and we are so proud of his dedication.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5BkyO89FYI/AAAAAAAAAvE/o6QT4lSuO8A/s1600-h/P3040042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5BkyO89FYI/AAAAAAAAAvE/o6QT4lSuO8A/s320/P3040042.JPG" /></a></div>Alex is Alex and could not wait to try the moves when the test was over. He is loving his big boy status and is rocking the big boy undies, telling all of Zack's friends of his new "attire". Luckily, Zack has great friends and they all have congratulated him. To cute:)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5BkY_Jq5vI/AAAAAAAAAuk/MAazvjoC92I/s1600-h/P3040019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5BkY_Jq5vI/AAAAAAAAAuk/MAazvjoC92I/s320/P3040019.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5Bkf0tgIqI/AAAAAAAAAus/--EXU426OlE/s1600-h/P3040041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5Bkf0tgIqI/AAAAAAAAAus/--EXU426OlE/s320/P3040041.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5Bkl7Man8I/AAAAAAAAAu0/HUm0dsB7JXE/s1600-h/P3040040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/S5Bkl7Man8I/AAAAAAAAAu0/HUm0dsB7JXE/s320/P3040040.JPG" /></a></div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-40726561069299739072010-03-01T21:40:00.002-05:002010-03-02T16:20:38.165-05:002010 Begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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It has been so long since I have updated this bog that I considered ending it. However, both sets of granparents are now in Florida so I have decided to update it far more requently so they can see how the boys are doing. The Baldwins have been busy since I last posted. Zachary is still very involved in Tae Kwon Do and loves his instructor, Master Lee. Zachary also loves to tell me that even though Master Lee is shorter than me, he could kill me if he wanted to. Luckily for me Master Lee's interest is in inspiring my son and not maiming his mother;) Thursday night he will be tested for his yellow belt and hopefully he will get his blue uniform as well. They make sure to send notes home periodically to commend Zachary on a great class and you can see Zack stand a little straighter when he reads them. <br />
Zack band, The Burnin' Rockers continue to perform and the boys get together frequently to practice for their next gig, which I am afraid is Zack's birthday party;) Their new material is comprised of AC/DC songs, some Bon Jovi, and an original compilation called "Silver Sword" (in which every person has a five minute solo, so you can imagine how that goes). Second quarter was a great one for Zack and he is again an A student with a wonderful comment about his musical talent. My good friend's husband plays guitar and is amazed how Zach can pick apart songs and play so well. Zack does love that captive audience;)<br />
My little imp, Alex is growing by leaps and bounds. The pediatrician is so happy with his progress and growth and we are sooooo happy that potty training is almost finished:) Alex learns so much at daycare and besides the ABCs, colors and such, Alex can sing the chorus to "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap". Do you see a theme??? <br />
Every morning when Alex first wakes up, we let him lay in bed and he calls for us when he's ready (otherwise we have a very cranky boy on our hands). Getting in and out of bed is not a problem for Alex, but for some reason he will not get up until we open his door (thank God for small favors). For the last week we have gone to Alex's room in the morning and have walked in to see Alex laying on his bed, with his bed completely made, and a huge smile on his face. I love to tease Zachary that his three year old brother makes his bed neater (and faster) than he does:)<br />
The New Year brings so many things for us. We have already celebrated Chinese New Year, enjoyed the Russian Winter Festival, and are gearing up for Easter, Kaz's Spring Celebration, and most important, the days that we met and adopted our sons. <br />
So often I find myself looking at my wonderful sons and feeling so lucky to be able to be their mom. I think of all that their birth parents have had to sacrifice in order to give their sons a better life. I wonder what their lives would have been like; relationsv hips, schooling, language. So many diferences, but at heart I know that they would be the same loveable boys that they are today. For that, I am so blessed and thankful.<br />
Enjoy the random pictures of the boys and our loved ones.<br />
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</div>Holiday season is in full swing and so far we have enjoyed the Christmas parade, Christmas tree hunting, and visiting Holiday Lights. We loved watching Zachary earn his white and yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. I have watched Zack in class, but you can't hear anything with the door shut. His teacher, Master Lee, is such an incredible teacher. You could see how the kids responded to him as he praised, taught, and congratulated them. I am so glad that Zack wanted to join as I think it has done great things for his confidence.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today was our first snowday and we had a great day. We all enjoyed time outside and had a rousing snowball fight, with both boys having incredibly good aim. A small but quite adorable snowman was built (thanks Aunt Louise for the snowman kit all those years ago) and hot chocolate was enjoyed by all. We ended the night with decorating a gingerbread train and making snickerdoodles; a relaxing day it was not:) But, a very fun one none the less.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love watching how Zack and Alex grow and change. Alex is so taken by the wonder of the season and jumps with excitement at every commercial and Christmas special. He races to every destination and copies everything that Zack does, telling me he's a big boy. Zack on the other hand, has the swagger that I dare say he was born with. He still love his Star Wars, but AC/DC is up there as well. We are going to a school play next week where Zachary is the lead-Scrooge. The British accent is alive and well in our home and Zack is practicing his lines like a pro. Though he is cool 5th grader by day, I look forward to our bedtime ritual of Zack and I reading our bedtime books to Alex. Special times. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBlSf5ivII/AAAAAAAAAq8/_JQbbgai3UE/s1600-h/PC090117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBlSf5ivII/AAAAAAAAAq8/_JQbbgai3UE/s200/PC090117.JPG" /></a><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBliL9jhCI/AAAAAAAAArE/hSO1lQoBvCw/s200/PC090122.JPG" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBlrkJI61I/AAAAAAAAArU/SYsPZ5gXLus/s1600-h/PC090128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBlrkJI61I/AAAAAAAAArU/SYsPZ5gXLus/s200/PC090128.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBouRRyaqI/AAAAAAAAArk/Zfvwn6_DO8c/s1600-h/PC090127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SyBouRRyaqI/AAAAAAAAArk/Zfvwn6_DO8c/s200/PC090127.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-63765247664888087762009-11-22T16:36:00.002-05:002009-11-23T17:21:05.172-05:00It was a great fall!It seems so hard to believe that the end of fall is here and Christmas is around the corner! We have been a busy family these last few months and are looking forward to slowing down a little. Fall was filled with lots of fun things. We visited Westpoint and enjoyed a great concert given by the Marine Corps Band. The Baldwins went apple picking at Bowman's and played lots of Nerf guns at the fire house. I was busy with our local adoption group, AFCR, going to workshops, helping at at the Adoption Fair at the Marriot, and enjoying brunch with my sons and other familes formed by adoption. It is so great to see our kids laugh and play together, and funny to hear them compare birthplaces, making it sound boring if someone was born in the USA;)<br />
Alex has returned to day care and is loving life. He enjoys spending time with Cheryl and all of his friends. Every day in the car I ask him how his day was, and Alex's reply is usually, "I had fun at Cheryl's today Mommy." He is learning his colors, can count, and knows his ABC's! Every day is an adventure with Alex, and his goal is to be as mischevious along the way as possible. The sun continues to rise and set with Zack, and Alex has even convinced him to join us when reading our bedtime stories. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SwmjHKpqvRI/AAAAAAAAApc/ZGZFfzEGZZE/s1600/PA290038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SwmjHKpqvRI/AAAAAAAAApc/ZGZFfzEGZZE/s200/PA290038.JPG" yr="true" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SwmiyYR1AGI/AAAAAAAAApM/exEm9tOVorM/s1600/ALEX+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SwmiyYR1AGI/AAAAAAAAApM/exEm9tOVorM/s200/ALEX+1.bmp" yr="true" /></a><br />
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Zachary has had a great return to school and is an A student. He has begun playing the trombone and loves it. I am pleasantly surprised that he sounds so good already. Tae Kwon Do is a new activity for Zack as well, and he loves showing us what Master Lee has taught him. His band, The Burnin' Rockers continue to thrive, and we have had many weekends of practice and a couple "concerts" thrown into the mix as well. My son the rocker;) <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Halloween came and went, with a very busy (and soggy) night. The boys trick or treated in the rain with a friend and their cousins Emily, Kara, and Morgan. After collecting the loot, all of the kids were in the boys' clothes as everyone was completely soaked. The next week we had an assembly to attend as Zachary was named a student of good character. He was so proud of himself, as we were of him. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanksgiving is next week and my class has already cooked 71 pounds of turkey and prepped 10 bags of stuffing for our 12th annual Thanksgiving dinner. Having my own Thanksgivning dinner on Thursday should be a breeze;) Happy Thanksgiving everyone:)<br />
</div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-62505301319545208242009-08-02T21:45:00.003-05:002009-08-02T22:38:55.738-05:00Two questions: Who's three??????? and Was Emily that bored???????<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SnZbXsmFCqI/AAAAAAAAApE/QL_UqAyRzNQ/s1600-h/birthday+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365576468724517538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SnZbXsmFCqI/AAAAAAAAApE/QL_UqAyRzNQ/s400/birthday+3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SnZbXSgXayI/AAAAAAAAAo8/VuYGwZbmWss/s1600-h/birthday+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365576461721234210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SnZbXSgXayI/AAAAAAAAAo8/VuYGwZbmWss/s400/birthday+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SnZbXMJRTiI/AAAAAAAAAo0/k76-5K6gglY/s1600-h/birthday+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365576460013751842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SnZbXMJRTiI/AAAAAAAAAo0/k76-5K6gglY/s400/birthday+1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />No, Emily was just that exhausted. My sweet niece was an active participant in Alex's birthday party and just couldn't party any more.<br />My baby turned three today! It doesn't seem possible that Alex is so big, and growing into a little man. Alex is his own person, and he has such a big personality. Whatever he does, he does it with gusto (even if we don't want him to;). Nothing is out of bounds for him, Don caught him putting his foot into the sink tonight because it was dirty (mind you he climbed up the bathroom sink to get there). He is my daredevil.<br />Some days I just look at Alex and Zack and wonder what the future will bring. Adoption will give us a lifetime of surprises and I am thinking that Alex will be full of them.<br />Toodles!Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-66069926327757481692009-07-23T22:09:00.003-05:002009-07-23T22:24:37.967-05:00Enjoying Summer Vacation<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpOcpqS6I/AAAAAAAAAok/HPeqDR-Afsc/s1600-h/721fb16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpOcpqS6I/AAAAAAAAAok/HPeqDR-Afsc/s400/721fb16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862159547124642" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpOKatknI/AAAAAAAAAoc/LPSi4aN3Ou8/s1600-h/721fb21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpOKatknI/AAAAAAAAAoc/LPSi4aN3Ou8/s400/721fb21.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862154652586610" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpNvSEkCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/vo0kO2YdKCM/s1600-h/720fb3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpNvSEkCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/vo0kO2YdKCM/s400/720fb3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862147368587298" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpNdM3ioI/AAAAAAAAAoM/HEC0k76cu0Q/s1600-h/721fb19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpNdM3ioI/AAAAAAAAAoM/HEC0k76cu0Q/s400/721fb19.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862142514924162" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpNISSxtI/AAAAAAAAAoE/oVX06udOKaQ/s1600-h/720fb8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SmkpNISSxtI/AAAAAAAAAoE/oVX06udOKaQ/s400/720fb8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862136900536018" /></a><br />The Baldwin boys have been busy this summer! Besides playing with friends and family, Zack is going to camp a few days a week and we have been busy vacationing in Maine and Cape Cod. Music seems to be Zack's favorite thing to do; he even sang karaoke at a restaurant in Maine (AC/DC of course). He and Kara dug up a lot of sand crabs and enjoyed going from the beach to the pool to the beach to the (you get the idea:) Alexander found his inner beach and LOVED playing in the sand. He even seemed to be surfing, though much of the time there was no water under him, only sand. I have spent most of the summer in physical therapy as I pinched discs in my back in late June. It has been slow going but I seem to on the mend. Gosh it stinks to get older.Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-59907096142943802332009-05-30T16:39:00.003-05:002009-05-30T17:00:42.869-05:00Happy Family Day Alexander Peter<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SiGsY7vmOCI/AAAAAAAAAno/Rw3ECXa7lLc/s1600-h/Alex+11+months.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SiGsY7vmOCI/AAAAAAAAAno/Rw3ECXa7lLc/s400/Alex+11+months.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341740177392285730" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SiGsYjyR0xI/AAAAAAAAAng/wEgGFATUsLY/s1600-h/P5230130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SiGsYjyR0xI/AAAAAAAAAng/wEgGFATUsLY/s400/P5230130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341740170961081106" /></a><br />Two years ago today Don, Zack, Papa, and I went to court and Alex legally became our son. It doesn't seems like he has been our son for that long, yet it seems like forever. Alex is such a character and a fun loving boy. He is talking, running, and learning so much every day (not to mention the injuries that come all to frequently). Every day is an adventure to Alex, and currently his favorites include balls, horses, fire trucks, and of course his big brother. <br />Though I miss the baby days when we gave Alex bottles and rocked with him, I can't wait to see how he grows and changes.Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-85689036784254305502009-04-26T20:54:00.003-05:002009-04-26T21:31:57.044-05:00Spring is here!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZBFa3hcI/AAAAAAAAAnU/sor6_kNFKto/s1600-h/easter+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZBFa3hcI/AAAAAAAAAnU/sor6_kNFKto/s400/easter+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329193240488281538" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZBD3O51I/AAAAAAAAAnM/AdQA9Dv6T0s/s1600-h/easter+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZBD3O51I/AAAAAAAAAnM/AdQA9Dv6T0s/s400/easter+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329193240070383442" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZA9L0TQI/AAAAAAAAAnE/0CpLp3Ts6cw/s1600-h/easter.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZA9L0TQI/AAAAAAAAAnE/0CpLp3Ts6cw/s400/easter.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329193238277672194" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZAofgr0I/AAAAAAAAAm8/uBfSvXTeNj0/s1600-h/easter+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZAofgr0I/AAAAAAAAAm8/uBfSvXTeNj0/s400/easter+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329193232723128130" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZAd5X3nI/AAAAAAAAAm0/8kL6BJvi3Zo/s1600-h/easter+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SfUZAd5X3nI/AAAAAAAAAm0/8kL6BJvi3Zo/s400/easter+5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329193229878812274" /></a><br />It seems like spring has finally come (though I did see the snow fly last week on my way to work). The boys are loving the nice weather and we have enjoyed spending time outdoors. Zack is playing baseball again and is FINALLY A YANKEE. He played a game on Friday and got a single, made a few good plays, and scored a run. He was happy with his performance and we had fun cheering him on. Alex yelled the whole game, it was so cute hearing him bellow "Go Zack" and "Go Yankees", looking for Zack on the field every chance he got.<br />Culture day for our adoption group was this past weekend and the kids had a ball. We did a lot of crafts from their birth countries and had a parade marching across the room with flag from their birth countries. We even had local Girl Scouts come and help out, which was great. It is so wonderful to see all of the kids interact and we all enjoy spending time together. The boys ran all over, and the event ended with the annual playground visit (while all of the moms picked up of course).Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-41776965441399081332009-04-12T21:08:00.005-05:002009-04-12T23:26:22.897-05:00An Update That Is Far Overdue<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3sqzYZCI/AAAAAAAAAms/wr0s_x4HV5c/s1600-h/april+10+2009+10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3sqzYZCI/AAAAAAAAAms/wr0s_x4HV5c/s400/april+10+2009+10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324019687537271842" /></a><br />Enjoying A Night At Home<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3sZBkK6I/AAAAAAAAAmk/9MUdXL99bkI/s1600-h/april+10+2009+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3sZBkK6I/AAAAAAAAAmk/9MUdXL99bkI/s400/april+10+2009+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324019682764925858" /></a><br />Time to Decorate The Eggs!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3sF7dr8I/AAAAAAAAAmc/Zrw9yDuWoDk/s1600-h/april+10+2009+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3sF7dr8I/AAAAAAAAAmc/Zrw9yDuWoDk/s400/april+10+2009+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324019677639061442" /></a><br />Zachary Making The Perfect Egg<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3rzhBRzI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Oe5Vi0Z5m-E/s1600-h/april+10+2009+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3rzhBRzI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Oe5Vi0Z5m-E/s400/april+10+2009+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324019672696309554" /></a><br />The Boys At The Batting Cages<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3rs8p8oI/AAAAAAAAAmM/9AjcwLmAk40/s1600-h/april+10+2009+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeK3rs8p8oI/AAAAAAAAAmM/9AjcwLmAk40/s400/april+10+2009+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324019670933172866" /></a><br />How I Love My Boys<br /><br />Ok, I know that I have been reaaaalllllyyyy bad about keeping this updated in the last few months. I am trying to be the dutiful daughter/mother and fill these four posts with what our lives have been like since Christmas and our trip to Disney. We settled into the new year and life continued as usual. The boys have grown and changed so much over the past year. It is amazing how quickly it all goes. <br />Zachary is wonderful, maddening, and as funny as usual. He is doing so well in school this year, getting great grades and still loving Star Wars. Somehow he has Don and I, his grandparents, and Uncle Corey looking for the latest and most valuable action figure. I would just love the money that represents all of those figures; the money that we spend on those we love;) Baseball has started and all of the craziness that comes with it. Zach is excited, and though we again are not the Yankees, Don thinks that they have a good team this year. <br />Alexander is getting so big and his language has really taken off. He talks so much, and loves that he can get his wants ands needs across to us. Alex asks to play with friends and family daily, also wanting firehouse visits as it seems that he has gotten "the bug". We have gone to the firehouse to play nerf guns and Alex is hiding around corners and making Marines proud everywhere. Sports balls are a favorite of Alex's and he constantly wants to be outside to play basketball and baseball; he is so cute trying to imitate his brother. <br />Easter has just come and the boys had a great day. Alex "got it" and followed Zach like a puppuy, looking for eggs. "No ho ho, bunny, mommy," was what I heard this morning. ALex LOVED the candy and pretty much went on a healthy food strike for the day. We went to my sister's for brunch and then to Don's grandmother's, and the boys had a ball playing with all of their cousins. I hope you enjoyed the update!Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-4529427416782861812009-04-12T21:05:00.003-05:002009-04-12T23:14:03.001-05:00Let's Hope Spring 2009<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKekQb3ScI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Kf1k1N36y60/s1600-h/april+10+2009+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKekQb3ScI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Kf1k1N36y60/s400/april+10+2009+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323992055229663682" /></a><br />A Night At The Batting Cages<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKekB8mzAI/AAAAAAAAAl8/h_Snj2taJLk/s1600-h/april+10+2009+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKekB8mzAI/AAAAAAAAAl8/h_Snj2taJLk/s400/april+10+2009+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323992051340463106" /></a><br />Getting Ready For The Season<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKej1oEmGI/AAAAAAAAAl0/MXOHNzjkhVg/s1600-h/april+10+2009+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKej1oEmGI/AAAAAAAAAl0/MXOHNzjkhVg/s400/april+10+2009+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323992048033110114" /></a><br />Come On, These Boys Are Adorable!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKejmrDyrI/AAAAAAAAAls/KhRKC1SkLd4/s1600-h/april+10+2009+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKejmrDyrI/AAAAAAAAAls/KhRKC1SkLd4/s400/april+10+2009+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323992044019108530" /></a><br />Two Future Firefighters<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKejJVk9_I/AAAAAAAAAlk/KqLbd1MbMM4/s1600-h/april+10+2009+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKejJVk9_I/AAAAAAAAAlk/KqLbd1MbMM4/s400/april+10+2009+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323992036144379890" /></a><br />He Is Such A Little Devil;)Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-26987150066570541342009-04-12T21:02:00.002-05:002009-04-12T23:06:40.563-05:00Winter 2009<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd4N6j0lI/AAAAAAAAAlc/sG2lAI-I_MY/s1600-h/april+6+2009+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd4N6j0lI/AAAAAAAAAlc/sG2lAI-I_MY/s400/april+6+2009+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323991298638860882" /></a><br />Is Nap Time Really Over? Hi Holly!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd30oLUFI/AAAAAAAAAlU/ct49Kmli3OI/s1600-h/april+6+2009+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd30oLUFI/AAAAAAAAAlU/ct49Kmli3OI/s400/april+6+2009+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323991291850870866" /></a><br />The Very Best of Brothers<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd15cnQdI/AAAAAAAAAlM/aLHYC0iJjeU/s1600-h/april+6+2009+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd15cnQdI/AAAAAAAAAlM/aLHYC0iJjeU/s400/april+6+2009+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323991258784809426" /></a><br />Movie Night With the Films<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd1l7HENI/AAAAAAAAAlE/p2uwMBCSnIE/s1600-h/april+6+2009+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd1l7HENI/AAAAAAAAAlE/p2uwMBCSnIE/s400/april+6+2009+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323991253544014034" /></a><br />Sweet Kara<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd1aKjE-I/AAAAAAAAAk8/nnT8expSl-M/s1600-h/april+6+2009+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKd1aKjE-I/AAAAAAAAAk8/nnT8expSl-M/s400/april+6+2009+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323991250387538914" /></a><br />The Kids Enjoying Movie NightDon, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-82228357508052030802009-04-12T20:56:00.002-05:002009-04-12T23:01:22.568-05:00Winter 2009<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc1WAVUII/AAAAAAAAAk0/DFFfBsvPKfM/s1600-h/P3040049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc1WAVUII/AAAAAAAAAk0/DFFfBsvPKfM/s400/P3040049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323990149759324290" /></a><br />Relaxing at Home<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc1EX2nAI/AAAAAAAAAks/_Ev59mxpNJA/s1600-h/april+6+2009+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc1EX2nAI/AAAAAAAAAks/_Ev59mxpNJA/s400/april+6+2009+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323990145026137090" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc06NNxiI/AAAAAAAAAkk/yIkkoKI_Ibo/s1600-h/april+6+2009+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc06NNxiI/AAAAAAAAAkk/yIkkoKI_Ibo/s400/april+6+2009+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323990142297163298" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc0mQj-vI/AAAAAAAAAkc/bG-YSc126cE/s1600-h/april+6+2009+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc0mQj-vI/AAAAAAAAAkc/bG-YSc126cE/s400/april+6+2009+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323990136942492402" /></a><br />Happy Birthday Papa!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc0cN7bzI/AAAAAAAAAkU/1ADdcZ_KYMg/s1600-h/april+6+2009+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SeKc0cN7bzI/AAAAAAAAAkU/1ADdcZ_KYMg/s400/april+6+2009+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323990134247092018" /></a><br />Em and Alex; The Best Of Friends!Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-85870621363557468862009-01-13T20:40:00.002-05:002009-01-13T21:14:15.160-05:00December and Disney 1 of 3How times flies! December came and went with a lot of activity and holiday cheer. Zachary sang in his holiday school concert and did a wonderful job. He even had a drum solo in one of the songs and beamed from ear to ear when it was over; Zachary made us keep it a secret so that all of his grandparents could be surprised.<br />We had our usual holiday craziness, hopping from house to house and trying to get it all done before Santa came. The boys had a wonderful Christmas and Alex really got the present thing this year. They both tore into their gifts and were very excited to see that their last gift from us was a trip to Disney (well Zach understood that, maybe not Alex yet). We left the day after Christmas and had a wonderful time. They both had their favorite parks but we all think that New Year's Eve was the best. All in all it was a great trip (as long as you take out the drive home;). Now we begin 2009 with the hope that the year brings us all good health, fun times, and much love. Happy New Year!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EuLEwXSI/AAAAAAAAAg8/4pHFYOXhOdE/s1600-h/PC180010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EuLEwXSI/AAAAAAAAAg8/4pHFYOXhOdE/s400/PC180010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290960697267608866" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EuCwZXNI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Wjts0TxXKR8/s1600-h/PC240054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EuCwZXNI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Wjts0TxXKR8/s400/PC240054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290960695034731730" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EtiAcfKI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Gypooqg5Owo/s1600-h/PC240050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EtiAcfKI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Gypooqg5Owo/s400/PC240050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290960686243675298" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EtZV1ISI/AAAAAAAAAgk/iZZmTCoFHKs/s1600-h/christmas+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EtZV1ISI/AAAAAAAAAgk/iZZmTCoFHKs/s400/christmas+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290960683917451554" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EtPMT-tI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JEmL3ug0zGc/s1600-h/christmas+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1EtPMT-tI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JEmL3ug0zGc/s400/christmas+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290960681193175762" /></a>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-86384036203413705262009-01-13T20:31:00.001-05:002009-01-13T20:39:51.766-05:00December and Disney 2 of 3<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CH_mlQnI/AAAAAAAAAgU/VkJMYSZdK4Y/s1600-h/disney+39.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CH_mlQnI/AAAAAAAAAgU/VkJMYSZdK4Y/s400/disney+39.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957842329977458" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CHd1EcsI/AAAAAAAAAgM/cohoJymWeiA/s1600-h/disney+38.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CHd1EcsI/AAAAAAAAAgM/cohoJymWeiA/s400/disney+38.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957833263936194" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CFH3itAI/AAAAAAAAAgE/VB1nikxXVuo/s1600-h/1+09+PIC+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CFH3itAI/AAAAAAAAAgE/VB1nikxXVuo/s400/1+09+PIC+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957793008989186" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CE6zU7gI/AAAAAAAAAf8/HjLzRg1xARU/s1600-h/disney+26.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CE6zU7gI/AAAAAAAAAf8/HjLzRg1xARU/s400/disney+26.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957789501648386" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CEoPPaCI/AAAAAAAAAf0/eVLJYCSmtII/s1600-h/disney+24.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1CEoPPaCI/AAAAAAAAAf0/eVLJYCSmtII/s400/disney+24.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957784518453282" /></a>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-66961193518760448962009-01-13T20:24:00.000-05:002009-01-13T20:31:25.340-05:00December and Disney 3 of 3<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1AMdla6RI/AAAAAAAAAfs/u5wUYFM3IYM/s1600-h/disney+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1AMdla6RI/AAAAAAAAAfs/u5wUYFM3IYM/s400/disney+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290955720074389778" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1AL2z1GJI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Z-v9c5NNZ4M/s1600-h/disney+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1AL2z1GJI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Z-v9c5NNZ4M/s400/disney+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290955709665843346" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1ALv31UEI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qnqZif2lw8o/s1600-h/disney+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1ALv31UEI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qnqZif2lw8o/s400/disney+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290955707803586626" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1ALWkJsCI/AAAAAAAAAfU/3OKCS0t4oG0/s1600-h/disney+16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1ALWkJsCI/AAAAAAAAAfU/3OKCS0t4oG0/s400/disney+16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290955701010149410" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1AK68EBuI/AAAAAAAAAfM/ZV3kX9SMrHg/s1600-h/disney+last.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SW1AK68EBuI/AAAAAAAAAfM/ZV3kX9SMrHg/s400/disney+last.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290955693594248930" /></a>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-30461857792882111732008-12-07T22:33:00.004-05:002008-12-07T23:17:10.832-05:00Fa la la la la........<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyfJf2u3QI/AAAAAAAAAe0/cpqn983-uH0/s1600-h/tree+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyfJf2u3QI/AAAAAAAAAe0/cpqn983-uH0/s400/tree+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277267848890080514" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyfIj38OwI/AAAAAAAAAes/-VWektBjqlY/s1600-h/tree+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyfIj38OwI/AAAAAAAAAes/-VWektBjqlY/s400/tree+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277267832789023490" /></a><br />The fall got away from us and we are now gearing up for winter. The last couple of months have been busy and packed full of fun, craziness, and stress. Zachary and I went with my parents, Kristen, Kara, and my uncle's family to New York City for a day in November to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary (You go Barb and Ken!!!!!!!). We had a ball and everyone loved the Radio City Christmas show. Everyone came home exhausted but happy (especially the kids since we went to Toys-R-Us). Zachary and Alex continue to grow as brothers and their play constantly leaves us in stitches. Zachary loves to play military and he now has Alex doing it as well. Big bro taught little bro how to army crawl and take cover before shooting the enemy. I don't quite know how I feel about that, but they are wonderful to watch together. <br />Alex is old enough to understand that the holiday season is something "different" and he walks around the house saying,"ho ho ho", and,"la la la la la", which make us all join in. Alex's language continues to grow and change as he strings words together, and you can see how proud he is as he talks and is understood by others.<br />Zachary had his first report card and did wonderful. His teacher is very pleased with his progress, though he is chatty (just like me unfortunately). He is looking forward to Christmas, making lists, pleading for gifts, and decorating our tree while singing his favorite tunes.<br />We have determined that Alex is our dare devil. In September he got stitches, and in November he went to the ER after hitting his head on a wooden Thomas house. He definitely keeps us on our toes and we are thankful that Zachary is not quite as adventurous (though he did seem a little put out that Alex got stitches before he did). <br />As we move through December, we wish all of you a safe and happy holiday.Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-56333597278348237222008-12-07T21:54:00.003-05:002008-12-07T22:33:36.099-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVhk5laKI/AAAAAAAAAek/7Nwp-K7qblM/s1600-h/tree+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVhk5laKI/AAAAAAAAAek/7Nwp-K7qblM/s400/tree+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277257267444803746" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVhOQ0B4I/AAAAAAAAAec/Ht3WMu7U_M8/s1600-h/tree+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVhOQ0B4I/AAAAAAAAAec/Ht3WMu7U_M8/s400/tree+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277257261368215426" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVg9q9lhI/AAAAAAAAAeU/7Fizcmn_DmE/s1600-h/tree+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVg9q9lhI/AAAAAAAAAeU/7Fizcmn_DmE/s400/tree+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277257256914490898" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVf8hQ7uI/AAAAAAAAAeM/UwV1fqkLoDI/s1600-h/tree+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVf8hQ7uI/AAAAAAAAAeM/UwV1fqkLoDI/s400/tree+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277257239425511138" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVfaIdgxI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Sti26mPWcH8/s1600-h/tree+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/STyVfaIdgxI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Sti26mPWcH8/s400/tree+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277257230194672402" /></a>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-56811616349810818792008-10-22T20:43:00.000-05:002008-10-22T20:51:06.922-05:00More Fall Pics<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YbVdQWMI/AAAAAAAAAdc/RI0YDOmx7As/s1600-h/10+20+23.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YbVdQWMI/AAAAAAAAAdc/RI0YDOmx7As/s400/10+20+23.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260160853919946946" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YaxWb8cI/AAAAAAAAAdU/g8tD9jvXOVg/s1600-h/10+20+15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YaxWb8cI/AAAAAAAAAdU/g8tD9jvXOVg/s400/10+20+15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260160844227670466" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YaaWEq1I/AAAAAAAAAdM/xRXYu8ZoTJY/s1600-h/10+20+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YaaWEq1I/AAAAAAAAAdM/xRXYu8ZoTJY/s400/10+20+12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260160838052129618" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YaDM6RgI/AAAAAAAAAdE/pGrDi5jALrw/s1600-h/10+20+13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YaDM6RgI/AAAAAAAAAdE/pGrDi5jALrw/s400/10+20+13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260160831839684098" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YZW6lbCI/AAAAAAAAAc8/YZXWxrmZ8TU/s1600-h/10+20+19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_YZW6lbCI/AAAAAAAAAc8/YZXWxrmZ8TU/s400/10+20+19.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260160819951660066" /></a>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-20790161117800480692008-09-29T21:12:00.005-05:002008-10-22T20:51:47.405-05:00Fall<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_WdJUbhCI/AAAAAAAAAc0/LcubrmkFJMA/s1600-h/10+20+09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_WdJUbhCI/AAAAAAAAAc0/LcubrmkFJMA/s400/10+20+09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260158685998187554" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_WcRy4_dI/AAAAAAAAAcs/jVwElXWkHKc/s1600-h/10+20+05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_WcRy4_dI/AAAAAAAAAcs/jVwElXWkHKc/s400/10+20+05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260158671093562834" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_Wb9JCEnI/AAAAAAAAAck/Tg5vM6DJLCI/s1600-h/10+20+07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_Wb9JCEnI/AAAAAAAAAck/Tg5vM6DJLCI/s400/10+20+07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260158665549288050" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_WbTdVXsI/AAAAAAAAAcc/yTZkLCqtGUI/s1600-h/10+20+02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_WbTdVXsI/AAAAAAAAAcc/yTZkLCqtGUI/s400/10+20+02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260158654360149698" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_Wawkn5CI/AAAAAAAAAcU/f33T1qxnwnE/s1600-h/9+20+01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SP_Wawkn5CI/AAAAAAAAAcU/f33T1qxnwnE/s400/9+20+01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260158644995482658" /></a><br />Fall is in full swing and the Baldwins are a family on the go! Zach has had his first field trip and our annual apple picking was a great success. There is nothing like watching your sons spend time together looking for the holy grail of apples. We had a ball at the apple orchard with the boys shooting apple guns, riding go carts, playing on farm equipment, and picking out the best pumpkin on the vine. <br /><br />Alex has been up to his old tricks this fall. He fell on a matchbox and we took a quick trip to the hospital so he could get five stitches near his eye. He was such a trooper though we were a little traumatized from the drugging and stitching. I am sure that this is only the beginning so I'm glad that we had an easy first child so we could ease into parenthood. Alex would really have been a shock to our symptoms if he was the oldest:)<br /><br />Our family enjoyed the Eastern European and Russian Culture Festival that our adoption group holds every year. We all played with friends, heard Russian stories, made cultural crafts (really, doesn't everyone want to make a dombra;) and spent time with family. It was a great day and was so nice to see so many children that share birth countries and common cultures.<br /><br />Toodles and have a wonderful weekend!Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-59098520216542685192008-09-10T18:49:00.004-05:002008-09-10T19:03:42.736-05:00September Days<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgLaT4VHI/AAAAAAAAAVw/i3q7RYUNQyw/s1600-h/9+10+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgLaT4VHI/AAAAAAAAAVw/i3q7RYUNQyw/s400/9+10+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244547515230475378" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgL9xCk5I/AAAAAAAAAV4/-3z53r4hvfU/s1600-h/9+10+03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgL9xCk5I/AAAAAAAAAV4/-3z53r4hvfU/s400/9+10+03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244547524748022674" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgMNfye9I/AAAAAAAAAWA/-caxkyobGrw/s1600-h/9+10+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgMNfye9I/AAAAAAAAAWA/-caxkyobGrw/s400/9+10+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244547528970632146" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgMftY8gI/AAAAAAAAAWI/VI0ExTvyknI/s1600-h/9+10+04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMhgMftY8gI/AAAAAAAAAWI/VI0ExTvyknI/s400/9+10+04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244547533859516930" /></a><br /><div>Here are the pics of Zach's first day of school. We always take a picture under the same tree and so far he has not turned "too cool" to do it:) He was wearing his new Giants jersey which has caused his father much pain and anguish. Alex was too adorable when I took these pics. He and I took a walk around the neighborhood and he was happy as a clam to walk like a big boy. Well the second picture shows how he looked before bedtime because we actually walked a 1/2 mile! It's amazing to see how much he has grown.</div>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13120705.post-10176938546608563792008-09-06T20:58:00.002-05:002008-09-06T21:15:26.405-05:00Summer Pics<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4xrMhRFI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Iy7J54Bt-D0/s1600-h/9+6+6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243096817249371218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4xrMhRFI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Iy7J54Bt-D0/s400/9+6+6.JPG" border="0" /></a> At the big game with Dad<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4xyHnuRI/AAAAAAAAAU4/BUtnhlLdUPY/s1600-h/9+6+8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243096819107870994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4xyHnuRI/AAAAAAAAAU4/BUtnhlLdUPY/s400/9+6+8.JPG" border="0" /></a> Peek a boo!</p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4yO1Ro-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/j_YNkJz4aag/s1600-h/9+6+9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243096826815554530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4yO1Ro-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/j_YNkJz4aag/s400/9+6+9.jpg" border="0" /></a> Surfin' USA</p><p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4yZzafxI/AAAAAAAAAVI/OqOTFMmpcRY/s1600-h/9+6+7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243096829760536338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PmRdGDLqWq8/SMM4yZzafxI/AAAAAAAAAVI/OqOTFMmpcRY/s400/9+6+7.JPG" border="0" /></a> Giving Alex a ride<br /></p>Don, Michelle, Zachary, and Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303910402534736121noreply@blogger.com1