Boston Tip 2010

Tyler, Jackson and I just got back from our annual Boston trip and the Brain Tumor Ride for Research.  This was Jackson's first year riding with us.  He really loved the trip, the ride and seeing all the great sites in Boston.  We were also able to see Rick while we were there.  He came in from New York to spend the weekend with us and help with the Ride.  Tyler and Jackson did a great job raising money and also showed some serious bike skills.  Jackson rode a tandem with me - it was fun being able to hang out and have a buddy to talk to along the way.

Tyler, Jackson and me before the ride.

Rick, Tyler and Adrie before the ride.

Our stop at Walden Pond.

Our annual stop at "Author's Row" Cemetery. 

At the site of Ralph Waldo Emerson's grave.

Tyler's Poem For School

Tyler completed another book for school and was required to develop a "project" to illustrate what the book was about.  The book is called "The Devil's Arithmetic."  Thought I would share with you and I hope you enjoy her creativity as much as we do!

I will never forget

I will never forget

The nightmare.

The worst kind of nightmare.

The kind that is real.

There are times

When people want to erase this terror from history.

But they can’t.

Its effect has left an indelible scar on the earth and its people.

I can’t forget

Since I was one,

Who was stripped of my possessions

And shoved inside a boxcar at gun point.

I wish to forget

How we were forced to stand for days,

In an unbearable stench

As they hauled us cross country like cattle.

I want to forget

The concentration camp.

The death camp.

Kept like an animal until the end.

It is impossible to forget

The blue numbers and letters,

Branded on my arm and seared in my mind.

Forever permanent.

I can’t seem to forget

The sunken cheeks,

The walking skeletons.

Pale faces racked with grief.

I won’t forget the people.

The families separated,

And the loved ones lost,

Because they were worked to death and murdered.

Sometimes I want to forget

The fear, the torture, the death,

But nightmares of the past are important to remember

To ensure they never happen again.

By: Tyler Prince

Paris in Heidi's/Kim's/Grammie's Coat

The coat Paris is wearing in the picture dates back to approximately 1966.  It was originally made by Paris's "Grammie" for Heidi's oldest sister, Kim when she was 4 years old. It was passed down Heidi when she was about 4.

What is even more interesting is the material came from a coat that Grammie used to wear when she was first married.  She cut her coat up and made a coat for Kim for Easter Sunday.

When something is that old, is it considered an antique or do we simply label it an "heirloom?"

Some Ohio Snow!

Ok, so it's not the Baltimore/Washington, NYC, Philly section of the country, but we have had our fair share of snow and cold weather here too in central Ohio!  The last 3 storms to hit us has produced somewhere in the neighborhood of 31-35 inches of snow.  I heard on the news a couple of nights ago this is the 2nd "snowiest" February in recorded history in Ohio.  We still have 10 days to go with another storm possibly hitting us Monday or Tuesday. 

The kids have had fun in it - I think Jackson could stay out all day if we left him.  The most impressive part of all this snow has been the enormous icicles that have formed off houses, buildings, etc.  Jackson and I took the missionaries home the other night and stopped on the way home because he was itching to try and find a "big" one.  Well, we found one and took it home with us.  We were in the Expedition and had to put it long ways into the back to get it home.

The snow blower has come in handy so far this season.  I think I would be in a world of hurt if I didn't have it.  I am lucky that Jackson is always willing to help out and shovel as well.  He is earning his keep and even goes to the neighbor's house and shovels her driveway to be helpful.

We went sledding down a relatively small hill a couple of Saturdays ago.  Kids had fun running up and down the hill.  Paris was trying to get the hang of it on her small little sled she was trying to ride.  Tyler was getting into the fun and flying down the hill pretty good.  I think Jackson got a little bored with riding on his stomach so he decided to ride down standing on one of the sleds.

Paris and Her "B's"

We took these on New Year's Eve, trying to convince Paris to say goodbye to her beloved "B's." Heidi even decorated one that we would keep as a Christmas ornament to be used every year. As you can see, she had A LOT of them! She even decorated a mini Christmas tree with them. The "B" fairy came and took most of them...but unfortunately was not able to get ALL of them. The decorated one found its way back into her mouth and over the course of a few days, 2 more mysterisouly appeared. Yes, Paris is a functioning "B-aholic." We thought we had her on the wagon, but she seemed to find a quick way off of it.

December 27th Snow

We almost had the "White Christmas" we were hoping for! Oma, who spent Christmas with us, was thrilled to see it even though it didn't quite get here on Christmas day! This was taken at night. It is amazing how light things look with the reflection off the white.

Christmas 2009

Just a few memories from Christmas this year! The kids had lots of fun. We had lots of fun. And it was great having our Oma with us this year from Florida! Jackson was happy that "Lucky", his elf, came to visit us again this year (you can see Lucky in the picture with the kids on the stairs). Yeah, he is 1st cousins with the elf from the original Rudolph movie....


Christmas Morning still untouched by kiddies!

Christmas Morning - patiently waiting!

One more photo op!

Paris and her new Build-a-Bear

Jackson with his new BYU hat and Ohio State Mascot - Brutus. He was also a Build-a-Bear dude.

Tyler and her new stylish backpack.

Oma with her huge jar of Nutella!