Farewell Handsome Boy

Our family lost an old friend Friday. He wasn't living in our home anymore, but he still had a warm spot in all of our hearts.

In 2003 Emily and I adopted Gabriel. He was about 1 1/2 years old then. He was full of energy and Emily loved on him nonstop. Caleb was born and Gabe still fit right in, laying next to Caleb on his blankets on the floor and sticking his snout in the crib to sniff the baby smells.

Then Ben was born in 2005. Life became too busy for us to give Gabe the attention he needed, and it became clear that he deserved a better home. One where he would get walked more often and loved on like he needed.

About a year and a half ago Gabe moved out. He moved out and moved up. His new family treated him like royalty. We could not have asked for a better home for him where he would be loved and cared for. Unfortunately he got sick shortly after he moved out. His liver began to fail him, and that eventually took his life.

Emily wrote a poem for Gabe in 2003, and some of the lines from it are below (she did it with dog themed fridge magnets, so we don't have a copy anymore, but she remembered much of it).

Thanks for all the good memories Gabe. Backpacking, taking baths on the back deck, fetching every day after work, Emily putting banana stickers between your eyes, finishing off her yogurts, and many more. You won't be forgotten.





Faithful cuddle wag
Happy Lap sleeper
Wet-nosed lovely friend.
Growling always beg asks barks
Happy lap sleeper
Quiet snuggle hound

Black shed pal, Retrieves his stick (These were lines I added later, against Emily's wishes, but they were so true)

Boys Picture

Just a descent picture of both of the boys I thought I would share.

Stop Playing with Your Food

This guy is probably a big hit at parties. If you aren't impressed by that, check out his:

Carrot Pan Flute

Paprika Instrument

Mushroom Instrument

Carrot Instrument #2

And my favorite for its unique look - the Cucumber trumpet (Although the sound is a bit rough).

I'd like to see a duet between this guy and Keith on his nose flute.

Yo, Benjamin Raps

101 Impressions

Fancy Pants Game

This game is cool because of the flips and jumps that the guys does. I find using the S button to jump awkward for some reason. I'm not sure why, but it just doesn't come naturally.

Link

Chucky Cheese

The boys chose to go to Chucky Cheese as a reward for earning 8 marbles the other night (this system is working pretty well by the way). We had a blast. I had never taken them there (the boys had gone with their grandparents once). We had a coupon for 100 tokens for $15, so we played games like it was going out of style. Here are some pictures that one of the rides takes of you as you ride. Don't they look like they are enjoying themselves? We went right around dinner time, which worked out great. All the other kids were eating, and we didn't have to wait in line for the games. I'm not sure why it took us so long to discover Chucky Cheese.

Cousins

Some of the picture from Christmas day of the boys and all their cousins (except baby Analiese that is) If Caleb looks like he didn't want to be in the picture, well, that's pretty much the truth.

D-Day Video Creation Behind the Scenes

Messy Socks

On Christmas Eve at Emily's parent's house, Ben wanted to go play with his cousins outside so he asked his uncle Daniel (the nearest grown up) if he could run out and play. Daniel knew that wasn't a problem and said "sure buddy." Off Ben went, without his shoes on. About 10 minutes later Caleb informed us that Ben was playing in the mulch in his socks. What a mess. He didn't want to come in, so I had to carry him.

Later that day we caught him doing it again. This time he had gone out with shoes on, but took them off once he got to the playground. He's a rascal sometimes.

Tim Hawkins - A Homeschool Family

Ow, My Eyes

This site might give you a headache if you looked at it too long. Check it out, but don't linger.

Mountain Pictures

Two weekends ago we had the opportunity to visit Hillsville VA with some friends from college. It was great to see everyone. We were all childless for the weekend thanks to some generous grandparents. None us of knew what to do with ourselves with no kids to care for for a whole weekend. Here is a picture of us after we climbed up the steep mountain behind the cabin. For more pictures, check out Ben's collection here (Link). Once I get our pictures off our camera, I'll let you know.

Caleb and Tyler

Here is a picture from Caleb's preschool Christmas program. It is him and his buddy Ty. It was Ty's last day at preschool because his family moved up to girginia (as Caleb says it). They were like two old men and were inseparable in preschool. The good news is that Caleb seems to have found a new crowd of friends to run around with since class has been back in session. Kids bounce back pretty quick.

Tim Hawkins - Cletus Take the Reel

This is pretty funny. I haven't seen the original music video by Carrie Underwood, but I assume the tire swing plays a role in it.

Gingerbread House

Over the holidays the boys (and Emily) worked hard to decorate a gingerbread house. It was hard to keep Ben from eating all the candy, but the end product turned out great.

Name That Tune

Christmas Bopper

Ben thought it was hilarious that I drew a Christmas tree with a sharpee on his diaper for Christmas day. Maybe there's a market for this, themed diapers?!

Human Pong

The last of our series of human video games

Christmas Day Pictures

Christmas day was at my parent's house. The morning was filled with presents, and then the kids headed outside to play in the beautiful weather. They had a blast with all their cousins. Ben decided he wanted a scooter too.

Human Pole Position

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was at our house. Various small items in their stockings, including their superhero masks. They also enjoyed the marble course we had set up for them (yes we later moved it to the floor so the boys wouldn't have to stand on the table to play with it.) The big item them got from us for Christmas was their outdoor climbing dome. The boys have been climbing on doorknobs, stair rails, and anything else they can get their hands one, so we finally got them something to get their energy out on. They have loved it!

Human TETRIS

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was at Emily's parent's house. We were able to spend the whole day there and enjoy the family time. Look how patient the kids were being as they waited for their turn to open a present. Emily and I were impressed at how well they did waiting for their turn. Caleb and Ben look like twins in that third picture don't they?

Human SPACE INVADERS

Caleb's Christmas Program

Caleb was a cow in his Preschool Christmas program this year. He did great. He was a little shy about performing in front of the paparazzi of cameras though. When they got up on the stage, Caleb turned about 90 degrees so that you couldn't see his face. His teacher had to go face him back to the front. He knew all the songs and the hand motions. That is his buddy Tyler who is the cow next to him. I don't think they cared what they were, as long as they got to be the same thing.

Wheelbarrow Perfection

Who knew that wheelbarrow races needed to be improved. Who knew that something like this could be possible.

Happy New Year

Hope everyone has a happy new year!

Beards, Nuns, and Cards

Free furniture up for grabs

Let me know if you are interested in anything.

Bookcase

Chest of Drawers

Caleb's Puzzle

Caleb got a new puzzle with a bunch of superheroes on it. It's a cool puzzle, but I have no idea who half of the superheroes are. I told him to ask his uncle Daniel. It had 100 pieces, but he did it all by himself. He worked on it quietly for about 30 minutes. We were very impressed.

Roller Coasters around the World

Here is a cool picture and video collection of some of the best roller coasters around the world. It's been about 5 years since I've ridden a coaster, but this makes me want to travel back up to Busch Gardens and get on the Alpengeist (if it is still there?!). Check out the videos if you have time, but be warned that some of them are laced with language.