Mardi Gras

This is a picture from Miss Ashley's annual Mardi Gras bash. Caleb is showing you his glow stick bracelet.

Lost Season 4 Premiere Party

On January 31st we had our Lost Season 4 Premiere Party. We went all out this year (we don't usually decorate like this for a TV show. We had a great time though, and the episode did not disappoint us.

Is the Earth Growing

While I wouldn't agree with many of the assumptions of this man's worldview, his theory is interesting. I'm curious where he things all the water in the oceans came from. Since he's clearly not a creationist, it had to come from somewhere. What do you think?

Candles Art

E.R. discovers the flaw of post-modernisem

Apparently I turned off ER a few episodes too soon. Emily and I gave up on it last season. This clip is surprisingly powerful and real though and reminds me of the desperation we should all have for forgiveness.

Violinist

I bet this was a great concert.

Stimulus Plan

I was reading up on this for work and thought I might share the details in layman's terms (as best I can).

• If you are married and you had at least 1,200 in tax liability (form 1040, line 44), then you get a 1,200 rebate.
• If you have less than 1,200 in tax liability, then you get a refund of the tax amount, with a minimum of 600 for married people (300 minimum for singles).
• You have to have at least 3,000 in earned income or social security income.
• Even if you don't normally file a tax return because you don't owe taxes (i.e. your only income is social security), you need to file a return this year to get on the IRS rebate list.
• You get an additional $300 for each kid that also qualifies for the child tax credit (with no limit as far as I can see)
• That means $1,800 for us!!!
  
• Payments start going out in May and continue through the summer.
• I would recommend filing on time and not filing an extension this year. It will likely delay your rebate.
• Here's a nifty calculator I found:

• More Info
  

Ultrasound - Baby #3

For those who haven't heard, Emily is pregnant!
We had our first ultrasound for baby number 3 today. The baby is healthy and about 10.5 weeks old. Our due date is Sept. 6th.

Updated Articles

Even though I'm not posting much, I am still linking to "interesting things I've read lately" on the far right column (in case you are interested).

Frozen Grand Central

Cubicle Prank

Rhett and Link - American Idol

This is great, especially if you watch the show. Be sure to watch past the clip they show to where they actually do their own song.

Excit Game

Here's another time wasting game for you. It is very simple to understand, but sometimes requires a few tries before you figure out the right pattern to the finish line. Enjoy.

Excit Game

Bible - God's Perspective

These pictures were done as if you were looking at the Bible with Google Earth maps. Check them out.

Explosive Skating

This is a little long, but stick with it. At the very least watch the last sequence from about 4:15 on.

Mountain Pictures

Better late than never. I finally downloaded the pictures from our trip to the VA mountains. I'm trying the web album slide show option since there are so many. Hope this works ok.

A Piece of the Rock

This is an odd marketing scheme and gift. I wonder if you could build on your land? Maybe a small birdhouse? Maybe you could be buried in Israel (vertically since it is only 1X1). I wonder if your deed carries over into the new Jerusalem and New Earth as well?

LOST - The Synchronizing

This is really cool. It will get you excited about the season premiere on Thursday!

Warning, if you aren't caught up on your lost then this will spoil you.

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