Shnelly's spot

more pics

2010-05-11T11:43:00.001-07:00

Nothing special about these pics., just playing with the new camera. I will read some of the book, get the filter, then play some more. Again, hopefully I will be better about my posts.

Old-New

2010-05-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

The first picture was taken with my Nikon Coolpix. I love that little camera for trips and keeping it handy but I wanted something better again. Now the second picture is with Nikon D5000 the color is so much better already even without a filter. I will buy the filter soon; I was just playing around yesterday. I will end up playing some more and hopefully will be better at posting things, especially now that summer is coming. Here's hoping! :-)

Halloween Preview

2009-10-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

My babies!

Frankie is my little "abeja" (bee)and Mara is ready to fly in the space shuttle!

Disney Trip

2009-10-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well, we went to Disney World again. We just couldn't pass up the great deal they are doing this year! We also went to Kennedy Space Center which Mara loved! Frankie was very crankie that day so we didn't get to do as much as we wanted. :-( Also, Mara spent her birthday at Epcot, her favorite park. While there that day we ate at the castle in Norway, which was the princess meal. We met Belle at the door then Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, and Arial all came to our table. So much fun! We love it there and can't wait to go back!!!

September Tennessee Trip

2009-10-23T10:17:00.001-07:00

Our trip to Tennesse was a lot of fun. It rained almost the whole time we were there so we did some indoor activities. We went to Ripley's Believe it or Not, Charokee Tribe, The Aquarium, and to a park in the Smokey Mountains. The cabin we stayed in was great, although we did have a honey bee problem. Mara actually was stung by one. This was her first bee sting and I think all in all she wasn't to "drama" about it. :-)

Frankie's Smile

2009-08-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got them! A couple of pics of Miss Frankie smiling! WooHoo! Maybe the days of being grumpy are starting to fade! (I say fade not gone b/c she is still somewhat grumpy during the day.) :)

Mara's Ears Pierced

2009-07-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

Mara got her ears pierced on Monday. I can't believe she did it! She is growing up way too fast! As for Francesca she is getting bigger and bigger! She is cooing and starting to smile. As soon as I can catch her with a smile I will get a picture of her and post it. For now I hope this one will do.

Update

2009-07-02T07:32:00.001-07:00

June was a very busy month. :) Ben got his Master Sergent strip put on, Francesca surprised us two weeks early, and we have had lots of family coming and going. So, since she is sleeping I will post a few pictures. Enjoy and hopefully, it won't be too long before I post some more! Hope you all are doing well!

Baby Shower

2009-05-10T19:06:00.001-07:00

I had two baby showers this month. One was at the home school cover group on Friday and the other was at Aunt Minnie's house on Saturday. I had a wonderful time at both but only have the pictures from Saturday. We got a ton of stuff from both showers! I have to say - We are truly blessed! I am 33 almost 34 weeks pregnant in this pic. I am with Kim and LaShunda two girls that I have know since I moved to Montgomery (the first time) back in '95. We use to work together way back in the day! :) And that same weekend Ben sprained his ankle (lower and upper). So, he is now on crutches and a boot. It is healing very nicely and should be ok by the time Little Frankie gets here. At least we hope!!! :)

April Update

2009-05-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, here we are again with me not updating like I should. We did quite a bit in April but all the pictures I got were Mara with other children (I don't want to put their pics up unless I have permission). So, here's a rundown of April:

1. Ben and I went to a Montgomery Biscuit Game (minor league baseball). So much fun but so cold! :)
2. Mara had an Easter party. Some friends and their parents came over and we ate way too much!
3. Mara took a field trip to Jasmine Hill Gardens with her cover school group. The group is all boys except an 18yr. old girl. At first she was ready to leave but ended up having a great time. She learned about Greek Mythology (Greek statues are all over the garden) and realized that playing with the boys isn't so bad. :)
4. Oak Mountain - we went back there and hiked a small trail. The incline was pretty steep (especial for being 32 weeks along) but I made it and we all had a blast!
5. Strawberry Picking - Mara and Kira went to a field and picked a gallon of strawberries. They were so yummy! We will probably go back this week and get more. :)

Francesca at 29 weeks

2009-04-01T10:01:00.001-07:00

Here are the latest pictures of Francesca (Frankie). She is 2 lbs 14 oz and doing great! In the first picture you can see that she does have hair. :) The second picture is of her profile.

Vulcan Park Birmingham, AL

2009-02-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to Vulcan Park up in Birmingham with our good friends Jim, Kelly and Kira. We had a really good time but it was windy and a little chilly. (for everyone but me who is still sick so it was cold) Anyway, the park (small but pretty) sits up on a small mountain and overlooks the city. We not only were able to see the city from the overlook but we were also able to go up the statue and look from there. Ben and Kira took the stairs down while the rest of us were too lazy and rode the elevator. :)

The park and museum are for the steel manufacturing that used to be done in Birmingham.

Picture of My Belly

2009-02-08T12:17:00.001-08:00

Finally, here is a picture of my belly. Ok, maybe I am not as HUGE as I thought I was.

Botanical Gardens Birmingham, AL

2009-02-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Back in January we went to the garden in Birmingham. There weren't a whole lot of flowers in bloom but it was a nice walk. As you can tell it was pretty warm here. Here are a couple of pictures.

Baby Girl #2

2009-01-27T17:44:00.001-08:00

Yes, we are having another girl! Yes, we are very excited! And NO we will not try again for a boy!;) So, here is picture of our little cutie! So far we have a very slim name list. Our favorite is either Ivy Francesca or Francesca Ivy. The Ivy because we like it and the Francesca because it's the female form of Francisco (my grandfather's name whose birthday is this one's due date). Hopefully, I will get a picture of me up here by tomorrow so everyone can see my ever growing belly!

December

2008-12-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

We have had a very busy but fun month of December!!! First, Grandma/Grandpa Durham came for a quick Christmas visit. I guess because it was so quick we didn't get any pics with them. :( Next my sister and her three kids came for a visit. Which was a blast! Between everyone playing, getting in trouble, and getting sick it went by too fast! Now our house is really quite without them. Then we had a nice Christmas together, then Christmas night was spent with my uncle and aunt here. The day after Christmas our good friend Mike came for a quick visit as well. (no pics again.) Then just yesterday (12/29) we went to Atlanta, GA for a quick, but much needed, visit to the Coke Factory. We had such a good time. But Ben said that we can't go back to it until someone comes to visit. So, please everyone plan another trip back! :) Click on the slideshow and it will tell what's going on in each picture.

Finally!

2008-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

I am finally updating my blog spot. Sorry, it has been so long! Here are just four pictures of things that have been going on since my last update. First, is Mara at Calloway Garden(her grandparents (Silver) were here and it was her birthday). The second, is her on the velcro wall, at a fall festival, she had a blast on that thing!! Then last two are of her and Molly, her American Girl doll, in their matching pj's and dresses that her Grandma Lindsay made them.

I will try and be better about posting!!

New Addition

2008-07-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have a new addition to our ever growing family! Our new little one is named Tybalt. He is so cute and so full of energy! Lucy was not to happy with him at first (honestly she was terrified) but they are best buds now. As for Mara she loves him! Mara still doesn't want either Lucy or Tybalt in her room, though. Big surprise!

We also inherited two fish, from our friends that just moved out of Montgomery. We are down to one fish now because one ate the other. We are not any good at keeping fish or plants. :(

Oak Mountain

2008-05-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

We went to Oak Mountain yesterday. It was such a beautiful day we couldn't stay indoors. We got there and hiked up the mountain 2.2 miles - it was so steep in places but so worth it! Then of course, we hiked down 2.2 miles and yes, I fell, on a rock. Mara, however, did great! She got tired but we stopped, had a snack, rested then back down we went. She had such a great attitude even when her legs hurt she said she was having a wonderful time! I can't believe it! Maybe she has a little adventure in her yet! Then we checked out the rehabilation center. Then to the petting zoo. The baby goats where her favorite, even though one of them tried to eat her shoelace.

Dance Recital

2008-05-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

Mara had her first dance recital today. She had lots of fun and did a great job. They danced to three songs, "It's a Wonderful World", "Who Said" and "Rock Around Clock". It was a very long recital but very cute!

DISNEY

2008-05-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

We went to Disney World a couple of weeks ago, with Mike and Nate. We had a blast!!! We also went to Sea World, not to may pics there, though. Then we went to Tampa to see a different Mike for his birthday.

Mara Baptized

2008-05-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

Mara was baptized on Sunday, April 27th. I have been trying to upload the video but I am not that "computer smart". So, you will just have to see the pictures and come to over to see the video. :)

Mara was baptized by her dad, as you can see. It was great to see her take this step and that her dad was the one to be there with her!

I also want to say a special Thank You to all of Mara's present and past - Sunday School teachers, AWANA leaders, Nursery Workers, Pastors, Friends, Family, Everyone who has influenced her life! She made this decision not only by our leadership but yours as well! THANK YOU!!!

Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T17:18:00.000-08:00

Mara had a great day today! It started out with a super fun class of quilting. Then she went to her very first roller skating party. Then off to Ballet class. She got lots of cards and candy from her friends. Hope you all had a great V'day too!

SNOW

2008-01-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, it snowed today! We were all so very excited! I am sad to say - it is all gone now. There are a few patches of snow left and lots of puddles. Lucy won't even go out right now, I think it's too cold.

Christmas and cookies

2008-01-08T12:52:00.001-08:00

We had a great Christmas, as you can tell, Mara had a wonderful Christmas! We also had a lot of fun making some yummy sugar cookies. It was a little harder than expected but they still tasted so good! :) Plus, Mara played, and sang, for the assisted living home here, for Christmas! She did such a great job!

2007-11-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

Some pics from Halloween. Then going to the Tennessee football game! I had a great time!

Pumpkin Patch & Helicopter Ride

2007-10-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch Saturday and had a great time. One of the highlights was, Ben and Mara, were able to take a ride in a helicopter. Which was fun but a little too loud. :)

7 today

2007-10-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

Our baby girl turned seven today. Ben was able to take the day off so, we went to the zoo, then home for cake and ice cream, with Minnie and Rob, then Wednesday night church. Great day! Ok some pics need explaining... the tombstone was a part of the zoo boo they are getting ready for this weekend, and yes, I forgot to buy candles, usually we have them but we just moved and they don't move that stuff...err.

HELP!!!

2007-09-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Help us decided which, if any, of these pictures is good enough for her 7 year picture. Yes, I know she can't already be 7!!!

Leave a comment here or email me!
Thanks!

Texas Trip

2007-09-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago on Sept 8th, my grandfather (more like my father) passed away. So, on Sept. 8, 2007 we went back to Texas to remember him. It was not as "doom and gloom" as it sounds. We actually had a great time together, just the way he would have wanted it to be!

While we were there we did go to the cemetery (put in some benches), we went on a couple of great field trips (mom's work -surgery & wildlife refuge), and spent some fun times with my family!

First Day of Dance Class

2007-08-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Mara had her first day of dance class today. She loves it!

The class is an hour long and they learn a little ballet, tap and gymnastics. She needs lots of practice on her flips. Honestly, I am just glad Tonya got her to try it.

Ben's mini world

2007-06-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ben finally got his mini!

The other day my friends truck broke down so I took her to the dealer, when we got there I saw Ben's car. The exact one that he has wanted forever! I called Ben but he was in class. Well to make a long story short. He was able to get out of class, go down to the dealer, and test drive! He loved it with only two exceptions; 1)it is a stick shift, not automatic, and 2)it has a sunroof! But the price was right, only because of much, much negotiation, so he is now the proud owner of a 2003 Mini Cooper S. The car is so much fun to drive and Ben does fit in it, honestly we all fit in it! You have two weeks to come take a ride along the Gulf Coast or you will just have to enjoy a ride at our next base.

Invasion of the Ducks

2007-06-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

The other day Mara comes running out of her room screaming to us "Hurry come quick!" Out her bedroom window was a family of ducks. So, out the door we went to feed them. Since then we have been watching them from the window and when we take Lucy out. I desperatly want to pick one up and cuddle it but I know better, mom and dad duck are pretty scary!

Rob's retirement

2007-06-27T19:33:00.001-07:00

(If you click on the slide-show it will activate the titles for each picture.)

Rob retired June 6th, so we went up to celebrate with him (and get some stuff done at the house). This was the first time Mara met Mr. Tate and Ed. They, of course, loved her! Although, maybe Mr. Tate loved Lucy more. :) While there we went downtown but most of the places where closed. However, the Rosa Parks museum was open so we were able to take that tour. Very good tour, a must see if ever there!