Knit one, purl one, knit two, purl two.......

I would love to learn how to knit. A few months ago, I bought a book to teach myself how to knit. I figured out how to cast on and I knitted a few rows but I haven't spent the time and effort to make something. I have spent time on the internet looking at blogs and I stumbled across a blog that was offering a monthly knitting project. So I downloaded the pattern and sent a quick email to my Grandma Miller with the pattern attached. I think she got the hint and headed straight to the knitting store to get some chuncky alpaca yarn!!! And in less than a week, I have this!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Gran!!!!!!

Red Ribbon Week

EHS is celebrating Red Ribbon week! Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug free life. Aubrey's school is having a different theme each day and today is pajama day. Aubrey is wearing a nightgown and eye mask borrowed from her Grandma Taylor :) I think she looks GREAT!! And what a fun way to participate in Red Ribbon week!

Pizza and Puzzles

In June of 2009, Shaun's step-dad had a severe stoke that paralized him on his right side and severely impaired his speech. After a few touch and go weeks back in June, Kenny has made significant improvement while living at the Spring Creek Rehabilitation Center. Tonight I decided to order in pizza at the Rehab Center and have our own little pizza party with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor. When we arrived Grandpa T was in his room sitting in his wheel chair!!! What an awesome thing to see since just a month ago it was a real struggle for him to sit up. He even wheeled himself to the table with a small amount of assistance from Logan. I had such a great time eating delicious LaRosa's pizza and chatting with my kids and in-laws. Of course Elinor had to find something to keep her occupied while the adults had grown up talking time....so she found a puzzle. Grandma T, Elinor, Logan, and I had a fun time getting this Disney puzzle put together. Of course ONE PIECE was missing!!! But we had a fun time talking and laughing together! One other really good thing happened during our visit too. While the nurse was checking Grandpa T's blood sugar, she touched his right arm and he felt pain! You wouldn't really think that pain would be a good thing, but it means that he has some feeling back in his right arm. How awesome is that??? It was fun to be a part of a happy moment at Spring Creek.

15 1/2 years old ~ Aubrey has a driving permit

Today was another milestone day here at the Russell household. On Sunday August 16, 2009, Aubrey turned 15 1/2. Shaun picked Aubrey up from school and took her to take the test this morning and ...........she PASSED!!!! Holy Cow......how did time fly....how can I really have a child that can drive?????????? Oh my. So for the next 6 months she will be learning to drive in the oh so cool mini van and the big truck. We are hoping to find a small used car in the next 6 -12 months for the kids to use. Please pray for an extra dose of patience for me (and Aubrey too) as we complete the mandatory 50 hours of driving together.

Well, today is the first day of school. The kids could barly get out of bed since they are still on their summer schedule of staying up late and sleeping in. I am sure they will be tired tonight and hopefully **crossing finges** that they will get to bed at a much more reasonable time. The bus came to pick them up at 6:27 am and by 6:35 am Logan had called me to see if I could bring his trumpet to school. I'm thinking of implementing a fee to charge the kids if they need me to bring something to school. Anyone have any good ideas for that?? Elinor will go to Kindergarten testing this afternoon at 2:30 pm and then her first day will be Friday! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post of that event too!!! I'm having fun playing on Photobucket with my pictures and hopefully I'll figure out how to do more than just post slideshows!!!

Shaun's 37th Birthday

Today was a fun, fun, ending to a fun, fun weekend!!! Aubrey had to pick up her "college" books at Miami Hamilton Campus, Elinor had "Meet the Teacher" night, and we topped the day off with a birthday celebration for Shaun. We served iced brownies with ice cream and toppings!!! YUM YUM!! Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Our First Blog Entry

Wow! Tonight was a BIG night for the Russell family.....we set our Blog up, and now here is our first entry. I'm hoping to learn more about the blog world and keep this site up to date throughout 2009! That's my New Year's resolution for 2009.....I might be behind on Christmas cards, shopping, cleaning, wrapping, and laundry, but I have a blog!!!! Thanks to Logan for helping me with the playlist and the background. Didn't he do a great job? Are kids born knowing how to do this stuff now? Anyway, I hope that you'll subscribe to this blog so that you can keep up with us throughout the year.

Love,
Kayla