tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83767490495110373422024-03-13T23:08:53.446-07:00Russell Family AdventuresMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-41685775384841459632011-01-17T11:58:00.001-08:002011-01-17T12:06:05.045-08:00<div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TTSf4VD8ViI/AAAAAAAAAPA/QDeGfSfFUB8/s1600/aid%2Band%2Bsteve%2Bhockey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563247229784577570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TTSf4VD8ViI/AAAAAAAAAPA/QDeGfSfFUB8/s320/aid%2Band%2Bsteve%2Bhockey.jpg" /></a><br />Steve took Aiden to a Steelheads hockey game with some friends. They had a box and Aiden got the to hear about all the positions and get the blow by blow from our pro Cal. :) Steve said he was on cloud nine all night and felt so special.....no brother to have to share the spot light with. He and a friend even made it on to the jumbo screen!!! Ashton and I had some special time too. We went out to dinner and a movie. He thought that was pretty cool too!<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-86192769070882667862010-12-28T11:01:00.001-08:002010-12-28T11:09:31.410-08:00We had a ball on Christmas Eve!!! We had 26 people this year...the usually bunch and we add a few extras. Here is our traditional P.J.'s pic with the deMarini and Russell kids. We have done this for the past 4 years....If I get me act together...I will post all the pictures in one post! More pictures of the night to follow!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TRo0YgWfWSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/ctAHwRJ3EBU/s1600/kids%2Bpjs%2Bxmas%2Beve%2B2010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TRo0YgWfWSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/ctAHwRJ3EBU/s320/kids%2Bpjs%2Bxmas%2Beve%2B2010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555810685920696610" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-69835822680779790192010-12-06T15:21:00.000-08:002010-12-06T15:26:05.667-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TP1wO5hbeGI/AAAAAAAAAOs/oI7I7dAD88s/s1600/ash%2Bbsu%2Bgame.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547713717251831906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TP1wO5hbeGI/AAAAAAAAAOs/oI7I7dAD88s/s320/ash%2Bbsu%2Bgame.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TP1wOWHuTnI/AAAAAAAAAOk/e2xXlA13ifY/s1600/aiden%2Bat%2Bbsu.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547713707748773490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TP1wOWHuTnI/AAAAAAAAAOk/e2xXlA13ifY/s320/aiden%2Bat%2Bbsu.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We finally made it to a BSU game....the very last one...but at least we made it! The Bronco's won and we all had a great time! Here are a few pics of the boys and their new hats.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-33920463786265896372010-12-02T12:11:00.000-08:002010-12-02T12:23:07.710-08:00thank you notesSo.....just throwing this out there; has the art of writing thank you notes completely gone out the window? I was raised to show appreciation for the thoughtfulness of others and do so by writing THANK YOU NOTES for gifts and placing them in the mail. I am raising my boys to do this as well. I know that I'm not the only one that still does this because I have received some very nice ones from friends and family, but is this no longer etiquette? I'd even be happy getting a THANK YOU email. I think it's just a classy thing to do! I know we are all busy...but come on people!!<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-25566858142086664902010-11-30T16:56:00.000-08:002010-11-30T16:57:27.430-08:00<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWdcgxfwNI/AAAAAAAAANM/0xOMayZhUJk/s1600/IMG_5114%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWdcgxfwNI/AAAAAAAAANM/0xOMayZhUJk/s320/IMG_5114%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWddNYMIYI/AAAAAAAAANU/DG2TJPwvg2w/s1600/IMG_5115_1.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWddNYMIYI/AAAAAAAAANU/DG2TJPwvg2w/s320/IMG_5115_1.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWddWTTzqI/AAAAAAAAANc/VSAVYsXn4W8/s1600/IMG_5118_1.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWddWTTzqI/AAAAAAAAANc/VSAVYsXn4W8/s320/IMG_5118_1.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWddpQGsZI/AAAAAAAAANk/JxRo7MjTiuA/s1600/IMG_5129.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/TPWddpQGsZI/AAAAAAAAANk/JxRo7MjTiuA/s320/IMG_5129.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-12168630312134034142010-01-09T14:09:00.000-08:002010-01-09T14:12:17.525-08:00Thank you!Wow! This blogging thing really works!!! Thank you all for some great advice and resources that you left on here or emailed me with. This is opening a whole new world for me.....what a help.<br />thank you thank you thank you ;)<br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-61325618735806014252010-01-07T10:58:00.000-08:002010-01-07T11:06:25.139-08:00Adoption bluesSo time marches on and still no great news to share. I find myself in a place I really never thought I'd be at again. Lots of feelings coming to the surface that existed back when we were struggling to conceive our boys. However this time they are accompanied by a splash of guilt being that I know how lucky I am to have two happy healthy beautiful boys. Is it too much to ask for just one more happy healthy beautiful face to call my own? Am I selfish for wanting more? Why is it that some things come so easy for some and such a struggle for others? I'm still so new with this blogging thing, but wish I knew how to use it to reach out to others who are in my same boat. Can you help?<br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-55352662142595626522009-11-09T16:56:00.000-08:002009-11-09T19:24:43.472-08:00Southern California trip 09<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMHc5IZMI/AAAAAAAAAMs/rXpl0TUMd6w/s1600-h/img_0115.jpg.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMG433VxI/AAAAAAAAAMk/G1pC7jtdsrs/s1600-h/img_0115.jpg.jpg"></a><br /><div align="left">Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Southern California. We made the trip down for our niece's first birthday. The boys and I stayed down at the beach for almost two weeks. I think the pictures say it all!<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMGri3ApI/AAAAAAAAAMc/TRgJ3wbSIW4/s1600-h/img_0089.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402292168171127442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMGri3ApI/AAAAAAAAAMc/TRgJ3wbSIW4/s320/img_0089.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> I love this pic of the boys....Aiden's sweet sensitive face pondering the moment and Ashton's ever big smile ready for anything. Mommy loves her boys!!!</div><br /><div align="center">(Possible Christmas card pic. What do you think?)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMGepCkoI/AAAAAAAAAMU/qzyBkL3Q44w/s1600-h/img_0078.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402292164707390082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMGepCkoI/AAAAAAAAAMU/qzyBkL3Q44w/s320/img_0078.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite picture of the trip. This is the life guard tower right out in front of Steve's parents house. We kissed for the very first time right here. ;) Ten years later we are back with our beautiful boys!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMF6nj_MI/AAAAAAAAAMM/YF2sL5ra0oU/s1600-h/img_0050.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402292155037514946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjMF6nj_MI/AAAAAAAAAMM/YF2sL5ra0oU/s320/img_0050.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Long Beach Aquarium<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKt93LBzI/AAAAAAAAAME/3-U98wsPJ2M/s1600-h/img_0048.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402290644079806258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKt93LBzI/AAAAAAAAAME/3-U98wsPJ2M/s320/img_0048.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jaws!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKtlpqfNI/AAAAAAAAAL8/P8qB4BrMfzY/s1600-h/img_0045.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402290637580696786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKtlpqfNI/AAAAAAAAAL8/P8qB4BrMfzY/s320/img_0045.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKtCbSa1I/AAAAAAAAAL0/3CIZXpXw1nQ/s1600-h/img_0043.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402290628125158226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKtCbSa1I/AAAAAAAAAL0/3CIZXpXw1nQ/s320/img_0043.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The jaws of life<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKs_pWJTI/AAAAAAAAALs/DFxoWw1oBSs/s1600-h/img_0033.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402290627378816306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKs_pWJTI/AAAAAAAAALs/DFxoWw1oBSs/s320/img_0033.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Boys looking down into the cabin of grandpa's boat<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKsfrQbwI/AAAAAAAAALk/EVhBIu4d9s4/s1600-h/img_0030.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402290618796896002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjKsfrQbwI/AAAAAAAAALk/EVhBIu4d9s4/s320/img_0030.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My new friends from New Orleans, Joe and Terry</div><br /><div align="center">They are my two favorite things: Southern AND Italian ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEvfGmFPI/AAAAAAAAALc/Ikt5CihMVXw/s1600-h/img_0027.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402284073112966386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEvfGmFPI/AAAAAAAAALc/Ikt5CihMVXw/s320/img_0027.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> Newport harbor<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEvPcIZQI/AAAAAAAAALU/TscUdXmMotw/s1600-h/img_0024.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402284068908328194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEvPcIZQI/AAAAAAAAALU/TscUdXmMotw/s320/img_0024.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Grandma and the boys</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEunaq_vI/AAAAAAAAALM/Z-vGQoWRYrk/s1600-h/img_0018.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402284058164788978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEunaq_vI/AAAAAAAAALM/Z-vGQoWRYrk/s320/img_0018.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Mommy and her boys<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEuE6BunI/AAAAAAAAALE/Ajho5Re7z74/s1600-h/img_0007.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402284048901061234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEuE6BunI/AAAAAAAAALE/Ajho5Re7z74/s320/img_0007.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Aiden hanging on the sails giving mommy a heart attack<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEtmjfY1I/AAAAAAAAAK8/V7siYXQfCOo/s1600-h/img_0010.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402284040753472338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjEtmjfY1I/AAAAAAAAAK8/V7siYXQfCOo/s320/img_0010.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />King of the World!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCRl3wDnI/AAAAAAAAAK0/xhSpAzkC_w4/s1600-h/img_9985.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402281360510422642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCRl3wDnI/AAAAAAAAAK0/xhSpAzkC_w4/s320/img_9985.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> We got to see some sea lions up close.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCRbQmtVI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_3-z4WMBO9s/s1600-h/img_9979.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402281357661877586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCRbQmtVI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_3-z4WMBO9s/s320/img_9979.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> Aiden and Grandma Barb driving the sail boat.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCQyVDu6I/AAAAAAAAAKk/6KL8zXHzHnc/s1600-h/img_9963.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402281346674703266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCQyVDu6I/AAAAAAAAAKk/6KL8zXHzHnc/s320/img_9963.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kites on the beach<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCQnIK6QI/AAAAAAAAAKc/oJntU0eliTI/s1600-h/img_9957.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402281343667857666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCQnIK6QI/AAAAAAAAAKc/oJntU0eliTI/s320/img_9957.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><div><br /><div align="center">Grandma Barb got the boys the coolest kites. The went up so easily.<br />They had a blast flying them on the beach. Perfect weather to fly a kite.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCQE2rYCI/AAAAAAAAAKU/b2XNhnVnBSc/s1600-h/img_9928.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402281334467682338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjCQE2rYCI/AAAAAAAAAKU/b2XNhnVnBSc/s320/img_9928.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The three cousins in their matching Halloween p.j's.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Don't you think Chloe looks like Boo from Monster's Ink?!?<br /><br />She is the cutest and sweetest little girl ever and I'm so glad I get to be her Auntie M!<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAvMyRc1I/AAAAAAAAAKM/e9DoDZckaMc/s1600-h/img_9888.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402279670149378898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAvMyRc1I/AAAAAAAAAKM/e9DoDZckaMc/s320/img_9888.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ash pushing his cousin Chloe in her wagon</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAu4zxSbI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xlDgb4pHEDE/s1600-h/img_9887.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402279664786950578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAu4zxSbI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xlDgb4pHEDE/s320/img_9887.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Auntie Kirsten loving Aiden<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAuTfHd1I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/41RKrhp2Wy4/s1600-h/img_9878.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402279654768211794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAuTfHd1I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/41RKrhp2Wy4/s320/img_9878.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The boys in the "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" show<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAuB-5NsI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/X0XsEcrdnsw/s1600-h/img_9865.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402279650069657282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAuB-5NsI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/X0XsEcrdnsw/s320/img_9865.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Aiden laughing way to much on the tea cups!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAtlC2hNI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Adac2xiKI3c/s1600-h/img_9860.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402279642301629650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SvjAtlC2hNI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Adac2xiKI3c/s320/img_9860.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I had to add this one of Steve...he hates the teacups but sucked it up for his boys!<br /></div><br /><div>He's a great dad!!!!</div><br /><br /><div>xo<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_YCSxBsI/AAAAAAAAAJk/EfkxMKj6GtI/s1600-h/img_9857.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402278172684256962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_YCSxBsI/AAAAAAAAAJk/EfkxMKj6GtI/s320/img_9857.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> Full speed ahead!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_XgXOndI/AAAAAAAAAJc/T9QI6QMfb4c/s1600-h/img_9859.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402278163576167890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_XgXOndI/AAAAAAAAAJc/T9QI6QMfb4c/s320/img_9859.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ashton loved it too<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_Xa-wL9I/AAAAAAAAAJU/C2hQcpd7O9I/s1600-h/img_9847.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402278162131333074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_Xa-wL9I/AAAAAAAAAJU/C2hQcpd7O9I/s320/img_9847.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Carousel<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_W5oUCqI/AAAAAAAAAJM/iXHJQI4Z1hw/s1600-h/img_9818.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402278153178843810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_W5oUCqI/AAAAAAAAAJM/iXHJQI4Z1hw/s320/img_9818.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Meeting Mickey!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_Wam1PII/AAAAAAAAAJE/R_eGiRQZF5U/s1600-h/img_9825.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402278144851131522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Svi_Wam1PII/AAAAAAAAAJE/R_eGiRQZF5U/s320/img_9825.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pirates of the Caribbean....boys liked but decided they did not want to go again!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="left"><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /></p><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-53552677802888371162009-11-02T15:41:00.000-08:002009-11-09T13:39:33.773-08:00Happy Halloween<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">We were the vampire family....bats and all! This year we went down to our friend's house for a spooky dinner, scary drinks, and yummy dessert. Jaimee went all out!!! You'll have to check out her blog for more pictures. (The one of us I stole off her blog......I'm so bad at uploading pics). We all had to dress up. Those of you that know me know how much I love Halloween so this was a real treat. After a great dinner we all headed out for trick or treating. The boys had so much fun with their friends and so did Steve and I! Thanks Jaimee and Ted for a fun Halloween Night!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Su9ukwnXkBI/AAAAAAAAAIU/eqcfX0nQ504/s1600-h/Vampirefamily.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399656056044883986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Su9ukwnXkBI/AAAAAAAAAIU/eqcfX0nQ504/s320/Vampirefamily.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-87749319828450954562009-08-05T14:05:00.000-07:002009-08-05T14:17:14.339-07:00CampingWe went on our very first camping trip this past weekend. Oh Boy was it fun!!!! We went up with two other couples. Between the three of us we had 7 boys and a baby girl, two tents and a motor home. Guess who got to sleep in the unit?!?!? That's right us girls. The boys, including the big ones, loved sleeping in the great outdoors. We had a great spot right on Cascade Lake. Our site was just steps away from the beach. The kids (well and us adult too) soaked up the sun and swam in the lake. It was our friend's b-day on Sunday so her husband surprised her and rented a boat for the weekend. What a great time that was. Steve was in heaven...water skiing and wake boarding. The kids (except mine) loved being pulled in the donut....well, I can't blame mine. Ash and I tried it and we both chickened out....maybe next time. Aiden fell fast asleep on the boat.....That's my boy! I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I can't wait to do it again. I'll post pics soon.<br />We are leaving Friday for Colleen's wedding and then a week in Fresno. I'll have a lot to report so stay tuned!<br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-86555946913206912112009-07-16T11:02:00.000-07:002009-07-16T11:25:49.869-07:00UpdateWe met with our agency coordinator this morning to go over our progress or lack there of. I'm getting a little anxious about things moving so slow. But, we both know that things happen in perfect timing regardless of what we want or do. After much thought and soul searcher, we have decided to open our parameters to include a biracial baby. I think Steve and I have been so concerned about what life in Idaho would be like for her. Let's face it, not an extreme amount of diversity here in Eagle. As time has gone by however, our eyes have been opened and see things differently. We have a great amount of support here of friends and family who are just waiting to love our new baby and our agency can put us in contact with many families who have similar make up so our daughter will be exposed to people of her own race. We are so excited to get things moving along and meet the new member of our family!!!!! I hope to post some news soon.<br />Other exciting news....Aiden and Ashton are going to be in my friend Colleen's wedding in August! Colleen and I have know each other since the 1st grade!!! I'm so excited for her and can't wait for the big day August 8th.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sl9rj0IGCmI/AAAAAAAAAIM/C9KapFlBb4I/s1600-h/Aiden+and+Ashton+June+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359120344626367074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sl9rj0IGCmI/AAAAAAAAAIM/C9KapFlBb4I/s320/Aiden+and+Ashton+June+09.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a></p>Aiden and Ashton on our way to Oregon. The truth is we <p align="center">had just pulled off the road so they could pee right here! :)<br /></p><br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-61619656484549591012009-06-09T09:43:00.000-07:002009-06-09T20:44:55.330-07:00More Birthday Blog<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6dy6yuOyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/HVVnerXOVkU/s1600-h/img_8269.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345383305836378914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6dy6yuOyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/HVVnerXOVkU/s320/img_8269.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Ashton blowing out his candle.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X3jUa3_I/AAAAAAAAAH8/sky1awWSRtc/s1600-h/img_8261.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345376788364845042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X3jUa3_I/AAAAAAAAAH8/sky1awWSRtc/s320/img_8261.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Aiden blowing out his candle.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345376782825837058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X3Or0UgI/AAAAAAAAAH0/llur54ebL78/s320/img_8253.jpg.jpg" border="0" /><br />Caden, Max and Jake<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X3ArGMtI/AAAAAAAAAHs/9-YE-cRECKE/s1600-h/img_8239.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345376779064718034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X3ArGMtI/AAAAAAAAAHs/9-YE-cRECKE/s320/img_8239.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ahhh love Dominic and Kate's big smiles!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X2hVHOYI/AAAAAAAAAHk/R3TGWLiQwvI/s1600-h/img_8227.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345376770651011458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X2hVHOYI/AAAAAAAAAHk/R3TGWLiQwvI/s320/img_8227.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>The kids from our hood: Dominic and Sage. :)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X2b2urgI/AAAAAAAAAHc/WOYCjgnTOcs/s1600-h/img_8226.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345376769181396482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6X2b2urgI/AAAAAAAAAHc/WOYCjgnTOcs/s320/img_8226.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Friends making their masterpieces. Yummy!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6WTNrbn3I/AAAAAAAAAHU/oSfDgtoAJos/s1600-h/img_8223.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345375064568864626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6WTNrbn3I/AAAAAAAAAHU/oSfDgtoAJos/s320/img_8223.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Andy, Ash and Aiden working hard and having fun.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6WSzR0gHI/AAAAAAAAAHE/qmaIt6mCD2Y/s1600-h/img_8205.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345375057482121330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Si6WSzR0gHI/AAAAAAAAAHE/qmaIt6mCD2Y/s320/img_8205.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Our future chefs!<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>SO, on Saturday we had the boys friend party at The Young Chef's Academy. The boys had a blast with their friends. They each got to make their very own pizza and while they were baking, we had cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday (two times....they each got their very own song). Here are a few pics from the day (which happened two month ago!) :) </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-72172101686265919972009-05-11T10:03:00.000-07:002009-05-11T10:41:11.852-07:00birthday, birthday, and birthday<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgIogp9wI/AAAAAAAAAGs/MnrJNnWK7E8/s1600-h/img_8168.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334619460049958658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgIogp9wI/AAAAAAAAAGs/MnrJNnWK7E8/s320/img_8168.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a> Singing to each other. Check out those faces!!!!</div><br /><div align="center">Hat's by Gramma Judy. :)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgIfWClgI/AAAAAAAAAGk/Amu_PRiGbAU/s1600-h/img_8167.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334619457589515778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgIfWClgI/AAAAAAAAAGk/Amu_PRiGbAU/s320/img_8167.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Aiden's cake...Ash wanted cupcakes....so we had cake on their family b-day</div><br /><div align="center">and cupcakes at their friend party.<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgIJM2m3I/AAAAAAAAAGc/LVN0t6I34xk/s1600-h/img_8161.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334619451645401970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgIJM2m3I/AAAAAAAAAGc/LVN0t6I34xk/s320/img_8161.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Grandparent shot (and Uncle Chad) :)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgH0HohsI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nXj-T2iuUZs/s1600-h/img_8142.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334619445986363074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgH0HohsI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nXj-T2iuUZs/s320/img_8142.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Mommy and her four year old Aid!!!!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgHnID2uI/AAAAAAAAAGM/J1PTs2i-19A/s1600-h/img_8121.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334619442498493154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SghgHnID2uI/AAAAAAAAAGM/J1PTs2i-19A/s320/img_8121.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Auntie Jo, Uncle Chad, Ashton and Aiden<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe-GlEfoI/AAAAAAAAAGE/5T3WrsuwGvQ/s1600-h/img_8109.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334618179631349378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe-GlEfoI/AAAAAAAAAGE/5T3WrsuwGvQ/s320/img_8109.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Daddy with is four year old sons!!!!!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9yGcFFI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5OhtJh6_u8w/s1600-h/img_8084.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334618174134162514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9yGcFFI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5OhtJh6_u8w/s320/img_8084.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>We had the bikes waiting outside the front door with bows and balloons on them.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9gbjRvI/AAAAAAAAAF0/4AU4_Uqo4Ag/s1600-h/img_8075.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334618169390876402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9gbjRvI/AAAAAAAAAF0/4AU4_Uqo4Ag/s320/img_8075.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>Uncle Chad and cousin Chloe....so cute!!!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9V2_zZI/AAAAAAAAAFs/6aiD2eTsX2U/s1600-h/img_8072.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334618166553202066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9V2_zZI/AAAAAAAAAFs/6aiD2eTsX2U/s320/img_8072.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>The boys with their new helmets on.....wondering where their bikes are???!!!!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9Cea3pI/AAAAAAAAAFk/vmzIgud5w1U/s1600-h/img_8068.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334618161349844626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sghe9Cea3pI/AAAAAAAAAFk/vmzIgud5w1U/s320/img_8068.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a>The breakfast table all set up for the boys to come down on their birthday.</p><br /><p><br />Wow...I am blogger delinquent! So much has happened. April is our family's big month for birthdays. It seems like every family I know has a month like this. My boys, husband, mom, brother in law, sister in law, and uncle all were born in the month of April. Great month (the birth stone is diamond by the way)! We started the month out with a bang. Aiden and Ashton turned four on the 3rd! I can't believe my sweet little men are four years old!!!! We had a great time celebrating this big milestone. My parents, Steve's parents, Auntie Jo, Uncle Chad and Chloe came out from California. The boys were soaking up and loving all the love and attention. Aid and Ash really wanted their own big boy bike for their birthday. Both sets of grandparents each gave them one and a helmet to match. They were soooo excited. To keep up with his boys, Steve also received his own big boy bike for his birthday from his mom and dad! Here are a few pics. I'll post the boys kids b-day pics later....I promise not to go so long without blogging!<br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /> </p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-32795432128617207232009-03-18T10:09:00.000-07:002009-03-18T10:35:52.188-07:00Adoption News<span style="font-family:georgia;">The title says adoption news, however there isn't much to report. One of the purposes of my blog is to keep everyone informed and updated on our process. This is my first post on the journey....very slow journey but one that I hope will come to fruition soon. Our case worker Christy called Monday to let me know they now have three birth moms that have committed to an adoption plan. One is 4 months along, another is 6 month and the last is not due until September. All three do not know what they are having yet but the one that is 6 months along should be finding out within the next two weeks. If she is having a girl, our profile will be shared. The birth mom who is 4 months along has a two year old son and just can not manage one more. She wants a very closed adoption and right now says she would like it to be out of state. Christy says as the months go on, a lot of times the moms change their minds about out state placements. The last birth mom that is not due until September lives is Pocotello (this is where my dad was raised...could this be sign :) ) and is still taking her time to wrap her mind around what kind of adoption will be right for her. So, we just wait. Steve and I have painted the baby's room a beautiful shade of light pink (Ralph Lauren Cactus Flower), Steve put the crib up (two reasons...our friends Clint and Bonnie are going to use one of the boys cribs for their new baby girl due at the end of the month and Steve needed to separate the parts, and our niece Chloe is coming out for Aiden and Ashton's birthday so she can use it then and not have to sleep in a pack and play). I have picked out the bedding, but I'm not ordering anything until we have a match. Who knows, we might end up with a boy. At this point we are hoping to adopt a girl. We have thought long and hard about this and feel that since Aiden and Ashton are not only biological brothers but also twin brothers, that a girl would be the best fit for our family. That being said, God has a plan for us and we just are not sure what that is yet! I will keep you updated with any news and hope I will have something great to report soon!!!!<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-66337433618058122282009-03-12T13:07:00.001-07:002009-03-12T14:29:08.617-07:00The Yurt!<span style="font-family:georgia;">Last weekend I went up to McCall for a girls weekend. My friend Charissa came back to town to do the annual Yurt experience. I was not able to go last year because Steve was out of town but was so looking forward to joining in this time around. We stayed at Jenifer's parents home which sits right on the lake ( the most beautiful home I have ever seen in my life!) We met up with more friends and got suited up in our cross country skis and took off deep in the forest about a mile in where a yurt was waiting for us. We had a four coarse dinner and a lot of wine too. What a wonderful weekend. Can't wait for next year!!!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblr4X9-c4I/AAAAAAAAAFc/DGVuL20ILfk/s1600-h/2646_1101693588387_1408132869_30302013_7126618_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312395851711017858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblr4X9-c4I/AAAAAAAAAFc/DGVuL20ILfk/s320/2646_1101693588387_1408132869_30302013_7126618_n.jpg" border="0" /></a> Charis, Jenifer, and I in the yurt enjoying a wonderful dinner and good wine!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblrz1EBSsI/AAAAAAAAAFU/78dDYpbLuNY/s1600-h/2572_1103401029083_1348466377_291596_1073763_n.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblrsCkntlI/AAAAAAAAAFM/LLz9KYlM618/s1600-h/2572_1103401029083_1348466377_291596_1073763_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312395639809095250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblrsCkntlI/AAAAAAAAAFM/LLz9KYlM618/s320/2572_1103401029083_1348466377_291596_1073763_n.jpg" border="0" /></a>The whole gang all suited up before our ski trip into the forest to find the yurt.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblrr7lbkYI/AAAAAAAAAFE/RDxT-pfZhCY/s1600-h/2572_1103401029083_1348466377_291596_1073763_n.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /></p></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-76310418756058013812009-03-11T09:53:00.000-07:002009-03-12T13:24:59.731-07:00Fresno Trip<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbllPt7t4RI/AAAAAAAAAE0/HkrNxGUTfFY/s1600-h/img_8015.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388556162720018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbllPt7t4RI/AAAAAAAAAE0/HkrNxGUTfFY/s320/img_8015.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Aiden and Papa at the park.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbllPGM6T2I/AAAAAAAAAEs/4XIaV6nSbg0/s1600-h/img_8008.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388545497419618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbllPGM6T2I/AAAAAAAAAEs/4XIaV6nSbg0/s320/img_8008.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Gramma and Ash feeding the ducks. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbllOyFd1kI/AAAAAAAAAEk/JrYikd9liN8/s1600-h/img_7986.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388540097484354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbllOyFd1kI/AAAAAAAAAEk/JrYikd9liN8/s320/img_7986.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />The boys and Papa in the "unit".<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkBoYea5I/AAAAAAAAAEU/FYgULcvHNv0/s1600-h/img_7985.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387214642932626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkBoYea5I/AAAAAAAAAEU/FYgULcvHNv0/s320/img_7985.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Here they come down the street.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkBB9XHII/AAAAAAAAAEM/HopI4XMsDFA/s1600-h/img_7964.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387204328660098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkBB9XHII/AAAAAAAAAEM/HopI4XMsDFA/s320/img_7964.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Aiden, Ashton, and Remy. Aiden is wearing Gramma's glasses.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkAvAh7EI/AAAAAAAAAEE/b0eF8kxgfOg/s1600-h/img_7900.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387199241677890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkAvAh7EI/AAAAAAAAAEE/b0eF8kxgfOg/s320/img_7900.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Aiden at the zoo sporting his new hat thanks to Gramma and Papa.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkAfe0s7I/AAAAAAAAAD8/LmF5edFs43I/s1600-h/img_7892.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387195073770418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkAfe0s7I/AAAAAAAAAD8/LmF5edFs43I/s320/img_7892.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Look at that face!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkAH7_D4I/AAAAAAAAAD0/GLC_9AALKas/s1600-h/img_7883.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387188753633154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblkAH7_D4I/AAAAAAAAAD0/GLC_9AALKas/s320/img_7883.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Gramma reading to the boys.<br /><br /></span><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbliwtITY3I/AAAAAAAAADs/wOKbPOl5yr8/s1600-h/img_7867.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312385824347874162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbliwtITY3I/AAAAAAAAADs/wOKbPOl5yr8/s320/img_7867.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Aiden and Ashton opening their v-day gifts from Auntie Kelley and Uncle John!<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbliQf6qp-I/AAAAAAAAADk/Hee1qmYKuII/s1600-h/img_7846.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312385271045203938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SbliQf6qp-I/AAAAAAAAADk/Hee1qmYKuII/s320/img_7846.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">First round of cupcakes.....<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblh8Okb0oI/AAAAAAAAADc/xffQjxRE4to/s1600-h/img_7833.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312384922791170690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblh8Okb0oI/AAAAAAAAADc/xffQjxRE4to/s320/img_7833.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Oh so proud!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblheBrMYgI/AAAAAAAAADU/_CikxKwFFGY/s1600-h/img_7812.jpg.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312384403933782530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SblheBrMYgI/AAAAAAAAADU/_CikxKwFFGY/s320/img_7812.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Sleeping boys in the car. This is how the two of them handled Donner Pass<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Right before Valentine's Day the boys, Steve and I headed down to Fresno to visit Gramma Judy and Papa Bud. We loaded up the car with two boys, two dogs, four suit cases, two scooters, and a mommy and a daddy. After a short 14 hour drive (ha) we made it safe and sound. Steve had some real estate work to do there and then he headed back to Idaho (on a plane this time) and the boys and I stayed for another week. We had so much fun with friends and family. Gramma and Papa took the boys to the zoo, Gramma Judy and the boys made two batches of cupcakes (due to the fact that our dog Ross polished off the first batch one night while we were sleeping), lots of time outside playing with Remy -the neighbor girl who lives across the street from my parents (her brother Robi was a ring bearer in our wedding),going to the park and feeding the ducks, and the highlight of the trip for both the boys and my dad were the trips the boys and he took in his motor home. Boy did they think that was cool!<br /><br /><br /></span><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /></span> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-10615749299800428932009-02-10T15:00:00.001-08:002009-03-12T12:57:01.942-07:00Tracy and Chase<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblo2uqArVI/AAAAAAAAAE8/nng0e-q_1dg/s1600-h/ash+and+chase+kiss.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312392524906671442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/Sblo2uqArVI/AAAAAAAAAE8/nng0e-q_1dg/s320/ash+and+chase+kiss.jpg" border="0" /></a> This sums up the weekend......a whole lotta lov'n going on!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Last week one of my very best and oldest friends came out to visit (5Th visit in three years....what a good friend, huh) with her adorable little boy Chase. This was the first meeting for all three boys. For the most part they got along great...a few issues with sharing, but what do you expect from two 3.11 year old and a 1.6 year old. Come on!!! :) I wish I would have taken a picture of them lined up in the back seat in their three car seats. I laugh just picturing them in my head. Tracy and I sat and watched them play in the backyard and could not believe "our kids" are playing together! After all that we have been through together, here we are! You should know, Tracy is my friend that literally went through all the ups and downs of my journey to get pregnant. All the fertility treatments, all the heartbreaks, disappointments, pain, and finally the pure joy which ended with Aiden and Ashton. I would call her in tears at all hours only to have her stop whatever she was doing just to sit on the phone and cry with me. I honestly don't think I could have gotten through that very difficult time in my life without her. It's funny how we go through things in life and come out on the other end stronger. I am so blessed to have her!!! I love you Ug.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-27147124056999034562009-01-27T17:12:00.001-08:002009-01-31T11:10:04.464-08:00Our First Ski Trip!<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-16pTtM0I/AAAAAAAAACY/tr5CkrGL_lo/s1600-h/img_7566aid+and+mommy+park+city.jpg"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296151705936540482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-16pTtM0I/AAAAAAAAACY/tr5CkrGL_lo/s320/img_7566aid+and+mommy+park+city.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#663300;"> Aiden and Mommy</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-1w_-lqyI/AAAAAAAAACQ/G8hNN9_wFhI/s1600-h/img_7573.jpg.jpg"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296151540223290146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-1w_-lqyI/AAAAAAAAACQ/G8hNN9_wFhI/s320/img_7573.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The boys on their way up the mountain. </span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-1a0-rH0I/AAAAAAAAACI/8Nh3MVnJTIE/s1600-h/img_7576.jpg.jpg"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296151159313735490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-1a0-rH0I/AAAAAAAAACI/8Nh3MVnJTIE/s320/img_7576.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Aid and Ash putting on their skis with their teacher Ashley.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-1ETpEPWI/AAAAAAAAACA/bmgfgpEKw4A/s1600-h/img_7589.jpg.jpg"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296150772407614818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-1ETpEPWI/AAAAAAAAACA/bmgfgpEKw4A/s320/img_7589.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#663300;"><br />Learning the pizza wedge.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-0ovi0FJI/AAAAAAAAAB4/3wuGXEiV9kE/s1600-h/img_7609.jpg.jpg"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296150298861245586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-0ovi0FJI/AAAAAAAAAB4/3wuGXEiV9kE/s320/img_7609.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#663300;"><br />Steve the camera man, oh and my husband. :)<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-0LMXfZVI/AAAAAAAAABw/mJccop4NpYM/s1600-h/img_7599.jpg.jpg"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296149791202305362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e66ClFWOd5s/SX-0LMXfZVI/AAAAAAAAABw/mJccop4NpYM/s320/img_7599.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#663300;"><br />Steve is videoing Aiden going down the hill!<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#663300;">I thought I would post a few pictures from our most recent family vacation. We went to Park City for a week right after the New Year. Aiden and Ashton took their very first ski lesson and loved it. I took an all day ski lesson and Steve, who is a very good skier, decided to follow suit and took a snowboarding lesson. We all managed to have a great time, no injuries, and are looking forward to doing it again!<br /><br /><br /></span><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" /> </div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8376749049511037342.post-66931693256120424532009-01-26T21:53:00.000-08:002009-01-26T22:06:48.154-08:00Here We Go!<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Well, it's official......I have joined the blogging world. My very talented friend Jaimee designed my blog as an adoption gift for me. How cute is this!!! Now I can share "The Russell Way" (which I think is a catchy little phrase coined by Jaimee as well) and keep friends and family updated on our adoption journey as well as all the fun my two little men are up too. I can't wait to get started!<br />Thank you so much Jaimee!!!!!<br /></span><br /><br /><img src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/jaimeemartinez/Blog%20Designs/Melissa%20Russell/melissasiggiecopy.png" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614174132197652877noreply@blogger.com1