Happy Halloween

Here are a few pictures from Anna's first trick or treating experience. She was a little hesitant at first, but when she figured out she got CANDY, she was all for it! Hope all of you had a wonderful Halloween!

Greetings from Blanchard USA

Well, now that I have 10 seconds where I'm not planning a birthday party, and I don't have to quite jump on the bachelorette party being held at my house in October I'll try to post a few updates...

James, Anna and I are doing well. James and I seem to be too busy with work as usual. I've taken on teaching an online class this semester. It is a totally weird and new experience for me. I can't say that I just love it. I do like that I'm not tied down to a class every week which cramps my travel schedule, but I do miss the interaction with the students and being able to make sure they "get" the material. Hopefully as time goes by I'll get better at it.

Anna is growing by leaps and bounds. We had her birthday party this past weekend. It was a lot of fun, hopefully you've had the chance to look at Linda's pics on Snapfish from the event. Anna played hard all day long. She can now sing the ABC song, Twinkle, Twinkle and Row Your Boat. I need to tape it because it is so darn cute! Last night mom and I took her to the "Disney on Ice - Princess Wishes" show at the OK State Fair. She dressed up in one of her new princess outfits and had a grand time. The only time she got scared was during the Sleeping Beauty part when the set out all the fog machines and rolled out the big fire breathing dragon (yes, there were flames burning on the ice!). Fortunately, that was towards the end. She did however, love looking at the Midway. All the flashing lights and people. I think she could have just stood there for hours watching it all. Oh yeah, she also started wearing panties this week! Woo Hoo!!! Apparently, she's really good about going to the potty at her Children's Day Out program so they told us to send her with panties, no pull-ups. She made it through class ok, but not so much with Mom. But its a pretty big step in the right direction. On one hand I'm thrilled, but on the other it just means she's growing up...

James is doing well. He's busy with work most of the time. I think he needs a vacation, so I'm trying to figure out how to squeeze that in, or at least looking for opportunities for one! I'm not sure what his project is right now. He always seems to have something he's working on around the house, but I've given up trying to figure out what they are...

Hmmm, other highlights from the Littlejohn household. We got a sidewalk finally!! Yeah!!! I couldn't be more thrilled. It looks great and really adds to the house I think. Imagine, people might actually use our front door now! Woo Hoo!!

The pics were taken on Anna's birthday. The outfit is one from a Pixie dress-up box a friend of mine got her. She certainly can dress up now. She has 3 pixie outfits, 2 princess dresses, a chef outfit and assorted other hats around the house. Of course, she loves it!

How to import pictures

There are several ways to do it. I hope if Elizabeth, Kristen, or Brandi read this they will share their ways with you. Their ways are much better than mine.

First, look at the menu bar above this message, the one that begins with "Font" and goes on over to ABC checkmark (Spelling). The next one to it is a picture. Click on the picture. It says, Add Image when you scroll over it. The next window will give you options.

Go to browse, and find the place on your computer where you have stored your pictures. It could be that they are on the camera, a CD, your desktop in a folder you created or assigned them to, or on a website, like Picasa or snapfish.

Next, import your pictures. I choose small or medium image so it does take up so much space on someone else's computer. I usually choose none for the arrangement. Then you can add your text to your message and post. Let me or Elizabeth, Kristen, or Brandi know if you still are having problems. They really have this down for their pictures.

linsue

AnnKer

Okay, Linda, I'm in now.

If I were to post some pictures I took yesterday, what would be the best way to do so? I tried sending them by email to you and Llew, but my little computer is like a Model T compared to the one here at work, the Ferrari! I sent just one to Kermit on his computer and it took forever!

Key Family Update

Hello All!

It's raining here in sunny Ardmore. I'll attached some pics of the boys. Lewis broke his tibia, in the growth plate. It's called a horse shoe break. Second day of school, in football practice, he got tackled and it bent his ankle in a different way than it was designed to bend. His leg itches and he complains quite a bit... right now actually. He's doing Algebra homework and chanting "itchy.. itchy..itchy" under his breath. Colton is keeping a rather simple schedule this fall. School and Broadway Kids on Monday afternoons. He'll do a Christmas break art class at the Goddard center. John and I are keeping busy with work and church. Oh! We've joined a dance group "TLF" (two left feet). They meet every Tuesday from 6-7pm at a local bank in a second floor ballroom downtown. They also have a monthly dance and dinner at the country club. We like the group.. they are rather serious about it. We learned the foxtrot last week. It's the one place where the men outnumber the women. I like that it only lasts an hour. If we can get away from work and kid functions, an hour isn't too horrible of a comittment.

I've posted a few pics: Lewis' back to school party. It was supposed to be an "everyone leaves after the s'mores at 9pm" and turned into a sleep over with 7 boys with the condition that they had to haul hay with us at 6am the next morning. Colton and John playing chess during the party. And Colton was helping me in the office. He is an excellent shredder, folder, and paper cutter.

Hope all is well with everyone! Love, Elizabeth

News from the Dunn household

Well, I am happy to report that we are expecting the newest addition to the Dunn family... and this time it's a human and not another animal!

I am due April 28,2008. We're hoping for a girl, but we have all the stuff for a boy, so either will be gladly welcomed into the family!

I am including a pic of Matt on his 1st day of pre-K. He really loves going to school and is having all sorts of fun!

Trip to OK KS IA WI

We had a wonderful time visiting with or talking with all of our children, some grandchildren, and one new great grandchild on our trip north.

Here are three pictures of parts of our trip. Hope all of you are doing well and that you will add something to our blog soon.

The rest of the pictures are on Snapfish if you wish to view them.

Love, Linda

The Newest Additions to the Family....

Here are some pics of our new kitties and our new doggie!

The kitties are sisters, and their names are Ruff & Tumble. The beagle's name is Sam.

Linda's Surprise Family Retirement Party

*Linda, Kristen, Anna, Brandi, Nancy, Elizabeth, and Teri--the greatest ladies I could ever wish for as daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughter*

We enjoyed our time with almost all of our familes being here. Nancy thought up the idea of the retirement party and called Elizabeth and Kristen. Chuck and Teri came down first on Friday night from Park City, KS and stayed until Monday. Kristen, Steve, and Matthew came from Fort Dodge, IA and stayed from Saturday until Tuesday. Nancy and Michael came Sunday from Durant, OK and stayed until Monday. Elizabeth, Lewis, and Colton came from Ardmore, OK Sunday and stayed until Monday. James, Brandi, and Anna came from Blanchard Sunday and stayed until Monday.


*Matthew, Steve, Ken, Lewis, Chuck, James, Michael, and Colton--the greatest men and young guys I could every wish for as hubby, sons, son-in-laws, and grandsons*

We loved our time together and enjoyed playing board games, going to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and surviving the torrential rains at time as well as a small bicycle collision with a very small pedestrian.

Thank you children and grandchildren who could be here for the retirement cake, the chocolate brownies, the chocolate peanut butter ribbon pie, the waffle ice cream cones, the buffalo burgers and pulled pork from Brandi and James, the potato, macaroni salads, and baked beans from Kristen and Steve, the buns, bread, and chips from Teri and Chuck, and the paper goods from Elizabeth.

Also thank you for the cards and gifts. Your presence was the best gift I could have wish for.
I hope that everyone will have or had a safe trip to your homes.

Kristen and Steve are on a week's vacation and will continue on to visit Steve's dad and stepmom west of Killeen and Judy Williams, Kristen's teacher friend, who will drive back to Iowa with Kristen and Steve for a visit up there.

This is one of Matthew's favorite activities: watching the clothes go round and round in our washing machine. It is fascinating to see him watch it.

Today I am on my way back to work for 3-4 days to finish up cataloging, covering books with mylar, and leaving a notebook for the new librarian. This afternoon I will visit with most of our NISD librarians for a retirement and other librarians leaving the district at our party at a Roanoke restaurant.

Love, Mom Linda

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL

Happy Mother's Day to Linda, Elizabeth, Kristen, and Brandi from the out West pair of family, Llew and Vonnie. We both hope that you have a wonderful day and that you are pampered and treated to treats and that there is sunshine, flowers, and no work to speak of. Love, Llew and Vonnie

Matt's Easter Bunny Pic

Well, it took the promise of a new Hotwheels car, but Matt finally got his picture taken with the Easter bunny at the mall.

Steve and I are busy painting the basement rec room where the pool table is. Since we were painting paneling, it took about 3 coats of primer and then 2 coats of paint. What a pain in the butt, but at least it's a lot lighter down there now, and not nearly as scary!

We had an awesome time with all our visitors here in Ft. Dodge. First, Mom and Pops for her Spring Break. Pops and I worked our tails off doing odds and ends around the house. Then Liz and the boys came for their Spring Break. Lots of fun hanging out!

Love to everyone,

Kristen

Matthew tried to wake up Grandpa on our last morning by reading a favorite book to him. It worked. Grandpa got up. Steve is all ready to go to work and Kristen looks so relaxed in her PJs. linsue

Matthew and I had a good time together while Kristen and Grandpa went shopping for supplies to fix things at home. There is this great patio for Matthew to go around in circles by the back steps in the back yard. We found this play area at Menards (like a Home Depot) to play in while Kristen and Grandpa were in another part of the store. linsue

This is how the new Iowa Dunn home looked our second day to visit. Kristen, Grandpa, and Matthew were busy clearing the driveway and the yard. linsue

FairviewAirportBradfordPearTrees

These are our Bradford pear trees. that bloomed just before our Spring Break trip to see most everyone on March 10th. There are 9 of them in a row. They only bloom for a few days before turning to the green leaves. This year there are more blooms than in recent years, although I am surprised they are this full with the drought we had last year. Yea! I got to see them before we left. Do you have plants or trees that you get excited about in the Spring? linsue

Pretty Different Weather for Texas

In March, we began with an ice storm (top picture) and then we continued with a dust storm (next three pictures). Now we have flooding in our county and across much of Texas. How is it where you are?
linsue

Winter Times

Hi! All, Here we are on one winter day when we were iced in putting a Big Ben puzzle together. It is the only day that Ken has ever spent totally in his PJs.
This is near the end of our icy day. Just a lot of slush and some ice on the roof still.
Last Monday evening Ken decided his little pinkie would catch the brunt of his new utility knife that slice the old water hose as well as his leather work glove and some skin. Dr. Key (no relation) sewed him up. It looks like he will recover.
Today we had 60 mph winds from the west that brought some cotton soil dust from Lubbock with it. We had a small dust storm with yellow-red dust from the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles for several hours before it went to the east.

Kristen said they got moved in, after depositing 125 pounds of rock salt on the driveway and sidewalks for the movers to do their job in Fort Dodge. The movers did not make it to Fort Dodge as planned, but had to stop in Cedar Rapids, IA the night before due to bad roads. They made it to Fort Dodge this morning after a normal 2 1/2 hour drive turned into a 6 hour drive. I-35 in Iowa is closed. Kristen said that up to a foot of snow was expected by in the morning, after 5 inches today. What a moving day!

Take care! Love, linsue