Finished!

I have finally finished the Twilight Series books! It was such a good series, that I just didn't want it to end. I was delighted with the ending. I'm not sure why there can't be a 5th book. I won't spoil it for all of you that haven't finished the series yet, so if you haven't please keep reading! You have to find out what happens at the end.

Pictures of my Blog Book

Some of you have asked to see pictures of the blog books, so here you go. It's hard to take a photo of a book. I like the books and the girls like the books a lot. It is a hard cover book with a picture on the front & on the back. I also added text to the back cover. On the spine of the book is also text. The print is clear, but it prints in whatever font style you chose on your blog. The date is in a blue color and the rest of the text is black. Most pictures are very clear, just a couple that are dark, which could have been my camera. I think the size of the picture is pretty good, considering everything that is in the book. The pages are numbered. The only thing is that the text that follows a picture doesn't always print by that picture, so it's hard to find those captions sometimes. Like I said before, I'm really glad I started the blog last year and really like this way of journaling life for my family.

Blog Books

I received my Blog Books on Saturday and I'm so glad they are done and here. I used the site www.blog2print.com which is partnered with SharedBook. I purchased 2 books, so that both girls would have a copy. Each book cost $55. Now that may seem like a lot, but for me, it's priceless. Because right here in my hands, in a very pretty pink binded book, with pictures, dedication, and all my thoughts & words; are the memories that my girls can look back on and read what happened in our family in 2008. I am very happy that technology has come so far and we are lucky to have this done for us. My only complaint is that the words that usually follow a picture aren't under or by that specific picture, so that part is a little hard to follow. I didn't print the comments that may have been made (I can't remember if that was even an option). Anyhow, 2008 is done and now I'm looking forward to 2009. I recommend taking the time to put your thoughts into words to preserve your family's history for many years to come.

Curly Top

Ok, it's no secret that neither of the girls look like me. The only genetic characteristic of mine that is seen are their beautiful blue eyes. When people see us together they often wonder, "where did that red hair come from?" So to add to the long list of questions, how about this one.

Where does she get all those curls?

This is Campbell after her bath last night. I have never had curly hair. I can barely get my hair to keep a curl for longer than an hour. Maybe this is a good genetic quality they received from their dad.


Campbell trying to smile.

Sock Hop

On Friday Jan. 23rd, Cooper and Chad attended the annual Girl Scout Sock Hop. Somewhere along the way the tradition was started that it was a father/daughter dance, so Chad graciously accepted. Of course a girl needs a "poodle skirt" to wear to the sock hop, or in Cooper's case a "scotty skirt." Chad's mom, Jane, helped Cooper and I at the fabric store choose a pattern and buy all the supplies needed to make this skirt. I haven't sewn anything in a long time, but luckily I do know how to sew, just enough. So I cut everything out and thankfully Jane sewed everything together, in under 2 hours the skirt was done! Cooper doesn't have an eye for fashion yet, and it's always one of our biggest fights in this household, what to wear or what goes together. So after a lot of grumbling she was dressed and they were on their way. They had a great time and even danced in the dance contest, although they didn't win. I hope Cooper can remember these fun times forever. We are hoping Campbell will wear the "scotty skirt" some day too.

Family Day

Cooper didn't have school last Monday, Jan. 19th, so Chad took the day off and we headed up to Kansas City for a fun family day. We did some shopping and spent those great gift cards. The Oak Park Mall in KC is fantastic! I really think I could spend all day there. Now it doesn't compare to the Mall of America (Kris), but here in our neck of the woods it really has a lot to offer. Our friend Trice went along. He helps keep the girls in line and we really love hanging out with him. While I shopped the guys took the girls on the double decker carousel. We finished up in KC and headed back to Trice's house in Lawrence for dinner. The guys ate sushi & the girls and I enjoyed our chicken nuggets & french fries. ;o)

Watch this Sunday!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition will show the Chapman, KS story this Sunday from 7pm-9pm.
Tutwiler Family
Titled-A War Hero Returns Home
Ty and the gang travel to Fort Riley, Kansas, to help an Iraqi war veteran hero and his family rebuild their lives in a special two hour episode.
I was told that a business here in Manhattan, called Hey Baby, helped design the nursery for the show.
The info reads Ft. Riley, but to my knowledge they rebuilt in Chapman.
The story talks about how KS was hit by the tornado in June 2008.

Thanks

Colgin's Quilt

Many of you have asked for more photos of Colgin's Quilt, so here is the best full shot we could take, actually Cooper took the picture while Chad and I held up the quilt. My sister made this for me for Christmas this year. She has been working on it for 2 years now. It is made up of all of Colgin's blankets, towels, bibs, outfits, or special mementos.

Starting at the top left hand corner; yellow outfit he wore in our last photo of him with his blue Old Navy hat on. Middle blue outfit is a gown he wore & I had a matching pj's set for myself & his hat he wore in the hospital. Top right corner blue outfit is what he wore home from the hospital. Middle left are some onesie outfits he wore. Middle block has the cover from his bouncy seat or as we called it, his "happy seat", because he loved to sit and sleep in that seat. We must have gone through 6 packs of batteries on that thing. The middle row right block has some more onesies and an outfit he wore when Great Nanny & Papa came to visit. Bottom left corner is the outfit he wore in his 1 month old pictures. He looked so cute! Bottom middle block has two outfits he wore in July at Grandma Debe's house while Aunt Paula & family visited. Bottom right corner is the "safari" outfit he wore in his 5 day old pictures and family pictures we took with Chad's family. All the outside framing blocks are pieces of other clothing. I love giraffes, as my nickname from my dad since I was little has been "giraffe," and so Colgin's clothing items have lots of giraffe prints on them.

Kelly did a great job, no matter how long it took her. It took me 6 years to actually go through his clothes and decide it was ok to do something with them. Kelly didn't have the heart to cut up everything, so she chose to applique the large items on. I'm not sure who this project was harder on, her or me. It was definitely a labor of love. It's a great way to hold a memory close to your heart and treasure things that most of the time are just stored away in a tub somewhere.

Thanks Kelly! Love you sis!

To do lists

Well, through much trial and tribulation I have managed to change the look of my blog. I had to delete the 3 posts I had put on there from 2009, because when I uploaded my blog to Blog2print.com it prints EXACTLY what you have on your blog. And because I'm so "OCD" about things, I want my blog memory books to be from each year. (Luckily I had started 2008 in Jan. so it worked perfectly). Also Blog2print.com only prints in the font that you use on your blog. So besides all that, I can check this important thing off my long to do list. I really want the girls to be able to read through my thoughts and our lives each year and know what was going on. I hope they treasure those books forever.

Now that I have that part done, I wanted to change up my blog a bit and make it look great. Of course like everyone else does. So I'm slowly working on that. Give me some ideas, thoughts, and feedback on things.

Many of you know I make lists. This year is no exception. This year more than any I want/need to get more of MY important things done. I strongly use the word MY because I am always doing everything for other people but never really doing the things I want to do and that make me happy.

Tonight I am happy. My blog books are done. My blog is updated & looking different. My Christmas tree and decorations are put away, finally. And as Chad and I sit here and watch Oprah, learning about money, our girls are upstairs hopefully sleeping soundly.

Big News! We made the magazine!

Ok, since I'm updating my blog, changing it's appearance, and re posting some older posts, I have combined these last two posts.

Our big news is...
Lohman Family Estate Winery is featured in the newest issue of the Manhattan Magazine. Our dream has become reality. This is project has become our newest baby.

What happened to Blurb.com??

I really wanted to make a Blog book from all my 2008 blogs and print 2 copies, one for each girl, but when I went to Blurb.com it didn't work with Blogger.com anymore. So on the recommendation of my friend Crystal I tried blog2print.com and I'm happy to say I have ordered 2 books, one for each girl and I am anxiously awaiting them to arrive. I hope they are as good as I would have gotten from Blurb.com. Thanks Crystal.

Campbell turns TWO!

Campbell's 2nd birthday was Jan. 2nd. I can't believe she is already 2 years old! To celebrate we invited everyone to Chuck E Cheese in Topeka for a fun party. We also did this for Cooper's 2nd birthday. Campbell had no idea what to expect, but once we got there she joined right in on the fun. She rode the same rides over and over again. She sat on Uncle Jeremy's lap most of the time while Chuck E Cheese danced. She of course didn't nap that day. Oh, let me tell you the terrible two's are here! Thanks everyone for a great day.


Campbell making a wish on her birthday.


Daddy & Campbell.


Campbell and Chuck E Cheese driving the car.


Mommy & Campbell.


Campbell sitting on Uncle Jeremy's lap waving to Chuck E Cheese.


The kids dancing with Chuck E Cheese. (Addy, Teagan, Cooper, & Bailey)


Campbell loves frosting.