Speaking of Risby--
What Dori doesn't know is that while she was in France this weekend, I let Risby watch Ollie while I went out and played poker with the boys!
just kidding
tim
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
A Dog and Her Boy
Entertaining a six month old and an 18 month old lab is easier than you might think. Both moved their heads back and forth as I rolled a ball from side to side...where's the video camera when I need it!
Ollie vocalized his love for the Riz on a walk last Sunday in Nowton Park. After rolling in fox poop (apparently dogs love it), Risby went for a swim in the pond. She had some trouble scaling the bank, and just as she fell back, Ollie let out a scream. Who knew our six month old was paying that much attention!
Risby has been a superstar with Ollie man, allowing him to pull on her fur and ears. I spent some quality time keeping Ollie from "tasting" Risby's paw, ear, or any other peice of dog that he could get into his mouth, while I kept Risby from licking Ollie's face, hands, and clothes. Its going to be a beautiful relationship!
Ollie vocalized his love for the Riz on a walk last Sunday in Nowton Park. After rolling in fox poop (apparently dogs love it), Risby went for a swim in the pond. She had some trouble scaling the bank, and just as she fell back, Ollie let out a scream. Who knew our six month old was paying that much attention!
Risby has been a superstar with Ollie man, allowing him to pull on her fur and ears. I spent some quality time keeping Ollie from "tasting" Risby's paw, ear, or any other peice of dog that he could get into his mouth, while I kept Risby from licking Ollie's face, hands, and clothes. Its going to be a beautiful relationship!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Spaulding Update III
The third installment of our DVD update series has just been released. We didn't get any Oscar nods but the Academy has a hard time seeing fresh talent, in my opinion.
Anyway, if you don't have a copy, and you want one, drop us a line and we'll pitch one in the mail for you!
tim
Anyway, if you don't have a copy, and you want one, drop us a line and we'll pitch one in the mail for you!
tim
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
On a Roll
Ollie man has officially rolled over from his back to his belly. His curiosity has finally motivated him to leave the comfort of his back. He'll be crawling before we know it!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Sitting Fool
Its been a busy time here at the Spauldings. Spring has finally arrived, so I've been out in the garden. It should be a good one this year since the sun rises around 5 am and doesn't set until 8 pm.
Ollie man's six month check up went well. He's sitting all alone and loving some solid food. I'm happy to report that he likes bananas, unlike his mother. Much to Risby's delight, the Kix mostly hit the floor before making it into his mouth. He manages to get a couple in there and the faces he makes are priceless. A sippy cup is still a big challenge...more playing than drinking, but there's plenty of time still.
Ollie man's six month check up went well. He's sitting all alone and loving some solid food. I'm happy to report that he likes bananas, unlike his mother. Much to Risby's delight, the Kix mostly hit the floor before making it into his mouth. He manages to get a couple in there and the faces he makes are priceless. A sippy cup is still a big challenge...more playing than drinking, but there's plenty of time still.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
You reap what you sow
Suffolk is big time argricultural territory - carrots, parsnips, onions, rapeseed, and sugar beets to name a few. I don't know what they were planting here, but I got a picture before the did becuase I am always blown away by how much soil there is here.
Maybe my perception is skewed by seeing farms in eastern Montana and Colorado, where the soil is thin and dusty. The furrows in this field where no kidding 2 or 3 feet deep.
This guy is lucky though, becuase a lot of the fields are covered in flint stones -- tihs soil looks pretty smooth. At any rate, this is the one of the last fields to get planted around Bury - a lot of the rapeseed crop is already up and flowering.
Maybe my perception is skewed by seeing farms in eastern Montana and Colorado, where the soil is thin and dusty. The furrows in this field where no kidding 2 or 3 feet deep.
This guy is lucky though, becuase a lot of the fields are covered in flint stones -- tihs soil looks pretty smooth. At any rate, this is the one of the last fields to get planted around Bury - a lot of the rapeseed crop is already up and flowering.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Peas and Carrots
Here's a pic pf the teeth, as promised. Tim spent some quality time with Ollie and the camera this morning. Not only do we have a money shot of the pearly whites, Ollie man looks quite cute in his new duds from Grandma S.
In other news, Ollie is working his way up the baby food ladder. Mom's learned that food mixed with rice cereal is the best way to introduce a new item. His menu now includes rice cereal, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, and sweet peas. Here's hoping that the spit up ends soon...its much more fun when its orange!
In other news, Ollie is working his way up the baby food ladder. Mom's learned that food mixed with rice cereal is the best way to introduce a new item. His menu now includes rice cereal, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, and sweet peas. Here's hoping that the spit up ends soon...its much more fun when its orange!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Overdue Updates
Time flies when you're having fun, or so they say.
Ollie is busy working those core muscles. He's loving life from his new vantage point.
The front two teeth have popped through the gums as well. Not easy to take a picture of yet (believe me, Tim has tried!) but we'll post it when we do.
Yesterday was the first day that Ollie started playing peek-a-boo. Its REALLY adorable.
I'm off to sleep before the Ollie alarm wakes me.
Cheers!
Ollie is busy working those core muscles. He's loving life from his new vantage point.
The front two teeth have popped through the gums as well. Not easy to take a picture of yet (believe me, Tim has tried!) but we'll post it when we do.
Yesterday was the first day that Ollie started playing peek-a-boo. Its REALLY adorable.
I'm off to sleep before the Ollie alarm wakes me.
Cheers!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Frijiliana View
Here's a pic from the south of Spain - we took a week's holiday down there last month. Spain was nice, even if it is kind of like the 'second and a half world.' You do have to love a place that shuts down between 2 and 4 in the afternoon, customers be damned!
You also have to love a place where the wine is 1 euro and it is 65 degrees and sunny everyday in March!
You also have to love a place where the wine is 1 euro and it is 65 degrees and sunny everyday in March!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Home Sweet Home
Its an odd thing to be at home in another country, but its great to be here again. Ollie and I have had quite an adventure over the past two months visiting friends and family, meeting the newest Laney, and witnessing Maggie's Baptism as well as celebrating Ollie's Baptism with some of our dearest friends and family. We just returned from a week long vacation in Nerja, Spain. Despite the quick turn around from the states to the UK to Spain, the quality family time was just what we needed. I'll do my best to catch you up to speed over the next few days.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Do you renounce evil?
We spent last weekend in Birmingham, hosting a bunch of folks to help us baptize Oliver into the Catholic church. Although Tim was only there for a 'touch and go' (18 hours on the ground for 12 hours of driving!) it was a great time.
Thank you to Luke and Meg Teel, who are Oliver's godparents--we are totally comforted to know that in you two Ollie has two ready examples of the kind of person we hope that he becomes.
Thank you also to Paul and Mandy Birch, who were there to celebrate the occasion as well - your friendship means the world to us.
Thank you to Tom McCaleb, who drove all the way up from Florida to be a part of the day--Oliver will always have a great example in you.
Another thank you to the McGoverns--it was great to see you guys again and re-live the 'old days.'
It was great to see our family, on both sides, who joined us on Sunday...thank you for your continuing support of us and Oliver.
Finally, thanks to Chris Wee, who got to escort Tim back and forth down the highway, and then got shacked with carrying around the camera.
All in all we are so happy that Oliver has this crowd of people around him who care about his future--that is very comforting as new parents!
Thank you to Luke and Meg Teel, who are Oliver's godparents--we are totally comforted to know that in you two Ollie has two ready examples of the kind of person we hope that he becomes.
Thank you also to Paul and Mandy Birch, who were there to celebrate the occasion as well - your friendship means the world to us.
Thank you to Tom McCaleb, who drove all the way up from Florida to be a part of the day--Oliver will always have a great example in you.
Another thank you to the McGoverns--it was great to see you guys again and re-live the 'old days.'
It was great to see our family, on both sides, who joined us on Sunday...thank you for your continuing support of us and Oliver.
Finally, thanks to Chris Wee, who got to escort Tim back and forth down the highway, and then got shacked with carrying around the camera.
All in all we are so happy that Oliver has this crowd of people around him who care about his future--that is very comforting as new parents!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Funny Story
A woman and her mother-in-law were out shopping for some furniture, when two boys ran by. As the two boys crawled under furniture and bounced on sofas, the woman thought to herself, "These boys are certainly old enough to behave better!" Their behavior was so disruptive that the clerk helping the ladies had to stop and correct them more than once. They all noted that the mother of the boys was paying very little attention to her sons.
After choosing a chair, the woman offered to meet her mother-in-law in the car as she finalized the delivery details and paid. As they drove away, the woman said, "Can you believe those boys! My 4 year old grandson is better behaved than that!" The mother-in-law, with a smug look on her face said, "Don't worry, I fixed them." "Oh, Mom...what did you do!" The older lady replied, "As I was walking to the car, I saw their shoes. So, I just picked them up and hid them in another section of the store."
The funniest part of this is that the woman was my mother and the mother-in-law was my grandmother! We've been getting a laugh all week long!
After choosing a chair, the woman offered to meet her mother-in-law in the car as she finalized the delivery details and paid. As they drove away, the woman said, "Can you believe those boys! My 4 year old grandson is better behaved than that!" The mother-in-law, with a smug look on her face said, "Don't worry, I fixed them." "Oh, Mom...what did you do!" The older lady replied, "As I was walking to the car, I saw their shoes. So, I just picked them up and hid them in another section of the store."
The funniest part of this is that the woman was my mother and the mother-in-law was my grandmother! We've been getting a laugh all week long!
3,000,005
Welcome to the world Katie! My sister is now the proud mother of three. Katheryn Elizabeth Laney was born at 8:24 this morning weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces with 20.5 inches to her name. I'll post a picture of her tomorrow...she's just beautiful!
Our other, less exciting news is that Ollie most definately laughed today. I stood in the parking deck at the hospital laughing with him before I realized that I was in a dark parking lot and should probably get in my car and leave!
Our other, less exciting news is that Ollie most definately laughed today. I stood in the parking deck at the hospital laughing with him before I realized that I was in a dark parking lot and should probably get in my car and leave!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Looking at the World From a Different View
Ollie officially rolled over for the first time yesterday! From his belly to his back, my son has the ability to roll over! I've got lots of Ollie pics and I hope to have more time once we're back in the UK again. Until then, we're having an awesome time with the fam. I promise to post more soon!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sweet Home Alabama
Ollie man and I are back in the great state of Alabama after a whirlwind of travel. The trip began very well with a bump into Business Class for the flight across the ocean. By the way, don't buy sparkling water to mix with formula (I managed to buy two bottles before noticing that they weren't still water)...babies do not need help making gas bubbles! We spent a quick night with the Teels before flying to ATL where we had lunch with Tiffany. After a few days rest with Alex and Sarah, we returned for a GREAT visit with Luke, Meg, and Maggie. Meg and I enjoyed being new Moms around each other, swapping advice and stories. The picture above was the cutest thing...Maggie reached out and grabbed Ollie's hand...so adorable. Maggie has a great personality for her four months of life...lots of laughter and she is a real people person already.
Maggie Grace was baptized in a beautiful ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro. I was honored to be there as her Godmother, and I look forward to seeing Maggie again in a few weeks. Ollie and I were also able to see our good friends Paul and Mandy Birch...not nearly as much time was spent with them as I would have liked. You know its a good trip when you leave wanting to spend more time there.
Ollie and I are enjoying our time with the Grandparents, Aunt Becky, Uncle Chris, and cousins Alex and Sarah. Ollie manages to "tell" Alex and Sarah lots of things. They're really great with him and have a blast making faces and silly noises for him. We're blessed to have two great kids to play with. Can't wait for Baby Katie to arrive in mid-February!
We head off to New Orleans to see the Ingraham/Mackay sides of the family on Friday. We're looking forward to lots of photo ops and really good food. I'll post some more pictures when we return.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Foggy Londontown
When we spent time in London a couple of weeks ago this was the first sight we saw upon arriving at the RAF club -- the sun setting through the fog behind the Duke of Wellington's arch.
We decided to learn a bit more about the Duke by touring his house--Apsley House--which is just down the street on the corner of Hyde Park. Here's what I learned:
1) To be a Duke you have to do something really memorable: Welly beat Napoleon, so I guess that qualifies.
2) To be a Duke you have to never ever get over the really memorable thing you did: Welly's house is filled with statues of himself and of Napoleon, including a giant one at the base of the stairs which depicts victory turning her back on the French. Dude! Get over it!
3) Being a Duke means you have a simple address: Welly's house postal address was "#1, London"
4) No matter how good a Duke you are, your place is never going to be as cool as Blenheim's place in the country, so don't bankrupt yourself trying.
The most interesting thing about the whole tour is that the highlight of the Duke's extensive "I beat Napoleon" souveneir collection is the "Wellington Shield," a giant gold disk commemerating Wellington's great victory over Napoleon. It depicts all the great battles of the campaign -- with the one exception of Waterloo, which hadn't happened when the victory shield was cast! Goes to show the dangers I guess of declaring victory too soon!
We decided to learn a bit more about the Duke by touring his house--Apsley House--which is just down the street on the corner of Hyde Park. Here's what I learned:
1) To be a Duke you have to do something really memorable: Welly beat Napoleon, so I guess that qualifies.
2) To be a Duke you have to never ever get over the really memorable thing you did: Welly's house is filled with statues of himself and of Napoleon, including a giant one at the base of the stairs which depicts victory turning her back on the French. Dude! Get over it!
3) Being a Duke means you have a simple address: Welly's house postal address was "#1, London"
4) No matter how good a Duke you are, your place is never going to be as cool as Blenheim's place in the country, so don't bankrupt yourself trying.
The most interesting thing about the whole tour is that the highlight of the Duke's extensive "I beat Napoleon" souveneir collection is the "Wellington Shield," a giant gold disk commemerating Wellington's great victory over Napoleon. It depicts all the great battles of the campaign -- with the one exception of Waterloo, which hadn't happened when the victory shield was cast! Goes to show the dangers I guess of declaring victory too soon!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Boxing Day
Is the day after christmas in the U.K. The traditions that gave rise to the day are varied but connected -- the church opened it's collection box to the poor, landlords gave out food and supplies to their tennants (who collected them in boxes) and the servants who had to work on Christmas day got the day off, taking the leftovers to their families in boxes.
Today it means lots of shopping (President's day for the parlimentary set I guess) and an additional day off from work. You've gotta love people who 'work to live' instead of the other way around.
At any rate, with the extra day off we messed around with the video camera. Here's our result: (I think you'll have to right click and download the file manually to view it)
SMILE TRIAL
Enjoy!
Today it means lots of shopping (President's day for the parlimentary set I guess) and an additional day off from work. You've gotta love people who 'work to live' instead of the other way around.
At any rate, with the extra day off we messed around with the video camera. Here's our result: (I think you'll have to right click and download the file manually to view it)
SMILE TRIAL
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Toga...Toga...Toga!
We headed to London this weekend to enjoy the shops and the sights. Got to visit Apsley House (the Duke of Wellington's place -- his address is #1, London), the Natural History Museum (where they had a Wildlife Photography exhibit), Fortnum and Mason's (posh department store), Harrod's (THE posh department store, where Ollie got us kicked out of the pub with the explanation that "This is a pub...there are people smoking in here....and DRINKING!"), Westminster Abbey (where Ollie attempted to raise the dead with a nice crying spell), and of course, the RAF Club, our favorite haunt. Everyone there was very taken with Oliver, even if his overalls didn't quite meet the dress code for the dining room. Oh well. He did look good in his toga though.
Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas!
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