Celebrating 50 Years

Ok, forever ago I mentioned some projects I was working on for my mom. This is what I've been up to: I created and mailed out the invitations to the 50th Anniversary party (including custom return address labels), handled the RSVPs, scanned images and processed video to create a slideshow, designed a DVD and DVD case (James was a big help in this area), arranged the photographer for our family portrait, and helped coordinate the meals for our family dinner.

I made enough copies for all of my siblings and their kids to have one, plus I included all the scanned images and video footage as files on a DVD-ROM. It was a pretty big undertaking and I enjoyed every second of it. Here is the final product:

Doug and Nancy Eldridge: Celebrating 50 Years from Desta Gillice on Vimeo.

WORD

The word on pictures: Spring. That's when the new Photoshop comes out. Until then, I'm up a creek without photo editing software. That's also the reason I'm reverting back to the old blog background. No software = no new blog backgrounds.

The word on the new computer: Awesome. We love it and are having way too much fun playing with it. I can't wait to get the new version of Photoshop and really start tinkering around. It will be just in time to start in on a big project for my parent's upcoming 50th wedding anniversary.

The word on James: Busy. He's got some business trips coming up and as the semester draws to a close, his work load will increase astronomically - no students in the classrooms means many more chances to get in to the rooms and maintenance the media systems.

The word on Desta: Tired. Most days I feel like I accomplish very little, if anything at all. I've been staying up far too late watching the Olympics and, before that, reading. I finished all 7 Harry Potter books in about 6 weeks. Now I don't quite know what to do with myself. But chasing the kids around and cooking and cleaning are usually on my list. And if it's Thursday then I'm in full Survivor mode! Loving this season. If I get any more excited I might just have a stroke. James said I can get "Colby" tattooed on my person, so I'm just trying to pick a place to immortalize my love for him...

The word on Zoe: Princess. She loves dressing up and doing her hair. But winters are so tough for her. She goes stir crazy and really needs the interaction that the warmer weather (and playing outside) brings. Thank goodness for preschool. She's been talking more to us and asking us questions. It's a good start and I've been making extra efforts to be REALLY EXTREMELY patient with her.

The word on Owen: Words. That kid is talking like crazy. His speech isn't as impeccable as Zoe's was (who at 18 months would often declare "It's snowing outside!") but he is a great communicator. His words include:
Baby
Ball
Bubble
Go! (which he shouts anytime anyone opens the door)
Fie (said while giving fives)
Snuggle (Guh-guh)
Care Bear (Ba-Ber)
Turtle
Pa (for pacifier)
Gui-Gui (for blankets, he made this word up all by himself)
No
Hi and Bye
Hello (when talking on the phone)
Milk (Mee)
Yogurt (Go-goo)
Toast (Toe)
Water (Wa-Wa)
Noodles (doo-doo)
Peanut Butter (Pa-ba)
Cheese (tss)
Vroom (for cars)
Mooing or Barking noises (for any animal he sees)

He is the complete opposite of Zoe in every way. He loves to eat, he gets into everything all the time, he doesn't miss a chance to tell us "no," he HATES diaper changes, having his nose or face wiped, and teeth brushed, he still takes two naps a day, and he is the most social kid in the world. If you are sitting anywhere near us in church you will end up with him bringing you toys, insisting on sitting on your lap, and he will probably try to give you (open-mouth) kisses. He loves to laugh and makes silly faces, and he is a great imitator when it comes to sounds and gestures. One more month and my baby will be in nursery.

So that is the word. Oh, and I've added the word verification to the comments, not that that affects many people, but we were getting quite a few spam comments that were annoying.

Owen + Patio + Shovel =

As stated earlier, we spend a lot of time outside. Owen even loves to be outside and makes a break for it any time a door is open. Seriously. He will sit in the grass and chew on shovels to his endless delight.

The last two weeks hasn't been just fun and games for this guy, though. He's had two bottom front teeth break through, he started babbling - dadada, nanana, yayaya, and the occasional mamama - he can push himself into a sitting position and he is starting to pull himself to stand. Then we'll really be in for it!

Zoe D'Lynn and the Blustery Day

A few mornings ago it was uncommonly windy. It was actually nice as it made it feel as if it wasn't 90 degrees at 10:30 in the morning. Zoe, as always, was having a great time playing in the backyard so I grabbed the camera to document the beautiful day (and the cutest kid ever).

You're Invited!

If you're having problems with the picture, here's the info: Gillice Family BBQ, Saturday May 24 at 5:00 pm, contact us (or leave a comment) if you need the address. We're keeping things pretty casual and simple - just hot dogs, chips and drinks. Hope to see you all there! Also, please feel free to spread the word. I am aware that not everyone reads our blog (but they should!).