Dog Parade

Good friends of ours that live in Soulard have been gracious enough to have us over every year for the dog parade. It has become a family traditon and we try and capture how our family has changed each year. Every year it is a good time to start off the Mardi Gras season that now that we have children they can join us.

2007
2008

2009
Baby Girl got the top view this year although I don't think she payed much attention to the dogs but none the less she was along for the family tradition. In the years to come it will be fun to continue and see how her interest grows.

Big Sis and I were down front getting beads and treats from all the dogs and owners all dressed up. It is amazing how much attention you get when you have a cute little girl with you. There was man next to us giving everything he caught. So alot of candy, 3 stuffed animals and many necklaces later Big Sis was a happy girl.
Oh Yeah... and there were dogs there. It was fun to show Big Sis the great danes and other huge dogs because when they walk by these dogs were still taller than her.

Caterpillar becomes a Butterfly

There once was a caterpillar that turned into a beautiful butterfly, at least that is how our Halloween went yesterday. Big Sis has been wanting to be a butterfly since before Baby girl was born. She hasn’t changed her decision for over 7 months. That is amazing for a 3 year old. So we put together a hodge podge of things because she wanted to be a purple butterfly and all I could find was orange and black.I think it turned out well although she looks like a fairy, but not in her mind. Now we have enough candy to over work our pancreas until Christmas. I’m trying to challenge myself to not eat any of it. I’m TRYING to think that in the end it won’t be satisfying. Who am I kidding that won’t work.After being sick during the beginning of the week, we were busy the last few days with all sorts of activities, making Frankentreats, planting mums after trying to save them from the cold snap we had earlier (thanks Mom) and carving pumpkins. Jeremy took the task of carving w/ Big Sis, but I had to compare Our Little Pumpkin w/ the huge pumpkin at Ekert’s this year.It was also the end of the month and we had to get new plates for the Saturn. DMV isn’t fun at the end of the month. How much more busy will it get when we have school parties X2. I better save up my energy now. Hope your Halloween was just as nice as ours.

Grandma Norma turns 80!!!!!

The Guest of Honor

Obviously she is having a great time opening her gift
One of the great grandkids made her laugh she was about to cry

The Family Tree

Grandma Norma and her children

All the grandchildren (4 pictured and 3 not pictured)

The Great Grandchildren

Put 7 great grandkids 7yrs old and under on the same couch w/ an 80 year old woman and you don't know what can happen. We thought we try and see.

It was a great reunion of family and a first meeting for some. More pics to come.

Strawberry Picking Tradition

Well this year is our second year that we have gone strawberry picking w/ Big Sis. It has become a tradition. I love it and can't wait for it every year. It is easy to remember because it is alway around Mother's Day. Although it was unusally cold for the last weekend in May, it is a nice day to get out w/ grandma and daughters.

They also had a fair where they could ride carnival rides and Big Sis loved it. She has become pretty brave. You can see her waving at Daddy and grandma in the background as she flew by.
I thought she would never stop going down the slide. You have to give props to Grandpa. He stayed back and looked after BG2.

Our Family Grows to 4!!!!

Our Family on Easter 2008

Our Family the day after Easter 2008

Yes, we welcomed Our Baby Girl Dos!

Ketchup - Catch UP!!!!

I'd be surprised if anyone still checks this blog due to the inactivity since October.
Here is a quick recap of what has happened with the Deans since Halloween. Getting to the computer to blog has been difficult. I'm hoping this will change and many will get to know our expanding family through this blog.

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Jack Visits His Cousin

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Just a little view into our week with my nephew visiting. Our Baby Girl loves having him around. Everyday she came up with a new name for him. First it was Jack Jack, then just Jack, then Jackie. I think by the time he had to leave he started to warm up to how things go in the Dean household. It was quite a shock for him never being away from his parents that long. At least there is a base for OBG's relationship with Jack. Holidays should be fun this year.

Jack's 2nd Birthday

In the end of September we made a trip to Springfield to celebrate a few things. Cousin Jack was going to turn two that coming week so a birthday party was in order. Baby Pi... was getting dedicated at my sisters church on that Sunday night. Our Baby Girl was excited for the entire trip from watching videos in the car with Grandma and Paw Paw to seeing showing Jack the birthday card she made for him.

The Birthday Boy was excited about his cars cake.

Our Baby Girl was more excited about digging in. You have to love two year olds when it comes to eating cake.

Big Brother Reese helps Jack play with some new toys he got for his birthday. Boys love anything that goes fast or can drive over things. Reese shows off his $2 bill he got from the tooth fairy for being brave and letting the dentist pull his two bottom teeth because his big teeth were coming in behind them.

Reese may look pretty happy in the picture but truth be told he was feeling that great. It was discovered when taking a bath that night that he might have chicken pox. This was later the next day confirmed by the doctor. Good thing we were leaving the next day. Then it was a waiting game to see if any of the little ones especially Baby Pi... was going to break out with it. Needless to say it is always an adventure when we visit Spingfield.

Here is a photo of Baby Pi... and (as Our Baby Girl calls him) Uncle Feve, waiting to go up for the baby dedication. Pi... did great. He looked at his parents the entire time the pastor was holding him. The entire family went up but me and OBG. She got stage fright when it was time and didn't want to go. I sort of don't blame her. Their church is huge. The worship was great and OBG clapped her hands and lifted her arms to worship because she saw other doing it. She did like the music.

Out of town family experience Grant's Farm

The day after the wedding we took the groom sister and her family to Grant's Farm before they had to board a plane back to Texas. Our baby girl enjoyed her time with her new cousins that she met for the first time this July at the family reunion.



They enjoyed feeding the goats and brushing their coats. This is the most brave Our baby girl got with getting in the pen. Of course the boys weren't afraid at all.

A llama burped on Jeremy's step sister - Nancy and we saw a camel take a bag of popcorn from a lady's hand and continue to eat the entire bag plastic and all.

We enjoyed hanging out in the beer garden while the kids drank slushies and the guys tried the different AB beer. There was a children author there and Grandma Lisa bought each family a book about not kissing llamas. It was signed by the author. Our baby girl loves it and we have been reading it alot.

John and Brandy Wed!

Last weekend we were involved in the last of our siblings to get married. John and Brandy wed on Sept. 15. It was a small family affair where two families got to know each other. It is amazing that no matter what happens at the wedding (the groom hurts his hand, the bride from got to bring the grooms ring to the alter or the cake started to lean) the vows hold true and are always beautiful. It is a good time to reflect on the vows you took on your wedding day, however long ago that was. It was a very nice day for all. We wish them all the happiness as they start their life together in Tulsa.

Apple Picking FUN!!!!

Yummy apples, just a taste before we return!
she could be in an advertizement for Ekert's

Riding the wagon

Our finished work from the orchard!

Mommy helping for the high ones

Grandparents serious about the high ones!!!

Biker Babe!!!

Grandpa's Help

Sisters are great!!! (my mom and Aunt Donna)

The beginning of the season to make many fun trips to Ekert's orchard. We all had a blast!! My aunt was in town and I feel that my mom must get a little goofy when she is around her sister. I know I get goofy when I'm around my sister. My dad got in the fun and allowed my mom to stand on his back to get the really high apples, when it was all said and done. That was not picutured here. That made our baby girl a bit nervous, but we got some great apples. Then we then ate some kettle corn and drank some great cider. When returning home we made great homemade applesauce to go with dinner. Baby girl loved it!!! I love this season when we can spend more time outside and soon we will be going to Ekerts for pumpkins. I loved spending time with my family while my aunt was in town. Great memories.

First Attempt to Jump into becoming a BLOGGER!!

When to Start a Blog???? So when in your life do you start to Blog?? That is the question that I've been trying to answer and why I haven't started a blog until now. I love the idea of being able to share the happening in my life with my friends and family. I never could answer the question: Do I go back and share the past or jump off and start when I start.

I can take you through a quick version of our life for the last 2 years. My husband and I have been married for 6 1/2 years now. About 2 years ago we became a family of three. Our world got turned upside down and is great fun. Here is a brief view how our family has grown.

Thanksgiving 2005
May 2006
February 2007
Easter 2007
July 2007

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April 2008

Who knows what future pictures of our family will look like. We do know that there will be an additional person coming early April 2008.

Yes! Yes! We are now expecting AGAIN.

We are super excited to have our family of 3 grow to 4!!!!