Today I got an email from Picknik that said:

Official Announcement: Picnik is closing on April 19, 2012

I use Picnik to edit my pictures before posting them on my blog or facebook.

Here’s a picture without me using Picnik

I am not sure why my computer won’t rotate pictures correctly. It drives me crazy and is really not worth posting when they are upside down.

And here it is after Picnik

Much better!

How am I going to blog now? Thanks Picnik.

I have really enjoyed having time off work. I’ve had more time to play with Eli, cook and catch up on some things around the house.

In July we had our pictures taken by Dave Ward. He’s taken our family pictures for 3 years now. We love his photography and would highly recommend him.

Joey did a great job at getting E to smile. I tried but the big happy smiles are at Joey.

Joey and E looking at an airplane

A kiss from Mommy

And the family shots – I really wanted train tracks in our picture and they turned out great!

While E was at Grandma’s house, I spent time painting the bathroom

with Pumpkin’s help.

I made Lasagna-Stuffed Garlic Bread (minus the garlic) for dinner. It was yummy. E enjoyed it too. (If I make it again, I will probably use less cream cheese or maybe try ricotta cheese instead.)

I spent time with my two favorite boys

and made this delicious, easy and healthy strawberry-banana ice cream. Without an ice cream maker. You’ve got to try it!

Then we gave E a bath in the tub like a big boy (without the rubber duck he usually takes a bath in) and he wanted to “crawl” in the water. It kind of scared us. When we were done Joey said “let’s not try that again until you are two or three”.

Isn’t he just so stinkin cute?

After we put E to bed, Joey helped me do the second coat of paint in the bathroom. I really like how it’s turned out so far. I’m almost done!

All in all, it was a great birthday!

A year ago I held your hand as you went to be with Jesus

and it was bittersweet to see you go.

I miss you!

I wish that you were here to see your great grandson grow up and cover him in your prayers.

I miss sitting around the dinner table and laughing with you.

I miss eating desserts with you.

I miss seeing you wag your finger and hearing you say “Gene! Now you stop that” when he’d crush a Diet Coke can in his hands.

I miss your long prayers.

I miss your cards and seeing your handwriting.

I miss your stubbornness and perfectionism.

I miss playing games with you and so much more.

I think about you often and hope to tell E all about you one day.