temporary abode

Well we officially moved out of Nemoke Trails into Rick's parents' house last weekend. Our apartment complex would no longer let us rent month to month, thus pushing us out on the streets. Luckily, Rick's parents took us in until we can find a house of our own. Since my computer is packed up somewhere, our blog will have to take the backseat for a while. And all of you loyal Baby R fans will have to wait a little while until I can hook up my computer to send out her 10 month pictures. In the mean time, here are a few pictures from our move...

My little packing buddy...

The gang after emptying the apartment (which included moving our piano down the stairs - did I say thanks?!) Baby R tried to hide her spoon from her Cousin Steve... After the move was over, we decided we needed another relaxing day at Uncle Jack and Aunt Susie's pool...

harry potter and the order of the phoenix

Although I did enjoy the 5th Harry Potter movie, it was nothing in comparison to the book. The top ten things missing from the movie (in no particular order):

1. Harry's interview with the Quibbler
2. The Weasley Twins' dramatic exit from Hogwarts with the Swamp and great dialogue with Umbridge
3. Hermione's charm on the DA sign-up that resulted in Marietta having purple pustules and the word "SNEAK" on her face
4. Kreacher's role in the whole story, especially regarding Harry going after Sirius in the Dept. of Mysteries
5. The Golden Statues fighting for Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic
6. Hagrid's experience when visiting the giants
7. Luna, Ginny, Ron, and Neville's great escape from the Inquisitorial Squad
8. Cleaning Number 12 Grimmauld Place
9. The rooms in the Dept. of Mysteries, and the real battle that takes place there (where the students use the skills they learned from the DA)
10. Harry never really gave Lucius Malfoy the Prophecy

Are there any other events that you really loved in the book, that weren't in the movie?

Oh, and I missed Dobby and Firenze...

mackinac island

We took a trip to Mackinac Island with Grandpa and Grandma Brooks. We spent two days on the island, and had lots of fun. We ate at the best restaurant in Northern Michigan, got lots of fudge, rode bicycles around the island, toured Fort Mackinac, lounged around at the bed and breakfast, shopped, rode the ferry, asked a man not to smoke near Baby R, did some sightseeing, had Baby R's Caricature drawn, tried to listen to the carriage tours without paying, bought a root beer float at the dog house, searched the island for cheesecake (unsuccessfully), played Sudoku, and killed off the Durango...

Day 1

Day 2
And most importantly, we found some similarities in sleeping habits...

no more toothless grins

I have had my two bottom teeth for months...

Now I have four on top (you can really only see three, but all four have broken through).

So no more toothless grins for me...

time to play

Whenever Baby R gets really quiet, I know just where to find her... reading her books! Okay, so I know it is more like looking at pictures, but either way she LOVES books!!

A week ago Baby R invited her cousin Austin over for a play date. So what if he is 3 years older than her - they get along wonderfully!

While wrapping the twins birthday presents, Baby R decided she wanted to help. Of course, her idea of helping is playing with the tissue paper. Isn't she the cutest little helper?!

irs

We have returned from our vacation with wonderful news...

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Rick has accepted a job with the IRS in the

Large and Mid-Size Business Division!

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As many of you know, he has been applying for positions all year and hoped that he would get one he liked. The great part is that this was his first choice of all the positions he applied for! What a tremendous blessing! We will be moving, but luckily it won't be too far away from family. Rick will be working in Farmington Hills, so we will be trying to find a house near there. We'll keep you posted...