Scrapblog - give me your feedback

Here's the "baby book" scrapblog I've been making for Ben & Maddie. I'm going to have it printed into books. But before I do that, I'm seeking out feedback from all of you. Please send me suggestions for any improvements or notations on typos or anything like that! Thanks. Click on the word "Scrapblog" in lower right corner to take you to a web page where you can enlarge it to full screen. And you can also slow down the pace of the slides.

Best pork roast ever

Last weekend I tried a new pork roast recipe and it was a huge hit for the whole family, especially the babies! And the best part is that it's super easy to make.

2 or 3 pound pork roast
1 can pineapple (include juice)
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries (the recipe called for chopping them, but I didn't and it seemed fine)
Salt and pepper to taste

Rub roast with salt and pepper and put in slow cooker. Dump pineapple and cranberries on top. Cook on low for 6-7 hours (depending on size).

Toys, expensive and not-so-expensive

This morning's center of attention for Ben & Maddie was an empty box...

From 2010-02-14

From 2010-02-14

This afternoon's excitement was the Little Tykes play kitchen that we got, thanks to one of my sorority sisters whose daughters have outgrown it. I think Ben & Maddie spent 30 minutes just opening and closing the cabinet doors. Then I brought out a few of the many, many, many accessories it came with (dishes, play food, etc) and they went nuts just taking them out of the cupboards. Then I'd put them back, and they'd take them back out again. Hours of fun!

From 2010-02-14

From 2010-02-14

Miss you, Dad

Today marks three years since my Dad died. Of course each day and each year get a bit better, but it's never truly better. I've missed him (and my Mom) a whole lot more this past year because of the babies. I'm so sad that not only will Ben & Maddie never know their grandparents, but that my parents never got to see and hold their grandchildren. But I like to think they are here with me, and although I don't believe in reincarnation, there are days I think my Dad has come back in the form of my son, Ben. Just take a look:

From Dad

From Dad

Saturday, yeah!

I got this great picture of Ben & Maddie this morning. I told them to clap and here's what they did:

From 2010_02_13

And a couple individual shots as they were playing with stuff in the kitchen:

Here's Maddie pushing a chair around:

From 2010_02_13

And Ben while he was playing with travel coffee mugs:

From 2010_02_13

Long week

It's been a long and trying week. Ben and Maddie (especially Maddie) have been sick with some kind of virus. Thankfully they've slept well at night, though. So we canceled our sitters on Monday and Wednesday and Jamey didn't get to spend much time at the property.

I was swamped with work, as Denny Hecker got indicted on federal fraud charges and had his arraignment. That meant two nights when I was at work late, well past baby bedtime. I also had a story in Thursday's paper about proposed construction work on I-694 (actually right by my house) and I worked on another today for Saturday's paper about a spike this year in the number of school kids on free or reduced price lunches because of the economy. So I was busy.

I'm glad it's the weekend. Time to kick back and watch some TV. Then go to bed!