Wood Frames

Noah Ryan

2010-04-06T11:49:00.004-04:00

Early last Friday Noah arrived at 3:46 a.m. weighing a half ounce shy of 9 pounds, he measured 21 and a half inches long. Angie and I stayed at the hospital with him and were released in the morning on Easter. We packed our little Easter bunny up just in time Easter Lunch in Mount Pleasant and Easter dinner in Bay City. It was pretty ironic that he was brought home on Easter because the outfit was the same one we brought Ella and Layla home in. What a week!

Lost and Found

2010-03-30T20:40:00.004-04:00

After nearly 7 months and probably at least 7 miles of hiking circles in the woods, I have finally found my trail camera. During my search I probably walked within 20 feet of the camera without finding it. Let's just say the animals in the woods did not have as much trouble finding it as I did. Here is a sampling of the animals that were captured between September and November when the camera batteries finally died. There were probably nearly 20 buck sightings, a group of toms and a coyote.

Slick Shadies

2010-03-09T23:23:00.004-05:00

Here are a couple random pictures of the girls. I am not even sure where these sunglasses are coming from but both girls seem to be into these stylish shades.

Synchronized backward flop

2010-01-19T21:24:00.004-05:00

I never did catch the decisive moment with both girls doing their synchronized backwards flop. Here are a few tweeners while trying to catch the two of them making their big splash.

sand pile sledding

2010-01-19T21:15:00.004-05:00

I knew that the sand pile on the property would come in handy. I just thought it it was going to be fill for our poll barn. After all the fun this winter it looks like our plans to flatten it might be put on hold.

28 weeks

2010-01-13T22:23:00.003-05:00

Here is another 4D ultrasound of baby Wood. He is still very active and moving around all the time. During the ultrasound today he was sticking his feet in his mouth and sucking on his toes. Any one have a good suggestion on a name for him?

lil' Wood

2009-12-16T21:25:00.003-05:00

Here is the first portrait of baby Wood at 24 weeks. Angie thinks he looks like Layla and has a big nose, my mom and Angie's dad think he looks like me. Can you really tell from this angle?

Sillyness

2009-12-16T21:17:00.002-05:00

Many of you saw the family portrait in our Christmas Card. Here is an outtake from the day we shot those pictures. We had to bribe the girls that if they smiled nicely that we would also shoot a silly picture. Here is to a Merry Christmas to you!

The Big One

2009-11-08T22:15:00.004-05:00

When I got in from hunting tonight Ella showed me the picture that she colored. Angie said that it looked like the deer (in the upper left) had curly hair. Ella explained that it wasn't hair and that it was a buck and he has antlers.

Crazy because tonight there was a big buck only a little smaller then Ella's nine point that she drew, running around the woods. I actually called Angie on the home cell as it chased two does towards the house. She called me a minute later to tell me that I might as well come in because the buck had chased them through the yard and past the pond (heading away from my stand). I was trying to figure out why Ella's buck had such a big smile. Either the buck caught the doe it was chasing or it is heckling me because he got away.

Kitty lover

2009-07-13T22:50:00.002-04:00

I am starting to get the feeling that Layla's mother is not the only one that loves cats. She wouldn't leave this kitten alone at Abe's birthday party this past weekend. By the end of the day I was wondering if it was still alive or if it had been strangulated. BTW, photo by Angie.

A Fairy Tale Fourth

2009-07-11T13:39:00.002-04:00

Here are a few of the entrants from our first ever themed parade at our Fourth of July Kids Carnival. The Frog Prince was awarded best of show by our judges Adam, Stacey, Henry, Abe and Sammy Ranck.

The Frog Prince

Peter Pan

The Stothard Family

Hanzel and Gretel

Little Red Riding Wood

Layla

2009-06-19T22:38:00.003-04:00

During a recent princess dress up session I made these portraits of Layla.

Mother's Day portait

2009-06-19T21:43:00.002-04:00

Here is a portrait of Ella shot by John Tully. I asked John to photograph me and the girls for a mother's day portrait for Angie. He made some pictures with his digital camera and also used up a roll of B&W film in a medium format camera that I had bought from an estate sale. Between all the hamming it up and cheesing for the camera John made this one frame that felt the most natural of all of them.

Dancing Princess

2009-05-30T22:20:00.002-04:00

Ella had her first dance recital on Friday, the Nutcracker. She shined under the stage lights, it was nice to see how proud she was of herself. She loves to dance but I think getting flowers from all the family that showed up was her favorite.

shining the frames

2009-05-28T23:27:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the nearly three month hiatus. I realized that when I am not posting on Wood Frames I am also not making pictures of anything or anyone in my life. I dusted off the camera and shined up wood frames a little bit. Here is to no gaping holes in publication in the near future...

hi⋅a⋅tus

/haɪˈeɪtəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [hahy-ey-tuhs] Show IPA
–noun, plural -tus⋅es, -tus.

1. a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.
2. a missing part; gap or lacuna: Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript.
3. any gap or opening.

Stick in the mud

2009-05-28T23:08:00.005-04:00

The girls decided to play in the mud near the construction site for our pole barn. It started out all fun and games until Ella got her shoe stuck in the mud. She pulled her foot out when trying to get it unstuck. You thought she lost her best friend. Layla started crying just because Ella was crying and pretty soon playing in the mud wasn't so fun.

Trash can diaries: A bugs life

2009-02-18T22:27:00.004-05:00

I am not sure what the deal is with this drama surrounding our trash can but it makes for interesting video.

Almost busted.

2008-12-30T19:30:00.004-05:00

Here is a video from Christmas morning. Angie almost got busted by Ella. We are going to have to be more careful and get serious about this santa thing.

Snow girls

2008-12-22T22:07:00.002-05:00

We have had so much snow I need the girls to come outside and help shovel the driveway. Ella loves it and Layla gets bored. She ended up pulling the wagon from the depths of the garage. Sure enough Ella stopped helping shovel and wanted to pull Layla around. Then they sat in the wagon together and waited until I was done shoveling to give them both a ride. Let me tell you, pulling a wagon full of kids up an icy driveway is no fun.

Party & Parade

2008-12-16T22:40:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday was a busy day. We had Ella's fourth birthday party in the afternoon and participated in Coleman's 25th annual Holiday Parade of Lights. I think she was tuckered out by the end of the night, come to think of it Angie and I were too.

Snowman Wars

2008-12-16T22:12:00.002-05:00

It's on! I left a snowman the other day on a coworkers (J.P.T) car. He one-upped me the other day. His snowman was twice as big, had arms and he was hanging onto an ice spear or something. Above, Mr. Snowman and I wait for a red light on Main St. He lasted about a mile up the road, I hit about 55 mph and his head flew off.

Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-01T22:07:00.004-05:00

Dance Class

2008-11-23T22:36:00.002-05:00

Sleepy

2008-11-23T22:22:00.001-05:00

Familiar backyard

2008-11-12T22:26:00.007-05:00

Ella and Layla dressed as Uniqua and Pablo from the Backyardigans this year for Halloween. They both loved it, Ella had the time of her life and could believe that everyone in the neighborhood wanted to give her candy. I think she would have gone all night if we would have let her. The last image is a photo of the Harvey's, my parents neighbors. My bedroom growing up was about 10 feet from their house. It is very strange to take the girls to the same porches that I use to run up to and yell "Trick or Treat!" I was telling Angie how we use to hit every street in the subdivision and come home with a pillow case half full of candy. Many of the same faces on Thunderbird Drive are the same ones that at one time helped fill my bag.

Hay Fight!

2008-11-03T20:07:00.003-05:00

Adam, Stacey, Henry and Abe hosted a recent Halloween party complete with pony rides, pumpkin carving and of course hay rides. They should have warned us about the the hay throwing monster that they stashed on the wagon.

Ella & Henry

2008-10-18T22:00:00.001-04:00

It took some coaxing but I finally talked these two into a portrait together. It is the least they could do for me after taking them to the park in Coleman and giving them about 5,000 underdogs.

Trampoline play

2008-10-16T22:30:00.002-04:00

Good hygientist needed

2008-10-11T20:39:00.005-04:00

Over twenty years ago when I was in grade school my mom went back to school to become a dental hygientist. Since then she has been the only one that has cleaned my teeth. She put up with my braces (twice) and my lack of taste for the polishing paste. I don't know how many time she said "It is pretty bad when a hygentist family won't even floss." All of the good oral hygiene she passed along to me, like brushing in small circles and making sure you count to 10 before you move to the next tooth, I never did pick up the floss.

A couple weeks ago, she made an appointment for Ella and I to get our teeth cleaned. It was Ella's first time at the dentist and it was my mom's last day of work. She was leaving for a cruise and decided to retire. Ella did great after we explained that she didn't need to use the the mouth suction. My mom described it to her as a small vacuume and Ella hates vacuumes. It was nice to share in her last day and have her share in Ella's first day at the dentist. It sure won't be the same with some other person's hands in my mouth. I guess I am going to have to grow up and stop whining so much at the dentist office. She always put up with that too.

Hail Mary

2008-09-29T22:29:00.002-04:00

I have to agree with Brett's latest blog post. Some of the best pictures are the ones that you are not looking through the viewfinder. I shouldn't admit this because it is nearly child endangerment but I shot this picture while driving down US-10. I put the camera on auto, pre focused and reached back behind the passenger seat. How do you resist this cute little face?

My mom gave Ella and Layla three beanie babies from her office at work. On her last day before retiring she asked Ella if she could find them a new home. It didn't take long for Layla to get ahold of one as she fell asleep on the way home.

Sorry Tully the girls won't give them up.

I got your bird!

2008-09-22T22:30:00.003-04:00

This is to you, Brett, Kevin and Nathan! I figured I wasn't cool unless I made a picture of a bird. Granted, he isn't flying into the hand of God and the light's not beautiful and this picture isn't even close to as nice as the ten that Brett shot during his time in Midland, but I thought I would post anyway. This redtail hawk was hanging out on a powerline on my way home from work last week. He was scoping the ditches for dinner and hung out for a while as I pulled up next to him.

Up North

2008-09-21T10:08:00.003-04:00

The summer is over so here are a few pictures taking a look back at our time up at the cabins on Higgins Lake.

Brother-in-law

2008-09-18T21:49:00.004-04:00

Everybody's got to have one. I'm pretty lucky to have a bunch of them so I can't pick favorites. Here is my brother-in-law Lance holding down his mobile petting zoo that he and my sister brought to a family carnival held at my Grandmother's assisted living residence. After the carnival we pulled up to my other Grandma's in Bay City to find that the Stothards had beaten us there. The rest of the family was inside visiting while Lance waited outside with the goats. I guess Grandma Bishop didn't want them inside to munch on the green shag carpeting.

What happens at fish camp ...

2008-09-14T21:47:00.003-04:00

... stays in Canada. Here are a few pictures I brought back though. I also brought back a 30 inch pike and a 29 1/2 inch pike. Both fish being among the biggest I have caught in Canada. The third picture is of Jim and Rob cleaning fish after a long day on the lake. We had some great weather and great sunsets during the week.

One final post from our summer coming soon.

It ain't fair

2008-09-13T17:11:00.003-04:00

So much for my blog post every day this week. We have had three power outages the past three days. Anyway, excuses aside I will resume. Power is back on and so is the posting.

The girls and I went to the fair this year. I thought Ella would pass on riding the rides, some of them are pretty fast and she would have to go by herself on many of them. Well so much for that, she had the most fun I have ever seen her have. She met two friends on rides and even asked one of them to go again with her. They hopped back in line together and rode again. Angie was pretty emotional letting her go by herself. When Ella was on the school bus ride with "her friend" Angie said, "Arn't you kind of emotional, it's like leaving her on the first day of school." I guess it didn't effect me like it did her.

Lake & Laughes

2008-09-10T22:30:00.005-04:00

In August Brett came back to Michigan to visit friends and spend some time at the lake. What he didn't bank on was singing 100 verses of "If your happy and you know it ... Jump in the sky!" Ella was the life of the party and I have to thank everyone for being such good sports and great friends. The rest of the (prior) MDN photo staff visited too. It was kinda one last who-rah. Brett headed back to Kentucky, Kevin's last day was only a few weeks later and Taylor ended her internship and started grad school. The weather that weekend was the worst of the summer but I think everyone enjoyed the lake anyway. Maybe someday we will be able to get together again for a laugh or two. (I think Kevin, Brett and I took some of these pictures, we shared the camera and I don't even know who's is who's).

Yellowjacket Soccer Pups

2008-09-09T21:50:00.003-04:00

Ella played soccer up in Coleman this summer. Well I'm not sure if 'played' is the right term or not. Let just say there was more standing then running, playing with the grass then playing with the ball and more listening to the kids play then listening to her coach. Either way, she didn't cry, she always entered the game when it was time and she always looked forward to playing on the slide after the game. We will see if she wants to play next year but it was a good experience for her to get out and be a part of a team.

Reunion season

2008-09-08T22:23:00.004-04:00

Another July weekend we visited Aunt Lou and Uncle Tim's in Birch Run for the Ranck Reunion. The older and younger cousins all played games and enjoyed the pond, food and fun. Well, almost all of it was fun except Ella got stung by a bee. The whole reunion came to a halt with the sound of her shreek. Watch for tomorrow's post from our crazy summer!

So much sun, so little time.

2008-09-07T13:36:00.004-04:00

It was a typical summer, every weekend jammed packed full of reunions, camping and visits to the lake. Other highlights included Ella's first year of playing soccer, my fishing trip to Canada and a family trip to the Midland County Fair. I had too much sun time and not enough computer time I guess. Sorry for the lack of posting this summer but I will make up for it this week. Here is the first post from our summer. Each day this week I will update with a different post.

In July Angie, Ella and I went camping with Kristy and a group of friends at Big Bend Campground on the Rifle River. It was Ella's first time sleeping in a tent and floating down a river in a tube. It was an experience for everyone.

Week in Pictures

2008-07-21T15:29:00.002-04:00

Finally after weeks of shooting I feel like I have shot some pictures worth while. Some of these are better than others but they all have a unique story to tell.

"She's been here all day but she hasn't bought a thing," Roxana Baechle joked about the mannequin she was using to "bring people in" at her garage sale. "She's got that 'I'm all yard saled out look'."

After a seven run rally in the fifth inning, Bob Moyer hugs his son Jake after he batted in the tying and winning run for his Little League team in a state tournament game.

Brad Steere, top center, is preparing for the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation's Pro International in September.

"He's more of a companion, if he becomes a hunting dog it would be coincidence," Clay Engwis said of his six-month-old Golden Retriever, Bubba. The 1929 Model A Sports Coup has been in Engwis' family for 40 years.

"Usually when you are a full-time musician your a part-time everything else," Dan Vaillancourt explained of his multiple summer jobs including being a music teacher and house painter. Because of gas prices Vaillancourt is cutting back from his singer/songwriter passion and saving up for a fall album release and tour.

Rumbach's Visit

2008-07-14T23:05:00.002-04:00

The girls enjoyed the beach and spraypark at Sanford Lake.

The annual Fourth of July parade at the Justin's mom's family reunion was titled "Rednecks Rock." I am not sure how I feel about that since Justin found some clothes to wear in our basement. Again it was quite a site to see.

After Ella declined, Hadley was really brave took a ride on Ice. She only had this quick second of resistance and realized that the horse wasn't so bad. Of coarse after Hadley had a good time and the horse didn't eat her alive, Ella decided to try it.

New York: Part Three

2008-07-14T22:33:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the long drawn out New York posts. This Lady Liberty installment is the final post from our trip.

New York: Part Two

2008-07-09T23:07:00.002-04:00

During our trip to New York we took an evening walk through Time Square. Angie and I made our way to the median in the middle of the lanes of traffic. As I made a few images of the lights and buildings I started to notice this crazy phenomenon I was a part of. Person after person come to the center of the road, some in the road, to take pictures of this well known area of the Big Apple. So instead of the buildings I turned my camera on the people. There were many more photos that I took this evening and I think we only spent maybe 15 minutes there.

New York: Part One

2008-07-07T22:26:00.006-04:00

Tribute World Trade Center Visitor's Center. These walls hold pictures of those killed on 9-11

These details were photographed at the Ground Zero Museum Workshop. An exhibit of items from the World Trade Center after 9-11 and images from Gary Marlon Suson who was the official photographer at Ground Zero for the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. Top left, a clock found n the PATH train station that was stopped At 10:02 when the South Tower collapsed. Top right, items recovered from Ground Zero. Bottom left, the largest piece of glass recovered from the WTC. This piece is nearly 3 inches thick. The audio said the the majority of the glass from the WTC was either incinerated or returned to sand on impact. Only a few percent of the original glass was recovered. Bottom right,the last image is a keyboard found at Ground Zero.

The rain falls over Manhattan as we returned on the boat from Ellis Island.

Baseball buddies

2008-06-17T22:18:00.002-04:00

Ella, Shane, Papa and I went to the Midwest League Home Run Derby Monday. These two characters got bored a few minutes into the contest. After stalling them with french fries and looking for the roaming mascots we went for a walk around the stadium. After they both turned their noses up at the idea of air brushing a picture on their face, they got these balloon hats. Funny you think, well not the for the guys who sat in front of us and kept getting knocked in the head with the balloon balls.

Wet Woods

2008-06-15T08:58:00.002-04:00

Turtle Tides, the new spray park in Sanford was one of our stops with the girls on my birthday. They were reluctant at first but eventually got their feet wet. We had to talk Ella into riding on my shoulders to get into one of the big fountains.

Lord Rodney with Stanley

2008-06-13T14:39:00.003-04:00

Crazy ol' Rodney sent me this photo in an email. I loved it so I asked him if I could pass it along to you all. I guess the Ilitches stopped by the Free Press the other day and brought along a little hardware their team picked up. In case some of you have been under a rock or scooping bat guano in some cave in Kentucky, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. I would have loved to have seen Rodney pick it up over his head and cart it around the newsroom giving it kisses. Photo by Mary Schroeder.

Boomer

2008-06-13T14:09:00.004-04:00

We have been having quite a number of storms roll through lately (I guess most of you would know that). Anyway a week or so ago this cell moved through just north of us. Sorry about your luck Gladwin County. The moon and stars were out above our house and this storm kept it's distance to the north. It is weird but since Brett "Boomer" Marshall left the Daily News and moved away from Michigan we have been getting nailed. I wonder if God is angry with him.

Together time

2008-06-06T21:48:00.001-04:00

Cat nap

2008-05-19T22:46:00.003-04:00

Layla was in the middle of a dilemma ... either enjoy the new swing set or give in to the sleepy signals that were taking over her body. There is nothing more relaxing then a purring cat in your lap before your nap. (I'm a poet and I don't even know it.) She hung on long enough for lunch and headed off to her afternoon nap.

Itch to Scratch

2008-05-15T23:14:00.004-04:00

Odd or Even

2008-05-12T20:58:00.002-04:00

Has anyone ever grabbed a handful of your leg hairs wanting to play odd or even? Basically the point of the game would be if you say odd and an odd number of hairs get yanked from your leg then you win, kinda. I parked next to this car in the parking lot at work a week or so ago. It looks to me like this white Kia played odd or even with the rear end of a whitetail deer. Some how I think the deer lost.

Spring Training (pants)

2008-05-08T22:10:00.004-04:00

Ella and I went to our first Great Lakes Loons game together last weekend. Papa Jim, Aunt Stacey and Henry came along too. In his first game with his father in attendance since high school, Preston Mattingly came through with the game winning hit. The Loons beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2. On the way out of the stadium the kids held hands out to the car while tapping their bats on the ground. On the way home Stacey asked the kids what their favorite part of the day was. Ella's was the french fries and Henry's favorite was the popcorn.

Moonlighting

2008-04-30T20:57:00.004-04:00

moon•light•ing –verb (used without object)
5) to work at an additional job after one's regular, full-time employment, as at night.

So we bought a swing set/playhouse for the kids. The directions say that it should take two "moderately skill" adults 24 to 36 hours to install. I should have expected that it would be like a second job for a week. My dad came over and spend some time working on it with me for two days. The second night we where trying to take advantage of all the time we had. After the sun went down and the moonlight wasn't enough I brought out the new LED light that I picked up at a family Christmas Chinese auction. After my dad left I was on my own the rest of the week and progress slowed down. We went from 2 "moderately skilled" persons to one almost sorta skilled. My dad was just evening us out to become "moderately skilled." I think we are ahead of the pace, I don't think we have 24 hours in yet. It's not quiet done yet though...

Barrel of Laughs

2008-04-24T22:37:00.003-04:00

I don't think I have laughed as much as I did as during game night last Friday at the Rauchert's. Here is a compilation, basically this is my view of all the folks enjoying the night. There is something about watching people laugh that makes you feel good. (Just for full disclosure, there was only one Kristy there. Thank goodness, one is all any of us could have handled.)

Final few from Florida...

2008-04-14T21:20:00.004-04:00

We made it back safely from our vacation. After spending a week in temperatures over 80 degrees we drove home through a rain shower that turned to sloppy snow near Saginaw. Our plane landed in Detroit around 8 p.m. and by the time we loaded up our car and headed out of town we got home around midnight. The lady in the drive-thru must have thought we were deadbeat parents for taking out kids to McDonalds at 11:30 at night. The girls, all three of them, slept all the way from Detroit to Auburn when I had to stop and get gas. Below are a few pictures from out final day in Florida. We drove an hour to get to a beach where the kids could play in the sand and waves. Bahia Honda State Park was voted the best in the nation in the '90s, although we ended up having a great time we are still wondering why.

Glass Bottom Blues

2008-04-10T22:04:00.002-04:00

We took a tour of the Molasses Reef today about four miles off shore at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo today. The guide told us that the reef got it's name from a legend of a barge carrying barrels of molasses that grounded on the reef years ago. The beautiful colors seem to get washed out by the blue ocean and never look as good in photographs as they do in person. Anyway, here are a few frames from our trip. Parrotfish, Grunts, Yellow Snappers and even a Nurse Shark were among the reef life that we saw beneath our boat.

More from the Keys ...

2008-04-09T21:47:00.003-04:00

While watching a storm miles out in the ocean last night I made this frame. This is looking out from the pool area of the house we are staying at.

Layla started walking around the edge of the pool.

It looks like Jim was almost swept away while deep sea fishing, it really was pretty safe though. He did eventually bring in the black-fin tuna, we ate him tonight seared with lemon pepper.

This was one of the few times that you could see Ella not in the pool today. She swam for about 3 hours before taking her second nap of the day she was so tired.

Stormy & Sleepy

2008-04-07T21:56:00.003-04:00

Today we spend a good portion of the day at the Theater of the Sea in Islamorada. Because of the limited spots available all the girls got to go except the two babies. Stormy, our dolphin treated the girls to his array of tricks. Dancing, singing, splash fights, fetch, hugs and kisses. Below, Stormy plants a big one on Angie's cheek. Ella isn't pictured because she didn't think too much of swimming with the dolphins. She got out and was happy to sit in a plastic chair next to Papa. It was a long, hot day and all the girls were pooped at the end of the day. In the car ride home Ella and Layla were both exhibiting their sleepy signs. BTW, the photo of Angie and Stormy is courtesy of the "professional" photographer at Theater of the Sea. They have the monopoly on the good photo spots. Sure you can shoot pictures, but they limit where you can stand. Then they do the tricks facing their photographer. They make every effort to make you purchase their photos. I guess it worked, I got nothing and we ended up buying a CD.

Poolmate

2008-04-07T21:31:00.003-04:00

So we made it down to our vacation spot in the Florida Keys. We spend the whole first day soaking up the sun and enjoying the hot weather. After coming from Michigan 80 degrees feels like 100. This morning we were not the only ones basking in the sun. Looks like this rental house has a wild iguana living in the neighborhood. In the second photo papa protects the girls from the mean ol' nasty (harmless) reptile. I think our green friend spend more time today poolside than we did.

Ella's encouragement

2008-03-27T20:48:00.003-04:00

The snow is melting in our yard but the pond is still covered with ice and snow. While this deer snacked on the corn pile Ella and I sat in the window, Ella heard me say, "Come on deer," as I held up the camera waiting to make this picture. I was trying to urge it to walk away from the corn and past the pond where it would be silhoutted. She started jumping up and down saying "Come on deer! Come on deer!" Then the deer ran past the pond and into the woods.

Layla turns one...

2008-03-23T22:17:00.002-04:00

Well, more like 13 months. Her birthday was actually February 27 but after RSV, a double ear infection, the flu and a massive allergic reaction to penicillin the third party date went off without a hitch. It was pretty amazing that we actually had 11 kids in the house that were all fairly healthy (we will see for how long). Anyway, she partied like a big girl, munched on cake and played with all her cousins.

The Master & Student

2008-03-04T21:53:00.004-05:00

The Michigan Press Photographers' Association held their annual Pictures of the Year contest this past weekend. It was quite the weekend for the guys at the ol' MDN. We all did well, and it felt great to do it as a team. I think we would all agree that none of us could have done it without each other. Check out the link above. It was a classic battle royal between Kevin and Brett's sports portfolios and stories. Also I have to say I doubt that the MDN or myself would have ever reached this point without Rodney "The Master." He took a chance on me, not sure why, but I am glad he did. (photograph by Kevin)

New Do

2008-02-27T21:55:00.002-05:00

So most people in my life were calling for this for a while now. Brett stopped over tonight to give me a new do, "he just took a little off the top" I like to say. Anyway, my lovely curly locks started piling up on the floor and I thought it was kind of a shame to just sweep them up and throw them away. After all, I have been growing my hair for over a year.

Name that photographer

2008-02-21T21:09:00.003-05:00

The ol' MDN archives really hold some gems. It seems like only yesterday I was working in Midland with my boyz. Brett shot the asthma one just recently but the other ones are pretty old school. As you can see it works out best when the photographers stay behind the camera and let real models do their job. I got nothing but love for you guys.

Curious Wanderer

2008-02-18T22:47:00.002-05:00

Wasn't that the title of someone's blog? Anyway, sorry if I stole that but it fits Layla so well right now. This past weekend our whole family spent a lot of time inside due to the sickness sweeping through our house and the ice storm that swept throught the state. Layla finally started crawling a couple weeks ago and now there is no stopping her. She is into everything and leaving no stone unturned. She spotted Annie in the front window and made her way over to check her out. This image captured how I felt this weekend, trapped on the inside looking out. We all got a bit stir crazy.

Valentine's Day Kitty

2008-02-18T22:44:00.002-05:00

Ella's Friends

2008-02-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

A week or so ago Ella visited her friends Ethan and Carter's house. While Layla took a nap inside Ella borrowed some snow pants and headed outside to play. Ethan and Carter showed Ella their swings and slide. You should see how slippery a slide is when a child is wearing a snowsuit and it is slicked down with snow. Thanks to the Raucherts for letting us crash their Saturday.

Girl & Sarah

2008-02-10T21:10:00.000-05:00

Angie brought home a little plastic fish tank from her trip to Indiana. It fits inside a wood box with a whole in the side and looks like you are watching a TV. Earlier today Ella and I went shopping and picked out two goldfish, she picked the color of the gravel and the plant. She thought the gravel was candy and we were going to feed it to the fish. She named the little one Sarah and the bigger fish is Girl.

Mommy missed it!

2008-02-07T22:46:00.000-05:00

Nana, Papa, Ella and I were eating dinner tonight in Bay City. Halfway through dinner Nana and Papa started talking about how surprised they were about Layla following Ella around and wanting to play with the train that she was pulling around the house. Nana said that she peeked in on Layla when she woke up from her nap and she was almost pulling herself up in the crib. She couldn't quite make it ... until dinner time. All four of us look over and one foot at a time, Layla stood up! Too bad mommy, you will have to see it on the blog like the rest of the world. I hope your checking the blog from Indiana. Photo courtesy of Nana.

Cat nap fever

2008-02-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

I think the cats are catching the napping fever like the rest of the Woods. You know how everyone in our house was born to sleep. Actually the only time that the cats get some peace and quiet from the three-year-old roaming our house is during her nap time.

Faces in the crowd

2008-01-31T20:25:00.000-05:00

I am not sure what Ella's plan was, but I guess she was having a couch party with all the dolls she could find. These were only the dolls downstairs, there are just as many upstairs I am sure. Our house is getting a bit crowded. A kind note to everyone that reads this: neither of my daughters need anymore dolls. I know many of you can pick out a doll that was purchased by you, and we (I really mean Ella and Layla) love them dearly, we (and I mean mostly me) think there are enough dolls in the house.

Christmas in January

2008-01-29T20:51:00.000-05:00

December is always so busy that my dad's side of the family decided to have Christmas this past weekend.

Lots of cheeks. Layers and layers of cheeks.

Ella playing cars with the Stothard boys.

Layla thought Grandma Wood's walker was the bomb.

Zane looks innocent enough, he was one mean ping pong player. It doesn't take much I know, but he could put a shot past me once in a while.

Lighting it up

2008-01-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Ella and I turned off all the lights and sat on the couch watching the lightning and eating peanuts tonight. We decided to wake mommy up when Kristy called to let us know there was hail and wind shears heading in our direction. Don't worry it wasn't too strong as it blew by our house. When our TV went out Angie and Ella called Grammy and Papa to keep up on the weather updates and make sure we didn't need to head to the basement. The lightning was lighting up the whole yard, we could see all the way out to the pond.

Winter impressions

2008-01-07T21:35:00.000-05:00

Don't you find it amazing that patterns can be made with the lack or presence of something. These images were taken around our yard as the 50 degree temperature took it's toll on the winter landscape. My best guess to explain the patterns in the first picture is water that melted from snow and ice washed away other snow like a river as it flowes to a lower area of the yard. As I was making my way around the pond I flushed three partridge. I wandered over where they were hanging out and found their tracks weaving through the snow that was left.

Santa needs seconds

2008-01-02T22:32:00.000-05:00

Here is another photo from Christmas morning. Ella came downstairs to take a look at all the presents Santa left for her and Layla. More miraculous than the tree stuffed with presents was the emply plate that, only the night before, held cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. The empty plate was all the proof that Ella needed. "We need to get Santa more cookies," Ella exclaimed. We then quickly tried to explain that he wouldn't be back until next Christmas and he only comes once a year. I do feel a bit guilty lying to my children, I guess it is all for holiday tradition and cheer.

Note: For any of you that have not seen our new house this is a view looking into the library. Someday we hope to build in bookshelves, for now it is a mostly seving as a play area. And yes, we told Ella that Santa came down the "chimney" to our little propane stove.

The Tale of Two Kitties

2007-12-27T21:14:00.000-05:00

Look what Angie found under the Christmas tree. Five days before Christmas I visited the pound and rescued two kittens to give to Angie, Ella and Layla. My sister, Ashley made up some story about finding the kittens while doing chores outside so her kids wouldn't spill the beans to Angie before Christmas. After fostering them for days, I made my niece Carley cry Christmas morning when I came to pick them up. On the way home I wrapped them individually in laundry baskets. Before I could even get them home Peekaboo (Ella would later name her) was escaping from her basket. Lets just say that her energy meets that of the three-year-old that got her as a present. The other kitten, slept the whole ride home, she never made a sound. I decided to present one kitty at a time, the quiet one first, and it was perfect. Angie thought she got a laundry basket until she peeked inside to see Happy (which Ella would later name her) looking up at her.

These two cats couldn't have more different personalities. Peekaboo (pronounced peeky boo by Ella) runs sideways, sliding across the wood floor from one end of the house to the other. It didn't take her long to find the Christmas tree and the ornaments.

Happy on the other hand would prefer to cuddle and lay around the house. I have seen Peekaboo lay down as much as I have seen Happy play around, very little.

It couldn't have turned out any better. Happy matches Angie's energy level, they both like to lay around and cuddle. Peekaboo and Ella deserve each other, racing around the house antagonize each other.

Man O' Snow

2007-12-23T21:38:00.000-05:00

So our foot of snow turned into a few inches of snow in the past couple of days. With warmer temperatures came perfect snowman making weather. Ella and I got a chance to roll some balls of snow together and make our first snowman. We didn't have coal or buttons so we settled for a tiny little carrot and dog food for the finishing touches. When we got home tonight the rain and 40 degree temps. took it's toll on our creation, his head was laying on the ground and he had a real bad tilt to him.

"That, is a big snowman." Ella said after I heaved the head onto the top of the snowman.

The girls

2007-12-11T10:53:00.000-05:00

Most of the time when Layla find herself on her belly she realizes it is easier to lay there and suck her finger than to move around.

Ella was unwrapping each individually wrapped domino that she got for a birthday present from us this past weekend. Nana and Papa called to wish her a happy birthday and she didn't want to stop unwrapping her dominos. I think she might have dropped the phone a couple times but for the most part she did pretty well multitasking.

A very Col(d)man Christmas

2007-12-10T17:58:00.000-05:00

J. Ranck participated in Coleman's annual illuminated holiday parade this past Saturday. "The Miracle of Christmas" was this years theme and there were many "little J. Ranck miracles" throwing candy while trying to stay warm in the 20 degree temperatures. One of the judges, who is a reporter at the Midland Daily News, said that our float had the most participants. The lit up stinger crane and trailer decorated by Angie and Stacey (and I am sure many others) was voted first place for commercial floats. Nice showing for the first year.

Giving Thanks (for family and brett)

2007-11-23T18:32:00.000-05:00

The family and Brett got together for Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Bishop's house. Brett wasn't able to go home for Thanksgiving (his stupid boss made him work on Friday). My niece and nephews loved him, he read them book, played horse with them, and he took tons of photographs. I would recruit him to come every year but I know how much he missed his own family. Either way, you are welcome anytime Brett. See Brett's blog (link is at the right) for more photos.

Brett's self portrait while being mobbed by children.

The only photograph were someone doesn't have their eyes closed, fingers in their mouth, talking or looking stupid.

Grandpa Jack got a kick out of watching the kids and Brett taking pictures.

First and third photo were shot by Brett.

This guy's fault

2007-11-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

"It wasn't my fault... It was the degraded mail server after four years of carnage," Midland Daily News Information Technology Manager Shad Sprague said about our email server crashing burning.

So really though, I need everyone to send me their email addresses. My address book and emails before 8 p.m. last night were "officially hosed" according to shad.

I left my heart in San Francisco

2007-10-26T14:57:00.000-04:00

So these are a long time coming but better late then never.

October is fog season. You can see in the distance, a fog bank rolling in over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Here is a view from the cable car we rode. You figure it out.

Chinatown. A photo from the evening Angie and I walked back from dinner.

In the center you can see Angie and her mom, Lou looking over the bay. Alcatraz is on the left, the skyline is a view of San Francisco from the north.

Angie set the tone

2007-10-06T18:33:00.000-04:00

We didn't even leave the state yet and Angie was aready setting the tone of our trip to San Francisco. I am doing what I can to keep our trip exciting and drinking beer to even our all of her water. This photo was in the Jose Cuerva restaurant during our layover in the airport in Detroit.

All kidding aside, we are having a good time. Touring the town and reminiscing about our honeymoon. Here are a couple quoetes from Angie about being bored.

"If someone is bored that is just a reflection of themselves. I create my own fun so I am never bored," Angie Wood said just before heading to her hotel room to read a book and take a nap.

The excuse

2007-08-29T11:08:00.000-04:00

Here is my excuse for not blogging the past couple of months. The house is all consuming. It seems so many decisions need to be made: siding color, shingle color, doors, closets, outlets, lighting, mailboxes, garage doors, fireplaces, wood flooring and stain colors. I am sure this is only the first round of decisions too. The good thing is the house has windows, doors, electrical and a roof. The water line was going to be run today. At lease if things stopped today we would have a roof over our heads:)

Ella trying to not fall over on the rough terrain, while checking out the pond.

Angie looking out what will soon be the kitchen nook. In the background is the view towards the pond.

When we moved out of the house and now we don't even have spotty internet. So I can't tell you how consistent I am going to be with posts until we move into the new house and get internet our there. These are old photos so I will try to update with something more recent soon.

Weebles Wobble

2007-08-29T10:59:00.000-04:00

Layla is sitting now (mostly with help) but some by herself. She is still a little round and rolly, also a bit top heavy. Anyway, she is becoming really aware and starting to interact. The other day she was following Ella around with her eyes as Ella played in her bouncy. Every time Ella would poke her head out Layla would laugh histerically. I would say that is the first time I have seen them "play together." This is an old picture taken in the old house. We sold our house and closed on it last week. We moved in to a rental next door. It was weird to see the new home owners sitting on "our" porch swinging on the swing that my dad and I made together. It still feels like our house.

Stress relief

2007-08-05T22:06:00.000-04:00

So first off, to everyone that is a wood frames groupie, I am sorry. It has been awhile since my previous post. I know you all don't want to hear excuses but let me vent. Between building a house, selling a house, home inspections, projects at work, interviewing babysitters and a bunch of other stuff, there just isn't time to blog these days.

This weekend Channing was in town visiting. Although we had to change our initial plans, we had a blast hanging out like always. Check out his blog (the link is on the right side) to see pictures from his time in Michigan. It really is a can't miss, Channing style, know what mean man?

Thanks for coming in during the late innings Channing and pitching me (and the family) some much needed stress relief.

Wood-Ingleson

2007-07-08T12:48:00.001-04:00

Angie said on the drive home, "This was Layla's first family reunion and it wasn't even her own." This past weekend, for the second year in a row, we crashed the Ingleson family reunion in Roscommon. The Ingleson family is Justin Rumbach's mom Susie's family who are from Michigan. This family is something, their gatherings are like nothing else and just a great time. Their reunions set the bar, complete with water games in the pool, horseshoe tournament, camping and to top it all off an annual Fourth of July parade that you wouldn't believe unless you witnessed it. A couple more years of this and we are going to have to start hyphenating our name.

This is Justin's Aunt Sara and cousin Harry after the parade.

Justin's daughter Hadley tries on her hat before the parade.

To put it mildly we will just say that the Rumbach family dressed as farm hands. I am not sure how, but Cameron slept throught the parade. She is wearing a shirt and overhauls that Justin wore when he was little.

What reunion would be complete without a dog and a plastic mower.

Layla was a good girl. You don't see Ella because we dropped her off at the lake to spend time with Jim and Lou. Good thing too, it was a long day.

Just after 11:30 a.m., Layla and Angie get ready for a swim in the pool at the farm. We never did run into pickpockets or loose women, just some really nice folks. Well I guess that is not entirely true ... the clock must not have been working ... we arrived around 2 p.m.

Rumbach's are in town

2007-07-06T14:08:00.000-04:00

Good thing we have a friend that is a professional photographer. (No offense to all our other friends that are photographers :) Abbie wanted to shoot Cameron's six-month portrait so I sweet-talked Justin into shooting the Wood kids too. Don't worry we will distribute prints.

Property: excavating and pond

2007-07-04T11:36:00.000-04:00

Jim, Adam and Henry met us at the property to take a look at what our excavator had gotten done over the weekend. We are just waiting on the building permit to start. Hopefully in the next few weeks everything will be in full swing, electric will get run and the foundation will be started.

Nana's Girls

2007-07-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

Here is the first installment of images from the Fourth of July week off and vacationing. This past weekend we spent the weekend at the lake enjoying the nice weather and the Rogers. (That is what Ella calls Nana and Papa Wood).

Layla snuggles with Nana after a bath in the kitchen sink.

Ella and Nana watch the neighbors kids on the trampoline next door. She came up from the lake with a new word in her vocabulary Tram-po-line.

Layla's Baptism

2007-06-28T22:15:00.000-04:00

Layla was baptized on Sunday, my sister Ashley and Angie's brother Adam are her Godparents. She did very well, just chilling out in Daddy's arms, looking all around the church. Thanks to everyone who made her day special.

Summer Stroll

2007-06-26T20:37:00.000-04:00

Ella, Angie, Layla, Grandma Bishop, Nana Bonnie, Aunt Lisa and I went to the Summer Solstice stroll in downtown Midland last week.

Ella is still talking about the "dancing people" she really had a great time, I think everyone did.

The group is called Strange Fruit, they are from Austrailia and were part of the Matrix:Midland event. They danced and performed at the top of 14-foot fiberglass poles.

On the way back to the car Ella would arch her back and sway back and forth pretending to be like the group. Aunt Lisa helped her out being her fiberglass pole.

On the island

2007-06-22T20:30:00.000-04:00

This is Layla's first time in an outdoor swing. She thought it was pretty cool, but not as cool as Ella thought it was to have a swing partner.

Grammy and Ella enjoyed a cool dip in the lake. Ella calls it the pool, but the colder water doesn't seem to bother her.

You are my sunshine

2007-06-22T20:16:00.000-04:00

Look who figured out that pictures actually move. Check out this video of Ella singing along to one of her favorite songs.

Wagon tails

2007-06-20T21:07:00.000-04:00

I didn't think Annie would stay in the wagon. Really I picked her up and placed her in the wagon thinking all fours wouldn't even get the chance to hit the bottom. She proved me wrong, she curled up next to Ella and rode around the yard. Even through Ella's hugs and kisses she stayed patient.

(not) All Smiles

2007-06-14T22:34:00.000-04:00

Here is a photo from a week or so ago. Our baby sitter said that Layla didn't eat much today because she was to busy smiling. I guess she was smiling through her bottle. Thats funny, she was crying through her bottle later in the evening.

Dragonfly Friend

2007-06-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

Ella had a visitor while swinging with Angie today. A dragonfly hung out, cleaned it's legs, showed off it's transparent wings and green eyes to a very curious little girl. I was so proud of Angie, she actually touched it. It hung around for 10 or 15 minutes and then flew off.

Slim Shady

2007-05-31T21:56:00.000-04:00

I was out mowing the back field today and came across these fine shades. Pretty sure I know who they belong to, I think her name rhymes with Lamy Groper. Anyway, if anyone is missing a pair of sunglasses from the bon fire at my place let me know. Until then watch out around town for a slim guy riding around in his hoopty tahoe sporting these hot shades.

Stothard 9

2007-05-29T22:12:00.000-04:00

Here are the nine Stothard kids. The four humans, from left, my neices Ali, Carley and nephews Shane and Nathan. I'm not sure if the goats have names yet. I know they were thinking of naming one of them pokey, or dot or dotty or something because it seriously has white circles all over it's body. Leasle gave birth to triplets and Grettle gave birth to twins. Count 'em up folks 4 + 5 = 9.

Layla started smiling the past couple of weeks. Most of the smiles come out for mommy or the papa but occassionally everyone else can sneak one out of her.