So I thought I’d give you all a little peek at our developing baby boy. The picture you see is from Dixie’s ultrasound appointment this morning. He seems to be a little camera shy. But hey, you get a good shot of his fist! We thought he was going to be a soccer player, but maybe now a boxer. The was taken with a new method called 4D Ultrasound? I’m not quite sure I understand that. Did they figure out time-travel via Ultrasound? Maybe they’re using ultrasound to break through the 4th dimension, traveling the time-space continuum. Just kidding. Still not sure what it is, but it looks pretty cool anyway. And the only reason we haven’t posted up any ultrasound pictures till now is because we really haven’t had any decent ones. Once I scan them in, you really can’t see much. But this one seems to be a pretty decent quality. Just click on the thumbnail of the picture to see it larger. Or click here.

Anyway, maybe we’ll get some more up here soon, but I hope this one gets you all excited!

An update from the Duckworths! I figure I’ll try to get these out here when I can. Maybe it’ll reach a few more people she didn’t get it to. She sent a few pictures with the email, and I’ve added them to the Duckworth’s album. The new ones should be at the top of the album. Click here to see the album with the new pictures. Here is what Camille wrote:

It’s finally winter! We have been waiting how many months for this? We finally got our second, third and fourth real snows of the year. The last time we had more than a 1/4″ of snow and snow that stuck past 10:00 am, was way back in NOvember. And finally this week we have had snow almost every day and it’s staying! Mostly. I swear once it falls good though it still melts faster than it continues to fall, but yesterday was cold and it snowed more, so it’s still there! Yay! I love snow. I say if it’s going to be cold, and it’s goign to be winter, might as well have snow to make it a little fun and interesting. Not to mention prettier!

This week was actually really nice. I didn’t have a whole lot going on, or things to plan for, so I was really able to just play a lot with the kids. We played in the snow twice, and it’s as if Kyson knew I had a little extra time and he just wanted me to play constantly all week. So it’s really a good thing I didn’t have tonz going on. I had a few Auctions on Ebay end this weekend, but most of the stuff was already made, so I haven’t really had to do too much! I was in charge of our wards first Date Night Friday night, but I was asked to make it simple, so besides the plethera of phone calls I had to make on tuesday, I didn’t worry about any part of it until Friday. And even then, the food I prepared was really easy, Duck helped me set up and we left the house and kids with a sitter. It was really nice!

On the other hand though, Duck did have a busy week. it was inventory at his store, so he was busy all week preparing for that. Thursday due to all the snow he was short a few people coming in to help them, so I quickly got a sitter and went to help count. It was wierd, and yet fun at the same time. I know though, I would never want to work for my husband. Not because I don’t think we would get a long, but because I wouldn’t ever want to work! I would just want to talk, and occasionally give a hug or kiss…and just possibly that wouldn’t be appropriate in the work place. But it was nice when he was done friday afternoon to have our date night together.

As fas as the snow, I let the kids play out for a while and Kyson loved it. Maliyah did too, but Kyson just I think could have stayed outside for hours! He had a cow when it was time to come in! Then the second day, Kyson was being fussy, so I played with them a little more, and he was still fussy, not quite as thrilled as he was the first day. so I sent him back in the house to watch a movie while Maliyah and I made her very first snowman! (where she actually wa able to help). Itw as so fun. She was so excited about him, and loved his fishy mouth (that quickly fell out because he was melting). As you will see in one of the pictures, I tried to get her to kiss the snowman, and she didn’t really like that idea at all…in fact she refused to get close to it after that!

This week also Maliyahy was finally able to ear back some of her horses. She has been grounded from them for weeks now because of an awful pooping in her pants. She is still really struggling with that, and although she only poops once or twice a week, she hadn’t gone in the toilet for over a month. We kept trying rewards, and that wasn’t working, so we tried taking away when she messed her pants…and that helped her understand better, but still didn’t work.
I was getting sad she didn’t have her horses, so I finally let her start earning them one at a time with extra jobs. It’s amazing how much work a 3 year old can do when she has good enough motivation!

But we had a breakthrough this weekend! Saturday afternoon we were at Walmart and we watched the fishies. Duck got this idea that if Maliyah will poop in the toilet she will get to get fishies. She was pretty excited about that, but I really didnt think it would be any better than all the millions of other things we have bribed her with.

But later before bed, we could tell she was needing to go (it had been nearly a week mind you), and so we stuck her on the toilet, She threw a fit! She didn’t want to stay on there, but finally after quite a while, she went! I think she finally realized it was coming wether she wanted it to or not, and she finally pushed! It was traumatic at first, but then she got over it and was so excited because not only did she get ALL her horses back…but she got to go and get fishies!!! Duck took her right then to Walmart. And of course he couldnt’ just get a fish bowl and fish…..tank, fish, rocks, plants. The whole works! WE put it togetgher right away and she just stared at them till she fell asleep.

WEll the fish story continues! Today after church we were fixing lunch, Maliyah was in her room watching her fish, and I hear this crash. I knew immediately it was the tank! I yell at duck to run in there and she was bawling watching the fishies flapping all over the floor. I hd to take her out of the room she was so upset that she had hurt her fish. I finally had to show her that the fish were still alive, just to get her to calm down! Finally duck got the mess all cleaned up and she wa able to bring herself to going in her room again. It was really kinda sad!

Okay, as if this email wasn’t long enough, one saga, that you will see in the pictures. Maliyah’s face has broken out. WE don’t know what it is, but our DR friend has suggsted a cream, and to give it time, but it looks awful! Especially now that some of the sores on her face are healing, they look even worse. Instead of red spots they are getting dry and crackly. It doesn’t bother her, but I also even hesitated to let her go to primary for fear of what the other adult might think. And one did ask me if she had the chicken pox. But nope. It’s just a break out that hopefully will just go away soon on it’s own.

Whew! I feel like that was a lot. We really are just doing great and trying to get through day to day! We still love our ward and being here and hope that all of you are doing well….as well! We love hearing from you all and would love it even more if it was more!
Camille

Here are a couple of videos of Maddie on New Year’s Eve, yelling, “Happy New Year!” There are two videos, scroll down to see the second one.

Alrighty then, it’s now been about month since our last update. I was planning on trying to do this thing like once a week or so, but honestly, I think we’re doing good to keep it at once a month!

Anyway, not a whole lot has happened, however, we did find out we were having a boy! Maddie is slowly catching on to the fact that Mommy’s tummy is big because her baby brother is in there. I can’t wait to see her eyes when she first meets him. The little tyke is developing fine, actually about a week ahead of schedule. Dixie is due on the 27th of June, just in time for my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

So Dixie and I hit our 5 year anniversary on the 15th of this month. (February) Five years, and loving every minute of it. This last weekend, we took Maddie to Dixie’s parent’s house and had a little vacation to celebrate. We actually took two nights, Maddie stayed at the Lang’s on Sunday night, and my parent’s on Monday night. We flew to the most exotic location, stayed in the fanciest hotel, and ate nothing but the finest foods. Ok, so we stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Bountiful, and ate dinner at Ruby River. So it wasn’t Hawaii, but it was a break from life at least. It really was a nice break. Thanks to our parents for putting up with Maddie for a bit so we could take off.

If you have a few minutes, you might want to check out some of the new photos and things that have been added lately. Here’s a list of links to a few of the photo albums and things that have new stuff in them.

Maddie’s Album
The Lang House Restoration Project (Still underway)
Dyan’s summer in Alaska
Dyan’s Internship Pictures
Adam’s personal photo album.

If you’re still bored after all that, I’m sure there’s plenty of new things to see and do over in the Brain Cell Bucket. I come across funny videos and jokes all the time, and if I think they’re Packer-worthy, then I throw them in there for you to enjoy. And there have even been a couple new posts in the Public
blog. And remember, if any of you at all want to post something in the Public Blog, just let me know, and I’ll hook you up! It sure would be fun to have a bunch of people telling us all what’s going on.

So I think that about covers it! We’ll see ya next time!

Is that how you spell Pinata? I suppose it should have one of those squiggly lines over it or something. Anyway, thanks to Rob Carlson for sending in this great video of Maddie taking a few swings at a Pinata a few nights ago at Grandma Carlson’s house. It’s a tradition to have Mexican food and swing at a Pinata around Christmas time with the Carlsons. I suppose this one is just left over. Enjoy!

Shalamar just sent these pictures of Ayden. I thought I might share them here. He sure is a cute little guy! Here is the note she sent with the pictures:
“Hey everyone, here are some pictures of Ayden. I wanted to send some out for a while and I finally had time to shrink them and export them and blah blah, it took almost an hour! I’m not good at sending pictures. Anyway, enjoy! For all my friends who don’t know, Ayden is 10 months old, has two teeth and we’re trying to teach him to walk right now. It’s great! Hope everyone is doing well.

Shal”

Camille just sent out this video to us. Some of you have probably seen it, but for those of you who haven’t here it is! And here’s what she said in the email:

“…while Steve (Duckworth) was here Maliyah had a lot of fun running around in this horse costume she got, so I was inspired to make a short clip of all her silly horsing around! Hopefully the quality isn’t too horrible since I had to significantly downsize the file.
Camille”

Well, not quite yet, but I just thought I’d post up here that Dixie just got back from the doctor the other day, and it’s official. We’re going to be having a boy! And the little tyke is ahead of schedule, apparently a week ahead, the due date being June 27th. But believe me, I saw the ultra-sound, it’s a boy. No mistaking it! You’ll see for yourself when I get around to scanning the ultra-sounds in and putting them up here. Anyway, just thought you all ought to know! We’ll keep you posted. Just check back here often, you never know when there might be good stuff.

Oh, and some other good interesting news, Maddie went pee in the toilet for the first time the other day! I’m sure you all wanted to know that. But we were quite excited! I know, we’re still at the beginning of a long, tiring road, but it’s a step in the right direction anyway.

Well, it’s now been a couple months since the site has been up, and we’re already slacking on keeping you all updated. I just kept telling myself I’ll wait till after the holidays and then give it to you all in one foul swoop. So here it is. We had a great Christmas and New Year, packed with family, friends, gifts, and junk food. Mostly the later. Maddie had an absolute blast this Christmas. While she’s still working on the whole unwrapping thing, she’s finally old enough to understand Santa, reindeer, presents, and the Christmas tree. (Which, by the way, had no decorations on the lower half after the first two days.)

We decided not to spend much on each other this year, as we spent all our money this summer on putting in a new lawn and sprinkler system, car problems, and my student loans have now come due. We actually did really well. We spent a total of $4.00, for a puzzle. We spent the rest of our fortune on presents for Maddie. Yes, we still splurged on her. She got all sorts of good stuff, from blocks, to trains, to ponies, to books, to movies, and much more. Grandma Lang, who’s favorite pastime is to spoil Maddie, got her a nice little drawing easel with magnets, and got us some much needed bar stools for our kitchen. Totally unnecessary, by the way Debbie, I’m sure you could have used the money for your expensive home project! (They are in the middle of some major renovations on their house. I’ll post up some pictures as soon as I get them.) But thanks anyway! And she was spoiled again by the grandparents-Packer, with a cute little stuffed animal/purse, which held her one true crutch inside - chapstick. (see picture at the top of the paragraph) Not only is chapstick Maddie’s favorite thing in the world, this was chocolate flavored chapstick! Which, by the end of Christmas day had been smothered all over her face.

I was lucky enough to get a 4-day weekend over the Christmas break, and another 4-day weekend over the new-year break, so we spent nearly every night over at one or the other grandparent’s house gorging on junk food, playing games, or just having fun. Since the Lang’s didn’t have a complete house Christmas morning, we had them over to our house for breakfast. Grandma Debbie made mountain hash, a family favorite mash-up of scrambled eggs, hash browns, Italian sausage, and mozzarella cheese, all fried together in a heavenly combination, only to be topped by… more cheese. That was the highlight of Christmas for me, I mean besides the whole spirit of giving, joy, everlasting peace, blah, blah, blah.

After breakfast at our house, we headed over to my parent’s house to spend some time over there. Come to find out Jaron, Jordan, Austin, and Rebecca stayed up till 6:30 am Christmas morning, working on a domino powered contraption that spanned half the family room downstairs. Somehow, I got dragged into helping them with it, and we spent quite a few more hours Christmas day finishing it up. When we set it off, we caught the whole thing on video. I’ll get the video posted up soon, but for now, there are a few pictures in the Christmas Album I just uploaded. The Duckworths spent Christmas at home in Klamath Falls, but made it down from Oregon the day after Christmas, and as always, it was great to see them. Maddie just loves to play with the cousins she doesn’t get to see very often.

New Years was similar. We visited the Packers for dinner, and played a few games with them, and then headed over to the Lang’s to bring in the New Year. Somehow Maddie is able to have just as much energy at 1:00 in the morning, as she did at 6:00 that evening. She never has a problem staying up on New Year’s Eve. Of course there was more junk food, and plenty of games and fun.

Well, I just noticed that this little update is getting extremely long, so I’ll leave it at that. Be sure to check out the Public Blog, as we’ve had a few new things posted up there recently. And if you’re still bored, check out the Brain Cell Bucket, which has a few videos and other stupid stuff to waste your time. It was great to spend so much time with friends and family over the holidays, and as always, it was so great to have the Duckworth’s down here. So in parting, I’ll leave you with a quote from the late, the great, James Brown, “I tought them everything they know, but not everything I know.” Happy New Year!

This is the beginning of the PackerWorld website. Since we’ve started the Christmas season, I thought I’d start with a little Christmas theme, hope you like it. The picture above is a little dated, it’s of last Easter, but it’s the only one I could find that had all of us in it, without digging through the archives.

To start things off, Maddie is definitely a 2-year-old, and causing a ton of mischief.  Her favorite thing to do is to climb up on the bathroom counter, and get into whatever she can find.  She is talking up a storm, and she’s actually making semi-coherent sentences.  For the most part, she can get her point accross, except for when she’s scream-talking, which really garbles up the message.  But we lover her anyway.

Dixie is pregnant with number two, and is due in June.  We’ll make sure to let you all know when we find out if it’s a boy or a girl.  She just got released from being the primary pianist and enrichment committee member, and got called as the second counselor in the primary presidency.  I’m sure that will keep her plenty busy, and help her keep her mind off the pregnancy. 

Anyway, I’m really excited to finally get the website up and going. I just finished school and got my bachelors in Telecommunications, so I have a little bit of extra time to work on it.  I usually hate winter, but I’ve spent this whole last summer putting in a new lawn and a sprinkler system, so I’m actually relieved that winter is here for once.  I think this summer was the longest summer of my life.  I’m currently working the night shift at Hill Air Force Base monitoring computer systems.  So if you’re ever up in the middle of the night, and you’re bored, send me an email, and we’ll chat!

We’re assuming that most of you visiting this site are family members, or close friends and relatives, so you all probably know pretty much all there is to know About Us. But, should the odd strager wander into the site, or you just want to find out more About Us, be sure to check out the About Us page to learn all the nitty gritty details.

I’ve set up a Public blog, so that any of you that want can get in there and blog away about yourself or your family.  If you’re interested in posting in the Public blog, send me an email, and I’ll set you up and tell you how to do it.  Should be lots of fun.  Also, if you ever have pictures you want to send us to put in the Photos page, send those to me as well, and we’ll put them up for the world to see!

Well, we hope you enjoy the site.  We’ll try to keep regular updates and pictures coming so you always have something fun to read.  I hope to be able to find the time to keep adding fun little things to the site as well.  So check back often, and happy holidays!