God Bless America from Jaci Root on Vimeo.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Arbor Day at WMU
Today was Arbor Day at Western Michigan University! It was a pretty special day since this is the first year that WMU has qualified for 'Tree Campus USA' by the Arbor Foundation. They are only one of two Michigan universities to qualify! The other is U of M.
So the arborists in the landscape department have been working hard to achieve this goal and were excited to welcome staff and students (as well as other guests like us!) to take part in the day's festivities. One of those arborists happen to be Steve so we were there to experience this day first hand!
First, Darrell (another Landscape Supervisor) told the history of Arbor Day and how it came to be. Then President Dunn spoke and acknowledged the hard work the arborists and the landscape department have put into the campus and this event. After that, Steve explained the Tree Tour around campus - there was a guided tour directly after the gathering or self-guided using the maps provided. Last, Darrell talked about the tree selection for this year's planting. They chose the Common Hackberry due to the soil conditions in that particular area as well as it's hardiness to endure exposure to the elements (ie salt during snow removal).
That is when the fun began! Tanner was there with his little plastic shovel and was itching to help plant the tree so someone mentioned that he should be the first to throw the soil in the hole. But then it was appointed that President Dunn would do the honors so he motioned for Tanner to come help him plant the tree! So he showed Tanner how to scoop that soil and throw it in the hole! It was a cute moment!
Just about everyone had an opportunity to help plant the tree and after a little while even Buster the Bronco showed up!! I wasn't sure how Tanner would respond since he's never seen a character like that but he LOVED him!! He kept going over and giving Buster a hug and giving him five and asking him questions!
To top it all off - it was a beautiful day! Oh...and if you are interested in taking a Tree Tour of the WMU campus, you can find maps here.
Tanner did some pre-planting scoops before the gathering began!
Dumping in the soil!
Digging the soil with President Dunn.
Heave-ho!
Who knew planting a tree could be so fun!!
A special moment!
Greeting Buster.
Giving a big hug!!
Steve, Tanner, Darrell and Buster by the official Tree Campus USA sign.
After the tree planting, we went on our own guided tree tour with Steve! Here's our little tree hugger!
And kisser!
Riding on the back of the cart with his prizes! An Arbor Foundation pencil and the dandelions he picked!
"Driving" the cart! (Rivaling with Buster for 'highlight of the day'!)
So the arborists in the landscape department have been working hard to achieve this goal and were excited to welcome staff and students (as well as other guests like us!) to take part in the day's festivities. One of those arborists happen to be Steve so we were there to experience this day first hand!
First, Darrell (another Landscape Supervisor) told the history of Arbor Day and how it came to be. Then President Dunn spoke and acknowledged the hard work the arborists and the landscape department have put into the campus and this event. After that, Steve explained the Tree Tour around campus - there was a guided tour directly after the gathering or self-guided using the maps provided. Last, Darrell talked about the tree selection for this year's planting. They chose the Common Hackberry due to the soil conditions in that particular area as well as it's hardiness to endure exposure to the elements (ie salt during snow removal).
That is when the fun began! Tanner was there with his little plastic shovel and was itching to help plant the tree so someone mentioned that he should be the first to throw the soil in the hole. But then it was appointed that President Dunn would do the honors so he motioned for Tanner to come help him plant the tree! So he showed Tanner how to scoop that soil and throw it in the hole! It was a cute moment!
Just about everyone had an opportunity to help plant the tree and after a little while even Buster the Bronco showed up!! I wasn't sure how Tanner would respond since he's never seen a character like that but he LOVED him!! He kept going over and giving Buster a hug and giving him five and asking him questions!
To top it all off - it was a beautiful day! Oh...and if you are interested in taking a Tree Tour of the WMU campus, you can find maps here.
Tanner did some pre-planting scoops before the gathering began!
Dumping in the soil!
Digging the soil with President Dunn.
Heave-ho!
Who knew planting a tree could be so fun!!
A special moment!
Greeting Buster.
Giving a big hug!!
Steve, Tanner, Darrell and Buster by the official Tree Campus USA sign.
After the tree planting, we went on our own guided tree tour with Steve! Here's our little tree hugger!
And kisser!
Riding on the back of the cart with his prizes! An Arbor Foundation pencil and the dandelions he picked!
"Driving" the cart! (Rivaling with Buster for 'highlight of the day'!)
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Tanner is going to be a Big Brother!!!
For those of you who haven't heard yet....we are expecting a second little one!! We are just thrilled!! I'm not sure if Tanner really knows exactly what 'Big Brother' means but he is pretty excited about it!
So...introducing our new little Root! Here he/she is at 11.5 weeks! Expectant arrival is end of October/early November. Can't wait to meet you little one!!!
So...introducing our new little Root! Here he/she is at 11.5 weeks! Expectant arrival is end of October/early November. Can't wait to meet you little one!!!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Monkeys Like Rice
Betcha didn't know that!!! Tanner informed me of this the other day. We were having brown rice with dinner and all of a sudden Tanner says 'Hi Monkey' to his monkey cup:
And then he says "Would you like some rice, Monkey?" Then "OK...here's some rice" and proceed to pile up rice on the monkey's mouth area! So I ask him, 'Do monkeys like rice?' to which he replied "Yeah!!"
So...monkeys like rice!
And then he says "Would you like some rice, Monkey?" Then "OK...here's some rice" and proceed to pile up rice on the monkey's mouth area! So I ask him, 'Do monkeys like rice?' to which he replied "Yeah!!"So...monkeys like rice!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
First Haircut!!
I finally did it. I cut Tanner's hair. Sigh.
But it was a FUN experience! It was an evening of firsts! Tanner's first haircut. His first time watching a movie. And his introduction into the world of Winnie the Pooh. Plus, as soon as I was done with the haircut - it snowed for the first time.
Tanner sat SO good for the haircut! I just put him in his booster seat on a chair on top of a garbage bag and then put a Winnie the Pooh movie in for him to watch. The only time he wiggled was when I was right in front of his face to cut his bangs and he couldn't see Pooh.
Here is how it turned out!
Before:
During:
After:
Isn't he adorable?
It's amazing how a haircut can make him look older! He looks like such a big boy now! And I wish I had taken a photo of the pile of hair that I cut off. It looked like nothing! It was hardly a handful! But what a difference it made!
That last photo was an attempt to show the snow falling out the window. If you click on the photo - it will bring you to a larger image and then you can sort of see the snow whizzing through the air. It didn't stick on the ground so there was nothing to show for it but it was the first flakes of the season!
But it was a FUN experience! It was an evening of firsts! Tanner's first haircut. His first time watching a movie. And his introduction into the world of Winnie the Pooh. Plus, as soon as I was done with the haircut - it snowed for the first time.
Tanner sat SO good for the haircut! I just put him in his booster seat on a chair on top of a garbage bag and then put a Winnie the Pooh movie in for him to watch. The only time he wiggled was when I was right in front of his face to cut his bangs and he couldn't see Pooh.
Here is how it turned out!
Before:
During:
After:
Isn't he adorable?
It's amazing how a haircut can make him look older! He looks like such a big boy now! And I wish I had taken a photo of the pile of hair that I cut off. It looked like nothing! It was hardly a handful! But what a difference it made!
That last photo was an attempt to show the snow falling out the window. If you click on the photo - it will bring you to a larger image and then you can sort of see the snow whizzing through the air. It didn't stick on the ground so there was nothing to show for it but it was the first flakes of the season!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tanner's Birthday!
Just wanted to put up some photos and memories from Tanner's birthday celebration. We had a little family gathering on Saturday the 11th. The theme was yellow because it's Tanner's favorite color! It was an absolutely gorgeous day! Can you believe it was almost 80 degrees? The festivities began with a taco dinner (Tanner's current favorite!) and then we went outside and enjoyed a couple of exciting games of croquet - a Root family favorite! Then we helped Tanner open up his fun presents! Last - we put him in his chair and gave him his birthday cupcake with a number '2' candle. He promptly said 'OH - it's too, very, very HOT!!' about the lit candle. His 'cake' this year was a bunch of cupcakes put together to say 'Y is for yellow'! After he blew out his candle, he dug in but quickly realized that his hand was sticky from frosting and didn't like that at all! His blue shirt was soon coated with yellow buttercream! :) We had such a good time! And Tanner did, too!
Here are some photos from our day!
Then...on his birthday we had another good day! We started having Tanner's favorite, blueberries, with our breakfast! Then we spent some time at the park!! For dinner we went to Applebees and then home to open more presents - we had saved the gifts we bought Tanner for his actual birthday. By this point, he had present opening pretty much down and didn't really need any help! It was so cute - each time he began opening one he would make a WOW face (see photo below). After that - we had cake!
We took a lot of photos during those two days - you can see more here.
Here are some photos from our day!
Then...on his birthday we had another good day! We started having Tanner's favorite, blueberries, with our breakfast! Then we spent some time at the park!! For dinner we went to Applebees and then home to open more presents - we had saved the gifts we bought Tanner for his actual birthday. By this point, he had present opening pretty much down and didn't really need any help! It was so cute - each time he began opening one he would make a WOW face (see photo below). After that - we had cake!
We took a lot of photos during those two days - you can see more here.
Autumn Fun!
We are having some fun this autumn - exploring the Paw Paw area and all it has to offer. We've been apple-picking (and applesauce-making!), to the cider mill, and the pumpkin patch. Tanner just loves new experiences and it's been really fun to check out these places with him and 'see' it through his eyes.
Steve heard that the Pumpkin Pie Shake at Culvers was amazing so we stopped in for a try! It was really good - tasted exactly like Pumpkin Pie including the crust! Tanner liked it ALOT - his lips were practically glued to the straw! :)
Next stop was Verhage Farms to see their cider mill and buy some cider for Tanner's birthday party! Come to find out - they aren't just a cider mill! They have hayrides, a little country store, pumpkins, a large play area for kids, and a little barn with a miniature horse, two goats and some chickens.
Here is Tanner trying some apple cider for the very first time!
Tanner and the Big Red Barn!
Here he is checking out the goats....
...and then one decided to check him out so he leaned in for a kiss! :)
Last, we went to the pumpkin patch! Our very first time to Gene the Pumpkin Man! What a place! I've never see so many pumpkins in one place! Gene found out that it was our first visit and gave us a free pumpkin cookbook! There are so many good recipes to try in that book! So - I gave pumpkin roasting a try! And made some really yummy pumpkin apple muffins!
Sitting on the cart of gourds:
It was starting to get dark so this isn't the best photo but you can see the pumpkins and the fields beyond. Plus a silly little guy with a silly grin!
Then we tried to get some photos of Tanner on a pumpkin...
"Can I get down, pwease?"
This photo was really, really dark. So I played around with editing it and it came out a bit grainy and old-looking. I kinda like it!
Steve heard that the Pumpkin Pie Shake at Culvers was amazing so we stopped in for a try! It was really good - tasted exactly like Pumpkin Pie including the crust! Tanner liked it ALOT - his lips were practically glued to the straw! :)
Next stop was Verhage Farms to see their cider mill and buy some cider for Tanner's birthday party! Come to find out - they aren't just a cider mill! They have hayrides, a little country store, pumpkins, a large play area for kids, and a little barn with a miniature horse, two goats and some chickens.
Here is Tanner trying some apple cider for the very first time!
Tanner and the Big Red Barn!
Here he is checking out the goats....
...and then one decided to check him out so he leaned in for a kiss! :)
Last, we went to the pumpkin patch! Our very first time to Gene the Pumpkin Man! What a place! I've never see so many pumpkins in one place! Gene found out that it was our first visit and gave us a free pumpkin cookbook! There are so many good recipes to try in that book! So - I gave pumpkin roasting a try! And made some really yummy pumpkin apple muffins!
Sitting on the cart of gourds:
It was starting to get dark so this isn't the best photo but you can see the pumpkins and the fields beyond. Plus a silly little guy with a silly grin!
Then we tried to get some photos of Tanner on a pumpkin...
"Can I get down, pwease?"
This photo was really, really dark. So I played around with editing it and it came out a bit grainy and old-looking. I kinda like it!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Birthday, Tanner!!!
He's two!!! It's so crazy to think that two years ago on a surprisingly warm and sunny day in Portland, our little guy was birthed into Daddy's waiting arms! What an awesome blessing he has been in our lives! We are so thankful to God for the gift that Tanner is to us! We love you, Tanner!
Here is Tanner on the day he was born:
And a photo from the other day:
And here is a little video of Tanner telling us about his birthday!
When is your birthday? from Jaci Root on Vimeo.
Here is Tanner on the day he was born:
And a photo from the other day:
And here is a little video of Tanner telling us about his birthday!
When is your birthday? from Jaci Root on Vimeo.
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