August 2003 Archives

Luke II

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Mom and baby continue to do well. These pictures were taken today, with Luke still less than 24 hours old.

Luke, I am Your Father

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Earlier this evening (August 28th at 10:23 P.M. Mountain to be exact), Rachel delivered an 8 lbs 2 oz boy we have named Luke Laurin Westhoff. Laurin after Rachel's father and Luke in honor of my Dad who on many occasions has let it be known that if he ever had another boy, he was going to name him Luke. I don't know if you can appreciate it from the pictures, but Luke looks very much like Chase, who will no doubt be pleased to learn of the resemblance. Special thanks to our neighbor Liz for watching the kids all day (and night) while we were in the hospital.

The Crib

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We got to go a look at the new house and it is looking pretty good. It is cool to see how it all comes together. Katie was so excited for the first few minutes that she was trying to decide which room she wanted before reality set in. Now we really are never going to get her married off!

Branson Fun

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Boy did we have fun at Branson's Silver Dollar City! Dad agreed to watch Harker and mom was at work as the rest of us drove an hour and a half to have a little back woods fun. We stayed the whole eight hours the park was open and most of that we spent riding the rides. Of course we did find some time to look through the shops and eat some funnel cake. Brad and Katie took turns watching Hyrum so I got to go on all the rides times 2 (or 4, or even 5!)

This book is also about Billy (he is the boy from "How to Eat Fried Worms") except he tries to win a lottery. This was a pretty good book. If you can believe it, his little sister gave him the numbers three stars.

This a book about a kid named Billy who makes a bet that he could eat 15 fried worms (some boiled). I really like this book. Four stars.

Book Report: The Winter Room

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This book is about a family who lives on a farm and tells you about the summer, spring, winter and fall. Uncle David tells stories in the winter. This was an OK book. Three stars.

This book was about how Encyclodedia solves mysteries. I was able to figure one out by myself. My favorite mystery was the case of boy bull fighter. I really like Encyclopedia Brown books and give this one 4 stars.

Update

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38 wks 2 days not much change in the cervix dept. We are on the books for induction this Saturday morning the 30th unless they get slammed with patients and have no beds.

This book was about the pioneers. They needed another driver. Gideon saved a family who didn't have a dad, the Mom had two kids. He was seven years old at the end of the book. Three and a half stars.

This book was about a kid who made a bet with his friends. Whoever won got fifty bucks. Four stars.

Toy Test

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Dunn testing the game 'Bionicle' at the Pacific Science Center.

Test Run for Tokyo

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Last Friday Dunn, Zach and I took the bus from Tacoma to Seattle’s downtown area on a field trip of sorts. I hadn’t realized it but this was the first time they remember ever being downtown in a big city (they had heretofore been left at home for obvious reasons).

Backyard Fun

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Book Report: The Magic Finger

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This book was about a girl who had a magic finger that she can't control. If she's mad about something she makes people change into things that they hurt or killed. I give this book three stars.

This book was about a boy who went to a school to learn how to slay dragons. He met a wizard on the way to the school and he got a wish and he wished for a sword with some help from the wizard. He killed the dragon by making it laugh so hard it "poofed".

This book was about a kid who made some medicine for his grandma. I know it sounds nice but it had a different effect which was making her grow as tall as the house. I read this book because Dunn said it was really good. I agree but I would give it three and a half stars and he gave it four.

This book was very cool. Two kids run away from home to a museum. They take baths in fountains, eat at restaraunts etc. I really liked this book. Once they got to the museum they saw a statue of an angel. In the book they try to figure out if it was done by Michelangelo.

Book Report: Guts by Gary Paulsen

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This is an interesting book. It is the true stories behind the things that happen in Hatchet. It has moose attacks, millions of mosquito bites and heart attacks. It is also a sad book because a boy dies.

A FUN TIME

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Dad
We have had a great trip so far. I have not seen dad in over a year and it is so nice to be here now. Dad could not believe how big Hyrum is when he saw him for the first time this morning. I only got to see him for an hour or so before they took Dan and Megan to the Airport. They are gone now but we were promised some good BBQ when they get back. So the rest of us are just taking it easy.

Baby Shower

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Last night my friend Liz threw me a baby shower. It was such a cute idea I have to document it for posterity. She told me she wanted to throw me a shower and I said, "NO!!! I need absolutely nothing for this baby and don't have any more room in my house for any more baby stuff, no matter how adorable." I thanked her for the offer and thought that was that.

Then she came over to show me the invitations.

Burnin' Down the House

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This morning I was on my way out the door to take the kids to the library to replenish thier reading stash and decided to take one last look through their room for finished books. Dunn said, "Hey Mom, something smells funny up here." He was right. It smelled smokey. My first check was the window fan to see if the motor was overheating. Then I thought, "the lamp". The boys reading lamp had been pushed down against Zach's bed (on of course) and when I'd sent them to make thier beds this morning Zach just threw all his pillows on top of the lamp. The closest pillow was burnt almost clear through, the back of the lamp had scorched the bedspread, and fitted sheet. We were probably fifteen minutes away from setting the whole room ablaze and since we were on our way out the door for the morning I'm sure the whole house would have followed. What can I say? "Count your blessings name them one by one..." I am not sure how many angels a day it takes heaven to keep the Westhoff's from being hit by cars crossing the street, getting abducted at stores during my inattention, or burning down the house but I am grateful for every single one of them being so attentive while on duty.

Picking Blackberries

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One of the coolest things about WA is the way blackberries and raspberries just grow like crazy around here. I mean, they are everywhere. It's kind of like kudzu in the south. Yesterday my neighbor Liz and I and our kids went to a walking trail in Orting with our bucket and picked like crazy. We ended up with a big ice cream pail full. Now that the kids have a clear idea of what blackberry bushes look like every time they see some on the side of the road they exclaim, "Mom, pull over...there are some huge blackberries there. Can we pick them?"

I'm thinking of a blackberry cobbler and vanilla ice cream or maybe a pound cake and whipped topping. Speaking of pound cake, I made Grandma Martin's sourcream pound cake last week and it tasted just like family reunions in AL.

Another Day, Another Surgery

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Brad had his second surgery today and so far so good. I am just happy to get it all finished before our good insurance runs out. Again it proved to be quite entertaining for me in the recovery room. I must admit I was kind of devilish this time. I asked Brad if I could go shopping today and spend $1000.00. He said "sure." He even asked me at one point where he was and I wanted so bad to tell him he was in the warmth and comfort of heaven. I heard another man ask a male nurse what time it was (it was 8am) and the nurse replied, "Why it is 8 o'clock at night sir." There was a long pause before I heard the nurse laugh and say, "Now, that was mean of me wasn't it!"

Too much information?

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37 wks 2 days, 3-4 cm dilated, 50% effaced. Tune in next week for update. Estimated date of induction Sat. Aug. 30.

Comfort Always

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Guerir quelquefois, soulager souvent, consoler toujours. [to cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always]
French folk saying, inscribed on statue of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau at Saranac Lake, New York

Waxed!

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Brad waxed my face today and I think he kind of liked it too much. I think he rather enjoyed causing me pain. He has done it once before and has offered over the past few months to do it again. I finally gave in when Katie told me I needed to loose the fine hairs under my bottom lip. I just know the extra hair growth is directly related to my mission in Poland. I am just happy I have been able to bear children!

We ate at Eatsa Pizza

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We ate at Eatsa Pizza yesterday and thought of Chase's song the whole time. You can't beat an all you can eat buffet for $2.99!

Lost Tooth

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I have lost another tooth. It is the first tooth in two years! (A year later) Now I only need to loose 1 more tooth.

Seven Samurai

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As many of you know I am planning to take Dunn to Japan this spring to visit my friend Warren. In the spirit of preparation for the trip, Dunn and I have started reading books on Japan and Japanese culture. Warren also suggested that Dunn might enjoy a back-to-back viewing of the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai) and the 1960 cowboy-western remake of it, The Magnificent Seven. We watched both this past week and surprisingly, Dunn and I both liked the Seven Samurai better, even though it was a full hour longer, black & white and in Japanese with English sub-titles. It was interesting to see the cultural differences between the two, particlarly concerning the love-interest in either film. Check them out sometime--a great study in applied cinematic anthropology.

Funny

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It was pretty funny. I looked up to apologize that my son had just barreled into her and couldn't belive it was your mom. Come to think of it, I never did apologize!

Finals

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I will be so happy when Brad's finals are over. First of all it will mean that it is vacation time, and secondly, he will calm down a little. The poor guy needs a break as he has been going straight through for a year now. I do not help much as I think that when he is not in class he has free time.

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Rach, my mom told me. She said Harker actually ran into her!! She could NOT believe how big he was and was thrilled at the chance to see you guys.

Sister Rackham

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Ray-I ran into your mom the other day outside of TJ Max. It was cool!

The Move is Over

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The past week as been a little crazy but exciting and now the move is over. We made our big Wymount transfer into a building across the street. It was nice not to have to pack everything into boxes. We just kind of moved it a room at a time.

Arrows

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Check out the individual entry pages--now everyone has their own color-coded "newer" and "older" arrows.

Book Report: The Magic Finger

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This book is about a girl who has a magic finger. Whenever she gets angry she casts a spell on them (which in this case are her friends). This is a pretty good book. Three stars.

This book is about a kid who makes so much toothpaste he makes more money than a toothpaste company. This was an interesting book, its OK. Three stars.

These books were about two boys who pull tricks and get in trouble, and of course Captain Underpants. They both are good at it and I really mean it. Captain Underpants is their principal, they hypnotized him. Four stars.

This book was about a fifth grader and his friend and aunt who tried to catch a villian and his assistant. Three stars.

This is the best book I've read for a long time. It is about a 8 year old boy who makes medicine to cure his Grandma's growchiness. But does it work? I love this book. Four stars.

This book is about a dad and a son. They poach pheasants. One day Danny discovers the best poaching idea in the world. This was a great book. Four stars.

Book Report: Skinnybones

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There was a boy named Alex who played ball. There was a ball game. This book was funny. P.S. His team lost. Four stars.

Geonosis Arena Battle

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I have put Chase into the action! This is the new banner for his page (he's been asking me to make a picture of him fighting droids ever since he saw Zach taking on the orc).

This book is about a boy who has an adventure away from his horrible Aunt on a peach across the ocean. I loved this book. Four stars.

This book was about an older brother who tries to get rid of his younger brother. This book was funny. Four stars.

Book Report: The Barn

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This is a sad book. It is about two boys and a girl whose father got palsy and they had to build a barn by themsleves. This is a pretty good book. Three stars.

This book is about the class of Mrs. Jewels. It is a pretty wierd book each chapter is a story about a different student. You wouldn't believe the crazy things they do. I really loved this book. Four stars.

This book was about a boy whose name was Tom. He lived with his Aunt. I liked the part when he got rich. Four stars.

I really liked this book because this book was exciting. A mouse rides a toy motorcycle. Four stars.

Pretty in pink

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Nesting

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Today has been productive in the prepare for baby department. I dug out all my layette stuff, sorted and washed it, rearranged Emma's room to make room for the baby clothes, changed the crib to newborn state, moved furniture in my room to make room for the cradle, assembled cradle (still astonishingly handsome every time I see it again--thanks Dad)and set it up with sheets etc.

Almond Roca

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Today I learned that Brown & Haley, the company that makes my all time favorite candy-Almond Roca was started right here in Tacoma, WA!!! How can I have lived here an entire year and not known that? Get this, they even have a candy factory outlet and wharehouse store. They might even give tours... My life may never be the same again.

Addy burping

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I love when Addyson gets burped. she looks so funny.

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Screenshot

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Any given website will look a little different depending on what operating system you are running and what browser you are using. This is what Westhoff.net looks like to me, the webmaster (i.e., what it is "supposed" to look like). Please leave a comment to this message and tell me what operating system and what browser you are using (hint, if you're using Internet Explorer click the help button on your menu bar and select "About Internet Explorer" to see what version you have), and if the site looks much different to you than in the picture. I'm not interested in making the site compliant for everyone in the universe, but at least the family ought to be able to see it as it's intended.

Nature of Pain

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Today I took the bus to Seattle for my Orthopedics rotation. "Ortho" is a favorite "EM2" (Second year Emergency Medicine Resident) rotation because you can basically be a huge slacker, um...I mean, it is a great opportunity for independent learning. I set my own hours and pretty much show up whenever I want to; it's pretty much an anomally, almost unprecidented in my medical education with the possible exception of something called the "fourth year of medical school," but I digress.

The Swimming Trip

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We took Harker swimming at the DT swimming pool today. One of the perks of living in on campus housing is that we get access to the dorm pools. This sporty little Speedo number was a birthday present and not only does it look cool, I'm sure it has saved his life a few times. He seems to think he is a fish.

About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from August 2003 listed from newest to oldest.

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