Happy Halloween!!!

Christmas Gifts for Children in an Orphanage

I know all of you are aware that Ken and I sponsor an eight year old orphan in the Regional Boarding School Orphanage in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan. The only children who receive gifts, even at Christmas, are those who have sponsors. Our Nina is in Family #9 and there are 17 members in her family. There are 5 sponsored children in Family #9. My immediate family is making donations to be used for Christmas gifts for as many
of the children in Nina's family as we can and would really appreciate help from our family. If anyone could find it in their heart to make a money donation, Ken and I will do all the shopping. I have been provided with a list of names, the children's ages and sex, which will make it easy to buy gifts to put a smile on these unfortunate children's faces.

My immediate family, for obvious reasons, has a very soft spot in our hearts for children who will probably live all their childhood years in an orphanage. If you wish to send a donation we would need to receive it by November 7th in order to have time to shop and get everything wrapped and mailed out. It takes 5 to 6 weeks for packages to arrive in country.

Any donations should be mailed to:
Barbara Hines
16 Bentley Drive
Troy, NY 12182

Please remember how very fortunate we all are and help provide a Christmas gift for a child who has virtually nothing of his/her own.

Thank you,
The Hines Family

New Layouts on Kara's Blog

Hi all. I have done a few new layouts on Kara's (really a blog for all my grandchildren) blog. Please just click on the link on the right side of this blog to see them. I feel like I am starting to learn more about making them and I love it! Please leave me a comment of what you think.

California Here They Come!

Please click on layout to enlarge.

Pumpkin Patch

Kaitlyn had her first school trip yesterday to the pumkin patch. The kids went through a corn maze collecting corn, soybeans, and sunflowers to feed the animals. Kaitlyn really enjoyed feeding them all even though Carrick kept trying to tell her that they would, in his words, "BITE, ARM".

Enjoy,
Shawn, Jen, Kaitlyn and Carrick

Modeling Contract???

Here are some professional shots of Cameron...

The studio asked us if we mind if they blow him up and use him as a sample on their studio walls....i was hoping for an athlete but i guess could settle for a male model...haha

Apple Picking...

Here are some pics of Cameron's first Apple Picking trip.

It was a great day and exciting to have a family outing with our new family.

Hope everyone is well and Cameron looks ofrward to meeting everyone...

Dave, Mandy and Cameron

Ryan's Day At The Circus Sept 2008

Ryan had a very enjoyable day at the Circus. We got there early so that we could try on all the costume's . He just loved that part. We ate our usual junk. Cotton Candy and Popcorn. He loved every bit of it. I think the most enjoyable part for Tim and I was when we were driving home and he kept asking Papa if he would help him
set up a circus in his home. When we got home he immediately set forth to making a 3 Ring Circus and inacted all the events that we saw. It was hysterical. From the costume to asking for audience participation. What and imagination that boy has. We just loved spending the day with him and being able to make a very special memory not all for Ryan but for Tim and I. I guess
that what life's all about. How do you put a price tag on memories it PRICELESS.
Thanks again Ryan for giving Mama and Papa a day to remember.

Happy Anniversary Barb and Ken!

Happy 40th anniversary Mom and Dad! I hope you have a wonderful day.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

I thought it appropriate to add this song to our blog in memory of Grandpa Harpy and Uncle Harpy. I can still see all of us on the stage singing this song at Cathy's wedding. Uncle Harpy led us all holding the microphone singing his heart out. This is one of my best family memories. See the right sidebar to enjoy the song.

A Message from Cameron...

Here is a message from Cameron...

i hope this isnt a hint to what his first words will be...!!! haha

#1 Yankee Fan

This video clip was taken at the Yankee's game on August 15th as you can tell Carrick knows exactly who to chear for!

Kaitlyn has started soccer and had her first game on Friday night. There is nothing better then watching a 3 year old soccer game. I don't know what was funnier though - the kids playing or Coach Shawn Daddy trying to keep 4 kids on the field at one time - no more and no less! Kaitlyn had a lot of fun and Carrick enjoyed watching her though he would have preferred to have been out there himself. He likes to yell, "GOOOOOO KAITLYN!" Then he tries to run on the field to tackle her, too bad it isn't football.


Carrick is Kaitlyn's shadow at all times but he is enjoying his free time with me when she is at school which is going well for her. No tears at all not even the first day (I'm not sure how I should take that!) Just kidding, we are very proud of her, it couldn't have been easy but she is doing great. Ok, enough about Kaitlyn, let's get back to my little man. He is quite a baseball player. We no longer let him hit inside because it's just asking for trouble.


We hope everyone is doing well and hope to see everyone the next time we are in town.

Ryan's First Day of Pre-School

Today was Ryan's first day of Pre-school at St. Pius X. I spoke to him on the phone before he went and he told me that he was off to make new friends! Upon returning home, he jumped out of the car and told me that he "made the bestest friend in the whole wide world!" Of course, he didn't remember his name, but there's always tomorrow!

New Pics of Cameron

Here are some new pics...

Cam and Mandy are both doing great...
Now if he would only sleep at night for a few hours!!!! haha

thanks for all the support...Cam looks forward to meeting everyone...

Dave and Mandy

Gordon Ryan Family Thank You in Penny Saver

Please click on picture to read article.

Cameron James

Here is a digital scrapbooking page I did of Cameron. It was great fun doing it for my new great-nephew!

Welcome Cameron James Ryan

Please welcome Cameron James Ryan to the world...!!!

Born on Sunday 8/31/08

9 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long

Mandy and Cameron are both doing well...and Mandy did (and is doing) an amazing job.

Please feel free to visit and see him in person anytime...

Thanks for all the support.

Dave, Mandy and Cameron

Happy Birthday Margie!

Loved much and missed even more.

Our last summer weekend

We spent our last summer weekend in Lake George on a friend's boat. Our friend Eric, let Ryan drive it. He thought that was the best thing in the world! He's just like his father! :) We saw a small boat going past us, and Michael asked Ryan if he'd like to own it. Ryan naturally responded with, "Nah, it's too small!" I guess it can't hurt to have big dreams. Happy Labor Day!