tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71666103059358833652024-02-07T20:57:06.515-08:00 A Little Bit of IvoryDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-48017169521528279552016-01-28T13:44:00.000-08:002016-01-28T13:44:45.023-08:00Snowstorm Movie<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1hQTOBDk3zU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1hQTOBDk3zU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></u></h2>
<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-42148663101996599512016-01-24T10:21:00.001-08:002016-01-28T13:41:49.544-08:00Snowzilla or Blizzard: 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some memories of our 2016 blizzard, so far.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOq9z4PyB79hQoQU4zimK7RKM5yMWqyO05tdyyw-ilV7AtJ0C96c7p5JUT_rujUvDB26NYrspxb8ygfOosZ5o6zmkvisLfgvddRHDO9GpGoo2NGlm6tMPf7TKgicbr6B22VOicvQdEPEI/s1600/IMG_20160123_142027.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOq9z4PyB79hQoQU4zimK7RKM5yMWqyO05tdyyw-ilV7AtJ0C96c7p5JUT_rujUvDB26NYrspxb8ygfOosZ5o6zmkvisLfgvddRHDO9GpGoo2NGlm6tMPf7TKgicbr6B22VOicvQdEPEI/s320/IMG_20160123_142027.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We spent most of it sitting in the front window, watching, or playing games....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(turns out M's pretty good at Monopoly Deal - or really lucky)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPgohsTrX2l-D-O_VGmAg8PPo-Fu8bjd8Fzy6sGPdF1NzATwynTP-wAv9-nDZbzanFA6QhXhzy08uiHpop5Tba6-43_F5JHOKFLgEgB9qDNOn-ObYtiqCR1KkiOEjQYUbf6tj-sjyYwkl/s1600/IMG_20160123_173703.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPgohsTrX2l-D-O_VGmAg8PPo-Fu8bjd8Fzy6sGPdF1NzATwynTP-wAv9-nDZbzanFA6QhXhzy08uiHpop5Tba6-43_F5JHOKFLgEgB9qDNOn-ObYtiqCR1KkiOEjQYUbf6tj-sjyYwkl/s1600/IMG_20160123_173703.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-KHI5fz_sgdHpJ6pGKSphIuqA5SvbCOCSNEJo95R7PvomWBlVfi6GPXxMy3oYWKfRCw28ykBWpdb355jAT1eQYuKC4EqJ1SbsZjwKdDXodU_Cz6xlakwjyKdTFFkv-05t4oPrksXLwGU/s1600/IMG_20160123_224606.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OcXRR8ZXUMenw5e6PRdIwTRKkwNfI-BMgeqxNcpVdIM0y_uLJ1vRlh9vV0wyDajJZZYwGtdcaISxUHN1sLns-jg7vjl0qLUTxVjthqK6vARGS9s5D2tRGvqBjZMbb-vKHH34NIEbvgap/s1600/IMG_20160123_154910.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OcXRR8ZXUMenw5e6PRdIwTRKkwNfI-BMgeqxNcpVdIM0y_uLJ1vRlh9vV0wyDajJZZYwGtdcaISxUHN1sLns-jg7vjl0qLUTxVjthqK6vARGS9s5D2tRGvqBjZMbb-vKHH34NIEbvgap/s320/IMG_20160123_154910.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">reading Harry Potter, aloud to the whole family, or solo, when everyone else has gone to bed.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-KHI5fz_sgdHpJ6pGKSphIuqA5SvbCOCSNEJo95R7PvomWBlVfi6GPXxMy3oYWKfRCw28ykBWpdb355jAT1eQYuKC4EqJ1SbsZjwKdDXodU_Cz6xlakwjyKdTFFkv-05t4oPrksXLwGU/s1600/IMG_20160123_224606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-KHI5fz_sgdHpJ6pGKSphIuqA5SvbCOCSNEJo95R7PvomWBlVfi6GPXxMy3oYWKfRCw28ykBWpdb355jAT1eQYuKC4EqJ1SbsZjwKdDXodU_Cz6xlakwjyKdTFFkv-05t4oPrksXLwGU/s320/IMG_20160123_224606.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">baking... This is M's breadstick. Can you tell what it is? We also have made cinnamon rolls and zepolli (Italian doughnuts) so far. The hunkering down seems to call for baking.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPgohsTrX2l-D-O_VGmAg8PPo-Fu8bjd8Fzy6sGPdF1NzATwynTP-wAv9-nDZbzanFA6QhXhzy08uiHpop5Tba6-43_F5JHOKFLgEgB9qDNOn-ObYtiqCR1KkiOEjQYUbf6tj-sjyYwkl/s1600/IMG_20160123_173703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPgohsTrX2l-D-O_VGmAg8PPo-Fu8bjd8Fzy6sGPdF1NzATwynTP-wAv9-nDZbzanFA6QhXhzy08uiHpop5Tba6-43_F5JHOKFLgEgB9qDNOn-ObYtiqCR1KkiOEjQYUbf6tj-sjyYwkl/s320/IMG_20160123_173703.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">making crazy bets....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(His dad offered him a penny per second to stand in the snow barefoot. He thought it would be easy. He lasted 18 seconds -- and only to beat S's 14 second record.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLk_CZl5wNZ1uAn8fejxc74nOgP9sQC6dE4XWnTqtD9D5D7S2e6jYBZ2Plhr2yptrEPa96AIY5b360an_kw9kYhFW46eAKKZlg8LMjETNJq0sKFJFlQUhgrW9C1m5jZlQnb959qYc3IYy/s1600/IMG_20160124_084947.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjBsAaenJ1edBb9ShEgG_atBmjvRgYhK9KJujGQUPubnaaTrqJI8AjobzHWZB8_OVbJ94txiR8yPJZnPay453YdWZrSstADYwkOWTT-Y3q9jijT28Mri85W9o8fz4Sq7RgR7eoX3RAuxw/s1600/IMG_20160123_205812.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjBsAaenJ1edBb9ShEgG_atBmjvRgYhK9KJujGQUPubnaaTrqJI8AjobzHWZB8_OVbJ94txiR8yPJZnPay453YdWZrSstADYwkOWTT-Y3q9jijT28Mri85W9o8fz4Sq7RgR7eoX3RAuxw/s320/IMG_20160123_205812.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and making other videos, which I have to figure out how to download, since I haven't blogged for so long!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLk_CZl5wNZ1uAn8fejxc74nOgP9sQC6dE4XWnTqtD9D5D7S2e6jYBZ2Plhr2yptrEPa96AIY5b360an_kw9kYhFW46eAKKZlg8LMjETNJq0sKFJFlQUhgrW9C1m5jZlQnb959qYc3IYy/s1600/IMG_20160124_084947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLk_CZl5wNZ1uAn8fejxc74nOgP9sQC6dE4XWnTqtD9D5D7S2e6jYBZ2Plhr2yptrEPa96AIY5b360an_kw9kYhFW46eAKKZlg8LMjETNJq0sKFJFlQUhgrW9C1m5jZlQnb959qYc3IYy/s320/IMG_20160124_084947.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The light was awesome this morning, but I didn't get great photos of it. We measured, after it settled, and got between 17-31" in various places, not counting the drifts against the house. In the back, last night:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uI-uNep3jyT9YBXm7taS-4s5A46nuFTqOPKpGf5lWSsdTFmhgc9nU2bNiyb_8knd7foWuaqd0NDsL-W8MeAMhWBu1vNmgN5RQkQLFA_FvKFFcE0ANowvjQ-Mr0UDl-id09Q4a-BoDbqP/s1600/IMG_20160123_165733.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uI-uNep3jyT9YBXm7taS-4s5A46nuFTqOPKpGf5lWSsdTFmhgc9nU2bNiyb_8knd7foWuaqd0NDsL-W8MeAMhWBu1vNmgN5RQkQLFA_FvKFFcE0ANowvjQ-Mr0UDl-id09Q4a-BoDbqP/s320/IMG_20160123_165733.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I think we were a little sheltered from the wind because across the street, our neighbors have huge drifts and roofs threatening avalanche.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s1600/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s1600/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s1600/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s1600/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s1600/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s1600/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55Q2V408f2FbvtE71DWSz8je3-BTLAerYRZhjr7XJ_QJ5SV38S3utgxlHj53hzWcT8dMccn1DFHSMCUYVFVWgDbn1JelQMgeo3QM2I0ZE2eotiztO0xpu9KPgMkQrEHdI-qmyKKxxCjs3/s320/IMG_20160124_083327.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This morning, they mostly wanted to sled in the back and build snow caves instead of digging us out, but right now, the boys are enthusiastically shoveling our neighbor's driveway, so my heart is happy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrmkP40mZlxmKEmRAt1F4TVeGH0QoaPLYHfKUlSASRL1bAeK_zYqIgCqokDGhnNrCbkHK6d4cTPklaa2blhn2RwyqwfO87fZvNspUdYAUlcMASQyM3JCRCcBLZmbUoDddcQgnC11MQ9sx/s1600/IMG_20160124_124649.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrmkP40mZlxmKEmRAt1F4TVeGH0QoaPLYHfKUlSASRL1bAeK_zYqIgCqokDGhnNrCbkHK6d4cTPklaa2blhn2RwyqwfO87fZvNspUdYAUlcMASQyM3JCRCcBLZmbUoDddcQgnC11MQ9sx/s320/IMG_20160124_124649.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-9380562592692914652015-06-13T18:53:00.000-07:002016-01-24T10:42:34.130-08:00It's Great to be 8!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our S turned eight last month and was baptized today! </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Still says a few of his own words, such as "tooken" instead of taken. I will be sad when those disappear completely.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeFhh5U2ulQ85jX_45_xWaA9XI0o8v7FAFWpuZNVpnp5bb3JnaWRYoLqe1BjiXG0RDKiIS3QYDJEos9exVcOCNKeFVTFgmePORNrPjpjMNaJ0DImAUZxsrrPLWV44xxEEjZaTzeagCbHK/s1600/IMG_20150519_181638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeFhh5U2ulQ85jX_45_xWaA9XI0o8v7FAFWpuZNVpnp5bb3JnaWRYoLqe1BjiXG0RDKiIS3QYDJEos9exVcOCNKeFVTFgmePORNrPjpjMNaJ0DImAUZxsrrPLWV44xxEEjZaTzeagCbHK/s200/IMG_20150519_181638.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Loves math. It's still his favorite subject, but he did a seminar on archaeology last fall and I think that was his favorite one last year. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Finally learned to trust himself riding his bike a few weeks ago and he adores it. Sometimes, I have to double-check he's made it home from school because he heads straight to the garage for his bike.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Still loves his cars. We have so many Matchbox cars, it's embarrassing, but I've tried to pare down the collection, and he knows them all! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* He loves real cars, too. Sometimes, he'll make a chart with makes of cars and sit in our front window and mark which cars drive by. C made him a version on the computer, so now he takes it when we drive places and keeps track of which cars we see. Future statistician?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Had a long term sub in his second grade class because his teacher had a baby, and he adored her. It was so cute. He even got up the courage to invite Mrs. Ryerson to his baptism.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9J32xfW_Q5RXQSMC1zWNeVYG-Fxzp_9nB97LZK0MxdOOvU_-GnV7DzXiBwhXmDEfjp8i8egCKrOBDbbZt9anlrqAeD-swulAiG4uyeFBXpqzh7Teoc8uQyRLqSe62xdCQoJZAikovKuV/s1600/IMG_20150514_180240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9J32xfW_Q5RXQSMC1zWNeVYG-Fxzp_9nB97LZK0MxdOOvU_-GnV7DzXiBwhXmDEfjp8i8egCKrOBDbbZt9anlrqAeD-swulAiG4uyeFBXpqzh7Teoc8uQyRLqSe62xdCQoJZAikovKuV/s200/IMG_20150514_180240.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Actually asks if he can help weed. He really likes helping in the yard and hearing about the different plants and how they grow. I still miss having him around in the spring to help me during the day. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* Is very precise. He has a set routine for jobs/getting ready for school and has it timed to the minute. Now that he has his own watch, he times everything.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* He still loves geography, too. When he's angry, he'll start naming all the countries in South America, then North America, and on and on until he calms down. Once, he got halfway through Asia before he was himself again. Nothing gets him out of a serious funk faster than me intentionally misnaming a country. :)</span></div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-82168142591330163942015-06-06T10:33:00.000-07:002016-01-24T10:35:28.153-08:00Soccer<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The end of spring soccer at last! I don't know why the spring season seems to drag, but there it is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">S was not on board with it this time around. He resisted going to practices and even for games, he said the only thing he liked about it was the snack at the end. :) He improved dramatically this year, though. He is so short still and some of those other kids are fast and tall and intimidating, but by the last game, he wasn't so afraid to run at the ball and actually take it from the other boys sometimes. I was proud of him. He did great at defense and liked being goalie a lot. He said it was so he didn't have to run so much. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSo-Io-X3DNuhpbD7yVONKZ0hdB4jhPXWw6xuNLKVIPAdkQWsziLi3pYVa8jInBqSKzuAui4J9j1fK1PmA15Xl5Q_fh2cXyGoA7qkEhWCcQB7bLSu4ViMWjQJlkhrHBpeqsLk_PrfcUtH/s1600/IMG_20150608_155745.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSo-Io-X3DNuhpbD7yVONKZ0hdB4jhPXWw6xuNLKVIPAdkQWsziLi3pYVa8jInBqSKzuAui4J9j1fK1PmA15Xl5Q_fh2cXyGoA7qkEhWCcQB7bLSu4ViMWjQJlkhrHBpeqsLk_PrfcUtH/s320/IMG_20150608_155745.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(I couldn't find a picture of him playing, but here he is with pink eye and the pen he got at the dr's office!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">J just devoured it all. He loves everything about soccer: being on a team and making new friends, working hard and pushing his skills to new levels, running, competing, studying strategy. When he plays, he gives it everything he has. I love that about him. He worked SO HARD this year, and his team had a rough spring season. After winning nearly every game in the fall, they lost every game in the spring - by a lot. J is so fast, he did a great job taking the ball down the field and passing to teammates so they could score. He probably assisted in 80-90% of their goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But he really wanted to score. He tried and tried and came close so many times. Then their final game, everything came together. The boys were all there, and they all played together. Their defense was tough (finally!) and they scored 2 goals pretty quickly. Then, with only 2-3 minutes left in the game, J got the ball and moved right down the middle, kicked it hard and arced it right over the goalie's head. It was the perfect goal. I might have cried. He was so happy. We didn't record it because G's battery died, but you know what? I'm glad I was just watching and not worrying about a screen because now his moment of triumph is emblazoned in my memory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAg9UPaCi5GKvVQUdBsvd3Dq8ExxnF3GdvGTE9JCC9NM-JbU0goEMVCHYKN3gbZRS10HKMp-QbEQrpBMaTIMmC1NyEr6qL0jn3lyFcWYYNTSE5mRFU3khm43O4Tl_Ub83i0AphePlvwDUs/s1600/IMG_20150606_100516.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAg9UPaCi5GKvVQUdBsvd3Dq8ExxnF3GdvGTE9JCC9NM-JbU0goEMVCHYKN3gbZRS10HKMp-QbEQrpBMaTIMmC1NyEr6qL0jn3lyFcWYYNTSE5mRFU3khm43O4Tl_Ub83i0AphePlvwDUs/s200/IMG_20150606_100516.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't believe I just wrote a whole post about soccer. Me! The things motherhood makes you do. :)</span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-65028138918290897972015-04-16T11:41:00.000-07:002015-04-18T11:42:00.118-07:00Princess Leia<div style="text-align: center;">
M is obsessed with Star Wars these days. Black still comes in handy because she can be Darth Vader, but she really loves Princess Leia - with good reason! If she's going to like a princess, Leia is a good choice. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The problem for me is the hair. Leia has amazing hair, and M has gone from wanting nothing done with her hair to wanting Leia buns or braids. The only thing that saves me is her imagination which takes this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd8O5BIkdZIGoMp2grRKlAEgezLjyUm3-sil-mExTb8EHPyO-jrmtgp-XuZeZQafbvde8Gc5cW2eTOePgGW8-uQAX91Q8ra0F13k1xpGDmZQUpA7nefOWKfdysiOoEY7hQfA1duCqa-ma/s1600/IMG_20150409_105849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd8O5BIkdZIGoMp2grRKlAEgezLjyUm3-sil-mExTb8EHPyO-jrmtgp-XuZeZQafbvde8Gc5cW2eTOePgGW8-uQAX91Q8ra0F13k1xpGDmZQUpA7nefOWKfdysiOoEY7hQfA1duCqa-ma/s1600/IMG_20150409_105849.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and turns it into this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20091006110910/hasbroheroes/images/3/37/Princess-leia-costume-hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20091006110910/hasbroheroes/images/3/37/Princess-leia-costume-hair.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here, half-finished Hoth braids (she only has so much patience for braiding....) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1MHWkbTPpWsQOnZ5eO4smv7_l1uajLjZ7AE6wmcvA2WReeJkqFCMJoUbLHJpF9krU6Jzj5O-4VimzN_Sasho7d7nWp7BLfsLAUVfpnbtgSBJsdAACYBGthvkYVWUByXXqbV7OvDxn9FG/s1600/IMG_20150416_094440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1MHWkbTPpWsQOnZ5eO4smv7_l1uajLjZ7AE6wmcvA2WReeJkqFCMJoUbLHJpF9krU6Jzj5O-4VimzN_Sasho7d7nWp7BLfsLAUVfpnbtgSBJsdAACYBGthvkYVWUByXXqbV7OvDxn9FG/s1600/IMG_20150416_094440.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
becomes this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a4/a7/c6/a4a7c694d9e7c652459355f60249e3ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a4/a7/c6/a4a7c694d9e7c652459355f60249e3ee.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And even this....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNAr2qefHVABMy4Xk4xBoqQalkUWDC057xzNqRDFqrPC4MGbNU1BlbwvzuOBOphoNX9_Mw3-XAiAYY3LoMDb3f-jFSidJVthGCnMVGeLqjeMVSG1viBACICptskVsQdWROwbGQ1lSwHPA/s1600/IMG_20150418_093718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNAr2qefHVABMy4Xk4xBoqQalkUWDC057xzNqRDFqrPC4MGbNU1BlbwvzuOBOphoNX9_Mw3-XAiAYY3LoMDb3f-jFSidJVthGCnMVGeLqjeMVSG1viBACICptskVsQdWROwbGQ1lSwHPA/s1600/IMG_20150418_093718.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which really looks nothing like Leia's throne room hair...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/41/0b/ae/410bae4427f3fe5f7779e4a434ff0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/41/0b/ae/410bae4427f3fe5f7779e4a434ff0017.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was acceptable. Whew. Unfortunately, The Return of the Jedi is next on our viewing list and that will give me a whole slew of other hairstyles for her to request.</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-53911980027114621252015-04-02T23:00:00.000-07:002015-04-18T12:01:15.083-07:00Spring Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtgU2QlA8sQIapwvIeJeTKaJ3K67PphGlxi6I5_PAxyDv9WvFiZNWdbAMUbhm0gdRQU8rTcmuGmB9oSrQV-G6TKjOK6u3N-H9ezCWfLdXWiLIPerJ09csmFoMLk5-sHGXAn38NlTAhVi-/s1600/IMG_20150402_131822~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtgU2QlA8sQIapwvIeJeTKaJ3K67PphGlxi6I5_PAxyDv9WvFiZNWdbAMUbhm0gdRQU8rTcmuGmB9oSrQV-G6TKjOK6u3N-H9ezCWfLdXWiLIPerJ09csmFoMLk5-sHGXAn38NlTAhVi-/s1600/IMG_20150402_131822~2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today, we hiked the Appalachian Trail. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not the whole thing, naturally, but a part within fairly easy reach. The boys have been asking about it, so we took a day of spring break to give it a go. We decided to do a two-day trip with it, so yesterday, we drove up to the Catoctin Mountain Zoo to see a jaguar.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbWl6L7MsL4dEbUdhnZ9-2zUT10g6mzKA5ayhW-mbBoP4ScCNib6JfBNFQTvb9QlhoVDPTX52vWXNWr8WUh6tJzvFPb_Lytz7cnbUpgByyhgLrJ5shZ5rHadMGk0u1ptFBurKMlkHobCg/s1600/IMG_20150401_114344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbWl6L7MsL4dEbUdhnZ9-2zUT10g6mzKA5ayhW-mbBoP4ScCNib6JfBNFQTvb9QlhoVDPTX52vWXNWr8WUh6tJzvFPb_Lytz7cnbUpgByyhgLrJ5shZ5rHadMGk0u1ptFBurKMlkHobCg/s1600/IMG_20150401_114344.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mostly I thought the zoo was a disappointment. With the late spring, most of the animals weren't even in their cages, but the kids got to feed deer and goats and alpacas, which S really loved. Others had mixed feelings about it, especially J after one of the alpacas sneezed on him. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But they did see the jaguar sunning himself in a warm corner and Bengal tigers doing the same. There was an Amur leopard who woke up and walked around and chased his tail which they loved. They liked the arctic wolves pacing around their cages too. All in all, they enjoyed it, so it was a success.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We drove over to Cunningham Falls for a picnic (in the car, since the wind was pretty brisk) and a hike. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRk7fLm9Lu38EM4eZW9L_py8_5-E7BDadYov0hgfFxk-NtY5aaKm1C1t3ItKCCh6ssHl_UJPI9aGkkqex_gFFdYEhQHk8exSAeoA7qUvbm0vvUdJr9vwQzRD70eoNr9siRyys2mBBkw4M/s1600/IMG_20150402_141828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRk7fLm9Lu38EM4eZW9L_py8_5-E7BDadYov0hgfFxk-NtY5aaKm1C1t3ItKCCh6ssHl_UJPI9aGkkqex_gFFdYEhQHk8exSAeoA7qUvbm0vvUdJr9vwQzRD70eoNr9siRyys2mBBkw4M/s1600/IMG_20150402_141828.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We checked into our hotel, drove around Hagerstown for a little while and saw the Jonathan Hager house (c. 1739) from the outside and introduced them to Singing In The Rain. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvhJ3gBuwh7K5hivA22Nvu1lQOz3snrag-gmPjnXjNg-MbJpa5mWyn6egCQZ63QELAj96j39GdRA6I8cgphx3LY3hchJ9C7Xe2TSPQg14rtYBEODiLOghyphenhyphen_r8Cfv5tvXQBB4Sk3pcatnh/s1600/IMG_20150402_105022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvhJ3gBuwh7K5hivA22Nvu1lQOz3snrag-gmPjnXjNg-MbJpa5mWyn6egCQZ63QELAj96j39GdRA6I8cgphx3LY3hchJ9C7Xe2TSPQg14rtYBEODiLOghyphenhyphen_r8Cfv5tvXQBB4Sk3pcatnh/s1600/IMG_20150402_105022.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning, we tried the Discovery Center in town. M especially liked it, but S like the Titanic model and the Cessna you could "fly" yourself. J liked the dinosaurs. C had fun with the vision exhibit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwYr8zG5XFVZVuQJ2W9oq03MvhZmoD7EhRGVyGzOHW-YW03kEzd-w39RuE2yDHoPn3YLjqY5UQcu0-C05d4t_tRh_vP8uwEXptpz8FZETRLMf0uFG8WKFGpo1k80-rAvQqWrZyG1HrFSN/s1600/IMG_20150402_114110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwYr8zG5XFVZVuQJ2W9oq03MvhZmoD7EhRGVyGzOHW-YW03kEzd-w39RuE2yDHoPn3YLjqY5UQcu0-C05d4t_tRh_vP8uwEXptpz8FZETRLMf0uFG8WKFGpo1k80-rAvQqWrZyG1HrFSN/s1600/IMG_20150402_114110.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then the Appalachian Trail. The boys and G did maybe 3-4 miles, but once we reached the summit, M was done. We played there for a while, waiting while the boys walked on to Annapolis Rock, but soon decided to start walking back on our own, and it was delightful. Downhill helped her mood a lot and being able to go as slow as she wanted also helped. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti9fRXJcOUMT8VHL2e1nDDCMBCYrFK-Ho-sDJO5SruDAPKvV4TjNWJZnHS7esp4Tp92KPfu7Kq2b5LRom4O6NB8mCm6LDfnQ9wt3V3QeLCa8RldWavdKRn7ClkbC0WTnHnzGcsk64mOzD/s1600/IMG_20150402_140935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti9fRXJcOUMT8VHL2e1nDDCMBCYrFK-Ho-sDJO5SruDAPKvV4TjNWJZnHS7esp4Tp92KPfu7Kq2b5LRom4O6NB8mCm6LDfnQ9wt3V3QeLCa8RldWavdKRn7ClkbC0WTnHnzGcsk64mOzD/s1600/IMG_20150402_140935.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J especially wants to explore and go as far and as fast as possible, so breaking into two groups worked out pretty well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIuDrHgF27SEyBcSherfBjlMebO-rnHOwW1kFI8-8r1z7RnSVqn1KjMVCFfFBts4gkB6wu8vndJHO1Berp7uLPsM0j-cuH1MG_nZbDXCaQIQxv9jb0WqOzQkuty-5P68BFFNsXjQfV9px/s1600/IMG_20150402_134830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIuDrHgF27SEyBcSherfBjlMebO-rnHOwW1kFI8-8r1z7RnSVqn1KjMVCFfFBts4gkB6wu8vndJHO1Berp7uLPsM0j-cuH1MG_nZbDXCaQIQxv9jb0WqOzQkuty-5P68BFFNsXjQfV9px/s1600/IMG_20150402_134830.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know, most hikers on the trail are so nice? You can tell which ones are serious about it and experienced and they are so friendly. It's almost like not being on the east coast. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM-pNZP83Tj5LhiZkYxbNTkephq1-dRS5K_Ia4Jn82VvCeu54o2QKG0FNiD9R_WnOprUISv-rx3R5aSD3UPAwckK96qhcu90GVbVx6l1qs2nsXoYVn332SZWlP3j92L00sGciRaFCaFxu/s1600/IMG_20150402_142503~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM-pNZP83Tj5LhiZkYxbNTkephq1-dRS5K_Ia4Jn82VvCeu54o2QKG0FNiD9R_WnOprUISv-rx3R5aSD3UPAwckK96qhcu90GVbVx6l1qs2nsXoYVn332SZWlP3j92L00sGciRaFCaFxu/s1600/IMG_20150402_142503~2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ta-da! We definitely want to go again, maybe do a day trip or two this summer when there are actually leaves on the trees. :)</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-35864804373079779122015-03-09T07:40:00.000-07:002015-03-26T07:43:15.047-07:00M turns 5No, I haven't actually forgotten about this blog - though it might seem that way..... In my absence, M turned five. FIVE! I don't know how that happened because last time I looked, she was a baby in my arms.<br />
<br />
Some random details about my youngest:<br />
<br />
Favorite color: Black (of course, if pressed, she will say she loves all the colors)<br />
Favorite book: The Princess in Black, by Shannon Hale<br />
Favorite animal: black jaguar (if pressed, again, she will say she loves all the animals)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXe3qtWXHdoIVrc42089fCs0J5iSbLNRaS3HOI9hVo3I3RwMi13_bswK-ctkXAw4MDg8YtxMeVUYxn1deIkOIS3qvwjeHTUxuX96fs8YG6UJE633dDxYdasBTTwEXpiGGBBbpmOOl1Vro7/s1600/150302-IMG_20150302_093917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXe3qtWXHdoIVrc42089fCs0J5iSbLNRaS3HOI9hVo3I3RwMi13_bswK-ctkXAw4MDg8YtxMeVUYxn1deIkOIS3qvwjeHTUxuX96fs8YG6UJE633dDxYdasBTTwEXpiGGBBbpmOOl1Vro7/s1600/150302-IMG_20150302_093917.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Are you sensing a theme here? She wears black as often as my laundry schedule will allow and I have to admit, it's very useful for lots of pretending. Besides the jaguar, she can be a crook, Lindsay Sterling (see her favorite video<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p0BqUcQ7i0" target="_blank"> here</a>), Darth Vader, Toothless, or now, the Princess in Black. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7nka4E-yonBKPXWf28e14ciCm8xQqYnRTV06rDFqA3UhixfrKVUtZ-SXq0R0aVkNoDCkXOhYrS27FutK2K9Jp4tHsofWHSQbyBMR4u-ul50xnA32AKPCYcFi66U4F2cFccIDJThiJVRv/s1600/150302-IMG_20150302_183835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7nka4E-yonBKPXWf28e14ciCm8xQqYnRTV06rDFqA3UhixfrKVUtZ-SXq0R0aVkNoDCkXOhYrS27FutK2K9Jp4tHsofWHSQbyBMR4u-ul50xnA32AKPCYcFi66U4F2cFccIDJThiJVRv/s1600/150302-IMG_20150302_183835.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Favorite foods: hummus and pretzels and goldfish (these foods sustain life for her) and anything chocolaty<br />
<br />
At preschool, she said she wants to be a vet so she can take care of animals, and at home, sometimes she'll say a zookeeper, but when I asked her this weekend, she wouldn't commit and said, "I really just want to be an animal. I wish I was a black jaguar cub." A few weeks ago, she told me we needed to fix our dam (the one the kids built in the backyard) so that the fairies will come to our yard and turn her into a real animal. :)<br />
<br />
She likes to be with people so much, she can't fall asleep on her own.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAN7slk9Sc6JLLeqZFcVhZmg1mEy7jiwHGAx4NMXNOOmIf64P_mXrWbncx1uj6Cuqi3JxKQYa2VgrptyAxO8kuYEcOpLzpqU2r6EIerZJTdl-U-SAjItG_uANPGpcm1H4zVdQdBzhRzFE/s1600/150317-IMG_20150317_114200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAN7slk9Sc6JLLeqZFcVhZmg1mEy7jiwHGAx4NMXNOOmIf64P_mXrWbncx1uj6Cuqi3JxKQYa2VgrptyAxO8kuYEcOpLzpqU2r6EIerZJTdl-U-SAjItG_uANPGpcm1H4zVdQdBzhRzFE/s1600/150317-IMG_20150317_114200.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>After every bath, she has to wrap up in her towel and pretend to hatch from an egg. And we have to pretend we think she's really a rock. :)<br />
<br />
She loves the Wild Kratts. <br />
<br />
She likes to pick out songs on the piano. She's figured out the Star Wars theme and the Mission Impossible theme and a few others. She really wants to learn the violin, too.<br />
<br />
When she prays, she asks that bad people will be good and that the poor and the hungry will have what they need. I get a little weepy every time.<br />
<br />
For her birthday, her brothers all made her gifts. Two made different police badges for her pretending, and the other made a batch of play dough. She was thrilled. <br />
<br />
She was also very excited to get a larger Lego set for her birthday, just like her brothers. Not Lego Friends because she can tell those are just for girls. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghixGqmvEvE3aCcSw5A99M3jYLXhs1qyXFAjs5DMwk8gbGaLFfr-wt3GM6pPVDTj5_TxgjeBo71w2p6wa0-UbnXxrul0eZbhbOfeFcNrDdx0j7I0QiEiJNVghXqoUT4w0nghL8woXilEj-/s1600/150302-IMG_20150302_182433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghixGqmvEvE3aCcSw5A99M3jYLXhs1qyXFAjs5DMwk8gbGaLFfr-wt3GM6pPVDTj5_TxgjeBo71w2p6wa0-UbnXxrul0eZbhbOfeFcNrDdx0j7I0QiEiJNVghXqoUT4w0nghL8woXilEj-/s1600/150302-IMG_20150302_182433.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
She can hardly wait for kindergarten, but I personally am enjoying her littleness while I can. How long can you wear a black mask to the store and get away with it? Not long enough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-86985642082885663022014-12-04T11:32:00.001-08:002014-12-04T11:32:23.055-08:00Mothering a daughterWhen I found out we were having a girl, there were many things I worried about and many situations I imagined facing as the mother of a daughter. But who can plan for every eventuality? I must say, being M's mother has brought plenty of surprises, including these moments.... <br />
<br />
* Talking her into pony tails with the argument that they would keep the hair out of her eyes so she could better stalk prey. She was a cheetah yesterday morning, dressed all in light brown so that she could camouflage herself and disappear into our wood flooring.<br />
<br />
* Defending her right to be a zombie when her brothers claimed only boys can be zombies. "Your sister can be a zombie if she wants to" is not a sentence I ever anticipated saying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR_ZAnU0zh-7L6urI2JySiEu3hfMKRX2Do7Ab0gbWv__cwvsb0kMddUEz27-0OMRwpLiPzdcyxjipXNJJkcGMh8yRYthqZynON8XWpF2rRT_N61AUhlTvy19RAe_a86sFe6BETIWdTnrg/s1600/IMG_20141204_094003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR_ZAnU0zh-7L6urI2JySiEu3hfMKRX2Do7Ab0gbWv__cwvsb0kMddUEz27-0OMRwpLiPzdcyxjipXNJJkcGMh8yRYthqZynON8XWpF2rRT_N61AUhlTvy19RAe_a86sFe6BETIWdTnrg/s1600/IMG_20141204_094003.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here she is today as a black Florida panther (are there black panthers in Florida??) with her cub tucked in her pouch (can you see its nose poking out?). She's teaching it the ways of the panther.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-59223850739015999282014-11-06T18:54:00.001-08:002014-11-06T18:54:59.243-08:00HalloweenI was let off easy for Halloween this year. The middle two wanted to be astronauts: costumes already made. The oldest took care of his own and the youngest wanted to be an Egyptian. I don't know where that came from. I was guessing some kind of animal, but she stuck with the idea for three weeks. That's like 50 years translated into adult time reckoning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJPDctTL5jeA6W5BWFV8N9jcCWnGEj1RgNBCSEMqf_avR3EDMuCL8fuWqWpS1PbqmDsvh7s04gEjvSZUIzvrNIlarZtZywYhqMbPfKUt6lFyqLgMYMqdHvTbulfPG_uu_IwA_-RJkQrR7/s1600/IMG_20141025_182804%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJPDctTL5jeA6W5BWFV8N9jcCWnGEj1RgNBCSEMqf_avR3EDMuCL8fuWqWpS1PbqmDsvh7s04gEjvSZUIzvrNIlarZtZywYhqMbPfKUt6lFyqLgMYMqdHvTbulfPG_uu_IwA_-RJkQrR7/s1600/IMG_20141025_182804%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So I poked around my stash of fabric and craft miscellany and .... I'm not sure whether to be pleased or embarrassed, but I had almost everything I needed already.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4m4wj05c4cNpmhJcbP17b9qfgIUmtoAxWt5RD973i5H6rbLuj-yaXCOigeWqj6c6NJ50VeUeztPQ3uussMrD2KMr3TxO7olOmsV2Yh3bjZ_b0OFzdzrS1lEkJPRyNhnRNJSdlL9Qgmou/s1600/IMG_20141021_142320%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4m4wj05c4cNpmhJcbP17b9qfgIUmtoAxWt5RD973i5H6rbLuj-yaXCOigeWqj6c6NJ50VeUeztPQ3uussMrD2KMr3TxO7olOmsV2Yh3bjZ_b0OFzdzrS1lEkJPRyNhnRNJSdlL9Qgmou/s1600/IMG_20141021_142320%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I found a scarf at the thrift store for $.85 and a few jewels on clearance for $.70 and we were done! It was actually very fun to make, too. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkDDxYOusaRI5X09wZhekDdaRgQ0i3Ux0dCqQJT_6bS_-nfFe0d91Ia1MxDexVuSSrqVh1_SRNp8S44VqP07cms8VfC78kfAAVl7hXA1Lg3FEOgSD7aWHav4gwxnAnMjnu0B8ylB0T0os/s1600/IMG_20141025_180446%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkDDxYOusaRI5X09wZhekDdaRgQ0i3Ux0dCqQJT_6bS_-nfFe0d91Ia1MxDexVuSSrqVh1_SRNp8S44VqP07cms8VfC78kfAAVl7hXA1Lg3FEOgSD7aWHav4gwxnAnMjnu0B8ylB0T0os/s1600/IMG_20141025_180446%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After a trunk or treat at the church and trick or treating in our neighborhood, we have enough candy to last for about 27 years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFPEMnV8JKNg4FfKnLmtXrekjTE3juhVllewieWdka-BdRXSXzLq_FZ6Io2eR8ZdJ7n7C3Ci5vKJiCWL46-oSGvA3Asg9Y9xLk31y0yLF8SOJ8c8tlrgzmQOVmc_cOghbCxqTd4TeZ2X7/s1600/IMG_20141025_194314%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFPEMnV8JKNg4FfKnLmtXrekjTE3juhVllewieWdka-BdRXSXzLq_FZ6Io2eR8ZdJ7n7C3Ci5vKJiCWL46-oSGvA3Asg9Y9xLk31y0yLF8SOJ8c8tlrgzmQOVmc_cOghbCxqTd4TeZ2X7/s1600/IMG_20141025_194314%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And C didn't even go out! He manned the door instead with his surveillance equipment set up to alert him when trick-or-treaters were coming and his spooky music wafting through carefully arranged speakers in the front yard. He's hoping to add a fog machine next year. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCef4wteKjEyBipoyXF1AmpF7NoXCmcVKsRnXqU_6tQIlITMXO7ITBO5_MeBDTqpy-uk5kWQW9jMr6SUgsKzfRHYj2DJfXl88QSKE5tFLylbJnoitS6PRrW4eeQw2fwGfbJgJCbRi2PJQf/s1600/IMG_20141031_202754%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCef4wteKjEyBipoyXF1AmpF7NoXCmcVKsRnXqU_6tQIlITMXO7ITBO5_MeBDTqpy-uk5kWQW9jMr6SUgsKzfRHYj2DJfXl88QSKE5tFLylbJnoitS6PRrW4eeQw2fwGfbJgJCbRi2PJQf/s1600/IMG_20141031_202754%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-89853320962367830682014-09-16T19:33:00.000-07:002014-10-05T19:34:43.843-07:00Quick tripSince we knew the kids had the first of (too many) random days off school coming up, we tried to motivate them to finish memorizing the <a href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/articles-of-faith" target="_blank">Articles of Faith</a> by offering a fun trip as a reward. In typical C fashion, he waited until the last minute, then passed everyone up, memorizing about half of them in 2 days. The other two boys worked on them more gradually, but finally passed off #11 on Monday. <br />
<br />
We decided to revisit a trip we'd done four years ago when M was a baby. None of them remembered it that well, except C. It turned out to be the perfect mini-vacation. <br />
<br />
We picked up J&S from school early so when C came home from middle school, we were ready to go. We missed the rush hour traffic AND got to see the Blue Angels over Baltimore on our way through! Amazing. They are SO fast. Even watching from the freeway, the formations were impressive, especially the stall where they seem to hover and then take off straight up. I want to go to an air show now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs10DQJtQClDSG645uQUPW9FKKZ-eqh6OC_jkT-hhsQaxtpOvtKFlIEMPtLV9yv3U_PqLMnmS-9tvUPfRQ9JKB-eQyQ6qiwCBoeBz8u-ThaDpT1J6RWVAv8UZxfzmmVV91EAIwbCRL70sE/s1600/IMG_20140911_152605%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs10DQJtQClDSG645uQUPW9FKKZ-eqh6OC_jkT-hhsQaxtpOvtKFlIEMPtLV9yv3U_PqLMnmS-9tvUPfRQ9JKB-eQyQ6qiwCBoeBz8u-ThaDpT1J6RWVAv8UZxfzmmVV91EAIwbCRL70sE/s1600/IMG_20140911_152605%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After that, there was much license plate spotting and that kept them entertained almost to the Red Caboose Motel. Which is a dive, really, the rooms are so old, but how fun is it to stay in a real caboose? We found some dinner then came back and had a donut while sitting by the train tracks, looked around the petting zoo, climbed the viewing tower, and played on the playground until dark. It was so pleasant. There is something about getting out of our normal routine that breaks some bad habits. Everyone got along so well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8Ak2tIzYGf-WbM0fGU1clQ0T7CibIgZZYNpTW-nWG3si9_gVqZSldbS9FgXuh6eip-TLkueCcku0mNWMmlZSLI7W4-MTk-7pX3aFo60vx7Ac3jqvHneg7TjxwlbrpR5hVT-PLLX7EBv9/s1600/IMG_20140911_193332%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8Ak2tIzYGf-WbM0fGU1clQ0T7CibIgZZYNpTW-nWG3si9_gVqZSldbS9FgXuh6eip-TLkueCcku0mNWMmlZSLI7W4-MTk-7pX3aFo60vx7Ac3jqvHneg7TjxwlbrpR5hVT-PLLX7EBv9/s1600/IMG_20140911_193332%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We got ready for bed and watched the first half of The Great Race. Have you seen that movie? It's hilarious. Jack Lemmon is a genius.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDy66GKJ2N2A5hFumImexdXgzZ9QA39VVSC-WwMTW7LFf6Km3B4LGlX8ETq7aV1HY31ZEagCbx84foUWzT0k_zzy_a98-sFigclDsFOtQqX1-OsXVT0MLcOpI_SI1LC0_exBqne5jzE59/s1600/IMG_20140912_124334%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDy66GKJ2N2A5hFumImexdXgzZ9QA39VVSC-WwMTW7LFf6Km3B4LGlX8ETq7aV1HY31ZEagCbx84foUWzT0k_zzy_a98-sFigclDsFOtQqX1-OsXVT0MLcOpI_SI1LC0_exBqne5jzE59/s1600/IMG_20140912_124334%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(The only picture I got of the motel :( Ours is the turquoise one in the middle)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Friday morning, after eating cereal with milk frozen in the mini-fridge, we headed to the Mennonite Information Center to tour the replica of the Israelite Tabernacle. I loved it. The visual inspired a lot of questions and answered a lot too. I would love to go back again after having studied the Pentateuch more closely. The kids, aside from M, liked it too. She was pretty restless by the end.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbTalfx4h48bIWXzXgtoaAGMRLnp5CnXzRsetziuxO5CbwcRHXuu4H3Oy4GZOQIGP8KcCI7HHESMuUaPaI8e0q00baWQCsOyjrvcDdPW08PsmkHsC_6oY0gqL_dCO1FMrnr36ewbY_5JN/s1600/IMG_20140912_111127%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbTalfx4h48bIWXzXgtoaAGMRLnp5CnXzRsetziuxO5CbwcRHXuu4H3Oy4GZOQIGP8KcCI7HHESMuUaPaI8e0q00baWQCsOyjrvcDdPW08PsmkHsC_6oY0gqL_dCO1FMrnr36ewbY_5JN/s1600/IMG_20140912_111127%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(The three littlest with Percy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We rode the Strasburg RR after that. They were gearing up for a day with Thomas the next day, so we benefited by missing the crowds but still getting to ride the hand crank trains and see Percy anyway. One advertiser wanted kids to ride battery powered trains and take pictures for marketing. They really wanted M, I'm sure because she's a girl and she's got cute red hair, but she was so focused on driving that she wouldn't even crack a smile. So much for that. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo18sag5ETzhoTdOuQb4QwUWIC51NUiETY48PcjMBHO_Avhy1EzajFyVV3pOtQ4QcDejN4VZ4hRuDpbZ6tL5fxuoR-rvRa6j-h47TFqC8sEAkyvkxzJ_WilClKziqWQdhx7d7MmPxMDbi-/s1600/IMG_20140912_113926%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo18sag5ETzhoTdOuQb4QwUWIC51NUiETY48PcjMBHO_Avhy1EzajFyVV3pOtQ4QcDejN4VZ4hRuDpbZ6tL5fxuoR-rvRa6j-h47TFqC8sEAkyvkxzJ_WilClKziqWQdhx7d7MmPxMDbi-/s1600/IMG_20140912_113926%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We finished out the day with the <a href="http://www.handsonhouse.org/" target="_blank">Hands-On House</a> in Lancaster. Perfect. At about 3:00, I wondered if we'd have trouble with older kids getting bored and younger kids wanting to stay, but that place is just great. The inside is just big enough to play with everything without feeling like you have to rush.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_Z21vsST1Q4GNVw2byhWvOIieA8tESMkSmNTG5bZ7RcT4xR0loWsRPyaLTW-g_Foc2RXbE4Fe1uq0YEJNSKai88nnMWkDPclbNjZw1epz7WoP4-VHKU5Keoq4xFJKQ35kFEZwA6hGMnn/s1600/IMG_20140912_143823%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_Z21vsST1Q4GNVw2byhWvOIieA8tESMkSmNTG5bZ7RcT4xR0loWsRPyaLTW-g_Foc2RXbE4Fe1uq0YEJNSKai88nnMWkDPclbNjZw1epz7WoP4-VHKU5Keoq4xFJKQ35kFEZwA6hGMnn/s1600/IMG_20140912_143823%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(working at the factory)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyLHXfK3v7DxMfvYYSjmFzQQuwpsiFoFYE8hT-704Eq-X4i51WYCnSnDfR7gYBbv49qoD3fY3IqHG3nwYAAFh7tf23Pjzx3DqjrShggJATRuIHaEJgU3KcvehTK3jQJHkZweXcIy7f2pa/s1600/IMG_20140912_144825%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyLHXfK3v7DxMfvYYSjmFzQQuwpsiFoFYE8hT-704Eq-X4i51WYCnSnDfR7gYBbv49qoD3fY3IqHG3nwYAAFh7tf23Pjzx3DqjrShggJATRuIHaEJgU3KcvehTK3jQJHkZweXcIy7f2pa/s1600/IMG_20140912_144825%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And then the outside. The gardens are so fantastic. They played outside for probably an hour and a half, maybe longer. They built the Land of Sand, all four of them, for the longest time. It's nice to find something they'll all do together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZbDNWO2rkMVDuHV-TL5tKDqrV6HgklilX7tm9sNU5vJP1gp0fWrfVeAKvY1WrhOV4aLI5skmM6yb6JgIZZdJamOgx3KVla1t83miU52wFzgeBh9-TLiPLOcSj03VjjpvtmdTzw3fIdQU/s1600/IMG_20140912_161447%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZbDNWO2rkMVDuHV-TL5tKDqrV6HgklilX7tm9sNU5vJP1gp0fWrfVeAKvY1WrhOV4aLI5skmM6yb6JgIZZdJamOgx3KVla1t83miU52wFzgeBh9-TLiPLOcSj03VjjpvtmdTzw3fIdQU/s1600/IMG_20140912_161447%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It was so peaceful and lovely, sitting there watching. G and I even had a chance for a nice long talk. I must say, it is much easier doing things like this without worrying about diapers, bottles, pacifiers, and naps. I am loving this stage of parenting.<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-66474924477808049862014-09-10T19:19:00.000-07:002014-10-05T19:19:34.717-07:00SchoolI am so far behind it's not even funny. But yes, the kids did start school and now we're a month in and everyone has survived so far!<br />
<br />
C is adjusting to his new middle school. We were redistricted, and he had to switch -- which he wasn't thrilled about, but as with most changes, there were both things to be gained and things to mourn their loss. He really likes his science class. His teacher has pet snakes and brought one to keep in class. He'd really like one as a pet. I don't think I'm ready for that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr7libhfAQyDebQ5ZA_FZKR6A0D0jSPx6Cipu63TkBqdqX7tH9fvVgTqgchNraZUfadsKMm_RAixQ24ABBo5Kddbj0WY0YHVhlbllBTCrz4rtKHxmtcib4DZs25fE5yqd8RX0vangUr_2/s1600/IMG_20141003_201137%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr7libhfAQyDebQ5ZA_FZKR6A0D0jSPx6Cipu63TkBqdqX7tH9fvVgTqgchNraZUfadsKMm_RAixQ24ABBo5Kddbj0WY0YHVhlbllBTCrz4rtKHxmtcib4DZs25fE5yqd8RX0vangUr_2/s1600/IMG_20141003_201137%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(These two love fact books; they're quizzing each other on S's bunk)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
S likes his 2nd grade class. His new recess pal is a boy with the same name, which is enough for instant friendship when you're 7. J decided to join band, so he's starting on the clarinet this year. He's excited about it. Unfortunately, it overlaps every other week with his bird-watching seminar. Not good scheduling there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeetqUsimQXgqWknVosJuMwHX1vUyLR1dl3NJtld_RrSi3FLmfmEAbs74byQ52FU8MSLFo-skGJMb6Xd9F91V9vCEH5h1xyI7I9A8-4k8YqNvbdymKs9eTHfNG4117ohWT5z-u_HiTnAD/s1600/IMG_20140909_115234%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeetqUsimQXgqWknVosJuMwHX1vUyLR1dl3NJtld_RrSi3FLmfmEAbs74byQ52FU8MSLFo-skGJMb6Xd9F91V9vCEH5h1xyI7I9A8-4k8YqNvbdymKs9eTHfNG4117ohWT5z-u_HiTnAD/s1600/IMG_20140909_115234%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I got to chaperone his first field trip - celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner! It was super fun!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
M started preschool which she <em>was</em> thrilled about. There was no fussing, no tears, no fears to be eased. She just dived in without looking back. Strangely enough though, I watched her join her playmates and suddenly, she seemed so little. I guess I'm used to her ruling the roost around here with her big brothers. It was an adjustment to see her as just another 4-year-old! She is enjoying the class so much and loves being asked at dinner how school was. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56T7mkdE6gtwcZ7WjyOYkg1XcuAMAl16E5QqyjetDZV_reQ0fwAY6VVNe4bY6uqcWg7d209Mj66ysJdX2M4ZreADYTN-zdcZLOQzbgp0jIRKdT-_ultb9NBAJfhkMCT9UQV3Xa2IK8u1o/s1600/IMG_20140903_103520%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56T7mkdE6gtwcZ7WjyOYkg1XcuAMAl16E5QqyjetDZV_reQ0fwAY6VVNe4bY6uqcWg7d209Mj66ysJdX2M4ZreADYTN-zdcZLOQzbgp0jIRKdT-_ultb9NBAJfhkMCT9UQV3Xa2IK8u1o/s1600/IMG_20140903_103520%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(She was being so silly, I couldn't get a decent picture the first day!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am actually loving my alone time as well. I've discovered that my nine hours a week goes by quickly. :)Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-17971577331156989822014-06-17T11:20:00.000-07:002014-06-17T11:20:00.041-07:00My newest nephew<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so far behind on this blog, but I have been thinking about this post for a long time now. My youngest brother and his wife recently adopted this sweet boy: </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDjvUqMnpkql645Q2_fG-lw7bgCgA5nabTobBQLqvDssNEdSXAYnF9pC0-IpddgQdzbhYPWGlSo4aG4NyECI3_UhhB5jYanALC37RuWWP1FPXnBksFIC4W8o6Yv5QlPFxBeTPlxwNgINg/s1600/IMG_6501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDjvUqMnpkql645Q2_fG-lw7bgCgA5nabTobBQLqvDssNEdSXAYnF9pC0-IpddgQdzbhYPWGlSo4aG4NyECI3_UhhB5jYanALC37RuWWP1FPXnBksFIC4W8o6Yv5QlPFxBeTPlxwNgINg/s1600/IMG_6501.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Isn't he a darling?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They brought him home from the hospital as a newborn and finalized the adoption in April. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVP7NAoW-jG9r4fZixKTgCAkiCavAMHQ1KDhbOiUInx3n9CYQwhH25-VG8l0wUA4jxKJeE61Ys8F6MuD7hs-08dFq-5Ke8S6qx3ngTyQfOW3L-D5-_M27EisKyo2oBSMKJp4czd_8tkd4/s1600/IMG_6504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVP7NAoW-jG9r4fZixKTgCAkiCavAMHQ1KDhbOiUInx3n9CYQwhH25-VG8l0wUA4jxKJeE61Ys8F6MuD7hs-08dFq-5Ke8S6qx3ngTyQfOW3L-D5-_M27EisKyo2oBSMKJp4czd_8tkd4/s1600/IMG_6504.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I keep thinking of the boy's birth mother, what a tough decision this was for her. How would it be to let that child of your body go to someone else, even if you knew it was for the best? To trust the care of your baby to virtual strangers? I don't know if I could do it. But she did. Because she loved him. And now my brother and his family love him. And his new cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents all love him. And we're all grateful for her sacrifice so J could be a part of our family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO009UJ4brv3WrVnxKE49hUrytmSyAG6mWqTjHD45j9v6gw5213DnlJW4stpxfAirv3Jkx629cL87suvySurLj1PKi5b6JWI78Jba6dXYWnPY2T9MGjAforJLTf1C-iRGS9MzrcWDj7Rz/s1600/IMG_20140517_140713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO009UJ4brv3WrVnxKE49hUrytmSyAG6mWqTjHD45j9v6gw5213DnlJW4stpxfAirv3Jkx629cL87suvySurLj1PKi5b6JWI78Jba6dXYWnPY2T9MGjAforJLTf1C-iRGS9MzrcWDj7Rz/s1600/IMG_20140517_140713.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(They were able to seal J at the DC Temple last month. We were so happy to be there for it!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-3103882691107259592014-06-16T11:54:00.000-07:002014-06-16T11:54:00.018-07:00Spring<div style="text-align: center;">
This plant makes me happy:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPxE48g6iyZGc-mPJwC8fxGJ3oocrqLVhtte-hoTxKDyVEALeWRfLFV_SMeqNnoMA5eKs_JUV7sEwWCy1CrEN8laNs9JxqJkKlGI7UxiK_MBGW0e85thApkqSqETGE9SUCG4_mv5lYjPD/s1600/IMG_20140524_104301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPxE48g6iyZGc-mPJwC8fxGJ3oocrqLVhtte-hoTxKDyVEALeWRfLFV_SMeqNnoMA5eKs_JUV7sEwWCy1CrEN8laNs9JxqJkKlGI7UxiK_MBGW0e85thApkqSqETGE9SUCG4_mv5lYjPD/s1600/IMG_20140524_104301.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I almost ripped this peony out a few years ago because it kept getting powdery mildew and wasn't blooming, but I sprayed and pruned and fought it until I think I've figured out how to keep it healthy. Now, the blooms are huge and gorgeous every spring. It always amazes me that I can cut it down to nothing and every spring, it grows like crazy again. I might plant another one, they're so lovely.<br />
<br />
For Memorial Day, I tried making these patriotic parfaits. They weren't quite what I envisioned, but everyone liked them and ate them, and I call that a success.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1ywG3Qhbj0k3QDcd3nxSFEVahCJPXLBj8RxU152LjoMTvqY2EQoUJPzLwb2p6e5JZzEp5tdCj-Vdaq2q29Qzcsf87yV_yzebIytI3-bQ6as-ZcdX5fCREENWmfZqGPRPgu0Bep5_DBZn/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1ywG3Qhbj0k3QDcd3nxSFEVahCJPXLBj8RxU152LjoMTvqY2EQoUJPzLwb2p6e5JZzEp5tdCj-Vdaq2q29Qzcsf87yV_yzebIytI3-bQ6as-ZcdX5fCREENWmfZqGPRPgu0Bep5_DBZn/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In other spring-related events, we attended seminary graduation for four graduates in our ward. They are celebrating four years of attending 5:45am classes every school morning. They are amazing. Two of these four are among the last of my own "seminaries" (as my kids called them). Sometimes I miss teaching that class - but not at 5:00am. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDtkNBeUPX4eIU0fUB4flWqc4yn2-5nqIMumDdNIV5igbAyPhyphenhyphenipZHCQKEY6xZnpX41MDEYcDs2Oluo6h_2dp7BAotuLVYFcYPeLaj9Vqq1qdN383ol5bcoTY_RI4wC7VTB2CWoEtLtKT/s1600/IMG_20140601_194707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDtkNBeUPX4eIU0fUB4flWqc4yn2-5nqIMumDdNIV5igbAyPhyphenhyphenipZHCQKEY6xZnpX41MDEYcDs2Oluo6h_2dp7BAotuLVYFcYPeLaj9Vqq1qdN383ol5bcoTY_RI4wC7VTB2CWoEtLtKT/s1600/IMG_20140601_194707.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring also means the return of the libraries. Somehow, they forget about this game during school, but about this time of year, they build their own branches of the library. I love how it brings out their personalities, like S's obsession with order....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq5aGZHHFFwaHnbX33u0zj5JsjLqdjbaXK3LGXmuruZe6Yr8zup-NoFzPP3tmMCUzV8S2vuHLtHpYe6Rrc4u8vbQHuK3dc20v8Usk406q5kVPE467LhaCDOqGitcu8iVPmvT85AbweYkD/s1600/IMG_20140608_150931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq5aGZHHFFwaHnbX33u0zj5JsjLqdjbaXK3LGXmuruZe6Yr8zup-NoFzPP3tmMCUzV8S2vuHLtHpYe6Rrc4u8vbQHuK3dc20v8Usk406q5kVPE467LhaCDOqGitcu8iVPmvT85AbweYkD/s1600/IMG_20140608_150931.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He started a summer reading program too. :) </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And C's electronics (his library has ambient music and a computerized checkout system)...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtcf6nsbTreH3vVLBJ_-Z2f4TrkyW26hWRzuq5S2R5bEGv8LfwTkmeZqzYMSmFZZVJ9uK6kGJivGDd1zg5RZAO4IcLdFjsGqxQm4KEJRdYOI2E-6oodF6fbb2VEO1q1vOiDp6x9Bwz9hD/s1600/IMG_20140608_151003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtcf6nsbTreH3vVLBJ_-Z2f4TrkyW26hWRzuq5S2R5bEGv8LfwTkmeZqzYMSmFZZVJ9uK6kGJivGDd1zg5RZAO4IcLdFjsGqxQm4KEJRdYOI2E-6oodF6fbb2VEO1q1vOiDp6x9Bwz9hD/s1600/IMG_20140608_151003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
And J's library has a play zone and offers prizes for the person checking out the most books. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY6kzns7TLs5RYqB9cB5sZgkyYDiykRrRsPd26gYV5Pp7U04RdhujyqnTwGflMdIreaPQWZSoavtBuRDtiOJIiWDU90kJPls5PLCixJT2d0kSQw5peHuZqEtkiEy6kJWmJSK952TvqDsi/s1600/IMG_20140608_140853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY6kzns7TLs5RYqB9cB5sZgkyYDiykRrRsPd26gYV5Pp7U04RdhujyqnTwGflMdIreaPQWZSoavtBuRDtiOJIiWDU90kJPls5PLCixJT2d0kSQw5peHuZqEtkiEy6kJWmJSK952TvqDsi/s1600/IMG_20140608_140853.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
M is usually the pet who visits the libraries. :)</div>
<br />
Spring means the end of Joy School, the coop preschool we've done with M this year. She loved it. I taught the last week and the kids found this toad in our backyard. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3KMVoy8elRnPEmbI_1HHIRlI9B14r0m65MrgH5P0C5-6R7AWXMaNWSYqFtS8wh20zH5gJ0Z2DPGFHapbJ7qW3W1DTxe_mqb9HygELaHBNgFy_1S8Aa6bPFAtHpXaAnvwuOHpFqsOjDx2/s1600/IMG_20140603_154935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3KMVoy8elRnPEmbI_1HHIRlI9B14r0m65MrgH5P0C5-6R7AWXMaNWSYqFtS8wh20zH5gJ0Z2DPGFHapbJ7qW3W1DTxe_mqb9HygELaHBNgFy_1S8Aa6bPFAtHpXaAnvwuOHpFqsOjDx2/s1600/IMG_20140603_154935.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These awesome moms were my co-teachers this year. I have so loved getting to know them better and knowing that M was in great hands with her first preschool experience. She says A (in the stripes) was her favorite teacher and I was her second favorite. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0onLR79nwumGptCcMvHLXLFmQDFM2jXwo89tlUlgCzhUetjzp_El9cqdb1JlfUQrv0RJ-4IjCvYm0cNueaF7sDroGWJOTgGf7T0ZOfm801_HI-UPWT0Dl7_28nfRpfiaOGe8M0BOgOgXz/s1600/IMG_20140608_201341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0onLR79nwumGptCcMvHLXLFmQDFM2jXwo89tlUlgCzhUetjzp_El9cqdb1JlfUQrv0RJ-4IjCvYm0cNueaF7sDroGWJOTgGf7T0ZOfm801_HI-UPWT0Dl7_28nfRpfiaOGe8M0BOgOgXz/s1600/IMG_20140608_201341.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-53949364346822321982014-06-15T10:57:00.003-07:002014-06-15T10:57:54.633-07:00Happy Father's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To all the dads out there! I feel so blessed to associate with so many fantastic dads. There are so many men out there doing a GREAT job and making a positive impact on the children in their lives. Of course my own dad ranks among them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In honor of the day, here are a few photos of my dad....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
taking a snooze with Jeff (c. 1974)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3VjeltilMzgH7fAMVqgcyD6bcGS_DDbwj0czNL0elt9jZi7NX178viKCfkCY6kKJcttaNatfdGvvNdBhyphenhyphenzNDnWkD83eD8kDruK5hq9Bu-X1TZulIMeIkWGlF4DyosgnPEPDIJK2_idSy/s1600/1974-01-jeff,+robert+sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3VjeltilMzgH7fAMVqgcyD6bcGS_DDbwj0czNL0elt9jZi7NX178viKCfkCY6kKJcttaNatfdGvvNdBhyphenhyphenzNDnWkD83eD8kDruK5hq9Bu-X1TZulIMeIkWGlF4DyosgnPEPDIJK2_idSy/s1600/1974-01-jeff,+robert+sleeping.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with Jim on the day of his baptism in 1975 (nice suit, Jim!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSWyA0d_Y_5omQoxzs8JC39RtZJ1eXcIO04gVmB6P2Aw2Ae9TGErTF_KKXBMuLe0jlTudkQ9bk8xSCjU421CPmzRK4WnNQbQbTUPRBuRQXSyoqI2gDbSPrvO38oBgoBw7dO3Izbp3FPNU/s1600/1975-09-robert,+jim+luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSWyA0d_Y_5omQoxzs8JC39RtZJ1eXcIO04gVmB6P2Aw2Ae9TGErTF_KKXBMuLe0jlTudkQ9bk8xSCjU421CPmzRK4WnNQbQbTUPRBuRQXSyoqI2gDbSPrvO38oBgoBw7dO3Izbp3FPNU/s1600/1975-09-robert,+jim+luke.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
with me at the hospital, summer 1975 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWhU6ymZHTrjuTfoHLcJaipfE0FYqmru_k-bq2and6iPm4LrFaLsPoOucqP7YMtUQewgFTxeSLQH4WnhV-wK_hfl6nrKQDoFUOJO2SpB6z86cfWU1-DDC5JkAh8iyoFCcTw8Xrnr0a6bA/s1600/1975-summer,+robert,+debbie,+shriners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWhU6ymZHTrjuTfoHLcJaipfE0FYqmru_k-bq2and6iPm4LrFaLsPoOucqP7YMtUQewgFTxeSLQH4WnhV-wK_hfl6nrKQDoFUOJO2SpB6z86cfWU1-DDC5JkAh8iyoFCcTw8Xrnr0a6bA/s1600/1975-summer,+robert,+debbie,+shriners.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
with another patriarch of the family, my dad's grandfather Melvin, about 1976</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-2_wdLzucTx-a-u-ZNuRZMNGMXijcjkUWrmB82e7csR-Y_qwr9mh2J4bLrFT1DFUCLcAZKm6PbXU6MyY8BmOFJPLvFMfuDTWAxKFm9_3KgeYGLn-CbxxDwM444BcG18YX6WwUnB5gedz/s1600/1976-06-debbie,+robert,+cathy,+david,+melvin,+jeff,+jim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-2_wdLzucTx-a-u-ZNuRZMNGMXijcjkUWrmB82e7csR-Y_qwr9mh2J4bLrFT1DFUCLcAZKm6PbXU6MyY8BmOFJPLvFMfuDTWAxKFm9_3KgeYGLn-CbxxDwM444BcG18YX6WwUnB5gedz/s1600/1976-06-debbie,+robert,+cathy,+david,+melvin,+jeff,+jim.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
fox hunting with his brother, Tom</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKLw7Pa3RtIXedVBUfHg8dguBjV7ewqf7fiETClquT7gjMAB654p2JiZFI1XK5rJAPjQVho5FPWYT95_CE5O03QHGsM4kFMFLs2fkPMRop8qn4a6Uac_Mwo6cDxIlbZXP74EscatVShiI/s1600/1965-06-robert,+tom+luke+fox+hunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKLw7Pa3RtIXedVBUfHg8dguBjV7ewqf7fiETClquT7gjMAB654p2JiZFI1XK5rJAPjQVho5FPWYT95_CE5O03QHGsM4kFMFLs2fkPMRop8qn4a6Uac_Mwo6cDxIlbZXP74EscatVShiI/s1600/1965-06-robert,+tom+luke+fox+hunting.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
a newly minted Ph.D., 1968</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5nIB_zpIuFOW63flKMDvCZ9QjHFXaPiA-73UzO3KY80y6gcc-DQIq9yxwPk5gGX9HBzPmG2R4g3lS6liDzJQuhRlw6rL0_teVyydGMiB6ZRHMuSjTTp2TcpGm_fvgNzwx_hQZC6cdCVT/s1600/1966-06-04-robert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5nIB_zpIuFOW63flKMDvCZ9QjHFXaPiA-73UzO3KY80y6gcc-DQIq9yxwPk5gGX9HBzPmG2R4g3lS6liDzJQuhRlw6rL0_teVyydGMiB6ZRHMuSjTTp2TcpGm_fvgNzwx_hQZC6cdCVT/s1600/1966-06-04-robert.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
a newly minted father, 1966 (Harold Dean on left, Dad, Melvin, and Lowell Luke, holding Dave)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIsIfnGLCSKomtsDQbJyGhvXjx_wgP9tUl6ts3DQXqZ2BnomHn3O4BpCs6C_WbKVnaWZO16cYGXQAI1ld110j9H2a3Nf6KP-l42Nc7nFEM9uQZ2w8OpCtFaHAlh9AH2Zs6AP36ZfZokPe/s1600/1966-06-05-harolddean,+robert,+melvin,+lowell+luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIsIfnGLCSKomtsDQbJyGhvXjx_wgP9tUl6ts3DQXqZ2BnomHn3O4BpCs6C_WbKVnaWZO16cYGXQAI1ld110j9H2a3Nf6KP-l42Nc7nFEM9uQZ2w8OpCtFaHAlh9AH2Zs6AP36ZfZokPe/s1600/1966-06-05-harolddean,+robert,+melvin,+lowell+luke.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
c. 1968 again</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehR7ZDsS4J8-1m8kjAMUU7s_nzly78oCpQIPVshTVBqWdPVf7Hze2aVRwFrwEzphBg34kSurXWvynHbbkqB1aoGI9apjVz5sCk_re3jq3v9EdiNCH-EAQAh-HainY3PXw2LaEwjpJAEkQ/s1600/1967-08-robert,+dave+drinking+from+hose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehR7ZDsS4J8-1m8kjAMUU7s_nzly78oCpQIPVshTVBqWdPVf7Hze2aVRwFrwEzphBg34kSurXWvynHbbkqB1aoGI9apjVz5sCk_re3jq3v9EdiNCH-EAQAh-HainY3PXw2LaEwjpJAEkQ/s1600/1967-08-robert,+dave+drinking+from+hose.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
I think this is when Jeff turned 12 and was ordained a deacon (c. 1982)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpykTGaZFYAbBOLa0peWMwf-o_64h2uTAGJjqZGGkdOQeQVwA8aEB6wLs1NOEbnApQ45Ab2mMrqesAv5ICn34v4QDSQBY0EfOaAkXLZIAVyQ7uy4Ezpt-hCF0bK4juODPXnj8i-dRO5fB0/s1600/1982-05-jeff,+jim,+lowell,+dave,+robert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpykTGaZFYAbBOLa0peWMwf-o_64h2uTAGJjqZGGkdOQeQVwA8aEB6wLs1NOEbnApQ45Ab2mMrqesAv5ICn34v4QDSQBY0EfOaAkXLZIAVyQ7uy4Ezpt-hCF0bK4juODPXnj8i-dRO5fB0/s1600/1982-05-jeff,+jim,+lowell,+dave,+robert.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
with Matt in 1982 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCKWqeWr3ouQwxWlnadmFaQJKGy3tLJ6Tj3zELAnjoXMsQXeURjcmf5Qg3IvJ7rROAdXac0kR6Z05uXWJvKQ0wT1zS4fsVTKdKPriglCcn6kxDMZGfSgAh4cJACPG6lYGRluTCOWd4IvZ/s1600/1982-matt+and+robert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCKWqeWr3ouQwxWlnadmFaQJKGy3tLJ6Tj3zELAnjoXMsQXeURjcmf5Qg3IvJ7rROAdXac0kR6Z05uXWJvKQ0wT1zS4fsVTKdKPriglCcn6kxDMZGfSgAh4cJACPG6lYGRluTCOWd4IvZ/s1600/1982-matt+and+robert.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
helping Deans build a new addition on their house in Ogden. This is so my dad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX8IdaIjGdMmGbJS9Ep43OADGmmUkEUsBqIHmnBSqllWpV7nCrl7QVgMZJZ1OIi5S-Yil-Q4ShSNHOwn9zCDnzZ7qOJ3piwg3TIscZFFy18EuNYQHwuRESy4OpPE9lQdox2PCS3hrOcW1/s1600/1968-05-harold,+robert,+dave,+dean's+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX8IdaIjGdMmGbJS9Ep43OADGmmUkEUsBqIHmnBSqllWpV7nCrl7QVgMZJZ1OIi5S-Yil-Q4ShSNHOwn9zCDnzZ7qOJ3piwg3TIscZFFy18EuNYQHwuRESy4OpPE9lQdox2PCS3hrOcW1/s1600/1968-05-harold,+robert,+dave,+dean's+house.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
doing something up on the roof with the two boys. This probably gave my mom a heart attack. I remember going up on the roof with him, too. It was fun. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcEs8TEzsGOXzIuKg8-rf1ui6JpG8fF5DTsuFikCbq6NX29jncxzjAS7k4bb-6DSAncCZzh_PWnq4VRcujur66xWBxMBwnquTCx9ZobEizZM5tIFzYUYtOARJBjFKvPAY6kKtsAEvMR86/s1600/1969-08-robert+on+roof+with+dave,+jim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcEs8TEzsGOXzIuKg8-rf1ui6JpG8fF5DTsuFikCbq6NX29jncxzjAS7k4bb-6DSAncCZzh_PWnq4VRcujur66xWBxMBwnquTCx9ZobEizZM5tIFzYUYtOARJBjFKvPAY6kKtsAEvMR86/s1600/1969-08-robert+on+roof+with+dave,+jim.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Father's Day, Dad! Thanks for being such a great example of faith, applied intelligence, hard work, usefulness and humility.</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-85086447975035733822014-05-26T06:26:00.001-07:002014-05-26T06:26:21.592-07:00Just somethingI did a search this morning for "day dress with sleeves." This is what came up:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kay-dee.net/costumes/victorian/my-dress/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://kay-dee.net/costumes/victorian/my-dress/front.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Is finding something with sleeves really so hopeless? Or perhaps my computer is channeling Memorial Day....Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-18856028612488537292014-05-11T19:26:00.001-07:002014-05-11T19:27:38.361-07:00Mother's DayDo you remember when you were a kid and you only saw your mom as Your Mom? And then you grew up and realized she is a real person with real feelings and a past that *gasp* did not include you? Yes, it's nice to come through to the other side and get to know and understand your mom better from an adult's perspective. One thing that helped me over the years was going through family photos and not only hearing stories but <em>seeing</em> my mom as a real person. Here are a few of my favorites:<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
In front of their house (or possibly her grandparents' house) in Denver in 1944. She would have been four years old. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdMgyjE2dhDez3zMl13yCIh-jMsfEkZ7S_aKHQJ38om0K5YdykyNlbMHCM3eLIcWFrRmCwGSoa64glUzYWNtc0IXGAoGnUX35gJjDONxKiPhlcEIbcHx3p9jHGSAjnsQ9nXm0XBHY0z4W/s1600/1944-01-deVona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdMgyjE2dhDez3zMl13yCIh-jMsfEkZ7S_aKHQJ38om0K5YdykyNlbMHCM3eLIcWFrRmCwGSoa64glUzYWNtc0IXGAoGnUX35gJjDONxKiPhlcEIbcHx3p9jHGSAjnsQ9nXm0XBHY0z4W/s1600/1944-01-deVona.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
The little accordion! I love it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFJgI8z4-3qsGPmSLWpM4zejnr0fYhk2zV24zVWARouDX7HBwhtCnttTi0c1J-2_Ob46NMehNWjEKbMIjrtEA5dwE1mGcvffog2PwKiq33gWVM1KdRfsdIu-Id1TRfnARj9pNu8LJb4Xl/s1600/1945-04-devona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFJgI8z4-3qsGPmSLWpM4zejnr0fYhk2zV24zVWARouDX7HBwhtCnttTi0c1J-2_Ob46NMehNWjEKbMIjrtEA5dwE1mGcvffog2PwKiq33gWVM1KdRfsdIu-Id1TRfnARj9pNu8LJb4Xl/s1600/1945-04-devona.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Mom at the Grand Canyon in 1948. They lived mostly in the southwest while she was a child. My grandpa loved taking pictures. My mom says he would often make her stand in precarious places for the best shot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDKZr1wP-j19vfIscCKnf2ro2p1WtZY-7nl7EjFrir1OEQVMpRxLyr-pikknD50h4hxD8WcFJB1vWyi2d1W1Z928kHVZOm7xXTtopHQqWUXW50df-kuGlCltPSh1mir5EA_9Glqaqj4Fm/s1600/1948-07-devona+cedar+breaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDKZr1wP-j19vfIscCKnf2ro2p1WtZY-7nl7EjFrir1OEQVMpRxLyr-pikknD50h4hxD8WcFJB1vWyi2d1W1Z928kHVZOm7xXTtopHQqWUXW50df-kuGlCltPSh1mir5EA_9Glqaqj4Fm/s1600/1948-07-devona+cedar+breaks.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
This was taken at Bear Lake when my parents were engaged, spring 1964. My mom's hair. I adore it. She got teased a lot about being a redhead, though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9_IEf4vAnwYx01PSYESJhQiMEr-1ODozniKfa_ilbDyHtTyNIFjCbDegjIRAj8cxbpKCc3qdnMidWZsTrSyB-v_EDJexPT3_8cAHFku2H4waaUJf0DgSFY1FTiZ0s5_m0mfIp0iMEF_G/s1600/1964-06-devona+bear+lake+lookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9_IEf4vAnwYx01PSYESJhQiMEr-1ODozniKfa_ilbDyHtTyNIFjCbDegjIRAj8cxbpKCc3qdnMidWZsTrSyB-v_EDJexPT3_8cAHFku2H4waaUJf0DgSFY1FTiZ0s5_m0mfIp0iMEF_G/s1600/1964-06-devona+bear+lake+lookout.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
My parents coming out of the temple after they were married. Looks like back in 1964 they didn't make quite the production out of weddings that we do. They just look so fresh and happy.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYGvMh8mMw7mD-o3dKZ2wkFKPyQy38g8MLxpYiDFQ9n7a7JEiXxrfPbGEAZ_20y9dmnMf8CfGkclnAcMLYKyLf6oK-CDg2dOGaB7LN14ffpwAr7WjnJ62TDD9HH28VEsfLwvH1h6qMk5o/s1600/1964-07-08-robert+devona+at+temple2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYGvMh8mMw7mD-o3dKZ2wkFKPyQy38g8MLxpYiDFQ9n7a7JEiXxrfPbGEAZ_20y9dmnMf8CfGkclnAcMLYKyLf6oK-CDg2dOGaB7LN14ffpwAr7WjnJ62TDD9HH28VEsfLwvH1h6qMk5o/s1600/1964-07-08-robert+devona+at+temple2.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
This is fall of 1964, I think. My mom with her father-in-law and two new siblings-in-law at the farm in Idaho. I don't know why I like this one so much, but I feel like I can almost tell what my mom's thinking in this photo. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ9-i3nQx7iGk52y5obMoHtb7yoCExLNs-ltN3sIbIOTprWCmochNFQHsJLcFWGFWXu1iGitgh3-DmXc24uJEAV3ApfC05TwqVfREch3HDNyUKHG7F0-T4qzOxDzDu4If6r9lnL-hFCd7/s1600/1964-11-maryann,+lowell,+devona,+tom+luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ9-i3nQx7iGk52y5obMoHtb7yoCExLNs-ltN3sIbIOTprWCmochNFQHsJLcFWGFWXu1iGitgh3-DmXc24uJEAV3ApfC05TwqVfREch3HDNyUKHG7F0-T4qzOxDzDu4If6r9lnL-hFCd7/s1600/1964-11-maryann,+lowell,+devona,+tom+luke.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
My mom expecting her first child in 1966. She always dresses so classy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRdxgRzvRmRla1UzWLZ0umYVLr6uB6xLVeN0kVhDjYEzeOQwu344ZJ1wez9LMdpo4jt1ZamAzYg0REqfl5ASA0lzwORmN6CSY2DXLrTKkbEwPYSi3-O6R3RVzUCVvH6Qu0Fej0jbmtOe7/s1600/1966-03-devona+expecting+dave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRdxgRzvRmRla1UzWLZ0umYVLr6uB6xLVeN0kVhDjYEzeOQwu344ZJ1wez9LMdpo4jt1ZamAzYg0REqfl5ASA0lzwORmN6CSY2DXLrTKkbEwPYSi3-O6R3RVzUCVvH6Qu0Fej0jbmtOe7/s1600/1966-03-devona+expecting+dave.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikasCaOuK7PXF2EolmVEJcvKBn6DAlRs9GuiCTdlK9ull0LqvW-apg2p9WJDInCdkVnzv7aMmz6rpByNNYRE5n5ShD0UQ0jp5wrh5Tp8iduvrrJ-aySEiCONt2w4AlbTFR5qKKwmugWnXu/s1600/1982-05-luke+family+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our family with the Luke grandparents in 1978. This is the mom of my childhood, the mom I remember.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Pzv_lyonLNDnn60eVIhQtX19RRWAgKTyuogvDPkeSNIal4_DG5OG56kWjkhzIQvwYEEPkfACab453RNM3o0iSsTiRd20Uq-pMM0MpgMObIEclwaacv0y7QbaWarwqdlEyjyxE_FQ5Bsx/s1600/1978-07-luke+family+with+lowell+and+merle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Pzv_lyonLNDnn60eVIhQtX19RRWAgKTyuogvDPkeSNIal4_DG5OG56kWjkhzIQvwYEEPkfACab453RNM3o0iSsTiRd20Uq-pMM0MpgMObIEclwaacv0y7QbaWarwqdlEyjyxE_FQ5Bsx/s1600/1978-07-luke+family+with+lowell+and+merle.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Mother's Day, Mom!</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-64613379166868671432014-05-08T10:05:00.000-07:002014-05-08T11:05:52.462-07:00MIAI know, I've been MIA lately. It's suddenly been very busy around here! I did celebrate a birthday last week and as a gift, C made me a video. It is awesome. I will try and figure out how to put it on here. He even did an outtake reel. He cracks me up.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhIq2B_Bb7yIEpE8gvoLJeJmRr1NqTO6JBy-OQGG_CgYgnTC7yl4MUf9CWNjM6JkpURKb8jPRHBbmOiiciJ4r2VL3E4PtEQyzgc6j5m_w2Yrd86_TePGrvvZj8YGvRzmzEkmwpH9Bczr8/s1600/2014-03-17+15.47.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhIq2B_Bb7yIEpE8gvoLJeJmRr1NqTO6JBy-OQGG_CgYgnTC7yl4MUf9CWNjM6JkpURKb8jPRHBbmOiiciJ4r2VL3E4PtEQyzgc6j5m_w2Yrd86_TePGrvvZj8YGvRzmzEkmwpH9Bczr8/s1600/2014-03-17+15.47.37.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>So I have not "worked" - as in a paid job - since I was expecting J. Yes, that's approximately nine years ago. Last year, I earned my first dollars since then doing some accompanying work - once for violin students, once for a vocalist, and once for a saxophonist. Last week, someone commissioned me to make more mermaidens (I sold these at the school auction). Who would have guessed that I would end up making money on the two things I resisted learning most as a teenager? Sewing and piano. Ha! <br />
<br />
We had a LOT of rain last week. A LOT. There was some serious flooding around here. It was pretty exciting. The boys' dam filled up and someone really loved jumping in the reservoir. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAZoMT-lpCGzxF-lWrjbzk0dwZ-E8l4o54fZOWZh9QdeAo-BuxPlJpvOqGtJxLBslH34Yjy2Dm68jWdg0Is8RjJUPvAfxKCfM5kAEhW9zPbPLTbldwvLUMfBjb9Z5t4WuKDFIyes3VKlA/s1600/2014-05-01+18.11.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAZoMT-lpCGzxF-lWrjbzk0dwZ-E8l4o54fZOWZh9QdeAo-BuxPlJpvOqGtJxLBslH34Yjy2Dm68jWdg0Is8RjJUPvAfxKCfM5kAEhW9zPbPLTbldwvLUMfBjb9Z5t4WuKDFIyes3VKlA/s1600/2014-05-01+18.11.58.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTguIVDXrWg58Qlyh2FLU1wBXXvY1A5YNCpuBfWtCXzpoFOxTR4hgihgVsLVc8POtCUpe3J_9RnC54FWbUP1-FhR6AE7Zb_vIFpNfw8pInBf-HTfDhbHz76S1fWi5Bz9JS3voTcHAAo_F-/s1600/2014-05-01+18.11.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTguIVDXrWg58Qlyh2FLU1wBXXvY1A5YNCpuBfWtCXzpoFOxTR4hgihgVsLVc8POtCUpe3J_9RnC54FWbUP1-FhR6AE7Zb_vIFpNfw8pInBf-HTfDhbHz76S1fWi5Bz9JS3voTcHAAo_F-/s1600/2014-05-01+18.11.51.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
She adores these boots. She wears them pretty much every day. I will be so sad when she outgrows them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn_GFIhYIVad95pdgsE9CwuyPSt82-FdOWT5dpa_OItrr2qmXnzpuLJVRBzJUb3g-eQL14xxpfc6B-Vw7__xQyMdzeTVAN0j_20EMKanfuLO2ztgX7bO_OcuHxBI-tBK-Nd05UO1KkonM/s1600/2014-05-01+18.12.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn_GFIhYIVad95pdgsE9CwuyPSt82-FdOWT5dpa_OItrr2qmXnzpuLJVRBzJUb3g-eQL14xxpfc6B-Vw7__xQyMdzeTVAN0j_20EMKanfuLO2ztgX7bO_OcuHxBI-tBK-Nd05UO1KkonM/s1600/2014-05-01+18.12.02.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-4783893127729798652014-05-02T08:35:00.002-07:002014-05-02T08:35:27.385-07:00SpiesSo C discovered someone had been sneaking Easter candy and left the wrappers behind the pedestal sink in the powder room. He decided to set up a sting. He put a motion sensing camera in the bathroom and waited. And it worked! He got a picture of the culprit! You better watch out, trying to sneak candy at our house. You never know who's watching....Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-68721494352081253252014-04-27T14:11:00.001-07:002014-04-27T14:11:03.950-07:00EasterWe did all the traditional things for Easter, including coloring eggs, hunting them in the backyard, going to church, and eating ham for Sunday dinner. I really need to come up with something unique for our Easter celebrations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEcrI_bdnIpZc4qdOE3_-1gyPCSAQG3Rao9SQUF00FTuWa6vo1GXeiLGov3G4wuG2H4Evgzt6pOVLocYLHhR93oLFbMSlAhEU18Gjc4c8NpmU_ZkkOnpwRDywIQ33nB0Jj1Y6rkKU36Sy/s1600/2014-04-19+10.45.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEcrI_bdnIpZc4qdOE3_-1gyPCSAQG3Rao9SQUF00FTuWa6vo1GXeiLGov3G4wuG2H4Evgzt6pOVLocYLHhR93oLFbMSlAhEU18Gjc4c8NpmU_ZkkOnpwRDywIQ33nB0Jj1Y6rkKU36Sy/s1600/2014-04-19+10.45.54.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8WVXbf_2MoYbbb33xsRrjC_RsronkRY66vRvLhnhKQ1he-yE07MeY6BT1Yv5uIe1OyvGAmSaGfM7nZk72yqdhNLXk4WAz5Suu3UrWpHyrk5X7Dk71jDrf0SEHRxtPov-JSs1UsiSlTNE/s1600/2014-04-19+10.54.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8WVXbf_2MoYbbb33xsRrjC_RsronkRY66vRvLhnhKQ1he-yE07MeY6BT1Yv5uIe1OyvGAmSaGfM7nZk72yqdhNLXk4WAz5Suu3UrWpHyrk5X7Dk71jDrf0SEHRxtPov-JSs1UsiSlTNE/s1600/2014-04-19+10.54.32.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRySa9g5osWMMLF6sHbrexkAVEVKTtkv2QGJTY0fw2TYltDcyEJaskXmRXtSc-ZtRMsPKewa9cEranrfTmAw2zHKACAPCBmfDddMag-Y1Xv3owA6f94natCT_7jfPbUfpMYzmbk8b1-KM/s1600/2014-04-20+12.37.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRySa9g5osWMMLF6sHbrexkAVEVKTtkv2QGJTY0fw2TYltDcyEJaskXmRXtSc-ZtRMsPKewa9cEranrfTmAw2zHKACAPCBmfDddMag-Y1Xv3owA6f94natCT_7jfPbUfpMYzmbk8b1-KM/s1600/2014-04-20+12.37.32.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't have much luck with Easter photos, alas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jRlTZ4GXERZwIwoN7xuAdeLBmMQ8ShfsEo5vsE0O3q5006X4740YToOhW5VulG5vBZBEnl70vSbFmKNom8jTXKONVz8MGCdFcEsXRgPPOd7UIq8r3C1_weevbfyxVXgyMm-SckxYDYGT/s1600/2014-04-20+12.37.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jRlTZ4GXERZwIwoN7xuAdeLBmMQ8ShfsEo5vsE0O3q5006X4740YToOhW5VulG5vBZBEnl70vSbFmKNom8jTXKONVz8MGCdFcEsXRgPPOd7UIq8r3C1_weevbfyxVXgyMm-SckxYDYGT/s1600/2014-04-20+12.37.38.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxiKb6IYcQMNjdPKhgFPJjxXiWN6jGLMFLAbCDiIBna8pBek0Xo1tms8Gomepez6XyjQ0LURhv0VeCs81sxpDZi31OHMxqqZjDHoyx5I8yrs8VVSUaTF0HwAJDSJJLJdtQM4Ox0RDup6F/s1600/2014-04-20+12.42.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxiKb6IYcQMNjdPKhgFPJjxXiWN6jGLMFLAbCDiIBna8pBek0Xo1tms8Gomepez6XyjQ0LURhv0VeCs81sxpDZi31OHMxqqZjDHoyx5I8yrs8VVSUaTF0HwAJDSJJLJdtQM4Ox0RDup6F/s1600/2014-04-20+12.42.20.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Monday, the boys also had school off so we drove out to Harper's Ferry, WV. We hired a tour guide for G's parents and friends of theirs who are missionaries nearby while G took the kids around on their own tour. He had done the full tour with the Boy Scouts a couple of years ago. I love Harper's Ferry. It's got a long and interesting history, the scenery is gorgeous and there are a variety of options of things to do, depending on the attention span of your kids! Plus, as the guide said, up to 100 trains a day come through and our kids LOVED that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYOtIlbSvxdXWaCJZ-X4cyoB4FNtw9x10Ue-GgN3tlpalx2JA_ucGZuUZVWnl9BFbPe38qe9H4XF1BRCPgWD19nPwzOQrqifec8gDlELrsEyODQY25wsvBzy0KkL2gAIKFS6CnW-baL4y/s1600/2014-04-21+09.46.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYOtIlbSvxdXWaCJZ-X4cyoB4FNtw9x10Ue-GgN3tlpalx2JA_ucGZuUZVWnl9BFbPe38qe9H4XF1BRCPgWD19nPwzOQrqifec8gDlELrsEyODQY25wsvBzy0KkL2gAIKFS6CnW-baL4y/s1600/2014-04-21+09.46.28.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDEJHc-9IHoXcBcKh8mmZuAylUqWvgcNlt3b0vYD9fC9fC2wdo16MOqWGzFAuxjIiR9OQCLjjQHdm_CbYc3cTIeMJBSzZtX5U2GlnkgYafhMyXpnrD3tnAEXJOpDdKo4HegxFh6JZ7g-B/s1600/2014-04-21+09.54.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDEJHc-9IHoXcBcKh8mmZuAylUqWvgcNlt3b0vYD9fC9fC2wdo16MOqWGzFAuxjIiR9OQCLjjQHdm_CbYc3cTIeMJBSzZtX5U2GlnkgYafhMyXpnrD3tnAEXJOpDdKo4HegxFh6JZ7g-B/s1600/2014-04-21+09.54.00.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQkE1AqSECN9KGBIqp9l7HrRsFCkFBXdzedQFS_W5AVNMTh3Isz-NTXVL0aMS-qeZ_s6Tje6-umhR62cj-ZgPQU0cv3IoPsbei8HC1AAwgvTsB8EVaqm1k9gdjZYceCHsFQGd2laKlGd2/s1600/2014-04-21+09.55.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQkE1AqSECN9KGBIqp9l7HrRsFCkFBXdzedQFS_W5AVNMTh3Isz-NTXVL0aMS-qeZ_s6Tje6-umhR62cj-ZgPQU0cv3IoPsbei8HC1AAwgvTsB8EVaqm1k9gdjZYceCHsFQGd2laKlGd2/s1600/2014-04-21+09.55.48.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the train</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYGZeIyG1d0TdFnhCM5pWkSBSFHeppTuli-IC1EU1ZZy6K6CqQInZurKeqGTkRMyKZAuvy_dZzD7CdPIt-En5KCy0xJKA_FwfpyzivRACEiaiHt2mbaQBB1rjzePPqT3MEqhiU3FedH2s/s1600/2014-04-21+10.53.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYGZeIyG1d0TdFnhCM5pWkSBSFHeppTuli-IC1EU1ZZy6K6CqQInZurKeqGTkRMyKZAuvy_dZzD7CdPIt-En5KCy0xJKA_FwfpyzivRACEiaiHt2mbaQBB1rjzePPqT3MEqhiU3FedH2s/s1600/2014-04-21+10.53.47.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Jefferson Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We decided to stop by Antietam on the way back. I remember it being doable in a short time, but that's because the last time we went, there was no M and the boys were really little so we just let them run around outside. There is a nice visitor's center with a small museum and an audio tour that would be fun to do, but everyone was tired by then, so we watched a film in the visitor's center, walked around outside for a bit to look at monuments and cannons, then drove over to the observation tower. I just realized I took the other pictures there with my phone, so this is it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep9KBTFOsjT5xSMkyNPNO_dplWrIkA9lxFP4-PatfLHYbbAlstutUrMqmfW_xrLLvdL13gW84G-NGfqsT87YlhJjtHKtWyPt0f3BsmRna0PvzcE-X2IIeffCJEQxv1_Ykbezov3L7Lbz-/s1600/2014-04-21+15.45.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep9KBTFOsjT5xSMkyNPNO_dplWrIkA9lxFP4-PatfLHYbbAlstutUrMqmfW_xrLLvdL13gW84G-NGfqsT87YlhJjtHKtWyPt0f3BsmRna0PvzcE-X2IIeffCJEQxv1_Ykbezov3L7Lbz-/s1600/2014-04-21+15.45.41.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They were pretty tired by the time we got home, but I'm really glad we went. I'm looking forward to more adventures this summer, now that we have no naps and no diapers to contend with!</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-37051395671704705172014-04-21T13:58:00.000-07:002014-04-27T13:58:28.857-07:00Spring BreakBy the second week of April, we were finally enjoying spring-like weather. G's parents came into town and we were looking forward to a trip to southern NJ for spring break. <br />
<br />
Before we left though, we stopped by the elementary school for J's Bio-Wax museum. All the 3rd graders researched an important person (mostly from history), dressed up, and "became" that person Friday afternoon. They were frozen until we pushed their buttons, then they gave a short talk about themselves. Can you tell who J was?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0RIoEW1uw-O57QjFDOFbZVV_WaaK_q2Hk48SonOthWKLzlY0F5RY3_WRiGHYAthmwJZfOp9QtjBX0QPohyphenhyphenHm99NxOXYjWDO3eo6cC2PzD-w4MzaKfpgh2zYn-RD6NPVC7I-Ff5aPMc0B/s1600/2014-04-11+14.22.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0RIoEW1uw-O57QjFDOFbZVV_WaaK_q2Hk48SonOthWKLzlY0F5RY3_WRiGHYAthmwJZfOp9QtjBX0QPohyphenhyphenHm99NxOXYjWDO3eo6cC2PzD-w4MzaKfpgh2zYn-RD6NPVC7I-Ff5aPMc0B/s1600/2014-04-11+14.22.50.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Most people couldn't. He was the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion! I love Francis Marion. I had a huge crush on him in high school (I know; that's probably why I didn't date much...) so I was very pleased when J came up with that idea all on his own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfKFCa935YjzEbxP_YbXplw9bybi6cLjVs0-2MR3u9r33HEKeW_UsSxPMFG6bKRMtWTde6Ik3oUFWk4CqtfTlgPQOAhUVMhvNCFaOoWlKoGey6-chvz0R6Zz2Y21V0iUUOK9uj56zfelV/s1600/2014-04-11+14.46.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfKFCa935YjzEbxP_YbXplw9bybi6cLjVs0-2MR3u9r33HEKeW_UsSxPMFG6bKRMtWTde6Ik3oUFWk4CqtfTlgPQOAhUVMhvNCFaOoWlKoGey6-chvz0R6Zz2Y21V0iUUOK9uj56zfelV/s1600/2014-04-11+14.46.36.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
He did awesome, and it was fun to go around and see who all the other kids picked. There were a lot of Rosa Parks and George Washingtons, of course, several Oprah Winfreys, two girls who picked Elizabeth I, and a great Elvis who was Indian. Awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq86ekhLLHmrSVmexj6fVtoQxKq9gGbROtv3eFNOSVI0f2VTCWeL8J5XZYUsxmUVRtfslWUsNKN5BPrqRibn8wmD-ydOeiEjXVvl2l5ri-x2suY2O73Io9b229i8PCt4P7hzVCjHyeBTto/s1600/2014-04-14+12.38.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq86ekhLLHmrSVmexj6fVtoQxKq9gGbROtv3eFNOSVI0f2VTCWeL8J5XZYUsxmUVRtfslWUsNKN5BPrqRibn8wmD-ydOeiEjXVvl2l5ri-x2suY2O73Io9b229i8PCt4P7hzVCjHyeBTto/s1600/2014-04-14+12.38.54.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Monday morning, we packed up and headed for the beach. We got there in time to run around in the sand for a while in the afternoon. It was nice and shallow, so there was a lot of beach at low tide. We saw some snails crawling around ("Those shells are moving by themselves, Mama!") and found some really nice shells. The boys loved that there was "quicksand" that they kept sinking into. Yuck. I don't know if that was oil or what but it was not sand or normal dirt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6EI_n_X-9OjAASrvFOm2qE0EU7Lk5iY9o1DL0fYG1BZJQVllzenU3bqdN9rzm0pJrwkRCsk73mRtrSH8Er0MNcLfjf5uhbC350X-igBeOQlvBjw6L2LGbLhxZVWRIo9CpZDY7tsQ2yAe/s1600/2014-04-14+12.51.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6EI_n_X-9OjAASrvFOm2qE0EU7Lk5iY9o1DL0fYG1BZJQVllzenU3bqdN9rzm0pJrwkRCsk73mRtrSH8Er0MNcLfjf5uhbC350X-igBeOQlvBjw6L2LGbLhxZVWRIo9CpZDY7tsQ2yAe/s1600/2014-04-14+12.51.22.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
But we were lucky to have that afternoon because Tuesday it POURED rain. During one break in the storm, we went out to Cape May lighthouse and climbed the 199 steps to the top. The boys loved that, especially the gale force winds at the top. They chased some waves at the beach while the grandparents and I took M into the little museum which was full of slithery creatures that she adored.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuie-3Gb73zRlFLcSjtjrG7Asso6wcbNheLhvh2iLW5thFsbIf92K1reZMsMR7qsIqpuk9tgVC95lRlaYh0pihrmQJLVlHbRN_4Oflvp0Nbn6Tuclb-4X1JBHAyQHSAFcFL5X4M7TDBKOQ/s1600/2014-04-15+14.00.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuie-3Gb73zRlFLcSjtjrG7Asso6wcbNheLhvh2iLW5thFsbIf92K1reZMsMR7qsIqpuk9tgVC95lRlaYh0pihrmQJLVlHbRN_4Oflvp0Nbn6Tuclb-4X1JBHAyQHSAFcFL5X4M7TDBKOQ/s1600/2014-04-15+14.00.37.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6IbyS3hkXgFeTZAy-a6f5PYut3exGiHuCxUpvOZdyDEVr8NpkKYHfLzk3W11tZB6WDqIz08ZNGubJFMnBACBdRtZ11Zm7AbHV2ZmfYSXNx5EgiDalQV9R_7RT1bSNb1VPXSnpxdVA1tZ/s1600/2014-04-15+14.44.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6IbyS3hkXgFeTZAy-a6f5PYut3exGiHuCxUpvOZdyDEVr8NpkKYHfLzk3W11tZB6WDqIz08ZNGubJFMnBACBdRtZ11Zm7AbHV2ZmfYSXNx5EgiDalQV9R_7RT1bSNb1VPXSnpxdVA1tZ/s1600/2014-04-15+14.44.43.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse hair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got home in time for the storm to hit again. We were glad we weren't in a tent. The temperatures dropped dramatically, so we went to the zoo. It's a pretty nice zoo but because of the cold, all the animals the kids wanted to see were in their houses, so we missed the snow leopards, giraffes, lions, the tiger, and most of the birds and smaller animals. :(<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrH-vlfHyxIvDkhWXJfjmltvGR8UZCq4mKF8R5LTUD5Ag_EY6B6u03QOKomkWm8HO2l7jhgLkr7NzD4ijUCJtjomS110Sjsu7PEbz7x0uX_d5vmQ4nNJtI3U3LxzY20M9sD2pTj6w799C/s1600/2014-04-16+13.38.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrH-vlfHyxIvDkhWXJfjmltvGR8UZCq4mKF8R5LTUD5Ag_EY6B6u03QOKomkWm8HO2l7jhgLkr7NzD4ijUCJtjomS110Sjsu7PEbz7x0uX_d5vmQ4nNJtI3U3LxzY20M9sD2pTj6w799C/s1600/2014-04-16+13.38.53.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREawp410fFiK15CSlvh-SCaRhf0d-tL5z4jVdi93p3tEYeD9YTdaokKlSmzY-7hgb9PF88u8hx9tNbsTofn0VAHZjXLqlhMevonWCWw6MsNIAa6PdAPUfzWnM2kyRT-mJUKj11PeqUny7/s1600/2014-04-16+13.57.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREawp410fFiK15CSlvh-SCaRhf0d-tL5z4jVdi93p3tEYeD9YTdaokKlSmzY-7hgb9PF88u8hx9tNbsTofn0VAHZjXLqlhMevonWCWw6MsNIAa6PdAPUfzWnM2kyRT-mJUKj11PeqUny7/s1600/2014-04-16+13.57.14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M really wanted to pet this swan. It really wanted to nip her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6JLz5lk9qN4iz1QrJoLGWZVC_xl1feDLzdKGlrCoY7aPtLx67bAlqyZa8LEZJh-2RVe1-1C8kgwtUkIRHoytWx0BcqWtbguCGl42BTn_-PXZSn0wFMzmN7KEHgFkiu5U9iir7hcHmPVT/s1600/2014-04-16+14.51.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6JLz5lk9qN4iz1QrJoLGWZVC_xl1feDLzdKGlrCoY7aPtLx67bAlqyZa8LEZJh-2RVe1-1C8kgwtUkIRHoytWx0BcqWtbguCGl42BTn_-PXZSn0wFMzmN7KEHgFkiu5U9iir7hcHmPVT/s1600/2014-04-16+14.51.41.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie99udJKETmHHXnTaDqRQ3R3a1W1CrJXK-Kh6L6SkrEGDKgAA0BvnBo8Hu1Mc7SnGQzXEVvA2IUmqb7uO2pcJ31M7VNwZOe7OrFHy9rfeq2rWZf1LebTD9Z3acFOWtm8qBzeFwyJaxB8OU/s1600/2014-04-16+15.25.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie99udJKETmHHXnTaDqRQ3R3a1W1CrJXK-Kh6L6SkrEGDKgAA0BvnBo8Hu1Mc7SnGQzXEVvA2IUmqb7uO2pcJ31M7VNwZOe7OrFHy9rfeq2rWZf1LebTD9Z3acFOWtm8qBzeFwyJaxB8OU/s1600/2014-04-16+15.25.16.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J really, really liked the aviary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then the stomach flu hit. So Thursday, G graciously stayed home with the three youngest, and I took C and the grandparents to take a trolley tour of Cape May and another tour of a Victorian house. That was really interesting, and the architecture in the town is adorable. That's what comes of a resort town built by rich vacationers!<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a nice week and the kids loved the house and the beach and all the time they got to watch PBSKids while stuck inside... I am still hoping that next spring break (after two in a row spent shivering), we get some nicer weather!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaQN4Obg5xIBiTOsOO6zbj_iCDul_XKUdx0V3DcNOcwS-Ch-Bzc4X1kIYdJktFvBUpNEas7pAgG2ici07IFCZyfUUtc_6xY1mtw19TfjVKGQu6NF042kmRShzkngTW85ijEB7S3CAzu52/s1600/2014-04-16+17.01.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaQN4Obg5xIBiTOsOO6zbj_iCDul_XKUdx0V3DcNOcwS-Ch-Bzc4X1kIYdJktFvBUpNEas7pAgG2ici07IFCZyfUUtc_6xY1mtw19TfjVKGQu6NF042kmRShzkngTW85ijEB7S3CAzu52/s1600/2014-04-16+17.01.18.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenanigans in the back seat. The reason they rarely are allowed to sit together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp99zrRZIzD3aatCy-DvBgxP9DAwehbrW4taM1oN_irzHnBSmt2l3buDN0169lJWyhBi3TWiFUSfoAemPsH-yLngRcQObnEOSo9ntiyQkGsuoY3UNEtTH22Mtw7440oolRKCqMv0R0dgH/s1600/2014-04-16+19.27.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp99zrRZIzD3aatCy-DvBgxP9DAwehbrW4taM1oN_irzHnBSmt2l3buDN0169lJWyhBi3TWiFUSfoAemPsH-yLngRcQObnEOSo9ntiyQkGsuoY3UNEtTH22Mtw7440oolRKCqMv0R0dgH/s1600/2014-04-16+19.27.19.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g2i-xmmUU95L6aX72-uJCpqgKc7h6GgVlgcV2On8nsU-SoGV5rU-t0f6mpotXcrJtITUUonIHBV2Cl1OdKIkumiCT7MR2ZHHfZ4l_kpb5Cvo8Fj0j1ecvwNu6z8G8LpoZfyanLmgop7F/s1600/2014-04-16+19.27.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g2i-xmmUU95L6aX72-uJCpqgKc7h6GgVlgcV2On8nsU-SoGV5rU-t0f6mpotXcrJtITUUonIHBV2Cl1OdKIkumiCT7MR2ZHHfZ4l_kpb5Cvo8Fj0j1ecvwNu6z8G8LpoZfyanLmgop7F/s1600/2014-04-16+19.27.27.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDWYjHXGckyUD4ZA-zxErhYcHaEP_KTf386uEiz7YDXGBfxT3pomZ7Z2zpctJ8X67WLXhlAnbOA4jfgxP7TrLDSUk7tq3d5Ed2G6rNzI9XwyXk98H7chn5SzI2Tw3DQaiYmP-1YNwnE-Z/s1600/2014-04-17+19.35.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDWYjHXGckyUD4ZA-zxErhYcHaEP_KTf386uEiz7YDXGBfxT3pomZ7Z2zpctJ8X67WLXhlAnbOA4jfgxP7TrLDSUk7tq3d5Ed2G6rNzI9XwyXk98H7chn5SzI2Tw3DQaiYmP-1YNwnE-Z/s1600/2014-04-17+19.35.17.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C was glad he brought a tripod. He had fun taking pictures from the balcony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-70761881367105711132014-04-07T05:55:00.000-07:002014-04-07T05:55:03.103-07:00Scenes from Conference Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">
Just some images from our General Conference weekend (see lds.org).....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J fixed the bridge he built (that someone sat on) and it went back to work transporting cars over the lava.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoK4XlycpInon_OMLljv2X_M3QUhgTB2q4ckNKEhv-2kajG5mZQm-JqSDgCEaWJKKe5WWpwWMhcGZV0rSD9NZSHdGohU1c0dTf0Br0M3GnBxk13Ip9ib_z3G4kKaTUxZQEHNxp0vUo1Nb/s1600/2014-04-06+15.13.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoK4XlycpInon_OMLljv2X_M3QUhgTB2q4ckNKEhv-2kajG5mZQm-JqSDgCEaWJKKe5WWpwWMhcGZV0rSD9NZSHdGohU1c0dTf0Br0M3GnBxk13Ip9ib_z3G4kKaTUxZQEHNxp0vUo1Nb/s1600/2014-04-06+15.13.29.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We made our traditional conference bread. So yummy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzDdL3_QCPoarNW6O2jR-tFNAU8AGOKUDu6xGEgBMpZ7phTLuzzsOfTDMiordKbNWzLWaWIAnJNl24hGAZbwxdxF4WHoNgYJi6JQuKeUrhU8EU8yDK5eeNoNnnOVv-SuWiu6MtX6-KxZy/s1600/2014-04-06+11.19.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzDdL3_QCPoarNW6O2jR-tFNAU8AGOKUDu6xGEgBMpZ7phTLuzzsOfTDMiordKbNWzLWaWIAnJNl24hGAZbwxdxF4WHoNgYJi6JQuKeUrhU8EU8yDK5eeNoNnnOVv-SuWiu6MtX6-KxZy/s1600/2014-04-06+11.19.06.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
M helped me roll out the dough and C photobombed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekADnbyLZi3vwyTSmxmoNvfiTjLjf0CGRvKULrpPG9sFWqcQErN-sW_5lV04Z98JUuo0Bo2O6SpcUqppmL9nJOM-aO12btiQksnMjPuuG_AgnuuFOrLGP_TT-4hGnsNMp8vTU11acT8BD/s1600/2014-04-06+11.19.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekADnbyLZi3vwyTSmxmoNvfiTjLjf0CGRvKULrpPG9sFWqcQErN-sW_5lV04Z98JUuo0Bo2O6SpcUqppmL9nJOM-aO12btiQksnMjPuuG_AgnuuFOrLGP_TT-4hGnsNMp8vTU11acT8BD/s1600/2014-04-06+11.19.14.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
S checked our line on Family Search and even though this image is hard to read, he discovered that we are descended from Adam and Eve. He and J like to look through all the lines and see how far back they can go. This is pretty much the end. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRgB9ykpVZh4XwhaXoSvi2PTy88JibJoul3EqoTOEhHmMj5d4vtFqinjhUpBQ4GWn9oyU_kGVkHKhq9X0r7oA1Fgja__He04x_StYEbYte1QAFUDjwSyYPecWErqp4O0BvX_1OLC9F-XG/s1600/2014-04-06+11.34.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRgB9ykpVZh4XwhaXoSvi2PTy88JibJoul3EqoTOEhHmMj5d4vtFqinjhUpBQ4GWn9oyU_kGVkHKhq9X0r7oA1Fgja__He04x_StYEbYte1QAFUDjwSyYPecWErqp4O0BvX_1OLC9F-XG/s1600/2014-04-06+11.34.46.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the conference bread, in its cinnamony sugary goodness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmLFRtWGDSZaRc06ofWz8Tia-ilGWdBsducTvblonk8T1nXNQM5RuoKewLvvWKW_YV3zoVPn0DG3CihCdFwnzTh1vuZOlXl-owygMxqewzP7oaBEOWjBJEJFvhZQlFoHO2T0BNWavTSQs/s1600/2014-04-06+13.11.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmLFRtWGDSZaRc06ofWz8Tia-ilGWdBsducTvblonk8T1nXNQM5RuoKewLvvWKW_YV3zoVPn0DG3CihCdFwnzTh1vuZOlXl-owygMxqewzP7oaBEOWjBJEJFvhZQlFoHO2T0BNWavTSQs/s1600/2014-04-06+13.11.18.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
After weeks of barely letting me put in ponytails, M decided she wanted her hair like Elsa's Sunday afternoon. Umm.... My braiding skills are a little rusty, but it turned out better than I thought it would and she felt like Elsa.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5FIwF8iw8uTRem-5aCC4kkBtGUXWjr5L4kkrbmqOyWL4BKQaPcGk5KFY0ymESoldez6qcR43T3Ju7dxk9qfOrLG6Aeb3ECczLS2clBBg2ZwfjPa0Bqt8djrPf86Vw96yHFqkQVnxqbJS/s1600/2014-04-06+14.10.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5FIwF8iw8uTRem-5aCC4kkBtGUXWjr5L4kkrbmqOyWL4BKQaPcGk5KFY0ymESoldez6qcR43T3Ju7dxk9qfOrLG6Aeb3ECczLS2clBBg2ZwfjPa0Bqt8djrPf86Vw96yHFqkQVnxqbJS/s1600/2014-04-06+14.10.35.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jiOfBnu8siJwfG95S3V5njiMt2EZGtcaW9PaEioOvDb4VuvHd8xctT9D373GOcZydvDe_0VPpPGMcCOdw4PgjC7MvCN236CjHEjRI0rIP7EI9poDT6Kkjry1x32VhbmsC1p28eGKPlJd/s1600/2014-04-06+14.10.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jiOfBnu8siJwfG95S3V5njiMt2EZGtcaW9PaEioOvDb4VuvHd8xctT9D373GOcZydvDe_0VPpPGMcCOdw4PgjC7MvCN236CjHEjRI0rIP7EI9poDT6Kkjry1x32VhbmsC1p28eGKPlJd/s1600/2014-04-06+14.10.45.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little between-sessions game playing....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29cthmLwEU3_PlKZH9v7NHIE51TJcAemS2a6eS5hJXt3tp3p9CXF5tkxT9QBSIem4MxWlcttcski7ICYXZf7_E82x5CJfaY5FYDpqjNaz8YsqoUUus0nATBnFokO1NBSwQDBVxL5v1vU0/s1600/2014-04-06+15.12.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29cthmLwEU3_PlKZH9v7NHIE51TJcAemS2a6eS5hJXt3tp3p9CXF5tkxT9QBSIem4MxWlcttcski7ICYXZf7_E82x5CJfaY5FYDpqjNaz8YsqoUUus0nATBnFokO1NBSwQDBVxL5v1vU0/s1600/2014-04-06+15.12.51.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't get a photo of the coloring, coloring, coloring, and conference bingo playing that went on. But trust me, there was a lot of that too. :)</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-22622178774620252722014-03-31T19:40:00.002-07:002014-03-31T19:41:38.364-07:00Sponge Hat or A Contribution to Higher LearningI should be prepping for Joy School, which I'm teaching tomorrow, however, I wanted to record this. <br />
<br />
This morning, I took M to the university for a study the Early Childhood Dept is doing on how preschoolers respond to emotional cues. Something like that. They had her wear this "hat" with electrodes on it so they could measure brain activity while she did part of the testing. I thought she would baulk, but the researcher did a great job of telling her how awesome it was. It was, too. Check this out:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv2M-7y7tPwh-qZLLWSuwnwkgOaSWVc-sPqJDgxkGvYPaO_f7JstII1onhljDdrNMh6XgDbbzKht0KFnjmsyQupiUtpLTOoyMtIYbI7uGAD7InJCTwD4VWdvLTBDxuV8pShR6aF4_eORn/s1600/Margaret.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv2M-7y7tPwh-qZLLWSuwnwkgOaSWVc-sPqJDgxkGvYPaO_f7JstII1onhljDdrNMh6XgDbbzKht0KFnjmsyQupiUtpLTOoyMtIYbI7uGAD7InJCTwD4VWdvLTBDxuV8pShR6aF4_eORn/s1600/Margaret.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(They took a photo for me!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent about 2 hours there (plus sitting in rush hour traffic on the way... argh!). She had a great time and earned $40 for her mission/college fund. Not bad for a 4-year-old! I told her before we went that she would get a prize at the end, and she said she really wanted a monster truck. I warned her that they might not have that kind of prize, but guess what? They did! They had exactly what she wanted! M was so excited. Then we stopped at McD's because it was lunchtime, and she got a unicorn/pegasus/pony as another prize. She could not stop talking about them the rest of the day, much to the chagrin of two of her brothers. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHUxx3WEmvHfVCYO1zwrIJpMVU_lSu_92qzURhxU0THRGpG0DbOwkm9oBJlsfWrDCMoDQSvEYKhyCdasvaeUbtwSP9G5pfEbKXIUwlDOxvjNewZRbB7eebYxclh5hKK_Y72tRIGl6tzDN/s1600/2014-03-31+13.55.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHUxx3WEmvHfVCYO1zwrIJpMVU_lSu_92qzURhxU0THRGpG0DbOwkm9oBJlsfWrDCMoDQSvEYKhyCdasvaeUbtwSP9G5pfEbKXIUwlDOxvjNewZRbB7eebYxclh5hKK_Y72tRIGl6tzDN/s1600/2014-03-31+13.55.38.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Thunder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To round off a lovely day, she came with me to pick up C from the middle school for an orthodonist's appointment (she loves going there and playing in their playhouse) and got to pick the treat for FHE. She was on a high all day. I'm not sure if it was the prizes or the adventures or the fact that she (finally) slept past 8:00 this morning, but whatever it was, I'll take it.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-68456581009170999512014-03-21T09:55:00.000-07:002014-03-21T09:55:00.220-07:00PajamasI have a problem with accumulating fabric. I have so much fabric. And I have a hard time throwing away scraps even because I think I will - and often do - use them for projects. I made some mermaidens for a school auction and used up some of it, but I've had a stack of flannel and fleece staring at me for weeks and I finally made time to do something with it. <br />
<br />
Mostly, I turned it into baby blankets for friends and for <a href="http://www.projectlinus.org/" target="_blank">Project Linus</a>. But one piece I decided to use to make M some pajamas. Does she need more pajamas? No. But really, flannel covered in cats? Who could resist? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sZ9hwEX6LdKiHcpUGTw9w6fG4n0jlWfkCWRe9uZ-ayBnYwevDjFCrlVFsZxV7vyzoxE87K3xoCxM4-BI1lESdgYjS7O0JFDG9Z4QRhGpSZ6WXHbjvd5EamYdU_lwjZZVD7tWCoiZYNVu/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sZ9hwEX6LdKiHcpUGTw9w6fG4n0jlWfkCWRe9uZ-ayBnYwevDjFCrlVFsZxV7vyzoxE87K3xoCxM4-BI1lESdgYjS7O0JFDG9Z4QRhGpSZ6WXHbjvd5EamYdU_lwjZZVD7tWCoiZYNVu/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I couldn't find my pattern that I normally use, but after a quick online search found<a href="http://handmademommy.blogspot.com/2009/10/15-minute-jammy-pants.html" target="_blank"> this awesome tutorial</a> for making pj pants without a pattern. Seriously, it's genius. Her folding idea is genius. If I hadn't waited to make sure of M's waist size, I really could have had them done in 15 minutes. Since I waited, M had to help pull out pins, press the pedal for me, and push the back button. That stretched the total time out a bit.... but it was worth it. She feels like she made them, too, and she loves them.<br />
I even got ambitious and did a little applique on an undershirt, even though I didn't really have the right materials. It turned out pretty cute. Maybe I'll have to learn to do it for real.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHMD3N5Dmnw-uuHcURPdjdwk1HZeqgrBKPPRXNygirgHULXOIp71owoWIBQ3wh-wxBDvAzjjBLBgcvSYaONi5O8R7gH9lxBfAoPvn9eRUaHTaz-hBHVR7iqPHXjW4KwvNG9biY4Llp5LG/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHMD3N5Dmnw-uuHcURPdjdwk1HZeqgrBKPPRXNygirgHULXOIp71owoWIBQ3wh-wxBDvAzjjBLBgcvSYaONi5O8R7gH9lxBfAoPvn9eRUaHTaz-hBHVR7iqPHXjW4KwvNG9biY4Llp5LG/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can sort of see the shirt. She wasn't being very cooperative...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-13902913320334658112014-03-17T11:54:00.002-07:002014-03-17T11:54:56.162-07:00Leprechaun TrapS's 1st grade class built leprechaun traps this year. To say he was excited about it is an understatement. Lucky and Lucy the Leprechauns have been visiting their class each night, causing trouble. Every afternoon, he came home and discussed with J what he could do against sprites who could tip over the teacher's chair and write on the chalkboard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D8rASW38h0aDaFnQKLE_sun939Fk2WM01IRx7q3GtccvJeEo31GxJmdFOfdEYor2MFikfYWIaVgHQ3DtgZGZvLZSCkTpO9EMzUaY1YcL8uBKOHH7tojPu4DZjV_ErQut0BcPPkL8kjqq/s1600/2014-03-14+09.34.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D8rASW38h0aDaFnQKLE_sun939Fk2WM01IRx7q3GtccvJeEo31GxJmdFOfdEYor2MFikfYWIaVgHQ3DtgZGZvLZSCkTpO9EMzUaY1YcL8uBKOHH7tojPu4DZjV_ErQut0BcPPkL8kjqq/s1600/2014-03-14+09.34.18.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He put the bottles on there, hoping the leprechauns would slip and fall in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was proud of him because he took the initiative on the whole project. All I did was tell him where the big cereal box was and find him green paper. He designed and built the whole thing without even needing to be reminded.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMKrJKPGYP_Rvpua7BN-zhDTWMAtSkCtNPerJvxAqE-ppR_k2x5TkmHOVg0VaWZmY3Ir1ZdWYcT1owP0S2axjMBkzcavDaXQblNClIAzMzf_ruCYZr9vcumUZ8qVhXTDVjkVUqNsrRu4l/s1600/2014-03-14+09.34.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMKrJKPGYP_Rvpua7BN-zhDTWMAtSkCtNPerJvxAqE-ppR_k2x5TkmHOVg0VaWZmY3Ir1ZdWYcT1owP0S2axjMBkzcavDaXQblNClIAzMzf_ruCYZr9vcumUZ8qVhXTDVjkVUqNsrRu4l/s1600/2014-03-14+09.34.39.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gold is to lure him in and the tape so that he'll get stuck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We sent it in on Friday, not trusting it to survive the weekend unscathed, only to have school cancelled today because of a snow storm! S was glad to know that if the leprechauns made it through the snow, his trap would be there to catch them. :) For a boy who doesn't believe in Santa and doubts the Tooth Fairy's existence, he has become surprisingly enamored of leprechauns!<br />
<br />
Speaking of snow, here are a few photos from this morning. We got about 8" overnight and this morning. Crazy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIraPf2-w0wRxHNPmM-GMoeXWGiV4Itsdhf8pxcZx3DLw3he7YagMm35VLO4jjv0j-mR4DIjcN3eOWHFP3OsWSiPj_Xz_0dt7akltIKH26Kp2c6_QnTw6sznOI0snhP-QKGJVNJgn2j7C/s1600/2014-03-17+10.36.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIraPf2-w0wRxHNPmM-GMoeXWGiV4Itsdhf8pxcZx3DLw3he7YagMm35VLO4jjv0j-mR4DIjcN3eOWHFP3OsWSiPj_Xz_0dt7akltIKH26Kp2c6_QnTw6sznOI0snhP-QKGJVNJgn2j7C/s1600/2014-03-17+10.36.57.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH8-rB2-S4JJ7fUxGmqkfO5joEJFxnDFCbzlAI2xsR3RqjvvbpdLZfxMHw4cPPVENZES8Vv98-tPtaIeF8BlgOLXF8XzSUcBEp3n2zWiCUKoVhYK99wMoCzvEYXJCWkdhJKoGuV25ZyMO/s1600/2014-03-17+10.35.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH8-rB2-S4JJ7fUxGmqkfO5joEJFxnDFCbzlAI2xsR3RqjvvbpdLZfxMHw4cPPVENZES8Vv98-tPtaIeF8BlgOLXF8XzSUcBEp3n2zWiCUKoVhYK99wMoCzvEYXJCWkdhJKoGuV25ZyMO/s1600/2014-03-17+10.35.19.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots of perfect snow flakes fell while we were shoveling. I wish I had a macro lens to capture them. We had lots of fun looking for different kinds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jGrHq85a5RlaNkcGPOZkhyGCi4nwXTM_6BmlP3_lg4QTqCsjuo6DtvTO_4RwAO0UsyNH334GMC26dSsTb7P41ly9T-yUtfuQDfCAZk1DurkEjR0bjBJYHZ2l3XLTBd2cD1HT7_FQOd-E/s1600/2014-03-17+10.20.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jGrHq85a5RlaNkcGPOZkhyGCi4nwXTM_6BmlP3_lg4QTqCsjuo6DtvTO_4RwAO0UsyNH334GMC26dSsTb7P41ly9T-yUtfuQDfCAZk1DurkEjR0bjBJYHZ2l3XLTBd2cD1HT7_FQOd-E/s1600/2014-03-17+10.20.55.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN6MX6cTNsFL87Uh5JFap4arfs9Euv6hwWqYfw1ZSvx8ObomTQ-7S5jCS_6zf7KKFF1MJdEhrPr0O_RhP6c8PWu08eI0Q6aNwJ7Z7FC_edO2KMOSE13ocL2C7LcKgKlFIQYpvaEldlR2T/s1600/2014-03-17+10.29.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN6MX6cTNsFL87Uh5JFap4arfs9Euv6hwWqYfw1ZSvx8ObomTQ-7S5jCS_6zf7KKFF1MJdEhrPr0O_RhP6c8PWu08eI0Q6aNwJ7Z7FC_edO2KMOSE13ocL2C7LcKgKlFIQYpvaEldlR2T/s1600/2014-03-17+10.29.36.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was perfect snow for sledding. They made the track slick enough to ride all the way into the front yard. Fun but I admit I'm hoping this is the LAST snow storm this winter! </div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7166610305935883365.post-41763873979116833052014-03-13T08:42:00.001-07:002014-03-13T08:42:23.177-07:004 Years Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMfkGry8sJ8bLTBk2sFm-3SyTBv-EtMhtbBqKCJKkcigMEqEZ4dLMPMH4_GZ6x9H7vCNqQaTBEMqXVny2Nu-LxfNtJfREbg897VWoYu1l3FF7d55nqaEAPlFNU5NdO2PMOZl7C8AdCwPu/s1600/IMG_6529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMfkGry8sJ8bLTBk2sFm-3SyTBv-EtMhtbBqKCJKkcigMEqEZ4dLMPMH4_GZ6x9H7vCNqQaTBEMqXVny2Nu-LxfNtJfREbg897VWoYu1l3FF7d55nqaEAPlFNU5NdO2PMOZl7C8AdCwPu/s1600/IMG_6529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
M has been sooooo excited for her birthday. She's been bouncing with joy whenever she thinks about it. Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, which turned out to be perfectly lovely. Everyone got out of bed and ready for church without complaining (a little gift to me!). The Primary sang to her, which she loved. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We opened her presents early because we had company coming later. She really, really wanted a dragon car to match S's and by sheer luck (or perhaps it was a tender mercy?) I found one at Target. She was clearly thrilled with her presents. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKJ48NZk4YJhh2AzsR3PxIHv4rq5OEokGLDq9RJ6XUGgRWSmgd4HFTQjJ0zVInYRn5RMhRVt7CXQ0Qhpp76k9YYGo1fBKXu4sypzTGfRX8TmQOR0XJUCX44X8U-sTt3aRXifzqHOiLEAq/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKJ48NZk4YJhh2AzsR3PxIHv4rq5OEokGLDq9RJ6XUGgRWSmgd4HFTQjJ0zVInYRn5RMhRVt7CXQ0Qhpp76k9YYGo1fBKXu4sypzTGfRX8TmQOR0XJUCX44X8U-sTt3aRXifzqHOiLEAq/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She wanted pancakes for dinner, so we invited the sister missionaries to share them with us - one of whom shares M's birthday. (Happy birthday, Sis. Cox!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LxLe6gQ4Iq2ZMNr5t3BjXU1MaYDRBZYopBh24c75sOmztdee8wCvhUKlZeH70645EGZQ026uknQ9AV1Gw9qAZpZMb4JMDRMCNi-UUkwUH4Qlvz4DhGaf3NopjeOBGJ87gfLBirv5-Jk8/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LxLe6gQ4Iq2ZMNr5t3BjXU1MaYDRBZYopBh24c75sOmztdee8wCvhUKlZeH70645EGZQ026uknQ9AV1Gw9qAZpZMb4JMDRMCNi-UUkwUH4Qlvz4DhGaf3NopjeOBGJ87gfLBirv5-Jk8/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We asked a couple of neighbor families to join us as well so we wouldn't have to eat two cakes by ourselves. C set up a slideshow of baby pictures for everyone to enjoy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkdsq6JK9wYwm5plOuU9XFyXE1iTwH0zhn1UzSWZZAMVx7zPyBLbyskqb_Nlw__LuF_7H9mIuzCPILFb3kpiwOYe0irMRd9dptn_yMZmUEcH74JqqYZ4zDXjA_e_ke28VDJ16TEmUDRvS/s1600/IMG_6549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkdsq6JK9wYwm5plOuU9XFyXE1iTwH0zhn1UzSWZZAMVx7zPyBLbyskqb_Nlw__LuF_7H9mIuzCPILFb3kpiwOYe0irMRd9dptn_yMZmUEcH74JqqYZ4zDXjA_e_ke28VDJ16TEmUDRvS/s1600/IMG_6549.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
M wanted a dragon cake, so this is what I came up with. (FYI: If you want to make a dragon cake, I suggest you do NOT check Pinterest for ideas. Anything you do after that will be a let down... :) )</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CK_2YSMKYwS1ny8NqbkZhuwVgPYAu2XNDiIXrHDHozOS324YOS-rjFFgW4-WCW6zIZGtVMu1Kw36LN5Q5rzq6br4ibRglzdn0YtVmkQA-9mMxZ0uIyBDRSDj9Y5Fcw7hx2M5qJBnJ2hX/s1600/IMG_6544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CK_2YSMKYwS1ny8NqbkZhuwVgPYAu2XNDiIXrHDHozOS324YOS-rjFFgW4-WCW6zIZGtVMu1Kw36LN5Q5rzq6br4ibRglzdn0YtVmkQA-9mMxZ0uIyBDRSDj9Y5Fcw7hx2M5qJBnJ2hX/s1600/IMG_6544.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10452494471822957229noreply@blogger.com4