tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34775756964186811762024-02-18T20:01:15.700-08:00THE COX FAMILYUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-17669053197191641652011-04-17T16:48:00.000-07:002011-04-17T17:42:22.069-07:00Priceless<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4RnQyGKBAM6OX4ChXUN_L8h6XY86v6AF3NG2aav9TdN8VwREWIe96v_TtJh_tZLiYhfOoqsvM6Mklch0POoWyr0hRRuyz77pOJMAwBG1BeZdwmAe9A1zUctv6tOuCNsw6Oy_o_OzsuHi/s1600/20110325-AAA_7354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4RnQyGKBAM6OX4ChXUN_L8h6XY86v6AF3NG2aav9TdN8VwREWIe96v_TtJh_tZLiYhfOoqsvM6Mklch0POoWyr0hRRuyz77pOJMAwBG1BeZdwmAe9A1zUctv6tOuCNsw6Oy_o_OzsuHi/s400/20110325-AAA_7354.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.bellabeanphoto.com/">Bella Bean Photography</a><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ashton recently had his pictures taken. They are priceless. His sweetness and purity were captured perfectly. This never would have happened if it were just up to me...scheduling and arranging for a newborn photoshoot. Although I wanted it done, my "pregnant brain" was never on track to actually get it set up. If it weren't for my dear friend and talented photographer, I would have missed out on getting these special pictures.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Good friends....they're priceless too!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBAw5UIlgxFwBLIiPyDCfCaHGksVbKY26zjf5JnuhhPEDaz5DtXifTmwt1toO0Ulsh4F2yd3CbLQ4IyJhgZVPugWBS364MGD_NwH2CclojAT1pQT8q81DBBoDRdzA8el8gvyqm0ZZwmuP/s1600/7436a+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBAw5UIlgxFwBLIiPyDCfCaHGksVbKY26zjf5JnuhhPEDaz5DtXifTmwt1toO0Ulsh4F2yd3CbLQ4IyJhgZVPugWBS364MGD_NwH2CclojAT1pQT8q81DBBoDRdzA8el8gvyqm0ZZwmuP/s400/7436a+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've had other "priceless" moments recently. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While at the dentist, the hygienist was complimenting Madelyn and telling me how sweet she was as she cleaned her teeth the day before. She went on to tell me about their conversation concerning Madelyn being the only girl with 3 brothers, not having a sister and how unfortunate or unlucky that is! Madelyn's response was, "But I have my mom so it's okay!"</div><br />
That made my heart melt. I hope I will always be her friend and someone she truly enjoys being with.<br />
<br />
Jalen has had a rough time with our transition to 8:00 church. Usually, the kids get to bed later on the weekends so to be up and ready in our Sunday best by 7:45 while Alan is at meetings is a challenge! After much prodding and persuading one morning, I finally had Jalen out of bed and dressed but it wasn't easy! He kept falling back in bed, or crying and whining telling me how tired he was and he just couldn't get ready. He just couldn't do it! Here's part of our conversation:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Mom, I just don't want to go to church! Why do we have to go to church? I'm just too tired!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"I'm sorry you're tired. I'm tired, too. But we still need to go."<br />
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"But why can't we be like our neighbors and just not go to church?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"We just can't. Our family goes to church. That's what Heavenly Father has asked us to do."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Well, I dont want to go. I'm just too tired to be a Mormon!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It took everything in me to not laugh out loud. </span><br />
<br />
I love Jalen's outlook and perspective about life. He always has a way to make us laugh. In reality, he is right on...being a Mormon sometimes is exhausting and the easier way would be to not do the many things we do. But of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. The blessings are worth all the sacrifice and work, even the early Sunday mornings getting up for church!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last week, I geared myself up to head back to church...you can only stay home with a new baby for so long without people (namely husband) giving hints and remarks that it's time! Anyways, of course I knew it would be challenging to do the Sunday morning routine on my own and with a newborn this time so when we were in the car at 7:50 all ready, I was proud of our accomplishment! I was really looking forward to being there. Maybe that's partly why I hussled Mason to get ready and slightly ignored him when he told me his tummy hurt. After he ate a huge bowl of cereal, I figured he was okay. So off to church we went. But as the meeting started, Mason became more fidgety and I could tell he really didn't feel well. I kept asking him if he was going to throw up. He kept saying no. But as the sacrament bread was passed and he didn't want any,and then his face became pale, I knew we needed to take him home. Alan was blessing the sacrament so my thought was as soon as he gets done, we will figure out who will take him home and what we'll both do with our classes. At one point, I had the thought that I should just take him out in the hallway and Alan could meet us when he was done. I ignored that thought. Unfortunately, that's when Mason did throw up...all over himself, the bench, the floor and the bench in front of us. Poor little guy. I didn't know who to feel worse for...Mason or everyone around us...for the disruption we caused and the smell we left behind. Then I just felt guilty. I kept reviewing all the signs that I ignored that would have saved Mason from this experience. Next time, I will be much more cautious and lenient with a child when suggesting their sick.</div><br />
Motherhood experiences and memories, good or bad...priceless.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the last couple of months, I've lost my Grandpa Jack after an unfortunate burn accident, and my Aunt Debra from cancer. They were both such amazing people and great examples to me. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBGgAW0tO5UN5OFTD-Cl3pzNuCZFoFkS8E5QhsrOv5fEOrWFn_jqQ-lLDSTZQhNIY8o4ZrgzI6OgbMl7XADPrgzW_Vp8g0NjhhQm8MKWesigX85Cmc-klot0Ae1yR2uz3GgqA5sNtkzo0/s1600/0000660358-01-1_185549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBGgAW0tO5UN5OFTD-Cl3pzNuCZFoFkS8E5QhsrOv5fEOrWFn_jqQ-lLDSTZQhNIY8o4ZrgzI6OgbMl7XADPrgzW_Vp8g0NjhhQm8MKWesigX85Cmc-klot0Ae1yR2uz3GgqA5sNtkzo0/s400/0000660358-01-1_185549.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My Grandpa was the hardest working man ever known! As one of my cousins said so well, "Grandpa's legacy is one of work and productivity. When he worked it wasn't first gear, second gear or third gear. It was overdrive! Grandpa has taught us the value of hard work and his example will be remembered for generations."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
I will always cherish the memories I have of watching old western movies while eating black licorace; his endless and fun teasing; his dress attire of cowboy boots and wrangler jeans at Lake Powell; and the many times of enjoying the farm with him...riding his horses, looking at the new baby lambs, collecting eggs from the chicken coop and swimming down the canal. I love my Grandpa Jack. I will miss him.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This is a picture of my mom (she's in the red dress) with her family when they went to Disneyland. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKO5X_PcEeuZ0mHYfMwrmf_2CqgwWJpAS9r4gAkdhdSxMBayScnni_u_O-qVdpCB-b7dm0Icok5sOlE8ACoc2WxunnlaJvJ7EfIE9apCt0ylxsevB4rFztf0OtsYPh1hRqtZBDEQD4Q0a/s1600/167531_1608169414343_1539435143_31576666_1056821_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKO5X_PcEeuZ0mHYfMwrmf_2CqgwWJpAS9r4gAkdhdSxMBayScnni_u_O-qVdpCB-b7dm0Icok5sOlE8ACoc2WxunnlaJvJ7EfIE9apCt0ylxsevB4rFztf0OtsYPh1hRqtZBDEQD4Q0a/s320/167531_1608169414343_1539435143_31576666_1056821_n.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end, Grandma took such vigilant care of Grandpa. She would hardly leave his side. They were high school sweethearts and loved each other dearly. One of the last things my Grandpa said was, </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Lois, you are the love of my life." </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">He will be anxiously waiting for Grandma to join him someday.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDsoz2MRtOVp7589dLAsCvaslV1jaLo1-CuG6T9V0y_EdhOX8k4gGASq2t6SYxCuYe1klKjbIGOOEA3plAOH5NU7ur8EViAoLAAXxjX8CJ7paIMFSnOXZbbnzOrqxDie5RBTKkzU10BMV/s1600/DSC_0508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDsoz2MRtOVp7589dLAsCvaslV1jaLo1-CuG6T9V0y_EdhOX8k4gGASq2t6SYxCuYe1klKjbIGOOEA3plAOH5NU7ur8EViAoLAAXxjX8CJ7paIMFSnOXZbbnzOrqxDie5RBTKkzU10BMV/s400/DSC_0508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PvkYowb7eaXfWE5lW881nixBrnnj6uRGjnn9NSTenBTgr_Uz_LcqJMMtPSpifHNC61uYqEmuB7F_wqSxZPg8DNt1X41p9wW2TDRXxyADZZOOPWPGfy2eKrXGPnLa_0oF6jwLxQA2afty/s1600/DSC_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PvkYowb7eaXfWE5lW881nixBrnnj6uRGjnn9NSTenBTgr_Uz_LcqJMMtPSpifHNC61uYqEmuB7F_wqSxZPg8DNt1X41p9wW2TDRXxyADZZOOPWPGfy2eKrXGPnLa_0oF6jwLxQA2afty/s400/DSC_0514.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My Aunt Debra was one of the most sweetest and kindest ladies I know. She was genuinely so good and saw only the best in others. Her son told a story at the funeral that describes his mom perfectly. <br />
During a trip to Hawaii, Aunt Debra and some of my other aunts and uncles were walking home from dinner. They came upon a group of women (hookers) all dressed to fit their part. At the next corner, another group of women. And at the next corner, another group. The family continued on, not saying anything about the women or surroundings until they got back to the hotel when my uncle finally said, "Well, it sure looks like the hookers were out tonight!"<br />
Aunt Debra said, "What? There weren't any hookers!"<br />
Everyone else, "Debra, you saw all those women working their corners!"<br />
Aunt Debra, "What?? Those nice young ladies? Surely they weren't hookers!"<br />
<br />
She truly did want to see the best in everyone, no matter what!<br />
She has a beautiful family, who my heart just aches for. We will miss her terribly.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOrhY-qXgCaPwrc61NzwLh2af9Sxk-BgV8KOEzB-H2FEdSbIX26ltgz4KQadIMhcmKSCKT189qRNtPERcSNNBgk-yNkbm3BPLCQBFj4brCUXuMcBmQ8UC7tWvfJkVH9ENSAxkrGg7tSED/s1600/DSC_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOrhY-qXgCaPwrc61NzwLh2af9Sxk-BgV8KOEzB-H2FEdSbIX26ltgz4KQadIMhcmKSCKT189qRNtPERcSNNBgk-yNkbm3BPLCQBFj4brCUXuMcBmQ8UC7tWvfJkVH9ENSAxkrGg7tSED/s400/DSC_0645.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the passing of two family members, I have experienced overwhelming feelings of gratitude for the knowledge I have of the Gospel plan...knowing there is a plan and purpose for each of us that includes life after this one. Knowing we can be with our families forever someday. For me, there is nothing of greater value than this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sister, Natalie, posted this statement below from Debra's funeral. It fits pefectly with my thoughts so I had to include it here. (Thanks Nat!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This is a picture of Aunt Michelle and Aunt Debra several years ago-- now they are both in heaven. At the funeral they had this picture and A. Michelle's daughter Mckell said this, " I can't imagine heaven looking any different than this picture right about now".. .. priceless:)</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-73415494045048938772011-03-21T11:41:00.000-07:002011-03-21T11:54:15.823-07:00Welcome Little One!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our home has experienced a change...a very exciting and good change. Bringing home our new baby has been a delightful experience! Even though this isn't new for me for some reason, this time around has been different. More than anything, I think watching my 3 other childrens' anticipation for his arrival, the excitment of him being born, and the new everyday life with him in our home has been incredibly enjoyable for me. We absolutely love and adore him!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Baby Ashton</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Born March 7, 2011</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Weighed 8lbs 8 oz; 20 inches</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids were so excited to finally meet their new brother. Unfortunately, their first glimpse of him had to be through a window...they couldn't touch, hold or kiss him until he came home. We were heartbroken! Luckily, they only had to wait one day and so Ashton's arrival home was anxiously welcomed.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> I am thoroughly enjoying Baby Ashton and the time I get to spend holding, rocking, and cuddling him. I find myself snuggling with and watching him many hours throughout the day (when I should be doing many other things) and wondering how it's possible that in such a short amount of time, I can love him so much. It is an amazing experience and I am very grateful for the moments of realizing how special welcoming a new little one into this world really is.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-8453027328504358242011-02-17T18:47:00.000-08:002011-02-17T18:47:10.925-08:00You Know Your 9 Months Pregnant When.....Just when you think you have something figured out, life seems to throw a surprise. At least that's what I've experienced these past 9 months. Having done it 3 other times, all of which were very similar, I thought I knew what was in store when pregnancy #4 began. But I have been proven wrong!! This time around has been a new experience. I've learned to truly appreciate women who have many children, not just because they love, nurture and raise them but because they endured all those pregnancies as well. I've come to the realization that yes indeed, some people are physically sick the entire 9 months and they're not being complainers or over-dramatic. I've learned that pregnancy does slow you down. Most of all, I'm experiencing the "9th Month Syndrome"...when everything (and even sometimes everyone around you... at least that's what it feels like) reminds you that you're 9 months pregnant! <br />
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So I've been thinking, you know your 9 months pregnant when:<br />
<em>1. Tums become a staple at your house and routinely appear on the grocery list. </em><br />
I've never had to buy Tums and now I can't live without them<br />
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<em>2. You can't make it up and down the stairs without feeling winded</em> <br />
This is so depressing!<br />
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3. <em>People you don't know continually make the comment, "You gonna have that baby any day now?" </em><br />
Even at 35-36 weeks, I was getting this comment. Not very encouraging.<br />
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<em>4. Even worse... when people say, "You've got the waddle!!"</em><br />
Just as a sidenote, do they really have to remind you? Pregnant women already feel uncomfortable, fat and unattractive. Do we really need to be reminded that now we walk funny too? And another sidenote, men should never ever ever be allowed to make this comment. Especially when they really don't know you! <br />
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<em>5. You can appreciate the kankles</em>. <br />
I've discovered that just when shaving my legs gets akward, now at least I don't have to worry about knicking my ankle bone with the razor. The swelling protects this! Yeah for Kankles!<br />
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<em>6. The idea of a newborn waking at all hours of the night is no longer dreaded.</em><br />
Because I'm already awake for several hours during the night because of discomfort, I feel like at least with a newborn I will have a few restful and comfortable hours during the night. Even more so, it is much easier waking up for a sweet newborn rather than pelvic pain just trying to roll over, or terrible heartburn that won't allow me to lay down.<br />
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So yes, I'm ready for the pregnancy to be over. But I think we are given 9 months of pregnancy for a reason. We are prepared to get to the point of not fearing labor and delivery or all of the adjustments that newborns bring to our lives. For me, it means many changes I haven't experienced for quite awhile. Like being sleep deprived; having less "me" time; toting around all the baby accessories, like a diaper bag and stroller; spending lots of money on diapers and wipes and everything else; and not being able to just walk out the door with just my purse but instead having to allow for much more time to be prepared to go anywhere. But in exchange, I am receiving such a blessing. A new baby to cuddle and love and watch my children and husband dote over. It's been awhile since we've experienced this and it's time to soak it all in again. We are all so excited. We have been anticipating this for awhile. So yes, we are ready. Especially me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-29952665957773818792010-10-05T11:28:00.000-07:002010-10-05T14:17:58.396-07:00Cowboy Up!Last week was Jalen's birthday. For some reason, this year and this birthday was a real challenge for me. I couldn't get motivated or excited about planning a party. So with not even a week left until his birthday, my answer then became that we wouldn't do a party but instead would plan something fun for our family to do...maybe a Diamondbacks game, Chucky Cheese, or the Children's Science Museum. (So much easier for me!) But I failed at this...miserbly. At the end of our conversation, I had a heartbroken little boy with crocodile tears running down his cheeks, who was set on having a party, and me, experiencing a very guilty conscious. I began to think, there's not going to be too many years left that my little boy wants his mom hanging out with him or his friends on his birthday or that a party at our house is cool. So I better just get with it and plan something!!<br />
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When Jalen's birthday came, I couldn't believe how emotional I felt all day about it....Jalen turning five. And although he was so proud, mentioning it all day to almost everyone he talked to, reality hit that I am not ready for my baby to reach this age. I love so much the moments that only a little boy creates that makes me smile and laugh. I don't ever want them to be outgrown. Here's a few examples of what I love so much about Jalen:<br />
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* He is a loveable little guy; always has a kiss for his mom; loves to cuddle; and still (not sure if this is a good thing) likes to come and sleep in my bed at night<br />
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* He is a peacemaker; always on the lookout for his sister and brother; and will easily give up or share something to make them happy<br />
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*Jalen has such a fun personality. He continually keeps our family entertained and laughing. A couple of stories to share....<br />
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Whenever we head outside and Jalen spots a landscape worker, he has to run over to them and say, "Hola!" He will even wait for them to come closer if they are driving the lawn mowers and are some distance away. The workers usually grin, laugh a little and nod and then Jalen rides off on his bike with a very proud smile! One day while at the park, Jalen was leading a group of 4-5 little boys chasing down and running after a lawn mower. I ran after them to explain the danger in that and how they needed to leave the workers alone and let them do their work. Jalen's response, "But Mom! I just want to say 'Hola' to them!" At first I didn't know if I should be embarrassed or embrace his efforts in identifying with culture differences and trying to relate to them. Whether it's appropriate or not, I'm not sure. Regardless, Jalen loves trying to communicate just that one Spanish word he knows!<br />
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One day after watching the garbage truck go through our neighborhood, Jalen turned to me and said, "Garbage truck drivers are the smartest people in the whole world!" I said, "What makes you think that?" "Because they have to know how to do lots of things...drive that big truck and not hit other cars or people and they have to pick up all those cans without dropping them. Maybe when I get bigger, I can be smart enough to learn how to do that, too!"<br />
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During the summer we took the kids to a rodea, the Ute Stampede in Utah. We had a blast! We had great seats, right next to the bull pen, where all the horses and bulls were let out. We closely watched the riders saddle up, their preparations before the gates opened, and the cowboys who led the horses or bulls out of the arena. So Jalen had a very up close and personal experience with cowboys, horses and bulls. The next day, Jalen was talking to his Aunt Meagan. Here's how their conversation went:<br />
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Jalen, very seriously: Do you ever wish you could be on TV?<br />
Meagan: No, not really, do you?<br />
Jalen: Yes! Someday, I'm going to be a cowboy and ride those bucking bulls and be so good people will all come to watch me and I'll be on TV, too.<br />
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I love his insights about life!<br />
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It wasn't too big of a surprise when Jalen wanted a Cowboy Birthday Party.<br />
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Jalen had a very fun day. His favorite cowboy games we played were shooting squirt guns at plastic snakes and hitting empty pop cans with nerf guns. Typical boy!!<br />
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Towards the end of the party, I was sitting by the table while the kids were eating cake and ice cream. They were all being so cute and funny...talking about Halloween and saying some of their favorite cowboy words, like Yeehaw! and Ride 'em cowboy! and Giddyup! I couldn't stop smiling at how adorable they were. And then I realized, this is why I do birthday parties. It may be a ton of work and take many hours, (especially when thrown together at the last minute) but it is so worth it! These kids are all so worth it!<br />
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So Happy Birthday Jalen! You are a sweet, good boy and we all love you so much!<br />
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When we announced the news and Mason first realized that I was going to be having a baby, he instantly looked at my tummy. And he wouldn't stop. The first thing he did was walk over and lift up my shirt to check out where this baby was. He did this all morning long. When his ride came to get him for school, he ran out the door yelling (sharing) our news. I walked out to talk to my friend and with a van full of kids, Mason says "Mom, show them all your big belly!" Ya right, I'm going to lift up my shirt! But so funny because just the day before, my tummy wasn't so big. Now because Mason knows there's a baby there, it's all the sudden BIG and he wants to share and announce this to everyone!<br />
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Madelyn's reaction has been so cute. She has anticipated this for a very long time, and even consistently started praying for a new baby several months ago. To her, this is "our" baby. Just as much hers as mine. Madelyn was so intrigued with the fact that I've known since July that I was expecting. This was just mind boggling to her. She continues to ask, "But mom, how did you <strong>know</strong> you were pregnant?" I continue to say, "Mommy's just know these things." Or "Mommy started feeling really sick, so I just knew." These answers will satisfy her for a short time and then the question is asked again. I'm not sure what else to say....<br />
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I've been able to hide the sickness (in other words, throwing up every night and morning) pretty well. But this last week I've been caught a couple times. After one occassion, I was lying on my bed and here's how the conversation went:<br />
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Mason: Mom, are you sick?<br />
Me: Yes, I don't feel so good but I will be fine.<br />
Mason: How come?<br />
Madelyn: Because she's pregnant, Mason.<br />
Mason: How come that makes you sick? Is the baby sick?<br />
Me: No, Mommy's body isn't used to a baby inside, so it makes me a little sick.<br />
Mason: Oh, so you probably just throw up when the baby hiccups, right? Or when the baby spits up, that makes you spit up, too. Right?<br />
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All the things they're figuring out. Too funny!<br />
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Another time I was caught by Jalen. He wouldn't leave the bathroom. He just wanted to stand over my shoulder. Of course he announced it to everyone else so they all had to come in too. Then his response was, "Oh mommy! You're so sick! You just need to drink some sprite and lay down."<br />
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I was thinking, I would love that! But then who would finish cleaning up breakfast, make lunches, help Madelyn with piano, finish helping Mason with his homework, comb 3 kids hair, change the laundry, shower and get ready, drive the kids to school and be ready to go visiting teaching by 9 am????<br />
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Sipping on sprite and laying around would have been nice, but the reality for Moms is that life continually demands our attention. There's no time to slow down, give in to what our bodies really want, or ease up on schedules and responsibilities. So we deal with it. We hide the sickness. We carry on. And for the most part, we do it well. Because really, there's no other options! So to all of you mothers, Kuddos to you!! You are amazing and courageous and give me strength knowing I'm not the only one to do this before!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-65777432734277195072010-09-07T13:45:00.000-07:002010-09-07T15:44:49.473-07:00Alan's BirthdayToday I want to say Happy Birthday to my sweet husband! He is an amazing husband and father and always works so hard at everything he does. We all love him!<br />
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We want to share a little of the birthday surprise that took place in our home this morning...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwnKI6kBZDo66bPCBdKmS5n765gABuSf9hVVgir6b1RjvdXf6OCSoKxpTyWCdRrJJtNPOSApbKzF_pubm6kEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-17515964048002019042010-09-06T13:52:00.000-07:002010-09-07T13:39:00.787-07:00Madelyn's Special DayMadelyn had a very special birthday this year, turning eight and getting to be baptized. She has anticipated this day for a very long time as she has watched many of her friends have their own baptism day. We were so fortunate to be surrounded by many family members who participated in the program and made it such a wonderful and special day for her.<br />
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</div>My brother Jake and his wife Natalie sang "What Heaven Sees in You" and put together this slide show of Madelyn. It was amazing. After the song, there were few dry eyes in the room. Here's the link.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxyv32vbXWDFJ1xvV92mfJQQnlQlOkd9uo1Zg0aKig2lGW5iI5KnuLdqidlSvt5iUl3PH-AyL6MChSdaqL3pw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-20710234491453008942010-08-10T12:15:00.000-07:002010-08-11T15:19:45.800-07:00Fancy Delma DaySome of my greatest childhood memories were made in "The Big Blue Room" of my Grandpa and Grandma Dyreng's home. It's here that many dinners were held...Thanksgiving feasts, regular Sunday dinners, Easter and Christmas, and really everything in between. <br />
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It's where the magic of Christmas Eve or Christmas day unfolded when surprises like Grandpa bringing in a Honda motorcyle for the grandkids and starting and revving it up, with smoke and exhaust kicking out right in the middle of Grandma's beautiful living room! Or when a present was opened and out flew real, live pigeons!<br />
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It's where I learned the art of quilting. Many times when stopping in to visit, I would find Grandma with a quilt set up in her big blue room, either tying or quilting away and patiently teaching me how to do it, too. <br />
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In this room I also learned how to play Rummy, a must know in the Dyreng family and over time, hours and hours have been spent in the blue room around card tables with cousins, aunts and uncles playing all kinds of games...rummy, hearts, hand and foot, spoons (the list can go on and on!)<br />
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The big blue room was always welcome to my friends. I even had a big sleepover with all of my fellow beehives! Grandma not only had the space for 12 silly little girls, but more importantly, had the patience, kindness, sense of humor and love to enjoy it with us.<br />
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I was surrounded by the most important women and girls in my life during my Bridal shower in this room. <br />
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And one of the most special experiences for me in this room, was when my Grandpa gave me my patriarchal blessing.<br />
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To say the least, there is much memory and emotion for me when thinking about Grandma's Blue Room. And recently, I added another special memory to the list....<em>Fancy Delma Day.</em><br />
This event was created by my extremely talented sister, Kristyn.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Our most clever and brilliant host, "Captivating Kristyn"</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/AVvXsEhMc4Eqd2y8ikwFEBxPUvzDbbRDu6qx1G8axAMvn-x8281M_GupEMB72s8275w4fULvnXIhiNCASB9hgPSA73JSnXg_Qg2ciE4Cn0viB9GWPhQzqK3pYb4crcQma1Rd7FgOxrnRPokzMitn/s1600/Kris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc4Eqd2y8ikwFEBxPUvzDbbRDu6qx1G8axAMvn-x8281M_GupEMB72s8275w4fULvnXIhiNCASB9hgPSA73JSnXg_Qg2ciE4Cn0viB9GWPhQzqK3pYb4crcQma1Rd7FgOxrnRPokzMitn/s400/Kris.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
She had a thought to have a fun luncheon, for all the girls in the family, using many of Grandma's beautiful China dishes. But what developed from her simple idea was an extraoridnary day, honoring our adored Grandma Delma and learning more about our ancestors, namely Great Grandma Nettie May and Great Grandma Vera. It all began with the invitation:<br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Your presence is requested for a </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">deliciously splendid gathering.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Fancy Delma Day</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place: The Blue Room at Delma's Palace</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Be sure to wear your fanciest accessories</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Upon arrival, we were greeted with a book to sign in, a fancy name for the day, and a red feather boa. We sipped on frappe and listened to "Clair de Lune" (Grandma's favorite) while mingling with cousins, aunts and of course, the lady of honor herself "Darling Delma".</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMvLUrHYJaOkq36bk8lB24Ys10dGDej0ueVFKBraTWLrkVAzxw-e3zMvE3gnJC5o7L7TQDokZvA-ZKYAAaLwKqxJ_3-QlAKF9SxlGASQvHQONHc1UIpsxeGNydYM7gCpGqNmKhZ3MrXoQ/s1600/Welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMvLUrHYJaOkq36bk8lB24Ys10dGDej0ueVFKBraTWLrkVAzxw-e3zMvE3gnJC5o7L7TQDokZvA-ZKYAAaLwKqxJ_3-QlAKF9SxlGASQvHQONHc1UIpsxeGNydYM7gCpGqNmKhZ3MrXoQ/s640/Welcome.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Darling Delma" and "Exquisite Emily"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1hcB0zjCI4ciy1CPsqbct42yRtdQy0f__KE5Me_aWdvsQE331-Y7Q9jzIRJYmtRRc-TwsYaZT52MypMSX_7GpafzuUZUKSXyg4m_GtO97PXE-Yqbz2XJXFXO-BZKz_NKMW8HA6ryax4d/s1600/Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1hcB0zjCI4ciy1CPsqbct42yRtdQy0f__KE5Me_aWdvsQE331-Y7Q9jzIRJYmtRRc-TwsYaZT52MypMSX_7GpafzuUZUKSXyg4m_GtO97PXE-Yqbz2XJXFXO-BZKz_NKMW8HA6ryax4d/s400/Grandma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">"Marvelous Mandi", "Lovely Queen Kera", "Adorable Cute Kelsey" and "Nice Natalie"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8bmCPMxEIGsnpMqy7axNWW0k6GJTLf9bzmvatKZyxyvlDW2LAEZyl78n0i7ULFxIrgAOnRiewoIRRPo89xYJphx3QfBrLrJUVezHvuEjL7B8k8nBS7g8Wzpa3gIsBJcYowQ77l683yx_/s1600/Girls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8bmCPMxEIGsnpMqy7axNWW0k6GJTLf9bzmvatKZyxyvlDW2LAEZyl78n0i7ULFxIrgAOnRiewoIRRPo89xYJphx3QfBrLrJUVezHvuEjL7B8k8nBS7g8Wzpa3gIsBJcYowQ77l683yx_/s400/Girls2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Through several tributes given by cousins, I learned what strong, faithful and amazing women my Grandma and her mothers were. It is so interesting to learn how they lived their day to day lives...baking their bread, growing large gardens and then harvesting everything from them, sewing all their clothes, washing clothes by hand, gathering eggs from their chickens, feeding the chickens, tending to the needs of all their children, having sick children die, doing a lot of this by themselves because the men were away from home so much. Wow. They were busy. They were amazing ladies. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed a fashion show of some prominent dresses</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZe_vmHKtyMxiq2386_BdJN20o5JnpQXsAHfmclE2rvgdUSWzAZg24zCAFraks_Ybq0qlgLJq9vqj9sgWdWZEtDlIGLO5VHe8sfJEJ_6MiKKqzCG0tuZ9e03UG29QyLDEzWmvXSrhND4n/s1600/Fashionshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZe_vmHKtyMxiq2386_BdJN20o5JnpQXsAHfmclE2rvgdUSWzAZg24zCAFraks_Ybq0qlgLJq9vqj9sgWdWZEtDlIGLO5VHe8sfJEJ_6MiKKqzCG0tuZ9e03UG29QyLDEzWmvXSrhND4n/s400/Fashionshow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Magnificent Meagan" wearing a dress of Great Grandma Nettie May's</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUBdzL9RF9T6GHb6pfGOyXZCfJ6byr_cobC3fXLIyxzOPXoDQGChldc-YMYxyy_icjojMpfy7CsF71P1FcCBUtXNObnFURikA-J-Ri9nRIKgDWuzZrTjsGvABFmQ1afB8L2X5Sr0NA2mT/s1600/Fashionshow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUBdzL9RF9T6GHb6pfGOyXZCfJ6byr_cobC3fXLIyxzOPXoDQGChldc-YMYxyy_icjojMpfy7CsF71P1FcCBUtXNObnFURikA-J-Ri9nRIKgDWuzZrTjsGvABFmQ1afB8L2X5Sr0NA2mT/s400/Fashionshow4.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me, "Angelically Good Jennie" wearing Great-Grandma Vera's dress she wore on Grandma's wedding day</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JwMNfu8ptEvo-IpRZRVyQ13DxLlr48KQQAonBdm02yfiyFcU4WJxxmeayoNKyKpMAf9NlRm-DipGi_VaLGYdvz-BnQ3tyRuM1XzRAGJ92pH6MD7HNNfS06nUFU6mJ7g8fvqsUIqiwXEB/s1600/Fashionshow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JwMNfu8ptEvo-IpRZRVyQ13DxLlr48KQQAonBdm02yfiyFcU4WJxxmeayoNKyKpMAf9NlRm-DipGi_VaLGYdvz-BnQ3tyRuM1XzRAGJ92pH6MD7HNNfS06nUFU6mJ7g8fvqsUIqiwXEB/s400/Fashionshow3.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Exquisite Emily" wearing Grandma's wedding dress.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUleEEhch0l4l9afVwbNwsBealkorXMTxgCaCJIiF1R8n_s5DR_byIMvO8zkHSAj0heveUom8XC0uvvr6vQbsv66xmycgoIiY-q1AT71f-56leB8sZ9YlDXFuV8gEmYOAoyBLmuevj_-yi/s1600/Fashionshow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUleEEhch0l4l9afVwbNwsBealkorXMTxgCaCJIiF1R8n_s5DR_byIMvO8zkHSAj0heveUom8XC0uvvr6vQbsv66xmycgoIiY-q1AT71f-56leB8sZ9YlDXFuV8gEmYOAoyBLmuevj_-yi/s640/Fashionshow2.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Nice Natalie" wearing Grandma's "First Nightgown" to be worn on her wedding night. There is a funny story to this...my grandparents were both serving missions and would be coming home around the same time. Marriage had already been discussed and Grandpa was very anxious, to say the least! Not only did he have a ring bought by the time he went to get Grandma at the train station, but he also had bought this "nightgown" while he was a missionary and sent it to my Grandma while she was a missionary! Great-Grandma Nettie May thought this was scandalous! So inappropriate!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv4crePhPv4lIfSgF0JsN52hpTgmCiruoK1r6zvwmZ266IZpqZexGoBYi0edG1iE3D89W5nijQDqiedotCYNKZzBKPpZtikRf0l-_rnhPwVAr-h18yk82wWpTD5ARxUn-LSqzBg-4gcll/s1600/Fashionshow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv4crePhPv4lIfSgF0JsN52hpTgmCiruoK1r6zvwmZ266IZpqZexGoBYi0edG1iE3D89W5nijQDqiedotCYNKZzBKPpZtikRf0l-_rnhPwVAr-h18yk82wWpTD5ARxUn-LSqzBg-4gcll/s640/Fashionshow1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course we ate delicious food off of Grandma's beautiful dishes.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfPyvXR01mGmQsgvJVsiYKXa2LZ-swfb4KobTCV4aAxDnskzBMfgjwtd-dTiUDfHWV0YVrgbrD6Cb-IC7ivFEzGWX0vjYC-hxvaK2S53SVcGTnJmMQNOFrPW4CnjSBcUQcpm9f8uevuqz/s1600/Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfPyvXR01mGmQsgvJVsiYKXa2LZ-swfb4KobTCV4aAxDnskzBMfgjwtd-dTiUDfHWV0YVrgbrD6Cb-IC7ivFEzGWX0vjYC-hxvaK2S53SVcGTnJmMQNOFrPW4CnjSBcUQcpm9f8uevuqz/s400/Food.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_KeGfkfpGxCGMalIMxsTitRtu82LbIuFGY90Of5oA1GHuVdbpYKbBq7Ytt5CU-8h1xf10cjiM60GlZQzJWFBz3ELngvrdSmb8WrnDLstE1b5AFSIMthOxjbpo9Nc4TOvuszPT8zqvrj0/s1600/Food2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_KeGfkfpGxCGMalIMxsTitRtu82LbIuFGY90Of5oA1GHuVdbpYKbBq7Ytt5CU-8h1xf10cjiM60GlZQzJWFBz3ELngvrdSmb8WrnDLstE1b5AFSIMthOxjbpo9Nc4TOvuszPT8zqvrj0/s400/Food2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Sweetie Pie Sam", "Cutie Katie", "Magnificient Meagan", "Angelically Good Jennie" and "Exquisite Emily"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBbntwBLykKDA0YF_2798ZCD4seMyw7MTFQHOLctFZjFZNGKBYUmh9meNRAwcCUBgxQpmUf4mzmWMKxC4nsRZDSHWIVn37_TuvSaSRQz_cm9Pj1aUfhr3eqANWm4LWK6mC-t8mAGmiV6a/s1600/Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBbntwBLykKDA0YF_2798ZCD4seMyw7MTFQHOLctFZjFZNGKBYUmh9meNRAwcCUBgxQpmUf4mzmWMKxC4nsRZDSHWIVn37_TuvSaSRQz_cm9Pj1aUfhr3eqANWm4LWK6mC-t8mAGmiV6a/s400/Girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Sweetie Pie Sam" and "Marvelous Mandi"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AtPwOcXgrCNIHPoiwKSY1zz37CAt8SjBiB_hhBbDKW4ldhD-buWuh_qzDDrBEECjJzEzP964xfBQ48U6slg8Wyd15YCGb257djS5dKbuIcUtG_PvKQ0hAxgDDNASDTlPLBykwE1P9JJr/s1600/Mandy&Sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AtPwOcXgrCNIHPoiwKSY1zz37CAt8SjBiB_hhBbDKW4ldhD-buWuh_qzDDrBEECjJzEzP964xfBQ48U6slg8Wyd15YCGb257djS5dKbuIcUtG_PvKQ0hAxgDDNASDTlPLBykwE1P9JJr/s400/Mandy&Sam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Cutie Patootie Hallee", "Diva Diane" and "Adorable Miss Maddy"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfDMrre_PUSf0B97_i0ycWPgHz_rRHqEO1luIJ_bMwtGdp1SD_XMZwVgwroSUnqnVdq2snhpZAte4HDGzGE2M8PcBL7TMiR0nxpPNWzv-tdzRa4SqqWUT4jSZKYSRpDEVUJzfjYUNjcos/s1600/Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfDMrre_PUSf0B97_i0ycWPgHz_rRHqEO1luIJ_bMwtGdp1SD_XMZwVgwroSUnqnVdq2snhpZAte4HDGzGE2M8PcBL7TMiR0nxpPNWzv-tdzRa4SqqWUT4jSZKYSRpDEVUJzfjYUNjcos/s400/Mom.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We all received the surprise of our life when my Grandpa's twin sister Pauline and her husband Udel showed up...dressed for the occasion! When they heard about the fabulous party, they couldn't stand to miss out. They drove two hours in their costumes, even Uncle Udel...dressed like a woman!! When he came in decked out with pearls, high heels, and a dress so tight he could barely move, we about died laughing!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoATWTVkTJtydyxIZgcmnsF24amF6zDuOfReGMso1fZOqPsdn-jP1Ad_iJSh0A1DfDHYMGCFjNJrizPCCAHMtM2KarZVmPiU2GcNu0rK4QKuwqYFkkl9zvIEhwB8TqHe0Sabqynv1MCKl/s1600/Pauline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoATWTVkTJtydyxIZgcmnsF24amF6zDuOfReGMso1fZOqPsdn-jP1Ad_iJSh0A1DfDHYMGCFjNJrizPCCAHMtM2KarZVmPiU2GcNu0rK4QKuwqYFkkl9zvIEhwB8TqHe0Sabqynv1MCKl/s400/Pauline.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Dyreng Girls</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp2PGSxOj-_Ac10nxL15IAzDUQ0bpQIFp9ImqOHw3Jpc0Cll3tkrU8nLdyr6YGhmIqcpdPDeseB-tKL2E9bKQnhqq-QEM8SLYpepin-m5EESDKrRjwPyXRemUvsFHURvo6Hr7XMLs8aqI/s1600/allgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp2PGSxOj-_Ac10nxL15IAzDUQ0bpQIFp9ImqOHw3Jpc0Cll3tkrU8nLdyr6YGhmIqcpdPDeseB-tKL2E9bKQnhqq-QEM8SLYpepin-m5EESDKrRjwPyXRemUvsFHURvo6Hr7XMLs8aqI/s400/allgirls.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This day was just lovely. Absolutely delightful!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-46553529583076922302010-06-02T14:11:00.000-07:002010-06-02T15:22:57.453-07:00Lovable, Furry Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For some time, our kids have been asking, pleading, and begging for a pet, more specifically a dog. I don't blame them. It wouldn't take much to convince me to have one of these:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBHRMlUVP0tps_issvilQiI7-w0ew8XicuOShm_JtXS9dG4H1WfWQp0qAdhxhG3vHOrzEarY-AS4c7yVxKrgYsJg-0XNOTsgtsaFSs44a17rzonM6kU-hKVUxC3mcR2rPA_zheG-V12Vh/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBHRMlUVP0tps_issvilQiI7-w0ew8XicuOShm_JtXS9dG4H1WfWQp0qAdhxhG3vHOrzEarY-AS4c7yVxKrgYsJg-0XNOTsgtsaFSs44a17rzonM6kU-hKVUxC3mcR2rPA_zheG-V12Vh/s640/051.JPG" width="482" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
or one of these....<br />
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There's only one problem and that is this:<br />
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Alan's idea of a dog is one that can roam around the farm; jump into the back of a truck; play fetch with a tennis ball; can be taken camping, hunting or anywhere else in the rugged outdoors; and most importantly, thrives outside (in other words, would NOT be allowed in the house). Sure there are plenty of dogs that fit in this category. That's not the problem. However, reality for the Cox family in Arizona is that 1.We don't have a farm. 2. We don't even have a backyard big enough to play fetch with a tennis ball. and 3. It is HOT outside for a big dog.<br />
So we find ourselves in a bit of a dilemma. I want a small dog, and Alan wants a Lab. Instead of Alan and I coming to an agreement, Alan and the kids have found some interesting substitutes that they call a pet.<br />
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Meet "Scorpy". <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPlmWca2WuwarbGQaG3nfvWLa5-USYF2AM9q5BILCowQFTcrJbHlOpV_dCgGHFoLZWIZec-QG10bZAN8ALePakDHher3XQMoEjUh_JBAuEenI_nVgi-A6u4W47X55CItKQ1k8smUlHJlq/s1600/scorpion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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After sending Alan out to the desert to get some dirt, he came home with two very excited boys and a new pet scorpion, who was named "Scorpy". I know, very original. I couldn't believe he brought home a very poisionous, ugly insect. I quickly insisted that they follow two very important rules. First, the lid on the container was NEVER to be taken off by them and second, it was to remain outside at ALL times. Easy enough, right? A few hours later, Jalen went outside to check on Scorpy. Jalen came back inside, trying to sneak past me and carrying the big container behind his back with those pleading eyes, "Don't look, Mom!" I jumped towards him, grabbed the containeer and insisted that he take it back outside. He knew the rule. Jalen's pleading response, "But Mom! Scorpy is all alone outside. He wants to come and watch the movie upstairs with us! Please!" <br />
After laughing with Alan about this, I explained that our kids want a pet they can love and bond with. They need a loveable, furry friend...not a poisionous insect that has to be kept locked up!<br />
Gratefully, Scorpy only lasted two days.<br />
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Now meet Dino.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">He is the result of a Father and Son's campout without me being able to insist on releasing the horny toad back into the wild when the camping trip was over. He too is an ugly, creepy reptile. I do have to appreciate that he's not poisonous but still, not a loveable, furry friend. The kids are very fond of it. Jalen likes to carry him on his shoulder while petting his back and saying, "Hi boy. You're such a nice little boy." Mason likes to let him cling to his shirt and hunt for crickets and bugs to feed it. T</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">On our recent trip to Utah, at the last minute, Alan and the boys decided to bring Dino along. Insisting he would starve to death if left alone for 5 days, I reluctantly agreed. While stopped at a gas station, Madelyn pointed out an adorable dog, with it's front paws and face hanging out of the front seat of a car. After we both doted over the cute dog, I couldn't help but laugh to myself. Here we are traveling with our pet, too. Only, he is an ugle horny toad. How entertaining would it be if we held it up to our window for fresh air and for passerbys to see! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Honestly, I was wishing I had the lovable, furry friend for my kids, not the reptile.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-77773121202933015962010-05-14T15:38:00.000-07:002010-05-14T16:23:02.798-07:002 hr. 5 min.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Two hours and five minutes doesn't seem like a long period of time, right? Sometimes when watching a good movie, or shopping in a favorite store, 2 hours and 5 minutes passes all too quickly. However recently, I experienced 2 hours and 5 minutes in a much different light. Every minute was felt and accounted for. Every minute was endured but somehow still enjoyed. Recently, I spent 2 hours and 5 minutes running my first race...13.2 miles, a half-marathon. And yes, we did run the entire 2 hours and 5 minutes...no walking...no breaks. At the finish line, a wave of emotion came over me as my husband and children were there to cheer me on. The realization of what was accomplished hit me. All those early mornings (sometimes even in the 4 am hour); the extra lunges and sit-ups; running in 90+ degrees; and giving up hours of Florida sunshine on the beach to hours on the treadmill...all paid off. The feeling of setting a goal and actually accomplishing it was exhilirating! And my biggest thought about it all is this: If I can do it, anyone can!! I've never been a runner and really, I'm not built to be one either . I think back to where I started a few years ago, not even being able to run 1 mile without stopping. I've definately come a long ways. So my point is, all it takes is commitment, dedication and a desire to do something and the possibilities are endless. For so long, I've put aside working towards goals because I thought it was impossible. With the many demands of being a mom, wife, sister, friend, neighbor, nurse, visiting teacher, cub scout leader, primary teacher, etc, etc, who has time to do the extra stuff! This experience has really motivated and taught me that I can and should set goals in other areas of my life, and that hopefully I will achieve them.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some pictures from the race. I can't say enough about my running partner/friend/motivator, Brittany. Knowing that she would be standing on the corner at 5 am got me out of bed each morning. Knowing that she was more sleep-deprived than me (yes, she ran even with a newborn!), and knowing that she was not going to let this opportunity pass us up were all the reasons that I accomplished this goal. I couldn't have done it without her!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_3pK8d2Ti2yuWRzAcZb4uUbAs7QdSSVPPMMt-Edjm12w7R8ZgWeM4R4emWBXhI3q4XU0X7N-Imdcv_WIS_iNqfK0HcP1xd7uHE-xCHLg9wVde_qXpZl6PFI6IGrYgnqiraZddz8FEAch/s1600/April+2010+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_3pK8d2Ti2yuWRzAcZb4uUbAs7QdSSVPPMMt-Edjm12w7R8ZgWeM4R4emWBXhI3q4XU0X7N-Imdcv_WIS_iNqfK0HcP1xd7uHE-xCHLg9wVde_qXpZl6PFI6IGrYgnqiraZddz8FEAch/s640/April+2010+083.JPG" width="428" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxskN-e8Iw5TAYTlLMkpkL1uvJwhIgi8cIC7scemvWP48H3VNS5vqHvrPXgSDdpo5ZnHricHGF13n8nRmJyAazb-dQd4lOfF5mBObGRxJJnAVDbUa-gIcISQ60xD56veqOaWX05xwl8t2/s1600/April+2010+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxskN-e8Iw5TAYTlLMkpkL1uvJwhIgi8cIC7scemvWP48H3VNS5vqHvrPXgSDdpo5ZnHricHGF13n8nRmJyAazb-dQd4lOfF5mBObGRxJJnAVDbUa-gIcISQ60xD56veqOaWX05xwl8t2/s400/April+2010+085.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-18992796888534500382010-03-24T21:59:00.000-07:002010-03-24T21:59:27.246-07:00My American IdolOver the last couple of years, Madelyn has joined the fans of "American Idol." A few nights ago, she asked me what the title of the show meant, specifically the word "Idol". As I began to explain its meaning, I couldn't help think how unforunate it is of the "Idols" or role models this show portrays for my seven year old. There isn't an episode that goes by that Madelyn doesn't comment on someone's dress being inmodest or a song that says a bad word, or an action that is done in a provacative and inappropriate manner...especially for my innocent little girl. This led me to think of how important it is that I continually find ways to reaffirm and establish appropriate behavior and standards. It may be very simple like the music we listen to or complimenting about a modestly dressed young woman at church to Madelyn, or maybe sharing experiences or stories with her of people I know that are my role models. I've recently discovered someone to add to my list of idols...someone who has truly touched and motivated me to be a better person.<br />
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I recently picked up a book that has been collecting dust on my bookshelf for years. I have fallen in love with it, or more accurately, I have fallen in love with who it's about. The title is <em>"Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley."</em> Before reading this book, I didn't know much about our late Prophet's wife. I remember her being funny, diligently by her husband's side and always wearing a smile. But other than that, I didn't know a whole lot. After reading this book, I can honestly say, Sister Hinckley is my new Idol. I can't tell you how many times I stop and think, "Now what would Sister Hinckely do?" Whether it's in dealing with my kids or my thoughts about others, or my approach in various situations. There have been countless times I find myself reacting differently, always in a much better way, when I think of her and what I've read. So I want to share (journal for myself too!) some of the highlights of this book and some of those things that have really impacted me.<br />
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For being the wife of a prophet, you would think that the position might give her a feeling of prestige and higher social standing. However, this is not the case! That means nothing to her. Here are a few descriptions made by others: <br />
"One gets the feeling around Sister Hinckely that she is absolutely unconcerned with the fads and fancies of the secualr world. She is comfortable with kings and queens, princes and prime ministers, but she is just as comfortable-and probably more interested in- the newest member of the Church she just met in a distant land. You get the feeling that she sees right to the heart of everything and everyone. The idea that anyone could be false or pompous or self- aggrandizing with Marjorie Hinckley is unimaginable. She has a radarlike sense of honesty, humility, genuineness, and sincerity."<br />
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"If I knew nothing else of Sister Hinckley, that alone would be the testimony of her values and priorities. She does not do things to impress. She does them for the right reason--because they make sense to her and to the Lord."<br />
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"'Sister Hinckley is so real ' is the description often used in describing her influence in people's lives. She is not one who would want to be held up as a perfect model to intimidate others. Rather, she is one of our beloved sisters to walk beside, learn from, laugh with, and follow, knowing that she understands and cares."<br />
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Recently I have felt like my children deserve a better mother...someone with more patience, kindness, love, a better disciplinarian, etc. etc. This book has shared great insight about Motherhood for me. Here are a few examples:<br />
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"Have joy in your children" is something Sister Hinckley expressed often. Love them for who they are; find happiness in the stage of life your experiencing; look for the good in all they do; and most of all, treasure the time you spend with them. I love the story shared about her son: "One day when Dick had to stay after school for some grade-school discipline, Marjorie marched over to his classroom and announced to his startled teacher, 'You can do anything you want with this boy all day long, but after 3 p.m. he's mine!'"<br />
I found myself questioning my own attitude. Am I excited and happy when the time comes for Madelyn and Mason to be coming home from school, or do I wish I had just a little more time....<br />
Sis. Hinckley emphasized how important it is to just let kids be kids! They're only going to be there once and for such a short time. So much of their lifetime is going to be spent scheduled, competing, and stressful. She teaches, "It has never been so important that children have a home that is a place of refuge, a place of peace, a place of unconditional love--even when the report card may not be what <em>you </em>hoped for."<br />
"While you enjoy your days of mothering, be sure your demands on your children for perfection are not so heavy that they cannot be children."<br />
"We all feel the pressure and stress of the sophisticated, fast-paced, complicated, competitive world in which we find ourselves. Not only do we feel it as adults, but the children feel it too. Because of TV, the press, and videos, our children are exposed to adult life very very early. This makes it doubly important that mothers and fathers consciously strive to make it possible for children to be children before they become adults."<br />
"Praise your children more than you correct them. Praise them for even their smallest achievement." When they feel like they can do anything, they will try to do so. <br />
"Sister Hinckley sincerely believes each one of us has the wherewithal to do the right thing, and she communicates that belief. Her confidence empowers others to make the right choices<em>."</em> <br />
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I love that. It's not through force, or threats, or taking prized toys, but <em>confidence empowers</em> our little ones to choose the right.<br />
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I find Sister Hinckely's perspective so intriguing. Kids don't need the pressure to excel in everything they do; or physically and emotionally stretched thin because of too many activities. Instead, they need love and positive encouragement. Secular achievements and prestige don't amount for much...not in the big picture.<br />
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In the Hinckley home, there were very clear expectations that only courteous and respectful language was used. The other was just not tolerated. A story was shared that exemplifies this.<br />
"Kathy and her friend Bobbie Olson were playing at our house. They were about twelve years old. It was a summer day, and they were in and out of the house, racing around acting their age. Mom was trying to tell them something, and they ignored her and were probably a little sassy. They were getting on her nerves, and I remember watching her frustration mount. They were being in a word, naughty.<br />
Getting nowhere and totally exasperated, Mother finally blurted out, "Damn you girls!" Well, the world might as well have stopped! I was shocked. Kathy was shocked. Bobbie was shocked. Most of all, Mother was shocked. She froze in her tracks, covered her mouth with her hand, and said incredulously, 'Oh dear, did I say that?'<br />
Instead of staying mad at the girls, she said, 'Oh, I am so sorry I said that. Can you girls ever forgive me? I think I had better go and wash my mouth out with soap!' And she did! That was our punishment if ever we said anything we should not have said, and she wanted to make sure we saw her do the same.<br />
Then she went to her bedroom and sat on the edge of her bed and cried. I felt terrible. Kathy and Bobbie felt terrible. I never heard her swear again."<br />
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I wish my kids could say the same about me!!<br />
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The Hinckleys' belived that children rise higher when treated with respect. And they learn all about respect in the home. Sister Hinckely states, "Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst. But I have come to the conclusion that it is in the home where we are tested the most. Most of us have developed a pretty good set of company manners that we exercise at school and socials and church and other places, but it is what we are at home that tells the true story of what we really are. The family unit is fundamental. I wonder if this was so there would be some area where we would function with our guard down so that the Lord could see what we really are."<br />
After reading this, I had to stop and reread it. Her statement is so true! But I have never thought of things in that perspective and it makes me want to really be better where it counts the most.<br />
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If I were to take away just one idea from this book that represented Sister Hinckley the best, it would be here sincere compassion, love, and interest in anyone she was in contact with. Many examples and stories were shared by people throughout the book of how personable and genuinelly interested Sister Hinckley was with family, new acquaintances and dear friends. And they all adored and loved her for it.<br />
"Sister Hinckley is like a human magnet who draws people to her. Whenever she enters a room, she brightens it because of her cheery presence. She has such a caring way about her that she makes each individual feel as though she were a personal friend whom she would help in any way she could."<br />
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"Mother has the ability to see beyond the exterior and look into people's hearts."<br />
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"The typical greeting Marjorie Hinckley gives sincerely to literally thousands of people is: 'Hello, my friend." And she truly and genuinely means you are her friend, and what an amazing friend she would be!<br />
<br />
I literally could go on and on about Sister Hinckely, how her perspective on life has changed me, and how much I love and admire her strength and example. But I've written enough! If anyone's even still reading, maybe I've convinced you to read the book for yourself!! But I can't stop without sharing my favorite part of the book. It is a bit long, but bare with me...it's worth it! She states, "We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, to be what we are. With all of these decisions we have three responsibilities:<br />
We have a great responsibility to our husbands. I know it is hard to believe, but almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with him. You had better be sure that you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner.<br />
We have a great responsibility to our children. Find joy in them. Don't overschedule them or yourself. You may not be able to take them on exotic vacations. It doesn't matter. When the day dawns bright and sunny, take an excursion to the canyon or park. When it's cloudy and wet, read a book together or make something good to eat. Give them time to explore and learn about the feel of grass and the wiggliness of worms.<br />
Now to our homes. Your home is your own private temple. Keep it clean. Put something beautiful in every room for your family to look at. Your home can be beautiful without being elaborate or expensive. Create a feeling of order and spirituality. As you create your home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for either you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your husband. Have joy in your children. Be grateful for the journey." <br />
<br />
Isn't she so wonderful! It's almost like she's too good to be true. But reality is that she was this good. So many people experienced her genuine goodness and honest love for them. Realizing this has made me think, maybe I can be better. I know I won't ever be like her but I can sure try...to be a better mother, wife, and friend. I know I'll never have the experiences she did, being the prophet's wife, watching the growth and success of the church, or sitting accross the table with the most faithful and honorable people in the world. Most of us will never experience that life but we can sure still live by her standards. As was said so perfectly, "We can't walk in Sister's Hinckley's shoes, but we can emulate her stride." That is my goal.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-18490848667511731622010-03-12T13:39:00.000-08:002010-03-12T13:42:32.198-08:00Birthday Boy!Each year, Mason anticipates his special day for quite some time. He loves the excitment, attention, and surprises that birthdays bring. This year was no different! I'm not sure which he enjoys the most... the decorated kitchen with balloons and crate paper; choosing what we eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner; not having to make his bed or do any jobs (which he loves to remind everyone all day!); the presents; the party; the special phonecalls from loved ones; or maybe it's simply because for one day, it's all about him! Whatever the reason, I love making him feel special and helping him know how much we love him.<br />
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<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Mason's 6th Birthday</span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Bike Birthday Party</span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Mason and his friends decked out their bikes with streamers, personalized license plates and noisemakers on the wheels.They loved this!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">They were then ready for the bike parade.</div><br />
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</div><div align="center">They had fun racing on the chalk made roads, through the obstacle courses, and most importantly, seeing who could bike the fastest!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, another favorite at the party..cake & ice cream!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center">We had such a fun day! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with Mason and helped to make this a fantastic 6th Birthday!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-15820467638332485892010-02-17T11:55:00.000-08:002010-02-17T20:06:03.386-08:00Icing on the CakeSo I recently had "One of those Days..." when everything I did just didn't go right or something that should have been very simple, ended up being an ordeal. Here's what I mean:<br />
<br />
First, paperwork needed to be sent. Simple right?...scan, save, email. <br />
Email would not go through to intended recipient. <br />
After several attempts and frustration, finally sent to Alan's email who printed and faxed. <br />
Got a call hours later to say fax was never received...<br />
Alan's on his way to the sand dunes.<br />
45 minutes and $6 later, the fax at FedEx finally went through. <br />
<br />
Sending paperwork...not so simple.<br />
<br />
<br />
Took Alan's car for emission's inspection for car registration.<br />
Failed.<br />
Bought new lid for gas tank.<br />
Back to emission's inspection.<br />
Pass!<br />
Cannot register car...online program states car has not had emission test.<br />
On hold for 48 minutes.<br />
Discover the record number I'm trying to use to register Alan's car is actually for my car. <br />
My car needs the emission test.<br />
Back to inspections now for my car.<br />
Failed.<br />
Can't register car before deadline.<br />
Looking forward to "late fee".<br />
<br />
Car registration...not so simple.<br />
<br />
<br />
Several packages needing to be mailed.<br />
FedEx couldn't find Alan's business account anywhere in their system.<br />
Wouldn't let me mail ground packages in "Air Mail" box.<br />
Back home.<br />
Found Alan's account info online.<br />
Printed shipping labels.<br />
Took packages to different FedEx store who WOULD allow me to use "Air Mail" boxes going ground.<br />
<br />
Mailing packages...not so simple.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Noticed Madelyn left her homework folder....again.<br />
Knew it had to be turned in before weekend.<br />
Off to school to get homework to teacher before school's out.<br />
Secretary wouldn't let me go to classroom...states too close to school getting out...teacher is too busy....<br />
Too busy to have a folder handed to her???<br />
Instructed to meet teacher out by buses.<br />
Waited for kids to be released.<br />
Walked with them through chaotic school parking lot, around to back of school to meet teacher.<br />
Delivering homework...not so simple.<br />
<br />
By the time I made it home, I was flustered, frustrated and exhausted! My neighbor sensing my mood asked if I was doing ok. After sharing with her of my day's experiences, she stated "At least it's Friday, right?" Right I thought. It is Friday, even though Alan is out of town, this day's done!<br />
<br />
Well, it doesn't end there. Yesterday I got a phone call which put the icing on the cake. My sister called to say she had some bad news....they answered the door to find a package on the step as the FedEx truck pulled away. Aiden was so thrilled to see a box with his name on it. With much anticipation and excitement, he opened it up...only to be completely disappointed when he realized the items were for Liam, a former cub scout in my Wolf den. That's right. I put the shipping labels on the wrong boxes. Aiden got Liam's box and Liam got Aiden's box. All I could say was "Are you serious?"<br />
<br />
I guess we are just gonna have one of those days, every now and then, right? Please tell me I'm not the only one! Hopefully I've taken my turn for awhile!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-69984426868066230292010-01-28T13:06:00.000-08:002010-01-28T13:19:40.417-08:00Say It Like It Is!There's no doubt about it, kids say it like it is! Whether you want to hear or not, they don't hold back. We've had a few of these moments lately....<br />
<br />
Mason: You know Mom, Misty (our babysitter when I work and who we all absolutely love and adore) is a Real Mom.<br />
Me: Oh really? What makes her a "Real Mom"?<br />
<br />
Mason: Shrugs his shoulders.<br />
<br />
Me: So am I a "Real Mom"?<br />
<br />
Mason: No...you're just a "Half Mom".<br />
<br />
Me: Oh...(feeling disappointed) what makes me just a "Half Mom"?<br />
<br />
Mason: Misty's a "Real Mom" cuz she doesn't spank our tushies!<br />
<br />
There you have it! I'm not the real deal! I didn't know how to react, besides laugh to myself. Although I couldn't help think where this was coming from because my kids don't hardly ever get spanked. Maybe yelled at a little and sent to time-out a lot, but spanking tuishies doesn't happen all that often. I guess I'll just have to be okay with being a "Half Mom!"<br />
<br />
We recently attended a church meeting for Madelyn because she has a very exciting birthday this year...turning 8 and getting baptized. We had been in church from 2-5pm and then returned at 7 for this meeting. So the boys were tired, restless and of course irreverent. We finally got Jalen to sit still when he chose to sprawl out across the chairs, lying down. At least he was being quiet!! And actually, he was being so still, I thought he might actually fall asleep! The bishop was talking to the kids about the Holy Ghost and His purpose. He was asking them, "Can your parents always be with you to make sure you're making good choices?" No..the kids responded. The question was thrown out there, "So then if your parents can't always be with you, who can?" The room was dead silent. Then Jalen yells out, "the babysitter!" It was so hilarious! I guess he really was listening.<br />
<br />
Last night, the State of the Union Address was on and therefore, American Idol was not. Madelyn was disappointed and just couldn't understand why they wouldn't show American Idol but we could see the President's speech on every other channel! She didn't appreciate this. Jalen overheard Madelyn's frustration and looked up from coloring to simply but very matter-of-factly state, "American Idol got canceled Maddie. Someone got sick and threw up!"<br />
<br />
I have been receiving cute little notes left behind from a "secret" person. I have a pretty good guess of who it is, but hey it's a secret so I shouldn't try and guess, right?! Here is how the last one went...<br />
"You have Rosey cheeks. Your voise is like a cherping bird. You smell like blue blosums. You are the best Mom!!"<br />
Madelyn also is so quick to apologize, to forgive and forget. When she is sent to her bedrooom for something she does wrong, I almost always get a sweet little note saying something like, "I am so so so sorry. Will you please forgive me? I promise I will do better at listening and not sassing. I love you! Please forgive me." After reading her sweet words, my frustrations or anger with her completely go away and I truly appreciate her example to quickly and sincerely ask for forgiveness.<br />
These little notes remind me how simple it is to not only express love and appreciation to others around me but more importantly how easy it is to forgive and forget. Whether it's laughter and fun into our home, or love and humility, I appreciate my kids for <strong><em>Just Sayin It Like It Is!!</em></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-33727044638393980952010-01-13T14:14:00.000-08:002010-01-13T14:17:12.770-08:00Family PicturesI've caught myself several times lately thinking, "Am I really a Mom of 3 kids, one of which will be 8 soon??" How did I get here so quickly? Where has the time gone? Am I doing things right? And even more so, am I really prepared to continue this journey because I realize life's challenges will only increase as my kids get older. Will they continue to be excited after school to share their day's experiences? Will they still be cuddle bugs and give loves and kisses? How long will Friday movie and pizza night home with Mom and Dad be the coolest thing ever?<br />
<br />
There's definately no answers to these questions. As for now, I cling to my children's unconditional love, easiness to forgive my mistakes, their innocense, and their sweet and precious spirits. I do treasure them.<br />
<br />
We recently had family pictures taken. Here are just a few of my favorites....<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photography by <a href="http://bellaazphotography.blogspot.com/">Bella Bean Photography</a><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-50080710585687163992009-11-18T13:00:00.000-08:002010-01-28T14:26:26.144-08:00Girls Only!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last month, I experienced one of the best weekends of my life! I met up with my Mom and sisters in Seattle for a <em><strong>Girls Only Weekend</strong></em>. It was a blast! Although I am a little bias, I do think that I have the greatest Mom and Sisters ever. I only wish I could see them more often...it truly makes me appreciate the time we do get to share and makes me love them even more.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kera, Kristyn, Mckell, Meagan, Mom, Me, Natalie<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seattle...one of the most beautiful cities </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have ever visited</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My older sister lives in Seattle so we all decided it was definately time to take a trip, visit and celebrate her birthday with her. Kristyn was the best host! She was the cook, innkeeper, chauffer, and tour guide. Not an easy job. Her husband Thomas was such a gentlemen...making sure the fridge stayed stocked with Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper, assisting with transportation and most of all, being Dad so that Kristyn could enjoy the weekend with the girls. Of course, I can't leave out Aiden. What a sweet boy! I wish I would have had room in my suitcase to take him home with me! He is the smartest, most kind-hearted and one of the cutest boys I know. I am a lucky aunt!</span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had so much fun not only touring this amazing city, but also enjoying being together. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Our first outing was seeing the sites of Seattle first class style...in a Duck Tour Bus/Boat Ride. It was a BLAST!! We really had so much fun.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn09lp5oGabkRgf4h3HW493P0LzBSSFWIOxeOw7g9easN4SsCiBou-wwziLtoBgZuMrX74ORK8_BCCVBU4B8Iwup8eRwhWu1FICmSOa0KxK1wOhXcjrWQppRhOIs_sCq-xEYt9EsBVCOzp/s1600/DSC_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn09lp5oGabkRgf4h3HW493P0LzBSSFWIOxeOw7g9easN4SsCiBou-wwziLtoBgZuMrX74ORK8_BCCVBU4B8Iwup8eRwhWu1FICmSOa0KxK1wOhXcjrWQppRhOIs_sCq-xEYt9EsBVCOzp/s400/DSC_1060.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So this bus goes down into water and becomes a boat. First we saw many of the attractions down town on a bus ride and then went to the harbor, down in the water and floated around there. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aiden with his quacker</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We seriously had the best tour guide ever! He was the man with many hats, had clever stories and music that went along with all the sites and attractions. He was a riot!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being the birthday girl, Kristyn got to (had to?!) wear a duck hat and dance up and down the isles. (I know...just what you want to do for your birthday!) But she was such a good sport and definately had some pretty good moves!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the attractions were Safeco Field, the building where Grey's Anatomy is filmed, the Space Needle and the famous Sleepless in Seattle home.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I'm going to share a blonde moment I had. While on the duck tour, one sign caught my attention: "ALL CLOTHING 100% off! Free admission" I thought, Wow! They're having a great sale and it's free to get in! I leaned over and said to the girls, we need to check that out. Probably some great shopping in there. Kristyn's response, "I don't think we want to go in there." Why, I ask. "Because it's a strip club!" Of course it is! Now, I do have to say that I couldn't see the top of the sign, the "Lusty Lady's" part. Being in the duck bus blocked the entire view! At least we all got a good laugh about that one. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We absolutely loved the duck ride tour</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next day we drove to a beautiful city north of Seattle called Leavenworth. It is a cute little shopping and tourist German town.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We ate lunch in an authentic German restaurant. I was the only one not brave enough to try the food...I stuck with a chicken salad. I know boring huh. But the others got the real stuff... wienerschnitzel, bratwurst goulash, and sauerbraten. (I was glad I stuck with a salad!)</span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had so so much fun shopping...very cute and original purses, jeans, jewelery, and our biggest treasure the "Beanie Band". We're not sure the real name, but that's what we named them. They are so cute. My sweet mom bought us all one and we wore them the rest of the day. We got so many compliments and people asking where we got them. Seriously, when we bought them there were like 30 in the store. When we left to go home we stopped in the store to say goodbye and tell them everyone loves the beanie bands and they already sold at least 20 more! The plan is for us to go into business...we shall see!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">More fun shopping...</span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks Leavenworth for the beautiful and quaint town, fun shopping day, and lasting memories!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicELPkUywnu6VKRJGbRckmSU4BHDMh13Ld7IklXgMni988HaczH02bKhlvH1oxdHFty7zGZLyxYZEPv_DcY9KFNa7bt1k_Lh8rEfmrhfUOZ6R-sydh402n09DR_LtYfFqgev0bsIG6UrO4/s1600/DSC_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicELPkUywnu6VKRJGbRckmSU4BHDMh13Ld7IklXgMni988HaczH02bKhlvH1oxdHFty7zGZLyxYZEPv_DcY9KFNa7bt1k_Lh8rEfmrhfUOZ6R-sydh402n09DR_LtYfFqgev0bsIG6UrO4/s400/DSC_1079.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So in the van, Natalie found a strap to pull, which surprised us both...it flipped the seat backwards and down we went! We had a good, long laugh!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first night we were at Kristyn's, we were discussing missing our cousin Mckell and wanting her there with us. She truly is one of us. So we got planning. By 1:30am, we had a plane ticket purchased, thanks to Kristyn so willing to share her hard-earned sky miles. "Anything for Mckell", she said. Mckell was pulling an all-nighter studying so that she could be prepared to take a test Friday before leaving for the airport. Call us crazy, I know, but it was so so worth it! The big surprise was that my mom had already gone to bed when this planning took place, so we decided to not tell her and just surprise her. We made up a little story...I realized that I had forgotten a gift bag on the airplane. (It was Kristyn's birthday afterall.) I pretended to call the airport and discovered that they had it, so we took a trip back to the airport to retrieve this "special package." My mom believed every word. Here is the anticipation on our ride to the airport...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNkkhnTvsHcIzP2FqQddKt2PuDq3ZBRLJ4XLlzKTcu1xFvg7246TOg59g8pOrPtC6_6da7dnmGAfy_DbjbnJYM3KODaF6qWeK_e5dljXc4qynVCS-FfiOkVWEAdMUEIU8lcDfuPpACu6d/s1600/DSC_1081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNkkhnTvsHcIzP2FqQddKt2PuDq3ZBRLJ4XLlzKTcu1xFvg7246TOg59g8pOrPtC6_6da7dnmGAfy_DbjbnJYM3KODaF6qWeK_e5dljXc4qynVCS-FfiOkVWEAdMUEIU8lcDfuPpACu6d/s400/DSC_1081.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I went into the airport to retrieve the "special package" and came out with Mckell!! My mom was shocked!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFulJNUfADQez98OrET0jTriKPqx9XE6zogaVP0UEZ5U8ljazEUv8Om1aZQ-BBOhVehWb8NaVI9MSQVHj7ChP1ehuexr6fLK3usf7IqISlB8fi43YQXxBl0Y1opqrDg0Ozz-IKoHUzhPuQ/s1600/DSC_1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFulJNUfADQez98OrET0jTriKPqx9XE6zogaVP0UEZ5U8ljazEUv8Om1aZQ-BBOhVehWb8NaVI9MSQVHj7ChP1ehuexr6fLK3usf7IqISlB8fi43YQXxBl0Y1opqrDg0Ozz-IKoHUzhPuQ/s400/DSC_1088.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, how I just love surprises!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were all so happy to have Mckell with us</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next morning, we visited Pike's Street and the market. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course we watched the buying and selling of the fresh fish, which entails the fish being thrown around. Nat wanted a little more excitment and she got what she asked for! The workers placed a bottle on the top of her head and then threw a fish over her head to the worker behind the counter, with the goal to knock over the bottle but hopefully not smack her face with the fish! It was suspenseful, but good to report the workers were successful...they knocked over the bottle and Natalie didn't leave with a fish smelling face!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSGnACTHfvEZAyQIUnMTrtrD-RfBZBHZj4WWXEstooxBWHuocazWsthMcS4WPyWge-bv2r64-HT9p42ruUlpO1NoLTioX1KIK9KdfBjXSA9NowKZQXSFRQOdXwmwHvf3n25ykX7iGLxYX/s1600/DSC01940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSGnACTHfvEZAyQIUnMTrtrD-RfBZBHZj4WWXEstooxBWHuocazWsthMcS4WPyWge-bv2r64-HT9p42ruUlpO1NoLTioX1KIK9KdfBjXSA9NowKZQXSFRQOdXwmwHvf3n25ykX7iGLxYX/s400/DSC01940.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8YSw47_wqyY256Suki1Ex4KXo5DsMMcuRq6FKvO3rohs8bF1SCyqdR7zbsZ8hyFWxpt7J4a2XVittWgE607tR4ntwb0tJBOPSACZdHNlMSYd10Ka-uWHcbBL7dYDd3RZr0jBVBGU6p25/s1600/DSC_1107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8YSw47_wqyY256Suki1Ex4KXo5DsMMcuRq6FKvO3rohs8bF1SCyqdR7zbsZ8hyFWxpt7J4a2XVittWgE607tR4ntwb0tJBOPSACZdHNlMSYd10Ka-uWHcbBL7dYDd3RZr0jBVBGU6p25/s400/DSC_1107.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I was trying to stay in the back, out of sight because there was a little old man creeping around scaring and startling people with this crawfish. Because I was so occupied with avoiding him, what I didn't see was one of the workers pick up a giant squid and start walking towards me. Yikes! It freaked me out! I started running away...and he followed. That was enough for me, we were out of there!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxw9ZV21M6VTmp24ulERyGCvcgnqvIhi8UNikcooJQEMtDM2wU7fjhorPV2Ovf-TZdsF93RxZ1bAJeox4o8I7jPvc4h0iMqeu4NxRRC55PpmOSUQRAFh0RZVJm1aIfwc3RKzYXT4ckxxp/s1600/DSC_1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxw9ZV21M6VTmp24ulERyGCvcgnqvIhi8UNikcooJQEMtDM2wU7fjhorPV2Ovf-TZdsF93RxZ1bAJeox4o8I7jPvc4h0iMqeu4NxRRC55PpmOSUQRAFh0RZVJm1aIfwc3RKzYXT4ckxxp/s400/DSC_1105.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a famous "gum wall" downtown. Years ago, they tried removing all the gum and cleaning it up, but people kept coming back and putting their gum on the wall. Now, it's just accepted and attracts people to add their own gum to it.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, Nattles had to contribute!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One day we took a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. It was beautiful. The green foilage is unbelievable (especially coming from the desert!) And all the fall colors...very pretty. By the way, isn't my mom so beautiful? She is such an amazing and talented person</span><span style="font-size: large;">. I love her so much! I feel so blessed to have her as my Mom. It is because of her that we as daughters and family love to be together. So thank you, Mom and thanks to my sisters as well for making this trip and all our time together so wonderful! </span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-11357081916427396192009-11-03T14:17:00.000-08:002009-11-03T19:45:02.088-08:00Fall Festivities<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!!</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvdva2b4ojSHcuvwpjSnz8gGnOrz4-lPEnoA8TvWk3X18wnYhJUjCxXhDKcyONIO5bSzuTgIPtuf1SMbvMeSsjzokjYuOcE3CB44WeNkMwqIH1NratZ7_TQUZ2xtUM_3mGPZpZREGMbiJ/s1600-h/Fall+09+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvdva2b4ojSHcuvwpjSnz8gGnOrz4-lPEnoA8TvWk3X18wnYhJUjCxXhDKcyONIO5bSzuTgIPtuf1SMbvMeSsjzokjYuOcE3CB44WeNkMwqIH1NratZ7_TQUZ2xtUM_3mGPZpZREGMbiJ/s640/Fall+09+045.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the lineup: Spiderman, a Wizard, and Witch</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7ga8E1yVfTMh8-VKQIHVYTitUSUgc0lCig4RjTPDIi1U4NQpHxtSesZZJShEaPo4rkMqPFehU8sWi1iHcFNtMxQ7kM-HpNHXwC8qZejgkT8lYczs675IOuiH-xGuAvA4IawQ8iWT-_8z/s1600-h/Fall+09+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7ga8E1yVfTMh8-VKQIHVYTitUSUgc0lCig4RjTPDIi1U4NQpHxtSesZZJShEaPo4rkMqPFehU8sWi1iHcFNtMxQ7kM-HpNHXwC8qZejgkT8lYczs675IOuiH-xGuAvA4IawQ8iWT-_8z/s640/Fall+09+041.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a cute witch!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0v07wMmAN7c8ackFGRbMIXqYMKOP2bEEPcLCOmw4uupXhrAwR-T-BsRsI23VQO7Xdv1LqZlTnXUJVFLW-r-14G-VDpPVtRbiBcUWXK6POs8-bFfY7MW4O371ZZny0Iav5oGYov3LrAi_/s1600-h/Fall+09+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0v07wMmAN7c8ackFGRbMIXqYMKOP2bEEPcLCOmw4uupXhrAwR-T-BsRsI23VQO7Xdv1LqZlTnXUJVFLW-r-14G-VDpPVtRbiBcUWXK6POs8-bFfY7MW4O371ZZny0Iav5oGYov3LrAi_/s640/Fall+09+043.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mason was insistent on being a Wizard for Halloween, with specific details too. Ideally, it needed to be blue, have a wand and of course needed stars. I was having a really hard time finding a costume that met these specifications. Luckily, I found this at a store in Seattle and only had to make a few adjustments. We added stars to the hat and turned a broom into the wand (thanks to my Mom for taking it as her carry-on on her plane ride home). It turned out to be a really fun costume and most importantly, met Mason's approval!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iqyWQqT3kl7aQhb7Wik1sUwx25pszC6-26cA23IjvlulCT-lL9CcdSYMzCLyLP8AsXSOnQbM99jPOaEtwlOqRxHxKsnKuiGB7FCoxUnmemu-Snu5SKwW2rbHWDHu4bwmHCPZz7IEfkOP/s1600-h/Fall+09+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iqyWQqT3kl7aQhb7Wik1sUwx25pszC6-26cA23IjvlulCT-lL9CcdSYMzCLyLP8AsXSOnQbM99jPOaEtwlOqRxHxKsnKuiGB7FCoxUnmemu-Snu5SKwW2rbHWDHu4bwmHCPZz7IEfkOP/s640/Fall+09+042.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen loves anything Spiderman right now, so of course that's what he chose to be. For the last year, Jalen has worn Mason's old spiderman costume very regularly. It has been worn and loved and it showed it! There were several holes and it just didn't look very nice anymore. So I borrowed another Spiderman costume from a friend. This costume was the real deal...had muscles, better mask, etc. So two days before Halloween, Jalen got to wear a costume to his preschool class Halloween party. As soon as we put on the costume, he started crying and freaking out. Here's how our conversation went:</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen: "I don't want to wear this!"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: "But I thought you wanted to be Spiderman."</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen: "I do!"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: "Well, this is a spiderman costume. Look, it's a really neat Spiderman costume!"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen: "No! I'm not wearing it!"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: "But it's Spiderman. Why don't you want to wear it?"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen crying: "It has Boobies!!"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: "Oh, no...these are muscles! See how cool. There's muscles for your arms and legs. It makes you strong just like Spiderman."</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jalen: "No! It has boobies. I'm not wearing it!"</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Jalen did not wear the costume. He went to preschool dressed up like Batman (A very quickly thrown together costume, which completely looked it!) Then for Halloween, I sewed the holes and he wore the Spiderman costume he's worn practically everyday for the last year. But you know what....he was happy!! And that's all that matters.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">TrIcK or TrEaT!</span></strong><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We love Halloween and especially enjoy it in Arizona. The weather is absolutey beautiful, which encourages much socialization and fun in the neighborhoods. People really go all out with decorations, activities, and haunted houses...which makes trick or treating very entertaining.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The adults have just as much fun as the kids!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two spooky witches..Madelyn and her friend Chase</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mason just chillen with a neighbor friend McKenzie</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our neighbors went all out and put together an awesome Haunted House, which attracted many people to our block. Jalen was so fascinated with it. He watched from our balcony at night for weeks as they prepared and got it ready. However, he was also terrified. There was no way he was going to go inside! Other neighbors dressed up like zombies with masks and all the get-up. Jalen didn't know which was worse...listening to the chain saw and screams coming from the haunted house, or trying to keep away from the wandering Zombies in the streets! He decided that under a table was best. You'ld think he would have wanted to go home, but no! He insisted on sticking around, not wanting to miss the action.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to go with some friends to their family cabin in Alpine. It was such a much needed break! It was so beatiful and a treat to see the beautiful fall colors, something we missed out on last year. Here are a few pictures.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The boys were in heaven...dirt, sticks, pocket knives, binochulers, hiking, and tree climbing. What more could little boys ask for!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Becca with her sweet Mom and Dad. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It was so fun getting to know them. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So this is what happens when two silly girls get ahold of a camera....</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKInsbMQB7iBzRzEZGiuKSSYmuUkCtswTbbR1x9MOiD8OkVazEuRQccOBKKeg7FaBnK3JHckSQba3fGyauWXxGw_FW38K9eaW9qgqQ0hy3aalRv3Owk8JSPFjRLSUSzjGNJ9_WYhSo63e/s1600-h/Fall+09+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKInsbMQB7iBzRzEZGiuKSSYmuUkCtswTbbR1x9MOiD8OkVazEuRQccOBKKeg7FaBnK3JHckSQba3fGyauWXxGw_FW38K9eaW9qgqQ0hy3aalRv3Owk8JSPFjRLSUSzjGNJ9_WYhSo63e/s320/Fall+09+026.JPG" vr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH9F0C3j0PVYqElVZgIB1dmKYiq5N6PrdbbJkVVnj8KhWNvJJaVzjvhmNhl_dAhfEJ28dayH1OPIazXwgNTx71RvMOVlP9-0Sj8aawGM5OiFI8J91clAeGh44s0jFUVpCVNhUE8xjPK5y/s1600-h/Fall+09+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH9F0C3j0PVYqElVZgIB1dmKYiq5N6PrdbbJkVVnj8KhWNvJJaVzjvhmNhl_dAhfEJ28dayH1OPIazXwgNTx71RvMOVlP9-0Sj8aawGM5OiFI8J91clAeGh44s0jFUVpCVNhUE8xjPK5y/s400/Fall+09+020.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk9eBTkNWFVq9umG_isgpWirFgjQH-fdZz-FUcatHxGsBlsTRY-KnfzXHfrTs-gChTglHOPFQce8q8iIN0OqFyEFS96azdyL2_FEhcN1YwV_JmhlNayte30wQHL9gJa16IxO0qQGG7L8d/s1600-h/Fall+09+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk9eBTkNWFVq9umG_isgpWirFgjQH-fdZz-FUcatHxGsBlsTRY-KnfzXHfrTs-gChTglHOPFQce8q8iIN0OqFyEFS96azdyL2_FEhcN1YwV_JmhlNayte30wQHL9gJa16IxO0qQGG7L8d/s320/Fall+09+021.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What funny girls! They are so lucky to have each other.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS74NOot1Gzhi1vmpq6e_atF9M3vOpHhXKxuEyZ95u4Oxn6U6xlf18H7rqhoFnCgxvNfz1VmjltET32fM20QAy8APtkrXIAGySsivq8o6GaR9nUdrc7QIcVgtA14K5ZZzvBMXbx-qyvyh2/s1600-h/Fall+09+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS74NOot1Gzhi1vmpq6e_atF9M3vOpHhXKxuEyZ95u4Oxn6U6xlf18H7rqhoFnCgxvNfz1VmjltET32fM20QAy8APtkrXIAGySsivq8o6GaR9nUdrc7QIcVgtA14K5ZZzvBMXbx-qyvyh2/s320/Fall+09+023.JPG" vr="true" /></span></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBepIyy-Su8P6vIKhykuYwX4Iy_gq211G17U36GST7G_MprjAYPCRS9Mj2HcaY_THHBgQxd3DVJW9AxzI8JJLS64SvFFd7yEhegenRR9ee9c9PHEyqakhfSqL6gDtUGuBGIcr5cVPJ5Nc/s1600-h/Fall+09+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 313px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 325px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBepIyy-Su8P6vIKhykuYwX4Iy_gq211G17U36GST7G_MprjAYPCRS9Mj2HcaY_THHBgQxd3DVJW9AxzI8JJLS64SvFFd7yEhegenRR9ee9c9PHEyqakhfSqL6gDtUGuBGIcr5cVPJ5Nc/s320/Fall+09+028.JPG" vr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHY9uZ5_thSL5JAGtuvLyPUxv0BFHGpXsYpl63cjJIl-QF7AwdA4WR2VonMjw_n6Ps74O2Mso0Ok1lrXjOOSn90scsHVtuyJug9Fvf6iZJBnVh83IzIlhhRoPlpPVIkXw4dEKydFKa9Al/s1600-h/Fall+09+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHY9uZ5_thSL5JAGtuvLyPUxv0BFHGpXsYpl63cjJIl-QF7AwdA4WR2VonMjw_n6Ps74O2Mso0Ok1lrXjOOSn90scsHVtuyJug9Fvf6iZJBnVh83IzIlhhRoPlpPVIkXw4dEKydFKa9Al/s400/Fall+09+031.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVekeE7W3na4bpt3i-bsup2HQ5_T0CoGtog5OAblogZqyEogopOlS-jviAWedrwOEJEv7m89XYfo9Z19flnbAWAxtRf18AgH96uWYjLvXWrlWuMBs8VlTT1m1fxPBMSZER04ey7AZ_dYiR/s1600-h/Fall+09+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVekeE7W3na4bpt3i-bsup2HQ5_T0CoGtog5OAblogZqyEogopOlS-jviAWedrwOEJEv7m89XYfo9Z19flnbAWAxtRf18AgH96uWYjLvXWrlWuMBs8VlTT1m1fxPBMSZER04ey7AZ_dYiR/s320/Fall+09+029.JPG" vr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_plXH28sqX6p-SG2P_hkPbnXmvkYYHVzIwWFmi6kjVgYdXnp4qL2pkOLccbNy2jGE-dpmYdgq7ertGc_mlmb7tePzKVqFNmWFz8rSNDOsY-v65OJzcoioFzp1SpY5AELGhZ_G5wtoTAiA/s1600-h/Fall+09+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_plXH28sqX6p-SG2P_hkPbnXmvkYYHVzIwWFmi6kjVgYdXnp4qL2pkOLccbNy2jGE-dpmYdgq7ertGc_mlmb7tePzKVqFNmWFz8rSNDOsY-v65OJzcoioFzp1SpY5AELGhZ_G5wtoTAiA/s320/Fall+09+030.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Their family has built a really neat tree house. The kids had so much fun and spent hours putting together the kitchen, family room and bedroom for the babies. They really have so much fun together. Thanks Jeff and Becca for a wonderful weekend!</span><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-31436864028918851842009-10-29T14:57:00.000-07:002009-10-29T14:58:10.407-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Sparkle Student"</span></strong><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEJn-NXcrziSdO_zZqlHYr08WmrmXgRTqm_izqJ-fiElgMrU6fOTsGk-gP4qcEDzM1aqBl-xVY3Be5yhnsWkeKAszUsM90Agjd53mkId4SctQYhO3Jdct0tW0PwcyS0othdr6EPKMZ1U/s1600-h/192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEJn-NXcrziSdO_zZqlHYr08WmrmXgRTqm_izqJ-fiElgMrU6fOTsGk-gP4qcEDzM1aqBl-xVY3Be5yhnsWkeKAszUsM90Agjd53mkId4SctQYhO3Jdct0tW0PwcyS0othdr6EPKMZ1U/s640/192.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I recently went to parent teacher conference where I was informed from Mason's kindergarten teacher that Mason was the "<strong><em>Sparkle Student</em></strong>" for the week. His teacher couldn't compliment Mason enough on being kind hearted, obedient, a good friend and leader, and an excellent student. I am so proud of him!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Mason these past few months. Kindergarten has changed him...mostly in good ways! For example, he is so eager to get all ready in the morning, make his bed, brush teeth, wash his face, and ask what his "job" is for the day. I never have to ask him twice to get things done. I think he is discovering being independent and the satifisfaction that comes with it!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I can also see Mason's curiosity and mischevious side developing. Not too long ago, Mason spent the afternoon at a friend's house. That evening I asked what they did and if they had fun. He got a cute little smirk on his face and smiled, saying "Yes, we had lots of fun. We got in trouble, too!" Of course I needed more details at this point. He went on to tell me that they threw rocks over his friend's fence and into the neighbor's backyard who happens to be a girl classmate of theirs. He then said the dad was out in the back yard and so of course he saw and that's how they got in trouble. However, Mason was not upset that they got caught, rather he had this very mischevious smile, like it was FUN doing something naughty and getting caught! Of course I gave the whole, that wasn't a good choice talk, but really I was trying so hard not to smile myself. I had never seen this side of Mason before! I kept thinking, this is only the beginning of little boys being boys. It reminded me of the neighbor boys I grew up with. All too often we found pranks at our house...gum and weeds on the door knob; a broken peach tree limb full of ripe peaches, bee bee guns firing at other neighbor boys, missing clothes pins from the clothes line, and rocks being thrown at the front door. Although I would love having a very obedient, respectful, do-no-wrong kind of boy, the reality is that it's not going to happen! I simply must accept that boys will be boys, with a few "Sparkle" moments in between!<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-65133310240400939662009-10-12T22:33:00.000-07:002009-10-12T22:33:31.778-07:00Happy Birthday Jalen<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I can hardly believe that my baby boy is 4 years old. Time has gone by too fast. Although Jalen came at a very unexpected and extremely busy time in my life, I wouldn't change it for the world! More and more I am realizing that his placement in our family was at the right time, despite how crazy it seemed to have 3 little ones, all within 3 years. Simply put, Jalen keeps are family smiling...something that we can always use more of! He is the entertainer, the silly one, and he can change a stressful or tense moment into laughter. He has a great relationship with his older siblings; they both adore him and in a way, he gels the three of them together.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He is such a joy to have in our family. I love him so much and am so grateful for the sweet and good boy he is. I love you Jalen!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jalen keeps us laughing at the funny things he is always saying. Here are just a few that have come up in the last couple of days...<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The day of his birthday, Jalen kept asking, "Am I 4 now?" After my nod yes, everytime he would say "YESSSSSS!" <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I laughed to myself everytime.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While at another friend's birthday party, this was his conversation with his friends while coloring dinosaur pictures. Jalen very seriously: "I love dinosaur dreams. Dinosaur dreams are good for your body!" All the other boys just nodded their heads in agreement like everything he said made total sense!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We recently took down our vertical blinds that went across sliding glass door. Alan had it all in the big garbage can. Jalen was so excited to show Madelyn and Mason. While lifting up the big lid and showing them he said, "That's so damn awesome!" Alan, quite shocked standing by, couldn't hardly scold him because he was trying too hard not to laugh out loud!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One day when quite upset with me, he said "I'm tired of you not following MY RULES! If you don't then I'm going to cut all your hair off with my clippers!" (meaning his fingernail clippers, which he is obsessed with...keeping his nails trimmed just right!)<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He is too funny. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For several months Jalen has aniticipated his big day...turning 4 and getting a whole day to be the Birthday Boy! The day after we delivered his invitations, Jalen walked downstairs first thing in the morning and with teary eyes, said "You forgot my birthday!" At first I was a little confused until he stated, "You didn't decorate!" Traditionally the kids wake up to the kitchen decorated with streamers and balloons, which Jalen was expecting that morning. I quickly explained that his birthday wasn't for a few more days and that we would never forget his birthday or to decorate! That quickly solved his concern!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>Welcome to the Jungle</strong><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Jalen is very interested in snakes and other jungle animals, so we decided this would be a perfect year to throw a jungle party! <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Here are the decorations Jalen woke up to on his birthday...he was thrilled, especially with the snakes hanging from the vines.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGVaYuPee6Qtjs9faaIrHdYSWCSfqJ34pgqVFto1gZHL07QDSzYBwClLBlA2cLpzLDUKY2zSaszgOOeZ4Tkt9hVE_Bf3HfTP2FPr2h2gO8ZcvyrWIirm9E-BaQfo_Q2HtXGTh-bArV2M/s1600-h/JalensParty+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGVaYuPee6Qtjs9faaIrHdYSWCSfqJ34pgqVFto1gZHL07QDSzYBwClLBlA2cLpzLDUKY2zSaszgOOeZ4Tkt9hVE_Bf3HfTP2FPr2h2gO8ZcvyrWIirm9E-BaQfo_Q2HtXGTh-bArV2M/s400/JalensParty+185.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">When the guests arrived, they each chose an animal (tiger, zebra or giraffe) hat to make. We even attempted a little face painting.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF84YZhOVc1r3jLCazyY5SuxNIfcr0MjCl4D3BEiqTABFPqhWdV6p1Z3tu20oPeSLWJcOSKLk1F16q4CUN1IzWCRLItkN9lBGOMhaq59l7Z3ONGvnmouBl7rJwvbDNZjCqPVrZ3pTlRwA/s1600-h/JalensParty+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF84YZhOVc1r3jLCazyY5SuxNIfcr0MjCl4D3BEiqTABFPqhWdV6p1Z3tu20oPeSLWJcOSKLk1F16q4CUN1IzWCRLItkN9lBGOMhaq59l7Z3ONGvnmouBl7rJwvbDNZjCqPVrZ3pTlRwA/s400/JalensParty+020.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">But when Jalen looked in the mirror at his whiskers, he didn't like it at all! After scrubbing his face clean, he next went to clean his friends' faces too!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We played some fun games...Duck, Duck, Goose, only it was Lion, Lion ROAR! The kids then chased each other to try and grab the Lion's tail. We also let the kids dance around a "mud pit" to some fun jungle music and try not to get stuck in the mud when the music turned off. They were all so cute playing these games.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0-X6YFhGctDV7pNvJp-wvTV3zBNvSxfG84O0DzY8id9EQOJ_KdwEYYX6hQllGeDKtja1lyO4odniUju7a_qDTfx9QQTiZ1axUXeQBNguU1bt8o1wpw4e4cyCjcSPLMSBk1ChLoh11xA/s1600-h/mosaic5e0ef39d669ae3e52dbcfc48ffd830e81b24fa1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0-X6YFhGctDV7pNvJp-wvTV3zBNvSxfG84O0DzY8id9EQOJ_KdwEYYX6hQllGeDKtja1lyO4odniUju7a_qDTfx9QQTiZ1axUXeQBNguU1bt8o1wpw4e4cyCjcSPLMSBk1ChLoh11xA/s400/mosaic5e0ef39d669ae3e52dbcfc48ffd830e81b24fa1d.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Probably the favorite game/activity (which I was very surprised about) was the "Snake Pit." I had lots of little jungle animals, snakes, worms, and frogs buried in a big pot of spaghetti noodles. The kids absolutely loved this! They all kept taking turns and coming back for more.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Gavin...the cutest little guy ever!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jalen loves all of his presents! Thanks so much to everyone.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A Snake Cake, of course!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lovin his cheetos<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Birthday hugs!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here they are...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Braden Lunt, Cyrena Dean, Kade Ashton, Hannah Biancamano, Jalen, Cooper Napoles, Adrianne, Ryder Turner, Cameron Lloyd, Breckan Turner.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What an adorable and fun group of kids! Thanks so much for sharing Jalen's birthday with us!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And a special thanks to Shannon for snapping all the great pics!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-75471940566552619322009-09-20T21:33:00.000-07:002009-09-20T21:34:46.598-07:00Picture ThisAlan is a pretty easy-going guy and usually doesn't complain about much. But there is one thing in my family that really bugs him...all the snapshots and family pictures! A "perfect picture moment" occurs quite frequently, which requires patience and endurance by those involved who would rather not hold their position and pose for another photo! We've also had some great experiences when trying to capture the perfect family picture. Last year at Christmas time, my mom arranged to have an outdoor family picture on probably the coldest day of the year! When the temperature is below zero, it creates several challenges: first, holding your breath during the picture so you don't see the white puffs out in front of you creates red faces; second, red noses isn't usually attractive either; all the planning and coordinating of clothes goes out the window when the kids are freezing cold and don't want to take off their coats. Did I mention this creates unhappy children??? <br />
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And grown men aren't any better.<br />
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So when I mentioned to Alan that our friend Shannon, who is starting a new photography business, wanted to take us to a beautiful resort and do a practice photo shoot, I bet you can guess what his reaction was!!<br />
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Although we were doing her a little favor as she tried out this location and lots of different settings on her new camera, we were definately the ones who benefited the most! She did an amazing job! It was like the engagement pictures we never got to experience and have. I have very, very little pictures of Alan and I, so to have a few, is so fun! If you're looking for a great photographer, check out Shannon's website <a href="http://www.bellabeanphoto.com/">here</a><br />
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Here are some of my most favorites...now I just need to figure out how to make a collage or display of a couple. Got any suggestions?? I would love to hear!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-38804314532840827542009-09-10T15:31:00.000-07:002009-09-10T16:29:45.913-07:00Experiencing "Labor" DayI have always looked forward to Labor Day Weekend...not only is at an extended weekend, but it is usually spent camping, having barbeques, and hanging out with friends or family. That's how I have always spent it. This year, instead of doing something fun and relaxing, Alan and I decided that we should finish a long, overdue project. Back in March, I started painting the boys bedroom. Between wrong paint colors to begin with and Alan slowly working on the wood work, it had been 5 months and we still weren't done!<br />
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Now the design/appearance we were after looks something like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QVs6U3C-qpl9piwLyyAgXZr61GNd-eA6oxbZD4rlLTDVwbyQ_C-MNKoViqaHZietRy3QlI8Acga_A-awtCKK4igmqFJ_S5meJfjIdmRwhr4udqhQqkyQElV211L7F0ZzsTaUyAUi8Uw/s1600-h/bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QVs6U3C-qpl9piwLyyAgXZr61GNd-eA6oxbZD4rlLTDVwbyQ_C-MNKoViqaHZietRy3QlI8Acga_A-awtCKK4igmqFJ_S5meJfjIdmRwhr4udqhQqkyQElV211L7F0ZzsTaUyAUi8Uw/s400/bedroom.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Only the bottom half would be light brown/tan instead of white and the top blue.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
You would think, not too hard, right?? Alan is very talented with building things and he has done several projects for our home that have turned out great so I trust his opinon and judgement. However, this project turned out to be a nightmare! Something that should have taken two days from start to finish ended up taking 6-7 full days. We truly worked hard or "labored" all weekend! </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our first issue was of course paint colors. After that was solved, our next biggest problem became the wood slats. Painting on top of the wood slats next to the textured walls did not look good, so we had to figure out what other options we had. Alan did not want to spend more money to buy wood to cut and put in between all the slats and there was no way we were going to rip out all the woodwork. So our last option was to make stripes out of the slats. The big battle became what colors to use. We tried all our options for the slats, baseboard and chair-railing. We couldn't agree and didn't love one thing in particular. We finally decided to go with all chocolate brown....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWtFzHnbHlYFCePkG3ZLC6Pc_3j6YZqevdguNVFu-Av1tHokJBPyJMnVxu6A9W51TgsKjoHYDhwEtIjwGT1_YGOURzrr6py5NBHOml_T0bcsPT65FTVM27wy2KTE9bYUmla8Oupie_ww/s1600-h/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWtFzHnbHlYFCePkG3ZLC6Pc_3j6YZqevdguNVFu-Av1tHokJBPyJMnVxu6A9W51TgsKjoHYDhwEtIjwGT1_YGOURzrr6py5NBHOml_T0bcsPT65FTVM27wy2KTE9bYUmla8Oupie_ww/s400/007.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; 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border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; 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But when it was all painted, we didn't like it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaiMGJ_GkU_1Mi-KdWtYjH-Cm52pKZ0QLQRhgwyKfSOpdAEIpsusLLldv5CuZfJ7jyS0jWUrfZSd2yezuPDC6ErUUN67NqQr7SIHXIjSBATnQkcb-PH3LDi-CynN5nYdnaeu4aEvQyts/s1600-h/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaiMGJ_GkU_1Mi-KdWtYjH-Cm52pKZ0QLQRhgwyKfSOpdAEIpsusLLldv5CuZfJ7jyS0jWUrfZSd2yezuPDC6ErUUN67NqQr7SIHXIjSBATnQkcb-PH3LDi-CynN5nYdnaeu4aEvQyts/s400/013.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After looking at it all day Sunday, we knew we had to change it. By this point, I told Alan, he could do whatever he wanted. I was done!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He chose all white, which did look better. It just wasn't the look I was going after. Alan thought we could have it all repainted by noon on Monday. Since it was his birthday that day, we wanted to do something fun later on. Unfortunately, that's not how it went.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDKkEP_m9SWk1f3AZXRUldArs0dHeNdx9vPqUz_G-u74ZE5vtIMig3ViCDCTkfpsoSd38eCQPcEPjOYnu0z4knklXnUC261DVRGMjJHgpYnylg2EDaery7BXG9WKVkRGyxd4LXziP2Mc/s1600-h/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDKkEP_m9SWk1f3AZXRUldArs0dHeNdx9vPqUz_G-u74ZE5vtIMig3ViCDCTkfpsoSd38eCQPcEPjOYnu0z4knklXnUC261DVRGMjJHgpYnylg2EDaery7BXG9WKVkRGyxd4LXziP2Mc/s320/014.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
We really struggled making all the stripes have nice straight lines. The paint kept bleeding through the tape on the textured walls. We would paint white, touch up blue, touch up white, touch up blue, etc. etc. We finally discovered that a little caulking and "Monster" painters tape did the trick. Eventually, at 11 pm, we finished...3 full roles of painters tape, 8 different gallons and colors of paint, and hours and hours later we completed this project! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Now, there's still lots of decorating and some finishing touches, but here it is...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJauwnKO5JaQLB6T_3qIxMsnLmQRy9Y01NKqgpyTIJNrMofsF6nbvuS5tJJPtVINTCOQ_f_CJrflD7S_ZMkq7bPk0Ch2fz_jHQoPpNm1bbQAq1rNh-7XDb1e-ECBSMBaCzYWbsKUOISWg/s1600-h/boys+bedroom+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJauwnKO5JaQLB6T_3qIxMsnLmQRy9Y01NKqgpyTIJNrMofsF6nbvuS5tJJPtVINTCOQ_f_CJrflD7S_ZMkq7bPk0Ch2fz_jHQoPpNm1bbQAq1rNh-7XDb1e-ECBSMBaCzYWbsKUOISWg/s400/boys+bedroom+002.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
While talking with a friend about the challenges and frustrations of this project, she said "I think there is a lesson to be learned for you and Alan, not just the project itself." After thinking about that, I have to agree completely! We learend a lesson the hard way about communication, compromise, and patience! By Saturday night we were both exhausted, very frustrated, and disagreed about anything and everything! On Monday, we really had to pull together to finish this project. Our attitudes changed and we really worked well together. I know it sounds silly, but I really think future projects will go much smoother next time. That's when we're up for doing another project!! It won't be any time soon, I can guarantee that!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-63594102261668024062009-09-02T15:08:00.000-07:002009-09-04T15:29:27.920-07:00Lake PowellIf I had to pick just one place that I could vacation and visit a year, it would be this...Lake Powell. There's just something about sunbathing on floaties with all the girls; waterskiing at daybreak; good tunes with endless card games; building castles and waterslides on the beach; <br />boat rides; lizard hunting; beautiful sunsets and starry nights; and best of all, the presence of great company. I love Lake Powell! So many great memories with my family have been made the last 25 years and I love to watch the excitment of my own kids as they now experience and enjoy the fun at Lake Powell.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Here is the big partyboat...the "Sea Clusion" <br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vgDNgtsJ15CaEHDKzgALr_5T_CMSAhH4c1eCdWw0JPFcV8XOakqhsvZQHu522LTtnME1K9si3jE0tLA3PxFhImHr6G62dCJGDwn0bOLDQG0EO1QudRmzNSSWOMJDOgTmKTeuz8dCOL0/s1600-h/DSC_0617.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377089752307872562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vgDNgtsJ15CaEHDKzgALr_5T_CMSAhH4c1eCdWw0JPFcV8XOakqhsvZQHu522LTtnME1K9si3jE0tLA3PxFhImHr6G62dCJGDwn0bOLDQG0EO1QudRmzNSSWOMJDOgTmKTeuz8dCOL0/s400/DSC_0617.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Grandpa Jack and Grandma Lois, now in their 80's, still enjoy Lake Powell. They are so much fun! Grandpa is always looking for someone to tease and visit with. He's notorious for going shirtless, but wearing his blue jeans and cowboy boots, even when it's 100 degrees! It was only 10-15 years ago that I watched him water ski. He is so determined to keep his body going, even when he probably shouldn't. Grandma Lois is always anxiously awaiting a good game. She is probably the most talented lady I know. She's very creative; she's known throughout Central Utah for the amazing quilts she makes; and she is always helping and doing for others. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the many wonderful years at Lake Powell and for being such amazing Grandparents! I love you! <br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087170340586130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMCbyI2J5H3x_Hu5FeJE3B5PmKAIMdXsb49OyAjCdeXJQgDiBaGUPTy5gPT5F7TP5PdTDDNs5ag3xhKU5tfUkbI6uZbQzJehae0euV-0PZKLtHL0G6Cm-pZQ4Rzitj-oWitNtdMKPH6w/s400/DSC01691.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br />We spent lots of time enjoying the boats...going for rides, skiing, and of course our favorite, the Super Mable!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk6Af5FIwueAmVCHtioUzs3wsyRVPrhbyZGXQxUCEL48rNG8aFyznetxsDsPo3MzxfgzuHVXe3iD3n11Qf9I-qfpE3OUTjKC8Sz5qTLoJw24ZXBOETgyg9QesMeA8NOQtxqHjLpyGRfI/s1600-h/DSC_0602.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377089728312252450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk6Af5FIwueAmVCHtioUzs3wsyRVPrhbyZGXQxUCEL48rNG8aFyznetxsDsPo3MzxfgzuHVXe3iD3n11Qf9I-qfpE3OUTjKC8Sz5qTLoJw24ZXBOETgyg9QesMeA8NOQtxqHjLpyGRfI/s400/DSC_0602.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"> Here we are...ready for the ride of our life!</div><div align="center">(Mckell, Me, Nat, Amanda, Marley, and April)</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087178576383762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhm_X1tDfNA00plzwNW2g8tOjq__ZsrQanfBkQyGxl5aMuahiKM1qQAlyUuOYfS7avDeOdxKZCrLvTTmfXZ9Z2bRvYlwKqCnofokFmq_Y-eTWB5N2-NaVibakATyRWIUNNCKD9VO6hRw/s400/DSC01712.jpg" border="0" /><br />Catcing a little air and doing a lot of laughing! </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-J67dQOmbYNyx5zlRqe1dlU4O8ROHwGgoZteXypopRKRg8sdcxLRysLUtHRf21Cn1GIaRtIg0uqcxZh0iTsGuNO85FZhP1i2Iru0AtJ-PnO9ynlq9kSSG4SGrpi_eFcMs6dWaludD2M/s1600-h/DSC_0546.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087207115003442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-J67dQOmbYNyx5zlRqe1dlU4O8ROHwGgoZteXypopRKRg8sdcxLRysLUtHRf21Cn1GIaRtIg0uqcxZh0iTsGuNO85FZhP1i2Iru0AtJ-PnO9ynlq9kSSG4SGrpi_eFcMs6dWaludD2M/s400/DSC_0546.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHltDXKxguHLDh5tHUYOLqAHJxIRovLT0VXtT2uype-qEFRtjHz3gunAmsZcxOVC8rtNB7gjwFJ7Y0KjZSI6yQUsac0qKFu18QcgyKCCDcI9wyaOBlElpuSVsvGUxJgmSy6kACBbEBHk/s1600-h/DSC_0532.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087199108287506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHltDXKxguHLDh5tHUYOLqAHJxIRovLT0VXtT2uype-qEFRtjHz3gunAmsZcxOVC8rtNB7gjwFJ7Y0KjZSI6yQUsac0qKFu18QcgyKCCDcI9wyaOBlElpuSVsvGUxJgmSy6kACBbEBHk/s400/DSC_0532.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cute Maddie Bug</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377089701217139122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb5AFcETA07SyspIBLTc0LaawFXFIMDJmqKef5NC65BTqK4Msve67MULT4r5hv227eVPsx3S-3fUISv5z_lmCU7cqqUcZO7pyNhKU6FHj9he5WC1ENdrbGXSVL6PMf7ioKq13qucoe9Q/s400/DSC_0551.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083876647178706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi096ajl4Vm8Tz08L-BjunOaRlQ0Z5xvbO9nzcYyXRripKxN-HjxUB1MCkJ-2xO-rZ3koe8qyXcBMdTH8EJ8mE5VPYaNJaSkeAhobMqPQJ1ShDyB1SGtLA1cmyJYPTuW-6y5_n2NECZfMA/s400/DSC01728.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMWHDoTQO28r93fiC4jTUzO6YTXAabe-mFdXRLxua0ul15YbodXDvcmKRlJyHXMj0e_vGdH2dNU-Kr6IUQ29-qmOWUSGuSeP68SuSuJ7jPhKNx6p-z5R2pxeUR7Pvka75feaLVtVX4l8/s1600-h/DSC01703.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377085467784623570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMWHDoTQO28r93fiC4jTUzO6YTXAabe-mFdXRLxua0ul15YbodXDvcmKRlJyHXMj0e_vGdH2dNU-Kr6IUQ29-qmOWUSGuSeP68SuSuJ7jPhKNx6p-z5R2pxeUR7Pvka75feaLVtVX4l8/s400/DSC01703.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw1pnzndXQPwtVQfufOxvZLXAmx2ldDDyg7pANw0-HFz8GWn7AbdHNbgO1SeFOaPC8jLMvteTu6hoWNS6Hh93lfkiaJgliZmqu7ztW3T3I2GWHei9xF_1GeFF2iaDNaJP1dFY_u0JiAM/s1600-h/DSC01710.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377085460863687218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw1pnzndXQPwtVQfufOxvZLXAmx2ldDDyg7pANw0-HFz8GWn7AbdHNbgO1SeFOaPC8jLMvteTu6hoWNS6Hh93lfkiaJgliZmqu7ztW3T3I2GWHei9xF_1GeFF2iaDNaJP1dFY_u0JiAM/s400/DSC01710.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div align="center">The kids were so excited when they discovered the many toads along the beach at night. They had so much fun catching and then playing with them all day. As you can see, the toads are lucky they actually survived!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087187982160722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuYePr0VL4NdpV6cor6MuAxNeIzySdVf8mcIQOkGqZqukdVtUL1eZ8DrkMTwaLdU0PPv3sMYSO5YOuz8hW8gagPD8f31pxO63Y4mkGOiu1pcNjkENMnSXpoabeQD6Xgeh-QEX6jNpy5o/s400/DSC_0576.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377090402271125826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPNs7Iu1LE3PVfbq9d5mrkbfMZOz2O7DbNIYB9jChU3EuMWPfUsmrPfleek5EHjZbDgDOiKCTQJayRjAFAiYeeACNeb1SjZ2xq3QAAmVm5_AIzbzPaXNRRk_mmfQprrKM5tT6mBqWzTA/s400/DSC01717.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhXE9pS_EozEMJuRJYtC1HEhTuqjI7ydympIf_R_PFvG9UvN42OX9s72GKZPvwvILLtlz0P7pblR7RP8IKC2GEu3OAniGVtepczqPOkF0mnGL1vECXgSBJUW3IYBjAKDJkbnf9w9-qTo/s1600-h/DSC_0586.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377085444673576146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhXE9pS_EozEMJuRJYtC1HEhTuqjI7ydympIf_R_PFvG9UvN42OX9s72GKZPvwvILLtlz0P7pblR7RP8IKC2GEu3OAniGVtepczqPOkF0mnGL1vECXgSBJUW3IYBjAKDJkbnf9w9-qTo/s400/DSC_0586.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377085439514364466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSanJLYZ1zwKbCc1UlUMdbZrzNx1sMHGBlwuvfFqCW8PkBabNTSbDmloqKQlmul5P_gTXjMl-kjugjJzrXGo7N2bLxi004uDyvtoXt5V-nxpFRhm9WBlXmSlAeDPjxYs2lOLrqNEZUZM/s400/DSC01693.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div align="center">Jalen getting a little TLC from Nanna...life doesn't get much better than that for him!</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377089714870140210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYZtRxFLkLVKE80HXSn5nOCkXXCD_KdUc67P0_7hXU4Nk1TsUZNz93gy-8v0FeUJf5bcRtjmZPZu07w-JeiS5PNyb_RX_y8dT8QZhq9-wyn96Yhg3wpVA__Oqv_lweely2tyKHUy0YBs/s400/DSC_0582.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOumHvg-b3_N-NHEKq9qTg2Or3cK7FjLB1frCdvuAV6O88y3X7wZXvwyn42JLwOt7ppKGkmit-1B4Xtii1spF9GBxtiQRYwVbNlXdexR1eo-N88PJI3Npd-fSO8-YUgrG4_vuL5rcUpK4/s1600-h/DSC01715.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083935430460754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOumHvg-b3_N-NHEKq9qTg2Or3cK7FjLB1frCdvuAV6O88y3X7wZXvwyn42JLwOt7ppKGkmit-1B4Xtii1spF9GBxtiQRYwVbNlXdexR1eo-N88PJI3Npd-fSO8-YUgrG4_vuL5rcUpK4/s400/DSC01715.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Always a good card game going on<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2VgpSOCTzvFKJ1UZvbtWIUJa0E0vpjQzbF2oQRm0WwCrvSAcQt0bkiUXQCWvAkk6oaUGbAqJ2Y_i8Ip9Xc4UH_cZKPV7IzAmbq_XBKc_TPWgnR-2ZsTTidx42aY0XbziollPZDOk6Ow/s1600-h/DSC01724.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083922313246914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2VgpSOCTzvFKJ1UZvbtWIUJa0E0vpjQzbF2oQRm0WwCrvSAcQt0bkiUXQCWvAkk6oaUGbAqJ2Y_i8Ip9Xc4UH_cZKPV7IzAmbq_XBKc_TPWgnR-2ZsTTidx42aY0XbziollPZDOk6Ow/s400/DSC01724.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377089742632970962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxFjgk3SrDtgBdJbwIncGNvOFqKSze7ElXu2Qb0VXP3RULj-wifULuA3bLz4NgyyO5vTDKXRay1aeuc6sP7oAbwlzA4yQM6eD4wflzhbKXypvyb7JRnZAmoyBLh3OVxHJ6gd6bHaKhLc/s400/DSC_0583.jpg" border="0" /><br />Madelyn is always excited and ready to play a game! </div><div>She's already learning Rummy...a family favorite.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz97E2KtjtJxBD_ZF3laXb_H6LSumm6eLZp6HhRxyTFVM_cWX5qHfhGiB5e5uiWtVz8ggynwat_VLp6pG8xqj5Cd4FP9DYexgElvroqL6WLOoyH5cmFv5QDb3KfjOV7EwWsr_QIeHOUSo/s1600-h/DSC01726.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083885506353842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz97E2KtjtJxBD_ZF3laXb_H6LSumm6eLZp6HhRxyTFVM_cWX5qHfhGiB5e5uiWtVz8ggynwat_VLp6pG8xqj5Cd4FP9DYexgElvroqL6WLOoyH5cmFv5QDb3KfjOV7EwWsr_QIeHOUSo/s400/DSC01726.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The little boys were thrilled to do some fishing.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWCwdFyFnz1lFRHCCb7LsNk7omCV7ZZGxMUKxUZd_BN_J4Qbt2rhilHnYeA8jJKuZ5oUFpdlailtmZn59ZA29fqIj2sfHkMtUEoFcMjLRPjNjQrniLbHRwEqmj_-iWdbPjTEwPXtT-dw/s1600-h/148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079738236607330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWCwdFyFnz1lFRHCCb7LsNk7omCV7ZZGxMUKxUZd_BN_J4Qbt2rhilHnYeA8jJKuZ5oUFpdlailtmZn59ZA29fqIj2sfHkMtUEoFcMjLRPjNjQrniLbHRwEqmj_-iWdbPjTEwPXtT-dw/s400/148.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Good lookin Catfish!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSomgsacjyzwcZHaTDoFFSwPyGgiEeTg9BlqqY-S8SO1Mfeuga_vOTJFasfhb1LakOd4t6Clw_M1h6OsJdtWfz4UEyGpCg3KnKeYoO3UG3qD4aztvT9FdokLlAiiRRQq1a_BDHOxr9eQ/s1600-h/149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079725296151490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSomgsacjyzwcZHaTDoFFSwPyGgiEeTg9BlqqY-S8SO1Mfeuga_vOTJFasfhb1LakOd4t6Clw_M1h6OsJdtWfz4UEyGpCg3KnKeYoO3UG3qD4aztvT9FdokLlAiiRRQq1a_BDHOxr9eQ/s400/149.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Another good lookin catfish!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwCkqN5jtAt61OlRsLn3IwjJvWDP0ztHbuY2iplevBI7-RoHixWJYGmft9t85xduPEnym53-Zpe6FttuznncGe32MRAbGFPKfgrJMUzY_kZzvwO35DWom7KiQr45RMc_XBVQZXlAgeyw/s1600-h/146.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079717820080258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwCkqN5jtAt61OlRsLn3IwjJvWDP0ztHbuY2iplevBI7-RoHixWJYGmft9t85xduPEnym53-Zpe6FttuznncGe32MRAbGFPKfgrJMUzY_kZzvwO35DWom7KiQr45RMc_XBVQZXlAgeyw/s400/146.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJgea9YgQLa5jz8jsdsw26KD4C5LzIJDedlJpcFhAToDAMuFBtwSobLjqHHFw323ImRknzjbVSz96te_90zi8yHskJ0IxpHWAn00uf5OedOwagUaFvMqZbxS_toe6KiXi7Dg1Hln-aJo/s1600-h/147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079704839171234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJgea9YgQLa5jz8jsdsw26KD4C5LzIJDedlJpcFhAToDAMuFBtwSobLjqHHFw323ImRknzjbVSz96te_90zi8yHskJ0IxpHWAn00uf5OedOwagUaFvMqZbxS_toe6KiXi7Dg1Hln-aJo/s400/147.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqy6Gk39RVL-UP-HM0_k2K_l-Y5qmET6MkXkBAmakvL2ai6DfEz5m9XX08cOo97dSYQw1Ifh1jp9YRkBIHfz1KxoDBECXp8c-4FANwAzC9npBTYNQOCRG1-FL0f9cBHE-0hNeSetZvn8/s1600-h/145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377077756407706274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 397px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqy6Gk39RVL-UP-HM0_k2K_l-Y5qmET6MkXkBAmakvL2ai6DfEz5m9XX08cOo97dSYQw1Ifh1jp9YRkBIHfz1KxoDBECXp8c-4FANwAzC9npBTYNQOCRG1-FL0f9cBHE-0hNeSetZvn8/s400/145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The boys weren't tired at all...they could have fished all night if we would have let them!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJgMbfgJLHGFD3iEYsI22Fs3Otxrnp7AnGJ1tHZOdaOMCgAM9MN9hMiNPVYNJgiDsGaev5G8GATFbuDdAWTKQn44Uw7T4DInQl1NH63o9xCJfcXjvVGmZaiZqFHq07rKv-qmIX9uhT94/s1600-h/126.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377077747218911938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJgMbfgJLHGFD3iEYsI22Fs3Otxrnp7AnGJ1tHZOdaOMCgAM9MN9hMiNPVYNJgiDsGaev5G8GATFbuDdAWTKQn44Uw7T4DInQl1NH63o9xCJfcXjvVGmZaiZqFHq07rKv-qmIX9uhT94/s400/126.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Captain Jalen<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy363SNCg-BCkwIyp3l9VNPrNLF1J9YYdQKueoRfuwvwVsN3tlD8IEABh5h_J8B1m-dLtZAKfeW84jcKrbVPQfRnnlkNX9jOq2wX11pkYKHJ0qmgXmqH1W0vL8jC568HaUk-ipKwjdJIA/s1600-h/142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377077724588412018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy363SNCg-BCkwIyp3l9VNPrNLF1J9YYdQKueoRfuwvwVsN3tlD8IEABh5h_J8B1m-dLtZAKfeW84jcKrbVPQfRnnlkNX9jOq2wX11pkYKHJ0qmgXmqH1W0vL8jC568HaUk-ipKwjdJIA/s400/142.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JJSJNTVAPrnjRyLRMZgJg7Yw346TXDS_v-0LbsTrHF7_m-YszTc97FPFw5dHdub6YXdvUDT15V3mS6r4tYspSy76OP5njyM1w5zz5dlWuJpPG0KK591v2QV16_EXQ7e3wbB91m7we-o/s1600-h/150.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377077716097413714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JJSJNTVAPrnjRyLRMZgJg7Yw346TXDS_v-0LbsTrHF7_m-YszTc97FPFw5dHdub6YXdvUDT15V3mS6r4tYspSy76OP5njyM1w5zz5dlWuJpPG0KK591v2QV16_EXQ7e3wbB91m7we-o/s400/150.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OVU6da6nbBqSpwg5u0Y_iZ5CCDDbx2Cxxl2R1FQMdNKRAyu-RG66B4fcceh7zV9-l1Ebnc4MCvLXaBKaqYHY2IAbao64GR1Szn3FNzvwiTkNll9VSo1hkHH1jveo-RTsLMx4j6cP1Os/s1600-h/141.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377077703713466450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OVU6da6nbBqSpwg5u0Y_iZ5CCDDbx2Cxxl2R1FQMdNKRAyu-RG66B4fcceh7zV9-l1Ebnc4MCvLXaBKaqYHY2IAbao64GR1Szn3FNzvwiTkNll9VSo1hkHH1jveo-RTsLMx4j6cP1Os/s400/141.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK2TVjQ6rIrh8uGzmdHOz393If02qtRgqr-E414FxrfAGaqG5kaMvP7E29ZvX9KKe4gWq6E2xTEbYtyqihHUxjcnKPDdEje0A5MhAjTZ-q82IKtZ8UMIEzXT5w39no8elp_DHn_TfDp4/s1600-h/144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064089654115218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK2TVjQ6rIrh8uGzmdHOz393If02qtRgqr-E414FxrfAGaqG5kaMvP7E29ZvX9KKe4gWq6E2xTEbYtyqihHUxjcnKPDdEje0A5MhAjTZ-q82IKtZ8UMIEzXT5w39no8elp_DHn_TfDp4/s400/144.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94KeblKOSHFNJhAmscjPWoNiN3Jyt12-iKUfvjcERCScMNDjZXn537QPZgRtXHMRV9yiGV5c2aXTfl56iM1-q8wEPNVsCvKK5MvjsWibWTpA5GO4RF8V67H0LU49vVZ_uMmLw7wCaEzU/s1600-h/139.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064079239086466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94KeblKOSHFNJhAmscjPWoNiN3Jyt12-iKUfvjcERCScMNDjZXn537QPZgRtXHMRV9yiGV5c2aXTfl56iM1-q8wEPNVsCvKK5MvjsWibWTpA5GO4RF8V67H0LU49vVZ_uMmLw7wCaEzU/s400/139.jpg" border="0" /></a> Conner, Taylor, Jordan and Jordan's friend (sorry, can't remember your name!)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3aywyRB3LSlNfWTjm9dG2BDPBisNu6Dr_AbdxnhNRtq0WEeKXIvnPFbFI0jXpyJLoc2NMPEi2HXKFdQJQtOjNrlyyiLUbJOXO4Lt3FQ5T2h5hl7ilrMH4udjBo7Forh3MN1_00UFzcE/s1600-h/137.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064064520725570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3aywyRB3LSlNfWTjm9dG2BDPBisNu6Dr_AbdxnhNRtq0WEeKXIvnPFbFI0jXpyJLoc2NMPEi2HXKFdQJQtOjNrlyyiLUbJOXO4Lt3FQ5T2h5hl7ilrMH4udjBo7Forh3MN1_00UFzcE/s400/137.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bathing Beauties...and Paul!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEchMB38h1McQWInKfuDm05Tm6xqCDD36CGE3urCPC2mroy-DAy3vFFdqzYltl4tEZvjyV_cwe54G1_3C7gwNjsZUuPY4VSu9FmTmgOSA1pLQ85Y3eKrCWzO_rF-qGKMvnH-dtv2HiGU/s1600-h/130.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064053178315922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEchMB38h1McQWInKfuDm05Tm6xqCDD36CGE3urCPC2mroy-DAy3vFFdqzYltl4tEZvjyV_cwe54G1_3C7gwNjsZUuPY4VSu9FmTmgOSA1pLQ85Y3eKrCWzO_rF-qGKMvnH-dtv2HiGU/s400/130.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI5K_tLv6bI5C0x8eHyC55-VLep-vkNowPf7RfS_jna6BHVwNug3gNC9YXfdcuDB6QrJ4rwz1GJOLr6mUbVs0fdLZ9nEAxvoCxHILmVCTGMQngBuKicvgJJpiCv83c0VsGfLwpqr2qhI/s1600-h/127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064044863583634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI5K_tLv6bI5C0x8eHyC55-VLep-vkNowPf7RfS_jna6BHVwNug3gNC9YXfdcuDB6QrJ4rwz1GJOLr6mUbVs0fdLZ9nEAxvoCxHILmVCTGMQngBuKicvgJJpiCv83c0VsGfLwpqr2qhI/s400/127.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaK8SVURQizzPKQhw66UXmPxcLNjWTtSpKY8qqcshuIFFDsJ_N7xrbXeXMtoyvJJvPC2eUfofXdry2z6yhncoDesrZykg768wRxv2fKK0_g8_fnWjtDZma3rZJLlX13wTah8HE7hJ4wA/s1600-h/140.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376999905049496066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaK8SVURQizzPKQhw66UXmPxcLNjWTtSpKY8qqcshuIFFDsJ_N7xrbXeXMtoyvJJvPC2eUfofXdry2z6yhncoDesrZykg768wRxv2fKK0_g8_fnWjtDZma3rZJLlX13wTah8HE7hJ4wA/s400/140.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Matt and Alan helping the kids with their castle. I don't know who has more fun playing in the dirt, the big boys or the little boys!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083910032832194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ8e6gPPUHrmrAaHzMrLWSWIdsnAhTfksH7C4dkX4ASLtgqE6iRfL3JhT_zX4g3Uojtk4pD2noAJE7gq6s6iMWHgOCtHUGvMQxB7ecRXyR4YjtAhrLzRwDX9IOalsEcK0dG22Ab-mjSU/s400/DSC01725.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDqKoUyCxab3WF49T9232xsTY3QbUOqyt2iAenl1YcKS_LyOTGUu-dKcq8DxRAKafxowhEOVK63isRuwRCd_p9aF_PYql9AuQI5BTyL2_u5Ux4-rR1ToFnhphkSjorCCi4MZpudVlbik/s1600-h/138.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376999896987215634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDqKoUyCxab3WF49T9232xsTY3QbUOqyt2iAenl1YcKS_LyOTGUu-dKcq8DxRAKafxowhEOVK63isRuwRCd_p9aF_PYql9AuQI5BTyL2_u5Ux4-rR1ToFnhphkSjorCCi4MZpudVlbik/s400/138.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8l1HmdaGTlw0ZD3PZNz8JCKvYeELlR1faZHwNpIaJVMbpy9iyDFU8fNSsbbVdAYOFcR_j6ziWqf3qBQf4OewSdmUXgVmSFnNKVuQsIsDNQtzouiFDdmE4l6PHQnrRXisseHiGl4fyaQ/s1600-h/136.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376999882538948722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8l1HmdaGTlw0ZD3PZNz8JCKvYeELlR1faZHwNpIaJVMbpy9iyDFU8fNSsbbVdAYOFcR_j6ziWqf3qBQf4OewSdmUXgVmSFnNKVuQsIsDNQtzouiFDdmE4l6PHQnrRXisseHiGl4fyaQ/s400/136.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvFUBnEDOqFQ0vGRubAK20dfjMEMA_abASXN5Ku_nxBKd33YHnoZhO2mDnWbL855nT6-1zjDqJPV2tVxM5aaFYzqvrtRZvC6FNcYNEu7nllKaoPw28Qre-Ca3FAIorHmY8s0Cj9kFktw/s1600-h/135.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376999870177666066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvFUBnEDOqFQ0vGRubAK20dfjMEMA_abASXN5Ku_nxBKd33YHnoZhO2mDnWbL855nT6-1zjDqJPV2tVxM5aaFYzqvrtRZvC6FNcYNEu7nllKaoPw28Qre-Ca3FAIorHmY8s0Cj9kFktw/s400/135.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Off to find lizards!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUbnIh300TUS7WwuT7fyhqQbfLh3kyA4Yffg_Hdv9Ilfp9WBv_B4Ya6Mdkwpx4O_mAuYq9UxuFLtSrIRgejp-v-NpvmBgYzqhyphenhyphen-4yp1RHgN6sndk6QhYyZV_OtwGiZWUEpbI9yEqW4_I/s1600-h/128.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376999862505252082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUbnIh300TUS7WwuT7fyhqQbfLh3kyA4Yffg_Hdv9Ilfp9WBv_B4Ya6Mdkwpx4O_mAuYq9UxuFLtSrIRgejp-v-NpvmBgYzqhyphenhyphen-4yp1RHgN6sndk6QhYyZV_OtwGiZWUEpbI9yEqW4_I/s400/128.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><div> </div><div>What a perfect summer vacation! Can't wait for next year!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-90540982400964259262009-08-30T16:31:00.000-07:002009-08-30T20:22:42.727-07:00Dyreng Campout<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Dyreng Family Campout</span></strong> </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375646896615358594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLtHkhCIsp-VWCdC8fgryKvS5pGHvimFf34ZPW7UbHoB-VsVnmue1G19rEzX6OuOtCp9ie0xMOfvD_af-YYHcT3-fqN6dFvJGIpindBCdfydxPzUzLBLhN1ALDWVwPHmS9w9iBuF55_A/s400/DSC_0500.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">The highlight for my summer this year was spending a few days at 12 Mile Canyon with my family. What made it so special was that we were all together. I was constantly reminded how much I love each one of them; how each person contributes to the completeness of our family; and how grateful I am to have such an amazing family! </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklH-r2NQRIdsbAmdplXVSbywkHyhpAMyOLNWPR1dGQIMrDzS0sUtBdc21rkg6njrOZIY8TaiYRGxwYFeiF-wEoxNvhsKMrtVhV0biUWRJKey0dblG238muyubV4Q2qDt0iGngnMBb1H4/s1600-h/dyrengs.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375641014029130098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmMxAy2WFo-UP9xZIzXzU05TG9sy9_IRPk95M9ufuIkCpARf9YfTVthL64ZL_eLEX9CIz3OduY7dvQlc_y5v1Bo5-BxsHXNVzYFpAgdkVjWodF675dUMUyz1SeUx2khj_6hM12zOusnY/s400/DSC_0350.jpg" border="0" /><br />One of our adventures took us for a little hike to a waterfall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AChYADiYl6cNwprdNa77pxx3wW7uf3DjwpS0y8XC2e_BNo6RLq-FN78tkG7O9HMJIXeGHmrOTKiZKi8yeJxCzwK2fkivRlRjytfXPLzI6WMpQTITMVCFFbEmZfgT-8_ChWqi1D5YPNU/s1600-h/waterfall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375642977829158178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AChYADiYl6cNwprdNa77pxx3wW7uf3DjwpS0y8XC2e_BNo6RLq-FN78tkG7O9HMJIXeGHmrOTKiZKi8yeJxCzwK2fkivRlRjytfXPLzI6WMpQTITMVCFFbEmZfgT-8_ChWqi1D5YPNU/s400/waterfall.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRSKgyjBAo0qvLJrZZh3MYk9yRZUxuF1UvMGGDg6ntvkIDBQIEqhDxJhzq8ZOK-vrXpjukcSxbKXcVwinYFnCwkyTLjSXRBUyDw03d94hK0blT17rlaRaezuPkR9CBpDgsyPaj5tXEV0/s1600-h/camp2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375641908198201250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRSKgyjBAo0qvLJrZZh3MYk9yRZUxuF1UvMGGDg6ntvkIDBQIEqhDxJhzq8ZOK-vrXpjukcSxbKXcVwinYFnCwkyTLjSXRBUyDw03d94hK0blT17rlaRaezuPkR9CBpDgsyPaj5tXEV0/s400/camp2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><br /><div>Of course the dump trucks were a hit...even Aunt Natalie couldn't resist!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiBdJKYNdgWnXIj71GKg_Q2cpKeAvodC9ZRfetvZlPwAPr27OrI0j4U-hpSedJsq8Zntsptm5RqnmmnAxUGkxxtzXXeQdQpQCYhw2Ge4TqwTOY5qfR_MV5-psVn5VSvfvZKFlepUbiyo/s1600-h/DSC_0475.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375641000319383170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiBdJKYNdgWnXIj71GKg_Q2cpKeAvodC9ZRfetvZlPwAPr27OrI0j4U-hpSedJsq8Zntsptm5RqnmmnAxUGkxxtzXXeQdQpQCYhw2Ge4TqwTOY5qfR_MV5-psVn5VSvfvZKFlepUbiyo/s400/DSC_0475.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaBWHn9aLk0CPL9zV0ihO8gLJg6gByOB_1fF_eBmGz_awPzC33O1-t-6PEuwirPxy55RLChVhpJX5-VfaXtUl91BRW8i0xK4Z2Av7F_a2L7jA8I5NcwnTgx3iDTPqw1yUbjcFNtogbk4/s1600-h/DSC01577.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375640994339829938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaBWHn9aLk0CPL9zV0ihO8gLJg6gByOB_1fF_eBmGz_awPzC33O1-t-6PEuwirPxy55RLChVhpJX5-VfaXtUl91BRW8i0xK4Z2Av7F_a2L7jA8I5NcwnTgx3iDTPqw1yUbjcFNtogbk4/s400/DSC01577.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What cute boys!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwe7Y4nhiebDasdwO6mvTsHpnsgJSx4DSYaIuC6hoY_WW2xC5-Q1iONHcuABcpUh16RpdvfXQdJ42jtCalZ8OqNur5VmMBzK1Pkye_t7us87U3bIhhl1SD-B2-U6mE-JFx-Fogfndu4I/s1600-h/DSC01579.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375639323078495282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwe7Y4nhiebDasdwO6mvTsHpnsgJSx4DSYaIuC6hoY_WW2xC5-Q1iONHcuABcpUh16RpdvfXQdJ42jtCalZ8OqNur5VmMBzK1Pkye_t7us87U3bIhhl1SD-B2-U6mE-JFx-Fogfndu4I/s400/DSC01579.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Campfire fun<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-FU2gC7kMDjcGhYp_1N5TzBkYONsGmVUtphae40u_qXMEfWwZVMMXSXx2fNZuvMkr6LqLmadIf6Yw3gEFlOKixPdFqCONb0gN3BIQOikEXiZr8zjMvLPgVQ1aBMLqbFZyY_N_G5bHzc/s1600-h/DSC_0485.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375639308956507042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-FU2gC7kMDjcGhYp_1N5TzBkYONsGmVUtphae40u_qXMEfWwZVMMXSXx2fNZuvMkr6LqLmadIf6Yw3gEFlOKixPdFqCONb0gN3BIQOikEXiZr8zjMvLPgVQ1aBMLqbFZyY_N_G5bHzc/s400/DSC_0485.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag8Z9i6j7jBh18tHkqIpT-PtCF4h24EhXkujxGGjS-lKjUI1dvbDMcqnzE3xIdkiOSMSzN8hAsF3CcgRQ8uAWxBsWL99T69uHWTDQZ_BSse6TC4aZf3PM6zH-d0ICALZPFnki7TwmuMY/s1600-h/DSC01573.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375639302862283234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag8Z9i6j7jBh18tHkqIpT-PtCF4h24EhXkujxGGjS-lKjUI1dvbDMcqnzE3xIdkiOSMSzN8hAsF3CcgRQ8uAWxBsWL99T69uHWTDQZ_BSse6TC4aZf3PM6zH-d0ICALZPFnki7TwmuMY/s400/DSC01573.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><br />Thomas and Kristyn<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoh23aLwDq6I6G2kV4LkS5bpZre7clYUNGNo0YBJddlP6warz8CYzO_nNeYENeglNmIAraCsVaLPHu210xnQIyaTKdYFjBSA9r2kYJJSYq0uEn-MVGqoFqnIlT4gljMItLyLjifXR9P8/s1600-h/DSC01618.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375639279779917474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoh23aLwDq6I6G2kV4LkS5bpZre7clYUNGNo0YBJddlP6warz8CYzO_nNeYENeglNmIAraCsVaLPHu210xnQIyaTKdYFjBSA9r2kYJJSYq0uEn-MVGqoFqnIlT4gljMItLyLjifXR9P8/s400/DSC01618.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>Such a good dad!<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369602255114571986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv7AHHjoE5RAO7ozIHrzO9URWiGvExQHwMiKXc7OQ_KBd0cMngcoK8J9cs_n-_tCPnjS6LqK6_e1pRn2kzmlK0t9Ru06MnqDI5nYq4gP56iW1TjyqsQpyQRho3ylRxRbIk57Ty7bdB7A/s400/July+09+048_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br />We spent a lot of time on the trails and loved the rides on the 4-wheelers, jeeps, Mule, and Razor<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZpuELaRjMFP7gQc8ceBSQY_xNTPFkA6QzygTPkUR_vbRFSy4-LhH3-qC4walsqkyIAH9Qurp6SoZV6KFejvGH8UN0pl457PUUfgf277kQ_UZPYwjejrxyzpD9hzRAV_CgbPutLAm-tg/s1600-h/DSC_0386.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375635119667815986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimc6QZSmBj1pUsQ8w6wIVlBIQEvi9NZd1oHz6aCR8O_GU9FaYkYW_Hs2bXP0rRepdI3VkHLzT2aIOx7w_yK0FNok5z-Ofp4lLE58wSaBb9zWuaUD1l7a6PS3fpAlcbZkPqb0ZpU4DYJE/s400/camp.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNcfeYxt9h89JHoJwfeX1wfsBdIx_3i67dEa5MwsxHCT6Z9F25MGKdDH9dWcnMVjBUuO_PGqJRWHyEj05r62Edu5QG-JygobGMg-LmxSwVpjE_Q6HKLBJ_y4u-Jpr0KHwz_jYO8jBero/s1600-h/DSC_0499.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375637885816768978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNcfeYxt9h89JHoJwfeX1wfsBdIx_3i67dEa5MwsxHCT6Z9F25MGKdDH9dWcnMVjBUuO_PGqJRWHyEj05r62Edu5QG-JygobGMg-LmxSwVpjE_Q6HKLBJ_y4u-Jpr0KHwz_jYO8jBero/s400/DSC_0499.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_XA6DvqfhkiaY4EEmcDfjTkMaNBOHEpNrp3tLqGB8vFG8mc8k1DRoCKEkgGwlAqadSx-uiGZ1J1ycR8Unw1cDA1v6dVYdAi5xlB1Wx-MOTpDdXav25y7y_aJq1MxwkYyRYg0eWStdXA/s1600-h/DSC01665.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375637877472178786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_XA6DvqfhkiaY4EEmcDfjTkMaNBOHEpNrp3tLqGB8vFG8mc8k1DRoCKEkgGwlAqadSx-uiGZ1J1ycR8Unw1cDA1v6dVYdAi5xlB1Wx-MOTpDdXav25y7y_aJq1MxwkYyRYg0eWStdXA/s400/DSC01665.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTun_XbbVnTfQqV9QV_hXoQKePAhcfUChha1NvdVsrcvk6rU7Qy3OE7-OSwcmfwOMgEHWCCLdWL3y0cZnhy9t-0j6XajSXl6NQW9CojFsetoYyMofBi8qBbM8CJGCosFoh2OBCC7Dky8/s1600-h/DSC01600.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375637867228291986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTun_XbbVnTfQqV9QV_hXoQKePAhcfUChha1NvdVsrcvk6rU7Qy3OE7-OSwcmfwOMgEHWCCLdWL3y0cZnhy9t-0j6XajSXl6NQW9CojFsetoYyMofBi8qBbM8CJGCosFoh2OBCC7Dky8/s400/DSC01600.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul6_SsQ4naQUaEDDoENUxhswnVtLKHinSdEGg0JxjtTADdA217N-M1x7eF7Pdzyt3sUKtfs4XwZhW2K1-mBcs_EojJTvkIqfsA7CWLkIrbw4Z7WpvLB4v3DpCKgcoWZcLEQBn1c0S_x4/s1600-h/ride2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375636751308926594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul6_SsQ4naQUaEDDoENUxhswnVtLKHinSdEGg0JxjtTADdA217N-M1x7eF7Pdzyt3sUKtfs4XwZhW2K1-mBcs_EojJTvkIqfsA7CWLkIrbw4Z7WpvLB4v3DpCKgcoWZcLEQBn1c0S_x4/s400/ride2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369603317861121730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 354px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwuIQjqBkP6i0Wuc027tLLmEhqIfLTYpc2Yzq1vW1aXNiosbdsSAW43Sbujw7M9pyTViddZFUPzeeYSC6pukhzKM-aRotDjzgObp7QCh0LHKOkCtcIBSjcaQd2pfPi_tYfoNRvnyawO0/s400/July+09+043_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBSHdnbVIBRUK-QESrLU2uk86p30Q0Gb0RMFqIM5CCoHAWx3ioA_HFpfEw_NgTRo4nQHuybhI4MVN_d8x6pdd2JAhODrGAdCbeOkfjdyRjELUL7zAiwSCAsBApeZ7J6_I8NUW4Mk5I14/s1600-h/ride.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375635276113922242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBSHdnbVIBRUK-QESrLU2uk86p30Q0Gb0RMFqIM5CCoHAWx3ioA_HFpfEw_NgTRo4nQHuybhI4MVN_d8x6pdd2JAhODrGAdCbeOkfjdyRjELUL7zAiwSCAsBApeZ7J6_I8NUW4Mk5I14/s400/ride.jpg" border="0" /></a> The hours spent on the bumpy trails definately paid off when enjoying this view!</div><div></div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369603303205825362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi7f7LySBH298eo-rxqZ4UZkb8AKw8NtlK0zD72yMw9t0EiC22h__ptn8NLAVGNLDheFDlmqQu3i4SVFIROOWk1JC-ONTrlBmZawoNvLNDjky1qKfSbRNPHB_KcQCMRqEN8w9KZgscFY/s400/July+09+038_edited.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369603291979387666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8lJT4hMhD009nTD2nNeYo126F0TZSLpEXCd9SQl5BVncX-yFd3lQpWCDSHCGZF6NZJbUEjryogPKq7izm57XKCNGCBxQHLB_HbWLSDHriuLG_fkjwbiaB6JByElmpNpIn129_RbN6j8/s400/July+09+037_edited.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div><br />On Sunday, Hunter was quite upset that we were having church in the mountains. He kept saying, "We don't have church in the mountains!" But his attitude quickly changed when he watched the big boys and Grandpa act out the Book of Mormon story of King Lamoni and Ammon. We were so impressed with the creativity and performance of our men! The kids especially loved the battle scene and when the arms got cut off!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuzrvsa7APbLLjofhwrRQf7I_szX3nSGBQSrUCaSN1ndOVp2E6l8II5bPxEWC1TXRPcB-CH2jOBFFyuPJ6sKAM6cwLUdcGBLpHUChRVpEzGF3fObhA_haJyYai_8rO0rP5PotcYrJGog/s1600-h/sunday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375631512266461538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuzrvsa7APbLLjofhwrRQf7I_szX3nSGBQSrUCaSN1ndOVp2E6l8II5bPxEWC1TXRPcB-CH2jOBFFyuPJ6sKAM6cwLUdcGBLpHUChRVpEzGF3fObhA_haJyYai_8rO0rP5PotcYrJGog/s400/sunday.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS1V2zn7K0yIzlJeX553iDne4hjP8cew-4-ZrKe1jC0RfpwUMlP84iLEujcpUGlJtv69txn5rAxI6ucjpqSZ1IvLifmCEbzYMZ59fL65gCBQHCaYEkWmYk5YcYPxjOu3rxUDfxr4F0Xw/s1600-h/DSC01610.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375631234592747138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS1V2zn7K0yIzlJeX553iDne4hjP8cew-4-ZrKe1jC0RfpwUMlP84iLEujcpUGlJtv69txn5rAxI6ucjpqSZ1IvLifmCEbzYMZ59fL65gCBQHCaYEkWmYk5YcYPxjOu3rxUDfxr4F0Xw/s400/DSC01610.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Grandpa and Grandma Dyreng came up for dinner Sunday night and it is always such a treat to have them around. Despite being in their 80's, they don't let their age slow them or their fun sense of humor down! They are such amazing people. I love and respect them so much. Through their example they have taught me what's most important in life...the Gospel and Family. They have always served so faithfully and diligently in the church. Grandma has stood by Grandpa's side through many years of him serving as bishop, stake president, temple workers, and now the stake patriarch and a sealer in the temple. They still always made time and put our family as a top priority. I have spent countless hours enjoying 12 Mile Canyon, Lake Powell, backyard BBQ's, Sunday dinners, card games, and laughing with them. They have kept us a very close-knit family and I love and admire them so much!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTn4Mz_TGohwFvG_6Uoe2Ixxzb6DhnOuNGdl1Xl1LskFYLj_nrNs_4I36ptlHWr5DVH7Y7k7AYlducjVDVT3O6jxoOIPc0jpxxv67T2-fmpBYBA7tfgDoLdUwZh__cDLELx0IyuSMLsE/s1600-h/grandparents.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375626564977306722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTn4Mz_TGohwFvG_6Uoe2Ixxzb6DhnOuNGdl1Xl1LskFYLj_nrNs_4I36ptlHWr5DVH7Y7k7AYlducjVDVT3O6jxoOIPc0jpxxv67T2-fmpBYBA7tfgDoLdUwZh__cDLELx0IyuSMLsE/s400/grandparents.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A visit from the <span style="font-size:180%;"><em>TROLL</em>!!<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSPC67_akLxB326AOXtegUjhQpw2rUyj3dDhqSN5w-m1Y36YtgNXlo9b6Z3fjlVvf1xlMQtmiE3sLl7IpL7368MRwY8lN30Cfvf0e8L2UUtdJbF0oPWWyCbnsW2eXbgDDafEzfnjQv4s/s1600-h/troll.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375624965799845970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSPC67_akLxB326AOXtegUjhQpw2rUyj3dDhqSN5w-m1Y36YtgNXlo9b6Z3fjlVvf1xlMQtmiE3sLl7IpL7368MRwY8lN30Cfvf0e8L2UUtdJbF0oPWWyCbnsW2eXbgDDafEzfnjQv4s/s400/troll.jpg" border="0" /></a> We have a history in the family with this troll...used last year to help the kids stay out of the neighbors yard, the troll has since revisited to give a little scare when necessary to whip the kids into shape. After the adults enjoyed a good laugh, the terrified kids had to be told the truth...the Troll is not real...only Jake or Natalie dressed in a costume. Despite this explanation and Natalie even showing herself in the costuem in daylight, the kids still talk as if the troll is real!</div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOGM-dwnGVkuTdzSsHlyvB-KC7wkMIBOzmgqYGXngMAxUE-lPXm4YMmE4FGDkVRJv7lnZFn2Ri7fOUA9Iu0zZIEBRmpq96WpOSRIWJ8HPl8V1X5e-luCtSMq7rLZ-g1LFHPc32xHFaGY/s1600-h/DSC_0493.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375623993160359506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOGM-dwnGVkuTdzSsHlyvB-KC7wkMIBOzmgqYGXngMAxUE-lPXm4YMmE4FGDkVRJv7lnZFn2Ri7fOUA9Iu0zZIEBRmpq96WpOSRIWJ8HPl8V1X5e-luCtSMq7rLZ-g1LFHPc32xHFaGY/s400/DSC_0493.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div align="center"><br /><div>Gotta love those surprise visits from the Ranger. Luckily we talked ourselves out of ticket! The boys sure know how to smooze their way out of things!<br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375639286804806434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLgfGj6G0AIqfrJMZDrEHG3lsCCZb3WuKCuZ5vL-l5gWw_35DJt81j9fVRBC30-D0h_yTC542efJX6yGvmXa38-6V9paSt1eYqavPsALIssNlusy0LnZT0piIIricns0dxvoP7BwQYmM/s400/DSC_0357.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The kids loved their craft activity, their very own pony. They were very clever with names, like Mason's: "Golden Horse Silver Riding Horse"<br /></div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcTn2ZBPfXKISO6K0LUNXL4TFVwRjYHzPkchyphenhyphen1uj2-VbgehzBxIJg5IGP3r-KwZDO5gaO5odjlswC7CSFAKGG8rFVCDEA4DkW2NLXkb5cTzInJ7mbQZoQ9NyjC0R5Z7orMHSEsbQigU0/s1600-h/July+09+051_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369602224304110194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcTn2ZBPfXKISO6K0LUNXL4TFVwRjYHzPkchyphenhyphen1uj2-VbgehzBxIJg5IGP3r-KwZDO5gaO5odjlswC7CSFAKGG8rFVCDEA4DkW2NLXkb5cTzInJ7mbQZoQ9NyjC0R5Z7orMHSEsbQigU0/s400/July+09+051_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedi36Q2rLUQgLB5widEUdfGLSAvfFMg_7PWRR43KmqTTl-IB_4A_T9Jd0kCKY2p4hYqPHrXsMnWws8mvm453c4FEgd_c2rTyQvpfOcCOs6axR-l8gstDZBmCgAU3yYGRCx0d2aA1onw0/s1600-h/July+09+047_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369602213080143138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedi36Q2rLUQgLB5widEUdfGLSAvfFMg_7PWRR43KmqTTl-IB_4A_T9Jd0kCKY2p4hYqPHrXsMnWws8mvm453c4FEgd_c2rTyQvpfOcCOs6axR-l8gstDZBmCgAU3yYGRCx0d2aA1onw0/s400/July+09+047_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76XWHYALadnli_0166fz6U8NsF1tkF_Jy8NL0EXLRReF02JUEl0i2SjF4kmyrAd0EG71g_zbI0kLyGbBuikns3MROUwqpXvfVsN-xzrDbwkjTu0eRI2Moo2gW_LaX4VV2ZPPpCM_FwwI/s1600-h/July+09+042_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369602203497699874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76XWHYALadnli_0166fz6U8NsF1tkF_Jy8NL0EXLRReF02JUEl0i2SjF4kmyrAd0EG71g_zbI0kLyGbBuikns3MROUwqpXvfVsN-xzrDbwkjTu0eRI2Moo2gW_LaX4VV2ZPPpCM_FwwI/s400/July+09+042_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvIp5SEv01mtUbaXDbdKqsvISZ8EW_PJuWR8x2alcLXqlq1DjqQUFY2X9tQYyhuQRPS2k_7edJR5qdjSzw7VhU1b3NdpiV_W5PSxbLmOoFGm4E8d7Vtz-wkEaxkHsk_IO6P0h-HFSqUY/s1600-h/July+09+036_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369602189652860146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvIp5SEv01mtUbaXDbdKqsvISZ8EW_PJuWR8x2alcLXqlq1DjqQUFY2X9tQYyhuQRPS2k_7edJR5qdjSzw7VhU1b3NdpiV_W5PSxbLmOoFGm4E8d7Vtz-wkEaxkHsk_IO6P0h-HFSqUY/s400/July+09+036_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Thanks for a wonderful campout! We had such a great time and cherish the many memories made!! Can't wait for next year!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-45491855737423664222009-08-20T16:20:00.000-07:002009-09-02T15:08:46.919-07:00Happy Birthday Madelyn<div align="center">I can't believe Madelyn turned <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">7</span></strong> this year! She is growing up so fast and becoming such a beautiful, sweet girl. I am so proud of her and for the accomplishments she has made this past year. I am also so grateful for the sweet spirit she has and brings into our home.</div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center">Here are <strong>Seven </strong>things I love about <strong>Madelyn</strong>: </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1. Madelyn is a peacemaker; she's always the first one to </div><div align="center">give something up to make someone else happy.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">2. She is a great example to her brothers and always watching out for them.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">3. She is such a great helper at home and loves to-do lists! (that's my girl!)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4. She is outgoing, makes friends easily and treats them with kindness.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">5. Madelyn is a good student; she tries her best in all she does.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">6. She loves to be busy and productive. Some of her favorite things to do are dance, sing, play baseball, soccer, read Junie B. Jones, and play with friends.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">7. Madelyn has a very sweet and strong spirit. She wants to do what is right, please Mom and Dad, and most importantly follow Jesus.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We love you so much! Happy 7th Birthday!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Opening Presents...</div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375967066174812130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4zCnc58cTKfEVaU_wN5Kt94N4AB6fuRUIz-TawMNmP16ewnB3eU7j0seJTikcY6rpkxQXPm3G-aOqWSfDvjMaf5dOPFxtwHlk31-G2vxgFb5ZJXIoJ41yVNd22O8Ck2bfJzqJ4zzotM/s400/DSC01678.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Enjoying an outdoor garden birthday party with lots of family<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375967096893103314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4xJuM5onMIoF3GYd0Aa887cruIaPXAiNsZkAbGJgirqQqIT-N6aVzd6y3_8UP7V5mr8fRZE8M3fdj6yMNowFVlG8NLQajwvoGIqyfUftBK8hGAAGrpw1Pp3073mfx5iM3JJfVykinKk/s400/DSC01685.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI04uAWTMqweQNLiGOGRb_ocjF3h-P6B72cHi91s-uHwzbj-TyzkRpHTOy2wFVzNpqVFSaoomH3oUNk5o7Qt3dNdt2lUaL1d8-SeCeDtCZoU2Xn9nFZMbMd3Ci7vrwLV0oXig7jG04O4/s1600-h/DSC01681.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375967086742231410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI04uAWTMqweQNLiGOGRb_ocjF3h-P6B72cHi91s-uHwzbj-TyzkRpHTOy2wFVzNpqVFSaoomH3oUNk5o7Qt3dNdt2lUaL1d8-SeCeDtCZoU2Xn9nFZMbMd3Ci7vrwLV0oXig7jG04O4/s400/DSC01681.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Spending girl time with her friend Gracie<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAWNB8wOcuEJMGB18zCnMDoBXzXVubkstBGHCfbEvUr4ImZUDE6rLrcKyxeGcoZ29vBC5tb0QMhGQiEM7EHyarHgjLLO43Q3_BpI8DGj2L2PmTfmOhZ_K4cxDKq16-GT3fD2PKk1uR84/s1600-h/DSC01680.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375967078166325058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAWNB8wOcuEJMGB18zCnMDoBXzXVubkstBGHCfbEvUr4ImZUDE6rLrcKyxeGcoZ29vBC5tb0QMhGQiEM7EHyarHgjLLO43Q3_BpI8DGj2L2PmTfmOhZ_K4cxDKq16-GT3fD2PKk1uR84/s400/DSC01680.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A card from Nana and Grandpa</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mnq0J7aybHsdDacw5eBtwQWUtFM1AVa0ybNcyQ0XuG_b82pt2ptmAht9QVjJCROVWdSAvttvDld8aDC64XNej5GdOWjCZ0DSIa-hmwBDvlCbBaRzUOvAJ3ZX21kG2z3PwvNta9rF1t8/s1600-h/July+09+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372244828337407490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mnq0J7aybHsdDacw5eBtwQWUtFM1AVa0ybNcyQ0XuG_b82pt2ptmAht9QVjJCROVWdSAvttvDld8aDC64XNej5GdOWjCZ0DSIa-hmwBDvlCbBaRzUOvAJ3ZX21kG2z3PwvNta9rF1t8/s400/July+09+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the cousins<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwFGhZ_UyHaV9VucKTljutNf4HwVAQNiNeAQVD6lX61xRq5UN4XRlrbvhzCagvwX7Fh-N8yRO1RvbMrkg9a6acyr2VJfq0SWpQIVnQSqN6t2PUfhiuNDvq53UInLu-Itq6VZ5H0YDugE/s1600-h/July+09+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372244822054998562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwFGhZ_UyHaV9VucKTljutNf4HwVAQNiNeAQVD6lX61xRq5UN4XRlrbvhzCagvwX7Fh-N8yRO1RvbMrkg9a6acyr2VJfq0SWpQIVnQSqN6t2PUfhiuNDvq53UInLu-Itq6VZ5H0YDugE/s400/July+09+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Little Chef Birthday Party</span></strong><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372191344592484226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbijSw_bh93HEeLmRf3UJJcAuhLXiMcQHjPv9wht6aM6UmAuOoYGkm5NJEGelqaGWa89nbJyIgPwBCPs0fnvUmYMVDFydZqaS8Iz4c_Hvo4k-XT10WApPZWZs4x9L8gVyG_MBZPrRZ-oI/s400/July+09+007_edited.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div align="center">One of Madelyn's favorite things to do is help Mom in the kitchen. So for her birthday party, Madelyn and her friends became "Little Chefs" themselves...creating their personalized aprons, making their own pizzas and decorating cupcakes. We had lots of fun!<br /><br />Here they are: Madelyn, Azaria Chapman, Chase Smith, Logan Lunt, Allison, Aspen Smith and Elise Christensen</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372191363155088754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmndBjmo9duNn1fMELT5UKOSXX2oUxytRRBw8MbpRZvaa2isAwVWu1mA6s0TOD-NXLsqq1zNT88rU_Gew-uwnAF4vsUflby3aeDOTRodEpdN9GP6odmVCcvrHBsokmcV9d9xnCDKZ2UA/s400/July+09+003_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372191353937183890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeLY4BbDjbg3je70-yDrynG2HMgFKdrCMEWRKY4U-7FVk0K9OjK2N8_eXl47UxzlMfuoZgm75seJ9_mKMcaYju5P7FsbVDe-CyY6MQFxTXVgI1JJurrWN6F6xcrjIKM6gh8ZplY-pC0s/s400/July+09+017_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIOqux65kqr6ZktO-As-eUikrv2rqTAZjDq0RLAkp1csarqFkq-Mz_bZn2I1COFijzvnDfxOcEBW5cC5i9D9AHobInihMLgJv0S4wIL3BxnYVeczkEH3VBCZxdnguet_0pdgIXiL_Nw0/s1600-h/July+09+016_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372193877846153106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIOqux65kqr6ZktO-As-eUikrv2rqTAZjDq0RLAkp1csarqFkq-Mz_bZn2I1COFijzvnDfxOcEBW5cC5i9D9AHobInihMLgJv0S4wIL3BxnYVeczkEH3VBCZxdnguet_0pdgIXiL_Nw0/s400/July+09+016_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372193897620050162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdvEh2tSITjxcibA_gqP9C95y_PiCzHKqhW4Em4jwtT3ih68xfQcCXHnTKsyf1k4gFDN1rnGUyESqjqad-G-D3o7XaEDm6s7jl9Am1kx1TyOF4yM5umIfhKVWQoabVBxWlxkbDtF6Lw8/s400/Copy+of+July+09+011_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIJFwsLGyZdthasyKSoYtF81axboPB5EuJ4G7MCWBmCFKNJp4tCu3uiJq2FgCp29Uo_J24eDBVh0WS6K_hx_7HN2tYAIpHAxC_sOFonsbMpNjUk__0GYlvw3tVOGO5zu5v1pBZ6ib7ZA/s1600-h/July+09+013_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372193871715766866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 361px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIJFwsLGyZdthasyKSoYtF81axboPB5EuJ4G7MCWBmCFKNJp4tCu3uiJq2FgCp29Uo_J24eDBVh0WS6K_hx_7HN2tYAIpHAxC_sOFonsbMpNjUk__0GYlvw3tVOGO5zu5v1pBZ6ib7ZA/s400/July+09+013_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-_xnIroYvX9dPsMB-KU3v5S62F77961kbjtxuYsua3-1dx6XbIHKVs1ufKdooYN1AQ6UVJrtrkQgY3o95fiqxvBjaT8SiaAZ_wt1XnHw7PtmnD8XJQUPhkMzrEu2dkEoz-Eia7eu4tw/s1600-h/July+09+012_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372193857086110802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-_xnIroYvX9dPsMB-KU3v5S62F77961kbjtxuYsua3-1dx6XbIHKVs1ufKdooYN1AQ6UVJrtrkQgY3o95fiqxvBjaT8SiaAZ_wt1XnHw7PtmnD8XJQUPhkMzrEu2dkEoz-Eia7eu4tw/s400/July+09+012_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8HWpfjlMXJvrNMY55ZvTBj6IkCqlhDlkMSdsdjJ1NBpJRK2ZhlDsw41X8r4Rox6nzdOkkwnZxhG1SSum_NweQWnmbJObd7NjYMwqqKpnXTZzC7z5uM0L9ZEGjH2IA0IbXoVAnkjtG5U/s1600-h/Copy+of+July+09+005_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372191382476314114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8HWpfjlMXJvrNMY55ZvTBj6IkCqlhDlkMSdsdjJ1NBpJRK2ZhlDsw41X8r4Rox6nzdOkkwnZxhG1SSum_NweQWnmbJObd7NjYMwqqKpnXTZzC7z5uM0L9ZEGjH2IA0IbXoVAnkjtG5U/s400/Copy+of+July+09+005_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372191373931335346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3sr-RDbqh9e4cK-3k7_qi2sYAsjE5wpm6ni27eSWdQMJuxefrE5lCMznm0Rw8cwZQgd1q8eFQjk-FHlQRkLhmlk_9FplmIwasu8UjkzbsWFYcb2kEXK0uO75sDwX8OxUE7szx0V8lTw/s400/Copy+of+July+09+004_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372193891556018610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL8zodIiWDCSHKeXo3uTdDpiYIc_jNvJIlJ2knab3_uyL3Evn1me60tWLniAB6aLrN-cMBQkoBlRgzOs8QmUPvAvaqdjaTIPJwRh3tTBnKxWnG9-cj8WwVnlq2qAPmW25oR7vd_OgDq8/s400/July+09+006.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372244810156816994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 371px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ9FWhTukChWZ1PM4UflW6Si1A9AnfpE1I_Ih-jh73cyUkMFvuVrdOWxOXz4RDf2_dT4h-jZ1mLJKYzhyphenhyphenh_nAc6QmdemCumgCgEbmWeVvFjvpdTIAXsltFjNXd-SLKjNw6m_vU4qK9OY/s400/July+09+008_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372244799678658674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GNpg8x91a9njwpUhQqxUd3VgSEosWJA_fBCGcCcoGQQpJtqU33aqmOpVCaqwlEOx6EE99XOflFIPVIHHu77GgIsoI8GjTJJzKRp5G9InMmBTaSX63NM1W44-kNOuB3v9_gFpXtXHcSw/s400/July+09+014_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br />Thanks so much girls, for being such great friends and for </div><div>making Madelyn's birthday party so fun!<br /><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477575696418681176.post-12830278922799694422009-08-19T20:03:00.000-07:002009-08-20T15:22:17.095-07:00SurvivorAlmost four years ago, our family left all the comforts of home, traditions, and extended family in Utah. After my parents helped us moved, get settled into our new home, and then leave for Utah, I'll never forget the feeling I had...complete <span style="font-size:130%;">fear</span>!! Here I was, a mother of 3 young little ones (Madelyn 3 1/2, Mason 22 months, and Jalen 3 months) left to survive all on my own. I knew not one single person and besides Alan, was left alone to try and love, nurture and simply just survive 3 small kids. My mom could not make a quick drive to assist my Walmart shopping trips or surprise us with dinner. I could no longer rely on my sister's good company to kill time on long afternoons. Sunday dinners at my in-laws were no longer possible, nor the convience of them being 1/2 block away. The thought that frequently raced through my mind was, "How am I ever going to make it??!"<br /><br /><br /><br />To be honest, some days I didn't feel like I was. Three kids in diapers, three schedules, three different meal preparations, and everything else that goes with it was overwhelming, to say the least. I often thought, will the day ever come when it's not so stressful and chaotic? When I can start and finish a project? When I can run simple errands without it being a whole production? When I can go grocery shopping and not get the look and head shake that says, "what is this woman thinking! She has no control over her three kids!"<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, I did surive! The day has come and I now have all three of my little ones in school. I am loving it! My sister asked, "How are you going to celebrate your first day when all the kids are in school?" Although this may sound silly, I was so excited to just be at home and get caught up with laundry and cleaning. After dropping Jalen off to preschool, I went home, turned up the radio and was thrilled to be able to do what I needed to get done without interruptions.<br /><br />However, it wasn't long until the house seemed too quiet; until I started thinking about each one of my kids and wondering how they were getting along and what they were doing. I then started to notice a few precious momentos of my kids....<br /><br /><br />Jalen had earned some M&M's and wanted to save them to eat after preschool. He told me he was going to find a secret hiding spot. I thought it was quite entertaining because no one would be around to try and steal them, except me, and even though he knew I wouldn't do that, he still insisted on hiding them. I didn't pay much attention to his efforts in searching for a safe place but I soon discovered his hiding spot when cleaning out the microwave....<br /><br />How cute is that! I never would have thought to check the microwave if I wanted to steal his M&M's! Jalen is such a funny boy.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887064832383794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTfM_AKueyei0avAwsl8vSc4fYm2jzrPUN8cZoynTg7qCg3VRvYZb4e6EB9l2chArSKSyCN2za7vRXG7cVY-AfisZtylMNh3mxHIB-nCiPfuLPuBO9JDoSJiAaINBa81A8ZB_ZSZuq90/s400/July+09+037.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Then I noticed Mason's bedroom. I couldn't help but smile at the way he had "cleaned his room". Mason has many "special treasures" that he won't store in drawers or in the playroom. He used to insist on all of it being on his bed even while he slept. Sometimes there was so much stuff (I mean "special treasures") on his bed, that there was hardly any room for him! Instead of making his bed and picking up clothes, which I thought cleaning his room meant, he organized his special treasures. This discovery sure made me smile!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887052379553906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5-vLbkWGgEJfdaX22mqTj7GW_i2KD2XWJ0ZJltixKJA_HwZnqCzi9QX2QVAwdw-PbuX6uQ91ZhazgJ7Y_d45IWyCXIEdEbYToQAlWbEZ9eNGwiC0TFtN75r3U6IKEVOk3orrve8V0m4/s400/July+09+038_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br />My last discovery was when I found Madelyn's family of cars on my dresser. And although it wasn't anything remarkable, it made me remember what she had been playing that morning, and how cute her pretend conversation was with all the cars.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887042039807666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlHGLA7oSrX7pdOPq_Mf65NUVsKY2BP0U-gagNgR9BC2CO6KMObEpwPT3DQPREpW4BTMQ_gPiLjUwoHHCrPatlwcJ55WS6ZZBeQGZyXttUxonY8Er_57uVwsNpcjTqI2y2AXhhScFYcU/s400/July+09+039.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Instead of feeling annoyed that Madelyn chose my dresser as her garage, I felt a big wave of emotion come over me. I felt so grateful for my three precious little ones...who aren't so little anymore. Despite the chaos and craziness that comes along with children, I receive such fulfillment and sweet joy from even the little and simple things they do. They make me feel complete and I wouldn't change things for the world! I've decided that what I love most about those few hours alone each week, is the fact that I appreciate and love my kids even more and are ready for them to come home!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;">First Day of School Photos</span></strong></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371889129127227746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp2Z4zcXpDNGIbT04gmmf4jRsjWhUV5P-JVtLiF54SsPfUtmKHeREGq5TI3DVX4eA96cqCAm3V0yIppQpv0MYxxzloR5SZH9lcGT6NXz-9jbajZ8tmLNjf2IY6HRdGXPhsWoRx-oFbik/s400/July+09+026_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Madelyn was very excited to return to school in Mrs. Williamson's class. She is a social butterfly and has missed her classmates. She also loves structure, projects, and being kept busy so she was ready! She is such a sweet girl and always watching out for others. She has already observed one girl in the class who doesn't have many friends and who other kids make fun of. She often tells me of her kind words or actions to include this girl and help her find friends. It makes me feel so proud of her!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371889138414639362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNwXmBz-TMUf-d7Ys3Ripj14KSwSnVg56DaFvPxG3JebQmRpnBWsa_esEFEbo2YDBoeSAEoJK1sMY2b0r12iM4raHsRMiEavQrdF0SOc-7CSvgNSowcCwxrT5aCTOADwjn9r45kASzaY/s400/July+09+027_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br />For months I worried about this day for Mason...sending him to kindergarten. Because he often cried before going to preschool last year; all summer said, "I'm NOT going to kindergarten!" and being the soft-spoken and sensitive boy he is, made me nervous. However, after meeting his teacher and receiving special mail from her, Mason's attitude completely changed. It also makes a world of difference because two of his best friends and many other church friends are in his class. On the first day, they all walked in together...so very excited. No tears. No hesitations. Just big smiles and total excitment for this new adventure. Although I was happy Mason was not upset or scared, I also felt very sad...the realization that Mason's growing up was there. His days home with me are in the past and there was so much I wanted to do with him but never had the chance. Time just goes by way too quickly!<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Cody Lunt, Mason, Ethan Ashton<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371889150957454786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MvTqDOW51olMOr4hdkFeBRa6ID_ugFQD_jPBjo71k_zYQ4oIa3W1ecDHr4cgt8OQZAN_DJ-h_Wmf9s-JbEFBXhuyeSvIemC19RboEiY_PUnbwTXoMWUYXG5Lct7d3i_Fp2osikD0Tww/s400/July+09+029_edited.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371889164236233074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HpkB-ReFeKZxV5YL2cPcLscroLnZ_A5dUOHXFEV9OL5NZf9Z1YTDcCUeZd-0lzJfX2H7TBauilpKNeWg6kJr5ZmBDX4CK_6lRwVGbXLmLZnj8XL-fKvrJbhl0UZu5HCq6e74VW-8i1U/s400/July+09+030_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Jalen and Brayden made themselves right at home in the classroom. Jalen was very disappointed when he realized he didn't get to stay at school, too. Lucky for me (although he doesn't think so)..Jalen gets to stay home with just mom for two more years!<br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371889173653660498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya3fmkMRXnZ5R9FMTjQXvTnuCcTvU0zc0fBEI8CHUHEDOKlvWC-RRVBS8XCqHQ_0WfIoqWwX_KL1bUI-Vl30-4dCK8U6fnIWNq2xGf9kcakVPi_W-FS4iYSyrnckqTOVam8PiZBzU41U/s400/July+09+031_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br />Jalen's turn finally came for his first day of preschool! He was so excited. However, he discovered two things he was quite upset about: 1. he doesn't get to take a lunch like Madelyn and Mason and 2. his school shoes don't have "ropes" which I am now learning is a very important thing to him!<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887772591595538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLlX32KrW1QYrQQ6rDDcrclA0ZkhN0i6zxkhZuKiuZaV-YbzecE9trPV57qBkjUrwZFTd39ZsHCl5wVhqenCGx92rFPprSxz64jll9TaTs6UNviD4inWPlL5ZlDFtfOqIwjONO6j6vjM/s400/July+09+028_edited.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br />Don't let his scowl fool you! He was TRYING not to smile! He finally gave in and was so excited to be with his friends and teacher, Ms Jenna.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887778462230402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFr6YO7zaDJ3m73OWFX8uXBgsMmXsv8ctzBNiP0zIU59qRbxZVSfEPKSIDFbeBIsqfQ1Z6VLqqxxlizxHsrPjQqAHdAH48V-G6gAb9yDzxvZoVL_lnrF2AMFSJoS7pm3LpG-PbbRxNk0/s400/July+09+032_edited.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oZ72KMYojuNE9OTIePTM_I_qnmGFmsGq4dRQ-oCVkxRrcyU8qnbe33ov69NivaDnOt2oXF7B-u_a2de0645GTP85mqw6LNr_GRqk_gx8B2h7-vLiBFRNARrRkjjHqfMYN_KgfKYYMmk/s1600-h/July+09+033_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887760088354274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oZ72KMYojuNE9OTIePTM_I_qnmGFmsGq4dRQ-oCVkxRrcyU8qnbe33ov69NivaDnOt2oXF7B-u_a2de0645GTP85mqw6LNr_GRqk_gx8B2h7-vLiBFRNARrRkjjHqfMYN_KgfKYYMmk/s400/July+09+033_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />What cute kids! Did you think you were looking at a Target ad?? They're cute enough to do it!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v_oCJUDu44aKkDq_WhVEfh_wVbBm7Cx2qpf9t1cWJAdmuEEBXJe4CUvLtqYRuqJsw0VUR-XIAKhkQ5s9hA72v3mMUjzZ13SmE28rw_rIfP-AxHr8PSWXTARteiAZaGQYM_5fA8agpfY/s1600-h/July+09+036_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887086975554050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v_oCJUDu44aKkDq_WhVEfh_wVbBm7Cx2qpf9t1cWJAdmuEEBXJe4CUvLtqYRuqJsw0VUR-XIAKhkQ5s9hA72v3mMUjzZ13SmE28rw_rIfP-AxHr8PSWXTARteiAZaGQYM_5fA8agpfY/s400/July+09+036_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSeqwZy15aT2QoxBd1pG5na8q02apkDve_1IxiuWR2NTAgMiR0hwTk9J1fxJozAoSuIiqp69XbCg_jlhkMhSUGHdPiKftLrwGcJHZajQBIwbw5iX3Ch7uOD1M_rP-BAhIcZvencMmyK8/s1600-h/July+09+035_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371887076200137554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSeqwZy15aT2QoxBd1pG5na8q02apkDve_1IxiuWR2NTAgMiR0hwTk9J1fxJozAoSuIiqp69XbCg_jlhkMhSUGHdPiKftLrwGcJHZajQBIwbw5iX3Ch7uOD1M_rP-BAhIcZvencMmyK8/s400/July+09+035_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8