tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88787763258079724062023-11-15T23:12:54.057-08:00sam + elisethe early yearsMommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-51895205658016802062012-03-29T16:15:00.000-07:002012-03-29T16:15:39.822-07:00It has been a long time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvf1tUDxiXUB2QhBfZzZoq1RXlZ0MInzT9l_TYVLLZWRl2ntL9ZZwMmVK3CLEll2A0kVEONujAqEK6gtoSIlgXo_-3NzICEz0lzBUp6ND6P77d1BGLuAMixbipIqUuy7VJpAODVywRAY/s1600/dsc_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvf1tUDxiXUB2QhBfZzZoq1RXlZ0MInzT9l_TYVLLZWRl2ntL9ZZwMmVK3CLEll2A0kVEONujAqEK6gtoSIlgXo_-3NzICEz0lzBUp6ND6P77d1BGLuAMixbipIqUuy7VJpAODVywRAY/s400/dsc_1271.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is a good thing my computer remembered my sign in for blogger. How did a year go by without an update? I miss blogging and I am sad for the stories and laughter that did not get recorded. You think you won't forget some of the funny and special moments but you do. So I am going to try this again. My biggest obstacle is time. I started working again and the kids have reached an age when they have their own commitments and loads of homework so time to blog is hard to come by. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have moments late at night when the house is quiet and I have time to think about all the things I want to do but can't get to and it gives me anxiety. I think writing about what we are up to slows things down a little. By reflecting on the days going by, time seems to slow down a little and I get to enjoy these moments and this sweet spot we are in. Ages 5 and 7 are quite fun and I am loving every minute of this stage when the kids are old enough to do things with and young enough to still want to do these things with us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If anyone still checks in on us...thanks and sorry for the lack of updates!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-45918437950045010612011-03-01T22:08:00.000-08:002011-03-01T22:08:52.844-08:00Lost ToothFinally! The tooth has come out. Keith pulled it out tonight right after dinner. Papa and Curly were here to witness the big event. Elise had a nervous smile on her face as she watched. I saw Sam process the idea that his tooth was actually out and I could tell he wasn't sure if it was really real. It is something he has been wanting for so long. Then we dove in to several emotions over the next hour. First there was shock and then excitement. Then a little disbelief that the tooth fairy would actually be coming to our house tonight. I took a mental movie of the discussion between Elise and Sam about what the tooth fairy does with all the teeth that are collected. They still believe that there is magic in the world. I love that. Then Sam started to worry that it felt weird without his tooth and wondered if his mouth would always feel weird. Then he said he missed his tooth. Excitement came back and he ran to put the tooth under his pillow. After Papa and Curly left, he started talking to me about his old tooth and he started to look sad. His lower lip started to quiver and he started to cry. I held him and he told me he thinks he misses his tooth. Then he said, "I think I just want to be zero again. Will we get to be zero again when we are in heaven?" Poor guy - he is worried about aging. Me too. I wish he could be zero again too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohjfi29KGI7zWY9B50NYPOVgVrLr3FmpAlg6XyHcCaIl348aYQGp4m1GPXRSyTI87XgaoAE7FiAjEl-4bYg1O0gm91wq3vj_8TjuC50iiimyYK0Zyj17Ah959U6oxYIbcLQHtAE2GYtQ/s1600/missing+tooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohjfi29KGI7zWY9B50NYPOVgVrLr3FmpAlg6XyHcCaIl348aYQGp4m1GPXRSyTI87XgaoAE7FiAjEl-4bYg1O0gm91wq3vj_8TjuC50iiimyYK0Zyj17Ah959U6oxYIbcLQHtAE2GYtQ/s640/missing+tooth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-13797734955056588322011-02-23T22:37:00.000-08:002011-02-23T22:37:35.833-08:00Octopus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGVw6S76GaCjnagJjjbPDBzFmpcCm2UAafBugDF2PemXj6JlSHU9TUqYxxsRftiYwVsKyqwfMkFqkfd7H335aAkNMvebbrMg990wukSBxZdGFOs736quesOe_vQ5LpxAttHlRNc_nW08/s1600/octopus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGVw6S76GaCjnagJjjbPDBzFmpcCm2UAafBugDF2PemXj6JlSHU9TUqYxxsRftiYwVsKyqwfMkFqkfd7H335aAkNMvebbrMg990wukSBxZdGFOs736quesOe_vQ5LpxAttHlRNc_nW08/s640/octopus.jpg" width="640" /></a>Sam has been asking for years to try Octopus. I don't even remember what drove this request but it has been a dream of his for quite some time. I took him to Sushi last week. He tried Squid, BBQ Eel, a seaweed salad and RAW OCTOPUS. I wouldn't even try it. Our friend, Doug shared an order with Sam. Sam said he loved it. Doug described it as seafood flavored bubble gum since it was so chewy. No thank you...but I love that I have an adventurous eater!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxW1XLz6uk7BHX4NNkMf30fnfVxGVBH9P6LZaEXunK5UnwniZO26SsZVopgPlIG-nZvCUQ_CNsqRojgrNz8o_16j4C9G2J71byOfcLep6_sgGpoAwfVhwy39tpi9FSeG8pkD2qot7QaY/s1600/2011+02+11_1645_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxW1XLz6uk7BHX4NNkMf30fnfVxGVBH9P6LZaEXunK5UnwniZO26SsZVopgPlIG-nZvCUQ_CNsqRojgrNz8o_16j4C9G2J71byOfcLep6_sgGpoAwfVhwy39tpi9FSeG8pkD2qot7QaY/s640/2011+02+11_1645_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-48330254661750834842011-02-22T21:10:00.000-08:002011-02-22T21:10:31.103-08:00Sorry!Hi Lam! I hear you have been checking the blog from Vietnam and are disappointed on a daily basis. I am happy I still have someone checking the blog! I have no good excuse other than just being a busy mom. I will try to update again tomorrow. Thank you for still checking!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFtzwWlohXTjqMoVDEI_r7ZgAovfu7YEE5g__AjyWpsFOttbnSI8ctE_xBTI1GGF-yTDh7Pq_GQEiGWqbJDHZV1qEOh1YdStMytEl97HhBcKXXgL_YxKAsttxN8HWCzaugYaB3dHfnXE/s1600/2010+12+24_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFtzwWlohXTjqMoVDEI_r7ZgAovfu7YEE5g__AjyWpsFOttbnSI8ctE_xBTI1GGF-yTDh7Pq_GQEiGWqbJDHZV1qEOh1YdStMytEl97HhBcKXXgL_YxKAsttxN8HWCzaugYaB3dHfnXE/s400/2010+12+24_1004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-28560752334754486412011-01-01T20:26:00.000-08:002011-01-01T20:26:58.625-08:00PeopleI thought Santa came up with a genius idea this year. He wrote a letter to the kids and beautifully explained the meaning of Christmas. He reminded the kids that Christmas is not about the gifts we give and receive but more about celebrating life and all the people we get to live it with. He created a new game and hid lots of little people around the house for the kids to find. He told them to keep them and play with them throughout the year to remember the spirit of Christmas. We are to leave the people out next year for Santa to hide again. <br />
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I found Elise playing with them the other day...<br />
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My heart warmed as I watch her line them up. She said they were going to the movies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_cDOajnOAh161HSAAEt4ADa0gkjNMNXhG8adQeg_dufYH-aMbDTfOyoYb8-SzEeXMfvVZUyic4ui4QHnFTZjiePU3pHh1CEFLV6pwhCrcnGbsoaSkNXQ08_5Q6_wTfifQtsfBIWeTKM/s1600/2010+12+27_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_cDOajnOAh161HSAAEt4ADa0gkjNMNXhG8adQeg_dufYH-aMbDTfOyoYb8-SzEeXMfvVZUyic4ui4QHnFTZjiePU3pHh1CEFLV6pwhCrcnGbsoaSkNXQ08_5Q6_wTfifQtsfBIWeTKM/s640/2010+12+27_1124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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You can see this group is very diverse. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjIRxfP1iSMMjwgpFGDw-ADWz3w5Df0AnxR8cjRti12mvCrlsz0PSUC_TNkNAWTnna1CP6Na-iSyTQt18L9UcORzILWzY24OBhIBPUkjRJjbFgTbWnvEurcEH30eYHygBsRjXA_GHNb4/s1600/2010+12+27_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjIRxfP1iSMMjwgpFGDw-ADWz3w5Df0AnxR8cjRti12mvCrlsz0PSUC_TNkNAWTnna1CP6Na-iSyTQt18L9UcORzILWzY24OBhIBPUkjRJjbFgTbWnvEurcEH30eYHygBsRjXA_GHNb4/s640/2010+12+27_1125.JPG" width="424" /></a></div> But wait...what is that girl in the wheelchair doing?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2ttJVM_ZpSZhLA0vOgnJ_-eRzXSta8mr9t8KGA_fbEvnF6IjWE3saa3IpgM0Tcx5FfigPWN1GcOoRQG-u8X2hnbVx1S-z_PdvFc7rN-_nicpBh3iDEc7kYpj01HOLy6t1Ngbtnn4Xg4/s1600/2010+12+27_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2ttJVM_ZpSZhLA0vOgnJ_-eRzXSta8mr9t8KGA_fbEvnF6IjWE3saa3IpgM0Tcx5FfigPWN1GcOoRQG-u8X2hnbVx1S-z_PdvFc7rN-_nicpBh3iDEc7kYpj01HOLy6t1Ngbtnn4Xg4/s640/2010+12+27_1126.JPG" width="424" /></a></div> I think she had some sort of accident. Did she knock a few people down?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjuWC-5Sz0uEOxn2GUEI4dD2QNHrshZEs4vNkiR7F2Y48wbSCL8wkxEkd2sb4bPs0Lquq42WzEDTR7QknRoRNQb7Dab5lEYykClMQGulzxUrwEy35-_fefBpT9ypQqMB-pPqAAdZbC3Q/s1600/2010+12+27_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjuWC-5Sz0uEOxn2GUEI4dD2QNHrshZEs4vNkiR7F2Y48wbSCL8wkxEkd2sb4bPs0Lquq42WzEDTR7QknRoRNQb7Dab5lEYykClMQGulzxUrwEy35-_fefBpT9ypQqMB-pPqAAdZbC3Q/s640/2010+12+27_1127.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>Ummm...I am starting to think that was no accident.<br />
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I think this girl may be evil. What is she doing?<br />
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Now she is picking people up and throwing them off the edge of the table to their certain death and my daughter is smiling.<br />
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Not exactly what Santa had in mind I think. There was total carnage and this girl showed no remorse. The warmness in my heart turned to a chill up my spine.<br />
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There was no discrimination at all. If you were blind, on crutches, a baby, a senior...it didn't matter she was taking you down. Elise thought this was the funniest game ever. I think she may have missed some of the key details in Santa's message. Well...he tried.Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-6797650602318364912010-12-02T21:31:00.000-08:002010-12-02T21:31:51.617-08:00Sick dayThe kids had fevers last night so they stayed home today. I know I am biased but she is cute even when she is sick and stinky.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyKao9Z4MLYTo_r7KrMhiNKqOkEo4DU878eBL24SP-2eH8_ZUNQlg9dpA-U60uW2Vf5YO3UoJnfuSDx9xIKjK4zvHiENtPboHLPvUQDGt9bZQhkvSo-L-_OWSMZ2hZ9uO8BFGYqLkqCA/s1600/2010+12+02_9437+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyKao9Z4MLYTo_r7KrMhiNKqOkEo4DU878eBL24SP-2eH8_ZUNQlg9dpA-U60uW2Vf5YO3UoJnfuSDx9xIKjK4zvHiENtPboHLPvUQDGt9bZQhkvSo-L-_OWSMZ2hZ9uO8BFGYqLkqCA/s640/2010+12+02_9437+copy.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-34208049619819874542010-12-01T07:23:00.000-08:002010-12-01T07:23:50.520-08:00Working on a Christmas Card<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSf9qNb7Oyurluil-AoCmg4Gx-Lc4p00oyXJlbTKfB3106ftEjEHS0d0cuKOS-tbMJVqWa_ofAX0LuI8x6RlTcwpBytN5MWDAbDPUZtPZpMip8J5cVtndV00GT0RuaCwvNuC18au6paw/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSf9qNb7Oyurluil-AoCmg4Gx-Lc4p00oyXJlbTKfB3106ftEjEHS0d0cuKOS-tbMJVqWa_ofAX0LuI8x6RlTcwpBytN5MWDAbDPUZtPZpMip8J5cVtndV00GT0RuaCwvNuC18au6paw/s640/collage.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>Getting a picture with these two looking at me at the same time can be a challenge. They instantly become laughing goofballs competing to be the silliest. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLfGc7WJdL0H13AXLc-hxw-hktWyZI3_UG14m4KIqjSmK82P2kn8Q17-mVlIWhyphenhyphent1FPWEO4yWyCTczrhe78SICk7H2pTJLlyc_EKP5pllB6SeNH6D5WVkJaBUHdLB3cr8R4b_ltO90fI/s1600/2010+11+13_8675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLfGc7WJdL0H13AXLc-hxw-hktWyZI3_UG14m4KIqjSmK82P2kn8Q17-mVlIWhyphenhyphent1FPWEO4yWyCTczrhe78SICk7H2pTJLlyc_EKP5pllB6SeNH6D5WVkJaBUHdLB3cr8R4b_ltO90fI/s640/2010+11+13_8675.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzX96dAw1wyqxYtGfVEz36m6sG5KiY6KedtTP6IpaIb11Xw8oIVE68Awod0Af7Z8-2261VSLUWy_wZLSVHrtt_zAxR9bTZLL_77obZxKmm80UXegXYXWWpMdjiyYlqo6mB83pz3DRn-I/s1600/2010+11+13_8673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzX96dAw1wyqxYtGfVEz36m6sG5KiY6KedtTP6IpaIb11Xw8oIVE68Awod0Af7Z8-2261VSLUWy_wZLSVHrtt_zAxR9bTZLL_77obZxKmm80UXegXYXWWpMdjiyYlqo6mB83pz3DRn-I/s640/2010+11+13_8673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a moment of weakness, I may have captured two smiling happy faces without fingers up their noses.</div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-50926877210887925772010-11-30T16:42:00.000-08:002010-11-30T16:42:01.871-08:00Baby Teeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu3JyhXWGLB8EVI6K7MEdbQKv5uNPx3fq-4m7F7t9Dbsx2n_iKb9d8ybkeGF6dTK0jTyYx6vuq5nb41PGKdwwihL-WeoT-d5EzMuynYeUn3vKlXx33zAjo-UY52OJKVWT5pdP5P75SZs/s1600/sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu3JyhXWGLB8EVI6K7MEdbQKv5uNPx3fq-4m7F7t9Dbsx2n_iKb9d8ybkeGF6dTK0jTyYx6vuq5nb41PGKdwwihL-WeoT-d5EzMuynYeUn3vKlXx33zAjo-UY52OJKVWT5pdP5P75SZs/s640/sam.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>Sam is feeling sad this week. Sad because he has not lost a tooth. I always told him I did not want him to lose his baby teeth because, to me, that was a bigger deal than him starting school. It is the last baby thing about him and once he loses those chompers...he is officially a boy and not my baby anymore. When he pointed out to me that his bottom teeth were slightly loose...and I am talking very slight movement, I made a big deal and told him to slow down and I dramatically faked a big cry and told him that I didn't want him to grow up. He laughed and told me he had to grow up and that he just couldn't help it. He liked to tease me and show me the wobbly teeth. <br />
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That was about seven months ago. <br />
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Those teeth are just a teeny bit more wobbly than they were before. He is sad because he thinks every other first grader has lost their teeth. He even knows a few Kinders who have lost a few. Today he told me he is worried that Elise will lose her teeth before he will. And that may be a valid concern. He cried. I hugged. I told him when he is 90 all of his friends will be crying because they will be losing their teeth again and his adult teeth will be younger and healthier. I tried to make him feel better by telling him it is because he is so healthy and strong that his baby teeth are able to last longer. But mostly, I just hugged him because I know no matter what I say, he still feels sad that he is feeling different and left out of the tooth fairy action. So...we will just keep wiggling those little, slightly wobbly teeth and hope they loosen up soon. And we'll keep on hugging and maybe crying a little more but in a few months....hopefully we will have a boy with a funny looking smile.Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-20900469889609318822010-11-08T21:03:00.000-08:002010-11-08T21:03:23.644-08:00Camping in San Clemente<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZXCTun9h0JHE8JJs7pstfmB7ynZJ1dOYPAOc8T2mG-d9O9Us45b8-3Mjq_g97IgaYj0VAkl_My0o_Rdc9uxPqldzTj68yn8xhb3uPmMdsc6sG3mbtV0yNO7Tz7GuDjZmc9_GliFzMxM/s1600/camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZXCTun9h0JHE8JJs7pstfmB7ynZJ1dOYPAOc8T2mG-d9O9Us45b8-3Mjq_g97IgaYj0VAkl_My0o_Rdc9uxPqldzTj68yn8xhb3uPmMdsc6sG3mbtV0yNO7Tz7GuDjZmc9_GliFzMxM/s1600/camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZXCTun9h0JHE8JJs7pstfmB7ynZJ1dOYPAOc8T2mG-d9O9Us45b8-3Mjq_g97IgaYj0VAkl_My0o_Rdc9uxPqldzTj68yn8xhb3uPmMdsc6sG3mbtV0yNO7Tz7GuDjZmc9_GliFzMxM/s640/camping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We went camping this past weekend in San Clemente. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfcef7VKSJ5rfPPh7yeNC0G5hkFThfz8mL2HYlY94dMS1pUiBg7pOOJBRo-x316B9rfSjjI7u7jAPIkdCC97v3-nih4vP0FGI2yDfyZie17RA5LPsbptYImujl6PvcFnw-WJvpbobCf4/s1600/sunset+in+san+clemente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfcef7VKSJ5rfPPh7yeNC0G5hkFThfz8mL2HYlY94dMS1pUiBg7pOOJBRo-x316B9rfSjjI7u7jAPIkdCC97v3-nih4vP0FGI2yDfyZie17RA5LPsbptYImujl6PvcFnw-WJvpbobCf4/s640/sunset+in+san+clemente.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The campsite was just yards from this view.<br />
This was Elise's first official camping trip although she frequently reminds me that she did camp once in Aidan and Ashton's backyard. She rolls her eyes in disbelief that I could forget such a night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCSejirmWymUklNFvNwMcnoJIGYip8BcfwiFFMrLdJkyKQPdlJsUDxzxLF_4Pqoe9SZ-n2avAeK6yUe85fFdi0cO3GC5vyuIw8S_ZJ76VbfwQN0RusdhfWodVp6MH9SaHdTZTVHMptVw/s1600/2009+09+20_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCSejirmWymUklNFvNwMcnoJIGYip8BcfwiFFMrLdJkyKQPdlJsUDxzxLF_4Pqoe9SZ-n2avAeK6yUe85fFdi0cO3GC5vyuIw8S_ZJ76VbfwQN0RusdhfWodVp6MH9SaHdTZTVHMptVw/s640/2009+09+20_0305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elise in the tent in her cousin's backyard in Utah.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The kids had a blast with a little more freedom than they get at home and explored the campgrounds on their bikes. Sam met two boys from the site next to ours and we did not see him much after that. They hit it off instantly. I quickly grew fond of these boys too...they were very sweet, had great manners and the ten year old took the natural role of the leader and the protector of the younger boys. That meant Mama could relax and have a drink! We enjoyed the time with our friends and enjoyed meeting the parents of the nice boys. We kept a safe distance from the extremely friendly crew at the other site near us. If I could whisper in text I would guess... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">swingers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I can't confirm this, thankfully, but individually, several of our party came to that assumption. Isn't that veird? </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gvz9BMFO8VsrijPI5PwC12_tKzIp52RCNFO2pHvcRHVOcdqcKzMAUGDuCUn9nTe5ZKVDEiAncfu_rgzzU17gwvBjTRME_61YF0M9Bx4eB6EG6tuQcJqFRnQ9Reo_NQtGYN7Xr-j2cYY/s1600/2010+11+06_8529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gvz9BMFO8VsrijPI5PwC12_tKzIp52RCNFO2pHvcRHVOcdqcKzMAUGDuCUn9nTe5ZKVDEiAncfu_rgzzU17gwvBjTRME_61YF0M9Bx4eB6EG6tuQcJqFRnQ9Reo_NQtGYN7Xr-j2cYY/s640/2010+11+06_8529.JPG" width="640" /></a>More camping is in our future. We had so much fun. </div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-20398681057793180722010-10-29T09:49:00.000-07:002010-10-29T09:49:15.987-07:00Milestones<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjnw503wmpwZN0XwQURTSgq7Jj0lILwwrfpKasYQJE_87LEQ5WmLJ-BYFSoh0_8Ui0B_7TP7DMA3aX_uvFSnXOkElRnc2ETxrWJRNH6im78UqB85laIofu5FYtOfPSrDiHmkxW_Jo9E0/s1600/2010+10+21_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjnw503wmpwZN0XwQURTSgq7Jj0lILwwrfpKasYQJE_87LEQ5WmLJ-BYFSoh0_8Ui0B_7TP7DMA3aX_uvFSnXOkElRnc2ETxrWJRNH6im78UqB85laIofu5FYtOfPSrDiHmkxW_Jo9E0/s640/2010+10+21_0651.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">This vacation was all about milestones. It was our first family vacation. It was the first time travelling without baby things like strollers and pull ups and pack n plays. Sam has been riding his bike for a while now, but this trip offered him his first time riding through trails...mountain bike riding "like daddy does." This stroller free living offered us the opportunity to conquer this bluff in Sedona. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKg7gdsFNDLtuOa4TXLMT-6ZRJdjxM7k2HFf0lKPEBjihATG0MYGzSBK1mE62o1SHXSH-WYFQI5ZY8YQfLqFGdzrjF52SNdjL8KX7tXQ3qn_FWZ0ALt2ZxDL4HZLGBfYpv0ovaJHoAqQ/s1600/here+to+there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKg7gdsFNDLtuOa4TXLMT-6ZRJdjxM7k2HFf0lKPEBjihATG0MYGzSBK1mE62o1SHXSH-WYFQI5ZY8YQfLqFGdzrjF52SNdjL8KX7tXQ3qn_FWZ0ALt2ZxDL4HZLGBfYpv0ovaJHoAqQ/s640/here+to+there.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started at the white arrow and hiked and climbed our way up the switchbacks and rocks to the black arrow. It was about three miles round trip and the kids loved it. It was like a giant, orange, dirty jungle gym. The weather was perfect. Big thunder clouds over head kept us cool. No one asked to be carried, no one complained and I did not hear one bit of whining. It was just a fun family adventure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR0cPMAlC1iM8v61Oq-MTm_sbwJKkzgj5pye1JIfeUld8DScpaJ70LiP9ncWZbL7sNleOV7DEIwh1_AjOjewpI1roIoxxRuzqBb01k61WuTkiQw8Q12JTlqArr68Tt_02vC4pk_6-0ds/s1600/stormy+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR0cPMAlC1iM8v61Oq-MTm_sbwJKkzgj5pye1JIfeUld8DScpaJ70LiP9ncWZbL7sNleOV7DEIwh1_AjOjewpI1roIoxxRuzqBb01k61WuTkiQw8Q12JTlqArr68Tt_02vC4pk_6-0ds/s640/stormy+hike.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith and the kids checking out the views from the top.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCyE3EbTYmPLNNd0QFowYbdGBtjIyvbR2Eh04oBPotuye4ywoz2petlTaz946imTF4UFjRD0hx8gu-qIidepDv-Zqc41iwDqYtvRiCkYyfiWjMRCMDB0-ji19wyof7RiJVl3BuTkUGpU/s1600/2010+10+21_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCyE3EbTYmPLNNd0QFowYbdGBtjIyvbR2Eh04oBPotuye4ywoz2petlTaz946imTF4UFjRD0hx8gu-qIidepDv-Zqc41iwDqYtvRiCkYyfiWjMRCMDB0-ji19wyof7RiJVl3BuTkUGpU/s640/2010+10+21_0681.JPG" width="422" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBH0xt8_J1tkG_gqJYAnSJ5WTw7tr8uSpurd9tkYI1PwPC_Cc3aiBBRLC3yMup1-dYV_YDq5935AGc308eXzV1-z5Rzk7qofVvW-ap7uc3V3FEOIecFAyyEAxnOowDfS9j-sFJ8DQiUE/s1600/2010+10+21_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBH0xt8_J1tkG_gqJYAnSJ5WTw7tr8uSpurd9tkYI1PwPC_Cc3aiBBRLC3yMup1-dYV_YDq5935AGc308eXzV1-z5Rzk7qofVvW-ap7uc3V3FEOIecFAyyEAxnOowDfS9j-sFJ8DQiUE/s640/2010+10+21_0699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the bluff from the next trail we attempted. <br />
(Attempted being the key word here. We discovered were a little over confident after the first hike.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-73316384112958483962010-10-28T13:00:00.000-07:002010-10-28T13:00:42.470-07:00Hiking and Biking in Flagstaff<div>Every day in Flagstaff we went on a hike or a bike ride or both. It really is a beautiful area. There are lots of kid friendly hikes and perfect beginner bike trails. My girlfriend loaned us a tandem bike attachment for Elise so we were all able to ride together on the trails. There are pictures of the bikes in action at the bottom of the post. I don't know how I ended up in a family of early risers...but these three were up every morning by 6 - 6:15. I was the lazy bum staying in bed until 7ish. Not totally what I thought would be the schedule on vacation but I have to admit it made for long, enjoyable days.</div><br />
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</div></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-27624474834545481062010-10-25T09:05:00.000-07:002010-10-25T09:05:11.330-07:00FlagstaffIsn't Flagstaff the city where Aunt Edna gets dropped off in Vacation? Or was it Phoenix? I think it was Flagstaff. Anyway...that is my only frame of reference to Northern Arizona. I never thought of it as a vacation spot. Keith's parents generously gave us a week of their timeshare for us to use at any of their locations. We picked Flagstaff because it was close enough to drive to and we wouldn't have to spend the money on airfare. We figured we could easily visit the Grand Canyon and Sedona as well. To be honest, I had low expectations. I knew there was a space observatory there so we had that too if we needed something to keep us busy. <br />
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After driving seven hours through the desert we started our approach to Flagstaff. About 10-20 miles from town, the landscape changed suddenly. As soon as we hit about 5000 feet up, pine trees popped up around us. Closer to town and we started to notice yellow patches in the mountains. The Aspen trees were changing. I was happy we did not miss the fall show of color.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3-NXI9fj8Vah3pAC3RwTEFA3ftUZ4crNOtNZSk7aMGontozpzbmciD36cCrwyKFJJ3Og4eXiSGa1-8LZRZijsoLJ6rbSFygZLTu3RiukjeXN2DilGnFA9nVxqpkKvej5DZgX5ziBnHA/s1600/2010+10+22_0863+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3-NXI9fj8Vah3pAC3RwTEFA3ftUZ4crNOtNZSk7aMGontozpzbmciD36cCrwyKFJJ3Og4eXiSGa1-8LZRZijsoLJ6rbSFygZLTu3RiukjeXN2DilGnFA9nVxqpkKvej5DZgX5ziBnHA/s640/2010+10+22_0863+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We went to dinner that first night downtown. Right next door to the restaurant was a theater. Above the theater was a sign. A sign that said Colin Hay was playing there that night. We like Colin Hay. It didn't look too crazy so we asked if there were tickets still available and if kids were allowed in the show. We were surprised that they said yes to both questions. Since we were in vacation mode we decided we'd be a little crazy and go for it. Colin Hay put on a great show. The last time we saw him perform was at The Belly Up and he didn't talk that much. This time he was like a stand up comedian between songs. And there were a lot of F-bombs and references to weed. Lucky for us, his Scottish accent was so thick that Sam asked what language he was speaking. He couldn't understand anything he said. That relieved me because I was starting to doubt my parental judgement. I was picturing Sam going back to 1st grade telling everyone he went to his first F%$#ing concert in F*$%ing Flagstaff.Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-88993342372165153062010-10-24T15:41:00.000-07:002010-10-24T15:42:30.569-07:00Our day at the Grand Canyon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Grand Canyon is completely overwhelming. Someday we will go back when the kids are older and can handle going down into the canyon. It must be a totally different experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This trip we stuck with the rim trail and enjoyed the fantastic views.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt-OEvO0T5-tzBJTQZn0ZwN3KInBwNzr9K59Zxs7CQcgj54wrCvBZ5VJyupWVX5nCel1eK1YMUickuiHQpSGuJCYvjlbdwKjxQVze3Tla6b958XDLHNna5O__lo35ew8EH71MdL8KOG8/s1600/2010+10+19_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt-OEvO0T5-tzBJTQZn0ZwN3KInBwNzr9K59Zxs7CQcgj54wrCvBZ5VJyupWVX5nCel1eK1YMUickuiHQpSGuJCYvjlbdwKjxQVze3Tla6b958XDLHNna5O__lo35ew8EH71MdL8KOG8/s640/2010+10+19_0527.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The trail proved too long for some of us.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP02aq2ErS7fvAg625M4L56sLovoN9AQTnruklSRNumFUpqKbaRjn8Lraw83elx5dw6mv_sZBCeblhlEddU42jtAtR3C9wDPYEHurMPEKEcH0Jo9P0BgPruWuIT3hm3JUSoAFnLtppZ0/s1600/2010+10+19_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP02aq2ErS7fvAg625M4L56sLovoN9AQTnruklSRNumFUpqKbaRjn8Lraw83elx5dw6mv_sZBCeblhlEddU42jtAtR3C9wDPYEHurMPEKEcH0Jo9P0BgPruWuIT3hm3JUSoAFnLtppZ0/s640/2010+10+19_0542.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we first arrived we picked up booklets from the rangers with assignments for the kids to complete to earn a Junior Ranger badge.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTR2gszP9es2qmfwejgtbZQVapZCq15nlWsEy25huxRFWINEYk6hIvLmv4_21YA16n56NqgwI9V067km7u9bu7t7RiIBwSjxP6LLpPfik6FwcTciRcQHZQuvOBjSC64vI9CQy_wEE3Ow/s1600/2010+10+19_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTR2gszP9es2qmfwejgtbZQVapZCq15nlWsEy25huxRFWINEYk6hIvLmv4_21YA16n56NqgwI9V067km7u9bu7t7RiIBwSjxP6LLpPfik6FwcTciRcQHZQuvOBjSC64vI9CQy_wEE3Ow/s640/2010+10+19_0563.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One of the games the kids had to complete was a Grand Canyon Bingo where you check off all the things you see at the canyon. I was amazed at how many animals we were able to check off.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">a bull elk,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I0Ch9erY9eyABdRh5v9HsrTcLC4Fru6ny8wnfL_oKxzUW3QwIvaPIFCokLuhsHa805MjIVpvCwoTHS3iZUUzVy0oHgmTeQMXCk38l2STI80de3r84UqMlwtJmWYsAnJ4mci7qdiFBbg/s1600/2010+10+19_0589_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I0Ch9erY9eyABdRh5v9HsrTcLC4Fru6ny8wnfL_oKxzUW3QwIvaPIFCokLuhsHa805MjIVpvCwoTHS3iZUUzVy0oHgmTeQMXCk38l2STI80de3r84UqMlwtJmWYsAnJ4mci7qdiFBbg/s640/2010+10+19_0589_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a Condor!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbcesT7AVaZowHPG99Lad6XHFs0pcOqoiYRepHDgE6BR-IE97GPlkAKkdkhHAjnsg-KrN1REeBhRwi7WGat-PIFh8Y0RSvdCtl_MtF9TKv0BRZseIPHJCNW1bG6aqpOoGyOG8bu8wuLI/s1600/close+up+condor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbcesT7AVaZowHPG99Lad6XHFs0pcOqoiYRepHDgE6BR-IE97GPlkAKkdkhHAjnsg-KrN1REeBhRwi7WGat-PIFh8Y0RSvdCtl_MtF9TKv0BRZseIPHJCNW1bG6aqpOoGyOG8bu8wuLI/s640/close+up+condor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was a big deal as there are not many of these guys left. I don't think the rangers believed us when we told them we saw one. But look, if you zoom in on this picture you can see his pink head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmZmvpKDc5FqPbcpGQdml6yMuAxPscmYzFyMNFx2VQTbvNp0uapoFSyBq2zyZHtFPPBhi7oUSl8TPa0gIsGCag8KLP-9xvjAhS6_UzIufYZ12Mo5VYyBE8PAvX1TZ8rn6D2yWpJ3Wkso/s1600/close+up+condor_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmZmvpKDc5FqPbcpGQdml6yMuAxPscmYzFyMNFx2VQTbvNp0uapoFSyBq2zyZHtFPPBhi7oUSl8TPa0gIsGCag8KLP-9xvjAhS6_UzIufYZ12Mo5VYyBE8PAvX1TZ8rn6D2yWpJ3Wkso/s640/close+up+condor_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also saw a squirrel, thanks to this future Darwin Award winner. There are signs everywhere in several languages warning about feeding the animals...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hRKhO1iDdT-spVQ7cHL8Z1lFUqS40PJ4ZM1q9Zp-KPrMCHiQuejRIfOlwq5E24R6xS-iXLuor7mLCFmGIUPtSl4uetlFecEBLoIGbiCvOlIkKPdVfBqchX9tY4sRFLNfwlnJmVl_1F0/s1600/2010+10+19_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hRKhO1iDdT-spVQ7cHL8Z1lFUqS40PJ4ZM1q9Zp-KPrMCHiQuejRIfOlwq5E24R6xS-iXLuor7mLCFmGIUPtSl4uetlFecEBLoIGbiCvOlIkKPdVfBqchX9tY4sRFLNfwlnJmVl_1F0/s640/2010+10+19_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids were sworn in and earned their badges. They were proud! Sam said his favorite part of the day was seeing the man feed the squirrel and Elise said her favorite part of the day was seeing the elf. (Elk) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-83053261795933195202010-10-22T10:12:00.000-07:002010-10-22T10:12:26.264-07:00A quick glance<div style="text-align: center;">We are having so much fun on our vacation. Now we are off for a bike ride and then hiking in a cave. The adventure continues!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5EyYxFSWrnJVKnLHJK6McGxopiRTM1HiMsU5Fo1TU9r-0-xyjoCkzDe6jgFj5oHvOGTbfjs91ckxyTHHPhr9jyBjAS70SVBbViyHJjQtIE-E1pYi5dzBEaPQ_uwGko98aAVYbC0XyiY/s1600/2010+10+19_0532_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5EyYxFSWrnJVKnLHJK6McGxopiRTM1HiMsU5Fo1TU9r-0-xyjoCkzDe6jgFj5oHvOGTbfjs91ckxyTHHPhr9jyBjAS70SVBbViyHJjQtIE-E1pYi5dzBEaPQ_uwGko98aAVYbC0XyiY/s640/2010+10+19_0532_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-23870957923336047192010-10-18T15:20:00.000-07:002010-10-18T15:20:59.603-07:00Exit 161We are on our first official family vacation this week. We have been on trips before, visits with friends and family up north...but never just the four of us, in one place, for 6 days. We started yesterday by piling in the van with four bikes, four people and our bags stuffed in the spaces in between. While driving North on I15, I called my sister. I knew they were heading to Disneyland soon but I wasn't sure when exactly they were leaving. Turns out, they were heading South on I15. So, 45 minutes later, we pulled off somewhere between Victorville and Barstow and gave hugs and hellos to our cousins! We couldn't have coordinated better if we tried.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopAA7tQsV_CCCWcAKSMxt9iEVGk5AOCuAltqa-E52xnZkCTpgYi9RjvrquWhfabQ6j2TqttSDxxulKpYj9-ocYlcq8627bwdCvuVhC9UfF22rVUuCWgeR9ISJt5UDCmdFzC8g5FacsJk/s1600/2010+10+17_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopAA7tQsV_CCCWcAKSMxt9iEVGk5AOCuAltqa-E52xnZkCTpgYi9RjvrquWhfabQ6j2TqttSDxxulKpYj9-ocYlcq8627bwdCvuVhC9UfF22rVUuCWgeR9ISJt5UDCmdFzC8g5FacsJk/s640/2010+10+17_0524.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-75029879878699653542010-10-16T21:25:00.000-07:002010-10-16T21:25:07.245-07:00Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhSJwE14CIKERnIk-LargOj_v0DQnJei1LM_kj3hu0rexZpc4Ob-broOrqaZa6c36erW_1FFUWftyT33Qh_OhWPHIiPSOWB-50Ms_rXLfZVWeP1YixtlGmZ7g7hCZZ6ccgvCE5w8V5sA/s1600/2010+09+23_0033+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhSJwE14CIKERnIk-LargOj_v0DQnJei1LM_kj3hu0rexZpc4Ob-broOrqaZa6c36erW_1FFUWftyT33Qh_OhWPHIiPSOWB-50Ms_rXLfZVWeP1YixtlGmZ7g7hCZZ6ccgvCE5w8V5sA/s400/2010+09+23_0033+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Nolan, Elise + Ella</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>This is not the greatest picture on many levels but I have to use it because it is the only one I have with my potential future son-in-law and I need to share this story before I forget. Elise has made several new friends this year at preschool. Her little bff is the girl in this picture, Ella. The boy she tells me she will marry, is Nolan. I am not sure how the conversation started but during a drive in the <i>swagger wagon</i>, I heard Sam and Elise talking about the future spouses. Elise told Sam she was going to marry Nolan. This was the first I heard her talk about him like that. I wasn't even aware that she gave Nolan any attention at all. Elise told me of a conversation she had with Nolan at school...<br />
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Elise: Nolan, I am going to marry you.<br />
Nolan: I know.<br />
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I gave Nolan's Mom the heads up and she did not seem surprised. Turns out, he has had several proposals already since many of his neighbors are four year old girls. Looks like Elise may have some competition. <br />
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After hearing me tell the story a few times, I think Elise grew tired and announced to me that she was no longer going to marry Nolan. I supported her and encouraged her to wait until she was thirty before deciding her marital fate. <br />
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Leaving preschool several days later, we crossed paths with Nolan on the way to our car. Elise smiled and shouted, "Bye, Nolan!" He smiled back and said goodbye. They did this several times. I finally got Elise in the car and she seriously had a dreamy smile and look upon her face. I said, "You are going to marry Nolan, aren't you?"<br />
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"Yes I am. Mommy? Do you think he will bring me red roses?"<br />
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I'd like to say that she got the red roses thing because she sees daddy do that for me all the time...but no. I suspect that Sam has been planting ideas in her head. Either way...I think it is adorable but I'd like for her to slow down a bit.Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-25531153372766220702010-10-09T22:31:00.000-07:002010-10-09T22:31:00.134-07:00A good book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfq5iHzyR9uyCVGCQF_meDIaeidA3MNaJ3m2HB-rYHdq38PEk1nyHG__ooMZuw1qiTErTBv_VFWDXmN-ePBeFEABinAgprNXYBupBKQK1NXTVRlWWB1BubdsgbPJEkg7AsRsxqLrYPDk/s1600/2010+10+08_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfq5iHzyR9uyCVGCQF_meDIaeidA3MNaJ3m2HB-rYHdq38PEk1nyHG__ooMZuw1qiTErTBv_VFWDXmN-ePBeFEABinAgprNXYBupBKQK1NXTVRlWWB1BubdsgbPJEkg7AsRsxqLrYPDk/s400/2010+10+08_0233.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam and I just finished reading this book. I remember the movie from when I was young. (Yes, I watched <i>some </i>age appropriate shows from time to time.) But I don't ever remember reading the actual book. Sam was a little hesitant for me to read an actual chapter book without any pictures to look at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He decided he would give it a chance and two chapters in, he was hooked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XRqmQeBn6Xa4ZnbdbWeYfQu1mGIhL9jjsrNFMxtJrHSyTlEv3sMTqbdR2WeO-PSRfv4AFrFmenxlkS0O3TQnX4tR11eu7pHhXGzPcpdk80DKRq8MPTnwPLdKS2jFOGsiVMnxVWOZYHo/s1600/2010+10+08_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XRqmQeBn6Xa4ZnbdbWeYfQu1mGIhL9jjsrNFMxtJrHSyTlEv3sMTqbdR2WeO-PSRfv4AFrFmenxlkS0O3TQnX4tR11eu7pHhXGzPcpdk80DKRq8MPTnwPLdKS2jFOGsiVMnxVWOZYHo/s400/2010+10+08_0229.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Sam will often stop me when I read a word he is unsure of and will ask me what it means. Just like Wilbur does with Charlotte now that I think of it. Anyway, I read the word <i>adore </i>and Sam quickly asked for the definition, I obliged and we moved on. When I finished reading for the night I asked Sam if he was enjoying the book and if he wanted to continue the next night. "Oh, yes! Mommy, I adore this book."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I adored the book too. So much so I looked up E.B. White to see what else he may have to offer. I found out he wrote Stuart Little as well. Looks like that may be our next chapter book. E.B. White wrote adult books too and he was an essayist. I came across this quote from him about being an essayist that I thought applied to this blogging/facebook world of ours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"The essayist is a self-liberated man, sustained by the childish belief that everything he thinks about, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">everything that happens to him, is of general interest."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 47px;">I guess the difference between an Essayist and a blogger is that you actually had to be articulate to be an Essayist. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 47px;">Here's to the non-discriminatory nature of blogs!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 67px;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-57310908021493653432010-10-09T21:43:00.000-07:002010-10-09T21:43:13.544-07:00Maybe not so dreadfulOn Friday, I thought lice were dreadful. Now I feel silly about it since hearing about the shooting at my friend's elementary school in Carlsbad. I can't imagine the fear those kids and parents had during those frightening moments. To think that two little girls now have gunshot wounds because of some random act of violence. I know how sensitive my six year old is and I can't imagine having to discuss with him about the bad man who came to school. My friend's 5 year old son had to hide in a bathroom for over an hour with other students and teachers. The teachers were brave and distracted the kids by playing games and telling them it was a long drill when I am sure they, themselves were scared out of their minds. I think my Friday lice report was not so dreadful. Perspective.Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-31431198150957121712010-10-08T14:51:00.000-07:002010-10-08T15:00:01.765-07:00Dreadful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I knew this day would come and I have been dreading it. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrArHvzkJdeE8kfiGaRknKw-miQcoh6MPyu6KgmhVo-AuEncp2sgiDz46nJd99tFYkrCJZjocLtdwXqNMlOq0riXrzBLCQP0g8CH7H9Xy7gg9znNUWDrR5xCfhTUpNxP2la0sUPKht0U/s1600/2010+10+08_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrArHvzkJdeE8kfiGaRknKw-miQcoh6MPyu6KgmhVo-AuEncp2sgiDz46nJd99tFYkrCJZjocLtdwXqNMlOq0riXrzBLCQP0g8CH7H9Xy7gg9znNUWDrR5xCfhTUpNxP2la0sUPKht0U/s400/2010+10+08_0234.JPG" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">My head immediately started to itch and I felt like this...</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BC2cLUeSTa41CVaPzs3hb_1FaVjaXytSwZgLIAFmMOksVH8vXYqaz8PEeIFGZ9TjHBIpeUdXo1qqiKczoG-0qcsYnXODdZepQO9nMT6Ocf3VtvgYW-up9MhyEGSANC7YubBgOiCi-7g/s1600/lice+images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BC2cLUeSTa41CVaPzs3hb_1FaVjaXytSwZgLIAFmMOksVH8vXYqaz8PEeIFGZ9TjHBIpeUdXo1qqiKczoG-0qcsYnXODdZepQO9nMT6Ocf3VtvgYW-up9MhyEGSANC7YubBgOiCi-7g/s400/lice+images.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I went into a panic and went straight to the pharmacy to buy some lice killer. I wasn't sure what to look for but I was not going to mess around. Somehow, I made it through my entire childhood without ever meeting these little pests. I don't remember my siblings ever getting them either. I am hoping that maybe we are genetically pre-dispositioned to repel the little suckers. I checked Sam's head and while I thought he looked free and clear I still was not sure. Then I checked the internet for some hints as to what I needed to watch out for.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Gross.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XWeGTNpJcT2B5_J5HWfYrg9V2-7f3wY6dnBofEvUQccfB0WNal74ImQ4fEaL_G8zMxQSmYTla1q1dQH90vJmctGVSRB3PucsjVR7YsievG4fBIzBv47JADwd5dbBFzMEtjax2k4nH4Q/s1600/lice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XWeGTNpJcT2B5_J5HWfYrg9V2-7f3wY6dnBofEvUQccfB0WNal74ImQ4fEaL_G8zMxQSmYTla1q1dQH90vJmctGVSRB3PucsjVR7YsievG4fBIzBv47JADwd5dbBFzMEtjax2k4nH4Q/s400/lice2.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Yuck.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43WwhVTNaDrLtuRTTr-g7mcxs4FPxqTdAbTAMWz0t-3Tn88j9YvqBdQ4ZOTT06aYrMYod2hRADq1u2GeqvtSiVAU2BxOG7P2Ndi9Q28gqycLeIsStWzj_eSjSIqqujsO6ABS0XkYrrQ4/s1600/more+lice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43WwhVTNaDrLtuRTTr-g7mcxs4FPxqTdAbTAMWz0t-3Tn88j9YvqBdQ4ZOTT06aYrMYod2hRADq1u2GeqvtSiVAU2BxOG7P2Ndi9Q28gqycLeIsStWzj_eSjSIqqujsO6ABS0XkYrrQ4/s400/more+lice.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I am so grossed out right now. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Wish us luck!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">If I find anything I will be sure to post a close up photo.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I'll consider it my favor to anyone who reads this so you will know what to look for.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It's what I do.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I am still itchy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1613096089"></span><span id="goog_1613096090"></span></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-42189322234754244942010-09-30T16:36:00.000-07:002010-09-30T16:37:25.144-07:00Rain<div style="text-align: center;">It is raining today. Complete with thunder and lightning. We like that around here! </div><div style="text-align: center;">A funny thing, picking up kids at an elementary school during an unexpected rainstorm in San Diego. <br />
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You'd think aliens were landing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This picture is from July...during the last rain </div><div style="text-align: center;">from our summer that never was. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It may not be my best but it is one of my favorites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZejxpW4mC7AOc3rVt7zdNyMkQFC_B_-8fbz9UPvLC32FlNunOn1J0LWfDU_NoQ9jKkFV8VVX1NpFoJJLZPvWzh70J4llTKzTc9Dx6sVWsdOVdX85Y2t_436GaQvUniVu3Q40huBtKtk/s1600/2010+07+31_7872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZejxpW4mC7AOc3rVt7zdNyMkQFC_B_-8fbz9UPvLC32FlNunOn1J0LWfDU_NoQ9jKkFV8VVX1NpFoJJLZPvWzh70J4llTKzTc9Dx6sVWsdOVdX85Y2t_436GaQvUniVu3Q40huBtKtk/s400/2010+07+31_7872.JPG" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have I mentioned that we love rainy days?</div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-87265673366077741082010-09-21T21:34:00.000-07:002010-09-21T21:34:43.084-07:00First Grade Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUpo59J01M82V0g8KzrqKeue5g4oL2oEdEPEoiNf8AogIgWBnOip507r6I7XmE-E3EefMOWNdKU559wyMd9489dgylJnuLAZe0Q90Scb5iLgG3zO8JWSK83RQF_1WM7ogSlaIJnSwFn4/s1600/2005+01+01_7966_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUpo59J01M82V0g8KzrqKeue5g4oL2oEdEPEoiNf8AogIgWBnOip507r6I7XmE-E3EefMOWNdKU559wyMd9489dgylJnuLAZe0Q90Scb5iLgG3zO8JWSK83RQF_1WM7ogSlaIJnSwFn4/s400/2005+01+01_7966_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Today, Keith and I met with Sam's first grade teacher. This is the goal setting conference for the year. We were happy to confirm that Sam is a fantastic student and he is loving first grade. As long as he holds back on his policeman like tendencies with his classmates I think we are headed for a very good year. His teacher is confident that he has been better about only reporting things that concern him directly. She seems genuinely happy to have him in her class. I walked away from the conference feeling like a superior parent doing an amazing job raising an intelligent, sweet and well adjusted little boy. Then we came home and tried to work on homework. Homework with a tired perfectionist is a true test of patience. I was quickly thrown back into reality and my parenting skills were challenged and I was reminded that much of the time I really don't know what I am doing. Can I really take credit for the sweet amazing boy we talked about today if I don't take the blame for the total meltdown we experienced while trying to write down this week's spelling list? I'll blame it on the camping trip. That is all it is...we are all a little off our routine from the camping trip. Time to step away from the homework and we will try again tomorrow... </span></span>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-18687967647874984342010-09-18T10:39:00.000-07:002010-09-18T10:41:26.133-07:00Indian Guides<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSo-7gT5ovrKZfQ4UIyDtVop17cRL-nrc_wA5kJp5H-6kxPHM9qxEfUnQXpQFpw8svESZEq32mIE_bV9K2vcqCNKkEptejcrXiKT_hTp5Q3hGMRc4GYrilXvViWM4qnI9vsOQw8VGvmU/s1600/28542_1470675886680_1227112562_31324880_2117583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSo-7gT5ovrKZfQ4UIyDtVop17cRL-nrc_wA5kJp5H-6kxPHM9qxEfUnQXpQFpw8svESZEq32mIE_bV9K2vcqCNKkEptejcrXiKT_hTp5Q3hGMRc4GYrilXvViWM4qnI9vsOQw8VGvmU/s400/28542_1470675886680_1227112562_31324880_2117583_n.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>Sam and Keith are gone this weekend. They are on their first Indian Guides camping trip! The girls are home alone for two nights. We miss our boys but Elise was excited to learn that she would get to sleep in my bed all weekend.<br />
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Sam went camping when he was about 10 months old. Obviously he doesn't remember that so this is really his first official camping trip. I have to preface this next little story by letting you know that Sam likes to watch Survivorman and Man vs. Wild and Dual Survivor on the Discovery Channel. <br />
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Keith and Sam are accompanied by our friends Max and Eric. Eric and Keith work together and Sam and Max go to school together. On Thursday, Eric and Keith were sharing stories about their sons nervous inquiries about the camping trip. Max was concerned about sleeping away from his mom for two nights in a row. Sam also voiced some concerns to Keith. He asked if they might see a specific type of brown spider. He asked if they might see a rattle snake. He wondered if there would be rabbits, bats, bugs, and other critters. Keith was answering thoughtfully as he thought these questions were fear based and did not want to create any extra anxiety for our boy. Then Sam asked if they would be using/making bows and arrows and if they would build a fire. When Keith told him no on the weapons making...Sam asked, "But how are we going to hunt and cook the snakes and rabbits?" Sam was counting on some serious survival skills needed for this camping trip. I hope he is not disappointed when he learns that they will be watching movies, devouring ice-cream sundaes and chowing down on grilled tri-tip rather than preparing their taste buds for bbq'd rattle snake and slimy grubs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdCEGGqc_G3yLyGYmrvi2KPwxp5hQOKfmDXwr6O4qQiua47JQfjUHM8yoEL9Cg05kozd1Cy6P6i8hOl-5w4V4rCbZaWsRmHhdiSQTOG9NfqfZW3k77lZLt8BY1ihpVZDVFUEzySW9n-c/s1600/2010+08+03_7861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdCEGGqc_G3yLyGYmrvi2KPwxp5hQOKfmDXwr6O4qQiua47JQfjUHM8yoEL9Cg05kozd1Cy6P6i8hOl-5w4V4rCbZaWsRmHhdiSQTOG9NfqfZW3k77lZLt8BY1ihpVZDVFUEzySW9n-c/s400/2010+08+03_7861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-34504934313425219472010-09-15T11:46:00.000-07:002010-09-15T11:46:59.920-07:00August Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju0P23omL5GvHIZ8MDbX9qtlsMWxy_YAhZ0mLEFOXXTGtpJ1Y8jWwQhZL2_aVxuiZgWfsqLu8Ym1p2uE7qWxzvvwtcYghNh6WHlZ20SDc1zDI3bhTrNpgSatHZArtySK_jV2-OoG2eGY/s1600/2010+08+09_7693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju0P23omL5GvHIZ8MDbX9qtlsMWxy_YAhZ0mLEFOXXTGtpJ1Y8jWwQhZL2_aVxuiZgWfsqLu8Ym1p2uE7qWxzvvwtcYghNh6WHlZ20SDc1zDI3bhTrNpgSatHZArtySK_jV2-OoG2eGY/s640/2010+08+09_7693.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mila is staring at me while sitting on the sofa. I can't resist taking a picture of those big brown eyes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> In August, we had the pleasure of her company along with her daddy, Uncle D and Uncle Lam too. Mara and family stayed with Papa and Curly. Aunt Lene and Uncle Jack were banished to a hotel after what happened the last time they came for a visit. ;-) Even our cousin Mike joined the party for a few days! I am ashamed to say I don't have many pictures from the week. Uncle Lam has a fancy camera so I let him take most of the pictures. Now I need to hunt him down before he goes back to Vietnam so I can have some copies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is our nephew Maxwell. This was the first time we met. He just turned 1 so we had cupcakes together.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWizfjiIwon9hH1ymBL1rEuX2VxwI0iJ4rvuKvI7uWlCIczQRIz2-SBUnV6MV_npjHA25Tbh8O0kW_g6NEd1pCkXR7A-WtkEcWkoZP4MmQuoE3gFm-q4BHlVdbltZ4zMQA5DLVm2VQW0/s1600/2010+07+25_7441_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWizfjiIwon9hH1ymBL1rEuX2VxwI0iJ4rvuKvI7uWlCIczQRIz2-SBUnV6MV_npjHA25Tbh8O0kW_g6NEd1pCkXR7A-WtkEcWkoZP4MmQuoE3gFm-q4BHlVdbltZ4zMQA5DLVm2VQW0/s640/2010+07+25_7441_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at that face...Oh my...he is beyond cute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-mJeiIsz_tMxH2qIRvbup_Un2RcVDFfsnvpvjPO8l9Ttj29lULqkc6Ip6C_mFo8k14hmX1ZP5qHpZ75sLuo3JhWhyphenhyphenw8RPxj3-KLnFrVBC7zrOb_WdTs40nLjV9Zm73qezUWKDU6QMXY/s1600/2010+07+26_7422_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-mJeiIsz_tMxH2qIRvbup_Un2RcVDFfsnvpvjPO8l9Ttj29lULqkc6Ip6C_mFo8k14hmX1ZP5qHpZ75sLuo3JhWhyphenhyphenw8RPxj3-KLnFrVBC7zrOb_WdTs40nLjV9Zm73qezUWKDU6QMXY/s400/2010+07+26_7422_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSE5NI4t3ieVAoyp6vmcJNlaBVUmRUDUqNl9qcHs6ujvgY_vwQva0wDiAf3gDZXk8b7fDiQWqhMjWtFgSc_PhBsgJ-27_BAOfvy9afhN64Nl2EaLxSDMI40onyJ8vt25y7LfJ5QsCPaM/s1600/2010+07+26_7412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSE5NI4t3ieVAoyp6vmcJNlaBVUmRUDUqNl9qcHs6ujvgY_vwQva0wDiAf3gDZXk8b7fDiQWqhMjWtFgSc_PhBsgJ-27_BAOfvy9afhN64Nl2EaLxSDMI40onyJ8vt25y7LfJ5QsCPaM/s400/2010+07+26_7412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cole is Maxwell's big brother.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Why did I just type that? Do I think we'll forget how we are all related to eachother? Mara...here is a picture of your first son Cole...he is Maxwell's big brother, did you know that?)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDrMipyJWQf1rlS2mljEpZnGNCOu1f5-oXTDhiaGjwYVS4fXYvL-ksP_tQ_Aap-DP7Kegkf8sXodaKSK_Bhjc_s-Si7ubJqSOi60zC98Yg63rFBGmpjW9gqb33bJJeacQVGfvmSm8yMo/s1600/2010+07+26_7404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDrMipyJWQf1rlS2mljEpZnGNCOu1f5-oXTDhiaGjwYVS4fXYvL-ksP_tQ_Aap-DP7Kegkf8sXodaKSK_Bhjc_s-Si7ubJqSOi60zC98Yg63rFBGmpjW9gqb33bJJeacQVGfvmSm8yMo/s640/2010+07+26_7404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We all took the train to old town. Taking a train with a big group all meeting at the train station can be a bit tricky. Cory almost missed the train on the way down. He used his super human speed to run across the tracks with a stroller and a baby at the last minute and just made the train. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W-26TlVcVI7HMi-ii0oDmaTTnq123T-vRD4VAIle6FkBJxl_XOnqW_u-kpHo6JIkDqFersgnFshquwbDjG-GOUnA0sbSHhmIU7luMS6ueLkz2OqyVljoj4Z2uEoCyFmL9-zVtz2jV7k/s1600/2010+08+03_7808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W-26TlVcVI7HMi-ii0oDmaTTnq123T-vRD4VAIle6FkBJxl_XOnqW_u-kpHo6JIkDqFersgnFshquwbDjG-GOUnA0sbSHhmIU7luMS6ueLkz2OqyVljoj4Z2uEoCyFmL9-zVtz2jV7k/s400/2010+08+03_7808.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2V3so3I_j6dPA16TVNtjw6ojK2fCA3JUMsV8VT5eBEFaXTXNsIw79sEXsY99X7_Nc5GxiamHplsmRHOXoWB7kd66yOQOGHSFTEuPC7OhihRQRjcu5msc8ajNbeaVlN5zlx-mEZ7ZH4A/s1600/2010+08+03_7817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2V3so3I_j6dPA16TVNtjw6ojK2fCA3JUMsV8VT5eBEFaXTXNsIw79sEXsY99X7_Nc5GxiamHplsmRHOXoWB7kd66yOQOGHSFTEuPC7OhihRQRjcu5msc8ajNbeaVlN5zlx-mEZ7ZH4A/s640/2010+08+03_7817.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the train ride back this Irish gentleman we know almost started a brawl while trying to get off the train and I had to use my super human strength to hold the train door open so Uncle Jack could jump off before getting stuck on the train to LA. I love a feisty Irish man who stands up for himself!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBABeo_kEd8GUCSrWYVd9rGbgX_9uCjt4YW3QZjatxJ6IkycVdhyphenhyphenYCTx5LRyRuWeLxtBmQkO79htx1Inp7dTa9_Ci5JrASQ-Anfy081qXKhiewq2mkp0ornq4_k46jDkSyrjDk_-VEXEE/s1600/2010+08+03_7818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBABeo_kEd8GUCSrWYVd9rGbgX_9uCjt4YW3QZjatxJ6IkycVdhyphenhyphenYCTx5LRyRuWeLxtBmQkO79htx1Inp7dTa9_Ci5JrASQ-Anfy081qXKhiewq2mkp0ornq4_k46jDkSyrjDk_-VEXEE/s400/2010+08+03_7818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aunt Mara treated the kids to some personalized license plates...Old Town had everyone's name...impressive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is my Rock Star brother in law looking tough while blowing bubbles. He is currently playing a few shows in Boulder with <a href="http://www.myspace.com/colinrobison">Colin Robison</a>. He also is hangin' with my current favorite singer/songwriter <a href="http://www.gregoryalanisakov.com/">Gregory Alan Isoko</a>v. Seriously, he is hangin' with him, like staying at his house and everything. If you have access to iTunes, go download his album This Empty Northern Hemisphere and play it on a Sunday morning over a cup of coffee. You can thank me later. OK...back to the reunion.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AmNYYuPlBk1dBYChw-Krm-ZNsiVLb0N5OYfUamaWKHGjOHGnbvWnzn5Sk9iCPrXlx7AicRLiA0ivoCnzWU1U2M3o3Rb7suDbRAEpMrVKOMUf0Y1riEqZoKoCDojNPcWYTiXniLwLxL0/s1600/2010+08+03_7829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AmNYYuPlBk1dBYChw-Krm-ZNsiVLb0N5OYfUamaWKHGjOHGnbvWnzn5Sk9iCPrXlx7AicRLiA0ivoCnzWU1U2M3o3Rb7suDbRAEpMrVKOMUf0Y1riEqZoKoCDojNPcWYTiXniLwLxL0/s640/2010+08+03_7829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmh2ZDsVi68ojFec7KoHl-TIRFjzcTDbLkZHFCQNpAnJlZyef_1Jl6gnPBmIQ6Q977UM-p0amRJbbra-m8KKZU71W_PlVZrL7tR2IthFCSTmkF15pXYpRAAt6ZaCaCVzaBDp7SK2X4lho/s1600/2010+08+03_7844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmh2ZDsVi68ojFec7KoHl-TIRFjzcTDbLkZHFCQNpAnJlZyef_1Jl6gnPBmIQ6Q977UM-p0amRJbbra-m8KKZU71W_PlVZrL7tR2IthFCSTmkF15pXYpRAAt6ZaCaCVzaBDp7SK2X4lho/s640/2010+08+03_7844.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgWYl1TmxtIir8kJAo8LM16oozWMt1H0pIZlMYZdYBaDCQA04veuNJ2J2fQMs55BmfCp35ygE-xl0dhHqhKL9Zy9icXTpQCg8QmyoePjT5tWpJ8Jvs4WgzjwpZv16yXyrTM6v9_4ugAHok/s1600/2010+08+03_7852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYl1TmxtIir8kJAo8LM16oozWMt1H0pIZlMYZdYBaDCQA04veuNJ2J2fQMs55BmfCp35ygE-xl0dhHqhKL9Zy9icXTpQCg8QmyoePjT5tWpJ8Jvs4WgzjwpZv16yXyrTM6v9_4ugAHok/s640/2010+08+03_7852.JPG" width="640" /></a>While in Old Town, Keith's parents took us to the Mormon Battalion. They have an interactive talk about some of the Mormon History and how they fought for our country. It was very well done and impressive. Sam really got into it but was disappointed to find out we were not really going camping with shotguns...it was just pretend. I had no idea my son would be so quick to sign up to fight for his country. Nice but I hope that is never, ever, never the case. The kids also had a chance to pan for gold. Really fun and not heavy on talk about religion so it really is enjoyable for all to go to. The entire experience is free and it was the highlight of the Old Town trip. (Except for maybe the pitchers of Margaritas Aunt Lene, Keith and I managed to put down at the restaurant.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the kids on our favorite Hike in Torrey Pines...they are looking for dinosaur bones in the sandy cliffs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDhEE_cTcFO28hyyoXg4DalLQeUkI8tyrCWAsWKON4fuvAcWgLG88p3Iv4eZorHlwV0FOAXhYtutTnq4hC9Uqh4nO1_lFqncYie1sv_cLvtb2EwvOzpDNfnILKp5pmJJFa81PHwUwEhk/s1600/2010+08+06_7764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDhEE_cTcFO28hyyoXg4DalLQeUkI8tyrCWAsWKON4fuvAcWgLG88p3Iv4eZorHlwV0FOAXhYtutTnq4hC9Uqh4nO1_lFqncYie1sv_cLvtb2EwvOzpDNfnILKp5pmJJFa81PHwUwEhk/s640/2010+08+06_7764.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV1jEtfzz7RztW74PJoUHwqFsef-otTjzWxhsQfbWfzuoSOhjad2PyT5lphwVlbBcaMH40hwS8Oz5H-sAcuAS4cBaRt0RsaQC5OLBGKtIFAAaYsIYTQLYPS3KSMJibv-yhvkkC944ar8/s1600/2010+08+06_7768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV1jEtfzz7RztW74PJoUHwqFsef-otTjzWxhsQfbWfzuoSOhjad2PyT5lphwVlbBcaMH40hwS8Oz5H-sAcuAS4cBaRt0RsaQC5OLBGKtIFAAaYsIYTQLYPS3KSMJibv-yhvkkC944ar8/s640/2010+08+06_7768.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOFPcGu4cu_NopZQrvkEnoWf96FCMWYsdXqV0dFW4klqGKvdPPbDj2FZviKOeDlAkNf6GynBildchFKduncFFJqz1olwhwVgtBilNznEDuAe7DbkjwgUOD9uYBYaMGyB7YNhLrlYvVdU/s1600/2010+08+06_7797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOFPcGu4cu_NopZQrvkEnoWf96FCMWYsdXqV0dFW4klqGKvdPPbDj2FZviKOeDlAkNf6GynBildchFKduncFFJqz1olwhwVgtBilNznEDuAe7DbkjwgUOD9uYBYaMGyB7YNhLrlYvVdU/s640/2010+08+06_7797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdcyCdBq1HJEAkR8i-JH-yYsDKEmG1Fa5qspsS-5ICFZIJ38eHYWYzbGqyraPPZcKFeJ2TSZoTEZRqnnimyXpHl4TJiFQOAMrMdXAo0-EBwySEZU1qD5yUBY5LgRbtTbZf1TTKJrfp1k/s1600/2010+08+06_7794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdcyCdBq1HJEAkR8i-JH-yYsDKEmG1Fa5qspsS-5ICFZIJ38eHYWYzbGqyraPPZcKFeJ2TSZoTEZRqnnimyXpHl4TJiFQOAMrMdXAo0-EBwySEZU1qD5yUBY5LgRbtTbZf1TTKJrfp1k/s640/2010+08+06_7794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyDuXUqGwi-OHjlgEgKAf7MuQ2UusaOxn-ihe3vMBCRJjheKg98poMDD8ZVmwlEuqFwndF6bRCgG8fLyh6fsO2MK0nyxJ9gO-YcSW5DM75Cjq4uavZhPkEGqpvTEfJI5UQNAaKAya6_M/s1600/2010+08+06_7802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyDuXUqGwi-OHjlgEgKAf7MuQ2UusaOxn-ihe3vMBCRJjheKg98poMDD8ZVmwlEuqFwndF6bRCgG8fLyh6fsO2MK0nyxJ9gO-YcSW5DM75Cjq4uavZhPkEGqpvTEfJI5UQNAaKAya6_M/s640/2010+08+06_7802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elise thought is was pretty hysterical that she decided to run through the waves with all her clothes on. She didn't care that it meant riding home cold and naked. She thought it was definitely worth it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MCBx8qelZeo5obypdk87iVlOK1El7NizqTpvVWbWO3nJkxaoI7ia_IXma9t5L70hSJU_D9aeO0kd1omPu2zxVFk7ed4RpuXrxFhcceNpUvfJpl5qf5D4XpIgbpukWrL5wmAdVPacfew/s1600/2010+08+06_7766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MCBx8qelZeo5obypdk87iVlOK1El7NizqTpvVWbWO3nJkxaoI7ia_IXma9t5L70hSJU_D9aeO0kd1omPu2zxVFk7ed4RpuXrxFhcceNpUvfJpl5qf5D4XpIgbpukWrL5wmAdVPacfew/s640/2010+08+06_7766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had so much fun with the fam! Papa and Curly worked their butts off feeding this crew. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Thanks Papa and Curly for all your hard work pulling this reunion off! </div><br />
<span id="goog_1294671295"></span><span id="goog_1294671296"></span>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-21682131200183401962010-08-16T22:10:00.000-07:002010-08-19T15:45:25.194-07:00Love Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLQ5YiyCcUnigSH6YQYlyAoU7z2ZwrjqX34Uiq9_DZFyrAY8pxTOtkamu4boRqkMdkEpSenfEuf3U4pI7jqzOZHretS-R5kIIc4uOTqiTmwQkJ2VMIjZCIPH5wSrzxWmcNXVTJutbR8w/s1600/sam+note6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLQ5YiyCcUnigSH6YQYlyAoU7z2ZwrjqX34Uiq9_DZFyrAY8pxTOtkamu4boRqkMdkEpSenfEuf3U4pI7jqzOZHretS-R5kIIc4uOTqiTmwQkJ2VMIjZCIPH5wSrzxWmcNXVTJutbR8w/s640/sam+note6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The best thing about Sam starting school last year was his learning to read and write. One of the best things about Sam learning to read and write is that Elise is eager to try to keep up with her big brother. Halfway through the year we started finding notes left by our bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeHbPPitJcMFowEX5aMjlaFs6VsR6wl9L16dV3Wp8AD1O0ImC6RhjyIdMFmWyuqaKEXhEao_ew9uqcwmj82VvKbwb0Yl1Fenm0ZFp40v0IlLhOcewgCDmLdEphZ5uG0chScHhKEGQS88/s1600/sam+note3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeHbPPitJcMFowEX5aMjlaFs6VsR6wl9L16dV3Wp8AD1O0ImC6RhjyIdMFmWyuqaKEXhEao_ew9uqcwmj82VvKbwb0Yl1Fenm0ZFp40v0IlLhOcewgCDmLdEphZ5uG0chScHhKEGQS88/s640/sam+note3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elise would copy by leaving notes too, but she chose to keep the notes short. And she insisted on using some notecards that she found in my desk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8vfFLZRsT4vQYDV_OPfnElybDgjfIycVuZPPAepKuewVKh0-pGencyLnQFJQdTnG6g2rRQUpyMP3Tbk6ydePjO1mMNQ6hslcdH8oWzWhow4nVcatryCboQeAqT6apm2Mscl_Nog9ggA/s1600/front+of+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8vfFLZRsT4vQYDV_OPfnElybDgjfIycVuZPPAepKuewVKh0-pGencyLnQFJQdTnG6g2rRQUpyMP3Tbk6ydePjO1mMNQ6hslcdH8oWzWhow4nVcatryCboQeAqT6apm2Mscl_Nog9ggA/s400/front+of+card.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her notes usually include a picture of her or her and someone else and then her signature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of her early signatures that I really love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how she has lots of lines in her E's and that the first E and the last E face eachother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It just makes sense.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C-Bkmauff10wF51khCVgOeF37Y9FapphuY-BLxy2hjKPjsBToE9zkCPMX_zHSlo6bSrXTggoalfgbfE_kFzOcG_WBsivRfd3-fznSfoPbEQRpfLSHpHLSDfR4Kldzngl1q1-XPY0F6k/s1600/elise+note1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C-Bkmauff10wF51khCVgOeF37Y9FapphuY-BLxy2hjKPjsBToE9zkCPMX_zHSlo6bSrXTggoalfgbfE_kFzOcG_WBsivRfd3-fznSfoPbEQRpfLSHpHLSDfR4Kldzngl1q1-XPY0F6k/s640/elise+note1.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEhlEMMQThrYMpVCXHUWiB7YmxGGx9Zb-1_FL-n00cp6U1AKdyGSMH_TRfFFy76c71Q7jYhiL75Wa6JdnL33vEC6wyZq2RR_Lr2FrT21D5q04jvTfqgfxzKnHxbspcZKlt8kj6oxvssocw0/s1600/elise+note4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEMMQThrYMpVCXHUWiB7YmxGGx9Zb-1_FL-n00cp6U1AKdyGSMH_TRfFFy76c71Q7jYhiL75Wa6JdnL33vEC6wyZq2RR_Lr2FrT21D5q04jvTfqgfxzKnHxbspcZKlt8kj6oxvssocw0/s640/elise+note4.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHaK78kSVFcIBHle9nfQ9FEuev0GmwFPsSVQTNBVbiuYrWUqvcPKaKVkKedq0pBRjIjHCmFXxsrs7mLtL9M6Lz_qQUbIsR4BvaySfTnUGAew-bbfbZln-TkFWn39MYVDe1OQ9M8MELOU/s1600/sam+note4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHaK78kSVFcIBHle9nfQ9FEuev0GmwFPsSVQTNBVbiuYrWUqvcPKaKVkKedq0pBRjIjHCmFXxsrs7mLtL9M6Lz_qQUbIsR4BvaySfTnUGAew-bbfbZln-TkFWn39MYVDe1OQ9M8MELOU/s640/sam+note4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Throughout the year, Sam's writing improved and his pictures included more details.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L6jTOdRG04jQs94CKf9mrO_FHvguGAQSgaov49j8gi8mCWZ4zWeh5qeXr3MbSrPIkqYuYz1zU5bMdzR_iCu136zy8zpK9Lq5VyLGTe4PdtJ7g9rAQoH0MfCdzO8APMXm0eaPREo4Dz4/s1600/elise+note3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L6jTOdRG04jQs94CKf9mrO_FHvguGAQSgaov49j8gi8mCWZ4zWeh5qeXr3MbSrPIkqYuYz1zU5bMdzR_iCu136zy8zpK9Lq5VyLGTe4PdtJ7g9rAQoH0MfCdzO8APMXm0eaPREo4Dz4/s640/elise+note3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elise started to experiment with color.</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/AVvXsEg545n1wCBOulL7uPdT9S1Iv4g5e8GZWkp65qUBFT7vk9GPzisdCx5bKfoNYtu-bfZqhm0zYU-G_FZVcC4UcuT4ULdtMa9z2kx2MFiJa8tmA5IuFS2Ts8l7rRpMe_rfWoVC0rUK2ia1SOM/s1600/sam+note1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg545n1wCBOulL7uPdT9S1Iv4g5e8GZWkp65qUBFT7vk9GPzisdCx5bKfoNYtu-bfZqhm0zYU-G_FZVcC4UcuT4ULdtMa9z2kx2MFiJa8tmA5IuFS2Ts8l7rRpMe_rfWoVC0rUK2ia1SOM/s640/sam+note1.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgbbivfP0KU4xj-0Mju0ttVGpBw6HI-6e5osFuyW0CUjyjbCwk3SZAKy6QxrE_0VqE8TVO7j4bY6_iTJDyKeLFmVGoeGDPiabGz_xzZ0OSM0bFXz-7MwYRErLsvmufkwjQvSmhyphenhyphen0BJx-hQ/s1600/sam+note2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbivfP0KU4xj-0Mju0ttVGpBw6HI-6e5osFuyW0CUjyjbCwk3SZAKy6QxrE_0VqE8TVO7j4bY6_iTJDyKeLFmVGoeGDPiabGz_xzZ0OSM0bFXz-7MwYRErLsvmufkwjQvSmhyphenhyphen0BJx-hQ/s640/sam+note2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elise's handwriting is starting to improve...as it should, but I will always love her early style. This note is getting much more advanced including some lower case. I think Sam helped her with her spelling on this note about her BFF Ella. That...or she knows more than she is letting on at pre-school.</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/AVvXsEi-OfrxuPXHQqA7smscNnv_RIjrUT6QYHijvlx_fNJgEkrPku8BFssTWQQ7KInsXiGdVTm3QuKM_OBZ3ZxJYu_4PkqeqlmEt12WX7WyM5C6xPeCqWVIs_gNsAyEzyPxPFnQHULwD28S8zI/s1600/elise+note5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OfrxuPXHQqA7smscNnv_RIjrUT6QYHijvlx_fNJgEkrPku8BFssTWQQ7KInsXiGdVTm3QuKM_OBZ3ZxJYu_4PkqeqlmEt12WX7WyM5C6xPeCqWVIs_gNsAyEzyPxPFnQHULwD28S8zI/s640/elise+note5.jpg" width="640" /></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;">This writing thing also helps Sam communicate his frustrations as this runaway note shows. </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't remember what he was mad about but I am happy he got it off his chest.</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/AVvXsEj3OqFTbrYGT-6b5_fkmK1rVWe1vQbISTyUFgkEYI5gaOrGO_ixUhVZYkRjwZtFBcRXBYKRdJ3p0lYibMgt0Zx17hvjre404ozD5_1rXdoHu4IhAQBTCknbNowLMOC-RSGBHp8JniWWkcc/s1600/sam+note5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OqFTbrYGT-6b5_fkmK1rVWe1vQbISTyUFgkEYI5gaOrGO_ixUhVZYkRjwZtFBcRXBYKRdJ3p0lYibMgt0Zx17hvjre404ozD5_1rXdoHu4IhAQBTCknbNowLMOC-RSGBHp8JniWWkcc/s640/sam+note5.jpg" width="464" /></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;">This looks like Elise needed to air some grievances as well. </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/AVvXsEiJEehO6Sp3UnDUD99tFIwHMEkQgMhYfaMHNNVM0RQwbGk7ipqACDLBgqfp0RUDt0nuTquXDM-uhCLv4hizx64Nn3guXV4h0BmHN_YK29jsu-jVk0VpfZktBbj2vuKQwEAeh6ktzWp3eRU/s1600/elise+note2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEehO6Sp3UnDUD99tFIwHMEkQgMhYfaMHNNVM0RQwbGk7ipqACDLBgqfp0RUDt0nuTquXDM-uhCLv4hizx64Nn3guXV4h0BmHN_YK29jsu-jVk0VpfZktBbj2vuKQwEAeh6ktzWp3eRU/s640/elise+note2.jpg" width="640" /></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;">Today was the first day of First Grade. Can't wait to see what this year brings.</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 love my 6 and 4 year olds.</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 am trying to cherish everyday.</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 know these days will pass too quickly.</div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878776325807972406.post-75709455537457254742010-08-13T10:05:00.000-07:002010-08-13T10:05:01.450-07:00Tahoe ContinuedWhen I win the lottery, we are moving to Tahoe. Or at least buying our summer home there. It would be a perfect getaway since the summers in San Diego tend to be foggy and cool. I love, love, love, Tahoe. One of the most beautiful places in the world...in my opinion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWk9_2_x-ReGzkAixZxJRniYcWj2h0cOT538IwnahVpYX47_XpD1r_GmnMEWkzymcFaOeWCyNPpyFPRfJNe_ikdJJuBZw63V3mvrJjFCJTszZgOfM_GDy4LkiOX78eigsYAOXqd_xcgc/s1600/2010+07+01_6782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWk9_2_x-ReGzkAixZxJRniYcWj2h0cOT538IwnahVpYX47_XpD1r_GmnMEWkzymcFaOeWCyNPpyFPRfJNe_ikdJJuBZw63V3mvrJjFCJTszZgOfM_GDy4LkiOX78eigsYAOXqd_xcgc/s640/2010+07+01_6782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our last four days in Tahoe we spent with our good friends at Casa Bowman. Keith and Chris have been friends for a long time. Since, like forever ago...like since the late 70's, man. When we reunite in Tahoe every year, there is an instant comfort and lots of stories to re-live and laugh about. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every year we have the same schedule of events...we always have a beach day...</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/AVvXsEgprzNWaL2eHFIPmgZGJnWWAjsXs81DdByzdvapBChhnfAGwo6FZM3yt1oi5BdQkzg5YfHrUFwmoByTYkL-Ckuhyphenhyphent1XrDOq0_uHobUUQSymuVN_CI2CsXgbGQfmB7cSCJBbQFGM7kCZ1Kw/s1600/2010+07+01_6786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprzNWaL2eHFIPmgZGJnWWAjsXs81DdByzdvapBChhnfAGwo6FZM3yt1oi5BdQkzg5YfHrUFwmoByTYkL-Ckuhyphenhyphent1XrDOq0_uHobUUQSymuVN_CI2CsXgbGQfmB7cSCJBbQFGM7kCZ1Kw/s640/2010+07+01_6786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The men have a golf and poker day while the women folk entertain the kids. This year we found a new hiking trail near their cabin.</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/AVvXsEhpbH0ZprNA3F9TTmMDCdmA1_FsYDNoCkvAXou6ePwt__eza3j72YI_NcPJ6n6yfbbN47GzAAvYFKXk9gFLOpWjCH04LQCmZb4cO4yZd8IixrYxmZubOnPj0LJKK8gVd1tORfVZZE20CDg/s1600/2010+07+03_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbH0ZprNA3F9TTmMDCdmA1_FsYDNoCkvAXou6ePwt__eza3j72YI_NcPJ6n6yfbbN47GzAAvYFKXk9gFLOpWjCH04LQCmZb4cO4yZd8IixrYxmZubOnPj0LJKK8gVd1tORfVZZE20CDg/s640/2010+07+03_6595.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmaPsANXQsqp2zLkACqBB9ByBgS-Dg8yY3LePmWOGh4z-NK_Gbcp0h3p2ojOMRiE4x5RbJbzlSoZqgiV_JSbpnw3hTbhOhGymJePyOZZAdbXx639z0cPyJzijFqq-a34SU0gYlFoe89o/s1600/2010+07+03_6634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmaPsANXQsqp2zLkACqBB9ByBgS-Dg8yY3LePmWOGh4z-NK_Gbcp0h3p2ojOMRiE4x5RbJbzlSoZqgiV_JSbpnw3hTbhOhGymJePyOZZAdbXx639z0cPyJzijFqq-a34SU0gYlFoe89o/s400/2010+07+03_6634.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">While on the hike, I think we may have arranged a marriage. Elise still has a choice though...they have three bachelors to choose from. This day it looked like Cash had the edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehh1ymIeVIBWTNvf_3AceocC0iSNoJ0i6f_kBmIp5pLAfOuREg6PHYHI4uD7WdVnlC3xcHCLr8yWE2GE68_TyIV3CX3xooiE30gIcIc72u0wg0hwv5qAqu6b_ii81cIIqczIR6Ch7BVw/s1600/2010+07+03_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehh1ymIeVIBWTNvf_3AceocC0iSNoJ0i6f_kBmIp5pLAfOuREg6PHYHI4uD7WdVnlC3xcHCLr8yWE2GE68_TyIV3CX3xooiE30gIcIc72u0wg0hwv5qAqu6b_ii81cIIqczIR6Ch7BVw/s640/2010+07+03_6615.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> For the first time we all figured out the boys would be in a lot less trouble when the golf/poker day gets out of hand if the girls plan a day off as well. We shopped, went to lunch, got our nails did and met this random woman outside of Garwoods. Amazing how a few drinks in high altitude brings strangers together! The men took the kids fishing and Sam caught his first fish. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">They were also thrilled about spotting a bald eagle flying above them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieooDgGOftBYH9DewgrPDbYvHMKgEJ_I14OlJoG2MoK2LBe8CO49qOkeSZzWCiZDYX1c_v2rP9fxm0iU0JqLvZRbhFryfpJmuFk2AoBDhsPIEuSbpXPcs5YFDrzksjwLzQo_QvpRjWh2Q/s1600/2010+07+02_6755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieooDgGOftBYH9DewgrPDbYvHMKgEJ_I14OlJoG2MoK2LBe8CO49qOkeSZzWCiZDYX1c_v2rP9fxm0iU0JqLvZRbhFryfpJmuFk2AoBDhsPIEuSbpXPcs5YFDrzksjwLzQo_QvpRjWh2Q/s640/2010+07+02_6755.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We usually start out the 4th of July with a day at Northstar...here the kids are waiting for their chance to jump...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd5wFh3OMTxtxE0RRWNdgFe-4J77_LMppsPsFbDBpdWBD8iqAKjtadmqiHcAbu9SKyqcLIRDrVbhvt-POxsaF7PiSthF-u9HfK2P5uJCgCR06MATvbj_8mbUfwRixbMcJoe9ymil2b5g/s1600/2010+07+04_6460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd5wFh3OMTxtxE0RRWNdgFe-4J77_LMppsPsFbDBpdWBD8iqAKjtadmqiHcAbu9SKyqcLIRDrVbhvt-POxsaF7PiSthF-u9HfK2P5uJCgCR06MATvbj_8mbUfwRixbMcJoe9ymil2b5g/s640/2010+07+04_6460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1ofwUCujYdNWrUPxQNknx81M6KCKqLTNH3vko8ExTDwVNn2gLkqF1wPK2wbSV5upEJ1AIlMMTboB8U-vvzIexsS_cYXrLzlORSRsyc2bwDirx2FyM1z-ifDp3U4CVAHBH3xoJrIkeF8/s1600/2010+07+04_6468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1ofwUCujYdNWrUPxQNknx81M6KCKqLTNH3vko8ExTDwVNn2gLkqF1wPK2wbSV5upEJ1AIlMMTboB8U-vvzIexsS_cYXrLzlORSRsyc2bwDirx2FyM1z-ifDp3U4CVAHBH3xoJrIkeF8/s640/2010+07+04_6468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The trip would not be complete without a little photo shoot. This is my favorite from this year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kJjj9T94wtUUXCl30QMElUxFigFriBafP6aPGSe_a0Vph6FCnfDX0LlhgsWJXSK2XFRbW6g1Kfcge2OhBthy81NkmuzinRxQs-hvbh8xj-PxHltWc7TNH1soNuovOOmVBBd78wQTeWY/s1600/2010+07+04_6507+copy+2bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kJjj9T94wtUUXCl30QMElUxFigFriBafP6aPGSe_a0Vph6FCnfDX0LlhgsWJXSK2XFRbW6g1Kfcge2OhBthy81NkmuzinRxQs-hvbh8xj-PxHltWc7TNH1soNuovOOmVBBd78wQTeWY/s640/2010+07+04_6507+copy+2bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Our last night is always a picnic dinner, a group photo, and fireworks in Tahoe City.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUeVXQtHiPQlUzHmK_44OiWg7HWYQTensFVcLYR2WSIECD_IdflBE959BTiI8C_lKi1nCybhufR3_bLyZ1frR3kYLSIotuAz17z_nCsGmYdXZZJLWE5cLFi-9fo-5svhSGkDB5Ok0vEs/s1600/2010+07+04_6554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUeVXQtHiPQlUzHmK_44OiWg7HWYQTensFVcLYR2WSIECD_IdflBE959BTiI8C_lKi1nCybhufR3_bLyZ1frR3kYLSIotuAz17z_nCsGmYdXZZJLWE5cLFi-9fo-5svhSGkDB5Ok0vEs/s640/2010+07+04_6554.JPG" width="640" /></a><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;">Sam tried out my camera for the first time...here are a few of his shots.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KZ_s5_BMKWY1R9Rc1RKb_NCPYZ1ZppmBg0stRWJF3vZdqDse53MK1FvVX9KdKtwntTehDJNvUr26Eg_L9GE5CGCPXCeEgfmLa2TmOrNur-6LboVuNLz1u7BSDSdm3eQEy_qaBV8aM_w/s1600/2010+07+04_6579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KZ_s5_BMKWY1R9Rc1RKb_NCPYZ1ZppmBg0stRWJF3vZdqDse53MK1FvVX9KdKtwntTehDJNvUr26Eg_L9GE5CGCPXCeEgfmLa2TmOrNur-6LboVuNLz1u7BSDSdm3eQEy_qaBV8aM_w/s640/2010+07+04_6579.JPG" width="640" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd0bqSHwniJAutVCtN8bYYxRheQcRLstTJZ26zbgaixEoxV7cdwggJWwbo6UOgjzi7JcCer4-djiaVRY_Q72RKioFnmwI31FXdo1K8kUdR0rEZ4HPzDWnCn-76qWfQRysIyBZ0u1N-5I/s1600/2010+07+04_6575+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd0bqSHwniJAutVCtN8bYYxRheQcRLstTJZ26zbgaixEoxV7cdwggJWwbo6UOgjzi7JcCer4-djiaVRY_Q72RKioFnmwI31FXdo1K8kUdR0rEZ4HPzDWnCn-76qWfQRysIyBZ0u1N-5I/s640/2010+07+04_6575+copy.jpg" width="640" /></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;">We usually wake up at 5:00 the following morning to start our long </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 beautiful drive home down the backside of the Sierra's. </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/AVvXsEilpeTAJn43gUCNDSGj2LYWf7abL8epkDJIRQJsZWdULsWdefqYpO2XMTOsv8ixB9TGtaRyC0ZCwrri342BoGWc5pplon2gYQzifMzCL1y-nzq7J4DE_tA_WB5Hxs-70bk5C0ch5OIzJtM/s1600/2010+07+05_6442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpeTAJn43gUCNDSGj2LYWf7abL8epkDJIRQJsZWdULsWdefqYpO2XMTOsv8ixB9TGtaRyC0ZCwrri342BoGWc5pplon2gYQzifMzCL1y-nzq7J4DE_tA_WB5Hxs-70bk5C0ch5OIzJtM/s640/2010+07+05_6442.JPG" width="640" /></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;">Looking forward to Tahoe 2011!</div>Mommiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371988172916867648noreply@blogger.com0