tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16214363494808377902024-02-20T06:04:06.783-05:00Dancing Through LifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger540125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-41532745577999696512011-04-08T20:17:00.007-04:002011-04-09T02:13:16.201-04:00Solar Ovens take over the House!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vx2m4qf9NmL02SKLsx4YV8qn6l6xFrpc5eIEMvcq5or990Aqjh_KRq3eynmjsx8PawnZHesmvL2Ugg0o4KDq37-IRAMBY48wXe3XmXUwVsNW01C5984_xmlM7l0ARjv-ZPQJLBehcDo/s1600/IMG_9011.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vx2m4qf9NmL02SKLsx4YV8qn6l6xFrpc5eIEMvcq5or990Aqjh_KRq3eynmjsx8PawnZHesmvL2Ugg0o4KDq37-IRAMBY48wXe3XmXUwVsNW01C5984_xmlM7l0ARjv-ZPQJLBehcDo/s800/IMG_9011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593376975971449586" /></a>I never realized how the weather could be such a slave driver. Living in the Northwest the sun doesn't always cooperate. After finishing up our unit on light and energy, I decided Solar Ovens would be a great way to test some of our knowledge. WHAT WAS I THINKING! I looked at the weather and Friday was our day. We had to rush all week and the house fell to pieces.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJS2qQsEdW-BM-uf-r8lyhnLuU_sOJjL9QjgLYS_TQU7c3UBF6yy0VRYhemicDH4jtXFu9ejenKuYtTwie5c68If0VxicX72p2NuSZe5I9cVm8CT4Cn5A7LNMKupEwHeubNTXFCaOlOY/s1600/IMG_9006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJS2qQsEdW-BM-uf-r8lyhnLuU_sOJjL9QjgLYS_TQU7c3UBF6yy0VRYhemicDH4jtXFu9ejenKuYtTwie5c68If0VxicX72p2NuSZe5I9cVm8CT4Cn5A7LNMKupEwHeubNTXFCaOlOY/s800/IMG_9006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593373663636777330" /></a><br />This is Sam's oven. He is one meticulous kid. His wrote out his plan and followed it to a tee. <div><br /></div><div>Once outside he was extremely touchy about where anyone stood. NO shadows please and don't get near in case you might effect the experiment. He was able to get the oven up to 175F. He timed it and checked the temp every five minutes. His pizza was warmed up perfectly!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvQIVl7QwBcImK0BufbegpG4Cwh5jDTxS-JHF-1XFzp6_eTOiLTPBL73YP20hswa_vyFQIC35jXqE-lUgRNf9TMYS_pChbJU8Q2bGnuq91iahGIb89fwNGKEQRbmcUj8HUbqFvh-MGrE/s1600/2011-04-082.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvQIVl7QwBcImK0BufbegpG4Cwh5jDTxS-JHF-1XFzp6_eTOiLTPBL73YP20hswa_vyFQIC35jXqE-lUgRNf9TMYS_pChbJU8Q2bGnuq91iahGIb89fwNGKEQRbmcUj8HUbqFvh-MGrE/s800/2011-04-082.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593375043168967874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________________________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0kyqHWrh6c8dZ8ms73g4eOH_iQNDzP4PlF4t2sT30xsoWx-GCryI1iZQQ2m4ykaeS8X3eEjqgfpZXbyHlCp4BKY57sP_BmI6s65mOw40V6f9UyXLEefWQ9kA-WdRO4ehnve4Ec30yO8/s1600/P1220003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0kyqHWrh6c8dZ8ms73g4eOH_iQNDzP4PlF4t2sT30xsoWx-GCryI1iZQQ2m4ykaeS8X3eEjqgfpZXbyHlCp4BKY57sP_BmI6s65mOw40V6f9UyXLEefWQ9kA-WdRO4ehnve4Ec30yO8/s800/P1220003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593373671460665554" /></a>Blake is a little more intense. His cooker had some problems at first and I had to remind him that scientist don't cry or get mad. They work the problem. He wasn't to happy about my lecture. Once I got him to calm down we came up with a solution. Then the oven heated up perfectly. <div><br /></div><div>Sometimes being the teacher is a little tough. Sometimes being the student is a little tough:)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTCQyQthCKg4W4jIamyiK-IAVZByMXh67h65MNiu6SyUNSxt-n75YH3_dsiBM2kcaXJOM-1LZusLaKMA45cpGmuscLHDmr6MAYUtMownG4Zj6K_QV3O9Oiw0cNI0K571YdDIcrYpjNmI/s1600/2011-04-081.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTCQyQthCKg4W4jIamyiK-IAVZByMXh67h65MNiu6SyUNSxt-n75YH3_dsiBM2kcaXJOM-1LZusLaKMA45cpGmuscLHDmr6MAYUtMownG4Zj6K_QV3O9Oiw0cNI0K571YdDIcrYpjNmI/s800/2011-04-081.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593375036419114770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ayAA2jz04J1ZkKzxstf9cRVkkjky6Wio3EH3UOlb_r-50F5okzobx4gpqIpsOltIpiKC7fFKHjpm0HzmyIHEpCvwO1fT56ykwhuBfXjSQBF_P7ZscG2xtwFmEYWzb82lbi7DjIPXt_s/s1600/IMG_9007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ayAA2jz04J1ZkKzxstf9cRVkkjky6Wio3EH3UOlb_r-50F5okzobx4gpqIpsOltIpiKC7fFKHjpm0HzmyIHEpCvwO1fT56ykwhuBfXjSQBF_P7ZscG2xtwFmEYWzb82lbi7DjIPXt_s/s800/IMG_9007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593373675007908850" /></a><br />Claire was thrilled to make her cooker and worked very hard on it. She is so fun. I would give her a task and she would work on it until completed.</div><div><br /></div><div>She was so proud. The yummy smore was a great treat after all her hard work.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5aeWAoDEN_F9NGCGjTWajYqjm_19IvZZ3YphawZcdqpmld3g3u3tv-2X1bLKjjBtpbGK9J1sGap3XS4fI2qFBVBCZmeG52rAy0_Wi6Uq8v8q_lBkHVD8JOxGFqYEomGIu5VLqqTvyS8/s1600/2011-04-08.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5aeWAoDEN_F9NGCGjTWajYqjm_19IvZZ3YphawZcdqpmld3g3u3tv-2X1bLKjjBtpbGK9J1sGap3XS4fI2qFBVBCZmeG52rAy0_Wi6Uq8v8q_lBkHVD8JOxGFqYEomGIu5VLqqTvyS8/s800/2011-04-08.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593374819543557842" /></a><br />I am in no way a decent video maker....this took me 3 hours to do, because I have no idea what I am doing. At least I have it for posterity and they can forgive my clumsiness.<br /><br /></div></div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22155222" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/22155222">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user970453">laurene ross</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-13975290264804972122011-03-28T01:24:00.000-04:002011-03-28T01:25:22.395-04:00Signs of Spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGYlR4Tq00dqEuN32IFULquUro9bFVUB1SgUUnK7w6HZxPQ9moTUeXM3OBnJhuUbKmIiQtuj8zIDcKMvDWQKXtXj6XK1tcTJM6w_DX8f285ZXUXnivnH5JJI42noXikIKYkUBwwfPwGw/s1600/2011-03-22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGYlR4Tq00dqEuN32IFULquUro9bFVUB1SgUUnK7w6HZxPQ9moTUeXM3OBnJhuUbKmIiQtuj8zIDcKMvDWQKXtXj6XK1tcTJM6w_DX8f285ZXUXnivnH5JJI42noXikIKYkUBwwfPwGw/s800/2011-03-22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588997411336610962" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-39991010229990515462011-03-28T01:17:00.003-04:002011-03-28T01:24:03.723-04:00Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv8m_PdDdaRZEfwXp_tIVAZHzhdFrKs04kaQIm9694ZeNDM7dPRD1_iCbMEZSWQG9hOjhLJFw-poML6M1W6awAEW0FbLY2gvqWntIZJIM995HoP9EeGFv2hON73n1X4FMTayC8gixON0/s1600/sam8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv8m_PdDdaRZEfwXp_tIVAZHzhdFrKs04kaQIm9694ZeNDM7dPRD1_iCbMEZSWQG9hOjhLJFw-poML6M1W6awAEW0FbLY2gvqWntIZJIM995HoP9EeGFv2hON73n1X4FMTayC8gixON0/s800/sam8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588995916755569394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu2CI1UAPwuRPEWaXA8k1toZLEYLUAS9bM7LGdqcsJJqLMv2k8dilrDLeZtRCNbIjVqGmLBgYSkI4zUjPm0rqvvBiP_Ufgs5pBptAKj1so-9WFFGvxgKqqoK1Ev4P3DGEHjMg0mP2XhA/s1600/sam9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu2CI1UAPwuRPEWaXA8k1toZLEYLUAS9bM7LGdqcsJJqLMv2k8dilrDLeZtRCNbIjVqGmLBgYSkI4zUjPm0rqvvBiP_Ufgs5pBptAKj1so-9WFFGvxgKqqoK1Ev4P3DGEHjMg0mP2XhA/s800/sam9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588995909261523970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j1mNu6OyEXbffaNsH1Yqa0PZ8soyu0kf8NHhHCBGVfc-ldMu4PeX9HflmYnXD7JQF_tanc6icbANOBSPDIejQ40Iby-xz-DDAf9ZdqjN_2FBBGamSuGX4dx6TMgkwfWE0Ljsf3fZzKI/s1600/sam10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j1mNu6OyEXbffaNsH1Yqa0PZ8soyu0kf8NHhHCBGVfc-ldMu4PeX9HflmYnXD7JQF_tanc6icbANOBSPDIejQ40Iby-xz-DDAf9ZdqjN_2FBBGamSuGX4dx6TMgkwfWE0Ljsf3fZzKI/s800/sam10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588995904945151570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZczvLJhdCtU-L2vbmu_RlvB5yc1u4oVyVey50GEpuEgyW3QbTzxlONDCS_MIQ5Evc7daV71488CVRAfoYJ_V3ss7DAwXYjR4GBhP8UBBdr4O_MqqJHaWRq5O9pKkTpBAIlKGAm-_l55w/s1600/sam11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 483px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZczvLJhdCtU-L2vbmu_RlvB5yc1u4oVyVey50GEpuEgyW3QbTzxlONDCS_MIQ5Evc7daV71488CVRAfoYJ_V3ss7DAwXYjR4GBhP8UBBdr4O_MqqJHaWRq5O9pKkTpBAIlKGAm-_l55w/s800/sam11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588995898336166098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv8m_PdDdaRZEfwXp_tIVAZHzhdFrKs04kaQIm9694ZeNDM7dPRD1_iCbMEZSWQG9hOjhLJFw-poML6M1W6awAEW0FbLY2gvqWntIZJIM995HoP9EeGFv2hON73n1X4FMTayC8gixON0/s1600/sam8.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-53204387258733054912011-03-28T01:13:00.003-04:002011-03-28T01:23:47.934-04:00I'm a Big Girl Now I'm Five<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh4LMzqWQpauWaAByHJ5lTbu_tAD5oRg8Z2CEwBDK0PQVaDX9IDNtNqlgWxhky4sm4vZfqhfk8MhQJ_7I7p7z77JOUsIDI78WArU_YsnDtYvtKlRqq5l2gz3jFWK6b7-9cYY1ExiuYYE/s1600/sam4.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzwMfTMC9QJoXUH3_6RygTWVD4vIU9XNl28SGFugHsbWQOvn0Jt-52EG25SYtjLnDaq0fRzwW5GskV0bVqtC66veLTZw2xWTKEU2ltYrUa9Ddj-LwNcw2rus45n7X-89sIJQ5tunUeTc/s800/sam6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588994856737999570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh4LMzqWQpauWaAByHJ5lTbu_tAD5oRg8Z2CEwBDK0PQVaDX9IDNtNqlgWxhky4sm4vZfqhfk8MhQJ_7I7p7z77JOUsIDI78WArU_YsnDtYvtKlRqq5l2gz3jFWK6b7-9cYY1ExiuYYE/s1600/sam4.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-10375831676570388162011-03-28T01:12:00.001-04:002011-03-28T01:23:27.413-04:00Parkor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoKL04MZvN-1TvLpOPWqBPbJa3cSNF2o-Fe1ZX2fExOlVnrPbXd7ab2mK3IrFIOxEpSeRO_vZ6CUkQAM2AVCTS1yMozIiAZ05PJgRfElduEvy1IGmpsjqt70_1VzQWnOHyCqqnQF-o24/s1600/sam7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoKL04MZvN-1TvLpOPWqBPbJa3cSNF2o-Fe1ZX2fExOlVnrPbXd7ab2mK3IrFIOxEpSeRO_vZ6CUkQAM2AVCTS1yMozIiAZ05PJgRfElduEvy1IGmpsjqt70_1VzQWnOHyCqqnQF-o24/s800/sam7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588994593883233682" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-2714921752243959442011-03-28T01:07:00.003-04:002011-03-28T01:22:20.966-04:00Working with our Hands....Sam's 11th Birthday Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9D-PapFuxFn9WpOgkZarLzXtZLtbTPQ0oV91eEHwoNpt2CIVkNO40B5dWTMA85SHxIDUwmgKk5Bwn5GpZ_nBFdFXariaF0nqc75QHnbcudeP7OsHArHg4K4rJT03-D_v-B0mANtxoEw/s1600/Sam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9D-PapFuxFn9WpOgkZarLzXtZLtbTPQ0oV91eEHwoNpt2CIVkNO40B5dWTMA85SHxIDUwmgKk5Bwn5GpZ_nBFdFXariaF0nqc75QHnbcudeP7OsHArHg4K4rJT03-D_v-B0mANtxoEw/s800/Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588993331206531810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccpYInxuFvTltsPHd7Lx5PFN6benY-7S-kZUupZDAZSUxhG6ZzF-zDoIthvJ6eKr6iLUDjss77k6Q600u9XnKHalyZQEVV3H-Z-8e5MG051KiyO2iD-FpHt_RWqfQTxcDH2ujUObe7vg/s1600/sam1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccpYInxuFvTltsPHd7Lx5PFN6benY-7S-kZUupZDAZSUxhG6ZzF-zDoIthvJ6eKr6iLUDjss77k6Q600u9XnKHalyZQEVV3H-Z-8e5MG051KiyO2iD-FpHt_RWqfQTxcDH2ujUObe7vg/s800/sam1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588993330155680210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk0ggJvV-TZ4P6otD74c0vWFIw0VlxMCJsrQEPme2Iya8MGMeqXVshbGsWbSU-NlGQsee7xQ4GPXl1z2EgUvXdtaNcHBlWiyppngzivV561_ipnnroJ7msTaLahwK3Dlk2_DZ_ex7bds/s1600/sam2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk0ggJvV-TZ4P6otD74c0vWFIw0VlxMCJsrQEPme2Iya8MGMeqXVshbGsWbSU-NlGQsee7xQ4GPXl1z2EgUvXdtaNcHBlWiyppngzivV561_ipnnroJ7msTaLahwK3Dlk2_DZ_ex7bds/s800/sam2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588993324223374514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzePTL4o5T4m7QOOWo7A-h7N6NU-wCeCszkAIuWeEcbvHUjvIE347Gp21WSIPimo3KnLqIeONCHYWIEOECBjJ1ZBv4Uw8awwcBZAAjulP2B_-5LB04ilOwNOsF8rutrffQ-Nsy_wV_dAM/s1600/sam3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzePTL4o5T4m7QOOWo7A-h7N6NU-wCeCszkAIuWeEcbvHUjvIE347Gp21WSIPimo3KnLqIeONCHYWIEOECBjJ1ZBv4Uw8awwcBZAAjulP2B_-5LB04ilOwNOsF8rutrffQ-Nsy_wV_dAM/s800/sam3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588993321247675362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9D-PapFuxFn9WpOgkZarLzXtZLtbTPQ0oV91eEHwoNpt2CIVkNO40B5dWTMA85SHxIDUwmgKk5Bwn5GpZ_nBFdFXariaF0nqc75QHnbcudeP7OsHArHg4K4rJT03-D_v-B0mANtxoEw/s1600/Sam.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-4968963454155090012011-03-28T00:55:00.002-04:002011-03-28T01:06:49.317-04:00The Big 43!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion0YwXj8Z1rxkXpUBX2wObQH_VFH42ofI2cRNTJMy4-fZpP1RIpLpd4cvj-kZKJ_4XU6qH0YJV_b9gOvM3GJwx9UdQcb5N6qC-AyqDcQAHLCBWYlvNR1XazPrBiTUzotUqgR_A8gaUcA/s1600/2011-02-7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion0YwXj8Z1rxkXpUBX2wObQH_VFH42ofI2cRNTJMy4-fZpP1RIpLpd4cvj-kZKJ_4XU6qH0YJV_b9gOvM3GJwx9UdQcb5N6qC-AyqDcQAHLCBWYlvNR1XazPrBiTUzotUqgR_A8gaUcA/s800/2011-02-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588990165885874130" border="0" /></a>My Birthday has come and gone, but the memories are still there. They are still on my computer too. So I thought it was high time I got to work on it.<br /><br /> Blake made some bath salts for me with help from his Dad. I loved them. Claire drew me a special picture, precious. Skip's parents gave me a beautiful book. Claire and I have really enjoyed it together. She loves the pictures and we get to talk about our Savior. My sister Maryann sent a package that contained some Christmas/birthday gifts and Claire was over the moon with excitement. Anything from Aunt Maryann will send her into a tizzy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C5ePgb8HyRoco5SNWxbQrE2-OtpD30Jby-UpRaTWpt8kZhS1nBxoOlW4ReLZ17y9yZ1z8KkSDBIzWeFJn0Ou4z8XmLdDptpvuF3pqRwMOziTtXERQT6j6GRrXRIP2vSz2CovSbVi3gc/s1600/2011-02-06.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C5ePgb8HyRoco5SNWxbQrE2-OtpD30Jby-UpRaTWpt8kZhS1nBxoOlW4ReLZ17y9yZ1z8KkSDBIzWeFJn0Ou4z8XmLdDptpvuF3pqRwMOziTtXERQT6j6GRrXRIP2vSz2CovSbVi3gc/s800/2011-02-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588990175527667250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The best gift is my Family. They bring a smile to my face everyday.</span><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-55937098685673573012011-01-20T00:59:00.008-05:002011-01-20T03:01:37.425-05:00Scrambled Thoughts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCs-DaJwEtFs8VLfBqg9o3-BN2ZpZLSeX9XODB31wfYhPTJg8crb1HDx1hGzM3FDpo_fMxL-vpnCpE9fFyUzYC8YdvGsmzteiutA3v20O8Eksw8sykX_yJYSWO0yVIi1QbY2bXV_mhK8/s1600/IMG_8077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 410px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCs-DaJwEtFs8VLfBqg9o3-BN2ZpZLSeX9XODB31wfYhPTJg8crb1HDx1hGzM3FDpo_fMxL-vpnCpE9fFyUzYC8YdvGsmzteiutA3v20O8Eksw8sykX_yJYSWO0yVIi1QbY2bXV_mhK8/s800/IMG_8077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564165104450557922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQN8awIUatnaBsRzu8euc5lQkU6RKWPrQnzMoOh35WjXUMHFmY1kWVh6lp9yaASeHR7SuN5y_IB2gQpQFo7tqhndUOXuy1jd-c-NHceJ6Oq-LeoBM239NFppGRdmPPfT3mXyFFbBWcKzI/s1600/IMG_8076.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 410px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQN8awIUatnaBsRzu8euc5lQkU6RKWPrQnzMoOh35WjXUMHFmY1kWVh6lp9yaASeHR7SuN5y_IB2gQpQFo7tqhndUOXuy1jd-c-NHceJ6Oq-LeoBM239NFppGRdmPPfT3mXyFFbBWcKzI/s800/IMG_8076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564165100212262722" border="0" /></a>Blake does not have a controller , yet he is moving around like a mad man. Which begs the question......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiskzpacEyNOyZMp9KjUtN0rGEAb8rG0Z2SG5EA-bcGnsAKKDPnPVpykXlPspYulmi3XK3L7NECBndnIZGkVBTPFEnVso6b9TejnbmmRqUhmb6FGRW2eujpiYtEH_IXpo1wY5K5Benu-c/s1600/IMG_8078.JPG"><br /></a><br />A couple things have been on my mind in the past few days but..... I come up with a great idea and think I really want to address this on my blog then it disappears into the endless chasm that is my brain. It is like the ideas are on a ledge and they " Can't hold on much longer" then the idea slips away. You watch it as it floats down and at some point you are wondering," What was that.....I think it was something really intelligent, witty and pertinent...but for the life of me I have no Idea what I was thinking about...like twenty seconds ago.<br /><br />I heard tale of this app that you can get on your smart phone {...like they are really smart. Did you know the there are 22 definitions for<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> smart </span>in the dictionary and the first six have to do with <span style="font-weight: bold;">PAIN</span>. Sometimes my phone is a pain, because I am not<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Smart</span> (Definitions 7-10)enough to figure out how to use it.} .....THIS app is voice activated..nothing new...you just dictate and it writes it all down for you. It is supposedly 95% grammatically correct and spelled correctly. What a dream. Now if I could just remember the name of it.<div><br />Things on my mind........<br /><br />Why... was the car in front of me, at the traffic circle just sitting there when there was plenty of time and room to go. Doesn't she realize this is a race......I honk.....believe me I waited the polite amount of time before I let her know I was there. You would think she would know...mirrors? Three maybe four cars came through with wide spaces between each. After I honk she moves through the circle and slowly pulls over. I look and see she has one hand on the wheel, She is like four years old....okay maybe 16.....She is not even looking at the road, yet is still moving....moving slowly down the shoulder as she<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> texts</span></span> like mad and the passenger is watching her do it. You have got to be kidding! What is so important that you have to text someone while you are stopped at a traffic circle?<br /><br />One time, when I was a kid my dad dropped off my brother and me at the grocery store with a list of items we needed and he left us a blank check to pay for it. He ran to the hardware store and said he would be back to get us in a half an hour. We finished the shopping and waited... and waited. Finally, we called our mom from the stores phone. My dad had just pulled up at home. We lived about 2o- 25 minutes from town. My dad had forgotten us. He turned around and came back to get us. Did we freak out?...no. Did we need to talk to him as he drove to get us? No. In fact once we realized that we had been forgotten we waited the right amount of time that it seemed to us it would take for our Dad to get home and then we called and then we waited again.<br />We were used to waiting. We waited at school when our parents were going to pick us up and were late.....we waited. We didn't talk on phones in movies...we waited until we got home if we needed to talk to someone and sometimes when you called that someone you got a busy signal and you would have to wait longer.<br /><br />I think people need to learn to wait again. It is good to wait.<br /><br />One other thing:<br /><br />I kid comes over to my house and immediately points out that my stockings are still hung on the mantel place. I look at him and say," Yes they are and don't they look lovely." He shakes his head yes. I walk out of the room. Seriously, I don't need this pressure from a four year old. I WILL GET TO IT!<br /><br />Right now I am going to make dinner for a family that won't really like what I am about to make...while I push one kid to finish his hour long piano practice{ all the time he is complaining, but I press on} help another with math{ that we have been working on for the last hour....he is spinning like a top in his chair} ask another for the umpteenth time if he has finished his cleaning of the upstairs bathroom....What?..... Yes?..... It is done? He answers in the affirmative. Good, you have lesson for Family Home Evening. Could you please get on that now? He looks at me like a tarantula just crawled out of my mouth and then with a heavy sigh says,".... yes......" Ah Compliance, you got to love it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiskzpacEyNOyZMp9KjUtN0rGEAb8rG0Z2SG5EA-bcGnsAKKDPnPVpykXlPspYulmi3XK3L7NECBndnIZGkVBTPFEnVso6b9TejnbmmRqUhmb6FGRW2eujpiYtEH_IXpo1wY5K5Benu-c/s1600/IMG_8078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 410px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiskzpacEyNOyZMp9KjUtN0rGEAb8rG0Z2SG5EA-bcGnsAKKDPnPVpykXlPspYulmi3XK3L7NECBndnIZGkVBTPFEnVso6b9TejnbmmRqUhmb6FGRW2eujpiYtEH_IXpo1wY5K5Benu-c/s800/IMG_8078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564163688471215138" border="0" /></a>Wii Sword fighting......sometimes dressing up as a Princess gives you the edge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The FHE lesson was great. It was on faith. Sam researched and presented it all by himself and then bore testimony of the importance of Faith in out lives. He said," If we don't have Faith we don't have anything..really....I mean faith is about everything." Well said Sam, Thanks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are 100% Scripture reading so far this year. It is a goal for our kids in Primary and as a family. The other night Skip and I went out on a date and we didn't read with the kids before we left. In fact I didn't even think about it. Jack put the boys to bed and they didn't read. Sam and Blake are determined. They told me the next morning that they had gotten under Blake's covers and read by flash light. They read 6 verses, 3 each, so they could say they were 100%. They rock my world!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-63388514019801934642011-01-12T01:37:00.008-05:002011-01-12T11:16:55.937-05:00......on calming down and 'The Friend'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x1cF6twBEuZ7vgcmd04JHLAPUWWWTdm_pEy8q_UNAy7iklv3KPM58mEVTPlTa0vtGMAqbBdufp9dpNiToKQBXBqIwS9nLKJQ9ffxFuyTdsEsBl95mUmQJzBr47gKHKx0u1w9kJRbygw/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 457px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x1cF6twBEuZ7vgcmd04JHLAPUWWWTdm_pEy8q_UNAy7iklv3KPM58mEVTPlTa0vtGMAqbBdufp9dpNiToKQBXBqIwS9nLKJQ9ffxFuyTdsEsBl95mUmQJzBr47gKHKx0u1w9kJRbygw/s800/IMG_0094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561186134919992898" border="0" /></a>Sundays mornings are usually a little hurried around here. You would think that having church at 10:00 am, one could get it together and one's family and arrive prior to the church meeting starting. I don't have a baby or a toddler in diapers. My kids for the most part can get themselves ready. I am getting close, in fact I usually make it right down to the wire, so the meeting hasn't technically started. Skip has a meeting every Sunday before church and saves us a good seat right up front....nice:) Sometimes, I am even in the building setting up the Primary room and I am still right down to the wire. This year I set a goal to be early. I wanted to sit and listen to the prelude music to prepare for the rest of the Sabbath.<div><br /><div>This Sunday started out pretty good. I got up and started to get ready for the day. I realized I was in for stormy weather when I went in for the umpteenth time to tell my boys to get out of bed NOW and looking at the clock, it read 9:15......dang. " Let's go guys. We have about a half an hour to go." I said sternly and without a smile. They complained that they were hungry and cold and everything else under the sun. I retorted back with," I am sorry, you should have gotten up when I asked you a while ago." To which they gave the pat answer," I know, I know." { This answer bugs me to know end. If " YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW" then why don't you do it.}</div><div><br /></div><div>I still didn't have my make-up on and my hair was wet. I put my hair up and proceeded to put my make-up on in stages, first a little make-up, then a little child prodding, then a little more make-up, then....you get the picture. It was going extremely slow. By the time we had people mostly ready....I thought <b>all </b>ready....I asked,"Did you brush your teeth?" { I had asked them to do this all morning, as they all have breath of a thousand dragons. To which they responded, "No, we haven't had anything to eat yet." "I am sorry. No, time to eat. Next time get up when I say and you may get to eat." { ....yes, I know Mother of the Year...} They run upstairs to brush their teeth....in their<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" > shoes</span>.{I have white carpet people.} This does not sit well with me, but I<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> DO</span> bite my tongue.....all except Blake.</div><div><br /></div><div> All of the sudden I hear "The Whining" starting up.....I despise "The whining." "Blake," I say,"Do you have your shoes?" ......."I can't find them." Whines Blake. My level of calm is decreasing by the Milli second. I take off my shoes and run up the stairs to find him lying on his bedroom floor disheveled, looking quite unhappy. "I can't find my shoes and you were the last one to touch them." he says to me........{ Now, I am not sure why Blake, who has lived with me for eight beautiful years does not understand, I don't like to be blamed for things that are lost. I put things back where they go.} "You lost them." he says with fierce determinism and fire in his eyes.....</div><div><br /></div><div> UH......I loose it. I see the clock it is 10:08.....we will be missing the most important part of the meeting in just a couple of minutes, The Sacrament, and here I am on my hands and knees, in hose and a skirt, scouring the boys bedroom looking for one lost shoe, as we had found the other. I start ranting and raving........ "I tell you guys all the time put things away where they go and they will always be there when you come back, But you don't listen." " This room is such a mess. I don't know how you ever find anything in here.""Why do you need all this stuff?" " You can wear you gardening boots or your tennis shoes" { I walk out of the room and Blake whales "NOOO"} I come back and start looking again." If I find this shoe under this bed and you said you looked there I am going to freak out!" { Like I am not already. } The clock reads 10:20. We have missed The Sacrament. I then proceed to tear the whole room apart.....by the way Jack is in his bed this whole time. He is sick and watching or peeking at this debacle from under his covers.</div><div><br /></div><div> The room is 10x10, not huge. As I pull the bed away from the wall and proceed to pull everything out, I say in a rather cold, stern voice,"We are not going to Sacrament Meeting." Blake freaks out. Sam tells me how it is not his fault and he should get to walk to church. Claire just looks crushed and Jack, again, is hidden under a heap of covers. I back up into a corner of the room and survey the damage. I am breathing hard and my anger is raging. I look down at my feet and see the missing shoe. I pick it up and throw it into the hall. I step over the heaps of boxes, Lego's and various other toys, Pulling up my skirt so I don't catch it on anything, to get to the hall. Blake yells,"It is Jack's fault. If he would pick up his stuff I wouldn't have this problem."</div><div><br /></div><div> ....{ I wish I could have laughed here....it would have been a good place.} I raise my voice and say,"Blake, they are<span style="font-style: italic;"> your</span> shoes." I slowly whisper or hiss whichever..," Put them away where they go and we won't have this problem." " Everyone, down stairs. We are going to eat breakfast."I vigorously conclude. Sam says," Aren't we going to church?" " Yes, But not to Sacrament. I missed the most important part and I don't want to walk in 30 min late. Sit down and eat." Sam resists. " Eat."I say very sternly. Claire starts to cry. I pour the milk for Blake and Sam sits down grudgingly. I go pick up Claire......We sit on the couch for a few minutes and I rub her back.</div><div>What can I do? </div><div><br /></div><div>I have run the Spirit right out of my house. My kids are all upset. I am on the verge of a break down....not really......maybe? I say," Blake, why don't you get the friend and bring it over here. Let's read some stories from it." Sam is having none of this." I want to go to Sacrament meeting. I like the talks. When Are we leaving? I can walk." Sam says resolutely. I say in a much calmer tone," Sam, it is 10: 40. We are beyond late. Come and sit by me and listen."..... Blake comes and cuddles up next to me and Claire is on my lap. I start to read. The first story is about the Scriptures and how they can bring comfort. The next story { Sam is inching closer to us to see the pictures} Is about resisting temptation and being willing to say no. { Sam is next to me.} The next story is about how we can remember our relatives even after they are gone. The last story is about being friends to someone that doesn't speak our language. The song 'Give Said The Little Stream' sung in Spanish was the center of the story. I got all choked up when I read it. The Spirit was back. I told Blake I was Sorry and hugged him. I hugged Claire and Sam. We left for church. </div><div><br /></div><div>No one at church knew what had happened. I felt lame when in sharing time one of the leaders asked about a particular talk that was given in sacrament meeting and if any of the adults remembered a detail from a story that was told. I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. { Sam was right the talks are important.} Through music and lessons that were taught the Spirit calmed my soul. I felt it and I am sure my kids did. As we walked out to the car, Blake gave me a big hug and said," I am sorry mom. I love you." "I am sorry too. I love more than you know." I said. </div><div><br /></div><div>We came home and ate popcorn and oranges. Blake grabbed a handful of old Friend magazines and asked if we could read more. We cuddled up in my bed and read from The Friend for a while...that is until I started to fall asleep, started slurring my words and saying gibberish. Blake pulled the comforter up over my shoulders and said he would just look at The Friend by himself next to me. Claire fell asleep on the other side of me and Sam and Jack were reading in their rooms. It was quite and still and calm. Perfect.<br /><div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t-O0R5o9YbCxag3OwyFOoa7JxFytEHLbfPhIj6OPZOWkWSmH6PbwwrQa3GMzC1Gkc7ZDC5scKUThc2AERZK4XxM61jVYGmXk79ofRZoMQoivveScAj1YEKB4TeLVDGTdnTzGeTD-eBQ/s1600/IMG_7505.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 474px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t-O0R5o9YbCxag3OwyFOoa7JxFytEHLbfPhIj6OPZOWkWSmH6PbwwrQa3GMzC1Gkc7ZDC5scKUThc2AERZK4XxM61jVYGmXk79ofRZoMQoivveScAj1YEKB4TeLVDGTdnTzGeTD-eBQ/s800/IMG_7505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561186132510157058" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I love these guys. Sometimes I really mess up. I am so greatful for repentance, forgiveness and our Savior that makes all these things possible. Next Sunday I will try agian.</div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-57126276843249455102011-01-05T02:11:00.010-05:002011-01-06T02:48:33.808-05:00.....of life a new<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyurpM4gUE52Q6nIYAeAhQsKoX8ALmSvjzWTfvqBLgq84PRyx2OFoTuw2VrL0_uawOEwzfRbrtITulMYbErHAyT14Ef9H2ogN8KU6ixo1VKY85bQUispGthh4cN6cc86mcAV31EbVG9o/s1600/IMG_8034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:600px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyurpM4gUE52Q6nIYAeAhQsKoX8ALmSvjzWTfvqBLgq84PRyx2OFoTuw2VrL0_uawOEwzfRbrtITulMYbErHAyT14Ef9H2ogN8KU6ixo1VKY85bQUispGthh4cN6cc86mcAV31EbVG9o/s800/IMG_8034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558598942209135986" /></a>D<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="line-height: 1.25em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: static; cursor: default; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">etermination,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="line-height: 1.25em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: static; cursor: default; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">perseverance,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="line-height: 1.25em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: static; cursor: default; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">tenacity;</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="line-height: 1.25em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: static; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">strength, </span></span></span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="line-height: 1.25em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: static; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">fortitude and firmness of purpose what have you against these. Well, not a lot. These are all words. Some of these words roll off the tongue so nicely. I really like FORTITUDE......say it....or.....TENACITY.....<i>nice.....</i>They all have a similar meaning. In fact you can find them all under the word RESOLUTION in the dictionary....RESOLUTION kind of rolls off the tongue nicely too. </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="line-height: 1.25em;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; font-size:medium;">We had a FHE all about goals and resolutions. Now Claire is all about it. We talked of Spiritual goals, physical goals, recreational goals, financial goals and many others, but for some reason Claire is stuck on physical goals. Now this is where you should stop reading if you don't want too much information........She has decided that she will make a resolution to stop picking her nose....I am so glad...... She whispers it to me during my lesson and then says," Is that a good resolution mom." " Yes that would be good.", I say and get back to my lesson. " How about not rubbing your chin.", interrupts Claire. " Wonderful, I would really LOVE that { My chin is getting a bit saggy from all the rubbing.}"....Then the biggest goal of all the goals....." I think I should start wiping myself too."Says CLAIRE. I respond," That is the best goal yet! I know none of your brothers can top that." <b>Hallelujah</b>!!! My goal will be to stop being your enabler and have you do it yourself. Ya, we can be resolution buddies......sounds to good to be true:)</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLMz6WNdgalIptAw3-2lkUFNKqibyvEASGRNGcSgPUQkqAWnNpSue1pHHDg-VO8-PmpXTHrsKfwjPeJoblr5FGcE7IcQKGWZrI-OwQOZ3udY6Gk9pe98FdmhlKOTDNx4dofkCZqIxJY8/s1600/IMG_8027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 401px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLMz6WNdgalIptAw3-2lkUFNKqibyvEASGRNGcSgPUQkqAWnNpSue1pHHDg-VO8-PmpXTHrsKfwjPeJoblr5FGcE7IcQKGWZrI-OwQOZ3udY6Gk9pe98FdmhlKOTDNx4dofkCZqIxJY8/s800/IMG_8027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558598270832221746" /></a>Jack is not a fan of making goals....." I am just going to do my best and try to be better." Not going to cut it here buddy, sorry. We are still coming up with his. There is something about teenage boys that I have not quite learned how to deal with. I have two more so hopefully in about 12 years I will have it down somewhat. I can dream right or maybe that should be my resolution. I will learn how to deal with the strange animal that are teenage boys.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8ZEAWsh85UzAtTHL16beYVxZY5CTqxQnPzlPTyggoGFONPhRjtIQBCn6g2YEhWSbNLIFFCRGXq8U5e6orQJIGwIrnj38VYl1OBRVAu5z76f3NQ9rLRtnf8An9hfN1htU1MYVFnEMID8/s1600/IMG_8036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 343px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8ZEAWsh85UzAtTHL16beYVxZY5CTqxQnPzlPTyggoGFONPhRjtIQBCn6g2YEhWSbNLIFFCRGXq8U5e6orQJIGwIrnj38VYl1OBRVAu5z76f3NQ9rLRtnf8An9hfN1htU1MYVFnEMID8/s800/IMG_8036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558597046924773586" /></a>Sam is the one that is on this resolution band wagon. He has his chart he is on his way and nothing is going to stop him. We challenged the Primary kids to read the Scriptures everyday and gave them a chart to keep track. Sam came home and put it up in his room and wrote very neatly on the side "Write in my Journal" So far....four days...he is 100%. way to go Sam! He wants to run three miles by August and bike twelve miles too. I have no doubt the kid will achieve it all.<div><br /></div><div>Blake, I am not sure about. He is all about making jokes..... about everything. So he was cutting up all through FHE. He did well last year memorizing all his Articles of Faith. He was so proud when he received his certificate. Now he is working on getting his Wolf badge for scouts, so I know the kid is driven, even though he is a jokester.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought for me, maybe......not yell so much. Really, I want to work on this. I started whispering at the kids when I was really mad and Blake was a little freaked out by it. There was a conference address all about this. It is not like am this constant yeller, but sometimes I can't get my kids to respond until I raise my voice. I don't like it. I think one resolution might be good for each category......The exercise might have to wait until it is above 40 outside, because I am a wimp and do not like to be cold.</div><div><br /></div><div>How did I do on resolutions last year? Not so great....I did do one...kind of... okay... and that was eat better. It says in <i>Section 89 of the Doctrine of Covenants, vs </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(47, 57, 58); line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="verse" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size:16px;color:transparent;"><i>9</i></span><i>And shall </i><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=89&noteID=19a&lang=eng" id="footnote27" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>find</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i> </i></span><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=89&noteID=19b&lang=eng" id="footnote28" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>wisdom</i></span></a><i> and great </i><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=89&noteID=19c&lang=eng" id="footnote29" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>treasures</i></span></a><i> of </i><a class="footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng#" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=dc-testament&bookUri=dc&chapterUri=89&noteID=19d&lang=eng" id="footnote30" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>knowledge</i></span></a><i>, even hidden treasures</i>; I figure I need all the wisdom and knowledge I can get.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(47, 57, 58); line-height:16px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(47, 57, 58); line-height: 16px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">I hope for a better year this year.....last year actually was pretty good, but I like to think I can improve every year. I might add cleaning my bathroom to the list.......but I don't want to rush into anything. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-8579856320914309582011-01-01T00:56:00.000-05:002011-01-03T03:19:31.073-05:00Blast Out The Old Year....Party 2010!...So before we get to the dance....a couple things.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPKH35hbKblX0c35YcNnAmszZh5GguJ2g8ub3F1r6hrsCOWuJoEF7iJESQBZtK0kuQkicVfoyMxkM0sxrVWkmQ_FeIruwtPyX4E5L5SFWL1Zy22voiFL8fwuFkGhkA9bvNC0n5ysv0jo/s1600/Dec+22%252C+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPKH35hbKblX0c35YcNnAmszZh5GguJ2g8ub3F1r6hrsCOWuJoEF7iJESQBZtK0kuQkicVfoyMxkM0sxrVWkmQ_FeIruwtPyX4E5L5SFWL1Zy22voiFL8fwuFkGhkA9bvNC0n5ysv0jo/s800/Dec+22%252C+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557857307559831858" /></a>........blast back about two weeks ago. Jack had his 14th birthday. I gave him some fresh, light and cool smelling cologne. He was some what confused as to why he needed this and what it was for. I just said,"Trust me. I know what I am talking about. Girls like boys that smell nice." He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders...umm okay. I knew this first dance was coming up, so we needed to slowly gear up for it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PalnAL9VML0hZ-8B8znXsVUVcLHvNbI1nrB28L68eKjETozU7DBfyPXwf-RcP3WdkNo97vdNXRYvLLESYT65wkz-bXQjs9ABpQ1FOFlcJpfgWHdB-ektm260WaH0r99NXE0FWXQXSgs/s1600/Dec+30%252C+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PalnAL9VML0hZ-8B8znXsVUVcLHvNbI1nrB28L68eKjETozU7DBfyPXwf-RcP3WdkNo97vdNXRYvLLESYT65wkz-bXQjs9ABpQ1FOFlcJpfgWHdB-ektm260WaH0r99NXE0FWXQXSgs/s800/Dec+30%252C+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557848866252217154" /></a>I figured it would be pretty lame to send Jack off to a dance with out any practice. We spent a couple of nights before the dance practicing slow dancing and fast dancing. It was fun. My Mom and Dad taught us how to dance in our living room and I figured the tradition should live on!<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjkGlzCFqSYgMZq-hwpEEwERdweIoaAEDUQY-t-b3OQjKcj-Oc1gpDR-gQtjol0eTuYjsLlRJMTG8Fgg2zzCqnLZFANveTLUKTUoc7ZngjJxlICLLRZazmCKy2SIAHXVXZwP9n9NXz5U/s1600/dance2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjkGlzCFqSYgMZq-hwpEEwERdweIoaAEDUQY-t-b3OQjKcj-Oc1gpDR-gQtjol0eTuYjsLlRJMTG8Fgg2zzCqnLZFANveTLUKTUoc7ZngjJxlICLLRZazmCKy2SIAHXVXZwP9n9NXz5U/s800/dance2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835847668216770" border="0" /></a>It was between My friend Outi and me as to who would Chaperon these guys to the Church dance. I felt like this would be a great opportunity to see what Jack was in for and what we should expect in the upcoming months. I went. It was awesome!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYvH6-QkNp6xcFrlXxCcChxeGBjbbWAlzUlBIZ0lloLJ6vdk6fB3eaE7kNiXMGeAruKecl7TQ1cmR4cbjrjRXn_N_z81HcTM0BFjtZN9BQZLLk7HkiFtI3mnYOMyqPFXshbSNxDev4uQ/s1600/dance1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 432px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYvH6-QkNp6xcFrlXxCcChxeGBjbbWAlzUlBIZ0lloLJ6vdk6fB3eaE7kNiXMGeAruKecl7TQ1cmR4cbjrjRXn_N_z81HcTM0BFjtZN9BQZLLk7HkiFtI3mnYOMyqPFXshbSNxDev4uQ/s800/dance1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835843019786290" border="0" /></a>...and we are off. The boys were in high spirits as we drove off the Island to the big party. I ask Jack to take this picture. We then realized we had no card in the camera. I had to turn around and head for home. I wanted pictures. I got a ton!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV3U9XBmiUHkEdQ-zmtPiVCMAg98GonAFI68bGXdbfboTgSMeosUbdIqwgNR4SJjA82RUD8N8LcGfY_ekNWGP1RZJ_gSKUIlP6cF0H7vZSvVV0xevqE492tuqKhJwbPgBiliXUS90j5M/s1600/dance5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV3U9XBmiUHkEdQ-zmtPiVCMAg98GonAFI68bGXdbfboTgSMeosUbdIqwgNR4SJjA82RUD8N8LcGfY_ekNWGP1RZJ_gSKUIlP6cF0H7vZSvVV0xevqE492tuqKhJwbPgBiliXUS90j5M/s800/dance5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835593590964994" border="0" /></a>First stop, the ice Skating ring. The guys took a couple turns around the ice and then it was off to play broom hockey. I watched for about an hour as the hit the ball, laughed, fell and generally had a great time. I must have had a huge smile on my face. It was just so great to see Jack with friends and enjoying himself. These guys were all awesome and each thought of the others constantly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXTkfB6QyV-8pPrSYyW-iFgYV76OTS1S4eNB6R2raX_JiwJ12fOioEB1qUx5mRMiB09qrhz4Aac_5WY8vuY15WJsIxr4cxk_zPmrNUYpp4KYk1ty-wpaLFnn7uJYVUPfclc3sgRabHG8/s1600/dance6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXTkfB6QyV-8pPrSYyW-iFgYV76OTS1S4eNB6R2raX_JiwJ12fOioEB1qUx5mRMiB09qrhz4Aac_5WY8vuY15WJsIxr4cxk_zPmrNUYpp4KYk1ty-wpaLFnn7uJYVUPfclc3sgRabHG8/s800/dance6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835587924059362" border="0" /></a>After playing hard they hit the snack bar and the arcade.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSGT4XpYl_6uGOLTcFT-_eC_e3Cn2EedOwnDGKh37oHvtrgCi9HvJ-ayUaNqo39SDm7u3YChRu9W2U-IfkIjvXv48Ts4i0Jj1FHKfPDlDNJkHFz4Fbv2S_HS9ffcLTycMgsziA4nq9UA/s1600/dance7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 432px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSGT4XpYl_6uGOLTcFT-_eC_e3Cn2EedOwnDGKh37oHvtrgCi9HvJ-ayUaNqo39SDm7u3YChRu9W2U-IfkIjvXv48Ts4i0Jj1FHKfPDlDNJkHFz4Fbv2S_HS9ffcLTycMgsziA4nq9UA/s800/dance7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835587214920066" border="0" /></a>A little pizza break at the Ward building and the dance was up and running......or dancing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz59d4opOv-Z9bb_YLen-0iXSQ1EYOMBt6N_xQ60vBCpa7W9jqv6vtjC3FGgB_YEp4cn7NceZv7VCSqWLrk-mxoXA9ZFlMF8JGeWR9X-0Bw86TwornUwwdpslGIgEzCrJ_1n2MKxh0HY/s1600/dance8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz59d4opOv-Z9bb_YLen-0iXSQ1EYOMBt6N_xQ60vBCpa7W9jqv6vtjC3FGgB_YEp4cn7NceZv7VCSqWLrk-mxoXA9ZFlMF8JGeWR9X-0Bw86TwornUwwdpslGIgEzCrJ_1n2MKxh0HY/s800/dance8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835580039921186" border="0" /></a>I was walking around taking random pictures when the lights went out and the music started. I couldn't find my boys anywhere. They were not on the dance floor......? Did they diss me? No, they had gone down stairs to play some games. I walked into a room to see Jack with a big grin on his face sitting on some strange girls lap. After that game the boys went to the sword fighting room and then a little twister.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMBnlRqsi3Vlia4jYyjjsuKdfwaJcpLM6y76ZLgV9UVyptk3Bp1xmOtxdbEVqzSUGWbvCmvlq3RfzVXZQIGCVGAiYTwNlsjhGGVq6dn9ZagMe3fO_op_KK-EbVrTt4Wlxe1__5RYbJ08/s1600/dance9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMBnlRqsi3Vlia4jYyjjsuKdfwaJcpLM6y76ZLgV9UVyptk3Bp1xmOtxdbEVqzSUGWbvCmvlq3RfzVXZQIGCVGAiYTwNlsjhGGVq6dn9ZagMe3fO_op_KK-EbVrTt4Wlxe1__5RYbJ08/s800/dance9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835580647255682" border="0" /></a>Finally, up to the dance floor. The guys were really on Jack to find someone to dance with. I wondered away for a minute and missed him dancing with a girl for like 30 seconds...at least he got her name...AMY. Some man was walking around trying to find partners for these two girls and the boys threw Jack at her. Dang, no pictures of it, but I am pretty sure it happened since all five boys hunted me down to tell me...lol.... they rock!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhU_IFtsudQOs6hwxbGMbHQG8dCoIvneAB8A4ors3k81VQ0q4N29RJUF_cKVDZ7_2KHXx-lExWxX0KEjK1BX_g5FxR8rMVUA0Rtxy-u6qUwWQ2weJiu7kjWgrFppjn7rUJuh74Hw4frE/s1600/dance4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhU_IFtsudQOs6hwxbGMbHQG8dCoIvneAB8A4ors3k81VQ0q4N29RJUF_cKVDZ7_2KHXx-lExWxX0KEjK1BX_g5FxR8rMVUA0Rtxy-u6qUwWQ2weJiu7kjWgrFppjn7rUJuh74Hw4frE/s800/dance4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835132000170178" border="0" /></a>I got one dance with Jack, although I would have loved to dance more.....since I am THE DANCING QUEEN. They played a ton of 80's music. It brought back so many memories.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUJxsVE_dIa7PqvI_DAIXCdA-FVInkwCXL_R58IcpyXkcJdG0wm62vHjRjc_vKb-N4dFGPVuqSgfXQ62-nObmerSn5ih1Il-Gb0Hn5Rpum7oCdiImCDKS5Lyw8ayYRd58s-HywmilyJU/s1600/dance12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUJxsVE_dIa7PqvI_DAIXCdA-FVInkwCXL_R58IcpyXkcJdG0wm62vHjRjc_vKb-N4dFGPVuqSgfXQ62-nObmerSn5ih1Il-Gb0Hn5Rpum7oCdiImCDKS5Lyw8ayYRd58s-HywmilyJU/s800/dance12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835128470986754" border="0" /></a>Before it was time to count down some of the guys went back down to play a few more games.</div><div>I mean when you can pound your friend or dance with a strange girl and you are 14-15 years old what would you rather do?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0ZMq91rsqR1fYOarKnGbWHLnSzlQqA9EEDTDtdk9lkphqY_A6ylChtmO_PEWHo0Vx-oSrbIrVZ0SbLBXXpTia5jhXiWYQ1jt1KHiFRYaXrjChjWvX8eabrKCa5zj4tAv56CXftbPVg0/s1600/dance10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0ZMq91rsqR1fYOarKnGbWHLnSzlQqA9EEDTDtdk9lkphqY_A6ylChtmO_PEWHo0Vx-oSrbIrVZ0SbLBXXpTia5jhXiWYQ1jt1KHiFRYaXrjChjWvX8eabrKCa5zj4tAv56CXftbPVg0/s800/dance10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835123592022754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBlu_tk1xOcWm2jb7K6FLG3NEaU4F8V1HH9dH8S5MMpPk-U1Yus_bnGJtozHWJP2aQrdECqo43VsKRxip0IsmrZUdL7SBVIDf0DFFy4tQKHkXGxJUxnznlMfH72fTK8dEeYFs8h-bgK8/s1600/dance11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 599px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBlu_tk1xOcWm2jb7K6FLG3NEaU4F8V1HH9dH8S5MMpPk-U1Yus_bnGJtozHWJP2aQrdECqo43VsKRxip0IsmrZUdL7SBVIDf0DFFy4tQKHkXGxJUxnznlMfH72fTK8dEeYFs8h-bgK8/s800/dance11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835123886953730" border="0" /></a>The count down...The balloons down..... the stomping the singing...and no one for me to kiss:(</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxiPSxs9yipfrIpf8jaD49UfA0VkBHi7lI1EpM0Rkp66BzfAxSINtx_7Z-Nw-iljfUj4olnFi13VXurARgJuUtssVXtt3vSKBVz6Y3r0OjysCvUKWTfVFjiXIYR-8ahjQEuqiOdMKxak/s1600/dance3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxiPSxs9yipfrIpf8jaD49UfA0VkBHi7lI1EpM0Rkp66BzfAxSINtx_7Z-Nw-iljfUj4olnFi13VXurARgJuUtssVXtt3vSKBVz6Y3r0OjysCvUKWTfVFjiXIYR-8ahjQEuqiOdMKxak/s800/dance3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557835120748309682" border="0" /></a>These guys were so great. They were all respectful and helpful to each other. The hung out together and kept tabs on each other. It was great to see. </div><div><br /></div><div>I asked Jack if he minded me going and he said he was glad I went. My Mom and Dad were always around for dances and parties. It just seemed like a natural thing. I hung back most of the time, but the guys kept drawing me back in, eager to tell me what was up.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS. I drove the speed limit all night. I was completely aware at all times of my speed. I saw 15 cop cars driving home and was very glad that I prayed for safety and that I would be acutely aware of my speed.<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-35686292316866234712010-12-31T02:16:00.004-05:002011-01-02T03:35:15.231-05:00Christmas Day 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kv240gOZvwNgXPb9CWcEXr6Tbt_CHlgMJPboojlMWe2r5foY5eSyiDxIkwPBSoEDM3blB5KQe-iVQ4a8N0j9NnEU129ILynlHA01jWXDVnVHB0_pDPMY9ukVqih-15LsMwsRJYbQHUk/s1600/Christmas14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 408px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kv240gOZvwNgXPb9CWcEXr6Tbt_CHlgMJPboojlMWe2r5foY5eSyiDxIkwPBSoEDM3blB5KQe-iVQ4a8N0j9NnEU129ILynlHA01jWXDVnVHB0_pDPMY9ukVqih-15LsMwsRJYbQHUk/s800/Christmas14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742721316230466" border="0" /></a>Christmas Morning came too early for me. Even though it was at 6:15 am, which really wasn't that bad, I was up until 3:00 am. The kids were ready to go. They have to wait for Skip to get the camera and video camera ready. They were all smiles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cFTQTokQ5Z5MVgAZFBPnrPJqDKxTQZOm-OEYj63s1Rd4Fx1jNGAffhZhny8oFzE6Z6kVZQ9SGTiMHgDehmXv_sQK0w_AAh3ONJQARuiaXhA23hIuh6CLa2q9BZgtCQ8reGbItXwF-K8/s1600/christmas15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 408px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cFTQTokQ5Z5MVgAZFBPnrPJqDKxTQZOm-OEYj63s1Rd4Fx1jNGAffhZhny8oFzE6Z6kVZQ9SGTiMHgDehmXv_sQK0w_AAh3ONJQARuiaXhA23hIuh6CLa2q9BZgtCQ8reGbItXwF-K8/s800/christmas15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742715711993458" border="0" /></a>Claire and Blake kept their eyes closed. They said they REALLY wanted to be surprised.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPrwm9tTyMZ0sjdVXQu4ACZEG8b5OSJHzN-kja0iDvnZjPZYooLA8ESAQe79wkbB0VW5r94YYHzzlNxCsGAVRX3IFkAUQEDiv47WhZflgcEQgone3DKxcMqOsE0VtSqAG931Zv2XW0ME/s1600/chrstmas10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPrwm9tTyMZ0sjdVXQu4ACZEG8b5OSJHzN-kja0iDvnZjPZYooLA8ESAQe79wkbB0VW5r94YYHzzlNxCsGAVRX3IFkAUQEDiv47WhZflgcEQgone3DKxcMqOsE0VtSqAG931Zv2XW0ME/s800/chrstmas10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742714832883730" border="0" /></a>Like I said, Claire hugs thank you to everyone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjtLp5M0H7p_JSDcul1Q9YarnzGDegaUUKQyc-wEVFD9V_7q_r1BfZBJ9daWDeaMjg9pzExic9M1o8nNHm56zH9HH5u3hdHHFPbMhTjmGOf0CEcMSzidzBiED62TXmhV80acQiNtfcWg/s1600/Christmas11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjtLp5M0H7p_JSDcul1Q9YarnzGDegaUUKQyc-wEVFD9V_7q_r1BfZBJ9daWDeaMjg9pzExic9M1o8nNHm56zH9HH5u3hdHHFPbMhTjmGOf0CEcMSzidzBiED62TXmhV80acQiNtfcWg/s800/Christmas11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742339829546450" border="0" /></a>Everyone was very happy with the books, magic set and Lego's they received.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiNfLh44N30psJZatY_epAU8oVfsH9_20jG23ClY_2OM8N3mV25KeeQeOhEhpIa__5fSYI9yzm_SLeVdfzHfuz5u3VMRWc6G5Iq_Ti78Ltx8sLch8PpU9XXUN1YuATBG-KyfAiEsBIMQ/s1600/christmas12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiNfLh44N30psJZatY_epAU8oVfsH9_20jG23ClY_2OM8N3mV25KeeQeOhEhpIa__5fSYI9yzm_SLeVdfzHfuz5u3VMRWc6G5Iq_Ti78Ltx8sLch8PpU9XXUN1YuATBG-KyfAiEsBIMQ/s800/christmas12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742337787919714" border="0" /></a>Sam and Blake got these really cool Spy Watches from Santa. They are awesome. You can take pictures, record voice, take video and a million other things with them. Pretty happy campers I must say. Jack received some electronic Drums from Santa.....What was Santa thinking:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghegLOK-nOYjA3O7izX-34LAjUt0PNjusWAz51zrckdjlxqmdwrrYM0TWIf_iBTcYEQ723CVCRqBGuln8-IibtgrSipuMjt8UODddTsnWz9bJ4wIKwsGMTAr55irGcxGj0XKG56PK6K8U/s1600/christmas13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghegLOK-nOYjA3O7izX-34LAjUt0PNjusWAz51zrckdjlxqmdwrrYM0TWIf_iBTcYEQ723CVCRqBGuln8-IibtgrSipuMjt8UODddTsnWz9bJ4wIKwsGMTAr55irGcxGj0XKG56PK6K8U/s800/christmas13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742330323490354" border="0" /></a>Claire got what every girl wants....clothes. Specifically a silk scarf, which she believes goes with everything. She got this really cute outfit from Aunt Maryann. When she opened it she said," Oh, Aunt Maryann is not here to hug." She was bummed.<br /><br />She wanted Barbies.... I am opposed to Barbies.....She got miniature American Girl Dolls, Nellie and Kit. They are very cute and we both like them. We are happy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc4wojBElkL0AAEIpEgwTSvGsxsUCwCCRiiZ0nVbQmkP3j5M6wePjoIcxa44XOjuOUV34MXt2S0F61p54PfPhrZi8kjzXEUZXXCzD8XGxEPNwq1oWhJy3toUOjviXkDiWfnGni5Zdmw8/s1600/Christmas16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc4wojBElkL0AAEIpEgwTSvGsxsUCwCCRiiZ0nVbQmkP3j5M6wePjoIcxa44XOjuOUV34MXt2S0F61p54PfPhrZi8kjzXEUZXXCzD8XGxEPNwq1oWhJy3toUOjviXkDiWfnGni5Zdmw8/s800/Christmas16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742325666885378" border="0" /></a>One of the reasons I was up so late... homemade Cinnamon rolls. This is another tradition and a good one, but requires work.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmNwfzwzB3RDIZ7xMjWZBiTmuCnlxgJdYGGekZaPlAAdXP5U3VunoMsCX1LNSWZy_vhL4y8ZH88VtwEQPnnu2PRGOpmD3mhw85TJ_U2aR2UGoH2lce0b7B3lMCy7rzGLE2XoF5ixJr9Y/s1600/christmas17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmNwfzwzB3RDIZ7xMjWZBiTmuCnlxgJdYGGekZaPlAAdXP5U3VunoMsCX1LNSWZy_vhL4y8ZH88VtwEQPnnu2PRGOpmD3mhw85TJ_U2aR2UGoH2lce0b7B3lMCy7rzGLE2XoF5ixJr9Y/s800/christmas17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742322446959970" border="0" /></a>Smoothies and Cinnamon rolls around 8:00am. Boy, we got a lot accomplished in just two short hours. I am ready for my Christmas nap. Which a promptly went up and took. Merry Christmas to me:)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:180%;">We are so blessed.<br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-61554259742534412282010-12-24T02:03:00.002-05:002011-01-02T03:13:40.596-05:00Christmas Eve 2010Christmas Eve, Claire thought it would never come. I however knew it would. We get asked all the time if we are going home for Christmas. I like to think we are home and that this is where we should be. In the eighteen years that we have been married we have always just been together and I find it quite relaxing. There have been some years where we have spent Christmas Eve with friends and I really enjoyed that, but we get to wait for the Big guy in the comfort of our own beds.....nice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxlnw1D6zc-yQHza-Is_zaDfsUpuMFSADkKL5KSb2h6K2PJXemNT-A_QHjrpEu9y1NXjJ9uhjNnfu9rk2OW8orM7sqm4UvML5sIZwjJQjHox47oK0JFwtw6yc18A8pel-UnkL6FC_5kw/s1600/Christmas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxlnw1D6zc-yQHza-Is_zaDfsUpuMFSADkKL5KSb2h6K2PJXemNT-A_QHjrpEu9y1NXjJ9uhjNnfu9rk2OW8orM7sqm4UvML5sIZwjJQjHox47oK0JFwtw6yc18A8pel-UnkL6FC_5kw/s800/Christmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739089666265122" border="0" /></a>A question that I have been wondering about for a while is; do people have a big meal on Christmas or Christmas Eve or both? Personally I am of the opinion that one big meal is sufficient. When I was growing up we had one big meal either Christmas Eve or Christmas and a big breakfast on Christmas morning. My dad did the honors and the boys cleaned up. I am sad to say this tradition has been slow to catch on in this family....<br /><br />It is quite widely known that I am not a real meat person. I think Turkey is appropriate for Thanksgiving, but Christmas is quite another matter. Eleven Christmas's ago we were invited to come to Christmas Eve dinner at my friend Diane's house. She is a marvelous cook and Italian. A beautiful and yummy dinner of Lasagna and this sort of puffy bread with cheese in it was placed before us. Needless to say it was delicious. I was hooked. Italian it would be. It has evolved to Fettuccine Alfredo with roasted Vegetables and a bit of roasted Chicken to garnish it with. I make some Rosemary bread and we dip it in olive oil and pepper. For the past couple years I have made some smoothies instead of salad and pour them into our nice glass wear. Everyone seems pretty happy with that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFZqD_FP6GiHYS0gJObxXdrSLZxUqvbufIObTPmmZq4Jti5QdU5Rc42EvM1uKPM4lFAPfXRfZE_SEBdKON57x6NvN1ZVSc1P6Gapp5MjjmB2zrjHuXaVqWdUAOB5Hcz5nbUNKs9Fp7k8/s1600/christmas1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFZqD_FP6GiHYS0gJObxXdrSLZxUqvbufIObTPmmZq4Jti5QdU5Rc42EvM1uKPM4lFAPfXRfZE_SEBdKON57x6NvN1ZVSc1P6Gapp5MjjmB2zrjHuXaVqWdUAOB5Hcz5nbUNKs9Fp7k8/s800/christmas1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739077749607282" border="0" /></a>Dinner conversation is a must and something I am continually working on with my kids. Christmas Eve is no different. the subject tonight was" How to Get Dad Out of Bed in the Morning." Skip is a little bah-hum-bug about getting up early. I like to open presents by tree light. The soft glow of light gives a magical feeling to everything. Skip thinks it is just hard to see. I like the magical memories the dark of an early Christmas morning bring. Skip seems to have none of these or maybe he is suppressing his inner child...who knows...<br /><br />Sam's idea-" Mom after dad falls asleep, set all the clocks ahead so he thinks it is 8:00 am instead of 5:30 am." I have to say this is a pretty good idea, except as Jack points out." Uh, Dad is right here listening to the idea, so I think it probably won't work." to this Sam replies," Oh, good point."<br /><br />Blake's idea-" I say we just throw water on him. that will wake him up." Jack says," I don't think he will be really in the Christmas mood after that." to which Blake so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blakley</span> responds," So...he will be awake though...he might as well come down stairs with us and if he doesn't want to......fine, we will go down with out him."...nice....<br /><br />Sam's idea#2- " We need to find out when the sun comes up in AZ. Dad said they opened presents when the sun came up. Let's Goggle it. Jack responds," Let's just call Grandma and Grandpa Ross they will know."<br /><br />Jack's idea-" Dad let's just agree on 5:30am." to which Skip responds," No." " Come on....." says Jack.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJgltkMwOYR22OZKPaa9CeBgYwblt5Pp7BMqyb1aaXi4BRx1tIz52kEZXrkqDD8X7P4xjgHqvRTbFDAZjBVUtQYP07_ku33D4YcO54SzeHgq6pahnwGkTWyJ4zkJ_JnVsXDxfbgSNfaY/s1600/christmas2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 407px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJgltkMwOYR22OZKPaa9CeBgYwblt5Pp7BMqyb1aaXi4BRx1tIz52kEZXrkqDD8X7P4xjgHqvRTbFDAZjBVUtQYP07_ku33D4YcO54SzeHgq6pahnwGkTWyJ4zkJ_JnVsXDxfbgSNfaY/s800/christmas2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739075715355266" border="0" /></a>Blake is not to happy with this.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C5itK5NI3nzI5217zobZk7oj_w4lj15fq-SoGze18OVvqrterrxAccsPqGXwV18hp0fY7dC3h6733guZBlkvz6X7xlkrBJ5k50dXpShIbXH_fbJVJhgMpaTbjvbt5v_LLTf9v_5ibVI/s1600/christmas3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 407px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C5itK5NI3nzI5217zobZk7oj_w4lj15fq-SoGze18OVvqrterrxAccsPqGXwV18hp0fY7dC3h6733guZBlkvz6X7xlkrBJ5k50dXpShIbXH_fbJVJhgMpaTbjvbt5v_LLTf9v_5ibVI/s800/christmas3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739069495932514" border="0" /></a>Cheers!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74vcvIfnE1u3fAuvz08Ev19GgxCHqpaPEtYo2X88IPmFbWVG1SQ6Giwuqslzj1aE3IwN61Aaj8L4kCLnu3K_lMGzt418zkYdRsUHE4xRVR9wW8tvsy0omZneaDeSHuQ8re6MZNbN0T_M/s1600/Christmas8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74vcvIfnE1u3fAuvz08Ev19GgxCHqpaPEtYo2X88IPmFbWVG1SQ6Giwuqslzj1aE3IwN61Aaj8L4kCLnu3K_lMGzt418zkYdRsUHE4xRVR9wW8tvsy0omZneaDeSHuQ8re6MZNbN0T_M/s800/Christmas8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739656347883058" border="0" /></a>Claire is just so excited about everything. The whole Christmas experience this year has been one of wonder and awe. She won't even open her eyes when she is unwrapping her gifts...she wants to prolong the suspense. This was driving her brothers and Dad crazy. I thought it was darling.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys0dzQOQnAlUhJjO8r5Y2TWqxKxRnaTeX1a4X5AGJ06DSAOhyo4roCuwM8bipDNHxA9kbwvlm35ypKeF7D1vEzx3L4zxx5vuzxhfehc0fjvfI3_3qcTjpWgTlrYWW4o4d84kxIC5JrsM/s1600/christmas9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys0dzQOQnAlUhJjO8r5Y2TWqxKxRnaTeX1a4X5AGJ06DSAOhyo4roCuwM8bipDNHxA9kbwvlm35ypKeF7D1vEzx3L4zxx5vuzxhfehc0fjvfI3_3qcTjpWgTlrYWW4o4d84kxIC5JrsM/s800/christmas9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739651955284226" border="0" /></a>We have a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve. They can choose which ever one they want. Needless to say they were all pleased. Claire gave a big hug to Blake because she just loved the gift and she loves to give hugs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEA4X8iCDTJgCbqumGrKlHXlxJALTAwohRqaRFWSfb3bVAuuwAPPfWwiBWvd5tFevB4W7HdehvTXpzOqnu50-_EWdtrAwN2YYLp94XTyE7p09v8wEP4HDDv57J_95ZwwGdtG81ZZgyyCo/s1600/Christmas10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 413px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEA4X8iCDTJgCbqumGrKlHXlxJALTAwohRqaRFWSfb3bVAuuwAPPfWwiBWvd5tFevB4W7HdehvTXpzOqnu50-_EWdtrAwN2YYLp94XTyE7p09v8wEP4HDDv57J_95ZwwGdtG81ZZgyyCo/s800/Christmas10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556739646967399314" border="0" /></a>After Opening the one present we went into the other room took look at the Santa Tracker on line from NORAD. Santa Tracker? When we were kids we would check out the news or the radio. Claire was so excited about EVERYTHING. It is like she never had a Christmas before. She turned around and said to me, with a huge smile," Okay, we better hurry and open the rest of them before we go to bed." The girl was serious. " Honey no, we open them in the morning after we see what Santa brought." She was not happy with this response.<br /><br />We hustled them up to bed and then Blake came blazing right back down." What about the cookies and apple we are going to leave out for him." Oh yes." I said," Let's get the special plate." Blake was thrilled, but not so much as Claire. She was brushing her teeth rather sluggishly, because she did not want to go to bed. Skip said," If you hurry you can help put out Santa's treat." She Squealed with a mouthful of tooth paste and just about peed her pants. Oh my, she was excited. With hands clasped together she came dancing and jumping down the stairs to help.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl51OatueFDz95_Cl3VKRyWJJQoQ0PVhz8yuWShntvR7EQFVN58KBcqG2nwvU6mL-0xlJtV8t-pEJt-Xq519DFB8uA6cDHWEa2NInCUAJt3qNgxGodIjox8I6zqH8YqYv0NAUhYIv5zY/s1600/christmas18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl51OatueFDz95_Cl3VKRyWJJQoQ0PVhz8yuWShntvR7EQFVN58KBcqG2nwvU6mL-0xlJtV8t-pEJt-Xq519DFB8uA6cDHWEa2NInCUAJt3qNgxGodIjox8I6zqH8YqYv0NAUhYIv5zY/s800/christmas18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556750017911316290" border="0" /></a>Sam wrote this note to Santa last week when they announced that it was an invitation Sunday. I am not quite sure where Sam stands on the issue of Santa. I was a believer and a really wanted all the magic to be true until around twelve when my parents laid the realities of life at my feet. I was pretty crushed , but understood. I just like magical happy things. I am a optimist!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-69042457353723624492010-12-22T02:25:00.003-05:002011-01-02T01:59:40.316-05:00Christmas Nativity 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRahsY9BCRrSpcFVNX9e4WsSfPuEo8CJ-GRJD7CDSd6isxkq43cPXkNj2ERCWaByOJ7YHzTd5QqDYnU-c6ffsBeM8W-y4YEUgvRP7GldAqGUOxJRATcznpYsqy-fpQJhPjHilQX-4s9s/s1600/christmas4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRahsY9BCRrSpcFVNX9e4WsSfPuEo8CJ-GRJD7CDSd6isxkq43cPXkNj2ERCWaByOJ7YHzTd5QqDYnU-c6ffsBeM8W-y4YEUgvRP7GldAqGUOxJRATcznpYsqy-fpQJhPjHilQX-4s9s/s800/christmas4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556744554379669186" border="0" /></a>Every year we have our Christmas Nativity night. This year was no different. It is always so interesting to me how excited the kids are about acting out this story. They really think out the costumes and where we will be staging it. Last year Blake really wanted to be a Shepherd. This year he wanted to be The Donkey that Mary rides on and a Wise man. I told him that I wasn't sure about The Donkey. What if someone played Mary that was too big to sit on him. Claire assured me that would not be the case...uh humm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoeW0CvL6-MXm8xnlLfS-yK5QZ1irO9slIZyTBkhKCFTUJYV9nq-RU97dfjZOkU3vrZYD1ZiDlswc1sqA1IAIYCR1uQB4G2NE5pU6-ogmpeF9VsnNIWt5xDZDRx_NCAaek_POibI_mro/s1600/christmas6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoeW0CvL6-MXm8xnlLfS-yK5QZ1irO9slIZyTBkhKCFTUJYV9nq-RU97dfjZOkU3vrZYD1ZiDlswc1sqA1IAIYCR1uQB4G2NE5pU6-ogmpeF9VsnNIWt5xDZDRx_NCAaek_POibI_mro/s800/christmas6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556744549200322354" border="0" /></a>We invite different families over every year and have loads of fun. I thought I was totally prepared this year. I had saved the scripts from last year and had them in a neat little stack. I asked Skip to make sure they were ready to hand out about ten minutes before everyone was to arrive. They were a wee bit out of order. When the guests arrive we were not ready. I was somewhat flustered, but we began anyway.<br /><br /> As we started into the beginning of the story Claire starts to whisper something loudly to me. I try to ignore her. She will not relent....ever....about anything.....anyway, she says where is the manger and can she go and get it....yes, yes...she comes back..... again with the whispering....where is the Baby Jesus... yes, yes go and get it....she is all excited and smiling feeling very important.......she comes back, looks down at the doll....what about swaddling clothes and a blanket.....She says,"Don't worry I got it." With a big thumbs up, she runs up the stairs. The girl is all over this thing. I guess if you are Mary, you better have all the right props.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDPkL8ktX0J7iTN3jc1fJc_IWWBh6ljIq7Mkbz1Pgyxyv675WtIU41h35rwF5HgIwO2JHHl8RmI1uPzNqehvih-S9qSzfl9SXJ7SuvL2hVXjSMB4ZAe1RXKhHEOkLRYpmqixA7k8df_k/s1600/Christmas7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDPkL8ktX0J7iTN3jc1fJc_IWWBh6ljIq7Mkbz1Pgyxyv675WtIU41h35rwF5HgIwO2JHHl8RmI1uPzNqehvih-S9qSzfl9SXJ7SuvL2hVXjSMB4ZAe1RXKhHEOkLRYpmqixA7k8df_k/s800/Christmas7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556744550830480658" border="0" /></a>It was a fun night and we were so blessed to have friends to share our Christmas traditions with. I love seeing the look in the adults eyes and teenagers eyes when I say," You look like a good Shepherd."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-81751180060830791702010-12-20T02:16:00.005-05:002010-12-21T03:22:34.018-05:00Jack's 14th Surprise!<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNmUqepHJqkb-iFw4k735fd2qYd1jjaKhyoJX0EI6XwLmbhf4ZIOd_GW00Hb3CaO9VjOPpmzRXbWCks1l6ROQx83AxrTUyDIwuRFl0iiLPechvywFg24I86eKtjbKWBOdh5Gwe8YX5Vo/s800/Jackparty7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669582167579106" border="0" />Jack turned 14 on Sunday. I can't believe it.....well I can, but really it is so unfair how fast time flys. He wanted a party and this was his year for a friend party. We tried to plan something for Saturday night, but many people were busy. Jack was bummed. He said he wanted to do it any way. I had another thought. What if more kids could come on Saturday? What if we surprised Jack? Could I pull it off? I didn't tell any of our kids. I was praying that all the kids would just play along with whatever Jack said and play it cool......they did.<div><br /></div><div>I enlisted the help of two neighbors to keep Jack away while the guest were arriving. One was Jack's good friend. He was awesome. He came over to see if Jack could hang out and off they went to his house. This is when I told the kids. Blake was shocked that I could plan such a great surprised. He kept telling me how smart I was......sometimes all you need is an eight year old to make you feel<b> excellent. </b>Of course then he ask me what would happen if no one showed up...uh....hopefully that won't be the case.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We decorated and got the food ready. Then the guest started to arrive. The timing was working out fabulously. </span><br /></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSieUpyFF4aenSHWoNj76aawZ1tyT0k05DUIgetTbBqVmzBQiqNf0QJFZdshtVU690JcnoGB0MWnq0OTUdygTkaOCGiXANYxb6FsjgY5Iivrcky6iYlqH1MbC0nQzs8iI-0OHbz-4Z_4/s1600/118_0878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height:430px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSieUpyFF4aenSHWoNj76aawZ1tyT0k05DUIgetTbBqVmzBQiqNf0QJFZdshtVU690JcnoGB0MWnq0OTUdygTkaOCGiXANYxb6FsjgY5Iivrcky6iYlqH1MbC0nQzs8iI-0OHbz-4Z_4/s800/118_0878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553036443591565794" /></a>My friend Katie got a picture of me as I made the call. It was pretty exciting. I had the music playing quite loud like always, because if it had been quite that would have been a dead give away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWRKiPYpmTJUn-Qia17qEecPKjtW9jkqPfvjk_NEC8q9jHEqn9r2cKH3RXYnsUPs6_XJdBFQErfSugZZc3bkh8aWePZH0-c4UFPuRUZCFPzXc2zEeNydwRepPkaOpLUMMLSsphBq9pz8/s1600/Jackparty2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 433px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWRKiPYpmTJUn-Qia17qEecPKjtW9jkqPfvjk_NEC8q9jHEqn9r2cKH3RXYnsUPs6_XJdBFQErfSugZZc3bkh8aWePZH0-c4UFPuRUZCFPzXc2zEeNydwRepPkaOpLUMMLSsphBq9pz8/s800/Jackparty2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669578476088434" border="0" /></a>He was surprised!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedPLrBsplACSTTpN3siGiHerBwcNmCP0Mfgw1oe9lGIArHxXhjoGO24zWRmJwic1FRwDH-zPtwAGH1LpnhsUn4JnnShBoQr7dsZiMHar4LjeJ9sDy1e_aa48J8InHvUpkeqxqLXl7260/s1600/jack+party.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 554px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedPLrBsplACSTTpN3siGiHerBwcNmCP0Mfgw1oe9lGIArHxXhjoGO24zWRmJwic1FRwDH-zPtwAGH1LpnhsUn4JnnShBoQr7dsZiMHar4LjeJ9sDy1e_aa48J8InHvUpkeqxqLXl7260/s800/jack+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669570951556130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RKwG9JwEEMjKmY24no0mYCgYetc_Xmt05qWSnKAAPU6kCSK_MAyddKmNoKjDKuMFA1xF0cpNEzVThEPdfwFRUclUen4qv3bXQnM_krHaPoF3t5Ol88vk8A-xB-0JkR01zouT56JGHgk/s1600/jackparty5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RKwG9JwEEMjKmY24no0mYCgYetc_Xmt05qWSnKAAPU6kCSK_MAyddKmNoKjDKuMFA1xF0cpNEzVThEPdfwFRUclUen4qv3bXQnM_krHaPoF3t5Ol88vk8A-xB-0JkR01zouT56JGHgk/s800/jackparty5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669207089839202" border="0" /></a>We ate and then played a fun game in UNO. You get two groups playing and then every time someone gets a SKIP laid down on them they put their hand down go to the other table and pick some to take that hand and that person has to go to the other table and pick up the hand that was left. It was pretty fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW8EnQmjxmdTyw3YXuzIXQCZioixogIHl3gFUYc9sqAfbuC5JHlKxUYzxKfiKvdRbNO_YIcUtEb71l_9igeB4yJAAEkB65LzGWn8OUXXaRasW7n67Z3z0qaE1r_1QrtzOzj8bxOddivQ/s1600/jackparty6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW8EnQmjxmdTyw3YXuzIXQCZioixogIHl3gFUYc9sqAfbuC5JHlKxUYzxKfiKvdRbNO_YIcUtEb71l_9igeB4yJAAEkB65LzGWn8OUXXaRasW7n67Z3z0qaE1r_1QrtzOzj8bxOddivQ/s800/jackparty6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669207123143314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuxGlKuVI2rRTufcME0X6F6M46IbuDoKw1gbk5SSSrZmB7ZQ4TpmJWOfOXRdp4xJ4-_LdZZ9KybUNr9VYICd7E0lLsEhyphenhyphenqeHY6Ss5wkRX4SojN_1vILhpaZmjZLBGxe2rxkeqD74OC5A/s1600/Jackparty8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuxGlKuVI2rRTufcME0X6F6M46IbuDoKw1gbk5SSSrZmB7ZQ4TpmJWOfOXRdp4xJ4-_LdZZ9KybUNr9VYICd7E0lLsEhyphenhyphenqeHY6Ss5wkRX4SojN_1vILhpaZmjZLBGxe2rxkeqD74OC5A/s800/Jackparty8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669202943770466" border="0" /></a>We had cake and sang Happy Birthday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvFi-xSjb5aiBvrKYv-rmFyUPyNdexXzPwaI4i5WCdU1G3XrEpSy9BnJkYfeoRsDe7LvW6LixA9qZPV1Fbx0qNT495LNXsf8nSxmKoumLVGRvswAYi1zSONRHae3rJH2D3Z5UUUO6RrM/s1600/Jackparty4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvFi-xSjb5aiBvrKYv-rmFyUPyNdexXzPwaI4i5WCdU1G3XrEpSy9BnJkYfeoRsDe7LvW6LixA9qZPV1Fbx0qNT495LNXsf8nSxmKoumLVGRvswAYi1zSONRHae3rJH2D3Z5UUUO6RrM/s800/Jackparty4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669189752468642" border="0" /></a>Some kids stayed a while longer and we played a couple rounds of The Great Dalmuti.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAL_Sl4ZraBO7Dmb3SVRbBb1fxn8ZQELcfMhd9Ei1O8ywGued1Q4tXc6dsGP5zuSN0SnCmFdRYS05vFwv2XXzZ2O5Rk8FmrMEYiiWot6GPTuDisOjiGY7Y9sfG4osIXyBniH6ZGhfIXY/s1600/jack3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAL_Sl4ZraBO7Dmb3SVRbBb1fxn8ZQELcfMhd9Ei1O8ywGued1Q4tXc6dsGP5zuSN0SnCmFdRYS05vFwv2XXzZ2O5Rk8FmrMEYiiWot6GPTuDisOjiGY7Y9sfG4osIXyBniH6ZGhfIXY/s400/jack3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552669175619800674" border="0" /></a></div><br />We had a blast. Jack is a great son and I love him to pieces.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-27957964366826890792010-12-20T02:15:00.003-05:002010-12-20T15:03:15.555-05:00SAM and MOM<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUURzDrttP05t_HCX8ULlEGIxpoLrDa8pIi_xz6NYwPBuvSSEFoFL4XXLfRe1LTdzY0NLzszbo90Yi0tQwRsqc7BICxANOh1f0aYm5WFb9jUpPVCIc7kxuBfvr6yqNW_Ejtp2wpNVFCM/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 441px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUURzDrttP05t_HCX8ULlEGIxpoLrDa8pIi_xz6NYwPBuvSSEFoFL4XXLfRe1LTdzY0NLzszbo90Yi0tQwRsqc7BICxANOh1f0aYm5WFb9jUpPVCIc7kxuBfvr6yqNW_Ejtp2wpNVFCM/s800/IMG_0049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552840052642865394" /></a>This year Sam and I have been able to go on a couple of outings together. Sam is such a fun guy to go with. He sees the world far differently than I do and because of this he opens my eyes to many things I would not have dreamed of.<div><br /></div><div>We were able to go to the Picasso exhibit with his art class at the SAM {Seattle Art Museum} That was very interesting and we talked about paintings and sculptures and the man himself. If you know anything about Picasso, you will know that the man was quite passionate about women and his art. This made for colorful conversations, some questions of which I didn't know how to respond. I just did my best and I think Sam was happy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedAdG49TeXCE-xspUsaQVasthQUpI6XNelcRvoiuUICFOhAAJkGpOvJBz5RMXT6DWuA0RLGfw0PdyhAG4DeRlOx-5TQbocolInJdjAcgb3WYdA4uJqcNiSVH0sAROQf6OeYYtFcc4em0/s1600/annie3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 451px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedAdG49TeXCE-xspUsaQVasthQUpI6XNelcRvoiuUICFOhAAJkGpOvJBz5RMXT6DWuA0RLGfw0PdyhAG4DeRlOx-5TQbocolInJdjAcgb3WYdA4uJqcNiSVH0sAROQf6OeYYtFcc4em0/s800/annie3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552659867452545666" border="0" /></a>Saturday night Sam and I went to see the play ANNIE. Sam's good friend was Annie. He was so excited. Weeks of asking me if we were going to go and me saying I am not sure made Sam feel as if it would not happen, but I surprised him with the tickets on Friday. He was elated to say the least.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-q6mIiKdx8uMzQDHnGe7by42cr4FsBAB5byIo4x4Un5GZ7sN_d5NYhDcaLKkGDaSr4jdszQerFO3oULOdZGrSHKrkefCCtGxABPH0UBdhTF3iVeSr3G_pOeG93TbLiHFReZ8xTGDetY/s1600/annie2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-q6mIiKdx8uMzQDHnGe7by42cr4FsBAB5byIo4x4Un5GZ7sN_d5NYhDcaLKkGDaSr4jdszQerFO3oULOdZGrSHKrkefCCtGxABPH0UBdhTF3iVeSr3G_pOeG93TbLiHFReZ8xTGDetY/s800/annie2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552659863351582722" border="0" /></a><br />The Musical was fantastic, but the best part was watching Sam's expression and sense of wonder at it all. He pays attention to all the details from Annie's locket to the lights and sound. He made eye contact with one of the players in one scene and that guy played to Sam in a scene where his was playing a ventriloquist. The little puppet kept waving at Sam during the whole scene. Sam loved it. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the play we waited out in the lobby to see his friend. They were both all smiles.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love all my kids so much and I just love being able to spend one on one time with each one. Sam is awesome.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-49749751607398028672010-12-20T02:00:00.003-05:002010-12-20T04:35:31.741-05:00Progressive Caroling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h3aSPbPoRBO5HVUpsYGLrl1X3XsVgLBIW1aoFvxdP00eDKP4NooSvn4YZqHA202qPT-0QDrDNWbPQwvi9KVNIDMJG4PntyY6QQD6r_uyrIDJuuXM13s_NwNvcBHb59d_D40TeeCF-Ug/s1600/carol1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9h3aSPbPoRBO5HVUpsYGLrl1X3XsVgLBIW1aoFvxdP00eDKP4NooSvn4YZqHA202qPT-0QDrDNWbPQwvi9KVNIDMJG4PntyY6QQD6r_uyrIDJuuXM13s_NwNvcBHb59d_D40TeeCF-Ug/s800/carol1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552655888159099346" border="0" /></a>What is Progressive Caroling you ask? It is pretty fun and you should try it. In fact, 9 out of 10 families we Caroled loved it:)<div><br /> <div>First you collaborate with another really cool family { <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Amelangs</span>} and you start with the Idea of just your basic Caroling to your Home Teaching families. Then you get someone that has creativity in his blood...Thank you Mike.....and walla Progressive caroling. At every house, after you finish caroling, you invite that family to go with you. We had a place that we would end up for a little warm refreshment. I was a little nervous about this and didn't think many would come, but boy was I wrong.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBwtlb_Ix7zx7KlhstD_Kti1ZEWcz7PThk41r0J-vp5QNa5e2kLxRM0-Q-2ksnksQFkJKBc0NUc2MzIEA5APhs8LHUyh4K-2K8mkjQD-NEix42hAY4mBB_E4r9qt2uIyYEUxXMv7QXjc/s1600/carol2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBwtlb_Ix7zx7KlhstD_Kti1ZEWcz7PThk41r0J-vp5QNa5e2kLxRM0-Q-2ksnksQFkJKBc0NUc2MzIEA5APhs8LHUyh4K-2K8mkjQD-NEix42hAY4mBB_E4r9qt2uIyYEUxXMv7QXjc/s800/carol2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552655880537149666" border="0" /></a>This was the first time in the eighteen years of caroling that we could say" Caroling is an adventure." We started out easy. The house across the street was our first family.....easy, picked up one kid.</div><div>Then we went to a family that I am not too familiar with. They live in town, so you are walking on sidewalks and pavement.The Spirit was so strong. I was in tears and so was every one else.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we went out to the country.....1 minute away, but worlds apart in the way of walking surfaces.......next house, picked up another kid. House #4 picked one more family and another car......4 mini vans......house # 5 and a comedy of miscommunication,{note to self; get <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">every one's</span> cell #'s before you start out...oh wait, there is spotty coverage so it doesn't matter} We finally, after passing each other on the dark, dark street like five times, and Skip trying to get up a steep muddy drive, decide to park on a side street and walk up <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">the</span> steep muddy drive. Twenty four people, kids, adults and one stroller trudge about two hundred feet up the steep muddy hill. We start to sing...nothing....no one is home....bummer. We trudge down. It is a very over cast night and is pitch black outside. We trudge down slowly, except for the two very cute giggling 4 and 5 year old girls they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">practically</span> drag me down.</div><div><br /></div><div>House #6 we pick up one more family and car. The Spirit was so strong I couldn't get through "Silent Night." Luckily there are about 24 people to sing and my cracking voice was not missed.</div><div>House #7 we pick up one more family, get fed cookies and one more car. We now truly look like a caravan of mini-vans. House #8......not home..{Jenny, I wonder if you noticed that six cars had been parked in your drive and all the foot prints on your front stoop. By the way your yard smells wonderful:)} House # 9...last house, the 34 of us singing "Silent Night" was awesome.</div><div>We then went to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Amelangs</span> for Hot Chocolate and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wassail</span>...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">yum</span>!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8OoDsBjycDX0aH2Vga9ZxyMM7uuHPuS8453B51LF5LLp7tUFTHMORZ-xn6jtUwlQ_oBBXOv_zACtfFWkn_9ORHFPlOIcK1RJUehX2a2emdrcA5KqbmO_hqKLkDnc2SYELhqmZBy73qU/s1600/carol.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height:402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8OoDsBjycDX0aH2Vga9ZxyMM7uuHPuS8453B51LF5LLp7tUFTHMORZ-xn6jtUwlQ_oBBXOv_zACtfFWkn_9ORHFPlOIcK1RJUehX2a2emdrcA5KqbmO_hqKLkDnc2SYELhqmZBy73qU/s800/carol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552655880720960306" border="0" /></a>And here we are.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotUDxhbxwpoIvm_YcgX4SN6gwghxXaHrHkIebYZpf_Ky4DoymiUHkkYwX_P2EVX1uHyENUU6s0fdp_7zW_dCBk1mRsamEY2Yj-nOrZ3LrLdAv1s7BWyUdrTiicWyJdaVE4n9bBregtuM/s1600/carol3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotUDxhbxwpoIvm_YcgX4SN6gwghxXaHrHkIebYZpf_Ky4DoymiUHkkYwX_P2EVX1uHyENUU6s0fdp_7zW_dCBk1mRsamEY2Yj-nOrZ3LrLdAv1s7BWyUdrTiicWyJdaVE4n9bBregtuM/s800/carol3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552657161555656690" border="0" /></a></div>This little guy fell asleep and who can blame him. There was about five to ten minutes between each house, plenty of time to fall asleep for a little one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish we could have gone to more, but it was late and we had to stop. It was taking on a life of it's own.......next year is going to be awesome. We have great plans already.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-43169362140772421412010-12-17T02:34:00.005-05:002010-12-20T14:55:48.635-05:00Drive to This Drive to That.......and smile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFdpN2bbPlU29FQGt8DBny8eVLViPLBGPvj-2vSWcf9Gdm3wwtVpI3lC24CvpT4CNDPGEqG3E1dILeLlV6vLzbGEkJeXv4D_xUUDvxPFrhcEYGXtiulp_qn1oh9Frf1CIhwpzU1O2nR4/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFdpN2bbPlU29FQGt8DBny8eVLViPLBGPvj-2vSWcf9Gdm3wwtVpI3lC24CvpT4CNDPGEqG3E1dILeLlV6vLzbGEkJeXv4D_xUUDvxPFrhcEYGXtiulp_qn1oh9Frf1CIhwpzU1O2nR4/s800/IMG_0123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551561471729560626" /></a>This Dec has been crazy and I am sure it is that way for every one. Just last week we had something on every night and sometimes we were double booked. Thursday was no exception. We had our Winter Craft Fair that we do with the Mosaic Home school Group. Blake is taking Spanish and his class gave a concert, in Spanish of Christmas carols. Blake was very excited and wanted to be there early, but I was trying to get my bread out of the oven { of course bread never cooperates when you are in a hurry} for the potluck lunch and finish off the teachers gifts, so we arrived on time instead of early. Blake was a little mad, but he made it on time just the same and his madness became a smile of happiness as he sang. It was great.<div><br /></div><div>We made a lot of crafts ate lunch visited and had a great time. Jack really helped me out with Claire while I did some clean up during the fair. We had to leave early to get Claire to a birthday party. Claire was so excited to go to this party she was talking about it for days. It did not disappoint. She is still talking about it. They went trick-or-treating inside her friends house and she thought that was awesome. Thank you Brook for inviting her, she is all about party's:)</div><div><br /></div><div>While she was there Blake and I went to pick up one little detail he needed to finish up his present for Sam. Blake was so particular about what he was getting. I made several suggestions, but he had to see everything and make sure he had covered all his options before he picked out the right thing.....it wasn't fast. I do not like to shop and when I do I shop fast....not Blake. In the end he was extremely pleased with the gift.</div><div><br /></div><div>We raced home and wrapped it. then we got ready and rushed off to Jack's Winter Concert.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOivG4RzaZie-UN5H3FabioHr8452Cnyct0a_cVVGaGtydrS_f3IbIOWLpgyQv-dJm2VIcd92TzP2DzJIvtihsz01DG9AUo9-gpnwSh_D3y4bgNt5B-lWIsCUdJYAM72TRO_bniVe1FM/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOivG4RzaZie-UN5H3FabioHr8452Cnyct0a_cVVGaGtydrS_f3IbIOWLpgyQv-dJm2VIcd92TzP2DzJIvtihsz01DG9AUo9-gpnwSh_D3y4bgNt5B-lWIsCUdJYAM72TRO_bniVe1FM/s800/IMG_2480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551561465990591906" /></a>Jack played wonderfully. He has come a long way in the year that he has been playing the trumpet. </div><div><br /></div><div>The problem came in the fact that Sam and Blake's Pack meeting was at 7:00 and the concert was at 6:00. Sam was supposed to receive his WEBLO award and hid Arrow of Light award. I really wanted the whole family at both activities. I told Sam we might have to wait until next month to get the awards. He was not happy, but he understood. We spoke to his WEBLO leader and he said he would be ready just in case we could slip out of the concert and get over to the church for the meeting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The concert unexpectedly flew by and we realized we might be able to make it. I left at a strategic time to race home and get Sam's uniform, because of course I didn't think to bring it. Skip and the others listened to the end of the concert and met me at the church. Life is just crazy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMmseD1HcnWwYw6wS3b_iV5LxGBwWyHLrAWP2oG19ZeUGhyphenhyphena9RkHe_jBuN-_AltcV-pkdVX97mCbLmpPqXX4eFhGWkk5CnJ_eOs4TYXJjeDFqoWu3wC-wJ3e9D8nAM8dDi6VoP7lJKfI/s1600/scouts1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMmseD1HcnWwYw6wS3b_iV5LxGBwWyHLrAWP2oG19ZeUGhyphenhyphena9RkHe_jBuN-_AltcV-pkdVX97mCbLmpPqXX4eFhGWkk5CnJ_eOs4TYXJjeDFqoWu3wC-wJ3e9D8nAM8dDi6VoP7lJKfI/s800/scouts1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551551673011282226" border="0" /></a>Blake didn't have his uniform, but he was still able to get his first aid badge and was very happy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRnP2K2SYY9HYSoHlOdXEmLnK5qvQnb2yhfRGJeKkXczZa8FaoPv28so1hN8QGWumA3HfXAplLIukj_58TJWCD5-US6aylHjeZFem_R6rdraoiKfUZAx4uX9JlUdRP_EU6xh_92OlekA/s1600/scouts2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRnP2K2SYY9HYSoHlOdXEmLnK5qvQnb2yhfRGJeKkXczZa8FaoPv28so1hN8QGWumA3HfXAplLIukj_58TJWCD5-US6aylHjeZFem_R6rdraoiKfUZAx4uX9JlUdRP_EU6xh_92OlekA/s800/scouts2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551551677922946418" border="0" /></a>Look at the Arrow of Light box.....apparently Sam was bothered by the upside downness of it. He fixed quite quickly when he was called up. Very funny....you had to be there I guess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiyFBQmI0m2AHbF5cOFXSky4OeGiFwDPuXvlYk-fVRZ1zKlIpqJVhGU5920k1Mlow5Qel9i5GahXx9g2whr7-npt0nOi5YzQoUQMA2HLMcZW3TKPmgp2i_OzFMf0OsGpYJU4H1LP9hNw/s1600/scouts4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiyFBQmI0m2AHbF5cOFXSky4OeGiFwDPuXvlYk-fVRZ1zKlIpqJVhGU5920k1Mlow5Qel9i5GahXx9g2whr7-npt0nOi5YzQoUQMA2HLMcZW3TKPmgp2i_OzFMf0OsGpYJU4H1LP9hNw/s800/scouts4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551551689222565618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sam really wanted to get these awards this month, because he wanted to get the early before his 11th birthday..... so he was so happy our whole family could make it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhXPxdGKUl6qv44WDZBVrykPjrl47eMNZN0eDBQoYOffI-CqepD10DzUNMH8ssppyLHnnjfb0O2xZn7SZoAe51geB1p8nDsj96Rw_KrRf8V3WzmBCclyYIHuqQuVDTi5sBATt2ZVO18s/s1600/scouts3.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRnP2K2SYY9HYSoHlOdXEmLnK5qvQnb2yhfRGJeKkXczZa8FaoPv28so1hN8QGWumA3HfXAplLIukj_58TJWCD5-US6aylHjeZFem_R6rdraoiKfUZAx4uX9JlUdRP_EU6xh_92OlekA/s1600/scouts2.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDE8H8y0pwo34XL1JzoFMT490lorn1XH1bqMz50DHcxeGZylVzb7hNi54sAqjDx5Lv9Ee7BvN8z9ZXO4VwqNDTYcmM7hpcr_RulyIfUPqHJ33HyOwEithRNg78u8I5IjH3G-VlFVv64s/s1600/scout5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 571px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDE8H8y0pwo34XL1JzoFMT490lorn1XH1bqMz50DHcxeGZylVzb7hNi54sAqjDx5Lv9Ee7BvN8z9ZXO4VwqNDTYcmM7hpcr_RulyIfUPqHJ33HyOwEithRNg78u8I5IjH3G-VlFVv64s/s800/scout5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551551674715339522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMmseD1HcnWwYw6wS3b_iV5LxGBwWyHLrAWP2oG19ZeUGhyphenhyphena9RkHe_jBuN-_AltcV-pkdVX97mCbLmpPqXX4eFhGWkk5CnJ_eOs4TYXJjeDFqoWu3wC-wJ3e9D8nAM8dDi6VoP7lJKfI/s1600/scouts1.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhXPxdGKUl6qv44WDZBVrykPjrl47eMNZN0eDBQoYOffI-CqepD10DzUNMH8ssppyLHnnjfb0O2xZn7SZoAe51geB1p8nDsj96Rw_KrRf8V3WzmBCclyYIHuqQuVDTi5sBATt2ZVO18s/s1600/scouts3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhXPxdGKUl6qv44WDZBVrykPjrl47eMNZN0eDBQoYOffI-CqepD10DzUNMH8ssppyLHnnjfb0O2xZn7SZoAe51geB1p8nDsj96Rw_KrRf8V3WzmBCclyYIHuqQuVDTi5sBATt2ZVO18s/s800/scouts3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551551682868596914" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-6444244557285950182010-12-08T04:08:00.000-05:002011-01-02T04:17:50.458-05:00Candy Houses 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmX3oNDVL90gBTlrnjlyHgxwbNaM56q7qybIaYGpUPtRtRmj8WXfvxrkRsq-wILe92gjMHc1u2OVn8Qj9BpDYmtfj96cKxpaqpU4OU2i7e0JkpGBSa08KCx_tl2NCEH6DHIc3-K8i9UZE/s1600/Dec+6%252C+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 463px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmX3oNDVL90gBTlrnjlyHgxwbNaM56q7qybIaYGpUPtRtRmj8WXfvxrkRsq-wILe92gjMHc1u2OVn8Qj9BpDYmtfj96cKxpaqpU4OU2i7e0JkpGBSa08KCx_tl2NCEH6DHIc3-K8i9UZE/s800/Dec+6%252C+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557514007323036226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8saupCxRiBuTP1NeVTaOtk7OBDfDWIm46yyOfHWwzHxgYs0Ra-VbhSYHX3EOL222o4jVOhs_2CmePyddxFjG4WV7Mm1xrVOCFWhFjhPWTGiRduaUtIKNiQB8f2i5sZGSzfR5opYmPwSU/s1600/Dec+6%252C+20101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 463px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8saupCxRiBuTP1NeVTaOtk7OBDfDWIm46yyOfHWwzHxgYs0Ra-VbhSYHX3EOL222o4jVOhs_2CmePyddxFjG4WV7Mm1xrVOCFWhFjhPWTGiRduaUtIKNiQB8f2i5sZGSzfR5opYmPwSU/s800/Dec+6%252C+20101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557514010049139618" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-56763376167119113722010-12-06T03:22:00.003-05:002010-12-06T04:46:21.393-05:00Chocolate Advent Surprise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy4vybaBhTi7cuDllfFmO6xx0H7q7ivj5S8d6lUFFunXlUD_rxlPFQ2cIi_CXIII2zcrZDoOyfwNv17GAIiSFo590MHb2mFRK8LV1OGuTO14i3sD1QjvxfnVzNV8WSDMlB8EVL2nyQpc/s1600/tree7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy4vybaBhTi7cuDllfFmO6xx0H7q7ivj5S8d6lUFFunXlUD_rxlPFQ2cIi_CXIII2zcrZDoOyfwNv17GAIiSFo590MHb2mFRK8LV1OGuTO14i3sD1QjvxfnVzNV8WSDMlB8EVL2nyQpc/s800/tree7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547481907755756114" border="0" /></a>On Nov 30th I was Checking out at the grocery store and I saw these Chocolate Advent Calenders. We usually have these every year, so I picked up four. Like I said we had them last year. Well Claire did not remember. She asked me," Mom, what are these?" I explain.... She says," REALLY, I this is so wonderful { as she dances around the room with it, I wasn't quite expecting this response} I am so pleased with how this day is ending up." I think- { HOW OLD ARE YOU?} She Says," Oh Mom, I love this idea a chocolate every day." Me too!<br /><div>The morning of day two she is up with the roosters, standing next to my bed, with bed head hair, sleepy eyes, advent calender in hand and sleepily says," I am ready to open today's Chocolate, to count down to Christmas."......I have no response to that. I smile and turn over and go back to sleep.... She taps me on the shoulder," So can I open it?" she says. "Yes." I mean what are you going to say, anything, just leave me alone it is still dark outside. Then she smiles, eats her Chocolate, climbs into bed with me and goes back to sleep.<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-27493893330667307842010-12-06T03:08:00.004-05:002010-12-06T04:18:39.571-05:00The Tree 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_8rqpH-mNQhJQzdJIrJ-N1gBxw8Nr36ctJ0Hk6YTiCCt8Dd5hxyQV7c0QQjI9KyTGnefBs0_Zc4S5M701chN1u7DY62YpUgq8qcKnw8doxldQfcPHWrFeCexADcXBM9lU9uXCUVXTME/s1600/tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_8rqpH-mNQhJQzdJIrJ-N1gBxw8Nr36ctJ0Hk6YTiCCt8Dd5hxyQV7c0QQjI9KyTGnefBs0_Zc4S5M701chN1u7DY62YpUgq8qcKnw8doxldQfcPHWrFeCexADcXBM9lU9uXCUVXTME/s800/tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479557283157042" border="0" /></a>Line them up and decorate for weeks! Well, it seems like weeks....... Okay, it has only been one week and all the decorations are up. This really could be some sort of land record for me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4SlN0q2w2jZrjn4pZkR2Ft0CB1nZEV_HifWJrZZPxohDSPWKcPnTZNDZ9VSj7q63e-dqiuz4DqcsKR-p7-aTyCBJGKxt9GWmNY0KLnCfwE8lC3h9Vo4wYAy9_FnxpUbwaKvHfUHhaVk/s1600/tree2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4SlN0q2w2jZrjn4pZkR2Ft0CB1nZEV_HifWJrZZPxohDSPWKcPnTZNDZ9VSj7q63e-dqiuz4DqcsKR-p7-aTyCBJGKxt9GWmNY0KLnCfwE8lC3h9Vo4wYAy9_FnxpUbwaKvHfUHhaVk/s800/tree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479548516413250" border="0" /></a>This tree I have is a monster of a tree. It is about 40 and them some years old. Somebody gave it to us ten years ago, because they were tired of putting it together. Every year we say we are getting a new tree {I am tired of putting it together} and every year we don't. It is not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-lit. It is old school. Every branch has to be affixed to the center tube and the lights have to be wrapped around the center then up through every branch....it takes FOREVER......I plan about four to five hours just to get the tree together and you can add on another hour if Claire is talking to you.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ONabZ9vAHqyMttD468CmCojJbhxDFY2pXZsou1AS_OhQYP4wxrIzrQoHjoxyMrejFUzmOq8h2vtkPPGrS_T5m11UUbGiopAQIU4-4fip4NmvU0sZf3wzIfkMI8s49Cqr-gsnVBCcXnY/s1600/tree3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ONabZ9vAHqyMttD468CmCojJbhxDFY2pXZsou1AS_OhQYP4wxrIzrQoHjoxyMrejFUzmOq8h2vtkPPGrS_T5m11UUbGiopAQIU4-4fip4NmvU0sZf3wzIfkMI8s49Cqr-gsnVBCcXnY/s800/tree3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479140841500242" border="0" /></a>We ended up with 1300 lights. I can only get down on the ground so far so Sam helps me out when we get to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nitty</span> gritty bottom. The weird thing about this tree is that it drop needles just like a live tree. All you need is a "Smell of the Season" candle and you are good to go for the whole tree experience.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ldG168TFf-xcCFgRxwmdalW2LuVXJ4RLDBOL1jF861Xl-UjqnHcp8zL44gS373k_EPTlk5YPWIaYVt1hc938bW1lCOL3f7vvLHohtE_PtpTyXFdIm7UePxGxIn1VItzAayv0zFVav-Y/s1600/tree4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ldG168TFf-xcCFgRxwmdalW2LuVXJ4RLDBOL1jF861Xl-UjqnHcp8zL44gS373k_EPTlk5YPWIaYVt1hc938bW1lCOL3f7vvLHohtE_PtpTyXFdIm7UePxGxIn1VItzAayv0zFVav-Y/s800/tree4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479130223708994" border="0" /></a>The best part about Christmas is the kids. Claire is so excited about everything. It is all new to her. I think four is a magical age. You could give her a Popsicle stick, tell her it is a Christmas ornament and she would give you a ten minute oration on the grandeur of the stick. Every ornament was lovely or beautiful or ooh magical.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT36oS7tSQjIah0x_bqa_G6dalqnj4SudbzBmofpXPPce2c_jDrRiMS6uvNbta9adxO6cDCLRDMF7ioChYvWvjkvbehGJjiCn7VoFSJeBbaJ5dbWEbjtRVgvVyuUgKI3gQq5ezDkUDWQ/s1600/IMG_7103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT36oS7tSQjIah0x_bqa_G6dalqnj4SudbzBmofpXPPce2c_jDrRiMS6uvNbta9adxO6cDCLRDMF7ioChYvWvjkvbehGJjiCn7VoFSJeBbaJ5dbWEbjtRVgvVyuUgKI3gQq5ezDkUDWQ/s800/IMG_7103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479115495592082" border="0" /></a>Why two trees? Well, this tree has all ornaments relating to the true meaning of Christmas. Such a fine line between Santa and The Nativity. We try to get them both in, with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">emphasis</span> on The Story of Christ birth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlG7sGJV2a0q8E4QyqI2q1UGkPuRJWhCmpbZeht7nHPUIM8kq63EdBcTQLy6HJgZJWvQKaOEJTDL_TnJKVTcOz3GNypdwjeGISsgtn6GzuvIH0KSDs-i-97pieemUH0me4X-lIiZ1PBc/s1600/tree5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlG7sGJV2a0q8E4QyqI2q1UGkPuRJWhCmpbZeht7nHPUIM8kq63EdBcTQLy6HJgZJWvQKaOEJTDL_TnJKVTcOz3GNypdwjeGISsgtn6GzuvIH0KSDs-i-97pieemUH0me4X-lIiZ1PBc/s800/tree5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479109147290978" border="0" /></a>Time for tree #2. We usually cut tree #2 up in the mountains, but we really are pressed for room here so this 4 footer would have to do for the kids tree. Skip thinks it is real strange that it sits up on the counter, behind the sink. I like it there. I got my Christmas tunes going and a tree to keep me in the Christmas mood, while I make dinner and stuff. I like it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBz1cA5rb9YobiS9esdPNpfmzXS827Bfv-4tqu46HYZP8g-3hqdYMjgQp4lZXZblA2i-EUqxmEHnmmm5gPEN5btzTqdFNR_z53ycmIktQGIHDrFRKL7zfRSxHfkstlA6nXH2ML3zWbvo/s1600/tree6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBz1cA5rb9YobiS9esdPNpfmzXS827Bfv-4tqu46HYZP8g-3hqdYMjgQp4lZXZblA2i-EUqxmEHnmmm5gPEN5btzTqdFNR_z53ycmIktQGIHDrFRKL7zfRSxHfkstlA6nXH2ML3zWbvo/s800/tree6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547479099107784466" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-36698769381857239532010-11-28T21:44:00.007-05:002010-11-29T16:32:54.660-05:00lights off .....lights on.....Thank YOU!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5wYAWNy-5sF9nUWLWsCIYkGryszVOWQ1Zsy6nfhOJcxmFdwzna3empfclOKrswkJL4q-u4JSS-mzrOo9VgDDQn-Wu4xlJE8VGe1n77e9juN9yqJflEBwvLEgagOJft8EVp9b85Cfd_o/s1600/IMG_7022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 401px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5wYAWNy-5sF9nUWLWsCIYkGryszVOWQ1Zsy6nfhOJcxmFdwzna3empfclOKrswkJL4q-u4JSS-mzrOo9VgDDQn-Wu4xlJE8VGe1n77e9juN9yqJflEBwvLEgagOJft8EVp9b85Cfd_o/s400/IMG_7022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544812714371772514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqyrrliEtPYRTsSM0BRcByRqVY2acKp6QwSBjo5H97EBByJUKdxVzmnh15RcrvUNn_nIItkpkKZ44oBlumZ52ibZvN0aAn27RkMUkVKlyWdWrtttl71F1Jty7vU7HmreGYBnUsU3xY-4/s1600/Nov+23%252C+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 6oopx; height: 462px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqyrrliEtPYRTsSM0BRcByRqVY2acKp6QwSBjo5H97EBByJUKdxVzmnh15RcrvUNn_nIItkpkKZ44oBlumZ52ibZvN0aAn27RkMUkVKlyWdWrtttl71F1Jty7vU7HmreGYBnUsU3xY-4/s800/Nov+23%252C+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544802194761943090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqjwjdQ41bLRWolO7-I9C-xfFlX1fhn6hfGjIKe2viozem9fYf2T7JQ9Gvc4O5GFHpvKK1LoL9atwSNoVECqexMV9Q91kiDYLlGjquP55WHasDPNOHEUn6T-NuUe3fsGnsAZyWROL_5s/s1600/Nov+25%252C+20101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px; height: 462px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqjwjdQ41bLRWolO7-I9C-xfFlX1fhn6hfGjIKe2viozem9fYf2T7JQ9Gvc4O5GFHpvKK1LoL9atwSNoVECqexMV9Q91kiDYLlGjquP55WHasDPNOHEUn6T-NuUe3fsGnsAZyWROL_5s/s800/Nov+25%252C+20101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544810020923425666" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-61742560072080681112010-11-27T01:04:00.003-05:002010-11-27T03:31:09.672-05:00SNOW DAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgzQV39gbJmxXQVfkcO2uvHhE5q7Pi-HYwJ0PixbwWgvOWwsRl0KHAC1FYFhXeSbykvLu3j48piet5fvV9N3ua-2Ipx0mW3D2a9QQTjhF3PjO-FKqQEl4rr-gKlGvPsny2PMyn30L0tM/s1600/snow1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgzQV39gbJmxXQVfkcO2uvHhE5q7Pi-HYwJ0PixbwWgvOWwsRl0KHAC1FYFhXeSbykvLu3j48piet5fvV9N3ua-2Ipx0mW3D2a9QQTjhF3PjO-FKqQEl4rr-gKlGvPsny2PMyn30L0tM/s800/snow1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544106768512810450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU46TOfO08tSGR0yqQmZ-yLr5c-FibYyPz6HQXkzWsN-9QhpGv8qwCmuOI3aJGxHccxeSNk55ELs6J-PTPlnojN205-mLsJLiGnZ4mclw7L8gSqPVZzVC_TUeyf4I0u3GaZehuDAU2k4M/s1600/snow2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU46TOfO08tSGR0yqQmZ-yLr5c-FibYyPz6HQXkzWsN-9QhpGv8qwCmuOI3aJGxHccxeSNk55ELs6J-PTPlnojN205-mLsJLiGnZ4mclw7L8gSqPVZzVC_TUeyf4I0u3GaZehuDAU2k4M/s800/snow2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544106763094248754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b0XQrM_cexRPGzmx-nNjj3VHvqPGKNVLt2zsEjJ31cjlPIGioxIWVQIcqKNzBmaSLkVD0VuD4Iy_ND-sRSyuD4EuEl1LRxnbiCmfTHfvfJaej1knTtO2Xn1SOwlR6MVPVklOSkGAW44/s1600/snow3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b0XQrM_cexRPGzmx-nNjj3VHvqPGKNVLt2zsEjJ31cjlPIGioxIWVQIcqKNzBmaSLkVD0VuD4Iy_ND-sRSyuD4EuEl1LRxnbiCmfTHfvfJaej1knTtO2Xn1SOwlR6MVPVklOSkGAW44/s800/snow3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544106760338310338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf-qRDdFG1oQZIGzBaYfZ3rPdpJ17YyZ1NjPaCvCuTSgOwzhNCGdW1f8lMz0GphpxaGY7gfHDvGtAqc5W4fS2usDL0ifKiYVLMGoeqWxctNM25sa5VoGzTx8Fdv8OT_HyuJbJg8i9B8w/s1600/snow4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf-qRDdFG1oQZIGzBaYfZ3rPdpJ17YyZ1NjPaCvCuTSgOwzhNCGdW1f8lMz0GphpxaGY7gfHDvGtAqc5W4fS2usDL0ifKiYVLMGoeqWxctNM25sa5VoGzTx8Fdv8OT_HyuJbJg8i9B8w/s800/snow4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544106755970074626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17233067" width="400" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/17233067">SNOW DAY</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user970453">laurene ross</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-90720077492286463962010-11-13T03:15:00.003-05:002010-11-13T14:37:13.511-05:00Blake's 8th Birthday Bash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC6aI566mSWo4Mvy4YHoC4gB0uuC0cYOTwFQJUyutdnx4kN2zTQsr-5mnmetilsj382_elXzxCkCDBph34Yrycie7HtcPSY_PLTAJc-I883JGsMmo0NSWmD33DrqlT2rNwMJNYlEfhMk/s1600/birthday1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC6aI566mSWo4Mvy4YHoC4gB0uuC0cYOTwFQJUyutdnx4kN2zTQsr-5mnmetilsj382_elXzxCkCDBph34Yrycie7HtcPSY_PLTAJc-I883JGsMmo0NSWmD33DrqlT2rNwMJNYlEfhMk/s800/birthday1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538945210929720850" border="0" /></a>Origami was the word for Blake's birthday party. The ceiling was adorned with cranes and swans, thanks to Jack and Sam. They looked pretty magical flying through the air. I was up until 2:00am giving them the gift of flight and cutting out the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">construction</span> paper streamers to hang from the walls. Smiles abounded on the kids faces as they walked into the party.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODA_zZuJhoVQHxENLKsRaHH60sLiYO9sL9T-4wlXOgM1oefZ1fcInVwOMZmRErNqPwJqMGmk9YRupeelaPFVO2HQ2bG7s9OMrgFOQPX30Ue6SC_dBmqg2eljU20StxNBWHDFw8IytHr0/s1600/birthday2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODA_zZuJhoVQHxENLKsRaHH60sLiYO9sL9T-4wlXOgM1oefZ1fcInVwOMZmRErNqPwJqMGmk9YRupeelaPFVO2HQ2bG7s9OMrgFOQPX30Ue6SC_dBmqg2eljU20StxNBWHDFw8IytHr0/s800/birthday2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538945207810551634" border="0" /></a>I planned for a rainy day and thought making origami would be just the ticket to fun. We could incorporate our desire to "Give Back on Birthdays" into our Birthday theme by constructing origami<a href="http://lewisross.blogspot.com/2008/12/blessing-box.html"> Blessing Boxes</a>. Sam instructed the kids on how to make a paper swan. Blake instructed on how to make a paper boat. We finished with Jack instructing on how to make a paper box. The box was a little difficult, but in the end the kids got it.<br /><br />The plan was to play " Minute to Win It" games. I had them all set to go, but when the sun comes out in the Northwest sometimes plans must be changed......SO.......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfBuVno3snN6SCb2rwbf5A110ohYDwz3eSF0iE7cgl7syRlI6ozy74o551IzF7s5za8rMhzkiPSOjFnDFMoOnDS0-EERTpRt35B0MP6cClpqaOuKv5LAFH2kzsnFzp2biSUZIT6XAGdg/s1600/2010-11-03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfBuVno3snN6SCb2rwbf5A110ohYDwz3eSF0iE7cgl7syRlI6ozy74o551IzF7s5za8rMhzkiPSOjFnDFMoOnDS0-EERTpRt35B0MP6cClpqaOuKv5LAFH2kzsnFzp2biSUZIT6XAGdg/s800/2010-11-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538945200468845394" border="0" /></a>The "Minute to Win It Throw Balls at a Velcro Mom" was born. Boy, the kids loved it! Can you blame them..... I was making Origami and thinking furiously fast," What can we do outside...what can we do outside????? We had this Velcro suit and Skip had worn it for Halloween......and I knew were all the balls and cones were.....so it might just work.<br /><br />I divided up the kids into two teams, set up the cones to form a gauntlet, gave each team a certain color of balls in a basket and Sam timed the game. I would run back and forth down the gauntlet, while the kids pelleted me for one minute and the team with the most colored balls on me won! I was slightly nervous about getting beaned in the face. Which was well founded...beaned in the nose twice. No blood though. Those eight year old kids have quite the arms. It was fantastic and I mean that as in crazy!... I think they had fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS-D2pdU_aHb5yw6-4kWvBjWWN2up55R1m37l5QDcTkFgasYJKyCAuzql_l9HhPhMh2TCV1c6rjD0xWWe4wk_WaWG9Bmaq6ty773Z7QZQxzw-6aANqXIc4mPH5SEm8uGm1OdWCMb8HtY/s1600/birthday3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS-D2pdU_aHb5yw6-4kWvBjWWN2up55R1m37l5QDcTkFgasYJKyCAuzql_l9HhPhMh2TCV1c6rjD0xWWe4wk_WaWG9Bmaq6ty773Z7QZQxzw-6aANqXIc4mPH5SEm8uGm1OdWCMb8HtY/s800/birthday3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538945198440424626" border="0" /></a>We were running late and a wonderful woman named Rain, Mother of one of the boys Blake invited, came early to help me bring up the rear of the party. Skip could not take the day off. Sam and Jack helped, but I needed one more adult. Thank you Rain!! The Cake was a yummy applesauce Vegan Cake and Blake loved it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">________________________________________<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZsw4sMmbBb2Gpkxb8ISmT6hBO3Wi5tl_U1mpzCFJm6VJjtfHa4_VJ9B2FOw4YYZKOewoOqqJJoFPAwzNWJXCUnz5O1I3nVjhnAStHF9fBGKvE7PNLFc_Dtb0Rie5WNZ5pSdbKzCl3OU/s1600/birthday4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZsw4sMmbBb2Gpkxb8ISmT6hBO3Wi5tl_U1mpzCFJm6VJjtfHa4_VJ9B2FOw4YYZKOewoOqqJJoFPAwzNWJXCUnz5O1I3nVjhnAStHF9fBGKvE7PNLFc_Dtb0Rie5WNZ5pSdbKzCl3OU/s800/birthday4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539108170764096962" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://lewisross.blogspot.com/2008/12/blessing-box.html">Blessing Box</a> was an Idea I got from<a href="http://mybigglife.blogspot.com/2008/12/invitation-blessing-box.html"> Skip's Sister Michelle</a> and it has been so fun to do. Click on the three links in blue here to find out more. The kids really got a<a href="http://lewisross.blogspot.com/2008/12/lessons-we-are-learning.html"> kick out of it</a> the last time we did it, so I thought we would share it with our friends. I hope they enjoy it as much as we do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621436349480837790.post-32702446503190199572010-11-13T02:27:00.008-05:002010-11-13T18:01:59.554-05:00Blake's Baptism Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1zgtnj0iXdwn5E8Mxi5jOTAdlEDnCMAmQ92vUXp67ReAZlPzUJkhVTlAfz9q75_Eg2EN0uDO3Iu-L6j11lLzd71C8tuCP3lyPDxLYqL7xb97iLr95RsJUr-LPDDEMtdAAY2jDYD2IYk/s1600/babtism7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1zgtnj0iXdwn5E8Mxi5jOTAdlEDnCMAmQ92vUXp67ReAZlPzUJkhVTlAfz9q75_Eg2EN0uDO3Iu-L6j11lLzd71C8tuCP3lyPDxLYqL7xb97iLr95RsJUr-LPDDEMtdAAY2jDYD2IYk/s800/babtism7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538933996669062850" border="0" /></a><br />Grandma and Grandpa Ross drove all the way from Utah for Blake's Baptism. We were so grateful. The kids were asking me every ten minutes,"How much longer until they get here?"<br />When they drove up they were a little shy about going to the door. The shyness didn't last too long.<br />After they arrived we sat around visiting, that was when Grandpa decided to tell a joke. Well, the kids thought he was hilarious and wanted to get in on the action, so soon jokes were flying out of every ones mouth. Claire was on a roll with every Knock-Knock joke ending with the punch line "Santa!" Grandpa encouraged the impromptu joke telling by laughing at each one. Claire responded with more and she giggled uncontrollably as her jokes got more and more silly.<br />Then Jack jumped in with some Quantum physics jokes, of which he prefaced with," You might not get this." We didn't. I am not sure if he did either. Grandpa thinks we need to work on our joke telling skills.<br /><br />The next day as we were driving around the island, showing of the beautiful scenery and the beach. Claire showed that she does have some comic understanding as she let us know that "Hammered" means "Drunk." " What are you teaching these kids." Laughed Grandpa.<br />We went to Mora's an extremely popular ice cream spot...very tasty! The kids enjoyed watching "Toy Story III" with G&G while I made Bread and goodies for the get together after the baptism.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sVR-6ERESNNo7AZgjDdSZIHH1BSXiENnc6feWJ8qmcbchxDhyEUwR7-ZjsM6smNn0x3vammXiozgH9qN1XJtUWYMp6vO6UOgXfZxuxP6P92lyGlKqAtExFNkyTo3abK_kIV4ZAh8Lzo/s1600/baptism8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 800px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sVR-6ERESNNo7AZgjDdSZIHH1BSXiENnc6feWJ8qmcbchxDhyEUwR7-ZjsM6smNn0x3vammXiozgH9qN1XJtUWYMp6vO6UOgXfZxuxP6P92lyGlKqAtExFNkyTo3abK_kIV4ZAh8Lzo/s800/baptism8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538935552737046642" border="0" /></a>Blake and Sam had a great time playing games with Grandma. Blake played "Blockus" with Grandma on Saturday. That night as I was putting him to bed he told me how much fun it was to play games with Grandma. When I came down from getting ready for the day on Monday, Grandma had agreed to play "Risk'.......well this game takes FOREVER. Sam has been trying for weeks to get someone to play it with him. They kept it up and Grandma continued to play right up until she walked out the door to go home. Thank you Grandma you are awesome!<br /><br />Grandma also showed us this really cool quilt she was working on and the kids thought that was interesting. They love the quilts she has made for them. Claire says she gets a hug from Grandma every night as she pulls her quilt around her neck. After they left Blake was talking to me and said, "Mom won't it be great when we go to Grandma's house next time and we can see the finished quilt on her bed. I bet it looks really good." Clearly impressed by Grandma's talents. I am too.<br /><br />On Monday we went to "The Museum of Flight." We took the ferry over to Seattle. I think Grandpa was a little afraid for his life with me driving. I assured him no one had died yet and I always arrive at my destination more sooner than later. I drove the speed limit. We enjoyed the Museum it was quite fascinating and informative. Afterwards we drove downtown and met Skip for dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory. The kids were dying to go there. The ferry ride home was beautiful as we gazed at the lights of Seattle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_vuHaH0nG4b2aMqxVs2Eri4j787vKiXFIqdfpt0Awgf86_IXffuW8Vi0G18xlAFE-5ewZiz1j7OfETIvwc8lTHn81gORO4WeOTRfBYOOA45niLYXl7zLoUa8vmvHIMixk6jlenxoUz0/s1600/baptism7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_vuHaH0nG4b2aMqxVs2Eri4j787vKiXFIqdfpt0Awgf86_IXffuW8Vi0G18xlAFE-5ewZiz1j7OfETIvwc8lTHn81gORO4WeOTRfBYOOA45niLYXl7zLoUa8vmvHIMixk6jlenxoUz0/s800/baptism7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538933986435262322" border="0" /></a>The kids were so excited Sunday for the Baptism. We came home from church to get all the food ready for the get together afterward. A big thank you to G&G for helping me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7f2Kz7168en9L1NLTwGzoRjm4LhJ9nXVM4rVquGODaWDu1H5vhcMbarPBg0wxeN-oldZGqFxrdyNZZiXEukfYPldXiA-keQJUs70ufuXykYbc-HwtAoutLnbCAN2J7uPCpGBK3A7Ecs/s1600/baptism1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 575px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7f2Kz7168en9L1NLTwGzoRjm4LhJ9nXVM4rVquGODaWDu1H5vhcMbarPBg0wxeN-oldZGqFxrdyNZZiXEukfYPldXiA-keQJUs70ufuXykYbc-HwtAoutLnbCAN2J7uPCpGBK3A7Ecs/s800/baptism1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538932950005141042" border="0" /></a>Blake was so happy about his Baptism. You couldn't wipe the smile off his face.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2VrsMRLYX25OOye4zgmTVXnWXujk5y3Y15Q2iYcs7df99iqUsyZdq4Ij7mRZ_p28NkjWmWlbUIz8jUV_aBHXucvnrF5yXDMHaqscglXmbvnKVxHt1_5WlRVaCoSU3kS879xy5hi4ksg/s1600/baptism2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2VrsMRLYX25OOye4zgmTVXnWXujk5y3Y15Q2iYcs7df99iqUsyZdq4Ij7mRZ_p28NkjWmWlbUIz8jUV_aBHXucvnrF5yXDMHaqscglXmbvnKVxHt1_5WlRVaCoSU3kS879xy5hi4ksg/s800/baptism2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538932943294372786" border="0" /></a>I am so grateful that Skip is worthy to baptize him and confirm him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIbfJmEUNN3-nGKlSAFAJog6glUYewwOD5rzQyogp61U5r0hyphenhyphenbQrTaPtZlGkWCTIWyTYpRrxS2lcbdTrfjZsQC6XL-DpwJfdKHNdSNlWLoHe8ttZDtiCy-D5uu_FeNd09LLQWxUfnOpI/s1600/baptism3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 440px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIbfJmEUNN3-nGKlSAFAJog6glUYewwOD5rzQyogp61U5r0hyphenhyphenbQrTaPtZlGkWCTIWyTYpRrxS2lcbdTrfjZsQC6XL-DpwJfdKHNdSNlWLoHe8ttZDtiCy-D5uu_FeNd09LLQWxUfnOpI/s800/baptism3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538932941200300898" border="0" /></a>Grandma and Grandpa gave the talks on Baptism and The Holy Ghost. Both talks were wonderful and the Spirit filled the room confirming truth to all that were there. Both G&G said they were speaking primarily to Blake, but that we could all listen. Blake was loving it. We have been to every child's baptism this year. They were all Class mates of Blake's and most speakers said something similar to this. Blake really wanted G&G to talk directly to him.<br /><br />After the baptism several people came up to me and told me how much they enjoyed the talks. One of my friends told me later how wonderful it must be to have two very stalwart grandparents for your kids to see. I agree whole heartily . We are truly blessed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHmBjJq-fDyOz7QZmgzx4m-vEcrU5lBfm7zjRjTrEshVPmQIxrB5Fxvi-punxJtROWMaKGTaS5gtl-Yb5q9ZGRvaciwBZz6gqOlIDxvyqCebmeRi-8MfNEbDjhBItt6IqI6i0UB_nEYA/s1600/baptism4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHmBjJq-fDyOz7QZmgzx4m-vEcrU5lBfm7zjRjTrEshVPmQIxrB5Fxvi-punxJtROWMaKGTaS5gtl-Yb5q9ZGRvaciwBZz6gqOlIDxvyqCebmeRi-8MfNEbDjhBItt6IqI6i0UB_nEYA/s800/baptism4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538932937358566690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh177W1IZqNWbZFTdwvmtb1t4wOql87w5-mxXdBnNpZXoQXhBjl7nj7-MXsZav9NPzpOK15ql0DktVHQMEm6UHokm9hEOSvUSdqI3_hImgA-CMJYdOksRupT9fojrEm1w-fFdTaPZtR1kM/s1600/baptism5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh177W1IZqNWbZFTdwvmtb1t4wOql87w5-mxXdBnNpZXoQXhBjl7nj7-MXsZav9NPzpOK15ql0DktVHQMEm6UHokm9hEOSvUSdqI3_hImgA-CMJYdOksRupT9fojrEm1w-fFdTaPZtR1kM/s800/baptism5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538932927341746610" border="0" /></a>It was a wonderful weekend. I can't adequately express my gratitude to Skip's parents. It means so much to me personally to have them show such great interest in their grandchildren. I know it means a lot to my kids, because they can't stop talking about it. To my kids Grandma and Grandpa can do no wrong.......<span style="font-size:78%;">.I can't wait for this day to come for me;)<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1