tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62674456321476654202024-03-13T09:29:53.488-07:00Where the Wildings AreKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-4586828723959772992013-04-08T16:32:00.000-07:002013-04-08T16:32:00.037-07:00The Big Catch UpNot really. I'm not going drone on about everything that's happened since I last blogged. We're happy and well. Life is good to us. We are busy with work and callings and life. I just have been busy, unmotivated, whatever about blogging. But since my original intent was for this to be a sort of virtual scrapbook and journal for our family (since I have long ago abandoned any thought of producing REAL scrapbooks) I decided I had better make a few entries occasionally. We spent a few days this past week (spring break) in St. George. Zion's National Park is lovely and gorgeous and not too far away. But it is somewhat of a drive from St. George and we opted for the smaller, closer, but just as lovely Snow Canyon. Beautiful red rock and perfect temperatures made this a wonderful hiking experience for our little family. And what three boys wouldn't love to get out and get dirty in red sand and climb some mountains? Elizabeth tolerated it but preferred to be carried most of the time. I guess I've been away from blogger long enough that the format has changed and been updated. I can't get my pictures in order and they are being inserted in strange places. Oh well. Anyway, while we were in St. George we stopped at the cemetery to find my grandparent's graves. They are two of the sweetest people you'll ever meet and I miss them. We took some pictures by their graves, decorated the headstones with dandelions and stopped by their old house. I always get a little teary when we turn down their little drive and approach the house that strangers now live in.
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-43276085557993324292012-10-17T16:02:00.000-07:002012-10-17T16:02:37.761-07:00Disneyland (version 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You don't need to tell me that for non season pass holders and non CA residents, going to Disneyland 3 times in one year is a bit excessive. I am well aware.
That said, we planned this third trip before we even had the 1st and 2nd in our minds.
The plan all along was to meet my brother and his family for a surprise trip to Disneyland in October. We don't get to see Uncle David and Aunt Katie very much since they live so far away. So that's exactly what we did last week.
We had a hard time for the last 10 months keeping it a secret from the kids. We nick named it "Spring Cleaning" (thanks for the idea, Katie) so we could discuss it in front of the kids and be sneaky. Katie did the same thing with her kids and those poor children were under the impression that they were going to Utah to clean my house.
HA! So funny. I love playing tricks on kids.
We knew our little struggling miniature mini van (there is NO storage space in the back behind the seats) would not do very well on the trip or accommodate a stroller, port-a-crib, and various suitcases, pillows, toys, etc. So the first plan we put into action was renting a monster Suburban. We actually reserved a midsized SUV, but found to our delight that they had upgraded us to a 2013 Suburban with two pull down DVD players, tons of room, every whistle and bell available, and hardly any miles on it. I can't even tell you how much fun it was to drive. Greg and I both wanted turns, so we added both our names to the rental contract as drivers. I learned to drive on a humongous 10 passenger van, so I'm well acquainted with large vehicles. LOVED IT. When we decide to get a new family car, I'll be lobbying hard for a gas guzzling, non economic, environment killing suburban. Here we are stopped for lunch in St. George. Pretty, no?
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But I should probably share the story of how we revealed the trip to our kids. We rented the Burb the day before we left, so we hid it on the street up from us. Then after the kids went to bed that night, moved it into the garage and packed it all up. The morning that we left we had the kids get up, make beds, get dressed, eat breakfast, do some chores, etc. We had a treasure hunt set up all around the house with puzzle pieces as each clue. We asked what the kids wanted to do that day and then handed them the first clue in the treasure hunt. Each clue led them to a puzzle piece. Once they had all the pieces, they had to put together the puzzle.
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Under the completed Mickey head it, said "Go get in the big car in the garage! We're off!"
And we were. Nathan started to cry, David asked why we painted our old van, and Andrew was speechless. Pretty satisfying results.
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(Above)David is asking why our van turned black..
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Packed and ready to go!
We drove all day and got to Anaheim around 7pm. Dave and family had flown in earlier that day so we met them at the hotel and got some dinner together.
Dave's family had never been to Disneyland and we felt like such pros showing them around the park and being tour guides.
When we lived in California early October was usually a pretty good time to go because school was back in session and it wasn't quite Halloween yet. This year, however, because of the new Cars Land in California Adventure, there were crowds like I hadn't ever seen before. It was insane there. But we knew how to work the FastPass system and had three days to do what we wanted to do between the two parks.
California Adventure has some cool stuff in it, but it just doesn't compare to Disneyland to me. It's more magical, more detailed, more picturesque, and more fun in my opinion.
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(Above)The Magic Kingdom, Halloween Style.
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(Above) Sophie and Tinkerbell
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(Above)Everyone on the Astro Orbitor. Except me. I don't love round and round rides.
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(Above) Small people on the road! Watch out! Autopia
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It's a Small World
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Spectacularly decked out Haunted Mansion. Each October they completely redo the ride. I can't imagine the time and work it must be to haul out all the original ride stuff and then switch everything around for "The Nightmare Before Christmas" decor. The whole ride is completely different. So much work! But it's Disneyland and they don't do anything half way. We love the Nightmare Before Christmas at our house. Fun show.
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(Below)
Andrew at the Kozy Kone Motel in Radiator Springs.
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(Above) My brother Dave on Luigi's Flying tires. Small picture, sorry.
(Below) Getting ready to ride Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.
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Radiator Springs at night. It looks and feels exactly like you've stepped into the movie. They've recreated it down to the tiniest detail. Amazing!
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Holding on for dear life on the Radiator Springs Racers. Fast and fun. Thankfully all my kids were tall enough to ride it. As were the cousins. Everyone was happy.
We switched off watching each others babies, in case you're wondering.
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(Below) Head first! Splash Mountain.
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(Below) Sunny Teacups
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(Below) We only know the guy with sunglasses and lady in blue shirt. They're kin. And the little people, too.
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(Below)The whole gang enjoying an ice cream cone from the Gibson Girls parlor. Except Uncle Dave who was photographing.
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(Below) David didn't want an ice cream. He only wanted the very characteristic lollipop from Disneyland. Elizabeth did too. Thief!
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I thought these carousel horses that Bert and Mary Poppins were riding were so clever. They actually went up and down like they do in the movie during the horse race. So clever.
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Elizabeth has not put this Minnie Mouse down since we've been back. She's never really taken to a stuffed animal before, but she sure loves her Minnie.
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We're home now and I'm still trying to get caught up on laundry. We had an amazing trip and it was so much fun to go with our family that we don't get to see very often.
Guys?? Let's start making plans for next time. We'll call the next trip "Yard work" or "Flu Shots."
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-75190363513621028442012-08-24T09:36:00.001-07:002012-08-24T09:36:31.005-07:00LagoonWe promised the kids we'd do Lagoon this summer and it just never happened. We had baseball for so long that took up most of our free nights. And, of course, we had to coordinate around Greg's work schedule. But school started and the kids were quick to remind me that I hadn't made good on my promise. Greg, very coincidentally, brought home a Walgreen's Employee discount pass for Lagoon. It allowed 8 people to get into Lagoon at half off prices. So we called up our friends Sara and Richard and invited them to come along. We actually had 10 people in our group, but we didn't count our 2 babies. So we all got in for half the price. Now I do like Lagoon a lot, but I mean come on! Who do they think they are, Disneyland?? They charge so much. I remember when I was a kid you could get in for $12 with a can of Coke.
Anyway, we went. On a school night. We picked the kids up from school on Wednesday and headed north straight from there. We got there around 3:30 and met up with the Haralsons and had a fun day. I was trying my hardest to convince the older boys to do some more adventurous rides with me, like Wicked and Colossus. But they were not up for it. STILL! I certainly have cautious kids when it comes to amusement parks. Now, ride down the hill of our street with no hands on the handle bars or trying to stand up on the seat all without a helmet seems to be no problem for them. So we spent a good chunk of the day doing the kiddie rides, much to my annoyance. But finally Sara and I had had enough and left the kids with Daddies and went for some fun.
Thanks for coming Haralsons!
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Candid moments with Sara and Richard.
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Greg trying to convince Nathan that "The Bat" isn't as bad as he thinks.
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-77888407548643883682012-08-24T08:02:00.000-07:002012-08-24T09:14:55.545-07:00YES more teachers, YES more books!Good riddance hot summer!! I apologize to anyone who loves summer, but it's not my cup of cocoa. There are good qualities to summer, don't get me wrong. I enjoy family hikes, sleeping in, vacations, summer nights, and spontaneous trips. But by the end of the 3 months of all that luxury, it's time for routine and structure. I had a friend discuss the benefits of year round school that her kids do. They have 2 six week vacations in the year, with longer holidays. I thought that might just about be the perfect amount for my kids. Six weeks together is more manageable. At the start of summer we're all excited to be home and have a break from school life, but the novelty wears off. Fast. I'm accepting responsibility by saying I could do more on my part to entertain the kids and keep a more peaceful home. But having three boys quickly in succession inherently leads to competition and (often) contention.
Anyway moving on....
School started on August 21 this year. A tad earlier than usual, it seemed. We got our school shopping done in the nick of time.
Andrew is starting 4th grade this year with Ms. Grant and Nathan is starting 2nd with Miss Westover. And David couldn't bear to be left out of the pictures. He starts preschool in a couple weeks.
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Yes Nathan is 2 years younger than Andrew but is noticeably taller than his big brother. It doesn't sit well with Andrew.
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After the kids left, Elizabeth and I got down to some serious girl time. She sucked on my toes while I took a million pictures of her trying to walk.
Later, Greg and I took the kids to the Cougar Kickoff on the soccer field. Just one big pep rally to get everyone fired up for upcoming sports. LONG, LONG lines to stand in if you wanted to meet the coach and players. We arrived a little late, just as Bronco was being driven past us out the gates in a golf cart. Hi, Coach.
I was eager to get home and get kids to bed until I saw the Eric Dowdle booth. You might know that I am a huge Dowdle fan and own WAY too many puzzles of his artwork. I like puzzles and his are so fun to put together. He's a talented artist and it's like a huge where's Waldo picture. He adds fun, hidden things in his paintings and it's fun to look for them while doing a puzzle. Anyway, he just finished his newest one of BYU stadium so I guess that's why he was invited to the Cougar Kickoff. He signed my puzzle for me and we shot the breeze like old chums. His brother happens to be my parent's bishop up in Idaho. When I confessed my obsession with his work, he gave me his personal email address and told me to send him a picture of my family in funny poses that he'll include in his current painting of the city of Baltimore. He's almost done with it, but needs more random people to fill it in with.
After all that, they raffled off a very large framed print of the stadium signed by
himself and LaVell Edwards. My ticket number was off by ONE STINKING NUMBER. Oh well. Not sure where I would have hung a huge Dowdle portrait of the LaVell Edwards Stadium in my house.
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-76319977309832531052012-08-15T14:14:00.000-07:002012-08-15T15:14:04.947-07:00OneShe's one. Really? Yes, her birthday was yesterday. One year ago Greg and I welcomed this precious daughter into our lives.
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And for the last year we have lived in a constant blur. It has gone faster than any other year of our lives. Not a day goes by that I don't look at her and marvel in the miracle of forever families and feel so blessed that she's mine for eternity.
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The chocolate melt down. Stripped down for a reason..
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Happy Birthday baby girl.
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Also, having too much fun with a time lapse camera...
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-56516705221755894012012-07-26T14:24:00.000-07:002012-07-26T14:24:32.935-07:00Cub Day CampI recently got to attend Cub Day Camp with the scouts in my ward. It was a first for me. Greg is our ward's Cubmaster and I sort of got volunteered to go be an adult leader. But Andrew was there and it was fun to go with him. Camp Jeremiah Johnson is so well organized. That was the first thing that impressed me. They certainly have the system down for organizing and moving hoards of little boys around their camp. And the staff was top notch. It was a fun experience. We shot bow and arrows, target practiced with BB guns, paddled rafts on the lake, made pioneer ropes, played Indian games, made a TeePee, played lacrosse, pulled a handcart up a mountain trail, panned for gold, and watched skits put on by the staff.
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Scouting is such an admirable program and I've learned to love it. I was intimidated in the beginning but knowing that I had three sons to put through the program helped changed my attitude. I never paid much attention to Scouting as I was growing up with my brothers. That was their thing. But now that I'm the mother of my own boys I've come to respect and admire this amazing organization.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-37977617495644468182012-07-26T14:07:00.000-07:002012-07-26T14:30:14.831-07:00Bean x 7Nathan is:
Sweet,
Sensitive,
Compassionate,
Considerate,
Funny,
Helpful, and
Smart.
Just seven reasons why we love our Nathan on his seventh birthday. There are more, of course, but today we are doing things in sevens.
Nathan requested scrambled eggs and sausages for breakfast.
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After Andrew's obvious delight with his Lego Black Pearl....
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Nathan began looking ahead to his own birthday just a couple weeks later and started making requests for the Queen Anne's Revenge Lego Ship. My kids have very decided cycles of favorites. For a long time it was nothing but Star Wars. Suddenly without warning that changed to all things Harry Potter. Now we are exclusively obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean. No doubt we'll cycle around again to the other interests, but right now we have sword battles between Jack Sparrow and Barbossa or Black Beard. It's fun listening to their imaginations run riot.
So after scouring Utah county for the LEGO Queen Anne's Revenge without luck, I finally found it up in Salt Lake. I tried every Target, Walmart, and Toys R Us I could, but it was sold out everywhere. I was told it's a collectors item (as is the Black Pearl) and they have not been able to keep it on the shelves. The Pearl was in stock, just not the Queen Anne's Revenge. So we dashed up to Salt Lake quick and got it at a Toys R Us. Unfortunately Nathan was with me so it wasn't a surprise, but he was still thrilled.
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After making a number 7 out of only 6 candles on his birthday cake, we had cake first, then let Nathan choose a restaurant for lunch. Greg had to work late so we did all our birthday celebrating in the morning before Dad had to leave. This year was Carl's Jr.
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I am looking forward to the day that one of my children chooses their birthday meal to be somewhere without a play place, but knowing my kids, we might end up at Carl's Jr. until they're 18. At least it wasn't McDonalds.
While in Salt Lake yesterday we stopped at Paul's work for a visit with the kids' favorite Uncle. Nathan fell down on a jagged metal pipe at the office and gashed his knee open down to the bone. At least I'm pretty sure I saw white bone along with rivers of blood. We found some gauze and wrapped it up. That was about the extent of the first aid supplies we could find. So we went to the store and bought all sorts of disinfectants and bandages. We debated about whether we should take him to insta-care and get it stitched. But in the end, after our amateur doctoring skills, it cleaned up pretty well and looked much better.
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And it looks much better 24 hours later. It could leave a pretty wicked scar, but that's cool, right?
Anyway, not a great birthday event, but he's such an easy going kid, it's not ruined his seventh birthday at all.
I love you, Nathan! Happy Birthday, Bean.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-91830349191398788552012-07-05T11:04:00.000-07:002012-07-05T11:04:59.816-07:00And They Lived Happily Ever AfterGreg and I recently celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary. We were married on a cool spring June morning ten years ago. It was early in the morning before the heat came in. The Salt Lake Temple was always my dream I was so excited to be sealed there to my sweetheart. If I had a little sneak peak 10 years into the future on my wedding day, I would have seen a happy, busy mommy with 4 kids still very much in love with her sweetie. (Sorry for the mush). Greg and I have been through many long years of schooling together, several moves, 4 beautiful babies, and a pretty charmed life.
We asked our wonderful parents if they could help us out and watch the kids for us while we took a little trip. We planned this months ago and decided we wanted to return to Disneyland, which was where we honeymooned. So we booked our trip. We decided to add a little twist and fly into Long Beach, California first and hop on the Catalina Express and ride the hour out into the ocean to the touristy island and explore the town of Avalon.
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Greg loves airplanes. So here's our airplane.
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The boat.
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Goodbye Long Beach. And here is the Queen Mary that is permanently docked. It's used for events, parties, etc.
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After some mild sea sickness on my part, we got off in Catalina and went straight to Lover's Cove to snorkel. The main mode of transportation on the Island is little golf carts, but we decided to walk. It wasn't far to the Cove. They had lockers for us to leave our stuff in and we rented snorkels and an underwater camera. The tropical fish are so used to people they swim all around, under and through every part of you. Their slimy little bodies touched me constantly. And the fish food they gave us sent them into a feeding frenzy. The underwater sea life was so beautiful. Plant life, fish, rocks, everything was so beautiful. I'm not sure how any of the pictures will turn out. I took them to be developed the old fashioned way. They told me it would be 1-2 weeks to get the developed film back. How did we ever survive without digital, instant cameras?
We wanted to go parasailing, but the boats were all out and booked up and it was almost closing time for several companies. We only spent one day there, so we were disappointed we didn't get to do that. Avalon is a beautiful town that is the ultimate tourist trap. After snorkeling we window shopped, had ice cream, watched the sea life around us. Dolphins and seals were out swimming in the bay.
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Cute kids.
Coming in to dock from the boat.
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Snorkeling at Lover's Cove. You seriously had to make way for the glass bottom boats. They would honk their horns and expect swimmers to get out of their way.
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Greg enjoying the view after snorkeling.
After our day in the Tropics we caught the last boat back to the mainland and drove straight to Disneyland. We checked into the Grand Californian Hotel. We also stayed there on our honeymoon and it was fun to go back. It's a gorgeous hotel with access directly into California Adventure. And since we were guests of the hotel we were allowed one hour early entrance into Disneyland and California Adventure. We got fastpasses for the World of Color show at night and made straight for the new Cars ride. When we went to Disneyland earlier in the year for Spring Break, CarsLand wasn't open yet. I was so glad we got to see it on this trip. I can understand why Disneyland is so expensive. The detail and work that goes into this place is unbelievable. Cars was amazing. They recreated the whole main street of Radiator Springs and added some amazing rides. The most popular was Radiator Springs Racers. You basically go through the whole movie on the ride. Take a nice quiet drive up the mountain with Sally, go tractor tipping with Mater, get chased by Frank, get painted by Ramone in the shop and end it by a high speed race with another car full of people. I loved it and would have spent all day there. But even one hour early entrance to the park required us to wait in line for an hour. And later in the day it was up to a 4 hour wait time. Fast passes for the ride were all distributed and used up for the day by 9:00am. We did go a second time on the ride later, but we decided to hop in the single rider line which was almost as fast as the Fast Pass line, but we had to split up.
I love Disneyland. It's probably my favorite vacation spot. And although it's a blast with kids, it was so fantastic to be there with just Greg. He didn't throw a fit and cry in ridiculously long lines or beg for toys from every single gift shop.
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Room service! Yummy Breakfast
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Greg at the Cozy Cone Motel
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We ate dinner at the Blue Bayou and watched the folks on the Pirates of the Caribbean as we waited for our delectable meal. That was a first and really fun.
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Finally got a turn on the Matterhorn. The ride had been closed most of the time we were there.
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Waiting for the World of Color show to Start in California Adventure.
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After a few days at Disneyland we left and headed to Los Angeles. We went to a session in the LA temple with Greg's cousins who met us there. Unbeknownst to us we chose the Spanish Session so I got to wear a headset. Greg speaks Spanish so he was ok. But I wasn't the only Gringo with a headset.
After the temple we had lunch at a delicious little deli near the temple. We said goodbye to Candi and Sky and headed off to a Dodgers Game. Greg is a true blue Dodgers fan and this was his main input when planning our trip. Nothing more American than baseball in the summer.
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Los Angeles skyline at Dodger Stadium.
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It was a wonderful, relaxing, lovely trip and I'm so glad we did it. Love you, Greg!
I missed my kids terribly and had some anxiety about leaving my baby girl who wouldn't understand where Momma was.
Glad to see my kiddos when we got home.
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We chose the perfect day to hike the Y before all this blasted heat rolled in. It was cool the whole day with a nice breeze. It made for a lovely hike and minimal complaints from the kids. Could have been a lot worse.
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Nice view from the top with the temple in the background.
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Sitting with Daddy on top of the Y.
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We took the boys to the Art City Days carnival for the first time this year. I've tried to avoid it, but finally relented this year. Over priced. We didn't go on the reduced price family day, so I was even more disgruntled about buying tickets. But they loved it.
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Sweet baby girl is getting so big.
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Waiting for Art City Days parade to start. Got a good spot in the shade this year.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-46386581163352201542012-06-04T22:03:00.000-07:002012-06-04T22:03:46.330-07:00Summer FunNow that school is out, we've started doing what we do every other summer: look up local hikes on Google and hit the road. This one is up Big Cottonwood Canyon called "Donut Falls." If you look carefully in the next picture you can see the top of the waterfall is pouring down through the rock (hence Donut) and comes out a little bit further down to continue all the way down. People were climbing up to the top to see down into the donut, but we didn't dare attempt it with Greg carrying the baby and very slippery rocks. Over the years it's made a donut hole in the rock. It's lovely. And so interesting. We really enjoy the mountains that surround us and take advantage of them as often as we can.
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Later we stopped at a park in SLC to play and stretch out in the grass. I love this baby. She is perfect.
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And here's a picture from the wedding that my sister in law took. So cute. Thanks, Julie!
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We drove up Provo Canyon to Heber a day or two ago. On the way home, David kept complaining that his stomach hurt. I assumed he needed to go to the bathroom and we told him we'd be home soon. A few minutes later, he threw up. We pulled over to clean him up and all he said was "Oh no. I don't believe it." But as soon as the excitement was over and he was stripped down to his underwear, he was as happy as can be. Felt much better.
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I've vowed to have a much more family friendly summer this year. Last year I was pregnant and hot and not in the mood for anything.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-33936758077323832542012-05-28T09:42:00.001-07:002012-05-28T09:42:49.755-07:00The Big 4!Sweet. Spunky. Energetic. Smart. Funny. Independent.
Just some of the ways we describe our little David. Yesterday was his birthday and we started it Saturday night by going to his restaurant of choice for dinner. With no prompting from anyone, he resolutely declared "Olive Garden" as his pick. So off we went on a Saturday night. I was hoping our wait time for a table would be under 30 minutes and luckily it was, just barely. We usually
don't wait at places like that for very long with hungry kids. And is it just me or has the Olive Garden gotten really expensive lately? I do not remember my favorite menu items costing as much as they do now. They must be getting pretty proud of their little establishment to charge some of their prices...
Anyway, David (as always) got his beloved Mac N Cheese.
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In Primary on Sunday they sang to him while he beamed and held his birthday bookmark. He has not an ounce of shyness in him and loves to be up in front of people. Especially in Primary where he pesters music leaders and sharing time givers to "choose me, choose me." Or his favorite phrase more accurately is "Is it my turn yet?"
Since Greg was working on Sunday, his actual birthday, I made him wait for presents and cake until Dad was home from work at 5:45. And even then we had dinner first. So finally after dinner we had birthday cake and opened presents. Greg and I got him his first bike. Complete with training wheels and hand brakes. My mom sent some new clothes and "dinosaur pills." Which are actually the foam shapes enclosed in pill like capsules that you put in a cup of hot water to make them grow into their shapes. My kids have always called them "dinosaur pills" regardless of the shape they turn into.
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After dinner and presents we had some daylight left and went for a drive, ending up at the Provo Temple. The gates were open to the grounds, so we walked around the temple a bit. There was a lovely sunset and gorgeous pink rosebushes lining the sidewalks of the temple. A nice evening with our children.
Happy Birthday, little Lerm. We love you!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-35059758688732726742012-05-21T15:21:00.000-07:002012-05-21T15:32:44.471-07:00White Wedding WeekendIt actually was a very multi-colored weekend. Very lovely and a very happy occasion. Greg's older sister, Wendy was married last Saturday. It was a lovely weekend which started (for me) the day before when we went out with Wendy for a girl's day. We had breakfast together (Greg's mom, sister, me, Wendy, and a couple of Wendy's friends). We then did a little shopping before we had Afternoon Tea at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake. It was finger sandwiches, desserts, cocoa, and other yummy things. We then had appointments for all of us to get pedicures and manicures. It was so lovely to be pampered all day. Thanks to my father in law, brother-in-law, and Ayas for watching David and my friend Amber for watching the older two boys. I took Elizabeth with me all day and she was an angel. I couldn't have asked for a better day with her. She just wanted to play with us girls all day. The next morning was the sealing in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It was beautiful. Wendy's new husband, Ayas, is deaf and there was an interpreter for him and a number of hearing impaired guests that are friends of Ayas and Wendy. Wendy served a deaf sign language mission in England and that's where she first met Ayas. He recently moved to Utah and said goodbye to England to live with Wendy here. After pictures on the temple grounds, we headed north to downtown Salt Lake for the wedding brunch at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. Again, very yummy. Greg and I also had our wedding brunch there after we were married.
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The reception was this past Saturday and was quite the event! So much work went into it. I'm sure Greg's parents are ready to sleep for a whole month to recooperate.
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Congratulations to Wendy and Ayas! We love you!!
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PS Couldn't resist one more pretty baby picture.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-12058399731192806412012-05-21T14:26:00.001-07:002012-05-21T14:26:05.604-07:00Baseball and RecitalsAndrew and Nathan are both, once again, immersed in the world of baseball. Practices and games. That's what we have to look forward to for the next month or so. Andrew has started the Mustang league which is official Little League Baseball. No more coaches pitching. Much longer games. They go until the innings are over. Life was much simpler in Coach Pitch when you just had your hour long game and didn't keep score. It's more intense this year. Andrew's coach is a real competitor and wants these boys to excel. He's a no-nonsense coach and expects a lot from the boys. But it's paid off since they won their first game 12-1. I felt bad for the poor other team, but I guess that's the nature of sports. Nathan is still in Coach Pitch and that definitely suits his personality more. He's just having fun and enjoying it. I wonder if he'll want to continue with baseball when he's ready for Little League.
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Andrew started piano lessons back in February and has taken to it like a fish in water. He loves it and is doing so well. I remember struggling a lot with piano when I first started and Andrew seems to have this natural instinct and ability for it. He is taking lessons from a sweet, wonderful, talented lady in our ward. He just had his first recital this weekend. He had his song memorized and the picture of him at the piano was posed before the recital started. He didn't need his music and did so fabulous. Proud Mama!
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHvKXGgA2cY/T7qyR4H-WjI/AAAAAAAABc0/bJAjmAz2pCE/s1600/P1020531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHvKXGgA2cY/T7qyR4H-WjI/AAAAAAAABc0/bJAjmAz2pCE/s400/P1020531.JPG" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-148920805837113012012-04-12T19:10:00.007-07:002012-04-12T20:41:53.186-07:00Spring BreakAfter Easter dinner we got packed up and ready to leave on our Spring Break trip the following morning. Our original plan, and the one we told the boys, was to go to St. George and play in the pool at a hotel. This seriously was so exciting to them. They love hotels and they love pools. Then we'd drive the 1.5 hours to Las Vegas the next day and have a day trip there finding some family friendly things we could do. But, as it happens, we got on the road to St. George on Monday and almost got there when we decided we wanted to do something a little bit grander. Speaking in grown up code in front of the boys we decided to do this Spring Break right and keep on going to California. We just had to dig deep into our vocabulary to talk to each other with the kids listening. It was pretty funny, actually. Try it sometime. Try to have a conversation using really big words or phrases to mean every day things in front of kids and see if they understand. Anyway, we had to call and cancel our hotel reservations in St. George. And as we cruised right on past in the car, Andrew kept saying "Mom! Mom! I see St. George. I see the signs. You're supposed to turn off the freeway!" He was distressed. But we got to Las Vegas and stopped for some dinner. It was at this point we told the boys we were headed to Disneyland. Oh what whooping and yelling we had in the car. Greg and I are planners and it was unlike us to just decide on a whim to drive all dang day to California. But we did it. We tried getting a room at the Disneyland Hotel but found it was $1,000 a night (day of prices). We decided our "On a Whim" Vacation budget didn't quite stretch that far. But we found a hotel within walking distance to the park. <br />And what a day we had. It started off pretty slow in the park and we got in all the big rides we wanted to do. We walked right on to Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain without having to wait in line at all. That's NEVER happened before. So we had a great morning. It picked up quite a bit after lunch time and lines got longer. But it was still a fabulous day. I love how family friendly Disneyland is. Other than big rides like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Splash Mountain we took the baby on everything. Greg and I took turns taking the boys on bigger rides. When we went to Disneyland the last time, Andrew begged and begged for a "double-bladed light saber that you build yourself." After going on the newly designed Star Tours ride, he finally got his wish. <br />It's such a magical place and we love Disneyland so much. We drove home so Greg could be back to work on Thursday, after staying at the hotel in St. George that we had originally planned on. The kids finally got to go swimming. Elizabeth hates the car and is not a good traveler. That was the only flaw of the trip. We all are a little deaf because of her incessant screaming in the car seat.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glU0LZ1822g/T4eQ_NU4laI/AAAAAAAABZo/iVoiovbI_w4/s1600/P1020448.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glU0LZ1822g/T4eQ_NU4laI/AAAAAAAABZo/iVoiovbI_w4/s400/P1020448.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730708466435659170" /></a><br />So long in the car!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVwMVS8JKpU8/T4eQ_lHPM7I/AAAAAAAABZ0/tQfs79x40jE/s1600/P1020452.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVwMVS8KpU8/T4eQ_lHPM7I/AAAAAAAABZ0/tQfs79x40jE/s400/P1020452.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730708472820872114" /></a><br />Didn't even bring a port a crib. Poor baby had to sleep in a nest on the floor.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVUqJZcako4/T4eRAIky09I/AAAAAAAABaA/j1Lvx1CiSvc/s1600/P1020466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVUqJZcako4/T4eRAIky09I/AAAAAAAABaA/j1Lvx1CiSvc/s400/P1020466.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730708482340082642" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xljBIoH8K8/T4eRl8u5jZI/AAAAAAAABaY/V70ojUY6aDg/s1600/P1020472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xljBIoH8K8/T4eRl8u5jZI/AAAAAAAABaY/V70ojUY6aDg/s400/P1020472.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730709131996269970" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EifIbYhtVVE/T4eRlgWwpBI/AAAAAAAABaM/PBWOT6l7-SE/s1600/P1020469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EifIbYhtVVE/T4eRlgWwpBI/AAAAAAAABaM/PBWOT6l7-SE/s400/P1020469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730709124378829842" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IF29e-tg3JU/T4eRmjbG3hI/AAAAAAAABak/HiGMuUrVsR8/s1600/P1020473.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IF29e-tg3JU/T4eRmjbG3hI/AAAAAAAABak/HiGMuUrVsR8/s400/P1020473.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730709142382239250" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS-EUSuqPD8/T4eSGSgxlGI/AAAAAAAABa8/54t78DZYzm4/s1600/P1020481.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS-EUSuqPD8/T4eSGSgxlGI/AAAAAAAABa8/54t78DZYzm4/s400/P1020481.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730709687598421090" /></a>8<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx1b7AsJRzI/T4eSFrdLoaI/AAAAAAAABaw/vZLqb7kT1NU/s1600/P1020478.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx1b7AsJRzI/T4eSFrdLoaI/AAAAAAAABaw/vZLqb7kT1NU/s400/P1020478.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730709677114368418" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BwFeOzpMsg/T4eSHAoo6TI/AAAAAAAABbI/LDZ3EiI0IpY/s1600/P1020482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BwFeOzpMsg/T4eSHAoo6TI/AAAAAAAABbI/LDZ3EiI0IpY/s400/P1020482.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730709699979438386" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYTVEhQEsus/T4eSserlDhI/AAAAAAAABbw/Xi2j38xlTy0/s1600/P1020526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYTVEhQEsus/T4eSserlDhI/AAAAAAAABbw/Xi2j38xlTy0/s400/P1020526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730710343699992082" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toZV-ytorzQ/T4eSruZdBiI/AAAAAAAABbg/6X-RCm4ErMU/s1600/P1020521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toZV-ytorzQ/T4eSruZdBiI/AAAAAAAABbg/6X-RCm4ErMU/s400/P1020521.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730710330739066402" /></a><br />St. George pool at last!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhBMorwLpNo/T4eSrJWClTI/AAAAAAAABbU/ZGx22-bL_8M/s1600/P1020519.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhBMorwLpNo/T4eSrJWClTI/AAAAAAAABbU/ZGx22-bL_8M/s400/P1020519.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730710320792638770" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwjPZozEHJs/T4eStCfneOI/AAAAAAAABb4/Q8U0bsUv2mg/s1600/P1020512.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwjPZozEHJs/T4eStCfneOI/AAAAAAAABb4/Q8U0bsUv2mg/s400/P1020512.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730710353313495266" /></a><br />We stopped in Ontario, CA on our way back home. It was on the way and we couldn't resist. This is the apartment where Greg and I lived for 3 1/2 years while he did his Pharmacy schooling. Nathan was born while we lived here. It kind of felt like coming home. We had such a great ward there and good friends. <br />Anyway, we're home now. Fast, quick trip. I didn't even pack enough clothes for us since we changed our plans after we'd left home. Crazy! Hooray for spontaneity!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-12415131718723910372012-04-12T19:00:00.004-07:002012-04-12T19:09:32.160-07:00Happy EasterWe had a lovely Easter Sunday. I'm so glad Greg had that Sunday off from work. It's nice to have him home on Sundays! We attended our church meetings, then got right to work after church getting our Easter dinner ready. Greg's parents and siblings joined us that evening for our dinner. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GCYkTU0eNxk/T4eJxu5nIoI/AAAAAAAABZc/tliFybbosE0/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GCYkTU0eNxk/T4eJxu5nIoI/AAAAAAAABZc/tliFybbosE0/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730700538348511874" /></a><br />Pretty girl in her pretty Easter dress. She's the only one I took a picture of. Crazy morning getting ready for our Easter dinner.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh5W3uLouAc/T4eJjK_IU9I/AAAAAAAABZE/Ym6P4kX_GHM/s1600/P1020443.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh5W3uLouAc/T4eJjK_IU9I/AAAAAAAABZE/Ym6P4kX_GHM/s400/P1020443.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730700288189813714" /></a><br />We had a quick little Easter Egg hunt in the backyard. Everyone was still in their jammies and it was a little chilly. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwuupGEadLA/T4eJiRRC7II/AAAAAAAABY4/aIzqbLG0_p8/s1600/P1020441.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwuupGEadLA/T4eJiRRC7II/AAAAAAAABY4/aIzqbLG0_p8/s400/P1020441.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730700272695700610" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4SG4q3-6xxo/T4eJj7s56xI/AAAAAAAABZQ/3eszV7g-zWA/s1600/P1020447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4SG4q3-6xxo/T4eJj7s56xI/AAAAAAAABZQ/3eszV7g-zWA/s400/P1020447.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730700301266709266" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gW4dsLCQigM/T4eJIe9pJbI/AAAAAAAABYg/drdvtNacX4w/s1600/P1020438.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gW4dsLCQigM/T4eJIe9pJbI/AAAAAAAABYg/drdvtNacX4w/s400/P1020438.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730699829695817138" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jU3XCYxnpcY/T4eJHxAgBII/AAAAAAAABYU/2R14vMO9e4c/s1600/P1020437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jU3XCYxnpcY/T4eJHxAgBII/AAAAAAAABYU/2R14vMO9e4c/s400/P1020437.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730699817359770754" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAmWOfVKzkE/T4eJJMCI7SI/AAAAAAAABYs/8f8Fg1g0Qjw/s1600/P1020440.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAmWOfVKzkE/T4eJJMCI7SI/AAAAAAAABYs/8f8Fg1g0Qjw/s400/P1020440.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730699841794272546" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-88898065228391796242012-04-06T14:18:00.004-07:002012-04-06T14:42:28.406-07:00Untitled PostWe attended a very chilly BYU baseball game last night. Each Spring I gear up for the start of baseball season. I learned early on in our marriage that Greg was a fanatic about baseball. Football season is a close second and basketball season is something to do while we wait for baseball to roll around again. But it's fun and our boys love to go with their Dad to games. And the evening was made all the better by Cosmo coming to see us and give hugs. Seriously, you'd think it was Christmas morning how excited the boys were to see him and hug him.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKNiq-6DLdI/T39hTjl_hGI/AAAAAAAABXU/lAWjVLq2OLw/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKNiq-6DLdI/T39hTjl_hGI/AAAAAAAABXU/lAWjVLq2OLw/s400/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728404239638561890" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KXoqSUo8dI/T39hU4U7zuI/AAAAAAAABXw/jCK8ZxL3S2s/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KXoqSUo8dI/T39hU4U7zuI/AAAAAAAABXw/jCK8ZxL3S2s/s400/034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728404262384029410" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzo9CqQmtBY/T39hT5Ff7CI/AAAAAAAABXk/W1fTZM16mBg/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzo9CqQmtBY/T39hT5Ff7CI/AAAAAAAABXk/W1fTZM16mBg/s400/033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728404245407853602" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTJZwVv9ZLY/T39hVYSEg1I/AAAAAAAABX8/DznZkhQ_w3c/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTJZwVv9ZLY/T39hVYSEg1I/AAAAAAAABX8/DznZkhQ_w3c/s400/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728404270961951570" /></a><br />And honestly, isn't she the prettiest little creature in the world? Yes, I'm a bragging mother about my beautiful little girl. But man! She's precious.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLzOzz6MdYA/T39hTLiaIkI/AAAAAAAABXM/jr7QkIK80MM/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLzOzz6MdYA/T39hTLiaIkI/AAAAAAAABXM/jr7QkIK80MM/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728404233181078082" /></a><br />David came to me one day a couple weeks ago and said "I put a bead in my nose." He was quite calm and matter of fact about it. I said "Oh you did? Let's see." And sure enough I could see a bright neon green bead (which was actually a very tiny BB for a gun) right up in his nostril. I thought it would be a cinch to get out since I could see it. Unfortunately David has no idea how to blow his nose, so when I asked him to blow into a tissue, he sniffed as hard as he possibly could, rocketing it up into his sinuses. Not knowing quite what to do, we decided professional help was needed. It being a Saturday, InstaCare was our only option. So after dumping the older boys at the neighbor's house, we went and got the little BB extracted. The doctor came in to the exam room and the first thing he said was "You must be three, right?" Apparently three year olds are the most common age for inserting things into noses and ears. David did so well to hold still and let the nurse and doctor get the bead out. It was pretty high up in the nose, but he found it and got it out. David sat silently in the chair, but had little tears rolling down his cheeks. I snapped a picture right as the doctor pulled the bead out. You can see the little green bead in the last picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGnoPzbxHTs/T39d9Aw72-I/AAAAAAAABWo/NcH7_BjzC-I/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGnoPzbxHTs/T39d9Aw72-I/AAAAAAAABWo/NcH7_BjzC-I/s400/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728400553797213154" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajiJF--EgeE/T39d-VmOP3I/AAAAAAAABXA/j_Ga10bTHWY/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajiJF--EgeE/T39d-VmOP3I/AAAAAAAABXA/j_Ga10bTHWY/s400/049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728400576569294706" /></a><br /><br />Hopefully we learned our lesson and won't be putting things up there again.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-72138738723854392192012-03-29T20:56:00.007-07:002012-03-29T21:34:19.253-07:00The Big Catch UpI have been a negligent blogger for a couple months now. We are still alive and kicking. I'll let the pictures I've chosen speak for themselves. Hopefully they have an interesting story to tell to those who read my blog. Sometimes Blogger and I have disagreements about the quantity, quality and order of my pictures. We'll see if we're on good terms this evening<br /><br />CITY CREEK<br />Since we drive up to Salt Lake at the drop of a hat, it was no skin off our nose to go check out the new spectacular City Creek center in downtown SLC, just one block south of Temple Square. AMAZING! It's mostly full of super expensive stores that I do not shop at, but it's always fun to window shop and people watch. The Tiffany's store and the Rolex store were interesting to scope out and see the kind of people who shop there. <br /><br />.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu1rBcUGHbw/T3UwYu8udmI/AAAAAAAABUA/isDmBb_x5kc/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu1rBcUGHbw/T3UwYu8udmI/AAAAAAAABUA/isDmBb_x5kc/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725535702749181538" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNxo0PQdhHc/T3UwYaOzG6I/AAAAAAAABTw/t5svLrft3gg/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNxo0PQdhHc/T3UwYaOzG6I/AAAAAAAABTw/t5svLrft3gg/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725535697187838882" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akDaIafn_k8/T3UwYAvA42I/AAAAAAAABTo/EYUpJeYJDh4/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akDaIafn_k8/T3UwYAvA42I/AAAAAAAABTo/EYUpJeYJDh4/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725535690343637858" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u8s3QC0r_o/T3UwZB9e1HI/AAAAAAAABUI/aX3NpUcIXpk/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u8s3QC0r_o/T3UwZB9e1HI/AAAAAAAABUI/aX3NpUcIXpk/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725535707852625010" /></a><br />THE BABY<br />A lot of growth and some important milestones have been accomplished by this little darling. She is an independent sitter. She FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY consented to drink from a bottle. She jabbers nonstop and says a pretty good DaDa. Whether intentional or not, Greg's mighty pleased. Also, her hair is out of control, but I will not cut it. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G1ojktm9nAg/T3Ux0z4ljJI/AAAAAAAABUs/WLKDxowR4Rw/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G1ojktm9nAg/T3Ux0z4ljJI/AAAAAAAABUs/WLKDxowR4Rw/s400/040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725537284621962386" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqNyob4-5N0/T3Ux0ch2yOI/AAAAAAAABUk/00OWjKV18DI/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqNyob4-5N0/T3Ux0ch2yOI/AAAAAAAABUk/00OWjKV18DI/s400/036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725537278352607458" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evsPz6mgEyM/T3Ux0LbrY7I/AAAAAAAABUY/u82H86nMnd4/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evsPz6mgEyM/T3Ux0LbrY7I/AAAAAAAABUY/u82H86nMnd4/s400/020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725537273763292082" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrIJsnFSI6Y/T3Ux1WOMI7I/AAAAAAAABU4/xZrls3fiAgg/s1600/100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrIJsnFSI6Y/T3Ux1WOMI7I/AAAAAAAABU4/xZrls3fiAgg/s400/100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725537293839377330" /></a><br />SPRING PRACTICE<br />Each Spring we trot out to LaVell Edwards for the open practice and take a peek at this year's football team and see how they're shaping up. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kTBQgb7dZtM/T3UzGXY8W6I/AAAAAAAABVc/82DM2Fuk8UQ/s1600/093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kTBQgb7dZtM/T3UzGXY8W6I/AAAAAAAABVc/82DM2Fuk8UQ/s400/093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725538685722319778" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HOfg_lV8Wc/T3UzFmSEgLI/AAAAAAAABVU/kYMdo1fUpow/s1600/087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HOfg_lV8Wc/T3UzFmSEgLI/AAAAAAAABVU/kYMdo1fUpow/s400/087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725538672540156082" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMwP2T-8VSc/T3UzFNEAqCI/AAAAAAAABVI/F9DyVBhpe-8/s1600/080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMwP2T-8VSc/T3UzFNEAqCI/AAAAAAAABVI/F9DyVBhpe-8/s400/080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725538665770297378" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMrMWeB-NEU/T3UzGuIMZKI/AAAAAAAABVs/-wloxHDHHoc/s1600/095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMrMWeB-NEU/T3UzGuIMZKI/AAAAAAAABVs/-wloxHDHHoc/s400/095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725538691826082978" /></a> <br />MEIN FUß<br />Owing to a wet floor and some silly shoes, I slipped and sprained my ankle about a week ago. I had it x-rayed and found it wasn't fractured, thank heavens. But it's still swollen and gross looking. Kind of looks like an elephant leg. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9F8BaACC4o/T3U0Txy_loI/AAAAAAAABV4/284UQ2rMmBE/s1600/070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9F8BaACC4o/T3U0Txy_loI/AAAAAAAABV4/284UQ2rMmBE/s400/070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725540015660832386" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzrSpsKT030/T3U0UM50EdI/AAAAAAAABWA/umEE-6nIOjY/s1600/097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzrSpsKT030/T3U0UM50EdI/AAAAAAAABWA/umEE-6nIOjY/s400/097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725540022937194962" /></a><br />And here's the last two pictures that need to be shared. The beautiful woman holding Elizabeth is her namesake, my cousin Elizabeth. She is poise, intelligence, kindness, love, class, and elegance personified. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YI9R75F3H_w/T3U2D2Ow4VI/AAAAAAAABWQ/59sF6Rsx0ek/s1600/P1020422.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YI9R75F3H_w/T3U2D2Ow4VI/AAAAAAAABWQ/59sF6Rsx0ek/s400/P1020422.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725541940996399442" /></a><br />And whoa....she's a chubby bunny!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4btCB7YMt-U/T3U2EXrkXpI/AAAAAAAABWY/DactcmsAN3E/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4btCB7YMt-U/T3U2EXrkXpI/AAAAAAAABWY/DactcmsAN3E/s400/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725541949975584402" /></a><br />Good night.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-77396200135193203522012-02-07T18:48:00.001-08:002012-02-07T18:58:02.902-08:00Our First DerbyAndrew just competed in his first Pinewood Derby. He placed right in the middle of the pack (of 18) and we picked up some tips on how to make his car a little more aerodynamic for future derbys. Despite not winning or even coming close, he still had a good time. It reflects his easy going nature and I'm proud of him for taking things in his stride. He had fun watching the cars come down the track and being with his Cubscout Buddies. Greg is the Cubmaster and also has a very easy going, non stress approach to planning these functions. A lesson that I can learn from him..<br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIQMeJ3aoSg/TzHj-LNlsSI/AAAAAAAABTE/g39mxkt993o/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIQMeJ3aoSg/TzHj-LNlsSI/AAAAAAAABTE/g39mxkt993o/s400/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706592860156309794" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZiIYiUJihg/TzHj-r6JTsI/AAAAAAAABTQ/8WjTkVarh0c/s1600/048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZiIYiUJihg/TzHj-r6JTsI/AAAAAAAABTQ/8WjTkVarh0c/s400/048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706592868933127874" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-y0v1EcxJw/TzHj-_ac2GI/AAAAAAAABTg/OntW5Ix1jl0/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-y0v1EcxJw/TzHj-_ac2GI/AAAAAAAABTg/OntW5Ix1jl0/s400/049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706592874168899682" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-47685366354462280212012-02-07T18:32:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:47:55.282-08:00A Post About HerMy girl is just a few days shy of six months old. Something that I'm NOT happy about. It is going by too fast and it seems like each day she is doing something new and growing right before my eyes. <br />She is beautiful. I hear it often enough from perfect strangers. Like waitresses who sit down at our table (on the job) to exclaim over how pretty she is and talk about her. <br />She is sweet. She has the silliest personality and giggles all day long. She loves her brothers to come talk to her in silly voices and make her laugh. She loves her daddy to kiss her bare tummy and make silly noises on it. She puts one palm on my face whenever I hold her on my hip. It's like she just needs to constantly touch me.<br />She's got two razor sharp teeth that make her smile even sweeter.<br />She is my tonic when I'm having a rough day. She's everything we could have asked for and more. She is the perfect addition to round out our family and make us complete. We all adore her.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pW7QDMjEmvQ/TzHhMaKq-VI/AAAAAAAABSs/wyq4ObqsAb8/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pW7QDMjEmvQ/TzHhMaKq-VI/AAAAAAAABSs/wyq4ObqsAb8/s400/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589806153890130" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia2ON0GNLqI/TzHhMBCIsBI/AAAAAAAABSc/K-Pq8cV_LsU/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia2ON0GNLqI/TzHhMBCIsBI/AAAAAAAABSc/K-Pq8cV_LsU/s400/041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589799407202322" /></a><br />Snuggling with her Uncle Paul<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkjzr3HE080/TzHhL6naMRI/AAAAAAAABSU/JBCYzbkfJO0/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkjzr3HE080/TzHhL6naMRI/AAAAAAAABSU/JBCYzbkfJO0/s400/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589797684490514" /></a><br />She LOVES the doorway jumpy.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eya6jzRLbfA/TzHhNvryqKI/AAAAAAAABS0/yhMk7cDQWa4/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eya6jzRLbfA/TzHhNvryqKI/AAAAAAAABS0/yhMk7cDQWa4/s400/057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589829109819554" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpcRzEcszgU/TzHg64GxYYI/AAAAAAAABR8/pzj7t4qsG5I/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpcRzEcszgU/TzHg64GxYYI/AAAAAAAABR8/pzj7t4qsG5I/s400/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589504952951170" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYqixzT-OVQ/TzHg6NDNAiI/AAAAAAAABRw/5eusQFaXX6E/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYqixzT-OVQ/TzHg6NDNAiI/AAAAAAAABRw/5eusQFaXX6E/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589493395259938" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXbiYHCXGdg/TzHg564XgdI/AAAAAAAABRk/6VqVKzufzEA/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXbiYHCXGdg/TzHg564XgdI/AAAAAAAABRk/6VqVKzufzEA/s400/044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589488517972434" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vMihZTMWqE/TzHg7GeyHBI/AAAAAAAABSI/V20l-riJUEI/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6vMihZTMWqE/TzHg7GeyHBI/AAAAAAAABSI/V20l-riJUEI/s400/018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706589508811758610" /></a><br />Elizabeth Elaine WildingKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-64030049839755464812012-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:002012-01-04T15:27:41.294-08:00Christmas, New Years, and BeyondWell we had a lovely holiday season. Hope everyone else did, too. My brother joined us for Christmas and the kids loved having their tallest Uncle around for several days. With Christmas on a Sunday we had to come up with a plan for presents and dealing with 9:00 church. Wait, that sounded bad. We didn't "deal" with church, we just had to plan differently because we had the early time. Sacrament meeting was a beautiful addition to our Sunday celebration of Christ's birth. We decided that we would just do "Santa" before church and save everything else for after and it worked nicely. We had our traditional breakfast of orange and cinnamon rolls chased by a bunch of candy from stockings. After church we got down to the business of presents and family time. Greg's parents and siblings joined us later in the afternoon and we had a nice Christmas dinner and played games afterwords. Greg and I broke down and bought an unnecessarily huge HDTV a couple months ago and called that Christmas for each other. Paul brought lots of movies to watch on the new TV, we had an extreme abundance of snacks and goodies (thanks to amazing friends and neighbors) and we had such a nice time together as a family. More than anything else, I love having family around to be with. Christmas brings us all together and magic happens!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hisvyLkQ5nU/TwTcOcQhn_I/AAAAAAAABRA/Tagp9b6_p_w/s1600/P1020311.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hisvyLkQ5nU/TwTcOcQhn_I/AAAAAAAABRA/Tagp9b6_p_w/s400/P1020311.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917969564934130" /></a><br />We had to wake up the kids on Christmas morning. They were so sleepy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJuUMncUcMg/TwTcOOhs4yI/AAAAAAAABQ0/4b7ton-yQC0/s1600/P1020313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJuUMncUcMg/TwTcOOhs4yI/AAAAAAAABQ0/4b7ton-yQC0/s400/P1020313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917965878879010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Svpq8f32JlU/TwTbxPxgqCI/AAAAAAAABQY/Ja8h4B5nG6Q/s1600/P1020316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Svpq8f32JlU/TwTbxPxgqCI/AAAAAAAABQY/Ja8h4B5nG6Q/s400/P1020316.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917467997415458" /></a><br />Santa used really pretty, fancy gold wrapping paper for the Wildings this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYPrzaWDb3w/TwTbvy-F0wI/AAAAAAAABQM/YeU9WkfOi4s/s1600/P1020320.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYPrzaWDb3w/TwTbvy-F0wI/AAAAAAAABQM/YeU9WkfOi4s/s400/P1020320.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917443085685506" /></a><br />David's ONLY request was a "red mote ca-troll helicopter." Santa came through for him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuQmH0WF2_Q/TwTbvpHp_CI/AAAAAAAABQA/YFtcFqMTBbQ/s1600/P1020321.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuQmH0WF2_Q/TwTbvpHp_CI/AAAAAAAABQA/YFtcFqMTBbQ/s400/P1020321.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917440441449506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j1woCoPCXmU/TwTbxXaILjI/AAAAAAAABQk/Yw9Z3fgWSlA/s1600/P1020315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j1woCoPCXmU/TwTbxXaILjI/AAAAAAAABQk/Yw9Z3fgWSlA/s400/P1020315.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917470046826034" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHAFSe9OyHw/TwTbNhFJ6dI/AAAAAAAABPo/A_qYQAHhy9w/s1600/P1020330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHAFSe9OyHw/TwTbNhFJ6dI/AAAAAAAABPo/A_qYQAHhy9w/s400/P1020330.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916854167923154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7SRXt-CWQak/TwTbMtwi_8I/AAAAAAAABPc/JmdZ0Z_oSwE/s1600/P1020332.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7SRXt-CWQak/TwTbMtwi_8I/AAAAAAAABPc/JmdZ0Z_oSwE/s400/P1020332.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916840391278530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Aam3VvpLNY/TwTbOJ9YF1I/AAAAAAAABP0/g6XRXlN2-3w/s1600/P1020324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Aam3VvpLNY/TwTbOJ9YF1I/AAAAAAAABP0/g6XRXlN2-3w/s400/P1020324.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916865141151570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y35JjGo8VM/TwTbMaA87aI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Gm6Pw4opa9c/s1600/P1020340.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y35JjGo8VM/TwTbMaA87aI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Gm6Pw4opa9c/s400/P1020340.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916835091377570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yS-2tzZKuZ4/TwTatiFQlyI/AAAAAAAABO4/57tB04_qp3Q/s1600/P1020339.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yS-2tzZKuZ4/TwTatiFQlyI/AAAAAAAABO4/57tB04_qp3Q/s400/P1020339.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916304680982306" /></a><br />It was good fun watching Paul get Elizabeth dressed in tights and her Christmas dress.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TnTeF5lNkjs/TwTatdwLt7I/AAAAAAAABOs/cYAYr2XoUKI/s1600/P1020342.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TnTeF5lNkjs/TwTatdwLt7I/AAAAAAAABOs/cYAYr2XoUKI/s400/P1020342.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916303518840754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UWSgdzlf9Q/TwTaufqcnjI/AAAAAAAABPE/TFtdiYRx3os/s1600/P1020337.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UWSgdzlf9Q/TwTaufqcnjI/AAAAAAAABPE/TFtdiYRx3os/s400/P1020337.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693916321211522610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UnVXizcRqQ/TwTZcn2IKdI/AAAAAAAABOg/XbC8B4V5YtI/s1600/P1020355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UnVXizcRqQ/TwTZcn2IKdI/AAAAAAAABOg/XbC8B4V5YtI/s400/P1020355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693914914658724306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6926lkmPOEQ/TwTZcRuTDtI/AAAAAAAABOU/dm_265MN_V0/s1600/P1020361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6926lkmPOEQ/TwTZcRuTDtI/AAAAAAAABOU/dm_265MN_V0/s400/P1020361.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693914908720303826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bI7oSal6oao/TwTZbe0GNyI/AAAAAAAABOI/M3esCXBOYxA/s1600/P1020363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bI7oSal6oao/TwTZbe0GNyI/AAAAAAAABOI/M3esCXBOYxA/s400/P1020363.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693914895054419746" /></a><br />><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXPgLBV2DjE/TwTcPN2zLRI/AAAAAAAABRQ/dTVi9YmTXwY/s1600/P1020307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXPgLBV2DjE/TwTcPN2zLRI/AAAAAAAABRQ/dTVi9YmTXwY/s400/P1020307.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693917982878805266" /></a><br />A week or two before Christmas Andrew and Nathan participated in a children's choir that our neighbor put together for a YW personal progress goal. They sang at her grandpa's retirement home. It was a good experience for the boys to perform for elderly people who always seem so happy to see the younger set come and brighten their day.<br /><br />But now school is back in session, we're into a New Year and life continues to treat us well. Happy New Year to all!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-55174502072508489322011-12-16T11:45:00.000-08:002011-12-16T11:47:25.168-08:00Merry Christmas!<object id="_ds_108718721" name="_ds_108718721" width="670" height="550" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://viewer.docstoc.com/"> <param name="FlashVars" value="doc_id=108718721&mem_id=21010799&doc_type=pdf&fullscreen=0&showrelated=0&showotherdocs=0&showstats=0 "/> <param name="movie" value="http://viewer.docstoc.com/" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> </object> <br /> <script type="text/javascript">var docstoc_docid="108718721";var docstoc_title="Scan0019";var docstoc_urltitle="Scan0019";</script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.docstoccdn.com/js/check-flash.js"></script><font size="1"><a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/108718721/Scan0019"> Scan0019</a> - </font>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-9507642497806787762011-12-01T12:38:00.000-08:002011-12-01T13:08:04.301-08:00Holidays and a Baby GirlI neglected to take a single picture of our Thanksgiving. We went to Idaho and spent it with my family. My sister and her family and my brother and his family all met at my parents house where we celebrated our Thanksgiving on Friday instead of Thursday (due to traveling schedules, etc). My parents are temple workers on Friday mornings in the Twin Falls temple, so while they were gone Friday morning the rest of us at the house got busy in the kitchen to come up with our delicious feast. It seriously was so good and I over indulged in the worst way possible. I'm not even sorry. It was so worth it. It was so fun to be with family and all the millions of grandchildren. The noise level in the house was unreal and I'm sure my parents were happy to see several sets of tail lights drive down the road, but we had a lovely time while we were together.<br />Our family tradition is to put up the Christmas Tree and decorations as soon as Thanksgiving is over and that's what we did. Greg and I realized that several strings of our house lights are dead and unusable from last year, so that will be a project for another day, but we did get the tree up and the kids were happy to help hang ornaments and set out nativities. This is such a magical time of year and my heart is full as I count my blessings and realize how much we have. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33OEe8Gcj5U/TtfnbWP3mWI/AAAAAAAABMY/ijMifKShX38/s1600/P1020305.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33OEe8Gcj5U/TtfnbWP3mWI/AAAAAAAABMY/ijMifKShX38/s400/P1020305.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681263911965792610" /></a><br />Notice the baby under the tree. She LOVES to stare at the tree.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_CpI2OYVBY/TtfnblK2usI/AAAAAAAABMk/J-4AITS5rJA/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_CpI2OYVBY/TtfnblK2usI/AAAAAAAABMk/J-4AITS5rJA/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681263915971295938" /></a><br />I also have been negligent in posting pics and growth updates and info about our baby girl. It's because I can't bear to see her grow up. She's been the sweetest angel and our family has grown together so much because of her sweet little spirit. Her favorite thing in the world is still her mama. And I must say that I love this. I will drop anything and everything to go snuggle with her or sometimes just watch her sleep. I love being the one that can get her to smile the most or do her belly laughs when she's in a particularly good mood. And I also love that I'm usually the one that she'll stop crying for. Poor Greg. But he understands.<br />99% of her awake time is spent sucking on her hands. She spits the binkie out every time in favor of her fists and fingers. Might be teething, who knows. But she'll suck on her fingers and her fist if she can manage it. Even if I swaddle her up in a blanket just to get her hands away from her mouth, she'll struggle and wiggle and worm her little hands out to get them up to her mouth. Silly girl.<br />She is laughing right out loud if something strikes her as funny. It's the most precious sound in the world and the whole family stops and comes running when she's laughing. She's a chubby girl who still loves to eat. Her cheeks are droopy and kissable and perfect. <br />What a blessing she has been in our lives and we love her more than words can say!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3GsZn0wdMc/TtfqMt41hrI/AAAAAAAABNI/53elej8i1CA/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3GsZn0wdMc/TtfqMt41hrI/AAAAAAAABNI/53elej8i1CA/s400/066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681266959148484274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2cZJh9wglw/TtfqL3a9GZI/AAAAAAAABM8/A1En3Vv7yL8/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2cZJh9wglw/TtfqL3a9GZI/AAAAAAAABM8/A1En3Vv7yL8/s400/026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681266944527636882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH1iVUMHE40/TtfqLgqdcfI/AAAAAAAABMw/9E1U2C60tvk/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH1iVUMHE40/TtfqLgqdcfI/AAAAAAAABMw/9E1U2C60tvk/s400/040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681266938418655730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgApgfVtydU/TtfqNHZ07HI/AAAAAAAABNQ/5TkUL_flDKc/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgApgfVtydU/TtfqNHZ07HI/AAAAAAAABNQ/5TkUL_flDKc/s400/063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681266965997743218" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InAEiR8Hl9k/TtfrK2TxLNI/AAAAAAAABNs/CMzDDIACrhY/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InAEiR8Hl9k/TtfrK2TxLNI/AAAAAAAABNs/CMzDDIACrhY/s400/075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681268026560818386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iSvNQ7TM5s/TtfrKq_GNGI/AAAAAAAABNk/4ObrJHbQyhI/s1600/074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iSvNQ7TM5s/TtfrKq_GNGI/AAAAAAAABNk/4ObrJHbQyhI/s400/074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681268023521326178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIXvIBWyuso/TtfrLBfqtAI/AAAAAAAABN8/LwoW4XlwtEo/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIXvIBWyuso/TtfrLBfqtAI/AAAAAAAABN8/LwoW4XlwtEo/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681268029563515906" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-7622345350672611542011-12-01T12:16:00.000-08:002011-12-01T12:37:45.360-08:00Family HikesOne of our favorite family activities is hiking. We have been just about everywhere that Utah Valley and SLC has to offer. However, we heard about a new trail up in the mountains above Payson from my friend Amber. We decided to go and found that it had snowed. A lot. We didn't have snow down in the valleys, but the hills were all white. We should have known better, but we hiked the Grotto Trail in the snow and ice anyway. It was lovely and we'll have to go back in the spring when it's warmer and not so slippery.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5lmowdFVzE/TtflYwIbGVI/AAAAAAAABMA/a1NhHlIW-Qw/s1600/P1020255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5lmowdFVzE/TtflYwIbGVI/AAAAAAAABMA/a1NhHlIW-Qw/s400/P1020255.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681261668351023442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GutRUZ3ntwo/TtflYuPfXgI/AAAAAAAABL0/3MTLr4U_wmA/s1600/P1020258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GutRUZ3ntwo/TtflYuPfXgI/AAAAAAAABL0/3MTLr4U_wmA/s400/P1020258.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681261667843792386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTBosnp-gek/TtflZSIZTNI/AAAAAAAABMM/eKOYK-m85pI/s1600/P1020253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTBosnp-gek/TtflZSIZTNI/AAAAAAAABMM/eKOYK-m85pI/s400/P1020253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681261677477711058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYBMzdwtqiY/TtfkfP9ZX7I/AAAAAAAABLc/SzWKW9cEi24/s1600/P1020262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYBMzdwtqiY/TtfkfP9ZX7I/AAAAAAAABLc/SzWKW9cEi24/s400/P1020262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681260680462294962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MNijJ-58xM/Ttfke3gk-zI/AAAAAAAABLQ/WID9mRDh2zI/s1600/P1020266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MNijJ-58xM/Ttfke3gk-zI/AAAAAAAABLQ/WID9mRDh2zI/s400/P1020266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681260673898969906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVkI_fuUe-o/Ttfkfvkak8I/AAAAAAAABLo/rPyiiO0XErI/s1600/P1020260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVkI_fuUe-o/Ttfkfvkak8I/AAAAAAAABLo/rPyiiO0XErI/s400/P1020260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681260688947450818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOC6341mThc/TtfiC8P3ZwI/AAAAAAAABK4/TGcB3ukK66w/s1600/P1020285.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOC6341mThc/TtfiC8P3ZwI/AAAAAAAABK4/TGcB3ukK66w/s400/P1020285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681257995111458562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwSUaGOt8PU/TtfiCq8vTuI/AAAAAAAABKs/nmbjganAs4M/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwSUaGOt8PU/TtfiCq8vTuI/AAAAAAAABKs/nmbjganAs4M/s400/049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681257990467833570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaAsEYnTvVA/TtfiDURnKfI/AAAAAAAABLE/anv-0ayiu98/s1600/P1020281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaAsEYnTvVA/TtfiDURnKfI/AAAAAAAABLE/anv-0ayiu98/s400/P1020281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681258001561233906" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-14779510663194063932011-12-01T11:52:00.000-08:002011-12-01T12:16:02.047-08:00HalloweenWe did celebrate Halloween this year. I'm just really behind on my blogging. Here's a rundown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjzOZ8oPHvE/TtfeNCAKdiI/AAAAAAAABKI/dvkJ_nb_3a0/s1600/P1020237.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjzOZ8oPHvE/TtfeNCAKdiI/AAAAAAAABKI/dvkJ_nb_3a0/s400/P1020237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681253770408392226" /></a><br />Both boys wanted to be Harry Potter this year. It didn't bother them that they would be the same thing in the same costumes (borrowed from our neighbor) with the same accessories. And if it didn't bother them, it didn't bother me. David's costumes was recycled from last year. It still sort of fit. And Elizabeth got the worst of it with just a little bit of face paint on her nose and cheeks. Talk about thrown together Halloween at the last minute. I didn't spend anything on anyone's costumes and it still went fine. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWq5GcqT7FA/TtfeM4npz0I/AAAAAAAABJ8/d-c2GiyHcJA/s1600/P1020238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWq5GcqT7FA/TtfeM4npz0I/AAAAAAAABJ8/d-c2GiyHcJA/s400/P1020238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681253767889669954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRRS41piEM/TtfdNcXSgiI/AAAAAAAABJw/P4IWaBR59II/s1600/P1020242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlRRS41piEM/TtfdNcXSgiI/AAAAAAAABJw/P4IWaBR59II/s400/P1020242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681252677973082658" /></a><br />The school parade is always fun for the kids. They march through the halls of the school and then through the gym for all the parents. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6d2H7Hr-z2w/TtfeNw_sluI/AAAAAAAABKY/Pkmnx0ssVNI/s1600/P1020235.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6d2H7Hr-z2w/TtfeNw_sluI/AAAAAAAABKY/Pkmnx0ssVNI/s400/P1020235.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681253783022900962" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1h9owIT5TG8/TtfeOnB8xnI/AAAAAAAABKg/IGv5fPN_feQ/s1600/P1020228.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1h9owIT5TG8/TtfeOnB8xnI/AAAAAAAABKg/IGv5fPN_feQ/s400/P1020228.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681253797527864946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uFkQ4FqltIc/TtfdM0QjwuI/AAAAAAAABJk/rkQUeIx8j6o/s1600/P1020243.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uFkQ4FqltIc/TtfdM0QjwuI/AAAAAAAABJk/rkQUeIx8j6o/s400/P1020243.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681252667207434978" /></a><br />Loot!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0udb_GTe8U4/TtfdMbVRBSI/AAAAAAAABJY/NsxIwunT8hk/s1600/P1020248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0udb_GTe8U4/TtfdMbVRBSI/AAAAAAAABJY/NsxIwunT8hk/s400/P1020248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681252660516291874" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267445632147665420.post-71905124413160343312011-10-29T08:53:00.000-07:002011-10-29T09:51:17.046-07:00The month that was October<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bO_KyC7NBUw/Tqwtr3_JeTI/AAAAAAAABHE/XbqZWf4d_6c/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bO_KyC7NBUw/Tqwtr3_JeTI/AAAAAAAABHE/XbqZWf4d_6c/s400/IMG_0114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668956262739048754" /></a><br /><br />Is it just me, or what? I mean come on! Elizabeth is 2 1/2 months old. Christmas will be here before we know it. Time is racing at an alarming pace. And it's a pity because this is my favorite time of year and I'd love it to drag out a little bit. Fall colors, sweaters, soup, a chill in the air, wearing slippers around the house, etc. Just a wonderful time of year. <br />We finally broke down and took the boys to CornBelly's at Thanksgiving Point. They've been asking for a couple years now and we just didn't ever do it. We went on a chilly afternoon a couple days ago. Lots of bounce houses, go carts, pumpkins, pig races, a pitch black walk through beast, and to top it all off, the biggest corn maze I've ever been in. We actually didn't even make it through. We got to the second checkpoint to let us know we were on the right path, which took 45 minutes. There was a watch tower to climb so you could get a hint and a peak at the lay of the land. We climbed up and realized we were barely a fraction into the huge maze. And my kids had had it by that point. I thought they'd have more fun in the corn maze, but it was super tricky. Way too many options and dead ends and sneaky loop arounds. They were frustrated and bored. Maybe it's meant for an older crowd. So we made our way back out to the entrance. Too much corn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Lynj1NIUqc/TqwqLejVn5I/AAAAAAAABF4/uuGjdAjEJJ4/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Lynj1NIUqc/TqwqLejVn5I/AAAAAAAABF4/uuGjdAjEJJ4/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668952407620820882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-li_JeU4UMhY/TqwqLIZOIkI/AAAAAAAABFw/EsXjGCNSRrU/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-li_JeU4UMhY/TqwqLIZOIkI/AAAAAAAABFw/EsXjGCNSRrU/s400/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668952401672806978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2J_e4dyfyrw/TqwqLixMRxI/AAAAAAAABGI/vczuqu70l_Y/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2J_e4dyfyrw/TqwqLixMRxI/AAAAAAAABGI/vczuqu70l_Y/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668952408752670482" /></a><br />Do you see the beast laying down in the distance? It's massive! And a completely dark maze you have to find your way out of. You come out near his rear end.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JEh_MoWmlE/TqwpucVVtOI/AAAAAAAABFk/yHtmsvYMupA/s1600/P1020209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JEh_MoWmlE/TqwpucVVtOI/AAAAAAAABFk/yHtmsvYMupA/s400/P1020209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668951908809028834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzdf7eOe4UQ/TqwpY6LLYHI/AAAAAAAABFM/2HdA3p-OCGE/s1600/P1020202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzdf7eOe4UQ/TqwpY6LLYHI/AAAAAAAABFM/2HdA3p-OCGE/s400/P1020202.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668951538862350450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyfC5z7lnd8/TqwpYjoyt0I/AAAAAAAABFA/ILMO-rMthLs/s1600/P1020204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyfC5z7lnd8/TqwpYjoyt0I/AAAAAAAABFA/ILMO-rMthLs/s400/P1020204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668951532812547906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifm-Qe-PNuw/TqwpZUvM5gI/AAAAAAAABFc/S88eVGAiV8I/s1600/P1020198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifm-Qe-PNuw/TqwpZUvM5gI/AAAAAAAABFc/S88eVGAiV8I/s400/P1020198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668951545992766978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOboy_eY64k/TqwogFqW7PI/AAAAAAAABEo/Uekaf5Ht8L8/s1600/P1020208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOboy_eY64k/TqwogFqW7PI/AAAAAAAABEo/Uekaf5Ht8L8/s400/P1020208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668950562693377266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGnZJpnXk1U/TqwogCu4FCI/AAAAAAAABEc/7l6vJIjDw3s/s1600/P1020177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGnZJpnXk1U/TqwogCu4FCI/AAAAAAAABEc/7l6vJIjDw3s/s400/P1020177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668950561907020834" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQOiJyWXZmY/Tqwog-ESpBI/AAAAAAAABE0/DRu6qBGNv9c/s1600/P1020205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQOiJyWXZmY/Tqwog-ESpBI/AAAAAAAABE0/DRu6qBGNv9c/s400/P1020205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668950577834533906" /></a><br />And of course the annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch to select our family pumpkins to be carved. Lots of fun. Isn't fall the best?! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBKWmzoB3mo/TqwnnHdWWWI/AAAAAAAABEE/-S9SLluemI0/s1600/P1020185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBKWmzoB3mo/TqwnnHdWWWI/AAAAAAAABEE/-S9SLluemI0/s400/P1020185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668949583923140962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIP6ht42SaM/TqwnmuupCQI/AAAAAAAABD4/_AIroKSBzpY/s1600/P1020188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIP6ht42SaM/TqwnmuupCQI/AAAAAAAABD4/_AIroKSBzpY/s400/P1020188.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668949577284782338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSwzwdIh860/TqwnnrTBKYI/AAAAAAAABEQ/ShN_Wr3RqTo/s1600/P1020180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSwzwdIh860/TqwnnrTBKYI/AAAAAAAABEQ/ShN_Wr3RqTo/s400/P1020180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668949593543485826" /></a><br /><br />We've also recently hiked the City Creek trail up in SLC with my brother. It's a hidden beautiful little trail that works its way up into the hills above the capitol building. We hit it at the perfect time with the fall colors at their most vibrant. So lovely. The boys brought their scooters because the trail is paved for bikers. They had a great time (going back, downhill anyway).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2S_t3fJUyQ/TqwslOugEgI/AAAAAAAABGs/Qpd7pYo9qsQ/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2S_t3fJUyQ/TqwslOugEgI/AAAAAAAABGs/Qpd7pYo9qsQ/s400/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668955049072529922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7R1kqxgp6s/TqwskXOAhkI/AAAAAAAABGg/7gJaXuX2q7c/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7R1kqxgp6s/TqwskXOAhkI/AAAAAAAABGg/7gJaXuX2q7c/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668955034172294722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypjU4G-NiWQ/Tqwslb3vgmI/AAAAAAAABG8/KXXShHgCl9o/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypjU4G-NiWQ/Tqwslb3vgmI/AAAAAAAABG8/KXXShHgCl9o/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668955052600951394" /></a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05510227149523298228noreply@blogger.com4