tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25934300036679297702024-03-05T01:50:56.522-05:00Hines HappeningsAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.comBlogger241125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-13195886259410961832018-01-11T11:40:00.002-05:002018-01-11T11:40:29.662-05:00Her Mama's Daughter<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">No doubt about it, she's her mama's girl. She received some baking "tools" for Christmas and the other day found a kitchen moved into our family room. Now she's always baking...especially cupcakes. Wonder where she got that from.... I've heard she does the same thing at church. She is, by far, the one who has imitated me the most. It's really quite something to watch sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">She insists on taking many of her baking supplies to and from her bed at nap time and can be heard mixing away while she rests. She rarely sleeps during her afternoon nap. More typically she talks and sings as she resets her attitude. :) Now she can bake, too. She bakes and creates downstairs, too, of course, and one day not long after Christmas as she was working away she declared, "It's baking day!" We think she got this from one of the Little House books that she loves to read so much (young child versions of the Little House in the Big Woods, etc with beautiful pictures). In one of them, Ma has a "baking day." I also have "baking days", but we think it's more likely she pulled this idea from the book.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One thing that cracks us all up on a daily basis is that she refers to her collection of things that travel to her bed as her "thing stuff." Not her "things," not her "stuff," but always her "thing stuff." We can't help but laugh.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohD6iC7hEUVtIhKpxkf75vGcbwyluiDan1Lc8kj7ecNL4S9DWfrRjDsy4S264owU5srtAutOifDlpiwmaQ8QfQXWdSiILP9NU3Ki-laVQYtK6mU8sBX-fdt2TGdifsjXzG5Cc0N-9U8Bb/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohD6iC7hEUVtIhKpxkf75vGcbwyluiDan1Lc8kj7ecNL4S9DWfrRjDsy4S264owU5srtAutOifDlpiwmaQ8QfQXWdSiILP9NU3Ki-laVQYtK6mU8sBX-fdt2TGdifsjXzG5Cc0N-9U8Bb/s320/DSC_0122.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
P.S. Her hair is not usually quite so curly. She woke up in dire need of a bath today and that hair is what happened!</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-59356122767753680472017-12-24T13:31:00.000-05:002018-01-02T14:44:48.752-05:00Cookies and GingerbreadWe have several Christmas traditions revolving around cookies and gingerbread. This year December 18 was baking day. The boys got right in there with me rolling and cutting pieces for their gingerbread houses and cookies to decorate. Maybe next year I'll turn them loose to do it by themselves!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqZjSoTjbmSO3fQUggr1Yb9-cyv8gNqjo5hj6YCI5QF7e-ZVJ1Zw9jQjfamEkPz85nMXdwEg2GkM1sDD-QMw4r5hbd2qfu27PRo3iApXYR8LWTz73qpPvyENpYZR55GMhKd4gDizZQvgu/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqZjSoTjbmSO3fQUggr1Yb9-cyv8gNqjo5hj6YCI5QF7e-ZVJ1Zw9jQjfamEkPz85nMXdwEg2GkM1sDD-QMw4r5hbd2qfu27PRo3iApXYR8LWTz73qpPvyENpYZR55GMhKd4gDizZQvgu/s400/DSC_0093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CBvbqGf6bUu8WICCTl42HYBzNkJsW8rPjeRIQfLbAtV7vLdCYlmDYOP77SjXqm0QX-5WCVbGpVpiImoulEXYIKq856OV58Zyt6l2eJ_xYOk6xgRDxc5OJEkHBcgrofVDdmYwSDpqu2j7/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CBvbqGf6bUu8WICCTl42HYBzNkJsW8rPjeRIQfLbAtV7vLdCYlmDYOP77SjXqm0QX-5WCVbGpVpiImoulEXYIKq856OV58Zyt6l2eJ_xYOk6xgRDxc5OJEkHBcgrofVDdmYwSDpqu2j7/s400/DSC_0094.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTi7BWmb_GXXdPfjDKu9sySIv9cwS11A-l4rbrsHH3ayMk7IzlryejgU7LiKAtWsMUpsvzCvnH_iP9iKzwg7w-KZK8yFQZAy76IBvjBcBgxsiKZLZBbdD549g7fX_n-F2YFCPzUnwb8du/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTi7BWmb_GXXdPfjDKu9sySIv9cwS11A-l4rbrsHH3ayMk7IzlryejgU7LiKAtWsMUpsvzCvnH_iP9iKzwg7w-KZK8yFQZAy76IBvjBcBgxsiKZLZBbdD549g7fX_n-F2YFCPzUnwb8du/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
Next on the agenda was our annual trip to the Reston Town Center Hyatt to see the Gingerbread Display. Eliana wasn't too impressed, but she did really enjoy her after-viewing Panera pastries!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq0_li08sqisBCSIbzff_GeiMPV5Xw9DJGsH0HC_HxQLRAX83wX76AXtnENLCNg_Ozmb9iqDt-chSmYPp2gdOpcPhRaVavIyH5hUHKenDAiYIiPR-c0lfJEPQkurlOHy3Gm9nR4_I11aI/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq0_li08sqisBCSIbzff_GeiMPV5Xw9DJGsH0HC_HxQLRAX83wX76AXtnENLCNg_Ozmb9iqDt-chSmYPp2gdOpcPhRaVavIyH5hUHKenDAiYIiPR-c0lfJEPQkurlOHy3Gm9nR4_I11aI/s400/DSC_0099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTuWMUoFTrtSuURiJ4ZMkCz0SPeuBvNc_W-bIu-surHy6-mz76cMChba0DcG6Z9tH6j2fGKNCv_8K4GhvKiSxsbuInDIruF6V7UuAOY6JiJKLLt0BmBNwPs4261iA3ijsDVoHRhH7EDVo/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1059" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTuWMUoFTrtSuURiJ4ZMkCz0SPeuBvNc_W-bIu-surHy6-mz76cMChba0DcG6Z9tH6j2fGKNCv_8K4GhvKiSxsbuInDIruF6V7UuAOY6JiJKLLt0BmBNwPs4261iA3ijsDVoHRhH7EDVo/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also hosted my annual girls Cookie Exchange this same week. The flu and other mishaps reduced our numbers to 7, but we had a great time anyway! And I love my new "team captain" shirt!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStW2IUrf1wI3Aelu7jV-WdvSUWadDyPw7qheXacAVy9S1plxqGHbgtA00vNVZaKKXEzyFMipVA0lFFK5QDMsEfeq-aUsTppQA0VZ6mxwWJ6tfzmVbdwzCsux2ViL1k1fLz-OPrNLdds84/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStW2IUrf1wI3Aelu7jV-WdvSUWadDyPw7qheXacAVy9S1plxqGHbgtA00vNVZaKKXEzyFMipVA0lFFK5QDMsEfeq-aUsTppQA0VZ6mxwWJ6tfzmVbdwzCsux2ViL1k1fLz-OPrNLdds84/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Wednesday we took on the houses. The boys had a blast. And so did Eliana when she showed up after nap time and discovered the tasty scraps. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzc-WkpN8A9eUhawKJOsNXPSkDlie4ynfeqL95WiJ6T40U2BkeTjYTsNKlSiH08sIwTmBhPOnOUeL0ueafY9_Hw_kD5p2cw_9QcIZw9kEX8coKLlmV1auM_D6DwpNxyvSD19z9K5rz44n/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzc-WkpN8A9eUhawKJOsNXPSkDlie4ynfeqL95WiJ6T40U2BkeTjYTsNKlSiH08sIwTmBhPOnOUeL0ueafY9_Hw_kD5p2cw_9QcIZw9kEX8coKLlmV1auM_D6DwpNxyvSD19z9K5rz44n/s400/DSC_0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugnhj4FIM91oL-_LryMh7lKo7YBmtL77mPQw61glBiaDIzR5tXsGR-h75B_1U1pD1MttaEGQQRBLFvAd2ZRrZhqPiFIfb0cZ22j-l3FkEL84trYNGcGmDS64XQNuDXPXkMW_SIK729Nl3/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugnhj4FIM91oL-_LryMh7lKo7YBmtL77mPQw61glBiaDIzR5tXsGR-h75B_1U1pD1MttaEGQQRBLFvAd2ZRrZhqPiFIfb0cZ22j-l3FkEL84trYNGcGmDS64XQNuDXPXkMW_SIK729Nl3/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The last cookie activity waited until family arrived - the decorating. This was the first time in my life I ever saw my dad decorate a cookie!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWvoI2mtuVSml5diigyXCuoqkQmGrVQy_j9ozVRdX5NdQAsSCP_16pfSMoZiVsKZ0rfgs27bfk0ae3fWxTxLNK0hyphenhyphen-Fc0astcetn_OeU5P-hiBYPbbaQOUHpRb2Yx4SIUmlcy6IXpzhC8/s1600/DSC_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWvoI2mtuVSml5diigyXCuoqkQmGrVQy_j9ozVRdX5NdQAsSCP_16pfSMoZiVsKZ0rfgs27bfk0ae3fWxTxLNK0hyphenhyphen-Fc0astcetn_OeU5P-hiBYPbbaQOUHpRb2Yx4SIUmlcy6IXpzhC8/s400/DSC_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Works of art. So fun and sooooo yummy!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC1zboXQoszzs_EoMKFS_r5I1esHaFS4sXAUpdSXfoV8_uoKSoVLck8aBDjKQQ-msBJNEzIZNM9zrJ38kaEevmK2GJCRcwBMlREtCh0gzbtGE125vifsPJbkHWXv8VZqwMQAsTirlVZQk/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC1zboXQoszzs_EoMKFS_r5I1esHaFS4sXAUpdSXfoV8_uoKSoVLck8aBDjKQQ-msBJNEzIZNM9zrJ38kaEevmK2GJCRcwBMlREtCh0gzbtGE125vifsPJbkHWXv8VZqwMQAsTirlVZQk/s400/DSC_0189.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 24th I spent most of the day (after church) in the kitchen. So much cooking to do, but so much more fun when wearing a Santa apron. :) Merry Christmas!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjVg-oC4aDnlHScp5chJ7AxQZomhHCjZ11sWYl5CTFBQfuGLcrx3ZSaSqJbrHC29w48XUsu-_zg0a7uRS9yI92HtDX4OQNPCym11LZR8aaOAMCJz85KJqI5M4I-sRs506-qc5vfmTdahR/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjVg-oC4aDnlHScp5chJ7AxQZomhHCjZ11sWYl5CTFBQfuGLcrx3ZSaSqJbrHC29w48XUsu-_zg0a7uRS9yI92HtDX4OQNPCym11LZR8aaOAMCJz85KJqI5M4I-sRs506-qc5vfmTdahR/s400/DSC_0210.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-80965265133170160732017-12-07T13:34:00.000-05:002018-01-02T13:34:49.989-05:00Our Little Lemon<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm updating because I know many of you want to know...as of this morning we still have a heartbeat! 14 weeks yesterday. Thank you for your continued prayers and messages. I have been so on-edge for the last few weeks and as a result have been checking on baby every week. I am trying to stay hopeful and at this point have good reason to be, but I have just had the hardest time relaxing. My latest </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">loss (which happened in 2007) was at about 15 weeks, so I don't feel all the way out of the woods just yet. And I'm really thankful for a practice that lets me call them up and say "I need a heartbeat check today!!" <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><3 span=""></3></span> <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><3 span=""></3></span><br /><br />And yes, I am still exhausted all the time and terribly nauseated, although my food aversions seem to be lifting a bit.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqrqIbcwBi48gx1UfpUKPkq_BIw4sn8kSlMMBVkLdU_Z6hzy5obTn2UnJiUs-vA5llqQwlangHCVpbPlUPH_G3xbYulKFJcEHBA4h-8VyKwiiZ7kTPnM8BJkf9zIO0Wr-FCBBgZkmfUfy/s1600/Week-14-Fetal-Comparison-Baby-Size-Pregnancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="575" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqrqIbcwBi48gx1UfpUKPkq_BIw4sn8kSlMMBVkLdU_Z6hzy5obTn2UnJiUs-vA5llqQwlangHCVpbPlUPH_G3xbYulKFJcEHBA4h-8VyKwiiZ7kTPnM8BJkf9zIO0Wr-FCBBgZkmfUfy/s320/Week-14-Fetal-Comparison-Baby-Size-Pregnancy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-69903518265370136262017-12-05T13:42:00.000-05:002018-01-03T16:17:53.538-05:00Geography Nuts<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Yesterday Caleb and Joshua competed in the LoCo Homeschooler National Geographic Bee and finished 1st and 2nd. We celebrate with a cookie cake since yesterday was National Cookie Day. </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="_ezo" id="u_fetchstream_92_3" style="background-color: white; color: #f1765e; cursor: pointer; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">Congrats</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> boys! Caleb will take the State Bee qualifying exam in January. The top 100 finishers for the state will go on to participate in the State level of the Geo Bee in early April in Farmville, VA!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfC9383tbJA9DbXdwxIuGahxmDfWfmxou_pLxM23ZLLPYz4Iz-3jOPUhqNlpelF0mvSa4k0ce6n9ebrUxWK8lpSX3kyrGsrNuJ1s0woRhio8ntIiCqns_OhTJGg-UpUNoKvdRdeiCO_D1/s1600/12-4-17+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfC9383tbJA9DbXdwxIuGahxmDfWfmxou_pLxM23ZLLPYz4Iz-3jOPUhqNlpelF0mvSa4k0ce6n9ebrUxWK8lpSX3kyrGsrNuJ1s0woRhio8ntIiCqns_OhTJGg-UpUNoKvdRdeiCO_D1/s320/12-4-17+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sLN813kcKZ86bFJOW0i2ZAyzLUNRRsp1SekI31qzvEXmd0MxBgGrVFdayQc93_px1WZCu2ZbJS4UAZu1zWqSaGXOalxnNKwKvpDuSCbmnyEDUYc3yjwP7RtFN9B0302zUR70rSgJsGO5/s1600/12-4-17+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sLN813kcKZ86bFJOW0i2ZAyzLUNRRsp1SekI31qzvEXmd0MxBgGrVFdayQc93_px1WZCu2ZbJS4UAZu1zWqSaGXOalxnNKwKvpDuSCbmnyEDUYc3yjwP7RtFN9B0302zUR70rSgJsGO5/s320/12-4-17+%252810%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-61006290808560151132017-12-04T13:19:00.000-05:002018-01-02T13:19:18.839-05:00Really Joshua?<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Yes, folks, this is twice in 8 months... Broken elbow this time. Well, at least I can't fault him for the way he's handling it. Cheerfully! 2017 shall be known as "The Year of the Broken Bones" since I broke a bone this year as well. </span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f4b/1.5/16/1f615.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😕I have</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnXfgOejOmK55Y4Vu4oYC7DkEOoVTD2tyl6tssm-lHAXCCtlf10KA-AQ7vTVoERx6TVKztuZWclfZg88h3f0eBcOPgpbB9pZLMds665gFHivhUiufTZUrGrcf2Bz7llJWvqf4djc60wl2/s1600/IMG_20171204_101629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnXfgOejOmK55Y4Vu4oYC7DkEOoVTD2tyl6tssm-lHAXCCtlf10KA-AQ7vTVoERx6TVKztuZWclfZg88h3f0eBcOPgpbB9pZLMds665gFHivhUiufTZUrGrcf2Bz7llJWvqf4djc60wl2/s320/IMG_20171204_101629.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><br /></span></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-27249156171737401472017-11-27T12:04:00.000-05:002018-01-02T12:05:54.866-05:0013 Weeks!<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I can hardly believe it...but I'm almost 13 weeks. I still don't feel relaxed and confident about this baby making it because I lost two after this point, but I continue to trust that no matter how it goes, God's got it. But of course it was certainly a huge relief to hear and see Pumpkin again today! </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><3 span=""></3></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/stillbeating" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;">#stillbeating</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnbShy_8m3UTxGJX7w0eQ12xSXyalBiZO-P7YD0yJhGsypXlGqsmBOtfv628qSnSL-SiRCW4sFXLJeMXo5dk1uHAccyEwUz49u49a8ZWBy96j_Bv1NoyDge2WgLsUKECD-PKDkI8KTV7Y/s1600/11-23-17+%2528107%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnbShy_8m3UTxGJX7w0eQ12xSXyalBiZO-P7YD0yJhGsypXlGqsmBOtfv628qSnSL-SiRCW4sFXLJeMXo5dk1uHAccyEwUz49u49a8ZWBy96j_Bv1NoyDge2WgLsUKECD-PKDkI8KTV7Y/s320/11-23-17+%2528107%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-89363567180629066072017-11-14T12:06:00.000-05:002018-01-02T14:41:34.144-05:00Birthday Boys<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We don't usually have actual birthday parties. I think Philip's last party was 10 years ago when we did a joint party with Caleb. We had over 50 people there! I just wasn't up for that this year, so we had a smaller group, but we celebrated nonetheless. Philip</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">actually requested a rather specific cake to reflect his favorite active hobby. It wasn't perfect, but it made him happy. And Eliana liked it. "Wow! Man!" she said. </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span><br />
<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4OlRrelJyz4hzNJGCTQDPMkWep4ByoM6xt8E_p-3f1BCxR-LwLMQHJLSn_mg_5GCFELYkClOa4-Q35QnIRgaUVTNPDvgf7e8S_8qo0q6KHWEwpgBJZ2ynnRNHQcFzkR_8m_n68CTIGoz/s1600/11-5-17+Birthday+party+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4OlRrelJyz4hzNJGCTQDPMkWep4ByoM6xt8E_p-3f1BCxR-LwLMQHJLSn_mg_5GCFELYkClOa4-Q35QnIRgaUVTNPDvgf7e8S_8qo0q6KHWEwpgBJZ2ynnRNHQcFzkR_8m_n68CTIGoz/s320/11-5-17+Birthday+party+%252814%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
Caleb also had a birthday this month. Can you believe he's 14?! I can't! His love for the Seattle Seahawks continues, so his cake was on theme. His growth spurt hasn't hit yet, so I've still got him beat by about 1.5"....I don't expect to be able to say that next year!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFMWSO-tkCZD7rUZem3Uq-pNXxGcsrzt_5_Zcv_RlbvwSgAGRBrTuMi9o8nLzPim4wGGMfPqtLDaGW3AFGgVoIUV7dHd6NPQc3rFcjqRT_FjgcvrJct-3wRKfQFfS4pLHNH59KsnoQ8uv/s1600/11-12-17+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFMWSO-tkCZD7rUZem3Uq-pNXxGcsrzt_5_Zcv_RlbvwSgAGRBrTuMi9o8nLzPim4wGGMfPqtLDaGW3AFGgVoIUV7dHd6NPQc3rFcjqRT_FjgcvrJct-3wRKfQFfS4pLHNH59KsnoQ8uv/s320/11-12-17+%25281%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGUC-F576Hvm012RlrHBIzTc2BFi8GO2bf-568_xcVY42OKKgINhaeehImIzWJlcgsWSkNCVDjN0nwpNZCHkyYJb3RE2dsUlJp-UJyTClDH2Ir6OLpCZcBW4nZw-Y4_K0UFYfC-IVSO3d/s1600/11-19-17+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGUC-F576Hvm012RlrHBIzTc2BFi8GO2bf-568_xcVY42OKKgINhaeehImIzWJlcgsWSkNCVDjN0nwpNZCHkyYJb3RE2dsUlJp-UJyTClDH2Ir6OLpCZcBW4nZw-Y4_K0UFYfC-IVSO3d/s320/11-19-17+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-39924701640976987932017-11-13T13:14:00.000-05:002018-01-02T13:15:23.776-05:00Still Beating...<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;">To my total surprise, Pumpkin's heart is still beating. I honestly went into today's appointment ready and expecting to hear them say, "there's no heartbeat. I'm sorry." On the way to the appointment the Mercy Me song "Even If" was playing and truly, truly that is the attitude of my heart. "I know You're able and I know You can...but even if You don't, I trust in You alone..." Whatever happens, God's got this and I trust His choice. But I'm so thankful and relieved that today we had a bouncing little baby.<br /><br />I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow. I'm past the point of three of my losses. Two happened over the next week, so keep the prayers coming. <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><3 span=""></3></span><br /><br /><a data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DB6fA35Ved-Y&h=ATOQj2Hz987Yhf0mdZqJKzIggW5nzsmX9osAjiV-t5EufLhynyknVHxIMLpl_RFcOQ7HRs3xwlulfnpbge_jT845JOv72nDoLfq55GQmRnae6fZhKIIF2Y_qwWideYHOD-Ow33GRN5Va5Mag1eKAI2Smc45_ZU47doZJss4MA_TcdurmmTdqvllcgZCNzN97Bs2DnmLtyS5aIj6k7gYpYwxHudO89hIv03euF9r6BCp2" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #365899; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">https://www.youtube.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit;"></span>watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y</a></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ9-Vqpm9pyB32ctbfttIZyHtsmVmnYzJTVWoBqta_2sSPLk-QrGutcNLrQA1F52XmbIR2zh-0htfjDip7KEI0QkTX0mpZX5oVm6rmLZlYEBJboVMzlpTk5djj63fr9AZHgeQiC5lTR_A/s1600/11-12-17+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ9-Vqpm9pyB32ctbfttIZyHtsmVmnYzJTVWoBqta_2sSPLk-QrGutcNLrQA1F52XmbIR2zh-0htfjDip7KEI0QkTX0mpZX5oVm6rmLZlYEBJboVMzlpTk5djj63fr9AZHgeQiC5lTR_A/s320/11-12-17+%252816%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div id="fbPhotoSnowliftCTMButton" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-top: 16.35px; width: 310.837px;">
</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-58161993873982208762017-11-01T13:11:00.000-04:002018-01-02T13:13:22.986-05:00Halloween and Pumpkins!Halloween was fun for the boys who once again created their own costumes. This year we had a backpacker, a world map and Santa. Santa was a bit of a surprise for those opening the door.... HAHA!<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6HXR6SMluakT0Y1L8iy7zEOsWZwATMwtR3QpJlkBRovrZpNqExZekGStRCxdViMNyiQDdCixcQSMVRjOPHBQLDeIXolcomKwod99myMgfT3zcfzlFx2ln0Cbe3knVC0TagFqIfXt74I0/s1600/10-31-17+Halloween+costumes+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6HXR6SMluakT0Y1L8iy7zEOsWZwATMwtR3QpJlkBRovrZpNqExZekGStRCxdViMNyiQDdCixcQSMVRjOPHBQLDeIXolcomKwod99myMgfT3zcfzlFx2ln0Cbe3knVC0TagFqIfXt74I0/s320/10-31-17+Halloween+costumes+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hope you're not "pumpkined out" yet because here's one more picture.<br /><br />In all seriousness, announcing now at 9 weeks because I've now entered the 2.5 week period when most of my babies have died and I'd appreciate your prayers. Ultrasound yesterday showed a beating heart, but all except one of my babies made it to yesterday's weeks. For those who have lost count, I've lost 6.<br /><br />Hoping to welcome our "Pumpkin" in early June, but we trust that whatever God wills will be best.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcV1_kYMz-ohOGFz6XJDvXmN43teyVKvLwwPYOIxLlpoDYw8RCrOI9SvR7XYzexSunQSi6VMzQSwpFE47J2W5tg8PptaDkH6f3S23kDhcYvEZ-SvlCVE9bhn9YmYwVqeMlOTX_8QISRUV/s1600/10-31-17+Pumpkins+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcV1_kYMz-ohOGFz6XJDvXmN43teyVKvLwwPYOIxLlpoDYw8RCrOI9SvR7XYzexSunQSi6VMzQSwpFE47J2W5tg8PptaDkH6f3S23kDhcYvEZ-SvlCVE9bhn9YmYwVqeMlOTX_8QISRUV/s320/10-31-17+Pumpkins+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-81532183070696885232017-10-26T14:16:00.000-04:002018-01-02T14:41:00.006-05:00A Surprise Trip to Seattle!In October we received news that Philip's Grandma had passed away. We had known she was failing, but the news is always a bit of a surprise when it comes. We had planned for Philip alone to attend the services, but a door unexpectedly opened for the whole family to be able to go and so, on 36 hours notice, we planned a 10 day trip to the Seattle area. I was really nervous about traveling with Eliana, especially since our flights both ways included layovers, but it went much more smoothly than I anticipated. Traveling with that many people does take a lot of bags, though!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vVvXQejDpY_WoTleI0UjFBlN9ejPbqEleSWpB5_327J7CxzAEe5_jYyc77wNo2FdaT79IatH_hL9H-Zeo6vwx6QMAvMSR6tQwqjXI7NUZBK3O6YlbT7uZCTtC_5bobVjDDYe_qLqggHx/s1600/IMG_20171014_092229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vVvXQejDpY_WoTleI0UjFBlN9ejPbqEleSWpB5_327J7CxzAEe5_jYyc77wNo2FdaT79IatH_hL9H-Zeo6vwx6QMAvMSR6tQwqjXI7NUZBK3O6YlbT7uZCTtC_5bobVjDDYe_qLqggHx/s320/IMG_20171014_092229.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Philip's Grandma passed right before her birthday, so we went ahead and celebrated anyway! Her first birthday in Heaven.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbLpNSAAr66B_oZ6BeVHhLfcTSEUgLpVAEoSTXIt6wV3G9uNEY2BwMMKdIn3EGbpELfeQgt3kh5vEho0ubOWPGGRxNKMYN-5IaTIlhJvtocXmWPCecrWfwjh2nfgDUWzeTqwg-bSfS7Ui/s1600/10-15-17+GG+Birthday+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbLpNSAAr66B_oZ6BeVHhLfcTSEUgLpVAEoSTXIt6wV3G9uNEY2BwMMKdIn3EGbpELfeQgt3kh5vEho0ubOWPGGRxNKMYN-5IaTIlhJvtocXmWPCecrWfwjh2nfgDUWzeTqwg-bSfS7Ui/s320/10-15-17+GG+Birthday+cake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One cold morning we visited the Tacoma waterfront near where Philip grew up. So pretty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYLlJWeVEwU8u5VtMKY4xrFDi0ziBBOxzbkxTG8rl-I5hUvdux7oXOW5HrJzGKNeUEKcEQqY7cQCNUCqF8O6pVQMHGfSeQRiJS0CisB9CD_BOosNvwifqUcmScxyBMWeSf3RClCDXr0MN/s1600/10-16-17+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYLlJWeVEwU8u5VtMKY4xrFDi0ziBBOxzbkxTG8rl-I5hUvdux7oXOW5HrJzGKNeUEKcEQqY7cQCNUCqF8O6pVQMHGfSeQRiJS0CisB9CD_BOosNvwifqUcmScxyBMWeSf3RClCDXr0MN/s320/10-16-17+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Grandma's memorial service was beautiful and full of stories of people whose lives she had touched by her selfless service and love of others. Both she and Grandpa were life-changers for many.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdeVVl0x0GgNrkkuwQ8pMzq9mSWwhbYwe1jpeVKZHMTbVlKi-0vzthzIk5JBarVN8rageXOgJ2cRgwWrRNcLdc6eOpq-5-n8qUop90p3Azz16GwnbsUM6hRzT_0d5dnEx1sW5iWjH-b3P/s1600/10-16-17+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdeVVl0x0GgNrkkuwQ8pMzq9mSWwhbYwe1jpeVKZHMTbVlKi-0vzthzIk5JBarVN8rageXOgJ2cRgwWrRNcLdc6eOpq-5-n8qUop90p3Azz16GwnbsUM6hRzT_0d5dnEx1sW5iWjH-b3P/s320/10-16-17+%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The four cousins - not often together anymore!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISPFnNFbe44EXQLK-uPiuwwY3DAATRVODpPi3l8VoQGeJNkCKUqfk-tncAqtakL4i5cJrbvwN6fzKufzNLIwy69jTZ5C8fCp7P9w97tzCv9_Jd_jWGVdTyRrIg5greF_ZMglZ1n41Sdjj/s1600/10-16-17+%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISPFnNFbe44EXQLK-uPiuwwY3DAATRVODpPi3l8VoQGeJNkCKUqfk-tncAqtakL4i5cJrbvwN6fzKufzNLIwy69jTZ5C8fCp7P9w97tzCv9_Jd_jWGVdTyRrIg5greF_ZMglZ1n41Sdjj/s320/10-16-17+%252827%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the second cousins except Eliana, who was totally uncooperative!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD2OBJrucPhn2551fwYIvFzx32lYTvC9wsQReV5fIWFNWvDIHUT7_j2IIPR59hZa8mxtjBZymIfFcjp8oxiPLYncpJkL4B_aDpT_n1Ps_Do0ViE5vu3NzvqBdsWRqr5TNj9tltGc1EXoy/s1600/10-16-17+Cousins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD2OBJrucPhn2551fwYIvFzx32lYTvC9wsQReV5fIWFNWvDIHUT7_j2IIPR59hZa8mxtjBZymIfFcjp8oxiPLYncpJkL4B_aDpT_n1Ps_Do0ViE5vu3NzvqBdsWRqr5TNj9tltGc1EXoy/s320/10-16-17+Cousins.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And the whole family. This is the only occasion we had all been together. It was really special to have parts of several day to just be together and get to know each other more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oTtDSVU2jI0JvkCJZCTShF07yxFEKmMzJTTxVKtvyaQL_CsalmXGeuxt0oxqNvXbJ6LgS7Kka4Nj8FosN4_1lD8co_DoMLhG-n_BDFMPgfD9IBqiznJDQk3BwEb8B6nvpFX8Imt3Au92/s1600/10-16-17+Whole+Clan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oTtDSVU2jI0JvkCJZCTShF07yxFEKmMzJTTxVKtvyaQL_CsalmXGeuxt0oxqNvXbJ6LgS7Kka4Nj8FosN4_1lD8co_DoMLhG-n_BDFMPgfD9IBqiznJDQk3BwEb8B6nvpFX8Imt3Au92/s320/10-16-17+Whole+Clan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The burial took place in the rain, typical Seattle weather, but we are grateful to know that the Son is always shining where Grandma is forever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUbhZO7JnFd6Xn7m5_4LPMjGc69rPwXftZn3Uo1YXt0dw7zrABpLFK5IYhrJIfl_90FH62xUm2HfzEwxE5LOMsYCrihbVox9ERNzDUGf6UP3dbTm57tiqC0qkAsXFdGI9BabEZEKXrkpG/s1600/10-18-17+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUbhZO7JnFd6Xn7m5_4LPMjGc69rPwXftZn3Uo1YXt0dw7zrABpLFK5IYhrJIfl_90FH62xUm2HfzEwxE5LOMsYCrihbVox9ERNzDUGf6UP3dbTm57tiqC0qkAsXFdGI9BabEZEKXrkpG/s320/10-18-17+%252813%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since we stayed in the area for over a week, we were able to do some "touristy things." Here's Eliana checking out the sea urchins at the Seattle Aquarium.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUO9t30eoIWb1UdG8sYWeaOT-cLn6Vl6tjryng_nfcSLbJ3YgcbYsRSKNkYSvhIq7NmU32fDDghUdNqze0ocAFu-BDILUcMq4478Tzbof4a_g7d8IcA2an6c9zsvLSosYIU2LIUBpvfXW/s1600/10-17-17+Seattle+Aquarium+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUO9t30eoIWb1UdG8sYWeaOT-cLn6Vl6tjryng_nfcSLbJ3YgcbYsRSKNkYSvhIq7NmU32fDDghUdNqze0ocAFu-BDILUcMq4478Tzbof4a_g7d8IcA2an6c9zsvLSosYIU2LIUBpvfXW/s320/10-17-17+Seattle+Aquarium+%252821%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Philip and the boys took on Mt. Rainier it's all it's cold, snowy glory!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrlJDrk6tk4m5DPQyrjfKrUs3Cw8pttccOFUO3-axG-0pafX3SgYa8fBhdUfACcSxeFSHJpRPwiflQ_77q8Ge8scpANEuB9_aSgICpD_E9a1jXUqSmJFr6mjgxPBPsDPrVElo8a4az7mT/s1600/10-18-17+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrlJDrk6tk4m5DPQyrjfKrUs3Cw8pttccOFUO3-axG-0pafX3SgYa8fBhdUfACcSxeFSHJpRPwiflQ_77q8Ge8scpANEuB9_aSgICpD_E9a1jXUqSmJFr6mjgxPBPsDPrVElo8a4az7mT/s320/10-18-17+%252822%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHH3nnp3S8NBu0smkyScptK0-i7Imq5_16CH6jL-6LYlpiCr21_0OkdtLc5E3f4PurqjokEfwL8lL8lxUU2IBvLF4ofHwPVWhxH-HzK0K2kPyPch0ZynYzwJfD9hFzKHMK7pJ_irQttMcO/s1600/IMG_20171017_143439831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHH3nnp3S8NBu0smkyScptK0-i7Imq5_16CH6jL-6LYlpiCr21_0OkdtLc5E3f4PurqjokEfwL8lL8lxUU2IBvLF4ofHwPVWhxH-HzK0K2kPyPch0ZynYzwJfD9hFzKHMK7pJ_irQttMcO/s320/IMG_20171017_143439831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We visited Point Defiance Zoo. Best thing about it - multiple indoor exhibits since it was cool and rainy outside. Eliana especially loved the monkeys!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3kjBeHZVEwJqD8JQz_X3GV6qOzTKZAplcD9ECLghGjd_tvOIHltsEeP4MS6LzovCy9y47ohKH5OA-5CfNaymjOf7yYANfPzBZe5YqjOn0RZBQRIPgj7O3YPIbwgyKpYa1aTJNydzCuLR/s1600/10-19-17+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3kjBeHZVEwJqD8JQz_X3GV6qOzTKZAplcD9ECLghGjd_tvOIHltsEeP4MS6LzovCy9y47ohKH5OA-5CfNaymjOf7yYANfPzBZe5YqjOn0RZBQRIPgj7O3YPIbwgyKpYa1aTJNydzCuLR/s320/10-19-17+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another day we hit Seattle, visiting the Pike Place Market, Seattle Pacific (where it all began one fateful weekend!), Sunny Teriyaki (I LOVE teriyaki and cannot understand why we don't have it NOVA. I was determined to introduce the boys to it and now they understand why!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3Wd2Vl-9wUuSFL2dWou5HMPobzrzMq4NOAHPniL5IlsiZxfvr99hiKUJ0rTORmiP_enJUg3V9vI3_sATFJ4fRF-wO72DePdH2QYsK141AtxH_6AtTWqosBC8OWn24NlHHINcytuHdyp5/s1600/IMG_20171021_135604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3Wd2Vl-9wUuSFL2dWou5HMPobzrzMq4NOAHPniL5IlsiZxfvr99hiKUJ0rTORmiP_enJUg3V9vI3_sATFJ4fRF-wO72DePdH2QYsK141AtxH_6AtTWqosBC8OWn24NlHHINcytuHdyp5/s320/IMG_20171021_135604.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Nothing like visiting the Locks in the rain. It was still pretty neat to see and a place I'd never been.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIAK0PthBp6wrJhR22P-VZ-TMcCbH9tnXembcsmcMNo7v0ikUqEPmDEhpAqDCiGaQ8ZWhbV8BXsqvyHKwXKBzHcmD0cJLxTOC31aNzSlik5i4st1_yLPlHMSbTuH_T0GXmePu4OQSsBzc/s1600/10-21-17+Ballard+Locks+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIAK0PthBp6wrJhR22P-VZ-TMcCbH9tnXembcsmcMNo7v0ikUqEPmDEhpAqDCiGaQ8ZWhbV8BXsqvyHKwXKBzHcmD0cJLxTOC31aNzSlik5i4st1_yLPlHMSbTuH_T0GXmePu4OQSsBzc/s320/10-21-17+Ballard+Locks+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Our dear friends hosted us the entire visit. Laura and I have been sharing life since 1995 and are an invaluable part of us. Visiting with her was a huge bright spot in my fall!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgcWScoKZQBsF2DkMvkI5snvHaDLQE204XSNzGXMU8X5T4rYVeSDwBPRE5GBVZ426qSh6EOn_AH-NKFhX1ADKadEvyIdPdt1aIo5JdnLVglg8Izrsb4ZWeKbIAsOBX8-ev4XZKLhxb8Nd/s1600/10-22-17+Angela+and+Laura.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1115" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgcWScoKZQBsF2DkMvkI5snvHaDLQE204XSNzGXMU8X5T4rYVeSDwBPRE5GBVZ426qSh6EOn_AH-NKFhX1ADKadEvyIdPdt1aIo5JdnLVglg8Izrsb4ZWeKbIAsOBX8-ev4XZKLhxb8Nd/s320/10-22-17+Angela+and+Laura.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
Between us, eight kiddos. They had a blast together. Not pictured are their two cats who Eliana couldn't get enough of!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifxf0NwuwVvGoaL4bpFerUZXaDrf28nJ6mSmy801TdSOYA2oTaNSQkUUQUP_1byH6q4ffywdv7nqKQZU7VKM8oOstE2zz818lFct6POzYR0KJM6QBlzPH0xaEeYboim3FpKKoNebqY7yt/s1600/10-22-17+Pacific+Science+Center+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifxf0NwuwVvGoaL4bpFerUZXaDrf28nJ6mSmy801TdSOYA2oTaNSQkUUQUP_1byH6q4ffywdv7nqKQZU7VKM8oOstE2zz818lFct6POzYR0KJM6QBlzPH0xaEeYboim3FpKKoNebqY7yt/s320/10-22-17+Pacific+Science+Center+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The iconic Space Needle. We didn't go up it, but did visit the Pacific Science Center, which sits right beneath it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS2qHczJSjnmUPKYYi5Q28FHjCcvDGd_X2MrE9m2TgpXejK1aNuZKu0VMea7OrYDYbGgg8sKqjq3NXKIaFfqVM_REnBb7kCl4G_UamzCmtKbo_OI-POINo5PR75MuwEgTTOnpyFrmN2B5/s1600/10-22-17+Pacific+Science+Center+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS2qHczJSjnmUPKYYi5Q28FHjCcvDGd_X2MrE9m2TgpXejK1aNuZKu0VMea7OrYDYbGgg8sKqjq3NXKIaFfqVM_REnBb7kCl4G_UamzCmtKbo_OI-POINo5PR75MuwEgTTOnpyFrmN2B5/s320/10-22-17+Pacific+Science+Center+%25286%2529.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our last day, we tried to go to Mt. St. Helens, but a mudslide closed a road (unbeknownst to us until we tried to take it!) and we wound up rerouting to Mt. Rainier. The hike was a little more than I had personally planned on due to the snow and slippery trail conditions, but we survived it...and some people enjoyed it. Here we are at the top of the trial at Van Trump Park. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4HuyZHi32bVUN6JTRqJlXjx51x1blDhp8Ggm_g94AkjBRT5lRglq2Y9325v_YT1ytWAH_zkZc5b6o8psj7ecCGVMDPRwQAWlqfx5TmJKgCUSxPG-0svb6lquHs7vSJz-DTP-AQ9kuLaz/s1600/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4HuyZHi32bVUN6JTRqJlXjx51x1blDhp8Ggm_g94AkjBRT5lRglq2Y9325v_YT1ytWAH_zkZc5b6o8psj7ecCGVMDPRwQAWlqfx5TmJKgCUSxPG-0svb6lquHs7vSJz-DTP-AQ9kuLaz/s320/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%252830%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhuXr1C_qK5CdAuJYSBbK4jbI1J9Igkfcb7xf3xtwIk-TdQqq0yE3w155C8zd2cDrlkhy55MfgPbq_MhQmJXBD49VlVYeJ7YVujRKiD51JzApESRNcd20J_QR3A_EOKywAQRrC5eNxOy5/s1600/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhuXr1C_qK5CdAuJYSBbK4jbI1J9Igkfcb7xf3xtwIk-TdQqq0yE3w155C8zd2cDrlkhy55MfgPbq_MhQmJXBD49VlVYeJ7YVujRKiD51JzApESRNcd20J_QR3A_EOKywAQRrC5eNxOy5/s320/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Happy Hikers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDmnBXui5xnrIfZHmX8BbABSeGTB6ktyY3k921ymqfY4-BvMsjCCLOga4m6WFn5e1wgFW746iOPq-IUUlnnG94SVnk_gpyGKCNIz57g7ewMIrXSMRpVtHI8BB96w1oDhbPpMP50_5UXwB/s1600/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDmnBXui5xnrIfZHmX8BbABSeGTB6ktyY3k921ymqfY4-BvMsjCCLOga4m6WFn5e1wgFW746iOPq-IUUlnnG94SVnk_gpyGKCNIz57g7ewMIrXSMRpVtHI8BB96w1oDhbPpMP50_5UXwB/s320/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%25284%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Someone wet her pants due to her parents failure to change her in an appropriate time frame and had to travel down the mountain wrapped in my scarf and Joshua's sweatshirt, but nonetheless, she chattered and sang the whole way down!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4gEcjCn9AaveJDO2R6ZgfgPvGsFTSbtb97a9KRXsR88ewuYtfQGjK9XyyGT5tS9uZtCkI_E3p5gJqW32q06Qi1yOR5pQRc2_9BQf6SV8V49VjBzgU2Le880qsHJd2FquFmDQslYq41OV/s1600/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%252836%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4gEcjCn9AaveJDO2R6ZgfgPvGsFTSbtb97a9KRXsR88ewuYtfQGjK9XyyGT5tS9uZtCkI_E3p5gJqW32q06Qi1yOR5pQRc2_9BQf6SV8V49VjBzgU2Le880qsHJd2FquFmDQslYq41OV/s320/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%252836%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A view of the mountain from the drive in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WQccRXHd4681Jg07queXQVobTGGicwJczZUMrRa4XasnC6DHgKJAzPLa9OeRt2EM8TA5BVLoHA67TKFoxnMRFgJbY7s0FuabBrP2Lj8YFWsjVZs0HQnoGRduqkTY6KJVIcxbtqZq-GHw/s1600/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WQccRXHd4681Jg07queXQVobTGGicwJczZUMrRa4XasnC6DHgKJAzPLa9OeRt2EM8TA5BVLoHA67TKFoxnMRFgJbY7s0FuabBrP2Lj8YFWsjVZs0HQnoGRduqkTY6KJVIcxbtqZq-GHw/s320/10-23-17+Mt+Rainier+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-23562867565842921502017-10-13T12:17:00.000-04:002018-01-02T14:40:28.317-05:0015 Years<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;">We made it. Our 15th anniversary has felt like a huge milestone for a long time and it's finally arrived. In some ways, this year has been the hardest, but I'm seeing that sometimes pain brings the most growth and positive change. Meanwhile, we keep pressing on, recognizing the good things, being grateful for all the blessing that has come from 15 years of marriage. The longer we're married the more grateful I am for every year we have together and every bond of memory we share. </span></span><br />
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;">Love you, Philip! Here's to the next 15! <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ff3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><3 span=""></3></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #90949c; font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotoTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #90949c; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9Wh2cCdcS7w0WR2wpHq9gwSREBa0iyoWD51ctpdzvzm2qZD_VKArjfj4L2DEm3JfhhCVhPoqMj8vRdgzxInPhA1tdhWvBWtkVe3RW5VIH7Ozy_VSFDQ2luN2cSFhgFBDwYcTCskxwccK/s1600/DSC_6977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9Wh2cCdcS7w0WR2wpHq9gwSREBa0iyoWD51ctpdzvzm2qZD_VKArjfj4L2DEm3JfhhCVhPoqMj8vRdgzxInPhA1tdhWvBWtkVe3RW5VIH7Ozy_VSFDQ2luN2cSFhgFBDwYcTCskxwccK/s320/DSC_6977.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the boys asked if I could make a collage of anniversary photos from all the years. Here is the result. Bonus points to anyone who can correctly identify all the years, lol.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1hQ_0EAgBy9u8qb5i0N8z7Xj55D0PepiuIQ6wcvjbGohUSszS5uuxAJ9a1nlL61ovugR4pRUJtUMLdkVTf_xHjwuyCC-_8TXq7Rvgb7CzydjHYT8BMcsJV8rlmzi77iBq2OQXzVXsTN2/s1600/Anniversary+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1hQ_0EAgBy9u8qb5i0N8z7Xj55D0PepiuIQ6wcvjbGohUSszS5uuxAJ9a1nlL61ovugR4pRUJtUMLdkVTf_xHjwuyCC-_8TXq7Rvgb7CzydjHYT8BMcsJV8rlmzi77iBq2OQXzVXsTN2/s400/Anniversary+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="fbPhotoTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #90949c; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-78535935869734214112017-10-10T12:32:00.000-04:002018-01-02T13:07:35.026-05:00NYC or Bust!For years my brother and sister and I have been talking about doing a sibling trip, but it's never worked out...until this month! We decided to go to NYC, a city I have never really visited. My goals for the weekend: drink some good coffee, eat some really good food, sit somewhere pretty and see a couple of cool things. My brother, trip planner extraordinaire, said these were attainable goals. :)<br />
<br />
Day 1 we drove up from VA, arriving by lunch time when we checked in our with overly aggressive AirBnB hostess. Our experience with her was really the one downer of the weekend. Oh well.<br />
<br />
After finally escaping her long-winded tour of her tiny apartment, we headed south to Central Park for lunch. The food and view were a bit disappointing, but we were glad to be there anyway. Next we took the subway a few stops south and walked the High Line. It was cool, but super crowded, so we bailed on that and headed for a snack. I can't remember what these amazing french pastries are called, but they are meringues filled with delicious flavors! So decadent!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5sgkmPWZvCgVdH_b_YtqEPJ3SbzPG_SumgAzIWUDqtlfTYX3VlQgQ2upx9WyAVeXUE6NFSfYRBRj3aJjvCJcxHZSiaGon29c8T2f9KEEHMIeMVL1-X3jPaMnm2JJnWcuKa8nU_iqt6vy/s1600/IMG_20171007_153932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5sgkmPWZvCgVdH_b_YtqEPJ3SbzPG_SumgAzIWUDqtlfTYX3VlQgQ2upx9WyAVeXUE6NFSfYRBRj3aJjvCJcxHZSiaGon29c8T2f9KEEHMIeMVL1-X3jPaMnm2JJnWcuKa8nU_iqt6vy/s320/IMG_20171007_153932.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Next we headed for the Staten Island Ferry. My parents lived on Staten Island back in the early 70's so we wanted to take the ferry for familial reasons, as well as to get some views of Lady Liberty without taking a special tour. It was a great choice and we really enjoyed the ride and the "drive by." We also got an amazing view of the NY skyline. I never expected to "fall in love" with the city that never sleeps, but I have to say that she really captured my heart!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZTGmkhuz2IxaJX93qPTHWi6lalGZMHspOjhwrv1G7djHeT7MmtNnQ_r0g8simnk68A6Fa6zKLsbH9013tleFJY7bAYZEfOPyROqV8La-GWTGtFtpAMi3klfJjh-UM17QAw1CvobwJOJo/s1600/IMG_20171007_174931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZTGmkhuz2IxaJX93qPTHWi6lalGZMHspOjhwrv1G7djHeT7MmtNnQ_r0g8simnk68A6Fa6zKLsbH9013tleFJY7bAYZEfOPyROqV8La-GWTGtFtpAMi3klfJjh-UM17QAw1CvobwJOJo/s320/IMG_20171007_174931.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lady Liberty at sunset. Beautiful!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWlbFMAaYvcTAbCaTFYPKhr9nUfHX6W7VXS469Hdkpo6zdotQ2vmRBla_2QRSz2zJrM_7u9g3bVNPRvRSKJPlZg8CiKDNmHFoAxshb78cMzL-0sigsw_JFwJ6J2fEeRtR0ly5X9pu8CzB/s1600/IMG_20171008_140154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWlbFMAaYvcTAbCaTFYPKhr9nUfHX6W7VXS469Hdkpo6zdotQ2vmRBla_2QRSz2zJrM_7u9g3bVNPRvRSKJPlZg8CiKDNmHFoAxshb78cMzL-0sigsw_JFwJ6J2fEeRtR0ly5X9pu8CzB/s320/IMG_20171008_140154.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5sgkmPWZvCgVdH_b_YtqEPJ3SbzPG_SumgAzIWUDqtlfTYX3VlQgQ2upx9WyAVeXUE6NFSfYRBRj3aJjvCJcxHZSiaGon29c8T2f9KEEHMIeMVL1-X3jPaMnm2JJnWcuKa8nU_iqt6vy/s1600/IMG_20171007_153932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
After the ferry ride, it was getting darker and later, but we really wanted to walk at least partway across the Brooklyn Bridge before dinner. We were not the only people with this idea. It was crazy crowded, but we did get some great views despite all the people!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvXHlqTtXgE8DbKy3ffUrnSHBWwruNpq1xpedkeZZzoqGJD_gdLS9jTjYKKhxtC_dgKBllDTRwVJrRDDxlQxRbCK8aUW-ajEfUUBCQfeSYyVvZzUQ5qoKpUaEB5s5gRdXonzGfjUNfpKb/s1600/IMG_20171007_184009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvXHlqTtXgE8DbKy3ffUrnSHBWwruNpq1xpedkeZZzoqGJD_gdLS9jTjYKKhxtC_dgKBllDTRwVJrRDDxlQxRbCK8aUW-ajEfUUBCQfeSYyVvZzUQ5qoKpUaEB5s5gRdXonzGfjUNfpKb/s320/IMG_20171007_184009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Manhatten at sunset.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GLCJ9LxY7lhajALpDd6dKJYS9ZlSIBaX2hOr0NQA4H0fbNtixLfHGtENHuskbLbXHpnt-E7NcS0c_TIC-z7574RLJX1hWJdvMprKFleS0dy6UL7MzLoTwv3OlWjxLUtm-wdhMhlzCQY8/s1600/IMG_20171007_183842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GLCJ9LxY7lhajALpDd6dKJYS9ZlSIBaX2hOr0NQA4H0fbNtixLfHGtENHuskbLbXHpnt-E7NcS0c_TIC-z7574RLJX1hWJdvMprKFleS0dy6UL7MzLoTwv3OlWjxLUtm-wdhMhlzCQY8/s320/IMG_20171007_183842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Onward we dashed to Little Italy where we found, not surprisingly, delicious food! Sooo good! Followed by amazing Italian desserts. Hooray!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYph_pY0VZxDVbxfGGnaTGkj0UvVz0q6ng6go2cr5v75njIdPi_VbbRjDkTNydrvww0FU_w6ngWM-5oFTbFmWHCBpERD1h267VB-3g7MiTOIqHIMVpRV4Ai6juWPmw70tRqI04rohQz79j/s1600/IMG_20171007_193337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYph_pY0VZxDVbxfGGnaTGkj0UvVz0q6ng6go2cr5v75njIdPi_VbbRjDkTNydrvww0FU_w6ngWM-5oFTbFmWHCBpERD1h267VB-3g7MiTOIqHIMVpRV4Ai6juWPmw70tRqI04rohQz79j/s320/IMG_20171007_193337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From here we really did have to dash as we had tickets for Top of the Rock. We barely made it in time (actually, we were late, but there's a buffer!). The views were so fantastic. Loved it! And it's really quite something how close to the very top of the building you can get!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUftRWhHv66-ZvabMgquhOhBvT73bbd5WQj6zOSwlesWSLAm0XezBqnSCjnARO-HvgwCHKwOS_XMvfViXtnaB976Hjprla5uk53mpm6Pe4koAlkvhSoP0lq2OAq5M9qcz6QB3QtTFOJUTt/s1600/IMG_20171007_214757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUftRWhHv66-ZvabMgquhOhBvT73bbd5WQj6zOSwlesWSLAm0XezBqnSCjnARO-HvgwCHKwOS_XMvfViXtnaB976Hjprla5uk53mpm6Pe4koAlkvhSoP0lq2OAq5M9qcz6QB3QtTFOJUTt/s320/IMG_20171007_214757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Day 2 started in basically the best way possible (that is, after escaping our crazy AirBnB) with bagels, cream cheese and coffee. A-MAY-zing!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrODmDouRiUEAywltv6iUX-7mA4s57EDIF5hNqDR2uNuHDUmJt4w2FkxiCWQW9awpGo4o4aM9UiAnosS74q0hyk8vrxsL9dv0nG24E6Hs-mKeClxmNvNomHS8nWArQeE7ApCQHJ7SHbm4/s1600/IMG_20171008_095426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrODmDouRiUEAywltv6iUX-7mA4s57EDIF5hNqDR2uNuHDUmJt4w2FkxiCWQW9awpGo4o4aM9UiAnosS74q0hyk8vrxsL9dv0nG24E6Hs-mKeClxmNvNomHS8nWArQeE7ApCQHJ7SHbm4/s320/IMG_20171008_095426.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since it was raining, we next hit the Met. We only had about two hours, which is definitely not enough for an in-depth viewing of anything, but it was still very enjoyable and I'd love to go back sometime. A few of the exhibits were a bit underwhelming, but we were quite tickled by this glass-covered taxidermied deer...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_PxMwKkLEy514XWbVO-h3RU5SNGdBSaBQOt5bZ1EDsJXIfAQX4Yjc2iLQKTwzInyS862gyWTw8J5Yru59IWRSUZL_XZOvQbnvCaKPsIkYtpANkrwBG2VcUkpEQsW_DXVWgiOs0osw4A8/s1600/IMG_20171008_115515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_PxMwKkLEy514XWbVO-h3RU5SNGdBSaBQOt5bZ1EDsJXIfAQX4Yjc2iLQKTwzInyS862gyWTw8J5Yru59IWRSUZL_XZOvQbnvCaKPsIkYtpANkrwBG2VcUkpEQsW_DXVWgiOs0osw4A8/s320/IMG_20171008_115515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Next was a hunt for real NY pizza. We finally found what we were looking for. SOoo yummy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L8spAloOEuHdbcUDjVAYWGvyFsw_Ig2KyvLpUhekmDVJMgFrvJRIcwgToZwYjlmv8zjvNlT-FY6upMpI5PdG6_vM6umeBrpMfFQIw48vUhiD6PapVHlotuojCXgTGg5fTV8-KZGFMbgi/s1600/IMG_20171008_135228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L8spAloOEuHdbcUDjVAYWGvyFsw_Ig2KyvLpUhekmDVJMgFrvJRIcwgToZwYjlmv8zjvNlT-FY6upMpI5PdG6_vM6umeBrpMfFQIw48vUhiD6PapVHlotuojCXgTGg5fTV8-KZGFMbgi/s320/IMG_20171008_135228.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Next goal: walk a LONG way through Central Park. We succeeded. It was a much better experience than our little view of the Park from the day before. We saw all kinds of famous and quintessential things. Such fun, but our feet were definitely done by the end!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYvyI_qA_fVkSXIZRMbECI4iJPjxSJ6x92zRBt-V7PvJ-W0zT7e2tq10YQiMRfUaiTV898n9KTX11omy3IVzpu_qsHwqOdmPxY6pL1zjqpN0HB8L0DUc862JH8Bhp-oryuIgz_UZP_V07/s1600/IMG_20171008_140947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYvyI_qA_fVkSXIZRMbECI4iJPjxSJ6x92zRBt-V7PvJ-W0zT7e2tq10YQiMRfUaiTV898n9KTX11omy3IVzpu_qsHwqOdmPxY6pL1zjqpN0HB8L0DUc862JH8Bhp-oryuIgz_UZP_V07/s320/IMG_20171008_140947.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The one place that was on my "must do" list that we hadn't been was Ground Zero. The older I get, the more 9/11 effects me each year. I think it's because I can relate more and more to the parents who lost children and children who lost parents and the spouses who lost their partner. I was surprised at how emotional I was at our visit, but I am really glad we went.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIs30hXxaZA4_4c_C1WjRLfoKg4eb2xgoLiK64BJEC4PAENqZUikX_GdDD3CgTMcM3N0oLr3e3cH5qhDzubfxLc9sfGmRUM_W8khW87vqzBf3jaISqLCIYFfxlZyfZ6bHcVWMT5n6fYj7/s1600/IMG_20171008_162350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIs30hXxaZA4_4c_C1WjRLfoKg4eb2xgoLiK64BJEC4PAENqZUikX_GdDD3CgTMcM3N0oLr3e3cH5qhDzubfxLc9sfGmRUM_W8khW87vqzBf3jaISqLCIYFfxlZyfZ6bHcVWMT5n6fYj7/s320/IMG_20171008_162350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were out of time. Homeward we went. Great weekend...great memories! Hope to go back!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-21280611670685212872017-09-08T12:31:00.000-04:002018-01-02T12:31:42.043-05:00Finding Fun<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;">We're at the beach for summer's last hurrah and, at the encouraging of some of my friends to have more fun in life, I decided to prank the boys... Toothpaste in the Oreos. The reactions: Joshua thought I'd stored the cookies with peppermint essential oil, Andrew thought it was odd but ate the whole thing, Caleb (who had the benefit of the other two's experience) bit in and said "Is this toothpaste??! Eliana handed hers back. <span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f29/1.5/16/1f602.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😂</span></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f29/1.5/16/1f602.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😂</span></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f29/1.5/16/1f602.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😂</span></span> It was priceless and very fun. :)</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZzgJ5QsRZZai1P1tySIgnAE1xr6B4ZMZ7Lzq21qfkTUeXjvFuuKWlXAAXlXdyuIebr1zoDOjCXYg6rHmtKpuEuBcITZ2ARiwKCT5Jl3gD4QQl5joMPclM-MwXz1wMFSNYAvvtAQAaBN9/s1600/IMG_20170905_100949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZzgJ5QsRZZai1P1tySIgnAE1xr6B4ZMZ7Lzq21qfkTUeXjvFuuKWlXAAXlXdyuIebr1zoDOjCXYg6rHmtKpuEuBcITZ2ARiwKCT5Jl3gD4QQl5joMPclM-MwXz1wMFSNYAvvtAQAaBN9/s320/IMG_20170905_100949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also judged a sand castle building contest. The grouchy two year old who only wanted mom made it impossible for me to build myself. All the boys, Philip, Grandpa and Aunt D participated. Everyone won a category. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GGQgn09CIWyiV9n-HCYJL8ZPS_cGmFWxGMEUVF813nL_ejT2HqWTVEplzKOSM1EEH8liGSxFdmyV-iPo0pV-ZN4_-KLpvd0zLwBnAq7iW4TDsSPIqxrdA1EnFyi9bjF79XSPfJZXAFOl/s1600/IMG_20170905_114402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GGQgn09CIWyiV9n-HCYJL8ZPS_cGmFWxGMEUVF813nL_ejT2HqWTVEplzKOSM1EEH8liGSxFdmyV-iPo0pV-ZN4_-KLpvd0zLwBnAq7iW4TDsSPIqxrdA1EnFyi9bjF79XSPfJZXAFOl/s320/IMG_20170905_114402.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And in the interest of doing something ridiculous to make a memory, I held Philip up on our date. Again, priceless. LOL.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqeFqJEaoC0VVXQbVOgrFxS1Eq3eNlBnsALh6L_jdngS33eGbV7CId7x-uhJ7AfQ4GC65XSUiHcvY6PeI0zNt_AtPayg_eAOuICRZzEeE-ZvP2zSoEHDgYb0J41SH-CNcAZMrOU6bXpEL/s1600/IMG_20170907_212814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqeFqJEaoC0VVXQbVOgrFxS1Eq3eNlBnsALh6L_jdngS33eGbV7CId7x-uhJ7AfQ4GC65XSUiHcvY6PeI0zNt_AtPayg_eAOuICRZzEeE-ZvP2zSoEHDgYb0J41SH-CNcAZMrOU6bXpEL/s320/IMG_20170907_212814.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="fbPhotoTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #90949c; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-56279311941907229352013-08-26T13:16:00.001-04:002013-08-26T13:16:11.061-04:00A New School YearClearly I have been delinquent in my posting here. What a crazy busy time we've had since last October. Nothing like moving to turn your world on its side. I'm glad to say we're happily settled here, but changing houses does cause lots of work!<br />
<br />
I kept busy over the summer by teaching 22 students (ages 8-15) the basics of cake decorating. That was so fun for all of us! It worked well to do that this summer since we have done zero traveling, for a variety of reasons. <br />
<br />
The boys kept busy by playing, soccer mostly, with the neighborhood kids. One of the biggest blessings of the move has been an explosion of available playmates for the boys. They have loved it!<br />
<br />
So, sadly for everyone summer is coming to a close and it is once again time to go "back to school." We dabbled our way back in this morning, with tears from all the boys at one time or another. I softened the blow by making them an extra special lunch, which seems to have made the day "happily memorable" for them. Score 1 for Mom!<br />
<br />
Here they are!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vDXT9wwrmXrDHQW_XxfU0oOavJt0vYedf2-hIlMkstW-4ZlvmixVw9-cAg8k98Bva5O_T7trEqg8qkWY-urdylPT90ij12tUZbL-7Aj4y9KJbG8SL_C5kOGhNSA3VqSLH54NrktvhWBd/s1600/8-26-13+First+Day+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vDXT9wwrmXrDHQW_XxfU0oOavJt0vYedf2-hIlMkstW-4ZlvmixVw9-cAg8k98Bva5O_T7trEqg8qkWY-urdylPT90ij12tUZbL-7Aj4y9KJbG8SL_C5kOGhNSA3VqSLH54NrktvhWBd/s320/8-26-13+First+Day+(5).JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsyrN4eX9tDGdpccH84l4ISdrbLEe9aOC73xoYH2yT55hQCxEwB0Lw_2pJi0BA7iKY6rcRg6BttgWNvJoh34kCvd0oTlGt6Gd9CJdCQ0lgqKRUy60Yx1ehUWY94t-7YzVt-QcwpK_gr4v/s1600/8-26-13+First+Day+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsyrN4eX9tDGdpccH84l4ISdrbLEe9aOC73xoYH2yT55hQCxEwB0Lw_2pJi0BA7iKY6rcRg6BttgWNvJoh34kCvd0oTlGt6Gd9CJdCQ0lgqKRUy60Yx1ehUWY94t-7YzVt-QcwpK_gr4v/s320/8-26-13+First+Day+(6).JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmzgwm9b-ba9ne8Qmpg3toZxjpuEzC2qsf9yBRxZyQAIoOyxGLKVjfjyVRxk18bi6XlP2rzls-QGDTfnzOmbgi1M29dPwC6wrMXf30M9op3knUpkiTqXEehORMSVOb-xK1nycoAkwZynS/s1600/8-26-13+First+Day+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmzgwm9b-ba9ne8Qmpg3toZxjpuEzC2qsf9yBRxZyQAIoOyxGLKVjfjyVRxk18bi6XlP2rzls-QGDTfnzOmbgi1M29dPwC6wrMXf30M9op3knUpkiTqXEehORMSVOb-xK1nycoAkwZynS/s320/8-26-13+First+Day+(9).JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
And off we go! Year 6 of Homeschooling, here we come!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-39850555419175854002012-10-30T15:52:00.000-04:002012-10-30T15:52:00.620-04:0010th Anniversary Cruise! Part 1So I know I've just been sitting around doing nothing for the last six weeks (or not), but it has taken me too long to get this post done. <br />
<br />
Philip and I actually made it to our 10th anniversary still married and took a Mediterranean cruise in September to celebrate! :)<br />
<br />
We flew through London to Barcelona, Spain, where we had a day to see the sites before we boarded our ship, the Norwegian Epic. Our favorite thing in Barcelona was Parque Guel, which was designed by Gaudi. We loved it because it was free, there were lots of places in it to walk to, and the view from the top was fantastic! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's Philip in London with ALL of our luggage. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMNeJFUc3qAoJE02lWygi-7jqrFZHAurSjJwED2KQTH6ZpFcZR-smM1ZQc3B0yhm4ZHvuRQwHYM88ODI4mg5ZLL6fkMbTQIx65WAtlD4rzzA7bxtZtx4Ju-SqTjloW5l4hDp6mxhHjDPh/s1600/DSC00313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMNeJFUc3qAoJE02lWygi-7jqrFZHAurSjJwED2KQTH6ZpFcZR-smM1ZQc3B0yhm4ZHvuRQwHYM88ODI4mg5ZLL6fkMbTQIx65WAtlD4rzzA7bxtZtx4Ju-SqTjloW5l4hDp6mxhHjDPh/s320/DSC00313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view from the top of Parque Guel. The tall structure on the mid-left is the Sagrada Familia, the famous Gaudi Cathedral.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd-q0ZfY-dJRwBPTJCU8MUKP8TkBUMQqv4ZpDa93U0iHZAEQdKpCGPuQCbTEvw4y3I7BTbjWu5L4uuGaN9kDmQe1qS2hut7qklW50ohMkqmyCro8jrt3Hr6Od80QCLBRHzoM958mXbAFx/s1600/DSC00327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd-q0ZfY-dJRwBPTJCU8MUKP8TkBUMQqv4ZpDa93U0iHZAEQdKpCGPuQCbTEvw4y3I7BTbjWu5L4uuGaN9kDmQe1qS2hut7qklW50ohMkqmyCro8jrt3Hr6Od80QCLBRHzoM958mXbAFx/s320/DSC00327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After boarding the Epic on Sunday afternoon, we had the evening and all the next day to just relax and enjoy the ship. I think Philip's favorite things were the hot tub, water slides and unending sources of protein. Mine was the balcony in our room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Check out those water slides! There were three and they were really fun. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG5OiHW9re7Sxak-6ScBfJPH13quj2CBNb6_Vu16Umgdl9vZOFv-COOASTJOAwVrRMNDI-e9IMNdJAdq38LaAdpukyGxNpU6vshfTNHOQU9x99Za2WK7UpwRFIPR0gtwkGSSGhD0IWKus/s1600/DSC00369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG5OiHW9re7Sxak-6ScBfJPH13quj2CBNb6_Vu16Umgdl9vZOFv-COOASTJOAwVrRMNDI-e9IMNdJAdq38LaAdpukyGxNpU6vshfTNHOQU9x99Za2WK7UpwRFIPR0gtwkGSSGhD0IWKus/s320/DSC00369.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The whole ship...it was rather large.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWt3Yn7grYR07JFoyfPJT8OWD-NPWtw6KY7yG6hjTQLptoZnbvxzVYgVexIfwisZziVSvduNKlZLE4L0w2RPJEP_TybM382Hn7N1MHDucaNeFda1QnY8pgavrzEaFmaghrkEo_Db6x0Lz/s1600/DSC00615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWt3Yn7grYR07JFoyfPJT8OWD-NPWtw6KY7yG6hjTQLptoZnbvxzVYgVexIfwisZziVSvduNKlZLE4L0w2RPJEP_TybM382Hn7N1MHDucaNeFda1QnY8pgavrzEaFmaghrkEo_Db6x0Lz/s320/DSC00615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Our first stop was in Naples, or as the locals call it, Napoli. We had a little bit of excitement (ok, a lot) meeting up with our tour group that morning, but once we got past that little bump, we had an amazing day. Both our guides that day were fantastic, the weather was great and the sites were terrific. First we went to Pompei and took a tour.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Outside Pompei's city walls</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrNTBegtrLIilKgBNT5SJ-IwGAQ0QSEKR-Ml4_mr02MJcFLJ1aciEggla45fmkIGeB1xkZJnR_DGlbZ6sa9b9GQL23UaLlLo-mqMu7rp8tSdzHUvi_7kc3E9zdpr4Orj2Rkwglm05Dvjg/s1600/DSC00374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrNTBegtrLIilKgBNT5SJ-IwGAQ0QSEKR-Ml4_mr02MJcFLJ1aciEggla45fmkIGeB1xkZJnR_DGlbZ6sa9b9GQL23UaLlLo-mqMu7rp8tSdzHUvi_7kc3E9zdpr4Orj2Rkwglm05Dvjg/s320/DSC00374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think this was the courthouse</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvuZv2ixFc2M6PZkh6274hO2IIcM85Sg_PqlKnN70E7Xz6wzWP2RuWHdB8sJPXiYqZQ8Jed3J7pVLnk-YnzGRpTPM0-01tdw4N5YJ3wMlAeI-jEejcFEEi1j5S4xSNT6dW1JS37QGf5F7/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvuZv2ixFc2M6PZkh6274hO2IIcM85Sg_PqlKnN70E7Xz6wzWP2RuWHdB8sJPXiYqZQ8Jed3J7pVLnk-YnzGRpTPM0-01tdw4N5YJ3wMlAeI-jEejcFEEi1j5S4xSNT6dW1JS37QGf5F7/s320/DSC00380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Street off the main square</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiknsQpMlKnX5bN4o4TNi6CpP-uXRfGzBPAoOoT0INOukMty5fVYRx68kaozq33DBRTHH1QiLjs9kpq1R4IhxNsEqlCPHuE2Pf3laaOhoDzL6Oy5Vfj4mqo5bIshRcswJGETTtqmJfVXP6/s1600/DSC00395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiknsQpMlKnX5bN4o4TNi6CpP-uXRfGzBPAoOoT0INOukMty5fVYRx68kaozq33DBRTHH1QiLjs9kpq1R4IhxNsEqlCPHuE2Pf3laaOhoDzL6Oy5Vfj4mqo5bIshRcswJGETTtqmJfVXP6/s320/DSC00395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hanging out by the oven where I belong. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RLc5d5ciA9w9ZAbaFVZ2iSlIXnEu5xTr3Pf5QQrnEU7GGV3oWkFu3EAlFXBRGCK7iGVmEhsLN3QCrKIf4fZ3c6Ryq0LF4ptupQnsh_I8dfd0erA50LV1Oegjt2k0p32GeiIDNODsDpjf/s1600/DSC00404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RLc5d5ciA9w9ZAbaFVZ2iSlIXnEu5xTr3Pf5QQrnEU7GGV3oWkFu3EAlFXBRGCK7iGVmEhsLN3QCrKIf4fZ3c6Ryq0LF4ptupQnsh_I8dfd0erA50LV1Oegjt2k0p32GeiIDNODsDpjf/s320/DSC00404.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cast of a poor soul trying to get clean air to stay alive in 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_P-25Hf3HSSfORFVnv3IeC_DsM5ZYSQUhiwOm-mBwbq_PujvI3B4ATtlgY60z6BYR2o8fDVZ9kTIhgjRkq19ceT_KSO1w4_PYrKFwEmyE4XWIhe0G7YpFj5I8gfM-5rBVIOFHSKFt8-M/s1600/DSC00409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_P-25Hf3HSSfORFVnv3IeC_DsM5ZYSQUhiwOm-mBwbq_PujvI3B4ATtlgY60z6BYR2o8fDVZ9kTIhgjRkq19ceT_KSO1w4_PYrKFwEmyE4XWIhe0G7YpFj5I8gfM-5rBVIOFHSKFt8-M/s320/DSC00409.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Following our time in Pompei, we headed south of a driving tour of the Sorrentino and Amalfi coasts. They were just beautiful. We also took a boat ride from Amalfi up and down the coast a ways to see it from the water. This was quite possibly the highlight of the whole trip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmIGFLfBaiUuV1Svf-zuEMh8eWWy9E2L3P5kDvG0sLe4aKXdvQCrnkdz8y9CH27EXWfIZJoZi34nvj6Qb1yO-ItRZXYfD2NVdH5p755yqLfUetS-YhkrPbaAJj20fvHD89dxwpS7etT3b/s1600/DSC00423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmIGFLfBaiUuV1Svf-zuEMh8eWWy9E2L3P5kDvG0sLe4aKXdvQCrnkdz8y9CH27EXWfIZJoZi34nvj6Qb1yO-ItRZXYfD2NVdH5p755yqLfUetS-YhkrPbaAJj20fvHD89dxwpS7etT3b/s320/DSC00423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs0hg63zpIqc45aVPVP2M6Ql7PFQHmM57549kFxKaO4Of98P6WLQ9T2K3g6Wy2U82DSdf0Nc8vhFv2w9SLFD5x7X5O3gahms4trGNXJDoC3AuMhzv2_VX0YmiLQNVH0mwToEp68OmTllj/s1600/DSC00441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs0hg63zpIqc45aVPVP2M6Ql7PFQHmM57549kFxKaO4Of98P6WLQ9T2K3g6Wy2U82DSdf0Nc8vhFv2w9SLFD5x7X5O3gahms4trGNXJDoC3AuMhzv2_VX0YmiLQNVH0mwToEp68OmTllj/s320/DSC00441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Town of Amalfi</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s8mLIMKTY5yXTfpbDTeGSeoz8tcmKW1SitThyphenhyphenvlczDR-YuEifpeI8PWTIG9qtF8zA990XW9iBRFXxvNch_QF3X1I6xgsn2j4DphrMKkZXIjGYz3UFU2qyeU1GA1HGRQf61BrlpISHfcP/s1600/DSC00446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s8mLIMKTY5yXTfpbDTeGSeoz8tcmKW1SitThyphenhyphenvlczDR-YuEifpeI8PWTIG9qtF8zA990XW9iBRFXxvNch_QF3X1I6xgsn2j4DphrMKkZXIjGYz3UFU2qyeU1GA1HGRQf61BrlpISHfcP/s320/DSC00446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
WAY high up...so beautiful!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqXa1yv7LN4ng0GsPAUXFSrj8NtE1Hfv_hcxWr-ezY_MIbvrAPmjgNVFcSUyZF8bVZ_ALLu1BnCmbNfs0QQdteHQncSu6Ot-v7S8gwMhOB5Rc4aT-TRi854PTnJ0ACLYmKnLKn7eRZ8B-/s1600/DSC00449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqXa1yv7LN4ng0GsPAUXFSrj8NtE1Hfv_hcxWr-ezY_MIbvrAPmjgNVFcSUyZF8bVZ_ALLu1BnCmbNfs0QQdteHQncSu6Ot-v7S8gwMhOB5Rc4aT-TRi854PTnJ0ACLYmKnLKn7eRZ8B-/s320/DSC00449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day we ported near Rome and drove in. We saw a lot that day, but definitely missed seeing many things that we would have liked to have seen. And so it goes when you only spend 6 hours in a city the size of Rome! We did, however, visit the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Plazza Novonna, the Pantheon, and Vatican City (we went to St. Peters, but sadly didn't have time to see the Sistine Chapel). I must say I did not love Rome (too crazy and crowded!), but certainly would take the opportunity to go back some day to take the time to see it "right." I really appreciated it for the incredible history of the place.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Outside the Colosseum</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR16TlVhm_ugYBPGmQIIIw1cierQBtTsdxAjygUd3zwzCyv5a6UyR4CuoRjcIs-HJGMQS0KTT6PwKm5DWX5-myJ-uBiZJteTO8uf4szoSX_BCs90J8bBa6jOu2zZFmwabwLiTv880_dRaU/s1600/DSC00483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR16TlVhm_ugYBPGmQIIIw1cierQBtTsdxAjygUd3zwzCyv5a6UyR4CuoRjcIs-HJGMQS0KTT6PwKm5DWX5-myJ-uBiZJteTO8uf4szoSX_BCs90J8bBa6jOu2zZFmwabwLiTv880_dRaU/s320/DSC00483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trevi Fountain, surprisingly large and beautiful...and yes, I threw in a coin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy6MCBwqljVx-37mf8LCv7GgRDau9su7AV4y5_CtTUaKkS4D-UuxOUjDRUslc7r3Yc0WphmRJp6-5ALGdTuZCWSuqFCKAtEIzisWYLvIsJS2NH6g44eopYsPuW6tsJ-ztVnkFWI8txPPp/s1600/DSC00501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy6MCBwqljVx-37mf8LCv7GgRDau9su7AV4y5_CtTUaKkS4D-UuxOUjDRUslc7r3Yc0WphmRJp6-5ALGdTuZCWSuqFCKAtEIzisWYLvIsJS2NH6g44eopYsPuW6tsJ-ztVnkFWI8txPPp/s320/DSC00501.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The mammoth St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM731n-y1KlsUKp7G2oiSqnZTUFMshPQYEDS_r8yaa1dAZF3Tt9A2n2lyIDIn7N1NC4ocvjxro7CZGNDf53XKAFhfqJSmzOUhW_r71lzzvCREDouP4YcrEk1oJeSUMQh7SFllp55_MTzG/s1600/DSC00523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM731n-y1KlsUKp7G2oiSqnZTUFMshPQYEDS_r8yaa1dAZF3Tt9A2n2lyIDIn7N1NC4ocvjxro7CZGNDf53XKAFhfqJSmzOUhW_r71lzzvCREDouP4YcrEk1oJeSUMQh7SFllp55_MTzG/s320/DSC00523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favorite sites of the trip, Michelangelo's "La Pieta"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8urOima1cvHByFsfEJoQByJ6tQTHqfRGX05fauheULrHx7JjhVj5So9JKprmyqra5h6Dm4JQn_aJ9m49O9yTP-S0EfqWNoofG-VHLZ3eEd1Zf0k8LRQ3vDQp4KS6V3zh5BuoLgwr6kqvR/s1600/DSC00534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8urOima1cvHByFsfEJoQByJ6tQTHqfRGX05fauheULrHx7JjhVj5So9JKprmyqra5h6Dm4JQn_aJ9m49O9yTP-S0EfqWNoofG-VHLZ3eEd1Zf0k8LRQ3vDQp4KS6V3zh5BuoLgwr6kqvR/s320/DSC00534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ok, thus ends Part 1...getting too long. Next up: Florence!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-46624059929059451412012-10-30T15:50:00.000-04:002012-10-30T15:57:20.158-04:0010th Anniversary Cruise! Part 2While the Amalfi coast was perhaps our favorite place, Florence was most definitely our favorite city! What a refreshing change it was after the 4 million people city of Rome to visit Florence, which is home to only 400,000. It was just beautiful. We really enjoyed seeing the Duomo, the baptistry's "Gates of Paradise", Ponte Vecchio, the original medieval streets, the square full of statues by the Uffizi and more. Our guide told us some lovely stories, and coupled with the study the boys and I did of Michelangelo last year, it was just so neat to see history come to life. We also had some very tasty chianti and gelato here, as well as the best cappuccino of the trip. :)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Gates of Paradise. These are actually replicas as the originals got damaged by a flood and after restoration were moved to a museum, but they are beautiful.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_9dENKoT8kV464BdQUwt9NcAVhSgD9QWXXoRIF9PpiWHxENuntPQRRgFl4n7PEeO4BZZG1W6pEUOpMlgMAf75qKH6x0wqv5k5Akp1tWrLnkKaKE2BCJi7TXDUkuVOYCgAeNOsoB0CSDp/s1600/DSC00553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_9dENKoT8kV464BdQUwt9NcAVhSgD9QWXXoRIF9PpiWHxENuntPQRRgFl4n7PEeO4BZZG1W6pEUOpMlgMAf75qKH6x0wqv5k5Akp1tWrLnkKaKE2BCJi7TXDUkuVOYCgAeNOsoB0CSDp/s320/DSC00553.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Duomo, from the mid 1300's</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzJ27fI7IACrq1tTb9BO0dcn6OFVJ613IFJHJDsktaFmOmUHm5zy20gpnhnHeEGM3DXArB5D_fxA6wFol3j8B9AILcPc1hZuV1m-2CroHYCtyy2iXkuLmA5rsicWQp9qVADeR7cnuz48y/s1600/DSC00563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzJ27fI7IACrq1tTb9BO0dcn6OFVJ613IFJHJDsktaFmOmUHm5zy20gpnhnHeEGM3DXArB5D_fxA6wFol3j8B9AILcPc1hZuV1m-2CroHYCtyy2iXkuLmA5rsicWQp9qVADeR7cnuz48y/s320/DSC00563.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Duomo's dome: huge and amazing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i3lcGTtcd0GqYLonmDfrbchBipccrO6bJY0zuhZP7zQGddAcMNCBDPli8RenvyvuS1hyphenhyphenZXTHQj-nEmyePVgHi5soDBSEGAOxLIXjieEpmc2bMqrXeklnkYPJpm2_9aJHK2LQZSxV1jrB/s1600/DSC00564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i3lcGTtcd0GqYLonmDfrbchBipccrO6bJY0zuhZP7zQGddAcMNCBDPli8RenvyvuS1hyphenhyphenZXTHQj-nEmyePVgHi5soDBSEGAOxLIXjieEpmc2bMqrXeklnkYPJpm2_9aJHK2LQZSxV1jrB/s320/DSC00564.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Florence, the tradition is to put a coin in the wild boar's mouth and pet it's nose if you want to return, so we did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmwPTQkRay7WdM0HsNEXklDL4j7uMtSnKSi9v_AUwgJs0fZ3CXioo0ClEIiMJ0_-9ejnIfhNJQN5U4qfbxrms8KzZgkg5GeDya5zYR4jG0zWvk7VQk20OzloJk0MSqN8CnoLm9SYFMLma/s1600/DSC00576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmwPTQkRay7WdM0HsNEXklDL4j7uMtSnKSi9v_AUwgJs0fZ3CXioo0ClEIiMJ0_-9ejnIfhNJQN5U4qfbxrms8KzZgkg5GeDya5zYR4jG0zWvk7VQk20OzloJk0MSqN8CnoLm9SYFMLma/s320/DSC00576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
On Ponte Vecchio, which is full of jewelry shops. It used to be full of butcher shops, but the famous Medici family kicked out all the butchers because it was too smelly. Philip and I tried to buy a piece of anniversary jewelry here, but we just didn't have enough time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3JD6J3RQ8SqcPtS4jmeRGTCANSI4JJ4l4Mag5LYTUXD2QAoMP4qOAdRJibYC5KUKM6ZMk39sKVeL0Jtq5OHCISZbKv0HKy2PYKhO_2MYklPtCcXHcPiU-WFMgubTWzmAsxHgaR-sFEpC/s1600/DSC00578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3JD6J3RQ8SqcPtS4jmeRGTCANSI4JJ4l4Mag5LYTUXD2QAoMP4qOAdRJibYC5KUKM6ZMk39sKVeL0Jtq5OHCISZbKv0HKy2PYKhO_2MYklPtCcXHcPiU-WFMgubTWzmAsxHgaR-sFEpC/s320/DSC00578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Living statues were all over Europe. This guy is DaVinci</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r7zSQLxrV3Lf-l5Zv7z2AuVGHwGs1hwNdZygouZq-xGSZ6sl-cYVu7y9_AVbQY2-i3Oz9GiSZZdzJusHYdnfoMetLq4rIOZ20IZzj-wVEhM8LgPxIhOEVyWbRP6qQefUaqqHmFOMYO3y/s1600/DSC00582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r7zSQLxrV3Lf-l5Zv7z2AuVGHwGs1hwNdZygouZq-xGSZ6sl-cYVu7y9_AVbQY2-i3Oz9GiSZZdzJusHYdnfoMetLq4rIOZ20IZzj-wVEhM8LgPxIhOEVyWbRP6qQefUaqqHmFOMYO3y/s320/DSC00582.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Michelangelo chiseled this with his back to the wall, hands behind his back and without looking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx1hG5hqPpJkO8bHhsV32zk3ypyZNPilor2GfsQeu0ifRs5-xH7ng_4gCOSN8IDmJ-y4keeEaubvhT8bJRUYET_Fk8hSU4ObWqnW2taWOVRF0ia_6rLOC6dXhsLwj45t7rdOi20-uvQro/s1600/DSC00583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx1hG5hqPpJkO8bHhsV32zk3ypyZNPilor2GfsQeu0ifRs5-xH7ng_4gCOSN8IDmJ-y4keeEaubvhT8bJRUYET_Fk8hSU4ObWqnW2taWOVRF0ia_6rLOC6dXhsLwj45t7rdOi20-uvQro/s320/DSC00583.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After Florence, we drove to Pisa. I was not expecting to be impressed at all, as all the pictures I've ever seen made it look like this dingy brown building. The 1000 year old baptistry in the front of this photo is HUGE and amazing! The church huge and beautiful and the tower was actually beautiful as well. The white of the buidings, coupled with the bright blue of the sky made for a gorgeous place. Wow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9YRRdFj3Cwb6AOFd-MYJeWWJkzQ-62uJavrQFZTgvb-WXfvmFfMsVOsJqOpe4esxVQOayGVbLHKPWMp3iA9WVXv8ig217MNgGAcWctGBgQc-HaVNkBuXTjPPcPmco-NlhgHNOP9_T4Aa/s1600/DSC00601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9YRRdFj3Cwb6AOFd-MYJeWWJkzQ-62uJavrQFZTgvb-WXfvmFfMsVOsJqOpe4esxVQOayGVbLHKPWMp3iA9WVXv8ig217MNgGAcWctGBgQc-HaVNkBuXTjPPcPmco-NlhgHNOP9_T4Aa/s320/DSC00601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhNZBPoCVDU4zxveJkx-i9ZcWclnO_BeP-2XlrChfLlM_WUBO0cqCe_MA9y1Rwz0SMq0FMqf_KnJ7S5STs8qZZSCkkG_qJeZYQiqk1Zu5_2Ay-sQNEIOYOuFJi8XUYM5fqASBXKt-UNkx/s1600/DSC00606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhNZBPoCVDU4zxveJkx-i9ZcWclnO_BeP-2XlrChfLlM_WUBO0cqCe_MA9y1Rwz0SMq0FMqf_KnJ7S5STs8qZZSCkkG_qJeZYQiqk1Zu5_2Ay-sQNEIOYOuFJi8XUYM5fqASBXKt-UNkx/s320/DSC00606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently it's all Philip's fault that it's leaning...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZjep9CppbmDLvJT7Z0X2v7p2eL_iljaOidG1yuY1s30nJzCwfuImDVoy13dhxk3st-yxvQQ4reeZ1JeS3lfLmUA10u4Vbur47SX9mwikSThj607ScOZT_Z1pojOhmKhCsLVLF81r2UCx/s1600/DSC00608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZjep9CppbmDLvJT7Z0X2v7p2eL_iljaOidG1yuY1s30nJzCwfuImDVoy13dhxk3st-yxvQQ4reeZ1JeS3lfLmUA10u4Vbur47SX9mwikSThj607ScOZT_Z1pojOhmKhCsLVLF81r2UCx/s320/DSC00608.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The last two days were spent in France. We went first to Nice, Cannes and Eze, which are in the French Riviera. I must say, the Amalfi coast was very beautiful in it's own way, but the Cote Azure (blue coast) of France....WOW. I have never seen water like this before. Just stunning. The french crepe we bought in Cannes, however, left much to be desired. On the beach behind me, Philip went swimming so he could officially say he'd be "in" the Mediterranean. I was good with just sticking in my feet. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHGf8A-DKgOiTovUZlQr_9wuIRX9OKn8GLbk4ES1IwvF44FGWuThkpaHXyzfyGZS84WjFZVpMNEwyOrxg6vrwHua18c0oSi88fayLfF1yPBwAd9X3hxMCu90CQDa9L4pY2c8weHGX_THW/s1600/DSC00622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHGf8A-DKgOiTovUZlQr_9wuIRX9OKn8GLbk4ES1IwvF44FGWuThkpaHXyzfyGZS84WjFZVpMNEwyOrxg6vrwHua18c0oSi88fayLfF1yPBwAd9X3hxMCu90CQDa9L4pY2c8weHGX_THW/s320/DSC00622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Driving along the Riviera</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOV4abBSy6otkvEdVGf9jnGlLiEUH8FHvCGNxQN-bD5r8iI1LbxM0VUxMw2LGb5gpViSOc5hVl9naBcAU6G42Hw7yu2MjYQYJydWBDcLzwKs_eIwoN7_zHhyCG80pNNukZG15Vf2ovVv_/s1600/DSC00634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOV4abBSy6otkvEdVGf9jnGlLiEUH8FHvCGNxQN-bD5r8iI1LbxM0VUxMw2LGb5gpViSOc5hVl9naBcAU6G42Hw7yu2MjYQYJydWBDcLzwKs_eIwoN7_zHhyCG80pNNukZG15Vf2ovVv_/s320/DSC00634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The medieval town of Eze (pronounced "Ehz", not "easy") was quite a ways up, and just on the other side of a hill from Monoco, which we did not visit. It was a cute little place with some nice views, most of which you had to pay to get, which we did not. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QmvVYoPCa5f5LsglsCOYviVmdyi8R26_8eNgLDt8ThPTMFIhlcrxlyRVSd2qyxVX_kcguHWi44TlgSH-84-aF-yX4wB9kaGNFLFqmwBQgLBU2fkhrDTJ8BiYw8o5ltkcgWLcenrZazuz/s1600/DSC00644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QmvVYoPCa5f5LsglsCOYviVmdyi8R26_8eNgLDt8ThPTMFIhlcrxlyRVSd2qyxVX_kcguHWi44TlgSH-84-aF-yX4wB9kaGNFLFqmwBQgLBU2fkhrDTJ8BiYw8o5ltkcgWLcenrZazuz/s320/DSC00644.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4Og56zvXv8z1vhGxSM39msEPtJcQXJalIZvr3IONORteKJ9M341uLq_IF4APcBlfmqfcK2NMRGUeQW6aefRVtAs_1r3O1qg_l_WQBzll5QXtU4jdxeEj6Gsz74F-MPr2TZViqZsQ6jqM/s1600/DSC00649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4Og56zvXv8z1vhGxSM39msEPtJcQXJalIZvr3IONORteKJ9M341uLq_IF4APcBlfmqfcK2NMRGUeQW6aefRVtAs_1r3O1qg_l_WQBzll5QXtU4jdxeEj6Gsz74F-MPr2TZViqZsQ6jqM/s320/DSC00649.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our last day, we ported in Marseille and took a half day tour to<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> Aix on Provence. It was a beautiful little town with many buildings built in the 17th and 18th century. It was particularly beautiful because the because the rich people building homes were all competing for who could have the nicest house. We also stocked up here on our favorite European chocolates.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf62x2uB9Ddar6PRScdA-X27gPn83iLmMczYa-Un5L-78LjLIo9Y-zjaC2yGBW-RwDEpI4qFhyXGtKvbNpy5N45rUdVqWNiiHhPnzBQnAqeWnprLlr08BjAU72UV8fbsFDEoLGTCokIyCQ/s1600/DSC00661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf62x2uB9Ddar6PRScdA-X27gPn83iLmMczYa-Un5L-78LjLIo9Y-zjaC2yGBW-RwDEpI4qFhyXGtKvbNpy5N45rUdVqWNiiHhPnzBQnAqeWnprLlr08BjAU72UV8fbsFDEoLGTCokIyCQ/s320/DSC00661.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A church with the gothic entry, from the 14th century, on the left and the roman entry, from the 12th century on the right.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNkjBJTukZz69bCt9GDgqp8XeYlolJK9suRkkYzp-02OhwDRvwJFhG_6UBxTg3Gj-Q0JRDNVBP6s7pITFy2tJpoVpr66OB6pc3Xc9YFjVLVi13V3JE-tKDM4334i1H_6hHzIugLkhs76G/s1600/DSC00673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNkjBJTukZz69bCt9GDgqp8XeYlolJK9suRkkYzp-02OhwDRvwJFhG_6UBxTg3Gj-Q0JRDNVBP6s7pITFy2tJpoVpr66OB6pc3Xc9YFjVLVi13V3JE-tKDM4334i1H_6hHzIugLkhs76G/s320/DSC00673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish I could have bottled the smell coming out of this bakery. AH-Maz-ing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1b0mFLkbRiggd3GW0-HsJFApXf-bOtmDW3_TpPqo0KWwBzBrtPwf3w_imCov7rq309MPoUyXDvGIap17sauTn5UGh5ulwOy1HJQZHjPiTf7RjRhAwam2OmalHzifw4SXUVpTSYYoKgZyp/s1600/DSC00674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1b0mFLkbRiggd3GW0-HsJFApXf-bOtmDW3_TpPqo0KWwBzBrtPwf3w_imCov7rq309MPoUyXDvGIap17sauTn5UGh5ulwOy1HJQZHjPiTf7RjRhAwam2OmalHzifw4SXUVpTSYYoKgZyp/s320/DSC00674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">It was a lovely way to end our trip. That afternoon we enjoyed the amenties of the boat for the last time and the next morning we were back in Barcelona, ready to fly home.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">There ya go, the gratuitous 10th anniversary kissing picture. I got my dress in Amalfi. By far my favorite souvenir. :) Although, the delicious chocolate we bought runs a close second...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q17z5VAGjwjYJvxNFSOUNNrmA83SEf_o5SzWRrmk3uf2ELS5x0z0M8WIztns80iK3pe6dPICFeV1cqgbO62O5mQLETjU5bzZqdXw-LF3m3KWU3XCnTyYAQXq3zJLr_-RU_FmL9J92gU_/s1600/DSC00686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q17z5VAGjwjYJvxNFSOUNNrmA83SEf_o5SzWRrmk3uf2ELS5x0z0M8WIztns80iK3pe6dPICFeV1cqgbO62O5mQLETjU5bzZqdXw-LF3m3KWU3XCnTyYAQXq3zJLr_-RU_FmL9J92gU_/s320/DSC00686.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">It was a great trip. We learned a lot about how to travel internationally, and about how to be by ourselves for nine days! First time for that since Caleb was born. :) We are very thankful to Philip's parents for keeping the boys...and even homeschooling them...while we were gone! </span></span></div>
<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-76198618673267070222012-10-28T17:11:00.001-04:002012-10-30T14:48:08.989-04:00What?! You're Moving?!Yep. That's pretty much how we feel about it, too. So what happened to precipitate this sudden event? Let me tell you the story.<br />
<br />
It all began last December when I felt God nudging us to consider the idea of moving to North Carolina in early 2013. Philip and I immediately realized that if we were going to be able to easily sell our house here, we needed to renovate the master bathroom, which was original to 1986. Now, we had painted and changed out the fixtures in the bathroom (these pics don't show that, this was from when we bought the house), but let's face it, the tile (almond, octagonal!) screamed "1986" and was not going to sell well in this market.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKTIMx_TiwTJYa-hMBKb_zi00C-zM_9XFAWGRuEB5WCIosX_4dKmc62QnXdTJpeI0smunBleY8qzfyCOKCr9p7gZJhFehPzr83UU36Emj7K_msGSID2R1-ydyvplEzNCRg4XP4Tv7HuNx/s1600/master+bath+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKTIMx_TiwTJYa-hMBKb_zi00C-zM_9XFAWGRuEB5WCIosX_4dKmc62QnXdTJpeI0smunBleY8qzfyCOKCr9p7gZJhFehPzr83UU36Emj7K_msGSID2R1-ydyvplEzNCRg4XP4Tv7HuNx/s320/master+bath+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsrOg_7bd3ZCrTVfp09a_0CUWy4fIrmycWPpfKTAq5VeYjSyZNGTFJW3s2VZ-S6rlFHfzg_oNyi4KsS1mfuFdsrgvuwAgm4m-_t_ltjHjb0hetWsvqnGYOd0YK0vMOKLFAC5DAmlV2UJT/s1600/master+bath+shower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsrOg_7bd3ZCrTVfp09a_0CUWy4fIrmycWPpfKTAq5VeYjSyZNGTFJW3s2VZ-S6rlFHfzg_oNyi4KsS1mfuFdsrgvuwAgm4m-_t_ltjHjb0hetWsvqnGYOd0YK0vMOKLFAC5DAmlV2UJT/s320/master+bath+shower.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So, immediately after returning home, Philip began gutting the bathroom. It took six months of hard work on many nights and weekends, but it was worth it. The bathroom is gorgeous.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUcDcBrm5iXONo7J0ahucsnvPXWzvtFupzu7OZJO3FZUIV4HIQRIUXsfRM1Nq9_bF6DQWkJZ1hzOlB48j-76Uysp4RzVP59ijNQ5rabDv4Cs6pEcwHDepj1O-7Azlll0a2mAdbOnoHIxB/s1600/18+master+bath2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUcDcBrm5iXONo7J0ahucsnvPXWzvtFupzu7OZJO3FZUIV4HIQRIUXsfRM1Nq9_bF6DQWkJZ1hzOlB48j-76Uysp4RzVP59ijNQ5rabDv4Cs6pEcwHDepj1O-7Azlll0a2mAdbOnoHIxB/s320/18+master+bath2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWMe2mlPm7LsFV6kW8KCBQJLuKCEqPm5XrMi0TDLTgH3hypwGPAOQKFth6sifFLNklpMzHDPkPwk_b2XFVK-yfMelMVBv_4oCn-F-qA_xpIjN0vVoxyeZz4XPhHhmXyS5Tor5Ksr1JVoT/s1600/17+master+bath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWMe2mlPm7LsFV6kW8KCBQJLuKCEqPm5XrMi0TDLTgH3hypwGPAOQKFth6sifFLNklpMzHDPkPwk_b2XFVK-yfMelMVBv_4oCn-F-qA_xpIjN0vVoxyeZz4XPhHhmXyS5Tor5Ksr1JVoT/s320/17+master+bath.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our bathroom turned out so well that it became even more obvious that the other upstairs bathroom was also stuck in the '80s. Here's the before pic (from when we bought the house). Again, we had painted and updated fixtures and it was actually a really cute bathroom, but it was still very clearly dated.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KhdSjDH2MwNSvTo1Yv6LkRRLqQEEegjXKNQaj7n5qn6hElR0J520MG_JX_o0oQih2eS3h5Nt1xqE1mhABDBMlTwejydINStXgidrqqyR3ryg82SMYGDGZ1dbVh4UpBkZ4NNOy-TWZyKD/s1600/upstairs+bath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KhdSjDH2MwNSvTo1Yv6LkRRLqQEEegjXKNQaj7n5qn6hElR0J520MG_JX_o0oQih2eS3h5Nt1xqE1mhABDBMlTwejydINStXgidrqqyR3ryg82SMYGDGZ1dbVh4UpBkZ4NNOy-TWZyKD/s320/upstairs+bath.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, this summer, Philip began work on that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAOm0S1em9abAXYj_KdKIw_Cb5zH056TaBLiQeez5szj6uYNwIHdlPBPymmWCvaWfXUvsgxzqlLFwUbOgxJBE288vQShAcxl0WG15H8yKZGuy74fnQb7MMyX8pwkfgQ80rNXmQQf1bPKa/s1600/22+upstairs+bath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAOm0S1em9abAXYj_KdKIw_Cb5zH056TaBLiQeez5szj6uYNwIHdlPBPymmWCvaWfXUvsgxzqlLFwUbOgxJBE288vQShAcxl0WG15H8yKZGuy74fnQb7MMyX8pwkfgQ80rNXmQQf1bPKa/s320/22+upstairs+bath.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, we used the same tile...figured it was easier that way. He refinished the vanity rather than replacing, and we left the original mirror, as well. But even so, looks fabulous.<br />
<br />
Ok, so enter early October (and mind you that neither the boys bathroom - above- nor the outer part of the master bath were totally done yet) and we had a conversation with some friends who God has dramatically moved out of the area. It sparked some conversation between Philip and I about whether or not this house was going to meet our needs and vision for our family long-term. We concluded short-term, yes, long-term no. We discussed whether we could make additions or modifications to the house that would allow it to meet our needs and concluded that while two of the issues could be rectified, they all could not. But even so, we didn't plan to do anything about this at that time.<br />
<br />
Then, a few days later I was at AWANA to observe a class and had some time to kill and wound up in conversation with a friend. The conversation turned to remodeling projects and the possibility of us eventually moving. I described some of the specific things we were looking for in a house and she said, "You know, my neighbor's house sounds similar to what you're describing and they are looking to move in the next few months. Maybe you should come see the house." As I said to Philip that evening, no one in my life has ever before said to me, "Maybe you should look at my neighbor's house," so on the chance that this was a divine conversation, I went to see the house the next day.<br />
<br />
I could see that the house had the potential to be what we were looking for, but it will need some remodeling (especially the master bathroom), so I almost didn't even call Philip to have him come look at it because I just couldn't imagine that he would want to take on another project after we had basically JUST gotten our house the way we wanted it! But, it was Columbus Day and it was slow in the office, so I called him, he came and looked and felt strongly that just maybe God had opened a door for us.<br />
<br />
As previously mentioned, we had thought about moving out of state, but although Philip had spent several months checking the NC area where we were considering for job options, nothing ever opened up. We talked about whether or not we felt peaceful about staying in Northern Virginia, and specifically in Ashburn. We both did...do feel strongly that God has planted us <i>here</i> for a reason.<br />
<br />
So, we contacted the sellers to let them know of our potential interest and to talk about pricing. Neither of us would be using a real estate agent, which would save them a tremendous amount of money and if their price reflected that, it would not be a financial challenge for us to purchase the house, primarily due to the incredibly low mortgage interest rates right now. They came back with a reasonable price, and while we didn't commit to buying the house at the time since we still owned our home and it was nowhere near being ready to show for sale, we had further conversation with them, but just let things lie. <br />
<br />
We decided that if there was a possibility we'd be moving, we'd better get to work on our house fast. We also began to specifically pray that if this was God's plan for us, that He would bring us a buyer before we had to list our home with a real estate agent. So Philip finished the bathrooms in record time and I ordered a storage unit so we could declutter the house. <br />
<br />
During this time, I was really struggling with doubts about whether or not this house was really right for us, but God's message to me was 1. Trust and follow my husband (who was 110% FOR the house!), 2. Trust Him to bring us a buyer and 3. Trust that He was going to do something amazing if we just asked!<br />
<br />
The weekend of the 19th, my in-laws came down and we four spent two serious days working and cleaning and the result was unbelievable. Only God could have enabled us to accomplish what we did.<br />
<br />
We had meanwhile listed the house on Zillow.com (without a realtor) and on the evening of Oct 21 we received a call from an interested buyer. I spent the next day frantically finishing the cleaning and organizing and literally as he arrived at 4:30, I was dusting the last table. He left in less than 10 minutes and we thought, "bummer, what a dud." Well, an hour later we received a call from his real estate agent who stated the man wanted to come back with his wife and the agent to see the house again and probably put in an offer. We were stunned. They returned and were serious about the house, but still deciding between property and one other, but we realized we should probably get our house on the MLS as quickly as possible to see if we could solicit any other interest. <br />
<br />
By 9:30 the next morning we were listed on the MLS through an agent-free listing service and that afternoon another couple came through who really liked the house. By 10:30 that night we had two great offers. The next day, Wednesday, 5-6 more people came through and we got another offer. On Wednesday, we also agreed to a purchase price and terms with the home we had looked at in Ashburn. After some countering between the first two we'd received, on Thursday morning, Oct 24, we accepted an over full price offer on the house. We were amazed and grateful and back to being amazed.<br />
<br />
The couple that is buying our home is the first one that came through and they had been looking for eight months. Ours was the first home that the husband liked. Wow. How cool.<br />
<br />
In 2.5 weeks we had gone from having no clue we might be moving any time soon, to having ratified contracts for the sale of our home and the purchase of another. ONLY God could have done that!<br />
<br />
Amazing things about this process:<br />
1. God brought the house to us; we weren't looking<br />
2. He brought it at just the right time that Philip was able to quickly finish the bathroom projects.<br />
3. He enabled us to get the house ready for sale in an incredibly short period of time.<br />
4. The days we were prepping the house and had the house on the market were gorgeous and the boys spent most of their time outside (Instead of this week with rain and a hurricane!!!).<br />
5. The timing of this coincided with Philip receiving a bonus from work that helps us get an amazing rate on our new mortgage.<br />
6. God brought the buyer to us on the exact day we were ready for them and we had the house sold in less than 3 days.<br />
<br />
God has already given us a wonderful home that we have enjoyed for the past 5.5 years and one that we have worked hard to make our own, but His Hand has been so obvious throughout this process, we know without a doubt that it is Him that is moving us to <i>this home in this place.</i> We have no idea what He's up to, but we trust that His plans for us are perfect and can't wait to see what He has in store for us.<br />
<br />
We will close on both homes right at the end of November and then move into the new house on December 1. We plan to do the move ourselves, so we are accepting all offers of help! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69X6xX8SaUBoOgBJu30MT90lcaLDiM-Cqy3vbNyctA8fY1kPXfBEBs9zyaYVFoaBO8jSabvwzRwgLa39w02qEoL-vUkrOPmB4aYFraOiVo3pa-3V1HwIaA_Iv9kOJFn-T5B9fHBprxT_e/s1600/1+-+Front+of+House+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69X6xX8SaUBoOgBJu30MT90lcaLDiM-Cqy3vbNyctA8fY1kPXfBEBs9zyaYVFoaBO8jSabvwzRwgLa39w02qEoL-vUkrOPmB4aYFraOiVo3pa-3V1HwIaA_Iv9kOJFn-T5B9fHBprxT_e/s320/1+-+Front+of+House+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-46672416562918399082012-08-28T12:16:00.003-04:002012-08-28T12:17:36.118-04:00New School Year!Hello! We are still alive! Obviously life has been very busy. I have been traveling around a lot this year, which has definitely moved us off our usual routine. I actually calculated that from Oct 2011-Oct 2012, I will have been gone from the house for 15 weeks! That's a lot! However, despite all our traveling, the boys and I managed to put in a really good school year last year. We mostly took a summer break and are now fully back into the school routine (except that we'll be away for most of the next three weeks, SO, yeah...)<br />
<br />
Here are the boys yesterday on the Loudoun County 1st Day of School. It was our 17th day of school, but that's a good thing since we'll be missing much of the next three weeks!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
3rd Grade! Can you believe it??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwwEzOJm-3XpyEGe-kFW9ODv4Mc0lOG8ioSJy-BC6ClvCGSxCQ-DnVMGeogRp4IOHkEa2azk0VuGwBOZEUywNq2odZmnf8gzUJoVz1t4WC9am0FotlQicP4BXbQBuYNUQUglEz-NEJAHs/s1600/DSC00250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwwEzOJm-3XpyEGe-kFW9ODv4Mc0lOG8ioSJy-BC6ClvCGSxCQ-DnVMGeogRp4IOHkEa2azk0VuGwBOZEUywNq2odZmnf8gzUJoVz1t4WC9am0FotlQicP4BXbQBuYNUQUglEz-NEJAHs/s320/DSC00250.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
New 2nd Grader!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V6iHLVUioPjCmjznmWnKb-T9iFmqQu-WOOdF4Fgq1Fn1XsdOJIpYW2-sEAkoEW2cpDuQR-6umyA9BTqEjFhqNr7TDSB8vKQeb7hESfeTkxVDRhFKUX1zRekT7LZNF7s5JDrPGXTwcfs6/s1600/DSC00254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V6iHLVUioPjCmjznmWnKb-T9iFmqQu-WOOdF4Fgq1Fn1XsdOJIpYW2-sEAkoEW2cpDuQR-6umyA9BTqEjFhqNr7TDSB8vKQeb7hESfeTkxVDRhFKUX1zRekT7LZNF7s5JDrPGXTwcfs6/s320/DSC00254.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We are beginning our 5th year of homeschooling! The first year (ok, first two) were pretty casual and we didn't accomplish a whole lot, but I think the kids have turned out fine. :) We are still using the Sonlight Curriculum for the majority of our learning. This year we are going to be starting Core D, which is American History, Part 1. I'm excited about studying this core, especially since we live in Virginia, home to so much early American History. We're actually starting the year by finishing last year's core, which I intentionally caused to run into the new school year, and by doing short unit study on Virginia.<br />
<br />
This year we're going to be using Apologia for the first time. I know so many people who just love this science curriculum, so we picked Astronomy and the boys are SO excited about spending a whole year learning about that, as they both already love the subject. We're going to do it in addition to Sonlight's Science C, which will cover several other topics, but be less in-depth. <br />
<br />
This year we're going to be focusing heavily on phonics and spelling. Since both the older boys learned to read without really ever learning phonics, there are some gaps in their knowledge! So, we're all going to learn this together....I hope.<br />
<br />
Caleb is also going to be taking a writing class with other 3rd-5th grade home school boys. He wanted to do it, so hopefully he will really enjoy it. It's every Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday mornings we'll all be participating in Community Bible Study (CBS) at CFC again.<br />
<br />
And then we've got this little guy, who's 4 now. He and I are working on learning the rest of the letters that he doesn't know and beginning phonics and letter writing basics. He loves to listen in on the reading I do with the other boys and asks me often to define words he doesn't know, so he's learning right along with the rest of us!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnzBqvVmCvfVsulQXTd3YSVZIyiVsxUQs0WDI1vaKo_6zyQN-3EtMXAHdZUAmrbhCaYMSGNGAzWdQEFITYDyL5AzCuXBkWSqX2OHRfabuYGj-hCImvjQiAsgMP9PgAEqKTNT9dEnhN5iB/s1600/DSC00166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnzBqvVmCvfVsulQXTd3YSVZIyiVsxUQs0WDI1vaKo_6zyQN-3EtMXAHdZUAmrbhCaYMSGNGAzWdQEFITYDyL5AzCuXBkWSqX2OHRfabuYGj-hCImvjQiAsgMP9PgAEqKTNT9dEnhN5iB/s320/DSC00166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's to a great school year!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-1528800250314048302012-08-27T14:44:00.000-04:002012-08-28T14:54:19.344-04:00Pacific Northwest Trip Part 1: Mt RainerThe first two weeks of August were spent in the Pacific Northwest, as Philip returned to his roots. We flew to Seattle, via Los Angeles, which was a delight to the boys since we got to go to an extra state. It also meant that they were able to see the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead out of the windows of the plane.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is how the boys were for much of the flights. So much to see!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdbJ2nmvMi9bL5AM8iCzfviCeEoXnAoBXvfDZT6Dkas0nHsSoz8-7L_hHr6HZJlCsxV8U_WWOfte3uTuRbo9Z208bVMeyik0AZmsCLAQOv036yCouTpttN7DZWXDuEKu34bhqwVZPPa1s/s1600/DSC00006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdbJ2nmvMi9bL5AM8iCzfviCeEoXnAoBXvfDZT6Dkas0nHsSoz8-7L_hHr6HZJlCsxV8U_WWOfte3uTuRbo9Z208bVMeyik0AZmsCLAQOv036yCouTpttN7DZWXDuEKu34bhqwVZPPa1s/s320/DSC00006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We spent our first night at Philip's grandma's house, then as the weather was perfect the next day, we decided to go to Mt Rainier on the way down to the Oregon coast. It was the right choice and the highlight of the trip for me! I have been to Rainier two other times, but never on a day like this!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdI8jFXGBWAvATLbKAuLdm1q7l_zHNhNEch7MY15nr8bJICvG6f26vh08bl791GOpHQXKlJK9i5IAUSGBZYejppNgiQRuaccKpuAShR6WoOZCExT4GyTh9AsljjKCYRqj8PHBTdvJz659/s1600/DSC00009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdI8jFXGBWAvATLbKAuLdm1q7l_zHNhNEch7MY15nr8bJICvG6f26vh08bl791GOpHQXKlJK9i5IAUSGBZYejppNgiQRuaccKpuAShR6WoOZCExT4GyTh9AsljjKCYRqj8PHBTdvJz659/s320/DSC00009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Snowfields in August. The boys were pretty thrilled to get snow and beach on the same day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKu_SBbuFfNcoZSkDnvTycem03kkQLxaljipEhip1iz_sV8lyEN8PDOx76_4lqs9nw3JqSpTykNeZlKbhjtX97avfdIEBSDk3htrcfVo5H9WxOPF-SqSdWZh63hKmlvG1k2lz1V13R6nY/s1600/DSC00021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKu_SBbuFfNcoZSkDnvTycem03kkQLxaljipEhip1iz_sV8lyEN8PDOx76_4lqs9nw3JqSpTykNeZlKbhjtX97avfdIEBSDk3htrcfVo5H9WxOPF-SqSdWZh63hKmlvG1k2lz1V13R6nY/s320/DSC00021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a sight, huh?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE3NPBg8DvtSIm7NYE6d-fnj_kp_tt_W64WJPJzLzPi4WBm-BHbH1t-2FztaRzRwNEY_gNIBFLQK7VJlG5Sc7NfSdfDsnAWUdcPPaRwaNCFvlOVDXyzpI6X3zQYnPecAvZhfv9X2-Qqe1/s1600/DSC00035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE3NPBg8DvtSIm7NYE6d-fnj_kp_tt_W64WJPJzLzPi4WBm-BHbH1t-2FztaRzRwNEY_gNIBFLQK7VJlG5Sc7NfSdfDsnAWUdcPPaRwaNCFvlOVDXyzpI6X3zQYnPecAvZhfv9X2-Qqe1/s320/DSC00035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The three hikers. We hiked up about a mile, but we all wanted to go further. Time and lunch demanded that we come back down when we did though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnQg0eqLRXUfXDSWycoERSSd3GhaJEZNO5RIvAmEp2aQuOIkDhKq1C15TTQn8OFLBIgbFrW1sXDQgc2Jo8uuVWK1CsfIGTCsLcBNpdi9LfG6DzBRv_W24I4lv3nyZVY6qH9dgBVo1d6aT/s1600/DSC00036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnQg0eqLRXUfXDSWycoERSSd3GhaJEZNO5RIvAmEp2aQuOIkDhKq1C15TTQn8OFLBIgbFrW1sXDQgc2Jo8uuVWK1CsfIGTCsLcBNpdi9LfG6DzBRv_W24I4lv3nyZVY6qH9dgBVo1d6aT/s320/DSC00036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Mt Adams, another very tall Washington peak. As we were hiking, Andrew kept saying </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Wow...this is amazing!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7iGByuILcEKnGKboA7Fm0h0IrhrzkBJehx6GD57XNHQFMgV4C-9yuWmp_PgItAEHqxm2SxQva3eabVplucEjTQGKDCrAL_NEb_X9ZhGKLtlM8674obH7UOosyFfi6J3vbcwfbRd2PhPU/s1600/DSC00044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7iGByuILcEKnGKboA7Fm0h0IrhrzkBJehx6GD57XNHQFMgV4C-9yuWmp_PgItAEHqxm2SxQva3eabVplucEjTQGKDCrAL_NEb_X9ZhGKLtlM8674obH7UOosyFfi6J3vbcwfbRd2PhPU/s320/DSC00044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is where we turned around. We were very high up! To the right of Philip's head is Mt St Helens.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hFg3QjpJkNKwJF0v_EAtdWU9v7o_w9LohNb20BstKFKrkt9w8NIlFngfiFc3wDaJHxnFPq5FBHkdGwDRb83I67dRv52h1jA8up-Dkbu1nLSDY7W_DL50SdSSeunbEW4ATSInDG6UisIY/s1600/DSC00054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hFg3QjpJkNKwJF0v_EAtdWU9v7o_w9LohNb20BstKFKrkt9w8NIlFngfiFc3wDaJHxnFPq5FBHkdGwDRb83I67dRv52h1jA8up-Dkbu1nLSDY7W_DL50SdSSeunbEW4ATSInDG6UisIY/s320/DSC00054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We descended on a different trail. This side was very green and reminded me of the Alps</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNFfr_uGWOAsNROODlh8c-vuxR4w725IbdS5gp5F7bSz49bqP_otFCXpai_msIlbluArnMp4JfdJFqyxaFHS2mCW1kiWiex7_49-j4vBV0l0WhZNmqRW3DN_6l_VJukw-d2HmyyM9Tz0j/s1600/DSC00060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNFfr_uGWOAsNROODlh8c-vuxR4w725IbdS5gp5F7bSz49bqP_otFCXpai_msIlbluArnMp4JfdJFqyxaFHS2mCW1kiWiex7_49-j4vBV0l0WhZNmqRW3DN_6l_VJukw-d2HmyyM9Tz0j/s320/DSC00060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a great time! Fortunately, while the hike up took 1:45, coming back down was only 30 minutes. Good thing since it was 1:00 and we were all hungry! After this we drove the 3.5 or so hours to get to Seaside, OR, where we spent the next week.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-19438244616573440422012-08-27T13:56:00.000-04:002012-08-28T14:53:46.943-04:00Pacific Northwest Trip Part 2 - Oregon CoastThe original inspiration for this trip came from Philip who wanted to take us to the beach where he and his extended family used to vacation when he was a kid. It turned into quite the family reunion.<br />
<br />
We had great weather while we were there, but it was still COLD for the beach...as in low 70's or high 60's with wind. Brrr.... But this didn't deter the kids! They built sandcastles for hours every chance they got.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIryHmsv7D0wdCVQAhsdj1Xj1EzPHlnvzlVYjBMIDiP4PzjaPhTGiLt1xnXNlSmkoXvccnr5CkV6RrgKrn0LO7igIyaqqE6rB4slJvWpDXB8Lv00MxhBpz160KZYVMB15o2UEaRfa4kTD7/s1600/DSC00071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIryHmsv7D0wdCVQAhsdj1Xj1EzPHlnvzlVYjBMIDiP4PzjaPhTGiLt1xnXNlSmkoXvccnr5CkV6RrgKrn0LO7igIyaqqE6rB4slJvWpDXB8Lv00MxhBpz160KZYVMB15o2UEaRfa4kTD7/s320/DSC00071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was also lots of kite flying involved. Joshua especially liked to help relaunch the kites.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnnoYL9wu5e84r-BOmuH7JZu2WfAWtOJ6jEqAZwpbKjL4IxKDeEfWvQ_2FN0Nh46g83AVFL_jGDvcNyCDGw6BdusE7JVnF064snj6y4dXle_zPE5oVxQVrMpSYqvOC384hXqmukcSxqls/s1600/DSC00074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnnoYL9wu5e84r-BOmuH7JZu2WfAWtOJ6jEqAZwpbKjL4IxKDeEfWvQ_2FN0Nh46g83AVFL_jGDvcNyCDGw6BdusE7JVnF064snj6y4dXle_zPE5oVxQVrMpSYqvOC384hXqmukcSxqls/s320/DSC00074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy digger!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aI-GIAxIIrmO_WjBWUOiYZNjpK434qcPeyQp5euikI9MtS7H3BmlzRLbYnb3KX4afYFWAYbNBgoTI5hmEYG_Q6tOCv_LILhxxtOeS4birw0adTyvADU5Xl7QoMNqIX4Yi5LUJuk9HkJY/s1600/DSC00079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aI-GIAxIIrmO_WjBWUOiYZNjpK434qcPeyQp5euikI9MtS7H3BmlzRLbYnb3KX4afYFWAYbNBgoTI5hmEYG_Q6tOCv_LILhxxtOeS4birw0adTyvADU5Xl7QoMNqIX4Yi5LUJuk9HkJY/s320/DSC00079.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We went a few miles south to Cannon Beach a couple of times. Here the boys are at the base of iconic Haystack Rock, which is home to all kinds of marine life, which you can see in low tide.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U9eKzP9c-wWXbhjDeqyfyycZwEa71sX_7F3oT3pkP_WI2ji9NdGpFeDK455EyrwR_r-lWJ38P-cg2Ag1LuH-0uSQgOv6Jn59EDO9NnORO-L1XCntsYH0UPlPvHNUCtrPWBlBb7ICzBbd/s1600/DSC00080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U9eKzP9c-wWXbhjDeqyfyycZwEa71sX_7F3oT3pkP_WI2ji9NdGpFeDK455EyrwR_r-lWJ38P-cg2Ag1LuH-0uSQgOv6Jn59EDO9NnORO-L1XCntsYH0UPlPvHNUCtrPWBlBb7ICzBbd/s320/DSC00080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Haystack Rock</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwnka0BpWoVS5FsT8uEpfKLdCTLr12Rpk12i9wliPyxT1b22B8EoM6xDUgfFhBIzE42_Ywnv0Tp-IoxXFkNqe38Ch38-j7Pa4Vhb4hFY1lOs_6L5ZHc4A40iGHFqYk7Vb-MQm2DnPu26W/s1600/DSC00093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwnka0BpWoVS5FsT8uEpfKLdCTLr12Rpk12i9wliPyxT1b22B8EoM6xDUgfFhBIzE42_Ywnv0Tp-IoxXFkNqe38Ch38-j7Pa4Vhb4hFY1lOs_6L5ZHc4A40iGHFqYk7Vb-MQm2DnPu26W/s320/DSC00093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
More sandcastle building at the base of the Rock. Notice the attire. It was COLD that day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFhwGBpKndTOWEnpBDPRwOYSb6llliiYovPPR5zl821a70OmtyHx-eXeglTZzvBQYMEeosJUOHSm34ylvtJXMkT52saqSJ0IL0ilo8Bp7hlTSmxnLns-HbGuokbEOFWqUrrqrQMJKQiq-/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFhwGBpKndTOWEnpBDPRwOYSb6llliiYovPPR5zl821a70OmtyHx-eXeglTZzvBQYMEeosJUOHSm34ylvtJXMkT52saqSJ0IL0ilo8Bp7hlTSmxnLns-HbGuokbEOFWqUrrqrQMJKQiq-/s320/DSC00095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the great-grands of Philip's grandma</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk3PDRTkCqQJ8EU3Bt3AYeEFXVOSP14c3o1yPGgF0D_cKOrHjHU-SuLAxotZKOyV3xB2Fy1igvOuBz5Hboam2PgocvHEhNLjPiOix3WA0ynhGcaASrzRjFmxvaigQhmf8DuwppsM9usJO/s1600/DSC00105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk3PDRTkCqQJ8EU3Bt3AYeEFXVOSP14c3o1yPGgF0D_cKOrHjHU-SuLAxotZKOyV3xB2Fy1igvOuBz5Hboam2PgocvHEhNLjPiOix3WA0ynhGcaASrzRjFmxvaigQhmf8DuwppsM9usJO/s320/DSC00105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a beach bonfire, thanks to Uncle Paul and Aunt Vanessa. And of course, s'mores were involved!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCB9pANp04veah42FRkTpIi3NVZxnTTCe3QZYYa-AA74ervzWtIy4vn4GxGF1h1Yd6zwKEge401OZA-fxmjtQqhpFRWX-YKIQlv9G8Snmfe3Gkjn7uZT_rnbsBSx2prVQzC5YKeajZZ2jD/s1600/DSC00122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCB9pANp04veah42FRkTpIi3NVZxnTTCe3QZYYa-AA74ervzWtIy4vn4GxGF1h1Yd6zwKEge401OZA-fxmjtQqhpFRWX-YKIQlv9G8Snmfe3Gkjn7uZT_rnbsBSx2prVQzC5YKeajZZ2jD/s320/DSC00122.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seaside, OR is considered the end of the Lewis and Clark trail.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sXI-5Bj-ogLD3pJP4bDWRYp65JAhgr0vccXxKUMvlDX17SXvrghdkSrIsgG1_6z2rs26SRdP6NGMlowWmHfxDFfg4hSlGo6p8mZPFrb3nN_SlIpa0cgg55JK-e2S8FQfsXtIV_GsGZEp/s1600/DSC00128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sXI-5Bj-ogLD3pJP4bDWRYp65JAhgr0vccXxKUMvlDX17SXvrghdkSrIsgG1_6z2rs26SRdP6NGMlowWmHfxDFfg4hSlGo6p8mZPFrb3nN_SlIpa0cgg55JK-e2S8FQfsXtIV_GsGZEp/s320/DSC00128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish3jNMQgNOA9KLMlCd6hAITCQzboxrEh20yn-R3UStXDz2rqub5rQDG5SjxORC9TXyd048lhtP922QuMpksUND9PV2M3XBIrQyRUHOx4ivfjSSmFnp8OyqbpTKMeGVsG-V1PUSB6cSD27/s1600/DSC00129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish3jNMQgNOA9KLMlCd6hAITCQzboxrEh20yn-R3UStXDz2rqub5rQDG5SjxORC9TXyd048lhtP922QuMpksUND9PV2M3XBIrQyRUHOx4ivfjSSmFnp8OyqbpTKMeGVsG-V1PUSB6cSD27/s320/DSC00129.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This picture doesn't accurately show the color of the hydrangeas, but they were the most incredible dark blue/purple color. Just gorgeous!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhmmHr4d3ze88M11uytrYOR4X7_VRJKM1A0iBpvLqIpYfkGGMkGxmK0B_KuC7yxD7Sd-GzZK2MeJyNrEFjxF0gkJjI8P8uOCdnhcZIaIHczgwN7h6ML3oe5ycGyegYVOEWeZPSAUq4zB3/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhmmHr4d3ze88M11uytrYOR4X7_VRJKM1A0iBpvLqIpYfkGGMkGxmK0B_KuC7yxD7Sd-GzZK2MeJyNrEFjxF0gkJjI8P8uOCdnhcZIaIHczgwN7h6ML3oe5ycGyegYVOEWeZPSAUq4zB3/s320/DSC00140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crazy kids!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0YGcSoa8AOVtuDn7Cgpw2KE3p0PBxtdz-9392glnl3xfuVC31ttDfg41ff021KTB1Sy7KsJgNq3bn1bltfAy1jBYjNV6LBKnzop5e_dsGgJQqjM3JAF5XtOoXjmqrZG70qSaY4MbgdnX/s1600/IMG_4092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0YGcSoa8AOVtuDn7Cgpw2KE3p0PBxtdz-9392glnl3xfuVC31ttDfg41ff021KTB1Sy7KsJgNq3bn1bltfAy1jBYjNV6LBKnzop5e_dsGgJQqjM3JAF5XtOoXjmqrZG70qSaY4MbgdnX/s320/IMG_4092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Great Grandma with the kiddos</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dbxL4MaVswntvRGfj3XC7x-4BUsGoNNWPQOBgGjZfpxWwoSpEYnh68w5anybri89RGk7LXQQJHZMS4gVjBtOxsq5XjfOTXUPG5DffRZ2U3g8bCG4XHCKu079yAQDQYMWAIAMrRXfsGe4/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dbxL4MaVswntvRGfj3XC7x-4BUsGoNNWPQOBgGjZfpxWwoSpEYnh68w5anybri89RGk7LXQQJHZMS4gVjBtOxsq5XjfOTXUPG5DffRZ2U3g8bCG4XHCKu079yAQDQYMWAIAMrRXfsGe4/s320/IMG_4099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of the family - Hines, Jones and Noble</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtszVMu6Jkgt_sMBAB5LkltzvZ_PBtujFIs2gg8pOu-cBlO1UcRPORjhbAdtpmLHwh698v4PVywk7KhMUhHrjicQwVDYmLujV9fKcjKozpYHbHZnOYkJ3s-be-Z-8vEUWCxFuIh7VxVTS/s1600/IMG_4105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtszVMu6Jkgt_sMBAB5LkltzvZ_PBtujFIs2gg8pOu-cBlO1UcRPORjhbAdtpmLHwh698v4PVywk7KhMUhHrjicQwVDYmLujV9fKcjKozpYHbHZnOYkJ3s-be-Z-8vEUWCxFuIh7VxVTS/s320/IMG_4105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a wonderful time with all the family! There were even a couple of members of my mother-in-law's family who dropped by to join the fun! We're so happy this trip worked out so well and are dreaming of what we might all do on our next big Hines adventure...Alaska? Nova Scotia? We'll see!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-69129188001157902232012-08-27T12:50:00.000-04:002012-08-28T14:54:01.110-04:00Pacific Northwest Trip Part 3 - Seattle and Vancouver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last leg of our trip was going back up to the Seattle area, where we spent a few days with some dear friends, but on the way, we stopped at the recreation of Fort Clatsop, OR, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition stayed during the winter of 1805-1806.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHYRT6nDssmoVQm9fD1R9pudVUAUSqBuYACigAvrtmNk8G7Dl3je_fBp6qRwoe9UxOkJtJd5LBFMaDLf2UXDe1e1VopNS61IK3Gw6Vmc1m32AfbuzBPoolBPLsUdK7U4AbVVQfUlA5Ht9/s1600/DSC00143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHYRT6nDssmoVQm9fD1R9pudVUAUSqBuYACigAvrtmNk8G7Dl3je_fBp6qRwoe9UxOkJtJd5LBFMaDLf2UXDe1e1VopNS61IK3Gw6Vmc1m32AfbuzBPoolBPLsUdK7U4AbVVQfUlA5Ht9/s320/DSC00143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Writing with quill pens. Harder than it looks!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhz04y2CnQ2DtlotEFzfsFk6Xqkz7c64aOlkqBvzqk43CjuEKghCV0vTibXT7mAIFWP-ehFmOatWNGCVnywRInYQe44GLLH8N9uay0s1P3gGgkzOC_5F5DS1aV5O0iIKwvkpxjkNAJv4r/s1600/DSC00144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhz04y2CnQ2DtlotEFzfsFk6Xqkz7c64aOlkqBvzqk43CjuEKghCV0vTibXT7mAIFWP-ehFmOatWNGCVnywRInYQe44GLLH8N9uay0s1P3gGgkzOC_5F5DS1aV5O0iIKwvkpxjkNAJv4r/s320/DSC00144.JPG" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSPOYz5J_zvbnX71iYj7taKONb8gxqhLL3ZtsXEA7VviwI5pQ5t9mFMP8x0Uq4sw59p5AdhpZurCEunyonk1NEQq7a_tntdzoXFds_mB_9EWeywt4GMPLbRIZNvXBeWMR3ic_X1qhOnae/s1600/DSC00149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSPOYz5J_zvbnX71iYj7taKONb8gxqhLL3ZtsXEA7VviwI5pQ5t9mFMP8x0Uq4sw59p5AdhpZurCEunyonk1NEQq7a_tntdzoXFds_mB_9EWeywt4GMPLbRIZNvXBeWMR3ic_X1qhOnae/s320/DSC00149.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then we drove a little further north to visit the Astoria Column, which quite high above the city of Astoria and provides quite the view. Of course, there's no elevator, so we all took the 164 step spiral staircase. It was not so much difficult as slightly scary, especially the up part!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya5WWHjxhF4Iw7wGT-plJhjqeCeipSO10CkzzWI6HytR7cUdPvtNldBlmPWs23fCq_ea9MFEF7CDEAovb1TFtPWAoGyiUFi-o12yVWgyC0P2KXlPvpWSOdMC1adQ099MKJRsKXXVfShsh/s1600/DSC00155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya5WWHjxhF4Iw7wGT-plJhjqeCeipSO10CkzzWI6HytR7cUdPvtNldBlmPWs23fCq_ea9MFEF7CDEAovb1TFtPWAoGyiUFi-o12yVWgyC0P2KXlPvpWSOdMC1adQ099MKJRsKXXVfShsh/s320/DSC00155.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the views from the top</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn7UNahqU0wlcERQsHzepQJhmr8CIzINfAgNJrGYxSNkZXvBUvqzNbZCn6VjdLtDtDzbUWxxk_BqRPWUvm06E-tM8X4x2RquBsgxjjMmboTtHVu8E1xOZyoPKj-oGRjxcpYiRqgvkpUzv/s1600/DSC00153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn7UNahqU0wlcERQsHzepQJhmr8CIzINfAgNJrGYxSNkZXvBUvqzNbZCn6VjdLtDtDzbUWxxk_BqRPWUvm06E-tM8X4x2RquBsgxjjMmboTtHVu8E1xOZyoPKj-oGRjxcpYiRqgvkpUzv/s320/DSC00153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our dear friends, the Morrisseys, hosted us for a few days. On Sunday, we took a trip in Seattle and visited the SPU campus, where Mayson, Laura and Philip met...and were I was later introduced to Philip while visiting Laura. Here are the SPU-ites with their progeny.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVBEi-TIaMszYACU_jMDuhx3j22EI35nkYYHLJ-IJH1R1WkWC6QPnRLIS8nz90ZABRYnGmRcI3zBBRWkP6kqMBYwOXFKqhhY_BU9zroyq5-S-jxJxu0S1cS8Lav8-KDS7Xi7glkc-Op-T/s1600/DSC00162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVBEi-TIaMszYACU_jMDuhx3j22EI35nkYYHLJ-IJH1R1WkWC6QPnRLIS8nz90ZABRYnGmRcI3zBBRWkP6kqMBYwOXFKqhhY_BU9zroyq5-S-jxJxu0S1cS8Lav8-KDS7Xi7glkc-Op-T/s320/DSC00162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next we went to Discovery Park, which is my favorite place in Seattle. You get a beautiful view of the Olympic Mountains over part of the Puget Sound.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67GckYxbR5QRFhJmUWgX29PoDI5U0OgAPYTFWfJT8KjiqJYnnQO-joCObmQ0eVUwFKfKMgSJ-XB4OgnWlCxY7ijN6wAHLl6ZpQ2PN9UF0ih9jQnEe5GZk5C6wFSj-VGJ0UIbJzBawPXNn/s1600/DSC00167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67GckYxbR5QRFhJmUWgX29PoDI5U0OgAPYTFWfJT8KjiqJYnnQO-joCObmQ0eVUwFKfKMgSJ-XB4OgnWlCxY7ijN6wAHLl6ZpQ2PN9UF0ih9jQnEe5GZk5C6wFSj-VGJ0UIbJzBawPXNn/s320/DSC00167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEM88pFbsh5kplegqEDdVBaDRGK9nwOtAZ4pUrpfcO3LmWi7YXOjZZoDBqHsqBkzT5XoQN9213IsogB1D-W2aHEqLdkb0DmQK2kDkOgslWwKEGfcSvyoEinaWPeVUG1mrTOEKfKy8qWUR/s1600/DSC00175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEM88pFbsh5kplegqEDdVBaDRGK9nwOtAZ4pUrpfcO3LmWi7YXOjZZoDBqHsqBkzT5XoQN9213IsogB1D-W2aHEqLdkb0DmQK2kDkOgslWwKEGfcSvyoEinaWPeVUG1mrTOEKfKy8qWUR/s320/DSC00175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We then headed downtown to the Pike Place Market to cruise around. The boys were not impressed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAgPJYnTiwRBYK3rW7qFsYc3Se2Roe901EHogocW9-4Qf0wig-5z1_VFzHsEFGXSgtwVcNiykZ-rB493QPp5UJTxa2EnYmvujFjZ1hXxvmYatiVC93tdOnoTICFXH3xrd0uPJaUPLobq/s1600/DSC00190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAgPJYnTiwRBYK3rW7qFsYc3Se2Roe901EHogocW9-4Qf0wig-5z1_VFzHsEFGXSgtwVcNiykZ-rB493QPp5UJTxa2EnYmvujFjZ1hXxvmYatiVC93tdOnoTICFXH3xrd0uPJaUPLobq/s320/DSC00190.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The next day we hopped back into the car and drove to Vancouver. It's a very pretty city. We spent most of our time in Stanley Park. This is the Borckton Lighthouse, which is there in the Park.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2w3Fcm1ylTxrCg0wN-Fyrz5iiUvp7Ogn_Rkho869jLYQPqKOVXGEHmkZkOn0lrjFbc_LSCxFFiTAmxYMfHDlt8y4idwaA4zq7tVv1hRHCg1WcLVDVgs9EzMtvTWWk43-lFepsWFPHYcK/s1600/DSC00196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2w3Fcm1ylTxrCg0wN-Fyrz5iiUvp7Ogn_Rkho869jLYQPqKOVXGEHmkZkOn0lrjFbc_LSCxFFiTAmxYMfHDlt8y4idwaA4zq7tVv1hRHCg1WcLVDVgs9EzMtvTWWk43-lFepsWFPHYcK/s320/DSC00196.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
After spending a lazy afternoon in the Park, we headed off the find the 2010 Winter Olympic Torch. It was pretty cool to get to see it and it's certainly set on an incredible backdrop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUmgHrTX4uwKFR1A9Q0Xv5eqkzYTYX2-lo58ZK0VyJUdmmhNB3ZzfAzTJgUy1BfKRr43ayXL7hrhFvw7BMtILdkzQb2lT7lL4NtQowVQKoPsea4cC_DFXgchpFxLZ4pmV0TnPWkJzKGZ0/s1600/DSC00200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUmgHrTX4uwKFR1A9Q0Xv5eqkzYTYX2-lo58ZK0VyJUdmmhNB3ZzfAzTJgUy1BfKRr43ayXL7hrhFvw7BMtILdkzQb2lT7lL4NtQowVQKoPsea4cC_DFXgchpFxLZ4pmV0TnPWkJzKGZ0/s320/DSC00200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The next day we went to the Vancouver Aquarium, our first ever trip to an aquarium. Caleb was particularly thrilled to see Beluga Whales (behind him) for the first time. We also saw a native kind of Dolphin, seal lion, sea otter, and African Penguins. We spent several hours just watching the shows and presentations on each of these animals.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23aXwcICmwfJr1Smq8NxVtZeJDm4JI2A1pbRughc5z1f_QrMI0PgByGlyuW4ntCQWnX0DsdtNARVnfpXpdC7ofsZmsTUBD9yAv8SJ7cyVZNovQv3E1p4coGDzsLCd4pKffnQu4dP22E5a/s1600/DSC00213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23aXwcICmwfJr1Smq8NxVtZeJDm4JI2A1pbRughc5z1f_QrMI0PgByGlyuW4ntCQWnX0DsdtNARVnfpXpdC7ofsZmsTUBD9yAv8SJ7cyVZNovQv3E1p4coGDzsLCd4pKffnQu4dP22E5a/s320/DSC00213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOifpENQiEKI1-XfD0aD8FJx3Wp5qoxjHMoK3SjcjvhHSueV6EOFK5xSwm9aC4OP3kynWqrt-FBi7AkFEFLI14qpuNEedQ3vnWRHUcMbghOqjRXjMukq5tMNpQ9ulji57av6S8THXIAU9q/s1600/DSC00215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOifpENQiEKI1-XfD0aD8FJx3Wp5qoxjHMoK3SjcjvhHSueV6EOFK5xSwm9aC4OP3kynWqrt-FBi7AkFEFLI14qpuNEedQ3vnWRHUcMbghOqjRXjMukq5tMNpQ9ulji57av6S8THXIAU9q/s320/DSC00215.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwc9BYX_d2gWdwPnxZQ5yB8hVgk1cn2syvaP_lfaN49gLs48WhW9MbOltzgX26mJOgoRHTXzvdKLILy8qHQeSaSLil1PXieHbHjOFWDRx5CUNcrfunS8hg4EcYT-5l3fiCL34fKFs7Jcd/s1600/DSC00217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwc9BYX_d2gWdwPnxZQ5yB8hVgk1cn2syvaP_lfaN49gLs48WhW9MbOltzgX26mJOgoRHTXzvdKLILy8qHQeSaSLil1PXieHbHjOFWDRx5CUNcrfunS8hg4EcYT-5l3fiCL34fKFs7Jcd/s320/DSC00217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then back to Seattle for two more nights. Laura and I have been friends now for 17 years!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCfJ8l5LWOd01WAp9ZUBnEzbXtE3Ox0pvNmx56yrdJ9KnQOQxxL_OWcfEcmbP-lUXRjFLsrs7SCKdB4yvDNaqSneDKgIUGrlTKGOC8Xk0bkY-38-eu8PFlJdMnTO1oQ_uskBQMh4xKlJL/s1600/DSC00229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCfJ8l5LWOd01WAp9ZUBnEzbXtE3Ox0pvNmx56yrdJ9KnQOQxxL_OWcfEcmbP-lUXRjFLsrs7SCKdB4yvDNaqSneDKgIUGrlTKGOC8Xk0bkY-38-eu8PFlJdMnTO1oQ_uskBQMh4xKlJL/s320/DSC00229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Morrisseys currently have a one-eyed frog named Rocky that one of their daughters found outside of Costco. He was apparently very entertaining. I think they are all hoping he's going to eat a fly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6a-KsEL2FsCrnIXBvxlH80OjAdN6NT2IrWBTUX8rKYYwNPc18OyiEFAMYbjyKUXQMGuIg0x8IWV3cgrekuaSvTOiiulmgR5NtHdar9EW-RAqhxcD4RtPOirMriyEuMD3FAl9j_YoLTnx/s1600/DSC00230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6a-KsEL2FsCrnIXBvxlH80OjAdN6NT2IrWBTUX8rKYYwNPc18OyiEFAMYbjyKUXQMGuIg0x8IWV3cgrekuaSvTOiiulmgR5NtHdar9EW-RAqhxcD4RtPOirMriyEuMD3FAl9j_YoLTnx/s320/DSC00230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our last morning, we went to a local park and met up with an old friend of the Hines family who really wanted to meet the boys. It was a lovely visit! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP1SPjlUoMYfzh3ihVhhwgt0kMk6RseMec3qekG5kSUpAJ7QqVn_LrfU7NXNImIyMDCaQatTKlG4lbuMoVfcSwBf8k_bqL2dV2aS_10Hqx9xh1A7TP6T-CSvMUpl9CU3NNBii81whFNXO/s1600/DSC00238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP1SPjlUoMYfzh3ihVhhwgt0kMk6RseMec3qekG5kSUpAJ7QqVn_LrfU7NXNImIyMDCaQatTKlG4lbuMoVfcSwBf8k_bqL2dV2aS_10Hqx9xh1A7TP6T-CSvMUpl9CU3NNBii81whFNXO/s320/DSC00238.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Then off to the airport we went for the most hectic and stressful two hours of the whole trip. Bottom line: Sea-Tac needs more fast food restaurants and needs to better label where they are located for families traveling with four hungry boys. Oh yeah, and we should have allowed ourselves 30 more minutes.</span>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">However, on the flight home the boys got to see the incredible mountains of Montana, Glacier National Park, the Badlands of North Dakota, Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Then, I am happy to say, it got dark and everyone just stayed in their seats. :)</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-73250792571563840682012-02-15T14:55:00.001-05:002012-02-15T14:56:56.364-05:00Mission Successful!In case you're all dying to know what happened as the result of our changing the way our boys earn treat and video privileges, I am pleased to report our plan was genius. Suddenly, the boys' floors are always clean (except when they are actively playing), beds are neatly made, they are loading and unloading the dishwasher most of the time, folding the laundry and occasionally helping with other household chores. Pure genius. Since they are unable to have a treat or watch a video without having the points to pay for it and the only way to earn points is by doing the above, we have created a situation where work is required. It makes them happy because they are still getting their privileges AND it has taught them to be a little more picky: i.e. if they don't love the treat options, they will save the points and not have one. It makes me happy because I can see their carpets and they suddenly learned they WERE able to make their beds neatly! After all, a sloppy bed doesn't earn as many points as a neat one. :) It's also made me more proactive about finding/leaving jobs for them to do, rather than just doing things myself. <br />
<br />
In case you're interested, here's the system. A few other notes on it. <br />
1. If they don't have a clean room/made bed when we check, they <b>lose</b> the points they would have earned<br />
2. If they lost a privilege during the day by bad behavior, they still have to pay the points as if they had gotten the privilege.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Rewards Chart<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.65pt; width: 386px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td nowrap="" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.3pt;" valign="bottom" width="290"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Treat After Dinner<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">10<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.3pt;" valign="bottom" width="290"></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.3pt;" valign="bottom" width="290"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Watch a Video<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">15<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.3pt;" valign="bottom" width="290"></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.3pt;" valign="bottom" width="290"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Exchange for Money (50 points per dollar)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Point Earning Chart<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.65pt; width: 385px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td nowrap="" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Do 15 Minutes Worth of Chores, assigned by parent<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">15<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Make Bed and put all clothes folded or hung in place<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">5/-5 <o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Floor Clean, Books on shelf, Papers put away<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">10/-10<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Set the Table (plates, forks, knives)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Clear the Table<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Load the Dishwasher<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Dustbust under Kitchen Table<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">3<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Help make dinner<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">5<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Unload the Dishwasher (5 for dishes, 6 for silverware)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">11<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Sort, Fold, Put away Laundry <o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">10<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Vacuum the entryway and kitchen with vacuum cleaner<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">15<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Clean five windows or scrub walls and doors with cloth<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">20<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 17;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Organize books on a bookcase<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">10<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 18;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Clean the Bathroom (with Dad)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">20<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 19;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Organize and clean up toys in the basement<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">20<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 19.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 21; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Memorize a chapter of the Bible (7-10 verses)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 19.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="bottom" width="96"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">100<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p>As for my productivity level, I have been doing better about staying on top of proactive chores, although the last two weeks have been bad Lyme weeks for me, so it has been challenging some days. But I am working on it!</o:p></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-85553316007929443302012-01-30T15:13:00.004-05:002012-01-30T15:33:38.272-05:00GrumpyAnyone ever get grumpy about doing their job? Don't judge me...I sometimes do! Don't get me wrong, I love and enjoy many things about being a wife, mom and home maker. BUT, most of the time I wish that my job description regarding the house read: "Keep from becoming a complete disaster and clean for impending company." However, I have been very convicted over the last few weeks that that's not actually what my job description says. It actually says something more like: "Keep the house as clean and clutter-free as possible, while also teaching the children to live neatly and value organization." Gulp. Not doing such a good job with that. But, I have had some light bulb moments recently. Some of them are:<br />
<br />
1. I am my most productive in the mornings. This is why I have often felt I have to choose between accomplishing something or schooling the boys on a particular day. I've realized this is because I really struggle to be productive in the afternoons. It has definitely been made worse by the fatigue that comes with Lyme, but I think I have always had this tendency. I often will get a "second wind" in the evening and do work projects then, but not always.<br />
<br />
2. I need to do a better job of consistently doing general upkeep on the house so that the problem areas don't get out of control.<br />
<br />
3. I need to do a better job of teaching my children to keep their things orderly and to train them to be helpers around the house.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">4. I spend too much time "under the line" (i.e. quadrant's 3 and 4), according to Steven Covey's Time Management Matrix, see below. While the matrix doesn't specifically speak to a mom who stays home with her children, you can figure out where most of the things that fill our days fall. Some words to help further describe these quadrants are #1 Necessity,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> #<span style="color: #333333;">2 Proactive and Productive, #3 Deception (they <i>feel </i>urgent, but aren't) and #4 Waste.</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/MerrillCoveyMatrix.png/220px-MerrillCoveyMatrix.png" /></div><br />
People tend to see me as a very organized person, which I guess is true in a lot of ways. So, I do really well on urgent, important matters. If something NEEDS to get done, I get it done. Period. Where I have been having a problem is with the things that would fall into quadrant two: proactive productivity, which in my house would mean general cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering and intentional time with the boys.<br />
<br />
So, what I am doing to improve? First, I've been honest with myself and raised the expectations for what needs to be happening around here on a regular basis. Second, I am "requiring" myself to do at least one "proactive" task a day, usually in the afternoon when I normally would not be productive. Today that means cleaning the main floor bathroom before small group tonight so that it doesn't smell like a bunch of boys use it. (They do, which is why it smells that way...) Third, I completed a huge purge, de-clutter and organization of the older boys' rooms and we set expectations for how they need to keep it clean...tied to an incentive. More on that later. Lastly, I have committed myself to training my boys to be better helpers with the upkeep of the house. The older two especially are old enough to help significantly.<br />
<br />
So,the incentive? The boys are able to "earn" the privilege of watching a 30 minute video and having a treat after dinner. This system has been in place for a long time, but has generally been tied to them having reasonably good behavior and not "un-earning" the privilege rather than really earning it. We've changed that. They are now on a point system where if they don't make their beds and have clean floors and surface areas at the end of the day, they lose points. On the other hand, if they have done those things, they earn points. But only enough to either have a treat OR watch a video. If they want to do both, the will have to complete a work project to earn additional points by helping out around the house: cleaning bathrooms, organizing bookshelves, vacuuming, etc.<br />
<br />
So far, so good. I've been accomplishing things in the afternoons and making my way through some big projects around the house and the boys have been motivated to look for ways to be helpers, as well as to keep their own spaces organized and neat. So, here's hoping this becomes habit and that if you happen to drop in on us on short notice from here on out that you'll find a mostly neat house instead of a mostly messy one!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-80663532134287505222012-01-12T14:34:00.002-05:002012-01-12T18:58:19.531-05:00While I'm Waiting...againJohn Waller's song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY&feature=related">While I'm Waiting</a> is another that has continued to resonate with me time after time. Perhaps this is because the last few years have felt like one waiting period after another. I was reflecting on this the other day and realized that this is probably true for a lot of people: we're always waiting for <i>something</i>. This is not always a bad thing, but I think this song has most often spoken to me when the <i>something</i> seems impossible. And that would be the case right now, in more than one situation. God has laid something on our hearts that is Big and Dramatic and Scary! And tied into it are so many pieces that are completely out of our control. In fact, most of it is completely out of our control. Now being somewhat of a perfectionist and control freak (ok, maybe not somewhat, but I really am learning to let go of things!), I strongly dislike loose ends. When we decide to go on a trip somewhere, even months in advance, I can't stand to not have everything booked as soon as possible. It drives me nuts when decisions take weeks or months to nail down. But now, ahhhh, God is asking me to HANG for quite a while without knowing WHAT is going to happen and WHEN! Can we say this is an opportunity to keep my hands off and PRAY? I don't when I have ever felt so challenged to earnestly pray for God's direction and wisdom. <br />
<br />
Now, granted, there are some things that we <i>can</i> do while we're waiting, and so we shall endeavor to be good stewards of this "waiting time" that He has given us so that when He says "It's time" we're ready to roll.<br />
<br />
Honestly, the desire that He has put on my heart seems <i>impossible</i>. With that in mind, I was so thankful when my Bible Study this week highlighted how God's ability to make the impossible happen isn't reliant on our ability to believe that He can do it. He's not inhibited by lack our of faith. Thank goodness. Or should I say, Thank You, God. <br />
<br />
I have seen over and over in my life that when God places a desire on my heart, He makes it come to fruition in <i>His perfect timing</i>. And I trust that He will do the same in this situation, even as I sit here wondering (from a human standpoint) how that's possible. But here's what I know from a spiritual standpoint:<br />
<br />
-He will provide (Gen 22:14)<br />
-He will fight for us (Ex 14:14)<br />
-He will give us wisdom when we ask (James 1:5)<br />
-He will work everything for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28)<br />
-Nothing is impossible for Him! (Luke 1:37)<br />
<br />
And so we move to a period of waiting...again. And as the song says, we will serve and worship and be still as we wait for the Lord.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /> </div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593430003667929770.post-70411817473609129622011-12-09T09:17:00.001-05:002012-01-12T18:59:05.502-05:00Things I'm Thankful ForFor a few beautiful weeks this year I thought I would be having a baby (girl) this week. Sunday was my official due date, but I probably would have delivered early, which means if I'd had things my way, I would probably already have been holding a beautiful new child and been in love all over again. But it wasn't my way. However, believe it or not, I am actually thankful that this did not turn out my way. Obviously I don't mean I don't wish for that fourth child. But this year was clearly not God's timing for that. And here's a few reasons why.<br />
<br />
1. Over the summer, God made it clear that it was time for me to have my gallbladder removed. I could not have had it out while pregnant (except in the case of an emergency) and I am so THANKFUL that it is gone! I am almost pain-free in that department, other than some residual nerve issues, and am so thankful to no longer be dealing with the horrible pain that plagued me for years.<br />
<br />
2. Since this spring, God has brought significant change and healing to our marriage. Perhaps this could also have been achieved while I was pregnant, but pregnancy changes things and I'll never know for sure. So, instead I'll just be thankful to Him for giving us the time and opportunities to make some changes. God has dramatically changed our relationship in several ways and has dramatically changed <i>me</i> as a person and a wife and I am so thankful.<br />
<br />
3. Lyme Disease. Need I say more? But I will...not only does having Lyme make one completely exhausted and barely able to function some days, it also is transferable through the placenta to the baby. If I had had been pregnant when I contracted Lyme this Fall, not only would the added stress on my body from the exhaustion been horrendous, but I would not have been able to have been treated with the first kind of antibiotics that are always used with Lyme and would have had to worry about giving birth to a child with Lyme Disease in her blood. And I cannot imagine being in the later months of a pregnancy with both Philip and I being so wiped out and still being able to care for our three children and Philip continue working. <br />
<br />
As much as I wanted that baby, I am thankful for God's sovereignty on not allowing it for this season. Instead, our number of children in Heaven exceeds the number here on earth for now. Who knows how Heaven works as new souls arrive, but perhaps God allowed our last lost son, Luke, who would have turned two this week, to welcome our new little into the presence of God.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="279" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsrVDbCGgQHW4OCXKTVkA94JD94cqQ22BHWn8ryass7zBPBWYQGQ" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">His Will Be Done.</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13732339156439850174noreply@blogger.com3