tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44261792735724994242024-03-14T11:49:11.434-07:00Six Happy ClammersSteppin' through the muck, one day at a time...Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-75873540726954108242012-01-29T15:06:00.000-08:002012-01-29T15:06:07.034-08:00William Turns FiveWe all knew this day was coming. Too fast for me, too slow for him. William is no longer a baby, FOR SURE. He is shy but confident, sweet but wants what he wants, funny but doesn't like to be laughed at, sensitive, kind, and loving. He loves all animals, and even tells other kids not to hurt "God's creatures." We were at horse riding lessons the other day and my mom was with us. His little friend that he plays with there came up and said, "Look, I found a lizard!" Immediately entranced, William said, "Let's go find a place to put him where he will be happy!" His little friend said, "No, I want to go squish him." William very clearly said, "No, I don't want you to do that, he is just a lizard and we aren't supposed to hurt him. We have to take care of him. I don't want to hurt God's creatures." My mom, who was listening nearby, just beamed! So William carefully took the lizard and put him around the side of the stables near some shady plants. I was very proud of him, he wasn't going to let that lizard get squished on his watch! William and Izzy have a definite bond, as she calls him "Wally" and he calls her "Dizzy". No one else is allowed to call him Wally, just her. They call each other their best buddy, which I love. Of course, don't think that they don't annoy each other or make each other mad, that's a several times a day thing. But overall, they are the siblings they should be. <br />
One of William's best qualities is that he is thoughtful. He brings me things on a daily basis, usually important to him (bugs, sticks, flowers, etc) and gives them to me for a present. He has a big fascination with Roly Polys right now, and just this afternoon I got a couple of cute ones on his outstretched little palm. He also plans to put his and Izzy's Legos in a special spot each night so they won't get broken. They have a particular couple of small cars and bikes they like to play with. William also loves to help me cook, "Do you want some help in here?" he likes to say. How could you not? He is a big fan of Star Wars right now, thanks to Shawn. They have their own movie night, after which he tells me all about Obi Wan Kenobe and other strange things. He has even seen Darth Maul, who "has horns and is a berry bad man." Well, not that I approve of it all, but he does love to do what Daddy does.<br />
William has always been pretty adaptable, but he really showed how flexible he could be when we switched to Chiefland schools this year. He had never met the kids, never met the teacher, and desperately wanted to go back to the same PreK he had done a few weeks with at the end of the previous school year. He was adamant, and I was terrified that I was making the wrong decision. It has turned out marvelously well, and he is growing in his confidence (even answers questions in class now by raising his hand!) and knowledge (we're on Letter W but they aren't in order, they can't be because we did V last week, and J the week before! V does not come after J!) My favorite things from this year are his beautiful recounts of Bible stories. A particular favorite is Noah and the ark, which is done in great detail (2 snakes, 2 zebras, 2 elephants, 2 of every single animal!) and ends with a wonderful (and did you know when the great flood was over, a BEAUUUtiful rainbow appeared? Did you know that, Momma?) <br />
Speaking wise, William does very well. He still has a few substitutions, but not many. He speaks quite clearly, but what he does say that is wrong, we do not correct. None of us want him to stop saying the sweet little things he says. "That is disgustin'", "berry" for very, "fings" for things, etc. In fact, these days, his talk is the usual PreK potty mouth. Poo and Pee are suddenly the top two words in his vocabulary, accompanied by some serious giggles, covering his mouth in laughter, or just all out belly laughs. The other night at dinner, he had us all going! Even Shawn! It was so hard to stop laughing, but I finally called it quits. Enough of the potty talk, the next person who says poo or pee is leaving the table! Of course, he says immediately, "You said it Momma, you have to leave!" and that set everyone off again. <sigh> :)</sigh><br />
He plays in the sand pile from making our swimming pool all day. He can't get enough. He is compulsive with his dump trucks. He is filthy. He hates taking a shower. He hates washing his hair. It's a vicious cycle.<br />
Food wise, William eats a limited diet. His favorite stuff: pasta, more pasta, parmesan cheese, spaghetti, salad, pizza, chicken fingers, french fries, yogurt, pasta, cheese and crackers, apples, bananas, and pasta. Notice a pattern here? He is Shawn's child in the food department. Though he is occasionally very good about trying stuff (on my plate, of course). He does not eat much meat. Every single day his lunch box contains a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, no crust. Every day. No, seriously, every single day. William, do you want ham today? No. Bologna? No. Turkey? No. Noodles? No. (HUH? Go figure.) Just PB&J, sometimes two. <br />
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All right, I could go on all day. So here's what you really want. The pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL4s-F7K1Xk/TyXP1A9jokI/AAAAAAAAIxk/bBz7QUrcLTo/s1600/Last+Import+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL4s-F7K1Xk/TyXP1A9jokI/AAAAAAAAIxk/bBz7QUrcLTo/s400/Last+Import+-+14.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh for heaven's sake, why does this have to be first?! Well, let's get it over with. Yes, that is Willie with a double-barrel shotgun. Yes, he got it for his birthday. He has had his eye on that piece of junk for about six months. Every single time we went to Dollar General he'd ask for it. I hate it. He loves it. I prayed that once he had it, he'd drop the fascination. So far, so good. End of story.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylgKnvCiU-4/TyXP3r-NqMI/AAAAAAAAIxs/t_wVKM9MXoc/s1600/Last+Import+-+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylgKnvCiU-4/TyXP3r-NqMI/AAAAAAAAIxs/t_wVKM9MXoc/s400/Last+Import+-+07.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rule is: Momma behind the camera, Daddy behind the cake.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJtXaHCOE1I/TyXP5ytnCNI/AAAAAAAAIx0/VPQR7tSQDtc/s1600/Last+Import+-+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJtXaHCOE1I/TyXP5ytnCNI/AAAAAAAAIx0/VPQR7tSQDtc/s400/Last+Import+-+10.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So exciting when he see the cake</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SWuArcb5_j0/TyXP8nMolGI/AAAAAAAAIx8/t4SjKJLpisc/s1600/Last+Import+-+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SWuArcb5_j0/TyXP8nMolGI/AAAAAAAAIx8/t4SjKJLpisc/s400/Last+Import+-+05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Singing Happy Birthday</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-To-08kBcWYM/TyXQAOjC0bI/AAAAAAAAIyE/eWb3Gs7NVUQ/s1600/Last+Import+-+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-To-08kBcWYM/TyXQAOjC0bI/AAAAAAAAIyE/eWb3Gs7NVUQ/s400/Last+Import+-+03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">mmm, Momma's chocolate fudge cake</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OH4ZwiHBAD4/TyXPyiicn2I/AAAAAAAAIxc/7YXgrM8YAaI/s1600/Last+Import+-+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OH4ZwiHBAD4/TyXPyiicn2I/AAAAAAAAIxc/7YXgrM8YAaI/s400/Last+Import+-+11.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loved watching him blow out the candles!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-60333983173508972242012-01-29T14:16:00.000-08:002012-01-29T14:16:28.396-08:00Where Does The Time Go?Sarah's been asking me to watch videos of the kids when they were little. Mostly this stems from a recent review of the blog, as she was quite entertained by the pictures and stories of everyday life. She's been begging me to start blogging again, so...here goes! I will try for a Sunday update, and maybe that will make it happen a little more often!<br />
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We recently surprised the kids with a Willie's Birthday-inspired trip to Disney World! We picked them up at noon on Thursday last week, only a half day so early release. We did not tell them we were going. We did not tell them where we were headed. We did not tell them what on earth Aiden was doing in the car. We just went. <br />
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After we dropped off Aiden at the vet's for boarding, we drove for a couple hours, with various cries of "where are we going?" "why won't you tell us?" and "PLEASE!!!" To no avail. We were tight-lipped. That is, until Izzy spotted the exit off the Turnpike for "Disney World". We went straight to the Magic Kingdom, and spent from 3:30 pm till 8 pm (closing fireworks) and had a ball! We got to ride almost all the rides, some of them multiple times! In fact, after the second spin on Space Mountain, I just sent the big girls over and over on their own, I was done! Willie and Izzy and I headed for the Buzz Lightyear ride (turned out to be great) and the Astro Orbiter (pretty good but way too short). The biggest disappointment of the day turned out to be that Thunder Mountain was closed, as well as Splash Mountain and all of ToonTown. That meant all of the roller coaster rides that William and Izzy could ride were off limits! Well, Izzy could have ridden Space Mountain but she just wasn't ready having not been on a kiddie coaster yet! <br />
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After stuffing ourselves silly at Olive Garden (finishing at close to 11 pm), we spent the night at Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista. The kids loved the hotel, and we ate a late breakfast before heading back over the park. As luck would have it, the day was incredibly perfect weather-wise. Turns out, we weren't the only ones who thought so. The park was much busier than the day before. Rides we had walked onto last night were suddenly 45-60 minute waits. The kids didn't get it, how could this be? Finding Splash Mountain closed only made it worse, I had bought ponchos that morning to be able to ride it and not get soaked for the entire day. The mood was grumpy, and not too thrilled to be there. Well, that was me anyway, and the kids were no better. Ready to call it quits, we decided to sit down and have a quick hot dog so that we could eat a real dinner after the park that night. The bit of food and coke made a big difference. We all perked up, and Shawn came up with a plan to get us through. He let the big girls go to Space Mtn and use up our FastPasses we had gotten earlier ON THEIR OWN, mind you! (They were thrilled.) We waited for them to come back and got FastPasses for Buzz Lightyear. It worked perfectly, we all rode Buzz together and enjoyed it quite a bit. In fact, I think it may have been my favorite ride! (Guess I'm a good shot!) We then left the park, in order to avoid the masses after the fireworks. We headed for Macaroni Grill, and then bed. <br />
**WARNING: All pictures from iPhone, too lazy to carry big camera all around that park! **<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvPhA6N2Lwk/TyXBtdGhIQI/AAAAAAAAIxE/77Hxttxd0CI/s1600/Blog+Disney+2+-+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvPhA6N2Lwk/TyXBtdGhIQI/AAAAAAAAIxE/77Hxttxd0CI/s400/Blog+Disney+2+-+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belle was super-chatty and so friendly, the kids loved her! (Shawn may have been smitten, too!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa3F9Sx0tNg/TyXBt2KDacI/AAAAAAAAIxI/mJGvNuQN0Bg/s1600/Blog+Disney+2+-+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa3F9Sx0tNg/TyXBt2KDacI/AAAAAAAAIxI/mJGvNuQN0Bg/s400/Blog+Disney+2+-+03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belle was my personal favorite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the morning, we got up, ate breakfast, and then let the kids swim in the huge pool. We though they would get cold but they never did! Over an hour later, we pulled them out, packed up, and left. It was a great surprise for them, and we all had fun, despite our best efforts to get ticked off about half the rides not working! I have to say, I was pretty mad about the whole thing. Too much money for those tickets to not have that many rides working. My overall impression of Disney was not nearly as favorable as I'd remembered. I think it's time the bigwigs over there take some of the ticket money and put it into redoing some of the park. Some of it is past its prime (Small World), not worth the wait (Stitch), and just plain outdated (Carousel of Progress). They really need to overhaul a lot of it, and get some better food while they are at it. Some classics should remain, but with modern technology, some of those things should be amazing and they aren't. That being said, for better or for worse, we have weekday passes for the year--including Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. We're planning to make it back over there a few more times this year. If you and yours want to hook up there at some point, let us know!<br />
Just don't ask me to ride Space Mountain.Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-17394363452297599282011-06-22T11:54:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:58:12.658-07:00Ta Daaah!Here's the completed pool design... just keep your drool off your computer. I'm drooling, too, as it doesn't start going in till July 11 and will take about two months to complete. But once it's complete, I'm diving in for a solid full month! And you are all welcome anytime. There's a hot tub for those who can't get here till cooler months! :) There are two waterfalls in the far right planter, and a fountain on the baja shelf on the bottom left. The shelf is just big enough for two chair sitting in the water, but not drowning (18" deep I think) and for little ones to play safely. Slide, diving board, it's all there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10BtHGZ5mu0/TgI6IybpveI/AAAAAAAAHWs/-pvsrfjqmNo/s1600/Pool+Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10BtHGZ5mu0/TgI6IybpveI/AAAAAAAAHWs/-pvsrfjqmNo/s400/Pool+Aerial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let the party begin!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-26226236061786583052011-06-20T16:36:00.000-07:002011-06-20T16:36:38.564-07:00Horse Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnbB4ysAxwE/Tf93SpWc5uI/AAAAAAAAHU0/hUvQO_UJSo0/s1600/DSC_4182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnbB4ysAxwE/Tf93SpWc5uI/AAAAAAAAHU0/hUvQO_UJSo0/s320/DSC_4182.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ima, she's a show horse.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpGqGWR8j0w/Tf93YaZuJsI/AAAAAAAAHU4/vdNfFBz7QBI/s1600/DSC_4167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpGqGWR8j0w/Tf93YaZuJsI/AAAAAAAAHU4/vdNfFBz7QBI/s320/DSC_4167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wphK79K-krI/Tf93di4wmSI/AAAAAAAAHU8/5FBawZ-uXzM/s1600/DSC_4156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wphK79K-krI/Tf93di4wmSI/AAAAAAAAHU8/5FBawZ-uXzM/s320/DSC_4156.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarah and Sandy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnVSJ9MpIbg/Tf93nr2gsNI/AAAAAAAAHVA/O9YW8l2xijk/s1600/DSC_4153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnVSJ9MpIbg/Tf93nr2gsNI/AAAAAAAAHVA/O9YW8l2xijk/s320/DSC_4153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saying a sad goodbye</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqM31IGOhak/Tf93xasy3FI/AAAAAAAAHVE/SE_o_LSfcMU/s1600/DSC_4144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqM31IGOhak/Tf93xasy3FI/AAAAAAAAHVE/SE_o_LSfcMU/s320/DSC_4144.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Willie feeds Molly a carrot. She LOVES carrots.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpTe02iBJ-s/Tf94W2UlP4I/AAAAAAAAHVM/NtENJIgQscU/s1600/DSC_4128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpTe02iBJ-s/Tf94W2UlP4I/AAAAAAAAHVM/NtENJIgQscU/s320/DSC_4128.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Willie with the three week old Corgi/Peekachoo (sp?) puppies</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWWpBZi8d-Q/Tf94gtyFHFI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/9aLc6EXnHEc/s1600/DSC_4127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWWpBZi8d-Q/Tf94gtyFHFI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/9aLc6EXnHEc/s320/DSC_4127.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarah and her "Little Man". She named him. She wants him. She is crazy about him.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fiy_vGyGnTE/Tf94qPbciUI/AAAAAAAAHVU/D1-FjZ7hpJQ/s1600/DSC_4123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fiy_vGyGnTE/Tf94qPbciUI/AAAAAAAAHVU/D1-FjZ7hpJQ/s320/DSC_4123.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, sweet faces, sorry about the extra exposure...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHQgpNGarDk/Tf941IcJ3HI/AAAAAAAAHVY/nOss_ogea6g/s1600/DSC_4121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHQgpNGarDk/Tf941IcJ3HI/AAAAAAAAHVY/nOss_ogea6g/s320/DSC_4121.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Teddy Bear" is KK's favorite</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYfeazmQlAs/Tf94_ccQojI/AAAAAAAAHVc/bGHjDssBGTk/s1600/DSC_4120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYfeazmQlAs/Tf94_ccQojI/AAAAAAAAHVc/bGHjDssBGTk/s320/DSC_4120.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mean, how cute are these guys?!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpMItQu53Xw/Tf95GOdEv6I/AAAAAAAAHVg/SNAiQn0w7m0/s1600/DSC_4119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpMItQu53Xw/Tf95GOdEv6I/AAAAAAAAHVg/SNAiQn0w7m0/s320/DSC_4119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Puppy life is tough, eat, get snuggled, sleep.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pr3oXNzELYU/Tf95NFYCPwI/AAAAAAAAHVk/wyoqanPOTLE/s1600/DSC_4116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pr3oXNzELYU/Tf95NFYCPwI/AAAAAAAAHVk/wyoqanPOTLE/s320/DSC_4116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't help being adorable. Little Man has a white blaze down his forehead.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SzJ563PEfE/Tf95WklLa9I/AAAAAAAAHVo/HN-8YA4y8HI/s1600/DSC_4109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SzJ563PEfE/Tf95WklLa9I/AAAAAAAAHVo/HN-8YA4y8HI/s320/DSC_4109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Snuggly, even when upside down. He is so calm!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ6Z5WNlm5c/Tf95elYSurI/AAAAAAAAHVs/-EZcurxioV8/s1600/DSC_4108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ6Z5WNlm5c/Tf95elYSurI/AAAAAAAAHVs/-EZcurxioV8/s320/DSC_4108.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awww...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4jHJz9C5jo/Tf95kf0TQ3I/AAAAAAAAHVw/tRuDYRJmL5E/s1600/DSC_4100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4jHJz9C5jo/Tf95kf0TQ3I/AAAAAAAAHVw/tRuDYRJmL5E/s320/DSC_4100.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First Place Ribbon for one nervous Nellie. Not nervous about the horse, of course. Nervous about the thunder that was rolling nearby. She darn near wouldn't get up on the horse! Walking Aiden about two weeks ago, a little squall blew up out of nowhere. There was a crack of thunder and flash of lightning so loud, and simultaneously, that I turned off the stove immediately and ran (no shoes) to the car. I raced down the street to see Izzy running as fast as she could, eyes wide as saucers, and she jumped in the car before I could fully stop it. Katy had been left in the dust, running with the dog. They were scared, but Izzy was scared to death. Totally terrified. Now she seems to be suffering from PTSD, and is paranoid about any thunder-like sound, or looming cloud of any sort. She even checks the Weather Channel to see what the chances of rain might be for the day. Not sure how to handle it, but hoping it will rain really soon, while we're at home, so we can discuss it! Any suggestions are welcome...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGQ0MjAJEhY/Tf95sWjt2TI/AAAAAAAAHV0/bZhiLRrkWOQ/s1600/DSC_4093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGQ0MjAJEhY/Tf95sWjt2TI/AAAAAAAAHV0/bZhiLRrkWOQ/s320/DSC_4093.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Smiling now, though. Laughing because Cupcake wanted to "meet and greet" instead of "trot."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10t1fHDPgFg/Tf95wds_KfI/AAAAAAAAHV4/tQVjh7URoZI/s1600/DSC_4081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10t1fHDPgFg/Tf95wds_KfI/AAAAAAAAHV4/tQVjh7URoZI/s320/DSC_4081.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trotting! Actually Izzy was the first one to canter, and she was very proud. Not sure she was meant to canter, think it was more like Cupcake saw a nice patch of grass in the distance, but... a first is a first.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvYGb1BdNGc/Tf954a_Xu9I/AAAAAAAAHV8/BEptmMavbGw/s1600/DSC_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvYGb1BdNGc/Tf954a_Xu9I/AAAAAAAAHV8/BEptmMavbGw/s320/DSC_4068.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katy just LOVED camp. She finally found a sport she wants to do for fun, not because Momma makes her be active. And active she was. And hot. Very hot.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg56_Hz_v1A/Tf95-omXb0I/AAAAAAAAHWA/cr0NV3SGUhM/s1600/DSC_4047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg56_Hz_v1A/Tf95-omXb0I/AAAAAAAAHWA/cr0NV3SGUhM/s320/DSC_4047.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A nice trot with Molly...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2J7Eu2znQw/Tf96EPXQ1AI/AAAAAAAAHWE/Jpdbs1IoBj4/s1600/DSC_4045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2J7Eu2znQw/Tf96EPXQ1AI/AAAAAAAAHWE/Jpdbs1IoBj4/s320/DSC_4045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lookin' good in those mullet/riding boots! :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbmIjzaMY2M/Tf96Kd9CrZI/AAAAAAAAHWI/zSsiQXjBcqg/s1600/DSC_4036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbmIjzaMY2M/Tf96Kd9CrZI/AAAAAAAAHWI/zSsiQXjBcqg/s320/DSC_4036.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarah was sad to see camp end, she was very upset that it was over. She wants to take lessons from now on, and they were invited to come back in the fall for a weekend sleepover camp. Don't know how I can say no to that!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuciCOPq9dA/Tf96SdRk01I/AAAAAAAAHWM/DYJHmZVnLJo/s1600/DSC_4018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuciCOPq9dA/Tf96SdRk01I/AAAAAAAAHWM/DYJHmZVnLJo/s320/DSC_4018.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trotting....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYlW5Zjwcnw/Tf96YBXiD8I/AAAAAAAAHWQ/qOwklw8DQq4/s1600/DSC_4004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYlW5Zjwcnw/Tf96YBXiD8I/AAAAAAAAHWQ/qOwklw8DQq4/s320/DSC_4004.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And posting, too! A little hard to post on Cupcake, as she is quite a bit smaller than Molly, but they managed very nicely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Horse camp was a much bigger success than I even imagined it might be. All three girls just had such a good time, and really connected well with all the animals on the farm. Their riding instructors, Ms. Laura and her daughter, Brooke, were really great, too. Patient, kind, plenty of hands-on (including mucking out the stalls, yay!) instruction and mid-day activities in a cool place. They went roller skating, out for Blue Highway Pizza, Subway, the springs, and TCBY. The girls would love to do another week (heck, I believe they would go every week this summer if I could afford it) and we will try to do it again in August. Now, if only those puppies were all gone to good homes by then...I'd be off the hook!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-78502009594528906822011-06-06T08:51:00.000-07:002011-06-13T10:24:32.376-07:00Some Things Just Don't Happen When They Are Supposed ToOkay, I know it's June. I know this was never sent out. I had it done in time, had the envelopes, the printer paper, the ink cartridges. It just, well, never happened. But it does summarize our year in short form, and since I've been so terrible about blogging, I thought I better put it up so I wouldn't lose it. Which I will. Anyway, don't bother reading it if you don't want to, as it is old news. But it is still fun. And late. Very, very late. Here goes. Ahem.<br />
<br />
2010, Stephenson style.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's 2000 and ten, and each day at our house</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">There's fishes, cats, dog,and luckily no mouse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Busy we've been, like always it seems</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Some things accomplished and others just dreams</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So sit back and grab a large cup of hot tea,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And I'll tell you a tale of my family and me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">New Years it found us at ole Crescent Beach</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Enjoying a hot tub, some sand and some sleep</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Not long thereafter, our William turned three,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And oh what a joy he has turned out to be.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">His sweet mispronouncing of lots of big words</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Has left others thinking we're really big nerds.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We say "pocapontas"(hippopotamus) even tho he has stopped</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Or call popcorn "bupka" whenever it's popped</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He has four mothers I think we could say,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But he takes it in stride in his own charming way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">February 5th, a warm sunny day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To Busch Gardens we went for coasters and play.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">it was worth skipping school the lines were so short</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Went on the rides three and four times, I'm sad to report</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">March brought us sport with softball, and more</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our weekends were booked with t-ball galore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Each girl with their bat, practiced all spring</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Waiting for turns to take a big swing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The wind was relentless in April and may</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Driving fresh water over our clams every day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They held for a while and finally succumbed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Leaving tons of hard work and Shawn somewhat numbed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">June brought a birthday, Shawn turned forty-four</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The girls think that's old, we aren't so sure</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">July found us fishing for whiting and trout</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">William caught his first shark, and let out a shout</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">" it's a shark in there daddy, please get the net"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But we were too slow and off he did get.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In august we spent two weeks on the sand</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Indian rocks gave us good times and tans</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It was most relaxing, the shells and the sea</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With good friends and puzzles what else do we need</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">While there we did have some birthdays again</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sarah turned eleven and Katy turned ten</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Month nine saw the big girls in new Chiefland schools</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They were super surprised by the number of rules</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With so many kids and new teachers galore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">New friends to be made, they had quite a chore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's all been well worth it, the drive and the time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They've adjusted so well and are doing just fine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sarah has flourished in fun middle school</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She officially cares about dressing cool</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Target's no longer okay for her clothes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's Hollister, PacSun or up goes her nose</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Her hair is blown dry each morn till it's right</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She sleeps half the day and stays up all night</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The attitude's started to my big chagrin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But she still takes a hug every now and again</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Katy's still social, outgoing and kind</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She plays with her siblings well most of the time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She loves to help cook and draw fashion designs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Her dream is Paris, for schooling sometime.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Fashion design is her thing, it wasn't from me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But someday she'd like to school in Paris (said with a French accent please!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">October I turned thirty-seven oh my</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It really is shocking how time seems to fly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Halloween saw Spidey, a witch and a bee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The hit of the night was Aiden you see</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sarah was ketchup, to his cute hot-dog suit</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He made the town laugh and all said "how cute"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">November turned Isabelle seven and sweet</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She's reading and marches to her own little beat</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bossy she's still, that probably won't change</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And the outfits she wears are usually strange</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We love her cute laugh and her toothless big grin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Just watch out when you see,that set in her chin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So now it's December we've been through the year</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We're actually ready for good Christmas cheer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The presents are here, the tree is done well</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now waiting for Santa to bring something swell</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To this end I've brought you, if you're even still there</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Come visit real soon, if you think you might dare</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We 've had a good time in 2000 and ten</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And next year we're planning to do it again</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We all want to find that small piece of heaven</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We wish you the best in 2000 ELEVEN.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">There you have it, let the berating comments on its untimeliness begin.</span>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-61359005533078334832011-02-15T08:43:00.000-08:002011-02-15T08:43:13.367-08:00Where To Start?I have been thinking for a lot of years on a project of great value to our family, as well as great expense. Sometimes it's just a passing thought, other times an intense study of the what ifs and the how-tos. Usually though, it's a middle of the road sort of dreamy thinking, as in "how amazing would it be for this to really happen?" And then, just when you least expect it, the time has come.<br />
<br />
Sorry, this is not about babies. Nor are we taking a fabulous trip. No new pets, please. And business ventures? Um, no, thanks, we have plenty of those.<br />
<br />
So what has held my interest for so long? It's simple really. A mix of concrete, stone, tile, screen, and oh yes, water. Lots of water. A pool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y0as62eupM/TVqr_O4f_MI/AAAAAAAAHQU/uKDyZqy4wK4/s1600/poolimage12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y0as62eupM/TVqr_O4f_MI/AAAAAAAAHQU/uKDyZqy4wK4/s320/poolimage12.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;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y0as62eupM/TVqr_O4f_MI/AAAAAAAAHQU/uKDyZqy4wK4/s1600/poolimage12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6kU7YMiq0E/TVqr-GtRoFI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/NoRbKy9rl8w/s1600/poolimage13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6kU7YMiq0E/TVqr-GtRoFI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/NoRbKy9rl8w/s320/poolimage13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcq5859bRJo/TVqsADcKV4I/AAAAAAAAHQY/zJCnYbtw27o/s1600/poolimage10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcq5859bRJo/TVqsADcKV4I/AAAAAAAAHQY/zJCnYbtw27o/s320/poolimage10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4w-vYEzS9Q/TVqsAyJOzJI/AAAAAAAAHQc/62Gu4snCr00/s1600/poolimage4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4w-vYEzS9Q/TVqsAyJOzJI/AAAAAAAAHQc/62Gu4snCr00/s320/poolimage4a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KUuk2iqJss/TVqsB0W5MeI/AAAAAAAAHQg/3-rKF-E5Q5g/s1600/poolimage4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KUuk2iqJss/TVqsB0W5MeI/AAAAAAAAHQg/3-rKF-E5Q5g/s320/poolimage4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cIDHgAl_jc/TVqsC-D-oJI/AAAAAAAAHQk/rzUEGrH2rNQ/s1600/poolimage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cIDHgAl_jc/TVqsC-D-oJI/AAAAAAAAHQk/rzUEGrH2rNQ/s320/poolimage3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0roX3d3xmM/TVqsEqobBmI/AAAAAAAAHQo/W-GxqQLQP-c/s1600/poolimage1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0roX3d3xmM/TVqsEqobBmI/AAAAAAAAHQo/W-GxqQLQP-c/s320/poolimage1b.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;">I know some things we want: a slide, a big pool, good amount of entertaining space, a kiddie play area (calf deep), a hot tub. I know what we don't: a generic pool, a poorly planned pool, no landscaping to soften it. I know what we aren't sure of: screening, depth, slope in our yard, MONEY. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Shawn finally gave me permission to go ahead and start consulting with some "experts". He said that yesterday. First thing this morning, guess what I did? First meeting is set, just waiting for the others. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, this is a possibility, sort of what I have been thinking. What have you been thinking?</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-50278132379188378372011-02-11T18:33:00.000-08:002011-02-11T18:34:14.012-08:00Valentine's DanceKaty went to a Valentine's Dance tonight. I bought her a new outfit at Old Navy, blew her hair dry, and painted her toes. She said she felt very grown-up and very confident! Now that's my idea of success, confidence for her is hard to come by, so Momma got what she wanted out of it. Katy had a blast, wished it would have lasted longer (2 hours was plenty for me, though. Hanging out at WalMart is not my idea of fun. Especially when I really don't need anything!) She looked lovely, and said she can't wait to go again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H75a2bYTQQE/TVXxIJi32KI/AAAAAAAAHQM/XwhUPlc5Wrs/s1600/Katy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H75a2bYTQQE/TVXxIJi32KI/AAAAAAAAHQM/XwhUPlc5Wrs/s320/Katy+1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW7_OXhAlK4/TVXwvDfONzI/AAAAAAAAHQE/Dpme5IpfNQc/s1600/Katy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW7_OXhAlK4/TVXwvDfONzI/AAAAAAAAHQE/Dpme5IpfNQc/s320/Katy+3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8tafrOL6i8/TVXw9vwcHHI/AAAAAAAAHQI/64-udNjVTSA/s1600/Katy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8tafrOL6i8/TVXw9vwcHHI/AAAAAAAAHQI/64-udNjVTSA/s320/Katy+2.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-62591341199354087432011-02-09T06:26:00.000-08:002011-02-09T06:26:17.689-08:00Hot Tea On A Cold DayMy boy just woke up, and first thing he does? Take Momma's hot Lady Grey tea and guzzle it down. He puts the cup down saying, "I hate hot tea. It tastes nasty." This from a boy who drinks hot tea every day. Go figure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKjiEcFnqI/AAAAAAAAHPw/UCJywBtqf1A/s1600/Snitchin+Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKjiEcFnqI/AAAAAAAAHPw/UCJywBtqf1A/s320/Snitchin+Tea.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;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKjcKW5JmI/AAAAAAAAHPs/SFEC56KR-1w/s1600/So+Good.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKjcKW5JmI/AAAAAAAAHPs/SFEC56KR-1w/s320/So+Good.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKjozXMl1I/AAAAAAAAHP0/YkepNqOt4zM/s1600/Lip+Licking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKjozXMl1I/AAAAAAAAHP0/YkepNqOt4zM/s320/Lip+Licking.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, it must have been really "nasty"!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-59308507107635316542011-02-09T06:11:00.000-08:002011-02-09T06:19:44.118-08:00Hey, That Hurt!On Monday, I went to get the stitches taken out of my foot. Three little stitches, so small and innocent. One poor little abused foot, having taken a beating like it's never known before, waiting for relief from the itching, and sure that this will be a good thing. Um, NO. It wasn't.<br />
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To start with, it appears that the top of the foot is skin and well, nerves. No fat, no muscle to cushion, to absorb the pull of the thread. I am happily perched on the cold, paper-covered table, my foot propped up, sock removed. The nurse comes in and readies her suture removal kit. I am happy to see it. These darn stitches have been itching more and more every day. She slips on some purple gloves, opens the kit and takes out little scissors. I look for some sort of tool, anything that might be an ingenious way to get the three tiny knots out from their cozy burrow down the length of my foot. There is nothing but the aforementioned scissors, and a pair of turbo tweezers. Uh-oh. I feel a flash of queasiness, but chat with the nurse anyway. She starts to tug on the first knot, closest to me, causing a small stab of pain. Her brow furrows as she says, "Hmm, this one appears to be pretty well in there." Uh-oh. She tugs harder. I see my skin go with her tweezers, higher than the bone spur ever made that skin go. Yikes. She tugs harder still. The skin goes right with that darn thread, unsure if it ever wants to let go of that which has held it together for two weeks. I, feeling a bit concerned, pick up my book, a book for kids written diary style, about a girl who lived in Valley Forge. "<i>January 6, 1778" </i>I read ever so carefully, trying to ignore the tug-of-war descending upon my left foot. "<i>It is bitterly cold, and little Johnny---"</i> YOW! What was that? Apparently, she has given up on the first one and moved to the second one. The only upside being that this one comes out after only two or three tugs and a quick little snip of the scissors. She might as well be sliding nerves out of my skin as thread feels no better. Phew, one down, only two to go. She checks out the third knot, closest to my big toe. "This one is going to hurt, it's almost covered by skin," she says calmly. Oh, I guess the others weren't supposed to be a big deal. I might be in trouble here. I read on, outwardly nonchalant but gritting my teeth and saying an indecipherable prayer that I might be on my way soon. Really, really soon. The next tug darn near gets me off the table. At this point, I am thinking the thread might as well stay. They've been there long enough, they are pretty much a part of me. Like a nail in a tree, I have grown around the foreign object, taking it in as if it's family. I guess I should have mentioned it to the nurse, that I didn't mind if we just left it there. I would never tell, really I wouldn't! She ignores my silent pleas, and pulls my skin to the left as far as it will go without tearing (though I was just waiting for that to happen) and snips, part skin, part thread. "Sorry, but we have to get that out, you doing okay?" Oh, me? Oh yes, I am just ducky. I grit my teeth and said, "Yup, just get it out." Strangely, the final (and first) knot feels little compared to what I just had done. Ah, it's over. I am anxious to get that sock back on so she can do no more damage. I make sure the gauze pad isn't soaking up more than a tad of blood, slide my sock on, hop down, grabbing my book as I go. I am almost out the door already when she says, "Did they give you your check-out papers?" Foot throbbing, I am caught. I wait a couple minutes for the papers and hightail it out of there. Standing at the check-out desk, the lady says to me, "Was your visit satisfactory today?" Oh my, um, yes, oh Lord get me out here, I respond, "Everything was fine." "Would you like to take a brief survey on our patient care today?" Hmm, somehow I don't think I can be fair and impartial right now. "Oh, maybe next time," I say breezily. Good thing my next appointment isn't for four weeks, that should be enough time to forget the torture that has been inflicted on me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKiVR9vasI/AAAAAAAAHPo/hmvgDL8WdSQ/s1600/Sutures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TVKiVR9vasI/AAAAAAAAHPo/hmvgDL8WdSQ/s320/Sutures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it looks pretty good now, but man those little holes were not fun.</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-14860375140729484252011-02-06T17:08:00.000-08:002011-02-06T17:08:07.663-08:00My Left Foot. And Sarah's Too.Call it bad luck, or maybe a fluke. A jinx, perhaps. But some things just can't be made up.<br />
On Tuesday, January 25, I had surgery on my left foot. My bone spur was ground down to nothing, and ligaments in my big toes stretched a bit. The plan? This would alleviate some chronic pain of arthritis in my big toe, resulting in what was essentially no upward movement of the big toe. Walking? Ouch. Stairs? Ouch. Even swimming? Marginal, due to cramping in that toe at weird times. It was time, and I knew it would not get any easier. The surgery went well, and doctors were pleased. I came home, not feeling anything below my left knee, hobbling on crutches and sporting a most un-stylish black boot. Luckily, the pain was not terrible, and I began walking on it the next morning. The most pain comes from my own torture, when I am supposed to pull the big toe backwards, a move I have not made in three or more years, mind you, until it hurts greatly. I am supposed to gain 3-4 degrees of movement each day. Not sure I am accomplishing that, but I do "hurt myself" regularly. I can see progress for sure. My children were entertained, particularly Sarah with my crutches. I want to try, I want to try! We lowered them to fit her height and she enjoyed being a big goofball and telling me what a dork I looked like trying to get around. I was healing quickly, and did not need them past the first day at home.<br />
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Fast forward to Wednesday, Feb 2. It is my turn to drive Sarah and her friend, Emily, to gymnastics in Gainesville. Everything goes well, and I am playing Scrabble on the iPad waiting for the hour-long class to be over so we can head home. Emily comes running up and says Sarah is injured and can't walk. She is crying openly, something that I KNOW is not a good sign. Sarah can hold back tears like her mother never could. I support her one side and she hops all the way to the car. I am sure it's more than a bruise as she can not put any weight on it at all. We drive home, put her to bed, she goes to sleep.<br />
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Next morning, we head back to Gainesville to her pediatrician who recommends an X-Ray. I say, I know just the place! We hustle over to UF Orthopaedic Institute, where I just had surgery. Sure enough, fractured. In three places. Another $24 black boot. Another follow-up appointment. Another Stephenson, hobbling out of the clinic and plopping onto the blessed bench outside, waiting for her ride. (And when I say blessed bench, you better believe I mean BLESSED. You have no idea until you run around a building on crutches for a couple hours. Even Sarah said when she saw it, said "Bench! Blessed, beloved BENCH!")<br />
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So, in a strange twist of fate, here we sit. My stitches poking out of my left foot, propped on the ottoman. On the other end of the ottoman, her left foot, horribly bruised and swollen, propped on the pillows her daddy gave her. Is it a fluke? A strange coincidence? A bit of bad luck? Did she jinx herself? I don't know. But I do know this. NO MORE Stephenson children will be trying out those crutches!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU9FXrJAiII/AAAAAAAAHPg/Xhr7v4mztDU/s1600/Sarah%2527s+Left+Foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU9FXrJAiII/AAAAAAAAHPg/Xhr7v4mztDU/s320/Sarah%2527s+Left+Foot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Warning: It is worse in real life.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU9Fk9cXKaI/AAAAAAAAHPk/BMXkKsrpmaU/s1600/Bruising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU9Fk9cXKaI/AAAAAAAAHPk/BMXkKsrpmaU/s320/Bruising.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I lightened it a little so you could see the difference, but it makes the bruise look better than it really is.</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-32892076022461202782011-02-06T16:36:00.000-08:002011-02-06T16:37:53.295-08:00Cuteness, And Yumminess Too...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night, Katy and Izzy decided to try sleeping in the fort without Sarah. Due to her broken foot, Sarah is not able to climb into the fort. They dressed warmly, and strangely, and headed out. They looked so cute I had to take a picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU86gqL9SII/AAAAAAAAHOs/gogWy3UBU7s/s1600/DSC_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU86gqL9SII/AAAAAAAAHOs/gogWy3UBU7s/s320/DSC_0809.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU86VyqivbI/AAAAAAAAHOo/SQAuNMxdfb0/s1600/DSC_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU86VyqivbI/AAAAAAAAHOo/SQAuNMxdfb0/s320/DSC_0811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a rainy night, and for ease of taking of shoes in the fort, they all wore their bootsies! So cute!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU86zqLkbWI/AAAAAAAAHO0/vA-wV3MtUFE/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU86zqLkbWI/AAAAAAAAHO0/vA-wV3MtUFE/s320/DSC_0807.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daddy's hats, jackets, fleecies, jammies, juice, and M&M's. Check!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gotta love the headlamp, too. Thanks for the idea, Spring!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU87kWGHQ0I/AAAAAAAAHPI/YdSCdDQL6dw/s1600/DSC_0802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU87kWGHQ0I/AAAAAAAAHPI/YdSCdDQL6dw/s320/DSC_0802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After purchasing a pint of Tamarind-Cashew Sauce at the Cheesecake Factory a couple weeks ago with my Momma, I decided to try making the Thai Lettuce Wraps for myself. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made Peanut Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, sliced radishes, grated carrots, chopped peanuts, cilantro, marinated Thai-style cukes...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU873efM19I/AAAAAAAAHPQ/CRTAuoMFQ28/s1600/DSC_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU873efM19I/AAAAAAAAHPQ/CRTAuoMFQ28/s320/DSC_0800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and technically supposed to be Coconut-Curry Noodles, but having a real aversion to coconut, and not being able to get coconut milk at the market nohow, I substituted half and half, and it worked great!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was one delicious meal. And so healthy, too! (Except the half and half of course, but you really don't eat that many noodles!)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU88C0VRkTI/AAAAAAAAHPU/JTZ4pyWDjo4/s1600/DSC_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TU88C0VRkTI/AAAAAAAAHPU/JTZ4pyWDjo4/s320/DSC_0799.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful, and delicious!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-76559037491360923952011-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:32:55.658-08:00William Turns Four<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyp_gO2fpI/AAAAAAAAHNk/22tPOs0Y1ng/s1600/DSC_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyp_gO2fpI/AAAAAAAAHNk/22tPOs0Y1ng/s320/DSC_0709.jpg" width="320" /></a>Saturday, January 22, 2011. A busy, busy day. First thing in the morning, I head down to Yankeetown to show property to a very nice couple. It goes well, and I am sure an offer is forthcoming. I go down to Publix in Crystal River to pick up a Spider-Man cake, as well as some rib-eye steaks, french fries, and sald fixins, all Willie's requests. I make it home about 3:10, get everyone dressed, and head out the door to our old babysitter's wedding! It was beautiful, she was gorgeous, and we all enjoyed it. William was cranky from an interrupted nap and never really settled down. We finally get back home about 7 pm. I run upstairs to wrap presents, the girls set the table with the appropriate Spider-Man napkins, plates, tablecloth, etc. The following best tells the story of what happened next.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyojE1dNhI/AAAAAAAAHNE/OPI0xcT3pUk/s1600/Willie+is+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyojE1dNhI/AAAAAAAAHNE/OPI0xcT3pUk/s400/Willie+is+4.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyosSn1UkI/AAAAAAAAHNI/eCSJdugFZQc/s1600/Willie+Blowing+Out+Candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyosSn1UkI/AAAAAAAAHNI/eCSJdugFZQc/s400/Willie+Blowing+Out+Candles.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyocl3ZQLI/AAAAAAAAHNA/svrzpA4wuaM/s1600/Willie+Looking+at+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyocl3ZQLI/AAAAAAAAHNA/svrzpA4wuaM/s400/Willie+Looking+at+cake.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyo2UFBkQI/AAAAAAAAHNM/wtGb9i3kZKU/s1600/Willie+and+the+Remote+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyo2UFBkQI/AAAAAAAAHNM/wtGb9i3kZKU/s400/Willie+and+the+Remote+Car.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypAy3Gz1I/AAAAAAAAHNQ/-uEoi7q1MEU/s1600/DSC_0775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypAy3Gz1I/AAAAAAAAHNQ/-uEoi7q1MEU/s320/DSC_0775.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypMpDx1sI/AAAAAAAAHNU/SCVUbH0TiXk/s1600/DSC_0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypMpDx1sI/AAAAAAAAHNU/SCVUbH0TiXk/s400/DSC_0772.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyqIf6M0PI/AAAAAAAAHNo/UFEYUJqNqdM/s1600/Birthday+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyqIf6M0PI/AAAAAAAAHNo/UFEYUJqNqdM/s400/Birthday+Card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyqIf6M0PI/AAAAAAAAHNo/UFEYUJqNqdM/s1600/Birthday+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypf0CW8sI/AAAAAAAAHNY/iuUzwsmtrWU/s1600/DSC_0767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypf0CW8sI/AAAAAAAAHNY/iuUzwsmtrWU/s400/DSC_0767.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyprZs7fiI/AAAAAAAAHNc/TLVu8JSAlzc/s1600/DSC_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTyprZs7fiI/AAAAAAAAHNc/TLVu8JSAlzc/s400/DSC_0749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypwjKPZqI/AAAAAAAAHNg/5eetsKXaF6U/s1600/DSC_0720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTypwjKPZqI/AAAAAAAAHNg/5eetsKXaF6U/s400/DSC_0720.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, William! We love you!!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-55634676275714983482011-01-18T13:03:00.000-08:002011-01-18T13:03:19.096-08:00Heehee...I love this pic, it was taken by Izzy a couple months ago, and I had it on my desktop picture for a while. I thought I would share it...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX_790Ma-I/AAAAAAAAHM8/4aKgnLGM1ao/s1600/Big+Willie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX_790Ma-I/AAAAAAAAHM8/4aKgnLGM1ao/s320/Big+Willie.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;">Heehee, he is so funny for his sisters, but no posing for Momma!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-8257991696337231512011-01-18T12:59:00.000-08:002011-01-18T12:59:09.526-08:00The TickAfter grocery shopping today, I am unloading groceries. William comes in and holds up his shirt, saying "Um, Momma? I fink there is sumpin' in my belly button!" I see a dark spot from where I am standing and go over to look at it. It's a hard little oval thing, so I take my fingernail and scrape it away. It falls to the floor and I pick it up to see what it is... Oh Lordy, it's a TICK, right in my baby's belly button. I try not to react too much, though I am totally grossed out and feeling slightly queasy, and tell William, "Don't worry, I got it, it was a tick. It is sucking your blood. That's how it gets food. If you see another one like that ever, just tell Momma, okay? Don't try to take it off yourself." Relief washes over his face and his eyes get big, "PHEW! Cause I fought that was a ROOT in there! I fought I was growin' a plant or sumpin'!" <br />
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Well, at least HIS mind was at ease. Now if I can just stop myself from feeling itchy and buggy all over...Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-50352865438855175082011-01-18T12:38:00.000-08:002011-01-18T12:38:44.341-08:00Izzy's Self-PortraitsHmm... Izzy seems to have gotten a hold of my old camera....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6J0OJdOI/AAAAAAAAHMg/XUuyst_H5CU/s1600/IMG_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6J0OJdOI/AAAAAAAAHMg/XUuyst_H5CU/s320/IMG_0237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6KtmgnDI/AAAAAAAAHMk/gQJJjtfG100/s1600/IMG_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6KtmgnDI/AAAAAAAAHMk/gQJJjtfG100/s320/IMG_0236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6LAho5FI/AAAAAAAAHMo/cgQFZQu4W1A/s1600/IMG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6LAho5FI/AAAAAAAAHMo/cgQFZQu4W1A/s320/IMG_0235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6LoFRKDI/AAAAAAAAHMs/ltXaYNF61Co/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6LoFRKDI/AAAAAAAAHMs/ltXaYNF61Co/s320/IMG_0234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6MBog7DI/AAAAAAAAHMw/obpRJUcjcf8/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6MBog7DI/AAAAAAAAHMw/obpRJUcjcf8/s320/IMG_0233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6M8aBzLI/AAAAAAAAHM0/t_yeUJRak8g/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6M8aBzLI/AAAAAAAAHM0/t_yeUJRak8g/s320/IMG_0232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6NkixpaI/AAAAAAAAHM4/bT-L9vmoNGs/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TTX6NkixpaI/AAAAAAAAHM4/bT-L9vmoNGs/s320/IMG_0231.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;">Wow. Now you know what she is doing when I'm not looking!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-74068841167262533432011-01-07T17:47:00.000-08:002011-01-07T18:24:00.775-08:00The Time Has ComeToday it was time to take down the Christmas lights. Waaaaah. It's always such a let-down for me, all the effort that goes into Christmas and after that one day, NUTHIN'. Sigh...<br />
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Wanted to post some pictures from Christmas, trying to get back in the habit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe2xzB4uFI/AAAAAAAAHIs/atxpAlKEjKw/s1600/Christmas+Vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe2xzB4uFI/AAAAAAAAHIs/atxpAlKEjKw/s320/Christmas+Vacation.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kennedy Space Center with cranky Willie</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3WQB0_9I/AAAAAAAAHIw/-j9poVETkDc/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3WQB0_9I/AAAAAAAAHIw/-j9poVETkDc/s320/IMG_0179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy's First Grade Christmas Program</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3e2tbF_I/AAAAAAAAHI0/iEQ8rSr4dSc/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3e2tbF_I/AAAAAAAAHI0/iEQ8rSr4dSc/s320/IMG_0210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr. Boy in his new bed</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3l1dUhyI/AAAAAAAAHI4/RuzwUD0hsho/s1600/IMG_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3l1dUhyI/AAAAAAAAHI4/RuzwUD0hsho/s320/IMG_0209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr. Boy also loves his new jacket, he wears it and doesn't chew it! Woohoo!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3uhvkkpI/AAAAAAAAHI8/zgYmOXv_2rU/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe3uhvkkpI/AAAAAAAAHI8/zgYmOXv_2rU/s320/IMG_0267.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty Sassy, so grown up</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe32m69f5I/AAAAAAAAHJA/oz1Lb85H4cw/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe32m69f5I/AAAAAAAAHJA/oz1Lb85H4cw/s320/IMG_0266.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chocoholic-ism runs in the family</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4BK8ShGI/AAAAAAAAHJE/LttE76xhhJc/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4BK8ShGI/AAAAAAAAHJE/LttE76xhhJc/s320/IMG_0271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sassy's cart is FAST--18 MPH</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4L9p-NZI/AAAAAAAAHJI/GFf_NsAgyYk/s1600/IMG_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4L9p-NZI/AAAAAAAAHJI/GFf_NsAgyYk/s320/IMG_0270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cruisin' down the sidewalk</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4X3mlZdI/AAAAAAAAHJM/EcYaZU2ScKU/s1600/IMG_0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4X3mlZdI/AAAAAAAAHJM/EcYaZU2ScKU/s320/IMG_0273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katy's is a Dune Buggy, does well off road...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4juPrVxI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/dE3_yP_Qwig/s1600/IMG_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4juPrVxI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/dE3_yP_Qwig/s320/IMG_0272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy's is a Drifter Kart and does 360 degree turns on a dime</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4ttGreTI/AAAAAAAAHJU/wyeKRBmdQR8/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4ttGreTI/AAAAAAAAHJU/wyeKRBmdQR8/s320/IMG_0275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake ala Cook's Illustrated, delish, highly recommend it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe42MAhuHI/AAAAAAAAHJY/-CMELJRa-RY/s1600/IMG_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe42MAhuHI/AAAAAAAAHJY/-CMELJRa-RY/s320/IMG_0274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Need to figure out how to get the sides smooth when you take it out? But if you only knew how good those little crumblies were... oh Momma.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4_YYULdI/AAAAAAAAHJc/1i0bD2hx8hA/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe4_YYULdI/AAAAAAAAHJc/1i0bD2hx8hA/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shy Izzy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5JkhofAI/AAAAAAAAHJg/hIxczZvQ70w/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5JkhofAI/AAAAAAAAHJg/hIxczZvQ70w/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sulky Willie (usual position these days)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5RnZyUFI/AAAAAAAAHJk/eKZA0q4o7SI/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5RnZyUFI/AAAAAAAAHJk/eKZA0q4o7SI/s320/DSC_0006.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Partners in Crime--Fudgsicle stealing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5b6gAhCI/AAAAAAAAHJo/6Y4hCyDeAOw/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5b6gAhCI/AAAAAAAAHJo/6Y4hCyDeAOw/s320/DSC_0013.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You've got a friend in me...Somebody poisoned the waterhole! Amazingly, when Woody's hat is off, he says "Whoa, there goes my hat" or something else like that, and when you put it back on, he says several things like, "Oh, now hey, THAT's better!" or "Aw, shucks, you found my hat! Thanks!" It's quite amusing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5kGjuW1I/AAAAAAAAHJs/DASHr2qVHXk/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5kGjuW1I/AAAAAAAAHJs/DASHr2qVHXk/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drinking Cranberry juice</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5sx_EKgI/AAAAAAAAHJw/d1uGPmGp5ho/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe5sx_EKgI/AAAAAAAAHJw/d1uGPmGp5ho/s320/DSC_0027.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">:( Getting so big :(</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe50O-II7I/AAAAAAAAHJ0/qUiauzuJDAk/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe50O-II7I/AAAAAAAAHJ0/qUiauzuJDAk/s320/DSC_0021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jumping Bean</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe56qTB4ZI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/FDtX4BqenIM/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe56qTB4ZI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/FDtX4BqenIM/s320/DSC_0034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All smiles</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6C1MvU8I/AAAAAAAAHJ8/zGZM2Vbjwmo/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6C1MvU8I/AAAAAAAAHJ8/zGZM2Vbjwmo/s320/DSC_0061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Growing up, finally a natural smile! She's a tough one for that!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6MOwlQgI/AAAAAAAAHKA/TsbwLFrfPxU/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6MOwlQgI/AAAAAAAAHKA/TsbwLFrfPxU/s320/DSC_0054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy that our ottoman is not a hard rock anymore.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6VWlESyI/AAAAAAAAHKE/meiixlkm3CM/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6VWlESyI/AAAAAAAAHKE/meiixlkm3CM/s320/DSC_0074.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chillin' in her room</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6eeHR_UI/AAAAAAAAHKI/fZEpZwz4j9Q/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6eeHR_UI/AAAAAAAAHKI/fZEpZwz4j9Q/s320/DSC_0106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having fun (Willie trying to lick Katy!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6nDrrlxI/AAAAAAAAHKM/u_6cQzY1fl8/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6nDrrlxI/AAAAAAAAHKM/u_6cQzY1fl8/s400/DSC_0093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh yeah Momma, you just THINK I am going to do what you ask. This is the look I think I gave my sisters many times. Minus the eye flutter.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6whQRQAI/AAAAAAAAHKQ/7amuqqYa9js/s1600/DSC_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe6whQRQAI/AAAAAAAAHKQ/7amuqqYa9js/s320/DSC_0159.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mittens! How fun. Too bad he looks so devastated. He really did like them. Really!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7B7hv5AI/AAAAAAAAHKU/HRTcND8y3f0/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7B7hv5AI/AAAAAAAAHKU/HRTcND8y3f0/s320/DSC_0232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trying out Gemini 7 (two weeks without being able to stretch your legs full out! Those two seats are it, nothing more to it! Yikes!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7SOic-BI/AAAAAAAAHKY/OCyZi7yDVq0/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7SOic-BI/AAAAAAAAHKY/OCyZi7yDVq0/s320/DSC_0227.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shawn read every plaque. Me, well, my attention span apparently also ain't what it used to be.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7Z9taR6I/AAAAAAAAHKc/nkJLK0dGoWs/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7Z9taR6I/AAAAAAAAHKc/nkJLK0dGoWs/s400/DSC_0247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cool.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7l-MkSHI/AAAAAAAAHKg/nyUefrbjOWA/s1600/DSC_0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7l-MkSHI/AAAAAAAAHKg/nyUefrbjOWA/s400/DSC_0273.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thumbs up for space exploration! And cranky boys who pretend there is no camera anywhere around. Grr...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7t5T0qBI/AAAAAAAAHKk/GCxhZQeYpKw/s1600/DSC_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe7t5T0qBI/AAAAAAAAHKk/GCxhZQeYpKw/s400/DSC_0265.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a great show-- Izzy asked me several times is "she was real." She was Vulcan, and very cool. We had a great time at the show. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe72nTrpVI/AAAAAAAAHKo/oWQoWpH8IYI/s1600/DSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe72nTrpVI/AAAAAAAAHKo/oWQoWpH8IYI/s400/DSC_0274.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome ball that is pure stone and is moved by a small amount of water (displacement theory)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe76FcnIEI/AAAAAAAAHKs/jSGg8j_aEqQ/s1600/DSC_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe76FcnIEI/AAAAAAAAHKs/jSGg8j_aEqQ/s400/DSC_0283.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Strangely, one of my favorite pics of the day. I love it in black and white but Shawn HAS to have color.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8B65GmWI/AAAAAAAAHKw/0ArOWwUfxvE/s1600/DSC_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8B65GmWI/AAAAAAAAHKw/0ArOWwUfxvE/s400/DSC_0278.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yaya takes the ball for a spin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8JlMbClI/AAAAAAAAHK0/I-Igg3cMkRI/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8JlMbClI/AAAAAAAAHK0/I-Igg3cMkRI/s400/DSC_0275.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy looks for constellations</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8PKIjc0I/AAAAAAAAHK4/R6KWNieuiKY/s1600/DSC_0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8PKIjc0I/AAAAAAAAHK4/R6KWNieuiKY/s400/DSC_0288.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Going into the shuttle</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8Wn_xbkI/AAAAAAAAHK8/YNyIKLHIDnc/s1600/DSC_0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8Wn_xbkI/AAAAAAAAHK8/YNyIKLHIDnc/s400/DSC_0304.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Willie's new shuttle, much adored</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8fVG4oLI/AAAAAAAAHLA/0nrOmjLceGo/s1600/DSC_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8fVG4oLI/AAAAAAAAHLA/0nrOmjLceGo/s320/DSC_0300.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daddy being silly with Izzy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8oSDsIZI/AAAAAAAAHLE/ocPPKBJaoM0/s1600/DSC_0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8oSDsIZI/AAAAAAAAHLE/ocPPKBJaoM0/s400/DSC_0314.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting for the bus shuttle to the launch pad</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8wgFhxkI/AAAAAAAAHLI/L1d3HFF7rq0/s1600/DSC_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe8wgFhxkI/AAAAAAAAHLI/L1d3HFF7rq0/s320/DSC_0310.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aw, Izzy wanted a shuttle too. Darn those gift shops, they know how to get ya.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe83sutoQI/AAAAAAAAHLM/7nb2zBzCo6Q/s1600/DSC_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe83sutoQI/AAAAAAAAHLM/7nb2zBzCo6Q/s400/DSC_0322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully no line here! We love going places where no one else is!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9EHRhqxI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/9bt1HMOSpEc/s1600/DSC_0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9EHRhqxI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/9bt1HMOSpEc/s400/DSC_0335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shawn asked for a family photo, then after three or four minutes said, "All right, enough pictures." Ticked me off pretty good, so I took off for the bus with the girls and left his sorry butt in the dust. Sarah called his cell phone and said, "You better run through the gift shop to get out, Daddy, Momma is LEAVIN'!" And I was! What a doofus, really!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9LxShEkI/AAAAAAAAHLU/0WdTQLLkuv0/s1600/DSC_0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9LxShEkI/AAAAAAAAHLU/0WdTQLLkuv0/s400/DSC_0329.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Willie's shuttle takes flight</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9Qry8c9I/AAAAAAAAHLY/1QZoJT9D62M/s1600/DSC_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9Qry8c9I/AAAAAAAAHLY/1QZoJT9D62M/s400/DSC_0342.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like this one, too. He sure loves his Daddy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9XgU7pwI/AAAAAAAAHLc/aIhGwN5H86M/s1600/DSC_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9XgU7pwI/AAAAAAAAHLc/aIhGwN5H86M/s400/DSC_0337.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Pooh Bear.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9g8M3CQI/AAAAAAAAHLg/LumI_UcVrag/s1600/DSC_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9g8M3CQI/AAAAAAAAHLg/LumI_UcVrag/s400/DSC_0353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stephenson girls</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9o8k_C9I/AAAAAAAAHLk/c0TYftRINno/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9o8k_C9I/AAAAAAAAHLk/c0TYftRINno/s400/DSC_0350.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cutie Pie</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9zcgi8II/AAAAAAAAHLo/FFOktRVwWiA/s1600/DSC_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe9zcgi8II/AAAAAAAAHLo/FFOktRVwWiA/s400/DSC_0368.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got to meet a real astronaut, Sam Gemar, who went on three missions. The girls asked him questions which he answered beautifully. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarah: "Were you scared when you went into space?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam: It was scariest the night before when you had time to think about it. Launch time you were just too busy to think/"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katy: "When did you know you wanted to be an astronaut?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam: About 7 years old (izzy's age!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy: "Does your Mom and Dad go with you?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam: No, but I sure wish they could have seen it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy: (for Willie who would not speak) "When are you going to Mars?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam: I'm going to have to have one of you do that for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He was very kind, autographed a picture for us, and Willie's shuttle as well. It really made Sarah MOST interested in space. We will be going to view the final launch Feb 3, as she insists on us going! Who knows, maybe she will be in space some day. We also saw a memorial to Challenger, and the whole story was fascinating to her. She came home and looked it all up on the internet. Totally cool how it piqued her interest in one short day!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-Ac7amwI/AAAAAAAAHLs/DZIniI4kH2E/s1600/DSC_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-Ac7amwI/AAAAAAAAHLs/DZIniI4kH2E/s400/DSC_0359.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one makes me laugh every time. Katy is rarely joyous, at least where you can get it on camera!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-FRX590I/AAAAAAAAHLw/GfgNnPtWZtA/s1600/DSC_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-FRX590I/AAAAAAAAHLw/GfgNnPtWZtA/s640/DSC_0370.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunset at the Space Center</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-O2nFHfI/AAAAAAAAHL0/Jk2ZmpyqQF8/s1600/DSC_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-O2nFHfI/AAAAAAAAHL0/Jk2ZmpyqQF8/s400/DSC_0385.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All Willie talked about the whole time was PuttPutt Golfin'. Literally said PuttPutt Golfin'. We finally went on the last night, which turned out to be perfect. Quite cool, but not cold. HE LOVED IT. He had such a blast, using his club like a net, trying to swoosh it into each hole. He couldn't get enough. 18 holes and he cried when we were done. Every time he got it in, (twenty to thirty shots laters, most of it swiping, or just picking the darn thing up and setting it right next to the hole :) Heehee) he would raise his arms over his head and go "HOLE!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-WK61QKI/AAAAAAAAHL4/DAI0iIXgLSA/s1600/DSC_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-WK61QKI/AAAAAAAAHL4/DAI0iIXgLSA/s400/DSC_0372.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving the park, still cranky boy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-jQut7tI/AAAAAAAAHL8/KGoVMUEKFbQ/s1600/DSC_0411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-jQut7tI/AAAAAAAAHL8/KGoVMUEKFbQ/s400/DSC_0411.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Putt putting wasn't fun for Katy until she CHILLED and then she did great and had a fine time!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-tiiXr5I/AAAAAAAAHMA/dBZ-N1po2bw/s1600/DSC_0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-tiiXr5I/AAAAAAAAHMA/dBZ-N1po2bw/s400/DSC_0391.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HOLE!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-xUZfeyI/AAAAAAAAHME/uOdYsXyyviU/s1600/DSC_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-xUZfeyI/AAAAAAAAHME/uOdYsXyyviU/s400/DSC_0436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pool at the hotel was heated but not very warm. They switched from hot tub to pool every three or four minutes. Still, they couldn't get enough. Just loved it!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-8FS1r2I/AAAAAAAAHMI/Ln6TiQGnklU/s1600/DSC_0423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe-8FS1r2I/AAAAAAAAHMI/Ln6TiQGnklU/s400/DSC_0423.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy got the only Hole-in-One of the night!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe_Ab7UKeI/AAAAAAAAHMM/zHAJT6eRSSc/s1600/DSC_0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe_Ab7UKeI/AAAAAAAAHMM/zHAJT6eRSSc/s400/DSC_0442.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Swimmin' on the last day</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe_IPkMkwI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/BJzJvcP6e5c/s1600/DSC_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe_IPkMkwI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/BJzJvcP6e5c/s400/DSC_0440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trying to see through the glare of the overcast day</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe_VKAwiqI/AAAAAAAAHMU/WkkAoNzyMRg/s1600/DSC_0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TSe_VKAwiqI/AAAAAAAAHMU/WkkAoNzyMRg/s400/DSC_0454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Could NOT get this picture to work out, this was the best of several</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay. There you have it. Enough bloggage to hold you for a bit. A long bit.</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-54714894520052052132010-12-31T19:37:00.000-08:002010-12-31T19:37:11.075-08:00New Camera!A new day...ahhhhh.. (a la Celine Dion, of course)<br />
Here are a couple of first shots with my handy dandy Nikon D7000. It could make Bozo the Clown a good photographer. Which is probably why I rather like these couple of pics. Bozo and I are much closer than you know. Point and Shoots just don't help me out much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6ev8q8IoI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/S2S8DZn7TFM/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6ev8q8IoI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/S2S8DZn7TFM/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6fbTVs82I/AAAAAAAAHIc/ghR7t8mJuKo/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6fbTVs82I/AAAAAAAAHIc/ghR7t8mJuKo/s320/DSC_0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eAZy8YPI/AAAAAAAAHH4/9VDohCj4R9g/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eAZy8YPI/AAAAAAAAHH4/9VDohCj4R9g/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" width="277" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eGsi0cgI/AAAAAAAAHH8/VwVFzJ4R65I/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eGsi0cgI/AAAAAAAAHH8/VwVFzJ4R65I/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eQ2yi8II/AAAAAAAAHIA/D7oB0fzx5x8/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eQ2yi8II/AAAAAAAAHIA/D7oB0fzx5x8/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eiAmWRrI/AAAAAAAAHII/VKd2SMuGc3Y/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6eiAmWRrI/AAAAAAAAHII/VKd2SMuGc3Y/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6gsInSnOI/AAAAAAAAHIg/hKtP9p7McQA/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6gsInSnOI/AAAAAAAAHIg/hKtP9p7McQA/s320/DSC_0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6g7nN1veI/AAAAAAAAHIk/dDdX--HTlIU/s1600/DSC_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TR6g7nN1veI/AAAAAAAAHIk/dDdX--HTlIU/s320/DSC_0342.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Your welcome.Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-46519525331288848282010-11-01T15:32:00.000-07:002010-11-01T15:32:47.529-07:00Spee-tacular Spiderman!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Willie loves to sing the Spiderman theme song from one of his cartoon movies. "Spee-tack-uh-ler, Spee-tack-uh-ler Fiderman!" If we sing it wrong, he corrects us by singing it again! It's great, and we are frequently wrong just to hear him sing it one more time!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ACUeGzfI/AAAAAAAAHGg/bip7PjfiVHU/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG"><br /><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ACUeGzfI/AAAAAAAAHGg/bip7PjfiVHU/s400/IMG_0098.JPG" /></a><br />Love the muscle chest!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ACz2UIxI/AAAAAAAAHGo/dMOffd5_ZIQ/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ACz2UIxI/AAAAAAAAHGo/dMOffd5_ZIQ/s400/IMG_0096.JPG" /></a><br />He's so buff for a 3 year old!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ADEPzt6I/AAAAAAAAHGw/OY_qCcslZAg/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ADEPzt6I/AAAAAAAAHGw/OY_qCcslZAg/s400/IMG_0116.JPG" /></a><br />Checking out what's in his pumpkin...<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ADnFE-JI/AAAAAAAAHG4/d2GvHAbXN0k/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM9ADnFE-JI/AAAAAAAAHG4/d2GvHAbXN0k/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" /></a><br />Wouldn't smile when we started but he sure is smiling now!<br /><br />Happy Halloween!<br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-67135171668334828202010-11-01T15:26:00.000-07:002010-11-01T15:26:58.710-07:00Candy Time!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-rYG3AUI/AAAAAAAAHGA/77v-qpnFdjc/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-rYG3AUI/AAAAAAAAHGA/77v-qpnFdjc/s400/IMG_0103.JPG" /></a><br />Katy was a "Glamour Witch" which was a mercifully easy costume to wear, and she looked cute! I wouldn't let any of them wear fancy shoes, due the tremendous amount of walking they would be doing. Only my little fashionista Izzy chose to forgo her comfy sneakers for shiny patent leather shoes... she rode in the stroller most of the way. Heehee...<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-rmp29AI/AAAAAAAAHGI/iTyI-HMp6ZQ/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-rmp29AI/AAAAAAAAHGI/iTyI-HMp6ZQ/s400/IMG_0118.JPG" /></a><br />Sweet-a-holic Numero Uno!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-r21SKLI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/0C6x7lWNtNM/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-r21SKLI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/0C6x7lWNtNM/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" /></a><br />Sweet little bumblebee...<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-sbIXUmI/AAAAAAAAHGY/qNE8d1NGh9I/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM8-sbIXUmI/AAAAAAAAHGY/qNE8d1NGh9I/s400/IMG_0119.JPG" /></a><br />Looking for sweets... no chance of rotting out the front teeth!<br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-11950928414299217812010-11-01T15:19:00.000-07:002010-11-01T15:19:49.750-07:00Doggie Get-up<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Sarah and Aiden had a joint costume this year, despite my reservations about taking the dog trick-or-treating. He was amazingly good, never barked at any of the crazy creatures he saw, or the wild noises coming from the haunted house. He had a great time and a great sleep that night, we tuckered him out!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM89A9Tn1wI/AAAAAAAAHFo/K9v0749cGRo/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG"><br /><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM89A9Tn1wI/AAAAAAAAHFo/K9v0749cGRo/s400/IMG_0113.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM89BPXM1PI/AAAAAAAAHFw/Vj-0h_spcE4/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM89BPXM1PI/AAAAAAAAHFw/Vj-0h_spcE4/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" /></a><br />Could not believe that he actually allowed us to put this on him and NEVER CHEWED at it at all! He was so patient!<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM89BBYiG8I/AAAAAAAAHF4/lZkFpYFVxr8/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TM89BBYiG8I/AAAAAAAAHF4/lZkFpYFVxr8/s400/IMG_0106.JPG" /></a><br />My little ketchup.<br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-80169831585363599812010-10-14T08:01:00.000-07:002010-10-14T08:01:44.020-07:00Out on the Boat<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Okay, well he wasn't out on the boat. But he is so darn cute these days. Gotta love crazy Aiden.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbUoNohlI/AAAAAAAAHEQ/IywLCWhIG4U/s1600/IMG_8804.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbUoNohlI/AAAAAAAAHEQ/IywLCWhIG4U/s400/IMG_8804.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbU2ZBSpI/AAAAAAAAHEY/ZmTx01Qe7g8/s1600/IMG_9949.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbU2ZBSpI/AAAAAAAAHEY/ZmTx01Qe7g8/s400/IMG_9949.JPG" /></a><br />Speaking of cute, have you seen Mr. Handsome lately? (That was for you, Scotty.) Well, he is, as usual, Mr. Handsome. He has also become Joe Cool, as you can tell from the Fisher-Price sunglasses.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbVFpDCnI/AAAAAAAAHEg/VE_Oaz5ves4/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbVFpDCnI/AAAAAAAAHEg/VE_Oaz5ves4/s400/IMG_9967.JPG" /></a><br />And William is not the only cutie around here. Katy and Izzy had a blast swimming around while Daddy finished his work underwater. Check out Izzy's front teeth. No, don't, they aren't there! Good thing Christmas is a-comin', OH, all I want for Chrithmuth is my two front teeth...</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbVq6259I/AAAAAAAAHEo/kg960CvmZyE/s1600/IMG_9971.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcbVq6259I/AAAAAAAAHEo/kg960CvmZyE/s400/IMG_9971.JPG" /></a><br />Aww, just the guys. William thinks being in the water with his dad is heaven on earth. A very wet, salty heaven.<br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-73245312908257863892010-10-14T07:50:00.000-07:002010-10-14T07:51:26.269-07:00Food Show 2010<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Shawn and I went to Sacramento for our annual Food Show participation. It was not as much fun as last year (we were new then) but it was busier. We hope it was worthwhile sales-wise, but it is always good experience.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY54MBsOI/AAAAAAAAHDw/T93cZ7fdOnU/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG"><br /><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY54MBsOI/AAAAAAAAHDw/T93cZ7fdOnU/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" /></a><br />Southern Cross Sea Farms' president, chief shmoozer at the cocktail party, and booth assistant, Shawn Stephenson.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY6PEswhI/AAAAAAAAHD4/LVyanBukC1g/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY6PEswhI/AAAAAAAAHD4/LVyanBukC1g/s400/IMG_0067.JPG" /></a><br />Our cute little clams, flown across the country, picked up at the cargo area, and placed on a bed of kale and parsley. Lemon cutting courtesy of me, and my many years at Shrimp Landing. I always knew that little trick would come in handy. Shawn said no, it would take hours. 1 lemon, 1 borrowed paring knife, and 2 minutes later, VOILA! (Or wah-la, you people know who you are.)</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY6piLhqI/AAAAAAAAHEA/Y1EQejXRoGM/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY6piLhqI/AAAAAAAAHEA/Y1EQejXRoGM/s400/IMG_0079.JPG" /></a><br />The host company always puts on a fabulous display...<br />or they just want to make ours look like crap. <br />That's okay, we had our booth down in five minutes flat, and were off to a fabulous dinner. So there.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY63xJY9I/AAAAAAAAHEI/13LRUC1ZBy8/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcY63xJY9I/AAAAAAAAHEI/13LRUC1ZBy8/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" /></a><br />Cool fish, some I don't even recognize. </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-87684107580435216632010-10-14T07:42:00.000-07:002010-10-14T07:42:48.254-07:00Fame or Fortune<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I advertised one of my listings (a house that Shawn and I once fixed up and sold) on the front page of the Real Estate Book, which is in all the little boxes around Citrus and Levy County. I thought it looked cute. And it has worked, I've had six calls from it already and it's only been out a week or less. This weekend is our Seafood Festival so I am planning to be at the office, helping Sarah with retail at Southern Cross, and plugging real estate for all I'm worth!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcW58ZExII/AAAAAAAAHDo/7dPM8mZxvgw/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG"><br /><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcW58ZExII/AAAAAAAAHDo/7dPM8mZxvgw/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" /></a><br />Maybe it'll bring me fame. Or fortune. Or at least mild entertainment for a short period of time.<br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-82052615852295043292010-10-14T07:34:00.000-07:002010-10-14T07:35:09.401-07:00YUM.<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I made something awesome. Well, I made it but I didn't come up with the recipe. The recipe is from Suzanne Goin's Sunday Suppers at Lucques, which I picked up a signed copy of at Tavern in LA. Dinner there was wonderful, but I am even happier with some of the recipes I have made at home from the cookbook. In part because at the restaurant, SHE gets all the praise. At home, I reign supreme. At least in Shawn's eyes. He almost fell out of his chair when I put dinner on the table. He said we should take a picture, so we did.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcVHDSfO7I/AAAAAAAAHDg/cDJK5Rd8msI/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/TLcVHDSfO7I/AAAAAAAAHDg/cDJK5Rd8msI/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" /></a><br />Melon with Prosciutto, Figs, Arugula, and Mint Cream.<br /><br />Fee-nomenal.<br /><br />Served with Pan-Roasted Rib-eye Steaks with Marchand de Vin (red wine, shallot, and butter sauce)<br /><br />Shawn said it was life-changing good. Something so simple, yet A-mazing.<br /><br />I know you're jealous, I am too, because we ate it all and we don't have any left. If you want the recipe, let me know and I will send it. But beware, you might be expected to cook like this again. <br />Which won't be hard to do if you have that handy cookbook around. $23 on Amazon could get you a lifetime of kudos.<br />Now, all this blogging (it's like exercise, once you stop it is hard to start up again) is making me hungry. <br />What do we have to eat?<br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426179273572499424.post-63003666839486294582010-04-21T11:18:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:07:45.402-07:00Aww, What A Cutie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/S89M3UPInpI/AAAAAAAAGSY/9qQx83OSZ5s/s1600/April+2010+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/S89M3UPInpI/AAAAAAAAGSY/9qQx83OSZ5s/s400/April+2010+008.JPG" width="286" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">William's Easter get-up. He has growling for ALL of the other pictures we took. It's tough being a dinosaur!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/S87vd9tF-wI/AAAAAAAAGRw/PE2c33NC76o/s1600/April+2010+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7mEd8sSnMoI/S87vd9tF-wI/AAAAAAAAGRw/PE2c33NC76o/s400/April+2010+001.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Izzy up at bat! She happened to hit a double right here, got to second base and turned around, giving me a big thumbs up! Who knew that little body could hit that hard?!</div>Carynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04659359323069530127noreply@blogger.com3