tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273876302024-03-13T09:25:20.029-07:00Knapp TimesAutumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-7712648844606260142015-11-21T06:48:00.004-08:002015-11-21T06:48:26.961-08:00Our Month of October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">October flew by! I feel like I say that with every month, but it really is true. I'm not sure if it's having four kids that makes the days fly by or the amount of stuff filling up our schedule. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">October was a fun month. We got lots of good schooling done and had lots of fun with friends. And Tommy turned 9!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLKilwhU-lA/VlB_xfc14oI/AAAAAAAAGTs/dJWkw1w0TMI/s1600/22123186466_35d33a5e44_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLKilwhU-lA/VlB_xfc14oI/AAAAAAAAGTs/dJWkw1w0TMI/s640/22123186466_35d33a5e44_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One tradition that we have is that every Saturday morning Mark takes one of the kids on a "Daddy Date" for the breakfast place of their choice. This day Lucy was convinced it was her Daddy Date and she let Ben come along (even though it was really Ben's turn!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pr3erORTcv0/VlB_NsyiHII/AAAAAAAAGSs/5u9Jb9GY-78/s1600/22579115897_def4cb8175_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pr3erORTcv0/VlB_NsyiHII/AAAAAAAAGSs/5u9Jb9GY-78/s640/22579115897_def4cb8175_o.jpg" width="592" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izHYkLFH9kE/VlB_NMVtwnI/AAAAAAAAGSk/hut00ew5drg/s1600/22579221288_fd368d2a8a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izHYkLFH9kE/VlB_NMVtwnI/AAAAAAAAGSk/hut00ew5drg/s640/22579221288_fd368d2a8a_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tommy turned 9! He got Legos and Pokemon cards for his birthday. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yH5P18fk8RI/VlB_ITPjFlI/AAAAAAAAGSM/xexZ5lSzehA/s1600/22494668654_f54b6d461c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yH5P18fk8RI/VlB_ITPjFlI/AAAAAAAAGSM/xexZ5lSzehA/s640/22494668654_f54b6d461c_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0gwXzTf5Co/VlB_RdvhcsI/AAAAAAAAGTI/KFnF6GTZOvI/s1600/22727315819_75b0c57340_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0gwXzTf5Co/VlB_RdvhcsI/AAAAAAAAGTI/KFnF6GTZOvI/s640/22727315819_75b0c57340_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Speaking of Legos, they were the main theme of this month. The boys put together complex machines and structures every spare moment they got. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Swbko3nT2iI/VlB_IAnb-cI/AAAAAAAAGSI/2P94WTQnGXg/s1600/22398546873_3bcc049606_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Swbko3nT2iI/VlB_IAnb-cI/AAAAAAAAGSI/2P94WTQnGXg/s640/22398546873_3bcc049606_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Typical school scene. Not shown are little sisters making messes underfoot. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbS8ToZFAZM/VlB_VTdVoqI/AAAAAAAAGTg/oe4r5vTGhr8/s1600/23117416195_e799d1c134_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbS8ToZFAZM/VlB_VTdVoqI/AAAAAAAAGTg/oe4r5vTGhr8/s640/23117416195_e799d1c134_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On one exciting day Tommy's grandma got a dump-truck load of gravel. What could be better than jumping into a big pile of rocks? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMT0LYJqzgE/VlB_E4ZZlGI/AAAAAAAAGRw/ytlafw_ji0Y/s1600/22239453409_420723920d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMT0LYJqzgE/VlB_E4ZZlGI/AAAAAAAAGRw/ytlafw_ji0Y/s640/22239453409_420723920d_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every Sunday, I take a picture of my growing belly to show my pregnancy progress. This Sunday everyone wanted in the picture! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhTFMKnnUlY/VlB_F-w63sI/AAAAAAAAGR0/TGTP02QJUrA/s1600/22376250353_0ddfff78e4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhTFMKnnUlY/VlB_F-w63sI/AAAAAAAAGR0/TGTP02QJUrA/s640/22376250353_0ddfff78e4_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">18 week belly. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ49A6C7N9Y/VlB_QygLfnI/AAAAAAAAGS0/nLva39kF_pQ/s1600/22699000808_366353d657_o%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ49A6C7N9Y/VlB_QygLfnI/AAAAAAAAGS0/nLva39kF_pQ/s640/22699000808_366353d657_o%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A rare quiet moment, reading Garfield comics by the fire.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yVCmTpYAQgs/VlB_V7Wm4qI/AAAAAAAAGTk/_-rHW-BcvPo/s1600/23119613905_4a257beb4c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yVCmTpYAQgs/VlB_V7Wm4qI/AAAAAAAAGTk/_-rHW-BcvPo/s640/23119613905_4a257beb4c_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fun field trip to the pumpkin patch with our homeschool friends.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5tL_WhYuUo/VlB_OLU98DI/AAAAAAAAGSw/NIAWVuYQLjA/s1600/22627622346_57ae5d7e2a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5tL_WhYuUo/VlB_OLU98DI/AAAAAAAAGSw/NIAWVuYQLjA/s640/22627622346_57ae5d7e2a_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BG42S8Mj6g/VlB_SipI8jI/AAAAAAAAGTM/iAl77WfUQ74/s1600/22984206972_a1d7c258ba_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BG42S8Mj6g/VlB_SipI8jI/AAAAAAAAGTM/iAl77WfUQ74/s640/22984206972_a1d7c258ba_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-24410040472663292682015-09-30T14:29:00.001-07:002015-09-30T16:43:18.343-07:00September Catch-Up<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">September was a crazy month. It flew by so quickly that I barely had a chance to take pictures of anything (not to mention that we didn't have time to do anything besides the basics of housework and schoolwork).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Katie had twice weekly doctor appointments most weeks, on top of her twice weekly therapy appointments. And she was sick for half the month, with daily vomiting due to car sickness and gagging on her food. Trying to get a child to gain weight, who routinely rejects meals, can be incredibly frustrating.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPc_N7YtO4o/VgxLL1VMZCI/AAAAAAAAGP0/rhPAuEyxL74/s1600/21368119268_03938c3c3d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPc_N7YtO4o/VgxLL1VMZCI/AAAAAAAAGP0/rhPAuEyxL74/s640/21368119268_03938c3c3d_o.jpg" width="506" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trying on maternity clothes at Target... check out at the baby bump! (Don't mind the weird look on my face... I was taking this pic to ask Mark about the shirt. ;-)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s92R9RMd5t8/VgxLMjp4hEI/AAAAAAAAGP8/oNJagKxNOT0/s1600/21473837415_f6308d6a87_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s92R9RMd5t8/VgxLMjp4hEI/AAAAAAAAGP8/oNJagKxNOT0/s640/21473837415_f6308d6a87_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Homemade donuts for breakfast. The kids have my pregnancy cravings to thank for a lot of yummy food coming through the kitchen! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OuRE-ghYEQM/VgxThFp5hAI/AAAAAAAAGQo/r9Zqt0miit4/s1600/IMG_8687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OuRE-ghYEQM/VgxThFp5hAI/AAAAAAAAGQo/r9Zqt0miit4/s640/IMG_8687.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On an afternoon family walk at our local bike trail, we saw hundreds of goats eating up the weeds. It was amazing how many goats there were. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-72908087156354422302015-09-30T14:02:00.002-07:002015-10-02T06:26:38.094-07:00August Surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQRuk8wI4QE/VgxBriR_veI/AAAAAAAAGPc/FR_m9ueDYqA/s1600/IMG_4611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQRuk8wI4QE/VgxBriR_veI/AAAAAAAAGPc/FR_m9ueDYqA/s400/IMG_4611.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In early August, I got a crazy surprise. I found out that I am pregnant. What?! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The past seven years have brought us: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 late term miscarriage </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6 years of infertility </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 adoption, and just about to finalize another adoption</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So how could I possibly be pregnant <i>now</i>? After all this time?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I didn't believe the first pregnancy test. It was about three years outdated and I figured it was just bad. So I bought two new tests. Both those were positive. I still didn't believe it! I talked my (reluctant) OB into ordering me a blood test. When that came back positive, I sort of believed it. I still thought I might just be having some kind of weird hormone issues (even though several, and very patient, nurse practitioners explained that if the blood test said I was pregnant, then I'm pregnant!) Two weeks later, we got an ultrasound and heard the heartbeat. Only then did I finally truly believe that I was pregnant. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now that I am 12 weeks, and past the high risk of miscarriage, I am finally starting to enjoy my pregnancy. It has finally sunk in that I am pregnant. But sometimes I still wake up in disbelief at my growing tummy. I'll look in the mirror to make sure it's not all in my head. That I am pregnant now after going through so much is incredible to me. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's our story in a nutshell...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had two boys 15 months apart and got unexpectedly pregnant with #3 when the youngest was just 9 months old. Three kids in 2 years was enough for us (we thought). so husband got a V. We lost the baby at 18 weeks. We were devastated. But still we were okay with two. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then God changed our hearts to desire a larger family, so husband got a reversal. Two years later, nothing. Turns out there was a problem with *me*. How ironic. So we turned to adoption. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our plan was to wait for a clean, low-risk adoption to come up. God's plan was for us to spend that time fostering babies. He changed my heart yet again to be happy caring for sweet babies I knew I would never keep. We cared for 10 babies and then got our Lucy. Then 4 more babies before our Katie came along. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And now I'm pregnant. After 6 years of infertility. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." I am thankful that the Lord makes my plans and has written my story. His story is so much better than anything I could have imagined.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YS97d_Metpg/VgxCB6--e1I/AAAAAAAAGPk/Fv_jcTHGQVU/s1600/21031999644_322e239aa2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YS97d_Metpg/VgxCB6--e1I/AAAAAAAAGPk/Fv_jcTHGQVU/s640/21031999644_322e239aa2_o.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's our little Poppy at 11 weeks. There's not much to see in the photo, but in person we heard a strong heartbeat and saw him wiggling all around. It is still so incredible to me!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-39544141757405149852015-09-30T14:02:00.001-07:002015-09-30T14:02:18.635-07:00August Catch-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We eased back into school back in July. I started all of our read alouds, but the boys didn't start written schoolwork until this month. Ben is in 2nd grade and Tommy is in 3rd/4th (he's between grades). It was providential that we started school so early in the year-- you'll find out why in the next post. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5YZ9G7zVfs/Vgwacnm4niI/AAAAAAAAGNQ/-GRY9khj8Ac/s1600/IMG_4368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5YZ9G7zVfs/Vgwacnm4niI/AAAAAAAAGNQ/-GRY9khj8Ac/s640/IMG_4368.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> First day of school breakfast. Each kid got a back to school gift, which was a new book and some school supplies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDt8sO6xKlA/VgwadA2DZkI/AAAAAAAAGNY/_JratJAJwIY/s1600/IMG_4389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDt8sO6xKlA/VgwadA2DZkI/AAAAAAAAGNY/_JratJAJwIY/s640/IMG_4389.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3TMoxYPWlg/Vgwacsv5gQI/AAAAAAAAGNU/2L7BrX8rOak/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3TMoxYPWlg/Vgwacsv5gQI/AAAAAAAAGNU/2L7BrX8rOak/s640/IMG_4455.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys and Lucy set up a restaurant on the deck on day. They played at this for hours. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hupUt2wc57Y/Vgwae77oPVI/AAAAAAAAGNw/gzqlOlNg0wc/s1600/IMG_4487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hupUt2wc57Y/Vgwae77oPVI/AAAAAAAAGNw/gzqlOlNg0wc/s640/IMG_4487.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We visited the Santa Cruz Natural History museum with friends. It was a very small museum, but there was lots of things to see. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGS_kUNssvg/VgwafIZNuaI/AAAAAAAAGN0/_orLyKAqsaU/s1600/IMG_4488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGS_kUNssvg/VgwafIZNuaI/AAAAAAAAGN0/_orLyKAqsaU/s640/IMG_4488.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63ey0CGIHbM/VgwagH4NkrI/AAAAAAAAGOA/-b2VEi8_P2g/s1600/IMG_4546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63ey0CGIHbM/VgwagH4NkrI/AAAAAAAAGOA/-b2VEi8_P2g/s640/IMG_4546.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRi-kNZEox8/VgwahJnU31I/AAAAAAAAGOM/LuGsB-a4JXM/s1600/IMG_4574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRi-kNZEox8/VgwahJnU31I/AAAAAAAAGOM/LuGsB-a4JXM/s640/IMG_4574.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> More beach fun, in Monterey. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGHqf3G_8cQ/Vgwag55rYvI/AAAAAAAAGOE/Dv-1-Jiws2c/s640/IMG_4627.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> What? More beach?? Yes. Only this time, Mark was with us (the only time he was able to go with us to the beach all year!) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-E5RhD0mrU/VgwajW-cj6I/AAAAAAAAGOg/XnC-DAA3F6U/s1600/IMG_8072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-E5RhD0mrU/VgwajW-cj6I/AAAAAAAAGOg/XnC-DAA3F6U/s640/IMG_8072.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We got the unexpected gift of a time share at Lake Tahoe, given to us by a friend who wasn't able to use it for their week. I had never been there before, so it was really fun to be able to go.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dXd48Vr0co/VgwaiQkfAsI/AAAAAAAAGOY/UYqaFfxyIFY/s1600/IMG_4654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dXd48Vr0co/VgwaiQkfAsI/AAAAAAAAGOY/UYqaFfxyIFY/s640/IMG_4654.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This is how a lot of time was spent, especially while the girls napped back in our room (with Mark staying with them, of course!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWksscdJ__U/Vgwaky8HvLI/AAAAAAAAGOw/Otpo2jlqDgE/s1600/IMG_8490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWksscdJ__U/Vgwaky8HvLI/AAAAAAAAGOw/Otpo2jlqDgE/s640/IMG_8490.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The lake itself was so beautiful. Crystal clear water and mountains all around. Much different from the ocean beaches we're used to!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5UcvfVSTTI/VgwaoB1CyPI/AAAAAAAAGPA/4q8UAGFQl5E/s1600/IMG_8594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5UcvfVSTTI/VgwaoB1CyPI/AAAAAAAAGPA/4q8UAGFQl5E/s640/IMG_8594.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlSqPXJuTyM/VgwaokNL4NI/AAAAAAAAGPE/UHkoegOTjnU/s1600/IMG_8607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlSqPXJuTyM/VgwaokNL4NI/AAAAAAAAGPE/UHkoegOTjnU/s640/IMG_8607.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-35648546773507528982015-09-30T14:02:00.000-07:002015-09-30T14:02:04.487-07:00July Catch-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lucy turned three in July! She had a party with friends and family, and afterwards there was lots of outside play with a giant slip 'n slide. She specifically requested an orange cake, so she got it!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7gqjZVFCuA/VgwPiRIYGFI/AAAAAAAAGLI/SdgF0mFpTrY/s1600/IMG_3558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7gqjZVFCuA/VgwPiRIYGFI/AAAAAAAAGLI/SdgF0mFpTrY/s640/IMG_3558.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVbe5D_VbDU/VgwPsWA9ZoI/AAAAAAAAGMw/vK-PmMhPcCk/s1600/IMG_7685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVbe5D_VbDU/VgwPsWA9ZoI/AAAAAAAAGMw/vK-PmMhPcCk/s640/IMG_7685.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sG6E-Kj-pfg/VgwPtPbCxtI/AAAAAAAAGM8/Wb-Kav63tSE/s1600/IMG_7686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sG6E-Kj-pfg/VgwPtPbCxtI/AAAAAAAAGM8/Wb-Kav63tSE/s640/IMG_7686.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miKk679GmoQ/VgwPl_gxK1I/AAAAAAAAGLw/XcBzWyotHIk/s1600/IMG_3790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miKk679GmoQ/VgwPl_gxK1I/AAAAAAAAGLw/XcBzWyotHIk/s640/IMG_3790.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1BbAX5jF-c/VgwPjXgv3gI/AAAAAAAAGLM/i5MEbdkAevI/s1600/IMG_3644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1BbAX5jF-c/VgwPjXgv3gI/AAAAAAAAGLM/i5MEbdkAevI/s640/IMG_3644.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Yes, Natural Bridges again. This beach trip was memorable because when I got the point of needing to leave the beach by a certain time, and I really didn't want to, I just didn't. We stayed as long as we possibly could. When we finally did pack up and drive away, the sun was just starting to set. And since it was mid-summer, that meant it was 8:00pm before we left. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzgxKja0fXM/VgwPlItbUxI/AAAAAAAAGLg/-Z2vKWY065E/s1600/IMG_3658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzgxKja0fXM/VgwPlItbUxI/AAAAAAAAGLg/-Z2vKWY065E/s640/IMG_3658.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_XHs6x6Tb4/VgwPlBJzSBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/pRxyfCRTViY/s1600/IMG_3760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_XHs6x6Tb4/VgwPlBJzSBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/pRxyfCRTViY/s640/IMG_3760.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The boys camped out in the backyard one night. One came in around 2am to slip into his warm bed, while the other one stayed the whole night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkTs-vtd9Q4/VgwPoWiRGBI/AAAAAAAAGL8/xDypJoFMUC4/s1600/IMG_3877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkTs-vtd9Q4/VgwPoWiRGBI/AAAAAAAAGL8/xDypJoFMUC4/s640/IMG_3877.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove. This was the most beautiful beach I've ever been to. I don't know if it's always this gorgeous or if God blessed our day, but it was amazingly gorgeous (did I say that already?) I didn't want to leave this beach either, but we eventually had to simply because they don't have any bathrooms! (If they did, I'd probably live there in a little tent). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3Hd6F9t3MY/VgwPodwC-jI/AAAAAAAAGL4/jutPHbVaZRE/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3Hd6F9t3MY/VgwPodwC-jI/AAAAAAAAGL4/jutPHbVaZRE/s640/IMG_3886.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Exploring tide pools with friends at Asilomar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAOzMqKG9cA/VgwPoX8j7UI/AAAAAAAAGMA/HM2kQcYOAuI/s1600/IMG_3902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAOzMqKG9cA/VgwPoX8j7UI/AAAAAAAAGMA/HM2kQcYOAuI/s640/IMG_3902.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01PtLsIPOxY/VgwPpQPJVqI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/hItqivvJBGg/s1600/IMG_4029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01PtLsIPOxY/VgwPpQPJVqI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/hItqivvJBGg/s640/IMG_4029.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I made moon dough one day for Katie to play with. It's just flour and oil mixed up until it's fluffy. Funnily enough, she didn't like it much, but the big kids couldn't get enough of the stuff! They played with it non-stop for days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxyMoDXlhWI/VgwPpnh986I/AAAAAAAAGMM/T2YeYx3KiRw/s1600/IMG_4040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxyMoDXlhWI/VgwPpnh986I/AAAAAAAAGMM/T2YeYx3KiRw/s640/IMG_4040.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> At the Aquatic Center in our town. Ben decided to take the deep end test so he could swim in the deep pool and go off the diving board. He went off the highest board several times and had a blast. I was so proud that he decided to do something crazy like that all on his own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cf1zh28sJi0/VgwPqkHi8rI/AAAAAAAAGMg/rbV5lRcqn1U/s1600/IMG_4065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cf1zh28sJi0/VgwPqkHi8rI/AAAAAAAAGMg/rbV5lRcqn1U/s640/IMG_4065.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> More beach, this time in Monterey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cc-nUFIeJRc/VgwPrpirnUI/AAAAAAAAGMs/g6BZLuGWHcA/s1600/IMG_4080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cc-nUFIeJRc/VgwPrpirnUI/AAAAAAAAGMs/g6BZLuGWHcA/s640/IMG_4080.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> More jumping off of high things into the water. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoHjvqkfoJI/VgwPruHMpcI/AAAAAAAAGMo/lHDfcutB1zI/s1600/IMG_4250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoHjvqkfoJI/VgwPruHMpcI/AAAAAAAAGMo/lHDfcutB1zI/s640/IMG_4250.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> In the last week of July, the boys were at VBS at our church all week. Lucy really missed her brothers, so we drew pictures for them and she told me what to draw and write. It was so cute! The boys were so touched when they got home and saw the sweet pictures their sisters had made. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-30713016737623264262015-09-30T14:01:00.004-07:002015-09-30T14:01:56.999-07:00June Catch-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ah, June. We so reveled in getting back to normal life. Having everyone home under one roof, and being able to do normal things together seemed like such a crazy privilege. Even now, months later, I still don't take for granted our health and ability to do normal things together. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vsAh2nb_bKU/VgwBxZM-j8I/AAAAAAAAGHM/1akbNrgbiMQ/s1600/IMG_2991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vsAh2nb_bKU/VgwBxZM-j8I/AAAAAAAAGHM/1akbNrgbiMQ/s640/IMG_2991.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4acmz38DyY/VgwBwfunt8I/AAAAAAAAGHA/lgsHcgoNYQ0/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4acmz38DyY/VgwBwfunt8I/AAAAAAAAGHA/lgsHcgoNYQ0/s640/IMG_3017.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Of course, the very first place we went together was to the beach. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then we went to the beach again. Two weeks after Katie came home from the hospital, Mark got an unexpected week off from work, so we took a quick family trip to Avila Beach near San Luis Obispo. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfVEYProN5g/VgwBzbLdiqI/AAAAAAAAGHU/m97Dak15C6E/s1600/IMG_3065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfVEYProN5g/VgwBzbLdiqI/AAAAAAAAGHU/m97Dak15C6E/s640/IMG_3065.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8zsoTTbUuI/VgwB7TGXG1I/AAAAAAAAGIM/j0gtyLqOFNo/s1600/IMG_7295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8zsoTTbUuI/VgwB7TGXG1I/AAAAAAAAGIM/j0gtyLqOFNo/s640/IMG_7295.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lqs9NsUmgo/VgwB0ZLx6cI/AAAAAAAAGHc/zeDR71VUu-o/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lqs9NsUmgo/VgwB0ZLx6cI/AAAAAAAAGHc/zeDR71VUu-o/s640/IMG_3121.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai4Akn74790/VgwB0fyQXcI/AAAAAAAAGHg/V3JGhLyLRJY/s1600/IMG_3131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai4Akn74790/VgwB0fyQXcI/AAAAAAAAGHg/V3JGhLyLRJY/s640/IMG_3131.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4t8gii4KeWU/VgwB9ywinfI/AAAAAAAAGIc/isNb2Bg_NuU/s1600/IMG_7331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4t8gii4KeWU/VgwB9ywinfI/AAAAAAAAGIc/isNb2Bg_NuU/s640/IMG_7331.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEdgELq_Ge0/VgwB97HaubI/AAAAAAAAGIY/x47KAF5acmQ/s1600/IMG_7448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEdgELq_Ge0/VgwB97HaubI/AAAAAAAAGIY/x47KAF5acmQ/s640/IMG_7448.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Bp9X7IlBE0/VgwB-JrfaqI/AAAAAAAAGIg/medqXqSJwo8/s1600/IMG_7451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Bp9X7IlBE0/VgwB-JrfaqI/AAAAAAAAGIg/medqXqSJwo8/s640/IMG_7451.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And after we came home from a week at the beach, we went back to the beach. Because I was simply in need of a lot of peace and sunshine!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWet-brGAIg/VgwB5hJZm-I/AAAAAAAAGH4/B-o3GyVoVQA/s640/IMG_3373.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tpLDWss4ms/VgwB3xoHRJI/AAAAAAAAGHs/OysMi6IaXMQ/s1600/IMG_3359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tpLDWss4ms/VgwB3xoHRJI/AAAAAAAAGHs/OysMi6IaXMQ/s640/IMG_3359.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Stupc_4QLI8/VgwLZbZdx_I/AAAAAAAAGK8/mGRztkUa5gk/s1600/IMG_7646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Stupc_4QLI8/VgwLZbZdx_I/AAAAAAAAGK8/mGRztkUa5gk/s640/IMG_7646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys went a week at Redwood Camp in Santa Cruz, their very first sleep-away camp. We were a bit nervous about them being away for so long. But when we picked them up it was clear they had an amazing time, and they can't wait to go back next year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqdhQeVR_Xw/VgwB_hzzyqI/AAAAAAAAGIw/V4bMp58MTBA/s1600/IMG_7464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqdhQeVR_Xw/VgwB_hzzyqI/AAAAAAAAGIw/V4bMp58MTBA/s640/IMG_7464.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not beach-related, we made the girls a bunk bed. The room that they share was getting way too cramped with a crib and a toddler bed, so this seemed like the perfect solution. It's been four months and it's been working out great.</span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-17395868271370443542015-09-30T14:01:00.003-07:002015-09-30T14:01:49.362-07:00May Catch-Up<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May was an absolute blight on our year. In the last week of April, our littlest, baby Katie, got terribly sick when she contracted <i>E. Coli. </i>She was hospitalized for a month at Stanford Children's Hospital, three weeks of which was in the PICU. Not only did she have <i>E. Coli</i> infection, but that turned into a severe complication called <i>HUS</i>, which produces a toxin that shreds the blood vessels and organs of the body. Her organs started failing and then shut down one by one. She needed dialysis for two weeks of her hospitalization because her kidneys stopped working. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was the worst thing that we've gone through as a family. There were several times we literally didn't think our little one would make it. I learned the meaning of the word "faith": having complete trust in God, even when circumstances look grim. Hebrews 11:1 says: <i>“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” </i>We lived by nothing but prayer and faith for the month Katie was in the hospital fighting for her life. It was a hard lesson, learning to trust that God would answer our prayers even when the situation looked hopeless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TlsRU3yg8A8/Vgv8LJzhMmI/AAAAAAAAGGc/SdJbTpAwXic/s1600/20152375394_c43649d7a7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TlsRU3yg8A8/Vgv8LJzhMmI/AAAAAAAAGGc/SdJbTpAwXic/s640/20152375394_c43649d7a7_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mark stayed with Katie in the hospital most of the time. He lived there. He came home every few days for a few hours to get fresh clothes and a long shower, and then head back out again. His employer allowed him to take a bit of time off, and then afterwards work from the hospital. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every few days, the kids and I would make the trek up to Stanford in Palo Alto and visit with Katie, and then Mark would sneak away for a few hours so we could spend some time together as a family. In fact, my Mother's Day was spent in Palo Alto: a few hours holding baby Katie, and then sneaking away for a quick lunch and ice cream with the kids. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Besides Katie being hospitalized, our other children also contracted E. Coli. Lucy escaped with barely any symptoms (even though she was tested and we knew was a carrier), but Ben and Tommy got very sick. For a week, they did nothing but throw up and have diarrhea. We didn't go anywhere except to the doctor's office every other day for blood draws and urine tests to monitor the development of E. Coli. Tommy developed HUS, but thankfully his pediatrician caught it early and he got treatment before it developed very much. Did I mention this time was truly, truly awful?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y65WsRrdzV0/Vgv7M8CtvfI/AAAAAAAAGFo/5azjdxxx9ko/s1600/IMG_2858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y65WsRrdzV0/Vgv7M8CtvfI/AAAAAAAAGFo/5azjdxxx9ko/s400/IMG_2858.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTNzVkYYNyU/Vgv7JcwYNhI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/WR8aJDBzqYw/s1600/IMG_2371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTNzVkYYNyU/Vgv7JcwYNhI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/WR8aJDBzqYw/s640/IMG_2371.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> At Stanford, waiting to visit with Katie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogdmRfKVSec/Vgv7JqaiZnI/AAAAAAAAGFU/YcvAwrAFjZc/s1600/IMG_2469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogdmRfKVSec/Vgv7JqaiZnI/AAAAAAAAGFU/YcvAwrAFjZc/s640/IMG_2469.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Mother's Day at Stanford. Not how I expected Mother's Day to go, but still thankful to have my family together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8lwZA9gHxc/Vgv8LLX7mCI/AAAAAAAAGGg/PT9j5NwYTiY/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8lwZA9gHxc/Vgv8LLX7mCI/AAAAAAAAGGg/PT9j5NwYTiY/s640/IMG_2474.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8cG_a3Tulg/Vgv8J6c7VbI/AAAAAAAAGGU/YKJX0PcCWvg/s1600/20424674813_e24ea931d3_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8cG_a3Tulg/Vgv8J6c7VbI/AAAAAAAAGGU/YKJX0PcCWvg/s640/20424674813_e24ea931d3_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ULDmkg2e4U/Vgv_JXpIeEI/AAAAAAAAGGw/oidrjJm-II0/s1600/IMG_7231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ULDmkg2e4U/Vgv_JXpIeEI/AAAAAAAAGGw/oidrjJm-II0/s640/IMG_7231.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Katie was finally released from the hospital in late May. This photo is from the afternoon when we brought her home (we can't show her face on this blog until she is officially free for adoption). Even though Katie was much improved by the time she came home, her health issues weren't completely solved. She developed diabetes because of the damage her pancreas sustained from HUS. She also came home with an NG tube (you can see the little tube in this pic of you look closely) that she got her feedings from. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't think it is an accident that Katie's middle birth name is "Faith". It will remain her middle name after we adopt her. </span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-56434975837430813772015-09-30T13:56:00.001-07:002015-09-30T13:56:39.957-07:00April Catch-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another thing that changed over the past several months, is that I started focusing on myself more. This may seem counterintuitive, considering I've been talking about how crazy our schedule has been and how much work our kids have been taking. But that was exactly why I felt I had to start focusing on myself. When mom's not healthy, it's hard to be a good mom. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started an eating plan called <i><a href="http://whole30.com/" target="_blank">Whole30</a></i> which helped me drop all the weight I'd been holding on to since my last pregnancy six years ago. And I started running again. Only instead of using the treadmill (which I always have in the past, because it was more convenient for the family), I ran outside. I carved time out for myself every Saturday morning at dawn and I ran as far as I could go. It was such a time of peacefulness that I looked forward to each week.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQk4yWC2CeY/VgvxC9gyPmI/AAAAAAAAGDg/j3rA48T4A3g/s1600/IMG_1715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQk4yWC2CeY/VgvxC9gyPmI/AAAAAAAAGDg/j3rA48T4A3g/s640/IMG_1715.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> From one of my Saturday morning runs: I ran from my house to a trail that the kids and I frequent, and got halfway up before I totally lost steam. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx5WzgGYJlg/VgvxDkzHWfI/AAAAAAAAGDs/HU26NYW1srY/s1600/IMG_1827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx5WzgGYJlg/VgvxDkzHWfI/AAAAAAAAGDs/HU26NYW1srY/s640/IMG_1827.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having school time and lunch at our favorite nature hangout. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqQ1jPLWC6Q/VgvxDWAHalI/AAAAAAAAGDk/9iYnzBuH9pk/s1600/IMG_1860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqQ1jPLWC6Q/VgvxDWAHalI/AAAAAAAAGDk/9iYnzBuH9pk/s640/IMG_1860.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> It's hard for Ben to get work done when little sisters are climbing on him. It's scenes like this that remind me why I homeschool.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIDpIDyf9lM/VgvxEvmxUCI/AAAAAAAAGD0/E1TgdQapUto/s1600/IMG_1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIDpIDyf9lM/VgvxEvmxUCI/AAAAAAAAGD0/E1TgdQapUto/s640/IMG_1905.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kM-aWL3nedc/VgvxGE3rCsI/AAAAAAAAGEA/ARQ3oQAJQFQ/s1600/IMG_1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kM-aWL3nedc/VgvxGE3rCsI/AAAAAAAAGEA/ARQ3oQAJQFQ/s640/IMG_1916.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Natural Bridges with friends</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFAlP2YIMzo/VgvxG-Tj-bI/AAAAAAAAGEE/TMRoPxtekfc/s1600/IMG_1928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFAlP2YIMzo/VgvxG-Tj-bI/AAAAAAAAGEE/TMRoPxtekfc/s640/IMG_1928.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Another Saturday morning run.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRovlCuQvwI/VgvxHIg2SJI/AAAAAAAAGEI/Xa8iKy0td2c/s1600/IMG_2148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRovlCuQvwI/VgvxHIg2SJI/AAAAAAAAGEI/Xa8iKy0td2c/s640/IMG_2148.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> One day Tommy decided to raid our coin jar and line up the coins in order according to year. It brought a lot of interesting discussion about events that happened in particular years!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrfwBRpYsMo/VgvxIle3aOI/AAAAAAAAGEY/3V7BhYVhYNs/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrfwBRpYsMo/VgvxIle3aOI/AAAAAAAAGEY/3V7BhYVhYNs/s640/IMG_2776.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Rainy day walk. Lucy found a little friend. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfkqVwma8eY/VgvxJbDBr-I/AAAAAAAAGEc/qUaYZh8UF5Q/s1600/IMG_2792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfkqVwma8eY/VgvxJbDBr-I/AAAAAAAAGEc/qUaYZh8UF5Q/s640/IMG_2792.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Katie getting into mischief.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0GMuUWmynU/VgvxKZ_nowI/AAAAAAAAGEo/vzx3x5SsOn4/s1600/IMG_6842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0GMuUWmynU/VgvxKZ_nowI/AAAAAAAAGEo/vzx3x5SsOn4/s640/IMG_6842.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> April is beautiful in Northern California. Rain storms make for green grass and beautiful clouds. This is from one of our afternoon family walks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbU0bAQ2nIs/VgvxK-2uWDI/AAAAAAAAGEs/zFZJUf07HbE/s1600/IMG_6912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbU0bAQ2nIs/VgvxK-2uWDI/AAAAAAAAGEs/zFZJUf07HbE/s640/IMG_6912.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Making pizza for dinner is a group effort.</span></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-51924820070610404732015-09-30T13:56:00.000-07:002015-09-30T13:56:26.318-07:00March Catch-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With so much going on in our life (lots of visits for Katie our foster daughter, doctor appointments, twice-a-week therapy, etc) we really felt the need to pull way back in terms of outside commitments. We basically dropped out of life. We used to belong to a community group at our church, I used to go to Women's Bible study, and have lots of playdates. We had something going on almost every night and every day. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past year has been an exercise in finding a peaceful balance. And what that meant for us was staying home as much as possible and finding learning opportunities right in our backyard. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ23ydVf9Jo/VgvgJpZsuoI/AAAAAAAAGCM/VLBzZeDbaLY/s1600/IMG_2121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ23ydVf9Jo/VgvgJpZsuoI/AAAAAAAAGCM/VLBzZeDbaLY/s640/IMG_2121.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> April is ladybug season! We spent a lot of time checking our front yard to see newborn ladybugs emerging from their pupa stage. When they first come out, they are yellow and spot-less. Over the next few hours, they slowly go from yellow to red and get their spots. It's so fascinating to watch! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2dNjdmfyx0/VgvgPwg6EyI/AAAAAAAAGDE/cjJcRvun2GI/s1600/IMG_2581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2dNjdmfyx0/VgvgPwg6EyI/AAAAAAAAGDE/cjJcRvun2GI/s640/IMG_2581.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Children's Discovery Museum</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jyEjDOtEl0/VgvgNI_Mv6I/AAAAAAAAGCk/ZT7Mw2BWnI0/s1600/IMG_2223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jyEjDOtEl0/VgvgNI_Mv6I/AAAAAAAAGCk/ZT7Mw2BWnI0/s640/IMG_2223.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mnrn59GG0U/VgvgNVTAx3I/AAAAAAAAGCs/a5SZLk7TIk8/s1600/IMG_2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mnrn59GG0U/VgvgNVTAx3I/AAAAAAAAGCs/a5SZLk7TIk8/s640/IMG_2227.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hiking at Uvas Canyon </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hKdtX90HmQo/VgvgN34t1iI/AAAAAAAAGC0/UiUOP5tcrMw/s1600/IMG_2417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hKdtX90HmQo/VgvgN34t1iI/AAAAAAAAGC0/UiUOP5tcrMw/s640/IMG_2417.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Natural Bridges with friends. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTqUNB5mrWk/VgvgO3E5HSI/AAAAAAAAGDA/XkS1YYYHpZU/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTqUNB5mrWk/VgvgO3E5HSI/AAAAAAAAGDA/XkS1YYYHpZU/s640/IMG_2477.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We did a 5K as a family this year for the first time. It was fun and helped me learn more about my kids. The son I thought would poop out and not want to run turned out to be the one with the most endurance! And the one I thought would want to run the whole time only ran for the first minute. Lucy and Katie participated from the stroller. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBJ-7_d3NfU/VgvgMo156LI/AAAAAAAAGCg/p7lrZmlRanA/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBJ-7_d3NfU/VgvgMo156LI/AAAAAAAAGCg/p7lrZmlRanA/s640/IMG_2261.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some peaceful at-home time. With me being busy with the baby so much, the boys took to reading Lucy her nap time story each day. They have grown so much this past year and have become such helpful young men. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5oARu8ZDik/VgvgJRlqOhI/AAAAAAAAGCI/9mxjP5AiheA/s1600/IMG_1578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5oARu8ZDik/VgvgJRlqOhI/AAAAAAAAGCI/9mxjP5AiheA/s640/IMG_1578.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpRus8UxBq0/VgvgFx7L3gI/AAAAAAAAGBs/bNKgClOkELQ/s1600/IMG_1522%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpRus8UxBq0/VgvgFx7L3gI/AAAAAAAAGBs/bNKgClOkELQ/s640/IMG_1522%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Natural Bridges again this month. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-AsvA4DGZA/VgvgQhh46MI/AAAAAAAAGDM/_XMbUaD8Zck/s1600/IMG_6644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-AsvA4DGZA/VgvgQhh46MI/AAAAAAAAGDM/_XMbUaD8Zck/s640/IMG_6644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Our first outdoor meal of the season. We try to eat dinner outside as much as possible when weather permits. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMCH_m5BmZU/VgvgJhr5JwI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/NCtBl6I37bc/s1600/IMG_2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMCH_m5BmZU/VgvgJhr5JwI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/NCtBl6I37bc/s640/IMG_2006.jpg" width="456" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys worked a lot in their junk playground. They added a ladder, several ramps and bridges, and a platform.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrMtAZDbsFs/VgvgHWFiVuI/AAAAAAAAGCE/NIUDrL4fOFU/s1600/IMG_1539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrMtAZDbsFs/VgvgHWFiVuI/AAAAAAAAGCE/NIUDrL4fOFU/s640/IMG_1539.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My happy place. :)</span></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-43066793544313192432015-09-30T13:55:00.001-07:002015-09-30T13:55:56.137-07:00February Catch-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Things in our family have been crazy busy these last 6 months. With four kids (one of which is a special needs toddler), homeschooling, and a month-long significant family illness, life flew by and I haven't had much time to document any of it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So here begins 6 months of catching up with photos. Enjoy. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOxILN66oM4/Vgvb0guwdXI/AAAAAAAAF_I/voM4OMWlOhc/s1600/IMG_0510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOxILN66oM4/Vgvb0guwdXI/AAAAAAAAF_I/voM4OMWlOhc/s640/IMG_0510.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hanging out at our favorite nature place. There have been so many times this past year that being in nature helped me forget all about doctors' offices, therapists, and all the busy-ness of life. Not to mention it helps the kids calm down and chill out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HO9PHDoJfDk/Vgvb5nXd6SI/AAAAAAAAGBY/b8oMjbs_Kiw/s1600/IMG_1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HO9PHDoJfDk/Vgvb5nXd6SI/AAAAAAAAGBY/b8oMjbs_Kiw/s640/IMG_1362.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My favorite beach: Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz. We come here at least once a month (often weekly). It is amazingly beautiful and there are awesome waves for the boys to bodyboard on. This is my happy place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHZHENwoQ98/Vgvb42tgpQI/AAAAAAAAGAI/eab5I9FZcWs/s1600/IMG_1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHZHENwoQ98/Vgvb42tgpQI/AAAAAAAAGAI/eab5I9FZcWs/s640/IMG_1361.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Exploring the tide pools at Natural Bridges.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYUJJl5fXK0/Vgvb4voaTtI/AAAAAAAAGBg/TKE1ZF0cu6g/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYUJJl5fXK0/Vgvb4voaTtI/AAAAAAAAGBg/TKE1ZF0cu6g/s640/IMG_1100.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Family hike at Sanborn park in Los Gatos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soJKEFe8KgU/Vgvb4DtLTzI/AAAAAAAAF_4/4FEw3CSLAzw/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soJKEFe8KgU/Vgvb4DtLTzI/AAAAAAAAF_4/4FEw3CSLAzw/s640/IMG_0841.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> More beaching! Can you believe this is February in California?!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1jmX1dUDxQ/Vgvb3nw95MI/AAAAAAAAF_w/U_9Kpt2Sj1Q/s1600/IMG_0730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1jmX1dUDxQ/Vgvb3nw95MI/AAAAAAAAF_w/U_9Kpt2Sj1Q/s640/IMG_0730.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Exploring the Big Basin in Santa Cruz with friends. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9c6LgDSiLOg/Vgvb3EjHIQI/AAAAAAAAF_o/f1aEtEjrLWs/s1600/IMG_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9c6LgDSiLOg/Vgvb3EjHIQI/AAAAAAAAF_o/f1aEtEjrLWs/s640/IMG_0694.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=27387630" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=27387630" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-87336383471049911672015-02-01T06:21:00.000-08:002015-02-27T06:21:28.873-08:00Happy 7th Birthday, Ben! <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ANjb_ZtB9RU/VPB27L_vxQI/AAAAAAAAFeU/NkqcPMJQzy0/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ANjb_ZtB9RU/VPB27L_vxQI/AAAAAAAAFeU/NkqcPMJQzy0/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" height="400" width="392" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy 7th birthday, buddy! I am so happy to have you as my son. You make us smile every day with your happy spirit and easy-going nature.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's all about you this year:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You like being cozy. You will wrap yourself up in a blanket and sit on top of our heater vent, soaking in the warm air. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You usually sleep with a few blankets on, and you pull one over your head, so that it's hard to find you in the sea of blankets in your bed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When people meet you, the most common thing they observe about you is that you are so sweet. You have a way of being interested in people and making them feel appreciated and comfortable. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vie1ZpgKbRY/VPB27zM5S1I/AAAAAAAAFec/i32EOjPRV4c/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vie1ZpgKbRY/VPB27zM5S1I/AAAAAAAAFec/i32EOjPRV4c/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You love your sisters. You'll do just about anything to make them laugh. You love to play with Lucy, who especially appreciates your antics. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You recently started reading chapter books. But your favorite thing to read is Garfield comics.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You love playing with Legos. You make creative and funny scenes using your Legos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You love sports, and you're naturally amazing at them. You can pick up a ball and score a basket, make a goal, hit a bat, even if you'd never done it before. In Taekwondo a few weeks ago you performed an almost-perfect flying roundhouse kick, after just watching your teacher's demonstration. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We love you Ben! We can't wait to see what this new year brings you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-12495099619990292562015-01-28T06:13:00.000-08:002015-02-27T06:19:47.360-08:00Visiting Philadelphia <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys and I visited Philadelphia for a few days in January. I built in a few extra days to my trip while <a href="http://markandautumn.blogspot.com/2015/01/meeting-my-sister.html" target="_blank">visiting my sister</a> so we could explore the city and soak in some history. I have to say it was so much fun to have the boys all to myself, without the distractions of home. I was able to give them my undivided attention for five whole days, and we got to see some pretty great things.<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1r2yXGwbNE/VPB5WTZ4KGI/AAAAAAAAFfY/kzND4AFiupo/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1r2yXGwbNE/VPB5WTZ4KGI/AAAAAAAAFfY/kzND4AFiupo/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the airport, too early in the morning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxu3FSRgLFs/VPB5WvVnCHI/AAAAAAAAFfc/ICEZQxJDHzY/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxu3FSRgLFs/VPB5WvVnCHI/AAAAAAAAFfc/ICEZQxJDHzY/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" height="548" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Liberty Bell</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtRLNtVl3sY/VPB5bsnDeVI/AAAAAAAAFgE/ubxUZ4zgUBc/s1600/IMG_9920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtRLNtVl3sY/VPB5bsnDeVI/AAAAAAAAFgE/ubxUZ4zgUBc/s1600/IMG_9920.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inside Independence Hall, where the Constitutional Convention met and where the Constitution was eventually signed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QiItNSDtLY/VPB5d-BWG4I/AAAAAAAAFgY/xzfjRPCQp_4/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B4.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Outside Independence Hall. This was near the end of our morning of trekking around the city for miles and the boys were cold and pretty unhappy by this point!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XXCKR3Fy0RQ/VPB74P-p77I/AAAAAAAAFgk/7UZwvEj09GQ/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XXCKR3Fy0RQ/VPB74P-p77I/AAAAAAAAFgk/7UZwvEj09GQ/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B10.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Franklin Institute, a science museum similar to The Exploratorium. We spent almost all day here!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8R3iavSdnf8/VPB76BjjdNI/AAAAAAAAFgs/SHFj0a1rKag/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8R3iavSdnf8/VPB76BjjdNI/AAAAAAAAFgs/SHFj0a1rKag/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3IwBrH_KvM/VPB5YdHAsYI/AAAAAAAAFfo/gyk1MVdWT0Q/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3IwBrH_KvM/VPB5YdHAsYI/AAAAAAAAFfo/gyk1MVdWT0Q/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The giant heart at the Franklin Institute.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mzNQOVILLY/VPB5ZHr1tDI/AAAAAAAAFfw/y61bfRApu3U/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mzNQOVILLY/VPB5ZHr1tDI/AAAAAAAAFfw/y61bfRApu3U/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Meeting up friends from my online playgroup for Tommy's birth month. These boys' mama and I have "known" each other for 9 years!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JJuJv-mR1Q/VPB5axKXgII/AAAAAAAAFgA/BK4wevghp2o/s1600/IMG_9909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JJuJv-mR1Q/VPB5axKXgII/AAAAAAAAFgA/BK4wevghp2o/s1600/IMG_9909.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Philly at night. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAY4GIuBNek/VPB5cfxkvjI/AAAAAAAAFgU/NWvdkykNeUQ/s1600/IMG_9949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAY4GIuBNek/VPB5cfxkvjI/AAAAAAAAFgU/NWvdkykNeUQ/s1600/IMG_9949.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fun in the hotel hot tub.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-6396261649324696192015-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:002015-02-27T06:00:57.878-08:00Meeting My Sister <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have a sister. Because we share a rather difficult mother, we grew up never knowing each other. I met her once when I was in kindergarten and she was a college student. It was a six hour drive one way to meet her, and I don't remember much about the experience, besides some tension that was obvious even to a 5 year old. But I do remember being so excited about meeting my sister and telling all my classmates about it. Then I never saw her again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fast forward to last year. My sister contacted me through Facebook in the early summer and we began to write each other and talk on the phone. We decided to meet the following summer where she and her family would come out to CA to meet up but I didn't want to wait that long! So I planned a trip for me and the boys to visit her after the holidays. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was really great to meet my sister. To fill in the gaps of since-forgotten childhood questions and to gain some understanding about my own experience with our mom. To see some of my own traits and quirks in another person (probably thanks to our shared, yet separate experience of growing up with our mom). My boys and her two kids got along really well. Yay for new cousins!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAnzToCthWw/VPByRToLKII/AAAAAAAAFdo/SV7mzeUdBBQ/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAnzToCthWw/VPByRToLKII/AAAAAAAAFdo/SV7mzeUdBBQ/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JECQLDm8m8/VPBybSjl-lI/AAAAAAAAFd0/OWAYvj3StlY/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JECQLDm8m8/VPBybSjl-lI/AAAAAAAAFd0/OWAYvj3StlY/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-38670939038094155572014-12-27T14:09:00.004-08:002014-12-27T19:47:19.112-08:00Christmas 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys would tell you that this was the Best Christmas Ever. As always, they received only three gifts, but they were well thought out and much loved by the boys! I have to admit that the girls got a few more than three gifts each, but I justify that by telling myself that we needed more toddler girl toys. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's become a tradition for Mark and the boys to set off rockets sometime around Christmas day. This year they went to our local high school's field to set off their rockets on Christmas Eve.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the evening we went to our church's Christmas Eve service. It was simple and beautiful as always. After church we got Chinese takeout, had our final family advent devotion, then opened stockings.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Christmas morning we opened all our gifts and then hung around the house in our PJs while the kids enjoyed all their new things. Lucy especially loved her new keyboard and the boys spent a few hours building their new Lego sets. Then we went to the playground so they could try out their new scooters. While we were there we met up with a family we keep seeing around town (playgrounds, library, etc). My boys and the other boy (K) have always really hit it off well together, so all the boys were very excited to see each other. They begged if he could come over for the afternoon, and to their amazement, both moms agreed. So K spent the afternoon at our house. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the late afternoon (after we dropped K back at his house) we went to our dear friends' home for dinner, movies, and board games. It was a great ending to a wonderful day! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YplVniCf9PY/VJ8fhMJ1XjI/AAAAAAAAFR8/VTMfDF18tPg/s1600/IMG_5521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YplVniCf9PY/VJ8fhMJ1XjI/AAAAAAAAFR8/VTMfDF18tPg/s1600/IMG_5521.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ybCAxlkcZU/VJ8facwYE8I/AAAAAAAAFRM/_bfdAXAwPrg/s1600/10873580_10204556802233168_70757133633362559_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ybCAxlkcZU/VJ8facwYE8I/AAAAAAAAFRM/_bfdAXAwPrg/s1600/10873580_10204556802233168_70757133633362559_o.jpg" height="306" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xf87oiHRiJ8/VJ8fdf2ujhI/AAAAAAAAFRk/W3hQ0qRvTtc/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xf87oiHRiJ8/VJ8fdf2ujhI/AAAAAAAAFRk/W3hQ0qRvTtc/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wbw4GHMpqI/VJ8ffdD7YXI/AAAAAAAAFR0/3Z9R1juIaq4/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wbw4GHMpqI/VJ8ffdD7YXI/AAAAAAAAFR0/3Z9R1juIaq4/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" height="640" width="614" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tommy and Ben got blow-up boxing gloves in the stockings, so they passed the early part of Christmas morning (as they were waiting for the Official Gift-Opening Time to come) beating each other up. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p55H_OgQhZs/VJ8fjQeNU8I/AAAAAAAAFSM/5z5me_HXT1M/s1600/IMG_5783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p55H_OgQhZs/VJ8fjQeNU8I/AAAAAAAAFSM/5z5me_HXT1M/s1600/IMG_5783.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2YmxF7zHdY/VJ8fkssJOzI/AAAAAAAAFSU/mOl4b8JPS_4/s1600/IMG_5805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2YmxF7zHdY/VJ8fkssJOzI/AAAAAAAAFSU/mOl4b8JPS_4/s1600/IMG_5805.JPG" height="492" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GN6UHxsNtes/VJ8flK_bNZI/AAAAAAAAFSY/pOZ2gVsvljU/s1600/IMG_5817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GN6UHxsNtes/VJ8flK_bNZI/AAAAAAAAFSY/pOZ2gVsvljU/s1600/IMG_5817.jpg" height="640" width="548" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kue7XpHRcFQ/VJ8fapB0zLI/AAAAAAAAFRQ/7D5gZEn5tD4/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kue7XpHRcFQ/VJ8fapB0zLI/AAAAAAAAFRQ/7D5gZEn5tD4/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGAy5JRjfTk/VJ8hIL7NsGI/AAAAAAAAFTA/8SEqrtUe6u0/s1600/IMG_9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGAy5JRjfTk/VJ8hIL7NsGI/AAAAAAAAFTA/8SEqrtUe6u0/s1600/IMG_9432.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ry8aPUKukSA/VJ8vNy4qcEI/AAAAAAAAFUY/QDlX44nr1Oc/s1600/IMG_5808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ry8aPUKukSA/VJ8vNy4qcEI/AAAAAAAAFUY/QDlX44nr1Oc/s1600/IMG_5808.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Baby X with her new walking toy. Hopefully this will help her gain some balance and strength so she can start walking soon!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ58FiwP4rw/VJ8fcFpVSiI/AAAAAAAAFRc/Mj_OzpG-Bf0/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ58FiwP4rw/VJ8fcFpVSiI/AAAAAAAAFRc/Mj_OzpG-Bf0/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B3.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-50354907731316313722014-12-23T13:51:00.000-08:002014-12-27T13:51:53.921-08:00Christmas Season Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This has been a fun Christmas season! We took off the whole month of December from school so we could have more time to relax and do Christmassy things. Our tradition has been to sit down together the weekend after Thanksgiving and come up with a 'bucket list' of holiday things we want to do over the next month. This year I was realistic and rather minimalist in what I added to our list and I'm happy to say that we checked off almost everything on our list!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gp14nWp-08I/VJySUoJYUhI/AAAAAAAAFO0/EsRUxGQ-Xh0/s1600/IMG_5363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gp14nWp-08I/VJySUoJYUhI/AAAAAAAAFO0/EsRUxGQ-Xh0/s1600/IMG_5363.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD1SR_0OMXY/VJ8pdq1JfII/AAAAAAAAFT4/cORiV4OH2Bw/s1600/IMG_5376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD1SR_0OMXY/VJ8pdq1JfII/AAAAAAAAFT4/cORiV4OH2Bw/s1600/IMG_5376.JPG" height="408" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No Christmas season is complete without a trip through Willow Glen to look at all the amazing holiday lights with a stop for hot chocolate in the middle. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Aya3jDc_5s/VJ8jaMXQqUI/AAAAAAAAFTM/aC8VCTTy7Jg/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Aya3jDc_5s/VJ8jaMXQqUI/AAAAAAAAFTM/aC8VCTTy7Jg/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG" height="640" width="438" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Found an awesome Christmas tree while doing some shopping</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbZnITEar9E/VJ8ny44spKI/AAAAAAAAFTs/IAnDljzimlA/s1600/IMG_9412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbZnITEar9E/VJ8ny44spKI/AAAAAAAAFTs/IAnDljzimlA/s1600/IMG_9412.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gingerbread houses</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xr-tniZGJdU/VJ8k75Ja2dI/AAAAAAAAFTg/Ta0aUX3097o/s1600/IMG_9304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xr-tniZGJdU/VJ8k75Ja2dI/AAAAAAAAFTg/Ta0aUX3097o/s1600/IMG_9304.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paper snowflakes</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCr-TxewuiQ/VJ8kiBVi3EI/AAAAAAAAFTY/FEFTSsur8ms/s1600/IMG_9391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCr-TxewuiQ/VJ8kiBVi3EI/AAAAAAAAFTY/FEFTSsur8ms/s1600/IMG_9391.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More paper snowflakes with watercolors</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_ClPvxv7dM/VJ8pfqN038I/AAAAAAAAFUA/b2l6cU7acDA/s1600/IMG_9344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_ClPvxv7dM/VJ8pfqN038I/AAAAAAAAFUA/b2l6cU7acDA/s1600/IMG_9344.JPG" height="640" width="548" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We got outside as much as possible this month. It rained a lot, so that meant lots of puddle stomping.</span></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-59802050329150533272014-12-21T14:26:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:29:01.032-08:00El Toro Hike <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This weekend Mark and I had the opportunity to go for a hike .... without kids! We hiked up El Toro, the </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">highest peak in our town. It was one of the foggiest mornings I've seen in a long time (in the picture below you can even see the tiny water drops floating in the air!). I've been told the view from the top is amazing, but we couldn't see anything but clouds. All the same, the view was pretty spectacular. At the top of the peak it was totally sunny and we were above the clouds. It was just like being in an airplane. It was wonderful to be able to go on a hike, just the two of us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EglZZ8LlEW4/VJ8wBuJ1YfI/AAAAAAAAFUg/eXmSgrix3cI/s1600/IMG_5240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EglZZ8LlEW4/VJ8wBuJ1YfI/AAAAAAAAFUg/eXmSgrix3cI/s1600/IMG_5240.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aD7EeYbVDYk/VJ8wFeeRBBI/AAAAAAAAFUs/v0giYM7UiZE/s1600/IMG_5252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aD7EeYbVDYk/VJ8wFeeRBBI/AAAAAAAAFUs/v0giYM7UiZE/s1600/IMG_5252.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtxyQN-PD8s/VJ8wDi0WxkI/AAAAAAAAFUk/EoqfMNbWXG8/s1600/IMG_5258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtxyQN-PD8s/VJ8wDi0WxkI/AAAAAAAAFUk/EoqfMNbWXG8/s1600/IMG_5258.JPG" height="292" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXD5nT7dTjA/VJ8wF1zHkhI/AAAAAAAAFUw/uN98dpBPvq0/s1600/IMG_5261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXD5nT7dTjA/VJ8wF1zHkhI/AAAAAAAAFUw/uN98dpBPvq0/s1600/IMG_5261.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTMX7TQvz70/VJ8wGw0MbiI/AAAAAAAAFU8/NcOdMRqLXpE/s1600/IMG_5297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTMX7TQvz70/VJ8wGw0MbiI/AAAAAAAAFU8/NcOdMRqLXpE/s1600/IMG_5297.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</span>Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-65307335213282192002014-11-29T21:19:00.002-08:002014-11-29T21:19:24.013-08:00Beach Friday 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the 6th year we've done our tradition of going to the beach on the day after Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful day! We went to 17-Mile Drive and played on the beach for a few hours. It was warm enough for Lucy to take her dress off and play in her undies. The boys got completely soaked by jumping in the waves.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We went to Carmel afterwards and ate at our favorite bistro. It was a quicker trip than usual because we were short on time, but it was still very sweet!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_Arh9_cmwI/VHqka8gUM8I/AAAAAAAAFKM/WWjeQemlsPU/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_Arh9_cmwI/VHqka8gUM8I/AAAAAAAAFKM/WWjeQemlsPU/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xeVw-3BcgM/VHqkbDLTVwI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/-o2POunnIFM/s1600/IMG_9172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xeVw-3BcgM/VHqkbDLTVwI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/-o2POunnIFM/s1600/IMG_9172.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM5tBYqiPVI/VHqkaSC3ahI/AAAAAAAAFKI/bTJuya1gdBU/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM5tBYqiPVI/VHqkaSC3ahI/AAAAAAAAFKI/bTJuya1gdBU/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-puw3XDf_86s/VHqkdRocuxI/AAAAAAAAFKg/6i9slWG-7Ng/s1600/IMG_9185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-puw3XDf_86s/VHqkdRocuxI/AAAAAAAAFKg/6i9slWG-7Ng/s1600/IMG_9185.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6BKFbZBK_gc/VHqkd1e6rAI/AAAAAAAAFKk/5d-m9e0bC_Y/s1600/IMG_9191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6BKFbZBK_gc/VHqkd1e6rAI/AAAAAAAAFKk/5d-m9e0bC_Y/s1600/IMG_9191.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-16432477786411821952014-11-26T19:16:00.000-08:002014-11-30T12:39:10.600-08:00Chapter Book Readers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have some new chapter book readers in our house. One day Ben decided to pick up a chapter book and read it from cover to cover. I was so proud of him! We went to the library later in the day and got a bunch more books for him to read.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not to be outdone, Tommy picked up one of the chapter books I brought home from the library and read it in an hour. Now we had <i>two</i> chapter book readers! To celebrate, we went to Barnes & Noble to pick out new chapter books and then got frozen yogurt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Their heads have been stuck in books ever since. It's been wonderful to see!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-v2UH-98pU/VHqNO0Dw9nI/AAAAAAAAFJw/arQaoATNWGI/s1600/IMG_9193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-v2UH-98pU/VHqNO0Dw9nI/AAAAAAAAFJw/arQaoATNWGI/s1600/IMG_9193.JPG" height="640" width="550" /></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/-lZbAcTcNGoo/VHqNOBUrsrI/AAAAAAAAFJk/4T2MbGPU8EA/s1600/IMG_9141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZbAcTcNGoo/VHqNOBUrsrI/AAAAAAAAFJk/4T2MbGPU8EA/s1600/IMG_9141.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1JYS2U187c/VHqNORhz7RI/AAAAAAAAFJo/l2yQTkS7GB8/s1600/IMG_9148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1JYS2U187c/VHqNORhz7RI/AAAAAAAAFJo/l2yQTkS7GB8/s1600/IMG_9148.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgSY8lxfoQk/VHqNNyof46I/AAAAAAAAFJg/WvU_fff4xq0/s1600/IMG_9152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgSY8lxfoQk/VHqNNyof46I/AAAAAAAAFJg/WvU_fff4xq0/s1600/IMG_9152.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-90191105947103379092014-11-02T20:54:00.000-08:002014-11-24T21:29:55.296-08:00Beach Therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Sunday we woke up and decided to go to the beach. The previous week and weekend leading up to that point was very tense and stressful. Saturday in particular was a day where no one was very happy with each other. So instead of pushing through it and heading to church like we normally would, we packed up and went to the beach. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The beach always brings us perspective and family bonding, and this day was no exception. We had a great day. We actually <i>tried</i> to go to Big Sur, a spot we've been wanting to hit for a while. But we were partway there when we realized that Google Maps tricked us into thinking it was much closer than it actually is. So we did an about face and headed to Monterey instead. We spent a lot of time at the beach, strolled around downtown, Monterey and ate crepes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was everything we needed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ebMTCRxyvlY/VGrQsaqol8I/AAAAAAAAFIc/n7ePxRHntPA/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ebMTCRxyvlY/VGrQsaqol8I/AAAAAAAAFIc/n7ePxRHntPA/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRWbffw15MQ/VGrQriJ8x6I/AAAAAAAAFIQ/BhcA9soDPq0/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRWbffw15MQ/VGrQriJ8x6I/AAAAAAAAFIQ/BhcA9soDPq0/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b74-rStRAYE/VGrQvLUx1ZI/AAAAAAAAFIk/16eQWNjJ3bg/s1600/IMG_5182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b74-rStRAYE/VGrQvLUx1ZI/AAAAAAAAFIk/16eQWNjJ3bg/s1600/IMG_5182.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55-YmpLI3C0/VGrQv9Z8y3I/AAAAAAAAFIw/-TXZAK0vC6A/s1600/IMG_8925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55-YmpLI3C0/VGrQv9Z8y3I/AAAAAAAAFIw/-TXZAK0vC6A/s1600/IMG_8925.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-897EMl5wVMw/VGrQv12cM-I/AAAAAAAAFIs/nQ6uiITqoy4/s1600/IMG_8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-897EMl5wVMw/VGrQv12cM-I/AAAAAAAAFIs/nQ6uiITqoy4/s1600/IMG_8926.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvxxDQ44_RE/VGrQzPz2YMI/AAAAAAAAFJE/Rd-0fX4fvkg/s1600/IMG_8928.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-75232503218180661492014-11-01T20:12:00.000-07:002014-11-17T20:12:44.349-08:00Tommy's 8th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's what you did on your 8th birthday! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You had birthday waffles for breakfast. We've always done birthday cereal, but since you can't have milk, preservatives, or artificial colors or flavors, that pretty much nixes the whole birthday cereal thing. Instead you requested pumpkin spice waffles with sunflower seed "sprinkles". </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your presents from Dad and I were few, but very thoughtfully selected, and you loved everything. You spent the morning putting together your Lego Technic hotrod with Dad. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We went to your favorite restaurant for lunch, Sweet Tomatoes, then to go-kart racing with your cousins.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the evening we had your family party with cake and presents. It was a whirlwind, really fun day! You did the things you love most with the people most. It was a great day. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVWGYGh9KQg/VGq9oxqbvPI/AAAAAAAAFD8/5v4wlcV_o4w/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVWGYGh9KQg/VGq9oxqbvPI/AAAAAAAAFD8/5v4wlcV_o4w/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCJ6GgY6Mqk/VGq9p1dVWLI/AAAAAAAAFEE/m9cnpslpNrc/s1600/IMG_5068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCJ6GgY6Mqk/VGq9p1dVWLI/AAAAAAAAFEE/m9cnpslpNrc/s1600/IMG_5068.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PC8GLlGdwg0/VGq_Fb1xIFI/AAAAAAAAFFM/bMPkthm6AwM/s1600/IMG_8857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PC8GLlGdwg0/VGq_Fb1xIFI/AAAAAAAAFFM/bMPkthm6AwM/s1600/IMG_8857.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fxeJO66mVg/VGq_FZEtdHI/AAAAAAAAFFU/mYnUD4UcrQU/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fxeJO66mVg/VGq_FZEtdHI/AAAAAAAAFFU/mYnUD4UcrQU/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwIqBqnzj3g/VGq_FcOOYYI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/a1I318rctCQ/s1600/IMG_8864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwIqBqnzj3g/VGq_FcOOYYI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/a1I318rctCQ/s1600/IMG_8864.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZrkukJ2oTw/VGq-YxfmvGI/AAAAAAAAFEs/FfF1wmqSs0o/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZrkukJ2oTw/VGq-YxfmvGI/AAAAAAAAFEs/FfF1wmqSs0o/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyc4PKJ8ayA/VGq-aJEzx0I/AAAAAAAAFE0/t4CCFfhZJ9E/s1600/IMG_5077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyc4PKJ8ayA/VGq-aJEzx0I/AAAAAAAAFE0/t4CCFfhZJ9E/s1600/IMG_5077.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p2oDtJ94Gys/VGq-a-ioLYI/AAAAAAAAFE4/kL8lZvIa2AA/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p2oDtJ94Gys/VGq-a-ioLYI/AAAAAAAAFE4/kL8lZvIa2AA/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6qCzSw_x6M/VGq-bjYOC4I/AAAAAAAAFFE/yXXTNznZv84/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6qCzSw_x6M/VGq-bjYOC4I/AAAAAAAAFFE/yXXTNznZv84/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXli_Rh75qQ/VGq9rqupSTI/AAAAAAAAFEU/JY3RjXYBas4/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXli_Rh75qQ/VGq9rqupSTI/AAAAAAAAFEU/JY3RjXYBas4/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLGL6342egY/VGq9slBQk7I/AAAAAAAAFEc/zypRrevcPSU/s1600/IMG_8916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLGL6342egY/VGq9slBQk7I/AAAAAAAAFEc/zypRrevcPSU/s1600/IMG_8916.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ve8piPkpOpc/VGq9tPFa84I/AAAAAAAAFEg/o5nPIP-zH-8/s1600/IMG_8923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ve8piPkpOpc/VGq9tPFa84I/AAAAAAAAFEg/o5nPIP-zH-8/s1600/IMG_8923.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-64657735991163312362014-10-30T20:26:00.000-07:002014-11-17T20:50:39.022-08:00Happy 8th Birthday Tommy!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are 8 years old now!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You matured so much this past year. Dad and I tried to give you as much freedom as you could handle, and you really thrived. You took on new responsibilities and [usually] proved that you were able to make good decisions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSrwNlmZJI0/VFetFZ0DjEI/AAAAAAAAE_k/qwWFN0f5p6Q/s1600/IMG_8800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSrwNlmZJI0/VFetFZ0DjEI/AAAAAAAAE_k/qwWFN0f5p6Q/s1600/IMG_8800.JPG" height="640" width="412" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who you are now: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You like waking up early in the morning and working on projects in the quiet of the house. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You like playing piano. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You love reading about trivia: all about the fastest, tallest, smallest, most expensive, biggest. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You don't like going to bed late. We've been letting you and Ben stay up late on weekends, but you usually opt to go to bed way before your brother. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You're particular about eating healthy food. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are crazy curious. You love learning about everything. <i>Everything</i> about everything.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cars are you biggest passion. You dream about the day that you can buy your own car. You've already planned that it'll be a junker that you will fix up and customize. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So it was fitting that for your birthday you wanted to go to <a href="http://www.k1speed.com/" target="_blank">K-1 Speed</a>, to race go-karts. You had been talking about this for several months. You went with your cousins and had a <i>blast</i>. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLFMIz3NhpA/VFetIyCogZI/AAAAAAAAE_w/HGCrAgrIZg4/s1600/IMG_8860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLFMIz3NhpA/VFetIyCogZI/AAAAAAAAE_w/HGCrAgrIZg4/s1600/IMG_8860.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is an excerpt from your birthday interview, which perfectly illustrates your personality right now:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Q: If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A: <i>A cheetah or a leopard.</i> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[When I asked Tommy why he’d like to be these animals, he just about had a breakdown and said “<i>I don’t know! What in the world does it matter? It’s not like I”m going to magically turn into one of them, so who cares?</i>”]</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Q: What is your favorite thing to do?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A: Wake up early in the morning </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Q: What is your favorite thing about yourself?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A: That I have long hair. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVgg4rle0Oo/VFetMQ_R-LI/AAAAAAAAE_8/XlevgW28uKY/s1600/IMG_8875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVgg4rle0Oo/VFetMQ_R-LI/AAAAAAAAE_8/XlevgW28uKY/s1600/IMG_8875.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Look how much you've grown in 8 years! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cOyLUvKy6s/VFetBFZWkOI/AAAAAAAAE_c/NpGCeyUgnyw/s1600/9squareT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cOyLUvKy6s/VFetBFZWkOI/AAAAAAAAE_c/NpGCeyUgnyw/s1600/9squareT.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-29834306709454056142014-10-27T20:49:00.000-07:002014-11-17T20:51:13.637-08:00Sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One evening after dinner we spotted a gorgeous sunset. Instead of cleaning up the kitchen and finishing our chores, we decided to climb on the roof and watch the sun go down. It was such a sweet moment with my boys. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwBcSVv7uXU/VGrO_DHltdI/AAAAAAAAFH8/TyGW0MA519Y/s1600/IMG_8852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwBcSVv7uXU/VGrO_DHltdI/AAAAAAAAFH8/TyGW0MA519Y/s1600/IMG_8852.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YANTTdbgD7k/VGrO_T04dHI/AAAAAAAAFH0/nxungtzC3WU/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YANTTdbgD7k/VGrO_T04dHI/AAAAAAAAFH0/nxungtzC3WU/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4aR9wywIeg/VGrO--_oZlI/AAAAAAAAFHw/xwaxu0l6-0U/s1600/IMG_8854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4aR9wywIeg/VGrO--_oZlI/AAAAAAAAFHw/xwaxu0l6-0U/s1600/IMG_8854.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-24258089243626731822014-10-25T20:42:00.000-07:002014-11-17T20:51:44.033-08:00Pumpkin Carving <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the boys' favorite fall activities is carving pumpkins. This year the pumpkin carving involved power tools! We didn't get any pictures of the process, but suffice it to say it was pretty messy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSW3v3tFDkc/VGrM5uMB7JI/AAAAAAAAFHU/nJei9Odwq3Q/s1600/IMG_8779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSW3v3tFDkc/VGrM5uMB7JI/AAAAAAAAFHU/nJei9Odwq3Q/s1600/IMG_8779.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jDWiTP0hglE/VGrM6NHPzRI/AAAAAAAAFHY/mF1hCLOfvJ8/s1600/IMG_8783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jDWiTP0hglE/VGrM6NHPzRI/AAAAAAAAFHY/mF1hCLOfvJ8/s1600/IMG_8783.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgE9sEL5DlU/VGrM4zmaZSI/AAAAAAAAFHM/X5V2G9DVCZ8/s1600/IMG_8793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgE9sEL5DlU/VGrM4zmaZSI/AAAAAAAAFHM/X5V2G9DVCZ8/s1600/IMG_8793.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-podEdd8vqYY/VGrM6VieW9I/AAAAAAAAFHg/vspOYkGj7zI/s1600/IMG_8795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-podEdd8vqYY/VGrM6VieW9I/AAAAAAAAFHg/vspOYkGj7zI/s1600/IMG_8795.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-10532544074303645222014-09-22T20:32:00.000-07:002014-11-17T20:35:58.836-08:00First Day of Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our tradition is to bake something yummy on the first day of fall. This year we made an apple tart. It was so good!</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/-WPScxlZtjKU/VGrLq2rL5qI/AAAAAAAAFG0/w0ghOrzCK8g/s1600/IMG_8503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPScxlZtjKU/VGrLq2rL5qI/AAAAAAAAFG0/w0ghOrzCK8g/s1600/IMG_8503.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YumIF4Wj6E/VGrLqwNRjHI/AAAAAAAAFGw/T8akwAVHeZo/s1600/IMG_8505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YumIF4Wj6E/VGrLqwNRjHI/AAAAAAAAFGw/T8akwAVHeZo/s1600/IMG_8505.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CMoi99uk2I/VGrLrCFp48I/AAAAAAAAFG4/1zpW3OO__3M/s1600/IMG_8508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CMoi99uk2I/VGrLrCFp48I/AAAAAAAAFG4/1zpW3OO__3M/s1600/IMG_8508.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27387630.post-32832061815160905302014-09-08T20:15:00.000-07:002014-11-17T20:29:44.546-08:00Legoland 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mark and the boys took a trip to LegoLand in early September while I stayed home with the girls. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Their purpose was to go to southern California to attend a family wedding. Afterwards Mark surprised the boys by simply driving to LegoLand without any explanation. Just outside the gate Mark told them where they were headed. They were so excited and happy that they started hitting each other in the backseat of the car!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They had a great time, and had some great father-son bonding moments. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfKSBLjuHAY/VGrHdObxsXI/AAAAAAAAFF8/sS8_2aS5jsg/s1600/IMG_4728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfKSBLjuHAY/VGrHdObxsXI/AAAAAAAAFF8/sS8_2aS5jsg/s1600/IMG_4728.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwolIg7hxDY/VGrHat9HyjI/AAAAAAAAFFs/hya-_USRG58/s1600/IMG_4758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwolIg7hxDY/VGrHat9HyjI/AAAAAAAAFFs/hya-_USRG58/s1600/IMG_4758.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYO2pIuEQOE/VGrHa7QHRmI/AAAAAAAAFFw/b_lrZgMvwLY/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYO2pIuEQOE/VGrHa7QHRmI/AAAAAAAAFFw/b_lrZgMvwLY/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtooDXCaXYM/VGrHeRdQm2I/AAAAAAAAFGE/ePgC4IWSoMk/s1600/IMG_4825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtooDXCaXYM/VGrHeRdQm2I/AAAAAAAAFGE/ePgC4IWSoMk/s1600/IMG_4825.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2GkxnNAmSI/VGrHfH_7mbI/AAAAAAAAFGI/_xdfYVXmoaQ/s1600/IMG_4880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2GkxnNAmSI/VGrHfH_7mbI/AAAAAAAAFGI/_xdfYVXmoaQ/s1600/IMG_4880.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5saGQmxhmI/VGrHgbHOL8I/AAAAAAAAFGY/2tknpFVY6sU/s1600/IMG_4897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5saGQmxhmI/VGrHgbHOL8I/AAAAAAAAFGY/2tknpFVY6sU/s1600/IMG_4897.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTZCbQWIz5Y/VGrHgOX2xCI/AAAAAAAAFGU/Dt9F-rwVHdg/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTZCbQWIz5Y/VGrHgOX2xCI/AAAAAAAAFGU/Dt9F-rwVHdg/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMyKKm4tGZE/VGrHhnQ0eTI/AAAAAAAAFGk/899rNnZina4/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMyKKm4tGZE/VGrHhnQ0eTI/AAAAAAAAFGk/899rNnZina4/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Autumnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437729232357747409noreply@blogger.com0