tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106261732024-03-13T05:21:21.057-07:00Summer Kei"How do I know what I think until I see what I say?"
E.M. ForsterSummerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-31165572977303807482011-02-09T13:35:00.001-08:002011-02-09T14:27:51.266-08:00The NurseryAll of this snow and cold weather has given me much needed time to nest and get Sadie Kate's nursery ready for her. I wish I would have taken a before picture of this room. It was a high school boy's room before we moved in and it was painted a goldish dark yellow with black curtains... very Abilene High! Great for a teen boy but not so much a baby girl. So we painted the walls, the ceiling and added some color! It's been fun! I always love preparing a room when I'm pregnant. It just makes me feel connected to the baby somehow as I paint and decorate the area where she'll sleep and rock and eventually play and learn.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's her crib. The bedding is made from an anthropologie quilt. I wish I could take credit but I actually bought it from a friend who was selling it. I love the colors and pattern!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQ-XclEJI/AAAAAAAABdE/eCysSa6ymdg/s1600/IMG_4696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQ-XclEJI/AAAAAAAABdE/eCysSa6ymdg/s400/IMG_4696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571815827619254418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Japanese grandmother helped me make paper cranes for this homemade mobile above the bed. It's one of my favorite things in the room!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQ96pvgwI/AAAAAAAABc8/2xr0_hDwcCU/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQ96pvgwI/AAAAAAAABc8/2xr0_hDwcCU/s400/IMG_4693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571815819889836802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I painted this mural of a whimsical tree in the corner of the room behind the rocker.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQHZJprPI/AAAAAAAABc0/nMrUhc82kws/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQHZJprPI/AAAAAAAABc0/nMrUhc82kws/s400/IMG_4694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571814883183930610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQG5spZsI/AAAAAAAABcs/2I9LMkLb4J0/s1600/IMG_4700.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQG5spZsI/AAAAAAAABcs/2I9LMkLb4J0/s400/IMG_4700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571814874740778690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cute little red rocker</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQGsiQnZI/AAAAAAAABck/7phrlcULKDE/s1600/IMG_4699.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQGsiQnZI/AAAAAAAABck/7phrlcULKDE/s400/IMG_4699.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571814871207550354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">There is also a daybed for tired parents and grandmas to sleep on. I added some Japanese touches in the room with the cranes and these kokeshi doll collages, as well as some Japanese memorabilia that I've collected through the years.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQF70tLgI/AAAAAAAABcc/JydWlr0usmQ/s1600/IMG_4698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQF70tLgI/AAAAAAAABcc/JydWlr0usmQ/s400/IMG_4698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571814858131582466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> A sweet welcome home note from sister Ava</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQFunGgnI/AAAAAAAABcU/c939iTiM6F4/s1600/IMG_4697.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TVMQFunGgnI/AAAAAAAABcU/c939iTiM6F4/s400/IMG_4697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571814854584861298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Just about 5 more weeks until we get to meet our baby girl! We can't wait...</div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-39085637526328889772011-02-03T20:44:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:03:20.455-08:00Snow Days<div style="text-align: center;">WHAT WE DID ON OUR SNOW VACATION</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Played in the snow,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHzUIvoRI/AAAAAAAABbM/a71z5S4wHGA/s1600/IMG_4618.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHzUIvoRI/AAAAAAAABbM/a71z5S4wHGA/s400/IMG_4618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569694679822213394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHzGEGi4I/AAAAAAAABbE/vGoREzCKO9U/s1600/IMG_4620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHzGEGi4I/AAAAAAAABbE/vGoREzCKO9U/s400/IMG_4620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569694676044647298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">made snow angels,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHzLq9yoI/AAAAAAAABa8/F4FsYN9Antg/s1600/IMG_4619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHzLq9yoI/AAAAAAAABa8/F4FsYN9Antg/s400/IMG_4619.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569694677549828738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">went sledding on the play set,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUxGACde0iI/AAAAAAAABbk/061xuYCbhTg/s1600/IMG_4665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUxGACde0iI/AAAAAAAABbk/061xuYCbhTg/s400/IMG_4665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569903805624930850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUxF_6yT63I/AAAAAAAABbc/YBGNLjyGggo/s1600/IMG_4664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUxF_6yT63I/AAAAAAAABbc/YBGNLjyGggo/s400/IMG_4664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569903803564813170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUxF_YZttCI/AAAAAAAABbU/qs_rgbV_xvc/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUxF_YZttCI/AAAAAAAABbU/qs_rgbV_xvc/s400/IMG_4662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569903794334839842" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">slid into mounds of snow,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHyvYx6CI/AAAAAAAABa0/rzrGaqqpmKI/s1600/IMG_4623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHyvYx6CI/AAAAAAAABa0/rzrGaqqpmKI/s400/IMG_4623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569694669957359650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">snuggled up and watched movies,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHytYCCbI/AAAAAAAABas/oYq_K8QelOk/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuHytYCCbI/AAAAAAAABas/oYq_K8QelOk/s400/IMG_4660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569694669417351602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">played with play dough,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGVF3f88I/AAAAAAAABak/sYFJZyQjijM/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGVF3f88I/AAAAAAAABak/sYFJZyQjijM/s400/IMG_4626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569693061084083138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">warmed up by the fire,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGU7IVrMI/AAAAAAAABac/PV8yqK9h9Fo/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGU7IVrMI/AAAAAAAABac/PV8yqK9h9Fo/s400/IMG_4627.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569693058201922754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">pretended to be Josh Hamilton</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGUsr8bVI/AAAAAAAABaU/m-uQyYWJJmk/s1600/IMG_4630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGUsr8bVI/AAAAAAAABaU/m-uQyYWJJmk/s400/IMG_4630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569693054324731218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and little orphan Annie working at a restaurant,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGUciSiWI/AAAAAAAABaM/ua-11TrMfag/s1600/IMG_4637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGUciSiWI/AAAAAAAABaM/ua-11TrMfag/s400/IMG_4637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569693049989269858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">made snow ice cream and...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGUL6gzJI/AAAAAAAABaE/HJWjBNojjTg/s1600/IMG_4643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUuGUL6gzJI/AAAAAAAABaE/HJWjBNojjTg/s400/IMG_4643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569693045527465106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">we still have another day ahead of us! What will we come up with tomorrow?</div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-3157212743048245082011-02-03T11:04:00.001-08:002011-02-04T10:21:38.441-08:00Christmas, Tonsils, and 50's Day<div style="text-align: left;">3 days snowed in at home has allowed me to catch up on some things around my house and my blog! So here are a few more photos from December and January:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2010 with cousin Eydie</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsCm_5WenI/AAAAAAAABZ8/4-juA9LVHRg/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsCm_5WenI/AAAAAAAABZ8/4-juA9LVHRg/s400/IMG_4564.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569548233184017010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Small group Christmas party at our house... Can you find the random nameless man that made his way into our photo? I love our white elephant exchange and our hilarious friends!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsCm59eicI/AAAAAAAABZ0/tiuVIZebNXU/s1600/IMG_4568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsCm59eicI/AAAAAAAABZ0/tiuVIZebNXU/s400/IMG_4568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569548231590709698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning in Decatur</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBh0ehvkI/AAAAAAAABZs/ucemTs-4654/s1600/IMG_4570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBh0ehvkI/AAAAAAAABZs/ucemTs-4654/s400/IMG_4570.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569547044707745346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Football cousins... passing down the jersey</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBhtnh57I/AAAAAAAABZk/achKSzwz288/s1600/IMG_4582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBhtnh57I/AAAAAAAABZk/achKSzwz288/s400/IMG_4582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569547042866456498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ruby and her kids</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBhbOFwZI/AAAAAAAABZc/f4Ofv-O4y-w/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBhbOFwZI/AAAAAAAABZc/f4Ofv-O4y-w/s400/IMG_4583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569547037927915922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Walters' cousins (We missed you, Melissa!)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBhQkXVXI/AAAAAAAABZU/P7YI1s3TbHo/s1600/IMG_4586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBhQkXVXI/AAAAAAAABZU/P7YI1s3TbHo/s400/IMG_4586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569547035068552562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Thompson second cousins</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBg5Nie_I/AAAAAAAABZM/ff68jHuqoBc/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUsBg5Nie_I/AAAAAAAABZM/ff68jHuqoBc/s400/IMG_4591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569547028798798834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jenny and I are due within a month of each other!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr9-Ti8SgI/AAAAAAAABZE/AWOX4Vwto1M/s1600/IMG_4592.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr9-Ti8SgI/AAAAAAAABZE/AWOX4Vwto1M/s400/IMG_4592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569543136037587458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pierson had his tonsils and adenoids out...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr99iTQJ4I/AAAAAAAABY8/7NkF4xxIz6o/s1600/IMG_4593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr99iTQJ4I/AAAAAAAABY8/7NkF4xxIz6o/s400/IMG_4593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569543122818443138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ava practicing the twist for 50's day</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr99dgt_II/AAAAAAAABY0/SQawOOFLmBQ/s1600/IMG_4594.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr99dgt_II/AAAAAAAABY0/SQawOOFLmBQ/s400/IMG_4594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569543121532746882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dancing on the stage at Austin Elementary</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr99OhjWKI/AAAAAAAABYs/BGn-t6qruRc/s1600/IMG_4601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr99OhjWKI/AAAAAAAABYs/BGn-t6qruRc/s400/IMG_4601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569543117509712034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">50's Day with momma (I wore Chad's high school letter jacket to serve ice cream Sundays at Ava's school. He made the comment that he never expected to see his pregnant wife wearing it. I did look a little awkward!)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr988WwOzI/AAAAAAAABYk/9eZDLyUkWCw/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TUr988WwOzI/AAAAAAAABYk/9eZDLyUkWCw/s400/IMG_4605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569543112632580914" /></a>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-83600115092511689812011-01-05T07:54:00.001-08:002011-02-04T10:19:09.427-08:002010 in ReviewWell, I guess there's no time like January to start things anew. I cannot believe that I took a full year hiatus from blogging, but 2010 got the best of me. It was a whirlwind! I think I'm just now beginning to catch my breath and looking forward to new beginnings and simplifying in 2011. <div><br /></div><div>There really is so much I could say about the past 12 months. I'll do my best to recap for the archives. I seriously doubt anyone still reads this blog but with a new baby on the way I figured it would be a good time to start writing again even if it's just for family.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">January 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hat day at YCW</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS1b0w0oFI/AAAAAAAABWg/sqoKCquJxH0/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS1b0w0oFI/AAAAAAAABWg/sqoKCquJxH0/s400/IMG_3486.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558767329706549330" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">January Recap-- The kids and I got sick last year for pretty much the entire month of January. We passed around the flu, a stomach bug and a cold. We were ready for February after all that illness...</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">February 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ava posing with her Valentine's snowman</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS1cBAC6tI/AAAAAAAABWo/xeWd-2A8fuw/s1600/IMG_3648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS1cBAC6tI/AAAAAAAABWo/xeWd-2A8fuw/s400/IMG_3648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558767332991625938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">February Recap-- We enjoyed some snow in February and Ava loved attending the Daddy/ Daughter Valentine's Dinner at Highland. She looks forward to it every year!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">March 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Launching our first My Sister's House Consignment Sale with Kate</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS1cXzKWkI/AAAAAAAABWw/En-ykl7pq8c/s1600/IMG_9736.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS1cXzKWkI/AAAAAAAABWw/En-ykl7pq8c/s400/IMG_9736.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558767339111602754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">March Recap-- A big reason why last year was a busy one is that Kate and I started our own business called My Sister's House, a semi-annual consignment sale for women. Our first sale was in March but the three or four months leading up to the sale were extremely busy with working out details of every aspect of the business... from the website to running the sale to advertising. We had so much to learn and do (hence the blogging hiatus). Overall we felt our first sale was a success! We were exhausted when it was over but thankful for all of the help from family and friends to help make it happen.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">April 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Pierson practicing on the ACU field. This kids LOVES baseball!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBdZ8N7gI/AAAAAAAABYY/ccP__vOJq4M/s1600/IMG_3949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBdZ8N7gI/AAAAAAAABYY/ccP__vOJq4M/s400/IMG_3949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558780551005859330" /></a><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Easter in Brownwood<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBdPyRAPI/AAAAAAAABYQ/cIlSB_PiwLI/s1600/IMG_4018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBdPyRAPI/AAAAAAAABYQ/cIlSB_PiwLI/s400/IMG_4018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558780548279763186" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><div style="text-align: center; ">April Recap-- We enjoyed Easter in Brownwood with the Thompson family! Most of the month of April was spent finishing up business from the sale and doing projects around our house. We got it ready and put our Grand cottage house on the market for sale by owner in April.</div><div><i><br /></i></div></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">May 2010</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>The husbands in our small group planned a formal night out complete with a 3 course dinner at a beautiful historic home in Abilene. Such a fun night!</i><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBcr1z_DI/AAAAAAAABYI/OnTLiiJSIEM/s1600/IMG_4191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBcr1z_DI/AAAAAAAABYI/OnTLiiJSIEM/s400/IMG_4191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558780538630962226" /></a><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ava all dressed up for her ballet recital<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBceFDT6I/AAAAAAAABYA/0oVfRSb96ks/s1600/IMG_4165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSTBceFDT6I/AAAAAAAABYA/0oVfRSb96ks/s400/IMG_4165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558780534936784802" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">May Recap-- We wrapped up another year at YCW (Ava's last year of preschool), enjoyed the YCW end of year program and Ava's first ballet recital. We watched some ACU baseball, enjoyed a very nice night out planned by our husbands, showed our house a lot, and got a contract on it at the end of May!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">June 2010</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Dad, Ava and Pierson playing on the scooter at the Pierson family reunion</i><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-Kl7i8uI/AAAAAAAABX4/ONvxq8IytLA/s1600/IMG_4242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-Kl7i8uI/AAAAAAAABX4/ONvxq8IytLA/s400/IMG_4242.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558776929271870178" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">June Recap--We enjoyed spending time with family at the Pierson Family Reunion. Most of the month was spent getting inspections, wrapping up details of selling the house, finding a house to buy, and packing, packing, packing...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">July 2010</span></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Our family at Sea World</i><br /></span></i></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-KUfFKSI/AAAAAAAABXw/PoZHJMRDhfE/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-KUfFKSI/AAAAAAAABXw/PoZHJMRDhfE/s400/IMG_4268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558776924589074722" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">July Recap-- Remembering July makes me tired. It was an exciting and eventful month! We squeezed in a trip to Brownwood for the 4th of July and Sea World in San Antonio before we moved houses, celebrated our 10th anniversary, and found out we were expecting our 3rd baby in March. At the end of such a crazy month, I managed to muster the energy to teach two sessions of Art Camp! I was nauseated and tired most of the week, but I think that the kids still enjoyed it... </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">August 2010</span></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Pierson waiting for his turn to bowl on a Friday Family Fun Night at Prime Time.</span></i><br /></span></i></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-KHp954I/AAAAAAAABXo/8SC0h7_PJOI/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-KHp954I/AAAAAAAABXo/8SC0h7_PJOI/s400/IMG_4336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558776921145075586" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Ava's first day of kindergarten at Austin Elementary</i><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-JyjPriI/AAAAAAAABXg/uiIDljZF6F0/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS-JyjPriI/AAAAAAAABXg/uiIDljZF6F0/s400/IMG_4346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558776915479735842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">August Recap--I turned 33, Ava started kindergarten at Austin Elementary, and we continued to try to get settled in our new house. I think I spent most of August catching up on rest from the adventures of the last three months and first trimester exhaustion.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">September 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ava got a new bike for her birthday and learned to ride without training wheels!</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8V_hYjTI/AAAAAAAABXY/l1rEBH2kWlc/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8V_hYjTI/AAAAAAAABXY/l1rEBH2kWlc/s400/IMG_4376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558774926096764210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We celebrated the kid's birthdays at the Gymnastics Sports Center.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8VUswYgI/AAAAAAAABXQ/wc-CtkL2KVs/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8VUswYgI/AAAAAAAABXQ/wc-CtkL2KVs/s400/IMG_4419.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558774914601738754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">September Recap--The kids loved celebrating their 6th and 3rd birthday parties at the Gymnastics Sports Center, and I loved not having to have my house ready for a party! We spent September getting used to the new realities of Ava going to school 5 days a week, and Pierson started in the 3 year old class at YCW.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">October 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My grandparents with the Fairy Princess and "Fat Dragon" as Pierson described his costume.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8VPtA0yI/AAAAAAAABXI/qV9lSCKD1yU/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8VPtA0yI/AAAAAAAABXI/qV9lSCKD1yU/s400/IMG_4483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558774913260639010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">October Recap-- We enjoyed a fun Halloween, Chad's 10 year reunion at ACU and all of the homecoming festivities, a visit to Abilene from Derran, Ann, Brynn and Meg Reese, and Kate and I ran our second My Sister's House sale! We were open for two full weekends with a week in between and continued to learn ways to grow the sale in the future.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">November 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ava and Chad running in the turkey trot on Thanksgiving day. It was freezing outside but Ava was a trooper and completed the kid's race.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8U0fAAVI/AAAAAAAABXA/facJbJWOVUY/s1600/IMG_4517.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8U0fAAVI/AAAAAAAABXA/facJbJWOVUY/s400/IMG_4517.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558774905954107730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">November Recap-- We enjoyed Thompson family time here in Abilene for Thanksgiving. We spent some time beginning to get ready for our new baby (a girl due in March!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">December 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The kids showing off mom's growing belly</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8Ut8ddBI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZGH3wpFWXK4/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/TSS8Ut8ddBI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZGH3wpFWXK4/s400/IMG_4554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558774904198624274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">December Recap-- Lots and lots of holiday parties and festivities, shopping for gifts, family time with the Walters, Micks, and Quanz families in Decatur and Fort Worth for Christmas, Charlie Brown ice sculpture show at the Gaylord in Grapevine, and a plumbing leak that caused our living and dining floors to be ripped up a few days before Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whew! What a recap... I should say that not all that happened in 2010 was as picture perfect as the few images I chose to showcase. In an effort to be transparent I want to confess that in many ways 2010 was a challenging year for our family. I struggled personally with a very early miscarriage and the emotional and physical fallout of hormonal imbalances. We had stresses related to jobs, moving, starting a new business, finances, and family. But God has been faithful. Through the joys and struggles of the last year, I can see that His hand was always upon us even when we felt alone. I am so thankful for the support system of friends and family that continue to encourage and challenge me in my faith. I look forward to the new year, new beginnings, new goals for my own personal and spiritual journeys, and a new member our family. Did I mention we decided on a name? We anticipate the arrival of Sadie Kate Walters in mid to late March! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to new beginnings in 2011...</div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-10982195605987312612010-01-17T12:12:00.000-08:002010-01-18T20:45:16.424-08:00Conversations with my KidsI've been writing down little things my kids have said lately that I find entertaining, mostly for my own memory since I'm not a big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">scrapbooker</span>. <div><br /></div><div>Pierson likes to randomly tell me things that he "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">yoves</span>." Here are a few of my favorites from the last few weeks:</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">yove</span> Target.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">yove</span> baseball.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">yove</span> no pants and no shoes.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">yove</span> Diego.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">yove</span> jackets.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">yove</span> not doctors.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">yove</span> Chuck E. Cheese.</div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">yove</span> yogurt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Out of the blue while eating a organic granola bar, Ava announced, "I've been thinking about Santa and how he has to eat so many cookies at houses on Christmas Eve. Next year, we should leave him one of these granola bars. I bet he'd like a break from cookies." </div><div><br /></div><div>I told Pierson that he was not going to be in the Nursery at church because it was time for him to go to the big 2's class. I said, I just can't believe you're not a baby anymore. His response, "Yeah. I a grown up now."</div><div><br /></div><div>Ava has been learning to spell by sounding words out and one of her favorite gifts was a dry erase board she got for Christmas. She practices trying to spell words all day long. She showed me a list of words and explained that these are words we shouldn't really talk about so she decided to write them down. Here was her list:</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">PNIS</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">BODOM</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">POTE</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>BOT</div><div><br /></div><div>I overheard Pierson mumbling to himself while he was pretending, "Are you John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); ">Elway</span>, Brett <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); ">Favre</span>, Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); ">Romo</span>?" </div><div><br /></div><div>Ava asked me what the word "mono mono" means (pronounced mow-no.) I told her I wasn't sure and asked where she'd heard it. She started singing, "Hit the road jack and don't you come back no mono mono mono mo." And asked again, "So what's a mono?" </div><div><br /></div><div>Both of my children love to sing. Ava enjoys the musical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">stylings</span> of most classic musicals and a few new faves: Annie, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, and Enchanted. Poor Pierson is such a patient little brother. He's sings Annie as well just because he hears it so much. But I also love hearing him belt out all the words to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" while playing in his room. </div><div><br /></div><div>After getting a shot of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">penicillin</span> for strep last week, Pierson was having a hard time. I asked him if he wanted to get a shake on the way home. His response was, "No. I wanna go to Target." (A boy after my own heart... For the record, he goes straight to the ball aisle and likes to try on all the gloves, and practice throwing the different sizes of baseballs and softballs.)</div><div><br /></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-75366781993410136132010-01-08T10:11:00.000-08:002010-01-08T16:16:52.326-08:00Walters Christmas 2009 Recap<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had fun in the snow on Christmas eve in Abilene!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0eNel4k8wI/AAAAAAAABUY/sIEQxAhNdEs/s1600-h/IMG_3398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0eNel4k8wI/AAAAAAAABUY/sIEQxAhNdEs/s400/IMG_3398.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424459832896058114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We attempted sledding at ACU, but an artic blast thwarted our plans. K-Papa and Pierson were still brave enough to play in the blizzard. Ava and I watched from the car. It was seriously cold!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0eNeJsOSLI/AAAAAAAABUQ/N-wiH9JGNT8/s1600-h/IMG_3403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0eNeJsOSLI/AAAAAAAABUQ/N-wiH9JGNT8/s400/IMG_3403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424459825328048306" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">We dug in the attic to find snowsuits from Kaden and Karaline. Funny thing is the blue "boy" snowsuit is a size 5 and would have fit Ava but she refused to put it on, insisting instead to squeeze herself into a girl's size 2 snowsuit. Notice how short it is on her. That thing was tight! All in the name of fashion...we couldn't be seen out in a blizzard in boy's snowsuit, now could we?</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0eNdraKCtI/AAAAAAAABUI/MtGgmq7U6Ts/s1600-h/IMG_3402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0eNdraKCtI/AAAAAAAABUI/MtGgmq7U6Ts/s400/IMG_3402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424459817199209170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The great-grandkids on the Thompson side. Cuties!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-MlWvykI/AAAAAAAABUA/ix135CRypTg/s1600-h/IMG_3425.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-MlWvykI/AAAAAAAABUA/ix135CRypTg/s400/IMG_3425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424443030842100290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It wouldn't be Christmas without lots of scrabble.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-MJJc7_I/AAAAAAAABT4/YWiHDXnLJ70/s1600-h/IMG_3464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-MJJc7_I/AAAAAAAABT4/YWiHDXnLJ70/s400/IMG_3464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424443023270146034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is our attempt at a cousin pyramid. I guess everyone's grown a little since we last tried this. Ava, Bryce, and Pierson were supposed to be on the very top, but we didn't get organized in time. The bottom row was hurtin'!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-Ll2ftSI/AAAAAAAABTw/ySNEDn3AutA/s1600-h/IMG_3429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-Ll2ftSI/AAAAAAAABTw/ySNEDn3AutA/s400/IMG_3429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424443013795394850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The annual icing of the sugar cookies with Vicki and the cousins. Grandma and Grandpa got in on the action too.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-LePZ0FI/AAAAAAAABTo/ty1u0DL2e2w/s1600-h/IMG_3387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-LePZ0FI/AAAAAAAABTo/ty1u0DL2e2w/s400/IMG_3387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424443011752382546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More icing. . .</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-Kya3UDI/AAAAAAAABTg/OLw16IJn8Dc/s1600-h/IMG_3383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d-Kya3UDI/AAAAAAAABTg/OLw16IJn8Dc/s400/IMG_3383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424442999989293106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning at our house-- no time like the present to iron your new shirt.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5NSFSsgI/AAAAAAAABTY/-hkaJHojusU/s1600-h/IMG_3448.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5NSFSsgI/AAAAAAAABTY/-hkaJHojusU/s400/IMG_3448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424437545290347010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pierson, cousin Eydie and Ava posing in front of the tree</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5M4yg3sI/AAAAAAAABTQ/ksA3Zn77irQ/s1600-h/IMG_3440.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5M4yg3sI/AAAAAAAABTQ/ksA3Zn77irQ/s400/IMG_3440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424437538500697794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For Christmas this year, both of my kids asked Santa for things that cannot be purchased in a store. Pierson requested an ACU baseball uniform. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, I told him, "Pierson, I love you." </div><div style="text-align: center;">His response: "And I love baseball." </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5MfEcA6I/AAAAAAAABTI/5pY88s_Cvbs/s1600-h/IMG_3456.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5MfEcA6I/AAAAAAAABTI/5pY88s_Cvbs/s400/IMG_3456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424437531596555170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava asked Santa for an Annie dress. Apparently you can only buy those on e-bay at Halloween. Lucky for us, Santa knows a great seamstress who loves these kids enough to spend the month of December sewing! Thank you, mom! (Note to readers: If you happen to see our kids and mention their Christmas gifts, don't forget that they believe Santa and his elves sewed them.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5L8L9QUI/AAAAAAAABTA/AgUk4e3VBsg/s1600-h/IMG_3461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5L8L9QUI/AAAAAAAABTA/AgUk4e3VBsg/s400/IMG_3461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424437522232852802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom and dad on Christmas morning</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5LdTySLI/AAAAAAAABS4/imwcPI-joFc/s1600-h/IMG_3446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/S0d5LdTySLI/AAAAAAAABS4/imwcPI-joFc/s400/IMG_3446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424437513944189106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer: Somehow I managed not to take a single picture when we spent time with Chad's family for New Years. Sorry about that Walters' fam. I guess I was too busy having fun to get out my camera. If any of you took pictures, we would love to have some copies.</div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-16274218975797976212009-12-21T11:30:00.000-08:002009-12-21T17:32:09.847-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OVe25vKI/AAAAAAAABSw/5h_xTqhYrR0/s1600-h/IMG_3354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OVe25vKI/AAAAAAAABSw/5h_xTqhYrR0/s400/IMG_3354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417775745205910690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OU3NSl4I/AAAAAAAABSo/VV2rmvKIQYk/s1600-h/IMG_3358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OU3NSl4I/AAAAAAAABSo/VV2rmvKIQYk/s400/IMG_3358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417775734562396034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OUjbFI_I/AAAAAAAABSg/yj9Fyx7SrJs/s1600-h/IMG_3346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OUjbFI_I/AAAAAAAABSg/yj9Fyx7SrJs/s400/IMG_3346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417775729251525618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OT6arBXI/AAAAAAAABSY/RraRIbaEyGA/s1600-h/IMG_3344.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sy_OT6arBXI/AAAAAAAABSY/RraRIbaEyGA/s400/IMG_3344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417775718243960178" /></a>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-14465397211904681872009-12-17T13:23:00.000-08:002009-12-17T14:52:28.300-08:00Introducing My Sister's HouseIntroducing. . . drum roll please. . . <a href="http://mysistershousesale.com/"><i>My Sister's House</i></a>!<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SyqqhD8t6MI/AAAAAAAABSI/d_6_tDekgS4/s1600-h/MSHlogo1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SyqqhD8t6MI/AAAAAAAABSI/d_6_tDekgS4/s400/MSHlogo1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416328986838821058" /></a><br />This is a business that my sister, <a href="http://katestover.blogspot.com/">Kate</a>, and I are starting up in Abilene this spring. Kate and I have always enjoyed scavenging garage and estate sales for unique finds and saving money without sacrificing style. We have often wished there was a one stop shop to sell and buy cute gently used women's clothes, shoes, accessories and furniture. . . so we created <i>My Sister's House</i>, a semi-annual women's consignment sale.<div><br /></div><div>If you are from Abilene, you may be familiar with <a href="http://www.dittosforkiddos.com/">Dittos for Kiddos.</a> Our sale will be run in much the same way but we will have two unique boutiques within <i>My Sister's House</i>. <i>The Closet</i> will feature women's clothing, shoes, accessories, purses, and jewelry. Right next door at <i>The Attic, </i>you will find home decor, bedding, rugs, lamps, and furniture.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's face it. After two pregnancies my closet is full of clothes that are still cute but just don't fit my current body. Yet it is so hard to get more than a few dollars for clothes at garage sales. Our hope is that <i>My Sister's House </i>will become a place where you can sell the items that are taking up space in your house that you just don't wear or use but that will work great for someone else! Then you can shop the sale for clothes and home decor that are new to you without breaking the bank! </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>It's going to be a lot of fun. We're hoping to create a "Girl's Night Out" feel at our Wednesday and Thursday night Pre-Sales with snacks, good music and no children while you shop! Bring your friends, have fun shopping for great deals, and make some money on your own clothes in the process by becoming a consignor. (You will be able to try on clothes in an open dressing area so bring your bike shorts and sports bra. We hope that it won't be as awkward as those high school locker room experiences.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The sale will take place downtown at 181 Pine (the old Jordan Taylor location) and will be open to the public March 25th - 27th. We have no idea how big our first sale will be, but we're hoping through word of mouth and our community of A-town friends that it will exceed our expectations! </div><div><br /></div><div>So check our website: <a href="http://mysistershousesale.com/Home.html">www.mysistershousesale.com</a> , save your old clothes as you clean out your closet after Christmas, sign up to be a consignor and tell your friends. It's gonna be fun, girls! </div></div></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SyqwIJAnMpI/AAAAAAAABSQ/uYKZfSRYs-w/s1600-h/IMG_5450+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SyqwIJAnMpI/AAAAAAAABSQ/uYKZfSRYs-w/s400/IMG_5450+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416335155770372754" /><br /></a><div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-41280268691593793332009-11-21T12:20:00.000-08:002009-11-21T12:57:31.031-08:00Ava's ArtI just had to post some of Ava's artwork. She loves to color and produces more art than I could possibly display in my house. These are some of my favorites from the last few months:<div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Drawn after we attended a wedding last weekend. Notice the </div><div style="text-align: center;">stained glass window in the back and the Bride's train.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPzx23mfI/AAAAAAAABR4/74-tc-i05sE/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPzx23mfI/AAAAAAAABR4/74-tc-i05sE/s400/IMG_3207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406659103633676786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She said this is me about to hug her. I like the clip in my hair.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPzusRlpI/AAAAAAAABRw/lPZ6MVL5xzs/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPzusRlpI/AAAAAAAABRw/lPZ6MVL5xzs/s400/IMG_3208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406659102783936146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a picture of Ava with the 3 Strader girls.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPzIAImKI/AAAAAAAABRo/slV8TqSl7eM/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPzIAImKI/AAAAAAAABRo/slV8TqSl7eM/s400/IMG_3212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406659092398250146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a self portrait of Ava in her Halloween costume as a cowgirl.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPy402GqI/AAAAAAAABRg/QienQ5Xlnas/s1600/IMG_3209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPy402GqI/AAAAAAAABRg/QienQ5Xlnas/s400/IMG_3209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406659088324369058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She does a lot of drawings for friends. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one for Emma Russell and Ella Carder.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPyXtYKRI/AAAAAAAABRY/HCeMpaJxV14/s1600/IMG_3213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhPyXtYKRI/AAAAAAAABRY/HCeMpaJxV14/s400/IMG_3213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406659079434676498" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">David and Goliath. I love Goliath's angry eyes and David's surprised face.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM7b229VI/AAAAAAAABRM/-gOZoNorqGc/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM7b229VI/AAAAAAAABRM/-gOZoNorqGc/s400/IMG_3232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406655936632124754" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a colorful girl, but it reminds me of a Japanese kokeshi doll.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM6yGCgII/AAAAAAAABRE/KrAj3lw-SOk/s1600/IMG_3233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM6yGCgII/AAAAAAAABRE/KrAj3lw-SOk/s400/IMG_3233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406655925421506690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava drew this at my mom's house while looking at a photo of </div><div style="text-align: center;">my mom in Japan standing in front of a big pink bus.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM6eJipOI/AAAAAAAABQ8/m6A_crijABs/s1600/IMG_3234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM6eJipOI/AAAAAAAABQ8/m6A_crijABs/s400/IMG_3234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406655920067486946" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">More friends: Ava and Sofia</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM6ILxJ9I/AAAAAAAABQ0/mv8UbS7njRo/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM6ILxJ9I/AAAAAAAABQ0/mv8UbS7njRo/s400/IMG_3235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406655914171246546" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">A princess and a rainbow</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM5q7YyaI/AAAAAAAABQs/6b5Q8wKqcAk/s1600/IMG_3236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SwhM5q7YyaI/AAAAAAAABQs/6b5Q8wKqcAk/s400/IMG_3236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406655906317912482" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-71480556789347281822009-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:002009-10-28T12:26:38.943-07:00Fall & FriendsThese are all out of order, but here is our fall at a glance. We've had good times with good friends.<div><div style="text-align: center; ">Jackson and Ava on a hayride</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTukjmhVI/AAAAAAAABPs/BBp7has3-58/s1600-h/IMG_3085.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTukjmhVI/AAAAAAAABPs/BBp7has3-58/s400/IMG_3085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397726581699806546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">The Walters' in western wear at our small group dress-up party</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTuLR3X1I/AAAAAAAABPk/1KOwRIOBb-c/s1600-h/IMG_3073.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTuLR3X1I/AAAAAAAABPk/1KOwRIOBb-c/s400/IMG_3073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397726574914527058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; ">Two of my favorite cops: Ponch and John. (Aren't these guys hilarious?)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRm-9-OrI/AAAAAAAABPM/0OSE69qZk6w/s1600-h/IMG_3060.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRm-9-OrI/AAAAAAAABPM/0OSE69qZk6w/s400/IMG_3060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397724252327525042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Our little cowpokes (Ava was all excited about this horse costume until she had to put it on. Then it only lasted about 5 minutes. Oh well, we got a picture. That was the closest I could get to a smile from either of these outlaws.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPymSTyEI/AAAAAAAABPE/AGS4UuOolws/s1600-h/IMG_3067.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPymSTyEI/AAAAAAAABPE/AGS4UuOolws/s400/IMG_3067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397722252837111874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Trunk or Treat</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPyLSO0AI/AAAAAAAABO8/nzZSyg32VWA/s1600-h/IMG_3062.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPyLSO0AI/AAAAAAAABO8/nzZSyg32VWA/s400/IMG_3062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397722245589028866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Playing in the rain with Ava's bud, Sofia</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPx4mot8I/AAAAAAAABO0/KNM8O7xHkOo/s1600-h/IMG_3039.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPx4mot8I/AAAAAAAABO0/KNM8O7xHkOo/s400/IMG_3039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397722240574339010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Some old friends at ACU Homecoming</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPxXCzkzI/AAAAAAAABOs/_NTZeXzEGpc/s1600-h/IMG_3026.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiPxXCzkzI/AAAAAAAABOs/_NTZeXzEGpc/s400/IMG_3026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397722231565685554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">I miss these girls!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK4loyhSI/AAAAAAAABOk/ym-W_FchDnQ/s1600-h/IMG_3024.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK4loyhSI/AAAAAAAABOk/ym-W_FchDnQ/s400/IMG_3024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397716858184041762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Getting ready for the parade</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK4e-oEaI/AAAAAAAABOc/uk2GpDoxa0E/s1600-h/IMG_3016.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK4e-oEaI/AAAAAAAABOc/uk2GpDoxa0E/s400/IMG_3016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397716856396583330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">GATA friends at breakfast</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRn3Y3JzI/AAAAAAAABPc/KVvIeeBDb-o/s1600-h/IMG_3015.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRn3Y3JzI/AAAAAAAABPc/KVvIeeBDb-o/s400/IMG_3015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397724267472693042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Ava with the Russell and Encalade girls</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTvNBwedI/AAAAAAAABP8/VGipZk7_6s0/s1600-h/IMG_3010.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTvNBwedI/AAAAAAAABP8/VGipZk7_6s0/s400/IMG_3010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397726592563706322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRnE86-_I/AAAAAAAABPU/rRQaXLsKM7A/s1600-h/IMG_3030.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I misss these girls too. . .</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRnE86-_I/AAAAAAAABPU/rRQaXLsKM7A/s1600-h/IMG_3030.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiRnE86-_I/AAAAAAAABPU/rRQaXLsKM7A/s400/IMG_3030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397724253933730802" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Pierson playing ball with Maddox</div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK3whgTJI/AAAAAAAABOU/9knkQjzJlEU/s400/IMG_3000.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397716843926408338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Ava and Sofia dressing up alike for a girl's night out</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK3trBykI/AAAAAAAABOM/SUYE3mvykDQ/s1600-h/IMG_2994.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK3trBykI/AAAAAAAABOM/SUYE3mvykDQ/s400/IMG_2994.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397716843161045570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Levi, Pierson and Will. . . cuties</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK3CTItzI/AAAAAAAABOE/NYYYvxli09k/s1600-h/IMG_2986.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiK3CTItzI/AAAAAAAABOE/NYYYvxli09k/s400/IMG_2986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397716831518111538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">And one last picture-- look at that smile! I love this little guy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTu0SUvJI/AAAAAAAABP0/qoiWyDhZvYU/s400/IMG_3034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397726585922305170" /></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTu0SUvJI/AAAAAAAABP0/qoiWyDhZvYU/s1600-h/IMG_3034.JPG"></a><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SuiTu0SUvJI/AAAAAAAABP0/qoiWyDhZvYU/s1600-h/IMG_3034.JPG"></a></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-78419027382770630422009-10-05T20:51:00.001-07:002009-10-05T21:21:42.076-07:00Madinah Namuddu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SsrD-Tm9TnI/AAAAAAAABN8/_kgVWqH1Ydw/s1600-h/Madinah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SsrD-Tm9TnI/AAAAAAAABN8/_kgVWqH1Ydw/s400/Madinah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389335379285200498" /></a><br />I just found an organization called <a href="http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=home">Kiva</a> that I am pumped about. If you can spare $25.00, you must check this out. Kiva connects people through person-to-person micro-lending, empowering entrepreneurs across the globe.<div><br /><div>For my first micro-loan, I lent money to <a href="http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=141903">Madinah Namuddu's Group</a>. I selected Madinah by scrolling through a list of hopeful entrepreneurs from around the world. I used paypal, but you can use your credit card to start your loan as well. It only took about 5 minutes. I'd like to add one new loan a month! I'll keep you updated. I love the world wide web!<br /><br />P.S. Leave me a comment and let me know if you decided to start a micro-loan too! I would love to hear that my "tens of readers" all got as excited as I did and found someone to support. Better yet, put a link on your blog. Then all of your hundreds of readers might do the same. Am I a hopeful optimist who thinks we can change the world? Yes I am. So let's get started...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kiva.org/about">Click here for to learn more about how it works. </a></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-82718930419788519122009-10-04T20:19:00.000-07:002009-10-05T20:52:47.575-07:00Here are a few things I am writing down so I don't forget them:<div><br /><div>1. Ava let us know that we might need to start using bigger words with her now that she's 5.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. I asked Pierson if he was ready to brush his teeth a few nights ago and he told me, "I'd wather not." (I'd rather not.) 2 going on. . . 12? By the way, I didn't give him the option.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. This afternoon we were reading bedtime books and Pierson was searching for the "Yucky Hat" book. I was baffled. I finally found the book he was looking for about a "Lucky Hat."</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Ava is into clothes, shoes and anything to do with fashion. She often explains how the dress on her barbies or in coloring books would be cute if it had a different color, a longer hem, a different color bow, etc. She loves to play dress up and is extremely particular about what she wears. The other night at dinner, she let me know that she liked the pattern on my shirt, but she thought it might be cuter if it had a button by the neck. Chad and I laughed and said she might become a fashion designer someday. She asked what that meant and I explained that a fashion designer is someone who imagines what clothes might look like and makes them for other people to wear. She thought about it for a minute and then said, "I have an idea. At my fashion designer store, there will be two people who work there. I will be the one who makes up the outfit and the other person will be the one who sews my idea."</div><div><br /></div><div>5. I heard Pierson being a little too quiet in Ava's room yesterday while she was coloring in the living room. I went in and found him standing on her bed with one of barbie's legs (detached from her body.) He tilted his head to the side, smiled like he knew this might not be a good idea and said, "Swing batter, batter, batter. . ." Then used the leg to hit to practice his swing. I had to walk away and laugh before I came back and reattached Barbie's leg.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. When Pierson is tired or frustrated he whines in a way that sounds a lot like Napolean Dynomite. It cracks me and Chad up, which is probably not helping him learn not to whine. There is no funny way to write in words how it sounds, but imagine a 2 year old Napolean saying "Aaawwwaaawww. I don wan to go night night."</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Chad was driving home with Pierson in the car and instead of wanting to listen to music or watch a movie, Pierson said "Tell me a story, daddy." After a short story Pierson whispered, "Tell me a secret." This reminded us that our kids just want connection with us. They don't need to be entertained, just talked to.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Pierson fell off of a chair last week and busted his lip pretty badly. We were lucky that the cut was on his lip or he might have needed stitches. Ava was so concerned about all of the blood and Pierson's injury that she wouldn't let me talk about it in front of him because she was worried he would start thinking about it again and get upset. She would come up and whisper in my ear, "I just feel so sad about Pierson's lip, but don't look at it. It might make him feel bad."</div><div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Pierson with his cousin Eydie. Love 'em!</div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SsllKgsBoCI/AAAAAAAABN0/JPWsO7BFKjQ/s400/IMG_2970.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388949660373196834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /><br /></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-63051520855490486792009-09-23T16:48:00.000-07:002009-09-25T12:46:42.909-07:00Birthdays<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: left;">We have several birthdays in our little family around September. My birthday is August 28th, Ava's is September 12th and Pierson's is the 17th! This year we combined their parties again since their birthdays are so close together. I figure that we might be able to get away with one combined party for a few more years until Ava starts asking for a party with no boys! For now we really try to make having a shared party special. This year we had a Safari Party at the Abilene Zoo! It turned out to be a perfect day. The weather was cool and breezy (which is remarkable for September in Abilene), the animals were out and the lions were even putting on a show. I have never heard lions roar that loud for such a long time. It was pretty amazing. . . and a <em>little </em>scary for Pierson! Here are some pictures of the party:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Safari Cake and cupcakes</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0GOnuGDeI/AAAAAAAABMw/K-DnoGcSYKU/s1600-h/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0GOnuGDeI/AAAAAAAABMw/K-DnoGcSYKU/s400/IMG_2931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385467577655234018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grandma Ruby came in from Decatur.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0GOAVmoDI/AAAAAAAABMo/0azC7EyvCh0/s1600-h/IMG_2943.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0GOAVmoDI/AAAAAAAABMo/0azC7EyvCh0/s400/IMG_2943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385467567083528242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Posing with friends in front of the lions</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0GNi4YKtI/AAAAAAAABMg/_WpqTfnamvA/s1600-h/IMG_2937.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0GNi4YKtI/AAAAAAAABMg/_WpqTfnamvA/s400/IMG_2937.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385467559176317650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Safari Guides </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0CMQQcAhI/AAAAAAAABMY/VUlIz-UPo6E/s1600-h/IMG_2929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0CMQQcAhI/AAAAAAAABMY/VUlIz-UPo6E/s400/IMG_2929.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385463138950578706" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Pierson blows out his candles.</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0CLcYMnEI/AAAAAAAABMI/jWAXek3FWdk/s1600-h/IMG_2953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0CLcYMnEI/AAAAAAAABMI/jWAXek3FWdk/s400/IMG_2953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385463125024480322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pierson shows off his new Ranger baseball cap and car puzzle.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0CK1wPkoI/AAAAAAAABMA/1tOoITBQsEs/s1600-h/IMG_2963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0CK1wPkoI/AAAAAAAABMA/1tOoITBQsEs/s400/IMG_2963.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385463114656354946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hungry kids</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JIw2skoI/AAAAAAAABNg/ypOruMWfLAI/s1600-h/IMG_2949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JIw2skoI/AAAAAAAABNg/ypOruMWfLAI/s400/IMG_2949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385470775562900098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava poses with some friends on the caterpillar statue.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JIY1MwEI/AAAAAAAABNY/VOmEejsP5YQ/s1600-h/IMG_2941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JIY1MwEI/AAAAAAAABNY/VOmEejsP5YQ/s400/IMG_2941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385470769114169410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the kids</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JHw7h2vI/AAAAAAAABNQ/Z8cOKxJy0O8/s1600-h/IMG_2960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JHw7h2vI/AAAAAAAABNQ/Z8cOKxJy0O8/s400/IMG_2960.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385470758403300082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eydie at her first birthday party with K-Papa</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JHfa-vII/AAAAAAAABNI/CQKKMadpyeU/s1600-h/IMG_2934.JPG.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0JHfa-vII/AAAAAAAABNI/CQKKMadpyeU/s400/IMG_2934.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385470753703378050" /></a><br /><br /><div>I never did write the post about my birthday surprise so I thought I would recap that as well. This year I turned, ahem. . . 32! I don't feel a day over 22 except I have a bad back, an injured knee and I get tired around 9 pm every night. Okay so maybe I feel exactly 32. <em>Anyway </em>on to the surprise-- On my birthday Chad took the day off of work to watch the kids, scheduled a massage for me without my knowing, and planned a birthday lunch with a few friends at The Olive Garden. Then when I thought the day couldn't get much better, Chad's mom showed up at our house to watch the kids and Chad and I headed for Dallas. We ate at P.F. Changs (my favorite) and stayed the night at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Los Colinas. The next day we slept in, read by the pool and shopped around in Southlake Townscenter before heading home. I have no idea why Chad chose this birthday to pull out all the stops. Birthdays are fun in our house, but we usually just go to dinner and have some cake. I was so surprised and enjoyed having a day of pampering. I love this guy!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava took this picture and got a real smile out of him : )</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0aP6ziddI/AAAAAAAABNo/0aLtpTzV-UU/s1600-h/IMG_2875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sr0aP6ziddI/AAAAAAAABNo/0aLtpTzV-UU/s400/IMG_2875.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385489590190765522" /></a>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-58374488550239570332009-09-06T12:38:00.001-07:002009-09-06T21:21:56.148-07:00Pierson ReedPierson is such a funny little man. He is 23 months and has become such a talker. In the last 3 or 4 months, his language has exploded! I am amazed at all of things is starting to say and put together. Looking back I realized that I haven't posted as much about him as I did about Ava at his age. Poor second children. . . they are so neglected. I have found it so much harder to stop and write things down with 2 kids. But I have to record some of my favorite Pierson stories. They are too funny and I don't want to forget this age. <div><br /></div><div>1. While looking at a book that his Grandma Ruby put together of various sports clippings, Pierson was pointing at different pictures and asking, "What's dat?" I was naming, football, helmet, baseball, glove, etc. He pointed to one picture and asked, "Who's dat?" I replied with "That's a football player." He looked up at me and said, "No. Dat's Tony Romo." He was right. Apparently Chad had been naming the players and Pierson was expecting me to do the same. I only got a few right, and still need to get a tutorial from Chad before I read that book with him again. I can't believe my 23 month old has already surpassed my sports knowledge. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Pierson LOVES baseball. I have never seen a kid like one sport so much. He talks about baseball as soon as he wakes up, plays ball all day, and I think he must dream about it too. He knows all the words to "Take me out to the ball game" and wants us to sing it to him every night as he falls asleep. He loves his baseball pajamas and likes to sleep wearing his glove and baseball shoes. Precious.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. One my favorite games to play with Pierson right now is pretend baseball. It is almost more fun than the real thing. With real baseball, a lot of time is spent chasing after a ball that neither one of us can catch very well. But pretend baseball is great. He looks over his glove, looks down, winds up, throws a pitch and I back up and pretend to catch it in my glove. This goes back and forth. Sometimes he dives for the ball. Sometimes he runs deep. Sometimes he pretends to miss and says,"Oh, almost!" We also pretend hit. When he's pitching to me, I have to wait to see if he calls a strike or waits for me to run to see if I pretend hit it or not! He'll yell, "Run the bases, Mama!" I also love to watch him hit. He has better form than I do and sometimes taps the plate and his shoes before getting in his batter stance. We never taught him any of this. He just picks it up from watching the players! He lets me know when I'm supposed to run the bases and slide home. Turns out I'm pretty good pretend ball player. I think I've made about 12 home runs this week. . .</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Pierson says, the "y" sound instead of "l" which I think is so cute. We went to Lake Brownwood this weekend f0r Labor Day and while riding in the boat, Pierson exclaimed excitedly, "I yove the yake!"</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Pierson loves his friends right now. He prays often for LeviWoll (Levi and Will-- his little twin buddies) and Mammox (Maddox). One night while listing off the names of several of his little 2 year old friends, Pierson added, "and Brandon" (His adult uncle.) I thought that was sweet. I think Pierson sees Brandon as one of the kids. It doesn't hurt that he's an assistant baseball coach at ACU so Pierson pretty much idolizes him. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. For some reason which I cannot figure out, Pierson has connected Dora the Explorer with our children's minister, Suzetta Nutt. He thinks they are one and the same. He asks to watch "Suzetta and Boots," he points to pictures of Dora in books and says, "Suzetta" every time. For those who don't know these two, Dora is a hispanic 4 year old and Suzetta is in her 40s and has blond hair. And although Ava tries to explain the difference all the time, Pierson cannot be convinced that Dora and Suzetta are not the same person. </div><div><br /></div><div>6. He loves to wear his baseball shoes (tennis shoes) all the time. I can hardly get him to put on anything else. He has been sleeping in them lately because he never wants to take them off. He also loves to wear his baseball hat like K-Papa and daddy. He feels he must be wearing these two items in order to throw, hit or catch a baseball, even a pretend one. </div><div><br /></div><div>7. I know that most of these are about sports, but Pierson really is fascinated with any kind sport. In the evenings when Chad gets home, he and Pierson usually sit down and watch baseball, and now football. Sometimes they find a soccer or even a tennis game. I am endlessly amazed at how long these sporting events hold his attention. He also loves his daddy. Once Chad comes home, he wants to be by his side until bed time. It's so sweet to see how much they both love to be together. </div><div><br /></div><div>8. Pierson also loves his baby cousin, Eydie. The other day out of the blue he came to me and said, "I wan see baby Eydie. She's coot (cute)." We had to take a walk to Kate's house to fulfill such a sweet request.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Ava and Pierson have been playing great together lately. She recently said that if we have another baby she hopes it's a boy because boys are so funny. Pierson will do anything to make her laugh. It usually involves some kind of slap stick fall. He will do it over and over as long as she keeps laughing. </div><div><br /></div><div>10. Pierson is a jokester. We took him to his first Major League game at The Ballpark in Arlington last month. The Rangers were playing the Red Sox. Pierson heard people yelling, "Go Red Sox," and starting chanting that too. Chad told him to say "Go Rangers" not Red Sox, but this only made Pierson laugh. Now any time we watch baseball he yells, "Go Red Sox" and then turns to see Chad's reaction. Chad always says, "No not the Red Sox!" which Pierson thinks is hilarious. He's now started cheering for the Eagles instead of the Cowboys too. . .</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSG0CdBTVI/AAAAAAAABLo/0sGELI-rVBU/s1600-h/IMG_2878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSG0CdBTVI/AAAAAAAABLo/0sGELI-rVBU/s400/IMG_2878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378572083557125458" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSGyoJsq7I/AAAAAAAABLY/WZxq_dG5GXo/s1600-h/IMG_2850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSGyoJsq7I/AAAAAAAABLY/WZxq_dG5GXo/s400/IMG_2850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378572059316890546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSGyMJJFhI/AAAAAAAABLQ/R_fLp7qK1Zk/s1600-h/IMG_2841.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSGyMJJFhI/AAAAAAAABLQ/R_fLp7qK1Zk/s400/IMG_2841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378572051798365714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSGxvPESWI/AAAAAAAABLI/KPsO97IOoQY/s1600-h/IMG_2836.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSGxvPESWI/AAAAAAAABLI/KPsO97IOoQY/s400/IMG_2836.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378572044038588770" /></a><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSIx-vrSrI/AAAAAAAABLw/MneVvgjli0U/s1600-h/IMG_2791.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SqSIx-vrSrI/AAAAAAAABLw/MneVvgjli0U/s400/IMG_2791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378574247225150130" /></a><br /></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-25004788098854452322009-08-31T13:48:00.000-07:002009-08-31T21:02:34.397-07:00End of Summer BluesI've got the End of Summer Blues. I was appropriately named because summertime has always been my favorite season of the year. I love basking in the sun, swimming, snow cones and ice cream, late evenings with friends, various trips, 4th of July, camps, no school and less of a schedule! This summer did not disappoint. We were busy, but we had a lot of lazy days too. I can't believe that August is over and YCW starts back next week along with a busier schedule again. I do look forward to cooler fall days. <div><br /></div><div>Here is our August at a glance. We. . .<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">. . .had fun at Carly's wedding and reception at the Horseshoe Bay resort.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC66El9bI/AAAAAAAABK4/G8_llkFzNd8/s1600-h/IMG_2716.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC66El9bI/AAAAAAAABK4/G8_llkFzNd8/s400/IMG_2716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376245634961896882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC7d4fz3I/AAAAAAAABLA/nYfo0tiYWxo/s1600-h/IMG_2711.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC7d4fz3I/AAAAAAAABLA/nYfo0tiYWxo/s400/IMG_2711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376245644574838642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC6cXZnPI/AAAAAAAABKw/h_wMDO0Cvp8/s1600-h/IMG_2718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC6cXZnPI/AAAAAAAABKw/h_wMDO0Cvp8/s400/IMG_2718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376245626987715826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC5zs6czI/AAAAAAAABKo/PosAO0piCaY/s1600-h/IMG_2708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC5zs6czI/AAAAAAAABKo/PosAO0piCaY/s400/IMG_2708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376245616072094514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC5Vd3oQI/AAAAAAAABKg/DSrtzkynqvw/s1600-h/IMG_2740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxC5Vd3oQI/AAAAAAAABKg/DSrtzkynqvw/s400/IMG_2740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376245607955931394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . . dressed up fancy with cousin Carly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Pierson and Ava were in the wedding.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBQupsFGI/AAAAAAAABKY/uOD0Z22PCjg/s1600-h/IMG_2699.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBQupsFGI/AAAAAAAABKY/uOD0Z22PCjg/s400/IMG_2699.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376243810830128226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBQFUWVEI/AAAAAAAABKQ/t87vW1D6f1A/s1600-h/IMG_2696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBQFUWVEI/AAAAAAAABKQ/t87vW1D6f1A/s400/IMG_2696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376243799734768706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBPrqrgJI/AAAAAAAABKI/vm0AsWMeAOE/s1600-h/IMG_2695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBPrqrgJI/AAAAAAAABKI/vm0AsWMeAOE/s400/IMG_2695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376243792849109138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . .spent time with aunts and cousins at Carly's Bridal Luncheon.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBO_FPgaI/AAAAAAAABKA/oenektXRt_o/s1600-h/IMG_2687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBO_FPgaI/AAAAAAAABKA/oenektXRt_o/s400/IMG_2687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376243780880925090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . .dug in the sand with "LeviWoll" at Horseshoe Bay.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBOayFipI/AAAAAAAABJ4/S7xLucPPwjw/s1600-h/IMG_2672.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SpxBOayFipI/AAAAAAAABJ4/S7xLucPPwjw/s400/IMG_2672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376243771136903826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . .splashed around at the Eastland Water Park!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-JJBnNLI/AAAAAAAABJw/fs-jyVlTgLs/s1600-h/IMG_2753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-JJBnNLI/AAAAAAAABJw/fs-jyVlTgLs/s400/IMG_2753.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376240381935957170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-IlLHf0I/AAAAAAAABJo/UcuOV8h1IL0/s1600-h/IMG_2755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-IlLHf0I/AAAAAAAABJo/UcuOV8h1IL0/s400/IMG_2755.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376240372312145730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-IBnUIkI/AAAAAAAABJg/aAced6lnpFM/s1600-h/IMG_2757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-IBnUIkI/AAAAAAAABJg/aAced6lnpFM/s400/IMG_2757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376240362766737986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">. . .read books with Grandma Ruby.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-HU56IKI/AAAAAAAABJY/p7aMNiISZdQ/s1600-h/IMG_2758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-HU56IKI/AAAAAAAABJY/p7aMNiISZdQ/s400/IMG_2758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376240350765129890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-G-dbc5I/AAAAAAAABJQ/PBLcMd64Gwk/s1600-h/IMG_2765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw-G-dbc5I/AAAAAAAABJQ/PBLcMd64Gwk/s400/IMG_2765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376240344740098962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . .played with friends</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8kLwFgrI/AAAAAAAABJI/gUCcYbwy_qc/s1600-h/IMG_2769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8kLwFgrI/AAAAAAAABJI/gUCcYbwy_qc/s400/IMG_2769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376238647500964530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . .enjoyed a late night Rangers game with dad.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8jsU28uI/AAAAAAAABJA/Hi9LTIe2Zv0/s1600-h/IMG_2801.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8jsU28uI/AAAAAAAABJA/Hi9LTIe2Zv0/s400/IMG_2801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376238639065264866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8jH3C_5I/AAAAAAAABI4/13UGdF0shw4/s1600-h/IMG_2794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8jH3C_5I/AAAAAAAABI4/13UGdF0shw4/s400/IMG_2794.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376238629276549010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8igRKnII/AAAAAAAABIw/7BQqUUNLkPI/s1600-h/IMG_2793.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8igRKnII/AAAAAAAABIw/7BQqUUNLkPI/s400/IMG_2793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376238618648681602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8h_4pQ5I/AAAAAAAABIo/qARsuKElo3Q/s1600-h/IMG_2796.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw8h_4pQ5I/AAAAAAAABIo/qARsuKElo3Q/s400/IMG_2796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376238609955898258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">. . .visited Julia and the girls in Fort Worth.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw66dEEQ0I/AAAAAAAABIg/J0yPKhSkl_c/s1600-h/IMG_2803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw66dEEQ0I/AAAAAAAABIg/J0yPKhSkl_c/s400/IMG_2803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376236831082038082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw65prwS_I/AAAAAAAABIY/9GVw6kTj1Lk/s1600-h/IMG_2807.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw65prwS_I/AAAAAAAABIY/9GVw6kTj1Lk/s400/IMG_2807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376236817289858034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">. . .started a new Pre-K program called Stepping Stones. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(In this photo with Teacher Sherri, Ava is already</div><div style="text-align: center;"> dressed up after just walking in the door.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw65IihRDI/AAAAAAAABIQ/6bBPg0CKKL0/s1600-h/IMG_2810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw65IihRDI/AAAAAAAABIQ/6bBPg0CKKL0/s400/IMG_2810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376236808392754226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">. . .enjoyed a wild and windy kick off to the ACU football season!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw64trj1kI/AAAAAAAABII/zvO3oYI1ImQ/s1600-h/IMG_2815.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw64trj1kI/AAAAAAAABII/zvO3oYI1ImQ/s400/IMG_2815.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376236801182914114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw64O4JQeI/AAAAAAAABIA/7RjykyN9Vcg/s1600-h/IMG_2812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Spw64O4JQeI/AAAAAAAABIA/7RjykyN9Vcg/s400/IMG_2812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376236792914199010" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">We are looking forward to what the fall will bring-- two birthdays, a zoo party, new teachers and classrooms, Homecoming, more football, the pumpkin patch, and dressing up for Halloween! (In my next post, I will write about my sweet husband and a surprise birthday trip.)</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-28999886365545413902009-07-30T05:55:00.000-07:002009-07-30T08:18:34.627-07:00New YorkAva and I got to spend an amazing 6 days in New York on a trip planned by my mother-in-law, Ruby. All of the girls on Chad's side of the family attended, making 7 in all ranging in age from 4 to 66 and covering 3 generations. Ava loved getting to hang out with the big girls all week and was a trooper as we toured all over the city and kept her up late every night. Here are some of the highlights:<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls (minus Melissa who was sick) in Times Square</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrwffePqI/AAAAAAAABHY/LOz1a5fp8vI/s1600-h/IMG_2653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrwffePqI/AAAAAAAABHY/LOz1a5fp8vI/s400/IMG_2653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364257480750546594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Museum of Modern Art</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrvoWwzFI/AAAAAAAABHI/qzA4WTt7IjA/s1600-h/IMG_2649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrvoWwzFI/AAAAAAAABHI/qzA4WTt7IjA/s400/IMG_2649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364257465950063698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a room at the MOMA where you write your name in marker at your height. The effect in a large room with so many millions of names is pretty cool. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGprmRTReI/AAAAAAAABHA/VWw4xeGMyoQ/s1600-h/IMG_2647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGprmRTReI/AAAAAAAABHA/VWw4xeGMyoQ/s400/IMG_2647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364255197647554018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Statue of Liberty</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGpraxn5zI/AAAAAAAABG4/Y5ny_inc6yE/s1600-h/IMG_2634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGpraxn5zI/AAAAAAAABG4/Y5ny_inc6yE/s400/IMG_2634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364255194561898290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Riding the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGprJPP8SI/AAAAAAAABGw/H3zUsmfEXf8/s1600-h/IMG_2626.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGprJPP8SI/AAAAAAAABGw/H3zUsmfEXf8/s400/IMG_2626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364255189854318882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGpq5vnNHI/AAAAAAAABGo/xV__7_zPPHY/s1600-h/IMG_2625.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGpq5vnNHI/AAAAAAAABGo/xV__7_zPPHY/s400/IMG_2625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364255185695093874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The group in Rockefeller Plaza (with Tommy the Turtle who didn't get to come home with us. Apparently turtles are not allowed on airplanes. After much sadness and crying in the airport, we had to leave Tommy in New York. )</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGpqWoDO-I/AAAAAAAABGg/DoMDwPa8w-A/s1600-h/IMG_2620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGpqWoDO-I/AAAAAAAABGg/DoMDwPa8w-A/s400/IMG_2620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364255176268135394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava daydreaming in Central Park. I love this picture!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnVuCYNQI/AAAAAAAABGY/OPHygVjqccY/s1600-h/IMG_2614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnVuCYNQI/AAAAAAAABGY/OPHygVjqccY/s400/IMG_2614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364252622752068866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Museum of Natural History dinosaur exhibit</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnVDvZomI/AAAAAAAABGQ/tBFZhQSdrEo/s1600-h/IMG_2613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnVDvZomI/AAAAAAAABGQ/tBFZhQSdrEo/s400/IMG_2613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364252611398181474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava taking a nap after a long day. I wish I could have slept in that stroller a few times. We wore ourselves out walking all over Manhattan.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnUwPKEuI/AAAAAAAABGI/jdSSbGRXsSA/s1600-h/IMG_2597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnUwPKEuI/AAAAAAAABGI/jdSSbGRXsSA/s400/IMG_2597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364252606162670306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view from the Top of the Rock</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnUQUccaI/AAAAAAAABGA/mTz3cXm73NY/s1600-h/IMG_2604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnUQUccaI/AAAAAAAABGA/mTz3cXm73NY/s400/IMG_2604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364252597594911138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My niece Melissa and me at the Empire State Building. The lady taking this picture thought we were sisters. It is interesting to have a niece that is so close to my age. I loved hanging out with Melissa on this trip!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnUGTc8TI/AAAAAAAABF4/NjFmZrX_aVc/s1600-h/IMG_2593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGnUGTc8TI/AAAAAAAABF4/NjFmZrX_aVc/s400/IMG_2593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364252594906394930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava and Ruby at the Empire State Building Observation Deck</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjFWE2anI/AAAAAAAABFw/4vWdDYSP1JM/s1600-h/IMG_2596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjFWE2anI/AAAAAAAABFw/4vWdDYSP1JM/s400/IMG_2596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364247943395568242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjFLRgXQI/AAAAAAAABFo/fnTUJbpsNcI/s1600-h/IMG_2591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjFLRgXQI/AAAAAAAABFo/fnTUJbpsNcI/s400/IMG_2591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364247940495858946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meeting the actress who played Mary Poppins</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjEgnvC7I/AAAAAAAABFg/9zGLPC-Q3oE/s1600-h/IMG_2570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjEgnvC7I/AAAAAAAABFg/9zGLPC-Q3oE/s400/IMG_2570.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364247929046371250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We got to tour backstage with Zach, the boy who played Michael in Mary Poppins. We had extra tickets and Ruby handed them to two women at the door. It turned out to be Zach's mom and she made sure we got a backstage tour after the show! Ava was in heaven.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjERBX2_I/AAAAAAAABFY/4dhh4Z_Gjw0/s1600-h/IMG_2583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjERBX2_I/AAAAAAAABFY/4dhh4Z_Gjw0/s400/IMG_2583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364247924858936306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ava and Zach-- He was awesome in the show and such a cute kid!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjD5BCf0I/AAAAAAAABFQ/dn16utXHljk/s1600-h/IMG_2569.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGjD5BCf0I/AAAAAAAABFQ/dn16utXHljk/s400/IMG_2569.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364247918415085378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Riding the carousel in Central Park</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGchuGqvrI/AAAAAAAABFI/Rs5BJYEGtGw/s1600-h/IMG_2560.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGchuGqvrI/AAAAAAAABFI/Rs5BJYEGtGw/s400/IMG_2560.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364240734300585650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting the morning started from the front porch of our home away from home in Harlem. That stroller saved the day. There is no way we could have survived that much walking without a stroller. I got pretty good at folding it up quickly to get through the subway turnstiles. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGchF2A4vI/AAAAAAAABFA/aAtQf6yX2nQ/s1600-h/IMG_2557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGchF2A4vI/AAAAAAAABFA/aAtQf6yX2nQ/s400/IMG_2557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364240723493315314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My photos are all out of order. This was actually taken our first night in NY before Gay and Karaline arrived. We bought that dress up outfit for Ava earlier in the day at Toys 'R Us and she couldn't wait to wear it. She walked all over the city in that little outfit!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGcg7gw3LI/AAAAAAAABE4/5UcVQ-3-jWU/s1600-h/IMG_2554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGcg7gw3LI/AAAAAAAABE4/5UcVQ-3-jWU/s400/IMG_2554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364240720719830194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Being silly with Grandma Ruby</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGcgdmr6-I/AAAAAAAABEw/LewFeWLLMoI/s1600-h/IMG_2541.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGcgdmr6-I/AAAAAAAABEw/LewFeWLLMoI/s400/IMG_2541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364240712691608546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So excited by the ferris wheel inside of Toys 'R Us! Ava was squealing with delight at the sensory overload of a 3 story toy store AND a ferris wheel. It was hilarious!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGyzmHJsGI/AAAAAAAABH4/rBz3Mad24Ks/s1600-h/IMG_2534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGyzmHJsGI/AAAAAAAABH4/rBz3Mad24Ks/s400/IMG_2534.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364265230648586338" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGcgH1N2-I/AAAAAAAABEo/ZEWSWfBDRWY/s1600-h/IMG_2534.JPG"><br /><div> </div></a><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you again Ruby for this trip. We loved it!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGsUzyjiYI/AAAAAAAABHw/6-CjIF1YfAQ/s1600-h/IMG_2616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGsUzyjiYI/AAAAAAAABHw/6-CjIF1YfAQ/s400/IMG_2616.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364258104674584962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One more view of the city. . .</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrxJ_rzBI/AAAAAAAABHo/OOqvLWs0FSo/s1600-h/IMG_2551.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrxJ_rzBI/AAAAAAAABHo/OOqvLWs0FSo/s400/IMG_2551.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364257492159941650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On our last night in Manhattan, we went to the Museum of wax. Ava dancing with Beyonce! </div><div style="text-align: center;">All the single ladies, all the single ladies. . .</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrwm1_1tI/AAAAAAAABHg/OX_93CM6Xu0/s1600-h/IMG_2661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SnGrwm1_1tI/AAAAAAAABHg/OX_93CM6Xu0/s400/IMG_2661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364257482724071122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">7 Girls, 5 Decades, 3 Generations, 1 NY Trip of a Lifetime! </div><div style="text-align: center;">(This was what was written on our sign at the Today show.) </div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-91980824037958836642009-07-27T05:56:00.000-07:002009-07-27T06:18:22.908-07:00It's almost wedding time. . .<div>In honor of my cousin Carly's wedding this Saturday, I am posting a great wedding video from youtube. I know this has made the rounds so you may have already seen this, but if you need a pick me up on this Monday morning watch this wedding entrance from a couple in Minnesota who knows how to have fun! You can't help but smile. Love it.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry I don't know how to upload a youtube video. Just click on the link above.</div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-11880169960169021672009-07-24T20:18:00.000-07:002009-07-24T22:06:33.107-07:00Art Camp '09Ava wanted to go to a camp this summer and after looking into our limited options for preschoolers, I decided to create an art camp on my own. July 6th-10th I taught a Preschool Art Camp from 9 to noon and an Elementary Art Camp from 2 to 5. What a week! It was a ton of fun and hard work, but I think the kids enjoyed it. We featured an artist everyday, worked on daily sketchbooks and skills, and created 9 projects from a variety of mediums to take home. Here are some pictures from the week:<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">My Cute Preschool Class</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqOo2hWUXI/AAAAAAAABEg/Xxrqiv5jifs/s1600-h/IMG_2469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqOo2hWUXI/AAAAAAAABEg/Xxrqiv5jifs/s400/IMG_2469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362255138819297650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Wild and Crazy Elementary Kiddos</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL1NxwMUI/AAAAAAAABEI/NP48pnJX0RA/s1600-h/IMG_2509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL1NxwMUI/AAAAAAAABEI/NP48pnJX0RA/s400/IMG_2509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252052685664578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One of the preschool tables with their helper, Miss Jaci</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL0OeASSI/AAAAAAAABD4/T42nS2eWeEI/s1600-h/IMG_2449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL0OeASSI/AAAAAAAABD4/T42nS2eWeEI/s400/IMG_2449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252035691399458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Japanese style Shoji Screen </div><div style="text-align: center;">(tissue paper, wax paper, craft foam and ribbon)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIZ7P5MSI/AAAAAAAABDg/yivS1pzbvG0/s1600-h/IMG_2493.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIZ7P5MSI/AAAAAAAABDg/yivS1pzbvG0/s400/IMG_2493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362248285320458530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Clay Bowl</div><div style="text-align: center;">(air dry clay)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIZspggWI/AAAAAAAABDY/DnOSyH7isks/s1600-h/IMG_2496.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIZspggWI/AAAAAAAABDY/DnOSyH7isks/s400/IMG_2496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362248281401360738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIZFiIPlI/AAAAAAAABDQ/mjbfMgFQn24/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIZFiIPlI/AAAAAAAABDQ/mjbfMgFQn24/s400/IMG_2454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362248270901427794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Paper Mache Bowl</div><div style="text-align: center;">(paper mache, newsprint, and tissue paper)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIaRF8i7I/AAAAAAAABDo/ARcoKl1l9ms/s1600-h/IMG_2494.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIaRF8i7I/AAAAAAAABDo/ARcoKl1l9ms/s400/IMG_2494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362248291184315314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqExpp8L9I/AAAAAAAABDI/kqvGw-IRW-c/s1600-h/IMG_2487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqExpp8L9I/AAAAAAAABDI/kqvGw-IRW-c/s400/IMG_2487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244294868217810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Self Portrait</div><div style="text-align: center;">(pencil, marker and crayon on drawing paper)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqExJCEDEI/AAAAAAAABDA/jCgascmVwM0/s1600-h/IMG_2491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqExJCEDEI/AAAAAAAABDA/jCgascmVwM0/s400/IMG_2491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244286111026242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqEwoLCEFI/AAAAAAAABC4/bjfvM6eDMwU/s1600-h/IMG_2490.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqEwoLCEFI/AAAAAAAABC4/bjfvM6eDMwU/s400/IMG_2490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244277290274898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqEv86nnFI/AAAAAAAABCo/xnuUfzoyc1o/s1600-h/IMG_2463.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqEv86nnFI/AAAAAAAABCo/xnuUfzoyc1o/s400/IMG_2463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244265678707794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dali inspired Surreal Collage</div><div style="text-align: center;">(magazine cut outs and pastels on pastel paper)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL0t3fkwI/AAAAAAAABEA/Ce4eYxGBWaU/s1600-h/IMG_2489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL0t3fkwI/AAAAAAAABEA/Ce4eYxGBWaU/s400/IMG_2489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252044119806722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp99QxmUWI/AAAAAAAABCg/9L4SzqU3yn0/s1600-h/IMG_2466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp99QxmUWI/AAAAAAAABCg/9L4SzqU3yn0/s400/IMG_2466.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362236797766488418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Abstract Painting</div><div style="text-align: center;">(paint on paper)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp98w5SwJI/AAAAAAAABCY/Dwx0MmhryRo/s1600-h/IMG_2464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp98w5SwJI/AAAAAAAABCY/Dwx0MmhryRo/s400/IMG_2464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362236789208826002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp98c3B8zI/AAAAAAAABCQ/sBRw4ut4EEg/s1600-h/IMG_2483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp98c3B8zI/AAAAAAAABCQ/sBRw4ut4EEg/s400/IMG_2483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362236783830627122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mosaic Stepping Stone</div><div style="text-align: center;">(tile and marble in cement)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp98Jvr47I/AAAAAAAABCI/q7kdXqJMYSA/s1600-h/IMG_2495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp98Jvr47I/AAAAAAAABCI/q7kdXqJMYSA/s400/IMG_2495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362236778699547570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp97cZvRoI/AAAAAAAABCA/lymgBQZeqnI/s1600-h/IMG_2461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp97cZvRoI/AAAAAAAABCA/lymgBQZeqnI/s400/IMG_2461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362236766527899266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Watercolor Still Life</div><div style="text-align: center;">(pencil, watercolor and marker on watercolor paper)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8EDSn4iI/AAAAAAAABB4/Vkkzj6jKzSQ/s1600-h/IMG_2497.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8EDSn4iI/AAAAAAAABB4/Vkkzj6jKzSQ/s400/IMG_2497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362234715382735394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8Dt1TQjI/AAAAAAAABBw/u1jHG3q4fAk/s1600-h/IMG_2485.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8Dt1TQjI/AAAAAAAABBw/u1jHG3q4fAk/s400/IMG_2485.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362234709622604338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8DZZpbrI/AAAAAAAABBo/H4b-fthCweU/s1600-h/IMG_2465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8DZZpbrI/AAAAAAAABBo/H4b-fthCweU/s400/IMG_2465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362234704137907890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Warhol inspired Pop Art</div><div style="text-align: center;">(watercolor on photocopied prints)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8C6LYdoI/AAAAAAAABBg/zqlNCRT2scI/s1600-h/IMG_2484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8C6LYdoI/AAAAAAAABBg/zqlNCRT2scI/s400/IMG_2484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362234695756576386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8CQ0vOcI/AAAAAAAABBY/RxQZeTHjTcg/s1600-h/IMG_2462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Smp8CQ0vOcI/AAAAAAAABBY/RxQZeTHjTcg/s400/IMG_2462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362234684655745474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ava showing off her Art Camp Diploma</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIa6rRX2I/AAAAAAAABDw/U26NErhqUvY/s1600-h/IMG_2481.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqIa6rRX2I/AAAAAAAABDw/U26NErhqUvY/s400/IMG_2481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362248302346723170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My amazing table helpers</div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't have made it through the week without them!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL13hwsuI/AAAAAAAABEY/TiMGYwrI8t8/s1600-h/IMG_2480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL13hwsuI/AAAAAAAABEY/TiMGYwrI8t8/s400/IMG_2480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252063892878050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Every kid got to take home their Art Bucket full of supplies to keep </div><div style="text-align: center;">creating at home and their art camp aprons.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL1Y2pJmI/AAAAAAAABEQ/KHj3jvo8jyw/s1600-h/IMG_2505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SmqL1Y2pJmI/AAAAAAAABEQ/KHj3jvo8jyw/s400/IMG_2505.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252055658964578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned for photos from our New York trip. . .</div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-11602545602952788752009-07-06T19:48:00.001-07:002009-07-07T05:50:46.399-07:00Happy Birthday!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><div style="text-align: left; ">This is a birthday post! I have three important people with birthdays this week:</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">My sister Kate is turning 28 today! She is an amazing sister and friend. I love her so much more than I can describe in words. I have loved watching her with Eydie. She is already such a great mom! I am so glad that we get to share the joys and struggles of motherhood together. </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SlKxZHyNKbI/AAAAAAAABA4/czYqEMjic_Y/s1600-h/IMG_1638.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SlKxZHyNKbI/AAAAAAAABA4/czYqEMjic_Y/s400/IMG_1638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355537952041413042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My friend Leslie is turning 30 today! She has become one of my closest friends since we moved to Abilene. I love hanging out with this girl! She is always real, always sincere, and hilarious. Happy Birthday, Leslie (and thanks for watching Pierson and Ava.) When I asked you originally I had no idea it would fall on your 30th. I owe you big time!</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><img src="webkit-fake-url://63AB22E7-746D-4228-8DA5-7D7AF5C4A7F4/Gruene+008.jpg" alt="Gruene+008.jpg" /></p><div><br /></div><div>My mom's birthday is Thursday. I am so thankful to have such a supportive mom! She has always challenged and encouraged me. I love watching her be grandma "sasi" to my kids. They adore her. She even made this Little House on the Prairie outfit for Ava. Love you, mom!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SlKxZc8DYzI/AAAAAAAABBA/R8t34nDZMxE/s1600-h/IMG_1752.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SlKxZc8DYzI/AAAAAAAABBA/R8t34nDZMxE/s400/IMG_1752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355537957719860018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">I have so much I could say about each of these people, but I am Art Camped out tonight as I type this and I need to get a few things ready for tomorrow. I did want to give a shout out though and tell you how thankful I am for each of you! </div></div></span>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-48966417617001423892009-07-01T20:01:00.001-07:002009-07-01T20:54:07.091-07:00Bible Times Marketplace '09Every other June the Highland Children's Ministry staff and volunteers transform the gym and several classrooms into a Bible Times Marketplace. This has been a Highland tradition since 1985! I found pictures from 20 years ago, and many of the kids are now grown, married and have kids of their own. Preparing for this event takes an amazing amount of manpower, creativity, hard work and organization but in the end it is worth all our efforts to see the kids transported for a day to Jerusalem.<br /><br />Some of my favorite things about Marketplace this year:<br />1. Having the kids greet me with "Shalom" and wash my feet upon entering their homes (classrooms) as a visitor. There is something humbling and precious about having your feet washed by a 1st grader.<br />2. Watching different kids interact with a beggar and a leper in the Marketplace. Many responded with generosity and compassion.<br />3. Watching Ava listen to Jesus tell parables and enjoying how engaged she was in every word he said. (At the end of the day when I asked her what her favorite part of Marketplace was, she said without hesitation, "I liked hearing pretend Jesus tell us stories." I couldn't help but think about how Jesus's followers, children included, love to hear him tell stories as well.)<br />4. Hearing about one of our kindergarteners approaching our "pretend Jesus" and saying, "Hey! I thought you were in heaven with God." He can be pretty believable!<br />5. Seeing members of our congregation of all ages come together to create an authentic Marketplace experience for the kids complete with scribes, potter, fisherman, carpenters, metal and mosaic shop workers, a beggar, leper, Jesus and even a tax collector.<br />6. Seeing Pierson and Ava dressed in their Bible Times outfits. Ava decided Pierson looked like Jospeh. There is something so cute about a 1 year old Joseph!<br />7. Listening in as the family leaders taught their kids about Jewish tradition, culture, laws and Jesus in such engaging ways!<br />8. Hearing about one of the kids going up to Jesus and asking if he could heal his peanut allergy after watching a drama where Jesus healed the bleeding woman. (This made me laugh, but I love that he has that kind of faith! It doesn't take much for some children to suspend their disbelief. We tell them they are in Jerusalem and Jesus is here, and they believe it!)<br />9. Watching the kids become a part of Jesus' story through their interactions, singing, and relationships within their families and in the Marketplace.<br />10. Having the whole church get a taste of the Marketplace experience on Sunday morning as worship leaders, communion servers, kids and families wore their Bible times clothing. Jesus even preached, and the communion bread was made by the kids the day before in their family tribes!<br /><br />It was a great weekend. I'm thankful that I get to work at Highland. Now I am getting ready for Art Camp next week. I have two full sessions-- preschoolers in the morning and Elementary in the afternoon. It's going to be a fun week. Stay tuned for more on that later but for now, enjoy some Marketplace pictures. . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ava and Pierson dressed up and ready to go!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmWX37PkI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/963APV7Eqis/s1600-h/IMG_2354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmWX37PkI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/963APV7Eqis/s400/IMG_2354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353696222844239426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Potter's Shop-- The kids loved making their own pots and watching a real potter throw pots on an old wheel.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwnsVTKR7I/AAAAAAAABAI/Ipv1Vcgi4OM/s1600-h/IMG_2361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwnsVTKR7I/AAAAAAAABAI/Ipv1Vcgi4OM/s400/IMG_2361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353697699621914546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Zach and the boys-- Zach and Kara were family leaders and did an amazing job with their kids!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwnsJYE7uI/AAAAAAAABAA/tdz-h4PZCYs/s1600-h/IMG_2394.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwnsJYE7uI/AAAAAAAABAA/tdz-h4PZCYs/s400/IMG_2394.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353697696421310178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our little Joseph</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Skwnr0nzafI/AAAAAAAAA_4/b4l1irMCPzY/s1600-h/IMG_2357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Skwnr0nzafI/AAAAAAAAA_4/b4l1irMCPzY/s400/IMG_2357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353697690850126322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ava and me</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmX7UOvvI/AAAAAAAAA_w/guxhfsDX72Q/s1600-h/IMG_2391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmX7UOvvI/AAAAAAAAA_w/guxhfsDX72Q/s400/IMG_2391.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353696249538068210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Scribe Shop-- The kids learned to write their names in latin or greek. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmXSsmodI/AAAAAAAAA_o/NCsqIFTneE0/s1600-h/IMG_2375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmXSsmodI/AAAAAAAAA_o/NCsqIFTneE0/s400/IMG_2375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353696238634443218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Fish Shop-- This shop was a crowd favorite with live fish!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmW_Pos0I/AAAAAAAAA_g/8h7YfcOCnjM/s1600-h/IMG_2372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmW_Pos0I/AAAAAAAAA_g/8h7YfcOCnjM/s400/IMG_2372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353696233412670274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jesus telling a parable</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmWk5AafI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/tSb6fjL3c3Y/s1600-h/IMG_2387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwmWk5AafI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/tSb6fjL3c3Y/s400/IMG_2387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353696226338433522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Well</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuQ2kRp0I/AAAAAAAABAw/N_MFdRb2R2g/s1600-h/IMG_2376.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuQ2kRp0I/AAAAAAAABAw/N_MFdRb2R2g/s400/IMG_2376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353704924097128258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Carpentry Shop-- Kids got to build with wood and hammers.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuQmhD9ZI/AAAAAAAABAo/biSgvVVO0Is/s1600-h/IMG_2363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuQmhD9ZI/AAAAAAAABAo/biSgvVVO0Is/s400/IMG_2363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353704919788680594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jesus sits and talks to the beggar as kids are in the Marketplace shops.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuQAnRzdI/AAAAAAAABAg/oMd7ujTv7Fo/s1600-h/IMG_2371.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuQAnRzdI/AAAAAAAABAg/oMd7ujTv7Fo/s400/IMG_2371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353704909614206418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Metal Shop-- Kids hammered metal and made necklaces with jute.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuPuOfNvI/AAAAAAAABAY/RYKyMQZsxoc/s1600-h/IMG_2370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuPuOfNvI/AAAAAAAABAY/RYKyMQZsxoc/s400/IMG_2370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353704904678389490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Mosaic Shop-- Small mosaics were made with tile and glue.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuOVn2C8I/AAAAAAAABAQ/OUsEiul8Oec/s1600-h/IMG_2369.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkwuOVn2C8I/AAAAAAAABAQ/OUsEiul8Oec/s400/IMG_2369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353704880893987778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I missed getting a picture of the market where the kids got to buy their lunch for the day, but you get the idea! </div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-15995217152375437262009-06-25T19:13:00.000-07:002009-06-26T20:05:44.154-07:00Pierson and hats<div style="text-align: left;">Pierson loves hats. Just scrolling back through photos from the last 5 months I realized that he is wearing a hat in half of them. The red polka dot hat that is his current favorite is one of Ava's dress up hats. For some reason Pierson always finds it, puts it on and refuses to take it off. He has worn that silly red hat to the park, the grocery store, and has even slept in it. Someday he will probably be embarrassed by some of these pictures, but I think they are adorable. I also realized that he is wearing his pajamas in most of these photos too. His favorite look is his "baseball shoes," pj's and the red hat. He keeps us laughing! We get smiles everywhere we go because of this little guy and his love for hats. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1sfONeqVI/AAAAAAAAA9w/k67lYWeUNnc/s1600-h/IMG_1608.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1sfONeqVI/AAAAAAAAA9w/k67lYWeUNnc/s400/IMG_1608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345047616405023058" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1seyBGEtI/AAAAAAAAA9o/dPSn_ALDDT4/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1seyBGEtI/AAAAAAAAA9o/dPSn_ALDDT4/s400/IMG_1936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345047608836887250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1seiHpeeI/AAAAAAAAA9g/OZIuzpKdkZY/s1600-h/IMG_2133.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1seiHpeeI/AAAAAAAAA9g/OZIuzpKdkZY/s400/IMG_2133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345047604569405922" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q1JMj5TI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/AfXD9iR5JOk/s1600-h/IMG_1942.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q1JMj5TI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/AfXD9iR5JOk/s400/IMG_1942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345045793992860978" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q00KDqLI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/VKzTM76YhSg/s1600-h/IMG_1954.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q00KDqLI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/VKzTM76YhSg/s400/IMG_1954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345045788345215154" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q0iBUXGI/AAAAAAAAA9I/WmLefMvjGg0/s1600-h/IMG_2097.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q0iBUXGI/AAAAAAAAA9I/WmLefMvjGg0/s400/IMG_2097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345045783476722786" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1ukbYPV5I/AAAAAAAAA-A/8teyezGPJZ8/s1600-h/IMG_2115.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1ukbYPV5I/AAAAAAAAA-A/8teyezGPJZ8/s400/IMG_2115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345049904862418834" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1uj4TaEjI/AAAAAAAAA94/l5-lKHc-EYQ/s1600-h/IMG_2125.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1uj4TaEjI/AAAAAAAAA94/l5-lKHc-EYQ/s400/IMG_2125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345049895446909490" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q0OOGOCI/AAAAAAAAA84/9l8bmZcN1YA/s1600-h/IMG_2124.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Si1q0OOGOCI/AAAAAAAAA84/9l8bmZcN1YA/s400/IMG_2124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345045778161612834" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGZr9XzWfI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/S2tiwrTWCqg/s1600-h/IMG_2176.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGZr9XzWfI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/S2tiwrTWCqg/s400/IMG_2176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350726812780681714" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGZrh7LRxI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/JvMh4rw5yBM/s1600-h/IMG_2214.JPG"><br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGZrh7LRxI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/JvMh4rw5yBM/s400/IMG_2214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350726805412857618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Eydie came home today! We are so thankful for answered prayer. She is doing well. Tonight during bedtime prayers Pierson said (with no prompting from us) "Dear God, baby Eydie, baseball, outside." That is his list of things he's thankful for today. Baby Eydie came before baseball. That's pretty big for Pierson. For more on her homecoming go to <a href="http://katestover.blogspot.com/">Kate's blog</a>.</div></span>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-55597232434577724782009-06-23T20:22:00.001-07:002009-06-23T20:45:59.072-07:00Loving on Eydie<div style="text-align: left;">Tonight we went to visit Eydie. She is so adorable. Pictures don't do this girl justice. Kate and Brandon have had a great set up in the Family Room in the Nursery area at Hendrick. Even though Eydie is still on IV antibiotics they've been able to keep her in this room with them and the nurses come in and check on her every hour or so. Tomorrow they'll have to share it with another family, so Eydie will be in the NICU again most of the day. But I think it was nice for a few days to have some quiet family time. Tonight we got to spend a little time with her and since it is a private room Ava got to come in and see her for just a minute. (Kate asked for special permission because Ava has been desperately wanting to meet her cousin.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeF0fvUBI/AAAAAAAAA_A/bRm_bjypRos/s1600-h/IMG_2254.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeF0fvUBI/AAAAAAAAA_A/bRm_bjypRos/s400/IMG_2254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350731655121162258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeFmujPqI/AAAAAAAAA-4/V9Iyc7Suxjo/s1600-h/IMG_2251.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeFmujPqI/AAAAAAAAA-4/V9Iyc7Suxjo/s400/IMG_2251.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350731651425189538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Proud cousin!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeFGydO3I/AAAAAAAAA-w/TDt9Q-1rpRM/s1600-h/IMG_2250.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeFGydO3I/AAAAAAAAA-w/TDt9Q-1rpRM/s400/IMG_2250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350731642851638130" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Ava has been carrying around this doll all week wrapped in a pink blanket like Eydie's. You can see the resemblance with all that dark hair. Since she hadn't gotten to meet her cousin yet, I think it made her feel better to take care of her "Eydie" doll. She even slept with her. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeEw53ZpI/AAAAAAAAA-o/1Bqh9VdmbkY/s1600-h/IMG_2252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeEw53ZpI/AAAAAAAAA-o/1Bqh9VdmbkY/s400/IMG_2252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350731636977133202" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Here's one last picture of Eydie sleeping. She has an IV taped to her hand which is why it looks strange. We can't wait to welcome her home on Thursday! Thank you again for all of your prayers for healing. God has been so faithful and we give him all the glory for her quick recovery. Kate said that one of the nurses who was with Eydie right after she was born came in today for the first time since last Thursday and couldn't believe how well she is doing! What an answer to prayer. . .</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeEduPHVI/AAAAAAAAA-g/kn_iNr9xMC0/s1600-h/IMG_2259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SkGeEduPHVI/AAAAAAAAA-g/kn_iNr9xMC0/s400/IMG_2259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350731631828082002" /></a>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-81533255700122061602009-06-18T20:38:00.000-07:002009-06-18T21:00:02.834-07:00Please pray for my niece Eydie Paige<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SjsL1Ejwr4I/AAAAAAAAA-I/ZYFoGMbwEHE/s1600-h/IMG_2209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/SjsL1Ejwr4I/AAAAAAAAA-I/ZYFoGMbwEHE/s400/IMG_2209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348881988817301378" /></a><br />Thank you for all of your prayers, calls, texts, messages and visits today. It has meant a lot to all of us to feel the arms of God wrap around Kate and Brandon (and all of us) through the love and support of many of you. I can't imagine how hard it must be for my little sister to have the day she had today. My heart is aching for her that she is not getting to hold Eydie right now. I also cannot describe how hard it is to watch someone you love that much have such a hard, scary disappointing day especially when we were all expecting such a happy day! I posted on <a href="http://www.katestover.blogspot.com/">Kate's blog</a> with the latest on how Eydie is doing. You can check there for updates or to leave a comment of encouragement or prayer. I might be partial but she really the most beautiful little baby. I mean look at that hair! I can't wait to snuggle her myself soon, but I am longing to see her in Kate and Brandon's arms. <div><br /></div><div>We covet your prayers right now for Eydie Paige. Pray for strength and healing in her lungs, strong breaths and loud cries, wisdom for the doctors and nurses working on her, peace and comfort for Brandon, Kate and everyone who loves them. </div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-60869347756860078372009-06-10T22:38:00.000-07:002009-06-10T22:47:41.293-07:00Armoire Problem Solved & Redbud DesignsSo my grandpa came over to inspect the armoire situation, and discovered that it was a European armoire which can be disassembled fairly easily with no pulling out of nails or dismantling hardware. He unscrewed a couple of hinges that were holding the whole thing together and it came apart like a puzzle. Who knew? It took 3 of us to put it back together in the right room, but the whole process was only about an hour from start to finish. Not bad! Grandpa saves the day!<div><br /></div><div>I'm entering to win a new blog header from Sharon at <a href="http://redbuddesigns.blogspot.com/">Redbud Designs</a>. It's a long shot because I have never won anything in my entire life. Kate was the one who used to always win at cake walks and carnivals. I have zero of that winning karma. Maybe that's my problem-- negative self talk. This time, I'll try to think positively. I think I can win. I think I can win. I think can win. . .</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10626173.post-60798201083543953302009-06-06T20:52:00.000-07:002009-06-06T21:55:49.505-07:00This, that, and a little advice<div style="text-align: center;">This post has no rhyme or reason. It is a collection of random photos that have nothing to do with one another that I have been wanting to post for a while, so here they are . . . a little of this and a little of that:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am finally posting a few California pictures from a month ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;">While at Pepperdine, I got a chance to see "Uncle" John and Terri Rodriguez. They are old and dear friends of our family. (I was a flower girl in their wedding when I was four!)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_qUChprI/AAAAAAAAA8o/ik7-BufaSus/s1600-h/IMG_2041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_qUChprI/AAAAAAAAA8o/ik7-BufaSus/s400/IMG_2041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344435378971584178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We had so much fun getting to spend an afternoon with Katie Maxwell. We miss Katie so much, but loved getting to catch up for a day.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_qFpNAlI/AAAAAAAAA8g/xO_B4ZWM0vc/s1600-h/IMG_2039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_qFpNAlI/AAAAAAAAA8g/xO_B4ZWM0vc/s400/IMG_2039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344435375107277394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed a walk on the beach. I love getting to work with these women at Highland! I have learned so much from them.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_pw7_0vI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/kcEziXjst-8/s1600-h/IMG_2034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_pw7_0vI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/kcEziXjst-8/s400/IMG_2034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344435369548960498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ava and Pierson "babysitting"</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_pquWKkI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/3CCycFeTmM8/s1600-h/IMG_2122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_pquWKkI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/3CCycFeTmM8/s400/IMG_2122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344435367881091650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">For Chad's birthday, we went to spend time with friends and family in Fort Worth. While we were there, we went to a Rangers game.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis89CUIdlI/AAAAAAAAA8A/MoxfScvccfY/s1600-h/IMG_2104.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis89CUIdlI/AAAAAAAAA8A/MoxfScvccfY/s400/IMG_2104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344432402096223826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a picture of the family. Look closely at Chad's facial expression. We were trying to take a family photo at the exact moment that John Lackey was getting thrown out of the game after the second pitch. We could hear the crowd going crazy, but we were all focused on getting the picture. Chad and Kallan were the only two clued in to what was happening behind us. Chad is squinting to see the replay on the TV behind the photographer and was pretty ticked that he missed the whole thing for a picture.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis89DlZuMI/AAAAAAAAA8I/pqs0wKHfRvE/s1600-h/IMG_2107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis89DlZuMI/AAAAAAAAA8I/pqs0wKHfRvE/s400/IMG_2107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344432402437093570" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our good friends, The VanStaverns, came to spend the night with us because Jade was a flower girl in her cousin's wedding here in Abilene. Ava loved playing with Jade! The girls were super cute dancing together at the reception.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis88kmwjxI/AAAAAAAAA74/1JmqPEFgIVU/s1600-h/IMG_2140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis88kmwjxI/AAAAAAAAA74/1JmqPEFgIVU/s400/IMG_2140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344432394121285394" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7fZsblmI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/SsV5Zo_J_fw/s1600-h/IMG_2141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7fZsblmI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/SsV5Zo_J_fw/s400/IMG_2141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344430793464452706" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pierson got in on the action too. Can I get a what, what?</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_qhApahI/AAAAAAAAA8w/WxPOJ7ZaFcg/s1600-h/IMG_2150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis_qhApahI/AAAAAAAAA8w/WxPOJ7ZaFcg/s400/IMG_2150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344435382453365266" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">More spinning</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis88Sh6Z5I/AAAAAAAAA7w/pqqbsdcu8aM/s1600-h/IMG_2144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis88Sh6Z5I/AAAAAAAAA7w/pqqbsdcu8aM/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344432389269120914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I got a little teary at the wedding. Ava was on my lap and I realized how quickly time is going by already with these kids. Shannon (the bride) was a flower girl in Heather's wedding, and that seems like just a few years ago. Amazing!</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis88GWS0lI/AAAAAAAAA7o/GQ1jgTzGmDg/s1600-h/IMG_2136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis88GWS0lI/AAAAAAAAA7o/GQ1jgTzGmDg/s400/IMG_2136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344432385999163986" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Heather and I with our boys (minus Chance who was sword fighting at the time.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7fpauviI/AAAAAAAAA7g/zoMJ4z4i0Ac/s1600-h/IMG_2155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7fpauviI/AAAAAAAAA7g/zoMJ4z4i0Ac/s400/IMG_2155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344430797685177890" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And now on to the advice. It's for me not you, just in case the title of this post threw you. I bought this really cool armoire to solve a storage problem we have in our home. We love this house, but closets in older homes are always an issue. I currently use the closet in Ava's room and she has a small armoire, but is outgrowing it. So I found this HUGE one for a great price at an antique store here in town and had Chad go pick it up only to discover after we got it in the house that we can't get it down the hall! It is a great piece and I really want to keep it, but I don't know what to do short of taking the whole thing apart and reassembling it. Chad's not too keen on that idea. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7el0XIzI/AAAAAAAAA7A/MUur2SpW1b0/s1600-h/IMG_2167.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7el0XIzI/AAAAAAAAA7A/MUur2SpW1b0/s400/IMG_2167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344430779539071794" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is the sharp left turn we can't get the armoire to make in our hallway. I set a chair next to it in the picture above so you could get an idea of how big this thing is. Any ideas on how to make it work? Help! Lesson learned: measure furniture <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">before</span> you buy it. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7fEtmyGI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/kr4i9s8QRkc/s1600-h/IMG_2165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7aQhHLu_A_w/Sis7fEtmyGI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/kr4i9s8QRkc/s400/IMG_2165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344430787832236130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone want to buy a really big, really cute armoire that's sitting in the middle of my dining room?</div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698666688993530495noreply@blogger.com3