tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33680559189738118322024-03-13T14:00:20.120-07:00The Best of TimesReflecting on the little joys in each day.Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.comBlogger490125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-52011524082888075012012-03-20T10:55:00.000-07:002012-03-20T10:55:05.661-07:00Hello again....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">and Happy Spring!<br />
<br />
It's been quite a while since I've posted. I've been wrapped up in other things in real life, and something had to give. But I'm back now, and I'm trying to freshen things up here a bit.<br />
<br />
Hope you are enjoying this birds chirpin', flowers bloomin', warm breeze blowin', seed plantin' time of year. I, for one, am LOVING it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psuuhsL6Ng8/T2iCUqCp5WI/AAAAAAAAHKE/M9MpJSIHfLg/s1600/March2012+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psuuhsL6Ng8/T2iCUqCp5WI/AAAAAAAAHKE/M9MpJSIHfLg/s640/March2012+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evan's 1st picks of Spring for mommy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKKhDyIYRqc/T2iCdcPaqpI/AAAAAAAAHKM/gkozbwQnqDg/s1600/March2012+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKKhDyIYRqc/T2iCdcPaqpI/AAAAAAAAHKM/gkozbwQnqDg/s640/March2012+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some more picks from Evan, although these ones were meant to stay in the ground. That's okay, he was just tryiing to be sweet. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKCYxWbHC3w/T2iDPE5C5SI/AAAAAAAAHKU/xs_sgKd4I7M/s1600/FebMarch2012+409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKCYxWbHC3w/T2iDPE5C5SI/AAAAAAAAHKU/xs_sgKd4I7M/s640/FebMarch2012+409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying an unseasonably warm winter day at the park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i58DJVnV0k/T2iDSk0FBwI/AAAAAAAAHKc/-FpBhkBGl5Y/s1600/FebMarch2012+402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i58DJVnV0k/T2iDSk0FBwI/AAAAAAAAHKc/-FpBhkBGl5Y/s640/FebMarch2012+402.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">70 degrees in winter?! LOVE it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Have a HAPPY DAY!<br />
<br />
Make it SPECIAL!<br />
<br />
Be back soon!<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-85447489860257905142012-01-23T20:54:00.000-08:002012-01-23T20:54:01.130-08:00A Christmas Gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Alexa got a new apron for Christmas. I made it for her. I guess you could say I cheated. Okay, I cheated, bigtime. It was an already sewn, denim apron. I just "customized" it for her, but she appreciates it like I sewed every stitch myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijq0BjgJjSI/Tx40J12uf0I/AAAAAAAAHIc/8gNfinlVzQQ/s1600/January2012+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijq0BjgJjSI/Tx40J12uf0I/AAAAAAAAHIc/8gNfinlVzQQ/s640/January2012+102.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4dPRkbJKfs/Tx40M59BrPI/AAAAAAAAHIk/Tn7NUYNI_ZY/s1600/January2012+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4dPRkbJKfs/Tx40M59BrPI/AAAAAAAAHIk/Tn7NUYNI_ZY/s640/January2012+103.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> She couldn't wait to try it out. So for the Feast of Saint Agnes, she and I made a vanilla cake together. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v8ag4oECanU/Tx40Pnm1xqI/AAAAAAAAHIs/3_3hDzeEe-U/s1600/January2012+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v8ag4oECanU/Tx40Pnm1xqI/AAAAAAAAHIs/3_3hDzeEe-U/s640/January2012+100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nevermind that it was from a box. She still cracked the eggs (which was hysterical to watch because she was so grossed out by the "gook" inside), and measured the oil and water. She mixed it all up with the beater and helped me pour it into the pan. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y55TdaWfd70/Tx40SBvFyWI/AAAAAAAAHI0/A-XOodI6zo4/s1600/January2012+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y55TdaWfd70/Tx40SBvFyWI/AAAAAAAAHI0/A-XOodI6zo4/s640/January2012+108.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We went a little "fancy" with the bundt cake pan. It turned out to be a pretty, tasty cake. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpztH3rapeg/Tx40WpzsUJI/AAAAAAAAHI8/Ar5nNz-9zOw/s1600/January2012+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpztH3rapeg/Tx40WpzsUJI/AAAAAAAAHI8/Ar5nNz-9zOw/s640/January2012+113.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We made a glaze from scratch using vanilla, milk and powdered sugar. We kinda guessed with the measurements on that.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Some snowflake sprinkles were added for a finishing touch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vT7jsRxa9Ck/Tx40mOdEDTI/AAAAAAAAHJM/LguJdgo5ovY/s1600/January2012+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vT7jsRxa9Ck/Tx40mOdEDTI/AAAAAAAAHJM/LguJdgo5ovY/s640/January2012+125.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
I <em>thought</em> that was the finishing touch, but apparently Alexa decided it needed some color and pizzazz and glammed it up a bit with green sugar sprinkles when my back was turned. "Now it's finished!" she declared. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcSY0JGsQwU/Tx40gsLzA7I/AAAAAAAAHJE/vzGhKqDZRJw/s1600/January2012+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcSY0JGsQwU/Tx40gsLzA7I/AAAAAAAAHJE/vzGhKqDZRJw/s640/January2012+132.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It was almost gone by the end of our Teatime. ~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-67twdVPBduU/Tx400Hhq5KI/AAAAAAAAHJc/deCCAQP0k2E/s1600/January2012+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-67twdVPBduU/Tx400Hhq5KI/AAAAAAAAHJc/deCCAQP0k2E/s640/January2012+141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFoBxKc0bAY/Tx406DDIsNI/AAAAAAAAHJk/NJy-Jy6Oabo/s1600/January2012+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFoBxKc0bAY/Tx406DDIsNI/AAAAAAAAHJk/NJy-Jy6Oabo/s640/January2012+154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHNy_79VZZY/Tx41B0C02bI/AAAAAAAAHJs/2XyobOneRF0/s1600/January2012+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHNy_79VZZY/Tx41B0C02bI/AAAAAAAAHJs/2XyobOneRF0/s640/January2012+159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We managed to save some for Taylor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DVJS11sue0/Tx448OqK4hI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/hygWaMSmeAA/s1600/January2012+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DVJS11sue0/Tx448OqK4hI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/hygWaMSmeAA/s640/January2012+119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I've missed these relaxing Afternoon Teas. And so have the kids, apparently. Of course who am I kidding? They are crazy for cake. They like hearing an interesting story or two about a Saint, but everything is better with cake.<br />
<br />
We didn't do a craft with this Teatime. I was trying to keep it low key. I was pleasantly surprised by how much Evan remembered about Saint Agnes. I have been reading to him every day....one Bible Story and one Saint Story, but I wasn't sure just how much he was retaining (or even paying attention). The girls each knew a bit about her, too, so we discussed her heroic life during the Caketime.....I mean, Teatime. ;)<br />
<br />
Alexa's handmade (....ahem....) apron held up very well, and she can't wait till we bake again!<br />
<br />
Have a pleasant week, everyone!<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-20858190025383981862012-01-22T06:28:00.000-08:002012-01-22T06:28:56.515-08:00On a Reading Frenzy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I think I mentioned in a Daybook once, that I had long since gotten out of the habit of reading books for me. Just for me. For pleasure. <br />
<br />
I read for information and knowledge and inspiration.<br />
<br />
I read to educate, to entertain and to share and bond with my children. Picture books, chapter books. Lots of delightful books, really, and I enjoyed, still enjoy, reading stories with my kids. <br />
It's one of my favorite things in the world to do.<br />
<br />
But, over this past summer I began reading for me again, just for fun! And it is <em>so</em> fun! I completely enjoy it! <br />
I have found that 13 year old girl inside myself again. The one who can't wait to slip away and become deeply involved in someone elses life. It feels like I'm right there for the ride of <em>their</em> lives! I have laughed and cried. I've become angry at the injustice (and stupidity in some cases) and have been so anxious to see what's going to happen next! (To the point of losing sleep because I can't put the book down!)<br />
<br />
I am thrilled with books now.<br />
<br />
I will continue to read to my kids, because that's just a wonderful experience for all of us. It's one of the best parts of being a parent. You get to sit, super-snuggly-close if you want to and dive into another world with your favorite little people! And afterwards you can talk about it, if they want to and it can open doors to all kinds of great conversations and insight into their cute little minds and how they feel about things. <br />
<br />
Awesome.<br />
<br />
I want to start a personal log or journal of sorts. I want to list all the books I've read and review them, for myself, to know if I should ever venture to reread them or recommend them to a friend. <br />
<br />
But before I go on, I should mention that I do not care at all for cheesy romance novels.<br />
<br />
Ick. Blech. Gross.<br />
<br />
I gave them a fair shake, too, I have to say. I wanted some sweet little Christmas stories to read during Advent. Just something with a cozy feel to it. I ordered 2 from the library. They had good recommendations from other readers. <br />
<br />
Ick. Blech. Gross.<br />
<br />
I finished them because I didn't want to feel defeated or like I gave up too soon. "Maybe it will get better" I'd say to myself. No. It did not. Both books were just cheesy. Possibly they are just not my style. Maybe they rated so high because there are a lot of other people who prefer this kind of book. So if you do, don't go by my judgement. They were just not for me.<br />
<br />
I don't shun romance in books <em>always</em>. I like the classic Pride and Prejudice and such. But this modern day malarky. It just left me with a feeling of, "Really?.....oh come on!"<br />
<br />
Now that I dissed a certain type of book, I should mention some I liked. I've always like Little House books. They take me back to my 13 year old-book-lovin' self. Maybe that's why they still appeal to me. I recently reread The Little House on the Prairie and The Long Winter and enjoyed them both immensely. Good wintertime reads.<br />
<br />
I also read more from my kids shelves......The Cottage at Bantry Bay series (it was ok), The Letzenstein Chronicles (4 books....loved them all), And a bunch of other classics.<br />
<br />
More recently I read The Secret Life of Bees (good book!), and The Hunger Games (excellent, <strong>excellent</strong> book!). I ordered the 2nd one from The Hunger Games series from the library and it should be in by next week. CANT WAIT! And my sister recommended books by Patricia Cornwell (I think that was her name). I will order a book by her from the library, once I finish the Hunger Games series.<br />
<br />
In the mean time I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love. I've just begun to read it tonight so I can't say how I feel about it yet. Perhaps I will let you know in a future post.<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
It snowed again last night, just a little. Just enough to put a layer of fluff on top of the ice, which is on top of a ground layer of snow. Looks cold out there! I'll find out later when we venture out for Mass.<br />
<br />
Well, stay warm everyone! And if you come across any interesting fiction stories (without the gush), let me know! <br />
<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-74825663624408262252012-01-14T17:35:00.000-08:002012-01-14T17:35:13.252-08:00If You Fill Them, They Will Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">That is a <em>cheesy</em> title. Yes, I'm aware of this. It's all I've got right now.<br />
<br />
We have bird feeders in one of the trees in our back yard. I've mentioned this before. The tree is pretty close to the house and very visible from the school room window. We only fill it during the winter. I kept putting it off this year, but finally got to it this week. Evan's pretty happy about it. The birds fluttering around the tree and eating off the feeders in the back yard add just a teensy bit of excitement to our rather drab looking wintertime back yard.<br />
<br />
We filled them Friday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_IhkN9BbaNo/TxIIduXEJxI/AAAAAAAAHHE/4550IkJ-Jow/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_IhkN9BbaNo/TxIIduXEJxI/AAAAAAAAHHE/4550IkJ-Jow/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WF41fZTyJb0/TxIIiIPbljI/AAAAAAAAHHM/kFEDrdF_iOk/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WF41fZTyJb0/TxIIiIPbljI/AAAAAAAAHHM/kFEDrdF_iOk/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We get tons of birds here, as you can tell by all the nests.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrNR0FMMZhk/TxIJFPi3zLI/AAAAAAAAHHU/jE_8ht_r_bA/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrNR0FMMZhk/TxIJFPi3zLI/AAAAAAAAHHU/jE_8ht_r_bA/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNJIOBxqoF8/TxIJGVIASvI/AAAAAAAAHHc/m_E5xmTNGmo/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNJIOBxqoF8/TxIJGVIASvI/AAAAAAAAHHc/m_E5xmTNGmo/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And Alexa and Evan left some treats for the bunnies, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPoV4TJcGRs/TxIJdwiGcMI/AAAAAAAAHHk/AgWT3JLbijw/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPoV4TJcGRs/TxIJdwiGcMI/AAAAAAAAHHk/AgWT3JLbijw/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Md5u57AF17A/TxIJe88RTSI/AAAAAAAAHHs/cYobcBQloB0/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Md5u57AF17A/TxIJe88RTSI/AAAAAAAAHHs/cYobcBQloB0/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSvfBiF4Z7U/TxIJg8fjgEI/AAAAAAAAHH0/iRE-EMbvNeQ/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSvfBiF4Z7U/TxIJg8fjgEI/AAAAAAAAHH0/iRE-EMbvNeQ/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLYK9nflBgc/TxIJiKNPPNI/AAAAAAAAHH8/Yd9YE8vfIIQ/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLYK9nflBgc/TxIJiKNPPNI/AAAAAAAAHH8/Yd9YE8vfIIQ/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+016.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>We went inside and had some ......um.....hot.....liquid ....drink that is sweet. And chocolatey. I'm sure you can't imagine what it is (<em>sarcasm</em>). Actually I'm pretty sure you <em>could</em> guess as I seem too have an addiction or unhealthy obsession with the stuff this time of year. I can't help it! It's good stuff!<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
Today we checked the feeders before breakfast and they seemed to be untouched. Evan was disappointed but I told him it takes a little while for the birds, squirrels and bunnies to realize that the buffet has reopened.<br />
<br />
By mid afternoon, one of those critters must have gotten the word out, though.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8lYpgye4M0/TxInM6QkVOI/AAAAAAAAHIE/PxkU0aXRM74/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8lYpgye4M0/TxInM6QkVOI/AAAAAAAAHIE/PxkU0aXRM74/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAfTsZ72zKY/TxInOY_I79I/AAAAAAAAHIM/UsNSUYr64nA/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAfTsZ72zKY/TxInOY_I79I/AAAAAAAAHIM/UsNSUYr64nA/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBIsnc49-d4/TxInQM1P7YI/AAAAAAAAHIU/XRQzBjuXGeQ/s1600/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBIsnc49-d4/TxInQM1P7YI/AAAAAAAAHIU/XRQzBjuXGeQ/s640/BirdfeedingwinterJan2012+021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a pair of cardinals stop for lunch, too, but they didn't stick around for a picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm looking forward to getting the Blue Jays and hopefully a woodpecker now and then this winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ninja squirrels stopped by the tree at one point, too, but we didn't see any rabbits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a mostly indoors kinda day today, because it's so cold. I really don't care for the cold at all, but whatcha gonna do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm trying to enjoy the seasons as they come but I really, really, really can't wait till our beach trip this summer. You think I talk about hot chocolate too much? Wait till the beach trip gets near. I will probably never shut up about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you're having a sunshiney weekend with your favorite people!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Tina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-78235076055241708892012-01-12T06:56:00.000-08:002012-01-12T06:56:30.594-08:00Relaxed Winter Schooling at Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I love days like these.<br />
<br />
Days that have a schedule, but not really.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKHx9CdY0hw/Tw7wMB8FMUI/AAAAAAAAHGM/1Qgjtk9hp7A/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKHx9CdY0hw/Tw7wMB8FMUI/AAAAAAAAHGM/1Qgjtk9hp7A/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+003.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDDT-jHBM-k/Tw7wRCYNhHI/AAAAAAAAHGU/tuEcnZ9BHkc/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDDT-jHBM-k/Tw7wRCYNhHI/AAAAAAAAHGU/tuEcnZ9BHkc/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We have things to accomplish, many things to learn, but not a list of places to be with rigorous time constraints.<br />
<br />
That's when our learning feels more natural.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbRYATBWh2k/Tw7wVlSvFCI/AAAAAAAAHGc/EM26AFJGdXQ/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbRYATBWh2k/Tw7wVlSvFCI/AAAAAAAAHGc/EM26AFJGdXQ/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+007.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><br />
Some subjects, like handwriting, really do require sitting at a desk or table. And with Evan, the core subjects work best at my desk because he understands he needs to try to focus when we sit there (although I do have to mix it up a bit with him to get his wiggles out).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmwPTv0xQC0/Tw7yYDLnQ_I/AAAAAAAAHGs/ycGeJ5hKqVs/s1600/SeptOct2011+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmwPTv0xQC0/Tw7yYDLnQ_I/AAAAAAAAHGs/ycGeJ5hKqVs/s640/SeptOct2011+214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fwnh4T32Fk/Tw7yccjD9OI/AAAAAAAAHG0/XbOERb6VEM0/s1600/SeptOct2011+221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fwnh4T32Fk/Tw7yccjD9OI/AAAAAAAAHG0/XbOERb6VEM0/s640/SeptOct2011+221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
But I love it when we can relax on the floor as the sun shines through, or get cozy on the couch as I read to the kids and we discuss history or their religion lessons. It just feels right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMfhUvg2ojY/Tw7wbECTU2I/AAAAAAAAHGk/nprvSRZV_58/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMfhUvg2ojY/Tw7wbECTU2I/AAAAAAAAHGk/nprvSRZV_58/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I especially love it when it's in the middle of Winter, and it's freezing cold outside, but yet the sun is shining. And the warm sunbeams are streaming in through the curtains, stretching across the floor in our front room. <br />
<br />
I can totally see why cats tend to sit right in those sunny spots.<br />
<br />
I hope you are enjoying your Winter!<br />
<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-78004192875055835922012-01-11T14:45:00.000-08:002012-01-11T14:45:08.748-08:00Snowy Monday!......and yes, it's another post that ends in hot chocolate.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Every morning, I check the weather on the internet, as I sip my coffee. On Monday, the weathermen called for some rain, but that was about it. We went about our day....breakfast, prayers, school, lunch.<br />
<br />
I checked the weather after lunch briefly too, when I checked my email (and facebook....yes, I'm on facebook), while the kids were on their freetime break. At this point there was a <em>chance</em> of a few flurries....perhaps a dusting in some areas.<br />
<br />
I was really hoping we'd get something.....<strong>something</strong>. I knew it wouldn't be much, but just something that could pile up a little, and get the kids excited.<br />
<br />
Within just a few minutes, some really nice, fat flakes came cascading down out of the sky. I called Evan to the sliding glass doors to look out and man do I wish I was video taping that moment. His face went from a "what, mom?" to a "OH.MY.GOSH.LOOK AT THAT!!!" He started jumping up and down and exclaiming "It's <strong>snowing</strong>! It's <strong>snowing</strong>! It's <strong>snowing</strong>!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_ZyC_1nCzE/Tw2oE4XP7CI/AAAAAAAAHDU/tinoP4PC-rA/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_ZyC_1nCzE/Tw2oE4XP7CI/AAAAAAAAHDU/tinoP4PC-rA/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIUVDhWjaHU/Tw2oFruYFRI/AAAAAAAAHDc/SKo36ToMU-M/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIUVDhWjaHU/Tw2oFruYFRI/AAAAAAAAHDc/SKo36ToMU-M/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I kept telling him it wasn't going to last or pile up at all, but we should still enjoy watching out the window it while it lasts. But who was I kidding? We couldn't just stay inside and watch from behind the glass. We had to take this moment in and get as much out of it as we could!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ5RDdAK7wk/Tw2olbkUUyI/AAAAAAAAHDk/usrvK4E5rz8/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ5RDdAK7wk/Tw2olbkUUyI/AAAAAAAAHDk/usrvK4E5rz8/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYLFLuvEl0Q/Tw2omfA7zCI/AAAAAAAAHDs/2e2dge72P4U/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYLFLuvEl0Q/Tw2omfA7zCI/AAAAAAAAHDs/2e2dge72P4U/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In Northern Virginia, snow is a hit or miss situation. <br />
An all or nothing. And the weather forecasters were positive this was a nothing.<br />
<br />
We have, in the past, been in the direct line of an awesome, snowpounding, whiteout, blizzard of a storm. And we have also had winter's go by with only a flake or two dropping by for a very brief visit.<br />
Every year it's anybody's guess how much snowfall we'll get around here. <br />
<br />
Those whopper storms are only every few years, when everything in the universe aligns just right. They are <strong>very</strong> rare.<br />
<br />
So I wasn't about to let this moment (and that's all this might be....a brief snow moment) go by without at least trying to catch a measly snowflake or two with our tongues, without feeling soft, cold snowflakes landing on our eyelashes. We had to get out there...... fast, before it just stopped. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55S7uzy_1xo/Tw2pDYEuKII/AAAAAAAAHD0/lSsD5nXKTp8/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55S7uzy_1xo/Tw2pDYEuKII/AAAAAAAAHD0/lSsD5nXKTp8/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTHyR_EZKMI/Tw2pGBXJ53I/AAAAAAAAHD8/3pFZxBPrlGU/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTHyR_EZKMI/Tw2pGBXJ53I/AAAAAAAAHD8/3pFZxBPrlGU/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YpPD4rP_7s/Tw2pIQUDs0I/AAAAAAAAHEE/YnTXojR8rn0/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YpPD4rP_7s/Tw2pIQUDs0I/AAAAAAAAHEE/YnTXojR8rn0/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So I went into hyperdrive to get ready (and procrastinated, yet again, with taking down the tree).......and we bundled up and headed out to the back yard.<br />
<br />
We laughed, and ran around a bit. The ground wasn't even covered, so the yard was kinda muddy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxm4JrFx_KY/Tw2pfqy_gYI/AAAAAAAAHEM/C-k4LJeAAG4/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxm4JrFx_KY/Tw2pfqy_gYI/AAAAAAAAHEM/C-k4LJeAAG4/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to get a cute hat like Sky's. I had to borrow John's since I don't have my own. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VW858iumtY/Tw2pgirChjI/AAAAAAAAHEU/CbuhnW1YwkQ/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VW858iumtY/Tw2pgirChjI/AAAAAAAAHEU/CbuhnW1YwkQ/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
A walk on the sidewalk (and out of the mud) amidst the snow flurries seemed like a good idea. We went through the neighborhood, breathing in the cold, fresh air. It's quite invigorating and makes you feel so alive, taking a walk like that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5L7ZirO6to/Tw2qT03IdWI/AAAAAAAAHEc/BwNvke0A3Pg/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5L7ZirO6to/Tw2qT03IdWI/AAAAAAAAHEc/BwNvke0A3Pg/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn19rrhb_6o/Tw2qVl6aRzI/AAAAAAAAHEk/hEdan_ILOTw/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn19rrhb_6o/Tw2qVl6aRzI/AAAAAAAAHEk/hEdan_ILOTw/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jbvCn-Ub2WU/Tw2qXtLKrVI/AAAAAAAAHEs/zSQ06yE-miM/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jbvCn-Ub2WU/Tw2qXtLKrVI/AAAAAAAAHEs/zSQ06yE-miM/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+040.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vehih65mfUw/Tw4FhuxD_UI/AAAAAAAAHFk/O01DnlLPAh8/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vehih65mfUw/Tw4FhuxD_UI/AAAAAAAAHFk/O01DnlLPAh8/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECOJlmlG1YI/Tw4Fkzi--YI/AAAAAAAAHFs/Rpj1_uobJMM/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECOJlmlG1YI/Tw4Fkzi--YI/AAAAAAAAHFs/Rpj1_uobJMM/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yXzO_1VCdY/Tw4Fq_NSObI/AAAAAAAAHF8/RQwEPhsRPHg/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yXzO_1VCdY/Tw4Fq_NSObI/AAAAAAAAHF8/RQwEPhsRPHg/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k64vy-ZbLPc/Tw4F5QayRfI/AAAAAAAAHGE/CAR6ElReg_Q/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k64vy-ZbLPc/Tw4F5QayRfI/AAAAAAAAHGE/CAR6ElReg_Q/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We did start to feel a little too "invigorated" and the kids began complaining a bit of frozen toes, fingers, noses, etc. I think they were just in "kahoots", trying to get sympathy so they could talk me into some hot chocolate. <br />
<br />
Little did they know I had planned on it, already. I mean come on....if you've ever read this blog before or know me at all, you know that boatloads of my winter posts end with hot chocolate. I love the stuff. Don't judge me. ;)<br />
<br />
We peeled off the wet/slightly muddy clothes (one of the children....not mentioning any names.....ahem.... nine year old girl), thought it would be cool to try to make a snow angel in the whopping 1/18 inch of snow in the backyard. <br />
<br />
In case you are wondering, it doesn't work. It just melts the snow in that one spot she landed, and smashes the grass and smears the mud in an <em>almost</em> recognizable angel formation.<br />
<br />
She does get an A for effort and bonus points for enthusiasm! We love that girl! (who still shall remain nameless)<br />
<br />
Everyone got dry and cozy and then we sipped our hot chocolate and ate the last of our gingerbread family. We hate to see them go. Actually we like to see them go, because they are yummy! <br />
But we hate to see them gone. :(<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9qGv2g5COU/Tw39GyYK3jI/AAAAAAAAHE0/LEkOlPWxaqA/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9qGv2g5COU/Tw39GyYK3jI/AAAAAAAAHE0/LEkOlPWxaqA/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're not really shocked by the vast array of Swiss Miss I keep on hand, are you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RtsJv4tYUuQ/Tw39JIX8p1I/AAAAAAAAHE8/-ojF_nVATG8/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RtsJv4tYUuQ/Tw39JIX8p1I/AAAAAAAAHE8/-ojF_nVATG8/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+060.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_LvIKIMrH4/Tw39MRZeXtI/AAAAAAAAHFE/FHShRIkrhk4/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_LvIKIMrH4/Tw39MRZeXtI/AAAAAAAAHFE/FHShRIkrhk4/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+061.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7C99lM4K8U/Tw39Qy-O2uI/AAAAAAAAHFM/US6rrdaCqO8/s1600/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7C99lM4K8U/Tw39Qy-O2uI/AAAAAAAAHFM/US6rrdaCqO8/s640/Jan2011FirstSNOW%2521+065.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Taylor was at school, so she didn't get the walk in the snow with us. Well, actually she did get the walk in the snow, but just not with us. The snow kept falling and she had to walk from her bus stop, so I guess she did have her walk in the snow. And I made her some of my fancy shmancy hot chocolate when she got in. :)<br />
<br />
And as an added bonus to my day....the tree is dooooowwwwwnnnnn!<br />
YES!<br />
I win.<br />
<br />
TTFN<br />
Happy Winter, Everyone!<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-9867605816235576822012-01-07T20:31:00.000-08:002012-01-07T20:31:28.705-08:00They Made Me Do It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, not really.</div><div align="center">They didn't <em>make</em> me do it.</div><div align="center">It was more like "convinced me to see the benefits of it".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ND8fnOa6kaE/TwkZmD9sNZI/AAAAAAAAHB0/_z3femNroG8/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ND8fnOa6kaE/TwkZmD9sNZI/AAAAAAAAHB0/_z3femNroG8/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZJxhGIbKF0/TwkZoE9jhoI/AAAAAAAAHB8/dE7jrPmVYpA/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZJxhGIbKF0/TwkZoE9jhoI/AAAAAAAAHB8/dE7jrPmVYpA/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I was all set to take the tree down today.</div><div align="center">...and the outside lights and decorations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edvJrNMO3rk/TwkZwIqmJFI/AAAAAAAAHCE/YTWVpUgrzNU/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edvJrNMO3rk/TwkZwIqmJFI/AAAAAAAAHCE/YTWVpUgrzNU/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_axt4sqVOU/TwkZynV0YrI/AAAAAAAAHCM/lhJSN_TkBA0/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_axt4sqVOU/TwkZynV0YrI/AAAAAAAAHCM/lhJSN_TkBA0/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Alexa gets in her silly moods, she has Evan in hysterics! I know this picture is a little blurred, but it really captures just how much his big sister amuses him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I know this warm weather was perfect to get those down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjN2DASC4nE/TwkZ51taI5I/AAAAAAAAHCU/3FXOLQgNFtE/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjN2DASC4nE/TwkZ51taI5I/AAAAAAAAHCU/3FXOLQgNFtE/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x79-_SXzPyw/TwkZ75dNFWI/AAAAAAAAHCc/7iaJ7BWiLfM/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x79-_SXzPyw/TwkZ75dNFWI/AAAAAAAAHCc/7iaJ7BWiLfM/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">But as Evan and Alexa also pointed out, these warmer days are rare.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkvqWMahYPk/TwkaJAkGUwI/AAAAAAAAHCk/AC7D3-Y9Nwg/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkvqWMahYPk/TwkaJAkGUwI/AAAAAAAAHCk/AC7D3-Y9Nwg/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAkDb49BHO8/TwkaL3YMwYI/AAAAAAAAHCs/nxSkErApsW4/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAkDb49BHO8/TwkaL3YMwYI/AAAAAAAAHCs/nxSkErApsW4/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+027.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And fresh air and mild temps will soon be only something we long for as we look forward to Spring.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkJi6o7j5Eg/TwkadNfJ0sI/AAAAAAAAHC0/-WwEkYYyFXY/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkJi6o7j5Eg/TwkadNfJ0sI/AAAAAAAAHC0/-WwEkYYyFXY/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0V5wK5OtQZ0/TwkafKCO-jI/AAAAAAAAHC8/a-KQIiY__Jk/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0V5wK5OtQZ0/TwkafKCO-jI/AAAAAAAAHC8/a-KQIiY__Jk/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So how could I say no to spending some time with 2 of my favorite people in our backyard on an evening like this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3ssIxjlLnc/Twka62spndI/AAAAAAAAHDE/9DUVOfW_SDU/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3ssIxjlLnc/Twka62spndI/AAAAAAAAHDE/9DUVOfW_SDU/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mRyWnfBvYKI/Twka9mntUaI/AAAAAAAAHDM/Pe2S3SQldE0/s1600/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mRyWnfBvYKI/Twka9mntUaI/AAAAAAAAHDM/Pe2S3SQldE0/s640/EvanLexaOutsideandMoonJan2011+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I just couldn't.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So the tree still stands, fully decorated.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And we are one of the last people in our neighborhood with the outside lights still up.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I'm okay with this.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">There's always tomorrow.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Wonder what they'll talk me into next. ;)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">In my defense, though, the house did get cleaned on Friday</div><div align="center">....bathrooms, kitchen, dusting and some laundry.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So, we'll just have to see about tomorrow.</div><div align="center">I'm not worried.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Hope you are making the most of your weekend. :)</div><div align="center">~Tina</div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-16897131998267329732012-01-07T06:54:00.000-08:002012-01-07T06:54:46.101-08:00It Makes My Heart Glow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center">Evan says this now, anytime someone does something kind, or says something kind to him.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">"<em>It</em> <em>makes</em> <em>my</em> <em>heart</em> <em>glow</em>"</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And he smiles.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpJHog1Er94/TwhSm83noKI/AAAAAAAAG-k/vUJ97JuY6QU/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpJHog1Er94/TwhSm83noKI/AAAAAAAAG-k/vUJ97JuY6QU/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+010.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VlGBj1NWXuU/TwhSo9JTduI/AAAAAAAAG-s/snq8yvfZoOk/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VlGBj1NWXuU/TwhSo9JTduI/AAAAAAAAG-s/snq8yvfZoOk/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+002.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I know I'm probably partial to that smile, in fact I'm sure I am,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HL8ej7-euvA/TwhSqAM6qHI/AAAAAAAAG-w/EqysT-My39o/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HL8ej7-euvA/TwhSqAM6qHI/AAAAAAAAG-w/EqysT-My39o/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But that smile makes my heart glow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eq3-rCK_KUA/TwhTnsZIrrI/AAAAAAAAG-8/8BRrZe1u3B4/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eq3-rCK_KUA/TwhTnsZIrrI/AAAAAAAAG-8/8BRrZe1u3B4/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was on an afternoon I had planned to clean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bq_itNDaSCA/TwhU_v0wJgI/AAAAAAAAG_E/Sr9E_aBkmT8/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bq_itNDaSCA/TwhU_v0wJgI/AAAAAAAAG_E/Sr9E_aBkmT8/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCn68upVPSI/TwhVDZEVPeI/AAAAAAAAG_U/mwYAmhGR7mo/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCn68upVPSI/TwhVDZEVPeI/AAAAAAAAG_U/mwYAmhGR7mo/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+006.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Evan had other plans for us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVbqZeFSo7k/TwhWfBBbbGI/AAAAAAAAG_c/CUGVxjpfZYQ/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVbqZeFSo7k/TwhWfBBbbGI/AAAAAAAAG_c/CUGVxjpfZYQ/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+005.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLC-J17pB94/TwhWhDVvBpI/AAAAAAAAG_k/1xamEopf97Y/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLC-J17pB94/TwhWhDVvBpI/AAAAAAAAG_k/1xamEopf97Y/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+014.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHOaWV2JlSg/TwhWi1ocMhI/AAAAAAAAG_s/cTIAmG4LjRw/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHOaWV2JlSg/TwhWi1ocMhI/AAAAAAAAG_s/cTIAmG4LjRw/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+021.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhEq5IWHjmo/TwhWlmH8bDI/AAAAAAAAG_0/unlQ54WPMdk/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhEq5IWHjmo/TwhWlmH8bDI/AAAAAAAAG_0/unlQ54WPMdk/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+020.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He said, "The girls get to have a fun afternoon, why can't we?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(He was refering to them being dropped off at their Girls Club)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I knew he was right</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but it is hard to put the work aside sometimes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I know the work needs to be done, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but on this day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">after a specific request from my son, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">how could I say no?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYCmW9pMCWs/TwhXf9ampMI/AAAAAAAAG_8/wdGds3baQ7s/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYCmW9pMCWs/TwhXf9ampMI/AAAAAAAAG_8/wdGds3baQ7s/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We played "monster tag",</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and he giggled so hard he had to stop running at times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3bd_oCjGKQ/TwhXzVyOdSI/AAAAAAAAHAE/BaJdbl5WXBg/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3bd_oCjGKQ/TwhXzVyOdSI/AAAAAAAAHAE/BaJdbl5WXBg/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we discussed our shadows </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as I pushed him on the swing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9FoHts_MHY/TwhYJ0S2emI/AAAAAAAAHAM/97RR54f15fY/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9FoHts_MHY/TwhYJ0S2emI/AAAAAAAAHAM/97RR54f15fY/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBwqkQpPlNw/TwhYLbbJ8yI/AAAAAAAAHAU/md6JMnTPUuE/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBwqkQpPlNw/TwhYLbbJ8yI/AAAAAAAAHAU/md6JMnTPUuE/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d68Qof5t3-4/TwhYNLkvyvI/AAAAAAAAHAc/_B8NFs_4OYc/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d68Qof5t3-4/TwhYNLkvyvI/AAAAAAAAHAc/_B8NFs_4OYc/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When our shadows hid from us, and the wind picked up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it was time to head to the van for water </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and to warm up a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfgQewe-VXQ/TwhYhXI6OHI/AAAAAAAAHAk/wuAipDF3zNg/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfgQewe-VXQ/TwhYhXI6OHI/AAAAAAAAHAk/wuAipDF3zNg/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+030.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duzVvXBeCFQ/TwhYjEmRkwI/AAAAAAAAHAs/o4mSsN-x-W4/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duzVvXBeCFQ/TwhYjEmRkwI/AAAAAAAAHAs/o4mSsN-x-W4/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+031.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then time to head home, where I faced this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29TzhAnAqlA/TwhY1hzaW8I/AAAAAAAAHA0/5I0dkSLSIKE/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29TzhAnAqlA/TwhY1hzaW8I/AAAAAAAAHA0/5I0dkSLSIKE/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+032.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_1zivFVSuQ/TwhY4jVT8rI/AAAAAAAAHA8/9DMpI7mVhB4/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_1zivFVSuQ/TwhY4jVT8rI/AAAAAAAAHA8/9DMpI7mVhB4/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+034.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLTSfJdZndY/TwhY6eX2jwI/AAAAAAAAHBE/6saGcnhqKZc/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLTSfJdZndY/TwhY6eX2jwI/AAAAAAAAHBE/6saGcnhqKZc/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+033.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree that needs taken down. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remind me to fire my little "house cleaning fairies".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They suck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I continued to ignore that mess</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and instead enjoyed more time with my boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OaHBVz4Sew/TwhZrPxW_xI/AAAAAAAAHBM/h1y-ihtB2bQ/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OaHBVz4Sew/TwhZrPxW_xI/AAAAAAAAHBM/h1y-ihtB2bQ/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+036.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipEpefEPC04/TwhaB8UACwI/AAAAAAAAHBc/Gi0D5C3-95s/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipEpefEPC04/TwhaB8UACwI/AAAAAAAAHBc/Gi0D5C3-95s/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+040.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tE5VwK4uMto/TwhaT5mUl8I/AAAAAAAAHBk/9sTumxF750E/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tE5VwK4uMto/TwhaT5mUl8I/AAAAAAAAHBk/9sTumxF750E/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">I'm so glad I listened to my boy</div><div align="center">and my heart.</div><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div align="center">This day, this special time with Evan</div><div align="center">really made my heart glow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ygnhjwsnmk/Twha3xDMW1I/AAAAAAAAHBs/XIkV4L6zIyg/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ygnhjwsnmk/Twha3xDMW1I/AAAAAAAAHBs/XIkV4L6zIyg/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!</div><div align="center">Make it special!</div><div align="center">~Tina</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em>And for the record, the cleaning fairies never came, </em></div><div align="center"><em>but I managed to clean it all the next day.</em></div><div align="center"><em>And the tree comes down today.</em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-16074347004977078612012-01-06T21:33:00.000-08:002012-01-06T21:36:01.062-08:00Good Morning to Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">First thing in the morning</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">His sweet little boy hands</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Showing me how much he loves me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5CbOpWecT4/TwfYWQwMWgI/AAAAAAAAG-c/XsFw9qyV0lY/s1600/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5CbOpWecT4/TwfYWQwMWgI/AAAAAAAAG-c/XsFw9qyV0lY/s640/Jan2011ParkDaywthEvan+047.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's the perfect way to wake up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a nice day :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-19910330640476762312012-01-05T21:41:00.000-08:002012-01-05T21:41:44.886-08:00Daybook Looking Back on Advent (long post warning)...but pictures included so it's okay.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDte2OUDehk/TwKSso4HWgI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/xlEXd5jqJNQ/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDte2OUDehk/TwKSso4HWgI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/xlEXd5jqJNQ/s320/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> For today, Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(actually very late the night before through...umm Thursday night...took me a while to complete this thing!)</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am thinking</strong>:</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do I really want to start this post so late at night? It's been so long and I miss it, so...yeah, I'll go for it.</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Outside my window</strong>:</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's very cold, and dark of course. It's not raining or snowing or windy.</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am wearing</strong> :</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A new purple jammies set that I got from my in-laws for Christmas. The pants have peace symbols and winking smiley faces on them. They would suit Skylar very well. </div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doesn't matter to me what's on them. All I know is they are a soft, warm fleece and I never want to take them off. </div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Ever. </div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It has a matching solid purple top that is cotton, with a plunging neckline I could do without. But the pants are delish. </div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And I'm wearing some purple and pink striped fluffy slippers.</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am hearing:</strong></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Evan's peaceful<strong> </strong>breathing<strong> </strong>and<strong> </strong>the<strong> </strong>white<strong> </strong>noise<strong> </strong>of<strong> </strong>the<strong> </strong>sound<strong> </strong>machine<strong>.</strong></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am hoping</strong>:</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Evan gets over his stomach virus quickly and that no one else gets it. Part of what makes Winter such a crappy season is the abundance of illnesses.</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am also hoping that my kids enjoyed their Advent season and that I didn't wreck some wonderful moments with my "stressing tantrums".</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grownups can be such babies sometimes!</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(yes, I am refering to me)</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our simplest traditions are always a hit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Evan gets so excited when I bring out our Christmas picture books and Children's Nativity sets. We have the Little People Set and the Playmobil Nativity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exKw7l5KoJ8/TwPQE-XxBaI/AAAAAAAAG74/cnvEd9fpVHM/s1600/Advent2011+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exKw7l5KoJ8/TwPQE-XxBaI/AAAAAAAAG74/cnvEd9fpVHM/s640/Advent2011+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kytWwEhTJL8/TwPIzaz2eVI/AAAAAAAAG64/_r4TQh4SkYA/s1600/Advent2011+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kytWwEhTJL8/TwPIzaz2eVI/AAAAAAAAG64/_r4TQh4SkYA/s640/Advent2011+077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids always enjoy baking. I know they would prefer we bake from scratch <br />
(simply because it tends to be messier and <strong><em>messier</em></strong> = <strong><em>funner</em></strong> around here). </div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we do, on occasion, but I'm ok with using ready-to-go-dough. </div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know this disqualifies me as a contender for "Mom of the Year", but I've made my peace with that.</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JjquVHW6vhc/TwPJBbYvEAI/AAAAAAAAG7A/5x8oqt9cMlM/s1600/Advent2011+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JjquVHW6vhc/TwPJBbYvEAI/AAAAAAAAG7A/5x8oqt9cMlM/s640/Advent2011+086.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgDaBEvb92k/TwPJFYaMoTI/AAAAAAAAG7I/glfJGGd9k2g/s1600/Advent2011+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgDaBEvb92k/TwPJFYaMoTI/AAAAAAAAG7I/glfJGGd9k2g/s640/Advent2011+085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY3vskJh6FM/TwPJarPvFTI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/btMn7U7RBEs/s1600/Advent2011+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY3vskJh6FM/TwPJarPvFTI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/btMn7U7RBEs/s400/Advent2011+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQp7v0_ljig/TwPJlwxx2aI/AAAAAAAAG7g/q9jRuSohPGI/s1600/Advent2011+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQp7v0_ljig/TwPJlwxx2aI/AAAAAAAAG7g/q9jRuSohPGI/s640/Advent2011+025.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utrDpHfFA68/TwPJXnaQpOI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/BcFuBXzbtdY/s1600/Advent2011+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utrDpHfFA68/TwPJXnaQpOI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/BcFuBXzbtdY/s640/Advent2011+031.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Christmas parade was exciting. We haven't seen it since Taylor and Skylar were really little, so we were all looking forward to it.</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bc5BoZ6MXSs/TwKX7a6pmUI/AAAAAAAAG5k/k63a7baLhDI/s1600/Advent2011+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bc5BoZ6MXSs/TwKX7a6pmUI/AAAAAAAAG5k/k63a7baLhDI/s640/Advent2011+096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov0IPHzegLQ/TwKX-M8TkCI/AAAAAAAAG5s/xvb2sOwIKbo/s1600/Advent2011+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov0IPHzegLQ/TwKX-M8TkCI/AAAAAAAAG5s/xvb2sOwIKbo/s640/Advent2011+097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We had fun during <em>most</em> of the parade and it was a beautiful, chilly day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Taylor invited a friend to go to the parade with us, but unfortunately she got sick partway through and her mom had to come and pick her up. Poor thing. Not the best experience for your first time at a parade, which is what it was for her. <br />
We need to take her with us next year so she can have a much more pleasant parade experience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiASEnmgFOw/TwKYAZkhDgI/AAAAAAAAG50/922SW7jTbLo/s1600/Advent2011+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiASEnmgFOw/TwKYAZkhDgI/AAAAAAAAG50/922SW7jTbLo/s640/Advent2011+129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ73uuXWEqg/TwKYWi4qLfI/AAAAAAAAG6E/8cYwWb4ezXQ/s1600/Advent2011+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ73uuXWEqg/TwKYWi4qLfI/AAAAAAAAG6E/8cYwWb4ezXQ/s640/Advent2011+213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRGlTuXqkW4/TwKYaeTLP0I/AAAAAAAAG6M/3bG756kmI0A/s1600/Advent2011+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRGlTuXqkW4/TwKYaeTLP0I/AAAAAAAAG6M/3bG756kmI0A/s640/Advent2011+192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs5fsgWj4mE/TwKY5fGhEiI/AAAAAAAAG6U/C7j23qWVY2Y/s1600/Advent2011+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs5fsgWj4mE/TwKY5fGhEiI/AAAAAAAAG6U/C7j23qWVY2Y/s640/Advent2011+147.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The parade was so cheery and festive.......<br />
............and long,<br />
so Evan didn't quite make it to the end.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PudxpYIVtDk/TwKY8XYHskI/AAAAAAAAG6c/SUglqjRUNi0/s1600/Advent2011+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PudxpYIVtDk/TwKY8XYHskI/AAAAAAAAG6c/SUglqjRUNi0/s640/Advent2011+141.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm lovin' the shoes. They must share my affinity for Elf Culture. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Thankful for:</strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Meaningful</em> <em>Advent</em> <em>Traditions</em></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A local Catholic high school hosts a <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>Carnival</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Saints</strong> every year.<br />
We've attended for the last 6 years or so, and they look forward to it each Advent.<br />
<br />
Our <strong>Saint</strong> <strong>Nicholas</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>Celebrations</strong> here at home are a tradition I started with my kids a few years ago. They awaken to find a few small gifts and treats in their shoes. This year, though, they found their treats in cozy, new slippers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2TEscZf8PWg/TwPeogqN5OI/AAAAAAAAG8c/i7WIMliu2hg/s1600/Advent2011+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2TEscZf8PWg/TwPeogqN5OI/AAAAAAAAG8c/i7WIMliu2hg/s640/Advent2011+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DdhK7SAyN4I/TwPerr1kxXI/AAAAAAAAG8k/v5rx0lNIxzU/s1600/Advent2011+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DdhK7SAyN4I/TwPerr1kxXI/AAAAAAAAG8k/v5rx0lNIxzU/s640/Advent2011+052.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPzKUIT6e24/TwPeyV1JNiI/AAAAAAAAG8s/oLd58Srb-qg/s1600/Advent2011+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPzKUIT6e24/TwPeyV1JNiI/AAAAAAAAG8s/oLd58Srb-qg/s640/Advent2011+055.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We own The Miracle of Saint Nicholas, but the other two are from the library. Evan's favorite is The Baker's Dozen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq8ZhOfM6rI/TwPe5OJzpII/AAAAAAAAG80/w7tFJfBIgyQ/s1600/Advent2011+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq8ZhOfM6rI/TwPe5OJzpII/AAAAAAAAG80/w7tFJfBIgyQ/s640/Advent2011+075.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poxfJ5jS8oQ/TwPfBBEOLuI/AAAAAAAAG88/2w4Hodt-AUw/s1600/Advent2011+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poxfJ5jS8oQ/TwPfBBEOLuI/AAAAAAAAG88/2w4Hodt-AUw/s640/Advent2011+073.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is supposed to be a the Mitre of Saint Nicholas. Before you go all "cookie critic" on me, you must realize I cut them "freehand" and it was a last minute idea for the treat for Evan's K Group which I was hosting that day. It got cancelled due to many ill children, so we enjoyed them at home as part of our own celebration. Poor sick K Group....<br />
but very fortunate older siblings in our house. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
This year we participated in our home school groups <strong>Advent</strong> <strong>Retreat</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Children</strong>.<br />
The children were divided into two age groups.<br />
There are some amazing ladies who volunteered to organize and run this and it was a pleasure to see them in action with the kids. Skylar and Alexa were in the older group, and I stayed to help out a little with Evan's group.<br />
My mom was still in town from her Thanksgiving visit, so she assisted with me.<br />
It was a great morning focusing on the real meaning of Christmas with the children.<br />
I have pictures from this event, but don't want to post them without the permission of the wonderful mom-in-charge of our group. <br />
<br />
Our <strong>Advent</strong> <strong>Wreath</strong> is always special and important. <br />
Unfortunately, I was not so good at remembering to light it at mealtime this year. It did sit there, in the middle of our dinner table, reminding us of this important season of waiting. But I just kept forgetting to light it.<br />
As Sky would say, "<em>Epic</em> <em>Fail</em>, <em>Mom</em>".<br />
Well, at least I can get another year out of those candles. <br />
(I'm a glass half full kinda girl)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKV5dRMD6Kk/TwPdhJQyGMI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/-vZlyBqD-Yw/s1600/Advent2011+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKV5dRMD6Kk/TwPdhJQyGMI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/-vZlyBqD-Yw/s640/Advent2011+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess I should have cropped out the paper plates and water bottle first. Oopsie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next<strong> </strong>year I hope to majorly simplify my plans. </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But it's going to be hard to decide what to remove.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will take some serious thinking about what wasn't necessary this year, and what just didn't go over well. There are certain things the kids would really miss.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of their fave's have nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas, but they don't take away from it, either.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I tried to skip these traditions, my children would at best, stop speaking to me and at worst, probably tie all my shoelaces together and stick bleach in my shampoo bottle.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So for starters, I think we'll keep <strong>decorating</strong> those <strong>gingerbread</strong> <strong>houses</strong>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xWFoW776-g/TwaFYZ1I86I/AAAAAAAAG9E/Y4vOfJmkQ3Q/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xWFoW776-g/TwaFYZ1I86I/AAAAAAAAG9E/Y4vOfJmkQ3Q/s640/AdventChristmas2011+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9SIs3JYIoU/TwaFZjdPnCI/AAAAAAAAG9M/aHogcW4LPfY/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9SIs3JYIoU/TwaFZjdPnCI/AAAAAAAAG9M/aHogcW4LPfY/s640/AdventChristmas2011+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAXIAE66L5Q/TwaFbN_Pl2I/AAAAAAAAG9U/Thi7MLkcmL8/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAXIAE66L5Q/TwaFbN_Pl2I/AAAAAAAAG9U/Thi7MLkcmL8/s640/AdventChristmas2011+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsPzCkbM2BA/TwaFdfvCzCI/AAAAAAAAG9c/vDLkpXUp-SQ/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fsPzCkbM2BA/TwaFdfvCzCI/AAAAAAAAG9c/vDLkpXUp-SQ/s640/AdventChristmas2011+017.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVY-Icvl1Ao/TwaFf3cYneI/AAAAAAAAG9k/YFQy5S9gdYU/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVY-Icvl1Ao/TwaFf3cYneI/AAAAAAAAG9k/YFQy5S9gdYU/s640/AdventChristmas2011+026.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ge23URksCU/TwaFnARuztI/AAAAAAAAG9s/h04jVOTIlsw/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ge23URksCU/TwaFnARuztI/AAAAAAAAG9s/h04jVOTIlsw/s640/AdventChristmas2011+032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYHlnnekAb0/TwaFrSnLkaI/AAAAAAAAG90/o7ng-D5CWGM/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYHlnnekAb0/TwaFrSnLkaI/AAAAAAAAG90/o7ng-D5CWGM/s640/AdventChristmas2011+029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Px7dNtzREc/TwaFwvq3jbI/AAAAAAAAG98/8GyIxejO-Cs/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Px7dNtzREc/TwaFwvq3jbI/AAAAAAAAG98/8GyIxejO-Cs/s640/AdventChristmas2011+047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7oiTm5YctHw/TwaGDuVcCFI/AAAAAAAAG-E/N-8KEExGWb4/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7oiTm5YctHw/TwaGDuVcCFI/AAAAAAAAG-E/N-8KEExGWb4/s640/AdventChristmas2011+039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t68WO4jbsE/TwaGGiNpGNI/AAAAAAAAG-M/RR7MTMsbtZQ/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t68WO4jbsE/TwaGGiNpGNI/AAAAAAAAG-M/RR7MTMsbtZQ/s640/AdventChristmas2011+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXuhw4X8qG8/TwaGJX-bOJI/AAAAAAAAG-U/H7ISDPmbv10/s1600/AdventChristmas2011+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXuhw4X8qG8/TwaGJX-bOJI/AAAAAAAAG-U/H7ISDPmbv10/s640/AdventChristmas2011+037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My kids couldn't imagine December without them.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Praying for</strong>:</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My dad's wife, my sister n laws mom, John's sisters, a local family that lost their young mother, another local family that lost their 15 yr. old daughter shortly before Christmas.....</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>From the kitchen</strong>: </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> in December it was fudge, cookies, and sweets and treats of all kinds. The regular meals were rushed quite a bit some days, so usually not the healthiest.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But we are gettiing back on track, so our diets need to be brought back to the <strong>real</strong> food groups. </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not the ones in <em>Elf</em> (candy, candy canes, candy corn, sugar and syrup).</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Looking back</strong>:</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to Skylar's 13th birthday! My children are growing up so fast! I have two teenagers now?! </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What?! </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How?!</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Looking ahead:</strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some birthday parties that my girls are invited to, Evan's K group getting back in session, Girls Club, karate, dance, Taylor getting her permit, Taylor turning 16!, Taylor's trip to NY, some exciting field triips for the younger kids, a Valentine's Day party for the younger kids.....</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>In my heart:</strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cherishing moments we spent with family on our trip to Pittsburgh.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(so many photos in the post already...will save those for another day)</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Right now:</strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hittin the post button on this sucker and hittin' the sheets!</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>This week</strong>:</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is practically over, but we do need to clean tomorrow and take down the tree....and Sky has a Christmas party to attend, and Alexa has dance....and Tay hopes to go out with a friend.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, this took forever to write. I know there were a ton of pics and a lot of focus on this past Advent, but I wanted to reflect on it a little before moving on.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry if it was boring, but I like to have it recorded her for myself, too.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, have a great weekend!</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TTFN</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Tina</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-8743788843579364492012-01-02T01:45:00.000-08:002012-01-01T22:49:34.922-08:002012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's here.<br />
<br />
A new year.<br />
<br />
We are older, and hopefully wiser.<br />
<br />
In a year's time, you are bound to learn some things.<br />
<br />
Many things, hopefully.<br />
<br />
Important things and some seemingly trivial things too, I'm sure.<br />
<br />
Life is a process, a series of experiences that teach us about many, many things.<br />
<br />
Some of the things we learn are important to our jobs, our daily tasks, our survival.<br />
<br />
Some are important to our soul.<br />
<br />
I am being very vague here, partly because the important things we learn vary from person to person.<br />
<br />
I can only tell you what they are for me.<br />
<br />
In 2011 I tried to be "present"..... to really listen. In the moment. Appreciating what I have, who I have, right now. In front of me. Talking to me. Sharing something with me. <br />
<br />
I failed.<br />
<br />
I tried, and when I didn't get caught up in the "rush rush, hurry hurry" of it all, I did ok. <br />
<br />
But many times I failed. <br />
<br />
I am very thankful for a forgiving, merciful God. I am very thankful for a forgiving, and merciful family.<br />
<br />
I am trying again. I try every day...somedays with more "awareness" than others.<br />
<br />
On those days I tend to do better. <br />
<br />
So again, for 2012 I will try to live in the moment. I will try harder to be present to those who are with me right now and really listen to them.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'll fail again, on many occasions.<br />
<br />
But I will keep reminding myself every day of what's most important.<br />
<br />
So maybe this year my goal will not only be to live in the moment, but I think I'll add "simplify". <br />
<br />
Too much on one's plate doesn't leave much room for living in the moment. <br />
<br />
Because you're too busy making plans for or rushing off to the next moment.<br />
<br />
Simplify, and live in the moment. That's what I need to do.<br />
<br />
In this moment, I need to get some sleep. It's 1:40 in the morning and I have a sick little boy. Poor thing has a stomach virus. He's really going to need me to be present to him tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Hope this is a quick little virus that goes through his little system rapidly.<br />
<br />
Also hope it leaves the rest of us alone.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year to you all!<br />
May 2012 be a year full of joyous moment and peace in your heart.<br />
<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-92153506409944412612011-12-14T06:43:00.000-08:002011-12-14T06:43:29.610-08:00Another Teen..... :/<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We officially have another teenager living in our house.<br />
<br />
Be afraid.<br />
<br />
I know I am.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Just kidding! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">It's Skylar's 13th Birthday, today! Happy Happy Birthday, Skylar! You rock like pickles! And we love you so, so very much!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zrwx5ykq7PQ/Tui1zEqWKTI/AAAAAAAAG5M/zCj_9v8Bd6M/s1600/SkyKarateEvanBdJuly2011+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zrwx5ykq7PQ/Tui1zEqWKTI/AAAAAAAAG5M/zCj_9v8Bd6M/s640/SkyKarateEvanBdJuly2011+018.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-81270855679498133512011-12-14T06:35:00.000-08:002011-12-14T06:35:41.418-08:00In The Blink of an Eye<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, what d'ya know? It's mid December! How the blazes did that happen?! I want to catch you up, but I really am lacking time lately, like everyone else, I assume. It's always such a delicate balance....living life and posting about it.<br />
<br />
I don't like short-changing either one, but if I have to, it's gonna be the "posting about it" part that will have to fall short.<br />
<br />
I am however, going to try to catch you up....a little at a time.<br />
<br />
Here we go.<br />
<br />
Halloween....it was a lot of fun! It always is. It's a favorite holiday of the kids (and John) for sure.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZp7waKmlxQ/Tuiqej34j2I/AAAAAAAAG3U/OlrMkxBbq1I/s1600/Halloween2011+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZp7waKmlxQ/Tuiqej34j2I/AAAAAAAAG3U/OlrMkxBbq1I/s640/Halloween2011+001.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's our rag doll, Darth Vader and Alice in Wonderland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdHvfQrtWtU/Tuiqhk9KYqI/AAAAAAAAG3c/7mwuXuVYqAM/s1600/Halloween2011+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdHvfQrtWtU/Tuiqhk9KYqI/AAAAAAAAG3c/7mwuXuVYqAM/s640/Halloween2011+002.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Thanksgiving was awesome! It's my fave holiday for the mere fact that it's so chilled out. It's family oriented and relaxed and cozy. Did you know the word "cozy"is one of my favorite words in the universe? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgBRlEjShck/TuS9qB3Aw_I/AAAAAAAAG20/zSQZblJJqIQ/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgBRlEjShck/TuS9qB3Aw_I/AAAAAAAAG20/zSQZblJJqIQ/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
My mom was here. I love that lady! The food was great! They say too many cooks spoil the broth (or something like that), well not here, baby! We all pitched in and made a wonderful dinner and dessert. Yum, yum, yummety yum!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfrUcIkL1Qk/TuS9L6jiLvI/AAAAAAAAG2s/Rf7gE-wWFO0/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfrUcIkL1Qk/TuS9L6jiLvI/AAAAAAAAG2s/Rf7gE-wWFO0/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgIgGnLxM3g/TuS9JB9mC6I/AAAAAAAAG2k/zkYC9T6Z-3c/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgIgGnLxM3g/TuS9JB9mC6I/AAAAAAAAG2k/zkYC9T6Z-3c/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+033.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cJ7doMCExQ/TuS8l1g7D3I/AAAAAAAAG2c/FDIzzhFi9Bk/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cJ7doMCExQ/TuS8l1g7D3I/AAAAAAAAG2c/FDIzzhFi9Bk/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+027.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys2n7olglHs/TuS-9SJ8_rI/AAAAAAAAG3M/7SR2CPLOXps/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys2n7olglHs/TuS-9SJ8_rI/AAAAAAAAG3M/7SR2CPLOXps/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky and Grandma Jo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Desserts were fantastic! I love a good meal, but dessert has always been my favorite. I am probably a horrible example to my children, with the amount of sugar I can consume. But, I try to keep it in check. ;) It's hard, though, with this selection.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLE4I0-EiLg/TuS-O51_0UI/AAAAAAAAG28/PuSQcfWOpBo/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLE4I0-EiLg/TuS-O51_0UI/AAAAAAAAG28/PuSQcfWOpBo/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiley Face cookies brought from PA! Yummaaaay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YsMnp5zeXTs/TuS-x1cSxTI/AAAAAAAAG3E/rkRlQB25yT0/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YsMnp5zeXTs/TuS-x1cSxTI/AAAAAAAAG3E/rkRlQB25yT0/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday night, after a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend, we began our Advent with a festive drive through light show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3WnR7wcifE/TuisqCBFK4I/AAAAAAAAG3k/xTrJeD0FKzQ/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3WnR7wcifE/TuisqCBFK4I/AAAAAAAAG3k/xTrJeD0FKzQ/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone all cozy in the van?....yep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyQKo5H-NWA/TuisxDmPYqI/AAAAAAAAG3s/pCRYngBhdo4/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyQKo5H-NWA/TuisxDmPYqI/AAAAAAAAG3s/pCRYngBhdo4/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko625yeYoLQ/TuitLSgOg3I/AAAAAAAAG4M/2cCOW3MxXME/s1600/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko625yeYoLQ/TuitLSgOg3I/AAAAAAAAG4M/2cCOW3MxXME/s640/ThanksgivingEarlyAdvent2011+087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
It was a good way to start the Advent season, (along with Mass that we went to that Sunday morning) and it was wonderful to Grandma here with us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Tuesday evening, Skylar had a karate belt ceremony and Grandma was here for that, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1L3NyUF_Z0/TuivTjz6qMI/AAAAAAAAG4U/g1aUFgxiQ0Y/s1600/Advent2011+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1L3NyUF_Z0/TuivTjz6qMI/AAAAAAAAG4U/g1aUFgxiQ0Y/s640/Advent2011+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6c3EACL6upY/TuivZiGdbVI/AAAAAAAAG4k/3qQ-oEaSLdE/s1600/Advent2011+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6c3EACL6upY/TuivZiGdbVI/AAAAAAAAG4k/3qQ-oEaSLdE/s640/Advent2011+021.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You wouldn't want to run into her in a dark alley. She'd kick your butt!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiHW4YwYLWc/Tuiv2b7MbkI/AAAAAAAAG4s/iB0eNGXd3z4/s1600/Advent2011+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiHW4YwYLWc/Tuiv2b7MbkI/AAAAAAAAG4s/iB0eNGXd3z4/s640/Advent2011+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTlmqAlGO5Q/Tuiv49s_ijI/AAAAAAAAG40/Q8lKY_LewjI/s1600/Advent2011+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTlmqAlGO5Q/Tuiv49s_ijI/AAAAAAAAG40/Q8lKY_LewjI/s640/Advent2011+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great job, Skylar!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Grandma had to go home. :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlEvAQ0vtMY/TuiyJ5AixZI/AAAAAAAAG48/NrWyM-5Yfdk/s1600/Advent2011+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlEvAQ0vtMY/TuiyJ5AixZI/AAAAAAAAG48/NrWyM-5Yfdk/s640/Advent2011+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8qsHyn9O2M/TuiyLkTHKeI/AAAAAAAAG5E/o4zK23Psz18/s1600/Advent2011+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8qsHyn9O2M/TuiyLkTHKeI/AAAAAAAAG5E/o4zK23Psz18/s640/Advent2011+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's always great to have her here....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Always hard to say goodbye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Advent has been very busy, fun, exciting, full, interesting....etc. etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope to post more on that in the next few days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are having a pleasant, peaceful, blessed Advent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great day! Make it special!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TTFN</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Tina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-47700722798960030882011-11-02T12:01:00.000-07:002011-11-02T12:01:29.334-07:00No Matter What<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Evan, Sky and Alexa had a blast last Fall when we made a trip to a local farm that really "does it up" for Halloween. They have the "haunted hayride", the corn maze, tons of slides, haybales to climb on, animals of all kinds, goats to visit and feed, and tons of yummy food. All kinds of cozy comfort foods like nachos with cheese, hot chili, hot apple cider, hot chocolate (noticing a theme here?....in the crisp Autumn air, you need all that "hot" to warm up from the inside out), hot soft pretzels, hot dogs, and Kettle Corn. The food is a definite part of the charm of this place, at least for me. The kids enjoy it, too, but they are there for the action! <br />
<br />
We had some things working against us this year. We wanted to go on the Friday before Halloween, since that is when Skylar's friend was able to come with us. But illnesses crept in at the beginning of the week. Then the forecast called for rain. Once we got through the brunt of the illnesses and were on the mend, we still had the issue of rain to deal with. They close this place when it rains. The weathermen eventually took rain out of that days weather predictions and put in chilly temps.....no, make that cold temps. Not bitter cold, just around 50 degrees. Those temps combined with Evan still having a little sinus issue, made me leary of this plan, but if we didn't go on this exact day, we wouldn't be able to go at all this year. And Evan (and the girls) wanted to go.....no matter what.<br />
<br />
So Friday morning, the sun was shining and I took that (along with Evan's begging and pleading) as a sign that we were meant to just go for it.<br />
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The day went well. It was definitely cold, but we dressed in layers and had hats and gloves. We were as prepared as we could be.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexa doing her best "Tarzan", then dropping into the soft foam pit.</td></tr>
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It was truly a ton of fun. We met some "locals".... ;)<br />
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<br />
And got a little sillaaay.....<br />
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This was a day full of laughs.<br />
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And thrills.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e0vidBsVwMg/Tq6URuuJYJI/AAAAAAAAGy0/Ta4SK-PpDhU/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e0vidBsVwMg/Tq6URuuJYJI/AAAAAAAAGy0/Ta4SK-PpDhU/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1MEAnJLjcTE/Tq6UW6KdJlI/AAAAAAAAGzE/EWRSZkvMAkc/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1MEAnJLjcTE/Tq6UW6KdJlI/AAAAAAAAGzE/EWRSZkvMAkc/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And a hayride with lots to see along the way! (Actually, our dear sweet tractor driver informed us we were sitting on straw, not hay. So technically it was a Straw Ride)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1hfWuwOLLE/Tq6a4Qo4rvI/AAAAAAAAG0M/U_sHWszXWHk/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1hfWuwOLLE/Tq6a4Qo4rvI/AAAAAAAAG0M/U_sHWszXWHk/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEtzavoUV50/Tq6a6ibs1tI/AAAAAAAAG0U/Bb4NAg5OfHE/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEtzavoUV50/Tq6a6ibs1tI/AAAAAAAAG0U/Bb4NAg5OfHE/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
These guys don't look like they are from around here. ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y1P_WFMAZEQ/Tq6bSTCdt8I/AAAAAAAAG0c/ZrRM6INDBQs/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y1P_WFMAZEQ/Tq6bSTCdt8I/AAAAAAAAG0c/ZrRM6INDBQs/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> It's especially exciting when it looks like it's just a bunch of "props" with some Star Wars music playing as the wagon rolls by. But then out run a couple of aliens for some meet and greet and some high 5s! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oaSZR3Yvr6M/Tq6bVi_QW8I/AAAAAAAAG0k/ns8CSkzi9_A/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oaSZR3Yvr6M/Tq6bVi_QW8I/AAAAAAAAG0k/ns8CSkzi9_A/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> There was so much to see.....The Creepy...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN3MpeUSBz4/Tq6ed-M57-I/AAAAAAAAG08/yJZwlRLX-ZY/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN3MpeUSBz4/Tq6ed-M57-I/AAAAAAAAG08/yJZwlRLX-ZY/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+096.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l17ouNg5y8g/Tq6ehW0V9mI/AAAAAAAAG1E/n4OEWO_fDzA/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l17ouNg5y8g/Tq6ehW0V9mI/AAAAAAAAG1E/n4OEWO_fDzA/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+097.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Evan's faves....the Invisible Man</td></tr>
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The fun.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDi1aTKddwM/Tq6elLvFHAI/AAAAAAAAG1M/ZiNeSo7BuHg/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDi1aTKddwM/Tq6elLvFHAI/AAAAAAAAG1M/ZiNeSo7BuHg/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right at this point the tractor driver told us the train was coming and we might not make it across!.....Then, when we least expected it, he blew a pretty freakin' loud horn, scaring children and parents alike....</td></tr>
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Yeah, we had loads of fun on that <strike>hay</strike> straw ride.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trGa8N9kKsA/TrGNDRjCdvI/AAAAAAAAG1c/6zFRAkPskvY/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trGa8N9kKsA/TrGNDRjCdvI/AAAAAAAAG1c/6zFRAkPskvY/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVYJe00O3Us/TrGNL5WtRLI/AAAAAAAAG1k/-74UpZuNkgQ/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVYJe00O3Us/TrGNL5WtRLI/AAAAAAAAG1k/-74UpZuNkgQ/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+114.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the troll on her troll bridge up there.....threatening to not let us pass under. We had to promise her some apple cider on our next visit. Little does she know she's going to have to wait a year. Hope she's not too thirsty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C92KSptEkFo/TrGNOWKMv2I/AAAAAAAAG1s/N_3_2SX4qYs/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C92KSptEkFo/TrGNOWKMv2I/AAAAAAAAG1s/N_3_2SX4qYs/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpjJ8dMYyVI/TrGNV0MWNvI/AAAAAAAAG10/X1RmAWD5g8M/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpjJ8dMYyVI/TrGNV0MWNvI/AAAAAAAAG10/X1RmAWD5g8M/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+120.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! It's daddy! Haha</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And we got to visit some cute little animals.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyTsZsu8pbU/Tq1Ry3rsNgI/AAAAAAAAGw8/6leWpbMZdZI/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyTsZsu8pbU/Tq1Ry3rsNgI/AAAAAAAAGw8/6leWpbMZdZI/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<em>This little piggie went to market, this little piggie stayed home.....</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7m_w86pCgw/Tq1R2APFlwI/AAAAAAAAGxE/lYAKDvnnUWg/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7m_w86pCgw/Tq1R2APFlwI/AAAAAAAAGxE/lYAKDvnnUWg/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+073.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
And some BIG animals. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjNlX_ehNnY/Tq1SOqOQt6I/AAAAAAAAGxM/4THBIXOlKTM/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjNlX_ehNnY/Tq1SOqOQt6I/AAAAAAAAGxM/4THBIXOlKTM/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<em>This little piggie had some SERIOUS roast beef!</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr_yfWZ6NBs/Tq1Sa_CUtgI/AAAAAAAAGxU/a97n19FXXMg/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr_yfWZ6NBs/Tq1Sa_CUtgI/AAAAAAAAGxU/a97n19FXXMg/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The goat pen is a part of this place we can never pass up. Especially for Alexa (my future vet). It's pretty cool that you can go inside the pen with a ton of goats all around you and just visit and play with them. (<em>or for a dollar you can feed them an ice cream cone full of goat food)</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kZsol3JyDo/Tq6Wrf352jI/AAAAAAAAGzM/1OA7sGf7X3Q/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kZsol3JyDo/Tq6Wrf352jI/AAAAAAAAGzM/1OA7sGf7X3Q/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsy0B1FvQgU/Tq6WvcvuYYI/AAAAAAAAGzU/cf3iLKjMG5U/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsy0B1FvQgU/Tq6WvcvuYYI/AAAAAAAAGzU/cf3iLKjMG5U/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+179.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqUrfAYcxTY/Tq6X3CsJ7RI/AAAAAAAAGzc/_CC0bFiZN80/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqUrfAYcxTY/Tq6X3CsJ7RI/AAAAAAAAGzc/_CC0bFiZN80/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+199.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kD12G3hCi8/Tq6X5WnWiEI/AAAAAAAAGzk/Bj-V2FTcZCU/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kD12G3hCi8/Tq6X5WnWiEI/AAAAAAAAGzk/Bj-V2FTcZCU/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLwmuNizcg/Tq6X-eJw7VI/AAAAAAAAGzs/ARnUnVlSuzI/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lLwmuNizcg/Tq6X-eJw7VI/AAAAAAAAGzs/ARnUnVlSuzI/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sinMo7J_ScI/Tq6YPEOkRgI/AAAAAAAAGz8/yHpHewPppjE/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sinMo7J_ScI/Tq6YPEOkRgI/AAAAAAAAGz8/yHpHewPppjE/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tfRrVK_6mY/Tq6YSjTLYyI/AAAAAAAAG0E/VAEeF9JO1xQ/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tfRrVK_6mY/Tq6YSjTLYyI/AAAAAAAAG0E/VAEeF9JO1xQ/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGEqv4Y1-F0/Tq6dhh7v3_I/AAAAAAAAG00/T_VtoeLHybQ/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGEqv4Y1-F0/Tq6dhh7v3_I/AAAAAAAAG00/T_VtoeLHybQ/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+191.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tell my kids this all the time. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We made some fun memories.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RswZ2ykYPc/TrGO1EUJf9I/AAAAAAAAG18/f3y_z8j75sM/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RswZ2ykYPc/TrGO1EUJf9I/AAAAAAAAG18/f3y_z8j75sM/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GANpMNTx7ZU/TrGO4M9rpgI/AAAAAAAAG2E/5CiLNHwtf3A/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GANpMNTx7ZU/TrGO4M9rpgI/AAAAAAAAG2E/5CiLNHwtf3A/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64SNdrgBWMo/TrGPfoxBr3I/AAAAAAAAG2M/tpR1LsxddB4/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64SNdrgBWMo/TrGPfoxBr3I/AAAAAAAAG2M/tpR1LsxddB4/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+140.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I get by with a little help from my friends.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Foxo_HpwMVM/TrGPh1-XycI/AAAAAAAAG2U/8SZB1t-cFxk/s1600/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Foxo_HpwMVM/TrGPh1-XycI/AAAAAAAAG2U/8SZB1t-cFxk/s640/Oct2011CoxFarmTayHomecoming+144.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">or standing in front of the haystack works too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I guess it's good that Evan and the girls were determined to go.....no matter what.<br />
Because it ended up being a pretty awesome day. :)<br />
<br />
The timing didn't work for Taylor joining us, since she had school. Hopefully that works out better next year.<br />
<br />
Hope you are enjoying some of the beautiful outdoors before it gets too cold.<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina<br />
<br />
</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-15329102902488156152011-10-22T19:22:00.000-07:002011-10-22T19:22:28.210-07:00An Autumn Saturday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We've been having a good weekend around here, and it's only half over. Cool! And it is quite <em>cool</em>, actually....outside, too. There's a really crisp Fall chill in the air and I'm likin' it. <br />
<br />
This morning we slept in, for the most part (8 am <em>is</em> sleeping in with a 5 year old in the house). Skylar had karate this morning and I've been doing some laundry off and on today, too. <br />
<br />
After lunch I took the girls to the mall and John took Evan to run a few errands. First they went for a cookie at Subway (John had a coupon for a free one) and then they picked up a few things at the grocery store and stopped in the bank quickly, too. From the report Evan gave me when the girls and I got home, he and daddy had a good time and he even got a lollypop from the teller at the bank!<br />
<br />
The girls and I split up at the mall. Taylor and Alexa off looking for homecoming accessories for Taylor and Sky and I went in search of some Fall clothes and a coat for Sky. No luck on the coat, but 2 sweaters for her (and 2 for me. :D....), all on sale, so we were pretty happy.<br />
<br />
This evening I made my BBQ chicken pizza while John and Taylor went to Costco. The pizza was yummmmmmaaaayyyy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGyGC7B5KVY/TqNlc8tRVHI/AAAAAAAAGk0/Dv8v8XVlwJg/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGyGC7B5KVY/TqNlc8tRVHI/AAAAAAAAGk0/Dv8v8XVlwJg/s400/FallWalkOct2011+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After dinner it was already getting dark but Evan wanted to play outside. It was pretty chilly, but a good chilly, not a freeeeezing chilly.<br />
<br />
So I took him and the younger girls for a neighborhood walk in the dark, equipped with flashlights for all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl8xbXnuDEE/TqNmSB5BzTI/AAAAAAAAGk8/As92P8g2YuI/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl8xbXnuDEE/TqNmSB5BzTI/AAAAAAAAGk8/As92P8g2YuI/s640/FallWalkOct2011+009.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Evan and Lexa kept telliing each other scary stories as we walked along, then kept freaking out over every little noise. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-7kCdxSUDs/TqNnGzDebpI/AAAAAAAAGlU/K_HzyIKivHc/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-7kCdxSUDs/TqNnGzDebpI/AAAAAAAAGlU/K_HzyIKivHc/s640/FallWalkOct2011+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8a2fOSX9PE/TqNnLVbJniI/AAAAAAAAGlc/Q-7w8xirBwg/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8a2fOSX9PE/TqNnLVbJniI/AAAAAAAAGlc/Q-7w8xirBwg/s640/FallWalkOct2011+025.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>I was mostly concerned about them not watching where they were going and tripping on a large random pinecone, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXwbzIofY_k/TqNmrjbQNpI/AAAAAAAAGlM/YTMBB64iNUQ/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXwbzIofY_k/TqNmrjbQNpI/AAAAAAAAGlM/YTMBB64iNUQ/s640/FallWalkOct2011+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
but everyone survived the adventure and we headed home for some hot chocolate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2Kd5yqe2Ns/TqNngKhcYvI/AAAAAAAAGlk/uBtUTpshr5o/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2Kd5yqe2Ns/TqNngKhcYvI/AAAAAAAAGlk/uBtUTpshr5o/s640/FallWalkOct2011+038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XV8gjOrYS0/TqNnkwVuUGI/AAAAAAAAGls/ljxH8yfQtyE/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XV8gjOrYS0/TqNnkwVuUGI/AAAAAAAAGls/ljxH8yfQtyE/s640/FallWalkOct2011+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Our resident magician, The Amazing Daddy, performed some magic tricks for the kids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i0CNse-ElH0/TqNoMf1WVyI/AAAAAAAAGl0/NrU6P2oC7I4/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i0CNse-ElH0/TqNoMf1WVyI/AAAAAAAAGl0/NrU6P2oC7I4/s640/FallWalkOct2011+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9CLGU57thbo/TqNoPJbiUfI/AAAAAAAAGl8/vQFXYjQ6EeE/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9CLGU57thbo/TqNoPJbiUfI/AAAAAAAAGl8/vQFXYjQ6EeE/s640/FallWalkOct2011+047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwfrXJIourA/TqNoc-DNh6I/AAAAAAAAGmE/jHCOOs2L72g/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwfrXJIourA/TqNoc-DNh6I/AAAAAAAAGmE/jHCOOs2L72g/s640/FallWalkOct2011+048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBSwfGaJ7j0/TqNofxFQEHI/AAAAAAAAGmM/QL--z2a2zik/s1600/FallWalkOct2011+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBSwfGaJ7j0/TqNofxFQEHI/AAAAAAAAGmM/QL--z2a2zik/s640/FallWalkOct2011+049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He amazed Evan with this one! How does he do that?! The secret is....his magical powers. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Taylor has a friend sleeping over tonight and we have Mass tomorrow morning. The Steelers play tomorrow, but we don't get the game. :/<br />
<br />
I'll be planning school and checking papers in the afternoon along with finishing laundry and I'm sure the girls and Evan will get in some outside playtime. Tomorrow night is CCD and youth group. <br />
<br />
Then Monday it's back to school/work for all. <br />
<br />
Wait.<br />
<br />
Nevermind Monday. Forget I said that. <br />
<br />
Let's enjoy the weekend while we have it!<br />
<br />
Hope you enjoy yours! Make it special!<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina<br />
<br />
</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-76364913257380052852011-10-20T09:55:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:57:20.276-07:00It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.....Halloween<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My children love love love Halloween. I could give or take it. I think some people go overboard with the scary, gory stuff. I just like it for the fun of seeing the kids dress up and have a good time.<br />
<br />
My kids have always enjoyed playing dress up. And walking outside in costume, seeing neighborhood friends in their costumes, AND filling a bag with treats, makes it all just super exciting for them. So I can't blame them a bit. I enjoyed Halloween as a kid, too. <br />
<br />
I'm jumpin' on their bandwagon and makin' it a little festive around here.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwQKhUo2OEE/TqBKhysYZOI/AAAAAAAAGiU/bAe0-GVmcis/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwQKhUo2OEE/TqBKhysYZOI/AAAAAAAAGiU/bAe0-GVmcis/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+002.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makin' some spooky ghosts</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DK6WO-xp4Ek/TqBKnYU4xoI/AAAAAAAAGis/XHpAOJ8zQTs/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DK6WO-xp4Ek/TqBKnYU4xoI/AAAAAAAAGis/XHpAOJ8zQTs/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Decorations everywhere.......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6H8Dtt9TYs/TqBMR_KGgiI/AAAAAAAAGi8/P7kekmH5AT0/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6H8Dtt9TYs/TqBMR_KGgiI/AAAAAAAAGi8/P7kekmH5AT0/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iubHX4J8V4c/TqBMQmC3DDI/AAAAAAAAGi0/-Pp9So0y8Tk/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iubHX4J8V4c/TqBMQmC3DDI/AAAAAAAAGi0/-Pp9So0y8Tk/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+010.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip44L-WS6Hw/TqBMTFkfFJI/AAAAAAAAGjE/cgf8qeuiv30/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ip44L-WS6Hw/TqBMTFkfFJI/AAAAAAAAGjE/cgf8qeuiv30/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+016.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obMrwjt2C4c/TqBMUqK0KoI/AAAAAAAAGjM/cM9FS6bwrXI/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obMrwjt2C4c/TqBMUqK0KoI/AAAAAAAAGjM/cM9FS6bwrXI/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Evan wants to make the house "spooky" so I'm pulling out everything we've got in the garage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4jDVxJvTOQ/TqBMhAk8zvI/AAAAAAAAGjs/8WCGaicRuu4/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4jDVxJvTOQ/TqBMhAk8zvI/AAAAAAAAGjs/8WCGaicRuu4/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+021.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDyf40pwI2g/TqBMdLZFPGI/AAAAAAAAGjk/7_RVP6bh8D4/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDyf40pwI2g/TqBMdLZFPGI/AAAAAAAAGjk/7_RVP6bh8D4/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+024.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2r98Ao2AK6w/TqBMXDfs2II/AAAAAAAAGjU/JIu2X8KJn2M/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2r98Ao2AK6w/TqBMXDfs2II/AAAAAAAAGjU/JIu2X8KJn2M/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I went a little "happy" with the Halloween sprinkles at dinner last night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sky helped (you gotta watch that girl around sprinkles....she's as bad as her mother).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsKZuOxGKWs/TqBOiArv8gI/AAAAAAAAGj0/zfDoXL4eXT4/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsKZuOxGKWs/TqBOiArv8gI/AAAAAAAAGj0/zfDoXL4eXT4/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxbAJIhVcok/TqBOogxSj1I/AAAAAAAAGj8/nyc2gckwDoI/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxbAJIhVcok/TqBOogxSj1I/AAAAAAAAGj8/nyc2gckwDoI/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kWkf7EGPi0/TqBOuEAjpZI/AAAAAAAAGkM/QmmoER_YxA8/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kWkf7EGPi0/TqBOuEAjpZI/AAAAAAAAGkM/QmmoER_YxA8/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LIry0WZb1Gc/TqBOyjpshEI/AAAAAAAAGkU/NO_ls2ALRaU/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LIry0WZb1Gc/TqBOyjpshEI/AAAAAAAAGkU/NO_ls2ALRaU/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rest of the kids didn't seem to mind. Yummaaaay!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BitvB-gA2Nk/TqBPa33D87I/AAAAAAAAGkc/ggAVUSiaS4k/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BitvB-gA2Nk/TqBPa33D87I/AAAAAAAAGkc/ggAVUSiaS4k/s640/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+046.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Evan's nature collections from our walks. He likes to decorate the house with his "treasure".</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ha9RxOyTB8/TqBPd9purXI/AAAAAAAAGkk/etkvC90_ScU/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ha9RxOyTB8/TqBPd9purXI/AAAAAAAAGkk/etkvC90_ScU/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+044.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMIEr2m9sfc/TqBPhUWTGkI/AAAAAAAAGks/D5Nwl5zMrvI/s1600/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMIEr2m9sfc/TqBPhUWTGkI/AAAAAAAAGks/D5Nwl5zMrvI/s400/Oct2011HalloweenDecorations+045.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am enjoying this time of year with all the oranges (my favorite color), reds and yellows. The chill is in the air today so we are going to head out to enjoy it for a bit. I think I'll bake up some muffins, too. They are not homemade so don't be impressed. I just keep "add water" boxed mixes on hand for days like this. I score points in the "Fun Mom" category without all the work and hassle of it. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are enjoying these colder days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Make today a special one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TTFN</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Tina</div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-40510556998536682672011-10-16T06:17:00.000-07:002011-10-16T06:17:20.895-07:00Feeling Really Appreciative Today. For.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLqwar9RD0E/TppNmAPbLjI/AAAAAAAAGhE/fBgJEpAauds/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLqwar9RD0E/TppNmAPbLjI/AAAAAAAAGhE/fBgJEpAauds/s640/Oct.2011ParkDay+133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><ul><li>A really good cup of coffee, with just the right amount of French Vanilla Creamer.</li>
<li>The last "flower" of the season. Picked, just for me.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbOV1tW7Z2E/TppNs02y5pI/AAAAAAAAGhM/SLuKJFnot0Q/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbOV1tW7Z2E/TppNs02y5pI/AAAAAAAAGhM/SLuKJFnot0Q/s640/Oct.2011ParkDay+139.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>Sunny, Autumn days when the warm colors of the leaves seem to sparkle as the sun sends little slivers of light through the branches of the trees. (<em>Hope you enjoyed my poetic moment of the day</em>.) </li>
<li>The playground</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BnHfRLZVmlc/TppPLuL1IzI/AAAAAAAAGh8/8wILgnX4lOU/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BnHfRLZVmlc/TppPLuL1IzI/AAAAAAAAGh8/8wILgnX4lOU/s400/Oct.2011ParkDay+056.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzP5RFOJkh4/TppPJFAwTCI/AAAAAAAAGh0/gaTbZyz6wyU/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzP5RFOJkh4/TppPJFAwTCI/AAAAAAAAGh0/gaTbZyz6wyU/s400/Oct.2011ParkDay+125.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><br />
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<ul><li>Nyquil. That stuff kicks major butt.</li>
<li>The music of <em>The Script</em> and <em>Coldplay....</em>two of my faves right now.</li>
<li>Saving money. Not buying cheap stuff, just getting good stuff at cheap prices. There's definitely a difference.</li>
<li>Waffles</li>
<li>Getting engrossed in a really interesting book, until I can't keep my eyes open, then drifting off to sleep at night.</li>
</ul><br />
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<ul><li>Christmas shopping early. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but Christmas shopping has become a chore to me. It takes away from the special Advent season when I get consumed with my "To Do" list. So if I get the shopping mostly done before Advent begins, I can enjoy the season and share it with my children in a much more relaxed, simplified, low stress way.</li>
<li>Vaccuuming....it's the only part of cleaning that I actually enjoy. For real.</li>
<li>Porch swings. I wish we had one.</li>
<li>Hearing my little boy laugh so hard, he can hardly catch his breath.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNf-n8n4Z5Y/TppPlBEaUxI/AAAAAAAAGiE/D2UZJrO5lsg/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNf-n8n4Z5Y/TppPlBEaUxI/AAAAAAAAGiE/D2UZJrO5lsg/s640/Oct.2011ParkDay+026.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>Decaf coffee. I actually like the taste of decaf over regular, but I need the swift kick in the pants that regular provides.</li>
<li>My faith. This is obviously not a list of my faves in order of importance, or this would be way up top. My faith is a gift that I am thankful for beyond measure. It has blessed my life in so many ways.</li>
<li>Texting. Keeping in touch has never been easier. </li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TklDI8ymiIE/TppN4U8QCfI/AAAAAAAAGhU/pqxD2fORqtk/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TklDI8ymiIE/TppN4U8QCfI/AAAAAAAAGhU/pqxD2fORqtk/s640/Oct.2011ParkDay+134.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><ul><li>Watching Steeler football games with Skylar. So glad one of my kids is a fan! I love that the Steelers don't have a bunch of sparkly, underdressed, obnoxious cheerleaders. We fans don't need encouragement to cheer for our guys!</li>
<li>Thanksgiving. I love the simplicity in just celebrating the blessings God has given us.</li>
<li>SuperTarget</li>
<li>Sunsets....I would probably like sunrises too, but I have no desire to get up early enough to see one.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kabzh2PqFII/TppOotwF54I/AAAAAAAAGhs/MEr7egkz5zI/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kabzh2PqFII/TppOotwF54I/AAAAAAAAGhs/MEr7egkz5zI/s640/Oct.2011ParkDay+083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>Playing board games with my kids.</li>
<li>The endless energy of children.</li>
</ul><br />
I could go on and on. And I will, another time. Every day is a good day to look around and feel content and thankful for every one and every thing God has blessed you with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hciWPgAYUgU/TppPnNFkInI/AAAAAAAAGiM/vStbW7SHmXQ/s1600/Oct.2011ParkDay+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hciWPgAYUgU/TppPnNFkInI/AAAAAAAAGiM/vStbW7SHmXQ/s640/Oct.2011ParkDay+020.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are enjoying your weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Make it a special day with those you love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TTFN</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Tina</div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-48073664342190362322011-10-09T06:07:00.000-07:002011-10-09T06:07:44.288-07:00A Rare Occasion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBjWZi_Cs64/TpGZkgDOiyI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/k0QV779mqjM/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBjWZi_Cs64/TpGZkgDOiyI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/k0QV779mqjM/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When the kids were little, we would go out almost every weekend. We'd go to the mall, to a restaurant, to a bookstore, something like that. Just something as a family for a little time with all of us together. The older they get, the harder that is. Everyone going in different directions. And we don't go out to eat very often anymore anyway, because of the expense and also the "unhealthiness"of it. I can cook fresh, healthy meals at home for much cheaper than most restaurants. And malls just tend to make us want to spend money we don't really have, for things we don't really need. So our "family outings" have become fewer and farther between.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqISf1DIGUI/TpGZrcHn6QI/AAAAAAAAGgc/1gy1gVV-6jw/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqISf1DIGUI/TpGZrcHn6QI/AAAAAAAAGgc/1gy1gVV-6jw/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+007.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTKj9VsWCGw/TpGZmz82qOI/AAAAAAAAGgU/0B8oIQpPdbM/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTKj9VsWCGw/TpGZmz82qOI/AAAAAAAAGgU/0B8oIQpPdbM/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti5F4SNKNjY/TpGZo7ZdcQI/AAAAAAAAGgY/dXfET3_b1FI/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ti5F4SNKNjY/TpGZo7ZdcQI/AAAAAAAAGgY/dXfET3_b1FI/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+005.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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But today we decided to head to a mall we haven't been to in a while. And since it was all 6 of us, we decided to make sort of a little day of it. We kept it very low key. Part of the fun is the drive there, singing and dancing in the van, everyone getting their groove on. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcpImJpvto4/TpGaLHeqWHI/AAAAAAAAGgg/w5uPG_b7BrI/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcpImJpvto4/TpGaLHeqWHI/AAAAAAAAGgg/w5uPG_b7BrI/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj8K9knR2Q0/TpGaO6kBX4I/AAAAAAAAGgk/0kNA1qvnx7c/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj8K9knR2Q0/TpGaO6kBX4I/AAAAAAAAGgk/0kNA1qvnx7c/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>When we got there, we let Evan play at the little play place (<em>can you believe he's almost too tall for it?! My baby?!).</em> Then we stopped in the little candy store and let each of the kids pick out their favorites <em>(and me too....I love cinnamon bears!).</em> <br />
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Everyone got to have a little sample of their candy, just a few pieces so as to not spoil their dinner. We looked around a bit. Taylor took Sky and Alexa to Hot Topic and John, Evan and I went to Hallmark. They had some Halloween decorations that caught Evan's eye. And once we got inside, we spent some time checking out all the Hallmark Christmas ornaments.<br />
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That was about it for the mall. It was crowded and we were just window shopping anyway, so it was enough time spent there. Then we headed to dinner. We went to the Silver Diner. What a fun place to eat. I originally wanted to go for the nostalgia, but after checking out the new menu.....wow....the food was so good! They have healthy menu options now too (<em>always a plus</em>).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prHlGghQ3zg/TpGa44MI-TI/AAAAAAAAGg0/1dBKqNfGKFk/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prHlGghQ3zg/TpGa44MI-TI/AAAAAAAAGg0/1dBKqNfGKFk/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The kids got a kick out of the cardboard cars that come with the kids meals and the jukebox at each table. <br />
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It was a lot of fun.<br />
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</div>Oh, but as a side note....to the people in the booth behind us. It is not cool to choose "<em>I Will Survive</em>" by Gloria Gaynor over and over and over again from your juke box for the rest of us to suffer through. Really?! There should be a limit on the number of times you can play a song. At one point I was pretty sure the person choosing the song was NOT going to survive the meal, if Taylor could figure out exactly who they were. I am quite thankful the food was so good, because that song, repeatedly, was enough to make us lose our appetites. And Taylor was about to go out of her mind.<br />
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But, we didn't let it ruin our time. We had a blast, as a family out together. <br />
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My kids are some really cool people. And they are fun to hang out with. Their dad isn't so bad either.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7It0Wv4-dq8/TpGbiIZonCI/AAAAAAAAGhA/CYa7bRqSYbY/s1600/Oct2011SilverDiner+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7It0Wv4-dq8/TpGbiIZonCI/AAAAAAAAGhA/CYa7bRqSYbY/s400/Oct2011SilverDiner+054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We should do this more often.<br />
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Hope your weekend is wonderful and that you are making the most of it, with those you love the most!<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-61382508123317725592011-10-07T05:54:00.000-07:002011-10-17T11:33:57.133-07:00A Super Deluxe Fun Afternoon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Anything worth getting excited about is "super deluxe" to Evan. That's his term for it and I love it.<br />
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He and I spent the afternoon together today. Taylor was at school, John at work and Sky and Alexa had a girls club to go to. Everyone was out and about except my little guy and I (or is it "me"....grammar is not my strong point). <br />
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Anyhoo, it was so freakin' gorgeous out that we could not pass up the chance to grab some of that sunshine for ourselves. So after we dropped off the girls we went on a nature walk. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBxt8N_BJ9g/TpA-tzLMTnI/AAAAAAAAGd4/x2J5eFw6dsc/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBxt8N_BJ9g/TpA-tzLMTnI/AAAAAAAAGd4/x2J5eFw6dsc/s320/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Evan thought we were just going through the neighborhood and he was A-OK with that, but I had a teensy bit more in store. <br />
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When he was little, as in still-in-a-stroller-not-able-to-walk-yet little, I would take the kids to this pond/walking path/playground tucked back in a neighborhood near our house. Since he has no recollection of this, he had no idea this place existed. <br />
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We began our walk and he seemed to be cool with it, then he caught sight of the pond. He said, "Whoa! That's a BIG pond!" It is kinda big actually, especially for just being smack dab in the midst of suburbia. <br />
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We walked closer and saw some action in the water.....some turtles and frogs. <br />
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He had a bit of trouble seeing them as their camouflage was working well for them, but I pointed out the circular ripples in the water and how they indicate movement. <br />
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He thought that was pretty neat and was trying hard to see them. <br />
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But then he slipped and hit his knee on the edge of the walkway. It wasn't too bad and he didn't cry but he just kept rubbing it and moving it around and that's when he noticed the playground not too far off. <br />
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Then suddenly the nature became somewhat boring and old news to him and off he went. He healed quickly at that point too. Oh the healing powers of a beckoning playground. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3rrL6O8ALM/TpBGcDvEixI/AAAAAAAAGeY/DGEV6E2UgLQ/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3rrL6O8ALM/TpBGcDvEixI/AAAAAAAAGeY/DGEV6E2UgLQ/s400/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+112.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> It was a small playground right next to the path that was next to the lake, so I was able to still watch the pond and him at the same time. I noticed some geese and ducks. They were causing a bit of a ruckus.....maybe a territorial thing. I don't know, but they were noisy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmDj1EFOChc/TpBHn5XahNI/AAAAAAAAGec/p-dKAId6zQY/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmDj1EFOChc/TpBHn5XahNI/AAAAAAAAGec/p-dKAId6zQY/s640/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
That got Evan's attention back to nature. He came over to the fence at the edge of the pond to watch with me. He thought they were "pretty cool". <br />
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The ducks and geese noticed us and seemed to be quite accustomed to people because they started heading across the pond, towards us.....at a rapid pace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcGQwFqw6Xs/TpBC1up--4I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/9U8hxZavsZs/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcGQwFqw6Xs/TpBC1up--4I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/9U8hxZavsZs/s400/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>(<em>We had a bit of an incident with the feathered ones in the past, when I used to bring the kids here. We would bring bread to feed them, but then they get to where they demanded it. They'd get pretty feisty. It's like they're thinking...."yo! you looked at us, we came over, now give us bread!.....or else!"</em> ) <br />
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So having learned from the past. I got Evan back to the playground and within a few minutes they were heading back to the other shore. I felt a small sense of relief. <br />
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</div>I wasn't that worried to begin with. I could take on the geese. Yeah there might be 15 of them, but I'm much taller. I could take'em, if they wanted to start something.<br />
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The geese were cracking me up a bit as I noticed them dunking their heads down in the water for food. It reminded me of a scene from the movie <em>Aristocats.</em> The scene where the 2 geese are trying to find O'Malley who went under water. They say, "Bottoms up!".....<br />
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then "Deeper!"....all said in their English accents so it sounds more like "deepah". <br />
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I always loved that part.<br />
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We played a bit more at the playground then continued on and saw a butterfly and some interesting trees and little wildflowers and eventually a weeping willow tree. Very cool. We both felt the tree looked like a sad person with their shoulders and head just hanging low. We agreed it's a beautiful tree though. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQISQMK_QFQ/TpBPlgAPI9I/AAAAAAAAGfg/Y387V6mtplI/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQISQMK_QFQ/TpBPlgAPI9I/AAAAAAAAGfg/Y387V6mtplI/s640/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G5xoPNpiYO4/TpBPoDjJ8eI/AAAAAAAAGfk/ePGqM-7FOw8/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G5xoPNpiYO4/TpBPoDjJ8eI/AAAAAAAAGfk/ePGqM-7FOw8/s400/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We headed back on the path (avoiding eye contact with the ducks and geese, for obvious reasons) and after another brief stop at the playground, then went home. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhQOXAnt4y4/TpBOy5JJOvI/AAAAAAAAGfc/Aw5a4mWi_Pg/s1600/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhQOXAnt4y4/TpBOy5JJOvI/AAAAAAAAGfc/Aw5a4mWi_Pg/s640/Oct2011EvanandMommaDay+081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had some yummy cookies and milk! We made the cookies yesterday! They are Halloween shapes with icing and sprinkles on top. They look almost too good to eat. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Evan and I watched a Winnie the Pooh Halloween movie and snuggled on the couch till it was time to pick up the girls. Awesome afternoon. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful weather, great company, refreshing walk. I love that little guy! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It was a Super Deluxe Thursday afternoon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you have a super deluxe weekend, too!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Make it special!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">TTFN</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Tina</div><br />
<em>But seriously....a word to the wise....watch out for those "innocent looking" feathered ones.</em> </div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-10729221770288185452011-10-05T20:39:00.000-07:002011-10-05T20:39:01.277-07:00****Wordless Wednesday****<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_6rb-84_gA/To0hXVSaA8I/AAAAAAAAGdc/9ccViIubvWI/s1600/SeptOct2011+523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_6rb-84_gA/To0hXVSaA8I/AAAAAAAAGdc/9ccViIubvWI/s320/SeptOct2011+523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y57Ns8epf2U/To0heBxqV8I/AAAAAAAAGdg/MDMk7-HpBsM/s1600/SeptOct2011+525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y57Ns8epf2U/To0heBxqV8I/AAAAAAAAGdg/MDMk7-HpBsM/s320/SeptOct2011+525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YOAzOiM00Y/To0hjH3nRGI/AAAAAAAAGdk/IDGi_BPFp3Y/s1600/SeptOct2011+527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YOAzOiM00Y/To0hjH3nRGI/AAAAAAAAGdk/IDGi_BPFp3Y/s320/SeptOct2011+527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqRIG4qapH0/To0huZZ3VaI/AAAAAAAAGdo/2HdDpwJKXE4/s1600/SeptOct2011+532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqRIG4qapH0/To0huZZ3VaI/AAAAAAAAGdo/2HdDpwJKXE4/s320/SeptOct2011+532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wzelfcaB5I/To0hyo-1WAI/AAAAAAAAGds/21ercbxWIvY/s1600/SeptOct2011+530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wzelfcaB5I/To0hyo-1WAI/AAAAAAAAGds/21ercbxWIvY/s320/SeptOct2011+530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Go <a href="http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/">HERE</a> for more Wordless Wednesday posts. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-86681335677750644352011-10-02T20:13:00.000-07:002011-10-05T20:27:26.440-07:00~~~~The Simple Woman's Daybook~~~~<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCBO5T14XY0/TohY386X6aI/AAAAAAAAGdY/AqZjQ8EFLp0/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCBO5T14XY0/TohY386X6aI/AAAAAAAAGdY/AqZjQ8EFLp0/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>For Today: Sunday, October 2nd, 2011</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>I am hearing.....</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>the heat kicking on. I am not a fan of putting the heat on too early in the Fall as it seems to lead to dry skin, static everywhere, chapped lips, etc., but it was feeling really cold in this house last night. My numb feet could attest to this.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>I am wearing......</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>light blue long sleeved jammie tee, and light blue striped jammie pants. I also have my sage green throw over my shoulders. With the heat on, I am still chilly. I would love to move to Florida....if my entire family would come with us. Guess I better adapt to the cold.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>Outside my window......</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>seems cloudy so far. And it's only about 46 degrees.....brrrrrr. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(I miss summer!)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>I am thinking.......</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I miss summer!....and I hope we can get through these cold viruses soon, so we can start enjoying some of the fun outdoor events of Fall.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>Thankful for</strong>..............</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>a positive attitude yesterday. Even though we couldn't make it to the Fall Festival like we usually do (because of Evan and I being sick), Alexa came up with the idea of decorating for Halloween. And so that, along with watching some fun Halloween movies, eating popcorn, ordering pizza, putting on a Halloween CD and jamming with Glow Sticks to Monster Mash and other "Scary" tunes, saved the day from being a total bummer. My kids were rockin' out in the dark with glowing rings all over their bodies. They used the glow sticks as drum sticks, and had a blast.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>I am reading...........</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Caddie Woodlawn. I am working my way through all the books on our shelves. I need to get some grown up reads, I really do, but in the meantime, I read what's available. I am really enjoying books....more than I have in years!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>In my prayers...........</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>my mom and aunt who are on retreat.....for their safe return home. For my dad, whose health always concerns me. I'm so glad I got to talk to him last night. It was a short conversation because I have laryngitis, but at least he knows I was thinking of him, as always. For all unborn babies everywhere. That they will be welcomed into the world by their loving mothers and fathers and seen as the true gift they are.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>I was hoping.....</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>t</em><em>o participate in the prolife chain that reaches across our town today. We always try to participate in the prayer chain, showing our support for an end to the tragedy of abortion. But being sick this year means we'll have to miss. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>I am hoping......</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>T</em><em>he 40 Days for Life recently began, so I hope to be a physical part of that sometime over the next few weeks. The innocent victims of abortion are always in our prayers, but I would like to more fully participate, once we are well, by praying outside the local abortion clinic.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>From the kitchen</strong>..........</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>bbq chicken pizza, pulled bbq chicken sandwiches, salsa chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, green pepper casserole etc. Back to the warm-your-house-and-tummy recipes of the cold weather months.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>As for education</strong>.......</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(prepare yourself for some bragging) my oldest attends public high school. She did so well last school year that her GPA earned her an award at her school. There were only 60 in the school of 2000! We are proud of her hard work and dedication. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Skylar is taking classes at a nearby church and she is enjoying herself (and learning) a lot. The classroom environment is fairly new to her (other than CCD and VBS) and she's handling it well. She's made a few friends, too. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>And Alexa is working hard on her schoolwork. She's a bright girl and works well independantly, for the many of her subjects.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> Evan hasn't had "school" for the past week due to illness. Colds...go away! Right now!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>please?</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><strong>The liturgical year.....</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Feast of The Guardian Angels:</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Angel of God, My Guardian Dear,</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>To whom God's love commits me here,</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Ever this day, be at my side,</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>To light and guard</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>To rule and guide</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Amen.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>For more Daybook Entries, stop by <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">Peggy's. :)</a></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I hope your weekend is/was cozy and enjoyable! Make every day count!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>TTFN</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>~Tina</em></div><div align="center"></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-67023779716712069182011-08-28T20:23:00.000-07:002011-08-28T20:23:57.503-07:00Back to Normal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Irene came......and went.<br />
<br />
For us it was just rain, rain and more rain.....and a little wind. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jVzpuYMn64/TlsBCH_9EjI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/eXuFicnsR5g/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jVzpuYMn64/TlsBCH_9EjI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/eXuFicnsR5g/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s7nWDrDIUMg/TlsBFyAaLeI/AAAAAAAAGdU/ZBDCKA2swtw/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s7nWDrDIUMg/TlsBFyAaLeI/AAAAAAAAGdU/ZBDCKA2swtw/s400/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>No power outages, no flooding, no downed trees.<br />
<br />
I am not complaining one bit. I am quite relieved about the whole thing. <br />
<br />
We played it safe and prepared and just rode out the storm which for our area, ended up being much milder than originally predicted. That was very good. <br />
<br />
We just spent the day playing games, watching movies, talking and eating. And Taylor had her friend Shen over, so they were mostly hanging out in her room (which is why she's not in any pics).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xcKkXgjWPog/Tlr_5l_NleI/AAAAAAAAGc4/f_46Rnt3y8M/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xcKkXgjWPog/Tlr_5l_NleI/AAAAAAAAGc4/f_46Rnt3y8M/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgZfPfxqSJI/Tlr_9U9xiqI/AAAAAAAAGc8/bf6AassFJZ0/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgZfPfxqSJI/Tlr_9U9xiqI/AAAAAAAAGc8/bf6AassFJZ0/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtSw5e5xflk/TlsABZ309JI/AAAAAAAAGdA/WFh_4E55oO8/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtSw5e5xflk/TlsABZ309JI/AAAAAAAAGdA/WFh_4E55oO8/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWc7Lbk0VLA/TlsANkNMxII/AAAAAAAAGdE/qLYqnSTGDPM/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWc7Lbk0VLA/TlsANkNMxII/AAAAAAAAGdE/qLYqnSTGDPM/s400/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RbgrSgaQIM/TlsARuJPFjI/AAAAAAAAGdI/2UE9bfBWZEQ/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RbgrSgaQIM/TlsARuJPFjI/AAAAAAAAGdI/2UE9bfBWZEQ/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZku0gR1jdc/TlsAWkZlXKI/AAAAAAAAGdM/cq0aqE3aejA/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZku0gR1jdc/TlsAWkZlXKI/AAAAAAAAGdM/cq0aqE3aejA/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Skylar and Alexa worked together in their room for a time, making some videos together. Some of them singing, some of them just being silly. It passed the time, took their mind off any worry about the storm and they had a good time together. (<em>And the silly videos are hysterical!)</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTEQjCkX5M8/Tlr_e_LOneI/AAAAAAAAGc0/f1LBBxf3igw/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTEQjCkX5M8/Tlr_e_LOneI/AAAAAAAAGc0/f1LBBxf3igw/s400/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Our damages were......<em><strike>very little</strike> nonexistent.</em><br />
. <br />
See for yourself....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPOgDt9WdMM/Tlr-Ft7bNBI/AAAAAAAAGco/YYb-6-Vz3-A/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPOgDt9WdMM/Tlr-Ft7bNBI/AAAAAAAAGco/YYb-6-Vz3-A/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1_wq-S6fgQk/Tlr-Vgw5r_I/AAAAAAAAGcw/v4ZPGeqbekg/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1_wq-S6fgQk/Tlr-Vgw5r_I/AAAAAAAAGcw/v4ZPGeqbekg/s400/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OySmBOUBB5g/Tlr-Sk_bE_I/AAAAAAAAGcs/Lrwnc2OlDS4/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OySmBOUBB5g/Tlr-Sk_bE_I/AAAAAAAAGcs/Lrwnc2OlDS4/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Nope, don't think we'll be sending these pics into Nationwide to make a claim. Don't think they care much about that tipped plant on my front porch or the "leaf damage" on my back deck.<br />
<br />
No damage. <br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<br />
We are fortunate and I thank God we are OK. I know many people are dealing with major damage to their homes and property and lives were even lost due to this powerful storm. My heart goes out to them and their families.<br />
<br />
A local girl, about my daughter's age, was coming back to Manassas from a vacation with her family. Due to the power being out, the traffic light wasn't working and she lost her life in a tragic car accident. <br />
<br />
My prayers go out to all who are suffering from the ravages of Irene.<br />
<br />
Hope this next week is filled with beautiful (and safe) weather.<br />
<br />
TTFN<br />
~Tina</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-36625958276116141292011-08-27T13:08:00.000-07:002011-08-27T13:08:02.720-07:00Waiting for Irene<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Irene is chuggin' up the coast. I am hoping and praying for the safety of those in the direct line of fire. Sadly, there have already been some casualties in North Carolina. <br />
<br />
We here on the western outskirts of DC are under a Tropical Storm Warning. So we made preparations, but we aren't going to panic. No need. I filled all of our flashlights/lamps with batteries. Hard to find D batteries as of yesterday, but after 2 stores, we managed. I thanked God for that one. <br />
<br />
We have 2 cases of water. Not really sure why that's necessary for us, but we do drink bottled water even when we're not under the threat of severe weather. So it will not be wasted.<br />
<br />
I have lighters and candles. We have gas in our vehicles and plenty of nonperishable foods. I also have charcoal for the grill in case the power goes out for a few days. We'll be fine. <br />
<br />
I ran to the store this morning for some Tropical Storm Yummies......ice cream and cones, chips, and the makings for home made pizza. Now we just wait and go on with life as usual.<br />
<br />
I took some pictures on my way back.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvulvmtbUmA/TllMoHJZstI/AAAAAAAAGcc/6SKIZPKWnYI/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvulvmtbUmA/TllMoHJZstI/AAAAAAAAGcc/6SKIZPKWnYI/s400/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EW_rBaN2nsI/TllNQbceEpI/AAAAAAAAGcg/9N1wdfBx1kg/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EW_rBaN2nsI/TllNQbceEpI/AAAAAAAAGcg/9N1wdfBx1kg/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Dreary and dismal, but rather uneventful so far. I am not complaining.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eP6D334dne4/TllNT1YwxwI/AAAAAAAAGck/GjUIOf-Fpc0/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eP6D334dne4/TllNT1YwxwI/AAAAAAAAGck/GjUIOf-Fpc0/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Uneventful is good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AP-uhHXLKUY/TllMiV7amMI/AAAAAAAAGcY/oxcaHav4IEg/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AP-uhHXLKUY/TllMiV7amMI/AAAAAAAAGcY/oxcaHav4IEg/s400/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gmzuzwswms/TllMfrvUJwI/AAAAAAAAGcU/aCaOhG1B7Xw/s1600/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gmzuzwswms/TllMfrvUJwI/AAAAAAAAGcU/aCaOhG1B7Xw/s320/Aug2011HurricaneIrene+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So in the meantime, before Irene arrives, I thought I'd let the kids have a little fun.......<br />
<br />
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They got a little wet, but it was warm, so I'm sure they'll be fine. Better than fine, actually, because they needed that little bit of fresh air and freedom.<br />
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It's been an interesting weather week here on the east coast.<br />
Hope you are safe and sound, wherever you are.<br />
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TTFN<br />
~Tina<br />
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</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-67957426916662197372011-08-27T06:42:00.000-07:002011-08-27T06:42:04.437-07:00Soakin It Up While We Can.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were taking advantage of an absolutely beautiful day. The kids thought it was pretty cool that they could take a stroll across the country before we even walked into the park. :)</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlwytO55yXM/TljqJaVPmKI/AAAAAAAAGbc/KD1LMKAXfIo/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlwytO55yXM/TljqJaVPmKI/AAAAAAAAGbc/KD1LMKAXfIo/s400/Aug2011ParkandClouds+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alexa catchin' some rays in Florida ;)</span></em></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to the playground on this gorgeous, sunny, low humidity day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect day for swinging and climbing and sliding and enjoying the last rays of the warm summer sun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t was just slightly breezy and the sky was so blue, just a perfect clear blue. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEuBZJJJrOI/Tljjr2OXYHI/AAAAAAAAGbU/ndXnqJHlQOg/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEuBZJJJrOI/Tljjr2OXYHI/AAAAAAAAGbU/ndXnqJHlQOg/s400/Aug2011ParkandClouds+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After many hot, humid days that kept us stuck inside, I think the general consensus of this day was, "WAHOOOO!"</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tqgRqCeGyg/TljsA8G1mhI/AAAAAAAAGbw/SEUVOw48ai8/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tqgRqCeGyg/TljsA8G1mhI/AAAAAAAAGbw/SEUVOw48ai8/s400/Aug2011ParkandClouds+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much swinging for Evan. "<em>Push me higher"......."higher, Mommy, higher</em>". </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3xnNMF8-Pc/TljjbGPnS6I/AAAAAAAAGbI/8NHfqtl6pT4/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3xnNMF8-Pc/TljjbGPnS6I/AAAAAAAAGbI/8NHfqtl6pT4/s320/Aug2011ParkandClouds+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9LWGPbUMVs/TljjUJ_b8lI/AAAAAAAAGbE/9BndxrP66RU/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9LWGPbUMVs/TljjUJ_b8lI/AAAAAAAAGbE/9BndxrP66RU/s400/Aug2011ParkandClouds+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the earth shook. I literally looked at my feet to see if I was imagining the movement. It felt, perhaps because I was standing on mulch, like the earth got jiggly....kinda like I was standing on a soft mattress and someone else jumped on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I heard loud noises behind me. I turned and saw the large metal poles of the basketball hoops rattling back and forth. I looked up, thinking there must be a helicopter flying VERY low overhead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But no, that wasn't it. All of my children were on swings, and didn't feel a thing. There was no one right near me that I could exchange looks with. The kind of looks that could confirm that I was <em><strong>not</strong></em> losing my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily, my sister saved me from questioning my sanity any longer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She called, from Pittsburgh, and said, "Where are you?" I said, "the park". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She said, "did you feel that?". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was thinking <strong><em>how in the</em> <em>heck could she know the earth just moved under my feet here in VA, the whole way up in Pittsburgh</em>....<em>within a few minutes?!</em></strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently the earth shook her up there, too. And she confirmed her suspicion online. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yay for me being sane! Yay for my sister helping me to realize it! And yay for a beautiful (end of) summer day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Oh.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">and before we left the park, we came across this little guy. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DO6oe_vKUCc/TljjIoMzjmI/AAAAAAAAGa8/dQL0Zk9UnF4/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DO6oe_vKUCc/TljjIoMzjmI/AAAAAAAAGa8/dQL0Zk9UnF4/s320/Aug2011ParkandClouds+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxlCLcGnB1o/TljjECdWE6I/AAAAAAAAGa4/zHP1UllbMtU/s1600/Aug2011ParkandClouds+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxlCLcGnB1o/TljjECdWE6I/AAAAAAAAGa4/zHP1UllbMtU/s400/Aug2011ParkandClouds+073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Maybe he came out because he was as freaked out as I was when he felt the earth shake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We didn't take him home, but I named him anyway. I was gonna come up with something "cheesy" dealing with Earthquake. Something like Shakes, or Quakes, but I like just plain Herbert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! We are expecting some sort effects of Hurricane Irene. We are under a Tropical Storm Warning. We are prepared, but not expecting much in our location.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stay Safe!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">TTFN</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">~Tina<strike> </strike></span></div></div></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3368055918973811832.post-60638220991824968862011-08-23T06:38:00.001-07:002011-08-27T05:11:37.520-07:00Just Ducky<div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644045875476877074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDEFIbsUyIM/TlOt0f_OzxI/AAAAAAAAGas/bfmbgDs6Yjk/s400/Aug2011BowlingReunionDucks%2B098.JPG" />These little guys crossed our path this morning. So adorable! They reminded me of a class of young children, the way they were all in line, single file. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644045876067325074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c64UBzKwOFM/TlOt0iMAVJI/AAAAAAAAGa0/TgzYHbThKYw/s400/Aug2011BowlingReunionDucks%2B099.JPG" />And yes they did safely make it to the other side. </div><div> </div><div>TTFN</div><div>~Tina<br /></div><div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770477620171596623noreply@blogger.com1