tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29621976205951368372024-03-14T00:57:20.615-04:00Nancy's NewsNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-41843520523854175352011-08-06T19:01:00.006-04:002011-08-06T21:18:22.976-04:00Summer Vacation 2011<div>This week, our family traveled south to Pigeon Forge for a few days. It was our first time to go to Dollywood and we LOVED it! KidsFest was on this week in Dollywood, so there were cool kid shows to go to. We went to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs in 4D, and the Gazillion Bubble Show. Really neat. Since Chris and I (endured) went to a TimeShare presentation, we were able to get our whole family into Dollywood for FREE! Not a bad deal at all since the presentation lasted only 1hour and 15 min!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637889289601063090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYPjwnbUZc0/Tj3OcCWmmLI/AAAAAAAAD6k/Cwnqe0Q7WTY/s400/IMG_0174.JPG" /></div><br /><div>We were able to get in on Monday at 3 PM and then go back all day Tuesday on the same ticket! I LOVED that deal:)</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637889282245441266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNaO9ZEdzkw/Tj3Obm84tvI/AAAAAAAAD6c/qt8Moj7fzPA/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" />I thought this "family" of flower pots was cute! This was on the patio of a bakery or deli I think.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7J_6lHW9tOM/Tj3ObEqSNYI/AAAAAAAAD6U/dDddCnRy36Y/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637889273040614786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7J_6lHW9tOM/Tj3ObEqSNYI/AAAAAAAAD6U/dDddCnRy36Y/s400/IMG_0176.JPG" /></a> LOVED this grill/cooker!!! I would LOVE to have one of these on my back deck:) (Ok...maybe in a smaller size)They were grilling potatoes, chicken, peppers and onions all together. I wish you could smell it also!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vfezy5JXLqE/Tj3MrRlFmnI/AAAAAAAAD6M/fPktb7qR7_Y/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637887352363129458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vfezy5JXLqE/Tj3MrRlFmnI/AAAAAAAAD6M/fPktb7qR7_Y/s400/IMG_0178.JPG" /></a>The mountain SlideWinder. Once Chris and I convinced(actually forced them..haha)the kids to give this ride a try, they LOVED it. I admit....I'm a big baby when it comes to rides and the first time down I REFUSED to open my eyes. But we ended up going quite a few more times and I loved every minute!! So did the kids. They begged to ride it over and over:)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mam0_wYGrxE/Tj3Mq88pSII/AAAAAAAAD6E/w2rRmz6XbG4/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637887346824792194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mam0_wYGrxE/Tj3Mq88pSII/AAAAAAAAD6E/w2rRmz6XbG4/s400/IMG_0179.JPG" /></a> The Rockin' Roadway was one of the boys' favorite rides.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzEBXiIXquM/Tj3MqUP4G5I/AAAAAAAAD58/suhGsjcKvY4/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637887335899601810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzEBXiIXquM/Tj3MqUP4G5I/AAAAAAAAD58/suhGsjcKvY4/s400/IMG_0183.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W3w-aAviRwk/Tj3Mp-dLk1I/AAAAAAAAD50/40m5bNDbk3U/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637887330049823570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W3w-aAviRwk/Tj3Mp-dLk1I/AAAAAAAAD50/40m5bNDbk3U/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" /></a>Caleb was very pleased to be driving Daddy!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKyW7w9c3ew/Tj3Mpt9ywhI/AAAAAAAAD5s/k-EQR8Et2fY/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637887325623206418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKyW7w9c3ew/Tj3Mpt9ywhI/AAAAAAAAD5s/k-EQR8Et2fY/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" /></a> Demolition Derby was probably Michael's favorite ride. He LOVED driving the car by himself and crashing into all the rest of us:)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McyQ6MFGM8I/Tj3Luj2-G6I/AAAAAAAAD5k/6OiGofYFM8w/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637886309297953698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McyQ6MFGM8I/Tj3Luj2-G6I/AAAAAAAAD5k/6OiGofYFM8w/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" /></a> Family Picture:)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4msnlEc43mQ/Tj3LuRBR4wI/AAAAAAAAD5c/n-XBv5MAoLU/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637886304240919298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4msnlEc43mQ/Tj3LuRBR4wI/AAAAAAAAD5c/n-XBv5MAoLU/s400/IMG_0197.JPG" /></a>Another of our favorites was the River Battle and since it so HOT (temps in the high 90's) it felt really good to get soaked!! And soaked we did get!! There are water guns on the boat itself for shooting at the other passengers and there are also some on the bank. Here Chris is soaking a passing boat!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvayE4mLnP4/Tj3Lt4AEMJI/AAAAAAAAD5U/PncPFu5cJAI/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637886297524940946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvayE4mLnP4/Tj3Lt4AEMJI/AAAAAAAAD5U/PncPFu5cJAI/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDsFwe8zzA0/Tj3Ltbg3KeI/AAAAAAAAD5M/tXamm0BirUA/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637886289877871074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDsFwe8zzA0/Tj3Ltbg3KeI/AAAAAAAAD5M/tXamm0BirUA/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" /></a>There are also fountains that randomly shoot up soaking everybody also. We were drenched by the time the ride was over. Ahhh....much cooler that way!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSR2-0zG1uE/Tj3Ls7gb3kI/AAAAAAAAD5E/HxbmLYC8v7c/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637886281286147650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSR2-0zG1uE/Tj3Ls7gb3kI/AAAAAAAAD5E/HxbmLYC8v7c/s400/IMG_0201.JPG" /></a> The only roller coaster the kids would try was the Veggie Tale coaster. Very cute and they rode it more times than I could count!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637885161350085986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmOqQiNgCAg/Tj3Krva3vWI/AAAAAAAAD48/bYxnswtDaaw/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Michael in the first car...Caleb and I in the second:)</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhowuIfY1GY/Tj3KrOpjoLI/AAAAAAAAD40/mf5JvZv74pE/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637885152553312434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhowuIfY1GY/Tj3KrOpjoLI/AAAAAAAAD40/mf5JvZv74pE/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>Lauren and Michael on the River Rampage ready to get wet. (Another VERY wet ride)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637885140084657570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xkm4Yw8Fis/Tj3KqgMzDaI/AAAAAAAAD4s/b0Zz-4UMuJc/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" />Here the kids are waiting in line...already soaked and wanting to get wet again!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637885135067902034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUT7VC6y3cw/Tj3KqNgtcFI/AAAAAAAAD4k/jNwI7BWY7_I/s400/IMG_0210.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>Our family LOVED this ride. As soon as we got off the boat, the kids wanted to get in line again! So fun!! </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637885127171510226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PJaDWNMn5Q/Tj3KpwGED9I/AAAAAAAAD4c/LPTtA9PkKwI/s400/IMG_0220.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Caleb with the mini basketball Chris won for him in the County fair. </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637884114618013794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zfe1fF5etAs/Tj3Ju0Cf2GI/AAAAAAAAD4U/cfSngV9h5O8/s400/IMG_0223.JPG" />Michael and his basketball:)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637884110222181218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ft5CWEJG5M/Tj3Jujqcw2I/AAAAAAAAD4M/7mzhoDUH4S4/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" />Wednesday, we left Pigeon Forge and headed to North Carolina to visit family. On Thursday, we all went to a Family Fun center called Celebration Station. We purchased the all day wrist bands and got a day of unlimited pizza, drinks, go-kart rides and bumper boat rides. The kids had a BLAST!</div><br /><div>Lauren and Aunt Leanna<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XnP4kf5vyzQ/Tj3JuKGcq-I/AAAAAAAAD4E/d3-lTQTOhcU/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637884103360293858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XnP4kf5vyzQ/Tj3JuKGcq-I/AAAAAAAAD4E/d3-lTQTOhcU/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" /></a> Michael and uncle Kendall...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRXmrDuygms/Tj3JtqVG6xI/AAAAAAAAD38/gpGkM4Smuw8/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637884094831848210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRXmrDuygms/Tj3JtqVG6xI/AAAAAAAAD38/gpGkM4Smuw8/s400/IMG_0230.JPG" /></a> Chris and Caleb:)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0-LDrT_2cg/Tj3JtHaf8MI/AAAAAAAAD30/NcAywNNe_jw/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637884085459218626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0-LDrT_2cg/Tj3JtHaf8MI/AAAAAAAAD30/NcAywNNe_jw/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" /></a><br />We made MANY fun memories together as a family....so I would say our family vacation was a HUGE success:) Lots of laughter and good times!! But I must say...there's no place like home. Thanks to Leanna and Kendall for a lovely place to stay and yummy food! In fact we were so relaxed and had such a great time there, I didn't realize till I sat down to blog that I didn't even get my camera out at their house! Bummer!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-76819484594530351192011-07-30T12:47:00.005-04:002011-07-30T13:43:17.195-04:00Lauren's 11th Birthday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccpc1sp2tOg/TjQ8lBm__TI/AAAAAAAAD3s/RevfMcDaJy4/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635195640532172082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccpc1sp2tOg/TjQ8lBm__TI/AAAAAAAAD3s/RevfMcDaJy4/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" /></a> The birthday girl waiting to open her gifts!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SanP000z0g/TjQ8ktjPyVI/AAAAAAAAD3k/Oyk8kcr2LCQ/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635195635147721042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SanP000z0g/TjQ8ktjPyVI/AAAAAAAAD3k/Oyk8kcr2LCQ/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a><br />I give my kids a party for their friends every other year. On the "off" years, they can choose a place they want to go to celebrate their birthday. The destination of choice is generally Chuck E Cheese.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO8IrSgeeI8/TjQ8kKgeUXI/AAAAAAAAD3c/DyXTFwQnvnA/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635195625740849522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO8IrSgeeI8/TjQ8kKgeUXI/AAAAAAAAD3c/DyXTFwQnvnA/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" /></a> Caleb pleased with the loot he got with his tickets.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee1g84mSyeE/TjQ8jQ8_qXI/AAAAAAAAD3U/b1jh_G0o7zM/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635195610291218802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee1g84mSyeE/TjQ8jQ8_qXI/AAAAAAAAD3U/b1jh_G0o7zM/s400/IMG_0011.JPG" /></a> Lauren pleased with her loot also:)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KCVt8GuEUQ8/TjQ4MKRAYpI/AAAAAAAAD3M/e_RRkBfBmxE/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635190815312601746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KCVt8GuEUQ8/TjQ4MKRAYpI/AAAAAAAAD3M/e_RRkBfBmxE/s400/IMG_0012.JPG" /></a><br />Micahel and his candy:)Birthdays are all about sugar overload, right?!?!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">The birthday girl and her Mommy:)</div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAAULDcZuKA/TjQ4LvbQ08I/AAAAAAAAD3E/g9gCpnobMgE/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635190808107865026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAAULDcZuKA/TjQ4LvbQ08I/AAAAAAAAD3E/g9gCpnobMgE/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Lauren opening her first envelope explaining the treasure hunt. Each envelope along the way, contained a picture of a location either in our backyard, or up on campus. I tried to make the pictures a little bit tricky...and involving some help from her brothers...and yes...mom and Dad.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtz7gGd_urc/TjQ4LJF8-qI/AAAAAAAAD28/nf5r5pPi_7A/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635190797817936546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtz7gGd_urc/TjQ4LJF8-qI/AAAAAAAAD28/nf5r5pPi_7A/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" /></a> Finding an envelope and clue...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Cu3O0vXaaU/TjQ4KuxzO9I/AAAAAAAAD20/fEPiTqJtRoQ/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635190790754089938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Cu3O0vXaaU/TjQ4KuxzO9I/AAAAAAAAD20/fEPiTqJtRoQ/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" /></a><br />This one had her puzzled. It was a named brick up on campus...but ...WHERE? There are many bricks with names. The shadow of the monumet, though, was her clue.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyS2a-MGCVU/TjQ4KAm40HI/AAAAAAAAD2s/rvJsAhkJtqA/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635190778360287346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyS2a-MGCVU/TjQ4KAm40HI/AAAAAAAAD2s/rvJsAhkJtqA/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" /></a> And we were off! And sure enough. There at the monument was the next clue!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TY7ktPnwUA/TjQ2ytsf3zI/AAAAAAAAD2k/XNqdgEatHPg/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635189278634925874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TY7ktPnwUA/TjQ2ytsf3zI/AAAAAAAAD2k/XNqdgEatHPg/s400/IMG_0020.JPG" /></a>Sometimes the locations went back and forth from campus to backyard, campus to backyard. UGH...didn't figure on it being SO HOT when I came up with the "brilliant" idea...haha. As you can see from this picture, sometimes Lauren and Michael went back to the backyard, while Mom staed up on campus and played photographer:)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSSqBlotoZw/TjQ2yGEKbOI/AAAAAAAAD2c/1DjdjK_7XfI/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635189267996765410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSSqBlotoZw/TjQ2yGEKbOI/AAAAAAAAD2c/1DjdjK_7XfI/s400/IMG_0022.JPG" /></a> Lauren and Caleb trying to figure out where to go next!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl_ur74Eh_A/TjQ2xlKCdpI/AAAAAAAAD2U/ZYQLWpJUk00/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635189259163039378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl_ur74Eh_A/TjQ2xlKCdpI/AAAAAAAAD2U/ZYQLWpJUk00/s400/IMG_0026.JPG" /></a> Finally...a VERY tired and sweaty girl found the gift and opened it! A pink digital camera!! Guess the picture shows how happy she was with that one!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXUQC6cjFpY/TjQ2xJCcHCI/AAAAAAAAD2M/NF6yBev6IlU/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635189251614972962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXUQC6cjFpY/TjQ2xJCcHCI/AAAAAAAAD2M/NF6yBev6IlU/s400/IMG_0031.JPG" /></a> Since our family is not super fond of cake, Lauren chose a birthday cookie instead. I just put a few candles on so she would have something to blow out. Although I do wish we could rewind time, and she just be turning 4, she turned 11!! Growing up so fast!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvD5BkjHOOs/TjQ2wpGH9fI/AAAAAAAAD2E/EW8CtUwBsWE/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635189243040495090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvD5BkjHOOs/TjQ2wpGH9fI/AAAAAAAAD2E/EW8CtUwBsWE/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I shared some of my sentiments on Fb on Lauren's actual birthday, but here goes again:) When I was expecting her, we chose not to find out whether I were having a girl or boy. We wanted the surprise. I must say though, above all I wanted a healthy baby. But deep down, I REALLY wanted a girl! Chris had me pretty convinced she was a boy though. Because both of our parents had boys first, he said, she was most certainly a boy. When the doctor anounced it was a girl, I could hardly believe it. And she has been EVERY bit as fun as I thought she would be. She was absolutely perfect and born with LOTS of dark hair and has had thick, long hair ever since! She was my dream come true....SO fun to dress her up and fix her hair. And added to that blessing, I was able to be a stay-at-home Mom.(thanks to Chris) I have enjoyed every minute of having a girl. And thankfully, I have had two boys since then. I cannot imagine loving my boys any more. They are a different kind of fun....but still SO fun!!! So, on Lauren's birthday, I realized once again how truly blessed I am...for I am a Mama! And that is my total dream come true and God's very best blessing to me!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-59166997013174411162011-07-30T12:17:00.005-04:002011-07-30T12:37:56.038-04:00Making Cotton Candy<span style="color:#3333ff;">Last week our neighbors came over and invited us to their house to make cotton candy. Someone that was staying with them, had brought along his cotton candy machine and thought we might enjoy helping to make some. Why, absolutely!! </span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">If you look carefully, you can see the center is full of a pink powdery substance. He had poured maybe 1 cup of the pink powder in the middle and turned on the machine. </span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635182491325648178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYt3uuoaozU/TjQwno_3TTI/AAAAAAAAD18/x73GVWQye5E/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Within a couple minutes, we could see the beginnings of the "cotton' around the edges</span>.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu0RQfLWTfw/TjQwnKpKfcI/AAAAAAAAD10/ToLvhZE8B0Y/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635182483177373122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu0RQfLWTfw/TjQwnKpKfcI/AAAAAAAAD10/ToLvhZE8B0Y/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#cc6600;"> A minute later, there was enough to wrap around a paper cone. Here, Becky is wrapping th cone in the cotton. you just twirl the cone a couple times and lift up...and....<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmPWlYgMEDM/TjQwmnaklVI/AAAAAAAAD1s/4IuaoGkz0Zs/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635182473720927570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmPWlYgMEDM/TjQwmnaklVI/AAAAAAAAD1s/4IuaoGkz0Zs/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#cc33cc;">you've got a big chunk of cotton candy. Wait a minute or so and you're ready to do it again!<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_l_qC-qUAX8/TjQwmLm16wI/AAAAAAAAD1k/fON82O0QWeM/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635182466256202498" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_l_qC-qUAX8/TjQwmLm16wI/AAAAAAAAD1k/fON82O0QWeM/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">Caleb had never even tried cotton candy before</span>.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i-QAZHc8xc/TjQvrcPyREI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Z-mV0aGqnXI/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635181457110615106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i-QAZHc8xc/TjQvrcPyREI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Z-mV0aGqnXI/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#009900;"> Lauren was able to do her own!<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQpvX3z7Y0s/TjQvq0qsEpI/AAAAAAAAD1U/osc7E0909w4/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635181446486037138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQpvX3z7Y0s/TjQvq0qsEpI/AAAAAAAAD1U/osc7E0909w4/s400/IMG_0011.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Karissa wrapping it on the paper cone...<br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YcOJXNj2OcQ/TjQvqZYkjEI/AAAAAAAAD1M/88l7pzG0yJY/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635181439162289218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YcOJXNj2OcQ/TjQvqZYkjEI/AAAAAAAAD1M/88l7pzG0yJY/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#000099;">Summer. fun....sitting in the porch swing eating cotton candy:)<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCotkLH6Elc/TjQvp58m1iI/AAAAAAAAD1E/nBsC8uECcA8/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635181430723499554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCotkLH6Elc/TjQvp58m1iI/AAAAAAAAD1E/nBsC8uECcA8/s400/IMG_0014.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#3366ff;">And then...the crazy pose:)<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2vN3CbRQbM/TjQvpZIWTuI/AAAAAAAAD08/57KEIQ20opw/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635181421914377954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h2vN3CbRQbM/TjQvpZIWTuI/AAAAAAAAD08/57KEIQ20opw/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Thanks to our neighbors next door for all the fun!!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-37699961101845904242011-07-30T10:18:00.007-04:002011-07-30T12:12:45.755-04:00A Visit to Boonshoft<span style="color:#000099;"></span><span style="color:#993300;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfrOX0unwsg/TjQg4AI2yJI/AAAAAAAAD00/PgwIJzM74YA/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635165180229240978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfrOX0unwsg/TjQg4AI2yJI/AAAAAAAAD00/PgwIJzM74YA/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#000099;"> After being cooped up inside for days because of the heat, I decided we needed to go discover something new...anywhere "cool" ! So last week, we made the 50 minute drive up 75 to Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Since we have a Cincinnati Zoo pass, we got in for half price. (If you have a Cincinnati Museum pass, you get in for free)<br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CxYaCAc3tY/TjQg3QF_zuI/AAAAAAAAD0s/FAWquk9MsLc/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635165167332347618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CxYaCAc3tY/TjQg3QF_zuI/AAAAAAAAD0s/FAWquk9MsLc/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Lego was there that day with a very cool vehicle outside, </span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2HZPfGN-LA/TjQgSi6FOiI/AAAAAAAAD0k/yHAXvGJeANE/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635164536727484962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2HZPfGN-LA/TjQgSi6FOiI/AAAAAAAAD0k/yHAXvGJeANE/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#993300;"> </span><span style="color:#993300;">...and lots of cool displays indoors. They also had a large area full of Legos where kids could play and build.<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B43bhKXzfGw/TjQgR8hIywI/AAAAAAAAD0c/hVTttqE53eI/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635164526422313730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B43bhKXzfGw/TjQgR8hIywI/AAAAAAAAD0c/hVTttqE53eI/s400/IMG_0016.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">We spent the majority of out time in the Mindbender Mansion. As you make your way through, trying to figure out the different mind bending activities, you fill out a card with the correct answers. Michael loved figuring this one out....ok...with a little bit of help from some helpful staff:) Michael had it nearly right on his own though...and he was pretty pleased!</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uj4_2XJho5s/TjQgRec8jLI/AAAAAAAAD0U/VKQ6yuZD-Es/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635164518351670450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uj4_2XJho5s/TjQgRec8jLI/AAAAAAAAD0U/VKQ6yuZD-Es/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#663366;">Lauren took the assignment very seriously...and figured out many of the puzzles on her own. </span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtyF47EdLrU/TjQgQ2vA4eI/AAAAAAAAD0M/sTgXZLSF2QA/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635164507690033634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtyF47EdLrU/TjQgQ2vA4eI/AAAAAAAAD0M/sTgXZLSF2QA/s400/IMG_0020.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#3333ff;">And of course, was very pleased also</span>!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6smFZAgTkE/TjQfMTKDcWI/AAAAAAAAD0E/7lyu-hYClvU/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635163329908666722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6smFZAgTkE/TjQfMTKDcWI/AAAAAAAAD0E/7lyu-hYClvU/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#990000;">At the end, after completing all the activities, you could get a certificate with your picture on it. Lauren gave Caleb the necessary passwords so he could get his own picture!<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqYijju8d3Q/TjQfLtKGMqI/AAAAAAAADz8/vQWeUvmWa9s/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635163319708299938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqYijju8d3Q/TjQfLtKGMqI/AAAAAAAADz8/vQWeUvmWa9s/s400/IMG_0023.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#993399;">Lauren and Caleb doing a spelling game. The computer would give you a question, that you then had to answer by stepping on the correct letters. The lighted green spaces are "free" spaces to make it easier to get to the letters you need. Very fun...even for mom:0)</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki7swBDeASs/TjQfLDuvQoI/AAAAAAAADz0/JM2PRFD9SbM/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635163308587696770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki7swBDeASs/TjQfLDuvQoI/AAAAAAAADz0/JM2PRFD9SbM/s400/IMG_0025.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"> The kids had a LOT of fun with this conveyor activity. You were to fill in the spaces on the trays with certain shapes of meat, potatoes, corn and dessert. There were several speeds on the conveyor and as you filled them up, the conveyor was also dumping more "food" into a bin, so someone had to keep the bin cleaned out and the food handed back to the workers at the conveyor. It was a challenge to keep up and I'm pretty sure had this been a real factory, we would have gotten fired...lol We never made it past the "slow" speed...haha But then, I never saw anyone else there able to do it either:)<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QMhGYQSvO0/TjQfKtfeXAI/AAAAAAAADzs/r635mwgKKV0/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635163302618094594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QMhGYQSvO0/TjQfKtfeXAI/AAAAAAAADzs/r635mwgKKV0/s400/IMG_0026.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#33ccff;"> Boonshoft also has a small indoor zoo. (Did someone say indoor? A/C??? LOVED it...) This little otter was really friendly and would come right up to the glass to see the kids. Very cute</span>!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8maDAVVHQM/TjQfKAZKRPI/AAAAAAAADzk/zuM1nDXV-_o/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635163290512016626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8maDAVVHQM/TjQfKAZKRPI/AAAAAAAADzk/zuM1nDXV-_o/s400/IMG_0029.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#993399;"> Cute baby barn owl!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISwBcib2l8k/TjQWBgKFtKI/AAAAAAAADzc/ajkDhAru_oA/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635153248815264930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISwBcib2l8k/TjQWBgKFtKI/AAAAAAAADzc/ajkDhAru_oA/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;">The kids enjoyed the little "town" area complete with a courtroom setting and or course...the jail! Guess these two were found guilty!!</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q3YapgGAw8w/TjQWBGCc2wI/AAAAAAAADzU/JfPz41R-If4/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635153241803905794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q3YapgGAw8w/TjQWBGCc2wI/AAAAAAAADzU/JfPz41R-If4/s400/IMG_0045.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#330099;">Another REALLY fun area, was the pizza shop! The kids did not want to leave...they had so much fun making Mommy pizzas! Not sure how many I "ate"....WAY too much for sure !!! I especially love the "meatballs"...large brown pom poms!!</span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc0t_2vw2w8/TjQWA3tqziI/AAAAAAAADzM/rmbkQlHEg_U/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635153237958643234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc0t_2vw2w8/TjQWA3tqziI/AAAAAAAADzM/rmbkQlHEg_U/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#009900;">Lauren getting ready to create a yummy pizza!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6S2r3VmyIw/TjQUTHq01qI/AAAAAAAADzE/8k4zNXSAlXQ/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635151352456074914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6S2r3VmyIw/TjQUTHq01qI/AAAAAAAADzE/8k4zNXSAlXQ/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#6633ff;"> She made a supreme!<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QXxeRoF2aI/TjQUSoqYAoI/AAAAAAAADy8/7IXRtiQXG_4/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635151344132686466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QXxeRoF2aI/TjQUSoqYAoI/AAAAAAAADy8/7IXRtiQXG_4/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">Michael filling a delivery order:)</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3G5CJlvAGQ/TjQUSEZXQ3I/AAAAAAAADy0/1c-nZaCyr-A/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635151334397657970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3G5CJlvAGQ/TjQUSEZXQ3I/AAAAAAAADy0/1c-nZaCyr-A/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Caleb drove the delivery truck!</span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HVledN4hpo/TjQTm_UuWQI/AAAAAAAADys/XqvvrNqeN7o/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635150594301647106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HVledN4hpo/TjQTm_UuWQI/AAAAAAAADys/XqvvrNqeN7o/s400/IMG_0055.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#3333ff;">After spending most of the day at Boonshoft, we went on over to Xenia to visit my aunts. To my kids, they are "the aunties". They love visiting there because of all the spoiling, but also because they live out in the country. Very pretty farms and houses all around. This time, they got to watch a plane spraying crops at the farm behind my aunts' house. </span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDvdPjmHhD4/TjQTmXAboLI/AAAAAAAADyk/RYEdYVrjEgg/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635150583479115954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDvdPjmHhD4/TjQTmXAboLI/AAAAAAAADyk/RYEdYVrjEgg/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#993399;">An exciting event occurs every 30 minutes at "the aunties" house also:) My aunts have a cuckoo clock that the kids absolutely love!! The cuckoo comes out and then there is a music box tune and tiny dancers. I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Caleb's face. </span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRM4RWEy9ns/TjQTllGrneI/AAAAAAAADyc/n-W8BCtepN8/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635150570083556834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRM4RWEy9ns/TjQTllGrneI/AAAAAAAADyc/n-W8BCtepN8/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#3333ff;">And of course, the aunts are more than happy to make time "fly" so he can watch it several times. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Even if you are not lucky enough to stop by the "aunties" house for a yummy sloppy joe meal and watching the cuckoo clock, I'd still say that Boonshoft is worth the drive from Cincinnati. We will definitely be back. There are also many other very cool exhibits that I didn't have time to blog about! Go check it out!</span><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-65971806367592864232011-07-18T13:51:00.003-04:002011-07-18T14:30:01.445-04:00Saturday's TreasuresI thoroughly enjoy looking at other's blogs and getting decorating ideas. I will admit,<br />I'm not very original, but I do enjoy trying to make our house look more homey and inviting.<br />Most of all, when I view other decorating blogs, I often feel very inspired and think "I could do that too"! So my hope is, I can pass on that same positive feeling on to you. My house looks VERY lived in most of the time. I want it to feel like a HOME to my kids...not a place where they aren't allowed to touch anything or have fun. So with that in mind, from time to time I will try to post changes as I make them. And at least I'll have fun reading back through my posts, appreciating the difference whether you do or not:) And also, maybe my husband will also see what I do all day...haha.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7cUgJ7Ne3Q4/TiR0HbvRXMI/AAAAAAAADyU/EYqQu-qvH9k/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630753105173896386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7cUgJ7Ne3Q4/TiR0HbvRXMI/AAAAAAAADyU/EYqQu-qvH9k/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" /></a> This is the little "foyer"(yeah..right) area when you just step in the door. I was pretty happy with this look, but still wanted to soften it a little. I priced some Smith and Hawken wreaths at Target, but after looking at the price decided I would be ok with just a plain mirror.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps-jsyFWgbc/TiR0Gw6-U5I/AAAAAAAADyM/yH_YbJiEQBE/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630753093680255890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps-jsyFWgbc/TiR0Gw6-U5I/AAAAAAAADyM/yH_YbJiEQBE/s400/IMG_0005.JPG" /></a> But...to my surprise, I found one at a yard sale for just a dollar that was nearly the same as the one they had at Target. Yep...I was happy. And it softened the mirror so now it feels a little warmer when you walk in!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPAjE8JuEA0/TiRzpmyIZSI/AAAAAAAADyE/tcCQdJDitc0/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630752592742606114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPAjE8JuEA0/TiRzpmyIZSI/AAAAAAAADyE/tcCQdJDitc0/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a> OK...so this typewriter caught my eye,(my husband still does not get that)I mulled it over for about 4 hours...realized I could NOT live without it...went back and got it for $2 less then they wanted earlier. So for $8, I bought a whole lot of happy! lol The kids think it's really cool because it still works...that is after we get some ink ribbon for it. Lauren is very anxious to play "Kit"...haha. Who would have thought adding to my decor would make me happy AND provide the kids with something they can play with!! Win, win!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N42zxu2kYU0/TiRzpL3FOwI/AAAAAAAADx8/DzCTKRDsSlk/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630752585515612930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N42zxu2kYU0/TiRzpL3FOwI/AAAAAAAADx8/DzCTKRDsSlk/s400/IMG_0012.JPG" /></a> I could not believe someone was willing to part with these adorable pop bottle crates!! I nearly squeeled with glee....(except that would have embarassed Lauren, my yard sale pal, so I kept it all in ) Are they not SOOOO cute?!?! I got one from Coke, RC Cola, and 7-UP. It's really cool that the insides still have rings showing from where the pop bottles once were stored. Oh..the possibilities:) And only $2 a piece made me very happy!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvJQYRLCauc/TiRzoc_GWFI/AAAAAAAADx0/LMU3HYaQ_hU/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630752572932773970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvJQYRLCauc/TiRzoc_GWFI/AAAAAAAADx0/LMU3HYaQ_hU/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" /></a> And just for my Mom, this is the unique toy box I found for $2. I thought it looked way more living-roomish than our other plain red one. The kids were just happy to have a new hiding place...whatever:)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WL02Idf5XI/TiRznp4CX9I/AAAAAAAADxs/UW20m0hOSfE/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630752559212945362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WL02Idf5XI/TiRznp4CX9I/AAAAAAAADxs/UW20m0hOSfE/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" /></a> Well, I better run. (can ya keep a secret?) I'm working on a VERY cool treasure hunt for Lauren's birthday next week. And yes..I will post pics and details AFTER the grand event, of course:)<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-67177653511054842382011-07-18T13:27:00.007-04:002011-07-18T13:50:46.557-04:00Scenes from Treasure Cove<span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Michael and his best friend Jonathan before </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;">heading out to Treasure Cove!</span><span style="color:#006600;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_PLGqgjebs/TiRub_k7OAI/AAAAAAAADxU/732NtYqs80U/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630746861321795586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_PLGqgjebs/TiRub_k7OAI/AAAAAAAADxU/732NtYqs80U/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Me and my team, the Sapphires. We are the ones wearing</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">the blue leis...although Jonathan tried to sneak into</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">the picture:)<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-gM14f8JW8/TiRubTZleHI/AAAAAAAADxM/4eRbTucJCWY/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630746849463072882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-gM14f8JW8/TiRubTZleHI/AAAAAAAADxM/4eRbTucJCWY/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Michael was on David's team, the Rubies. This</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">team will long be remembered for their</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">clever team cheers each and every night! The</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">boys loved it and looked forward to going each night!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4-dfppuYgA/TiRt-ZUTaOI/AAAAAAAADxE/AyL6XNa05Xc/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630746352835324130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4-dfppuYgA/TiRt-ZUTaOI/AAAAAAAADxE/AyL6XNa05Xc/s400/IMG_0004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Lauren really enjoyed being on the Emerald team.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Brenda was </span><span style="color:#ff6666;">their team leader. Here they are just</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">singing away:)<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BoQwTyZzeA/TiRt97sZoVI/AAAAAAAADw8/VGYvg1Zo-UA/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630746344883331410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BoQwTyZzeA/TiRt97sZoVI/AAAAAAAADw8/VGYvg1Zo-UA/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;">Caleb and his best friend, Elizabeth,</span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;">were on the Diamond team led by Andrew</span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;">and Katie R. It's especially fun to watch these two </span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;">doing the motions to the songs..they both would stop</span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;">every so often and make sure the other</span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;">was getting it right!</span></span><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330099;"><br /></span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBgy3KfNvLI/TiRt9GG5QVI/AAAAAAAADw0/CpTdEnS26wg/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630746330498941266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBgy3KfNvLI/TiRt9GG5QVI/AAAAAAAADw0/CpTdEnS26wg/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Singing "Ephesians 1 verse 7"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxueBKIvQ7o/TiRv90ZAg8I/AAAAAAAADxk/gRWRHCRxKVY/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630748541946201026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxueBKIvQ7o/TiRv90ZAg8I/AAAAAAAADxk/gRWRHCRxKVY/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" /></a><br />Yep..Caleb is making sure Elizabeth gets</div><br /><div align="center">it right...lol<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-24818354617569473222011-07-10T14:28:00.005-04:002011-07-10T14:59:32.776-04:00~Bargain Hunting~<div align="center"><strong></strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QGqqJvInp4/Thnwc5NWMqI/AAAAAAAADws/NqUrFYKAX20/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627793588559950498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QGqqJvInp4/Thnwc5NWMqI/AAAAAAAADws/NqUrFYKAX20/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#990000;">This Saturday, I was thrilled to get the chance to go to yard sales. We started out in</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">Highland Heights where there was to have been a subdivision full of sales.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">They turned out very dissapointing. I did, however, manage to find this</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">adorable shelf! I was thrilled to discover it had been found in</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">an old barn. The people I bought it from had it painted white. It looks</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">great in my kitchen area. But I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with it. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">So many possibilites!! Its a little over 2 ft long. And pardon the</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">current decorations. I randomly ran through the house last night after hanging it,</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">looking for any objects to put on it. As </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">you can see, I didn't find much...haha.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">The "Antiques" sign may stay...the other things...probably not??</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">Best part? This cost me $5!! I was pretty happy!!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9l9c1CpQ2E/ThnwOecAzJI/AAAAAAAADwk/aPw24c_UEsw/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627793340855536786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9l9c1CpQ2E/ThnwOecAzJI/AAAAAAAADwk/aPw24c_UEsw/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#993300;"><br />After wasting/spending time in Highland Heights, I decided</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">to try going to the sales in Newport in the Historic</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">District. Wish I would have gone there first. Lots of antiques and treasures</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">were waiting to be discovered. Among them, was this old sled. </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">I have been DYING for an old sled to use at Christmastime, and</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">was almost afraid to look at the price. There wasn't one, actually.</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">The lady just old me "oh...I guess it's 4 bucks" My mouth just about</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">dropped open. Before I could get my money out, she had</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">changed it to $3. I have so many places to use this, I may have</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">to change it's location about 10 times</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">during the Christmas Season...lol! And yes, I'm more than</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">a little anxious to start decorating for Christmas. I also bought</span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"><span style="color:#993300;">2 Christmas trees also...one was 50 cents!<br /></span><br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XN5gvxRxL0Y/Thnv-0ptJPI/AAAAAAAADwc/kaaXLkOh4Dg/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627793071940642034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XN5gvxRxL0Y/Thnv-0ptJPI/AAAAAAAADwc/kaaXLkOh4Dg/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#990000;">My last treasure, was this little wooden table. I'm not even sure</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">where I will use it, but it seemed too cute to leave behind. </span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">The wood is fairly heavy and it's made very sturdy. I'm thinking about all the colors I could spray paint it...(though not all at once..lol) Ideas?? Oh...and it only</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">cost $2! See why I could not leave it behind?? </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u91BYGa132Y/ThnvxNItfxI/AAAAAAAADwU/LzGaqRJpXfI/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627792837994970898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u91BYGa132Y/ThnvxNItfxI/AAAAAAAADwU/LzGaqRJpXfI/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#993300;"><br />If you haven't guessed it by now, I LOVE the thrill of </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">finding a good treasure!! Seems I may have passed that</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">on to all 3 kids! Saturday, however, only Lauren and </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">Michael were willing to crawl out of bed early to join me </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">for sales. Micael got a pretty good-sized</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">box of baseball cards for 50 cents. He's having</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">so much fun looking through them. </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993300;"></span><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-54496434657503033102011-07-08T23:02:00.004-04:002011-07-08T23:15:49.685-04:00Chick-Fil-A Night<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWUIi2AV1AY/ThfGtWT4cqI/AAAAAAAADwM/KME0k6VOxBI/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627184741808108194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWUIi2AV1AY/ThfGtWT4cqI/AAAAAAAADwM/KME0k6VOxBI/s400/IMG_0032.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">So, tonight at Chick-Fil-A, if you dressed like a cow</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;">you got a free entree. Guess who could NOT resist</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;">a deal like that?!? Chris, of course...haha Anyway,</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;">costume design was done by Michael and I. Yep. We looked</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;">crazy, but we had LOTS of fun and we made the </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;">Houston Rd. Chick-Fil-A FB page!</span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBsZtUFl2qQ/ThfGszqMxAI/AAAAAAAADwE/UkXsH9Zkw6E/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627184732506473474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBsZtUFl2qQ/ThfGszqMxAI/AAAAAAAADwE/UkXsH9Zkw6E/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Michael enjoying his chicken nuggets:)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATxjboDL9MI/ThfFStdUhmI/AAAAAAAADv8/bC4stg0pH5I/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627183184653616738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATxjboDL9MI/ThfFStdUhmI/AAAAAAAADv8/bC4stg0pH5I/s400/IMG_0035.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Lauren loves their chicken salad sandwich</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">(we don't know where she gets that...lol)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zG44VO1zhOc/ThfFSDTlVCI/AAAAAAAADv0/LrIAhvwKQlA/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627183173338485794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zG44VO1zhOc/ThfFSDTlVCI/AAAAAAAADv0/LrIAhvwKQlA/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Caleb enjoying his nuggets. What a fun night!! </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">We might just try that again sometime!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-82404973181091651142011-06-23T14:12:00.003-04:002011-06-23T14:37:09.282-04:00Happy 14th Anniversary, chris!<p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dywRmiGcJGmrhA3P-8hRNeKOEidKIg4ydv5cmgu-nE9qia5KiUeerU8TXUsuc0p2xQnZEvViX7PvwticRZW3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>This is the video I created for Chris for our 14th Anniversary, which was Monday! Enjoy!</p>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-9405555389872592882009-08-22T13:14:00.001-04:002009-08-22T13:15:49.277-04:00First Week of School<div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"> <div class="post-body entry-content"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SpAjlbVHyrI/AAAAAAAADsg/yrZqv16SFew/s1600-h/IMG_2553.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SpAjlbVHyrI/AAAAAAAADsg/yrZqv16SFew/s400/IMG_2553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372833481351482034" border="0" /></a>Lauren started school on Monday morning at Aldersgate Christian Academy. She is in 4th grade, but 3rd and 4th share a room together. Both grades share Mrs. Beth Avery for their teacher. Lauren LOVES school and loves her teacher! 4th grade is a class of 9 girls and 1 boy. So LOTS of socializing for Little Miss Social, and lots of drama! Fun fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SpAiwLCOcgI/AAAAAAAADsY/7EpStsCMeT0/s1600-h/IMG_2551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SpAiwLCOcgI/AAAAAAAADsY/7EpStsCMeT0/s400/IMG_2551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372832566444192258" border="0" /></a>The boys are home schooling...well Michael is at least! Caleb sits quietly at his desk and does puzzles, coloring and other quiet play. Michael is in the 2nd grade this year. He is a good reader and enjoys learning (most days!) I thoroughly enjoy teaching them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SpAiD4yZZJI/AAAAAAAADsI/m9hUHmV071k/s1600-h/IMG_2555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SpAiD4yZZJI/AAAAAAAADsI/m9hUHmV071k/s400/IMG_2555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372831805631718546" border="0" /></a>Keep checking back for more postings. I will update as I have time. With Lauren in school I have a few more free moments in my day. I realized, as my kids enjoy reading through older posts, that this blog was a way to keep track of highlights in our lives. I've never been good at keeping diaries or journals. So this is my online pictoral journal. Enjoy!</div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-67525518885308844712008-12-30T15:28:00.005-05:002008-12-30T15:34:00.159-05:00Goodbye Blogspot, Hello Facebook!Since the new year of 2009 is just around the corner, I am re-thinking my web presence. As a busy home-schooling mother, blogging on Blogspot just takes too much time. As you can tell, my blogging has started to slip. After posting 105 times in 2007, I have only posted 33 times in 2008 and have not posted in over a month. Therefore, I am saying goodbye temporarily or permanently to <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SU0JNODQGAI/AAAAAAAADng/sx1gHtRyuko/s1600-h/blogger.jpg"></a><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285683325605966962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 122px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SVqE-tny9HI/AAAAAAAADoI/XXBG4_hFzhg/s400/blogspot.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>and saying hello to </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285683567187919506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 56px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SVqFMxlbApI/AAAAAAAADoQ/uD0uM1fhRIY/s400/fb.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>I am moving over to Facebook. It takes a lot less time and is easier to use and post items. I can still upload albums and notes. As Chris likes to say, Blogspot is so 2007. You will be able to find me on Facebook very easily-just search for Nancy Hamer or Nancy Lambeth and ask to be my friend. Joining Facebook is free and only takes a minute or two. </div><div></div><div>And yes! We got enough money to buy a goat, five ducks, a chicken and a set of school supplies for a classroom. Not bad for two kids. They did lots of extra jobs for Mommy and others to earn extra $$. Thanks to everyone that donated to their little project. It is something that will probably turn into a Christmas tradition!</div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-65137174109501229182008-11-21T17:09:00.003-05:002008-11-21T17:36:57.279-05:00Buying A Goat<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SScxzih6gqI/AAAAAAAADm8/pZsXnL5NMTQ/s1600-h/my-favorite-goat_10-02_049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271236650372596386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SScxzih6gqI/AAAAAAAADm8/pZsXnL5NMTQ/s400/my-favorite-goat_10-02_049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yes. We are officially buying a goat. No. It's not that Chris is tired of mowing. Actually, this is our home school project. Recently, we received a Christmas Catalog from <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/">World Vision</a>. How refreshing amidst all the toy and clothing catalogs.....it's seems like we are on EVERYBODY'S list. As I thumbed through, I decided this was a MUST for our kids....giving to someone in need. We looked through the catalog in class the other day, and after reviewing all the options, we have decided on a goat for $75. A goat can provide milk for a family plus the family can sell surplus milk, cheese, and other things at the market. Our kids are raising money, <span style="font-size:85%;">(</span><span style="font-size:78%;">with a little help from the teacher and principal) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">by doing extra chores around the house or by offering to do chores for others. They have also decided they would like us to take some of the "Christmas Present Budget" and put that towards the goat. As I'm typing this, the kids are screaming and jumping for joy....the mother of the boys I babysit, just added $20. So....we are well on our way!! I think our greatest gift this year will be the joy of helping others!</span></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-58333189535572827332008-11-18T22:20:00.025-05:002008-11-19T16:02:00.699-05:00Fun Fall DaysWhat we've been up to lately:<br /><br />The kids enjoyed their Civic Education Class. j/k We did take them to vote, and then I covered the basics in school once we got home. We also went down to the cafeteria later in the evening and watched the votes come in. I think the kids mostly enjoyed all the noise, pizza and drinks. Although Lauren was really involved in watching the results.....which states were going for which candidate, etc.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKj8iZKdI/AAAAAAAADmk/07_MUkZ6dqc/s1600-h/IMG_3486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270208339104049618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKj8iZKdI/AAAAAAAADmk/07_MUkZ6dqc/s400/IMG_3486.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKcSfKovI/AAAAAAAADmc/G4k5_QMsOy8/s1600-h/IMG_3483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270208207557141234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKcSfKovI/AAAAAAAADmc/G4k5_QMsOy8/s400/IMG_3483.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes we pay a visit to Daddy at the office.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKREt8IoI/AAAAAAAADmU/5s4Om9blXA4/s1600-h/IMG_3490.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270208014882448002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKREt8IoI/AAAAAAAADmU/5s4Om9blXA4/s400/IMG_3490.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Two weekends ago, Kendall & Leanna came for the weekend. They stayed with us and visited the IKEA store. Leanna's first time, and judging by the way she piled up that cart, it surely won't be the last. LOL! (especially when you need that "Fruits of the Spirit" hat, Leanna) <span style="font-size:78%;">inside joke :)<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKGyma8kI/AAAAAAAADmM/d0HLJ00EEUg/s1600-h/IMG_3503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270207838220382786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOKGyma8kI/AAAAAAAADmM/d0HLJ00EEUg/s400/IMG_3503.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJ_1KVYrI/AAAAAAAADmE/6YBWSm0erGA/s1600-h/IMG_3504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270207718648799922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJ_1KVYrI/AAAAAAAADmE/6YBWSm0erGA/s400/IMG_3504.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sunday was a time for pictures:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJ2L6l1QI/AAAAAAAADl8/zvBnOgvznZo/s1600-h/IMG_3508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270207552958092546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJ2L6l1QI/AAAAAAAADl8/zvBnOgvznZo/s400/IMG_3508.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJqkjSlMI/AAAAAAAADl0/xpP5Z9OP5RI/s1600-h/IMG_3511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270207353412818114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJqkjSlMI/AAAAAAAADl0/xpP5Z9OP5RI/s400/IMG_3511.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />visits with a darling little boy (Clayton)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJjrGEZpI/AAAAAAAADls/vOahqT_IlKU/s1600-h/IMG_3514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270207234910217874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJjrGEZpI/AAAAAAAADls/vOahqT_IlKU/s400/IMG_3514.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />good food (if I do say so myself!) and lots of laughs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270209498367933426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOLnbIcO_I/AAAAAAAADm0/UFgtYsfQMq4/s400/IMG_3524.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJRsEjJQI/AAAAAAAADlk/9SgL521BDes/s1600-h/IMG_3519.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270206925934634242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOJRsEjJQI/AAAAAAAADlk/9SgL521BDes/s400/IMG_3519.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The end of last week, we visited the park on our way home from lunch. It was one of those warm, irresistable days that you just HAVE to spend outdoors.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOIyL88YbI/AAAAAAAADlM/aAo1zTPhRZM/s1600-h/IMG_3540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270206384736854450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOIyL88YbI/AAAAAAAADlM/aAo1zTPhRZM/s400/IMG_3540.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>While the boys played,<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOH7cwkT3I/AAAAAAAADk8/bEzedSy4lUs/s1600-h/IMG_3549.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270205444355542898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOH7cwkT3I/AAAAAAAADk8/bEzedSy4lUs/s400/IMG_3549.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lauren enjoyed a book. That's SO typical. It seems we have an AVID reader!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHzs4osII/AAAAAAAADk0/jAa_i7Xpq60/s1600-h/IMG_3551.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270205311245398146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHzs4osII/AAAAAAAADk0/jAa_i7Xpq60/s400/IMG_3551.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Every Monday, Lauren joins Caroline to homeschool , and I take the boys to Storytime at the library. Although Michael feels like he's too old for such things, he LOVES to join in at craft time. He was rather proud of all the Gingerbread boys he made.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHmo32hOI/AAAAAAAADks/jr9fpRe0PZI/s1600-h/IMG_3475.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270205086830068962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHmo32hOI/AAAAAAAADks/jr9fpRe0PZI/s400/IMG_3475.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHNIAKkQI/AAAAAAAADkc/_F4dDL32YwM/s1600-h/IMG_3450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270204648509837570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHNIAKkQI/AAAAAAAADkc/_F4dDL32YwM/s400/IMG_3450.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A couple weeks ago, we enjoyed a "day in the country". I have family that lives in Xenia. The kids call it "the Countryside". At any rate, we thoroughly enjoy the quiet and the scenery. My aunts raked dome leaves for the kids....MUCH to their delight.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHAZr8KOI/AAAAAAAADkU/kGWxBH2nemo/s1600-h/IMG_3455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270204429918546146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHAZr8KOI/AAAAAAAADkU/kGWxBH2nemo/s400/IMG_3455.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The purpose of the raking was to throw the leaves at my cousin Darrell. He was attacked nearly as soon as he drove up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOGzZg8-1I/AAAAAAAADkM/iB79zqh1s30/s1600-h/IMG_3457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270204206534163282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOGzZg8-1I/AAAAAAAADkM/iB79zqh1s30/s400/IMG_3457.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here they are nearly buried.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOGk_1zdZI/AAAAAAAADkE/_Azoh3WNZvk/s1600-h/IMG_3459.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270203959124129170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOGk_1zdZI/AAAAAAAADkE/_Azoh3WNZvk/s400/IMG_3459.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270208624634947842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOK0kOQ6QI/AAAAAAAADms/YCk-0ypAQjY/s400/IMG_3460.JPG" border="0" /> They soon realized a leaf bag was the most efficient form of attack!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270203657718248514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOGTdBCtEI/AAAAAAAADj8/IA3Hs8jhfpQ/s400/IMG_3466.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The boys got haircuts this morning, so when they got out of the tub they wanted me to comb their hair "all spikey". So here they are in the "spikey" hair!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270204905909072578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SSOHcG47MsI/AAAAAAAADkk/sqlr6yiAf4g/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-16964139954994990962008-10-30T15:53:00.003-04:002008-10-30T16:20:09.166-04:00WOW! It's bright out here!!!I have officially crawled out of my little hole!! I've got Caleb in bed, the laundry and ironing done, so I will give you an update from the past few weeks.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263009876105182354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 373px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQn3mQKfPJI/AAAAAAAADhI/i83jebckG48/s400/groundhog.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">A couple weeks ago, was my yearly echocardiogram. An echo is basically an ultrasound of the heart. They can watch the function, measure it for size and get the <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ejection-fraction/AN00360">Ejection fraction</a>. The EF # basically tells them how much blood is pumped through the heart with each beat. I'm always hopeful AND nervous. Although I have a cardiologist who is not concerned with numbers, but rather how I feel, I still always hope for a "closer to normal" EF. (Normal range is 55% to 70%.) Well, at my latest echo, it was 20%. I was slightly disappointed, but I guess I can always be thankful for the fact that I'm still here and that it has not gotten any worse! The frustration in all of this, is the fact that I can't DO anything to improve the condition of my heart. Eating right(low sodium), getting adequate rest and exercise only help me to <em>feel </em>better, but they will not actually change anything. Medicine is helping, but they have to be careful to raise my dosage slowly, or else my BP drops too low. We are always working to increase the dosage, but have to go really slowly. I am thankful that, most of the time I feel fine. I'm still learning how to pace myself better so that I don't get overtired. I am able to get done most of what I need to throughout the day. The Dr. is not so much concerned with the EF as much as how I feel. He continues to be amazed at what all I am able to do. I have come a long way in 2 years, and for that I am VERY grateful! </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">If you would like more information on PPCM, you can find it </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripartum_cardiomyopathy"><span style="font-size:85%;">here.</span></a><br /></div><div align="left">I continue to be busy with all the usual stuff.....household chores and teaching the kids. However, we manage to squeeze in some fun outings as well. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Visiting the Museum Center, we were privileged to meet this "Ohio Black Snake". Actually, Lauren was the only one even willing to touch it. YUCK! The funny thing was, we had just learned about vertebrae, invertebrate, herbivore, carnivores,etc,etc, that morning in Science. So when the Museum employee began asking various questions, Lauren knew all the answers. Although I was definitely proud of her for retaining all I had just taught her, I was hoping we had cast a positive light on homeschooling for a change. :)</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263023884542873378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoEVpqTDyI/AAAAAAAADjQ/8pAjYzqb5Ow/s400/IMG_3387.JPG" border="0" />Caleb loved the magnifying glasses they had in the Nature's Trading Post. I'm not sure if any other parents are aware of this, but kids can find rocks, leaves, cobwebs, shells, you name it and then trade them in for anything else from nature at the Nature's Trading Post in the Museum. It was the first time we had gone in there, but the kids are very thrilled and looking VERY hard for neat things to take in and trade. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263023606688429906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoEFekot1I/AAAAAAAADjI/9HVDPZsus34/s400/IMG_3388.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoDz6Kf48I/AAAAAAAADjA/8cJJ2ubtrXo/s1600-h/IMG_3389.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263023304857347010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoDz6Kf48I/AAAAAAAADjA/8cJJ2ubtrXo/s400/IMG_3389.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We got lucky and had the Children's Museum nearly to ourselves. Sometimes, when it's busy, this ball pit area can get a little dangerous :)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoDh13zmdI/AAAAAAAADi4/z-7SuzK5PKA/s1600-h/IMG_3393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263022994467559890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoDh13zmdI/AAAAAAAADi4/z-7SuzK5PKA/s400/IMG_3393.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Caleb's favorite....playing in the ball area.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoDMTqGmXI/AAAAAAAADiw/-2KL0Ox_KSs/s1600-h/IMG_3395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263022624506026354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoDMTqGmXI/AAAAAAAADiw/-2KL0Ox_KSs/s400/IMG_3395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Meet veterinarian, Dr. Michael.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoC532Y2cI/AAAAAAAADio/IaXlGa04UZc/s1600-h/IMG_3400.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263022307803716034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoC532Y2cI/AAAAAAAADio/IaXlGa04UZc/s400/IMG_3400.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lauren enjoyed running the grill with some other very sweet girls that were there.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoCm9kJV2I/AAAAAAAADig/dV3ExpJMcHQ/s1600-h/IMG_3401.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263021982920300386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoCm9kJV2I/AAAAAAAADig/dV3ExpJMcHQ/s400/IMG_3401.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The weekend of the sale, my parents came for a visit. my Mom loves to help with the sale....Dad was on babysitting duty! Plus, he was left with a list of odd jobs that I needed to have done...pictures hung, shelves fixed, you name it! Thanks DAD! In addition, I even made him cook breakfast! Seriously! He worked his "pancake magic". Caleb had asked for Speed Racer #6....that's exactly what he got. i still don't know how he does that! But the kids love it and think he's the greatest at making pancakes!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBxs4Xv-I/AAAAAAAADiY/jW3ei2q6Qz0/s1600-h/IMG_3415.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263021067908661218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBxs4Xv-I/AAAAAAAADiY/jW3ei2q6Qz0/s400/IMG_3415.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lauren wanted a house, of course!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBjtPWIFI/AAAAAAAADiQ/KyrINhE67LQ/s1600-h/IMG_3416.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263020827486855250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBjtPWIFI/AAAAAAAADiQ/KyrINhE67LQ/s400/IMG_3416.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We have been visiting the zoo. When we renewed our pass, we upgraded to the free train and carousel rides. Sometimes we go and just ride the train several times. For a certain 2 year old, life just doesn't get much better!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBVFMLRkI/AAAAAAAADiI/mYGthMOZqCc/s1600-h/IMG_3419.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263020576217974338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBVFMLRkI/AAAAAAAADiI/mYGthMOZqCc/s400/IMG_3419.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBLUry8cI/AAAAAAAADiA/UoOtVvj3E1A/s1600-h/IMG_3420.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263020408578437570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoBLUry8cI/AAAAAAAADiA/UoOtVvj3E1A/s400/IMG_3420.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Caleb is still scared of the carousel....suits me fine....I get dizzy as well!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoA7OhQxCI/AAAAAAAADh4/TGNI9MydhuA/s1600-h/IMG_3422.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263020132045734946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoA7OhQxCI/AAAAAAAADh4/TGNI9MydhuA/s400/IMG_3422.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoAtWfQ3QI/AAAAAAAADhw/zU2KnHN3qD8/s1600-h/IMG_3424.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263019893666667778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoAtWfQ3QI/AAAAAAAADhw/zU2KnHN3qD8/s400/IMG_3424.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We were invited to come and celebrate Elliot's 2nd birthday. We had good food and lots of fun.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoAgWprXgI/AAAAAAAADho/3v9LP8T_kFI/s1600-h/IMG_3427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263019670372048386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoAgWprXgI/AAAAAAAADho/3v9LP8T_kFI/s400/IMG_3427.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lisa made him a CUTE cake...a truck cake...with little donuts for wheels.<br /><br /><br /><br />He sure was happy with the Tonka trucks he got!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoAPzjTrrI/AAAAAAAADhg/spAfHAcvSS4/s1600-h/IMG_3440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263019386072182450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQoAPzjTrrI/AAAAAAAADhg/spAfHAcvSS4/s400/IMG_3440.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Last week, I had to bid a sad goodbye to a wonderful friend...Jenn Eckert. We got together one last time at the zoo and then said goodbye one last time at church Wed. night. We were having trouble with the camera, so the picture didn't turn out too great but I think Kalle looked cute enough for all of us! LOL! However, I am happy that she and Paul and their family are taking a church....that's their calling. I just wish it weren't quite so far away!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQn_-goCCrI/AAAAAAAADhY/YyYHAnmwacM/s1600-h/IMG_3443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263019088933948082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SQn_-goCCrI/AAAAAAAADhY/YyYHAnmwacM/s400/IMG_3443.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">Here are some pictures from about a month ago that I never got posted. I thought I remembered taking some of Chris and the kids too, but apparently not. Sorry!<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuPbK_NnfI/AAAAAAAACno/gOGEmy4_vu4/s1600-h/IMG_3280.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254451087226543602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuPbK_NnfI/AAAAAAAACno/gOGEmy4_vu4/s400/IMG_3280.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuPAkFYxGI/AAAAAAAACng/25TpQk9zJB4/s1600-h/IMG_3258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254450630106858594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuPAkFYxGI/AAAAAAAACng/25TpQk9zJB4/s400/IMG_3258.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lauren "had" to take some time out from pictures to chat with Caroline. I love this picture....I love that sweet "little girl" innocence.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuOQoe7chI/AAAAAAAACnY/tuEXAwHALLw/s1600-h/IMG_3292.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254449806654009874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuOQoe7chI/AAAAAAAACnY/tuEXAwHALLw/s400/IMG_3292.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuN4YCwbFI/AAAAAAAACnQ/v9NLir7ePIM/s1600-h/IMG_3271.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254449389924019282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuN4YCwbFI/AAAAAAAACnQ/v9NLir7ePIM/s400/IMG_3271.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuNhHU-3SI/AAAAAAAACnI/TkfnKFB06Z4/s1600-h/IMG_3264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254448990300069154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuNhHU-3SI/AAAAAAAACnI/TkfnKFB06Z4/s400/IMG_3264.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuNLJQosDI/AAAAAAAACnA/MMrFCBw7g54/s1600-h/IMG_3251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254448612861587506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SOuNLJQosDI/AAAAAAAACnA/MMrFCBw7g54/s400/IMG_3251.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well, that's most of the news from Lake Wobegon, so I better run....the boys I babysit are here. Have a great weekend! <span style="font-size:85%;">(I know it's still only Thursday, but hey....it's ALMOST here! )</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripartum_cardiomyopathy"></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-70144519788213633772008-09-27T22:22:00.020-04:002008-09-27T23:36:20.514-04:00Goodbye Ike and Good Riddance!!!<div><div>It will be two weeks tomorrow that the strong winds of Hurricane Ike barreled through Cincinnati....leaving the campus without power and LOTS of clean-up.For more than two hours, we endured sustained winds of 40 mph and blasts up to 80 mph. We lost power around 2:30 Sun and finally got it back Friday sometime in the afternoon. One of the more noticeable damages, was the 3 large trees that are now missing from our neighbor's yard. This picture was taken about 45 min into the storm. So far they had only lost one tree. </div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250896543219561010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7ulertsjI/AAAAAAAAClE/CyAW5IQ70Wo/s400/IMG_3295.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The Cravens' Gold's Gym membership has certainly paid off!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7uUGSrO6I/AAAAAAAACk8/OAwBzkpd2yc/s1600-h/IMG_3301.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250896244614314914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7uUGSrO6I/AAAAAAAACk8/OAwBzkpd2yc/s400/IMG_3301.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7tdjYVh-I/AAAAAAAACks/N3BBRvaf2fI/s1600-h/IMG_3304.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250895307529881570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7tdjYVh-I/AAAAAAAACks/N3BBRvaf2fI/s400/IMG_3304.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Farmer's also lost a large tree. It actually took part of their fence and smashed the back window of a car parked on the street. Pres. Avery was one of the first on the job with a chain saw. The storm was still blasting away mind you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7tMOO2NKI/AAAAAAAACkk/toi8Cd20hXg/s1600-h/IMG_3310.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250895009795159202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7tMOO2NKI/AAAAAAAACkk/toi8Cd20hXg/s400/IMG_3310.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250893852663494162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7sI3lKNhI/AAAAAAAACkE/s-eAWIYkGx4/s400/IMG_3305.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />The Crater's back yard.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7s6gIFwiI/AAAAAAAACkc/agKujs2WcEg/s1600-h/IMG_3318.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250894705361011234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7s6gIFwiI/AAAAAAAACkc/agKujs2WcEg/s400/IMG_3318.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Another tree down. They eventually lost all three trees and the fence is now gone as well. It looks so BARE!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7spRT-blI/AAAAAAAACkU/Ix7-ckMjWAI/s1600-h/IMG_3319.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250894409326554706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7spRT-blI/AAAAAAAACkU/Ix7-ckMjWAI/s400/IMG_3319.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7sa6b1CCI/AAAAAAAACkM/SoH9tum8eFc/s1600-h/IMG_3321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250894162667309090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7sa6b1CCI/AAAAAAAACkM/SoH9tum8eFc/s400/IMG_3321.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Some siding missing on Young St.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250904021946688146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN71YzHNYpI/AAAAAAAAClM/Wcu6x1ryE68/s400/IMG_3350.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The guys trying to get all the trailers safely into the Maintenance building.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7roHctk8I/AAAAAAAACj0/PssSTdHZoCw/s1600-h/IMG_3334.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250893289987347394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7roHctk8I/AAAAAAAACj0/PssSTdHZoCw/s400/IMG_3334.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We had already invited some couples from our church for an after-church snack. When the power went out I was determined to go ahead with my plans. I wasn't sure if I would have a way of keeping my refrigerated food, so I decided we should try to eat up what we could. We had a "Mexican" snack by candle light. It was LOTS of fun! Thanks to everyone that pitched in!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7rWkc1QBI/AAAAAAAACjs/yEaKi3iqA6I/s1600-h/IMG_3361.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250892988534833170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7rWkc1QBI/AAAAAAAACjs/yEaKi3iqA6I/s400/IMG_3361.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250904393036545442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN71uZh7PaI/AAAAAAAAClU/pupxUWid1iA/s400/IMG_3360.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />The refrigerated/freezer truck where I kept all my food. Although it was a pain to walk over there and dig out all the things I needed for a meal, I was thankful we at least had not lost any food. I have a gas stove, so I could manually light the burners and cook. And of course, we used the grill a good bit. The kids thought it was SO fun. I thought it was BORING when it got dark. Once I get the kids tucked in bed for the night, I usually stay up and tidy the house, fold laundry etc. But last week I couldn't get a thing done after dark....not even read. UGH! I hate wasting time!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7rDmm_WrI/AAAAAAAACjk/Rb40NtAvx8g/s1600-h/IMG_3365.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250892662696794802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7rDmm_WrI/AAAAAAAACjk/Rb40NtAvx8g/s400/IMG_3365.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anyone want to buy a pet monkey??? He can live on bananas and be kept quite happy as long as he has a poster bed, or bunk beds, or trees to swing from!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250892351407445730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SN7qxe901uI/AAAAAAAACjc/zU8feRKrMM4/s400/IMG_3382.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Last week while shopping at Once Upon A Child, I was looking through all the Halloween dress up and found a really pretty dress for Lauren, who LOVES to play dress-up. I felt kind of sorry for Michael because I wanted him to have something fun and new too. Well, I found it! A Curious George Costume. He loves it way more than I thought he would. In fact, I'm sure we've gotten our money's worth out of it already. He begs for bananas...which is funny because he's never been real crazy about them before. We've gotten good laughs out of all the monkey business!<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-80601756074426256162008-09-10T15:32:00.031-04:002008-09-11T01:24:28.580-04:00Our late Summer vacation<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgx9GpwjEI/AAAAAAAACjQ/GQWW7whUILw/s1600-h/IMG_3123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244496691900484674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgx9GpwjEI/AAAAAAAACjQ/GQWW7whUILw/s400/IMG_3123.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thank goodness for homeschooling....we were able to take our summer vacation a little later and enjoy nearly deserted beaches. We also got a good deal on renting a house! As you already know, we went to Topsail Island, NC. We were gone a week exactly. We left around 2:30 AM Sat. Aug. 30th and arrived back home around 2:30 Sat. morning Sept. 6th. Other than the "grueling" trip, it was a vacation that I would LOVE to do all over again! I took MANY pictures of the waves, but the experiencing of the roar and spray makes the pictures seem pretty disappointing. I can sit for hours and just watch the waves....it's so incredibly relaxing. It was our kids' first time to see the ocean. Lauren immediately got in the water and loved it. It took Michael a few days to get over his fear and by Wed. Caleb would go in as long as Chris or I were holding his hand. To tell you the truth, I was thankful they were cautious. Since I don't swim, I find it a little scary to go out very deep myself.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244483324930754530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglzCz1B-I/AAAAAAAACig/N2x9GQvc5dA/s400/IMG_3130.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>This is the house we rented for the duration. It was LOVELY. 1st floor was parking, 2nd floor had the master suite, two bedrooms and two bathrooms and laundry. The top floor had a full kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. We only had to cross the street, walk down a little path and we were at the beach. In 6 days, we went 11 times! Our stays ranged anywhere from 1 -5 hours. I was VERY thankful for the washer and dryer! It's probably still recovering!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244484828669239554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgnKkrBYQI/AAAAAAAACjA/3gwUxnbTA1s/s400/IMG_3118.JPG" border="0" />The path to the beach.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgm6tba_sI/AAAAAAAACi4/VNB5F-vLB2o/s1600-h/IMG_3117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244484556141821634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgm6tba_sI/AAAAAAAACi4/VNB5F-vLB2o/s400/IMG_3117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A neat little sand castle Chris and I made for the kids to smash.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgmPvzzUDI/AAAAAAAACiw/6QmXQMTuq-A/s1600-h/IMG_3121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244483818046574642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgmPvzzUDI/AAAAAAAACiw/6QmXQMTuq-A/s400/IMG_3121.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgmBdQmmAI/AAAAAAAACio/efjOLqcNMFc/s1600-h/IMG_3125.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244483572548933634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgmBdQmmAI/AAAAAAAACio/efjOLqcNMFc/s400/IMG_3125.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sunday night, we were thrilled to have "Uncle Kendall and Aunt Leanna" come and join us until Wednesday afternoon. The kids were SO excited. We thoroughly enjoyed their stay with us. Chris and Kendall were brave enough to ride the waves on inter tubes and surf boards! Most of the time riding the waves was fun and was a really great idea. But sometimes, an extra big wave would slam one of them to shore. It provided Leanna and I with MANY a laugh. I even got up my courage to try it....twice. I crashed both times, so my wave riding career ended rather quickly!<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglhZ-Ti_I/AAAAAAAACiY/r4ygZeQoxiM/s1600-h/IMG_3145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244483021911067634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglhZ-Ti_I/AAAAAAAACiY/r4ygZeQoxiM/s400/IMG_3145.JPG" border="0" /></a> One night I made one of my favorite suppers...Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli and garlic toast. So yummy! I loved the hand painted stone wear serving bowls they had there. Although you can't see it in the pictures, each bowl had a "Italian" food on it...like Eggplant, peppers, etc. These are high on my Christmas list. This is a supper I make quite often and the dishes made it look extra special....(not that you care!)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglV6feSaI/AAAAAAAACiQ/zbSk_5uBX-k/s1600-h/IMG_3146.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244482824481687970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglV6feSaI/AAAAAAAACiQ/zbSk_5uBX-k/s400/IMG_3146.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Behind our house was "the Sound". It is also called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway">Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway</a>. It was beautiful. If we just had a boat, I guess we could have made our way to Hobe Sound :)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglHLPSRxI/AAAAAAAACiI/2FR6xESMoJk/s1600-h/IMG_3152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244482571279157010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMglHLPSRxI/AAAAAAAACiI/2FR6xESMoJk/s400/IMG_3152.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The bridge on the path that crosses the Dunes. There's quite a fine if they catch you on the dunes at all.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgk6dhi48I/AAAAAAAACiA/Nd9A2r9k11U/s1600-h/IMG_3154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244482352849281986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgk6dhi48I/AAAAAAAACiA/Nd9A2r9k11U/s400/IMG_3154.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our family........<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgkqzUoCuI/AAAAAAAACh4/GBlS8Ca34us/s1600-h/IMG_3164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244482083822766818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgkqzUoCuI/AAAAAAAACh4/GBlS8Ca34us/s400/IMG_3164.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Kendall and Leanna...........<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgkdPzPOJI/AAAAAAAAChw/lzn3WfteHUM/s1600-h/IMG_3172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244481850949187730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgkdPzPOJI/AAAAAAAAChw/lzn3WfteHUM/s400/IMG_3172.JPG" border="0" /></a>Of course, we had to visit the "Shark Attack"...a souvenir store from which we happily emerged nearly an hour later with chintzy t-shirts, key chains, postcards, and even a 3 million old shark tooth. Seriously. We only had to pay $1.99 for it. Michael was devastated when he realized it got left behind on a windowsill at the house.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgkK1Yci0I/AAAAAAAACho/9VnlQiLykxg/s1600-h/IMG_3177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244481534619847490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgkK1Yci0I/AAAAAAAACho/9VnlQiLykxg/s400/IMG_3177.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgj-oefI1I/AAAAAAAAChg/zehgTqSWIfk/s1600-h/IMG_3180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244481324997092178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgj-oefI1I/AAAAAAAAChg/zehgTqSWIfk/s400/IMG_3180.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our happiest McDonald's smiles shortly after we enjoyed a yummy treat you can only find at the southern McDonald's....hot caramel sundaes. I think there are a couple locations around Dayton that sell them, but none around here that I'm aware of.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgjrO5PdAI/AAAAAAAAChY/Jd891ce_3wg/s1600-h/IMG_3187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244480991712474114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgjrO5PdAI/AAAAAAAAChY/Jd891ce_3wg/s400/IMG_3187.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the bedrooms....<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgjY99hc_I/AAAAAAAAChQ/lKq24oKsTHo/s1600-h/IMG_3229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244480677929382898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgjY99hc_I/AAAAAAAAChQ/lKq24oKsTHo/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The kids room. They all wanted to share a room which resulted in many giggles and some nights not enough sleep.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgjIVKpTWI/AAAAAAAAChI/HOMQBhoLzvw/s1600-h/IMG_3232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244480392100662626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgjIVKpTWI/AAAAAAAAChI/HOMQBhoLzvw/s400/IMG_3232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One night I came in the room to find Caleb just hugging and hugging Michael.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgi4S2wtGI/AAAAAAAAChA/F6PGvPVPKqI/s1600-h/IMG_3233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244480116602483810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgi4S2wtGI/AAAAAAAAChA/F6PGvPVPKqI/s400/IMG_3233.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I can only imagine!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgipc6OEpI/AAAAAAAACg4/Uojb6LkPm9w/s1600-h/IMG_3236.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244479861603308178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgipc6OEpI/AAAAAAAACg4/Uojb6LkPm9w/s400/IMG_3236.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The living room.....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgiWLwZEJI/AAAAAAAACgw/OWKOABfltpY/s1600-h/IMG_3242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244479530581168274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgiWLwZEJI/AAAAAAAACgw/OWKOABfltpY/s400/IMG_3242.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Leaving the house as Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hanna makes its way to the island.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgiInoSUBI/AAAAAAAACgo/WCDlqhNFxaQ/s1600-h/IMG_3244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244479297545195538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgiInoSUBI/AAAAAAAACgo/WCDlqhNFxaQ/s400/IMG_3244.JPG" border="0" /></a> We were planning on leaving the island Friday evening, but when we realized there was a curfew to be enforced that evening, we left in the late afternoon instead. There were a couple of rain showers while we were packing up to come home and leaving, but that's all we saw of the hurricane. Other than that, we enjoyed temps in the 80's every day and sunny skies.<br /><br />One of our happy travellers.....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgh4cn53vI/AAAAAAAACgg/MmUc-zVlfqI/s1600-h/IMG_3246.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244479019712896754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMgh4cn53vI/AAAAAAAACgg/MmUc-zVlfqI/s400/IMG_3246.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />All the happy travellers. The kids were all ready to come home....I was not! I could have stayed a month I think without getting homesick. However, it is nice to be back and we are thankful for all the miles we travelled safely. It was a 12 hour drive. Lauren said she would like to live at the beach, but wanted Caroline and her cat to be there too! This morning while crossing the Ohio River from going to story hour at the Newport Library, Caleb happily shrieked, "the BEACH!!!" Yeah...I wish! By the way, Chris and I DID NOT make the sand castle you saw pictured near the top. Another family did and it took them HOURS! It mostly washed out to sea in the middle of the night!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMghd5J9H0I/AAAAAAAACgY/C-VViq4l9t0/s1600-h/IMG_3247.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244478563515440962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SMghd5J9H0I/AAAAAAAACgY/C-VViq4l9t0/s400/IMG_3247.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A big thanks to Chris who worked GBS weekend security in the summer in addition to his other two jobs....just so we could all enjoy a really nice vacation together. We have a week full of memories that will last a lifetime! Thanks....I Love You!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-89232271365686311522008-08-29T14:51:00.011-04:002008-08-29T16:11:51.573-04:00Before We Head HERE.....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240020528303351746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhK6F1Gp8I/AAAAAAAACgI/1_U32Wd1cls/s400/aerial.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />I will leave you all with an update! I should be finishing the packing, but I decided to go ahead and update the blog since I've neglected it so badly in the last couple weeks!<br />We are heading to Topsail Island, NC sometime this evening and driving through the night. It should be about a 12 hour trip....so I'm anxious to get it behind us. We have rented a house just one block from the beach and will be staying for exactly a week. I'm SO looking forward to spending some time together as a family!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKjf7gXoI/AAAAAAAACf4/fyOF7CXIuGU/s1600-h/p323203-Topsail_Island_NC-Sea_and_Sky.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240020140172533378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKjf7gXoI/AAAAAAAACf4/fyOF7CXIuGU/s400/p323203-Topsail_Island_NC-Sea_and_Sky.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Now back to the past....I have been busy with babysitting. I was babysitting full time until school started, but now it's just after school care and piano lessons.. But still....that's enough for me! (<span style="font-size:78%;">No...I don't babysit Caroline....she just comes over so Lauren won't feel so out-numbered!LOL!)</span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKXMILF_I/AAAAAAAACfw/MR_S2GekeNE/s1600-h/IMG_3100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240019928698525682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKXMILF_I/AAAAAAAACfw/MR_S2GekeNE/s400/IMG_3100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We started back to school two weeks ago. I must confess, this year I didn't feel a lot of excitement. It was more a gritting of the teeth and will power! The kids were pretty excited about it though. As the days have gone by, it has gotten easier and I'm beginning to enjoy it again. I do love teaching....especially when it's your own kids. I<strong> love</strong> to see them learn!! We are pretty busy with our outside activities as well. Lauren and Michael are each in Music Class with the Academy, Lauren has piano lessons, Michael will be starting piano soon, and I will be starting Caleb in a library Storytime when we get home. </div><div>This week alone, we have had a lot of "lessons in Nature"...as Lauren put it. Earlier in the week, Lauren found LOTS of snails...22 to be exact....and the kids played endlessly with them. I almost pitied the poor things. They got everything from water dumped on them, to rides on the swings out back. <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKFu_OawI/AAAAAAAACfo/UwSUW-q1xCE/s1600-h/IMG_3104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240019628818590466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKFu_OawI/AAAAAAAACfo/UwSUW-q1xCE/s400/IMG_3104.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />They are so cute, aren't they!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhJ4SBxP_I/AAAAAAAACfg/WIu030A-mZQ/s1600-h/IMG_3106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240019397706334194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhJ4SBxP_I/AAAAAAAACfg/WIu030A-mZQ/s400/IMG_3106.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last night, my neighbor Martha, came over and invited the kids to watch some puppies being born. What an offer.....we couldn't resist another "lesson in Nature"! The mother dog had already had three, and after MUCH patient waiting, #4 made it's appearance! They were SO cute!<br /><br /><br />Look how tiny they were in comparison to Caleb's hand!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhJIMBuy3I/AAAAAAAACfU/6cBKkw7b2RY/s1600-h/IMG_3109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240018571461839730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhJIMBuy3I/AAAAAAAACfU/6cBKkw7b2RY/s400/IMG_3109.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhIrMNskuI/AAAAAAAACfM/8c4q7sdAzAo/s1600-h/IMG_3112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240018073295819490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhIrMNskuI/AAAAAAAACfM/8c4q7sdAzAo/s400/IMG_3112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, I better run. Until next time, I will enjoy the sun and sand for you all! <span style="font-size:78%;">LOL!</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240020408340053922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SLhKzG7n_6I/AAAAAAAACgA/_5wxAOzWvn0/s400/330_image.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-21600829360072816222008-08-14T13:19:00.007-04:002008-08-14T13:36:49.723-04:00Meeting Kallie Renee'Yesterday afternoon I went up the hill to Christ Hospital and met a very precious little bundle.....Kallie Renee'. And she is every bit as charming as she looks! I managed to interupt her afternoon snack, but she was very gracious and didn't seem to mind! She was awake the whole time I was there looking at me with very bright eyes. In fact she looked at me so much and seemed so comfortable with me as I was talking to Jenn, I DID wonder if she possibly could have gotten familiar with my voice from all the times she's overheard me chatting with her Momma! Who knows! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234425810470818466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKRqipw_0qI/AAAAAAAACes/G7Z4Gc9An44/s400/IMG_3096.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>I was terribly charmed by her winsome personality!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234425331667127442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKRqGyFTTJI/AAAAAAAACek/nvXmhhUj6C0/s400/IMG_3097.JPG" border="0" />Congratulations to a great friend, Jenn, and her husband Paul!!! and of course big sister Katrin!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234424467994641554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKRpUgpvBJI/AAAAAAAACec/EtPj86_9SRs/s400/IMG_3098.JPG" border="0" /> You can read more about her <a href="http://pauljenneckert.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-90273640654921559352008-08-12T11:47:00.025-04:002008-08-12T21:18:54.373-04:00Last week's fun....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKIC2DJSXOI/AAAAAAAACd4/GlbOABQU5jU/s1600-h/IMG_3072.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><div>Last week was a VERY busy one, but also VERY Fun! Our church, Kenwood Bible Methodist,had their VBS. The theme was "Galilee By the Sea" and was directed by Charlotte Frederick, the queen of VBS! (well, that's my opinion anyway!) We started each night in the sanctuary where they acted out a small Bible story skit and sang. </div><div>The kids were divided into "tribes" and I liked the way they put kids of different ages in the tribes together. Lauren was in the tribe of Judah and Michael was in the tribe of Reuben. After meeting in the sanctuary, the tribes headed outdoors to their own blanket for learning time as a tribe. This was when they went over memory verses etc. They also got water from the well, in the center of the Marketplace.</div><div>Our church yard was set up like the "Marketplace". All the workers were dressed in Bible times costumes. The kids could get water from the well, fruit from the market, (figs, olives, grapes, etc)or do a craft. They could choose a different craft each night. There was a shop where you could make sandals, a carpenters shop where they made a wooden Menorah, the toy shop where they made wooden boats, and also a stone carving shop. (where you could engrave your name and tribal name in stone....I mean a bar of Ivory soap!) There was also the Seaside playground where they played games as a team. The kids also visited the "synagogue" every night where they learned from Rabbi Jon as he read the scroll and explained things like leprosy, the Passover and much more. They also had a "bakery" where the kids were chosen to help make fresh brad each night. My kids were bouncing up and down with excitement every single day and would ask repeatedly WHEN was it time for Vacation Bible School???!!!<br />I had a lot of fun helping with different aspects. The first two nights, I stayed with Michael and Caleb's tribe and helped the tribe leader Mary. Two nights I worked int he sandal making shop. And Friday night, I worked at the stone carving shop. As you can imagine, it takes a LOT of volunteers and people working together to make everything happen. As each worker and helper was recognized on Sunday morning, I couldn't help but be proud to be part of a church that works so well together. I know I had So much fun helping and as I worked, it was obvious that others were having a good time as well. My kids learned so much and were sad when the week was over.<br /><br /><br />Michael in the carpenters shop making a Menorah.</div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH-GB4pZZI/AAAAAAAACc4/fNs98JVmjQY/s1600-h/IMG_3047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233743621519926674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH-GB4pZZI/AAAAAAAACc4/fNs98JVmjQY/s400/IMG_3047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Lauren just coming from the Fisherman's shop, where she made a cute fishnet craft.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH9d_DKT4I/AAAAAAAACco/SH8mlPsVokI/s1600-h/IMG_3048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233742933563953026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH9d_DKT4I/AAAAAAAACco/SH8mlPsVokI/s400/IMG_3048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Waiting in line at snack time....<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH9QCkOw8I/AAAAAAAACcg/zxDnds8ZtbM/s1600-h/IMG_3052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233742693989794754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH9QCkOw8I/AAAAAAAACcg/zxDnds8ZtbM/s400/IMG_3052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the fisherman's shop ready to make a craft......<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH8z4bn6HI/AAAAAAAACcY/PeX1NuI9z34/s1600-h/IMG_3059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233742210233002098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH8z4bn6HI/AAAAAAAACcY/PeX1NuI9z34/s400/IMG_3059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the market getting fresh fruit.....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH8hZizYJI/AAAAAAAACcQ/6MrU4bgkazM/s1600-h/IMG_3061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233741892703969426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH8hZizYJI/AAAAAAAACcQ/6MrU4bgkazM/s400/IMG_3061.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The tribe of Reuben having blanket time.....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH7f60ottI/AAAAAAAACcI/5X2nWLmeUlM/s1600-h/IMG_3074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233740767765771986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH7f60ottI/AAAAAAAACcI/5X2nWLmeUlM/s400/IMG_3074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lauren and the tribe of Judah....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH5-BiY0yI/AAAAAAAACcA/PQ0DbjtnswY/s1600-h/IMG_3076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233739085941101346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH5-BiY0yI/AAAAAAAACcA/PQ0DbjtnswY/s400/IMG_3076.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Singing in the sanctuary<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKHW6bAGCRI/AAAAAAAACb4/Vh2-B1PruFc/s1600-h/IMG_3078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233700541150136594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKHW6bAGCRI/AAAAAAAACb4/Vh2-B1PruFc/s400/IMG_3078.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Caleb LOVED doing all the motions. Here Lauren is helping him....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKHWc1pPimI/AAAAAAAACbw/Fu3b02yo9gY/s1600-h/IMG_3081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233700032905972322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKHWc1pPimI/AAAAAAAACbw/Fu3b02yo9gY/s400/IMG_3081.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the skits.....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKHWITgN09I/AAAAAAAACbo/bwk3rT5N7zs/s1600-h/IMG_3085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233699680143922130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKHWITgN09I/AAAAAAAACbo/bwk3rT5N7zs/s400/IMG_3085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Michael helping make fresh bread.....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKG0U6AYPQI/AAAAAAAACbg/850QjXILcnw/s1600-h/IMG_3087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233662513242455298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKG0U6AYPQI/AAAAAAAACbg/850QjXILcnw/s400/IMG_3087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Caleb working at the Sandal shop....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKGyPnWgkkI/AAAAAAAACbY/OZT1WqsjSac/s1600-h/IMG_3088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233660223312400962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKGyPnWgkkI/AAAAAAAACbY/OZT1WqsjSac/s400/IMG_3088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Caleb knows the motions....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKGxBtTIJpI/AAAAAAAACbQ/iYLANik-mAk/s1600-h/IMG_3089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233658884879034002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKGxBtTIJpI/AAAAAAAACbQ/iYLANik-mAk/s400/IMG_3089.JPG" border="0" /></a> Want to see more VBS pictures? click <a href="http://herringhappenings.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </div><div>A highlight of our week, was having Bro. Trouten over for breakfast. He was in this area for a little while, so we were privileged to have him come visit us. We got to know the Troutens a few years back when they lived here at campus. Our kids grew to love them VERY quickly and they have been some of our favorite people ever since. It's hard to see him without his "dear Alice". She has Alzheimer's and is in an Assisted Living Facility. I just LOVE the way he speaks about her and it's so sweet to see how lovingly he helps care for her and how he misses her so. It was truly a blessing to have him in our home and to hear him preach at our church on Sunday.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233744009716270626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH-coB3hiI/AAAAAAAACdA/rrQ2lJjjagY/s400/IMG_3062.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Thursday morning, I took my group of kids to Sawyer Point. I've been babysitting the Kelly boys full time, so we've been out and about just a bit more than usual. It's nice to go places and let the kids play....then my house doesn't get as dirty! LOL! We discovered this park a couple weeks ago and it quickly became a favorite. I can't believe I've lived in Cincinnati HOW long and didn't know about this park??? The play area there is HUGE, but I think the favorite place is the volleyball courts where the kids can play in the sand. We take lots of sand toys and plenty of Koolaid and just camp out for the morning. I even get to read a book.... sometimes!<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233746150666302530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKIAZPsIdEI/AAAAAAAACdw/C6yxM_PrETM/s400/IMG_3063.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />Alex K. and his sand castles<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233745820899993330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKIAGDNt5vI/AAAAAAAACdo/M2fdnKQnGdA/s400/IMG_3068.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p></p><br />Lauren getting buried in sand...<br /><p></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233745132086174834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH_d9LtJHI/AAAAAAAACdY/vgWv6zGTh-s/s400/IMG_3070.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p></p>Michael and all his castles....<br /><br /><p></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233744796923128338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH_Kcmm6hI/AAAAAAAACdQ/njJWTDPGfeE/s400/IMG_3071.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p></p>Lauren and her village....<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233744489559677266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SKH-4jlc2VI/AAAAAAAACdI/sRDmTlsEPlk/s400/IMG_3072.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-36480998857436835762008-08-05T13:20:00.015-04:002008-11-12T23:35:48.742-05:00Lauren Turns 8!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiRV_UISFI/AAAAAAAACaU/3F9qVmzw8jw/s1600-h/IMG_3003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231090774149974098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiRV_UISFI/AAAAAAAACaU/3F9qVmzw8jw/s400/IMG_3003.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lauren turned 8 years old on the 25th! She was SO excited and had been counting down the days for almost a month. I, on the other hand, could only think repeatedly about how my first baby is already halfway to 16!!!! Ugh.....so depressing! Anyway, we tried to make it a super-fun day.<br />She opened her gifts when Chris came home for lunch. Her favorite was a complete set of the "Liberty Letters". For any other Moms of 8 year olds out there, I highly recommend these books...they are SO interesting. They are somewhat like American Girl books, but they are Christian as well....just lovely! (published by Zonderkids)<br />After Chris got home, we gave her the big gift....a new bike! She was SO thrilled!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiRHITODpI/AAAAAAAACaM/PB5Mg7wGk5E/s1600-h/IMG_3004.JPG"></a> <br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQ0hOY2DI/AAAAAAAACaE/r7oiGTy8NzA/s1600-h/IMG_3004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231090199137146930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQ0hOY2DI/AAAAAAAACaE/r7oiGTy8NzA/s400/IMG_3004.JPG" border="0" /></a> We spent the evening in West Chester. First, we stopped by to play minigolf. It was really fun...but it's amazing how long it can take a family of 5 to get through the course. It seemed like we were there a LONG time and Chris informed me we had just passed halfway! And he wasn't even playing. He made it his job to follow Caleb and help him get through the course. It was really fun and yes, we managed to hit a few balls in the stream running through the course!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQkAJzBuI/AAAAAAAACZ8/E4KAYB-J7I0/s1600-h/IMG_3005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231089915381614306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQkAJzBuI/AAAAAAAACZ8/E4KAYB-J7I0/s400/IMG_3005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQUj-ZghI/AAAAAAAACZ0/s46wmmzncIA/s1600-h/IMG_3008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231089650119574034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQUj-ZghI/AAAAAAAACZ0/s46wmmzncIA/s400/IMG_3008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />My little "Tiger" :)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQB7y-ivI/AAAAAAAACZs/hxbyTnmDzxc/s1600-h/IMG_3009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231089330096605938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiQB7y-ivI/AAAAAAAACZs/hxbyTnmDzxc/s400/IMG_3009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />A neat little car we saw parked by Cicis.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiPTmRDaVI/AAAAAAAACZc/qUrqUX91iP0/s1600-h/IMG_3011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231088534043191634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiPTmRDaVI/AAAAAAAACZc/qUrqUX91iP0/s400/IMG_3011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had supper at Cici's pizza....Lauren's choice. And then headed home for cake. I didn't spend a lot of time on this cake since her party was still yet to come.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiO7594kdI/AAAAAAAACZU/rjYDc5Ls-Qs/s1600-h/IMG_3017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231088127014638034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiO7594kdI/AAAAAAAACZU/rjYDc5Ls-Qs/s400/IMG_3017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Thursday, we had Lauren's party. I invited the girls to dress up since it was to be a tea party. I even managed to stay up till almost 2 AM making dress up clothes so Lauren would have something new to wear. In about 2 hours, I had made 4 skirts and a blouse and a shawl....none of which I had a pattern for. You talk about FUN!!!!I felt like I had every bit as much fun as the girls. I, of course, got to serve the tea (I mean fruit punch)and pretended to be "Miss Manderly" I thought later it would have been really fun for the girls if I would have had the time to make a dress like Miss Manderly's as well. They drank out ot the little glass cups that came with the punch bowl. They talked and giggled....it was so cute. Instead of cake, I purchased decorated cookies and brownies from <a href="http://www.bonbonerie.com/">the BonBonerie</a> in O'Bryanville. Their decorated cookies are truly a work of art.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiOeYfMSgI/AAAAAAAACZM/qQpT_GAu1tk/s1600-h/IMG_3024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231087619811330562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiOeYfMSgI/AAAAAAAACZM/qQpT_GAu1tk/s400/IMG_3024.JPG" border="0" /></a> Her guests were: Caroline, Karissa, Brittany and Letha.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiOBbZ6XII/AAAAAAAACZE/4Om1wsoHA74/s1600-h/IMG_3027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231087122378284162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiOBbZ6XII/AAAAAAAACZE/4Om1wsoHA74/s400/IMG_3027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiNklRdmvI/AAAAAAAACY8/FF9_FMGeAck/s1600-h/IMG_3028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231086626810993394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiNklRdmvI/AAAAAAAACY8/FF9_FMGeAck/s400/IMG_3028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After having tea, we played some games. I turned on some fun music and they had a dance. (Oooops...as I learned in Elem. Music Ed., it's called "creative movement") We ended the party by decorating flipflops for the girls to take home. I can't believe I forgot to take pictures of that.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiM4B0FxmI/AAAAAAAACY0/r-jIUpjDJlY/s1600-h/IMG_3033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231085861378311778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiM4B0FxmI/AAAAAAAACY0/r-jIUpjDJlY/s400/IMG_3033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's a close-up of the cookies. I got the two lions for the boys of course. Since it was a "girls only" party, I had Katrin come watch the boys for the afternoon and they had a wonderful water balloon fight. But they still got the cookies and punch<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiMS4yzLVI/AAAAAAAACYs/-EKV38tGlFI/s1600-h/IMG_3022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231085223301819730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SJiMS4yzLVI/AAAAAAAACYs/-EKV38tGlFI/s400/IMG_3022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-15027957032993880832008-07-24T11:24:00.012-04:002008-11-12T23:35:50.140-05:00At last.....it FEELS like HOME!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIi2E9BH0yI/AAAAAAAACX0/gnlPmLXvtdU/s1600-h/IMG_2989.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226627563778462498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIi2E9BH0yI/AAAAAAAACX0/gnlPmLXvtdU/s400/IMG_2989.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Finally......this house is beginning to feel like HOME! When we moved in three summers ago, the whole house was painted the lovely off-white color that maintenance uses. I found out the name of it is Pearly Gates no less. Now isn't that fitting for a Bible college campus! LOL! Even though maint. allows you to pick colors, there was such a hurry for us to move in that they were only able to get two rooms painted in color....our bedroom, which is sage green,and Lauren's room....pink. That Fall, I was extremely busy with school. I moved from bouts of quesiness with my pregnancy with Caleb right into my Junior Piano Recital. That spring, I was still taking quite a few classes, and I also had Caleb in April. Then in the late Summer, I got sick with CHF. Ever since it was a struggle jsut to get my weekly cleaning done. Actually, I even had to have help with that as well. Needless to say, I NEVER got the closets really organized OR any of the rooms painted.</div><br /><br /><div>Well, this summer, I was determined it was going to change! I must really pause a minute to give God a little praise for the way I've been feeling lately...I feel really great! Around the same time that Chris sent my to Fl., my Dr. gradually began increasing the one heart med. I was on. As a result, I've been feeling gradually better ever since. It is sort of like waking up from a deep sleep. I have so many things I want to get done and now I can! Anyway,</div><br /><br /><div>we knew we were to get new carpet sometime this summer. It finally arrived about a month ago. When I moved all the furniture back, I REALLY organized the closets. Before the carpet was laid, I tried to get everything painted the way I wanted it. Now.....I can truly say....this feels like home. It looks the way I want it too.....minus some curtains. I know what I want, but I'm waiting on a sale at Hancock Fabrics first. I found out Home Decor. material is NOT cheap! </div><br /><br /><div>Here are a couple pics of the living room before.....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226608429593238962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIikrMn3nbI/AAAAAAAACXk/vw7Sq98eWuo/s400/IMG_0369.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIikEZQyjKI/AAAAAAAACXc/Whi-fUP8dtY/s1600-h/IMG_2617.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226607762971200674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIikEZQyjKI/AAAAAAAACXc/Whi-fUP8dtY/s400/IMG_2617.JPG" border="0" /></a> about midway through....painting done, but carpet and new furniture not arrived yet! Wasn't that look beautiful??? Sort of like Christmas in July :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIijzZ4nN3I/AAAAAAAACXU/ygi4M-o1T4g/s1600-h/IMG_2618.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226607471080454002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIijzZ4nN3I/AAAAAAAACXU/ygi4M-o1T4g/s400/IMG_2618.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Finally....the finished product......<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIijPBZpvqI/AAAAAAAACXM/g2Xd42iMr6U/s1600-h/IMG_2935.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226606846032854690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIijPBZpvqI/AAAAAAAACXM/g2Xd42iMr6U/s400/IMG_2935.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The pics above and below show the red the way it really looks. I'm surprised how many different shades I got all on the same day at the same time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIii5ztza-I/AAAAAAAACXE/qiipUz0xzmM/s1600-h/IMG_2936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226606481582025698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIii5ztza-I/AAAAAAAACXE/qiipUz0xzmM/s400/IMG_2936.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIiiGc8bClI/AAAAAAAACW8/TKX_V0vOhTw/s1600-h/IMG_2937.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226605599295998546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIiiGc8bClI/AAAAAAAACW8/TKX_V0vOhTw/s400/IMG_2937.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIihWy-fjWI/AAAAAAAACW0/XSMkXXFwamc/s1600-h/IMG_2938.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226604780576542050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIihWy-fjWI/AAAAAAAACW0/XSMkXXFwamc/s400/IMG_2938.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sorry the dining room picture turned out so dark. I might have to try to get some better ones later. It was a really bright day....I though they would turn out great. :( </div><div>The dining room color wasn't such a drastic change. When I see the walls I think of "warm vanilla". I'm not sure if that tells you what color they are, but that's what I call it! I needed the dining room to have color, but also coordinate with the living room since they are joined in a way. I've been really happy with the results.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIigl10_sfI/AAAAAAAACWs/8xk1IHe1tlY/s1600-h/IMG_2939.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226603939528421874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SIigl10_sfI/AAAAAAAACWs/8xk1IHe1tlY/s400/IMG_2939.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-85077757570453530472008-07-08T20:55:00.017-04:002008-11-12T23:35:52.829-05:00A very happy 4th............We spent the weekend with my parents in McDonald PA.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQVLM3Y5-I/AAAAAAAACWA/rRg5glez-Ec/s1600-h/IMG_2909.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220821150205536226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQVLM3Y5-I/AAAAAAAACWA/rRg5glez-Ec/s400/IMG_2909.JPG" border="0" /></a> Friday morning.....the kids waiting to leave for Grandmas.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQU5hDF-3I/AAAAAAAACV4/uNd2JzB-Ac4/s1600-h/IMG_2871.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220820846385691506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQU5hDF-3I/AAAAAAAACV4/uNd2JzB-Ac4/s400/IMG_2871.JPG" border="0" /></a> Saturday morning my Dad fixed his famous pancake breakfast. Yes. You read right....my Dad enjoys cooking. His specialty is fixing pancakes. One time I asked if he could tell me what the ingredients were. To which he replied "Oh, it's just plain old pancake mix. You just add water......oh, and also some eggs, oil, baking soda(or powder...can't remember which), vanilla, corn meal, sometimes I throw in apple juice.....yeah...you get the picture. Just plain ole' mix! LOL! Anyway, not only are they VERY light and fluffy, and terrible delicious, but he also can make almost any shape the kids ask for. This time Michael got a tiger.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220821584033679314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQVkdAFB9I/AAAAAAAACWI/EPNFzAOTdHI/s400/IMG_2873.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQUkG16LQI/AAAAAAAACVw/T9ofynHwbQw/s1600-h/IMG_2874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220820478573817090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQUkG16LQI/AAAAAAAACVw/T9ofynHwbQw/s400/IMG_2874.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lauren got Pumpkin (a cat)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQUW9z5TTI/AAAAAAAACVo/pt9pMl3Xgf0/s1600-h/IMG_2875.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220820252811152690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQUW9z5TTI/AAAAAAAACVo/pt9pMl3Xgf0/s400/IMG_2875.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Caleb really enjoyed playing with the cat, Melody. This cat is so old and lazy. Caleb got a necklace out of the toybox and draped it over the cat repeatedly. The cat put up with all the fuss quite well. She's just too old and lazy to get up and move!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQUHBIAMqI/AAAAAAAACVg/0I2veERi_nU/s1600-h/IMG_2880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220819978822890146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQUHBIAMqI/AAAAAAAACVg/0I2veERi_nU/s400/IMG_2880.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Saturday evening we drove over to an old Presbyterian church. Not only is it in a pretty location, but it is very old (177?) and the surrounding grounds are well maintained. There's an old cemetary off to the side, so we enjoyed looking through that. Lauren had a lot of fun looking at the old tombstones and then informing us which American Girl was "living" during that era.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQT5qnTsWI/AAAAAAAACVY/XOU61cb02hU/s1600-h/IMG_2887.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220819749441876322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQT5qnTsWI/AAAAAAAACVY/XOU61cb02hU/s400/IMG_2887.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQTelxeKsI/AAAAAAAACVQ/qypPLQqwk1Q/s1600-h/IMG_2890.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220819284285860546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQTelxeKsI/AAAAAAAACVQ/qypPLQqwk1Q/s400/IMG_2890.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We topped the evening off with a stop for soft ice cream.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQPKb2_ezI/AAAAAAAACVA/29v-to7kJhs/s1600-h/IMG_2899.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220814539980766002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQPKb2_ezI/AAAAAAAACVA/29v-to7kJhs/s400/IMG_2899.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />They had unique seating for kids!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQOz1Df2bI/AAAAAAAACU4/9g2HhIrV_uU/s1600-h/IMG_2897.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220814151607114162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQOz1Df2bI/AAAAAAAACU4/9g2HhIrV_uU/s400/IMG_2897.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yumm.....it WAS delicious. Thanks Mom and Dad for the yummy treats!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQOUPi6dUI/AAAAAAAACUw/wTRM3M50ry0/s1600-h/IMG_2904.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220813608962389314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQOUPi6dUI/AAAAAAAACUw/wTRM3M50ry0/s400/IMG_2904.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQOCQcqPYI/AAAAAAAACUo/71heVveNyr4/s1600-h/IMG_2906.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220813299966950786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQOCQcqPYI/AAAAAAAACUo/71heVveNyr4/s400/IMG_2906.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />They even serve a special treat to dogs.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQNrHZA60I/AAAAAAAACUg/_5IdJPAYe7k/s1600-h/IMG_2908.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220812902398749506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQNrHZA60I/AAAAAAAACUg/_5IdJPAYe7k/s400/IMG_2908.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQNJPWfjNI/AAAAAAAACUY/QAGqKqDdv5Y/s1600-h/IMG_2868.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220812320420105426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SHQNJPWfjNI/AAAAAAAACUY/QAGqKqDdv5Y/s400/IMG_2868.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-83331352968936250462008-06-27T18:42:00.023-04:002008-11-12T23:35:55.800-05:00Since I last posted we.....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV2WMLvpcI/AAAAAAAACT0/oY6O78mtlgc/s1600-h/IMG_2678.JPG"></a>have been enjoying beautiful weather! The kids have had oodles of fun playing outside. One of the "perks" of living at GBS is that the big parking lot belongs to the kids in the summer. It's a great place to ride bikes and our kids just LOVE IT! Caleb brings along his bubbles and has a great time as well.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV17YwKQSI/AAAAAAAACTs/lyZr7dxssLw/s1600-h/IMG_2678.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216705406495768866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV17YwKQSI/AAAAAAAACTs/lyZr7dxssLw/s400/IMG_2678.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV1kWHwE1I/AAAAAAAACTk/IQ7YEzSOQxM/s1600-h/IMG_2679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216705010652418898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV1kWHwE1I/AAAAAAAACTk/IQ7YEzSOQxM/s400/IMG_2679.JPG" border="0" /></a> Michael just learned to ride without training wheels several weeks ago. So he can zip around pretty quickly. Sometimes at the expense of a skinned up elbow!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV1OLszftI/AAAAAAAACTc/VLs26hgWPoc/s1600-h/IMG_2682.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216704629897920210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV1OLszftI/AAAAAAAACTc/VLs26hgWPoc/s400/IMG_2682.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV07qO6XyI/AAAAAAAACTU/sYI5WZAy7Jo/s1600-h/IMG_2685.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216704311676526370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV07qO6XyI/AAAAAAAACTU/sYI5WZAy7Jo/s400/IMG_2685.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Caleb lookin' pretty cool with his sunglasses and boo-foo!(pacifier)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV0mNNGD1I/AAAAAAAACTM/cn0T8q_Ny1M/s1600-h/IMG_2688.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216703943107022674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGV0mNNGD1I/AAAAAAAACTM/cn0T8q_Ny1M/s400/IMG_2688.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also celebrated a great Father on the 15th! Chris is a wonderful Dad to our 3 great kids! We are one blessed family!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVzxLG_gOI/AAAAAAAACTE/LOI_3dmjNaE/s1600-h/IMG_2760.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216703032011489506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVzxLG_gOI/AAAAAAAACTE/LOI_3dmjNaE/s400/IMG_2760.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVyoLZITgI/AAAAAAAACS0/Rds96RaMD4I/s1600-h/IMG_2766.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216701777957113346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVyoLZITgI/AAAAAAAACS0/Rds96RaMD4I/s400/IMG_2766.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I just had to include this picture. Their look-alike looks never seemed more obvious!(can't remember what they thought was so funny!)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVyMlbssxI/AAAAAAAACSs/lXMqdjs1Ois/s1600-h/IMG_2768.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216701303910871826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVyMlbssxI/AAAAAAAACSs/lXMqdjs1Ois/s400/IMG_2768.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />On the 17th I packed up (I mean LOADED) the van and headed off to Heartland Family Camp. My parents were there, so there was an extra pull in that direction! It was my first time to attend (other than a Sun service 7 years ago) so I was a little nervous about it at first. However, after being there just a few hours, and discovering how FRIENDLY everyone was, I began to relax and feel right at home. (Thanks to Julie A. for being the first to make me feel welcome!) Of course, after being there a while, I realized I knew many campers. The kids absolutely LOVED it. They quickly made friends, and enjoyed the Children's services.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVxpnrvK9I/AAAAAAAACSk/DjvrrFbaz6M/s1600-h/IMG_2790.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216700703219592146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVxpnrvK9I/AAAAAAAACSk/DjvrrFbaz6M/s400/IMG_2790.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lauren was asked to help wipe trays at lunch and not only did she enjoy helping, but also enjoyed many giggles and made some good friends!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVw_FM91xI/AAAAAAAACSc/X12aOYGWk2M/s1600-h/IMG_2795.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216699972409218834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVw_FM91xI/AAAAAAAACSc/X12aOYGWk2M/s400/IMG_2795.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Wed. afternoon, they had a baseball game just for 5,6, and 7 year olds. VERY CUTE! This was Michael's first time of playing on a team and he LOVED it! He also whacked the ball pretty good, as you can see in the pic!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVwQBlooXI/AAAAAAAACSU/puazwC4Nrwg/s1600-h/IMG_2801.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216699163985092978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVwQBlooXI/AAAAAAAACSU/puazwC4Nrwg/s400/IMG_2801.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />On the 20th, we took the kids to Logan's Roadhouse and celebrated 11 years of wedded bliss! The food was delicious, and the kids thought it was really cool to be allowed to go along on our "date"!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVwAQ88JWI/AAAAAAAACSM/UpUAWppIdww/s1600-h/IMG_2817.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216698893231465826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVwAQ88JWI/AAAAAAAACSM/UpUAWppIdww/s400/IMG_2817.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In addition to getting our whole house carpeted (over a span of 5 days), we had a visit from my Mom. Actually, her visit was in response to my SOS call! The carpet guys told us on Mon that they would be here on Fri. to do our entire hosue. While we were at camp, Chris busied himself with taking apart tables, moving furniture etc. When I arrived home from camp, my entire dining and living rooms were in the kitchen and basement. Of course, that left the closets and kids rooms to me. Ugh! He did help me with furniture, but with the help of the kids, I got all the little stuff moved. Friday came and went. Finally they came about 6 pm sat night and got the downstairs done so I could have access to the kitchen. They were done with the bedrooms by Tues, so I asked Mom if she could come and help me get everything put back together. A few guys from GBS helped with the furniture, but the closets etc. really take TIME. I wanted to get them organzed better. Mom stayed until last evening. What would we do without our Moms??<br /><br /><br />Friday is my day to watch the Kelly kids. Alex and Michael are close to the same age, so they have fun together. Since we were taking a picnic to the park, we invited Caroline Crater to join us for Lauren's sake! We went to Pride Park in KY.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVvnB5nXfI/AAAAAAAACSE/SKxW6ZzDAH8/s1600-h/IMG_2848.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216698459694259698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVvnB5nXfI/AAAAAAAACSE/SKxW6ZzDAH8/s400/IMG_2848.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Born at GBS, 4 months apart, Caroline and Lauren have grown up good friends.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVvJomNN-I/AAAAAAAACR8/VRARvU3esZ8/s1600-h/IMG_2851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216697954685761506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVvJomNN-I/AAAAAAAACR8/VRARvU3esZ8/s400/IMG_2851.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />They shared many secrets and giggles.....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVuxpFmibI/AAAAAAAACR0/SjRg51nmw1U/s1600-h/IMG_2854.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216697542500583858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVuxpFmibI/AAAAAAAACR0/SjRg51nmw1U/s400/IMG_2854.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />All 6 playing.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVuWyl9rzI/AAAAAAAACRs/k-UhJBA1XVQ/s1600-h/IMG_2856.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216697081195769650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVuWyl9rzI/AAAAAAAACRs/k-UhJBA1XVQ/s400/IMG_2856.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The boys had lots of fun as well.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVt5-pCH5I/AAAAAAAACRk/Mna0OgWWyeA/s1600-h/IMG_2842.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216696586213662610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVt5-pCH5I/AAAAAAAACRk/Mna0OgWWyeA/s400/IMG_2842.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Getting dizzy together!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVtOeNgg0I/AAAAAAAACRc/4ElodRMA8P8/s1600-h/IMG_2844.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216695838773904194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SGVtOeNgg0I/AAAAAAAACRc/4ElodRMA8P8/s400/IMG_2844.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it's almost 8 and the kids are begging to get out to the parking so lot, so why not?! Now I'm caught up on blogging.....whew....time to rest!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-22330114048953884312008-06-14T11:16:00.010-04:002008-11-12T23:35:57.948-05:00<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPlYDXcxdI/AAAAAAAACQY/k8yB0rOs0IE/s1600-h/IMG_2680.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211761395181077970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPlYDXcxdI/AAAAAAAACQY/k8yB0rOs0IE/s400/IMG_2680.JPG" border="0" /></a> Michael turned six last week.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPlGVWk95I/AAAAAAAACQQ/DiSAEYa36XA/s1600-h/IMG_2629.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211761090771613586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPlGVWk95I/AAAAAAAACQQ/DiSAEYa36XA/s400/IMG_2629.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPk1BjBJsI/AAAAAAAACQI/D21dcBRep0M/s1600-h/IMG_2637.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211760793397307074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPk1BjBJsI/AAAAAAAACQI/D21dcBRep0M/s400/IMG_2637.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rather than have a big party every year, we have a party every other year, and go to Chuck E Cheese instead. I LOVE Chuck E Cheese years. Not only is it easier, but I get to have fun too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPkl6n6SUI/AAAAAAAACQA/MJD-CNoAdqo/s1600-h/IMG_2642.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211760533840742722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPkl6n6SUI/AAAAAAAACQA/MJD-CNoAdqo/s400/IMG_2642.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>It was a good night to go....they weren't having any birthday parties....just several families scattered here and there.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Caleb was very scared of the "scary mousie". He eventually got over it as the night wore on.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPkTH_fcAI/AAAAAAAACP4/tqZGXp_AUsM/s1600-h/IMG_2641.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211760211011792898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPkTH_fcAI/AAAAAAAACP4/tqZGXp_AUsM/s400/IMG_2641.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As I'm sure you can tell, me and the kids LOVE skeeball. It used to be just Lauren and I that were crazy about it, but this time Michael joined in the fun too and found out he loved it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPkDTI7TGI/AAAAAAAACPw/00-bSiEzzWo/s1600-h/IMG_2645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211759939126250594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPkDTI7TGI/AAAAAAAACPw/00-bSiEzzWo/s400/IMG_2645.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Chris loves the basketball game....conveniently placed beside the skeeball!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPjuxjU8SI/AAAAAAAACPo/4m3Z-M0U4L0/s1600-h/IMG_2651.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211759586512793890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPjuxjU8SI/AAAAAAAACPo/4m3Z-M0U4L0/s400/IMG_2651.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Michael's look of surprise when he saw his race car cake for the first time. It was worth all the time I spent.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPjPxY79aI/AAAAAAAACPg/g_Ce1mjjKKM/s1600-h/IMG_2654.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211759053893268898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPjPxY79aI/AAAAAAAACPg/g_Ce1mjjKKM/s400/IMG_2654.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211775243429885954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPx-IHQOAI/AAAAAAAACQg/Ws3GIT1ENQQ/s400/IMG_2655.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A bit too much black frosting!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPi1t9CFuI/AAAAAAAACPY/s_aBS7NQllE/s1600-h/IMG_2666.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211758606294324962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SFPi1t9CFuI/AAAAAAAACPY/s_aBS7NQllE/s400/IMG_2666.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />While I was working in the kitchen the other day, Michael came in to chat and casually mentioned that he had an idea. Instead of going to Chuck E Cheese next time, he had decided he would like to go to Hawaii. Where did he get that?!? Sounded good to me as long as he's paying!</div><br /><div>Michael was thrilled when his Grandma sent him $5. in his birthday card. He excitedly told me he was going to put it in the offering at Junior Church. I was a proud Momma! </div><br /><div>Michael has a very funny sense of humor. Usually it has to do with thinking up silly phrases or songs. When he was 3, he used to go around singing "Come listen to my tale, of Hippie and the Whale". (on purpose)And just last week, when he got a plastic lizard from Junior Church, he quickly named it "the Lizard of Oz"!</div><br /><div>During devotions this week, we were reading a story that involved "a couple wives". Michael quickly piped up that "that would be cool!....to have 2 Moms". I couldn't have been more shocked! (nor my ego more bruised!) So, we began asking him who he wanted for his other Mom. After naming probably 20 or more names, he concluded he didn't want any of those Moms....I guess he just wanted me cloned or something! I've finally recovered....I think!</div><br /><div>It's fun to see him grow, but I can't believe he's 6 already!! Where has the time gone!?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2962197620595136837.post-40895651632052086652008-06-10T17:19:00.004-04:002008-11-12T23:35:58.090-05:00Look Who Turned Six!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SE7wptm7fHI/AAAAAAAACOw/W6qob577Z3g/s1600-h/dep_show_line_item.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210366418322422898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mNpRbBxJ3vM/SE7wptm7fHI/AAAAAAAACOw/W6qob577Z3g/s400/dep_show_line_item.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">My favorite blondie turned six on the 3rd! Happy Birthday Michael!</div><div align="center">We love you!</div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10583107442063865215noreply@blogger.com2