tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74897779272859127342024-03-23T10:54:27.507-07:00Once Upon A Time, in a Land Far Far Away...Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-39417236826242824152011-03-23T19:07:00.001-07:002011-03-23T20:14:39.109-07:00It's been a LONG time!<div style="text-align: center;">Wow, it's been 8 months since I've blogged! Rest assured, it's not for lack of blog-worthy events--the truth is that Facebook killed my will to blog--it's so much easier to post a picture with a one line description...however, this event warranted far more description than one line could convey...</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was my 30th birthday last week and Ryan took the liberty of giving me the surprise of my life!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfPuuPKNOoBwClRHi_pWfcNVS9P2Vd8a5huHmZeyy_4eSwtvaideAmicbWUzr3R5AtFc8EaioQ7n60Mnzasdc1_j9NV_FOek4oVl09dwkZnX7k_GX7TU408WqUKNjfzpSaoQMWKHa7jxP/s1600/IMG_3898.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfPuuPKNOoBwClRHi_pWfcNVS9P2Vd8a5huHmZeyy_4eSwtvaideAmicbWUzr3R5AtFc8EaioQ7n60Mnzasdc1_j9NV_FOek4oVl09dwkZnX7k_GX7TU408WqUKNjfzpSaoQMWKHa7jxP/s1600/IMG_3898.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfPuuPKNOoBwClRHi_pWfcNVS9P2Vd8a5huHmZeyy_4eSwtvaideAmicbWUzr3R5AtFc8EaioQ7n60Mnzasdc1_j9NV_FOek4oVl09dwkZnX7k_GX7TU408WqUKNjfzpSaoQMWKHa7jxP/s320/IMG_3898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587468783728617170" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's us in a LIMO!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxqA-0FsE2zN6zjdKHOLMdu8Ktg3o8Sa0ZGNPNCgL9r6mmrI6_v9WKyqg_LD4jlAjEduZ-WZZg_tf0e8desYx-mTGe6BxvzSbT2cxD9A4I_JVYvA3zk85sTojXpOsFmQBku5BIA5VIwPV/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxqA-0FsE2zN6zjdKHOLMdu8Ktg3o8Sa0ZGNPNCgL9r6mmrI6_v9WKyqg_LD4jlAjEduZ-WZZg_tf0e8desYx-mTGe6BxvzSbT2cxD9A4I_JVYvA3zk85sTojXpOsFmQBku5BIA5VIwPV/s320/IMG_3903.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587470489987298178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6FiyS33uNtdjfCxCMo7J7EHdjj7QQFb1JdpZTPlV66aQN6cjRIthkpd2nzVf16J9Ji1TzeYhUExxIaVXNh5EzzsVPgU3PAOM4lua0V9Fd1HE-9xm0TEoSKyvm_4qjDPAjH1IWqR9SeL0/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6FiyS33uNtdjfCxCMo7J7EHdjj7QQFb1JdpZTPlV66aQN6cjRIthkpd2nzVf16J9Ji1TzeYhUExxIaVXNh5EzzsVPgU3PAOM4lua0V9Fd1HE-9xm0TEoSKyvm_4qjDPAjH1IWqR9SeL0/s320/IMG_3905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587470482925741442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's us and some of our best friends at a fancy Italian restaurant in San Francisco!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvJ_YlkVWPcbqb4nkEv688Wkhlpxytoz-FjSKV1fpIZThlkd0HWI-7BxiErELsFE5Im0zJHWCAh-dv6YdButH8tArLmH0yD9qZjQOVfEOpW5P3DZy3N_eH_Yg9tKZzgsLB3t6ZEp8hF0W/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvJ_YlkVWPcbqb4nkEv688Wkhlpxytoz-FjSKV1fpIZThlkd0HWI-7BxiErELsFE5Im0zJHWCAh-dv6YdButH8tArLmH0yD9qZjQOVfEOpW5P3DZy3N_eH_Yg9tKZzgsLB3t6ZEp8hF0W/s320/IMG_3908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587472580685153042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHFhULLXBf3rvuuuuE9yjmYLJCfyE-f21dJGdAaVuiTjgaFuH4D5KwowL1YWaFdbcPN4TnJIgIAfqSCeMsUm22X7HkzdSUu5BHNgQT8s_zJAL63dB2yOLK2ArK-s0p0jZNYKWWDoweU6Y/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHFhULLXBf3rvuuuuE9yjmYLJCfyE-f21dJGdAaVuiTjgaFuH4D5KwowL1YWaFdbcPN4TnJIgIAfqSCeMsUm22X7HkzdSUu5BHNgQT8s_zJAL63dB2yOLK2ArK-s0p0jZNYKWWDoweU6Y/s320/IMG_3909.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587472586348207074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">!!!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeXA2iV4owVCfiTIkDr7l1xLZ2qjE7SG6323g90jX6YFEQPVDML10xaxHZT0y1ZaGe08_X-6mR9CtHExoEUVfVgvT-H71zku_wpfCvNBm0LBp1YXgdJ26rDR-165ik4YWSIkPqyIHZ4Rv/s1600/IMG_3910.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeXA2iV4owVCfiTIkDr7l1xLZ2qjE7SG6323g90jX6YFEQPVDML10xaxHZT0y1ZaGe08_X-6mR9CtHExoEUVfVgvT-H71zku_wpfCvNBm0LBp1YXgdJ26rDR-165ik4YWSIkPqyIHZ4Rv/s320/IMG_3910.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587475246720675090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And yes, that is me with 30 years and the best husband on earth!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(and flashing a peace sign that looks like I'm flipping you off)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's to 70 more!</div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-65006420491073989892010-07-25T16:33:00.000-07:002010-07-25T17:52:06.042-07:00Half DomeSo, for the past 2 years in a row Ryan has done this CRAZY midnight hike up to Half Dome with a buddy of his. This year, he was bound and determined for me to go with him. I decided I guess I'd better go or I would never hear the end of it! It turned out to be really fun, but I still think it is, as I said before, CRAZY. Let me tell you the story...<br />The hike really began at 4 PM when we left Santa Cruz. A mere 7 hours later we finally pulled into the Trailhead parking lot (we had to pick up our friend in San Jose and there was traffic). Upon arrival we noticed a ranger in his truck driving around the parking lot frantically flashing his lights, clapping and yelling "HEY BEAR!" This wasn't looking good. We were warned that there had been a bear wandering around and to NOT leave ANY food in the car. I had to toss a perfectly good bag of pretzels... but, I stuffed the beef jerkey in Ryan's pack--he could probably take a smallish size bear, right? Then my head lamp broke...before we even got out of the parking lot. Nevertheless, we persevered. I'm glad we did.<br />Most of the hike was not that bad--the steps up to the sub dome were challenging, but surmountable. But, to be truly honest, there was a moment shortly after beginning the cable climb, that I wasn't sure I was going to make it up! (If you've never seen them, you'll see why in a minute)! Let's just say I kept a prayer in my heart!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5oaZUH1K4NElm8iONmPz9Lqkf0_uw2YkHJJ0ItnE9OzPK0hs0s-zV-AIroBKYEWRhCGee-vAOjnnyGHVRm-lQHwcskteVFlFmZ8xvaNwLjn0iUAwmFDP79e3AqUBAm44XcDzgD2PbOuY/s1600/LR+top.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5oaZUH1K4NElm8iONmPz9Lqkf0_uw2YkHJJ0ItnE9OzPK0hs0s-zV-AIroBKYEWRhCGee-vAOjnnyGHVRm-lQHwcskteVFlFmZ8xvaNwLjn0iUAwmFDP79e3AqUBAm44XcDzgD2PbOuY/s320/LR+top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497993450950351570" border="0" /></a>Prayers answered--we made it. We arrived up the cables at about 4:15 AM. That made a total of just under 5 hours of hiking. And here we are at the top at about 5:45 AM!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBnng3-LTRLWFZ6ecmm0Z3FVIYTKJHucj0JJDOudpH_HzBWo_yTweZ1hyphenhyphengdQ99Gj75g1Qn8VkNwNzLjJ7YkGdPRzJ1GUX7PJ3Kb3GFlLrY21FymFg-WZhUw9CFY_BNOtx1HWXKdU2-NzQ/s1600/LR+top+huddled.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBnng3-LTRLWFZ6ecmm0Z3FVIYTKJHucj0JJDOudpH_HzBWo_yTweZ1hyphenhyphengdQ99Gj75g1Qn8VkNwNzLjJ7YkGdPRzJ1GUX7PJ3Kb3GFlLrY21FymFg-WZhUw9CFY_BNOtx1HWXKdU2-NzQ/s320/LR+top+huddled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497993466626311986" border="0" /></a>After about 2 hours of huddling for warmth and trying to get a little shut eye, the sun finally began to rise (about 6AM). Yes, we did attempt to both snuggle up on that little camping mat. We didn't get much sleep. After I came to terms with the fact that rest just wasn't in the cards for me, I got up and decided to check out what the big deal was about "Half Dome".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoFLH5HbNXsjoyknu2mGJhYfDcHxBkI9mkqxETDZXj5gjZCYYQd3LPHgvflzfjQZMicp6zYt93hIowUzH_OW1o-5Klsu15do1dMwHXwFsWsW-N9-7LzPfjWfTcSNIAzdYtb5g2M1Xg4dr/s1600/yosemite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoFLH5HbNXsjoyknu2mGJhYfDcHxBkI9mkqxETDZXj5gjZCYYQd3LPHgvflzfjQZMicp6zYt93hIowUzH_OW1o-5Klsu15do1dMwHXwFsWsW-N9-7LzPfjWfTcSNIAzdYtb5g2M1Xg4dr/s320/yosemite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497997856815222802" border="0" /></a>Turns out, it is a big deal.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggL3xBviO9hfQ75WUMZfyziA2d9A_J_P7C_fbxo1na53j2C3dp_a-dLxz-y0PHVCFitst2eSVSFtnFDdweJEWa0Po722vS8_F2cLiW5Snivw7vGcH61nQiTP2gW50F541XDAlbn2oFxm_p/s1600/Ltop.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggL3xBviO9hfQ75WUMZfyziA2d9A_J_P7C_fbxo1na53j2C3dp_a-dLxz-y0PHVCFitst2eSVSFtnFDdweJEWa0Po722vS8_F2cLiW5Snivw7vGcH61nQiTP2gW50F541XDAlbn2oFxm_p/s320/Ltop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497993455360928898" border="0" /></a>Here's me--it's kind of nice up here I guess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S2tj4YtTWeethIEnH35FkO7-z-5BlWo0mcijYt9MZiOzq2kcxi0Q_J7Uf_ai1sc4fPLAlHkaY4qkCSnOhuLskhbZIRh07O9iCd-VNTHVePVH597JkoPtQtAJATBms27mCbaAiF7X66Wa/s1600/Ryan+top+fetal.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S2tj4YtTWeethIEnH35FkO7-z-5BlWo0mcijYt9MZiOzq2kcxi0Q_J7Uf_ai1sc4fPLAlHkaY4qkCSnOhuLskhbZIRh07O9iCd-VNTHVePVH597JkoPtQtAJATBms27mCbaAiF7X66Wa/s320/Ryan+top+fetal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497997837402265538" border="0" /></a>Oh, and Ryan took full advantage of my wanderings.<br />But alas, we had partaken of the majesty of the rock and now it was time for us to depart. I knew from the beginning of this thing that once I got up the cables and back down again, I was home free.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrt5ZWg0NXKu7x1GcoUJcVzvI8RZwRpD5f-sk9A8U6Rj2smDrGyrubUpOepR38oZqQf2mVoOq0m65exBjBObYuNMWr7MkDTssBpQmkClFPqOdwS4ZhHhIjVDah0prwbG-r9jmWi8Iuxb5/s1600/Antonio+cables4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrt5ZWg0NXKu7x1GcoUJcVzvI8RZwRpD5f-sk9A8U6Rj2smDrGyrubUpOepR38oZqQf2mVoOq0m65exBjBObYuNMWr7MkDTssBpQmkClFPqOdwS4ZhHhIjVDah0prwbG-r9jmWi8Iuxb5/s320/Antonio+cables4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497993475305831170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85U5o4V2pwjfYhiqmzZ81Nu2OerHaRR0878S6pxImcp-SH9Z2WWykX3GmR8qEXbYbf6wXlF2QVykS4yXewl3cy6nZewHNN1upxu29mIn45sFPhbh9EvCxTUFSuRouSVbfLeaN47FCAYLA/s1600/R+cables2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85U5o4V2pwjfYhiqmzZ81Nu2OerHaRR0878S6pxImcp-SH9Z2WWykX3GmR8qEXbYbf6wXlF2QVykS4yXewl3cy6nZewHNN1upxu29mIn45sFPhbh9EvCxTUFSuRouSVbfLeaN47FCAYLA/s320/R+cables2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497997843545585874" border="0" /></a>Crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVxbatW6lQwImB1SKoI3xXnWJJPp41uO-WNn1Q22ff-1oS59OAtP2SOo3xoiEugQMBzLlX1sjYbhnuLChUcsgCpmkdSWLuKdXojCFzUiBh-2Ps1SI4N2LVdGh-hbO1iBo7apsSSEWsy9b/s1600/L+cables.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVxbatW6lQwImB1SKoI3xXnWJJPp41uO-WNn1Q22ff-1oS59OAtP2SOo3xoiEugQMBzLlX1sjYbhnuLChUcsgCpmkdSWLuKdXojCFzUiBh-2Ps1SI4N2LVdGh-hbO1iBo7apsSSEWsy9b/s320/L+cables.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497993482036522178" border="0" /></a>Phew--Check that off the list.<br />On the way down, we got to experience the beauty of Yosemite in the light of day. Waterfalls were a big highlight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BgNL0Jr6x2IYmqrchnVgf9hOfYJwcDi0xnv8YtuBFOXXBqDcLJ8RvF-pneO1mCKYtnGedO6MoyIro6_OrrkBHyDcbFOVrxigFqMbRoAQYOS9jhiUh3Sys4iMOBLIl-eiPWL-ElffqE-y/s1600/L+waterfall.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BgNL0Jr6x2IYmqrchnVgf9hOfYJwcDi0xnv8YtuBFOXXBqDcLJ8RvF-pneO1mCKYtnGedO6MoyIro6_OrrkBHyDcbFOVrxigFqMbRoAQYOS9jhiUh3Sys4iMOBLIl-eiPWL-ElffqE-y/s320/L+waterfall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498009746838486450" border="0" /></a>But, our trip was not complete until came across another one of nature's wonders:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvWseeZEtxwaOooPkTx6ZBjGe5JF9NJYiFdU3e8odnBp5Hx91DEoittwkfIjGFgxuqqhiGxg0MI5yCSlm431akKU-HPN4BoboUnXht4WUjZ6F-ETcw86LAqtg4QDsqL9uXGEGs8owQ_FP/s1600/brown+bear.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvWseeZEtxwaOooPkTx6ZBjGe5JF9NJYiFdU3e8odnBp5Hx91DEoittwkfIjGFgxuqqhiGxg0MI5yCSlm431akKU-HPN4BoboUnXht4WUjZ6F-ETcw86LAqtg4QDsqL9uXGEGs8owQ_FP/s320/brown+bear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498004153489789010" border="0" /></a>I have really sweet telephoto...just kidding. We did see a bear though, just not this one. I think it was a female because it was a bit smaller than this big guy, and it took me too long to get my camera out so all I got of her was this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholE0IAIsSKaPTrP_jyTXaHPqxhkbT2VfT8f7py0KTJitKBoNFSrqh138ELRAzE_GrozK5lzHONbYB2LpJF4br0n3m3F-Q1dCDSme1vJXpbAfDYINJ5homaVRs2JyzYbdtpnGhRJPOoQDk/s1600/bear+butt.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholE0IAIsSKaPTrP_jyTXaHPqxhkbT2VfT8f7py0KTJitKBoNFSrqh138ELRAzE_GrozK5lzHONbYB2LpJF4br0n3m3F-Q1dCDSme1vJXpbAfDYINJ5homaVRs2JyzYbdtpnGhRJPOoQDk/s320/bear+butt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498006105458690290" border="0" /></a>If you look closely, that brown spot in the middle of the picture is her butt. Thankfully, she was running away from us, out of our lives, and gone forever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb8C8EPWIICDHLYLrgjoRMFT2r0DmS8ZiWmqO1cVmDKlJMNQkkEecG91YskHD4yRtGgwbdh3qXD2_Gczy5LAa1X2vBJqTCBLo7E5uPRnJkgoO1cBWC3E9RbB8VfIPneDPf4grTYHhhIne/s1600/we+climbed+that.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb8C8EPWIICDHLYLrgjoRMFT2r0DmS8ZiWmqO1cVmDKlJMNQkkEecG91YskHD4yRtGgwbdh3qXD2_Gczy5LAa1X2vBJqTCBLo7E5uPRnJkgoO1cBWC3E9RbB8VfIPneDPf4grTYHhhIne/s320/we+climbed+that.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497997859375509090" border="0" /></a>Now, I'm still not a nature girl, but to look up at that beast from the parking lot and realize that I climbed to the top of THAT in the middle of the night is something I'm proud to own. Ryan's under the impression that now I'm somehow "hooked", but the jury is still out. I got a few mosquito bites, and I had to squat to pee once, so... He should know better than anyone that it takes more than a pretty face to seduce the likes of me. We'll see. Maybe we will meet again my friend--we'll leave it in the hands of fate. Until then, stay beautiful, difficult and scary,<br />and so will I.<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-85065236007507206192010-04-25T17:10:00.000-07:002010-04-25T17:36:56.007-07:00Hawadi<div style="text-align: center;">Pretty much until halfway through the trip Benson could not for the life of him say "Hawaii"--he would try and try, but it would always come out "Hawadi". It was one of those words that was so cute coming out of his mouth that I hesitated to correct him--oh how I miss "Hawadi", in every way possible!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We went to Oahu and stayed at the Hale Koa on Waikiki for 7 days. It was incredible! Ryan's little brother CJ was able to join us for part of the trip and we were so glad he did! He is a helicopter pilot in the Navy and he is stationed in Japan right now--we haven't seen him in a year and a half! It was really great for them to be able to see eachother before Ryan leaves for his deployment--and yes, they managed to get at least one surf in every day! <br />Other than surfing, we also did many other things: the North Shore a couple days, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hanauma Bay snorkeling, beach, pool, pool, pool, Lanikea (the turtle beach), BYU Hawaii, Hawaii Temple... We can't WAIT to go back!<br />I won't torture you with my whole album in one blog, but if you want to see more you can go to my facebook. Here are a few highlights:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV78BSiPQpmjNgjvPGpWXvhECnWR7KJGG7rRZ_gtoUBGD9xENZsvtzUO3haffk4ZqcTqdvrZZ1LRPbgZWQaOsqkgm8VouefMTJy35Oz3QpUi9Z_ywLnQXSHmJ22IrOyP-vyD9lbb6EBmq/s1600/Hanauma+Bay.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV78BSiPQpmjNgjvPGpWXvhECnWR7KJGG7rRZ_gtoUBGD9xENZsvtzUO3haffk4ZqcTqdvrZZ1LRPbgZWQaOsqkgm8VouefMTJy35Oz3QpUi9Z_ywLnQXSHmJ22IrOyP-vyD9lbb6EBmq/s320/Hanauma+Bay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464235655711927266" border="0" /></a>Hanauma Bay<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI8EfUOOU4xThySag4Ft4pQPjndYJ3KFfcDbK9LgFoVCeeILDd6J64RNuP7huYQql_mZLVFkGGWGRgG1etqfSz8tncsZIe9vLZ7ZaaVhFnZo6Oo55XEt-XXYAaYx2f5LJTuOZSDRoa2M3/s1600/Rockies+uncle+cj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI8EfUOOU4xThySag4Ft4pQPjndYJ3KFfcDbK9LgFoVCeeILDd6J64RNuP7huYQql_mZLVFkGGWGRgG1etqfSz8tncsZIe9vLZ7ZaaVhFnZo6Oo55XEt-XXYAaYx2f5LJTuOZSDRoa2M3/s320/Rockies+uncle+cj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464235112814339138" border="0" /></a>Uncle CJ<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh692RNO62QSZe3Ls9BRx_jfgtLa8qFXOfjYzKu_n2erNXMSfwZU8uGvXklNhEix5jeCKFrh9VEzrnG3pbDX_geTAiDiUGF5J43kSEFmJPvnlSuJTF3WqZddWdJazux1jaEc5dq-NBP-gzR/s1600/Matsumotos.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh692RNO62QSZe3Ls9BRx_jfgtLa8qFXOfjYzKu_n2erNXMSfwZU8uGvXklNhEix5jeCKFrh9VEzrnG3pbDX_geTAiDiUGF5J43kSEFmJPvnlSuJTF3WqZddWdJazux1jaEc5dq-NBP-gzR/s320/Matsumotos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464235104743395506" border="0" /></a>Matsumoto's Shave Ice<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1GhgEWq6GfQNxBpJYtMDPgPKsoR7ejJzHLJcZbGWpq7o-IGuZ9pypFh8lNuH9W-PrXpClIh-V0HBAxWWdqMRvvK3dgd89uRo0xb_gM-nbzVkKpCyrgnlepROTArp6YcjYgRIAnlcaG7B/s1600/brother+sister.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1GhgEWq6GfQNxBpJYtMDPgPKsoR7ejJzHLJcZbGWpq7o-IGuZ9pypFh8lNuH9W-PrXpClIh-V0HBAxWWdqMRvvK3dgd89uRo0xb_gM-nbzVkKpCyrgnlepROTArp6YcjYgRIAnlcaG7B/s320/brother+sister.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464235099446087378" border="0" /></a>Waikiki Beach<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-Bm7vz4dpTpWVuPTumgumv4TlqVGRXs9CYkN2SFIV5PDLVmCH-EGRaUz38gr5RjLvXjbRw5ncWObkaLmN63ylaXcpctJg0QmusQb2Gn39cB4kVXJ0LwToOB7LEsRg-hRyXoOf1fI3TUO/s1600/Jump.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-Bm7vz4dpTpWVuPTumgumv4TlqVGRXs9CYkN2SFIV5PDLVmCH-EGRaUz38gr5RjLvXjbRw5ncWObkaLmN63ylaXcpctJg0QmusQb2Gn39cB4kVXJ0LwToOB7LEsRg-hRyXoOf1fI3TUO/s320/Jump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464235091146233154" border="0" /></a>Pool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5r7fmMnFnKJiORIIyzGqhpO6gWsrK3q97d89pMHhC9MWKZ9_E8cwx5uhAI4SJSuGXI9Aa4IGnIcxY3p83PTNmnW71n1LmA7y8q2gnqkVlTSMgmx7PxZ4t3PWoxiv8qkv0gDLitQEBdG9/s1600/Shades.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5r7fmMnFnKJiORIIyzGqhpO6gWsrK3q97d89pMHhC9MWKZ9_E8cwx5uhAI4SJSuGXI9Aa4IGnIcxY3p83PTNmnW71n1LmA7y8q2gnqkVlTSMgmx7PxZ4t3PWoxiv8qkv0gDLitQEBdG9/s320/Shades.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464236613028778194" border="0" /></a>Surf Shop<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT7EsHxZz39Xi7hv_gSmFCDhoPqGzZhLA61qgkbpvEuK3SP-YTpm_0gcP0k7r2EV3-FvYDmuN2v47Rp9Ep4Jj028QW25KJdwpUu5SBWfsajdiKNSOSowT2j6Qu5WLCNyLRkfpgbv9CHry/s1600/Lanikea+Family.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT7EsHxZz39Xi7hv_gSmFCDhoPqGzZhLA61qgkbpvEuK3SP-YTpm_0gcP0k7r2EV3-FvYDmuN2v47Rp9Ep4Jj028QW25KJdwpUu5SBWfsajdiKNSOSowT2j6Qu5WLCNyLRkfpgbv9CHry/s320/Lanikea+Family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464236622174599394" border="0" /></a>Lanikea<br /><br />I'm already planning our next trip!<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-92120830303877320462010-02-08T08:13:00.000-08:002010-02-08T08:27:02.444-08:00We only get that channel sometimes...<div style="text-align: center;">So, as you all know, yesterday was the Superbowl. We don't have cable, but we do have an antenna. Under these circumstances our reception is heavily based on the weather pattern of a given day (which is fun). We weren't planning on watching the game, since we are rarely able to pick up that network. However, as you can see below, Ryan worked it out:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMGdPDok3PAFhfAqvhYxG50S6driLTZ4sd5MNWVevbhR-e_vdvaK-pkUQb4aKWBLf-zbGCqLl3bqgmTTOu7BH_aF-DKetgrK2gAbLenV8fooDFPXqIYgMPQ7fSBF9E9EL6RQNSuMCMnXL/s1600-h/Superbowl+Ant2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMGdPDok3PAFhfAqvhYxG50S6driLTZ4sd5MNWVevbhR-e_vdvaK-pkUQb4aKWBLf-zbGCqLl3bqgmTTOu7BH_aF-DKetgrK2gAbLenV8fooDFPXqIYgMPQ7fSBF9E9EL6RQNSuMCMnXL/s320/Superbowl+Ant2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435908753519075298" border="0" /></a>See that empty space on top of the entertainment center--that's where our antenna usually resides... Now take a peek out the window.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5YLwU-BIeqjZlRQqxwI4yIyDKopHqXNQ8Aol0VPd94IMPws8LNOSPNIlxXu1Fm4bsg3THxGMTi5q0pOabGYpZVln65KWHfCnzS7qIz8WciHc6ifTmXi78r9jKerR22gSwQWk6WPhF75o/s1600-h/Superbowl+Ant.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5YLwU-BIeqjZlRQqxwI4yIyDKopHqXNQ8Aol0VPd94IMPws8LNOSPNIlxXu1Fm4bsg3THxGMTi5q0pOabGYpZVln65KWHfCnzS7qIz8WciHc6ifTmXi78r9jKerR22gSwQWk6WPhF75o/s320/Superbowl+Ant.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435908758609452498" border="0" /></a>Yes he did.<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-74531345471616635102010-01-18T10:32:00.001-08:002010-01-18T10:43:58.388-08:00The Best Conversation I've Had All Week<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14LusamC5FyBRv-clpqA24hAWJPSDxLORCPIOOaXvHqfsDCzsNJlsOYMZGYB7IFXUAzMPy1kJF6QZpUCMfw7VlCpOoMcQm_u7HS37yP3PXXAwDp00GWUnfco3rjOMkAUuU2DXhCKVrhmp/s1600-h/lightning-gallery-18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14LusamC5FyBRv-clpqA24hAWJPSDxLORCPIOOaXvHqfsDCzsNJlsOYMZGYB7IFXUAzMPy1kJF6QZpUCMfw7VlCpOoMcQm_u7HS37yP3PXXAwDp00GWUnfco3rjOMkAUuU2DXhCKVrhmp/s320/lightning-gallery-18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428152346757466226" border="0" /></a>Just got home from the gym, hop in the shower, as I am lathering I hear a distinct babble outside the bathroom door directed at me:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">L: I can't hear you, you're going to have to come in here.<br />(Enter Kayla--wearing her bike helmet(?))<br />K: Um, if you're in your house near any water and lightning strikes close to you, you can get shocked through the water.<br />(Note: presently, it is POURING rain here, "stormy", if you will).<br />L: Oh...so should I not be taking a shower right now?<br />K: Well, you can just hurry.<br />L: Where did you hear about that?<br />K: Uh, it was on a science movie I saw once.<br />L: Huh.<br />K: Okay, so just be aware of the lighting. Bye.<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-49052634947533373132009-12-10T19:30:00.000-08:002009-12-10T20:13:05.681-08:00King For a Day<div style="text-align: center;">Benson turned 4 on Tuesday!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeL29u_lk6NxWL6Ipcj3gGPXrs54timDE2Mj-KkVajRi3cZpvCIkRqht1pSsZibYU65HMmEJUEzAbR28VYNRrtjnu7l826hDT0pn-1b5iuOVJGgc1rmPel8oj4O7VaXhHZO8r6qvOBwQy/s1600-h/IMG_4288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeL29u_lk6NxWL6Ipcj3gGPXrs54timDE2Mj-KkVajRi3cZpvCIkRqht1pSsZibYU65HMmEJUEzAbR28VYNRrtjnu7l826hDT0pn-1b5iuOVJGgc1rmPel8oj4O7VaXhHZO8r6qvOBwQy/s320/IMG_4288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413818729379067186" border="0" /></a>His preschool teachers made him this crown for his big day...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rzt5Gn8QFNxlSC1MKxgA66XsZ0o-K23gmJc5-DM9XRyhem23H8o9Eb_ruEhfgPDbqNYbc2Wv49LenIcOzZY796dla2JdDt40MpOqxisfnCT5A6FbpC2ZsT1bvpfaeoFGMlz7PqvMd1az/s1600-h/IMG_4293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rzt5Gn8QFNxlSC1MKxgA66XsZ0o-K23gmJc5-DM9XRyhem23H8o9Eb_ruEhfgPDbqNYbc2Wv49LenIcOzZY796dla2JdDt40MpOqxisfnCT5A6FbpC2ZsT1bvpfaeoFGMlz7PqvMd1az/s320/IMG_4293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413817229571799906" border="0" /></a>So naturally, he wore it at all day. Here he is eating his birthday cookies with his buddy...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuJH6JlADIc1Us05089Azkk5SCRNtXUj9gb92jToAvIS5VcIW7TLlCp4VSMhmjL9Ku0H0GKTbOr-c-OF493gCez3OwVSJRzejVGH32RqcdNb4nGojB8SPgbEEZDA4tQELVIlexePpBqO6/s1600-h/IMG_4280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuJH6JlADIc1Us05089Azkk5SCRNtXUj9gb92jToAvIS5VcIW7TLlCp4VSMhmjL9Ku0H0GKTbOr-c-OF493gCez3OwVSJRzejVGH32RqcdNb4nGojB8SPgbEEZDA4tQELVIlexePpBqO6/s320/IMG_4280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413826263649386418" border="0" /></a>(Here's the cookies--mmmm--and yes, believe it or not, everything you see here comes from nature!)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqoDus37KVe1keYjWxyk5nAZjWqYNFKrNJZAxcPBsB_hk6_hblbJXJ9sI0X8mbKemn7jQZbTgrrbrMMhfPJrICDlDVWvLdn23ArrR_J1o6-NXMwvjnX62NyRr3CMH0p2eFY218mPSAqzb/s1600-h/IMG_4295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqoDus37KVe1keYjWxyk5nAZjWqYNFKrNJZAxcPBsB_hk6_hblbJXJ9sI0X8mbKemn7jQZbTgrrbrMMhfPJrICDlDVWvLdn23ArrR_J1o6-NXMwvjnX62NyRr3CMH0p2eFY218mPSAqzb/s320/IMG_4295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413817245164936866" border="0" /></a>...watching his fave Thomas movie, still crowned--approx. 1 PM.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3z-P1XzZf1cGMCVlfKK38-_C_HXoLju4OS2lC6VD3tO_ILfn0B9gKV02qD2Lt7yFRz-5PBS_uhwmd_UVXrtlBHOihfYwGXUuQQehKJ81HBNLxDiQL8UL_3ZVrzDF316S4BXVMLLQtLPQ/s1600-h/IMG_4297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3z-P1XzZf1cGMCVlfKK38-_C_HXoLju4OS2lC6VD3tO_ILfn0B9gKV02qD2Lt7yFRz-5PBS_uhwmd_UVXrtlBHOihfYwGXUuQQehKJ81HBNLxDiQL8UL_3ZVrzDF316S4BXVMLLQtLPQ/s320/IMG_4297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413817253243891234" border="0" /></a>3 PM.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RU3J62IVn8cEW_EFuA9VLOeCUt0E7Do9_RJ04RrHLqz2SYFCXZvw5UmDGv1k5bsaSRUjQQBgz92PSuAuwnEPK9TiyPwIzTxq97vIw_EBaPKBlpggEeXb8iX_LhmQ0ZjNz1aAugNsxba4/s1600-h/IMG_4301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RU3J62IVn8cEW_EFuA9VLOeCUt0E7Do9_RJ04RrHLqz2SYFCXZvw5UmDGv1k5bsaSRUjQQBgz92PSuAuwnEPK9TiyPwIzTxq97vIw_EBaPKBlpggEeXb8iX_LhmQ0ZjNz1aAugNsxba4/s320/IMG_4301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413818220304836434" border="0" /></a>Present Time! 5:30PM. (the crown.)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4HSZf-nNuA0F8xD_9NjPvmLsa1aBmREhFx19-1RPufpz7XLPSyTP2qmPQ27jWbIknTROpsRFUIAqBLAcactn8hI2RX7RY-4GsZbgbnT2EfN4Z3zruJoKbf_9aYhQh1mZWwt-X32FGcwu/s1600-h/IMG_4302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4HSZf-nNuA0F8xD_9NjPvmLsa1aBmREhFx19-1RPufpz7XLPSyTP2qmPQ27jWbIknTROpsRFUIAqBLAcactn8hI2RX7RY-4GsZbgbnT2EfN4Z3zruJoKbf_9aYhQh1mZWwt-X32FGcwu/s320/IMG_4302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413818227777343250" border="0" /></a>He got what he wanted.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7h7svprj206buhGRoiN21xjSuDqScSIRd8EedC6F0BP48EuPZY86oHYudkCCwb5O0rhkz1CAR33eiFlsf6ErH0IZY20-Wj7GwLjoz6qkxICvIq4h2EzbWYv3CwcH_FWxJ0_24Bsd_X4w/s1600-h/IMG_4304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7h7svprj206buhGRoiN21xjSuDqScSIRd8EedC6F0BP48EuPZY86oHYudkCCwb5O0rhkz1CAR33eiFlsf6ErH0IZY20-Wj7GwLjoz6qkxICvIq4h2EzbWYv3CwcH_FWxJ0_24Bsd_X4w/s320/IMG_4304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413821265194081042" border="0" /></a>6PM. Pizza for dinner--by order of the King.<br />(Still, with the crown).<br />Happy Birthday my sweet boy!<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-2889370652995111202009-10-27T13:42:00.000-07:002009-10-27T13:43:57.321-07:00I love my kids...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQckdIbdynYNRVahtTJvTKct2OewWehCdloBrfXrnD6sZsUd4AbDOWvIDbqZ2g8rrZLOrKIc4xS3nCWa64jOLQiCvlOdTo_U3Ndim-Vl36q3-ty3I6jAgsTHnLOkPQ9DIxmd7NziEVWkp/s1600-h/chalk+tree.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQckdIbdynYNRVahtTJvTKct2OewWehCdloBrfXrnD6sZsUd4AbDOWvIDbqZ2g8rrZLOrKIc4xS3nCWa64jOLQiCvlOdTo_U3Ndim-Vl36q3-ty3I6jAgsTHnLOkPQ9DIxmd7NziEVWkp/s320/chalk+tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397383164040914946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlj9UXKeFs12g9Wf1twJQVxY4PB2hjaZRs3Fd-5w1DZX8ZHbeBuW4vN_7BgGDGZNhlRCUBsxaWFOCpNRs4r5qVh0xrj3y2W1QPxFLyK5kPWZE3FrHMNVW0ViH4uZuMVRqAyelspqnthki/s1600-h/Hoot.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlj9UXKeFs12g9Wf1twJQVxY4PB2hjaZRs3Fd-5w1DZX8ZHbeBuW4vN_7BgGDGZNhlRCUBsxaWFOCpNRs4r5qVh0xrj3y2W1QPxFLyK5kPWZE3FrHMNVW0ViH4uZuMVRqAyelspqnthki/s320/Hoot.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397383159195596706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...they make me laugh.<br /><br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-45260205913723221682009-10-15T10:15:00.000-07:002009-10-15T10:23:22.925-07:00We have a piano!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dz8ITTTwJ_owi3zpwaQWGCjlyY0NpF7x5oD5zpc9HJyfcMl0fmEP5VI6921P4glqxAjk9FaLNJ0rkbDlzytUQ3jnCYdJtGL_4l9cNxAOixHlahfmn9mwJLcQghyphenhyphenpx3-9SOHy12WMJ0cW/s1600-h/Piano.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dz8ITTTwJ_owi3zpwaQWGCjlyY0NpF7x5oD5zpc9HJyfcMl0fmEP5VI6921P4glqxAjk9FaLNJ0rkbDlzytUQ3jnCYdJtGL_4l9cNxAOixHlahfmn9mwJLcQghyphenhyphenpx3-9SOHy12WMJ0cW/s320/Piano.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392877082587212402" border="0" /></a>Isn't she beautiful?!<br />I have wanted a piano for a VERY long time, and I was beginning to think it might never happen...<br />As luck would have it, our friend Britain owns a piano tuning/repairing business and was kind enough to give us this one that was just going to sit around in his warehouse!<br />Thank you Britain!!!! <br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-26940854242692213582009-08-27T16:43:00.000-07:002009-08-27T16:52:12.818-07:00School!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLDpLhaw_0Cl_Pdyrn2fhYCAWtaf1tdBpKw9U-4vJK8LJZ6srsgckArgycdzIICLPrbVxds5SR0z9XORjrAkZOUxpi7GDyGve-8pyS753TV0NDPPGqDrg2r9MfP1iFrR449gifAtx6LQ_/s1600-h/Preschool2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLDpLhaw_0Cl_Pdyrn2fhYCAWtaf1tdBpKw9U-4vJK8LJZ6srsgckArgycdzIICLPrbVxds5SR0z9XORjrAkZOUxpi7GDyGve-8pyS753TV0NDPPGqDrg2r9MfP1iFrR449gifAtx6LQ_/s320/Preschool2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374793507284925138" border="0" /></a>Here's my little Benny on his very first day of Preschool. He started on Tuesday and Kayla started on Wednesday. Oh, and Ryan cut his hair and I can't stop staring at him because he looks so different!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURjQDiieNasf167wFI2r8YZMgUoCpDpUaVJDnRKzacgfYEesguUWYthxS2qLXVRELCZJgCE1oYZK2sEptyMb86S6Bs-_7NHKnCzrPGrFcAXcUnnZ9iFH6jW_E2xL1wVQp-Wtr2qKqM0pJ/s1600-h/1st+grade.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURjQDiieNasf167wFI2r8YZMgUoCpDpUaVJDnRKzacgfYEesguUWYthxS2qLXVRELCZJgCE1oYZK2sEptyMb86S6Bs-_7NHKnCzrPGrFcAXcUnnZ9iFH6jW_E2xL1wVQp-Wtr2qKqM0pJ/s320/1st+grade.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374793511451560306" border="0" /></a>And here's Kayla on her first day of 1st Grade! She is pumped. Most used adjective when describing school--"awesome".<br /></div></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-8005994815981962442009-08-25T16:32:00.000-07:002009-08-26T17:01:47.269-07:00Use it up...<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudT9z0onHHB5Rp0oA_jRg2SXevhFowi9Tven0Qim0RdbAK65IBImetpq2FLioWU1gPXBl9X13LQF0ZNZdtG3uQ5GMP8yWh_8WmWGplq4zRsNGCr5-t6Bucl2xs4Hcq2i3IwpiLipl8X7J/s1600-h/Use+it+up2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudT9z0onHHB5Rp0oA_jRg2SXevhFowi9Tven0Qim0RdbAK65IBImetpq2FLioWU1gPXBl9X13LQF0ZNZdtG3uQ5GMP8yWh_8WmWGplq4zRsNGCr5-t6Bucl2xs4Hcq2i3IwpiLipl8X7J/s320/Use+it+up2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374048633289431282" border="0" /></a>...wear it out, make it do, or do without. These are words of a prophet (Pres Hinckley) that my husband lives by!<br /></div>He called me from work around 10AM the other day and said, "I ripped my pants--caught on a nail." These are the same pants he had just recently been boasting on their 7 yr term as his favorite jeans ever that he bought at the base in Japan for $25.<br />The funniest part about this picture is that he finished out the work day wearing them...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyqxajhTV2SpSc4r-0hNbngJQ7wG4Hi5K0UAsuzSMNQvSPGK6ytQD4vk95w_hwDi4e3XLB-8SItF_KHHcQmeWx1cTCVDuBNj_Cev6sqN6RjcUCbdNiPvi68nHLf_YxM2Eh45nRRu-R_B/s1600-h/Use+it+up.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyqxajhTV2SpSc4r-0hNbngJQ7wG4Hi5K0UAsuzSMNQvSPGK6ytQD4vk95w_hwDi4e3XLB-8SItF_KHHcQmeWx1cTCVDuBNj_Cev6sqN6RjcUCbdNiPvi68nHLf_YxM2Eh45nRRu-R_B/s320/Use+it+up.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374426563767034722" border="0" /></a>...just like this.<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-46539516187474653042009-08-17T20:36:00.000-07:002020-09-23T12:28:59.588-07:00Squeak's Adventures<div style="text-align: center;">This weekend we went to Lake Tahoe, with just ourselves, just because... Many of you young families out there know that these types of vacations are few and far between. That is because usually we're spending our time and money doing vacations with "her" family or "his" family. I SO cherish our vacations as just our little family. It is so nice to have no schedule and no one else to please--we do what we want, when we want! But my favorite part of all is seeing the kids just OVERJOYED to get Ryan all to themselves! They cherish every little drop of attention they can get from him!
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But before we begin, meet Squeak.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSmF_mVo5iQaqHTJJ7KvbGc3bkZlPubWPMc055s6gdGYHlbefQVjb2LBIHwqk6ymlTb4P4OcfLjOymeQTCE5CnERXRYJ8tJKiyRAm6QvdkaP9h6OPkxYmRDMTMCj3qS0HGWTFo4HyST4C/s1600-h/Squeek.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSmF_mVo5iQaqHTJJ7KvbGc3bkZlPubWPMc055s6gdGYHlbefQVjb2LBIHwqk6ymlTb4P4OcfLjOymeQTCE5CnERXRYJ8tJKiyRAm6QvdkaP9h6OPkxYmRDMTMCj3qS0HGWTFo4HyST4C/s320/Squeek.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371153262101793362" border="0" /></a>Some time ago Grandma Pam gave Kayla a stuffed, bug-eyed, squirrel-like animal. Kayla made it very clear that her little pet's name is Squeak Young, because he is a part of our family. Squeak is named "Squeak" because when you squeeze him he squeeks--not a cartoony squeak, a REAL squeak...many times I have mistaken Squeak's joyful noises for a bonified squirrel in or around my home!
So, of course as an immediate member of our family, Squeek joined us on our family vacation...
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP_eGKzUFQZLuivJe_B90mcy_ESEqgmHytGoP19inKSbA_VuLTlac7w_VcV_D-8Drn7OuMpk-weYjOOH5dFq-jtVYP9epph63W7uaoivP02OAD_9eSKeJE36NR4U6H_0w6o5WZ9S8NUBF/s1600-h/Squeek1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP_eGKzUFQZLuivJe_B90mcy_ESEqgmHytGoP19inKSbA_VuLTlac7w_VcV_D-8Drn7OuMpk-weYjOOH5dFq-jtVYP9epph63W7uaoivP02OAD_9eSKeJE36NR4U6H_0w6o5WZ9S8NUBF/s320/Squeek1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371147684935788610" border="0" /></a>Squeak taking a walk with us down to the Village.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmshWrHjjTU0OzzctGHC7zOJOFrNKCC6p6YP1qrqbXYA_a3Jy8Xshv50HdqU-Gjfp8alkrQh2u098Ev17iqpAkXX07QPL-2vsq1SvWwK_WKk5ZSA2B9i-_vzV_idaptdYooRVkNZVw2apD/s1600-h/Squeek2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmshWrHjjTU0OzzctGHC7zOJOFrNKCC6p6YP1qrqbXYA_a3Jy8Xshv50HdqU-Gjfp8alkrQh2u098Ev17iqpAkXX07QPL-2vsq1SvWwK_WKk5ZSA2B9i-_vzV_idaptdYooRVkNZVw2apD/s320/Squeek2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371147688236258050" border="0" /></a>Squeak on the mountain. He likes being dragged around by the tail.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIekcygdi20RFH_Gv4PZ1chKjQXp6sheKz8gVYdazNH5kiosmCPxsIlXCtA5oBpfTTTYPN4ZXJsHgkEXbi4flcqbU05JKvftnNm5-bEhY7TimfHE-0I4hF1S1FFZVtDp4RqDC695BueWZ/s1600-h/Squeek3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIekcygdi20RFH_Gv4PZ1chKjQXp6sheKz8gVYdazNH5kiosmCPxsIlXCtA5oBpfTTTYPN4ZXJsHgkEXbi4flcqbU05JKvftnNm5-bEhY7TimfHE-0I4hF1S1FFZVtDp4RqDC695BueWZ/s320/Squeek3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371147696294284866" border="0" /></a>Squeak on a miniature sized hike--hikes are REALLY miniature sized when you've got a stuffed squirrell, a 6 and a 3 year old!
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJKHZ1NTQ_gxa1zEj91NFJynkRbzhxF3fSlbTjRVMzY4uHZvF30m-ew3ZtkiK8HY2Ky7NimxOTDlRK2Pb6QydPlUWLSaA2B-KaEsLD_U9G3HdMux-cGg9jl7G_FG34CvJ-vqSaHaOxB3Q/s1600-h/Squeek5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJKHZ1NTQ_gxa1zEj91NFJynkRbzhxF3fSlbTjRVMzY4uHZvF30m-ew3ZtkiK8HY2Ky7NimxOTDlRK2Pb6QydPlUWLSaA2B-KaEsLD_U9G3HdMux-cGg9jl7G_FG34CvJ-vqSaHaOxB3Q/s320/Squeek5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371147705765964434" border="0" /></a>Oh trust me, he's there--in fact, I believe he rather preferred the Lake.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxAfIZEbK5Y_TD0bvTkWxRB43KhcEpiQYIbKEAJ-eRgZhpVL2hDBWB3eh8KZPyN4dMy5kDZGW3yQJD5V_q0I__ZujVqSzJOxO7dKkrOPCdv7CV1rV-EQPJin95vdg1RoGRzvT7F0ZbsEQ/s1600-h/IMG_3893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxAfIZEbK5Y_TD0bvTkWxRB43KhcEpiQYIbKEAJ-eRgZhpVL2hDBWB3eh8KZPyN4dMy5kDZGW3yQJD5V_q0I__ZujVqSzJOxO7dKkrOPCdv7CV1rV-EQPJin95vdg1RoGRzvT7F0ZbsEQ/s320/IMG_3893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371161847817570018" border="0" /></a>Getting a good night's rest.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0yXMRPA6Pxb2WwJWygsd9I2RM2dKjHhv3IidvwDKWde1oP_DR5RWRdIZ-lnXh5e065YjTAKn66WXYDHca3AUIorEDLRcdg3xh4P1AEL-zDp8kVl3t-2VXh-agcBZ-OiJ6Zy8Yf6hs-mN/s1600-h/IMG_3889.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0yXMRPA6Pxb2WwJWygsd9I2RM2dKjHhv3IidvwDKWde1oP_DR5RWRdIZ-lnXh5e065YjTAKn66WXYDHca3AUIorEDLRcdg3xh4P1AEL-zDp8kVl3t-2VXh-agcBZ-OiJ6Zy8Yf6hs-mN/s320/IMG_3889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371147716192431682" border="0" /></a>I asked Kayla how come Squeak didn't get to come have ice cream with us and she lamented on how yes, it was too bad that Squeak fell asleep in the car, he sure missed out...
For more exciting vacation pics visit me on Facebook! Tah tah for now!
</div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-53347768725303608762009-07-28T17:17:00.000-07:002009-07-28T19:32:09.445-07:00We went Camping...<div style="text-align: center;">Camping season! It's my favorite time of year! Where do I begin with this particular adventure...?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wCppoeWIVQORJ14gRmBT-2v8BOWkInOctPfGSMlbwE-3Xaq-u5bk9MSB2mPDrf0ahSJElLirdD6aP-SazRLLrFE3Sl6_Nz3-3Az7smOb8PHpKysnLkGUa8a5-I6PFqlRtAgyO3UxWlaj/s1600-h/Camping+Potty.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wCppoeWIVQORJ14gRmBT-2v8BOWkInOctPfGSMlbwE-3Xaq-u5bk9MSB2mPDrf0ahSJElLirdD6aP-SazRLLrFE3Sl6_Nz3-3Az7smOb8PHpKysnLkGUa8a5-I6PFqlRtAgyO3UxWlaj/s320/Camping+Potty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363675180630160610" border="0" /></a>Oh, this looks like a good place to start!<br />Ryan PROMISED me that we would camp somewhere with a shower and flush toilets (my only two criteria for a camp site). Due to poor/no planning by somebody who's name I will not mention we ended up in the Sierras(?) with no place to camp...so we ended up here...<br />Dardanelle Campground:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjiuATf5pfj8_ymnpuFanrv0hh8Ny9rKhk-ZjpqQ4c1xXnnKQChC2siOOEDRFtPavDGcGPEVjep_3sRGFSPPquyIqhUMwdQ2UPugK3-V8HJzYV3lb-w3VSn3g2ftxZfsexXkWo9RXf8fv/s1600-h/Camping+Site.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjiuATf5pfj8_ymnpuFanrv0hh8Ny9rKhk-ZjpqQ4c1xXnnKQChC2siOOEDRFtPavDGcGPEVjep_3sRGFSPPquyIqhUMwdQ2UPugK3-V8HJzYV3lb-w3VSn3g2ftxZfsexXkWo9RXf8fv/s320/Camping+Site.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363673387941060338" border="0" /></a>with NO showers, NO flush toilets, NO running water in fact. Oh sorry, there was one spigot next to the bathrooms with a sign next to it that said "No washing, rinsing, drinking, cleaning fish"--what ARE you supposed to do with that water then?<br /><br />Then there was the band across the street at the "resort" which was actually just a few nasty little cabins with a convenience store, oh, and a stage.<br />They played every night until 11PM and I thought I might shoot myself if I had to hear one more Tom Petty, CCR, or Lynyrd Skynyrd cover song--folks must have been too drunk to notice they played the exact same sets both nights in a row because they were goin' wild...until 11PM...both nights...<br /><br />It's one redeeming quality was the river:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJg0ojxH4Gh6J1AqcaEkFQDYN5VLxE3OyfoatkXEYDThq8yH1KOd469x5qHYrUt4FR1L6uml9auiwCQzEvT5FyOAyZO8Yjlm76wNarUSOhfALBwfg0Mfak6Giz0t-STrJbEjDC57uxFTn/s1600-h/Camping+kayla+swim.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJg0ojxH4Gh6J1AqcaEkFQDYN5VLxE3OyfoatkXEYDThq8yH1KOd469x5qHYrUt4FR1L6uml9auiwCQzEvT5FyOAyZO8Yjlm76wNarUSOhfALBwfg0Mfak6Giz0t-STrJbEjDC57uxFTn/s320/Camping+kayla+swim.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363674023475232130" border="0" /></a>...which we spent all 2 1/2 days in because it was either that or swelter in 90 degree heat at a campsite blanketed in dirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYPsoGOn6CVX9anUUXutMcyl0hhnMzc1G5UH7AV9YBpXklEaX29LCrSd78NAnw-Qp97mnyJNmU_haeWI37Z4O4NewhqNIn8xp7yJcvjwH1LsGpd_chX_XUwndvbn22ILuRYu3Mp8oStRr/s1600-h/Camping+Kayla+Board.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYPsoGOn6CVX9anUUXutMcyl0hhnMzc1G5UH7AV9YBpXklEaX29LCrSd78NAnw-Qp97mnyJNmU_haeWI37Z4O4NewhqNIn8xp7yJcvjwH1LsGpd_chX_XUwndvbn22ILuRYu3Mp8oStRr/s320/Camping+Kayla+Board.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363674024064486546" border="0" /></a>The boogie board was a huge hit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI6JAF5ZbTwqZWGF0N48-UoTCpQxy8zFCWtOTO3QAtUzraHAZnfHcwPaop3bvmhr0GEkeR9lI2qHHk3zMHdfOeNUVvUpaXFoCT5QjqqUjeSedY5cX9ez_3hd0P0fN1zoVIdLZCJmJTP-C/s1600-h/Camping+Benny+Board.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI6JAF5ZbTwqZWGF0N48-UoTCpQxy8zFCWtOTO3QAtUzraHAZnfHcwPaop3bvmhr0GEkeR9lI2qHHk3zMHdfOeNUVvUpaXFoCT5QjqqUjeSedY5cX9ez_3hd0P0fN1zoVIdLZCJmJTP-C/s320/Camping+Benny+Board.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363674019352075890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy53t0SokhtuSEA4-OIV01iyXG4RiKicv0mggPS36IDqrrUeWiPryY76pZgHWh_8OCGR1CLDvcJuxZTU1HtkmePr0xxhV3h6fIxys74_oyQt9y13FDoF60xGicVXX30_8Is55F7dqGjgKZ/s1600-h/Camping+Benny+fish.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy53t0SokhtuSEA4-OIV01iyXG4RiKicv0mggPS36IDqrrUeWiPryY76pZgHWh_8OCGR1CLDvcJuxZTU1HtkmePr0xxhV3h6fIxys74_oyQt9y13FDoF60xGicVXX30_8Is55F7dqGjgKZ/s320/Camping+Benny+fish.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363673396578633698" border="0" /></a>And fishing of course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1VkRL3r51kyQQ1bb2eWjoqsfT_idGmijxVFMGO2TOEpKtUltBX7t6jYFpV53aUw3AT2PB0lGKzOIUiU95KrlcZDObMbRX29ZL2oi3FEK87WZ0aWlIZOe-T4oPo5rxUg9JNl5w47tbioI/s1600-h/Camping+Kayla+fish.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1VkRL3r51kyQQ1bb2eWjoqsfT_idGmijxVFMGO2TOEpKtUltBX7t6jYFpV53aUw3AT2PB0lGKzOIUiU95KrlcZDObMbRX29ZL2oi3FEK87WZ0aWlIZOe-T4oPo5rxUg9JNl5w47tbioI/s320/Camping+Kayla+fish.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363673398394925330" border="0" /></a>Oh yes, and if you look in the corner of this picture you will notice Benson EATING the fish bait. Yes, one of the hot pink "salmon eggs" that Ryan thought it would be a good idea to let him play with...apparently it didn't taste very good thank goodness. Are those things even real salmon eggs? Who knows...<br /><br />When all was said and done, OF COURSE Ryan and the kids had a great time...but let's just say after 3 days of no showering and the great anxiety that came from having to squat over that vault toilet wondering if one of those disgusting flies buzzing around down in the recesses might fly up and land anywhere on or near me, it's going to be a LONG time before I go camping again:) Ryan is well aware of that fact.<br />Signing off now to go enjoy a long hot shower!<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-47169587929074195262009-07-21T21:37:00.001-07:002009-07-21T21:52:28.960-07:00FHE also we moved!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjuUv5rUhw3rPprIay-jlesOHh-kXUcu1jdbm-7B18XKvhZMXbDpF9XyFobyImpLniWMG7GdBGiRNnbW3KLcyhoca17auqn8TNyJ7ZxP6VTdA2_CvoGFS77cFm7Xx_rBHisqwIsBNavOo/s1600-h/Giants+FHE1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjuUv5rUhw3rPprIay-jlesOHh-kXUcu1jdbm-7B18XKvhZMXbDpF9XyFobyImpLniWMG7GdBGiRNnbW3KLcyhoca17auqn8TNyJ7ZxP6VTdA2_CvoGFS77cFm7Xx_rBHisqwIsBNavOo/s320/Giants+FHE1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361140536902504930" border="0" /></a>Giants game for FHE!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9x7wd_v65aEg4XBChWPVxWm2u-PRWZggHsWEuJP9hcLHNZVJhbRJxmLysOntpn8Fl8egeoCVQNmIWxFpk6yv1q7LkJoFJ9F64QmEdsTGN1v75FvufgSAGB8_Re7oKgL68Uw0zbwU8IPG/s1600-h/Giants+FHE2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9x7wd_v65aEg4XBChWPVxWm2u-PRWZggHsWEuJP9hcLHNZVJhbRJxmLysOntpn8Fl8egeoCVQNmIWxFpk6yv1q7LkJoFJ9F64QmEdsTGN1v75FvufgSAGB8_Re7oKgL68Uw0zbwU8IPG/s320/Giants+FHE2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361140540396878578" border="0" /></a>I tried to talk her into a pointy foam finger...she chose this pencil. Different strokes for different folks.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFuzQl_6Si1BZ2khCzmoZ7r9ToK_O84osLfHhu-9djAB355UQNcpRw4vphHju1H9WYeoGFMxseqpjMqWRtd06L9FVZ2AduunWOW07UYrsl7PP-HAiFJJbOR31VcXIshHCaa4_tg5o-9qZ/s1600-h/IMG_3707.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFuzQl_6Si1BZ2khCzmoZ7r9ToK_O84osLfHhu-9djAB355UQNcpRw4vphHju1H9WYeoGFMxseqpjMqWRtd06L9FVZ2AduunWOW07UYrsl7PP-HAiFJJbOR31VcXIshHCaa4_tg5o-9qZ/s320/IMG_3707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361139746359516338" border="0" /></a>Benson trying to aggravate sister--his favorite past time.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yeJ_ZjZ35HU4oKHIDvQoNoS9FwircQ0Jja30WyphUyhEZzB3cshxnJYJzhp4Qp_eBtEEnQ8IjDm2l2u6wWZ2lhI3Ha6jmf3pjEo6KySx6peRV5p9XLHAzgY5r_D7ODsB6LGgwGxI8EWA/s1600-h/Giants+FHE3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yeJ_ZjZ35HU4oKHIDvQoNoS9FwircQ0Jja30WyphUyhEZzB3cshxnJYJzhp4Qp_eBtEEnQ8IjDm2l2u6wWZ2lhI3Ha6jmf3pjEo6KySx6peRV5p9XLHAzgY5r_D7ODsB6LGgwGxI8EWA/s320/Giants+FHE3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361140543790867794" border="0" /></a>It's pretty much a crime to be in the city and not make a stop at Mitchell's, so, we did. I must say, nothing accentuates my son's whiteness more than chocolate ice cream slathered all over his face.<br /><br />PS We moved to Santa Cruz! Loving it! Kind of launched right into life here with soccer camp, swim lessons, beach, beach, beach,...but I will blog it eventually, promise.<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-30758755254070239642009-06-01T20:17:00.001-07:002009-06-01T20:22:57.242-07:00We Got Away!<div style="text-align: center;">We had not one, but TWO whole nights away in Santa Cruz thanks to Ryan's wonderful parents! We stayed up late, we slept in, we ate Indian Food, we took our time! It was incredible!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks Mike and Pam!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kasqLlkoVZKix8frnIHQOLHWIe3HThPa5EGjR1ds-9SvI04e6IbJEUqPe1YcdyJAYqEozfG-YBGy1Gd9CkAsn8pUU8WsQun9ez__b3C1aajFyTcWOqwZnI9_kLFrOkBAhTDltDQqGaxx/s1600-h/IMG_3615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kasqLlkoVZKix8frnIHQOLHWIe3HThPa5EGjR1ds-9SvI04e6IbJEUqPe1YcdyJAYqEozfG-YBGy1Gd9CkAsn8pUU8WsQun9ez__b3C1aajFyTcWOqwZnI9_kLFrOkBAhTDltDQqGaxx/s320/IMG_3615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342564823192284322" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-20249593218714541862009-05-17T16:51:00.000-07:002009-05-17T18:02:01.242-07:00Too Much Fun<div style="text-align: center;">I have WAY too many pictures to post for the fun we've had the last two weekends! I'll try my best to be short and sweet...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day weekend we went to Santa Barbara for a wedding...while we were driving down the 101 we discovered that Ryan's parents had been evacuated from their house because of the massive fire down there. As luck would have it, the luxurious <a href="http://www.bacararesort.com/">Bacara Resort</a> just outside of Santa Barbara was offering their rooms at a discounted rate for evacuees, which for the weekend anyways, we were! We knew we would NEVER have the opportunity to stay at this place again, so we went for it. So glad we did--3 nights, 3 words: heaven on earth!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJXh7hZNDDDG93pS5nVjK4-aby6GWtNDz9TPjyMVj73IXewbaItvX54tL5buXVJH6n5HRHxFaC_w38K_ZUlHbwqHDiq1c7BeNrTIa2XSQttAZc4GwkEcU2MrWe7-VWnB3insrm6XtbBsZ/s1600-h/Bacara+Pools.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJXh7hZNDDDG93pS5nVjK4-aby6GWtNDz9TPjyMVj73IXewbaItvX54tL5buXVJH6n5HRHxFaC_w38K_ZUlHbwqHDiq1c7BeNrTIa2XSQttAZc4GwkEcU2MrWe7-VWnB3insrm6XtbBsZ/s320/Bacara+Pools.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336955804389294562" border="0" /></a>Incredible pools overlooking the ocean, which we all got to enjoy for 2 days, including Ryan's parents!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-M-dc1opAwCDBKg28o0Vx_J6XbZVJIrdkrBO2j_Mgw1HJcb4MV010C8LDt161096zzl4ieUlC7PbxIvscICo8CCJGulOxgOz6_cyO1GFW3rTIXYW1yD1LJMB7UAdrlAQtWTprVavpluF/s1600-h/our+room2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-M-dc1opAwCDBKg28o0Vx_J6XbZVJIrdkrBO2j_Mgw1HJcb4MV010C8LDt161096zzl4ieUlC7PbxIvscICo8CCJGulOxgOz6_cyO1GFW3rTIXYW1yD1LJMB7UAdrlAQtWTprVavpluF/s320/our+room2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336958908111472802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzROAjBDvMNp5IUA71Sj6YqgqTWM1236HLXKIrZEGszfirniNPCfPFFcmRM3Ph4hYka6uuUG5FnNUYruiBr5jUSJ3FB9yofS6OzIOEMhq7eEPFozNisf_kkym6afT7RKj9qV_4jAN04kL/s1600-h/Bacara.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzROAjBDvMNp5IUA71Sj6YqgqTWM1236HLXKIrZEGszfirniNPCfPFFcmRM3Ph4hYka6uuUG5FnNUYruiBr5jUSJ3FB9yofS6OzIOEMhq7eEPFozNisf_kkym6afT7RKj9qV_4jAN04kL/s320/Bacara.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336955814774391586" border="0" /></a>Our Room. Still a little euphoric to think we stayed there. And if you wonder why I use the word "euphoric", seriously, hit the link and check this place out! Kayla says she can't wait to go back--I told her to tell her daddy that;)<br /><br />Then yesterday was Kayla's birthday--I can hardly believe that she is 6! She's a bonified KID! This is how our day went:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5u4bWIbgjslYRglf7-97tyc6MLJrNvANW1zq9WEYLQqwYW_1A9B1OXcIoVqpATMyXEYZHa7kyOOF6Y4jY2Fyy-6pq9-Iuj9ZOZH5lekjDekQ9WxypeVpBwYIfa2BqSPWdurEXewz7-Rw/s1600-h/bday+pancake.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5u4bWIbgjslYRglf7-97tyc6MLJrNvANW1zq9WEYLQqwYW_1A9B1OXcIoVqpATMyXEYZHa7kyOOF6Y4jY2Fyy-6pq9-Iuj9ZOZH5lekjDekQ9WxypeVpBwYIfa2BqSPWdurEXewz7-Rw/s320/bday+pancake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336958050702056146" border="0" /></a>Birthday girl's choice for breakfast--Pancakes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3gsrAhcCudH_ZtQ919qDyk5lNo-hTkLVv80hfJhC19mIPh62y3Zqvd2gEnEG-iESUSmb2Un3gwg9fS5DhsrY1i2strxxGrPyAJwqcAz0i8gb_B7xQS9KjTrGpRXwPgjSklyKxuVfQ8AD/s1600-h/Young+Author%27s+Fair.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3gsrAhcCudH_ZtQ919qDyk5lNo-hTkLVv80hfJhC19mIPh62y3Zqvd2gEnEG-iESUSmb2Un3gwg9fS5DhsrY1i2strxxGrPyAJwqcAz0i8gb_B7xQS9KjTrGpRXwPgjSklyKxuVfQ8AD/s320/Young+Author%27s+Fair.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336955812988741746" border="0" /></a>10 AM Young Author's Fair-Kayla was asked to help present her portion of a book her class wrote that won the County Young Author's Award.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGRA1mbO2C2Y9opr4Cu-NOw2RdsSLVRJO0nh9OgGRtKM8flWc4qTNAi6vFdasMCAbFsZqPIATw7uiM7cF-gHM_CBSYEv0Le60_9aB7dRIFDqwRHP28KQO4-BLfN56xj8vqSDzukcWsQU9/s1600-h/IMG_3377.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGRA1mbO2C2Y9opr4Cu-NOw2RdsSLVRJO0nh9OgGRtKM8flWc4qTNAi6vFdasMCAbFsZqPIATw7uiM7cF-gHM_CBSYEv0Le60_9aB7dRIFDqwRHP28KQO4-BLfN56xj8vqSDzukcWsQU9/s320/IMG_3377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336961542513948930" border="0" /></a>1:30 PM Baseball Game<br /><br />Then came 4 PM:<br />the big b-day party! It was only 100 degrees yesterday afternoon, so I thought, sure, they'll be plenty of empty tables, who wants to spend the afternoon at the park in this kind of weather? Apparently, when there is a water play area, lots of people do! And I won't go into details, but the folks there made our party look like a funeral, I'm not kidding! They reminded me that I forgot my Boom Box and my mariachi CDs--shoot. Anyways, we ended up throwing up 2 shade tents and partying on the grass and it was great!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaDLnI7T40K2kuKJ-KdCmFD814Y5w1TI631ZwkcsiXDU8Yr73RAa3cft9jMaN_jjDxzS7isO0y6qGGeRzv2_MwMq725HGbCosrhbScofdBJ1FnRuGHZZjuS6rl6jMQRkoETV4xBzazXgV/s1600-h/cupcake+time.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaDLnI7T40K2kuKJ-KdCmFD814Y5w1TI631ZwkcsiXDU8Yr73RAa3cft9jMaN_jjDxzS7isO0y6qGGeRzv2_MwMq725HGbCosrhbScofdBJ1FnRuGHZZjuS6rl6jMQRkoETV4xBzazXgV/s320/cupcake+time.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336955825030619058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_2gWpR8i0FOdRv5NOObHrBzU2TNw9ouRwNLiqMHplnPCVBIAgPeQqspXLCysSsGEpri3Kp6Cyx9Vbfzn0gPurDFsqDZDCogJdOKFkZLB0UrjTF9tHXv4_CuDgWrNNVB6aBKgTgS7499N/s1600-h/Kayla+Caitlyn.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_2gWpR8i0FOdRv5NOObHrBzU2TNw9ouRwNLiqMHplnPCVBIAgPeQqspXLCysSsGEpri3Kp6Cyx9Vbfzn0gPurDFsqDZDCogJdOKFkZLB0UrjTF9tHXv4_CuDgWrNNVB6aBKgTgS7499N/s320/Kayla+Caitlyn.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336958052181544978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCddkzjADEPFIV-EDf1HjwLTPRqpQaaQb9Jk5NtiqhwvdXI4vvi2OoKX0LfUeJuBo8_bSBBG5Ho5aQWWtHXRxmSWSunEmKh0moXLVsaXDPt-TAyYeLNU7UtrRgseIcggLwd-ZSNx8VZygJ/s1600-h/cupcakes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCddkzjADEPFIV-EDf1HjwLTPRqpQaaQb9Jk5NtiqhwvdXI4vvi2OoKX0LfUeJuBo8_bSBBG5Ho5aQWWtHXRxmSWSunEmKh0moXLVsaXDPt-TAyYeLNU7UtrRgseIcggLwd-ZSNx8VZygJ/s320/cupcakes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336958055265446994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGOpDY4ZMxrPNHvyJYk5MiRKUa9uevUjHHBPWS6Uw1evFikDXC2J5ZpY-pFjc4Sim3IDGYh25uPGa1GMHZvgluxrBJAw31u57B8nzFUSeO7-7gffKjJYfBnPuZBH0D4L0cPyvGHwyWXkV/s1600-h/Hello+Kitty+Cupcakes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGOpDY4ZMxrPNHvyJYk5MiRKUa9uevUjHHBPWS6Uw1evFikDXC2J5ZpY-pFjc4Sim3IDGYh25uPGa1GMHZvgluxrBJAw31u57B8nzFUSeO7-7gffKjJYfBnPuZBH0D4L0cPyvGHwyWXkV/s320/Hello+Kitty+Cupcakes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336955825408121714" border="0" /></a>PS Hello Kitty was the requested theme this year, so I slaved over these little cuties:) She was quite pleased with them!<br />So basically, this is how I would rate our last 2 weekends:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5A6eSbIw3C3qlz6OiCchJuRIT-Km2o0znxbouR32xpyLS55RkYG3H4lj5W6WJUHikq5d6tllf1yy_5sPNMfYRe8ArRcBPB5aghrzmLfrwZOvG6JnzQOz7NZSXy6BWoMzzbpVHN060-xgn/s1600-h/thumbs+up.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5A6eSbIw3C3qlz6OiCchJuRIT-Km2o0znxbouR32xpyLS55RkYG3H4lj5W6WJUHikq5d6tllf1yy_5sPNMfYRe8ArRcBPB5aghrzmLfrwZOvG6JnzQOz7NZSXy6BWoMzzbpVHN060-xgn/s320/thumbs+up.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336958065760642802" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-9152262264206018932009-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:002009-05-02T14:28:10.517-07:00Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tt2kqw8ka4_HywPNg4DklBOPBLA3cEH8LATriWmPuaEtBhPRjK883tf9ZOts1r_GFfH7dMgtCQf8bxiXbRP0pU_uR9gsyoVxth_5lltiJF8BFwK8T0gz6NEZcbsWS6ewKB3fCDHBqdMv/s1600-h/castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tt2kqw8ka4_HywPNg4DklBOPBLA3cEH8LATriWmPuaEtBhPRjK883tf9ZOts1r_GFfH7dMgtCQf8bxiXbRP0pU_uR9gsyoVxth_5lltiJF8BFwK8T0gz6NEZcbsWS6ewKB3fCDHBqdMv/s320/castle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331339039288737522" border="0" /></a>Lastnight before bed we were reading a book entitled "Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?" The basic point of this book is that every little girl is as valuable and special as a princess. So, on every page this little girl is asking her mommy such questions as "Do princesses wear hiking boots?" to which Mom replies an affirming statement: "When they wish to take the scenic routes." "Do princesses ride tricycles?", etc, you get the picture. Well, Kayla repeatedly disagreed with the Mom in the story. Now, if you know Kayla, you know she LOVES the beach, but she also in a subconcious sort of way considers herself very valuable, much like a princess;). So, being the jerky Mom that I can be sometimes, I hit her with a loaded question:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />M: Sooo, princesses can't go to the beach?<br />K: ...well, they don't have beaches in England anyways.<br /><br />Love it!<br /><br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-81008497053829852502009-03-29T16:44:00.001-07:002009-03-29T16:54:25.218-07:00No Moms or Dads<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cLQ7KYcKi_f16rmr4GjnIcHSp38ClysrdTHoToWgiZDEWnF_WsJ0qbw_17ALFFnmM24sniEKhj-vUFuqLn2yPQkUiwz-x8W1UWqmRkgFR8hcb_ZbnQ_sxQoPBSfMwd8r9ysFPIdv6vXv/s1600-h/No+moms+or+dads.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cLQ7KYcKi_f16rmr4GjnIcHSp38ClysrdTHoToWgiZDEWnF_WsJ0qbw_17ALFFnmM24sniEKhj-vUFuqLn2yPQkUiwz-x8W1UWqmRkgFR8hcb_ZbnQ_sxQoPBSfMwd8r9ysFPIdv6vXv/s320/No+moms+or+dads.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318760123451388290" border="0" /></a>I went to put some laundry away in the kids' room the other day only to be greeted by a closed door and this well-crafted declaration...<br />Me: (Knock, knock) Hey, how come I'm not allowed in your room?<br />Kayla: (Cracks the door and peeks out) Because me and Benson are doing kid stuff (we stare at each other for a second) Bye. (Shuts the door).Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-53903891640058237932009-03-20T13:29:00.001-07:002009-03-20T13:30:10.529-07:00What's Up Babie?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxjVP4L5cF5m9uhO0L80UezVlCVsF5OGyunXC_4XHkJvZpydgI4eJCwdv5gvrHv7IdU24aT1YV-hs6VZH0F3Jzc57CN97s_HKrT3rwqnDz0xWT-OJ1C0zFuJexeknvxd7rfZoBQLZhRAb/s1600-h/engrish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxjVP4L5cF5m9uhO0L80UezVlCVsF5OGyunXC_4XHkJvZpydgI4eJCwdv5gvrHv7IdU24aT1YV-hs6VZH0F3Jzc57CN97s_HKrT3rwqnDz0xWT-OJ1C0zFuJexeknvxd7rfZoBQLZhRAb/s320/engrish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315369917925903698" border="0" /></a>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-73846601151197972932009-03-07T10:05:00.001-08:002009-03-07T10:08:26.545-08:00Cartoon Snuggle<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiix2zGMtXBK8HQcW_kZ8wx5ian5vbgvAAgvQOmkUFs_ICe7nIM9ePoSWrchImIl1qZ1L363T0lzgRlYjSCvltdbPWyG2Et1ciY1t2NDpQaDGZP_k_P3g-czOOCDaGEVIH2xEZcT4FE5u4/s1600-h/KB+Snuggle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiix2zGMtXBK8HQcW_kZ8wx5ian5vbgvAAgvQOmkUFs_ICe7nIM9ePoSWrchImIl1qZ1L363T0lzgRlYjSCvltdbPWyG2Et1ciY1t2NDpQaDGZP_k_P3g-czOOCDaGEVIH2xEZcT4FE5u4/s320/KB+Snuggle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310508962388084418" border="0" /></a>I love Saturday mornings:)<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-55405284658881893532009-02-20T20:04:00.000-08:002009-02-20T20:23:29.623-08:00"Valencrimes"<div style="text-align: center;">A friend of ours wrote a scathing editorial one year with the aforementioned title referring to the blessed day of love as a "crime" against men, basically. This for the cliched and obvious reasons men WOULD think it's some sort of <span style="font-style: italic;">crime</span> to have the expectation of an outpouring of romantic adoration for their lovely wives and girlfriends placed upon them.<br />While I did enjoy the article, I still love V-day. And as you will see, we welcome many different forms of expression of love in our relationship--even miniature race cars...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KKw6AIjhNvAt8yEa_r25pWOVMpcEg_ujbLZTtpBqJJwRI8738sGIal9Yu9lMYCj-lh4i6hEtMh7fmmIqdRorutkSVK3aL6Bru5kghlxUJHgnG2JAnHuNvSI0gBux-HCwed4rDJj3x8I/s1600-h/Go+Karts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KKw6AIjhNvAt8yEa_r25pWOVMpcEg_ujbLZTtpBqJJwRI8738sGIal9Yu9lMYCj-lh4i6hEtMh7fmmIqdRorutkSVK3aL6Bru5kghlxUJHgnG2JAnHuNvSI0gBux-HCwed4rDJj3x8I/s320/Go+Karts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305099420912465730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_LlUR3gH5x06ke2QQbkuUry35TsJz1ipRjBgRzG69Gml49a-W61zTuZ_aVDpsb8Ai9NhCuA8-lP4oIi-0pKPqn4JBlYJLAN8alFRnESrIiMyiH1xc9Wfp5IwnMNVwwNY4LlATViXb8eY/s1600-h/Go+Karts+Josie+Justin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_LlUR3gH5x06ke2QQbkuUry35TsJz1ipRjBgRzG69Gml49a-W61zTuZ_aVDpsb8Ai9NhCuA8-lP4oIi-0pKPqn4JBlYJLAN8alFRnESrIiMyiH1xc9Wfp5IwnMNVwwNY4LlATViXb8eY/s320/Go+Karts+Josie+Justin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305099420566916850" border="0" /></a>And thanks to Josie and Justin for coming with us and blowing a wad to speed around in little lawnmowers for a half an hour...oh, and for lapping me 48 times. In my defense, 27 and never had a speeding ticket, not one. Thank you.<br />Super fun, we'll see you at the tracks next year!<br />(PS Re: group photo--Hello gnome in the land of trees)<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-83904439715896928122009-02-11T09:59:00.000-08:002009-02-11T10:34:11.648-08:00Girls Trip!<div style="text-align: center;">Last weekend I had a little reunion weekend with my friends from high school--Sarah, Sarah, Leah, and Kirsten (So yes, together we make Sarah, Sarah, Leah, Lia and Kirsten!) Here's Leah, Kirsten and Sarah at Kayla's basketball game on Saturday morning...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_s1ToQg7MDDrq1k-wmOxnxM5WPqzQaFP8wud_GNnPSm7bkeiFjmiy-KDlZcJE82Zy-F1yySH9SsIHh9-v1g78RQ9JaXxu4K-A6YFOrgMOE-W7XXYwzVaK4zNmhD9xFmJSv7sQxxER3cQR/s1600-h/Kayla+KLS.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_s1ToQg7MDDrq1k-wmOxnxM5WPqzQaFP8wud_GNnPSm7bkeiFjmiy-KDlZcJE82Zy-F1yySH9SsIHh9-v1g78RQ9JaXxu4K-A6YFOrgMOE-W7XXYwzVaK4zNmhD9xFmJSv7sQxxER3cQR/s320/Kayla+KLS.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301602188778607186" border="0" /></a>...us at the house...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLmVzvf9zVz8oBhfHIk42N8KipDWar8BPQsNVO16D_3S-2q-Syn_3RE0GvcMYswNXJjzGFahDbMwAbDfZybTN1vO7JD4iNYo4Lnh8RSPDPGd79UnO87WpOgIKN1ja7WgAvbX1Amn28dhW/s1600-h/KLS+and+us.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLmVzvf9zVz8oBhfHIk42N8KipDWar8BPQsNVO16D_3S-2q-Syn_3RE0GvcMYswNXJjzGFahDbMwAbDfZybTN1vO7JD4iNYo4Lnh8RSPDPGd79UnO87WpOgIKN1ja7WgAvbX1Amn28dhW/s320/KLS+and+us.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301602196837859442" border="0" /></a>...then we were off to the Westin in San Francisco! We met up with our other friend Sarah in the city and did a little shopping! Did I mention that we could see the Chinese New Year parade from our 26th floor window?!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-IlyxLotazqIkGxSDrHzUzWtfSeSgrmpyO7aK0xFLAwLmXO6PkmRk8d1tSDQzQZxDru_3syTFLZppmuuaS5Rb3si_vEytpO4cYc_AZ-Dfkl3b2-ozncOylBLhzUKDStD5TdC-g3jeTen/s1600-h/westin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-IlyxLotazqIkGxSDrHzUzWtfSeSgrmpyO7aK0xFLAwLmXO6PkmRk8d1tSDQzQZxDru_3syTFLZppmuuaS5Rb3si_vEytpO4cYc_AZ-Dfkl3b2-ozncOylBLhzUKDStD5TdC-g3jeTen/s320/westin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301602201046169906" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Vw_n1mzBa23U-o2B5IEK3btMQkySuxaMhZ3Oe4YDizZ9__LIBDQbKjsv-pVRMC8bsb5Ir2J-XW5B5ZRWUfVlY4XU3K6cIs_2HvCqOHmI1gacQZPXrlEsbqyrNZzQAY54YZjiTvVWLsiS/s1600-h/Mama's.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Vw_n1mzBa23U-o2B5IEK3btMQkySuxaMhZ3Oe4YDizZ9__LIBDQbKjsv-pVRMC8bsb5Ir2J-XW5B5ZRWUfVlY4XU3K6cIs_2HvCqOHmI1gacQZPXrlEsbqyrNZzQAY54YZjiTvVWLsiS/s320/Mama's.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301602198487667538" border="0" /></a>And here we are at a little breakfast place called Mama's in North beach--it was an hour wait, but well worth it as you can see!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kzZHp7xoZg4z98pvBTA-f4GKFwrVecXAla3InwdB6_ppY7BAcaOR6jNAkaSUFtI0EcKF1lcuIGtAG-n5h5wtiYko_ufC6-0eW5MBG5AjYlW_AQrSg99fAuhxl3ieGLpsCDH1jvPfln6T/s1600-h/Mamas+Waffles.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kzZHp7xoZg4z98pvBTA-f4GKFwrVecXAla3InwdB6_ppY7BAcaOR6jNAkaSUFtI0EcKF1lcuIGtAG-n5h5wtiYko_ufC6-0eW5MBG5AjYlW_AQrSg99fAuhxl3ieGLpsCDH1jvPfln6T/s320/Mamas+Waffles.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301606910742233426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4tsaUkrh02JXE16_Lyxc7Nc_ALaLbhK-QkoWHjOa-DnLGcIZ4fhyhG2T5ogFlTNtHo-LsI36HTJ1PSqos-sakgzypzuUkhlGojgafNB7QIuIOAEdHcJ9ENOwsiJX0IX3CCc2HTOVcW-w/s1600-h/Mamas+Eggs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4tsaUkrh02JXE16_Lyxc7Nc_ALaLbhK-QkoWHjOa-DnLGcIZ4fhyhG2T5ogFlTNtHo-LsI36HTJ1PSqos-sakgzypzuUkhlGojgafNB7QIuIOAEdHcJ9ENOwsiJX0IX3CCc2HTOVcW-w/s320/Mamas+Eggs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301606925769216850" border="0" /></a>Such a fun weekend--I think it's incredible that whenever we get together, which is not too often, no matter how much our lives change, we can so easily pick up where we left off! Thanks for making it happen girls!<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-54238865369265425842009-02-02T14:58:00.001-08:002009-02-02T15:32:02.806-08:00Somehow I missed some things...<div style="text-align: center;">Ryan's birthday was on January 9th. As it was HIS special day, he wanted to go to Sushi, so did Kayla, so I was outvoted:( We went to Blowfish Sushi--it was kind of a mod sushi place (complete with techno music) which you wouldn't necessarily picture children in (or US for that matter, because we're so not that cool), but they had multiple flat screens situated around the dining room with anime (of course) playing. The kids dug it. And the food. Me too actually (although make no mistake, I ate nothing that hadn't been cooked), we'll definitely do it again.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And to top off the evening, I went to an authentic Mexican bakery in East San Jose to get him his favorite, Tres Leches cake. Delish.<br />AND as if that wasn't enough, he got not one, but TWO calendars of TWO of his favorite things: VW Vanagons and wooden boats! (Kayla only smiles for pictures when you don't actually want her in the picture).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vxL2Mr48t2s8MrxqLdS5Aa9OVWmq-3SdbCoS1ilgoJnZWtaOYOJoLjobmB8_smVCzIukYRRpxlRcLhSOcVX-3H5UdV4MoohQq4OtSNbh6p0U7QfyUYeoFFP-5IuLilef-fzjuyc_9SC9/s1600-h/Ryan's+B-day.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vxL2Mr48t2s8MrxqLdS5Aa9OVWmq-3SdbCoS1ilgoJnZWtaOYOJoLjobmB8_smVCzIukYRRpxlRcLhSOcVX-3H5UdV4MoohQq4OtSNbh6p0U7QfyUYeoFFP-5IuLilef-fzjuyc_9SC9/s320/Ryan's+B-day.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298340133410071698" border="0" /></a>Then he went to Thailand for two weeks for Navy Reserve...this is where he stayed...and I stayed home with the kids...that's fair...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DNQG7k9uIO_GiD5zY7oBumIhTxUig5ayANFxdrneeQd43j2MNkQHO-gFI0ds-70CQFYGfBSGRUWxFLbHi_LtyLqqDw8Fs4jyJ0Z0YwQv-fgL9TSw6WMOL6zByi0CwH5qZaJeZCaQaPvt/s1600-h/IMG_3201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DNQG7k9uIO_GiD5zY7oBumIhTxUig5ayANFxdrneeQd43j2MNkQHO-gFI0ds-70CQFYGfBSGRUWxFLbHi_LtyLqqDw8Fs4jyJ0Z0YwQv-fgL9TSw6WMOL6zByi0CwH5qZaJeZCaQaPvt/s320/IMG_3201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298345446110242098" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TyUQGWfKH9oOQpBNoAh5P6sbkHum2NrDxzFMM2SL-5TOzEqg14BrouZn1NfzEXuEDgmIoqS6330OUdx-IMZ8pxhMFz5hDU2N6gChlC41VrEVaJapdF9W0wHCTXoajKnep9QqRtmrbsmB/s1600-h/IMG_3243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TyUQGWfKH9oOQpBNoAh5P6sbkHum2NrDxzFMM2SL-5TOzEqg14BrouZn1NfzEXuEDgmIoqS6330OUdx-IMZ8pxhMFz5hDU2N6gChlC41VrEVaJapdF9W0wHCTXoajKnep9QqRtmrbsmB/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298340140972158578" border="0" /></a>But he did bring us back some local treasures! Not pictured: 2 pieces of "designer" overnighter luggage for me, a purse, 2 wallets, pair of cute heels...he definitely came home with more than he left with! So, we took the gifts and forgave him for living in 5-star luxury for 2 weeks.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwflfgR6t3X5wwiTjoyibhCYv8S5VwBN09tCvjwFzu9D2hucGVZLG0pNmxHRCG3cSm-iw6IAQ1iFh4kf4lqa46SdHXWoPWgXX0nCZ-J0GIXPjkoTk9zPBFqnE4Py1cUDrEjQ3Vw2BPMVM/s1600-h/Grandma+and+Kids.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwflfgR6t3X5wwiTjoyibhCYv8S5VwBN09tCvjwFzu9D2hucGVZLG0pNmxHRCG3cSm-iw6IAQ1iFh4kf4lqa46SdHXWoPWgXX0nCZ-J0GIXPjkoTk9zPBFqnE4Py1cUDrEjQ3Vw2BPMVM/s320/Grandma+and+Kids.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298340138906117314" border="0" /></a>And of course, it wasn't ALL that bad staying home, thanks to my Mom! She came up and spoiled us for 2 weeks and we had a great time too! Thanks mom/Grandma Rose, we love you, but we're glad to have Ryan back too!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-31720101442116910632009-01-29T20:32:00.001-08:002009-01-29T20:38:01.903-08:00Connie Chung<div style="text-align: center;">Connie Chung is my college roommates hilarious sister.<br />She's the original blogger--been blogging since she was 12, and now she's 20 PS Happy Bday Connie.<br />I added her to my friends list because...she is hilarious. Check her out.<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-48283283302437960792009-01-12T20:55:00.001-08:002009-01-12T20:58:15.821-08:00I love Kayla<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYKOHK3QsOvv6Me-5-FmqRrP6qKklNMFkHT8i_SbW1qrKQNxnDes_umqBCy2TEHvHZZBPqPQ8nzhcrUr8el69NklvY7iBVIEEU-BCzDbmr5WFdGoZVt1G_IiPvPVeg2Ww5SbNiPw84hHW/s1600-h/Kayla's+Heaven.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYKOHK3QsOvv6Me-5-FmqRrP6qKklNMFkHT8i_SbW1qrKQNxnDes_umqBCy2TEHvHZZBPqPQ8nzhcrUr8el69NklvY7iBVIEEU-BCzDbmr5WFdGoZVt1G_IiPvPVeg2Ww5SbNiPw84hHW/s320/Kayla's+Heaven.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290637616349270018" border="0" /></a>She brought this home from Primary on Sunday. I know I complain sometimes, but being a mom is the best!<br /></div>Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489777927285912734.post-58922884040919876042009-01-11T16:38:00.000-08:002009-01-11T16:43:36.472-08:00PostSecretOver Christmas my brother-in-law showed me this blog. <br /><a href="http://postsecret.blogspot.com/">http://postsecret.blogspot.com/</a><br />An intriguing time-killer. Later that same night we re-visited Hot-or-Not.com. Yes, it still exists and you know you loved it in college too. Although be warned, photos now are a little more trashy than I remember them...if that's possible...Liahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893575266228918439noreply@blogger.com5