tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34979726393041093212024-03-04T21:02:50.998-08:00The Simonson ScoopAlisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.comBlogger344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-91620484654221431702017-02-05T10:57:00.001-08:002017-02-05T10:57:42.535-08:00The birth story of Hayley Savannah Simonson<p align="center">Here is the story of how I ended up delivering my own baby on my bedroom floor.  </p> <blockquote> <p>It was Saturday, January 28th. I was three days overdue, which was the longest I had ever been pregnant. I was sooo ready to get that baby out! My sister gave me a castor oil shake recipe that had been given to her by her midwife back when she was 8 days overdue. 2 cups of ice cream, 1/2c castor oil (I couldn't bring myself to use that much and used 1/4c), and a raw egg. You really have to be desperate to drink it bc it was not super tasty!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZBog9qabpWg/WJd1bXfGtxI/AAAAAAAAfDU/qYe857MNuZo/s1600-h/IMG_20170128_130428568%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170128_130428568" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20170128_130428568" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2lRGA_myDbU/WJd1cTEsGpI/AAAAAAAAfDY/e6H6fUHvVoE/IMG_20170128_130428568_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="380" /></a></p> <p>I drank it at 1pm then per the instructions laid down for one hour, then got up and began to be active. I tidied clutter, swept the floor, cleaned a bedroom, and mopped the floor. I sat down at about 4pm after noticing a few cramps while I was mopping. My 2yo climbed on my lap and promptly fell asleep while I timed the contractions with my app. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0DLQlWcNrSc/WJd1dsDGUBI/AAAAAAAAfDc/0WPaMDBYt6I/s1600-h/IMG_20170128_161839677%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170128_161839677" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20170128_161839677" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HHOQcHWvMeI/WJd1ebZ7cxI/AAAAAAAAfDg/c012Tutx4_w/IMG_20170128_161839677_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="367" /></a></p> <p>I noticed that they were about 2-3 minutes apart and fairly strong, so I let Mark know. Suddenly I had to run for the bathroom because that castor oil was taking effect! I quickly transferred Cambry to the couch and had a diarrhea episode during which I counted 4 or 5 ctx. Came out and began to concentrate through them in my bedroom kneeling by my bed and letting my belly hang down, a labor position I have found comfortable  in the past. </p> <p>I kept timing the ctx and they were still 2 and 3 min apart. Mark asked if he should call his mom, but I hesitated bc my labors usually have several starts/false alarms before becoming the real thing. But these ctx were pretty hard and fast so I said yes, please call her. A few minutes later I was telling him to pack the car! Hurry! I needed someone to push on my lower back during ctx so he was trying to do both pressure and pack the car between ctx but they were now only 30-40s apart and he couldn't do both. I called my 8yo, Hannah,  in to push on my back and she did a great job. I was doing my low moaning (hypnobirthing technique. Lower sounds keep your vocal cords relaxed which in turn relax your cervix)and I'm sure Hannah was scared but she did great. </p> <p>Soon I realized I was in transition (most intense part of active labor, about 7-10cm) because I was nauseous and hot and sweaty. I asked for a bowl and for the fan to be turned on.</p> <p>“I'm in transition!” I said to Mark.</p> <p>He said, “We need to leave before my mom gets here. I'll go find a neighbor.”  He ran (literally) out to a few different houses and found our neighbor, Alan, to come over and sit with the girls just until mom got there. He is in our ward and was so nice to come help out. </p> <p>Mark came back in and suddenly I had to go more diarrhea so I asked for help walking to the bathroom. Mark stayed with me in the bathroom and I suddenly felt very weak and faint. He said I was white and was asking me questions like “Should I call the paramedics?” I found that I could not make myself speak. The ctx were so hard and fast that I needed to completely go into my mind to find strength to get through them.</p> <p>I was also praying a constant prayer - <em>Heavenly Father this is too fast and hard and sudden, please be with me and give me strength</em>. I came to grips with the fact that I was not going to make it to the hospital and that I would be having my baby in my home.  It was a deep, surrendering process and I was able to find the courage to go forward with the next part. </p> <p>I told Mark to yes, call the paramedics. He ran out and asked Alan to call, which he did and began calling in questions through our bedroom door. I needed to get off the toilet but couldn't really move. As I was sitting there, I felt the baby begin to move down past my cervix. I told Mark to help take my pants off. He started to help me walk out of the bathroom but as you may know, it is pretty much impossible to walk with a baby in your birth canal! I yelled for Mark to let me down so he lowered me and I ended up on my hands and knees on my tile floor. </p> <p>It was around this time that my MIL arrived and took my poor scared kids out front to wait for the fire truck. Cambry had woken up to find our neighbor there and a general feel of tension in the air was was crying hysterically. Hannah did her best to comfort her (Natalie was not home) but grandma arriving helped her. I could hear her from the bathroom but had to resolve to myself that I was not able to help her. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LhCZnIP2emw/WJd1f79Q6pI/AAAAAAAAfDk/cjCcZ33V1X0/s1600-h/IMG_20170128_174627722%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170128_174627722" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20170128_174627722" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QWhjYfkYuyA/WJd1g01lrLI/AAAAAAAAfDo/IGllazBW7BE/IMG_20170128_174627722_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="212" /></a></p> <p>The paramedics arrived and I suddenly saw all their boots around me from my position on my hands and knees in the bathroom. Mark told them I was losing consciousness and I told them I wasn't (because of the period of time on the toilet where I was pale with my eyes closed and couldn't respond to him). They were asking me my name etc but I couldn't respond. I shouted “The baby is coming!” They said, “ok ma'am, we need to get you to the gurney.” I was like, “no.”  They didn't understand that the baby was coming now! So they said, “We need to get you to the bed.” I shook my head again. They might as well ask me to climb a mountain. So they settled on moving me three feet forward onto my bedroom carpet, still on my hands and knees. They wanted to have me get on my back but I yelled out that I didn't want to give birth in that position. They didn't argue, thankfully! Once I was there I began to push. Pushing is quiet. They still didn't realize it was so soon. </p> <p>I reached down and felt the baby's head nearly crowning. I can't remember but I may had said again that the baby was coming. In my previous births this part has been very quick- the last one was less than 2 min of pushing. So really- baby is coming NOW! I pushed again and her head came out. The ring of fire, the part that I was dreading the most, was much less painful in that position. I reached down and held her head. The sac was still over it so it felt slippery and I looked down and saw that it was a whitish color. Still nobody noticed that this had happened. </p> <p>I took a breath and pushed the rest of her out! I reached down and lowered her to the floor with both hands as I sat back on my feet. She had the sac still over her head and upper torso and it looked so weird!  Mark was behind me and happened to look down right as she came out and said, “Baby's out!”</p> <p> The paramedics all turned their attention to me and the baby with many surprised exclamations - someone began toweling her off and put a hat on her. She didn't cry but was breathing fine and was a good pink color. She squeaked a few times. They gave her Apgar scores of 10 and 10.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X3ISza0Bf7o/WJd1iOfeGLI/AAAAAAAAfDs/cKM2ZEi1K0M/s1600-h/image000000_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="image000000_01" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image000000_01" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lRspigGaUIw/WJd1jAVcICI/AAAAAAAAfDw/7y9CHmYOusk/image000000_01_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="215" /></a></p> <p>Someone called out that they needed to cut the cord. I said no- I wanted to delay the cord clamping. They were not expecting that so I explained that if it is delayed, all the last blood gets from the placenta into the baby. They said ok. Once baby was dry, they gave her to me wrapped in the towel with an oxygen mask near her face. I held her and they helped me onto the gurney and wheeled me out. I was glad my floor was freshly cleaned because there were no toys on it to get in our way! Haha. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsICABDkY_S4OM5_jScI2SL29H9XNBdOsyRuPZGeaw-hwdbzMxk1OqYrKFcQ_dsjOB68hZL06MCzIuei8NMzPqpS7aSib9gI2J3ZHUOBq7Kldebu6b-ZqA53scGri5BxPWlU6tVlHD9vU/s1600-h/IMG_20170128_174410158%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170128_174410158" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20170128_174410158" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GpZLYr0C70w/WJd1lCPn5uI/AAAAAAAAfD4/PGnut0llL9A/IMG_20170128_174410158_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="380" /></a></p> <p>I was wheeled out the front door where I saw my MIL and kids (and a few neighbors, ha). I waved and smiled because my poor kids were crying. The firemen called them over to look at the baby for a minute and I said goodbye and they drove us off. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xTdL-MtlzW4/WJd1mjk_apI/AAAAAAAAfD8/dzx9clV6Xy4/s1600-h/P1060414%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1060414" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1060414" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bKO7QfOYEAA/WJd1ney0kiI/AAAAAAAAfEA/4XKJUtSIsw0/P1060414_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="273" /></a></p> <p>During the ride someone cut the cord and they told me I could deliver the placenta but I ended up breathing through those pushing urges so I could deliver it at the hospital. </p> <p>We got to a room, I pushed out the placenta, and my midwife came in. She was happy to see me and congratulated me on delivering my baby. I got checked out and she informed me that I hadn't torn and that my bleeding was very minimal. All good news! </p> <p>People have asked me if it crossed my mind to just stay at home instead of going to the hospital. Yes, it did because I don't love the post baby hospital stay. However, we were unprepared for a home birth and since I have hemmorhaged in the past, I wanted to be in good hands in case anything like that happened again. </p> <p>All in all it was an amazing experience. I had had a lot of fear leading up to the birth that I hadn't quite gotten over. My previous labors have been so long (my 4th was 30 hours!) that I was really dreading the stamina and energy required to go through it. This short labor- 1 1/2 hours total- was so awesome in comparison. I had energy left over afterwards and I felt great. My recovery has been amazing. I feel almost normal a week later. I would totally do it again! </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GdSv9AQr4Jo/WJd1oUIoz4I/AAAAAAAAfEE/bs0XvHCP8-A/s1600-h/IMG_20170202_170730383%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170202_170730383" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20170202_170730383" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CabY01VPhEY/WJd1pFTN1KI/AAAAAAAAfEI/TLQxrjmS1zQ/IMG_20170202_170730383_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="320" /></a></p></blockquote>Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-49540239477744110982014-07-21T22:47:00.001-07:002014-07-21T22:47:54.419-07:00Spa day<p>The girls and Natalie’s friend Ashley decided to have a spa day. I had an extra little packet of a mask so they used it up and had such fun laughing at themselves in the mirror. They were so cute, coming up with the foot soak and a lotion massage on their own. Also on the agenda were manicures and they all came out looking quite lovely. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KvOPpJa9cmM/U836_WZeByI/AAAAAAAAF1A/u97oEX9g-Pg/s1600-h/IMG_0288%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0288" border="0" alt="IMG_0288" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8qlKZ5wC3XM/U837ATJzRjI/AAAAAAAAF1E/sUqPKfy1Ayk/IMG_0288_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GVR0VYB8noM/U837BZ-OugI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/tCAxVr-NZD8/s1600-h/IMG_0294%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0294" border="0" alt="IMG_0294" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-74aLvdqfTmc/U837Bx8s5NI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/1E5dzqzeRG8/IMG_0294_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-12626905125370803542014-07-21T22:44:00.001-07:002014-07-21T22:44:43.725-07:00Cambry’s third month<p>We just love her to pieces!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nwiw3FJq97I/U836CpEnbgI/AAAAAAAAFys/c4PoUaSc66k/s1600-h/IMG_0043%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0043" border="0" alt="IMG_0043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P6tVY7ta1uE/U836DU3k7yI/AAAAAAAAFyw/mf3VUZRAYWI/IMG_0043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K2NQU4mpx8U/U836EHWlJjI/AAAAAAAAFy8/c2NSY-TzMLw/s1600-h/IMG_0044%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0044" border="0" alt="IMG_0044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xa5806BrVYc/U836EmbAR_I/AAAAAAAAFzA/ITS5xkdY2dk/IMG_0044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9amovV8z_DE/U836FqqxkaI/AAAAAAAAFzM/t6rZdB-1blk/s1600-h/IMG_9182%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9182" border="0" alt="IMG_9182" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0FEZbv1HfpU/U836GQuhj-I/AAAAAAAAFzU/GEFTikOT-hM/IMG_9182_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R-j7uck36Y8/U836H4hvTXI/AAAAAAAAFzc/AjxEUqkRmCw/s1600-h/IMG_9192%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9192" border="0" alt="IMG_9192" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k3k21KFgqqY/U836IbOBzgI/AAAAAAAAFzk/L43tcxQjymY/IMG_9192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n7-Ckwd6oTo/U836JoOvURI/AAAAAAAAFzs/aC_2FeFSlGw/s1600-h/IMG_9208%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9208" border="0" alt="IMG_9208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BhQOeN4R61I/U836KTI8PuI/AAAAAAAAFzw/R3njsmyphoM/IMG_9208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8YWEtfgQpvc/U836LD6wXSI/AAAAAAAAFz8/qGKrALrF8dQ/s1600-h/IMG_9217%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9217" border="0" alt="IMG_9217" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bfceuBuza1g/U836LriePQI/AAAAAAAAF0E/kWdCSavQckg/IMG_9217_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VlqWYM5JiUM/U836M7ZV18I/AAAAAAAAF0M/N1YVVc_pHvk/s1600-h/IMG_9221%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9221" border="0" alt="IMG_9221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij21vh3UujMj6vJ5CpLt7WmuWfmZZomV44Y190ukRfRUThucRqduEjWosJ7DYa_6SIR4lIkw7c0aHlVzj534rwln6A2Bq3cxL2jA7QyDDslLFkX4Zs9IW8GMFeGFAn1aCzBCmTN81CRkU/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g8bFDKIlDtI/U836O79gYRI/AAAAAAAAF0c/IeDiSt4Fne8/s1600-h/IMG_9222%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9222" border="0" alt="IMG_9222" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hjmvW5udTwo/U836Po9O4FI/AAAAAAAAF0k/98Yd3Z5Y32g/IMG_9222_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wMn7Vi1_CwI/U836QXWPCuI/AAAAAAAAF0s/GRvzFFJsDFA/s1600-h/IMG_9225%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9225" border="0" alt="IMG_9225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YrjT8-Sy3tI/U836RKI6zKI/AAAAAAAAF00/NG-h4CTyOa4/IMG_9225_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-41072245435780531062014-07-21T22:40:00.001-07:002014-07-21T22:40:31.683-07:00Cambry’s second month<p>Aaaand then here are some of her second month!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kRK5EtKlfMU/U834qkCMduI/AAAAAAAAFw0/tpROLEbFzFM/s1600-h/IMG_8737%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8737" border="0" alt="IMG_8737" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lqbLYbqA7no/U834rdwAvHI/AAAAAAAAFw8/tlMdKfcifZM/IMG_8737_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-79q0dZ2EHEM/U834svfxkCI/AAAAAAAAFxE/hbZxmLuoc34/s1600-h/IMG_8751%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8751" border="0" alt="IMG_8751" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j9vK_9KNxkA/U834uLvPSoI/AAAAAAAAFxM/mjqkJcw7CkM/IMG_8751_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qYrLH7V0E-E/U834u9e20LI/AAAAAAAAFxU/o3uyVpi4x7I/s1600-h/IMG_8759%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8759" border="0" alt="IMG_8759" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8FxJeN9_fVc/U834vpUIJOI/AAAAAAAAFxY/rYoVdTsNWak/IMG_8759_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pdrYXfy3zSw/U834wsS5-YI/AAAAAAAAFxk/EjwmQcQh6CY/s1600-h/IMG_9121%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9121" border="0" alt="IMG_9121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_LGQ-rja7I8/U834xST0PcI/AAAAAAAAFxo/2_E6L3KOn7A/IMG_9121_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n4bawwwd2K4/U835PoMh3fI/AAAAAAAAFx0/AdEjFQYla_s/s1600-h/IMG_9126%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9126" border="0" alt="IMG_9126" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7tvmmc7xCfI/U835QBF41VI/AAAAAAAAFx8/2Z46SWRUMiw/IMG_9126_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jVxLwnMfJog/U835RBHoKUI/AAAAAAAAFyE/PSQ53zB3cH8/s1600-h/IMG_9139%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9139" border="0" alt="IMG_9139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIIO579ZVKSH9ekG2Vyu6ffup-cgFRB4cJuFCbEnyFWSi43XNUO5HWMFPMkbDTH1Vz8Jgo5NR4kY34I1MVkOoy9TW1b3z9PX64FLRBYc9d2pAb1OJ7tCYz-I_6yw0GTD0CGc3afgH9vk/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tfJt552DahM/U835Sj1x0lI/AAAAAAAAFyU/4BLfOVdg9R0/s1600-h/IMG_9142%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9142" border="0" alt="IMG_9142" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7msKO9C9uYY/U835TBFFW5I/AAAAAAAAFyc/koXDmc415KU/IMG_9142_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-55314682755509852022014-07-21T22:34:00.001-07:002014-07-21T22:34:35.981-07:00Cambry’s first month<p>Here are some pics of our first month with Cambry. She has added so much to our lives and our family! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tgQivFnPJPs/U833oT2ZQTI/AAAAAAAAFuE/AnZL3K7CqfU/s1600-h/DSCN0827%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0827" border="0" alt="DSCN0827" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JNAT_4vw9ns/U833pXGAMlI/AAAAAAAAFuM/O29mdlxEHSA/DSCN0827_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qBWm0p9kiwE/U833qvT2-AI/AAAAAAAAFuU/FfoNoKcrdZY/s1600-h/DSCN0828%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0828" border="0" alt="DSCN0828" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8XTDsMdkQuA/U833rdmwa8I/AAAAAAAAFuc/2jtJQG4Bi2A/DSCN0828_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ItQPjIRBLBo/U833snebAoI/AAAAAAAAFuk/NlNDmpsTlhc/s1600-h/DSCN0855%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0855" border="0" alt="DSCN0855" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DSdkzRoU73Y/U833tfQfGhI/AAAAAAAAFuo/_gQ3pm83CRY/DSCN0855_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5p-GAy_nWh4/U833uBb_mTI/AAAAAAAAFu0/DkonbmDFC44/s1600-h/IMG_8098%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8098" border="0" alt="IMG_8098" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pOVulw43A54/U833u4d8l0I/AAAAAAAAFu8/bYyOyY-nM_o/IMG_8098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-asC-YGbXqxA/U833vorQ4RI/AAAAAAAAFvE/s6tDGEEDcQk/s1600-h/IMG_8106%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8106" border="0" alt="IMG_8106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuTBfWDJ6TDJMzF32xCSJdMw02BMQ2TifGVzdtrgmH518kjheOp_q99H_d1a8ezjy0h0Bvlpgvu4d1Fc_S2RXnwl4aoDqFOOzqkWmX2MjWfxt_EJRLOqla04PHGLICSdsHPK4lP0mD1I/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GtWP0EpToY8/U833w1GpS4I/AAAAAAAAFvU/leKX6rtW9Tw/s1600-h/IMG_8108%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8108" border="0" alt="IMG_8108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q9LSvEXzn5o/U833xkynJRI/AAAAAAAAFvc/tO8fK3F045w/IMG_8108_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpiYsbBVtAPZsBMKTaPJgFZR91lBERz5z1f973TVdHbyC5arS_PZ35ootfIYb8w97tPjr8jzMuAOHSfevdQmfUOjygmYxs2HbZOp7vAfp9_JWqpMZnCN4GuH9_bELtgxUpfIvPNwRTEI/s1600-h/IMG_8112%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8112" border="0" alt="IMG_8112" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fM9kMKp2EHU/U833zZhrDUI/AAAAAAAAFvs/qgNfMM4CO_4/IMG_8112_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EujgicrWyL4/U8330jq_I6I/AAAAAAAAFv0/HljjfLRDMYc/s1600-h/IMG_8113%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8113" border="0" alt="IMG_8113" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VNmN0QX2KWo/U8331WywwKI/AAAAAAAAFv4/StovX-wIbTY/IMG_8113_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U2z4t58H3hc/U8332TS1lVI/AAAAAAAAFwE/DGpEM8RblMw/s1600-h/IMG_8294%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8294" border="0" alt="IMG_8294" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uVjeNgOJw38/U8332_ntmgI/AAAAAAAAFwI/7RXqOyaNkM4/IMG_8294_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ18-8ktiBrll3_uVLe308cfbwJiCsehwu6RxmidStsD6QZlC7pi-VpZkqFQi47NSDAuRzBUIbrb7ffngWLKcnUNTpwJ0kW4PC7YKZnT3Nd3yI1G0M4i0RDr349JpVbLS_vAEJlVzvw68/s1600-h/IMG_8339%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8339" border="0" alt="IMG_8339" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sJ4DoeeCMGA/U8334ipiM5I/AAAAAAAAFwY/IROiHJY_BaY/IMG_8339_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wq0a0MU2FzU/U8335kOC7NI/AAAAAAAAFwg/x6a3npjKViQ/s1600-h/IMG_8345%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8345" border="0" alt="IMG_8345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3_fA_c789y8/U8336bHpfDI/AAAAAAAAFws/-bVikdaLG7I/IMG_8345_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-45344832192222891582014-07-21T22:28:00.001-07:002014-07-21T22:28:20.674-07:00Locks of Love<p>Last fall I finally got tired enough of my girls complaining LOUDLY when it was time to shampoo or brush out their hair that I decided to cut it short. They each had enough hair to donate to Locks of Love, an organization that takes peoples’ donated hair and makes wigs for children who don’t have hair for whatever reason. Anyway, they were happy to do it and my life has been much easier with shorter haired children. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zUvi72J_4RI/U832TP6kUBI/AAAAAAAAFsM/TO9IorPoXts/s1600-h/IMG_9087%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9087" border="0" alt="IMG_9087" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--N2k5LdVTa0/U832Tstre3I/AAAAAAAAFsU/l41ex5Vno3A/IMG_9087_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="241" height="360"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hSE5nZVu8IY/U832UjHkFBI/AAAAAAAAFsc/PkdIPkM9G_o/s1600-h/IMG_9091%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9091" border="0" alt="IMG_9091" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-47CMQrahuvw/U832VJNiwQI/AAAAAAAAFsk/o8fFhIIlZI0/IMG_9091_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="241" height="359"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--hbeyiO6Za8/U832WFTXuYI/AAAAAAAAFss/M7YhH9J4Guw/s1600-h/IMG_9090%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9090" border="0" alt="IMG_9090" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kFgo16tmBFE/U832WgfW_OI/AAAAAAAAFs0/uQq5phsWN_o/IMG_9090_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="372"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EZZr2wHP8r0/U832XgbdanI/AAAAAAAAFs8/40A6PqLmeUU/s1600-h/IMG_9088%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9088" border="0" alt="IMG_9088" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X3oZphUBPeU/U832YJr14XI/AAAAAAAAFtE/9BajM-JYJuA/IMG_9088_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="372"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A2EukSzufrw/U832ZV_BtYI/AAAAAAAAFtM/crzkWqB33YA/s1600-h/IMG_9094%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9094" border="0" alt="IMG_9094" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9jBYSR1q5i0/U832Z1XJ3sI/AAAAAAAAFtU/2GVptL3IuiQ/IMG_9094_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="375"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SFpgCp5sips/U832awKb90I/AAAAAAAAFtc/IneuQdxa6ko/s1600-h/IMG_9095%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9095" border="0" alt="IMG_9095" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xIsmrXnVuoU/U832bbyTp9I/AAAAAAAAFtg/DYY396F3hmE/IMG_9095_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="377"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0tWetzvzNjQ/U832b85W3kI/AAAAAAAAFts/-0zpqV3QETs/s1600-h/IMG_9093%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9093" border="0" alt="IMG_9093" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HIg-5P3anKE/U832coZcD6I/AAAAAAAAFt0/HxT6M-1M-PY/IMG_9093_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="261" height="389"></a></p> <p>I envy the kid who gets a wig out of Hannah’s hair!</p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-29083819600360597512014-07-21T22:20:00.001-07:002014-07-21T22:20:04.578-07:00Cambry’s Blessing Day<p>We blessed little sweet Cambry on May 11th, which also happened to be Mother’s Day as well as the last day in our ward before moving to a new one. It was such a sweet blessing and I remember thinking it was special even though now I can’t really remember much of it. My sisters and their families, my parents, Mark’s mom and Grandma, and Mark’s dad and step-mom all came. We so appreciate everyone making the time and effort to be there. Cambry was a quiet little gal and didn’t make a peep throughout. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tun8OYN2Bm8/U830M06fNfI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/Npx5HbiRj5M/s1600-h/IMG_9011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9011" border="0" alt="IMG_9011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-REzIGlFhwXs/U830PHiwThI/AAAAAAAAFpY/c6jOqo4tm24/IMG_9011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="281"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uwy8FpLVWfs/U830RFkj3rI/AAAAAAAAFpg/JpBnZ3uTlhA/s1600-h/IMG_8978%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8978" border="0" alt="IMG_8978" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zFIP1DleXMY/U830R_KEwvI/AAAAAAAAFpo/u6gov9O-B2g/IMG_8978_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="281"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jW9igEbaJJA/U830SscJ98I/AAAAAAAAFpw/UPbOmc2TwBE/s1600-h/IMG_8999%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8999" border="0" alt="IMG_8999" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bL--2bwEG1o/U830T42aFYI/AAAAAAAAFp4/I7wHK7pcz_A/IMG_8999_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="292"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZcARqFxdc48/U830UT7-akI/AAAAAAAAFqA/jyGJAvhCKP0/s1600-h/IMG_9030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9030" border="0" alt="IMG_9030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NsrQ2wpUrDg/U830VA6MO_I/AAAAAAAAFqE/zl0Bdazimw4/IMG_9030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="384"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cl9Lhv2bxok/U830WcO4lII/AAAAAAAAFqQ/EbhWY4Yk1b8/s1600-h/IMG_8765%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8765" border="0" alt="IMG_8765" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-npEU5i86Vn4/U830XQoqPfI/AAAAAAAAFqY/S6PcNWTaW1c/IMG_8765_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="258"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2-S_4j9sEFg/U830Y40-k_I/AAAAAAAAFqg/KwwXl76sBQw/s1600-h/IMG_8779%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8779" border="0" alt="IMG_8779" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0aWlhpQPH0k/U830ZwcsgcI/AAAAAAAAFqo/0Ye4TERn2jY/IMG_8779_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="267"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1ZF-Gh9Hacw/U830bJ3z4cI/AAAAAAAAFqw/cHPVgqTBgck/s1600-h/IMG_8785%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8785" border="0" alt="IMG_8785" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bAyqJiOPmdY/U830bzpLwqI/AAAAAAAAFq0/tNXiBg9OQ9g/IMG_8785_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="264"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lPcbdOB9Vx4/U830cdxgojI/AAAAAAAAFrA/tKPQyS7Uae0/s1600-h/IMG_8806%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8806" border="0" alt="IMG_8806" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NcJ83pnU5NQ/U830dKDo4sI/AAAAAAAAFrE/d03XXA-cRa0/IMG_8806_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="364"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ADqhx2eWIaE/U830eNLerhI/AAAAAAAAFrQ/X2Z0Uu5uiIQ/s1600-h/IMG_8768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8768" border="0" alt="IMG_8768" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fYG-e7XG98I/U830e8FGPLI/AAAAAAAAFrY/ONkgRDsWmx4/IMG_8768_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="386"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdO_OaEg_SuNh27zr0sOZ9CpIy4zP_f2zuCOUMEdxuyMyxxJ1rTiKC4HysYzb9tkj_cPT5eCnZvwsYHNkZlv9Ec43zEg7cBOonzRZaozeWeBjwuJCS4F3cjTI9JAZc6rwqGOHAsa6H1w8/s1600-h/IMG_8814%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8814" border="0" alt="IMG_8814" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8p74DztLA4Q/U830gd0hGjI/AAAAAAAAFro/DCfyTHk-PJ0/IMG_8814_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="374"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-32226691482455344442014-04-26T22:28:00.001-07:002014-04-26T22:28:40.819-07:00The Birth Story of Cambry Amelia Simonson<p>April 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2014 <p>I had wanted this baby to come early, since I am in the Millennial choir and the concert was scheduled for nine days after my due date. There were to be four concerts at over two hours each, over two days’time, plus a 4 hour dress rehearsal. Two of my three previous babies had been born early so I thought for sure this one would be as well. I needed as much recovery time as possible for my big weekend coming up. I was checked at 38 weeks and found to be at a 2 and 50% effaced. The next week I was at a 4 and 70% effaced. I had occasional strong contractions but nothing as strong as real labor contractions. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zFzicIix62U/U1yVVhjN7PI/AAAAAAAAFks/U_bxU3FFE0U/s1600-h/37weeks%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="37weeks" border="0" alt="37weeks" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jB6hJkvOnM8/U1yVWcd7MkI/AAAAAAAAFkw/dn9SiGHE__0/37weeks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a> <p>(Me at 37 weeks) <p>On March 31<sup>st</sup> I got desperate enough to drink castor oil. My sister, who successfully used it to bring on labor with both her kids, gave me some advice. “Drink it with soda,” she said, “otherwise it’s soooo nasty.” I had a few cans of lemon-lime soda back in the pantry, so I mixed in 2 Tb of oil and drank it, chased by a glass of orange juice. I plugged my nose and did not taste it at all, yay! Then I waited. I drank it at 6pm, and that evening contractions started. I was confused because I hadn’t had any diarrhea yet. My sister texted at midnight, “how’s the diarrhea?”I texted back that I hadn’t had any yet and right after that, I had to get to the toilet quickly! Nice timing. My labor got stronger and stronger, and I had to go to the bathroom a few more times, and finally around 4 the contractions were strong and 3-5 minutes apart. We called my mom and went to the hospital. <p>After being checked I was found to be at a 4 still. No fun! I was disappointed and embarrassed. This is my fourth baby, you’d think I’d know when labor was strong enough to go to the hospital. I labored for an hour and still no progress, so we went home. Mark stayed home from work that day so I could rest, and I slept all morning. Labor was still happening, but the contractions were getting further and further apart. I had a midwife appointment scheduled for that morning but I texted my midwife and she said to not worry about coming in. I scheduled a reflexology appointment and had that done around 1pm. It was way more than I expected. I thought it would be like a special foot rub, but it was a full body massage with special attention paid to the pressure points that bring on labor. So relaxing and just what I needed in the middle of labor and at the end of my pregnancy. <p>My contractions didn’t really increase in frequency after that but I felt so relaxed that I didn’t care. We decided to go walk around the mall for a while to see if that would speed things up. We got there around 3:30 and started walking. Every ten or fifteen minutes I had to stop to breathe through a contraction and the kids would wait and watch me curiously. They played at the play area for a little while and I walked in brisk circles around them. I was getting tired so we went to Chipotle for dinner, then Frost for some gelato for dessert. We told the kids it was a special night because it was most likely the last night we would spend together as a family of five. They loved the gelato (so did I) but I had some big contractions while we were there. We went home after that and since I was contracting pretty hard and regularly, Mark put the kids to bed while I sat on the labor ball and watched TV. <p>After the kids were asleep, Mark came down and we watched some of a movie while I labored. It was nice to have that distraction. After a while, the contractions slowed down in frequency, but not intensity. I thought maybe I should try to get some rest, so we went to bed around eleven. I slept until 2:15am, when I woke up to a BIG contraction. I started to remember what transition felt like. A few more big contractions later I woke up Mark and told him I was ready to go. I hate contracting while riding in the car so I wanted to get there before I was too far into transition. Mark texted Ramona that we were headed in. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l_i4beNjDT4/U1yVW5HUwgI/AAAAAAAAFk8/TStYYOTRU7k/s1600-h/DSCN0765%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0765" border="0" alt="DSCN0765" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FeNZkQIasqQ/U1yVXcWc2wI/AAAAAAAAFlE/4J6FeYh9Ztw/DSCN0765_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="215"></a> <p>I got checked and was found to be at a six. Yay! They moved me to a delivery room and had me stay on the monitors for a while because the baby wasn’t reacting to contractions the way they wanted. There was something that needed to happen with her heart rate after a contraction (maybe it was during?) but it wasn’t so they kept me hooked up until they felt good about it. She was declared fine after an hour or so and I was released from those monitors. My contractions were very powerful and I had to go into my deep relaxed state to get through them. They were still pretty far apart, like ten minutes or so. Ramona arrived and broke my water to keep things moving. After that I walked around and around the room, pausing for contractions at the foot of the bed. I would lean over it, resting on my arms, and Mark would rub my lower back. <p>After another hour or so, I asked to be checked again. Ramona said I was at an 8-9 with a stretchy cervix. “You can push if you feel the urge,” she told me. I was excited but also really dreading the pushing. It’s the part that I feel like my body is being ripped in half. Give me hard contractions any day over the “ring of fire.” I would gladly skip that part if I could. I got back on the bed in a semi reclined position and waited for some more contractions. Ramona could feel a small lip of cervix in front of the baby’s head, and that was the only thing keeping the baby inside. She had me push through three or four contractions to try and get her past that lip, but alas, she was still stuck. I also was not feeling “pushing” contractions. I knew the difference. <p>Ramona recommended a position change. “Can you stand up?” she asked. Um, no way. I knew once the baby started to move down, it would be a fast descent and I didn’t want to be standing for that. “How about you kneel against the back of the bed?” was her next suggestion. I could do that. With help from Mark and the nurse, I turned around and rested my elbows at the top of the bed. <p>Ramona had me sway my hips from side to side and front to back to help the baby maneuver down. The next contraction was so huge and painful and after groaning through it I cried a little. I knew what was coming. I kept taking deep breaths and grasping at what mental power I had left. At this point it was around 8:30am. Mark, Ramona, and the nurse kept telling me what an awesome job I was doing. I still doubted myself. I started to feel like I’d rather die than push the baby out. But I also knew that my baby was very close and soon I would be holding her and smelling her sweet, amniotic fluid smell. I knew there was only one way to go and that was to push her out. I HAD to do it. The next contraction came and I cried out, “oohhhhhh, she’s coming!” and “I need to turn around!” They helped me turn around after that contraction, but before I got all the way around, the next one hit. I flopped down where I was and couldn’t move any more. I was on my back, semi reclined, and a bit diagonal. My left side was right against the rail of the bed and my body was following the same angle. Nobody seemed to mind, but they kept asking me to hold my legs up with my hands. I simply couldn’t do it. There was no possible way I could grab my legs at that point. A second later after I shouted, “I CAN’T!” I felt two people grab my legs and bring them up towards my head. <p>I screamed a couple of times and Ramona said she was nearly out. She said, “One more big push!” and I PUSHED that child out right through that ring of fire. I realized something….I had forgotten what that ring of fire felt like. Sure, I remembered that it was painful and that I hated it, but the exact feeling had faded from my memory. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS for that! Or I would only have one kid. <p>Ramona said, “Reach down and take your baby!” I opened my eyes and there she was, all purpley and grayish and wet and scrunched. I reached down with shaking hands and brought her to my chest. I hadn’t even had time to unbutton for the skin to skin, but people helped me with that and soon she was snuggling with me as I whimpered and smelled and kissed her. Someone was rubbing her with a towel and someone else took her temperature and I was still waiting for her to cry. I asked,” why hasn’t she cried yet?” Someone told me, “She’s breathing fine, she just isn’t crying!” She looked at us with wide eyes and made cute little faces with her lips. It was truly magical. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nSq9_nTjBno/U1yVYb0U_5I/AAAAAAAAFlM/g7XHQiegg5A/s1600-h/DSCN0767%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0767" border="0" alt="DSCN0767" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IV_aWfP7g1o/U1yVZPjCxSI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/IgkJSZ7yECg/DSCN0767_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="247"></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-scTTnGlNKSI/U1yVaF4hQ2I/AAAAAAAAFlc/_9hId3lMyEs/s1600-h/DSCN0770%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0770" border="0" alt="DSCN0770" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G-Ad6yuq7Ho/U1yVaj7I52I/AAAAAAAAFlg/o0wg8xaDByM/DSCN0770_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="250"></a> <p>Soon I pushed out the placenta and Mark cut the cord. He’s a pro at that by now. The true relief from the pain doesn’t really come until after the placenta comes out. At that point it is a heavenly euphoric happy feeling that is such a stark contrast to what you were feeling just a few minutes earlier. She was born at 8:34am with about ONE minute of pushing. <p>I had Mark take a video and wished later that we had done that with all the babies. It’s so special to watch again. I nursed her and she latched right on as if she was already a seasoned nursling. She nursed for 15-20 minutes on each side and was wide awake for quite a while. Mark held her and we both admired her and smelled her. Have I mentioned that I love the smell of newborn babies straight from the womb? <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E2fHslpeH8U/U1yVbq6GlCI/AAAAAAAAFls/S0K3DvgaevM/s1600-h/DSCN0771%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0771" border="0" alt="DSCN0771" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EA83Tp6_e4o/U1yVcGc10RI/AAAAAAAAFlw/xUW95Lz2HeU/DSCN0771_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="253"></a> <p>Next she was weighed and measured. She was 8lbs 10oz, the biggest of my babies, and 21in long. Since I had a history of post-partum hemorrhaging, I was given pitocin via IV upon delivery to help my uterus contract quickly down to minimize bleeding. Ramona gave me the good news that I hadn’t torn and that I was hardly bleeding. I was cautiously optimistic since my last hemorrhage had occurred after moving to the post partum room. But true enough, my bleeding has been very minimal and I have had a speedy recovery thanks to the intact perineum. <p>And as for my concerts? I wore Cambry in the sling to the dress rehearsal and stood in my place on the risers as she slept. After the loud brass and percussion instruments woke her up, I went backstage and nursed her as I continued to sing along and watch the rehearsal on a screen. Mark’s mom, my dad, my sister, and a friend all helped hold Cambry during the concerts in the green room. I nursed her before and after each concert, and during one long piano concerto ¾ of the way through the concert. She did well and I felt amazing. I was able to stand just fine for all of those hours of singing and I didn’t miss a single song. I know I was being blessed, because the next two or three days I was EXHAUSTED. I barely made it through that Sunday, and it took me a good few days to recover from the concerts. Singing in this choir has blessed my life so much, I do not regret signing up for this semester knowing I would have a brand new baby for it. <p>Now the question everyone asks: Are we done having kids? If you are asking me now, I say “YES!” with the ring of fire so fresh in my memory, as well as a difficult pregnancy. If you ask me in two years, I might change my mind. It will depend on what God has planned for our family. <p>I do need to mention that I drank four cups of red raspberry leaf tea (it was actually a blend of RRL, nettle leaf, oatstraw, rose petals, and alfalfa) daily for the last five weeks of pregnancy. I also took the herb called 5W which is a blend of herbs to help the uterus prepare for labor. I drank and swallowed all that in hopes that my labor would be speedy, but it was not. However, I truly believe that the tea and herbs (and probably my plant-based diet) helped me have an amazing recovery with minimal bleeding. If I do have another baby, I will drink that tea every day throughout (you drink just one cup to start, and increase as you progress towards 40 weeks). <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2hWwBesdFhpbgTu0C0cwaxX-k6J7gND6zA2M_Tf8orKvJfGyqxrT9zsA7dpNUJOkAPdferxW6YVROD4qbGvt3dAZvdimVMXFBWcEMQfqE436COS2LLm-3Nbg9gOXzLi40kWJCEQ0yfA/s1600-h/IMG_8119-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8119-2" border="0" alt="IMG_8119-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qoZ-vIvinvM/U1yVdeBXYiI/AAAAAAAAFmE/yOPL0O6zgpc/IMG_8119-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="240"></a> <p>Newborn photos. I just love her so much!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GDbpRgfiRNA/U1yVd6VAGGI/AAAAAAAAFmM/pv9L7zIE1eg/s1600-h/IMG_8140-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8140-2" border="0" alt="IMG_8140-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O9tI8tw-sZA/U1yVee_R0JI/AAAAAAAAFmU/AXtJTpbjBPY/IMG_8140-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="245"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uWVVFlHqMhebhwt3VKm6XXHlwlI7zlWa3u_wZHMpWUyI0mJUa3Ln4fw_sNMOQT1CLAyzKrpru0sqHutLTZYlj6cbcp0M1RvfZAa0FAz7cF8xQp8Oqq4fxaabk5G8y5Vhn2-pLWdMAIg/s1600-h/IMG_8178%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8178" border="0" alt="IMG_8178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V6GwP1RLgrs/U1yVf7a0-VI/AAAAAAAAFmg/ugeC-qC088o/IMG_8178_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XQjUEXp3MEo/U1yVhHIo4lI/AAAAAAAAFms/VLACKSGbtM0/s1600-h/IMG_8200%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8200" border="0" alt="IMG_8200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3ei0WMkPvLM/U1yVhiRNfII/AAAAAAAAFm0/uDufldibajU/IMG_8200_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="272"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-54988699895473201092014-03-01T22:19:00.001-08:002014-03-01T22:19:08.368-08:00growing belly<p>Aaaaand because at least one of you might care what I look like these days, here’s my belly shots from 20 weeks and 30 weeks. I feel like I am much bigger now so maybe I’ll post a 36week pic. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VnraL3Qa5mg/UxLNU08TdXI/AAAAAAAAFh8/Gp0IfaVNcOw/s1600-h/1450264_10153448969155207_2000019958_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1450264_10153448969155207_2000019958_n" border="0" alt="1450264_10153448969155207_2000019958_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-toLNbn6pu44/UxLNVX1iigI/AAAAAAAAFiE/_rwVbdcaOYY/1450264_10153448969155207_2000019958_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="325"></a></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BjA3T71LDC0/UxLNWBfk8hI/AAAAAAAAFiM/ogS5PlPjl8E/s1600-h/1509191_10153713148700207_1029144238_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1509191_10153713148700207_1029144238_n" border="0" alt="1509191_10153713148700207_1029144238_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iBgAOAhDZOE/UxLNWis_oJI/AAAAAAAAFiU/oLrEHYrttag/1509191_10153713148700207_1029144238_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="326"></a> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-20932101320264223052014-03-01T22:09:00.001-08:002014-03-01T22:09:24.702-08:00Gilbert Temple<p> </p> <p>We have been so blessed to have a new temple built right in our town, very close to our house. It takes us less than 10 minutes to drive to it and we see it on a regular basis (almost every day). Over the past month they had the open house, and we went twice as a family. We were encouraged to invite non members and Natalie wrote this cute note to her friend in her class. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FBx46qlSWaQ/UxLK3NZPjRI/AAAAAAAAFfM/Ig6yCLbeVqs/s1600-h/IMG_7592%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7592" border="0" alt="IMG_7592" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gu0BeSQncTk/UxLK3qIe7DI/AAAAAAAAFfQ/nYr6LidC72I/IMG_7592_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="277"></a></p> <p>We ended up taking this friend and her older sister (our carpool friends) through the temple tour one day after school. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TgY9vW5b1JA/UxLK46v2ESI/AAAAAAAAFfc/gRszeLKbnQQ/s1600-h/IMG_7635%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7635" border="0" alt="IMG_7635" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r4UwrtMgfyE/UxLK5rAaWRI/AAAAAAAAFfg/c2DTUBhKoLU/IMG_7635_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="277"></a></p> <p>Mom Simonson went with us and since she had a twisted ankle, she got to ride in a wheelchair. The kids thought that was fun, especially because we got to use the fancy elevators. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jUf8JCa_hPA/UxLK6mKcYKI/AAAAAAAAFfs/FYFw2aD1vxE/s1600-h/IMG_7620%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7620" border="0" alt="IMG_7620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Oupr7w0Kxk/UxLK7ZFE0PI/AAAAAAAAFf0/FoH3LESP2kI/IMG_7620_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="279"></a></p> <p>My three little beauties. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRrOBr7ThsvT3-jj0tSaU6R9N4TwuWVhOIDCTEQIMLXY2AWh0GZTURVxYyipRaCgcFuZlPyjNRwutmOFSsRwA8TnSqnjYE3UBwD7VLLx4k-DWS5wB7xxx-eOkbl7HkQ5eBON-U3BuSV4/s1600-h/IMG_7654%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7654" border="0" alt="IMG_7654" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mv6EMH_bmhM/UxLK9KJeB_I/AAAAAAAAFgE/ZiOJZ6cfEYc/IMG_7654_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="399"></a></p> <p>Us in front of the beautiful temple. This is the largest one the church has built in 20 years. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ellHn-guLVg/UxLK9zR_uyI/AAAAAAAAFgM/ElPgVVtbgYg/s1600-h/IMG_7602%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7602" border="0" alt="IMG_7602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DnaE4ahHyjb7WvbrKolVwXekyNW1AzGHsCB-j9g72VXsjo0wIWFYc31T7UEYciYsBJhvM2uPrYB1DktKP8Um2gJcwMq3qwmWl95Y9TQgsXRSg2DdtENwNygS0UAm3QGUkuMiigWT4no/?imgmax=800" width="266" height="397"></a></p> <p>I had prepared them for the paper shoes but they still thought they were soooo silly. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-noDMySKVfqQ/UxLK_q4AKdI/AAAAAAAAFgc/SD6N0hml3NI/s1600-h/IMG_7626%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7626" border="0" alt="IMG_7626" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-da4_zCfkDS8/UxLLAL-0e9I/AAAAAAAAFgk/UHH8pB95210/IMG_7626_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="269"></a></p> <p>sisterly love. I should edit this one, if only it didn’t look like Natalie is strangling Emily. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uT3p7B4ah90/UxLLBN0ozAI/AAAAAAAAFgs/2YjhkeY-h5w/s1600-h/IMG_7641%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7641" border="0" alt="IMG_7641" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FaNqLigjnQc/UxLLBsKoVKI/AAAAAAAAFg0/r8PG3wFCSwc/IMG_7641_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="270"></a></p> <p>The water fountain was a big hit for little kids. They were sticking their hands in all around the entire thing. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tYHcVZd8P0Y/UxLLCyKwguI/AAAAAAAAFg8/12PyXP3gARI/s1600-h/IMG_7648%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7648" border="0" alt="IMG_7648" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yUlJGXc889c/UxLLDc9maeI/AAAAAAAAFhE/j1__8YTHNYo/IMG_7648_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="410"></a></p> <p>All six of us. Kind of. That is really weird to say. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tCpDbEPRusw/UxLLEMpaoBI/AAAAAAAAFhM/nfefefMsaeo/s1600-h/IMG_7667%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7667" border="0" alt="IMG_7667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jV8hdaNzU_o/UxLLEv2drmI/AAAAAAAAFhU/L9goxQPpv50/IMG_7667_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="413"></a></p> <p>As we left. I did not edit this one, but my eyes are automatically making the sky more blue, the contrast more sharp, and straightening the image. So you can imagine that too, k? </p> <p>Tonight was the cultural celebration which was amazing. President Monson and President Eyring are here for the dedication and we got to see them tonight on TV as they watched the celebration (it was broadcast on ABC). Tomorrow is the dedication and we are trading babysitting with friends to be able to go see it. Then the temple opens for ordinance work on Tuesday, the 4th. I’m hoping to get some sessions under my belt before baby girl makes her appearance and therefore makes it much more difficult to attend the temple. </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-61506221142264210412014-03-01T21:52:00.001-08:002014-03-01T21:52:38.993-08:00Natalie turned 7<p>Disclaimer: these pics are not edited. Excuse the orangeness thereof. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GEJJbZIgz94/UxLHF0my91I/AAAAAAAAFeI/rPHUmPKnnlc/s1600-h/IMG_7571%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7571" border="0" alt="IMG_7571" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IhOazLTlTug/UxLHGvdMvWI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/5qkTlH6tLmA/IMG_7571_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>It was Natalie’s off year for a birthday party, so this one was spent with family. Her birthday was on Saturday, so we went bowling and she got to bring her friend Ashley. Of course I don’t have any pictures of it….</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AEUXFCSibhM/UxLHHSerL7I/AAAAAAAAFeY/_Bhm1HWrdTI/s1600-h/IMG_7588%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7588" border="0" alt="IMG_7588" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OvaewpTWQ_0/UxLHHxnkyXI/AAAAAAAAFec/mKMiB9aWOnw/IMG_7588_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>She requested an angel food cake, which I hadn’t made since switching to plant based eating 2.5 years ago. Sadly, there is not a plant based equivalent to beaten egg whites. So….I made the real thing. Kids were fascinated by the eggs. ha. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-imY542N6sEc/UxLHI_ITMhI/AAAAAAAAFeo/W_2KASa7WM0/s1600-h/IMG_7589%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7589" border="0" alt="IMG_7589" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XigKFTc-9t4/UxLHJdUEUbI/AAAAAAAAFes/nkNtrGq0J80/IMG_7589_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>It was quite delicious, let me tell you. </p> <p>A bit about Natalie at age 7: </p> <ul> <li>she has lost 6 teeth</li> <li>she loves reading</li> <li>grammar is her favorite subject at school</li> <li>she adores her teacher, Mrs. Huggins</li> <li>her love language is Quality Time and must get some alone time with me every day to keep her love tank filled. It’s usually the half hour before bed. </li> <li>She gets anxious about school and is occasionally overwhelmed by it, yet…</li> <li>she gets straight As. </li> <li>She loves riding bikes and playing at the park. During the summer, she LOVES to swim. </li> <li>She is a big helper when she wants to be. She can get her sisters snacks, read them books, or distract them when they are upset if I am unavailable at the moment. </li> <li>Her car seat just got converted to a high back booster using the car seat belt instead of the 5pt harness (just info for me to remember)</li> <li>We love her to pieces!! </li></ul> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-86542531103422085432014-03-01T21:45:00.001-08:002014-03-01T21:57:08.674-08:00Hannah turned 5<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nrq10Ml2XHU/UxLFK4BnySI/AAAAAAAAFb0/VESU9mafpuI/s1600-h/IMG_5617%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5617" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSAssFK_vsPrczsNH7N8Hiz-FkwanWJWn479jEex6b6sIZdFWd8IG_I9LjREXppoYjftoVsBFeeey2tdMsZBCmsHtoA6RxpeiOgmzq-Dy0b-YEZQZmMbJg6S1rInt1N07OPBSj6VC004/?imgmax=800" height="241" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5617" width="360" /></a><br />
Hannah had a birthday in November, which was oh so exciting. The big 5. Where did my baby go? Anyway, she wanted to have a pink party, so here are the pics! <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6hYzp3D84Dk/UxLFMg3q6DI/AAAAAAAAFcE/tSuqcAIUYww/s1600-h/IMG_5615%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5615" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEUpdOQeytcLcjV2TGr_dSeCYRMmylePbshSAVx8xFtg-sGQedonOrDG0MLXh4JI76mentFXMmea2OTFjoAwZaC8unl9iugtxj4gD4NWB-9OXGqp_VqRyRKsFAhESQZNObmkl1bXsFmE/?imgmax=800" height="241" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5615" width="359" /></a><br />
These streamers were fun to rip down afterwards. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--pTHJ6gf8Uw/UxLFOYKL3yI/AAAAAAAAFcU/ORKgnnNkJ6w/s1600-h/IMG_5618%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5618" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILahtZw6ytxJeKJx5okvRWY8TNdx5eNKpU89LtttE1NwboxU1zTgKfqd5fzmDer8O9qNRvvlwV0oWWA9NqCgpTqABcZLNyBAkAQsmBlxmjq4cucleR95CK_ikS5zoIsNj2ZRW0snZwVU/?imgmax=800" height="248" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5618" width="370" /></a><br />
Pink wonderland. Thankfully, my sister Melanie showed up early and helped me finish decorating. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GXI1wpHgPL8/UxLFPyFPHqI/AAAAAAAAFck/7ctQqqpnqzY/s1600-h/IMG_5622%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5622" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f672nPGdCJ4/UxLFQeawccI/AAAAAAAAFcs/nkGivJVR10w/IMG_5622_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="249" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5622" width="372" /></a><br />
Pink food and dishes. I loved the pink straws. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-02f0OrVMSNE/UxLFRiIEs0I/AAAAAAAAFc0/SnPUerlKoUM/s1600-h/IMG_5635%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5635" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VQG8TxZvFII/UxLFSmyMcoI/AAAAAAAAFc4/-6axdznrvKM/IMG_5635_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="252" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5635" width="376" /></a><br />
All the little girls wore pink. So cute. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q5avUZX6B-0/UxLFTuQIlrI/AAAAAAAAFdA/XmyHaUk7yik/s1600-h/IMG_5623%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5623" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--c6bu4a-RlI/UxLFUJsje0I/AAAAAAAAFdM/4DSXLOlVmV0/IMG_5623_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="259" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5623" width="386" /></a><br />
Pink vegan cupcakes. Nobody blinked an eye. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MSiwrYIeZKI/UxLFVEc1bdI/AAAAAAAAFdU/TcC6I5PHEWU/s1600-h/IMG_5657%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5657" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JbcdYsbRaXk/UxLFV4hh4FI/AAAAAAAAFdY/gmRoJYDiLdw/IMG_5657_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="259" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5657" width="387" /></a><br />
Hannah can be quite silly when she is around friends or is getting attention. Both were happening in this picture. She stayed like this for the whole HB song. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_6NB8lPE1gI/UxLFXBYgR2I/AAAAAAAAFdk/QUA0vl8VhH0/s1600-h/IMG_5682%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5682" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L5ejA11unyA/UxLFXtHD0HI/AAAAAAAAFdo/p7LMLmgVPJw/IMG_5682_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="260" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5682" width="388" /></a> <br />
Presents. It is quite the event, with everyone pressing in further and further to see better until there is no room for the birthday girl. haha<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wgc1vU3q-OU/UxLFYhU6BUI/AAAAAAAAFd0/hvnU18QBRXs/s1600-h/IMG_5667%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5667" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO5sxS5fYMsGtqHwvcodO7wwMVpOhHxOyi5im5hoL5jqIF4OVa4Sdxk549lOevGYuRo4rU-6aRJAnFJ5U4IKf3wzvA8qCdkwqcDb5N82xLd-87pMw3INpDxc-DUNT6oqn6loMXeGZ_G8/?imgmax=800" height="261" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5667" width="390" /></a><br />
Big girl Emily enjoying the cupcakes. It was a fun party. Thankfully I was in my second trimester for it with my extra energy. If I had to that in the first or third….it would definitely have been a simpler party!<br />
<br />
At age 5 Hannah:<br />
<ul>
<li>has lost 2 teeth (as of yesterday)</li>
<li>can say all of her sounds except sh, ch, and r</li>
<li>LOVES preschool</li>
<li>is developing her sense of humor. She makes us laugh often. </li>
<li>can play Twinkle Twinkle on the piano</li>
<li>knows her letters and numbers</li>
<li>can read very simple books with sentences such as "Mat sat on the cat." </li>
<li>Physical touch is her love language. She thrives on tickling and cuddling. She responds better to disciplining if I'm rubbing her arms or back while I do it. </li>
<li>She is getting taller but not taller than all her peers like Natalie was. She is about average. Still very slender. </li>
<li>She likes to sleep in just a shirt and panties. Even in the winter. The part of the winter that was cold. </li>
<li>She is a special girl who we love having in our family! </li>
</ul>
Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-86024771568021095742014-03-01T21:34:00.001-08:002014-03-01T21:34:03.379-08:00Catch up<p>I don’t even want to call this post by that title, because it’s going to be far from caught up when I’m done with it. Oh well. I almost didn’t remember how to blog! lol. I have no idea how to change the pic at the top, so just ignore the super outdated pictures you see there. I’ll just load this up with pics and narrate a little, shall I? </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PZr52PiJk00/UxLCj2KNoEI/AAAAAAAAFZg/Ft-MxXKbveg/s1600-h/ALISA_23%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ALISA_23" border="0" alt="ALISA_23" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3SELbMsGLqg/UxLCkr-0nHI/AAAAAAAAFZo/6_PKoI-wAZE/ALISA_23_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="270"></a></p> <p>Baby 4, another girl, will be making her entrance to the world in 4-5 weeks. Hopefully more like 4. We aren’t for sure decided on a name. But we are decided on which car seat to buy. Priorities, people. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NsjrGBuT9q8/UxLCl4zb9CI/AAAAAAAAFZw/Q3PjVVm0-cY/s1600-h/P1030044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030044" border="0" alt="P1030044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aB0ajXdKHeo/UxLCmVgoY7I/AAAAAAAAFZ4/-FB6vJ6K5ws/P1030044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="275"></a></p> <p>Back in October, we took a family trip to Albuquerque to visit Mark’s sister Aubri and husband Bryan. It happened to be the same weekend as the Balloon Fiesta so we took part in those festivities as well. It was a VERY fun trip, and our last as a family of five. This pic is of the kids in a small town in AZ on the way to NM that had this cute little wigwam hotel complete with old restored cars parked outside each “room.” </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jl1yomJ_ot4/UxLCnjdia2I/AAAAAAAAFaA/ldOWWaiYIwU/s1600-h/P1030062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030062" border="0" alt="P1030062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BE8K_MlP9PY/UxLCoVclRAI/AAAAAAAAFaI/nE0wqHnl77w/P1030062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="276"></a></p> <p>We stayed with Bryan’s parents in their beautiful home, and can I just tell you that their yard was the highlight of the trip for everyone? My favorite was this raspberry patch. We went out every day and picked big bowls of sweet, juicy, ripe raspberries. It was SUCH a treat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HCX_PQvtGr0/UxLCpYUNv4I/AAAAAAAAFaQ/_Pvwu8FSTHg/s1600-h/P1030100%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030100" border="0" alt="P1030100" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fxVqd6wxqyI/UxLCqHDSptI/AAAAAAAAFaY/7EhtfUzADI8/P1030100_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="282"></a></p> <p>The huge swings were the kids’ favorite. They could go REALLY high on those things. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UAYs4NSeQRk/UxLCrCkWsDI/AAAAAAAAFag/ndHE4hPOiLU/s1600-h/P1030069%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030069" border="0" alt="P1030069" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PVBNzCycbLQ/UxLCric_yxI/AAAAAAAAFao/7q4xT0Ke5ww/P1030069_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="392"></a></p> <p>We visited the ABQ zoo, which was delightful. The animals were more interesting to look at than in PHX, probably because they were moving, and not just laying in shade escaping the heat. We saw a 9 day old baby elephant which was oh so adorable. The polar bear feeding was really fun to watch; the zookeeper guy would throw a fish into their enclosure far away from where they were, and they had to dive and splash and slide to get to it. Super cool. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xH_7NEtMbSw/UxLCsuOWTpI/AAAAAAAAFaw/x5LJ1OmxYXE/s1600-h/P1030088%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030088" border="0" alt="P1030088" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q0Pcc6t5NSY/UxLCtOtI0-I/AAAAAAAAFa4/sa_2rIBKrs0/P1030088_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="293"></a></p> <p>So the balloon fiesta. Friday night was the balloon glow, which is where all the balloons are tethered to the ground, but the balloon handlers would light up the fire thingy to fill the balloon with light. You are supposed to walk around and look at all the different shapes and designs, all the while marveling at their ginormity and ponder on your own smallness. Well, by the time we got there, parked, walked down the massive staircase to the field, the balloons were all deflating and were being put away. So…we saw like 2 balloons up close. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CS8SqjtwJWI/UxLCueqXhaI/AAAAAAAAFbA/BDURBiIFAY0/s1600-h/P1030077%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030077" border="0" alt="P1030077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dF4JlLhXT2g/UxLCvIaqvZI/AAAAAAAAFbE/3XQT6vFRcnc/P1030077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="289"></a></p> <p>Next morning we woke up like at 4:30 or something unholy like that and made it to the field before the balloons started. Well, it was FREEZING and we AZ peeps were not huge fans of the cold. We were very bundled but the kids were so whiny and complaining so much that we ended up leaving before we saw many balloons. We did eat donuts though. The kids were like, what’s a donut? haha. Now they know. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-05m_kMRzJZE/UxLCwbRhx9I/AAAAAAAAFbQ/fHV_WOPsYxw/s1600-h/P1030111%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030111" border="0" alt="P1030111" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g1t37i3XIek/UxLCxEdSeSI/AAAAAAAAFbY/PV5laMKmQXw/P1030111_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="291"></a></p> <p>Here’s the view of the balloons from the Blackers’ house. Apparently the wind speed was at a borderline level, so many of the balloons did not lift off. Normally there are around 250, this day there were less than 100. Still impressive though. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-66rgOgvHeDM/UxLCxigym6I/AAAAAAAAFbg/j4NlIleocvo/s1600-h/P1030095%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1030095" border="0" alt="P1030095" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_mlCutY_fVA/UxLCyHmNu5I/AAAAAAAAFbo/TZ3XJ4uUm9E/P1030095_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="281"></a></p> <p>Up close with Natalie and Aubri. Did I mention it was cold? </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-55853314835785364462013-08-02T22:57:00.001-07:002013-08-02T22:57:42.875-07:00Just a day in the life<p>Here’s a little video of me and my girls goofing around. <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:87ce76ca-e62a-4615-b790-304d9fcf6d64" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="6cba2f9b-6666-481f-baf2-81c86d9187ce" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=than8hSmJPM" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hji2kNTKuFc/Ufyb1Zswe1I/AAAAAAAAFRo/w70IyNBFqhc/video4533a6da1697%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('6cba2f9b-6666-481f-baf2-81c86d9187ce'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/than8hSmJPM?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/than8hSmJPM?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-16956960032998330102013-06-30T23:06:00.001-07:002013-06-30T23:06:10.870-07:00Our trip to Kentucky<p>Back in April Natalie and I took a super awesome trip to Kentucky to visit our BFFs, the Cliftons. They moved to Kentucky last June and had a new baby in the meantime. It was Natalie’s first time flying and she was fascinated and thrilled by it all. It was a long flight but we made it. The scenery was beautiful, the horses were interesting, but the best part was hanging out with our dear friends. </p> <p>We took a field trip to a horse farm, where they keep race horses and breed them. This is the trophy room where they can show off what races were won by prestigious horses housed there. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dn-HPzUcHTo/UdEbxNd7-qI/AAAAAAAAFHs/SAE6-20rKlA/s1600-h/IMG_9242%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9242" border="0" alt="IMG_9242" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zVaIwvi6ang/UdEbxrgUxPI/AAAAAAAAFH0/ahVCzxdpwqk/IMG_9242_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="377"></a></p> <p>These horses were seriously beautiful. The whole place was pristine and meticulously cared for. I would feel totally comfortable eating my dinner off the stable floor. Look at this beautiful shiny stallion. The tour guide took us around to each pasture and we peered over the fences at the grazing horses while she told us briefly of their racing history, their family members who had won races, and their stud fee. The fees ranged from $50k to $150K. It was truly amazing to take a peek into this world that is so different from mine (horse breeding and racing, that is). </p> <p>.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9zL9XzaBmIA/UdEbyCSqVoI/AAAAAAAAFH8/TNd10_Q-COc/s1600-h/IMG_9249%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9249" border="0" alt="IMG_9249" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-679GE4ahP4c/UdEbytDcnDI/AAAAAAAAFIE/UGxWaLiRA0Y/IMG_9249_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268"></a></p> <p>Here are the little beauties in front of a fountain. Can you see what I mean about the breathtaking beauty all around us? </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WRBUEPXpy_U/UdEbzEOuZhI/AAAAAAAAFIM/6a-GrxrvOTE/s1600-h/IMG_9260%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9260" border="0" alt="IMG_9260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j1rOvPlDOVc/UdEbzm1E3WI/AAAAAAAAFIU/mCyMeWNJQxM/IMG_9260_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="457"></a></p> <p>There was a famous horse buried here. Don’t ask me who it was, heh heh. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pQ2LRfFzYV4/UdEb0NwgpiI/AAAAAAAAFIc/1g8PWKeekvk/s1600-h/IMG_9255%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9255" border="0" alt="IMG_9255" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oe_3VxWcWGo/UdEb0gTJYdI/AAAAAAAAFIk/C4DSzF63c_Q/IMG_9255_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="289"></a></p> <p>Here is the one picture of me, proof that I was there. The moister air made my hair extra poofy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bqyozXqcX7o/UdEb1LC85RI/AAAAAAAAFIs/pHI4SiBK-3E/s1600-h/IMG_9262%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9262" border="0" alt="IMG_9262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XslHcTchu3M/UdEb1uF_iRI/AAAAAAAAFI0/tjBex_qhAfU/IMG_9262_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="291"></a></p> <p>This tower was like, 100 years old. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wUzx5dXRGvI/UdEb2LVj6vI/AAAAAAAAFI8/mmJh6WKIf1I/s1600-h/IMG_9268%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9268" border="0" alt="IMG_9268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FBmv-nnVxqk/UdEb2vrwA_I/AAAAAAAAFJE/9mrM3Hje4Rw/IMG_9268_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="450"></a></p> <p>Aren’t they purty? Natalie’s tall, huh? </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NBGl3ZiFTCE/UdEb3E9iDCI/AAAAAAAAFJM/Yr4pY6FkQXY/s1600-h/IMG_9272%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9272" border="0" alt="IMG_9272" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eISyxS_hTY0/UdEb3vWOmGI/AAAAAAAAFJU/YfnPUUX4nOY/IMG_9272_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" height="301"></a></p> <p>It was green rolling pastures and brown and white fences in every direction. I was plastered to the window the entire time. This one time we were driving past some horses grazing and there was one galloping along, its shiny brown coat glistening in the sun, its mane and tail flowing behind it, its lean muscles rippling under its skin. It was a slow motion moment and one I’ll never forget. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-COjqlLhdlas/UdEb3w54fjI/AAAAAAAAFJc/PnC-RetkpqM/s1600-h/IMG_9274%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9274" border="0" alt="IMG_9274" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UhbJG5p5s9s/UdEb4ZmSADI/AAAAAAAAFJk/wWcLayFJFFY/IMG_9274_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="441"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8KGt81I8DCM/UdEb4yJsjRI/AAAAAAAAFJs/xVq20eiHgs4/s1600-h/IMG_9279-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9279-1" border="0" alt="IMG_9279-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Iawfxs55joI/UdEb5StCIVI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/osm4qbiH9Wg/IMG_9279-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="447"></a></p> <p>Meanwhile, we spent a lot of time leisurely hanging out at Emily’s house, the kids playing to their hearts content and Emily and I enjoying the ultimate chat session. The kids did a lot of digging for worms and centipedes. The weather was a bit chilly and really nippy at night! We were glad we brought our sweaters. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8saivPA2Crg/UdEb6EyIUqI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/n04VKw7Zwmw/s1600-h/IMG_9281%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9281" border="0" alt="IMG_9281" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FGKvvwKm78k/UdEb6RrDR3I/AAAAAAAAFKE/TDywTqxyu5E/IMG_9281_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="288"></a></p> <p>Natalie and Heidi both knew some cute little songs on the piano and did a little performance for us, complete with matching long-john PJs. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hec2vZJCPOM/UdEb64lpsSI/AAAAAAAAFKM/uG-xV-yInY0/s1600-h/IMG_9285%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9285" border="0" alt="IMG_9285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UUXSm3r1TX4/UdEb7fSLqQI/AAAAAAAAFKU/a_HNW0wBgac/IMG_9285_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="290"></a></p> <p>We went to the Keeneland racetrack on the last day of the races to see some, well…races. It was a super fun experience and highly interesting. It was at this old, beautiful location with all sorts of amazingly dressed and very attractive people. There were betting stations EVERYWHERE and people milling about studying the race booklets trying to make decisions on which horses to bet on. Also lots of beer and cigarettes were to be seen in every direction. Strangely, people were just smoking throughout the crowd during the races. There was no avoiding the smoke or smell of beer. So different than Gilbert! lol </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dl74EZRslr4/UdEb77EeicI/AAAAAAAAFKc/rMJ5ds8YtsU/s1600-h/IMG_9296%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9296" border="0" alt="IMG_9296" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y7dZsEhhPS8/UdEb8m3BLbI/AAAAAAAAFKk/IfYPwKPf0xA/IMG_9296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="278"></a></p> <p>Jockey statues</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-afC-Jx3EZ9w/UdEb81guyvI/AAAAAAAAFKs/83SPHv1K2EI/s1600-h/IMG_9301%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9301" border="0" alt="IMG_9301" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jb9A-W7KjTU/UdEb9eLAnbI/AAAAAAAAFK0/LhaHqxtcnaY/IMG_9301_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="281"></a></p> <p>So outside of the arena/building/racing area, there were these tranquil grassy areas where the horses were paraded around for all to behold. It was really cool to see these highly athletic and specially trained horses up close. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L8nwEuGIXEQ/UdEb9531MqI/AAAAAAAAFK8/XHKYMhGaQDI/s1600-h/IMG_9302%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9302" border="0" alt="IMG_9302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7juwPM69PP9ybPE28ToC_jaD3jGEL3BB3WogAixYXEagIbX2qExBSdnDBN888dROEKp8qRZTlzCiQvSxO_w0twFSQ3iiRX_-nR-9ycJzZUn-TLmPjR4GfVvBX_j8WDcW2XAhpn2Rppq0/?imgmax=800" width="299" height="446"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OANNVOwrm1w/UdEb-wMd_vI/AAAAAAAAFLM/v0l_zxuHioU/s1600-h/IMG_9306%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9306" border="0" alt="IMG_9306" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hnbaytij6a4/UdEb_fWBU4I/AAAAAAAAFLU/Rwfsov81RxA/IMG_9306_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="307"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8roBm9CQc50/UdEb_4i2u3I/AAAAAAAAFLc/4UoyQba0JsA/s1600-h/IMG_9322%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9322" border="0" alt="IMG_9322" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uCDIiyGTC5I/UdEcAeXXqDI/AAAAAAAAFLk/_nlc9ksn9nc/IMG_9322_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="318"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vNtpmY-dS7E/UdEcAnUr86I/AAAAAAAAFLs/jqBj4rkjfeI/s1600-h/IMG_9327%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9327" border="0" alt="IMG_9327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1n1BeIsdNwE/UdEcBEJTukI/AAAAAAAAFL0/npMain_9zqE/IMG_9327_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="311"></a></p> <p>The jockeys were indeed very small men and an occasional woman. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GbOG19Jc3S0/UdEcBvglB3I/AAAAAAAAFL8/H6ygrhvFSC0/s1600-h/IMG_9335%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9335" border="0" alt="IMG_9335" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8PU7tdpa_Kw/UdEcBxN4uZI/AAAAAAAAFME/L1T70vkXwUM/IMG_9335_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="318"></a></p> <p>We bought popcorn to occupy the troops between races. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p-vWj7LKLbk/UdEcCe_Io4I/AAAAAAAAFMM/qmschDWjjWk/s1600-h/IMG_9347%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9347" border="0" alt="IMG_9347" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--mtZZ1nh45o/UdEcC1lRB_I/AAAAAAAAFMU/MsYuNlciMYY/IMG_9347_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" height="435"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f8eXGQom9p0/UdEcDfGpQnI/AAAAAAAAFMc/TIHoI5bHMms/s1600-h/IMG_9349%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9349" border="0" alt="IMG_9349" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cRtRxhfEqJY/UdEcEJzEZxI/AAAAAAAAFMk/YAw078i-hhY/IMG_9349_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rOaiDOxG_Zw/UdEcEjo0HRI/AAAAAAAAFMs/DaOhWT6Gh4Q/s1600-h/IMG_9351%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9351" border="0" alt="IMG_9351" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nT7qYrCQPwY/UdEcE-qzOoI/AAAAAAAAFM0/ewaJRs229OM/IMG_9351_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="434"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N51Jz7P_12Q/UdEcFZdakPI/AAAAAAAAFM8/dy2R8jk7MfM/s1600-h/IMG_9360%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9360" border="0" alt="IMG_9360" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R3NSUzpUSoE/UdEcF7TTvBI/AAAAAAAAFNE/2tSNsSUIm3Y/IMG_9360_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="299"></a></p> <p>This lil’ fella did great, considering he was only 2 months old, missed a nap or two, and was overwhelmed by crowds and noise. Just wook at his widdle double chin!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vsH6mZA6zdI/UdEcGbUwArI/AAAAAAAAFNM/uEJlI3KcWkA/s1600-h/IMG_9364%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9364" border="0" alt="IMG_9364" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9W3KPAi5Tg/UdEcGg5KkiI/AAAAAAAAFNQ/sTaLC3GxwlE/IMG_9364_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="440"></a></p> <p>We rode a shuttle bus back to our car, which was super exciting for the kiddos. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u8YnMTXIUaI/UdEcHEn8G6I/AAAAAAAAFNc/PnvPaRjASPE/s1600-h/IMG_9386%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9386" border="0" alt="IMG_9386" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m8jQMtl5kyI/UdEcHro1aoI/AAAAAAAAFNk/n4vhsVwmTRs/IMG_9386_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="291"></a></p> <p>Natalie was being rebellious for these shots. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vdGYZAUdkM4/UdEcIKvkcSI/AAAAAAAAFNs/-UVxAq-u_UA/s1600-h/IMG_9375%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9375" border="0" alt="IMG_9375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xQQHr8QG2o4/UdEcIhoZLfI/AAAAAAAAFN0/0xUr6ywC4Z8/IMG_9375_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="291"></a></p> <p>The Saturday we were there happened to be Arbor day, so we went to the children’s garden at UK (Univ of KY) and got in for free. It was this really neat area with play structures, a creek, and beautiful plants. There were two little pioneer buildings; a house and a school. Heidi and Natalie pretended they were pioneer kids for a while. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VMZ0rQ3iHy4/UdEcJKA7UAI/AAAAAAAAFN8/1MZpDG4LvHo/s1600-h/IMG_9404%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9404" border="0" alt="IMG_9404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3N5M5VLVwz4/UdEcJfwrCSI/AAAAAAAAFOE/SYr4oe2MEFs/IMG_9404_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="474"></a></p> <p>Out fetching the water. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zYPFwxOFMbA/UdEcJ_n3wQI/AAAAAAAAFOM/Eb-TuOBI8OU/s1600-h/IMG_9406%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9406" border="0" alt="IMG_9406" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TNwnyqKAbBM/UdEcKKFIu6I/AAAAAAAAFOU/EibyZ9-A0Bo/IMG_9406_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="453"></a></p> <p>Churning the butter. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UpVZ0OawbBI/UdEcKr6-HMI/AAAAAAAAFOc/KF8lFydchWk/s1600-h/IMG_9411%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9411" border="0" alt="IMG_9411" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IlzC0Q0qSHI/UdEcLP19seI/AAAAAAAAFOk/IWRheposzgs/IMG_9411_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="453"></a></p> <p>“fishing” in the creek. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vHe6lXjX86E/UdEcLs_mrBI/AAAAAAAAFOs/xTEBDMxkeNU/s1600-h/IMG_9432%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9432" border="0" alt="IMG_9432" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TkQScYJUQUQ/UdEcMABhlBI/AAAAAAAAFO0/KVZrcvYpcUM/IMG_9432_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="458"></a></p> <p>Cute baby. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gBK14c39MVI/UdEcMkirT6I/AAAAAAAAFO8/lcNFSlYjbCE/s1600-h/IMG_9423%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9423" border="0" alt="IMG_9423" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U2QfEq_IsRQ/UdEcNM2DjLI/AAAAAAAAFPA/5mx41OSEBWQ/IMG_9423_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="261"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dBPaoAf7hU4/UdEcNVEwAmI/AAAAAAAAFPM/iH7Qp_nN3tY/s1600-h/IMG_9439%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9439" border="0" alt="IMG_9439" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4H9ZTmwRt0k/UdEcNy4tXpI/AAAAAAAAFPU/1b3N8Ywi4qM/IMG_9439_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="264"></a></p> <p>Leaf rubbing in the schoolhouse. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3tmGxGwJXWo/UdEcOTCrzlI/AAAAAAAAFPc/DvCwan2eYgQ/s1600-h/IMG_9447%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9447" border="0" alt="IMG_9447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuzUwOgXYRZbv0S3PZ_uw7irKOE4VGjy1ETbQ93gBbz9IGjpo9-g5Crn7yqg1e3pknxYPzCt1AAhpBoK_av-4OqNBU_dLrxugjTCQ5Qx_1j4jsOeFIOUDtepIpkOIpDFojS4EnWvIDJQ/?imgmax=800" width="392" height="263"></a></p> <p>Creek jumping. It was such a beautiful day and we just let them play for a long time. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oT7qO4DLswI/UdEcPPfzSCI/AAAAAAAAFPs/MuMKe5Ip5Sg/s1600-h/IMG_9455%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9455" border="0" alt="IMG_9455" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ErDg-jQgsw/UdEcPv1GZlI/AAAAAAAAFP0/WtV3ciZ4Huw/IMG_9455_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="509"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RYwXHePW_CI/UdEcQHzSh5I/AAAAAAAAFP8/pslv4tPIDOM/s1600-h/IMG_9493%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9493" border="0" alt="IMG_9493" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pqOPCx2AzgY/UdEcQvrgq0I/AAAAAAAAFQE/ObPxLcgW7FU/IMG_9493_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="479"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RXSPMP91e2w/UdEcRN9KTAI/AAAAAAAAFQM/7KoYm0mJXaQ/s1600-h/IMG_9469%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9469" border="0" alt="IMG_9469" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eWWTZz3BMpk/UdEcRnrtvZI/AAAAAAAAFQU/NI2vJpFjDPo/IMG_9469_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="277"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4hBWfeLo-f8/UdEcST_z-gI/AAAAAAAAFQc/FUE5JLSia5k/s1600-h/IMG_9457%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9457" border="0" alt="IMG_9457" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2zlhQWj8mmE/UdEcTcT8euI/AAAAAAAAFQk/pDPAcag-Htw/IMG_9457_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="467"></a></p> <p>This was a spiffy painted horse statue. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG6wIIzOKlY7g2ffbvtpENw3GuOkE9he_kMnlxDJrtJ_aQZRzScxwNogXGm-K-vWQCjhcxNcOitt28jCWE6mLvCB4viHhvDL9clhtvCm70JkN1BgFiq3ki7rST4K6BBAokQWDviy83Gc/s1600-h/IMG_9496%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9496" border="0" alt="IMG_9496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSgiXhNbz3vaWCIBCEcg584lT3zTx_5SXqWqlF40bW9xuZH1f3BSx_gDstAIVSi16u-uVf3Gdy3BMrUGroPFUku3JImcagXMKiaitoTKH43XFOZjGzZlSj_YbwjvbpwlRsS5wxX3u3nQ/?imgmax=800" width="397" height="266"></a></p> <p>It was such an amazing trip, with oodles of fun had by all. Hoping we can go back a time or two in the next few years!! If only we could fly for free….</p> <p>Thank you, Cliftons, for an awesome time and all the fun memories!</p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-25503415740283816712013-05-02T21:42:00.001-07:002013-05-02T21:45:27.963-07:00Family Pictures<p>We got family pics done last month. A photographer friend asked me if I would do a trade and I jumped at the chance. Most of them turned out pretty cute in my opinion. Here are the ones we got prints of for the walls: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u3mGeJE7Fqg/UYNAC-9ao3I/AAAAAAAAFAg/a8tW7j71QOo/s1600-h/IMG_8065_8x10%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8065_8x10" border="0" alt="IMG_8065_8x10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BsbTfOcylnM/UYNADoGMQxI/AAAAAAAAFAo/jF0Sh7jZv0k/IMG_8065_8x10_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="462"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TGae_BEioWM/UYNAET39_CI/AAAAAAAAFDA/UUweop1Z9og/s1600-h/IMG_8080-6_20x30.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8080-6_20x30" border="0" alt="IMG_8080-6_20x30" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PCttkA1vTtk/UYNAE6Xr4yI/AAAAAAAAFDE/N-sDqP2CrCo/IMG_8080-6_20x30_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="290"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EWo5RwshJz0/UYNAFlHAK_I/AAAAAAAAFDI/7jvDyQgPTPw/s1600-h/IMG_8130_5x7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8130_5x7" border="0" alt="IMG_8130_5x7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ssZ3ktz70jU/UYNAGO7FIrI/AAAAAAAAFDM/bKn4u5Eu6o4/IMG_8130_5x7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="313"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsU0j57xIE3o1puRvzwSjbid7ywyTpBbViVFWWAbAq-TGoGah8zJWNhzxVlNmhcQTz_gyT19B4LNEDM3uSLf1dhMB4173wVgdmObo-WJ9g0NGU5ZpuqSI6ymxYTbgYy7xWr4HE4uIbIM/s1600-h/IMG_8151_5x7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8151_5x7" border="0" alt="IMG_8151_5x7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GmQbHn6p5-M/UYNAHf-IySI/AAAAAAAAFDU/C2yIxCOOdFI/IMG_8151_5x7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="318"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dl4YNi9ONKQ/UYNA2Tu8_qI/AAAAAAAAFDc/rWuKI_1RadM/s1600-h/IMG_8181_11x14.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8181_11x14" border="0" alt="IMG_8181_11x14" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MtbhgOVhi7M/UYNAIbaVXKI/AAAAAAAAFDk/siP8O8zjb60/IMG_8181_11x14_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="349"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_rucg5OYpt2henbYYpN1XQ4ksYPwC3pjyBANMBSlQHlyyAiXasXDXRdDZhnFRv9SVttTI2_nyCCUCxQvXenO6v0GEcFOwppqRUJeRHBGw_PiYDWLJRiX-e95O-YnP6q6VpL6v31RMic/s1600-h/IMG_8313_5x7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8313_5x7" border="0" alt="IMG_8313_5x7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wZdt50PGRR4/UYNAJilv1MI/AAAAAAAAFDs/l1zq3KQWo98/IMG_8313_5x7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="320"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3uUDiNjtxa0/UYNAKGDrYwI/AAAAAAAAFDw/Oi35HDmw-tM/s1600-h/IMG_8284_5x7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8284_5x7" border="0" alt="IMG_8284_5x7" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WZZP_qCHiuA/UYNAKib6N7I/AAAAAAAAFD0/AAd9IzjcYXs/IMG_8284_5x7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="322"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mrQXRDHqDrU/UYNAMx9PxgI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/HzEMGyDY45E/s1600-h/IMG_8368_4x6%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8368_4x6" border="0" alt="IMG_8368_4x6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-otLILgIxKsM/UYNANVqi_9I/AAAAAAAAFCY/keHoeqfHe90/IMG_8368_4x6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="457"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aHvqW-K9J1Q/UYNAO5HciiI/AAAAAAAAFCg/W2gZYPgAxf0/s1600-h/IMG_8375_4x6%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8375_4x6" border="0" alt="IMG_8375_4x6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aUeDz3WU7JY/UYNAPBKXLgI/AAAAAAAAFCo/mpganKdJtnY/IMG_8375_4x6_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="457"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaOvggACaNma_PDIQZ1wrA7n8vNAwLNgy_BvVN4ITxN2J6xlQRRgW_j4-03P1gxk8sxDOTMFK0Smo2b8TmxAU7JjlgyMEAAEmTtacA5z8JXPIbujkY4Yvg_vDYWZPc6rFkUF4M8Tnwc4/s1600-h/IMG_8409%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8409" border="0" alt="IMG_8409" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TCD2co581Sw/UYNAP2-XEXI/AAAAAAAAFC4/00Qcu2SZFIw/IMG_8409_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="460"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-44728580766703414842013-01-14T22:02:00.001-08:002013-01-14T22:02:08.838-08:00The sweet little singers<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4aba56fe-3f47-4618-8748-ea794fefb696" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ee2289b2-13eb-4dbb-b8b0-093c036c529b" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOwy_VfUWbA" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YwJX1bVG7ls/UPTw36vasPI/AAAAAAAAE0M/g4wrpMbE3uk/videob7dd5603ff96%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ee2289b2-13eb-4dbb-b8b0-093c036c529b'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/nOwy_VfUWbA?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/nOwy_VfUWbA?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-29060803415076705492013-01-14T21:37:00.001-08:002013-01-14T21:37:11.895-08:00More Christmas<p>This year our extended Kleven Family Party was a breakfast/pajama party, so I let the girls open their Christmas pajamas early for that night. We’ve never done the pajama thing before, but I thought I’d start it this year when I found some killer deals on pj’s on Black Friday. The girls were so cute and felt so funny going to the party in their pajamas. We had dinner/breakfast and then there was a small program with some talents and songs, then a nativity presentation with some songs mingled in. Natalie and Brooklyn sang “When Joseph Went to Bethlehem” at the appropriate spot and did so well! I was impressed, especially because Brooklyn learned all the words that very day leading up to it. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_IbD20O0a58/UPTq2o75I7I/AAAAAAAAExc/v6VMRegokYg/s1600-h/DSCN0088%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0088" border="0" alt="DSCN0088" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AhVw-sm5n6w/UPTq3N0wGRI/AAAAAAAAExg/RaUfhMWCeU4/DSCN0088_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="306"></a></p> <p>Our tradition of singing “C is for the Christ-child,” a lesser known Christmas song, is one of my favorites. The kids hold up their letter when we sing about it, and there are plenty of stars for lots of other kids to hold as well. Natalie and Brooklyn got letters this year!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vjgO5AI96BM/UPTq3qcabGI/AAAAAAAAExo/DHFGvPRSMPY/s1600-h/DSCN0092%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0092" border="0" alt="DSCN0092" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oLM9OKg2l2I/UPTq4CLdC_I/AAAAAAAAExw/bbjf-JZwapQ/DSCN0092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="308"></a></p> <p>Hannah entertained herself for quite a while sliding around on the smooth floor. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcQsqySFL3HJzqYthKnyRJwZbRjI6LCSkmI-8LHCC51MD35aORRTrWoeaDNFpR1q4gqc_ZppZAjguKsX86ZiD0HpzXTXH2kNp4CnmpBXbf_NthZdnTxjhY0T0eiORGa1vByjLiENP-iE/s1600-h/DSCN0094%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0094" border="0" alt="DSCN0094" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xlHeLbFHLH0/UPTq6kRThxI/AAAAAAAAEyE/yGJHEa4mgo0/DSCN0094_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="439"></a></p> <p>Natalie’s class had a reindeer party and I went to volunteer for it. The kids rotated around to different stations doing different crafts or activities that had to do with reindeer. They were so cute! Some things I learned about kindergarten teachers: They must have a lot of energy and a sense of humor. Wow. It was fun to see Natalie interacting with the other kids. SOmetimes I wish I could be a fly on the wall and watch my kid all day but since I can’t, this is the next best thing. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4X-LK6WJ1S4A4LQJPVWBGtxAQEJkkN-a0RyxY5FAFvgdKSadD-8R_JAMlMjHcR7RLR5wIhMo6ptBU7MTQhldP-KwZMo2-fb-_bGKbLV88lb6uPTno2banfc6bVZdBT6WBdQsAR_nxM8/s1600-h/DSCN0096%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0096" border="0" alt="DSCN0096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiPml90PvSZueIxlLFw8py3080f4__CwjzrBLzPsCVpyCgR47As35XZshDhWGqFS3ELMeo4YQYmYbolFAcMi_U12TY2axAhvzBGpRNr4PBexkeJuA4Fm0ZwUeGjfXjb-FlBsAv47Wr9w/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="361"></a></p> <p>The temple lights were beautiful as usual. We were chilly but it wasn’t too bad. I picked up some hand warmers at Target a few days earlier and they were most helpful. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M4Vkzu_REQY/UPTq8QsmRFI/AAAAAAAAEyc/7jaMC3lRG0w/s1600-h/DSCN0105%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0105" border="0" alt="DSCN0105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fNMbCe12CDA/UPTq8z2STTI/AAAAAAAAEyk/K8Oj3xOg5oY/DSCN0105_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="475"></a></p> <p>One of Emily’s favorite things it to walk along a curb and here Hannah is helping her along. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fKKi7zwPwCE/UPTq9UES1VI/AAAAAAAAEys/HJ5ggd1Vr4s/s1600-h/P1020511%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1020511" border="0" alt="P1020511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w1OLSZ_14UImm6gj9kf7j9Nmwpv1M19dJ4ORGBoXwzOHgu0GixORCQK-PwlJFHwEch9Ax1nrRxWXjLmDKJGX5q8ze5bJn8wSZZycihO1KAZEPGESQP2JJQipzEJ9MJW5qbKuuoblXck/?imgmax=800" width="476" height="358"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m0rV7MrqLyg/UPTq-i28k0I/AAAAAAAAEy8/j3Xad7Bh9Jc/s1600-h/P1020515%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1020515" border="0" alt="P1020515" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dOo-5wgfnWE/UPTq_MJWxtI/AAAAAAAAEzE/fHzT6Fgj-bA/P1020515_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="360"></a></p> <p>The models. Hannah was swinging her hair around. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RboXJ2kcgQk/UPTq_4kM6LI/AAAAAAAAEzM/YoGYlX7ZsGU/s1600-h/P1020531%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1020531" border="0" alt="P1020531" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iswNFy_hl_k/UPTrAXlr1NI/AAAAAAAAEzU/tn9qEwIqTOM/P1020531_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="361"></a></p> <p>Here is the annual Hatch Family Christmas party. It happened to be on the same night as our stake Christmas concert that I was playing my flute for, so I couldn’t make it. But Mark and the girls went and had a great time! The talents were wonderful, food delicious, and company just splendid. I was able to pop in for the last few minutes and got to say hi/bye to many. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yNI4afPKp3I/UPTrA5lL1CI/AAAAAAAAEzc/BuPoSGlAJ7U/s1600-h/P1020526%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1020526" border="0" alt="P1020526" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jnGNkh6MuL8/UPTrBfTrfWI/AAAAAAAAEzk/NRzrwwPIJOQ/P1020526_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="361"></a></p> <p>Some cute little reindeer. Uncle Randy has a tradition of leading the kids in “Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer'” and this year they all wore antlers. They are all getting so big! </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-27451222933053569442013-01-06T21:55:00.001-08:002013-01-06T21:58:36.582-08:00Christmas<p>The thought of blogging about Christmas is slightly overwhelming, so will just do it a little at a time. There’s no rule that says I have to make one giant post! </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NEg3ix3kM0M/UOpjD883MeI/AAAAAAAAEss/umJCQAa9ZVs/s1600-h/DSCN0025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0025" border="0" alt="DSCN0025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GgEMeiROT20/UOpjEYGwvnI/AAAAAAAAEs0/DskcaiVPLJs/DSCN0025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="369"></a></p> <p>We made Christmas sugar cookies! Yes, they are vegan. I made them with the regular sugar cookie recipe only I replaced the milk with almond milk, the butter with Earth Balance (vegan butter), and the egg with egg replacer powder (from Sprouts). They turned out sooooo delicious! They were soft and pillowy just like the nonvegan version, and the frosting was perfect as well (regular recipe but with almond milk and EB). We have not done sugar cookies in the entire year we’ve been plant-based (mostly because I avoid added oils or fats) but we threw health into the wind for this particular afternoon and it was quite enjoyable. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uwoTnEIJRP8/UOpjE1EvPWI/AAAAAAAAEs8/5EQ8sYe1Ttw/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> The kids had a great time sprinkling and we were able to share a plate with some of our non-dairy friends. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RMGhmOrFMiw/UOpjFZZql3I/AAAAAAAAEvI/xrVL0278Mm8/s1600-h/DSCN0050%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0050" border="0" alt="DSCN0050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_nQVALQ9yTY/UOpjFoKagKI/AAAAAAAAEvM/CrGUjZaZ1Oo/DSCN0050_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" height="338"></a></p> <p>Here we are at the ward Christmas dinner. Aren’t my little sweeties (and one big sweetie) so adorbs? </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jVlHWWPwyL8/UOpjGU1pKRI/AAAAAAAAEtU/k19URlJSyU4/s1600-h/DSCN0059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0059" border="0" alt="DSCN0059" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EQJnyCPOAxY/UOpjGiq2ENI/AAAAAAAAEtY/QbJ7JSYm5co/DSCN0059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="377"></a></p> <p>Natalie sang in a little children’s choir for our stake music concert, and they performed at a rest home one afternoon prior to practice performing. Natalie sang great and it helped us realize where we needed to practice our words!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GXEKaxV3kfc/UOpjHJHPqTI/AAAAAAAAEtg/AENxG8gKg0Q/s1600-h/DSCN0068%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0068" border="0" alt="DSCN0068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wtO7biuKXOI/UOpjHuPJXAI/AAAAAAAAEts/T3_ruZrjBAM/DSCN0068_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379"></a></p> <p>Mark’s mom gave us tickets to A Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater as an early Christmas gift. It was so amazing! We loved every minute and it was fun to see some quality live entertainment as well as spend time with each other (and Mom!) without kids around. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-70c4-PCXn3U/UOpjIMYUmgI/AAAAAAAAEt0/d20l_0Mf4C4/s1600-h/DSCN0072%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0072" border="0" alt="DSCN0072" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ufFAEUn1tQU/UOpjI_lGToI/AAAAAAAAEt8/S8JD9VMiLds/DSCN0072_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="459"></a></p> <p>Like my green trench? I got it on clearance last spring and this was my first time wearing it. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M-TBap7VoWw/UOpjJYHkvvI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/2ObhvIkKluk/s1600-h/IMG_5482%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5482" border="0" alt="IMG_5482" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jnAcYL0fDq8/UOpjJ5OqFlI/AAAAAAAAEvU/aVEJF-IH34A/IMG_5482_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="304"></a></p> <p>Graham cracker “gingerbread” houses with Grandma Simonson. We used Rice-Mellow cream (like marshmallow cream but vegan) but it was too runny and gooey so we added a bunch of powdered sugar and that stiffened things right up. Even so, some bits and pieces were sliding off at the end of the night. Luckily the kids didn’t care as long as they were stuffing their faces with candy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cEn7WH1tfro/UOpjKHmkC4I/AAAAAAAAEuQ/LLFjbRjobeQ/s1600-h/IMG_5487%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5487" border="0" alt="IMG_5487" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XH_0uMvl2HQ/UOpjKreVupI/AAAAAAAAEuc/bVuSRB7M-Wk/IMG_5487_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="485"></a></p> <p>Hannah’s house got the worst of the destruction. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FiFNiJcXKgc/UOpjLlVz-2I/AAAAAAAAEuk/x898C08oFow/s1600-h/IMG_5500%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5500" border="0" alt="IMG_5500" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FX3wWFC64UY/UOpjL6tXHpI/AAAAAAAAEus/Vx6wHbcA6gU/IMG_5500_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="479"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Emily didn’t care one lick about making a house. She just wanted smarties! “mo! mo tanny!” (more candy)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KWTaKwSzkoE/UOpjMLVifJI/AAAAAAAAEu0/fNeEDboqihQ/s1600-h/IMG_5491%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5491" border="0" alt="IMG_5491" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cD_aJZAPVWg/UOpjM3b1NcI/AAAAAAAAEu8/OYGUVL_Hc9E/IMG_5491_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="344"></a></p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-49659394425005576132013-01-06T21:31:00.001-08:002013-01-06T21:31:37.161-08:00Thanksgiving<p>Since I totally missed blogging last year’s holidays, I want to make sure I get this year’s, even though it means playing catch up. So here’s the recap of our Thanksgiving this year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVVl50AGsy2f8nc9-7jlxCOFeyAqsN6ZPPD0peYbsYnEkln4kuxKJMH7MZ1OLIdXaY_TBY77UW2bJtZokq1H7NLGbwnYBjbtzd4pll5FhI5Gyr_ONk_ukTmhvRdUHZdz2Pw28QbCLPwQ/s1600-h/IMG_4328%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4328 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4328 (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7-B9SWArpHw/UOpdiwyNPVI/AAAAAAAAEpY/iGuXq4HG59M/IMG_4328%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="357"></a></p> <p>We ate at the Albrecht’s house (Mark’s aunt and uncle) and here is the shot of the kids table. We couldn’t believe Spiderman could actually make it. We all got autographs. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-68S0vJS2JHM/UOpdjuxK_wI/AAAAAAAAEpg/g26VPBgcp-E/s1600-h/IMG_4331%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4331 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4331 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dtIV_31dsPM/UOpdkL7noHI/AAAAAAAAEpo/R6qpUzrK02I/IMG_4331%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="361"></a></p> <p>Below is Mark’s grandparents with their 5 children, all growed up and some of them grandparents as well. Mark’s mom is second from the left. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xD3DimsdIDM/UOpdkudh9aI/AAAAAAAAEpw/UoZAtu4Rn5A/s1600-h/IMG_4334%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4334 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4334 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ey8W8WvRsjQ/UOpdlGspL3I/AAAAAAAAEp4/rQEpQwL-kM4/IMG_4334%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="365"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Natalie and I goofed around. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UJG3HQg6xlc/UOpdljJsyZI/AAAAAAAAEqA/y8yfOkLtyTE/s1600-h/IMG_4350%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4350 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4350 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CntI9_wKcr8/UOpdmJz6SEI/AAAAAAAAEqI/9FR1doaf2eg/IMG_4350%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="369"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>She got into the modeling mood and gave me this lovely little shot with her crimped hair. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y3zaYRXhUcQ/UOpdm81qSsI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/SH1wtCmBpYs/s1600-h/IMG_4342%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4342 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4342 (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pRqhydEQmLU/UOpdnYwDGJI/AAAAAAAAEqY/skJ493qxdtM/IMG_4342%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="588"></a></p> <p>This is Natalie and one of the favorite older girl cousins, Megan. I think Natalie wants to be Megan when she grows up!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_GSItL9sLa0/UOpdnkqIW8I/AAAAAAAAEqg/0o-ihg9kXgU/s1600-h/IMG_4367%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4367 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4367 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xkmUPibTK0E/UOpdobFBUeI/AAAAAAAAEqo/46OfWfAx9wo/IMG_4367%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="557" height="373"></a></p> <p>We posed uncomfortably on some rocks. Mark needs a tan. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3-bC9usJJqc/UOpdpMSZhzI/AAAAAAAAEqw/2RGunKlYWC0/s1600-h/IMG_4386%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4386 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4386 (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lQpZOt0kkVA/UOpdpe0LSaI/AAAAAAAAEq0/yN4zOW1PV7k/IMG_4386%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="561" height="375"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-saDTR2eNt7c/UOpdpwUtTpI/AAAAAAAAErA/6XVv1mVTNP8/s1600-h/IMG_4394%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4394 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4394 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f1EYgR_hFcU/UOpdqiA5sOI/AAAAAAAAErI/CSNiJPr4xLM/IMG_4394%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="567" height="380"></a></p> <p>After dinner we headed over to a park so we could carry out the annual Thanksgiving Day field hockey game. I’ve never seen it or have been a part of it because they usually play on T-day morning and I am usually cooking!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o4AIzjizKP4/UOpdq57pzjI/AAAAAAAAErQ/GNLpM3bYYxA/s1600-h/IMG_4421%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4421 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4421 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iuZGZ3hK3Os/UOpdrUguR9I/AAAAAAAAErY/eI4TBpumPzQ/IMG_4421%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="441"></a></p> <p>The Game. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PvAfwio8Ad8/UOpdsIm7AWI/AAAAAAAAErg/2SL5fAw3Qyo/s1600-h/IMG_4402%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4402 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4402 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wAzW_eZiVrU/UOpdsvnp7PI/AAAAAAAAEro/8dZv_a2SXBE/IMG_4402%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p>The moms, grandmas, and kids hung out at the playground. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3UxyNhUx1WmrTdu4Vw7CRyjICqkUzltaECOXmQ8OZVP9IhpHcQgVmVqarFpPXgEij5hLXLjQRIISKNSk1zkZngB2UTcS_TTCpeY8vaCaE5ZYbVo7bQSozFH9kchj0_AkOP2zTaSmaU0/s1600-h/IMG_4399%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4399 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4399 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TQW7_7DsDCI/UOpdtGPpw1I/AAAAAAAAEr4/L8XOtcN3BMs/IMG_4399%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p>Hannah figured out how to button her own shirt so she proudly did it over and over. Way to develop those fine motor skills!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UsndpErGKdQ/UOpdtuRmwwI/AAAAAAAAEsA/sMy5h4C1gl4/s1600-h/IMG_4416%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4416 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG_4416 (2)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cVu4SVZ-y_CzFmopry3vlElALcTmFOWpU-tSQAfFM-tLZFgGnv_manBaCSNd_SQqD9zBDxcXEbam-E2VaNwGxOj9rrutjiUx2zT6Py2RelJMWMuqW4bq1doSWBGDj3y3h9nI2TGEbog/?imgmax=800" width="542" height="362"></a></p> <p>Such a fun time hanging out with the family. I love the after dinner part where everyone lays around with no agenda. We play games, chat, laugh, and enjoy the weather (usually). This year I made vegan mashed potatoes, vegan gravy, vegan banana cream pie, and vegan pumpkin pie. Oh, and sweet potato/apples. They were all very yummy if I do say so myself, except the sweet potato dish was too runny. Next year I’ll do something to thicken it up. Or maybe I’ll just be a rebel and make it sooner. I didn’t particularly care for the banana cream pie. It didn’t set right and was more like runny pudding than an actual slice. The topping was called “mimic Crème” and it’s a whipped topping made out of almonds and cashews. It was ok tasting, but the texture was too heavy to be whipping cream. I will use sweetened whipped coconut milk next time I make it. Incidentally, the omnivores really enjoyed that pie. I LOVED the pumpkin pie. It was amazing, and only 4 ingredients!! Will definitely be making that one again. </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-91758867823099304272012-12-14T22:59:00.001-08:002012-12-14T22:59:08.275-08:00Hannah is four!<p>Our little sweetie Hannah Beverly turned 4 a couple of weeks ago on November 30th. It was an off year for her so we didn’t have a friend birthday party, but we were able to do a fun combined family party with my niece, Allie, who turned one on the 24th. Hannah was so cute blowing out the candles. I love seeing how special a kid feels on their birthday. Really when they’re this young it doesn’t take much, but we enjoy every single tiny festivity. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4fLYEwRHYE8/UMwfqE7ELEI/AAAAAAAAEkc/pjgy7xU1Rik/s1600-h/IMG_4926%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4926" border="0" alt="IMG_4926" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eUqCVuLbGGc/UMwfqdcHaVI/AAAAAAAAEkk/sBkiImZgRNY/IMG_4926_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="313"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Blowing like a champ.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o0JyrBjq4aM/UMwfrKV55aI/AAAAAAAAEks/5LQDYg2lGfk/s1600-h/IMG_4929%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4929" border="0" alt="IMG_4929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NZcp4UxyeBE/UMwfr6xEy1I/AAAAAAAAEk0/llVag_2kpiU/IMG_4929_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="316"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The two birthday girls. It’d be fun to take one every year huh? This was the end of the night and poor little miss Allie was so tired but she obliged and we got this one non-blurry shot!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NQoVVOHNXB8/UMwfsYU0HlI/AAAAAAAAEk8/vfdEqauf0gM/s1600-h/IMG_4936%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4936" border="0" alt="IMG_4936" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HsKdIb_jKok/UMwfs66n5vI/AAAAAAAAElE/k9qcGqyQ6Lo/IMG_4936_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="317"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I made these scrum-diddly-umptious cupcakes that are totally vegan. They aren’t <em>healthy</em>, but all plant based. They are made like hostess cupcakes with the blob of delicious creamy frosting inside. Now I have found a cupcake recipe that yields normal looking cupcakes that taste “real.” Hooray!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1tnrUBkPsfc/UMwftfpztNI/AAAAAAAAElM/M2BMcew4ppQ/s1600-h/1111021723%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1111021723" border="0" alt="1111021723" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WLaZap6U5jk/UMwftmKKkTI/AAAAAAAAElU/5Y-rcP6i7nI/1111021723_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="356"></a></p> <p>I also took the girls out to lunch at Liberty Market, where the birthday person gets $10 towards their meal. I got a yummy sandwich and the kids shared a plate of spaghetti with extra bread. They gobbled it up and all wanted more. Guess I will have to buy two plates next time!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Py8nfABw398/UMwfuAlRGOI/AAAAAAAAElc/_t0sy02vPIQ/s1600-h/1130021200%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1130021200" border="0" alt="1130021200" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DNVYAc6-W54/UMwfuXBgTiI/AAAAAAAAElk/u8kzpu5v2dE/1130021200_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="362"></a></p> <p>We also went to Party City and bought a bunch of balloons to put around our house to make it seem festive. Hannah loved choosing all the colors and chose mostly typical girl colors but surprised me by also choosing brown. Hannah felt so special wearing her “birthday girl” t-shirt and told everyone we saw that day that it was her birthday. </p> <p> </p> <p>Hannah’s stats at age 4: </p> <p>Weight: 33.2 lbs (25%)</p> <p>Height: 40 3/4in (75%)</p> <p>She got 4 shots the other day and did NOT like them. I mean, what kid does, but man. I have not heard her scream like that in a LONG time! She is still wearing her band-aids three days later. </p> <p>Some things I want to remember about Hannah at this stage: </p> <ul> <li>She almost always ends up in our bed each night. </li> <li>She is sensitive to dairy and gluten</li> <li>She can write her name, but with the letters in random order</li> <li>She can skip, hop on one foot, and do a somersault</li> <li>She loves the park, especially swinging</li> <li>She is pretty confident trying new things, but acts shy and bashful as she goes about it</li> <li>She loves to hear the same books over and over as well as the same songs in the car over and over</li> <li>Hannah loves to cuddle and still likes to be carried around once in while. She is only just starting to get too long for that. </li> <li>Hannah loves any type of sweet or candy. She will not even hesitate to pop something in her mouth if it looks brightly colored and candy-like</li> <li>She is a little sneaky sometimes. I’ll catch her hiding in the living room eating chocolate chips sometimes, among other things. </li> <li>She likes to toe the line. Where Natalie is my rule follower, Hannah is my rule tester. </li></ul> <p> </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ee834a7c-09d8-40d0-a5f6-fbc55716590c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="2fc662e3-71cc-4d44-b0b0-8217d1b26125" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAKmlhusj8U" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EK4wny9JaP4/UMwfu_c2TVI/AAAAAAAAElo/6p_ONCU2-f8/video43c9d7609f15%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('2fc662e3-71cc-4d44-b0b0-8217d1b26125'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/TAKmlhusj8U?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/TAKmlhusj8U?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> <p>We love our little sweetie. She adds much laughter to our day and I love her more and more with each one that passes. </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-68305908765746529242012-11-11T21:38:00.001-08:002012-11-11T21:41:51.856-08:00Halloween 2012<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yE39MkzseaQ/UKCLAu_lFJI/AAAAAAAAEfA/spnaoWGYoLg/s1600-h/IMG_3325%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3325" border="0" alt="IMG_3325" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eidb84_dVw4/UKCLBY6yhfI/AAAAAAAAEfE/KUdPPWJqgUc/IMG_3325_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="329"></a><img src="http://www.nick.co.uk/a/despicable-me/images/characters/vector.jpg" width="286" height="313"></p> <p><font face="Cambria">Halloween was so fun this year!</font> We had looked forward to it with such anticipation. Hannah was Rapunzel again this year so her costume was easy, Natalie was Strawberry Shortcake and Melanie helped me make her costume. Her wig was on loan from a friend after the red hair spray paint was such a huge mess at the ward party previously. I found Emily’s ballerina costume at Goodwill for a few dollars, and Mark’s and my costumes were borrowed. So all in all a good show! Mark is Vector from Despicable Me and I am a pirate. Arrr! </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LJZBa3UV7h0/UKCLCL4nl2I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/s_bZSkC77sM/s1600-h/IMG_3369%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3369" border="0" alt="IMG_3369" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W2JOkjrQFV4/UKCLCzKg3nI/AAAAAAAAEfY/GzuvMaTXQ3c/IMG_3369_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="245"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4RzLNg_qcSs/UKCLDrHVMSI/AAAAAAAAEfg/jd_tsNf7yCg/s1600-h/IMG_3374%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3374" border="0" alt="IMG_3374" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7eYJAkXf5tA/UKCLEY-zAGI/AAAAAAAAEfo/VhJ5EHf0a_g/IMG_3374_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="319"></a></p> <p>We had such a blast at the Albrecht Halloween party. It’s their 9th annual party and I have been at the past 7. We have so many good memories from these parties! This is Natalie with Mark’s cuz Shayla. She’s a freshman and a very talented flutist! She is my student and the girls are tickled to get to see her when she comes for lessons. Shayla and Natalie competed against each other in the donut eating contest.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CUJYPUzk9Wc/UKCLFa1m01I/AAAAAAAAEfw/Pf6FfbbJi2I/s1600-h/IMG_3348%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3348" border="0" alt="IMG_3348" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vjOAgSNKu1E/UKCLGOQAH3I/AAAAAAAAEf4/pTfqBmIchUo/IMG_3348_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="372"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ICBCyiWmLFw/UKCLGUFlUKI/AAAAAAAAEgA/ynucVY80lsI/s1600-h/IMG_3388%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3388" border="0" alt="IMG_3388" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dj5NjBmVH6A/UKCLHabNoCI/AAAAAAAAEgI/hBDgucgucds/IMG_3388_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k5GIkEU-VpE/UKCLH7H0TnI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/DFGo9vGIjm8/s1600-h/IMG_3355%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3355" border="0" alt="IMG_3355" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gGwWVefNo0s/UKCLIhO5FpI/AAAAAAAAEgY/JUH9P8gxBxw/IMG_3355_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="370"></a></p> <p>These girls were so cute. Emily’s costume was so cute because she is in a run-on-tiptoes phase so she really looked like a ballerina tiptoeing across a stage. She felt so frilly and grown up, we could tell by the way she carefully moved about and her little bashful smile whenever we looked at her. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6hdEHiCZb_M/UKCLJBI0YpI/AAAAAAAAEgg/To3hzr9-7z8/s1600-h/IMG_3345%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3345" border="0" alt="IMG_3345" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HA8_tlhtS4A/UKCLKjCkmeI/AAAAAAAAEgo/bslBKmUuWNM/IMG_3345_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="295"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lsp8m4l-W84/UKCLLBGkMvI/AAAAAAAAEgw/yTckhgd3itM/s1600-h/IMG_3409%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3409" border="0" alt="IMG_3409" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CNBDdZ0vlaM/UKCLLwGNCiI/AAAAAAAAEg4/Dow3PaS9VBY/IMG_3409_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="294"></a></p> <p>Emily and Vector playing with the Albrecht’s fun yard toys. I love that we live in a warm place where my kids can be in short sleeves for Halloween!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kQknDub8cq0/UKCLMdEKGtI/AAAAAAAAEhA/Gy_WqwvCnKc/s1600-h/IMG_3391%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3391" border="0" alt="IMG_3391" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7ouSZPVf-W8/UKCLNQVxaAI/AAAAAAAAEhI/dMjvhV0sJpc/IMG_3391_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="317"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-11ssjYjzWjg/UKCLOFSNHkI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/0NeAWPA0AWc/s1600-h/IMG_3393%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3393" border="0" alt="IMG_3393" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZKZ48n8Oggo/UKCLOucsLOI/AAAAAAAAEhY/2SshgF0-bS4/IMG_3393_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="315"></a></p> <p>Emily slid down this slide over and over again and laughed so hard every time she landed on her bum at the bottom. It was awesome. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xnWKv9ERLeY/UKCLPPTVfbI/AAAAAAAAEhg/3aJUKmVUThc/s1600-h/IMG_3404%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3404" border="0" alt="IMG_3404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mpLejgNrRoE/UKCLQLLVuMI/AAAAAAAAEho/b4i8MHDcsic/IMG_3404_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="446"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ErWmdiah98Q/UKCLQlesHiI/AAAAAAAAEhw/Q1R7oKdjSyg/s1600-h/IMG_3397%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3397" border="0" alt="IMG_3397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXwjRFs70jFcc9FyNC0FJ8bpATOqr0XfGG0kXfmfed38kgCB0q9wcw9o4gNmRdmGTBhJS_pEmmHVSzGC0Bn3cKQqjOLlal-AxFQ6x0hUzpp8shkedarrB97WRgkUwk9i34eq-VzRfoqY/?imgmax=800" width="298" height="445"></a></p> <p>The girls were thrilled about the pinata. They have seen them on many of their shows so they were so excited to whack one themselves! I’m not sure which was best: the whacking or the candy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kVO0GwdLglA/UKCLR5G3SZI/AAAAAAAAEiA/mDqFmCYE3m8/s1600-h/IMG_3414%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3414" border="0" alt="IMG_3414" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m95MDMEMXzM/UKCLSqDWmgI/AAAAAAAAEiI/ca2HuWbgaZs/IMG_3414_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="410"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D_bLaDYi8zA/UKCLTShr2_I/AAAAAAAAEj4/L7wdlupNYkc/s1600-h/IMG_3419%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3419" border="0" alt="IMG_3419" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kyi1w-_oSu8/UKCLUBeiYGI/AAAAAAAAEj8/VaX34Kk9ZsE/IMG_3419_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="284"></a></p> <p>We trick-or-treated at my parents’ house as usual with all the cousins. Tommy was the keeper of the glow necklaces that my parents were handing out with the candy. </p> <p>On the couch are all the cousins: L-R Emily, Hannah, Brooklyn, Allie (a turtle), Natalie, Charlie (a bird character from Curious George, can’t remember the name), Chloe (Plum Pudding), and Tommy (Curious George). </p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IXpObQarOss/UKCLU81HBOI/AAAAAAAAEig/rEAB9TTHddU/s1600-h/IMG_3430%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3430" border="0" alt="IMG_3430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6EimE-Zpd5s/UKCLVvi6pPI/AAAAAAAAEio/agdSIBo2fi8/IMG_3430_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="317"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C6pS-Wz8y20/UKCLWCGXuoI/AAAAAAAAEiw/977HUeJMPLw/s1600-h/IMG_3424%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3424" border="0" alt="IMG_3424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WatC9FZpjh1x0Y2bNTweviEwXGg8aGqqHzjjPYoLT3EvdAUIo1BoNgFd6NBeAZS4k2Qewb0y4xZa9XZ0WBsHGyLl4ztAYEwhMAzjE6-h5fg_XJCXzlb_TS_DKp9K-1N7iMMBCGO88iQ/?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354"></a> <p>They really got into the trick-or-treating. Emily finally figured out what was going on and said “tee tee tee!” with the rest of the kids at each house. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z_P62YdMyjw/UKCLX9cIuSI/AAAAAAAAEjA/aaqX-GCRmME/s1600-h/IMG_3436%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3436" border="0" alt="IMG_3436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlSckdbFHB5biGQnHLwi9925_dSPJY3d_mFUuCkyEmQGno6p6LWTWTWuSoO8lZ-Tykx6m6Pvq0rKwDLHl4XauGkV3HBxT26Pt50dTrRHA4hxoqxMgg82RsyQVBVFoDUvF7svGPo4B_lo/?imgmax=800" width="211" height="314"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--CvqlGyRifE/UKCLZF3xxFI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/Yxv0KFIRCUA/s1600-h/IMG_3435%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3435" border="0" alt="IMG_3435" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-thb1rooHxLc/UKCLZn1zYQI/AAAAAAAAEjY/wXPBCG0CFE4/IMG_3435_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="313"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PXMExVnMht4/UKCLanpqP3I/AAAAAAAAEjg/x2572vRRWKQ/s1600-h/IMG_3432%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3432" border="0" alt="IMG_3432" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0VxdMhk4h18/UKCLbFco5PI/AAAAAAAAEjo/KNKyIfdGUgw/IMG_3432_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="314"></a></p> <p>The girls with their spoils. We let them eat some candy, then the next morning surprised them with a new toy to trade for the candy. It worked and we were all happy! </p> <p>Whew. Halloween is fun, but it takes so much energy! lol. This year was even more fun because Mark actually enjoyed wearing his costume. Score!</p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-27719906562396101622012-10-22T10:17:00.000-07:002012-10-22T10:17:00.269-07:00Fall has arrived<p>Folks, we’ve got big news. The water coming out of the tap is….COLD! Yes, we are as shocked and relieved as you. We thought the summer would never end. That is not to say that the hot weather is gone. The 100s are gone, but we still get into the upper 90s most days. But still, that is such a relief from the continuous heat. The kids and I bade fall break farewell by visiting a pumpkin patch in north Mesa. Yeah, I didn’t realize how far away it was when I bought the Groupon. It took like 30 minutes to drive there! Sheesh. But it was really fun and well worth the trip. If it were closer I’d make this an annual tradition. We’ll have to stick to a pumpkin patch closer to home next time. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kIQvQb-gpWw/UITctclUcQI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/qF9WjWR7_3I/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 1" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a3E1dwM5cvA/UITct7jsWYI/AAAAAAAAEbY/MeZ0O7VKPEE/pumpkin%252520patch%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323"></a></p> <p>Amazingly, they all looked through this thing and smiled. For a few seconds while I fumbled for my cell phone. Yes, I forgot to grab my camera (forehead smack). Thankfully I got a few cell phone pics before the battery died (just my luck). </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kPiBfOMoon0/UITcubzW1WI/AAAAAAAAEbg/apolhbKovbU/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 4" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SJmkDjKO0zg/UITcuwik_8I/AAAAAAAAEbo/NDthCCAxz54/pumpkin%252520patch%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326"></a></p> <p>Bounce houses are always a favorite of ours. Emily tried it for 3 seconds then decided she wanted off. My kids jumped for a while, then got out to get slathered with sunscreen (I DID remember that). As we were lotioning up, the bounce house motor thingy ran out of gas and it collapsed! Really quickly. The kids still inside were like, “hey, what’s happening!?” and a bunch of adults ran over to help them out. It was hilarious but my kids were very concerned for the ones left behind. I pointed out that they would be safe and then tried to help them see the humor in the situation. In reality if my kids were in there and it collapsed, they would probably freak out and scream. That would not have been so hilarious. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0vcjJNs1EfA/UITcvLg4spI/AAAAAAAAEbw/S7AuwbrK-kU/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525206%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 6" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZsVMUJNXh7M/UITcvztCIhI/AAAAAAAAEb4/zfKJMt3KqEA/pumpkin%252520patch%2525206_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="334"></a></p> <p>Pony rides! They chose the smallest, cutest little pony. Emily wasn’t such a big fan, and was more entertained by putting a penny in and out of her pocket than by the fact that she was riding a horse. No picture of her because I had to hold her on while she rode. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O-o-Pc2aEgQ/UITcwGupJTI/AAAAAAAAEcA/_d1o03LKvzk/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 5" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eNucCIao0V0/UITcwn0PcnI/AAAAAAAAEcI/Dq4dLAm_CjE/pumpkin%252520patch%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="335"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-acd29RJJ8zw/UITcw036kKI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/GPhnleDbMtk/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525207%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 7" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGYDcm2g7rP7qFCFvvM1e1qwsCLpIWiGVCoDGVGRQM3tFLDyMHAsiM0buJ9LlFe3j9nc634Pcf2VB1wPAmH_POyHriET9O4Dh14_eiavLce1APuChyrNJNqF7Vg2_Ke7RntPwC6SfDwE/?imgmax=800" width="462" height="348"></a></p> <p>Natalie looks almost too big for this pony! lol</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NsIwlEnUPMo/UITcxnoooTI/AAAAAAAAEcg/HEXbaI70l0E/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 3" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J9J61TWBLMg/UITcyPYrBwI/AAAAAAAAEco/7PEzkuLOJGc/pumpkin%252520patch%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" height="339"></a></p> <p>They also had this cute little hay bale maze set up. The kids got a kick out of it. Even Emily walked around and around. I could tell she felt like one of the big kids. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILcenk8YEoyoGswd4KH0_2enHoA1zAiY_-t2aetDFhpxRI9AMUATu0WqfKBUPt3RXKtiey0PAuwD44cZiFgI4HSqANsPW3Sjy31B6pHvXJHN8WqHwP_s1IhMLoZm1-Rr6SjpA2TIhXgg/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 2" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc9PK0maSt3l3ngp6wjLlmHncNq_pFn5erj0r-sFPHHZMv2BNDjKWS33YSI0nkCypmgv0qSr6y55EJwMTbbEDHRXwKkbru3utXErDjVUEM60Dn90IlTlS-5LFNqXPhyphenhyphenowL9VpjtgLv_8/?imgmax=800" width="454" height="342"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xN8lQcdNxEU/UITczZ79rfI/AAAAAAAAEdA/3fUrImiPrqA/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525208%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 8" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MOzlznoaK8I/UITcz-_ePuI/AAAAAAAAEdI/dNftuvSdy9A/pumpkin%252520patch%2525208_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="343"></a></p> <p>Barrel train. I plopped Emily down in one by herself and they drove off before I realized, <em>hey, she’s all alone in her little car. What if she starts crying? What if she bonks her head? My baby! </em>I should have put her in the car with Natalie. They went down this little road barely out of my sight but I was so worried! But all was good. They returned with smiling, dusty little faces. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J-KyXQ9AeGo/UITc06xvu-I/AAAAAAAAEdQ/rqemBX23O80/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%2525209%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 9" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 9" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hWVoRJxL5Js/UITc1FTV9KI/AAAAAAAAEdY/kooYKxd22Cc/pumpkin%252520patch%2525209_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Here is Emily running through this huge tire half buried in the ground. There were several in a row to play around with. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GfAsCRn61No/UITc1ma3LOI/AAAAAAAAEdg/OAGaz4jsI_c/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520patch%25252010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin patch 10" border="0" alt="pumpkin patch 10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yzgOeMFUwY0/UITc11lPhoI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Rey9aOgGwR4/pumpkin%252520patch%25252010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>After we had our fill of previously mentioned activities, we hopped on a hay ride that took us down to a little petting zoo. It was fun as all petting zoos are, but the coolest thing was this peacock in the tree. It was so beautiful! The kids were more interested in the incredibly soft little bunny. Natalie held it but it scratched her arm as it was trying to escape her grasp. She was about to be sad, but then I was like, “wow! A real bunny scratch! What a cool story to go along with that owie!” and then she was all proud. It’s all about the reaction, folks. </p> <p>Anyway, after we petted all the animals and washed our hands (with real soap and water set out for our use, isn’t that nice?) we got back on the hay ride and went a little further down the road to the “pumpkin patch.” It was as much of a pumpkin patch as the local grocery store is, but the kids thought it was neat. The big girls each picked out a small pumpkin (for the same price as a grocery store big pumpkin, sheesh) and took it back to the original area to decorate with stickers and paint. </p> <p>They had a really good time and before we knew it, we had been there for over two hours! We were covered in dirt and other unpleasant outdoor/animal stuff but raced home to get dinner fixed for the sister missionaries. Whew. The timing worked out perfectly even though we got red lights the whole way home. I was praying for greens because we were running late, but Heavenly Father must have known that I would be able to get it done even with red lights and sure enough, I was. Lesson in trusting in the Lord’s timing. </p> <p>Hooray for Fall. Next up, Halloween!</p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-61596024243697972662012-10-21T15:47:00.001-07:002012-10-21T15:47:31.596-07:00Lil’ Sweetie<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QBPcGXJHdTA/UIR7X0bYQYI/AAAAAAAAEZA/IteS06ZBiuM/s1600-h/IMG_0379%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0379" border="0" alt="IMG_0379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X4ejLafxJkA/UIR7YfjsA9I/AAAAAAAAEZE/UZmvX3N43CY/IMG_0379_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="421"></a></p> <p> Can you believe this little girl is 19 months old now? {ignore the messy mirror in the following photos}</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VAchKW4OgY4/UIR7Y3a7SbI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/LpAP0AvmKxI/s1600-h/IMG_0393%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0393" border="0" alt="IMG_0393" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XOHV6Yd2uck/UIR7ZSg9b8I/AAAAAAAAEZY/_Cb3-OrurOU/IMG_0393_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="420"></a></p> <p>I know every parent says this, but seriously, the time has flown. This was her first real hair do. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RjXHld8LFMA/UIR7aCY1twI/AAAAAAAAEZg/2H0rK6yeEjU/s1600-h/IMG_0383%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0383" border="0" alt="IMG_0383" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jzlWHlsiZFM/UIR7anFO7wI/AAAAAAAAEZo/5znXlZicQBQ/IMG_0383_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="426"></a></p> <p>She goes to nursery at church now, and does really well. As long as I’m in there with her. </p> <p>She seems like such a baby still! Especially compared to the big year olds. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_feK5AdwLbE/UIR7bO-6XAI/AAAAAAAAEZw/noiPH397eMw/s1600-h/IMG_0420%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0420" border="0" alt="IMG_0420" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rgwqEQEuWF0/UIR7bsVHWiI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/pE0A6XBVwt4/IMG_0420_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="314"></a></p> <p>Emily loves books. She could probably sit for a straight thirty minutes and be read to. It’s the first thing she does when she wakes up. “Books!” She also loves going outside (“ousss”). The stroller (“lo-lo”) is a source of great excitement especially if we’re going to the park (“paht”). </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pE9pdWBVj10/UIR7cACreJI/AAAAAAAAEaA/XM_17XzhqBg/s1600-h/IMG_0390%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0390" border="0" alt="IMG_0390" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Gt7AP5g_QfI/UIR7ci7e2rI/AAAAAAAAEaI/1OmGM94GxDY/IMG_0390_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="318"></a></p> <p>This girl is so brave. She thinks she’s a big kid sometimes and literally jumps right into whatever’s going on. All summer she just jumped right into the swimming pool. I had to constantly keep my eyes on her because she jumped in so fearlessly. I finally put floaties on her even though she’s a little young, just to make sure she would bob and not sink if she jumped in while I was looking at one of the other kids. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mWEnS3p7GcI/UIR7dZoqAnI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/zSn7JVZG4uU/s1600-h/IMG_0405%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0405" border="0" alt="IMG_0405" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jA0NzEAb3ww/UIR7dxlWoNI/AAAAAAAAEaY/VVM3VPb5oXo/IMG_0405_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="319"></a></p> <p>She is learning her colors and gets them right about 25% of the time. She can do many body parts, including elbow, chest, knee, and neck. Here she is showing me her nose. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bfdERjr4nmM/UIR7eduH0-I/AAAAAAAAEac/h0HmzxG06Ww/s1600-h/IMG_0409%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0409" border="0" alt="IMG_0409" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1v31knOiCus/UIR7e4iTiNI/AAAAAAAAEao/uRDqGu_WM60/IMG_0409_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="315"></a></p> <p>And her “mouf.” She can say so many words, seeming to add more each day. The one word we always chuckle at is how she says yes. “hum” is how she says it. We like to ask her a series of yes/no questions in a row to hear her say “hum” at every one. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QEa2eBxUTuQ/UIR7fghK7oI/AAAAAAAAEaw/vFuNk24T_Ps/s1600-h/IMG_0404%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0404" border="0" alt="IMG_0404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrK7ihF1jts/UIR7gWfWtjI/AAAAAAAAEa4/SmKR60AgQAw/IMG_0404_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="317"></a></p> <p>Every time my injured finger is mentioned, Emily always says “’dage” meaning “garage.” Our conversation always goes like this: </p> <p>Me: Emily, did mommy hurt her finger? </p> <p>Em: Dage! (pronounced dodge)</p> <p>Me: the door of the garage? </p> <p>Em: hum</p> <p>Me: did mommy cry? "</p> <p>Em: hum</p> <p>Me: Was mommy sad? </p> <p>Em: hum</p> <p>She’s so funny. </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3497972639304109321.post-32511091367358941962012-10-17T07:53:00.000-07:002012-10-17T07:53:00.244-07:00I prefer “gracefully challenged.”<p>You would think that since part of my livelihood (not to mention a great source of enjoyment for me) is playing the flute, I would take better care of my fingers. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NOs2VcPBeI0/UH4dx23cIaI/AAAAAAAAEX0/xDimDb_9yaY/s1600-h/June%252520finger%252520smash%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="June finger smash" border="0" alt="June finger smash" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NXYcP_0gJD4/UH4dyQIOfMI/AAAAAAAAEX8/yPjRt57Ck-U/June%252520finger%252520smash_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="413"></a></p> <p>Back in June I smashed my left ring finger in my car door. I was at Walmart with the kids and after I got my crying under control, we quickly went straight in to the frozen section where I got a bag of frozen peas and held it to my finger the whole time. It was excruciatingly painful, and I don’t even know how I got through the shopping trip. The bruising went away after a couple of weeks, then the black swollen nail grew out and fell off, then new nail grew in. It’s a little lumpy but it looks pretty much normal. Because the pain was virtually nonexistent so soon I knew it hadn’t been broken. Total recovery time: 4 months. </p> <p>That morning, I had played my flute at a funeral. I said a thank-you prayer that this accident didn’t happen the day before because there’s NO WAY I could have played my flute. Then I only had to play at flute lessons, and I was able to avoid most playing while it was still in pain. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Hw9EuTJxRg/UH4dy_ixkII/AAAAAAAAEYE/LMNeuQRYjLc/s1600-h/IMG_2838%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2838" border="0" alt="IMG_2838" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CIrBmmonq8c/UH4dzToEU8I/AAAAAAAAEYM/YD3eB95YmMc/IMG_2838_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="279"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pG1KwK0J7Fg/UH4d0C-vBgI/AAAAAAAAEYU/mDgVfQJS-P4/s1600-h/IMG_2846%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2846" border="0" alt="IMG_2846" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I6P5pGi2VWo/UH4d0lgZDYI/AAAAAAAAEYc/CoXzfOINdiA/IMG_2846_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="270"></a></p> <p>Fast forward to last week. I was trying to close my garage door (the outside automatic one) and it kept bouncing up after coming down. I was out in the car about to drive to exercise class with my two littler ones in their car seats. I decided to pull the red cord to be able to close it manually (can you see where this is going?). Went outside and put my fingers in the highest gap between panels that I could reach to get it to roll down. Sure enough, I didn’t get my left middle finger out in time and it got squished between panels. It HURT. SO. BAD!! I can’t even describe it. I panicked for a split second after a quick tug would not release it, but then kept my wits about me. I reached down with my right hand and rolled upward two feet or so until the crack opened and I was able to pull it out. Then I proceeded to cry and cry. My poor kids had no idea what was going on. I could not even speak. After a few minutes somehow I drove the car back into the garage and got the kids out. Plopped them in front of the TV and went to lie down in my bed because I was feeling weak and nauseous from the pain. After it subsided a little (ice made it feel worse) I tried to rinse it off with the tiniest trickle of water (it was dusty from the garage door). That small amount of water caused so much pain I started crying all over again. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8L_o-Zu3Kjw/UH4d1OHbdaI/AAAAAAAAEYk/pW1Y97hrnvU/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> I remembered that lavender oil helps with bruising so I dripped some on my finger and the pain lessened quite a bit. Took some ibuprofen and basically had a “sick” day because I wasn’t able to do pretty much anything. The worst was trying to change Em’s diapers. She hates it and rolls and kicks and it is impossible to do it with one hand so I had to use my left hand. Oh, it hurt. </p> <p> </p> <p>Anyway, I know there are worse pains to be had and I’m just having a pity party over here, but I wanted to record it. The finger doesn’t have as much pain as it did a week ago but it is swollen and the nail is black. There was obviously some nerve damage and I have no sensation in the tip of my finger. It was squashed as flat as a pancake when I got it out and some blood blisters formed instantly. The nail is black but I am anticipating the return of a regular nail by Valentine’s Day 2013. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G_SM6fN5RxM/UH4d2F0mn6I/AAAAAAAAEYs/jwKgMURpZ44/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> Thankfully I don’t have orchestra rehearsal until a week from Saturday. I’m hoping to have a little sensation back by then so I can tell if I’m covering the hole of my flute key. If not I’ll have to borrow a plug from one of my students. </p> <p> </p> <p>May the rest of my fingers stay whole and uninjured! </p> Alisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499476146413501541noreply@blogger.com1