tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30729524689255117342024-02-02T09:35:00.634-06:00O! The Places We'll Go...The Olmstead FamilyStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-71598547008779033682013-04-28T22:40:00.001-05:002013-04-28T22:50:44.923-05:00Things…and Stuff.<p><font size="3">I don’t really have any particular “event” to blog about, and the idea of going through my photo stream and picking out photos since the beginning of the year nearly makes me break out in hives. But I feel like blogging, which seems to be a rare occurrence around here.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I think the biggest thing we’ve got going on right now is T-Ball for Christopher. It’s <em>so </em>cute. I only have a few pictures; my mom and Stephen have more. The games are basically a comedy show; it’s 3 & 4 year olds just chasing the ball around and occasionally fighting each other for it. Running the bases backwards. Taking 10 times to actually hit the ball off the tee. I played softball as a kid and <em>loved </em>it and I hope that Christopher can find a sport that he enjoys playing, as well.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Christopher is actually pretty good! His attention span is about 2 minutes so that’s kind of a hindrance, ha! But he hits the ball well (he usually wants to go <em>get </em>the ball after he hits it instead of running to first base) and he’s good at fielding the ball too! When he’s not distracted by the dirt in the in-field or a helicopter flying overhead. </font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ll have to add more pictures later, these are all I have for now.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>First practice</em> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1DmNX5wSFHJjdIEhb6x_TaGcoGHmCf2Etedm7hZQjCHcY5f_p8GdGObl2ugXAa4H1X2SLfdvs5LtZize_MOzeKx8-akbzQlobMmtgZsB52mADHae66vg0FU74TtW6-txmyVT8UUMaJWe/s1600-h/IMG_5721%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_5721" border="0" alt="IMG_5721" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MtIYplWuVsE23-HgdGWDJK4n2q_pRRU3y5ifdS6yp6eOZPnZ1LiAL38Pz8d1QjNJEhUN0EKQ1mpE6XzbE7pVcefyS3wYgW2P9SC15Xv9cZf1DkLNLCwzsNvaqX9Zfb3QI3tes3Bu3TUY/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Picking out a bat; we just let him try on a helmet, we didn’t buy it</em>. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtv-rUZLi7hXbu0-SuH3otd147ak0x0rD1L1EgNuiSsQ34k4YB_kFPLqtZcdWECI5GKxZ9c_eZcZm7vhFhRV8gwnc4bRpqH03pSe-mW5dy3fmwIISkc3But4xhpCpa6gWCXW3YMCZJosc/s1600-h/IMG_5756%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_5756" border="0" alt="IMG_5756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ljxKxXWaJW9bFXO2xZWLuTUx847XqojqwRhwyv6jhkKJqqQ3XHQKh7-D0c6qmDEyAzPXIIxi5ZUAn7xegLMH0kpuLqLA3EHRj72XsKLd4XF3vPh8PDZ2RF_zAKIvVXaShVlH-Ag7homJ/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <hr /> <p align="left"><font size="3">One day a few weeks ago, Stephen and I were walking across the front porch and noticed a bird was building a nest on top of the fan on the front porch. Within a few days she had laid eggs and I knew I couldn’t take it down until nature had run its course. And now we have three baby robins and one “Mama Birdie,” as I refer to her, living on our front porch.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxm7ylpiIttxN-Me7GK5zjl3fQ4Y3_LZOBCXBeIwUhwzC458FMTd2xejNDBjbZm2EApIf0xeB84OqspDCMZjRTz_8vf2h1H3aCF8iOns4ULv-J2q-MUFg22E-8N_IdH6byUzO9Hms_Flh/s1600-h/IMG_6014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6014" border="0" alt="IMG_6014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVAAF6ZBCvWa_tBLJPTLNT8kxkIhxPCvcjIDDVEtev24Fxz9dLQ-gTgsfTmRnTCLGQ25b9KU20qhBgixd18MluczfeMYewMT1Ti4gXW-XlKKqdSjDG4Vkx86yhWUQnC-72H2EH4W1Waqi/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRAETwWJ1evs-J8RUVuJ33dqDisa1w06WZH_wsGpRk4Gj2kvXSaWjtsQpEDYVU9W2DHof4fXpjWKpjCOLzt8ApZ7Fs46u0en_2_Raxt3xiV-w_qQR1acUqOVFNUi-rMNXgA4hBN7s8jv/s1600-h/IMG_6019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6019" border="0" alt="IMG_6019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzghaOIzVX9-piZXqUUQUJdurbmA0KuyR5Nbf6TYAlPTYkLZTrJ-mGnVMRNrf_kiV7h1I6RpLyHXE65TxQgg34hANUBpLSDp4IYNQ6np3Yb9a31UenIGCmMmOD9MX9hKmtIKVk6Y5-pGl6/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BnhPlLtpjRRZc4QvcaG3sQjjI4D-LPCAWtlIz2mBz5I69JaXW-BjOZOQBuIeMOrIG9qQRkyd5mBNjqf6nGg6prHFdV3YrXYDagMqOIyBC6UIS12qQqoviwKmWAxVGOm2la6S2Lh78esW/s1600-h/IMG_6092%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6092" border="0" alt="IMG_6092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP8X8zj7fwkFsQrJHuAVTVWPHQwKdswUsDRpoTJ-inLXvS2Yw9yz-S947U6apfTYqCA9ABlH6SfiF9O48FmWimSLWAy573B3L7kr7foAQlUdWdwtFg-nCOpuOJ6nfqGGocearBgr35isD/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <hr /> <p><font size="3">The weather recently has been WEIRD. We’ve been teased with a few pretty days but the last 2 weeks have been COLD. Like we’re still wearing our winter jackets. I’m blasting heat in the car. I know this summer during triple-digit temperatures, I’ll be wishing for cooler weather. But right now I’m over these winter temps and ready for some <strong><font color="#ff0000">SUMMER</font></strong>.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This was us all bundled up the other day while Christopher played outside. <br />Poor kid just wants some nice weather so we can play outside and not freeze our booties off! <br />I have no idea why he’s making a pouting face, he did that right before I snapped the picture. <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTZPl4gdvXK6TU8o7ogpH3eVDtSlaGIg-Hi5F-YIOcZer9pfX8oITdsiK3RK0MGyIYyV_MbyIgs7hRqbWeutugH7VdKRwX82tSGRo7u3U0syJ6MtTUguQ8wH0kMHdmiaudUr5TyQffXcW/s1600-h/IMG_6050%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_6050" border="0" alt="IMG_6050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAxXfXIW59PXQNg3pFLsPKCyViTFZHf1DSmEcf4_o2VkC_tUg3kmFirsk0KY7bsI3P4Lv6DOqcf0sNmMB77NLhUPjZyhRI9Zrkx1d2NsaDcd97GeqyrCIRxjfPd9P6wPhmtcaJt1A7waT/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Not impressed. <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqsmwF_uMMom7Swwn6lry8RirPl4MsGzYJTm-SxHRB4gUU-9t51Hk6CwOn3trpUOZFIyuvp_aC1Uu83pfpYbY0TqxcspcJn_TEYYerCeingSj3kZlzL0peVhIFR0R06UCj3C54sX4zCVD/s1600-h/IMG_6059%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_6059" border="0" alt="IMG_6059" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i8V0kZEKUSd3Cg4kxbu-o86SXFA-FD2pS3-bzn1s_tTlYcRvGB7WShqcGgvXJQXMzMJvm9shz81G3kky5rLuyHvXPoPiuducPUlU2AqPJdcVdPFdFUiwVdXFfZtkfpql776v-f7fAqaL/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">So that night we decided to at least PRETEND it was summer and grill some food. Stephen grilled some delicious chicken and yellow squash. We also had new potatoes and quinoa. It was yum-O. <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB-Xgz39q8DAqDGiqJeB-I-zPpoVTse9L65KDyj8cTR7lWHGaqkD_FLBg3ziHytR4x3fYuVfwkIVSms-FG5oIIPLcWG6vu55eDMOo8KGcv50xvPF2C6Tasz6abBQccDGD-yRSgoVeW8m0/s1600-h/IMG_6063%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_6063" border="0" alt="IMG_6063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yOnID0ph7nm4QMx26fZiKgbC8Vr3hInoSMD2ylrU6HO5d3QUrq-5Yur5J9zW91ZEbQkeoR_oXMnTtCnUmkl0ZFmfPiQcoalPEcnRHrFEWYXAD-pYH0X9aOZOsNo6_IRgT2wGPimJVZLD/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">We love grilling. Last weekend we did have a pretty day on Sunday, so we grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and ate outside. Tonight we grilled steaks and had my parents over. My brother happened to be in town for work, so he came as well. Stephen grilled ribeyes, filet mignon, squash and zucchini. He also sautéed mushrooms and made jasmine rice. I made PW’s “The Bread” (it.was.GOOD.) and roasted asparagus. And my mom brought a Strawberry Pie.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">I didn’t take a pictures…but it was a FEAST.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">I may never eat again.</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-56115635808340925592013-04-18T12:08:00.001-05:002013-04-18T12:08:29.377-05:00April Trip to Branson<p><font size="3">I KNOW… I know. I just posted our March trip to Branson! I said we love Branson…RIGHT?!? </font></p> <p><font size="3">Right after we got back from our March trip, my parents mentioned they were planning on going to Branson in two weeks time. So we invited ourselves along! We called Nana and PopPop to let them know we were going and they decided to meet us there, as well! This is the second or third time we’ve gone to Branson with my parents and Stephen’s mom and step-dad. We have SO much fun when we all go together! </font></p> <p><font size="3">We left out last Wednesday morning (Stephen is almost always off on Wednesday and he is usually able to arrange his schedule to take off on Thursday and Friday as well. I know this will not always be the case for our family but I am SO glad we can do it this year and I hope to take advantage of this as much as possible!) Again, it was just the 3 of us in the condo on Wednesday night. My in-laws made it to town early afternoon on Thursday.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I wanted to do something other than just SDC and shopping this trip. Branson has so many great entertainment shows, but not many you can take a three-year-old to and have them actually enjoy it. However, Christopher has been interested in horses recently so I decided he might like the Dixie Stampede. The tickets are pricey – I paid $55 per adult plus about $5 more per adult in “processing fees” and tax – I could have paid a little less but you weren’t guaranteed good seats and that was important to me and Stephen. It IS for dinner AND the show, which makes it kind of not as bad. Since Christopher is only three, he can sit on our laps and eat off our plates. AND they offered vegetarian for Leonard, so that was perfect!  We went to that on Thursday evening with my in-laws. I was SO glad I got the good seats, we were on the second row from the arena and it was totally worth the extra money, in my opinion. CHRISTOPHER LOVED IT! He got a little Dixie Stampede flag and waved it and cheered for the North (the side we were on) as they competed in competitions. It was fun for the whole family and I’m really glad we went.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNJx5p0SnRolE08zP5R0qBDbqCgBDTk6ZnHI6iHw-NfyzRS81BFGcWnQqMa8to0VeoOdwpcjf7bo-sD-b7Xoj4F6UY7nMJ0QEq-zqLe_Nd9tUtkmhxiXKyKUAIDCB6f5p6hIHJT3SkGaV/s1600-h/IMG_5946%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5946" border="0" alt="IMG_5946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao8Ivk8u7j9UfpXjo5dGKTQVJQPVTWpczeCiZ146RMpxX46p3NfoYQKP5HC-rOwkhEYCMveZavWyrYckTLKAUPMe7CLo1wqWMnrNYgS62abOTe0wEOgmZmIPotkfX2UCmMDZs37fnyyp9/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xRyAzaTuFN1bmzBzST-ffr1uIDee_PUiA_eFoYnfBmA5hqlCs_iCYSXyEbV14t3TYzKWka0ZhqYiPvPR9Z_SlWzye1DIvB9jVBPwlSqtzQ5x-m0N0T9gXIerxTKIkH0zTEjJqG9zhbv6/s1600-h/IMG_5952%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5952" border="0" alt="IMG_5952" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFclHdH1yWLqdtrzI1mhsf-cp3SKLyd65Ph58Y9oWynr-OXIjLrteiTVycJWVbxo_0wmZC3mquNI4iFsuFTK-Nfk26qoNb0Ixm1Ci640i3Xu99e4XD-pUIY4VjtS4AF1J0kvMTnJ3urpo8/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcYthhjLATwgm9nsfolvG9GESPtlNPJdbsLot0tac9ddvNtKtBsaKFPoS-a6n2JKrBAg5Db_HslonD9wvBoRoNbjXTBdzQxlrRQpElo1XbpgHwreNkPsoELKF5P8tYsC_LaHAXqP2BrQ1/s1600-h/IMG_5953%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5953" border="0" alt="IMG_5953" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb2b7hZYL1ntCwQ5PLqO54Go4sDscRkMxmqKNkqGGlYi5ZC084mqt1SOTVPE5JaUPJEL9BSIepBQs7td9ZtDvqsuJsSVuwcDUzzDocJcVX5pRT01WYG6ObGcGMII1NzAUKCzdwIsn6Q8F/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">My parents got into town late Thursday evening. The next day, Friday, we all got up and met up at Silver Dollar City!</font></p> <p><font size="3">It was CHILLY. I hated that. I had to go to Walmart and buy Christopher a little cap to keep his head and ears warm, but we dealt with it and ended up having one of the most enjoyable trips to SDC that I can remember. I just wish it had been a bit warmer so we could have ridden a water ride or two. But we have the rest of the year for that, I guess!</font></p> <p><font size="3">SDC has a new wooden roller coaster this year – <a href="http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/attractions/rides/Outlaw-Run.aspx?icid=outlaw-sdchp-ca-3">Outlaw Run</a>. When we went to SDC in March we were short on time and I didn’t get a chance to ride. (Sad face.) This trip it was the FIRST thing I did! This is me, my dad, and Leonard as we took off out of the entrance. In case you can’t tell by the huge smile on my face… I was a <em>little </em>excited!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYimpf-pT40O-JRBPsPRaFcWq1DPHIIKaOHUHQNffiwjPZDwE6cudb71Ws9QeRBF6670eWR3TdCTLEnZYZaCnVghcUTtAzNCsEsSCM2Ea6XMqzMYnoR8nPBywGsL4uXbFhZJOUFKwpjrJ/s1600-h/IMG_5960%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5960" border="0" alt="IMG_5960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AdDN_HlQe0p6TJp2or9kjtiOadp1Sn51jnOLjpm0vwG0zz7Ddc0djWHeVaJXpZEKUQBu5zsewQuYwVgr40hYN5vypQSoCZemK8TUQS7wbJChBNMqgum3dlonRiNGOiBFXozz6DM3gMBy/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I think we spent 6 or 7 hours at the park total. My mom and Deanna actually rode Outlaw Run after I did, with dad and Leonard. If you know my MIL…you know that’s a BIG deal.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We rode coasters, Christopher spent hours upon hours in the children’s area, we watched the Saloon Show, ate lunch there… it was SO MUCH FUN. I can’t wait to go back! </font></p> <p><font size="3">I may still be a child at heart.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Christopher passed out from all the fun about 2 minutes after we left the SDC parking lot.</em> <br /></font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQC4tAN5PddF7wT3RmKVSNrKYilm2YoNFRgaSHQoq7a10o4wCtv60UTdO40GrO_OKQ_h1mIeGQmBthyphenhyphencs4QqQFyGPjVMOaASRHsV5sBgG_GWPTdtGzqseuJUMHwhFqj1qTXx39ZGSBxv-/s1600-h/IMG_5968%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5968" border="0" alt="IMG_5968" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6O3b9zt0St-ec8xlwFzl1W53BBCXSmEiCL9lnXqcdViUDcYmi_hPmM1nyQTEvdqd3CX2FzNfjqPnDBOh33gzaseD7xfkmSmacm2USDvoN19H91NdllYSCYDbSdtVho-ae9efz3mlaNcq/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a> <p><font size="3">Saturday we slept in a bit, did a teeny bit of shopping with my MIL, and had a late lunch at Cantina Laredo with the whole gang.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Christopher tripped and bumped his chin while we were at the Landing. Getting a shoulder ride and wearing PopPops hat helped cheer him up. <br /></em></font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS4EDTST0XTgvKu3Z3af_zrCtS4gCc3-99VhMbwhkUdWbEVh16WmQ6ZZNTXQijtzVOrLoXTvGjVe_MvTN9CKNhJ2iVIGbkxciWoSAkDRWzGqwNdu1xOpE_VOsEQw756ajKAW1OtGyQNgS/s1600-h/IMG_5975%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5975" border="0" alt="IMG_5975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHax4hOm2CNNp7tkkLYRLx4spdMMbggdwrQvDNf3bQYJAmwzr_jeTzMGyzKUQZTykjtNn66hyvqHVAPBTFZBSFh4mmBZQOCYAx7Y1Rtr1pB1D_0AzOB5pT3Leg3d7N2HBoPL7b_kML5bs/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>After we got back to the Condo from lunch, we played at the playground for a bit. Christopher likes to be “buried.”</em></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeWLtMfVQ7Rv_5i945UkkgKL4f0M0Aj8Zw0nexQQBoKKvnmbRkaS4utiCGlqM_G0zJSSNmk6LshNi6TRWHaEcb6o9bRO3ksGvlHPk-F9L3NXr_-xsA9ZxzOoJqRytBQgGsx-XRRbVy8Mj/s1600-h/IMG_5972%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><em> <br /><font size="3"><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_5972" border="0" alt="IMG_5972" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI3rLXo8IlstpgPTswTypXc4XHhcY8kYyQiDPaUAqvu9eWm6sGLr0YFFXD0w28NICKbjDuYYg2_KV00j-JM3WTj3uNWSBB71NHwCdKVzvFI4yJBngIrJDvmi8llI2Hfn0XTd4UfrRo9LI/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></font></em></a></p> <p><font size="3">Deanna and Leonard left Saturday evening around 5 or so. My parents came to the condo that evening and we played cards after Christopher went to sleep and arranged to meet up the next morning and drop Christopher off with them and they were going to take him home so that Stephen and I could do a bit of outlet mall shopping.  We met at Krispy Kreme on Sunday morning and mom told me they were planning on going back to SDC with Christopher for a few hours before they headed home. While Stephen and I were doing our shopping, we got a text saying Christopher had asked to just go back home to GeeGee & PawPaw’s house because it was his “favorite” rather than go to SDC. Um. Okay, kid.</font></p> <p><font size="3">After Stephen and I were finished shopping we headed back to the condo to get ready to pack and leave. While we were there, Stephen suggested we stay an extra night since we were kid-free and not in any hurry. I liked that idea… so I called my parents to make sure they were okay with keeping Christopher overnight and taking him to daycare the next day. We took a nap at the condo then decided to go play putt-putt before eating some dinner. We went to Pirate’s Cove, which we had never been to in Branson before. (But we love the Pirate’s Cove in Hot Springs!)  It was fun! I got a hole-in-one on the first hole and stayed ahead Stephen till hole 12 and went downhill from there and Stephen ended up beating me by several strokes. Typical.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJYfQ3FAeZh9KTa94rmL13pw2ITSywd7oOVMitLpFvXI3bCpC-DK7bfhTYlRLI4a7vGxE5WGOVi-UdsqyB_w5OTRHgOhgPgnr0eSIwIP6-xmK2YgZyuOoYp0ltNKaz9GfgKUZFhyKgUdm/s1600-h/IMG_5982%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5982" border="0" alt="IMG_5982" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS08kLR_A9SRNhY845RbG64CGOZyb9QwmL2H9Pjo0NEoIejj5jo4VJalcr81SynhFvnjT-JwaCkqMDi6b9QJnboCljUIcNzdtuZMvcqvg84mVk5FMsJJYjarDl3-KfV66hvLQ46j7v2Rq0/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="286" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92vsbzfn0Jjotu0lxfc2MnQfZW4-jT_0WiSOZaUSSZgAE1w6EGQMCs34zRrUNk2E0XPi-vGRTZ80rfPVZ1Rgh7r8x0aFZ_reFVRaUM4BU5E6lbSyN9-KBDIgJhlmPGssQjKeVfykAAfa0/s1600-h/IMG_5983%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5983" border="0" alt="IMG_5983" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68TE4IhLcgiHT4f-N_oiHEm8OaYtd0M-8U_gVCq55xa_qViz8P5KDuxahnvxy6bQcMZAL2EbjSShwCnaJn-uquwaJ1AXVwve9nm8TfU3Gqyi3XHZRwrPEd04aaN3QAABuSS8yUFd9Ay3-/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="307" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">We had some <em>delicious</em> Olive Garden for dinner that night and I ate so much I thought I was going to pop. We debated watching <em>The Great and Powerful Oz </em>at the I-Max theater but it wouldn’t be over till midnight and we were going to need to leave early the next morning to drive back home so we went back to the condo and ended up crashing by like 10:30. ha! This was one of the longer vacations Stephen and I have been on and I loved every minute of it… and <em>yes,</em> if you’re wondering…we’re already planning our MAY Trip to Branson!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-31377021216273752702013-04-18T11:07:00.000-05:002013-04-18T11:09:09.382-05:00March Trip to Branson<p><font size="3">Our family <em>loves </em>Branson. I grew up vacationing there and now I take my child there and we love it. I know I have mentioned this before, but Stephen and his family have a great timeshare deal and we have unlimited use of condos during odd years. The condos are two bedroom, two bath, with a full-service kitchen, living room, and private balcony. They also have a fold-out sofa so really they can sleep 6 people plus more on the floor if necessary.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We went up in March and met up with my in-laws. We love meeting up with them there! Stephen, Christopher and I headed up there on Wednesday, but Deanna and Leonard weren’t able to get there until Thursday. Christopher woke up super early on Thursday morning. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>my text to Deanna on Thursday morning:</em></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSUcsnhhm23wIunD9TiI8q37zLDN_OW0w664gAjk5UPdyNUQSYVZ1_6seJ3j33iV_L13tvl6bV1-VYycMR3U-wBUxRiL9CptATFt9JS2rWrV6BMY45ueFi91K-FXnksyYJv7D_zEAD4JP/s1600-h/IMG_5822%25255B9%25255D.jpg"> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5822" border="0" alt="IMG_5822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi_3LGoAKw_2UInEVuC7VIjBsFs3u1XFPSfTyPgPUj3fkOVQcqzDcCTx_uoTD2tHf5bN9I8zzsHNLtycvy5SXCCxXuWUZh1-Pl4pkbDGbe4YyIhaZi5HsH5BLJUnhSLUNFalMZbzUduVP/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Once they made it to town, we had lunch at Fuddruckers and then headed to <strong>Silver Dollar City!</strong> Again, we all love Silver Dollar City. We have season passes this year and I am SOOO excited about them! We had them two years ago but Christopher was really not old enough to enjoy the park. </font></p> <p align="center"> <font size="3"><em>Riding the Tram in at SDC – EXCITED!</em></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDFtFbN395dEdLs7YGtIIdCB3nyG4EFVt0kADOsJy3zlUJiAiyNtc_-zcftzy4GHV5KA0ThttsmD9ysg8BZNIwZGXW6LOP_7cBE1ewfNJ5kDbnffjJnicjUUCo-M_fK6_CW5X_I69O855/s1600-h/IMG_5824%25255B9%25255D.jpg"> <br /><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_5824" border="0" alt="IMG_5824" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjorMYk3ivWWmfHNrWnVT2m5rB52w1tkd0sDbcY7D_ipz_7sPYoRY5Q6iSVY4uslH5dZ-nBmmyTocHfJ5s7Jb-5rWtgo8dKI2BBDWW5zO0tCw0x03Y5Czj31DZwvVS2ZgjaK4RbyY69lXw/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJPE4qOWpT8rXIHKt5DDATM5S9RNDUoSDUmBJUGhBH7tTEKBjE-jnoZNe2eIRMDXGP5BTsiwvUgH3Eux8fauY3IM1LH_rH5gVpBiZj7TrKLUGqmwsZVltEnB-UItNVzV4S9snNU1j2AZx/s1600-h/IMG_5857%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5857" border="0" alt="IMG_5857" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm5DTf9GksKyH5vFIYRMVrGp_hM_iisp5QsPlLvpRy32c61Yqa6W-NyvMCKP9BVMLhc8Sz89m9gbCJlRS2GKv3VKcjl8jgLeh77GbwEO11YEybhfM1DQTqRtmfkAIy3ItnQaUM58rogQ9/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">The last time I went with Christopher, he was only tall enough to ride two or three rides, and they all had to be with an adult. This year he can ride almost EVERYTHING with an adult and even a few rides by HIMSELF. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mplp2XAtdptLoQ6TPY4GfWoKot2qcZmO5PBhz89VgFakQtBARuOaI1H57mwwwFFD4CYIHiLyvWVL_SVBl_8ATwFTeejwZXv85qqrENeUj2oBe6x4Bun9aErFnz-9WTlSV6k7MdAGtYKs/s1600-h/IMG_5829%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5829" border="0" alt="IMG_5829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HPjvnvD_bovFHtuxSMywUswxM8qd1q-Soh2Bu0JFtvnSiQ7Rq-sBbVen3VwG1UpdItm7XRpbTje7H8pIuho4DMiiwj_u7PXRGBafT2yAStSZgcCAPXPuNjSXenIlgmBCl2KIb60T3Z_m/?imgmax=800" width="450" height="348" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpVQo0V7Ze0TMOLSAt0bjrFYzQk9W3WbEiESqCuaQs_13FyTvGNVFG5gtLkQrecU_gxNbWQhAmse8742qFsbDXAbAGec40_VOgg0M1__bsaqhast2daJWyFcsNLLWeJj5z8Ft0b1KMVj7/s1600-h/IMG_5830%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5830" border="0" alt="IMG_5830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT4sYk0dW_diHkdQQVHeirmIDnZQ5xqVTThMGdSJxETjfAmyGU-TxMQnVYdFbeBrS-6JiibjTTkMVGEgpGUT78DgWGZqnLA9CUq8OgiAmKFv2_87n9VSn2gQteE1EzRM8AsVQ_7eKGz7I/?imgmax=800" width="442" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">These frogs are bouncy and the kids love them – when we went two years ago, we were all afraid he would bounce out of them and we would keep a death grip on his shoulders from the seat behind. This year I asked him if he wanted to ride by himself or one of us to ride with him and he said “By myself!” and waved at me and walked to the corral for the line. <em>Um, I was kind of just kidding, Kid.</em> Stephen was like “he’s riding by himself?!?” We couldn’t believe it…but he was so proud of himself and loved it. </font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU3saPdiu5MP9OtHsCITxxddJyA-DqGhgbLzuOlq9nXMOuCjpwLvMGgIhQB-UsnQGIvmDffh8Xoaf1-o2Q_gv7ZUTsSX_Mk1gXjUSMzHfetw_BmBtNy8kebfJEa5CJKBZxEdYI7373WsE/s1600-h/IMG_5844%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5844" border="0" alt="IMG_5844" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy9AK6rhTXKOgs9kVsiWQjX7oFGA1ozFzl_vsTzaR0hDelJ5YQaDcVEA0h_AVDCrMaenenOHLsTyJmLeGME5rH5PZukAfu2h83oEMp7oAclkOPwqi5sTaBnw19EfZAZ8GrCQStipPPbI1/?imgmax=800" width="387" height="397" /></a> <p align="center"><font size="3">Christopher’s set-up on the condo floor. We took Bax with us this trip and my in-laws brought their dog. <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveFJA9cbiJ7Keqb_NDlJUhQ6KrOtWKMpLXFE_kKK0I0CH4wEUHPP268ACqlWL7AzuN1VEGqlQPzpbHF4EVcKgYYlm6wE6xh6oVlsqFGhfg_IFEnURRn1_D9KftVzMAhJ11c88LRlxkhDQ/s1600-h/IMG_5848%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5848" border="0" alt="IMG_5848" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLz2MUYmdOF4iX4EO0KHH-jQbYOPUOPp02dj8lD4_T8hMC1CKMpgJkJovi3UlY94NCA3odz_Bvt5InvffKEG7a4UDB6vBTHYxXDVnhJCi5Bqseal2dlfHBMRiqvrFsru9pvRxnxMHcQVH/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This is what Christopher and PopPop do to pass time while the rest of us shop at the outlet mall.</font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG6FrKpsWJcXeFeEEO_PqhVmMDQT7IkeicwDCiRqZzfAHqSs1bLHfmUM92tbpL1_idHE3xaPQ5lTTP9l6fNYKmy1UNI-LqN_SF_M5Yc4bogqvvPsZIt07mJuB5XZM5-r8Se2k63W3S7Gd/s1600-h/IMG_5850%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5850" border="0" alt="IMG_5850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNz1p__BD2D993TvnfV5LYlpWjDlf4FuifHO3Ji-axBpZ7YKnpOQRYRDgNBCSXMW3hEEXpQaG8GiDXKrlz-NFHpNUDaiyUzhW04dAjF6DdsXulTw-6k6SmrVFuF2YCqmU7sKCGeD130Dc/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">We discovered this shopping center located away from the main strip. This is just one portion of it. There’s a lot more than this there including a Super WalMart, Target, Dollar Tree, Chilis, etc. </font></p> <img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5853" border="0" alt="IMG_5853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZH6n6DGdPI8D0pINke8m3_3hFkZ6_GZOLL8b79Ur-mUbCiL3EXERFgjtbOH0m9zWZDUgNxj62DbFlLaTq_xo2995k-Vc40-DGl_hfNPV_oJCbR27ARAjyE6wxeWVT-U0z1uWFmEvwolA/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /><font size="3"> <p align="center"> <br />While at Bed Bath and Beyond, Christopher found this Tervis Cup and exclaimed, “Look MAMA! It’s my FAVORITE!” Stephen was <em>so proud.</em> And I officially <em>give up.</em> #woopigsooie <br /></p> </font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_g7hMziQjNzDx_bjAWBhPhCslqZRsCdBgvZae2zRq0pEr02Nc-y84fvaMzhNOI3_Ymn917egEiCMpkm9ADFEOAFUFNsIogleXXUSUChI4xlSu9S6K7n4sBkHe4afFF2CyrK4MZ1y1-Jz/s1600-h/IMG_5856%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5856" border="0" alt="IMG_5856" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYahF9_dmhrI9L8RwX4oOxxE9FhDbcqEGo9ndU0ah8w2z_X210yxih9pj_voIGzFOxNtt_c_Bd3JAIpceQCSMZgo88tw3UUD1cpBxgSFMPcQzetulr03iWqLyBKm3ILPjYtshim7ANh4gA/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a> <p><font size="3">We had a great meet-up! Nana and PopPop headed back to their house on Saturday morning, and we took our time packing and loading up the car. We decided to eat lunch at Taco Bell before heading home. While we were there, my parents texted us to say they were heading to NWA with Ty and Britney to go to the new Cabela’s store. We met them there and hung out with them for a little while and then headed back home. It was a great trip!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-26139476404575177882013-04-08T10:29:00.001-05:002013-04-08T10:29:24.647-05:00My Once-A-Month Update<p align="left"><font size="3">I’m not sure how a whole <em>month</em> has slipped by since the last time I blogged. (Same story, different day.)</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Let’s try to catch up, shall we?</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2SJv3iMF8WCREEM1LC8A-nmkJILWplhGEl6904Dpr2gK_7rJeSa5nSpJrs-U8XBDP9D1FZththYekxseADu26ygofFbjdfBXedL-dK_bcpfYClDCnsqmgYmNI0R8G2DiHWyV2KuxgCAB/s1600-h/IMG_5561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 1px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5561" border="0" alt="IMG_5561" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWzs2LhJZMPSlLlJnhJBFv5StIYpcKQO5NWu6q1xiGZiSzM2VzIcLBOYG58cJ8skRxVCIHWAa6uCLiVCL4tPq71XPfETEVuDwi3BXFN1ODXsOBYetJqjZMMxXjscbwB39CV9BouTKcnvA/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Christopher was not trying to be very careful when he used the</font><font size="3"> restroom,</font><font size="3"> and occasionally </font></a><font size="3">pee would fly from sea to shining sea (all over the bathroom walls and floor) while he was relieving himself. He ruined two perfectly good, UNUSED spare toilet paper rolls that were resting on the spare TP holder when he would choose not to control his <em>flow.</em> So after a time or two of him doing that, Stephen had the bright idea to make him “pay” for any toilet paper that he peed on. So he was told that if it happened again, he would have to get money out of his piggy bank to pay Mom and Dad back for the TP. This scene happened a few weeks later. Stephen made him count out 20 coins to “pay” for the TP he’d peed on. Christopher was so<em> </em>sad. <em>“I’m not getting these back?” </em>he asked as he counted them out to Stephen. <em>“Nope,”</em> his daddy answered. <strong>for the record:</strong> we did return these coins to Christopher’s piggy bank when he wasn’t looking. it was merely a lesson. (that worked!) (knock on wood)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">He’s been spending the night with my parents a few times a month. He LOVES packing up his backpack with <strike>overnight essentials</strike> a crap ton of toys. When I took the photo of the back of his backpack, he said <font color="#ff0000">“<em>Say CHEESE backpack!!!”</em></font>  Kid cracks me up. <br /></font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXb5fwhgIoVMcLv57KO2Vis-evFNSS8YjNIKl_7QzuLkIzsneKCmd6R6tEseB-mbQCwSb814I67HuHfe2PjIyfjvexuZdOAcm4rac6wz9YAU2nE_dwu6W9WA9iVebnBHll-CnvsC1KOHw/s1600-h/IMG_5588%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5588" border="0" alt="IMG_5588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJjRhNqg82h4qDW4pGWXSG3jXOEafffdtFQ0WhGje9MOyWZ4HB3R3WxE-oIj0Yfzl8N9vr-2SauQGIgu9IEjLb1SUUP3Ury9NaWf4JKk0UpCrjHfZotTDO06diZyt2HlOUD9Ii_tHe38D/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a> <p align="center"><font size="3">I love how much he loves “Elmo.” <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wgHEX0hrWLkMuljyT1uzYRRK25itUt4vWKfKGTSpvML4gitzIXWwhaeXiYB23jmexPKvVcRtLgGjm4H6uLuqjxey_QpEq7qtQONT2DseInY7pwrL6aYzQrLw8hgdwADRKLM6jft4pHYs/s1600-h/IMG_5629%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_5629" border="0" alt="IMG_5629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj0A60yZeL1RAWdrJFh_e4HcwVy8cfobl0ZCT81YxdOEZpzRwN-1wOVoJa1KM3Fu-d0JG1UALcF53mmLYRtvAagOGBBI73FZ6zVmpVq275zZFF3cvq_OF4RDUOVMOH8-W8m9tNrpOZI8t/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6IG-KoNH8-N8AncASbdw3SK0S1Kv3tGs8irgu6JCe4b3ztloIqg1vdr9wbvnb44t_JRVCSJRsr_Qphb6Ltx_0oXAAZ1esGIuwQZfvsQKLqiacUD_OzRy0dbcvj8Ecqm1uK1pHAaVqMqI/s1600-h/IMG_5631%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5631" border="0" alt="IMG_5631" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6STQWsfYz3My5lYQhrEPPd8ZrJkaRTb25thfnDV2h1sNP40Gb_brIenm8tt8hgKbS_bqe2TiAAq4JLkn3JYwmzAlk0ZQcHOi6n_5n9iOgVH2AozeyffTD3RviNVO7uituTvkmG3ZOiIGD/?imgmax=800" width="288" height="295" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3">One morning I heard lots of noise coming over the baby monitor. I wasn’t sure exactly what he was doing, but I could tell Christopher was messing with something in his room. I got up and walked into his room to find him playing with toys. I startled him and he jumped when I walked in and immediately got a guilty look on his face and I could tell he thought he was going to be in trouble for being out of bed and playing with toys. I assured him that he was not in trouble and that as long as the sun was UP he could get out of bed and play with toys in his room until one of us came in to get him. I find scenes similar to this most mornings now. I love that he’s old enough to wake up and be independent and play. We did have a little bit of trouble at first with getting him to stay in his room. He wanted to play in the living room or kitchen. But he’s finally figured out that he has to stay in his bedroom unless he’s using the bathroom or coming to our room to get us for some reason. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">He “picked me a flower” one day a few weeks ago. Pretty sure my heart MELTED when he did that. He probably picked me about a dozen more over the course of the next few weeks. I LOVE being a boy mom!</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KqZsMI5R2nHY7lOE5pKN8aCEbP3rwQmd97d3LnTpNBmDPc-nXjtPublv0Wh81h4eeQIUerlPsICWjnOoVucFnjW88Zj66fCT01xryYnjY6bJ_Mq0nkFiLI9zjuWhTwug-jmg6gZcdr4e/s1600-h/IMG_5642%25255B3%25255D.jpg"> <br /></a><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5642" border="0" alt="IMG_5642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt26anIFsjH3h-PzHLha1wXdy3KbEtwqpaB9hi5nSB1u_f2PfeHm7iPviMk-kZ0mD90sRR0vFzcWhziK9wmxsX_wxzE0FKWM6CvnTTatpi7PezmJtID3XI12bZUhIDJDc4h8_xiLQUgAru/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This picture was taken while I was laying in bed watching TV one night. Stephen was at work or a ball game or something and I guess Jasper thought I wanted some company in bed. He stared at me like this for a good minute or two. I posted this picture on Instagram with the caption: <br /><strong>Aw, Jasper…I love you too, but no. You cannot get in bed with me. <br />#yousnoreworsethanstevo #andyourgasisworsetoo</strong></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqixgeepllwwtYXl4igKj3EDtsXXXk4ghYs3kp7TGT4q1E_K81kLArXnPkWfrv8MYIJ581NC3bBCOTAtc31S4vzoKM65mtlm2F76HjEbqGBx61ql6JzRpTobV-PHSVuaA-iaJfONeB9YOu/s1600-h/IMG_5646%25255B3%25255D.jpg"> <br /></a><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5646" border="0" alt="IMG_5646" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_i-0nBAPzMZJpnSCWmYRWYhuYCzgBgKr-_9Uqz0Q-S2OQHcA_d_11Bg0enhgDqpjtkg9f-qAt5jK6Y6VrsQP_YGmyR1C-pSH4cLHyjPnQQAQ586oE06_famWXJXvlQ_gYm5YuFks2nfP/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I love celebrating St Patrick’s Day. I’m not Irish, so I don’t know why. I just think it’s a fun little holiday. Last year I hosted a St Patty’s Day Bunco at my house. This year I didn’t do much in the form of decorating, but I did make some themed Sausage Balls for Stephen’s work. I had no idea what they would turn out like, but I was cracking up when they came out of the oven. Mmmm… yum. Ha! <br /></font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yax31XaIEaL7B8lkcZrIY5DpwB4oqzl9fngVhqDmA9Zf86-1Pm1mjDZePhveoQQV1QOPAve8z1sr_2Y1G-YpipygzYU-qu0NpWlk91hi-dD2ULbRU86-t0zlQ5vFQTijPOnHj3tjGg2T/s1600-h/IMG_5651%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5651" border="0" alt="IMG_5651" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifSC0_krXqtl6CilBF3IiNecXJVaFbqnuLYTzvk4tLKrOh16Cl-d94baisrmfKqtR_CSCFSWARwx9PVy69DsZB8ZHbYtcG1RRGX4nSFFyCBKbLRJu6konGDu8qTLdILxzpb7zNofkhU6m/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></a> <p align="center"><font size="3">My favorite kid on St. Patrick’s Day! <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-eGVyzmdVMQ3ElWAgbNKEBaMGrFtyGQkTsfIsZZCy3BSubeBPFaBZmete0NOPty46tRa1b2_I0iYkZpE9LRVIo4COAn1gM1ubypI-fGF7a-AZnMmPyIP7bprrGpdMtdPvobhASBMnIz-/s1600-h/IMG_5666%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_5666" border="0" alt="IMG_5666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAac2i95IyyJZyflqMGNDMyn1gFtMfy5paAOHX8zzxP-dX1jSzcR9XefiHIEElntsv71CqB2Ve8yAw_2pI0sUxckUcEnFCCpCWV9gFX0Gj4h0DIyQfdCO7_kePFoGgG7wofpRS-8j75vG5/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWObeLpuYUHPcVPxrrhPsRJalzBc_KhyphenhyphenqPc7KeYg88vD-7s_nExP35NW9CjxYwDcwedvpFcMbWP67G99YHyr2Lv8BCvnBrqS4H0w5fqY0qGVaZ8XXEHxMfTTmqsiZg6AsRAhdrCVtbSdgr/s1600-h/IMG_5702%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5702" border="0" alt="IMG_5702" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0KirGaQIHItR3WHtYHRIi6el2C04psa2_RvnRfoF1PXKpIG_AOkQ8xYQQJRgy9dxAGiUz2GwUDm0Lx07ljAAGA8SWrBtd5em1lzJarX4eiNNOs7x8G1LpsqWLmdb0KjOW00ezP0eg1fO/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a>The biggest thing that’s happened to us recently is our old house selling. (Yay!) We still had a ton of stuff over there to stage the house (although I did have more “other” junk I had forgotten about) and so I had to spend several days over there packing and moving things to the house we’re living in now. It was SUCH a bittersweet feeling, saying goodbye to our first <em>home</em>. Stephen and I bought that house 4 months before we got married – our first home for both of us – and it’s where we went after our wedding, where we brought Christopher home from the hospital, all of those typical nostalgic things. It was a good first home for us, but we are also SO thankful that it sold and now Stephen and I are just waiting to see what will happen next. With no house here, we can accept jobs in other towns and not worry about having to pay two housing payments/utilities/etc. The hard part now is actually <em>finding</em> a job.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5897" border="0" alt="IMG_5897" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv-OiIexrGsew6foRon4bhQ4tvr1BqAt57eGXHRiWyMi02mCpnrUHCe6glD-sRt7vqXBGvXJ3SI5FRSX6lF03yq1Vq-75-ha9rm3FbE7yUqxaB_cs_VxKHtqNVxErlXg12S2Mq2VTDBk3/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" />Speaking of which, I’ve turned in about half a dozen applications so far and still have a few more I can fill out. I went to an interview in Benton last week and I am hoping to hear something today, but I don’t have my hopes up too much. I took this picture on my way there. I got stuck in traffic at a wreck about a mile from Interstate and only about 5 minutes from my destination. I was at a standstill for almost half an hour! Thankfully I had given myself plenty of travel time and still arrived over 30 minutes early. I had to pee so bad! So after I found the school where my interview was, I drove back to a grocery store I had passed and ran in to use their bathroom. I thought the interview went well but I really have no idea. I’ve had other interviews go really well and not gotten the job so I’m not even trying to guess whether or not I got the job. Just praying, praying, praying basically all weekend long. </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font><font size="3"><font size="3"> <br /></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I finally got all my new bedding set up the way I wanted it. The rest of the bedroom is still a work in progress. (I’m VERY bad about starting projects then not finishing them. Ever. Ha!) I ordered this vinyl wall sticker off Etsy (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tweetheartwallart">tweetheartwallart</a>) and put it above my bed and I love the way it turned out! <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2xirGPPmKd8LmatDsK7R5iX2ejs0iHTXqSlNmD7TIf7TDHH3y_xmkA7PfvgxtDc0IJ93zzYnhLKt1R7sWTxDYmJlWhuVmz45t9o1LJIdmI3MF7KpEXmbXhGDtX8xYXcci6Seq_KTYYV4/s1600-h/IMG_5762%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbJ-dZU_cd1eo0RSyt1ndeBjRKIoGdaue-EOmuToKc3eKdpUP42O06PVflLqaKSfUEp5Qs1nhAGzoiQhcgIc5ECTe-PtIlQAF3dCxNaGLUqV2IFhAa8eHrISHpGk4vOUwyE-wg3pijHpD/s1600-h/IMG_5762%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_5762" border="0" alt="IMG_5762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAY06F5urO-5Bh-DVG4a8eFI0X7D5C6M9FGyXj6jbNgzSR6SYqQfuRzNT8foskQJkepusLLxLN6mus7iyq0LldtSBkCMXXgGgdRsj9khdr2B4OxU8uMDUY1NrxPIZlpCeDMmNEYjVfWEI/?imgmax=800" width="440" height="451" /></a></a></a></p> <p><font size="3">I’m not sure if I’ll ever post Easter pictures on here so I’ll go ahead and put this one from IG up. Christopher dying eggs at my moms house last weekend. He had gotten a “Curious George” Easter book several weeks ago and George dyed eggs so Christopher had been asking to dye eggs too. He loved this! I LOVE fun projects like this. Stephen could care less…he sat on the couch and watched TV with my dad while my mom and I did this. Ha! Typical. <br /></font><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5860" border="0" alt="IMG_5860" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP4umK715Cnyh0U6NvsYQ2Napyu9TzaLtpmZtDN3b-4H9rB_Uyrvyv9Xffbt4H46JvMAdZXlZGW5KeTMzgBVIO4oH3XFHYljZbf4J_GlLxlTzqkUlVAxn43H8VFHk5CQvJO7tkbnn2Pkq/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></p> <font size="3">I think that’s enough for now. I still need to write about our March trip to Branson and April Fools Day! Maybe later today. I have laundry calling my name right now!</font> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-87490952695636909252013-03-12T15:51:00.001-05:002013-03-12T18:12:12.547-05:00Proof is in the Pin! {alternative title: oink oink moooo}<p><font size="3">I’m linking up with <a href="http://www.lifesweetlifeblog.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a> for Proof is in the Pin again!</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.lifesweetlifeblog.com/2013/03/the-proof-is-in-pin-volume-7.html"><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="proofisinthepin" border="0" alt="proofisinthepin" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJazsM6oQDm8KEVM4irgAavjutgQplQEPFaSdOmPJWqnElrdk_3136Pg68DSBq9vU-3Hcu0KYDcCcoEH1yWbJ6TjLn3Ib4EnmHJcQI5OlTH0ADbK0XDzovZjC6-omR1gLfs_GE3OU7Mvb/?imgmax=800" width="301" height="320" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I have a crap ton of pins to share today, becaaaaause, well… as I mentioned in my post last night, I’ve been trying to make dinner at home more often and I’ve also been trying to make “healthier” dinners. I’ve been trying out food pins once or twice a week.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Without further adieu… <br /><strong>Pin #1 – Cream Cheese Chicken</strong> <br /></font><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424424417915/" target="_blank"><font size="3"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/550x/28/ab/42/28ab42ec78590e073478618b272d0cea.jpg" width="269" height="364" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px"><font size="1">Source: </font><a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.thehappylilhomemaker.com/2011/08/cream-cheese-filled-chicken.html"><font size="1">thehappylilhomemaker.com</font></a><font size="1"> via </font><a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Stephanie</font></a><font size="1"> on </font><a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank"><font size="1">Pinterest</font></a><font size="1"> </font></p> </div> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <font size="3"> <p> </p> <p>Made this last night. It was time-consuming to make and while it tasted <em>okay…</em>it just wasn’t worth the time and dirty dishes to make.</p> </font> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #2</strong> – <strong>Tracy Anderson 8 minute arm exercise <br /></strong></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424424411987/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/3d/fc/e2/3dfce28c122aa11684eb4274dd6d919b.jpg" width="448" height="339" /></a></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=4dQOBbLnk7o">youtube.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve been doing some arm exercises because my arms look TERRIBLE and I will refuse to wear a short-sleeved shirt this summer with my arms looking the way they do now. So I’ve been doing some arm workouts with weight and I ran across this workout. I liked it a lot and have done it a few times!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #3 – Asparagus and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken <br /></strong></font><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424424390488/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/55/c0/3f/55c03fe3950e97a9aa6d4bcafffe35e7.jpg" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://recipesquickandeasy.blogspot.com/2013/01/asparagus-and-mozzarella-stuffed.html">recipesquickandeasy.blogspot.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p> <br /><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Yes, please! This was easy and delicious. Going into our dinner rotation!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #4 – Skinny Spaghetti Squash Alfredo <br /></strong></font><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424424390490/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/80/38/f3/8038f365046caa95944c30b57849d4eb.jpg" width="294" height="437" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://fooddoodles.com/2013/01/10/skinny-spaghetti-squash-alfredo/">fooddoodles.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p> <br /><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Stephen liked this a lot… I thought it was good. Changes for next time: scoop out my spaghetti squash and mix the noodles with the alfredo mixture and throw it in a casserole dish before broiling. Also, add some sautéed mushrooms. It was pretty rich and needs a good side dish to go with it. (I mentioned this in yesterday’s blog, but I made roasted broccoli and I thought it went perfectly.)</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #5 – Roasted Corn <br /></strong></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424424390483/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/23/41/06/23410651e154df7d0ac22554131f7a30.jpg" width="336" height="495" /></a></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://bevcooks.com/2013/02/bbq-shrimp-minestrone/">bevcooks.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Easy side dish that has a subtle taste difference from just steaming it.</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Pin #6 – Black Bean Tacos <br /></font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424423885211/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/d9/47/aa/d947aa6ed17451ae474729f6f581db86.jpg" width="333" height="500" /></a></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.endlesssimmer.com/2012/04/04/cornerstone-cooking-crunchy-black-bean-tacos/#more-33746">endlesssimmer.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p><font size="3"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="3"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>Easily </em>my favorite food post for this blog. These were delicious and Stephen’s already requested them for dinner again this week! </font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Pin #7 – Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls <br /></font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424423818629/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/63/dd/5e/63dd5ed1c4426670bfb5b1c3a4d1b34d.jpg" width="303" height="532" /></a></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/388291_359024934111048_100000106323609_1661606_986792464_n.jpg">fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Uuuum, okay, please pretend that these are “healthy.”  Stephen and I both had a sweet craving and I really don’t keep sweets on hand…. because we lack self control. But I was <em>really</em> wanting something yummy and was scrolling through my desserts board and saw these and they called for things I almost always have on hand – crescent rolls, cinnamon and sugar, butter, and powdered sugar. I opened up a can of <strong>REDUCED FAT</strong> (which, in my mind, equals guilt free… ha!) crescent rolls in the fridge so I whipped these up in no time. I didn’t even measure, just threw on a little butter and cinnamon and sugar till it looked right. They were SO GOOD. I’ve made <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cinnamon-rolls-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Paula Deen cinnamon rolls</a> I don’t know how many times and they’re delicious (and easy) – but they just take so dang long to make and these crescent rolls were ALMOST as good and about a thousand times faster. You could use Truvia if you wanted to avoid the sugar <strong><u>but</u></strong> I do think that they probably need that glaze on top. It’s safe to say that I can no longer keep crescent rolls in my fridge because I will be wanting to make these now.</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Pin #8 – Skinny Taste Cauliflower Fritters <br /></font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/181692166188201656/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/85/4b/63/854b63bebe3186014efee3fc1c0d0bb1.jpg" width="350" height="350" /></a></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://skinnytaste.ziplist.com/recipes/200729-Cauliflower_Fritters">skinnytaste.ziplist.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/katedurie/" target="_blank">Kate</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p><font size="3"><font size="4"><strong></strong></font></font></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="4"><strong></strong></font></font></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="4"><strong>NO!</strong> Just no.</font> These were not good at all. I don’t know if it’s something I did wrong or the cauliflower I used (frozen instead of fresh) but I did not like these at ALL. Stephen was able to dip his into ketchup and he ate them just fine but we both agreed they would go on the “do not attempt again” list.</font></p> <p><font size="3">ANNNND last but not least <br /><strong>Pin #9 – Eighteen25’s Subway Art Collection</strong></font><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157696424424349838/" target="_blank"> <br /><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/d3/10/b1/d310b11dde16b28d6fc7205bcce8037e.jpg" width="550" height="668" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px"> <p style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px">Source: <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/p/subway-art-collection.html">eighteen25.blogspot.com</a> via <a style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com/snolmstead/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> on <a style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p> </div> <p> </p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">I love these free printables from eighteen25! They have something for basically every occasion. I had most of these printed at WalMart as 8x10s for like $20 total and put them on top of my China cabinet. Fun and inexpensive way to decorate for basically any occasion of the year!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-16183851687420867642013-03-11T18:25:00.001-05:002013-03-11T18:25:01.911-05:00March Madness<p><font size="3">I LOVE Daylight Savings Time. What’s with all the griping, people? I’m excited!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Our March is already looking busy! Which is crazy because I don’t feel like we lead very busy lives. We came to an agreement with someone who wanted to buy our house, so we’re supposed to close next Wednesday… yaay! I have mixed feelings but mostly I’m happy to have sold it (haven’t lived in it for over a year) and a little nostalgic to say goodbye to our first home. We will be busy this weekend moving out the furniture that we used to stage the house.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Other plans for March include a possible visit from my in-laws, our annual family Easter Celebration the weekend <em>before </em>Easter at my mom’s house, a schedule trip to Branson and SDC the last week of March, and of course Easter weekend to finish out the month. Plus a million things on our to-do list between now and then and the possibility of being called in to substitute teach at a moment’s notice.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I have several job applications in to schools hiring for my area of certification. I HAVE to get a job teaching somewhere next fall, otherwise I’ll have to start looking for some other type of job. SOOO fingers crossed for a good school district to hire me next year. </font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve been doing really good with planning out a weekly menu. It’s so much easier if I can plan out our meals and do the shopping once a week and then I know I have everything on hand for dinner that night. I meal plan on Sundays (usually) and then make a grocery list and then we all three go eat dinner at the Subway in Walmart, then we do our shopping. I hate grocery shopping so it makes it more fun and I look forward to dinner on Sunday nights. I think once I have a job we’ll have to move this tradition to Saturday night.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD0wHVpHbGEratyKl4wbh6scJaQdfl_qiWRzOcqaxzqK1mObM4DZqTVbd0-sxpyM7F7vbsBK3JW8qWpfXxIElxCHp83jsvlIHGX17_AczrGxMsbptcx3iZIodk2mt2uq3OX53H-6SEEeW/s1600-h/IMG_5602%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5602" border="0" alt="IMG_5602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWIWhfdZ5fzKhrgEbpBJFEarL6LrTlv6T0RQiaq-XKYqLPbUehDkgsTVua9WqJwH9J-n45Vz_awZhdYXYklezc-7NbSAAc8VDL3a40ysWbNRnl-fh0voSqxAC0-MpQ6xYkN9d9KfVOOY7/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Another thing I love about menu planning is trying out new recipes! Last week I tried out two new Pinterest recipes and they were both good! <a href="http://recipesquickandeasy.blogspot.com/2013/01/asparagus-and-mozzarella-stuffed.html" target="_blank">Asparagus and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken</a> and <a href="http://fooddoodles.com/2013/01/10/skinny-spaghetti-squash-alfredo/" target="_blank">Skinny Spaghetti Squash Alfredo</a>. Which OF COURSE I paired with <a href="http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html" target="_blank">roasted broccoli</a>, one of my favorite ever Pinterest finds.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielCp-3YUz0s4luGwxgZWBKOXwz5qDeN3Gg0p_MKT487q49nC6mWQwz75Snq_snKaw5zaKID1uLhGvajlb8RHxuSoo-rPvVI7JN01ks1uiH9V3smdB7JynpczR4f5OaiImF4PRJkE3OJfr/s1600-h/IMG_5552%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="IMG_5552" border="0" alt="IMG_5552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eqE9WZ0jQ2mSjKUdzD-gDKkP8HGrBNH0hv9MlInRpErjlr4UG6h6v1KHjqlmw4axz4Ef6FWyuMVFHwx38KyhYI_0uFzG8vwI3KXs-zza9BPHjpBwBpBTfaWWDcPVRxEQodrCLpa-HcQz/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="316" /></a><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Sma6TE7QHV_FSDRKq8Aogw0mixiKa6WlN2f5DldtkzsPtrgZJbcKUe97hsYJNjGi_aXSbfqZBxI_cZnH6goW-PwxYKECdeXMIXSrogrf_97sf0Ak5ImqQfjHcv5A9H6czCiaMot8-MCS/s1600-h/IMG_5597%25255B12%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_5597" border="0" alt="IMG_5597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2crI6DxcfV2ZNx6XFVLgAVcdu4-TBxd2TsxqPUUCas9Zkyyy7nG9qv69aZU3O4gHKO6UaZicwIrjm4uJQ9_DNxIWbtQQ1PHpHFU1p3BhQHlI5T_zvmMvWR8HiOHEegHUA8RjD4jVVEDDo/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="316" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">I also love that I can plan <em>healthy </em>meals. When I don’t have a plan and it’s getting late or we’re out of food in the pantry, our back-up plan is usually Mexican food or pizza.  That being said, I’m back on the weight loss wagon and determined to lose some weight! I started the Couch to 5K running plan back up a few weeks ago. Pounding the pavement and listening to music at full blast is the BEST way to end a stressful day.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwmktbxgpPcGmXX1Wbw3ufvwPd8sZu5X-9ZxBRiC7xt0bL2bP113MCpqek5zuOanKiBnyob8b6jyuKG9sxF3A88IeZv33Dk4GWGJVZZm2uxuh5APIZ37tJmwp-L4nnz9KEGlo31PB1LOJ/s1600-h/IMG_5581%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5581" border="0" alt="IMG_5581" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI2H_XOQka8vF34-_ywGfyYrerAc3w6GdU4-a_baHSA5XmicZ4rcjSTZ5l4mWybwqQsCOBkjhsHt2AvOisSOrPTxRug1fgW_uBxlaYrNlxgkWT-_dmQADvVaH4AuKGzaWXhYYbOSP2a7y/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Other things I did last week include a last-minute subbing job 30 minutes away, a few trips to Cruizzers for caffeine, cleaning out our master closet, and making Play-Doh frogs with Christopher.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmwCPplslpUft1l-46kr30ccX-HQvWkyJGkrek4E9HjFSDyRgbWKteVkd4TlnNtv7EZ9DXeZeoo-MfzqWVuVXV3OXt1BRRNiwILyEleHXxDFUpHvrKm2KFxvTBXMFGZPNrPpV3DmNyYJ2/s1600-h/IMG_5540%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5540" border="0" alt="IMG_5540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xeTzqLsf9unSoe3_UDjXQKR98IwsQW8T8uAY7wdVbSXGBXliPRCZu2GYPw4Sf5EUALBW6_tyKr7ghrUB0ILVBmXCrfCmbmPfICwnpYQka-l76u-3i8qhgiVnEzdHXvAmVeMiGcVssi71/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></em></font></p> <p><font size="3"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIIuKMQhkQu0floGkPw4a7QgmJJ71rGF27WJ-7t30iVxaElqYYZtJKl2jmmaUMFbnXJXQQOQQaSeUphYhdrCCn_9LSTBfiAhsZVFTrT8b4ricRGpaZDTI4O1eIgr9eEaseFoRZM-Cb91j/s1600-h/IMG_5542%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5542" border="0" alt="IMG_5542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hcgspAbC1T9DE5VbB1PEmEQ1mB8KHCFQW66Xnvyx6uIEAE8G2CDwnDW_AZZhrmlEjk0WI1yFTflAvXP9UCaHbQfyTzbBgApawIQZfrw1xv90NvB1tHujXiOZPHEw5F6wSyxuplYlizzz/?imgmax=800" width="312" height="312" /></a></em></font></p> <p><font size="3"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhnE_ISNz9yihT6C51nUYcnFfphT3Ug3io8zRJDgTez8gWvqGwSbWkMVrwv8j1kCh07kFFyG24tUuLEK_eD2UojC8h9fvtG-QvGNzHf08SqOhVt4Tns4QV7Ul7lw-8JuDUKUNabgU3eAN/s1600-h/IMG_5548%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5548" border="0" alt="IMG_5548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezYy4puBjMkS2CefDiUQ63Iu89zEVFx7t64xSZ5uSdMVx82x5LS8tQYBb9ReeD-QlDkZVM4F8tbDm1ju89Sr0rGJrnz6Z-GFi8K7vh6234JVw5l-D-wunI1E-1xlBe4K9UAYdqeAtreR-/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></em></font></p> <p><font size="3">This weekend we were able to get a little work done in our yard (and assess all the damages from winter/dogs/time <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvvxMQGwGT1U9gvqfw-8M7cV4P-NaeDvESh8-hxNNQzSqm8OHv7ObzL5cRn56NhgMu9edP2zJ9ljsE23_g5LqSV5fcmNC-1sADeoknhPULHT4cPi2KCqUWsb1YHajLLWvxou6TIhaaRYg/s1600-h/IMG_5605%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5605" border="0" alt="IMG_5605" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM8ffhj2qOLZZ-KfULYF2bZ75vyrxcS9EteAUtdc1uZbD53dtwrrghyphenhyphenHUOZk9gcSbVmBQNx7a0pSqhqEbMZq4wbkG_PrDFRaElTipv39Law7VPAX49KQiBbpimvCwhGfTaBn-2c17WHws/?imgmax=800" width="285" height="292" /></a>that need to be worked on and fixed before Spring/Summer) and then I cleaned out the dungeon.  I mean… the third bedroom.  It’s our catch-all room and hadn’t been touched since THANKSGIVING. I cleaned out a huge trashbag full of junk and organized all my craft/wreath making supplies. One thing I ran across was a box of some of mine and Stephen’s old music CD’s. After the room was finished (YOU CAN SEE THE FLOOR – HALLELUJAH!) Stephen and I sat down and imported our favorites songs off our old CDs into iTunes. I think I doubled my song collection! And we still have a big book of Stephen’s laying around somewhere that we need to find and import. Needless to say I’m glad to have that task finished, it’s something we had been meaning to do for awhile. I had a ton of those “Now That’s What I Call Music…” CDs from my middle school/early high school days and I’m pretty sure I’m going to be singing 90s pop songs for the rest of the week. Ha!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-12588163280291074182013-03-05T20:59:00.001-06:002013-03-05T20:59:27.535-06:00oh… hi there!<p align="center"><font size="3">UUUM, oops.  I forgot about blogging. Once I go a few days without blogging it seems it’s just easier to keep ignoring it. I left off a few days before Valentine’s Day so I’ll do a quick recap. If you follow me on Instagram… most of these are going to be repeats. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1YSJiwm_uhynBIKbepGfZiXGBioOgaJj9hXbk5ErFFqdl9gaD_7yowU1sAwSf1Df9N0iXGvL8nZXHdlVeqzBPTSeHTnmZseU60C3TPsU1cfNnugJKo90pPPJANvH73wSlBmCSEPIW_cK/s1600-h/IMG_5414%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5414" border="0" alt="IMG_5414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwt_klcFBfB4DkQCcPZC6j0S4exif3TcakI0g5G-2RjtRcbdFEGLWyl1hlBMWA0uAbv76ZCHsFQvW8hTCMp3G5SgZFH8bbISWTOaxPbytcNfrNFsFmUmlhr3iXFwUocCWP_rgyANcwzHa/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Stephen got me a few different Valentine’s Day gifts but these flowers were my favorite. It’s the first time he’s gotten me fresh flowers since we were dating. I LOVE flowers for Valentine’s Day (or any day really) even though it’s cliché.  </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPlBefEIHuFXi4FqziQBUnU8i_lGte-vkUcXVCTkPpo2zhRabOFZieVL_1zY2trICZy8ZZ1De_hZ040aNZ3ip-NOv2eGc0A5qmBYrZi2GLsv1sS80E9ommdrHNebKEtWFrPLdwSFaeYMf/s1600-h/IMG_5457%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5457" border="0" alt="IMG_5457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlj7neyVjQuzEKcTlrNT9kxwyFz8pqudjImWc3VCw_uTXoWK20Dju-okANNxDUUqG83d8PoR9bO5U1C4X3kWOjVH0jYC2izSwf3Z-Pvo24aUP8AcYoRLhdTJJ3zZWqDoTQbSBkdCTRrtO/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">We had a few days of sleet/snow/ice. It would come that morning then be melted by the afternoon. Christopher liked to walk in it and see his footprints afterwards.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3TyWt2OSYewG28cfDg4xDtO8ilo-EnND7aEaLuGLDJOI2SkblBWj6KkwvWJB8tfhUjBWlvLOkyhjKM0xPxirPU7XA2cQnhs9J-xw2O1LIQwFp2y8i8DzC96AEZ0cSt75mqltl6s3XcQ_/s1600-h/IMG_5474%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5474" border="0" alt="IMG_5474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7XTrnax8-Jh3p9vSEtXWQwAsqM-sphx_hwh1vvFetraBDLWhtlKey0VrCXCzbWIjVFSo1j3EeMbvOD78iUpNjK-bt-kCxPRNNZKk_W-InpyCHmo8BfV4gP-Udv3PJAzhEf0dl5eD76Vn/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Basketball season ending meant Stephen had to be gone for tournaments and championships… I was a single parents for a few nights. It’s exhausting! BUT I will say I think it was easier to keep the house picked up…which tells me that Stephen is more of a <em>hindrance </em>than a <em>help</em> in that area. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcl4CM8w4D0URl8IfpBBBzMuuv8VWXUCZveG5RBle_4f3s0WoXdnPPF9RH18qa-TuhFVdgPwPKEcHCtm1GmRPjDHkMz8Qp4fEvFpstpL4gKxDe2YJYbggeYG0eJvSETL6sB61zfkYy5XU/s1600-h/IMG_5502%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_5502" border="0" alt="IMG_5502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-IBrT9-XUEI_Dvhxp8Rn3jfMAKH5CQNIkXrQ6TKt4M-8gbPKUlab0s-1_qTNSl4Lx0GOzO2tlbgUBHB_V7K_UXzQy2n6g1ZtrRYcj9uIRfsTyBgJ1N8JA5kdwBt1TkIAEvVbNpAFjSFx/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Christopher and I made a trip to Ft Smith for his second dentist appointment. He went back all by himself and they told me he did really well! He didn’t have any cavities, so yay for that!  We had a fun day together!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6p5CAdfHHngjs-Q6DMzt9H3PMZWifZull1j3NZ-ZKxh8cqAeyvOfR6c7ILdyPSn7Olwplqe0l0IX9qoGfzgKX2tEqguwSbeyO-sQVpDKKIh6CtgNdKuxq5KLNvtlkSZIosmqPes7UjVx/s1600-h/IMG_5507%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_5507" border="0" alt="IMG_5507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi6e_i13LcZrXgQsKPZwM1TNwwA7Efh0_ydV_Cq1uzCsdeMKaGImqyV7aPZ3m1YzIWiXjs0NPmu2ir55G-_-oVmTnfQwZA7IjNTn7D94j0juOWeUwqOeIEDmcTDlMvtmt0FBVKG80iu5g/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">We had lunch at Arby’s…</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7qWK2xRyUMltoZ7eN0-hlUN6Izoy1jFZ7Zjhyphenhyphen2ao3tG4GX438GmVkLNEYjBweP9f1M2lwB8sTD-4Hc_-9twdapkxn0sq2mSMEBqVXiYfRbclAJvtKdc1VKo3jDu4FffYpads3jtB5pAu/s1600-h/IMG_5516%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_5516" border="0" alt="IMG_5516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78lOBzLRBXJC8n4V6uSS8bYFEXjnfRjg9upFdFAUpqaqbPb__9_gVRHGysIcGvqUGfFSujGmYVf0l0W7_h3GQc6FNnL1zZSOinUUWTXi8rO-2ku4Gsd3sWWnLIs3X-bBUsRLHS02Rta8e/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Then I bribed him with ice cream (fro-yo) for a quick trip in Hobby Lobby. But really, I would have taken him for ice cream anyways.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACf8BxIv6H0v32cI5j0cpKWtT-gARD_gTi0-9CqFCHppVeayDuBsgykczNejn5Tevj5bpALnj6qs7Gl8s7fLNSHGK3iIXLgsW8uZuwtbTNE9AAKXF1E7tmU99tuIAqCpHgqsl5on3PoTX/s1600-h/IMG_5527%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_5527" border="0" alt="IMG_5527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG8kEYel3XpGO-PTMiu2l0Cto02BHhNpIvGFjlmszTtyjncJ82_cEqOxsAXIKnBNSZH7ZhWEtIgLTB07LdOrd88BXSP1yECqZYtd1NEjozG5mJHSNhYEWFP8mp_V1WZ3w9ANV8nAnsssI/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">This was waiting for his hair appointment later in the week. He’d gotten a sucker when we’d gone through the bank drive-thru and thought his blue tongue was funny.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2yc4010-3HpyuncNij67eWK033R2wnr9WzwRcUJUE0_50zaUqkvOSiQ-B-3lYB-NzOnxaYy0bFp2Wc7EDJTw8pqZcgO5u6GNtcJHC0pMoxOO5OUk8zeu9uifAWUeg0akSHO3JQZe1lOH/s1600-h/IMG_5537%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TY0M7OFSwIBtEVfcELmttZ3AehaSwNhLOouwHAAcHCLB4bUuu50peQ13lJ77F4zXssJaW2o3yeFyrYnBhyphenhyphenNo9vS7dTi7NcXee72wkPzTC7PkcjOnTz7ScTrWsCxO34I5jmbcvKK4MV_m/s1600-h/IMG_5537%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_5537" border="0" alt="IMG_5537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53osGUH3VAY7I0h9j2IMpNYJynIp64-E3sQcrAwImb6OY_RD4b8-dFtoAePeUEZgd5snpVwOJlTI4myGekIBYlertCOuuEemRTxJrFZekFzIeKHkmHdrCsjUflJVOyR_frCGTO7j_G_hE/?imgmax=800" width="391" height="401" /></a></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I ordered this vinyl wall art from Etsy to go above mine and Stephen’s bed. I love it with our new bedding!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F9OF39CV5mWViUoiEhI56BvRyDJ3y6lLdL1IDdxcRDEsA7NLs7j59vmMieh-eK7xrmV1xO6EdE9W_zXFyy5lN9iHtCFeqCUutAJXvYjCFqxnH0TdwpRds9DcwafxJh-FaS2-CFdo_DiD/s1600-h/IMG_5542%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3BEnRXaNIoKNImIjPaZXG802kcgHVm2zNS5qkT3lD5LjAjJ6N1yOwcoe51V_lxh0xjrHeSyhEkutFnmDqn3PN_GSpRBYgzWUp4Z5fOuX-RgBEcEQkxpf5OPE8qE109K2ROy_fvYcDvJS/s1600-h/IMG_5542%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="IMG_5542" border="0" alt="IMG_5542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk97yge3kve9ndO81P66eif8RNL139vqtQKmQeJh4zLixmc4rfjJabdEHOvKii4R8auhYvbhxPzCSDMbl-OqtN4vdzlB5Mk6qe3e6EBo99rHumOimXX6megMegvt_w3Pw08UliJq0tqzwM/?imgmax=800" width="442" height="342" /></a></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I’ve been in a Spring Cleaning mood, I guess. I’m working on the house one room at a time. Our master closet and the dressers/drawers in our room are all cleaned out and ready for spring/summer! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I have a few changes coming to the blog (like, um, updating my header? Less than 6 months until Christopher is <em>four</em>…the “2” pictures are a little outdated.) and I’m excited to start working on them! Hopefully by the end of the month. =)</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-57361762519231554462013-02-13T21:58:00.001-06:002013-02-13T21:58:25.133-06:00Doctors and Elmo and Worms<p><font size="3">Christopher had a doctor appointment yesterday so he stayed home from daycare. I took the iPad with us to the appointment but he didn’t want to watch anything so I had to keep him entertained for an hour and a half. Fun stuff.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I broke out self-portrait mode on the camera because he normally loves to take goofy shots but he immediately got all sulky and serious and refused to be silly.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS2KXMn4UK81oA1KMinUOjfRAB64vd_6N_wN-kUbBF9E3zOTLbXnA0m0UTT92EYYdfZwrfNFfr529JFDTLqs4OHlgHca0UEfFo8O6LcIJo0Y1t1OBGTvriOCy40bYzwHRxxDe7uYWhCt7/s1600-h/IMG_5386%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5386" border="0" alt="IMG_5386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKXo6c3EyzblLPbCN_BJFT8K552k_F59lvOoZKj4_X1WrwUUDoO6hP-McFWzAWl8-KM4xlHtFVLmYPxiGEH-8r3_X0sxSLvfIM_SJVEa0_ZYyBhC06LiajUxx94LQEqjb6RIiZeV4K97q/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6I1-d2dG6H0BttU2Go310bwcvbUFtBi7lDeWOfr1-v622h5lVsfxV4RVw7VAm6MNKr2Rd6jS-c6yxHtV2djc8Ospe7OueiBIdNjYIjIThQtexuQD2p6OeHss1FJBIOe3ySSQldZqE3qY/s1600-h/IMG_5387%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5387" border="0" alt="IMG_5387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT38fBsc0ehv7JTdJd8fmvNXTKf3P6UYafDZuUfaZf9p-ytRu8ZPKZc8Ftmw-kBNoINg0243WQdfOKTkv-8LaPy2QveiD06K6dDYpalEqX8CVhUfWBpC2Agz0a9J_laX9oo_f-d1vaWOQ/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I don’t know if I mentioned, but I got glasses back in the fall. I had lasic surgery when I was 21 and had perfect vision afterwards, (couldn’t see the big “<strong>E</strong>” before!” but after I had Christopher my visions started getting worse. I haven’t had optical insurance in the 5 years that Stephen and I have been married, so I hadn’t been to the eye doctor to test my vision. My parents gifted me with money for an eye exam for my birthday, and I was happy to find out that my vision is still 20/20 and I only have a slight case of astigmatism. I “notice” the astigmatism most driving – especially at night – and when working on the computer. I feel like an old school marm when I wear them but I can tell that they help, especially when driving (and it was dark and rainy yesterday)</font></p> <p><font size="3">Anyway, Christopher’s check-up went well.  His ear infection from a few weeks ago had cleared up and he got a clean bill of health. He’s in the 50th percentile for height and weight. (Weight was 35 pounds, not sure what his height was…forgot to ask.)</font></p> <p><font size="3">I had to wake him up from his nap to go to the appointment and he wanted to take his Elmo stuffed toy that he sleeps with. Normally Elmo doesn’t run errands with us but since he was still waking up and it’s a comfort thing, I didn’t really think anything of it. Well, Elmo got left at the doctor’s office and I didn’t even realize it until I was putting Christopher into bed last night. He was so upset and I felt so bad for him. I told him I would go by the doctor today and pick Elmo up. WELLLLL I had planned to do it this morning on my way home after taking Christopher to daycare, but it slipped my mind. I decided to do it this afternoon. Went by at 3:45 on my way to daycare and remembered that my doctor’s office closes at NOON on Wednesdays and so nobody was there.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I cried. I felt so guilty for not picking it up this morning and knowing that he was going to have to go to sleep without Elmo AGAIN.  He was so sad when I told him… and tonight during prayers he prayed for the doctor’s office to be open so that we could get Elmo back tomorrow.  Last night during prayers he prayed to see Elmo again and that he would be so happy and give Elmo a kiss when he saw him! I love the way his mind works.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmPZxso3vdXJo4NEfY8HiN55XNtKEwRClGguFs0yERUgFPx3_scbrs3Yu7cZpmbPlGWS36bg-LGLpv1efaGT_s_Y9F_YSJi_S5X8kCAZzkcvR6Gad5gAgKkOEsPZ7_IkRsqT2LDBpy0aK/s1600-h/IMG_5393%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5393" border="0" alt="IMG_5393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWA3TFq5FlkJiG_YhG6iL7D4gkMvDWrfsjwtx9_NTIXvn0Od22tWGy1lgmCh3vrk3_F_ygwX7fBYaE4IgDTJLinyg3AQX_bZlZzvA6WQgllpq2k7K0HCaoV9hy9xPkzegdvUakIBTsIgi/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="400" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">I bought the supplies to make his Valentine’s day treats for his friends at school. I had seen an idea where you take Rolos and roll them up in red paper to make them look like sticks of dynamite. (<a href="http://www.make-it-do.com/celebrate-it/valentine-doings/" target="_blank">Here is the post where I saw them</a>.) I thought it was really cute so I decided to do it… but it took me about 15  minutes to put one “bomb” together and he has 23 kids to give treats. Christopher thought it was really neat but I was not looking forward to rolling 60+ Rolo dynamite sticks so I nixed that idea and searched the web and <a href="http://lilluna.com/valentines-hooked-on-you-pail/" target="_blank">came across this idea</a> from Lil Luna and decided to go with it.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Here’s a picture of what she did… <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuVvI8b6m2aRlfgQtm72ZT_USb1bzouPEf6rBEKN3dPsSp3py1UPd2Hyg_-t21ByYtFyqTTwc9zr0vG60BZI1GwafoYM5cVu6jIJhFRpr3DSC2S6Nh3z44WH8ommV6hKXvYpWZMyPeWY3/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuBm9G348kv7A5zNNmoB3CSAnFcPCQ8lZe168SXfBZvbKZZaVAjqtlZ_rbZ-hp8RR4EE0hHjRvV7vSG64kVD36bI7Lwk8l4-SDrlB0u6Mpn0HOWkx9G6KQxx5gY98UT7E8Hs9hD3T40eN/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="336" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I decided to just put our gummy worms in little snack-size Ziplock bags since it was a last minute thing and I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have found little pails anywhere in Mena anyway. Plus, again, 23 kids. Even at a buck a pail… Mama’s not made of money.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Photoshop and I were NOT friends this morning. This is not what I had envisioned last night when I decided to go with this idea, but it’s about all that Photoshop had in mind for me. It’s still cute, anyway.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ_EMKdWcsOOUEZq0YkyTew6HkIaqQ_U-3pps-h_1RAKhNSDJF_ExO7dL3Hd6VZFrIDE8EJPfHC4U71GDvgb7hyphenhyphenyZ3FkpCyR-Spl8VvQA4MXaxvW_oi4k4YJLe2YnpHe5G2gYJzZF2-dI/s1600-h/IMG_5401%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5401" border="0" alt="IMG_5401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-K1952IAVZk96CCzIeFGwlDv4ouNt1KdkYgZL070WwrOodmTP8hehJUauepzdLruwexH1JDiaToCKGQeIIKuhuCZF8uYIl6ZNoASFdNTIpoDBo3_CqDFYUSVkZoolCHWfBfM5F-sX2qp/?imgmax=800" width="411" height="314" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU8fGetEsqJeO3E6w_li3VLgNi4GIK-YLiVkHHIOXZUDd1C5degIVLrZvQRynb_exAvwDyR5cnwEIHB9v5baZZ2FbXxgUCkseOvN1Bc8w-nCaHfdmWXV_Cw-sXkekaYD3Ui6c_s01qtiu/s1600-h/IMG_5407%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_5407" border="0" alt="IMG_5407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xDOdM8ktSUReIvlxJHgpi-FoXFGxLJxobr2EYWA7Xcpwcdq6k9HFdCf_AaOt9MAtg34w6TWk3HBe1gibJ-kJ5ba-sr0okDSu7Px_brfTfyOhPs39cPCMmfQZjd7XVHHyaM2FMrR87IGV/?imgmax=800" width="468" height="490" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Christopher helped to assemble these. He’ll be 3.5 in FIVE days. I’m not sure where time has gone but I seriously need it to slow down because I’m not ready for my baby to be four.</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-77354067426451785582013-02-12T10:01:00.001-06:002013-02-12T10:01:32.110-06:00The Proof is in the Pin<p><font size="3">I’m linking up today with Sarah at <a href="http://www.lifesweetlifeblog.com/" target="_blank">Life {Sweet} Life</a> for <a href="http://www.lifesweetlifeblog.com/2013/02/the-proof-is-in-pin-volume-6.html" target="_blank">The Proof is in the Pin</a>!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyl7-buDBDeFABtTh0WxgjbrclJlnMGjAhYlyFxqC30VKYL-sZwvScDDfmmV2-MJG0ZWRE7TEHSjNxMT-kyiZZEHKYbyQQqo_o_zSmpWnDZm8rwtEqvoGKoT3QxR3x-MxMCS77gRKPtyL/s1600-h/proofisinthepin4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="proofisinthepin" border="0" alt="proofisinthepin" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm9cXczse08tMoaVlGM5iVxtp1OdHKhTE73vKJTPwYneypZXp1dgwRILsXQVa88uIE90CJZxkT2p1ItOv6E3B90KrwJWee9pPhJ6IxoKGjv9bscKXGgvBtGIYoVbnhb9jF6mG4XYdqI3P/?imgmax=800" width="329" height="359" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I missed last month’s Proof is in the Pin link up, but I’m back this month with several fun pins.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt5PcHiye_ZtL60d8aPqd9jzLgIsUPYrREVhdgQRhpDUSpAMBIR0Ryw_0ma68R5YCq-PWELXmWVUby4_9VY5C17o2oPHLKgXYTph5iMjuH327j6ssRdanqZkJR3fe7dCoTQ2d0XIUeie0/s1600-h/DIY-Mug-Holder-22.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DIY-Mug-Holder-2" border="0" alt="DIY-Mug-Holder-2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKH51bOcL5FwVax677x36zcmZ0pAu40TT5311bk5SY_GabjwvuirFX6tHQOuG3YH8PlIBUgPEOW1CxPMb7YapoR7i97vewdXctm8v85EPIjePcEehJ-YoSnL7M0g1Kv3ia14dGNgALd2C/?imgmax=800" width="282" height="420" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #1 </strong>-- First up, the <a href="http://pennywisecook.com/diy-coffee-mug-holder/" target="_blank">DIY Coffee Mug Holder</a>. I pinned this quite awhile back. I don’t have a Cricut so I can’t do vinyl and this offered an alternative way to get professional looking text on wooden objects. I made one of these for my mother in law for Christmas and she loved it!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eZ1Y85CBxp7KFrtCwxG0LBFKksBmCna6fhFV8HgAKtekGxc-3pdau_2xW0L4ZPw4FatchOKb_Hb5egVcpHVAR7Zk7RvTzhF-Cin2KvByPdYCWwEwBy7FWIM826SdTYYu16INKvKW_cZo/s1600-h/IMG_48393.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4839" border="0" alt="IMG_4839" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58cexd057xQo0TtduzgpB8TOCYqW_6Hjp_EK-ex1VgKg-SWsQ1SLlnob5pi4-HeJQROE9CLAdlYOy_p4GJnB1xVT7TcLcGXph0xgc6QKn-Tc-9qiGVauesvRc9670pmPhHL2ICJMZIH-L/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="232" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfzqX5jsCLG7LuwnMdcw5CQyH8QjEl-p7EMVq16mm0wutiotFplhnOgrv7rPx6XnIXBaGErntqUFo6dGt8kNxgMTm2JIhAHtDl85ESlfVxZLH4vDx-VFtw9oCtIiE0sXK_Ux1nhdned-7/s1600-h/IMG_48403.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4840" border="0" alt="IMG_4840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncD26wwacsI99862FTOCwMMn3eVX14hHHnere2QIiYZzTVcoZ_TYKeHpX_6Ay0k_Zbdnkn8pICUit9KWNQ-jHKUjwg49iuPNd9LMCHyC9tjsZ-2gYlv4QxAQfv5G_ZU3_qX1QwmFET5if/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="232" /></a><font size="3">I used a paint pen to fill in the text. That scroll below was a B to trace and then my gold paint pen didn’t want to cooperate with me.</font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhuUwPWybsSZJQV9zwP4i5TEgxqmEbXwh2EdjnFbxQDv4D7TyfmG-a_Yg2COwOCcIZ2HpmwaiNMVoKE4__lk1tjgc-HWHlYZg6NamtqwmcRkMhxNsMT7WH4-2OjzOSq5RoDpXbyjwXhZx/s1600-h/IMG_48413.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4841" border="0" alt="IMG_4841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Tdms1BAI2T5xYLOMNsiOS5FYOE_ZWrR5z54DqNXGUtEsDcHhSfhGYuoZ3QsRw3Is_xqr_QuoADetwOv7UD-ERSRyyIOuWloaUwPCt7drboHG5gxhdIuNaa59O0ff9XihVDt3iyKdOJgU/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I just printed the word “java” in different sizes and fonts and placed them randomly. <br /></font> <br /></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUM97ivspHtqS8tYDCP3INcwRMfIfhLG_ogVA30-t480_3CZjMrekpcRZCYzPrI2OtZsvPPqoc7kcZjUgpxfYCAdzTCcUPYIV1CTVEKWG-cuKHzmgDFjnJHtQH4U5q8oihGEgcEz8TGJd/s1600-h/IMG_48423.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4842" border="0" alt="IMG_4842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXtupP8RBf90SEJ69OKrOXLIKwLlvbhGsDsW5Mb1KH8oZAo1upU2DKTbY_pfX-_QZLCSQ5qfP0q0NK5mPj33U6uwR5Ru91JOd3SsKucdW5HYpCEmMl0CDBu5-iCiqTv-5uo3NjQqJxDcw/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkc2OjibpoTmYrbKt9pRWf0_M5N3cWiCRiYjg50iKy1xVq47nuzlMuysmkeJp4tcoXevPGkWcv-EKE0ZGAKltd2E8KCHAiuVPH1grgz_7yrSiHv4a4yQsQgyDvE818-zUkeZLRDzkf2qa/s1600-h/IMG_48433.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4843" border="0" alt="IMG_4843" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguheDemKaWRgL6ELwhUdsC_BgerF5IEx_CVljmp9uvwGbOwSexl-2YfWgjNGsJ5S9i6_1AV8lH870NHY3pzHgCma7uuO9nadJhZEzBg_rm_-DhC2Eu9gdXMKYlSjO1YmeNgOmk5tKarSpw/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a> <p><font size="3">I ended up putting one or two more “javas” in the bottom right corner. I also painted over that stray gold mark underneath the scroll.  Stephen drilled holes for the coffee cup hooks for me. I think we did six hooks total, but I never took a picture of the finished product. (Why on earth?) We gave my MIL and FIL personalized coffee cups from Shutterfly.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwqLdsOGm0B7lCnAqdzCb9elC6_FRvvwWelwBLQuCY6SiZoT8gY64Ko9BZ-rNZP5Q-Voc6QrqMgnBblq4f9X5qeT2g9drL3MZQwVeW7NzfD3yOjrGLWgz1D-IBFqVIYzmJPhg6AxHMroe/s1600-h/image19.png"><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="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmrunFpZUEZaHeIT20saTv-awfcdxxjae7BovudPfNuagCLomFXQ02O9M1-W1kYrO1FwVNNIhn7VvUFdMRPG8oDJU_sMnVT4h46FFNh-ogirQsJ_SB57osZ_DPjvUnvI-elmBwTfLjNkn/?imgmax=800" width="250" height="251" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZrKcMwi4xq2IOGyGpUeTY8GAyZV9mfaxo9zS48IHyKdjJWa2qWd7IA5lFZ7-GxTP2_n-dvfG4s7ummp5bkQCbSxPXX0Lc9tVgKor1K645r75fwyfWCzBM3sBIy-iNEyW9yhH5tQXaCJ/s1600-h/image20.png"><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="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX4ByoiadnIP0kLxdqakcc3stPjZByDd6jMz4KVrtY1cB-Wb_pm2lvzzfxcR_OXq0EYb1oivdk_en1wsHJc4m-7qJQkF31YyIDRCY7Ib015bVwMMegVu5AbfPWdvjv72Ad8kJ_7wyuF63/?imgmax=800" width="250" height="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZjKaXuR3ubfDYut4zoEVDNFG14QZ0b-iLLCjmylQJgl1rjspGfEs6aZst_enBYLrbnZRk7p3jG9fSCiDNkcPTZj1veGAy84TYRCIDiAUv6Nu_exJ8MV2zQFjuHvni16cY1emlmBubeBg/s1600-h/image21.png"><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="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippiwwkJa6db-MnGbQO0Um38xKVkfMxfCEQFCOi-tu0Dfh3wV58WpThmhrWsBkxVts1bwmYijqmC4pCK2BWC9kuTQzzs_0w1zRjr881JCpsMtJCQJyfApF_kSb-AnsCpqKLFeGp8RtZlRs/?imgmax=800" width="250" height="252" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBAAzSJ3Q1JOhatbO22g5k2chSjik5y9U7hJej_1CjisjIrdRiovyCrTp5LjL6IP09lGtAgV_Ro32uGRhriokBS4MMfLMoDcwHloFOUuBHjNlM3-EdBkuR_Mfwr295LL359ZkrmWtOZYv/s1600-h/image36.png"><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="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeGl9dqEwNcrTTY2p2sgI49DwUTf4rEylx2dHC9ne8Yp2Gxe8W15_SKtj1e5m2RNA5uN1swuQxEYU72dlG-OMBQu0mrUQ3cURvmI4yBHuS-52ujoj5qHBwf6p29rANUIHuQhVFfZTEzFc/?imgmax=800" width="250" height="247" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibprq3keZKqw64oknD6SF7QEDZVQyIWOd7dA66UnVHYxWtNQDnqNtCFVH0N_Q_hHG7Z148Llnv2Y7QJvYf2uXbU5Kr6wPPU9lYruaSK_zQmmzpbHQYa4s7UmOWLWnJgs9796V0JZUXtoFJ/s1600-h/image34.png"><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="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKFYGcth-SmF-tMsRSs1W2cbnhan_bfqkzO9zkPa1GAaIW0aRCPVC_D0VD50TzAol0y8CpZX0Ah8_m82LWLS9s9HfYD0jAuGqnXklOA2aNeNXfc8uwUJrAly70S8tB2Vpr7eIg7C0WLrt/?imgmax=800" width="250" height="255" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpWIh_3PubZM3fM1nEz7NTGa7naHTZc9W4Z33czx7iunte_yS1uilNMcbE3GQD5ZXmFezkRWUIW3lp2jrHvldnQEnRxFqXbiK-67vhNspvo1yoBTrdg70nlnN21crBIpj44VJaRX_6jqv/s1600-h/image35.png"><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="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Mdkp4j4vJd1uTOMrmfUINQkmN1ZEgAqq7tYrWefbCaq9WZskjVnCSReVua1HliU1oxGPK_SV6bZ1i8hV0A54-yiVWZ28z__FHOcMzCMJeweLO7uKAP18T420TNRgfXO0qR0_gV3TVDD/?imgmax=800" width="250" height="248" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">This was a fun project to work with. I’m not extremely crafty so I really enjoyed doing this! I think the personalized coffee cups made it really neat, too.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFQd5Oe1vLa3qdILbDnEMwqVE-rMr89pix4Gts2kKfGpvKAls7m-gz2ufsqC5wopmTn0NzZ6FIxoiN25jOrsoyCJUdWTPrWsuiVKa6Hft4GMaXKaeEVty2qQPTkrDrChPowDfqCtS0owf/s1600-h/modpodgecanvas3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="modpodgecanvas" border="0" alt="modpodgecanvas" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYmDUy2iTgjnwDTAf3MENa6B1eIiHidGGtC0QLgxfps-X5-talVH85p-Rpxjal8vAUqGchNbNLRgvo2m3H9iaDc37oZS3omNyyyAbbNKXy9YKfiOSpoStAAvWKND0LFM-wXxBwuuFutbb/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="247" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #2 – </strong><a href="http://www.lovebugliving.com/2012/12/diy-canvas-photos-handmaking-holidays.html" target="_blank">Photo on Canvas</a>. I mentioned in the last few posts that I ordered new bedding and I’m kind of re-doing our master bedroom. I’ve been wanting to try one of those “DIY Photo Canvas” projects for awhile and I figured now is as good a time as any. I used <a href="http://www.lovebugliving.com/2012/12/diy-canvas-photos-handmaking-holidays.html" target="_blank">this method</a> from Love Bug Living. I know there are a ton of different tutorials out there for this and it’s really just however you want to do it. I bought my canvas at Wal-Mart and already has the 8x10s from Christopher’s 1-year photos… ahem… 2.5 years ago. I had never done anything with them and this was the perfect use for them. This was also my first experience with Mod Podge. Yup. I told you I’m not that crafty! I bought it at Wal-Mart with the canvas. I think I spent about $7 on the Mod Podge and $5 for TWO canvasses so the whole project cost me less than $13… which is a great deal considering the prices for photos on canvas. I also bought two 11x14 canvasses and I plan on having a wedding picture & a family picture printed off to put on those.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkY37xXz20oW72dZRr9kJbpPaaG8r47CZB4KP93J14sdlyLy7kwwTL_lMiSDsPo2aqSbfO4wVxyon6zSz8o87WAbj2Q4MKWkzlIUtVABAWW1cKNste8W8r98KrM0NW4kWtrcPwj2vqB0D/s1600-h/IMG_53473.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5347" border="0" alt="IMG_5347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqjyqZ8KyEcdZxfrGZIcsptRmGhS1GyP-PwB-Ll6lXzPg7bY1Utt51RGi-XjNoDZO9HhNCuxAOsa-jw4RQON8uE6Vc7_xrUTjg__C_q7RQcdOvFzXJDQjiLzHQHgzD-9xmw1r0le_2x0Q/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqGtPBHNLUdJ2Ue6bXkX19YGJmAL1tOHADwLWYyOl2KyuQazBq7WOidrizOxRQKf6UgmwFWNMYi_O_Cd6tm-wQvi1o8h8k9v5ygGEYLKNbvvvKYH2anG4kkatDmF3zf3LuzHP71xTrzgG/s1600-h/IMG_53534.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5353" border="0" alt="IMG_5353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQHbmk4PJP9HwU1fl3FD_kwR5E4ZvTHlN33XVpNtb6F1VIHglvVDBL4IkdNMJWebsTM5OpChVN2JXazgTKQDcmuIno90haMW0Qe7gSh4iH50cX8nm0v4zvdxoh0rUkQLW-G44CDuwkbo-/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="312" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9I-oir1b80_pF41_ShcmMjxaGwLOKwh3B1aUlid_uoqlG_fbJmcQPL7uDH_pPqNXD68CeSF_alVuc7qD9j7_4gXE8Se51Eugxa2_EtsiXH093yUq1Biv_nsg7oZdcMmYfXKvjJuUzajl/s1600-h/IMG_5362%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5362" border="0" alt="IMG_5362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFeXl1HPkZlb_rqQcseLrPGcwyJUR1iwiDxzYP65lNZh_ixxkVxfYySrq9jrWJwYkQrv5jGkjyJuvjTZV_isvx5-BcXZYVd-6XWBdzFm1CXrR9vmMA7M6xcU3xNBkhmF8EQJknFSSa64Y/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a><em>That amazeballs clock is from </em><a href="http://www.target.com/p/threshold-153-modern-sunburst-wall-clock-teal/-/A-14237345" target="_blank"><em>Target.</em></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I painted one canvas black but decided to leave the other white. <br />I think since the picture is so white it looks better.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD684LRQ-kdeqe69abChSEnEMNS89aoEuKWnZaf101ARyaL7ZHZRI_u5LEzT24nz4csjWTRzMhAbFvW815GxCDEgYwEIiOcbvjC5aetTgKL1lhz6sqnd1Ao6glRS6wvbQMim5hMMgZtJtb/s1600-h/IMG_53525.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5352" border="0" alt="IMG_5352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-X_obb8-n5gnS3j0IVsMdDT0wABSvdph86d-TwHRILKehPq9__NSahy9PU2kcPJJd5ZvQpkGqO0lqJM3MNXahtLz98h2vmL3uUhQf-xIRdvXx__qvkVFLvN7lSKeJjMq8CyKV21j5YJl/?imgmax=800" width="309" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I just threw them up on the wall to take these pics, but I do think I am going to do a second coat of Mod Podge, just to be safe. I was skimpy with my first application since I really didn’t know how it worked.  This was a super simple, QUICK, cheap project for my walls and I love the way it turned out!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAsGd3wMMYEYPJnPcadsH5LCtTpb6pD-NV03NG5aXr30CPUX9dwAC3DG6FruodItmncDh01kb9R8XDorc8-IzqQY5avtClF-6yY5T48qFMTjTxU59-VzJU6cZQEE7We7kGcwiKV6f16hD/s1600-h/Felt-Heart-Cover-1024x6353.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Felt-Heart-Cover-1024x635" border="0" alt="Felt-Heart-Cover-1024x635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNwJenizqFRSLudssKRIufj344qSlI8asIX9Aa_ijrOglYmkeNq-Q-nIy0Ntddl9H8JQsdryIv6SCxAF4Da8B1v1W7-L_sUpxUSa45vnJ5tBDjo6vglFxxtlREeIZAsmWxvSlsOJZUKW4/?imgmax=800" width="444" height="286" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #3</strong> – <a href="http://www.lovebugliving.com/2012/12/diy-canvas-photos-handmaking-holidays.html" target="_blank">Valentine’s Garland</a>. I was wanting to add some Valentine’s Décor to my house, but since it was already so  late in the month I didn’t really want to spend much time or money. I made this super easy garland last Tuesday when Stephen was sick and Christopher was at daycare <strike>and I was having a Downton Abbey marathon</strike>. All it took was some red felt, string, scissors, and a glue gun! I love it on my new-to-me china hutch.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcjFKpLGSERyy2XKBtVgwytftOfq46joqQfbKfPCd8TAXTfcbrFA4oMuFBh7IpOB1P-3Zebg9WxGqPOUnyPyrXpuUpUC5AfzHNlwldQgJY2eLHhoDIrg-gqZJv_7DadroeFnP35ZTx9Kh/s1600-h/IMG_53493.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5349" border="0" alt="IMG_5349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpVoLq1SWKiuwjjsTm09xnkbA-b_MDiSU2VF4DiV-0dkKZ6CGy0pGWSQ34bUU_o6fqNJ4eLPnB4FaTYpNPGIFdf12sh61QN6OtDMm_y5x4sTohX_BMaFER2KErLD8BC_W56_LAWVUryxJ/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">If I were to do it again I would do half of the garland with the hearts facing one direction, and the other half with the hearts facing the opposite direction, so that when you hang it up, all the hearts are right side up.  Regardless, I love this and the pop of color it adds to my dining area.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lyRRt-Glgklq3O5KmZPxXUldkFH3cuUFggQJ9IiLPHTAHzium69lkfEhIPpdCMXovLXFmohd_y9m8X00l7tWMbKqwkiLzANOLh4DvB4nwioEH3OVu___yGUzKhJ1FOJXZltJAwmHgnsw/s1600-h/Oatmeal-Cookies-207x3003.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Oatmeal-Cookies-207x300" border="0" alt="Oatmeal-Cookies-207x300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D6vI5iqUiV2dw8Tsgpb0V8eWOyYghxovzMIoaaqtwumLZij4uEU5oMGUIk21LHpETBcINoh1ESXKAYkEKdn2x3OxbomMfLFJq-mUaeiCzVRsK6ue0TK0_CJJirmXQo9e84W-Z-ry8_Ng/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="397" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #4 – </strong><a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/03/18/jumbo-oatmeal-raisin-cinnamon-buttercream-sandwich-cookies/" target="_blank">Oatmeal Raisin and Cinnamon Buttercream Sandwich Cookies</a>. Oh. Em. Gee. This babies are <em>good.</em> Stephen was wanting Oatmeal Raisin cookies one night so I did a Pinterest search and found these. The cookies by themselves are <strong>delicious</strong>, but the <em>Cinnamon Buttercream Icing</em> takes them a whole new level. Stephen isn’t a fan things that are “too sweet” (which doesn’t really exist, in my opinion) so he prefers the cookie by itself, sans icing. I like to use the icing as a topper for just one cookie instead of making them into sandwiches. </font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdV9-3zdY1AYIM22CJ9-ZMelHjflfWuymAXeAGDeUH_53tEsm_P3AxTMVdslc09rtv1OmvhzWT8wbMF7B6oe7eAkS_m-eqtLvuYmo-NkUHcSwOZT1L9a1ldl2512EmAgF4c-BgErBxKZ-/s1600-h/chickencordonbleuwraps3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="chickencordonbleuwraps" border="0" alt="chickencordonbleuwraps" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviS9FFdlN5aQn3mprj0lr5Cuw4b06DJw_xpWHGV3UVFZsIaOlFFdcVk90p6N8wxA6cyAOiBySoWQ7Bz9aRd4a4dhlcfI6XxzAggZAc6ySxBzmygAw9X1EslNIzCkVclqn85BvevTqqVpM/?imgmax=800" width="382" height="296" /></a></strong></font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #5</strong> – <a href="http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/05/chicken-cordon-bleu-wrap.html" target="_blank">Chicken Cordon Bleu wraps from Plain Chicken</a>. I made these several months ago for Christopher and myself for lunch one day. They were pretty good, but not something I would make again. I thought it was a little time consuming to marinate the chicken overnight and then cook it just to turn around and put it in a flour tortilla. This past weekend, though, I was craving some sautéed mushrooms (<em>noIamnotpregnant</em>) and these were the first thing that came to my mind. I took this general idea and made my own wrap with it. </font></p> <p><font size="3">I took oven roasted turkey lunchmeat, avocado, sauteed mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and spicy ranch (regular ranch with a few dashes of hot sauce and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper) and rolled it all up in a soft taco sized flour tortilla. I sprayed a skillet with a bit of Pam then placed the wraps in it on medium low heat and turned them a few times. I kept a lid on the pan in order to trap the heat so that the mozzarella would melt and get all stringy. I should have taken a picture but I was distracted and didn’t think to. They were SO good. We all loved them!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnReK2dzHaPzp3nhgNy7EIVQOyM7KR2PDN4EnoNy69-A2UV_mPzPVbRt_OPc7MGi4CIUsS7yfRZGCZPaMMqd356NN7YhiQW0SoI_s_FhySibE6yNgw_Veg4_QYqM0ASE_MCvz416mabgL/s1600-h/rugs2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="rugs" border="0" alt="rugs" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhTs-jw7ik7B3TynCeFw2FSDXKuCinGMUM8PODCAoUADyj-cuPMLXCM3zA8Fvn0e86Ehj8UFtcQsXciezR_MqTSEb49JzptGg8eAiAwO886Y5eg5g8rFFELK5RdoFPsnjR8I0hwcI5EJ_/?imgmax=800" width="269" height="420" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Pin #6</strong> – I’m searching for a new rug for my bedroom to match my new bedding/decor and came across this pin. It leads you to <a href="http://www.prettyprovidence.com/2013/01/style-for-song-bold-beautiful-and.html" target="_blank">this website</a> which then leads you to <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a>. I don’t know what you consider “cheap” for a rug, but for me “cheap” means, like, $50 or less. I know I’m never going to find a large <em><strong>new</strong> </em>area rug for $50 but I can always search yard sales and such. Anyway, I did find a rug on their website that I fell in love with and I’m adding it to my Wish List. <em>Just in case anybody in my family would like to go in on it for my birthday or Christmas or congrats-on-your-new-bedding.</em> *wink wink*</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNHloWY6bk9Dkuvij6qKBUDYHeBP-NE3AJE75oBhRasUfRUZD9TGUaybvj2Wn6QKaTXXc_mU9Nl42FsVrv_ilP_xNJb_rOuqvfUsESimBNXAdpu1ELVJCBUgvBrCKmWJCi3F4FIct5Zkt/s1600-h/image43.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3k5xMxVpjQs0hq7z3YXT-YxddFGXC6gFo-wESimJT04ILb2hnnd4_yL3tWV8UfcgxF2cs3t_rpya9kwBYOCH8MlK6NlImRDWfWK469mKC0JLN37awqbWbFtLR7hD8fygvUBGiNNjJu2E/?imgmax=800" width="593" height="361" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20659470&parentid=A_FURN_RUGS" target="_blank">I’ll take the 8x10, please!</a></font></p> <p><font size="3">….and that wraps up this ridiculously long <em>Proof is in the Pin </em>blog. Peace out!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-47806298985365879632013-02-10T22:55:00.001-06:002013-02-10T23:47:22.765-06:00la semana y el fin de semana<p><font size="3">Our week just FLEW by!  I’m trying to be better about posting regularly. I need to get in a better groove. Once a week is better than nothing, though.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Last Monday night/early Tuesday morning at 3am, Stephen woke up with a stomach bug. He was up most of the night sick. Christopher went to daycare and I spent the day at the house. I went to pick Christopher up that afternoon around 5 and realized I was feeling queasy. I came home and started making dinner and realized that I was going to be sick as well. I called my mom and she came to pick up Christopher around 6:30 or so and I went to bed. The bug officially “hit me” at around 8 and I was up till after midnight. Tuesdays are the WORST day for Stephen to be sick because of his schedule with work. He spent most of the day in bed and got up around the time Christopher went to moms and wrote some articles from home then went in to work for just an hour or two late that night when everyone was gone and he was feeling better.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I slept in late Wednesday morning and spent the day recovering and then disinfecting the house. Christopher came home close to bedtime Wednesday night.</font></p> <p><font size="3">The best part about Wednesday was that my new bedding came in!!!! {Insert shrieking and jumping up and down here.}</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgPms6paIP39X8ypmVOz-AyNqvI_LH1VF91LSHSHAd28JsH4icgpxfjCcM8cSplRV7LMaWVMeudIscJy-6wOfe7IUXQPchBIGEOj3uegPEC-4bmtKc6VVxFTf_MmVo1LOc6lnkWHkIweB/s1600-h/IMG_5270%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5270" border="0" alt="IMG_5270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOcFIl8sAGNcSPpIQ139cEEsv1lhtNvou74JmUKKVGAEPYLgq12PNzIpKmshxekW9H3gVjOgj-hc0kYCvw1pxwK1ypsqKb4EVJ4Y-MvFuc1lknw44KxapNLNrTnhYYXOMjQaNJDXBnuea/?imgmax=800" width="468" height="468" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000" size="5"><strong>LOVE.</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Christopher normally stays home on Thursdays. It’s our day together and I look forward to them every week.  We started the day with Thomas and his friends. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfQLe7I5GdY6rlIxib3n0YWyaODD5xkVmnUeocyIqZVZ7xLSJYdIn-t6K4BhLoNjRK794Nx-iqIlFzvlbe-zaH5cgIt65XLN6wz6_E4EUBRb4B_ztVM0CN5AZ81AIylOG3ZR-OJWsBo7-/s1600-h/IMG_5274%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5274" border="0" alt="IMG_5274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnxssa5YiNybCk2QRdkdnys-UWKrXCk-vZqyYlyUTiN277kEAjb2ybEGJlhVCaiJEV9GdbyR__CMzYRJlITF36eJUENP-HrRck4mp_wVdd2JrBL3VHL79_H0PDQg7OuVnZx46sY1YiI2b/?imgmax=800" width="405" height="405" /></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">A local place, Joe’s Dog House, has a yogurt bar and Thursdays they have a special for yogurt so we usually go there. Sometimes we eat hot dogs there for lunch too. It’s a good place to go and spend a few hours and let Christopher burn some energy.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGkeuZiB_ORygjugFUdF2l7TN05Vbw7G9u0cwzfL_3Q3gprBdVmZVScnwjQAQiLQjvmGF6aqEm-Rba0i2mrluXIkCFtVHbx50-JvSX7xp19tzZvlNqc2_lBH3cqFCI3ReQT1B3toa0rf_/s1600-h/IMG_5287%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5287" border="0" alt="IMG_5287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0FlDNOeL7YKMvxtzNqwkxU2vCqrvsxOP-eHa5XXG-W5YUGl5KprV2hlq8RnLvLVLlzGUCX1fXlNAnWT1NAkMHhIGTmTNbd-Zjm8_NaaiCb-Fs-jPHVnf6xgDaAVi09nfKzv5B9lz61PE/?imgmax=800" width="405" height="540" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYC2dNLAL_1A8axJjIdXdcSCWrelcE5SgD8poG-8YyrZqbVBucjrsk-ajuuo2eColI6_lx7Sa98QxQaAtI6_AVIog_TKIUr2Bbd3mK-bNMMLUj7-Eg9ZjkJXhbfsygffnfbjQIAzDlkUP/s1600-h/IMG_5294%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5294" border="0" alt="IMG_5294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJtiu5caZMQ_39JBelIfufsjw92oOdmzXnNY20OyBacXuAPl3i3FLGjkGpGu6fFCG76l7IpKYPpD0Z-Qp7woHfpiEQ0qdlSUphpO_a3kg1NV3kx2Wc3ky7InCYUormgeLlZEY-uhHVAji/?imgmax=800" width="405" height="405" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Our new mattress was available on Tuesday, but because of sicknesses and rain, Stephen and I had to wait until Friday to get it. I’ve spent the weekend putting everything together in our room and we still have a few tweaks before I considered it finished. Hopefully I can share pics soon. BUT I can say that we <em>LOOOOOOOVE </em>our new mattress.  SO comfortable. And soft. We both are sleeping so much better and we wake up without our backs hurting. Best investment we’ve made in forever and I wish we’d done it three years ago!</font></p> <p><font size="3">The weekend consisted of working on our room, playing cards, hanging out. I had some steam that I needed to run off yesterday so I went for a walk during Christopher’s nap.  It was a chilly 40 degrees but I walked fast and was gone for almost an hour. I’ve been itching to start Couch to 5K up again but I really just wanted to walk and think and listen to music really really loud. I love taking Jasper with me.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeDFgBQU-Ipe1OYWS-D8UiNyWlsQuTQPE-ENlAymRx_PLEqkgY-y-mN5kXYZKgGsfZQ1RcmThgnHC4SVLtLPGw1KjZGx7GnjO3WqvIYwmIgGyO5X15Vt6Hp0AKwSdAfH7r87nHoNhS_yh/s1600-h/IMG_5326%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5326" border="0" alt="IMG_5326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6PvBfWLqwVzpAszGbEh-taSBuYSsGZeOnTOI8hXe0tPvhju0wrpXyNuFwAE7RbJLcf284lFibyyJ_7LaiK1052-Wy7wrHN-1VvijSNRx1UHnMQuNpKUcSPrQRKNSTvxS4WuNwLeRDfCX/?imgmax=800" width="405" height="415" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">These jonquils didn’t care about the 40-degree weather. <br />Um… it’s only February 9th!!! <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJCihl1j57RCmXxgqaghRBt0atte_ST_1hpw7JcMLTV3uRnSGQzg8sGtgSWFEssZ9DCW3WfSELBsjRvKxhF1tWqe7-O-mNBWWGgOYAg0gUIz5nH6T6nOrP-0u_QkRLyBk4mL1q2guucz/s1600-h/IMG_5327%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5327" border="0" alt="IMG_5327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXm6o6yCDn6Tq6AE0_mQD3irEPl4qnXPqax_XSLbmFsSSP4-MRWxA-yae3znZbsF1Jb04TTpahfBGTahx5JvyhP_FWJedZieFb6kFGlCA9Oa478-WQSxIxC6LSJoBGb-x48LfNkpmAy69M/?imgmax=800" width="405" height="421" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I wasn’t really ready for winter to be over, but the flowers seem to be saying that spring is right around the corner. I love spring too…I REALLY do love spring. Just seems like we didn’t have much of a winter this year. </font></p> <p><font size="3">We played cards with my parents on Friday and Saturday night. We won Hand and Foot both nights. They won Spades both nights.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6wJ8cPLFTp14zMQiO8uiRdwCa5w-cdGhgGzLSCGo1-kQiTrKMYZgaDvxyntAbS0Jp7K4dtcd30a1w5u3a97ROXxykl9cNMAEBf5lhQIhTxT8eRf_JMCfwxKUEpY8FCrVIxIs0dXpIQCv/s1600-h/IMG_5334%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5334" border="0" alt="IMG_5334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ujDIxLKJ88112autok2PO4D0N1DjAtPtK3De7tK0tj1OcFSaNsfRq0dT4aqwJSRlf5fgLkj654pvZqOOXNK151IZyGRWZRKDkRZZHzX09tsHxeLlArjhASQ2ZEpA6_vm2iRi77cs7PK5/?imgmax=800" width="409" height="317" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I always have more energy on Sundays than Saturdays, so today I cleaned and did laundry and worked on my to-do lists. Christopher spent the entire day with my parents and Stephen had a work thing so I had the afternoon to myself.  Tonight I planned our meals for the week, made our grocery list for tomorrow, to-do list for tomorrow, added a few things to our Spring Cleaning list to work on over the next few months... And now we’re finishing up the Grammys. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlH6RwhXATk5YWfT0hJCzgsVWg3_ODS2JUbJVyweY5xFjqhKS1W-sQsvWqBpfn3ElILuE3QlEOVRo2uVOftsc_FyCjYSKGFK-N9EzjsPN2_CX6Y4eoIMI9KALwBXEcK7nEYvuXlkTIYnh/s1600-h/IMG_5340%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5340" border="0" alt="IMG_5340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfHR5X2O8x8l26A2L6J589g0HsDKOcnvaZkhnAcM8hbkybHOCh4FtvUSLU2TbZWm9_MuuIMBqHsM0aDqzyIHYqEggXAZCishyphenhyphenWYa-GOIxookGSrcS28igqc9lwtR4McD-nuKrbDqRRMcH/?imgmax=800" width="405" height="303" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Happy end of the weekend! <em>Is that an oxymoron?!?</em></font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-70304587559035542302013-02-04T21:43:00.001-06:002013-02-04T21:47:21.988-06:00Randoms<p><font size="3">Happy Monday!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Really… it has been a good Monday around here.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Stephen and I have hosted a Super Bowl party every year since we’ve been married. We’ve always invited family and friends. Usually it was just my family, his mom, and a few friends. Last year was the first year that my MIL couldn’t make it, but we decided to invite a few more people than normal.  And it was CRAZY.  I was sick the day before and was so worn out on the day of the party that I could barely hold my head up; Stephen cooked all day, the house was a wreck, and there were so many people and so much going on that we felt like we barely watched the game. (Or more importantly, the commercials.) We decided after last year’s party that we would be doing family-only and keep it LOW-KEY! So yesterday my parents took Christopher to church and Stephen and I super speed cleaned the house. We decided to just order pizza and Stephen wanted to make wings. I also made Velveeta Rotel dip. My mom brought sausage balls and my sister-in-law brought a yummy dessert dip. And it was more than enough for just 6 of us! It was sooo not hectic and I was able to watch every commercial. And during the game I got on social media. Ha!</font></p> <p><font size="3">So anyway, the house (at least the main rooms) were still super clean and organized today, which is a rare occasion. Christopher and I stayed home in our PJs all day and relaxed in the nice, clean house.</font></p> <p><font size="3">In other news, we FINALLY took down the Christmas lights and took all of our Christmas decorations to the storage building.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Our lights came down the last day of January. Uumm… at least it was before February?</em> <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1mGarnjIKgO22qtpXLdlMZVA-xGhMwbhOwCSIoE6qgeIT8OyMgyS6MZfrkJSM0NV6PPki-h-NCQQDUNPegUmBhMrOZ2PCYclKOF-cuIkFxhQ6le0gscQv81mZI68kXHqLLc1a7gB_rUp/s1600-h/IMG_5247%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5247" border="0" alt="IMG_5247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2tjimALkMo6g2nA0_EN8sHfdILsDKglMpLEfVWEdAwH_v38iKd7bb6VSKyIcFd9_dOCgI60rgzVV97TdponAWxqKbINePUc23ZeBZtFAb5PulkChGykCj2yYrapZb3cbQf8jPuXTqGpd/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>This was the pile of Christmas junk in the corner of my living room. <br />It started to give me a nervous twitch. SO glad it’s all gone now.</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvJ_7R8bCAC9FbphRTjOBKohv7NdGSZpft5Bki7UIfjE6nfQkEAqW2Ha6phpePLRIaGhzGb_7hOEUwWQpeomwh5wahb-zjyqmxZUMp-AC5yzL52tzMRXgLKr-7d6E79bhBceqmKEkMS-F/s1600-h/IMG_5231%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_5231" border="0" alt="IMG_5231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWluYyXk-dgZYv1-nRw6ak6MsW7t4zuc2E_PPYbMcbgDvIeKEp9C1kbq9KSR-HSwudDif-zNzzH-ECQkR9vW3QPO6EETlrKUZQ5JrxuNz1UHEcnBYtu30uZ_tt7QsEpUg7HycnTUILU4A2/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">And now this new-to-me China Hutch has taken its place. <br />It’s not finished – this is just what I got done yesterday. <br />I <strong>LOVE</strong> it.</font> <br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8unGp1b5Py_Iscc9HspooagtZKQ3giblpXZ51B3ebyUH6Ro6HiAzB-A2kXA4rEpnU6UOf3Jp7y1ZWB5PDL5wE8Iz67dvyCmHR1BgLPDFTE_UdLTGmqbvqH1BBgu4Zjn4HXogFjhzW-Yh/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252811%252529%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="photo (11)" border="0" alt="photo (11)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3rux1enxCnDxBoWKZzC3d_E1J23uXeC3_jBCokWNWNSu4QYqr_3TnXNnbiWbd0ni-G100LhT4g1DBF_iKwNjK0uiZsrJH1m_VG2ipMEXg60Udh4C3nQAZ7vqODqMoqMpil6mOveruosU/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">Christopher has a new love for Play-Doh and is constantly wanting me to make things. <br />Friday morning I made a “rubber ducky.” <br />P.S. – I totally copy things off the Play-Doh box. <br />You know I have no artistic talent.</font></em> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ_mnq48ABSkghEsumRaRWJbk5kZ8SJIgHhqC8E0lThYSep-gcL8y4ZoTK3hIxbTOtLEiV2OvPD9vY8HlNcNIYFR2-aS_iNVqzTzXMkFWaTlO_A5IRueDmsEcyP14xuhuY2hFNpHtGHYg/s1600-h/IMG_5253%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_5253" border="0" alt="IMG_5253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tVTiSz4CJ0iMBmdV0ECRNBOzT7ibWy9FgoRywvciXysX_uZn2hvpeEGGSG39oMn1qF1Pe36d8dW5e4wIO3KNzHYBYcaLd6itx4TULPLerfG2553xlmgdeNrydhFXLDBQxulExIUGpK7e/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">And I have a new love for Downton Abbey. <br />And, um, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1405398/?ref_=tt_cl_t14" target="_blank">Dan Stevens</a>? Yummy. <br /><strike>I wish Stephen had a sexy British accent.</strike></font></em> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphennsbOWiAdJAdbnyoGraN4NQvnUWIDamIJYh0U7Whw-B6yC3lQ4_76WiIe2eumFnC2aoQ8nXsgB9lD7vbwi_qIGe6qgtcH3AZEItMWY_GJa4hffYZcm7LlAaF3dvJDSxc4aR9v5zGkxmX/s1600-h/IMG_5265%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_5265" border="0" alt="IMG_5265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpIvOzAnoHMAO_moFN4nGQz6gUZ8y71T_juroWpmsVZelYUowtKHz0pjm7a5ZId0XBx7PYxGEZ3jD6nvkbG15ns_ItNTfmd1j-JV3UNdmc4ED0eiUq-vtjvmUWM0rccubzFeeqfNAxCKR/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">Ordering a new bedding set has really gotten me into a decorating mood. <br />I want to try to make the master bedroom feel a little more “homey” so I decided to put a few things up on the wall.  I ordered this clock from Old Navy and I kind of love it. Can’t wait for it (and new bedding) to be delivered and start putting together my “new” bedroom!</font></em> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyyslFZEF79ca7A5PnN3SccmJi3DnEol4kphS924_Z5y95F_XHFTV65W0AFqffwAwQsXUCJ6I7cB0FGpt-AXI5-RLPdmmeiuAyoEEgnnd8NMsTZc9z3sM-nY4txfa0yXXOxRHhcMS-zWZ/s1600-h/IMG_5262%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_5262" border="0" alt="IMG_5262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQJGmLTRpJUX6qlYF9l612-isTyLt-icRurwArZ6GVI9EGA8pU3-KrrE1ujKdTfL3eyA8wz4pPXT1olCLVWKaiAX5FZft3TF4OYO1DBCNyO-Eu-qLLP8AwzLgNkerT5O_UhEVLCJYVp1v/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-58056019085597242982013-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:002013-01-31T08:00:11.881-06:00Spaghetti Squash<p><font size="3">Ever had spaghetti squash? </font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve never been a big fan of spaghetti. I don’t love most tomato sauces so I’ve just never enjoyed it. When I was a kid and my mom would make spaghetti, she would keep the noodles and sauce separate and I would just eat spaghetti noodles with a little butter on them.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Since Stephen and I have been married, I’ve never made spaghetti. (Up til two weeks ago, at least.) He’s the same way as I am with red sauces… just not a fan. BUT I did read a recipe for a chicken lasagna one time on a blog, and the blogger recommended Bertoli’s 5 Cheese tomato sauce, so we tried it.  Stephen and I BOTH like this red sauce.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve been <em>trying </em>to make healthier meals and I read blogs/follow several people on Instagram who suggest healthy alternatives. One girl (<a href="http://missmadisonscharmedlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Skinny Meg</a>) raved about how easy spaghetti squash was to prepare. Stephen had voiced at some point in time that he wouldn’t mind trying it, so when I was shopping in the produce section one day, I saw one and thought I’d give it a try.</font></p> <p><font size="3">It’s SO easy to make. It does take a bit more <em>time</em> than just boiling spaghetti noodles, but it’s just as easy.  Mine came with a sticker on it that instructed how to prepare it… but there are several ways and you can just google it for more suggestions. I’ve made this twice and used two different methods to cook the squash and I still want to try a few more before I decide which way is easiest.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVIOEdFGJAu95TMMRsL6vp_H0icNDhhqDzuAZXzPkIvN_ObUDzYvo0-EAth2aoVggVHjdeXsSdtkQap0wRaJT_-jHRYyNt4pxQtH4W93VZ_FWtwoaNgYXePG6A6IhSGTTg-kVPxmSkUZV/s1600-h/IMG_5104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5104" border="0" alt="IMG_5104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARJ2JNRWy1eCMDQnmB0gbhQ7EEPSmE9pFtCdH-XhsB32xHJkVFuTiwLsOmAMYaqJVPQ5Cpa10WUYwrFCuT5PSfZh_UJrsOfHX5LCj00Hl7qjQumDjTtfGJnGaa6TU7TQQDykKP1AOmuRJ/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">We use <a href="http://www.butterball.com/product/smoked-turkey-dinner-sausage" target="_blank">turkey smoked sausage</a>, <a href="http://www.villabertolli.com/product/detail/114808/bertolli-red-pasta-sauces-five-cheese-sauce-bertolli" target="_blank">spaghetti sauce</a>, and spaghetti squash.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Put a little olive oil in a skillet and then while it’s heating up, slice the sausage into rounds. Sometimes I slice it into rounds, then half those again so that they’re half-circles. Once the oil is nice and hot, add your sausage and get them good and brown on both sides.  I zest some fresh garlic in while it’s cooking, just for some extra heat. I’ve even thrown in red pepper flakes for days when I needed my sinuses cleaned out. I like for the sausage to be almost burned on both sides.  Once it’s cooked the way you like, throw in the spaghetti sauce and let it all meld together on low for 5 minutes or so. This makes the sauce a little less runny, which we like.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt47HSWYXK7wdU62Mqb3wF7Pl8zI819XLGTvQmjoTyL-88wqYyr29VahaZllOfEeonOWmNV9MYdgwmqd4WoFmAkkeE25hnt5VXhRN1C4iRiluSTljxZhXsI8ls23SiYqg5v98VWWwSN3sy/s1600-h/IMG_5105%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5105" border="0" alt="IMG_5105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXx3qlaoj9MEnBCCVbKwaG3FqNnoAwLnsUQbkNnkCS71KF2QHLAdTlnvyXNRAjLh8CcU8jS2E4XDYaqqFgxDb5w4rxkf9k8oZcSEi1SF2EAGpZE9dNHwlg_6Z2J_XjRDpOn2T8XozuRd4/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Take your squash and remove the seeds then scrape out the “noodles” using a fork.  You can see the picture above. One-half of a squash filled made a big heaping pile of noodles on a plate. It makes a ton!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCVn3wTkZg3_eQzY3AmUPPMzEodYKMeZhVh5PvuYTZNV4bv2HlIOQRFfDPaIFKSCrDQ_J2p8zhNzYJorrjWuU_UK3z85-dR3Aa52MZO8j0xsGOj9Qd0Y9ZLoqwZBHldJTeD52PVNbmV_Z/s1600-h/IMG_5106%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5106" border="0" alt="IMG_5106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-L-xfLe8vB1vBn6kHck8cn-Lhhq7vSVuUmlIOrFXW9iHE0UhtagkapzwZvHCs0vHp9FoLah_y9hVadZzwXI1YD7V1lb0RTY9DY4twN7eWfpq7CiU8CNpLUuq-wO3T0O9VMwyvtd3hsVb/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">{Buzz Lightyear plate optional!} I topped ours off with a little parmesan the first time I made it but it doesn’t really need it. Christopher LOVED this. Loved it. He always asks for seconds when we have this and always cleans his plate with no whining! It’s a super easy and healthy dinner for me to make and we all three love it; Stephen and I prefer the spaghetti squash noodles to regular spaghetti noodles. I will say that they are <em>crunchy,</em> not like you would expect, but I think it gives the dish good texture and not such a baby-food-like quality.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Sooooo, the next time you’re in the produce section I would highly recommend getting a spaghetti squash and giving it a try!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-25282735682719910852013-01-29T23:39:00.001-06:002013-01-29T23:39:56.948-06:00bedding and possums<p><font size="3">Stephen and I received some Christmas money from my parents this year. Our first thought was to put it towards the G6 (we’re sooo close to having it paid off!) but we were given strict instructions to spend it on something we needed/wanted and not groceries, bills, etc.  We talked about several different things we wanted to do with it; buy a KitchenAid Mixer, buy Stephen an iPad, etc. We ended up deciding to buy ourselves… a new mattress.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Boring, I know.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I don’t WANT to spend my Christmas money on a new mattress, but we need a new one really badly, and it’s something that we both need that is a little out of our price range right now. Had I gotten a teaching job last fall, it would have been a purchase we probably would have made before Christmas.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We were gifted a king size mattress when we got married – it was actually my parents, and they were getting a new one so they passed theirs down to us. And now Stephen and I have slept on it for close to 5 years. It’s got a hump in the middle and it’s sagging on the sides and worn out and just not in good condition at all. So we did some shopping around and found a mattress that we both loved and ordered it and it should be in next week! And as much as I didn’t <em>want </em>to spend my Christmas money on a new mattress… I am SOOO excited about sleeping on a nice soft plush mattress and not waking up with an aching back!</font></p> <p><font size="3">SOOO, Stephen and I have said for over a year now that when we bought a new mattress, we would replace our bedding set. The one that we have now is a bed-in-a-bag set from Walmart. I really liked it when we bought it but it’s cheap and has rips and tears and the tassels have fallen off the throw pillows and it’s basically in worse shape than our old mattress! I don’t know why we felt the need to wait till we got a new mattress to get a new bedding set… but whatever, we did.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I was avoiding getting online to look for one though, because I knew I’d get overwhelmed and plus I hate shopping online for stuff like that. I want to see it, feel it, etc. So I just figured we would make a trip out of town sometime and go to Bed Bath and Beyond or JC Penney’s and look for a good quality one that I liked.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Last night was my monthly Bunco night (dice game) and while I was getting a tour of the Bunco host’s house, I saw her bedding set and fell in LOVE with it.  I immediately asked where she got it – JC Penney – and as soon as I got home, looked it up online.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/jsp/search/results.jsp?fromSearch=true&Ntt=kashmir&ruleZoneName=XGNSZone&grView=&_requestid=66090" target="_blank"><font size="4">“Kashmir”</font></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qE8L8WWe9l4jReoWh4xneWMN7RdNHP-AWXjOASw6wUjhCuu_55kLlLuM1gSPvFUQ7rYLtzASeFxhaEhpNhbZQSMH0b_3reeSjGNTpCWJwfGuMW0xsqFRVUey2ysNFQTgEICoLXYRCHx-/s1600-h/IMG_5218%25255B9%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5218" border="0" alt="IMG_5218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYJbuvgEt41QCke1mboN3eG1Uw0gMgxoMMbajnFTd1ZMZnBWjOTwxMGEbo-eAEwHVITN-4V26r4sJ0QBppL-wO2ApqCSQzoAeA6PgL2fMrEGHcmvDcm2Xt3jO9p91JjG4zepMsaNaWXkR/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="357" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I knew I loved it, but I didn’t love the price of everything, (once you added in the pillows and all) especially considering the fact that it didn’t come with a bed skirt or matching sheets. (My current sheets are chocolate brown and won’t really go with it.)  So I decided to look around the clearance bedding to see if I found anything else that caught my eye. Big mistake.  I found the <a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/jsp/search/results.jsp?fromSearch=true&Ntt=rochelle&ruleZoneName=XGNSZone&grView=&_requestid=66607" target="_blank">“Rochelle”</a> bedding in clearance and fell in love with IT, too. It came with a bed skirt and would be about $40 cheaper than the Kashmir set, not including the money I would spend on a bed skirt for the Kashmir. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I especially love that chevron throw pillow! <br /></font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMYNfBxA3nm0Jz810FfQM9n5Ks_NAmgg1o1vH6F1zSEGAWzXdeaX80-HQnCQwmvkA7jYHytag_7RH0SxRjYmU2XIgZ3LV0UdOlKeLVANDeOEqhOj6FWJGgIaCxg90O57akaJ7lfnvheoA/s1600-h/IMG_5220%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5220" border="0" alt="IMG_5220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cgx9XDsjuEp5jKa6cj07nJvQ5Qq1-sb7wdKPUsM7RgBRTJbomhhgWxn9vaGTYNWla4Qi7M29a19llsevs_u79yzoPZ3YQYulr7o3fG6t-trkHjqdcqoUhq-F0RLyQeSHIun0008cXPua/?imgmax=800" width="359" height="345" /></a> <p><font size="3">Sooo, what’s a girl to do when she can’t make her own decisions?!? Solicit advice from others, of course! I texted Britney and my mom. Then I posted it on Instagram. Then I texted my MIL. Then today I had my hair done and asked my hair dresser and another girl who works at the salon. Most people on Instagram preferred the Rochelle.  Most people in real life like the Kashmir. Some people were no help and said they liked both. Basically, I still didn’t know what to do!</font></p> <p><font size="3">I drove myself crazy all day today thinking about it. </font></p> <p><font size="3">I <em>finally </em>just decided tonight that I knew that I loved the Kashmir set when I saw it last night and it was the one I wanted. There were also some other factors. We’re living at my MIL’s and have been for over a year. (ANYBODY want to buy our old house that’s up for sale?!?) I haven’t done <em>anything </em>to the inside of this house as far as wall decorations, painting, etc, because it’s not “my house” and it’s not something that we plan on staying in long term. My MIL told me to make myself comfortable here and treat it as my own, and I know she meant that, but I just didn’t see the point in spending my time/energy/money panting and decorating a house that is not intended to be a long-term thing for us. So anyway, this house is pretty neutral. It has a lot of earth tones on the wall color, it has hardwood floors throughout except the kitchen and bathrooms… and I’m getting just getting tired of the brown and green. Even our old bedding set is earth tones; gold, brown, burgundy. I felt that if I chose the black and white bedding set it would just be another “blah” thing in this house. I’ve been wanting to branch out of my comfort zone and I feel like the Kashmir bedding set is the perfect thing for me to start with. Plus, there will <em>always </em>be black and white bedding sets to choose from and if I want to go with that when I buy my next one, I will! </font></p> <p><font size="3">SOOO I ordered the “Kashmir” set tonight and it should be in around the same time as our new mattress next week and I’m sooooo excited to get everything in and all set up!</font></p> <p><font size="3">I should probably be sad about the level of excitement I have over a new mattress and bedding set. But I am just excited for some CHANGE! haha. And COLOR!</font></p> <hr /> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvZv1Wdqon3uEF3193wnX3tRCSv7zxWD9gXzQZ7DimQDcavfQTwcLJpGoxtk5_J3s5AsfQualFzUW4_v2CF0kMZ9_yDAmerifPR6rWwAGp0R2hdrpghnrc-Ur-Mc0REmALoXKCmkqCH1d/s1600-h/IMG_5108%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5108" border="0" alt="IMG_5108" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPzLfID4ZDS03s7IVBqdaeXWULpWjTbKpLH9z5adwMPFjz2K-Wo5jgNAke9e3xImnOVZLF8Y3Ezq9stFwC-YW0Ko9FAJkh8SSIWrOaCgHMJIimzAetJH1AL9jVPy3S0ZBjd3xUbWj4r_Y/?imgmax=800" width="253" height="267" /></a>Before I go, a story about Christopher. This kid cracks me up every single day. I need to do a post soon of “Christopherisms” because he says so much funny stuff and I want to remember it. Tonight he was eating leftover spaghetti for dinner. I had cut up some turkey smoked sausage and put it in our tomato sauce when I first made it, but tonight there was just enough of that batch of sauce left for one plate of leftovers. Christopher finished it off and asked for seconds. I just popped open a second jar of tomato sauce (<a href="http://www.villabertolli.com/product/detail/114808/bertolli-red-pasta-sauces-five-cheese-sauce-bertolli" target="_blank">Bertoli 5 Cheese is the BEST</a>) and poured it over the noodles (actually spaghetti squash, maybe a new post on that coming up soon) and heated it up for him. When he started eating it, he looked at me and pushed it back and said “Momma I want some-tin in this.” I knew he was missing the turkey sausage but I played dumb and asked what he wanted in it. </font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3">“Some-tin, Momma. Some… uuhm… possum.”</font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>Huh? You want what?</em> </font></p> <p><font size="3">“Some possum.”</font></p> <p><em><font size="3">Possum? Who told you about possums?</font></em></p> <p><font size="3">“I don’t know.”</font></p> <p><em><font size="3">You mean you want some turkey sausage?</font></em></p> <p><font size="3">“Yeah! I want some turkey sausage!”</font></p> <p><font size="3">I explained to him that he had eaten the last of the turkey sausage and there was none left. I couldn’t figure out where he had come up with “possum” until I turned Curious George back on for him after dinner and realized he was in the middle of a “nocturnal animals” episode and they were talking about… you guessed it, possums.</font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">I came out of my bathroom one day to find him laying like this on my bed. <br />His PJ pants were pulled clear up to his armpits. Crazy child! <br />(Also, if you were curious what my old bedding set looked like, that’s it!) <br /></font></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2wmW9KzVP_1ITsLzAfxy4MOtbkynZr5mqlUs6zXELpdYub0kwYp28txNyMnt6pI6JRtaNtXfGs3fRqabKDz49xZHo9iF4kvjNsa54vNe9FFqtL_TZcBgVoUVi-KifNFeBfx21tTAfJqa/s1600-h/IMG_5112%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5112" border="0" alt="IMG_5112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_8vl0N3pryiCv0DM6HxRSyqdqJYN2KaBxhu4SSpvbsS8w2ys-oeWQicZlJ89y0STPsTdShaVZDCvyLNs14aeGF3cKfE75AqDTIx_yUUrdvt7nkuH7wfuxvELZDU1-eYXCcxEFN-d7SN7/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-20558070632765280802013-01-28T23:37:00.001-06:002013-01-28T23:37:48.989-06:00January 2013<p><font size="3">The month of January is almost OVER. It seems like I just blinked my eyes. Confession? It’s the <strong>28th</strong> and our Christmas lights are still up.   ……that’s bad. Also, all (okay, <em>MOST)</em> of my Christmas supplies are boxed up and shoved in a corner of my living room.  They’re supposed to go to my MIL’s storage building but I was waiting until the lights came down so that we could take everything out there in one trip and have all the Christmas stuff together and not spread everywhere.  Eh.  It’s at that point where I know it’s <em>there</em>….but I just don’t really notice it anymore.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Mommy, I want to wear a hat… just like Bubba!</em></font> <br /></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmevcPbsZ04tw3ZC76uRVeW54SbteRy4PwJr-XGTvo8VdZxw1QgU4G0SRNp7LHaYlYcK-mpVxx8SsxHKLd2QXKJLAGYUAh1XEi0vv_FbgPktgsLBq7a4g5uHWeR8jrAFAICon9GtLihELe/s1600-h/IMG_5012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5012" border="0" alt="IMG_5012" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BcjCkQV3eLVVaJD8b8Y0XiPrB30BmAGT03nls3DukSsAJvTExEFR_vsVnZFY5nblPr0URdujfAvrxV9R8bKr_3D0oZxPn0-AkhGqUN9YryvfqVbDybbin1PcxFFi-wVGQMPeiyx3TSfY/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /> <p align="center"></p>  <em><font size="3">Dog pile Bubba!</font></em> <br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFdoJ9nznnkE6J6UJNc1T-2W7ohUeiQS7qxn5d4J2SL9_69tHPoT4CEAoFqfEBjiXBd6fCdyhYeJH_UA7rTFyc6D34Rvw7I0nQupTpwQ2V6qb9oR44W3rvrcnT6fVpjTuYZ8ah7tKPOIb/s1600-h/IMG_5021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5021" border="0" alt="IMG_5021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGNSa-rcMjNiUP4M4Yh1OAEfJ_-UjBipspQq7pznZzkjgNXxFo9DQVe85sm8tOGU8_6a3pRf9G1-DR2MO5SgAyrprwnchAvgj4cVdzJOfirr8EXny-_FkVbvFCFijjkO-oDT2UFLVH4Hs/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a> <p><font size="3">The second week of January, Stephen had a basketball tournament to cover that was 30 minutes away. He was gone every day all day (until 11ish pm) for 6 nights in a row.  I know that a lot of wives have to deal with this as a normal part of everyday life. Army wives, men who work on the road, doctors, etc. But I’m not used to it, and I was more than ready to have my husband home for the evening after nearly a week away.</font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">I love to watch him color.</font></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldOFUOaprTQ2xAfVyJJ61ga4EMOOZfPy3SCrE_xFsWtWS4J17z38YaJWomum1HXbjgEfqpFnol9i7g7TxS03Gg-n8bOf8aZFCxvk533k3DyLr3nfbZiklb_sqPbS7MPRMEQbRgAuY2F7s/s1600-h/IMG_5053%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5053" border="0" alt="IMG_5053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fphEqb8GDgDL3y4AKW_bxfD2Cp_dbnUk2O9edRO22SaJpMBsrtj6_ex9ikoYjdcCgYj4im6lne0r0q9Idb58lnh_JIq1YIopHU_RhlMq3j4p-ZNgCfzjfljmWzJjG7PhI2kVK0NZQCEd/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Christopher was sick that Saturday, out of the blue with some sort of stomach virus. Poor guy.  He spent a lot of time on the couch watching <em>Curious George</em>. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Sick buddy, take one.</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe-0knP1p23-l66jSGvuYIpOu8BM8nFM0Z17pCVsCjxTBvsMUhWypq6K_CqrJTQANSwkJcIkmo03tJ_p-mrU6x48qOqHcLg2qo559ubGKW6NrD-8vAoVME6aOcYEQRaQHwZRcNp4Fzo-v/s1600-h/IMG_5074%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_5074" border="0" alt="IMG_5074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMV6AvuYnjFPOCf28N0pcj9iFwvpm88kRccQM9gPjg7AbdBvUGLmE9JC9LGq4t7lr6kBmrSL75zUW4RZ6naY_W9t67jMx9sU0ARxios-mQc2xQ_d_rJGpdOqyQ8uGLGqIWXB6wey7mMA7/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="466" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">The following week was pretty low-key.  On Thursday, Stephen and I made a last-minute decision to go to Branson for the weekend. We called up his mom and stepdad to see if they had plans and wanted to meet us there. (Branson is halfway between us and them, so it’s a perfect place for us to meet up. And since it’s an odd year, we have unlimited use of the condos there this year.)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Headed out of town!</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOOJ9BBJ3lVBImji0UtX0XJwretIDm7R_AFezFye0n1pSj9usXY754U2DTALg3DGqUOfGSU1v6IGz4cJZ_nnyyOfxFc7a5RebBGvDXbmJ690gb1cytELJi_NtTcLZeJI-vrfOjHjrwDJz/s1600-h/IMG_5124%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_5124" border="0" alt="IMG_5124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuSo5lAIAWDDtEXk8oywumIknHbdcO2BnqrrA2XGx6iPwVI_8ejQRAv5nSgeyDiEeBTvB7oYRM9Q6su77zujPZuit8UMmLt9XqQ7CpVHjEm990rTMYJTlFkC8kk9LlVZxVAi6jabVOpMV/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">All Lovin’ No Oven? Don’t mind if I do!</font></em> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoondTD7oAW4ugg7xbpV1plPjOIPIQzVKF-r-k_vZoU2XibYoPAkq2Xd4Yg-LH-xLb6AWvc3cj6vntjmjlr1jvbTquV5-Wv1yZD0xXW8EKehSZhJSO7PqDeBjcF3W9y2e0CJT_tzSAKR3t/s1600-h/IMG_5128%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_5128" border="0" alt="IMG_5128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxZp-pNNDtcACOextlnB9wZGUhiB4sMakfD4de4BWhPE5EWuk32RAIErB0Sgv68LVhyphenhyphenIb4GZIbbgxOOVlsd30QJsKo3BIo1eWq7NV06haQqTmFPxyKa23l3LYPUw5Ms6eXcGRE_ikYaNW/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">We left late Friday morning and met the in-laws in Branson. Since it’s not tourist season, there’s not much open or do. Stephen and I both needed some new jeans. Usually I buy Christopher clothes, but he didn’t need anything. Christopher stayed at the condo with his grandparents and had a blast. When we got back, it was his naptime and he wasn’t feeling well.  He was actually sick the rest of the weekend, running a fever off and on. We didn’t do much, just hung out, played cards, had a relaxing time! We came back home on Monday.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Sick buddy, weekend #2</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1qqGoCS2uQRj15VXw7ohgSSsF49nDqQkuOzkuvrUEFy6enK-aUVxwXud10iVBrQrwqd95JTJJqsZTdaHqz8MFZc1u3Kjsn13l-2st0xkrwbM93BdlQ616oebBRgQi5UQOidVr0fYKeJD/s1600-h/IMG_5140%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_5140" border="0" alt="IMG_5140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYngYmNlRqUhvEDfg5jMTslSN5o37LiE1_OMn_8svOH0u0sCtjOV9T7wjM5RIawhUjzrNvX8MBuYfxwxysAYI0JwF31EHuCOzeizT4fu2gx5w8MyiIAcBDuH38OD3WivgMIwTezqwZYTMU/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I tried getting Christopher to the doctor on Tuesday, but it was Wednesday before I could get him in. <em>That’s a long story I don’t ever want to repeat again. Can I just saw how incredibly irritating it is to live in a town where it’s basically impossible to get into a physicians office for a same-day appointment? </em>Final call was an ear infection, 10 days of a prescription, and a cold, give him OTC meds for that. He stayed home from daycare all last week. We had a great time together even though he was sick… love him SO much.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Christopher passed his cold/cough/congestion on to me and Stephen. I was over it in about two days. Stephen’s been sick since Friday.<em> I’m not sure how it’s possible that when Stephen has the same sickness that I do he always has it twice as long and twice as bad. I have many things I could say about this. I’ll choose not to.</em></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Christopher’s room, pre toy purge. It was NOT pretty.</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxYFS83w008RRC9ZiHf3cwm07MBGTw-16XIsEOHQHxKZ_PYyaKVpHIOnT7IXDcKcvdZeJEssN2ENY1KU_sy7WgW674XCANyNz7TEWzbgHhqxsGJdWzAz8PiMa8yo3k-5UuhWe6Pj07Nfv/s1600-h/IMG_5008%25255B9%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_5008" border="0" alt="IMG_5008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNTyK9UNso4mcnwbEbB85BzPY5wzRxiWR-jGC8rcgNJLSU9uyc8990_SwIItW_H4mQC4jVqa-iNmtGcNYaf9dwqKp-Ei_HuOwQZWe4MMUruHVmRztNHfQnAG4WrwIEw1CdD_XnNPKLtQx/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>New Erin Condren Take Note! Notebook. <br />Loved my Life Planner last year, this is a bit different layout. <br />LOVE IT so far!</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FmYTlJykeITrW2Y0ESkhcTvqHOAGCzgEp9upMcMy_7EXTqQixaqT16ZeICY48mUJk2IdCKM3q4W77XLJ1Ec1MgoM4zFMrjsswQwWbw6O90z8OSSDzwPjPcBq_wJa3pFpz1xeMaoaL4qu/s1600-h/IMG_5206%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_5206" border="0" alt="IMG_5206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7iYmhkGYkHGKxFkBOoMjAlLmjyq7mX5503zhhPc1ZUez_So-cp9doBykZ4WPfDcneBAnfOD3vRAdKK255PY9MO3Dsj1kdc-FU0ZNxl8oS42ztSCbcd3d_UQkj78jmari3FwGeY2DYIE7/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>Surprise SNOW we had a few weeks ago.</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWG7kA1xaVEFNFFuWw5wTZW8su1GmaOoYtOnC4ax5E4Y55KfYaLhqZM0P_mDbYXCF6jk_IzKZqJ5IPd1yGcFhXY5TqYlxe5rPOawbZ0WxK70mlU4ntW_Bd0hOUY4ie7M3Z3uS0Ayp_Qpp/s1600-h/IMG_5093%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_5093" border="0" alt="IMG_5093" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTa7TwtS5pu6f3_kTOvB2lWUVbXwtGPb-zTCPU2heD_1taE7YfV_876MGCQSpJ19F-DweyJ36nd26MN-nk-BQZS-Nw3zWeQuumr3MWppQqXuBg0b7DECXkOLH8CdgB9M4KA2oJm4_-WgIx/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><em>I have no idea…</em></font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFDjaB-9YPCxhCSX3g-pB1C3liXDnfVnjwBIH8kykO4zyaUFGFqWRzZBwPViXjnb5ki0CMfdmfu_ofkEzcaMEpZb2ax1xf6fmDf7DzHLm5-NZ0tzDsjkjTv7e9wpbj-tQHYAwIfREOADN/s1600-h/IMG_5024%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_5024" border="0" alt="IMG_5024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AOAXlQkO7VUTKCetvg8Vm0FwhbrsCIwETg_NWdRk8Z7dfEG-5B-Srs4JRIY0TMlDGNvFusIoYH-d-wY3JLcGtR2AhI5tlMbnXk9GO3dc74pA4T9a3GZU9hvPg-5fAenEO5ADCaC7bIod/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="466" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">That’s all I’ve got for now.</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-46450301537156338492013-01-04T00:03:00.001-06:002013-01-04T00:03:07.153-06:00Catch Up…<p><font size="3">I’m playing catch up with my blog. Sort of. I blogged about Christmas but I know I still have so much more to catch up on…. I wrote these posts today and post-dated them to December 30th so that they show up in the right month and year on the blog.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-2012-part-1.html" target="_blank">Christmas 2012 {Part 1}</a> <br /><a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-2012-part-2.html" target="_blank">Christmas 2012 {Part 2}</a> <br /><a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2013/01/christmas-vacation-in-missouri.html" target="_blank">Christmas Vacation in Missouri</a></font></p> <p><font size="3">I still have so many adventures from 2012 that I need to document and I’m hoping to get that done soon. I’ll hate myself if I can’t go back and read about the fun things we did this year.</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-25650490612715216312012-12-30T12:10:00.000-06:002013-01-04T10:15:09.461-06:00Christmas Vacation in Missouri<p><font size="3">I’m recapping the rest of our stay with my in-laws in one post. This may get long so I’m sorry in advance for the pictures and ramblings!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><u>Wednesday <br /></u></strong></font><font size="3">The day after Christmas, we all headed into Columbia, Missouri, which is about 20-30 minutes from my in-law’s house. We went mainly because I wanted to do some after Christmas shopping at Hobby Lobby and Target. I needed new Christmas wrapping paper and I love to check out the after-Christmas sales.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Can I also just say how much I love being able to just run to Hobby Lobby and it not be a big deal? I hate that a trip to places like Hob Lob, Target, Old Navy, etc, are a full day trip for me. I <em>so</em> want to move to a city where I can have all of these things near me and not have to drive 90 miles to shop.  Okay, end rant.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Between Hobby Lobby and Target, I’m all set on wrapping paper for a few years. </font><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ljop0_nCrR45NilCuGUg_0xQcPg687hSLmeqGnFMJTmijQg-ir7DWkAv6wrX9KDIAilhmxlZWXLQ33IWhsw1I4O4Tc7iLevrkjubcwHYVsozA1NkorVrLlfiU_GwQSd_pD48W07ja6Un/s1600-h/IMG_4894%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><u></u><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4894" border="0" alt="IMG_4894" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTASGBbGmYq3N_iMwQNXihcToTU_D6NU4r9x9dlrkRvTqUMMhf5LJGncGMHvg-ozl_G3KztdoRKGXXJ6we-6FLIuTGth2b-SgLgDQX9anWikM4Zg7jgvh59vOcF0VmLdTsKDI3TBUFrhBT/?imgmax=800" width="332" height="341" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">The black/red/white paper on the right is from Hobby Lobby. I’m in loooove with the polka dots. Perfect for all occasions, too, not just Christmas!</font></p> <p><font size="3">We drove around the University of Missouri campus. Possible place for Stephen to get his doctorate? Deanna would love that!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNxxIYe1drJJ0CcSF3TfVPVss2FNiOFplnYa6rmEh8kOJNFgsrBXfaL23r7W1jjoX3AgqhE1Jx9MC2nkK_mY6lI-ejl0bT7s-hH7rFprYL5_UdQV134cEOUFB-VGhagzwHZk8aA47juA9/s1600-h/IMG_4877%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4877" border="0" alt="IMG_4877" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRuH2Vq4HGdXtyvfd_0NmQn0x7Lj9fJai-i2Bve5auN-fydqkcUd3MDHEHZ-LB4baderFSG9H6DFjziE5ytgROfJB0j3HoJjEbZ6LIteJIY_KzPA8eDgPCd2XM2AnHntKEGG2GKM1XpBM/?imgmax=800" width="394" height="314" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">We went to a popular pizza joint, Shakespeare’s. The pizza was good but not the best, but the atmosphere was really neat. You could watch the pizza guys throwing the dough through the window on the sidewalk, or when you first walked in you could watch. We lifted Christopher up to let him watch and he thought it was really neat. One of the guys saw him and gave him a ball of dough, which of course C loved. He said “thank you!” and they were like “wow - you’re a polite little guy!” </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeT977CeiSYyvVF7LBSO5rJtG6DgjkeYVfC0e9C6_hQXsYZRcJ5rSkxqwfdcuI3TEr4VXq2uf6_-gJA6qAwlriYEScIw7vDxZHMpvEOag_MZwBdktkU7NnVKhS1ZyJkXV5nqCga9Eo2ug/s1600-h/IMG_4886%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4886" border="0" alt="IMG_4886" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3wcsIt-niakVhyS3zBGtQMS-8nlryMyD4eS3Jd50q7XbBN1zIJ2i9HQFHSxg_gZtNbr6VCGF9s5TsSbo4qc6OTzfk0rL_O4_gDDps5N0HS-ksDVKxd92cte5dFdup_2Wy-WCnDFrgbW9/?imgmax=800" width="430" height="333" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbowz3FNpGIyU2nlkx1It_6FCOd0DHD5HdUYG9KOqmvnJDCT6Cdnnu9X-0yjP1Y2aHz7eUcffu4aokisfdBVaZuJWhBo7U9V1qm41uL9W9Pxs8f3iHd6AEhk6E9NBdN5PuvkcCs1MNM-T/s1600-h/IMG_4879%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4879" border="0" alt="IMG_4879" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtsZG-P4P8aWcBgNzglvM22BrFBu27PWD5IjmunXuPAfEA6rTazXfML1Crrt68Ua2BjWzdY0KXVEMxyJEygEshIi8lGsDAV1p7A3NAmGwm5409U2qHXR_Q1Ydz0GAD79SHkyZG8pFkgPR/?imgmax=800" width="430" height="333" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVeJuE93uhVs8roSwQCdGWYHgqCkyep8jwgeJNpupRugw4yLD0ttvyYeD7KdhoPjFqz58dKdGgTXPmExxwzDUSfnjQS8h0-FT6CpHoJFamXb059Ofetf6uMw9amkhFyGhrX57GXSDWxQZ/s1600-h/IMG_4881%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4881" border="0" alt="IMG_4881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfQpl-hcQI3A_iYmwbFdIA9Xl2dpFBymnm1tbsDMyWRrEAhWCui1QKWQNcjgx921YPbk0sOrscJV7xYqrkBeXAZ5DCdpLzpOW5DMpj8VFl-RQ4LyP8p8YSETa4HdwmYkr9TQW4JLmdv-9/?imgmax=800" width="430" height="573" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Notice the dinosaur under his arms? It’s a brachiosaurus, but on an episode of <em>Dino Dan </em>there’s a baby one that Dan names “Long Necky.” <em>(Neckey? Neckie? Neck-ey? Ay yai yai.) </em>Christopher received this dinosaur from Santa and it was one of the first things he saw and he said “Santa brought me a Long Necky!” So, Long Necky made the trek to Missouri with us.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYsGK0QqYuiXizt87x6vw0dYlOTFvPIdFEY3get3DbCZfxCUjGFLwnXzXaPIc_0qR1oAfQu4ewAabAJ6aTSrVjSlTWjy13UR1yCqniKWLXu0I04WxhJ1L0wruMu-FTAUQ0aj-hUE4HOTO/s1600-h/IMG_4883%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4883" border="0" alt="IMG_4883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7s5T_VabiFZgCgOJdzEkP1c3UbxBjYVRMYxGVddFTjgY4TuXTHfY4qrvHpn60JDEO-SQaGjQxBVDedg8B2HYBbxH3kQWC3ST-cOxGLxsGICdyEEqBZ4Pi_rt3iJe1hDIwflA4bFv65m-/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">After dinner at Shakespeare’s we drove to the “Crazy Tree” that some friends had told them about.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha61VLOwgB_I0jptOETlodAFy-lrz9SWWQ5xvFBgcI-yQ2Urh0j5iTu3KgXxIVyjCqzTzD-kMQeRGfYPe3MEKiRr0U1_QJlAWJQ-S-oVf76mY4IIHfOERJAYakB3ZOlymDjsURkHcHMt70/s1600-h/IMG_4889%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4889" border="0" alt="IMG_4889" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco7qoiZ0gVAzkKOsM38TSjd0n25Cb5Xi-OhsqHVWSBzXwv0NyFrfNGdrVtS_NyssHF6ITBraqOpyMrq1vN0ryk0cLpKXvodhghz0LQnboPqt4dQSDz2F7yfHQABKkSAMuKJ4dkmetMzs9/?imgmax=800" width="538" height="410" /></a></font><font size="3"><em>That’s a lot of lights.</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-7g2OswTDHyo3CknbGtIPuA5hL8ev1xrKdIuOmWZ_MGhBw_hVSt6KV3L8qp1YPUQQn6RB1YBntMz10FdlXcHLDZe91t1zHthPP7P7q5a27XTJ8VI2c6LOIhV9o6AGp-IPEeX4IyjsHbk/s1600-h/IMG_4897%25255B3%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_4897" border="0" alt="IMG_4897" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqhsxLhmjI5QCOy9f1zvk8RY1T8InpwNsUQUUZTkbI2bPPx-E77n6bvIDZS2qkT_X3pFkxhyphenhyphenbzZ5JawdvNqypK0cIbLVGVz3qFt-zOIn60JPBXxmxwP8-tuOU974QroSGlBuz2umwJ35y/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a> <br /></font></em><em><font size="4"><font size="3">Exhausted after a fun day!</font> <br /></font></em></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong><u>Thursday <br /></u></strong>We left my in-law’s house around 9 on Thursday morning to head to St. Louis. It’s about a 2.5 hour trip and I was in the back seat with Christopher and Deanna, so I made sure to grab my headphones before we left the house. =)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiW2ISHbky_twU1lpKZTFS6ucVUWMHdcdY8hU54f9vsyFhC1hUtHMJRRJ_WakZ9FS49gXKS5vqaA2OPV7dzEwcj9e56Ub6DxzPEogEC6csc_mK-Pf-ADw4uqlZW0aSdhQgL19JNbHJBwJ/s1600-h/IMG_4913%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4913" border="0" alt="IMG_4913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD0G5sVGJWXGR1H2v7y2ltONIzZJ-fr9v2AxNWCdvBucQCflbUoSNSfXH-4oUyzDEqaqLH8OHrC74WkoOQyq236loN1mnLtN5wEMKHE5rg3QtcEJUMSbdADF0N0SYKVV7LPwLwJf-MMfQ/?imgmax=800" width="398" height="408" /></a><font size="3"><em>A little Adele to keep me sane.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">We first went to the <a href="http://www.slsc.org/" target="_blank">St. Louis Science Center</a>. It was free admission, just $10 to park. I would highly recommend this to anyone with kids! It was really neat and we only saw a fraction of it. You could spend the whole day here, which I would actually recommend, especially for kids 5 and up. There’s a place to eat lunch (Pizza Hut express and a snack bar with different things) and there’s like 3 or 4 floors of stuff, a planetarium, Omnimax Theatre… SO SO much stuff to do.  We’ll have to return and spend the whole day sometime.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">We spent the majority of our time on the bottom floor.  Three guesses why????</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4Kn9NG_EypJCA8JjmiLkt4-RC9eAB6J4DjmdYAO_zCIoOeBN06g-mj9xNbsuLWEYZjyKn3vKFVHZLsDIJiS79bmzm-l7bMY7QmxX598deP4tFzXebPLCEihVHMoO-85aSaA6Uhupsulr/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0067" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxFVqMYj-u9N9YBCZb6N23MS5VYgfCXAlKAM4WcN9G4CtMgoLgIp5bQy8D09PYZZu9dfZ5MPCJ_SekK4zZj3yN3oYW87yOQNinrFArBcCSPLmqm7pKLKZCSvTOJTD20MmFLaND_HlAdmW/?imgmax=800" width="450" height="685" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>T-Rex!!!!!!</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Actually, Christopher was scared of it. It moved around and made noise and there was a “hurt” triceratops on the other side of it. Christopher loved looking at it from the floor above when we first walked in, but when we went downstairs and I wanted to take his picture next to it, he was clinging to my neck and wouldn’t look at the camera because he was afraid it would get him. I couldn’t help but laugh, don’t call me a bad mom!</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6SRqhtyqd9oVK-ovp71MVeKZaANzKhJM9QA9VppX0Q3DOPlk3leNOByQQe8GIhFeBrs1flgyGojjwlo1WP1GKJg1ui5osYojBUTqzX26kaEKKnImrTTqEFLRNntdcXaA4EyxcfNQcK77/s1600-h/sciencecenter%25255B6%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="sciencecenter" border="0" alt="sciencecenter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmNziNPnLmLksVdFT3NTg8q7Z5NO9rU4Ger-etNdSWa_SjZfeuZjldCoNI6ahTP2G8qyx-KKZhXpZf6lX7jiDE8IS-icMxIMy2-sBPOc0ARTOjq-Zw6qeTTPosrxkh5ZcgGdywE9_wi1Z/?imgmax=800" width="789" height="327" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Digging for fossils…</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefaR1bvZerZ3-mz7xjWhtarE4X2h4ipBHMjqlfIDYYh85wgr7IKf8ZHSlRiJr0LzmPAdICuIkVNFb6SmtfvtRyLgqfATI0zSGEh43z7-xXXqVajv_HAUMg5Aed6gkAub3fCkcKVFTlNyc/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0024.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0024" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYSKXEXYgu1z1u3Qe5vgGMghCZa50IcttCHS8nFz4Njsz3jqTQI4erFkjzlKtVzEapvkdMih5azNGgNCjgmhKSsaYzFn6MgHDp8J6v86KR5K4pOBOwSPiA_l7w31WHGzNn0Zx29Lj_42P/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHJwoKifUjcvGdDhnqpvHkvSqv3hRdFKqNUMAhGmKi4tnxXSMuDoc-wx3KUDqQgvDP6GctSHiIPDofSr6iEkXiKtjoyfH1ezeEb11Wk3I1ssQK0-WzVX6L2XyWod5aOaeqHPj6vyhCWWj/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0028.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0028" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQBKVj1KvwmroO1W1q_O5qphymhIL50H6grW7yw7m2hi5Pi8R5TCokWtcBsV_vW73ZNDlVqo4MkE-dHIDmDzeTGOYZzI2k1Kk8CnsTkPngqr7yXT_Z0_-TomclHGM8p1YFdkhZovk57Vz/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4G-bLT0NZ9HSVfOFtClf9Rq7PyHtQ1V6lHQGGhtgw1030GR1K4XVSAxA8T7Q8a_p7d9oQ7G5wIHEXp_fvxJDI66hJZkQNtbt63Wa50-NYPDrOs60LxUv6sBhG-6Nx97pyxXq0rX5RpLD/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0035.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0035" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTpi-nabb9w_SfMr_AGxNMzcVqCq2ZWmkI6JC3N0qfRk2u1RgTOnLodQx7Paf-ezN_rTmZ5yfwSv4KOnl3Y3Y-jGINL_1dQT5USjT12Q-Zy3LCQdAzI5THCgeWPthVuM4hhWJFowJt6Vx/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G8vpNOqXEJLv0QVyp_IpcAIHck-lzxsY8jgq13VvkQCpf-udyd2X_3-Ugh0WHXklqzMWmbPE-NJePPNC1hJEiikdOgaJyrBw5HI7N7wq8rKrVvH0qG-aLJi11uq5orqBBP39ZGkzVYRX/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0038.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0038" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUU8ruBMMqIZHREXJ-zlvSMjm24P31P7wYurnJr56UcQgL-AVAJJZy3e0HAlzOQhuqLMaKihsfDWQ4PZe-bWShwizGoWCB9-oZpt1vnRxYaOMSoayoF5Big5Wn97KhvYfnrlzqQshEC1oo/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWToUf7I0OJuOsD8WG6777MRKma6QTVfBfIT3ZokQ9h4UynWtQpsvXEZQ8l-M0myXy3d8T__4gU1kvlWgLu5SOzEptfVPZfzKGAn-dkZroWKdpxD_x74ErlpeAyUT60opSMph5d-Xn-CVd/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0041.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0041" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCqpzn6rR-fDy6VyK2VMXNcxCsojZAuDmzTtr9cgL06CPnGoO9ohXlXlrKd5jrobWBRij4OE-krOYJPV6c5JPLL66WQkbJxHwM5VhlM6Gl7D2tTvSWO5tW1vJOq_FNk2Zjrcv8UTOBB0H/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHIyr71YUysPCSEbuGt1P_hrobuoUpUwniE6u2VMQ4jPDPcO6NTPu8xZHSGG7AXSONtsjj-MHDLUGsjKp25rUaeqBvtg7uAkEDNnMf7zi_yP1vosHBQlSjZer3K_qJzakXyVk3G-PeUU9/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0043.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0043" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoWbB89M8OWzrHE4YfbLJjyDyabEQiICk5_LgYJz9fFBwf_7eVgIm_dKPf2mCqDozqbLF_8PVDtll_ljA8JfeUT2rGg0CgSf_oNL0ooIlBTl6IsSO-O_GvlxyUH87ZXLd-kjhswOvN7Cw/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGCZyK30Wgx1BoJ7YTN1QSOHZwfn15KyifqhyuWJzoOXbh4kQJb7_NbXBPkxsNDAW7a1Cbc-8-5fRMbgPBfrMJ1Djd4xMzHZPSJ5JY8wE180ZL7Witl-JG_eO7jZF58iaLxcHCtny0au-/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0050.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0050" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysiByaXvR_lk48o2YnZZK6JCtEiMG2jv2a7dZYLe_UZkPlgM7G5KAyxhMCgn7oxecnFzVIwgcskeH7WsrgLMixk_bVmz-hgKNzVXksHSGLcANgkYoxaCYlTEGqTQwCb-xtedZ4dFTFOLW/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7avgriqC-khHWRcc74Qy3nVS2CJZcfz293aEqMFgjJcRC8jVPOCb2w5pg4RJdSd8ynbhucTyb7NG2FQg3_NW1CpEhFC8TGvHjGqFtJavtj6-sjkbwELDBEI9kp9QvtcHsjwMyPT7qepq/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0058.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0058" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNa5CnJQIL9AWleR6m6-fbSxoA9LkKt4PCUdWU-lpwkPHsZHjtWQiTMA5pYPqR6YFnrCH2CDEHQnOGEPTSIaAHes_FITNzHODpwdPBLlUM_Yj5o7hE0jdxSUapVhtGSv2gfd_bu5qe4ao/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJo-BdHKyG81fnLJVkum0JcvnA_ZFcXLfJ7rn4U_u8rLRDFmmkECvILYe94705Gm3B75kMltxwl3o_TzlzY0wQC6vLMxFhF36JLERepplfPm4KwSCTgjTp_YXdTImVfD6RMmvIAmw5vAB/s1600-h/IMG_4919.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4919" border="0" alt="IMG_4919" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieTZU-THvwdenqdGkhvijol1X_-Xw4TWAUR0T4wrBfBWH0QDAxgHs4nD41kjfocwrMl-cuLo_4bODZ4XzbE_W_kwASevQzb72L34RXl5-W48HNj0uzaPsFZo0Ut8yIK5fBM1A2AHTuYBW/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">After we left the Science Museum we headed to the <a href="http://www.stlouisarch.com/" target="_blank">Gateway Arch</a>! I was so excited to visit the Arch – it’s something I’ve always wanted to do!  Since we had spent the morning and early afternoon at the museum then had a late lunch afterwards, it was a getting close to dusk by the time we got to downtown St. Louis.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We accidentally took the wrong exit and ended up going over the Mississippi River. As we were going over it I saw an “Illinois” sign and realized we were crossing the state border! I had never been to Illinois, so I took a screenshot of my location. <em>What can I say, little things excite me. </em></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJICwWubz9Ie8KrLJDJytRfovkYDdPTq5cdTA8VsDMrRaAZMr8EnQTwaZHmkS7jpJWyn9ddEyK7F0lXwsYotzef7hIYf-rBRp4Sc2IDfiqGAbdPw0JON3LC3Vm-TOeFWhf1AXGxFn9Gvi/s1600-h/IMG_4924%25255B5%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4924" border="0" alt="IMG_4924" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq-78jwDNenFpqP7k-GLdCc2Wx4lMwa6up_emugcBj_76MFQGEAIfhb8b-8ysksa61EYX1hjKBSM8fUwwqi-YpbPo9nohPHAP4LDFwtWiVMluti-zMmnd-49cARvfi0DNhc_qqBH-msJt/?imgmax=800" width="366" height="309" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I LOVED getting to see the Arch! LOVED it! <em>Is that weird? Am I a total nerd?</em> We got in line to get into the entrance (underneath the ground/arch) and saw a sign saying that the ride to the top was sold out. SAD FACE! I was upset, but we still got to go underneath and view the Westward Expansion museum. The next time we visit St Louis we plan on going back to the Arch and buying tickets to the top ONLINE in ADVANCE. None of us even thought about needing to buy tickets in advance. Duh.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Regardless, really neat experience that I thoroughly enjoyed!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2zXrW25NfIAisMQfp6MQsj1Z2rwv_eYj2VOB76ZUMaFABtw42yYlaaGykaoewjpwVsFcYf9NV2JTILQDxvXSy589tsh4wVq_YtZFOrvfIjxtSjXvgJtYjDmvKH4UK3I47aHYFJruw7xY/s1600-h/IMG_4928.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_4928" border="0" alt="IMG_4928" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6E4lAjJOpBiTIATuMIei0BG8fzSnWD6i8rQqwLuFPbGZVxa-680XxHvQLerJ_1-7w-BHAkdcKzCFT8f0UYlF_qQIdJ2Je1LF-iOMW8jWVMa5dLFpJL9GZL2JJeEQcKouwZpR6ZvzV3CR/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW303WpuuIdHwHe59blNo1h-XHAYfFFKTzPl4or4LihWWlNkTDp6fa24WqWqszhPGuZ0cA9OV2P-_3DH5BSY1NN5dlxtcFYS5r7LTSUw0rHt7HqgXIpfNsfGHvbyI9xhyphenhyphenxqK-lT30JAWi/s1600-h/IMG_4931.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_4931" border="0" alt="IMG_4931" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpuQQdJYX940Jx7IbYakca7g2X_bZJ6XsCBDWF1A_zZrPHhMRuMrIsxPQ1zl4DxVTJWJnI4mDzgW7G3fyFcJdsuD6cUm4cfhUg_PEItQtrDLUqpz36JgSMJ2rEWz0ImC-JaX1gO_BAS0S/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMayspkb7QLQenNY1C5CzbzY-bpXyEyS2HhyphenhyphenJFfBQqALLM4D9ZEo42FiDl-FCnLih1Dl7cJQ8JGNCOgjkB47GS0kKY9D1fMaml3osonf2vv5-rjMQjiHmm7UPH2i87lNbImH6tKSplq02/s1600-h/IMG_4935%25255B1%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_4935" border="0" alt="IMG_4935" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfMJQnssHHOYz4VoglaJXR9jpSv8MPtqA0cD44Ncaot5bxHOrMA55vnFMkb9V8jivGyPa-U-GqyqAPMDgPBFGJlt8xfZYRPzpHMSVnu62bYqSIrHu_1GVCqZS0dMC0K_gQEEws7PVn3NO/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB9P2TDiqLln5tGqNuVmVNBoO2aRTSoahISivIaBEMSoYCksx0nt5w3YMSgzKCu7zB9eZyt2F8fXef08LYJZwXTm8v-XVNetX-RsNCd1jzalyQ2cx_QUKSCBYhuVAi-RmFESstx44DuBQ/s1600-h/IMG_4937.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_4937" border="0" alt="IMG_4937" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmwgEVlkSEE3wB2SQ_AR4WVhIm2KfVFrqb3AEokXPu0cYxWEWhDZsZ0cRv1H5zlOFi2tQLmQLEd5JvgdOCCpUj4eAgVbMsPmDyn_bAIqGjOS3gx0z3f2ttCQz6QBEyoC84BkWdZOg0c9F/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhoNBkmtweRM76JEAXjGYZnE51JhEDQjKjd4xVxCEupGUsvpMJEaLGFWkaEqlS_2sQbXqy8QuprNuBeUhnNDf6rwU4xwN65bEneuEQDq7aaV5TTxdu4xeesoT_YzZiFrV-VlWwPkPxn2Y/s1600-h/mightymississippi.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="mightymississippi" border="0" alt="mightymississippi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1fGghCHFXwfh7KHO70A9I02LavM47f-DzpjIdZeRX8FQE4OLu6aEFikxisbvS8GOveDS59e40yEaPMXYENKOfF1xDw96Euk2u26jLmnV98NDwRHJ5dO7Y216CMe_D_0ET7YH8U5DF_QY/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="307" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqktG3ruzD1yMgC1RFgDlSndoeKwJxuMZuzwamL0g2KflTq_H1KLjo_e3tZrXtLiuUDlyBT32vQgZ3OgBjRZQWjwUj_iXgpgHj9-I-oFFK1jW8tQoizRI579xvoJGw2enhWHLdwrLEibA9/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0006" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVc5Vb7mo7b5_X7kn9fB83zg_nUV3CC4kZKY5mGDMivhroz0J-U85gr6Qu3doM8ySO1q9VkCjjbfMoAD7PnKCKp445OZGJl545vMAivCiZLmkQSE6xgijw0Yia8Ag802_RYWQI-CMUEA7/?imgmax=800" width="415" height="632" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcGGXbDRkfwgkHq4tP3e7TR0e-vHRIbvbkyr9Rh5RQgKeFq7rkODKrbJlFc2CpBVnJwCUfRnUUqOqCk03E7M8d9u9kbHaGU-aYjHqFWTEyVIC0JVWhWOweZQ7lavXCwBxjUsLP-mKIN37/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0075.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0075" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmpgN3ymxMUCsuklytgiHrSHdM2qEUokhcC7MWfxe9pQj4_r7NEYhguGeyJDiVWtkF76ADZwK2Y6_q8t384eOto5w814wdDVE3kcU2sK0tANBg3y5EbcpHYLAMWb13GSkb_DdJ4WBNC1N/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGxxoMccfWBK5VVxKYS5VQ7N402YIAZD0Yjt7CUZy80YpedFAXIxpaMR2-JqfAflNZ6hVmRQ6gh_OKeybP0U_R0-LCYOMe7O9AdBb8N1-zNWTBq39tCcUjRw_mEAgTYpbYX_hbgGQO_we/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0007" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ffH5_2JBm5AGNDlga_IuKSETcX7LXy2CDd76gtkzAf1awCpXxfeppLV75CW9I7X2KjGu7vpVai_gWRAJEO8vqhNi7Ene8q9UfRTZKB7e_mKCMeetyozvg5vDpaW7aS6PQWiUjMoXDPym/?imgmax=800" width="415" height="633" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqkc8jRxVv0JQ2v5N8DRZX9tvH7v9D-Iy_XYVTQwp_1v7KVRMUE2phJ2chtlu-FzvLnDCBeDxlhhyphenhyphenZxIm4ykCkPuUxz_Sqpw5q9_ttMsojwy3QXNp34E87HXdZpR1fTFoF3RLuttcd1yM/s1600-h/12%25252027%25252012_0087%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="12 27 12_0087" border="0" alt="12 27 12_0087" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsag4M4Q0o_OO4VHhEvtA1W2W5y72cjdyj0D2JJjH-lErBTxCU5LSUUnhJC_vwDFe8xup4ZmzKbW-k806vpvS5JYCIW4Pq3E4HypC-KhA4dxP-uiy4tw2AOwkzb1EuJtF7ZpMZBpDKfAbu/?imgmax=800" width="415" height="625" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><u>Friday <br /></u></strong>Thursday was a long day! I think we were all exhausted because all 3 of us slept until 10:30 the next morning! My mother-in-law actually had to wake me up because we had an appointment that I needed to start getting ready for! The guys stayed at home while Deanna and I went into Columbia and got a manicure and did some shopping. While we were in Missouri my favorite pair of shoes (black glitter Toms) got a hole in them, and I wanted a new pair and just couldn’t wait so we found a store that sold them and I bought these ADORABLE black herringbone glittery pair.  Can’t see the glitter in the pic… but it’s there.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIFp1O7agpxgChFKpVIiMT9-23yS27IxnFDMkREcEOQ-CAQ_a1Xq_kv_YLLhz-SBigr-8tAJ2iBPSqyYOd4tNWmmzivmrQ1752QDB9i50e-zccI0bQo0XuG42a6yQWAtmFfxDBP9Rtm7_/s1600-h/IMG_4945%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4945" border="0" alt="IMG_4945" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh200j9xaPVk_X-J2FNwMa37n1GgweLvrcl8Zl1bzHotor9ogih3UhYW0q-rldwbARtukdPa2gs22UcBUb14Gt7yTzaOnhfNdR-B36OXAAt2Qmcld7b4T_22pgQBD5PacMiM6NVJqKAyOzt/?imgmax=800" width="253" height="349" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">That evening, Leonard’s kids came over for dinner. We had a good time visiting and catching up with them. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Nana & PopPop with Brooke, Baxter, and Ava</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ILAJAIWxuSQusMaVYKNbSpkLV96yEUQdNGR0ByJ_op2sJJeecJINFzgbzkBZksYXyU0XHOl7g-c_DfnOFDXwrAKhAadV0Z-qAUAV2NLLyD1N1tZcVcB0J4QTBFBkuM3LNuutjlvviZth/s1600-h/12%25252028%25252012_0016.jpg">. <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 28 12_0016" border="0" alt="12 28 12_0016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8k5w2HT_FBns83yD83TtezaYqUtVk907MQwN-DRR3keNnxrHhWafYBGc13HxM2pUrQD6nYQCFIQqjFdcx5LvGTCy0AxyqEDfYkMmPIY_W9ZsSbs-8MH3l20M-CCx833qi-ytFhKJ-K2j/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">PopPop and Ava</font> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xOhIdpRDcICo06rSgkiCGDKBU5xo_A-lYyO7O4bLsy08KSej4bhO4CFf6Ptr3-wAcvbzFUS9WGeU0gWOiT6rbs2AdQZ0Tqd6pfnIkDCHFZagIETqKBwtwCMusANpYLOWgW1CnlXtO2af/s1600-h/12%25252028%25252012_0018.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 28 12_0018" border="0" alt="12 28 12_0018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzzIxPSu0_lS14peSEboEXFv987YY0_NGV7YDRINEpnU2UNjuCyLSiC_hcmXNXi4rRFCd_MPmxS0ynnFs_RwkY2ndwsn7o88kv4Q_EqiTiHW5Ob5RQqwzGkCkvKDqxjQj4tI0wodRZkDK/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Christopher & Ava. I love this picture! <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kT7ygEi9D0EAM-zWAVU24_g70v4x3NxZI3HBL3jOdZkyLWqKyaee9YKjKBvRACjIXp3u-o4ZhdCD6KHl2Fp8Fv7Y1s3KdRHUZcOW_Worf2J7lyzq5U4Fxa_H-Lq-W74E8AxF8yrVLvfm/s1600-h/12%25252028%25252012_0022%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 28 12_0022" border="0" alt="12 28 12_0022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pxBzwF-NNMpKnXk_5KAutewxyd7Pl-dal-TT6ebHBrEBrtmKFeeuU9wR4Yq0ntPzwfdiha-7Vzqs888gs6_3FAGXMfSHTGcPRrARGtjrAahuAdwtZIeyxXgXvaW4oIgeFEy5iooBIx2v/?imgmax=800" width="353" height="537" /></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Saturday morning we had yummy French toast (Deanna always makes French toast as a “going-away” breakfast) and loaded our things to leave. Christopher was NOT ready to leave. He told us we could go and he would stay and we could come pick him up later. =) Sweet boy. He was so sad to leave his grandparents house and kept giving them “one more hug.” Pretty soon he will probably spend several days alone with them and I know he will enjoy it immensely!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcck1BV6CmmJiUd10stZIpRh1OwCY_YKlNuYzCJ0MnUiBVDQNtIZOXJU_OWqVJ21lR1N73B4UEcz4QftMfoJtaJd7T4A5tQsvi-UDMF9akKAu2LuvtEKV22hef6wpndTVp5sXYVxnCkcf/s1600-h/IMG_5001%25255B6%25255D.png"><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_5001" border="0" alt="IMG_5001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_fpE_moPg8zy2SIq2nc4kFedstpu79MxEBoa0dBXaXgYZkc0Xqy3m1Jq-Z5oGZBn6rev7vip9pLDo8cz6YYo97Vywuac-E82bwet7g-dUDIex-0dz2p2-OsCiTrkeIC4JOqtQdyp_Nh8/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="189" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gy1pJ-aXy_MF4oz1HG_wmqIqZUPL-QcFWJXx8iGyfLAiJk-MWSDaAGFK520JXRbNvWcgKbKYYH6BS3XxBFsdzj6FFvn_43LAl1Twl9KUK5yXprhvhxXMG9SDE-LFKe0cTRPZsVkESCS_/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.png"><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="photo (1)" border="0" alt="photo (1)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP5AP__u6Hn4zxIlX9ulQbQ_6ukEVgjlTalDZTMwxNlOsXhUkOEAH2r9wSx2WcEmbP8pTY8YxFbDpsbX65KtvtfMC-CF6la7g02n8_e8XlJsuPG0n4skI4brdz_bEnLMr5fWFfw_n0jmK/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="189" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">We had such a great time! We stayed up late, played cards, talked, ate great food… So glad that we got the opportunity to spend Christmas with them. <em>(Although I was SO MAD that we missed the biggest Christmas Day snowstorm that Polk County has seen in years! Six to eight inches of snow. Are you kidding me?!?)</em>  </font></p> <p><font size="3">We can’t wait to visit them again!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-56494438692064624352012-12-30T12:05:00.000-06:002013-01-03T21:08:39.734-06:00Christmas 2012 {Part 2}<p><font size="3">After Christmas celebration with my family we hit the road headed to my mother- and father-in-law’s house in Sturgeon, Missouri. This was our first trip to visit Deanna (Nana) since she married Leonard (PopPop) and moved to Missouri last October. They have visited us several times but this was the first chance we have had to go up there. We were pulling out of Mena at 6 pm for the 8-hour drive. We took Baxter with us – the first time we’ve taken him EVER on a road trip. He did great! Stephen and I took turns driving and we would stop every few hours to top off on gas/use the restroom/let Bax pee/etc. I was initially nervous that no gas stations would be open and we would be stranded with no gas, but apparently that was a stupid fear because gas stations were open everywhere! We pulled into Nana and PopPops driveway at about 2:15am. Christopher had fallen asleep around 7pm and slept the entire way until just about 30-40 minutes from Nana’s house. We had stopped to switch drivers and Stephen needed to use the restroom, and Christopher woke up and needed to use the restroom as well, and he ended up staying awake for the rest of the drive – just about a half hour or so. We told him we were almost to Nana’s house and he was so excited! </font></p> <p><font size="3">Nana was waiting on us when we got there, and while Stephen and I were carrying things in from the car, PopPop woke up from all the commotion and Christopher was REALLY excited to see him! He was seriously acting crazy and running in circles like it was mid-day. Stephen and I were afraid that he would never fall back asleep! I think we finally fell into bed around 3:15 or so that night. (Morning? Ha.) We were both exhausted after the long trip, but I’m glad that we did at night because neither of us are morning people and I’m not sure our original plan to leave at 4am would have worked out for us.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We had a very relaxed, low-key Christmas Day at Leonard and Deanna’s house. I didn’t get out of my PJs all day long! It was wonderful. Stephen and I both got a wonderful present from them and Christopher received several fun things, as well.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Again, no actual pictures of the gift-opening process. I enjoy it so much that I don’t really want to take pictures, because I just want to enjoy them moment, ya know? But then I regret that decisions afterwards.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We were at Deanna and Leonard’s from Christmas Day, Tuesday, thru Saturday morning. We had such a GREAT visit with them and I’m so glad that we were able to make them trip up there for Christmas. I’m doing the rest of the trip in a separate post.</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-20198677588449116962012-12-30T12:00:00.000-06:002013-01-03T20:38:19.325-06:00Christmas 2012 {Part 1}<p><font size="3">We had such a wonderful Christmas this year!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Our original plan for Christmas was to spend time with my family on Christmas Eve, have Santa visit Christmas morning, have a brunch with my family Christmas morning, then head to Missouri to my mother-in-law’s house for the rest of the week to celebrate with her and Leonard. Our plans changed when we starting having predictions for snow and ice on Christmas Day. We really weren’t sure what we should do, but ended up deciding to have Santa come visit on Christmas Eve morning then we would do Christmas Eve evening with my family (tradition) and leave super early Christmas Day in order to avoid the bad weather. On Christmas Eve the predictions changed a bit and my MIL voiced concerns that the roads might be bad by Christmas morning, so we changed our plans at the very last minute and decided to leave for her house late Christmas Eve evening, after celebrating with my family.</font></p> <p><font size="3">We are so thankful Santa could come to our house a day early this year. =)</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko2Yqyb-8uR0oKrYLH5Qlf2hbzVTPinuGea_JrCw13XIlY5aEe3pp8knSrVFgbyvj6XvUx3YXWWYr04Bu72__T_cjPfvQBs5JZ5fxHMeJZTD_apgu3ae0DsfuABM56nv2ydX9F9ZUOifI/s1600-h/IMG_48684.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4868" border="0" alt="IMG_4868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVct1rP1NBN3dMtiePKBiFR0ds-EBPDiMyAU7mLKNmNAiOPBV8GbP7vyCQHvA0wkj_gfRPWiHNQZUQiML3Kxs1n5XgoV1_e4G6_3y87MyMHlLMwFQ_I2-jbOF9hLe7WlD4s9d8xOq5YgKu/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="369" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Santa brought Christopher a Radio Flyer wagon, three different boxes of dinosaurs, Candy Land & Memory, a Dream Lights penguin, and a stocking stuffed with useful things like underwear, socks, teeth flossers, etc. I have a video I’ll be posting to YouTube later.</font></p> <p><font size="3">After discovering Santa’s gifts, we spent </font><font size="3">Christmas Eve <em>morning</em> packing and getting things together to leave that <em>evening</em>. I got everything packed and loaded into our G6 then we headed over to my parents house in our Murano mid-afternoon so that we could have our Christmas celebrations with my parents and brother and sister-in-law. I did take my camera, but by the time we finished opening gifts and having dinner, I was in a hurry to load up our stuff and get home to switch to our other car and hit the road! I’m mad at myself for not taking pictures of Christopher with his grandparents and aunt & uncle. I seriously need to get better at taking pictures of him with family.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Christmas with my family went really well! Christopher received a lot of fun stuff from them…  new movies, cars, a nap mat made by my mom, a toy story flashlight, Buzz t-shirt… I’m sure there’s more but I’m at a loss right now.</font></p> <p><font size="3">My parents went ALL OUT with Christmas this year and Stephen and I received so much great stuff from them! I got a new Coach purse, clothes, Stephen got an awesome portable bluetooth speaker, we received gift cards for restaurants and movies and we both got Christmas Cash to spend on whatever we wanted. We’re debating what to spend it on right now. I’d love a KitchenAid stand mixer and he’d love an iPad for himself, but we’re considering putting it towards a new mattress because ours is SO bad. A new mattress is one of the first things on our “list” of things to buy once I get a job.</font></p> <p><font size="3">After opening gifts, we ate white chicken chili then started loading up our gifts. We said our goodbyes and came home, where we changed into comfy driving clothes and grabbed a few things last second then switched Christopher into the G6 and headed to Missouri!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-87941586073243927252012-12-18T00:40:00.001-06:002012-12-18T00:43:16.798-06:00Proof is in the Pin (better late than never!)<p><font size="3">I’m blogging from my laptop! In my last blog just a few hours ago (<a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-card-2012.html" target="_blank">2012 Christmas Card</a>) I explained that my laptop had been dead for over two weeks. I ended up calling tech support after I wrote the blog because my husband’s desktop was seriously bugging the ever loving snot out of me when I wrote it.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Want to know what tech support had me do to fix my computer? First of all, the problem was that my laptop was <em>dead.</em> Wouldn’t charge, turn on, nothing. It was like the charger wasn’t working at all. But the light on the charger was on, so the charger was receiving power. Stephen even went to the store and bought me a new charger, but it didn’t fix the problem.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Tech support had me remove the battery from the laptop, then, withOUT the charging cable hooked up to it, hold down the power button for about a minute. She said that this would release any static electricity that was built up in the computer. Then I plugged it back in to the charging able and BAM. My computer fired up automatically.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve NEVER heard of that before and neither had Stephen. And we’re both fairly savvy with computers.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Regardless, my baby is back and working like new and I am SO glad because I seriously felt like I was missing my right arm without my laptop working.  I didn’t get to write up a “Proof is in the Pin” blog last week because I seriously couldn’t deal with the desktop. But now I’m linking up with just a few hours to go. Better late than never!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Here are my pins for the past month:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt-VxnunQzNxW0JOR-O_97nCpf_HPjlHKuI0nwpKU8XqQUWrFGWjyYGTiWtwjQMDswu5X1ALax6Dt_m6i473r4LGBAvBG_X_CI8ViYLw2lFNjIMvGmuE_fgiXsPXii_AUjalXbEUUzkNr/s1600-h/lemoncookie%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="lemoncookie" border="0" alt="lemoncookie" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPJuVGtxjdFv1GoKRbngsHDPXgwIhFAv5JdszWOoFbdyNUg8xP6Ho7itHj-yqWsyMVru1PxQmzpt1mrBlBnObAp_66630LPYSTcBCRqzcb4lubxmuqKrb1alqJNHQGQXqgaGZgzqVesLQ/?imgmax=800" width="359" height="244" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.ldsliving.com/story/64185-food-dish-cookie-recipe-contest-winner-recipe" target="_blank">{via}</a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Pin #1: <a href="http://www.ldsliving.com/story/64185-food-dish-cookie-recipe-contest-winner-recipe" target="_blank">Lemon Cookies</a> – <em>delicious.</em> like a lemon bar… but in a cookie form. my husband and I both LOVED these. and they were super easy to make and it was all ingredients I normally have on hand. If you’re a fan of lemon, you will LOVE these.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WvAY6imyKduFo03zxolAbekBhidR_prucLeEpjqnz_f_I_KpKwXhsctBtkp8Je52v_ba2Mokoco0XYDvLML3cwQVBffgG2zrG7AtTIN8dGseaznZqOKRX-_z5odED6RN7fWkAGWCnvhc/s1600-h/free-christmas-fonts-593x1024%25255B3%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="free-christmas-fonts-593x1024" border="0" alt="free-christmas-fonts-593x1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-1GAwlvbC07Eel5zRzJz666vJ9WIFCMUeD_cITlfkUl-S6tacQ6pq2Cz7fmcU2FzgPZLUKgGOpSwgwMF606_7pBKukLNSdBJWw5DLSx-aLEilPsLCyimHiFmiCJjAttgw-zeDrPPiyue/?imgmax=800" width="280" height="493" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.honeybearlane.com/2012/11/free-christmas-fonts.html" target="_blank">{via}</a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Pin #2: <a href="http://www.honeybearlane.com/2012/11/free-christmas-fonts.html" target="_blank">Free Christmas Fonts</a> – I downloaded a few of these fonts. “Cinnamon Cake” was used on the back side of our Christmas Card this year. (<a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-card-2012.html" target="_blank">See previous post</a>.) I’m sure I will use more of them in the future! I LOVE downloading new fonts. (I confessed my love of fonts to Stephen and he laughed at me and called me a nerd.)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P4IEDb1Z58mtrjAo-GgaH8yHt72-1FTV1owxNwRY_Nt8s4yyp5-haByDDawz0wbDOggFbhigRi07im1q2TzHL3jM1XaTqHLn0UjWahFROGvPzxTwWN87NsvSqWMhUolTVl_PnezfTysu/s1600-h/hotchoc%25255B6%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="hotchoc" border="0" alt="hotchoc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYjGZVkv2jb2001C-Esm-DDufHun6l0KrReRX3BMLkxlGyN4cAysq0ITCyiJjWKZswhh8-VS8F8UdXywYmYP7k7MAcmQ-adLtMiJF4RGgRe9aFvVWMnllDBPJ-LyYrDkDajTveMR1hwB7/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="232" /></a> <br /><a href="http://grandpins.com/popular/christmas-eve-creamy-crockpot-hot-chocolate-1-5-cups-heavy-cream-1-can-of-sweetened-condensed-milk-14oz-2-cups-milk-chocolate-chips-6-cups-of-milk-1-tsp-vanilla-extract-with-all-of-that-it/">{via}</a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Pin #3: </font><a href="http://grandpins.com/popular/christmas-eve-creamy-crockpot-hot-chocolate-1-5-cups-heavy-cream-1-can-of-sweetened-condensed-milk-14oz-2-cups-milk-chocolate-chips-6-cups-of-milk-1-tsp-vanilla-extract-with-all-of-that-it/"><font size="3">Crockpot Hot Chocolate</font></a><font size="3"> – I made this for Bunco last week. It was good, just really sweet. (Um, hello can of sweetened condensed milk and an entire bag of milk chocolate chips.) I liked it (of course, add vanilla or peppermint mocha coffee creamer to it) but I would only make it for big groups because Stephen’s not a fan of hot chocolate and I would gain about a thousand pounds if I drank this every time I had a hot chocolate craving. I don’t even want to THINK about how many calories were in it. Yowza.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N_7OWbYVn_YTzhJxRXmQ2Nng9lsmNt46mK0wx-2YID1A4cuq7bAWGLx_KZiptmqgN4uqO8S9UMyQog0mHWrmksbaibwfy_2ed2I4YHKJ0qHqLoCC87mouX7lTwY_pw1nKRNJIEChfb92/s1600-h/tomatocagetree%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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="tomatocagetree" border="0" alt="tomatocagetree" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0hXote6H69WyjHL7_8Swt4oVthncGd0Hw_DZmaqg3EyGGug7MNTRRpgTcP0OjmAJ8ekjDUD73_NfJM_KNpUWqQtPBWP31eYl5AdW_RlYnSz6k3yr_VOZMLYrx4s45hnrjsQP29hxLsiy/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="253" /></font></a> <br /><font size="2"><a href="http://www.lucydesignsonline.com/2010/12/tomato-cage-trees.html" target="_blank">{via}</a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Pin #4: <a href="http://www.lucydesignsonline.com/2010/12/tomato-cage-trees.html" target="_blank">Tomato Cage Christmas Trees</a> – I’ve loved these trees since I first saw (pinned) them. BUT, there’s no real “tutorial.” I really just work so much better with tutorials! I went to Walmart sometime in November and bought the supplies to make them – tomato cage and garland. I had plenty of extra lights at my house. When I went to choose the garland, there were several different options. I chose the cheapest, which was 50 feet of garland for like 12 bucks. When I pulled everything out to start making the tree, I realized that the cheap garland I had gotten wasn’t going to work, because it didn’t have any wire in it. I got the type of garland that you would put around your Christmas tree as decoration. (I hope this is making sense. I should have taken pictures!) Anyway, I couldn’t use it because when I wrapped it around the tomato cage, it wouldn’t go in a circle because there was no wire in it. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC1gyr43kMzK6ti5AqOaPq19bPArBxrVQJ58a0losNbWE-bWv9hkNvFTcYAt0846HKgf20FgSqDkCIm7yHo2yDpVszE67LjqaGhdzD427UbNA6tYA3JEalkO3d7MvXguhY4XJjDn3O5vO/s1600-h/IMG_4658%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4658" border="0" alt="IMG_4658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbRcR1-AhcZ6V9JT00ikm9wQpAOB9DisYGyz8k1mO9AcVcSSfb-grbNjK1YfrwmxO4-iqYPtNEdYQomU_YGh1Wi6LofnHjs4njjS4oiosWQ1Jd3qaKdP3dsqUEMGKmwKVLq92g4Qs6hhg/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a><font size="4">My Tree!♥</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>My point is this:</strong> buy the more expensive garland. It has wire in it and you can shape it the way you need to so that your trees are shaped like circle and not triangles. I paid $4 for a 12-foot section of garland at Walmart. I have a 53” tomato cage (I think) and I used <strong>5</strong> sections of garland and honestly could have used one more. I ended up making three trips to the store to get everything I needed for this tree and it ended up costing me about 25 dollars without the lights (I used 3 strands) or deco mesh. I LOVE this and would love to make more! These would work well outside or inside and I think it would be cute to put ornaments on it and use it in kids rooms… anywhere, really!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">My Walmart is already out of the garland I used on this tree which is disappointing because I was hoping to buy the stuff on sale after Christmas. I may keep an eye out for it at discount/wholesale stores throughout the year.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Anyway, I’m glad I was finally able to get this blog up and I am hoping to get on the ball with blogging now that the school semester is over and things have calmed down a bit here!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-47498589011891447172012-12-17T21:28:00.001-06:002012-12-17T21:54:13.530-06:00Christmas Card 2012<p><font size="3" face="Arial">I’m so excited to share our 2012 Christmas Card! </font></p> <p><a href="http://www.walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-card-carousel-2012.html"><font size="3" face="Arial"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="christmascardbutton" border="0" alt="christmascardbutton" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DycSivantJNTEHCQ0i11uZNyxm6uzimFBeZ_fH5JQkuOCIPZscBURYWuLpNYcEE4RRNUoyCbRkii2Cu-j5_dV-YxNMiT8lKwPAZ0XT4OEH8XvhvjqM7TRGRgA2oeFiQsMo746tasr8kX/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="349" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Arial">  <br />I’m linking up with </font><a href="http://www.walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-card-carousel-2012.html"><font size="3" face="Arial">Faith</font></a><font size="3" face="Arial"> this year!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">I designed our cards this year. </font><a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-card-2011.html"><font size="3" face="Arial">Last year</font></a><font size="3" face="Arial"> was my first time designing our own card, and I had a few issues with it that I needed to correct for this year’s card. My biggest problem with last year’s cards was that I printed them on cardstock and even though it was thicker than regular paper, it still wasn’t that nice thick quality like when you order through Shutterfly.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">This year I printed them through mpix.com and it was SO much easier than I though it would be!  I was a little worried about the picture quality because every single picture on the card was taken with either an iPhone or iPad… but they turned out great!  I was SO happy when they came in I literally squealed with joy! I will definitely be ordering through mpix in the future.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">Anyway, moving on. I designed these on my laptop…<em>which died</em> <em>the 2nd of December and is still dead because my husband is supposed to call about our extended warranty on it and hasn’t and probably won’t so I should probably just go ahead and put that on my to-do list for tomorrow.</em>  Luckily I was on the ball this year and ordered our cards on November 25th! (If you know me then you know that it’s basically a miracle that I got something done that far in advance!) Had my computer died before I finished designing these I’m pretty sure I would have had a freaking stroke.  (Me + Stevo’s desktop = <em>not friends</em>.) SO, you’re getting a picture of it. Deal with it. :)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">Front of Card: <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEi92i1Lq44lJkc5cXzYxjuV5ggVnA0B6hc4742KtMIKQYE7CNmevA5IAZyJEg5hirmmaob_DLWH8lM93GS7l4l0cp8eOfTVh8uSnmoTbLS9W_aycti29ld7iy8TYzncsbMUSf8rxRsHH/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Arial"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="photo 1" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWNWyuW9YUNMefQ7z4AZK-Q36cwV0_DjDUh7KwJN4hV9kGLUXlI0jnF4AQGRb0gYekybxNrNEKJXUYtdbYWyCiK2pTqFYaBffF8b5ECo4e_S56w4ebhDioYgrhr8rTNIz84lGbqxe_M-i/?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">Back: <br /></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyyB4ItGEwrCnuPqJAJ5b1-_Ky2XcAgLmQj1WKGvJxWqAuMy2IkL0cLlhE0MAMKvw_RoX9EqjFP0220qntXh-MkK_jcq9X_HqcJKnCPqJhjKi17fNc1kP6ER3dQWs7r51qa0ESjhLxsrI/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Arial"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="photo 2" border="0" alt="photo 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvBol-Qo-v9MZvEJSpps6Mf4s0Lzha5Mthqz4fGZD0ywJRMw3rB7MzZE997h8AePcuCslqs624LGlcvaAB0ucaHKeUOvwIlb_OXKEHHWnvaOYth2PtziSazTXUqslJjtawYknGgVJqNJM/?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">Yes…the back of the card has <em>seventeen </em>instagram pictures of Christopher. I went a little overboard…but SERIOUSLY…he’s the cutest 3-year-old EVER.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">It’s a very <em>busy</em> card but I really do love it. Next year I’m going to try to do something a little more low-key and maybe less traditional.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial">Things I love about this year’s card: <br />*all the pictures of Christopher – with the exception of my immediate family, all of our relatives live out of town and most of them do not read my blog or follow my instagram. i love that they can see pictures of him from all year long. <br />*it’s two-sided. i wanted to do that last year but didn’t know how. <br />*it has our dogs on it – first year to include our fur-babies since 2008, and we didn’t even have bella or jasper then.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial"></font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-56792059936841196092012-12-01T15:59:00.001-06:002012-12-01T16:01:22.613-06:00O Christmas Tree!<p><font size="3">My Christmas tree bit the dust. I put it up a week or two before Thanksgiving, and over the Thanksgiving Holiday (more on that later) the lights at the top of the tree stopped working.  We tried all sorts of stuff to try to get them to come back on, but nothing worked. I decided to live with it until after Christmas and I would just buy a tree on sale somewhere.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Then the bottom section of lights went out</font></p> <p><font size="3">Then the next section down from the top went out.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Then the a section on the side and back.</font></p> <p><font size="3">And my anxiety was through.the.roof.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd5izYvqSjIjjcf-PwnTYz3UoBF2CyInm7Lkat-GIRY8fbYgtFgE8Cm12MMRvygu8Stux_ImgGHk06IZsepDK_adq3UV8TggtC7WUv6o-JOvUV6lr-CVKYMrBK4fikZUcNj7k5NuvVB1y/s1600-h/IMG_4628%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_4628" border="0" alt="IMG_4628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHYJDsNa1iZwuo9BSAELBuvY9JE85xngtf9rFToc8PuBLGcBiCjtKE49h7tqiUqGqplOm6QD90h-_-pk2cbZljMkfaE1bArpHI6vB8Ez0UwmzPIdWYn3xJXtFuH0KomNRqMqyVnKcg553/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">SEE WHAT I MEAN?!?!?</font></p> <p><font size="3">So what’s a girl to do? Take it all down and get a new tree!!!!</font></p> <p><font size="3">I wasn’t TOO upset with this decision. I love Christmas trees and honestly, I wasn’t happy with the multi-colored lights on the old tree.</font></p> <p><font size="3">So I found a good deal on Walmart.com and Stephen granted me permission to get a new tree.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I ordered another 7.5’ tree white lights and double the tips of my old tree.</font></p> <p><font size="3">In the future, remind me.. 2000+ tips on a tree = 2000 tips that I must <em>fluff.</em></font></p> <p><font size="3">New tree BEFORE I fluffed the top and after the <em>first </em>fluff of the lower section:</font><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmeOFLeTBDmuo1ngKJk-6Vdsi8prh8yv5CHRlUJ8JZuYnFHI81KxmXxPzPeNLWrR9uOwxqdizITbM96plE05VLVoZPH3FWYPWHy6w56DLAa0c8l27Bo4TxtrG-LufYVdzr7PsR5F-7gdH/s1600-h/IMG_4629%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_4629" border="0" alt="IMG_4629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKtgtgntLM0PvekygcY2ozxy0TYAOKdqmQqhI8Pj1N8ntNN5fouGJq9ao-gaHUQUGUwjRQHks-A2LOLtnyRe4Una70Evr1dWSsHZfieb9cP9XWNXyNIZokcDH4x_U1qn9sUlJoffjymVw/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">New tree AFTER I <em>re-freaking-fluffed</em> the entire thing and added two strands of white lights: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4sRJ_9dtnQ2fzk1_SQqyHxIWFIH-QJ-9ozEPUqn-87Zsp-ARO3U4U1LchjqJrhMjus3hF8UYAVcJmEAGcSD848Yl8z9uF_bLFT2h-6QBjKaYcN_q86DNKkZarAENKtq_Dr7pssecVoO2/s1600-h/IMG_4646%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_4646" border="0" alt="IMG_4646" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrjMWJbaKF5mCF85UQ0PWTgTqTL4V2HIYW7QS1YScZJtQ-TLOZF3V39p6_-4BhYTleAe9xSham-fg5JScYKSY2tKwKr_-m9Xq9fC1lNP1omDrrcgyR20V8DKMzadVBnOrs8Ohl7d1BPu_/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE, people. Most pre-lit trees need an extra strand or two of lights on them. Its what makes them glow. =)</font></p> <p><font size="3">Yesterday, we made a quick trip to one of my favorite <a href="http://www.atozwarehouse.com/" target="_blank">discount warehouse stores</a> about 1.5 hours away. They sell deco mesh at a really reasonable price, plus picks, ornaments, decorations… you name it and they probably have it. I picked up some materials for making wreaths and to decorate the new tree. I wanted to do something different to it instead of putting everything back up the same way.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7OneNJEOuzMA4gpETQQLDN-HBAnNlQJlxv2Ltc81b1lCVedvPWH05mpovrZpi4dbqOEtU-A7BcZaXv0CVLCT8aBkh-dLQUammgCm1sfeaakAs2YY-4UbVhOcZ9lch1YVmcqPD5_kMFxA/s1600-h/IMG_4655%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_4655" border="0" alt="IMG_4655" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWdSsVKNW56VdInN_-BgEABrb19-0bp72AXcDEsNldk44t5WRWRiuTA3Lc-MEn-YZkm0bmvL8tmmnrZDKMsjq2vaSgXpQo17HFr0HvOGsSckbI8LQPdlMqqRcbQZlVOMvJfno7Nr0GGM1/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="494" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">This is the final result and I am over the freaking moon in love with it! I tried to keep it a red/white/green theme with the exception of a few pieces that are sentimental to Stephen and me.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Comparison: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsDSGg1VyMBGQNR6q6GdLP1n082OhLCudULoxw5L2nT0JC42ECO3G0zZzPTbH8pX6CvzaKXc1rYNuc5080cePIX9y13xq0biy6K68VKSabRuPNWvS9eju9_7wETJFJ1bsSslKIQYQvDNO/s1600-h/IMG_4657%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_4657" border="0" alt="IMG_4657" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDbVK0CmBzeumbfV8CJeYebjrQN95uBawYbjzK_N056ILZkvp6QHRBW9hFFxPe2lduLgt-RoKdnZjIIMRcCkW9SFQ6Ri-zjxNRNLd38KB7TnpGpUbJT9vzpgikUvNaudHtTDBEqgkYz5Z/?imgmax=800" width="368" height="377" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">I may try to do a more detailed post on some of my favorite pieces of the tree. But first I kind of need to catch up with Halloween and Thanksgiving and other random things! I was just so excited about my tree and I wanted to share it.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I ended up keeping my old tree and taking off all <strong>six hundred</strong> of the pre-strung lights on it. Wire cutters are my friend… but it was still a 4 or 5 hour long process that I had to break apart into 2 nights. It’s packed away and will be used in the future. I <em>love </em>Christmas trees and could easily have at least 4 or 5 of them. This year I only have two – the one in our living room and Christopher’s small blue tree in his room. There was no good place for my <a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-decorations-2011.html" target="_blank">white tree</a> this year since we are in my mother-in-law’s house. I’m hoping next year we will have sold our old house and will be in a new (to us) house where my white tree will fit in. </font></p> <p><font size="3">Keeping with the Christmas spirit, I sent off my first batch of Christmas cards today. I think this is a personal record. I’ve never sent cards out this early in the 4 Christmases that Stephen and I have been together. Two years ago I had major problems and I think they were finally mailed out on like December 22 or 23. I designed our card again this year {click <a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-card-2011.html" target="_blank">here</a> for last year’s card} and super pink puffy heart <em>love it. </em>I’m hoping all our friends and family do too!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-86063847135038292272012-11-13T21:31:00.001-06:002012-11-14T12:17:54.477-06:00The Proof is in the Pin (Volume 3)<p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjublIAOngKPUkajPRgv-ssCJt1cHwwACDMaEQt-ZMBq3qzqkfaTgduT0s2WgO0_BoY-JZw0wjOawMPevAIAUYj0SEVk37toCQZCJWmOAZunA3SyZwEkmMjY2gi-YEEn8Tx6fRxDrUB7EUO/s1600-h/proofisinthepin%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="proofisinthepin" border="0" alt="proofisinthepin" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1Y8CuQK5AVF9nGzvt_n-jmqww5203P0qU8EMlWNUVNBgLG0m66wcUxek9udQWpDuutdQ1Uj3rYst06sO-tqjuAebh6oioKnWdICNZGtxcss8_aaGT0mear4EoVcDAd5KeyFbwNZTgU9w/?imgmax=800" width="300" height="327" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Linking with Sarah at <a href="http://www.lifesweetlifeblog.com/" target="_blank">Life {Sweet} Life</a> again!</font></p> <p><font size="3">I love this monthly link-up! It keeps me blogging (at least once a month… hey, it counts!!) and I think it helps motivate me to try out new Pinterest pins.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I try to do three a month, but this month I only have two. I have supplies bought for several other projects, but I was visited by the stomach bug from Hades last weekend and I wasn’t able to complete a few crafty projects that I had planned on doing.  I’m really hoping to complete those and share them next month!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Moving along.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFOcdQXTNaL3Y97_mYAc194ycTuiGxEYF0dazpLZKcY6-y8sm5KvXbYyFSMuy77DZ1OG4Lgfr4-zDALbCJtuiHm0fIuLLFGoXAJaJj2dmt60j7TzjttE0IG7zHCASQd-CtgoyyVGOqlX0/s1600-h/IMG_4302%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4302" border="0" alt="IMG_4302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lbAayxTJMss3arHOtErQ1hQ-6oQ9e72ey9h1CBy9NuLq018sabemspAalox2XCuonXJEeoa_z_NCgLdmUppZ4R0qYtHJ5xehV_4b8lxVROCAk0hjy-wkunvi5oYzDb0fzJV31SrJOiVe/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">First pin: <a href="http://homestoriesatoz.com/fun-with-food/pumpkin-rice-krispies-treats.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Rice Krispy Treats</a> – I made these for Christopher’s daycare class for Halloween. His teacher said that all the kids loved them! A few things I would do differently next time… it takes more orange coloring than you would think.  I used orange gel coloring and the melted marshmallow mixture looked like a good color, but as soon as I mixed it with those light colored Rice Krispies, you could barely tell there was any food coloring. I ended up adding more to the krispies mixture, which turned into a big mess.  If you look closely in the picture above, you can see there are streaks of orange running through the pumpkins.  For the green vine/leaf things, I mixed together powdered sugar and water, and it took a sweet forever to get the mixture right. First it would be too runny, then too thick. And I wasn’t really happy with the green color. Next time I would either leave the vines off, or buy frosting in those little tubes to pipe on.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujsksDLnFxsywuC0L3OJ568bAJ1ZtTylJYyEycCFz-5Pg_y4VaVIlmIAOBLEXP0Jlur_xbe-LoWnyyP1sxHSzfjIa277YMMUf1lObr8deqfRgA7XTZdDSdP6oqdz_Dw6MDK1KwboNHpKc/s1600-h/IMG_8690%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_8690" border="0" alt="IMG_8690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4XGEe24GkhGM7RVrVML5qEMZPZEl8WAiYvyopV8I-KcbWsqwg4OJUi0gfBtbXM2NicweZL6pZ4ly0Nsk14ISzYDLiWqfLBGpO6MKPvgJL0FvxnwFW-lymBX-qb1x95LzgoYvesjH2Sar/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a> <br /><a href="http://misskopykat.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-make-curly-deco-mesh-wreath.html" target="_blank">{image via Miss Kopy Kat}</a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Next up: <a href="http://misskopykat.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-make-curly-deco-mesh-wreath.html" target="_blank">Curly Deco Mesh Wreaths</a></font><font size="3">!  I love this pin! I love these curly deco mesh wreaths. I made myself a “pumpkin” one.</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBaMY6fIwoOX4yTIoO_-hhFh0QBtx4c1aMZFOxA0P6FW754b02UK6CAr6be3QWBOdk_1jHNDphNRNn8tp7a-7EOAWxy92sCazgdXGoq_o_TS4dEUt2TM0vZp0ZaLl2182e5PstKQdP8fj/s1600-h/IMG_4203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4203" border="0" alt="IMG_4203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1ImjMJLSsXGCz96TdixmW39U91XRnfu84yL5e__3ZFOo7Bs5oDl9Guq_cIdZfeV6QBedSx9QEQeqBced5zsLYqDSyA63YSmE9Z-ZP7tvjrPxxhwBcV8T6LVuQZ099Uyk_7DvdJJIEAso/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="413" /></a><font size="3">Love it? Want it? I’m selling it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/112977997/deco-mesh-pumpkin-autumn-or-fall-door" target="_blank">here</a>. (More about this later… maybe!!)</font></p> <p><font size="3">I even decided to use the curly deco mesh method with my Christmas tree this weekend. I kind of love it!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_U3p4geArZrwfeya-dKnZzx2fUEnRRMvxeGngPwFjjXoYt8p9ffuCQGsIqikkewoA33hZFS4a4tgUlKxhaa_JT3_VK3ZK0ICCe4CldF4VQeOfPsarN9NAQ2wUAxzIiGrHVVGfwRc15Ba/s1600-h/IMG_4438%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4438" border="0" alt="IMG_4438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF3IVhIU3pDTvzMr7hedJibeAlTIQi_dDQ7LFWQXixePgWW3YvreAZKM0b-w4KJH6MCiH5hwCuanHkxIkRFLbwLf9DDQ_FOpLB9qouk7Na6bAidGpYVRC9VeFsa8klDaQkv6IzeEKi9uN/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">That’s all I have this month… I’m hoping for several more Pinterest projects next month!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Posts about the Pumpkin Patch and Halloween coming soon. (Hopefully! My final marketing paper is due tomorrow and I should have a few days of freedom to work on random catch-up projects. First on the list is the disaster zone that is my HOUSE! It’s bad, y’all. Real bad!)</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-57655208092988990392012-11-05T08:00:00.000-06:002013-01-04T11:20:52.137-06:00The Pumpkin Patch 2012<p align="left"><font size="3">I had heard about a really fun Pumpkin Patch about an hour from where we live. The last weekend in October, we headed to it for some family fun!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">We got there a little late; next year we need to go earlier. It was so much fun though! Definitely something that will be a yearly event. My mom and dad went with us. I’ve already posted <a href="http://stephanieolmstead.blogspot.com/2012/10/wordless-wednesday-slide.html" target="_blank">pictures of my mom on the big slide with Christopher.</a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXsM4upIt_K9L9q_7YhBsS1u4qhP6itFT0Wv4nlXeX1dkteRGYd5t5N5yDQn_v7O9DX7GOcDnpNZ9VNT_KGsMamfFr-jx4qYOBd6OD0t2UvlAgBwFxGs_t39xDH91fMK3qU34zufpd7ng/s1600-h/IMG_7242%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7242" border="0" alt="IMG_7242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNLEACu9VqLAnQaQ4sO8yB8biemmwQCtC4C3HMsPQBT9kqajfNESye7OTl_Q69SpiJ4eSFvmMQGB2Q9jP4VO6sS2QykPMAEUy85nJc5aEsYLJOP_rTp5nlZyEcLpWjyTsVB0vmcnuYJ-6/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwA9MQ_0lDxQWZ3I0wL7JGCCVdb7fvR6wJt2mtpbzqt7VHBmpn-PbC7pEKcwTJwQxFszIj__5UFJ5BeQQ5pbJi77I0e6qlKwXn-wbAWN31rdbWapFWjnSlgGcvP1uTbLQY72-eKhOwe5s/s1600-h/IMG_7275%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7275" border="0" alt="IMG_7275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hmUccZXVpfrjDGvNN6UGbe1TMlUyzqewUbMxUVRQOvr9WeE5XGCjlmQzOJ_1aulEY8OHt91x13ywPgka9s1huMDFI86FPNulAgDoD51qAhAV8g6n5jDcadGhvB5LpMJGChO7z98Da6VS/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK-d57XCp2fqJUVN3pK_b7MMtbJyscKFFoKs5hATd4dfgv0gHYv3HSs0PsayYu9X-2E-76g-mFm61VHfypmZX7CQ9509LdD9dmv57Qm2Qf2WaDbfntlSAuZjUnmtGV5q_AiuQtorNNh-X/s1600-h/IMG_7492%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7492" border="0" alt="IMG_7492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bWRAHiGx03E2F0YtWNurQtU4ATdkbr6JfZ0smMMNgnJHXqkQLFYiYGNuK-UBOOUvYv07oWwlQ80sGj3uL2fHWDFFuQoQHp_mczrsjOtdoLJN1qLaW7hVX-36s5v_aranpDksQ6HbPmF9/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRjMxemrm23G_WNPAD1Jpb66WRYJaw90H0XkUNoVvpCq9JI5bUpHMMCczr5vpNzf3x1uQ0dVSn1i8I7ZXbu6IpEyjHG1D6N6WnqQ6IuCYKEvKZJhxqQhNXg3Fp5nIVyy4xY65kazRdmGa/s1600-h/IMG_7466%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7466" border="0" alt="IMG_7466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0HemrUtM2Pueu1FONGDTZ0gTNou1MbDu2RvmB_ILvseZdDW1JmuHyhyJ1Hf_K_EaRE_0pKCbUUmlXuew9kNKY1fqygPH3WosJbhbh0XWfiU7fa_tiYfr4H4pkPLxddnuOcOAWUTW1KG0/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">We got to go on a hayride around this big farm. <br />Christopher was not in a family-picture-taking mood.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CBSTB7qr4tPBLZp2_0gQVtY1jMwhxE0wgmhDnRdmaU_pG0MG2uuN0VeuwU3PhiiKySAzAwgXU9U1gicsmpHl0VJOsckiopSFm0q14oZ_bIbv4dMw1Ylb5DvbxgrHFMUso8rwNXv3Ohkg/s1600-h/IMG_7288%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7288" border="0" alt="IMG_7288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Uf787UHiO7FiPiPcNBFvnAfVpyuHrAf-sqYMrZxGW1Co1C-ln3qma5ZnH1smKqR_Ue4wXUes-mPBssRaeIzA18Zyrtjc1QeZei7s14VNApI8IaRoalv4qKOTsCxEjKDMPvtBXn0HKSO0/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">The hayride took us by the big slide.  We all went on the slide, except for Stephen. He was the designated picture taker. These shots are not the most flattering of myself… but I love Christopher’s expression in them!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdtTjt7le_vfYipgjrtSUfbXuZ1EetTHNeFjL9HXKrwnLJlpCEgLHYciEQ4pBl503hW2g0D_zJlXEZe8rfXHhkS1LSE4p5kqu_Ob-DmsjYf_Xexx57MMNJF67nE_g1ESItp46BKryF3lU/s1600-h/IMG_7349%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7349" border="0" alt="IMG_7349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1YwKzcYKN3dHQv0mff3OlS9eaylN9reqwL-mjzMq8FTBUfLSX6BivUv4N2TcbYXb6o8uJHVELWLhlBD9gDsUtDi5SxiG2NfA4X_PufOWt2PjYJArabeXut5_fqtt88j7MyDN-HWUToL/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFXEJAoeLyU9JXhb9g44ymr7XxCbbLsyCi3fMsyxgz55gyvjzer9zasamr87Uue-seCgKnR7CLD6okJg_bySBhyXIrOFm9ok9ZbczsTaY9fqqE6R3K0Pn-1EpROUt0lSZe-HDAqA2YBQS/s1600-h/IMG_7356%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7356" border="0" alt="IMG_7356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0N2c8LBUAhpIfGXots2g-UNYf9kwPLoOiuWwWYMP75wL0X85qLbKU1aDTXym_sgLbvt3rW7ht-_GwsV_0YWeYtwjpkodnBgAYrIcIhBaKoO8UN4B67RYsZMZ1LE9kyIM29aW-20GB2a4/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">PawPaw & Christopher</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTC2ztrWXOUx1MxThz3jFQJFfWmGizhGAQ1Q_cooDm6e7kXlC0KkbR_exRH_gpJ4flKLZv-Zz4DnCElTMbE3LGl4qDY2BxSufDeZ9JTNmXs0PIGGxEis9UZnVxz_0N6vg8UaBOsErVxMa/s1600-h/IMG_7390%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7390" border="0" alt="IMG_7390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2aT8NeSP9qG6hYGfeOQGdrKKbhGdMybCAw5FJlwh-O2GJwkZnUeBZ0zMbGUv0HXORX84ySOl_BS_6p8dz-rgid402cpE9G9hZlZSzo2teQvqDY_c2jHYtmm2I_mq_IZESjs_j7sC6H5H/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Next, the hayride took us to a corn maze! This measurement thing was next to the maze.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEim9-X0chO9so4dQTY2Ll0cNpHRGIoWEps9zOEinCQo-ubaq0u_3PUekxjq7_wVm26ypEkUcX7cgU0wKnFXcuxO15TNf5oWTjJ4oWqhue7xoX6BXX-jUz2xdl6eOEXG-h7oQ88efInra/s1600-h/IMG_7411%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7411" border="0" alt="IMG_7411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-UAvX54-1PfzHzIi89mXp-wz4fE8bUasqLVXBJeoghZ2Mv2oCq7YJFnEyfPnVHAq9McJhczn4JseY1PWi60NnMYen9pFxFBXv2hZLwnVA6YNpYHZ8Mhnz2ywiBix80mFiIZz7a2NIhD5/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">After the corn maze, we were able to go pick our own pumpkins.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktt2P7Y5rJEFJuz6QsdflJPpjTtncv_aWcnp7DwgNr9Pixyy3Z-8hAJ8Xt7DPxOrsvbpA9mLo23zXMKchB_1zQOsGh8DEVH9rZvChCX7TaPvVB90Y6s6mHvc4DWyAcAodVQI7GzsZ-wnh/s1600-h/IMG_7450%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7450" border="0" alt="IMG_7450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugEHKkWOvQDPAo6KGkCx7zSJTOHf4xgujZ1wR53edst6ysAll2ETnygkrFkiGOa1dHIN9i7hG-UTLujEjHC8xhwtDNx1zOoi0xq046R1iHnCK5Dw1W-B2h6cYcZp4QBny6rcGnwlN4a9l/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign9Ov8JDZsAtMmIsGWoGpSoIlJBSxSYJ2bIM21pilviTqEIY7CLkAygl8qqJ4i8lxB6lqQDj5uUS5sDxGe5mK0rTWJZg4fnYdwevkMndzYdiuu7g2oCLncT8yuxACHQ4LWA6saysFP9WM/s1600-h/IMG_7452%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7452" border="0" alt="IMG_7452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBjCrZTaisMFXnAvLenaQ2iQQ5OqZ7137fQDwmYqrthNiGSlgMfGZiJXWlB67fMvj2YqSfmyFI96u0LtxGPaZRpmKKl1G9cG3_GOsG5q9KKjc9hK1YDUKOZUyT-N4WeMPu3eSnwjW0oQz/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMxc5uo1rPBnSDbvj_E_HlA6dA_8DHIsowc0xvv-RdvBu0KSkbgPEmp7MMDVqRXG_4m8GGy6M110HF3T2ucvbNI91uTo0OhKhH9B7ZyG1jHx39PF4Tf_2YGkNNM6thJAhKeF0qlzP3qEI/s1600-h/IMG_7458%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_7458" border="0" alt="IMG_7458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cgDppZkyApffCNNaG0voXO2FTobejFcdMQs1Vrf-_q4QzT0xehTfxpFFaTt-r07siqNgsLY_C-dlWegdsFPxXbZHovTyKEYzQonkq9bdtxOJzA7Yce9iQmTuwUa3t19QB1jVPw6uxxIP/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw05aIsJqaBsvmT91nfeCe4OSLcyHza9IU0W1s4UUxbRLodo1C5F4c5lups_ajygSmkq4deTpPqsVhFZPjPB-5CxuX6vLLmcPwv8M__aijrdPzDxv5TL-Es4rUzbY2_BYlerZGx5ObXjn/s1600-h/IMG_4279%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><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_4279" border="0" alt="IMG_4279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6chNI7uLG665eZ0WwLUcIP5odouLNJm3H6mEHEeU4Za8mS2mLgpF-O8ziIf60VcEu77-OT5c9V-0f8EEcYCuszYuRU3JjXZZUOyVG945U-jxpYnUCvkM0gKLUMo3kmI-lBcgqPin81ff/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="310" /></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">There was also a small petting farm and some goats to feed, donkeys to ride, etc. So much fun… we’re looking forward to doing it again next year!</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072952468925511734.post-34112718470404696602012-10-31T05:00:00.000-05:002012-10-30T23:19:28.955-05:00Wordless Wednesday: The Slide<p><font size="3">We went to a Pumpkin Patch on Saturday and they had this HUGE slide that you could go down on burlap sacks. By the time you reached the bottom you were SCOOTIN’! Mom and Christopher were the first to go down it, so they didn’t really know what to expect…</font></p> <p><font size="3">OH MY WORD… I can’t look at these pictures and <em>not</em> laugh. The expressions on my mom’s face are <em>hilarious.</em> And Christopher’s look of pure excitement – I LOVE these.</font></p> <p><font size="3">sidenote: Christopher’s shirt is not too small. His poor belly… ha. His shirt is just bunched up under mom’s <strike>death grip</strike> hand.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X1vufrFVFanIQNriQ4RBZS7WNRCBQQLnzEmPJrqP6XTKtDspPiCTB8P-cUrlhj5nkHV8ddHxPk1fowGW5PPjfk9zc-znh7VCYv-Dy-RJWoncXxxz0y-CnsRfmIYI5WEwObn0b2-ntF7Q/s1600-h/IMG_7300%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_7300" border="0" alt="IMG_7300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MGUYdq-ifC8sMEvTy5xTFrT3LieUvVc3YJhbLHPtu3FEzyPHXncaPTYq4bFI2CnydWLhhOn08ApTEv_svd_ADZRcar_eNgDk8Sk2BjZGwdwF-8mBlxEC55Up3MwNllcwiHeKDH4cHn3R/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4YOCOkgV2KpSGHj-sI8nEcRf0WcY8v2PV7Z9fQCX2RiXANxqhOjtSfYonIwrelbfp5tbBjc8hNEpC9Hopx5KW5glXi5D2Qf-GGfb05Q3p6Elah4QQJ_1MyDsKv7C5ZNeymncaCyeLIUP/s1600-h/IMG_7318%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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I’m finally getting his birthday post up. Maybe now I won’t feel like such a slacker mom. :)</font></p> <p><font size="3">At some point this summer, he was really into Curious George, which we can watch on Netflix. My original plan for his birthday party theme was going to be Thomas the Tank Engine, but I ended up changing it to Curious George because I thought a monkey-themed party would be fun to plan and decorate, and I figured that next year he’ll want a Thomas-themed party anyway, and I’d rather not do the same theme two years in a row.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Last year I planned a big party and expected a lot of people to show up. Christopher wasn’t in daycare at the time, but I invited acquaintances who had children around Christopher’s age, hoping for a good turn-out. I went to a lot of trouble… and the only kid there other than Christopher was my cousin’s little girl, who my aunt had brought from Texarkana. And the only other people at the party was family and our family friends, the Lawrys. To say I was disappointed was an understatement.</font></p> <p><font size="3">This year, I chose to invite only family and the Lawrys and just plan for them. It was much less stressful on me and we had a wonderful day celebrating Christopher’s third birthday!!!</font></p> <p><font size="3">I don’t love all of these pictures, but I was really too busy prepping everything to worry about shooting in anything other than auto.</font></p> <p><font size="3">{Morning of his birthday…}</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn7KXMeM1D1y7fG4f4i4u5nTJj0qnTNW0G378UoD1sDx5-cpqGDkDS8FKUgYddaClLD2WApVraCjeCTYHA5uTTmM1gHCDffO5YrD00PA6JQezqycZCMG15riC_dJadcsaftGgeJqVQFD0/s1600-h/DSC_00014.jpg"><font size="3"> <br /><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="DSC_0001" border="0" alt="DSC_0001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith2DBc-UQCMmP9ECGr0LS29QFqcPeCVO4984pkeF_eiRWAStSDsGmxxJAvskHURJImRgUd8v74yKHX82MCJwVdbCOYdkASJa52JjG_EDo0bh_pLEr31HOvALX0v6Xn5WaBLbBAumaBGML/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2oRCMkW-HKN0C4zLniytMDw96OB8PYz4AtGVtGlV7Poj1QtV12xtfoQ55vHKqeyqPaVeL-b6XPCo_q1heOwqz2q3tbGNWDiMx5H9R48y6coJFXELwQHWBMKTSWSIqQxojrEjFtOaTj8u/s1600-h/DSC_00024.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0002" border="0" alt="DSC_0002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0SIzuV65EeOZnI8nQRVBUrw4CtvbR8nrWE1bdNuReRiVi9kZUOTmXCmf6w7pyq5Vfh58EjnyAybKcoHtoEJ2owYF3ies28UMhu_zMn7Aw1RbADmUSlrS54KlaAeiqHZr4py5aDQy6Xcz/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCBT8rEr10wkeTV23M0Xwrziu7F-YKCQcJfy1au52IY43tA3sUizuZP9mnI44dRjLDaiYQYjM0aDlnFb0JdKnplpUTTglrMU3IDYXTXTyeVhMhsna1sYCw0_xAfSE_hIf71a9u-uWLN7M/s1600-h/DSC_00055.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0005" border="0" alt="DSC_0005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRHl0FxPjXJEMQUNlMFkzW44xVnOfLFBwoRrwgJLiCUjpGvwhGSwjO8nAkOi1qoRFQdB_yoVR5EBrrLWp3nlGvMgT4pkMpTM3pD8JO-LK-WEXws7vwNVQwxGmVuvNOg70pjw-jbAWMYNa/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV_Oth0fwTQ6csw1PJcVRDtuTgg96nsJ_jf5IdJuUwtBhCtuv3nmu6-ya3xZVe6Nz1AtGOpNnp7aqQ90rf1CxDJ-_L9trPBPuFSvavyjQ2bS-Hap2ulTJULX3Qgqv8XQiDvsaVq5ICV33/s1600-h/DSC_00094.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0009" border="0" alt="DSC_0009" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4w021UWPJmzHE9lHicFvvGV8ppw-YvbXPDFW-hkKty2gzXFBw6TtJyJFFaKDmTNCrpAq9Iu403yDx0TUdm431CzsPiUpkuCmUChYR3wZvnyipODfua503N8aMpvg6BjO5sKQuZb0UMhJ/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_p5r8JV_vrklHKxPA19No8KBYSl0Uq4eGOZP89pDodR7Cccozmc7iKX_v5-qVHtOFLdWuZ5V4VQbhMIBdoCO6GdFqvIDk8rW2tAimECTaZWLSY10JlrKc7DBENU802XHQ0Q0XoC0DYll/s1600-h/DSC_00134.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0013" border="0" alt="DSC_0013" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3heXsEdV_B7KorWiRXnBaS9aZFAPh9nqBXob3nm-ougiL5UYZtjUUSybWnRAHOycZgUblA8z6YY36S8ZQ5trUbjps-J2GajIj7LeZ7uzubDd-Raq14E7NLeaSkQLCqRDiv3ZY51BnV6Qh/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">I just snapped these pictures before most people arrived. <br />In this picture, you can see the blue spiral hanging from the ceiling. I had those in different colors hanging all over the living room. The little yellow bucket on the table was filled with candy. The Curious George balloon in the background was also tied to a bucket of candy.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn83hLQxgAi8NGdcrseZfKlZ3KF2nqAjN6k6SXrQUWrXpA4sNRflHkPj0chxkA3xR95YYXbieSluNR9FXZRPEpEmCTr83UlxKLstDugtY4q2fxPCjX0k64Q9fNOMcm76FAWRDkoOGero0M/s1600-h/DSC_00205.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0020" border="0" alt="DSC_0020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV6NIBFHmHzxrsDSyKua_OxHpdCvp4MohJxPft4ATpTlBPJ3m3bZgCelucxhvtHu1c2r4MqSIZDOvmlTfchkspFZ_LTgNp0QiCm5581p0J6izSxexyCNGWlJHJjBtEOz4Al7IeDmmL867/?imgmax=800" width="300" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">I got the buckets from the $1 spot at Target. I got blue and yellow and filled them all with different kinds of candy. Then I bought the “3” candles and put them on a wooden skewer and stuck them in the middle.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxNka9WJfec-BDEDQOSgMiI8uWWcvncSNPTb9xv7hwe-Ti9sfnu9EgEuvSQZT2ZBlB3WBDqRg0BQbZWpuNdQOuuB8uRE7hiELyMB1kBZnnA0Lw_L-LBzun3LeivxXyCp6s1_Z5CBA6gMa/s1600-h/DSC_00214.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0021" border="0" alt="DSC_0021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sq3AhnstSETkknurL3z_LUx2EjcRZXZOROVY2y-rO63Rw5BqlhUPTfCMhBw_OIxZkHbez8xG2KVxHGQ2t2gxTfBPlAZ0xt8h-L-jxHJUgD3QLmdkfzK9y0V6aDviaZTm04v2Hcg0Tk_u/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDHx3v3IYHoLHBUtSzLiMe_5Phvg88PCGZwRTGuQn6ieW-OJQHJGmu0rJtp8Bl3QqKKO5kcSwA0lq3Yl4V4ZQFBOQ3eAzJ9cMG7cG0bFK52glZA6PbkFq3jUcdyeJ3avoJZ-hDi48OJ7o/s1600-h/DSC_00449.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0044" border="0" alt="DSC_0044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp1n0Sqjn1YNsii-OZtYHA4tQRFDzOVsWqrLKXzYgDVybuTDvaJESU4nTrWvZWteeMCIbpnGljpPnDjXqFJswqNium2lw1G-AV1T3fwApx-17VQU9bUlMNw6uQ4l917_2G3FCCu6g_xkj/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWteBtq0sreAq7R_Jkm5NiLUdgC9RbmYzgQUmS-JGzpQqsmgogZfx4ItszNlMG8tub3VkZIFcJhTxRCNdfQKBQ-xibqqipbmB_f2f4Dc6v6mjm39S6x8HqqXyCubN7eIXl37gmtrlSTj5/s1600-h/DSC_00274.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0027" border="0" alt="DSC_0027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVlqYKXBnTKoAerhZ87tTB2hlp86o5Bnw6Rlgx3IquZSClHivD8mHxRY7w6ZHkaZv7kFGY-Ba-2b2ov_1aV9EyNb_YGzM8kKdoH_xEqKcQUfz6JaZpZfLnWqTsdpDUO0iEv51L9I3PJtb/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqt7ZGBisbG9nETFPfa9qIe13JyyiwTiTQ5XLW7cWFZZHq7WhcyDEPgqtTI1blXzD7PjpIz07WDX6o-Bsd67jJoQnxtMqYf2nCSL5y7ngEpVRiiYxtS2Mu_LNsPfO-vNca1ZZwKeaf-Rn/s1600-h/DSC_00294.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0029" border="0" alt="DSC_0029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDg6SMCIOA3h6ZAGAbu7JeH7OZChiDKl32bfV5Su4952kQwWurfTI-jB5s0yPFC9rWofas497K0Zv5aKBZ6QxpDrA84tjBhvXfCyef8xkD6hcmS6lXYYQEVYBBP838LvrS5qM98_N961r/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">This was our “dessert” bar… I always go overboard with the desserts, but I like for people to have options!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9-x2px8eKHbFpC9nsYnIjCxymgeHezenvVZlas067GOh9UrHkk2-8iat9PUGqFNIRRViuMVbWHL4qQnw3x6tvqxaxRC4NL8uY8-NvbsuwInq8s3wvVwSJhO49UwaeDkTbp5HniZpEfXG/s1600-h/DSC_00304.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0030" border="0" alt="DSC_0030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimc9CnoOdsc76YZ-gh5I4sTqwqetP-vDajx4CDySdrY3I_wR_9IAdeST99U0Jm4Tf3-OezaLlBV3Muk4Rj97bz4Rde-8SYm7__RBTZNSajesbWbR1w3ACx4LAPhRAzxRv882R1MfLH962Z/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Red Velvet mini cupcakes with Cream Cheese icing. {both made from scratch}</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-g09cR_NvBXe0gslTPtUYoVZ6RLJtt_Z3Ky23I-U49hBbbP0ftZGCg_UMgm2LsWCcRqNjr9XfS0T73JEtPxUQEiddDdJQeMGUoJ8sjGIxIhXYcSgIAGQHQrrZ9KfGJxXzp60L_O5AXFNK/s1600-h/DSC_00354.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0035" border="0" alt="DSC_0035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1GkonX4NmhP2Gkz_C_Y1XmdvcWIycyfvW12aV9St7XMY9wiqHE6A6f_zGIQXGbkImvPMpezZQc4DY1SQKDUQoq8CqyKdy8AQOL_ajCpHUcQolwhFK0H0Y3ANd9OOPzrbz1_Slf8c2Tu8/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3SS4LMwhCY-EmmdC0yvQLAcPC2dCvs7eHBUYr8vIoAl5Bb5z8BdhsmQAAKvOq_Rt6QhI3ZsYgef9_YCvlGM90HpmpM6nEqwazr3y3N_EpKDkM9Vr85GkpwmKfNUJ13gYh_G0gYrUP8od/s1600-h/DSC_00364.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0036" border="0" alt="DSC_0036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FCI3i1B4oqEXf30jwhcuSrTRImFyyqZ-MZACKQJvYWerU_4eCQfAQlay2MarYsv9ipZaYymwnj8uzG5_qGP6fgtpkn_PvHp0gHGNPK_eJm1ur3_COTO5_YDktZjFgBLv-7-kX0yzXsJj/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">White chocolate pretzel sticks. The sprinkles on the ones on the left are banana split sprinkles… bananas, cherries, and chocolate sprinkles.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievfn3JFqeb-SGUeOB3wIy3x3VdWJOjyIGIdwoD6wJhA1rrftRdM2PCSBcFtdlC_vqXXDqF-Nry9z6HgFzmawDoBSEhTcEywU4Nx1vyZaxy0abF8JBT48pcbGDAPAvm7JXnjTX9pAR0pAA/s1600-h/DSC_00384.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0038" border="0" alt="DSC_0038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP_5_JaJfVzzESihQe0VWPr0fr8z2x2958I55EItWd8Uo7vj-Sd8h1Bd4lINy_nFPmWgoBJ-WBuolmK_4zBl11Lqt0tgHcTYGpyLfVCYaOceyYEFe8OLaDqh2aXWrAATjqrviCp3zdRVk/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Banana Bread</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTj901qhZ54mZc37yFMDaHvCVCzWkUXdrThpz0Z72BTFTpZ74SZ3xtNQ-O4klghTuNFFWbhOTrJH8YteUvZKKRG_E34ovOVkixfl20IL3LYw_VZjL4L6FtbnPmdsbNoY0ycxmWLPgqOk0/s1600-h/DSC_00404.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0040" border="0" alt="DSC_0040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbVRmy_O47CxhfvwQxzEjHuWNxV9jCdlGWkBRxRsTTwQeo31c2Qd6Svo80Jaf35F4ODjta8UYQoiKuEqZgEQCQVR7l6YpGdYZZuOPDJeZrqMT7oHF6Yv-25xhoMds4GsSMWIsaV3aCidG/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Banana Split Bar. We had homemade ice cream (made by my dad) with these yummy toppings in a waffle bowl.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0QsdwpIiw7vmOWg5OwYtELX7MwP23wmccWIdn1EyZug-nCyivOqs01ewhfGAe39d53O54JLie61_hthoWWCO5Ri8LQfUKcv-L2Muib6gcyaPiOSBhntymx_SUtCuHTldiMDl7oKsjUqO/s1600-h/DSC_00424.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0042" border="0" alt="DSC_0042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNieU79T274msHkuPUNNcXi7VmCaDxKvbs69QGlBWEFuNLUEYaJcgBKPxKi0wvwhyphenhyphenGfx9J9DrX_eM3ckzCf0pMP52zeUeekU39YbTiGOOb4zMc6fovhBIWTtlalSavxDInRmUeCGTjFMF/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="428" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">This is an opening between the kitchen and living room. I wanted to do something fun and came up with this idea. Loved it!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWB3W9EXhkypQY3U3AlIKjok_JOhWQmRdgo5tpWyzICuf_1ybcQVmkUsuudva_DwgntuqmZHQibFAUWTGsUsFXIqRXCGIPrlSxbM6XMGiDOsF5f2dC0T2WydnCGMKzPK9w-GkQgegRPzF/s1600-h/DSC_00434.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0043" border="0" alt="DSC_0043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_-4p_lBnSkmlO_Isg9uCpexQCX86I-sYhDNjfwnlzAGaCURYvZb3bxYw8_7etTaiqjvI9RdkvD4ZCNPOuM_RDsn8MXyE0MoiXKUvfF9kDfkZTkuGx4F5_QeKAq0LAdGGM8LYDBiH3hEr/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Monkey faces!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVycXRDqVjwrBtZimEzTCInDxkKZJDUBDk7qG5r82873Lmf9TLiduQESSmbJMBHS05_PbbvJvSLV3x1lYX7t797jyjFfGA8yYHNao5ZDTSa6lkp5hFyQ-520QxTSH5IWeKhgcTLIhhg4lf/s1600-h/DSC_00624.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0062" border="0" alt="DSC_0062" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH3WgqTYjZ6hbM06BHyFcreJkXFPZ1-nsWciJZ6A3d63puVP57cJlwDam84N-HFIwDkPRstuAIM_nSmofJ3np_xgIjhTPiYDkJ35fIcMw-ysDyf0JwfPpv3ZAFB5QJSpzaTFFCwmyOsc_/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">4:59 – Birth Minute!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ76YOgKwAoqEkixtkJD4jQe3bp4nJqca45QSdgLebDTPURVtXMEY9LHmPMBqi4hY5cEf6w_9HsR_ojU7mtFM2BqahnhVOqtNavJWt0EFjvYc9vxw5Wbz6SQ4vXGCNNgzB4THbt57pkJ4/s1600-h/DSC_00635.jpg"><font size="3"><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="DSC_0063" border="0" alt="DSC_0063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFbesPOc_oC8VM7sA67aJfk_FsIGmnhcufm9rUzwYyWWEai_Qyn0p7G9AUsOgCMLJc1wKkoJbrOHfUtKuTgDuLhFqp7TxJyYtce8RuZ4P41fpptEeM3PBHU7q_2deJjf8aYZ5TdVHiqTL/?imgmax=800" width="539" height="480" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">I realized – <em>way </em>after this picture was taken – that in all of craziness of the day, I had never put makeup on. Lovely.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Even though it was “just” aunts, uncles, grandparents, and the Lawrys, Christopher still had a ridiculous amount of gifts to open. He is very loved! (And spoiled.)</font></p> <p><font size="3">There were three things he kept telling us that he wanted for his birthday – balloons, a Thomas clock, and a drum. I made sure plenty of balloons were used as decorations, and Nana and PopPop got him the clock and drum.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9FpjdsxtU6H2FuOzVH0-DOslPrWEYyPMCuDOsfcQX9kDJGg-Q3V4eKSyN1QEbtov23GFd0VwrGabxPeB6okrJkwImnpt8RvsOJLzHngOb-Pe2nkOKRSvxiQr2dTdRaoaf5ZQ_ugkxAMP/s1600-h/DSC_0074%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="DSC_0074" border="0" alt="DSC_0074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM86kki1BlbchjURImsH_3QlBuhfxSLCquCvRrrfz3huBHjekyMU3auCmIQK0yGo6sSXk_55vP2o9_w8c4PJucY9-z-GCLCbbgakU6HXMIrM0vy8Ot_C9507XcYax_W4eUTWs8mSgx9PL/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA17_KNbbzCwhsnYOSuRtnLEp_g9R0YOJdriw59ToWMMpWzk-By_wckhv0abmpqof2OO5JL722RHfsE95H8CKfwzyQSCMQaHcVsJbSDZ_kiXaxMWrD4i3-PxgPO6w-PB8tN6zRapO7O1lK/s1600-h/DSC_0096%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="DSC_0096" border="0" alt="DSC_0096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoIEYISvT1ObbyyqriW6gs46iax048t-hJtob96lafdUSYaUAWOVmC6MKr7_RCAMYDW1-40VeOGFTe8hvhqd8j80SgB8AD6c-g1CVdvzZzm-6fp_NfaSbkNjyeypuaDqFGadRm8ukWO43/?imgmax=800" width="194" height="497" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhat8_jyWRa8gAvbXEYszFv81P-3ylLranr7GvmzKNIMoaVO5t-IQNHuZgSnSJ6vtjIgt0cj1WBRj-cdLRPib_WkcwCHKBGPB3Tbve5ZV267jfMmZZepDVbGdxalO0gNvFM4E9HBMV6tV/s1600-h/DSC_0106%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="DSC_0106" border="0" alt="DSC_0106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Qt0uFnzsAxXX0X_K6kfWRJQ_lY_uBc4Te9BBqS6I3C4S5qlxa3ykZYblEjeFFhRFr8iJpApTLQOdOVUHpOyzl-yJNJ2QdtAfxzSWCPQhyG9damRnrW_Dqj7fR0ys_plIOQIfdNcoOFlT/?imgmax=800" width="471" height="386" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQVW5cmkBCxeWk4x7pvwae8vqJuzc_ksDgsZ2oKAmIIPsHTydHShEtPvqo8Etwvq98zyNVm4EfcOZ4ivzXGhP0XFxrIQuLOb0fxqlpYbp3i7bHaaq8j3oar8r3EHcnWTncA8kpJBdugL3/s1600-h/DSC_0116%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="DSC_0116" border="0" alt="DSC_0116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PIwNHB46p7NDCCv8lZP7aI9z7X4n3YtaRLCRIO2H8bcMB1YyKp0wJY4BVHKE2qihdAqo8puOCHuhNRigGP6MmtEpJj2zdOm0NZ9a0j7q5AvrsnbUWkTkbLBpqsSd_Pp2LtqaJMwldKro/?imgmax=800" width="421" height="352" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">This is his face when he realized what my parents got him – he opened up a helmet and then we asked him what he might need a helmet for? And my dad rolled in a brand new bike!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wE8yJ_P7YHdzWF6iASbI8QH3JU23NkvI51-1ro5UovfhG_W5EOWsniyhpvC-wPWP8wpewiidnnsmrd5LFyG29AXyhVnP0xvUVR0Lx77gZ9nRwyAFYp1kDQyw6G4p8hEPPh7TMsN8n6O2/s1600-h/DSC_0125%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="DSC_0125" border="0" alt="DSC_0125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpeL3Ec0JJc8FIugZOrWMW7Xo7OmxAR9Q5I0uhpilXJUwsfrxy4ZhiiqYOq0Oewv_U009Ej8QBKzu3NMksJbqFUgwFUZIqbmYbjJAEJoi8Hn0b0JsqDHxjjvSjGAlgdwTl_3rJ1pXXxNL/?imgmax=800" width="465" height="324" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_2vV3VIyocnO5BP8y-uqjoGpuGC08aXy3m3_q49BSTmrocEMCWnxlMDPOXHztqPaEpUcfaCq0HqyicTZgOUlbDWxdhC-VkvIzYPQ0eP90IqOmz7p_YPWJ2lOnKTPxdcdASy7q4F95GEY/s1600-h/DSC_0127%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="DSC_0127" border="0" alt="DSC_0127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bR06YKkQP0y3Hb44BQfEteCIL6Pe0wk_ZJoB-74jeVLR-ca7gog-X01OC8nxMs22YdfhiJoKkQ1BHA7yGxeQDEZBHOy_YaG6kg6hHc5l18rURa16rNTiu_T1uPsocny6ImaJ50h_5HPc/?imgmax=800" width="471" height="328" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I am so thankful for our family. Christopher’s grandparents, uncles, and aunts all love him so much. Everyone except my parents & the Lawrys had to travel to be here to celebrate his day. I would like to say <strong>THANK YOU</strong> to each and every one of you! Our day wouldn’t have been complete without you here to celebrate it.</font></p> Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16035394019107018171noreply@blogger.com1