tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76934473274039111242024-02-02T02:26:17.589-05:00The Moores SixRandom funny escapades, milestones, special events and just the general life moments of the Moore familyWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-68987874295387331232011-04-04T21:53:00.011-04:002011-04-04T22:19:48.365-04:00Playing with THE super heroes...Oliver loves playing super heroes. Loves it. He will dress up in one of his many costumes or cape and mask sets and run through the house (with or without his brothers) on super hero missions. <br /><br />Yesterday, after church, was no exception, however he had a new set of super heroes with whom he was running his missions. Here are some of the things we overhead Oliver saying on these missions (while running throughout the house): <br /><br />"Jesus, you with me? It's over here!" <br /><br />"Come with me Jesus, we gotta keep moving!" <br /><br />And things like that (those are the two I remember clearly). <br /><br /><br />He would also stop and talk to God periodically. <br /><br />"God, are you up there?" <br /><br />"What are you doing God?" <br /><br />Again, these are the two I remember the best. <br /><br />We thought it was cute and funny at the same time, and a little heart warming too. You also have to wonder what exactly it was that they spoke about during Sunday school yesterday (I am so going to ask next week... and maybe sit in... clearly it was some good stuff!). Whatever it was, it's clear that it was very compelling to Oliver as he has a new set of heroes... THE ultimate super heroes actually.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-48670197511427152812011-03-17T20:00:00.000-04:002011-03-17T20:00:04.829-04:00Cookies and Crafts... with EIGHT boys...The week of Christmas, I had all the six year old neighbor boys come over to decorate cookies and make some gifts for their parents. I figured keeping it to just the six year olds (and the twins of course), would be easy peasy. Um... well... what a nice illusion that was. It's not that it was hard, as much as it was loud and messy and a little chaotic at times. Sometimes I still forget that boys are very different than girls and don't sit still and quietly and neatly decorate cookies and do crafts. Boys and the words: sit, quiet and neat don't even belong in the same sentence.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl4fnXMgnQXIRXudFMIxB8fdRHaSdvtsP6zDE8oTKm4MgyZAln5S45KoZDhDodoahkaMoRyeSV5jV4Tt5TFUISRkM-IVy09gmRqj4tYqcXF4e2JoPY4S97d0lLea9IncwUfdnJmMuUWZl/s1600/DSC_9589.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567053052828591042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl4fnXMgnQXIRXudFMIxB8fdRHaSdvtsP6zDE8oTKm4MgyZAln5S45KoZDhDodoahkaMoRyeSV5jV4Tt5TFUISRkM-IVy09gmRqj4tYqcXF4e2JoPY4S97d0lLea9IncwUfdnJmMuUWZl/s320/DSC_9589.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The first thing they did was decorate gingerbread men and Christmas tree cookies. I have to tell you, I felt like the candy Grinch in his moment of epiphany. As I lined the table with bowls of chocolate chips - regular size AND mini, cinnamon candies, gum drops, M & Ms - regular size AND mini, snowcaps and green frosting, my anti-candy heart grew three sizes that day. Okay, really it raced and wondered what exactly I was thinking sitting large amounts of candies in front of eight young boys... and wondering just how many green smoothies I would need to feed my kids to flush it out of their systems.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0X_TrntpnTMY8VOMatNYTT4ZxJJmLxoDdej6Nln40Uo96p9sDCnMECAxJIH-ziLOzkwDep_UE7gmJIC84GPont6ghvuW-vZyLJXGikhfeadP3e213JcJqU8N1pJyuBeENVX7-0dQlhYC/s1600/DSC_9590.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567053046566463922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0X_TrntpnTMY8VOMatNYTT4ZxJJmLxoDdej6Nln40Uo96p9sDCnMECAxJIH-ziLOzkwDep_UE7gmJIC84GPont6ghvuW-vZyLJXGikhfeadP3e213JcJqU8N1pJyuBeENVX7-0dQlhYC/s320/DSC_9590.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In all the chaos that is boys, they all had a lot of fun decorating, comparing and most importantly eating the cookies. I made hot chocolate with marshmallows (the all natural, almost-not-even-worthy-of-the-marshmallow-name kind... hey, I had to draw the line somewhere, right?) for when they ate their cookies, which they loved. <br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPae7Bk1cv0w89DeyZj7S1s2nDuUQw1M6qRRAVsB6_nyWOw6jq_M-IoUtAlqymoni6XndjwQaDzH2IkWtjDRi-0HPp8HjHHeaYlu9UmYQy0-Agcj1aB_ZS5fQXVne__o2_eRhVLj5GdSPy/s1600/DSC_9593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567053039393676850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPae7Bk1cv0w89DeyZj7S1s2nDuUQw1M6qRRAVsB6_nyWOw6jq_M-IoUtAlqymoni6XndjwQaDzH2IkWtjDRi-0HPp8HjHHeaYlu9UmYQy0-Agcj1aB_ZS5fQXVne__o2_eRhVLj5GdSPy/s320/DSC_9593.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Oliver decorating his gingerbread boy.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylmDQFtP2-Ev-OqCjRrQJx61thgQhsQV41WQSuGMvGakKF2QwqgletToE_KOi8iGkqdpLooRJlDxdr_X_W850TSXMrqwLu_mueOJcNEf-E05UCFWACoXZ8uG8lIPka96VM-uOvoeobEhU/s1600/DSC_9596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567051542880610578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylmDQFtP2-Ev-OqCjRrQJx61thgQhsQV41WQSuGMvGakKF2QwqgletToE_KOi8iGkqdpLooRJlDxdr_X_W850TSXMrqwLu_mueOJcNEf-E05UCFWACoXZ8uG8lIPka96VM-uOvoeobEhU/s320/DSC_9596.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Collin doing the ONLY thing he wanted to do the entire time... eat the cookies.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-u92m5O1mU-z1X61zxLAsjuqQAF-TZ_ii_di9vlYy94vCQBhJmXa0ZDSNSlFQTfmds5bJcbuOeY9eNW3SV7Nj52akdpbVPMXh7pC33o8Achr7hiDCfekqZZULOZ9Q83ays4m1tuIF6FI/s1600/DSC_9598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567051535892926658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-u92m5O1mU-z1X61zxLAsjuqQAF-TZ_ii_di9vlYy94vCQBhJmXa0ZDSNSlFQTfmds5bJcbuOeY9eNW3SV7Nj52akdpbVPMXh7pC33o8Achr7hiDCfekqZZULOZ9Q83ays4m1tuIF6FI/s320/DSC_9598.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Oliver's first finished cookie masterpiece.<br /><br /></em></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAXatryu4I_r6gy8VJCrZgG8UCBNSgiNDaUB_tMQ_VJPJiR_8k4kvQq4GVyjPmX9NtF0a7ctKDjPas70kdD9tGPgPz-hQb8-RR3dM0JbN9iKclJWiwoB2OLCaqJXLVpXBboP-urSBOPaW/s1600/DSC_9601.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567051526010433122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAXatryu4I_r6gy8VJCrZgG8UCBNSgiNDaUB_tMQ_VJPJiR_8k4kvQq4GVyjPmX9NtF0a7ctKDjPas70kdD9tGPgPz-hQb8-RR3dM0JbN9iKclJWiwoB2OLCaqJXLVpXBboP-urSBOPaW/s320/DSC_9601.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Ethan's cookie... a robot. Another thing I forget, gingerbread men can't just be gingerbread men. Silly mommy.<br /></span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AIBCs-H_gf4aq24rqHawLLWOt3LbiE5pp7pGvdoouvTslfhYgOIgAa9Fscf9uGmVdzGWFKYsU_9AOOgOMuUg6VGeP5nvqH-3m3o7WfMRAzjkeHIxY1vcmpHJGTytmNl_UzAK3Cw2Q-w2/s1600/DSC_9610.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567051522362538706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AIBCs-H_gf4aq24rqHawLLWOt3LbiE5pp7pGvdoouvTslfhYgOIgAa9Fscf9uGmVdzGWFKYsU_9AOOgOMuUg6VGeP5nvqH-3m3o7WfMRAzjkeHIxY1vcmpHJGTytmNl_UzAK3Cw2Q-w2/s320/DSC_9610.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Jayden's gingerbread man.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqakoPHjf97ZDOPjszd4dnAczMz8wLfXhCBefA0Ji3R0JF-KbHOZmJKdgjvLfZ-mCXoR7q5THRH7OJv-kMuH7KL319d30gbPwOKePwict1_eplE4aSX0W5DbMSwOGLNsAb1H3iUZjFqwpi/s1600/DSC_9611.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567051509150617522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqakoPHjf97ZDOPjszd4dnAczMz8wLfXhCBefA0Ji3R0JF-KbHOZmJKdgjvLfZ-mCXoR7q5THRH7OJv-kMuH7KL319d30gbPwOKePwict1_eplE4aSX0W5DbMSwOGLNsAb1H3iUZjFqwpi/s320/DSC_9611.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Andy's gingerbread man.<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNimOnPxKgmYFOHnmn8oWov4JkGnKAv18frt-L6V8dBv-d_HESXiQXAduAUX5_a5U-pd8sDQyxlTFcJmgEJsJktfG0bVJRSi6_P3SZOH0IIYly3Hh1GkEhfhiSGR18hDPyu-IqEQkZStK9/s1600/DSC_9612.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567049365097753426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNimOnPxKgmYFOHnmn8oWov4JkGnKAv18frt-L6V8dBv-d_HESXiQXAduAUX5_a5U-pd8sDQyxlTFcJmgEJsJktfG0bVJRSi6_P3SZOH0IIYly3Hh1GkEhfhiSGR18hDPyu-IqEQkZStK9/s320/DSC_9612.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Jonathan's gingerbread man and Christmas tree.<br /></em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV76XOwje7sHqWqkvMqOKuzwF8itKwCy1OlffKfaTijGKRaLTLX6LHkDOf6f6NlbzCz1HZktk78f71axBLjKGWA8lV7LQsVkNs9UxBuOryllt0E9arJBUAjlRVgdf2JGgJCli_tmZ_BvGz/s1600/DSC_9613.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567049358817851490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV76XOwje7sHqWqkvMqOKuzwF8itKwCy1OlffKfaTijGKRaLTLX6LHkDOf6f6NlbzCz1HZktk78f71axBLjKGWA8lV7LQsVkNs9UxBuOryllt0E9arJBUAjlRVgdf2JGgJCli_tmZ_BvGz/s320/DSC_9613.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Christopher's gingerbread man.<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_OGNQhZJ9L30lDlP3hzIuVE7FN9NkptCoO1XRiW_tWHmulw7Ymyb-er94AB3_WoeOJzPfVX_kTo8mKoQvChQoyEEf3UsfktTN-LHMXn9R85EWK0cPLOFq7bZ22D0uZUMC3r3VG7gvlnI/s1600/DSC_9615.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567049352703991314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_OGNQhZJ9L30lDlP3hzIuVE7FN9NkptCoO1XRiW_tWHmulw7Ymyb-er94AB3_WoeOJzPfVX_kTo8mKoQvChQoyEEf3UsfktTN-LHMXn9R85EWK0cPLOFq7bZ22D0uZUMC3r3VG7gvlnI/s320/DSC_9615.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Aiden's gingerbread men.<br /><br /></em></span><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtrTWrHeelEw_CdL-arH9vjVNA2UFBsOetNMpxJ3MLDPULRCmFw2WPRd2JhImuBtNmC6g3c9ab2FTARUWJZWNXxFGLtPReHJAE6dHjMXEW-xgrlVQkpeO7wtK149cyhhWX39Y103vQDud/s1600/DSC_9619.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567049352363042658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtrTWrHeelEw_CdL-arH9vjVNA2UFBsOetNMpxJ3MLDPULRCmFw2WPRd2JhImuBtNmC6g3c9ab2FTARUWJZWNXxFGLtPReHJAE6dHjMXEW-xgrlVQkpeO7wtK149cyhhWX39Y103vQDud/s320/DSC_9619.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After the cookies, I broke out a super cool fingerprint art book (Ed Emberley's Fingerprint Drawing Book) that I had found. They made their dads a fingerprint lion and their moms a notepad with different fingerprint art at the top of each page. It was fun to see the creativity and care that some of them used when making these. Well, not Ethan, he was done. He wanted to play (in all fairness, he also had his six year appt that morning and two shots, one being tetanus which I personally think hurts a lot and feels like you have a baseball in your arm... it was taking its toll). But the other kids... it was cute.<br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKJBHG28Kxn9W7agWpNjytPAdK1ewoLgpp5PLsXojjm_WckQShlVcRnFp889DwujJenjChPFbofRwHqjJWzDaC1SOBJIQlWgFt3j9lSBZsKFosXS74_qdJzEgqubX4jmoRUtgmlQsh-EJ/s1600/DSC_9623.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567049347677018674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKJBHG28Kxn9W7agWpNjytPAdK1ewoLgpp5PLsXojjm_WckQShlVcRnFp889DwujJenjChPFbofRwHqjJWzDaC1SOBJIQlWgFt3j9lSBZsKFosXS74_qdJzEgqubX4jmoRUtgmlQsh-EJ/s320/DSC_9623.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I think the afternoon was a success and everyone agreed that we needed to do it again next year. I think by then I will be ready to do that again... and we will have finally found (and cleaned up) all the candy that was somehow tossed about the first floor of the house during those few hours (seriously, how do boys manage that?!).<br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-62885123836181600012011-03-16T21:43:00.004-04:002011-03-16T22:48:27.234-04:00Remember us?Hello family, friends,... blog world. Remember us? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Themooressix</span>?<br /><br />We are still here, but one of us... me... is utterly and completely overwhelmed with increased work priorities and traveling, homework, housework, other commitments and this and that... basically just life but in overdrive. BUT, I am going to find a way to start posting again, after all I haven't even made it to Christmas 2010 yet in our family blog world/my only scrapbook of the kids {GUILT}.<br /><br />And I miss it. I miss sharing the stories (and I have a lot!). I miss connecting with other mommy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bloggers</span> (I also haven't had time to read as many as I had). I am also concerned that the kids will look at the printed book of the blog (another dream of mine I have yet to do {more guilt}) someday, and will wonder what happened to entire months of 2010 and 2011 where I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">blipped</span> off the face of the earth in blogging terms. Okay, I'm sure they will be fine... but still... where did those months go?! Can I have them back? *sigh*<br /><br />Here's my random, almost-spring, day-before-St. Patrick's Day resolution (you know, since I clearly missed the New Year's resolution time frame)... I am going to blog at least once a week for the rest of the year... on this blog... about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">themooressix</span> and their goings on... however exciting or boring it is (I really hope I find my groove again, even <em>I</em> can't stand to read my seriously boring posts!).<br /><br />Okay. There is it. In writing. Documented.<br /><br />Next up... Christmas holiday action 2010. :)Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-3000094054007714112011-01-27T20:00:00.001-05:002011-01-27T20:32:12.243-05:00Ethan's Celebrate Me DayAt Ethan's kindergarten, the month of December is filled with "Celebrate Me" days where one child a day gets to talk all about themselves... basically.<br /><br />On Ethan's Celebrate Me day, Steve, Grandma Kathy and I attended. Ethan had to fill a shoebox with things that represented his likes, hobbies, favorite things, etc. He also drew a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">life size</span> image of himself (with daddy's help).<br /><br />In Ethan's box were... take a wild guess... Star Wars figures and Star Wars <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Legos</span>... of course. He also brought with him a photo album that I made of family members for him when he was a baby, some other photos, a trophy from soccer, a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">plastic</span> pizza piece (to say he loves pizza), shells from FL and the map of the Magic Kingdom. After he went through all that, the class got to ask him questions. It's pretty funny to hear the questions (and repeats) that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">kindergartners</span> ask!<br /><br />Here are some photos of his moment in the spotlight...<br /><br />Grammy Kathy, Steve and Ethan right before the spotlight on Ethan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYUykLZZJLJNLb5B9KqN1ujDZI58JuEAZnuR99aWZhDHem5PTl8jOJMfqse1GDI21GpYRP-ObID5dZeAqIBsjkeKpJR4l5S9dcbNT8nJIlfrrYPNRN4mPs70qLriKEKjd1WwSr88Mn3aL/s1600/DSC_9497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566679309911560082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYUykLZZJLJNLb5B9KqN1ujDZI58JuEAZnuR99aWZhDHem5PTl8jOJMfqse1GDI21GpYRP-ObID5dZeAqIBsjkeKpJR4l5S9dcbNT8nJIlfrrYPNRN4mPs70qLriKEKjd1WwSr88Mn3aL/s320/DSC_9497.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After he was done, Ethan along with the kids that sit at his table went out to the hall and cut out the life size drawing of him.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxd_pTcJnWk0zYIft5iHVhVdlHYTt3N7y-YI4wKRkT5PnOKN-JTpeRVuVuHf5JK7ohu9PCpjKvgYzmqLuIyzC2u85VAXkr7DmsE0kZ6tAKW-dQecziP1R3wxpgojEYxzap3syoUJEbw3z/s1600/DSC_9500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566679303626348402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxd_pTcJnWk0zYIft5iHVhVdlHYTt3N7y-YI4wKRkT5PnOKN-JTpeRVuVuHf5JK7ohu9PCpjKvgYzmqLuIyzC2u85VAXkr7DmsE0kZ6tAKW-dQecziP1R3wxpgojEYxzap3syoUJEbw3z/s320/DSC_9500.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>And here is the little ham in front of himself... wearing his goofy smile.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wAaSOPDp25g7ufZrHaULYnwuhQkR5-1e5mq3QyzLt6u8Q3IlDKu40Qrvq6_bJX0umCGwzwqGSp6Di4rW4d3Sf6nNuiZAQj35dRfZzCYSSLcBR_jZR4f3eB9yxkY4jMW4aiyqT0P__9e2/s1600/DSC_9505.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566679300493612258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wAaSOPDp25g7ufZrHaULYnwuhQkR5-1e5mq3QyzLt6u8Q3IlDKu40Qrvq6_bJX0umCGwzwqGSp6Di4rW4d3Sf6nNuiZAQj35dRfZzCYSSLcBR_jZR4f3eB9yxkY4jMW4aiyqT0P__9e2/s320/DSC_9505.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ethan did a great job, especially since he is so shy. What made me laugh was at one point he was asked a question which he needed to ponder apparently. He crossed his legs, put his finger on his chin, rolled his eyes up a little (to ponder), repeated the question and then said "...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hmmmmm</span>, let me think about that..." then answered. Maybe you had to see it, but it was so funny/cute/grown up all at the same time. </div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-80198932597531727412011-01-26T20:40:00.003-05:002011-01-26T22:43:22.541-05:00Ethan's Sixth Birthday - The Family PartyWe had Ethan's family birthday party in mid December; it was, as you might guess, Star Wars themed.<br /><br />I made a light saber cake for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occasion</span>. Despite my thoughts on just how easy it would be, after all it's just a long thing simple looking thing, it was not easy. I forgot about how cake edges that have been cut do not like icing... or like it so much that it takes huge chunks of cake with it every time you drag the knife of icing across. The remedy? Sending Steve to the store for three <strong>more</strong> containers of icing *and pronto!*... yep, this baby is one giant slab of green icing, on one little cake. So, yes, it goes against everything I normally stand against with the kids: tons of sugar and food coloring. *Sigh* But you only turn six once.<br /><br />It's not my best work, as I did not have time for details since I had the icing crisis of 2010, but the birthday boy loved it and that's all that matters.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco9dR_FATCdeQ3fBPeaBgWVYiDnVr6kN3AVF1N4sjVO6NvU2R-og5ocBw4z3QPAQVahiwxy1E_TRhtRqvK_pXVGH4KmN7TlBNg66gsqelv0i9QkvFKXFaJ3219ouAsr1-ynVLbxdBezhz/s1600/DSC_9519.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566667301946695314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco9dR_FATCdeQ3fBPeaBgWVYiDnVr6kN3AVF1N4sjVO6NvU2R-og5ocBw4z3QPAQVahiwxy1E_TRhtRqvK_pXVGH4KmN7TlBNg66gsqelv0i9QkvFKXFaJ3219ouAsr1-ynVLbxdBezhz/s320/DSC_9519.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ODSauWGPgixJT9mWpYswwKdWA11z4n0iBtUKZv1F6kfQrKssleRC26V2CkInMV3unmUr4KVajB-P8pinb9hyphenhyphenkVLYo43p4r0sezulJBAqD1peKoXxQgfe7x2yavXfEqCHXgxoTdKo-nTD/s1600/DSC_9519.JPG"></a>Here are some photo highlights of the party...</div><div></div><div>Ethan with his cousin Isaac, whom he adores.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlL_gpVqhp1eIBFMeWSIY5beklkruLL3DYfMmifUWN_01dXCruzpiYeg2MtTAfOoQQAW8Cqbbpw6xpWN6GM8hcc_ysH6AOyGJBb_DrC0C3MwgrP3qND4IqVtjXorRtke48a54bFVkovnT/s1600/DSC_9521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566636504980496130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlL_gpVqhp1eIBFMeWSIY5beklkruLL3DYfMmifUWN_01dXCruzpiYeg2MtTAfOoQQAW8Cqbbpw6xpWN6GM8hcc_ysH6AOyGJBb_DrC0C3MwgrP3qND4IqVtjXorRtke48a54bFVkovnT/s320/DSC_9521.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Check out the smile on his face...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEchmZjKVimHRPsTnVlvYuNb2beRIUEw82NSEl5AyS1HLbFrwWBEdxeZFTndc32cJ99CiRhLNto4VjXJIXs07_JliGCvy3ymHXlcHY2KY9eyPXczM8J-uHFotcaJZ6iFxinumjV-7BABEr/s1600/DSC_9525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566636502966640514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEchmZjKVimHRPsTnVlvYuNb2beRIUEw82NSEl5AyS1HLbFrwWBEdxeZFTndc32cJ99CiRhLNto4VjXJIXs07_JliGCvy3ymHXlcHY2KY9eyPXczM8J-uHFotcaJZ6iFxinumjV-7BABEr/s320/DSC_9525.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Grandma Dee's birthday is right before Ethan's so we always have a dual party. Here is a photo that everyone (who is doing it) hates to have posted... blowing out the candles. Sorry, I love the faces, and have to post those photos!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9IXzZ11VTkAZsERRxDKMKslXoKJ_KYSKlupWVh_RMJeuGdheOR78nos9wwV0U-N9c-LNc9dtwNiM_GY4Ly01GR6aEbCv7ld5M6XqndexCrUH49dQs5waCQcc85dtYZZQByG2_LQAOVyk/s1600/DSC_9530.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566636496551984754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9IXzZ11VTkAZsERRxDKMKslXoKJ_KYSKlupWVh_RMJeuGdheOR78nos9wwV0U-N9c-LNc9dtwNiM_GY4Ly01GR6aEbCv7ld5M6XqndexCrUH49dQs5waCQcc85dtYZZQByG2_LQAOVyk/s320/DSC_9530.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The birthday people:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPQGZnb-XODRSJ9sCoPSadK4eW7d88HW2PopNxJVwlpWi7Hs2iTj3RgqZgfn7IrZ5afrjGdKjL4_bxwJeTU31sL6ohMG0s9Knw1k8x3h0DHS3aM5w4pKrFqCNezfSLt_eKMnPIB0tCHQT/s1600/DSC_9532.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566636493215268210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPQGZnb-XODRSJ9sCoPSadK4eW7d88HW2PopNxJVwlpWi7Hs2iTj3RgqZgfn7IrZ5afrjGdKjL4_bxwJeTU31sL6ohMG0s9Knw1k8x3h0DHS3aM5w4pKrFqCNezfSLt_eKMnPIB0tCHQT/s320/DSC_9532.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Happy boy opening gifts...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodVAYWMdZ21PgvCVzuHUCXMaQ8KqMZs0c6UGF4n_gh6C2OkNH3R8pn1YWgo5-bgloVDUBEhP5L0ckQJIcLSG6oKqXkE4znzO2UhDlpPzufenZxGDxYtGcdCwSoAZsF3f9tNj6ZMUSF5NI/s1600/DSC_9542.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566636478466803282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodVAYWMdZ21PgvCVzuHUCXMaQ8KqMZs0c6UGF4n_gh6C2OkNH3R8pn1YWgo5-bgloVDUBEhP5L0ckQJIcLSG6oKqXkE4znzO2UhDlpPzufenZxGDxYtGcdCwSoAZsF3f9tNj6ZMUSF5NI/s320/DSC_9542.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oliver getting some love from Papa, with Aunt Amanda looking on.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxX0DLOvpcwVFbayqxu5YOClLeTCyiOJZXBWjZJkdrKWZVlvFg98cWaFYeB9rUnV3HO2Uht-NHfbDHGfe0a0ZC2-AqjwfICnrappGJcIsztKtcAxUau56-AByTisjDZBAPyDeLl88iDmw/s1600/DSC_9545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566635286371658754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxX0DLOvpcwVFbayqxu5YOClLeTCyiOJZXBWjZJkdrKWZVlvFg98cWaFYeB9rUnV3HO2Uht-NHfbDHGfe0a0ZC2-AqjwfICnrappGJcIsztKtcAxUau56-AByTisjDZBAPyDeLl88iDmw/s320/DSC_9545.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Collin helping cousin Samantha rock. He really likes her; it's pretty cute.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtEMmBN8Wq6DAGRq26-PW9ZAyxL0TzuaWmhz8wx5AXHoBb9b4fw1dmZa-8xeHDZ8kCLA7FePsQrSLyFBREmoDWI-Baj-cA3sgASTqAh5LDcGPLs2Vdu58F7OzoBk8Pt7EAj-pDfcRKMcU/s1600/DSC_9556.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566635280755871442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtEMmBN8Wq6DAGRq26-PW9ZAyxL0TzuaWmhz8wx5AXHoBb9b4fw1dmZa-8xeHDZ8kCLA7FePsQrSLyFBREmoDWI-Baj-cA3sgASTqAh5LDcGPLs2Vdu58F7OzoBk8Pt7EAj-pDfcRKMcU/s320/DSC_9556.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The boys putting together a Lego Star Wars ship, with the help of Uncle Kurt.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs4J0Ns_4KSV1WE7usPtAfppvSqBnakNC0WKqnqZYCgi9Sw0OWBghyN5GWwTNZC2MQ__DYGwmGR67VYGW8lt0sVf8Gtni4vWwiIdiXtqr16irPuKTTSicQvkmVKtbu8oGK-75QbQQKd3g/s1600/DSC_9558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566635278929253426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs4J0Ns_4KSV1WE7usPtAfppvSqBnakNC0WKqnqZYCgi9Sw0OWBghyN5GWwTNZC2MQ__DYGwmGR67VYGW8lt0sVf8Gtni4vWwiIdiXtqr16irPuKTTSicQvkmVKtbu8oGK-75QbQQKd3g/s320/DSC_9558.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The cousins, and grandma, playing Star Wars Trouble.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOpRqgoyqlylvJPmPkK2YqlLixyuqueO0Ou4Zlg0ohs4I5oMtDMa8BGD-QSiNGePJn7fG6T4TjINYQcsApl-chRsSN4fW267eab77ta9yybqCStzO5ho3PT1PfjNia-KiIOm03_vVgcf/s1600/DSC_9560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566635271946117426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOpRqgoyqlylvJPmPkK2YqlLixyuqueO0Ou4Zlg0ohs4I5oMtDMa8BGD-QSiNGePJn7fG6T4TjINYQcsApl-chRsSN4fW267eab77ta9yybqCStzO5ho3PT1PfjNia-KiIOm03_vVgcf/s320/DSC_9560.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The best photo of all the attempts at a group shot at the very, very end of the night... you know, the best time to try to take a photo, when the kids are tired and coming off a huge sugar high... NOT. If only I would remember such things BEFORE the end of the night (and when the entire family was there). BTW Steve... nice...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbSKlXZ6vhzmcDERMpI4qgWg3GMEocgwmiwcGJqPTZtH7XTSkxLVq31ZgrvajZmA7AdgPP9cgq1srvBWw70trROb6QXKYO27ZOby_togYVkzJOR_ESfhEKmNNtatuhSYSyYuqEg7ECPYR/s1600/DSC_9566.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566635270335190482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbSKlXZ6vhzmcDERMpI4qgWg3GMEocgwmiwcGJqPTZtH7XTSkxLVq31ZgrvajZmA7AdgPP9cgq1srvBWw70trROb6QXKYO27ZOby_togYVkzJOR_ESfhEKmNNtatuhSYSyYuqEg7ECPYR/s320/DSC_9566.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The party was a lot of fun and Ethan was very happy to share this day with his family. To our family far away, we wish you could have come too... actually, we just wish you lived closer. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Happy birthday Ethan and Grandma Dee!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-59865490242978898522011-01-24T21:30:00.000-05:002011-01-24T21:33:38.553-05:00Ethan's Sixth Birthday - The Kid PartyAs you know, Ethan turned <a href="http://themooressix.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-sixth-birthday-ethan.html">six years old</a> in November (yes, I am still blogging in the past... I may even get to Christmas by February!!). This year we had his birthday on location. Ideally, boy parties should be outside where they can run and jump and be boys, but it's typically either snowing or super cold (or both) on Ethan's birthday, so we just decided to find a big place inside where they could do that (as our house is not really a great an option for that... so we have found). After much debate and consideration, we ended up at a bounce/rock climbing/game place.<br /><br />Here are the highlights...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZOVts6I7nl8IBoW30BvLYzMJZziXAHZsZNE27RVtcRrWOLr77UCp7pDvcVvE0OxMAAU6KE5d76eTWB9Ke6Jyjiiy1Q4QR8tBRi-fzXSBfyFwIj1TFxY65Cf8Yld0LIgSobfpMNtQEWBx/s1600/DSC_9393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562909440074151874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZOVts6I7nl8IBoW30BvLYzMJZziXAHZsZNE27RVtcRrWOLr77UCp7pDvcVvE0OxMAAU6KE5d76eTWB9Ke6Jyjiiy1Q4QR8tBRi-fzXSBfyFwIj1TFxY65Cf8Yld0LIgSobfpMNtQEWBx/s320/DSC_9393.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJBqE3U81zmtYudPpC3hRTre-DkaKjdTMXt3z_XKD3zuK_jhY-Vw_W3RF5VgAL2E0jpH4bKVPHeG0B_7JS2S4kcWtdtb8pT8XQ7KE-J6414r8aXKcEZh-yjVjF-OFRct5B0YYcbm9p9mz/s1600/DSC_9376.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562909434735870914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJBqE3U81zmtYudPpC3hRTre-DkaKjdTMXt3z_XKD3zuK_jhY-Vw_W3RF5VgAL2E0jpH4bKVPHeG0B_7JS2S4kcWtdtb8pT8XQ7KE-J6414r8aXKcEZh-yjVjF-OFRct5B0YYcbm9p9mz/s320/DSC_9376.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;">Super cute R2D2 cake made by a friend of a friend (thanks Michele!).</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><br /><br />The first part of the party was in a game room which had shuffleboard, air hockey, some video games (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wii</span> type really), an air <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nerf</span> gun (for shooting small balls at a target) and a small rock climbing wall.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx_6ZLRi6CfTvNtKe9_3hRtDUSawY_Z8vG6Fx6Cf6C1xxfuWAfCwUhIGyGci-qSnw87TUVaC3GkjFBKIUi8QCQ5wSF7Yk1KH569XmfRVrCiIXueNmBXw1aarlmc6hgRDgzyj5ZTXJyMsm/s1600/DSC_9399.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562909430888243410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx_6ZLRi6CfTvNtKe9_3hRtDUSawY_Z8vG6Fx6Cf6C1xxfuWAfCwUhIGyGci-qSnw87TUVaC3GkjFBKIUi8QCQ5wSF7Yk1KH569XmfRVrCiIXueNmBXw1aarlmc6hgRDgzyj5ZTXJyMsm/s320/DSC_9399.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPij0zAaMJ6lcOUdS1yE46tOZZQkysltyZPcW_wGX-NhFwQcyZzVOsRqyXI1lh0GWEdWsbQC8gUaKanz7NjrKXE0I-CmrT_BN3A0L4NZM2HGTfnLhBpzSkZ8MnlaIOU2CF8i178DoBfXU/s1600/DSC_9395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562909424990091442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPij0zAaMJ6lcOUdS1yE46tOZZQkysltyZPcW_wGX-NhFwQcyZzVOsRqyXI1lh0GWEdWsbQC8gUaKanz7NjrKXE0I-CmrT_BN3A0L4NZM2HGTfnLhBpzSkZ8MnlaIOU2CF8i178DoBfXU/s320/DSC_9395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JPh8KWdnDZOOWNJPFicqhfxxPOQFqdnIQLiUQeMprUgUUE89P5FC-6B5-eUh4xjjwaSOQmT6VNYNoEl71RTsJ7_i3_4ORhJHRnCVBk-k8epm-gUYrv0uI27Eg7r1nm2D3QsuEtnmgL24/s1600/DSC_9384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562909421547724498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JPh8KWdnDZOOWNJPFicqhfxxPOQFqdnIQLiUQeMprUgUUE89P5FC-6B5-eUh4xjjwaSOQmT6VNYNoEl71RTsJ7_i3_4ORhJHRnCVBk-k8epm-gUYrv0uI27Eg7r1nm2D3QsuEtnmgL24/s320/DSC_9384.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Then we moved into the party room where they had cake and ice cream and opened gifts.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRH1SCOI7Er1YeEGVrSh6VdRgdbeqqTUgtZsfREY6C7gze3R3vsoMWtq-C-BHntwG4oIZ7pNWXBEBDFa1EAGuCq2ehwMSHKbZc6qJXOdX-LwJZTLq9wD9OUrhrH9xGDnDC_jOqf3B3BTN/s1600/DSC_9403.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562907768178152738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRH1SCOI7Er1YeEGVrSh6VdRgdbeqqTUgtZsfREY6C7gze3R3vsoMWtq-C-BHntwG4oIZ7pNWXBEBDFa1EAGuCq2ehwMSHKbZc6qJXOdX-LwJZTLq9wD9OUrhrH9xGDnDC_jOqf3B3BTN/s320/DSC_9403.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>I could not get Ethan to just look at me while they were singing happy birthday, he was too intent on the juice. </em></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvy4xfEXVDv30KT4mIeYdiqeEZQPRZ0iVuAuoktaLd7PjwTE168PfLCmk8upZ5yDF8IJ5M1C75F7JpET8m_xBPnORAC2t1yhd1IOOUtGRwQ_RyUeVWaoFmySsEJbbPoIhTQv0kXf2VUy5/s1600/DSC_9408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562907758762240690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvy4xfEXVDv30KT4mIeYdiqeEZQPRZ0iVuAuoktaLd7PjwTE168PfLCmk8upZ5yDF8IJ5M1C75F7JpET8m_xBPnORAC2t1yhd1IOOUtGRwQ_RyUeVWaoFmySsEJbbPoIhTQv0kXf2VUy5/s320/DSC_9408.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> A happy cake eating birthday boy.</em></span></div><div align="left"><br />After that, the last half of the party was in the big inflatable room with the giant rock wall. I'll be honest, it was hard to get good photos as there were kids running all over the place at lightening speed. I have a ton of photos from this portion of the party showing blurs of children, literally, blurs. I was really disappointed when I got home and looked at the photos and saw this, especially since I found I had hardly any good ones of the birthday boy himself. Steve reminded me though, that just because there aren't photos, it doesn't mean he didn't have a good time. And he's right, they all had a great time, especially Ethan.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKXapRDFCW3ytJzrEL3FCzoyLfQGLcxHynKkd25p6M4UQtZOuuUhrP9Tc_3F5e65x7qLz6K_MEioOjZs8MTMIgLvFGRPmOp8-0aQBQ1Fa9tG4RG3VSWVleq4ggmPInO0XU7UcE6YuCXfq/s1600/DSC_9427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562907754551315810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKXapRDFCW3ytJzrEL3FCzoyLfQGLcxHynKkd25p6M4UQtZOuuUhrP9Tc_3F5e65x7qLz6K_MEioOjZs8MTMIgLvFGRPmOp8-0aQBQ1Fa9tG4RG3VSWVleq4ggmPInO0XU7UcE6YuCXfq/s320/DSC_9427.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> The giant rock wall. The kids had to have harness and an employee supervised. This was a big hit with the kids, however Ethan had no interest. </span></em></div><div align="left"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562909638157757858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNdAgmJxOwkX5kDytwUm3i9MA_ThJxtl_wRLFtCTKOMi_kJ37J4nMEe1m2RIFDBScaVz-RukCPWIF8GJXXnPR7qyb2lW03bImHo57AHEMC0mwmXHRJzTGHcrZAYzCpowgwI-gteJi-sB7/s320/DSC_9446.JPG" border="0" /><span style="color:#666666;"><em>Oliver and Collin on the slide - notice Oliver going head first (a no no by the way).<br /></em></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-81BHtGifg4z0O6EGYZ54LCsaY1rEnWoxLKBPB7VVUlokU-Up1N2sIPJBKiECuivk4FLOIBeRENvJ7KsMRcKhyphenhyphen84y_gpD0aAnTrewDdmwiNJRNqbo7J_b2Ly-cjVMcn1-6mry1vxTJ55L/s1600/DSC_9430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562907753711876722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-81BHtGifg4z0O6EGYZ54LCsaY1rEnWoxLKBPB7VVUlokU-Up1N2sIPJBKiECuivk4FLOIBeRENvJ7KsMRcKhyphenhyphen84y_gpD0aAnTrewDdmwiNJRNqbo7J_b2Ly-cjVMcn1-6mry1vxTJ55L/s320/DSC_9430.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>My attempt to get a photo of the room. The rock wall was to my left side. There were four inflatables, you can't see them all.<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJSYkVutYkesf7ayQ-nxpsBF8WCFds261ZjTehhSNC4mMp46Jv4DMtDYEsYjVoo5UjhWdNj7i5qpHiR_v_5i-q-d2VbCxtlfVnWm8UC8FMf27WaRuVKGTPVBS6ABc1jQHiehew_TRb7kN/s1600/DSC_9429.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562907747853590770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJSYkVutYkesf7ayQ-nxpsBF8WCFds261ZjTehhSNC4mMp46Jv4DMtDYEsYjVoo5UjhWdNj7i5qpHiR_v_5i-q-d2VbCxtlfVnWm8UC8FMf27WaRuVKGTPVBS6ABc1jQHiehew_TRb7kN/s320/DSC_9429.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Ethan and Andy coming down the giant slide. One of the few photos of I have of Ethan, as he didn't stand still for one second. I love this photo though, it is of pure joy.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCieFHVLh4FrmdvckLox7xX6YfMEFxzV1YI78idnrU7XXFL9NPYab2vVO2EIZOz71RApXCRhDPkyRJzpzmN4pq_xkxQoxiA7Qum97hVYbGm99YLSJtP6MzZY8tTRS6UDL4S4rank4-KO3x/s1600/DSC_9438.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562906470166990546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCieFHVLh4FrmdvckLox7xX6YfMEFxzV1YI78idnrU7XXFL9NPYab2vVO2EIZOz71RApXCRhDPkyRJzpzmN4pq_xkxQoxiA7Qum97hVYbGm99YLSJtP6MzZY8tTRS6UDL4S4rank4-KO3x/s320/DSC_9438.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Steve and Collin on the slide at the end of the obstacle course (Steve had to help Collin through it).<br /></em></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_U5L9yzPerG4CrCu63vDVmkNRRG-uQJAdASmnrLjvozD_XzLxOi7va0Etbn6Gfe0ZoNkFaBp_bDLNJsR66lXENRgYru5G5eeM_HZSs8clGQRZHxKn9o5e8oBgfMiTCtn9zZlz1ZB3rxB5/s1600/DSC_9471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562906461899576322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_U5L9yzPerG4CrCu63vDVmkNRRG-uQJAdASmnrLjvozD_XzLxOi7va0Etbn6Gfe0ZoNkFaBp_bDLNJsR66lXENRgYru5G5eeM_HZSs8clGQRZHxKn9o5e8oBgfMiTCtn9zZlz1ZB3rxB5/s320/DSC_9471.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Oliver getting some help from David in the obstacle course. Oliver did really well, as you know he thinks he is six years old, but towards the end he was getting really tired.<br /></em></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesM8ktrO7BSokXX3csRE32VoZOkK50h-VmGpTyPFVz4BvyUPfUrpBkyJtX3OLSuC_AwzyEEz3E-pwXCapOZvfKCROMlt69qIJNY6w9hvCmxxaGfoR8dsS5EaaDFzoUplF8-poBUuPiSCs/s1600/DSC_9480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562906459147618402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesM8ktrO7BSokXX3csRE32VoZOkK50h-VmGpTyPFVz4BvyUPfUrpBkyJtX3OLSuC_AwzyEEz3E-pwXCapOZvfKCROMlt69qIJNY6w9hvCmxxaGfoR8dsS5EaaDFzoUplF8-poBUuPiSCs/s320/DSC_9480.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Andy, Ethan and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jayden</span>... I begged him to sit for one moment so I could get a photo! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LOL</span><br /></em></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA2XeF_p4_-gg6XodRYtG_HPOnN97drzYwd44o4ax0G2ImAPFzCzZzHo_Peh3J5DBKJgywMRPRwhKkibBbavDwP-t6KuqV-W7amiSkc_tnL8iN7BI-NmDGp0NAuAho9OZYYsZrmESeef6/s1600/DSC_9476.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562906454576708850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA2XeF_p4_-gg6XodRYtG_HPOnN97drzYwd44o4ax0G2ImAPFzCzZzHo_Peh3J5DBKJgywMRPRwhKkibBbavDwP-t6KuqV-W7amiSkc_tnL8iN7BI-NmDGp0NAuAho9OZYYsZrmESeef6/s320/DSC_9476.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> The whole happy group.<br /></span></em><br /></div><div align="left">The party was a success based on the smiles and laughter, as well as some tears when it was time to go. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I asked Ethan on the way home if he had a good time. He said, "I had the best time ever and it was all because of you. Thank you mommy, you are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bestest</span> mommy ever. I love you." </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Uh, wow... *warm fuzzy*... I think <strong>I</strong> got the best gift of all. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-50837668799139139402011-01-17T20:01:00.002-05:002011-01-17T22:13:26.143-05:00The case of the missing muffins...<strong>The scene of the crime:</strong><br /><br />Two missing applesauce <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">multigrain</span> muffins (okay, you'll notice another half missing from an earlier crime).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVEFlaceUyAhZwBmjkDNFs62suEXNY_T2nOkZn4iKhzH8FA_bFSq25gVJpIay-KodVhcXal2a1td4b3caOXS64c9uR3FiLg6PPLAc3bxAVhFk90KRoY22BPwPOKnTUjVsVQ9PI23z-sUd/s1600/DSC_9774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562960198354694594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVEFlaceUyAhZwBmjkDNFs62suEXNY_T2nOkZn4iKhzH8FA_bFSq25gVJpIay-KodVhcXal2a1td4b3caOXS64c9uR3FiLg6PPLAc3bxAVhFk90KRoY22BPwPOKnTUjVsVQ9PI23z-sUd/s320/DSC_9774.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Facts:</strong> <ul><li>Mother reports she heard suspicious, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">strangely</span> quiet, clinking and then the thunder of small feet. </li><li>One known felon resides in home, along with known accomplice.</li><li>Trail of crumbs leading to family room.</li></ul><br /><p></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Case solved:</strong></p><p>Accomplice:</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhece6b2D6JUXiGW0x2rC06AMVviJoMXnaM_JrneCQ0LwDpOp1uC5_yGcyOgOoTSK6SQ89ir43aYS6ebM82omtnQuh9omCF6QdWLeOFJopk89AaDWaGDMf3RhkfEyDjDwJJ7Whc_Nyk3hOn/s1600/DSC_9776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562960197030844482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhece6b2D6JUXiGW0x2rC06AMVviJoMXnaM_JrneCQ0LwDpOp1uC5_yGcyOgOoTSK6SQ89ir43aYS6ebM82omtnQuh9omCF6QdWLeOFJopk89AaDWaGDMf3RhkfEyDjDwJJ7Whc_Nyk3hOn/s320/DSC_9776.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div>Mastermind (hiding behind ottoman):</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtteQ1IuNh4xJNeoERy2CI94Evh75MaWZdaoDkGvO5ffZYnW-Y77P4AsRa6edQEoPOrN4r13xb6UbnHLApk1TZ1ZiYcMk_zbY0AwewigKUUS_6IyZ3mQYEHy-Hub3-pvrp_2t5vBgCYh6/s1600/DSC_9775.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562960188873140706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtteQ1IuNh4xJNeoERy2CI94Evh75MaWZdaoDkGvO5ffZYnW-Y77P4AsRa6edQEoPOrN4r13xb6UbnHLApk1TZ1ZiYcMk_zbY0AwewigKUUS_6IyZ3mQYEHy-Hub3-pvrp_2t5vBgCYh6/s320/DSC_9775.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-27614111460028832972011-01-16T16:23:00.002-05:002011-01-16T16:25:39.356-05:00My future's so bright...I've got to wear shades...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfviVR-bzHjkFXiD2t53OOXMg8iFbbd03TPNS34m4YypGic2Uhyphenhyphenop4pIM7ODA6tXfi7_uDUQBKJl0aFRzhUFcQKLjKmdVdRaWEccp03zzU7ic82xl9dE9xBOTDeDJtp9TaVQXSNWMh3vsW/s1600/DSC_9307.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562897937582977938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfviVR-bzHjkFXiD2t53OOXMg8iFbbd03TPNS34m4YypGic2Uhyphenhyphenop4pIM7ODA6tXfi7_uDUQBKJl0aFRzhUFcQKLjKmdVdRaWEccp03zzU7ic82xl9dE9xBOTDeDJtp9TaVQXSNWMh3vsW/s320/DSC_9307.JPG" border="0" /></a>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-68454785680832946272011-01-12T21:34:00.007-05:002011-01-12T22:24:26.232-05:00"Oh no they didn't!"I almost forgot to share a story from our trip home from vacation. Which, now, makes me laugh... but not so much at the time.<br /><br />We were at the airport for about two and half hours waiting for our flight. Some of that was just trying to get there early, some of that was a flight delay. The boys did well during this time but started to get really antsy towards the end of this wait. I don't think I need to tell anyone who has small children what happens when you put antsy children in very small quarters where they can't move much and there are a lot of people surrounding them. And so my story begins...<br /><br />We got on the plane... a very, very hot plane. Found our seats at the back of the plane (Southwest seats families after handicapped and Group A, so to find five seats in a row you are in the back of the plane at that point). Immediately the twins, start asking for the DVD player, as they now knew (going home) that we had one. I start searching for it, knowing that they couldn't even watch it until we took off. The sweat began... I couldn't find it anywhere. I started to panic that I left it at Grandpa and Grandma's house... I started sweating even more as the twins started upping the volume of their inquiry to an angry demand. Finally I found it. Whew!<br /><br />The next issue, the twins wanted to watch it then and there. Steve thought, incorrectly, that showing them all the movies we had so that they could pick on and thus waste some time would be a good idea. Not so much. Turns out Collin was insistent on Thomas and Oliver wanted Rescue Heroes. At this point it became a tired, wound-up, pinned-in debate between them:<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">Collin:</span> "Homas! We watch Homas!"<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Oliver:</span> "No! I want Rescue Heroes!"<br /><span style="color:#660000;">Collin:</span> "Homas!"<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Oliver </span>"Rescue Heroes!"<br />Repeat another 20 times.<br /><br />We tried to intervene and suggest others and at some point, I am not sure when or how, they both calmed down for a mere millisecond to ask for Scooby Doo. There was no Scooby Doo option. That lead to both scream crying for Scooby Doo.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">Collin:</span> "Hooby Doo!"<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Oliver:</span> "We want Scooby Doo!"<br />Repeat 50 times<br /><br />Yes, it was that bad. I was a pool of sweat at this point. No snacks, drinks, toys or anything could stop it.<br /><br />So the not-so-helpful male flight attendant goes over to them and says, to two clearly tired, spent, too far gone twin three years olds, "Boys... what seems to be the problem here?" Seriously? Then "Will you please stop crying?" Seriously boy wonder... do you have children? Then, "Lookie, I brought you these coloring books and a colored pencil! Yipee!" People, it was a sheet of paper folded in half with Shamu on it and a colored pencil the same size as the ones by the computers at the library. No, didn't work. Shocker. Ticked them off more actually. Screaming continued.<br /><br />At this point I heard a passenger mutter "Do you have a Scooby Doo DVD you could give them for the love of ..."<br /><br />Gulp. Sweat. Sink in seat.<br /><br />Thankfully, about five minutes after that, the plane took off. At that point we had something real and exciting to show them that actually interested them. They slowly stopped crying as soon as we started moving and altogether stopped when we took off as they were mesmerized looking out the window. At that point, when they became silent for the first time since we sat down five hours... er, I mean, 20 minutes earlier, <strong>the ENTIRE back half of the plane broke into loud applause and cheers... including the male fight attendant. </strong><br /><br />After the thought, "Oh no they didn't", came a lot more sweat. Red face. Sink in seat. Start praying it lasts the entire trip, and that if it doesn't that they don't ban together as a group, open up an emergency exit and throw the twins out.<br /><br />And luckily the view from the window of the plane and everything getting smaller below excited them. They actually were cute little three year olds again, talking about the sky, sun, clouds and small houses and cars. When they were just starting to loose interest, Steve quickly popped in a DVD (that he picked) and turned it on. They happily affixed their attention to the screen and didn't say another word the rest of the flight. I have never been so grateful... or sweaty.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-81968500281741847122011-01-11T20:00:00.005-05:002011-01-11T20:55:43.153-05:00Lunch with heroes...Super Heroes that is.<br /><br />We took the boys to have lunch with Batman and friends the Saturday before Halloween. This event was at the zoo. It was lunch and also a little skit put on by Batman, Robin and the Joker. It was a little, well, cheesy. But the kids seemed to enjoy it.<br /><br />After the skit, we were able to get photos with Batman and Robin, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. They had a blast! <em><span style="font-size:85%;">And I got a little treat too... read on...<br /></span></em><br /><strong>Batman and Robin:<br /><br /></strong>It cracks me up because we have a couple photos of this and in all Ethan's head is held high... like he is among those of his own stature.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi853GdjrpFOD_SH5_fqOfvFeXG4H0jF_vekUEh_fKaUIKa162SdKB6X4y9HRKLO29baWO28tRWJ65PVT3KKi1m5W_S0HFEhhTWNqiq7MqEbgC-doCog8J6f4a9J3zL9lVey-N-R5OjcrLR/s1600/DSC_9193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578526763721586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi853GdjrpFOD_SH5_fqOfvFeXG4H0jF_vekUEh_fKaUIKa162SdKB6X4y9HRKLO29baWO28tRWJ65PVT3KKi1m5W_S0HFEhhTWNqiq7MqEbgC-doCog8J6f4a9J3zL9lVey-N-R5OjcrLR/s320/DSC_9193.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Face caricatures were included and super cute:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ShUosP8ErQ-1vwhhnb0RwkboBnEfhb9KeNGwgScsJjiUdE1qmQFO2bW6VqEj2o8bUxoqmLyCEkfXK7QLKU44mapLq9h9ay6U5hGMsX52CikUSziQml6zgyzSZU2IazH2RnI4soeDBcy/s1600/DSC_9205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575655642043490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ShUosP8ErQ-1vwhhnb0RwkboBnEfhb9KeNGwgScsJjiUdE1qmQFO2bW6VqEj2o8bUxoqmLyCEkfXK7QLKU44mapLq9h9ay6U5hGMsX52CikUSziQml6zgyzSZU2IazH2RnI4soeDBcy/s320/DSC_9205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievXAFSNsiNKGVO_UqoooZK1UBbNBNsch9gJLfO0HZ_iHvmxtYUyIw-fFklR2A7f_csKgru9OZboR44BQrgU1WXkGZ7YCMe5JNgsBUH2lbbPPBAb94RGu9dl9lcADyIG0ilDAcDSGU8kGD/s1600/DSC_9206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575652002278290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievXAFSNsiNKGVO_UqoooZK1UBbNBNsch9gJLfO0HZ_iHvmxtYUyIw-fFklR2A7f_csKgru9OZboR44BQrgU1WXkGZ7YCMe5JNgsBUH2lbbPPBAb94RGu9dl9lcADyIG0ilDAcDSGU8kGD/s320/DSC_9206.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuBwJK0fGUd81oLVNzFabnLK9UUriF7ZeEZKdskIYKD5sreLw8sB_8xnKMgauQVuoAHeuPMdc0kzGDN8L8WpKa5E2BoXsVhgiwejYKn-D_JiZJ3dINEqP5rHcyLYrDMUXuKXU0MW9KXX0/s1600/DSC_9207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575647435119634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuBwJK0fGUd81oLVNzFabnLK9UUriF7ZeEZKdskIYKD5sreLw8sB_8xnKMgauQVuoAHeuPMdc0kzGDN8L8WpKa5E2BoXsVhgiwejYKn-D_JiZJ3dINEqP5rHcyLYrDMUXuKXU0MW9KXX0/s320/DSC_9207.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLQdiLzNfS9JDfsARBPIAxBAPR_l2w-f8PIpd-HyJ1Aq1HGWHzoioSHnVOp5X-MG6_VOPj-CbIiJiWCHJo4eAhIaLulpo53i1VCTgvaaHpge90vWSW-_VDkNoq6n-c0JWfbmjURgyTu2X/s1600/DSC_9209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575639230496642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLQdiLzNfS9JDfsARBPIAxBAPR_l2w-f8PIpd-HyJ1Aq1HGWHzoioSHnVOp5X-MG6_VOPj-CbIiJiWCHJo4eAhIaLulpo53i1VCTgvaaHpge90vWSW-_VDkNoq6n-c0JWfbmjURgyTu2X/s320/DSC_9209.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvrpX3JxR3mGxnxDY_oXVBJH4vzZH6JM7YL6oSMDIpxHPV2Z5AjERbwWJue-ka0FeF1nNWv4_CBtcVPqgA3MT1Pv5zLGO9HB7ufgwrdxwy2tycFuXv7XakGEj_ZHQLtQvBaDXxFtE3SmF/s1600/DSC_9210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575636057559906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvrpX3JxR3mGxnxDY_oXVBJH4vzZH6JM7YL6oSMDIpxHPV2Z5AjERbwWJue-ka0FeF1nNWv4_CBtcVPqgA3MT1Pv5zLGO9HB7ufgwrdxwy2tycFuXv7XakGEj_ZHQLtQvBaDXxFtE3SmF/s320/DSC_9210.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGaiyllqXWVWphxZz-dCjC7jx1SzNsB5aaFVtYvA4htNxrEJKxjyLqnoD_SVdCSTWkEoMZe5TOqQX3jX6yZnHOWY8jWFwqPj9he06jDpDUHpgfQPsSgqPegj_c9Ae0_ZEd2LcMSQrRWe5/s1600/DSC_9211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574284182919106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGaiyllqXWVWphxZz-dCjC7jx1SzNsB5aaFVtYvA4htNxrEJKxjyLqnoD_SVdCSTWkEoMZe5TOqQX3jX6yZnHOWY8jWFwqPj9he06jDpDUHpgfQPsSgqPegj_c9Ae0_ZEd2LcMSQrRWe5/s320/DSC_9211.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Wonder Woman:</strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>I think I have six photos of them with Wonder Women (bless the patient people waiting) because I could not get Collin to stop looking at her lasso... I'm pretty sure that's what he was looking at...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkcREOwQ9L4d7lUW6iJ4jX-30wR122GcbTn-nsq1aPU4ExNG4NalFMMjS1Mu4FIoDPFbC8Zc2xDAXBwjn_80yKMli4GuAQW0-M1Thi2NbeguJV_9B3hwSCz8bHkNs7HlPzcKFo75vjUew/s1600/DSC_9198.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574280659615970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkcREOwQ9L4d7lUW6iJ4jX-30wR122GcbTn-nsq1aPU4ExNG4NalFMMjS1Mu4FIoDPFbC8Zc2xDAXBwjn_80yKMli4GuAQW0-M1Thi2NbeguJV_9B3hwSCz8bHkNs7HlPzcKFo75vjUew/s320/DSC_9198.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5299ZYvbjT3YyhIs5Qm_e41V9I6jj__yZwD4HYjArbAq_nhIyI339l2jSTIL57Zm-CHMgmklVfLfg2UlGss8HoNBNQRozxqhccVGj5h-yLpOx5IRlgVzHn9podY3QerL3bzUJCHwC-rJ/s1600/DSC_9201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574270699029010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5299ZYvbjT3YyhIs5Qm_e41V9I6jj__yZwD4HYjArbAq_nhIyI339l2jSTIL57Zm-CHMgmklVfLfg2UlGss8HoNBNQRozxqhccVGj5h-yLpOx5IRlgVzHn9podY3QerL3bzUJCHwC-rJ/s320/DSC_9201.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Green Lantern:</strong></div><div></div><div><br />Funny story on Green Lantern: Backing up to coming to the lunch - it was kind of a hectic morning and I might have forgot a couple things... little things... you know, like the tickets and um, my zoo pass. No big deal. AUGH! Though time was tight given the extra steps to get in, we still made it in time. As we approached the entrance of the lunch, I was a little panicked about not having the tickets and told the lady that when it was our turn. She told me not to worry, that they had a list, we were on it and to <em>"Enjoy! Green Lantern is for you."</em> I didn't think anything of what she said as my sole mission was getting us in and getting decent seats. However, once Green Lantern came out, after the show... her words repeated in my head. "Uh wow... ohhhh, now I get it... and... W.O.W." </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>I'm sorry boys, it is clear mommy's head was other places... Oliver's mask is all askew in all the photos (in this one his left eye is completely under the mask and the bottom of the mask is midway through his right eye) and Ethan's bow is in his face... both are things I would always fix before photos... um, when there isn't a ... well just look at him!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb96vJtdXDFrdkWDn8NppTBB455YJgjUdVxmx7zNFsbY9Q36RxCKl8vbJKk5FojCORJXiM6e6539TOpgd2IRElhltqR2ToQWyZKGQF6i4EHcWm59RRPVrdYwZemkXfpPm079LRRe5gGSAa/s1600/DSC_9188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574269769212722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb96vJtdXDFrdkWDn8NppTBB455YJgjUdVxmx7zNFsbY9Q36RxCKl8vbJKk5FojCORJXiM6e6539TOpgd2IRElhltqR2ToQWyZKGQF6i4EHcWm59RRPVrdYwZemkXfpPm079LRRe5gGSAa/s320/DSC_9188.JPG" border="0" /></a>And this one was clearly not taken of the kids at all... and I didn't realize I had even done that... consciously at least... honest...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhKNx-1F424O0sQoCgkS80VdFEKYazfEzSbM6d-fhf6Taab81-wp-I5NaJ0FI4gFehxyixvYZt0ERaY0s2YeORkSqUeMBK_Tg1z6td0DltkhFLeOFVFClbLvfZHfIRlAgePSCtYxS0p6w/s1600/DSC_9190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574267159549650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhKNx-1F424O0sQoCgkS80VdFEKYazfEzSbM6d-fhf6Taab81-wp-I5NaJ0FI4gFehxyixvYZt0ERaY0s2YeORkSqUeMBK_Tg1z6td0DltkhFLeOFVFClbLvfZHfIRlAgePSCtYxS0p6w/s320/DSC_9190.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p></p><p><em><strong>Well</strong>...</em> the lady at the entrance <strong><em>did</em> </strong>say "Enjoy! Green Lantern is for <em><strong>you</strong></em>". </p><p></p>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-81919986974239131442011-01-10T21:00:00.000-05:002011-01-10T21:18:26.516-05:00Trick or TreatThe boys were super heroes again this year. They also all picked their costumes this year, which I thought was pretty cute.<br /><br /><br />Oliver was Wolverine. I am not sure why he picked this, but he loves his Superhero Squad guys and he's a part of the squad.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6eoTDwROsWqwEuMGlLIXLn2cq9gnGGNmUKorkIsHyll7OnsoKWSCi9mIoyzzfwYNxuodnVeXBna7XpNlAtLVW37lIgh0tbvfn8X4O1RGkb52AJC9YLZzaRhbVu2UN6chG3kE64iVCZsE/s1600/DSC_9152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585721368669618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6eoTDwROsWqwEuMGlLIXLn2cq9gnGGNmUKorkIsHyll7OnsoKWSCi9mIoyzzfwYNxuodnVeXBna7XpNlAtLVW37lIgh0tbvfn8X4O1RGkb52AJC9YLZzaRhbVu2UN6chG3kE64iVCZsE/s320/DSC_9152.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Collin was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Spiderman</span>. It's the only Super Hero he has really taken to and I think it's because his outfit is red (Collin's favorite color).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7exjUgxUF4zIaTiuIkVhNEMC_sN3J6A6th9bNcUEa-z-fRWeop6gNRZAIx0h8kzHCIo-GU1rTZaVxUaSrf_aKiIHqNWsSBwtNy3Xnr-3lEIBlcleS69ru9DwAmp2i72Ro0JDIrXEuZTMl/s1600/DSC_9144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585253672005938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7exjUgxUF4zIaTiuIkVhNEMC_sN3J6A6th9bNcUEa-z-fRWeop6gNRZAIx0h8kzHCIo-GU1rTZaVxUaSrf_aKiIHqNWsSBwtNy3Xnr-3lEIBlcleS69ru9DwAmp2i72Ro0JDIrXEuZTMl/s320/DSC_9144.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfgdYuKvJysryf0AD-4kDQT-RTbP8On3C8fG6kUZe-hOH6TL4QriZ9vUDgdJa9A2y0SpiudHW7lRBMKHSak7OGdFKfImy6SFdzUgOrm8Kcxq9EyV62VIhVeGBqDswTktIbTc_sW-HnIk9/s1600/DSC_9152.JPG"></a>Ethan picked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hawkeye</span>. Now, you super hero fans might know who he is, but us novices would not. He's one of the Avengers from the Marvel series (all three boys were actually Avengers - see Steve, I did learn something). As you might guess, there are no costumes for him out there. <strong>Enter:</strong> Daddy. Daddy found all the pieces, modified them or made them and created <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hawkeye</span>. I was a little nervous (okay, a lot) especially when I saw the purple outfit, but it turned out okay. And Ethan was proud. We are certain his reasoning for wanting to be him was the bow and arrows he would get to have. (the arrows were without points)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL7_vyIHimEQrGLIfFWNg3UXuRF_n5jF1n-mYWSsqnsuFpUKc3G0EutJDvMSMEalWEnlQPvv0pEP0iIPxU5dZcbofCwowE7Ujw0XY_WvbMJDPBauFDbQD1Fl6DLfdSuyxMhsd_vb1sU9R/s1600/DSC_9157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585248648339714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL7_vyIHimEQrGLIfFWNg3UXuRF_n5jF1n-mYWSsqnsuFpUKc3G0EutJDvMSMEalWEnlQPvv0pEP0iIPxU5dZcbofCwowE7Ujw0XY_WvbMJDPBauFDbQD1Fl6DLfdSuyxMhsd_vb1sU9R/s320/DSC_9157.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjugvFZTSEYnMQZxn6L9G1YJ2ebFcD7ZvphvC5fJQpOIJ8AhvzkKuup2stEa9bbTyndNcI6SfzlK0QOc4gCIZLxxgUgI2BGqLXIGk39QnrT7Rwzc0StZlMqDarF8tTTHjqzbrPc9CGYVnV/s1600/DSC_9167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585246260082914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjugvFZTSEYnMQZxn6L9G1YJ2ebFcD7ZvphvC5fJQpOIJ8AhvzkKuup2stEa9bbTyndNcI6SfzlK0QOc4gCIZLxxgUgI2BGqLXIGk39QnrT7Rwzc0StZlMqDarF8tTTHjqzbrPc9CGYVnV/s320/DSC_9167.JPG" border="0" /></a> We went with the neighborhood kids again this year, which was fun. Oliver was able to keep with the big kids most of the time, as you know, he thinks he is six years old. Collin hung back with us (or, really, <em>we</em> hung back with him). He was all for the candy though, completely understood it. Just went at his normal "Collin pace." </div><div> </div><div><br />Here are some of the neighborhood kids, before heading out for Trick or Treating... <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduUfuQYrzE3MVrK0_xoxueXftr8Yv-Hz05TC5pDLbMaKPvQub12iQesEPUbapFc_giNWDNt9qSVinnEwc7UVlNVXuMBI1tIKFIXVTfp4GlCRKHbPHOAqq2k_vA-rbUN1uh9LIYaZX6HtX/s1600/DSC_9175.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585240328431330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduUfuQYrzE3MVrK0_xoxueXftr8Yv-Hz05TC5pDLbMaKPvQub12iQesEPUbapFc_giNWDNt9qSVinnEwc7UVlNVXuMBI1tIKFIXVTfp4GlCRKHbPHOAqq2k_vA-rbUN1uh9LIYaZX6HtX/s320/DSC_9175.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Overall, a good night!</div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-38953376250971650342011-01-09T21:32:00.006-05:002011-01-10T08:24:30.109-05:00Vacation - Part TwoPart two of our vacation to the sunny Orlando area to see Grandpa Ron and Grandma Lorrie and the local sights.<br /><br />On our third day we ventured to Downtown Disney, basically shops and restaurants. The two main attractions, as far as the kids were concerned, were the Lego store and the HUGE Disney store.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6n9HUNZyTIGWhKCLZ8wxJtvh_5z2EKTjJ0AnPybYoirddKhOVgS0sE0oHV44wJPgTWNJOkUaTLbmnP1qtaI2w-X76j5w47_9ppehc053qbuv4sxEbmHZoYlte87f-Q556YBS7tPRmFC3/s1600/DSC_9032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560374403181765378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6n9HUNZyTIGWhKCLZ8wxJtvh_5z2EKTjJ0AnPybYoirddKhOVgS0sE0oHV44wJPgTWNJOkUaTLbmnP1qtaI2w-X76j5w47_9ppehc053qbuv4sxEbmHZoYlte87f-Q556YBS7tPRmFC3/s320/DSC_9032.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Ethan standing with one of the Lego statues. When he saw this photo he said he thought he looked like he was a wearing a "Mexican hat" (sombrero) because of the round sign behind his head. </span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7LfCZGDXHXxQ90-MtPeDmFsO19eiQbdPOYJk3xPDq4hcP2MIPAXlRGXvWyUD9c6oZf5kNMAozq8qjW6x2ouks78bI98zycDd2Q2RvxxULSoe5m3aqwsm4dd1rvSf9AS97mvRL9ilpSgE/s1600/DSC_9034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560374395191881474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7LfCZGDXHXxQ90-MtPeDmFsO19eiQbdPOYJk3xPDq4hcP2MIPAXlRGXvWyUD9c6oZf5kNMAozq8qjW6x2ouks78bI98zycDd2Q2RvxxULSoe5m3aqwsm4dd1rvSf9AS97mvRL9ilpSgE/s320/DSC_9034.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> In front of the giant Lego sea serpent in the river... pretty cool.<br /><br /></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7gB4_4BI0K_fqNkEgNceMlRUqEjDtTDH7G0SCI6J2vnf4lq7jGkUyyX3cv-91f9crV8weQDLMbV2EjrG10PCaFbQO_D5r0Dh3Dh53_LYaPcWN8bL-er_7G9pttpFzN_3nvpVJGzE0SI6/s1600/DSC_9036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560373692878725650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7gB4_4BI0K_fqNkEgNceMlRUqEjDtTDH7G0SCI6J2vnf4lq7jGkUyyX3cv-91f9crV8weQDLMbV2EjrG10PCaFbQO_D5r0Dh3Dh53_LYaPcWN8bL-er_7G9pttpFzN_3nvpVJGzE0SI6/s320/DSC_9036.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">I've been to Disney several times in my life, but never during the fall season. The decorations were great! Here are the boys in front of a giant Mickey pumpkin.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeeKBX3C5cwJpc47SQdQa4A6Y_V8K3Ge5ov9adbjBES18fZ5S1AD77V0ygQifADbAIXe8KZAkzsfCu6Bl8MYy_Bv-XD2et06yREPWZxjyXlvaSNY-PiAz8-HUSA953OiFZrdz5rEPRmPz/s1600/DSC_9039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560373686547368818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeeKBX3C5cwJpc47SQdQa4A6Y_V8K3Ge5ov9adbjBES18fZ5S1AD77V0ygQifADbAIXe8KZAkzsfCu6Bl8MYy_Bv-XD2et06yREPWZxjyXlvaSNY-PiAz8-HUSA953OiFZrdz5rEPRmPz/s320/DSC_9039.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Just a fun photo opportunity...<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdTzm8Yz73rBCEoRwCJ3JXIU6yNzaVewgeFPjBVAwfXmVrsklvsIy2h-aqTBcXgLFZfJNAWxT5VFLrarMCU7RNvlztwQlnOjd6PbyilR16VX6ELXGbmbnC3IietJgjFZ0Nb17HnOhiwob/s1600/DSC_9043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560373684591377986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdTzm8Yz73rBCEoRwCJ3JXIU6yNzaVewgeFPjBVAwfXmVrsklvsIy2h-aqTBcXgLFZfJNAWxT5VFLrarMCU7RNvlztwQlnOjd6PbyilR16VX6ELXGbmbnC3IietJgjFZ0Nb17HnOhiwob/s320/DSC_9043.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Ethan with his R2 D2 Mickey ears. He said to me as we were walking through Downtown Disney, "mom, I saw someone with a Mickey Mouse hat but it looked like R2 D2... it was cool." And he was right, it was.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg2KiWcIVfGVoOCdlslEn2woN1ii4UxTob70DRQafnuv7dbd7y3f_F_IlpFyDQeBw9W-QWlPrN7Ns-H-cuN2DucP-kR7AVd-KBKFOjHhycODLj5JMjMrD1ZM2lNwWf2VOVJOoy9AIqYQ3/s1600/DSC_9049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560373677827258578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg2KiWcIVfGVoOCdlslEn2woN1ii4UxTob70DRQafnuv7dbd7y3f_F_IlpFyDQeBw9W-QWlPrN7Ns-H-cuN2DucP-kR7AVd-KBKFOjHhycODLj5JMjMrD1ZM2lNwWf2VOVJOoy9AIqYQ3/s320/DSC_9049.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Collin with the Lego statue.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatx_YIusk4N9kARQdG91qG-_296DS3zFCh_EymaMJ_5gW-9aplEOCnohClgAeu4znl58lwJ0r_ZTocbtCh6CImRJCTu4nJfeC2zqe0OPpcZX-Sx9LCTZRuDnkO7aJQ84qvmC9738PtEgG/s1600/DSC_9054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560373674714208098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatx_YIusk4N9kARQdG91qG-_296DS3zFCh_EymaMJ_5gW-9aplEOCnohClgAeu4znl58lwJ0r_ZTocbtCh6CImRJCTu4nJfeC2zqe0OPpcZX-Sx9LCTZRuDnkO7aJQ84qvmC9738PtEgG/s320/DSC_9054.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Oliver was occupied for a very long time just building with Grandma Lorrie.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwY82N4W4E9c3dATzNRn8o5Q9ilx0G6wJ0lYScQnVs8zh_5D0LSxCFMEA8AoH0Ffy1y5aNwVGU-6ZGCYqLxo1jEWZIg65M5Pi43CYdJ1iBF_-ZjdkfurboV8dmyrVLe8BMR4CMGB4yiSf/s1600/DSC_9056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560372271812972146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwY82N4W4E9c3dATzNRn8o5Q9ilx0G6wJ0lYScQnVs8zh_5D0LSxCFMEA8AoH0Ffy1y5aNwVGU-6ZGCYqLxo1jEWZIg65M5Pi43CYdJ1iBF_-ZjdkfurboV8dmyrVLe8BMR4CMGB4yiSf/s320/DSC_9056.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Ethan playing Lego games, Oliver building. </span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div align="left">Day four was Sea World... a birthday/Christmas gift to us from Grandpa and Grandma - Thank you!!! Sea World was a lot of fun, very, very crowded, but fun. We used to have a Sea World in northeast Ohio which I loved going to and was sad when it shut down, so I was pretty excited to go to Sea World Orlando. Photos here were few and far between as we rushed to each show and tried to occupy the tired, very stimulated boys while waiting for the shows to start. They really did enjoy the shows, which was great. I think the Clyde and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Seamore</span> show was the favorite for all of them, though they enjoyed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Shamu</span> and also the Blue Horizons shows. At the beginning of the Clyde and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seamore</span> show there is a mime that comes out to entertain you while you wait for the show to start. He interacts with the people coming in, it's quite humorous. At our show, he had been having a lot of "fun" with people and they were clearly newbies and didn't realize it. At one point though, a lady coming for the show who he was "having fun with" goosed him (as if to put him in his place). It was clearly not planned and very much a surprise and oh so funny... especially to little kids. Ethan STILL (like just this week even) talks about how funny that was and how much he wants to go again. The only disappointment was, since it was VERY crowded, we weren't able to feed the dolphins... really I am the only one (in relation to the kids) who knew just how cool that was, so it wasn't a major issue.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb_IYvS6xGkOLo6G0pPQubjLCDa_evofP-6-wgSwwnhzl8qlqCeXBcB5peclo5tcL2tPGs-yevv2cB9_fxRHl_uj64EQiNI0Bf91dDtQ7X8b7AAn8FXEOwOqxCkCNieO7bDKOv99ZJO5K/s1600/DSC_9058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560372268664130178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLb_IYvS6xGkOLo6G0pPQubjLCDa_evofP-6-wgSwwnhzl8qlqCeXBcB5peclo5tcL2tPGs-yevv2cB9_fxRHl_uj64EQiNI0Bf91dDtQ7X8b7AAn8FXEOwOqxCkCNieO7bDKOv99ZJO5K/s320/DSC_9058.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Oliver with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Shamu</span>. He was a fun <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shamu</span> who hugged, then tickled the kids. They LOVED that.<br /><br /></span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ublFnz0GuI_jEspK3SPZ4IHOpFvrv0GP4uHqkbVRFDKpGRfxlogfd9nSnZ3eeCIV8Zo_zHsEe0-o_E2HMdPgypgKPSRciJD96x5AZLxyX8ihyu6nFh2S2RgNs41ghUJGCzmCjlJb4Mkt/s1600/DSC_9061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560372266966031634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ublFnz0GuI_jEspK3SPZ4IHOpFvrv0GP4uHqkbVRFDKpGRfxlogfd9nSnZ3eeCIV8Zo_zHsEe0-o_E2HMdPgypgKPSRciJD96x5AZLxyX8ihyu6nFh2S2RgNs41ghUJGCzmCjlJb4Mkt/s320/DSC_9061.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Ethan with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Shamu</span> (getting tickled).<br /></span></em><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AKqmw09s_9bTYmGaQlqVc1H-yzHJ2xz5TqmZafFXVnh_D-b0x_ujTdHvFgMRZD_2pzR_K2cfEFCI3M2216OkaiTSrdnP6Pc3Dw8ptT415iFQeNcY-7GZqrxZXkdgLpWSHwfghU3Ouyq7/s1600/DSC_9064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560372260592664994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AKqmw09s_9bTYmGaQlqVc1H-yzHJ2xz5TqmZafFXVnh_D-b0x_ujTdHvFgMRZD_2pzR_K2cfEFCI3M2216OkaiTSrdnP6Pc3Dw8ptT415iFQeNcY-7GZqrxZXkdgLpWSHwfghU3Ouyq7/s320/DSC_9064.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> One of the few photos I have with Collin, Mr. Grumpy pants. We were looking at the stingrays.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxd_Np60Zk48S_Gby7ah4TsDojgiQDtxzOfhl3c63Fkbz5KbmR3SOPj3L12d6uGHYvJsrLAgqnRYpksp78DWeeL17Qyu1D8RX3rZAcGnbwwCNGK32QEwdM7_fzXkl6kxm-Tf5jevIsdTt/s1600/DSC_9065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560372258108428770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxd_Np60Zk48S_Gby7ah4TsDojgiQDtxzOfhl3c63Fkbz5KbmR3SOPj3L12d6uGHYvJsrLAgqnRYpksp78DWeeL17Qyu1D8RX3rZAcGnbwwCNGK32QEwdM7_fzXkl6kxm-Tf5jevIsdTt/s320/DSC_9065.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM5xWv43bfqu3jK4dSRqHinpDWMq9D0A3UADFAKVr9DaWNUX2VZni9QBQ80ETvxTISKFjFC5cg4cgGKl6DBI9ZlCGxwUY24A8m-K4rJQXn0FFIl1Q4Dr7w0cZUlBkQkFznzw9o4MrMmnp/s1600/DSC_9067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370829571570194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM5xWv43bfqu3jK4dSRqHinpDWMq9D0A3UADFAKVr9DaWNUX2VZni9QBQ80ETvxTISKFjFC5cg4cgGKl6DBI9ZlCGxwUY24A8m-K4rJQXn0FFIl1Q4Dr7w0cZUlBkQkFznzw9o4MrMmnp/s320/DSC_9067.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Day five we took "off", which was good because I woke up with bad vertigo for some reason (and visited an urgent care - thank you Grandma Lorrie!). We took the boys to Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Jesup</span>, which is where all the alligators they find, in places they shouldn't be, are taken. Unfortunately we did not see any alligators.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk1t1IzipTZTrCMgLGurH8Y7H2D4nnNijo2nEb6oDm_5caRWRRic4mjwI4EE9RNxKy5tCkTHJfM7CJG9C7BbonMCEslQ6ly5tdPbbD3Ruu3AwLCbM73vCfv9oeqZsDCszUZIimIYZW9Pn/s1600/DSC_9075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370825358288850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk1t1IzipTZTrCMgLGurH8Y7H2D4nnNijo2nEb6oDm_5caRWRRic4mjwI4EE9RNxKy5tCkTHJfM7CJG9C7BbonMCEslQ6ly5tdPbbD3Ruu3AwLCbM73vCfv9oeqZsDCszUZIimIYZW9Pn/s320/DSC_9075.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> On a little pier at Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jesup</span>. </span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div></span></em><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">After that, we headed over to park just up the road from Grandpa and Grandma's house where the boys expended a lot of energy.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopk4OeKYr-5KFUEQbkVu0tye3vjw1rzt2xiAkwBi4jTwiNSfOw0xMopK0KTPUD08U72ljknn43uTByD3K_pkQK1EjTZdI8liCufsd1jPQCH-xVKgS0bBvA8pLRyS7MkhA7zokcNiCaTWu/s1600/DSC_9087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370821252979010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopk4OeKYr-5KFUEQbkVu0tye3vjw1rzt2xiAkwBi4jTwiNSfOw0xMopK0KTPUD08U72ljknn43uTByD3K_pkQK1EjTZdI8liCufsd1jPQCH-xVKgS0bBvA8pLRyS7MkhA7zokcNiCaTWu/s320/DSC_9087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7Zi1r0tcAsbUa57z14sMO_DtzCE7JuRW5jXmugPL5rOv3IitcthK42PZgh5mYNROEQrxnSvNeueZlLoPjFAYofNfG5-G6U7e5TSshC1h3jMBG5tBqZkoEMr2CmMdm6HBuuaPndj5ULNQ/s1600/DSC_9088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370818011722674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7Zi1r0tcAsbUa57z14sMO_DtzCE7JuRW5jXmugPL5rOv3IitcthK42PZgh5mYNROEQrxnSvNeueZlLoPjFAYofNfG5-G6U7e5TSshC1h3jMBG5tBqZkoEMr2CmMdm6HBuuaPndj5ULNQ/s320/DSC_9088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04LC4b2of-K3m92YJinmSyBT5ARQFjZV6zUbOvOZrKZbybpbcX-ons9gu2Pk2412lUXGMQUjwtGEZOO141zAapuSsi4e04brsjr_1OSdaVAIrXletMadJlNBosuNVga-_RfYYA2uzurxT/s1600/DSC_9092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370815724374594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04LC4b2of-K3m92YJinmSyBT5ARQFjZV6zUbOvOZrKZbybpbcX-ons9gu2Pk2412lUXGMQUjwtGEZOO141zAapuSsi4e04brsjr_1OSdaVAIrXletMadJlNBosuNVga-_RfYYA2uzurxT/s320/DSC_9092.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> There was a small group of women and their children there and one of the women was dressed up as a witch. She had a big cauldron and told all the kids (theirs and others in the park) to find her all kinds of stuff to put in the cauldron for their magic potion. Our kids happily joined in, grabbing twigs, grass, leaves, rocks and dirt... as you can see by Collin's dirt covered face above. After the gathered everything, she distracted the kids off somewhere and then another lady emptied it and filled it with candy... which again they shared with everyone. The kids, all of them, thought this was very cool.<br /></span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"><div></div><div><br /><br /></div></span></em><div align="left">Day six was... <em>drum roll please</em>... <strong>Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom</strong>. We chose a Monday and it was October, both usually spell low attendance days... not so on this particular day... it was a zoo. Just as crowded as any peak season I had been in. Regardless of the crowd, it was still a lot of fun and we had Grandpa and Grandma, seasoned Disney vets, to guide us through the crowds. This was another gift from Grandpa and Grandma, who had held onto some old press passes from Grandpa's radio days for us. AWESOME!!!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsRXH-JAKr_KmHbrpCgRIQH2dT9T80D3o7f_Sv7kGzZWkI_ZW8t-7fbHE_gkWeC-HIUfhIyZAC8CpMSzpvfHzfCUI7lMjTcix1yU3RqFAslLuTP7yqKqtz0SgdEWiPUi8T9_7mKIcTP7o/s1600/DSC_9095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560242375201972866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsRXH-JAKr_KmHbrpCgRIQH2dT9T80D3o7f_Sv7kGzZWkI_ZW8t-7fbHE_gkWeC-HIUfhIyZAC8CpMSzpvfHzfCUI7lMjTcix1yU3RqFAslLuTP7yqKqtz0SgdEWiPUi8T9_7mKIcTP7o/s320/DSC_9095.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Tell me, in all those commercials for Disney and the ads in magazines... how exactly do they get that great photo of their family in front of the castle? How? This was shot six and the best of all of them... sadly.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iobAJP5ChR_BGuPNoqVTP_nY_yyPGUphwHXSfllHEhfZC6DLY2I6CtV67UZgJwAn28xgP_QsVHytFfHbKQ70-8YgKzHiSlaoouP_MSBPqe9iUdPtmTqyDGIvSCRM3aoc30unbGp1Po8f/s1600/DSC_9098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560242374260696146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iobAJP5ChR_BGuPNoqVTP_nY_yyPGUphwHXSfllHEhfZC6DLY2I6CtV67UZgJwAn28xgP_QsVHytFfHbKQ70-8YgKzHiSlaoouP_MSBPqe9iUdPtmTqyDGIvSCRM3aoc30unbGp1Po8f/s320/DSC_9098.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Ethan and Steve shooting some aliens in the Buzz <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Lightyear</span> ride. This was definitely one of Ethan's favorite things at Disney.</em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em><br /></div><div align="left">The twins with sitting with me, so it was hard to photograph them, but I did...<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbk8jjjJDSbGT00pAmB6P0Qidf90g7QlTxzV1QEO-zAW4el-y95oTHyjhzcAaSmk-vMpqCAr-qzx0EbaGXKn5jnaYw40_HQ_phsKN8zRUeS5F0EHCsl75u_zz5xuDRoKBsu_LonxiM5HX/s1600/DSC_9099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560242366970323490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbk8jjjJDSbGT00pAmB6P0Qidf90g7QlTxzV1QEO-zAW4el-y95oTHyjhzcAaSmk-vMpqCAr-qzx0EbaGXKn5jnaYw40_HQ_phsKN8zRUeS5F0EHCsl75u_zz5xuDRoKBsu_LonxiM5HX/s320/DSC_9099.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqXfzs9V0osKpW1ktzcVkb7HykhMgIj0km-9nz2QHbIFb7bpQsawi3anaVegpcsP4UX0L1xdZNH-aiOzALKMo9LFN8ZFK0GOTxBUPuuoO0FI3MuYPLivs1timtdlYiREGr9-en3RqSKVV/s1600/DSC_9101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560242362650586594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqXfzs9V0osKpW1ktzcVkb7HykhMgIj0km-9nz2QHbIFb7bpQsawi3anaVegpcsP4UX0L1xdZNH-aiOzALKMo9LFN8ZFK0GOTxBUPuuoO0FI3MuYPLivs1timtdlYiREGr9-en3RqSKVV/s320/DSC_9101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKUSDsYM_BwwMq0Y-PlS4KD9Jjm1zlxYFt3NjAII3iHewCdh7gDTVongGvM7P4O0-pgsWktlvtwmFGQ2ZT5UsDseHPC9TyAf3MCyaAH0HO4m4lDAgTOURZ9dVoOq9I9smvLBx6gIICUP3/s1600/DSC_9104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560241343087157170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKUSDsYM_BwwMq0Y-PlS4KD9Jjm1zlxYFt3NjAII3iHewCdh7gDTVongGvM7P4O0-pgsWktlvtwmFGQ2ZT5UsDseHPC9TyAf3MCyaAH0HO4m4lDAgTOURZ9dVoOq9I9smvLBx6gIICUP3/s320/DSC_9104.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> In jail with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Zurg</span>. </span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"><div><br /></span></em><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV8xv-_4hxy_fuRGEn4AoGMf_AncBMrJeDSatrjKJGAtBhyphenhyphen8J6tXZrNAlDdLbQZL5LS1AspVQRAsSoFuyeziJVG8mSbTE-K1eW2clELna78V-4BpDIoeuq4pmMSY6t-xCnxHZFU-kL33e/s1600/DSC_9107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560241339686411922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV8xv-_4hxy_fuRGEn4AoGMf_AncBMrJeDSatrjKJGAtBhyphenhyphen8J6tXZrNAlDdLbQZL5LS1AspVQRAsSoFuyeziJVG8mSbTE-K1eW2clELna78V-4BpDIoeuq4pmMSY6t-xCnxHZFU-kL33e/s320/DSC_9107.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Ethan and Steve driving the cars... that is Ethan at the wheel... he thought that was so cool.<br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMc3PLAnDUAxu_M-FFwR8Wad403mxgxtR5w4X-DiSScbNBYEIGVtfQrnilbn3V1OSqltWcq8gmJGa6zZvmtYz-Fvf_jROlbu-anilabdCGRO36RJb4eroNmTza8679JF35lRIgNmLodgGf/s1600/DSC_9109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560241330610787298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMc3PLAnDUAxu_M-FFwR8Wad403mxgxtR5w4X-DiSScbNBYEIGVtfQrnilbn3V1OSqltWcq8gmJGa6zZvmtYz-Fvf_jROlbu-anilabdCGRO36RJb4eroNmTza8679JF35lRIgNmLodgGf/s320/DSC_9109.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Ethan peeking through the back window of his car as we were waiting to get out of the cars, I was with the twins behind them.<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-QwnHVsHQzTK4JmUOPDk4EtSedLWvKTfwf8vv2fNDiM448ahPJ_gjaPHadL_vv3yjvYqM52OmXUQvEgRrvvRZOC5C5DDBWL-RcFwTE0QOTC3FBOJTS81Eg8CWEh6iaDx2IUhJFjN-EKW/s1600/DSC_9112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560241326276062370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-QwnHVsHQzTK4JmUOPDk4EtSedLWvKTfwf8vv2fNDiM448ahPJ_gjaPHadL_vv3yjvYqM52OmXUQvEgRrvvRZOC5C5DDBWL-RcFwTE0QOTC3FBOJTS81Eg8CWEh6iaDx2IUhJFjN-EKW/s320/DSC_9112.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Mickey's Garden was full of Mickey shaped pumpkins... so fun! </span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div></span></em><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div></div><div></div><div align="left">Some of you may know this and some don't. Collin loves Mickey. I mean he LOVES him. Therefore we were really excited to have him meet Mickey in person. I have to tell you, I was a little nervous about it... with his sensory issues and also just seeing a bigger than you Mickey can be scary. When we entered the room with Mickey and Minnie, behind another family and were waiting our turn, Collin was ALL smiles and kind of antsy (excited like). He patiently waited though and when it was his turn, he ran up and hugged Mickey. Now, it was really hard to take that all in and also photograph it... so I missed "the moment" but did get some good ones of the kids with Mickey and Minnie. Collin couldn't have been more excited or happy, and Ethan and Oliver enjoyed it too. There is a cute photo of all seven of us with M & M, but you know I have the "no photos of Wendy" rule for the blog... I may add it later... I don't know... maybe after I figure out a way to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">photoshop</span> a younger, hipper, better looking me. After we left Mickey, Grandpa Ron said "I think we just made Collin's three year old life." To this day if I ask him who we met at Disney he gets a big smile on his face and says "Mickey!!"<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyOmJ4KpvSby38XUF026kh435auZqmuiy95pC0V9lRz8zsew7067Lq_kND2VbL_HSO8_z_2pIB7qV_BzhxxXI5YZ1tjisp7dg-g2Bg6-6T6t7GjqFIaWq2hm1j3X5oX6bRKVJdyy73DCQ/s1600/DSC_9115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560241319258845026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyOmJ4KpvSby38XUF026kh435auZqmuiy95pC0V9lRz8zsew7067Lq_kND2VbL_HSO8_z_2pIB7qV_BzhxxXI5YZ1tjisp7dg-g2Bg6-6T6t7GjqFIaWq2hm1j3X5oX6bRKVJdyy73DCQ/s320/DSC_9115.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiXBO2Ua6mC2nP_ItihNQ-sJP0AkRm3W8upbxInUbyBRoSDN6wqLOVfrnAk0BR-mxuaPefKwbYn7fZ3Kz7QLr6DBoynHTRMtbBIuTjMyn6pelFvbTE10_n2lqvadYIaMTQN9noZc4MQE1/s1600/DSC_9116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560240313767422754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiXBO2Ua6mC2nP_ItihNQ-sJP0AkRm3W8upbxInUbyBRoSDN6wqLOVfrnAk0BR-mxuaPefKwbYn7fZ3Kz7QLr6DBoynHTRMtbBIuTjMyn6pelFvbTE10_n2lqvadYIaMTQN9noZc4MQE1/s320/DSC_9116.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ethan had spotted some people with Mickey ice cream treats as we walked through he park and kept asking if he could have one. When we got in place for the parade, I decided to get him some to pass the time while we waited for the parade (great advice from a fellow mom of twins, Carrie - thank you!).<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DPeCLcjjxspBnJIZ3CPRybhnbJQKMZq3B89684PlOaDbVN3xIDPKMIj2q7uigjKexASB7TFaydVkF3Kf259l_QREiRIUXIGCsx5t_-tvVNhSOubxO06V25rxBTAKZUR1Dih3RPvMfueq/s1600/DSC_9121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560240311010060386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DPeCLcjjxspBnJIZ3CPRybhnbJQKMZq3B89684PlOaDbVN3xIDPKMIj2q7uigjKexASB7TFaydVkF3Kf259l_QREiRIUXIGCsx5t_-tvVNhSOubxO06V25rxBTAKZUR1Dih3RPvMfueq/s320/DSC_9121.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Ethan with his Mickey treat.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfPlzCvhZSi63Dm7S5u-AdxaMhK68EcOh4yDT7IC6DiFYvGaOl45Ts46JcHXvNxGiqfNRpBsqjepLkDQwenyy6mFimDiCmQGLvxvyXXRB6H3Jay8gjYSFIkrukjDCENsBUysFMlCe6xyM/s1600/DSC_9122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560240305317175410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfPlzCvhZSi63Dm7S5u-AdxaMhK68EcOh4yDT7IC6DiFYvGaOl45Ts46JcHXvNxGiqfNRpBsqjepLkDQwenyy6mFimDiCmQGLvxvyXXRB6H3Jay8gjYSFIkrukjDCENsBUysFMlCe6xyM/s320/DSC_9122.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Collin with his Mickey treat... it was hot out and as you might imagine... there was melted chocolate and ice cream EVERYWHERE, but he thoroughly enjoyed it. (notice the Mickey shirt, the little stuffed Mickey - which is in every photo, the Mickey funtainer, the Mickey sticker on his shirt and the Mickey ice cream was the sprinkles of the day - meeting Mickey was the icing... and maybe the cake too... for this Mickey LOVING child)<br /><br /></span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZm2s9vmB9ZZUnWiyLxq6aK9-iX-HtQj4k9eEM3-T93g20bVnSSqYV8f6oU9RVp2alGDPHUnZ1Y1SGw6zplxPLjvhoP2O6lmeY4wp_KGPmE_nEl3Af3_QuCjAbOUIq_5SrhH2WcPfIzZE/s1600/DSC_9123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560240307841880962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZm2s9vmB9ZZUnWiyLxq6aK9-iX-HtQj4k9eEM3-T93g20bVnSSqYV8f6oU9RVp2alGDPHUnZ1Y1SGw6zplxPLjvhoP2O6lmeY4wp_KGPmE_nEl3Af3_QuCjAbOUIq_5SrhH2WcPfIzZE/s320/DSC_9123.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Oliver was content just holding his. I think there was so much going on around him and to that point that he was still processing (I've noticed a lot of sensory processing issues with him in the last couple months, and so has his OT person, more on that in another post). He did eventually start eating it, but it was so melted that it took a dive on the concrete before he had more than a few bites.<br /><br /></em></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_VZb9ITF9yDGsr9XBpVHv7zH41NYU7cV_rCHpULnTo71YhKNe8XRgBKmHbOO340iFqbflJcXUJd1SVSk1KTmRe9e5Q_c8rvP3vaG6gU6Xk0iBnr9_wrymfJ7DOHpXwXM-2lFI9qEjYed/s1600/DSC_9126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560240296107418194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_VZb9ITF9yDGsr9XBpVHv7zH41NYU7cV_rCHpULnTo71YhKNe8XRgBKmHbOO340iFqbflJcXUJd1SVSk1KTmRe9e5Q_c8rvP3vaG6gU6Xk0iBnr9_wrymfJ7DOHpXwXM-2lFI9qEjYed/s320/DSC_9126.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Mickey and friends show at the castle. </span></em></div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"><br /><div><br /></div></span></em><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><div></div><div align="left">Collin and Oliver seemed to really enjoy everything we did, as did Ethan. When Ethan had his "Celebrate Me" day at school in December and got to bring in a box of his favorite stuff, amoung the many different items he brought was vacation memorbilia - shells, the Sea Word brochure and the Disney brochure - and he talked about his vacation. When he was asked what was his favorite he said he liked all of it, though he does bring up the Haunted Mansion and the Buzz Lightyear rides a lot to this day (along with the mime at Sea World, the beach and the 'really cool giant Lego store'). </div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">One other kind of fun or maybe funny part of vacation... while we were driving around I kept seeing billboards for IHOP, which we do not have in our area of the country. When we lived in Maine (when I was Ethan's age and up), we used to frequent the IHOP on the weekends and seriously, what is cooler than pancakes with a ton of different sryups on a turntable on your table when you are a young kid? Feeling nostalgic, I asked if there was one close so we could go for dinner one night and sure enough there was. We didn't tell the kids where we were going because again, I was feeling all nostalgic and knew that they would get a kick out of a pancake restaruant and just wanted to build the surprise. As we drove up, Ethan spotted the big sign in the window which was a huge stack of pancakes with the word "Boo!" at the top (some Halloween special) and he knew instantly. To say he was excited by the fact that we were eating at a pancake restaurant for dinner would be an understatement... actually all three were very excited. Now the ambiance was not quite as I remember... but the pancakes were still good and the boys were oh so very happy. That in and of itself was worth it. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Though we had some bumps along the week with tired kids in a new place, different beds and with no routines, it was a really fun time with Grandpa and Grandma. We are very glad we were able to make it down there before they moved (though Fort Myers will be nice to visit too) and got to share all the 'kid fun' of the parks and beach with them. It's certainly a vacation that we will all remember for a long time. Thank you!!!!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-4707593435064434202011-01-06T22:00:00.003-05:002011-01-09T23:15:18.123-05:00Vacation: Part OneWe had a GREAT opportunity present itself this fall to take a vacation in October (yes, I am THAT far behind on this blog!). We went to visit Grandpa Ron and Grandma Lorrie in the sunny warm Orlando area. Since they were getting ready to move, we seized the moment and got a double bonus of getting to see them and also having free board conveniently located to all things fun! Actually, there were many more perks, but some I'll save for Part two of the vacation post. One I will share is one that we are eternally grateful for: Grandpa and Grandma surprised us with plane tickets!!!! Can you say WOO HOO?! Sure, Steve and I were ready to make the two day trip (twice) with three young kids knowing that we would hear a lot of whining, some crying (them and us) and "are we there yet" a few hundred...thousand times... but we thought it was worth it (okay, okay, we were scared to death of how that drive would go, but given the small window of opportunity we had given that they had just found out they were moving, driving was our only economical way to go). However, a direct flight TWO HOUR (not day) flight to Orlando was like the angels with the sun glowing behind their wings flew down and sang a chorus of "Hallelujah" to us. I am not sure we could thank them enough for that one gift.<br /><br />So, we packed up the kids, three car seats, four suitcases, one double stroller and one carry-on and two portable DVD players (we aren't crazy, two hours in a cramped area with there little kids is still TWO HOURS in a cramped area with THREE little kids) and off we went. Other than the stress of getting to the airport on time and doing airport security by myself with the three kids (one of which kept hiding under things, causing the line to go from no wait for the other passengers to a very long line of frustrated, getting upset passengers... fortunately there were a few very nice people who were parents that understood) was a wee bit stressful, the plane ride itself went really well. All of the kids loved taking off and watching everything get smaller. Then we surprised them with the DVD players (they didn't know we brought them) and they happily sat and watched a movie the entire time. Unfortunately the DVD player that Ethan and I had died half way there, but he did great regardless of the fact that we were pinned into our row.<br /><br />The plane ride (shortly after we got on the plane):<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559254204797516354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPdrVlUedgHT0epyT0zYmHXlvWaNAQFbbgyPbZPTcfvairu_XFQntN8E_OU0DkviWSuCjkvA-g_EdG2L62_l4DqJIH2CgZ5J5e_kaCSJGDbfsjM_cFp9aagPtTZEi8cMDg4bCy7jZ1TJ1/s320/DSC_8857.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559254195142892578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVek492eab9iZdcQI9LqbNw3rvg-gtU0D4bOq_oew5ybolC12te7Tq5niOcYu6uYzxvK7MDcOD2QIzrgX2fIrFgFdyzuJwk1R6nK2r8dI6dksQW6qDmiMiszP2_I_FbVOcRqfdh0_PY-e/s320/DSC_8858.JPG" border="0" /><br />The first thing we did in sunny Florida was visit the beach (the day after we arrived). Ethan was asking to go because he wanted to collect shells. I'll be honest, I was a little nervous about the beach wondering just how long the kids would stay interested... it's just sand and water after all. I also worried about Collin's sensory issues. As it turns out, those were silly worries; the boys loved the beach. I mean LOVED the beach. I am pretty sure we could spend a few days there without them tiring of it actually.<br /><br />Here are some photos of them... a lot of photos actually. I wanted to edit them and make them all perfect, but I am so far behind I just want to get them up and share them with everyone instead. I have to tell you I get warm fuzzies looking at these photos. They had such a good time. It was also just the perfect day, the sun was out, few clouds, nice breeze, it was not too hot and not too cold, the water was warm, the beach wasn't crowded... it was perfect.<br /><br />The beach!!!!<br /><br />Very happy boys...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn62YEQnOU_PdohoqsxB0dCb9WANGLf6mcPMxVNOp4lYmljQcI9n3bu42kZ5kg0HKyPvDDO21UuyssmXzHOZ0bHdJ7Y0ff1Dljnx34rx7JIVTyFppZa67WprsYgzFRXu9moP7qQarriui/s1600/Oliver.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559257974302971330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn62YEQnOU_PdohoqsxB0dCb9WANGLf6mcPMxVNOp4lYmljQcI9n3bu42kZ5kg0HKyPvDDO21UuyssmXzHOZ0bHdJ7Y0ff1Dljnx34rx7JIVTyFppZa67WprsYgzFRXu9moP7qQarriui/s320/Oliver.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWHhLNizANXaNeL1qToO0ZYY_PvcfXfh0JoW1SUKCrcvAhwk7fDAtlI1QTgVUeTau9PAuMNFAIzfzNESGnKkfN1457_qaH6kBLrxOZMfjyC-HGyqB1Dx1mgxEcsf_EH_QnPPerZuBJ81i/s1600/Ethan2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559257965846648290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 189px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWHhLNizANXaNeL1qToO0ZYY_PvcfXfh0JoW1SUKCrcvAhwk7fDAtlI1QTgVUeTau9PAuMNFAIzfzNESGnKkfN1457_qaH6kBLrxOZMfjyC-HGyqB1Dx1mgxEcsf_EH_QnPPerZuBJ81i/s320/Ethan2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuft3YUOdbBEesvgGmCohRjKxwzsPzB3xdY7cW-PAJJe9X1YNVNxLm8E4qjHAXynQbSZNccQ6N-nwfexJJxS6r3L6ST1CiP8hEzzIho47xLm9o6fcpJE6zd_-VudnjTYHmmir2yuipk7F7/s1600/Collin2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559257960159410386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuft3YUOdbBEesvgGmCohRjKxwzsPzB3xdY7cW-PAJJe9X1YNVNxLm8E4qjHAXynQbSZNccQ6N-nwfexJJxS6r3L6ST1CiP8hEzzIho47xLm9o6fcpJE6zd_-VudnjTYHmmir2yuipk7F7/s320/Collin2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Hand's full of shells, scoping the beach.</span></em></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRga-FxQYs5bsDkUkjHNSsTo6Qnqr_YMWWg-U1vTwgjILMvLsw5rbuJU744eSf6Ps5WYISM08oAtlsqDXFdxsPXUghGyhasQDQZnKR6kxMq-9VgNR03e94JJu2-Usgp209DCyeFeFtPPE/s1600/collin4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559257955764849234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRga-FxQYs5bsDkUkjHNSsTo6Qnqr_YMWWg-U1vTwgjILMvLsw5rbuJU744eSf6Ps5WYISM08oAtlsqDXFdxsPXUghGyhasQDQZnKR6kxMq-9VgNR03e94JJu2-Usgp209DCyeFeFtPPE/s320/collin4.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">This photo cracks me up... Collin in all his glory.<br /></span></em><div><br /></div><div align="left">Oliver, we found out quickly, is a water loving kid. It was hard to keep him out of the water and he had little fear of it. For him, it was love at the first wave hitting him.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6-tKnMFhfpOsK_GEDoWZepBUNneJjgoFNx0jB4LSWNvbIG07-NlRvvvXLi2hglWU7s02W-zouuHAPbX_9_ghCGLDWyj9T7SzhzHAFvpWzMiGaD3Lovy62C3L5od2EwTy5umIO8ToKKjw/s1600/DSC_8871.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559254191234941170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6-tKnMFhfpOsK_GEDoWZepBUNneJjgoFNx0jB4LSWNvbIG07-NlRvvvXLi2hglWU7s02W-zouuHAPbX_9_ghCGLDWyj9T7SzhzHAFvpWzMiGaD3Lovy62C3L5od2EwTy5umIO8ToKKjw/s320/DSC_8871.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Oliver looking at the water and getting in stance to have the wave hit him... </em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEUt3oOk5FX4-ty_5PdLHeS1339pZyYsEpoCjTUc6JHu99M7hr2g2D4JsWslS9rLHWjJQrhisQUuwYRB9r0BanC_pt0ToUR6e1jQ__cZ00FG5r7Uvj_z8o6QVbz5TqQ6NKqtnYXnhjUUZ/s1600/DSC_8912.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559253136799535762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEUt3oOk5FX4-ty_5PdLHeS1339pZyYsEpoCjTUc6JHu99M7hr2g2D4JsWslS9rLHWjJQrhisQUuwYRB9r0BanC_pt0ToUR6e1jQ__cZ00FG5r7Uvj_z8o6QVbz5TqQ6NKqtnYXnhjUUZ/s320/DSC_8912.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> "Here it comes... I'm so excited!!" </span></em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2tQeVX1McinYgExsoFWqSUqUb0cWCr9I6lYl1kJYCP-wRRjKJ-kAmwGG8p2mmD_bkUd8LAa9h9Lxnutv_t3GKK8CNnLc9sRLziY9WsD-HTLhUHfy1gBOEo9CK7KHobCflKna3oTFJBQA/s1600/DSC_8915.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559253132308243042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2tQeVX1McinYgExsoFWqSUqUb0cWCr9I6lYl1kJYCP-wRRjKJ-kAmwGG8p2mmD_bkUd8LAa9h9Lxnutv_t3GKK8CNnLc9sRLziY9WsD-HTLhUHfy1gBOEo9CK7KHobCflKna3oTFJBQA/s320/DSC_8915.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> "I can't wait!!!"<br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHWZNzwJkl1a1lnlZZ0RMdll_oU7NyBdMueVEgKsXv1_s7G4EIqV-XNTtXKmLPd0FK5fpddlFA_Nox3lYSMNkV2kSiV7RYTH6dv2-0yCpklt7jIUJXjTwE8sWBjKnxYHF00Ih4Y9Zc0dE/s1600/DSC_8924.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559253134995532418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHWZNzwJkl1a1lnlZZ0RMdll_oU7NyBdMueVEgKsXv1_s7G4EIqV-XNTtXKmLPd0FK5fpddlFA_Nox3lYSMNkV2kSiV7RYTH6dv2-0yCpklt7jIUJXjTwE8sWBjKnxYHF00Ih4Y9Zc0dE/s320/DSC_8924.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> "Ahhhhhh, I LOVE this." He would spread eagle and let the waves rush over him. Saying that he loved it really doesn't even give it justice...<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yz-slB7KR7WCwPj5CY_aaIcbXx6aVRgH7_fO1wuXM3gBkomhi9wCCEcND9e3UXnSQrP9bSOEDeql2dYRLCSwneU2Vqgh0tfrGgtd67sps5UvUQC_fB-DFo2oAM3Ge0iUTcADnckSPt8i/s1600/DSC_8989.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559253131661148610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yz-slB7KR7WCwPj5CY_aaIcbXx6aVRgH7_fO1wuXM3gBkomhi9wCCEcND9e3UXnSQrP9bSOEDeql2dYRLCSwneU2Vqgh0tfrGgtd67sps5UvUQC_fB-DFo2oAM3Ge0iUTcADnckSPt8i/s320/DSC_8989.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Collin splashing in the water. He did not like the waves hitting him. He was content in the controlled water where he dictated what touched him. Nevertheless, he loved the beach.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hpp5qlznXNWWwTXWUlp-qknKGGt65fdKRoDrYougYbX7flbdGGKkb-QvJhWg7VP67PwRc7l9YBSmH8Jr5rMmC3MJ42Gcy07et_hJv2PQkZHhJXxHZca6sXJRVCrtGu1Wnb__d03FYQwc/s1600/DSC_8901-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559253124261319666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hpp5qlznXNWWwTXWUlp-qknKGGt65fdKRoDrYougYbX7flbdGGKkb-QvJhWg7VP67PwRc7l9YBSmH8Jr5rMmC3MJ42Gcy07et_hJv2PQkZHhJXxHZca6sXJRVCrtGu1Wnb__d03FYQwc/s320/DSC_8901-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Ethan also loved the waves hitting him. He thought it was great! Here is him giving us an "oh yeah!" or something as a large wave hits him.<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQcZH-9EZSkC7npPaLzT0l6CqUmoUGLEMkG0CSQ1oMnEBZLLAMpXKHnXOxlF9veSZDZ1Oaaj0uP_YplSQ1c-o7kJYV-FuVGXxXdsdILw1IRAvP-_6PsAyWxrj5y4_WTASik7ptJNX8m_O/s1600/DSC_8883.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559251562468541538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQcZH-9EZSkC7npPaLzT0l6CqUmoUGLEMkG0CSQ1oMnEBZLLAMpXKHnXOxlF9veSZDZ1Oaaj0uP_YplSQ1c-o7kJYV-FuVGXxXdsdILw1IRAvP-_6PsAyWxrj5y4_WTASik7ptJNX8m_O/s320/DSC_8883.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Oliver and Grandpa playing in the waves. Really, there needed to be an adult behind Oliver at all times, because again he loved the water and was really fearless. Plus it was extra fun to have someone pick you up and swing you through the waves.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl3RL4loqlT8OYmlca9nMXp7J8zYYfhJcf8PBuGBPKQTOqQKSxlsekM9l_ghdND66xs_GwTUgSH-06DM7ZI45x-l_7phSIBZAi1iGRAes7WjgYrKYPS7R3Ttbs2EhJad1Prsd0jiC4E-x/s1600/DSC_8919.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559251556943927426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl3RL4loqlT8OYmlca9nMXp7J8zYYfhJcf8PBuGBPKQTOqQKSxlsekM9l_ghdND66xs_GwTUgSH-06DM7ZI45x-l_7phSIBZAi1iGRAes7WjgYrKYPS7R3Ttbs2EhJad1Prsd0jiC4E-x/s320/DSC_8919.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Ethan liked to smack the waves as they hit.<br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFfjkwfpjVHnLFmE3SnkWSNKQx1FKwQietBl_-lt_JxIAk07PJ_VjQlz-l6FNMsnjRXMA4L64XVGKUanRxAN8d_dWPWntRL0LlFwX45p9enH5cP6O0kC_fgyd2VDWLgWKjG8kn22HLDqU/s1600/DSC_8937.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559251553274686498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFfjkwfpjVHnLFmE3SnkWSNKQx1FKwQietBl_-lt_JxIAk07PJ_VjQlz-l6FNMsnjRXMA4L64XVGKUanRxAN8d_dWPWntRL0LlFwX45p9enH5cP6O0kC_fgyd2VDWLgWKjG8kn22HLDqU/s320/DSC_8937.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Grandma building sand castles with the boys. </em></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoTiPZnoS7Zn6mV7O3pVvw8Xq1h1336rau2e5tRv9oYdVm3lwJoIzobnwg5t4LZD9fFwLdk3UHy44v55ZDVWTEGjyLKMTwQNQDr1igvXakWTduXtqVsSgqxkaFBF1DQlDc3iG7YC51XkM/s1600/DSC_8968.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559250012645358946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoTiPZnoS7Zn6mV7O3pVvw8Xq1h1336rau2e5tRv9oYdVm3lwJoIzobnwg5t4LZD9fFwLdk3UHy44v55ZDVWTEGjyLKMTwQNQDr1igvXakWTduXtqVsSgqxkaFBF1DQlDc3iG7YC51XkM/s320/DSC_8968.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Collin walking on the beach. He actually walked quite a distance (with me) collecting shells.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xesFyYphKbjB_7yyXYTyDdhj1A-7THfCS5ydhwD4C5iIoFlUJWaLxsFHyteg19iwr-NqLA5h64Z-Xc5CykT04WlPiIfdoKjlkG24ocvVsQP11VbWKAtl1VCP9ri12pmxdMwAIIe7hZ6c/s1600/DSC_8987.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559250009720477234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xesFyYphKbjB_7yyXYTyDdhj1A-7THfCS5ydhwD4C5iIoFlUJWaLxsFHyteg19iwr-NqLA5h64Z-Xc5CykT04WlPiIfdoKjlkG24ocvVsQP11VbWKAtl1VCP9ri12pmxdMwAIIe7hZ6c/s320/DSC_8987.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Ethan dug a trench from their sand castles to the water... it was a really long trench... in hopes that the water from the ocean would go up to the moats around his castle (by way of the trench). Pretty cool idea.</em></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AwGabiOyeN_3_zELUIx6g1Yh5I1PdVJwPl265dvnD8TPxki7X-gLrjjCztlvtOeCP0fzHR3C-sqZuVOYcM_m3yXh9eDaHJYx1lbwPwpVzei_sGodAxQ6LTdqrbZx76I2sg_DW02GbYj3/s1600/DSC_8995.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559250001327924962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AwGabiOyeN_3_zELUIx6g1Yh5I1PdVJwPl265dvnD8TPxki7X-gLrjjCztlvtOeCP0fzHR3C-sqZuVOYcM_m3yXh9eDaHJYx1lbwPwpVzei_sGodAxQ6LTdqrbZx76I2sg_DW02GbYj3/s320/DSC_8995.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Ethan and Oliver playing in the water.</em></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x5oWDwmrUJqS_o5alHFHD07hz1KvWkYq50qbqMCdcUKkNTC6Zrjb4Y8Mz7XUXLs3RQw8uILUtdVLamWWVHHbKTDcNeFfenCEK8gyrYnU8BCLrnhcsIRerP4YI0HLRbIaNiJzjWja_kbM/s1600/DSC_9007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559249999971710850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x5oWDwmrUJqS_o5alHFHD07hz1KvWkYq50qbqMCdcUKkNTC6Zrjb4Y8Mz7XUXLs3RQw8uILUtdVLamWWVHHbKTDcNeFfenCEK8gyrYnU8BCLrnhcsIRerP4YI0HLRbIaNiJzjWja_kbM/s320/DSC_9007.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#666666;"><em>Collin playing in the sand (no this was not his castle... he moved in when the other family left).<br /></em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG47ndsu38PTkDSe1uOd-G1bvdDSQSHjdLLFnPlaSfeZc-Go35ryyItQAKGrADicx5_m1lAbIN6TlJwr-rFwdeTbYyRZ7Sqed1WtK6oXdYvt4bteadhuiXy3g9di8XcCrPNxgX2gpKq5vF/s1600/DSC_9013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559249993000087634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG47ndsu38PTkDSe1uOd-G1bvdDSQSHjdLLFnPlaSfeZc-Go35ryyItQAKGrADicx5_m1lAbIN6TlJwr-rFwdeTbYyRZ7Sqed1WtK6oXdYvt4bteadhuiXy3g9di8XcCrPNxgX2gpKq5vF/s320/DSC_9013.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> A rare time Oliver was A) not in the water with his back to me and B) standing still.<br /></span></em><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MOVtat5sJYkRxFCviTK0qlzE5kTwEaicHu4uY1aY-824cDEWsDvwMTzp7McWqTSw7bJdhDLkgN-8FmpKBrTraJQGWLIAxKeO6nC-pjjms6wrEJJd67-28BdF1mLsCT2t7svOW5vTtRG6/s1600/DSC_9021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559248897743524450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MOVtat5sJYkRxFCviTK0qlzE5kTwEaicHu4uY1aY-824cDEWsDvwMTzp7McWqTSw7bJdhDLkgN-8FmpKBrTraJQGWLIAxKeO6nC-pjjms6wrEJJd67-28BdF1mLsCT2t7svOW5vTtRG6/s320/DSC_9021.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#666666;"><em> Chilling at the end of the long fun day.<br /></em></span><br /></div><div align="left">Here was my attempt at a group photo of the boys on the beach. Look in the background, do you see Grandma Lorrie? She's chasing Collin, trying to get him to come for the photo (me calling him did nothing).<br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IQP0vU9f3peKyciEBSebhdlc55IxR4_4QAwg8fVzRFcK8K9DoC9hyphenhyphenrhaR_e7aiAEbqh8_Y7XFFnmcS6Wwf5bq7CmIwT8WoFrNVYIrRZAoaJAJOqnaEXiCyzqFNZxk5HP5dE2sarChQGo/s1600/DSC_9014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559248898529098098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IQP0vU9f3peKyciEBSebhdlc55IxR4_4QAwg8fVzRFcK8K9DoC9hyphenhyphenrhaR_e7aiAEbqh8_Y7XFFnmcS6Wwf5bq7CmIwT8WoFrNVYIrRZAoaJAJOqnaEXiCyzqFNZxk5HP5dE2sarChQGo/s320/DSC_9014.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">She's got him I think...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxQzCZVmlg9T1FjUewLp-v947UEgo1YLQK0gJAzofepEVxOcO_dksav5C-5Ft5A-1bBaSJ8cz6PvRX2AthlnCMmtM6-ZLnzh_mw3Qhyphenhyphen9_L5ykrBWsdYPVMn816SWZBRRgYouF_GyZOQxw/s1600/DSC_9015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559248894056890658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxQzCZVmlg9T1FjUewLp-v947UEgo1YLQK0gJAzofepEVxOcO_dksav5C-5Ft5A-1bBaSJ8cz6PvRX2AthlnCMmtM6-ZLnzh_mw3Qhyphenhyphen9_L5ykrBWsdYPVMn816SWZBRRgYouF_GyZOQxw/s320/DSC_9015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Nope... he's getting away...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdXD7lXCb0W3sYNNPRRF2GNd2rmXlrE2q0QDBpt9L0CqrX32EbND7qJinaKfbPP_woEDYGyq_nmppD7As2XSC6dvKAX1oTYkO3WXOjlozMGgCpsK6w0GmvH1bm6-47ld23G5MsSwDT66Z/s1600/DSC_9016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559248891475154818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdXD7lXCb0W3sYNNPRRF2GNd2rmXlrE2q0QDBpt9L0CqrX32EbND7qJinaKfbPP_woEDYGyq_nmppD7As2XSC6dvKAX1oTYkO3WXOjlozMGgCpsK6w0GmvH1bm6-47ld23G5MsSwDT66Z/s320/DSC_9016.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Delivered to daddy... who is trying to get him to stand and stay put.</div><div></div><div></div><div>And this people is my best shot of all three boys on the beach. Not quite the framed dream I hoped for... </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelx8Fjd8bGaKYDzd92i-Ok2Hb8EzqI4vOJX3cjtYQmkMbs1-RAPmLZF5c5T_W02MY4V6Edv_FzWTI7BhvvfDD11nRCjimJ6ztX477asQmcHrF2cLvRZiDqE8E9wudLed_FiAe3K64i4pk/s1600/DSC_9017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559248885953684066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelx8Fjd8bGaKYDzd92i-Ok2Hb8EzqI4vOJX3cjtYQmkMbs1-RAPmLZF5c5T_W02MY4V6Edv_FzWTI7BhvvfDD11nRCjimJ6ztX477asQmcHrF2cLvRZiDqE8E9wudLed_FiAe3K64i4pk/s320/DSC_9017.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Part two... coming soon... </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-53630055174803215912010-12-21T19:00:00.003-05:002010-12-21T19:00:02.469-05:00Apple picking and the making of a man...In mid October I took the boys apple picking by myself. Steve was trying to knock out some projects and I needed to get our annual fill of Fuji apples (which last forever!) and also some organic apples for applesauce.<br /><br />At the organic orchard (love this place!). Collin decided it was too hot and therefore he need the bag on his head.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H9wMMudfLg1XMO9AwKMHB6aP0CgPtlSBwcwYeMtxpYWtvj6cw_INA4W4j09HKOrwCxGXSip8NbKJyskHn0QBR0FQD3nb87mcqjqrzMUvvry1CeiPd3pudSz5u10vpPEpFsbbXGghEhyY/s1600/DSC_8823.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552593066421654306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H9wMMudfLg1XMO9AwKMHB6aP0CgPtlSBwcwYeMtxpYWtvj6cw_INA4W4j09HKOrwCxGXSip8NbKJyskHn0QBR0FQD3nb87mcqjqrzMUvvry1CeiPd3pudSz5u10vpPEpFsbbXGghEhyY/s320/DSC_8823.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXAJEYfJsBALZEhtB-Wd-P-ml55iR5GD52nxsBuT1juUvJM4TTbDe8o6NnKTQvoEc7-I4Kq3ASaYnygDc6vq118vA0WXX7m-7t0k41HwIQhCUaKHnSul8E9r1iunaocn6New4peHGfZXM/s1600/DSC_8824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552593055287131538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXAJEYfJsBALZEhtB-Wd-P-ml55iR5GD52nxsBuT1juUvJM4TTbDe8o6NnKTQvoEc7-I4Kq3ASaYnygDc6vq118vA0WXX7m-7t0k41HwIQhCUaKHnSul8E9r1iunaocn6New4peHGfZXM/s320/DSC_8824.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>After this, we went to the orchard with Fuji apples. All the trees were about bare in the part of the orchard we first directed us to, and only the tops had apples. Well, without Steve, that was an issue. I couldn't be up in a tree and leave Collin "the runner/escapee" alone... yes, that is the only reason as I am sure I can climb a tree (stop laughing). As I was thinking out loud on what to do, Ethan said "I can climb the tree mom!" At first I was thinking... hmmmm not sure about this. Ethan has become more fearless lately, but coordinated is not necessarily one of his many strong things. However he said it again confidently, as he started to climb a tree... and up he went... much to my surprise... and a little fear.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU3LMNcAAp3K6wFZHziyahHZcV7-sd4oW6_buNXReJx1aZHufV5nkvuhz6NsdoHhP_R7zRqz7IfJaPYx0zgnicyhM-GBrjyyWLDcRymTyKTo2y8cIMV4Qjep1A1RN1gm8jGPje8bRLfqw/s1600/DSC_8805.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552593052645322386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU3LMNcAAp3K6wFZHziyahHZcV7-sd4oW6_buNXReJx1aZHufV5nkvuhz6NsdoHhP_R7zRqz7IfJaPYx0zgnicyhM-GBrjyyWLDcRymTyKTo2y8cIMV4Qjep1A1RN1gm8jGPje8bRLfqw/s320/DSC_8805.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The funniest/cutest thing about this was he was so proud of himself. When he got to the top of the first tree, and started "handing" me down apples, he let out a few laughs and whoops in pride. He even said "we got the best apples because some woman's son was brave enough to climb the tree." (I'm still laughing about that one... "some woman's son..." only Ethan...)<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenXNhabKBZHPG6MZIyFbjUv2oN8n5tPFRJVZEe40Oz-k3JHroBQIx04Btc9nZl4YhivJgKJEu8sU9mj2z3tJ7SPq1JNdL5DScmiytp9E3S2p9atlMcxChTqzk6iIOqabYp4n_YKZhsuOn/s1600/DSC_8807.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552592176996484354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenXNhabKBZHPG6MZIyFbjUv2oN8n5tPFRJVZEe40Oz-k3JHroBQIx04Btc9nZl4YhivJgKJEu8sU9mj2z3tJ7SPq1JNdL5DScmiytp9E3S2p9atlMcxChTqzk6iIOqabYp4n_YKZhsuOn/s320/DSC_8807.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ll-PWyDRQ7YYi4Q41OxbXXCtyrHXjFGn6Qiyf2H2f0LOHVoxgMfWAwxQv7s4UQb645DEF-2WOG9GEwFhBkabjX73w5utWwfd_vILnDzeJHShHpcxV9AvguzgCf4Up3wCPrd_gZHMszVX/s1600/DSC_8810.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552592174537406674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ll-PWyDRQ7YYi4Q41OxbXXCtyrHXjFGn6Qiyf2H2f0LOHVoxgMfWAwxQv7s4UQb645DEF-2WOG9GEwFhBkabjX73w5utWwfd_vILnDzeJHShHpcxV9AvguzgCf4Up3wCPrd_gZHMszVX/s320/DSC_8810.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwPihjEGXrRXvtKVgYlB-An_80n6od8m2UJMTrmiDbK9R_mTrIdIIZLNS8yTvLA8HCqfMBrCbCp1NPaq8xsy1GoT-58h2o2IvA2gh_jCBTgSQgLyMS5jBYSe-gKddvTSf6uTPNB5auvTi/s1600/DSC_8812.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552592169593525074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwPihjEGXrRXvtKVgYlB-An_80n6od8m2UJMTrmiDbK9R_mTrIdIIZLNS8yTvLA8HCqfMBrCbCp1NPaq8xsy1GoT-58h2o2IvA2gh_jCBTgSQgLyMS5jBYSe-gKddvTSf6uTPNB5auvTi/s320/DSC_8812.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGBhy-hGRU0LLG0icK5Ng7f0ukUu-wkw6peDmBT3TZobsWNDNIV9pZ2PQEirFhYpEC4RWPfsCSFQDXS4ySZ9Sp-YY6MjOOERHtQQs9nwd6gLgouZ5z-5L5Njkgv_8C-ADkmzR1RbcVk7l/s1600/DSC_8816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552592165665286642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGBhy-hGRU0LLG0icK5Ng7f0ukUu-wkw6peDmBT3TZobsWNDNIV9pZ2PQEirFhYpEC4RWPfsCSFQDXS4ySZ9Sp-YY6MjOOERHtQQs9nwd6gLgouZ5z-5L5Njkgv_8C-ADkmzR1RbcVk7l/s320/DSC_8816.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_2WOWpDDPBxrl5pAmgODYvYO7IJJhRfjUY78apVr-g3JYR0G2hVRwD9_9waPeQcnellnayRtK-Fv2p8IX1d__j5xfP1OnNy6Z-65K4UHMLHUDEaXbQNpyPK20m44y1Ul1DXzSFL-Jyh1/s1600/DSC_8821.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552592160193011778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_2WOWpDDPBxrl5pAmgODYvYO7IJJhRfjUY78apVr-g3JYR0G2hVRwD9_9waPeQcnellnayRtK-Fv2p8IX1d__j5xfP1OnNy6Z-65K4UHMLHUDEaXbQNpyPK20m44y1Ul1DXzSFL-Jyh1/s320/DSC_8821.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;">My attempt at getting a cute photo in the huge chair at orchard... didn't work so well (in any of the twenty shots I tried...).<br /></span></em><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div align="left">That day, as he climbed at least a dozen trees to ensure his family had the food they were seeking, it was clear a little part of Ethan started to find his inner "man" and I couldn't have been more proud (and humored). </div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-36027402936756250772010-12-20T19:15:00.000-05:002010-12-20T19:15:00.735-05:00Annual Neighborhood Pumpkin Patch TripWe are so lucky to live in a great neighborhood with many kids and fun neighbors. I think three or four years ago, we started going to a pumpkin patch together with all the kids. Though, as the kids get older, it is getting increasingly harder to arrange a day we can all make it we still manage to do it for the most part and have a blast.<br /><br />We went to a new place this year, actually the same place as Ethan's class trip. It has a few "draws" for kids: hay maze in the barn, the giant fast "slide" and the huge mound of dirt (ahhh, so simple and inexpensive, yet so fun - not to mention freaking messy). Here are some highlights:<br /><br />Collin and Oliver were a little intimidated with the giant "slide", so our neighbor was sweet enough to go down with them, which was all it took for them to get the bug. This slide went very fast and you landed with a hard thud at the bottom... the kids loved it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8D_v9z2CRdhFBNDQP7mtWiDs3DWAK2iTkbNgUa-O48k5IILysfTKs7T1ZRsMmbM0riYY0ZJFhBFl8JvM0d1rel86WcoYzhim6NcqMhdIVtzRgbW6Uvk2iPNFYaydNzQQQXdPgevocYDa/s1600/DSC_8668.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552534349981057906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8D_v9z2CRdhFBNDQP7mtWiDs3DWAK2iTkbNgUa-O48k5IILysfTKs7T1ZRsMmbM0riYY0ZJFhBFl8JvM0d1rel86WcoYzhim6NcqMhdIVtzRgbW6Uvk2iPNFYaydNzQQQXdPgevocYDa/s320/DSC_8668.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBdH2ubk14x6MAzNpG7i-bFhcGlstWT37kN19dUtYXMGpUzDr3TL064JE8HK42cCiwuCJvnQV54xJOuRu7LVd3BlNaAxvMLsNsIcMtyKLmVjnOTfu2m-xwbPHmspP0WdmI7Y52Aaqe6Xk/s1600/DSC_8670.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552533042180909890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBdH2ubk14x6MAzNpG7i-bFhcGlstWT37kN19dUtYXMGpUzDr3TL064JE8HK42cCiwuCJvnQV54xJOuRu7LVd3BlNaAxvMLsNsIcMtyKLmVjnOTfu2m-xwbPHmspP0WdmI7Y52Aaqe6Xk/s320/DSC_8670.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU9mCnTIg3UYwR7YTFBILszIuDip8TY7wH_GdJcG1si6wQUrBO1rVsEJkPuhyphenhyphen74fw_68aFJy0HQ0Ass6n1tcTxdTFsBg1tvRBbLWpUgIB8aCXTLsvQAMJl8Yz6qZrbyCAQE0wDOaLEyzy/s1600/DSC_8682.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552533039350959810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU9mCnTIg3UYwR7YTFBILszIuDip8TY7wH_GdJcG1si6wQUrBO1rVsEJkPuhyphenhyphen74fw_68aFJy0HQ0Ass6n1tcTxdTFsBg1tvRBbLWpUgIB8aCXTLsvQAMJl8Yz6qZrbyCAQE0wDOaLEyzy/s320/DSC_8682.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNgABXeuQDIFLZY-CojCVSKu69ONnHX8F37-q0eM2-XINTZbsOVsndcoR7pwIHMnYDrPCpcslFnMVE8ceJm04ZFjb_Fec3zxEvj7Sar8M0VfRUv2Tcvzoyzqjpy7ab2L6f0eLsPVfsbZw/s1600/DSC_8685.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552533036721425682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNgABXeuQDIFLZY-CojCVSKu69ONnHX8F37-q0eM2-XINTZbsOVsndcoR7pwIHMnYDrPCpcslFnMVE8ceJm04ZFjb_Fec3zxEvj7Sar8M0VfRUv2Tcvzoyzqjpy7ab2L6f0eLsPVfsbZw/s320/DSC_8685.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>In the pumpkin patch...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dDma9UfrrnmlAQzP_u24L2fQsolYKXolmFNanazRrI_N53S-QT4ZaAlNmXaP7RRGChvnVZgLRdkfouPnlDEjS0ZqvibquijIJxcFWu_MOciWpo080yvaV-LNNc2_BWKgwQGCWetLr3Pk/s1600/DSC_8709.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552533029581898050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dDma9UfrrnmlAQzP_u24L2fQsolYKXolmFNanazRrI_N53S-QT4ZaAlNmXaP7RRGChvnVZgLRdkfouPnlDEjS0ZqvibquijIJxcFWu_MOciWpo080yvaV-LNNc2_BWKgwQGCWetLr3Pk/s320/DSC_8709.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the hay maze barn...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzs5eXa43udHczscixp8iSf-VNVRl9dWZnxQ2QH_kqc_AJTJw1UHDRDTURmAAbFYrVbKCSeM7jDEB2VuF0HNTaITNud9KiBoD3FrKb8dXacRk-_SbaeSBnLHogCzPiH9HXJ1-wllIN9qD/s1600/DSC_8738.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552533028141221122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzs5eXa43udHczscixp8iSf-VNVRl9dWZnxQ2QH_kqc_AJTJw1UHDRDTURmAAbFYrVbKCSeM7jDEB2VuF0HNTaITNud9KiBoD3FrKb8dXacRk-_SbaeSBnLHogCzPiH9HXJ1-wllIN9qD/s320/DSC_8738.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRNUP28SGIDdFlHHftfKqPpO3IsBU-aNGULfJ9IXOCFqDbEQMxSePSklPbEtwu0q5RkilZp_ZU-NZS9k8COyRK5L00cWtmMV-QOqwPt_zpFk8ZCEthyphenhyphenCXuHwQa6hrYCGuuyLCcSY26Xxc/s1600/DSC_8740.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552532041095869890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRNUP28SGIDdFlHHftfKqPpO3IsBU-aNGULfJ9IXOCFqDbEQMxSePSklPbEtwu0q5RkilZp_ZU-NZS9k8COyRK5L00cWtmMV-QOqwPt_zpFk8ZCEthyphenhyphenCXuHwQa6hrYCGuuyLCcSY26Xxc/s320/DSC_8740.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Big ol' box of corn...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VgpbQEewv9xJM3NVlgZZOz99_di3hLjVA3dhD_tIW48hfwDmV2B6W5IPPaQExu6_8vtBJq2DRNLLloJ32pdjBklcRXErRfbmLS81qR44kaeBEOUwOYh5pfbzSm2dAvR0cUiHLgDVFMvC/s1600/DSC_8745.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552532041223829330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VgpbQEewv9xJM3NVlgZZOz99_di3hLjVA3dhD_tIW48hfwDmV2B6W5IPPaQExu6_8vtBJq2DRNLLloJ32pdjBklcRXErRfbmLS81qR44kaeBEOUwOYh5pfbzSm2dAvR0cUiHLgDVFMvC/s320/DSC_8745.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pneumatic corn cob gun...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3loc_phsIXD4jtn3mo137Rn91CgqJq46qdO_bSxosIV7-a8aKNzUehKpoQ1mPDntGSwYJ8ZagbUxXy-9Co4Fen0S83niNeDXBjefZljYI_eLFG3oEYTIq8GqHV5rHBR4OpV-gpUyeocbh/s1600/DSC_8746.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552532032291461410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3loc_phsIXD4jtn3mo137Rn91CgqJq46qdO_bSxosIV7-a8aKNzUehKpoQ1mPDntGSwYJ8ZagbUxXy-9Co4Fen0S83niNeDXBjefZljYI_eLFG3oEYTIq8GqHV5rHBR4OpV-gpUyeocbh/s320/DSC_8746.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A_JUy-yd90TxeOthjO6-v5oIBlqPnuhMfW1uJJDAgy4fl8nqjNbgp_jDkdUCmWxgs0bygxfJS5SEw29uSj-FWKMZnXfYY4mXNlX02TQoGy_OZJSQynDO_aK5cYfQfJkpmPsD9ljxSzA_/s1600/DSC_8751.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552532021324524898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A_JUy-yd90TxeOthjO6-v5oIBlqPnuhMfW1uJJDAgy4fl8nqjNbgp_jDkdUCmWxgs0bygxfJS5SEw29uSj-FWKMZnXfYY4mXNlX02TQoGy_OZJSQynDO_aK5cYfQfJkpmPsD9ljxSzA_/s320/DSC_8751.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The giant mound of dirt...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9fB3oN-bG-mF9oSn_uPirIJXEaxbMCqHVHEZQki-GdFK5Hg90230KM8Zc_P-T-qlopGqQC_lgHmffvCf1b6PcC7nfMQlFhulgLqv2F3a8h7hpBOqYZl6JXNfIJs3bxaAxio85ypi7I4J/s1600/DSC_8763.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552532016352026514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9fB3oN-bG-mF9oSn_uPirIJXEaxbMCqHVHEZQki-GdFK5Hg90230KM8Zc_P-T-qlopGqQC_lgHmffvCf1b6PcC7nfMQlFhulgLqv2F3a8h7hpBOqYZl6JXNfIJs3bxaAxio85ypi7I4J/s320/DSC_8763.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetW39sL6TnIItu0aXwhEmd5jwJC9qcl7hHrEDM_o08tBRoO1cXRd88jDRDltK_IbjJuVDCDTidE4DGJ43lPtlBzfDuarqYFcAzyCDjBY1qAt5qM_wm2nMYhxd7VxefETZZdn0XCxD4bnJ/s1600/DSC_8765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552530801469180226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetW39sL6TnIItu0aXwhEmd5jwJC9qcl7hHrEDM_o08tBRoO1cXRd88jDRDltK_IbjJuVDCDTidE4DGJ43lPtlBzfDuarqYFcAzyCDjBY1qAt5qM_wm2nMYhxd7VxefETZZdn0XCxD4bnJ/s320/DSC_8765.JPG" border="0" /></a>After that, we all came back to our house for some fall fun. One of our neighbors brought a craft for the kids to do, we also had them paint pumpkins and bob for apples. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Collin and Cameron bobbing. Collin's version was reaching in and getting an apple. Cameron actually stuck her mouth in...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x878dML23ybvHrS3MP1iHdxJwYUxb_7MqY_SZz4NIlVW788J7cB_TRahhwcjke5H2vehF3giSCbRi1zberFufCZNEfdN2U9KUh9YdGC7Tutgylf2QepjnN4KsSHhyvuXqC7Ak6P051wk/s1600/DSC_8766.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552530795930717474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x878dML23ybvHrS3MP1iHdxJwYUxb_7MqY_SZz4NIlVW788J7cB_TRahhwcjke5H2vehF3giSCbRi1zberFufCZNEfdN2U9KUh9YdGC7Tutgylf2QepjnN4KsSHhyvuXqC7Ak6P051wk/s320/DSC_8766.JPG" border="0" /></a>Oliver decided to join Cameron...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rKRB-rhdNNVFD0L7DZgDe1x-ppAPYF9UELoZK1JvFDcCvpeZl7gLfD6diS7upeuHHHTZGAs7EgxnZoNpNw_p_Jp5Qxgzv5CI-5uBAd-Gld_oVVfnajnCn_bGQw2YQGbrgEQ6rPJxkWm/s1600/DSC_8768.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552530794340544306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rKRB-rhdNNVFD0L7DZgDe1x-ppAPYF9UELoZK1JvFDcCvpeZl7gLfD6diS7upeuHHHTZGAs7EgxnZoNpNw_p_Jp5Qxgzv5CI-5uBAd-Gld_oVVfnajnCn_bGQw2YQGbrgEQ6rPJxkWm/s320/DSC_8768.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ethan bobbing for apples...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdubmJSum2l-B2axY2m6Vz3oE_yAs-rnd3QTLZQapRLov25T8NF_qTxvfRbCTIqJHIcIlISQ23QXa06dHj7K0OPr9fJSrTq8ObXfptfZqxAwLxjYWyVuHX6gj_0-Lkjba9Rm2EFabyXzwp/s1600/DSC_8777.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552530786961149122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdubmJSum2l-B2axY2m6Vz3oE_yAs-rnd3QTLZQapRLov25T8NF_qTxvfRbCTIqJHIcIlISQ23QXa06dHj7K0OPr9fJSrTq8ObXfptfZqxAwLxjYWyVuHX6gj_0-Lkjba9Rm2EFabyXzwp/s320/DSC_8777.JPG" border="0" /></a>His apple...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY31FNuJM85749LtOZ-YE2Sv4t6yiwoLQepnJNVJdyPgD59_T-AIaSeSIarylsIAZtAxz4imrUBiRLkPi85GTdGUMVGa4OGW2T5yahjD0qvsJxlpHRwjPdFCajfDwIE5LyFYJKxQS13yR/s1600/DSC_8779.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552530784916584914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY31FNuJM85749LtOZ-YE2Sv4t6yiwoLQepnJNVJdyPgD59_T-AIaSeSIarylsIAZtAxz4imrUBiRLkPi85GTdGUMVGa4OGW2T5yahjD0qvsJxlpHRwjPdFCajfDwIE5LyFYJKxQS13yR/s320/DSC_8779.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This isn't a great angle but one of kids, David, went full gusto and didn't use the assistance of his hand (like the others resorted to after many attempts). David stuck his entire head in the bucket and went to the bottom, actually getting his apple with his teeth only. Wow.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcI8T3-e4jmyglxrpvNNR1z-rsY-mUQs0F_EJmtNDi423YIQWPTHe4kw1uD5SGUiI8v0ht0VBGz7nT6_Et1-5daVucrx9dOXYCNkRfrTEs1ivBDVT34olFwKUcMGe-VsRzkHQVOQ18mVA/s1600/DSC_8780.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552528904167390082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcI8T3-e4jmyglxrpvNNR1z-rsY-mUQs0F_EJmtNDi423YIQWPTHe4kw1uD5SGUiI8v0ht0VBGz7nT6_Et1-5daVucrx9dOXYCNkRfrTEs1ivBDVT34olFwKUcMGe-VsRzkHQVOQ18mVA/s320/DSC_8780.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Paining pumpkins. I actually envisioned them painting faces on the pumpkins, but instead they painted them... entirely. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjbq3_3Rf88WaXPVi2soGpUzYDeghwU2xmh_x_u3g8nwe0MFysWn9KKvrCkIE9XB7WDM0oH0j5HsPVH1XTmZtOjPrt0wFPtwmnMBSl0TExQOpbOCHJ_3rA7XVt_bZ2gRIe6uinn1qx0wM/s1600/DSC_8785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552528896476323554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjbq3_3Rf88WaXPVi2soGpUzYDeghwU2xmh_x_u3g8nwe0MFysWn9KKvrCkIE9XB7WDM0oH0j5HsPVH1XTmZtOjPrt0wFPtwmnMBSl0TExQOpbOCHJ_3rA7XVt_bZ2gRIe6uinn1qx0wM/s320/DSC_8785.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkkRJbw4EdIHPUqktln1lPz7Q27_X79C4_HPJq2phLm6xOJD9EONgqPsV6NPnRBKTL1O5OWcJRJpLXpGNlzETJ4-Gbq2mZbwVN8-OioYc8DyiYQjmTNHv9l4IlF174jDn97qGn2nJmSkB/s1600/DSC_8787.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552528889281944578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkkRJbw4EdIHPUqktln1lPz7Q27_X79C4_HPJq2phLm6xOJD9EONgqPsV6NPnRBKTL1O5OWcJRJpLXpGNlzETJ4-Gbq2mZbwVN8-OioYc8DyiYQjmTNHv9l4IlF174jDn97qGn2nJmSkB/s320/DSC_8787.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Collin painting his red, of course...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGTXVwth4PxuflhkHMS-x031cdwJ3s4VrmR5mP0wz4kxIZmQwaIwYgeFBA61l25VaINxPl_7UQxQP5j1Fb-8lFTXdNVMJpttADNSZSSIJf2w61yoeOWIo4K8K_jxUrlF7GCBvQGykwNZP/s1600/DSC_8788.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552528887695178770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGTXVwth4PxuflhkHMS-x031cdwJ3s4VrmR5mP0wz4kxIZmQwaIwYgeFBA61l25VaINxPl_7UQxQP5j1Fb-8lFTXdNVMJpttADNSZSSIJf2w61yoeOWIo4K8K_jxUrlF7GCBvQGykwNZP/s320/DSC_8788.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>After all that, we had a big pot luck. It was a great day!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Here is a photo of Oliver from a trip we made to the pumpkin patch a couple weeks before this. None of the photos of that trip turned out great, except this one. I love this one. So, I must share it and this seems like a good place to do so. </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Oliver, loving on his pumpkin (really, he was telling it he loved it and this was his love nuzzle with it)...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eUX3s7Jlm04oRPt2bqoCjVR2UQLtFreYwBJta4Cz4dJIUTVq8Av4pz-DRB48SFxCBosZxG6QbhRrKr7bc06awPCZ0cPAmdypwgu6bH9oIJ8kjndieHkkNRCtEqCMzeyMMKnchEf0ZZfe/s1600/DSC_8564.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552528883743871746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eUX3s7Jlm04oRPt2bqoCjVR2UQLtFreYwBJta4Cz4dJIUTVq8Av4pz-DRB48SFxCBosZxG6QbhRrKr7bc06awPCZ0cPAmdypwgu6bH9oIJ8kjndieHkkNRCtEqCMzeyMMKnchEf0ZZfe/s320/DSC_8564.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-63961906300677405402010-12-20T19:00:00.000-05:002010-12-20T19:00:02.061-05:00Pumpkin Patch Field TripI volunteered to go with Ethan's class to the pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a blast. Here are some photos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph0OYQpoxWKgXjyIL-QNJg8B2r2jZaxUnKTJD2tKqaaWlIC3aBbrtTmpnae7aL7a7isn5ooECoEFiNN0hnFBVpO45RhNpR7iCer8sRTlqRcI4xPb03Em8-WahyphenhyphenM2XNxfDE6gREkJkYjYk/s1600/DSC_8647.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552568347531366898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph0OYQpoxWKgXjyIL-QNJg8B2r2jZaxUnKTJD2tKqaaWlIC3aBbrtTmpnae7aL7a7isn5ooECoEFiNN0hnFBVpO45RhNpR7iCer8sRTlqRcI4xPb03Em8-WahyphenhyphenM2XNxfDE6gREkJkYjYk/s320/DSC_8647.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVAoceD6-pecpp7l3hY2kN6XtDkh-LVSn_cIRdmF-M5LdVn5ajliRmxKccyY6N70WceWBDKMk51J_U8-cUlMzk43C8Zb4hOUqJJftFmBMPWQeK4uOzQltA3BljGVUf3AjlKhQE5iT7gCk/s1600/DSC_8649.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552568342108473490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVAoceD6-pecpp7l3hY2kN6XtDkh-LVSn_cIRdmF-M5LdVn5ajliRmxKccyY6N70WceWBDKMk51J_U8-cUlMzk43C8Zb4hOUqJJftFmBMPWQeK4uOzQltA3BljGVUf3AjlKhQE5iT7gCk/s320/DSC_8649.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aoZRGXiIOZ0Rq1YstgzAfQjyv9jv4eulZhn5McrI34UEbLskjMXZ3QMi3dH0AiW0dlZLwfKKkvFKop0ROFpKqHtrJ78IByIEKLtJ2L8d6E5180KebuJu6lsMN2n_akIurPa0HoPGXCtd/s1600/DSC_8652.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552568340736791474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aoZRGXiIOZ0Rq1YstgzAfQjyv9jv4eulZhn5McrI34UEbLskjMXZ3QMi3dH0AiW0dlZLwfKKkvFKop0ROFpKqHtrJ78IByIEKLtJ2L8d6E5180KebuJu6lsMN2n_akIurPa0HoPGXCtd/s320/DSC_8652.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfecaQ1JtB8FZ4PMn7ZqFbRwT6_w6Mp6yeS94olP2kB_CpiVsopoOFfJV1WT_miGqFy-1OEmQi3gvELQVk5iW6-4FHUKmCL0AdMn4sDZqA0TugUtPNt6TEXpTJatzhWMCu_58rpIf0ILMl/s1600/DSC_8660.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552568330700494418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfecaQ1JtB8FZ4PMn7ZqFbRwT6_w6Mp6yeS94olP2kB_CpiVsopoOFfJV1WT_miGqFy-1OEmQi3gvELQVk5iW6-4FHUKmCL0AdMn4sDZqA0TugUtPNt6TEXpTJatzhWMCu_58rpIf0ILMl/s320/DSC_8660.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-56641460793423787292010-12-19T17:33:00.003-05:002010-12-19T20:25:38.950-05:00Follow up...I meant to post this earlier but didn't get to it. As you recall I mentioned that we suspected Collin for a misdemeanor offense of "<a href="http://themooressix.blogspot.com/2010/12/not-now.html">screwing with us</a>" - taking Ethan's puzzle pieces, hiding them and then telling us he couldn't be bothered with where they were as he was eating.<br /><br />He, in fact, would not tell us where they were at all. We checked all the normal hiding places, but found nothing. However the next morning Steve told Erin to ask him. When she did, a sheepish grin appeared on Collin's face as he lead her to his highchair.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvbh6WtgJ4GsV71UCwAImg1dCmYxEX9VDmPxQnW9BsoygXdI24lBqq51I8gGDTfK3PMaginPTd_Lobuv97-GKD4CsGLsRe6MAq_eFdOvOONiOGEJ87KnZj5ErKCfHws-WwAKkZ87Ea58A/s1600/DSC_9586.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552526809728716946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvbh6WtgJ4GsV71UCwAImg1dCmYxEX9VDmPxQnW9BsoygXdI24lBqq51I8gGDTfK3PMaginPTd_Lobuv97-GKD4CsGLsRe6MAq_eFdOvOONiOGEJ87KnZj5ErKCfHws-WwAKkZ87Ea58A/s320/DSC_9586.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxfFKhvJMnRab5XiLVySUzH1V58fKgfb_ewED8gIm9zufCju0sX9q2ma7ZUAZBzpXYrfEYisTBJS-OsyggsJ79TT4ifQiVXF4rGOofRcdIJmZbGm6RxmaTC3nohLMHNJhoOR6xQX5s3wR/s1600/DSC_9584.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552526811098937938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxfFKhvJMnRab5XiLVySUzH1V58fKgfb_ewED8gIm9zufCju0sX9q2ma7ZUAZBzpXYrfEYisTBJS-OsyggsJ79TT4ifQiVXF4rGOofRcdIJmZbGm6RxmaTC3nohLMHNJhoOR6xQX5s3wR/s320/DSC_9584.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is the <em>same</em> highchair he <em>sat in</em> while basically telling us, "<em>not now, I'm eating</em>" the night before.<br /><br /><div></div><div>See... screwing with us. We are in trouble...</div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-7056961020294911622010-12-19T15:58:00.004-05:002010-12-19T16:26:44.891-05:00Dentist<em>(back to time traveling)</em><br /><br />At the beginning of October, the boys had a dentist appointment. This is notable because it was the twin's first appointment (and because I think it all firsts... okay sometimes seconds and thirds and, and, and... are notable).<br /><br />For Ethan is was not his first time. He did great, as he has done before. However, we did discover in the x-rays that his front top teeth are HUGE (I'm serious) and that his lateral incisors were in fact going to come in behind his central incisors. I don't mean behind as in <em>after</em>, I mean behind as in <em>literally behind</em> them. As it turns out, his palette is not very big and most of his current baby teeth are right on top of each other now. Though his palette will expand some, like everyone's does, they feel he is going to need some assistance in this area... "but we will deal with it when they come in". Yippee!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_M7snsEKfEzFrmGVg2g-ZF68_pL0UVGy5gi0xOcFIv_pqoONYAj-43ReqiohgN5f05DaQeuUy47RsFO8vbi-JXKVB_hE2a1Pl7ilXkDtj67ajFQzzTTIhaHEDQh4YaAUBsdeqlV94zwv/s1600/DSC_8632.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552507037582354050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_M7snsEKfEzFrmGVg2g-ZF68_pL0UVGy5gi0xOcFIv_pqoONYAj-43ReqiohgN5f05DaQeuUy47RsFO8vbi-JXKVB_hE2a1Pl7ilXkDtj67ajFQzzTTIhaHEDQh4YaAUBsdeqlV94zwv/s320/DSC_8632.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As for the twins, Oliver did great as we knew he would. That child would basically let you poke or prod anything while he laid there with a smile on his face. It's amazing.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO308eKaYRmOb1oR7BBeeBBwSh7NPkBboSKvhkfg-5sIyk1OvcGH21tthT55Ox-8p-9fZY0AJeKDP9XOuuWB9pv1YzY2JlYZK4ypTEVbyM7PHheSwNnYONmCMoiAlrJaN52sWSab7Wsv5l/s1600/DSC_8634.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552507031817284786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO308eKaYRmOb1oR7BBeeBBwSh7NPkBboSKvhkfg-5sIyk1OvcGH21tthT55Ox-8p-9fZY0AJeKDP9XOuuWB9pv1YzY2JlYZK4ypTEVbyM7PHheSwNnYONmCMoiAlrJaN52sWSab7Wsv5l/s320/DSC_8634.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Collin, on the other hand, well... not so much. He fought it. If I was the dental hygienist, I would have needed a drink after dealing with him. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>In fact I did need a drink after the appointment!</em><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUR_GexnKzNq2wcBCYD6FQcYNdX0L2Sl3Bp_7x4Bkw3chxu9-K-Lq_i1wceTWsODXyOt_DunY_UtJyj-kPdeneA6rQhKlDkujDgUM6sWqRMWVYAksnQ3ZgIDFyGxUHXk3YNLSSo56IwPI/s1600/DSC_8636.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552507029189361634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUR_GexnKzNq2wcBCYD6FQcYNdX0L2Sl3Bp_7x4Bkw3chxu9-K-Lq_i1wceTWsODXyOt_DunY_UtJyj-kPdeneA6rQhKlDkujDgUM6sWqRMWVYAksnQ3ZgIDFyGxUHXk3YNLSSo56IwPI/s320/DSC_8636.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The favorite part? The "prizes" of course. Each picked one Silly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bandz</span>, a bug and a sticky hand things (which were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">conveniently</span> *cough* "lost"). </div><div></div><br /><div>I have to say, our dentist office, everyone in it, is just amazing. Amazing. They are an office for children only and though many have been there a long time, they have patience like no one I have ever met. They show the kids everything they are going to do, let them "play" with the tools, go slowly, talk gently and never ever lose their cool. I do not know how they do it. They are amazing. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-76778561333786138662010-12-15T21:18:00.004-05:002010-12-15T21:33:28.794-05:00Not now...Collin, by far our orneriest child, likes to take things and hide them. In his defense, sometimes he puts the items away where they belong and sometimes he puts them in what he deems to be a "safe place"... sometimes though, we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">truly</span> believe he is just screwing with us. Normally, when asked, he will show you where he put them. Tonight about eight pieces of Ethan's Star Wars puzzle, that was put together on the kitchen table, were mysteriously missing. All indications pointed to Collin (again, refer to first sentence).<br /><br />As we were eating dinner, I said "Collin where did you put Ethan's puzzle pieces?"<br /><br />Collin responded simply, "I don't know. I eating right now."<br /><br />I asked again and he responded once more, "I eating right now."<br /><br />I'm going with 'screwing with us' on this one...Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-35386910053740567922010-12-06T20:00:00.000-05:002010-12-06T20:00:00.503-05:00Bears do what in the winter?!Tonight one of the books we read to the twins (and Ethan) was <em>Bear Stays Up For Christmas</em>. Naturally the bear's friends had to wake him up so he didn't miss Christmas and then he fell asleep right after the celebration. So, I asked Ethan why the bear was so sleepy. He said that bears sleep through the winter. Then...<br /><br /><strong>M:</strong> What's that called... when animals sleep through the winter?<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>E:</strong> Um... I know... um... (obviously trying hard to remember the word)</span><br /><br /><strong>M:</strong> Hi... (giving him a hint of the first sound)<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>E:</strong> Hibrocobia! (shouting it out confidently and knowingly)</span><br /><br />HUH??! I think I need to contact Webster's... it could be a new word! Seriously, we (and he) don't know where that came from, but we ALL couldn't stop laughing the rest of the night.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-33952597562007492182010-12-04T21:08:00.002-05:002010-12-04T21:10:48.796-05:00Fat lip, Santa and Suckers...<div align="left">What do all three have in common? They happened today.<br /><br />On our way to see Santa, Collin fell in the parking lot and got his first fat lip. A big first fat lip as a matter of fact. It was a rough 10 minutes or so, but after that it didn't bother him. Instead we diverted his attention by visiting the Disney Store, as you know one of his few favorite things is Mickey!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdmOuuR5QtzBby6z-Cr1ugzzYG9iBJhk4TSGTMRqVSBDyxxm6ztxPYRCT5ic9IoopfRHvrXVLJgrzbqJX1V-LtJWfG3bSRUmf1l6QSX5OS1gEmPKLuX_E3vCBYouYpEMNJbRZue4BWprc/s1600/DSC_9371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547012101216048450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdmOuuR5QtzBby6z-Cr1ugzzYG9iBJhk4TSGTMRqVSBDyxxm6ztxPYRCT5ic9IoopfRHvrXVLJgrzbqJX1V-LtJWfG3bSRUmf1l6QSX5OS1gEmPKLuX_E3vCBYouYpEMNJbRZue4BWprc/s320/DSC_9371.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><em><span style="color:#666666;">This is much later and after his Santa treat.</span></em><br /></p><p align="left">After that, we headed to Santa.<br /><br />What did they ask for?<br /><br /><strong>Ethan:</strong> Star Wars stuff, a rock set, science kits, books and world peace. okay, I made the last one up, but he did say if he got something he already had he wanted to give it to a boy who didn't have any presents... that's a start...<br /><br /><strong>Oliver:</strong> Super Hero Squad (as in anything Super Hero Squad... period.)<br /><br /><strong>Collin:</strong> Mickey Mouse and a big kitchen (as in the play variety, however maybe Santa will misunderstand and bring all of us a bigger kitchen... that would be good too!) </p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEGl_Q4EiM9FGG6fTCU4gmx-l_359Y72RF1cfjln83RMAGAZabifmPjZR1jNHi7hxnop2noXVpg1f0IdqPV91h9ld9-wZKQyZIafY8wnFV5dQDLnvKHndYq90iAmBA5AGIJ7dVLMtSAQw/s1600/santapics.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547011900311306354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEGl_Q4EiM9FGG6fTCU4gmx-l_359Y72RF1cfjln83RMAGAZabifmPjZR1jNHi7hxnop2noXVpg1f0IdqPV91h9ld9-wZKQyZIafY8wnFV5dQDLnvKHndYq90iAmBA5AGIJ7dVLMtSAQw/s320/santapics.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Santa gave them each a sucker after he spoke to them, which thrilled me more than I can say (yes, you know the tone). Since it was too late, it was in their hands, and Collin was staring at me with his giant fat lip... I just opened the packages and let them go. Yes, I am saying... this was Collin and Oliver's first time eating a sucker. What? Is that child abuse? Collin didn't even know what to do with it... I had to tell him to lick it. Before we could even tell Oliver, he had taken a huge bite of it (it was one of those semi hard ones)... he was like the tootsie pop turtle... three licks and eat it... it was gone that fast. Collin's on the other hand lasted over an hour... as he savored every lick of his red delight. Ethan was somewhere in the middle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKSaCs3uUvilo-e1-l3SgNYKgtaotKZgEyYD3_k-Rk7-tkcbGMJMepvF9-tWyEwLWucSuQ7eEFsib29fa1vXmjoeQuOwhztPu8U0o26MGR8nDs9Cs7-IXv8hWh5RloqjaC06AAFhG3dT0/s1600/100MEDIA_IMAG0018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547011898759016930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKSaCs3uUvilo-e1-l3SgNYKgtaotKZgEyYD3_k-Rk7-tkcbGMJMepvF9-tWyEwLWucSuQ7eEFsib29fa1vXmjoeQuOwhztPu8U0o26MGR8nDs9Cs7-IXv8hWh5RloqjaC06AAFhG3dT0/s320/100MEDIA_IMAG0018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5lJkm728gJFfYsinj3isPypacgSvZLNZJP8ixPqmv0ziAsqI_hV8TpHu1P17C-v9olWa872TntyTrvDQTW67B3j_HWHFNN1iQqsRVq07aBFrWKylGw6B6NnMvnuqlWKwbc2PZP9dKbC0/s1600/100MEDIA_IMAG0019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547011890037273298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5lJkm728gJFfYsinj3isPypacgSvZLNZJP8ixPqmv0ziAsqI_hV8TpHu1P17C-v9olWa872TntyTrvDQTW67B3j_HWHFNN1iQqsRVq07aBFrWKylGw6B6NnMvnuqlWKwbc2PZP9dKbC0/s320/100MEDIA_IMAG0019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQNGWgiYbqX4C0YfDFYeHbvmocT6gw1ZisAgZuIUXO4SOvWLYRF6nTuhiavwAdjPRnDz5dMYqYmATRp2a_dsAbR-LVVL6qRtnZ1_jz3d1tnohclIa5nohM416Ad9HkEN2Yta5cf7ERlpi/s1600/100MEDIA_IMAG0016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547011885854439842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQNGWgiYbqX4C0YfDFYeHbvmocT6gw1ZisAgZuIUXO4SOvWLYRF6nTuhiavwAdjPRnDz5dMYqYmATRp2a_dsAbR-LVVL6qRtnZ1_jz3d1tnohclIa5nohM416Ad9HkEN2Yta5cf7ERlpi/s320/100MEDIA_IMAG0016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIyzFrye2WQwo5hWZX3gc_dXacIIEyB7XUJJWf9TfhoWXYT-ycfDKsFLnGbiEDMRMqkJp6N10ZwyeNPOspFgauW6OVjh-_U5hBMM2-3eMqhKPdrFnSlPNKr3uF8LVqYYh-TR8-XwG506x/s1600/100MEDIA_IMAG0020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547011881637488946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIyzFrye2WQwo5hWZX3gc_dXacIIEyB7XUJJWf9TfhoWXYT-ycfDKsFLnGbiEDMRMqkJp6N10ZwyeNPOspFgauW6OVjh-_U5hBMM2-3eMqhKPdrFnSlPNKr3uF8LVqYYh-TR8-XwG506x/s320/100MEDIA_IMAG0020.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-82974177773551585892010-12-03T21:03:00.006-05:002010-12-03T22:17:19.937-05:00Fall SoccerEthan was in fall soccer this year and the added excitement was Steve was his assistant coach*. Steve was a little hesitant at first, but the head coach was amazing! She, Coach Dee, was a college professor and coach of soccer, and a player herself. And Steve was a great student and in the end a really good coach. The kids loved him. <br /><br />Ethan really improved this year, being more aggressive and in the game. There was a lot less picking picking blades grass and holding hands and a lot more interest in soccer. Don't get me wrong, there was still some of the other stuff, but just not as much as past years. Though I can't say he is a die hard soccer player, he definitely is identifying himself with this sport more than others. Most importantly, I think he had fun. <br /><br />Here are some action shots of Ethan:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqONs2gV0bptLGWaccakEfPdgeqK7ucgN59d_M_QSTgeWGv19VXDhYwzOUAHNnAs8NiNf6eoaduUTaV6JZIMagoAlh8GKbFoJLyItctAnfX1X0SKIq160UXObnXTJGB-SiKCpuSyKdBV9I/s1600/2010soccer__297.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546651230017185442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqONs2gV0bptLGWaccakEfPdgeqK7ucgN59d_M_QSTgeWGv19VXDhYwzOUAHNnAs8NiNf6eoaduUTaV6JZIMagoAlh8GKbFoJLyItctAnfX1X0SKIq160UXObnXTJGB-SiKCpuSyKdBV9I/s320/2010soccer__297.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9L5dcjEnbxHdXVFhqcFhNQzsrcqS72QBxUvdD8z4fjQTCBeDsuNXTmwvStkYW9ExmGdE_JClvdzn2qC2mMvKDmrIl3B024SpcmptmV_hyphenhyphenIVLweV6AlxSAR3QjtOHbAxDIjHpUz88MefTd/s1600/2010soccer__165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546651227405925378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9L5dcjEnbxHdXVFhqcFhNQzsrcqS72QBxUvdD8z4fjQTCBeDsuNXTmwvStkYW9ExmGdE_JClvdzn2qC2mMvKDmrIl3B024SpcmptmV_hyphenhyphenIVLweV6AlxSAR3QjtOHbAxDIjHpUz88MefTd/s320/2010soccer__165.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gYuAjV-uEUkU25HaOu4aDFhUlWjexHU5b0v152z_IajVpMl4BZDWvazslHfdzPrmpd56KJPJdJEaP0BIIZdibQBdzWqZ2AFjStLaKkvBjsj53AASB1st7idGm4rPbAHoU0-aiG4kthp9/s1600/2010soccer__180.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546651224716043730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gYuAjV-uEUkU25HaOu4aDFhUlWjexHU5b0v152z_IajVpMl4BZDWvazslHfdzPrmpd56KJPJdJEaP0BIIZdibQBdzWqZ2AFjStLaKkvBjsj53AASB1st7idGm4rPbAHoU0-aiG4kthp9/s320/2010soccer__180.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sVV0XlK2uG4xxOikbJr0AY_9vMtqnaJlu1d-cF-xtF4lrgpw1E1znblQBv5Kz5LxJRxSdnFPZFhTZLPh65eX01kI7YbrF7Yedy1pQtMkLGvllO8RJpEWXauUVmlaoW00PaAU-4AL5IyP/s1600/2010soccer__195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546651218167236898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sVV0XlK2uG4xxOikbJr0AY_9vMtqnaJlu1d-cF-xtF4lrgpw1E1znblQBv5Kz5LxJRxSdnFPZFhTZLPh65eX01kI7YbrF7Yedy1pQtMkLGvllO8RJpEWXauUVmlaoW00PaAU-4AL5IyP/s320/2010soccer__195.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIO0mEM-59fDMIRoCPiLIQulgaxMOAlY8IaLub-oSS1VcCxUYSt_kJi_gNPf47y2mNmUfyCMNSVscnL4e1ULfm6b0UGnTio7F8rM9JEXGMwCK_5u8lnhTLvo9e7h4sh8S4-ZdprER-jC0N/s1600/Soccer_2010_Team_Photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546651213854050978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIO0mEM-59fDMIRoCPiLIQulgaxMOAlY8IaLub-oSS1VcCxUYSt_kJi_gNPf47y2mNmUfyCMNSVscnL4e1ULfm6b0UGnTio7F8rM9JEXGMwCK_5u8lnhTLvo9e7h4sh8S4-ZdprER-jC0N/s320/Soccer_2010_Team_Photo.jpg" border="0" /></a> All in all, I am very proud of both of my men.</div><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#666666;">*yea, it is still a little hazy on how Steve volunteered to be coach, but I think it involved me answering the mandatory question "which of these would you be willing to do" with a check next to Assistant Coach and then typing in Steve's name... rather than the check in the Team Mom box... or something like that... maybe... hey, it was mandatory and I had to travel out of town a few weeks during the season... I couldn't be team mom.... and it's not like it's the first time I checked the box with Steve's info... it's just the first in the the last three seasons that they actually took me... er... him up on it. Yea, that's probably how that all happened... Further in my defense, Steve was always walking around smiles and singing after the games... he liked being coach more than he knew he would... and I knew that all along... yea, that's it... maybe...</span></em></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-41370073441394776462010-11-30T20:37:00.016-05:002010-11-30T21:23:06.614-05:00Happy Sixth Birthday Ethan!We interrupt the backlog to bring you photos of Ethan's birthday (a day late).<br /><br />Yesterday was Ethan's sixth birthday. I have no idea how six years have passed, but clearly they have and I am so proud of my son.<br /><br />I took the day off to spend with Ethan, which started with being the mom class volunteer for his room (which he has been asking me to be for a while). Though I was kept very busy by his teacher, it was fun to spend the day with him. He got to wear a crown during school and we brought in smiley face cookies (which went over big).<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4undy_aCFc6SNMCtFiQFlONuG0oPtntIrFSP4RRt6wsxIl6gmvx5K1oHHzOFoyP_QOuNsFpOSCMjfmjcPk4jiBD2rYzCBO5cJqihqDOQqzNw7Tmh78Z1-0us3T3HE9cAYNN43LsbPo3a7/s1600/reading.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527460871531762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4undy_aCFc6SNMCtFiQFlONuG0oPtntIrFSP4RRt6wsxIl6gmvx5K1oHHzOFoyP_QOuNsFpOSCMjfmjcPk4jiBD2rYzCBO5cJqihqDOQqzNw7Tmh78Z1-0us3T3HE9cAYNN43LsbPo3a7/s320/reading.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Hard to see the crown... especially with my camera phone. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><br />After school, I took Ethan and two of his neighborhood buddies out for lunch and whatever Ethan wanted to do. So, you ask, what did Ethan want to do? I'll tell you...<br /><br />First we went to Noodles for lunch (one of his favorite places of course).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcPhEEXF6W2H6nod-wpg58Juczxj_k5kTYUN22eGRBMryUGXFij3nh2hwkWCOiWTj1h7Y9UD5fJRZe1KZrM2Ewo1F_IMFs3zjL7kvAb10S5PWi9YErAtecBKxdkxHr89epd-9fHtGHyTD/s1600/noodles1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527451818056194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcPhEEXF6W2H6nod-wpg58Juczxj_k5kTYUN22eGRBMryUGXFij3nh2hwkWCOiWTj1h7Y9UD5fJRZe1KZrM2Ewo1F_IMFs3zjL7kvAb10S5PWi9YErAtecBKxdkxHr89epd-9fHtGHyTD/s320/noodles1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2SRLM0U_eieM77B-2N7fIZpw7wx1BF_gGN1bT0MznWFy4hoO7SxZObkkfoRNY4KmBaa7HiBeRKGX5TNMbrPPiYZg8Q0TtDpPekml7bubeFk3OxvSpChhzdbJKUt4fePU5sj3pOpM8N1g/s1600/noodles2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527447859935202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2SRLM0U_eieM77B-2N7fIZpw7wx1BF_gGN1bT0MznWFy4hoO7SxZObkkfoRNY4KmBaa7HiBeRKGX5TNMbrPPiYZg8Q0TtDpPekml7bubeFk3OxvSpChhzdbJKUt4fePU5sj3pOpM8N1g/s320/noodles2.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;"> Two words: Stinking cute. Two more: Stinking happy.<br /></span></em><br /></div><br /><div>Then we went to the park.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9vLzDDhKV8fp3Y1Ui3ja__MH4PmXbl9TPWjvgOurg-qEgySjrJ7hEzoWeQtMpPmSswqfB22yfN1525Sz9CiBryuvO7TCZbme5beklFKFU9RjfOZJ0Z29S1l7o0M11xaQGa_3udzbXg7H/s1600/park1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527163182620178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9vLzDDhKV8fp3Y1Ui3ja__MH4PmXbl9TPWjvgOurg-qEgySjrJ7hEzoWeQtMpPmSswqfB22yfN1525Sz9CiBryuvO7TCZbme5beklFKFU9RjfOZJ0Z29S1l7o0M11xaQGa_3udzbXg7H/s320/park1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwQ05DIBF2qp4aKoea_4LIFefPWmIkAYNw5anvb1yMOE1qehsgrLsuJA9lYxNcYEI4Qf3d7d3t6k6r0O7tL1rOARIXAgnFePVHvZehVUsd8Zw_x0CFgea0WVriAHOZfhUMWRnh6qVJhN_/s1600/park2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527156735935378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwQ05DIBF2qp4aKoea_4LIFefPWmIkAYNw5anvb1yMOE1qehsgrLsuJA9lYxNcYEI4Qf3d7d3t6k6r0O7tL1rOARIXAgnFePVHvZehVUsd8Zw_x0CFgea0WVriAHOZfhUMWRnh6qVJhN_/s320/park2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHnAM_8CfpAEB4tjF1vFJSmREtjZPQTpYferMpfOK8jwOvEazEEuoQxliD-tFqdBydzLxXzeAN57jZVR1LO5YFe20ELZoM0tQxj2Q3K3JrC257CrzN8Y41v-t5iADxMRTVBdX65cMMZQL/s1600/park3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527151348020482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHnAM_8CfpAEB4tjF1vFJSmREtjZPQTpYferMpfOK8jwOvEazEEuoQxliD-tFqdBydzLxXzeAN57jZVR1LO5YFe20ELZoM0tQxj2Q3K3JrC257CrzN8Y41v-t5iADxMRTVBdX65cMMZQL/s320/park3.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color:#666666;">We tried several times for me to time it right to get them mid jump off this wall, but my phone camera was too slow... they gave up on me. </span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><br />After that we went for ice cream... actually sundaes!<br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmfF6yLN-YiROcr4lYY7xP59M4-CU8hHZFChvNn2iVdTFa5aMhvSgs8DUpuW_CZHzYt1AosrgGv7NMqNGya9yigEd7pi1WF5IXqDVqoGIGHmsuw1CbhZDgej_zHEUBOUHQ6dUiHJ-PsUd/s1600/icecream1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527143261594722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmfF6yLN-YiROcr4lYY7xP59M4-CU8hHZFChvNn2iVdTFa5aMhvSgs8DUpuW_CZHzYt1AosrgGv7NMqNGya9yigEd7pi1WF5IXqDVqoGIGHmsuw1CbhZDgej_zHEUBOUHQ6dUiHJ-PsUd/s320/icecream1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXGXYB81-q4WgykvIBXNkXhJw-_vqcKJNGszHJJz4rsBAGjFrbZqSiUWMEN70S5r6rL8Xing7dftFjKkWJGn_ohX4U3YocOlERkVaw1jT-yv_0c8se4xx1CCVExKo4_HZ3VrMWGGMuIXU/s1600/icecream2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545527140009835762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXGXYB81-q4WgykvIBXNkXhJw-_vqcKJNGszHJJz4rsBAGjFrbZqSiUWMEN70S5r6rL8Xing7dftFjKkWJGn_ohX4U3YocOlERkVaw1jT-yv_0c8se4xx1CCVExKo4_HZ3VrMWGGMuIXU/s320/icecream2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left">Then we went to the library (this one threw me, but so fitting for him actually).</div><br /><div align="left">They really made me laugh here. They were all so excited to get books, instructing me on what to look up and when I couldn't find it, off they went to ask a library employee. They then plopped down on the floor, each of them with their own book pile and looked through them (I am really upset I didn't get a photo of this!). I think it was a largest (by far) check out from the library EVER.</div><br /><div></div><div align="left">Next, we went to the playground behind the library, where they played Star Wars with the two sets being ships. I was Princess Leia. (no comments)<br /></div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">After that, we came home only because we were taking Ethan out to dinner (otherwise he would have kept picking new things to do). </div><div align="left"><br />At the restaurant, they brought his dessert (an apple <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">crostata</span> - his choice) with a candle in it and sang Happy Birthday to him (even though they apparently stopped doing that kind of thing a year ago, they made an exception for us). He was very happy.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545530148127604242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOOLQSLgd_hJFutsnUlw2aKmLxVcDAOI8m-ubhRtH3BCLHhTYl1tJfGhvR79tNlBuvECJjEc4GOI4Rr24itU0LVHA_khTNX9ZpggKEpnfdsGrASdWfsCadUd0HBuSpEr_AHqEj7HDT9CP/s320/singing.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Then came presents.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iJ7dqEdNy0fe4mOU2IWfNGtH94Qh_DKG6QOIm1EcrgPmgJ_SigdMacTkrfiKG1yynOrv_7lwkp_WTg-bxCi6WXI_vghzYNpD1iNyKYReEqha3gJwPwPqmTg3Owy9lUlVN6Wsy9h4LSPN/s1600/DSC_9349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545526167767111378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iJ7dqEdNy0fe4mOU2IWfNGtH94Qh_DKG6QOIm1EcrgPmgJ_SigdMacTkrfiKG1yynOrv_7lwkp_WTg-bxCi6WXI_vghzYNpD1iNyKYReEqha3gJwPwPqmTg3Owy9lUlVN6Wsy9h4LSPN/s320/DSC_9349.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUTJIEqOUn0TPj1nKIToh7obaNT_G3YIBROaJOJE9R7WsNLm05-2rFSohicqGgL0EG8knfa9Dt85vQ6MdSx7ZxB-ouDejlVHWjpXzEERwqUzpdHvU3ctYL0RQsY6ed1B1oDsQtslB150H/s1600/DSC_9350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545526170619703554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUTJIEqOUn0TPj1nKIToh7obaNT_G3YIBROaJOJE9R7WsNLm05-2rFSohicqGgL0EG8knfa9Dt85vQ6MdSx7ZxB-ouDejlVHWjpXzEERwqUzpdHvU3ctYL0RQsY6ed1B1oDsQtslB150H/s320/DSC_9350.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD1Ewn_rJVWMbVZASPFy7Yk2tYMXHOp3UMMLl45frRr_EI7xY_HjZJ_WzYPDETMhpoCNm6TDNk8aGSo3Ze6hTo8rFDyIDrk21ncDBxwwQ8-xkF_F_wuQps1BYLKF6IPsRHobFfZiBif4d/s1600/DSC_9353.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545526162840162162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD1Ewn_rJVWMbVZASPFy7Yk2tYMXHOp3UMMLl45frRr_EI7xY_HjZJ_WzYPDETMhpoCNm6TDNk8aGSo3Ze6hTo8rFDyIDrk21ncDBxwwQ8-xkF_F_wuQps1BYLKF6IPsRHobFfZiBif4d/s320/DSC_9353.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="color:#666666;">The mother of all presents (for a Star Wars fan): the Millennium Falcon. (this is where it REALLY helps to have a dad that A) really enjoyed action figures as a kid... and still does and B) knows his way around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ebay</span> quite well (to get great deals)).<br /></span></em><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebYXkrs7lfZp5PulLczuf509jcMswLGcewTCWjZZTgIPJ_rREllJcPDSH3zrTFjX7UT1lqNNo7ERs_x4uVsjCX3AWltI7tWEgqDeEydeHmKb-DxQS-LrFxSHKStpl3c26I4Yo5cbBeq0S/s1600/DSC_9365.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545526152352841538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebYXkrs7lfZp5PulLczuf509jcMswLGcewTCWjZZTgIPJ_rREllJcPDSH3zrTFjX7UT1lqNNo7ERs_x4uVsjCX3AWltI7tWEgqDeEydeHmKb-DxQS-LrFxSHKStpl3c26I4Yo5cbBeq0S/s320/DSC_9365.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />All and all, Ethan said he had a great day. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Happy birthday my sweet little one. I love you whole, whole bunches!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-53232501358284748772010-11-27T20:00:00.001-05:002010-11-27T20:00:01.210-05:00ButterfliesYou might remember the boys got a Butterfly Habitat from the Easter Bunny this year and I just got around to ordering the caterpillars for it in September. (I told you, it's just warp speed crazy here.)<br /><br />I love the whole concept of this - teaching them the life cycle live and in person. It was fun to watch them crawl around, make their chrysalis and come out butterflies.<br /><br />I somehow forgot to take photos of the caterpillars going into their new habitat, but here is their chrysalis transfer to the habitat. Yes, we had some masked men show up for the occasion.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDuJnuTRt0nFJYf5XQi2lAOVn14m1OA1I2y7wcMBq44ViBru1sHj_5i4tgel6F4Khg8dz2u93fZrb0qXek61pdWLBe3RhnuNXFeqUBYkjLgAKy3v9p9YcfbomysHyD3mSIb1VVay2APaC/s1600/DSC_8497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544060162006537186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDuJnuTRt0nFJYf5XQi2lAOVn14m1OA1I2y7wcMBq44ViBru1sHj_5i4tgel6F4Khg8dz2u93fZrb0qXek61pdWLBe3RhnuNXFeqUBYkjLgAKy3v9p9YcfbomysHyD3mSIb1VVay2APaC/s320/DSC_8497.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXDXkp-AfbTzWxHnnZ2GtIAkrOywC9ngxsTfMbA95KFiHYnzG7Xe1daHZmeIeqAKm9g3xjpcLUHE_v5TNe1K9t27Dfauwkp-VAp0f7YZfhpTFpgqb2Iln8ePDxoIRpLEPOl451ego5WBe/s1600/DSC_8499.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544060156294926706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXDXkp-AfbTzWxHnnZ2GtIAkrOywC9ngxsTfMbA95KFiHYnzG7Xe1daHZmeIeqAKm9g3xjpcLUHE_v5TNe1K9t27Dfauwkp-VAp0f7YZfhpTFpgqb2Iln8ePDxoIRpLEPOl451ego5WBe/s320/DSC_8499.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>And just as exciting to let them free. </div><div><br />Ethan: "Fly little guys... I know you can do it!"</div><div><br />Oliver: "They're so cute. Fly little cutie...fly!"</div><div><br />Collin: "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">witle</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uys</span>... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fy</span>! Bye, bye!"<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuOhUj18FrxZ09Qj02aoqK4Uf182SLh-lETYRsz7EturGIxXpfxv8lPra84-kpAWVyXm4toWhd7c-Q17nxwXXCuvGfQhWiX-3D8NrcaBQlLO1QctxYGFhfNuwhdKVo6CQD9ZcbGrpFMAV/s1600/DSC_8577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544060152978814802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuOhUj18FrxZ09Qj02aoqK4Uf182SLh-lETYRsz7EturGIxXpfxv8lPra84-kpAWVyXm4toWhd7c-Q17nxwXXCuvGfQhWiX-3D8NrcaBQlLO1QctxYGFhfNuwhdKVo6CQD9ZcbGrpFMAV/s320/DSC_8577.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNrfu4chIf9-kqW-35rJgS9RjAeyoMBbDCbcPFl_wuwV3TdKumzxW1NwcGdd_OJQyRDO9Bp1RUQrsHL1fGynOrHZXAwUR7ilJCkn3ZAE3WVT7gQgf94LQM-ajc4uYgnh8GTisW6McWKCU/s1600/DSC_8584.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544060144778107074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNrfu4chIf9-kqW-35rJgS9RjAeyoMBbDCbcPFl_wuwV3TdKumzxW1NwcGdd_OJQyRDO9Bp1RUQrsHL1fGynOrHZXAwUR7ilJCkn3ZAE3WVT7gQgf94LQM-ajc4uYgnh8GTisW6McWKCU/s320/DSC_8584.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VkPM2OBJJOORyBHwva0X_JMVpYRHdtYw9ehXsIUpC2K64aHo5V-seQdy-Mo6nLeo8QRYfho39CZAXb2OM7s1FhyphenhyphenkEyRpsVp38Xe1jzjrY02pgjlMf-B80CjIFMMcamSyUNz6jpwCW1L6/s1600/DSC_8585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544060138563009746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VkPM2OBJJOORyBHwva0X_JMVpYRHdtYw9ehXsIUpC2K64aHo5V-seQdy-Mo6nLeo8QRYfho39CZAXb2OM7s1FhyphenhyphenkEyRpsVp38Xe1jzjrY02pgjlMf-B80CjIFMMcamSyUNz6jpwCW1L6/s320/DSC_8585.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>And then for weeks, whenever we saw a butterfly they would talk to it as if it was one of their friends, still hanging out in our yard. </div><div></div><br /><div>I can't wait to do it again in the spring. </div></div></div></div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7693447327403911124.post-29592974697337291022010-11-26T19:35:00.005-05:002010-11-26T20:03:56.726-05:00Shutterfly – making us amateurs look professionalI love <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a>. Why? Because it helps bring to vision the cards I think (keyword: think) I can design based images in my head. Before Shutterfly, those projects really didn’t look like the “images”… not even remotely. After discovering Shutterfly a few years ago, I am happy to say my cards now fit the vision.<br /><br />Shutterfly isn’t just holiday cards though; I’ve also created <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars">calendars</a>, <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards">thank you cards</a> and <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books">photo books</a> on Shutterfly (and there’s much, much more). Probably my favorite things are their photo books. I love to look through ours over and over and just reflect.<br /><br />I was amazed at just how easy it is to create these beautiful professional looking products. You simply load your photos and then drag and drop into the template you pick. Every year Shutterfly adds more designs to their vast inventory of <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards">holiday card templates</a>, and this year is no different. Their holiday card templates range from photo cards, to one sided stationary photo cards, to folded photo cards. And there are so many different designs, it doesn't matter what your preferred style (look) is, they have it.<br /><br />I am also amazed at the quality of these products. When I ordered my first photo book, I was very impressed by how nice it was – with a hard cover and perfect bound. It looks just like a book and holds up nicely.<br /><br />If you haven’t yet looked at Shutterfly for your holiday cards, <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">stationary</a> (for any occasion), <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts">gifts</a>, calendars, photo books (and much more), then you really should. You won’t be disappointed.<br /><br />All that said, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that Shutterfly is offering 50 free holiday cards to bloggers: <a href="http://bit.ly/sfly2010">http://bit.ly/sfly2010</a> Thank you Shutterfly.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359332768094335139noreply@blogger.com0