tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47922284548913019702024-03-13T10:39:30.794-07:00Are We Really Doing This???Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-63573823058435657602015-04-21T14:15:00.000-07:002015-04-21T14:15:00.550-07:00August 2014 Wrap Up - The Rest of the Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The rest of our month was event-filled as is typical.</div>
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While we were camping I had taken a</div>
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box of neat cupcake mix</div>
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with the intent to bake them there,</div>
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in our little toaster oven.</div>
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Thought it would be a nice treat.</div>
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It was a "half" box,</div>
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that only makes 12.</div>
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And these had a filling that came with them.</div>
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Oh yum!!!</div>
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We didn't make them while camping,</div>
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so I, well the kids,</div>
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made them when we got home.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXCz6ZYESd8/VSXUgz7QRlI/AAAAAAAAJco/j3yQblLJFOU/s1600/IMG_20140822_120635789_HDR%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXCz6ZYESd8/VSXUgz7QRlI/AAAAAAAAJco/j3yQblLJFOU/s1600/IMG_20140822_120635789_HDR%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I didn't feel like using icing...</div>
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so we turned them into S'Mores cupcakes!</div>
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After they were cooked,</div>
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I took them out,</div>
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placed a marshmallow on top of each.</div>
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Put them back in the oven,</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Db484Y1-U1M/VSXUc5AEkJI/AAAAAAAAJa4/MFO5FKyBO_c/s1600/1407876193702%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Db484Y1-U1M/VSXUc5AEkJI/AAAAAAAAJa4/MFO5FKyBO_c/s1600/1407876193702%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Turned the broil on,</div>
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waited for the marshmallows to start puffing up</div>
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and getting brown on top.</div>
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Then pulled them out,</div>
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and</div>
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used a measuring cup, </div>
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sprayed on the outside!,</div>
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to gently press them down!</div>
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VIOLA!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPX_yjC11kE/VSXUdMS61nI/AAAAAAAAJa8/SjocpuAsOZM/s1600/1407876313078%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPX_yjC11kE/VSXUdMS61nI/AAAAAAAAJa8/SjocpuAsOZM/s1600/1407876313078%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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They were SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ih_qHNgN5qY/VSXUdJZBLSI/AAAAAAAAJbA/QW7xdpqIECU/s1600/1407876478555%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ih_qHNgN5qY/VSXUdJZBLSI/AAAAAAAAJbA/QW7xdpqIECU/s1600/1407876478555%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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</div>
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Daddy and I celebrated our </div>
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14th Anniversary!</div>
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By staying in.</div>
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It is a little easier on the wallet</div>
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just to send the kids up to the 3rd floor</div>
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to watch a movie,</div>
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and us stay in.</div>
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So we picked up a few things:</div>
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sushi </div>
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pink champagne (our honeymoon reminder)</div>
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some delish soup from a local bakery</div>
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and dessert!</div>
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Then we made some </div>
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bacon wrapped cream cheese stuffed jalapenos.</div>
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Nothing fancy here!</div>
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Just things we like!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZS7Y5FbRS0/VSXUePjgraI/AAAAAAAAJbU/ODU5k7ec9tU/s1600/IMG_20140815_204646913_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZS7Y5FbRS0/VSXUePjgraI/AAAAAAAAJbU/ODU5k7ec9tU/s1600/IMG_20140815_204646913_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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A few days later,</div>
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we participated in Daddy's department</div>
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"Family Day".</div>
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And when you are director</div>
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and in charge</div>
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and things need fixing...</div>
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you climb up the blown up waterslide...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNByM-9UTEU/VSXUe-AnMoI/AAAAAAAAJbk/20Yht5kdUgk/s1600/IMG_20140816_104600010%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNByM-9UTEU/VSXUe-AnMoI/AAAAAAAAJbk/20Yht5kdUgk/s1600/IMG_20140816_104600010%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Then hoist your 10yo...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_i8DRnGz6w/VSXUfIJKJ3I/AAAAAAAAJbs/7fh6APKVpA4/s1600/IMG_20140816_105124295%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_i8DRnGz6w/VSXUfIJKJ3I/AAAAAAAAJbs/7fh6APKVpA4/s1600/IMG_20140816_105124295%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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to fix it.</div>
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Then when you are done with that...</div>
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you get dressed in your bright orange "work" shirt,</div>
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bright orange bathing suit</div>
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and awful orange and red tie....</div>
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and you hop into the</div>
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Dunking Booth</div>
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for your turn.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lmbSviNRXE/VSXUfHcynlI/AAAAAAAAJbw/G_tmJ9sQMZI/s1600/IMG_20140816_121735429%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lmbSviNRXE/VSXUfHcynlI/AAAAAAAAJbw/G_tmJ9sQMZI/s1600/IMG_20140816_121735429%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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And yes,</div>
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that water is so discolored you cannot see his legs here!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VNEKrBWJzVU/VSXUfpf0aVI/AAAAAAAAJb4/YSLQW3OU5f8/s1600/IMG_20140816_121826261%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VNEKrBWJzVU/VSXUfpf0aVI/AAAAAAAAJb4/YSLQW3OU5f8/s1600/IMG_20140816_121826261%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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The Family Day was a success,</div>
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and they had a pork BBQ cook off.</div>
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That is one of my favorites,</div>
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so I </div>
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HAPPILY </div>
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volunteered to be a judge!</div>
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I took it very seriously!</div>
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And enjoyed every minute!</div>
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While we were enjoying our day,</div>
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I was nervously waiting for the arrival of our new tenants</div>
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for our rental house an hour away.</div>
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They were driving in from Arizona!</div>
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They were due to arrive that day.</div>
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I finally got in touch with them.</div>
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They said they had arrived safe and sound.</div>
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Phew!</div>
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However,</div>
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there was a problem at the house that we needed to address.</div>
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(The old tenants had just moved out a few weeks before,</div>
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so I couldn't image what had happened!)</div>
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Come to find out the old basketball goal</div>
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that was beside the driveway had rusted through</div>
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and fallen over!!!</div>
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We are SOOOO</div>
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thankful that it happened while the house was unoccupied</div>
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and that there were no cars,</div>
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nor people</div>
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in the driveway when it DID happen!</div>
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So we gathered what tools we could from home</div>
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and hit the road.</div>
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We went to assess the situation.</div>
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Then off we went to Home Depot.</div>
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We had to get something to cover this sweet little </div>
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project car that they had pulled with them.</div>
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And a sledge hammer.</div>
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Daddy was quite excited about that.</div>
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My main concern was making sure that we removed</div>
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as much as we could so that there was nothing left to damage anything</div>
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or hurt anyone.</div>
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The people who installed it had made sure it wasn't going anywhere.</div>
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The concrete foot they made was atleast 2' in wide</div>
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and he quit digging when he got about 2' down</div>
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and there was STILL a ton of concrete!</div>
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So he decided to start pounding away at it,</div>
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trying to break it up into pieces,</div>
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because we couldn't lift it out. </div>
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And pounding</div>
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and pounding</div>
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and pounding...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65x2yTnc3yE/VSXUgPviEjI/AAAAAAAAJcE/d1vqQpdocvM/s1600/IMG_20140817_160107310%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65x2yTnc3yE/VSXUgPviEjI/AAAAAAAAJcE/d1vqQpdocvM/s1600/IMG_20140817_160107310%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a LONG time of that...</div>
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he finally had enough.</div>
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He decided just to cut it off.</div>
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We burned up atleast 2 blades</div>
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on the SawZaw.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK0CltjOCxA/VSXUgYzZKfI/AAAAAAAAJcU/ULAA-rwYsTY/s1600/IMG_20140817_162810919%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK0CltjOCxA/VSXUgYzZKfI/AAAAAAAAJcU/ULAA-rwYsTY/s1600/IMG_20140817_162810919%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We couldn't figure out why or what in the world was going on.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSjNKwVCGN4/VSXUg7pqRuI/AAAAAAAAJcc/c5JNuzo6CzU/s1600/IMG_20140817_164038286%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSjNKwVCGN4/VSXUg7pqRuI/AAAAAAAAJcc/c5JNuzo6CzU/s1600/IMG_20140817_164038286%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We finally got through enough so that we could </div>
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bend it the rest of the way over</div>
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and discovered that the pipe</div>
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was full of concrete too!!!</div>
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That entire piece you see laying down...</div>
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FULL OF CONCRETE!</div>
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After a few bags of rocks and top soil,</div>
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we managed to cover what was left.</div>
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That was WAY more than we had bargained for.</div>
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While we were there,</div>
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I did some cleaning up on the inside too.</div>
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Then the highlight of our August</div>
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was the beginning of</div>
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Wolfpack Football Season!!!</div>
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We always go to as many games as we can.</div>
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And as the kids have gotten older</div>
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those games we CAN make,</div>
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have gotten fewer.</div>
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But we always have a blast when we go!</div>
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This is one of my favorite pictures of </div>
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ALL.TIME!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NS61UF3b7MQ/VSXUhOJIzaI/AAAAAAAAJcg/PrIxmsSVK-E/s1600/IMG_20140830_124747%2B(599x599).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NS61UF3b7MQ/VSXUhOJIzaI/AAAAAAAAJcg/PrIxmsSVK-E/s1600/IMG_20140830_124747%2B(599x599).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The big boys decided to paint their faces.</div>
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Rico had sweat so much that his washed off.</div>
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Jackson's was all smeared from sweat.</div>
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It was quite interesting.</div>
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But they loved it!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7lDZrWcwrM/VSXUd23_7MI/AAAAAAAAJbY/2Ge2c2gge4A/s1600/1409416146051%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7lDZrWcwrM/VSXUd23_7MI/AAAAAAAAJbY/2Ge2c2gge4A/s1600/1409416146051%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UtvtOtdmyU/VSXUiDYjivI/AAAAAAAAJc4/LhyFXzMDPc0/s1600/IMG_20140830_150307214%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UtvtOtdmyU/VSXUiDYjivI/AAAAAAAAJc4/LhyFXzMDPc0/s1600/IMG_20140830_150307214%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And our obligatory family picture</div>
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at the Wolfpack stadium!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oR2HQ0Zces/VSbrwZn6xxI/AAAAAAAAJd4/NdkptTdnelE/s1600/IMG_20140830_155429550%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oR2HQ0Zces/VSbrwZn6xxI/AAAAAAAAJd4/NdkptTdnelE/s1600/IMG_20140830_155429550%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-58988241754277663932015-04-19T18:21:00.000-07:002015-04-19T18:21:00.814-07:00A Little More August: The Busted Lip...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our youngest,</div>
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sweet boy child</div>
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is</div>
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by far</div>
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our </div>
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wildest.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He has no fear.</div>
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No worries.</div>
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Pushes limits.</div>
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Pushes boundaries.</div>
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And scares me to death...</div>
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frequently.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am honestly SHOCKED</div>
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that he has not had an ER visit</div>
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yet in his short little life.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That all changed in August 2014.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It was a Thursday evening...</div>
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I was being creative with dinner.</div>
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Cooking a very interesting meal:</div>
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<br /></div>
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Roasted Cabbage Steaks </div>
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topped with a </div>
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Sauteed Ground Pork & Apple Patty</div>
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topped with an</div>
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over easy egg.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh I was so excited!</div>
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SO EXCITED!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I was about half way through cooking.</div>
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The rest of the family was in the living room watching TV.</div>
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I poked my head in to see what everyone was doing,</div>
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just in time to see Tony Cruz,</div>
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who was popping a balloon up in the air</div>
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(not watching where he was going),</div>
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pop it up and then trip over </div>
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his own feet and land face first onto the edge</div>
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of our "leather" covered blanket keeper/footstool.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He screamed and rolled face down on the carpet.</div>
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I walked calmly over to assess the situation,</div>
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rolled him over and saw blood...</div>
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on him and the carpet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I grabbed him and handed him off</div>
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to daddy to take him and clean him up</div>
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while I attempted to get the blood out of the carpet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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While I was cleaning the carpet,</div>
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my husband calls from the bathroom</div>
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"Babe, I think this one is going to need stitches"</div>
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<br /></div>
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I walked in and saw this:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7Y0FVFh_M/VScgWCN6M7I/AAAAAAAAJf0/pA5VjEbfhDs/s1600/IMG_20140821_185748501%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7Y0FVFh_M/VScgWCN6M7I/AAAAAAAAJf0/pA5VjEbfhDs/s1600/IMG_20140821_185748501%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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(I took this picture later to show to my family and nurses sisters)</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am not one to panic,</div>
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I under react, if anything.</div>
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When I saw that lip, </div>
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I said,</div>
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yep - probably needs stitches.</div>
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It is almost 7pm.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I avoid the Hospital ER at all costs.</div>
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ALL COSTS!</div>
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I have only been once,</div>
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when <a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-have-we-been-doing.html" target="_blank">Jackson broke his arm</a> a few years ago.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So I gave daddy instructions on finishing dinner,</div>
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loaded my baby boy in the car,</div>
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pulled out of the driveway,</div>
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then sat at the end of the street...</div>
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I had NO IDEA where to take him at that time of day!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Luckily a lady was on an evening walk,</div>
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I was preventing her from walking because she didn't know where I</div>
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was going.</div>
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I rolled down the window,</div>
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apologized,</div>
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then told her what was going on and that I had no idea where to go!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thankfully she told me about an Urgent Care that was still open!</div>
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So off we went.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This kid was amazing!!!!</div>
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He is so tough,</div>
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so resilient!</div>
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<br /></div>
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He had a smile on his face</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JIrI5mboec/VScgWKdFUvI/AAAAAAAAJfw/9Rnal23Gt24/s1600/IMG_20140821_192545659%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JIrI5mboec/VScgWKdFUvI/AAAAAAAAJfw/9Rnal23Gt24/s1600/IMG_20140821_192545659%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and was goofing around with me!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vh_zaxQ1bwk/VScgWiLhqnI/AAAAAAAAJf8/OoX6cUcwDj8/s1600/IMG_20140821_192557791%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vh_zaxQ1bwk/VScgWiLhqnI/AAAAAAAAJf8/OoX6cUcwDj8/s1600/IMG_20140821_192557791%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The doctor and nurse came in.</div>
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They wrapped him up in a sheet,</div>
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like a straight jacket almost.</div>
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(That kinda freaked him out a bit)</div>
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Then numbed his lip.</div>
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That was the worst part.</div>
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Otherwise,</div>
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we talked about Octonauts and anything I could think of</div>
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to keep his mind off of what was going on.</div>
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(Getting him to talk was not the smartest idea while</div>
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he was getting stitches in his lip,</div>
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but darnit - it worked and my kid was calm!</div>
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And that is what mattered!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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He got 3 stitches...</div>
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like a CHAMP!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And afterwards,</div>
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we had to check them out in the mirror.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He thought it was pretty cool.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAoS0V2aEuA/VScgXL3hguI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/dy8pITtdkHs/s1600/IMG_20140821_195540605%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAoS0V2aEuA/VScgXL3hguI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/dy8pITtdkHs/s1600/IMG_20140821_195540605%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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He got lots of attention from his siblings</div>
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and daddy when we got home.</div>
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And got to spend a bit of time on the couch</div>
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with an ice pack the rest of the weekend.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTRBszqiGaw/VScgXTuLyBI/AAAAAAAAJgU/TAfs-ZGEH_c/s1600/IMG_20140822_113602612_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTRBszqiGaw/VScgXTuLyBI/AAAAAAAAJgU/TAfs-ZGEH_c/s1600/IMG_20140822_113602612_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I was shocked at how swollen it was the day</div>
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AFTER!</div>
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<br /></div>
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My poor baby.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETirCnfqUXM/VScgWD9o3vI/AAAAAAAAJf4/Uv2v18mwAQw/s1600/1408716518864%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETirCnfqUXM/VScgWD9o3vI/AAAAAAAAJf4/Uv2v18mwAQw/s1600/1408716518864%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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But it didn't slow him down...</div>
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not one bit.</div>
<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-45131856999370922632015-04-16T17:47:00.000-07:002015-04-16T17:47:00.379-07:00One More August Post: A New Era<div style="text-align: center;">
In July 2014,</div>
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this family entered into a new era.</div>
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And I acquired a new title:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FOOTBALL MOM!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aside from being terrified that my boys are going to get</div>
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REALLY hurt,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I find myself filled with an immense amount of<br />
pride and excitement!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We started off practices in late July.<br />
Then went away on vacation for a week<br />
(see the previous posts about our<br />
Big Camping Trip!)<br />
<br />
So practices really got started hard and heavy<br />
in August.<br />
<br />
We had a hard time deciding where to play,<br />
in the beginning.<br />
<br />
Friends had told us about a team across town,<br />
a 20 minute drive.<br />
And later on,<br />
we heard about 2 other teams literally 5-10 minutes down the road.<br />
<br />
We attempted to contact and get info on 2 of the 3 teams.<br />
We immediately heard from the farthest team away.<br />
They had sign ups scheduled.<br />
And seemed to be on the ball.<br />
<br />
We decided we would go visit both programs<br />
and see which one we liked best.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the first practice for the farthest team.<br />
The coordinator gathered people around<br />
and<br />
then jumped up in the back of his pick up truck<br />
so everyone could see and hear him.<br />
<br />
He was matter of fact.<br />
We are here to play football.<br />
We are here to win.<br />
Your child will get their tails worn out.<br />
We aren't here to baby them.<br />
We will put the best kids on the field first.<br />
We are here to PLAY AND WIN!<br />
<br />
The hubs and I were standing in different parts of the crowd<br />
during this.<br />
He caught my eye and mouthed and motioned<br />
"We are staying here!"<br />
<br />
So that was that!<br />
<br />
Thankfully!!!<br />
THANKFULLY!!<br />
All the age groups for our team had practice on the same days!<br />
THANKFULLY!!!<br />
<br />
Daddy chose not to coach for the boys first year.<br />
He wanted to be dad.<br />
He coaches a LOT of their sports,<br />
most of them.<br />
And football is his passion.<br />
But!<br />
The boys were on two different teams<br />
and he couldn't possibly do both,<br />
nor choose...<br />
so he was dad<br />
and<br />
coached at home.<br />
<br />
The first few practices were in<br />
regular athletic clothes.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2WVjpj1S-M/VScI3tkoo2I/AAAAAAAAJeM/-9qNYlLp4tE/s1600/IMG_20140728_181650421_HDR%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2WVjpj1S-M/VScI3tkoo2I/AAAAAAAAJeM/-9qNYlLp4tE/s1600/IMG_20140728_181650421_HDR%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iu3EWzGVwFE/VScI3nD1aAI/AAAAAAAAJeI/PctRmEwDcdA/s1600/IMG_20140728_190449419_HDR%2B(1024x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iu3EWzGVwFE/VScI3nD1aAI/AAAAAAAAJeI/PctRmEwDcdA/s1600/IMG_20140728_190449419_HDR%2B(1024x1024).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And because I, too, love football...</div>
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and did before I met my husband.</div>
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I was going to </div>
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EVERY.SINGLE.PRACTICE!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Which means my two little shadows came along too...</div>
And they found different ways to entertain themselves...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoWBzorx8bk/VScI31Pn1dI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/wLt1vBpOKqY/s1600/IMG_20140729_183727131%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoWBzorx8bk/VScI31Pn1dI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/wLt1vBpOKqY/s1600/IMG_20140729_183727131%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7ETpGbXUcI/VScI5HtgujI/AAAAAAAAJes/-AXt-z48pjY/s1600/IMG_20140731_121700%2B(1024x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7ETpGbXUcI/VScI5HtgujI/AAAAAAAAJes/-AXt-z48pjY/s1600/IMG_20140731_121700%2B(1024x1024).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I eventually brought a blanket so they wouldn't "have" to </div>
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sit on the grass.</div>
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Quite a few times</div>
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Mr. T took advantage of the opportunity and</div>
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took a quick nap in the sun!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRlDSMG4E_g/VScI6djdJdI/AAAAAAAAJfE/uncirBXRGwE/s1600/IMG_20140814_181942013_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRlDSMG4E_g/VScI6djdJdI/AAAAAAAAJfE/uncirBXRGwE/s1600/IMG_20140814_181942013_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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I stated the daddy was going to coach both boys at home.</div>
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One of the things he did was set up a tire for Rico to throw at.</div>
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Rico was trying out for quarterback.</div>
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And was actually selected as one of the 2 qbs!</div>
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And Rico is determined and driven.</div>
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He always wants to improve his skills</div>
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and</div>
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be the best!</div>
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(gets that from his daddy)</div>
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Batboy,</div>
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uh, </div>
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Jackson,</div>
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was helping set up the tire stand.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_X1N2E4x1W8/VScI4V9H51I/AAAAAAAAJec/DMJJp_daoGs/s1600/IMG_20140730_174724843%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_X1N2E4x1W8/VScI4V9H51I/AAAAAAAAJec/DMJJp_daoGs/s1600/IMG_20140730_174724843%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Then thought it would be funny to give his brother </div>
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something to aim at,</div>
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until he realized how good Rico was</div>
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and </div>
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had to duck!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXJN7XPRkdU/VScI41-dSbI/AAAAAAAAJek/8PUD2DpdKTs/s1600/IMG_20140730_180652373%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXJN7XPRkdU/VScI41-dSbI/AAAAAAAAJek/8PUD2DpdKTs/s1600/IMG_20140730_180652373%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we went away on vacation<br />
(see previous posts about the<br />
Big Camping Trip)<br />
and<br />
the boys got their equipment!!<br />
<br />
EEEKKK!!<br />
<br />
These pads were a little too big for<br />
Rico,<br />
they had to order a smaller set for him.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WPGMJO7Zpw/VScI5iySqVI/AAAAAAAAJe4/VayYoxHDR34/s1600/IMG_20140811_185247842%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WPGMJO7Zpw/VScI5iySqVI/AAAAAAAAJe4/VayYoxHDR34/s1600/IMG_20140811_185247842%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Jackson just looks plain </div>
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awesome in his gear!</div>
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He is a beast!</div>
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Our gentle giant.</div>
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And totally looked the part all geared up!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRkmKAAs8XQ/VScchfSHsLI/AAAAAAAAJfk/HFKMAScAhRo/s1600/IMG_20140811_175900687%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRkmKAAs8XQ/VScchfSHsLI/AAAAAAAAJfk/HFKMAScAhRo/s1600/IMG_20140811_175900687%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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(I think I caught him mid-blink here,)</div>
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Mr. T had to get in on the act too!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjB-V0h_rDA/VScI55sKePI/AAAAAAAAJfA/Twm9ALnaYkc/s1600/IMG_20140812_202516009_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjB-V0h_rDA/VScI55sKePI/AAAAAAAAJfA/Twm9ALnaYkc/s1600/IMG_20140812_202516009_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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(dern he is cute!)</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-17690958689108117142015-04-14T17:53:00.000-07:002015-04-14T17:53:00.194-07:00August 2014 Big Camping Trip: The Rest of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last few days were not nearly as exciting as the first few.</div>
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We stayed busy,</div>
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but doing many of the same things.</div>
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Pool,</div>
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playing games,</div>
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eating...</div>
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(cooking and cleaning take a lot more time when camping).</div>
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S'mores...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkOVQ7AlmSs/VSXGM1Gt9eI/AAAAAAAAJZY/sjFYg7ihk5o/s1600/10454110_10152676562913092_8267143876363471627_o%2B(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkOVQ7AlmSs/VSXGM1Gt9eI/AAAAAAAAJZY/sjFYg7ihk5o/s1600/10454110_10152676562913092_8267143876363471627_o%2B(1024x768).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lex made such a good little friend, </div>
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that we let her spend the night one night with them.</div>
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And her little friend </div>
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came and took a nap with Lex.</div>
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They were awfully quiet and I found them snuggled up</div>
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and passed out.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccw5NSWaF1k/VSXGM8S7d-I/AAAAAAAAJZQ/3w0_Efu2ApQ/s1600/IMG_20140808_155114168%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccw5NSWaF1k/VSXGM8S7d-I/AAAAAAAAJZQ/3w0_Efu2ApQ/s1600/IMG_20140808_155114168%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ms. Priss was super excited to see Cindy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGZLw7j2s-Q/VSXGNnKwDpI/AAAAAAAAJZg/uJpgpcjpBgc/s1600/IMG_20140809_133506565%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGZLw7j2s-Q/VSXGNnKwDpI/AAAAAAAAJZg/uJpgpcjpBgc/s1600/IMG_20140809_133506565%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3A6dL7Tt3c/VSXGNz5msGI/AAAAAAAAJZw/wtgyTyu5qKE/s1600/IMG_20140809_133649272%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3A6dL7Tt3c/VSXGNz5msGI/AAAAAAAAJZw/wtgyTyu5qKE/s1600/IMG_20140809_133649272%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_V-VoHhNL8/VSXGOC3zFjI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/F59CRFGQDS0/s1600/IMG_20140809_133654560%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_V-VoHhNL8/VSXGOC3zFjI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/F59CRFGQDS0/s1600/IMG_20140809_133654560%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a>\</div>
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Lex convinced mom to step in for a quick all girls picture.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XB1qRWFrY90/VSXGO_IzmiI/AAAAAAAAJaI/4ImFEyv3CMU/s1600/IMG_20140809_134654302%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XB1qRWFrY90/VSXGO_IzmiI/AAAAAAAAJaI/4ImFEyv3CMU/s1600/IMG_20140809_134654302%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Daddy took a Cindy Bear selfie.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuSbv_4AXx4/VSXGN8LJlnI/AAAAAAAAJZs/hvJ-4xZsZo4/s1600/IMG_20140809_133530460%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuSbv_4AXx4/VSXGN8LJlnI/AAAAAAAAJZs/hvJ-4xZsZo4/s1600/IMG_20140809_133530460%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Lunch on the "patio". </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3blhQT3WRlE/VSXGP5VU6AI/AAAAAAAAJaY/6gq8UFkncnU/s1600/IMG_20140809_173024818%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3blhQT3WRlE/VSXGP5VU6AI/AAAAAAAAJaY/6gq8UFkncnU/s1600/IMG_20140809_173024818%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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On Saturday they did another boat race.</div>
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This time,</div>
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I let daddy and the boys do it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-29s1xIVmhrc/VSXGM2y7dBI/AAAAAAAAJZU/h6A1l-NNYpM/s1600/10548326_10152676562523092_4618609291140357478_o%2B(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-29s1xIVmhrc/VSXGM2y7dBI/AAAAAAAAJZU/h6A1l-NNYpM/s1600/10548326_10152676562523092_4618609291140357478_o%2B(1024x768).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had a great time,</div>
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as we always do.</div>
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And already have our trip booked for 2015 too!</div>
<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-66570028663968024852015-04-12T17:03:00.000-07:002015-04-12T17:03:00.415-07:00August 2014 Big Camping Trip: Day 5<div style="text-align: center;">
It truly is amazing how action packed</div>
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and </div>
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eventful our trips are to this place!</div>
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We are camping for pete's sake!</div>
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How in the world could we possibly</div>
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do enough exciting stuff that it is worthy of photographing</div>
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for posterity??</div>
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We sincerely have so much fun</div>
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that I am eager to share it</div>
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and</div>
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I want to make sure the kids have these memories,</div>
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and photographs,</div>
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when they get older...</div>
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to look back on.</div>
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The boys love the canoes and kayaks so much,</div>
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they spent a tremendous amount of time on them.</div>
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They even rounded up boats that had not been tied up properly</div>
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and floated away.</div>
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This became a daily ritual for them.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ3MEmbZSwU/VSW9ZQpXSaI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/i-qOsVb4V6M/s1600/IMG_9403%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ3MEmbZSwU/VSW9ZQpXSaI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/i-qOsVb4V6M/s1600/IMG_9403%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mr. T, meanwhile,</div>
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kept his feet firmly planted on dry ground!</div>
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And watched from the shore.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzXyydv9DOA/VSW9Zapd2HI/AAAAAAAAJXU/l-rrTRCHOoA/s1600/IMG_9408%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzXyydv9DOA/VSW9Zapd2HI/AAAAAAAAJXU/l-rrTRCHOoA/s1600/IMG_9408%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the awesome things about having a lake front site,</div>
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is your brother can come and pick you up in his canoe!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv2OOM33KG0/VSW9Zsog3XI/AAAAAAAAJXY/j8WFmGpN5qI/s1600/IMG_9413%2B(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv2OOM33KG0/VSW9Zsog3XI/AAAAAAAAJXY/j8WFmGpN5qI/s1600/IMG_9413%2B(683x1024).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Lex and Tony played with one of our neighbors.</div>
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We always seem to make friends when we camp.</div>
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It is such a neat part of camping!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUqf_Rjxxfw/VSW9Z5pX4_I/AAAAAAAAJXk/4qxQnfvlDIE/s1600/IMG_9418%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUqf_Rjxxfw/VSW9Z5pX4_I/AAAAAAAAJXk/4qxQnfvlDIE/s1600/IMG_9418%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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That afternoon,</div>
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we treated ourselves to some ice cream.</div>
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And for whatever reason,</div>
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Tony decided to eat his with his hands.</div>
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A quick picture with BooBoo.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXM03jz5X3E/VSW9Yr3jySI/AAAAAAAAJXA/SoH3FK_GkBQ/s1600/IMG_20140806_143147680_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXM03jz5X3E/VSW9Yr3jySI/AAAAAAAAJXA/SoH3FK_GkBQ/s1600/IMG_20140806_143147680_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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That evening,</div>
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after dinner,</div>
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we decided to go on the nature trail around the campground.</div>
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I asked fellow campers if we needed tennis shoes</div>
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or if flip flops would be ok.</div>
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I was assured flip flops were sufficient.</div>
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So off we went...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqHKg6YMllc/VSW9aWBSFmI/AAAAAAAAJXo/58euwi6HYW8/s1600/IMG_9420%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqHKg6YMllc/VSW9aWBSFmI/AAAAAAAAJXo/58euwi6HYW8/s1600/IMG_9420%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yep, </div>
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that is straight up.</div>
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Red clay mud...</div>
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At this point we were thinking that flip flops</div>
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weren't a great idea.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dhQ7PUWQgk/VSW9aSKCVTI/AAAAAAAAJXw/DJO443nDYTo/s1600/IMG_9425%2B(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dhQ7PUWQgk/VSW9aSKCVTI/AAAAAAAAJXw/DJO443nDYTo/s1600/IMG_9425%2B(683x1024).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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The cool thing about this trail</div>
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is it is geocaching too.</div>
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They set up geocaches along the way.</div>
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In each geocache is a hole puncher.</div>
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You take along your "activity" card,</div>
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and punch each geocache as you find them.</div>
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We missed 2 somehow and had to back track to find them</div>
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because we just don't give up!</div>
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So I can only guess that they were</div>
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looking for one of the clues up there.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mS1dC8BSq80/VSW9azs-h8I/AAAAAAAAJX4/Qi7zVt1n8SU/s1600/IMG_9426%2B(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mS1dC8BSq80/VSW9azs-h8I/AAAAAAAAJX4/Qi7zVt1n8SU/s1600/IMG_9426%2B(683x1024).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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And this cutie was bringing up the rear!</div>
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We made it to the top of the hill and came across this amazing </div>
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treehouse that they had recently built.</div>
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Some of the staff were stocking the treehouse,</div>
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and getting a fire ready</div>
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for one of the events of the evening.</div>
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We didn't participate,</div>
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but really wish we would have!</div>
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My babies posing at the bottom of the treehouse.</div>
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My goofballs posing at the bottom of the treehouse.</div>
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Back on the trail,</div>
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we continued looking for our geocaches.</div>
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Each geocache had a clue to help us find the next one.</div>
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It was fun watching the big boys trying to decipher the clues.</div>
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We came across 2 snakes on our trek.</div>
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It was very neat,</div>
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but gave us all quite the start!</div>
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Unfortunately it was getting darker as we headed back,</div>
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and we kept our eyes PEELED for more snakes.</div>
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I was really concerned about someone accidentally stepping on one.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73NJ0hZUQhg/VSW9dFy7PyI/AAAAAAAAJY4/FYp1R_fbQIo/s1600/IMG_9443%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73NJ0hZUQhg/VSW9dFy7PyI/AAAAAAAAJY4/FYp1R_fbQIo/s1600/IMG_9443%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just before we got back to camp,</div>
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I had to pause and take this picture.</div>
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The peacefulness at dusk during this picture,</div>
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is not adequately captured.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9NSKdAp-lM/VSW9c1MHi-I/AAAAAAAAJYw/n9S2VTrSId4/s1600/IMG_9438%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9NSKdAp-lM/VSW9c1MHi-I/AAAAAAAAJYw/n9S2VTrSId4/s1600/IMG_9438%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-22782783768685941802015-04-10T16:31:00.000-07:002015-04-10T16:31:00.303-07:00August 2014 Big Camping Trip: Day 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 4:</div>
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Tuesday, August 5th</div>
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Started off like every other day.</div>
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Greeting our feathered friends.</div>
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They were getting brave and coming right up to the camper now!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRQvIn7oakQ/VSWzGMx298I/AAAAAAAAJUI/Rwaa_nh-aNU/s1600/IMG_9324%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRQvIn7oakQ/VSWzGMx298I/AAAAAAAAJUI/Rwaa_nh-aNU/s1600/IMG_9324%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We decided we would go see what the </div>
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"Build a Cardboard Boat"</div>
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event was all about.</div>
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So we trekked over to the Ranger Station </div>
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about mid morning</div>
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and the object was to build a boat from cardboard</div>
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that you would then paddle</div>
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from one side of the pool to the other!</div>
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So the kids and I,</div>
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no daddy,</div>
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got to work.</div>
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We had lots of ideas.</div>
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But I over ruled and we went with a basic "boat".</div>
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Nothing fancy.</div>
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Flat bottom,</div>
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curved sides,</div>
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front curved up a tiny bit.</div>
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Done.</div>
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It fit Lex.</div>
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Perfect.</div>
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We cut</div>
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and duct taped.</div>
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Then decided that it was too plain.</div>
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We took it back to our campsite and</div>
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decided to embellish it a little.</div>
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I didn't get any "in design or in build"</div>
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pictures.</div>
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The only picture I have of the entire process,</div>
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is the final.</div>
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We turned our boat into a bird!</div>
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Complete with leaves for feathers.</div>
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And as usual,</div>
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I had to take more than one picture to get all the kids in there!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIe9_Bbgsqo/VSWzG_A_RXI/AAAAAAAAJUY/WQcd9moomIA/s1600/IMG_9325%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIe9_Bbgsqo/VSWzG_A_RXI/AAAAAAAAJUY/WQcd9moomIA/s1600/IMG_9325%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rico transported it back around the pond to the pool.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YiMDwtrdygk/VSWzHW_Ey_I/AAAAAAAAJUg/SzrW9zSEhx4/s1600/IMG_9328%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YiMDwtrdygk/VSWzHW_Ey_I/AAAAAAAAJUg/SzrW9zSEhx4/s1600/IMG_9328%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, </div>
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I am feverishly texting daddy,</div>
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who is in class,</div>
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with the car...</div>
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to hurry up and come back.</div>
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I so wanted him to be there for the pool part!!</div>
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The kids and I were so proud of what we had made!</div>
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Daddy showed up just in time!!</div>
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I handed him the camera</div>
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and put him in charge of pictures!</div>
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There were a couple of different heats.</div>
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Different age groups.</div>
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First up was Alexis.</div>
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The rules were </div>
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that you could have a helper in the water incase you turned over,</div>
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but they were not to help you in any way other than that.</div>
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So, her big brothers jumped in to help.</div>
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(Any excuse to get in the pool, right?)</div>
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The oar was so big, </div>
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little Ms. had a hard time handling it!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48MzpmoyjTI/VSWzIvWtFqI/AAAAAAAAJVU/ikQODnjjvGM/s1600/IMG_9349%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48MzpmoyjTI/VSWzIvWtFqI/AAAAAAAAJVU/ikQODnjjvGM/s1600/IMG_9349%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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She eventually made it all the way across the pool.</div>
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Completely unassisted.</div>
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And back!</div>
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Technically we won that heat,</div>
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because we were the only ones who made it across unassisted.</div>
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Another boat was "pushed" along while it was being held upright,</div>
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because it would topple over if it hadn't been held up. Haha.</div>
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A third boat didn't even make it to the middle of the pool.</div>
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The kids were disappointed but got over it.</div>
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The next heat was Rico and Jackson's age.</div>
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Rico is WAY more competitive than</div>
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Jackson. </div>
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So Rico was our rower.</div>
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Jackson was the helper.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3vdJWL212k/VSWzJOnku-I/AAAAAAAAJVQ/9Js7qgoe9wI/s1600/IMG_9367%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3vdJWL212k/VSWzJOnku-I/AAAAAAAAJVQ/9Js7qgoe9wI/s1600/IMG_9367%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We won that heat without question.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nBP5y_9y_0/VSWzKCii0pI/AAAAAAAAJVk/lH8IOJZOnVE/s1600/IMG_9371%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nBP5y_9y_0/VSWzKCii0pI/AAAAAAAAJVk/lH8IOJZOnVE/s1600/IMG_9371%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then Jackson got a go.</div>
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Then for some odd reason,</div>
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my entire family felt I should ride in it too!</div>
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I resisted.</div>
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I promise!</div>
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I told them it wouldn't hold me.</div>
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I told them I would mess it up...</div>
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They didn't care.</div>
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So what the heck?</div>
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I'll be crazy and see what happens.</div>
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HA!</div>
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Here are the pictures of what happened...</div>
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that I am willing to post online!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrNxOJAcAPk/VSWzK-bELmI/AAAAAAAAJWI/nRAqSWVqk7k/s1600/IMG_9386%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrNxOJAcAPk/VSWzK-bELmI/AAAAAAAAJWI/nRAqSWVqk7k/s1600/IMG_9386%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Attempt #2</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1joO2TLvus/VSWzLx-ayXI/AAAAAAAAJWM/VnLWJUL1wSg/s1600/IMG_9396%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1joO2TLvus/VSWzLx-ayXI/AAAAAAAAJWM/VnLWJUL1wSg/s1600/IMG_9396%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And as my tail was hitting the bottom of the pool,</div>
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the still insisted that I attempt to row my way across.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcs-jyqLRXk/VSWzMSsItyI/AAAAAAAAJWc/rHSmQIS4zLM/s1600/IMG_9400%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcs-jyqLRXk/VSWzMSsItyI/AAAAAAAAJWc/rHSmQIS4zLM/s1600/IMG_9400%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Needless to say,</div>
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our awesome little boat,</div>
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did not survive to be displayed with the other winners the next night at the dance.</div>
<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-77396114213059499642015-04-08T15:27:00.002-07:002015-04-08T15:27:18.859-07:00August 2014 Big Camping Trip: Day 2 & 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whoa! It has been a long time since I started </div>
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retelling our August 2014 camping adventure.</div>
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If you need a refresher as to what the drive and Day 1</div>
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looked like,</div>
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Click Here:</div>
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<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2015/02/augusts-big-camping-trip-day-1.html" target="_blank">August 2014 Camping Trip (Day 1)</a></div>
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While sorting the pictures from the rest of our trip,</div>
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I came across these two gems!</div>
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This first one makes me fall in love a little more with him.</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIqhX9qo5B57AUkaeHVX_6fbL6UmfMMYGZZgRM9vHCvFL7kJWYgtd7Ru0fyM6rDJwYAJZ38Evn2ppHZqFTwQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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This second one...</div>
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he totally gets his love of dancing from me!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_Mz7N20CgaLCsUOifIsQmg9Yn8sjCwFnINFzZRFuTnIaTNj95_K1AYnMNPX04ttE_fhWCDudLxdr1Nc-AZg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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After all that excitement we needed to relax!</div>
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We spent Sunday relaxing!</div>
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Sunday is the day of the </div>
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"big turnover"</div>
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typically.</div>
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Lots of people leaving,</div>
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lots of people coming. </div>
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So Yogi goes around saying "Good-Bye" to all of the campers.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQxzBax6xfk/VSWDFvoRWWI/AAAAAAAAJRs/p1mKwrqiHJM/s1600/IMG_9287%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQxzBax6xfk/VSWDFvoRWWI/AAAAAAAAJRs/p1mKwrqiHJM/s1600/IMG_9287%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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After waving at Yogi,</div>
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we noshed on a few of one of mommy's favorite snacks,</div>
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compliments of Papa,</div>
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boiled peanuts!</div>
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Getting a decent picture of the kids was easier said than done..</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EP2-EbE5Hv8/VSWDF7IUCJI/AAAAAAAAJRw/svsN6WytBTg/s1600/IMG_9291%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EP2-EbE5Hv8/VSWDF7IUCJI/AAAAAAAAJRw/svsN6WytBTg/s1600/IMG_9291%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Ok, Tony, I'm done."</div>
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What'd I do mom?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjUm2YFMnrY/VSWQt20b7QI/AAAAAAAAJSw/Uovz1pQNFDE/s1600/IMG_20140803_192830103%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjUm2YFMnrY/VSWQt20b7QI/AAAAAAAAJSw/Uovz1pQNFDE/s1600/IMG_20140803_192830103%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We lit a fire,</div>
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because it is a must when camping...</div>
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and roasted a couple of marshmallows.</div>
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Tony didn't want to get too close.</div>
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(Good boy)</div>
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But at that distance, it was going to take forever</div>
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for his marshmallows to toast!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etrkkufqliQ/VSWDHOMrLfI/AAAAAAAAJSM/GAF10jFtEIc/s1600/IMG_9298%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etrkkufqliQ/VSWDHOMrLfI/AAAAAAAAJSM/GAF10jFtEIc/s1600/IMG_9298%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And this girl...</div>
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I love this picture!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16oTttQpJmY/VSWDHjMgWCI/AAAAAAAAJSg/NJlhhsZhyr8/s1600/IMG_9299%2B(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16oTttQpJmY/VSWDHjMgWCI/AAAAAAAAJSg/NJlhhsZhyr8/s1600/IMG_9299%2B(683x1024).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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The kids sweet talked their dad into going down the waterslide.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgjQWH1IRY4/VSWDFBF5cgI/AAAAAAAAJRY/G7A7gwVYDx4/s1600/IMG_20140803_113941059%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgjQWH1IRY4/VSWDFBF5cgI/AAAAAAAAJRY/G7A7gwVYDx4/s1600/IMG_20140803_113941059%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkbZlwOJydA/VSWDFAem1pI/AAAAAAAAJRc/f0dxrLRt0HA/s1600/IMG_20140803_113945904%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkbZlwOJydA/VSWDFAem1pI/AAAAAAAAJRc/f0dxrLRt0HA/s1600/IMG_20140803_113945904%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwlDc3otN-s/VSWDFJ7QEQI/AAAAAAAAJRo/AuHFj6s49sA/s1600/IMG_20140803_114029670_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwlDc3otN-s/VSWDFJ7QEQI/AAAAAAAAJRo/AuHFj6s49sA/s1600/IMG_20140803_114029670_HDR%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Day 3, </div>
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Monday,</div>
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Daddy had to attend class.</div>
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So we were on our own.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Daddy took the car </div>
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and left us at the campgrounds.</div>
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Last year we tried it both ways, </div>
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but it was really pointless</div>
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for us to take him.</div>
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We never left the campground!</div>
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We started off the morning greeting our little feathered friends.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSDhrwxPWHw/VSWQ2Hhi8XI/AAAAAAAAJTM/O9NpW3FjiHk/s1600/IMG_9301%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSDhrwxPWHw/VSWQ2Hhi8XI/AAAAAAAAJTM/O9NpW3FjiHk/s1600/IMG_9301%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fBZyFtYssqY/VSWQ2n97c7I/AAAAAAAAJTU/vBFrvjB5hiU/s1600/IMG_9303%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fBZyFtYssqY/VSWQ2n97c7I/AAAAAAAAJTU/vBFrvjB5hiU/s1600/IMG_9303%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And all the BABIES!!!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIl7hSV0n7Y/VSWQ25UZZHI/AAAAAAAAJTc/hNe0zRcFh9M/s1600/IMG_9305%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIl7hSV0n7Y/VSWQ25UZZHI/AAAAAAAAJTc/hNe0zRcFh9M/s1600/IMG_9305%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We ventured over to the Ranger Station to help</div>
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BooBoo get going that morning.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt-2BpC1BNw/VSWQ1Br6III/AAAAAAAAJS8/b1KBWTt73YA/s1600/IMG_20140804_102211140%2B(1024x576).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt-2BpC1BNw/VSWQ1Br6III/AAAAAAAAJS8/b1KBWTt73YA/s1600/IMG_20140804_102211140%2B(1024x576).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had a little bit of a shower that day</div>
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(this picture totally makes me think</div>
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of Dirty Dancing - don't ask me why!)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHavcXbqYcc/VSWQ24nmu6I/AAAAAAAAJTg/zJzA-E8Xw_4/s1600/IMG_9306%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHavcXbqYcc/VSWQ24nmu6I/AAAAAAAAJTg/zJzA-E8Xw_4/s1600/IMG_9306%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And took a few sunkissed selfies!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr4Or9S8ILo/VSWQ1cMFCUI/AAAAAAAAJS4/fzEjuSX-g-A/s1600/1407173704334%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr4Or9S8ILo/VSWQ1cMFCUI/AAAAAAAAJS4/fzEjuSX-g-A/s1600/1407173704334%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsPvmgdWv8E/VSWQ1LOfI3I/AAAAAAAAJTA/m5XMtXhgEIY/s1600/1407173731842%2B(576x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsPvmgdWv8E/VSWQ1LOfI3I/AAAAAAAAJTA/m5XMtXhgEIY/s1600/1407173731842%2B(576x1024).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Then came the event my kids had been waiting for.</div>
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The Water Wars Hey Ride!</div>
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The entire campground was dotted with people</div>
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waiting..</div>
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just waiting...</div>
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to soak the individuals in the trailer!</div>
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The campground staff would follow us </div>
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throwing water balloons,</div>
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race ahead and post themselves at an unmanned water hose</div>
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and hose us down as we drove past,</div>
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Mama Bear (owner of the campground),</div>
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was one of the biggest "soakers".</div>
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Campers and staff all got in on the fun,</div>
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with the sole purpose of </div>
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getting those on the hey ride as wet</div>
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as possible.</div>
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Daddy chose to sit this one out,</div>
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so the kids and I jumped on.</div>
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My crew did not come prepared</div>
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and</div>
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we did not have weapons to defend ourselves with.</div>
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So my poor boys were begging people for their guns!</div>
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It didn't work out for them though.</div>
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Haha. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqsctJP6y9M/VSWQ3COq7mI/AAAAAAAAJT0/iqwjAiA6ka0/s1600/IMG_9312%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqsctJP6y9M/VSWQ3COq7mI/AAAAAAAAJT0/iqwjAiA6ka0/s1600/IMG_9312%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nc-j8yCKP1s/VSWQ3csaUXI/AAAAAAAAJTs/crCJ3Rr8IvA/s1600/IMG_9320%2B(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nc-j8yCKP1s/VSWQ3csaUXI/AAAAAAAAJTs/crCJ3Rr8IvA/s1600/IMG_9320%2B(1024x683).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were thankful for a few laid back days.</div>
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<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-62772015325198133992015-02-20T12:35:00.000-08:002015-02-18T17:41:40.970-08:00August's Big Camping Trip: Day 1<div style="text-align: center;">
By now, </div>
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most know that we purchased a camper in August 2013</div>
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kinda on a whim.</div>
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<br /></div>
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To recall that whole thing</div>
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you can go back</div>
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read all about it</div>
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here:</div>
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<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-12-days-of-camping-part-1.html" target="_blank">The Twelve Days of Camping (Part 1)</a></div>
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here:</div>
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<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-12-days-of-campingpart-2.html" target="_blank">The Twelve Days of Camping (Part 2)</a></div>
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here:</div>
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<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-12-days-of-camping-part-3.html" target="_blank">The Twelve Days of Camping (Part 3)</a></div>
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here:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-12-days-of-campingpart-4.html" target="_blank">The Twelve Days of Camping (Part 4)</a></div>
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and here:</div>
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<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-12-days-of-camping-apple-picking.html" target="_blank">The Twelve Days of Camping: Apple Picking</a></div>
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We had a blast.</div>
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I am so thankful I have started documenting our adventures.</div>
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This year</div>
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we had the privilege of tagging along with daddy</div>
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back to the Marion/Morganton area for another class.</div>
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And, of course, we had to stay at</div>
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<a href="http://jellystonemarion.com/" target="_blank">Jellystone Marion</a></div>
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again!</div>
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We left on a Friday, </div>
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after daddy got off of work.</div>
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I wasn't quite ready,</div>
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mainly because this is what we were packing in!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKKjnsi5iG8/VOS5pR85WKI/AAAAAAAAJJg/04m6F8GXakE/s1600/IMG_20140801_125158332_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKKjnsi5iG8/VOS5pR85WKI/AAAAAAAAJJg/04m6F8GXakE/s1600/IMG_20140801_125158332_HDR.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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So I stalled a bit,</div>
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and we left a little later than we had truly wanted.</div>
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It is a 4 hour drive from here to begin with,</div>
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and since we left later than we wanted...</div>
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on a Friday...</div>
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in the rain...</div>
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a HARD rain</div>
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and our travels took us right through the</div>
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Raleigh/Durham/RTP area...</div>
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in the rain</div>
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at rush hour.</div>
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Yeah,</div>
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daddy wasn't happy.</div>
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My phone tells us where wrecks are on our trip,</div>
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and I-40 West was a parking lot!</div>
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We opted NOT to sit through it</div>
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and take a detour.</div>
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It took us through the RTP backroads...</div>
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in the pour rain.</div>
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We hit a patch of water on a small 2 lane road</div>
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and </div>
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the tires on suburban AND camper lost contact with the road</div>
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and </div>
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we were hydroplaning...</div>
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my heart stopped.</div>
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I am certain my husband's did as well.</div>
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The kids were watching a movie so they were oblivious,</div>
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thankfully!</div>
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<br /></div>
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It only lasted a second or so, </div>
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but it was enough to just about put us over the edge.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We finally got back on the highway and</div>
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it was relatively smooth, yet wet, sailing from there,</div>
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if I recall.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We started to notice that the sun was quickly going down</div>
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while we still had a bit left in our trip.</div>
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We called and let Jellystone know we were on the way,</div>
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but weren't going to make it by nightfall.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We finally arrived,</div>
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we had chosen a beautiful lake front spot.</div>
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It was pitch dark...</div>
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there were trees everywhere,</div>
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a lightpole,</div>
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and a tight squeeze</div>
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stood between us</div>
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and the end of this nerve wracking trip!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Did I mention it was dark?</div>
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I have become the backer upper person,</div>
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because I seriously think I have a depth perception issue.</div>
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And I can take directions better than I can give them when it comes to this camper.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So I hopped in the driver's seat.</div>
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And due to the darkness,</div>
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couldn't see A THING!</div>
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Couldn't see my husband trying to give me directions,</div>
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Couldn't see the trees that I needed to avoid...</div>
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I tried a few times</div>
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then daddy got in and I did the best I could to guide him.</div>
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It wasn't pretty.</div>
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And daddy's nerves (and patience) were SHOT!</div>
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This 4 hour trip had taken close to 6.</div>
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We were tired,</div>
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cranky,</div>
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hungry,</div>
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stressed...</div>
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and did I mention hungry.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I had planned on pizza on the grill.</div>
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And since we had no other options,</div>
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none that were quick</div>
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and it was after 9pm by the time we were set up...</div>
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I cooked pizza on the grill.</div>
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On a pizza stone!</div>
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It was AH-MAZING!</div>
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It had a wonderful smoky flavor to the crust.</div>
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It was (in my eyes) totally worth the wait!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntI_0DeEUJA/VOS5SrnFEAI/AAAAAAAAJHk/MHCiDAa24kE/s1600/IMG_20140801_222447104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntI_0DeEUJA/VOS5SrnFEAI/AAAAAAAAJHk/MHCiDAa24kE/s1600/IMG_20140801_222447104.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ETWAlYjWGc8/VOS5Sfb719I/AAAAAAAAJHg/X776j8Wmj-A/s1600/IMG_20140801_222453128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ETWAlYjWGc8/VOS5Sfb719I/AAAAAAAAJHg/X776j8Wmj-A/s1600/IMG_20140801_222453128.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Luckily I make up beds typically before we leave,</div>
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and all clothes are where they need to be,</div>
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so we can just fall into bed.</div>
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Which is what we did.</div>
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The next day we were so excited to start our vacation!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most of my children don't know how to sleep in.</div>
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And they follow</div>
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Anna's Rule of Life from Frozen:</div>
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"The sky is awake,</div>
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So I'm awake,</div>
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So we have to play!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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So out they went to check out the local animal friends.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW83opnVxgM/VOS5oG7WnjI/AAAAAAAAJJQ/ZRKfvdCzhM8/s1600/IMG_9117%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW83opnVxgM/VOS5oG7WnjI/AAAAAAAAJJQ/ZRKfvdCzhM8/s1600/IMG_9117%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yep,</div>
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she is still in pajamas!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0LAYd-rFxo/VOS5oh-O1fI/AAAAAAAAJJc/Qwewce5DslU/s1600/IMG_9124%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0LAYd-rFxo/VOS5oh-O1fI/AAAAAAAAJJc/Qwewce5DslU/s1600/IMG_9124%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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And this one was still asleep!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxsCgWxD7MU/VOS5wG4EwkI/AAAAAAAAJJo/3HYoGTN0AVY/s1600/IMG_9130%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxsCgWxD7MU/VOS5wG4EwkI/AAAAAAAAJJo/3HYoGTN0AVY/s1600/IMG_9130%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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This does not do our site justice,</div>
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to show you exactly what we had to deal with the night before,</div>
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but we finally made it in there </div>
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and that is what matters!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77UNt2xivoo/VOS5o2wCb5I/AAAAAAAAJJk/WXWNKXkHcqU/s1600/IMG_9128%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77UNt2xivoo/VOS5o2wCb5I/AAAAAAAAJJk/WXWNKXkHcqU/s1600/IMG_9128%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once everyone was awake</div>
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and dressed,</div>
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Daddy took the kids to the other side of the lake </div>
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in order to "Wake Up Yogi".</div>
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The kids all got some sort of noisemaker.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QYjChQZe40/VOS5wZSmeyI/AAAAAAAAJJs/o2T1IqPukIs/s1600/IMG_9132%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QYjChQZe40/VOS5wZSmeyI/AAAAAAAAJJs/o2T1IqPukIs/s1600/IMG_9132%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And they proceeded to march around the park,</div>
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with these noisemakers,</div>
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waking up the entire campground </div>
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while they were searching for whichever</div>
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bear was to be woken that particular morning.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTHRjV8NArc/VOS5wrUft5I/AAAAAAAAJJ0/WtV0K1BvrQA/s1600/IMG_9145%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTHRjV8NArc/VOS5wrUft5I/AAAAAAAAJJ0/WtV0K1BvrQA/s1600/IMG_9145%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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After the bear was awake,</div>
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they came back for breakfast</div>
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and </div>
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to get bathing suits on.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMMGs5gIglQ/VOS5S0tU0hI/AAAAAAAAJHo/FO3-54cLpB8/s1600/IMG_20140802_100801833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMMGs5gIglQ/VOS5S0tU0hI/AAAAAAAAJHo/FO3-54cLpB8/s1600/IMG_20140802_100801833.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Mr. T was trying out his casting skills on land.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lm1SGndpHA/VOS5w1QXyFI/AAAAAAAAJKA/O11fNxshh78/s1600/IMG_9147%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lm1SGndpHA/VOS5w1QXyFI/AAAAAAAAJKA/O11fNxshh78/s1600/IMG_9147%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jackson and Alexis wet their hooks in the pond.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paVLDoE-eTE/VOS5w4NyqNI/AAAAAAAAJJ8/JNL1FvngNVQ/s1600/IMG_9150%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paVLDoE-eTE/VOS5w4NyqNI/AAAAAAAAJJ8/JNL1FvngNVQ/s1600/IMG_9150%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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They lost patience quickly and found a little friend.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzo05oJSq0o/VOS5xIv2eII/AAAAAAAAJKE/MIsrNQfKU8Q/s1600/IMG_9159%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzo05oJSq0o/VOS5xIv2eII/AAAAAAAAJKE/MIsrNQfKU8Q/s1600/IMG_9159%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aME_MHSWe0c/VOS5xXtSxnI/AAAAAAAAJKI/oHJ96IaPYKk/s1600/IMG_9162%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aME_MHSWe0c/VOS5xXtSxnI/AAAAAAAAJKI/oHJ96IaPYKk/s1600/IMG_9162%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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My sweet girly girl</div>
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was not scared!</div>
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She allowed the little salamander to crawl all over her!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqJo_f7yq-s/VOS5xkLyZnI/AAAAAAAAJKg/tzF81OuFkaQ/s1600/IMG_9167%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqJo_f7yq-s/VOS5xkLyZnI/AAAAAAAAJKg/tzF81OuFkaQ/s1600/IMG_9167%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6nWHORqc4E/VOS5xrczrPI/AAAAAAAAJKY/n1ojhxd-zfo/s1600/IMG_9172%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6nWHORqc4E/VOS5xrczrPI/AAAAAAAAJKY/n1ojhxd-zfo/s1600/IMG_9172%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Daddy eventually rescued the little critter out of the mane of hair</div>
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that it was close to getting lost in.</div>
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Then Mr. T got a turn.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9sivBvPTW8/VOS5xzjyrbI/AAAAAAAAJKQ/PveysWks8X8/s1600/IMG_9177%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9sivBvPTW8/VOS5xzjyrbI/AAAAAAAAJKQ/PveysWks8X8/s1600/IMG_9177%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQHLgDBHuN4/VOS5yThsE9I/AAAAAAAAJLE/qNueUepYndY/s1600/IMG_9178%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQHLgDBHuN4/VOS5yThsE9I/AAAAAAAAJLE/qNueUepYndY/s1600/IMG_9178%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And just for fun,</div>
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we put the critter in Jackson's hair.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztgh8NHb53w/VOS5ywXKzyI/AAAAAAAAJKo/S3AlF2R7AB8/s1600/IMG_9181%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztgh8NHb53w/VOS5ywXKzyI/AAAAAAAAJKo/S3AlF2R7AB8/s1600/IMG_9181%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Later we hit the playground:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55bJrguaIHQ/VOS5zAiKEwI/AAAAAAAAJKw/O1bFQdj-JYM/s1600/IMG_9192%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55bJrguaIHQ/VOS5zAiKEwI/AAAAAAAAJKw/O1bFQdj-JYM/s1600/IMG_9192%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOqWeo3SLmE/VOS5zTfoq9I/AAAAAAAAJK4/lHNQXUx1pYc/s1600/IMG_9198%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOqWeo3SLmE/VOS5zTfoq9I/AAAAAAAAJK4/lHNQXUx1pYc/s1600/IMG_9198%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBhmOJt0Enk/VOS5zu6l8GI/AAAAAAAAJK8/aWuzHxFzJrM/s1600/IMG_9203%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBhmOJt0Enk/VOS5zu6l8GI/AAAAAAAAJK8/aWuzHxFzJrM/s1600/IMG_9203%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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They had a rock and roll theme for activities.</div>
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So we mosied on over to the games area</div>
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and participated in a few relay games.</div>
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One was rockstar sack races:</div>
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(I cannot get over the smiles on these faces!!!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIqIRb7kt9E/VOUvtM2ZmyI/AAAAAAAAJME/8erPvzn5Uy8/s1600/IMG_9205%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIqIRb7kt9E/VOUvtM2ZmyI/AAAAAAAAJME/8erPvzn5Uy8/s1600/IMG_9205%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The jumpers were to wear a head of "hair".</div>
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Lex jumped right out of hers immediately,</div>
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so daddy helped her out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBeFH6gXXkQ/VOUvtHe1iRI/AAAAAAAAJMA/xU9NQzEjCvg/s1600/IMG_9206%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBeFH6gXXkQ/VOUvtHe1iRI/AAAAAAAAJMA/xU9NQzEjCvg/s1600/IMG_9206%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlkE5XiiltM/VOUvswe7tbI/AAAAAAAAJL8/FSIKd-o75lw/s1600/IMG_9211%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlkE5XiiltM/VOUvswe7tbI/AAAAAAAAJL8/FSIKd-o75lw/s1600/IMG_9211%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Next was Mr. T's turn...</div>
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daddy helped him in,</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMnBfoHnZf0/VOUvuU6h3NI/AAAAAAAAJMc/ZVjapVDa_xo/s1600/IMG_9217%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMnBfoHnZf0/VOUvuU6h3NI/AAAAAAAAJMc/ZVjapVDa_xo/s1600/IMG_9217%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and off he went!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2MuwOXHTL1I/VOUvt1aVjlI/AAAAAAAAJMQ/NhAGgjMakDc/s1600/IMG_9219%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2MuwOXHTL1I/VOUvt1aVjlI/AAAAAAAAJMQ/NhAGgjMakDc/s1600/IMG_9219%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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He got about 1/3 of the way through the course,</div>
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stripped off the hair and bag</div>
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and BOLTED!</div>
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But by the looks of this face,</div>
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he knew exactly what he was doing!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR8ZHtbNyT4/VOUvuFj4b7I/AAAAAAAAJMY/fJjPjgHDUAU/s1600/IMG_9222%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR8ZHtbNyT4/VOUvuFj4b7I/AAAAAAAAJMY/fJjPjgHDUAU/s1600/IMG_9222%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Next up was big daddy!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6afpk1LBqqQ/VOUvvHkJCgI/AAAAAAAAJM0/znuyHMWlIX4/s1600/IMG_9223%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6afpk1LBqqQ/VOUvvHkJCgI/AAAAAAAAJM0/znuyHMWlIX4/s1600/IMG_9223%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Daddy had to hold on to his "hair" too. </div>
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Apparently sticking his tongue out helped.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXS9eCAnADA/VOUvuwsjVgI/AAAAAAAAJMw/JUgq8pbkSwU/s1600/IMG_9229%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXS9eCAnADA/VOUvuwsjVgI/AAAAAAAAJMw/JUgq8pbkSwU/s1600/IMG_9229%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Next up was Rico.</div>
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He managed pretty well.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojW2ynVm1vU/VOUvux_fZYI/AAAAAAAAJMs/OeX5k7YCu8Y/s1600/IMG_9235%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojW2ynVm1vU/VOUvux_fZYI/AAAAAAAAJMs/OeX5k7YCu8Y/s1600/IMG_9235%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then came Jackson.</div>
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He got off to a great start,</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NfYbmvSa9Q/VOUvwI60fXI/AAAAAAAAJNE/_U-O0uPTHjs/s1600/IMG_9246%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NfYbmvSa9Q/VOUvwI60fXI/AAAAAAAAJNE/_U-O0uPTHjs/s1600/IMG_9246%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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But the "hair" gave him a little trouble too</div>
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so he gave up and just held it in his hands.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjgH33OG2HQ/VOUvwKH23jI/AAAAAAAAJNI/FVyn1NE7T-s/s1600/IMG_9249%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjgH33OG2HQ/VOUvwKH23jI/AAAAAAAAJNI/FVyn1NE7T-s/s1600/IMG_9249%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Next was an air guitar contest.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First for the youngest group:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuiFzLmLQPQ/VOUvwbDhNJI/AAAAAAAAJNM/y70qn-t4Nq0/s1600/IMG_9273%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuiFzLmLQPQ/VOUvwbDhNJI/AAAAAAAAJNM/y70qn-t4Nq0/s1600/IMG_9273%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then the older kids group:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmAwfLZyIV4/VOUvwh-W9WI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/v8pruqruRw8/s1600/IMG_9277%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmAwfLZyIV4/VOUvwh-W9WI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/v8pruqruRw8/s1600/IMG_9277%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally the adults.</div>
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I was "talked into" participating.</div>
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I really wasn't excited about that.</div>
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I am here on the far right,</div>
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the gentleman down on the other end was </div>
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REALLY getting into it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkekgwNy_kI/VOUvxRX5a9I/AAAAAAAAJNo/4mVKP6Wx4zw/s1600/IMG_9284%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkekgwNy_kI/VOUvxRX5a9I/AAAAAAAAJNo/4mVKP6Wx4zw/s1600/IMG_9284%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I figured I would give it my all.</div>
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And my husband caught this </div>
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LOVELY</div>
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shot of me!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiWB_x5BYao/VOUvxaWigKI/AAAAAAAAJNk/KQ4WfV01E70/s1600/IMG_9285%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiWB_x5BYao/VOUvxaWigKI/AAAAAAAAJNk/KQ4WfV01E70/s1600/IMG_9285%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now you are probably asking yourselves,</div>
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why in the WORLD would I put that on the blog?</div>
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Well first off, not many people actually look at this blog.</div>
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Second, this is proof, for my children,</div>
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that I DO infact know how to have a little bit of fun</div>
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and be a little goofy...</div>
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I just don't do it often.</div>
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</div>
<div>
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Eventually we headed over to the pool,</div>
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chilly weather and all.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnfjZuf4yco/VOS5XcELC_I/AAAAAAAAJIA/DeiCrWefuxM/s1600/IMG_20140802_110335773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnfjZuf4yco/VOS5XcELC_I/AAAAAAAAJIA/DeiCrWefuxM/s1600/IMG_20140802_110335773.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4ZyqHl5Vn4/VOS5XhLFI9I/AAAAAAAAJII/RdHnR4q-UCU/s1600/IMG_20140802_110342818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4ZyqHl5Vn4/VOS5XhLFI9I/AAAAAAAAJII/RdHnR4q-UCU/s1600/IMG_20140802_110342818.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And we HAD to build a fire,</div>
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we were camping afterall.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJjCGnKAkhg/VOS5ZyA3JJI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/7ZJPzWouWtQ/s1600/IMG_20140802_124127804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJjCGnKAkhg/VOS5ZyA3JJI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/7ZJPzWouWtQ/s1600/IMG_20140802_124127804.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8Ubb9LoVi0/VOS5bvwaL-I/AAAAAAAAJIY/0xaMj16wUOw/s1600/IMG_20140802_124144856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8Ubb9LoVi0/VOS5bvwaL-I/AAAAAAAAJIY/0xaMj16wUOw/s1600/IMG_20140802_124144856.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUO5G2BugM4/VOS5kcuJTrI/AAAAAAAAJIk/Ztnr5c8WzLE/s1600/IMG_20140802_124156025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUO5G2BugM4/VOS5kcuJTrI/AAAAAAAAJIk/Ztnr5c8WzLE/s1600/IMG_20140802_124156025.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9W3B_jc4dQ/VOS5fWcZufI/AAAAAAAAJIg/zESt2hKwbIM/s1600/IMG_20140802_144736128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9W3B_jc4dQ/VOS5fWcZufI/AAAAAAAAJIg/zESt2hKwbIM/s1600/IMG_20140802_144736128.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We ended the day at the Saturday night dance party.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dCfRjDJdBI/VOS5mXnTtDI/AAAAAAAAJJA/J2Q566vt7zA/s1600/IMG_20140802_203049156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dCfRjDJdBI/VOS5mXnTtDI/AAAAAAAAJJA/J2Q566vt7zA/s1600/IMG_20140802_203049156.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mr. T partied as hard as he could</div>
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and gave up.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJLSIzUcKQ0/VOS5l8u22zI/AAAAAAAAJI4/0FD01xETmAU/s1600/IMG_20140802_205732296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJLSIzUcKQ0/VOS5l8u22zI/AAAAAAAAJI4/0FD01xETmAU/s1600/IMG_20140802_205732296.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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So daddy took Tony and Jackson home.</div>
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While Alexis and Rico and I stayed to party a little longer.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Aunp_YWHA0/VOS5nb2pUlI/AAAAAAAAJJE/lx2Y4aIzzW0/s1600/IMG_20140802_212611661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Aunp_YWHA0/VOS5nb2pUlI/AAAAAAAAJJE/lx2Y4aIzzW0/s1600/IMG_20140802_212611661.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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She, too, was all danced out</div>
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but Rico wasn't quite ready to go yet.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzCTOg7l1TM/VOS5n0VGPGI/AAAAAAAAJJM/FadgePvW0xo/s1600/IMG_20140802_213452510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzCTOg7l1TM/VOS5n0VGPGI/AAAAAAAAJJM/FadgePvW0xo/s1600/IMG_20140802_213452510.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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That was all Day 1! </div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-22073399206330000842015-02-19T18:21:00.000-08:002015-02-17T18:44:08.687-08:00Dreaming of July<div style="text-align: center;">
So here I am,</div>
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sitting in my living room,</div>
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on the couch</div>
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with the fire blazing in the gas logs</div>
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In front of the fire lays:</div>
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4 pr of shoes,</div>
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4 coats,</div>
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4 pr of gloves,</div>
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4 pr of socks,</div>
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4 pr of pants,</div>
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4 toboggans</div>
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and </div>
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a few random shirts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Why?</div>
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Because outside of our door</div>
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is a nice coating of ice and a little snow.</div>
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So since I am sitting all nice and toasty inside,</div>
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and it is so stinking cold outside</div>
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(average high for this time of year in our area is mid 50s - </div>
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we are sitting at chilly 29° right now,</div>
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which is a slight improvement over the teens we have been</div>
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hitting at this time of night the past 2 or 3 days!</div>
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and we are expecting to hit 3° for a low! in 2 days!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So let's venture back to July 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to recall a few warmer weather activities!</div>
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<br /></div>
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July 2014 was actually quite calm for this family.</div>
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<br />
Nana and Papa came down to watch fireworks with us:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9ONKkcHQk8/VOPv_Jf1Y7I/AAAAAAAAJFg/yxdjvA55Mag/s1600/IMG_20140704_211850248%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9ONKkcHQk8/VOPv_Jf1Y7I/AAAAAAAAJFg/yxdjvA55Mag/s1600/IMG_20140704_211850248%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(yes we were very much at a car lot!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVQH7Vt963c/VOPv_PvZGmI/AAAAAAAAJFY/1RfIz-hcgQY/s1600/IMG_20140704_211925151%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVQH7Vt963c/VOPv_PvZGmI/AAAAAAAAJFY/1RfIz-hcgQY/s1600/IMG_20140704_211925151%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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The two littles got the best seats in the house!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WWC4018ouQ/VOPv_DnnQ6I/AAAAAAAAJFc/dnquufJgztM/s1600/IMG_20140704_213518918%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WWC4018ouQ/VOPv_DnnQ6I/AAAAAAAAJFc/dnquufJgztM/s1600/IMG_20140704_213518918%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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And of course we had to do sparklers!!</div>
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The littles took a little convincing, </div>
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but they we couldnt' stop them!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bVaTm1zEVc/VOPv_ijTCUI/AAAAAAAAJFk/ePKM3Kcvp3c/s1600/IMG_20140704_215021720%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bVaTm1zEVc/VOPv_ijTCUI/AAAAAAAAJFk/ePKM3Kcvp3c/s1600/IMG_20140704_215021720%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is how Jackson rides in a car.</div>
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(sigh)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g48UO7RFw6Q/VOPv_6rJmEI/AAAAAAAAJFo/tnIXPfIO9oA/s1600/IMG_20140706_183021984_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g48UO7RFw6Q/VOPv_6rJmEI/AAAAAAAAJFo/tnIXPfIO9oA/s1600/IMG_20140706_183021984_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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The littles took swim lessons.</div>
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For the first time ever!</div>
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(Tony is second from the left, Lex is second from the right)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KBp72aSb0LY/VOPwAbUk2KI/AAAAAAAAJFw/CDUGb7j_pBs/s1600/IMG_20140707_170523502_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KBp72aSb0LY/VOPwAbUk2KI/AAAAAAAAJFw/CDUGb7j_pBs/s1600/IMG_20140707_170523502_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mr. T was NOT feeling this swim lesson thing.</div>
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He was quite worried about drowning.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He would not let go of the instructor at all!</div>
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And after a ton of coaxing,</div>
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finally agreed to go under.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptH2VXb9sG8/VOPwAk-vj9I/AAAAAAAAJGA/G7RZC-xkHxw/s1600/IMG_20140707_172244120%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptH2VXb9sG8/VOPwAk-vj9I/AAAAAAAAJGA/G7RZC-xkHxw/s1600/IMG_20140707_172244120%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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And survived!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkJaiJiKi0Y/VOPwATHjM5I/AAAAAAAAJF4/O6Yl7xYDzgU/s1600/IMG_20140707_170803794%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkJaiJiKi0Y/VOPwATHjM5I/AAAAAAAAJF4/O6Yl7xYDzgU/s1600/IMG_20140707_170803794%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
We put the big boys to work in the yard!<br />
Whoo hoo!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmpE7IASIUQ/VOPwA8WDUiI/AAAAAAAAJGQ/YV-JBf4sQ90/s1600/IMG_20140713_181744206%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmpE7IASIUQ/VOPwA8WDUiI/AAAAAAAAJGQ/YV-JBf4sQ90/s1600/IMG_20140713_181744206%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tOgCGbJ_TQ/VOPwBUrtb5I/AAAAAAAAJGI/-oiR_kG3sqo/s1600/IMG_20140713_181832766%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tOgCGbJ_TQ/VOPwBUrtb5I/AAAAAAAAJGI/-oiR_kG3sqo/s1600/IMG_20140713_181832766%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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We finished up our school year.</div>
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Jackson finished 2nd grade</div>
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and</div>
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Rico completed 4th.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L5QLRYUl9W4/VOPwBkJfruI/AAAAAAAAJHA/6YBLZJFQW0o/s1600/IMG_20140716_095431165_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L5QLRYUl9W4/VOPwBkJfruI/AAAAAAAAJHA/6YBLZJFQW0o/s1600/IMG_20140716_095431165_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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A couple of days of swim lessons got thrown off due to thunder.</div>
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So we had 2 make ups.</div>
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One happened to be on a Friday when we would be out of town.</div>
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So we were graciously allowed to have a "private" make up lesson.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzSEvF_q2JM/VOPwCBC1vXI/AAAAAAAAJGY/nLal21rOKd0/s1600/IMG_20140722_143032895_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzSEvF_q2JM/VOPwCBC1vXI/AAAAAAAAJGY/nLal21rOKd0/s1600/IMG_20140722_143032895_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tony Cruz thinks if he sucks his gut in,</div>
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he will float.</div>
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I wouldn't know...</div>
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I never mastered "the float".</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-masZOU4tT18/VOPwCX0Y_uI/AAAAAAAAJGc/oclXZzL2Q6Q/s1600/IMG_20140722_143052138_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-masZOU4tT18/VOPwCX0Y_uI/AAAAAAAAJGc/oclXZzL2Q6Q/s1600/IMG_20140722_143052138_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tony Cruz got MUCH better with getting his face wet!</div>
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And started kicking his feet,</div>
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but never loosened his grip on the instructor.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVAzXfigx5s/VOPwC6qE7zI/AAAAAAAAJGk/8VAM6z0Etqg/s1600/IMG_20140722_143311960%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVAzXfigx5s/VOPwC6qE7zI/AAAAAAAAJGk/8VAM6z0Etqg/s1600/IMG_20140722_143311960%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Just a few quick clips of their progress:</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2L4fmb9kwxqhPTxHoDVUSuhcjnfezxup8FxRbYkzvJGe6Gi4NPbZfFEUtaDKB_pYwRaP7tmDkJu63t2DYsQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykacjbJI_Tpt-kH-tOTC5px7nlwiABndqWnuNYlQIQJwVKSvuiIBBzdi9MEV0i_-RspfK4Ed2Mp9sVLwtQ9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2aaUC0DSmrg6Xzy6-ccDvAuHBb002CnKZ5rYt0Kqweyyz5OBNwJ1a9ojZ7MMRsGgB_xhSS8kogRDitOnHjQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Ms. Priss did phenomenal!</div>
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She looks a bit exhausted in this next picture</div>
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because she swam the ENTIRE length of the pool</div>
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all...</div>
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by...</div>
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herself!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TS5uamajunw/VOPwDCFVykI/AAAAAAAAJGs/JYvc6e9atqY/s1600/IMG_20140723_155800238%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TS5uamajunw/VOPwDCFVykI/AAAAAAAAJGs/JYvc6e9atqY/s1600/IMG_20140723_155800238%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then we went to Raleigh,</div>
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for some reason...</div>
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can't remember why.</div>
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Nor can I remember why we drove the truck...</div>
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which we hardly do...</div>
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but all 4 passed out on the way home.</div>
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And I couldn't resist a picture.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tf9TToUQbBY/VOPwDiZzWjI/AAAAAAAAJG0/2LMeekFifhY/s1600/IMG_20140726_213540906%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tf9TToUQbBY/VOPwDiZzWjI/AAAAAAAAJG0/2LMeekFifhY/s1600/IMG_20140726_213540906%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELknbTcYXAM/VOPwLT4O0lI/AAAAAAAAJHI/lypc0v_FaT4/s1600/IMG_20140726_213628123%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELknbTcYXAM/VOPwLT4O0lI/AAAAAAAAJHI/lypc0v_FaT4/s1600/IMG_20140726_213628123%2B(800x450).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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During July,</div>
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we also went on an EPIC </div>
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camping trip!</div>
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Tent camping...</div>
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to Aurora, NC.</div>
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With our scouting group.</div>
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There were about 40 of us that went.</div>
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On the drive out there,</div>
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we saw a real, live black bear walk across the road,</div>
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less than half an hour from where we would be camping!</div>
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Um, no thanks!!</div>
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The weather was amazing!</div>
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It was a tad drizzly and overcast but nice!</div>
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It didn't stop us from enjoying:</div>
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fishing,</div>
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boating,</div>
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kayaking,</div>
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paddle boarding,</div>
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grilling,</div>
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bonfire(ing)</div>
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playing</div>
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and</div>
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just flat having a ball!!</div>
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There is another EPIC trip planned this year,</div>
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but I will be flying,</div>
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well camping,</div>
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solo...</div>
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if we go.</div>
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Not totally excited about the whole</div>
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"tent" camping thing...</div>
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much less by myself,</div>
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without the hubs!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-35121946669605594162015-01-23T06:26:00.000-08:002015-01-23T06:26:00.210-08:00June Beach Trip!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have taken the camper</div>
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to the mountains</div>
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to the lake</div>
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and </div>
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to the inland part of a beach.</div>
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But never</div>
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"THE BEACH!!</div>
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So as usual,</div>
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we pulled the camper into the driveway the week before we left.</div>
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Gave it a good wipe down</div>
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and started loading</div>
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(slowly).</div>
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Daddy usually has a little work to do on it.</div>
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Mr. T helped him this time,</div>
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complete with his hard hat!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYi9KijL9Vw/VLcg6305EGI/AAAAAAAAJBM/vnQFGgiAHoI/s1600/IMG_20140626_193130661_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYi9KijL9Vw/VLcg6305EGI/AAAAAAAAJBM/vnQFGgiAHoI/s1600/IMG_20140626_193130661_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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We loaded up and headed down as soon as we picked up Rico from his Air Force camp.</div>
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We were all so excited!!</div>
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I was GIDDY!</div>
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Especially because my bestie and her crew were joining us!</div>
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She had a friend who has a camper and they brought it down to join us at the beach!!</div>
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The littles were so thankful for a new victim.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLfjczBAGok/VLcimQ5U4AI/AAAAAAAAJBg/mZ-2Azzw81k/s1600/IMG_20140628_192826645%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLfjczBAGok/VLcimQ5U4AI/AAAAAAAAJBg/mZ-2Azzw81k/s1600/IMG_20140628_192826645%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Right outside of this beautiful campground was this beautiful building...</div>
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Its rather hard to read, </div>
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but it says:</div>
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Wine Market!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo1mlYaLJCM/VLcil8oqPAI/AAAAAAAAJBc/gF_BKxOsSeo/s1600/IMG_20140629_110032044%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo1mlYaLJCM/VLcil8oqPAI/AAAAAAAAJBc/gF_BKxOsSeo/s1600/IMG_20140629_110032044%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was super cute and I was good and never went and bought wine!</div>
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They had tastings too, but I somehow managed to miss those.</div>
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Naturally, we spent plenty of time on the beach,</div>
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Mr. T tries SOOOOO hard to hang with the big kids,</div>
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SOOOO hard.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-worgHnlaVtA/VLcimv1hbtI/AAAAAAAAJBk/cskop5ZnL8Q/s1600/IMG_20140629_141254478%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-worgHnlaVtA/VLcimv1hbtI/AAAAAAAAJBk/cskop5ZnL8Q/s1600/IMG_20140629_141254478%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mommy and Lex made matching sand butterflies.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gyP3S73r7hU/VLcimzInLnI/AAAAAAAAJBo/ToKAR6l3iWo/s1600/IMG_20140629_162437108%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gyP3S73r7hU/VLcimzInLnI/AAAAAAAAJBo/ToKAR6l3iWo/s1600/IMG_20140629_162437108%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Downtime in the camper...</div>
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watching a movie.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dopmSLd4oao/VLcinKRd2qI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/bsa2U6B2GeU/s1600/IMG_20140629_213117289%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dopmSLd4oao/VLcinKRd2qI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/bsa2U6B2GeU/s1600/IMG_20140629_213117289%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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And falling asleep...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rCMnLtozusU/VLcinYr-upI/AAAAAAAAJB0/IxBub47veGk/s1600/IMG_20140629_221435287%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rCMnLtozusU/VLcinYr-upI/AAAAAAAAJB0/IxBub47veGk/s1600/IMG_20140629_221435287%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since we had friends with us,</div>
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we rearranged sleeping quarters..</div>
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the littles got to sleep on the table.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7zxCx3-xBw/VLcinhj02RI/AAAAAAAAJB4/zzOM5BN7lE8/s1600/IMG_20140629_221531451%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7zxCx3-xBw/VLcinhj02RI/AAAAAAAAJB4/zzOM5BN7lE8/s1600/IMG_20140629_221531451%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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We took 2 cars out, because daddy had to come home for a day or so during our stay. Mommy and the littles rode in the truck, while daddy and the big boys rode in the suburban while towing the camper.</div>
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The littles were PASSED out</div>
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and it is pretty short drive home.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKfG_ki4GPI/VLciod34-tI/AAAAAAAAJB8/KRoHXN59lVU/s1600/IMG_20140702_195539966%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKfG_ki4GPI/VLciod34-tI/AAAAAAAAJB8/KRoHXN59lVU/s1600/IMG_20140702_195539966%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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We did decide to come on home a day early,</div>
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there was a hurricane forecasted to come pretty close to where we were staying.</div>
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The wind was starting to whip up pretty good and we were on the top of a little hill</div>
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with very little wind break,</div>
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so our little camper was swaying a little more than we were comfortable with in said wind...</div>
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so we all voted to come home a little early.</div>
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We left at about 6pm the night before we were schedule to leave at 11am,</div>
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so not a major blow (har har) to our vacation.</div>
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We have been to a couple of campgrounds at this point,</div>
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this is the only beach location we have been to</div>
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and it was beautiful!</div>
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We loved it!</div>
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It was the <a href="http://www.htpresort.com/" target="_blank">Holiday Trav-L-Park</a> in Emerald Isle, NC.</div>
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I wish I would have taken more pictures.</div>
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We had such a good time!</div>
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They are VERY family friendly.</div>
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They had beautiful green grass!</div>
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Decent sized spots.</div>
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Nice clean bathrooms.</div>
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Nice laundry facilities.</div>
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It was quiet!!</div>
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They had a movie night (or two),</div>
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complete with drinks and popcorn for purchase for a small fee.</div>
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A DJ came in and pumped music onto the beach on Saturday.</div>
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And it was GOOD music!</div>
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Including real "beach music" (that I grew up listening to!!)</div>
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We are definitely ready to go back this coming summer!!</div>
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<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-2863835572391142272015-01-22T17:48:00.000-08:002015-01-22T17:48:00.502-08:00June 2014 - All the Rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So daddy went back to work for 2 days...</div>
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then took off to go camping with the boys at a scout camp.</div>
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They forgot something,</div>
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so I had to bring it to them.</div>
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They look like they are ready to have fun!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3Es1h2CLkE/VLcZpua50qI/AAAAAAAAI-U/KivZH0kZV10/s1600/IMG_20140619_085028961%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3Es1h2CLkE/VLcZpua50qI/AAAAAAAAI-U/KivZH0kZV10/s1600/IMG_20140619_085028961%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Later in the month we hosted our priest for dinner.</div>
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This priest, </div>
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also happened to be a fraternity brother of my husband's!</div>
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We were BLOWN away when we found out.</div>
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It was so neat to have him over.</div>
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I only wish we would have done it sooner</div>
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and </div>
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more often,</div>
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unfortunately,</div>
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he has been moved to a different, larger parish now.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is148FWyDVM/VLcZqC46UoI/AAAAAAAAI-o/hTjAyAycCh4/s1600/IMG_20140623_181513457%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is148FWyDVM/VLcZqC46UoI/AAAAAAAAI-o/hTjAyAycCh4/s1600/IMG_20140623_181513457%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(I am not quite sure what he is telling them about,</div>
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but it has to be boy stuff, </div>
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because they are all quite interested!!)</div>
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We had Rico take a picture of us with my phone...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QEaeIEeV4Y/VLcZphJhbmI/AAAAAAAAI-Y/zJ655RxckX4/s1600/IMG_20140623_220730708%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QEaeIEeV4Y/VLcZphJhbmI/AAAAAAAAI-Y/zJ655RxckX4/s1600/IMG_20140623_220730708%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then I took this one.</div>
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We miss Father Pat.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOu5-idjVeU/VLcZrT2UY0I/AAAAAAAAI-4/JEYhuvPudoA/s1600/IMG_20140623_220743642%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOu5-idjVeU/VLcZrT2UY0I/AAAAAAAAI-4/JEYhuvPudoA/s1600/IMG_20140623_220743642%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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We spent lots of time at the pool...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcLL_Fs0Zio/VLcZqSXcSQI/AAAAAAAAI-k/OHoaYUKOmkA/s1600/IMG_20140625_124226445%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcLL_Fs0Zio/VLcZqSXcSQI/AAAAAAAAI-k/OHoaYUKOmkA/s1600/IMG_20140625_124226445%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(And Jackson's bud came back to hang with us)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IqdHXJakllw/VLcZrJ1py9I/AAAAAAAAI-w/ih2SO2BjLNI/s1600/IMG_20140625_124416083%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IqdHXJakllw/VLcZrJ1py9I/AAAAAAAAI-w/ih2SO2BjLNI/s1600/IMG_20140625_124416083%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qj7I27HTSl4/VLcZrexlM4I/AAAAAAAAI-0/2IASHRa2oPA/s1600/IMG_20140625_131551180%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qj7I27HTSl4/VLcZrexlM4I/AAAAAAAAI-0/2IASHRa2oPA/s1600/IMG_20140625_131551180%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Passed out littles </div>
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and two funny guys!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzswJDqiAVM/VLcZr6U2uGI/AAAAAAAAI_A/Il7LAWyqMBU/s1600/IMG_20140625_143527284%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzswJDqiAVM/VLcZr6U2uGI/AAAAAAAAI_A/Il7LAWyqMBU/s1600/IMG_20140625_143527284%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztPE7m-AaAs/VLcZsKaMlkI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/mav5FZ3HfzA/s1600/IMG_20140625_143547126%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztPE7m-AaAs/VLcZsKaMlkI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/mav5FZ3HfzA/s1600/IMG_20140625_143547126%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Where is Rico? Do you ask?</div>
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Well Rico had an amazing,</div>
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once in a lifetime opportunity over the summer.</div>
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He got to participate in a camp that was hosted</div>
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at our local Air Force Base.</div>
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The kids spent the first half of the day in the classroom,</div>
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learning the basics of flight,</div>
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then in the afternoons,</div>
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they got to go on base</div>
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and participate in some amazing experiences.</div>
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(So we gave his seat in the car away while he was gone one day.)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg_3qGEI4QA/VLcZsdGfa_I/AAAAAAAAI_I/Nals0bUIO6E/s1600/IMG_20140625_144014042%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg_3qGEI4QA/VLcZsdGfa_I/AAAAAAAAI_I/Nals0bUIO6E/s1600/IMG_20140625_144014042%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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After we kept Jackson's bud for a day, </div>
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he went and hung out over as his friend's house for the day.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNnh9zI71qs/VLcd7BjVuuI/AAAAAAAAJBA/IUztokOUNgk/s1600/10534742_10152309782961297_3895992640544430036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNnh9zI71qs/VLcd7BjVuuI/AAAAAAAAJBA/IUztokOUNgk/s1600/10534742_10152309782961297_3895992640544430036_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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(yes, this is how they spent the day together...dressed like this,</div>
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see, it is possible for State fans and Carolina fans to be friends!)</div>
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After we dropped Rico off for his Air Force experience,</div>
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and Jackson off for his friend experience...</div>
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the littles and I headed deeper into the country for a birthday party.</div>
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So far into the country,</div>
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that we wound up behind one of these FOR.EVER!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4WktOWUVHc/VLcZsh7dCpI/AAAAAAAAI_M/qWjVirIMD2I/s1600/IMG_20140626_111214292%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4WktOWUVHc/VLcZsh7dCpI/AAAAAAAAI_M/qWjVirIMD2I/s1600/IMG_20140626_111214292%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We went to a Frozen themed party.</div>
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It was so cute!!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnpK5S8ow8A/VLcZs0fMoYI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/lPy7_4buV0A/s1600/IMG_20140626_111924804%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnpK5S8ow8A/VLcZs0fMoYI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/lPy7_4buV0A/s1600/IMG_20140626_111924804%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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It was an adorable party!</div>
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And wore my littles out!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXh4TVn7O3c/VLcZtNjWSKI/AAAAAAAAI_c/U_2kT48YfUI/s1600/IMG_20140626_142839721_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXh4TVn7O3c/VLcZtNjWSKI/AAAAAAAAI_c/U_2kT48YfUI/s1600/IMG_20140626_142839721_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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The last day of the Air Force experience,</div>
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we got to see:</div>
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the kids shoot off the rockets they had built,</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjKPapxuSXg/VLcZuBQUpzI/AAAAAAAAI_w/qIXG2AOP71I/s1600/IMG_20140627_101111176%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjKPapxuSXg/VLcZuBQUpzI/AAAAAAAAI_w/qIXG2AOP71I/s1600/IMG_20140627_101111176%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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pictures from the parachute simulator,</div>
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accept his completion certificate,</div>
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While we were sitting waiting,</div>
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daddy taught Tony Cruz how to play </div>
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rock, paper, scissors.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CecuS-VeQog/VLcZvQNe3zI/AAAAAAAAJAI/SJVzYnvA9Xw/s1600/IMG_20140627_141128728%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CecuS-VeQog/VLcZvQNe3zI/AAAAAAAAJAI/SJVzYnvA9Xw/s1600/IMG_20140627_141128728%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHVUA-Vykho/VLcZwR02JKI/AAAAAAAAJAY/QA3Std9W7kQ/s1600/IMG_20140627_141148938%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHVUA-Vykho/VLcZwR02JKI/AAAAAAAAJAY/QA3Std9W7kQ/s1600/IMG_20140627_141148938%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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He caught on pretty quickly!</div>
<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-92013070743628241132015-01-20T17:02:00.000-08:002015-01-20T17:02:00.293-08:00June 2014 - The Haircut!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
So...<br />
the white elephant in the room,<br />
in the house,<br />
in our house...<br />
is my youngest's hair.<br />
<br />
He is a boy...<br />
with long curly hair...<br />
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That was about weekly getting called a girl...</div>
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even though I totally dress him like a boy!</div>
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And he acts like a boy...</div>
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<br /></div>
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But it is a big source of disagreement between </div>
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my husband and I.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love the length,</div>
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love the curls...</div>
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but yes,</div>
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he is a boy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So my husband kinda put his foot down</div>
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when he left for summer school </div>
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and </div>
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insisted that if *I* wanted say in his hair cut....</div>
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his hair needed to be cut</div>
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when he returned,</div>
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otherwise, he was taking him...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ugh!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fine...</div>
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so I waited until the 11th hour</div>
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and literally got it cut the DAY he returned! </div>
</div>
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Here is the before:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bRkDas24Ct4/VLa2v0Y0sYI/AAAAAAAAI8g/BS6ABZTv-As/s1600/IMG_20140614_150755584_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bRkDas24Ct4/VLa2v0Y0sYI/AAAAAAAAI8g/BS6ABZTv-As/s1600/IMG_20140614_150755584_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1trARs9Me_0/VLa2wi_IfLI/AAAAAAAAI8w/D7w4tg7B5DE/s1600/IMG_20140614_150815674%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1trARs9Me_0/VLa2wi_IfLI/AAAAAAAAI8w/D7w4tg7B5DE/s1600/IMG_20140614_150815674%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And this is the after:</div>
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(the 2 weeks after!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKI3YVHDGdk/VLa2y2746sI/AAAAAAAAI9Y/nZw85wEdffQ/s1600/IMG_20140626_130034698%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKI3YVHDGdk/VLa2y2746sI/AAAAAAAAI9Y/nZw85wEdffQ/s1600/IMG_20140626_130034698%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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(if you look really closely at the next picture,</div>
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you might be able to catch a glimpse of the TOO short hair on my baby!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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This is the kids dog piling daddy when they saw him</div>
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for the first time in 2 weeks.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdX2drVG4p4/VLa2xB6aRwI/AAAAAAAAI8s/t7j5ZfEEndA/s1600/IMG_20140615_092957882%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdX2drVG4p4/VLa2xB6aRwI/AAAAAAAAI8s/t7j5ZfEEndA/s1600/IMG_20140615_092957882%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is a really sleepy kid who stayed up WAY too late</div>
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the night before when my bestie kept the kids</div>
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so the hubs and I could go out on</div>
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an overnight date!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cgpNulR8ys/VLa2xwjKfEI/AAAAAAAAI9E/8kepFDbZXbA/s1600/IMG_20140615_113704966%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cgpNulR8ys/VLa2xwjKfEI/AAAAAAAAI9E/8kepFDbZXbA/s1600/IMG_20140615_113704966%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love my bestie!</div>
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She's the bestie-est!</div>
Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-55930660007320099912015-01-18T11:18:00.000-08:002015-01-18T11:18:00.243-08:00June 2014 - Week 2: The Norm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After we got home from going:</div>
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over the woods</div>
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and through the woods...</div>
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to grandmother's house...</div>
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My guys had apparently not spent enough time </div>
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sleeping on top of each other,</div>
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so 3 of the 4 piled into Rico's bed to sleep...</div>
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along with all of their pillows and</div>
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my daughter's menagerie of stuffed toys!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7TZL2oErYo/VLaH65I4ZyI/AAAAAAAAI6w/Eoa7KQyL8eM/s1600/IMG_20140611_212103105%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7TZL2oErYo/VLaH65I4ZyI/AAAAAAAAI6w/Eoa7KQyL8eM/s1600/IMG_20140611_212103105%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am so thankful and always will be,</div>
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that my kids like each other</div>
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and like spending time with each other.</div>
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I pray that this lasts forever.</div>
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I pray that they will always be friends</div>
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and</div>
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always like spending time together!</div>
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<br /></div>
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As I have mentioned before, </div>
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the kids and I have been delivering Meals on Wheels</div>
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for a little while.</div>
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Some of the individuals we deliver to really enjoyed seeing my crew</div>
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when we deliver.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Rico went into a house and put the tray full of 2 meals</div>
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down on the counter.</div>
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He saw that a light on top of the oven,</div>
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and decided to check the cooking top to see if it was hot.</div>
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Unfortunately, it was...</div>
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and </div>
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he put his whole hand straight down on the eye.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGarfHlhPBI/VLa2txjxq-I/AAAAAAAAI9Q/JHGBRYcVuVI/s1600/IMG_20140612_125407068%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGarfHlhPBI/VLa2txjxq-I/AAAAAAAAI9Q/JHGBRYcVuVI/s1600/IMG_20140612_125407068%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Poor guy came running to me with terror in his eyes,</div>
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but not saying anything.</div>
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Then tears started welling up...</div>
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I asked what happened and he told me.</div>
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We asked for some ice</div>
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and the poor older lady in the house</div>
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was DEVASTATED!</div>
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I calmed Rico down and sent him to the car.</div>
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Then had to calm her down.</div>
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She was so upset that he had hurt himself</div>
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in her house...</div>
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I hugged her and assured her that he would be just fine.</div>
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But she was so upset,</div>
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I hugged her and had to calm her down too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We had 1 more meal to deliver,</div>
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delivered it,</div>
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and </div>
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got a bag of ice from that last house,</div>
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then headed back to the Meals on Wheels office.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I asked our team leader to call the family</div>
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and tell the lady, again, that Rico was going to be ok.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We went on our way,</div>
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Rico has swimming lessons that afternoon,</div>
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but had to sit out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(the next month when we went back to deliver meals, we made sure the sweet older lady saw that Rico was as good as new!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The next day we had planned to visit a small local waterpark</div>
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with our homeschool group.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We happened to also meet a few friends from our scout group, </div>
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including Jackson's best bud!</div>
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<br /></div>
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He hung out with us instead of heading out with his family</div>
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when they were ready to leave...</div>
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I attempted to get a picture of these two nuts on the lazy river...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtGmO-QXfww/VLa5SIXo7gI/AAAAAAAAI9o/OrTjOkszeRw/s1600/IMG_20140613_143240875%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtGmO-QXfww/VLa5SIXo7gI/AAAAAAAAI9o/OrTjOkszeRw/s1600/IMG_20140613_143240875%2B(800x450).jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycoJM6M5wyE/VLa2u_eM0PI/AAAAAAAAI8Q/58qI7LFm3aM/s1600/IMG_20140613_143246501%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycoJM6M5wyE/VLa2u_eM0PI/AAAAAAAAI8Q/58qI7LFm3aM/s1600/IMG_20140613_143246501%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRvRieIIaMw/VLa2vKpQ1II/AAAAAAAAI8U/BphCT1KYiOY/s1600/IMG_20140613_143249586%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRvRieIIaMw/VLa2vKpQ1II/AAAAAAAAI8U/BphCT1KYiOY/s1600/IMG_20140613_143249586%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then I gave up...</div>
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<br /></div>
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I did try again later, and this is as close as I got to having them</div>
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at me!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z07LNMUeINE/VLa2vngcFHI/AAAAAAAAI8c/O4L_fQKpl90/s1600/IMG_20140613_165506587%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z07LNMUeINE/VLa2vngcFHI/AAAAAAAAI8c/O4L_fQKpl90/s1600/IMG_20140613_165506587%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
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They had a ball.<br />
(Yes, the littles were with us too)</div>
Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-9334096439710007152015-01-15T08:42:00.000-08:002015-01-15T08:42:00.081-08:00June 2014 - Week 1 (Part 2): Chaos and Fun!!<div style="text-align: center;">
So the first part of our week was nice and calm.<br />
Nothing exciting.<br />
<br />
The second half...<br />
that got a tad bit more interesting...<br />
<br />
Thursday evening I had been communicating,<br />
via text,<br />
with our tenants,<br />
about random things,<br />
nothing really important.<br />
<br />
Then I get a phone call,<br />
I figured they were just tired of texting.<br />
The voice on the other end of the phone<br />
was a little panicked.<br />
<br />
There was a problem...<br />
a "water coming through the downstairs ceiling"<br />
kind of problem.<br />
<br />
ACK!<br />
<br />
I was already planning to head in the direction of the house,<br />
Raleigh area,<br />
the next day to pick up my mom for a trip to my grandmother's.<br />
<br />
However,<br />
I had intended on cleaning up a little before we left,<br />
and taking my time in getting to Raleigh.<br />
<br />
But due to the minor waterfall in the house up there,<br />
I decided to head up there,<br />
meet the plumber and be a<br />
good home owner/landlord.<br />
<br />
So...everything kicked into high gear...<br />
my "take my time to get to Raleigh by early mid-afternoon"<br />
was kicked into high gear when I learned the plumber would<br />
be there before lunch!<br />
<br />
This was on my "to do" list:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq-hT5-LQDk/VLaHxZ1CxWI/AAAAAAAAI40/4BLRhN1_K5c/s1600/IMG_20140606_093432061%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq-hT5-LQDk/VLaHxZ1CxWI/AAAAAAAAI40/4BLRhN1_K5c/s1600/IMG_20140606_093432061%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
This is what the playroom looked like.<br />
I didn't want to leave it looking like this,<br />
mainly because I didn't want to come HOME to it!<br />
<br />
Unfortunately,<br />
it had to wait.<br />
<br />
So while I am running around packing,<br />
for the weekend,<br />
for 5 people...<br />
to leave the house in about 30 minutes time...<br />
<br />
my 8 year old comes to me and says:<br />
"um, mom, I put something in the outlet in my room...<br />
and it made this really loud popping sound...<br />
and smoke came out"<br />
<br />
UM, WHAT??!!??<br />
<br />
So I stopped what I was doing,<br />
walked up to his room<br />
and this is what I see.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HYb_oBbAkY/VLaHxDXrgTI/AAAAAAAAI4s/_ouHZSxt41g/s1600/IMG_20140606_081358451%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HYb_oBbAkY/VLaHxDXrgTI/AAAAAAAAI4s/_ouHZSxt41g/s1600/IMG_20140606_081358451%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Absolute shock,</div>
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bewilderment,</div>
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confusion...</div>
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<br /></div>
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My sweet 8 year old second child...</div>
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who KNOWS better...</div>
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picked up something little</div>
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off of his floor...</div>
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and for whatever reason...</div>
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unknown to me</div>
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(or him)</div>
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thought it would be a good idea to </div>
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STICK IT INTO AN OUTLET!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Praise the LORD!</div>
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Praise!!</div>
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That he did not injure himself!</div>
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<br /></div>
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But why,</div>
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why,</div>
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why...</div>
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would you do that?</div>
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What were you thinking?</div>
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<br /></div>
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His response...</div>
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"well the last time I did it,</div>
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nothing happened"</div>
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<br /></div>
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WHAT?!?!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yep,</div>
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just what I needed,</div>
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right when I needed it.</div>
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<br /></div>
So not deciding not to deal with it right then...<br />
I flipped the breaker and turned the power off to that room.<br />
(I have now been told that it wasn't a necessary step,<br />
but I don't care, I felt better...<br />
made me feel like it was reducing the chances<br />
of the house burning down while we were gone.)<br />
<br />
We hightailed it to Raleigh,<br />
I met my folks at a restaurant<br />
literally had my mom meet me in the parking lot to swap keys.<br />
<br />
Left the kids with her,<br />
jumped in her car<br />
and took off to house.<br />
<br />
I arrived right after the plumber.<br />
Thankfully,<br />
he only had to put a few "minor" holes in the ceiling...<br />
then in a wall upstairs...<br />
to find and quickly<br />
correct the problem.<br />
<br />
I contacted the drywall guy and left a happy girl.<br />
<br />
I get to my folk's house<br />
and was greeted by my dad asking...<br />
"how old are the tires on your car?"<br />
<br />
Um, I don't know...<br />
I know - we need new ones soon,<br />
but they just aren't in the budget right now<br />
and aren't really a priority.<br />
<br />
He changes my mind for me,<br />
and off we go to the tire shop.<br />
<br />
I picked these out first,<br />
complete with the rims...<br />
but the hubs said no.<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeF8WAMml2A/VLaHxfA8sQI/AAAAAAAAI4w/yrVlSX-PwM0/s1600/IMG_20140606_145454889%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeF8WAMml2A/VLaHxfA8sQI/AAAAAAAAI4w/yrVlSX-PwM0/s1600/IMG_20140606_145454889%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally found a reasonable set...</div>
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and apparently I needed tires worse than I realized.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3DpAxvELls/VLaHx5nFZwI/AAAAAAAAI48/o3ljv4Z4peE/s1600/IMG_20140606_154904045%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3DpAxvELls/VLaHx5nFZwI/AAAAAAAAI48/o3ljv4Z4peE/s1600/IMG_20140606_154904045%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Left: old, Right: new)</div>
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<br /></div>
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While we were waiting on the tires,</div>
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we decided to walk over to the Harris Teeter </div>
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(my favorite grocery store)</div>
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in the same parking lot.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The just happened to have a sale on wine...</div>
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so this is what I walked out with.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kio49UYc4sU/VLaHyN8jDNI/AAAAAAAAI44/Xk9NLdGyNYo/s1600/IMG_20140606_165003490%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kio49UYc4sU/VLaHyN8jDNI/AAAAAAAAI44/Xk9NLdGyNYo/s1600/IMG_20140606_165003490%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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(Happy Girl!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Phew...after all of that excitement...<br />
we FINALLY loaded up and headed to my grandmother's house.<br />
This is where all 4 of the kid slept.<br />
The 2 littles were on the little bed in the middle.<br />
I thought this was a cute picture.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIRCWDaCFbA/VLaHyyvLRzI/AAAAAAAAI5A/5rJtjiq-kCE/s1600/IMG_20140607_065729748%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIRCWDaCFbA/VLaHyyvLRzI/AAAAAAAAI5A/5rJtjiq-kCE/s1600/IMG_20140607_065729748%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The next day,</div>
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Saturday,</div>
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we decided to try out a little park about 20 minutes away,</div>
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that my grandmother had told us about.</div>
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She lives in a very small town in South Carolina...</div>
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well outside of a very small town,</div>
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and honestly,</div>
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I didn't know anything about the little town,</div>
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or what it had,</div>
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because we hardly ever leave her property!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We hit the local small town grocery store</div>
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to grab some popsicles to eat at the park.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And getting 4 kids to decide on ONE pack of popsicles</div>
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is dad-gum near impossible!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And it was quite entertaining for 2 of the customers</div>
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that happened to be walking down the freezer aisle</div>
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the same time we were there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The took a shine to the Mr. T...</div>
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talked with him and laughed with him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then went on about their business.</div>
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<br /></div>
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About 30 seconds later, they came back around the corner...</div>
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and told me that they would like to buy him the popsicles HE wanted.</div>
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How sweet!!!</div>
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I said ok,</div>
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and the scary part...</div>
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he followed right behind them...</div>
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without looking back to make sure I was coming...</div>
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NOT ONCE!</div>
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UGH!</div>
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<br /></div>
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He was a happy boy.</div>
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I asked if I could take their picture</div>
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and send it to their daddy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Gxj_gbjb6k/VLaHzNijuxI/AAAAAAAAI5E/aPJ7PoFcBa8/s1600/IMG_20140607_143412871%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Gxj_gbjb6k/VLaHzNijuxI/AAAAAAAAI5E/aPJ7PoFcBa8/s1600/IMG_20140607_143412871%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So back in the car we got,</div>
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and on down the road we went...</div>
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to this "little park".</div>
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<br /></div>
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It was </div>
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ADORABLE!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We all loved it!</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVU4ipmc_GU/VLaHzcQ0JEI/AAAAAAAAI5I/59SZg7mS9mQ/s1600/IMG_20140607_145004228_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVU4ipmc_GU/VLaHzcQ0JEI/AAAAAAAAI5I/59SZg7mS9mQ/s1600/IMG_20140607_145004228_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lIkxdr-a5F4/VLaHzpCUmxI/AAAAAAAAI5M/wVUh4UfetrA/s1600/IMG_20140607_145053859%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lIkxdr-a5F4/VLaHzpCUmxI/AAAAAAAAI5M/wVUh4UfetrA/s1600/IMG_20140607_145053859%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jgSDfhn16w/VLaH0V0rNkI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/O8-S-5qs9kk/s1600/IMG_20140607_145109916%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jgSDfhn16w/VLaH0V0rNkI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/O8-S-5qs9kk/s1600/IMG_20140607_145109916%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2bHOeMr_iU/VLaH0-is8fI/AAAAAAAAI5Y/qbQ7TCnqKaA/s1600/IMG_20140607_145156713_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2bHOeMr_iU/VLaH0-is8fI/AAAAAAAAI5Y/qbQ7TCnqKaA/s1600/IMG_20140607_145156713_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B29d98p5avo/VLaH1P8oNuI/AAAAAAAAI5g/P8R_SbVfVoA/s1600/IMG_20140607_145530756%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B29d98p5avo/VLaH1P8oNuI/AAAAAAAAI5g/P8R_SbVfVoA/s1600/IMG_20140607_145530756%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Every once in a while,</div>
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they would take a popsicle break.</div>
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And since his desire for a "blue" popsicle was </div>
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the WHOLE reason he got those popsicles...</div>
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This guy got ALL of the blue ones!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gj2UgzISpUs/VLaH1sPj6lI/AAAAAAAAI5w/iuYkmpGdDj4/s1600/IMG_20140607_145746356%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gj2UgzISpUs/VLaH1sPj6lI/AAAAAAAAI5w/iuYkmpGdDj4/s1600/IMG_20140607_145746356%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And enjoyed...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkYtnAOCI5M/VLaH16vHgBI/AAAAAAAAI5k/mU_ZH3QgZZw/s1600/IMG_20140607_151134176%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkYtnAOCI5M/VLaH16vHgBI/AAAAAAAAI5k/mU_ZH3QgZZw/s1600/IMG_20140607_151134176%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Every Lick!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXL_mytdqYw/VLaH3UizR9I/AAAAAAAAI7A/Iwr4w4vEeH0/s1600/IMG_20140607_151157276%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXL_mytdqYw/VLaH3UizR9I/AAAAAAAAI7A/Iwr4w4vEeH0/s1600/IMG_20140607_151157276%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And turned into a Smurf...</div>
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from the inside...</div>
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out!</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAhKN3_8NLk/VLaH3PXf6hI/AAAAAAAAI50/I7pLJFLnRJ0/s1600/IMG_20140607_151200257%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAhKN3_8NLk/VLaH3PXf6hI/AAAAAAAAI50/I7pLJFLnRJ0/s1600/IMG_20140607_151200257%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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(Luckily it did eventually wipe off.)</div>
<br />
And since we were out in the country...<br />
what better way to drink your wine...<br />
than out of a mini mason jar?!?!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8yybxTqOMug/VLaH3ouo8EI/AAAAAAAAI54/FtjL-rx6Q-o/s1600/IMG_20140607_183802830%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8yybxTqOMug/VLaH3ouo8EI/AAAAAAAAI54/FtjL-rx6Q-o/s1600/IMG_20140607_183802830%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
This is roughing it...<br />
mini mason jar of wine (which I AM a fan of)<br />
styrofoam plate (which I am NOT a fan of),<br />
good country cooking (which I AM a fan of),<br />
and an awesome fire<br />
(for roasting marshmallows on!)<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6bWGPI4y1I/VLaH4bjAFUI/AAAAAAAAI6E/tzbftrAhNIA/s1600/IMG_20140607_191725818%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6bWGPI4y1I/VLaH4bjAFUI/AAAAAAAAI6E/tzbftrAhNIA/s1600/IMG_20140607_191725818%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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As if they hadn't had enough excitement and exercise for one day...</div>
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the big boys decided to hit the pond.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDEI42OwxEc/VLaH4sgfygI/AAAAAAAAI6I/MUBrhU47VsU/s1600/IMG_20140607_201406245%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDEI42OwxEc/VLaH4sgfygI/AAAAAAAAI6I/MUBrhU47VsU/s1600/IMG_20140607_201406245%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The next morning,</div>
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they were up bright and early,</div>
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to do a little fishing....</div>
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and that is exactly what they caught...</div>
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a little fish!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cYtx5WmIpo/VLaH5Bpoj5I/AAAAAAAAI6U/ZHOBRMYa2Lw/s1600/IMG_20140608_093857656%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cYtx5WmIpo/VLaH5Bpoj5I/AAAAAAAAI6U/ZHOBRMYa2Lw/s1600/IMG_20140608_093857656%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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After another busy day,</div>
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the littles passed out pretty early.</div>
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When I went to check on them,</div>
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this is what I saw,</div>
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I think I was "supposed" to sleep in that bed too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ddrvyoG_IqY/VLaH5WMQ7BI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/C0E_tn0ZEcs/s1600/IMG_20140608_243443878%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ddrvyoG_IqY/VLaH5WMQ7BI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/C0E_tn0ZEcs/s1600/IMG_20140608_243443878%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Monday morning, </div>
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we loaded up,</div>
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said our good-byes and headed a little further south </div>
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to meet some cousins that had flown all the way from</div>
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Washington state to visit!</div>
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I was so excited.</div>
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I hadn't seen them literally in 20 years or so</div>
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and thankfully for Facebook,</div>
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we are all connected!</div>
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We had such a good visit with them!</div>
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Here are all of the second cousins (is that right?)</div>
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that were together - this is not ALL of them though!</div>
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They are all my grandmother's great-grandchildren.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o84JkVBL75w/VLaa2P95gbI/AAAAAAAAI7k/tFlE1xRGDoE/s1600/1260875_10152234927226297_1316476102834763578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o84JkVBL75w/VLaa2P95gbI/AAAAAAAAI7k/tFlE1xRGDoE/s1600/1260875_10152234927226297_1316476102834763578_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are all of the cousins that were able to get together.</div>
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Half are from Washington.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTK7KmpXu58/VLaa2iClfpI/AAAAAAAAI7w/I1_qebSzdtQ/s1600/10458230_10152234927306297_2862508635426702236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTK7KmpXu58/VLaa2iClfpI/AAAAAAAAI7w/I1_qebSzdtQ/s1600/10458230_10152234927306297_2862508635426702236_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Super sweet girl cousin hugs!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ2UAaVJA6I/VLaa15lZexI/AAAAAAAAI7o/vDBfzYOgGRQ/s1600/10353230_10152263520008720_2423109651267385649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ2UAaVJA6I/VLaa15lZexI/AAAAAAAAI7o/vDBfzYOgGRQ/s1600/10353230_10152263520008720_2423109651267385649_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, </div>
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we could only stay for a little while and visit.</div>
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I wanted to stay</div>
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and almost did...</div>
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but had to get my mom home,</div>
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so she could go do something called </div>
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WORK!</div>
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So we vowed to not let it be 20 years before we could visit again!</div>
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(So thankful for Facebook!)</div>
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On the way home, this beautiful rainbow crossed our path.</div>
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It brought me so much peace!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3gaYGJIYUQ/VLaH6enBrKI/AAAAAAAAI6o/qttg3H7Q2rw/s1600/IMG_20140609_185707830%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3gaYGJIYUQ/VLaH6enBrKI/AAAAAAAAI6o/qttg3H7Q2rw/s1600/IMG_20140609_185707830%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-14199759309347391582015-01-14T06:41:00.001-08:002015-01-14T06:44:08.436-08:00June 2014 - Week 1 (Part 1): The Calm<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, so now I am 6 months behind and starting a new year on the calendar...while I am still attempting to update this blog (which has more turned into a family yearbook more than anything else at this point). Our June started off with a trip to Raleigh to take the hubs to the airport. Daddy (the perpetual student) was heading to Lubbock to work on his Ph.D. While we were in Raleigh, we spent some time with my bestie. Her youngest is the same age as my boys. So he took them out exploring their neighborhood and the creek that runs through it. They came home with some friends...of the aquatic/marine nature.</div>
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This is how we got to see daddy for 2 weeks...</div>
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Thank goodness for Skype!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdhU-i9n-lI/VLZ7Vh6NppI/AAAAAAAAI3k/VTKMAeghIeE/s1600/IMG_20140602_094333266_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdhU-i9n-lI/VLZ7Vh6NppI/AAAAAAAAI3k/VTKMAeghIeE/s1600/IMG_20140602_094333266_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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While he was gone, </div>
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his spot, in bed, </div>
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was kept warm and occupied on occasion</div>
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by this little cutie.</div>
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(and sometimes his sister, too)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2OZlbBKs9w/VLZ7V0TwY7I/AAAAAAAAI4Y/FKQ50bvfVYI/s1600/IMG_20140603_073450773%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2OZlbBKs9w/VLZ7V0TwY7I/AAAAAAAAI4Y/FKQ50bvfVYI/s1600/IMG_20140603_073450773%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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I definitely enjoyed having this little snuggle bug join me in the mornings.</div>
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And I love these curls too!! Look at that hair!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw2HUKcvps4/VLZ7WHV3JxI/AAAAAAAAI3s/WEaqaxBEhN4/s1600/IMG_20140603_074132000%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw2HUKcvps4/VLZ7WHV3JxI/AAAAAAAAI3s/WEaqaxBEhN4/s1600/IMG_20140603_074132000%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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To keep ourselves busy:</div>
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We made candy covered cake balls,</div>
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with leftover caketops I found in the freezer,</div>
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and icing</div>
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and candy melts.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0fbIPSSSSA/VLZ7WdlD7oI/AAAAAAAAI30/3i-BvTWK2YA/s1600/IMG_20140603_201209393%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0fbIPSSSSA/VLZ7WdlD7oI/AAAAAAAAI30/3i-BvTWK2YA/s1600/IMG_20140603_201209393%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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And sprinkles, of course!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-956Ba_Wmwy0/VLZ7WyX2UMI/AAAAAAAAI34/YHQfc0GXt_o/s1600/IMG_20140603_203247394%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-956Ba_Wmwy0/VLZ7WyX2UMI/AAAAAAAAI34/YHQfc0GXt_o/s1600/IMG_20140603_203247394%2B(450x800).jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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We had friends over for playtime and lunch!</div>
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Then went to swim lessons at the local Y,</div>
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but it looks like the kids could have gone swimming </div>
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in the puddles in the parking lot!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQsc3Az9zp4/VLZ7XWVgcSI/AAAAAAAAI4E/PC07gyw8LZw/s1600/IMG_20140605_153801705%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQsc3Az9zp4/VLZ7XWVgcSI/AAAAAAAAI4E/PC07gyw8LZw/s1600/IMG_20140605_153801705%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thankfully,</div>
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it was a pretty uneventful first week of daddy being away!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-45406896407098049392014-12-14T08:31:00.000-08:002015-02-18T07:37:49.730-08:00May 2014 - Randomness<div style="text-align: center;">
We were able to squeeze in a few more </div>
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photo worthy</div>
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adventures</div>
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into May.</div>
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Believe it or not...</div>
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Apparently - </div>
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this is how you watch TV.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GF63_5RGgv0/VH_X9Brlh7I/AAAAAAAAIxo/oaMeuHFifoI/s1600/IMG_20140501_203817702%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GF63_5RGgv0/VH_X9Brlh7I/AAAAAAAAIxo/oaMeuHFifoI/s1600/IMG_20140501_203817702%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the cutest</div>
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melt </div>
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down</div>
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EVER!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T__13SjNjFc/VH_YPBQjS_I/AAAAAAAAIx4/tGYtkHrgAQM/s1600/IMG_20140504_175524291%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T__13SjNjFc/VH_YPBQjS_I/AAAAAAAAIx4/tGYtkHrgAQM/s1600/IMG_20140504_175524291%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-74EeEUbilNE/VH_YPT8Oh9I/AAAAAAAAIyE/wJR2DuKK3L8/s1600/IMG_20140504_175538426%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-74EeEUbilNE/VH_YPT8Oh9I/AAAAAAAAIyE/wJR2DuKK3L8/s1600/IMG_20140504_175538426%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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I am guessing he didn't get a long enough nap,</div>
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because this is how he passed out...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40KUsWH9tPQ/VH_YPvFfqwI/AAAAAAAAIyI/w_tnXxWSKX4/s1600/IMG_20140504_202709864%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40KUsWH9tPQ/VH_YPvFfqwI/AAAAAAAAIyI/w_tnXxWSKX4/s1600/IMG_20140504_202709864%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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before bedtime.</div>
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We continued to work on our garden.</div>
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Here are the seedlings.</div>
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I am still quite nervous to put them outside. </div>
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Because that is when the challenge starts!</div>
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We finally got them outside and planted!</div>
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And they didn't do too great.</div>
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They didn't have enough "food".</div>
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We eventually fixed that, </div>
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but it really hurt the timeline and growth.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah6uR_bUgDw/VH_YVowsehI/AAAAAAAAIzs/vu6UxU6vPbQ/s1600/IMG_20140530_163612624%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah6uR_bUgDw/VH_YVowsehI/AAAAAAAAIzs/vu6UxU6vPbQ/s1600/IMG_20140530_163612624%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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The littles found interesting ways to </div>
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entertain themselves while the boys </div>
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took their pre-swim team class.</div>
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We had a birthday breakfast at Krispy Kreme</div>
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for Rico-man!</div>
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He turned 10!!</div>
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I made <a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2014/10/recipe-corner-mound-cake.html" target="_blank">this Mounds Cake</a></div>
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for him earlier in the month.</div>
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Then he decided that he would rather go to the beach</div>
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than have a party.</div>
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(more about that later)</div>
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We took the day off of school</div>
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and</div>
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just enjoyed being together!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h051cNo4UXc/VH_YSAoZ6bI/AAAAAAAAIyw/lskg_wQrakU/s1600/IMG_20140513_091059768%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h051cNo4UXc/VH_YSAoZ6bI/AAAAAAAAIyw/lskg_wQrakU/s1600/IMG_20140513_091059768%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then later in the month,</div>
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we made time for a quick trip to Raleigh to join</div>
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my sister and her friend at</div>
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one of our favorite parks up there:</div>
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Pullen Park!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vR3tGkS8XGY/VH_YThsiY9I/AAAAAAAAIzA/TvzJdBrDV6c/s1600/IMG_20140516_121527894_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vR3tGkS8XGY/VH_YThsiY9I/AAAAAAAAIzA/TvzJdBrDV6c/s1600/IMG_20140516_121527894_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will leave you with two pictures.</div>
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This one I stumbled upon in our storage area.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzjp81SC7KI/VH_YQaN8DLI/AAAAAAAAIzE/8n_rADolbHo/s1600/IMG_20140511_141255755%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzjp81SC7KI/VH_YQaN8DLI/AAAAAAAAIzE/8n_rADolbHo/s1600/IMG_20140511_141255755%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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No words will do - </div>
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I love this man </div>
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and </div>
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am so proud of him and who he is!</div>
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And why not finish off</div>
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with one more crazy sleeping shot of</div>
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Tony Cruz.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBKh33LP2pY/VH_YVxlPnFI/AAAAAAAAIz0/eazhd06FD6c/s1600/IMG_20140530_214611292%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBKh33LP2pY/VH_YVxlPnFI/AAAAAAAAIz0/eazhd06FD6c/s1600/IMG_20140530_214611292%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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He tries so hard to keep up with his older siblings</div>
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that he literally wears himself out!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-24725620845897794982014-12-11T18:46:00.000-08:002015-02-18T07:37:38.032-08:00May 2014: Road Trip #3<div style="text-align: center;">
We love love love our camper.</div>
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We put it up in January </div>
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and were eager to get it back out again.</div>
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We had a few things to do to it before</div>
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we started using it for the season.</div>
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The typical pre-season clean up</div>
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(even though we clean it before we put it up,</div>
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and it stays sealed,</div>
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it still needs a good once over)</div>
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I also wanted the shower door replaced.</div>
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The old door was an accordion type door.</div>
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That was just not good!</div>
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In any way!</div>
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So the hubs replaced it for me.</div>
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(Because he only uses this shower </div>
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when there is not a decent bath house nearby</div>
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and that is probably because the shower is not meant</div>
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for tall, broad shouldered guys!)</div>
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I am not 100% sure what this picture is for,</div>
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but you can see the door track on the left. </div>
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I think we needed a new shower head and hose too.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cd7PKZwBMvs/VH_Dg1Xh-wI/AAAAAAAAIwo/PmykCqqO0T4/s1600/IMG_20140518_161641445%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cd7PKZwBMvs/VH_Dg1Xh-wI/AAAAAAAAIwo/PmykCqqO0T4/s1600/IMG_20140518_161641445%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Hubby removed the old door and frame,</div>
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and installed this awesome foldout/foldin</div>
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shower curtain rod.</div>
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It folds in for storage and transport</div>
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and out to give you (well me) TONS of elbow room.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kI3gIclslFQ/VH_Dg75sazI/AAAAAAAAIwg/a5TxzB8tk7A/s1600/IMG_20140520_164555871%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kI3gIclslFQ/VH_Dg75sazI/AAAAAAAAIwg/a5TxzB8tk7A/s1600/IMG_20140520_164555871%2B(800x450).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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See how "well" he fits in this shower.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWtP5B2i8Yw/VH_Dhex0-SI/AAAAAAAAIws/cirTxq_Sooc/s1600/IMG_20140520_164603311%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWtP5B2i8Yw/VH_Dhex0-SI/AAAAAAAAIws/cirTxq_Sooc/s1600/IMG_20140520_164603311%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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My crew loves this camper so much,</div>
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that they come and just hang out in it</div>
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once it hits the driveway and gets set up!</div>
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Rico hadn't completed his school work on this day,</div>
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and chose to complete it in his bed in the camper,</div>
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while daddy and I worked.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAv4sXB2QZg/VH_DhrRykgI/AAAAAAAAIw0/r2uyaba2a4c/s1600/IMG_20140520_164633323_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAv4sXB2QZg/VH_DhrRykgI/AAAAAAAAIw0/r2uyaba2a4c/s1600/IMG_20140520_164633323_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vLNKlPL1_yo/VH_Dhx22e1I/AAAAAAAAIxQ/VxB4Zw1GO4I/s1600/IMG_20140520_164640366%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vLNKlPL1_yo/VH_Dhx22e1I/AAAAAAAAIxQ/VxB4Zw1GO4I/s1600/IMG_20140520_164640366%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jackson and the littles watched a movie.</div>
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(if you look in the back ground,</div>
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you can see the old shower door to the left of the TV)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dROM7MVEAgo/VH_DiFNZaYI/AAAAAAAAIxA/Of9067sEN6c/s1600/IMG_20140520_164703587_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dROM7MVEAgo/VH_DiFNZaYI/AAAAAAAAIxA/Of9067sEN6c/s1600/IMG_20140520_164703587_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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The finished product!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aexDfRaX-0U/VH_DiEESpDI/AAAAAAAAIxE/qqnHQOw2kpU/s1600/IMG_20140520_195734438%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aexDfRaX-0U/VH_DiEESpDI/AAAAAAAAIxE/qqnHQOw2kpU/s1600/IMG_20140520_195734438%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Thank you daddy!!</div>
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I found this gem on my phone with the rest of these camper pictures,</div>
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I don't remember taking it,</div>
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but it is a really cute one of us!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_ts4osWo_M/VH_Dgs-85JI/AAAAAAAAIwk/T-8_JElUYXA/s1600/IMG_20140518_161615393_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_ts4osWo_M/VH_Dgs-85JI/AAAAAAAAIwk/T-8_JElUYXA/s1600/IMG_20140518_161615393_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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We headed out and</div>
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tried out a new spot, close to home.</div>
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But it was not my favorite.</div>
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It was way too crowded and</div>
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meant mainly for seasonal or permanent folks.</div>
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The spots for campers were too close together,</div>
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the man made beach on the lake</div>
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was covered in pinecones so my poor guys kept stepping on them</div>
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going to and from the water,</div>
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their was, apparently, no "curfew" or quiet time,</div>
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there was also no age minimum on individuals who could </div>
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drive golf carts unsupervised and we witnessed </div>
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two groups of children hit each other in their carts</div>
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(and I can't help to think it could have been a child on a bike or a walker!)</div>
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and plenty of reckless driving by children.</div>
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We still had a good time,</div>
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but we won't be running back there anytime soon.</div>
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And really didn't get any pictures worth sharing.</div>
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<br />Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-12736637422497443232014-12-09T18:08:00.000-08:002015-02-18T07:37:26.634-08:00Spring 2014 Soccer Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This past spring all 4 of our kids played soccer</div>
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with</div>
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Upward Sports.</div>
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Tony Cruz was the biggest ham!</div>
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It was the first time he had played </div>
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organized sports</div>
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and</div>
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he constantly had the fans in the stands,</div>
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in stitches laughing at his antics on the soccer field!</div>
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He and Alexis were on the same team,</div>
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and I decided to be assistant coach,</div>
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since 1/3 of the team belonged to me!</div>
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I have never played a day of organized soccer </div>
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IN.MY.LIFE!</div>
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But I can corral kids</div>
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and at this age,</div>
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you are lucky to get them to kick the ball</div>
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in the right direction...</div>
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so there is really no need of knowledge of the game.</div>
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Thankfully!</div>
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<br /></div>
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My husband also got roped into coaching.</div>
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He coached Jackson's team.</div>
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He had to be a little more concerned with </div>
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the rules and stuff,</div>
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but not much!</div>
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Haha!</div>
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I was also blessed with the opportunity to take their team pictures.</div>
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Here are the ones of my crew.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5U2uCXZ1Zc/VH_APtY0ESI/AAAAAAAAIv0/vjRGiTwLyFI/s1600/IMG_8459%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5U2uCXZ1Zc/VH_APtY0ESI/AAAAAAAAIv0/vjRGiTwLyFI/s1600/IMG_8459%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjzAutarHvM/VH_APhvoI4I/AAAAAAAAIv4/ADgfXUiLwOQ/s1600/IMG_8722%2B(535x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjzAutarHvM/VH_APhvoI4I/AAAAAAAAIv4/ADgfXUiLwOQ/s1600/IMG_8722%2B(535x800).jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
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(yep, we are in trouble!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwGAq2HaPBc/VH_APqaQEVI/AAAAAAAAIv8/pWzoDdCTm7M/s1600/IMG_8846%2B(536x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwGAq2HaPBc/VH_APqaQEVI/AAAAAAAAIv8/pWzoDdCTm7M/s1600/IMG_8846%2B(536x800).jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPdEm84l2vE/VH_ASJ2PrgI/AAAAAAAAIwM/JwZY6CYA83w/s1600/IMG_8866%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPdEm84l2vE/VH_ASJ2PrgI/AAAAAAAAIwM/JwZY6CYA83w/s1600/IMG_8866%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-35426781876934421362014-12-07T17:41:00.000-08:002015-02-18T07:37:12.590-08:00May 2014: Road Trip #2!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
As stated in my last post,</div>
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we had the privilege to attend </div>
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our goddaughter's<br />
First Holy Communion,</div>
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the weekend after our second child's.</div>
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What a treat! </div>
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My husband had previous plans,</div>
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so the kids and I loaded up </div>
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and headed to stay with my college roommate</div>
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and her family,</div>
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about 3 1/2 hours away.</div>
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When we got there,</div>
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the kids all started playing together,</div>
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like they have known each other for years!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cyd9PgokP-k/VH-3p65-LxI/AAAAAAAAItw/_xPWkkqWBDk/s1600/IMG_20140516_184117810%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cyd9PgokP-k/VH-3p65-LxI/AAAAAAAAItw/_xPWkkqWBDk/s1600/IMG_20140516_184117810%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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I loved this little blow up toddler bed that Tony Cruz slept on!</div>
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I wish I would have known about these YEARS ago!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3OKAJffP6s/VH-3p1LKSNI/AAAAAAAAIts/E6nwCfNDCd4/s1600/IMG_20140516_213321596%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3OKAJffP6s/VH-3p1LKSNI/AAAAAAAAIts/E6nwCfNDCd4/s1600/IMG_20140516_213321596%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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My kids with their beautiful godsister.</div>
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(is that a "thing"? Godsister?)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHRJCJ-HnBs/VH-3pwPFlnI/AAAAAAAAIt0/K1jGSdSnaUM/s1600/IMG_20140517_090340327%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHRJCJ-HnBs/VH-3pwPFlnI/AAAAAAAAIt0/K1jGSdSnaUM/s1600/IMG_20140517_090340327%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I couldn't help but snap a picture of this handsome boy,</div>
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I loved his outfit:</div>
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jeans,</div>
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boots,</div>
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button up shirt,</div>
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rolled up sleeve</div>
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and</div>
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shark's tooth necklace.</div>
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Yep,</div>
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that's my kid!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEHbumxdFfY/VH-3qvxw4VI/AAAAAAAAIt8/L_TSgYs_3zg/s1600/IMG_20140517_103745956_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEHbumxdFfY/VH-3qvxw4VI/AAAAAAAAIt8/L_TSgYs_3zg/s1600/IMG_20140517_103745956_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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After the service,</div>
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we had a small family celebration back at their house,</div>
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then went and found a cute museum.</div>
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</div>
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Rico made a friend.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8agGTzrMtqw/VH-3rKA7-BI/AAAAAAAAIuI/4Q83WAWD2zY/s1600/IMG_20140517_150301117%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8agGTzrMtqw/VH-3rKA7-BI/AAAAAAAAIuI/4Q83WAWD2zY/s1600/IMG_20140517_150301117%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Then I found the 4 cutest bugs ever!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTT2-LkeZKQ/VH-3rXWW70I/AAAAAAAAIu8/gvoB8GPpbCA/s1600/IMG_20140517_150508007%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTT2-LkeZKQ/VH-3rXWW70I/AAAAAAAAIu8/gvoB8GPpbCA/s1600/IMG_20140517_150508007%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ciYRUSVL61Y/VH-3tdybYwI/AAAAAAAAIu4/3TNMagjzYjY/s1600/IMG_20140517_160818027_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ciYRUSVL61Y/VH-3tdybYwI/AAAAAAAAIu4/3TNMagjzYjY/s1600/IMG_20140517_160818027_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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(bless his heart, he wasn't quite tall enough!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjIzS7dqbU/VH-3ueQ5wuI/AAAAAAAAIvI/gY5Np0YNFZg/s1600/IMG_20140517_160848621%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjIzS7dqbU/VH-3ueQ5wuI/AAAAAAAAIvI/gY5Np0YNFZg/s1600/IMG_20140517_160848621%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlqHW6zIQ2E/VH-3uYdfpAI/AAAAAAAAIvc/yAdBwgv4_GY/s1600/IMG_20140517_160942261_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlqHW6zIQ2E/VH-3uYdfpAI/AAAAAAAAIvc/yAdBwgv4_GY/s1600/IMG_20140517_160942261_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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We explored inside and out...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSp2hWlfe3A/VH-3rktdENI/AAAAAAAAIuY/EQGUY7Q3IV0/s1600/IMG_20140517_150554729%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSp2hWlfe3A/VH-3rktdENI/AAAAAAAAIuY/EQGUY7Q3IV0/s1600/IMG_20140517_150554729%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Joj4KaAuZQ/VH-3r8xgvWI/AAAAAAAAIuc/m_NITp8xzi0/s1600/IMG_20140517_151000901%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Joj4KaAuZQ/VH-3r8xgvWI/AAAAAAAAIuc/m_NITp8xzi0/s1600/IMG_20140517_151000901%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDlxkeT7gtg/VH-3tHGqA0I/AAAAAAAAIuw/D6-8v6xV-1E/s1600/IMG_20140517_153007219%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDlxkeT7gtg/VH-3tHGqA0I/AAAAAAAAIuw/D6-8v6xV-1E/s1600/IMG_20140517_153007219%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jackson even gave piggy back rides to some tired legs.</div>
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(my sweet boy)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw3t2Yi_yw8/VH-3s9SC8pI/AAAAAAAAIus/kYAew39f3cc/s1600/IMG_20140517_160548466%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw3t2Yi_yw8/VH-3s9SC8pI/AAAAAAAAIus/kYAew39f3cc/s1600/IMG_20140517_160548466%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Then dinner...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suXMrMDlLBQ/VH-3ukR9XeI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/6CMZMosqgws/s1600/IMG_20140517_184606875%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suXMrMDlLBQ/VH-3ukR9XeI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/6CMZMosqgws/s1600/IMG_20140517_184606875%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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And a movie!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_zXqWbZ6Vc/VH-3u60XuYI/AAAAAAAAIvY/lk7M0OBteig/s1600/IMG_20140517_192745199%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_zXqWbZ6Vc/VH-3u60XuYI/AAAAAAAAIvY/lk7M0OBteig/s1600/IMG_20140517_192745199%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Look at all that couch space,</div>
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and those two squeeze into the same chair!)</div>
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We had a wonderful time catching up with old friends,</div>
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and watching our children become new friends.</div>
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I am very thankful for this couple,</div>
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and</div>
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appreciate their wisdom and thoughts on </div>
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many subjects.</div>
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I hope we get the opportunity to visit again!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-16047008766407438702014-12-05T17:02:00.000-08:002015-02-18T07:36:34.800-08:00May 2014: Jackson's First Communion<div style="text-align: center;">
If you go back a little,</div>
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you can see that we have had quite a busy May.</div>
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(What's new, right?)</div>
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Along with all the other fun,</div>
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we were blessed to be able to celebrate</div>
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our second child's</div>
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First Holy Communion </div>
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in the Catholic Church!</div>
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What a beautiful experience.</div>
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And graciously,</div>
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some friends sat with us in the front row</div>
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and took these beautiful pictures </div>
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of this wonderful event.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzmii9h8HHE/VH-xkX8Zz6I/AAAAAAAAIs0/gYmUDVEaygo/s1600/IMG_8997%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzmii9h8HHE/VH-xkX8Zz6I/AAAAAAAAIs0/gYmUDVEaygo/s1600/IMG_8997%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N86tVxl0Wus/VH-xkp_fduI/AAAAAAAAIs8/HY2j567xb9U/s1600/IMG_9002%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N86tVxl0Wus/VH-xkp_fduI/AAAAAAAAIs8/HY2j567xb9U/s1600/IMG_9002%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HRncxr2FVA/VH-xkjcihUI/AAAAAAAAIs4/g3aOqzY-WJk/s1600/IMG_9003%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HRncxr2FVA/VH-xkjcihUI/AAAAAAAAIs4/g3aOqzY-WJk/s1600/IMG_9003%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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(He was NOT impressed with the wine. Haha!)</div>
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The beautiful family joining us,</div>
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is the two biggest boys' godparent's</div>
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and their children.</div>
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The sweetie girl on the right, </div>
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is also our goddaughter.</div>
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(we went to her First Holy Communion the following week) </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfk9WrB8P4U/VH-xllUODXI/AAAAAAAAItU/ZxZpT2DZdYE/s1600/IMG_9006%2B(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfk9WrB8P4U/VH-xllUODXI/AAAAAAAAItU/ZxZpT2DZdYE/s1600/IMG_9006%2B(800x533).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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(there are a couple of hams in this picture!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNtOXG7DaBM/VH-xltUhVvI/AAAAAAAAItM/b04zWzM0zQ4/s1600/IMG_9010%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNtOXG7DaBM/VH-xltUhVvI/AAAAAAAAItM/b04zWzM0zQ4/s1600/IMG_9010%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Our friend, Father Pat.</div>
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Who we have a crazy connection to!</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">My life...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">My heart...</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">My joy...</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">My Purpose!</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z0VWikn_e0/VH-xlaJfMoI/AAAAAAAAItI/RITpxBNFQZw/s1600/IMG_9004%2B(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z0VWikn_e0/VH-xlaJfMoI/AAAAAAAAItI/RITpxBNFQZw/s1600/IMG_9004%2B(533x800).jpg" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-76700724660665202962014-12-04T16:51:00.000-08:002014-12-04T16:51:00.252-08:00April and May Boys' Bedroom Shuffle!<div style="text-align: center;">
When we first moved into this house,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jackson (child #2, then 7)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
decided he wanted to share a room with</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the youngest child (#4, then 2 1/2).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Therefore, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the two of them got the largest room </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with 2 closets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our oldest, Rico, got the room closest to ours.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And our only daughter,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wound up with the room with the biggest closet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(imagine that!?!?).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the youngest child,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tony Cruz,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
likes to chatter himself to sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This got quite old to Jackson.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So in April of this year </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(yes, 8 months ago)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he asked to move to the finished third floor.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We obliged.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpt3v3sxh1g/VH-VxcRt79I/AAAAAAAAIrk/ZYzSCXl_NWQ/s1600/IMG_20140426_161719449%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpt3v3sxh1g/VH-VxcRt79I/AAAAAAAAIrk/ZYzSCXl_NWQ/s1600/IMG_20140426_161719449%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(This is what it looked like right after the move upstairs.)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tony was still sleeping in his crib,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which was turned into a day bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So everything else stayed the same.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rico was ready for a "big boy" bed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since he has been sleeping in the same </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
completely wooden railed twin bed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(his half of a bunk set)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since he was 2!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We started looking for him,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since he was about to turn 10.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never found anything that I thought was a good fit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I was willing to pay for.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My littlest sister was selling her mattress set,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so we purchased her practically brand new set,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the master bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this allowed us to give our set</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to Rico!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did not want Tony Cruz on the complete other side of the house</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by himself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the fun began.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGdAF_gKzI/VH-VPEHg2JI/AAAAAAAAIrc/hy3Q80kxSAU/s1600/IMG_20140511_144344949%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGdAF_gKzI/VH-VPEHg2JI/AAAAAAAAIrc/hy3Q80kxSAU/s1600/IMG_20140511_144344949%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(mid-process of de-babying the youngest room)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tony even chipped in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
attempted to help me take the crib apart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zm6uzf20Hzo/VH-WLtmKi6I/AAAAAAAAIrw/8q_HDeUpFUU/s1600/IMG_20140511_150332486%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zm6uzf20Hzo/VH-WLtmKi6I/AAAAAAAAIrw/8q_HDeUpFUU/s1600/IMG_20140511_150332486%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
in his underwear,</div>
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which I *think* was actually inside out too!</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOHra_rZzz8/VH-WLsI-BRI/AAAAAAAAIr0/YN-G1WIbcL0/s1600/IMG_20140511_150416338%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOHra_rZzz8/VH-WLsI-BRI/AAAAAAAAIr0/YN-G1WIbcL0/s1600/IMG_20140511_150416338%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He is working HARD trying to figure all these tools out!!</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After daddy switched the mattresses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the master,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he took a break.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(these must have sat in our closet for a week before</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we actually put them on our bed).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0nkKtVTv8I/VH-WLR46yhI/AAAAAAAAIrs/8IxqjQq1lnk/s1600/IMG_20140511_191433641%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0nkKtVTv8I/VH-WLR46yhI/AAAAAAAAIrs/8IxqjQq1lnk/s1600/IMG_20140511_191433641%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rico moved into the room that Tony & Jackson </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
used to share.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And since I haven't found a bedroom set,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
nor bed,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
that I like,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
his mattress and box springs are sitting on the floor,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
and he is still using some hand-me-down</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
upcycled furniture that we got from my bestie,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
whose brother's used it...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
20+ years ago!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ha!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He was already snug in his new bed...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
and had explicit instructions</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
that he was not to leave his room</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
the following morning</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
until that pile o stuff</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
was rectified!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rghC0_lDMY/VH-WMazBv2I/AAAAAAAAIsQ/z3SZohiVySo/s1600/IMG_20140511_203415119%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rghC0_lDMY/VH-WMazBv2I/AAAAAAAAIsQ/z3SZohiVySo/s1600/IMG_20140511_203415119%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br />And Tony Cruz</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
took over Rico's old room </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
bed!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Eventually he got a new set of monster truck sheets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But bless his heart,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
mommy still hasn't taken Rico's name off the wall!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
That is maybe,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
hopefully,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
something that will be done</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
sooner than later.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The next day,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
we were still cleaning and organizing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
and </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Jackson comes to me and informs me that</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tony Cruz had knocked his tooth out!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What?!?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
They were wrestling</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
and Tony Cruz hit him just right,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
and out came his, already quite loose, tooth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So just for fun, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I had them pose:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTEM3rFA2LU/VH-WMAwhHfI/AAAAAAAAIr8/dYPspcP4r6E/s1600/IMG_20140511_194814593%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTEM3rFA2LU/VH-WMAwhHfI/AAAAAAAAIr8/dYPspcP4r6E/s1600/IMG_20140511_194814593%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Love Tony's face here!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 months later,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these rooms still look pretty much the same.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They have a few more items in them</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and are a little neater (at times).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-52851799598597893622014-12-03T13:27:00.003-08:002014-12-04T14:48:44.501-08:00Nana's Surprise Birthday Beach Trip!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
This past May,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we did something we haven't done in a while,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
quite a while.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All 12 of the member of our immediate family,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on my side</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(mom & dad, baby sis & middle sis and her hub and baby)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all piled into the same house...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the WHOLE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
weekend!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sisters and I planned it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mom was turning...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well she probably wouldn't want me telling her age,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
anyways, it was a multiple of 10,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so a biggish birthday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we got dad on board,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
booked the house </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(thanks to my sister's inlaws)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
made the plans,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
plotted to deceive,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
made it happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are all SOOOO busy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my baby sis was headed to Colorado for the summer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and everyone was just all over the place,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so it was not hard to tell mom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that we might not be able to all get together to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
celebrate her upcoming birthday on May 10th.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But secretly,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
behind the scenes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we wanted to do something special.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We thought about a big party,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or dinner with lots of family and friends,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but ultimately decided,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what would mean the most to my mom </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
would be to have all of her kids and grandkids together.<br />
For the first time in years,<br />
and possibly the last time in a long time.<br />
<br />
So we got dad in on the plan.<br />
The baby sister was going to come up with an excuse<br />
to go to the beach for the "day" on Friday.<br />
Then there was discussion of staying in a bed and breakfast for the night,<br />
before coming home on Saturday.<br />
Then mom thought we were having a cook-out at her house,<br />
with family and friends,<br />
that Saturday night.<br />
Dad was in charge of "calling everyone",<br />
didn't happen (wink, wink).<br />
<br />
Thursday, I baked up a storm,<br />
making<br />
a birthday cake for mom (<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2014/10/recipe-corner-paula-deens-sour-cream.html" target="_blank">Sour Cream Pound Cake</a>)<br />
& my oldest (<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2014/10/recipe-corner-mound-cake.html" target="_blank">Mounds Cake</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
).<br />
<br />
Then, Friday,<br />
my dad,<br />
my middle sis,<br />
and I,<br />
all coordinated our timing<br />
and met at the beach within about 15 minutes of each other!<br />
Shockingly since we were all coming from different directions<br />
and travel times!<br />
<br />
Mom and my sis were having froyo.<br />
So we all surprised her at the froyo place.<br />
We let the 5 grandkids walk in first,<br />
Mom was shocked.<br />
Then when she saw dad...<br />
she got tears in her eyes.<br />
At first,<br />
she thought that we had all just come for ice cream<br />
(long trip for ice cream)<br />
then when she saw dad,<br />
she realized something else was going on!<br />
<br />
I just *knew* she had a suspicion,<br />
but I guess I get my occasional aloofness<br />
honestly.<br />
(love you ma!!!)<br />
<br />
And since we were at the Froyo place,<br />
the rest of us<br />
HAD to get some!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kb6SbB8E8_8/VH99KhECF0I/AAAAAAAAIqE/BJNSTfPVUow/s1600/IMG_7734%2B(600x800)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kb6SbB8E8_8/VH99KhECF0I/AAAAAAAAIqE/BJNSTfPVUow/s1600/IMG_7734%2B(600x800)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-lNoHPMFXE/VH99K7FskeI/AAAAAAAAIqM/ooRB8_65o0k/s1600/IMG_7737%2B(600x800)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-lNoHPMFXE/VH99K7FskeI/AAAAAAAAIqM/ooRB8_65o0k/s1600/IMG_7737%2B(600x800)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndiGIgIXEaU/VH99MHE-e_I/AAAAAAAAIqw/EgqS9PmfpCA/s1600/IMG_7741%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndiGIgIXEaU/VH99MHE-e_I/AAAAAAAAIqw/EgqS9PmfpCA/s1600/IMG_7741%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Then we went to unload at the beach house.<br />
<br />
And see how much<br />
stuff<br />
and<br />
kids<br />
we could<br />
put into an elevator!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abcm0d8LlNo/VH99FiaA02I/AAAAAAAAIoU/GSqRO0Zb_T4/s1600/IMG_20140502_163008393%2B(800x450)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abcm0d8LlNo/VH99FiaA02I/AAAAAAAAIoU/GSqRO0Zb_T4/s1600/IMG_20140502_163008393%2B(800x450)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got 5 people</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a whole corner of stuff.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri1bTHlxBv4/VH99Fs78q3I/AAAAAAAAIoc/Ee6EiHsXhFo/s1600/IMG_20140502_163012491%2B(800x450)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri1bTHlxBv4/VH99Fs78q3I/AAAAAAAAIoc/Ee6EiHsXhFo/s1600/IMG_20140502_163012491%2B(800x450)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took Nana out to the </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
favorite beach restaurant!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our way, </div>
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we stopped for a photo op!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOdzQf-D-10/VH99MLE041I/AAAAAAAAIqs/Ia-ruU69_tg/s1600/IMG_7751%2B(800x600)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOdzQf-D-10/VH99MLE041I/AAAAAAAAIqs/Ia-ruU69_tg/s1600/IMG_7751%2B(800x600)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nana & Papa and all the grands</div>
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(this looks Christmas card worthy to me!!</div>
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or</div>
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a Facebook profile or cover photo! haha!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKFhdB-KGTo/VH99GkaMBhI/AAAAAAAAIoo/K53fp4of2pg/s1600/IMG_20140502_180303177%2B(800x450)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKFhdB-KGTo/VH99GkaMBhI/AAAAAAAAIoo/K53fp4of2pg/s1600/IMG_20140502_180303177%2B(800x450)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nana & the girls</div>
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Papa telling the big boys one of his tall tales.</div>
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Papa and the girls!</div>
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Tony Cruz sad because I wouldn't let him drink Texas Pete!</div>
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Sister Cousins!</div>
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That night we decided to share the</div>
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humongous Easter Bunny that we were given.</div>
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One</div>
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bite</div>
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at</div>
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a </div>
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time!</div>
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The next morning,</div>
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a quick elevator ride took us down </div>
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to wake up sleeping beauty...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl3qUJ-ZjIw/VH99M_Po30I/AAAAAAAAIq8/2jVobZg4JLo/s1600/IMG_7772%2B(600x800)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl3qUJ-ZjIw/VH99M_Po30I/AAAAAAAAIq8/2jVobZg4JLo/s1600/IMG_7772%2B(600x800)%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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By all these cuties!</div>
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Wake Up Aunt Mimi! </div>
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We are ready to go to the beach!!!</div>
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We spent the day on the beach.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHbofsE5ZPs/VH99JqBECSI/AAAAAAAAIpo/XNP-qSSgpis/s1600/IMG_20140503_093004420%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHbofsE5ZPs/VH99JqBECSI/AAAAAAAAIpo/XNP-qSSgpis/s1600/IMG_20140503_093004420%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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After dinner,</div>
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we celebrated the birthdays!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5AjREDGZvM/VIDjZFL3sBI/AAAAAAAAI1I/4lYHqpwPb6w/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5AjREDGZvM/VIDjZFL3sBI/AAAAAAAAI1I/4lYHqpwPb6w/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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(That is an awful lot of candles!!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_nDQr4sDTs/VIDjoXHaJhI/AAAAAAAAI1k/0tB6cLr1NJY/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_nDQr4sDTs/VIDjoXHaJhI/AAAAAAAAI1k/0tB6cLr1NJY/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Nana wouldn't let us put candles in hers.</div>
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Then the birthday boy attempted to cut the cake!</div>
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Apparently the chocolate ganache was a little hard to cut.<br />
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After our bellies were full of cake,</div>
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some of us were so worn out,</div>
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we fell asleep on the hardwood floor!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSAnE-bxU1Q/VH99KGLC8dI/AAAAAAAAIpw/WKYjDoUr0Q4/s1600/IMG_20140503_213023672%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSAnE-bxU1Q/VH99KGLC8dI/AAAAAAAAIpw/WKYjDoUr0Q4/s1600/IMG_20140503_213023672%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next morning,</div>
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after we got out hair brushed by daddy,</div>
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we headed home.</div>
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We had a great trip!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-58607339054417755772014-10-16T18:30:00.000-07:002014-12-04T13:51:03.952-08:00Recipe Corner: Paula Deen's Sour Cream Pound Cake<div style="text-align: center;">
My mom</div>
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and</div>
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my oldest have birthdays</div>
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3 days apart.</div>
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My mom, May 10th</div>
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My oldest, May 13th.</div>
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The previous post was the </div>
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Mounds Cake </div>
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I made for my oldest.</div>
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I asked my mom what kind of cake she wanted...</div>
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she went simple.</div>
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I don't like simple!</div>
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Challenge me people!!</div>
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She was happy with</div>
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a store bought pound cake,</div>
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strawberries</div>
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and</div>
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whipped cream.</div>
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A Strawberry Shortcake</div>
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I tried to talk her out of it!</div>
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Told her </div>
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"You had that last year!"</div>
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to which she responded</div>
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(without skipping a beat)</div>
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"How many years in a row have you had the</div>
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EXACT SAME cake??"</div>
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To which I just quietly and defeatedly said</div>
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"Touche, mom, touche"</div>
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Then at dinner that night I told my husband the same story.</div>
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Before I could get my mom's response out of my mouth,</div>
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my husband was staring across the table at me with his mouth open</div>
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in amazement,</div>
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getting ready to defend my sweet mother,</div>
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then he heard her response to me and just laughed!</div>
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So,</div>
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what mama wants,</div>
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mama gets!</div>
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But I was NOT buying her a pound cake!</div>
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NO SIR!</div>
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And I had never made a pound cake before,</div>
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so I was QUITE excited and nervous!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I searched for a bit and settled on </div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/grandmother-pauls-sour-cream-pound-cake-recipe.html" target="_blank">Paula Deen's Sour Cream Pound Cake</a></div>
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(mainly because I had bought a GIANT vat of sour cream</div>
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from Sam's a few weeks prior and it needed to be used!)</div>
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As with the Mounds Cake,</div>
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I followed directions.</div>
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I had to since I was a first timer!</div>
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This, the creamed butter and sugar,</div>
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is a thing of absolute beauty itself!</div>
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And scrumptious, too!</div>
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Alternated in the rest of the ingredients,</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uju4IC1zsOo/VDXhl02DflI/AAAAAAAAIiA/cvMwrj1RSuM/s1600/IMG_20140501_162231593%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uju4IC1zsOo/VDXhl02DflI/AAAAAAAAIiA/cvMwrj1RSuM/s1600/IMG_20140501_162231593%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then held my breath as I poured it into the bundt pan,</div>
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I was scared it wasn't going to fit!</div>
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And I might or might not have licked the bowl </div>
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and spoon</div>
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of this too!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68kSAXSyzCg/VDXhmIoP3kI/AAAAAAAAIiI/0uygFQausJo/s1600/IMG_20140501_162850695_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68kSAXSyzCg/VDXhmIoP3kI/AAAAAAAAIiI/0uygFQausJo/s1600/IMG_20140501_162850695_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was even more nervous watching it bake!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5XxMkTwlPU/VDXhmyl2xMI/AAAAAAAAIig/On9_9fCC_Lk/s1600/IMG_20140501_181513995%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5XxMkTwlPU/VDXhmyl2xMI/AAAAAAAAIig/On9_9fCC_Lk/s1600/IMG_20140501_181513995%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Good gracious that thing puffed up!</div>
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And the top was so amazingly crusty and sweet and amazing!</div>
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This cake DID NOT make it to my mom's with all of its pieces!</div>
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It remained uncut,</div>
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but not unscathed.</div>
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This is how it traveled </div>
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and </div>
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this is the ONLY picture we got</div>
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of it dumped out of is pan</div>
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along with the other cake</div>
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and</div>
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the birthday people</div>
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(plus one).</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abtj2UI6rIA/VIDXE3NR9fI/AAAAAAAAI0s/T6_d1lAsDcY/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abtj2UI6rIA/VIDXE3NR9fI/AAAAAAAAI0s/T6_d1lAsDcY/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I *will* be making this one again!</div>
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I have no idea when...</div>
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but it WILL happen!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-64112191190635511912014-10-14T18:00:00.000-07:002014-10-14T18:00:01.279-07:00Recipe Corner: Mound Cake<div style="text-align: center;">
**To follow our adventures in cakes, cooking, homeschooling and life,</div>
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subscribe to our email list at the right**</div>
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If you will recall, </div>
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last year,</div>
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my oldest just wanted a </div>
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"simple"</div>
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Skittles Cake,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Simple cakes are</div>
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NOT </div>
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in my vocabulary!</div>
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<br /></div>
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So I made this</div>
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<a href="http://arewereallydoingthis.blogspot.com/2013/07/skittles-flavored-rainbow-cake.html" target="_blank">Skittles Flavored Rainbow Cake</a></div>
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(which by the way is, BY FAR,</div>
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my most popular post with </div>
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10,824 views at last look!!!! </div>
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WHOO HOO!!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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So this year,</div>
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he the instructions I was given were</div>
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"coconut and chocolate".</div>
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So I started Googling!</div>
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And</div>
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Pinteresting!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And came across something called a</div>
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<a href="http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/2013/04/mounds-layer-cake/" target="_blank">Mounds Layer Cake</a></div>
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over at</div>
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<a href="http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Cookbook Queen</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was so excited!!!</div>
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I followed the directions pretty spot on.</div>
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I only took a few pictures,</div>
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but lemme tellya,</div>
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this stuff,</div>
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right here,</div>
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in the picture below,</div>
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is AH-MAZING!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9i_GbuurAw/VDXaVItW2oI/AAAAAAAAIgU/y_nX3rAlq0g/s1600/IMG_20140501_164637705%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9i_GbuurAw/VDXaVItW2oI/AAAAAAAAIgU/y_nX3rAlq0g/s1600/IMG_20140501_164637705%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Cream of Coconut!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And you see this 1/3 c measuring cup right here?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_FhZgCQS2s/VDXaVP4mGXI/AAAAAAAAIgQ/R48gjSBMBYg/s1600/IMG_20140501_164738180%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_FhZgCQS2s/VDXaVP4mGXI/AAAAAAAAIgQ/R48gjSBMBYg/s1600/IMG_20140501_164738180%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Those are ABSOLUTELY </div>
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lick marks in the bottom of that thing!</div>
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No Shame here!</div>
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I totally LICKED the thing CLEAN!</div>
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(after dumping it in the mixer, of course!)</div>
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</div>
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Just in case you needed another look!</div>
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And it make a KILLER</div>
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addition to ANY</div>
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cup of coffee!</div>
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I did resist eating the rest of the can</div>
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with that spoon sticking out of it.</div>
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Barely though!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwkdi3HyEQs/VDXaV1O5AyI/AAAAAAAAIhs/lFZMCHovf4Q/s1600/IMG_20140501_164748687_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwkdi3HyEQs/VDXaV1O5AyI/AAAAAAAAIhs/lFZMCHovf4Q/s1600/IMG_20140501_164748687_HDR%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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In this process,</div>
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I also discovered the amazingness of fluffier buttercream!</div>
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I had been a Wilton girl for a while,</div>
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mainly because I was too scared to play with my icing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This buttercream turned out so amazingly smooth and fluffy!</div>
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I haven't gone back to "regular" buttercream since!</div>
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The cream of coconut and heavy whipping cream are added to the butter</div>
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and whipped.</div>
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LIFE CHANGING MOMENT!!!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndtODP9q3G4/VDXaWjeBScI/AAAAAAAAIgk/CTG6QifD5pw/s1600/IMG_20140501_165156613%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndtODP9q3G4/VDXaWjeBScI/AAAAAAAAIgk/CTG6QifD5pw/s1600/IMG_20140501_165156613%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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(this is just the start of the frosting!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The center of the cake was simple,</div>
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flaked coconut combined with sweetened condensed milk.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClvzgY-G23I/VDXaW7FDr5I/AAAAAAAAIgo/oyieUB42HDc/s1600/IMG_20140501_165813069_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClvzgY-G23I/VDXaW7FDr5I/AAAAAAAAIgo/oyieUB42HDc/s1600/IMG_20140501_165813069_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did not cut any of these cakes down,</div>
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usually I will level them,</div>
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I chose not to since there was such a thick layer of coconut</div>
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in the middle,</div>
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I figured it would all even out.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i17aVOOp-uw/VDXaXcW_zdI/AAAAAAAAIg8/ScvNu1w-H0M/s1600/IMG_20140501_175106491%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i17aVOOp-uw/VDXaXcW_zdI/AAAAAAAAIg8/ScvNu1w-H0M/s1600/IMG_20140501_175106491%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Frosted it with my new favorite frosting!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYIJrBjG1y0/VDXaXmM00kI/AAAAAAAAIg4/NigRTgisvL0/s1600/IMG_20140501_180604819%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYIJrBjG1y0/VDXaXmM00kI/AAAAAAAAIg4/NigRTgisvL0/s1600/IMG_20140501_180604819%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Made my ganache!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Re7SEaTD084/VDXaYVa4gNI/AAAAAAAAIhE/9GrBnrph_Pw/s1600/IMG_20140501_195529261%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Re7SEaTD084/VDXaYVa4gNI/AAAAAAAAIhE/9GrBnrph_Pw/s1600/IMG_20140501_195529261%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXwx8KznOik/VDXaYkscDwI/AAAAAAAAIhI/M9vvUDCE1wM/s1600/IMG_20140501_195534045%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXwx8KznOik/VDXaYkscDwI/AAAAAAAAIhI/M9vvUDCE1wM/s1600/IMG_20140501_195534045%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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I attempted to speed up the process a bit,</div>
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and threw it in the fridge to solidify a bit.</div>
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I kept checking it and it went from not quite ready</div>
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to too thick!</div>
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REALLY QUICK!</div>
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So it didn't "flow" over the top as I had wished.</div>
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I had to help it...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-da6wkDtGJAM/VDXaZvDZbTI/AAAAAAAAIhY/jtPSj7ExAeI/s1600/IMG_20140501_205958131_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-da6wkDtGJAM/VDXaZvDZbTI/AAAAAAAAIhY/jtPSj7ExAeI/s1600/IMG_20140501_205958131_HDR%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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But it still turned out GREAT!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiJ9TT-2xv8/VDXaZfbODEI/AAAAAAAAIhU/HgP3SFdaRJc/s1600/IMG_20140501_205737546%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiJ9TT-2xv8/VDXaZfbODEI/AAAAAAAAIhU/HgP3SFdaRJc/s1600/IMG_20140501_205737546%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And my mom & sisters told me it looked like what we get at </div>
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our long time favorite bakery...</div>
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what a compliment!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And it tasted YUMMY too!!</div>
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So its official,</div>
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my oldest has outgrown shaped and designed cakes</div>
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and has graduated to</div>
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specific flavors!</div>
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I wonder what he will challenge me with next year!</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792228454891301970.post-3297180096780371862014-10-12T11:50:00.000-07:002014-10-12T11:50:00.087-07:00Water Safety Awareness Class<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the mom's from our homeschool group</div>
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put together a</div>
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"Water Awareness Class"</div>
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at our local YMCA.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I signed up,</div>
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said I was interested in my big boys taking it...</div>
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then when the time came,</div>
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wondered if it was really worth my time</div>
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(and theirs - the boys).</div>
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We had too much to do,</div>
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we were quite behind in our school year</div>
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(after taking the entire month of December off).</div>
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And it was at 1:30!</div>
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We are still usually doing school work at 1:30p.</div>
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We usually don't finish until about 3pm</div>
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because my kids don't stay on task!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyways,</div>
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I knew it was going to hinder our school week.</div>
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So I really didn't want to go.</div>
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<br /></div>
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At the last minute,</div>
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we decided to go.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am soooooooo<br />
glad we did!<br />
<br />
The big boys had a BALL<br />
and<br />
learned a lot!!!<br />
<br />
I let the little swim a little too.<br />
<br />
I can't remember what prompted this picture,<br />
but he was proving to me that he had<br />
his bathing suit on the right way<br />
by showing me the tag was in the back...<br />
<br />
I love everything about this one.<br />
His hair<br />
and<br />
that booty!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRScdRo01Ec/VDNTWoWch-I/AAAAAAAAIdw/dn-uc4jO7mE/s1600/1399311073179%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRScdRo01Ec/VDNTWoWch-I/AAAAAAAAIdw/dn-uc4jO7mE/s1600/1399311073179%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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The class started with a little chat,</div>
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and then a swim test.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu7_A-kAWSI/VDNTXlTjPnI/AAAAAAAAIeA/aRrqSA08S5A/s1600/IMG_20140428_133047504%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu7_A-kAWSI/VDNTXlTjPnI/AAAAAAAAIeA/aRrqSA08S5A/s1600/IMG_20140428_133047504%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I knew Jackson wasn't a strong swimmer,<br />
he was hesitant to teach himself<br />
and try...<br />
and no matter how hard the hubs and I tried,<br />
he was just too scared to drown.<br />
So we realized he probably needed<br />
someone else to teach him.<br />
<br />
He got semi-private lessons!<br />
I was stoked!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFEX0REDHJs/VDNTW-5CDNI/AAAAAAAAId4/9lmQpIrg4Lw/s1600/IMG_20140428_133000261%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFEX0REDHJs/VDNTW-5CDNI/AAAAAAAAId4/9lmQpIrg4Lw/s1600/IMG_20140428_133000261%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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My sweet friend offered </div>
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(unintentionally)</div>
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to swim with the littles during the class.</div>
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I let her.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OkPdhmKwwfg/VDNTW2y5MqI/AAAAAAAAId0/U-pqD-ZPbYc/s1600/IMG_20140428_133017519%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OkPdhmKwwfg/VDNTW2y5MqI/AAAAAAAAId0/U-pqD-ZPbYc/s1600/IMG_20140428_133017519%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here the boys are learning how to use</div>
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"the hook"</div>
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as a rescue device.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilm4_p-nUb4/VDNTXx6LktI/AAAAAAAAIeE/bHHY4-cxXdQ/s1600/IMG_20140429_135626502%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilm4_p-nUb4/VDNTXx6LktI/AAAAAAAAIeE/bHHY4-cxXdQ/s1600/IMG_20140429_135626502%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ1HP1GlGTU/VDNTX2FYC1I/AAAAAAAAIfI/7jklV3yyNd8/s1600/IMG_20140429_135738622%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ1HP1GlGTU/VDNTX2FYC1I/AAAAAAAAIfI/7jklV3yyNd8/s1600/IMG_20140429_135738622%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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The second day my sweet friend decided that if I wasn't </div>
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going in with my kids...</div>
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she wasn't either.</div>
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She would rather be out chatting with me!</div>
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Haha!</div>
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Thank goodness for awesome life jackets!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ka_2yu9Q8g/VDNTYFuYjuI/AAAAAAAAIeI/jzpspTbZnC4/s1600/IMG_20140429_135929101%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ka_2yu9Q8g/VDNTYFuYjuI/AAAAAAAAIeI/jzpspTbZnC4/s1600/IMG_20140429_135929101%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Apparently they make good </div>
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hats too!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fYavIEmeDk/VDNTYn_4eeI/AAAAAAAAIeM/uzJQaAKV6bk/s1600/IMG_20140429_143721578%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fYavIEmeDk/VDNTYn_4eeI/AAAAAAAAIeM/uzJQaAKV6bk/s1600/IMG_20140429_143721578%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Another exercise they did,</div>
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was feeling what ice cold water felt like.</div>
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Why?</div>
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I am not 100% sure,</div>
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but I think it was just to kinda</div>
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desensitize them from it</div>
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(as much as you can in about 2 minutes)</div>
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They stuck their arms in the bucket</div>
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of ice cold water!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CES6Zjh6FjA/VDNTY7fur5I/AAAAAAAAIeY/olT1ZfedVb0/s1600/IMG_20140501_131028592%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CES6Zjh6FjA/VDNTY7fur5I/AAAAAAAAIeY/olT1ZfedVb0/s1600/IMG_20140501_131028592%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W63xGN6Fkgc/VDNTZHFCtwI/AAAAAAAAIec/lQHQb6dbXGE/s1600/IMG_20140501_131031371%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W63xGN6Fkgc/VDNTZHFCtwI/AAAAAAAAIec/lQHQb6dbXGE/s1600/IMG_20140501_131031371%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Best face in the world!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fo9ugCd5IaY/VDNTZooha9I/AAAAAAAAIes/vYYGQ43oPFU/s1600/IMG_20140501_131038622%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fo9ugCd5IaY/VDNTZooha9I/AAAAAAAAIes/vYYGQ43oPFU/s1600/IMG_20140501_131038622%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Nope, THIS is the best face!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXbOkA25hyQ/VDNTZ335V6I/AAAAAAAAIew/cBO7sRRkmmc/s1600/IMG_20140501_131103010%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXbOkA25hyQ/VDNTZ335V6I/AAAAAAAAIew/cBO7sRRkmmc/s1600/IMG_20140501_131103010%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fHSSYzBmv0/VDNTaXhS3QI/AAAAAAAAIe8/OqSRzOCNILg/s1600/IMG_20140501_131123811%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fHSSYzBmv0/VDNTaXhS3QI/AAAAAAAAIe8/OqSRzOCNILg/s1600/IMG_20140501_131123811%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Or is it this one?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK-KT3JHPqY/VDNTaraTV1I/AAAAAAAAIfA/3N1XrdRU6nU/s1600/IMG_20140501_131128068%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK-KT3JHPqY/VDNTaraTV1I/AAAAAAAAIfA/3N1XrdRU6nU/s1600/IMG_20140501_131128068%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then, since they survived the arm thing...</div>
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they got it dumped on their heads</div>
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and </div>
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down their backs...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-BLewOlkm0/VDNTbG71ozI/AAAAAAAAIfk/2ojBscVm1mg/s1600/IMG_20140501_131604111%2B(450x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-BLewOlkm0/VDNTbG71ozI/AAAAAAAAIfk/2ojBscVm1mg/s1600/IMG_20140501_131604111%2B(450x800).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5hawM6nqRk/VDNTbTVpLbI/AAAAAAAAIfM/miHMQd27hsI/s1600/IMG_20140501_131616801%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5hawM6nqRk/VDNTbTVpLbI/AAAAAAAAIfM/miHMQd27hsI/s1600/IMG_20140501_131616801%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Psb-jn6zvHE/VDNTbwnAicI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/zk5bDxOw6g8/s1600/IMG_20140501_131620669%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Psb-jn6zvHE/VDNTbwnAicI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/zk5bDxOw6g8/s1600/IMG_20140501_131620669%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GbUazyZ4OI/VDNTcaVQv4I/AAAAAAAAIfY/tjODcCdv0yY/s1600/IMG_20140501_131626039%2B(800x450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GbUazyZ4OI/VDNTcaVQv4I/AAAAAAAAIfY/tjODcCdv0yY/s1600/IMG_20140501_131626039%2B(800x450).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then MOM got to dump cold water on them!!!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwAFpkBK-EZBuwCqv4tsFbu7tLYtAxvnqeJoMDds1fDQIgAmLbFPaNAIrRex-y2dyhCq0JonBM9dhkWdCWAjg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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This class led to the boys taking the </div>
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"pre-swim team" class.</div>
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They did great and are ready to start swim team...</div>
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as soon as football season is over...</div>
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if we don't do basketball.</div>
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Luv My Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935079762218259182noreply@blogger.com0