tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324479712024-03-13T16:54:15.823-05:00Utter ChaosTrying to stay sane among the insanity!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.comBlogger645125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-48401419174053386692013-01-08T14:03:00.000-05:002013-01-08T14:03:07.905-05:00Christmas Randomness I have been terrible about posting. The last half of the year has been very busy between work, training, school, etc. etc. Rather than try to catch up, I'm just going to try and start off on a good note. Here are some pictures from the holidays.<br />
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Summer with one of the reindeer<br />
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Garrett's random Angry Birds Art<br />
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Tree decorating<br />
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Aspen<br />
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Stockings<br />
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My one attempt at Christmas pictures. They just didn't happen this year.<br />
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We met Santa. <br />
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Summer did not like Santa. <br />
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But they liked their animals (and gave them to Daddy)<br />
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Christmas Morning shots </div>
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And this weekend we did a crazy thing called the <a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/floridakeys" target="_blank">Ragnar Relay</a>. You can read about that on <a href="http://lifebeyondthechaos.blogspot.com/2013/01/ragnar-reflections-part-1.html" target="_blank">Life Beyond the Chaos</a><br />
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I'm going to attempt to be better this year about taking pictures and posting here. I was terrible about both this year. I went to put together my Christmas calendars and realized how few pictures I had taken. I still haven't gotten out my Christmas gifts to the family that didn't come to see us. Hopefully I'll do better in 2013! </div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-40930546438028972242012-09-10T12:43:00.000-05:002012-09-10T12:43:00.310-05:00Garrett's random pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Garrett asked for a camera for his birthday, and got one from my mom. He's forever taking random pictures around the house. Enjoy!<br />
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Helicage (one of his favorite things)</div>
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Monster crafts </div>
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On the way to the beach</div>
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Lizard in the bug catcher</div>
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And Garrett letting that lizard go<br />
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-16879394747699808142012-09-06T13:33:00.001-05:002012-09-06T13:33:16.511-05:00Hurricane Weekend and more. . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We here in SoFl celebrated the first week of back to school by hosting
Tropical Storm Issac for a visit over the last weekend in August. The
kids got an extra day off school. We spent the time before the storm
outside enjoying the calm before the storm. Although really, the storm
wasn't bad at all--just wind and lots of rain. The worst part of it was
that it canceled my plans to bike all weekend :-) But alas, we still
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Summer is obsessed with these awesome letter mazes from<a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/" target="_blank"> 1+1+1=1</a></div>
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We made sidewalk chalk paint to have some fun outside before the storm came. 1c corn starch + 1 c water, then add food coloring.<br />
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Always a clown<br />
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They worked great too!<br />
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Since we don't have a basketball hoop, Garrett and Brady, one of our neighbors, tried to make a "basket" into the tree. Brady achieved many :-)<br />
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The second SHORTENED week of school was uneventful. I went in to work on Tuesday and Brad held down the fort. We baked/cleaned/did our usual things. We spent this past weekend relaxing. Garrett wanted to go fishing. He FINALLY caught his first fish from our lake, a small large-mouth bass. Unfortunately the only OTHER thing we caught all weekend was ducks. Stupid, annoying Muscovite ducks, the bane of our lakeside existence . . . they actually tried to steal our bread and got caught on our hooks TWICE. No one was impressed with that. It was quite the disaster. I would try to reel in the duck to cut the line under the bobber and Haylee would try to swim in the water to try and eat the duck. We ended up losing the bobber the 2nd time and Haylee got lots of baths. **Facepalm!**<br />
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Happy weekend! Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-45044441078870377802012-09-05T10:47:00.003-05:002012-09-05T10:47:58.920-05:00Last bits of summer fun and the start of school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Long time, no post. What can I say, we've been busy having fun. Summer flew by too fast. We went on a trip to Missouri in late July/early August with a detour at Mammoth Cave, KY. Hopefully I'll find time to dedicate a post to that, because it was a really fun and noteworthy trip. Here are some random shots of the kids enjoying the last bits of summer and of their first days of "school".<br />
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Angry birds printables from <a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/index.html" target="_blank">1+1+1=1 </a> = great rainy day play!<br />
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One of the may lego creations of the summer. </div>
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Daddy and Garrett working on an electrical circuit<br />
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Four legged babies enjoying their lives<br />
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Rainbow fish project for school<br />
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Summer sporting her stylish "headphones" that make her not freak out during fireworks and thunderstroms.<br />
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Adorable Rapunzel bow crafted by our neighbor, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dapperducklingdesigns?ref=ts" target="_blank">Dapper Duckling Designs</a><br />
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Garrett's trash robot, one of his many, MANY recycled creations. <br />
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Summer was over way to soon. Garrett started his first day of First Grade happy as ever. We are loving our new routine of walking to school every day. It gives us a chance to chat and stretch our legs. Our lives just feel so less "rushed" than they did. Traffic is a non-issue since our feet and our bikes are the prefered mode of transportation. I still have some stress over the size of his school (650 K-5th graders), but its been a good fit. He's in an accelerated program, something that wasn't available at our last school, and he is loving his teachers. (Sorry for the poor photo quality, my flash failed and I didn't realize it till later so I had to doctor the photo).<br />
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Summer has started "school" too. She isn't eligible for state-funded Pre-K yet so we started doing some Pre-K homeschooling. Here she is doing some marble patterns. It blows me away how big she is now--she definitely has her own little crazy personality. She is so excited to go to school next year, but I'm really grateful to have this last year at home with her. I know its the end of an era, I'll never have someone home with me every day once she starts school (summers notwithstanding). She really misses her brother though, and has a hard time understanding why she doesn't go to school when almost everyone else she knows does.</div>
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As we settle in to our school year routine, I hope I will get a little more consistent on the blogging front!</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-49939308629362702352012-07-05T13:56:00.003-05:002012-07-05T13:56:22.055-05:004th of July fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had no big plans for the 4th this year. We went to buy Summer ear protectors in anticipation of her fear of loud noises. THAT was well worth the $20 investment--she LOVED the fireworks and happily wore her "earmuffs". We made homemade ice cream and invited a few friends over to play. Other than this single picture, I didn't take a single photo of the entire day. We were just too busy having fun. <br />
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I DID however, score this hilarious video of Garrett and his friend
dancing Wii Just Dance Kids to "Hey Mickey". Yeah, it was HILARIOUS. <br />
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I hope your 4th was as fabulous as ours!<br />
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</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-29250467775717108202012-06-18T14:11:00.001-05:002012-06-18T14:12:37.091-05:00Long overdue #2 -- this time its an UPDATEIts a sad, sad commentary that its JUNE and I've only posted 10 blog posts this year. So much has happened since the last time I posted. Here's a rundown of what's been going on in our neck of the woods.<br />
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Garrett played his first ever basketball games with his team at SoHo<br />
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His Kinder teacher went on maternity leave. </div>
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I ended up with 2 day jury duty and practically had a heart attack over the stress. </div>
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Garrett's class went on a trip to the zoo (and I got to chaperone) </div>
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My Grandpa passed away over mother's day weekend so I took a trip home. It was a sad event, but it was also great to see everyone. <br />
Sandra had her baby, who was as beautiful as expected. <br />
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got lots of things he's been asking for as birthday presents, including a telescope and camera.<br />
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Garrett turned 6 and had a Mario birthday party with his closest friends.<br />
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And cupcakes at school to boot.<br />
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Garrett graduated from Kindergarten. Goodbye SoHo, helllllooooo summer fun!<br />
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Summer fun has included washing cards, obstacle courses, lizard catching, the beach, and just lots of fun times with very little schedules to follow.<br />
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On top of all of THAT, I did the Merril Down and Dirty Mudrun with Leanne and Val (who are both moving to Virgina this summer-boo) and a Sprint Triathlon. Read about the later one <a href="http://lifebeyondthechaos.blogspot.com/2012/06/race-report-key-biscayne-triathlon.html" target="_blank">here</a> on my new fitness/healthy lifestyle blog. Happy summer!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-52131497685862478452012-04-18T10:15:00.009-05:002012-04-18T11:03:18.135-05:00Long overdue<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSNpjeRCvLU/T47fU3hiciI/AAAAAAAAGPo/-eoVj2GdyIQ/s1600/131.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSNpjeRCvLU/T47fU3hiciI/AAAAAAAAGPo/-eoVj2GdyIQ/s320/131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732764925284217378" border="0" /></a>I hated high school. I couldn't wait for it to be over when I was there. And looking back now I still think it was pretty freaking pointless. The ONLY thing that kept me sane growing up in a small town with nothing to do was my very best friend in the whole wide world, Sandra. We met in 8th grade. She had just come into the public school system after being homeschooled. I was in an advanced program with a bunch of people who were absolutely NOTHING like me. We did pretty much everything together. Band geeks. "Whos Line is it" marathons. Our graduation party.<br /><br />17 years later, we are still friends. We haven't kept in touch like we should have. And we haven't seen each other in 5 years. But she was my maid of honor at my wedding. She'll always be my best friend. The person who made high school livable. One of the few people in our little podunk town who understood me. One of the few people who still does (although thankfully that list of people who really get me has gotten slightly longer).<br /><br />She's having her first baby. I'm so stinking excited for her I can hardly c<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrmpVYTvNOc/T47bwEwgzeI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/w_8nD2-jjq4/s1600/121.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrmpVYTvNOc/T47bwEwgzeI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/w_8nD2-jjq4/s320/121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732760994646642146" border="0" /></a>ontain myself. If ever there was someone who would make a fabulous mother its Sandra. Her babyshower was this weekend and for the first time EVER, I left behind Brad AND the kids and went on a trip. That in and of itself was long overdue. I love my family dearly but it was so nice to get away. But I still can't believe it has been FIVE YEARS since Sandra and I have seen one another. We added it up, we've been friend for 17 years. That is a LONG time. When in the heck did I get old enough to have done ANYTHING for 17 years?? Then again, Brad and I are coming up on 10 years of marraige. Sooo . . .<br />(A note on the picture to the left. I've always wanted to do a picture like this. Sandra's cute belly + red shirt made it perfect!! Add in Ricky's tats for a little character and it turned out awesome!)<br /><br />We really didn't do anything other than hang out, catch up, and shop for baby stuff. It was exactly the break from the craziness that I needed. Oh, and we went to see the Hunger Games too. The baby shower was all kinds of cuteness, Sandra's mom Mary did a great job.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RojrlDQX6M/T47dULTClwI/AAAAAAAAGPI/M9nXif1zd9A/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RojrlDQX6M/T47dULTClwI/AAAAAAAAGPI/M9nXif1zd9A/s320/030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732762714388993794" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zv2hgOzZ2vE/T47dT6LHoaI/AAAAAAAAGPA/FB9jqSqFfVg/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zv2hgOzZ2vE/T47dT6LHoaI/AAAAAAAAGPA/FB9jqSqFfVg/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732762709792367010" border="0" /></a>Sandra and her fiancee Ricky. Aren't they cute?? :-)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_egUpv6Gh8/T47dTcr4bvI/AAAAAAAAGO4/BPy4MJVqrLI/s1600/124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_egUpv6Gh8/T47dTcr4bvI/AAAAAAAAGO4/BPy4MJVqrLI/s320/124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732762701876719346" border="0" /></a>Some of the yummys. Mmmm, fondue!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90m4CgaqLO4/T47dTExjcpI/AAAAAAAAGOs/OaMU9rmIUBY/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90m4CgaqLO4/T47dTExjcpI/AAAAAAAAGOs/OaMU9rmIUBY/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732762695458058898" border="0" /></a>I can't even remember the last time the four of us (Sandra, me, her mom and my mom) were all together. It was probably at our high school graduation.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rskZUsgpRUE/T47dUhcdoWI/AAAAAAAAGPY/2jPn_jHVra0/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rskZUsgpRUE/T47dUhcdoWI/AAAAAAAAGPY/2jPn_jHVra0/s320/063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732762720334094690" border="0" /></a>Time passes and things always change. People move in and out of your life. But there are certain people who will always be a part of it. I'm so glad I got to go and share in the excitement of this little baby, see my friend and meet her guy. My husband is wonderful for taking a few days off and holding our house together so I could get away.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0yxmkbjd7o/T47b-VOGKNI/AAAAAAAAGOg/9Wk6e3Vrgts/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0yxmkbjd7o/T47b-VOGKNI/AAAAAAAAGOg/9Wk6e3Vrgts/s320/045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732761239583860946" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-74923519187136631372012-04-11T07:59:00.002-05:002012-04-11T08:08:36.964-05:00Summer V3.5<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE3emTcACfA/T4WAuczAjEI/AAAAAAAAGNU/cx-xpBb_J9w/s1600/s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE3emTcACfA/T4WAuczAjEI/AAAAAAAAGNU/cx-xpBb_J9w/s320/s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730127636391300162" border="0" /></a><br />I'm a little late on posting THIS too, but since I haven't been great at keeping up lately I just wanted to document where Summer is at. And also post a picture of Summer on her egg hunt with her playgroup friends. I think Nana Dina thought we didn't let Summer have any Easter fun at all. In reality, she just needed a down day at home with Daddy while Garrett and I went to do some Easter stuff on Saturday. <br /><br />Summer Version 3.5 is crazy. She's terribly independent, but also easily frustrated. She's VERY sensitive, and the slightest little thing will make her very sad. She's getting much better at expressing her frustrations and sadness. She is definitely DADDY'S GIRL. She always wants to know where he is, when he'll be home, and what he's doing. She loves her brother, and is always sad that he doesn't want her smootches. She regularly chases him into his Kindergarten classroom to attempt to kiss him, much to his embarrassment. She's STILL not potty trained, but we're making progress. "Kerpunzel" is her most favorite thing in the world. She loves to swim and she loves to play. Her pretend play is just too funny to watch.<br /><br />There is a reason God decided to bless us with her 2nd. If she had been our first she would be our ONLY. But as challenging as she is now, I know that strong willed nature will work to her advantage as she gets older. Oh, and she REALLY wants to go to school. Probably because we take Garrett every day. She knows most of her letters and letter sounds. Uno is her favorite game.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-63130854097617795082012-04-09T10:58:00.008-05:002012-04-09T11:31:08.806-05:00Easter Weekend FunWe had a wonderfully busy Easter Weekend. We kicked off the festivities by watching Hop on Thursday night. Cute, and only a few moments that I could have done without. School was out on Friday, so Brad took the day off and we did a day trip to Key West. We spent far more time in the car then we actually did in Key West, but both the drive and walking around were worth the effort, and it was nice to do something "big" as a family for a change. We then came home and did our monthly Full Moon Fun Run, hosted by the Davis clan, which was a blast. This was the first time it fell on a weekend and both kids had a blast hanging out and playing. Summer, it turns out, makes an excellent pacer on her bike :-) Our full moon gang (stole the pic from Shelah). Brad even managed to win a Tae Kwon Do membership for the boy, so that was awesome. Something fun to look forward to over the summer!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TtAvc1V8RI/T4MLIXpNmhI/AAAAAAAAGMk/4CcbtMgsIO0/s1600/fullmoonrun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TtAvc1V8RI/T4MLIXpNmhI/AAAAAAAAGMk/4CcbtMgsIO0/s320/fullmoonrun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729435389359135250" border="0" /></a><br />On Saturday morning Garrett and I had a date to go see the Easter Bunny as a part of the city's Easter festivities. Garrett drew a bunch of pictures for the E.B., but this was my favorite. The scribble, by the way, is the grass in which EB is hiding.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8QaDlovWeI/T4MIDJfz4TI/AAAAAAAAGKo/is5Ybndo48w/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8QaDlovWeI/T4MIDJfz4TI/AAAAAAAAGKo/is5Ybndo48w/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729432001127375154" border="0" /></a><br />He loved giving them to the Easter Bunny in person:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWAel8H-zNw/T4MIBlEVOJI/AAAAAAAAGKE/-HlyI1e-QoY/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWAel8H-zNw/T4MIBlEVOJI/AAAAAAAAGKE/-HlyI1e-QoY/s320/027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729431974168574098" border="0" /></a>We ran into Garrett's buddy Jon and they had a fun time being silly together:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqQ3ZjssXAY/T4MICntiVGI/AAAAAAAAGKc/Rws8DdkUa0E/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqQ3ZjssXAY/T4MICntiVGI/AAAAAAAAGKc/Rws8DdkUa0E/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729431992058139746" border="0" /></a><br />Before the egg hunt:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9wcbtVgiNk/T4MIB_XGkYI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/Zxv2kDmqSxE/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9wcbtVgiNk/T4MIB_XGkYI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/Zxv2kDmqSxE/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729431981226627458" border="0" /></a><br />And with his haul:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ega4aVQP140/T4MMFEPL1jI/AAAAAAAAGMw/4iuugrQSnQc/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ega4aVQP140/T4MMFEPL1jI/AAAAAAAAGMw/4iuugrQSnQc/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729436432121714226" border="0" /></a>They had a rock climbing wall, so of course Garrett had to do that:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q11hRwtxomE/T4MMGK-yH3I/AAAAAAAAGM8/xmFIPP4yGEE/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q11hRwtxomE/T4MMGK-yH3I/AAAAAAAAGM8/xmFIPP4yGEE/s320/021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729436451111837554" border="0" /></a><br />Then it was time to dye eggs. This year the egg dying was an incredibly artsy affair for Garrett and pretty much stress free, which was a nice switch.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkkl_rQ3ZYE/T4MJ9rxPKyI/AAAAAAAAGLo/ErgQAOnwXbI/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkkl_rQ3ZYE/T4MJ9rxPKyI/AAAAAAAAGLo/ErgQAOnwXbI/s320/034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729434106271312674" border="0" /></a><br />Summer had fun with the stickers.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnDtsugnxrc/T4MIBMCwuzI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/dWavWNVTb4Y/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnDtsugnxrc/T4MIBMCwuzI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/dWavWNVTb4Y/s320/032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729431967451102002" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFohSS9RnPE/T4MJ8BxmotI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/lpIiu1mMRjs/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFohSS9RnPE/T4MJ8BxmotI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/lpIiu1mMRjs/s320/036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729434077818692306" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite easter egg by Garrett. Ahoy, me mateys!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N71yxSnYxb0/T4MJ8pI9zCI/AAAAAAAAGLc/f1jk1WoJ8J0/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N71yxSnYxb0/T4MJ8pI9zCI/AAAAAAAAGLc/f1jk1WoJ8J0/s320/035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729434088385661986" border="0" /></a><br />So colorful!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zho_klBvk5A/T4MJ7sTrUbI/AAAAAAAAGLE/I0VSEF88UrM/s1600/037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zho_klBvk5A/T4MJ7sTrUbI/AAAAAAAAGLE/I0VSEF88UrM/s320/037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729434072056025522" border="0" /></a><br />We finished out the day by reading the Easter story and talking about why we celebrate it.<br /><br />Kids to bed, and the scheming began:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyeBv3TXcwU/T4MJ6xxSlaI/AAAAAAAAGK4/B3KFfh45DLI/s1600/038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyeBv3TXcwU/T4MJ6xxSlaI/AAAAAAAAGK4/B3KFfh45DLI/s320/038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729434056342541730" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTxL21pMDuE/T4MLHgdY68I/AAAAAAAAGMY/d2nzTUEOh2E/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTxL21pMDuE/T4MLHgdY68I/AAAAAAAAGMY/d2nzTUEOh2E/s320/039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729435374545595330" border="0" /></a><br />The kids left most of their candy for the EB to take. In return he left baskets filled with fun. Summer's eggs were hidden in her room. Garrett, on the other hand, got to follow a trail of clues hidden in eggs. The trail lead, eventually, to "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" for he and Summer to share. The EB is very clever and Garrett had a BLAST following the clues.<br /><br />After playing with our Easter goodies for a while, we headed off to spend some time in the great outdoors. Last month I was able to do field work in a part of Everglades National Park I had never visited before, Chekika. This place has a borrow pit FILLED with baby alligators. So we had to go back as a family--especially since Summer is OBSESSED with alligators (and snakes. . . go figure).<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ovg99Kr8x0/T4MLHG9cLTI/AAAAAAAAGMM/HKBLDpAAsZM/s1600/chekika.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ovg99Kr8x0/T4MLHG9cLTI/AAAAAAAAGMM/HKBLDpAAsZM/s320/chekika.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729435367700704562" border="0" /></a>10 baby alligators, and 2 adults, inhabited the small lake. Brad scored an awesome picture of one of the little ones.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gqAUpC5ldk/T4MLFtj3n9I/AAAAAAAAGMA/y31dCen3MZ8/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gqAUpC5ldk/T4MLFtj3n9I/AAAAAAAAGMA/y31dCen3MZ8/s320/059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729435343702695890" border="0" /></a> We finished the day off by having dinner at the Shumans house. They are planning on moving over the summer, so its a bit sad to know our holidays won't all be spent walking around the corner to their house. Holidays there have been a long-standing tradition that make living so far from family a little less lonely. We made a cute bunny tray to share.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blz-mbjtUD8/T4MLFL7E4RI/AAAAAAAAGL0/OGTBRguxPSc/s1600/easterbunnyveggies.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blz-mbjtUD8/T4MLFL7E4RI/AAAAAAAAGL0/OGTBRguxPSc/s320/easterbunnyveggies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729435334673228050" border="0" /></a>And, speaking of culinary creations--the kids and I made these super delicious (and sweet!) cookies for Garrett's class.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CraEsv6vP3I/T4MOj-m6nzI/AAAAAAAAGNI/38cxJqspYBw/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CraEsv6vP3I/T4MOj-m6nzI/AAAAAAAAGNI/38cxJqspYBw/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729439162209836850" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-31340899459601954832012-04-05T08:51:00.012-05:002012-04-05T09:55:03.377-05:00March In Review (and February too I suppose)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecBY52W8enY/T32ku6ARaSI/AAAAAAAAGFY/v4eApWeoqJo/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecBY52W8enY/T32ku6ARaSI/AAAAAAAAGFY/v4eApWeoqJo/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727915426836474146" border="0" /></a>I can not seem to get caught up this year. Maybe its just the craziness of getting Garrett to and from school, getting workouts in, feeding everyone, keeping summer occupied, working, and just generally surviving from one day to the next. Our days have been filled with lots of fun, but I haven't really taken that many pictures. Trying to be in the moment with the kids, but I KNOW I'm going to miss having this to look back on down the line.<br /><br />Let's see . . .<br />We had a cold snap. Haylee must be getting old (which she really is, she turned 10 in March, which is CRAZY to me) because all she did was bury under the blankets and refuse to move.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BTcJlvmbhs/T32nJy3OLQI/AAAAAAAAGFw/sAKB8klTq_E/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BTcJlvmbhs/T32nJy3OLQI/AAAAAAAAGFw/sAKB8klTq_E/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727918087799188738" border="0" /></a><br />Aspen, on the other hand, chose to attempt to swim in the lake during one of our coldest days. Rotten dog.<br /><br />Nana and Papa came for a visit. I'm sad to say this is the ONLY picture I took with my camera while they were here. Garrett and Summer loved having them here to play with.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrwi5gcO_hA/T32nLlZpIfI/AAAAAAAAGGg/1BexUlZg9hI/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrwi5gcO_hA/T32nLlZpIfI/AAAAAAAAGGg/1BexUlZg9hI/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727918118545203698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Valentines day.<br />We made darling super hero valentines. Garrett got a kick out of making them.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12ztsTC7mhM/T32nLJjeREI/AAAAAAAAGGU/nTPiGgY7xG8/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12ztsTC7mhM/T32nLJjeREI/AAAAAAAAGGU/nTPiGgY7xG8/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727918111070241858" border="0" /></a><br />He also made lots of sweet little art work. This was my favorite though, made with the bottom of a celery stalk as a stamp.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBLbNMNbxqo/T32nKO-r-LI/AAAAAAAAGF4/oQr91nOiJMU/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBLbNMNbxqo/T32nKO-r-LI/AAAAAAAAGF4/oQr91nOiJMU/s320/041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727918095346694322" border="0" /></a><br />My dad came for a visit. We hit the beach and went to the Everglades. Its been a while since he's seen the kids. Everyone had a blast of course.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_vH8SzNaDE/T32nKgl5lnI/AAAAAAAAGGI/na3y877SkA8/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_vH8SzNaDE/T32nKgl5lnI/AAAAAAAAGGI/na3y877SkA8/s320/034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727918100074567282" border="0" /></a><br />We did fun things like make robots out of toilet paper roles. Don't ask about Garrett's face here . . . .I think he was acting like the robot.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUtmR6QDjfM/T32oibb5YUI/AAAAAAAAGHc/swld0QmTXF0/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUtmR6QDjfM/T32oibb5YUI/AAAAAAAAGHc/swld0QmTXF0/s320/043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727919610518921538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAv8pYQOnWc/T32kvQIvY0I/AAAAAAAAGFk/-8TwG3ioLiM/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAv8pYQOnWc/T32kvQIvY0I/AAAAAAAAGFk/-8TwG3ioLiM/s320/073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727915432777573186" border="0" /></a>I ran my first half marathon on March 4th. I'm so annoyed that I haven't managed to post about THAT in the past month. It was an epic weekend, my friend Amanda from <a href="http://tootallfritz.com/">TooTallFritz</a> came for the race. As I mentioned before, we've been online friends forever but have never met in person, and she was one of the people I could always ask for help when I got stuck on my running journey. It was so fabulous to meet her and her mom--they were kind enough to let me hang out with them the night before the race to save on some serious pre-race jitters!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYELNO87Dck/T32p4OPC-QI/AAAAAAAAGIM/F6O0syf6B6c/s1600/072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYELNO87Dck/T32p4OPC-QI/AAAAAAAAGIM/F6O0syf6B6c/s320/072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727921084444113154" border="0" /></a>Not to mention a beautiful evening on the beach:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WIhwwC1dymw/T32p4nQ2y8I/AAAAAAAAGIU/WDeVGj0emxY/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WIhwwC1dymw/T32p4nQ2y8I/AAAAAAAAGIU/WDeVGj0emxY/s320/066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727921091162590146" border="0" /></a><br />Brad stayed home with the kids so I'm sadly lacking in pictures of the actual race. But we had so very much fun! I finished in 2:49, which was under the goal I had set for myself. Next time I hope to run the whole thing, I ran faster than I should have in the beginning and had to do intervals the last half. It was so incredible though.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mb-zvNJJ69s/T32p3tWIOvI/AAAAAAAAGH8/gkKrKginqIs/s1600/074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mb-zvNJJ69s/T32p3tWIOvI/AAAAAAAAGH8/gkKrKginqIs/s320/074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727921075615447794" border="0" /></a>And I can't forget the sweet good luck flowers Brad got me before the race :-)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLKywVBJxSA/T32ogLeUpJI/AAAAAAAAGGs/kJn55nJMDvU/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLKywVBJxSA/T32ogLeUpJI/AAAAAAAAGGs/kJn55nJMDvU/s320/057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727919571874391186" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g61igE3e69E/T32qiABEN0I/AAAAAAAAGIk/RZ7unniCml0/s1600/mbdreambig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 188px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g61igE3e69E/T32qiABEN0I/AAAAAAAAGIk/RZ7unniCml0/s320/mbdreambig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727921802181883714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzGxFtQYfsU/T32xou-r0lI/AAAAAAAAGJs/W3kE2kHVEE4/s1600/mball.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzGxFtQYfsU/T32xou-r0lI/AAAAAAAAGJs/W3kE2kHVEE4/s320/mball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727929614448972370" border="0" /></a><br />Spring Break was fabulously busy . . .<br /><div style="text-align: left;">We used the awesom<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NBUn5-2dpI/T32kuDmpO8I/AAAAAAAAGFA/2UrVUpYVW60/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NBUn5-2dpI/T32kuDmpO8I/AAAAAAAAGFA/2UrVUpYVW60/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727915412233468866" border="0" /></a>e pop bottle science kit Leanne got Garrett over Christmas to do some fun experiments over spring break. We made a volcano.<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14uF_AeHE-s/T32kut-3X2I/AAAAAAAAGFI/RiL8cVXn_5A/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14uF_AeHE-s/T32kut-3X2I/AAAAAAAAGFI/RiL8cVXn_5A/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727915423609347938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsAVqSUJMTY/T32ktDsj83I/AAAAAAAAGE0/kUJ72flb86w/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsAVqSUJMTY/T32ktDsj83I/AAAAAAAAGE0/kUJ72flb86w/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727915395078419314" border="0" /></a>We also blew up balloons using the reaction of baking soda and vinegar. We have a long standing tradition of making faces on our balloons--Summer did such an awesome job on hers (with NO help) that I had to take a picture.<br /><br />We went to the Childrens Museum with the Falconer clan. The kids had a blast--Summer and Ava hadn't played together in a while. The Pirate Island Exhibit there is amazing and the kids loved it. Garrett had also been wanting to try the rock climbing wall there for a while, but we always kept forgetting socks and close-toed shoes. He had an AWESOME time climbing the wall. If there is one thing I love more than anything else about the way we live our lives, its that living an active lifestyle has given this boy the idea that he can conquer anything. I love that he doesn't blink at physical challenges that would have made me, as an adult, cringe in the past.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwsdjKy4Zu8/T32t9M1Y-II/AAAAAAAAGJU/cOIQQ-jDYCc/s1600/IMG_2475.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwsdjKy4Zu8/T32t9M1Y-II/AAAAAAAAGJU/cOIQQ-jDYCc/s320/IMG_2475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727925568013924482" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OD8YV_spVIs/T32t8EDivgI/AAAAAAAAGJI/PNNUJoJ85rg/s1600/IMG_2471.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OD8YV_spVIs/T32t8EDivgI/AAAAAAAAGJI/PNNUJoJ85rg/s320/IMG_2471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727925548477496834" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_u7h07jPiu0/T32t7qSwT9I/AAAAAAAAGI4/Be9TVvHP_7Q/s1600/IMG_2470.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_u7h07jPiu0/T32t7qSwT9I/AAAAAAAAGI4/Be9TVvHP_7Q/s320/IMG_2470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727925541561978834" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Silly girls!<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7HU1eUWB54/T32t9k6qMjI/AAAAAAAAGJc/LQZJEskpP2I/s1600/IMG_2478.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7HU1eUWB54/T32t9k6qMjI/AAAAAAAAGJc/LQZJEskpP2I/s320/IMG_2478.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727925574478475826" border="0" /></a><br />We played in the mud on the last day of spring break, just because getting dirty is so much fun.<br /></div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xp6JjfvEhI/T32p22m9XVI/AAAAAAAAGHo/C6aD9nt2iQk/s1600/079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xp6JjfvEhI/T32p22m9XVI/AAAAAAAAGHo/C6aD9nt2iQk/s320/079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727921060922088786" border="0" /></a>Somewhere in there was Dr. Seuss's Birthday. We had tears on this day, ACTUAL TEARS, because Garrett's school told them they could wear Dr. Seuss shirts and I could not find one. As he's crying because he is worried he will be the only one without a Dr. Seuss shirt, I decided to be creative. The result turned out pretty darn cute, and he loved it. Saved by the Sharpie Markers and the stash of plain shirts sent to us by Grandma Sherry.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDEp_ZGiTbU/T32ohxLDN2I/AAAAAAAAGHM/6WCHmnsFaoc/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDEp_ZGiTbU/T32ohxLDN2I/AAAAAAAAGHM/6WCHmnsFaoc/s320/053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727919599173973858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTXieqz7qrU/T32ohKzB7WI/AAAAAAAAGHE/fR5MDcVczGg/s1600/054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTXieqz7qrU/T32ohKzB7WI/AAAAAAAAGHE/fR5MDcVczGg/s320/054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727919588872678754" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ben9zDyZkKA/T32ogjmb-MI/AAAAAAAAGG4/E8STA3Ehwj8/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ben9zDyZkKA/T32ogjmb-MI/AAAAAAAAGG4/E8STA3Ehwj8/s320/055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727919578350876866" border="0" /></a><br />St. Patricks Day cuteness:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtSrDUmuiZo/T32p3Cd9ZcI/AAAAAAAAGHw/nRzNv2qmKFQ/s1600/076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtSrDUmuiZo/T32p3Cd9ZcI/AAAAAAAAGHw/nRzNv2qmKFQ/s320/076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727921064105567682" border="0" /></a>At the end of March we received news that Garrett was admitted into the charter school down the road from our house. I struggled for the entire week (we had to decide by March 31st if we wanted to enroll him) with what we should do. I really like the school we are currently at--the principal and staff are amazing, and it is such a small school that you can't help but feel at home. But in the end, an established Math/Science program and the ability to bike/walk to school won out over everything else, and we'll be switching schools at the end of the year. Hoping that it will make our lives simpler and that it will be a good fit for my crazy boy.<br /><br />And, last but not least . . . a picture of Summer at the beginning of April 2011. I can't get over how much she has grown. She has been driving me bonkers lately--she is truly not an easy child and STILL isn't fully potty trained (we've been to the Dr. more times than I care to count in the past couple months, trying to sort her out). But she is growing up so fast and really becoming a big girl.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvfbquGKGJU/T32t7ERHNkI/AAAAAAAAGIw/TilDADhHtu0/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvfbquGKGJU/T32t7ERHNkI/AAAAAAAAGIw/TilDADhHtu0/s320/042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727925531354543682" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-66679632957775893692012-02-13T19:30:00.002-05:002012-02-13T19:35:31.409-05:00Why January 2012 wasn't awesome and the rest of the year is going to ROCK.Okay, so catch up time. I may never post Christmas pictures. And I haven't taken that many pictures so far this year. A run down of the not-so-wonderful January we've had, in 100 words (I hope) or less:<br /><br />My mom came for a visit, had to be admitted to the hospital next day with chest pains. No heart attack, but diabetes. No big shock, but hopefully motivation for a change for her.<br /><br />It occurred to me (with some prompting from my best bud Allison) that things were not as they should be with Summer. Her sleep pattern was too erratic and she still wasn't potty trained--after some serious thinking, some time with the doctor and six vials of blood, and a two week test period of a gluten free diet, we reached the following conclusions: We needed to move up her bedtime, she DOESN'T have Celiac disease, but she does seem to have very strong gluten sensitivity. As in any form of gluten upsets her stomach so much that she complains of a tummy ache and then loses control of her bowels. Don't I feel like mother of the year for not picking up on THAT sooner.<br /><br />So we've spent the first bit of February adjusting to the whole idea of having a child with food sensitivity in the house. Its so, so very weird for us--we usually eat well and clean, but we make a lot of our own baked goods and do eat a lot of wheat. So its been an adjustment. Its hard to eat gluten free on a budget, so we're adjusting there too. Summer has to adjust to not eating some of the things she loves, and we have to adjust by FINDING a way to substitute the things she loves with something similar.<br /><br />We've been blessed with family coming to visit--first my mom, now Brad's grandparents, and my dad is coming on Saturday.<br /><br />But here's a list of why the rest of the year is going to rock.<br />Now that we have a handle on her stuff, Summer is acting much more like the brilliant little girl we know she is and hopefully we REALLY WILL be done with potty training too.<br /><br />I'm running my first half marathon on March 4th. Not only will my friend and neighbor Jess be joining me, but so will my long, long time internet bud <a href="http://tootallfritz.com/">Amanda</a>. Amanda and I have known each other since my pre-kid days. We both have weims. She always let me pick her brain when I started running--she is a freaking amazing endurance athlete. So to have her down here for my first half makes me excited beyond words. She's been on my top 5 people-to-meet list for quite some time.<br /><br />April includes a trip to Maryland to see my very best high school bud, Sandra. For a baby shower no less. We haven't seen each other in 5-ish years, but Sandra kept me sane through the disaster that was high school. I'm so excited for her to embark on the journey of motherhood, there aren't even words for it :-) On top of that little bundle, who's ETA is June, my best bud <a href="http://confessionsofacoastiewife.blogspot.com/">Allison </a>has a bundle with an ETA of July. Babies, babies, everywhere! A summer-long trip to the Northeast may be in order . . .<br /><br />May brings a surprise from Hubby--tickets to Nickelback's Here and Now Tour. They will be playing with Seether, My Darkest Days, and Bush. I had no clue Bush was still around, but the other 3 are absolutely off the hook rock bands that I love. And listen to on an almost daily basis while I work out. Then my big boy will be turning 6. And then the summer baby boom discussed above.<br /><br />So, January was terribly stressful. But I can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings. Probably less blogging from me, since time is always in short supply. But I'll still try to bring the highlights. HOPEFULLY!!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-70048701063320368412012-02-12T22:12:00.002-05:002012-02-12T22:23:31.101-05:00Sherry's Run<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HrniEx4l4rI/Tzh_u16q1mI/AAAAAAAAGEg/Pc5Yan7YNR8/s1600/sherrys%2Brun.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HrniEx4l4rI/Tzh_u16q1mI/AAAAAAAAGEg/Pc5Yan7YNR8/s320/sherrys%2Brun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708452970415969890" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, I realize the entire month of January went by without me actually posting anything other than catch-ups from December. And that I STILL haven't posted pictures of Christmas Day. Suffice to say 2012 has been INSANE so far. I promise my very next post (which I am going to write and schedule) will closely follow this one. But yesterday I participated in something note-worthy and wanted to document it here.<br /><br />Its no secret that since Summer was born, I have become a bonafied runner. I was never athletic, was called sloth in gym class in middle school, and used to watch people running as I drove in my car eating fast food thinking "I could NEVER run." But its grown into a part of life for me. I was recently discussing fitness/weightloss/etc. with a friend and dug up some old pictures of the "Old" me. I can't even really remember what drove that person--I wasn't a foodie, I didn't run, and I didn't have the same amazing circle of friends I do now. So I'll take the new me any day of the week. The me that thinks anything is possible. The me that is running a half marathon in 3 short weeks (SO excited!).<br /><br />Anyway, one of the running blogs I follow is <a href="http://www.shutupandrun.net/">Shut Up and Run</a>. SUAR blogged about her cousin, Sherry, who made national news after disappearing from her morning run in January. In addition to Sherry, many women step out their doors for run and never go home. Sometimes the what ifs can be terrifying. SUAR organized a virtual run in Sherry's memory, which I was glad to participate in on Saturday. It serves as a reminder that we can never be to careful when we step out the door each day, and that every day truly is a gift. Stop by<a href="http://tootallfritz.com/2012/02/11/six-degrees-of-seperation-virtual-run-for-sherry-arnold/"> Too Tall Fritz</a> to read some great safety tips, in memory of Sherry and every other runner that didn't make it home.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-31730591176412328212012-01-15T21:04:00.006-05:002012-01-15T22:28:29.889-05:00Better late than never--last week of school through ChristmasI had intended to be caught up with the blog by now. . . alas, LIFE. So here's a recap of the last week of school and leading up to Christmas. Christmas deserves its own post. Maybe I'll have THAT one written before Valentines day.<br /><br />The Elf continued to be fun for all. Garrett told me more than once that he didn't want Christmas to come because he didn't want Jet Pack to leave.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXzcLW0zyYQ/TxOM5Vz2rjI/AAAAAAAAGBM/rWyQikwqIbs/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXzcLW0zyYQ/TxOM5Vz2rjI/AAAAAAAAGBM/rWyQikwqIbs/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698052870288879154" border="0" /></a><br />Garrett's school had a PJ day on the last day of school. The two Kinder classes did a combined craft day which was a LOT of fun but also a lot of work. I volunteered in his class and a friend and I helped plan all of the crafts for Garrett's class. By the time it was over I was pretty much holiday-ed out but the kids had a blast.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFRy5IgRA_U/TxOM9EwiodI/AAAAAAAAGBk/KdFKc31JcsE/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFRy5IgRA_U/TxOM9EwiodI/AAAAAAAAGBk/KdFKc31JcsE/s320/022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698052934431056338" border="0" /></a>Sugar high, anyone??<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yjkc7ApkAo/TxOM9crD3II/AAAAAAAAGBs/AegNr69-LLo/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yjkc7ApkAo/TxOM9crD3II/AAAAAAAAGBs/AegNr69-LLo/s320/040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698052940850519170" border="0" /></a><br />Festivities included a book exchange. Garrett got a fun reader about Cats, and we gave a Clifford 2-in-1 book.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P89BmmNkiRY/TxOM9tLtrsI/AAAAAAAAGB4/dqcPH4qXpRc/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P89BmmNkiRY/TxOM9tLtrsI/AAAAAAAAGB4/dqcPH4qXpRc/s320/057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698052945282444994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We made teacher gifts for both of the K teachers with their students hand prints.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRaQAjUWiYs/TxOM5hUHZQI/AAAAAAAAGBY/Z4MF_ob8xQE/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRaQAjUWiYs/TxOM5hUHZQI/AAAAAAAAGBY/Z4MF_ob8xQE/s320/028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698052873376982274" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGBnfdVxpaQ/TxOXBYZTwuI/AAAAAAAAGCI/nqkszI-_GGc/s1600/068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGBnfdVxpaQ/TxOXBYZTwuI/AAAAAAAAGCI/nqkszI-_GGc/s320/068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064003538076386" border="0" /></a><br />We made reindeer candy canes for friends<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbE6XBjbGWg/TxOXB6NjkqI/AAAAAAAAGCU/6XwFAGgAaYU/s1600/072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbE6XBjbGWg/TxOXB6NjkqI/AAAAAAAAGCU/6XwFAGgAaYU/s320/072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064012615586466" border="0" /></a>Summer is such a cheese ball<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-812hhyqEgVY/TxOXC7rHI3I/AAAAAAAAGCg/W1PJaxAdH2Q/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-812hhyqEgVY/TxOXC7rHI3I/AAAAAAAAGCg/W1PJaxAdH2Q/s320/073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064030187856754" border="0" /></a><br />We went on a date to Brad's Christmas party for work on his birthday, but took no pictures. I got to hang with some of my favorite people who shared my birth month<br />My buddy Shelah<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1Bp3jwVOlI/TxOXr0A9eyI/AAAAAAAAGDI/-MxfQraGT8w/s1600/380918_10150490617394935_533834934_10371617_765393198_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1Bp3jwVOlI/TxOXr0A9eyI/AAAAAAAAGDI/-MxfQraGT8w/s320/380918_10150490617394935_533834934_10371617_765393198_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064732506651426" border="0" /></a><br />And my buddy Susan (at the winery for our birthdays--free admission and free wine, weee!)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Gu1aInKtL0/TxOXsCvORaI/AAAAAAAAGDU/uaBQfBBMqV8/s1600/390046_2794092381897_1546052061_3068455_1145885535_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Gu1aInKtL0/TxOXsCvORaI/AAAAAAAAGDU/uaBQfBBMqV8/s320/390046_2794092381897_1546052061_3068455_1145885535_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064736458786210" border="0" /></a><br />We went on our first real family camping trip, to Flamingo in Everglades National Park. We've been before but Summer was too small to really enjoy it. It was a blast. We ended up going with some long time friends, which is what REALLY made it fun. Thanks Monica for the pictures!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t34Mv_Ow8Zg/TxOXt3nC0RI/AAAAAAAAGD4/lRVndP7A3i4/s1600/383726_10150437516642544_749222543_8448849_825020721_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t34Mv_Ow8Zg/TxOXt3nC0RI/AAAAAAAAGD4/lRVndP7A3i4/s320/383726_10150437516642544_749222543_8448849_825020721_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064767831429394" border="0" /></a>No idea what the girls were discussing but check out Summer's feet!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwRsB81_6PY/TxOXtZU-hbI/AAAAAAAAGDw/SMM_Eej9ufg/s1600/394302_10150437518057544_749222543_8448882_874235774_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwRsB81_6PY/TxOXtZU-hbI/AAAAAAAAGDw/SMM_Eej9ufg/s320/394302_10150437518057544_749222543_8448882_874235774_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064759702586802" border="0" /></a><br />The boys having fun doing boy things.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3yjZzkntzk/TxOXstEBodI/AAAAAAAAGDg/tWfaVRGIi7M/s1600/385155_10150437517062544_749222543_8448858_531612655_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3yjZzkntzk/TxOXstEBodI/AAAAAAAAGDg/tWfaVRGIi7M/s320/385155_10150437517062544_749222543_8448858_531612655_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064747820327378" border="0" /></a>The bugs were bad, but other than that the trip was AWESOME!!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ4dxrxjDj0/TxOXEeogj7I/AAAAAAAAGC4/2AfIr-3bsiQ/s1600/381340_2347521496229_1495824486_31904011_146190293_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ4dxrxjDj0/TxOXEeogj7I/AAAAAAAAGC4/2AfIr-3bsiQ/s320/381340_2347521496229_1495824486_31904011_146190293_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064056752050098" border="0" /></a><br />Last, but not least, we allowed Garrett to open his tools from Grandma Becky a day early so he would have his own Garrett-sized items to work on a craft from Lowes, since we missed it to go camping.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwS8e4gQdIE/TxOXDkK-gAI/AAAAAAAAGCs/nLVVx2AK1vg/s1600/076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwS8e4gQdIE/TxOXDkK-gAI/AAAAAAAAGCs/nLVVx2AK1vg/s320/076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698064041058926594" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-38098382377511782222012-01-03T06:11:00.007-05:002012-01-03T07:04:04.946-05:00Early December Wrap-UpEarly December was a blur. Things were INSANE, and I'm still not sure why. I helped out a lot with things in Garrett's classroom. The last 2 weeks of school were JAM PACKED with craziness.<br /><br />Highlights of the last 2 weeks of school/first couple of weeks of December<br /><br />Garrett received a perfect attendance award for the first quarter:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvUAe3aPzRI/TwLkbWpqAUI/AAAAAAAAF_s/y-4SMbMSWGc/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvUAe3aPzRI/TwLkbWpqAUI/AAAAAAAAF_s/y-4SMbMSWGc/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693364037537628482" border="0" /></a><br />They don't do honor role for kindergarteners, but he did well his first quarter and more importantly, he really has been enjoying school. He also received his 2nd quarter progress report and is doing wonderfully. Its been great to listen to the concept of sounding out words really click and watch him learn to read. He even read Green Eggs and Ham. Seriously, that is a LONG book!!<br /><br />We did Christmas crafts and of course played with friends:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RT_hqM9oSjE/TwLkcmmLFeI/AAAAAAAAGAE/gO2-UBD1pOo/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RT_hqM9oSjE/TwLkcmmLFeI/AAAAAAAAGAE/gO2-UBD1pOo/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693364058997855714" border="0" /></a><br />And Garrett just generally went nuts over the whole concept of Christmas<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-82qmqLjt4/TwLkbOs2ZEI/AAAAAAAAF_g/4VWwaO1Fu1U/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-82qmqLjt4/TwLkbOs2ZEI/AAAAAAAAF_g/4VWwaO1Fu1U/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693364035403539522" border="0" /></a><br />Of course we put up our tree. Both kids had a BLAST helping put on the decorations this year, and Garrett and Daddy put the star on together, which has become our tradition.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7p2PWfTmyUw/TwLkcIRxkVI/AAAAAAAAF_4/0344dvKd9dQ/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7p2PWfTmyUw/TwLkcIRxkVI/AAAAAAAAF_4/0344dvKd9dQ/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693364050859233618" border="0" /></a><br />The highlight of the holiday season, at least in the kids' book, was the arrival of our Elf. Garrett named him Jet Pack. It was fun having the kids get up and look for him every day, express delight in his antics, and just generally see their excitement about the whole thing. The 5:30am wake-ups, however, I could have done without.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_PK_NX213I/TwLmd61GvyI/AAAAAAAAGA4/xbf_JNFLY6o/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_PK_NX213I/TwLmd61GvyI/AAAAAAAAGA4/xbf_JNFLY6o/s320/030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693366280632319778" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0KUga0s2a0/TwLmc36RdFI/AAAAAAAAGAg/UZLoq_98QWM/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0KUga0s2a0/TwLmc36RdFI/AAAAAAAAGAg/UZLoq_98QWM/s320/029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693366262668817490" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJgei7Qd_o8/TwLmctyUqnI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/fGJkXcklrEQ/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJgei7Qd_o8/TwLmctyUqnI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/fGJkXcklrEQ/s320/021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693366259951118962" border="0" /></a><br />Our elf even made us breakfast one morning (Christmas tree danishes!)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mB6ia3l-GqM/TwLmdhNIhhI/AAAAAAAAGAo/dyS5aydkfqI/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mB6ia3l-GqM/TwLmdhNIhhI/AAAAAAAAGAo/dyS5aydkfqI/s320/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693366273753777682" border="0" /></a>We baked a lot too . . . Shelah and I worked a bake sale for This is the Dog, and I made cake pops. This is the Dog ended up shaping our holiday season a little more than we intended, but stay tuned for more on that, as well as the continued adventures of Jet Pack in a later post. For now, I leave you with the cake pops I made for the bake sale:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuNpgW-IhRA/TwLmehoV2QI/AAAAAAAAGBA/v5IggxNO2d8/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuNpgW-IhRA/TwLmehoV2QI/AAAAAAAAGBA/v5IggxNO2d8/s320/031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693366291047766274" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-85285407241063625352012-01-02T12:00:00.002-05:002012-01-02T12:00:01.049-05:00A very late November wrap-upI have no idea where November went. It flew by so very quickly and I didn't write a single post about it. And now its taken mWe were VERY busy at work, as my boss was preparing to go to Australia for 6 weeks, finishing up classes and had several reports due. Garrett was busy at school. Summer was. . . Summer.<br /><br />So here's a rundown of what we were up to in November.<br /><br />We went to the zoo with Summer's friends Ava and Alora (Thanks Leanne for the pic!)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNJH6gcsOhg/TwE2-sgigsI/AAAAAAAAF-A/zmmFKzcnqps/s1600/IMG_0928.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNJH6gcsOhg/TwE2-sgigsI/AAAAAAAAF-A/zmmFKzcnqps/s320/IMG_0928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692891854700446402" border="0" /></a>Summer is obsessed with the pythons there. She tells me she wants to touch them. I tell her they will swallow her. It doesn't deter her though.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0b8eyEjQFxw/TwE2-LCsaGI/AAAAAAAAF90/nuiuLu5fydQ/s1600/IMG_0919.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0b8eyEjQFxw/TwE2-LCsaGI/AAAAAAAAF90/nuiuLu5fydQ/s320/IMG_0919.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692891845716895842" border="0" /></a><br />We routed for Oklahoma State A LOT. :-)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxQMZ2HTRe8/TwHIJ4Biw4I/AAAAAAAAF-M/WPzHedEOO8c/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxQMZ2HTRe8/TwHIJ4Biw4I/AAAAAAAAF-M/WPzHedEOO8c/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693051475956253570" border="0" /></a><br />We did our Christmas card pictures. As always, this was a production in and of itself. In some ways, the out-takes are better than the final product. And certainly more entertaining!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mRgYUlZTLc/TwHIKKfKMII/AAAAAAAAF-Y/JRD7X2nmmV0/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mRgYUlZTLc/TwHIKKfKMII/AAAAAAAAF-Y/JRD7X2nmmV0/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693051480912310402" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPNojy5_a40/TwHNV9k3kWI/AAAAAAAAF-k/HiEm2G_M7oM/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPNojy5_a40/TwHNV9k3kWI/AAAAAAAAF-k/HiEm2G_M7oM/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693057181163164002" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydz1ncaEvMA/TwHQQg21GDI/AAAAAAAAF_I/Xa5z_vYMWOg/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydz1ncaEvMA/TwHQQg21GDI/AAAAAAAAF_I/Xa5z_vYMWOg/s320/046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693060386089408562" border="0" /></a><br />We also attempted a family photo shoot over Thanksgiving. Neither the wind nor the lighting cooperated, but we got some decent ones. Although we didn't get a single one where everyone had a nice smile on their face. One of these days we'll take my friend Leanne up on of her offer of doing ours. But it wasn't in the cards this year.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8tTwHTA5bA/TwHNWO0yUrI/AAAAAAAAF-w/Z5esA4JPrao/s1600/260c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 92px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8tTwHTA5bA/TwHNWO0yUrI/AAAAAAAAF-w/Z5esA4JPrao/s320/260c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693057185793331890" border="0" /></a><br />Kids grins are super cheezy here but Brad and I look nice sooo, this is the one you get to see :-)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBZgUdgy_jM/TwHOzYf4w2I/AAAAAAAAF-8/1hI8zS3f2_A/s1600/207c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBZgUdgy_jM/TwHOzYf4w2I/AAAAAAAAF-8/1hI8zS3f2_A/s320/207c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693058786117862242" border="0" /></a><br />We camped in the back yard. The kids got sleeping bag/backpacks from Grandma Becky that they loved. The kids did great. The dogs, on the other hand, were totally upset that we left them alone in the house. They started howling so I used it as an excuse to go sleep in our bed with the pooches instead of on the hard ground :-)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj8v3I6S3SU/TwHQQ8WkKkI/AAAAAAAAF_U/SzhpHah10yk/s1600/090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj8v3I6S3SU/TwHQQ8WkKkI/AAAAAAAAF_U/SzhpHah10yk/s320/090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693060393470274114" border="0" /></a>For Thanksgiving we had our traditional "Florida Family" dinner at the Shumans house. It was lovely, as always, and as always, I completely failed to take pictures. Once Thanksgiving was over, the Christmas festivities began, including the arrival of our elf for the very first time. But that will come in the next post :-)Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-65439969605521276332012-01-01T22:56:00.005-05:002012-01-01T23:11:49.007-05:00Goals, revisited and newHappy New Year! Last year I set <a href="http://comptonfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/goals-for-2011.html">goals for 2011</a> . . . some got done, some didn't.<br /><br />-Blog more . . . since I don't keep a journal or scrap book, this is IT.<br /> FAIL in the past 3 months, since I have only blogged twice since Halloween<br />-Make a book of blog posts in case blogger ever decides to die, for the same reasons listed above<br /> FAIL, sort of forgot about this one.<br />-Run 600 miles and do a total of 1000 miles total in multisport (bike/swim/run)<br /> FAIL, mileage totals were: 346.5 running, 22o bike, 3.6 swimming. And while I missed every goal, I can't complain. Hard year, lots of sickies, lots of missed weeks. I'll take it.<br />-200 hours of fitness<br /> SO CLOSE, 190.3 hours. Again, sickies have totally messed me up.<br />-Do at least 1 triathlon, 1 actual 5K, a budget 5K, a budget 10K and a budget 13.1 at some point throughout the year. I have seven events on my wish list right now (5 are tris), but we'll see how that goes.<br /> FAIL, I only managed a true 5K, and a budget 5K. Part of this was due to my realization that I wanted to spend a little more time with the kids and a little less time training. And again, the sickies, trouble working in training in our hectic schedule, etc. etc. etc. BUT I did sign up for the Miami Beach 13.1 in March, so really looking forward to that!<br />-Read/Listen to 20 books . . . I really am loving getting back into reading again<br /> Total success--Brad bought me a Kindle for mothers Day and I read around 30+ books this year. Water For Elephants was among the favorites list. Harry Potters. And too many to list.<br /><br />-Go on a mommy-cation to see Allison, or have her come see me<br /> Not this year :-( Maybe in 2012??<br />-Take Garrett to Disney for his birthday<br /> Done, had a blast!<br />-Read my bible more. Planning on doing the Bible In 90 Days program, just not ready to add that in to my New Year until we get into the swing of things.<br /> Fail. But I did spend a lot of time working on my relationship with God and with myself, so I'll take it.<br />-Give myself 30 minutes of still, peaceful quiet once a week. As much as I love working out, that can not continue to be my only me time if I wish to stay sane.<br />Major fail. Thus my difficult year<br />-Unplug a bit more. I've spent entirely TOO much time on Facebook this year. Going to try to limit my internet time to quick email/FB checks in the AM and at lunch.<br />Eh, so so, there were goods and bads.<br />-Moonlight ride on Shark River Valley with hubs<br />-Daytime Shark River Valley ride with Garrett<br />Both fail, bugs were horrible this year :-(<br />-Take my kids camping<br />DONE, we had a blast, went to Flamingo in the Everglades in early December. Among the "catch up posts" I hope to do in the next few weeks<br />-See my Grandma if she makes it stateside this year.<br />Fail, fail, fail. She came, but we didn't go. Summer was so incredibly difficult to deal with during the time she was here, and we opted not to travel across 3 time zones with her. :-(<br /><br />All in all, I'm glad 2011 is over--we had a hard-ish year here. Nothing major, but just not the easiest either. But lots of great memories, and plenty more greatness to come in 2012.<br /><br />Looking forward . . .<br />I don't have a huge list of goals. Just vague but important hopes:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Live in the moment</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enjoy quality time with the kids</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Run for the joy of it</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep myself and my family healthy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Find peace with myself and KEEP IT<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Find the happy balance in the Chaos, for the sake of my sanity.</span><br />And, last but not least, talk to family more--that one has sort of fallen by the wayside in the craziness.<br /><br />Updates to come (HOPEFULLY!)Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-58320629318870925232011-12-11T20:50:00.003-05:002011-12-11T21:01:28.126-05:00ArtworkI have a big November wrap-up post planned--I've even gotten around to writing half of it but blogger did not cooperate with the picture uploads. I'll save that for another day, but for now I wanted to share some recent artwork Garrett has done.<br /><br />We bought an awesome 130 piece art set for him at Michaels for $5. I remember receiving a similar art set from my Grandma and Grandpa when I was in second or 3rd grade and loving it. So when I saw this on special I wanted him to have it. We already have plenty of things under the Christmas tree and he has done so well at school, we decided to give it as a just-because gift. We hardly ever buy random things just because, and its actually nice because when we do, they are very much appreciated.<br /><br />Here are some of the little works of art Garrett has created. He gave some as Christmas gifts and gave one to his teacher for her birthday. Always a thoughtful boy :-) He mostly did little abstract bits here. But he has also been drawing and making stories like crazy, which was the motivation for his Christmas gift (to be shared later) .. . .<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEH90PJx7HM/TuVfzoPlW6I/AAAAAAAAF9A/1saxbuA1j4M/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEH90PJx7HM/TuVfzoPlW6I/AAAAAAAAF9A/1saxbuA1j4M/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685055445205867426" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WixPGLsbeo/TuVfy-ZZ8OI/AAAAAAAAF84/IjXFNxZMNS0/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WixPGLsbeo/TuVfy-ZZ8OI/AAAAAAAAF84/IjXFNxZMNS0/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685055433972773090" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw8ZTcykOCs/TuVfyiwqGFI/AAAAAAAAF8o/ndWEOI4APmk/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw8ZTcykOCs/TuVfyiwqGFI/AAAAAAAAF8o/ndWEOI4APmk/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685055426554107986" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qtRzW9gaJw/TuVf0JYSfNI/AAAAAAAAF9M/MczijDU3Ebk/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qtRzW9gaJw/TuVf0JYSfNI/AAAAAAAAF9M/MczijDU3Ebk/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685055454100749522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More to come (hopefully).Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-36497125088265856512011-11-01T08:02:00.007-05:002011-11-01T08:27:45.943-05:00Happy Halloween!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub-OBun_YQM/Tq_wAKxxXxI/AAAAAAAAF7s/sbheaQBkF9Y/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub-OBun_YQM/Tq_wAKxxXxI/AAAAAAAAF7s/sbheaQBkF9Y/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670014341566521106" border="0" /></a><br />We had a fun Halloween here. Things were a little crazy--Brad and Garrett went to Oklahoma for a mini-family reunion of sorts, and to go to Oklahoma State's homecoming game. They didn't get home till late Sunday night. Garrett's school had a dance and "Character day"--each student was supposed to be dressed as a character from a book. Garrett took his "Meet the Autobots" book from Grandma Sherry's summer reading program a few years ago.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf2vuBBJTQE/Tq_v_Qpzn5I/AAAAAAAAF7g/4HDvVFZWowg/s1600/007.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MnPlNY--sLE/Tq_v-tF7ClI/AAAAAAAAF7U/OfQensf9jrQ/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MnPlNY--sLE/Tq_v-tF7ClI/AAAAAAAAF7U/OfQensf9jrQ/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670014316418107986" border="0" /></a><br />Of course he was Optimus Prime. Grandma sent us an awesome mask, and I made the shirt with some duct tape and permanent markers. Since I hate sewing, this was a nice compromise and it turned out cute. Summer dressed as a lady bug. Its been rainy here, but the clouds broke long enough for us to go to the local Trunk or Treat event. There weren't many trunks to treat from because of the weather,<br /><br />Garrett's action shots. This kid is so full of character. :-)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLve58TjefM/Tq_v-QxzsBI/AAAAAAAAF7I/FdVl8cqKK84/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLve58TjefM/Tq_v-QxzsBI/AAAAAAAAF7I/FdVl8cqKK84/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670014308817547282" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glwW5RokH8c/Tq_w-D3sHYI/AAAAAAAAF78/vcnoS3zA6_o/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glwW5RokH8c/Tq_w-D3sHYI/AAAAAAAAF78/vcnoS3zA6_o/s320/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670015404864183682" border="0" /></a>Summer was just all cute sweetness. But she did keep "Expecto Patronus"-ing her brother with the wand. Too much HP!!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IucQi9tu-mw/Tq_w-YLEBsI/AAAAAAAAF8I/ob6fHUdzOlc/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IucQi9tu-mw/Tq_w-YLEBsI/AAAAAAAAF8I/ob6fHUdzOlc/s320/023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670015410314151618" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pL7bbxWo-uM/Tq_xZuwdnnI/AAAAAAAAF8U/uultaVaaPa8/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pL7bbxWo-uM/Tq_xZuwdnnI/AAAAAAAAF8U/uultaVaaPa8/s320/024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670015880233066098" border="0" /></a><br />The Great Pumpkin Fairy made her annual visit to the house and left the kids goodies. Garrett got a seek and find picture book and Summer got playdough. And Brad got LOTS AND LOTS of candy to take to work :-)Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-59255705636931290252011-10-24T11:00:00.001-05:002011-10-24T12:31:21.959-05:00Busy Weekend-Halloween Prep and the Spooky Symphony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4aYU208aRU/TqNrh2hdBVI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/z0oCx0NawR8/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4aYU208aRU/TqNrh2hdBVI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/z0oCx0NawR8/s320/064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666490985477899602" border="0" /></a>I had a TON of work to do this weekend, but we still managed to squeeze in a bunch of fun things, as well as prep for Halloween.<br /><br />We took the kids to Lowes on Saturday morning to build Monster Trucks. Our schedules haven't really allowed us to do their workshops in a while. It was CRAZY, we had to stand in line for 20 minutes to get them. We brought them home to build them, but the kids had such a good time. They were so proud of them that they were able to be nice to each other long enough for me to get this shot:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKLbblU36Eg/TqNrg8_GMXI/AAAAAAAAF5E/fwORKh5LIKM/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKLbblU36Eg/TqNrg8_GMXI/AAAAAAAAF5E/fwORKh5LIKM/s320/059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666490970032976242" border="0" /></a><br />Since they cooperated, I indulged them with a silly face session. It looks like Summer is going to take a bite of Garrett's arm . . .<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8M-mu_cdvBI/TqNrf-9mUvI/AAAAAAAAF40/hNZ2Umr7yLo/s1600/061.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8M-mu_cdvBI/TqNrf-9mUvI/AAAAAAAAF40/hNZ2Umr7yLo/s320/061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666490953383695090" border="0" /></a><br />but these are always the funniest photos!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99EpViUfUlE/TqNrfr-94zI/AAAAAAAAF4o/nrJAaiNEUKk/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99EpViUfUlE/TqNrfr-94zI/AAAAAAAAF4o/nrJAaiNEUKk/s320/062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666490948289159986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While at Lowes, we bought a pumpkin. After much debate we decided to just get one and make it family pumpkin. I suspect this is the last year that is going to work. Garrett drew the face ALL by himself. He drew it on paper then I cute it out and transferred it to the pumpkin.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Sd_21isjuc/TqNrkAQNahI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/7YnpXb4GtqI/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Sd_21isjuc/TqNrkAQNahI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/7YnpXb4GtqI/s320/053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666491022449666578" border="0" /></a><br />We took turns cutting it out (Summer obviously needed a lot of help there)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wB1B4v18baw/TqNthjQpwZI/AAAAAAAAF5k/-lYClqGDuzE/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wB1B4v18baw/TqNthjQpwZI/AAAAAAAAF5k/-lYClqGDuzE/s320/066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666493179330412946" border="0" /></a><br />and the kids had a BLAST scooping out the guts.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHsi3yWLIvE/TqNticLguCI/AAAAAAAAF58/i8sNzvwprhA/s1600/076.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHsi3yWLIvE/TqNticLguCI/AAAAAAAAF58/i8sNzvwprhA/s320/076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666493194609670178" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leIGc05Axpc/TqNtiEdGZ4I/AAAAAAAAF5w/pUt4n90bEm0/s1600/071.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leIGc05Axpc/TqNtiEdGZ4I/AAAAAAAAF5w/pUt4n90bEm0/s320/071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666493188240992130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finished product.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oBiXOkt3Fc/TqNtjFj23UI/AAAAAAAAF6M/xIRamW5TV5U/s1600/078c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oBiXOkt3Fc/TqNtjFj23UI/AAAAAAAAF6M/xIRamW5TV5U/s320/078c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666493205717638466" border="0" /></a>Why is it so much to ask for EVERYONE to have a nice face?? :-)<br /><br />Brad took the kids to see a "giant" model airplane show, the three of them had a blast. The weather is absolutely glorious here, its nearly impossible to focus on anything because it was so beautiful outside. But alas, I stayed home and worked.<br /><br />On Sunday, Garrett and I trekked downtown for the "Spooky Symphony" put on by the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. I love orchestral music and thought this might be something Garrett would enjoy. We met up with some old friends, Jon and Bryland, and had an excellent time. Here they are pretending to be a train on the way to the theater.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvnUAUUtEHw/TqSglcu3snI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/t-_PrRzFUpI/s1600/spookysymp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvnUAUUtEHw/TqSglcu3snI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/t-_PrRzFUpI/s320/spookysymp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666830796367311474" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-72461139140836919792011-10-22T19:42:00.006-05:002011-10-22T22:26:17.108-05:00Hispanic Heritage Day<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cRUkJY6P3k/TqNljDJ0RXI/AAAAAAAAF4I/8w0ak2Btz-U/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cRUkJY6P3k/TqNljDJ0RXI/AAAAAAAAF4I/8w0ak2Btz-U/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666484408978523506" border="0" /></a><br />This past Friday was Hispanic Heritage Day at Garrett's school. His classroom did Cuba, and it turned out to be quite a fun day. Leanne was awesome enough to take Summer for the day so that I could help out in his class. This was the first time I have been able to volunteer in his class, so it was nice to get to know some of his classmates.<br /><br />(PS-family, please go<a href="http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/miabch11/lvndocean"> support Leanne as she does Team In Training</a> in support of the LSS. Great charity, great cause, and as a mom of two I know exactly how hard it is to do what she's doing. Please pop in and support her as she has helped me SO MUCH with the kiddos through the course of our friendship)<br /><br />The parents and his teachers did a great job making decorations for the class.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-At5Gdk0YZEo/TqNnzGyDBtI/AAAAAAAAF4c/wItFKP6egbA/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-At5Gdk0YZEo/TqNnzGyDBtI/AAAAAAAAF4c/wItFKP6egbA/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666486883853731538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1UGxwCFoEM/TqNlhfWjKmI/AAAAAAAAF3w/0taP5ukujp8/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1UGxwCFoEM/TqNlhfWjKmI/AAAAAAAAF3w/0taP5ukujp8/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666484382188382818" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlTku597jdU/TqNlg8lA_qI/AAAAAAAAF3U/sJYoDRmMnL0/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlTku597jdU/TqNlg8lA_qI/AAAAAAAAF3U/sJYoDRmMnL0/s320/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666484372853816994" border="0" /></a><br />And thanks to my friend Shelah, we even had some real sugar cane to display on our table!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27-kFVQts-4/TqNli1M1IVI/AAAAAAAAF34/A6pgAeXmM4k/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27-kFVQts-4/TqNli1M1IVI/AAAAAAAAF34/A6pgAeXmM4k/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666484405233066322" border="0" /></a><br />The kids danced to Cuban music. It was HILARIOUS. They did a conga line too, but somehow I missed getting a shot of Garrett in it. Not at all sure how that happened.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ91c2oytK8/TqNlhO9zT3I/AAAAAAAAF3c/ebQ50Q7KKOY/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ91c2oytK8/TqNlhO9zT3I/AAAAAAAAF3c/ebQ50Q7KKOY/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666484377789615986" border="0" /></a>They did portraits in "traditional' Cuban caricatures.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_k2gkr-hpBY/TqNnAoWEbDI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/9dEkRdy91gs/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_k2gkr-hpBY/TqNnAoWEbDI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/9dEkRdy91gs/s320/041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666486016689859634" border="0" /></a>I learned quite a bit about Cuba in the process of gathering things for Garrett's class. PBS has a <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/cuba-the-accidental-eden/video-full-episode/5834/">really amazing special</a> available online about it that I would recommend watching, it was fascinating!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-26363055573194209912011-10-06T11:49:00.007-05:002011-10-06T12:19:53.842-05:00Why I love the Marble JarA long while back, I read an article in family fun about using a marble jar to encourage your child to become involved in household chores. We've been using it for well over a year, and its STILL paying off. Not only because Garrett (and now Summer) get involved in the housekeeping, but also because they have SUCH fun with their rewards.<br /><br />When Garrett filled up his jar last week, he got a bug collecting kit from the dollar store. Quite possibly the best dollar I've ever spent. We have spent COUNTLESS hours outside ever since hunting for (and occasionally catching) lizards, bugs and other creepy crawlies. Lizards are by far the favored critter to catch.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VeM1aDVjiKU/To3eSBLLVII/AAAAAAAAF2U/uoppVHdVnls/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VeM1aDVjiKU/To3eSBLLVII/AAAAAAAAF2U/uoppVHdVnls/s320/040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660424707808908418" border="0" /></a><br />You can't beat a "special surprise" that gets you outside in the beautiful weather. Garrett loves to create a habitat, observe his catches and look at them through the magnifying glass on top of the container before we let them go.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PBJCxApsoE/To3eR0Uy9eI/AAAAAAAAF2M/iiQKNbjGbb8/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PBJCxApsoE/To3eR0Uy9eI/AAAAAAAAF2M/iiQKNbjGbb8/s320/042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660424704359593442" border="0" /></a><br />The other reason I love this jar is because Garrett truly takes initiative to help at time. It gives him a tangible reward for helping me. Last night Brad had a meeting and Summer is to a point where she is very hard to put to bed (we just switched her to a Full Size bed). While I was putting her to bed, Garrett asked if he could do something to earn some marbles. I told him to clean whatever he wanted and then tell me how many marbles he thought he deserved. He decided he would earn 20 marbles. He wrote the numbers 1-20 and then would go find something to clean. As he did an item, he would cross off a number. By the time Summer was in bed, the horrendous amount of toys were put away, the dogs were fed, and the floors were vacuumed. He worked very hard for those 20 marbles, and I didn't have to stress about getting the house clean. It was great.<br /><br />Other than that, we've been busy, but not doing anything terribly special. Football, school, family time. We switched the beds around this weekend are in the midst of a massive declutter. That will (eventually? hopefully?) get its own post. Summer did sign up for a tumbling class, but that only lasted a week before she got a nasty cold. We haven't been back since. Or rather, we have tried to go back, but she refused to participate. Maybe because she is still sick, but who knows. It was a fun (but apparently expensive) week.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9_4CCvu164/To3eS4ojQ2I/AAAAAAAAF2s/7V5EluVXPVU/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9_4CCvu164/To3eS4ojQ2I/AAAAAAAAF2s/7V5EluVXPVU/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660424722696061794" border="0" /></a>She's very much into letters right now, so we're going slow and introducing a letter whenever the opportunity arises. She can identify O, L, and S so far and likes to find them WHEREVER we go. Potty training has been successful (knock on wood) and we've been slowly getting more adventurous in our outings. It even cooled down enough for a family trip to the zoo this past weekend.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVlDpUCNd1A/To3jIBeN6LI/AAAAAAAAF3M/FSKtcLXDMWE/s1600/314668_2048871030154_1495824486_31748945_881872359_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVlDpUCNd1A/To3jIBeN6LI/AAAAAAAAF3M/FSKtcLXDMWE/s320/314668_2048871030154_1495824486_31748945_881872359_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660430033648216242" border="0" /></a>Other than that, we've played with our food.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTd8kuTPIeo/To3eSdbYq0I/AAAAAAAAF2c/F9IjLbtX3ho/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTd8kuTPIeo/To3eSdbYq0I/AAAAAAAAF2c/F9IjLbtX3ho/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660424715393084226" border="0" /></a><br />We've gotten the occasional sweet treat for working/playing hard.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojlMG9hgncM/To3eSgpEg1I/AAAAAAAAF2k/TJDYn1NBE9o/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojlMG9hgncM/To3eSgpEg1I/AAAAAAAAF2k/TJDYn1NBE9o/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660424716255789906" border="0" /></a><br />Garrett has FINALLY started doing what I consider REAL school work--first spelling test is this week. Now that they have finally started doing sight and spelling words, Garrett is reading and writing even in his free time. He's also having tons of fun drawing too. Here are a few of his fun little "just because" projects.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUet9jh74_o/To3fp5AbYdI/AAAAAAAAF28/mXNXto5_KFM/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUet9jh74_o/To3fp5AbYdI/AAAAAAAAF28/mXNXto5_KFM/s320/044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660426217444827602" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnK28-J09Xo/To3fpuvm-ZI/AAAAAAAAF20/D8GPETu_SbE/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnK28-J09Xo/To3fpuvm-ZI/AAAAAAAAF20/D8GPETu_SbE/s320/045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660426214689929618" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEAS-6JK3Bc/To3fqCFLVHI/AAAAAAAAF3E/lCshWmVHQPk/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEAS-6JK3Bc/To3fqCFLVHI/AAAAAAAAF3E/lCshWmVHQPk/s320/043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660426219880666226" border="0" /></a><br />Every day is crazy and chaotic and absurdly wonderful.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-36497734601817500892011-09-19T10:00:00.000-05:002011-09-19T11:45:56.096-05:00First Flag Football Practice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bxbphrAijQ/TndluQGwkmI/AAAAAAAAF0k/pCsQcgG-VNw/s1600/064.JPG"><br /></a><br />Brad is a football person, through and through. He loves a lot of sports--basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis. But football is the end-all-be-all. He comes by it naturally, his parents are that way too. Garrett has been the same, he has always thought football sounded like a blast. I am nervous about the full contact nature of the sport, so when X and L signed up for flag football, we decided to give it a try to. And it was extra awesome because Grandma and Grandpa Compton were here to enjoy it too :-)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JEjz1_Vgvk/TnaC2T2cPtI/AAAAAAAAFzw/Fqzp7oXqnyQ/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JEjz1_Vgvk/TnaC2T2cPtI/AAAAAAAAFzw/Fqzp7oXqnyQ/s320/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653850251763400402" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Crx7sHzv9MM/TnaCz2t_S6I/AAAAAAAAFzo/qXa5B-0Xw2M/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Crx7sHzv9MM/TnaCz2t_S6I/AAAAAAAAFzo/qXa5B-0Xw2M/s320/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653850209583582114" border="0" /></a><br />Garrett LOVED the first practice. Brad is coaching, and the kids range from 5-7 years of age on his team. They have a lot to learn, but it was so fun to watch!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mahBpsrkhAk/TnaCzs2gaYI/AAAAAAAAFzg/Uig5UbllGIo/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mahBpsrkhAk/TnaCzs2gaYI/AAAAAAAAFzg/Uig5UbllGIo/s320/056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653850206934952322" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RjA5bHdjCko/TnaCzK-iniI/AAAAAAAAFzY/QwUuq3JFNbM/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RjA5bHdjCko/TnaCzK-iniI/AAAAAAAAFzY/QwUuq3JFNbM/s320/057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653850197841845794" border="0" /></a><br />Garrett takes Brad's approach to sports--serious, ready to roll at a moments notice. He actually told his Grandma the night before practice about how he was nervous about if he would be able to throw and catch, and that he hoped he would do a good job. He showed both his excitement and his game face regularly during practice.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGJz87c2Rcs/TndkWhT6WRI/AAAAAAAAF0U/iF_WHHjADDU/s1600/065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGJz87c2Rcs/TndkWhT6WRI/AAAAAAAAF0U/iF_WHHjADDU/s320/065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654098195248732434" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odiGmNw-RHY/TndkzyGmfuI/AAAAAAAAF0c/88tFbYxJbws/s1600/083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odiGmNw-RHY/TndkzyGmfuI/AAAAAAAAF0c/88tFbYxJbws/s320/083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654098697972514530" border="0" /></a>And sometimes, it actually looked like he knew what he was doing.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hYJaNF2yxA/TndjtsELCtI/AAAAAAAAF0M/Ytlm_yDUnYg/s1600/099.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hYJaNF2yxA/TndjtsELCtI/AAAAAAAAF0M/Ytlm_yDUnYg/s320/099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654097493760871122" border="0" /></a><br />Other times, it was just too fun to get to rip off Xander's flag, whether he was supposed to or not.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bxbphrAijQ/TndluQGwkmI/AAAAAAAAF0k/pCsQcgG-VNw/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bxbphrAijQ/TndluQGwkmI/AAAAAAAAF0k/pCsQcgG-VNw/s320/064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654099702458651234" border="0" /></a><br />Summer had fun too--I should have signed her up for cheer leading (and I'm SO not a cheer person), because she was running up and down the sidelines continuously, just for the sake of running. Nutcase. She did slow down long enough to get super cute with Logan, though.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7hKVQpfr-Y/TndjGxlDJAI/AAAAAAAAF0E/jTNpmcV-nnc/s1600/113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7hKVQpfr-Y/TndjGxlDJAI/AAAAAAAAF0E/jTNpmcV-nnc/s320/113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654096825226044418" border="0" /></a>Conclusion: I almost wish it was more frequent than every Saturday. We may be adding soccer on too, at school, but will have to see how it pans out. I hope Garrett continues to enjoy it, because the rest of us certainly did! And Brad didn't even seem to mind that it was 95+ out, he did great with the kids.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-35130625070636050142011-09-18T13:54:00.007-05:002011-09-18T14:30:50.215-05:00Summer, Version 3.0<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2C5C9A-WsQ/TnZAeeT83kI/AAAAAAAAFyg/YZw_Eq2nnI0/s1600/143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2C5C9A-WsQ/TnZAeeT83kI/AAAAAAAAFyg/YZw_Eq2nnI0/s320/143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653777274487234114" border="0" /></a><br />It's seems impossible that Summer is three today!! It seems like just yesterday that <a href="http://comptonfamily.blogspot.com/2008/09/summers-birth-story.html">she sped into our lives</a> after 41 weeks of waiting.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Flz0vYjFapw/TnZCOLgznII/AAAAAAAAFyo/45KpkMLgr68/s1600/151.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cP8PAF2Zumw/TnZGmdyERvI/AAAAAAAAFzI/omkiEHSatC8/s1600/155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cP8PAF2Zumw/TnZGmdyERvI/AAAAAAAAFzI/omkiEHSatC8/s320/155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653784008853833458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Summer version 3.0 is a fun mix between girlie girl and wild child. She loves dresses, bows, and sparkly stuff, but will swing from the monkey bars and be involved in "gun fights" with the boys. She can be a total clown too. No matter what though, I high level of drama can be expected.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQWLn0Nv21g/TnZAeAu6PUI/AAAAAAAAFyY/BewGZ259QT8/s1600/179.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yt4Eox8_rYI/TnZFvv2qZQI/AAAAAAAAFzA/BBmH0YSUDKk/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yt4Eox8_rYI/TnZFvv2qZQI/AAAAAAAAFzA/BBmH0YSUDKk/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653783068812141826" border="0" /></a><br />Summer version 3.0 has taken forever to potty train--shes 90% there, but also pretty much night trained. Definitely her own person, since Garrett was day trained at 2 but not night trained until 4. Its highly possible (please, please, please let it be so) that we won't be buying any more pullups once the ones we have are gone.<br /><br />Summer version 3.0 is a total daddy's girl. I'm a second rate citizen when Daddy's around.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEvflqwN85o/TnZAdhSAMpI/AAAAAAAAFyI/pLxYd9Svrik/s1600/146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEvflqwN85o/TnZAdhSAMpI/AAAAAAAAFyI/pLxYd9Svrik/s320/146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653777258104500882" border="0" /></a><br />Summer version 3.0 worships her brother. Not that that's anything new. But the times when they play nicely together (versus fighting 100% of the time) are starting to come along more often.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQWLn0Nv21g/TnZAeAu6PUI/AAAAAAAAFyY/BewGZ259QT8/s1600/179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQWLn0Nv21g/TnZAeAu6PUI/AAAAAAAAFyY/BewGZ259QT8/s320/179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653777266547244354" border="0" /></a><br />Summer version 3.0 loves hanging with her friends. Especially the "boys", which includes Garrett, Xander, and Logan, our neighbor Jewel (who is 5 years older than her!) and her buddy Ava.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9v10Pvwu7fA/TnZAdXssenI/AAAAAAAAFyA/y2WBBd5mr70/s1600/113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9v10Pvwu7fA/TnZAdXssenI/AAAAAAAAFyA/y2WBBd5mr70/s320/113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653777255532100210" border="0" /></a>She loves Hello Kitty. Our house has been taken over by Hello Kitty. I don't really mind, ANYTHING is better than princesses!!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lwdp-hzg4g8/TnZCOmaxqxI/AAAAAAAAFy4/8wIMKx0TNZ4/s1600/144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lwdp-hzg4g8/TnZCOmaxqxI/AAAAAAAAFy4/8wIMKx0TNZ4/s320/144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653779200808692498" border="0" /></a><br />She's a trip, she always has something to say and is bossy as all get out. She's been a handful this past year, but I know the good days are just around the corner--all the "baby" things are almost over, once and for all, and there is so much fun around the corner.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb3GehS6BGI/TnZAeDTeCVI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/QJ12JpauI5M/s1600/158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb3GehS6BGI/TnZAeDTeCVI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/QJ12JpauI5M/s320/158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653777267237456210" border="0" /></a><br />Happy birthday baby girl!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzfHqDj4iSQ/TnZCORdRDrI/AAAAAAAAFyw/NgAGTIr8VRo/s1600/164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzfHqDj4iSQ/TnZCORdRDrI/AAAAAAAAFyw/NgAGTIr8VRo/s320/164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653779195181993650" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-55607721649663236452011-09-15T10:00:00.002-05:002011-09-15T10:00:05.162-05:00Random pictures since school beganI have been absolutely terrible about keeping up with the blog. No free time. Potty training (STILL). Work. Kids. House. Produce. Working out. Blah, blah, blah!<br /><br />Daddy and Summer being silly and "napping" in the hall.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kq9ZuQQAPws/TnDMvCRjV6I/AAAAAAAAFxw/yhodfk4liN4/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kq9ZuQQAPws/TnDMvCRjV6I/AAAAAAAAFxw/yhodfk4liN4/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652242640786380706" border="0" /></a>Garrett with one of his many creations<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoKr24bBHaU/TnDMu-VIZWI/AAAAAAAAFxo/Ix5DmhT-vos/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoKr24bBHaU/TnDMu-VIZWI/AAAAAAAAFxo/Ix5DmhT-vos/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652242639727650146" border="0" /></a>And a robot he wants to enter in the Lego Club Jr. Contest this month.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRKK3a89OAo/TnDMuqw8PtI/AAAAAAAAFxg/gMLxJkp3aE8/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRKK3a89OAo/TnDMuqw8PtI/AAAAAAAAFxg/gMLxJkp3aE8/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652242634475585234" border="0" /></a>Being silly with the cute hat they made at school for Patriot's Day.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGm4nAjwIiM/TnDMuZjg1BI/AAAAAAAAFxY/mTUXILyut7Y/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGm4nAjwIiM/TnDMuZjg1BI/AAAAAAAAFxY/mTUXILyut7Y/s320/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652242629855859730" border="0" /></a>Dress up one day shortly before school started. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF09zr2dHV0/TnDMvfUuQRI/AAAAAAAAFx4/haluQ9NZhC4/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF09zr2dHV0/TnDMvfUuQRI/AAAAAAAAFx4/haluQ9NZhC4/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652242648584306962" border="0" /></a><br />Other random bits:<br />So ready for the fall TV season lineup to start. We booted netflix for their price hike. On our lineup for the fall--Castle, Bones, Psych, Survivor.<br /><br />I finished reading Harry Potter series. Brad's started the books too. Garrett's last book was Goblet of Fire, I want him to wait a while to read the last three because are so much darker and take on more grown-up stuff than the earlier books. We're watching them.<br /><br />The new trailer for Breaking Dawn is out and I'm so excited in the worst nerdy way. Only 2 months left to wait! I think I'll be re-reading the books again.<br /><br />I FINALLY entered my first half marathon. Will be running the Miami Beach 13.1 in April. So stoked, but have a long way to go since I haven't been running much because of the heat.<br /><br />Garrett is entered in flag football, which starts on Saturday. It should be fun. Brad is coaching his team. It may be interesting--its 5 players for team and the age range is from 5-7 years. Garrett is by far the youngest on his team and the oldest player will be 8 (!!) in November.<br /><br />Summer is THREE on Sunday, which I can't believe. Grandma and Grandpa Compton are coming this afternoon, so we're looking forward to that.<br /><br />I'm going to start prepping for the GRE so that I can test sometime either this fall or in the spring. We have a great tuition remission program through school, so once both kids are in school I'm going to work on a Masters degree--something I've wanted to do for a long time but have had to put off for obvious reasons.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32447971.post-27519640762903178872011-09-14T10:01:00.004-05:002011-09-14T10:37:15.530-05:00First Day of Kindergarten (Better late than never!)I have been meaning to post about Garrett's first day of Kindergarten for a while. I haven't for two reasons . . . One is time (I never seem to have any). The other is I am still just not sure how *I* feel about Kindergarten. I like his school, overall, and I like his teacher, but I'm not as in love with it all as I thought I would be. Things are going very slow, they are still reviewing letters, and I feel like Garrett is a little bored and definitely not picking up anything new. But whatever, review is necessary. We're just hanging in and hoping it will improve. He still misses his pre-K teacher. He loves his new teacher, though, and she really is great. Its just a little disheartening to me, I wanted him to LOVE school, but I guess its just the way it goes in the public school system. Suffice to say the jury is still out.<br /><br />Even though this picture isn't that great, I had to include it because Garrett was super proud of the cute fishie he made for his teacher:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElEt_Al7CRo/TnDIijJi9ZI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/FbVtPrAnVwk/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElEt_Al7CRo/TnDIijJi9ZI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/FbVtPrAnVwk/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652238028226360722" border="0" /></a><br />Best friends. They aren't in the same class, which is probably a good thing since they are together pretty much the rest of the time.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8brjBTo72YI/TnDIiYyb8bI/AAAAAAAAFxI/Ch0F8rVON3w/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8brjBTo72YI/TnDIiYyb8bI/AAAAAAAAFxI/Ch0F8rVON3w/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652238025445077426" border="0" /></a>My two favorite Kindergarteners.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2cQERYngQg/TnDIhyuivnI/AAAAAAAAFxA/9LKZm5sJzIU/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2cQERYngQg/TnDIhyuivnI/AAAAAAAAFxA/9LKZm5sJzIU/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652238015228198514" border="0" /></a>Garrett at his desk.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cc_xQm3D68k/TnDIhmaJ9PI/AAAAAAAAFw4/033wYuDB_pg/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cc_xQm3D68k/TnDIhmaJ9PI/AAAAAAAAFw4/033wYuDB_pg/s320/035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652238011921462514" border="0" /></a>And, like his father, he has limited patience for photographs. How did he learn to role his eyes so effectively at such an early age??? :-)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i39-XLp0wfc/TnDIhcQcGRI/AAAAAAAAFww/PXWje6wcIh8/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i39-XLp0wfc/TnDIhcQcGRI/AAAAAAAAFww/PXWje6wcIh8/s320/036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652238009196353810" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElEt_Al7CRo/TnDIijJi9ZI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/FbVtPrAnVwk/s1600/007.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElEt_Al7CRo/TnDIijJi9ZI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/FbVtPrAnVwk/s1600/007.JPG"> </a><br /><br />They did the most darling project associated with "The Kissing Hand". I received the most concise, complete summary ever given by a five year old of the book from Garrett, it was fabulous.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBHlQ8mtXEo/TnDFYyr7PmI/AAAAAAAAFwo/4Y9cQvib6XY/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBHlQ8mtXEo/TnDFYyr7PmI/AAAAAAAAFwo/4Y9cQvib6XY/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652234562063515234" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6XLvchHdGs/TnDFYiYcghI/AAAAAAAAFwg/dNbaeAz8ZDY/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6XLvchHdGs/TnDFYiYcghI/AAAAAAAAFwg/dNbaeAz8ZDY/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652234557686841874" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4QtpilZXHs/TnDFYUpdqgI/AAAAAAAAFwY/lZosvBHNiRg/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4QtpilZXHs/TnDFYUpdqgI/AAAAAAAAFwY/lZosvBHNiRg/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652234554000124418" border="0" /></a><br />The diorama we did for "Library Lion"<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eIwIeC8mZw/TnDFYA_RVjI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/THRVw4_qJIc/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eIwIeC8mZw/TnDFYA_RVjI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/THRVw4_qJIc/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652234548722882098" border="0" /></a>And of course, Summer, who refused to be in the morning pictures, insisted "Take a picture of ME!"<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZLlB79wOyI/TnDFX4OSYOI/AAAAAAAAFwI/Rpy-xIiUZOs/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZLlB79wOyI/TnDFX4OSYOI/AAAAAAAAFwI/Rpy-xIiUZOs/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652234546369945826" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBHlQ8mtXEo/TnDFYyr7PmI/AAAAAAAAFwo/4Y9cQvib6XY/s1600/001.JPG"><br /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11489514344422610056noreply@blogger.com2