tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87309541367009308692024-02-07T03:19:54.878-07:00Paradise FrostJoel and Ami will keep the masses updated on the happenings of Dane, our sweet baby June, our movie adventures, and anything else deemed noteworthy. Or laughworthy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-54643620813205305982014-09-18T15:51:00.000-06:002014-09-18T15:52:35.306-06:00Random FunniesThere are a few funny things I wanted to document before my ever atrophying memory loses them:<br />
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June's Birthday Terror:</h3>
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June really seems to adore babies; she always notices them in movies, photos, at church, etc. And I once saw her playing with a friend's baby doll, so I thought that was a reasonable present to get for June's birthday. I asked my dad if he'd wrap up one of my old baby dolls (remember the American Doll Bitty Babies?) to give to June. But, being the doting grandfather he is, my Dad decided to go buy a very nice, new, high-end baby doll. An Asian one, for reasons that I believe are obvious (Asian babies are the cutest. Oh, and June is a quarter Japanese)<br />
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The only problem, of course, is that this baby is super creepy looking. And I'm sure it didn't help that we introduced it to June by telling her it's her cousin Lisako. So now Lisako is this small plastic creepy thing.<br />
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June would have nothing to do with it.<br />
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She would yell, "NO!" and back away from the doll. Rika, with her mild case of sadism, took to following June around with the baby.<br />
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My dad, undaunted, resolved to return with the Caucasian, less creepy baby doll.<br />
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But here comes a confession: I was a little worried about this. I mean, how would that sound to people? "My daughter doesn't like Asian dolls; only white dolls." Plus, I suppose I had to admit that there was a little part of me that has been worried my children are a little racist. Back when Dane was probably about 18 months old, I bought him a baby doll, too. I wanted a Cabbage Patch Doll, so I bought the cheapest one with yarn hair that I found on eBay. It is a mixed race baby doll, with lovely caramel skin tone. And so far neither of my kids have cared about it in the least.<br />
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So I worried, if June goes for the Caucasian baby doll, it might confirm my fears.<br />
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Luckily for race relations, June hated the white baby too. <br />
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So my kids may not have developed their maternal and paternal instincts, but they aren't racist.<br />
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Teat Time</h3>
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June loves to play with Dane's little tea set. She can entertain herself for quite awhile pouring and sipping water, or occasionally punch.<br />
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She calls it teat.<br />
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"Mommy, I wan teat please."<br />
"Mommy, more teat!"<br />
"Mommy, I need teat!"<br />
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Adventures in Newsprint</h3>
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I was taught at some point to clean mirrors and windows with Windex and newspaper, since it won't leave lint that rags or paper towels do. So I keep a stash of newspapers in the bathroom cabinet with the cleaning supplies. And since I don't actually subscribe to any newspapers, whenever I get those free mailings, I throw them into the cabinet.<br />
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One weekend we were all working together to clean the bathrooms, and Dane and June found endless amusement with their very own pages of the newspaper. They used them as pretend blankets, as mats to stand on, etc. At one point, Dane pointed to a picture and said, "This man is naked and has huge muscles," but when I looked at it, it was just a shirtless guy, so I didn't think anything of it. Then I noticed that June's page had a large ad for free HIV testing, and while I found it amusing that my toddler is playing with something such an ad, I again didn't think anything of it.<br />
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When we finished cleaning the bathrooms and I was gathering the newspapers back up to put them away, I noticed photos of a drag queen pageant and a bunch of scantily clad men posing on poles.<br />
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Apparently, the newspaper my kids had been playing with were pages from the Gayly. And while I support the right to free speech and all, we decided the pole dancing and cross dressing were topics to be discussed with our children at a later date. And probably not with visual aids. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-81000907412249368022014-08-26T23:53:00.001-06:002014-08-26T23:55:48.403-06:00Happy Birthday June!June is now three years old!<br />
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That's right, it's been exactly a year since I posted last. Pay no attention to the fact that I have not posted Dane's 6th birthday . . . or Christmas 2013 . . . or the purchase of our first home . . . or ANYTHING in the past 365 days. But there's no time like the present to start up again. </div>
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Let's begin by celebrating the many faces of June!</div>
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A. Boogie Down June</div>
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B. June trying to show us "I'm free!"</div>
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C. Silly June</div>
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D. Hammy June</div>
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E. Screamy June</div>
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F. Reticent June</div>
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G. Skeptical June</div>
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H. Sweet June</div>
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Daddy got up early to get June her favorite breakfast of sprinkle donuts. At first, June was grumpy at being awakened, but once Daddy showed her the donuts, she perked right up.</div>
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Then we had a birthday photo shoot, where June showed off her adorableness and her love for her big brother.<br />
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Then it was party time!</div>
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Rika and I slaved over the decorations and the pinata--it was fun and makes me want to make pinatas for every party!<br />
We used <a href="http://jenscopycatcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/06/take-crack-at-it-diy-pinata.html?m=1" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> for the pinata and <a href="http://katelandersevents.blogspot.fr/2010/10/tissue-rose-pinata-diy-feature-and.html?m=1" target="_blank">this one</a> for the lovely flowers:<br />
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I actually tried to take great care to make sure the pinata wasn't too strong because I hate when little kids can't get through a pinata, but apparently hundreds of tissue flowers provide a lot of padding.<br />
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By the time Uncle Brady busted through the pinata, most of the treats inside had been pulverized. <br />
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June got to chat with Grandma and show her all her presents!<br />
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Then cake! Delicious cupcakes! Perhaps the most delicious cupcakes in the world. I mean, I don't like to exaggerate, but . . . they were truly amazing cupcakes. And I don't even like cake.</div>
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America's Test Kitchen's <a href="http://www.pink-parsley.com/2010/04/ultimate-chocolate-cupcakes.html?m=1" target="_blank">Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes</a>--carefully crafted to maximize the chocolate experience. Those people are geniuses. </div>
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And <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2010/12/29/strawberry-cupcakes-2/" target="_blank">Strawberry Cupcakes</a>--the frosting tastes like a strawberry milkshake. </div>
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Happy birthday to June!<br />
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June licked the frosting off of three different cupcakes, so I'm pretty sure she approved.<br />
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Every night, when I put June to bed, she asks me to read Curious George out of the paperback and then Curious George again out of the the hardback volume. Then, she asks me to sing "Firsa Baber," a.k.a. "For the First Time in Forever," then "Summer," then "Let it Go." She dances and reenacts the scenes as I sing. Then we carefully arrange all the figurines from Cars, Monsters University, and Frozen on the edge of her crib. Then she gives me a kiss, gives me a hug, and says "Goodnight Mommy, I love you. See you later," and blows kisses to me as I leave. </div>
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Happy birthday, sweet Junie. I'm so happy you were born. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-8150255792740473252013-08-26T11:42:00.001-06:002013-08-26T11:42:44.007-06:00Happy Birthday, June!We interrupt these Frost reunion posts to bring you big news:<br />
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June is now two years old!<br />
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She was pretty reticent during our photo shoot, and all the close ups I took were slightly blurry, but oh well. The photos capture her little personality.<br />
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Because her birthday was on Sunday, we broke up the festivities over two days: swimming and ice cream on Saturday, dinner and presents on Sunday!<br />
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Jiichan & Baachan and Rika & Brady joined us at the pool. June didn't really want to swim, but she enjoyed the water. She even got a fun new water table from Jiichan and Baachan that she immediately took to playing with.<br />
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I'd like people to note the evidence that Mom was in the water, which almost never happens. She sinks unless she's got a flotation device, as evidenced above.<br />
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I tried to think of things June loves to make her day special. I decided bubbles would be a fun activity for the party, so I bought a GALLON of bubble solution and made fancy bubble wands in anticipation of THE BIGGEST BUBBLES IN THE WORLD!<br />
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As you can see, the bubbles were lackluster, to say the least. They barely worked with the traditional wand, let alone the big ones Joel and I had made.<br />
But Joel added some dish soap and corn syrup to the mix, swished it around, and giant bubbles were born!<br />
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Dane had an absolute blast chasing the giant bubbles around:<br />
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June was...pretty much oblivious. She was so engrossed in her new water table and she didn't even notice the amazing bubbles floating around her. Observe:<br />
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But we had a lovely time, and she did notice a few of the bubbles after a while.<br />
Everyone was kind enough to hang out with us TWO days in a row for June festivities:<br />
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Then, it was time for presents!<br />
She got a very cute plush Noah's Ark toy from Grandma Frost<br />
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Jessie and Bullseye from Rika & Brady</div>
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Some fun water toys to go along with the water table, and some books that she really loves.<br />
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Also, some big girl undies, which she immediate wanted to put on:<br />
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Then, the cakes. I must say, I'm usually disappointed at how my layer cakes turn out, but both the regular cake and the smash cake turned out quite well this time:<br />
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Have you ever had the Berry Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods? It is delicious. I decided to make a <a href="http://vousetesdoux.blogspot.com/2012/07/whole-foods-chantilly-cake.html" target="_blank">copycat recipe</a>, and it did not disappoint. I used a <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/three-ingredient-italian-sponge-cake-39404" target="_blank">sponge cake</a> recipe, and the texture was...spongy. I liked it, but it might not be for everyone. (Note, I doubled the recipe to make a three layer cake, plus a baby three layer cake.) For the smash cake, I used the same sponge cake with a chocolate buttercream recipe that we got from the restaurant at Joel's old work. Very buttery. And I tried my hand at <a href="http://everything-old-crafts.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-chocolate-butterfly-cake.html?m=1" target="_blank">chocolate decorations</a>. They weren't super beautiful, but they were passable. I don't know, I've never had good luck (or good skill) drizzling chocolate beautifully. I mostly drizzle chunks and uneven lines. But June didn't care!<br />
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Then, candle time! June was wary, but she had a kind big brother willing to help her out:<br />
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It was a lovely night, and I'm so happy to have June in our family. What can I say about her presence? She has an amazing ability to drive you crazy and melt your heart, all at the same time. She is picky and demanding, snuggly and sweet, smart and spunky, strong and willful. She love her shoes and purse, which she keeps loaded down with about 20 cars. She loves to wear Dane's Spongebob fedora, and she is adept at drawing tiny swirls (sometimes on paper, usually on her arms and legs). She learns new words every day, loves getting pedicures (and, by extension, smudging pedicures), and is completely unpredictable in what she'll eat. I love that she now loves Toy Story, and I love her sweet smile and cute laugh. I am so happy to be her mom, and I can't believe she's already two. I love Junie. Happy Birthday, sweet baby.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-82625113481252027332013-08-12T22:11:00.000-06:002013-08-12T22:12:39.170-06:00BeacheryHaving lived my entire life in completely landlocked states, there are couple of things about visiting the ocean that always surprise me:<br />
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1) The water really is salty<br />
2) The waves don't care if you are small<br />
3) Creatures you can't see like to hang around you<br />
4) Sand gets everywhere and stays there almost forever<br />
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I don't mean to paint a negative picture; the beach was amazing. It was beautiful, relaxing, fun-filled, romantic, and full of jellyfish.<br />
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We probably had 30 jellyfish incidents. I got just a teeny sting on my ankle (right after stepping on something in the water that gashed my foot). But there were lots of other people who got some major stings from sea nettles.<br />
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You don't want to mess with one of those.<br />
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OK, now seriously onto the positive stuff.<br />
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We all arrived on Saturday to get settled, then went to church Sunday morning. A few of the adults took the kids on a walk down to the beach with strict instructions to do no more than wade in the water to keep the Sabbath day holy.<br />
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I'm going to give you three guesses as to how that went.<br />
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I love seeing the progression of how much wetter and wetter Dane's clothes get. And this wasn't the only time he went down to the beach fully clothed, only to come back completely soaked. Laurie Jayne told me that seeing Dane roll around in the surf was one of the purest expressions of joy she's seen. I wish I'd been there to see it.<br />
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This trip was June's first time to ever experience the ocean, and I think she lived it up. Every day, she excitedly asked to go to the "bubbo."<br />
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She loved playing with her cousin baby Ben. They are exactly one year and 4 days apart, but you can only tell their age difference by the length of their legs and the number of their teeth. I'm pretty sure Ben outweighs June by more than a couple of pounds. </div>
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They played happily together. </div>
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She did occasionally take advantage the wisdom of her age. </div>
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Sweet Mariah really doted on June.</div>
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Dane loved playing with his cousins:<br />
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And enjoying the waves:<br />
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We were also able to get some lovely portraits:<br />
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Hilton Head is a lovely place, and not just because of the water. Stay tuned for more reasons we loved our vacation!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-22968451777995290082013-08-04T21:03:00.001-06:002013-08-05T11:41:48.946-06:00Profusion of PostsAt least, that's what I hope.<br />
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I want to be a better blogger, and I want to find the time to do it. And luckily, I have all sorts of posts to catch up with, so I have plenty of material! I'm months behind in posts, so things won't be in chronological order, but there are things I want to make sure get posted. Firstly,<br />
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Frost Family Reunion 2013!</h3>
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Today I'll share the tale of my sad career as a family photographer in Hilton Head, SC, a story otherwise known as The Universe Doesn't Want Me to be a Photographer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-yHIivwQSCA8W-Z2RRqF3OQxdn9-9jcOAH1EL8LfMYYCGI5IwLtiYeTzqLxMcAmeHCAv_XtTcYK_j2JkpM5OVQBlVBwTenckog6tODgH7hJ75tiPxHUrHu8xb8zIeA_CJm5a3SXIInMT/s1600/Frost+Family+2013-Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-yHIivwQSCA8W-Z2RRqF3OQxdn9-9jcOAH1EL8LfMYYCGI5IwLtiYeTzqLxMcAmeHCAv_XtTcYK_j2JkpM5OVQBlVBwTenckog6tODgH7hJ75tiPxHUrHu8xb8zIeA_CJm5a3SXIInMT/s640/Frost+Family+2013-Edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first photo shoot was for the whole family, and it was the most important, since we all get together so infrequently. It had been raining, but it stopped for a short time, and we were able to snap some pretty good photos--no small feat with a group of 43. </div>
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Silly shot!</div>
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Then, after probably only ten minutes, right when we started doing some individual family shots, the rain started up again:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho99x8-gLtVXp7FMwLvUSWjItul1bsO6kWv9fUpjAkHEsBzcT_UV2J-HSYDnkbEJYXEwsBfgJVbg6WjRNWYR-Ic0x4NtFxEHhtpMoWqZfIu08mxI-8D66W0N-NYp5SQ1zKVpauS8aj1Ma/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho99x8-gLtVXp7FMwLvUSWjItul1bsO6kWv9fUpjAkHEsBzcT_UV2J-HSYDnkbEJYXEwsBfgJVbg6WjRNWYR-Ic0x4NtFxEHhtpMoWqZfIu08mxI-8D66W0N-NYp5SQ1zKVpauS8aj1Ma/s640/IMG_2085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Emmaline, Jennifer, Leslie, Gibber, Alena, Jared, Noelle, Mariah <br />
(A prize to any non-family who can guess the ages of all their kids!)</div>
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I thought the Cobia rain photo was lovely, but it's not exactly wall art. </div>
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Makenna, Addie, Monique, Allen, Carter, Emery<br />
Amazingly, the foliage was thick enough that Allen & Monique's family got a decent photo.<br />
A couple of mornings later, Tess asked me to take some picture of my lovely niece Arin in her baptism dress. The combination of our wonderfully air-conditioned condo and the hot, humid morning made my lenses completely fog up. I mean <i>completely</i>. And it's not like I could just wipe them off, because the interior lenses were cloudy, too.<br />
By some sort of miracle, my telephoto lens was clear for about 3.5 minutes, which allowed me to get a couple of good shots.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rueIfd7eAdRobGYPxRsxF55o1g1EC8-Q92_6t3rs7dlnIRaxhkRW4jLEj_3FpkeM3nObUGWNZcfRYXiyPo2kHNajj6FbH2ByUHfAUkTrh2jgdy7ouhY1bM0rULMXNblOV7Mt7x0dwC4s/s1600/Arin+2-Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rueIfd7eAdRobGYPxRsxF55o1g1EC8-Q92_6t3rs7dlnIRaxhkRW4jLEj_3FpkeM3nObUGWNZcfRYXiyPo2kHNajj6FbH2ByUHfAUkTrh2jgdy7ouhY1bM0rULMXNblOV7Mt7x0dwC4s/s640/Arin+2-Edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Later, Meghan asked me to take some family photos of her family. I should have learned from the beach shots to leave my camera in the car to stay warm or something, but leaving your nice camera in a hot car just seems like a bad idea for several reason. Anyway, my lenses were hopelessly cloudy again, but luckily Meghan's camera had been in the car and has a lovely 50mm lens that allowed for some nice photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9Ct9FzYoygBQ8iru17d7qiS1mHD8DCceCxJ9GajpClVaUE4HyDh1jNYkCMa9u7zIScUOvQ4CttUPzrnCiKB3rxWWhZcu82JmBpIr1ozTuV_mQrQMnndXVBH6h9mZWATaCtR4A-ysTApo/s1600/SMLMCB+Family.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9Ct9FzYoygBQ8iru17d7qiS1mHD8DCceCxJ9GajpClVaUE4HyDh1jNYkCMa9u7zIScUOvQ4CttUPzrnCiKB3rxWWhZcu82JmBpIr1ozTuV_mQrQMnndXVBH6h9mZWATaCtR4A-ysTApo/s640/SMLMCB+Family.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />
Molly, Ben, Meghan, Claire, Stephen, Lauren.<br />
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In the end, I was able to get one or two good photos at each shoot, despite my problems with the weather. I think I like being a pretend photographer (as opposed to a real photographer) because I can take some nice photos without the pressure of people really expecting them to be good.<br />
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Which reminds me of the first interaction I ever had with my sister-in-law, Laurie Jayne. She said something about how she was looking forward to eating some Japanese food I was planning on making; I responded how I was nervous that it might not be that good. She said, "Then I will spread word of your mediocrity, so then we'll all be pleasantly surprised."<br />
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Clever, no? And exactly the way I'd like my photography to be known.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-87248329128313675012013-04-17T21:31:00.000-06:002013-04-17T22:42:29.016-06:00LousyAnd I mean that in the literal sense.<br />
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But first:<br />
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Have you seen the <a href="http://bit.ly/RealBeautySketches">new Dove Real Beauty video</a>? The one with the forensic artist? It's a good one. I recommend watching it. Now.<br />
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It's not a perfectly executed message, but I appreciate what they're trying to say: that we are too critical of ourselves and our perceived flaws; others don't see the imperfections that seem to stand out so much to ourselves. I read this book once called "The Art of Imperfection." It said something like "we have no idea what it is about ourselves that other people admire, find charming, find attractive, love." Or something.<br />
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I could go on.<br />
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Try to remember this message as you continue reading this post.<br />
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You may have noticed that I have changed my blog header. It was long overdue, since June looks so different now. Just as a refresher, here is the old one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvUBPfWlFPrMP84LDqU5Z8mOHvTSkqDULaDdew8DUrcflEGV2qlM-e37eiFmwCshO0sPPqGpDSb0kPqO3UjQL9FUCyQMCXQIQ5nAMRDw_H1sCzdaeU2MEkCMn0ASfiOjo_aHQHkN1FWbP/s1600/Blog+Header.2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvUBPfWlFPrMP84LDqU5Z8mOHvTSkqDULaDdew8DUrcflEGV2qlM-e37eiFmwCshO0sPPqGpDSb0kPqO3UjQL9FUCyQMCXQIQ5nAMRDw_H1sCzdaeU2MEkCMn0ASfiOjo_aHQHkN1FWbP/s320/Blog+Header.2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cute Baby June, Cute Dane, Cute Joel, Less Cute Ami. I knew it wasn't a great picture of me. I actually didn't like the picture at all. But I was a couple of months post-baby, and it was the best picture of me from that photo shoot to crop for the header. I didn't like it, but I didn't want to be too vain, and I figured no one would be as critical or care about my appearance as much as I would. So if I didn't care that much, everyone else would care even less. </div>
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Apparently, I was wrong.</div>
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A certain younger brother of mine told me the other day that I really needed to update that header. Here, I will quote him verbatim:</div>
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">it still has fat face ami, puppy dog marcshmallow june, goofy dane, and a normal joel"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #888888; display: block; float: left;"><span style="color: #222222;">"tha picture of you is horrible</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #888888; display: block; float: left;"> </span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;">I don't know why you ever put it up"</span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><br /></span></div>
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I later spoke with him on the phone, and he went on:</div>
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"Man, it is horrible."</div>
"I would never have put that up."<br />
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"I would have destroyed that picture."</div>
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"You really need to change it."</div>
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I think you get the idea. </div>
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So thanks for nothing, Dove. You were wrong. </div>
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I'm laughing about the interaction with my brother. It sort of typifies much of the interaction in the Hood family--not for the faint of heart. </div>
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I think it's pretty fair to say that his reaction must have been so negative because he normally sees me as so gorgeous, photogenic, stunning, and lovely. Captivating, you might say. Right?</div>
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Right?</div>
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<crickets></crickets></div>
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*crickets*</div>
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Anyway, on to the lice.</div>
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That's right: lice. We had lice. </div>
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It was kind of a crazy story. We have a Frost family email group so we can keep each other updated on the goings-on in our lives, and one sister-in-law (in Dallas) mentioned that all four of her kids had ear infections. Not fun. Another sister-in-law (in North Carolina) responded, "At least you don't have four kids with lice." Ugh. Another sister-in-law (in Seattle) responded, "We do!" And the lice-talk began. Another sister-in-law (also in North Carolina [I have a lot of sisters-in-law]) said they had recently battled lice. I think it's natural for people to feel a little more heightened paranoia about lice after hearing several stories like that. Your head might even be feeling a little itchy right now. Mine was.</div>
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I kept thinking about lice. So the next morning, Dane was sitting on my lap, and I started casually looking through his hair. I found some weird looking things stuck to his hair, close to the scalp. I start madly Googling. What I found looked very much like the pictures of lice eggs, nits. </div>
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He had lice. </div>
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It was a crazy coincidence. With all those miles between us there was no connection between any of the Frost lice infestations (except the North Carolina ones). We just all happened to get lice at around the same time. </div>
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I was mortified. I kind of freaked out. </div>
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Joel found one louse on Dane's head, and about 30 nits. I found one louse on June's head, no nits. I found two nits on Joel's head. He found about 10 nits on my head. </div>
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We just did over-the-counter treatment, and it worked out fine. I was only a little mortified as I frantically searched for the lice shampoo at Wal-Mart and Dane kept loudly saying, "We need to buy stuff for the bugs on my head, right? We're here because of the bugs on my head?"</div>
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I'm feeling kind of stressed just remembering. Anyway, we did the OTC treatment on the kids, and I doused my hair with olive oil and kept it in overnight. I'll spare you most of the details of the ordeal, but PLEASE don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions. I feel pretty much like an expert now. </div>
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To ensure total lice annihilation, we shaved Dane's head. Here is one last look at my beautiful boy's beautiful hair:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDb_7tLbdcamrCLrQp2ji9aH0zQcnr_5PndTKyaB3mun4EU_qegXXzg2akiWBl5O7vMFtjQpvM-PwM7x8clSAjqri6HC5RVYO132o9CQRZqLheY1Ra6DOe6ujcIwhs41_Hu8sKeeiv4Pk/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDb_7tLbdcamrCLrQp2ji9aH0zQcnr_5PndTKyaB3mun4EU_qegXXzg2akiWBl5O7vMFtjQpvM-PwM7x8clSAjqri6HC5RVYO132o9CQRZqLheY1Ra6DOe6ujcIwhs41_Hu8sKeeiv4Pk/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is one of his "cool guy face."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYaxRfpuY25jND5UF3Tfjxr1flmwtgCf6I1rPs0I9gX9EXR5nMfvyYxvpoagO5PuH5aamNxOxou8SQbFoqxLrjNsOMPvE5eDTA8ecOzocvYYDgRWbgcwhoP87UeGB2vZvNxKsttZgFU4c/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYaxRfpuY25jND5UF3Tfjxr1flmwtgCf6I1rPs0I9gX9EXR5nMfvyYxvpoagO5PuH5aamNxOxou8SQbFoqxLrjNsOMPvE5eDTA8ecOzocvYYDgRWbgcwhoP87UeGB2vZvNxKsttZgFU4c/s320/IMG_0660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bzzzzzzz........</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVbNoj41btA2QV8Ojt67HqTHg7JzEK2F05_q-rJwwQHGi80NHo1cB9Xln-C_lqRN5ukGwB4TfRHhjDg_Cfdlwt3aYO4S7JhUO9hfAqCPaw4bcaOxTwy8FVtHcOyPhq3l1-PgumTfABqbI/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVbNoj41btA2QV8Ojt67HqTHg7JzEK2F05_q-rJwwQHGi80NHo1cB9Xln-C_lqRN5ukGwB4TfRHhjDg_Cfdlwt3aYO4S7JhUO9hfAqCPaw4bcaOxTwy8FVtHcOyPhq3l1-PgumTfABqbI/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I cried.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAtYS5JZHhdca8Zlt5JN8iShxVOvDEujf7dJgu87BaIaaYWI4KrsB0RPTn8bEztfPGz9_kvnx9w-UK00ZAtNEVIkTYEIIjIOv9wagJPQcJ95RHnY-5WzVClFEVYLMYHb5QxYU-qwrPeAB/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAtYS5JZHhdca8Zlt5JN8iShxVOvDEujf7dJgu87BaIaaYWI4KrsB0RPTn8bEztfPGz9_kvnx9w-UK00ZAtNEVIkTYEIIjIOv9wagJPQcJ95RHnY-5WzVClFEVYLMYHb5QxYU-qwrPeAB/s320/IMG_0667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhKS88-Zpt6qyAY_0dpX7xHuRGDp0Z5IHnU0BpFeh7VwfMlU4YyMrwxn0xWlsM6goE53RR4jltgN5Ovk5nBrhq39ZDC9n3oBPFSLpV1OofCx7aM6uImrRHsxLIwvSVfTCv8d_QueLD-c1/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhKS88-Zpt6qyAY_0dpX7xHuRGDp0Z5IHnU0BpFeh7VwfMlU4YyMrwxn0xWlsM6goE53RR4jltgN5Ovk5nBrhq39ZDC9n3oBPFSLpV1OofCx7aM6uImrRHsxLIwvSVfTCv8d_QueLD-c1/s320/IMG_0669.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXpy5-rcA8srgfAcJ3kn_UmsLyq4jxiIFE3qMM3E3QP4Teg9ea-0yRJ4lzdcAmZj97MWZjo09DCkppvf0bL6Zrk5C1gXkdZTP2DJHazMdVndHddLK1k7-tyews4C-s9eiO72pP-EgKlmi/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXpy5-rcA8srgfAcJ3kn_UmsLyq4jxiIFE3qMM3E3QP4Teg9ea-0yRJ4lzdcAmZj97MWZjo09DCkppvf0bL6Zrk5C1gXkdZTP2DJHazMdVndHddLK1k7-tyews4C-s9eiO72pP-EgKlmi/s320/IMG_0670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVohTmBH0ORDV_-anLZ2OH0BwFtwwAfPyxVacS8urkyEW1USjxFWHqyWGP9Qbuz-JDbnirluB5ZuhGO5U5va3-sqPnQcpRHwtLw2tCy597k_qv9a0Wc_zwqpfsrTzw5x80ANuQodPS9Iv/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVohTmBH0ORDV_-anLZ2OH0BwFtwwAfPyxVacS8urkyEW1USjxFWHqyWGP9Qbuz-JDbnirluB5ZuhGO5U5va3-sqPnQcpRHwtLw2tCy597k_qv9a0Wc_zwqpfsrTzw5x80ANuQodPS9Iv/s320/IMG_0673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dane was a little worried that we would look weird with less hair, but we assured him (and me) that he was still handsome. Still cute. </div>
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But I'm looking forward to it growing back.</div>
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Now, if anyone comments on his new short hair, he just matter-of-factly says, "Yeah, I had lice." I like that he's not embarrassed about it.</div>
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In the end, I can think of a million things worse than your kid having lice. But it was not fun. At all. And I hope it never happens to us, or any of you, again. </div>
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Two worst things about having lice:</div>
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1) The laundry</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBCERv1D1bUdExEd6GTfrCanRwkht9LPg-JTT7Fg0ma21mYufJr_sxW53xN8ikpaAEq4qKPJQ3ZWfITeCi5-VDYoHz_6sbwBFBotz4dvLVEqRiznhjoC6LniGrF5QwDFj5CpQ7a-iCjU/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBCERv1D1bUdExEd6GTfrCanRwkht9LPg-JTT7Fg0ma21mYufJr_sxW53xN8ikpaAEq4qKPJQ3ZWfITeCi5-VDYoHz_6sbwBFBotz4dvLVEqRiznhjoC6LniGrF5QwDFj5CpQ7a-iCjU/s320/IMG_0675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I washed all of Dane's clothes/coats/hats. All of our bedding, every day. I dried everything that couldn't be washed in the dryer on high. Anything that I worried might melt went into a trash bag and suffocated for 2 weeks. So much laundry. I was doing so much cleaning and laundry and stressing out that my hands cracked and bled. Just a little. </div>
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2) The searching</div>
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The <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs_treat.html">CDC says</a> you don't have to freak out about finding every last nit. But anecdotal evidence strongly encourages you to. And wouldn't you just feel better knowing you did everything you possibly could? And, let me tell you, we here at Paradise Frost have a LOT of hair. It is hard enough to get Dane's hair all the way wet, let alone make sure there are no tiny eggs in it. And I have even more hair, and it is LONG. We were basically lice paradise. Lice Paradise Frost. Boo...</div>
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My eyes were constantly searching. The one louse I found on June's head was a stray the day after treatment; she must have picked it up from the floor or something despite my maniacal laundry and vacuuming. But I zeroed in on it because of my paranoid eagle vision. Looking, searching. Even after the school nurse had cleared Dane to go back to school and I felt like we were in the clear, I washed all the bedding again just in case. And I couldn't turn my brain off from searching. I had a mini heart attack one day when I was making sandwiches for the kids; I saw the flax seeds in the bread and my body automatically reacted like I'd found more lice. Joel makes fun of me, but I am still paranoid. It'll lessen soon. I hope. </div>
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At least two of my sisters-in-law ended up using professional lice services; yes, those exist. Professional nit-pickers. I very seriously considered using them, too. The services my SILs used apparently do free examinations of the whole family and then you pay about $100/hour for the treatment and follow-up. But the services here in OKC did not have free exams, and the $100/hour just to be checked (and knowing our lusciously thick hair would take longer than an hour to go through) kept me from taking the plunge. I'm not discouraging it though. If you can afford it, it is probably worth it. If you can't afford it, I have some tips for you. Give me a call if you need it. But I hope you won't have to.</div>
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Ugh. </div>
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To end on a positive note, here is a St. Patrick's Day photo of our blissful, pre-lice days. We had gone down to Dallas to visit Stephen/Meghan/Lauren/Molly/Claire/Baby Ben. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpnCC2GtKCkRomGCvN20BOKLAYKDEjgy5MwjLGDJtyTyIpg28d77VGK5akc_U4F9UdpeT7-1OokHcyom_JCnWilXlt3GhjzGiWvnAWtPkOeeqs_e5T2-Jq9lQFfD8qhudHolF6a-jJ7uF/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpnCC2GtKCkRomGCvN20BOKLAYKDEjgy5MwjLGDJtyTyIpg28d77VGK5akc_U4F9UdpeT7-1OokHcyom_JCnWilXlt3GhjzGiWvnAWtPkOeeqs_e5T2-Jq9lQFfD8qhudHolF6a-jJ7uF/s320/IMG_0640.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The babies were slightly less blissful:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmop_Eq7c3luHcy1w7mwMxKtq8Kq6xIiLUQW1_qs2MKcJf6ixADnhu-H8TPeNKThyphenhyphen7cc99GoJR8mNvVod6wuSuhewSwA9OsGt7xvcBi4tiTZW5GUI_3NuswxsJ_bGO2qQImEyG4GbObofy/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmop_Eq7c3luHcy1w7mwMxKtq8Kq6xIiLUQW1_qs2MKcJf6ixADnhu-H8TPeNKThyphenhyphen7cc99GoJR8mNvVod6wuSuhewSwA9OsGt7xvcBi4tiTZW5GUI_3NuswxsJ_bGO2qQImEyG4GbObofy/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also, for those of you who don't know, I started another blog in which I chronicle my adventures baking through <a href="http://bakednyc.com/books/baked-new-frontiers-baking/"><i>Baked: New Frontiers in Baking</i>.</a> I'm having fun doing it, and you can, too! I personally got permission from the authors to post the recipes, so I post those along with photos and commentary. Come on by!</div>
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<a href="http://bakedodyssey.blogspot.com/">http://bakedodyssey.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://bakedodyssey.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01Q47kqdqoedI9BtYyupCcZILsIDSzBvy6tfYVagMVAblxPzp-Xz3LRItg63tPI6H2OjxMnnw5YdMCbqRPkOn05tWQ59tX026xXPnvUmnfhR1DOAFvliClG8Jxjgta44Sjus2y_gN5OLB/s400/Honeycomb+Bars.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-39829426572279419112013-04-03T09:49:00.003-06:002013-04-03T09:49:56.810-06:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tBz9XKvS23sg8aLLNBI5dq6P8Alb0AD9KwDLMwqiLDdmhoFXdFnnJupKZpEexO0qHWcj_nAwuNHHTE1hAAZgaPILgDvEDrbvOxeY6Ch8itCjoarTdaMSk6BAsycl5JD-P6P2B49G3bLd/s1600/Family+Easter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tBz9XKvS23sg8aLLNBI5dq6P8Alb0AD9KwDLMwqiLDdmhoFXdFnnJupKZpEexO0qHWcj_nAwuNHHTE1hAAZgaPILgDvEDrbvOxeY6Ch8itCjoarTdaMSk6BAsycl5JD-P6P2B49G3bLd/s400/Family+Easter+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Happy Easter, everybody! We had a lot of fun this Easter, and I even did a decent job of taking pictures, so I apologize in advance for the photo dump.<br />
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Egg Hunt #1</h4>
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My parents' neighborhood had an egg hunt, complete with Chick-fil-A kids' meals, Chicken Minis, and the Chick-fil-A cow! Dane decided not to go because he wanted to stay with Daddy at the Elder's Quorum no-holds-barred Pinewood Derby, which I think was a good choice for him. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMRoAlY4o0mGqL_gcvx0gAq4hS8qhWCWtehmT5MX_mtbMchC9OAgQymFv1e63ugdZwsmOaeuBNIMJk5ftyecL0VLqS3XNDTYOnl_f76iREXHTW1rex5L8-ttbJ55qXEzDUVmXZbRT7FjF/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMRoAlY4o0mGqL_gcvx0gAq4hS8qhWCWtehmT5MX_mtbMchC9OAgQymFv1e63ugdZwsmOaeuBNIMJk5ftyecL0VLqS3XNDTYOnl_f76iREXHTW1rex5L8-ttbJ55qXEzDUVmXZbRT7FjF/s320/IMG_0722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It took June a few minutes to stop being clingy and figure out what was going on, but she then she got really into it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRano_ERf2Kj_PXEb1ohrU9v_taNdmCPX3BTU5EtAW1cRX-w6z5pS9V9axTHEyWieGWnCK_mn3q-iLuyj5znmT3xPIBsnpJ1q7Setal3jZLQrEC-H-znQ3QuQYTfEOWyrFKPEstAxBIJdZ/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRano_ERf2Kj_PXEb1ohrU9v_taNdmCPX3BTU5EtAW1cRX-w6z5pS9V9axTHEyWieGWnCK_mn3q-iLuyj5znmT3xPIBsnpJ1q7Setal3jZLQrEC-H-znQ3QuQYTfEOWyrFKPEstAxBIJdZ/s320/IMG_0727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
They designated an area for kids under 2, but after a few minutes they bigger kids exhausted their own supply and started rounding up the little kids' eggs. And no parents stopped them! So I had to intervene and hoard a few eggs for June. I'm totally the better mom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqF7PGGaNSWbze5ScqTu3ic_-n3USf5DZFNXPIHVnPYTgQJeFnkBS2mh8np46pgtix8KbQCPQhqL69jhNK5sOZMylUaz9GKjpnuN_VPzQvBYH4qnYz906OeHyI-K5nQjwfBMUHaxJxsp1/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqF7PGGaNSWbze5ScqTu3ic_-n3USf5DZFNXPIHVnPYTgQJeFnkBS2mh8np46pgtix8KbQCPQhqL69jhNK5sOZMylUaz9GKjpnuN_VPzQvBYH4qnYz906OeHyI-K5nQjwfBMUHaxJxsp1/s320/IMG_0732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And get this: another mom heard me calling to June and said they thought about naming their daughter June, too, but ended up making it the middle name. I asked what her first name was.</div>
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"Evelyn."</div>
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"That's June's middle name!"</div>
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"Really? How old is she?"</div>
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"Nineteen months."<br />"So is Evelyn!"</div>
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It turns out they were born within days of each other, too. So now we're best friends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrixPgxWxY8obZAPyiHdYORmSrhhol9zalDP5Y2rBDPt32kK3g2G27zGZFAuYuHC9rzvCZ_HbmBu9eXS7uI1-jkV4WhjLSsjvbilQbKR-2-xZ24gP11cD5uhfAPFWUPd577Plpmk-TLzHi/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrixPgxWxY8obZAPyiHdYORmSrhhol9zalDP5Y2rBDPt32kK3g2G27zGZFAuYuHC9rzvCZ_HbmBu9eXS7uI1-jkV4WhjLSsjvbilQbKR-2-xZ24gP11cD5uhfAPFWUPd577Plpmk-TLzHi/s320/IMG_0736.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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This is the view I have about 100 times a day:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN9PEbXv5rV2qPYRcjCSqRTn88j__Ysv6DBnaF3tWn-AOdVmTec4Gc6vY1o9I9mzOWuT-Bm2CMNQyMPXH68e4cwFskKJt-BrwXwmmPzEbDR_K7CGJnVIVUppVs2hTAMZrhxqtAc3LhNLK/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN9PEbXv5rV2qPYRcjCSqRTn88j__Ysv6DBnaF3tWn-AOdVmTec4Gc6vY1o9I9mzOWuT-Bm2CMNQyMPXH68e4cwFskKJt-BrwXwmmPzEbDR_K7CGJnVIVUppVs2hTAMZrhxqtAc3LhNLK/s320/IMG_0748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pretty baby. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEZC-JLADVNeDHytmpawSi0OMzsbIDtk6mZN630dDyP5XFM6lnIzdBnqNDEnVobr25AcJKVcYUIaGqzeJHp1Gf0jITTNGDzehCMGIlOdwNBFB1C0kYd5V0nt45mNJaBu1NOC4WCnXb7Xk/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEZC-JLADVNeDHytmpawSi0OMzsbIDtk6mZN630dDyP5XFM6lnIzdBnqNDEnVobr25AcJKVcYUIaGqzeJHp1Gf0jITTNGDzehCMGIlOdwNBFB1C0kYd5V0nt45mNJaBu1NOC4WCnXb7Xk/s320/IMG_0750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Easter Morning</h4>
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Easter Photos </h4>
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Dane with his mega blaster 100, and his sweet new (kind of big) suit.</div>
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I love my sweet kids. </div>
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I made June's dress using a pattern I bought on Etsy. I'd sifted through hundreds of patterns but wasn't </div>
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really excited about any of them until I found this one. An instant winner. I even made a little petticoat to go underneath it out of glittery tulle. ERROR. The glitter got everywhere. Our bench at church was covered. Do you ever wish you could just use a dustbuster at church? That would've been nice on Sunday. Sorry to all those who have to clean the church. </div>
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I also made Dane's tie and pocketsquare, a quick bowtie for Joel, and an even quicker headband for me.</div>
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Egg Hunt #2 </h4>
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Joel insisted we had way too many eggs (78) for our two young children. I insisted he was putting an unfair quota on our children's happiness. In the end, we were both right. Dane could have searched for eggs forever, but June tapped out at about 25 eggs. Way to be diplomatic, kids. </div>
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I don't know what's up with June's face here, but it made me laugh.<br />
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Dane searched tirelessly for the golden egg (can you spot it?), which was filled with MONEY! But it turns out 5-year-olds aren't that excited about money. He was apparently hoping for a small car. The fact that small cars can be purchased with money was lost on him; when we asked what he wanted to do with the money, he said, "Give it to my mom and dad in case they run out." At least he's generous.</div>
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We also dyed eggs, but I forgot to take pictures. It was a lovely day, and I was happy at how well Dane remembered to be grateful for Christ's atonement and resurrection. We hope you all had a happy Easter, too!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-1852351977769802592013-02-23T08:00:00.000-07:002013-02-23T08:00:02.952-07:00Christmas Crazies: Utah Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At sort of the last minute, we decided to tag along with my parents and Kenji to attend my cousin's wedding in Bountiful:</div>
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It was a beautiful occasion, and I am happy that we went.</div>
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Considering it was really just a weekend trip+two days' driving each way, I'm pretty proud of how much we were able to cram in. </div>
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How did we survive road trips before hand-held technologies?</div>
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First of all, a sad note: We brought Pugslee with us on the trip, snuggled up in his dog bed.</div>
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This ended up being the last picture taken of him. He had a long life, and I think the long drive and super cold weather in Utah was too much for him, and he died the night of the wedding. </div>
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You may not want to know the rest of the story, so I'm not going to include that quite yet. Maybe if I get requests.</div>
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Joel's mom got the flu right before Christmas and had to cancel her plans of coming to Oklahoma/Texas for the holiday. Sad. So she drove down to Bountiful from Boise to see us, and we had another mini Christmas!</div>
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Pretty dress for Pretty Junie</div>
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Mom always gives the greatest tea parties for her grandkids. Traveling tea parties!<br />
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We also got to spend some time with my aunt and uncle, who just adored June:</div>
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Dane, too.</div>
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June was screaming in every photo, except the one where the rest of us decided to scream.<br />
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We also spent some quality time with Evan & Holly and Cindy & Eric. It was great (and always hilarious!) to catch up with them. </div>
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But we were especially grateful to spend time with George & Melanee, who even let us stay with them! We always have such a great time hanging out with them. We ate delicious food thanks to Melanee, and we got to hang out with Megan, too, despite her busy schedule. </div>
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We always stay up late into the night, which is probably why we never get pictures. They would just be pictures of us sitting on the couch in our pajamas, mouths awkwardly positioned in the middle of speaking. But one of these days we need to document it.</div>
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But, since I don't have any pictures of all of us, I'll post these random pictures I happened upon:</div>
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Joel and George chatting at our wedding open house, circa 2004:</div>
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I can't even remember when this was; it must have been after a football game or something. </div>
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Blast from the past, George! And I found a couple photos of George and Melanee and Samantha at BYU graduation. Pretty fun.</div>
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Anyway, it was a whirlwind trip, and June slept terribly. Silly goose. Don't know what we're going to do with her. But I think the trip cured of her impossibly picky eating, because she eats much better now. Weird?</div>
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Dane and June promptly reacquainted themselves with their toys upon our return:</div>
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And I finally managed to finish the very belated grandchildren quilt I made for Joel's mom. It turned out pretty well, I think.<br />
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And finally, we had fun over the holidays morphing our photos together on MorphThing.com. This is one of all five Hood siblings. Kind of creepy, huh? Especially thanks to Kenji's facial hair. Dane keeps looking at it, saying, "That's Mika. Wait, no. It's you, Mommy. Or maybe it's Kenji. Who is that?" I'm probably enjoying messing with his mind a little too much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3nbD9hTc_FwnqIfnPgfTIwGNWefdQvAB7oAmJKJltvg7dcSXUCuZqSstMC7yeHu3TeXO7e22Lftgx8Z9LZjiuZlEXOrSDEhjGnbSySRkpKkf9FbXEvnCmldveljGEJoscynkXw2w0Fa5/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3nbD9hTc_FwnqIfnPgfTIwGNWefdQvAB7oAmJKJltvg7dcSXUCuZqSstMC7yeHu3TeXO7e22Lftgx8Z9LZjiuZlEXOrSDEhjGnbSySRkpKkf9FbXEvnCmldveljGEJoscynkXw2w0Fa5/s400/IMG_2710.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-65176984867213595602013-02-21T08:00:00.000-07:002013-02-23T09:04:30.483-07:00Christmas Crazies: PRESENTS!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, we all know that Christmas isn't really about the presents. But don't you think you gain some interesting insight into people by observing what they give and get each other?</div>
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No?</div>
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Case in point:</div>
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Can you see the glint of joy and utter surprise as my dad opened up the medical grade scale that my mom got him?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy81f7OfznsdJSr-e3SUJ9PhyWW3jGAdFwdJ8aEq3j1PRuSOmYbBfQkb_cWM4JQFrAF06waYZ4_cbgozHEH03YBx4MaNDh5HSs3x7OlntuMOvyYB_Pcsu0kYgaEOD7uyjzt0m-bk6tYfVU/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy81f7OfznsdJSr-e3SUJ9PhyWW3jGAdFwdJ8aEq3j1PRuSOmYbBfQkb_cWM4JQFrAF06waYZ4_cbgozHEH03YBx4MaNDh5HSs3x7OlntuMOvyYB_Pcsu0kYgaEOD7uyjzt0m-bk6tYfVU/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Weird present, right? How many of the rest of you had a huge scale sitting in the living room when all the presents were opened? To be clear, the scale is STILL sitting in the living room. Used daily.</div>
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This is a strange present, except perhaps when you consider the fact that my dad had a heart attack over 5 years ago, after which he lost a lot of weight and has kept it off remarkably well.</div>
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Also, consider the fact that we are a nerdy type of family that likes things to be exact. </div>
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Case in point:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8FJ0PrA84cabhhuVdvleHMraQVSCBBVaXI40lq9rI56U4LtnSQWYNBycOlV9g98BH0OhIdfS2O8xpHWi2sJI2Afaro2kKct1q_dAieXr0hTCNk0ghbiAXCXYkayM8RGFFrWj9DjDFBap/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8FJ0PrA84cabhhuVdvleHMraQVSCBBVaXI40lq9rI56U4LtnSQWYNBycOlV9g98BH0OhIdfS2O8xpHWi2sJI2Afaro2kKct1q_dAieXr0hTCNk0ghbiAXCXYkayM8RGFFrWj9DjDFBap/s320/IMG_2650.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzNmWgogkJ_2OrdrhEM4vOtdUG4K8LKEfpH9aCcRIwQ0GxFoKcGLD4oSeJHBIC1cCWJk9EsT5ipFQJLLleP2adfT_MwfgDSaLYyYMyvSk4wfY1O47IaZyMH8XuHrIWOYAKfK2u5Rmvae8/s1600/DSC00197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzNmWgogkJ_2OrdrhEM4vOtdUG4K8LKEfpH9aCcRIwQ0GxFoKcGLD4oSeJHBIC1cCWJk9EsT5ipFQJLLleP2adfT_MwfgDSaLYyYMyvSk4wfY1O47IaZyMH8XuHrIWOYAKfK2u5Rmvae8/s320/DSC00197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't think that gift really needs any explanation, except that the creepy, stalker-ish tendencies of Google worked in my favor this Christmas. Somehow it knew that somewhere out there, the perfect combination of Star Trek and Cycling jersey would find a happy home in the Hood household.</div>
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Cute Mika and her cute money tree (thank you, Pinterest.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingZnzWPvDElf3Qmqxt5sFkZLCt09oKQGwkWxAXvWSkZuBD1-VYnbVk_6YLy_8edeCImE7t8swZ0BlPuQhsO8p7ofBrXY6l5W3GEI-WOWS1VEJnz_pXf1AwR_t-PFqjHMs1_XBaWVfnHMh/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingZnzWPvDElf3Qmqxt5sFkZLCt09oKQGwkWxAXvWSkZuBD1-VYnbVk_6YLy_8edeCImE7t8swZ0BlPuQhsO8p7ofBrXY6l5W3GEI-WOWS1VEJnz_pXf1AwR_t-PFqjHMs1_XBaWVfnHMh/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas Eve pajamas for the kids:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjg3_ER88Zmm-xEjxJl_xCU4xxWEa9DNTTl1MzOfd1fG1SchbFtrl2zI1lj5ADx1vCUAxeRd8kcoGZrba8z27m-5NLrhvRPh-Osc5f8x4d7gN2t6UWNVvCJCgYs-26ZOBaPvBhOabmDdA/s1600/DSC00173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjg3_ER88Zmm-xEjxJl_xCU4xxWEa9DNTTl1MzOfd1fG1SchbFtrl2zI1lj5ADx1vCUAxeRd8kcoGZrba8z27m-5NLrhvRPh-Osc5f8x4d7gN2t6UWNVvCJCgYs-26ZOBaPvBhOabmDdA/s320/DSC00173.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgrpBJ6bjZJG5THBOEbughfRk6MB76n8VCeTgZvhBf8Ye55psywhBgmFAwQo_CJ2yXmQ8Fl54l6llqdQ8KZTE4-zeyLrX8kVnSZlvUCuYxARoFHKhCejBBwhSwXuW-VZpB6iGVMUzHFbn/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgrpBJ6bjZJG5THBOEbughfRk6MB76n8VCeTgZvhBf8Ye55psywhBgmFAwQo_CJ2yXmQ8Fl54l6llqdQ8KZTE4-zeyLrX8kVnSZlvUCuYxARoFHKhCejBBwhSwXuW-VZpB6iGVMUzHFbn/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Mom realizing what the framed recital program meant:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAan5Ah9Qy6Lq83sWRNJ1OjmUwHWyAqJp8Q8wOWtxsdkShvZFEtaEAlbXqhXqd82uxZoig2jOWlq7WlqhG1ziamq-fN-cyRTvhyqxrTh3mkIN2oRV2t4oeHLhTsPdB-D1obxzBa5WpgdB/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAan5Ah9Qy6Lq83sWRNJ1OjmUwHWyAqJp8Q8wOWtxsdkShvZFEtaEAlbXqhXqd82uxZoig2jOWlq7WlqhG1ziamq-fN-cyRTvhyqxrTh3mkIN2oRV2t4oeHLhTsPdB-D1obxzBa5WpgdB/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kenji wearing the hat I bought him immediately after he sent me the link and said, "I might want this." I had to jump on it. Brothers are hard to shop for. He was so happy to get it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqIUEqFVQyJBXdkIU-8XozTmLD5Rkkz1Hj43buG9Ot98olrB7Sp2kz2sXsWLYY_8loWFG-ZXZweBmXLkwbk4yf_pZW2X_6vGruz1VO_EzUFCbUO9Aoe9K80zLk_y-iup-Z-YFOyRMzxbk/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqIUEqFVQyJBXdkIU-8XozTmLD5Rkkz1Hj43buG9Ot98olrB7Sp2kz2sXsWLYY_8loWFG-ZXZweBmXLkwbk4yf_pZW2X_6vGruz1VO_EzUFCbUO9Aoe9K80zLk_y-iup-Z-YFOyRMzxbk/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think.</div>
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Dane and Uncle Brady:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ai2mM-ryTXM_SPeEPJ7SowfI4FGEq6Ryi1h7kPZc3gGWov5QdiYI7q2KZ26dRl-dijdAXFmWk8a0_DdUHFEGexK1-Ao_kBX-tfqlKO29_wBTXj0JEydOdgdTnic9YwNPXaWIODqQ18hyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ai2mM-ryTXM_SPeEPJ7SowfI4FGEq6Ryi1h7kPZc3gGWov5QdiYI7q2KZ26dRl-dijdAXFmWk8a0_DdUHFEGexK1-Ao_kBX-tfqlKO29_wBTXj0JEydOdgdTnic9YwNPXaWIODqQ18hyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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June-in-the-box, wearing the adorable jacket from Jiichan & Baachan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3PR_HXN3uDCLuqSmlWEAdymJmNMJw9WfXbq6kxEcILdVit-qohrWgDI9sAHD797B7OQ-UTDQl774XansOU3T9k7yWEanOH11cIi8lCLdnwy2-dW3yzEwZN8ak06sbFu7_8u7tIiz_0LR/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3PR_HXN3uDCLuqSmlWEAdymJmNMJw9WfXbq6kxEcILdVit-qohrWgDI9sAHD797B7OQ-UTDQl774XansOU3T9k7yWEanOH11cIi8lCLdnwy2-dW3yzEwZN8ak06sbFu7_8u7tIiz_0LR/s320/IMG_2646.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Rika and I playing our traditional and impossible Nutcracker Duets:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMRnQS0kLxt4ub-3HVRuSwpiwFcO_DfSFKyxG8Ih86aHyR1mNmiqu2qeK6tzmsVl78QtWvYY7CP9SZ1PcpKj_hduUX1m-6p3NclPoMP2Bh7JlwQS7RgNhvElX9Uuy4hn8b3jVmv9aoKH_/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMRnQS0kLxt4ub-3HVRuSwpiwFcO_DfSFKyxG8Ih86aHyR1mNmiqu2qeK6tzmsVl78QtWvYY7CP9SZ1PcpKj_hduUX1m-6p3NclPoMP2Bh7JlwQS7RgNhvElX9Uuy4hn8b3jVmv9aoKH_/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, and did you notice? Our photos look suddenly way better now! We got a fancy new DSLR for Christmas! I am so happy! And I also learned that taking a semester of high school photography back in 1999 (read: before digital) doesn't make for a knowledgable photographer.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-781547631400687582013-02-19T14:40:00.000-07:002013-02-19T14:40:11.080-07:00Christmas Crazies: MusicWhew. We had so much going on over the holidays that I, unsurprisingly, wasn't able to update the blog. Further, I can't possibly put it all in one post, so I'm going to have to break it all up. Hopefully I can get them all up in a timely manner.<br />
Man, my write-ups have gotten boring.<br />
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Christmas is a musical time of year, and this year, we were musical to<span style="font-size: large;"> the</span> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MAX!</span></b> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuAPRR_MeWbyFdE3EHEaDDBZnDo23pv7czkcBGIljmISkjHYASuUuacPlaGKLP2BqUInnmyDdtvKPHQkME6GMUvoct3ARouP5Lnlm5hodN5_ckRoFXXCm2o5eRj0X0yHa4Jdn8OZKWTmG/s1600/Joy+to+the+World+Concert+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuAPRR_MeWbyFdE3EHEaDDBZnDo23pv7czkcBGIljmISkjHYASuUuacPlaGKLP2BqUInnmyDdtvKPHQkME6GMUvoct3ARouP5Lnlm5hodN5_ckRoFXXCm2o5eRj0X0yHa4Jdn8OZKWTmG/s400/Joy+to+the+World+Concert+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Early in the year, we found out that Craig Jessop, former director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, was coming to Oklahoma to direct an epic choir/orchestra concert. I think it was a cosmic inevitability that the Hood family be heavily involved in such an event. For months, Rika and I (well, mostly I--Rika was a slacker) spent every Sunday evening accompanying my mom's stake's choir, dragging our husbands along to sing.</div>
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Then, the orchestra rehearsals began. They were...kind of maddening, but it was still fun to be in an orchestra again. I do love playing in an orchestra. <br />
Then, the big, two-concerts-in-one-day extravaganza! The performances went well, despite a little mishap. Right before the second performance, I was adjusting my shoulder rest (which was kind of dumb of me to do right then, but anyway). I unscrewed the little nut that holds the feet on and promptly dropped it, then watched helplessly as it rolled off into the chasm under the stage. Luckily, the feet held okay for the rest of the concert.<br />
Also, I cried.<br />
Not because I was moved by the music (though it was moving) but because I was trying so hard to suppress a big coughing spell. I only sort of succeeded, but I hope I wasn't distracting.<br />
We all got to meet Craig Jessop and impress him with our musical family (plus one friend from Japan).</div>
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Mom's Christmas Recital</h3>
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For our Christmas present to my mom this year, we put on a family recital, complete with every sibling performing a special piece. Even Kenta, who couldn't travel, recorded a piano piece that we played for our larger than expected audience. </div>
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I, for one, have not practiced regularly in years and haven't taken lessons in even longer. It was looking pretty bad until I finally decided I needed some help and took up violin lessons again. They make me happy.</div>
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I think the photos tell the rest of the story on their own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphVYTzTf3CSYZk6K283DJtN8ZDtbicq-y5G3HGyNaSouVG4DmcHriAM95T2ufGfcmloSgGDhptJHJjsUG2lBM9SitigByZKMlg27WkS_Tni4FloUjzMNBdHRAIzKQ1AgDAXlvpQ4WyLPW/s1600/Recital+Ami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphVYTzTf3CSYZk6K283DJtN8ZDtbicq-y5G3HGyNaSouVG4DmcHriAM95T2ufGfcmloSgGDhptJHJjsUG2lBM9SitigByZKMlg27WkS_Tni4FloUjzMNBdHRAIzKQ1AgDAXlvpQ4WyLPW/s320/Recital+Ami.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDTFLDNETboiQcyTQnxxjNOTgqYQJ89F7LX8lZkPSVzYZKNn7JBy3LZXl7ZL9vl1A34fnTimB0OApPLRBbW3vWRb6O1319jNgIFpRbFmpQoloX7HnQ-3jyiThZLga-ekAoBZk1se4Qj69/s1600/Recital+Bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDTFLDNETboiQcyTQnxxjNOTgqYQJ89F7LX8lZkPSVzYZKNn7JBy3LZXl7ZL9vl1A34fnTimB0OApPLRBbW3vWRb6O1319jNgIFpRbFmpQoloX7HnQ-3jyiThZLga-ekAoBZk1se4Qj69/s320/Recital+Bow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWA88VY1zKOCF_v-ScBPda_6Ve2u-BmHHH8weX2zgGzvDi1iXm2NXErNM7ihKUkdxfguSXnaFKKU9PdXoaOx7HCMiCLf-PMqbtMD4aAv6eHFlOiC_FmdDUjtmrYspHbSLYp3Q4QgYBO3g/s1600/Recital+Huge+Arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWA88VY1zKOCF_v-ScBPda_6Ve2u-BmHHH8weX2zgGzvDi1iXm2NXErNM7ihKUkdxfguSXnaFKKU9PdXoaOx7HCMiCLf-PMqbtMD4aAv6eHFlOiC_FmdDUjtmrYspHbSLYp3Q4QgYBO3g/s320/Recital+Huge+Arm.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM_jSPe8pG3MOlIpL_zbLmIltHj5faQhnHidoxuFMv_eFvEUH3RH-7eARPEKWlnvEMf6C9nLM6cLuLoImK_0MBpAWz9vW42Ri_j1h8fWhOQLJWD8YjltlwzXkSA7g71iZpQTcUNquwrfG/s1600/Recital+Kenji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM_jSPe8pG3MOlIpL_zbLmIltHj5faQhnHidoxuFMv_eFvEUH3RH-7eARPEKWlnvEMf6C9nLM6cLuLoImK_0MBpAWz9vW42Ri_j1h8fWhOQLJWD8YjltlwzXkSA7g71iZpQTcUNquwrfG/s320/Recital+Kenji.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-37317833396424230132012-10-31T22:03:00.001-06:002012-10-31T22:03:55.873-06:00Happy Halloween!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nananananananana Batman!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dUn6vPpzOtu9XNCwvFcgRAxNb8S4ZuHkCfiGuoteNpfRBkRtKUX7ldWB1ZeG0DpA_uJYyOgYUeIQ20WAuJ6He_WexCM7ggKzsTsvMfecm8dCYecyc0UspH7uYdDdbjk2OpU-P0Mp2w7w/s1600/DSC00043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dUn6vPpzOtu9XNCwvFcgRAxNb8S4ZuHkCfiGuoteNpfRBkRtKUX7ldWB1ZeG0DpA_uJYyOgYUeIQ20WAuJ6He_WexCM7ggKzsTsvMfecm8dCYecyc0UspH7uYdDdbjk2OpU-P0Mp2w7w/s640/DSC00043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I contemplated what to do for costumes this year, I had a hard time finding good inspiration. Against my better judgment, I asked Dane what he wanted to be, knowing full well that he would say Angry Birds.</div>
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He said Batman. </div>
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And the inspiration hit.</div>
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Now, as much as I enjoy the new Dark Knight, Christian Bale Batman (push-up scene anyone?)*, the most salient Batman for me is from Batman: The Animated Series, 1992-1995. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-s5EUc7BJi8L23H4xEoiOxgEsoPTc31pABrCOvo4KH3gBXiFSOENdE-Nplh72qpyk9JHBsMgmrqGybECWLdy6MDZVwYp6bTwCa7ZXFF9YfsRQTrLmNg9ALCEbXc4SuyJJO_ZNYQ4oDDZ0/s1600/270064.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-s5EUc7BJi8L23H4xEoiOxgEsoPTc31pABrCOvo4KH3gBXiFSOENdE-Nplh72qpyk9JHBsMgmrqGybECWLdy6MDZVwYp6bTwCa7ZXFF9YfsRQTrLmNg9ALCEbXc4SuyJJO_ZNYQ4oDDZ0/s200/270064.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb7dZwr5BFFRfx5JiUBnIsntQJCQFz1ePerars5iLFuPTHgm90ioMnelR7b7UMX3IUqvNARkgOqu81IyRDUm6VX0LWYo4-W_COARWfUTFvEhCsdOULbfruDCTRiQIZeLYnI5AK4EMD9Ug/s1600/commbat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb7dZwr5BFFRfx5JiUBnIsntQJCQFz1ePerars5iLFuPTHgm90ioMnelR7b7UMX3IUqvNARkgOqu81IyRDUm6VX0LWYo4-W_COARWfUTFvEhCsdOULbfruDCTRiQIZeLYnI5AK4EMD9Ug/s200/commbat.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e0-RnlMG4DBMAcKQ2seTAn8x-ry6wZeDKhwN0NSL6ITGdrZIexZ_mcICoe2BgQW-KGlWoQMP9UC-QPhhyHusZOZnZdV3R1UO1gDQGPoerrxi1dn7QRsNMugmKwBZiq_froYU7uCvcPhW/s1600/joker.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e0-RnlMG4DBMAcKQ2seTAn8x-ry6wZeDKhwN0NSL6ITGdrZIexZ_mcICoe2BgQW-KGlWoQMP9UC-QPhhyHusZOZnZdV3R1UO1gDQGPoerrxi1dn7QRsNMugmKwBZiq_froYU7uCvcPhW/s200/joker.jpeg" width="173" /></a></div>
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So that's mostly what I based our costumes on. And, considering the cosmic inevitability of Joel being the Joker, he was a combination of animated Joker and old, campy, <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2674302613_1aa14ba5d0.jpg">Cesar Romero Joker</a>. We didn't use Heath Ledger Joker, mostly because I wanted our children to continue to want a relationship with their father.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jZQ8wbII0giNKcNC7xv-vQyJFNxJ9qE1ngcL-4UjRc0CShu8X87DzylPhSGmKDnXwnL-VwCPNUYIL-Qb-quaqG5q6AYAKZTjAKWGctifumInNkEkUc9R_pIsannbT5W1eynIbZ9_Nuux/s1600/DSC00038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jZQ8wbII0giNKcNC7xv-vQyJFNxJ9qE1ngcL-4UjRc0CShu8X87DzylPhSGmKDnXwnL-VwCPNUYIL-Qb-quaqG5q6AYAKZTjAKWGctifumInNkEkUc9R_pIsannbT5W1eynIbZ9_Nuux/s400/DSC00038.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmURDmd4im36QWmdN1dRRxxSGvIS9e1924yQbDhys6SoMFCxFxs9myZuIh7Uk-c3bP0k7uP0Gd7LJpovHjahZ4_rE2lZelxkoDVUKDo1245jWu03hftzEPZNUaADJj9gBiEMNLXkmuPg4/s1600/DSC00045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmURDmd4im36QWmdN1dRRxxSGvIS9e1924yQbDhys6SoMFCxFxs9myZuIh7Uk-c3bP0k7uP0Gd7LJpovHjahZ4_rE2lZelxkoDVUKDo1245jWu03hftzEPZNUaADJj9gBiEMNLXkmuPg4/s320/DSC00045.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap32725PTJ3yP_TGht4XmafJ2wGMTkEDn9lmSDtaKRRoJsSC6JyvkDH8Ok-Ooqmjp1cLY_W2ny7eYfr37NeeA-gGbT52wtDzzle7QpuTEkYc9KbmbkDmIDrzmTwxrJ9T63mV7PU7Cvv67/s1600/DSC00044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap32725PTJ3yP_TGht4XmafJ2wGMTkEDn9lmSDtaKRRoJsSC6JyvkDH8Ok-Ooqmjp1cLY_W2ny7eYfr37NeeA-gGbT52wtDzzle7QpuTEkYc9KbmbkDmIDrzmTwxrJ9T63mV7PU7Cvv67/s320/DSC00044.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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I just love our sweet little superheroes. Usually, by the end of costume making, I am feeling kind of burned out, but their costumes were quite easy. </div>
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For Robin: make a cape, add details to red onesie, make leggings and little gauntlets (heehee!), make boot covers. </div>
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For Batman: make a cape, buy grey shirt and grey leggings (which were actually yoga pants that I turned into leggings), screenprint Batman logo to yellow fabric and attach, make belt, make gauntlets, make boot covers, buy mask. </div>
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But then came the purple tails tuxedo. You can't really be Joker without it, but it's not like purple tuxes are readily available. </div>
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So, what resulted is some of the shoddiest, most haphazard sewing ever wrought by human hands. It won't stand up to close scrutiny, but the appearance from afar would, I believe, give some of the lamer contestants of Project Runway a run for their money. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_D6BAYmm2KJU205tBSPaCxFYkwMQ3CKq05HD3Ml3E9FoWoSBrfJnj4CYVUTuXFyrij539Ba_a_xcLAtCcwn-UN7y6PaaRbBVSwCB2_EuuHsI1EX92ABHPk8HKzkuowfc7LKUQ7ObhlB6/s1600/DSC00046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_D6BAYmm2KJU205tBSPaCxFYkwMQ3CKq05HD3Ml3E9FoWoSBrfJnj4CYVUTuXFyrij539Ba_a_xcLAtCcwn-UN7y6PaaRbBVSwCB2_EuuHsI1EX92ABHPk8HKzkuowfc7LKUQ7ObhlB6/s400/DSC00046.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkwqd4hCLfH3knMquNcPfxvyARWEbtLUh4n5DrxdhuHg_45C2xZURts66KkF0V5S1pAEXAWgUXTlGOzf-ctZrAnnrY02KnRPTmbDXliP2hjXlcyVmsW-xNu2DUz2x1XSQL0o3LhTem44o/s1600/DSC00047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkwqd4hCLfH3knMquNcPfxvyARWEbtLUh4n5DrxdhuHg_45C2xZURts66KkF0V5S1pAEXAWgUXTlGOzf-ctZrAnnrY02KnRPTmbDXliP2hjXlcyVmsW-xNu2DUz2x1XSQL0o3LhTem44o/s320/DSC00047.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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And the secret to an ultra creepy Joker smile? Putting grapes in the upper corners of your mouth. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusp9eoZFQ3kMiXUbm1soP5H9Cj__euG28rs9HxyR9ki8pOc-Y6mGnlke1qCOmYdttH3HpjO21EgxI799X68A89I9S_IS4qloEfzSakvwIXGlDSF0gMyQX-JlWqJ5-giw-IBkeOvj0_1BO/s1600/DSC00049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusp9eoZFQ3kMiXUbm1soP5H9Cj__euG28rs9HxyR9ki8pOc-Y6mGnlke1qCOmYdttH3HpjO21EgxI799X68A89I9S_IS4qloEfzSakvwIXGlDSF0gMyQX-JlWqJ5-giw-IBkeOvj0_1BO/s400/DSC00049.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
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In case you can't tell, I am Commissioner Gordon. I wasn't surprised that little kids didn't recognize me, but I was surprised at how many adults couldn't figure out who I was, even in context of my whole family. I am an integral part of the crime fighting team! The turner-onner of the Bat Signal! </div>
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My costume was super easy. I just used an old belt to make a shoulder holster, and made a holster for an airsoft gun. Swish. </div>
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POW!</div>
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We wore the costumes to our ward's Chili Cookoff/Trunk-or-Treat, and I'm sure you all know how hard I work to win that darn chili cookoff. But alas, I'm becoming more and more like Uncle Rico, never able to relive my <a href="http://paradisefrost.blogspot.com/2007/11/chili-cookoff.html">glory days of '07</a>. I tried a new recipe this year...thanks for nothing, Trisha Yearwood. </div>
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However, I did win Moistest Cornbread. YES! Never mind the fact that "moistest cornbread" doesn't even sound like a good thing. I wore my ribbon proudly for the rest of the night. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSKmElkM-4rMeu4ZqzdTWo37KY5mkQpD91cdtUxSWIFjJSFu0D6aIOhiXE8T4YiPaHI_ppX8_IMTCrnL9tRrS1Ucc5PxUhS3DLM_2fxgVJPXHYNyJOIr4RB0VfiDDfYCFuaavj7BvskTB/s1600/DSC00056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSKmElkM-4rMeu4ZqzdTWo37KY5mkQpD91cdtUxSWIFjJSFu0D6aIOhiXE8T4YiPaHI_ppX8_IMTCrnL9tRrS1Ucc5PxUhS3DLM_2fxgVJPXHYNyJOIr4RB0VfiDDfYCFuaavj7BvskTB/s400/DSC00056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We also won Best Theme, since I decorated our trunk as the Bat Cave, with flapping bats and a Bat Signal. Triumph all around. Well, except for the chili. </div>
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Then, tonight, on Halloween night, my parents offered to pass out candy at our house so Joel and I could both take the kids around trick-or-treating, which was really nice. It turns out that we have a lot of generous neighbors. And their reactions were pretty much all the same: "Hey, it's Batman! Oh, and Robin! He's so cute!" June played the androgyny of Robin very well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXvxzDaFCPf5V2lWe39PwzMddC5rW31C8F61X2xKXmICFF3UZZ0m6ICLB8SDjs8kPjolTO0W3dwR52YN6oLPM-Q9R9tkS_xzNF4N3Uo7E8JsVOFzCsdxgyZp9QfFYZL-I_lS7MJwkTKkQ/s1600/100_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXvxzDaFCPf5V2lWe39PwzMddC5rW31C8F61X2xKXmICFF3UZZ0m6ICLB8SDjs8kPjolTO0W3dwR52YN6oLPM-Q9R9tkS_xzNF4N3Uo7E8JsVOFzCsdxgyZp9QfFYZL-I_lS7MJwkTKkQ/s320/100_3619.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We never got June to hold her candy bag, but she sure clutched candy with amazing resolve. And Dane was a champion trick-or-treater, even encouraging moderation at times. </div>
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So, we had a happy Halloween. And despite being loaded with sugar (June had a Tootsie Pop in each hand for a while), they both went to bed easily and happily.<br />
Happy Halloween!<br />
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Oh, and if you're still reading this, check out this crazy story:<br />
At the chili cookoff, my name was announced as the winner of the moistest cornbread. So later, this guy came up to us to tell this crazy tale. First of all, I had noticed him earlier because he looked like New Jim from The Office, which we'd just happened to have watched the night before. And New Jim confirms that my name is in fact Ami Frost and asked if we used to live in Utah. Then he rattles off my old cell phone number, and I'm starting to wonder what the heck is going on. It turns out that when we changed from a Provo number to a Salt Lake number, my old number was reassigned to him. And he spent months getting phone calls from people looking for me! He said he usually wouldn't answer but then would listen to weird messages for Ami Frost. He even guessed that I was a therapist, based on the messages he heard. Maybe some of you even called him! What kind of messages were you leaving him, anyway?<br />
Isn't that crazy? Some guy gets my old number, and then years later in Edmond, Oklahoma, he happens to be visiting his older brother, and we meet at the ward chili cookoff. If my life were a romantic comedy, we would have fallen in love. But seeing as he was about to leave on his mission (to Tokyo!), it wasn't meant to be. Oh yeah, and also because I am very happily married.<br />
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*I am joking about the push-up scene. I like Christian Bale Batman because of his sweet spirit.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-125037508273890642012-09-26T21:51:00.001-06:002012-09-26T21:55:50.815-06:00Dane Turns 5!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My sweet baby boy turned five on Saturday. Five! Can you believe it?</div>
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We spent a lot of time gearing up for Dane's first friend party--an Angry Birds Party! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kHfo0b259uknvY7-Gz79qlKjZ-SXT6YJZu29e4hn_3AZ3jq3hAcc77ExJyiiVrYQJFNpGgp-qi1tjt3f_2EG659itAthSdoNafQZZjkIVlT50eKWSYjWS5ybzQVxjmezwmMG-JgFLv9Y/s1600/Doctored+Invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kHfo0b259uknvY7-Gz79qlKjZ-SXT6YJZu29e4hn_3AZ3jq3hAcc77ExJyiiVrYQJFNpGgp-qi1tjt3f_2EG659itAthSdoNafQZZjkIVlT50eKWSYjWS5ybzQVxjmezwmMG-JgFLv9Y/s320/Doctored+Invite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As the big day approached, Dane kept checking with me, "Do you have Angry Birds decorations? Do you have an Angry Birds cake? Will we have Angry Birds games?" He definitely didn't want to leave anything to chance.</div>
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Well, I believe the party was a success. We had decorations:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcsL70OxLLYeuZXBhje5Xon94IImbiKrm4_JwDD79PwD5Ae69W0a4pWkdEBgmFXjxeHuIXFwGo5GoWTppcoUcVvJkzEzcoZEblot3rHVUXXD4zlWTM0Ci-KipGUaHT_1trx2ostE_s-fv/s1600/DSC00005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcsL70OxLLYeuZXBhje5Xon94IImbiKrm4_JwDD79PwD5Ae69W0a4pWkdEBgmFXjxeHuIXFwGo5GoWTppcoUcVvJkzEzcoZEblot3rHVUXXD4zlWTM0Ci-KipGUaHT_1trx2ostE_s-fv/s320/DSC00005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Food:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRetFcPrZvT9No1KlH3DFsOZOBV7Hudpd-wBrXysfyEk1e1fcntWNab4e0uhFUo_rXRextTJsZDB2jUtJW4td3OwysE6blwONhGgYYTKpweI8zPApbVRjO-FY6reaAFwNMxFcfNgGta2v/s1600/IMG_6545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFKgPQ7bY9jRNm1BF8NfE29oI5pgBxyrOtH0aow1XqjUIhu3Fgwned1OYvpcmQlZkuktXm1z9VxwAMH_7yvHn9yOgCN2lgPZadUc3l0vJI_XCy_JfwdY4Di9Zdn_4DU68e9cyc6jyTMKX/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFKgPQ7bY9jRNm1BF8NfE29oI5pgBxyrOtH0aow1XqjUIhu3Fgwned1OYvpcmQlZkuktXm1z9VxwAMH_7yvHn9yOgCN2lgPZadUc3l0vJI_XCy_JfwdY4Di9Zdn_4DU68e9cyc6jyTMKX/s320/IMG_6543.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZdVXn2OlxjAdCZ1P7gICtsC4C1q7qnWOe2_BJ-ULgBtSI5UY-C2wvod0LaVpEtx0zw1OjzoD9LYVtpKm13nYrbjYgLMPykUvR1f4SkNjPAJs3u75-6znzXQMLmoNPRXf482Ixp3Pu6zH/s1600/IMG_6544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZdVXn2OlxjAdCZ1P7gICtsC4C1q7qnWOe2_BJ-ULgBtSI5UY-C2wvod0LaVpEtx0zw1OjzoD9LYVtpKm13nYrbjYgLMPykUvR1f4SkNjPAJs3u75-6znzXQMLmoNPRXf482Ixp3Pu6zH/s320/IMG_6544.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Presents:</div>
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Ninja Turtle gear from his school friend Jack.</div>
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Cool magnetic dart board from Grandma Frost.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQAZg10qcuRPNC3wx_TxeGpmsKpWNFjP_5j1rk0ATQiXX0nEsfETYuBqK3lMiF1GMpFGq-kefk5Hzcro6VgzlSh9afL9w2OWvzSAxRUuM6RFo50u3DSZ2uCSHqy7oUbvb6xcCCyPsHDAP/s1600/DSC00011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQAZg10qcuRPNC3wx_TxeGpmsKpWNFjP_5j1rk0ATQiXX0nEsfETYuBqK3lMiF1GMpFGq-kefk5Hzcro6VgzlSh9afL9w2OWvzSAxRUuM6RFo50u3DSZ2uCSHqy7oUbvb6xcCCyPsHDAP/s320/DSC00011.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD, which he's been wanting since Christmas.<br />
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Unfortunately, almost all of our pictures were somehow deleted off the camera. I have no idea how it happened. But amazingly, my friend left her fancy DSLR at the house, so I stole some photos off her camera. And took some of my own photos. Heehee!</div>
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We had some fun party favors, and the pictures disappeared, but we had Angry Birds eggs (brightly colored sixlets), mini Angry Birds kites, Angry Birds graham crackers, Angry Birds bandaids, and homemade yarn pom pom Angry Birds and pigs with little plastic cups so they could have their own Angry Birds games.</div>
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So, on to the games. We had a lot of fun games. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnTiQDNI-ZQVHN1_ll0YszWPp9xFFHzrxbh-_JMMWcjsaSciXVUd_0FHu61JUMO1OIc0XOQqXTGhR6hj9EWxodJAgTNO2v-yrE_v7dMU-G9R0rkvM2FSWGpMYIz8R4PftcGSbjXJ9YVK9/s1600/IMG_6588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnTiQDNI-ZQVHN1_ll0YszWPp9xFFHzrxbh-_JMMWcjsaSciXVUd_0FHu61JUMO1OIc0XOQqXTGhR6hj9EWxodJAgTNO2v-yrE_v7dMU-G9R0rkvM2FSWGpMYIz8R4PftcGSbjXJ9YVK9/s320/IMG_6588.JPG" width="320" /></a>First, the kids made their own pig face on a plate. Then, they assumed their new pig identities and suddenly found themselves chased by a huge, red Angry Bird!</div>
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Joel chased the kids around for a while with the giant rubber ball, and my mom laughed that he seemed to be having even more fun than the kids. </div>
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June got a turn as the Angry Bird, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauP6lbOBBY7Ex3cEpnCdT8TiQzNASbj76HPOUqkcyqFeKigN-p3EvpEst5bpu4WFeoAY9Tzi83LPuu3aHFNgJpNKqxZg3XjU7EpaGOw_hJhZhG9-bk1onS1u-d6cIown1JjD6r30yfmox/s1600/IMG_6592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauP6lbOBBY7Ex3cEpnCdT8TiQzNASbj76HPOUqkcyqFeKigN-p3EvpEst5bpu4WFeoAY9Tzi83LPuu3aHFNgJpNKqxZg3XjU7EpaGOw_hJhZhG9-bk1onS1u-d6cIown1JjD6r30yfmox/s320/IMG_6592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The we played Angry Birds bowling, inspired by <a href="http://www.ucreatewithkids.com/2011/02/creative-guest-meet-dubiens.html">this</a> tutorial. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR9VIzfOGwZbD02KQNb-rokszsMJ5frBj15qG9wg470H625ImtkfQvUQstlWJx2rSOFdnBc69fvMpWhhEFcPfU5zibagbKmND9zcqvQAuTkcF9UyEMf8MBbZfHr1OE69JMouoLsCHC8Lu/s1600/IMG_6585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR9VIzfOGwZbD02KQNb-rokszsMJ5frBj15qG9wg470H625ImtkfQvUQstlWJx2rSOFdnBc69fvMpWhhEFcPfU5zibagbKmND9zcqvQAuTkcF9UyEMf8MBbZfHr1OE69JMouoLsCHC8Lu/s320/IMG_6585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Things I learned: </div>
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1) Don't skimp on the paint. I was trying to conserve paint and added water to the bottles, and they just didn't cover very well. </div>
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2) 3- to 5-year-olds are not so big that empty soda bottles are too easy to knock down with a rubber ball. I added like 1/2 cup of pinto beans to the bottles for extra weight, and they had a pretty hard time knocking them down, even from just a few feet away. </div>
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And we played Pop the Pigs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Uezwd03hsbLCwNZlF3_ODLc0WnCsGUKz-q8mJO_TUC25z2jbD7iBHXj5uk5OJm_FvtL4exU_akj5MQTV4klx5MQgmvIVFnwpDFRaUiNsnMRjQ1vXYIWctrehSL1TUYFma5CiIWI7u0h7/s1600/IMG_6550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Uezwd03hsbLCwNZlF3_ODLc0WnCsGUKz-q8mJO_TUC25z2jbD7iBHXj5uk5OJm_FvtL4exU_akj5MQTV4klx5MQgmvIVFnwpDFRaUiNsnMRjQ1vXYIWctrehSL1TUYFma5CiIWI7u0h7/s320/IMG_6550.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZM4_ikZ8Yj1UhDmb2w-ya2YP1KSGPE2MfChwLsWRwZjy17XRrYx5WmHBB99PnMHffSJT4fH3bYb7b5mOpnXexQ5lMgEc98Fto3eLOGsc-ZozTITL3YHmN3HyMqnCkqf0gndtLaPRUFNO/s1600/IMG_6579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZM4_ikZ8Yj1UhDmb2w-ya2YP1KSGPE2MfChwLsWRwZjy17XRrYx5WmHBB99PnMHffSJT4fH3bYb7b5mOpnXexQ5lMgEc98Fto3eLOGsc-ZozTITL3YHmN3HyMqnCkqf0gndtLaPRUFNO/s320/IMG_6579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I stole a pallet from behind Ace Hardware (which is a funny story in itself) and painted an Angry Birds scene on poster board attached to the pallet. And I made Angry Birds bean bags using old t-shirts and freezer paper screen printing. Joel made clippy hooks out of baling wire from which to hang the pigs, and we strategically placed thumbtacks behind where the pigs would hang to make for easy popping.</div>
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Then the kids attacked!</div>
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This is a cool shot where you can see the pig popping and the "points" (candy!) falling:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9J5iBRoFrNuhhyphenhyphenOTaIOlUP1KwIV1eUO39wP5s29mxLcb759LhnDzzqEixfq1gZc2J51ODmEKrckFCNlEZFIC6J9nagIpSsjbRVnD0pADyMsI_rxBxtqoSBmJylXC-M9EgqzE87m0Jv97x/s1600/IMG_6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9J5iBRoFrNuhhyphenhyphenOTaIOlUP1KwIV1eUO39wP5s29mxLcb759LhnDzzqEixfq1gZc2J51ODmEKrckFCNlEZFIC6J9nagIpSsjbRVnD0pADyMsI_rxBxtqoSBmJylXC-M9EgqzE87m0Jv97x/s320/IMG_6540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgFO7Hysa740URe8xy6Vm-M9i1a_jFYubmHQHfNKNmEYoHMncOGaLW8Tkw1YegIhLCwELh7En6pqyXIkIM5OUK0zOgpb1_9eYptteKFZb5Z4FODzc1vDaRp42eBxOl21KFLTHSHheUiLZ/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgFO7Hysa740URe8xy6Vm-M9i1a_jFYubmHQHfNKNmEYoHMncOGaLW8Tkw1YegIhLCwELh7En6pqyXIkIM5OUK0zOgpb1_9eYptteKFZb5Z4FODzc1vDaRp42eBxOl21KFLTHSHheUiLZ/s320/IMG_6572.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Here you can see Dane releasing the three blue birds:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE_xpW1Sqw7RX3gfKpjkoCTg7qjJrzKiiFmZpg0Z-dXXkX91pm9H3LH4x4561WNZQSJrVqKa068NFEWX92_yw6evrzXYv2IkFd5XzLaZjGMX9yUiPWgThL6-CI95NcKj295NPRp3twf89/s1600/IMG_6569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE_xpW1Sqw7RX3gfKpjkoCTg7qjJrzKiiFmZpg0Z-dXXkX91pm9H3LH4x4561WNZQSJrVqKa068NFEWX92_yw6evrzXYv2IkFd5XzLaZjGMX9yUiPWgThL6-CI95NcKj295NPRp3twf89/s320/IMG_6569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A pig carcass:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmyf0drvf_grcK5OJjUcEgkMoXgaHmn84OgyniNwIZ5bh_mOH-ciceq_rXcae5SugyiY4rB3rrzI1dRL1U2MtHAF8cpq0S6hQBKdw0-MpfVMwGUaoJM9ufoaFd7J9hLchWivCThi8llMJ/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmyf0drvf_grcK5OJjUcEgkMoXgaHmn84OgyniNwIZ5bh_mOH-ciceq_rXcae5SugyiY4rB3rrzI1dRL1U2MtHAF8cpq0S6hQBKdw0-MpfVMwGUaoJM9ufoaFd7J9hLchWivCThi8llMJ/s320/IMG_6578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Candy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnabNBYqaMgi_p0bgOnS8KtmeWC6m_pqSDoqqaf5hVa09xU4Gcm_P9Gwi6TmEeadUNBsiqZ2M1a2A1OUK5zR0IHr_Tq6J32H3cATnpETk1oJck0KeQZ7nN-L-GgHEgDBenb3ALzPdi78h3/s1600/IMG_6577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnabNBYqaMgi_p0bgOnS8KtmeWC6m_pqSDoqqaf5hVa09xU4Gcm_P9Gwi6TmEeadUNBsiqZ2M1a2A1OUK5zR0IHr_Tq6J32H3cATnpETk1oJck0KeQZ7nN-L-GgHEgDBenb3ALzPdi78h3/s320/IMG_6577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the kids went home, my family (who were a great help wrangling the kids), all got a turn with the pigs:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CCbImj26FaYOwpMGeQak1b-0rKNGd1_M-yfp1AucDZTU3YFaTb44UbO8x38_Da3HZ6DCzayUAqxqvT-feLOpM5LZihym_kKqDfuicBLCsPM0iLhVA4HvB01nhzvMQ1ehgcCejvxnjKv7/s1600/Pig+Pop+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CCbImj26FaYOwpMGeQak1b-0rKNGd1_M-yfp1AucDZTU3YFaTb44UbO8x38_Da3HZ6DCzayUAqxqvT-feLOpM5LZihym_kKqDfuicBLCsPM0iLhVA4HvB01nhzvMQ1ehgcCejvxnjKv7/s640/Pig+Pop+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFKgPQ7bY9jRNm1BF8NfE29oI5pgBxyrOtH0aow1XqjUIhu3Fgwned1OYvpcmQlZkuktXm1z9VxwAMH_7yvHn9yOgCN2lgPZadUc3l0vJI_XCy_JfwdY4Di9Zdn_4DU68e9cyc6jyTMKX/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Then we feasted on the richest, most deliciou cake I've ever made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWT6WVfn10aWom9mF-v5H1XwJg2o7zcb0vlSmf43YOONkLILByeyk5Tf-L0AaRXZox0uLOHcK08LY9bcY7g3du4oRjkUIlE76a7vcxeDDLy1jlHw4BIaMobeqQElSSzH7zEza7VpoKuVw/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWT6WVfn10aWom9mF-v5H1XwJg2o7zcb0vlSmf43YOONkLILByeyk5Tf-L0AaRXZox0uLOHcK08LY9bcY7g3du4oRjkUIlE76a7vcxeDDLy1jlHw4BIaMobeqQElSSzH7zEza7VpoKuVw/s320/IMG_6548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And drank in June's adorableness:</div>
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We went to dinner so Dane could have his beloved miso soup with rice (which I had made him for lunch, too). Then, his happy day ended as he prayed, "and bless me that I had a great Angry Birds party." </div>
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I think he had a good day.</div>
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So, all in all, I was happy with how it all went and I learned some good things. We invited six kids and ended up with eight, and I think it was a great number. I also learned that having a party on his actual birthday made it so we couldn't do any of the regular, special things we usually do on his birthday, like special breakfast and stuff; we had to spend all day getting ready. So I'll remember that for next time.</div>
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I can't believe Dane is five. He is a sweet, good-natured, observant kid who make me laugh all the time. We have our share of frustrations and struggles, but at the end of the day, I love to snuggle him look forward to seeing him in the morning. He is creative and affectionate, and he notices and remembers amazing details. When I took him to his five year doctor's appointment, he took his new plush Angry Bird with him and insisted that the doctor bandage the beak (which was sore from smashing so many buildings). And when the nurse came in to give him his immunizations, he asked her if he could pray, and then said a quiet little prayer that he wouldn't be so scared. </div>
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I love him so much. Happy Birthday, Dane. Don't grow up too fast, okay?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-28830323176776924732012-08-18T21:55:00.002-06:002012-08-18T23:14:38.167-06:00Parenting Double Whammy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Prepare yourselves to feel really sorry for me. I experienced two big parenting milestones two days in a row:</div>
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Dane's first day of school and June's first birthday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hhw1kwIRSIS8bf6sbTpJwPicAAnMsxWDPkkWV2l8IrfnjcQK88OtLhGyqx8QbZVBwz7iSpt_0rOHg47oRHBvjKZyNQybn4pCXZCt9aMS_r9X-L2n4sDES6c1Q_BjGovmkKTjCVhOh2fp/s1600/DSC01273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hhw1kwIRSIS8bf6sbTpJwPicAAnMsxWDPkkWV2l8IrfnjcQK88OtLhGyqx8QbZVBwz7iSpt_0rOHg47oRHBvjKZyNQybn4pCXZCt9aMS_r9X-L2n4sDES6c1Q_BjGovmkKTjCVhOh2fp/s320/DSC01273.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69eXDtAy_kZEtcUCSbEC4ttZSmaUC-zVdaMavVfRjIW2WOcmcfelt7hc3CxbxpRVUEgC187i53r4QxUNsMdoMhDb8723ZgPnVGLi0t72bJ2__XlSQ3xXLBilDGNAoEECLS8QxF1u3OiKq/s1600/DSC01260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69eXDtAy_kZEtcUCSbEC4ttZSmaUC-zVdaMavVfRjIW2WOcmcfelt7hc3CxbxpRVUEgC187i53r4QxUNsMdoMhDb8723ZgPnVGLi0t72bJ2__XlSQ3xXLBilDGNAoEECLS8QxF1u3OiKq/s320/DSC01260.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I don't even know what to do with myself. As I signed Dane up for pre-K (which isn't <i>officially</i> school yet, but since kindergarten is full day now, I put him in pre-K, and it felt exactly like how kindergarten used to be, you know? Every day for half a day? Yeah. The effect is the same.), bought his school supplies, got him excited, reminded him to close the stall door when he goes to the bathroom, etc., I really just felt excited for him. Then, the day before school, it dawned on me: he's going to school! He won't just be mine anymore! Someone else will be in charge of him! Every day! </div>
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I was sure I wasn't going to be one of those moms who cries when she drops her kid off at school. </div>
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I was wrong. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0Q5C3nGHcVuyalQ2b_fNRlBeeSSk5BJXrwIIlJtwyM-boOJDKK9RbMUcAmf7KIdvj2Kpcle9VzGNOqxokj2suBMz0TjHsLdVvk3L0xFsshyphenhyphenQAEZGAOnD70-XuDEebQmHCilriORk15rf/s1600/DSC01255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0Q5C3nGHcVuyalQ2b_fNRlBeeSSk5BJXrwIIlJtwyM-boOJDKK9RbMUcAmf7KIdvj2Kpcle9VzGNOqxokj2suBMz0TjHsLdVvk3L0xFsshyphenhyphenQAEZGAOnD70-XuDEebQmHCilriORk15rf/s320/DSC01255.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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He was sure happy to go to school. Now, I try not to engage in mommy bragging much--it's sort of against my upbringing. But these are the facts: Dane misses the September 1st cutoff by three weeks, which makes him pretty old for his grade. He is also a fairly precocious kid, and he is spelling out words, reading early reader books on his own, and doing math. I'm sure the benefits of putting him in pre-K will be much more social than academic, which is fine with me. But I already feel some stress about the possibilities of acceleration and what not. Having a kid in school is stressful.</div>
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Anyway. </div>
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Here he is coveting the other kid's airplane puzzle as he was waiting for the schoolday to begin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DGW38pxn1Z0FpZYnS2yCYnHaxh3_Iai6DmJuW05yhnxfXT6LE3XWrNadPtenOkHgVJneP7pj4veeeumZIi5k6godKubeuj8Plfs61o-K9PWtOM9Nuqcxu-d0l9YWvqzalkbohfe3lc8f/s1600/DSC01261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DGW38pxn1Z0FpZYnS2yCYnHaxh3_Iai6DmJuW05yhnxfXT6LE3XWrNadPtenOkHgVJneP7pj4veeeumZIi5k6godKubeuj8Plfs61o-K9PWtOM9Nuqcxu-d0l9YWvqzalkbohfe3lc8f/s320/DSC01261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I excitedly went to pick him up, I found him wearing different clothes--the clothes from his emergency extra clothes bag. He claimed to have wet his pants, but his teacher was pretty sure he just wanted to change. Later, he told me it was kind of awkward to have to wear his extra clothes. Hopefully he got it out of his system. </div>
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He made a friend named Noah, though he sometimes gets confused and calls him Moses. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And June's birthday:</span></div>
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Can you believe she is a year old already? I sure can't. In fact, I'm pretty sure I expressly forbade her from getting bigger. But she is a willful child. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4EaxJjqwZPDYZzH9Xei_fgbByFTXTCkNyQoCYbSeGllIVjOz2BEpQRwczFFAn47H6zYyT7WaxtDUbXfzHo7tCA-56EGdAwHInPG68VphhUmOu6ebpI5RhFK9hYSXDkIytefUSf1todBF/s1600/IMG_1084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4EaxJjqwZPDYZzH9Xei_fgbByFTXTCkNyQoCYbSeGllIVjOz2BEpQRwczFFAn47H6zYyT7WaxtDUbXfzHo7tCA-56EGdAwHInPG68VphhUmOu6ebpI5RhFK9hYSXDkIytefUSf1todBF/s320/IMG_1084.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I planned a little party for her, just with family. I must say, the food was delicious. We had Cafe Rio pork tacos for lunch, followed by a lovely array of cupcakes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVh3iOkeNKr_CmtBH8FKJsCQEpJd4I3mi9GNe-ka5DaOPWEZBOoDXMY5uUA9kcNKI3xMIX8h_5y8SczyMLOuFgIG3MFI9eeBDwHVJzQIpoTesSxak6CVV5-RJUfoJYjNauZ7vHtMsQErY/s1600/DSC01268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVh3iOkeNKr_CmtBH8FKJsCQEpJd4I3mi9GNe-ka5DaOPWEZBOoDXMY5uUA9kcNKI3xMIX8h_5y8SczyMLOuFgIG3MFI9eeBDwHVJzQIpoTesSxak6CVV5-RJUfoJYjNauZ7vHtMsQErY/s320/DSC01268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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June's smash cake was Pioneer Woman's <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/">best ever chocolate cake</a> with <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/thats-the-best-frosting-ive-ever-had/">"the best frosting I've ever had."</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaBKg-DN7iTBRB3K0HzvL_V6LIKLp9Ye6MHLqMukW8Rrcriol5jzcB9SZmK0gkDHCbOCcqoa6ayDQq0pvS6Ue-trTszIQ6MG3foJDq8GGAElzgqyVqE4wbGoHEue-p5GftdcXpsJ5xvgY/s1600/DSC01270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaBKg-DN7iTBRB3K0HzvL_V6LIKLp9Ye6MHLqMukW8Rrcriol5jzcB9SZmK0gkDHCbOCcqoa6ayDQq0pvS6Ue-trTszIQ6MG3foJDq8GGAElzgqyVqE4wbGoHEue-p5GftdcXpsJ5xvgY/s1600/DSC01270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaBKg-DN7iTBRB3K0HzvL_V6LIKLp9Ye6MHLqMukW8Rrcriol5jzcB9SZmK0gkDHCbOCcqoa6ayDQq0pvS6Ue-trTszIQ6MG3foJDq8GGAElzgqyVqE4wbGoHEue-p5GftdcXpsJ5xvgY/s320/DSC01270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJeVUnGouOUx39nUIqbMJBU-ZivRbgfa8aXiOUiMqeaKOrbPFyQnTbsI1ZV5S40aHnqFDD5TMuT2pnmzZYHLUWUufexvagURJUCDqEymoVTcLz7aAwT2vqpeJA_dCJkjIRc87jcTuFNo/s1600/DSC01269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJeVUnGouOUx39nUIqbMJBU-ZivRbgfa8aXiOUiMqeaKOrbPFyQnTbsI1ZV5S40aHnqFDD5TMuT2pnmzZYHLUWUufexvagURJUCDqEymoVTcLz7aAwT2vqpeJA_dCJkjIRc87jcTuFNo/s1600/DSC01269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJeVUnGouOUx39nUIqbMJBU-ZivRbgfa8aXiOUiMqeaKOrbPFyQnTbsI1ZV5S40aHnqFDD5TMuT2pnmzZYHLUWUufexvagURJUCDqEymoVTcLz7aAwT2vqpeJA_dCJkjIRc87jcTuFNo/s320/DSC01269.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
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The cupcakes with pink frosting were the same as the smash cake, and the cupcakes with yellow frosting were these <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2009/06/05/lemon-poppy-seed-cakes-with-raspberry-curd-filling/">lemon poppyseed cakes with raspberry curd</a>. I used a different, more delicious frosting that would be utterly cruel not to share:</div>
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2 c heaving whipping cream, whipped</div>
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1 can sweetened condensed milk</div>
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juice from 1/2 lemon</div>
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1 teaspoon lemon zest</div>
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Once cream is whipped, stir in remaining ingredients and prepare for amazement. It makes a ton of frosting. Like, I have about 6 more cups of it in my fridge right now. </div>
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Rika made the happy little suns and clouds in her Cricut for me. </div>
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Anyhow, I can't believe how big she is. I figured for the first birthday, she wouldn't really care about presents, but, again, I was wrong. She got into tearing the wrapping paper and looking excitedly for what was inside. </div>
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Jiichan and Baachan got her this adorable shopping cart to aid in her biped adventures:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBjJztVLciF9ahWVqMmA3stVLyXFTf6LYjpzQzhu_jDDP_bg_vd0MTKKCR4FEIY827Cm8yEWQ5mXJvdLm5d3yBtxdyzMJX4x3mTlP0Dn9kLHLWTR6VUUeEvj-T0mN56xWOBY2Ysy9wTCB/s1600/IMG_1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBjJztVLciF9ahWVqMmA3stVLyXFTf6LYjpzQzhu_jDDP_bg_vd0MTKKCR4FEIY827Cm8yEWQ5mXJvdLm5d3yBtxdyzMJX4x3mTlP0Dn9kLHLWTR6VUUeEvj-T0mN56xWOBY2Ysy9wTCB/s320/IMG_1087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyIu6n-AjufkyzfGyBWw-ETSnfiX5QPQ08Iqt-NejanjrMVYordLyn7ca7t0ToP72w6IhSgwEPsC6ZZkXCVE-N2WeZYCZ5m_q-PdWjLoLzzOdnuirW-t25AAfBL-qa86EFHyuUp3l79ca/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyIu6n-AjufkyzfGyBWw-ETSnfiX5QPQ08Iqt-NejanjrMVYordLyn7ca7t0ToP72w6IhSgwEPsC6ZZkXCVE-N2WeZYCZ5m_q-PdWjLoLzzOdnuirW-t25AAfBL-qa86EFHyuUp3l79ca/s320/IMG_1093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Rika gave her a plush Grover (a.k.a. Jopie; I had a similar doll when I was little and called him Jopie), which she lovingly packaged in a casket with his arms crossed. </div>
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I have a weird family.</div>
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June is so smart and beautiful and big. She loves books. Like, brings them to you constantly and gets upset if you don't read them to her over and over. It makes me so happy that she loves books, even when it's a bit trying to read the same book over and over again. </div>
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Tonight, after dinner, she was walking around with her shopping cart, then left and grabbed things to put in her cart. My one-year-old is grocery shopping.</div>
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She is sleeping so much better (though a double ear infection complicated that a bit), and she is picky about what she eats. She loves chocolate. She dances by waggling her head back and forth whenever she hears a catchy tune. She plays peekaboo and "I'm bloind!" She's taken up to five steps and has twelve teeth. She is sweet and snuggly when she wants to be and is a squirmy jellyfish when she doesn't. </div>
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I love her so much. In many ways I can't remember life without her. Dane likes to smell her hair and say, "I'm smelling the cuteness!" Yeah. She has a lot of cuteness emanating off of her. </div>
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Happy Birthday, sweet baby. Thanks for being born to us.</div>
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Incidentally, Joel and I went to the cattle baron's ball last night. It was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and you had to be a cowboy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi5NzamrZ3au_mcovmNfArlWkH9uJiPXZjaQEg-D71uqeFoUhHZcygrHB19e6pCIE5w2af3FOd8FWzF0Qxk2mcBtZqweQCDk9dPifMa62JF67zYtvbtgKdbUWt3MT8FvvW3H-nGUWIcpx/s1600/DSC01265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi5NzamrZ3au_mcovmNfArlWkH9uJiPXZjaQEg-D71uqeFoUhHZcygrHB19e6pCIE5w2af3FOd8FWzF0Qxk2mcBtZqweQCDk9dPifMa62JF67zYtvbtgKdbUWt3MT8FvvW3H-nGUWIcpx/s320/DSC01265.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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We had fun and good food, and Joel got to experience seeing his coworkers inebriated. That was less fun. </div>
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And in case you're wondering, I made Joel's belt buckle out of a picture frame. It was pretty awesome and made all the drunk poser cowboys jealous. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-39433148464029195612012-07-20T12:11:00.001-06:002012-07-20T12:14:24.164-06:00June: 11 Months, plus some Sadness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoNpV7MSEDcNP5gL0B4sAU8EqPDQmz-pNZdSQnZ7ZxCM4fsvSr_SVuXg9sA5h2d6J-2YpFgRC8it2euXz9NDCj6RBeQ_Cfsct1CEOq7BWS7sWgJCOxyO-A2gg7Fyco_exlcU5A5L9enTQ/s1600/DSC01213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoNpV7MSEDcNP5gL0B4sAU8EqPDQmz-pNZdSQnZ7ZxCM4fsvSr_SVuXg9sA5h2d6J-2YpFgRC8it2euXz9NDCj6RBeQ_Cfsct1CEOq7BWS7sWgJCOxyO-A2gg7Fyco_exlcU5A5L9enTQ/s400/DSC01213.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
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What a beautiful baby. And I mean baby loosely. Just in the past couple of weeks, she's become so much less of a baby. She's not walking or talking yet, but I can't help but feel like she's so grown up. She just has a spunky little personality, she's assertive, she laughs easily. I've been trying to discourage her shrieks by not responding, and she's figuring out that if she does something cute instead (like laughing and dancing), she'll get what she wants. </div>
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Look at that big girl standing up!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfXjqOEOmmvvxwRGy6LaCv5-XdyF_ufaPBO_VFMHU_4mrja22M5XXgcCzJxCJsxq-uO8vwPAE34WQVW-vAluXtdSG8-d9ziVCsCOOeiwXKRbvb5TdCAG-2qQH4-dgDi-dG8L5mQmfnnEO/s1600/DSC01216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfXjqOEOmmvvxwRGy6LaCv5-XdyF_ufaPBO_VFMHU_4mrja22M5XXgcCzJxCJsxq-uO8vwPAE34WQVW-vAluXtdSG8-d9ziVCsCOOeiwXKRbvb5TdCAG-2qQH4-dgDi-dG8L5mQmfnnEO/s320/DSC01216.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
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She plays peek-a-boo (or <i>inai inai ba</i>) in a variety of ways: with her hands or with a blankie.</div>
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Where's Junie?</div>
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Where's Junie?</div>
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There's Junie!</div>
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She's such a sweet, happy girl. She's sleeping so much better than I could have imagined a couple of months ago, though the poor baby has four teeth coming in--including three molars. Isn't she too young to be getting molars? She just decided to skip the canines, I guess. </div>
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I made this little outfit for her for the Fourth of July but didn't get pictures. It's made out of a clearance tank top from Walmart and some other repurposed stuff. I get a little extra satisfaction when I make stuff using little or no money.<br />
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Sweet baby.<br />
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On a somber note, those of you who are on Facebook may have seen my status update regarding the little boy in Sandy, Ethan, who died in a terrible accident. I visit taught the mother for about a year, and I served with the grandmother in the Relief Society presidency for over a year. It is the kind of tragedy that breaks your heart no matter what, but knowing and caring about all the family members has added greater depth to the sadness that I feel. The tragic events have been consuming my thoughts and made me more fervent in my prayers that the people I love be kept safe. Sadly, we have no guarantees in this life that we will be spared from heartache and tragedies.<br />
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Ethan and his mom:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n4DaMZfbJ98ba3BP76ghhFD0vS5URMMzRInsk7ABj-1y1rOVY3XzfaaBKJ2R0iG9NAbP7LGpj04O3p50RHroiV8YL3Z9aGowYQvmw9EhGhVHYcWzGysUHI6jrp7eQsWcxWWUSiT2cHX_/s1600/Ethan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n4DaMZfbJ98ba3BP76ghhFD0vS5URMMzRInsk7ABj-1y1rOVY3XzfaaBKJ2R0iG9NAbP7LGpj04O3p50RHroiV8YL3Z9aGowYQvmw9EhGhVHYcWzGysUHI6jrp7eQsWcxWWUSiT2cHX_/s320/Ethan.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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And then we wake up this morning to the news of another tragedy, a mass shooting in a Colorado movie theater. It is an emotionally difficult week.<br />
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So let's be a little extra grateful for our families today. Hug your babies a little tighter. I don't usually get too serious on this blog, let alone speak of spiritual things, but this is a scripture in which I've often found comfort:<br />
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"<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng#" id="footnote8" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=ether&chapterUri=12&noteID=4a&lang=eng" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">surety</a><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">b</sup><a class="footnote" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng#" id="footnote9" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=bofm&bookUri=ether&chapterUri=12&noteID=4b&lang=eng" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">hope</a><span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">for a better world" (Ether 12:4)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-48924138187177018732012-07-12T22:31:00.002-06:002012-07-12T22:39:06.931-06:00All SortsOkay, let's see, let's see...I feel like it's so hard to find a chunk of time to blog, but the problem with waiting a long time is things get all stacked up...I write posts in my head all the time, but I'm not going to be able to do all of them justice. Because they were <i>brilliant. </i>And hilarious. For sure.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visitation</span><br />
Evan, Holly, Kyle, and Aiden came to visit us at the end of May, and we stayed up WAY too late talking every night. I'm sure they were exhausted by the end of the trip, but we had a great time, especially because Chris and Teresa were in town at the same time. Also, I have zero pictures from their visit. None! Holly, you will have to send me some. Oh wait, I think there's some on facebook:<br />
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That's the best I could do, and it doesn't even have Holly or the boys. And I look like I'm sniffing Dane. I was actually trying to make a mustache for myself out of his hair.<br />
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Then, a couple of weeks later, George and Melanee came to visit, bringing Sam, Kevin, and baby Mack!<br />
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Dane and June at the OKC Bombing Memorial<br />
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We ate the <b>best</b> fried chicken in the <i>world </i>in Okarche, OK. It's been feature on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and it did not disappoint. We ate a lot, and George and Melanee got to try fried okra for the first time.</div>
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That, and tons of other delicious, Oklahoma-specific food. There's a reason we're the 2nd fattest state in the country. A delicious, deep-fried reason.</div>
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The kids had a blast, and they were sad to have to part and be separated by several states. We were sad, too. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">June, roughly 10 months</span><br />
I can't figure out how to group pictures on this new blogger, so sorry to make you scroll. But June is getting all grown up, and I can't stand it. It also makes me laugh. She can't walk or talk, but she just doesn't seem like a little baby anymore. She screeches pretty frequently, she has quite an arm, and is a great little model for the random sewing projects I manage to try:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Independence Day</span></div>
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We went to the Edmond Kite Festival, where our kite was the highest in the sky.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blackberry Festival</span></div>
Okay, so maybe you remember the <a href="http://paradisefrost.blogspot.com/2011/08/oklahoma-happenings.html">Blackberry Festival from last year. </a> Dane sure did. He'd randomly talk about it all the time, wishing and hoping he could ride the little roller coaster. We were amazed at his memory of it. So I was looking forward to making all his dreams come true at the roller coaster again. Check out his utter glee:<br />
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His face never changed during the entire ride. He explained that he was a little scared to be on it all by himself, plus he'd wanted to ride in the back and the carny made him ride in the front. It was kind of hilarious how irritated he looked. So the complete lack of roller coaster excitement was disappointing. But the real reason we went was for the amazing blackberry soda and fresh berries. </div>
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They were sold out of berries by the time we got there. And no one had ever heard of the homemade blackberry soda we bought last year. I was starting to get a little creeped out that the best part of the blackberry festival, the event which--let's face it--is probably the most exciting weekend in McLoud, OK, was absent from the collective memory of McLoud. How could something so delicious be forgotten, unacknowledged? I decided the blackberry festival was a total bust and resolved never to return. But then we found blackberry funnel cake:</div>
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I figured it would be your typical funnel cake with blackberry jam on it or something, but they actually put the berries in the batter. And then drizzle it with a blackberry glaze. </div>
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It was so good. It might just be enough to take us back next year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moderate Makeover: Chair Edition</span></div>
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We bought chairs for our dining table back when we got married, and I liked them specifically because I could reupholster them. But I never did it. And over the course of the last eight years, they have become progressively more stained and yucky. After the fourth of July, we had a major raspberry juice disaster on the chair, and I decided it was finally time for a change.</div>
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Before: </div>
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After:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNMwuhbwo4ewh-r2RyejOSZ8tRCMQBvFPWUzChW1RjEfYV3hODAyVMos5lpmDiAU9YODPAihWERFyJlu0xmhGiDI9BGN3V3WOs7KRHKhp1j5-auGDF5BFtuM7fQYfbuKP1oGFps7EmeU8/s1600/DSC01186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNMwuhbwo4ewh-r2RyejOSZ8tRCMQBvFPWUzChW1RjEfYV3hODAyVMos5lpmDiAU9YODPAihWERFyJlu0xmhGiDI9BGN3V3WOs7KRHKhp1j5-auGDF5BFtuM7fQYfbuKP1oGFps7EmeU8/s320/DSC01186.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
Mika helped me pick out this fun, Asiany Poppy print, and I really like it. And it was on clearance! Seven bucks! She even provided me with the staple gun. So our dining room got a bright little upgrade. Heehee!<br />
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There's some more random stuff I need to post on here, but that's good for now.<br />
Oh, and my random tidbit that I've been forgetting to do:<br />
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Sometimes, after we've watched a movie or something and I'm feeling really tired, I make Joel carry me to the bedroom so I don't actually have to walk. I thought this was a perfectly reasonable, normal thing to do, but when I mentioned it to my friends at church, they were incredulous and couldn't stop laughing at my laziness and being amazed that Joel would actually do it. I learned to be extra grateful for my husband who is willing to carry his lazy wife around occasionally. I'm not as lightweight as I used to be, and Joel's not as fit, and I sometimes get a pretty good bonked head in the doorway, but I don't think we're stopping anytime soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-35905611911765667652012-05-18T23:40:00.004-06:002012-05-18T23:45:35.318-06:00June: Nine Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBESgk-cl8oPn3tEcXV6hBS6bVZS-J2sPadIUNqS4DZmc9RXUfeUu5VWrBS73Pjyt_ATgH_ACAB4O-wSjHx7iIP6QLkTP7xWXItoQ8Dwsm7zR2-dOWajM1wFof0V8hAOvtJ8XCNiD2EQDy/s1600/DSC01004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBESgk-cl8oPn3tEcXV6hBS6bVZS-J2sPadIUNqS4DZmc9RXUfeUu5VWrBS73Pjyt_ATgH_ACAB4O-wSjHx7iIP6QLkTP7xWXItoQ8Dwsm7zR2-dOWajM1wFof0V8hAOvtJ8XCNiD2EQDy/s400/DSC01004.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Happy nine month birthday, Junie!<br />
I can't believe she's nine months old. Next month she will be two-digit months old. That means she will soon be a year old. A year! How can that be?<br />
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I snapped this photo this morning as Dane was supposed to be watering the garden plants (that are not actually in the ground yet, as you can see through the door) but he ended up playing with June through the glass instead. I was okay with it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvPv5pLOCQFVPft17ukY4cAZua21XrEduH0gKQnS1QsAtrwBCzn7aF5By4LWtfdOT8uOM9KFo-9vqvBDhvDZHTmL5W-V55QcF4wl-3pK8NFTLJpVJl7H7c4MtrIdKYh6AATixFRPz4tQg/s1600/DSC00996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvPv5pLOCQFVPft17ukY4cAZua21XrEduH0gKQnS1QsAtrwBCzn7aF5By4LWtfdOT8uOM9KFo-9vqvBDhvDZHTmL5W-V55QcF4wl-3pK8NFTLJpVJl7H7c4MtrIdKYh6AATixFRPz4tQg/s400/DSC00996.JPG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTh0Wbrt7KG3OJuqAETrYhMWmDGjvDJpTp2tVyOEB3Jojx0hMHPHg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="246" data-width="205" height="246" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTh0Wbrt7KG3OJuqAETrYhMWmDGjvDJpTp2tVyOEB3Jojx0hMHPHg" style="height: 246px; text-align: -webkit-auto; width: 205px;" width="205" /></a><br />
Do you see June's beautiful, smiling face eerily floating on Dane's head? It reminds me of those creepy, floating head photos from the 80's. Except way more awesome because it's a real reflection.<br />
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Her stats as of this morning:</div>
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Height: 29.5 in., 95th percentile</div>
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Weight: 17 lbs. 11 oz., 20th percentile</div>
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Head: 44.2 cm, 50th percentile</div>
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I can't believe she's still so tall. Dane was always about 80th percentile until he was about 6 months old, when things started curving downward to his expected, slightly smaller than average size. But here June is, 9 months old, and still 95th percentile. Is she going to be one of those tall girls? Tall girls whose lives I can't even imagine? Will it give her advantages I never had, like...volleyball? That's the only thing I could think of. Oh, I know, jeans that you don't have to roll up. That's a good advantage. </div>
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It's a strange situation. I have no problem with Dane being a little small, and I have no problem with June being tall. Except will Dane's little sister actually be taller than him? Since they're 4 years apart, I don't anticipate it being much of a problem, but...as adults? I just don't want either of them to have a issues. I used every tiny aberration from "normal" to throw me into hyper-self-consciousness while I was a teenager. Hopefully the will be more confident than their mom was.</div>
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I think June is so beautiful. Sometimes I look at her, and I think she's the most beautiful baby in the world. It's kind of a strange feeling because I know rationally that she's not literally THE most beautiful baby in the world. But it feels that way. It makes me happy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4ymjeFfvWHF-5q93obJ1iCktMqxF_Gt6DfuxXMFwa6Tl34UbcjrFGjvQTEzkmAvx8-QiKN4Y_eKs5npX3pNzQ8-hdaFLN3hUsYOZmSgxkJB0oylvF8S6GFQtkaNoxlZaES6wSCZJ4nNE/s1600/DSC01014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4ymjeFfvWHF-5q93obJ1iCktMqxF_Gt6DfuxXMFwa6Tl34UbcjrFGjvQTEzkmAvx8-QiKN4Y_eKs5npX3pNzQ8-hdaFLN3hUsYOZmSgxkJB0oylvF8S6GFQtkaNoxlZaES6wSCZJ4nNE/s320/DSC01014.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIQVFZLKN9n0UJnjgkh2etusM42UcHV-xqMCKRkDtl4hpYMO419v0YI0tjLFIda6S9tsOjbvbInnvu5F9GINPdrSdu1Aj4hQIEFrN2f0LDHCcc6Vt_vhXmjK67d0l9gRS6OIPwdaD0dbq/s1600/DSC01009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIQVFZLKN9n0UJnjgkh2etusM42UcHV-xqMCKRkDtl4hpYMO419v0YI0tjLFIda6S9tsOjbvbInnvu5F9GINPdrSdu1Aj4hQIEFrN2f0LDHCcc6Vt_vhXmjK67d0l9gRS6OIPwdaD0dbq/s320/DSC01009.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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She appreciates good literature. She stands unassisted for seconds at a time. She crawls with proficiency. And when she think you're not paying attention, she gets into mischief:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWbQ0diRSFwYYKE0fXfN8QhRNa-6AD3NrlxyKEFMrSHGfSqLeDq4U0bncUjkOVG4dHove8Bo-G26UUGo4pfDiGh-xgGYl1-OkYq0DmIA4YVuTA9Tirs4t-SJXSVxI7JapafHpFZnW0ZV_/s1600/DSC00994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWbQ0diRSFwYYKE0fXfN8QhRNa-6AD3NrlxyKEFMrSHGfSqLeDq4U0bncUjkOVG4dHove8Bo-G26UUGo4pfDiGh-xgGYl1-OkYq0DmIA4YVuTA9Tirs4t-SJXSVxI7JapafHpFZnW0ZV_/s320/DSC00994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have a video of her mischief in action, but it won't upload. </div>
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She's sleeping a little better these days. When she's in the mood, she'll give kisses, clap, and wave. She eats all sorts of vegetables, but the only fruit she'll eat is prunes. Prunes! She's started doing this coy little scrunched faced chuckle. And she will let you know when she's unhappy by bellowing. Bellow! She isn't super dextrous with her fingers but she is really good at working cheerios around in her hand to make them accessible. And every time she wakes up from a nap, she stands up in her crib and reaches one arm out to me. She's my sweet little baby. </div>
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Dane has his moments of bonking her and getting frustrated with her (and biting her) but mostly he's so sweet. He's so excited to see her in the morning and loves to snuggle her and hug her. He's recently figured out how to pick her up and move her away from his toys, which he likes to do frequently. And nobody can make June laugh like Dane can. </div>
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I love my two sweet babies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOrMSsOLyEbzsGB1G6mNOda41SMo8Ors1tKahHTXLuCh4unAN1fyTqsz2jK5gCB-wL31T_uP6QWkAE-7OSFUf25ZXv71GpmQFIrrHxTzz8R33vOMLBLX0uxKQgOTQTkOdzg_5SnmkPwS1/s1600/DSC00985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOrMSsOLyEbzsGB1G6mNOda41SMo8Ors1tKahHTXLuCh4unAN1fyTqsz2jK5gCB-wL31T_uP6QWkAE-7OSFUf25ZXv71GpmQFIrrHxTzz8R33vOMLBLX0uxKQgOTQTkOdzg_5SnmkPwS1/s400/DSC00985.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-13270371705306565702012-05-01T16:14:00.001-06:002012-05-01T16:18:00.658-06:00Happy Anniversay!Today is our 8th anniversary. As cliche as it sounds, I think every anniversary has been happier than the last. I am grateful to have a happy marriage, beautiful children, and a kind, hilarious husband. We kind of have a problem staying up too late because we are just talking about random stuff. Maybe if we didn't like each other so much, we would get more sleep. But I can think of a lot worse problems to have.<br />
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On Saturday, Joel arranged for us to go sailing on Lake Hefner. It was beautiful, and a long-awaited event. See, back when we were engaged, we made various unrealistic plans for our wedding day and honeymoon. ("We'll have a couple hours between the sealing and the luncheon, and a couple more between the luncheon and the reception--let's go sailing!" Ha. As if you have any downtime during a DIY wedding.) So the sailing never actually happened on May 1, 2004, or any other day since.<br />
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Until now!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUSuly3yIKpBEEveiAxqK8KhuFe6yIXzHUFSekpAbwfE94l8BK0_V-qSrm1A1C5w3-ImhdKq9q2gpQubUEhFIvBo5TNqwP86O6QN52c5Au_wMJ-VieNEiB0eijqAE8ZZr-pRgvlXI3Tk8/s1600/DSC00917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUSuly3yIKpBEEveiAxqK8KhuFe6yIXzHUFSekpAbwfE94l8BK0_V-qSrm1A1C5w3-ImhdKq9q2gpQubUEhFIvBo5TNqwP86O6QN52c5Au_wMJ-VieNEiB0eijqAE8ZZr-pRgvlXI3Tk8/s640/DSC00917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is our lovely jib sail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x81Nsc7HwjPatE5YU1gNDRapu2WjkzOyacX7LsMT-Hnx8rBsPJ4nl6ewcwFYxeWOzfA5d1UOvrvRA76lrWR7OU2BEkOBDtzc7OOdEGdGhTU600Lh_yL3gqjdxw5Qp98lpHzyv6H_7WDR/s1600/DSC00919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x81Nsc7HwjPatE5YU1gNDRapu2WjkzOyacX7LsMT-Hnx8rBsPJ4nl6ewcwFYxeWOzfA5d1UOvrvRA76lrWR7OU2BEkOBDtzc7OOdEGdGhTU600Lh_yL3gqjdxw5Qp98lpHzyv6H_7WDR/s320/DSC00919.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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My handsome husband</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-k1weG1bu9E7nXKY94IBifuLOSHhA4GQCcKLvXU3lYMQJlAKqY3t0g6No8hQ53jNTych29r4u_IE5Vfxw41Zn0ggHkN_3JGdUdBxn1-qqYfur9jVQX15bfeFYbInwuC2iZtaYM9nChxJ/s1600/DSC00920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-k1weG1bu9E7nXKY94IBifuLOSHhA4GQCcKLvXU3lYMQJlAKqY3t0g6No8hQ53jNTych29r4u_IE5Vfxw41Zn0ggHkN_3JGdUdBxn1-qqYfur9jVQX15bfeFYbInwuC2iZtaYM9nChxJ/s400/DSC00920.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can see our guide, our sailor, if you will in the background of this picture:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2up4ml9hAXmv8i0uPj6QG20GJ7f_OAWWBPSNwLwn18jHghD0b-QB4p7qIXJVYcncN1t_dgix5z5Pz8aXlMpERSGy16odCI5nHllOR9A-_zL9a7CIpIOo24Hx_WzvPuTVA44v0b35u6FWZ/s1600/DSC00922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2up4ml9hAXmv8i0uPj6QG20GJ7f_OAWWBPSNwLwn18jHghD0b-QB4p7qIXJVYcncN1t_dgix5z5Pz8aXlMpERSGy16odCI5nHllOR9A-_zL9a7CIpIOo24Hx_WzvPuTVA44v0b35u6FWZ/s320/DSC00922.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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His name is Bill Rains, and his email is sailorbrains. I'm sure he means Sailor B Rains, but Joel and I called him Sailor Brains behind his back. Haha, we are jerks, but it made us laugh.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgOAZkCv_Gm2fKgtz0JWSA_1C_Bah8z-O0GpECcdxvmF3EN0LCZ0C2ye1OqlJO8S4n5Ptz6Ng4OmCgWyHZsqSC724V6vMkXnp0kaUWAbKy2jwn2Xj0OST7lmmtCWN41Id65zskG5ap7T4/s1600/DSC00929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgOAZkCv_Gm2fKgtz0JWSA_1C_Bah8z-O0GpECcdxvmF3EN0LCZ0C2ye1OqlJO8S4n5Ptz6Ng4OmCgWyHZsqSC724V6vMkXnp0kaUWAbKy2jwn2Xj0OST7lmmtCWN41Id65zskG5ap7T4/s320/DSC00929.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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At first, it all felt a little underwhelming because there was hardly any breeze, and it felt awkward trying to make conversation with this random man steering the boat. But after a while, we all relaxed a little, the wind picked up, and Sailor Brains kept asking us why we didn't bring any beer or wine on with us. I think that made us friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNxzbE7hm2Oj8KPK-4uYepEaZwF-_KrPpaKvB7xEqOpytkSVTutYUGbSOi9U8h0Wl6TDudnMGccSATIb5GRSmusFH5i3cW5oPpWwprA51ZTAHJUHZBwmr5bMwDe2_c2gw-7QgbJulC15X/s1600/DSC00935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNxzbE7hm2Oj8KPK-4uYepEaZwF-_KrPpaKvB7xEqOpytkSVTutYUGbSOi9U8h0Wl6TDudnMGccSATIb5GRSmusFH5i3cW5oPpWwprA51ZTAHJUHZBwmr5bMwDe2_c2gw-7QgbJulC15X/s640/DSC00935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I am pretty much awesome at sailing. I didn't want to steer at first, for fear of messing something up really badly, but after a while, Joel convinced me to man the rudder, and it was fun. Here are I am, on the lake side of the fake lighthouse. I've always been on the land side, so it was cool to finally be on the other side for a bit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflmm0aqKnO3uxXYs6hMTsiPMS78yl7cx2JpSKZl4e8fzmmo-O7KdPZoJxe_DWEYkhseqNxXkNEBzEexWHeOEGj9Zbaz_tI6cSH9l0n3n2-Em0jr0Mfb0hVu0Fjrhd0f0w4hHBdKdzvFLd/s1600/DSC00936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflmm0aqKnO3uxXYs6hMTsiPMS78yl7cx2JpSKZl4e8fzmmo-O7KdPZoJxe_DWEYkhseqNxXkNEBzEexWHeOEGj9Zbaz_tI6cSH9l0n3n2-Em0jr0Mfb0hVu0Fjrhd0f0w4hHBdKdzvFLd/s320/DSC00936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After both of my pregnancies, I got the common "baby blues" for a bit. It's not terrible, and it goes away one its own after a couple of weeks, but it's not really my favorite time, you know? So, after June was born, I read this book, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud. It's really not that great of a book, for multiple reasons, but there were a lot of descriptions of sailing, and it made me feel like I needed to experience it. In fact, the anticipation of someday sailing helped me feel happier. So it was fun and validating to finally make it happen, and to not even have to travel to New England to do it. (Though I will do that someday, too.)</div>
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Anyway, at one point, I had stopped paying attention to our direction for a minute, and the main sail swung out into the other direction. It was an accident, and I felt all embarrassed, but the Sailor Brains said I had actually accomplished something kind of tricky: the wing and wing position of the sails:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkYmPZFAaOWxmm-8T_2C9PVXfIPdIsDwMyGMYItmZzyhQ4YKoOaVsfpS6uolyhhhog7LYPBXXuxVP1wUnrbM2M-qYrrr7rWlamG6hqcP6RlpU0xqZHOzGR9bJ-y-sugEB092RLpV2do0g/s1600/DSC00940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkYmPZFAaOWxmm-8T_2C9PVXfIPdIsDwMyGMYItmZzyhQ4YKoOaVsfpS6uolyhhhog7LYPBXXuxVP1wUnrbM2M-qYrrr7rWlamG6hqcP6RlpU0xqZHOzGR9bJ-y-sugEB092RLpV2do0g/s320/DSC00940.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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So yeah, I'm awesome. </div>
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And have any of you been wondering if Joel attempted to recreate the famous "I'm sailing!" scene from What About Bob?:</div>
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Did you really have to ask?</div>
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Happy Anniversary, dear. Thanks for 8 happy years and 1 really great sailing voyage (what are they called, anyway...?)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-49379689121457815042012-04-22T20:59:00.003-06:002012-04-22T21:01:08.070-06:00Beautiful Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Sometime I look at my children and can't believe how beautiful they are. I know I am completely biased, but I don't care. These are some random photos that I never got around to posting but I just wanted to share.</span></div>
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This picture was actually taken in January, but I felt like it was the first photo where we captured the bright smile on her sweet face:</div>
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At the end of March we had a little photo shoot to capture June's snaggle toothed smile:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew1YbJCXdb3UWQvAvhXS2oRBD4icqRKYsZcqNzY_q2XZpjxIxtMkz9Jmk6TMb5rvk67r1adqOnlFGH0oHffT2UUWwEmzMvNMIxb9DKD2gaSExoM-5PlCB2xCyGL9C8HRVifoUqI0wZ6ii/s1600/100_3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew1YbJCXdb3UWQvAvhXS2oRBD4icqRKYsZcqNzY_q2XZpjxIxtMkz9Jmk6TMb5rvk67r1adqOnlFGH0oHffT2UUWwEmzMvNMIxb9DKD2gaSExoM-5PlCB2xCyGL9C8HRVifoUqI0wZ6ii/s320/100_3557.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And Dane wanted to show off his great boots in his picture:</div>
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One of our first sibling baths; Dane made an impressive bubble beard.</div>
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I took these pictures for June's 8-month birthday. She enjoyed the beautiful spring weather...but her mommy was too lazy to go in and get the sunblock, so she got a little burned. Bad Mommy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8Bf-KO4KFjjC7gWU46limxHcUmJfKdwTZ58caRZvDtoeLMa3mJuS7tQrsHJf9h7nwe8yGZHBphJP5eaMhyphenhyphenT212DVuCeSR0rjRiecSdq8Can-JjWHhTLcgVjqyGFCyEpAp-YB-tf-Onb7/s1600/DSC00820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8Bf-KO4KFjjC7gWU46limxHcUmJfKdwTZ58caRZvDtoeLMa3mJuS7tQrsHJf9h7nwe8yGZHBphJP5eaMhyphenhyphenT212DVuCeSR0rjRiecSdq8Can-JjWHhTLcgVjqyGFCyEpAp-YB-tf-Onb7/s320/DSC00820.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdGcS7iMaS9z2Rq_C-8kOTiiS875-U0jC0rwUi76Q6JjX6QPw6lR6RekYnQwPPFsRopPVRuAQ-2x5C58DXH5N7zOxkQu3GIjRdIyfS7F7rrB9sE1c8zlGyOVRLJ72iTaZee3tUS5TjLPg/s1600/DSC00809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdGcS7iMaS9z2Rq_C-8kOTiiS875-U0jC0rwUi76Q6JjX6QPw6lR6RekYnQwPPFsRopPVRuAQ-2x5C58DXH5N7zOxkQu3GIjRdIyfS7F7rrB9sE1c8zlGyOVRLJ72iTaZee3tUS5TjLPg/s320/DSC00809.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Finally, Dane always has a "handsome check" before church to make sure he looks appropriate. It is not hard to make him look handsome.<br />
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So, sometimes I read back through some of my old blog posts. Remember when I was clever and interesting? I need to get that back.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-61340558118221712932012-04-15T18:32:00.004-06:002012-04-16T07:41:07.929-06:00Baby Expo!<b><span>Also, tornadoes.</span></b><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Firstly, I decided that I will now start each post with a little tidbit about me. A pet peeve, an observation, a random thought. I get the urge to share these tidbits, but I don't really have any good friends here yet (besides family), and so I turn to my faraway, internet friends! </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Oh man, I sound so pathetic. </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Anyway.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Tidbit: I often wish it were socially acceptable to tell people that their kids are weird looking. Isn't that terrible? Karma will probably come back to bite me on that one. But my kids are pretty cute, so maybe the fact that I've never actually said it to anyone has protected me from said karma. But really, have you never seen someone post a picture on Facebook and had to really fight the urge to say "Your kids are weird looking"? I am of course excepting the children of everyone who reads this blog. Heh heh, heh...</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Maybe my tidbits are a bad idea.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">So, the Children's Hospital at OU, which is affiliated with Joel's work at the cancer center, hosted a baby and toddler expo over the weekend. This is the type of thing I normally have no interest in, but Joel showed up late for a meeting at work, and as a result, everyone else volunteered him to wear the mascot suit at the event.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">So, of course, I had to go. </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">I unfortunately didn't bring my camera, so all we have are terrible phone photos. </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">The mascot has yet to be named, so Joel was an unidentified bird or some sort, and we entered a contest to name it. Here he is as her first appeared--something about a large, plush, costume just attracts kids like flies.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpgutri9ucjWAAVEVYOibDawxS4f923tmDyEhnWxmnZc_gthpPCyQwgF5DfPgSP4ao_pFQUiRlsfnwSOcVqrhi5nX8admihMZiwa49Bh__E70BP39n3AlrtPx5M0uuca3wpkLPprTig3e/s1600/0414121215-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpgutri9ucjWAAVEVYOibDawxS4f923tmDyEhnWxmnZc_gthpPCyQwgF5DfPgSP4ao_pFQUiRlsfnwSOcVqrhi5nX8admihMZiwa49Bh__E70BP39n3AlrtPx5M0uuca3wpkLPprTig3e/s400/0414121215-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731790444061456306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">It took a while for me to convince Dane that the bird was really Daddy, but once I did, Dane felt extra special to personally know the bird.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPir_T-TRhgcOZsgSmOnd-Rh1J6-DGGKC-i39lOxx6XPtYnN8tsWQonamnqnqtOHf0GtDLB3gBO80kiaNoKrWDpTfMLHinEtCLgbRs5nPaFY9rDKhuHkFXFXrCN4X4I4qV5TNhg3HXS-8x/s1600/0414121217-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPir_T-TRhgcOZsgSmOnd-Rh1J6-DGGKC-i39lOxx6XPtYnN8tsWQonamnqnqtOHf0GtDLB3gBO80kiaNoKrWDpTfMLHinEtCLgbRs5nPaFY9rDKhuHkFXFXrCN4X4I4qV5TNhg3HXS-8x/s400/0414121217-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731791975312502146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">June was fond of the bird, too. Or maybe just the svelte legs. </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI2QPR1L8aEszOfNdjRvMdDoXzBD0O1QbZwJqjSQL0F8vZHYTfJctmu0HkghodfcYjsXXBBcvnlJTilgVj1rdImt9fumWyFhf2AkoBytU9kq1VFpvOlnRat5JjU3XSHqBnLZlTKIkGD2g/s1600/0414121219-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI2QPR1L8aEszOfNdjRvMdDoXzBD0O1QbZwJqjSQL0F8vZHYTfJctmu0HkghodfcYjsXXBBcvnlJTilgVj1rdImt9fumWyFhf2AkoBytU9kq1VFpvOlnRat5JjU3XSHqBnLZlTKIkGD2g/s400/0414121219-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731791975897580242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><br />Then I entered June in the Crawling Diaper Derby. There were only three entrants, so I felt pretty confident about our chances.</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Here she is at the starting line:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk6gY23ybe5AlROybn75f9v7tH3MywqCzzlxMtQlzuITMKk31W3MCY6ba93p249B4kQS-v1g7ealHs-2bCf7WS2djACEMNdyvPaVpqP8IBpFUd-drlCIgdgryE8CiDl4cm0d1E_GhEv3o/s1600/0414121202-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk6gY23ybe5AlROybn75f9v7tH3MywqCzzlxMtQlzuITMKk31W3MCY6ba93p249B4kQS-v1g7ealHs-2bCf7WS2djACEMNdyvPaVpqP8IBpFUd-drlCIgdgryE8CiDl4cm0d1E_GhEv3o/s400/0414121202-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731790445479546802" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">And they're off!</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXryzKFM2yhYW_Df7kL0L1CDKXw4dNAH7F8_8qgZiznUUDilZwrky5XhbR2UJdAnwzJfYobVv9rtKuyv2j2DB1Kn1S_UctTZ96eW1qfpaKcUUkzfTlbt6S1ZdWiTzSDNAKLfyFVoIPNzSK/s1600/0414121201-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXryzKFM2yhYW_Df7kL0L1CDKXw4dNAH7F8_8qgZiznUUDilZwrky5XhbR2UJdAnwzJfYobVv9rtKuyv2j2DB1Kn1S_UctTZ96eW1qfpaKcUUkzfTlbt6S1ZdWiTzSDNAKLfyFVoIPNzSK/s400/0414121201-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731790440488169234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Halfway through the race, June had not moved. The baby in blue took off in the wrong direction, so the one in the striped shirt was the clear winner. At the end, June still had not moved. It was awesome. </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">But we still got a third place prize: a giant set of plastic keys!</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Dane also had some fun. He made a fun plastic plate turtle and played with the juggler:</div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwM38BTiUrew8D-jGexy4Gk1YjW2b7Zw48qIwLOVWS31XavODNLviOwNb4SDmm9y7-xggFg-4K6YwzR2ac8ee1Ta32UvhV86A9wNN3cowrG3S4IIqg6z-0V7ghL57ESHvsO3CWuKRFsxS/s1600/0414121322-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwM38BTiUrew8D-jGexy4Gk1YjW2b7Zw48qIwLOVWS31XavODNLviOwNb4SDmm9y7-xggFg-4K6YwzR2ac8ee1Ta32UvhV86A9wNN3cowrG3S4IIqg6z-0V7ghL57ESHvsO3CWuKRFsxS/s400/0414121322-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731791984307738402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Finally, they had a booth where you could get a free portrait of your child. You can tell by Dane's outfit that we were not expecting to be photographed:</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByzNEDQ6xtVS97huBPTyvy4YYpdrBrx6_56W3UWJYHxUZC2_U2lWOX-rWa3ORvllE5y4XJrWREO8dWVI7uSpoy4Dt1LeeBTkFWokG2vKd9J_J2Jun0NqHJTLAdqvb2AZYwQCVoXNljpNC/s1600/Dane+April+2012.jpg" style="font-size: medium; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByzNEDQ6xtVS97huBPTyvy4YYpdrBrx6_56W3UWJYHxUZC2_U2lWOX-rWa3ORvllE5y4XJrWREO8dWVI7uSpoy4Dt1LeeBTkFWokG2vKd9J_J2Jun0NqHJTLAdqvb2AZYwQCVoXNljpNC/s400/Dane+April+2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731987555104464066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px; " /></a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Also, his pose is super awkward. Would you believe they actually posed him like that? Still, free portrait!</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">June is pretty cute, though.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl90ElWFo3cNqX_gv95wxopU2-p0aEoMTtI-djSbyIPp-EFIuphyphenhyphenRGVQlkoGvWfJYVUeBWLvdsZnLGa619T55EOz9nGbsdcipCHgoQwVaXDYLQflJT6nVYF9Tb1QNuQ-EISBjrII0FGor6/s1600/June+April+2012.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl90ElWFo3cNqX_gv95wxopU2-p0aEoMTtI-djSbyIPp-EFIuphyphenhyphenRGVQlkoGvWfJYVUeBWLvdsZnLGa619T55EOz9nGbsdcipCHgoQwVaXDYLQflJT6nVYF9Tb1QNuQ-EISBjrII0FGor6/s400/June+April+2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731987559193430802" style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Considering I wasn't originally planning on going at all, we had a pretty good time. Oh, and I bought a Sophie Giraffe.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ocV909dz3j_4GEUlAnnAY7XPA8AThaduI2Hat2haAcgH2QKTFkg4WTltr6BJnYq157QGTbfVYh5DMxgk-MKqeJKFFYSWqErbVzcxLF6R_nS2NSgc08FLbDnYlXARCUmLQ2uc6__9WXQr/s1600/sophiegiraffe_medium.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ocV909dz3j_4GEUlAnnAY7XPA8AThaduI2Hat2haAcgH2QKTFkg4WTltr6BJnYq157QGTbfVYh5DMxgk-MKqeJKFFYSWqErbVzcxLF6R_nS2NSgc08FLbDnYlXARCUmLQ2uc6__9WXQr/s400/sophiegiraffe_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731990404668172082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">I have not previously purchased Sophie for several reasons:</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">1) It is expensive for a little rubber teether</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">2) There is no guarantee that June will actually like it</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">3) It is kind of a trendy thing to do</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">But I have learned that my kids tend to get their teeth in very quickly, which makes for misery and sleeplessness for a while. And June especially likes to sooth herself by gnawing on our fingers, which hurts a lot (she has six teeth). So I've been researching teethers, and Sophie always came up. At the expo, they had a display one (which I cleaned) that I handed to June for testing. It was a hit. So I forked over the money. I still feel like it is too pricey, but she does like gnawing on it, so I'm okay with it.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Also, for those of you who made have heard about crazy storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma, we are safe and sound. In our city, we only experienced strong wind and rain, and one middle-of-the-night siren and minimal damage, so we were lucky. To the northwest, five people were killed when a tornado touched down, which is very sad. I have been sluggish about getting our emergency preparedness stuff together since we moved, but there's nothing like the threat of tornadoes to get you motivated. It was an eventful kickoff to tornado season.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-16166900556182016092012-04-09T10:44:00.005-06:002012-04-09T16:25:02.572-06:00Happy Easter!<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">Hey, look! A new post!</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh0A1ANTavHmB5X3gFZRHbtf-WWe11sjQ8m9RihFbu5FkdA-cShc__SeHB_oWY__i9UsBm5tdFhfqPAqIGKS8_Ho4vHyky0fSbhf-UXSkvWfIGn8EvhyP6WbfaWwRzbCuOqaR9enYE0j5/s1600/DSC00707.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh0A1ANTavHmB5X3gFZRHbtf-WWe11sjQ8m9RihFbu5FkdA-cShc__SeHB_oWY__i9UsBm5tdFhfqPAqIGKS8_Ho4vHyky0fSbhf-UXSkvWfIGn8EvhyP6WbfaWwRzbCuOqaR9enYE0j5/s400/DSC00707.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729444212661664482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">This Easter is the first time I have had TWO children to match, and I went a little crazy. But I must say, I am happy with the results:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">For June: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74895520/bogo-sale-girls-dress-pattern-pdf-sewing">dress</a>, headband, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62783373/summer-baby-sandals-sewing-pattern-easy">sandals</a> that would not stay on.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTDwvRguIij4doC9ibRzx9SypSlo4xNof8hHjX-K_PogS2B6LoVBHOvoYr7GcJnW0MtCMXF9Z0Ivsty3kTYM9DqYOo8z2NiCdvhv-A72PFbjPWwwnS0cSxYjw7xeBVdaXCBGviO46lIgK/s1600/DSC00729.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTDwvRguIij4doC9ibRzx9SypSlo4xNof8hHjX-K_PogS2B6LoVBHOvoYr7GcJnW0MtCMXF9Z0Ivsty3kTYM9DqYOo8z2NiCdvhv-A72PFbjPWwwnS0cSxYjw7xeBVdaXCBGviO46lIgK/s400/DSC00729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729446007062149506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">For Dane: vest (he got to choose his own buttons), clip-on tie, <a href="http://bandycanyon.blogspot.com/2010/07/forgive-me.html">hat</a>, shorts repurposed from a pair of pants that Joel ripped. (FYI: I printed the hat at 60% since it is meant for adults.)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9giabjmG6_yyBjqq8J9aSIsseHbR_fT5MXJA6iZ56Z8rFC7AwFavc8YfGtWNwbNu7iVkv9DoH6lK5tuZ4Hj3_MvVycino2Txt9gKvvg4YZKMwkxJMN0o5J8SZCvuGzVYvUfNRMZLtbq5/s1600/DSC00745.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9giabjmG6_yyBjqq8J9aSIsseHbR_fT5MXJA6iZ56Z8rFC7AwFavc8YfGtWNwbNu7iVkv9DoH6lK5tuZ4Hj3_MvVycino2Txt9gKvvg4YZKMwkxJMN0o5J8SZCvuGzVYvUfNRMZLtbq5/s400/DSC00745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729447551615380178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">For Joel: bowtie</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBewFVwMkhd60_QFA2iis1rfoojgX5m0IsGtEqiZSqc1ZdKA5vegpQ3QKuoy1mUL_kty_X50lFbalKu9bc16bM3UUg-zG3kY-8pmPOvJqEhyphenhyphenCtZUBp_Il6F7pzhtbeyN6BV3gN9N_2ajv1/s1600/DSC00722.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBewFVwMkhd60_QFA2iis1rfoojgX5m0IsGtEqiZSqc1ZdKA5vegpQ3QKuoy1mUL_kty_X50lFbalKu9bc16bM3UUg-zG3kY-8pmPOvJqEhyphenhyphenCtZUBp_Il6F7pzhtbeyN6BV3gN9N_2ajv1/s400/DSC00722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729445999831696914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">For me: hair flower, <a href="http://sewcraftcreate.com/2011/05/rope-bracelet-tutorial/">bracelet</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIK9K6uAJUYZ618NbvfQnFNbVB_n3F5W_4KSOMeA_6ifS7DIijruK-iC3kYLbMkHEsb9Ajqnohp-6k4rXyGG9ayMMkDMnzCElySU0issstoH547bMVNm1tluDM4cm-1xu3PYxHTbI4oYK/s1600/DSC00719.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIK9K6uAJUYZ618NbvfQnFNbVB_n3F5W_4KSOMeA_6ifS7DIijruK-iC3kYLbMkHEsb9Ajqnohp-6k4rXyGG9ayMMkDMnzCElySU0issstoH547bMVNm1tluDM4cm-1xu3PYxHTbI4oYK/s400/DSC00719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729445971646529458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM6s8qBrcFsd8RKpr4NHzZILmAcPniXig9UZp8Z1m0uKt7vR2WM-DaRgvXC4FkOLxFlSmvXeorkdcPwO3TF-fo4cvtymcqlUkKgxZ4AMdWbdHECDR7Nxs82OSCWHxbJRsOK9meL2oSPxB/s1600/DSC00788.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM6s8qBrcFsd8RKpr4NHzZILmAcPniXig9UZp8Z1m0uKt7vR2WM-DaRgvXC4FkOLxFlSmvXeorkdcPwO3TF-fo4cvtymcqlUkKgxZ4AMdWbdHECDR7Nxs82OSCWHxbJRsOK9meL2oSPxB/s400/DSC00788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729447564152741906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">(June had the same buttons on the back of her dress. I love these buttons.)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">It's funny how adding another family member exponentially increases the difficulty of getting a good family photo.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPcbic9oWdM-5-yv9pwDYGrTIOc58xu1V_Oiw4Sd8nc-K8Ol3ufzSfHzexhZ993pGO7XqhP7t17_0J4ILlgmVB91tXHqUxxmxnUR7vvughNnH4u5maOIQwRqyPhVc5iMNQ7ApOPmeQ3Jq/s1600/DSC00705.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPcbic9oWdM-5-yv9pwDYGrTIOc58xu1V_Oiw4Sd8nc-K8Ol3ufzSfHzexhZ993pGO7XqhP7t17_0J4ILlgmVB91tXHqUxxmxnUR7vvughNnH4u5maOIQwRqyPhVc5iMNQ7ApOPmeQ3Jq/s400/DSC00705.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729444204943745218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMPJNQC_CVUQa8dyYMTC_nrcPObjg_qRW1MrFGvJuQMbp0CAv6zrxaKgyJ8amemHT0veI83DC696pZqyeUVgzoYyM7nvukCYILFxvtOXEx7qs3auqlMlgddk3I3g92Gudb39S3ZND-uzt/s1600/DSC00712.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMPJNQC_CVUQa8dyYMTC_nrcPObjg_qRW1MrFGvJuQMbp0CAv6zrxaKgyJ8amemHT0veI83DC696pZqyeUVgzoYyM7nvukCYILFxvtOXEx7qs3auqlMlgddk3I3g92Gudb39S3ZND-uzt/s400/DSC00712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729445961986407234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br />And I was slightly disappointed that I didn't get a better siblings shot, but they're still cute:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlKGzW1QSKauw62QbcwIk0pyWBNVUBEmzx_ujFqBA7DkHDb5KUJKMtr5E5hvwgwtSoAfD1Vhm5KpyVj5KD7Qne07uxuLp8mwiyjUDUTsWkyTqETZG6ATUaGI73NZ3d0HwCO0XoOgb4SQL/s1600/DSC00732.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlKGzW1QSKauw62QbcwIk0pyWBNVUBEmzx_ujFqBA7DkHDb5KUJKMtr5E5hvwgwtSoAfD1Vhm5KpyVj5KD7Qne07uxuLp8mwiyjUDUTsWkyTqETZG6ATUaGI73NZ3d0HwCO0XoOgb4SQL/s400/DSC00732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729447540740055122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFW0yOU5_ZmcTY1SWucv-5_tQiV9PRdCUnVLWwdm8ioPmpyYXtfl1H4IIREtkexd4upPt3SOSjaPpl7zD9OdkCM50L6Yx0UO5FCBiCdMEynNB1rz6JC8U8hkXzSd70yqPKheB6DTq14ch/s1600/DSC00736.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFW0yOU5_ZmcTY1SWucv-5_tQiV9PRdCUnVLWwdm8ioPmpyYXtfl1H4IIREtkexd4upPt3SOSjaPpl7zD9OdkCM50L6Yx0UO5FCBiCdMEynNB1rz6JC8U8hkXzSd70yqPKheB6DTq14ch/s400/DSC00736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729447543220084162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">June kind of looks like she's belching in that last one. An adorable baby belch, of course.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">And this is Dane's best attempt at looking like a </span>newsy<span style="font-size: 100%;">:</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpH4k5YKfghVw5GhduSjgCxWomh71LtCIfb9rm1l-ZAJ1aEsQIw-mIkhoIlwmedwzx4AruOBOczr2U7YETfxoBVc6X9McZFfxZ9c6-Y_Omp1TyeSt9seGtoBoKmK6TeeK4wFLGXYrrFPz/s1600/DSC00751.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpH4k5YKfghVw5GhduSjgCxWomh71LtCIfb9rm1l-ZAJ1aEsQIw-mIkhoIlwmedwzx4AruOBOczr2U7YETfxoBVc6X9McZFfxZ9c6-Y_Omp1TyeSt9seGtoBoKmK6TeeK4wFLGXYrrFPz/s400/DSC00751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729447555165604898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Carrying the banner!!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I am a nerd.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Stay tuned for Easter egg dying/hunting, Easter Bunny and Cousins in Texas, and Random Pictures from during My Blog Hiatus!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-77491826952126764932012-01-25T09:26:00.007-07:002012-01-25T09:59:17.735-07:00Punch KickI enrolled Dane in a gymnastics/karate class that Joel and I have taken to calling Punch Kick. Dane loves it. It's the first organized activity he's ever been in, and he gets really excited to go. He keeps track of how many days it is until Tuesday, and when the day is finally here, he carefully gets dressed, saying, "I want to look my best."<br /><div>Here is a picture as we were leaving for his very first class:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuJpZFckwRSGyLkSRGizTXRBj71Iby6Hbd5MnZ5tJ_UIF_dI7YUzeu5ybC9F0nfQsmJb32WbR10nrA9oSgQJVx3bP1C3fbgjfzUU7JpGu8VskptusKHh2ssSKhTjKDyvU-u_rEBmeBrwc/s1600/DSC00596.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuJpZFckwRSGyLkSRGizTXRBj71Iby6Hbd5MnZ5tJ_UIF_dI7YUzeu5ybC9F0nfQsmJb32WbR10nrA9oSgQJVx3bP1C3fbgjfzUU7JpGu8VskptusKHh2ssSKhTjKDyvU-u_rEBmeBrwc/s400/DSC00596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701609199132115970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Then he took a self-portrait:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbrs_betIaGOtOXCX_N8JuPjE0Rbrr8TNZjokPOByUqoOOcgB7SazjTT2KgvQkC6D_u43xNXhifzavjZ2tmAMVeOlmZgkdvc8NnWq9Au5pVjTfT8g-LHYJS3rv2qVfxM-Xe9LFxx9LR3_/s1600/DSC00597.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbrs_betIaGOtOXCX_N8JuPjE0Rbrr8TNZjokPOByUqoOOcgB7SazjTT2KgvQkC6D_u43xNXhifzavjZ2tmAMVeOlmZgkdvc8NnWq9Au5pVjTfT8g-LHYJS3rv2qVfxM-Xe9LFxx9LR3_/s400/DSC00597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701609203241131154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div>They spend at least half the class in the karate room, learning to punch and to kick. Then, they escape through the ninja tunnel. Here, Dane is emerging from the ninja tunnel with his game face on (I was holding a fussy June and hadn't figured out the right settings for taking pictures through the window, so I apologize for the blurry photos):</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq5UCPIlW0L0Y-uFpzQIeeiuGl6MlF2CV5i2Kj4dZk4WBZu4JI82Vjuq8HHABl3aD9syqTtg5nKu5JY7vdI31ruk2E4iGyWz7EdW1l8yZliIbilSFchug0h6kRGw4ef0mMoCk0KUPfzu-/s1600/100_3415.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq5UCPIlW0L0Y-uFpzQIeeiuGl6MlF2CV5i2Kj4dZk4WBZu4JI82Vjuq8HHABl3aD9syqTtg5nKu5JY7vdI31ruk2E4iGyWz7EdW1l8yZliIbilSFchug0h6kRGw4ef0mMoCk0KUPfzu-/s400/100_3415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701609655490466786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>Then they got to run down the tumble tramp into the sponge pit. Here, Dane is asking Coach Cory if they get to go down the zip line (not yet).</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqxCYHJtXM8uCFmFFq4kBNFJGLfAJaDeBHJlSQcyvrUbkrSHWN0l13h85MzVq-P7IlaPH3nAMHI3gxf4mvrB3jTOdGztCYtfX9ZGEL0lCvygb2Y0RSaJfalK4P8KgWwB9th9Y0XIAyWuk/s1600/100_3416.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqxCYHJtXM8uCFmFFq4kBNFJGLfAJaDeBHJlSQcyvrUbkrSHWN0l13h85MzVq-P7IlaPH3nAMHI3gxf4mvrB3jTOdGztCYtfX9ZGEL0lCvygb2Y0RSaJfalK4P8KgWwB9th9Y0XIAyWuk/s400/100_3416.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701609655750298466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>Here's a little video of Dane's big jump. Soundtrack by June.</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy8CAVrGFUSEPJB07YSvvzyFJYHxJD0AGuAqhh0mFt_iu6PnBwUpFWZL-d5ghkfzzWvSud2rkSv_u3kWQ3fOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was his second day, when they did a little more tumbling. (These are phone photos, so they're not much better.) First, you warm up on your own trampoline.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrnYbqWiscWwrOLgWv8C2OFxuuOxq6KWVeTHbW0ZXHE0kba3ketRCxlskvX1FnbWB5SRM0z3zp3WU7tJA9XJnxbErosXAS8H1k0wmretKMix_kWMNRw-ljKV0FvPNDuq9fajo3-AmJJTp/s1600/Dane+Trampoline.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrnYbqWiscWwrOLgWv8C2OFxuuOxq6KWVeTHbW0ZXHE0kba3ketRCxlskvX1FnbWB5SRM0z3zp3WU7tJA9XJnxbErosXAS8H1k0wmretKMix_kWMNRw-ljKV0FvPNDuq9fajo3-AmJJTp/s400/Dane+Trampoline.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701611024198054674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px; " /></a></div><div>Then Coach Cory spots you as you do a handstand flip into the sponge pit:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyB0IM2_jS5gkwU38n7E97z_epuU_QY4uERYvnU4Ve70SVAw5KniOGvlTc8Bg6f8Coe-9WuT0JyloQG0fVtbMVpvtpmGPSIGBnxUbp9TjIpOzlJcyKrBUzPnAkdF8Fb-ODl8Et-4GJ2rP/s1600/Dane+Handstand.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyB0IM2_jS5gkwU38n7E97z_epuU_QY4uERYvnU4Ve70SVAw5KniOGvlTc8Bg6f8Coe-9WuT0JyloQG0fVtbMVpvtpmGPSIGBnxUbp9TjIpOzlJcyKrBUzPnAkdF8Fb-ODl8Et-4GJ2rP/s400/Dane+Handstand.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701611024215292210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px; " /></a></div><div>Sometime it's hard to climb out of the pit:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI6vGFTolkA9LFBxiqAomxU-MY7ktFZfZvyFUORFHiIV_Mu8g_U-8PAffN4qrpO3mU0hjEtvKlU2P-eqzQ5csinQ-5D8mEN_NWPwsXHotXtIFSiC4iZs-0TEOJZta7hAMFnhl4ySqomim/s1600/Dane+Climbing+Out.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicI6vGFTolkA9LFBxiqAomxU-MY7ktFZfZvyFUORFHiIV_Mu8g_U-8PAffN4qrpO3mU0hjEtvKlU2P-eqzQ5csinQ-5D8mEN_NWPwsXHotXtIFSiC4iZs-0TEOJZta7hAMFnhl4ySqomim/s400/Dane+Climbing+Out.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701611013896540930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px; " /></a></div><div>And at the end, Coach gives you a stamp for a job well done!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_XyEgJvWj2R9e5_BrvGxwXaZnUqa5NuFKY7Hf6M-7Rq7oL8FSE8XErwnAy2tK_CoxH9fWQlKVe7o0b2e33725jplihw2jqTl5A8_V3W4SZXpdx4p4q0Car0ElWGyssc-m_AIhRA8IlYR/s1600/0124121122-00.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_XyEgJvWj2R9e5_BrvGxwXaZnUqa5NuFKY7Hf6M-7Rq7oL8FSE8XErwnAy2tK_CoxH9fWQlKVe7o0b2e33725jplihw2jqTl5A8_V3W4SZXpdx4p4q0Car0ElWGyssc-m_AIhRA8IlYR/s400/0124121122-00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701611012567771234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>I think it's so cute to hear Dane say, "Bye, Coach," as we leave. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know I'm pretty late jumping on the bandwagon of enrolling my child in some sort of class, but I am pretty happy with myself for finally doing it. It makes him so happy. I'm excited to give him a little coaching at home so he can perfect his moves! (He's going to the same gym I went to when I took gymnastics. The same one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_Miller#1992">Shannon Miller</a> trained in. It is the gym of champions).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-9319465711388717462012-01-20T14:11:00.004-07:002012-01-23T10:19:57.606-07:00June: Five Months!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7l3F8L-fPTWJuKj0zyReF_Hcj08ovnLX06N373HevEyc_BGsdXTvg1y_peIejRbzSscKnV3PEAcq1swPt7TF-96JxSfc5J1oEqi4V972vNIHZDLG2FyA2bnBmBzPexsnxQofgwVZsG6b/s1600/DSC00601.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7l3F8L-fPTWJuKj0zyReF_Hcj08ovnLX06N373HevEyc_BGsdXTvg1y_peIejRbzSscKnV3PEAcq1swPt7TF-96JxSfc5J1oEqi4V972vNIHZDLG2FyA2bnBmBzPexsnxQofgwVZsG6b/s400/DSC00601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699826042668350082" /></a><div>Does being a bad blogger make me a bad mom?</div><div><br /></div><div>A few days ago was June's five month birthday. I am only a few days late...except that I never blogged about her four month birthday. So I'm really just over a month late for the four month post. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. I intended to post five month pictures with her four month stats, but now I can't find her stats. They're here somewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the point is, she is absolutely adorable. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYii7uyDlGGfH0WLBN8IFg29dzLSvaOI2TFJasPjKbCzAAT-Jvc8oZEReFIZ-kuQV-uIPDd87etS__F6RakMiZRVJ2Wb_sZ7FILIXEsq7hUd_hytk7JJVCJBZ3OYgGXv72TggFKTvqKotv/s1600/DSC00602.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYii7uyDlGGfH0WLBN8IFg29dzLSvaOI2TFJasPjKbCzAAT-Jvc8oZEReFIZ-kuQV-uIPDd87etS__F6RakMiZRVJ2Wb_sZ7FILIXEsq7hUd_hytk7JJVCJBZ3OYgGXv72TggFKTvqKotv/s400/DSC00602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699826040423642962" /></a></div><div>Her current loves and developments:</div><div>-She is crazy drooly. I'll go through several bibs a day to keep her clothes dry because she leaks through them so quickly. I was afraid she was getting more teeth, but she just drools.</div><div>-Yeah, she has teeth. Two bottom ones. They appeared about ten days before she was four months old. The doctor said the average age for first teeth is 7 1/2 months; Dane was five months.</div><div>-She loves her nightly bath. When she hears the water running, she gets really excited, says "gaa gaa," and flails around. </div><div>-We've been feeding her a little bit of rice cereal, peas, and sweet potatoes for the last three weeks or so. She does pretty well with it, though I am really sad she's getting so big. Oh, and all this is aided by the amazing Baby Magic Bullet we got for Christmas. </div><div>-She's sitting up pretty well and can sit for like 20 minutes on her own. She's not completely stable, but she's one strong girl. </div><div>-She can roll over but hardly ever does. It's just not her thing.</div><div>-It's kind of tapered off lately, but around four months, she would yell "gaa gaa" ALL THE TIME. I don't even know if it was trying to communicate or just entertaining herself or what. But it was loud and happened a lot.</div><div>-She loves her feet. As soon as we pop off her socks or pajamas, she grabs for her feet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyPI2uZjImV-YqFTUiN1LLYWJljaxfmI58XMrlmFcx3iAvd7mUFoWcJBgjmVAjnYdWZmij6kVCvojhclkTOJLpFOZEzVnPzxoATXJTqqXtHZm5deAiPgJmKJqICcrrNPAUuWGCTNQqih9/s1600/DSC00607.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyPI2uZjImV-YqFTUiN1LLYWJljaxfmI58XMrlmFcx3iAvd7mUFoWcJBgjmVAjnYdWZmij6kVCvojhclkTOJLpFOZEzVnPzxoATXJTqqXtHZm5deAiPgJmKJqICcrrNPAUuWGCTNQqih9/s400/DSC00607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699826028684009106" /></a></div><div>-She loves her mommy. She gets almost as excited to see me as she gets about her bath. It melts me every time.</div><div>-Her four month mark was characterized by teething, crazy holiday schedule, and the natural sleep changes of that period. That resulted in terrible sleep. In the last week, it got better, but she's got a little cold and it's gone downhill again. Poor baby. And, by extension, poor me.</div><div>-Dane loves her. He gets so excited to see her in the morning that he sometimes wakes her up. Good things it's cute. She's so big and archy that it's really hard for him to hold her, though.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU4Vudc81ViTPLqvshZy-DKT7qdX3DkxaygD4B6jaujYdn0hh_FJ_yFR8AfwKtf8jw2XXlhi7H2C37MIFigFvoDwuCuvKWhqd8B37M05h5HV3EZjmefpFTcLXy1RJ1dp53BfNSYbSXlOa/s1600/DSC00609.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU4Vudc81ViTPLqvshZy-DKT7qdX3DkxaygD4B6jaujYdn0hh_FJ_yFR8AfwKtf8jw2XXlhi7H2C37MIFigFvoDwuCuvKWhqd8B37M05h5HV3EZjmefpFTcLXy1RJ1dp53BfNSYbSXlOa/s400/DSC00609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699826019938231442" /></a></div><div>-It seems like she's just itching to be mobile. My guess is she'll be crawling before too long, but I really hope she stays my little fat baby for a little while longer. </div><div>-She likes to hold my hand while she's nursing. It is a sweet little connection that I hope will stay. </div><div>-Joel can sometimes get her to just crack up, and her laugh is so beautiful.</div><div>-We call her Junie, sweet baby, Jun-chan, and Junebug. Dane is also a fan of calling her Junie Cutie and Sweetie Little Baby.</div><div>-I love her fuzzy little stuck up tuft of hair. She never lost her hair like Dane did. And she has these pretty blue grey eyes. I have no idea where that came from. Must be the Frost side because no one on the Hood side has them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KiaB3zKkkueETSG1VgdIURQDkY3DdUd-xDPs7rFj_4A-bpXAbclnZY0ms4E-_2VoDjM4c19TB97ROqdt89qoTswENHrVDOTt_Xd8k4l4GRbG9v3CQ2yn9L2KwghFR_h2DvbNjAXiEGSV/s1600/DSC00612.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KiaB3zKkkueETSG1VgdIURQDkY3DdUd-xDPs7rFj_4A-bpXAbclnZY0ms4E-_2VoDjM4c19TB97ROqdt89qoTswENHrVDOTt_Xd8k4l4GRbG9v3CQ2yn9L2KwghFR_h2DvbNjAXiEGSV/s400/DSC00612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699826015576408626" /></a><br /></div><div>I love my sweet June. While I will appreciate more sleep whenever it comes, I hope time doesn't go by too fast.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-90201043455695135242012-01-04T09:40:00.006-07:002012-01-07T10:54:26.874-07:002011: A Year in Review<div><span>This is something my sister-in-law Monique has done for the past few years. Every year, I think, "I like this. I should do this." And then I don't. But not this time!</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span>Warning: I talk a bit about breastfeeding in this post. I've highlighted those sections in <span><span style="color:006600;">green</span></span></span><span> so you can avoid them if you want.</span></span></div><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><div><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br /></strong></div>What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?</strong><a href="http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/puppies_pumpkin_6_weeks_1.jpg" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: none; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I moved home to Oklahoma, allowing me to live near my parents for the first time in my adult life. It required some mental adjustment because for a while I was equating "moving home" with "moving back in with my parents" which was not the case. All in all, it has been great, especially for Dane.</span><div><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I don't even remember making them last year--so no guilt about not keeping them! Resolutions for 2012: go to bed earlier and floss every day. The first one has been pretty easy since I've been sick, but because I've been sick, I have not prioritized the second one. 1 out of 3. That's pretty bad.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Did anyone close to you give birth?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Like a million people. I did. Four sister-in-laws did (3 Frost side, 1 Hood side). And like 15 friends. I didn't even know I had that many friends. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Did anyone close to you die?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > No.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "></strong><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What countries did you visit?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > None.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? </strong><span style="background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:13px;" > Energy. First I was pregnant and then postpartum/new baby. I've forgotten what it feels like to not be exhausted when you wake up in the morning. That's where the going to bed early will come in. I guess I should probably exercise, too, since I would like to be less fat.</span></div><div><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > January 4, when we had an early ultrasound that showed us that baby was healthy and developing well. March 11, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. May 13, Joel got a job offer from the OU cancer center, which ended almost a year of underemployment. August 18, June was born!</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What was your biggest </strong><a href="http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/family_tree_2_1.jpg" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: none; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "></a><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">achievement of the year?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Besides the obvious achievements of giving birth and managing two children, I think I am most proud of staying peaceful and hopeful despite all the months of being at half our usual income. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What was your biggest failure? </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" >My first thought is the <a href="http://paradisefrost.blogspot.com/2011/10/danes-birthday.html">cake pops </a>from Dane's birthday. But a real one would probably be getting my house unpacked/arranged how I like. It's still not done. And since we only have a year contract and we've been here about six months, I am feeling less and less motivated to actually get it al done. Fail. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Did you suffer illness or injury?!</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > </span><span style=" background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" ><span><span style="color:006600;">The biggest medical problem has been the breastfeeding pain/yeast/pain/yeast/pain/yeast cycle that I am STILL battling. That has been the biggest obstacle to my exercising plan because I think any woman would tell you, when the *special pouches hurt, exercising is completely miserable (I mean, much more so than exercising would be just on its own).</span> </span></span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What was the best thing you bought?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > </span><span style=" background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" ><span>This wasn't the year for big purchases. <span style="color:006600;">But I did pay $45 for a small tube of prescription cream to deal with the aforementioned problem. That's been a big help.</span></span></span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Where did most of your money go?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Moving costs a lot of money. We also have recently had some car repairs that haven't been totally worked out yet.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What did you get really, really excited about?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Joel new job, living near my parents and sisters and sister-in-law, having sweet baby June.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What songs will always remind you of 2011?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I've gotten out of the music scene in my old age. I'd kind of like to get back into it. But a couple of songs I heard for the first time are "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars and "Firework" by Katy Perry. The first makes me weepy and grateful for Joel, and the second is a nice little inspirational anthem (although I must say "Do you ever feel/ like a plastic bag" is pretty weak writing for the opening line.)</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What do you wish you'd done more of?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I wish I had done more structured activities with Dane and set up more playdates. He really misses his friends in Sandy and hasn't really had the chance to make more friends here.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What do you wish you'd done less of?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Feeling stressed about things I can't control.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">How did you spend Christmas?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > With the whole Hood family!</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Did you fall in love in 2011?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > With a baby named June and a hot guy named Joel. I'm pretty sure he likes me too. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What was your favorite TV program?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Parenthood, Project Runway with our friend Josh Christensen, Person of Interest.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What was the best book you read this year?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Thing Around Your Neck, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What did you want and get?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > A new job for Joel; a sweet, healthy baby who slept well. (Yes, I used the past tense on that)</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What were your favorite films of this year?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Um...Harry Potter 7.2, X-Men: First Class. One that didn't come out this year but I enjoyed watching this year was The Concert.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > We were right in the middle of packing up and moving in the space of two weeks, so we spent the day packing. We got together and had dinner with a couple of families and laughed like crazy and had a grand old time. The next morning Joel took me out for French toast at Kneaders. All things considered, it was a great 28th birthday. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > More sleep.</span></div><div><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" >? Big and frumpy.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What kept you sane?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Joel. And (this is going to sound insane), when I feel overwhelmed, I try to recall random lists, like remembering names of Joel's giant extended family in age order, or who won or lost each challenge on Project Runway, in order. It sounds obsessive, but it kept me sane.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I can't think of anyone but Sesame Street characters. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What political issue stirred you the most?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I think a lot about the distribution of wealth, the working poor, and those living on public assistance. I know it is quite a polarizing issue, that some feel like we're not doing enough for those in need and some think we're doing too much. As a therapist, I worked with a lot of people whose treatment was funded through Medicaid. Some of them were "milking" the system, but I also knew their stories, why they are in the situations they are. There are no easy answers.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Who did you miss?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Our good friends in Utah. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Who was the best new person (people) you met?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > One of my Young Women, Kerri, is such an amazing girl.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > I really need to develop greater humility.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What are you most excited for in 2012?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Part of me is really looking forward to new adventures with our four-person family, and spending time with my sisters and parents. But part of me just wants time to stand still. I like now. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); "><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); ">What are you least excited for in 2012?</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" > Moving again. I just moved!</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" ><br /></span></div><div><span style=" background-color: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-size:13px;" ><span style="color:006600;">*On Dane's birthday, we were eating ice cream, and I was trying to nurse June. My dad asked Dane if June would get chocolate milk because I was eating chocolate. He kept saying no, and my dad kept trying to convince him. Dane finally said, "It won't turn chocolate because the ice cream goes to her stomach, not the special pouches!" </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-49186221581334609852012-01-03T19:41:00.000-07:002012-01-04T09:38:53.219-07:00Disasters<div>We had a little string of minor disasters in the fall. </div><div><br /></div><div><span><b>Washing Woes</b></span></div><div>For the first time in roughly a decade, I had a major laundry dye disaster. Without thinking, I put a green checked tablecloth in a load of light colored laundry, resulting in lots of green clothing. Most of the clothes didn't matter, so my pride is what was damaged the most.</div><div>Within the week, another major laundry disaster:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIyJSyFUnUcYCJj4g4CYyTAbGKtcmfV9k_Ngyyq3ScfjEl-ueoKKFqB1lY21jtnm9aueItCqOavnm7Zzu89wdDJT0ChE0dToP7-hQoIzutwXCN2T_53j1x-CMaop-pf_aN1PgLqW7lr2g/s1600/100_3264.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIyJSyFUnUcYCJj4g4CYyTAbGKtcmfV9k_Ngyyq3ScfjEl-ueoKKFqB1lY21jtnm9aueItCqOavnm7Zzu89wdDJT0ChE0dToP7-hQoIzutwXCN2T_53j1x-CMaop-pf_aN1PgLqW7lr2g/s400/100_3264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692493187574723602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>We had allowed our ironing pile to get too large and extra wrinkled, so Joel scooped it up and threw it in the dryer with a damp towel. Unbeknownst to him, he had also scooped up a red crayon and a pink crayon.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigS3AoXOtuNindLlt_GKDkEE-z5G5gnVF2Eo65s9nUIgJQ0nSLHn5mkLD_9PWnxxp3xe6gQyLwq4HlFa2DFrHpPBKGKy2gfXv-1yiqEShei8F6-R5_LaXY2s0SEoPXb7J18AjsemdPKEc/s1600/100_3263.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigS3AoXOtuNindLlt_GKDkEE-z5G5gnVF2Eo65s9nUIgJQ0nSLHn5mkLD_9PWnxxp3xe6gQyLwq4HlFa2DFrHpPBKGKy2gfXv-1yiqEShei8F6-R5_LaXY2s0SEoPXb7J18AjsemdPKEc/s400/100_3263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692489562578423458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgWPwt2tELDEdy_RScLOcb99ExRHrG44lnQirdt9XwcbbjPhGOUGIO6XJD7atD6MMADk7YtL_BYzzw66pfefMuoFvnaHaRIFQIvgBLlDj5VnmCNPXdW14iW8fNwPTuD5wiMF3Jf5ptb9p/s1600/100_3259.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgWPwt2tELDEdy_RScLOcb99ExRHrG44lnQirdt9XwcbbjPhGOUGIO6XJD7atD6MMADk7YtL_BYzzw66pfefMuoFvnaHaRIFQIvgBLlDj5VnmCNPXdW14iW8fNwPTuD5wiMF3Jf5ptb9p/s400/100_3259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692489557562559826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Since the ironing pile almost exclusively contained Joel's clothes for work, it was a pretty big laundry disaster.</div><div>But thanks to Google and mom blogs, the vast majority of his clothes were salvaged. And I will post the magic mix here in case any of you ever dry your clothes with some crayons:</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(1, 1, 1); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">2 max amounts (line 3) of laundry detergent<br />1 cup Oxiclean<br />1/2 cup 20 mule team Borax<br />1 cup <a href="http://www.mamapedia.com/n/shout" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 124, 203); ">Shout</a> liquid<br />1 cup white <a href="http://www.mamapedia.com/n/vinegar" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 124, 203); ">vinegar</a></p></div>The websites I found this remedy on made it sound like one treatment magically got it all out, which wasn't the case for us. We soaked and washed the clothes probably five or six times, rubbing the stains by hand with Zout in between washes. I can't say it was a miracle cure; a couple of the shirts and pants were ruined, and some of the salvaged clothes still have a couple of little spots. But all in all, I am grateful most of the clothes were okay.<div><br /></div><div><b><span>Bad News Bites</span></b></div><div>Back when I was working on Halloween costumes, I couldn't find the yellow rib knit that I needed. So, inspired by all the wild sunflowers that I'd seen around town, I hatched a plan to naturally dye some white rib knit yellow. </div><div>I ventured out to collect the flowers and found quite the cache of flowers. They were all on the edge of a ditch, and I was only wearing flip-flops, so sometimes I was standing kind of precariously. Walking around in the brush, I kept getting scratched and stuff, so when I felt some prickles on my feet, I didn't think much of it. But the prickles kept increasing, so I looked down and found that I was standing right on an anthill. I brushed them off, but they had managed to crawl around between my toes and under the straps of my sandals, so it took a while to dislodge all the ants. At this point, I just brushed them off and didn't give them a second thought. But by the time I made it back home, the bites were burning, and I finally gave my foot a good look.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi183hXao7JTUX5i9OEKVkQ5VhK_r4iraV82WIgwKG3p1nlYJlItSk8HLg30YuTCneQ8TBAXUEDXLLNIx0UEvTn386Hgnxy9iUrzHVwiQYPyn5ulJCXmDsW5NnZ3iJ-icH2CpsD9eU_ZvT/s1600/DSC00353.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi183hXao7JTUX5i9OEKVkQ5VhK_r4iraV82WIgwKG3p1nlYJlItSk8HLg30YuTCneQ8TBAXUEDXLLNIx0UEvTn386Hgnxy9iUrzHVwiQYPyn5ulJCXmDsW5NnZ3iJ-icH2CpsD9eU_ZvT/s400/DSC00353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692510297488624050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l3s2vNtiGm1KNW9VLf6-2BiiVumO8XwfT8LdetTtHUBogKrEXQNJcUmPYkr1T8Zo0Abxwb7KGPmFrNAGaNn-3AQV7vyAzIWbz8umttMHzad4o30kz2zDjZGLaXjDpAjDSF1EUaTLUocK/s1600/DSC00354.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l3s2vNtiGm1KNW9VLf6-2BiiVumO8XwfT8LdetTtHUBogKrEXQNJcUmPYkr1T8Zo0Abxwb7KGPmFrNAGaNn-3AQV7vyAzIWbz8umttMHzad4o30kz2zDjZGLaXjDpAjDSF1EUaTLUocK/s400/DSC00354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692489551832990642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>I think there were about 12 bites; many of the worst ones were between my toes, so they are harder to see. Just a word of advice: don't stand on an anthill. The bites hurt a lot more than I expected, and they kept hurting for days and days; they itched for weeks. Many of them got all swollen and pus-filled...it was gross. Disaster.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span>Photo Fiasco</span></b></div><div><span>You may have noticed that many of my recent pictures have gray bars across them. Somehow, my memory card corrupted and resulted in lost data on almost every picture. There weren't any major losses, but it was still very disappointing. Most of them can be cropped easily:</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm3OlNeLFwWryw0GdMpEYgXut61Dl9qN6mfqghh84ZnwxQyv7bch_5hH87ieeKSwZ6yII8Bk94j46kz70Hx9kwSgDMU5ErmQqPpHBVI6uQplIYg8GWMX1nT3BuCQY2K-1OY22oKVH0f_c/s1600/100_3163.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm3OlNeLFwWryw0GdMpEYgXut61Dl9qN6mfqghh84ZnwxQyv7bch_5hH87ieeKSwZ6yII8Bk94j46kz70Hx9kwSgDMU5ErmQqPpHBVI6uQplIYg8GWMX1nT3BuCQY2K-1OY22oKVH0f_c/s400/100_3163.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692493178591473794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMgigKFgmuSOfFe4iKrjmO-xNJo9z0aYvo2t_xaDAQN6kVl0XPby0Jc0aHUTCtRV3A6L93QGOPF08hf0scLfEKEc7LWLlwQ0zrLfEnXrkqgFznZuKiFklEBXpJrtVJR9FhYbXP7ZfSM8_/s1600/100_3112.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMgigKFgmuSOfFe4iKrjmO-xNJo9z0aYvo2t_xaDAQN6kVl0XPby0Jc0aHUTCtRV3A6L93QGOPF08hf0scLfEKEc7LWLlwQ0zrLfEnXrkqgFznZuKiFklEBXpJrtVJR9FhYbXP7ZfSM8_/s400/100_3112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692491848056436994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4UvS7E1qbeFCRoT-Uh3NhjUJttRfl8fE0114h45hV4yuf7a7y-SSgv9_TurUZ1W2SLy7RGqFzb4OZSn2_4UKNl8h6_qH9clSjAG-HlvbNVj5jEAv5aVBEswtBqfP-bQims0IIU-8ApR4/s1600/100_3100.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4UvS7E1qbeFCRoT-Uh3NhjUJttRfl8fE0114h45hV4yuf7a7y-SSgv9_TurUZ1W2SLy7RGqFzb4OZSn2_4UKNl8h6_qH9clSjAG-HlvbNVj5jEAv5aVBEswtBqfP-bQims0IIU-8ApR4/s400/100_3100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692491839630728002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexkzNHV1RWlV_YEgpuTQZU4CvF5EmOiqxG7Re9GYNa_nNGSZT-kso3bE3vifPSKhVxcueBSV5M_NR_Zw6vvsfX9fHBFLjn-7sFCvDWjwF6NN_w9x9fIJLKOlFqQq3kriLZ0PBbbbRGIqB/s1600/100_3096.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexkzNHV1RWlV_YEgpuTQZU4CvF5EmOiqxG7Re9GYNa_nNGSZT-kso3bE3vifPSKhVxcueBSV5M_NR_Zw6vvsfX9fHBFLjn-7sFCvDWjwF6NN_w9x9fIJLKOlFqQq3kriLZ0PBbbbRGIqB/s400/100_3096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692491833757227554" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wljoLcT0g0lTpYnuZeUF_ZLmRllwE-t9CIWyxCTJ6W_7exEnUIMiWR0VWV1s8Ws-vq1p6t2v-qsu-9t-VrI9No50e961VfP_KUv61aB_KIY_AuIDgdZT0g0DSDtBykC-a2sqWhmOhTZs/s1600/100_3178.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wljoLcT0g0lTpYnuZeUF_ZLmRllwE-t9CIWyxCTJ6W_7exEnUIMiWR0VWV1s8Ws-vq1p6t2v-qsu-9t-VrI9No50e961VfP_KUv61aB_KIY_AuIDgdZT0g0DSDtBykC-a2sqWhmOhTZs/s400/100_3178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692493181298476786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>But some of them just won't work:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a7qZzdXjybkMfmQTS8MMj02NXVDkOBTpXgr9SKJZl69LPxCalVJjGQQc6mq-GGxdJQO390xaUP39z_bfeGNmqesvym_gFUvySPGbc9WZXqGKP7VU8rs_vaNyogX4ekz3Ss5HJPkcoJtS/s1600/100_3084.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a7qZzdXjybkMfmQTS8MMj02NXVDkOBTpXgr9SKJZl69LPxCalVJjGQQc6mq-GGxdJQO390xaUP39z_bfeGNmqesvym_gFUvySPGbc9WZXqGKP7VU8rs_vaNyogX4ekz3Ss5HJPkcoJtS/s400/100_3084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692491829086734002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1p1lYs7zGpwduBwmCW9jq0NSkC7ti3djvBNE0pPuJl7Y5uXx1SCjl5fvmXyzxL5KGAV8qIFgydWh8g4VVDB6Aq5ypwE-h8H5-55VTvN3Y_PcKGEkU5vVqJ_jZHptr8Tww-dmyaNLFksh/s1600/100_3261.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1p1lYs7zGpwduBwmCW9jq0NSkC7ti3djvBNE0pPuJl7Y5uXx1SCjl5fvmXyzxL5KGAV8qIFgydWh8g4VVDB6Aq5ypwE-h8H5-55VTvN3Y_PcKGEkU5vVqJ_jZHptr8Tww-dmyaNLFksh/s400/100_3261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693605426150674226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ckScL_oyc0-kgwZKM55hht_buN7ehabNEJc-qEZOiAh3bSR0xFFALKF8Jg76MRFrNpC_Z5pVaMO4e80K5giFBRWKPlwN2Ec9gb8X5nfE44e5-Cj2NjTeoRBoA8YIunMdKiLEvF4YkwS/s1600/100_3150.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ckScL_oyc0-kgwZKM55hht_buN7ehabNEJc-qEZOiAh3bSR0xFFALKF8Jg76MRFrNpC_Z5pVaMO4e80K5giFBRWKPlwN2Ec9gb8X5nfE44e5-Cj2NjTeoRBoA8YIunMdKiLEvF4YkwS/s400/100_3150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693605425631499458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRqhQPzsklyfq26VlPnbTDDdpkrUFfemB-WoBPnpZay2mS_bbx360AtgqEio2s_U6fNiyBiyQFmqamtdhyphenhyphenecEV2QA-GZWSfwMg8SSx-NI2tGGNdiSOSEsy5uDHu1CTcBGOmV2YY3UqrMp/s1600/100_3130.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRqhQPzsklyfq26VlPnbTDDdpkrUFfemB-WoBPnpZay2mS_bbx360AtgqEio2s_U6fNiyBiyQFmqamtdhyphenhyphenecEV2QA-GZWSfwMg8SSx-NI2tGGNdiSOSEsy5uDHu1CTcBGOmV2YY3UqrMp/s400/100_3130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693605422895654418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br />For some reason, the thumbnails show the entire photo, but the actual files are missing data. I reformatted my memory card, and now all is well.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So. Disasters abounded. But if bad things were going to happen, it wasn't too bad.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730954136700930869.post-79045947398297332872011-12-31T20:00:00.000-07:002011-12-31T19:28:26.783-07:00Dane's Birthday<div>We conveniently coordinated June's blessing with Dane's birthday, so it was a multi-family extravaganza! </div><div>On the morning of his birthday, I went to the donut shop while it poured rain to get him some birthday donuts. When he woke up and found his surprise, he thought it was so amazing that donuts somehow ended up on the table on his birthday! What a happy coincidence!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcnpaoQ0Fds2rG-gilEm2Y_7VEX9Cn6VI36bsNk53TI4X7NlnnnvwMx6gjbOc_aIiECSddBFjZCdhOJOG4kgtvXHDKGMilVcd-wfDZJQUrS0h91QWkG7QFw_-8UizVyEe9O5qX2ZvC_QA/s400/100_3196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351574984391986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkhrmci65SXHb9e9tc6aDN0FwMRsdtcy-Thyq4UxObl3dXwbRjmfb2f86MvfIvWGt38q9IMMX8hCOjvz0vjNiklEGs9iMAVnNgs_yLcRjasREY_GQiMRHFsnDq7BLVuSUzUb8lWQSHn2H/s400/100_3195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351580767185538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>I later discovered that he sampled them all:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H1FTEnocqO17-2ANcWdWMFMj5FcWLWDX1V__JSkWdXaEv5Gli0KNpvRmW1b1JaAVZIqGwznoUjQCIoHBIN2eOJQ_Dwc3SOpkNTzmlZG-NQBc_gZSgx_Anid-7XBXFw8nyc7HsRDFadvX/s1600/100_3204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H1FTEnocqO17-2ANcWdWMFMj5FcWLWDX1V__JSkWdXaEv5Gli0KNpvRmW1b1JaAVZIqGwznoUjQCIoHBIN2eOJQ_Dwc3SOpkNTzmlZG-NQBc_gZSgx_Anid-7XBXFw8nyc7HsRDFadvX/s400/100_3204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662350229297010882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>It was a wet, muddy day, but little boys are not deterred by such things.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-maUZ9ZICb53kMTUYPPmfLjWc-6f4kufMoeVIB2U7kchyphenhyphenjUrkastEzv6hqVhmFFS7fyhUy74f42ZotcdQXhdyHtyDLUp41K0F1nTSFW9ZDJ_3Ha7dyw3nvbqQ4hWe66Q3rhcAdPxFpaC/s1600/100_3200.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-maUZ9ZICb53kMTUYPPmfLjWc-6f4kufMoeVIB2U7kchyphenhyphenjUrkastEzv6hqVhmFFS7fyhUy74f42ZotcdQXhdyHtyDLUp41K0F1nTSFW9ZDJ_3Ha7dyw3nvbqQ4hWe66Q3rhcAdPxFpaC/s400/100_3200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351564954370050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KDaOLtR75NwuSouYFx_9Y1zYJScOyT_0bpZrjNsYJWfm4Fc2MA_HJG8x5cHbOwuIfxTWWHSGawVGyOjb9pPV3V7nzvCIwELIDzWVET7l6GPnnNY9EczLIsPKvBu5Pd2_asR8-JDCb4cs/s1600/100_3203.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KDaOLtR75NwuSouYFx_9Y1zYJScOyT_0bpZrjNsYJWfm4Fc2MA_HJG8x5cHbOwuIfxTWWHSGawVGyOjb9pPV3V7nzvCIwELIDzWVET7l6GPnnNY9EczLIsPKvBu5Pd2_asR8-JDCb4cs/s400/100_3203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351559040272466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnB_PPcHVNwsuqYAfsa8vu5LX7lxYVP-sz2xSPe9yHAizRTCT8ErKyEc-Tmt4VGomCW39zm2u7kdOJ961F0YshWYuQYSAg42HsYA9P4JLKxKJD3p4zWkystd-SNI5thWEEkJawWm9r_wr/s1600/100_3206.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnB_PPcHVNwsuqYAfsa8vu5LX7lxYVP-sz2xSPe9yHAizRTCT8ErKyEc-Tmt4VGomCW39zm2u7kdOJ961F0YshWYuQYSAg42HsYA9P4JLKxKJD3p4zWkystd-SNI5thWEEkJawWm9r_wr/s400/100_3206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662350207089959346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqoOFUaAYKcF_S2iA7blP4mIBhJrakT4MCXkqYKRawn94JC-lIqW7bYe04pcgfB16tFFInaqUAabI2Z9cx3F8SfED0wEEp6HHfo1D8GnlTngui0hvJM42r1lB78rFOPA3qrFgRoDgySnt/s400/100_3207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662350202519751986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><br /></div><div>Then we met Daddy for lunch at work:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6LapfYmzSxfBOEN1z0cAiKJpu71hMNrabtL9SSNbPN6T7NB1AnrS7tHF0RkkTJE4uKXnr5L5ODeXR5UgJdsaZm5bRn8MtTPODkGCsj6M1KVzgC2wS2Z7wUWGEbj4YPcVg7CM5tTAFiZF/s1600/DSC00245.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6LapfYmzSxfBOEN1z0cAiKJpu71hMNrabtL9SSNbPN6T7NB1AnrS7tHF0RkkTJE4uKXnr5L5ODeXR5UgJdsaZm5bRn8MtTPODkGCsj6M1KVzgC2wS2Z7wUWGEbj4YPcVg7CM5tTAFiZF/s400/DSC00245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692457943712202018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLraM4CvzMxKMRLIl2O9Hn_QBL879ntaQQ5siDDjqzSwTmrvBlAKzR_NhrGacTL9JgfMbK8uzYv_vHli3MENr9GCHTXMPJkmltDy7G7MVtHZU55IPaO-kCZdrEdDkBlgTfyevNHiFT12x3/s1600/DSC00248.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLraM4CvzMxKMRLIl2O9Hn_QBL879ntaQQ5siDDjqzSwTmrvBlAKzR_NhrGacTL9JgfMbK8uzYv_vHli3MENr9GCHTXMPJkmltDy7G7MVtHZU55IPaO-kCZdrEdDkBlgTfyevNHiFT12x3/s400/DSC00248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692457937427177122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And when evening finally came, Jiichan joined us for dinner at Chick-fil-A!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2uZ7Sgc1nCFGnatcS3u5TE83WCAsBUpFL2ak-qsY1OrVW4y7I4Yrb6mACChJ1uDZ-mOw7DAz0fSjDKTy_Ey0vl44PyDpgvRhRbGT4FnV8gN9LXhqc1dOChFmhZcKS4Mi28c8QPm618jO/s1600/DSC00263.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2uZ7Sgc1nCFGnatcS3u5TE83WCAsBUpFL2ak-qsY1OrVW4y7I4Yrb6mACChJ1uDZ-mOw7DAz0fSjDKTy_Ey0vl44PyDpgvRhRbGT4FnV8gN9LXhqc1dOChFmhZcKS4Mi28c8QPm618jO/s400/DSC00263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692457933049190882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>And then bowling!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iZIdcAfaHXbL0j_0y8jsyX6k9dcSWmQzGu9Sx39k1_yNMIIp4NVRUX5B1Zo1_Arvzjyr2YnUKgVYcv1fcxerffJCKFLBFS3Mdxs6SWaY-nxAKKp0v0M26su7s-UzRAOdatmxAN8c7Y-n/s1600/DSC00275.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iZIdcAfaHXbL0j_0y8jsyX6k9dcSWmQzGu9Sx39k1_yNMIIp4NVRUX5B1Zo1_Arvzjyr2YnUKgVYcv1fcxerffJCKFLBFS3Mdxs6SWaY-nxAKKp0v0M26su7s-UzRAOdatmxAN8c7Y-n/s400/DSC00275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662352839937794658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NFOAAUiLMVigU-ssjwA9VliK8Re7100jZlCzjElWPpZ8Cb4vXNz2j-BCi-s7FZGpHZWY-LnTk8VfSCouLuBbVQHPJ2Sxy6IDHY5W8HKOE_iLNV3E7DyymXZE_sXh03oE4FoiDemiWOES/s1600/DSC00277.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NFOAAUiLMVigU-ssjwA9VliK8Re7100jZlCzjElWPpZ8Cb4vXNz2j-BCi-s7FZGpHZWY-LnTk8VfSCouLuBbVQHPJ2Sxy6IDHY5W8HKOE_iLNV3E7DyymXZE_sXh03oE4FoiDemiWOES/s400/DSC00277.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662352828671910210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaZP4rMyjziKOdYizlTSFSW2xk4WHzIUOMH9Lq-vrqDJZHUXsYyx2LrAy4I8BelszrsnJs02HXwCiy4RQltL1shIIaPmDdjDTS_VDwwwinZs_xflWB4CQrK-Eu1jxR7K_P7hZG6wmg1ev/s1600/DSC00281.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaZP4rMyjziKOdYizlTSFSW2xk4WHzIUOMH9Lq-vrqDJZHUXsYyx2LrAy4I8BelszrsnJs02HXwCiy4RQltL1shIIaPmDdjDTS_VDwwwinZs_xflWB4CQrK-Eu1jxR7K_P7hZG6wmg1ev/s400/DSC00281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662352818673848898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzejijEiLUZXq6cv8pFk33c5TDtiI0O5OSbHvlvcQY-oBVmCKCHVV36l6rvts2BnKvSPFl1_5lzUUVDiayD51RJQPassa4H07EOl3rqrLVqyiho0-w8lLo0hWTZdrhPkCg3oytnnhSWKI/s1600/DSC00282.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzejijEiLUZXq6cv8pFk33c5TDtiI0O5OSbHvlvcQY-oBVmCKCHVV36l6rvts2BnKvSPFl1_5lzUUVDiayD51RJQPassa4H07EOl3rqrLVqyiho0-w8lLo0hWTZdrhPkCg3oytnnhSWKI/s400/DSC00282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662352812064950146" /></a><div>I have never scored over 100 in bowling...and the record continues.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOXGRw_-UuVk24X7se0__nX4g5c29vobBpRQYW8cQiHzF-JC3hUkdBWENqjlN5gRV7vremYyxWQfYrarmr_KvIbRc7PWNvP0qft5YAYzIIbT5rw-zv95U4ywntJ99-RtvLMbJlpjTi3I_/s1600/DSC00284.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOXGRw_-UuVk24X7se0__nX4g5c29vobBpRQYW8cQiHzF-JC3hUkdBWENqjlN5gRV7vremYyxWQfYrarmr_KvIbRc7PWNvP0qft5YAYzIIbT5rw-zv95U4ywntJ99-RtvLMbJlpjTi3I_/s400/DSC00284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662351591454795906" /></a><br />I think he had a very happy birthday.<div>Then, a couple of days later, we had a big party, complete with cousins, Grandma Frost, aunts and uncles, Jiichan and Baachan, and cake pops!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tTAOcquNVhKCj7R44A8RvEfPm33KnwAA8waX569oMfFZvxWkurfaR_8QP6OBfhzjDjm-5N9jEaVa5cOgrBS3Z3HLtsFft_QVY-LRcgukcnwiH9iRV2CjmwTsa1Zv8Nprp30qmbXJurCE/s1600/100_3222.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tTAOcquNVhKCj7R44A8RvEfPm33KnwAA8waX569oMfFZvxWkurfaR_8QP6OBfhzjDjm-5N9jEaVa5cOgrBS3Z3HLtsFft_QVY-LRcgukcnwiH9iRV2CjmwTsa1Zv8Nprp30qmbXJurCE/s400/100_3222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662350192889144050" /></a></div><div>Rika, Meghan, and I worked hard on them, but I'm pretty sure they need to be submitted to cake wrecks. They tasted about as good at cake crumbled in frosting and covered in candy melts could taste.</div><div>We also had a very tough pinata.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHXVyUTmr5stHbumpkRCe2gRWHXV7M3YzwEjVIjGDvKrAiOkdy58YeeTbztKdE_2bA1lnkN0vyZszzML5SNZO3AFUJra66gExpqTEVWOnmRACK0shqQqvX49H40LRBxZmL9kMwbcOCl41/s1600/100_3226.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHXVyUTmr5stHbumpkRCe2gRWHXV7M3YzwEjVIjGDvKrAiOkdy58YeeTbztKdE_2bA1lnkN0vyZszzML5SNZO3AFUJra66gExpqTEVWOnmRACK0shqQqvX49H40LRBxZmL9kMwbcOCl41/s400/100_3226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662348781675310994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ-N7kgUJYeQFk0N4PS4XPsSzFUkLQEsnh2Au587AatqUmwN8ioFCwYYBnipToJaWDo_M2JeJaW7qKXokpp2A2pMGeF42I1pNebY7QaPLot_inFrs6BQ1GQDw1KUd1wAEgZnivNxxIHzC/s1600/100_3237.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ-N7kgUJYeQFk0N4PS4XPsSzFUkLQEsnh2Au587AatqUmwN8ioFCwYYBnipToJaWDo_M2JeJaW7qKXokpp2A2pMGeF42I1pNebY7QaPLot_inFrs6BQ1GQDw1KUd1wAEgZnivNxxIHzC/s400/100_3237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662348749009586514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NNzWCZHzz73P26HxjTFCanTmLke_9GM-2CuUGj11IrlSyP0t1EA4WN0LcaX6K7SGesdEE1f19V_9FU57F3-SyxSBqx8FeOIoc_d6q-rDK5SmFJOkHN62fexisCKdOfdR_KDzei8055im/s1600/100_3240.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NNzWCZHzz73P26HxjTFCanTmLke_9GM-2CuUGj11IrlSyP0t1EA4WN0LcaX6K7SGesdEE1f19V_9FU57F3-SyxSBqx8FeOIoc_d6q-rDK5SmFJOkHN62fexisCKdOfdR_KDzei8055im/s400/100_3240.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662348744279336066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOYKgULw3NHVvwFo9wp_7rVYg8aoHOiwveVOqeRf3R9fcYAXtM-_CH03CyAxZHSzz1w4y1-GwSuSmwqLcuE-JqrwRpv1uO7Gq6XzCdAutJhyphenhyphenzt95HMDR2gnytc_8UhLNTKp_P1S9AT2Tu/s1600/100_3242.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOYKgULw3NHVvwFo9wp_7rVYg8aoHOiwveVOqeRf3R9fcYAXtM-_CH03CyAxZHSzz1w4y1-GwSuSmwqLcuE-JqrwRpv1uO7Gq6XzCdAutJhyphenhyphenzt95HMDR2gnytc_8UhLNTKp_P1S9AT2Tu/s400/100_3242.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662348729225301618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTQsyvpk_2VvGlFOR9Ote2yE-CnZimcKU8E4Auz681Wz2MY9YgAzGNeDkfH9p3E8r9dl5uswzasCNeh1EsFoWDcZ6f442_N9UCVOvaxITU9ZoYTHu2NkT5EbrXdc_zQ3ZDsACrDSU7INt/s1600/100_3243.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTQsyvpk_2VvGlFOR9Ote2yE-CnZimcKU8E4Auz681Wz2MY9YgAzGNeDkfH9p3E8r9dl5uswzasCNeh1EsFoWDcZ6f442_N9UCVOvaxITU9ZoYTHu2NkT5EbrXdc_zQ3ZDsACrDSU7INt/s400/100_3243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662348728025023042" /></a></div><div>And then a bunch of amazing presents.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYskNSWFIIOZpkZdMvxtcy7UFPbZZZwl6WlQ9830Fy5vm7PmTz-26YX0vn-JcPtvT0HVHwBZJ7uSJcugbAh-hGN7REKYtbEsqyqXQ_uPPwGtRVExVm99H-QFbCww_ZqZaQ4l87uhVIAe6k/s1600/100_3245.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYskNSWFIIOZpkZdMvxtcy7UFPbZZZwl6WlQ9830Fy5vm7PmTz-26YX0vn-JcPtvT0HVHwBZJ7uSJcugbAh-hGN7REKYtbEsqyqXQ_uPPwGtRVExVm99H-QFbCww_ZqZaQ4l87uhVIAe6k/s400/100_3245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662347869360067666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WB-1Q986_-cPgr01ibLmLQlYuENDq_sYAhHiHzsa_c7pLP1DTeqIrEJriOF3rhxmk3q0W__57MxHWnJ4DEsuS93nJXK3xXmUZhiFtaxlQnnpU1s1XfX8m-cyt49juVwPaTNQHojj4-ty/s1600/100_3250.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WB-1Q986_-cPgr01ibLmLQlYuENDq_sYAhHiHzsa_c7pLP1DTeqIrEJriOF3rhxmk3q0W__57MxHWnJ4DEsuS93nJXK3xXmUZhiFtaxlQnnpU1s1XfX8m-cyt49juVwPaTNQHojj4-ty/s400/100_3250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662347854113764786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD_wIa0-ukoKfSaCQEsDYQoii3O_0wSZykRU8I3M_SgWOruYS6q_4haMvEmB49k0PVHS2uA7XvwizarbCEQAmKcVj-KD192rBcLHkS6BPLPc0UZJf5e8fMS7H5nWqhCfR84ZwCU_h5_GX/s1600/100_3254.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD_wIa0-ukoKfSaCQEsDYQoii3O_0wSZykRU8I3M_SgWOruYS6q_4haMvEmB49k0PVHS2uA7XvwizarbCEQAmKcVj-KD192rBcLHkS6BPLPc0UZJf5e8fMS7H5nWqhCfR84ZwCU_h5_GX/s400/100_3254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662347847916591282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvGEkfrpjxPwujGX1oLFs9jqZhvJ5HhNBkDUOu36hfQpDW4B7cN8i0y0eXT5625u3SROMQsV8h6RNFt9Ghx1b6zKSpVf3BKVwo7ahxaIkHyRfw6QvZ6_5apIsJdovjhdmh7OTFkIAO_vU/s1600/100_3255.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvGEkfrpjxPwujGX1oLFs9jqZhvJ5HhNBkDUOu36hfQpDW4B7cN8i0y0eXT5625u3SROMQsV8h6RNFt9Ghx1b6zKSpVf3BKVwo7ahxaIkHyRfw6QvZ6_5apIsJdovjhdmh7OTFkIAO_vU/s400/100_3255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662347834647333010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWZvW8CtMk13amfcZZr07akSD8Y9EfVIXstCPMpAiOY6eJY1d6CLjx84RQAEL5yZTDx4r7w1kLYoO9vvzFWAl2zb-KjuYJ821P-MbLD_CVIKVmYvGY8ZxghBlyaONXOuYaj04z9LUwgEJ/s1600/100_3257.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWZvW8CtMk13amfcZZr07akSD8Y9EfVIXstCPMpAiOY6eJY1d6CLjx84RQAEL5yZTDx4r7w1kLYoO9vvzFWAl2zb-KjuYJ821P-MbLD_CVIKVmYvGY8ZxghBlyaONXOuYaj04z9LUwgEJ/s400/100_3257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662347830227381122" /></a><br />I am pretty sure he's the luckiest boy in the world. </div></div><div>Happy Birthday, Dane! We love you like crazy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1