tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89922186986241986882024-03-13T08:13:38.968-07:00The Mitchell Family"Fly The World Above the Crowd"Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-5568404079767933582012-03-12T10:10:00.003-07:002012-03-12T10:34:37.419-07:00Backyard Chickens<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWFpUZvILbw/T14zMgHaXrI/AAAAAAAABUU/GWHaZ5XANT8/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719064866679578290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWFpUZvILbw/T14zMgHaXrI/AAAAAAAABUU/GWHaZ5XANT8/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" /></a> Pullets<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-_g0ELDqFI/T14zL47nfSI/AAAAAAAABUI/jrU2JdeMM5M/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719064856161123618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-_g0ELDqFI/T14zL47nfSI/AAAAAAAABUI/jrU2JdeMM5M/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaquQk1ZNYI/T14zLc0Gj_I/AAAAAAAABT4/5QQZsU3jr_Q/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719064848613412850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaquQk1ZNYI/T14zLc0Gj_I/AAAAAAAABT4/5QQZsU3jr_Q/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNavboV_2pE/T14zKKq3yzI/AAAAAAAABTk/-x-baEtVNR8/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719064826562988850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNavboV_2pE/T14zKKq3yzI/AAAAAAAABTk/-x-baEtVNR8/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" /></a> Coop<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx7cGFza6M8/T14woH-C-XI/AAAAAAAABTU/iCjDt2bLHu0/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719062042699299186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wx7cGFza6M8/T14woH-C-XI/AAAAAAAABTU/iCjDt2bLHu0/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" /></a> First Egg<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyiCSza4pJI/T14wnrvbJHI/AAAAAAAABTM/SO2S3aXY78k/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719062035121775730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyiCSza4pJI/T14wnrvbJHI/AAAAAAAABTM/SO2S3aXY78k/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7IVDtlsDTI/T14wnVyLexI/AAAAAAAABTA/r38Rr85moCA/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719062029227752210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7IVDtlsDTI/T14wnVyLexI/AAAAAAAABTA/r38Rr85moCA/s320/DSC_0147.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uP7UcUJXjg/T14wmp0qqxI/AAAAAAAABS0/Z4VySmv9yfw/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719062017427024658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uP7UcUJXjg/T14wmp0qqxI/AAAAAAAABS0/Z4VySmv9yfw/s320/DSC_0144.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfvZY2mpRZQ/T14wmGzdWvI/AAAAAAAABSo/mj9lrpL-vRo/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719062008026716914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfvZY2mpRZQ/T14wmGzdWvI/AAAAAAAABSo/mj9lrpL-vRo/s320/DSC_0162.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-2880388018936009372011-05-19T21:49:00.000-07:002011-05-19T21:57:02.434-07:00Acrosic Poem by Paislee<span style="color:#663366;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">P</span> </span><span style="color:#000000;">lay's the piano</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">A</span> <span style="color:#000000;">wesome<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">I</span> <span style="color:#000000;">s very funny</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">S</span> <span style="color:#000000;">ometimes she's shy<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">L</span><span style="color:#000000;"> ove acts like her middle name<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">E</span> <span style="color:#000000;">xtremly cute<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">E</span> <span style="color:#000000;">xpert at making babies laugh<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">J</span> <span style="color:#000000;">ane is her middle name<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">A</span> <span style="color:#000000;">lways looking for a friend<br /></span><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">N</span> </span><span style="color:#000000;">ever gets the bad grades<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">E </span><span style="color:#000000;">xcellent at singing<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">S</span> <span style="color:#000000;">mells like nothing (I think this one is hilarious)<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">M</span> <span style="color:#000000;">akes pictures of friends<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">I</span> <span style="color:#000000;">t's hard to get her to stop talking (her and her 3 siblings)<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">T</span> <span style="color:#000000;">ithing is easy for her (love, LOVE, this)<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">H</span> <span style="color:#000000;">as a good responsibility for her chickens<br /></span><br />age ten: fourth grade!<br /><br />I found this sitting on my desk one afternoon, it was something she had put together. I love the confidence she displays, the truth she speaks, and how well she knows herself. I'm so proud of her and all she does!Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-14613310622925335822011-05-13T18:54:00.000-07:002011-05-13T19:42:06.098-07:00A Chicken or Four<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o66TPMOmN4s/Tc3jTWUEOzI/AAAAAAAABSc/rYGi4nDTxTc/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606387032692898610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o66TPMOmN4s/Tc3jTWUEOzI/AAAAAAAABSc/rYGi4nDTxTc/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a> Our children love animals. They have always wanted more pets, and we haven't allowed it. I feel like we have enough "animals" in our house already and didn't want another cat or dog in the mix. I've always thought that chickens would be a fun outdoor, contributing pet to have. After much deliberation between Jake and I and many, many pleadings by Paislee we decided to get some chicks. This little lady is Grant's. Her name is Tobasco Sauce, we call her Basco for short. Grant is convinced that it is a he chicken, Roosters are illegal in the City of Meridian, so no boys, or fertilized eggs for us.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Gvzdf387q8/Tc3jTG3e-iI/AAAAAAAABSU/MiJL1EP32Fo/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606387028546484770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Gvzdf387q8/Tc3jTG3e-iI/AAAAAAAABSU/MiJL1EP32Fo/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a>So far they are a success, even without them laying eggs yet! The kids love to check on their chicks, if they disappear for any amount of time I always finding them hanging out by the brooder in the garage. Before we get in the van to go anywhere, they check on the chicks first. Paislee makes sure they have food, water, and clean bedding to sleep in.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pykXmVcyqgM/Tc3jSyVvKSI/AAAAAAAABSM/WWKFdq9BmMk/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606387023036229922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pykXmVcyqgM/Tc3jSyVvKSI/AAAAAAAABSM/WWKFdq9BmMk/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" /></a> They are finally old enough to go into a coop (you have to wait until they have all of their feathers, or are about 6 weeks old). So we took them outside, one by one, to see how they liked the outdoors. It was a success. Trying to catch them in the brooder is fun, but tricky. Put them outside on the grass and they go so quiet and still.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4F9TxuP6z_c/Tc3jSTUJppI/AAAAAAAABSE/s-GPdNmg1vA/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606387014708078226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4F9TxuP6z_c/Tc3jSTUJppI/AAAAAAAABSE/s-GPdNmg1vA/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" /></a> They don't peck at the kids. They let them pet them, I think they may actually have enjoyed it. The yellow hens are Orpingtons and the colored ones are Ameraucanas. </div><br /><div>Parker's chicken is named Butterscotch.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lN79IeOuB1w/Tc3jSM8xYEI/AAAAAAAABR8/94GnFiUbYL0/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606387012999405634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lN79IeOuB1w/Tc3jSM8xYEI/AAAAAAAABR8/94GnFiUbYL0/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" /></a> As you can see they are very protective of their chicks, below is Ella's, Caramel.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW8k762ihno/Tc3iMtF7MOI/AAAAAAAABR0/RP0jD4H61Cw/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385819036889314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW8k762ihno/Tc3iMtF7MOI/AAAAAAAABR0/RP0jD4H61Cw/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" /></a> They are finally sturdy enough to allow the kids to hold them. I worried for the first few weeks that Grant would squeeze them to death, he didn't, but I still worried.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXAo_g0A9zw/Tc3iMYopqVI/AAAAAAAABRs/YkzU6-ujwl0/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385813545396562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXAo_g0A9zw/Tc3iMYopqVI/AAAAAAAABRs/YkzU6-ujwl0/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" /></a> Grant is "kissing" Paislee's chicken, Vanilla, below. I never thought chickens were a kissable type of animal, apparently Grant does.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ct0Ps_NXZ_A/Tc3iMLyebGI/AAAAAAAABRk/MlClOhwcdKs/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385810096942178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ct0Ps_NXZ_A/Tc3iMLyebGI/AAAAAAAABRk/MlClOhwcdKs/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dmHZz9r3-I/Tc3iLxltZVI/AAAAAAAABRc/8bT1dL_9AdI/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385803064075602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dmHZz9r3-I/Tc3iLxltZVI/AAAAAAAABRc/8bT1dL_9AdI/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" /></a> So in a few more months we will be collecting fresh, organic, blue, green, and brown eggs from our sweet little hens!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDy-4lnCnb0/Tc3iLrV4dKI/AAAAAAAABRU/GJTOq13BIKU/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385801387078818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDy-4lnCnb0/Tc3iLrV4dKI/AAAAAAAABRU/GJTOq13BIKU/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" /></a> That is what happens when a chicken isn't so sure a 3 year old boy should be trusted with it's life!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-20130957076920923222011-05-13T18:39:00.000-07:002011-05-13T18:52:50.629-07:00Under My Feet<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVp12hj0rbE/Tc3fXNUnErI/AAAAAAAABRM/4GVzx6eAnZs/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606382700952228530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVp12hj0rbE/Tc3fXNUnErI/AAAAAAAABRM/4GVzx6eAnZs/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" /></a> Last summer at a yard sale I picked up that black stool. It's purpose was to sit in the guest bathroom to help the kids wash their hands rather than standing on the toilet seat to do so. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxeMBgHib8k/Tc3fW475ndI/AAAAAAAABRE/eYvW40-vnTI/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606382695479877074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxeMBgHib8k/Tc3fW475ndI/AAAAAAAABRE/eYvW40-vnTI/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" /></a> It now can consistently be found in random places in the kitchen, usually right where I am walking so I can trip over it. Parker pushes it around like it's a walking aid and then randomly stops and climbs on top of it.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVBVhN3pULc/Tc3fWhFcenI/AAAAAAAABQ8/fbp8FVkYN7Q/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606382689077459570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVBVhN3pULc/Tc3fWhFcenI/AAAAAAAABQ8/fbp8FVkYN7Q/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" /></a> If I'm in the kitchen cooking, Grant places it right next to me, so he can "help". This is where he had strategically placed it the other night. Parker thought it made an excellent seat and just sat there happily, swinging her feet, watching me cook.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXQP2EPjtMA/Tc3fWVVyVZI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Doiv1Xuu_SQ/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606382685924775314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXQP2EPjtMA/Tc3fWVVyVZI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Doiv1Xuu_SQ/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" /></a> Grant realized the wisdom in this and joined her, it was too sweet not to capture.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKqBZplc49Q/Tc3fV2VdTbI/AAAAAAAABQs/1FxHTFiUSNw/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606382677601897906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKqBZplc49Q/Tc3fV2VdTbI/AAAAAAAABQs/1FxHTFiUSNw/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" /></a> Love these two, even under my feet.</div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-16151814395809288052011-05-11T18:50:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:40:48.626-07:00Bountiful Baskets<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LALaciqOBc0/Tcs-PdrlMsI/AAAAAAAABQk/fXGrtXShYrc/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CliP3lhxHxA/Tcs9tA05RkI/AAAAAAAABQU/5_oeTeVP3iE/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605642004717979202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CliP3lhxHxA/Tcs9tA05RkI/AAAAAAAABQU/5_oeTeVP3iE/s320/DSC_0128.JPG" /></a> Last year, on Facebook, I saw a lot of my Eastern Idaho and Utah family and friends talking about Bountiful Baskets. Then after wondering much about it my Mom gave me the low-down. For a $15 contribution you received 6 different types of fruit and 6 different types of vegetables. And they were in abundance. Tricky part was, we could only have Bountiful Baskets in the Treasure Valley if someone volunteered in an area that already had it and brought it here. And I assumed it would be a blessing we wouldn't have here, ever. Then in August I saw a friend post that a Bountiful Basket site had opened in Middleton. I made my contribution the next Monday and participated the next Saturday and was hooked. On Saturday mornings I would get up at 5am, get ready for the day, drive 20 mintues to Middleton, volunteer for an hour to help the site coordinator there, and drive 20 minutes home with my box of produce. I was a happy girl, and in the first month alone lost 9 lbs! Then a friend suggested we start a site in Meridian. I thought about it, debated about it, talked to Jake about it, and then decided, I was already spending 1 1/2 hours every Saturday morning doing it, why not. I knew a lot of people who would LOVE to participate as well.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHmeXI0pXaU/Tcs9s_kfWnI/AAAAAAAABQM/D1zpXTrir1E/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605642004380736114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHmeXI0pXaU/Tcs9s_kfWnI/AAAAAAAABQM/D1zpXTrir1E/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" /></a> And so this is where you will find me on Saturday mornings, volunteering with a bunch of fantastic people. Unloading a semi with 6,000 lbs of produce and various other goodies, bread, tortillas, cases of produce, cookies, to name a few. Distributing all of the produce in 192 white plastic baskets. And watching 96 very happy families pick up their produce for the week. It's been such a great experience for my entire family. I have made some fun new friends and run into many old acquaintances. My children have learned how to contribute to their community and the value of hard work.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jh9W0dRGrBo/Tcs9sh1BaQI/AAAAAAAABQE/qpu-Uzy-QEY/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605641996397013250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jh9W0dRGrBo/Tcs9sh1BaQI/AAAAAAAABQE/qpu-Uzy-QEY/s320/DSC_0126.JPG" /></a> And our basket is better than Christmas morning. You never know what you are going to get and the possibilities are endless! This weeks basket contained:</div><br /><div>1) pineapple</div><br /><div>1) cantaloupe</div><br /><div>1) lb strawberries</div><br /><div>1) pint blueberries</div><br /><div>6) bananas</div><br /><div>1) head romaine lettuce</div><br /><div>8) red potatoes</div><br /><div>1) tomato on the vine (3 tomatoes)</div><br /><div>3) broccoli crowns</div><br /><div>1) lb green beans</div><br /><div>2) jicama</div><br /><div>2) cucumbers</div></div></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-46203432805577102302011-05-08T17:36:00.000-07:002011-05-08T17:58:54.316-07:00How About Some Cheese with that Whine?<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VggsrK43dw0/Tcc4XdE3YNI/AAAAAAAABP8/ZV-KuZWDIcU/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604510236879053010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VggsrK43dw0/Tcc4XdE3YNI/AAAAAAAABP8/ZV-KuZWDIcU/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" /></a> You wouldn't guess it looking at these pictures, but this little girl has turned into one clingy baby. I can barely put her down, she won't go to anyone else. It's very sweet that she loves her Mommy, but some days I wish she were more independent or I had two more arms!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCHOBD8uzUE/Tcc4W_MFxxI/AAAAAAAABP0/VbXSTJ2_2MA/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604510228856293138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCHOBD8uzUE/Tcc4W_MFxxI/AAAAAAAABP0/VbXSTJ2_2MA/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" /></a> She's got some personality to boot. She knows what she wants, and has no problem communicating it to us. She also likes to have her picture taken!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79Us8tx13Jw/Tcc4WqOhl3I/AAAAAAAABPs/WCzSExaTqew/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604510223229359986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79Us8tx13Jw/Tcc4WqOhl3I/AAAAAAAABPs/WCzSExaTqew/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" /></a> These are some of the cheesiest grins I have ever seen. Once she caught on to what I was doing the grins became sillier and sillier.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uq9FI0J_DBM/Tcc4WQha7ZI/AAAAAAAABPk/cFGhbZ2e_5Y/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604510216329293202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uq9FI0J_DBM/Tcc4WQha7ZI/AAAAAAAABPk/cFGhbZ2e_5Y/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" /></a> Fourteen months old, climbing like a monkey, and not walking. She can stand there and dance, bounce, and squat, but refuses to take one step on her own. She walks on her knees, it's the funniest thing. She can also crawl faster than the speed of light! I'm hoping that once she figures out walking, gains some independance, that the whining diminishes. A mother can dream right?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPSHVkwuhnc/Tcc4WEviFPI/AAAAAAAABPc/N7Gw58er1os/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604510213167256818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPSHVkwuhnc/Tcc4WEviFPI/AAAAAAAABPc/N7Gw58er1os/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" /></a> In the mean time, we'll just enjoy every single second we have left of babyhood!</div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-60394116648976575352011-05-08T17:13:00.001-07:002011-05-08T22:01:48.731-07:00Our Hillbilly Pimp<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgD22tOSIyY/Tcczty059FI/AAAAAAAABPU/veSMycg_y4o/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604505123116676178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgD22tOSIyY/Tcczty059FI/AAAAAAAABPU/veSMycg_y4o/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a> Our little guy went in for dental surgery Friday morning, and was so brave. When his teeth came in we noticed that the one to the left of his front teeth was split in the middle. Apparently this isn't very common, especially on the top. We were also told that the chances of the permanent tooth coming in that way is very unlikely. However because of the split it was very susceptible to bacteria and cavities and had to be extracted. He also inherited some bad genes from me, my parents and his Grammy that makes him prone to cavities. (I'm explaining this so that you will all know that yes, we do brush this kids teeth, no we do not neglect his hygiene, and his sisters have healthy teeth).<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRP_HFoAOy0/TccztjoKpEI/AAAAAAAABPM/XzvMEodT7is/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604505119036712002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRP_HFoAOy0/TccztjoKpEI/AAAAAAAABPM/XzvMEodT7is/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" /></a> Here he is the night of surgery, he recovered quickly and is back to his mischievious ways!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euBbeOO4IVM/TcczNXjQwVI/AAAAAAAABPE/QcFGL5OQ8-Q/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604504566039101778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euBbeOO4IVM/TcczNXjQwVI/AAAAAAAABPE/QcFGL5OQ8-Q/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" /></a> This is one very relaxed little boy after the "giggling medicine" he was given. He couldn't form a complete sentence at all, had the most dreamy expression on his face, and occasionally would giggle at us with big eyes. "Giggling medicine" would be handy to have in the house on those days that he just won't stop talking!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahDyH-zMUPM/TcczNFTDEVI/AAAAAAAABO8/5cC7nEh8XUM/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604504561139257682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahDyH-zMUPM/TcczNFTDEVI/AAAAAAAABO8/5cC7nEh8XUM/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" /></a> Happy before the surgery.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sF8Kg_0KYYg/TcczMxfDklI/AAAAAAAABO0/bRCCfaP1LIs/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604504555820913234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sF8Kg_0KYYg/TcczMxfDklI/AAAAAAAABO0/bRCCfaP1LIs/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" /></a> Super Grant in his super cape.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saUI_JUeFR0/TcczMu1hl0I/AAAAAAAABOs/zuOk5rQHZ8A/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604504555109848898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saUI_JUeFR0/TcczMu1hl0I/AAAAAAAABOs/zuOk5rQHZ8A/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a> His little i.d. band with stickers on it. The nurses were wonderful, they made him feel very comfortable and treated him like a prince.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KBj7VU-ahVw/TcczMVQqomI/AAAAAAAABOk/odZQV2HapNg/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604504548244365922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KBj7VU-ahVw/TcczMVQqomI/AAAAAAAABOk/odZQV2HapNg/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /></a> They allow you to bring special toys/blankets in with you and he brought his well loved Puppy and his favorite green blanket. The turquoise bear he picked out for being so brave, he named him Heart. Heart and Puppy, Grant calls them as he sees them!</div><br /><br /><div>They took him back in his bed with wheels and a big smile on his face. An hour and a half later I was taken back and found a very sad, upset, screaming little boy. He wanted his I.V. out, he wanted the heart monitor off of his big toe, and he wanted the nurses to get out of the room. He eventually calmed down after they removed the hoses and we were wheeled out of the hospital by a very old volunteer. Poor guy, I think he ran us into every door jamb between the surgical floor and our car!</div><br /><br /><div>Two great things from this, Grant's teeth are fixed, and I ran into my best friend from elementary school. We haven't seen each other since we were sophomores in high school and she switched schools. I've wondered where she was over the years, tried to find her through facebook, and finally found her on the 2nd floor at St. Lukes. It was wonderful to see her face again!</div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-50831018855300144652010-11-02T14:03:00.000-07:002010-11-03T16:15:17.958-07:00Halloween 2010 in a Nutshell<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCIPbbYkBI/AAAAAAAABNE/no0hviMROuc/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535073740680368146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCIPbbYkBI/AAAAAAAABNE/no0hviMROuc/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" /></a> Super Daddy and Pumpkin Parker<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCIPNLGA9I/AAAAAAAABM8/M2IC0cXFjRg/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535073736853947346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCIPNLGA9I/AAAAAAAABM8/M2IC0cXFjRg/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a> Uncle Icecream and the little pumpkin<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFJ2ZwaFI/AAAAAAAABM0/fQms_RV3rqg/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535070346307201106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFJ2ZwaFI/AAAAAAAABM0/fQms_RV3rqg/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" /></a>Paislee the "ex-mummy", Uncle Bret and that smiling pumpkin again<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFJt6MmzI/AAAAAAAABMs/chbMCZLr0CU/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535070344027347762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFJt6MmzI/AAAAAAAABMs/chbMCZLr0CU/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" /></a> Me, Heidi, some little girl I don't know, Kaylynn and Bret's hand<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFJLJ0-rI/AAAAAAAABMk/yWgTkhdUv9c/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535070334697667250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFJLJ0-rI/AAAAAAAABMk/yWgTkhdUv9c/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" /></a> Ella and Kaylynn dancing in a circle<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFI1kK7AI/AAAAAAAABMc/yVAZI5x4NTM/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535070328902577154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFI1kK7AI/AAAAAAAABMc/yVAZI5x4NTM/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" /></a> Grant the Green Dinosaur<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFIILR-5I/AAAAAAAABMU/nFPfZhjuDbk/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535070316718586770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCFIILR-5I/AAAAAAAABMU/nFPfZhjuDbk/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" /></a> The dinosaur and his friends swimming like little fish through the grasses<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD2YHtYMI/AAAAAAAABMM/me08h5uXdMk/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535068912249299138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD2YHtYMI/AAAAAAAABMM/me08h5uXdMk/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" /></a> Cinder Kaylynn and the pinata, she was one of the first kids to take a whack and she scored a little smartie out of it<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD1_8eLoI/AAAAAAAABME/8T7OpnbuW5w/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535068905759714946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD1_8eLoI/AAAAAAAABME/8T7OpnbuW5w/s320/DSC_0051.JPG" /></a> The Little Mermaid Ella, she has my hand/eye coordination and missed the pinata the first few times, this is her expressing her frustration with the swinging pinata<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD1UA_KTI/AAAAAAAABL8/TIkTvPwk4Wk/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535068893967493426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD1UA_KTI/AAAAAAAABL8/TIkTvPwk4Wk/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" /></a> Three little princesses all in a row<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD1AQXpKI/AAAAAAAABL0/dIv-fbQ8Vn8/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535068888663303330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD1AQXpKI/AAAAAAAABL0/dIv-fbQ8Vn8/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" /></a> The dinosaur taking his turn<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD0o6LRDI/AAAAAAAABLs/kTeUFvgAWwo/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535068882396202034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TNCD0o6LRDI/AAAAAAAABLs/kTeUFvgAWwo/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" /></a> Our little crew before the Trunk or Treat on Saturday</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-35387248104206904382010-10-05T14:39:00.000-07:002010-10-05T15:03:17.901-07:00Muddy Pumpkins<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKudh0q3gzI/AAAAAAAABLk/zmEyXisC4WY/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524682572299731762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKudh0q3gzI/AAAAAAAABLk/zmEyXisC4WY/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" /></a> We had a fun, semi chilly, very muddy morning at the pumpkin patch with a few of our friends from church. The kids absolutely didn't mind the mud and had so much fun on the farm.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKudhsGfltI/AAAAAAAABLc/prNkadCDHa4/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524682569999685330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKudhsGfltI/AAAAAAAABLc/prNkadCDHa4/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" /></a> Grant was so excited to find a pumpkin that sported his favorite color, green, that he had to get it! He even packed it around for a few minutes before handing it off to me. Later they learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin and when they showed the photo of a green pumpkin he was so excited and told the lady that it was his favorite color. He had so much enthusiasm he was yelling and jumping as he announced it.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKudhF7TNiI/AAAAAAAABLU/xVCqKvNDwLo/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524682559752189474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKudhF7TNiI/AAAAAAAABLU/xVCqKvNDwLo/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" /></a> Ella's pumpkin. She quietly walked through the pumpkin vines until she spotted the one she wanted. Once she had decided which one she stuck with it. <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuclmhwuiI/AAAAAAAABLM/xEOwDvI-tWY/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524681537711290914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuclmhwuiI/AAAAAAAABLM/xEOwDvI-tWY/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" /></a> Grant with a fiesty little pony. These guys did not like their stable mates at all, there was some bullying and biting going around. Definitely not the greatest example for these kiddos to see but hilarious at the same time.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuclbXjZwI/AAAAAAAABLE/Sz3poiZgHmo/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524681534715684610" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuclbXjZwI/AAAAAAAABLE/Sz3poiZgHmo/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" /></a> Parker the red nosed baby. It was a little chilly and since she wasn't running around she was a tiny bit cold. She had a shiny red, runny nose but was happy anyway (when isn't she)?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuclBTQKuI/AAAAAAAABK8/UnvoTQbex68/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524681527718324962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuclBTQKuI/AAAAAAAABK8/UnvoTQbex68/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuckT2YgdI/AAAAAAAABK0/xmxNqLbKU4w/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524681515517641170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuckT2YgdI/AAAAAAAABK0/xmxNqLbKU4w/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" /></a> The ever popular hay maze, they ran back and forth through this thing for a good ten minutes. Every now and then they'd hit a dead end, turn around and run smack into another little kid, good times!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuckPqwvgI/AAAAAAAABKs/aFALgiKR-IM/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524681514395155970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TKuckPqwvgI/AAAAAAAABKs/aFALgiKR-IM/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a> My little buddy, who insisted I take his photo. He cracks me up, don't you just love how he wears his hat like a little old man, crooked and askew.</div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-24265149989588373362010-09-26T13:57:00.000-07:002010-10-05T14:34:10.845-07:00The Big 3<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-7Hpe9JWI/AAAAAAAABKk/ibHKeO6liGc/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521337408248685922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-7Hpe9JWI/AAAAAAAABKk/ibHKeO6liGc/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a> We celebrated Grant's third birthday in September. He's growing so fast and is the funniest little boy! I asked him early in the week what he wanted to eat for his birthday dinner. After a long pause he responded with, "Rotten eggs and snails". I had to laugh, then figure out how to make him what he wanted. For breakfast he had "rotten eggs" and bacon!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6stAvz3I/AAAAAAAABKc/cUOPwZxs3S4/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521336945339256690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6stAvz3I/AAAAAAAABKc/cUOPwZxs3S4/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" /></a>And for dessert he had snail cupcakes (they had green oozey stuff in the middle).<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6sPC4JCI/AAAAAAAABKU/1obn9jlbpV0/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521336937295127586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6sPC4JCI/AAAAAAAABKU/1obn9jlbpV0/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" /></a> He asked for a green bean bag for his birthday and was so excited to open it, then go watch a movie while he sat on his own bag!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6r_FSn2I/AAAAAAAABKM/O_nrEzeF3Mc/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521336933010284386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6r_FSn2I/AAAAAAAABKM/O_nrEzeF3Mc/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" /></a> And for our activity we went bowling, he loves to bowl.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6riNJ0KI/AAAAAAAABKE/QTNLjK7HnQU/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521336925258633378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6riNJ0KI/AAAAAAAABKE/QTNLjK7HnQU/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" /></a> We invited our local family to come with us, above is his cousin Tripp.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6rRbaRSI/AAAAAAAABJ8/O0OsYDCxkp4/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521336920755029282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-6rRbaRSI/AAAAAAAABJ8/O0OsYDCxkp4/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" /></a> Aunt Sarah with Parker.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5U2niCiI/AAAAAAAABJ0/ArAZdPL_KIE/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521335436089362978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5U2niCiI/AAAAAAAABJ0/ArAZdPL_KIE/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" /></a> Grant telling Grandpa Bret that he's three.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5UQ1vjoI/AAAAAAAABJs/cvLVkQGwp00/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521335425948421762" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5UQ1vjoI/AAAAAAAABJs/cvLVkQGwp00/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" /></a> Grandpa Bret taking his turn with Parker.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5ULuumoI/AAAAAAAABJk/UmXbaMjnFdo/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521335424576821890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5ULuumoI/AAAAAAAABJk/UmXbaMjnFdo/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" /></a> Tripp became quite the bowler by the end of the night, he caught on very quickly and was throwing that ball down the lane like a pro.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5TvEhbkI/AAAAAAAABJc/3P5M0XvRYR0/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521335416883605058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5TvEhbkI/AAAAAAAABJc/3P5M0XvRYR0/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" /></a> Paislee and Grammy Shar.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5TB9lb3I/AAAAAAAABJU/WQqFrDeDOcw/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521335404774911858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-5TB9lb3I/AAAAAAAABJU/WQqFrDeDOcw/s320/DSC_0054.JPG" /></a>Ella bowling left handed?<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3Cm9tXZI/AAAAAAAABJM/bP6YLUGLA1s/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521332923626511762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3Cm9tXZI/AAAAAAAABJM/bP6YLUGLA1s/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" /></a> The wildest bowler of the night was Paislee, both her body and her ball were all over the place.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3BwajhbI/AAAAAAAABJE/3FVlLpp6AyQ/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521332908983551410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3BwajhbI/AAAAAAAABJE/3FVlLpp6AyQ/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" /></a> Uncle Allen and Parker.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3BkcPmWI/AAAAAAAABI8/f86opDJUxCY/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521332905769408866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3BkcPmWI/AAAAAAAABI8/f86opDJUxCY/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" /></a> Papa Bill smooching on lil' P.<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3BRsPvcI/AAAAAAAABI0/MrQRk7UisQw/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521332900736253378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3BRsPvcI/AAAAAAAABI0/MrQRk7UisQw/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" /></a> The birthday boy:</div><div>His favorite color: green</div><div>His favorite food: fruit snacks</div><div>His favorite toy: Buzz</div><div>His favorite movie: Toy Story</div><div>His favorite candy: Chocolate<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3A2n3YDI/AAAAAAAABIs/f88lK7jUTZo/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521332893470122034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TJ-3A2n3YDI/AAAAAAAABIs/f88lK7jUTZo/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" /></a> Daddy and Grant, such handsome men!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-18515898121945285052010-08-30T22:05:00.000-07:002010-08-30T22:24:16.593-07:00KiNdErGaRtEn!<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyPDAIlSvI/AAAAAAAABIc/Hvkl1poONQM/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511437325733022450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyPDAIlSvI/AAAAAAAABIc/Hvkl1poONQM/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" /></a> After much deliberation, prayers, and patience Ella started Kindergarten last week. After the lotteries last spring Paislee was placed in one charter school and Ella in another. We hoped that they would get into the same school eventually, Paislee started out as number 16 at Ella's school and Ella was number 7 at Paislee's school. Last Tuesday I received a call from Ella's school stating that they had an opening for Paislee. This was after she had already been attending her school for a week and a half, we had gone to the opening family picnic, and we were all thrilled with the school. I was torn, did we leave her there, hoping Ella would eventually join her?<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyPCz3c2VI/AAAAAAAABIU/VqvtEk3fAlY/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511437322439940434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyPCz3c2VI/AAAAAAAABIU/VqvtEk3fAlY/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a> So I called Paislee's school to see what position Ella was on the waiting list, she was now #1. We felt pretty comfortable with her position, that she would eventually get in, if not right away maybe later this year. So we left Paislee at her school and turned down the opening at Ella's. I felt sick to my stomach afterwards, had I just lost the opportunity to have my girls attend the same school?<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyPBNOlsmI/AAAAAAAABIM/L05Rgy7DE60/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511437294888137314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyPBNOlsmI/AAAAAAAABIM/L05Rgy7DE60/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" /></a> And then the next morning I received another call, Paislee's school had an opening for Ella! We were estactic, she was in, they would be going to the same school. Everything had worked out exactly as we had hoped. And the next day Ella started Kindergarten. She loves it! She had her first homework tonight and she was so excited, right now homework is fun!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyO-mRxbkI/AAAAAAAABIE/5H7TBI7aigU/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511437250072768066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyO-mRxbkI/AAAAAAAABIE/5H7TBI7aigU/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a> And this little guy, he gets to take a nap with his baby sister while his older ones are in school. And I? I have a few hours to myself to do whatever I want (er need) to do. Today it was canning spaghetti sauce, tomorrow I'm hoping it's finishing book two in The Hunger Games and starting book three!</div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-36050828042583853942010-08-30T21:51:00.000-07:002010-08-30T22:05:27.569-07:00A New Look<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLtkZ4stI/AAAAAAAABH8/bRUpp25jdoA/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511433658977268434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLtkZ4stI/AAAAAAAABH8/bRUpp25jdoA/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /></a> When it was time to get the girl's hair cut for back to school Ella had an idea. She wanted to go short, she wanted to have the shortest hair in the house (well, in comparison to Paislee and I). And she was determined. I was okay with it, in fact had been thinking about cutting it short for a long time but didn't know how she would react, but I wasn't sure what Jake would think.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLtABv_vI/AAAAAAAABH0/T3mTHcGyYno/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511433649212358386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLtABv_vI/AAAAAAAABH0/T3mTHcGyYno/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" /></a> When I asked him if she could cut her hair short his reply was, "She can do whatever she wants, it's her hair." I'm almost positive this will backfire on him in 10 years when she wants to dye it black, or hot pink, but hey, Daddy said!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLspd9TjI/AAAAAAAABHs/e83Is6Q-nRQ/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511433643156655666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLspd9TjI/AAAAAAAABHs/e83Is6Q-nRQ/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" /></a> And it really is cute! It's taken awhile to get used to. She loves it though, how short it is in the back, how easy it is for her to comb. It's darling to see her "fluff" it with the palm of her hand.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLr_Nc-6I/AAAAAAAABHk/sTCkBIpHLw4/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511433631813139362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLr_Nc-6I/AAAAAAAABHk/sTCkBIpHLw4/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" /></a> As you can tell she's perfectly happy with the decision she made, and if Ella's happy, well, it sure makes living with her more bearable!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLrRAf2wI/AAAAAAAABHc/dBGCDY6tRKA/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511433619410770690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THyLrRAf2wI/AAAAAAAABHc/dBGCDY6tRKA/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" /></a></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-71992716931723391882010-08-21T21:50:00.001-07:002010-08-21T22:23:25.523-07:00Pool Time<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THC0GLfyeVI/AAAAAAAABHU/TuHl3NrTJbA/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508100362532452690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THC0GLfyeVI/AAAAAAAABHU/TuHl3NrTJbA/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCxPb7FDAI/AAAAAAAABHM/daI01kTI9co/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508097223025822722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCxPb7FDAI/AAAAAAAABHM/daI01kTI9co/s320/DSC_0291.JPG" /></a> We spend a lot of time hanging out at the neighborhood pool. It's so nice to have a place to go that's close, we can walk down, hang out for an hour and head home. It doesn't create a big disturbance in our day, it's just part of it.</div><br /><div align="center">Parker is a bathing beauty, we keep her out of the sun as much as we can. She doesn't love the water or hate it, she's content pretty much anywhere!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuKdhaUEI/AAAAAAAABHE/rhjCLTutaXI/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508093839020806210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuKdhaUEI/AAAAAAAABHE/rhjCLTutaXI/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" /></a>Grant is hilarious. The three older kids received new goggles this year, he insists on wearing his, even though he doesn't put his head under the water. Usually the green part hangs out on his forehead slightly tilted to the side, but on this day he was sporting them backwards. His favorite part about swimming? Talking to the other swimmers, he is such a friendly, outgoing kid!<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuJt-GwdI/AAAAAAAABG0/E74c9R_3Nak/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508093826256257490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuJt-GwdI/AAAAAAAABG0/E74c9R_3Nak/s320/DSC_0294.JPG" /></a> This little girl has become an awesome swimmer. She loves loves loves the water and could stay in it all day.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuJWVZo1I/AAAAAAAABGs/p66l4_SVgks/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508093819911512914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuJWVZo1I/AAAAAAAABGs/p66l4_SVgks/s320/DSC_0295.JPG" /></a> The three little swimmers posing in the bright sun. Another benefit to the pool; they seem to get along better when we are there!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuIkx6oNI/AAAAAAAABGk/-lU7LNnf_44/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508093806609342674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCuIkx6oNI/AAAAAAAABGk/-lU7LNnf_44/s320/DSC_0297.JPG" /></a> This one honestly couldn't get any easier. She fell asleep and slept soundly until it was time to go. Nothing like a nap on a hot summer afternoon, laying on a pile of towels on the concrete, in the shade.<br /><br /><div>There would be more pictures of Paislee and Ella, except their heads aren't above water long enough to capture their sweet little faces. I guess I could always photograph their floating toesies and backsides, but I think a grin is always the best!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-77133729002895273282010-08-21T21:28:00.001-07:002010-08-21T21:42:47.589-07:00First Day at a New School<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCoqm5ONkI/AAAAAAAABGc/K6JUjmyEH8g/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508087794222642754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCoqm5ONkI/AAAAAAAABGc/K6JUjmyEH8g/s320/DSC_0279.JPG" /></a> Paislee started fourth grade on Monday the 16th, 4th grade! Can you believe it? I am having a difficult time grasping it myself. She will be ten in November, "almost a teenager" according to her! She has always had a positive experience at school but we wanted her as well as the rest of the kids to have amazing experiences at school and be pushed to their greatest ability. With that in mind we placed her name in the lotteries for a couple of charter schools in our area and were thrilled that she was able to get into one. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCop_VDzRI/AAAAAAAABGM/roX9HrCv-W8/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508087783601982738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCop_VDzRI/AAAAAAAABGM/roX9HrCv-W8/s320/DSC_0281.JPG" /></a> She had an awesome first week of school. Two things of importance (according to her): </div><div>Long division is the bane of her existence (admittedly she is a bit behind in Math because this school is on such an accelerated pace, but she's bright and we know she will catch up)</div><div>The playground is much better here than at her old school</div><div>She's also thrilled to be making new friends!<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCopa_3StI/AAAAAAAABGE/KPO5rEz2LdM/s1600/DSC_0282.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508087773849406162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCopa_3StI/AAAAAAAABGE/KPO5rEz2LdM/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" /></a> Waiting for the bus, examining the rocks?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCooqKsLRI/AAAAAAAABF8/KPzH6JYaG5M/s1600/DSC_0284.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508087760741477650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/THCooqKsLRI/AAAAAAAABF8/KPzH6JYaG5M/s320/DSC_0284.JPG" /></a> And walking across the street to get on the big yellow bus! Grant and Ella have missed her very much while she is gone, Ella starts Kindergarten this coming Friday and Grant starts preschool in 2012 (he is very disappointed that he does not get to go to school).</div><div>We are all excited to see what new things this school year brings!</div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-29077913780380799952010-08-12T14:20:00.000-07:002010-08-12T14:29:43.038-07:00Just Like a Baby Bird<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRm0bgGRcI/AAAAAAAABF0/XQTT--M-SIg/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504637695475205570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRm0bgGRcI/AAAAAAAABF0/XQTT--M-SIg/s320/DSC_0243.JPG" /></a> Even though she looks skinny, she's an eater. I usually wait until 6 months exactly to feed my babies rice cereal for the first time but Parker is fascinated by food, so I gave in and she had it on Tuesday for the first time.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmzpq7tFI/AAAAAAAABFs/me2zgBd-yfk/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504637682098877522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmzpq7tFI/AAAAAAAABFs/me2zgBd-yfk/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" /></a> She caught on quickly, there was no doubt in her mind she wanted whatever was on that spoon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmzeHE6yI/AAAAAAAABFk/nAVXxBZHrSo/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504637678995696418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmzeHE6yI/AAAAAAAABFk/nAVXxBZHrSo/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" /></a> At times I couldn't get into her mouth fast enough, she would hold her mouth open and gulp it down just like a baby bird.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmy8UZH1I/AAAAAAAABFc/5PR8K8cWD1s/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504637669924740946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmy8UZH1I/AAAAAAAABFc/5PR8K8cWD1s/s320/DSC_0251.JPG" /></a> Grant and Ella wanted to be included in the process, they love helping with their baby sister.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmydLwmoI/AAAAAAAABFU/6S0ygM6pBu4/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504637661567031938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRmydLwmoI/AAAAAAAABFU/6S0ygM6pBu4/s320/DSC_0259.JPG" /></a> Such a sweet pea!</div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-1865990642118346192010-08-12T14:08:00.000-07:002010-08-12T14:20:14.387-07:00Whip Cream Fight!<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk3hPdcaI/AAAAAAAABFM/gwTb4nNNqYU/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504635549532385698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk3hPdcaI/AAAAAAAABFM/gwTb4nNNqYU/s320/DSC_0181.JPG" /></a> Jake's sister Angie and her kids were visiting last week and it was kicked off with a whip cream fight. Jake will have to add his commentary later 'cause I didn't witness it but it appears it turned into Whip Cream Eating pretty quickly.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk3FkXBKI/AAAAAAAABFE/ABIbfRsquw4/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504635542103852194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk3FkXBKI/AAAAAAAABFE/ABIbfRsquw4/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk2m41IZI/AAAAAAAABE8/WrcSxZubDKY/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504635533868212626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk2m41IZI/AAAAAAAABE8/WrcSxZubDKY/s320/DSC_0205.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk2D0uieI/AAAAAAAABE0/yAI9maoVZBQ/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504635524455762402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk2D0uieI/AAAAAAAABE0/yAI9maoVZBQ/s320/DSC_0215.JPG" /></a> The evening ended with ice cream and fresh, sweet, huge Oregon Blueberries, yum!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk13US6XI/AAAAAAAABEs/xC9rCJJt8Dk/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504635521098508658" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRk13US6XI/AAAAAAAABEs/xC9rCJJt8Dk/s320/DSC_0222.JPG" /></a></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-78936015979884049372010-08-12T13:53:00.000-07:002010-08-12T14:35:43.532-07:00$14.99 Dresser<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgQYwYN-I/AAAAAAAABEk/22T_zwlH4Uo/s1600/DSC_0153-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504630479193126882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgQYwYN-I/AAAAAAAABEk/22T_zwlH4Uo/s320/DSC_0153-1.JPG" /></a> Seriously, why can't I remember that the pictures I want to be seen first need to be uploaded last? And why don't I have the patience to reupload them? Sorry, once again you get my afters before my befores! This is Grant's new dresser, the one that really only cost $14.99! I have been thinking about a dresser for Grant since before he was born, I even designed one and had the parts and pieces made for it, I'm pretty sure those parts and pieces are still sitting around somewhere but since I have absolutely no skill with power tools and apparently no power of persuasion over those I know who do, it was never built. But, thanks to one awesome family, who stumbled across this gem in their basement and absolutely refused to take any money for it (thank you, thank you, thank you) we had a free dresser. It just happened to be exactly what I was looking for, short, wide, and sturdy. I didn't care what color it was, 'cause I knew what color I wanted it to be.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgPyj6TrI/AAAAAAAABEc/-U5dObLurbg/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504630468940287666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgPyj6TrI/AAAAAAAABEc/-U5dObLurbg/s320/DSC_0152.JPG" /></a>And thanks to this amazing tutorial on painting furniture, <a href="http://www.justagirlblog.com/2010/03/painting-furniture.html">http://www.justagirlblog.com/2010/03/painting-furniture.html</a>, I had the knowledge to get the result I was looking for.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgPl1iGDI/AAAAAAAABEU/LMEUiHuNtO0/s1600/DSC_0151-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504630465524537394" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgPl1iGDI/AAAAAAAABEU/LMEUiHuNtO0/s320/DSC_0151-1.JPG" /></a> Here is it is in all it's pre-magic glory, great bones, just needing some "polo" paint from Benjamin Moore to find it's spot in Grant's room.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgPOJoa9I/AAAAAAAABEM/IWWMTRv3xLE/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504630459166387154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TGRgPOJoa9I/AAAAAAAABEM/IWWMTRv3xLE/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-84442098627545088612010-08-01T18:24:00.001-07:002010-08-01T19:17:38.867-07:00A Great Book, A Week Without Kids, and The Results<div align="center">I came across a book with the title</div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids</span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">by Kim John Payne</span></div><div align="center">and it was an answer to my prayers. I've been concerned about my kids, the way they play, how much time they spend under our feet, and how crazy our house seemed most of the time and how grumpy I was because of it. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The general overview is that all kids are quirky, I've said it before about my own, they have their own little quirks that makes them uniquely them. When you add stress to those quirks you get disorders, OCD, ADD, ADHD, etc. Stress comes in the form of many things, having too many choices, being overloaded with TV and media, being immersed in the adult world instead of being allowed to dwell in childhood. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The first suggestion is to rid your child's play space of the extras, if it doesn't spark the imagination and foster creativity it goes. My first thought was, I can't do that, we have spent money on those things and we can't just get rid of them. The more I thought about it and the more I read the book I came to realize that I was having anxiety because of my children's things. I disliked going up into their space because of the clutter and chaos. If I, an adult, felt that way when I entered their play room how must they feel about it? </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It says that when kids are allowed to be kids without all the distractions, they become more calm and intune with themselves. So I tried one of the suggestions, I left the TV off for 3 days. After lunch on the third day I couldn't find Grant, I put Parker down for her nap and went to find him. He had put himself down for a nap, this is the first time this has ever happened, but I honestly feel because he wasn't being distracted by the extra outside stimulation he was able to feel, I'm tired and I need a nap, then to act on those feelings. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I'm bored is a phrase that I've heard out of Miss Ella's mouth too many times this summer, she seems to think her only options are playing with friends, the computer or the Wii. I've tried reasoning with her, explaining that I didn't have those things as a kid and I was never bored. I tried threatening, saying that I would "find" her something to do. Nothing worked. She had tons of toys and nothing to do. There is a phrase he suggests using in response to "I'm bored" and it's simple, "There's something to do just around the corner". It worked, she came to me, said those words and I responded appropriately. She thought for a few seconds and then, spotted a bag of scrap paper and began to create from it. Awesome! So I knew I had to declutter and eliminate the excess from their life. It just so happened that my children were going to be at Grandma's Week and I would have an empty house and the ability to clean their space thoroughly and minimize. I did it, and it's been wonderful! </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjOlJaREI/AAAAAAAABEE/aTtyjuNaJPo/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500622728276362306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjOlJaREI/AAAAAAAABEE/aTtyjuNaJPo/s320/DSC_0161.JPG" /></a> Girl's bedroom after, we have only one toy in their room, the rest of it is open space for them to be kids.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjOXz-sJI/AAAAAAAABD8/5rMZ9Wr48JM/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500622724696813714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjOXz-sJI/AAAAAAAABD8/5rMZ9Wr48JM/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" /></a> Girl's bedroom before (you can't imagine what I found on top of Ella's bed, still amazed).<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjNzssJPI/AAAAAAAABD0/pGx7iTgC_xA/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500622715002561778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjNzssJPI/AAAAAAAABD0/pGx7iTgC_xA/s320/DSC_0165.JPG" /></a> Parker's future space.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjNZj3QCI/AAAAAAAABDs/uV0RTb8Nsj0/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500622707986219042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYjNZj3QCI/AAAAAAAABDs/uV0RTb8Nsj0/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" /></a> Disorder of before.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiMn29FrI/AAAAAAAABDk/E6dRHaRGE0Q/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500621595132892850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiMn29FrI/AAAAAAAABDk/E6dRHaRGE0Q/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" /></a> Grant's bedroom after (that toy box is virtually empty).<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiMJIzG3I/AAAAAAAABDc/glQ2tw2rtDs/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500621586886237042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiMJIzG3I/AAAAAAAABDc/glQ2tw2rtDs/s320/DSC_0135.JPG" /></a> Bedroom before, poor kid, not sure how he slept peacefully in there.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiL2QD7tI/AAAAAAAABDU/--Bx3yTitnA/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500621581816426194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiL2QD7tI/AAAAAAAABDU/--Bx3yTitnA/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" /></a> Another after shot, don't you just love his new dresser? $14.99!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiLTrCovI/AAAAAAAABDM/aNGKYjMr4Kk/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500621572534346482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYiLTrCovI/AAAAAAAABDM/aNGKYjMr4Kk/s320/DSC_0132.JPG" /></a> Same view before.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhQOYM7LI/AAAAAAAABDE/EDK5KtKE5Ok/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500620557500869810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhQOYM7LI/AAAAAAAABDE/EDK5KtKE5Ok/s320/DSC_0159.JPG" /></a> This is now our library of toys, the door has a lock on it and they aren't allowed to pull toys out of here (I know some of you are thinking, Nazi Mom, it's okay, I've been called that before and I embrace it). Each Sunday we will open the door for them and they will be able to switch out toys from here from the ones they played with the week before. That way there aren't too many toys to overwhelm them in sight every day and it's manageable for them.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhPluvniI/AAAAAAAABC8/uRZAycw7O0M/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500620546589564450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhPluvniI/AAAAAAAABC8/uRZAycw7O0M/s320/DSC_0140.JPG" /></a> Toy closet before, doesn't it make you uncomfortable?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhPFEkQQI/AAAAAAAABC0/MWqUjFrtcBA/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500620537822724354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhPFEkQQI/AAAAAAAABC0/MWqUjFrtcBA/s320/DSC_0168.JPG" /></a> My favorite space. Each toy on those shelves sparks the imagination. There's relatively few so they can "see" them and make a choice. It is also very easy to clean up and put away, especially when they are only allowed one toy down at a time.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhOni5DJI/AAAAAAAABCs/MRbL6T5hFio/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500620529896852626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYhOni5DJI/AAAAAAAABCs/MRbL6T5hFio/s320/DSC_0139.JPG" /></a> Same section of the room before, can you tell that I hardly ever go up there, it's making me cringe even now when I look at it.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYf5PA53gI/AAAAAAAABCU/KSsx9TSejJ4/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500619063022968322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYf5PA53gI/AAAAAAAABCU/KSsx9TSejJ4/s320/DSC_0158.JPG" /></a> After shot of the kitchen area, they can sit there and create whatever their hearts desire!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYf4qf-F3I/AAAAAAAABCM/kGhX584LO2w/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500619053221156722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFYf4qf-F3I/AAAAAAAABCM/kGhX584LO2w/s320/DSC_0131.JPG" /></a> Same area before, many of the larger toys were put into the library or into the yard sale pile so that they had plenty of open space to play in.<br /><br /><div>Other than things being clean and organized the rest of the results are stupendous. My kids came home yesterday, minutes after we finished putting the bunk beds together and loved their new space. There are ten bags of toys and many larger items that are in the garage ready for yard sale, guess how many they've noticed are missing? One, that's it. And when I told Paislee it was gone, she just shrugged, no big deal. Ella asked if we got new carpet while they were gone, then she looked again and realized that I had just vacuumed it. And they are spending time upstairs, they are playing with one toy at a time, they are playing happily together, they are cleaning up without being reminded, they made their own beds this morning, and they are using their imaginations. They haven't said "I'm bored" once since they've been home, they haven't been having melt downs, they aren't irrational, they are calmer, happier kids. </div><div> </div><div>Guess whose parents are calmer and happier as well?</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-56732322282151983262010-08-01T15:34:00.000-07:002010-08-01T16:14:13.943-07:00There is an art....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX_Q8ZNAaI/AAAAAAAABCE/HKxqCm06KQw/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500583186457756066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX_Q8ZNAaI/AAAAAAAABCE/HKxqCm06KQw/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX5k0N26II/AAAAAAAABB8/d0h9og3GTXI/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576930790303874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX5k0N26II/AAAAAAAABB8/d0h9og3GTXI/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" /></a> to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">-Douglas Adams <em>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</em></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX5kcFKIjI/AAAAAAAABB0/tbA06i5RlRk/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576924311364146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX5kcFKIjI/AAAAAAAABB0/tbA06i5RlRk/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" /></a>Last weekend we went to the Idaho Falls Airshow, along with 37, 994 people. It was hot, the vendors ran out of food and water, we hiked 1 1/2 miles back to our car with the slowest two and five year olds you have ever met, but we had an amazing time!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX480dOS6I/AAAAAAAABBs/MJRId5rn_QI/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576243659983778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX480dOS6I/AAAAAAAABBs/MJRId5rn_QI/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" /></a> My favorite airplane, I really learned an appreciation for flying (Jake's thinking, it only took her 7 years). It is definitely an art, it's precise, it's exact, it's absolutely breathtaking. There were moments where I had to close my eyes in fear of collision (please note, we were at the airshow in Mountain Home when the Thunder Bird crashed), but over all I was in amazement at the beauty of aviation.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX48j_ut8I/AAAAAAAABBk/sZrR1TQjCgk/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576239241312194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX48j_ut8I/AAAAAAAABBk/sZrR1TQjCgk/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a> We were "show center", which means we could see the airplanes as they taxied down the runway and occasionally they would fly right over our heads, thrilling to say the least.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX47-aeRCI/AAAAAAAABBc/qH8cKvp_L8U/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576229152932898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX47-aeRCI/AAAAAAAABBc/qH8cKvp_L8U/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" /></a> Cute kiddos trying to be sweet, patient and good while baking in the sun!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX47swU_-I/AAAAAAAABBU/0cIY3QvQO8U/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576224412762082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX47swU_-I/AAAAAAAABBU/0cIY3QvQO8U/s320/DSC_0036.JPG" /></a> Seriously, doesn't look safe does it?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX47CMXapI/AAAAAAAABBM/2UjFfvjUhMc/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500576212987636370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX47CMXapI/AAAAAAAABBM/2UjFfvjUhMc/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" /></a> Grant took a break from it all and took a good nap.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3pfuM4zI/AAAAAAAABBE/cLrE8nIFitQ/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574812164907826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3pfuM4zI/AAAAAAAABBE/cLrE8nIFitQ/s320/DSC_0082.JPG" /></a> Ella entertained herself by "playing" with my camera and taking pictures of everything. And I mean everything, strangers, out buildings, the dirt, me (which hardly ever happens), the sky, and I have to say, she took some pretty good ones.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3ozHRk8I/AAAAAAAABA8/Zjew9TnEWEM/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574800190477250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3ozHRk8I/AAAAAAAABA8/Zjew9TnEWEM/s320/DSC_0112.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3ocSk-BI/AAAAAAAABA0/E9LkjIh9mwU/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574794063869970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3ocSk-BI/AAAAAAAABA0/E9LkjIh9mwU/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" /></a> Love those two guys.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3oFPoMLI/AAAAAAAABAs/dgwXWTHj2h8/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574787877482674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3oFPoMLI/AAAAAAAABAs/dgwXWTHj2h8/s320/DSC_0129.JPG" /></a> The Blue Angels. They put on an amazing show. Did you know that when they fly in their diamond formation that the distance between wing tip and cock pit is 18 inches? Like I said before, precise, exact, and amazing.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3numU2GI/AAAAAAAABAk/mTGCxtA3IRA/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574781798668386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFX3numU2GI/AAAAAAAABAk/mTGCxtA3IRA/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" /></a> Maybe now when Jake talks about flying my eyes won't glaze over, I will just listen to his knowledge and love for one of man's coolest inventions! (Maybe)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-14011086611748416482010-08-01T12:00:00.000-07:002010-08-01T12:12:37.070-07:00Littlest Princess<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFXE-jiSNNI/AAAAAAAABAc/Ig5kZmlMGRM/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500519098872902866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TFXE-jiSNNI/AAAAAAAABAc/Ig5kZmlMGRM/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" /></a> I don't know that I would have ever thought of putting a crown on a baby, but someone did and it was super cute! She wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she didn't complain!</div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-90077172210076906562010-07-11T15:19:00.000-07:002010-07-11T16:11:34.249-07:00Parker at 4 Months<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDpEbbGG0uI/AAAAAAAABAQ/XIropl77NW4/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492777933452268258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDpEbbGG0uI/AAAAAAAABAQ/XIropl77NW4/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" /></a> They grow so fast, it's so much fun to watch but it goes too quickly. I'm already missing holding a snuggly newborn while at the same time loving her huge smiles when she sees me. She's so alert and communicative, we have another talker on our hands. During Sunday School today she kept chatting with the two sisters sitting beside me. She discovered her toes this past week and is having fun catching them. Last weekend at our 4th of July BBQ she followed Grant with her eyes and her head as he swang in the swing. Paislee gets her to laugh the hardest while we drive in the car, I love hearing those belly laughs.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDpEawhcteI/AAAAAAAABAI/k7Cu7pcr6Ug/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492777922024224226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDpEawhcteI/AAAAAAAABAI/k7Cu7pcr6Ug/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" /></a>She is sensitive to sound, if she hears a loud noise her bottom lip sticks out in a huge pout and the wailing starts. Pretty sure it's a warning cry to notify me that she's worried Grant's going to get her again. He loves her so much, he just doesn't know how to show it kindly.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDpEadciS8I/AAAAAAAABAA/DLE9msMgqnc/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492777916903345090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDpEadciS8I/AAAAAAAABAA/DLE9msMgqnc/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" /></a> Stats:</div><div>Weight - 12 lbs 12 oz (40th percentile)</div><div>Height - 25" (75th percentile)</div><div>Head - 42cm (75th percentile)</div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">and as my mother-in-law pointed out</span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">100% cute!</span></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-52135879037025573812010-07-06T18:25:00.000-07:002010-07-07T15:28:55.558-07:00The Reason Why<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPX7FXbKhI/AAAAAAAAA_4/PeeLNF8S6aY/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490969780747446802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPX7FXbKhI/AAAAAAAAA_4/PeeLNF8S6aY/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" /></a> These four kids are the reason why I'm so grateful to live in this country. Even with all the political turmoil and the economic downturn it's still the best place to raise children. I'm so grateful for the men and women who have fought for our country protecting our rights and freedoms. I love teaching our children about our founding fathers, the meaning behind the Stars and Stripes, and showing them why we celebrate our Indpendance Day. I also loved watching their faces while the fireworks were being lit and exploding in the sky, it was better to see their wonder and amazement than any firework show!</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">I'm proud to be an American!</span></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-17296959073765335632010-07-06T15:47:00.000-07:002010-07-06T18:15:22.819-07:00Family Fun Run<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPS6wua5UI/AAAAAAAAA_w/KcCBdtIhfP8/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490964277648614722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPS6wua5UI/AAAAAAAAA_w/KcCBdtIhfP8/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" /></a> We had an awesome 4th of July weekend. The girls started it off with hitting a bucket of balls and practicing their putting with Daddy and Papa Bill while I enjoyed cleaning as the other two monkeys slept. Then bright and early Saturday morning we went to our Stake activity and participated in our first family fun run. This is the only photo of Paislee because she completely left us in the dust, although her smile was just as bright at the finish line!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPSi0dGqPI/AAAAAAAAA_o/3O81_eOQIZw/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490963866332866802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPSi0dGqPI/AAAAAAAAA_o/3O81_eOQIZw/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" /></a> Ella started off with a piggy back ride courtesy of Jake before she used her own two feet.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPSLLS3CPI/AAAAAAAAA_g/cuUDvSLTGeY/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490963460147054834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPSLLS3CPI/AAAAAAAAA_g/cuUDvSLTGeY/s320/DSC_0101.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPN7nUGgqI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/ttOdIsz5wQ0/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490958794744038050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDPN7nUGgqI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/ttOdIsz5wQ0/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" /></a> Grant started strong and finished strong, pumping his arms and moving his feet.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDO3d8HFlXI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/vt5jbLsjo9s/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490934095674709362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDO3d8HFlXI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/vt5jbLsjo9s/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" /></a> Parker enjoyed the ride.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDO291W0DHI/AAAAAAAAA_I/yuKv0LeWhUI/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490933544105806962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDO291W0DHI/AAAAAAAAA_I/yuKv0LeWhUI/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" /></a> Grant being reverent and respectful for his first flag raising ceremony.<br /><br /><div>We spent the rest of the day enjoying the temperate weather and sunshine at Roaring Springs with Grammy.</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-31842219305260253812010-07-06T15:29:00.000-07:002010-07-06T15:46:45.715-07:00Learning to Swim 2010<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOvfm9nKZI/AAAAAAAAA_A/n_PuAvATh8Y/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490925328264538514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOvfm9nKZI/AAAAAAAAA_A/n_PuAvATh8Y/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" /></a> Our kids and their goggles, they are seriously obsessed with them. One morning as I was driving to lessons I looked in the rearview mirror and both of the girls were wearing their goggles, why? I don't know! They felt more secure with them on? They were afraid I was going to drive into a canal and they'd need them? Who knows! And here's Paislee, waiting for her lesson to begin, wearing her goggles. Ella did the exact same thing while waiting for Paislee's lessons to finish and hers to start. Funny kids!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOvfAuNsqI/AAAAAAAAA-4/qGBdroJyEx4/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490925317999407778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOvfAuNsqI/AAAAAAAAA-4/qGBdroJyEx4/s320/DSC_0088.JPG" /></a> Paislee diving...she's not supposed to be squatting like that as she dives in, but whatever works!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOveczc9XI/AAAAAAAAA-w/G5J3Feg2pB4/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490925308357703026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOveczc9XI/AAAAAAAAA-w/G5J3Feg2pB4/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" /></a>Ella's first dive, and she did it head on and was EXCITED to do so, probably the only kid in her class that couldn't wait to go in head first!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOveCdZ6GI/AAAAAAAAA-o/cIWM0sjjAp8/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490925301285906530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOveCdZ6GI/AAAAAAAAA-o/cIWM0sjjAp8/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" /></a>Diving for rings, she's a champ and loves, loves, LOVES it!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOvdWyV1RI/AAAAAAAAA-g/uxQ7ogurvdA/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490925289562559762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TDOvdWyV1RI/AAAAAAAAA-g/uxQ7ogurvdA/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" /></a> Jumping off the diving board. On the last day she was supposed to jump in (not to the teacher) and then "ice cream scoop swim" to the other end. Her teacher was treading water out of her reach when she jumped in and Ella was seriously bicycling through the air in an effort to get to her teacher, she almost made it and made everyone laugh.</div><div> </div><div>Once again swimming lessons were a ton of fun for everyone except yours truly, one day I won't be a nervous wreck from dealing with the children on the sidelines, but I'm afraid the days of entertaining, combatting children during lessons are going to last a few more years!</div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992218698624198688.post-48044576552286225492010-06-15T12:39:00.000-07:002010-06-15T13:12:03.464-07:00Fathead<div align="center">Old Friends!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfcVRWXGPI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/2IkhKCVuPxg/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483093329339422962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfcVRWXGPI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/2IkhKCVuPxg/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" /></a>...is what Jake's friend Craig always called him and after 5 years we were able to hang out and catch up with him and his family. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">New Friends<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfcUycEWRI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/vG2m45WwV0A/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483093321041860882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfcUycEWRI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/vG2m45WwV0A/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" /></a> These two girls became fast friends and played together wonderfully for 6 hours.<br /><br />Lots of Friends!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfbgJt7G_I/AAAAAAAAA-I/jz6yBTpWxN0/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483092416757701618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfbgJt7G_I/AAAAAAAAA-I/jz6yBTpWxN0/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" /></a>Our two families.<br /><br />Silly Friends!<br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483092021484104994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfbJJNWrSI/AAAAAAAAA-A/FGJXLsNT3X4/s320/DSC_0056.JPG" />Fun Friends!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfa0DJrF9I/AAAAAAAAA94/KCjIMCmT9Gc/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483091659080800210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_548sOXVTqOk/TBfa0DJrF9I/AAAAAAAAA94/KCjIMCmT9Gc/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div><br /></div>Britaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890249634736428062noreply@blogger.com0